I quite enjoyed this one. Gambling clubs are often an exciting backdrop. The characters' actions and feelings generally made sense given their circumstances, and I found them both likable. It felt like there were more peeks into their minds than usual, which I always appreciate. And I enjoyed watching their feelings develop and liked them together. It seemed a bit complex, without being at all hard to follow. ( )

This book has a fantastic beginning. It starts off with a bang and continues on from there, taking the reader on a marvelously romantic adventure of high-stakes card play where the ultimate prize is love.

Ever since being orphaned and then abandoned at a boarding school for girls by her awful uncle, Sophie Campbell has known she would have to rely on herself to get by in the world. But becoming a teacher or a governess doesn't appeal and neither does being a mistress. Instead, Sophie chooses to rely on the gambling skills her father once taught her and after finishing school, she heads off to London to make her fortune. Her goal is four thousand pounds - enough to attract a gentleman suitor, she hopes, and gain the security and comfort of a respectable marriage. But when the Duke of Ware goads her one evening, she forgets her principles for a moment and makes the biggest mistake of her life - a mistake that promises to become the best decision ever.

When Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, arrives at the Vega club to pay his brother's debt, he is incensed at discovering said brother is gambling away additional funds. But when he sees the woman against whom his brother is playing, Jack finds himself not only transfixed but inexplicably jealous, and in a moment of utter madness, he wagers with her himself: five thousand pounds against one week of her company. The scandal promises to be ruinous, especially for her, and with Jack's abysmal luck so far, he's sure he stands no chance. But then he wins and his world is turned upside down, because the more time he spends with Sophie Campbell, the more desperate he becomes for her company and for the prospect of uncovering the truth about this woman whose secrets run deeper than the English Channel.

Splendidly written with wonderful character development, dialogue and wit, this story will keep readers turning the pages late into the night. A story I highly recommend and know fans of historical romance are bound to enjoy. ( )

I devoured this book!

Jack and Sophie's story was so much fun to read--the first half, when they make their wager and spend time together, is the strongest part of the story, though the HEA was satisfying as well. Watching them initially clash but then gradually grow to like and respect each other was delightful--seeing how Jack's demeanor changed from cold and proper to warm and relaxed, especially through Sophie's eyes, was wonderful. The second half, where they're back in London and trying to hide their relationship from everyone is slightly more problematic (neither one of them worries about unintended consequences? Not once? Hardly seems in character for either of them...) and their dark moment felt not quite in character either, especially for Sophie. Still, Jack knows when to bring out the big guns, and did I mention the HEA was nicely done? ;)

My Once and Future Duke is the start of a new series for Ms. Linden (The Wagers of Sin), so it's a great place to start if you've never read her books before. (Though Jack does get some help from an earlier Linden character, the hero in What a Gentleman Wants ; now I definitely need to read his book too...) Quick warning, though--the epilogue contains a major teaser for the next book in the series ( An Earl Like You --I had it on my TBR before I was even halfway done with this one) which is going to make waiting for it to come out twice as difficult... ;)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ( )

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