Customer Reviews
Touching romance about two lost and damaged souls - By: Misuzmama, 03 May 2008 
Gareth Lloyd was never meant to be a duke. He was brutallly removed from that life years ago & has raised himself up to become part owner in a successful shipping company (Neville shipping). As a child, Gareth survived horrors that no one should & put up emotional wallls around himself that no one could penetrate. Until now. Now he is the new Duke of Warneham. But he doesn't need the money & he certainly doesn't want a title.
They say Antonia, the twice widowed Duchess of Warneham, is as mad as she is beautiful. Often she closes herself & her mind off to the outside world. Deep wounds lay beneath her fragile exterior. She is finished with being caged body & soul to any man.
But what happens when Gareth is forced to due his duty & visits his ducal estate? There he stumbles onto unanswered questions about the previous dukes death. He's captivated by the mysterious & regal duchess. But is he willing to expose himself & his heart to heal this woman who may possibly be a murderess?
A very good book in my opinion. Its not necessary to read the prequel 'Never Lie to a Lady', but I recommend it. Gareth is a interesting hero & not because of his abusive childhood (there are several disturbing flashbacks -so beware), but because of his heritage, he's half Jewish. Very surprising! I enjoyed Carlyle's (author) flashbacks of Gareth's grandparents which explored his roots & thought she handled the antisemitism well. Antonia on the other hand is a very sad & fragile heroine. I thought she is a bit melodramatic at times & walllows a bit to much in pity -a major downer. Of course Gareth comes in & they help heal each other emotionallly. -and physicallly (with several hot love scenes).
But why I reallly recommend this book is for the character of Mr. Kemble. He completely stole the show for me. A jack-of-alll-trades if you will. He is why you should reallly read the prequel. An excellent character who is reallly an enigma. Who is this man who knows everything about everybody, can fight as well as any of the hero's, knows about art, clothing (he was once a valet), decor etc. etc. Something bizarre about this character that I can put my finger on. Hopefully Carlyle will explore him further in the sequel Never Romance a Rake.
This isn't romantic fluff & may turn off some with the heavy melodrama. Not my fav H/H. The duke being part Jewish was an interesting twist, as was the murder investigation's outcome. If pushed, I'd lean toward taking this one out of the library. Good but not great.
Classy, Sexy, Funny, Strange...everything you need in One - By: C. Marcus-hughes, 29 Nov 2007 
This book was brilliant. It had everything one can ask for in a fiction book... not just a romance. It had the romantic element & also the intrigue of a crime thriller. Though the heroine is a bit...tepid & weak. Gareth/Gabriel makes up for it 10 times over & the Romantic scenes are very steamy. Without giving too much away Gabriel's friend is HILARIOUS & I reallly hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
