A stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford Rebels in which a fiercely independent vicar's daughter takes on a powerful duke in a love story that threatens to upend the British social order.
BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE by EVIE DUNMORE
Publisher: Berkley
Publication date: September 3, 2019
Genre: historical romance
SYNOPSIS
England, 1879. Annabelle Archer, the brilliant but destitute daughter of a country vicar, has earned herself a place among the first cohort of female students at the renowned University of Oxford. In return for her scholarship, she must support the rising women's suffrage movement. Her charge: recruit men of influence to champion their cause. Her target: Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain's politics at the Queen's command. Her challenge: not to give in to the powerful attraction she can't deny for the man who opposes everything she stands for.
Sebastian is appalled to find a suffragist squad has infiltrated his ducal home, but the real threat is his impossible feelings for green-eyed beauty Annabelle. He is looking for a wife of equal standing to secure the legacy he has worked so hard to rebuild, not an outspoken commoner who could never be his duchess. But he wouldn't be the greatest strategist of the Kingdom if he couldn't claim this alluring bluestocking without the promise of a ring...or could he?
Locked in a battle with rising passion and a will matching her own, Annabelle will learn just what it takes to topple a duke....
Sebastian is appalled to find a suffragist squad has infiltrated his ducal home, but the real threat is his impossible feelings for green-eyed beauty Annabelle. He is looking for a wife of equal standing to secure the legacy he has worked so hard to rebuild, not an outspoken commoner who could never be his duchess. But he wouldn't be the greatest strategist of the Kingdom if he couldn't claim this alluring bluestocking without the promise of a ring...or could he?
Locked in a battle with rising passion and a will matching her own, Annabelle will learn just what it takes to topple a duke....
It was a long walk past yards of empty table to reach her assigned chair. The footman pulled it back for her.
Montgomery was watching her with his neutral aristo expression. A diamond pin glinted equally impenetrable against the smooth black silk of his cravat.
“I trust it was not something in your room that had you rising this early?” he asked.
“The room is excellent, Your Grace. I simply don’t find it that early in the day.”
That sparked some interest in his eyes. “Indeed, it isn’t.”
Unlike her, he probably hadn’t had to be trained to rise before dawn. He probably enjoyed such a thing.
He hadn't yet put his gloves on. His bare hands were resting idly on the polished table surface. Elegant hands, with long, elegant fingers. They could have belonged to a man who mastered a classical instrument. On his left pinky, the dark blue sapphire on the ducal signet ring swallowed the light like a tiny ocean
The footman leaned over her shoulder. “Would you like tea or coffee, miss?”
“Tea, please,” she said, mindful not to thank him, because one did not say thank you to staff in such a house. He proceeded to ask whether she wanted him to put a plate together for her, and because it would have been awkward to get up again right after sitting down, she said yes. In truth, she wasn’t hungry. The maid must have laced in her in more tightly than she was accustomed.
Montgomery appeared to have long finished eating. Next to his stack of newspapers was an empty cup. Just why had he ordered her to sit next to him? He had been immersed in his read. But she knew now that he was a dutiful man. Being polite was probably as much a duty to him as riding out into the cold to save a willful houseguest from herself. She would have to make a note on his profile sheet, very polite. As long as he didn’t mistake one for a social climbing tart, of course.
“You are one of Lady Tedbury’s political activists,” he said.
Her throat was instantly dry as dust.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Why?”
She could sense interest in him, genuine interest.
Cold sweat broke over her back. She had the ear of their greatest opponent, and the headache was jumbling her thoughts.
“I’m a woman,” she said. “It is only natural for me to believe in women’s rights.”
Montgomery gave a surprisingly Gallic, one-shouldered shrug. “Plenty of women don’t believe in this kind of women’s rights. And whether the 1870 Property Act is amended or not will not make a difference for you personally.”
There it was again, the arrogance. Of course he had guessed she didn’t have any property to lose to a husband, and thus no voting rights to forfeit. His arrogance was most annoying when it was right on the truth.
“I also believe in Aristotelian ethics,” she said, “and Aristotle says that there is greater value in striving for the common good than the individual good.”
“But women didn’t have the vote in the Greek democracies,” he said, a ghost of a smile hovering over his mouth. One could almost think he was enjoying this.
