From Duke Till Dawn audiobook

The smut is strong in this one, and I mean it in the best possible way. Sexy times are exciting but they don’t happen often enough so that they become repetitive and boring. It was a ton of fun. The hero was an uptight tuff, just ripe to have his heart broken. But, dear goodreaders, he was never an asshole. The person who suffered most from his rigidness was his own self. It was a great adventure to see him lose what he thought was his core identity. And say naughty words. The heroine, in turn, was strong and capable but aware of her weaknesses too and when it was right to ask and hope for help. It was a relief to read a romance when people didn’t act like complete idiots just to create the necessary drama and move the plot along.

From Duke Till Dawn changes the perspective usually seen in historical romance. Most times the story is told through the viewpoint of the rich, where the mansions, ballrooms and men’s clubs of London are standard fare. Author Eva Leigh takes all of that glamour and turns it on its ear to show how isolated from real life that perspective is. Along the way she opens up a whole new side of the city, full of shady characters living by their wits and entertainments that feed the sensual desires of men and women. It all comes together into a story that is intelligent, romantic, and plays by its own rules.Alexander Lewis, the Duke of Greyland, is normally well above the gossip exchanged throughout the ton like a commodity; however when Alexander is jilted by his prospective duchess his name is the one on everyone’s lips. Reluctantly he drags himself back into the social whirl of the Season, if only to assure people that he’s unaffected by the loss. In truth, Alex is more annoyed he’ll have to start the whole process over again rather than broken hearted at the rejection. Emotion had little to do with the match and hasn’t been a consideration for Alex since he lost the one woman he’d felt connected with. Two years before, while visiting the spa town of Cheltenham, Alex let himself fall for a beautiful widow who was astute, witty and practically perfect. Their time together was short but for Alex it was meaningful enough that he’s been carrying a torch for his Lost Queen even though she left him behind.While out with friends visiting an exclusive new gambling hell, Alex is surprised to hear the voice of The Lost Queen there in London. Searching the room Alex sees Mrs. Blair in all her splendor but apparently now working as a hostess for the hell’s owner Mr. Hamish. Alex’s surprise at seeing her again is surpassed by his overwhelming feeling that her presence in town is a second chance for them. Mrs. Blair seems skittish but still happy to see Alex so he makes plans to return to the establishment to see if there’s a way to renew their acquaintance.Please read the full review on All About Romance

