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Redeeming the Rakes #1
The Duke Suggests a Scandal
Death has made Harry Marsden the most fortunate man in England. Six years ago he thought himself doomed to misery, ordered into a marriage for money by his profligate father. The space of the past year has found him first fatherless, then a wealthy widower, and finally the unexpected heir to the Dukedom of Westbourne.
If only good fortune were contagious! Nothing could be more devastating than the news that his old friend, Catherine Sharp, is about to agree to an unwanted betrothal. A penniless gentleman’s daughter, Catherine aims to give up her own freedom to secure better prospects for her sister.
Harry must engineer the scandal of the season to overturn her engagement. Surely a Duke will serve better than any other for Catherine’s marriage of convenience?
A scandal is one matter. The heart is quite another. In order to wed her, Harry must convince his childhood sweetheart that their marriage will not be a match of convenience, but love.
If only good fortune were contagious! Nothing could be more devastating than the news that his old friend, Catherine Sharp, is about to agree to an unwanted betrothal. A penniless gentleman’s daughter, Catherine aims to give up her own freedom to secure better prospects for her sister.
Harry must engineer the scandal of the season to overturn her engagement. Surely a Duke will serve better than any other for Catherine’s marriage of convenience?
A scandal is one matter. The heart is quite another. In order to wed her, Harry must convince his childhood sweetheart that their marriage will not be a match of convenience, but love.
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Published April 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 8, 2018
I Am sorry I wasted my time and money on The Duke Suggests A Scandal. The story has No plot just a scenario of scenes put together to keep Harry The Duke of Westbourne and Catherine Sharp separated from one another. There is absolutely NO Romance in this story. Just a Gullible Spinster. I am sick of the dumb improvised Spinster Character written in these stories. Catherine just believed any nonsense she heard about the man she has loved since they were children. Her father was just written terribly. I couldn't understand why he would be against a Duke who was his best friends son. The families had know each other for many years. This is the last book I will read written by Gemma Blackwood. She doesn't write a Cohesive storyline or plot. Just a bunch of dumb ramblings.
June 19, 2017
3.4 stars
August 21, 2017
Not even a scandal. Just saying.
November 8, 2018
Too young for me...
I wish I could agree more heartily with the higher reviews. I realize this is a debut novel. It just didn't feel like a romance for adults; rather more for a teen audience. It was too sweet and not very interesting to me. The words the author chose to use, and the story she told seemed to be aimed at a very innocent, younger and simpler audience, with simple words and sentences.
I wish I could agree more heartily with the higher reviews. I realize this is a debut novel. It just didn't feel like a romance for adults; rather more for a teen audience. It was too sweet and not very interesting to me. The words the author chose to use, and the story she told seemed to be aimed at a very innocent, younger and simpler audience, with simple words and sentences.
August 8, 2019
Great
I found this a really good book. Catherine is a really strong character. She wants to help her younger sister with a marriage of convenience but when an old friend reappears in her life can she find her heart's desire. Harry is the new Duke of Westbourne but he has to fight for the hand of Catherine to keep her from a horrid marriage.
I found this a really good book. Catherine is a really strong character. She wants to help her younger sister with a marriage of convenience but when an old friend reappears in her life can she find her heart's desire. Harry is the new Duke of Westbourne but he has to fight for the hand of Catherine to keep her from a horrid marriage.
July 2, 2017
Not bad
Not bad, but not great either. The hero was what you might expect of a historical romance, and maybe the heroine was as well. Yet, the heroine was a disappointment to this reader. I like my heroines strong of mind and fierce with conviction. She was too mailable and even took the word of a new acquaintance (whom she knew to be grasping) over that of a man she's known for most of her life. There was a friends to lovers aspect that I always enjoy, but the meh feeling the heroine left me with is overshadowing much of the pros.
Not bad, but not great either. The hero was what you might expect of a historical romance, and maybe the heroine was as well. Yet, the heroine was a disappointment to this reader. I like my heroines strong of mind and fierce with conviction. She was too mailable and even took the word of a new acquaintance (whom she knew to be grasping) over that of a man she's known for most of her life. There was a friends to lovers aspect that I always enjoy, but the meh feeling the heroine left me with is overshadowing much of the pros.