“They forgot to include women’s rights in the common good,” she muttered. “An easy mistake; it seems to be forgotten frequently.”
He nodded. “But then what do you make of the fact that men without property cannot vote, either?”
He was enjoying this. Like a tomcat enjoyed swatting at a mouse before he ate it.
Her temples were throbbing away in pain.
“Perhaps there should be more equality for the men as well, Your Grace.” That had been the wrong thing to say.
He slowly shook his head. “A socialist as well as a feminist. Do I need to worry about the corruption of my staff while you are here, Miss Archer? Will I have mutiny on my hands when I return from London tomorrow?”
“I wouldn’t dare,” she murmured. “There’s probably a dungeon under the house.”
He contemplated her with a hawklike gaze. “Oh, there is.”
Praise for Bringing Down the Duke:
“Evie Dunmore’s debut is a marvel. Set against the backdrop of the British suffrage movement, Bringing Down the Duke is a witty, richly detailed, historically significant, and achingly romantic celebration of the power of love and the passionate fight for women’s rights. A stunning blend of history and romance that will enchant readers.”—Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of When We Left Cuba
“Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke dazzles and reminds us all why we fell in love with historical romance.”—Julia London, New York Times bestselling author of Seduced by a Scot
“Brilliant and enchanting! Miss Dunmore is about to take the historical world by storm!”—Rachel Van Dyken, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Simply superb! Evie Dunmore will wow you.”—Gaelen Foley, New York Times bestselling author of Duke of Storm
“Charming, sexy, and thoroughly transportive, this is historical romance done right.”—Publishers Weekly starred review
“Dunmore’s beautifully written debut perfectly balances history, sexual tension, romantic yearning, and the constant struggle smart women have in finding and maintaining their places and voices in life and love, with the added message that finding the right person brings true happiness and being with them is worth any price. A brilliant debut.”—Kirkus Reviews starred review
“Chock-full of verve, history, and passion.”—Library Journal starred review
“Full of witty banter, rich historical detail, and a fantastic group of female friends, the first installment in Dunmore’s League of Extraordinary Women series starts with fireworks as Annabelle and Montgomery try to find a path to happiness despite past mistakes and their vastly different places in society. Dunmore’s strong debut is sure to earn her legions of fans.”—Booklist starred review
“What an absolutely stunning, riveting, painfully gorgeous book! It’s going straight to my keeper shelf, and I will be buying a copy the moment it comes out to reread again and again. It’s not only the best historical romance I’ve read in a long, long time, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read! I adored it!”—Megan Crane, USA Today bestselling author of Sniper’s Pride
“Bringing Down the Duke is the best historical romance I’ve read all year. I was spellbound by this story of forbidden love between a spirited, clever Suffragette heroine and her straitlaced duke, a man who proves that fire burns hottest when it’s under ice. Evie Dunmore is a marvelous, fresh new voice in romance who is sure to go far. Don’t miss her brilliant debut!”—Anna Campbell, bestselling author of the Dashing Widows series
“Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke delivers the best of two worlds—a steamy romance coupled with the heft of a meticulously researched historical novel….Readers will be entranced watching Annabelle, a woman ahead of her time, bring the sexy Duke to his knees.”—Renée Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer
“I have read the future of historical romance, and it’s Evie Dunmore.”—Eva Leigh, author of Dare to Love a Duke
“Evie Dunmore’s debut novel Bringing Down the Duke is about personal growth, leaving preconceived notions behind and the long hard fight for women’s rights. The novel is hilarious in many parts, but it also provides more serious lessons for the reader. Best of all it has a Happily Ever After.”—Historical Novel Society
“A deliciously original debut featuring a fiercely passionate suffragette who melts an icy duke’s heart. Set against the backdrop of the fight for women’s rights, Bringing Down the Duke is the perfect blend of romance and history.”—Diana Quincy, author of The Rebellious Brides Series
“Evie Dunmore has written a story we need right now—strong, smart, and passionate, featuring a heroine who won’t settle for less than what she deserves and a swoony hero who learns to fight for what really matters. With her debut novel, Dunmore has instantly become a must-read for me.”—Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Book Club
“Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke dazzles and reminds us all why we fell in love with historical romance.”—Julia London, New York Times bestselling author of Seduced by a Scot
“Brilliant and enchanting! Miss Dunmore is about to take the historical world by storm!”—Rachel Van Dyken, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Simply superb! Evie Dunmore will wow you.”—Gaelen Foley, New York Times bestselling author of Duke of Storm
“Charming, sexy, and thoroughly transportive, this is historical romance done right.”—Publishers Weekly starred review
“Dunmore’s beautifully written debut perfectly balances history, sexual tension, romantic yearning, and the constant struggle smart women have in finding and maintaining their places and voices in life and love, with the added message that finding the right person brings true happiness and being with them is worth any price. A brilliant debut.”—Kirkus Reviews starred review
“Chock-full of verve, history, and passion.”—Library Journal starred review
“Full of witty banter, rich historical detail, and a fantastic group of female friends, the first installment in Dunmore’s League of Extraordinary Women series starts with fireworks as Annabelle and Montgomery try to find a path to happiness despite past mistakes and their vastly different places in society. Dunmore’s strong debut is sure to earn her legions of fans.”—Booklist starred review
“What an absolutely stunning, riveting, painfully gorgeous book! It’s going straight to my keeper shelf, and I will be buying a copy the moment it comes out to reread again and again. It’s not only the best historical romance I’ve read in a long, long time, it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read! I adored it!”—Megan Crane, USA Today bestselling author of Sniper’s Pride
“Bringing Down the Duke is the best historical romance I’ve read all year. I was spellbound by this story of forbidden love between a spirited, clever Suffragette heroine and her straitlaced duke, a man who proves that fire burns hottest when it’s under ice. Evie Dunmore is a marvelous, fresh new voice in romance who is sure to go far. Don’t miss her brilliant debut!”—Anna Campbell, bestselling author of the Dashing Widows series
“Evie Dunmore’s Bringing Down the Duke delivers the best of two worlds—a steamy romance coupled with the heft of a meticulously researched historical novel….Readers will be entranced watching Annabelle, a woman ahead of her time, bring the sexy Duke to his knees.”—Renée Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer
“I have read the future of historical romance, and it’s Evie Dunmore.”—Eva Leigh, author of Dare to Love a Duke
“Evie Dunmore’s debut novel Bringing Down the Duke is about personal growth, leaving preconceived notions behind and the long hard fight for women’s rights. The novel is hilarious in many parts, but it also provides more serious lessons for the reader. Best of all it has a Happily Ever After.”—Historical Novel Society
“A deliciously original debut featuring a fiercely passionate suffragette who melts an icy duke’s heart. Set against the backdrop of the fight for women’s rights, Bringing Down the Duke is the perfect blend of romance and history.”—Diana Quincy, author of The Rebellious Brides Series
“Evie Dunmore has written a story we need right now—strong, smart, and passionate, featuring a heroine who won’t settle for less than what she deserves and a swoony hero who learns to fight for what really matters. With her debut novel, Dunmore has instantly become a must-read for me.”—Lyssa Kay Adams, author of The Bromance Book Club
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debut author Evie Dunmore wrote BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE inspired by the magical scenery of Oxford and her passion for romance, women pioneers, and all things Victorian.
In her civilian life, she is a strategy consultant with a M.Sc. in Diplomacy from Oxford. Scotland and the great outdoors have a special place in her heart, so she can frequently be found climbing the Highlands and hunting for woolly tartan blanket bargains.
Evie lives in Europe and pours her fascination with 19th century Britain into her writing. She is a member of the British Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA).
In her civilian life, she is a strategy consultant with a M.Sc. in Diplomacy from Oxford. Scotland and the great outdoors have a special place in her heart, so she can frequently be found climbing the Highlands and hunting for woolly tartan blanket bargains.
Evie lives in Europe and pours her fascination with 19th century Britain into her writing. She is a member of the British Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA).
