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How To #1
How to Beguile a Duke
The spirited Catherine Malboeuf has just arrived in England to reclaim her ancestral home, Walsley Manor, and a valuable missing heirloom. Nicholas Adair, the attractive and frustratingly inflexible Duke of Boulstridge, however, is quite unwilling to sell the estate back to Catherine. Unless, of course, she accepts a small wager...
Nick will sell Walsley Manor if—and only if—Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.
Of course, Nick is certain he'll win. After all, no proper gentleman would ever marry a woman who conceals a cutlass in her skirts. Yet something about Catherine's unconventional disposition seems to ignite a need deep inside him. A need that won't just cost him the wager, but the very heart he swore to never give away...
Nick will sell Walsley Manor if—and only if—Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.
Of course, Nick is certain he'll win. After all, no proper gentleman would ever marry a woman who conceals a cutlass in her skirts. Yet something about Catherine's unconventional disposition seems to ignite a need deep inside him. A need that won't just cost him the wager, but the very heart he swore to never give away...
264 pages, ebook
First published December 8, 2014
66 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Ally Broadfield
11 books213 followersAlly has worked as a horse trainer, director of marketing and development, freelance proofreader, and a children's librarian, among other things. None of them were as awesome as writing romance novels (though the librarian gig came closest). She lives in Texas and is convinced her house is shrinking, possibly because she shares it with three kids, five dogs, a cat, a rabbit, and assorted reptiles. Oh, and her husband.
Ally likes to curse in Russian because very few people know what she's saying, and spends most of what would be her spare time letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She has many stories in her head looking for an opportunity to escape onto paper. She writes historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia.
You can find Ally on her website, Facebook, and Twitter, though she makes no claims of using any of them properly.
Ally likes to curse in Russian because very few people know what she's saying, and spends most of what would be her spare time letting dogs in and out of the house and shuttling kids around. She has many stories in her head looking for an opportunity to escape onto paper. She writes historical romance set in Regency England and Imperial Russia.
You can find Ally on her website, Facebook, and Twitter, though she makes no claims of using any of them properly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 3, 2019
Bleh. It was ok. The romance happened all of the sudden. I felt like they were just phoning it in.
March 6, 2015
It has been years since I read any historical romance novels, so when I read the blurb of this book and found it intriguing, I decided to give it a go.
Catherine Malboeuf, the daughter of a French man (falsely known as a pirate) and an English woman, grew up with nightly stories of her great-grandmother's tiara. Armed with those stories and the hopes of finding her great-grandmother's journal to find the hidden tiara, she embarks on a journey to England to find it (the tiara), and reclaim ownership of her mother's childhood home, Walsley Manor.
Nicholas Adair, the Duke of Boulstridge, is the stubborn owner of Walsley Manor, having bought it after Catherine mother's cousin managed to get in debt and it was taken by the government.
A lot happens in this book, and I was glad there was no insta-love. Lots of mystery and twists, so it isn't really just a romance novel, which I was pleased about.
If you are looking for a romance/mystery book, set in historical and has a regency/victorian era air to it, this is a great one to read.
*This arc was kindly provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Catherine Malboeuf, the daughter of a French man (falsely known as a pirate) and an English woman, grew up with nightly stories of her great-grandmother's tiara. Armed with those stories and the hopes of finding her great-grandmother's journal to find the hidden tiara, she embarks on a journey to England to find it (the tiara), and reclaim ownership of her mother's childhood home, Walsley Manor.
Nicholas Adair, the Duke of Boulstridge, is the stubborn owner of Walsley Manor, having bought it after Catherine mother's cousin managed to get in debt and it was taken by the government.
A lot happens in this book, and I was glad there was no insta-love. Lots of mystery and twists, so it isn't really just a romance novel, which I was pleased about.
If you are looking for a romance/mystery book, set in historical and has a regency/victorian era air to it, this is a great one to read.
*This arc was kindly provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 8, 2014
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!
Catherine is something else. She's certainly no lady, at least she doesn't act like one! Nick, the Duke, knows how ladies should act, and none of the ones he's met ever had a cutlass in their skirt.
She's pretty intriguing that way. He never knows what she's going to do next. Catherine really tries to be the perfect lady, but she slips every now and then. She takes her shoes off every chance she gets! She's also been known to slip in through a window. Yes, definitely not a lady. She makes an offer on her ancestral home,that he has bought and refurbished, and he refuses. After seeing the cutlass, Nick makes a wager. If she gets a marriage proposal from an upstanding member of the ton, he'll let her have the estate.
These two dance around their urges over and over again. That's always fun to read...wondering which will fall first! He keeps saving her from committing an unforgivable faux pas while in public, and he's hard pressed to keep her reputation from falling into tatters.
Besides trying to earn a proposal that will win her the wager, Catherine is searching for a pink diamond tiara that is supposedly hidden in the manor. Unfortunately someone else is also searching, and Catherine is in danger.
There was a nice balance of mystery, suspense, and some intense UST in this one. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to you.
*Thank you, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing ~ Scandalous, for the opportunity to read this book
Catherine is something else. She's certainly no lady, at least she doesn't act like one! Nick, the Duke, knows how ladies should act, and none of the ones he's met ever had a cutlass in their skirt.
She's pretty intriguing that way. He never knows what she's going to do next. Catherine really tries to be the perfect lady, but she slips every now and then. She takes her shoes off every chance she gets! She's also been known to slip in through a window. Yes, definitely not a lady. She makes an offer on her ancestral home,that he has bought and refurbished, and he refuses. After seeing the cutlass, Nick makes a wager. If she gets a marriage proposal from an upstanding member of the ton, he'll let her have the estate.
These two dance around their urges over and over again. That's always fun to read...wondering which will fall first! He keeps saving her from committing an unforgivable faux pas while in public, and he's hard pressed to keep her reputation from falling into tatters.
Besides trying to earn a proposal that will win her the wager, Catherine is searching for a pink diamond tiara that is supposedly hidden in the manor. Unfortunately someone else is also searching, and Catherine is in danger.
There was a nice balance of mystery, suspense, and some intense UST in this one. I enjoyed it very much and recommend it to you.
*Thank you, NetGalley and Entangled Publishing ~ Scandalous, for the opportunity to read this book
September 27, 2017
“There is always room for me to lower my opinion of someone.
It is much more difficult to convince me to raise it.”
this book was like -_-
i honestly dont know!!1
sometimes it was good, thrilling even.
then again at certain parts it was just well too fast paced. like what???
honestly, feels like the author didn't put too much of effort.
but then again it could just be me.
November 30, 2014
Regency era romance, a rich duke, mystery and suspense! What more could a girl ask for?! A perfect blend of everything I enjoy in a novel. Well written with the classic wit that encapsulates the genre of Regency Romance.
I loved the Darcy-esque proposal and the fiesty Catherine's response! Brilliant.
I loved the Darcy-esque proposal and the fiesty Catherine's response! Brilliant.
January 9, 2015
A breeches wearing American heiress, an ANAL & ARROGANT Duke, a missing Russian tiara, mysterious mayhem & PULL THE FIRE ALARM NAUGHTINESS! What more do y'all need!
Miss Catherine Malboeut is an American heiress, her dad is known as a Pirate (really a shipping magnate) who supposedly kidnapped & then married her mom, as she & her dying mom fled England. Catherine was raised by 2 loving & caring parents & she grow up in the Bahamas & New Orleans. She is more at home & comfy in breeches, without shoes & always has her cutlass and/or a handy knife strapped to her leg, so she was scared, embarrassed & worried that she won't fit in in London's society. Catherine crossed the sea with just her companion, Diana, & her FURRY BF, Cay, & family groom man, Thomas, because her mom was having her 5 kid, but she is on a mission to go to her mom's childhood home, Walsley Hall, locate her great-grandma's journey, find the famous tiara that was rumored to belong to Empress Elizabeth of Russia & hopefully buy the Hall for her mom.
Nicholas "Nick" Adair, Duke of Bolstridge, puts the ARROGANT in DUKE & he grew up under a scandalous shadow of his father, who was 24/7, 365 with his mistress. She even lived in the family's homes with his mom & him. After his father death, he completely distance himself from all things Duke, no estates & money, but the Dukehood will always be the noose around his neck. He named his Cousin Justice his heir & planned to let his Father's blood die with him. Now he lives full town, when not in Parliament, at Walsley Hall, a estate he rebuild from top to bottom, follows his anal schedule life & wants to make his mom feel treasured!
Catherine tricked her companion after they got off her dad's ship, told Thomas to make the 3 day trip to Walsley Hall & will break the news after her companion's nap. When they finally arrive in town, they checked in at the local inn & she conned Thomas to take her & Cay, via horseback "with breeches under her dress" to the Hall. When she arrives a uppity butler says the Duke "isn't in at home" & totally doesn't understand that means the Duke doesn't want to see her, so she finds herself pulling a B&E! Nick take believe this woman with "breeches" under her dress is attempting to burglarizing his library & what is with taking off her shoes, but she does have nice ankles! Catherine is searching the shelves, when Nick asks what she is doing, she screams, introductions are made & their battle began! Nick soon learns of her wish to find the journal, says "what tiara" & wanting to buy the Hall, so Nick isn't impressed, will never sale, dismisses her & as she leaves, he pulls out the SCANDALOUS journal from his locked drawer & think a trip to the local inn is needed!
