Her Favorite Duke

'Her Favorite Duke' by Jess Michaels is book Two in "The 1797 Club" series. This is the story of Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood and Margaret 'Meg' Rylon. I have read the other book in this series but feel it is easily a standalone book. Meg, Simon, Graham and her brother James have all been friends since childhood. But Meg has always felt more for Simon and hope that one day he would too. But when she turns 16 her father dies and now James her brother wants to make sure that she has a secure future if something happens to him. So unknown to Meg a first he talks his friend Graham into marrying her. When he makes the announcement Meg is hurt at first since Simon was her love and hope that he would speak up...but he didn't. So Meg assumes that her feelings are only one sided and moves forward to accept the engagement to make her brother happy. Now about seven years later her brother James is married and is wanting Meg to move forward with her engagement to Graham but actually getting married. But her and Graham have lost some of their close friendship and Meg is still in love with Simon but she agrees to set a wedding date for Christmas. Simon is still harboring feelings of love for Meg...but still doesn't want to cause any upset to his friends. But when he and Meg get caught in a situation that leaves them together they are forced to marry. Meg and Simon give into their passion but Simon is being guarded with his feelings toward Meg. Simon is feeling guilty for how things turned out, since he feels it caused allot of hurt to his friends. The 1797 Club series: The Daring Duke, Book 1 Her Favorite Duke, Book 2 "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

Duty and loyalty are two things Simon Greene, the Duke of Crestwood, holds dear. When he had no family, the men of The 1797 Club became one. He would rather die than betray those trusts. He would even stand aside as the woman he’s loved for almost a decade announces her wedding date to one of his brothers. When her cruel and uncaring father dies, Meg’s older brother James, the new Duke of Abernathe, arranges a marriage with one of his best friend’s, Graham. If only James knew he picked the wrong friend. After a seven year engagement, Meg and Graham agree on a wedding date, making both Meg and Simon miserable. Meg was in love with Simon long before her brother arranged a marriage to Graham when she was sixteen. She saw no way to dash her brother’s dream for her, so she stayed quiet. That didn’t stop her from growing closer to Simon as the days to her wedding neared. After a walk catches her in a storm, Simon helps Meg find shelter in a caretaker’s cottage. When morning arrives, the duo is found and completely compromised. Meg is forced to end her engagement to Graham and marry Simon. This is a moment when you realize how true it is to be careful what you wish for. Even though they love each other desperately, Simon is wracked with guilt and self-loathing for what he’s done to Graham. Although they weren’t as close as they’d once been, Graham was still Simon’s brother. Simon’s relationships with several of his brother’s become strained as he marries the woman of his dreams. While Simon allows himself to connect with Meg physically, he cannot let her have his heart. This novel was heartbreaking but oh so steamy at the same time. Simon and Meg’s love for each other is palpable and so brilliant, but because of their unconditional love for their family, they attempt to forgo their own happiness. I admit to crying a lot while reading this novel but that made the end that much sweeter. Michaels once again gave me a dynamic and compelling duke to cherish in the form of Simon. I adored Meg in the first novel of the series and came to cherish her will and spirit even more in this novel. Another 5 Stars for The 1797 Club! I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Her Favorite Duke by Jess Michaels is a sizzling but sweet Regency Romance. While, this is #2 in the series, "The 1797 Club" it can be read as a stand alone. See, "Her Daring Duke", #1. This is the story of Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood, Margaret Rylon (Meg) who has been friends since childhood, James, Duke of Abernathe, Meg's brother and Graham, the Duke of Northfield, a other friend. Graham, James, and Simon are all part of the 1797 Club, however, Simon and Graham are the best of friends. Simon, has always been considered the peacemaker of the group, but in reality he appears a bit of a spineless coward, toward his feelings for Meg. Meg becomes betrothed to Graham, by her brother, James, none knowing her true feelings for Simon, oh, they suspect but go forward with there plans, anyway. To be honest James, suspects she just has a childhood infatuation for Simon. Fast forward seven years later..... Meg and Graham finally set their wedding date. BTW Graham is not in love with Meg either. Simon guards his feelings for Meg until they're caught in a compromising position, the wedding is off, Meg and Simon must marry. Yay!! Simon guards his feelings toward Meg, for fear of getting hurt. But his friendship is ended between him and Graham. An unusual story to me, how many men or ladies, in fact, wait seven years before setting a wedding date? The reader is given the impression Graham had no amorous affairs, what, for seven years? Unbelievable, to me, but I suppose it could happen. Then there's Meg, who does not reveal her true feeling, she's waiting for Simon to step forward, and announce his feelings toward her. Simon is sweet, but an utter coward when it comes to his feelings toward Meg. So, they'd all rather be misable for the rest of their lives, then tell the truth. Oh, Graham, is marrying Meg to yes, you got it, to please his friend James. They are all rather young, in their teens, Meg's sixteen, you understand their feelings run hot and cold, right? While, this was not my favorite of Jess Michaels' story, it was rather a sweet story, once you get pass all the other stuff. It's a sizzling love story, with many complicated triangles. A true love story with all the complications of a love triangle, while only two of them is truly in love. So, I guess, you wouldn't call it a love triangle. The reader does learn why Simon is so guarded with his feelings. No cliffnanger, however, I was left with a few unanswered questions. Such as what happens to Graham, and Simon's hateful mother, the old Duchess of Crestwood. The reader is given the impression, from the back of the book that, Graham's story is next, which, I anticipate reading. Please don't get me wrong, I adore Ms. Michaels' stories, "Her Favorite Duke" was a bit hard connect to the characters and grip the plot, to me, however I'd still recommend reading it, especially those who enjoy romance, there is a bit of mystery to why Simon guards his feelings. A good read! I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. Rating: 4 Heat rating: Steamy/Sizzling Reviewed by: AprilR