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Ugly Ducklings #3
How to Entice an Earl
Lady Madeline Essex is the last of the unwed "ducklings" in her family-and by far the most outspoken. But when she boldly enters London's most notorious gaming house in search of fodder for her novel, even her sharp tongue can't save her from the horrible crime she stumbles upon there. As luck would have it, first on the scene is the last man she wants to see her vulnerable. The one man who could tempt her heart . . .Christian Monteith, the new Earl of Gresham, isn't much for card rooms and gaming halls. But as a favor to his former commanding officer, he's investigating a gamester for espionage on the night that Maddie ventures in, looking more enticing than he's ever seen her. Suddenly, his feelings for his friend aren't so friendly anymore. And when her curiosity brings the impetuous novelist to the attention of a madman, Christian will stop at nothing to protect her-from a sinister plot that is far more dangerous than any stolen kiss.
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First published January 29, 2013
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About the author
Manda Collins
37 books1,552 followersManda Collins grew up on a combination of Nancy Drew books and Jane Austen novels, and her own brand of Regency romantic suspense is the result. A former academic librarian, she holds advanced degrees in English Lit and Librarianship. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Entertainment Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Bookpage, and USA Today. A native of Alabama, she lives on the Gulf Coast with a very stubborn cat and more books than are strictly necessary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
March 26, 2018
Manda Collins does it again! The Ugly Ducklings series is a delightful series with just the right amount of romance and a tiny mystery. It reminds me a lot of Julia Quinn's early work.
Maddie is the last unwed "Ugly Duckling" and she stumbles upon her brother's murdered best friend when she visits a gaming hell while researching her novel. Monteith is investigating her brother's business, and together he and Maddie strikes a deal.
Nothing is going to happen", she chided. "We are simply looking into the matter of Mr. Tinker's murder."
"Yes, he agreed ironically, "nothing ever happens in the pursuit of murderers. 'Tis the safest pastime imaginable."
I love the lightness, the fun and the quirkiness. There are no stupid misunderstandings, and no big fights to tear them apart. It is a cozy romance, perfect for a winterish Sunday.
December 14, 2022
⭐
1 star.
Too much of the story and the characters were contradictory.
(Which makes for a jumbled and somewhat confusing read….. And things just didn't add up.)
The chemistry and romantic build up was rushed and lacking.
The ending was weird and kind of nonsensical.
This story was too formulaic.
Rather flat characters that did not have any real depth to them.
Sensitive issues are written/handled in a rather light-hearted and thoughtless way. (emotional/psychological abuse, abuse, bullying, addiction etc.)
Annoying and reckless heroine.
1 star.
Too much of the story and the characters were contradictory.
(Which makes for a jumbled and somewhat confusing read….. And things just didn't add up.)
The chemistry and romantic build up was rushed and lacking.
The ending was weird and kind of nonsensical.
This story was too formulaic.
Rather flat characters that did not have any real depth to them.
Sensitive issues are written/handled in a rather light-hearted and thoughtless way. (emotional/psychological abuse, abuse, bullying, addiction etc.)
Annoying and reckless heroine.
March 25, 2015
In the vein of EVERY SPUNKY HISTORICAL HEROINE EVER, Maddie decides "screw reputations I don't need THAT SHIT" and somehow convinces Christian (who's...a family friend? A...dude? That is attractive? And maybe a friend? I don't fucking know?) to take her to a gaming hell. Where she witnesses a murder. Which she decides to solve because ~spunky.
So Christian and her have ~sexual tension, right? Or something? There's some plot mechanics that no one cares about, and they bone, end up married, solve the murder, and live happily ever after.
1. SO MUCH OF THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE??? Every chapter inadvertently contradicts the chapter before it--never overtly or blatantly, but in such a way that the characters are never solid, never truly realized. At any moment, a huge exposition dump might occur, scrambling all the understood characterizations around.
For example, early in the book, Maddie opens up to Christian about how her father was physically threatening and verbally abusive while intoxicated when she was a little girl. That creates a pretty clear sort of presence in Maddie's life, right? It's not handled well, of course--abuse is too often handled as an easy drop-in back story--but the assumption can be made that it was the shaping event in her life. It set her on her trajectory.
...at least until three chapters from the end Maddie drops ANOTHER HUGE BACKSTORY LOG about how her father would take them to visit his mistress and all her...half-siblings? Until one time her brother ran away to the mistress's house and that was the end of that. WIKKI WAT?
THREE CHAPTERS FROM THE END IS NOT THE PLACE TO DROP THAT KIND OF INFORMATION OMFG. IT'S CALLED A CRAFT FOR A REASON YOU DON'T JUST GLUE SHIT ON WHEREVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT WTF. THERE IS A METHOD TO IT; YOU DROP HINTS INTO THE TEXT, YOU FORESHADOW IT, YOU MOVE TOWARDS IT GRACEFULLY AND WITH INTENT. YOU DO NOT--DO NOT--DROP IT INTO THE MIDDLE OF YOUR THIRD-FROM-THE-END CHAPTER BECAUSE IT'S CONVENIENT.
And it happens ALL THE TIME. Maddie's motivation seems to change with the wind, with the stars, with every page turn. Christian isn't as bad, but that's because his motivation is his mighty wang and keeping Maddie out of trouble. I guess.
2. I don't know about you, but that was literally the least sexy sex scene I've ever read. "You're in my room." "I'm in your room." "How scandalous." "Yes, how scandalous." "Oh no, we're having intercourse." "Oh, the intercourse; we are having it."
"Convenience" is not a great way to convince me that the sex is the sex of True Love. More like the sex of the mutually bored. I DID NOT CARE ONE BIT THEY HAD SEX AND I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DID EITHER.
3. I JUST DID NOT CARE.
eta 4. I FORGOT ABOUT THE BULLYING PART THANK YOU GRACE. But basically Collins hand-waves aside the EMOTIONAL, VERBAL and PHYSIOLOGICAL TORMENT of her heroines in order to sell one more crappy book about her crappy bully Amelia Snowe.
Which of course doesn't work because Snowe's ~magic changeover is motivated by WHO THE HELL KNOWS WHAT. MAGIC? THE MOON IN RETROGRADE? PARASITES? Any of these could be the right answer because character motivation is not really a thing in this series! Collins tells us Snowe is nice THEREFORE SNOWE IS NICE OK. OK.
So Christian and her have ~sexual tension, right? Or something? There's some plot mechanics that no one cares about, and they bone, end up married, solve the murder, and live happily ever after.
1. SO MUCH OF THIS DID NOT MAKE SENSE??? Every chapter inadvertently contradicts the chapter before it--never overtly or blatantly, but in such a way that the characters are never solid, never truly realized. At any moment, a huge exposition dump might occur, scrambling all the understood characterizations around.
For example, early in the book, Maddie opens up to Christian about how her father was physically threatening and verbally abusive while intoxicated when she was a little girl. That creates a pretty clear sort of presence in Maddie's life, right? It's not handled well, of course--abuse is too often handled as an easy drop-in back story--but the assumption can be made that it was the shaping event in her life. It set her on her trajectory.
...at least until three chapters from the end Maddie drops ANOTHER HUGE BACKSTORY LOG about how her father would take them to visit his mistress and all her...half-siblings? Until one time her brother ran away to the mistress's house and that was the end of that. WIKKI WAT?
THREE CHAPTERS FROM THE END IS NOT THE PLACE TO DROP THAT KIND OF INFORMATION OMFG. IT'S CALLED A CRAFT FOR A REASON YOU DON'T JUST GLUE SHIT ON WHEREVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT WTF. THERE IS A METHOD TO IT; YOU DROP HINTS INTO THE TEXT, YOU FORESHADOW IT, YOU MOVE TOWARDS IT GRACEFULLY AND WITH INTENT. YOU DO NOT--DO NOT--DROP IT INTO THE MIDDLE OF YOUR THIRD-FROM-THE-END CHAPTER BECAUSE IT'S CONVENIENT.
And it happens ALL THE TIME. Maddie's motivation seems to change with the wind, with the stars, with every page turn. Christian isn't as bad, but that's because his motivation is his mighty wang and keeping Maddie out of trouble. I guess.
2. I don't know about you, but that was literally the least sexy sex scene I've ever read. "You're in my room." "I'm in your room." "How scandalous." "Yes, how scandalous." "Oh no, we're having intercourse." "Oh, the intercourse; we are having it."
"Convenience" is not a great way to convince me that the sex is the sex of True Love. More like the sex of the mutually bored. I DID NOT CARE ONE BIT THEY HAD SEX AND I DON'T BELIEVE THEY DID EITHER.
3. I JUST DID NOT CARE.
eta 4. I FORGOT ABOUT THE BULLYING PART THANK YOU GRACE. But basically Collins hand-waves aside the EMOTIONAL, VERBAL and PHYSIOLOGICAL TORMENT of her heroines in order to sell one more crappy book about her crappy bully Amelia Snowe.
