Why Can't People Make Up Their Mind?

One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare 

Summary: A handsome and reclusive horse breeder, Spencer Dumarque, the fourth Duke of Morland, is a member of the exclusive Stud Club, an organization so select it has only ten members—yet membership is attainable to anyone with luck. And Spencer has plenty of it, along with an obsession with a prize horse, a dark secret, and, now, a reputation as the dashing “Duke of Midnight.” Each evening he selects one lady for a breathtaking midnight waltz. But none of the women catch his interest, and nobody ever bests the duke—until Lady Amelia d’Orsay tries her luck.

In a moment of desperation, the unconventional beauty claims the duke’s dance and unwittingly steals his heart. When Amelia demands that Spencer forgive her scapegrace brother’s debts, she never imagines that her game of wits and words will lead to breathless passion and a steamy proposal. Still, Spencer is a man of mystery, perhaps connected to the shocking murder of the Stud Club’s founder. Will Amelia lose her heart in this reckless wager or win everlasting love?

Review: A romance with a stupid premise, a jerky male character, and a female character who can't make up her damn mind. 

Stud Club? What a horrible name and what a silly premise for a book. Yeah, it brings the hero and heroine together, but there could have been an easier, less silly way. I really did like Amelia at first. I loved her banter with the duke during the waltz. I wish she would have stayed that way. Another equally silly thing is how Spencer decided that he wanted to marry Amelia. I don't remember the exact reasons (I should have written this review sooner), but it was idiotic. 

As for Spencer, he's an ass. There is no getting around that. He's selfish and is used to getting what he wants. Why, oh why, are women attracted to this in romance stories? He does comes to care for Amelia and shows that he isn't a total ass, but it doesn't help his case. Amelia fluctuates between wanting to care for Spencer and wanting to hate him. They got into the stupidest arguments and they were usually caused by Amelia. She had blinders on and couldn't see the wisdom of Spencer's words when it came to her brother. Of course there is a happy ending, but I really didn't care.

Rating:

Recommendation: I would recommend this to those that have to read everything Regency romance.