At the inn, Nick told her to come to his home "with her companion" this time & she can search for only 1 day, but never mentioned he had the journal. The next day she pushes all his buttons & he just has a ball yanking her chain & soon he tells her he has the journal, will loan it to her, they will team up to follow the clues for the tiara & if she "the uncivilized one" can get just 1 honorable marriage proposal, then he will sale her the Hall & so began their WAR in London. Catherine is staying with her mom's BF, Lady Hartley, & her family, is welcomed with open arms & befriended by her daughter Jane. When she is "formally" introduced to Nick, they work together while reading the NAUGHTY journal & soon their temperatures bubble over! Soon they find themselves following a mysterious path thru Society as her bedroom has a smash & grab, is surrounded by male suitors (Catherine is a heiress), gossip about her daddy the pirate, kisses that make her girlie parts singing Hallelujah, jealous hussies, a helpful & cool Dowager Duchess, Russian diplomats, many knives from under her skirts moments, many tantalizing lap cuddles, a talkative Russian Countess, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS worthy moves & unknown baddies causes all kinds of mayhem. Who will win the bet? Will Nick ever walk out of his Father's SCANDALOUS SHADOW? Can Catherine get her life long dream of finding the tiara? Buy her mom's childhood home? Can these to stop fighting their fates? Will the Dowager Duchess need to start knocking heads?
This is my 2nd book by Ms. Broadfield & she makes me ROFLing with unladylike SNORTS with her "tears rolling down my face" hilariousness & makes my Kindle spark, so in other words, better that her début novel! I am still baffled that this is only her 2nd novel because it is that FABULOUSLY FANTASTIC! I love me some yummy Dukes who get served by a feisty American female & Catherine is completely unconventional with her bare feet, breeches & her whipping out her knives! She has to try to control her wild ways, but Catherine will always allow her FREAK FLAG to fly! Poor Nick has a "major Ahole" for a father & he swore he would never be him, reinvent the Dukehood & tried & did control his world with all his ANAL ways! The poor guy didn't have a chance when Catherine literally B&Es into his life! Ms. Broadfield made her h/h completely opposites, had chemistry that went NUCLEAR & made this tale a CLASH OF THE TITANS romance! The Dowager Duchess was loveable (which is rare of all Dowagers) & a iron-strong female with all the scandals she weathered & Ms. Broadfield made her formable with a strong shell, but it covered her gooey heart. Now all romances need the steam & sparks & Ms. Broadfield didn't disappoint, but she didn't put them in the "naughty & alone" trap. She use yummy lap cuddles, kisses that would make a granny's undies wet & many LOUD orgasms to heat this tale up! Now I LOVE to laugh & it should be a LAW to have at least 2 full belly laughs daily & Ms. Broadfield has such a true GIFT for out-of-the-known-universe situations, great 1 liners & fast paced & smart back & forth dialogue that made me think of my fav TV show, The Gilmore Girls! Now I can't wait to read Mr. Broadfield next romance because I need more SNAUGHS (snorts + laughs) in my life & she totally EARNED my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes with her ROFLimg ridiculousNESS, crafty characters that you could NOT love & NO AA BATTERIES REQUIRED YUMMINESS!
P.S. Also I have to mention that my FURRY reading buddy/blankie gives this hilariousness aplenty 10 sharps claws & I do have the blood to prove it!
NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.
Miss Catherine Malboeut is an American heiress, her dad is known as a Pirate (really a shipping magnate) who supposedly kidnapped & then married her mom, as she & her dying mom fled England. Catherine was raised by 2 loving & caring parents & she grow up in the Bahamas & New Orleans. She is more at home & comfy in breeches, without shoes & always has her cutlass and/or a handy knife strapped to her leg, so she was scared, embarrassed & worried that she won't fit in in London's society. Catherine crossed the sea with just her companion, Diana, & her FURRY BF, Cay, & family groom man, Thomas, because her mom was having her 5 kid, but she is on a mission to go to her mom's childhood home, Walsley Hall, locate her great-grandma's journey, find the famous tiara that was rumored to belong to Empress Elizabeth of Russia & hopefully buy the Hall for her mom.
Nicholas "Nick" Adair, Duke of Bolstridge, puts the ARROGANT in DUKE & he grew up under a scandalous shadow of his father, who was 24/7, 365 with his mistress. She even lived in the family's homes with his mom & him. After his father death, he completely distance himself from all things Duke, no estates & money, but the Dukehood will always be the noose around his neck. He named his Cousin Justice his heir & planned to let his Father's blood die with him. Now he lives full town, when not in Parliament, at Walsley Hall, a estate he rebuild from top to bottom, follows his anal schedule life & wants to make his mom feel treasured!
Catherine tricked her companion after they got off her dad's ship, told Thomas to make the 3 day trip to Walsley Hall & will break the news after her companion's nap. When they finally arrive in town, they checked in at the local inn & she conned Thomas to take her & Cay, via horseback "with breeches under her dress" to the Hall. When she arrives a uppity butler says the Duke "isn't in at home" & totally doesn't understand that means the Duke doesn't want to see her, so she finds herself pulling a B&E! Nick take believe this woman with "breeches" under her dress is attempting to burglarizing his library & what is with taking off her shoes, but she does have nice ankles! Catherine is searching the shelves, when Nick asks what she is doing, she screams, introductions are made & their battle began! Nick soon learns of her wish to find the journal, says "what tiara" & wanting to buy the Hall, so Nick isn't impressed, will never sale, dismisses her & as she leaves, he pulls out the SCANDALOUS journal from his locked drawer & think a trip to the local inn is needed!
At the inn, Nick told her to come to his home "with her companion" this time & she can search for only 1 day, but never mentioned he had the journal. The next day she pushes all his buttons & he just has a ball yanking her chain & soon he tells her he has the journal, will loan it to her, they will team up to follow the clues for the tiara & if she "the uncivilized one" can get just 1 honorable marriage proposal, then he will sale her the Hall & so began their WAR in London. Catherine is staying with her mom's BF, Lady Hartley, & her family, is welcomed with open arms & befriended by her daughter Jane. When she is "formally" introduced to Nick, they work together while reading the NAUGHTY journal & soon their temperatures bubble over! Soon they find themselves following a mysterious path thru Society as her bedroom has a smash & grab, is surrounded by male suitors (Catherine is a heiress), gossip about her daddy the pirate, kisses that make her girlie parts singing Hallelujah, jealous hussies, a helpful & cool Dowager Duchess, Russian diplomats, many knives from under her skirts moments, many tantalizing lap cuddles, a talkative Russian Countess, FIRE EXTINGUISHERS worthy moves & unknown baddies causes all kinds of mayhem. Who will win the bet? Will Nick ever walk out of his Father's SCANDALOUS SHADOW? Can Catherine get her life long dream of finding the tiara? Buy her mom's childhood home? Can these to stop fighting their fates? Will the Dowager Duchess need to start knocking heads?
This is my 2nd book by Ms. Broadfield & she makes me ROFLing with unladylike SNORTS with her "tears rolling down my face" hilariousness & makes my Kindle spark, so in other words, better that her début novel! I am still baffled that this is only her 2nd novel because it is that FABULOUSLY FANTASTIC! I love me some yummy Dukes who get served by a feisty American female & Catherine is completely unconventional with her bare feet, breeches & her whipping out her knives! She has to try to control her wild ways, but Catherine will always allow her FREAK FLAG to fly! Poor Nick has a "major Ahole" for a father & he swore he would never be him, reinvent the Dukehood & tried & did control his world with all his ANAL ways! The poor guy didn't have a chance when Catherine literally B&Es into his life! Ms. Broadfield made her h/h completely opposites, had chemistry that went NUCLEAR & made this tale a CLASH OF THE TITANS romance! The Dowager Duchess was loveable (which is rare of all Dowagers) & a iron-strong female with all the scandals she weathered & Ms. Broadfield made her formable with a strong shell, but it covered her gooey heart. Now all romances need the steam & sparks & Ms. Broadfield didn't disappoint, but she didn't put them in the "naughty & alone" trap. She use yummy lap cuddles, kisses that would make a granny's undies wet & many LOUD orgasms to heat this tale up! Now I LOVE to laugh & it should be a LAW to have at least 2 full belly laughs daily & Ms. Broadfield has such a true GIFT for out-of-the-known-universe situations, great 1 liners & fast paced & smart back & forth dialogue that made me think of my fav TV show, The Gilmore Girls! Now I can't wait to read Mr. Broadfield next romance because I need more SNAUGHS (snorts + laughs) in my life & she totally EARNED my top score of 5 fingers up & 10 toes with her ROFLimg ridiculousNESS, crafty characters that you could NOT love & NO AA BATTERIES REQUIRED YUMMINESS!
P.S. Also I have to mention that my FURRY reading buddy/blankie gives this hilariousness aplenty 10 sharps claws & I do have the blood to prove it!
NetGalley ARC given for my honest review.
November 16, 2014
How to Beguile a Duke by Ally Broadfield
I love when I start a book and I know how it is going to end. That may sound strange, but with historical romance novels, you KNOW there has to be a happily ever after. We meet Catherine and Nick and you know they will end up together, but it’s the pieces of the puzzle that is so exciting. How will their adventure play out? Will he chase her? Will she chase him? Will they have exploding passion? Will they have insurmountable odds to get over in order to be together? That is what was running though my head when I started this book…so I hope that doesn’t spoil it for anyone, but within the first chapter, you know these two are fated for each other.
We meet Catherine who has a wonderful past. She was raised in the Bahamas and New Orleans and is not a shrinking violet. She is familiar with weapons, is bold as brass and has an irresistible spirit. She has come to England for a couple of purposes. She has come for the London season to look for a husband as her family is quite wealthy, yet not titled. She has also come to find her Grandmother’s diary and the missing tiara heirloom hidden in the ancestral home Walsley of her English mother. She also has instructions from her father to purchase the estate at any cost the new owner will name.