Which of course doesn't work because Snowe's ~magic changeover is motivated by WHO THE HELL KNOWS WHAT. MAGIC? THE MOON IN RETROGRADE? PARASITES? Any of these could be the right answer because character motivation is not really a thing in this series! Collins tells us Snowe is nice THEREFORE SNOWE IS NICE OK. OK.
March 13, 2013
Review posted on Demon Lover's Books & More
3.5
I really liked the book How to Romance a Rake and I loved all the characters, so when I got the chance to review this one, I was pretty excited.
This book revolves around Lady Madeline Essex and Christian Monteith, Earl of Gresham. What I loved is that they’ve been friends for years and even though their mutual friends have teased them about getting together each has said something along the lines of “Really? But we’re friends, that’s all.” And they’ve meant it. This was the cool part—no one has been pining away waiting for the other to notice them. It was a true friends-to-lovers plot and I loved it!
The thing that kept throwing them together was Maddie’s desire to visit a gaming hell as research for her novel, and Christian was investigating a plot against the Crown. There are some rumors that Maddie’s brother may be involved with the group of men plotting, and Christian goes to the casino her brother frequents to observe the men. Too bad it’s the night Maddie makes her brother take her with him.
This is where all the action begins. There’s a murder. Maddie winds up holding the man as he gasps his last breath. Her brother? He bails. He completely panics and leaves his sister in a casino in the middle of the night, while holding a dead body.
This doesn’t look good for him.
Christian takes care of her, and it’s really sweet. Maddie, however, decides that it’s up to her to figure out who the murderer is, and this is where I had trouble with the plot.
I don’t mind having a heroine investigate a murder, but what I have trouble with is that this heroine has no actual reason to, or at least it’s a very thin reason, in my opinion. She knows Christian is investigating too, but she’s not sure why, and even knowing he’s on the case, it doesn’t stop her from thinking she’s the only one who can do this. Meanwhile, her brother is never actually accused of anything! He’s just wanted for a bit of questioning as to why he left the scene of the murder, if he’s innocent.
I like this series, and the characters, but I had a hard time with the heroine taking up the cause of investigating the murder/mystery surrounding her brother. He hadn't actually been accused of anything and she was behaving as if no one could get the job done but her. To boot, he took off leaving her high and dry! Some brother.
And despite that, I liked the book. Don't judge;) The romance was sweet and I enjoyed the book.
I liked the hero a ton, and I love the friends to lovers trope, and to be honest, I liked Lady Amelia (the "Mean Girl" from the previous books) and I wouldn't mind seeing her have a story.
Final Verdict: It’s an enjoyable and well-written book, I just didn’t like the heroine solving the mystery on her own. She wasn’t a reporter, she wasn’t leading a double-life, she wasn’t directly involved with the murder, and it seemed out of character.
***ARC courtesy of netgalley and St. Martin's Press
3.5
I really liked the book How to Romance a Rake and I loved all the characters, so when I got the chance to review this one, I was pretty excited.
This book revolves around Lady Madeline Essex and Christian Monteith, Earl of Gresham. What I loved is that they’ve been friends for years and even though their mutual friends have teased them about getting together each has said something along the lines of “Really? But we’re friends, that’s all.” And they’ve meant it. This was the cool part—no one has been pining away waiting for the other to notice them. It was a true friends-to-lovers plot and I loved it!
The thing that kept throwing them together was Maddie’s desire to visit a gaming hell as research for her novel, and Christian was investigating a plot against the Crown. There are some rumors that Maddie’s brother may be involved with the group of men plotting, and Christian goes to the casino her brother frequents to observe the men. Too bad it’s the night Maddie makes her brother take her with him.
This is where all the action begins. There’s a murder. Maddie winds up holding the man as he gasps his last breath. Her brother? He bails. He completely panics and leaves his sister in a casino in the middle of the night, while holding a dead body.
This doesn’t look good for him.
Christian takes care of her, and it’s really sweet. Maddie, however, decides that it’s up to her to figure out who the murderer is, and this is where I had trouble with the plot.
I don’t mind having a heroine investigate a murder, but what I have trouble with is that this heroine has no actual reason to, or at least it’s a very thin reason, in my opinion. She knows Christian is investigating too, but she’s not sure why, and even knowing he’s on the case, it doesn’t stop her from thinking she’s the only one who can do this. Meanwhile, her brother is never actually accused of anything! He’s just wanted for a bit of questioning as to why he left the scene of the murder, if he’s innocent.
I like this series, and the characters, but I had a hard time with the heroine taking up the cause of investigating the murder/mystery surrounding her brother. He hadn't actually been accused of anything and she was behaving as if no one could get the job done but her. To boot, he took off leaving her high and dry! Some brother.
And despite that, I liked the book. Don't judge;) The romance was sweet and I enjoyed the book.
I liked the hero a ton, and I love the friends to lovers trope, and to be honest, I liked Lady Amelia (the "Mean Girl" from the previous books) and I wouldn't mind seeing her have a story.
Final Verdict: It’s an enjoyable and well-written book, I just didn’t like the heroine solving the mystery on her own. She wasn’t a reporter, she wasn’t leading a double-life, she wasn’t directly involved with the murder, and it seemed out of character.
***ARC courtesy of netgalley and St. Martin's Press
February 12, 2014
HOW TO ENTICE AN EARL is the final book in Manda Collins' charming Ugly Ducklings trilogy. I enjoyed this engaging friends-to-lovers story with its blend of mystery and romance.
How I imagine Christian…
She had come to appreciate his sense of the absurd as much as his strength and loyalty.
Christian is the perfect hero. Honourable, loyal, charming, witty and sexy, I love how fiercely protective he is towards Maddie and he certainly has lots of patience when it comes to her hair-brain schemes, although his patience does wear thin at times! The guilt at not being there for his twin sister when she needed him gives him a certain vulnerability which I love in my heroes.
How I imagine Maddie…
“That she is a most determined young lady who refuses to be cowed by the strictures of the ton.”
Maddie is my favourite type of heroine, independent, determined and outspoken. It's also refreshing to find a heroine who is short with ample womanly curves rather than tall and graceful. If I have one criticism, it's that Maddie's impetuous behaviour did have me raising my eyebrows on more than one occasion. But in the moving scene where she comforts Christian, I couldn't help but love her when she vows 'to keep his vulnerabilities safe in her heart.'
I liked the fact that Maddie and Christian's feelings grew gradually. It's obvious they genuinely like and respect one another but have never thought of each other in romantic terms. As they spend more time in each other’s company trying to solve the murder and clear Maddie’s brother's name, their feelings start to change:
…ever since he’d held her in his arms last night, he’d had the devil’s own time trying to erase the memory of just how right she’d felt there.
***
Each time they touched, the fire between them burned hotter until Maddie was no longer able to tell which of them was in control.
She wasn’t quite sure how it had happened, but what had begun as rather sweet and gentle turned hot and passionate.
At times, I felt that the romance was somewhat pushed into the background by the mystery plot but the love scenes were deliciously sensual.
There were enough twists and turns in the murder mystery to keep me guessing and I enjoyed the witty repartee between Christian, Winterson and Deveril. I was certainly surprised to see Ms Collins redeem the Ugly Ducklings' arch nemesis, Amelia Snow, at the end of the book and I'm intrigued to read her story in the forthcoming novella, The Perks of Being a Beauty.
This was an entertaining ending to the trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading more of Manda Collins's books in the future.
VERDICT: A VERY GOOD READ
RATING : 4/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING : HOT
How I imagine Christian…
She had come to appreciate his sense of the absurd as much as his strength and loyalty.
Christian is the perfect hero. Honourable, loyal, charming, witty and sexy, I love how fiercely protective he is towards Maddie and he certainly has lots of patience when it comes to her hair-brain schemes, although his patience does wear thin at times! The guilt at not being there for his twin sister when she needed him gives him a certain vulnerability which I love in my heroes.
How I imagine Maddie…
“That she is a most determined young lady who refuses to be cowed by the strictures of the ton.”
Maddie is my favourite type of heroine, independent, determined and outspoken. It's also refreshing to find a heroine who is short with ample womanly curves rather than tall and graceful. If I have one criticism, it's that Maddie's impetuous behaviour did have me raising my eyebrows on more than one occasion. But in the moving scene where she comforts Christian, I couldn't help but love her when she vows 'to keep his vulnerabilities safe in her heart.'
I liked the fact that Maddie and Christian's feelings grew gradually. It's obvious they genuinely like and respect one another but have never thought of each other in romantic terms. As they spend more time in each other’s company trying to solve the murder and clear Maddie’s brother's name, their feelings start to change:
…ever since he’d held her in his arms last night, he’d had the devil’s own time trying to erase the memory of just how right she’d felt there.
