When the Duke Was Wicked

Lovely story, disappointing reader

Another lovely story from Lorraine Heath but the reader is disappointing, especially after we heard the other stories in this series wonderfully read by Susan Ericksen! All the characters sound the same! Where is Susan when we need her?!

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

I can't make myself finish it.

Would you try another book from Lorraine Heath and/or Helen Lloyd?

The reader has a very mature voice and it just does not work for the girl in the story. I had to keep reminding myself I was listening to a young woman and not my grandma. Eventually it wasn't worth the effort and I quit listening. I may buy the book and read it on my own because I really liked the Scoundrels previous series.

What was most disappointing about Lorraine Heath’s story?

The reader. She would be a wonderful narrator for some books, but just not one where she's supposed to sound like a young woman.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Helen Lloyd?

Susan Erickson.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This story worked on every level...

Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.75
Character Rating: 4.50

Audio Rating: 4.50 (Not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: When the Duke was Wicked by Lorraine Heath was a wonderful dip back into the families of St. James! How did I not grasp this was about the kids! YEAH!

Story Thoughts: I told someone the other day that I was just going to write this for my review: If you love Historical Romance then you need to read When the Duke Was Wicked. Why? It has a plot device that I have never seen in an historical and it really worked! Seriously, I think Kimba said it best when she said the secret was just brilliant. This story just worked for me on every level.

Character Thoughts: I will admit that you don't have to read the series that this is spun off of to enjoy this or the characters. In fact, it is completely two different generations. However, I dare you not to squee like a fan girl if you have because I don't think it is possible. The second I realized it was the kids, I might have done a little jig. It might have also been a tad bit embarrassing. I loved Grace and Lovingdon's love story. They were so perfectly matched and well suited for each other personality wise. Their HEA was FANTASTIC!

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Helen Lloyd / Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins


Helen did an excellent job with the narration of Grace and Lovingdon! I loved her pacing and emotion. All together a wonderful listen.

Final Thoughts: Ready for the next one!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

FUNNY, HEARTBREAKING & ROMANTIC ALL IN ONE

Firstly, this is a spin-off series telling the tales of the children of the couples from The Scoundrels of St. James series but you don't need to have listen to them first however, if you have, then those characters will be familiar to you as they are mentioned in this new series. This book tells of the bitter-sweet romance of Grace's unrequited hopeless love for Lovington now a tortured Rake whose heart is beating but is dead over the death of his wife and daughter 2 yrs previously. Grace will only marry for love and enlists his help in finding it from one of her many suitors and, despite her feelings for him, she tries. But deep down Grace is aware that she's fighting a loosing battle because she loves only him but she realizes too that he could never love again.

It isn't a happy feel-good romance, although there were funny parts, because of the secret Grace held and Lovington's constant pain of his loss but slowly, through their tormented journey, life returns to his once dead heart. There's tragedy, but also a tender all consuming slow build-up of passion, sex and, as danger looms, love. Strong yet vulnerable H/H and it's their character development, compassion unwillingness to let go of each other that makes this a powerful love story.

Worth a credit? This was an enjoyable but emotional listen and, despite the fact that it dragged a bit and was predictable, it's still creditworthy. I'll follow the series but hope that the narrator is changed for the next one as her male/female voices were virtually the same which was a shame because, in the hands of a more skilful narrator, this would have easily earned another star.

8 of 12 people found this review helpful

Loved her imperfection and yet strong attitude.

The heroine went after what she wanted which was unlikely to achieve but then through persistence, courage and innocence she was triumphant. I truly enjoyed the story and realized a bit into the book that this was the continuation to the series Scoundrels of St. James, except with the next generation taking the lead. I like the author’s writing style and the story kept me captivated. A definite good read.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Narrator Too Old!!

These characters are 19 and 28...the narrator made them sound ancient!! Good story...a little long-winded...read for my book club.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Rebuilding a heart - loving all of a woman

This story makes your heart ache from the first words almost to the last, but that's not all. There's love, passion, laughter, and joy.
It is so wonderful to hear the stories of the children of Faegan's children grown up!

This is a wonderful book that I could hardly put down. It makes the heart ache but warms it by the end.

As with all of Heath's books, this one had a serious element that will hit home for many people. It is handled well and gives the story some realistic element that many HEA romances lack. Grace has a secret and shes is afraid it could ruin any chance of her future happiness.

Unfortunately....narrator is not good...she's tolerable, but she's too mature sounding for these characters. I seriously dislike the way she portrays all the male & female voices other than Grace and Lovingdon. HATED the voice she gave Frannie. Everyone else sounds so pompous, old, and nasally.

So this one is WAY worth it - especially if you have read the Scoundrels of St. James. You could read it stand alone, BUT if you want a COMPLETE experience - I recommend Scoundrels of St. James series THEN all 3 of London's Greatest Lovers THEN this series Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James. There are references to both previous series in this book, even though the London's Greatest Lovers is not family related.

Loved this book!

Another "Bravo" moment with a Lorraine Heath book. Such a pleasures read, right down to the last word

The sweetest love story I've ever heard.

What did you love best about When the Duke Was Wicked?

Lorraine Heath writes historical romance with such building emotion, strong symbolism, great character development & with this book sweet, love, courage & determination. This is truly the sweetest love story I have ever read/listened to.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried and smiled simultaneously. Amazing story!!!!

Any additional comments?

If you know someone who needs to overcome insecurity, or just want to feel grateful & impowered, if you want the depths of your heart touched and brought back to life from devastation, read or listen to this book. I just finished it for the third time. It stays with you.
Excellent story.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Boring

After enjoying the Scoundrels of St. James series, I had very high hopes for this 2nd generation book. What a disappointment!

This book lacks any depth of story or character development. In addition, the narrator makes the characters seem like characters in a romance novel rather than possible real people. (Susan Ericksen did a much better job.)

2 of 4 people found this review helpful