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Her Counterfeit Husband
The Duchess of Watkins’ husband just died, and her unscrupulous brother-in-law is ready to step in as the Duke of Watkins. In desperation, she enlists the help of the butler, and the two determine to quietly bury her husband and pretend he’s still alive. It will be a secret they will keep to their graves in order to protect the estate.
After burying him in a forest in the middle of the night, they come across a man who has been beaten and left for dead. And this man happens to look just like her husband. Seeing this as the answer to their prayers, they take the man home in hopes he’ll agree to be the new Duke of Watkins. There’s only problem. When he wakes up, he doesn’t remember who he is, and a search for anyone who might know him leaves his true identity a mystery. Taking their chances, the Duchess of Watkins and the butler convince him he’s her husband.
Unlike her first husband, this one is everything she’s ever hoped for. But when he learns the truth, can he forgive her for her lie or will he go back to the life he had before?
After burying him in a forest in the middle of the night, they come across a man who has been beaten and left for dead. And this man happens to look just like her husband. Seeing this as the answer to their prayers, they take the man home in hopes he’ll agree to be the new Duke of Watkins. There’s only problem. When he wakes up, he doesn’t remember who he is, and a search for anyone who might know him leaves his true identity a mystery. Taking their chances, the Duchess of Watkins and the butler convince him he’s her husband.
Unlike her first husband, this one is everything she’s ever hoped for. But when he learns the truth, can he forgive her for her lie or will he go back to the life he had before?
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2012
662 people are currently reading
618 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Ann Nordin
172 books715 followersWhat's to say? I write a lot. I read often. I sleep little. Once in awhile, I've been known to clean the house. A number of kids live in my house and there's this guy they call dad and I call husband. All in all, it's a pretty good life. :-)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
February 28, 2023
++Spoilers+++
4.90 stars
Excellent! One of Nordin's best!
This will be a long review and I am going to do some things which I don't do but are needed. I am going to handle safety issues first whereas I usually put them last. This is because this book thrives on suspense.. and some may actually just want to know if it's safe without having to read spoilers.
Safety:
Hero-Unknown if experienced. No past history at all mentioned or known. (I'll get to this in my review)
Heroine-Experienced. Widow. Her dead husband was a nasty brute who abused her and was a man-whore. Her dead husband also had mistresses and illegitimate children. (will be further explained)
Cheating between hero and heroine-No they are only ever with each other.
OM/OW-No
Sex-Yes I think twice. Not over the top, nothing erotic. Just done right and with some mild spice.
Violence-Mild
Abuse-Heroine was abused by her first husband. not detailed.
Rape-No
Suicide/attempted suicide-Yes. Not detailed.
Adultery-No
Cursing-No
Marriage/baby-Yes
HEA/ILY/-Yes
++++++++++This story is filled with suspense, twists and turns. DO NOT READ anymore if you want to be surprised and left on the edge of your seat.++++++++++++++
MAJOR SPOILERS!!!
Summary:
Anna's (heroine) husband the Duke is very ill and dies. The Duke's brother Lord Mason has been lingering around pretty much waiting for him to die. He has his sights on the title as well as Anna.
Lord Mason is a brute as well, and Anna wants nothing to do with him. So when the Duke dies, she and her butler/close friend decide to buy themselves some time. They secretly take the Dukes body out to the woods and bury him in the dead of night. They figure they will tell everyone the Duke went on a trip, this way Anna can collect some money together leave the estate, and live her life somewhere in a small cottage and.. disappear.
BUT!
On their return to the Manor, they come across a man in the road, barely alive. He has been beaten and left for dead. AND! he looks just like her dead husband. They take him back to the manor to not only tend his wounds, but also to ask him to take the place of the Duke for a time, in order to further delay Anna's departure and allow her to collect more funds.
BUT!
This stranger, has amnesia. So, Anna and the butler decide to tell him that he is in fact the Duke so as to not burden him with having to lie. Meanwhile, while the stranger is recovering, the butler attempts to find out the strangers true identity because Anna is fearful he may already have a family. The butler returns after an extensive search and they conclude he does not have a family.
So that is the beginning.. and the rest is basically, Anna falls in love with this new Duke, who is completely opposite of her bastard husband, he is kind, sweet, and gentle. He falls in love with her as well. Lord Mason has some secrets, and there is much suspicion, yadda yadda.. I wont go on.. but I will say, the "in between" is PACKED with all sorts of breath holding suspense and I loved every minute of it!
This book is a far cry from Nordin's usual low angst reads, and it was done so well! The angst isn't one to hit triggers, but more of like an "OMG will they find out" kinda angst.
The characters were all loveable and 3 dimensional, the conflict was awesome, great suspense, the pace was perfect. A few twists and surprises I didn't see coming.
So, why not a perfect 5 stars?
Two issues. One that was a bit of a believability problem that most would not think about or notice, but me being the anal person that I am saw it and it nagged my brain. The other issue is not due to lack of logic or believability but more of a future problem or annoyance.
Here it is:
Logic/believability:
Anna thought she was barren because in the 6 years of her marriage to the first Duke, she was unable to conceive. Her asshole husband was said to have had a few bastard children. (the women of those children never show up nor do the children it is just mentioned). So it stands to reason, the lack of children was not his fault but hers. So it becomes a surprise to me when Anna gets pregnant with the new and improved Dukes child. I'm just having a hard time buying that in 6 years she didn't conceive. It would have made more sense if one of them were incapable, but clearly neither were.
Annoyance:
The new and improved Duke still cannot remember his past. He does find the missing pieces to who he really is, but that person is suposed to be dead. So in the end they all decide it is better that he just continue to maintain the Duke's identity (Jason-1st husband) since no one else knows Jason died. No one also knows that he is really the Dukes elder twin (Allistair)who has supposedly died at birth but was actually sold to the circus (the circus people are the ones who tried to kill him later and left him for dead in the road).
SO! here's what bothers me, he continues to live his life as "Jason" who had mistresses and bastards even though he is NOT Jason, he is REALLY the kindhearted Allistair who was not a rake nor did he have bastards (we never know for sure but it can be safely assumed).
So what happens when one day down the road, these women and children decide to seek him out? I mean he's a Duke, surely someone someday will want money or such..
Well, anyway, I am weird to think about these things that no one else probably ever would.. but I guess I just wanted him to be Allistair and take his rightful place as heir and his rightful personality as an honorable loyal man.
Have I confused you yet?
Overall.. I LOVED it! Clearly one of the authors best. I will totally recommend this to friends!
4.90 stars
Excellent! One of Nordin's best!
This will be a long review and I am going to do some things which I don't do but are needed. I am going to handle safety issues first whereas I usually put them last. This is because this book thrives on suspense.. and some may actually just want to know if it's safe without having to read spoilers.
Safety:
Hero-Unknown if experienced. No past history at all mentioned or known. (I'll get to this in my review)
Heroine-Experienced. Widow. Her dead husband was a nasty brute who abused her and was a man-whore. Her dead husband also had mistresses and illegitimate children. (will be further explained)
Cheating between hero and heroine-No they are only ever with each other.
OM/OW-No
Sex-Yes I think twice. Not over the top, nothing erotic. Just done right and with some mild spice.
Violence-Mild
Abuse-Heroine was abused by her first husband. not detailed.
Rape-No
Suicide/attempted suicide-Yes. Not detailed.
Adultery-No
Cursing-No
Marriage/baby-Yes
HEA/ILY/-Yes
++++++++++This story is filled with suspense, twists and turns. DO NOT READ anymore if you want to be surprised and left on the edge of your seat.++++++++++++++
MAJOR SPOILERS!!!
Summary:
Anna's (heroine) husband the Duke is very ill and dies. The Duke's brother Lord Mason has been lingering around pretty much waiting for him to die. He has his sights on the title as well as Anna.
Lord Mason is a brute as well, and Anna wants nothing to do with him. So when the Duke dies, she and her butler/close friend decide to buy themselves some time. They secretly take the Dukes body out to the woods and bury him in the dead of night. They figure they will tell everyone the Duke went on a trip, this way Anna can collect some money together leave the estate, and live her life somewhere in a small cottage and.. disappear.
BUT!
On their return to the Manor, they come across a man in the road, barely alive. He has been beaten and left for dead. AND! he looks just like her dead husband. They take him back to the manor to not only tend his wounds, but also to ask him to take the place of the Duke for a time, in order to further delay Anna's departure and allow her to collect more funds.
BUT!
This stranger, has amnesia. So, Anna and the butler decide to tell him that he is in fact the Duke so as to not burden him with having to lie. Meanwhile, while the stranger is recovering, the butler attempts to find out the strangers true identity because Anna is fearful he may already have a family. The butler returns after an extensive search and they conclude he does not have a family.
So that is the beginning.. and the rest is basically, Anna falls in love with this new Duke, who is completely opposite of her bastard husband, he is kind, sweet, and gentle. He falls in love with her as well. Lord Mason has some secrets, and there is much suspicion, yadda yadda.. I wont go on.. but I will say, the "in between" is PACKED with all sorts of breath holding suspense and I loved every minute of it!
This book is a far cry from Nordin's usual low angst reads, and it was done so well! The angst isn't one to hit triggers, but more of like an "OMG will they find out" kinda angst.
The characters were all loveable and 3 dimensional, the conflict was awesome, great suspense, the pace was perfect. A few twists and surprises I didn't see coming.
So, why not a perfect 5 stars?
Two issues. One that was a bit of a believability problem that most would not think about or notice, but me being the anal person that I am saw it and it nagged my brain. The other issue is not due to lack of logic or believability but more of a future problem or annoyance.
Here it is:
Logic/believability:
Anna thought she was barren because in the 6 years of her marriage to the first Duke, she was unable to conceive. Her asshole husband was said to have had a few bastard children. (the women of those children never show up nor do the children it is just mentioned). So it stands to reason, the lack of children was not his fault but hers. So it becomes a surprise to me when Anna gets pregnant with the new and improved Dukes child. I'm just having a hard time buying that in 6 years she didn't conceive. It would have made more sense if one of them were incapable, but clearly neither were.
Annoyance:
The new and improved Duke still cannot remember his past. He does find the missing pieces to who he really is, but that person is suposed to be dead. So in the end they all decide it is better that he just continue to maintain the Duke's identity (Jason-1st husband) since no one else knows Jason died. No one also knows that he is really the Dukes elder twin (Allistair)who has supposedly died at birth but was actually sold to the circus (the circus people are the ones who tried to kill him later and left him for dead in the road).
SO! here's what bothers me, he continues to live his life as "Jason" who had mistresses and bastards even though he is NOT Jason, he is REALLY the kindhearted Allistair who was not a rake nor did he have bastards (we never know for sure but it can be safely assumed).
So what happens when one day down the road, these women and children decide to seek him out? I mean he's a Duke, surely someone someday will want money or such..
Well, anyway, I am weird to think about these things that no one else probably ever would.. but I guess I just wanted him to be Allistair and take his rightful place as heir and his rightful personality as an honorable loyal man.
Have I confused you yet?
Overall.. I LOVED it! Clearly one of the authors best. I will totally recommend this to friends!
February 27, 2023
Better than expected
I enjoy many of Ruth Ann Nordin's books. That's why I keep reading them. However, I have been disappointed in the past couple Regency stories before this one. I won't spoil the end. I just recommend you suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. I think this is my favorite of her Regency books I've read.
I enjoy many of Ruth Ann Nordin's books. That's why I keep reading them. However, I have been disappointed in the past couple Regency stories before this one. I won't spoil the end. I just recommend you suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. I think this is my favorite of her Regency books I've read.
August 11, 2020
2 stars.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
I’m sorry, but this book is just too unbelievable for me to enjoy. There are so many directions the author could have taken the story, but the circus?!?! No, I don’t buy it at all.
Alastair (the elder twin of the duke) was supposedly sold to the circus because he was sickly... and the duke & duchess didn’t want the sickly twin to take the title. There were so many other more believable solutions. Sending him to live with distant relatives, saying he’s the younger one (who would know?) or just killing the baby... all those make so much more sense than selling a duke’s baby to the circus. This book starts out ridiculously improbable when they find the twin immediately after the duke dies. But then it just keeps getting more and more ridiculous.
I need my books to be at least 50% based in some sort of reality. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Safe, low angst, just like all of Nordin’s books seem to be.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD
I’m sorry, but this book is just too unbelievable for me to enjoy. There are so many directions the author could have taken the story, but the circus?!?! No, I don’t buy it at all.
Alastair (the elder twin of the duke) was supposedly sold to the circus because he was sickly... and the duke & duchess didn’t want the sickly twin to take the title. There were so many other more believable solutions. Sending him to live with distant relatives, saying he’s the younger one (who would know?) or just killing the baby... all those make so much more sense than selling a duke’s baby to the circus. This book starts out ridiculously improbable when they find the twin immediately after the duke dies. But then it just keeps getting more and more ridiculous.