***
Each time they touched, the fire between them burned hotter until Maddie was no longer able to tell which of them was in control.
She wasn’t quite sure how it had happened, but what had begun as rather sweet and gentle turned hot and passionate.
At times, I felt that the romance was somewhat pushed into the background by the mystery plot but the love scenes were deliciously sensual.
There were enough twists and turns in the murder mystery to keep me guessing and I enjoyed the witty repartee between Christian, Winterson and Deveril. I was certainly surprised to see Ms Collins redeem the Ugly Ducklings' arch nemesis, Amelia Snow, at the end of the book and I'm intrigued to read her story in the forthcoming novella, The Perks of Being a Beauty.
This was an entertaining ending to the trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading more of Manda Collins's books in the future.
VERDICT: A VERY GOOD READ
RATING : 4/5 Stars
SENSUALITY RATING : HOT
January 13, 2013
This is the last in the Ugly Ducklings trilogy, featuring the last unmarried cousin Lady Madeline Essex and Christian Monteith, Earl of Gresham. Although this is the last book in the trilogy, you don't need to have read the others to understand what is happening you just won't know the background stories of some of the characters in the book.
For me How to Entice an Earl was a little...lukewarm. I liked the main characters well enough; they seemed to go together nicely, but I found it hard to stir myself up to think any more then "Aw that's nice", which unfortunately didn't really make it a very exciting read.
However, maybe I am being too harsh, this is a light historical, it has a pleasant romance and I am glad that all the "Ugly Ducklings" a horrible nickname given to the three cousins got their own happily-ever-afters.
I don't think this will be a trilogy I would reread or even perhaps remember very clearly in the future but I would read another Manda Collins book, she writes well and has created a fun and romantic if not particularly memorable trilogy.
For me How to Entice an Earl was a little...lukewarm. I liked the main characters well enough; they seemed to go together nicely, but I found it hard to stir myself up to think any more then "Aw that's nice", which unfortunately didn't really make it a very exciting read.
However, maybe I am being too harsh, this is a light historical, it has a pleasant romance and I am glad that all the "Ugly Ducklings" a horrible nickname given to the three cousins got their own happily-ever-afters.
I don't think this will be a trilogy I would reread or even perhaps remember very clearly in the future but I would read another Manda Collins book, she writes well and has created a fun and romantic if not particularly memorable trilogy.
October 1, 2013
Is it Gresham or Monteith?
Does he have blue eyes or green?
Is Linton Maddie's older or younger brother?
These are just the editing mistakes I caught and drove me crazy. Maybe the author's style is just not for me but this was a completely lukewarm boring characters formulaic story. When a woman character who is strongly for woman's rights annoys me I know there is a problem. The storyline of Maddie wanting to research for her novel, then stumbling upon a murder mystery with occasionally having her boobies kissed by Gresham, was stale and completely disconnected.I'm sorry, but, blah meh blah.
Probably done with this author forever.
Does he have blue eyes or green?
Is Linton Maddie's older or younger brother?
These are just the editing mistakes I caught and drove me crazy. Maybe the author's style is just not for me but this was a completely lukewarm boring characters formulaic story. When a woman character who is strongly for woman's rights annoys me I know there is a problem. The storyline of Maddie wanting to research for her novel, then stumbling upon a murder mystery with occasionally having her boobies kissed by Gresham, was stale and completely disconnected.I'm sorry, but, blah meh blah.
Probably done with this author forever.
February 16, 2013
More comments later, but for now a note on the rating.
This was overall a two star read, mostly because of things that didn't make sense and poor dialogue. The reason I bumped it down to one star was the ending with Amelia Snowe. I don't know what it is that makes writers (of all forms of media) want to include subplots where the bully becomes friends with the girl(s) she has been bullying, but SHUT IT DOWN. Sometimes a bully is just a bully. MOST TIMES a bully is just a bully.
This was overall a two star read, mostly because of things that didn't make sense and poor dialogue. The reason I bumped it down to one star was the ending with Amelia Snowe. I don't know what it is that makes writers (of all forms of media) want to include subplots where the bully becomes friends with the girl(s) she has been bullying, but SHUT IT DOWN. Sometimes a bully is just a bully. MOST TIMES a bully is just a bully.
January 9, 2013
Another very pleasant read by Manda Collins. She writes Regency with a light, enjoyable tough. Nicely sensual, and very steeped in the period. Good romance.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur.com for the February Issue: http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur.com for the February Issue: http://affairedecoeur.com.
July 21, 2016
I gave this a C- at AAR, so that's 2.5 stars.
This is the third (and final) novel in Manda Collins’ Ugly Ducklings series in which we follow the romantic adventures of three cousins who are regarded as rather odd by society because of their outspokenness, blue-stocking tendencies, and independent natures.
When I read the first book in the series, How to Dance with a Duke, I rated it at 3 stars on Goodreads and said that while I found it to be engaging in places, I was disappointed overall - and I experienced much the same reaction to this book.
The heroine is Lady Madeleine Essex, mostly known as Maddie (which immediately struck me as rather too modern in tone). Like her cousins Cecilia and Juliet, she is intelligent and independent of spirit – but sadly, her intelligence doesn’t preclude her from doing some incredibly stupid things. At the beginning of the book, she decides that she needs to attend a gaming hell in order to do some research for the novel she is planning to write (of which, incidentally, she never writes a single word during the whole course of the book). Naturally, the male friend she asks to take her refuses, so she inveigles her brother into taking her along.
Here, for me, was the point at which I started to get depressed about the direction the story was going to take. For one thing, putting a young woman in a series of pretty frocks and sending her to balls and Almacks does not an historical romance make – and for another, neither does sending the heroine into a gaming hell with the thought that -
“It was not at all unusual for ladies of the ton to seek out a bit of excitement by attending such parties… They might tarnish their reputations a bit by doing so, but the damage was hardly irreparable."
From then on, Maddie is continually involved in situations that no well brought-up daughter of an earl should ever have contemplated. It’s not her fault that she ends up finding a dead body, but from then on, she insists on being involved in the “investigation” into the death, despite the frequent insistence of the hero (more of him shortly) that she is endangering herself by doing so. Even more annoyingly, she sees every move of his designed to protect her as an attempt on his part to question her intelligence and/or exclude her from said investigation.
The hero of the story is one Christian Monteith, the newly-minted Earl of Gresham, and a friend of Maddie’s, her cousins, and their husbands for a long time. The “friends-become-lovers” trope is rather a favourite of mine, so I had hoped that once the romance between Gresham and Maddie got underway, I would start to enjoy the book a little more. But as the story progressed, I realised that there was a sad lack of romantic and sexual tension between them and I really didn’t get a sense of the way their relationship transformed from their being friends to being lovers. It’s clear that there’s an attraction between them from the outset, but when, in one scene, they were talking as friends one moment, and in the next were all over each other without any build up, it felt forced.
Christian is a fairly likeable hero – handsome and honourable, he does care deeply for Maddie and wants to protect her while he makes inquiries and investigates the mystery surrounding the murder which leads to her brothers’ disappearance. There is brief mention of the fact that he is tormented by his sister’s suicide and that he has a fractured relationship with his mother, but apart from one brief scene, not much is made of it, although the author makes it clear that Christian’s urge to protect Maddie at all costs is somewhat born of his earlier inability to protect his sister and his subsequent guilt.
The mystery itself is fairly intriguing and was, I felt, more successful than the romance.
There were a number of production errors that I found irritating, and which could easily have been solved by the employment of a good proof-reader. For example, at one point, Gresham’s eyes are green; and a few pages later, they’re blue. And for some reason, Gresham is referred to as such – until, for some reason, his name reverts to Monteith… then back to Gresham for the bulk of the book… until once again, he is referred to as Monteith. I am disinclined to think that this is a case of the author's not knowing that an earl is referred to by his title rather than his family name; it reads to me more like an uncorrected error.
My biggest peeve however, was with the fact that Maddie was so heedless of her reputation when, at the time the story is set, a woman’s reputation – particularly that of a young, unmarried woman – was so vitally important to her prospects in life. Not only does she visit a gaming hell with her brother, she attends a party hosted by a widow thought to be rather ‘fast’ with Gresham and finally talks her cousin’s husband into kitting her out so that she can enter a brothel disguised as a man.
Overall then, I didn’t find reading this book to be a particularly satisfying experience. It was mildly entertaining in places, and despite my reservations, I still think that Manda Colins is a good writer – but I felt that the characters never became more than one-dimensional and the romance fell sadly flat.
This is the third (and final) novel in Manda Collins’ Ugly Ducklings series in which we follow the romantic adventures of three cousins who are regarded as rather odd by society because of their outspokenness, blue-stocking tendencies, and independent natures.
