Review: Wooed by a Wicked Duke (Seductive Scoundrels #5) by Collette Cameron

Print Length: 284 pages

Publisher: Blue Rose Romance (December 31, 2019)

From Goodreads.com:  He’s betrothed…but not to the woman who holds his heart

She’s hiding from the past…
Hoping to put the shame of her father’s disgrace behind her, Jessica Brentwood is determined to be the epitome of decorum and propriety her first London Season. All is well until she’s discovered naked in the arms of a notorious rake, Crispin, the wicked Duke of Bainbridge.

Though thoroughly compromised—through no fault of her own—Jessica refuses the enigmatic nobleman’s obligatory marriage proposal. She’d rather face certain scorn and ridicule than be forced into a marriage of convenience. Or rather, inconvenience.

He’s avoiding his future…
Betrothed since childhood, Crispin has no interest in wedding the woman he’s expected to marry before Season’s end. The lovely country miss, Jessica Brentwood, holds the key to his heart, though he’s never hinted at his feelings for her.

When they are the victims of a cruel hoax, Crispin isn’t at all unhappy he’ll have to break his unwanted betrothal to marry Jessica. Except, his betrothed isn’t willing to release him from their agreement, and the vengeful villains who conspired to ruin Jessica and Crispin aren’t finished plotting mayhem.

How can he convince Jessica his rakehell’s reputation is mostly conjecture and that he’s adored her from afar? Dare Jessica believe the scoundrel who swears he’s not a rogue and vows he wants to protect her?

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Let me start off by saying that this is a very enjoyable novella that while part of a series, can be read as a stand alone story. And because I did genuinely enjoy this story I'm going to get the couple things I didn't like as much out of the way first. 

To begin with, I loathe it entirely when an author uses the word "tummy" in relation to an adult character. Yes, I understand this is a personal pet peeve of mine, however I also know that I am not in the minority with it so I believe it is worth mentioning. For me using that word makes the character seem like a child - children have a  tummy. Adults have a stomach or a belly. 

The second thing was the undeveloped potential with the villains of this story. There was SO much room for the author to take these characters and really run with them in a way that for me, would have made the story that much more enjoyable. There had already been a couple of twists introduced along the way that I just wish the author would have explored them more. As it is, the way their part in this story was wrapped up felt wholly unsatisfying to me.

Now speaking just to the romance between Crispin and Jessica - I found them to be quite entertaining. I loved being inside his head as he thought about Jessica BEFORE they were set up, and all the reasons he wished he was free to make her his (before anyone gets mad his betrothal contracts were signed when he was a child).  I also enjoyed the way Jessica's family and friends (although most were friend's of Crispin's as well) banded together to not only help mitigate the scandal that was attached to them, but also did whatever they could to help these two reach their much deserved happily ever after.

I would definitely read more of this series and more from this author! 

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                        Wooed by a Wicked Duke is available from Amazon.com
                                      (for free if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited)