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66th out of 365 books
—
749 voters
Desperately Seeking a Duke (Heiress Brides #1)
The only way for vicar’s daughter Phoebe Millbury to inherit a family fortune is to find herself a duke—just as her late grandfather demanded in his will. But Phoebe, who’s still trying to make good after a romantic scandal, also has her two cousins to contend with. They’re all competing for the same money, maybe even the same men. ..until Phoebe meets her match in the ter...more
Paperback, 332 pages
Published
March 4th 2008
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
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There's this old fart who made a lot of money and wanted his daughters to marry dukes, but they were all snippy and too proud (or something) and so none of them did. So the old fart is mad and changes his will demanding that one of his granddaughters or great-granddaughters marry a duke. The first one that succeeds will get the whole pot of money. If it doesn't happen by the time his greats all get married, the money's going to whiskey smugglers. So the story opens with the old fart's three gran...more
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Love at first sight, a horrendous misunderstanding, some angst, mediocre side characters, dumb villains, and you've made a romance novel. Or at least, Ms. Bradley thinks so. It was not really a terrible book, I mean, the characters were likable (Rafe being utterly hot and normal, while Phoebe had some sins up her sleeve), the angst was easy enough to relate to, the sex was pretty hot, and the writing was above average. Actually I loved how the characters were given real flaws, like the ones we s...more
I was surprised to find that I did not like this book very much. I usually enjoy Celeste Bradley, but I hated how she had the main characters fall in love within minutes of meeting one another. This could just be my personal belief that "love at first sight" does not exist. I prefer books that leave the reader questioning when the main characters will finally realize that they love one another...
I love how the first thing Phoebe noticed about Rafe is his arse! and then found out that everything else that was attached to his wonderful arse is just as good to look at... And that by openly staring at his arse in a ballroom full of people is a good way to meet said owner of such a great body part.
I definitely think that this book is a better read than the 3rd book which i read a couple of days ago. This one has a lot more chemistry and both characters are so easy to love. Rafe is a darling...more
I definitely think that this book is a better read than the 3rd book which i read a couple of days ago. This one has a lot more chemistry and both characters are so easy to love. Rafe is a darling...more
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It was rather hard to get into this book, but seeing as it was my first EVER adult romance novel I'm not surprised. It was still a pretty good book.
I'm not usually a big fan of insta-love but Rafe and Phoebe were absolutely captivating from the moment they began. I found myself constantly hungry for another moment with them. The more they were together, the more tension there was? I was ripping at the seams for them to be together. The author did a phenomenal job of writing the give and take of...more
I'm not usually a big fan of insta-love but Rafe and Phoebe were absolutely captivating from the moment they began. I found myself constantly hungry for another moment with them. The more they were together, the more tension there was? I was ripping at the seams for them to be together. The author did a phenomenal job of writing the give and take of...more
I liked this book more than I thought I would from reading the back, but I am not in love with it. It was a good, quick read with two mail characters who I thought were well developed.
The only problem I had was that sometimes, when switching voices, there would only be a paragraph before it switched again. Now I know Ms Bradley was setting up for future novels, but some of it just seems unneeded. A secondary character who we already know spends a lot of time reading, is, for a useless paragraph...more
The only problem I had was that sometimes, when switching voices, there would only be a paragraph before it switched again. Now I know Ms Bradley was setting up for future novels, but some of it just seems unneeded. A secondary character who we already know spends a lot of time reading, is, for a useless paragraph...more
This book made no sense. Some wtf the moments:
At the very beginning, the crotchety old patriarch makes it very clear that he dislikes the aristocracy. BUT, in order to gain his inheritance, his female relatives must MARRY A DUKE.
Idiot Phoebe accepts a marriage proposal from someone who's first name she doesn't know!
Even more idiotic Calder proposes to a woman he's NEVER EVEN MET! Then invites this stranger AND HER FAMILY to move in with him...that day!
Maybe this thing made more sense after the 1...more
At the very beginning, the crotchety old patriarch makes it very clear that he dislikes the aristocracy. BUT, in order to gain his inheritance, his female relatives must MARRY A DUKE.
