The Duke’s Gamble: A Historical Regency Romance Book (The Untamed Nobles 2)
“When the stakes are high, both fortune and hearts can be lost or… found.”
Samuel Dartmoor, Duke of Dartmoor, has spent his life rebuilding his family’s tarnished legacy, gambling not only with his wealth but with his reputation. When he wins the sprawling Haddington Manor in a fateful card game, he believes he has gained another piece in his quest for respectability. What he doesn’t expect is to find a grieving family still residing within its walls, and a fiery, determined woman who challenges his every belief.
Lady Fiorentina Haddington is no stranger to loss, but her brother’s reckless wager threatens to rob her of the only home she’s ever known. When the enigmatic duke arrives to claim what he believes is his by right, Florentina vows to protect her family, even if it means confronting the man who holds their fate in his hands.
As Samuel and Florentina clash over duty and desire, sparks ignite, and the line between adversary and ally begins to blur. But with secrets and pride standing in their way, can two hearts find common ground before everything crumbles?
*If you enjoy strong-willed characters, simmering romance, and a story packed with intrigue, don’t miss your chance to dive into this enchanting Historical Romance. Get The Duke’s Gamble today and uncover Samuel’s and Fiorentina’s unforgettable journey to love.
No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after guaranteed to warm your heart.
Also available with Kindle Unlimited!
Customer Reviews
R***R
awesome book!
This was an almost perfect book. The epilogue drug on a little too long, otherwise a fantastic book to read.April 11, 2025
K*************r
Good
Good easy read. I enjoyed the book and really liked the Lady’s character. This is certainly a book worth reading.March 28, 2025
e***5
The Duke’s Gamble
I read to 42% and couldn’t take the attitude of the heroine as well as her entire family. The blame was placed on the wrong person!March 11, 2025
I************n
a delightful read!
The author did an excellent job of keeping the story line moving. The dialogue was natural and interesting. Of course the antagonist was there causing havoc. I highly recommend this author.March 8, 2025
G**************n
Juvenile
Junior high writing. I could anticipate almost every statement to follow; it’s not a true nobility depiction. I had read this author before and thought it would be good reading.March 5, 2025
J************t
Great Story
This is a great story about love, hope, perseverance, forgiveness and acceptance. I love the characters and the series. Definitely worth reading.March 1, 2025
K*************r
From Ruthless To Loving
The need to show he was a better person than his father made Samuel a selfish and cold man then he met his match and turned his life around.February 18, 2025
M**B
Great read
Great read–well written–kept my attention–clean read. She is a sweet wonderful lady and he has no care for anyone but himself. Can 2 people come to a happy ending. YES and that makes a wonderful read.February 16, 2025
K*************r
Tense relationships
Through a foolish and irresponsible act the lives of love lines has been turned upside down with little hope of a future until fate steps in.February 2, 2025
J**n
Clean Regency Romance with some surprises
The Duke, Samuel Dartmoor, wins a house from a drunken young man, he feels no compunction in taking over the house to increase his standing with the ton, despite the fact that the young man’s widowed mother and sisters are still living there. Florentina, the eldest of the sisters, is determined to protect her family from being turned out of their home and agrees to Dartmoor’s rather shocking proposal much to his dismay. It is an enjoyable story despite my frustration with the pig-headedness of the MMC throughout much of the first half of the book. I enjoyed this book and would recommend Sally Forbes as an author. I did receive an ARC, but this is my own opinion of the book. The actions of the characters indeed support the title.January 31, 2025
S*****m
slow start
Very slow start and boring. I almost stopped reading it. However it picked up a little almost a third through the book. Sorry to say but the writing seemed like a high school project. The characters as well were not developed and depended on usual bad guy/good guy descriptions and actions. You are a much better author than this book.January 29, 2025
L*********n
Ok
Not my favorite Sally Forbes book. It took me a bit to read. It would be really good then get slow. It was almost like riding a roller coaster. I liked Florentina very much but Samuel took a while to like. He had a lot to make up for.January 27, 2025
C***************g
The Duke’s Gamble
Greed leading to Love. Sometimes you need to pick up a mirror to see how people see you and it may change you.January 26, 2025
D******n
Surprise Feelings
Duke Samuel Dartmoor is so aggressive in building his legacy he cares little for the pain it causes others. After winning an estate he arrived surprised that the lady and three daughters were still residing there. He was cold to their pleas and insisted they needed to vacate. The eldest Lady Fiorentina kept pleading with the duke when he came up with asking her to marry him in trade for the estate. Totally surprising him she said yes. Now what was he going to do. He was sure she would say no due to her despising him and underestimated her desire to protect her family. Now he had to plot a way that she would break off the engagement to renege the arrangement. ARC ReviewJanuary 25, 2025
A****a
A gambler sees the error of his ways
Another great book from Sally Forbes! We are introduced to the Duke of Dartmoor, Samuel, and Lady Florentina in this book. He is trying to make a name for himself after his father left their family name in ruins and will stop at almost nothing in his quest. She is helping her family grieve the loss of her father in the absence of her brother the new lord. What happens when her brother, Lord Haddington loses their family home to the Duke in a game of cards especially when the Duke was not expecting Florentina, her mother, and sisters to still occupy the home? See how the Samuel and Florentina navigate an secret betrothal, aspiring ladies, and schemes to separate them? Does Samuel redeem himself in his quest for more notoriety? Read and find out! I love Florentina’s dedication and loyalty to her family and it becomes the driving force for the choices she makes throughout the novel. Samuel at the beginning portrayed himself as quite self-centered and single minded in his quest to oust the Ladies from the Haddington House which was very off putting at first. I would definitely recommend for those looking for a wonderful and clean romance!January 25, 2025
T***y
It’s an okay book
Not. Much to sayJanuary 22, 2025
r*b
Couldn’t put it down!
