Spicy Christmastide, a cursed Egyptian book, and a duke who falls for his librarian.
Every so often, a historical romance comes along that feels tailor-made for readers who love bookish heroines, older main characters, and a generous swirl of spice. Of Dukes and Forbidden Words blends all of that with Christmastide charm and a slightly wicked premise: a widowed duke, a scandal-tinged librarian, and an indecent Egyptian text that might be cursed—or might just be the push they both needed to reach for more.
Going into this story, I was ready for a fun holiday distraction. What I found instead was a steamy, character-focused romance that celebrates second chances, curiosity, and the kind of attraction that won’t politely stay on the page.
Book Information
Title: Of Dukes and Forbidden Words by Sandra Sookoo
Series: Dashing Rogues and Ruined Librarians, Book 1
Publication Date: December 11, 2025
Genre: Regency Historical Romance
Setting: London, Christmastide 1816
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 / 5)
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Book Description
If ancient words don’t land them into scandal, their forbidden attraction in a library after hours surely will.
It’s the Christmastide season of 1816 and more than the weather is uncertain. When Barrington (Barr) Combes-Mead, Duke of Scarborough does some renovations to his London townhouse and unearths a book of erotic, Egyptian prose, he immediately wishes to have it translated. If the book proves valuable, he will certainly sell it, yet part of him hopes the book might inspire him to reclaim the excitement he’s missing in his life… somehow.
Miss Catherine Pickwick used to make her living as a governess, but after whispers of scandals, she changed her focus to that of a librarian, because research and study made her happy. As the daughter of a university professor, she is no stranger to ancient cultures and literature. When a duke of some consequence visits her lending library with the request to have an interesting and quite indecent book translated, she can’t wait to take up the challenge. Knowledge was power… wasn’t it?
Perhaps it is the words within the book or a natural attraction, but as the duke and Catherine spend long hours together because of the text or impromptu Christmas preparations, desire bedevils them. Acting upon it only ramps that delicious thrill, but when a series of troubling incidents arise, they assume the book is cursed. When silly antics on Christmas Eve end in assumed disaster, they each must face truths they’ve been avoiding, and perhaps they might find everything they want… if they’re fortunate.
Welcome to the Dashing Rogues and Ruined Librarians series, where adventure, books, intrigue, and spicy romance will be found amidst the stacks in Regency London.
Tropes You’ll Love
- Forbidden Attraction
- Class Difference
- Christmas Romance
- Scandal and Reputation
- Rake Redeemed
Dashing Rogues and Ruined Librarians Series
- Book 1 – Of Dukes and Forbidden Words
- Book 2 – Scandal Amidst the Stacks
- Book 3 – The Poetry Affair
- Book 4 – Trysting with a Poisoned Pen
My Review
Of Dukes and Forbidden Words is one of those historical romances that feels like it’s been written specifically for readers who love books about books, plus a generous dose of heat. Barrington “Barr” Combes-Mead, Duke of Scarborough, has been quietly drifting through life since his wife’s death. During renovations to his London townhouse, workers uncover an old volume filled with erotic Egyptian prose. Unsure whether he’s holding a curiosity or something truly valuable, he decides he needs an expert to translate it.
Enter Miss Catherine “Cate” Pickwick, a former governess whose professional life was derailed by whispers of impropriety. Reinventing herself as a librarian suits her perfectly; she’s happiest surrounded by shelves, ink, and the languages her academic father taught her. When a duke walks into her lending library with a scandalous ancient text in need of translation, she sees both an intellectual challenge and a quiet act of reclaiming her power.
The premise is wonderfully indulgent: long evenings spent poring over sensual hieroglyphs, shared jokes over indecent passages, and the kind of locked-room closeness that makes it impossible to ignore the pull between them. Barr and Cate are older than the typical Regency couple (late thirties and late forties), and that maturity shows. They know what desire feels like, they recognize loneliness when they see it, and they’re far too aware of the cost of taking risks—especially when reputation and class differences hover in the background.
