The Duke of Luhst (Seven Dukes of Sin #2) by Mariah Stone

ABOUT THE BOOK

Seductive as a deadly sin, Lucien Wrenn, the Duke of Luhst, can tempt any lady into his bed. But his best friend’s little sister–bluestocking scientist Lady Chasity Perrin–is forbidden fruit. And he’s spent a lifetime aching to take a bite.

Chastity has always loved Lucien but the thoughtful boy she cherished grew into a careless rogue. Content with her lot as a spinster, she fights to advance her medical research in a world that denies women’s place in science.

They can never be together until they clash in a heated argument and make a scandalous wager… During a month-long house party, both must do the impossible: sinful Lucien must remain celibate and wallflower Chastity must secure a marriage proposal.

When every eligible bachelor begins to compete for made-over Chastity, Lucien burns to claim her as his own.

As summer storm traps them, no vow of friendship can hold him back from breaking every rule to possess her.

As they grow closer — body and soul — his touch unravels her and she begins to crave something very dangerous: him. For the first time, someone sees straight to his wounded soul, and makes him want to be worthy of the only woman he loved his whole life.

But when Chastity’s older brother learns his sister has been compromised, all hell breaks loose.

MY REVIEW

Holy cow, where do I even start? I just finished The Duke of Luhst, and it was a delightful experience! This book is part of a series that revolves around the Seven Dukes of Sin, and this time we’re focusing on Lucien, the notorious Duke of Luhst. If you’re a fan of forbidden romances packed with tension, playful banter, and a twist, this one is definitely for you!

Lucien is a total man whore with charm in spades. But he finds himself head over heels for Chastity, his best friend’s sister. He knows that acting on his feelings could ruin her chances in society, and he promised his best friend, Dorian and the Seven Dukes of Sin that he would not harm family. However, Chastity’s love for Lucien is tempting for a lonely man like him and a hasty wager of being celibate for 30 days suddenly didn’t seem like a good idea after all.

Chastity has a brilliant scientific mind that is not appreciated in her era leaving her a spinster at the ripe old age of 28. Her wager with Lucien seems hopeless with her cringey social skills, and I was impressed with Lucien’s help to make her more appealing to society. Her hope is to have her medical research taken seriously and the only way to do that is to take Lucien up on his wager to procure a marriage proposal from the man who can help her get her research recognized. However, is the bet worth losing the man she loves?

The dynamics between Lucien and Chastity are electric! Their verbal sparring adds a delightful layer of humor to the story making their interactions enjoyable. Plus, there’s just the right amount of spice and tenderness that kept me turning the pages! I found myself rooting for Lucien and Chastity as they navigate their feelings amidst societal expectations and past emotional turmoil. Lucien, especially, had some deep-seated trauma in his life that almost robbed him of his happiness and I’m still reeling from his transformation.

There is a twist toward the end that I can’t give away, and with the help of Dorian, Pryde and the other Dukes of Sin, Lucien and Chastity get a happily ever after. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment focusing on the Duke of Pryde.

If you’re in need of a steamy yet tender read filled with wit and some angst, the Duke of Luhst should be on your must-read list! Trust me, you won’t regret it!

Thank you to Ms. Stone for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Seven Dukes of Sin Series

1. Duke of Rath (2024)
2. Duke of Luhst (2025)
3. Duke of Pryde (2025) – My review

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amazon Top 100 bestselling author Mariah Stone pens historical and time travel romance featuring regency dukes, tenacious Vikings, and fierce Highlanders, all captivated by strong-willed women. In her downtime, Mariah raises two adorable kids and enjoys romantic North Sea escapes with her husband. A multilingual Outlander and Bridgerton fan, she relishes sushi, Thai food, and runs a local writer’s group. Subscribe to her newsletter for a free time travel book today!