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A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women #2
Her First Desire
If you love Lenora Bell and Tessa Dare, you’ll love the next book in New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell’s Logical Man’s Society series about a delicious battle of the sexes between a determined woman and a stubborn gentleman.
She arrived in town, beautiful and bold and declaring that she’s inherited property that he has already claimed! As a member of the local Logical Men’s Society, Ned Thurlowe prides himself on thinking clearly and calmly at all times. And it’s clear that the meeting place of the society—a local tavern—is his even if the men have turned it to shambles.
But Ned’s claim is challenged by Gemma Estep, who’s announced she’s decided to turn it into some sort of respectable tea garden for the local ladies. Ned challenges Gemma, and in doing so, behaves most illogically, for though he wants to dismiss her, he also can’t help but desire her.
Gemma has had enough of men telling her what to do, and she’s vowed to make her own way in the world. And Ned Thurlowe is ruining her plans. Not only has he laid claim to her property, pitting them in a heated fight for its ownership, he’s also arousing in her feelings she’s never sensed before.
And although they argue, they quickly discover they have more in common than they’d each ever dreamed—could their disagreement be turning into desire?
She arrived in town, beautiful and bold and declaring that she’s inherited property that he has already claimed! As a member of the local Logical Men’s Society, Ned Thurlowe prides himself on thinking clearly and calmly at all times. And it’s clear that the meeting place of the society—a local tavern—is his even if the men have turned it to shambles.
But Ned’s claim is challenged by Gemma Estep, who’s announced she’s decided to turn it into some sort of respectable tea garden for the local ladies. Ned challenges Gemma, and in doing so, behaves most illogically, for though he wants to dismiss her, he also can’t help but desire her.
Gemma has had enough of men telling her what to do, and she’s vowed to make her own way in the world. And Ned Thurlowe is ruining her plans. Not only has he laid claim to her property, pitting them in a heated fight for its ownership, he’s also arousing in her feelings she’s never sensed before.
And although they argue, they quickly discover they have more in common than they’d each ever dreamed—could their disagreement be turning into desire?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 27, 2021
About the author
Cathy Maxwell
76 books2,240 followersCATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in beautiful West Virginia where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
She lives in beautiful West Virginia where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 17, 2021
Her First Desire by Cathy Maxwell
2nd book in the Logical Man’s Society series. Historical romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Gemma arrives in the village claiming ownership of a plot of land and building, displacing the local men’s club. Of course they are upset with her claim and her turning their play house into her home and healing business so pranks ensue.
I admired Gemma’s fortitude and strength. Her determination helps her succeed.
The hero needed waking up. Eventually he is worthy but he stumbles quite a bit to get there.
“She was seeing stars. He kissed her and she was seeing stars.”
🎧 I listened to the audio version narrated by Justine Eyre. Justine uses a British English accent in her performance for this audiobook. There was a distinct difference between Gemma and Ned’s voices which made for an excellent performance. I listened to the book at 1.3 which is my usual speed. 1.0 was wonderful but slower than actual conversation for me.
3.5 upped to 4 because of the audiobook performance.
2nd book in the Logical Man’s Society series. Historical romance. Can be read as a stand-alone.
Gemma arrives in the village claiming ownership of a plot of land and building, displacing the local men’s club. Of course they are upset with her claim and her turning their play house into her home and healing business so pranks ensue.
I admired Gemma’s fortitude and strength. Her determination helps her succeed.
The hero needed waking up. Eventually he is worthy but he stumbles quite a bit to get there.
“She was seeing stars. He kissed her and she was seeing stars.”
🎧 I listened to the audio version narrated by Justine Eyre. Justine uses a British English accent in her performance for this audiobook. There was a distinct difference between Gemma and Ned’s voices which made for an excellent performance. I listened to the book at 1.3 which is my usual speed. 1.0 was wonderful but slower than actual conversation for me.
3.5 upped to 4 because of the audiobook performance.
August 24, 2021
I really like Cathy Maxwell, but Her First Desire was unsuccessful for me.
First of all, I wanted to hit Ned, multiple times. He is truly an ass. He is immature, sexist... I could go on and on. I think the story is supposed to be a redemption arc, but I simply wanted Ned to disappear. It's incredibly hard to root for a couple when you don't like one of the MCs. Plus, Ned is ENGAGED to another woman for the majority of the story. *fumes*
I could go on and on, but this was just a big miss from a usually reliable author.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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First of all, I wanted to hit Ned, multiple times. He is truly an ass. He is immature, sexist... I could go on and on. I think the story is supposed to be a redemption arc, but I simply wanted Ned to disappear. It's incredibly hard to root for a couple when you don't like one of the MCs. Plus, Ned is ENGAGED to another woman for the majority of the story. *fumes*
I could go on and on, but this was just a big miss from a usually reliable author.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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June 28, 2021
Omg i was so bored and he was engaged but srill pursued gemma.
April 1, 2021
Well-respected village doctor Ned Thurlowe takes pride in his strong intellect and clear thinking as chairman of the Logical Men’s Society. But all that cool composure is lost when a feisty and lovely woman show up claiming to have inherited the local pub. Ned won’t stand for it as the beloved tavern has become the favored meeting place of the Society and he hopes to claim it himself, even if the men haven’t exactly been taking care of the place.
Widowed Gemma Estep is done relying on others for her living and is determined to turn her late uncle’s tavern into her own establishment, a respectable tea garden. This is her chance to finally be free and she has no intention of letting her new enemy Ned Thurlowe get in her way, even if he sparks wholly unfamiliar feelings in her. As the two bicker, it eventually becomes apparent they’re very alike and beneath their mutual animosity is an entirely different sort of heat.
This book was rather bizarre to me and much of the time had me simultaneously entertained and highly annoyed. I’m pretty sure this was the intended reaction given the incredibly high levels of sexism displayed by the men in this novel, including and especially the hero. The meddling matrons were frustrating in their own regard, but the backwards men certainly took the cake. The romance here was rather lost in the battle of the sexes and the hero’s bloodless engagement to another woman, both of which went on a bit too long for me. Ned went from being ridiculously immature in his behavior, harassing Gemma when he knew he had no claim simply because his attraction to her made him uncomfortable, to complaining about being too old. His reasons for his dislike of women were also rather feeble and made him difficult to like as his change of heart and growth as a character came about quite late. Ned and Gemma went from being at each other’s throats, with Ned being especially and irrationally nasty, to suddenly being in love. This wasn’t just a slow burn to me, but their feelings didn’t make sense after how he treated her. Lust was believable, but it was rather an abrupt about face for deep emotions, especially since it took them so long to fight for their love. I also would’ve liked to see some comeuppance for Gemma’s awful family; I kept waiting for them to pop up and try to cause trouble since she left so abruptly, and it was a bit odd that we never heard from them again. Overall, this story was entertaining but rather less than romantic. I was intrigued by the side characters and enjoyed the writing style though so I will likely continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Widowed Gemma Estep is done relying on others for her living and is determined to turn her late uncle’s tavern into her own establishment, a respectable tea garden. This is her chance to finally be free and she has no intention of letting her new enemy Ned Thurlowe get in her way, even if he sparks wholly unfamiliar feelings in her. As the two bicker, it eventually becomes apparent they’re very alike and beneath their mutual animosity is an entirely different sort of heat.
This book was rather bizarre to me and much of the time had me simultaneously entertained and highly annoyed. I’m pretty sure this was the intended reaction given the incredibly high levels of sexism displayed by the men in this novel, including and especially the hero. The meddling matrons were frustrating in their own regard, but the backwards men certainly took the cake. The romance here was rather lost in the battle of the sexes and the hero’s bloodless engagement to another woman, both of which went on a bit too long for me. Ned went from being ridiculously immature in his behavior, harassing Gemma when he knew he had no claim simply because his attraction to her made him uncomfortable, to complaining about being too old. His reasons for his dislike of women were also rather feeble and made him difficult to like as his change of heart and growth as a character came about quite late. Ned and Gemma went from being at each other’s throats, with Ned being especially and irrationally nasty, to suddenly being in love. This wasn’t just a slow burn to me, but their feelings didn’t make sense after how he treated her. Lust was believable, but it was rather an abrupt about face for deep emotions, especially since it took them so long to fight for their love. I also would’ve liked to see some comeuppance for Gemma’s awful family; I kept waiting for them to pop up and try to cause trouble since she left so abruptly, and it was a bit odd that we never heard from them again. Overall, this story was entertaining but rather less than romantic. I was intrigued by the side characters and enjoyed the writing style though so I will likely continue the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
April 13, 2021
Series: A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women #2
Publication Date: 4/27/21
Number of Pages: 384
Widowed Gemma Estep has absolutely had it with men! She’s never met one she could trust and rely on – even her father who loved her left his fortune to her worthless husband rather than to her. When her husband died in a duel over another man’s wife, his brother inherited the fortune and ‘allowed’ her to live with his family – basically as a servant. Her final straw was when she discovered a letter in her brother-in-law’s desk. That letter – addressed to her – was months old – and it was the news that her beloved uncle, her only relative, had died. After a loud confrontation with her brother-in-law, she decided to leave because she had a letter that made her believe that her uncle had left her his establishment, The Garland. OMGoodness, the mess she found when she arrived to make her claim! That mess included the state of disrepair in which she found the Garland – and the animosity of the male population of the village – many of whom belonged to the Logical Men’s Society.
