On his twentieth birthday, Dominick Manton lost everything, even his fiancée: Jane Vernon, although this was of his own doing. He believed Jane deserved better than a man who had no future, and he made it so that she broke off their engagement. In twelve years, Jane and Dom had met briefly only twice; both are still unmarried, although Jane is now engaged. After all this time, Jane come to Dominick's to seek his professional help because her cousin Nancy has vanished. Dom has crawled his way up the ladder and became an investigator, but since his eldest brother died, Dom is now the probable heir to the viscountancy of Rathmoor, who was Nancy's late husband.

IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS is the fourth book in the The Duke's Men series, but it can easily be read as a standalone and even at around 400 pages, it's a very quick read. First things first: IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS is positively splendid and absolutely flawless! The book features two parallel stories: that of Dom and Jane's reunion and the mystery of Nancy's disappearance, and both are equally captivating. The characters are exceptionally complex, whether the principal or secondary ones, that it is a joy to know them or reconnect with them from the previous books.

The road to Dominick and Jane rekindling their past romance is, to say the least, bumpy, and Ms. Jeffries does an admirable job at building up that part of the suspense. The chemistry between Dom and Jane is palpable: the sex scenes are at the same time restrained, extraordinarily sensual and scorching hot. I loved how the author incorporates historical facts in the language usage. Ms. Jeffries' prose is dazzling in its clarity and beauty, yet precise, lush and witty. The dialogues are utterly brilliant, particularly when it concerns Dom and Jane. Ms. Jeffries's storytelling ability is such that the mystery element of IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS had me guessing until the conclusion. IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS does have one fault though: the book does not go on forever. IF THE VISCOUNT FALLS is a fabulous, gorgeous, wonderful, exciting, thrilling book!

Book Summary

The heir presumptive to the Viscount Rathmoor, Dominick Manton once had his heart’s desire within reach—a bright future as a barrister and engagement to Jane Vernon, a wealthy baron’s daughter. Then a shattering betrayal by his vindictive brother George snatched away Dom’s inheritance and his hopes of offering Jane a secure future. Brokenhearted, and attempting to end their engagement without destroying Jane’s reputation, Dom staged a betrayal of his own to convince her that he’s not the husband-to-be that she thought.

Now George is gone and the viscountcy restored to Dom, since his brother’s widow, Nancy—Jane’s cousin and closest confidant—never bore an heir. But when Nancy goes missing, a panicked Jane calls on her former fiancé to track down her cousin. Dom knows the mistakes of the past may be unforgiveable—but now, entangled together in mystery and danger, will they rekindle a passionate longing that was never lost to begin with?