I need my books to be at least 50% based in some sort of reality. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Safe, low angst, just like all of Nordin’s books seem to be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2021
Anna has no plans to mourn her cruel husband when he dies an untimely death. But fear of continuing abuse at the hands of her equally cruel brother-in-law leads her to hiding her husband's death and taking advantage of an amnesiac who closely resembles her dead husband. I liked the premise of this story and enjoyed how it played out. I would have liked more emotion considering the dramatic situations but I liked the book. The romance is steamy and the situations very interesting.
August 20, 2019
DNF
Implausible. You'll need to suspend disbelief with this one.
Implausible. You'll need to suspend disbelief with this one.
April 29, 2025
.
You know I'm just not feeling this one, and life is too short.
The H is too nice.
The h is too wishy washy.
The villain is too OTT.
Maybe I'll finish it one day...
You know I'm just not feeling this one, and life is too short.
The H is too nice.
The h is too wishy washy.
The villain is too OTT.
Maybe I'll finish it one day...
March 18, 2019
This book has been in my TBR for a long time and I remember adding it feeling excited about the whole prospect of amnesia and impersonation. Anna has already suffered enough from her abusive husband so when it looks like her more unscrupulous brother-in-law is going to become the next Duke, she decides to take matters into her own hands. With the help of the butler, Appleton she replaces her dead husband with a stranger look-alike and his amnesia aids in Anna's cause. The slow growth of romance between them was a pleasant read with a sensible and steady approach. I would have loved the book with a bit more spark in the story, even with the mystery of the stranger's identity, there was still a lack of urgency. Overall, An enjoyable read.
July 16, 2021
2.5 stars.
This had a lot of the Ruth Ann Nordin elements that I loved: a sweet hero, no OP drama, and a happy ending. However, it also contained one of my least favourite things: one MC actively lying to the other MC until the truth is revealed by a third party. The heroine was kind of a coward, to be honest, so most of the stars are for the amazing hero and the butler, Appleton.
This had a lot of the Ruth Ann Nordin elements that I loved: a sweet hero, no OP drama, and a happy ending. However, it also contained one of my least favourite things: one MC actively lying to the other MC until the truth is revealed by a third party. The heroine was kind of a coward, to be honest, so most of the stars are for the amazing hero and the butler, Appleton.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2019
2.5 Stars
This book has been on mu TBR for what feels like centuries. The premise sounded so interesting that I just couldn't help myself but buy it. And now that I finally got to reading it, I was a bit disappointed. It was so predictable and slow, that it took me forever to finish it. Or maybe it was slow for me, because it was predictable. I don't know, but it was somewhat a 'meh' book for me.
Predictability aside, I simply couldn't connect to any of the characters. There was barely any character development. Anna was annoying. She found this guy, with no memories of his past mind you, places him in her husbands place and gets annoyed and irritated that he does not behave like she wants him to. The guy believes her lies and is a nice guy (especially compared to the abusive real Jason) and she pushes him away because it's 'oh so wrong', only to obviously give in in the end. Although she is somewhat the MC, she is the character I disliked the most. Even more that Mason. I mean, we expect him to be evil for the story to have any plot at all.
Still not the worst book I have read. And the writing style was ok. So a 2.5 Stars for me.
This book has been on mu TBR for what feels like centuries. The premise sounded so interesting that I just couldn't help myself but buy it. And now that I finally got to reading it, I was a bit disappointed. It was so predictable and slow, that it took me forever to finish it. Or maybe it was slow for me, because it was predictable. I don't know, but it was somewhat a 'meh' book for me.
Predictability aside, I simply couldn't connect to any of the characters. There was barely any character development. Anna was annoying. She found this guy, with no memories of his past mind you, places him in her husbands place and gets annoyed and irritated that he does not behave like she wants him to. The guy believes her lies and is a nice guy (especially compared to the abusive real Jason) and she pushes him away because it's 'oh so wrong', only to obviously give in in the end. Although she is somewhat the MC, she is the character I disliked the most. Even more that Mason. I mean, we expect him to be evil for the story to have any plot at all.
Still not the worst book I have read. And the writing style was ok. So a 2.5 Stars for me.
January 8, 2021
Not too bad
This isn't my favorite book by this author. Jason didn't really say much but " I did?" The story could be plausible. It wrapped up pretty good in the end. It even had a HEA. It was a well written story. I just didn't care for it as much as other stories from this author.
This isn't my favorite book by this author. Jason didn't really say much but " I did?" The story could be plausible. It wrapped up pretty good in the end. It even had a HEA. It was a well written story. I just didn't care for it as much as other stories from this author.
