Falling into Bed with a Duke
4 Stars

Minerva Dodger is sick of suitors more interested in her dowry than her personality. Set on spinsterhood, she is nevertheless determined to lose her virginity. Thus, she dons a mask and attends the infamous Nightingale Club quickly catching the eye of Nick Lambert, Duke of Ashebury, who just as quickly discerns her real identity. Can Nick get past Minerva's defenses and convince her that he wants more than a few nights of passion?

Series note: This is a continuation of Heath's Scoundrels of St. James/Gentlemen of St. James series. Chronologically it fits in after [b:The Duke and the Lady in Red|22864442|The Duke and the Lady in Red (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #3)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1410993308l/22864442._SY75_.jpg|42431510], but I read it after [b:Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses|33230906|Gentlemen Prefer Heiresses (Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #4.5)|Lorraine Heath|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497321169l/33230906._SY75_.jpg|53941233], and it made no difference to the story.

Minerva and Nick's romance is lovely overall, and Heath manages to incorporate the often annoying keeping secrets trope without too much angst.

Nick is an appealing hero and his obvious love for Minerva more than compensates for his keeping his need to marry for money a secret. Minerva is simply delightful. She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to take the necessary steps to get it. They have excellent chemistry and their banter is very entertaining.

Overall, a good beginning to the series and I look forward to the other Hellions' books. ( )

Redhead, Red Hair, Historical Romance, Romance, Victorian Romance, Historical, 19th Century, Hellions of Havisham Series, Secret Identity, Spinster, Rake, Virgin, ( )

I love that this book gave a lot of attention to Minerva’s insecurities - this definitely hit on some favorite tropes! Overall a good read, even if the angst was resolved pretty easily. ( )

3.5 stars, can't *quite* round up. This was worth reading and enjoyable though. The characters were likable, but shy of lovable (for me). The actual falling in love part was very close to the end (and nearly blink and you'll miss it) and then it was over. But I did like that the heroine had a good head on her shoulders, that the hero had a hobby and appreciated actual qualities of the heroine and not just her looks, and I liked how supportive her parents were of her. ( )

Minerva goes to a night club in an attempt to have at least one intimate experience to last her for the rest of her life. She meets the Duke of Ashebury who likes to take pictures of healthy body parts in order to dislodge thoughts of his parents who died in a train wreck. Ashe becomes enamored of Minerva as well as her alter ego "Lady V". He eventually realizes he wants to marry her but she'll always believe that he's marrying her only for her dowry. To prove that's not the case, he asks her father to remove her dowry. The plan works and they marry. ( )