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Regency Black Hearts #1
Proposing to a Duke
At the age of five and twenty, confirmed spinster Isabella Peregrine is given an unexpected ultimatum by her new step-mother: find a husband or I'll find one for you.
Thoroughly in a tizz, Isabella proposes a marriage of convenience to the nearest male to her - who just so happens to be the brooding, intimidating Duke of Blackmore. When he rebuffs her clumsy advances, Isabella leaves for London, determined to find the man of her dreams and soothe her bruised ego.
Michael Linfield, Duke of Blackmore is a legendary, fearsome, war hero; famous for reducing debutantes and their mothers to floods of tears with just one glance. The brooding, giant of a man is hiding a secret however - a debilitating stammer that has haunted him since childhood. When the delightful Miss Peregrine proposes a marriage of convenience to him - with no benefits - Michael is so startled that his stammer reappears and all he can manage to reply is "N-n-no".
When news of Isabella's success in London soon reaches his ears, Michael is determined to go to town and win her as his own, if only she'll give him a second chance at love.
This sweet and clean Regency Romance is a stand alone novel with a guaranteed HEA.
Thoroughly in a tizz, Isabella proposes a marriage of convenience to the nearest male to her - who just so happens to be the brooding, intimidating Duke of Blackmore. When he rebuffs her clumsy advances, Isabella leaves for London, determined to find the man of her dreams and soothe her bruised ego.
Michael Linfield, Duke of Blackmore is a legendary, fearsome, war hero; famous for reducing debutantes and their mothers to floods of tears with just one glance. The brooding, giant of a man is hiding a secret however - a debilitating stammer that has haunted him since childhood. When the delightful Miss Peregrine proposes a marriage of convenience to him - with no benefits - Michael is so startled that his stammer reappears and all he can manage to reply is "N-n-no".
When news of Isabella's success in London soon reaches his ears, Michael is determined to go to town and win her as his own, if only she'll give him a second chance at love.
This sweet and clean Regency Romance is a stand alone novel with a guaranteed HEA.
117 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2017
447 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Claudia Stone
34 books142 followersClaudia Stone was born in South Africa but moved to Plymouth as a young girl. Having trained as an actress at RADA, she moved to New York to pursue her dream of acting on Broadway in 1988. She never did see her name in lights, but she did meet a wonderful Irishman called Conal who whisked her away to the wilds of Kerry, where she has lived ever since.
Claudia and Conal have three children, a dairy farm and a boisterous, black lab called Buddy. When she has any time left over, Claudia enjoys reading Regency as well as writing it.
You can also connect with Claudia on Facebook:
fb.me/ClaudiaStoneAuthor
Claudia and Conal have three children, a dairy farm and a boisterous, black lab called Buddy. When she has any time left over, Claudia enjoys reading Regency as well as writing it.
You can also connect with Claudia on Facebook:
fb.me/ClaudiaStoneAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 10, 2018
Michael, the Duke of Blackmore, is the epitome of the strong, silent type of H. I say that because he's got a problem that other H's don't: he is uncomfortable in social situations and his anxiety issues has given him a horrible stutter.
When he was a young boy at Eton, he learned how to deal with his problem by making use of his intimidating size and by developing the habit of using scowling facial expressions and the lifting of a supercilious eyebrow. As an adult he has managed to conquer the debilitating stammer but it still has an annoying habit of creeping up on him when he is very nervous. Michael usually prefers to consort with women of the demimonde because he is uncomfortable talking to husband hunting debutantes and he isn't in a hurry to find a wife since he has a younger brother and 3 nephews to inherit his title. His attitude undergoes a dramatic change when he encounters the heroine Isabella, while she was strolling through the woods in his ducal estate. Isabella is a feisty, vivacious redhead of 25 who is still single because she loathed all the flirting, fan flipping and other ridiculous stuff that debutantes are expected to do. But, her stepmother and father have given her an ultimatum: either she finds herself a husband or they will marry her off to one of stepmamma's ugly, loser nephews.
Michael and Isabella soon start to fall in love with each other but he is unable to communicate his feelings with words. He prefers to bestow passionate kisses and caresses. Isabella is awed by the strength of their attraction and soon decides that he's the only man she'll ever want to marry. Her deadline to journey to London for the season is encroaching on her and in her panicked state, she devises a rather stupid idea to propose to Michael. Unbeknownst to her, the H had also decided to propose to her but he had been trying to work up the courage to do so without being anxious and stuttering. When the heroine blurts out a hurried proposal to Michael, he is so stunned that he is speechless. The first thing that comes out of his mouth is a stammered out "N-n--o....", which causes a lot of embarrassment for Isabella. Michael had not been refusing her proposal; he had actually been about to tell her that he didn't want their marriage to be one of convenience ( as she had suggested ) because he loved her. Before he could bring himself to overcome his stuttering, the heroine runs off. This situation left me so frustrated and annoyed:
Poor Michael is ashamed of how he botched their relationship that he asks his mother to help Isabella during the upcoming season. He figures it's the least he can do to make up for the horrible misunderstanding. The dowager duchess takes Isabella under her wing and the heroine soon becomes the most popular single lady in the Ton ! Isabella cannot believe that her makeover has been such a success:
The heroine is soon being pursued by lots of bachelors, one of whom is the handsome but sly and fortune hunting Viscount Courtnay. The dowager duchess writes to Michael and tells him of Isabella's suitors and the H becomes even more anxious and distressed at the thought of his beloved marrying another man:
Michael rushes off to London to try and salvage the situation before he loses the woman he loves. When he sees Isabella in London at Almack's, he is so stunned by her beauty that he becomes nervous again and his habitual aloofness comes to the fore causing him to sound cold, distant and uncaring when he speaks to her. The heroine is dismayed and embarrassed because she thinks he is treating her in a condescending manner, so she spends more time with her other suitors. This makes the H become even more surly as his jealousy and alpha male possessiveness threaten to erupt in public whenever he sees her with other men. Michael is so amusing in this part of the novel, because he still hasn't built up the courage to tell her he loves her yet he keeps acting like a jerk who doesn't want anyone else to have what he thinks belongs to him:
Meanwhile, the dastardly Viscount Courtnay is almost bankrupt and his creditors are hounding and threatening him. This villain decides that he's going to force Isabella to marry him so that he can use her dowry to pay off his debts. Fortunately, the H's half brother Sebastian is able to find out the villain's plans and Michael rushes off to try and save the heroine. Isabella, however, is not entirely useless and manages to save herself by delivering a well deserved knock out punch to the viscount's face. There's an amusing little comedy of errors that follow because the people who were supposed to find the heroine in a compromising situation with the viscount, walk in on the MC's having a passionate make out session. I have to confess that the storyline was wrapped up a bit too hurriedly after this scene. The MC's enter in a marriage of convenience in order to avoid scandal but the H soon builds up the courage to tell Isabella he loves her on their wedding night. That scene was rather cute, because he spent a lot of time practising his vows of everlasting love in front of the mirror:
After he had bathed, Michael wrapped a large bath sheet around his waist and padded barefoot into his bed-chamber from his dressing room.
“I love you Isabella,” he muttered aloud to himself, practicing for when he would see her at dinner.
“I love you and I want to take you to my bed,” he continued in a loud voice, enjoying hearing his words echo back at him.
“You what?”
The slim figure of his wife stood at the door to his bedchamber, her face a picture of shock.
“I-I-I-…”
Michael swallowed a curse and did the only thing he knew he was capable of at that very moment – he made his way across the room in two long strides and pulled his wife into his embrace.
“I love you,” he whispered as claimed her lips with his own."
This was an average novel and there were a few grammatical errors at the start, but it was very amusing to read because the storyline was definitely different from the conventional regency romances.
When he was a young boy at Eton, he learned how to deal with his problem by making use of his intimidating size and by developing the habit of using scowling facial expressions and the lifting of a supercilious eyebrow. As an adult he has managed to conquer the debilitating stammer but it still has an annoying habit of creeping up on him when he is very nervous. Michael usually prefers to consort with women of the demimonde because he is uncomfortable talking to husband hunting debutantes and he isn't in a hurry to find a wife since he has a younger brother and 3 nephews to inherit his title. His attitude undergoes a dramatic change when he encounters the heroine Isabella, while she was strolling through the woods in his ducal estate. Isabella is a feisty, vivacious redhead of 25 who is still single because she loathed all the flirting, fan flipping and other ridiculous stuff that debutantes are expected to do. But, her stepmother and father have given her an ultimatum: either she finds herself a husband or they will marry her off to one of stepmamma's ugly, loser nephews.
Michael and Isabella soon start to fall in love with each other but he is unable to communicate his feelings with words. He prefers to bestow passionate kisses and caresses. Isabella is awed by the strength of their attraction and soon decides that he's the only man she'll ever want to marry. Her deadline to journey to London for the season is encroaching on her and in her panicked state, she devises a rather stupid idea to propose to Michael. Unbeknownst to her, the H had also decided to propose to her but he had been trying to work up the courage to do so without being anxious and stuttering. When the heroine blurts out a hurried proposal to Michael, he is so stunned that he is speechless. The first thing that comes out of his mouth is a stammered out "N-n--o....", which causes a lot of embarrassment for Isabella. Michael had not been refusing her proposal; he had actually been about to tell her that he didn't want their marriage to be one of convenience ( as she had suggested ) because he loved her. Before he could bring himself to overcome his stuttering, the heroine runs off. This situation left me so frustrated and annoyed:
Poor Michael is ashamed of how he botched their relationship that he asks his mother to help Isabella during the upcoming season. He figures it's the least he can do to make up for the horrible misunderstanding. The dowager duchess takes Isabella under her wing and the heroine soon becomes the most popular single lady in the Ton ! Isabella cannot believe that her makeover has been such a success:
The heroine is soon being pursued by lots of bachelors, one of whom is the handsome but sly and fortune hunting Viscount Courtnay. The dowager duchess writes to Michael and tells him of Isabella's suitors and the H becomes even more anxious and distressed at the thought of his beloved marrying another man:
Michael rushes off to London to try and salvage the situation before he loses the woman he loves. When he sees Isabella in London at Almack's, he is so stunned by her beauty that he becomes nervous again and his habitual aloofness comes to the fore causing him to sound cold, distant and uncaring when he speaks to her. The heroine is dismayed and embarrassed because she thinks he is treating her in a condescending manner, so she spends more time with her other suitors. This makes the H become even more surly as his jealousy and alpha male possessiveness threaten to erupt in public whenever he sees her with other men. Michael is so amusing in this part of the novel, because he still hasn't built up the courage to tell her he loves her yet he keeps acting like a jerk who doesn't want anyone else to have what he thinks belongs to him:
Meanwhile, the dastardly Viscount Courtnay is almost bankrupt and his creditors are hounding and threatening him. This villain decides that he's going to force Isabella to marry him so that he can use her dowry to pay off his debts. Fortunately, the H's half brother Sebastian is able to find out the villain's plans and Michael rushes off to try and save the heroine. Isabella, however, is not entirely useless and manages to save herself by delivering a well deserved knock out punch to the viscount's face. There's an amusing little comedy of errors that follow because the people who were supposed to find the heroine in a compromising situation with the viscount, walk in on the MC's having a passionate make out session. I have to confess that the storyline was wrapped up a bit too hurriedly after this scene. The MC's enter in a marriage of convenience in order to avoid scandal but the H soon builds up the courage to tell Isabella he loves her on their wedding night. That scene was rather cute, because he spent a lot of time practising his vows of everlasting love in front of the mirror:
After he had bathed, Michael wrapped a large bath sheet around his waist and padded barefoot into his bed-chamber from his dressing room.
“I love you Isabella,” he muttered aloud to himself, practicing for when he would see her at dinner.
“I love you and I want to take you to my bed,” he continued in a loud voice, enjoying hearing his words echo back at him.
“You what?”
The slim figure of his wife stood at the door to his bedchamber, her face a picture of shock.
“I-I-I-…”
Michael swallowed a curse and did the only thing he knew he was capable of at that very moment – he made his way across the room in two long strides and pulled his wife into his embrace.
“I love you,” he whispered as claimed her lips with his own."
This was an average novel and there were a few grammatical errors at the start, but it was very amusing to read because the storyline was definitely different from the conventional regency romances.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 17, 2018No rating as I couldn’t get past the second chapter. This writing was not for me.
Reasons:
1) Rake H with too many OW details.
2) Modern language and situations.
3) Lack of proper grammar. This really needed another edit or possibly more. For example: "It's time to eat, Grandma" vs. "It's time to eat Grandma." Punctuation can save lives sometimes.
Reasons:
1) Rake H with too many OW details.
2) Modern language and situations.
3) Lack of proper grammar. This really needed another edit or possibly more. For example: "It's time to eat, Grandma" vs. "It's time to eat Grandma." Punctuation can save lives sometimes.
August 23, 2020
This was another good clean fun from Ms. Stone. I do love light hearted reads from time to time. However, you scared me at one point but I won’t give that a way.
This is truly a little gem it’s so sweet and gives you all the feel good feeling.
#MyBookObsessionApproved
This is truly a little gem it’s so sweet and gives you all the feel good feeling.
#MyBookObsessionApproved
July 24, 2017
I really wanted to like this and there were moments that I really did love, but over all it fell pretty flat. His stutterer was charming, her strength was lovely to see. It just didn't quite come together correctly for me.
Want to read
September 12, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/12/2020)! 🎁
January 5, 2024
Isabella has a problem. Her stepmother has issued an ultimatum. Either she finds herself a husband by the end of the season, or she will marry her off to one of her nephews. Her father, thinking that he’s helping, triples her dowry, and lets everyone know. Now, every fortune hunter in London is after her. Thinking that a marriage of convenience with the Duke of Blackmore may be the answer, she proposes. But the Duke becomes so upset that he stumbles over his rejection.
Michael, Duke of Blackmore also has a problem. He stutters when he gets emotional. He had no fear in school or on the battlefield, but when Isabella preempts his proposal with one of her own, the words get stuck in his throat and embarrassed, she runs off.
Michael thinks he’s doing the right thing when he asks his mother to sponsor her in London. Until he finds out that the man who is wooing her has multiple gambling debts and plans on being found in a compromising position to force her to marry him.
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to everyone.
Michael, Duke of Blackmore also has a problem. He stutters when he gets emotional. He had no fear in school or on the battlefield, but when Isabella preempts his proposal with one of her own, the words get stuck in his throat and embarrassed, she runs off.
Michael thinks he’s doing the right thing when he asks his mother to sponsor her in London. Until he finds out that the man who is wooing her has multiple gambling debts and plans on being found in a compromising position to force her to marry him.
I enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to everyone.
May 22, 2017
Nice story
Enjoyed this book apart from spelling errors. It is a nice book. Will read the rest of books in the series but am curious as read the beginning of next book and Sutherland became Courtney hoping this error is fixed.
Enjoyed this book apart from spelling errors. It is a nice book. Will read the rest of books in the series but am curious as read the beginning of next book and Sutherland became Courtney hoping this error is fixed.
April 26, 2018
I was expecting the proposal to come much earlier in the story than it did, and once it happened the story seemed to lose a lot of momentum somehow.
February 12, 2020
Cute and sweet. I really enjoyed with quick paced regency.
March 17, 2017
Proposing to a Duke
This book has great potential but misses the mark as it is currently written. The plot does not fit well into a novella and would be so much better as a complete novel. The ending is too rushed, the final love scene is nearly nonexistent. Very disappointing in its current form! I would hope the author reads this and writes a revision to this story.
This book has great potential but misses the mark as it is currently written. The plot does not fit well into a novella and would be so much better as a complete novel. The ending is too rushed, the final love scene is nearly nonexistent. Very disappointing in its current form! I would hope the author reads this and writes a revision to this story.
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March 16, 2017Great read
This book had a nice different plot good characters good story line I would recommend this book to be read by all.
This book had a nice different plot good characters good story line I would recommend this book to be read by all.
July 21, 2018
Great Romance , very satisfying !
This is the perfect romance for a rainy day with no distractions ! I absolutely loved this one ! Its an easy read and you will fall in love with the two most important characters, Michael and Isabella . So get everything that you might want nearby and settle down , I read this book in two and a half hours ( putting it down only once )!!!! Loved every minute of it and I'm going to keep this one to read again , at a later date !
This is the perfect romance for a rainy day with no distractions ! I absolutely loved this one ! Its an easy read and you will fall in love with the two most important characters, Michael and Isabella . So get everything that you might want nearby and settle down , I read this book in two and a half hours ( putting it down only once )!!!! Loved every minute of it and I'm going to keep this one to read again , at a later date !
January 12, 2018
Twenty five year old Isabella is given an ultimatum by her step-mother, find a husband by the end of the London season or marry her step-mother's odious nephew. If she doesn't, Isabella's father will cut her off. After she receives the news, Isabella meets the intimidating Duke of Blackmore, capable of bringing debutantes to tears with a look. Isabella sees through his gruff exterior and offers him a marriage of convenience, surprising him into refusing. When Isabella's London season goes even better than she had hoped, the Duke follows her to London to make her an offer of his own.
This was a sweet clean novella with a perfectly matched hero and heroine! The Duke was big and brooding, with a flaw that made him lovable. Isabella was sweet and brave, not intimidated by his glowers. I liked the bit of background given on the Duke, it explained his behavior perfectly. It didn't feel like a novella at all, both of the characters were fleshed out and interesting. I may have missed the explanation, but I did wonder why Isabella didn't consider moving in with her sister and brother-in-law to take care of their children, they get along so well and love her. But then she would have missed her perfect match. I really enjoyed this one, and it's going on my reread list!
I loved the narration, Stevie Zimmerman was wonderful as always. She performed distinct voices for each character, and her male characters were as convincing as her female characters. It completely immersed me in the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a sweet clean novella with a perfectly matched hero and heroine! The Duke was big and brooding, with a flaw that made him lovable. Isabella was sweet and brave, not intimidated by his glowers. I liked the bit of background given on the Duke, it explained his behavior perfectly. It didn't feel like a novella at all, both of the characters were fleshed out and interesting. I may have missed the explanation, but I did wonder why Isabella didn't consider moving in with her sister and brother-in-law to take care of their children, they get along so well and love her. But then she would have missed her perfect match. I really enjoyed this one, and it's going on my reread list!
I loved the narration, Stevie Zimmerman was wonderful as always. She performed distinct voices for each character, and her male characters were as convincing as her female characters. It completely immersed me in the story. I requested a copy of the audiobook, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2017
I'd give this 3.5 Stars because I did like the overall story. There were a couple of areas that I would have liked more depth and information on (like why she didn't want to marry one of the step-mothers nephews, what was so wrong with them?). And why did the impending birth of the hopeful heir cause her father to insist she wed now? I'd also have liked to know more of the time the Duke was in the Army, not just a whitewash of his time. But, I liked the romance between Michael and Isabella, and it was a good twist having him deal with his speech impediment. This was a cute, quick read.
CONTENT: Language, none. Violence, none. Romance, PG-PG13. I wouldn't consider it a MATURE romance novel.
CONTENT: Language, none. Violence, none. Romance, PG-PG13. I wouldn't consider it a MATURE romance novel.
August 9, 2021
I enjoyed her other story The Duke’s Wayward Ward so I was looking forward to this one but it fell flat to me. The beginning was written very awkwardly to me; yes it gave us background to Michael’s stutter but the history of his stutter could have been revealed later.
His stutter didn’t make sense at times. He says long sentences but can’t just say, "I stutter" to Isabella? Or he could have written her a letter and handed it to her. And why he waited so long made little sense to me.
Isabella’s character also had an issue. She has no qualms publicly insulting a Duke but when a Viscount who is already losing his luster acts atrociously she literally bows her head and apologizes?
I was intrigued by the side characters who have other stories.
His stutter didn’t make sense at times. He says long sentences but can’t just say, "I stutter" to Isabella? Or he could have written her a letter and handed it to her. And why he waited so long made little sense to me.
Isabella’s character also had an issue. She has no qualms publicly insulting a Duke but when a Viscount who is already losing his luster acts atrociously she literally bows her head and apologizes?
I was intrigued by the side characters who have other stories.
November 12, 2017
Wow this book had loads of potential. However, it was ruined because of poor writing and racing through the story.
November 13, 2020
I enjoyed reading about Isabella Peregrine and Michael Linfield, the Duke of Blackmore. They were a funny pair to watch find each other. Isabella's step-mother gives her an ultimatum to find a husband or marry one of her awful nephews. This would also gain Isabella's large dowry as she would make sure the nephew did as told. She is old enough to make a decision to get married or not but believes that her father instructed her step-mother to push her into marriage. She does not want to get married after several failed seasons unless she can find the man of her dreams. She would rather become a spinster than live in a loveless marriage.
The Duke is a war hero who is intimidating in size and manner and has run many a debutante off who has tried to lure him in. He meets Isabella at his country estate which one of her friends, now married, lives in with a close friend of the Duke. They strike up a friendship of sorts and things go along well until Isabella decides one day to propose to him as she thinks they will get along. He had a bad stammer as a child and is not able to say yes because when feeling the stammer come back all he can do is say No which is not what he means or how he feels.
Embarrassed she flees back to London to make her way to the balls and a possible marriage. He has his mother watch over her and help her so she will not be hurt by someone wanting only her dowry.
He tried to talk to her again and straighten things out once he got to London but miss-understandings happen and they have to find a way to stumble back together.
A good read and likeable characters.
The Duke is a war hero who is intimidating in size and manner and has run many a debutante off who has tried to lure him in. He meets Isabella at his country estate which one of her friends, now married, lives in with a close friend of the Duke. They strike up a friendship of sorts and things go along well until Isabella decides one day to propose to him as she thinks they will get along. He had a bad stammer as a child and is not able to say yes because when feeling the stammer come back all he can do is say No which is not what he means or how he feels.
Embarrassed she flees back to London to make her way to the balls and a possible marriage. He has his mother watch over her and help her so she will not be hurt by someone wanting only her dowry.
He tried to talk to her again and straighten things out once he got to London but miss-understandings happen and they have to find a way to stumble back together.
A good read and likeable characters.
June 21, 2023
This is Claudia Stone's first Regency publication, and it is not as refined as a later book by this author (A SECOND CHANCE WITH A DUKE) that I recently enjoyed. This novel is the first in a trilogy, Regency Black Hearts. It is the story of Isabella Peregrine, a twenty-five-year-old confirmed spinster.
Her new stepmother insists that Isabella find a husband, or she will marry Isabella off to one of her aimless nephews. Rather than accept that fate, Isabella asks the Duke of Blackmore to agree to a marriage of convenience. When he turns her down, Isabella goes to London to participate in the rest of the Season. As time passes, Isabella soon realizes she must marry a man who wants her for her dowery or turn to a life in service as a governess.
The author's heavy-handed description of the Duke of Blackmore made him seem less than a stellar choice.
Her new stepmother insists that Isabella find a husband, or she will marry Isabella off to one of her aimless nephews. Rather than accept that fate, Isabella asks the Duke of Blackmore to agree to a marriage of convenience. When he turns her down, Isabella goes to London to participate in the rest of the Season. As time passes, Isabella soon realizes she must marry a man who wants her for her dowery or turn to a life in service as a governess.
The author's heavy-handed description of the Duke of Blackmore made him seem less than a stellar choice.
February 11, 2019
‘Proposing to a Duke’ by Claudia Stone was an enjoyable read. I gave it 5 stars despite its lack of proper grammar usage. I really enjoy reading Claudia Stone’s works. They aren’t the best written books, but they are romantic, funny, charming, and who doesn’t like a hot brooding Duke. I love the twist of a disreputable Duke having a stutter. My heart ached for him when he shared his story of growing up and how he developed his stutter. Isabella is funny, has a fire in her, and most what I look for in a heroine, she isn’t annoying in her lust/love for a man. This book was quite steamy, but still managed to be clean. I loved the plot, and the characters and can’t wait to read Lydia’s story!
February 25, 2019
Sorry, but this was just silly.
Michael could not let himself get involved with Isabella because of his deep dark secret (when he got nervous or stressed he stuttered.) When Michael was a little boy he walked in on his father getting it on with a servant and the father dropped dead at that moment and the girl told him he'd killed his father? And the boy stopped talking then began to stutter then got better, except for occasionally he would fall back into stuttering.
I finally had to quit at 63%.
As to the narration: Stevie Zimmerman is a wonderful narrator but not even she could help this silly story.
December 24, 2025
2.5 stars
If you want a book that is extremely similar to the first book of Bridgerton look no further this book os what you're looking for
The story is about Michael Blackmore, he is a duke and he has a huge secret he's been keeping from the world, he has a stutter and he doesn't want to be close to anyone because of it, so when the beautiful lady Isabel proposes marriage of convenience to him to escape from her dawry hunters he becomes flustered and is mistaken to refuse her offer, when in reality he wants nothing more to be her husband
the book was short and nice, but its not clean since there was so much mention of sexual stuff .. I will continue the series but beware of that
If you want a book that is extremely similar to the first book of Bridgerton look no further this book os what you're looking for
The story is about Michael Blackmore, he is a duke and he has a huge secret he's been keeping from the world, he has a stutter and he doesn't want to be close to anyone because of it, so when the beautiful lady Isabel proposes marriage of convenience to him to escape from her dawry hunters he becomes flustered and is mistaken to refuse her offer, when in reality he wants nothing more to be her husband
the book was short and nice, but its not clean since there was so much mention of sexual stuff .. I will continue the series but beware of that
March 1, 2020
This is the first book in the Regency Black Hearts Series, a clean regency romance. Isabella and Michael’s story is beautifully written, fun, and sweet. They are perfect together, and I loved to follow them in this journey. I love the ending and the beautiful epilogue. This is a lovely and heartwarming story. I love Claudia Stone’s writing. She never disappoints. Stevie Zimmerman has a beautiful voice. The characters were easy to distinguish. She did a great and entertaining read of this story! Looking forward to listen to the next book in the Series, The Duke’s Brother.
May 7, 2017
Good one!!
Sure, there were a lot of mistakes...
Plus, the Duke riled me up. I mean, why didn't he just court her? Why did he wait so long?? Why did he not save her from scandal but rather cause it? Don't get me wrong, I liked the background story and I was really fond of him but there was a lot of... I can't control myself around her going on...
Our heroine? Refreshing. Not a damsel in distress
And the minor characters? Awesome. Go Lydia!!
Sure, there were a lot of mistakes...
Plus, the Duke riled me up. I mean, why didn't he just court her? Why did he wait so long?? Why did he not save her from scandal but rather cause it? Don't get me wrong, I liked the background story and I was really fond of him but there was a lot of... I can't control myself around her going on...
Our heroine? Refreshing. Not a damsel in distress
And the minor characters? Awesome. Go Lydia!!
February 6, 2020
Proposing to a Duke is a funny and charming historical romance that is mostly sweet with just a little spice. The story is hard to put down (or stop listening to), and the characters are easy to fall in love with.
Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content.
The narrator of the audiobook does a terrific job bringing the story to life and is well suited for this type of book.
"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."
Recommended for mature readers due to sexual content.
The narrator of the audiobook does a terrific job bringing the story to life and is well suited for this type of book.
"This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review."
May 17, 2021
Wonderful read
Totally loved this book. The characters were especially lovable and the storyline was interesting, faced-paced and intriguing. The subject of the duke’s stutter was an interesting addition to the story and handled in a sensitive manner. There was intrigue and suspense but not to the extent that it caused me stress, which I greatly appreciate. I really love this author’s writing and will surely buy more of her books. Thank you for this wonderful read.
Totally loved this book. The characters were especially lovable and the storyline was interesting, faced-paced and intriguing. The subject of the duke’s stutter was an interesting addition to the story and handled in a sensitive manner. There was intrigue and suspense but not to the extent that it caused me stress, which I greatly appreciate. I really love this author’s writing and will surely buy more of her books. Thank you for this wonderful read.
January 23, 2018
This book is part of a series that is about 5 books. Oddly enough, it is not advertised as such. This is definitely a short story, but I felt that it could have been longer with more character development. My one real gripe about this book, and all of her books really, is the lack of proper editing. There are just too many mistakes for a properly editing book. All in all, a good quick read.
December 15, 2019
H is huge, soldier with a speech impediment who can however speak easily in other languages. Unfortunately this was not used as a plot device and I thought it might have added interest to what was a boring story. The h was not an attractive character to me, and I thought the H could have done better than her. I thought the plot and characters all needed a boost.
December 21, 2019
So close, but not quite there.
I could not find a good page to truly sink myself into, during the beginning stages of this novel. I like to imagine it in my mind as a movie as the pages turn; however, I never could find footing to actually get that started here with this story. I would possibly like to try again later, hopefully it might be a better fit.
I could not find a good page to truly sink myself into, during the beginning stages of this novel. I like to imagine it in my mind as a movie as the pages turn; however, I never could find footing to actually get that started here with this story. I would possibly like to try again later, hopefully it might be a better fit.
February 12, 2020
I’m not sure how I came across this book but decided to give it a shot. The beginning is definitely not the usual beginning. I guess the story was okay I just wasn’t over the moon about Michael. He was a little bit annoying. I did enjoy it but I didn’t see any romance growing. It was a little disappointing.
May 7, 2021
A touching romance that really grabbed my interest!!
There were many things I loved about this book. The chemistry that radiated in each interlude between Michael and Isabella. The wit and tongue in cheek humour that threaded throughout the more serious and harrowing moments. The uncertainities and all consuming emotion that welled up inside Michael and forced him to choke back his words as he stuttered to reveal his overwhelming feelings. Not to mention, the confidence and sharp wit Isabella has when first in the company of the believed to be austere Duke, as she attempts to puzzle him out and desperately seek a husband before one can be forced upon her. All things that greatly adhered the pair to me. Along with the fascinating sub characters too that added wit and spice, in the form of Sebastian Black and the scrummy sexual tension - come bickering indifference - between the Marquis of Sutherland and Lydia.
However, I must admit to being a little disappointed that the flow felt a little disjointed at times even if it didn't effect my desire to keep reading. Especially towards the end as the steady trot the tale swept along with, in terms of the slow burning romance, seemed to suddenly quicken into a canter and ended the tale rather too abruptly for me. Yet, having the lovely epilogue, I must say, was a major plus.
Overall a sweet, heart warming romance that really entertained and allowed me to be swept away for a few hours with some highly captivating characters!!
There were many things I loved about this book. The chemistry that radiated in each interlude between Michael and Isabella. The wit and tongue in cheek humour that threaded throughout the more serious and harrowing moments. The uncertainities and all consuming emotion that welled up inside Michael and forced him to choke back his words as he stuttered to reveal his overwhelming feelings. Not to mention, the confidence and sharp wit Isabella has when first in the company of the believed to be austere Duke, as she attempts to puzzle him out and desperately seek a husband before one can be forced upon her. All things that greatly adhered the pair to me. Along with the fascinating sub characters too that added wit and spice, in the form of Sebastian Black and the scrummy sexual tension - come bickering indifference - between the Marquis of Sutherland and Lydia.
However, I must admit to being a little disappointed that the flow felt a little disjointed at times even if it didn't effect my desire to keep reading. Especially towards the end as the steady trot the tale swept along with, in terms of the slow burning romance, seemed to suddenly quicken into a canter and ended the tale rather too abruptly for me. Yet, having the lovely epilogue, I must say, was a major plus.
Overall a sweet, heart warming romance that really entertained and allowed me to be swept away for a few hours with some highly captivating characters!!
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