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Royal Entourage #4
The Once and Future Duchess
A duchess in time saves a noble line...
In theory, the Duke of Candover is the most eligible peer in the realm. But in truth, he has a deep aversion to the merest hint of marriage, not to mention two botched engagements which have marked his jaded soul. Now, after a debauched bachelor party that causes public outcry, the Prince Regent is demanding that it's Candover's turn to be brought to heel. And Prinny secretly believes that Isabelle Tremont, the Duchess of March, is precisely the lady up to the challenge.
Isabelle must marry, but a day of reckoning with the man she's loved for years is her greatest fear. If Candover insists she's too young and innocent for a seasoned world-weary man like him, there's no shortage of other candidates. Gentlemen of prestige and position. Gentlemen whose attentions are driving Candover to jealous distraction. Yet one abandoned moment under the stars hints that if they can put aside pride and duty, then a love once denied might just be their destiny.
In theory, the Duke of Candover is the most eligible peer in the realm. But in truth, he has a deep aversion to the merest hint of marriage, not to mention two botched engagements which have marked his jaded soul. Now, after a debauched bachelor party that causes public outcry, the Prince Regent is demanding that it's Candover's turn to be brought to heel. And Prinny secretly believes that Isabelle Tremont, the Duchess of March, is precisely the lady up to the challenge.
Isabelle must marry, but a day of reckoning with the man she's loved for years is her greatest fear. If Candover insists she's too young and innocent for a seasoned world-weary man like him, there's no shortage of other candidates. Gentlemen of prestige and position. Gentlemen whose attentions are driving Candover to jealous distraction. Yet one abandoned moment under the stars hints that if they can put aside pride and duty, then a love once denied might just be their destiny.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 27, 2014
91 people are currently reading
591 people want to read
About the author
Sophia Nash
17 books269 followersSophia Nash’s novels have won almost two dozen national awards including the prestigious RITA Award and two spots on the American Library Association's “Top Ten Romances of the Year.” Sophia was born in Switzerland, raised in France and the United States, but says her heart resides in Regency England. Her ancestor, an infamous French admiral who traded epic cannon fire with the British Royal Navy, is surely turning in his grave. Before pursuing her long held dream of writing Historicals, Sophia was an award winning television producer for CBS, a congressional speechwriter, and a nonprofit CEO.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
September 22, 2017
“You are wrong, James,” she said quietly.
“Passion is not just about suffering.
I think it’s a gift,
whether it’s a passion for something or someone.
It’s to be embraced—experienced.
To be explored.
To be cherished.
Sometimes frustrating,
sometimes even sad, yes,
but still it’s too rare to squander.
Life is not meant to be lived in muddy grays.
Passion in life brings color and vibrancy.”
May 9, 2014
This is a series I'm invested in and I love every book that has come out so far. It was a long wait for this book, Isabel's book, and I had intended to read it slowly -- to savor it and prolong my enjoyment of it. But Isabel's story demanded a faster pace from me: she is being pressured by the Prince Regent to marry, and marry soon, and she has also been tasked by His Royal Highness to oversee the reform and marriage of the rest of the Royal Entourage: the Duke of Candover, the Duke of Sussex, and the Duke of Barry.
She thought to hit two birds with one stone by proposing marriage to the Duke of Candover, a long-time friend of her late father and her de facto adviser. Isabel also happens to be in love with the James, which makes the whole marriage easier for her to swallow, but James rejects her proposal and she searches elsewhere. Using a very useful list that the Prince Regent has prepared for her, but the Duke of Candover cannot help but feel ... irritated with the turn of events. He cares for Isabel, but a promise to her late father to see her married to a man much closer to her age makes him ineligible for her hand. To entertain the thought of marrying her would mean betraying the promises he made to her father. However, the thought of anyone else with Isabel is just as unacceptable to him.
This is a book that made me go "wow" in the early chapters. There is great chemistry between James and Isabel -- it's something that's just there between the two of them. Isabel hasn't really expressed her feelings explicitly, but James has an idea of her esteem. James feels it, but never shows it to Isabel. It's so polite!
