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Deceived #4
A Suitable Replacement
After three years abroad on an arduous expedition, Maximilian is happy to be home, where he can pursue his studies in peace and enjoy not living in a dusty tent. He has arrived in time to attend his twin sister's wedding in a few months, and to finally meet her fiancé, Kelcey.But instead of reuniting with his sister, he is instead accosted by her irate fiancé, who wants to know where she has run off to and why. When they confirm the wedding is most definitely canceled, Max has no choice but to fulfill the runaway clause in the marriage he must find Kelcey a new spouse.But instead of a simple matter of escorting a man around town and arranging a suitable match, he instead finds himself swept up in all the trouble his infuriating sister left behind.
250 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2014
About the author
Megan Derr
289 books3,001 followersMegan is a long time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.
meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
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facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
meganderr.com
patreon.com/meganderr
meganderr.blogspot.com
facebook.com/meganaprilderr
meganaderr@gmail.com
@meganaderr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 5, 2013
If there’s anything Megan Derr does well – well, okay, stop. Megan Derr does a lot well, but what she does especially well is the Mr. Grumpy-Pants hero. You know, the character who’s extremely intelligent, a little rigid with a sharp tongue he’s only too happy to use. He looks like Mr. Confident to others, and it’s not that he’s lacking in self-confidence, but he feels a little overlooked. He may not be willing to admit it to anyone else, but he's lonely and vulnerable. HE'S WAITING FOR MY LOVE. Okay, fine, not my love, but the love of a good man. There are few things I enjoy more than watching Mr. Grumpy-Pants fall ever-so reluctantly in love.
Yum, yum, gimme some.
So imagine my joy upon discovering that there are two such characters in A Suitable Replacement. Lord Maximillian Honeysett has returned home from three years abroad. He's a scientist who's not greatly respected by his colleagues. Max is immediately accosted by Kelcey Moore, who's looking for Lady Mavin, his fiancee and Max's capricious twin sister. Kelcey, of course, has a dark past and looks exactly like the highwaymen Max loves to read about.
I'll take some of that too, please.
Their first meeting doesn't go well -- within 2 minutes a book is thrown and a pistol makes an appearance. Of course this means they're guaranteed to fall madly in love. After a lot of sex and chaos, that is.
The best thing about Megan Derr's "historical" novels is that she adds a bit of fantasy to the mix. There are no labels -- no one is gay, straight or even bisexual, they just like who they like. No one has to "come out" or fear ridicule for their sexual preferences. Men and women are on equal footing -- for instance Max's sister Mavin was born a few minutes before him so she's the one who inherits their father's dukedom. It's a relaxing way to read a historical without having to worry about any nasty realities.
I had one major problem with this book. The sister, Lady Mavin. She's supposed to be oh so likeable, outspoken and full of life, the character who's supposed to come up smelling like roses no matter what she does. But she just pissed me off. It's her poor decisions that lead Max to making personal sacrifices to clean up her mess. Yes, he's the one who decides to make those sacrifices but I still wanted to see her suffer in some way. Nothing huge, not a brick to the head or anything (though I considered it), just some sort of small punishment. A few days in a stinking jail cell maybe? But no, she gets to be happy, happy, happy while Max makes decisions that threaten his relationship with Kelcey. And, of course, she cries a little and Max forgives her. Barf.
However, my love of two grumpy dudes getting it on outweighed my need to brain the sister and I enjoyed this book. Though this is the 5th book in the Deceived series it's not necessary to read them in any order so feel free to jump in whenever. Also, if you'd like to read a short story from the series, but do not wish plunk down any of your hard earned cash, you can get Seconds for free on Amazon, on the Less Than Three Press website, or read it on Goodreads.
3.5 stars.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
January 5, 2014
This book is a hot mess.
I'm not even sure it deserves both these two stars, and that shocks me. I have a lot of time for Megan Derr and I am predisposed to especially like these fantasy-historicals, but this is terrible.
The plot made exactly no sense--some over-emphasized detail here, some hand-wavy vagueness there, possible goblins, and lots of really unnecessary lying. And the characters were nominally adults, but so extraordinarily immature that 12-year-olds would be giving them the hairy eyeball.
Embarrassing.
I'm not even sure it deserves both these two stars, and that shocks me. I have a lot of time for Megan Derr and I am predisposed to especially like these fantasy-historicals, but this is terrible.
The plot made exactly no sense--some over-emphasized detail here, some hand-wavy vagueness there, possible goblins, and lots of really unnecessary lying. And the characters were nominally adults, but so extraordinarily immature that 12-year-olds would be giving them the hairy eyeball.
Embarrassing.
July 7, 2015
Received to review via Netgalley.
Wow, this was really clumsily written. I don’t mind the dramatic plotline — I have an embarrassing enjoyment of silly tropes like compulsory marriage and the way it can throw characters together. But the characters didn’t feel real, the writing was a mess, and the plot just bounced around rather randomly. I notice from Goodreads that it is listed as part of a series: I have no idea if that has anything to do with it.
But really, I couldn’t get past the infodumps, bad dialogue, etc. I’ve enjoyed other books from Less Than Three press, but this one, wow. Nope.
Originally posted here.
Wow, this was really clumsily written. I don’t mind the dramatic plotline — I have an embarrassing enjoyment of silly tropes like compulsory marriage and the way it can throw characters together. But the characters didn’t feel real, the writing was a mess, and the plot just bounced around rather randomly. I notice from Goodreads that it is listed as part of a series: I have no idea if that has anything to do with it.
