This novel is the third and final instalment of the London Underground mini series. Thomas Powell is the new Duke of Northfield. He knows that he should cast off just playboy/ rake image and become an upstanding and proper Duke, just like his father. He visits the sensual Orchid Club and meets the proprietress, Lucia/Amina. The Orchid club is a club where anything goes, fantasy becomes reality, no one knows each other as masks are worn. After several months of flirtatious glances, will they give into temptation?

Tom and Amina have had cameos in the first two novels, mostly featuring lustful, longing stares. This novel makes a fitting final episode for this series.

I received this novel from Mills & Boon via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

I remember seeing glimpses of the obsession between Lucia and Tom in previous books of the series and I was curious to see if these two fascinating characters were likely to get their own adventure. It was just so, so amazing to read it all unfold. I especially liked that nothing had been kept secret from the other, as appears so often in other novels. Everyone, not just the primary group, has always been open and honest with each other. Lovely read.

Lucia is the proprietress of one of the most unique clubs in London, the Orchid Club, where people of all classes can go to realise and fulfill their sexual needs in an otherwise very rigid society

The club has rules however; all are equals within its walls, you can't ask anyone else their name or anything that might identify them (all patrons wear masks) and everything that happens must be consensual. The only person permitted a name is the proprietress, in the club Lucia is known as Amina

Tom is a ducal heir who was introduced to the club by a friend and having seen and experienced most of what upper class London has to offer, he is fascinated by the club and realises the only person there he wants to be with is Lucia

Lucia and Tom couldn't be further apart in their backgrounds and their place in London society but somehow they work as a pairing, both intellectually and physically

The story is very well written, what could just be all sex is actually balanced with the running of the club as well as Tom and Lucia's lives, with drama and lightheartedness mixed in together making the story flow

I will admit that when I read the title, this wasn't what I was expecting! I am so used to traditional historical romances that something this different was a surprise, albeit a pleasant one and it has made me want to read more by Eva Leigh
It questions what is actually important in life; family, friends, lovers, reputation, class? which feels very progressive and the answers may not always be what is expected

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical romance with some spice and surprises!

Third instalment in The London Underground series—that works as a standalone—”Dare to Love a Duke” is quite a pleasure to read. In fact, pleasure couldn’t describe the Orchid Club better . . .

Tom and Lucia have each a different story to tell, but sure enough both of them have to fight for the future they dream about. Where Lucia has always had a hard life, the Duke of Northfield is just starting to struggle with a reality made of (forced) choices that change everything he had in mind, putting him in a dark spot. Sometimes sacrifices are necessary, but who said they’re always ok? The Orchid Club proves to be the escape the duke needs—although not for the same reason it is for everyone else going there—but, at the same time, it presents an unexpected ‘complication’ . . . The sexual tension between Tom and Lucia slowly turns into scorching hot desires, which also build a deeper connection, one that perhaps can be dangerous but oh, so good!

With swoon-y characters, an intriguing club, scandals, electric chemistry, and Italian words sometimes escaping from the heroine’s mouth without even realising it—it’s a real thing, Eva Leigh did a wonderful job with it—this book should be on your shelves.

#DareToLoveADuke by @EvaLeighAuthor has to be the naughtiest historical romance ever! Captivating right from the word go, this is a tantalising tale of forbidden love and taboo passions.

What happens at the Orchid Club, stays at the Orchid Club. No patron must reveal its scandalous secrets, and they most certainly must never fall for its proprietress, the fallen angel Amina, or Lucia to her loyal friends.

The chemistry and tension between Tom and Lucia is positively electric. I couldn't put the book down. Much as I would love to babble on about the story, I don't want to give away any secrets, after all, that's the rule!

Eva Leigh never disappoints with her historical novels. The intrigue of the club where any sensual desires can be met, the mysterious proprietress, the newly minted Duke, are all the ingredients for a very tasty novel.
This rounded off well the series of three books. Each could be read individually but together have made an excellent series.

