Regarding the Duke (Game of Dukes) Paperback – May 23, 2019

Read this in one sitting on a long plane ride. SO GOOD, as Grace Callaway almost always is. This proved to be no exception. She took on a really, really rare setup, in that the story takes place 8 years after the hero and heroine have already married. We see the very beginning of their relationship, and then it skips to "present day," which is 8 years later, they've settled down, have 2 kids, etc.Throughout their marriage, Adam has been very restrained in all things. He is ruthless, commanding, feared far and wide—and with good reason. Gabby, on the other hand, is his opposite in all ways—she is shy, unassuming, worries constantly, and doesn't think much of herself. She is grateful for the small pieces of care that she receives from Adam, because although she doesn't realize it until after the amnesia, the truth is that she never saw herself as his equal. She felt a sense of gratitude that he had picked her, and she does take pride in the fact that she fulfills what he wanted when they married: she is a virtuous and dutiful wife, and a loving and caring mother. Adam has also never made her feel that he was disappointed with his choice in her; he has always been careful and tender with her.But during all these 8 years, there have always been walls between them. Adam, withholding himself emotionally, though accepting all of Gabby's love and support; Gabby, not demanding what she wants from the relationship and asking for more, while giving all of herself to him and her family. It has worked for them, to an extent, but it's not the fairy-tale marriage a woman would hope for.Adam's amnesia gives them another chance at all of this, because all the things that made him distant and restrained were a result of how he grew up and the way he was forced to be in order to be successful in life. Because of the amnesia, he starts with a blank slate, essentially, and is open to Gabby in a way he had never been and would never have WANTED to be. This also gives Gabby the opening she needs to feel comfortable asking for more, and finally pursuing the kind of relationship that she wants to have, one with equal give and take on both sides, and where they are more open and communicative with one another.There were parts of this book that got me quite emotional, especially once things start to come back and Adam has to contend with his old self and his new self, and how to blend them together. The instincts that created him and led to all his success are long ingrained, and they've served him well. My heart broke for Gabby from the beginning, really, because I hated that she was basically satisfied with scraps. I was so excited when she started to assert herself and stand up for her own wants and needs. And then there's a big standing up thing she has to do and that entire piece of the story is very angsty and horrifying and moving and all emotions one can imagine.The only thing I found a little difficult to believe was that he was able to restrain his sexual appetites so well during all those 8 years, with only one slip-up. Background: they have sex on a schedule, believe it or not—every Wednesday. There is blazing chemistry between them and on both their parts they're in the mood to do it more, but for Adam, this is part of his whole restrained/in control/not falling in love or being ruled by passion/emotions THING. The saving grace in that is that he was already 34 or 35 when they met, so I do see how it would be possible that he is so controlled at that point that it's not a huge stretch for him to continue that tight reign on his passions. Still though, 8 years is a super long time, especially if there is so much heat between the two of them. A minor thing, I know, but it stood out to me.In addition to that, given the changes that are undergone, it is kind of crazy that for 8 years they had such a restrained and one-sided (in terms of affectionate and openly loving) relationship. That is a LONG time. The only way that could have changed was with the amnesia plot-twist; any other "wake up call" would have been too much of a stretch. When his memory does come back, the mix of him before and after is SUPER well done and totally believable, which I think was a key transition that Callaway had to pull off well.NOTE ON THE SERIESCallaway's series are all quite tied together, even when she starts a new series, there are crossovers and ties to past series, however I do think this could be read alone. Make no mistake, there are numerous couples and characters who reappear here, but it's been awhile since I've read her other books, I don't remember much of the first book in this series (though I adored it, so count that against me, not the book itself), and I haven't read book 2 yet, but I was still fully able to enjoy this one.RECOMMENDATIONIf you enjoyed this book (and let's be honest, how could you not??), then I highly recommend Meredith Duran's A LADY'S CODE OF MISCONDUCT . It follows a similar path, in terms of the hero being a bit of an anti-hero until a case of amnesia really changes how he interacts with the heroine.

The story started out intriguing and different. Adam Garrity at a young age who sought out his father in England after his mother dies in Italy is just not rejected but apprenticed off to an unscrupulous man. Not compliant and enterprising, he escapes attempts to murder him to become a very rich money-lender with a bent on revenge. He marries a sweet compliant woman with little self-esteem and they live a contented but rigid existence. However an assassination attempt on his life ends in amnesia. As he comes out of it, his wife, Gabby, begins to learn all his secrets affecting their marriage. Although the plot is fascinating through the middle of the book with good character development, unfortunately it evolves into pure porn towards the end with resolving the mystery as a sideline. Sadly, it could have been so much more without the excess.....

I love this author. This book commences 8 years after the Garrity's have married. Their love and marriage evolve from there. It is a truly delightful story.

