The Duke’s Desire is book 6 in The Ladies’ Essential Guide to the Art of Seduction series by Claire Delacroix, a book that I’ve been highly anticipating.
For five books we’ve seen Damien, the Duke of Haynesdale, and infamous courtesan Esmeralda Ballantyne antagonize each other as they each fought their attraction to the other, and finally, finally, we get to see their story. Claire Delacroix is a master of examining the motivations of her characters, and giving them what they need, even when those characters didn’t realize it themselves.
Where once Damien despised Esmeralda for her profession, he has come to know her better, and understand her and finds himself attracted to her beauty and her intelligence. He assists her in proving her innocence after she is wrongfully accused of theft, and promises to protect her young sister from a man from Esmeralda’s past who is threatening them both.
Esmeralda’s backstory is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Where she could have been broken by the things that happened to her, she became a strong woman, determined to be in control of her own future. Damien comes to realize how much her independence means to her, and before the end of the novel, more then one of his actions proves how well he understands, and supports Esmeralda but one of those actions stood out more than the rest.
The Duke’s Desire is full of romance, passion, intrigue, and long held secrets revealed, and the result is a gratifying story that was worth well worth the wait.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Duke’s Desire will be available on May 28 2025.
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