The Undercover Duke

3.5* A story of how love and trust and partnership can renew lost hopes and dreams. Secrets and lies weigh heavily on our hero and heroine. Tragic events have changed everything, futures they once dreamed of are no longer insight. Lucas Vincent, “The Undercover Duke” Duke of Willowby, separated himself from family and through the years friends being a spy for the crown. Recently severely injured Lucas is left in terrible pain and guilt ridden from the friend he could not save, Dr. William Oakford. His superiors need to keep him hidden but with their best healer dead they turn to the next best person Diana Oakford, William’s daughter. Diana’s mother passed when she was young all she had was her father, he raised her the only way he knew, to be a healer. Several years ago her heart was broken and her life changed forever. She put away her hopes and dreams and focused on her plants and herbs. The last thing Diana wants to do is help the people who took her father away for so much of her life. When she’s told its The Undercover Duke, a man her father talked of like a son she could not turn him away. Lucas is surly and rude and in such horrible pain that he’s unable to move about much with out help. When Lucas realizes who Diana is he’s swamped with guilt and demands to leave not wanting to drag her into this mess. They strike up a deal, a month of doing what Diana thinks will help then he can leave. Their attraction is instant but neither want a relationship but can’t seem to resist each other. As the days go by Lucas gets stronger and their relationship grows to friendship and trust. Lucas gives Diana on thing that she’s never had, to make her own decisions and choices. Can they count on each other when they need each other the most or will old hurts and secrets get in their way? There are some great twists and turns that I did not see coming. I love Jess Michaels writing a story telling.

Jess Michaels has a way of snaring the readers attention from the first and not letting go until the end. The wounded hero trope is my very favorite because I love to seem them healed and happy in the end. This story had it in spades. Lucas Vincent, the Duke of Willowby at a very young age, has done everything he can to avoid the Dukedom and has worked as a spy for the War Department. Terribly unhappy in his life he fights like he doesn't care if he gets killed and maybe he doesn't. Unfortunately he was gravely wounded in the field and has been sent home to heal. His injuries were grave and he was sent Diana Oakford, whose father, a physician in the war, had died when Lucas was wounded. Two lost souls brought together seems fated and it does not take long for their mutual attraction. But nothing is ever simple when secrets and a mystery get in the way and try to pull the couple apart. This is part of a series that I have not read but I think a lot of the characters in past stories showed up in this one. This can be read as a standalone although I am anxious to read the entire series. If you love historical romance with a little steam, this one if for you and I cannot wait to read the next book by this author