Doctor Ned Thurlowe is a well-respected physician and member of the village. He is of a scientific nature and really pays little attention to what is actually going on around him. People talk to him, but he pays almost no attention to what they are actually saying. He’s always thinking of something else entirely. He’s betrothed, but it is a pity betrothal that he was sort of shamed into. He is totally indifferent to the woman and has been putting off the wedding for over two years. He knows he’ll marry her someday – but not today. Then, that wicked, flame-haired harridan came to town, and he found he might actually have feelings. Who knew? Of course, they could never be friends because she is claiming the Garland – and worse yet – she plans to turn it into a tea garden where the Logical Men’s Society will not be allowed to meet! The nerve of her.
Ned’s character seems to be a caricature rather than a real person. He certainly needed to have a grand epiphany because he was not a particularly likable character for most of the book. Because of his background, he had a very insecure nature and wasn’t one for trusting – especially women.
I don’t care for infidelity in any book I read – and – while many of you will disagree with me – this book has infidelity in it. Ned is betrothed to a lovely young woman. He asked her to marry and she agreed – and then he never made any effort to get to know her or care about her – and then he has a relationship with Gemma. He should have dealt with the betrothal before he ever embarked on the relationship with Gemma. I’m not a believer in those ‘uncontrollable’ urges. I believe you always have a choice – even if you don’t like the available options.
I liked the IDEA of this story much better than I liked the execution. I thought it would be a bright, funny, entertaining romance, and for me personally, it just wasn’t. I have begun to wonder if all authors hate men or if it is just a wide swath of the Historical Romance authors. I’ve read several books within the last month whose common theme was that every female in the story was constantly referring to men as idiots, wastrels, untrustworthy, rakes, etc. To me, that sort of equates to thinking all blondes are dumb as in all of the blonde jokes. It isn’t true and it is insulting to my intelligence to try to make me think it is.
While I wouldn’t read this book a second time, I hope you’ll enjoy it if you choose to read it. I also think I’ll skip any remaining books in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 4/27/21
Number of Pages: 384
Widowed Gemma Estep has absolutely had it with men! She’s never met one she could trust and rely on – even her father who loved her left his fortune to her worthless husband rather than to her. When her husband died in a duel over another man’s wife, his brother inherited the fortune and ‘allowed’ her to live with his family – basically as a servant. Her final straw was when she discovered a letter in her brother-in-law’s desk. That letter – addressed to her – was months old – and it was the news that her beloved uncle, her only relative, had died. After a loud confrontation with her brother-in-law, she decided to leave because she had a letter that made her believe that her uncle had left her his establishment, The Garland. OMGoodness, the mess she found when she arrived to make her claim! That mess included the state of disrepair in which she found the Garland – and the animosity of the male population of the village – many of whom belonged to the Logical Men’s Society.
Doctor Ned Thurlowe is a well-respected physician and member of the village. He is of a scientific nature and really pays little attention to what is actually going on around him. People talk to him, but he pays almost no attention to what they are actually saying. He’s always thinking of something else entirely. He’s betrothed, but it is a pity betrothal that he was sort of shamed into. He is totally indifferent to the woman and has been putting off the wedding for over two years. He knows he’ll marry her someday – but not today. Then, that wicked, flame-haired harridan came to town, and he found he might actually have feelings. Who knew? Of course, they could never be friends because she is claiming the Garland – and worse yet – she plans to turn it into a tea garden where the Logical Men’s Society will not be allowed to meet! The nerve of her.
Ned’s character seems to be a caricature rather than a real person. He certainly needed to have a grand epiphany because he was not a particularly likable character for most of the book. Because of his background, he had a very insecure nature and wasn’t one for trusting – especially women.
I don’t care for infidelity in any book I read – and – while many of you will disagree with me – this book has infidelity in it. Ned is betrothed to a lovely young woman. He asked her to marry and she agreed – and then he never made any effort to get to know her or care about her – and then he has a relationship with Gemma. He should have dealt with the betrothal before he ever embarked on the relationship with Gemma. I’m not a believer in those ‘uncontrollable’ urges. I believe you always have a choice – even if you don’t like the available options.
I liked the IDEA of this story much better than I liked the execution. I thought it would be a bright, funny, entertaining romance, and for me personally, it just wasn’t. I have begun to wonder if all authors hate men or if it is just a wide swath of the Historical Romance authors. I’ve read several books within the last month whose common theme was that every female in the story was constantly referring to men as idiots, wastrels, untrustworthy, rakes, etc. To me, that sort of equates to thinking all blondes are dumb as in all of the blonde jokes. It isn’t true and it is insulting to my intelligence to try to make me think it is.
While I wouldn’t read this book a second time, I hope you’ll enjoy it if you choose to read it. I also think I’ll skip any remaining books in the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 21, 2022
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
When Gemma Estep found herself widowed, and without anything in the world, she vowed she would never rely on another person. Luckily, she discovers that a beloved uncle left her a property in a quaint little village, and she could get away from her overbearing brother. Finding The Garland tavern in a state of disarray, claimed by the men of the village, Gemma throws them out, and decides she will turn it into a tea room, and herb garden, where she can also assist in the care of the people with herbal remedies. This immediately aggravates Ned Thurlowe, presumed leader of the Logical Men's Society, and local doctor. Though he's engaged, he's in no hurry to marry, and he has laid claim to The Garland for the Society. As Gemma and Ned argue over the correct use of the tavern, and how to care for the medical needs of their neighbours, they grow closer in a way no one could ever imagine.
I'm going to start off by saying that some people may not like this book, simply because Ned was engaged to Clarissa, and Gemma knew about it, and was friends with her. So if cheating isn't your thing, this book probably wouldn't be for you. I wanted to hate the couple for the way they fell in love, and they fell hard, but their relationship was written in a way where you were rooting for them, and wanted them to be together. I feel like the only way I can somewhat forgive the cheating was the fact that Ned never really wanted to marry Clarissa, but he was sort of forced into it by the matrons of the town, and he never really gave Clarissa any real hope of the future. And, I reckon that Clarissa and Mars would be better together, but none of them want to consider that as of yet. This book, for me at least, was much better than the first, and I did appreciate the Society a little more than I had previously. I feel like the couple had their faults, but they were perfect for each other, and for this book.
When Gemma Estep found herself widowed, and without anything in the world, she vowed she would never rely on another person. Luckily, she discovers that a beloved uncle left her a property in a quaint little village, and she could get away from her overbearing brother. Finding The Garland tavern in a state of disarray, claimed by the men of the village, Gemma throws them out, and decides she will turn it into a tea room, and herb garden, where she can also assist in the care of the people with herbal remedies. This immediately aggravates Ned Thurlowe, presumed leader of the Logical Men's Society, and local doctor. Though he's engaged, he's in no hurry to marry, and he has laid claim to The Garland for the Society. As Gemma and Ned argue over the correct use of the tavern, and how to care for the medical needs of their neighbours, they grow closer in a way no one could ever imagine.
I'm going to start off by saying that some people may not like this book, simply because Ned was engaged to Clarissa, and Gemma knew about it, and was friends with her. So if cheating isn't your thing, this book probably wouldn't be for you. I wanted to hate the couple for the way they fell in love, and they fell hard, but their relationship was written in a way where you were rooting for them, and wanted them to be together. I feel like the only way I can somewhat forgive the cheating was the fact that Ned never really wanted to marry Clarissa, but he was sort of forced into it by the matrons of the town, and he never really gave Clarissa any real hope of the future. And, I reckon that Clarissa and Mars would be better together, but none of them want to consider that as of yet. This book, for me at least, was much better than the first, and I did appreciate the Society a little more than I had previously. I feel like the couple had their faults, but they were perfect for each other, and for this book.
