What do you think?
Rate this book
Heiress Brides #2
The Duke Next Door
Book by Bradley, Celeste
457 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
41 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Celeste Bradley
42 books1,813 followersVisit me at www.CelesteBradley.com or facebook.com/CelesteBradleyAuthor :)
Go to CelesteBradley.com/newsletter for my Voice of Society newsletter.
Hi, my name is Celeste Bradley and I write "brain chocolate." That is, I write fun and sexy escapism is for hardworking women everywhere. We deserve a little man-candy, too!
Reviewers like to say I write about misfit heroines getting the man of their dreams. Maybe that's true, but don't we all feel like misfits sometimes? Even if the rest of the world thinks we have all our balls in the air, aren't we juggling like mad on the inside, desperately trying not to drop one?
I love this manic, scattered life I lead. I love to write, craft, garden, bake and mother, even if I don't always do it all perfectly. I love living in the Southwest, with its big sky and vast desert views. I love venturing out of my quiet life to meet readers and other writers, and then I love to come back to my haven, full of ideas and renewed passion and creativity.
Maybe one of those times I'll meet you!
Hugs,
and thanks for reading!
Go to CelesteBradley.com/newsletter for my Voice of Society newsletter.
Hi, my name is Celeste Bradley and I write "brain chocolate." That is, I write fun and sexy escapism is for hardworking women everywhere. We deserve a little man-candy, too!
Reviewers like to say I write about misfit heroines getting the man of their dreams. Maybe that's true, but don't we all feel like misfits sometimes? Even if the rest of the world thinks we have all our balls in the air, aren't we juggling like mad on the inside, desperately trying not to drop one?
I love this manic, scattered life I lead. I love to write, craft, garden, bake and mother, even if I don't always do it all perfectly. I love living in the Southwest, with its big sky and vast desert views. I love venturing out of my quiet life to meet readers and other writers, and then I love to come back to my haven, full of ideas and renewed passion and creativity.
Maybe one of those times I'll meet you!
Hugs,
and thanks for reading!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
August 25, 2019
Bravo!!! Totally loving this series!!
Lord Calder
Three female cousins competing to marry a Duke, but falling in love with all the wrong men!! Freaking fabulous fun!! Can't wait to read the final installment.
Lord Calder
Three female cousins competing to marry a Duke, but falling in love with all the wrong men!! Freaking fabulous fun!! Can't wait to read the final installment.
December 28, 2019
..
The Duke Next Door was the introductory installment of the '(Heiress Brides' written by Celeste Bradley.
The story focused on Deirdre, who brazenly ensconced herself into Lord Brookhaven's life after her cousin Phoebe jilted him. Deirdre discovered that organizing a wedding was much easier than actually living happily in the marriage. Together the duo had many lessons to learn.
The dialogue features the f-word and is offensive, even when it’s supposedly done for the sake of realism. Although some authors may find it challenging at times to make the dialogue realistic without a lot of swearing - it can be achieved by invention and creativeness. Personally, I don't feel swearing serves any positive purpose. I prefer warm, funny feel-good fiction.
The dangerously beautiful Deirdre Cantor is determined to inherit her grandfather's vast fortune. All she needs is to marry a duke…and be the first granddaughter to walk down the aisle. After all, she has always dreamed of becoming a member of the Haute ton. So when the proper Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is abandoned at the altar, Deirdre makes it her business to become his wife—in spite of the whispers about his past.
Soon Deirdre's visions of a lavish existence with the handsome Calder are shattered when she learns his shocking secret. Feeling betrayed, Deirdre seeks revenge by playing a perilous and seductive game of cat and mouse with her husband that threatens to drive them both to the heights of passion. She will not surrender to him, no matter how great her desire. But at what cost? Calder is determined to keep his secret under lock and key—and to make his stunning wife his in every way that matters. Even if it means winning her heart all over again…
Profanity is basically a crude and obnoxious abuse of respectful dialogue. It offends many people not only in books but also in person. Some may feel this type of expression alerts the reader that the character/author has extremely low self-esteem. Including it in a literary fiction lowers my rating, even though other readers may not mind it.
This story has a strange plot, believable characters, and a H.E.A. Yet, it did not contain any compelling factor to keep the reader engrossed.