James has a reputation for being too serious, too stoic, too formal -- he never show emotions and is a stickler for protocol. He's also had a dead fiancé, and another one that he jilted at the altar, so marriage is the last thing on James's mind.
Isabel is very young, but she has an old soul. She's a duchess in her own right and manages her duchy very well. I love the idea of her being in the Royal Entourage, this lady who wields the same power as the rest of the gentlemen. She has wisdom, experience and insight beyond her years, but, while she has the highest title in the land and can afford anything she wants, the one man she desperately wants has refused her. She has a list of names from her "secret" pen pal (the Prince), and it reveals a really charming side to Isabel: she is innocent in the ways of the world, but she is also incredibly astute and observant.
This is not a story about two characters falling in love. They are already in love -- it's a matter of acting on the feeling. But, there's love, and there's also honour and duty -- and one has to make a choice which one supersedes the rest. In the case of dukes and duchesses, so much and so many depend on them to make the right decisions. James has chosen duty, and Isabel has chosen love. I was so excited whenever Isabel and James were in the same room/place: I loved how they talked to each other, I loved how they argued with each other. There is just so, so much pent-up passion between the two and I kept waiting for it to break out to the surface.
* * *
Nash also introduces Isabel's younger cousin, Calliope Little, who steals a lot of the scenes in this novel and has the best lines, I think. I really, really hope Nash writes about her -- even a small novella or a full-length novel. I really just want to read more of her!
One duke in a story is amazing. Two interacting in the same story is awesome, but three is a bit mindblowing. As this is the last book in the series (and I wish it wasn't) Nash also resolves the story of the Duke of Sussex and hints at the Duke of Barry's happy ending. I was very satisfied with how Nash was able to unite these three storylines into a cohesive story ... But it leads me to wishing, wanting to read more about them. Nash has enchanted me and reeled me into this dizzyingly fun world and I have fallen in love with her dukes and duchess (and Prince) and her wonderful way of mixing humour with insight ... And I'm afraid to let go of that and of them.
I really don't want this series to end! (The only silver lining is that, it means Sophia Nash will be writing something new ... hopefully soon? ^_^)
Disclosure: I received this ARC via Edelweiss. Thank you to Sophia Nash, and Avon for the opportunity! Yes, this is an honest review.
She thought to hit two birds with one stone by proposing marriage to the Duke of Candover, a long-time friend of her late father and her de facto adviser. Isabel also happens to be in love with the James, which makes the whole marriage easier for her to swallow, but James rejects her proposal and she searches elsewhere. Using a very useful list that the Prince Regent has prepared for her, but the Duke of Candover cannot help but feel ... irritated with the turn of events. He cares for Isabel, but a promise to her late father to see her married to a man much closer to her age makes him ineligible for her hand. To entertain the thought of marrying her would mean betraying the promises he made to her father. However, the thought of anyone else with Isabel is just as unacceptable to him.
This is a book that made me go "wow" in the early chapters. There is great chemistry between James and Isabel -- it's something that's just there between the two of them. Isabel hasn't really expressed her feelings explicitly, but James has an idea of her esteem. James feels it, but never shows it to Isabel. It's so polite!
He looked down at her now bowed head. She loosened the ribbons of her elegant bonnet and allowed it to fall down her back -- at the end of its tied ribbons. The shiny brown coils of her luxurious hair gleamed in the rays of sunlight. Without thinking, James silently removed one glove and reached toward the crown of her head. His fingers, a hairbreadth away from her sleek head, stopped. He could feel warmth radiating from her -- so close yet so far.
And in that moment he imagined the beauty of the life he would have if he had been allowed to close the distance between them. He willed her to glance up at him, but she did not.
The shadow of a raven passed overhead and cawed its displeasure.
He returned his hand to its proper place by his side.
- loc 508
James has a reputation for being too serious, too stoic, too formal -- he never show emotions and is a stickler for protocol. He's also had a dead fiancé, and another one that he jilted at the altar, so marriage is the last thing on James's mind.
Isabel is very young, but she has an old soul. She's a duchess in her own right and manages her duchy very well. I love the idea of her being in the Royal Entourage, this lady who wields the same power as the rest of the gentlemen. She has wisdom, experience and insight beyond her years, but, while she has the highest title in the land and can afford anything she wants, the one man she desperately wants has refused her. She has a list of names from her "secret" pen pal (the Prince), and it reveals a really charming side to Isabel: she is innocent in the ways of the world, but she is also incredibly astute and observant.