Wealthy but shy wallflower is courted and quickly married to a wealthy and handsome financier. The plot is familiar but given new life in this treatment. The characters are interesting and I found myself rooting for the heroine to overcome her almost crippling lack of self-worth. Characters from previous novels in this series pop up from time to time but enough of their back story is given that it does not result in confusion as it often does in some series. All in all, the characters are well portrayed and help move the story along. The main breakdown in interest for me comes from the (many) sexual encounters between the married couple. I don't mind sex scenes. I can be just as happily entertained by a good story without them, but if they are in a story that is fine, too. I can skip them any time I wish. What I cannot abide is intentionally vulgar language. I am NOT talking about a curse or two. I am talking about crude descriptions of body parts (mostly women's) or sexual acts. It seems the hero almost needs these disgusting terms to maintain sexual interest. I don't find this sexy...I find it disgusting and a total turn-off.Language (crude terms for body parts or sexual activity and f-bombs) plus sexual situations (often and explicit) may offend some readers

Regarding The Duke is a fantastic historical romance by Grace Callaway. Ms. Callaway has given readers a well-written book stuffed with outstanding characters. Gabriella is quiet and shy, even after she marries Adam, she stays out of his way. Adam's mother died before they reached England and a couple from the boat offered to help him find his father. Instead they forced him into stealing and any other dirty job they could get money for. Now he's a rich money lender with a wife and children and his plan to finish payback for all the wrongs done him is at hand. Adam and Gabriella's story is loaded with drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Grace Callaway in the future. Regarding The Duke is book 3 of the Game of Dukes Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliffhanger.

Could not stop reading. Sensual and captivating the story took the perfect twist with Adam's loss of memory allowing them to find love and honetsy.

I totally loved the story of Adam and Gabrielle. To be honest, I wonder how they "only" had two children. Yet all the couples in the stories by Grace Callaway seem to have only two, or at most three, children. I could see this being the case in a marriage of convenience, but here I find it a bit strange...like they would all have fertility problems. Marriages out of love usually had many more children. French letters were foremost effective to avoid STD’s, and not so much in avoiding pregnancy.It was ironic that the villain drowned at the end.

Regarding the Duke is the 3rd instalment in Grace Callaway’s Game of Dukes series. It can be read as a stand-alone. You would have a greater understanding of some events if you read the previous books; but it is not necessary.For regular readers this is finally the story of Adam Garrity – a ruthless underworld money lender and his wife Gabriella – sweetly innocent and unaware of the true nature of her husband’s business.Adam and Gabriella have been married eight years and their marriage is in Gabriella’s eyes happy and successful. Gabby adores her aloof, handsome husband and adheres to the rules of their marriage – even though it is not ideal. When Adam is injured and loses his memory, Gabby resolves to nurse him back to health but this new Adam is completely changed; and secrets surface that force Gabby to realise that her marriage is not all it seems.When Adam Garrity wakes after a terrible accident, he cannot remember anything – but when the sweetly irresistible Gabby tells him she is his wife he thanks his lucky stars. He is instantly smitten but is puzzled by his discoveries as to the rigid nature of his marriage with all its rules. Struggling to remember his past, he slowly discovers there may be dark secrets as to the reasons he married Gabby that threaten their happiness in the future. Can Adam regain his memory in time to exact his revenge and also save his marriage?This story is slightly unusual as it focuses on a couple that are already married with children. Theirs is a true mismatch and regular readers will have been consumed with curiosity as to why they married. All is explained here. Adam has always been portrayed as a shadowy menacing figure throughout the past books and his pairing with the shy, sweet and naïve Gabby was puzzling. Grace explains Adam’s background fully here. He has his reasons for being the way he is and the reader can sympathise. With the amnesia, Adam is released from his need to be in complete control and focused on revenge; and we can see the emergence of the true Adam – a caring and passionate husband completely in love with his wife and a kind and thoughtful father. He encourages Gabby to realise her own self-worth and self-belief. I loved when he tells Gabby that his compliments to her should be accepted with a simple thank you instead the self-deprecation she automatically assumes.It would be easy to wonder at Gabby’s total naivete at first. It is difficult to believe that in all her years of marriage she tolerated so much without a word. But she went from being the docile daughter of a rich banker to the convenient wife of a powerful moneylender with little or no expectation put on her. She has spent her life expected to be dutiful and obedient and placed little worth on her own intellect or abilities. It is wonderful to see her emerge from her cocoon with the new Adam’s encouragement.The story is fast paced and along with Adam and Gabby’s new relationship it is satisfying to see the villain get his comeuppance. The only thing I would pick up on is that Adam was so distant that he spent eight years adhering to his ‘rules’ in spite of his obvious obsession for his wife. I’m not sure how that rings true. Gabby really did put up with a lot.I do recommend that you pick this up though. Grace is an auto buy author for me and she never disappoints.

This might be my first historical romance either ever or in a very long time and it was great! I loved it! It was so entertaining and spicy and romantic and angsty. The concept was so interesting considering this romance is between a married couple who already have kids and have been together for a while now.- historical romance- angsty- spicy- grumpy sunshine🫦 @etidae

Well written, lots of naughty sex, living dialogue. Tall dark commanding hero with a quietly strong heroine. All made for an enjoyable read