-----------------------------------
Duke Most Wanted
The Heiress Brides
Celeste Bradley (Author)
Length: 302 Pages
. . . Kindle Edition
** Free on Kindle Unlimited **
..
The Duke Next Door was the introductory installment of the '(Heiress Brides' written by Celeste Bradley.
The story focused on Deirdre, who brazenly ensconced herself into Lord Brookhaven's life after her cousin Phoebe jilted him. Deirdre discovered that organizing a wedding was much easier than actually living happily in the marriage. Together the duo had many lessons to learn.
The dialogue features the f-word and is offensive, even when it’s supposedly done for the sake of realism. Although some authors may find it challenging at times to make the dialogue realistic without a lot of swearing - it can be achieved by invention and creativeness. Personally, I don't feel swearing serves any positive purpose. I prefer warm, funny feel-good fiction.
The dangerously beautiful Deirdre Cantor is determined to inherit her grandfather's vast fortune. All she needs is to marry a duke…and be the first granddaughter to walk down the aisle. After all, she has always dreamed of becoming a member of the Haute ton. So when the proper Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is abandoned at the altar, Deirdre makes it her business to become his wife—in spite of the whispers about his past.
Soon Deirdre's visions of a lavish existence with the handsome Calder are shattered when she learns his shocking secret. Feeling betrayed, Deirdre seeks revenge by playing a perilous and seductive game of cat and mouse with her husband that threatens to drive them both to the heights of passion. She will not surrender to him, no matter how great her desire. But at what cost? Calder is determined to keep his secret under lock and key—and to make his stunning wife his in every way that matters. Even if it means winning her heart all over again…
Profanity is basically a crude and obnoxious abuse of respectful dialogue. It offends many people not only in books but also in person. Some may feel this type of expression alerts the reader that the character/author has extremely low self-esteem. Including it in a literary fiction lowers my rating, even though other readers may not mind it.
This story has a strange plot, believable characters, and a H.E.A. Yet, it did not contain any compelling factor to keep the reader engrossed.
-----------------------------------
Duke Most Wanted
The Heiress Brides
Celeste Bradley (Author)
Length: 302 Pages
. . . Kindle Edition
** Free on Kindle Unlimited **
..
May 24, 2021
Worst main characters ever!
I really don't know if the heroine was worse than the hero or vice versa but this book is incredibly immature. Like they were a pair of 5 years old.
I only read it because I really want to read the book about Sophie, my favorite of the cousins. Fingers crossed that it will be worth it.
I really don't know if the heroine was worse than the hero or vice versa but this book is incredibly immature. Like they were a pair of 5 years old.
I only read it because I really want to read the book about Sophie, my favorite of the cousins. Fingers crossed that it will be worth it.
May 28, 2021
I don't know why but all of celeste's books start off REALLY GOOD and a solid 4-5 stars but then the characters start to be ugly and the plot drags and then the ending is just whatever at the end. Also this one had a huge miscommunication plot and made me want to rip my hair out. I used to love the characters even the side ones but now i hate them in the end. This one also had a darker plot with a crazy stalker
June 22, 2009
Simplistic but highly entertaining. I always like marriage of convenience plots so it was easy for me to like this one as well. The characters, especially Calder's, are not described in depth and some scenes, like when he fondled her publicly in the staircase, are over the top, but I liked the result nonetheless. Light but with just a touch of angst to add some interest in the mix, it was fast paced and very enjoyable. I think I may have liked it more than the first one, but certainly Celeste Bradley is an author I'll look out for when I'm in a mood for a mind candy.
November 29, 2021
Aunque a mitad del libro me sentía un poco confundida con todo lo que pasaba, ese capitulo final y ese precioso epílogo me pareció super ✨
August 2, 2012
The Duke Next Door
3 Stars
Synopsis
Deidre Cantor has adored Calder Marbrook from afar for years and finally seizes the opportunity to marry him when her cousin Phoebe leaves him at the alter. But Calder has a secret that may just destroy his marriage before it has even begun...
Review
Cute romance but could have done without the silly misunderstandings.
Deidre and Calder have a smoldering chemistry and their sex scenes are intense and erotic. Unfortunately, the problems begin when they open their mouths to speak. Their bickering is snarky and entertaining at first but becomes tedious as they continue sniping at each other and fail to communicate.