Nick is the new owner of Walsley and he has no interest in selling the estate he has restored to perfection. I immediately recognized that he was that kind of Duke. Imperious, staid and very concerned with conventions. Their first introduction was hilarious and I loved the sparks that flew off the two of them. Nick is not the kind of man to make a wager, but something about Catherine makes him reckless. He gives her the diary with the promise it’s a joint investigation. He also makes an outrageous wager with her. If she can secure an engagement with a titled gentleman, he will sell her Walsley.
Both arrive in London for the season and are in contact with each other as much as they can be with the restrictions placed by society on unmarried young ladies. Catherine is being chaperoned by the Hartley’s. They are to introduce her to the whirl of the season. Rumours swirl that Catherine’s father was a pirate who kidnapped her mother, which makes for great gossip, but not the best recommendation to suitors. Nick believes that even though she acts the perfect lady, her true nature will explode out of her before the end of the season. That she is too full of life to be contained. She does have a few touch and go moments of faux pas that make you realize how hard it must be to fit into the rigid nature of the ton.
Nick is a frequent visitor and companion at the society events. They meet up to share clues from the diary. As they investigate however, it becomes apparent that someone else knows about the diary and is out to get Catherine. Nick swoops down like a hawk to protect her. It brings them closer and they move from adversaries and reluctant partners to interest in each other.
We learn that Nick is not without his own baggage. His father was a beast, who flaunted his mistress so flagrantly around ton events, that eventually he was discarded by the ton. Nick lives a controlled life in order to never be like his father. He has determined that he will never marry and procreate so that his father’s genes die with him. So it throws a kink in the attraction and interest he has for Catherine. He is fighting a battle with himself.
Catherine’s hunt for a groom isn’t going as planned as her past keeps the titled gentlemen away. She finds it humiliating and thankfully Nick is there to pick up the pieces. What I liked so much about these two was that they spoke to each other as a man and woman. Catherine was not impressed with his title and rarely showed him deference. The two of them spar and insult each other, yet they watch out for each other and develop a care that intensifies as the story progresses.
There are not a lot of love scenes in the story, but the few are so lovely. It made you want the inevitable ending that you expect. They are so perfect for each other. You want Nick to bend and propose to Catherine and they can live in Walsley together. She makes him loose and laughs and he is finally fascinated by a woman who has intelligence and beauty.
The plot about the diary and tiara is interesting and moves the story along. There are villains and tense moments, but you never really worry because you know that Nick will protect Catherine.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a mysterious qualifier when a book is rated a five. There is just something special about the story, the characters, the adventure that makes you breathless to read more and then sad when the story is over. This is that kind of story. I couldn’t wait to keep reading and when I finished I had to sit back and savour the story, but still felt like I wished the adventure of Catherine and Nick wasn’t finished. That’s when you know it’s a special book.
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
I love when I start a book and I know how it is going to end. That may sound strange, but with historical romance novels, you KNOW there has to be a happily ever after. We meet Catherine and Nick and you know they will end up together, but it’s the pieces of the puzzle that is so exciting. How will their adventure play out? Will he chase her? Will she chase him? Will they have exploding passion? Will they have insurmountable odds to get over in order to be together? That is what was running though my head when I started this book…so I hope that doesn’t spoil it for anyone, but within the first chapter, you know these two are fated for each other.
We meet Catherine who has a wonderful past. She was raised in the Bahamas and New Orleans and is not a shrinking violet. She is familiar with weapons, is bold as brass and has an irresistible spirit. She has come to England for a couple of purposes. She has come for the London season to look for a husband as her family is quite wealthy, yet not titled. She has also come to find her Grandmother’s diary and the missing tiara heirloom hidden in the ancestral home Walsley of her English mother. She also has instructions from her father to purchase the estate at any cost the new owner will name.
Nick is the new owner of Walsley and he has no interest in selling the estate he has restored to perfection. I immediately recognized that he was that kind of Duke. Imperious, staid and very concerned with conventions. Their first introduction was hilarious and I loved the sparks that flew off the two of them. Nick is not the kind of man to make a wager, but something about Catherine makes him reckless. He gives her the diary with the promise it’s a joint investigation. He also makes an outrageous wager with her. If she can secure an engagement with a titled gentleman, he will sell her Walsley.
Both arrive in London for the season and are in contact with each other as much as they can be with the restrictions placed by society on unmarried young ladies. Catherine is being chaperoned by the Hartley’s. They are to introduce her to the whirl of the season. Rumours swirl that Catherine’s father was a pirate who kidnapped her mother, which makes for great gossip, but not the best recommendation to suitors. Nick believes that even though she acts the perfect lady, her true nature will explode out of her before the end of the season. That she is too full of life to be contained. She does have a few touch and go moments of faux pas that make you realize how hard it must be to fit into the rigid nature of the ton.
Nick is a frequent visitor and companion at the society events. They meet up to share clues from the diary. As they investigate however, it becomes apparent that someone else knows about the diary and is out to get Catherine. Nick swoops down like a hawk to protect her. It brings them closer and they move from adversaries and reluctant partners to interest in each other.
We learn that Nick is not without his own baggage. His father was a beast, who flaunted his mistress so flagrantly around ton events, that eventually he was discarded by the ton. Nick lives a controlled life in order to never be like his father. He has determined that he will never marry and procreate so that his father’s genes die with him. So it throws a kink in the attraction and interest he has for Catherine. He is fighting a battle with himself.
Catherine’s hunt for a groom isn’t going as planned as her past keeps the titled gentlemen away. She finds it humiliating and thankfully Nick is there to pick up the pieces. What I liked so much about these two was that they spoke to each other as a man and woman. Catherine was not impressed with his title and rarely showed him deference. The two of them spar and insult each other, yet they watch out for each other and develop a care that intensifies as the story progresses.
There are not a lot of love scenes in the story, but the few are so lovely. It made you want the inevitable ending that you expect. They are so perfect for each other. You want Nick to bend and propose to Catherine and they can live in Walsley together. She makes him loose and laughs and he is finally fascinated by a woman who has intelligence and beauty.
The plot about the diary and tiara is interesting and moves the story along. There are villains and tense moments, but you never really worry because you know that Nick will protect Catherine.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s a mysterious qualifier when a book is rated a five. There is just something special about the story, the characters, the adventure that makes you breathless to read more and then sad when the story is over. This is that kind of story. I couldn’t wait to keep reading and when I finished I had to sit back and savour the story, but still felt like I wished the adventure of Catherine and Nick wasn’t finished. That’s when you know it’s a special book.
Reviewed for www.kiltsandswords.com
November 25, 2014
4,5 *****
This is the first book where the review will be published first in English and then in Portuguese. This is because the ebook was sent to me for reading and subsequent publication of opinion directly by Entangled, since the book will be released by the 8th of December.
Let's talk about the book? Let's go!
First of all, I have to say that I liked it a lot is an understatement. The characters, the plot, locations, descriptions and the fact that it is a period of romance only helped that I liked it so much. While I was reading, I was discovering many similarities with another writer that I love: Julia Quinn. I do not know if I'm right or not, but what is certain is that the kind of writing that this author, Ally, adopted grabbed me from the first sentence in the Prologue.
The characters? They are funny, smart, sensitive and very intense. Catherine is the main character as well as the Duke of Boulstridge, Nick. These are the two that make up the romantic couple and they are the main reason that I have enjoyed this *delicious*story so much. Catherine has English origins and since childhood always dreamed of returning to London and meet Wasley Mannor, the mansion that once belonged to her mother’s family. However, the walls of Wasley Mannor hide a treasure - A tiara that was given to her maternal great-grandmother.
Opinião completa em http://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
This is the first book where the review will be published first in English and then in Portuguese. This is because the ebook was sent to me for reading and subsequent publication of opinion directly by Entangled, since the book will be released by the 8th of December.
Let's talk about the book? Let's go!
First of all, I have to say that I liked it a lot is an understatement. The characters, the plot, locations, descriptions and the fact that it is a period of romance only helped that I liked it so much. While I was reading, I was discovering many similarities with another writer that I love: Julia Quinn. I do not know if I'm right or not, but what is certain is that the kind of writing that this author, Ally, adopted grabbed me from the first sentence in the Prologue.
The characters? They are funny, smart, sensitive and very intense. Catherine is the main character as well as the Duke of Boulstridge, Nick. These are the two that make up the romantic couple and they are the main reason that I have enjoyed this *delicious*story so much. Catherine has English origins and since childhood always dreamed of returning to London and meet Wasley Mannor, the mansion that once belonged to her mother’s family. However, the walls of Wasley Mannor hide a treasure - A tiara that was given to her maternal great-grandmother.
Opinião completa em http://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
December 9, 2014
I love a historical novel that can take me back to a bygone era where everything was so proper, where a lady could not be alone with a man without a chaperone, where there was a strict code of conduct, of manners and ways a lady should behave, where your heritage and standing in society meant everything. I also love a story with mystery and a few twists and turns and How the Beguile a Duke really fit the bill for me.
Nick was an intriguing character who, at every turn, tried to be far removed from the memory of his father and his philandering ways. He had shut himself off from the prospect of marriage, deeming himself unsuitable husband material, fearing that his fathers legacy meant that he would end up betraying his future wife. Of course, when Catherine comes on the scene, he gradually finds himself rethinking his ideas of marriage. As the title of the book says, she beguiles him and I was totally charmed by the transition in his character.
When reading a romance novel from this era, one of the aspects that I love about this time period is how the restrictions on the contact that the courting couples had, would build the sexual tension between the two, through stolen kisses and glances, hidden touches and embraces. Of course it also meant that you could end up marrying a boring dead fish for a husband, but that was definitely not the case with Nick, and Catherine was a perfect match for him.