But really, I couldn’t get past the infodumps, bad dialogue, etc. I’ve enjoyed other books from Less Than Three press, but this one, wow. Nope.
Originally posted here.
April 13, 2015
2.5 stars
** SPOILERS ALL OVER THE PLACE, TOO LAZY FOR SPOILER-TAGS **
My review is basically similar to the other 2-stars reviews that have been available here. I thought the story started well. For around 30% - 35%, I enjoyed the adorable traits that of Megan Derr's that I was familiar with. Max is the 'grumpy' guy who finds himself being attracted to his twin sister's ex-fiancé, Kelcey. Kelcey is the broody guy being the son of a traitorous family who attempted to kill the crown prince and had a checkered past under a different name. See, THIS could easily be a loveable story -- in which Max and Kelcey became friends, and then Kelcey realizes that Max is a suitable replacement for his twin sister, and they fall in love, and live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, after that point, the story went south to what I called "a WTF-ery" territory. Because suddenly, the family of the princess who engaged to the guy whom Max's sister ran away with (get the connection yet?) decided that Max should be the replacement -- because clearly there are nobody else in the entire kingdom that could be the princess' husband. Max's way to avoid it? ELOPE to Kelcey, of course. However, Kelcey's past come forward and threaten his life. So Max accepts the help to protect Kelcey by agreeing for ANNULMENT and then marries that princess (she is pregnant!!) for a year of arrangement. He can get a divorce after that and returns to Kelcey. Which is totally WTF for me, because apparently Kelcey is able to kill that man from his past anyway.
It a was a mess of a plot, in my opinion. In addition, what are all these 'tidbits' about Goblin war and magic, which totally didn't do anything for the world-built nor had any significant to the storyline. It could easily be a simple regency story, without the whole paranormal element.
Oh, and Max's sister? Totally selfish in my opinion! Max should not forgive her so easily. Everything that happened after were all because of her...
I have read better stories from Megan Derr. This one falls into my least favorite category.
** SPOILERS ALL OVER THE PLACE, TOO LAZY FOR SPOILER-TAGS **
My review is basically similar to the other 2-stars reviews that have been available here. I thought the story started well. For around 30% - 35%, I enjoyed the adorable traits that of Megan Derr's that I was familiar with. Max is the 'grumpy' guy who finds himself being attracted to his twin sister's ex-fiancé, Kelcey. Kelcey is the broody guy being the son of a traitorous family who attempted to kill the crown prince and had a checkered past under a different name. See, THIS could easily be a loveable story -- in which Max and Kelcey became friends, and then Kelcey realizes that Max is a suitable replacement for his twin sister, and they fall in love, and live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, after that point, the story went south to what I called "a WTF-ery" territory. Because suddenly, the family of the princess who engaged to the guy whom Max's sister ran away with (get the connection yet?) decided that Max should be the replacement -- because clearly there are nobody else in the entire kingdom that could be the princess' husband. Max's way to avoid it? ELOPE to Kelcey, of course. However, Kelcey's past come forward and threaten his life. So Max accepts the help to protect Kelcey by agreeing for ANNULMENT and then marries that princess (she is pregnant!!) for a year of arrangement. He can get a divorce after that and returns to Kelcey. Which is totally WTF for me, because apparently Kelcey is able to kill that man from his past anyway.
It a was a mess of a plot, in my opinion. In addition, what are all these 'tidbits' about Goblin war and magic, which totally didn't do anything for the world-built nor had any significant to the storyline. It could easily be a simple regency story, without the whole paranormal element.
Oh, and Max's sister? Totally selfish in my opinion! Max should not forgive her so easily. Everything that happened after were all because of her...
I have read better stories from Megan Derr. This one falls into my least favorite category.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2014
At the beginning, I thought the story was about a brother becoming 'replacement' for his run-away sister. In a sense, it still was, but with twists.
The book itself, however, is not even. There are too many chapters in the middle where the story doesn't advance, and then, bam! everything goes at the later chapters.
The solution at the end is too convenient that it felt a bit of deus ex machine to me.
The book itself, however, is not even. There are too many chapters in the middle where the story doesn't advance, and then, bam! everything goes at the later chapters.
The solution at the end is too convenient that it felt a bit of deus ex machine to me.
August 1, 2014
Out of all of Megan Derr’s stories, I love these kinds the best. I am an absolute historical-romance junkie, but when I made the switch over to m/m I had to basically accept that my historical men were not going to get the HEA I was used to. Which sucks, because while I like a little angst I am in love with a love that conquers all. So when I stumbled on to Derr’s collection of stories–-the ones that gave me all the feelings and situations of Victorian life, but none of those pesky sodomy laws–-well I was in absolute heaven.
It is a good heaven too. The one where you can eat all the cheesecake you like, while hunky men give you backrubs and then wrestle each other naked and all greased up for your viewing pleasure. That kind of heaven. My kind of heaven.
So take all that wonderful faux-Victorian living and throw in a forced marriage (or two), falling in love with your sister’s ex-fiancé, and a hero that can’t see just how wonderful he is. And that is only a taste of the gooey wonderfulness that is A Suitable Replacement.
Max is like my favorite type of character. He is smart, sarcastic, and can’t see how damn awesome he really is. He has lived in his sister’s rather outrageous shadow all his life (almost literally, since they are twins and she is the eldest). And while he loves her dearly…his also kinda wants to strangle her. Which I understand-–I have three siblings and we have lived in each other’s pockets most of our lives. If you don’t want to kill each other at least the third of the time, well then, it is not really family. But at least none of my sibs has run off to get married, and left me holding the bag. Well, at least not yet.