April 27, 2021
2.5 stars - rounded up for excellent writing.
Gemma Estep has been poorly treated by the men in her life, her father left his fortune to her no-good, wastrel of a husband, who made no provisions for her and so all her father’s money went to his brother when he was killed in a duel. To make matters worse, the brother-in-law refuses to give her a widow’s portion and has her live with them as basically a servant. So when she finds a letter informing her that her uncle died, she has had enough and leaves. She is intending to go to Maidenstop, claim The Garland which was her uncle’s tavern and start a new life – it is a solid plan and should go off without a hitch.
Ned Thurlowe is the town’s doctor and member of the Logical Men’s Society. The Society is for bachelors and has been a staple in the town for years – so when Gemma arrives and intends to turn his club into a tea garden – he will not let go without a fight. Ned is a very serious man and doesn’t have a lot of faith in women. Despite their immediate attraction or maybe because of it – these two declare war and the story is set up for an epic battle of the sexes.
This is a well-written, fast-paced story that neatly follows up where the first book ended. This book had so much potential and a lot of fun scenes and witty dialogue – but unfortunately, the fact that Ned is betrothed to another woman for almost the entire book is a major turn-off for me – one, because he cheats on her and two because Gemma’s first husband cheated on her and she knows the pain that causes and still let her relationship with Ned become intimate – That is not cool and ruined this book for me, which is a shame because I was looking forward to this title. I will definitely continue with this series, but I can’t say I would recommend this book.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own,*
Gemma Estep has been poorly treated by the men in her life, her father left his fortune to her no-good, wastrel of a husband, who made no provisions for her and so all her father’s money went to his brother when he was killed in a duel. To make matters worse, the brother-in-law refuses to give her a widow’s portion and has her live with them as basically a servant. So when she finds a letter informing her that her uncle died, she has had enough and leaves. She is intending to go to Maidenstop, claim The Garland which was her uncle’s tavern and start a new life – it is a solid plan and should go off without a hitch.
Ned Thurlowe is the town’s doctor and member of the Logical Men’s Society. The Society is for bachelors and has been a staple in the town for years – so when Gemma arrives and intends to turn his club into a tea garden – he will not let go without a fight. Ned is a very serious man and doesn’t have a lot of faith in women. Despite their immediate attraction or maybe because of it – these two declare war and the story is set up for an epic battle of the sexes.
This is a well-written, fast-paced story that neatly follows up where the first book ended. This book had so much potential and a lot of fun scenes and witty dialogue – but unfortunately, the fact that Ned is betrothed to another woman for almost the entire book is a major turn-off for me – one, because he cheats on her and two because Gemma’s first husband cheated on her and she knows the pain that causes and still let her relationship with Ned become intimate – That is not cool and ruined this book for me, which is a shame because I was looking forward to this title. I will definitely continue with this series, but I can’t say I would recommend this book.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own,*
February 18, 2023
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person mostly from the hero and heroine, but also some brief perspective time from the hero’s betrothed and a side character’s mother.
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the second book in Maxwell’s A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women series. I didn’t read book 1 and found it find picking up alone. The characters from book 1 do make an appearance here and have some page time. I’m not sure if either Ned or Gemma are developed in that book.
Basic plot:
After Gemma has lost almost everything, she claims a local tavern from her uncle and starts new in the English countryside. The only thing is, Ned has been using this tavern for his Logical Men’s Society meetings and isn’t ready to give it up.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1815)
- Country setting
- Working class romance – heroine is the daughter of a wealthy merchant and the hero is a country doctor (and an illegitimate child)
- Both mains are healers
- Small town feel – the town has a strong community and everyone is up in everyone else’s business, as well as caring and loving each other
- Enemies to lovers
- You like love triangle angst – the hero is betrothed to someone else most of the book
- Lower steam – I have this as a 1 but it’s possible I missed a second one towards the end? I listened to audio and don’t take as good of notes in that format. Either way the sex isn’t happening until 85%.
Ages:
- Hero is 27, I didn’t see the heroine mentioned but would guess mid 20s as well
My thoughts:
I really struggled with this one because the hero was SO unlikable in the beginning half of this story!
He is downright rude to women and it’s obvious he has not respect for them. Some of this is excused with his background but not all of it. He’s also unofficially engaged when we walk into this story – and still there at like 90% of the book. I have read quite a few of these recently, love triangles or where one of the mains is engaged to someone else and honestly I don’t love it. I don’t want to read a book where 90% of it is them connected to another love interest. It tends to taint any feelings I get for them together and it just feels wrong. So that was a big downer for me with this book.
Anyway back to the hero. He says things like ‘women are frivolous and cruel’, ‘without the intrusion of women’, and calls them jades and opportunists, and implies they aren’t intelligent. He was just plain unpleasant. I didn’t love him or even like him. I also felt like once the kiss happened (which was rather out of the blue), his total turn around of attraction just felt very instalust. But since it was 70% I ended up just frustrated. It didn’t give me any feels.
BUT the second half of this book did have a bit of a turn around for me and I generally enjoyed it more than the first half. I think many people aren’t as bothered by these things in novels and will enjoy this one!
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person mostly from the hero and heroine, but also some brief perspective time from the hero’s betrothed and a side character’s mother.
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is the second book in Maxwell’s A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women series. I didn’t read book 1 and found it find picking up alone. The characters from book 1 do make an appearance here and have some page time. I’m not sure if either Ned or Gemma are developed in that book.
Basic plot:
After Gemma has lost almost everything, she claims a local tavern from her uncle and starts new in the English countryside. The only thing is, Ned has been using this tavern for his Logical Men’s Society meetings and isn’t ready to give it up.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period (1815)
- Country setting
- Working class romance – heroine is the daughter of a wealthy merchant and the hero is a country doctor (and an illegitimate child)
- Both mains are healers
- Small town feel – the town has a strong community and everyone is up in everyone else’s business, as well as caring and loving each other
- Enemies to lovers
- You like love triangle angst – the hero is betrothed to someone else most of the book
- Lower steam – I have this as a 1 but it’s possible I missed a second one towards the end? I listened to audio and don’t take as good of notes in that format. Either way the sex isn’t happening until 85%.
Ages:
- Hero is 27, I didn’t see the heroine mentioned but would guess mid 20s as well
My thoughts:
I really struggled with this one because the hero was SO unlikable in the beginning half of this story!
He is downright rude to women and it’s obvious he has not respect for them. Some of this is excused with his background but not all of it. He’s also unofficially engaged when we walk into this story – and still there at like 90% of the book. I have read quite a few of these recently, love triangles or where one of the mains is engaged to someone else and honestly I don’t love it. I don’t want to read a book where 90% of it is them connected to another love interest. It tends to taint any feelings I get for them together and it just feels wrong. So that was a big downer for me with this book.
Anyway back to the hero. He says things like ‘women are frivolous and cruel’, ‘without the intrusion of women’, and calls them jades and opportunists, and implies they aren’t intelligent. He was just plain unpleasant. I didn’t love him or even like him. I also felt like once the kiss happened (which was rather out of the blue), his total turn around of attraction just felt very instalust. But since it was 70% I ended up just frustrated. It didn’t give me any feels.
BUT the second half of this book did have a bit of a turn around for me and I generally enjoyed it more than the first half. I think many people aren’t as bothered by these things in novels and will enjoy this one!
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
April 11, 2022
2.75 Stars
This was fun… up until a point. I think the same pitfalls that were present in His Secret Mistress appear here. There is a lot of Small Town Silliness and Tension between the mains and then BAM! they are in Luurrveeeee. I won’t wax on, but Gemma and Ned are the same. Lots of tension, lots of anger. Eggs were thrown—literally! And within a matter of hours there are professions of love. Time Passes… and then—Carriage Sex? But no! They can’t be together because—a ball-oh-wait-we-can-get-married-now-we-are-ma—THE END!
I’ll let this little speedy review speak for itself. I am listening to the next book though, and am curious if I will have similar complaints. As ever, Justine Eyre is a killer narrator for regency England.
This was fun… up until a point. I think the same pitfalls that were present in His Secret Mistress appear here. There is a lot of Small Town Silliness and Tension between the mains and then BAM! they are in Luurrveeeee. I won’t wax on, but Gemma and Ned are the same. Lots of tension, lots of anger. Eggs were thrown—literally! And within a matter of hours there are professions of love. Time Passes… and then—Carriage Sex? But no! They can’t be together because—a ball-oh-wait-we-can-get-married-now-we-are-ma—THE END!
