Annabelle is no miss-in-distress. Sure, she is facing some dire straits and paying a harsh price for the errors of her young self. Evie Dunmore is a marvelous, fresh new voice in romance who is sure to go far.” —Anna Campbell, bestselling author of the Dashing Widows series He wanted to frame her laughing face in his hands and kiss it, anywhere, forehead, cheeks, nose. He wanted to feel her against his mouth.’ Have you by any chance missed that class at finishing school where they teach you to feign delightful ignorance in the presence of a man?"

Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke dazzles and reminds us all why we fell in love with historical romance.” —Julia London, New York Times bestselling author And then there's Annabelle, who repeatedly acts like an idiot, but whom we're told is very smart because she's read Thucydides; whose political and moral principles seem to be based on the best interests of whomever she last spoke to; and who never once seemed like the impoverished but genteel daughter of a rural Victorian clergyman whom she purported to be. Her defining personality trait, really, is that she's Not Like the Other Girls—hence why she'll go to a ball in a skintight, fashionable gown with no undergarments on underneath! Even on a practical level this wouldn't have been possible given how gowns were constructed then, but Annabelle just draws all the men's eyes with her astounding beauty, etc.Evie Dunmore’s debut is a marvel . . . a witty, richly detailed , historically significant, and achingly romantic celebration of the power of love and the passionate fight for women’s rights’ CHANEL CLEETON, bestselling author of Next Year in Havana

As well as Annabelle and Sebastian we get a well built, and tight-knit, cast of side characters. From Annabelle’s friends in the Women’s suffrage movement( all of whom get their own books) to members of society that Annabelle meets on her journey to happiness. These characters were all so well developed, some you will love and others you will want to punch, but they’re all brilliantly used to further the relationship between our two MC’s. There’s a scene towards the end where the heroine - who up to that point had been pretty good - acts in the typical “I can’t” heroine way. It was frustrating because for the most part this book had avoided the worst of the romance genre cliches.I’m not saying it wasn’t a good novel. I just wasn’t wowed by it. Nevertheless, the writing was great. The story flowed and it easily engaged, I just didn’t love it. Now he's in reach of that goal. Queen Victoria has promised to intercede on his behalf with the present owner of the castle, if only Sebastian uses his influence to keep the Tory party in power. Well, this means no liberal leanings for Sebastian at the moment, and, of course, that means ignoring the women's struggle for the right to maintain their own properties or their right to vote. Bringing down the Duke was one of the best books I’ve ever read—absolutely adored it. Dunmore had me in tears, had me holding my breath...the emotion and passion made the book ache and sing.” —Jane Porter, New York Times bestselling author

He finds her fascinating not just for her pretty face, but also for her sharp mind. Even though she's resilient and can take care of herself, he's still protective of her and comes to her aid. There is so much witty banter and meaningful dialogue everywhere. And the Victorian era reticence and propriety just adds to the whole charming atmosphere. So how did this book leave a mark on me? Well, I couldn't put it down, not even for a second. So I was walking and reading at the same time (danger alert!) when I stumbled over an errant sign on the sidewalk and took a fall. I was mostly ok (other than my pride), but I did skin my knee pretty badly. When it healed, it left this long purple scar behind. Now every time I look at it, I think of the book I thoroughly loved. Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Dukedelivers the best of two worlds—a steamy romance coupled with the heft of a meticulously researched historical novel….Readers will be entranced watching Annabelle, a woman ahead of her time, bring the sexy Duke to his knees.” —Renée Rosen, USA Today bestselling author

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Things went well up until the first real meeting of the pair. The pretext for their run-in was the first hint of bad things to come because it was a badly devised supposed suffragette subplot. Now mind ye the only reason Annabelle is involved with the political movement is exchange for them paying her tuition. She doesn't actively want to be involved. Neither do any of the women in the group. The suffragette aspect is extremely minor and used poorly. This was supposed to be one of the highlights of the book. What an error it was to decide to read it, i stayed awake late at night when I had to wake up before the sun rising. When I started at BOTM, I was a professed literary snob—and probably flaunted that term with pride (queue eye roll). I never read romance books because I assumed they were too cheesy and poorly written to be considered worthy of my time. Years later, dozens of romance books devoured, I’m so happy to report that, on that score, I was wrong. With her smart, well-researched stories and wildly appealing characters, Evie Dunmore has a unique ability to write historical romance for the modern reader. Evie Dunmore is my favorite new historical romance author!” —Lisa Kleypas, New York Times bestselling author Bringing Down the Duke is the best historical romance I've read all year.. . . Evie Dunmore is a marvellous, fresh new voice in romance who is sure to go far. Don't miss her brilliant debut!' ANNA CAMPBELL, bestselling author of the Dashing Widows series

Also, I enjoyed the inclusion of philosophic commentary, from John Stuart Mill to Greek philosophers (as brief as some of it was). Especially when it was used as cleverly as it was to help progress the romance. Something tore inside his chest, something vital, and briefly, he wondered if a man could die from it. The pain all but took his breath away. What a way to find out he did have a heart. What a great debut by Evie Dunmore! I am so happy with all of the amazing debuts coming out recently! This was a fantastic book, and I'm so happy that it is part of a series, and cannot wait to continue it! It was well written, funny, angsty and yet sweet, and I had a lot of fun reading it! It actually reminded me a lot of Pride and Prejudice with its slow building romance, which started off as hostility! Spun around this setting is an epic love story between a commoner and a duke, both very aware of their position in society. Sebastian is right a jerk when this starts off but man, did I fall in love. I fell so hard. He is honorable, considerate, more than he let on when we first meet him, arrogant, high-handed, controlled and incredibly private and emotionally stunted. It was a thing of beauty to watch him turn from this seemingly cold-hearted bastard into a man, who felt deeper than anyone would have ever expected he was capable of. What a complex, infuriating, protective, wonderful man he was. At the same time, Sebastian is finding Annabelle’s green eyes irresistible; however, she’s a commoner and not fit to be his duchess.What an absolutely stunning, riveting, painfully gorgeous book!...It’s not only the best historical romance I’ve read in a long, long time, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read! I adored it!” —Megan Crane, USA Today bestselling author England, 1879. Annabelle Archer, the brilliant but destitute daughter of a country vicar, has earned herself a place among the first cohort of female students at the renowned University of Oxford. In return for her scholarship, she must support the rising women’s suffrage movement. Her charge: recruit men of influence to champion their cause. Her target: Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain’s politics at the Queen’s command. Her challenge: not to give in to the powerful attraction she can’t deny for the man who opposes everything she stands for. That puts Annabelle and Sebastian on a political collision course but there is an undeniable attraction which must not be given in to. Only, of course, if Annabelle would agree to be his mistress. Well, we all know how HR heroines feel about being the hero's mistress. But wife is out of the question. A poor vicar's daughter, without a hint of nobility in her bloodline? Evie Dunmore shows us how far women have come, how women fought for what we consider normal and rightfully ours. This alone makes it this book worth reading and will give you a new appreciation of the women's role in society today.