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Love takes the stage...

Elise deVries is not what she seems. By night, the actress captivates London theatergoers with her chameleon-like ability to slip inside her characters. By day, she uses her mastery of disguise to work undercover for Chegarre & Associates, an elite agency known for its discreet handling of indelicate scandals. But when Elise is tasked with locating the missing Duke of Ashland, she finds herself center stage in a real-life drama.

Noah Ellery left the glamour of the London aristocracy to pursue a simpler life in the country. He's managed to avoid any complications or entanglements—that is, until he lays eyes on Elise and realizes there's more to this beautiful woman than meets the eye. But when Elise reveals her real identity—and her true feelings for him—the runaway duke must confront the past he left behind . . . to keep the woman he loves forever

Hi everyone, several of us are going to begin reading A Duke to Remember by Kelly Bowen, the second book in her Season for Scandal series on Friday July 14. We are aiming for 4 chapters a day. Hope you you can join us. :D

Oh, I am looking forward to this. Elise was an interesting character in the previous novel.

Giselle - did you get your copy yet?

I have read the first chapter. Very intriguing. I think we are in for another wild ride. I can hold off reading further at the moment if others aren't ready, though. I have more books going at once than I am used to.

My copy came in! I'll be starting tomorrow.

Yea!!

Cool! I have read chapters 1 to 4. So I will post my thoughts the day after, I forgot that I am probably a day ahead, it is Friday early afternoon here! I started with my morning coffee and made myself stop! I agree, intriguing so far.

I through the first four chapters. I think the romance is starting out better than the last one. Hopefully, it ends much better. It's easier to see why the heroine and hero are starting to form an attachment. I find both compelling.

I may try to read the next two this evening.

Chapters 1 to 4
As I am not sure who has started reading
The chance encounter (view spoiler)[ with the hero, who just so happens to be the best friend of her only lead didn't feel forced, most of these scenarios feel very awkward and clunky. KB did this one very well. There is a set up for feelings of betrayal and misunderstanding through deception. Not a favourite trope. (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Chapters 1 to 4
As I am not sure who has started reading
The chance encounter [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised at how well that worked too. (view spoiler)[ the betrayal/deception trope is hard to pull off. I do like it best in this type of scenario, though when it's done with the best intentions, so to speak. I am optimistic. I am curious how a farm girl became an actress (and her brother is a hell owner). I really am liking the Hero so far. He seems similar to Ian Mackenzie. (hide spoiler)]

When are you going to start reading again? I was thinking I would do two in the evening and two in the morning. Then I am neither too far ahead or behind, considering our time differences.

Don't worry over much, during buddy reads, I tend to read my allotted chapters over breakfast, make a few notes and then post later after someone else posts .

I thought I would wait a little bit, perhaps see if Giselle posts soon, before continuing.

I haven't read Ian Mckenzie, I am determined to finish Jennifer Ashley's PNR Shifters Unbound series first, only one to go.

Sounds good! I will wait also.

I have never read Jennifer Ashley's PNR series. I have never tried that sub genre before, though I have thought about trying hers as a taste. Any recs? I have not read all of her HRs but I like her style a lot. Her pirate series is great and of course the Mackenzies.

I just read Chapter 5, and I have fallen for Noah. Insta-love on the part of the reader here.

I have read through Chapter 8 now. I will hold off on posting until I see others have made it this far. I will say that this one is working for me. I don't know how long I will be able to stay away from it.

Joanna wrote: "I have read through Chapter 8 now. I will hold off on posting until I see others have made it this far. I will say that this one is working for me. I don't know how long I will be able to stay away..."

That is great news!

On JA, Her shifter books are a darker than the run of the mill shifters, They are confined to reservations, under human control. There is an overall story arc that I really like in a series.

Joanna wrote: "I have read through Chapter 8 now. I will hold off on posting until I see others have made it this far. I will say that this one is working for me. I don't know how long I will be able to stay away..."

Chapters 4 - 8
I agree I flew through my breakfast chapters and didn't want to put it aside especially for mundane jobs like packing the dishwasher and putting a load of clothes on to wash.
(view spoiler)[ I am really pleased that Elise's mission is out in the open and that it didn't drag on as this all consuming secret. The insta-love is done really well too. (hide spoiler)]

Loriidae wrote: "Joanna wrote: "I have read through Chapter 8 now. I will hold off on posting until I see others have made it this far. I will say that this one is working for me. I don't know how long I will be ab..."

LOL ... I completely understand!

(view spoiler)[ I was pleased with the mission being out in the open so early on too. I am glad it came out before they got completely intimate, which is a pet peeve of mine. I agree the insta-love works well here. Considering the way they met a non-insta-love/lust scenario would not have worked as well, I don't think. (hide spoiler)]

So I've been reading but not posting. I'm the worst at buddy reads! I've been having a lot of people anxiety this past week and had to shut everything out. I am a little ahead but these are my thoughts...

