Review of One Dance With A Duke by Tessa Dare

In One Dance with a Duke—the first novel in Tessa Dare’s delightful new trilogy—secrets and scandals tempt the irresistible rogues of the Stud Club to gamble everything for love. A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members—yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke—until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.
In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?
From the Paperback edition.

I am beginning to think it is literally impossible to read One Dance With A Duke by Tessa Dare without a silly grin. Now, One Dance With A Duke was my first foray into romance, a genre which I sort of had this tendency to ridicule. I know, I know, not nice to make fun of heaving bosoms and what not. However, I guess that’s what happens when I read one Danielle Steele book and judge a whole genre based off of it. Guys, I would never do that to the YA category — read one book and judge all YA based off that book. So, romance, I am sorry.

One Dance With A Duke by Tessa Dare is a historical fiction set in the 18th Century, right around Waterloo. Amelia D’Orsay is a spinster with a ne’er do well brother who gambles away her pin money. Spencer, on the other hand, is this mega rich duke of Morland. He hangs around balls at midnight and dances with just one woman. OF COURSE Spencer and Amelia’s paths cross. I know from the summary, you can guess the ending, because it is romance, and we all know how these books end. However, I’m just going to put this out there and you can agree with me or disagree, but I don’t think people read romance primarily to be surprised by the ending. I think people read it for A) The steams and B) That goofy happy feeling. This sounds creepy, but these books give someone the chance to vicariously experience love. I already have love in my life, but friends, an 18th century duke my boyfriend is not.

It’s vastly entertaining to watch the sparks fly between Spencer and Amelia. They have this love hate relationship, and I really do enjoy their conversations, especially when they talk about books. Hello, there was a reference to Mary Wollenstonecraft. Total awesome-sauce. It’s interesting that reference, because the book places the two as a couple on equal footing. It shows that love does not allow for one person to dominate the other. I really enjoyed seeing this take on relationships as a partnership. I also really liked the kissing scenes. There’s one part which I wish I could find in my book to quote for you which describes making out as a conversation. Yes, please sign me up for that talk. I mean, can you imagine instead of saying “we need to talk’ you just kiss it out.

Let me just say, when you have a super heavy, emotionally draining book like The Passage, I absolutely recommend you break it up with a romance novel. Trust me, you’ll feel more mentally sound after repeated emoto-beat-downs. Don’t read One Dance With A Dukeexpecting a book surpassing all your wildest dreams, because that’s not going to happen, but if you want something smile inducing, this is totally the right book to check out.

Disclosure: I bought this book after reading Gail’s tweets and seeing This Trailer.

Series Order:

One Dance With A Duke (Book One)
Twice Tempted By A Rogue (Book Two)
Three Nights With A Scoundrel (Book Three)

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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