Calder has potential as a tortured hero but his characterization as a wounded beast in need of taming fails to come across effectively. On the flip side, Deidre is a strong heroine who refuses to allow the man she loves to dominate her. Her relationship with Calder's impish daughter is the real highlight of the book.
The suspense plot is good - Wolfe is suitably nasty and Baskin seriously demented but the resolution is anti-climactic. Moreover, the tavern scene is convoluted, ridiculous and unnecessary to the story.
Sophie and Graham's book is next and hopefully the series will end on a positive note.
3 Stars
Synopsis
Deidre Cantor has adored Calder Marbrook from afar for years and finally seizes the opportunity to marry him when her cousin Phoebe leaves him at the alter. But Calder has a secret that may just destroy his marriage before it has even begun...
Review
Cute romance but could have done without the silly misunderstandings.
Deidre and Calder have a smoldering chemistry and their sex scenes are intense and erotic. Unfortunately, the problems begin when they open their mouths to speak. Their bickering is snarky and entertaining at first but becomes tedious as they continue sniping at each other and fail to communicate.
Calder has potential as a tortured hero but his characterization as a wounded beast in need of taming fails to come across effectively. On the flip side, Deidre is a strong heroine who refuses to allow the man she loves to dominate her. Her relationship with Calder's impish daughter is the real highlight of the book.
The suspense plot is good - Wolfe is suitably nasty and Baskin seriously demented but the resolution is anti-climactic. Moreover, the tavern scene is convoluted, ridiculous and unnecessary to the story.
Sophie and Graham's book is next and hopefully the series will end on a positive note.
January 4, 2025
The Duke Next Door by Celeste Bradley, book two of the Heiress Bride series
.
Cover (stepback): 4/5
Story: 5/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing, interupted scenes)
Ending: HEA with epilogue
.
Series or Stand Alone: COuld be read as a stand alone but probably best as a series read in series order. Cross over subplots and characters.
.
England, Regency (1815)
Stern Work-a-holic Marquess
Beautiful Besotted Lady
Loath to Love-ish
Age Gap (20F/35M)
Marriage in Trouble
Unrequited Love
Marriage of Convenience
Familial Issues
Child in Plot
She Proposed Marriage
Steam Engine Daddy
Beauty/Beast Vibes
Widowed Hero
Single Dad
Secondary Romance
Danger & Peril
.
This book was not what I had been expecting. At all. But also in the best way possible. This book surprised me. After what I felt like was a ho-hum start, the storyline took off like a runaway carriage headed towards the edge of a cliff. Truthfully, the book takes an absolutely ridiculous turn that I just didn't see coming. This twist results in me sobbing. Twice. I do love to be emotionally wrecked by a book.
I'll admit that both Calder and Deidre are utterly annoying at times. They simply can't talk yo each other, which only results in miscommunication and misunderstanding. Calder so desperately needs to get the stick out of his ass, and Deidre needs to stop being such a combative little twit. Deidre pushes to push, and Calder barks orders all day because he can't grow up and face his past or his misgivings. On top of this, Calder is a dreadfully shitty father. We get it. Your dead wife was a horrible person who did you wrong, but don't punish the child for the sins of the mother.
Now, this might sound like I hate this book. I didn't. I didn't at all. All in all, both Calder and Deidre desperately deserve happiness. Calder isn't a little black rain cloud for no reason, and I can't hardly blame Deidre for not understanding how to turn off "fight or flight mode.""" They have both suffered so greatly, but unfortunately, both must endure even more heartbreaking suffering to find their happiness together.
When it eventually becomes clear as to what is going to going to go horrible wrong, you just cringe. You don't want it to happen because you have grown to like the weird, idiotic pair. You WANT Colter to be happy. You WANT Deirdra to be happy. And then, oh and then. Shit really, really hits the fan and splatters everywhere. Seriously, it's going to take the house servants weeks to clean up.
There is a charming secondary romance that has been building in the background since book one. I can hardly wait to see how the couple turns out in the end! Additionally, there is a goofy little dressmaker who keeps popping up that I think of as the Fairy Godmother. He is a bit over the top, and I love it.
As for steam, Bradley uses both explict and non-explicit terms in her writing. Scenes are lengthy and contain a variety of acts. I felt as though there is a scene that takes a look at hate-ish s*x, which isn't something readers often encounter in more recently written HR.
.
Read as a physical copy. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (spoilers likely):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th of spouse
Infidelity - not MCs
Verbal, physical, and emptional ab*se by stepparent
Attempted S.A.
