Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE:  The Duke at Hazard

SERIES:  The Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune

AUTHOR:  K.J. Charles

PUBLISHER:  Orion

LENGTH:  326 pages

RELEASE DATE:  July 18, 2024

BLURB:

“The Duke at Hazard is my dream historical romance: emotional and intimate, but also full of wit, humor, and a lovable cast of supporting characters. The setting feels so vivid and alive, and every single interaction between the two heroes is pitch perfect. I loved every word of this book’ Martha Waters

The Duke of Severn is one of the greatest men in Britain.

He’s also short, quiet, and unimpressive. And now he’s been robbed, after indulging in one rash night with a strange man who stole the heirloom Severn ring from his finger. The Duke has to get it back, and he can’t let anyone know how he lost it. So when his cousin bets that he couldn’t survive without his privilege and title, the Duke grasps the opportunity to hunt down his ring-incognito.

Life as an ordinary person is terrifying… until the anonymous Duke meets Daizell Charnage, a disgraced gentleman, and hires him to help. Racing across the country in search of the thief, the Duke and Daizell fall into scrapes, into trouble-and in love.

Daizell has been excluded from polite society, his name tainted by his father’s crimes and his own misbehaviour. Now he dares to dream of a life somewhere out of sight with the quiet gentleman who’s stolen his heart. He doesn’t know that his lover is a hugely rich public figure with half a dozen titles. And when he finds out, it will risk everything they have…

Don’t miss the second thrilling standalone Regency romance in the Gentlemen of Uncertain Fortune series by KJ Charles…

REVIEW:

I’m always delighted when KJ Charles has a new book out   I really enjoyed the first book in this series and although this one was a few years in the making, it was another run romp through Regency England and the class and societal issues that abound!

The Duke of Severn, “Sev” has been robbed after a mistaken assignation with a man he’s met who he trusted.  He wakes up with a horrible hangover and his belongings gone   Meaning, his clothes, his money, his travel bag and most importantly, his family ring.  He’s mortified and he does not want his family – who has coddled him his whole live and impressed upon him his “place” and his “role” in life – to know.  His cousins and his Uncle who have raised him after the death of his parents and they still treat him very much as a child.  Sev is determined to follow up and fix his mistake without anyone in his family being the wiser.  He ends up making a bet with his cousin that he can’t live without his Duke status   which he insists he can as a cover to pursue the thief and get his ring back.  Oh my, this will be an adventure!

Sev sets off to go back to the city where he was robbed – on common conveyance, much to his chagrin.  It’s so uncomfortable!  No springs, no padding, crowds, body odors, etc.  UGH!  But he makes it.  He attempts to ask about the man who robbed him but he’s not successful in getting much of a lead.  He runs into a man who he recognizes.  He’s making money creating profile art for people.  Sev recognizes him, Daizell Charnage, from Eton and know that he’s a disgraced gentleman.  But knowing that, he thinks maybe he can appeal for help in looking for the thief. Daiz agrees to help for 50 pounds

Daiz and Sev, who has introduced himself as Cassian, set off on the quest.  Sev has never liked his first name and he can’t be Sev – that would lose the bet for sure.  So Cas and Daiz start their search and it’s quite an adventure.  They become entangled in many situations as they travel about – from a nearly fatal carriage ride to trying to determine what to do to help a young lady escape from her guardian who is determined to have her fortune and keep her from marrying.  This young lady also has a past association with Daiz which does not put him in the best of light either.  Thankfully Daiz and Cas agree that they cannot return her to the clutches of her guardian – who has caused multiple trouble for Daiz in the past.

This leads to Cas and Daiz being pursued by the guardians men as well.  Cas is shocked at how well he is able to use his newfound strength and cunning to evade the men and he and Daiz continue their journey.  They grow closer in every way   Their needs align remarkable and surprisingly well.  Cas feels like himself for the first time in his life.  Too bad things are about to catch up with them and ruin everything just as they have declared themselves.  But Cas isn’t going to give up and he’s determined to make Daiz his and he Daiz’s.

Oh my goodness! Cas and Daiz have so many obstacles.  But they find themselves falling in love in spite of all the challenges.  Cas has never been happier in his life than his time spent as Cas rather than the Duke.  Too bad he cannot seem to find the right time to be completely honest with Daiz.  He knows his title will be a barrier to their happiness and he needs to work out a way to remove that obstacle.  And oh what a way that turns out to be!  This story has plenty of twists and turns and surprises.  There were times I laughed out loud at the goings on.  The supporting characters who show up in each adventure and venue keep things interesting as well.  I also loved it that Cas was determined to regain Daiz’s reputation since he’d been unfairly maligned.  This whole story is delightful!  Highly recommended!

RATING: 

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