100 Nights with the Duke by Jess Michaels Published by The Passionate Pen on May 10, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Romance / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / General, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Regency
Pages: 243
Format: eBook
Source: ARC
The much anticipated 100th book from historical romance powerhouse Jess Michaels
Once upon a time, a handsome duke was madly in love with a beautiful courtesan. But when his grandmother manipulated him into marrying for position, rather than love, they were torn apart. Now Edward, the Duke of Lockhart, is widowed, out of mourning and ready to pursue the love of his life again.
But Sophia Russell was brokenhearted when she lost him before and she sees no way that it can work out this time any more than it did before. Still, Edward’s seduction is something she cannot…will not resist. So she creates elaborate rules of their affair and hopes she can keep her heart separate this time.
Passion has always been easy for these two, but love will be hard. Especially when a terrible danger becomes clear and their fight for each other becomes one they may die from if they lose.
Heat Level: Courtesans and dukes and a wicked bargain…oh my!
The heat is STRONG with this one! I was fanning myself within the first 8% of the book. I went back to reread the beginning scenes just to make sure they were as, ahem, blush inducing as I remember. It checks out.
I’ve always enjoyed Jess Michaels’s work and 100 Nights with the Duke is no exception. With a courtesan female lead, readers are instantly introduced to the sensual side of Sophia at a hedonism party. The Duke, of course, makes a swift appearance and sets about wooing his lady love. Re-wooing? This is a second chance romance. Former protector comes out of mourning with his sights set on Sophia. The angst from mutual past pining along with the obstacles that come with class-difference only enhanced the tension between the two. Add in a self-imposed deadline to the relationship? The urgency was real. At least for Edward.
Sophia was so unbelievably stubborn. It was truly painful at times even though I understood why she was holding back. The class-difference angle didn’t have the “forbidden” weight that I think was expected BUT I still enjoyed it, especially because of… drum roll…
Edward, dear Edward. Heart on his sleeve, the man with a plan, and apparently has no spidey sense for danger. His POV was a pleasure to read. Truly a sweet, cinnamon roll hero.
I love the twists the story took! No spoilers though. I thoroughly enjoyed Vivien’s low-key stabby sort of protectiveness of Sophia. Honestly, I liked Wallingford as well though he didn’t pop in nearly as often.
All in all, Edward and Sophia’s story was a swoony second chance romance with lots of steam! I missed the “forbidden” aspect but it was still an obstacle that the two had to work past. I’m hoping that we get Vivien’s story in the future! And Wallingford.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Jess Michaels
USA Today Bestselling author Jess Michaels likes geeky stuff, Vanilla Coke Zero, anything coconut, cheese, fluffy cats, smooth cats, any cats, many dogs and people who care about the welfare of their fellow humans. She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and live in the heart of Dallas.
When she’s not obsessively checking her steps on Fitbit or trying out new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes erotic historical romances with smoking hot heroes and sassy heroines who do anything but wait to get what they want. She has written for numerous publishers and is now fully indie and loving every moment of it (well, almost every moment).