This is not a story about two characters falling in love. They are already in love -- it's a matter of acting on the feeling. But, there's love, and there's also honour and duty -- and one has to make a choice which one supersedes the rest. In the case of dukes and duchesses, so much and so many depend on them to make the right decisions. James has chosen duty, and Isabel has chosen love. I was so excited whenever Isabel and James were in the same room/place: I loved how they talked to each other, I loved how they argued with each other. There is just so, so much pent-up passion between the two and I kept waiting for it to break out to the surface.
Just once she wished ... just once she wanted him to kiss her. She did not want to kiss Lord Whiskers or Mr. Cocksure. She wanted to look into the depths of this man's mysterious brown eyes and share something wicked and intimate. And she wanted desperately for him to know her. As a woman, and not as the child he thought she still was.
- loc 948
* * *
She had the most expressive eyes. They were a pale golden colour. Highly unusual and not unlike a lioness. And her mass of shiny, lovely brown hair. Not as dark as his own, but a beautiful lighter shade. more like maple that shone in the -- Lord, since when had he attempted poetry? And at this moment? Across from a demented tonsured religious? The madhouse was in his future.
- loc 2168
Nash also introduces Isabel's younger cousin, Calliope Little, who steals a lot of the scenes in this novel and has the best lines, I think. I really, really hope Nash writes about her -- even a small novella or a full-length novel. I really just want to read more of her!
"I will not wait another moment," Calliope said sharply. "There are four reasons. One" -- she held up her index finger 00 "it's been twenty seven minutes -- well beyond protocol. Two" -- up went a second digit -- "she's not supposed to be alone with any man unless they are engaged. Even then it's not allowed, although many companions just look the other way. I'm not one of those." She took a breath and help up the third finger. "Three, I want to know what's going on. I'd wager it's no good. And lastly, no one should be made to sit in a chamber without a single thing to do or see." She stared daggers at the butler. "I told you I preferred a room with curiosities."
- loc 605
One duke in a story is amazing. Two interacting in the same story is awesome, but three is a bit mindblowing. As this is the last book in the series (and I wish it wasn't) Nash also resolves the story of the Duke of Sussex and hints at the Duke of Barry's happy ending. I was very satisfied with how Nash was able to unite these three storylines into a cohesive story ... But it leads me to wishing, wanting to read more about them. Nash has enchanted me and reeled me into this dizzyingly fun world and I have fallen in love with her dukes and duchess (and Prince) and her wonderful way of mixing humour with insight ... And I'm afraid to let go of that and of them.
I really don't want this series to end! (The only silver lining is that, it means Sophia Nash will be writing something new ... hopefully soon? ^_^)
Disclosure: I received this ARC via Edelweiss. Thank you to Sophia Nash, and Avon for the opportunity! Yes, this is an honest review.
July 10, 2015
This was a fun read, part of series involving a boatload of dukes, and one duchess (featured here).
The plotline reminds me of G. Heyer's Bath Tangle with three couples mismatched but able to sort themselves out to be with their true loves in the end. Here, the obstacles arise from promises made, feelings ignored, bad timing and black-out, WTF did I do-style inebriation. The heroine is a duchess in her own right, only 18 but in the cross hairs of a meddling Prince Regent/fairy Godfather who is forcing the ducal 'entourage' of this series to sober up and settle down before the masses get so disgusted they revolt to overthrow the monarchy as in France. There's also a ridiculously precocious 14-year bookworm cousin set up as the duchess' companion, which clanked false to me, but she served as the bracing, omniscient brat in the plot and had some of the best lines throughout.
It was a fun read for an evening, with a lot going on at all times and a big cast of characters suffering unrequited or misdirected love. And this first taste definitely gave me a hankering for the other dukes' stories. The writing was spritely and zipped right along, too. (I enjoyed J. Quinn and T. Dare in this style of story far more but it's great to add another author to my TBR list, yeah!)
