Merely a Miss

Lord Rotheby's Influence #3

by Catherine Gayle

Miss Jane Matthews feels completely out of place amongst the finery of the ton. She’s the daughter of a country vicar, for goodness sake, and nearly a spinster to boot. Frankly, she would prefer to stay that way. How can a lady of Quality start up her own modiste shop, after all? But when her distant cousin—the Dowager Duchess of Somerton, of all people—offers to sponsor her for a Season in London, she agrees, but only so she can take the opportunity to search for a storefront for her business. Perhaps, in that regard, the Season won’t all be in vain. The widower of a loveless marriage, Peter Hardwicke, the Duke of Somerton, has already done his duty and provided an heir for his dukedom, so he sees no reason whatsoever to remarry. Even if, heaven forbid, something should happen to his son, he still has three younger brothers who are each quite capable of inheriting. Taking a wife would only mean adding a new responsibility to his already too-full schedule. He’s more than busy enough keeping his mother, siblings, and children in line—not to mention sorting out the myriad problems plaguing one of his estates. But when Lord Utley, one of Peter’s childhood friends and a man who has been on the wrong side of Peter’s ire for many years now, takes an unlikely interest in Jane, he has to intervene. Peter will be damned if he’ll allow Utley to ruin yet another life. But will rescuing Jane from Utley’s clutches land Peter with another loveless marriage?

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance

268 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2011

About the author

***Please note that series numbering of the Portland Storm series is different at Goodreads than it is on Catherine's website or at any retailer. Goodreads policy will not allow the series numbering to match anything else. If this confuses you, please complain to Goodreads, as it is not Catherine's fault.***

Catherine Gayle is a USA Today bestselling author of more than forty contemporary hockey romance and Regency-set historical romance novels and novellas. Soon, she'll be launching her debut contemporary small-town romance series. She's sold more than three-quarters of a million books. She’s a transplanted Texan living in North Carolina with two extremely spoiled felines. In her spare time, she watches way too much hockey and reality TV, plans fun things to do for the Nephew Monster’s next visit, and performs experiments in the kitchen which are rarely toxic.

Catherine doesn't check messages on Goodreads very often. Please contact her through her website for a timely response.

Reviews

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the other two in the Rotheby trilogy, so it's a 3+ but it's still not quite enough to round up to a 4. Peter had a bit too much stubborn temper for my taste at times, but it was still a Catherine Gayle book - entertaining banter, well developed characters who didn't drive me completely up the wall, satisfying HEA. Obviously it's been reread at least once. I realize that she's moved on to other stories now, but I'd love to see what she had in mind for Sophie, Neil, Charlotte, and even Lord Sinclaire.

And yes, I cried. Animals should never die in books. Mr. Cuddlesworth's passing had me in tears.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to dock the book of a star because of the description of Kidwelly. If you're going to reference a real place at least do some research on it first - there are no sea cliffs and only one castle there! It really frustrated me and pulled me out of the story, which I had been enjoying until then.

This book also featured another of my pet peeves (as did the other books in this series) - white wedding dresses in the Regency era! Given it was a trend started by Queen Victoria, the idea of a wedding dress having to be white, or near white, didn't exist at this time.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Jane and Peter! They had a freshness about them in a stuffy world, and their inner dialogues were fantastic. Chemistry right from the start, they both stayed in denial, even when forced together. It takes them some time to work things through, they both are so busy trying to figure out what the other one wants. Some major events work as a catalyst, the big one they needed, to get things on track for their HEA <3

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Peter and Jane are interesting, relatable, captivating characters. I enjoyed their romance and their on page exchanges. Peter’s family and children added to the fabric of the story. The mystery subplot was interesting and added a bit of spice to the story. I enjoyed this story the best of series. I wish that we had gotten more from the epilogue than we did.

[Bridgett · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

Ok. So this book was not near as good as the previous two in this series. My biggest pet peeve in this book was the fact that the hero kept referencing in his mind about wanting to hit the women. That turned me off this book and I had such high hopes for Peter.

[Finnleigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I ever see the word "drat" again after reading this book, it'll be too soon. So excessive and irritating, rather like Jane.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter is forced to host a distant relative's daughter for her coming out season. Jane doesn't want a coming out season, but she does want to go to London to see about opening her own modiste shop. A man intent on hurting Peter sees him being protective of Jane and does everything he can to try and ruin Jane and make Peter look bad. Peter realizes the more he is around Jane the more he likes her. These two seem to antagonize each other, but really they care a lot about each other. Peter's family is great and very friendly to Jane and Jane gets close to everyone. These two finally admit their feelings and really start talking to each other.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love will take you, whether you consent or not

Particularly if you don't, I suspect.
This is not the Catherine Gayle I usually read. I got hooked on her hockey romances.
This book is not so different.
It has well-developed characters that work together nearly seamlessly to create a pleasant diversion from reality. It has a nicely put together, if standard, plot, with decent twists, although not too many. It ends pleasantly, with a hint of another whole book available (nicely hinted in the teaser chapter that follows. I ADORE teaser chapters).
All in all, excellent.

[Jaxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane Matthews is a woman on a mission and uses the oppertunity of a season in London to search for a modiste shop. She's adorable and determined to see her dream come true. I love that about her. I loved Peter and I loved the fact that his home is full of family who drive him crazy. He seemed to real to me because of that. I enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Lady Wesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read.

[Elizabeth Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book and how independent Meg was and I also liked how her and Peter fell in love.

[Lisa Baffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars!

This was a funny and heart warming story. I liked Jane's character, her independence was endearing. It was also funny and heart warming to see Peter's character figure out how to show his love to his lady.