So Max doesn’t see his awesome, but Kelcey does. Well…after Kelcey is done shouting at him about his fiancé running off to god knows where without telling anyone. Which is probably a pretty decent reason to yell, if there ever was one. And while Kelcey wants absolutely nothing to do with the whole ‘runaway clause’ in the marriage contract, Max seems dead set of fixing his sister’s stupid mistake. And it was stupid because, really, who would run away from Kelcey? He is like Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysteriously Handsome all wrapped up in an You-Can’t-Touch-Me bow. Which only makes Max want him all the more. Which he shouldn’t…because his sister called dibs.
And Max’s sister…my god. I don’t have the words for the hairbrained awesome that she is. Part of me wants to smack her for running off on that madcap scheme, with nary a thought to the consequences. But another part of me just loves how openly brazen she is about everything. Sex, life, love. And the bickering between her and Max is just perfect. That is family–-love ‘em, hate ‘em, know the best ways to wound them and to fix ‘em. And I can’t really hate a lady who is more than willing to piss off three royal families in order to have her own HEA.
There is just so much I love about this book. The characters were so very well written, and I loved them all. Even the ones I wanted to smack. Plus you don’t see nearly enough dark-skinned heroes in m/m. Or in romances in general. Kelcey, with all his pride and his determination to do whatever he has to survive the pretty fucked up hand he has been dealt, is a perfect match for the sarcastic, self-deprecating, scientist who flaunts convention (and probably a few laws) to prove that magic does exist for all that the government would like to sweep that whole Goblin Wars thing under the rug.
Oh, and the sex. Lord have mercy. I had forgotten how Derr can write a sex scene to knock your knickers off. The last few stories I have read from her have been rather tame in this area, and I think this wonderful part of her writing just slipped to the back of my mind. But, gods in heaven, that balcony scene. Just…yes. And probably more and again as well.
So my verdict? So, so good. Like chocolate covered pretzels dipped in peanut butter. Followed by a bottle of wine.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
It is a good heaven too. The one where you can eat all the cheesecake you like, while hunky men give you backrubs and then wrestle each other naked and all greased up for your viewing pleasure. That kind of heaven. My kind of heaven.
So take all that wonderful faux-Victorian living and throw in a forced marriage (or two), falling in love with your sister’s ex-fiancé, and a hero that can’t see just how wonderful he is. And that is only a taste of the gooey wonderfulness that is A Suitable Replacement.
Max is like my favorite type of character. He is smart, sarcastic, and can’t see how damn awesome he really is. He has lived in his sister’s rather outrageous shadow all his life (almost literally, since they are twins and she is the eldest). And while he loves her dearly…his also kinda wants to strangle her. Which I understand-–I have three siblings and we have lived in each other’s pockets most of our lives. If you don’t want to kill each other at least the third of the time, well then, it is not really family. But at least none of my sibs has run off to get married, and left me holding the bag. Well, at least not yet.
So Max doesn’t see his awesome, but Kelcey does. Well…after Kelcey is done shouting at him about his fiancé running off to god knows where without telling anyone. Which is probably a pretty decent reason to yell, if there ever was one. And while Kelcey wants absolutely nothing to do with the whole ‘runaway clause’ in the marriage contract, Max seems dead set of fixing his sister’s stupid mistake. And it was stupid because, really, who would run away from Kelcey? He is like Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysteriously Handsome all wrapped up in an You-Can’t-Touch-Me bow. Which only makes Max want him all the more. Which he shouldn’t…because his sister called dibs.
And Max’s sister…my god. I don’t have the words for the hairbrained awesome that she is. Part of me wants to smack her for running off on that madcap scheme, with nary a thought to the consequences. But another part of me just loves how openly brazen she is about everything. Sex, life, love. And the bickering between her and Max is just perfect. That is family–-love ‘em, hate ‘em, know the best ways to wound them and to fix ‘em. And I can’t really hate a lady who is more than willing to piss off three royal families in order to have her own HEA.
There is just so much I love about this book. The characters were so very well written, and I loved them all. Even the ones I wanted to smack. Plus you don’t see nearly enough dark-skinned heroes in m/m. Or in romances in general. Kelcey, with all his pride and his determination to do whatever he has to survive the pretty fucked up hand he has been dealt, is a perfect match for the sarcastic, self-deprecating, scientist who flaunts convention (and probably a few laws) to prove that magic does exist for all that the government would like to sweep that whole Goblin Wars thing under the rug.
Oh, and the sex. Lord have mercy. I had forgotten how Derr can write a sex scene to knock your knickers off. The last few stories I have read from her have been rather tame in this area, and I think this wonderful part of her writing just slipped to the back of my mind. But, gods in heaven, that balcony scene. Just…yes. And probably more and again as well.
So my verdict? So, so good. Like chocolate covered pretzels dipped in peanut butter. Followed by a bottle of wine.
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
August 9, 2014
I am not sure if this should be counted in the Deceived 'verse... Since it has vague quasi-paranormal element to it as well as various elements that I felt set it apart from the previous installments.
For me, this book felt like... Ms. Derr wasn't sure which direction she wants for the story.
I felt that this probably wasn't her strongest book. It was an ok read but would not be a reread for me...
For me, this book felt like... Ms. Derr wasn't sure which direction she wants for the story.
I felt that this probably wasn't her strongest book. It was an ok read but would not be a reread for me...