Up until end of chapter 11.
(view spoiler)[
I am also glad that they got everything out in the open early on. It's also an annoyance of mine. I do wish that they hadn't kissed before she told him but I do like that it was put out in the open right after that.

What I'm not liking is how insta-lusty she is about him. Like calm down girl! She can't even use her mind around him which is bothering me. It's too over the top for me. Especially considering how good she is at what she does and how much practice and skill she has. That she's forgetting stuff she's supposed to do and getting completely thrown off of her game because of him. Ugg.

More things I'm liking are their relationship. How she doesn't judge his impediment as a bad thing. I think he's stinkin' adorable! And just how they communicate is just an aspect that I'm enjoying so much. I am looking forward to where their relationship is headed.

Something I didn't like is a scene that I hate in all books and movies. The "I'm not going to listen to this person and cut them off when they're going to say something important that I need to know. So now the audience knows because they're smart and guessed what was going to be said but I'm too enthralled in this person to listen to other people and now bad shit is gonna go down." I hate that!!! When he cuts the other guy off to go dance with her I wanted to throw the book. (good thing I'm listening on my phone which prevented me.) Does that annoy you as much as it does me?

I didn't feel like their meeting felt forced but you do have to admit that it was really convenient. Especially since the sister knew who the blacksmith was this whole time and could have ridden over at anytime and found her brother in the past 7 years. *facepalm*
(hide spoiler)]

Good to see you Giselle. So as we are all at the same place we can leave out the spoilers. I am running behind this morning so I will post properly when I get home this afternoon.

Welcome back Giselle! I was wondering what you would think of the insta-lust/love. I think I must be a sucker for this trope.

Through Chapter 12

So that was a cliff hanger ending to a chapter, geeze. I want to keep going, but it looks like the next is long and the time is late for me.

I am digging the attraction these two are feeling for each other. I wasn't getting frustrated with the dancing rivalry, but I see your point Giselle. It is possible that this is a much needed change from most of the romances I have read this year. Many have been in the nicer category. I like reading about a couple with a more raw attraction this time. It feels very palpable.

Chapters 8 to 12
Considerably darker than my HR's. I guess the "lower class" characters and situation allows a franker discussion, that would only be alluded to by many other authors.

I liked the housekeepers down-to-earth advice to Noah.

As an Australian, I have never given thought to the plight of the supporters for the British who were dispossessed after America won the war. I don't recall ever hearing that Canada was involved, but that is not surprising as we only had one term of American history in high school.

I agree Giselle, that annoyed me too, particularly as Elise had made the point of questioning the housekeeper about strangers in the village, and that had been a contentious issue between them.

I am pleased that they didn't fall straight into bed, once the housekeeper wasn't there.

Yes Joanna, who's idea was it to stop after four chapters? (big grin)

I missed the info that Noah should have asked about people at his shop. I went back and looked and see it now. That is annoying.

LOL, Loriidae....necessary evil, I fear. Must sleep or else I will be too cranky.

Loriidae wrote: "Chapters 8 to 12
Considerably darker than my HR's. I guess the "lower class" characters and situation allows a franker discussion, that would only be alluded to by many other authors.

I liked the..."

I had many years of it, but I don't recall much about Canada and the wars. I am terrible on war history, though. I looked for York, Canada on Wikipedia, and it appears to have been involved in the War of 1812.

Loriidae wrote: "I agree Giselle, that annoyed me too, particularly as Elise had made the point of questioning the housekeeper about strangers in the village, and that had been a contentious issue between them. ."

That is a really good point. I feel vindicated now for being so frustrated. I don't mind insta lust as much as love. So at least they aren't declaring themselves yet. But the fact that he's so foggy headed by her that he's forgetting the threat on his own life is just obnoxious. Silly boy.

I was reading some other HR earlier this year (I don't remember which one of course) but the couple are together in bed and because of that she's awake when someone comes in to try and kill the guy and she's able to save his life by warning him. But they aren't supposed to be sleeping together so it's a big deal that has to be kept secret. Well I feel like something similar is going to happen here. Except in this case nobody will care if they're sleeping together.

One thing that I'm a little disappointed by that isn't that big of a deal but I love virgin heroes. They're one of my favorite tropes. And I was hoping he'd be one of those but he isn't and I'm sad now. I mean it's really not a problem but it's a trope that I'm always so excited to see and I was getting my hopes up.

Joanna wrote: "Welcome back Giselle! I was wondering what you would think of the insta-lust/love. I think I must be a sucker for this trope."

The thing about it that is bothering me this time is that they're losing all their reason. You can be really lusty and not lose your badassness at the same time. And I feel like Elise has done that. She's being clumsy and dumb and is going to get Noah and herself killed if she doesn't get her act together.

P. S. Despite my flakiness I'm having so much fun discussing this with you two! We're definitely going to have to choose something else to read once we finish this trilogy.

