The Duke Who Lied

Another well-written tightly plotted addition to the 1797 series. It is the story of Hugh Margolis, Duke of Brighthollow, and Miss Amelia Quinton. Both characters are very likable and relatable, and when you add in visits from other 1797 Club members you have a warm and lovely book.

The 1797 Club was started in the year 1797 by several friends who were all future dukes. Most of them were from abusive, non-caring, disinterested families -- especially the fathers. So, the club was a way for them to band together and help and protect each other since they weren't getting that from their families. Hugh was from one of those uncaring abusive families. Nothing Hugh ever did was good enough and Hugh soon learned to hide all feelings from his show more expressions. Then, Hugh became the youngest of their group to inherit his title – and he also inherited the guardianship of his young, eight-year-old sister, Libby. Hugh loved Libby fiercely and would do absolutely anything to protect her.

A little over a year ago, Hugh noticed a change in Libby, but he didn’t pursue it because he had a lot going on. After all, all teenagers go through difficult phases don’t they? Then, when it was too late, he found she was on her way to Gretna Green. The scoundrel had the audacity to laugh at Libby when Hugh found them – he was only after her fortune. Hugh felt so much guilt – he let the scoundrel get away with what he had done to Libby in order to protect her reputation. That just ate at Hugh. He had paid the scoundrel a huge sum of money to stay quiet and Hugh also felt guilty for providing him with the means to look like a respectable part of society – and what if he used that to snare another innocent young miss.

Miss Amelia Quinton is engaged to the most wonderful man and she loves him with all her heart. She is walking on air – until she isn’t. Her father informs her that she will not be marrying the love of her life – she will now be marrying Hugh Margolis, Duke of Brighthollow because the duke owns all of her father’s debts. Her world has crumbled and it is Hugh’s fault – she hates him – hates him with every fiber of her being and she tells him so. To no avail – they are still married.

It was lovely to watch them dance around each other – she hates him – he feels guilty for having to deprive her of the man she thinks she loves. Can they come to love and respect each other? Can they have their HEA? When she discovers the truth, can she forgive his lies? This is a lovely read and a wonderful romance.

Now, my personal opinion is that his lie wasn’t all that bad and it probably saved her life – so – my thought is – what is to forgive?

I highly recommend the book.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher." show less

'She loved someone else, his greatest enemy!'

Initially, I was not so sure that Hugh Margolis, Duke of Brighthollow lied enough to earn him the moniker the 'Duke Who Lied.' After all he was only trying to protect his sister from the vicious tongues of the ton.
In protecting his sister Hugh,
'lived the last year regretting that [he] did not thwart [the blackguard] as he deserved.” “And fearing he would do exactly what it appears he’s done...find another victim.”'
So the problem for Hugh comes when the man who seduced his sister renters society and turns his eyes to another innocent, Miss Amelia Quinton.
Unfortunately for Amelia, her father welcomes the scoundrel's suit seeing it as a step up the ladder of society. Hugh is thrown show more into a quandary, only relieved when Amelia's father calls Hugh's bluff and Hugh finds himself engaged to Amelia. After all, a wealthy Duke trumps a mere gentleman. Amelia is horrified as she has set her heart on the seemingly romantic winsome man she feels she truly loves, the black hearted villain, Aaron Walters. Amelia has been used as a bargaining chip to move the family into more rarified circles.
And that's whereby not revealing the truth about Walters, Hugh has lied by default, the sin of silence. As time goes on Hugh just doesn't know how to come clean.
We are treated to a tangled web of half truths and silences that have two people (clearly meant for each other) horrified by their impending nuptials--even when they're not!
Of course, the rest of the Dukes and Duchesses of the 1797 Club, look on with heavy, but supportive hearts, wanting for Hugh what they have found--true love!
Getting to the HEA is an interestingly rocky path strewn with good intentions gone awry, giving us the delicious tensions that Michaels so aptly employs.