March 1, 2014
4.5 stars. Very enjoyable read, as always! Would of been the full 5 stars, but I just never warmed up to Mavin. Max definitely got the short end of the stick there, considering he had to
July 13, 2014
This was a miss for me, started off strong and then went downhill. The whiplash toward the end dropped it from 3 to 2 stars. So, wait, he had to get an annulment just to marry someone he'd never met and then divorce and then, HUH? Was Max the ONLY SINGLE ROYAL LEFT IN THE WHOLE BLOODY COUNTRY? That made no sense whatsoever.
October 21, 2018
Enjoyed
3.75 ⭐️
I did enjoyed this one as it seemed to have a more in depth storyline to the rest in the series, but it wasn’t my favourite.
I liked Max and Kelcey individually but didn’t really fully feel the connection between the two.
3.75 ⭐️
I did enjoyed this one as it seemed to have a more in depth storyline to the rest in the series, but it wasn’t my favourite.
I liked Max and Kelcey individually but didn’t really fully feel the connection between the two.
April 27, 2017
Uh, really? The premise sounded like light-hearted fun and so were the first chapters, but then the plot started spinning in such nonsensical direction, my disbelief was hanging by a thread, and then the thread snapped. Then, the passages that were supposedly funny were so at Max's expense, to the point of making me uncomfortable, and then - the final scenes? What kind of mental acrobatics do you have to go through to see Max as anything else as broken and betrayed by everyone he loved? I refuse to see any HEA potential here.
May 15, 2019
I started this one late last year and then got interrupted by life before I could finish it. Despite that, it kept nagging at me because I just had to know what happened to Max and Kelcey. It's a lovely little fantasy romance in a world I adore. I'd have happily read six times as much story as this but it felt just about perfect once I finally managed to finish it.
Highly recommend this one!
Highly recommend this one!
January 28, 2014
Well, this was not what I was expecting. Having read and reread the first chapter numerous times I thought this was going to be a fun story about a man matchmaking another man while falling in love with him. A bit like the matchmaker (also by Megan Derr). I was wrong, so so wrong.
Sure it starts out like Max is going to search for a spouse for his sister's jilted lover, but that's quickly dropped after two or so chapters, instead Max and Kelcey start to try a friendship (sort of), but that's quickly interrupted by the fact that the man Max's sister runs off with also left behind a betroth which leads to complications sudden elopement, Max and Kelcey going on the run, some random misery of traveling , and then Kelcey's past is revealed (not his families's past, that was already covered) which brings about complications, ...
I don't know what to think. I came in expecting something fun and sweet and left experiencing something very different (darn expectations). Max, his sister, even Kelcey are very dramatic, insecure, loud, and again dramatic. It was amusing but also frustrating at times. There was a meanness to Max's relationship with his sister I didn't expect, sure they love each other, but like some real sibling relationships love doesn't always mean like all the time.
Final Thoughts: It was okay, but I didn't really like it probably because I came in with certain expectations that never happened. Pretty quick read.
Sure it starts out like Max is going to search for a spouse for his sister's jilted lover, but that's quickly dropped after two or so chapters, instead Max and Kelcey start to try a friendship (sort of), but that's quickly interrupted by the fact that the man Max's sister runs off with also left behind a betroth which leads to complications sudden elopement, Max and Kelcey going on the run, some random misery of traveling , and then Kelcey's past is revealed (not his families's past, that was already covered) which brings about complications, ...
I don't know what to think. I came in expecting something fun and sweet and left experiencing something very different (darn expectations). Max, his sister, even Kelcey are very dramatic, insecure, loud, and again dramatic. It was amusing but also frustrating at times. There was a meanness to Max's relationship with his sister I didn't expect, sure they love each other, but like some real sibling relationships love doesn't always mean like all the time.
Final Thoughts: It was okay, but I didn't really like it probably because I came in with certain expectations that never happened. Pretty quick read.
August 6, 2014
Hmm... It had a lot of potential, but the story seemed to skip over parts that could have been exciting to read about.
I tagged it as Fantasy even though it really isn't. But, it did have that Goblin war and science in it. However brief.
I actually set it aside for a while in the middle as I had lost interest. But, I picked it back up because I didn't have anything else to read. I finished it, but felt it lacked a good journey.
I tagged it as Fantasy even though it really isn't. But, it did have that Goblin war and science in it. However brief.
I actually set it aside for a while in the middle as I had lost interest. But, I picked it back up because I didn't have anything else to read. I finished it, but felt it lacked a good journey.
January 9, 2017
Not my favorite by Megan Derr, and that is a shocker. I thought from the blurb that this would have a "marriage of convenience" trope, which I love. Well, it kind of does have that trope, but there's all sorts of other plot lines that didn't really make sense to me or come together in a cohesive way. Honestly, I thought the "plan" at the end was a copout. Not one I would likely read again.
August 9, 2014
DNF 64%.
I didn't connect enough to continue reading. I think readers who love historicals will enjoy this. I am picky about historicals and this one didn't work for me. The problems caused by the twin just pissed me off.
I didn't connect enough to continue reading. I think readers who love historicals will enjoy this. I am picky about historicals and this one didn't work for me. The problems caused by the twin just pissed me off.