When I read the first book in the series, How to Dance with a Duke, I rated it at 3 stars on Goodreads and said that while I found it to be engaging in places, I was disappointed overall - and I experienced much the same reaction to this book.
The heroine is Lady Madeleine Essex, mostly known as Maddie (which immediately struck me as rather too modern in tone). Like her cousins Cecilia and Juliet, she is intelligent and independent of spirit – but sadly, her intelligence doesn’t preclude her from doing some incredibly stupid things. At the beginning of the book, she decides that she needs to attend a gaming hell in order to do some research for the novel she is planning to write (of which, incidentally, she never writes a single word during the whole course of the book). Naturally, the male friend she asks to take her refuses, so she inveigles her brother into taking her along.
Here, for me, was the point at which I started to get depressed about the direction the story was going to take. For one thing, putting a young woman in a series of pretty frocks and sending her to balls and Almacks does not an historical romance make – and for another, neither does sending the heroine into a gaming hell with the thought that -
“It was not at all unusual for ladies of the ton to seek out a bit of excitement by attending such parties… They might tarnish their reputations a bit by doing so, but the damage was hardly irreparable."
From then on, Maddie is continually involved in situations that no well brought-up daughter of an earl should ever have contemplated. It’s not her fault that she ends up finding a dead body, but from then on, she insists on being involved in the “investigation” into the death, despite the frequent insistence of the hero (more of him shortly) that she is endangering herself by doing so. Even more annoyingly, she sees every move of his designed to protect her as an attempt on his part to question her intelligence and/or exclude her from said investigation.
The hero of the story is one Christian Monteith, the newly-minted Earl of Gresham, and a friend of Maddie’s, her cousins, and their husbands for a long time. The “friends-become-lovers” trope is rather a favourite of mine, so I had hoped that once the romance between Gresham and Maddie got underway, I would start to enjoy the book a little more. But as the story progressed, I realised that there was a sad lack of romantic and sexual tension between them and I really didn’t get a sense of the way their relationship transformed from their being friends to being lovers. It’s clear that there’s an attraction between them from the outset, but when, in one scene, they were talking as friends one moment, and in the next were all over each other without any build up, it felt forced.
Christian is a fairly likeable hero – handsome and honourable, he does care deeply for Maddie and wants to protect her while he makes inquiries and investigates the mystery surrounding the murder which leads to her brothers’ disappearance. There is brief mention of the fact that he is tormented by his sister’s suicide and that he has a fractured relationship with his mother, but apart from one brief scene, not much is made of it, although the author makes it clear that Christian’s urge to protect Maddie at all costs is somewhat born of his earlier inability to protect his sister and his subsequent guilt.
The mystery itself is fairly intriguing and was, I felt, more successful than the romance.
There were a number of production errors that I found irritating, and which could easily have been solved by the employment of a good proof-reader. For example, at one point, Gresham’s eyes are green; and a few pages later, they’re blue. And for some reason, Gresham is referred to as such – until, for some reason, his name reverts to Monteith… then back to Gresham for the bulk of the book… until once again, he is referred to as Monteith. I am disinclined to think that this is a case of the author's not knowing that an earl is referred to by his title rather than his family name; it reads to me more like an uncorrected error.
My biggest peeve however, was with the fact that Maddie was so heedless of her reputation when, at the time the story is set, a woman’s reputation – particularly that of a young, unmarried woman – was so vitally important to her prospects in life. Not only does she visit a gaming hell with her brother, she attends a party hosted by a widow thought to be rather ‘fast’ with Gresham and finally talks her cousin’s husband into kitting her out so that she can enter a brothel disguised as a man.
Overall then, I didn’t find reading this book to be a particularly satisfying experience. It was mildly entertaining in places, and despite my reservations, I still think that Manda Colins is a good writer – but I felt that the characters never became more than one-dimensional and the romance fell sadly flat.
January 2, 2015
Fun romance with just enough mystery to add some intensity. Maddie and Christian have known each other a long time. Their friends have been pushing them together for years, but all they are is friends. Things start to change the night she visits a gaming house and stumbles over a dead body. Christian was there for another reason, but doesn't hesitate to step in to protect Maddie from the consequences.
I really liked both Maddie and Christian. Of the three "ugly ducklings" she is the most independent and outspoken. She has no trouble stating her opinions, especially when it comes to the "proper" place of a woman. So she wasn't very happy to be left stranded and dependent on Christian's help. She is also determined to help clear her brother's name and ends up making a deal with Christian that she won't investigate without him. Spending all that time with Christian has her feelings for him changing.
Christian is handsome, charming, witty and quite sexy. He has been tasked with checking into rumors of espionage on the part of someone at the gaming hell, and is there the night that Maddie talks her brother into bringing her. There's something about her that night that has him looking at her differently. In spite of his assignment he can't leave her to fend for herself.
I really loved the progression of their romance. They start out as friends first, never having looked at each other as anything else. Christian was the first to notice that things were changing that very first evening as he held her when she cried over what she had seen. He tried hard to ignore how right she felt in his arms. One of the things I liked best about Christian was how well he understood Maddie. He respects her intelligence and her need to be involved. He is protective, but able to respect her abilities, even though some of her schemes make him wonder about her sanity. Maddie also notices that she's feeling different about Christian. When he kisses her it opens the door to a flood of feelings. Besides the physical attraction she also sees that there is more to him. She gets frustrated by his need to protect, but as she learns more about him she begins to understand, even though she still fights against it. She is also protective of him and his feelings. The attraction between them is strong, and it's fun to see how easily they embrace it. Neither seems to be aware that the reason it is so wonderful for them is because they do love each other.
I really liked the fact that there are no huge misunderstandings or crises that tear them apart or have to be overcome. Maddie learns that it's okay to lean on Christian for help and support. She was surprised when he stood up to her father over his attitude toward her and it just added to her feelings for him. Christian learned that the most important thing he could do to show Maddie how much he cares is to talk to her, to not keep things from her just to protect her.
There are a couple of interesting twists and turns to the mystery that kept me guessing about the culprit. Maddie's brother starts out looking pretty bad, but by the end things have turned around for him. The final confrontation is pretty intense. I enjoyed seeing how Maddie got involved and how important it ended up being that she did.
I really liked both Maddie and Christian. Of the three "ugly ducklings" she is the most independent and outspoken. She has no trouble stating her opinions, especially when it comes to the "proper" place of a woman. So she wasn't very happy to be left stranded and dependent on Christian's help. She is also determined to help clear her brother's name and ends up making a deal with Christian that she won't investigate without him. Spending all that time with Christian has her feelings for him changing.
Christian is handsome, charming, witty and quite sexy. He has been tasked with checking into rumors of espionage on the part of someone at the gaming hell, and is there the night that Maddie talks her brother into bringing her. There's something about her that night that has him looking at her differently. In spite of his assignment he can't leave her to fend for herself.
I really loved the progression of their romance. They start out as friends first, never having looked at each other as anything else. Christian was the first to notice that things were changing that very first evening as he held her when she cried over what she had seen. He tried hard to ignore how right she felt in his arms. One of the things I liked best about Christian was how well he understood Maddie. He respects her intelligence and her need to be involved. He is protective, but able to respect her abilities, even though some of her schemes make him wonder about her sanity. Maddie also notices that she's feeling different about Christian. When he kisses her it opens the door to a flood of feelings. Besides the physical attraction she also sees that there is more to him. She gets frustrated by his need to protect, but as she learns more about him she begins to understand, even though she still fights against it. She is also protective of him and his feelings. The attraction between them is strong, and it's fun to see how easily they embrace it. Neither seems to be aware that the reason it is so wonderful for them is because they do love each other.
I really liked the fact that there are no huge misunderstandings or crises that tear them apart or have to be overcome. Maddie learns that it's okay to lean on Christian for help and support. She was surprised when he stood up to her father over his attitude toward her and it just added to her feelings for him. Christian learned that the most important thing he could do to show Maddie how much he cares is to talk to her, to not keep things from her just to protect her.
There are a couple of interesting twists and turns to the mystery that kept me guessing about the culprit. Maddie's brother starts out looking pretty bad, but by the end things have turned around for him. The final confrontation is pretty intense. I enjoyed seeing how Maddie got involved and how important it ended up being that she did.
February 4, 2013
Manda Collins makes some effort but I did not like this book.
1. Ms. Collins doesn't seem to have a clear understanding of women's rights and where her main character, Maddie stands on the issue. Maddie seems angry at the slightest hint of being boxed in stereotypes of young women of the ton in the 1800s, yet she is the first person to stereotype other people. She stereotypes Gresham and says things like, "Must you be such a man? Do you not think I have the intelligence to know that you were not there for the typical reasons one visits a brothel? Really, Gresham, credit me with a bit of sense.” For someone who seems so bent on breaking societal barriers, she sure is in a hurry to reinforce those barriers- as long as it's not against her or other womenfolk.