That said, I found Mr. or Ms. Malaprop's mediocre editing distracting. For instance, the remote, unemotional duke is letting go and really kissing the forbidden duchess: "his eyes were stark against his bronzed face and filled with palatable need."
Tasty? Wrong but very funny.
His yearning would've been more touching, if it had been palpable. A lot of near misses in language like that threw me or made me laugh at the wrong times. Those things should have been corrected in the professional publishing process. SN deserves better editing.
The plotline reminds me of G. Heyer's Bath Tangle with three couples mismatched but able to sort themselves out to be with their true loves in the end. Here, the obstacles arise from promises made, feelings ignored, bad timing and black-out, WTF did I do-style inebriation. The heroine is a duchess in her own right, only 18 but in the cross hairs of a meddling Prince Regent/fairy Godfather who is forcing the ducal 'entourage' of this series to sober up and settle down before the masses get so disgusted they revolt to overthrow the monarchy as in France. There's also a ridiculously precocious 14-year bookworm cousin set up as the duchess' companion, which clanked false to me, but she served as the bracing, omniscient brat in the plot and had some of the best lines throughout.
It was a fun read for an evening, with a lot going on at all times and a big cast of characters suffering unrequited or misdirected love. And this first taste definitely gave me a hankering for the other dukes' stories. The writing was spritely and zipped right along, too. (I enjoyed J. Quinn and T. Dare in this style of story far more but it's great to add another author to my TBR list, yeah!)
That said, I found Mr. or Ms. Malaprop's mediocre editing distracting. For instance, the remote, unemotional duke is letting go and really kissing the forbidden duchess: "his eyes were stark against his bronzed face and filled with palatable need."
Tasty? Wrong but very funny.
His yearning would've been more touching, if it had been palpable. A lot of near misses in language like that threw me or made me laugh at the wrong times. Those things should have been corrected in the professional publishing process. SN deserves better editing.
June 5, 2014
An enjoyable, sweet romance, The Once and Future Duchess was a lovely read. It wasn't perfect, but it was a good read and I liked it.
Isabelle was a wonderful heroine. She was strong and independent and not afraid to go after what she wanted. And, she wasn't going to let anyone try to rule her, even the duke she loved. I thought she was a lovely, likable character.
Candover was frustrating for me. On one hand, he was sweet when he wanted to be, fiercely loyal to those he cared about, and his troubled past gave understandable reason to any flaws. On the other hand, he got hung up on the stupidest things when it came to considering marriage with Isabelle and he was SO stubborn about it. Not only was it annoying, but it ultimately slowed the plot down. Despite my annoyance, though, I was okay with him, overall.
The romance was...okay. The problem was that it moved...so...slowly. It took so long for Candover to even begin let go of his reservations and it made the book feel like it was going in circles, until Isabelle decided she'd had enough and Candover finally decided to step up, which were both very late in the book. But, I still thought they were a perfect match, once stubbornness stopped separating them. And, they certainly had chemistry between them. I thought they were a good couple.
There was a secondary romance involved (and a somewhat tertiary one) with Amelia and the Duke of Sussex. I thought it was sweet and all, but it needed more development. It felt like it went from Sussex hating Amelia for what she did, to him suddenly loving her. There needed to be much more of a bridge between those two. So, I thought it was good, but it could have been better.
The plot was well paced and, despite any issued I had, I was still kept interested the entire way through. Any issues I had were frustrating, but not enough to keep me from liking the book. I enjoyed the story and I thought the ending was sweet.
The Once and Future Duchess was a lovely historical romance. Despite its faults, it was ultimately an enjoyable read that I quite liked. Romance lovers, you might want to check this book out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Isabelle was a wonderful heroine. She was strong and independent and not afraid to go after what she wanted. And, she wasn't going to let anyone try to rule her, even the duke she loved. I thought she was a lovely, likable character.
Candover was frustrating for me. On one hand, he was sweet when he wanted to be, fiercely loyal to those he cared about, and his troubled past gave understandable reason to any flaws. On the other hand, he got hung up on the stupidest things when it came to considering marriage with Isabelle and he was SO stubborn about it. Not only was it annoying, but it ultimately slowed the plot down. Despite my annoyance, though, I was okay with him, overall.