He is truly grasping and deceitful. She is truly selfless and kind. How could these two ever fall in love? Marvelous story with great characters. I would love to read about some of the other characters and their stories!January 22, 2025
K*************r
Well-written Story
The Duke’s change in character was believable due to the flow of dialogue. I enjoyed the budding romance between the Duke and Florentinia seemed a bit too fast and not quite as believable as the Duke falling for her. But, overall, I really enjoyed the story – all the way to the sweet epilogue.January 22, 2025
R*********e
A most odious duke finds love!
Samuel, Duke of Dartmoor, started out being very arrogant, selfish and greedy, not caring about how he hurt others. Barging into Florentina’s home with a close friend of his, he let everyone there know that he was the new owner after winning the manor in a card game with Florentina’s brother. Unexpectedly, the Duke and Florentina became engaged with the agreement that her family would get their home back. Samuel schemed to get Florentina to break the engagement so he would be free of her and get to keep the manor. However, as he spent time with her, his feelings started to change and so did he. In the end, love won but it was a hard, emotional road getting to that point.January 22, 2025
C**********k
What a great book!
I loved this book because in the beginning when I was reading it, I did not know who the hero quite was. I thought it was one person and then I thought it was another person. Then as the book went on, I knew who it was and was very happy it was Samuel! I was not happy with him at first because he won the house and would be putting Florentina and her mother and sisters out. He did not even care that they would have to live in the dower house that was falling apart. But bit by bit it came together and I was happy with the outcome. Another great book by Sally Forbes!!!January 22, 2025
L*********d
Great Read
This was a very interesting story about redemption for Samuel, Duke of Dartmoor, Lord Henry Haddington and Lady Florentine Haddington along with her whole family. I warn you that I despised the Duke in the beginning!January 21, 2025
K*********.
Truly enjoyed this book!
What a lovely story, one that demonstrates love, commitment, transformation and redemption. I highly recommend this book. The interaction between the main characters is quite entertaining.January 21, 2025
W******j
Not sure how I feel about this one
I enjoyed the book for the most part, but I had a really hard time warming up to the MMC (Samuel) and Florentina’s spineless brother. Samuel wanted to be one of the richest and powerful men in the ton and he didn’t seem concerned about how to reach his goals. Sure, he had some rationale for this due to his upbringing, but his scheming went on for much too long and his cruelty could have ruined Florentina and her family completely. The contrast between him and Florentina was so stark. She was definitely the rock of her family and honorable to the core. There were some subplots going on that kept me mostly engaged.January 21, 2025
G**.