I’ll let this little speedy review speak for itself. I am listening to the next book though, and am curious if I will have similar complaints. As ever, Justine Eyre is a killer narrator for regency England.
May 18, 2021
I simply hated so many things about this book. Finishing it was a burden.
April 18, 2021
Excellent narration by Justine Eyre, she is after all one of my favorite narrators. Her male and female voices are done well, and I always know who is speaking. She gets a book going.
Gemma had a bad marriage, is staying with her asshat BIL, and just wants out. Then she gets a letter from her uncle and off she goes. Yes ugh her inlaws, you are better without them. She finds a rundown tavern and decides to make it into something new. The little town is filled with scary matrons, but if you have them on your side then you are golden.
I liked Gemma, she wanted more, and she is determined to get it. And she can get mad too, oh that was funny, you will see.
Ned on the other hand, oh he was stiff and proper. He has also been courting someone for 2 years cos the matrons told him to. The girl is bored by him, but she wants a new life too. Yes that point was a bit tricky. But they care nothing for each other...He is engaged to someone, and obvi sparks will fly between him and Gemma. Well first they will hate each other, but then sparks will fly. Still I have to see it this way, he would be a totally unfeeling husband who would forget that his wife is alive when he is studying, and his wife would be miserable because he would never love her. She deserves better (and will probably find love in book 3.) Because Ned needed someone like Gemma, who told him he is an idiot and argued with him.
I liked the story (but the matrons were scary, lol.) I do wonder about the next book, the couple seem so unlikely, but that will fun to see.
Gemma had a bad marriage, is staying with her asshat BIL, and just wants out. Then she gets a letter from her uncle and off she goes. Yes ugh her inlaws, you are better without them. She finds a rundown tavern and decides to make it into something new. The little town is filled with scary matrons, but if you have them on your side then you are golden.
I liked Gemma, she wanted more, and she is determined to get it. And she can get mad too, oh that was funny, you will see.
Ned on the other hand, oh he was stiff and proper. He has also been courting someone for 2 years cos the matrons told him to. The girl is bored by him, but she wants a new life too. Yes that point was a bit tricky. But they care nothing for each other...He is engaged to someone, and obvi sparks will fly between him and Gemma. Well first they will hate each other, but then sparks will fly. Still I have to see it this way, he would be a totally unfeeling husband who would forget that his wife is alive when he is studying, and his wife would be miserable because he would never love her. She deserves better (and will probably find love in book 3.) Because Ned needed someone like Gemma, who told him he is an idiot and argued with him.
I liked the story (but the matrons were scary, lol.) I do wonder about the next book, the couple seem so unlikely, but that will fun to see.
May 10, 2021
I really, really, really loved this book. I loved the whole village ensemble of characters, the silliness of the Logical Men's Society, and their nemesis, the Matrons of the village.
Lately, I have been going back and reading some of Maxwell's older works, and she's a great storyteller. She's easy to get lost in the mix because her books aren't showy or formulaic, but that's what makes them so good; you never know how they will end. I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up, but it drew me in from page 1.
Gemma, a widow dependent on her husband's relatives, finds out her Uncle Andrew, owner of the Garland and member of the Logical Men's Society, has died. Fed up with the abuse and neglect she has experienced from her husband and his family, she escapes and goes to the small village of Maidenshop to claim his pub as her inheritance. Unfortunately, Ned Thurlowe, Chairman of the Logical Men's Society, has claimed it first for his club and its members. The Maidens of town back Gemma and support her because they are sick of the drinking and carousing of the men's club.
Lots of hijinks ensue and witty banter between Gemma and Ned. The characters are endearing and charming. Both Gemma and Ned started mistrusting the opposite sex based on past experiences and healing through their love. Overall, it was an entertaining story.
I loved that Ned was illegitimate instead of Gemma; too often, it's the opposite. So this was a nice refreshing change.
My one complaint was the author's description of childbirth. Full disclosure, I just had a baby and know way too much about this. This is small, but if you are pregnant, doctors repeatedly warn you about this - the water breaking is accompanied by the "bloody show" because there will be blood. In fact, the doctors and midwives tell you if there is no blood when your water breaks that it's probably not your water breaking. One medical professional told me, "yeah, you might have peed yourself, so make sure you make that distinction before you call your doctor." Also, childbirth is not dangerous. Women have been doing it for thousands of years; what's dangerous - doctors delivering babies and statistics since the 1950's support this. It was such a huge plot point, and it kept driving me crazy. However, there is an author's note at the end where she acknowledges the shortfalls of medicine in the 1800s.
Otherwise, so good. I didn't read book 1 and definitely going to have to start that ASAP. Also, side note, I really hope Mars and Clarissa get together. I loved their dynamic.
Lately, I have been going back and reading some of Maxwell's older works, and she's a great storyteller. She's easy to get lost in the mix because her books aren't showy or formulaic, but that's what makes them so good; you never know how they will end. I didn't know what to expect when I picked this up, but it drew me in from page 1.
Gemma, a widow dependent on her husband's relatives, finds out her Uncle Andrew, owner of the Garland and member of the Logical Men's Society, has died. Fed up with the abuse and neglect she has experienced from her husband and his family, she escapes and goes to the small village of Maidenshop to claim his pub as her inheritance. Unfortunately, Ned Thurlowe, Chairman of the Logical Men's Society, has claimed it first for his club and its members. The Maidens of town back Gemma and support her because they are sick of the drinking and carousing of the men's club.
Lots of hijinks ensue and witty banter between Gemma and Ned. The characters are endearing and charming. Both Gemma and Ned started mistrusting the opposite sex based on past experiences and healing through their love. Overall, it was an entertaining story.
I loved that Ned was illegitimate instead of Gemma; too often, it's the opposite. So this was a nice refreshing change.
My one complaint was the author's description of childbirth. Full disclosure, I just had a baby and know way too much about this. This is small, but if you are pregnant, doctors repeatedly warn you about this - the water breaking is accompanied by the "bloody show" because there will be blood. In fact, the doctors and midwives tell you if there is no blood when your water breaks that it's probably not your water breaking. One medical professional told me, "yeah, you might have peed yourself, so make sure you make that distinction before you call your doctor." Also, childbirth is not dangerous. Women have been doing it for thousands of years; what's dangerous - doctors delivering babies and statistics since the 1950's support this. It was such a huge plot point, and it kept driving me crazy. However, there is an author's note at the end where she acknowledges the shortfalls of medicine in the 1800s.
Otherwise, so good. I didn't read book 1 and definitely going to have to start that ASAP. Also, side note, I really hope Mars and Clarissa get together. I loved their dynamic.
Read
September 9, 2021She deserved so much better than a freaking men’s rights activist
April 12, 2022
No. No. No. This book was not it and I resent it for wasting my time. The only reason I stuck with it is because I love the side characters and I know that I would never pick up Mars and Clarissa's book without having read this. I just hate picking up series out of order, even if it doesn't make a difference. I've been looking forward to Claridsa and Mars's romance since book one so I knew I had to get through this book for them.
Ned is the most aggravating, misogynistic jackass I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. He was actively rooting against women for a good 70% of the book. He would publicly denounce the intelligence of women, and refused to believe that women are capable to understand anything other than gossiping and fashion. And for what reason? There's something about how Ned's mother was distant and horrible to Ned since she's more focused on being a professional mistress. I'm sorry, though, i do not think having MOMMY issues is a good enough reason for literally hating women. If having a distant mother and a snooty stepfamily makes you a misogynist then you have serious issues.
After all the sexist, immature shit that Ned says and does in this book, we are supposed to believe that he is a romantic love interest. Hell no. I like asshole romance heroes but Ned Thurlowe is in a class all on his own. Ned insults Gemma's intelligence to her face all because he was jealous of her success. I wish I was kidding when I said that. People in town are impressed by Gemma's effective and kind work ethic but the way Ned goes on one would think she was the devil selling poison or something. Also, if that weren't enough, he actively encourages the men in the Logical Men's Society to root against Gemma and her ideas then wonders why she keeps getting attacked. Men in town literally assault her and damage her property because of how Ned pouted about not getting the Garland.