February 3, 2020
The writting is overly simplistic and leans toward juvenile. I like the synopsis of almost all the authors books, as they're my typical go-to type of read. However, it just doesn't work.
July 5, 2015
First let me state that even though I gave this book 4 stars, I did not enjoy it. The book was well written and the characters developed, if I had enjoyed the premise I would have liked the book much more. Since my dislike is due to my personal tastes, I thought I should be fair hence the star review.The story is really about 2 strangers sweetly romancing each other and building a strong relationship. I realize that some people are totally into that and if thats your thing, you would probably enjoy this book.
The books plot has been covered nicely, so I won't regurgitate it. Suffice to say , that I felt a lot of this book was totally unbelievable (and I am a gullible sort).
Both the hero and heroine seemed like wimps to me and I have a preference for arrogant men, especially if they are dukes, which neither were in this book. They seemed almost child like and I jut couldn't like them. I actually felt the two evil brothers were much more interesting.
There is one or two love scenes which are in the PG rating.
The books plot has been covered nicely, so I won't regurgitate it. Suffice to say , that I felt a lot of this book was totally unbelievable (and I am a gullible sort).
Both the hero and heroine seemed like wimps to me and I have a preference for arrogant men, especially if they are dukes, which neither were in this book. They seemed almost child like and I jut couldn't like them. I actually felt the two evil brothers were much more interesting.
There is one or two love scenes which are in the PG rating.
March 17, 2015
I read this book last of the series bc I was just to impatient to read about Perry's story. I did enjoy this story. I loved the end where he turned out to be relation after all. I think that maybe I should have read them in order bc I found myself again feeling sorry for perry when already knew his situation. :) but this was a good book and had me wondering so much about her husbands replacement.
June 1, 2015
3 1/2 stars.
The plot was made to fit and not very realistic. Saying that, the writing was fine and the characters, though two dimensional were fine. I didn't buy into the stilted romance. It's more a thriller than historical romance. All the characters that should get there comeuppance die. There's no other plot. Some unimportant characters are highlighted and we spend more time with them than we should.
It was ok. I'm sure I'll have forgotten it by tomorrow.
The plot was made to fit and not very realistic. Saying that, the writing was fine and the characters, though two dimensional were fine. I didn't buy into the stilted romance. It's more a thriller than historical romance. All the characters that should get there comeuppance die. There's no other plot. Some unimportant characters are highlighted and we spend more time with them than we should.
It was ok. I'm sure I'll have forgotten it by tomorrow.
June 29, 2015
Once upon a time, some place else in the universe, there was a mean duke. He died. His duchess and the butler buried him the forest. On the way out of the forest they come upon a badly injured man who looks JUST LIKE the mean duke and who has completely lost his memory! And they lived happily ever after a bit of strife. Oh, did I mention the mean duke’s even meaner brother? And they lived happily every after! Two stars for sheer hilarity, although I doubt you can read the whole thing.
August 10, 2016
I generally read these types of books when I'm stressed as a type of escapism. This book had a different plot than most, which was appreciated. Unrealistic, yes, but different.
September 18, 2016
This was as unrealistic as it could be.
June 15, 2020
5 stars
Every once in a while, I’ll see a book offered for free on Amazon and I find it so intriguing that I want to read it right away. Sure enough, I saw this one earlier today, purchased it, and read it in just a few hours. It was tough to put down. I loved the characters of Anna and Jason and found myself rooting for their HEA. The concept is simple, yet unusual. Anna is married to an abusive Duke who is dying, but his brother is, somehow, worse, and Anna fears what will happen to her once her husband dies. He dies in the middle of the night and she finds a faithful servant to help her dispose of the body, intending to tell his brother that her husband is traveling. That part wasn’t very well thought out, since he was clearly so sick, but she’s desperate. Luckily, after burying the body in the woods, they encounter the body of another man who was badly beaten and left in the road. Lo and behold, he is a dead ringer for her husband so they take him in her husband’s place to have him pretend to be the dead husband. They don’t count on the fact that his injuries are so serious that he doesn’t remember anything. That just makes things easier for her.
