The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave have a lifelong friendship, and in their adulthood they've become companions in vice. Their handsome faces and noble titles make them much sought after, despite their debauched lifestyle. They often compete against each other, in sport and in winning the favor of an available woman. One such wager happens when they meet Imogen Sunter, the innocent daughter of an earl. Imogen's beauty has the rakes wagering that each will be the first to seduce her.

Imogen is flattered by the attention, though her mother tries to warn her away from Blackbern and Norgrave, as their reputations are common knowledge. Soon Imogen has no doubt that she favors Blackbern, and he begins to feel some genuine affection for her. Blackbern knows his friend well enough to know that he won't step back. In fact, lately Norgrave's actions are becoming more outrageous than ever. Blackbern tries to make it seem that he is having no success with Imogen, when, in fact, the opposite is true. When Norgrave finds out the truth, he is enraged that his lifelong friend would choose a woman over their friendship.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that there is a rape in this book. Many readers don't want to read this in a book, and should be forewarned. While the act itself is not explicitly described, the events leading up to, and following it are. It is disturbing, yet it's an integral part of the story.

Obviously, A DUKE BUT NO GENTLEMAN is a dark story, yet a compelling one. I did have an issue with a young debutante, who comes from a noble family, and has a watchdog of a mother - who seemes to be able to come and go at will, at all hours, without a chaperone, or even a maid. Despite this, A DUKE BUT NO GENTLEMAN by Alexandra Hawkins captivates me. I enjoyed seeing Blackbern finally maturing, then becoming a hero. At the end, I believe he did change, and a heart warming epilogue assures me of their happy ever after.