2. Alternating between Gresham and Monteith drives readers crazy.. especially when Gresham is referred to as Gresham 90% of the time. To have someone address the same character as Monteith - reasoned to be the name of his title and estate - is confusing and must be addressed subtly and quickly... The relation of this character to him and so on and so forth.
3. The hero's sister had an affair that left her with negative consequences. You would think that he'd know better than to kiss the heroine and leave them open to others' discovery when he kissed her and sucked her nipple and all that... Because then she'd be ruined and he'd have to marry her immediately. But no, marriage didn't even cross his mind until they had sex or while they were having sex for the first time.
Basically, I didn't like it. I think it's formulaic and the characters don't have any real depth to them. And things just didn't add up.
1. Ms. Collins doesn't seem to have a clear understanding of women's rights and where her main character, Maddie stands on the issue. Maddie seems angry at the slightest hint of being boxed in stereotypes of young women of the ton in the 1800s, yet she is the first person to stereotype other people. She stereotypes Gresham and says things like, "Must you be such a man? Do you not think I have the intelligence to know that you were not there for the typical reasons one visits a brothel? Really, Gresham, credit me with a bit of sense.” For someone who seems so bent on breaking societal barriers, she sure is in a hurry to reinforce those barriers- as long as it's not against her or other womenfolk.
2. Alternating between Gresham and Monteith drives readers crazy.. especially when Gresham is referred to as Gresham 90% of the time. To have someone address the same character as Monteith - reasoned to be the name of his title and estate - is confusing and must be addressed subtly and quickly... The relation of this character to him and so on and so forth.
3. The hero's sister had an affair that left her with negative consequences. You would think that he'd know better than to kiss the heroine and leave them open to others' discovery when he kissed her and sucked her nipple and all that... Because then she'd be ruined and he'd have to marry her immediately. But no, marriage didn't even cross his mind until they had sex or while they were having sex for the first time.
Basically, I didn't like it. I think it's formulaic and the characters don't have any real depth to them. And things just didn't add up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2012
How to Entice an Earl is the final novel in Manda Collins’s Ugly Ducklings trilogy. Like its predecessors, it weaves mystery and romance together in a fine balance. The action centers on the mystery, which also serves as a catalyst for the relationship between Maddy and Gresham. But the focus is squarely on the romance, and the reader is privileged to see the romantic relationship develop in a manner that involves humor, a deepening emotional intimacy, and plenty of sizzle.
Maddy’s outspokenness, her courage, her loyalty, and above all, her determination not to be defined by her parents’ disappointment in her or society’s expectations of her make her an engaging heroine. She is also surprisingly sensible despite her determination to fight her own battles. I especially appreciated her recognition, even before she understands that she loves Gresham, that they must marry. She may resent the limitations her world imposes on women of her class, but she recognizes there are boundaries she cannot transgress without giving up more than she's willing to forfeit and without hurting those she loves. She also knows Gresham and values the man that he is. She believes they can build a life together even though she thinks she will miss the love match her cousins enjoy.
She had come to appreciate his sense of the absurd as much as his strength and loyalty. Who would wish to be tied to a man who never laughed, she wondered, leaping ahead to what she knew this interview was truly about. Not their well-being or their absurdity, but their marriage.
I was ready to cheer aloud when on their wedding day Maddy learns something that could have become a Misunderstanding of Great Proportions. But Maddy proves how well she knows her man by rejecting the obvious and intuiting the truth. How rare is that in romance?
And Gresham! I’ll always think of him as Monteith because he was not yet the Earl of Gresham when I first encountered him in manuscript form and fell in love with his humor, his disdain for fashion, his kindness, and his sense of honor. I waited impatiently for his story, and he proved to be the hero I expected.
If you haven’t met the Ugly Ducklings, what are you waiting for? How to Entice an Earl can certainly be read as a standalone, and you can begin with it--although I’ll be surprised if you don’t find the cousins and their heroes so appealing that you’ll want to read their stories too. I highly recommend all three books.
Maddy’s outspokenness, her courage, her loyalty, and above all, her determination not to be defined by her parents’ disappointment in her or society’s expectations of her make her an engaging heroine. She is also surprisingly sensible despite her determination to fight her own battles. I especially appreciated her recognition, even before she understands that she loves Gresham, that they must marry. She may resent the limitations her world imposes on women of her class, but she recognizes there are boundaries she cannot transgress without giving up more than she's willing to forfeit and without hurting those she loves. She also knows Gresham and values the man that he is. She believes they can build a life together even though she thinks she will miss the love match her cousins enjoy.
She had come to appreciate his sense of the absurd as much as his strength and loyalty. Who would wish to be tied to a man who never laughed, she wondered, leaping ahead to what she knew this interview was truly about. Not their well-being or their absurdity, but their marriage.
I was ready to cheer aloud when on their wedding day Maddy learns something that could have become a Misunderstanding of Great Proportions. But Maddy proves how well she knows her man by rejecting the obvious and intuiting the truth. How rare is that in romance?
And Gresham! I’ll always think of him as Monteith because he was not yet the Earl of Gresham when I first encountered him in manuscript form and fell in love with his humor, his disdain for fashion, his kindness, and his sense of honor. I waited impatiently for his story, and he proved to be the hero I expected.
If you haven’t met the Ugly Ducklings, what are you waiting for? How to Entice an Earl can certainly be read as a standalone, and you can begin with it--although I’ll be surprised if you don’t find the cousins and their heroes so appealing that you’ll want to read their stories too. I highly recommend all three books.
January 23, 2013
You can read this review and more at Forever Book Lover.
How to Entice an Earl was my favorite in the Ugly Duckling series. I know, I probably wrote that in my reviews of How to Dance with a Duke and How to Romance a Rake, the first two books.
How to Entice an Earl is the third and final installment in the series.
These books have one common thread: the Dance Card. For Cecily (How to Dance with a Duke) and Juliet (How to Romance a Rake), the card proved to be a good luck charm, not only was it a way for them to meet eligible men, it soon lead to them meeting and falling in love with their husbands.
While our heroine, Maddie, is happy that her two cousins found wedded bliss, she is not ready to settle down just yet, her first priority is finishing her novel.The hero, Christian, as he jumps at protecting Maddie from the taunts of the series bully, Amelia. Maddie is head strong in gaining entry to gaming hells for research for her novel, Christian finds himself volunteering to be her escort.
Once again the book centers around solving a mystery~ this time it is a murder. This book takes you on a roller coaster ride, there are twists and turns and just when you think you may have solved it, you find out that you are wrong.
Manda Collins has the plotting for a mystery down to a science, leaving the the reader satisfied in uncovering the mystery page by page. I truly enjoyed the main characters in this mystery: there is the feeling of intense romantic chemistry between them.
Manda blended both the romance and the mystery where they didn't overshadowed each other.I would have loved to see a story dedicated to Lady Emily and Linton. Manda Collins is an author that will be on my must read list..
How to Entice an Earl was my favorite in the Ugly Duckling series. I know, I probably wrote that in my reviews of How to Dance with a Duke and How to Romance a Rake, the first two books.
How to Entice an Earl is the third and final installment in the series.
These books have one common thread: the Dance Card. For Cecily (How to Dance with a Duke) and Juliet (How to Romance a Rake), the card proved to be a good luck charm, not only was it a way for them to meet eligible men, it soon lead to them meeting and falling in love with their husbands.
While our heroine, Maddie, is happy that her two cousins found wedded bliss, she is not ready to settle down just yet, her first priority is finishing her novel.The hero, Christian, as he jumps at protecting Maddie from the taunts of the series bully, Amelia. Maddie is head strong in gaining entry to gaming hells for research for her novel, Christian finds himself volunteering to be her escort.
Once again the book centers around solving a mystery~ this time it is a murder. This book takes you on a roller coaster ride, there are twists and turns and just when you think you may have solved it, you find out that you are wrong.
Manda Collins has the plotting for a mystery down to a science, leaving the the reader satisfied in uncovering the mystery page by page. I truly enjoyed the main characters in this mystery: there is the feeling of intense romantic chemistry between them.
Manda blended both the romance and the mystery where they didn't overshadowed each other.I would have loved to see a story dedicated to Lady Emily and Linton. Manda Collins is an author that will be on my must read list..
February 6, 2013
I felt like this book was just okay. From the beginning, each character will admit to a sort of attraction, but it never gets more detailed than that. And one moment the two are talking (as friends) and he is kissing her and pulling her dress down. And Maddie is so nonchalant, like it's nothing new and perfectly normal to be that intimate for the first time right outside of a ballroom. She just goes right back into the ball and back to working on her plan to clear her brothers name. I don't know... I just don't like the idea that that sort of thing wouldn't destract you for at least a little bit. The whole story seems to be more focused on how headstrong Maddie is. Which is great for a heroine, but yes Maddie, when you are trying to find a murderer, there is going to be a chance of danger in that. You should not do it on your own. And you could use some protection. It drives me crazy how she will go on about how there is no risk in trying to find information about a murder. I just didn't feel like there was any character development and it was repetitive in Maddie's quest to be prove how unfair it is for her as a woman and that she herself can do everything a man can to find the murderer and clear her brothers name. I think she could have trusted Christian more.