Catherine was just the person to bring Nick out of his shell and I loved how she gave him the belief in himself to commit to a relationship. She really charmed her way into my heart and i loved her independent streak and her fearless nature. At times she put herself in danger, not thinking before she acted, but it all added to the drama which kept me entertained till the end. Catherine told it like it was. She was unconventional and a breath of fresh air in the stuffy and staid world that was London society at that time. She held true to her belief that you should marry for love, and would accept nothing less after seeing the loving example that her parents had set for her.
This story really drew me in and I loved the mystery and intrigue surrounding the diary and tiara. Added to that was the humor that these two characters brought to the story and I was totally entranced and entertained by them. Their witty and funny banter was effortless and comfortable, the sexual chemistry was obvious and they really did bring out the best in each other. I loved the development of their relationship, seeing Catherine totally entrance Nick and how Nick supports Catherine in her independence and unconventional ways was so heartwarming. He needed a strong woman like her to support him and he found that in Catherine. I thought the supporting cast of characters added to the storyline and I particularly loved Nicks mother and how she saw Catherine for who she really was, and how good she was for Nick. The ending was perfect for me and I loved the epilogue. I could happily read more about this couple or other members of the ton.
copy kindly provided by the publisher/author
Nick was an intriguing character who, at every turn, tried to be far removed from the memory of his father and his philandering ways. He had shut himself off from the prospect of marriage, deeming himself unsuitable husband material, fearing that his fathers legacy meant that he would end up betraying his future wife. Of course, when Catherine comes on the scene, he gradually finds himself rethinking his ideas of marriage. As the title of the book says, she beguiles him and I was totally charmed by the transition in his character.
When reading a romance novel from this era, one of the aspects that I love about this time period is how the restrictions on the contact that the courting couples had, would build the sexual tension between the two, through stolen kisses and glances, hidden touches and embraces. Of course it also meant that you could end up marrying a boring dead fish for a husband, but that was definitely not the case with Nick, and Catherine was a perfect match for him.
Catherine was just the person to bring Nick out of his shell and I loved how she gave him the belief in himself to commit to a relationship. She really charmed her way into my heart and i loved her independent streak and her fearless nature. At times she put herself in danger, not thinking before she acted, but it all added to the drama which kept me entertained till the end. Catherine told it like it was. She was unconventional and a breath of fresh air in the stuffy and staid world that was London society at that time. She held true to her belief that you should marry for love, and would accept nothing less after seeing the loving example that her parents had set for her.
This story really drew me in and I loved the mystery and intrigue surrounding the diary and tiara. Added to that was the humor that these two characters brought to the story and I was totally entranced and entertained by them. Their witty and funny banter was effortless and comfortable, the sexual chemistry was obvious and they really did bring out the best in each other. I loved the development of their relationship, seeing Catherine totally entrance Nick and how Nick supports Catherine in her independence and unconventional ways was so heartwarming. He needed a strong woman like her to support him and he found that in Catherine. I thought the supporting cast of characters added to the storyline and I particularly loved Nicks mother and how she saw Catherine for who she really was, and how good she was for Nick. The ending was perfect for me and I loved the epilogue. I could happily read more about this couple or other members of the ton.
copy kindly provided by the publisher/author
December 3, 2014
Historical romances are so much fun. That proper and inflexible London society that makes it such a challenge for everyone to try and break the rules – without getting caught. So much fun.
So when Catherine Malbeouf comes to town from the “New World” it is little wonder that society looks at her with their noses in the air. Especially since they are all sure her father was a pirate and refused to believe otherwise. Someone said, so it must be true. Even when Catherine does everything right, as society dictates.
Of course, Nicholas Adair, Duke of Boulstridge leads the pack in that misguided belief. It is beside the point that he is living down ugly gossip about his own family. He is a Duke! He knows! Pompous – um – well I think you get the idea.
But then, considering the way they met, Nick could have some grounds to believe Catherine is uncivilized. After all, she did climb in the window of his library and paw through his books wearing pants and a cutlass *gasp* under her dress.
She did feel justified though. The place had belonged to her mother’s family once upon a time, and a family heirloom was still being held hostage there.
Boy did the spark fly between these two in some form or another. Thank goodness they fell in love before they killed each other.
This was such a fun, rollicking romp. Both Catherine and Nick learned much about themselves and each other. The characters were fun and interesting with well-developed back-stories. The story was nicely paced with plenty of action and excitement. Things were, mostly, tied up nicely for a hea ending.
I liked how the story ended much how it began with a bedtime story. Sweet.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So when Catherine Malbeouf comes to town from the “New World” it is little wonder that society looks at her with their noses in the air. Especially since they are all sure her father was a pirate and refused to believe otherwise. Someone said, so it must be true. Even when Catherine does everything right, as society dictates.
Of course, Nicholas Adair, Duke of Boulstridge leads the pack in that misguided belief. It is beside the point that he is living down ugly gossip about his own family. He is a Duke! He knows! Pompous – um – well I think you get the idea.
But then, considering the way they met, Nick could have some grounds to believe Catherine is uncivilized. After all, she did climb in the window of his library and paw through his books wearing pants and a cutlass *gasp* under her dress.
She did feel justified though. The place had belonged to her mother’s family once upon a time, and a family heirloom was still being held hostage there.
Boy did the spark fly between these two in some form or another. Thank goodness they fell in love before they killed each other.
This was such a fun, rollicking romp. Both Catherine and Nick learned much about themselves and each other. The characters were fun and interesting with well-developed back-stories. The story was nicely paced with plenty of action and excitement. Things were, mostly, tied up nicely for a hea ending.
I liked how the story ended much how it began with a bedtime story. Sweet.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2014
I absolutely adored Catherine. She was an incredible woman full of bravery and sass. She understand most social etiquette, but would just rather speak her mind and do things her own way. As she makes her way through the ton, she attracts much attention, but not the kind she really wants. But the isn't her primary agenda. She's out to solve a mystery - she needs to find a lost heirloom and the man with the key to finding it doesn't seem to interested in helping her out.
This man is the Duke of Boulstridge. He starts off a quite a pretentious jerk, but you can see in his eyes and in the slight smirk that there just might be more to him. He turns into quite a hero as the story goes on. They make a very great pair, but it does take them awhile to realize it. They are both so stubborn and set in their ways that they almost miss their chance.
There is a very exciting mystery that runs throughout the whole story. The heirloom that Catherine is looking for is also sought by some very dangerous people. When they think she is getting close her life is put in danger. This kept the story moving very quickly and excitement could be found on every page.
The ending was actually a bit of a surprise. Yes, our couple gets together, but other things didn't end quite the way I expected them to. When this happens I love it - always good to have a bit of a surprise at the end.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
This man is the Duke of Boulstridge. He starts off a quite a pretentious jerk, but you can see in his eyes and in the slight smirk that there just might be more to him. He turns into quite a hero as the story goes on. They make a very great pair, but it does take them awhile to realize it. They are both so stubborn and set in their ways that they almost miss their chance.
There is a very exciting mystery that runs throughout the whole story. The heirloom that Catherine is looking for is also sought by some very dangerous people. When they think she is getting close her life is put in danger. This kept the story moving very quickly and excitement could be found on every page.
The ending was actually a bit of a surprise. Yes, our couple gets together, but other things didn't end quite the way I expected them to. When this happens I love it - always good to have a bit of a surprise at the end.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
December 11, 2014
There are three things I expect a romance novel to do for me, at a minimum: it needs to make me laugh, it needs to make me cry, and it needs to make me melt.
Having just finished How to Beguile a Duke, I'm torn between doing all three at once. Catherine is a wonderful heroine whom I just wanted to hug and save from all the rumors and judgement around her. Nick is a very nearly perfect hero in every way. I really believed these two falling in love and I also really believed in everything that was keeping them apart. Their own insecurities and the expectations of society made the misunderstandings between them believable and heartbreaking.
But more than anything else? This was a fun book. I didn't just laugh. I cackled. I cringed. I kicked my feet (and my cat was on them at the time, oops) and wished I had a friend nearby to read passages out loud to.
I just finished it and I have other books I want to read, but I'm also tempted to go back and reread passages. Definitely a new favorite.
Having just finished How to Beguile a Duke, I'm torn between doing all three at once. Catherine is a wonderful heroine whom I just wanted to hug and save from all the rumors and judgement around her. Nick is a very nearly perfect hero in every way. I really believed these two falling in love and I also really believed in everything that was keeping them apart. Their own insecurities and the expectations of society made the misunderstandings between them believable and heartbreaking.
But more than anything else? This was a fun book. I didn't just laugh. I cackled. I cringed. I kicked my feet (and my cat was on them at the time, oops) and wished I had a friend nearby to read passages out loud to.
I just finished it and I have other books I want to read, but I'm also tempted to go back and reread passages. Definitely a new favorite.
December 8, 2014
How to Beguile a Duke by: Ally Broadfield
What a surprise. Although a little slow in some areas and not enough detail in others--VERY ENJOYABLE. I love to read books where the main characters are slightly unconventional. Makes the story more believable. Catherine may be unique and Nick may be arrogant but love happens when least expected.
What a surprise. Although a little slow in some areas and not enough detail in others--VERY ENJOYABLE. I love to read books where the main characters are slightly unconventional. Makes the story more believable. Catherine may be unique and Nick may be arrogant but love happens when least expected.
June 14, 2017
Naughtiness 4*
Utterly fantastic read. Fell in love with the story and was completely captivated, Ally is a fairly new author to me but wow I will most certainly be collecting as many of her books for my teetering to be read pile as I am definitely a fan now.