emotional
This book had me on an emotional rollercoaster, Fiona is too good to be of this world and I simply couldn’t understand how she could fall for a selfish gambler like Samuel, I see gambling as a form of addiction and I doubt Samuel will be able to abstain from it for good, so the next problems probably are just around the corner…January 19, 2025
A*************r
Be Careful for What You Wish For
This story has the Duke of Dartmoor and Lady Florentina at odds with each other. The Duke of Dartmoor starts out being quite selfish and very unempathetic while Lady Florentina is the opposite. These two characters unexpectedly become betrothed for different reasons. Once betrothed, Lady Florentina chooses to honor her obligation; whereas, the Duke of Dartmoor decides to try and see if he can lure Lady Florentina to break off the engagement. What transpires makes this a good read. I enjoyed reading it.January 19, 2025
A***************s
The Duke’s Gamble
I enjoyed this book. Even though I was given a copy of this book by the author, it in no way influenced my opinion and this is my honest review.January 19, 2025
W***********r
Gamble on this book
At first I really didn’t like the mmc, Samuel, but Sally worked her magic & eventually like Florentina, I saw the change in him. Loved Florentina’s spunk to stand up to Samuel’s selfishness.January 19, 2025
M***i
People can change
Samuel caught up in his own selfishness, was saved by Florentina. Her goodness made him realize that what he thought was important was not. The story of his change was a delight to read read.January 19, 2025
J**********e
Simply transforming
This novel is super! Samuel begins as an arrogant, self-serving duke who is consumed with the desire to own – wealth, properties, admiration – but cannot see what treasures he already has in his life. It is heartwarming to read of his transformation, with help from his friends and the beautiful and inspiring Lady Florentina. Lord Crawley is a gem. This book is a gift to the heart.January 19, 2025
c**********3
Romance
Well written. Love the characters.January 18, 2025
B***Y
Really good read
Enjoyed the book. Interesting, entertaining, and well written.January 18, 2025
n*****d
Great read!
Imagine your life is great. Everyone is happy. Then an accident changes that in an instance. That is what happened to the Haddington family. Their brother is now head of the family, and in an instance he has gambled the family manor away. A man, the Duke of Dartmoor, comes to their home and insists it’s his manor now and the mother and 3 sisters must move out. The first 4 Chapters had me hooked. I had to read it in one sitting. This is my first time reading this author, Sally Forbes, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I shall look for other books of hers to read. I’ve enjoyed being an Advanced ReaderJanuary 18, 2025
A*************r
A great read
I finished this book in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were great and really got me invested in the story. I loved it!January 18, 2025
M***********r
The Duke’s Gamble
The hero was a rather unlikable character, at first. The heroine is quite amazing. She comes across as near perfect. Unpleasant circumstances beyond their control throw them together, against their will. She is the complete opposite of him so her selflessness makes his selfishness stand out. This begins to bother him and…well you’ll have to read it to find out what happens. The ending is nice though I’m not a fan of this new ‘extended epilogue’ trend.January 18, 2025
r**e
Fantastic read
Well written, full of drama, society, love, romance, emotions, gambling, suspense and betrayal of the families. Samuel is a Duke who is trying to regain his name after receiving the title. He uses everything in his powers to bring his family name to the good. At a card game, he wins a manor, which he hopes will help his cause. On arrival there he finds the family still there and protecting their home and themselves. Fiorentina has to stand up against Samuel for everything that means any thing to them. Samuel is a real nasty person at the start of this book, you just want something bad to happen to him. Glad to see his personality gets better as the book goes on. She is a sweet, strong girl who is caring for her family. As they butt heads many times to get to their happily ever after. Great characters and a fantastic storyline. Would recommend to others. I received this book and leave this unbiased, honest review.January 18, 2025
K***y
All is not lost!
I really enjoy the books written by Sally Forbes. Her books are clean, and you are never left with a cliffhanger. You won’t be disappointed with Samuel and Florentina’s love story, I wasn’t!January 17, 2025
R*****a
a wonderful read as always.
This author knows how to spin a tale. Her work is unique compared to many other Regencies. She accurately reflects the time period. Her characters jump off the pages.January 17, 2025
Jo
Irritating
As irritating and annoying as the duke is, it’s a good story with an interesting yet overused plot. Good character depth and growth.January 16, 2025
D********t
The Duke’s Gamble
A very enjoyable book. It lifted my spirit (even at 77 years old. I highly recommend this book for a feel good experience!January 14, 2025
T***y
Great read
Loved this book! Florentina was so kind, caring and brave! The Duke was so horrible, I wanted to pull him through my iPad and stomp him, lol. But as he spent more time with Florentina, he changed and I loved his redemption. Also really loved Christina and Lord Crawley. Look forward to more books by this author.January 14, 2025
J*d
Good read!
I admit that after the first few chapters I wanted to throught the book across the room. I was so upset with the wicked, arrogant, and selfish Duke of Dartmoor I wanted to scream. But I’m glad I continued reading. The characters are very engaging and filled with emotion. And it was a joy seeing the change develop in the Duke. Add a few surprises and your not be able to put this book down.January 14, 2025
C******F
Excellent Author
Highly recommend this bookJanuary 13, 2025