May 2, 2013
Lovely romance , wallflower and last of the single cousins Madeline Essex isnot sure she wishes to marry at all; her immediate goal isto do research for a novel she isthe so write , this research requires avian to a gaming hell which for a Dukes daughter is unacceptable . Maddie being her strong willed self after trying to convince her freind Christian montieth to take hierro one blackmails her younger brother to take her instead .
Christian the new Earl of Gresham and former colonel in her majesty's army is know home working as an undercover investigator for the home office into a treasonous organization of bonapartist in London. Christian while under cover at Mrs. bailey's gaming hell is stunned to see Maddie walk in with her brother, poor guy gets his irst realization at that point of his true feelings for Maddie. Loving Maddie is an adventure she becomes embroiled ia a Murder, death threats and trying to solve who presents danger to Maddie's brother Linton .Maddie's extreme stubbornness lead to more time spent with Maddie and a lovely romance,some well written sex scenes and a good mystery!
Christian the new Earl of Gresham and former colonel in her majesty's army is know home working as an undercover investigator for the home office into a treasonous organization of bonapartist in London. Christian while under cover at Mrs. bailey's gaming hell is stunned to see Maddie walk in with her brother, poor guy gets his irst realization at that point of his true feelings for Maddie. Loving Maddie is an adventure she becomes embroiled ia a Murder, death threats and trying to solve who presents danger to Maddie's brother Linton .Maddie's extreme stubbornness lead to more time spent with Maddie and a lovely romance,some well written sex scenes and a good mystery!
April 15, 2013
Note: If you look at all the high ratings and great reviews this book gets on Goodreads, then you can see that I’m pretty much in the minority in my review.
Oh, this book was just terrible. I picked it up because my name is Manda, too. It’s the third in the series and I contemplated buying the others to read in order. I am SO glad that I didn’t waste my money on this mess.
The writing was so clunky. This has the heaviest handed foreshadowing I think I have ever read. Collins can’t keep the details straight in this book. The color of the hero’s eyes and the birth order of the heroine’s sibling are just a few of the details that change from page to page. Also, the heroine is supposed to be pro-women’s rights, but I’m not sure the author has a handle on the subject. Sorry, but just mentioning Wollstonecraft is not enough. The way the couple hooks up is ridiculous, too. There is so much more wrong with this book, but I just can’t keep going on about it.
Oh, this book was just terrible. I picked it up because my name is Manda, too. It’s the third in the series and I contemplated buying the others to read in order. I am SO glad that I didn’t waste my money on this mess.
The writing was so clunky. This has the heaviest handed foreshadowing I think I have ever read. Collins can’t keep the details straight in this book. The color of the hero’s eyes and the birth order of the heroine’s sibling are just a few of the details that change from page to page. Also, the heroine is supposed to be pro-women’s rights, but I’m not sure the author has a handle on the subject. Sorry, but just mentioning Wollstonecraft is not enough. The way the couple hooks up is ridiculous, too. There is so much more wrong with this book, but I just can’t keep going on about it.
January 31, 2013
Another amazing book by Manda. It had romance, humor and intrigue. Maddie was great.
August 1, 2019
The last unwed 'Ugly Duckling', Lady Madeline Essex would like a marriage and devoted husband like her cousins and fellow 'Ducklings', Lady Cecily and Lady Juliet but until then writing a novel will have to do. After another set-to with inexplicably popular and beautiful but tediously vapid Amelia Snow, Juliet gets a lead on information for her novel.
Freshly announced Earl of Gresham, Christian Monteith, is certain he's convinced Maddie a notorious gaming hell is no place for well-bred ladies. While at the hell as part of an investigation, the last thing Gresham expects is an enticingly beautiful Maddie in front of him, witness to a crime, fanning Gresham's feelings of protection and attraction for her.
Rating 3.75stars
Freshly announced Earl of Gresham, Christian Monteith, is certain he's convinced Maddie a notorious gaming hell is no place for well-bred ladies. While at the hell as part of an investigation, the last thing Gresham expects is an enticingly beautiful Maddie in front of him, witness to a crime, fanning Gresham's feelings of protection and attraction for her.
Rating 3.75stars
June 7, 2018
This book stand a bit apart from other books in this genre by the added mystery about the death of a ton member. Who killed him? It was a bit predictable, but enjoyable. I like the characters and the romance.
March 3, 2024
I love regency romance novels and Amanda Collins delivers!
February 25, 2013
Lady Madeline Essex is not ready to get married yet, even though her cousins Cecily and Juliet have both found love with their husbands. Before she even the considers the idea of matrimony, she wants to write a novel before she takes that next step. Her novel is at the center of a Gaming Hell, so she decides to go to one to get information for her novel. After brow beating her brother, he takes her to Mrs. Baily's Gaming Hell, where she runs into her cousin's husbands friend, Colonel Lord Christian Monteith, the new Earl of Gresham...
Christian has undertaken a mission from his former commanding officer to investigate a gamester for espionage, who happens to be a friend of Maddie's brother. Christian is informed that they will be attending Mrs. Bailey's he decides to attend to see what information he can gather. So when Maddie enters Mrs. Bailey's with her brother he is not surprised since they become acquainted since his friend, Lucas Dalton the Duke of Winterson courtship with her cousin Cecily, but that doesn't stop him from taking her aside and scolding her for being there...
When a murder takes place and Maddie happens to be the one to find the body and discovers its her brother's friend. After her brother is found to have left Mrs Baily's, people are suspicious that he his involved. Maddie decides to find the murderer to clear her brothers name and since Christian was going to look into it since the person he was gathering in tel about turned up murdered decides to help Maddie and protect her from trouble. Now that they are thrown together, they now face this undeniable attraction for each other that can't be denied. And Maddie wonders if it will turn into a love that her cousins have found with their husbands...
This was a great conclusion to the "Ugly Duckling" trilogy. I really liked Christian's character. He was honest, protective of those who he considers friends and his family, and patient, though Maddie has a way of running his patience thin. And though he disagrees with Maddie's ideas and plans, he knows he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it and decides to make sure he is there to protect her just in case. I like the friendship he has with Winterson and Deveril, and it was fun to see how it developed throughout the trilogy.
I liked Maddie in the first two books. And though I still liked her character, some of the things that she did didn't seem like it was something she would of done. Like her other cousins, she has a stubborn streak when she decides to do something. But unlike Cecily and Juliet, she didn't seem really smart on how she went about to do things, which I didn't really notice when she was mentioned in the other two books. It just didn't seem like it was natural, but I guess it did have story flow without holding it up or having something added that didn't make since so in the end it worked out.
I do like how in all the books that the author had all the couples, Winterson and Cecily, Juliet and Deveril, and in the end Maddie and Christian in them which made the story fun when they were in it. I enjoyed how at the end of this book that you even read how Amelia Snow, Cecily's, Juliet's, and Maddie's arch-nemesis turn a new leaf and it makes me wonder if the author has a story planned for her. And in a way I think it would be fun to see how her character grows, from this trilogy and to her own story, and to see the man that would finally sweep her off her feet. I do hope if Ms. Collins does one, that she mentions these guys in it. ;o)
Christian has undertaken a mission from his former commanding officer to investigate a gamester for espionage, who happens to be a friend of Maddie's brother. Christian is informed that they will be attending Mrs. Bailey's he decides to attend to see what information he can gather. So when Maddie enters Mrs. Bailey's with her brother he is not surprised since they become acquainted since his friend, Lucas Dalton the Duke of Winterson courtship with her cousin Cecily, but that doesn't stop him from taking her aside and scolding her for being there...
When a murder takes place and Maddie happens to be the one to find the body and discovers its her brother's friend. After her brother is found to have left Mrs Baily's, people are suspicious that he his involved. Maddie decides to find the murderer to clear her brothers name and since Christian was going to look into it since the person he was gathering in tel about turned up murdered decides to help Maddie and protect her from trouble. Now that they are thrown together, they now face this undeniable attraction for each other that can't be denied. And Maddie wonders if it will turn into a love that her cousins have found with their husbands...
This was a great conclusion to the "Ugly Duckling" trilogy. I really liked Christian's character. He was honest, protective of those who he considers friends and his family, and patient, though Maddie has a way of running his patience thin. And though he disagrees with Maddie's ideas and plans, he knows he wouldn't be able to talk her out of it and decides to make sure he is there to protect her just in case. I like the friendship he has with Winterson and Deveril, and it was fun to see how it developed throughout the trilogy.