The new Jason is everything the dead Duke was not and it’s difficult for Anna not to fall in love with him. It’s also difficult for the reader not to fall in love with him. He is kind and gentle and considerate and he adores her. What’s not to love? Somehow the evil brother figures out what is up, which is really my only complaint because he seemed to know way more than he should have. Still, he’s exceedingly villainous and villains always seem to know more than they should. It’s not like the story is supposed to be totally believable anyway. It’s fictional, and if it stretches the limits of credibility, it’s all in good fun. I loved the story and found the writing to be engaging, descriptive, and easy to follow. It’s not terribly poetic, but the storytelling is competent and I’d definitely enjoy reading more from this author.
Every once in a while, I’ll see a book offered for free on Amazon and I find it so intriguing that I want to read it right away. Sure enough, I saw this one earlier today, purchased it, and read it in just a few hours. It was tough to put down. I loved the characters of Anna and Jason and found myself rooting for their HEA. The concept is simple, yet unusual. Anna is married to an abusive Duke who is dying, but his brother is, somehow, worse, and Anna fears what will happen to her once her husband dies. He dies in the middle of the night and she finds a faithful servant to help her dispose of the body, intending to tell his brother that her husband is traveling. That part wasn’t very well thought out, since he was clearly so sick, but she’s desperate. Luckily, after burying the body in the woods, they encounter the body of another man who was badly beaten and left in the road. Lo and behold, he is a dead ringer for her husband so they take him in her husband’s place to have him pretend to be the dead husband. They don’t count on the fact that his injuries are so serious that he doesn’t remember anything. That just makes things easier for her.
The new Jason is everything the dead Duke was not and it’s difficult for Anna not to fall in love with him. It’s also difficult for the reader not to fall in love with him. He is kind and gentle and considerate and he adores her. What’s not to love? Somehow the evil brother figures out what is up, which is really my only complaint because he seemed to know way more than he should have. Still, he’s exceedingly villainous and villains always seem to know more than they should. It’s not like the story is supposed to be totally believable anyway. It’s fictional, and if it stretches the limits of credibility, it’s all in good fun. I loved the story and found the writing to be engaging, descriptive, and easy to follow. It’s not terribly poetic, but the storytelling is competent and I’d definitely enjoy reading more from this author.
August 19, 2020
Wow! This is a very interesting and suspense filled book. I totally enjoyed it.
Anna, the Duchess of Watkins has a brute for a husband, he's presently ill and on the verge of dying. Her wicked brother in law, Mason, is hoping that he dies so that he'll step in as the duke. Her husband finally died and in a bid to cover it up to prevent her brother in law from taking over, she decided to bury him in secret and pretend as if he travelled with the assistance of her butler.q
After burying him in a forest in the middle of the night, they come across a man who has been beaten and left for dead. And this man happens to look just like her husband. Seeing this as the answer to their prayers, they take the man home in hopes he’ll agree to be the new Duke of Watkins. There’s only problem. When he wakes up, he doesn’t remember who he is, and a search for anyone who might know him leaves his true identity a mystery. Taking their chances, the Duchess of Watkins and the butler convince him he’s her husband.
Unlike her first husband, this one is everything she’s ever hoped for. But when he learns the truth, can he forgive her for her lie or will he go back to the life he had before?
Anna, the Duchess of Watkins has a brute for a husband, he's presently ill and on the verge of dying. Her wicked brother in law, Mason, is hoping that he dies so that he'll step in as the duke. Her husband finally died and in a bid to cover it up to prevent her brother in law from taking over, she decided to bury him in secret and pretend as if he travelled with the assistance of her butler.q
After burying him in a forest in the middle of the night, they come across a man who has been beaten and left for dead. And this man happens to look just like her husband. Seeing this as the answer to their prayers, they take the man home in hopes he’ll agree to be the new Duke of Watkins. There’s only problem. When he wakes up, he doesn’t remember who he is, and a search for anyone who might know him leaves his true identity a mystery. Taking their chances, the Duchess of Watkins and the butler convince him he’s her husband.
Unlike her first husband, this one is everything she’s ever hoped for. But when he learns the truth, can he forgive her for her lie or will he go back to the life he had before?
December 31, 2025
2.5 Stars
This book has been on mu TBR for what feels like centuries. The premise sounded so interesting that I just couldn't help myself but buy it. And now that I finally got to reading it, I was a bit disappointed. It was so predictable and slow, that it took me forever to finish it. Or maybe it was slow for me, because it was predictable. I don't know, but it was somewhat a 'meh' book for me.