However, the way Gemma and Ned treat Clarissa was the last nail on the coffin for me. This book could have gotten two stars if there was no cheating. I refuse to believe that Gemma, who denounces her dead husband multiple times for cheating on her, would sleep with an engaged man. In fact, I refuse to believe that these two have any sort of love connection at all, since they spend all of one day together not fighting. There were no romantic scenes together before they started banging and declaring their love for each other. Then Ned has the nerve to act like such a martyr, going on and on about how he wouldn't be forced to marry Clarissa if he weren't so noble and kind. Well, I've got news for him. Noble and kind are not words I would use to describe this asshole. He toyed with Clarissa for two years and I refuse to feel any sympathy for him.
I would have rather read a book about Winderton than suffering through the least romantic historical romance I've ever read. Like I said, I only finished this because I have a thing about not finishing series in order. Clarissa and Mars's book better be good or I will launch myself straight into the sun.
Ned is the most aggravating, misogynistic jackass I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. He was actively rooting against women for a good 70% of the book. He would publicly denounce the intelligence of women, and refused to believe that women are capable to understand anything other than gossiping and fashion. And for what reason? There's something about how Ned's mother was distant and horrible to Ned since she's more focused on being a professional mistress. I'm sorry, though, i do not think having MOMMY issues is a good enough reason for literally hating women. If having a distant mother and a snooty stepfamily makes you a misogynist then you have serious issues.
After all the sexist, immature shit that Ned says and does in this book, we are supposed to believe that he is a romantic love interest. Hell no. I like asshole romance heroes but Ned Thurlowe is in a class all on his own. Ned insults Gemma's intelligence to her face all because he was jealous of her success. I wish I was kidding when I said that. People in town are impressed by Gemma's effective and kind work ethic but the way Ned goes on one would think she was the devil selling poison or something. Also, if that weren't enough, he actively encourages the men in the Logical Men's Society to root against Gemma and her ideas then wonders why she keeps getting attacked. Men in town literally assault her and damage her property because of how Ned pouted about not getting the Garland.
However, the way Gemma and Ned treat Clarissa was the last nail on the coffin for me. This book could have gotten two stars if there was no cheating. I refuse to believe that Gemma, who denounces her dead husband multiple times for cheating on her, would sleep with an engaged man. In fact, I refuse to believe that these two have any sort of love connection at all, since they spend all of one day together not fighting. There were no romantic scenes together before they started banging and declaring their love for each other. Then Ned has the nerve to act like such a martyr, going on and on about how he wouldn't be forced to marry Clarissa if he weren't so noble and kind. Well, I've got news for him. Noble and kind are not words I would use to describe this asshole. He toyed with Clarissa for two years and I refuse to feel any sympathy for him.
I would have rather read a book about Winderton than suffering through the least romantic historical romance I've ever read. Like I said, I only finished this because I have a thing about not finishing series in order. Clarissa and Mars's book better be good or I will launch myself straight into the sun.
November 17, 2020
Cathy Maxwell is an author you can always depend on the deliver a wonderful, feel-good-to-your-toes, heart warming tale. This story is no exception.
The heroine is one who has had great suffering and loneliness. She had a horrible husband, detestable in-laws, and still has hope and perseverance. She travels to inherit her uncle's tavern in a small town. The hero is the local doctor of that town, who has taken over the tavern because that is where his gentleman's club has been meeting for decades. He is engaged, by default, to a local.orphan, but he has been putting off the wedding for two years. The heroine arrives in town and the first meeting is chilling. It becomes a war of the tavern and a war of the sexes over who will run the village.
The characters that are depicted all blend seamlessly into a lively village. The description of the village and people make the reader feel as if they took a big step into the authors mind. The book reads like a movie. I enjoyed reading the details of village life and how everyone twists and turns with each other. It is as if they are a big family and will support each other even when there are disagreements. The heroine is also a healer who learned from her grandmother and the doctor also feels that this is magic and not science. He has a lot to learn.
I recommend this story with 5 stars. All of Ms. Maxwell's stories are timeless. I have 3 of her books on my keeper shelf and will probably add this one.
The heroine is one who has had great suffering and loneliness. She had a horrible husband, detestable in-laws, and still has hope and perseverance. She travels to inherit her uncle's tavern in a small town. The hero is the local doctor of that town, who has taken over the tavern because that is where his gentleman's club has been meeting for decades. He is engaged, by default, to a local.orphan, but he has been putting off the wedding for two years. The heroine arrives in town and the first meeting is chilling. It becomes a war of the tavern and a war of the sexes over who will run the village.
The characters that are depicted all blend seamlessly into a lively village. The description of the village and people make the reader feel as if they took a big step into the authors mind. The book reads like a movie. I enjoyed reading the details of village life and how everyone twists and turns with each other. It is as if they are a big family and will support each other even when there are disagreements. The heroine is also a healer who learned from her grandmother and the doctor also feels that this is magic and not science. He has a lot to learn.
I recommend this story with 5 stars. All of Ms. Maxwell's stories are timeless. I have 3 of her books on my keeper shelf and will probably add this one.
May 11, 2021
The fact that Ned (the hero) is engaged and sours me on both of their characters.
Add this to the fact that Gemma ? Garbage. This is how women end up in abusive situations repeatedly.
All of the men in this town need to leave Gemma alone to live her best life as the local tea garden widow witch in control of her own property and finances.
Add this to the fact that Gemma ? Garbage. This is how women end up in abusive situations repeatedly.
All of the men in this town need to leave Gemma alone to live her best life as the local tea garden widow witch in control of her own property and finances.
June 19, 2021
*received as a giveaway winner.
I wanna start with the positives as I so rarely do. The book was well written and I enjoyed the romance once he confessed and they kissed. It wasn't necessarily bad but I was impartial to it once my feelings of hate for the characters blew over. I liked Mars & Clarissa the most out of anyone (and maybe Kate and her Husband were cool as well).
Now for everything else I didn't enjoy this book. The main characters were just too strong and intense for me, their stubborn hatred had me wanting to pull my hair out. I could see how some people would love it but it was just infuriating for me. This enemies to lovers romance were just so annoying. Which is why I've rated it 2/5 stars. Also their complete disregard for his fiance.
I wanna start with the positives as I so rarely do. The book was well written and I enjoyed the romance once he confessed and they kissed. It wasn't necessarily bad but I was impartial to it once my feelings of hate for the characters blew over. I liked Mars & Clarissa the most out of anyone (and maybe Kate and her Husband were cool as well).
Now for everything else I didn't enjoy this book. The main characters were just too strong and intense for me, their stubborn hatred had me wanting to pull my hair out. I could see how some people would love it but it was just infuriating for me. This enemies to lovers romance were just so annoying. Which is why I've rated it 2/5 stars. Also their complete disregard for his fiance.
May 4, 2026
Gemma and Ned. An easy to read story with Ned cheating on his finance whom he does not love with Gemma. I found that very surprising of Gemma due to her first husband cheating on her lots. Ned was a jerk to his finance most of the time and treated her to his presence a scheduled 15 minutes a day.
To me the pacing of this couple was weird because they went from hating each other to declaring they loved each other very fast. I guess we are supposed to expect widows to not be able to control themselves when lust hits. HA!
To me the pacing of this couple was weird because they went from hating each other to declaring they loved each other very fast. I guess we are supposed to expect widows to not be able to control themselves when lust hits. HA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2021
Entertaining historical romance, and I loved it - but, then, this is one of my favorite genres.
August 29, 2022
Hmmm... where to start? I picked up this book at my local Menards store. I recently finished reading a historical romance and was itching to read more and couldn't wait to look for another book. Overall this was a cute story but I did feel that it was rushed in some spots near the end. The beginning started off smoothly at a good pace where both the main characters find each other annoying. You can tell they have some moments of longing for one another but due to their hatred for each other, they brush it off. Then all of a sudden they like each other? I get that the author probably wanted it to seem like they didn't like each other at first but that was a front for them actually falling in love at first sight but didn't know how to handle their feelings because both were wronged by others. But after one kiss oh yes I realize I love you... and then the book rushed to the end. I don't know I just felt like the way Gemma hated men because her first husband just flip-flopped once Ned kissed her.
November 19, 2021
This was my first Cathy Maxwell book. Apparently she is low steam.
That said, I kinda enjoyed this one with caveats.
I loved Clarissa. Clarissa, the one who is spurned in the course of this book and is NOT the heroine. I found myself rooting for her the WHOLE BOOK. She’s an orphan. She’s unloved by her fiancé, the hero. And you can just tell she’s in this shell ready to come out.