Yay. I'm am loving it too. Regardless of the cliffhanger, the concept of a set number of chapters per day really works for me.

I am open to any suggestions.

Chapters 13 to 14
I am intrigued with Alex now I really want to read the next book I think he will be an interesting hero.

I think the gradual changing of Noah's mind was done really well there were little hints of it in the last chapters. Had he really thought that it would always be like this or would the past catch up with him eventually and then the partial decision to go to visit his sister and then finally it is implied taking up the dukedom.

"This was different. He was different. Standing out here, in a Nottingham rose garden, he was not a desperate youth any longer, powerless to prevent the next threat of violence that would inevitably come, directed at himself or Elise, or even Abigail. Or anyone else who might be under his protection.
The power to control the future, should he accept it, was his for the taking."

Only read 2 chapters at breakfast, will catch up over afternoon coffee.

Chapter 18 is priceless. 😂 My favorite scene so far.

Oh good! I am falling behind... but not due to lack of want to continue! I also want to respond to comments above!

Read through Chapter 17 - only 5 more

So many lovely moments between these. I love how honest and accepting these two are of each other. I didn't see the revelation of who Joshua was coming!

Giselle- I was looking for the virgin hero also. I think it could have worked well here, but now that I am further along and know who his street companion was, it probably wasn't a very realistic wish.

Also as to Elise acting clumsy and dumb, specific moment(s)? Or was it just the way two of them were acting with each other? Just wondering if I may gave missed something as I did earlier. I agree that keeping their heads would be reasonable, but I also buy into the lust haze when two characters who think they can emotionally deal with any situation are thrown for a loop. I think they were caught off guard by the intensity of their reaction to each other.

Loriidae wrote: "Chapters 13 to 14
I am intrigued with Alex now I really want to read the next book I think he will be an interesting hero.

I think the gradual changing of Noah's mind was done really well there w..."

Yeah, that was some story of Alex rescuing his sister!

Good quote! There were several in this section that I thought copy worthy, but I can't seem to do it in the app I am using - the
Libby app.

Wow Joanna, are you up early or late? I am just settling down to enjoy my only allowed coffee for the day.

Just a tad later than normal, midnight here. Going to sleep now! Enjoy your coffee and reading!

Sweet dreams!

Chapter 16
Going out on the speculation limb herel King is Joshua all grown up, hence the great debt?

Finished chapter 18

I thought finding Elise floating was a bit of an anticlimax. I was a bit oh is that all?

I agree Giselle chapter 18 was brilliant.

Looking forward to the meeting between king and Noah and of course the confrontation between Noah and his cousin.

LOL - yes, clever lady

Read two more this morning, enjoyed both 18 & 19.

Loriidae wrote: "Finished chapter 18

I thought finding Elise floating was a bit of an anticlimax. I was a bit oh is that all?

I agree Giselle chapter 18 was brilliant.

Looking forward to the meeting between ki..."

I thought the same thing about the floating, though it did make me laugh some.

Finished! Enjoyed this much more than the last one. There was separation at the end still but not for stupid reasons.

Finished. Overall a lovely book, I enjoyed it very much.

I found the scene with the doctor on the street a bit bizarre if Noah had only just discovered his mother was in Bedlam and also assuming Max was ostensibly there on his own business and it was a chance meeting with Noah then how did he know that he would need the services of a doctor after the appointment. I did like Elise' portrayal of the doctor and thus she was able to support Noah throughout the ordeal of returning to Bedlam, it was her appearance outside the solicitors that didn't work for me.

Loving Alex prudishness about Elise dress I can see he is going to be be an overprotective hero. My favourite type.

I would have liked to have had an epilogue resolving / clarifying Noah's relationship with his mother.

I might try to reread the Doctor/Bedlam scene. I don't recall thinking anything odd about it, just that it seemed a well-orchestrated Chegarre plan.

I agree. I could have used some closure with his mother. Though I guess she knew where he was being sent at 10, so I am not sure if she deserves any closure.

After Alex's book, Giselle suggested we choose another BR, as we are having fun! Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas? I haven't read a lot of variety in HR I have pretty much stuck to traditional recency. I am willing to venture out of my shell.

Loriidae wrote: "Finished. Overall a lovely book, I enjoyed it very much.

I found the scene with the doctor on the street a bit bizarre if Noah had only just discovered his mother was in Bedlam and also assuming ..."

I re-read this part again. It is a bit convenient, and I think Bowen needed to add more detail/explanation. Not sure, but I think it was meant to look accidental but was actually planned meetings.

Loriidae wrote: "After Alex's book, Giselle suggested we choose another BR, as we are having fun! Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas? I haven't read a lot of variety in HR I have pretty much stuck to traditional rece..."

I am in. It has been fun! I like different eras, though I rarely go before Georgian. Not opposed to earlier, though. I also like Victorian books. What about non-British settings and/or characters?