The romance was...okay. The problem was that it moved...so...slowly. It took so long for Candover to even begin let go of his reservations and it made the book feel like it was going in circles, until Isabelle decided she'd had enough and Candover finally decided to step up, which were both very late in the book. But, I still thought they were a perfect match, once stubbornness stopped separating them. And, they certainly had chemistry between them. I thought they were a good couple.
There was a secondary romance involved (and a somewhat tertiary one) with Amelia and the Duke of Sussex. I thought it was sweet and all, but it needed more development. It felt like it went from Sussex hating Amelia for what she did, to him suddenly loving her. There needed to be much more of a bridge between those two. So, I thought it was good, but it could have been better.
The plot was well paced and, despite any issued I had, I was still kept interested the entire way through. Any issues I had were frustrating, but not enough to keep me from liking the book. I enjoyed the story and I thought the ending was sweet.
The Once and Future Duchess was a lovely historical romance. Despite its faults, it was ultimately an enjoyable read that I quite liked. Romance lovers, you might want to check this book out.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
December 5, 2021
3 stars
The primary couple didn’t get together until there were literally 4 minutes left in the audiobook (and 45 of those seconds were for end matter. Just not my taste at all.
There was a secondary couple who got a decent amount of page time. I don’t mind this in theory (there’s a Courtney Milan book that does it super well). But it doesn’t work for me here. I just didn’t care about them, and didn’t buy them being in love at all.
I do wonder if I would have enjoyed this more if I’d read the rest of the series. It’s all set up from a single disastrous night several months earlier, which I assume was depicted in book 1, and I think having seen that inciting even would have helped.
I did enjoy the presence of the Prince Regent. I feel like he’s never acknowledged in regency romances, and his meddling was fun (almost taking the stubborn society matron rile).
Contains: age gap (18f, 30m), duchess in her own right, precocious teen companion, friends to lovers, dad’s friend, house party
CW: gun violence, extreme drunkenness
2/5🔥(1 scene)
The primary couple didn’t get together until there were literally 4 minutes left in the audiobook (and 45 of those seconds were for end matter. Just not my taste at all.
There was a secondary couple who got a decent amount of page time. I don’t mind this in theory (there’s a Courtney Milan book that does it super well). But it doesn’t work for me here. I just didn’t care about them, and didn’t buy them being in love at all.
I do wonder if I would have enjoyed this more if I’d read the rest of the series. It’s all set up from a single disastrous night several months earlier, which I assume was depicted in book 1, and I think having seen that inciting even would have helped.
I did enjoy the presence of the Prince Regent. I feel like he’s never acknowledged in regency romances, and his meddling was fun (almost taking the stubborn society matron rile).
Contains: age gap (18f, 30m), duchess in her own right, precocious teen companion, friends to lovers, dad’s friend, house party
CW: gun violence, extreme drunkenness
2/5🔥(1 scene)
April 18, 2019
2.5 stars.
September 23, 2020
I really liked this book. I'm pretty new to the "historical romance" genre, so I'm still getting used to the terms and setting. This was a fun read. The romance was cute, but it could've been developed a little bit more. Also, the ending was rushed. I wanted to see more of the couple together.
June 22, 2014
Isabelle Tremont, the Duchess of March, lost her parents some years before leaving no other heir but her. While only 18-years-old, she is a very intelligent and self-assured young woman with every capability to run her estate.
James is the Duke of Candover is a handsome, wealthy and extremely confident man running his estate with utter perfection. At age 31, he is not interested in getting married. He was engaged twice, both with disastrous results.
The Prince Regent has decided that it is time that both James and Isabelle find spouses. While James tends to somewhat ignore this directive, Isabelle is certainly feeling the pressure. She decides to propose to James only to be rebuffed due to her young age. Little did she know that James was also following her father's request that he never marry her. Hurt, but still determined to accept the Prince's edict, she continues with her search for a husband.
The romance is sweet even though it's hard to believe that an 18-year-old can be as mature as Isabelle is portrayed. In addition, James needed a swift kick to crack his too-cool and too-perfect exterior.
This was the fourth book in the Irresistible Royal Entourage Series and, unfortunately, I often find myself grabbing a book in the middle of a series with which I am unfamiliar. I understand that many authors like to write series, however, I wish each book was clearly designated as such so the reader doesn't end up jumping into confusion. I would suggest readers start this series with the books in succession:
"Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea"
"The Art of Duke Hunting"
"The Duke Diaries"
"The Once and Future Duchess"
James is the Duke of Candover is a handsome, wealthy and extremely confident man running his estate with utter perfection. At age 31, he is not interested in getting married. He was engaged twice, both with disastrous results.
The Prince Regent has decided that it is time that both James and Isabelle find spouses. While James tends to somewhat ignore this directive, Isabelle is certainly feeling the pressure. She decides to propose to James only to be rebuffed due to her young age. Little did she know that James was also following her father's request that he never marry her. Hurt, but still determined to accept the Prince's edict, she continues with her search for a husband.
The romance is sweet even though it's hard to believe that an 18-year-old can be as mature as Isabelle is portrayed. In addition, James needed a swift kick to crack his too-cool and too-perfect exterior.
This was the fourth book in the Irresistible Royal Entourage Series and, unfortunately, I often find myself grabbing a book in the middle of a series with which I am unfamiliar. I understand that many authors like to write series, however, I wish each book was clearly designated as such so the reader doesn't end up jumping into confusion. I would suggest readers start this series with the books in succession:
"Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea"
"The Art of Duke Hunting"
"The Duke Diaries"
"The Once and Future Duchess"
November 11, 2014
RD: May. 27, 2014.
I didn't enjoy the book unlike I did with previous books. What had happened? *cricket cricket* Anyway, I read the first chapter. Is the writing style always like so or I just noticed? Coz I found I didn't like it. I skimmed most of it because it was boring. Only stopped at some scenes that worth the attention. Lastly, settled on the i-love-yous and there... a HEA. I'm glad. Read on your own peril.
I didn't enjoy the book unlike I did with previous books. What had happened? *cricket cricket* Anyway, I read the first chapter. Is the writing style always like so or I just noticed? Coz I found I didn't like it. I skimmed most of it because it was boring. Only stopped at some scenes that worth the attention. Lastly, settled on the i-love-yous and there... a HEA. I'm glad. Read on your own peril.
October 3, 2017
I was back and forth with this book. I like the chemistry between Isabelle & James but again it happened all of sudden, the culmination of events. Isabelle needs to marry, per Prinny's request, and being a duchess she has a list. But she is in love with James Fitzroy, a duke as well, and knowing him from childhood makes the history even deeper. She tells James she loves him and offers marriage and he turns her down. But as they are brought together and she starts looking at other candidates, James experiences jealousy. He is so guarded cause of secrets from his past. But he also doesn't see Isabelle beyond his sister's friend. She has to turn that mindset.
This story has the potential, and I read it in 2 days so I did enjoy it BUT the culmination of him figuring out his feelings literally at her wedding was a bit much. I mean this all happened in a chapter. It seemed abrupt from the slow progress of their relationship. There was no urgency for the whole book, then all of a sudden there was so much urgency. Very unbalanced.
This story has the potential, and I read it in 2 days so I did enjoy it BUT the culmination of him figuring out his feelings literally at her wedding was a bit much. I mean this all happened in a chapter. It seemed abrupt from the slow progress of their relationship. There was no urgency for the whole book, then all of a sudden there was so much urgency. Very unbalanced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2019
The Duke of Candover is the premier duke in the realm while Isabelle Tremont is a Duchess in her own right. She's twelve years younger than James Fitzroy, but has been in love with him for years. While he's attracted to her also, he thinks she needs to find a match in someone her own age.
I really liked the first two books in this series, but I think the last two ran out of steam. This one has the same problem as the last; there are too many couples trying to match up and too many storylines. It's not necessarily confusing, but I found it hard to focus on the main couple when some of the other romances were more interesting. The ending was cliche. The writing is still fun and there's a lot of humor, but I wish the author concentrated the story on Isabelle and James.