Unfortunately, this isn’t her book. Her book apparently comes out in January and features the other character I truly enjoyed, Lord Marsden. From their encounters in this book, that should be good and enjoyable. 🤞
Gemma was interesting. Ned was…alright. In my head, I cast Eleanor Tomlinson as Gemma and Aidan Turner as Ned. Which may have been more than the characters deserved, but whatever.
I listened to this on audio, narrated by Justine Eyre, who I enjoy as long as she’s not doing male American accents.
That said, I kinda enjoyed this one with caveats.
I loved Clarissa. Clarissa, the one who is spurned in the course of this book and is NOT the heroine. I found myself rooting for her the WHOLE BOOK. She’s an orphan. She’s unloved by her fiancé, the hero. And you can just tell she’s in this shell ready to come out.
Unfortunately, this isn’t her book. Her book apparently comes out in January and features the other character I truly enjoyed, Lord Marsden. From their encounters in this book, that should be good and enjoyable. 🤞
Gemma was interesting. Ned was…alright. In my head, I cast Eleanor Tomlinson as Gemma and Aidan Turner as Ned. Which may have been more than the characters deserved, but whatever.
I listened to this on audio, narrated by Justine Eyre, who I enjoy as long as she’s not doing male American accents.
June 24, 2021
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I just couldn't get into it--the initial premise was unbelievable--that a wealthy, upper class woman would have no widow's portion from her marriage settlements, and that her in-laws would treat her little better than a servant. Also, I hadn't read the first title in this series, and it would have been helpful to know the back stories of some of the major characters. For a historical novel set in March of 1815, it's odd that there is no mention of Napoleon, whose escape from Elba launched Britain into a frenzy.
June 1, 2026
4,5 - Secondo volume di una trilogia ambientata in periodo Regency, in una cittadina di provincia dove tutti si conoscono, e dove la popolazione maschile non sposata o vedova si riunisce tradizionalmente in un club esclusivo, con un calendario fatto di incontri nella principale taverna, goliardate e qualche conferenza scientifica (la Logical Men's Society).
Dopo aver perso un membro di rilievo nel primo libro, qui è Ned, l'ambizioso medico del paese a finire sotto tiro. Infatti, da Londra giunge (ovvero, fugge) la nipote del defunto proprietario della taverna, per raccogliere l'eredità e riaprire il locale. Ovviamente, Gemma non è così propensa a offrire ospitalità a un gruppo di scapoloni irriducibili, anche perché lei è, a sua volta, ricca di ingegno ed esperta di erbe, saponi e medicamenti, e non accetta che il sapere resti unicamente in mano maschile.
Tra lei è il medico scatta una guerra non dichiarata; sì, c'è anche attrazione, ma Ned è fidanzato da sempre con Clarissa, trovatella e beniamina del paese, e non vuole ferire i sentimenti di nessuno.
Il risultato? Si arrabbiano tutti, ciascuno sospetta bugie e tradimenti, i bulli del club fanno di tutto per ostacolare la coraggiosa Gemma, tra agguati "gallinacei" e balli tradizionali dove si litiga, più che danzare.
Confermo l'apprezzamento per la trilogia, ricca di ironia, ma anche di momenti intensi.
E come giudizio, si va in crescendo: i membri del club sono falciati via in modo inesorabile (nel senso che cedono all'amore) e manca ormai soltanto il più irriducibile del terzetto di amici per capitolare.
Dopo aver perso un membro di rilievo nel primo libro, qui è Ned, l'ambizioso medico del paese a finire sotto tiro. Infatti, da Londra giunge (ovvero, fugge) la nipote del defunto proprietario della taverna, per raccogliere l'eredità e riaprire il locale. Ovviamente, Gemma non è così propensa a offrire ospitalità a un gruppo di scapoloni irriducibili, anche perché lei è, a sua volta, ricca di ingegno ed esperta di erbe, saponi e medicamenti, e non accetta che il sapere resti unicamente in mano maschile.
Tra lei è il medico scatta una guerra non dichiarata; sì, c'è anche attrazione, ma Ned è fidanzato da sempre con Clarissa, trovatella e beniamina del paese, e non vuole ferire i sentimenti di nessuno.
Il risultato? Si arrabbiano tutti, ciascuno sospetta bugie e tradimenti, i bulli del club fanno di tutto per ostacolare la coraggiosa Gemma, tra agguati "gallinacei" e balli tradizionali dove si litiga, più che danzare.
Confermo l'apprezzamento per la trilogia, ricca di ironia, ma anche di momenti intensi.
E come giudizio, si va in crescendo: i membri del club sono falciati via in modo inesorabile (nel senso che cedono all'amore) e manca ormai soltanto il più irriducibile del terzetto di amici per capitolare.
Want to Read
May 30, 2026Book I Own. On Order.
April 4, 2021
Firstly, this romance is FUN! I don't usually find that the case in historical romance, but from the beginning to the end, there is so much physical action in this book. Rowdy pub scenes, a hilarious fistfight, horse rides, magistrate-carrying (you'll have to read it), dancing, etc. Maxwell really puts you in the middle of the action, and I found myself laughing and getting excited about the book.
Without giving too much away, gentlemen doctor Ned Thurlowe (head of a misogynist group--trust me on this one, too) is enjoying a peaceful life in his little village when a feisty woman, Gemma, shows up claiming to have inherited the pub that Ned wants to buy. Hijinks ensue, tempers flare, hearts are broken and won. Of course, there is a happily-ever-after (as all good romance should have) and Maxwell does an excellent job of not only showing how two polar opposites can fall in love, but how two souls can complete each other, even without them knowing it.
I loved 90% of this novel, but there were a couple of things that bothered me in the beginning. It's totally my opinion, though. These may not bother some people at all.
While I ended up absolutely adoring Ned, his first few chapters were a little problematic. He is EXTREMELY misogynistic when we first meet him. So much so that I didn't actually know if I could finish the novel. There's even a few sort of "cheating" scenes. Not between the two main characters (they don't cheat on each other), but it involves one of them. He's actually engaged to another woman. It's hard to redeem a character like that, but Maxwell does a great job with this. He ends up groveling. A lot. But not to the woman he's engaged to. This broken engagement is handled very well, in my opinion, by Maxwell's emotional writing.
The other thing that irked me a little is how fast they fell in love. Like, SUPER fast. He goes from hating her to "I love you" in the span of a few pages. It gave me whiplash. Once again, though, I think that Maxwell handles it well. It actually UPS the sexual tension--instead of losing it--and this is when Ned wins me over. His love for Gemma is fierce. Very, very fierce. A huge catnip for me is when the hero falls in love, it's completely over for him. He is 100% in love with the heroine, and no force on Earth will stop him from loving her. When Ned falls for Gemma, it's over. Nothing else matters. He does everything he can to have her. It's beautiful.
While there is a ton of sexual tension in this book, there is only one real love scene and it is super quick. I think Maxwell could've included a few more of those, simply because the sexual tension is so strong. It would've been a nice payoff.
Gemma is scared--more like terrified--to love another man (her last husband was bad--trust me, you'll hate him), and as a widow, she refuses to let another man ruin her life. I can completely relate to that, but I love that she is won over by Ned's admission that he is her equal, personally and professionally. She always knows this, of course, but it's nice when you see Ned finally catch up to that realization.
Overall, the main things I loved about this book was the physical actions and comedy, Gemma's amazing survivor, Ned's heart eyes for Gemma, and the setting in the small village of Maidenshop. Excellent job, Ms. Maxwell!
**I was given a complementary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.**
Without giving too much away, gentlemen doctor Ned Thurlowe (head of a misogynist group--trust me on this one, too) is enjoying a peaceful life in his little village when a feisty woman, Gemma, shows up claiming to have inherited the pub that Ned wants to buy. Hijinks ensue, tempers flare, hearts are broken and won. Of course, there is a happily-ever-after (as all good romance should have) and Maxwell does an excellent job of not only showing how two polar opposites can fall in love, but how two souls can complete each other, even without them knowing it.
I loved 90% of this novel, but there were a couple of things that bothered me in the beginning. It's totally my opinion, though. These may not bother some people at all.
While I ended up absolutely adoring Ned, his first few chapters were a little problematic. He is EXTREMELY misogynistic when we first meet him. So much so that I didn't actually know if I could finish the novel. There's even a few sort of "cheating" scenes. Not between the two main characters (they don't cheat on each other), but it involves one of them. He's actually engaged to another woman. It's hard to redeem a character like that, but Maxwell does a great job with this. He ends up groveling. A lot. But not to the woman he's engaged to. This broken engagement is handled very well, in my opinion, by Maxwell's emotional writing.