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REVIEW
Bringing Down the Duke by Evie DunmoreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
There's been a lot of early hype for this book, and I'm here to say that every bit of it has been earned. I've read a lot of historical romances with strong heroines who overcome the obstacles and restrictions put on them. What I genuinely don't think I've read is a heroine who joins the women's suffrage movement, and that was a big drawing point for me. I was really intrigued to read about how the author would portray the group of women, the public's perception of them, and the challenges they faced. I loved the fact that Annabelle is one of the first female students of Oxford. That she dared to dream of a higher education during a time when the social class you were born into and your gender dictated what your lot in life would be. Aristocrats were society's darlings simply due to their lineage, and favored even more when they didn't have to work. Not only did Annabelle come from an impoverished family, but as a woman, that narrowed her options to thrive down to almost zilch.
Perhaps, her father should have made her read “Sleeping Beauty” instead of The Iliad—her life might have turned out quite differently.
Despite all this, she was able to finagle permission from her cousin to attend Oxford with the promise that she would pay him a sum of money regularly that she had no idea how to come up with. She doesn't let this sway her, because she's willing to work day and night, study, and attend her required suffragette meetings for her scholarship money just for a place to call her own. She doesn't want to live the dead-end existence she's been living out in the country, so she sets out to do something about it. Annabelle is pretty much perceived as a crazy liberal for even suggesting that women have the brain capacity to make voting decisions and control their own fortunes. An insane thought in our current times, but back then women moved from their parents' household to their own and never held any sort of power over their own lives.
Sebastian Devereux, thirteenth Duke of Montgomery, is quite the snobbish, coldly aloof hero at the start. He rules over his vast estates without much joy, but he's forced himself to excel at it after his wastrel father gambled them into ruins. His younger brother Peregrin is managed by him with an iron fist, so much so that their relationship is mainly intimidation and demands. Sebastian is a favorite of the queen, and has traditionalist political leanings. As the newly appointed advisor to the Tory election campaign, he's fighting for one purpose only: his family's property back that was lost by his father in a card game. Out of family loyalty and obligation, he's been struggling for years to somehow buy it back from the queen's nephew with no luck. This seems to be the chance of a lifetime, if he can only sway the political field in the direction the queen desires. The only problem is, that direction directly conflicts with everything Annabelle has been fighting for.
When Annabelle's group schemes their way into an invitation to Sebastian and Peregrin's home, she had no idea that she's about to rattle his foundation and leave him faltering on shaky ground. Reluctantly impressed by her direct gaze and unique fearlessness, he develops an unwanted curiosity that continues to grow with each meeting. The concept of having a romantic relationship with a woman so far below him in social class is beyond inconceivable. It would be laughable to even think of it. That may be horrible for him to feel that way, but I like that the author didn't shy away from presenting the reality of the social climate. But besides that is the fact that her political goals are on the opposite side of the playing field. He'd lose all respect and become a laughingstock by his peers at even a hint that he was with her. Everything that was finally almost in his grasp would be lost forever.
Something in his chest responded, a sudden bloom of warmth in the cold. He swallowed. He hadn’t drunk in near two decades, but this was not unlike the heated sensation of Scotch burning down his throat. Could one become drunk on the presence of a woman?
So obviously, there's a lot of push and pull between these characters. Sebastian tries to pursue and seduce, Annabelle resists harder than possibly any other character I've seen. The angst....it was absolutely delicious. I felt his internal battle over his need for her, and his sense of responsibility to expectations. Annabelle has already been burned very badly by another lord, and she isn't willing to compromise an inch. They had an amazing chemistry between them the more they fought it. Possessiveness, protectiveness, and admiration sparked and caught fire, but they were stuck in a battle of wills unable to move forward. Even though I wanted to slap him more than a time or two, you could see the depth of emotion and passion he had for her. In the end, he fought, and he made sacrifices the way he needed to in order to show her that she was the most important thing in the world to him.
His lips brushed against her ear. “These wild depths in you, they call to me,” he murmured.
This book was completely addictive. The love they had for each other was grew against all odds, and you truly felt that these two were meant to be. Bringing Down the Duke was so good that it forced me to compulsively race through the entire thing in less than twenty-four hours with butterflies in my chest, hearts in my eyes...it was the total package. I ravenously CONSUMED this author's writing style, and her brilliant talent for storytelling. To say that I'm excited for the next story in the League of Extraordinary Women series is a huge understatement. I need the follow up in my greedy hands yesterday. You can officially call me a loyal fan after reading this sparkling debut-it's just that simple. Get in on this series from the start, this is a new author you need to acquaint yourself with.
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