The Duke Undone

Name: The Duke Undone
Brand: Penguin Random House
Availability: InStock
Author: Joanna Lowell
ISBN: 9780593346969

Author: Joanna Lowell

Narrator: Mary Jane Wells

Unabridged: 12 hr 34 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 04/06/2021

Categories: Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

Synopsis

An artist stumbles upon a naked duke and an unlikely love story begins in this captivating Victorian historical romance.

When Royal Academy painting student Lucy Coover trips over a naked man passed out in an East End alley, she does the decent thing. She covers him up and fetches help. Trouble is, she can't banish his muscular form from her dreams as easily. Compelled to capture every detail, she creates a stunning portrait but is forced to sell it when the rent comes due. What could be worse than surrendering the very picture of your desire? Meeting the man himself.

Anthony Philby, Duke of Weston, is nobody's muse. Upon discovering the scandalous likeness, he springs into action. His infamous family has been torn apart by shame and secrets, and he can't afford more gossip. Even a whisper may jeopardize his inheritance and his chance at independence. His plan is simple: burn the painting, confront the artist. Or rather, it's simple until he meets Lucy and decides to offer the bewitching young artist a devil's bargain. He'll help save her foreclosed home, if she'll help repair his family’s brutal legacy.

An irresistible passion ignites between them, but when danger strikes, Lucy and Anthony must risk everything... for a love that might destroy them both.

About The Author

Joanna Lowell lives among the fig trees in North Carolina, where she teaches in the English department at Wake Forest University. When she's not writing historical romance, she writes collections and novels as Joanna Ruocco. Those books include Dan, Another Governess / The Least Blacksmith, The Week, and Field Glass, co-authored with Joanna Howard.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels) on August 07, 2021

Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖📖 Feels: 🦋🦋🦋 Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔💔 Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡ Romance: 💞💞 Sensuality: 💋💋💋 Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑 Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥 Humor: Yes! Even though I found this a heavy book, I also found it hilarious, especially in the beginning. (The......more

Goodreads review by Mara on January 26, 2021

3.5 stars - This was my first outing with this author, and I think it is quite an impressive start! The writing was particularly lovely, so I would definitely recommend this as a good choice for readers who value prose quality. I very much enjoyed all of the individual elements of the story (the mai......more

Goodreads review by C.W. on August 05, 2022

4.5 🌟 This book came across my perusals in Audible. The premise sounded interesting and far from ordinary, and I wasn’t disappointed. Having Mary Jane Wells narrate was perfection. Her performance added much to the story (especially heroine’s personality). The time period wasn’t always clear and I w......more

Goodreads review by Cece on April 08, 2021

The Duke Undone is exquisitely written, much darker in tone than its hot pink and floral cover would suggest, and reads like a combination of Evie Dunmore, Laura Kinsale, and popular fiction from the Victorian era. This mix worked well for me until the book’s fourth quarter, when its historical and......more

Goodreads review by Roma on February 26, 2023

I love this author’s style of writing. Brilliantly done. The story is a typical HEA historical romance, but it was executed in such a fresh way that I couldn’t put this book down until the end. A great and entertaining read!......more

Quotes

“Lushly dark, riddled with secrets, and seductive….Lowell’s writing oozes a sense of place. [The] sense of authenticity never falters, making this the most Victorian of romance novels.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“I loved The Duke Undone and so will my readers!”
—Eloisa James, New York Times bestselling author of My Last Duchess

“A beautiful blend of seductive suspense and heart-tugging romance that I could not put down. Romance fans should make room for this author on their keeper shelves!”
—Lyssa Kay Adams, National bestselling author of Crazy, Stupid Bromance

“Joanna Lowell's skillful storytelling and dazzling characters create one of the most exciting new voices in historical romance today.”
—Julia London, New York Times bestselling author of A Princess by Christmas

"A charming romance with an atypical heroine and a to-die-for (and hot!) hero in this unique tale of a duke and a struggling artist in Victorian London.”
—Jennifer Ashley, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Mackenzie Bride

“I really loved this book—in fact, I couldn't put it down. It's a fabulous feast of a story that plunges you into the Victorian era with all its levels and complications — into the art world and among aristocrats and slum-dwellers. There's tension, adventure, derring-do, a fight against corruption on several levels, a rich cast of characters and a hero and heroine to admire and cheer for. All in all, a rich and heartwarming historical romance. Highly recommended.”
—Anne Gracie, National bestselling author of Marry in Scarlet

“Lowell conjures vivid characters in this intelligent Victorian romance… provides plenty of atmospheric intrigue, deepened by Lowell’s willingness to engage with ideas of gender, class, and empire, and by the complexity of the characters.”
—Publishers Weekly

“It’s a lush, sensual and outstanding romance that makes the heart ache in the very best way.”
—BookPage (Starred Review)

"Impeccably researched, Lowell's latest emphasizes justice. This love story tackles weighty issues but remains suspenseful and spellbinding."
—Library Journal (Starred Review)

"Lowell’s prose is vivid and evocative, and issues such as class inequity, women’s rights, and alcohol addiction complement the intense on-page evolution of the love story...those looking for a happy-ever-after for complex and passionate characters will be very satisfied here. A new voice in historical romance that will keep readers riveted."
—Kirkus