A NetGalley ARC show less

The Duke Who Lied by Jess Michaels
1797 Club #8

Hugh’s sister Lizzie was taken in by a charmer and saved by her brother. When Hugh finds out that another woman may soon be married to the vile man he tries to warn her father and finds said father to be less than impressed with Hugh’s concerns. With the feeling of guilt over his sister and not wanting Amelia to suffer his sister’s fate he…marries Amelia. Yes, that is correct, he marries a woman he does not know and does not love to save her from the man who seduced his sister.

Amelia is not thrilled with the turn her life has taken on the marriage mart but with her father pushing her toward Hugh she does as told and marries a man that she does not love and perhaps even feels hate show more for. She soon finds that tiny attraction she feels for Hugh might grow into more and provide a good marriage for both of them.

I was not sold on Hugh’s idea to marry Amelia but was happy he felt interest in her beauty and had desire for her. I also felt Amelia was rather pragmatic in her view of marriage and wanting to make the best of what she perceived to be a bad situation. I thought that Amelia’s actions were sometimes not well thought through and that she was lucky Hugh was keeping an eye on her. I felt the book unfolded in a sequence that was highly believable and the relationship that developed between Hugh and Amelia was believable. I am not sure that their three day break was necessary but the HEA at the end was just right. I did feel sorry for Lizzie and hope she will get a book of her own in the future and be provided with a HEA of her own.

Ten teens at boarding school form a club to assist one another as they grow into their positions of being dukes one day - The 1997 Club - this series is already plotted out to have ten volumes starring the ten who form the club. I am sad to think that there are only two more books to read – one about Robert and the last about Christopher/Kit.

Did I like this book? Definitely
Will I read more of this author’s books? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars show less

Hugh saved his sister from a man who only wanted her for her dowry. Now the man is back after another woman, and Hugh decides he must save Amelia from suffering the same fate - by marrying her himself.
I liked both Hugh and Amelia a lot. They're a nice couple and seem to be suited for each other. My problem with the book has more to do with plot holes. As the bad guy points out, Hugh may save Amelia but what is he going to do when the next woman is in trouble? This is never answered. Also, Hugh is a Duke with a group of friends who are Dukes. Maybe I've read too many historicals, but why didn't Hugh ship Aaron (the bad guy) off to the Americas or Australia when he despoiled his sister? Why pay him off to come back and try his luck again? show more There were some other things: Amelia turns around pretty quick from hating Hugh to giving him a chance, and I never understood why Hugh just didn't tell the truth once they were married.
Still, it's a solid book with lots of steamy scenes and a good entry for this series. I give it a 3 1/2 stars. show less

Karma gets a hand from a vengeful Duke and his unwitting muse. For the love of family Hugh is willing to risk everything. Unfortunately in his haste to avenge, the ultimate cost could be his heart. Michaels begins with a conspiracy and ends with unforgettable romance. From ugliness blooms beauty. In a stunning twist the damsel becomes the savior. The Duke Who Lied is a wonderful tale of redemption that fires up the soul.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley to read in exchange for a fair review. The Duke Who Lied is the 8th book in Jess Michaels excellent 1797 club series. You can read the book as a stand-alone but it’s a very enjoyable series and I do recommend reading them all. Hugh Margolis, Duke of Brighthollow discovered that the man who ruined his younger sister has returned to society and is now engaged to another innocent young lady. Hugh still devastated by his failure to protect his sister is determined that this evil man will not ruin another young woman’s life even if it means marrying her himself. Lady Amelia Quinton has been looking for love all of her life, raised by indifferent parents she is delighted to be secretly show more engaged to a kind and handsome young man. Her world is upended when she is told that the Duke of Brighthollow has purchased her fathers debts and that unless she marries the duke her father will be ruined. The lies Hugh told to protect his sister and now again to protect Amelia will make it difficult for them to trust each other even as their rushed marriage of convenience begins to become a true one. Quite steamy. Publishing Date July 24, 2018 #NetGalley #TheDukeWhoLied show less