The Detective Duke (Unexpected Lords Book 1)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it to be a captivating read. I liked the interaction between the main characters of Lady Elysande and Hudson, the new Duke of Wycombe. Elysande is quite unusual for a lady at that time, as she enjoys experimenting with scientific ideas. She is a very intelligent lady. Hudson, wow! What a man! Ruggedly handsome and strong but also has a caring and honourable side. They both had their own ideas of what they wanted from a marriage but does it always work out as planned? There is also a mystery to solve and a villain who is a danger to their happiness. There were times when I was on edge, wondering what was going to happen, there are also some very passionate scenes. This was a great start to a new series and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.

This one is hot and heavy, laced with intrigue and murder and plots. Scarlett is on fire with this novel - my only small gripe is that the romance could have been a bit more slow burn, maybe for another 30 pages (?!) but hey, this is still great

Far too many tedious sex scenes - a lot less would have had more impact. As more sex than story, skipped through the book.

When his only male relative dies he becomes a duke but it leads to his whole world changing for him

Absolute loved this book. Can’t wait for the next release

I loved Scarlet Scott's story around the lives of Hudson and Elysande and their loved ones. I couldn’t put it down I loved it, I can’t wait for Isolde's story. Chief Inspector Hudson Stone formerly of Scotland Yard never expected to become the nineth Duke of Wycombe, but the unexpected of death his distant cousin from a horseriding accident changed all that. Now his life revolved around trying to stem the tide of debt, debt collectors, ledgers, expeditures etc. When all he wanted to do was to solve the crimes and murders happening in London. What he needed was a wife with a dowry large enough to pay for repairs, wages and to save the dukedom as a whole. Lady Elysande Collingwood daughter of the Earl and Countess of Leydon was his late cousin's betrothed and she is willing to marry a respectable gentleman so that her sister can marry her beloved Mr Arthur Penhurst. However due to the archaic dictates of her father her sister Isolde can only marry after she does, so she accepted the proposal of the late Duke who had the temerity to die before her plan could come to fruition. So this new duke will have to do despite his rumored brooding, forbidding and ragged around the edges reputation he needed her dowry and she needed a husband who will leave her ensconced in the country to tinker on her inventions and who will return to London to solve crimes and murders yes this Duke will suit her needs just fine. However what neither expects is the simmering desire that hums between them can two people who must marry for necessity make a life together, a life that will allow Hudson and Elysande to follow their hearts and fulfil her dreams of creating electric appliances that will have help to simplify the lives of kitchen staff everywhere all whilst solving a murder and protecting his family.

Grit, determination, and a will of steel have propelled Hudson Stone through life. No case he faced as Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard went unsolved. But nothing could have prepared him for inheriting an almost bankrupt dukedom. So he needs to marry an heiress to save his estates and the cheerful, dazzling Lady Elysande is the only one he knows. Elysande was aware the last Duke of Wycombe was marrying her for her immense dowry, and she has no doubt his grim successor wishes to wed her for the same reason. But she has motives of her own for accepting the new duke’s offer so their marriage of convenience suits her perfectly fine. However, there is absolutely nothing convenient about the feelings the both begin to develop. When the shadows of Hudson’s past emerge, bringing them closer together, desire sparks. But with a dangerous villain on his heels, Hudson can’t afford to get too close to anyone.The start of a new series & once again the author has delivered an engrossing, captivating, enthralling read. I was intrigued by Hudson when we met him in a previous book & thrilled that he’s had his story. I loved both Hudson & Ellie, they were like chalk & cheese but perfect for each other. They were attracted to each other from their first meeting & the chemistry between them was off the scale. I also loved the mystery, which drew Hudson back to London & loved how the pair began to work as a team. A brilliant start to the series & I loved every pageMy honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥💋💋💋Another wonderful series beginner from Scarlett.A Bow Street Detective has a Dukedom thrust upon him when he never expected it.Then after he’s required to marry, for a dowry to shore up the dilapidated and broke estate, he returns to London to solve an outstanding case.That’s when it get very interesting and tense.His new wife is left in the country to wait for him.Things are not going to run smoothly I can tell you now, this is steamy, chemistry driven and so riveting you won’t want to put it down.Five stars for a brilliant beginning to the series.I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review