August 5, 2017
Eh, it was just ok. Characters were not engaging or well written. Cathy was flighty and easily mislead even though Harry kept insisting she was the strongest person he ever knew. Harry is very juvenile in his thinking and certainly couldn't be qualified as a strong man. Kind of an anti-climactic ending, but not as bad as the last book I read. Left me feeling very indifferent. Maybe it was meant for pre-teens???
March 20, 2022
Let me begin this one by saying that this was the DEBUT novel of this author. So I understand that they would have been finding their feet a bit in terms of writing. And had this been the first story of theirs I had read, I may have been a bit more generous in my rating.
However, I have read several other stories from this author, and while I have enjoyed some more than others, they all seem to have the same flaws.
And this one was no different.
The interactions between Harry and Catherine were sweet, and their prior childhood friendship was easy to see. I just wish we had seen more of them. Instead, it would seem that just as soon as he ruins her reputation, the rest of the novel is a series of events, each more unlikely than the last contrived just to keep our couple apart. One of the largest of these being the fact that Catherine received a letter from someone she knew had reacted badly to seeing her with Harry, and yet still chose to believe them over simply asking Harry for the truth herself. It was like all of their years of friendship and the love she told herself she had for him meant nothing after all.
And while I found their friendship easy to believe in, it was much harder for me to believe their declarations of love all these years later. They had not seen, nor spoken to each other in over six years, so obviously they were very different people than they had been, but yet we are meant to believe that none of that matters. Harry has always loved her (even though he refuses to tell her) and suddenly Catherine realizes that she is also in love with him (but claims she can't tell him). On the whole, it was just repetitive until the point it became tedious.
I may eventually pick up the second book in the series, as they are short reads that are good for passing a quiet afternoon, and I am slightly curious about Kirby and Alice, however, it will likely be a while before I do so.
However, I have read several other stories from this author, and while I have enjoyed some more than others, they all seem to have the same flaws.
And this one was no different.
The interactions between Harry and Catherine were sweet, and their prior childhood friendship was easy to see. I just wish we had seen more of them. Instead, it would seem that just as soon as he ruins her reputation, the rest of the novel is a series of events, each more unlikely than the last contrived just to keep our couple apart. One of the largest of these being the fact that Catherine received a letter from someone she knew had reacted badly to seeing her with Harry, and yet still chose to believe them over simply asking Harry for the truth herself. It was like all of their years of friendship and the love she told herself she had for him meant nothing after all.
And while I found their friendship easy to believe in, it was much harder for me to believe their declarations of love all these years later. They had not seen, nor spoken to each other in over six years, so obviously they were very different people than they had been, but yet we are meant to believe that none of that matters. Harry has always loved her (even though he refuses to tell her) and suddenly Catherine realizes that she is also in love with him (but claims she can't tell him). On the whole, it was just repetitive until the point it became tedious.
I may eventually pick up the second book in the series, as they are short reads that are good for passing a quiet afternoon, and I am slightly curious about Kirby and Alice, however, it will likely be a while before I do so.
September 14, 2017
Found this book on Amazon via Shifted Sheets; this is my honest review.
There was a bit of confusion concerning Catherine's age. Sometimes she was near 23, another time just got 22, then suddenly without passage of enough time she's nearing her 24th birthday.
One thing I learned, if it's true in real life, is that your place changes at meal time depending of where you're situated in the peerage - interesting fact; it's like in heaven.
I'm glad we won't hear about Agnes' story because she's a shrew and I really didn't like her. I was ready to slap her face myself! I don't get mad easily, imagine. Unfortunately we'll probably see her in book 2 (Alice's story).
The flow goes well smoothly until about the end where the author completely lost me for a couple of chapters because I deemed them "too much". Too much drama, that is.
All in all it's a good story but it was lacking a bit of tenderness between Harry and Catherine, tending to their relationship.
There was a bit of confusion concerning Catherine's age. Sometimes she was near 23, another time just got 22, then suddenly without passage of enough time she's nearing her 24th birthday.
One thing I learned, if it's true in real life, is that your place changes at meal time depending of where you're situated in the peerage - interesting fact; it's like in heaven.
I'm glad we won't hear about Agnes' story because she's a shrew and I really didn't like her. I was ready to slap her face myself! I don't get mad easily, imagine. Unfortunately we'll probably see her in book 2 (Alice's story).
