Last night, I found myself reorganizing my ever-growing collection of quirky mugs yet again, determined to keep them in rainbow order on the kitchen shelf. Marcus wandered in, eyed the chaos, and promptly declared that my system made no sense at all—coming from the child who recently tried to train our dog to walk backwards during thunderstorms. As the rain picked up outside, I settled in, candle flickering, blanket in hand, and began reading Duke with a Reputation. Cozy evenings like this, with a dreamy romance novel and the sound of rain on the window, are my favorite reward after a busy week. Organizing, reading, and the sweet comfort of home always remind me that little routines matter. Now, on to the real magic: the book itself.
Plot Summary
Duke with a Reputation by Scarlett Scott is the first book in the Wicked Dukes Society series. Set in Regency-era London, the story centers on Brandon, the notorious Duke of Brandon, whose rakish reputation is tested when he unexpectedly becomes the guardian of a stubborn young daughter. His controlling grandmother insists he must marry or lose the family estate, putting him in a bind. Enter Lottie, Countess of Grenfell, a fiercely independent widow with her own emotional baggage and no interest in marriage. Sparks fly when their paths cross, leading to a proposition and an irresistible marriage of convenience. Against a backdrop of scandal and society rules, Brandon and Lottie must navigate family pressure, past heartbreak, and undeniable chemistry, while the mischievous daughter and a meddling grandmother add layers of humor and tension.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Scarlett Scott brings these characters to life with warmth and wit. The emotional development is what pulled me in—watching Lottie grapple with trust and Brandon learn vulnerability was deeply satisfying. The pacing is energetic, with riotous banter, snarky grandmas, and a kid who’s pure chaos. The humor kept me smiling, but the tender moments made me pause and scribble in my reading journal more than once. I connected with Lottie’s reluctance and independent spirit, and Brandon’s determination to be a better father felt honest and relatable. The story balances steamy romance with real emotional stakes, and that’s what keeps me invested right to the last page.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy Regency historical romance filled with witty repartee, family drama, single-parent challenges, and the classic enemies-to-lovers trope, you’ll likely love this story. It’s ideal for fans of steamy romance with emotionally resilient heroines and flawed yet redeemable heroes. Anyone who loves books with marriage-of-convenience, sassy widows, and found family themes will feel right at home here.
⚠️ Trigger warning: explicit sexual content, emotional manipulation, grief, parental abandonment, and reference to past abusive relationships.
Tagged As
historical romance, Regency romance, enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, single parent, witty banter, independent heroine, alpha duke, London high society, emotionally driven, steamy romance, morally gray hero, series: Wicked Dukes Society, found family, HEA, strong secondary characters
Steam Level
This book is deliciously steamy! The intimate scenes are explicit and full of tension, woven naturally into the emotional journey. Passion and vulnerability go hand in hand, with no fade-to-black—romance fans who love bold, detailed spice will be very happy.