Predictability aside, I simply couldn't connect to any of the characters. There was barely any character development. Anna was annoying. She found this guy, with no memories of his past mind you, places him in her husbands place and gets annoyed and irritated that he does not behave like she wants him to. The guy believes her lies and is a nice guy (especially compared to the abusive real Jason) and she pushes him away because it's 'oh so wrong', only to obviously give in in the end. Although she is somewhat the MC, she is the character I disliked the most. Even more that Mason. I mean, we expect him to be evil for the story to have any plot at all.
Still not the worst book I have read. And the writing style was ok. So a 2.5 Stars for me.
This book has been on mu TBR for what feels like centuries. The premise sounded so interesting that I just couldn't help myself but buy it. And now that I finally got to reading it, I was a bit disappointed. It was so predictable and slow, that it took me forever to finish it. Or maybe it was slow for me, because it was predictable. I don't know, but it was somewhat a 'meh' book for me.
Predictability aside, I simply couldn't connect to any of the characters. There was barely any character development. Anna was annoying. She found this guy, with no memories of his past mind you, places him in her husbands place and gets annoyed and irritated that he does not behave like she wants him to. The guy believes her lies and is a nice guy (especially compared to the abusive real Jason) and she pushes him away because it's 'oh so wrong', only to obviously give in in the end. Although she is somewhat the MC, she is the character I disliked the most. Even more that Mason. I mean, we expect him to be evil for the story to have any plot at all.
Still not the worst book I have read. And the writing style was ok. So a 2.5 Stars for me.
July 3, 2019
Interestingly, I looked over my reviews of the other books by Nordin that I have read and found that I had the same problem with three of the five. While the plot was great, the writing simply did not flow. I think this was also a problem in the other two as I did have to reread sections but I put that down to tiredness at the time. As with the others, I am not sure why the writing doesn’t quite work. There were a few times where a pronoun would have been better than using a character’s name again and again over a number of sentences, and there were occasions when a little more detail was needed as Nordin’s readers were left to fill in gaps, but it was more than these. It annoys me that I can’t work it out.
December 8, 2022
Anna has had a miserable marriage to her husband, the Duke of Watkins, for six years. When the Duke was ailing, his brother, Lord Mason, was a frequent visitor, watching to pounce when he could take the title. Lord Mason also wanted Anna, not necessarily for his wife.
Anna's protector was Appleton, and he was a very admirable character. I can see that he could believe they had done nothing wrong when they replaced the Duke with the stranger. However, Appleton wanted a kinder, gentler life for Anna.
This story was well-written, but I had a severe problem with the timely arrival of "the stranger" who took the Duke's place. The final twist was cloying; the legitimization of the Duke was just too much. The coincidences that were basic to this story were unfortunate.
Anna's protector was Appleton, and he was a very admirable character. I can see that he could believe they had done nothing wrong when they replaced the Duke with the stranger. However, Appleton wanted a kinder, gentler life for Anna.
This story was well-written, but I had a severe problem with the timely arrival of "the stranger" who took the Duke's place. The final twist was cloying; the legitimization of the Duke was just too much. The coincidences that were basic to this story were unfortunate.
October 15, 2017
Didn't finish this one. The writing style was not my cup of tea and nothing in the first few chapters really jumped out at me as super original. I've given it a 3 star because it wasn't bad by any means, I just couldn't finish it.
The premise (person with amnesia passed off as a spouse) has been done before. The heroine also starts off with a very generic relationship between her and the hero, in that, well, she doesn't want to be around him. As far as he's concerned they are actually married and he's just trying to be friendly. Meanwhile, the heroine is super jumpy and abrasive because Actual Husband was a jerk. Yeah, just not super interesting execution at the beginning.
The premise (person with amnesia passed off as a spouse) has been done before. The heroine also starts off with a very generic relationship between her and the hero, in that, well, she doesn't want to be around him. As far as he's concerned they are actually married and he's just trying to be friendly. Meanwhile, the heroine is super jumpy and abrasive because Actual Husband was a jerk. Yeah, just not super interesting execution at the beginning.
July 14, 2019
Good romance to read
Anna's just sneakily buried her brutal husband who died of illness, and encounters his doppelganger on the way home. To keep her mean brother-in-law away, she tells Mason that the stranger is her husband and that he's getting better. The stranger has no memory, and assumes he's the duke; his wife told him he was.
Characters were well developed, pacing was good, and the plot was intense--a mystery, true love, a villain. Good stuff!
Stand alone HEA.
Contains sex scenes, few swear words, and violence (threats, breaking and entering, bribery, fist fight, shooting).
