Review: Duke with a Debt (Wicked Dukes Society #2) by Scarlett Scott

       

Print Length:  305 pages

Publisher: Happily Ever After Books, LLC (March 27, 2025)

From Goodreads.com: Stuart Gilden, the arrogant and cold Duke of Camden, is suffocating beneath a mountain of debt caused by his wastrel father and gambling brother. To make matters worse, he’s being blackmailed by a mysterious enemy who has threatened to destroy him. Enter Miss Rosamund Payne, London’s greatest heiress, who has the wealth Camden so desperately needs. There’s just one she’s his scoundrel brother’s former fiancée.

For years, the unassuming Rosamund has been plagued by fortune hunters, but one hurt her more grievously than the rest. When that rogue’s brother comes to her with a shocking proposition, she’s cautiously intrigued. Soon, Rosamund finds herself exchanging venomous barbs and searing kisses with the insufferable duke, lured by the prospect of revenge and the undeniable heat smoldering between them.

With their marriage of convenience secured, Camden’s problems should be at an end. But in truth, they’ve just begun. Because his enemy has only grown bolder and more demanding. And the once unwanted wife beneath his roof is proving a maddening temptation he can’t resist, no matter the cost.

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My Rating: 2 stars out of 5

This author's books tend to always be hit or miss for me. And when they miss, it's usually for the same reasons. Sadly, this book was another of those examples. 

To begin with, I just could not connect to either of our main characters. Stuart is supposed to be a Duke. You know, one of the highest ranking peers of the realm, and yet he allowed his absolute wastrel of a brother to do as he pleased (which included gambling away money that Stuart had no way to pay back). Time and again, he says that he can't cut his brother off, or throw him out as it would "upset their mother", all the while acting like it wouldn't upset her if he bothered to make her see just how dire their situation had become. Then we have Rosamund, who was easily distracted when she should be focusing on more important things, or worse yet, who became overly emotional when she couldn't have her way (for example when Stuart tells her that he can't reveal the secret hanging over him because it isn't his secret to tell, she immediately goes on the defensive and accuses him of not trusting her which isn't the case at all). 

And then of course, there are the numerous scenes of a sexual nature which to me do absolutely nothing to move the plot along. I believe these are included as a misguided way for the author to attempt to deepen the emotional connection between Stuart and Rosamund, however to me, it has the opposite effect. To me it seems as though they merely lust after one another, so when they sudden realize that "somewhere along the way" they fell in love with each other I struggle to find where it happened. I really need there to be more depth to the conversations and the interactions between the couple that happen outside of the bedroom. 

Finally we get to the main plot point. The aforementioned secret that is so horrible Stuart will pay any amount of money to keep hidden. And pay again. And again. Because for some reason he seems to think the solution to being blackmailed is to keep paying the outrageous sums and hoping the blackmailer will go away. Instead of you know... using his ducal powers to track down who is blackmailing him in the first place? Maybe hiring someone else to find them if he didn't have the time, or instead of paying the sum demanded, using it to bribe the solicitors into revealing who their client was? Of course, for me at least, it was pretty obvious early on who the blackmailer was, but that could just be because I'm cynical and mistrust everyone. 

Overall, while this was a disappointing read for me, but I will keep trying other series' from this author as I see how highly recommended she is by others.