Once Upon a Duke by Eva Devon

This novel was not the typical romance novel.  The heroine is a widow who was abandoned to the country while her husband enjoys the seedier side of London.  

Ryder Blake, Duke of Darkwell has been in a personal hell since his wife died of small pox.  He is earning the nom de plume of the Duke of Darkness, Duke of Debauchery and whatever the ton can come up with.  Katheryn Darrell wants to experience passion and seeks out Darkwell.  She falls madly in love with Darkwell, but it takes a calculated pursuit and the absolute ruin of her reputation to claim him.

I can't wait for the next in the series.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.