I never give away spoilers you can get a brief description from the blurb but there is so much more to this book and all is not as it seems, whilst we have our hero and heroin and a romance there is a great deal of story to enjoy and escape into.
I defy any who love regency romance and so much more to not love this book as much as I do, also I'm very lucky in that Im able to start the next in the series 😊 thank you Lady Ally for writing this wonderful book 💖
Utterly fantastic read. Fell in love with the story and was completely captivated, Ally is a fairly new author to me but wow I will most certainly be collecting as many of her books for my teetering to be read pile as I am definitely a fan now.
I never give away spoilers you can get a brief description from the blurb but there is so much more to this book and all is not as it seems, whilst we have our hero and heroin and a romance there is a great deal of story to enjoy and escape into.
I defy any who love regency romance and so much more to not love this book as much as I do, also I'm very lucky in that Im able to start the next in the series 😊 thank you Lady Ally for writing this wonderful book 💖
January 31, 2016
Thank you to author Ally Broadfield for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for an honest review!
Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!
How to Beguile a Duke by Ally Broadfield is an enticing and beguiling historical tale featuring a rough-around-the-edges young woman with a heart of gold and a stoic Duke who underestimates her, but ultimately finds himself drawn to the entrancing lady…..
How to Beguile a Duke is told through the varying POV’s of Catherine Malboeuf, a spirited young woman who has just arrived in England in the hopes of reclaiming a home that once belonged to her mother’s family in order to hopefully find clues to a family heirloom believed to be hidden on its grounds, and Nicholas Adair, the appealing and stoic Duke of Boulstridge who now owns the home, Walsley Manor, and who has no intention of selling.
Although the two come from very different social standings, sparks fly when the pair team up in the hopes of finding the expensive tiara Catherine refuses to return home without. But when a wager between them sees Catherine look to garner an offer of marriage in order to win Walsley Manor from Nicholas, both are unprepared for the attraction between them to blossom and soon both find the other may be exactly what they never knew they needed…..
Having previously read Ally Broadfield’s debut novel Just a Kiss, Broadfield has won me over with her detailed writing and charismatic characters. Though I’m not the biggest historical fan, I’m beginning to be won over, and its novels like How to Beguile a Duke that are getting me there.
Following Catherine and Nick was really an enjoyable experience. They’re understandably results of their standings and their time, but I liked that they both had fire and attitude. Catherine said what she thought, and though she tried very hard to be a lady, really was someone different. I liked that Broadfield had her fight social norms and tell Nicholas exactly what she was thinking.
Nick on the other side was a Duke through and through, but he was also a kind man who had plenty of personality of this own. Sure he had honor and charm, but he was also cheeky at times and I enjoyed seeing him rile Catherine up—he knew how to push her buttons, and she certainly knew how to give it back.
Together, Catherine and Nicholas were sweet. There’s an underlying sexual tension to their relationship; the attraction is there, but neither willing to face it in the beginning. Eventually though they give into the inevitable with a few stolen kisses and a sexy parlor scene before Broadfield takes them to where readers hoped they would go……
Rich in high society, scandal and even mystery, How to Beguile a Duke is a great short historical read—can’t wait to see what Ally Broadfield writes next!
Find this review and more on my blog The Rest Is Still Unwritten!
How to Beguile a Duke by Ally Broadfield is an enticing and beguiling historical tale featuring a rough-around-the-edges young woman with a heart of gold and a stoic Duke who underestimates her, but ultimately finds himself drawn to the entrancing lady…..
How to Beguile a Duke is told through the varying POV’s of Catherine Malboeuf, a spirited young woman who has just arrived in England in the hopes of reclaiming a home that once belonged to her mother’s family in order to hopefully find clues to a family heirloom believed to be hidden on its grounds, and Nicholas Adair, the appealing and stoic Duke of Boulstridge who now owns the home, Walsley Manor, and who has no intention of selling.
Although the two come from very different social standings, sparks fly when the pair team up in the hopes of finding the expensive tiara Catherine refuses to return home without. But when a wager between them sees Catherine look to garner an offer of marriage in order to win Walsley Manor from Nicholas, both are unprepared for the attraction between them to blossom and soon both find the other may be exactly what they never knew they needed…..
Having previously read Ally Broadfield’s debut novel Just a Kiss, Broadfield has won me over with her detailed writing and charismatic characters. Though I’m not the biggest historical fan, I’m beginning to be won over, and its novels like How to Beguile a Duke that are getting me there.
Following Catherine and Nick was really an enjoyable experience. They’re understandably results of their standings and their time, but I liked that they both had fire and attitude. Catherine said what she thought, and though she tried very hard to be a lady, really was someone different. I liked that Broadfield had her fight social norms and tell Nicholas exactly what she was thinking.
Nick on the other side was a Duke through and through, but he was also a kind man who had plenty of personality of this own. Sure he had honor and charm, but he was also cheeky at times and I enjoyed seeing him rile Catherine up—he knew how to push her buttons, and she certainly knew how to give it back.
Together, Catherine and Nicholas were sweet. There’s an underlying sexual tension to their relationship; the attraction is there, but neither willing to face it in the beginning. Eventually though they give into the inevitable with a few stolen kisses and a sexy parlor scene before Broadfield takes them to where readers hoped they would go……
Rich in high society, scandal and even mystery, How to Beguile a Duke is a great short historical read—can’t wait to see what Ally Broadfield writes next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2014
How to Beguile a Duke by Ally Broadfield
Description
The spirited Catherine Malboeuf has just arrived in England to reclaim her ancestral home, Walsley Manor, and a valuable missing heirloom. Nicholas Adair, the attractive and frustratingly inflexible Duke of Boulstridge, however, is quite unwilling to sell the estate back to Catherine. Unless, of course, she accepts a small wager...
Nick will sell Walsley Manor if—and only if—Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.
Of course, Nick is certain he'll win. After all, no proper gentleman would ever marry a woman who conceals a cutlass in her skirts. Yet something about Catherine's unconventional disposition seems to ignite a need deep inside him. A need that won't just cost him the wager, but the very heart he swore to never give away...
My review; I always write down five words that pertain to my understanding and thoughts about the novel I am reading. Words that best describe to me what the story is about, the emotions evoked by the author's storytelling...Dreamy, Intrigue, Fairytale, Descriptive and Fluid/To A Degree.
From the start of my reading, I had the sense that this novel had a dreamy-like quality to it, a pleasantly, yet real and delightful telling from the author, her words were an appealing and amusing way of storytelling. Grateful, for the intrigue and danger, the suspense kept me reading and not wanting to put my novel down, I finally, with need, did indeed stop to rest my eyes although, reluctantly. I was reading this story as if it was a fairytale, passed down from generation to generation. Pirates, New Orleans, Russians, ships, ballrooms and a tiara, all of these and more emcompassas a world that was refreshing to read. The author chose words to describe and illustrate details without indulging or at length, they were expressive and vivid to my imagination. And as the author weaved her words fluidly/smoothly throughtout this novel including giving life to the main characters...for Catherine was indeed charming, clever and her spirit free for adventure and Nick, well, what can I say, He is a Duke! Both raised by nuture and nature, so, understandability their stance, their interacting with each other and society of the Ton...I was left wanting more from the other secondary characters, there was a lacking of history for me, a connection or a lacking of doing, mayhap more could have been written in the journal or a scene, for I had pondered on what had happen to the captain of her father's ship, if they could trace where her grandmother's portrait went. The epilogue surprised me, I was STUNNED, astonished...now, I am hoping for a sequel about discovering lost family treasures!
Jane Silhouette
Description
The spirited Catherine Malboeuf has just arrived in England to reclaim her ancestral home, Walsley Manor, and a valuable missing heirloom. Nicholas Adair, the attractive and frustratingly inflexible Duke of Boulstridge, however, is quite unwilling to sell the estate back to Catherine. Unless, of course, she accepts a small wager...
Nick will sell Walsley Manor if—and only if—Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.
Of course, Nick is certain he'll win. After all, no proper gentleman would ever marry a woman who conceals a cutlass in her skirts. Yet something about Catherine's unconventional disposition seems to ignite a need deep inside him. A need that won't just cost him the wager, but the very heart he swore to never give away...
My review; I always write down five words that pertain to my understanding and thoughts about the novel I am reading. Words that best describe to me what the story is about, the emotions evoked by the author's storytelling...Dreamy, Intrigue, Fairytale, Descriptive and Fluid/To A Degree.
From the start of my reading, I had the sense that this novel had a dreamy-like quality to it, a pleasantly, yet real and delightful telling from the author, her words were an appealing and amusing way of storytelling. Grateful, for the intrigue and danger, the suspense kept me reading and not wanting to put my novel down, I finally, with need, did indeed stop to rest my eyes although, reluctantly. I was reading this story as if it was a fairytale, passed down from generation to generation. Pirates, New Orleans, Russians, ships, ballrooms and a tiara, all of these and more emcompassas a world that was refreshing to read. The author chose words to describe and illustrate details without indulging or at length, they were expressive and vivid to my imagination. And as the author weaved her words fluidly/smoothly throughtout this novel including giving life to the main characters...for Catherine was indeed charming, clever and her spirit free for adventure and Nick, well, what can I say, He is a Duke! Both raised by nuture and nature, so, understandability their stance, their interacting with each other and society of the Ton...I was left wanting more from the other secondary characters, there was a lacking of history for me, a connection or a lacking of doing, mayhap more could have been written in the journal or a scene, for I had pondered on what had happen to the captain of her father's ship, if they could trace where her grandmother's portrait went. The epilogue surprised me, I was STUNNED, astonished...now, I am hoping for a sequel about discovering lost family treasures!
