Cover Image: A Lady's Code of Misconduct

A Lady's Code of Misconduct

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Member Reviews

Meredith Duran is one of the finest historical romance authors writing today. Given any storyline or any romance trope, she makes it fresh and new and interesting. The characters’ reactions are never commonplace, the plots are never tired and predictable, and the writing is always to the point and yet lovely at the same time. I like the attention she pays to crafting a good book that goes beyond writing a good story.

Crispin Burke wakes up in a soft bed with a broken skull, a shattering headache, and with no memory of how he got there or who did violence to his head. He recognizes his parents and siblings and recalls his unhappy familial life at their hands, but he does not recognize Jane Mason, his wife. And he remembers nothing of his political career or the mercurial and radical rise to power which could see him become Prime Minister..

Jane recognizes that Crispin has amnesia but his family does not, so she implicitly conspires with him to keep everyone in the dark. In return, she hopes Crispin will not find out about the lie that is their marriage. In order to claim the inheritance set aside for her by her father, Jane has engineered a sham – but legally binding – marriage to Crispin. She was running out of time, desperate to prevent her uncle (who was her guardian) from embezzling away all her funds while at the same time pressing her to marry his son. In making her fake marriage, Jane hopes that Crispin’s tenuous hold on life will become too much for his delicate brain and he’ll succumb to his injuries, thereby granting her the freedom and financial independence to forge her own life.

But life invariably carries a sting in its tail. Crispin survives his ordeal and grapples with his loss of memory and having to re-learn the politics of recent months. His former cronies, allies, and enemies troop through his house at all hours, expecting him to behave true to form. He has to rely solely on Jane to see him through.

The old Crispin was malicious, calculating, ruthless and up to his neck in corruption, buying votes, blackmailing his opponents, and bringing pressure to bear on MPs and Lords alike. With his sights set on becoming Prime Minister, nothing was going to stop him from getting his latest bill passed. His motto was: Need no one. Trust no one.

The new Crispin is tender and respectful towards Jane and decent and humane towards others. She likes the new version as much as she loathes the old one, and yet time after time, she finds herself defending the old to the new. She’s torn between the two Crispins and the woman she is with both of them. She gradually comes to understand that Crispin must have married her because he loves her and desires her and that he wants to remain married to her, although her own feelings toward him are not so easily determined. Their gradual discovery of mutual attraction, readily on his part and reluctantly on hers, is so well done. The more time they spend discussing politics in turn increases their desire for each other. Intelligence is so attractive!

This was not the man who had forced kisses on her.

She did not know who this man was.

“You don’t know my inner mettle.” Her words were clipped. He did not know her. His honeyed words were empty; she would not be cozened by them. “You don’t know me at all.”

His hand came over hers. Touching her again, stroking the back of her hand lightly. “True,” he said. “Perhaps…I’m the luckiest of men. To be allowed to discover my bride twice; to have the chance to fall in love all over again.”
Jane has always lived in a politically active family, first with her father and then her uncle, and through keen observation and a ferocious intellect, she has a good grasp of life amid the corridors of power. She’s pleased to find that Crispin greatly values her opinions, and she enjoys the renaissance of her political mind.

With the Commons debate of Crispin’s Penal Law bill imminent, he doesn’t have much time to prepare. While Jane has apprised him that he was the author of the bill, he finds that his views are no longer in harmony with those of his old self and wants to oppose his own propositions. Jane’s uncle – formerly Crispin’s closest associate – now stands as his staunchest opponent.

So the eternal question that eats at Jane is this; because the person Crispin has become is so radically different from the person he was, when his memories come back, will he go back to the way he was, will he stay the same as he is now, or will there be a new man rising like a phoenix from the ashes of his injury? And of paramount importance is this – will he then set their marriage aside?

From moment to moment, Jane lives with this fear of the unknown, and it’s alternately frightening and fatiguing. At heart, A Lady’s Code of Misconduct is a story of trust. Can a woman trust her instincts when it comes to the most important person in her life – her husband? What should she believe? what should she disbelieve?; When should she change her mind about what she used to believe? The book is a fascinating study in how fragile and malleable trust is and how easily it can be abused or even bruised.

I loved reading A Lady’s Code of Misconduct for its complexity of thought and emotional characterization, for the tender romance, for the philosophical questioning, and for the intrigue that shadows the story right to the end. It is the fifth book in the Rules for the Reckless series, but it stands alone, so you can dive right into it without needing to have read the previous four.

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I've not read a book with a plot like this one. Crispin is deeply into politics with high intentions. Jane is an heiress, who is being forced to marry. She finds a way out of the marriage, by faking a marriage to a dying man. Except Crispin doesn't die, but as luck will have it he can't remember the past five years. Slowly Crispin begins to remember and Jane fears that he'll not want her and will go back to his old way of life.
Together they are working to change, themselves and their future. Forgiveness is a strong thing.

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There are times Crispin just wants him and his girl alone, "he caught her by the waist and kissed her again soundly. “We’ll go home,” he murmured into her hair. “I can’t share you any longer.” Crispin could be so sweet, “I do not want a saint, Jane. I want you. All of you. Your flaws as much as your virtues.” I really liked this book, Crispin was a little rough around the edges but I fell in love with him.

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The novel is lovely! I liked the villain and all the secrets attached, it was very stimulating. Plus throught the villain's sub-plot there's the introduction of whom I think might be the hero of the next story in the series, and in all honesty I REALLY CAN'T WAIT! I'm waiting for the most tortured dark hero ever. Please make me happy.

The hero who, at the beginning was perilously close to be a jerk, he was on the very thin line beween that and a very charming dark many man. BUT Meredith neiled it. This initial presentation made the transformation with whom he is for the rest of the novel, veeeery warming! He so sweet after the accident. Which always melts my heart. I'm all about a sweet hero in my HRs.

The heroine is also lovely, with strong priciples, which I appreciate very much in a character. Sometimes a tad too dragging with the guilty feeling, but it is within natural behaviour, not too dramatised. Fair is fair.

It is a romance worth reading, like all Meredith Duran's novels. I cannot say in all honesty that this is my faviourite one, but nonetheless I would warmly suggest it.

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Brought together by desperation ...

Crispin and Jane seem like total opposites. He's a darkly brooding man with a past. She's used to life's finer things, raised with the utmost of class. When circumstance removes the rose colored glasses from this woman of means, she will stop at nothing to even the score. Yet will her plan of action, be her biggest risk or their greatest gain? A Lady's Code of MisConduct is a courageous trek through the ravishes of a broken heart as it travels the pathway to love. Meredith Duran turns darkness into light with this wickedly enchanting read.

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"Who are you? How do you know me?" The color drained from her face. "I..." Her lips opened and closed. "I'm Jane," she said unsteadily. "And you..." Her indrawn breath sounded ragged. "You, Crispin, are my husband."

FINAL DECISION: Oh, how I loved this one! A man who might otherwise be the villain of the story completely -- ok, not so completely -- redeemed by love. Complex and twisty and so enjoyable. This series just keeps getting better!

THE STORY: Jane Mason is trapped by her uncle who intends to marry her to his son in order to control her fortune. Condemned to suppress all her personality behind a meek exterior, Jane desperately wants to evade her uncle's plots. Mr. Crispin Burke is a ruthless man who intends to be prime minister. He will do anything to protect his alliance with Jane's uncle -- even if that means destroying Jane's own chances. A blackmailed bargain and a murder attempt ends up with the two being married, but when she gains control of her fortune, will Jane be able to leave the man she hated...but for whom she has begun to care?

OPINION: This book is so wonderful but so difficult to describe without giving away the twists and turns which make the book sing.

The book begins with a hero who seems completely irredeemable. He is ambitious to the exclusion of all else and exceedingly immoral. He will bribe, blackmail, and deal in all types of corruption in order to succeed. He will be Prime Minister and he will do anything to accomplish that feat. Crispin threatens the heroine and blackmails her into doing his bidding. Even when he knows that Jane is desperately mistreated and willing to do almost anything to free herself...he ignores her plight except to the extent that it can benefit himself. Jane has known Crispin for years and she knows that he is a ruthless and immoral man.

"Power made a fine panacea for any number of old aches. It would be revenge and pleasure and comfort rolled up into one."

While Crispin appears a lost cause as the book begins, a twist of fate strips him of his invulnerability and leaves him open to change. An attempt on his life leaves him with no memory of the evils he has done or the reasons for them. Jane, now married to Crispin, knows the man he was, but finds herself falling in love with the man he is now. The fear and drama of the story is that neither knows what will happen to them if Crispin remembers the man he was.

Jane is a woman who is struggling for independence. A beloved daughter who was valued for her intellect and opinions, she has begun to lose herself under the oppression of her uncle. Yet she is determined to free herself. Her stubborn and powerful will for freedom allows her to make a decision which will change her life and Crispin's as well.

The tension in this book is tightly drawn because as the two attempt to discover who attempted to kill Crispin, they must explore who Crispin was and what he was up to. The danger of every revelation is that is might trigger Crispin's memories and the return of the man that Jane knows she cannot help but hate. Something else happens as the two make their discoveries...the reasons for Crispin's heartless pursuit of power become clear and perhaps provides a more sympathetic portrait of the villain at the beginning of the book.