The other thing that irked me a little is how fast they fell in love. Like, SUPER fast. He goes from hating her to "I love you" in the span of a few pages. It gave me whiplash. Once again, though, I think that Maxwell handles it well. It actually UPS the sexual tension--instead of losing it--and this is when Ned wins me over. His love for Gemma is fierce. Very, very fierce. A huge catnip for me is when the hero falls in love, it's completely over for him. He is 100% in love with the heroine, and no force on Earth will stop him from loving her. When Ned falls for Gemma, it's over. Nothing else matters. He does everything he can to have her. It's beautiful.
While there is a ton of sexual tension in this book, there is only one real love scene and it is super quick. I think Maxwell could've included a few more of those, simply because the sexual tension is so strong. It would've been a nice payoff.
Gemma is scared--more like terrified--to love another man (her last husband was bad--trust me, you'll hate him), and as a widow, she refuses to let another man ruin her life. I can completely relate to that, but I love that she is won over by Ned's admission that he is her equal, personally and professionally. She always knows this, of course, but it's nice when you see Ned finally catch up to that realization.
Overall, the main things I loved about this book was the physical actions and comedy, Gemma's amazing survivor, Ned's heart eyes for Gemma, and the setting in the small village of Maidenshop. Excellent job, Ms. Maxwell!
**I was given a complementary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review.**
April 17, 2021
I received an ARC and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Ouch…I typically like Cathy Maxwell’s books, but Her First Desire is a major misfire. And that sucks, as it’s a successor to a book I really enjoyed and there were elements of the premise of this one that appealed to me.
I really liked Gemma’s determination to have her own life following a bad marriage by taking ownership of her uncle’s tavern. And Ned was great in theory, as I liked that he worked as a doctor (and that this series so far has featured untitled working, although still genteel, heroes), and claimed to have a logical mind.
But then, there’s the men’s club…it was a part of the first book, but not so much that it irked me. But Ned is an enthusiastic member and eternal bachelor, and while that’s not unusual, the way this manifests in his character was off-putting. One of his first actions was to lay false claim to the tavern too, in order to get Gemma riled up, because of his attraction.
What followed was the most lukewarm battle-of-the-sexes ever, not providing me any reason to think better of him, and actually making me think worse of her for associating with him due to him having his head stuck up his ass. He does improve slightly, but I never warmed up to him.
This book really frustrated me, and while I have seen mixed opinions on this one, so I would take my opinion with a grain of salt, it’s good to know I’m not alone in thinking a great concept got lost in execution.
Ouch…I typically like Cathy Maxwell’s books, but Her First Desire is a major misfire. And that sucks, as it’s a successor to a book I really enjoyed and there were elements of the premise of this one that appealed to me.
I really liked Gemma’s determination to have her own life following a bad marriage by taking ownership of her uncle’s tavern. And Ned was great in theory, as I liked that he worked as a doctor (and that this series so far has featured untitled working, although still genteel, heroes), and claimed to have a logical mind.
But then, there’s the men’s club…it was a part of the first book, but not so much that it irked me. But Ned is an enthusiastic member and eternal bachelor, and while that’s not unusual, the way this manifests in his character was off-putting. One of his first actions was to lay false claim to the tavern too, in order to get Gemma riled up, because of his attraction.
What followed was the most lukewarm battle-of-the-sexes ever, not providing me any reason to think better of him, and actually making me think worse of her for associating with him due to him having his head stuck up his ass. He does improve slightly, but I never warmed up to him.
This book really frustrated me, and while I have seen mixed opinions on this one, so I would take my opinion with a grain of salt, it’s good to know I’m not alone in thinking a great concept got lost in execution.
April 8, 2021
I really enjoyed reading from one of my favorite authors. Ms Maxwell writes historical romance like nobody's business. I like the story line and atmosphere that catches the reader's attention. The characters seemed real with thought and feelings of their own.
Ned Thurlowe is a member of the Logical Men's Society which is held in a tavern that he owns. It's where a fellow can escape and drink away their problems. No women allowed and they like it just that way.
When a new resident claims it's hers Ned is determined to keep her out of his business. Emma Estep will not give up her dream of having a tea shop all her own, and no bull headed man will stop her.
A challenge is issued and let the games begin in the battle of the sexes. A fun and thrilling romp to see who will win in the game of love.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
Ned Thurlowe is a member of the Logical Men's Society which is held in a tavern that he owns. It's where a fellow can escape and drink away their problems. No women allowed and they like it just that way.
When a new resident claims it's hers Ned is determined to keep her out of his business. Emma Estep will not give up her dream of having a tea shop all her own, and no bull headed man will stop her.
A challenge is issued and let the games begin in the battle of the sexes. A fun and thrilling romp to see who will win in the game of love.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.
April 19, 2021
Her First Desire is the second book of Cathy Maxwell's A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women series. If you haven't read the prior book, you won't have any problems. I haven't read it either, yet I breezed through this fun battle of the sexes Regency story in about a day, and I wasn't the least bit lost. I was extremely entertained and plan to go back and read the first one.
Gemma Estep is the poor relation who lives with her deceased husband's family after he dies in a disgraceful manner. When looking in her brother-in-law's desk for paper, she discovers a hidden letter written to her informing her of her uncle's death. Her uncle previously wrote to her telling her that when he's gone, all that he had was hers. When Gemma demands a widow's portion from her brother-in-law she is refused, so she heads to the village of Maidenshop to turn her uncle's tavern into a respectable family tea garden. When she arrives, however, she meets local doctor Ned Thurlowe, a member of the Logical Men’s Society, who informs her that he is planning to use the tavern as the meeting place of the Society. Well, that just won't do at all! The local matrons help Gemma clean up the tavern for her tea garden, while the men attempt to sabotage her. The fight is on...except Gemma and Ned, despite their confrontations with each other, begin to develop deep feelings. Just how can any good come of this, however, as Ned is already engaged to a local lass?
This story was heaps of fun and I had trouble putting it down. There were some maddening issues, though. Ned was engaged to a sweet local girl whom the matrons basically foisted on Ned in order to help her out. He had no feelings for her whatsoever and he kept putting her off. In other words, Ned was basically unlikable at the beginning of this book. He actually was throughout a good deal of it. Gemma was a healer making salves and the like, while arrogant Ned basically dismissed any gifts she might indeed have. He did, however, begin to grow on me as he gradually fell for Gemma and acknowledged that maybe he wasn't always right. Most of the town's men folk actually believed as he did about a woman's place in society. Gemma was good and feisty and I enjoyed watching her head out on her own to escape the thumb of her in-laws. The town matrons were particularly pushy, though they did have their hearts in the right place. I did enjoy Ned and Gemma's sparring and growing romantic feelings. They had palpable chemistry, but it wasn't graphic in the story; besides one love scene and some kisses, it was basically steam-free. This is a book you can share with your relatives without embarrassment. Despite its faults, it was an extremely entertaining tale and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more about the Logical Men’s Society, especially Ned's friend Mars. Reading this was the perfect way to spend a Sunday!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Gemma Estep is the poor relation who lives with her deceased husband's family after he dies in a disgraceful manner. When looking in her brother-in-law's desk for paper, she discovers a hidden letter written to her informing her of her uncle's death. Her uncle previously wrote to her telling her that when he's gone, all that he had was hers. When Gemma demands a widow's portion from her brother-in-law she is refused, so she heads to the village of Maidenshop to turn her uncle's tavern into a respectable family tea garden. When she arrives, however, she meets local doctor Ned Thurlowe, a member of the Logical Men’s Society, who informs her that he is planning to use the tavern as the meeting place of the Society. Well, that just won't do at all! The local matrons help Gemma clean up the tavern for her tea garden, while the men attempt to sabotage her. The fight is on...except Gemma and Ned, despite their confrontations with each other, begin to develop deep feelings. Just how can any good come of this, however, as Ned is already engaged to a local lass?