I liked Maddie in the first two books. And though I still liked her character, some of the things that she did didn't seem like it was something she would of done. Like her other cousins, she has a stubborn streak when she decides to do something. But unlike Cecily and Juliet, she didn't seem really smart on how she went about to do things, which I didn't really notice when she was mentioned in the other two books. It just didn't seem like it was natural, but I guess it did have story flow without holding it up or having something added that didn't make since so in the end it worked out.
I do like how in all the books that the author had all the couples, Winterson and Cecily, Juliet and Deveril, and in the end Maddie and Christian in them which made the story fun when they were in it. I enjoyed how at the end of this book that you even read how Amelia Snow, Cecily's, Juliet's, and Maddie's arch-nemesis turn a new leaf and it makes me wonder if the author has a story planned for her. And in a way I think it would be fun to see how her character grows, from this trilogy and to her own story, and to see the man that would finally sweep her off her feet. I do hope if Ms. Collins does one, that she mentions these guys in it. ;o)
February 10, 2013
I just finished the book & as silly as it may seem, the first thing I want to comment on is irrelevant to the story & happens at the end. Cecily didn't know that her cat was female....ummmm WHAT?! LMFAO!!! How the hell do you think your cat is male when there isn't a set of furry balls?!?! That just completely baffled me and made me laugh so hard I had to share. A lot of reviews say this wasn't the best in the series, but personally I disagree. I really enjoyed this story. The Hero & heroine are extremely likable. Gresham/Monteith is very appealing to me. He's attractive, intelligent, reads often, protective, chivalrous, & is SILLY/GOOFY! That's probably my favorite part of his character since most heroes are too broody to be silly. I didn't like Madeleine much as Gresham but her intelligence, perception, independence, & determination outweigh the flaws. The chemistry between the two is palpable. They have one of those relationships where anger sparks intense passion & it suits them. The mystery aspect was there but not so overwhelming & unbelievable to take away from the story. The mystery aspect of the story was done really well IMO. Sometimes the mysteries in these type of novels is a little too over the top & seem forced. This was a much simpler deception which made it believable.
Some of the things that bothered me though, I do have a need to share. One of the biggest things that bothered me was the fact that Maddie has her first real kiss & within minutes her boob is out in the breeze & she's being suckled. This is a romance novel so I get that part, my problem lies in the fact that Maddie not ONCE gives it a second thought. Even with everything else going on, it makes sense that something like kisses & booby sucks would occupy some portion of her mind & time considering its never happened to her before. I just thought that a little odd. The other thing that bothered me was her father, he was a HORRIBLE father!!! The way she just kind of accepted it since she's been dealing with it her whole life is ridiculous. Her father had an entire other family, with FOUR effing children!!! He used to take her & her brother there on outings....and NOW in retrospect is when she realizes how difficult it was for her mother?!?! Are you kidding me?!?! Her mother has probably been living in misery & anger for the entirety of her married life & she just now thinks that perhaps her father's douchey ways could effect her mother. Uggghhh, whatever! A part of me thinks that part of the story was COMPLETELY unnecessary. It just seemed to be put there to make her father seem more of an ass than for any real relevance to the story. I know some people have complained about the switching between Gresham & Monteith but I didn't mind. He just got the title & I knew who he was as did everyone else. It's difficult to start calling someone by a new name when you've called him by another his whole life. What DID bother me was when Linton's (James/Jamie) family kept calling him Linton. They're related & have known him his whole life so I feel like they would be more familiar.
Overall, I REALLY liked the third installment of this series. I see she is writing something for Amelia. I'm not sure if its a novella or an actual book but I am anxious to read it & see how she redeems Amelia since she started but I wasn't completely convinced at the end of this book.
Some of the things that bothered me though, I do have a need to share. One of the biggest things that bothered me was the fact that Maddie has her first real kiss & within minutes her boob is out in the breeze & she's being suckled. This is a romance novel so I get that part, my problem lies in the fact that Maddie not ONCE gives it a second thought. Even with everything else going on, it makes sense that something like kisses & booby sucks would occupy some portion of her mind & time considering its never happened to her before. I just thought that a little odd. The other thing that bothered me was her father, he was a HORRIBLE father!!! The way she just kind of accepted it since she's been dealing with it her whole life is ridiculous. Her father had an entire other family, with FOUR effing children!!! He used to take her & her brother there on outings....and NOW in retrospect is when she realizes how difficult it was for her mother?!?! Are you kidding me?!?! Her mother has probably been living in misery & anger for the entirety of her married life & she just now thinks that perhaps her father's douchey ways could effect her mother. Uggghhh, whatever! A part of me thinks that part of the story was COMPLETELY unnecessary. It just seemed to be put there to make her father seem more of an ass than for any real relevance to the story. I know some people have complained about the switching between Gresham & Monteith but I didn't mind. He just got the title & I knew who he was as did everyone else. It's difficult to start calling someone by a new name when you've called him by another his whole life. What DID bother me was when Linton's (James/Jamie) family kept calling him Linton. They're related & have known him his whole life so I feel like they would be more familiar.
Overall, I REALLY liked the third installment of this series. I see she is writing something for Amelia. I'm not sure if its a novella or an actual book but I am anxious to read it & see how she redeems Amelia since she started but I wasn't completely convinced at the end of this book.
February 7, 2013
*** I won this book on Goodreads Free Reads giveaway***
It's been awhile since I read a historical romance and when I saw Manda Collins book I thought it sounded interesting and a nice change of pace. At first the book was boring, but I do have to say that the author was quite historically accurate with language, actions, descriptions, and events. The characters of Maddie and her cousins were coming accross as silly and one dimensional. However, I stuck with it as I've read too many books that didn't immediately hold my attention for various reasons and eventually turned out to be a really good book. This was another such book. By about page 80 (25%) the story got alot more intersting as did the characters. Maddie stopped being so silly and more rational. One of my favorite parts is when she found out Christian has visited a "house of ill repute" and her rational non-typical reaction. I also enjoyed the fact that this book touched on issues that existed historically that we hear about in today's society such as child abuse, domestic violence, addictions, mental health issues, as well as just plain dysfunctional families. The way the author handles these issues is masterful. They are not the main focus or overwhelming, simply existing and realistically affecting the characters and their motivations. I did feel like the resolution to the story was a little rushed at the end, but was still serviceable. If I could talk to the main character Maddie, I would caution her that a partnership with your spouse is not all about doing what they are doing, but also supporting them in other ways. There is no need to be side-by-side with them in all instances, but support can also be in the way you honor their wishes and them honoring yours. Its also about compromise and not always about what you want. I now want to get the previous 2 books of this series.
It's been awhile since I read a historical romance and when I saw Manda Collins book I thought it sounded interesting and a nice change of pace. At first the book was boring, but I do have to say that the author was quite historically accurate with language, actions, descriptions, and events. The characters of Maddie and her cousins were coming accross as silly and one dimensional. However, I stuck with it as I've read too many books that didn't immediately hold my attention for various reasons and eventually turned out to be a really good book. This was another such book. By about page 80 (25%) the story got alot more intersting as did the characters. Maddie stopped being so silly and more rational. One of my favorite parts is when she found out Christian has visited a "house of ill repute" and her rational non-typical reaction. I also enjoyed the fact that this book touched on issues that existed historically that we hear about in today's society such as child abuse, domestic violence, addictions, mental health issues, as well as just plain dysfunctional families. The way the author handles these issues is masterful. They are not the main focus or overwhelming, simply existing and realistically affecting the characters and their motivations. I did feel like the resolution to the story was a little rushed at the end, but was still serviceable. If I could talk to the main character Maddie, I would caution her that a partnership with your spouse is not all about doing what they are doing, but also supporting them in other ways. There is no need to be side-by-side with them in all instances, but support can also be in the way you honor their wishes and them honoring yours. Its also about compromise and not always about what you want. I now want to get the previous 2 books of this series.
March 6, 2013
View more of my review and others at my blog: www.mynotsovacantshelf.blogspot.com
Now this, is an awesome couple. I honestly believe that they are my favourite couple of the three. Maybe it was the Brothel scene, or their first love scene…but it was all pretty awesome. I liked how Maddie wasn’t worried about her reputation even to the point where she willingly goes to a “scandalous” game night with Christian and other people all to save her brother (who doesn’t really deserve it), but she knows the importance of family even when they don’t treat her right. And then in steps Christian, who believes that he needs to protect her because of her connection to his best friend. So basically he starts following her around and starts to like what he sees. I love the type of situations that they willing walk into and I am utterly happy with the way the third novel in the series ended.
Good:
Maddie—Bold, determined, independent. She is a laugh
Christian—A Solider and manly-man at heart he really doesn’t care about his appearance, until a certain lady is involved.