Idiot Phoebe accepts a marriage proposal from someone who's first name she doesn't know!
Even more idiotic Calder proposes to a woman he's NEVER EVEN MET! Then invites this stranger AND HER FAMILY to move in with him...that day!
Maybe this thing made more sense after the 1...more
Desperately Seeking a Duke
3 Stars
Synopsis
Three cousins are in competition for the same inheritance - the first to marry a duke will inherit a fortune. Vicar's daughter, Phoebe Millbury, is at a disadvantage due to a romantic scandal in her youth but then she meets Rafe Marbrook and accepts his proposal. The only problem is that it is Rafe's older brother, Calder, who is in line for the dukedom and whose proposal she has unknowingly accepted. Will Phoebe abide by her duty or give in to her heart'...more
3 Stars
Synopsis
Three cousins are in competition for the same inheritance - the first to marry a duke will inherit a fortune. Vicar's daughter, Phoebe Millbury, is at a disadvantage due to a romantic scandal in her youth but then she meets Rafe Marbrook and accepts his proposal. The only problem is that it is Rafe's older brother, Calder, who is in line for the dukedom and whose proposal she has unknowingly accepted. Will Phoebe abide by her duty or give in to her heart'...more
After recovering from a scandalous past, Phoebe comes to the season to start looking for a Duke. Her grandfather put a clause in his will that if any of this grandchildren could marry a duke the estate fortune would go to that granddaughter, otherwise only £15 annually.
Phoebe meets and, in one night, falls in love a rake with brotherly competition issues. It's the older and serious brother that is slated to become a duke. So when a suitor asks for her hand in marriage, she assumes it is her rak...more
Phoebe meets and, in one night, falls in love a rake with brotherly competition issues. It's the older and serious brother that is slated to become a duke. So when a suitor asks for her hand in marriage, she assumes it is her rak...more
This was the first Celeste Bradley title I've read. Since my work was compared to hers by RT BOOKReviews, I thought I'd better see if there was a resemblance.
Ms. Bradley is witty and sharp and several shades of naughty--all qualities I aspire to, but may fall short in. She had me wondering how she'd manage to spin this tale out since the hero and heroine fall into nearly instant love/lust with each other. But she managed it with several layers of conflict, both inner and outer, deftly woven thr...more
Ms. Bradley is witty and sharp and several shades of naughty--all qualities I aspire to, but may fall short in. She had me wondering how she'd manage to spin this tale out since the hero and heroine fall into nearly instant love/lust with each other. But she managed it with several layers of conflict, both inner and outer, deftly woven thr...more
This was a fun romp, and I'll be adding the others in this series to my TBR pile. I really enjoyed the heroine a lot--she was far from the ordinary Victorian maiden, which was such a refreshing change. Also, the hero was deeply complex, which was also nice. She does have an alarming tendency to head hop, but much like Julia Quinn, you just kind of assume that she's channeling Jane Austen and move on :)
I was told that this book had elements of fairy tales in it, and I have to admit I smiled whenever she quoted Jack Zipes. (I read many of his books and articles when I wrote my JP on the Deerskin tale.) This book certainly did reference bits of the Sleeping Beauty tale, but the story itself is only recognizable within the book after you go back and try to fit characters into the elements of the tale.
It was a quick, light read, but it certainly wasn't the best romance I read this week. I had a...more
It was a quick, light read, but it certainly wasn't the best romance I read this week. I had a...more
The first few pages did what a good book should do. It grabbed this readers attention. Unfortunately it lost it from the moment of the engagement. I was equally annoyed with all the characters, and would have gladly sent them to the bottom of the Thames. As the story reached its conclusion it got better which is why I gave it three stars though it really only merits two and a half.
I knew once I started this book that I had already read it but I decided to read through it since must have been quite awhile ago as it is not listed here! That way the sequels would flow. I liked the story and it only had once sex scene to skip over. I still liked it the 2nd time around.
Mar 23, 2011
Jess
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011,
historical-romance
I wasn't a big fan of this book. I think reading this just solidified the fact that the authors I do read in the HR genre are amazing and that I can't expect the same results from every book. This one was marginal at best, and I definitely will not be reading anything else by this author.