The flow goes well smoothly until about the end where the author completely lost me for a couple of chapters because I deemed them "too much". Too much drama, that is.
All in all it's a good story but it was lacking a bit of tenderness between Harry and Catherine, tending to their relationship.
July 11, 2019
Death has made Harry Marsden the most fortunate man in England. Six years ago he thought himself doomed to misery, ordered into a marriage for money by his profligate father. The space of the past year has found him first fatherless, then a wealthy widower, and finally the unexpected heir to the Dukedom of Westbourne.
If only good fortune were contagious! Nothing could be more devastating than the news that his old friend, Catherine Sharp, is about to agree to an unwanted betrothal. A penniless gentleman’s daughter, Catherine aims to give up her own freedom to secure better prospects for her sister.
Harry must engineer the scandal of the season to overturn her engagement. Surely a Duke will serve better than any other for Catherine’s marriage of convenience?
A scandal is one matter. The heart is quite another. In order to wed her, Harry must convince his childhood sweetheart that their marriage will not be a match of convenience, but love.
**
October 1, 2017
This is a sweet, clean romance, despite what the title may imply. I found the overall story full of charm and depth to the characters. Towards the end I would have loved to have had more specifics and not just feeling like a quick ending that felt rushed and a little incomplete to me. I wanted more details in the wrap up of this charming story.
Catherine finds herself in a desperate situation of having to save her family by marrying very well. Sadly the man to whom she's supposed to marry is someone she can barely stand to be around. Her childhood friend, the Duke, makes a proposal to save her from that wretched marriage; but to do so requires her to agree to being seen kissing the Duke at his dinner party. Thus causing her betrothed to break things off.
Content: Language, none. Violence, none. Romance, sweet and clean. 3.5 STARS
Catherine finds herself in a desperate situation of having to save her family by marrying very well. Sadly the man to whom she's supposed to marry is someone she can barely stand to be around. Her childhood friend, the Duke, makes a proposal to save her from that wretched marriage; but to do so requires her to agree to being seen kissing the Duke at his dinner party. Thus causing her betrothed to break things off.
Content: Language, none. Violence, none. Romance, sweet and clean. 3.5 STARS
May 13, 2017
Impressive debut!
Catherine Sharp is being bombarded by her sister to marry and do it quickly. It appears her last chance is to bring the undesirable Mr. Hinton (with seven thousand a year) up to scratch. Personally Catherine would rather starve than marry Mr. Hinton, but her family's finances are in distress.
Harry Marsten is now the Duke of Westbourne following his cousin's death. In his youth, he was forced to marry a shrewish woman fifteen years his senior to save his family. Now, however, he is a widower and discovers that Catherine is still unwed.
How is she to escape a future as Mrs. Hinton? The Duke suggests a scandal.
9
Catherine Sharp is being bombarded by her sister to marry and do it quickly. It appears her last chance is to bring the undesirable Mr. Hinton (with seven thousand a year) up to scratch. Personally Catherine would rather starve than marry Mr. Hinton, but her family's finances are in distress.
Harry Marsten is now the Duke of Westbourne following his cousin's death. In his youth, he was forced to marry a shrewish woman fifteen years his senior to save his family. Now, however, he is a widower and discovers that Catherine is still unwed.
How is she to escape a future as Mrs. Hinton? The Duke suggests a scandal.
9
September 30, 2017
A sweet little story
Harry was upset as his father was forcing him to marry a lady 15 years older than him because the family needed money and she was very wealthy. The marriage was horrible so when she died he wasn't too upset. His father had also died and then his cousin passed making him a Duke.
Harry was upset as his father was forcing him to marry a lady 15 years older than him because the family needed money and she was very wealthy. The marriage was horrible so when she died he wasn't too upset. His father had also died and then his cousin passed making him a Duke.
July 8, 2017
Fair to good
For the most part, I enjoyed this sweet clean romance. I wish we could have them interacting more instead of just reading their thoughts. Also, when I say clean, I mean really clean. I definitely don't want to read erotica, but I do enjoy some tasteful romance between the hero and heroine.