As they translate the text and pitch in with some last-minute Christmas preparations, a delicious sense of tension builds. Their attraction is immediate, and the author doesn’t shy away from letting things turn physical early and often. At the same time, there’s a soft emotional thread running underneath the spice: Barr rediscovering joy and purpose, Cate daring to want more than the small corner of life she’s been told she’s allowed to occupy.
When odd mishaps and accidents begin to stack up, Barr and Cate can’t help wondering if the book they’re working on is more trouble than it’s worth. Is the volume cursed, or are they just seeing patterns in bad timing? Either way, a chaotic Christmas Eve pushes both of them to confront the fears they’ve been avoiding — grief, shame, class expectations, and the terrifying possibility of a real future together.
Readers who want meticulous historical accuracy may raise an eyebrow at the idea of an erotic Egyptian “book” conveniently ready to be translated in 1816 London, but for me this read leans more toward escapist, slightly gothic-tinged fantasy than a strict history lesson. Think: cozy candlelight, roaring fireplaces, a hidden manuscript, and two adults who are very capable of acting on temptation.
The pacing is brisk, especially at the beginning; the relationship turns from intrigue to intimacy quickly. I would have happily spent a few more chapters with them simply talking, teasing, and slowly uncovering each other’s emotional layers. Still, the story delivers exactly what it promises: a steamy, bookish, Christmas-adjacent romance featuring grown-up characters who know their own minds and bodies—and refuse to apologize for either.
Why You’ll Love This Book
- Mature main characters. Barr and Cate are in the “later chapters” of life, not fresh from the schoolroom. Their chemistry feels grounded, experienced, and wonderfully unapologetic.
- A librarian heroine with brains and bite. Cate’s love of study and languages is front and center. She’s intelligent, capable, and not easily cowed by a duke—even when he’s tall, handsome, and very persuasive.
- Bookish, slightly scandalous setup. Translating a forbidden Egyptian manuscript in a lending library after hours is exactly as fun, cheeky, and spicy as it sounds.
- Christmastide mood without overwhelming holiday fluff. The story is wrapped in seasonal touches—decorations, gatherings, winter weather—without turning into a full-on Christmas circus.
- Spice with emotional payoff. There are plenty of intimate scenes, but they grow out of character and connection, not just shock value.
- A hint of “is it cursed?” intrigue. The suggestion of a curse gives the romance a playful, almost gothic vibe and adds momentum to the final act.
If You Like…
If these tropes and vibes make you perk up, Of Dukes and Forbidden Words might be a great fit for your TBR:
- Older couples in historical romance who get real, joyful, passionate love stories.
- Spicy Regencies where the attraction is strong, the doors are open, and no one is pretending otherwise.
- Bookish or academic heroines who wield knowledge as confidently as others wield social power.
- “We shouldn’t, but we absolutely will” energy, especially in private, quiet spaces.
- Holiday-set romances with snow, candlelight, and a bit of festive chaos.
- Lightly supernatural or “possibly cursed” elements that give the romance an extra twist.
More Historical Romance You’ll Love
Final Thoughts
Of Dukes and Forbidden Words opens a new series that feels tailor-made for readers who love their historicals with a strong bookish thread and plenty of spice. It’s not trying to be a painstakingly researched academic portrait of Regency life; it’s here to give you secret manuscripts, older lovers, a touch of mischief, and a festive happily ever after tucked between the stacks.
If you’re in the mood for a grown-up Christmas romance with a librarian heroine, a grieving but still deeply compelling duke, and an ancient text that might be cursed—or might just be the excuse they both needed—this is a lovely, steamy escape.
Join the Conversation!
Have you read Of Dukes and Forbidden Words? What’s your favorite trope in a holiday historical romance — forbidden attraction, a widowed hero, or a librarian with a scandalous past? 💕
Scroll down and share your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
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