Jane Silhouette
September 4, 2015
Originally published on Nelle's Nightstand
What does a feisty, breeches wearing, American heiress have in common with a stuffy, hermit of an English Duke?! He's living in her ancestral home! And she wants it back, including a mysterious tiara rumored to have belonged to Empress Elizabeth of Russia.
Nicholas "Nick" Adair, Duke of Bolstridge, has holed up in a an estate, Walsley Hall, that he has spent the past year refurbishing. He is essentially in hiding after spending most of his life involved in a scandal not of his making. He is shocked when a "thief" slips into his library window! It's a female, bearing a cutlass, and wearing breeches under her skirt!
Miss Catherine Malboeut is an American heiress, of mixed decent, her father rumored to be a French pirate who captured her mother at sea! She's determined to buy back her ancestral home for her mother at whatever cost!
Nick refuses to sell the Hall and dismisses Catherine and sends her off with a flea in her ear! He later rethinks it and goes to the Inn the next day and proceeds to make a wager that if Catherine can obtain a proposal by the end of the season he will sell it to her.
They team up to find the "missing tiara", not knowing that someone else is after it as well and Catherine is in danger! As the search progresses so the the antics between Catherine and Nick! They fight their instant attraction but the more time they spend together they determine to get along. And boy do they!!
Laugh out loud funny, adventure, mystery and steamy romance all rolled into one! Watch how the rigid Duke falls in love with the spirited heroine and comes out of his shell! The book does start of slow but give it a chance and it will become a favorite!
What does a feisty, breeches wearing, American heiress have in common with a stuffy, hermit of an English Duke?! He's living in her ancestral home! And she wants it back, including a mysterious tiara rumored to have belonged to Empress Elizabeth of Russia.
Nicholas "Nick" Adair, Duke of Bolstridge, has holed up in a an estate, Walsley Hall, that he has spent the past year refurbishing. He is essentially in hiding after spending most of his life involved in a scandal not of his making. He is shocked when a "thief" slips into his library window! It's a female, bearing a cutlass, and wearing breeches under her skirt!
Miss Catherine Malboeut is an American heiress, of mixed decent, her father rumored to be a French pirate who captured her mother at sea! She's determined to buy back her ancestral home for her mother at whatever cost!
Nick refuses to sell the Hall and dismisses Catherine and sends her off with a flea in her ear! He later rethinks it and goes to the Inn the next day and proceeds to make a wager that if Catherine can obtain a proposal by the end of the season he will sell it to her.
They team up to find the "missing tiara", not knowing that someone else is after it as well and Catherine is in danger! As the search progresses so the the antics between Catherine and Nick! They fight their instant attraction but the more time they spend together they determine to get along. And boy do they!!
Laugh out loud funny, adventure, mystery and steamy romance all rolled into one! Watch how the rigid Duke falls in love with the spirited heroine and comes out of his shell! The book does start of slow but give it a chance and it will become a favorite!
December 11, 2014
Originally posted at Bunny's Review
Historical romance or historical fiction is my favorite. I will read most anything in these to genre.
For me this book starts out a little slow but half way thru chapter 3 I was quickly pulled in and the story refused to releases me until I had finished reading.
At one time many American females travelled to England with the hopes of snaring a titled husband. This book elaborated on this and provided a fun read.
Catherine is a spirited female and does not seem to really be looking for a husband but finds one in the Duke. A man who tried to not allow Catherine to capture his heart but realizes he lost that battle before it began.
The cover of this book was sensual showing so much but telling the reader nothing at all. I loved it!
I loved the mystery behind Catherine’s family. I want to read this book again but I cannot capture the wonderful story I saw the second time around but I can expand and allow my mind to explore different possibilities and maybe figure out a few of the riddles/clues. I would have loved having the mystery about the tiara solved. But I enjoyed the mystery with this being unsolved.
I recommend this book to any who enjoy historical romance.
The bunnies and I give this book
carrots.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and do not reflect those of the author, my clients or tour companies I work with. This is not a paid review. To form your own opinion please support the author and acquire your own legal copy of the book.
Historical romance or historical fiction is my favorite. I will read most anything in these to genre.
For me this book starts out a little slow but half way thru chapter 3 I was quickly pulled in and the story refused to releases me until I had finished reading.
At one time many American females travelled to England with the hopes of snaring a titled husband. This book elaborated on this and provided a fun read.
Catherine is a spirited female and does not seem to really be looking for a husband but finds one in the Duke. A man who tried to not allow Catherine to capture his heart but realizes he lost that battle before it began.
The cover of this book was sensual showing so much but telling the reader nothing at all. I loved it!
I loved the mystery behind Catherine’s family. I want to read this book again but I cannot capture the wonderful story I saw the second time around but I can expand and allow my mind to explore different possibilities and maybe figure out a few of the riddles/clues. I would have loved having the mystery about the tiara solved. But I enjoyed the mystery with this being unsolved.
I recommend this book to any who enjoy historical romance.
The bunnies and I give this book
carrots.I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. All views are my own and do not reflect those of the author, my clients or tour companies I work with. This is not a paid review. To form your own opinion please support the author and acquire your own legal copy of the book.
December 7, 2014
A digital copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This is a lovely historical romance read with an intriguing plot. The tale revolves around Catherine Malboeuf, who is a descendant of mixed parentage - her father being French and monther, English, returns to England to find her great-grandmother's tiara, about which she has heard a lot as she grew up, and also to reclaim her mother's ancestral property. She is taken aback when the owner of the property, Nicholas Adair, whom she finds annoying, sets up an inconvenient and tough wager for her to win, in order to secure the property. Things take a turn when Nicholas ends up being the one to not only lose the wager, but something much more dear and precious to him - his own heart - to Catherine. Does Catherine treasure his heart, or does she focus on just securing the property, is what the tale takes us through.
This book was a fabulous read. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery angle to the plot and the twists in the tale. The characterisation of Nicholas came as a complete surprise, when he proves to be not as ruthless as he initially seemed to be. The pace of the book is perfect - grips the reader's interest throughout. Broadfield's narration is brilliant - brings the historical era to the reader's mind pretty well.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of historical mysteries and romance.
My rating for this book: 4 stars
This is a lovely historical romance read with an intriguing plot. The tale revolves around Catherine Malboeuf, who is a descendant of mixed parentage - her father being French and monther, English, returns to England to find her great-grandmother's tiara, about which she has heard a lot as she grew up, and also to reclaim her mother's ancestral property. She is taken aback when the owner of the property, Nicholas Adair, whom she finds annoying, sets up an inconvenient and tough wager for her to win, in order to secure the property. Things take a turn when Nicholas ends up being the one to not only lose the wager, but something much more dear and precious to him - his own heart - to Catherine. Does Catherine treasure his heart, or does she focus on just securing the property, is what the tale takes us through.
This book was a fabulous read. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery angle to the plot and the twists in the tale. The characterisation of Nicholas came as a complete surprise, when he proves to be not as ruthless as he initially seemed to be. The pace of the book is perfect - grips the reader's interest throughout. Broadfield's narration is brilliant - brings the historical era to the reader's mind pretty well.
I would highly recommend this book to lovers of historical mysteries and romance.
My rating for this book: 4 stars
December 7, 2014
4.5 stars. I don't normally read historical novels but thought this one sounded really interesting. It did not disappoint. This was so much more than just a historical romance. There were interesting, well thought out characters, mystery and suspense. Also, I really enjoyed the romance - I felt it was a slow build up and really developed the connection between these characters. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by this author!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
February 4, 2015
Ever since Catherine Malboeuf was a little girl she's heard the story of her great-grandmother and a priceless tiara hidden inside Walsley Manor, a home now owned by Nick, the Duke if Boulstridge. After a hilarious first meeting (Catherine breaks into Walsley Manor and is caught by Nick) - she and Nick come to an agreement. If she receives an offer of marriage during the current season, he will sale her Walsley Manor. What happens between these 190 pages is more hilarity, friendship, growing love, and a little suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
January 2, 2015
Another delight by this author! Fast paced and delightfully wicked! Has just the right mixture of romance, seduction, passion, mystery, with a bit of of suspense. The plot, setting and characters are well written, intriguing, and a compelling. Well worth your time to read. Well done. An enjoyable and satisfying read.
*Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: April R, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
*Received for an honest review from the publisher and Net Galley*
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Mild
Reviewed by: April R, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
October 13, 2022
when the romantic leads bicker and have flirty banter >>>
July 12, 2025
3 stars but a very enjoyable 3 stars
December 12, 2014
Catherine Maboeuf has divided her time between the Bahamas and New Orleans but now she is returning to England, her mother’s homeland. Her mission is two fold – her wealthy shipping merchant father has given her leave to purchase her mother’s childhood home which was lost to her after her father died and it was entailed away to a male cousin. Secondly she must find her great-grandmother’s journal and use the clues hidden within it to find a lost family treasure.
What Catherine didn’t count on was Nick, the Duke of Boulstridge who has purchased Walsley Manor, her mother’s former home and restored it to its original glory after it fell into neglect and disrepair. He now considers it his home and has no desire to sell it at all. Amused by Catherine’s spirit and her determination, he is also aware of how her manners are less than what England’s high society would consider ideal and so he makes her a wager: if she can secure a genuine offer from a titled member of London’s society before the end of the season, he will sell her the Manor.