This story was heaps of fun and I had trouble putting it down. There were some maddening issues, though. Ned was engaged to a sweet local girl whom the matrons basically foisted on Ned in order to help her out. He had no feelings for her whatsoever and he kept putting her off. In other words, Ned was basically unlikable at the beginning of this book. He actually was throughout a good deal of it. Gemma was a healer making salves and the like, while arrogant Ned basically dismissed any gifts she might indeed have. He did, however, begin to grow on me as he gradually fell for Gemma and acknowledged that maybe he wasn't always right. Most of the town's men folk actually believed as he did about a woman's place in society. Gemma was good and feisty and I enjoyed watching her head out on her own to escape the thumb of her in-laws. The town matrons were particularly pushy, though they did have their hearts in the right place. I did enjoy Ned and Gemma's sparring and growing romantic feelings. They had palpable chemistry, but it wasn't graphic in the story; besides one love scene and some kisses, it was basically steam-free. This is a book you can share with your relatives without embarrassment. Despite its faults, it was an extremely entertaining tale and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more about the Logical Men’s Society, especially Ned's friend Mars. Reading this was the perfect way to spend a Sunday!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
November 29, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I was very excited to get this ARC as I have read almost all of Cathy Maxwell’s books. I did struggle initially to get into the book because the first chapter or so setting up Gemma’s backstory was so harsh that I was worried that this wasn’t going to be the fun romp I was expecting. Once Gemma got to Maidenshop (which honestly didn’t take that long) the story turned into more of what I was expecting.
I liked Gemma a lot. I found her smart, capable, charming, and quite the feminist. I struggled with Ned. I get that he was meant to be an alpha-type hero, but I grew soooo tired of his blatant sexism. I appreciate that when he was called out for it he acknowledged his biases and tried to change his ways, but to me by that point he had crossed over into the land of incels of which there is no escape. (I do admit that my opinion of Ned was probably a bit tainted by the fact I read most if it immediately after reading The Rommate which has a cinnamon roll super feminist hero.)
I also struggled with the fact that there was almost no relationship development. They had an instant attraction while hating each other and continued to hate each other for 75% of the book. Then out of nowhere (again like 75% of the way through) he kissed her was saying he loved her, when they literally had not had a single civil conversation at that point.
Maidenshop is filled with a wonderful array of secondary characters. Everyone was so distinctive and it really felt like I was immersed into a real world filled with real people. The book would not have been the same without these characters. They kept me engaged, brought humor, and quite amazingly for a historical romance only a couple of them were titled. Honestly I think they probably saved the book for me. I will be very happy to see almost any of them again in future books in this series.
I really really liked the first in the series and overall enjoyed this one as well. Kate and Bran from the first book are present for part of this book and play a big role in helping Gemma and Ned get together. I am very much looking to the third book (which I really really hope is about Clarissa and Mars).
Trigger Warnings (sorry some of these contain spoilers): Cheating (Ned is engaged to someone else for 97% of the book, if that is not your thing, you’ve been forewarned). Child loss (discussed but happens before the story starts). Drug use (a side character frequenting opium dens is discussed but happens off page, and he will likely be the hero of another book in the series).
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked Gemma a lot. I found her smart, capable, charming, and quite the feminist. I struggled with Ned. I get that he was meant to be an alpha-type hero, but I grew soooo tired of his blatant sexism. I appreciate that when he was called out for it he acknowledged his biases and tried to change his ways, but to me by that point he had crossed over into the land of incels of which there is no escape. (I do admit that my opinion of Ned was probably a bit tainted by the fact I read most if it immediately after reading The Rommate which has a cinnamon roll super feminist hero.)
I also struggled with the fact that there was almost no relationship development. They had an instant attraction while hating each other and continued to hate each other for 75% of the book. Then out of nowhere (again like 75% of the way through) he kissed her was saying he loved her, when they literally had not had a single civil conversation at that point.
Maidenshop is filled with a wonderful array of secondary characters. Everyone was so distinctive and it really felt like I was immersed into a real world filled with real people. The book would not have been the same without these characters. They kept me engaged, brought humor, and quite amazingly for a historical romance only a couple of them were titled. Honestly I think they probably saved the book for me. I will be very happy to see almost any of them again in future books in this series.
I really really liked the first in the series and overall enjoyed this one as well. Kate and Bran from the first book are present for part of this book and play a big role in helping Gemma and Ned get together. I am very much looking to the third book (which I really really hope is about Clarissa and Mars).
Trigger Warnings (sorry some of these contain spoilers): Cheating (Ned is engaged to someone else for 97% of the book, if that is not your thing, you’ve been forewarned). Child loss (discussed but happens before the story starts). Drug use (a side character frequenting opium dens is discussed but happens off page, and he will likely be the hero of another book in the series).
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2021
This was great.
Gemma Estep was married to a wastrel, a careless father didn't secure her settlements, her husband died while philandering in London, and his brother withheld the news of his demise and her widow's portion from Gemma. Gemma has been forced to fetch and carry for her brother in law and his wife, and when she accidentally discovers they have also withheld news of her uncles death from her, she sees red.
She arrives in Maidenhop determined to claim her inheritance of her uncle's tavern, also used as the meeting place of the local Logical Men's Society.
Ned Thurlowe is the illegitimate son of an aristocrat and a notorious courtesan, abandoned by his mother and very suspicious of women, he has recently assumed the stewardship of the Logical Men's Society. Dedicated physician Ned is keen to make the society more egalitarian so he has invited more young men from the village to join, he is also keen to have guest speakers and academic speakers to broaden the member's minds. As Andrew, owner of the tavern died a while ago, the society has de facto taken over the Tavern, and Ned and the others believe it will eventually revert to the society.
Ned is engaged to be married to a local girl, Clarissa, who was a foundling, left on a local doorstep as a baby. He was cajoled into offering for her, and spends 15 minutes a week determinedly ignoring her. Ned is not very keen on marrying, and is reluctant to make an effort with Clarissa, or even to set a date.
When Gemma arrives, he is determined to challenge her claim, and is infuriated by her, as well as completely and utterly fascinated by her. She wants to open a tea garden, and bowling green, and work as a healer. As the women of the village rush to support her, Ned is incensed and so all bets are off.
We have a real battle,of the sexes yep plot here, with the women and married men happy with the idea of the tea garden, and the single men who want to get drunk with impunity all against the interfering women of the village.
Ned is pretty awful to Gemma for a lot of the book, and the way he treats Clarissa is also not particularly nice. She is just a cypher to him until he can’t resist Gemma, and then he doesn’t honour his promise as he should.
Ned does eventually realise he has been prejudging and dismissing women as being capable of independent thought, decision making and intelligence. He also realises that his reliance on the superiority and ‘rightness’ of male pursuits is a fallacy.
This was a fun romp, with a lot of character development for Ned who really needed it!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
Gemma Estep was married to a wastrel, a careless father didn't secure her settlements, her husband died while philandering in London, and his brother withheld the news of his demise and her widow's portion from Gemma. Gemma has been forced to fetch and carry for her brother in law and his wife, and when she accidentally discovers they have also withheld news of her uncles death from her, she sees red.
She arrives in Maidenhop determined to claim her inheritance of her uncle's tavern, also used as the meeting place of the local Logical Men's Society.
Ned Thurlowe is the illegitimate son of an aristocrat and a notorious courtesan, abandoned by his mother and very suspicious of women, he has recently assumed the stewardship of the Logical Men's Society. Dedicated physician Ned is keen to make the society more egalitarian so he has invited more young men from the village to join, he is also keen to have guest speakers and academic speakers to broaden the member's minds. As Andrew, owner of the tavern died a while ago, the society has de facto taken over the Tavern, and Ned and the others believe it will eventually revert to the society.
Ned is engaged to be married to a local girl, Clarissa, who was a foundling, left on a local doorstep as a baby. He was cajoled into offering for her, and spends 15 minutes a week determinedly ignoring her. Ned is not very keen on marrying, and is reluctant to make an effort with Clarissa, or even to set a date.
When Gemma arrives, he is determined to challenge her claim, and is infuriated by her, as well as completely and utterly fascinated by her. She wants to open a tea garden, and bowling green, and work as a healer. As the women of the village rush to support her, Ned is incensed and so all bets are off.
We have a real battle,of the sexes yep plot here, with the women and married men happy with the idea of the tea garden, and the single men who want to get drunk with impunity all against the interfering women of the village.
Ned is pretty awful to Gemma for a lot of the book, and the way he treats Clarissa is also not particularly nice. She is just a cypher to him until he can’t resist Gemma, and then he doesn’t honour his promise as he should.
Ned does eventually realise he has been prejudging and dismissing women as being capable of independent thought, decision making and intelligence. He also realises that his reliance on the superiority and ‘rightness’ of male pursuits is a fallacy.
This was a fun romp, with a lot of character development for Ned who really needed it!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
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