Daring and the Duke (The Bareknuckle Bastards #3) by Sarah MacLean

Finally!  The last book of the Bareknuckle Bastards series by Sarah MacLean. This book is Grace and Ewan’s story.  We saw glimpses of Grace in the first two books and only “heard” about Ewan.  I have to confess, he did not sound like a very redeemable character. Devil and Whit were keeping Grace safe by telling Ewan that she had died.  She remade herself into Dahlia and she ran the swankiest brothel in London for women.  I did not look up the historical accuracy of this, but I love the twist.  Why not have rich women pay for sex?  The men in Victorian times always do. Well, Ewan was out for vengeance, and this is woven throughout the story.  He was known as the Mad Duke of Marwick because he was so eccentric.  It seemed that he had been in mourning for his only true love.

This is definitely a story of redemption.  I was convinced that I would not like Ewan, but the back story helped.  It was rather sinister that Ewan had a lot to gain from Grace’s death, but knowing there is a happily ever after...this had to resolve itself.

I think it’s rare that Victorian Historical Romances take place in the darkest, smelliest parts of London.  It is unique to see Covent Garden instead of Mayfair as the setting.  I also like that the characters are a bit freer from social constraints.  There is a moral code, but totally different than society visits.  There are a lot of flashbacks in this story that fill in all the holes from the previous two books. The twist at the end was satisfying and somewhat unexpected.  I also really love the beautiful cover.  The yellow (gold) dress was the perfect complement to Grace’s personality.