What I loved most about this book is that its core message becomes one of understanding and acceptance that love requires. Crispin is not all bad and we learn that Jane is not all that good. People have flaws and weaknesses. Those flaws can make us the heroes of the story as we overcome their influence on our lives and protect against the damage they may do, or they can make us hard and indeed the villain of our own story. Both Crispin and Jane are more complex than they appeared at the beginning of the book. By the end, they both see one another clearly and as a whole fallible person.

That brings me to the chemistry between Jane and Crispin which is blistering hot. The two seem to relish the intellectual battle of wills as enemies which leads to sexy encounters even as their antipathy diminishes. I loved these two together, couldn't put the book down and really didn't want the book to end. In fact, as the book ended, I couldn't help but hope we might see more of them in future books.

This might be my favorite book in the series and I really, really liked the last one. Now I have to read both again to compare!

WORTH MENTIONING: Oh, I hope we get to read more about Lockwood!

CONNECTED BOOKS: LADY'S CODE OF MISCONDUCT is the fifth book in the Rules for the Reckless series. This book does not rely on any other book in the series and can be read as a complete standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

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I'm officially hooked on Meredith Duran! A Lady's Code of Misconduct had me captivated from the first chapter. Heiress Jane Mason is stuck living with her overbearing aunt and uncle. All they want is her money and they will do anything to get it including keeping her secluded and forcing her to marry their son. (Ew, that's her cousin!!) But what they don't know is that Jane is intelligent and has a mind of her own. Sitting in the shadows for seven years, she has learned a lot from listening and being inconspicuous. Crispin Burke is on his way to becoming the next prime minister and he will stop at nothing to get the coveted position. However, an incident causes him to wake with no memories from the last five years of his life and a wife. Jane and Crispin use each other as a means to an end but they both start to fall for each other. Jane's lies finally start to catch up with her and when the reasons for Crispin's near death experience comes to light, they find they're in more danger than they ever realized.

I loved this story because it was so refreshing and different. I normally read a lot of regency romances so it was a nice change to read a historical romance about a more progressive time. Sometimes I get so sick of the ton and their repressive ways! Jane is such a strong female lead. She's truly intelligent and even though her aunt and uncle tried to stifle her independence, she never let go of it. She quietly bides her time until she can make a move and ends up meeting her match in Crispin. He's such a jerk when we first meet him but he's still one of those male characters that you can't help but be drawn to despite how arrogant he is. I liked how his near death experience uncovers the man he really is within and the fact that he embraces that man. Jane and Crispin's relationship unfolds at a realistic pace. It's never forced and it makes their union and attraction so much more believable. Jane and Crispin both discover things about themselves and instead of running from those discoveries (which so many characters do in other books I've read) they accept them and grow into better people. Together they become powerful individuals and an even more powerful couple. This book has everything: mystery, intrigue, danger, sexual tension and steamy romance. Everyone gets what they deserve in the end; you won't be disappointed.

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1860

Jane Mason, age 23, lives with her aunt and uncle, her guardians after her parents’ death. Jane’s inheritance pays for the household, Marylebigh. Her aunt and uncle control her wealth and her life. In addition, they are planning to marry her to her evil cousin, Archibald, so that they can keep control of her money. Weary of her cloistered life, she plans to escape to London. Jane is not allowed to have male visitors. However, Crispin Burke, a member of Parliament, is welcome as he and her uncle discuss politics. Constantly berated by her aunt and uncle, she is angry that they are spending her money to support Burke’s political agenda.

Under her father’s will, when Jane marries, she will gain control of her inheritance. Her uncle stole her father’s political career after his death and now he wants to steal his fortune.

When Jane flees into the night, she is intercepted by Crispin. It appears that the man Jane had contracted to wed her to allow her to get her inheritance has been paid off by her uncle and now she is desperate for Crispin to wed her. She offers him 5,000 pounds. But he counters with a request that she become a spy in her household to discover what political things her uncle is up to. She agrees and he manages to return her to her room as if she had never left. As Crispin suggests, she agrees to a long engagement to Archibald only if she is allowed to have a season in London.

London - 1860

Jane is being watched like a hawk by her aunt. The woman is counting the days until Jane is married off to Archibald. Will Jane finally be able to escape the control of her aunt and uncle?

I was literally bored to tears by this book. If you like politics and a weak plot, you may enjoy this. I have read books by this author before that I enjoyed, but this one is simply boring.

Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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A Lady's Code of Misconduct was a great book that really held my attention. It combines romance with adventure and suspense in a steamy package.

Jane Mason is living with her uncle and aunt who are using her for her inheritance. Her uncle, who is a large figure in politics, has taught her to quietly observe but allows her to have no input in anything. Jane is frustrated and puts together a plan to escape. A condition of her inheritance is that she gets married. She plans to marry the first man she can so that she can escape her uncle's home.

Crispin Burke is a political figure that has less than above the board tactics. He has risen in politics by using methods of bribery or threats. Crispin has noticed Jane for the first time but she is nothing like the ladies he is used to entertaining. She has a mind which he finds refreshing. Crispin becomes aware of Jane's plan to escape and is able to intercept her and make her aware of a way to escape the doom her uncle has plans for her, but in exchange she has to spy for him.

When Crispin is hurt and not expected to live, Jane uses Crispin's own advice and forges a marriage to him. When Crispin unexpectedly lives, he finds himself married to Jane and plans to become a better man. Jane helps him turn his life around, but the two have to get past their trust issues to see if their marriage can work.

I loved how Crispin was able to get past the man he once was and become the man Jane needs him to become. Their romance was beautiful and quite steamy. There was a great deal of action and suspense that keeps you engaged.

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This is the 5th book in The Rules of the Reckless Series and I have to say that I have loved the series so far.

In A Ladies Code of Misconduct is a fun read that I just had to keep reading because I absolutely loved this book. I loved the characters and the story.

This book (and the series ) are ones I will be reading again in the future for sure.

I give this book 4 out of 5.

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I have read many of this authors works and they have all been very good. But this one is something special. I cannot put my finger on what the difference is, but I loved it!

From the amazing characters that Ms. Duran creates, to the growing depth of feelings that slowly creeps up on you, her writing is completely on point and captivates you.

I love that we have a female character with brains and brass ones. Not someone who is a weak fool that minces words with men, looking for her strength. But a woman that takes the bull by the horns and makes life happen for her.

Crispin is so different too! He started off an unlikable jerk but made a 180 and became an amazing man! I love his passion for life and for Jane. So refreshing!

The author has created the perfect love story. From sparks flying at the beginning to a slow growth of respect, protection, care, consideration, and love, the perfect couple is brought together as one. Such a beautiful and interesting historical story. You will never want it to end.

But when it does, you will have a perpetual smile on your face. Amazing read! Bravo!

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Some books stay with you when you're finished. This one does. The H and h were so compelling for me, I became so invested in their relationship and the outcome of the story that I was torn between finishing or waiting to finish, I wanted the HEA, but knew I would miss this couple. I enjoyed the book very much, its story is quite different from others I've read, and there is certainly room for further in the series. The H is a powerful politician, the h a clever but repressed young lady. To avoid a forced marriage to her cousin the h obtained a false marriage certificate to the H, as he lay on his deathbed. He did not die, but he does awake with amnesia, and a newly found conscience. Formerly corrupt and manipulative, he is a new man. The story follows his new path and her assistance, even as she fears he'll remember. It's a complicated story with many twists, but an excellent one. Highly recommend!

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'A Lady's Code of Misconduct' by Meredith Duran this is book 5 in the "Rules for the Reckless"series. This is the story of Crispin and Jane. I have not yet read the other books in this series so for me this was a standalone book.
Jane lost her parents about six years ago and is living with her Aunt, Uncle and Cousin. In additon, Jane is a heiress. Jane's Uncle keeps strict control over her and now plans to marry her to his son / her cousin. But Jane doesn't want that at all...so she comes up with a plan which involved Crispin.
Cripsin was working to somewhat help her to learn how to get a grip on her uncle but then Crispin was injured. Now he lost some of his memory but Jane has claimed to be married to him when she thought he was dying. Cripsin is really a hard feeling person at first but love hopeful will slowly change that.
Really enjoyed this book!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

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Publisher's Description:

The next steamy historical romance in USA TODAY bestselling and RITA award-winning author Meredith Duran’s “wonderfully indulgent” (Publishers Weekly) Rules for the Reckless series.

A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL...
Trapped in the countryside, facing an unwanted marriage and the theft of her fortune, Jane Mason is done behaving nicely. To win her freedom, she’ll strike a deal with the most dangerous man she knows—a rising star in politics, whose dark good looks mask an even darker heart.

...NEVER GOES TO PLAN.
The bitter past has taught Crispin Burke to trust no one. He’ll gladly help a lovely young heiress, provided she pays a price. Yet when a single mistake shatters his life, it is Jane who holds the key to his salvation. And in a world that no longer makes sense, Crispin slowly realizes that she may be the only thing worth fighting for...