On first acquaintance, Lucia is, the most scandalous of the ladies in this Regency romance series. The proprietress of a secret sex club, although not the owner, she is above the wild abandonment that takes place behind its doors, and never fraternises with members, until Tom. The early chapters of this book are explicit, but not in a gratuitous way. The descriptions demonstrate the ethos of the club and the double standards of polite society. It is a surprisingly egalitarian place, where identity is secret, members are drawn to the place for its freedom.

Tom first visits the club as the Duke’s heir, when it fits into his hedonistic lifestyle, Twelve months later, he attends only for his interaction with Lucia or Amina as she is known in ‘The Orchid Club’, they talk but don’t touch, which sets them apart from everyone else. Then his circumstances change, and he realises, so must his life.

Tom and Lucia are from different social classes, but they share the same beliefs, even if it takes Lucia to make Tom realise his true self. The plot has many twists, that force the couple together. Their relationship is full of conflicts that make their chance of lasting happiness unlikely.

Lucia, like all the women in this series, wants to help women and children subjected to deprivation and poverty, which she has experienced first hand. Scandal and social reform are the main themes of this Regency romance, which showcases the strength and tenacity of Lucia and her friends, in a class controlled, male-dominated society.

While the message of the novel is clear, it doesn’t deter from the delicious interplay between Lucia and Tom, and their passionate romance. The ending is romantic and satisfying, and the epilogue rounds off the series perfectly.

I received a copy of this book from Mills and Boon via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

The third in the series and what a way to end it. Eva Leigh has created another superb historical romance fiction following Thomas Powell the new Duke of Northfield fall in love with Lucia aka Amina the notorious mistress of the Orchid club. The thing is not all is as it seems.
I have loved this series from start to finish. Eva Leigh has created a world steeped in romance and history, and I do love a romance book. Having met Duke of Northfield in the previous two books I was happy to see more of him and to understand him more. You also got to meet Amina and find out more about her in this book. Steeped in intrigue from the previous two books you found out what made her tick.

I liked the twist in this series that the three heroines were not all what they seemed and fell in love with the Aristocrats of London. They were not debutantes and daughters of rich and powerful families they were strong and independent women who knew what they wanted and did what they could to get their man. I also enjoyed that the men loved them for who they were.

This has to be my favourite out of the three books. I enjoyed the story and romance between the Duke and Amina, it was a slow burn throughout the book and the series. Not only that but there was something powerful about a man loving a woman for who she was and wanting to support her in her dreams. Not caring what her background was.

There is a hint of scandal and politics in regards to Northfield's sister and betrothed where he is being blackmailed by his future brother-in-laws Father to get him to vote a certain way in Parliament. However, the good prevail and it is dealt with by the help of his friends.

Both characters were written superbly and I fell in love with the pair of them and was routing for them throughout the whole book. I mean Northfield would do anything to make his sister happy even make himself unhappy by trying to please everyone else. I loved that he found someone that he could love but it wasn't all plain sailing for him.

Amina aka Lucia is the madam of the Orchid Club and is working hard to try and make sure that everyone that works for her is fed, watered and paid for their services. This is coming under fire when the secret is out and they have to close. I thought Amina's character was well developed and even though I disliked how she treated Northfield after it came out his Father had set up the Orchid Club love prevailed.

A wonderfully written historical romance that allowed me to escape and enjoy a bit of romance and a saucy chapter or two! I fond that Leigh ended the book on a high and tied the series up nicely.

Lucia—known as Amina—manages the Orchid Club, a secret society where fantasies become reality. Yet no member of the club has ever intrigued her…until him, the masked stranger whose heated looks sear her skin. After months of suppressed longing, do they dare to give in to temptation… ?



Well, this is dazzling! By far one of the most seductive and erotic books (apart from Dare) that I have read from Mills and Boon, it’s spine-tinglingly good, its sexy, sensual and enchanting romance, that is so different to the stereotypical historical romance.