September 19, 2017
I surprised myself by enjoying this a lot. I haven't had much luck with Megan Derr in the past - I've read several of her short stories and didn't like either her plots or her writing style. This book is more recent and more lengthy, however, so perhaps all she needed was some time and space. I've seen a lot of reviews criticizing how absurd and nonsensical much of the storyline in A Suitable Replacement is, and I have to agree, but I also didn't really care. I was so totally sold on the characters and their romance (plus, y'know, I have a bit of a weakness for arranged/forced marriage stories...) that I was willing to overlook how unlikely it all was and how many things went unexplained. (I haven't read the rest of the series, so I also don't know for sure whether or not all the stuff about the Goblin Wars was explained in other books, but I gather that it was not.) Max and Kelcey were lovely together, and I really adored Mavin. Sorry not sorry, but I am all about a woman who apologetically goes after what she wants, gets it, and doesn't have to suffer for it. Really, it's about time that fictional men had to bear the burden for the sake of a fictional woman's happiness. And I really enjoyed seeing a fantasy world where attraction to multiple genders is normal and gender discrimination doesn't seem to be a thing.
October 29, 2017
Almost as soon as I saw that Megan Derr had a new book coming out I requested to read it. She is one of my favorites, and the plot summary of A Suitable Replacement sounded intriguing.
The story follows the return of Maximillian, after three years studying abroad. However, instead of finding his twin sister just about to get married, he finds the mess she has left behind. Instead of marrying her fiancé, Kelcey, she has run off leaving no word. Max finds he is the only one left to fulfill the runaway clause of the marriage contract, he must find Kelcey a new fiancé. This was not how he imagined his return would go.
I have to say this was not one of my favorite stories by Derr, and in fact I took many months between starting it and when I finally finished it. It did pick up at the end, but I found a lot of the plot was rather predictable. It was so predictable that I spent some time just yelling at the characters to catch up with me. However, it did get more intriguing towards the end, but it was a bit too late for me.
Final Verdict: Not one of my favorites, and a bit too predictable at the beginning, but the end does pick up.
Originally posted: https://francesandlynne.wordpress.com...
The story follows the return of Maximillian, after three years studying abroad. However, instead of finding his twin sister just about to get married, he finds the mess she has left behind. Instead of marrying her fiancé, Kelcey, she has run off leaving no word. Max finds he is the only one left to fulfill the runaway clause of the marriage contract, he must find Kelcey a new fiancé. This was not how he imagined his return would go.
I have to say this was not one of my favorite stories by Derr, and in fact I took many months between starting it and when I finally finished it. It did pick up at the end, but I found a lot of the plot was rather predictable. It was so predictable that I spent some time just yelling at the characters to catch up with me. However, it did get more intriguing towards the end, but it was a bit too late for me.
Final Verdict: Not one of my favorites, and a bit too predictable at the beginning, but the end does pick up.
Originally posted: https://francesandlynne.wordpress.com...
December 29, 2020
Okay, so the plot to this book was a HOT MESS and guess what? I freaking LOVED It.
*dramatic sigh* Where to begin, though?
I put off reading the 4th book in the Deceived series because, with the exception of the 5th book (which I do not plan to read), this one had the lowest reviews of the series. I generally agreed on the ratings for the other three books and wasn't sure about this one as result. However, the summary sounded like too much fun to pass up, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm really glad I did.
Now, the thing that you need to do before you read this book is let go of most anything logical. This book is about a man who is tasked with finding a replacement for his twin sister after she elopes with another man and leaves her fiance hanging. I mean, I'm sure you can figure out where this is going, but that's not all that happens, not by a long shot. So lay back, relax, and don't expect brilliant plot development here. It's wack, but it's fun.
I'm not going to expand on much because if you're going to read it, you're going to read it, and if you're not, you're not. Enjoy!
*dramatic sigh* Where to begin, though?
I put off reading the 4th book in the Deceived series because, with the exception of the 5th book (which I do not plan to read), this one had the lowest reviews of the series. I generally agreed on the ratings for the other three books and wasn't sure about this one as result. However, the summary sounded like too much fun to pass up, so I decided to give it a shot. I'm really glad I did.
Now, the thing that you need to do before you read this book is let go of most anything logical. This book is about a man who is tasked with finding a replacement for his twin sister after she elopes with another man and leaves her fiance hanging. I mean, I'm sure you can figure out where this is going, but that's not all that happens, not by a long shot. So lay back, relax, and don't expect brilliant plot development here. It's wack, but it's fun.
I'm not going to expand on much because if you're going to read it, you're going to read it, and if you're not, you're not. Enjoy!
June 11, 2018
Poor Max a crackpot researcher returns home for relaxation, his experiments and his twin sister’s wedding. Unfortunately, his sister has run away, and her fiancée is on the hunt, but he’s not the only one. Max is tasked to find a new fiancée. I liked how open the twins were and how they bicker and tease back and forth. Their sexual preferences made things more interesting. Would’ve liked to see an extra with Kel preying on Max’s highwayman weakness. An enjoyable smooth story from start to finish.
October 16, 2018
Try as I might, I could neither warm up to the characters nor enjoy the plot. The romance was nothing but awkward. Both Kelcey and Max were acting like idiots most of the time, the sister annoyed me greatly, the magic&goblins theme was bizarre at best and didn't fit at all. But that's not the worst. The fact that got me seriously upset was that Max actually decided to marry the princess after all. No matter the persuasions, no matter it was only temporary, that should simply not have happened.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2019
I like the madcap, zany humor. The sibling semi-antagonism was in character and is the way some sibs act. The way the ending was tidied up with a temporary marriage bothered me a bit, hence the three stars.
December 18, 2020
I always enjoy this author's works! I need to either start and finish reading all the books in the series I've started or read new books in the other series!!! :)
This author has a way of writing the characters that I just eat up. It never fails to hook me!
This author has a way of writing the characters that I just eat up. It never fails to hook me!
April 18, 2021
This one was a bit over-the-top and I didn't completely warm up to the plot or the MC. I didn't like how often Max fell, stumbled, was shoved around or beaten. I don't like the damsel-in-distress types.