I had heard cool stuff about Eva Leigh books before I decided to pick up From Duke Till Dawn. I heard they were feminist, sex positive, and fun books to read. After reading this one, I can say those claims are mostly true. The "fun" one is a bit subjective. From the pun in the title to the caper like blurb I thought this was going to be a rom-com. It wasn't. I do prefer my historical romance to have a humorous quality so the fact that this wasn't meant to be all that funny made me take off a star. However, that's just my personal taste and maybe that kind of thing won't bother other historical romance readers.The premise for the story is pretty fun and one I haven't necessarily read much of before. This is about Alex, the Duke of Greyland, and Cassandra, a con-woman. Some time ago, Cassandra conned Alex out of a lot of money, had sex with him, and ran off in the night. Now, several years later, their paths cross again only for Alex to find out she played him. The plot thickens when Cassandra's "business" partner takes off with all the money leaving her in debt to some of the most dangerous criminals of the London underground. The only person she can turn to for help is the one person with good reason to despise her, Alex. Then there's peril and drama as they try to hunt down her "business" partner and recover the stolen money. How's the smut? I'm glad you asked. It's actually pretty good. I was impressed by it. I will say that the smut doesn't happen until much further into the book so it's a bit of a slow burn. However, the smut that we did get was pretty steamy. One thing I did like about the story was that it was sex positive. Cassandra and Alex have both been with multiple people and neither one shames the other for it. That's somewhat rare for the time period in historical romance. I think almost all of the books I've read in the genre feature virgin women. However, I think it's rather refreshing to have a "light skirt" in the mix as well and for her to not be seen as somehow "ruined" because of it. In the end I pretty much got everything that I wanted to get out the book. It was feminist, sex positive, and fun. The only thing it didn't really deliver on was humor. I think if this was more of a comedy and a bit less of a drama I would have enjoyed it much more. It would have been a contender for a 5 star rating. But as it stands right now, I still gave this a 4 because it was a good time to read.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceFrom Duke Till Dawn is the first book in Eva Leigh’s “The London Underground” and I was super excited for this book especially after reading the third installment in the series “Dare To Love A Duke” and where I was charmed by Alex and I really wanted to read his story and was delighted when I saw this book available at my local library. I had a fun time with this book although I do want to mention that the beginning of story is a bit stunted and might throw the reader off, I recommend sticking with the story because it does improve the more you read.She wouldn't have believed such an honorable, principled man would make love to her like he was born for the task. As though his only desire was to give her unending pleasureThe Duke of Greyland has never fully gotten over the one woman that he fell in love with who was a widow in need and they had a passionate one night stand but then she disappeared and he never heard from her again. But when his two friends drag him to a gambling club, he runs into Cassandra again and he is shocked to see her alive and well. But then Alex learns that Cassandra is not the woman he thought she was, that she was never a widow and that she played him all those years ago, since she is highly experienced at being a swindler to survive and Alex is furious.I'd been like an automaton, going through the paces of my life mechanically, dutifully. But you've taken me from the confines of my comfortable, familiar world and introduced me to danger, and excitement and a giddy sort of joy.Cassandra, was born on the streets and she had to learn how to survive in the best way that she knew how by pick pocketing, or stealing so that she wouldn’t have to deal in prostitution unless she had no choice. She has grown up working with thieves and swindlers. She is currently working with a man who taught her to swindle and is like a father to her and in their current venture planning on setting somewhere else and have a fresh start. But then she runs into Alex again and when he learns the truth he is feeling betrayed and she is the cause of that betrayal and she has never felt remorse until now because she loves Alex and has never forgotten him after all these years. But when she is betrayed herself and her father figure abandons her and many other relying on the money they gathered together in their gambling club venture, if she wants to survive she will need to go to Alex for help and hope that he will forgive her one day.He was everything she dared to dream of but could not allow herself to expectFrom Duke Till Dawn, was a enjoyable read, and it may not be my favorite from this author, but I had a fun time with this story but it did take a while before I started to really enjoy it. Its a page turner, so no worries are being able to get into the story but it did start out a bit strange for a second chance romance. There wasn’t any flashbacks (which I was alright with) but it was the way the story was told that seemed a bit unbalanced in the first third part of the book. But then something changed and this is when the story really started to work for me. I really loved the growth of the characters in this book. Cassandra learns about regret and committing wrongs and the guilt that comes with taking advantage of other’s generosity. And Alex learns about the lives about those that live in the underground of London, about poverty and desperation and what some people will need to do in order to survive. He learns the value of forgiveness and redemption. I adored seeing these two grow together and learn to accept one another and their pasts.You're the woman I love. Courageous. Strong. Wickedly intelligent" He touched his fingertips to the underside of her chin, holding her reverently. "I want all of you. And I want to give you all of me"From Duke Till Dawn is a story that is packed with adventure, mystery, emotional growth and a sexy romance that is pure sensation!!

He's lonely and she's the woman who left after one passionate night, many years before. When they meet again, he realised that she's a swindler. She's so interesting, but now the tables have been turned on her, and she's shattered. She's not a bad person, just living as best she can. He's a good man, and she introduced him to a different world. I liked this well written angsty story.

Soft hero. Gutsy heroine. Steamy. YES.

The first book in Eva's new Series "The London Underground" is a great read. The Trope is different in that the heroine, Cassandra is not well born. She spent her childhood in Debtor's Prison with her Father after her Mother left. She grew up on the streets of London and was mentored by a criminal who taught her the Confidence Game and she became an expert at swindling people out of their money. She has only known how to survive in the harsh world that she grew up in. Happy moments are rare in her life.Alex, The Duke of Greyland has known only duty and honor his whole life. From a very young age his father drilled into his head the duties, responsibilities of what it means to be a Duke of the Realm.He was raised by servants and tutors, if his parents loved him it was at best, tepid. He picked out the perfect young lady to be marry and become his Duchess and bear him children. The only problem is that she eloped with a poor soldier and left him open to gossip and speculation, which he will not tolerate. To prove to Society that he is not hiding and nursing a broken heart he agrees to join his two friends at a new Gaming Hell that has just opened. While there he hears a woman laugh that brings back the only time in his life where his heart and mind connected with another human being. She was a widow who he spent time with over two years ago. The last time he saw her was in his bed after they had made love. He fell asleep with her in his arms and when he woke up the next day she was gone. It was like he lost his heart and soul when she left. He never felt that way about a woman ever.When he finds out that everything he knew about her was a lie, he vows revenge. But when she comes to him for help, will he be able to turn her away? The journey that Eva takes these characters on is engaging, intensely emotional and dangerous. Can they both put aside there prejudices about each other classes and have a HAE. This is a story of an adventure that will have you reading late into the night.Received a Complimentary copy for an honest review.

This was my first time reading an adult romance novel, as the genre isn't something that has particularly grabbed my interest until now. However, now I've reached the point where most YA novels featuring a romance have me rolling my eyes at their cringe level, I thought it was time to try something new. From Duke till Dawn ended up completely blowing away my expectations, and I gave it 4/5*. Due to my lack of experience with romance novels, i wasn't expecting such a well-developed and engaging plot. Although the romance was enjoyable, without it I would have been more than happy to keep reading about the underground criminals of London and what it takes to survive there. I really felt for Cassandra's situation and was thrilled that she got an ending that she deserved. I thought that the Duke was good match for her, and appreciated the determination of both protagonists to smash social expectations in the name of love. His interactions with his friends also brought a lighter and more humorous tone to some scenes and added to fleshing out the Duke's life and other relationships in the same way that we learn about the communities Cassandra operates in. I think the balance of romance to action was done well here, although I definitely didn't hate the racier scenes, I'm glad they were accompanied by such a detailed and consequential journey on Cassandra's part. I'd also definitely be interested in reading more books in this series, as the treatment of different lives and social circles in London fascinated. I think Leigh could be well on her way to building an extremely successful and alluring version of London.

3.5 starsFrom Duke Till Dawn is the first book in the London Underground series and the first book, I read from this author. In the begging, I was happy with the direction of the plot. I liked that our heroine wasn't as sweet and innocent as the hero thought she was.She tricked him into giving her money two years ago. When I read that I was kind of happy because it wasn't the usual plot in a historical novel and I kept reading very enthusiastically. I was hooked. I was enjoying the book until it started to feel more contemporary than historical. The tone of the book didn't match the time of the period our characters live in. It felt off to me and I wasn't happy. The joy I had felt while reading the book had started to fade away. Langdon and Amina's story was teased in this book and is the main reason why I am thinking of reading the second book. I liked Alex's evolution as a character. He seemed to become a different person from the one he was in the begging of the book. His time with Cassandra changed him for the best. I feel like Cassandra stayed the same person who has seen too much and doesn't let herself be affected by the good of the world anymore. I would have liked to see her warming up a little. For me, she was too cold and jaded. I am giving 3.5 stars to the book because it's my middle rating. Usually the lowest rating I give is 2 stars so 3.5 is in the middle. I really have to hate a novel in order to give it 1 star. I liked half of this book and I liked the development of on half of the main couple, so I feel this is a justified rating for the book.

Two years ago Alex, the Duke of Greyland lost his heart and a princely sum to a charming, beautiful and destitute widow who, after a very brief affair, vanished without a trace. Cassandra Blair grew up on the city streets, picking pockets to survive. Greyland was a rich mark to be fleeced and forgotten only she’d never forgotten him. They meet again in a London gaming hell. This is the first book I’ve read by the author & I particularly enjoyed that it was a different slant on a historical novel. Cassandra wasn’t a titled wealthy debutante but had grown up on the streets. I found it a fun read of crossing the class divide & finding a swindler. The characters were well portrayed but sometimes seemed more contemporary than Regency however as it was an enjoyable read I was able to go with this. I look forward to more in the series.My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

5 Wonderful Amazing Stars.Love Love Love in the air.

3.5