This is the third book in what has been an amazing series; The London Underground, and when I say that this is amazing I don’t just say it because I can’t think of another word to use (even though that is true) but it seriously is amazing. I have been hooked from the start, but don’t worry if you haven’t read the previous two, these books are pretty such stand-a-lone stories, but with shared character’s. I have to admit that this book is my favourite out all three, there is just something very sinful and deadly about this one, it makes you want to hide away with it and never let anyone near it, you want to be selfish and keep it all to yourself – or, what I actually ,mean is you want to keep a certain devilishly gorgeous, Irish rogue to yourself…ah, Tom you can ruin me any day….#DoubleSigh



I best move on and actually talk about the book, and not just talk about Tom’s well shaped rear end…;-) Honestly, I have become obsessed, I can’t help myself, this man is the epitome of delectable masculinity, sexy as hell, cheeky, roguish – come one who doesn’t love twinkly eyed rogue? Not to mention he’s Irish, I do love a Irish accent and I am not ashamed to say it but I did hear Cillian Murphey’s swoon-worthy voice in my mind whenever Tom spoke…sigh!

Thomas, the new Duke of Northfield knows that he really must start acting the Duke he is instead of the rake he has been for many years, but if he is to give up his wild life of duels, gambling, debauchery that means he also must give up the one thing in his life that has come to actually mean something to him; the secret ‘Orchid Club’ one of the most sought after clubs in the whole city – if you know about it- a secret paradise where no matter your station in life once you are through the door and the mask is in place you can be who you want to be. Thomas has become bored of the trivial fun of town, he no longer gets pleasure from being the rake he once did, but the moment he stepped into the Orchid Club and met the tempting and mysterious Amina his life changed.

‘Amina’ or otherwise known as Lucia has recently taken over the management of the club, coming from Italy she understands more then most what Thomas feels about being on the outside, but unlike Thomas she has had to face some real struggles in her life. She is a grafter, and that instantly made me like her she isn’t afraid to put in the hours and get the job done, being from poverty she knows just how precarious life can be, she needs the club to succeed as there is more at stake here then just her future.

Have I mentioned how much I adore this man? He’s not just a walking sex god, even though he is very…shall we say; skilled? He is a man who to be honest I don’t think he likes the aristocracy very much (nothing that Thomas) even though he is reluctantly apart of it. Being part Irish and having spent his early years with his mother in Ireland he has always felt on the outside of society, he has been tolerated because of his status but not liked or respected for the man he is and that grates on him, a lot. Now he is Duke, he knows he should start acting as he is supposed to but deep down he is still that wild lad from Ireland who really doesn’t care, he wants to have fun. But above all the thing I love about this man is how much he deeply cares for his family and his closest friends. He also is very passionate about helping those who genuinely need help, unlike his late father and most of society Thomas isn’t ashamed to voice on the rising poverty in the country, if anything his good heart and conscious spoke to me far more then what he can do in the bedchamber.

I adore the relationship between Lucia and Thomas, at first its all about sex the lust between them is palpable from that first meeting when she sees him as nothing but a charming buccaneer, the air sizzles around them, I felt like I was holding my breath, not daring to exhale in case I miss something between them. Then that soon turns into something more profound, something deeper.

What I do love about this book – in fact the whole series, is that these heroines are not your run of the mill sighing, swooning debutantes, these woman have fire and spirit, they aren’t afraid to challenge the hero, they are independent woman in their own right, they can play the seduction game and have the hero eating out of the palm of their hands. The hero’s fully respect these amazing woman for who they are, and this is so rare in historical romances, these couples are equals.

Overall, this is wonderful, a brilliantly original love story with amazingly different and complex characters.

Thomas Powell, formerly the Earl of Langdon & now the Duke of Northfield following his father’s death, knows he should be proper and principled, like his father. No more duelling, or carousing, or frequenting masked balls. But he’s not ready to give up his freedom just yet he wants one more night.
Lucia aka Amina manages the Orchid Club, a secret society where fantasies become reality. Yet no member of the club has ever intrigued her until him, the masked stranger whose heated looks sear her skin. After a year of suppressed longing, do they dare to give in to temptation ?
This is the third book in the series, whilst it could easily be read on its own the three stories do gel together very well & the epilogue rounds the series off very well. I’d been waiting for Tom’s story & it didn't disappoint, I particularly liked how Tom & Lucia's relationship developed, whilst the attraction was in no doubt it was how he treat Lucia that added that little extra, he treated her like a lady not a thirteen year old who’d been thrown out onto the streets & had used all her wiles to survive. I also like the secondary romance of Hugh & Maeve. All in all a lovely romance that had me captivated
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Didn’t hit the mark for me
3 stars

This is the third book in the Scandalous Ladies of London series (also known as the London Underground series). While the couples from the first two books (From Duke Till Dawn and Counting on a Countess respectively) pop up in this tale - this can be read entirely as a standalone.

I enjoyed the first two books in the series - giving them both 4 stars - but this one just didn’t hit the mark for me. I think that might partly have been because both Tom and Amina/Lucia have appeared throughout the series with little glimpses that set out to tempt readers into wanting to know the couple’s story. Instead, I always thought they were a mismatched pair which definitely had me going into this book waiting to be convinced.

And I was not convinced.

I normally like a couple who are hugely different in some way and have to find a way to overcome their situation/temprement/ideals etc to be together. In this story, I found Lucia and Tom were so similar - jaded, world wise characters - that even their difference in stations hardly seemed insurmountable.

I also very much enjoy sex in a story - in fact I prefer a story with some graphic shenanigans going on and if there’s graphic language it’s all the better. So I was very much surprised that I found the sex, and the descriptions of the Orchid Club’s goings on, to be vulgar, gratuitous and a little gross. And the use of all the f-words in a Regency tale…well, it didn’t feel right, somehow.

Despite the writing being good, I found myself struggling massively to finish this book. I understand that much of this might have been due to my preconceived notions about the book and its characters - which is why I feel it’s only fair that I up my grading to 3 stars instead of my initial thoughts of 2.

Not a book for me, but if you like the idea of a worldly woman who manages a sex club matching with a worldly duke who frequents said sex club - then this very well could be tale for you. But just 3 stars from me.

This was a complimentary copy from netgalley - many thanks

I do love me a bit of historical romance and this was a great read - couldn't put down and read in one sitting - always a good sign?

I don't want to give anything away - but if historical romance is your genre - you will love the story of Thomas and Lucia

Highly recommend

Dare to Love a Duke is the third book in The London Underground series by Eva Leigh. It can be read as a standalone if you haven't read the others in the series. I have, and even if you haven't read them before this one, I say read them anyway, they are just as good as this one is.

Thomas Powell is the new Duke of Northfield. Before his father died Thomas lived his life to the full, doing everything that he knew he would have to stop once the weight of being the Duke fell on his shoulders. One of those things was to attend the Orchid Club. A place where anything goes when it comes to sexual encounters, and all of it done without privacy. Everybody is masked so inhibitions don't exist. Thomas isn't interested in taking part in what is going on, he has caught the eye of the manager of the place and only wants to spend time talking with her.

Lucia, known as Amina is that woman. She has brought herself up on the streets and worked her way into the position she now holds as manager. She's a beautiful person inside and out. Her reason for running the club is mainly to save her wages in order to set up a school and home for the lost girls on the streets. Lucia and Thomas only see each other in the club, they don't touch, they just talk and that continues happening right up until the day that Thomas discovers a scandalous secret that could ruin him and his family if it was to become known.

I won't tell you what it is, but it does end up bringing Thomas and Lucia closer. Starting with them having a whole night of unbridled passionate lovemaking (in private not in the club). Instead of separating afterwards and going their own ways as planned, they can't keep away from each other. That is until something happens that could tear them apart forever.

I loved this book so much, it is hard to write a review without going into detail of the parts I love so much about it. Thomas is such a wonderful man, I loved how he handled things in the story, especially the ending. It was just perfect. Lucia is such a kind person, never putting herself first, never feeling deserving of being put first, and I love how Thomas helps her to realise her worth. They are the perfect couple and I loved their story.

There is only one little thing that niggles me and that is that Lucia is meant to manage the club only so that she can save money for the girls' home and school. But when she finds the means of her dream becoming a reality, she still plans on running a sex club and opening more than one. Why? Is it because she wants to make sure there are more job opportunities for people? Possibly. Apart from that conundrum, the book was perfect and I definitely recommend it.