March 23, 2017
Predictable but enjoyable.
Read
July 31, 2023DNF at about 40%
August 2, 2014
Reviewed for Rainbow Gold Review
The cover of the book implied for me, that this would be a historical. You get a historical setting with carriages, breeches, cravats, ballrooms and how to address the other person properly but that´s where the similarities ends. I actually was a little confused at the beginning why Mavin, Maximillian´s twin sister, is the Duchess and not Max the Duke, since that´s not how passing on of the title works, normally at least. Since I assumed this story would be a historical, I, of course, was at fault for wrong expectations. Was I disappointed? Hell no!!! As I finally wrapped my mind about the concept of what the author created, I enjoyed this book a lot. It was refreshingly new to me :).Thrown into it was a little fantasy with goblins and magic. Although it was exactly what Maximilian studies, we only got basic information on all that. Since I didn´t read the first four books in this series I don´t know if it was explained in one of the former books and it was not that important for the storyline.
Maximlian is a scientist. He loves what he does and defends it fiercely. Yes, sometimes he portraits a scientist as you imagine one. Absorbed in his studies and experiments, not caring about what he wears or how he looks. He is also an honorable man, shares a deep bond with his sister and is wicked as hell. Kelcey on the other hand is a fighter. He learned from a young age how to be silent and inconspicuous. As I learned along with Max how he was treated by society and the reason behind it, I was so angry on his behalf. The unfairness of it all left me speechless.
From the first encounter Maximilian, short Max, had with Kelcey, Marvin´s finacé, I was captivated by these two. Their banter and verbal fights had me laughing many times as well as the fact that they just couldn´t finish one conversation without Kelcey storming out of the room. I loved watching them. They were going in circles, while Max was adamant to fulfill the runaway clause in the marriage contract, which meant he had to search for a replacement spouse for Kelcey. Did you ever hear of such a clause in a marriage contract? Well, I didn’t and it was refreshing to read something new.
So while Max was looking for a replacement, he got to know Kelcey better and feels himself drawn to Kelecy. When they finally get to the point where Kelecy admits that he is also attracted to Max a few things happens at once and they are forced to run away. On their flight, they meet Max´s sister by chance. Good god, that one is a feisty one with a sharp tongue….I wouldn´t want to be her enemy but I really liked her.
At one point I asked myself if this story is leading me somewhere or not. There were just so many started story lines, which vanished and resurfaced as the story progressed but they came all together in the end. There were also a few errors like missing words or wrong words in a sentence, which threw me out of the story and I had to read the sentence again to understand it.
Beside that, I enjoyed reading this story a lot. It made me laugh and I liked the main characters. It´s well written and the pacing was good. Now I just have to find the time to read the other four books in this series :).
The cover of the book implied for me, that this would be a historical. You get a historical setting with carriages, breeches, cravats, ballrooms and how to address the other person properly but that´s where the similarities ends. I actually was a little confused at the beginning why Mavin, Maximillian´s twin sister, is the Duchess and not Max the Duke, since that´s not how passing on of the title works, normally at least. Since I assumed this story would be a historical, I, of course, was at fault for wrong expectations. Was I disappointed? Hell no!!! As I finally wrapped my mind about the concept of what the author created, I enjoyed this book a lot. It was refreshingly new to me :).Thrown into it was a little fantasy with goblins and magic. Although it was exactly what Maximilian studies, we only got basic information on all that. Since I didn´t read the first four books in this series I don´t know if it was explained in one of the former books and it was not that important for the storyline.
Maximlian is a scientist. He loves what he does and defends it fiercely. Yes, sometimes he portraits a scientist as you imagine one. Absorbed in his studies and experiments, not caring about what he wears or how he looks. He is also an honorable man, shares a deep bond with his sister and is wicked as hell. Kelcey on the other hand is a fighter. He learned from a young age how to be silent and inconspicuous. As I learned along with Max how he was treated by society and the reason behind it, I was so angry on his behalf. The unfairness of it all left me speechless.
From the first encounter Maximilian, short Max, had with Kelcey, Marvin´s finacé, I was captivated by these two. Their banter and verbal fights had me laughing many times as well as the fact that they just couldn´t finish one conversation without Kelcey storming out of the room. I loved watching them. They were going in circles, while Max was adamant to fulfill the runaway clause in the marriage contract, which meant he had to search for a replacement spouse for Kelcey. Did you ever hear of such a clause in a marriage contract? Well, I didn’t and it was refreshing to read something new.
So while Max was looking for a replacement, he got to know Kelcey better and feels himself drawn to Kelecy. When they finally get to the point where Kelecy admits that he is also attracted to Max a few things happens at once and they are forced to run away. On their flight, they meet Max´s sister by chance. Good god, that one is a feisty one with a sharp tongue….I wouldn´t want to be her enemy but I really liked her.
At one point I asked myself if this story is leading me somewhere or not. There were just so many started story lines, which vanished and resurfaced as the story progressed but they came all together in the end. There were also a few errors like missing words or wrong words in a sentence, which threw me out of the story and I had to read the sentence again to understand it.
Beside that, I enjoyed reading this story a lot. It made me laugh and I liked the main characters. It´s well written and the pacing was good. Now I just have to find the time to read the other four books in this series :).
January 14, 2015
A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT is a funny, fantastical, romantic adventure.
Lord Maximillian Honeysett has returned home after three years of traveling and studying. He is looking forward to setting up his private laboratory and doing more studying and some experimenting. Before he has unpacked his trunks, he is accosted in his home by an unknown man. It turns out the man is Max's sister's fiancé and he wants to know where his bride-to-be has gone. Max's sister Mavin has always been a boisterous free spirit but even Max is perplexed about why she would run off on her fiancé, Kelcey, so close to their wedding date. Max feels obligated to honor Mavin's marriage contract which states that Max is responsible for finding Kelcey a replacement spouse in his sister's absence. Max also has to figure out where Mavin has gone and how to deal with his own attraction to Kelcey.
There were parts of this story I loved and parts that held no interest for me at all; hence the three star rating. I enjoyed the fact that even thought this book is part of a series, I did not feel like I was missing any information by not reading the earlier books. First, the fantasy elements of the book allowed for some freedom in the storytelling but also distracted me somewhat from the plot. This book is a historical fiction where the firstborn, whether male or female, gets the family title, where sexuality is a nonissue, and apparently where goblins exist and fight wars. While I enjoyed the fact that Max and Kelcey could explore their feelings for one another without worry of discovery, I enjoy that forbidden love element that gives most historical fiction its angst. The author did do a good job, however, of creating other conflicts in the story. While sexuality wasn't an issue, there was still the issue of society and social class, and Kelcey's past creates some drama in the story.
I absolutely adored Max and Kelsey and the development of their relationship. The character that I did not find at all enjoyable was Lady Mavin, Max's sister. I think the efforts to present the character as spontaneous and fun-loving failed. She ran off on Kelcey with no explanation when Kelcey himself said he would have let her go if she had only talked to him about things. Kelcey was more worried about the well-being of Mavin than the fact that his wedding was going to be cancelled. Even after the explanation of her disappearance surfaces, I did not sense any remorse or depth of emotion; she fell short for me as a character.
Overall, I enjoyed the romantic story development and the two main characters.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher through Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed at The Romance Reviews
Lord Maximillian Honeysett has returned home after three years of traveling and studying. He is looking forward to setting up his private laboratory and doing more studying and some experimenting. Before he has unpacked his trunks, he is accosted in his home by an unknown man. It turns out the man is Max's sister's fiancé and he wants to know where his bride-to-be has gone. Max's sister Mavin has always been a boisterous free spirit but even Max is perplexed about why she would run off on her fiancé, Kelcey, so close to their wedding date. Max feels obligated to honor Mavin's marriage contract which states that Max is responsible for finding Kelcey a replacement spouse in his sister's absence. Max also has to figure out where Mavin has gone and how to deal with his own attraction to Kelcey.
There were parts of this story I loved and parts that held no interest for me at all; hence the three star rating. I enjoyed the fact that even thought this book is part of a series, I did not feel like I was missing any information by not reading the earlier books. First, the fantasy elements of the book allowed for some freedom in the storytelling but also distracted me somewhat from the plot. This book is a historical fiction where the firstborn, whether male or female, gets the family title, where sexuality is a nonissue, and apparently where goblins exist and fight wars. While I enjoyed the fact that Max and Kelcey could explore their feelings for one another without worry of discovery, I enjoy that forbidden love element that gives most historical fiction its angst. The author did do a good job, however, of creating other conflicts in the story. While sexuality wasn't an issue, there was still the issue of society and social class, and Kelcey's past creates some drama in the story.
I absolutely adored Max and Kelsey and the development of their relationship. The character that I did not find at all enjoyable was Lady Mavin, Max's sister. I think the efforts to present the character as spontaneous and fun-loving failed. She ran off on Kelcey with no explanation when Kelcey himself said he would have let her go if she had only talked to him about things. Kelcey was more worried about the well-being of Mavin than the fact that his wedding was going to be cancelled. Even after the explanation of her disappearance surfaces, I did not sense any remorse or depth of emotion; she fell short for me as a character.
Overall, I enjoyed the romantic story development and the two main characters.
I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher through Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed at The Romance Reviews
May 6, 2015
A romantic adventure
A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT is a funny, fantastical, romantic adventure.
Lord Maximillian Honeysett has returned home after three years of traveling and studying. He is looking forward to setting up his private laboratory and doing more studying and some experimenting. Before he has unpacked his trunks, he is accosted in his home by an unknown man. It turns out the man is Max’s sister’s fiancé and he wants to know where his bride-to-be has gone. Max’s sister Mavin has always been a boisterous free spirit but even Max is perplexed about why she would run off on her fiancé, Kelcey, so close to their wedding date. Max feels obligated to honor Mavin’s marriage contract which states that Max is responsible for finding Kelcey a replacement spouse in his sister’s absence. Max also has to figure out where Mavin has gone and how to deal with his own attraction to Kelcey.
There were parts of this story I loved and parts that held no interest for me at all; hence the three star rating. I enjoyed the fact that even thought this book is part of a series, I did not feel like I was missing any information by not reading the earlier books. First, the fantasy elements of the book allowed for some freedom in the storytelling but also distracted me somewhat from the plot. This book is a historical fiction where the firstborn, whether male or female, gets the family title, where sexuality is a nonissue, and apparently where goblins exist and fight wars. While I enjoyed the fact that Max and Kelcey could explore their feelings for one another without worry of discovery, I enjoy that forbidden love element that gives most historical fiction its angst. The author did do a good job, however, of creating other conflicts in the story. While sexuality wasn’t an issue, there was still the issue of society and social class, and Kelcey’s past creates some drama in the story.
I absolutely adored Max and Kelsey and the development of their relationship. The character that I did not find at all enjoyable was Lady Mavin, Max’s sister. I think the efforts to present the character as spontaneous and fun-loving failed. She ran off on Kelcey with no explanation when Kelcey himself said he would have let her go if she had only talked to him about things. Kelcey was more worried about the well-being of Mavin than the fact that his wedding was going to be cancelled. Even after the explanation of her disappearance surfaces, I did not sense any remorse or depth of emotion; she fell short for me as a character.
Overall, I enjoyed the romantic story development and the two main characters.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Lynn
for The Romance Reviews
A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT is a funny, fantastical, romantic adventure.
Lord Maximillian Honeysett has returned home after three years of traveling and studying. He is looking forward to setting up his private laboratory and doing more studying and some experimenting. Before he has unpacked his trunks, he is accosted in his home by an unknown man. It turns out the man is Max’s sister’s fiancé and he wants to know where his bride-to-be has gone. Max’s sister Mavin has always been a boisterous free spirit but even Max is perplexed about why she would run off on her fiancé, Kelcey, so close to their wedding date. Max feels obligated to honor Mavin’s marriage contract which states that Max is responsible for finding Kelcey a replacement spouse in his sister’s absence. Max also has to figure out where Mavin has gone and how to deal with his own attraction to Kelcey.
There were parts of this story I loved and parts that held no interest for me at all; hence the three star rating. I enjoyed the fact that even thought this book is part of a series, I did not feel like I was missing any information by not reading the earlier books. First, the fantasy elements of the book allowed for some freedom in the storytelling but also distracted me somewhat from the plot. This book is a historical fiction where the firstborn, whether male or female, gets the family title, where sexuality is a nonissue, and apparently where goblins exist and fight wars. While I enjoyed the fact that Max and Kelcey could explore their feelings for one another without worry of discovery, I enjoy that forbidden love element that gives most historical fiction its angst. The author did do a good job, however, of creating other conflicts in the story. While sexuality wasn’t an issue, there was still the issue of society and social class, and Kelcey’s past creates some drama in the story.
I absolutely adored Max and Kelsey and the development of their relationship. The character that I did not find at all enjoyable was Lady Mavin, Max’s sister. I think the efforts to present the character as spontaneous and fun-loving failed. She ran off on Kelcey with no explanation when Kelcey himself said he would have let her go if she had only talked to him about things. Kelcey was more worried about the well-being of Mavin than the fact that his wedding was going to be cancelled. Even after the explanation of her disappearance surfaces, I did not sense any remorse or depth of emotion; she fell short for me as a character.
Overall, I enjoyed the romantic story development and the two main characters.
Review copy provided via Reading Alley in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Lynn
for The Romance Reviews
July 30, 2014
A Suitable Replacement was nothing like I expected - but that doesn't mean it was anything but good. Synopsis gives a good overview for the idea behind the story but the book has so many other aspects alongside looking for replacement. For one, the main characters Max and Kelcey aren't what I expected when I picked this up. Max was intriguing and multilayered character and I love how even in his thirties he had a little of child's mind left - and that didn't make him childish, more like gave him new side. I liked Max and his sister's, Mavin's, banter and teasing because it reminded me how siblings can sometimes tease each other relentlessly. Although Mavin's character was otherwise quite annoying, mostly because she did not own her own mistakes rather than letting Max deal with the fallouts. Kelcey, however, was great character. A little shady and mysterious but still lovable and I loved how he was diverse character, and how that wasn't big deal. Derr sure knows how to write intriguing and diverse characters!
Looking for a replacement wasn't only aspect on the plot. I don't want to spoil anyone but there was eloping, marriages, road trip of sort, highwaymen and past colliding with the present. I liked the road trip and sadly it was very overall told and I would have enjoyed the story even more if the journey would have been descriped with more details. A lot happened in the story but it wasn't overwhelming and rushed because there was room for quiet moments and, of course, some sexy times.
A Suitable Replacement was well written story, maybe more contemporary than fantasy even though there was a lot talking about magic theory which Max scientifically studied and goblin wars. It's interesting mix but Derr made it work really well and the story was enjoyable, unique and intriguing. I especially liked the historical feeling the story had, it's always a huge plus. However, I felt that the story lacked something on some points especially when it came to Max's sister, Mavin. She and her husband didn't face consequences of their actions and Mavin didn't feel genuine on her apology. Derr could have easily focused a little bit more on that aspect of the story.
A Suitable Replacement was truly enjoyable, and I recommend it to everyone who likes diverse characters, romance and unique mix of fantasy and contemporary with side of historical feeling.
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
Looking for a replacement wasn't only aspect on the plot. I don't want to spoil anyone but there was eloping, marriages, road trip of sort, highwaymen and past colliding with the present. I liked the road trip and sadly it was very overall told and I would have enjoyed the story even more if the journey would have been descriped with more details. A lot happened in the story but it wasn't overwhelming and rushed because there was room for quiet moments and, of course, some sexy times.
A Suitable Replacement was well written story, maybe more contemporary than fantasy even though there was a lot talking about magic theory which Max scientifically studied and goblin wars. It's interesting mix but Derr made it work really well and the story was enjoyable, unique and intriguing. I especially liked the historical feeling the story had, it's always a huge plus. However, I felt that the story lacked something on some points especially when it came to Max's sister, Mavin. She and her husband didn't face consequences of their actions and Mavin didn't feel genuine on her apology. Derr could have easily focused a little bit more on that aspect of the story.
A Suitable Replacement was truly enjoyable, and I recommend it to everyone who likes diverse characters, romance and unique mix of fantasy and contemporary with side of historical feeling.
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
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