I really liked the first two books in this series, but I think the last two ran out of steam. This one has the same problem as the last; there are too many couples trying to match up and too many storylines. It's not necessarily confusing, but I found it hard to focus on the main couple when some of the other romances were more interesting. The ending was cliche. The writing is still fun and there's a lot of humor, but I wish the author concentrated the story on Isabelle and James.
April 16, 2019
The people who needed to talk to each each other don’t—usually it’s just one or two couples but here it’s multiple couples. The “hero” has very little to like about him, other than the heroine has been in love with him forever (as she’s now at the ripe old age of 18—granted, for the time a ‘necessary’ marrying age for the gentry, but really...). The only person with any real sense is a 14 year-old girl with the unfortunate name of Calliope Little. Maybe I just wasn’t in the right frame of mind for this one—there were some parts that made me laugh—but...
June 7, 2020
I loved this story. I loved the idea of a duchess running her duchy without a male counterpart, and the strength of the heroine's belief in herself and the power of love. The Duke she marries does not quite deserve her imo, but the a wonderful twist at the end had me cheering.
There are clearly others in this series and they are in my TBR. There are many, many charachetrs in this story to love. I think my favourite was the young Calliope, the heroine's cousin. I do hope she has a story of her own out soon.
There are clearly others in this series and they are in my TBR. There are many, many charachetrs in this story to love. I think my favourite was the young Calliope, the heroine's cousin. I do hope she has a story of her own out soon.
October 18, 2017
I didn't read the other three books prior to this one; however this one seemed as a stand-alone. You wanted to shake the Duke of Candover several times. I envision that scene where someone is being slapped with "pull yourself together" being chanted. There were a few plot twists, but nothing that came from left field. It was a quick read.
August 12, 2019
OK so this is a typical historical romance. It's not better and it's not worse but for some reason there was a particular description during a sex scene that I total got stuck on : hot velvet in rain. Because that sounds like it would feel really disgusting. Not sexy like ever. It was just ewwww.
July 18, 2017
This was so so cute! And strangely, the dukedom passes to a woman. No a male relative. The daughter. She is a Duchess by both, not by marriage. Unbelievable! But I am very glad to read that. If only for the fantasy of it.
The story itself is pretty cute.
The story itself is pretty cute.
August 4, 2017
What a story!
This was beautifully done I loved all the characters almost afraid it wasn't going to come out right heat level a 4! Very happy with this but I like this softer now I have to go back and read the other three
This was beautifully done I loved all the characters almost afraid it wasn't going to come out right heat level a 4! Very happy with this but I like this softer now I have to go back and read the other three
April 8, 2019
Ok ok it was heartwarming g
Story took the long route it’s secrets adults with unloved souls and love hurdles galore. In the end in the glory of arms Robinson and the last ditch interruption of a marriage a love match is made
Story took the long route it’s secrets adults with unloved souls and love hurdles galore. In the end in the glory of arms Robinson and the last ditch interruption of a marriage a love match is made
August 16, 2019
First book I’ve read by this author. Your standard noble but cynical hero and naive but passionately independent heroine fight the obvious fact that they belong together. Not a lot happens. Unimpressive.
November 5, 2023
I somehow started this series from the last book but if the other books are as good as this one, I’ll absolutely eat it up. I rooted for every couple in this especially James and Isabelle. This had me giggling and kicking my feet.
July 19, 2017
For Pride and Prejudice fans, this is a nice regency summer read.
November 6, 2017
Liked this quite a lot in spite of the overabundance of dukes and a lack of understanding of the laws of primogeniture. The characters drew me in and I cared very much how the story resolved.
January 18, 2018
Would have been four stars if not for the ending, which I obviously won't spoil. I also hope there's a book in the works for the wonderful and worldly Calliope Little!
June 8, 2018
I enjoyed this. It was funny and the consequences of a bachelor party gone wrong was different.
March 11, 2019
3 stars - Historical Romance
April 11, 2019
The writing was a little clunky. There were too many characters to keep track of.
August 14, 2019
I liked the humor. The romance was kind of lacking though.
September 30, 2019
DNF due to 12 year age difference
October 30, 2019
This was like opening the pantry and finding all the ingredients to make a great lunch—and then realizing everything is expired. Had all the makings of a good book but it fell flat.
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