ARC REVIEW To the Duke, With Love by Amelia Grey

The second book of the Rakes of St. James series, To the Duke, With Love, is a great second story that could be read as a stand-alone. It wasn't as good as the first one but it was still good. Aside from me just not liking Sloane as a boys name, blame Ferris Bueller for that, I liked this book.The few books of Amelia Grey's that I have read I have enjoyed. This one was amusing and entertaining and if I hadn't gotten sick while reading it and a sleep most the time I probably would have finished this book in one day. 

The Rakes of St. James earned their name after a youthful drunken bet almost ruined a handful of girls, and now that their younger sister's are coming out there has been rumors going around that it's their sister's turn to be ruined. The Rakes have no idea who is at the root of this rumor but so far one sister is safety married. Sloane Knox, the Duke of Hawksthorn, is determined to marry his sister off before the season starts or at least have her engaged. Hawk has gone through all the young men of the ton and finally found one he thinks is best suited for his sister. Loretta Quick and her younger brother, Paxton, were raised by their uncle. When the time was right he arranged a marriage for Loretta, right before the wedding she changed her mind. He uncle furious sent her and her brother away to live in the isolated Mammoth House and forbid her to ever go into society again. 

On a cold and wet night Hawk shows up at Mammoth House to talk with Paxton about arranging the marriage between his sister, Adele, and Paxton. What he finds is the stunning Loretta, and no Paxton. Instead of going on his way like a gentleman should the rain and the cold keep him there alone with Loretta, except the few servants. Hawks is fascinated with Loretta, she has him wanting things he's never wanted before and even though as a gentleman he shouldn't he kisses her anyways. Loretta is against this arranged marriage and plans to make it difficult for Hawk to talk Paxton into it, but as Hawk says it is ultimately her brother's decision. When he leaves he promises to return to see her brother, and see her too. They end up making a deal that Paxton and Adele will meet beforehand and decide if the arrangement is suitable or not. Paxton and Loretta will visit Hawk's country house and give everybody a chance to get to know one another, especially Hawk and Loretta. Hawk is willing to forget about his earlier determination never to marry as long as it is to Loretta. Loretta, however, has vowed never to marry and she takes that vow very seriously and Hawk will try his damnedest to get her to change her mind.

Overall, the romance between Hawks and Loretta is just that romantic and hot, the chemistry is there along with some great sexual tension. The secondary story of Loretta trying to save the street rat was nice and it helped move the story along. Grey's writing brought these two characters to life for me and very much enjoyed this and look forward to the next book.