Catherine might not be as gently behaved as some young London ladies but she is exceedingly rich and that’s always a drawcard for a man with an impoverished estate. She’s certain she’ll win – after all, Nick has said that she doesn’t have to accept the offer, merely receive one. The trouble is, the longer she spends in London, the more she realises that the only offer she wishes to receive is from the man who believes that she won’t get any at all. Meanwhile the Duke is realising that an unconventional lady just might be what he needs himself.
I love historical romance with a twist and I found this one a lot of fun. Catherine is a bit of an unusual heroine given that she’s not born and raised in England and has instead lived her life between the Bahamas and New Orleans. Because of this, what she considers to be socially acceptable is much different to what London’s society considers to be acceptable. For example, she carries a cutlass underneath her skirts and another knife and she knows how to use them. She’s unused to requiring a chaperone to go anywhere and tends to speak her mind. She knows that she needs to be on her best behaviour in England if she isn’t to stand out, something that’s reinforced after she meets the Duke and they end up making their wager.
Catherine is sponsored by her mother’s old friend and she finds a friend in the lady’s daughter, named Jane. Jane is out for the season is well and is hoping to secure an offer and is unperturbed by the rumours swirling around Catherine, such as her father being a pirate, she not being civilised, etc. In this book, Catherine manages to get Jane into reading Jane Austen’s novels and she’s reading Pride & Prejudice which is interesting as there are some parallels. Nick is also proud, like Darcy albeit for rather different reasons and he’s also strongly attracted to a woman he likes but believes isn’t a suitable match. Nick doesn’t plan to marry at all but he laments that the one woman who does interest him is from an inferior background and he doesn’t hesitate in telling her most of this either. He actually doesn’t seem to see how insulting what he’s saying is and Catherine actually does quite well in holding her ground against him. They have some really good interactions, including their first one where they meet in Nick’s study after Catherine has broken into it.
I have to admit I was kind of less interested in the plot about the missing family heirloom which leads to danger for Catherine. It felt a bit far-fetched at the best of times and even though it serves to continue to throw Nick and Catherine together, I don’t feel like it ever really went far enough within the framework of the story. It doesn’t really satisfy me either, the way in which it all played out, which was rather disappointing. Fortunately for me, I more than found Nick and Catherine’s interactions enough to carry the book. Nick is rather uptight and very correct – he’s determined to restore his family’s good name after his father savaged it and therefore he tends to believe that things should be done a certain way and people should behave a certain way. He regards Catherine with wavering emotions – at times, he’s playful with her and you get a glimpse of the man Nick might’ve been if he’d had another male influence other than his father. Other times he’s quite stern and a bit proper but the longer he spends with Catherine, the more she breaks down those barriers, even as he wars with himself. I really liked the character of Nick’s mother, she provided a voice of reason to his fears and insecurities and she seemed a remarkable lady, despite all that she had endured.
I enjoyed this book – it was something a bit different and a lot of fun.
What Catherine didn’t count on was Nick, the Duke of Boulstridge who has purchased Walsley Manor, her mother’s former home and restored it to its original glory after it fell into neglect and disrepair. He now considers it his home and has no desire to sell it at all. Amused by Catherine’s spirit and her determination, he is also aware of how her manners are less than what England’s high society would consider ideal and so he makes her a wager: if she can secure a genuine offer from a titled member of London’s society before the end of the season, he will sell her the Manor.
Catherine might not be as gently behaved as some young London ladies but she is exceedingly rich and that’s always a drawcard for a man with an impoverished estate. She’s certain she’ll win – after all, Nick has said that she doesn’t have to accept the offer, merely receive one. The trouble is, the longer she spends in London, the more she realises that the only offer she wishes to receive is from the man who believes that she won’t get any at all. Meanwhile the Duke is realising that an unconventional lady just might be what he needs himself.
I love historical romance with a twist and I found this one a lot of fun. Catherine is a bit of an unusual heroine given that she’s not born and raised in England and has instead lived her life between the Bahamas and New Orleans. Because of this, what she considers to be socially acceptable is much different to what London’s society considers to be acceptable. For example, she carries a cutlass underneath her skirts and another knife and she knows how to use them. She’s unused to requiring a chaperone to go anywhere and tends to speak her mind. She knows that she needs to be on her best behaviour in England if she isn’t to stand out, something that’s reinforced after she meets the Duke and they end up making their wager.
Catherine is sponsored by her mother’s old friend and she finds a friend in the lady’s daughter, named Jane. Jane is out for the season is well and is hoping to secure an offer and is unperturbed by the rumours swirling around Catherine, such as her father being a pirate, she not being civilised, etc. In this book, Catherine manages to get Jane into reading Jane Austen’s novels and she’s reading Pride & Prejudice which is interesting as there are some parallels. Nick is also proud, like Darcy albeit for rather different reasons and he’s also strongly attracted to a woman he likes but believes isn’t a suitable match. Nick doesn’t plan to marry at all but he laments that the one woman who does interest him is from an inferior background and he doesn’t hesitate in telling her most of this either. He actually doesn’t seem to see how insulting what he’s saying is and Catherine actually does quite well in holding her ground against him. They have some really good interactions, including their first one where they meet in Nick’s study after Catherine has broken into it.
I have to admit I was kind of less interested in the plot about the missing family heirloom which leads to danger for Catherine. It felt a bit far-fetched at the best of times and even though it serves to continue to throw Nick and Catherine together, I don’t feel like it ever really went far enough within the framework of the story. It doesn’t really satisfy me either, the way in which it all played out, which was rather disappointing. Fortunately for me, I more than found Nick and Catherine’s interactions enough to carry the book. Nick is rather uptight and very correct – he’s determined to restore his family’s good name after his father savaged it and therefore he tends to believe that things should be done a certain way and people should behave a certain way. He regards Catherine with wavering emotions – at times, he’s playful with her and you get a glimpse of the man Nick might’ve been if he’d had another male influence other than his father. Other times he’s quite stern and a bit proper but the longer he spends with Catherine, the more she breaks down those barriers, even as he wars with himself. I really liked the character of Nick’s mother, she provided a voice of reason to his fears and insecurities and she seemed a remarkable lady, despite all that she had endured.
I enjoyed this book – it was something a bit different and a lot of fun.
December 31, 2014
Five star historical romance deals up a bold heroine, a sometimes stuffed shirt of a hero, a treasure hunt and a villain or two along the way, so no sleeping through this one, " How to Beguile the Duke" was a hard to put down read .
Our Heroine :
Catherine Malboeuf , raised in The Bahamas and New Orleans , by her English mother and French ( pirate ) really shipping magnet of a father, is not your classic wilting English Rose, she can wield a sword and knife as well as any pirate, has a quick mind and a determination to find find her Grandmohters hidden tiara in her mothers Ancesterlal home of Walsley Manor.
Our Hero:
Nicholas Adair, The Duke of Boulstridge the current owner of Walsley Manor raised by his father who did nothing but bring shame to his household and his mother has pledge never to marry, never to carry on the family has already named his cousin his heir to the dukedom and installed him in at the family estate, not like Nick could face living there.
Catherine has come back to England to try and buy back her mothers ancestral home so she can seek out her grandmothers journal and the hidden tiara but Nicholas Adair will not even see her to discuss a purchase , so what is a determined women to do, of course climb through the library window and search for it without his knowledge.
Imagine Nicky's surprise to observe a Shapley young women brazenly climb through his library window, come in make herself comfortable by removing her shoes. And then start rifling through his very organized library shelves.
Nicky's surprise probably about equal to Catherine's of being discovered , but she rebound quickly and begins her first foray into trying to convince him to sell Walsley Manor to her.
Nick finds himself a bit taken with Catherine but will not sell to her , but she is persistent so Nick finds himself amused with it and suddenly offering a bet, if she can earn a proposal from a propper member of the ton during the season. He will sell to her, really , Nick figures he is in no danger of loosing, she just is not socially acceptable enough to garner a proposal from the ton, given her brashness and her family backround .
Catherine sets about her extra project , but finds it difficult to attract the attention of the proper gentlemen of course Nick is runnin in the same circles and being a gentleman does dem to dance with her of course it is for the purpose of finding out how she is coming on the clues in her grandmothers journal and finding the tiara; oops did I forget to tell that Nick had the journal all along.
These two get closer during each encounter and Nick changes , he is warmer, friendlier and to his own chagrin suddenly not looking at marriage as the enemy he did before, the deeper these two get into looking for the tiara the more dangerous it becomes, missing items from Catherine's room, attempt at her abduction drive Nick into a protective mode.
Well this is a historical romance I do not need to tell you were this is all leading , besides ; too many spoilers ruin a great read, which this book is, I am looking foward to many more wonderful books in the future from Ms Broadfeild.
Arc was graciously provided By Entagled publishing via Netgalley for a. Honest review!
December 16, 2014
The spirited Catherine Malboeuf has just arrived in England to reclaim her ancestral home, Walsley Manor, and a valuable missing heirloom. Nicholas Adair, the attractive and frustratingly inflexible Duke of Boulstridge, however, is quite unwilling to sell the estate back to Catherine. Unless, of course, she accepts a small wager…
Nick will sell Walsley Manor if—and only if—Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.
You know when you’ve finished a good romance book, but you can’t quite figure out a way to distinguish it from all of the others you’ve read?
That is how I feel about How to Beguile a Duke by Ally Broadfield. It was a good story but it lacked that spark for me in books that are generally published by Entangled Publishing. I was so excited to read this story based on the enticing book summary, but that exciting tension of two people (Catherine and Nick) both fighting to win a wager while struggling to fight their growing attraction..well, that just fell flat for me. It was quite obvious early on in the story how the plot would progress. I also believe the author tried to make the story different from other regency romances by having the two main characters hunt for a missing tiara by reading a journal, yet they never actually did any serious hunting in the manor house in which it was supposedly located. I felt like the sole purpose of the journal was really to make Catherine blush in front of the duke (Nick) for reading salacious entries rather than to honestly offer clues that would allow the missing diamond tiara to be discovered.