My Thoughts:
In this compelling fifth book of the Rules for the Reckless series we find a man with lofty political ambitions and a young woman who has lost her immediate family and is at the mercy of an unscrupulous uncle and aunt who want nothing more than to take everything she has from her.
His ambitious nature leads to an attempted murder of our Hero. When our Heroine hears of his injuries and his expected demise she concocts a scheme. She tells his family they are married since she believes him to be on his death bed. She even has forged documentation of their supposed marriage. Her marriage will also prevent her relatives from taking everything from her.
When he unexpectedly survives his injuries she must proceed with the farce. Since he has amnesia he has no notion that they are not really married.
Will he remember what is real and what is not and will our hero and heroine still find their way to their Happily Ever After?
This story of intrigue and romantic suspense is in this readers opinion the best yet of this series. I could not put it down once I started reading it.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5 stars for character development and storyline. It gets a sensual rating of 4.5 of 5 flames. The love scenes are both sexy and sweet.
Although I did not care for the entire series it is probably better if you read them in order. I however found this one can easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone title.
I received both a paperback and digital complimentary ARC of this book from the publisher to read and review.
This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I voluntarily reviewed.

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I had read a novella from this author was a bit excited to get the chance to read a new book.

I liked Jane. She's smart and witty and in a crappy, but normal situation for a woman of that time. Crispin was dark and cocky and easy to like. Especially when he wakes up. And I just I adored their banter together...

...and without that, I started to lose interest. One of the main plot points revolved around politics and that was extraordinarily boring to me. I wanted just the two of them, as much as possible. I did enjoy the conflict and reading them figure things out. I especially loved getting POV from both of them.

Overall, parts of the story were quite dry, but the characters more than made up for it. I'll definitely be looking for other titles.

**Huge thanks to Pocket Books for the invite to read**

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Meredith Duran is one of my favorite authors, because her stories are thought-provoking, complex and deeply romantic, and her characters are always finely layered and captivating. A Lady’s Code of Misconduct has all this and more, and you will be enthralled by this emotional story and its hero - Crispin Burke.

Crispin is a jerk, and there is just no other way to describe him. He has lofty political ambitions - he wants to be the Prime Minister - and he is singularly ruthless in his quest to achieve his goals. He masterfully manipulates people for political gain and has earned a reputation for being cold-blooded. Opponents fear him and know to stay out of his way or get trampled in his rise to power, and one of these bystanders caught in his crosshairs is Jane Mason.

Jane’s uncle and guardian is one of Crispin’s closest and most unsavory political allies. He's controlled Jane’s large inheritance since she was orphaned, and he has no desire to let her money go. He’s kept her isolated and under his thumb treating her with disdain. Now he wants her to wed his son in order to permanently claim her fortune, but Jane has had enough and seeks a way out. She must marry to gain control of her money; therefore, she sets out to run away and enter a marriage of convenience but her plans are thwarted. Unfortunately, her failed plans leave her indebted to Crispin, and he seizes the opportunity for his own gain.


Crispin asks Jane to spy on her uncle and bring him information in exchange for his assistance in securing a husband and freedom. Jane fulfills her promise and is waiting for Crispin to deliver on his when he is brutally attacked and seriously injured. He’s in a comma and no one thinks he will survive, but he miraculously does. When he does he wake up, he has no memories of the last few years and he has a wife - Jane.

I do not usually enjoy an amnesia plot, but Ms. Duran crafted a smart and remarkable take on this often overused trope. It is fascinating to see how a man like Crispin will react when his slate is wiped clean and how his relationship with Jane will play out. Politics dominate much of this story and Jane and Crispin’s relationship, and the political issues explored are interesting and adds more depth to A Lady’s Code of Misconduct. This is a historical romance that offers an original story, fascinating characters and an emotional romance, and another testament to Ms. Duran’s exceptional talent. - Harlequin Junkie

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That description really doesn’t give you an idea about this book, and I’m not about to take any of the delight in finding out away from you. This is a most unique plot, there is amnesia, bribery, greed and sensual delights. Our heroine, Jane, is an orphan in the care of her greedy, overbearing uncle. She strikes a bargain with a villain, Crispin, and from there uses her wits to outwit those after her fortune. Of course there are twists and turns ahead. We long for some hero redemption and heroine comfort. What we are given is a page turning, can’t-put-it-down story of action and love. The backdrop of political machinations gives this plot a timely appeal.
This book is number five in the series but don’t let that deter you. You can read this as a standalone without any problems. But it will make you want to read more from this wonderful author.
(5-stars)

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