This romance just never gelled for me. I finished it but the plot seemed rushed and slightly thrown together. I have enjoyed the Liars club books but if Desperately Seeking a Duke is any indication of the Heiress Bride Series I think I'll move on....
I wasn't expecting much, just a bit of fluff to read. Something light not requiring a lot of attention. But I found I didn't really care for this one much. I'm not sure why, but the tone just didn't sit well with me. I don't know that I'll be looking for more by this author.
I loved this story. It had such wonderful interactions with the h/h. The emotional rollercoaster had me riveted to the pages. It is a keeper for sure!
I was hoping I could find the next book in the "Liar's Club" series, but when my local bookstore didn't have it, I thought I'd try this new series by Celeste Bradley. I hate to say it, but this series wasn't as good as the "Liar's Club" or "Royal Four" series in my opinion. It seemed to be missing something (maybe the mystery from the other two series???) and although I finished it, I wasn't as hooked to the storyline as I was to the other series' books. The characters seemed kind of flat and th...more
I love rafe! & the first part of the book, the back was rather boring and redundant. I barely read through the whole book :(
Hopefully the second book will be better!!
Ps. I hate aunt Tessa -.-
Hopefully the second book will be better!!
Ps. I hate aunt Tessa -.-
Phoebe Millbury must marry a duke in order to gain her family fortune.She meets with the handsome Rafe Marbrook.
When she receives a marriage proposal from the Marquis of Brookhaven, Phoebe is thrilled to learn that Rafe is headed for dukedom and accepts his offer.
There's only one problem: It's from Rafe's older, less captivating brother, Calder. Now Phoebe finds herself on the verge of yet another scandal as she faces a desperate choice: Marry Calder for his money or follow her own heart? Each...more
When she receives a marriage proposal from the Marquis of Brookhaven, Phoebe is thrilled to learn that Rafe is headed for dukedom and accepts his offer.
There's only one problem: It's from Rafe's older, less captivating brother, Calder. Now Phoebe finds herself on the verge of yet another scandal as she faces a desperate choice: Marry Calder for his money or follow her own heart? Each...more
I read this series out of order. 2-3-1 worked for me. Especially as "1" is not the stand-out in the series.
I am so glad to read a book that isn't a definite 1 or 2 stars, I am buying the two sequels!
loved the opening paragraph of the first chapter. I thought the characters were great.
Received by mail: 8-11-2010 Whoo, Great story.
Regency of course, new phase: Dairy Cob? suspect early TP?
Regency of course, new phase: Dairy Cob? suspect early TP?
This author's voice is amusing, but I just don't like a story that is based so much in misunderstanding and self loathing.
Apr 27, 2008
Sarai
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
historical romance lovers
Recommended to Sarai by:
katiebabs!
Shelves:
historicalromance
I really enjoyed this book. It was light hearted and fun. The story is as old as time but had a nice twist to it. Phoebe has to marry a Duke to get her family's fortune. She meets a young man and discovers she likes him. The next day she gets a proposal and believes its him. It turns out to be from his older brother. She doesn't want to call of the engagement for fear of scandal. After all she has already suffered from one.
On ensues is a classic historical romance with a wonderful HEA. I can't...more
On ensues is a classic historical romance with a wonderful HEA. I can't...more
fun to read and addicting. i cant wait 2 read the next one
I couldn't really get into this novel. Maybe it was the fact that the couple fall in love at first sight and we're suppose to believe it's some star-crossed romance even though there is nothing to indicate there is anything romantic in their relationship beyond lust. As I skimmed the rest of the book, I didn't find Rafe all that appealing as the hero and wanted to read Calder's story instead. Hoping the second book in the series will be better.
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Celeste Bradley is the author of Fallen, which was nominated for a RITA in 2002, and The Pretender, the first book in the Liars series. According to Bradley, the best thing about writing is that she finally gets to use the brain full of trivia she's collected over a lifetime of living in eight states, residing in over twenty homes, and changing her major five times. "It was research for my writing...more
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