Bad:
In this novel there was still the whole three names issue that I had before. Christian was Christian Monteith, and Gresham and it sometimes got very confusing especially where there were three men, with three different names each. There were also some parts that were lengthy and a little boring.
Overall (Writing style, story line, and general):
Overall I truly enjoyed this novel. I found the characters to be the best yet, and although the same writing style that was in the previous book appeared in this one providing some confusion it didn’t stop the story from being a great romance and a great mystery. And now there is only the small novella left in the series to read!
Now this, is an awesome couple. I honestly believe that they are my favourite couple of the three. Maybe it was the Brothel scene, or their first love scene…but it was all pretty awesome. I liked how Maddie wasn’t worried about her reputation even to the point where she willingly goes to a “scandalous” game night with Christian and other people all to save her brother (who doesn’t really deserve it), but she knows the importance of family even when they don’t treat her right. And then in steps Christian, who believes that he needs to protect her because of her connection to his best friend. So basically he starts following her around and starts to like what he sees. I love the type of situations that they willing walk into and I am utterly happy with the way the third novel in the series ended.
Good:
Maddie—Bold, determined, independent. She is a laugh
Christian—A Solider and manly-man at heart he really doesn’t care about his appearance, until a certain lady is involved.
Bad:
In this novel there was still the whole three names issue that I had before. Christian was Christian Monteith, and Gresham and it sometimes got very confusing especially where there were three men, with three different names each. There were also some parts that were lengthy and a little boring.
Overall (Writing style, story line, and general):
Overall I truly enjoyed this novel. I found the characters to be the best yet, and although the same writing style that was in the previous book appeared in this one providing some confusion it didn’t stop the story from being a great romance and a great mystery. And now there is only the small novella left in the series to read!
Read
March 8, 2013Lady Madeline is on the hunt for information for her novel and isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of society to do that. She convinces her brother to take her along to one of the most notorious hells in London. Little does Madeline know that this night won’t be like anything she’s ever experienced.
Gresham is far from thrilled to see Lady Madeline at the hell with her brother and is even more furious to find her abandoned there when things go terribly wrong. He’s not sure what to think of her, she’s outspoken, she’s adventurous, she’s a writer and doesn’t really care what people think about her – and he feels the need to protect her.
I’m really sad to see this series end! I have really enjoyed seeing how the three friends have found their husbands and their happily ever afters. One of the things I really enjoyed about Manda’s series is the combination of intrigue, scandal, mystery, adventure and romance. Each of the ducklings has quite the adventure to find what they are looking for.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! I really like Manda’s writing style and her characters. I’d love to see more on some of the secondary characters – like Amelia and what happens to her. She’s the ‘bully’ who likes to make things more difficult for the girls and I’m curious where she ends up! Would I read more by this author? In a heart beat!
Gresham is far from thrilled to see Lady Madeline at the hell with her brother and is even more furious to find her abandoned there when things go terribly wrong. He’s not sure what to think of her, she’s outspoken, she’s adventurous, she’s a writer and doesn’t really care what people think about her – and he feels the need to protect her.
I’m really sad to see this series end! I have really enjoyed seeing how the three friends have found their husbands and their happily ever afters. One of the things I really enjoyed about Manda’s series is the combination of intrigue, scandal, mystery, adventure and romance. Each of the ducklings has quite the adventure to find what they are looking for.
Would I recommend this book? Yes! I really like Manda’s writing style and her characters. I’d love to see more on some of the secondary characters – like Amelia and what happens to her. She’s the ‘bully’ who likes to make things more difficult for the girls and I’m curious where she ends up! Would I read more by this author? In a heart beat!
February 1, 2013
this book is the third book of the Ugly ducklings series and although it is not my favorite of this series it is a delightful read.
Maddie the last of the three cousins, who is not married, is maybe the most reasonable but definitely stubborn. She is happy for her cousins but wants only to finish her novel and therefore needs to gain entry to a gambling hall, which her brother provides. there she finds a friend of her brother murdered and this starts a series of conflicts and events.
Christian is a war hero and still working for the Home Office. He is easy going on the outside but very dedicated on the inside.
I loved both characters and although their romance was not so expressiv as in the other two books, they were perfectly matched. the relationship centers on the development and the growth of their feelings for each other and you can feel the trust building. the fact that they had no real misunderstandings was a great relief to me.
the book is more centered on the mystery than on the romance side, which is a little bit disappointing. especially as you have little insights on when Christian really recognized his love for Maddie.
Overall this book is beautifully written and has everything a good book needs: romance, humor and a good storyline. Manda Collings is definitely on my to read-list and I am looking forward to her next book.
Maddie the last of the three cousins, who is not married, is maybe the most reasonable but definitely stubborn. She is happy for her cousins but wants only to finish her novel and therefore needs to gain entry to a gambling hall, which her brother provides. there she finds a friend of her brother murdered and this starts a series of conflicts and events.
Christian is a war hero and still working for the Home Office. He is easy going on the outside but very dedicated on the inside.
I loved both characters and although their romance was not so expressiv as in the other two books, they were perfectly matched. the relationship centers on the development and the growth of their feelings for each other and you can feel the trust building. the fact that they had no real misunderstandings was a great relief to me.
the book is more centered on the mystery than on the romance side, which is a little bit disappointing. especially as you have little insights on when Christian really recognized his love for Maddie.
Overall this book is beautifully written and has everything a good book needs: romance, humor and a good storyline. Manda Collings is definitely on my to read-list and I am looking forward to her next book.
January 30, 2013
A really enjoyable conclusion to the Ugly Ducklings series from Manda Collins. I had actually (somehow) missed book two in this series so I had some confusion on discussions between characters concerning past events so that leads me to think these would be enjoyed even more if they are read in order. Lady Madeline will do anything to help clear her brother of possible murder charges, even team up with Lord Christian. There has always been an underlining attraction between them that neither of them wanted to act on but as they are thrown together in their investigation they can no longer deny the sparks. I really enjoyed how the story developed, there wasn’t any insta-lust, but a gradual build. Like when you start to look at a friend through new eyes and realize that there’s just something about them. I enjoyed the overall mystery and secondary characters. There were some minor plot points that threw me off like Outside of that, enjoyable read!
July 2, 2013
Manda Collins is nice and steady and that kind of writing wins the race.
Although she may not blow my mind with touching declarations of love or profound characters, there is something delightful about sitting back with a book that will be just the right touch of satisfying.
The Earl of Gresham is on the lookout- his position in the Home Office has him scanning the crowds of certain ton members for illegal Bonapartist behavior. The problem is that Madeline- a close friend of the Earl's- is doing some snooping of her own. Suddenly, her curiosity is shifting Christian's curiosity and so begins an elusive journey towards love and justice.
I do enjoy a book with repeat characters and to my delight, Cecilia joins us with her ducal husband for the escapades of Christian as he tries to rein in the ever-wild Madeline. There's a fair amount of impressive twists and turns as the two love birds uncover not loyal Bonapartist traitors but a cold-blooded killer.
Pick it up for a quick read.
Although she may not blow my mind with touching declarations of love or profound characters, there is something delightful about sitting back with a book that will be just the right touch of satisfying.
The Earl of Gresham is on the lookout- his position in the Home Office has him scanning the crowds of certain ton members for illegal Bonapartist behavior. The problem is that Madeline- a close friend of the Earl's- is doing some snooping of her own. Suddenly, her curiosity is shifting Christian's curiosity and so begins an elusive journey towards love and justice.
I do enjoy a book with repeat characters and to my delight, Cecilia joins us with her ducal husband for the escapades of Christian as he tries to rein in the ever-wild Madeline. There's a fair amount of impressive twists and turns as the two love birds uncover not loyal Bonapartist traitors but a cold-blooded killer.
Pick it up for a quick read.
August 19, 2014
Maddie is very outspoken and determined to do research for her novel, even though its not right for unmarried ladies of the ton. She manages to persuade her brother to attend a gaming house but soon ends up in a mystery where Christian has become involved and tries to save her from doing anything too outrageous.
The mystery that involves her brother keeps bringing her together with Christian and she has to fight her attraction to him but the more time they spend together it becomes too much and it becomes the better of them.
I really Maddie as she another determined young lady that wants to protect her brother and also live her life out of strict rules that unmarried ladies have to live by. Both her and Christian are brilliant together and you can see the relationship blossoming even though they argue and bicker about mystery they are trying to solve.
Another good book for Manda Collins.
The mystery that involves her brother keeps bringing her together with Christian and she has to fight her attraction to him but the more time they spend together it becomes too much and it becomes the better of them.
I really Maddie as she another determined young lady that wants to protect her brother and also live her life out of strict rules that unmarried ladies have to live by. Both her and Christian are brilliant together and you can see the relationship blossoming even though they argue and bicker about mystery they are trying to solve.
Another good book for Manda Collins.
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