Compared to some other Entangled Select novels I’ve read as an advanced reader, I feel like there wasn’t quite as much character development that would have helped me connect to the characters as strongly as I would have liked. At one point, Nick actually ticked me off when he called Catherine “my little impatient one” right when they were about to make love for the first time. That line just struck me wrong–like the two characters weren’t two equal adults consummating their relationship. I know that unmarried women were shielded from knowing about sexual relationships as much as possible in that time period, but I just couldn’t buy that Catherine was THAT innocent when she was reading out loud some juicy sexual exploits written by her great-grandmother. True, she blushed some, but still..
Basically, I’m being tough on this novel, but I would still recommend this novel if you want a quick read, say at the beach or when traveling. It won’t knock your socks off, but it will still help you pass the time in an enjoyable way. For $.99, it is an affordable source of entertainment for a few hours!
If you found this review helpful, please check out my blog Two Cats and a Book for more like it.
Nick will sell Walsley Manor if—and only if—Catherine secures an offer of marriage from an eligible member of the ton before the end of the London season.
You know when you’ve finished a good romance book, but you can’t quite figure out a way to distinguish it from all of the others you’ve read?
That is how I feel about How to Beguile a Duke by Ally Broadfield. It was a good story but it lacked that spark for me in books that are generally published by Entangled Publishing. I was so excited to read this story based on the enticing book summary, but that exciting tension of two people (Catherine and Nick) both fighting to win a wager while struggling to fight their growing attraction..well, that just fell flat for me. It was quite obvious early on in the story how the plot would progress. I also believe the author tried to make the story different from other regency romances by having the two main characters hunt for a missing tiara by reading a journal, yet they never actually did any serious hunting in the manor house in which it was supposedly located. I felt like the sole purpose of the journal was really to make Catherine blush in front of the duke (Nick) for reading salacious entries rather than to honestly offer clues that would allow the missing diamond tiara to be discovered.
Compared to some other Entangled Select novels I’ve read as an advanced reader, I feel like there wasn’t quite as much character development that would have helped me connect to the characters as strongly as I would have liked. At one point, Nick actually ticked me off when he called Catherine “my little impatient one” right when they were about to make love for the first time. That line just struck me wrong–like the two characters weren’t two equal adults consummating their relationship. I know that unmarried women were shielded from knowing about sexual relationships as much as possible in that time period, but I just couldn’t buy that Catherine was THAT innocent when she was reading out loud some juicy sexual exploits written by her great-grandmother. True, she blushed some, but still..
Basically, I’m being tough on this novel, but I would still recommend this novel if you want a quick read, say at the beach or when traveling. It won’t knock your socks off, but it will still help you pass the time in an enjoyable way. For $.99, it is an affordable source of entertainment for a few hours!
If you found this review helpful, please check out my blog Two Cats and a Book for more like it.
December 2, 2014
I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. As a historical read it is very traditional and there really isn't any content in the novel that makes it standout from other books that I have read this year. Apart from this fact there were a number of flaws I couldn't help, but to notice along the way. To be fair I think the plot of this book is very good. It was entertaining and I have no faults with how the author chose to write the plot but my biggest flaw is with the characters.
The hero I think was a little too beastly in nature. Normally I like heroes that have such personalities but Nicholas was a little too extreme for my own tastes. I would have liked to seen him a little more human and less of a beast. His ego alone was a little too large for the book.
As for Catherine I think she put up a fight that was a little unnecessary as I think her home entirely belonged to her and I do not think that it was fair that Nick insisted upon a wager. Catherine for the most part likeable but I think my own flaw with her is the fact that she gave such a good fight and then towards the end she surrender so easily.
This book wasn't a bad read by any means. I think it will please historical readers because the author remained true to the traits that even I love about historical novels and as I said before the plot of this book was very good. I think the plot is one of the better plots that I have read as of lately. There is a lot of creativity with this book so I am going to applaud the author for such things.
While this book wasn't the proper read for me I think I will read other novels that Broadfield pens because I think she has talent as an author.
(This review was submitted to the publishers PRIOR to posting it to GoodReads.)
The hero I think was a little too beastly in nature. Normally I like heroes that have such personalities but Nicholas was a little too extreme for my own tastes. I would have liked to seen him a little more human and less of a beast. His ego alone was a little too large for the book.
As for Catherine I think she put up a fight that was a little unnecessary as I think her home entirely belonged to her and I do not think that it was fair that Nick insisted upon a wager. Catherine for the most part likeable but I think my own flaw with her is the fact that she gave such a good fight and then towards the end she surrender so easily.
This book wasn't a bad read by any means. I think it will please historical readers because the author remained true to the traits that even I love about historical novels and as I said before the plot of this book was very good. I think the plot is one of the better plots that I have read as of lately. There is a lot of creativity with this book so I am going to applaud the author for such things.
While this book wasn't the proper read for me I think I will read other novels that Broadfield pens because I think she has talent as an author.
(This review was submitted to the publishers PRIOR to posting it to GoodReads.)
December 12, 2014
I liked this book. A sweet, quick read with enjoyable banter between hero and heroine. When I started to read it I was not sure what to make of Catherine. She was so unconventional to the women of her time. Now, I love strong, sassy heroines, and she presented as one. But a few times I wondered … errmm, is she too unconventional? I mean she broke into a duke’s home … and when she was discovered, she acted as if she had the right to be there. At first I was like what? Then I thumbed a few more pages, and then I just fell in love with her. Throughout the book we saw that she had this amazing, sweet, and vulnerable side, but was also a stand-up-for-herself type of heroine, one that you can totally root for.
I have never subscribed to the notion that all women in the regency era was sweet, demure, have only a bit of spit fire, and followed the rules of society to perfection. I really believe you had the type that bucked against the rules, and turned their noses at the rules. And Ally managed to capture that, while making the heroine endearing, kudos. I mean, I completely cheered when she defended herself against being kidnapped, instead of swooning. LOL.
I liked our hero. I have a thing for dukes! He was a fine one. Charming, sweet, not as alpha as how I love my dukes, but he worked for me. I enjoyed how just being around Catherine thawed him, and revealed the warm and passionate man beneath the aloof exterior he presented from time to time. Their attraction and coming together was more sweet and sensual, than hawt, but I still enjoyed it.
I liked the fast pace nature of the plot, the conflicts, and overall the entire story. I will be reading more work from this Author, and I recommend How to Beguile a Duke to all historical romance lovers.
I have never subscribed to the notion that all women in the regency era was sweet, demure, have only a bit of spit fire, and followed the rules of society to perfection. I really believe you had the type that bucked against the rules, and turned their noses at the rules. And Ally managed to capture that, while making the heroine endearing, kudos. I mean, I completely cheered when she defended herself against being kidnapped, instead of swooning. LOL.
I liked our hero. I have a thing for dukes! He was a fine one. Charming, sweet, not as alpha as how I love my dukes, but he worked for me. I enjoyed how just being around Catherine thawed him, and revealed the warm and passionate man beneath the aloof exterior he presented from time to time. Their attraction and coming together was more sweet and sensual, than hawt, but I still enjoyed it.
I liked the fast pace nature of the plot, the conflicts, and overall the entire story. I will be reading more work from this Author, and I recommend How to Beguile a Duke to all historical romance lovers.
December 10, 2014
Our heroine Catherine is headstrong, assertive and completely unconventional. Having been raised in the Bahamas and New Orleans, and rumored to be the daughter of a pirate, she has a bit of an uphill road in her attempt to fit into 1820s London society.
In contrast, our hero Nick is very proper, somewhat surly, and a bit stuffy. After years of suffering ridicule as his reprobate of a father foisted scandal upon scandal onto the family, he is more than sensitive to whims of society. Determined to always behave in a manner befitting his title, he is equally adamant that he will not marry nor carry on what he considers to be his aberrant and inferior bloodline.
This book is, at times, quite amusing, especially when in comes to Catherine’s initial interactions with both Nick and proper society. When the couple is not busy trying to solve the mystery of the hidden tiara, they are constantly—and only somewhat unintentionally—sniping at and insulting each other at every turn.
My one issue with this book was that I felt that the mystery aspect of the story was handled a tad clumsily. It started out as something of the focus of the plot, but then didn’t really go much of anywhere. There was a sort of resolution to that storyline, but it really felt more as an afterthought than anything else.
All in all, the book was oddly charming and definitely worth the read.
For the sake of full disclosure it must be stated that I received this book, free of charge, from Netgalley.
In contrast, our hero Nick is very proper, somewhat surly, and a bit stuffy. After years of suffering ridicule as his reprobate of a father foisted scandal upon scandal onto the family, he is more than sensitive to whims of society. Determined to always behave in a manner befitting his title, he is equally adamant that he will not marry nor carry on what he considers to be his aberrant and inferior bloodline.
This book is, at times, quite amusing, especially when in comes to Catherine’s initial interactions with both Nick and proper society. When the couple is not busy trying to solve the mystery of the hidden tiara, they are constantly—and only somewhat unintentionally—sniping at and insulting each other at every turn.
My one issue with this book was that I felt that the mystery aspect of the story was handled a tad clumsily. It started out as something of the focus of the plot, but then didn’t really go much of anywhere. There was a sort of resolution to that storyline, but it really felt more as an afterthought than anything else.
All in all, the book was oddly charming and definitely worth the read.
For the sake of full disclosure it must be stated that I received this book, free of charge, from Netgalley.
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