For the most part, I enjoyed this sweet clean romance. I wish we could have them interacting more instead of just reading their thoughts. Also, when I say clean, I mean really clean. I definitely don't want to read erotica, but I do enjoy some tasteful romance between the hero and heroine.
October 16, 2018
This book held me riveted from the very beginning and I especially appreciated the gentle love scenes. Thank you for sharing your talents .
This book held my attention from the very beginning. I especially appreciated your gentle love scenes. I will have no difficulty recommending this book to my daughters.
This book held my attention from the very beginning. I especially appreciated your gentle love scenes. I will have no difficulty recommending this book to my daughters.
December 17, 2019
2 1/2 stars. Rather sweet and rather typical regency romance. Also very clean. Catherine wasn't a wishy-washy creature but she understood the realities of her and her family's position so she was willing to do what was necessary. Many did that. Harry was a bit of a dunce. He didn't always think things out.
June 20, 2017
GREAT STORY!
This was an amazing account of how prearranged marriages caused a lot of Heartache for those involved! Even Harry knew he had to marry to secure his future! And Cathy would have done the same . Happy they reunited. ENJOY!
This was an amazing account of how prearranged marriages caused a lot of Heartache for those involved! Even Harry knew he had to marry to secure his future! And Cathy would have done the same . Happy they reunited. ENJOY!
September 8, 2017
Enjoyable
This book was short but sweet! I felt that it was more of a short story but still kept my interest . The ending was expected but complete. II have read other short books and felt that there was something missing at the end and this did noir feel that way
This book was short but sweet! I felt that it was more of a short story but still kept my interest . The ending was expected but complete. II have read other short books and felt that there was something missing at the end and this did noir feel that way
October 15, 2017
THE DUKE SUGGESTS a Scandsl
I love this nook was full of scandals, romance. I thought this book was very well written and I'm ready for the next book that follows. Thank you much for such a wonderful read.
I love this nook was full of scandals, romance. I thought this book was very well written and I'm ready for the next book that follows. Thank you much for such a wonderful read.
August 7, 2019
Harry and Cathy
Young love destroyed six years before by a gambling father! After Harry’s older heiress first wife dies he tries to get his first love back but the road is not easy! Babs
Young love destroyed six years before by a gambling father! After Harry’s older heiress first wife dies he tries to get his first love back but the road is not easy! Babs
April 4, 2021
Clean read
Up front I will say its a nice rom clean read about a duke who decides that his next wife will be the one he truly wa to. Of course there will be obstacles to overcome first
Up front I will say its a nice rom clean read about a duke who decides that his next wife will be the one he truly wa to. Of course there will be obstacles to overcome first
May 26, 2022
All the potential in the world, the developing storyline was interesting and had the makes of a wonderful novel; however, I never could become engaged with my attention fully invested. I will definitely have to give this story another try later on.
July 5, 2017
The Scandal
I enjoyed this novel very much. I was afraid that Mr Hinton would not take the hint and leave our Catherine alone. Why marry someone you loathe.
I enjoyed this novel very much. I was afraid that Mr Hinton would not take the hint and leave our Catherine alone. Why marry someone you loathe.
July 10, 2017
I really enjoyed this book
I chose this rating because I enjoyed this book so much and I want others to want to read it also!
I chose this rating because I enjoyed this book so much and I want others to want to read it also!
July 17, 2017
Good.
Enjoyed the story. It was a little wordy but a good story none the less. Looking forward to more reading.
Enjoyed the story. It was a little wordy but a good story none the less. Looking forward to more reading.
July 20, 2017
.
It seemed to be a first attempt at writing. Not enough connection between the two main characters a lot more content needed.
It seemed to be a first attempt at writing. Not enough connection between the two main characters a lot more content needed.
August 4, 2017
To workA great book
No matter what we go in life God has a way to work it out for the good trust God.
No matter what we go in life God has a way to work it out for the good trust God.
September 24, 2017
EXCELLENT REGENCY ROMANCE
We would say you off to a grand start of your new series. We thoroughly enjoyed the tale of Harry and Catherine. Thank you, Danny and Debbie Scott.
We would say you off to a grand start of your new series. We thoroughly enjoyed the tale of Harry and Catherine. Thank you, Danny and Debbie Scott.
February 21, 2018
2.5 stars
July 16, 2018
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews