I really wanted to like My Once and Future Duke but despite a heroine I loved and a great depiction of female friendships, the hero ruined it for me.

Sophie Campbell was orphaned at a young age and her aristocratic grandfather wanted nothing to do with her, so he paid only for her education until she was of age and then he cut her off. Sophie has (successfully) been working her way toward financial security by playing cards at The Vega Club and saving her earnings. The Vega Club welcomes women as well as men, providing everyone can pay their debts. Although it’s not explored deeply, Sophie’s skill at cards is a result of her being a math whiz and being to quickly calculate odds (and count cards, basically). Sophie is emotionally supported by her two best friends, and I loved that part so much.

What I didn’t love was the hero. Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, shows up at The Vega Club because his brother is gambling away all his money and Jack has to make good on the bets or risk his brother ruining himself. He believes that Sophie is trying to fleece his brother and makes a bet with her over a game of cards. He offers her enough money to secure her independence against one week with her. Jack assumes that his brother is in love with Sophie and sees this as a way to punish him.

I’m so sick of heroes using heroines for revenge or to punish another man. Jack doesn’t think about what his bet will do to Sophie’s reputation if he wins (and he does). She’s seen being dragged into his carriage, plus everyone at the club knows about the bet. He’s ruining her reputation, subjecting her to humiliation and gossip, and he can only think of himself. To add insult to injury, Jack is aware of how his actions will impact the feelings and reputation of another woman of his station. It’s Sophie who doesn’t matter to him.

So while I adored Sophie and her friends, I just couldn’t get over Jack’s total disregard for Sophie as an individual, and there was no possibility of his redemption for me. I expect better of my heroes, and I felt like Sophie deserved more.

– Elyse

What happens at the infamous Vega Club . . . 

Sophie Campbell is determined to be mistress of her own fate. Surviving on her skill at cards, she never risks what she can’t afford to lose. Yet when the Duke of Ware proposes a scandalous wager that’s too extravagant to refuse, she can’t resist. If she wins, she’ll get five thousand pounds, enough to secure her independence forever.

Stays at the Vega Club . . . 

Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, tells himself he’s at the Vega Club merely to save his reckless brother from losing everything, but he knows it’s a lie. He can’t keep his eyes off Sophie, and to get her he breaks his ironclad rule against gambling. If he wins, he wants her—for a week.

Until now. 

A week with Jack could ruin what’s left of Sophie’s reputation. It might even cost her her heart. But when it comes to love, all bets are off . . .