Review: One Night for Seduction (Wicked Dukes Club #1) by Erica Ridley

Print Length: 204 pages

Publisher: Web Motion (April 16, 2019)

From Goodreads.com: When the Wicked Duke dares the Duke of Colehaven to find a suitor for an unmanageable ward, Cole immediately accepts. He's on a winning streak, and besides, how unmarriageable can a pretty young lady be? He appoints himself bodyguard and duenna, only to discover his own desires may be the greatest danger of all.

Supposed wallflower Diana Middleton lives a double life, bringing dishonest businessmen to justice. Shaking off a meddling duke should be child's play. Yet the more they lock horns, the more she wants to lock lips. Her scandalous secrets would derail his political career. But surely there’s no harm in one little seduction…

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My Rating: 3 stars out of 5

At first I liked this book. I love strong, independent women who don't conform to the rules society tries to put upon them. Even though I was a little confused about what and how exactly Diana was doing her "inspections", I was refreshed by the fact that she was trying to make a difference in people's lives. I was even endeared to Cole, the humble Duke who has worked hard to prove himself worthy of the title and of chairing committees in the House of Lords. Even their first meeting was much different from the standard presentation in historical romances. I thought to myself finally. I have finally found the book that is going to break my unfortunate three star or lower streak.

And yet. I was wrong. *sigh*

While its admirable that Diana cares so much about people being wronged, she just is not all that intelligent when it comes to the bigger picture. She becomes so focused on herself - her independence as a spinster, her defending the common folk against a perceived wrong - that even when a golden opportunity is presented to her she can't see it for anything other than a man trying to control her. The back and forth between them on the subject of marriage became so tiresome that I almost wished he would tell her to go to hell and marry someone else just for spite. After all, a man has his pride too right? 

I am however, a fan of this author's work. So while this one didn't gel for me the way I would have liked it to, I know there will be those that love this story and these characters. I will also not let this bump deter me from reading more from this author or in this series. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                             One Night for Seduction is available from Amazon.com