Anna's just sneakily buried her brutal husband who died of illness, and encounters his doppelganger on the way home. To keep her mean brother-in-law away, she tells Mason that the stranger is her husband and that he's getting better. The stranger has no memory, and assumes he's the duke; his wife told him he was.
Characters were well developed, pacing was good, and the plot was intense--a mystery, true love, a villain. Good stuff!
Stand alone HEA.
Contains sex scenes, few swear words, and violence (threats, breaking and entering, bribery, fist fight, shooting).
December 16, 2020
What a ridiculous book!
I could’ve done with the plot line being unbelievable, predictable and too perfect towards the end, had the book had other redeeming qualities, which unfortunately it does not.
The writing is poor and all the dialogs feel unnatural and repetitive. I mean it, no one speaks like that’s.
The characters are shallowly built and they make for very annoying one dimensional ones, which will have not care about them or their fate at all.
Overall not a reading experience I’d recommend anyone.
I could’ve done with the plot line being unbelievable, predictable and too perfect towards the end, had the book had other redeeming qualities, which unfortunately it does not.
The writing is poor and all the dialogs feel unnatural and repetitive. I mean it, no one speaks like that’s.
The characters are shallowly built and they make for very annoying one dimensional ones, which will have not care about them or their fate at all.
Overall not a reading experience I’d recommend anyone.
April 6, 2019
Long lost duke
Guy from the circus wakes up in a comfy bed after getting nearly beaten to death and a beautiful, rich looking woman says she’s his wife. I don’t know about you but if I were a single, penniless circus person I would buckle up and go along for the ride just like he did.
The stars align and it turns out you her “husband” is a duke! Kar ching! I would have no memory too.
It’s a great read, I enjoyed every word
You will too
Guy from the circus wakes up in a comfy bed after getting nearly beaten to death and a beautiful, rich looking woman says she’s his wife. I don’t know about you but if I were a single, penniless circus person I would buckle up and go along for the ride just like he did.
The stars align and it turns out you her “husband” is a duke! Kar ching! I would have no memory too.
It’s a great read, I enjoyed every word
You will too
May 23, 2021
Another great book by Ruth Ann Nordin!
Ruth Ann Nordin weaves her story with compassion, suspense, and intrigue. It was extremely difficult to put down this book. I could not wait to see what will happen next. Anna, Duchess of Watkins, is I in the drawing room when her brother-in-law arrives and wants to see his brother who is very sick. This is a very descriptive and exciting book which I believe you will enjoy. Don't miss reading this book. Happy reading! 😊
Ruth Ann Nordin weaves her story with compassion, suspense, and intrigue. It was extremely difficult to put down this book. I could not wait to see what will happen next. Anna, Duchess of Watkins, is I in the drawing room when her brother-in-law arrives and wants to see his brother who is very sick. This is a very descriptive and exciting book which I believe you will enjoy. Don't miss reading this book. Happy reading! 😊
July 22, 2024
Liked the book in the beginning. But as story proceeded didn't like Anna. Maybe she kept truth hidden to save stranger's life. But marrying him and intimate with him is not nice. What if he have a loving someone or wife or kids. She ask him at the end if he have wife or kids when she was pregnant. Seriously?. I'm sorry for how her first husband treated her but she had no right to use him without her permission.
March 15, 2019
MY FIRST READ BY MS. NORDIN!
BUT DEFINITELY NOT MY LAST! I read this in one sitting..on the edge of my seat!! The "make-believe" Jason was such an enjoyable character..if all ladies could be so lucky! And what a great character the butler was..Thanks for the entertainment.. I read many,MANY books..this is now one of my favorites! Kudos!!!!!
BUT DEFINITELY NOT MY LAST! I read this in one sitting..on the edge of my seat!! The "make-believe" Jason was such an enjoyable character..if all ladies could be so lucky! And what a great character the butler was..Thanks for the entertainment.. I read many,MANY books..this is now one of my favorites! Kudos!!!!!
Read
April 25, 2019DNF at 12%
The dialogue in this novel grated on me: (especially as this is supposed to be a Regency novel)
"No one will believe my husband got beat up like this."
and
'You sure are persistent when you're awake."
I really don't think well-bred woman (a Duchess, no less) would speak like that.
The dialogue in this novel grated on me: (especially as this is supposed to be a Regency novel)
"No one will believe my husband got beat up like this."
and
'You sure are persistent when you're awake."
I really don't think well-bred woman (a Duchess, no less) would speak like that.
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