K*dnapping & Abd*ction
G*n vi*lence & injury
Su*cide- on page
Attempted m*rder
Near de*th experience
.
Cover (stepback): 4/5
Story: 5/5
Steam: 🔥 🔥 (+kissing, interupted scenes)
Ending: HEA with epilogue
.
Series or Stand Alone: COuld be read as a stand alone but probably best as a series read in series order. Cross over subplots and characters.
.
England, Regency (1815)
Stern Work-a-holic Marquess
Beautiful Besotted Lady
Loath to Love-ish
Age Gap (20F/35M)
Marriage in Trouble
Unrequited Love
Marriage of Convenience
Familial Issues
Child in Plot
She Proposed Marriage
Steam Engine Daddy
Beauty/Beast Vibes
Widowed Hero
Single Dad
Secondary Romance
Danger & Peril
.
This book was not what I had been expecting. At all. But also in the best way possible. This book surprised me. After what I felt like was a ho-hum start, the storyline took off like a runaway carriage headed towards the edge of a cliff. Truthfully, the book takes an absolutely ridiculous turn that I just didn't see coming. This twist results in me sobbing. Twice. I do love to be emotionally wrecked by a book.
I'll admit that both Calder and Deidre are utterly annoying at times. They simply can't talk yo each other, which only results in miscommunication and misunderstanding. Calder so desperately needs to get the stick out of his ass, and Deidre needs to stop being such a combative little twit. Deidre pushes to push, and Calder barks orders all day because he can't grow up and face his past or his misgivings. On top of this, Calder is a dreadfully shitty father. We get it. Your dead wife was a horrible person who did you wrong, but don't punish the child for the sins of the mother.
Now, this might sound like I hate this book. I didn't. I didn't at all. All in all, both Calder and Deidre desperately deserve happiness. Calder isn't a little black rain cloud for no reason, and I can't hardly blame Deidre for not understanding how to turn off "fight or flight mode.""" They have both suffered so greatly, but unfortunately, both must endure even more heartbreaking suffering to find their happiness together.
When it eventually becomes clear as to what is going to going to go horrible wrong, you just cringe. You don't want it to happen because you have grown to like the weird, idiotic pair. You WANT Colter to be happy. You WANT Deirdra to be happy. And then, oh and then. Shit really, really hits the fan and splatters everywhere. Seriously, it's going to take the house servants weeks to clean up.
There is a charming secondary romance that has been building in the background since book one. I can hardly wait to see how the couple turns out in the end! Additionally, there is a goofy little dressmaker who keeps popping up that I think of as the Fairy Godmother. He is a bit over the top, and I love it.
As for steam, Bradley uses both explict and non-explicit terms in her writing. Scenes are lengthy and contain a variety of acts. I felt as though there is a scene that takes a look at hate-ish s*x, which isn't something readers often encounter in more recently written HR.
.
Read as a physical copy. Honest review left voluntarily.
.
Content Warning (spoilers likely):
.
.
.
.
.
De*th of spouse
Infidelity - not MCs
Verbal, physical, and emptional ab*se by stepparent
Attempted S.A.
K*dnapping & Abd*ction
G*n vi*lence & injury
Su*cide- on page
Attempted m*rder
Near de*th experience
July 22, 2018
ETA: This was so not worthwhile that I repurchased it at a used book sale with no memory of having read it. I just came to look at the reviews and saw that I had read it and had a lot of feelings.
I am a big Celeste Bradley fan so it pains me to give a sub-middling review to one of her books, but what's a girl to do? This book seems like it was written by two people or by one writer who started it, put it in a drawer, and finished up 10 years later.
The first half of the book is largely boring and frequently repetitive. It also provides us with a wildly unappealing hero. Calder is boring, taciturn, dismissive, condescending, and downright mean. He is also verbally abusive to his young child and at various points leaves her to wander freely through a textile factory (what could go wrong?) and hands her a loaded gun she is not trained to use when she asks for it. I need to note here that I am not clear on the age of the child because she is 7 in the first half and 9 in the second half even though the entire story takes place over the course of a week. One more note, I was really bugged by how Deirdre castigates herself for her impatience with Calder when he is being an ass. She should be patient with him when he orders her about (not is a sexy way) and treats her like temporary help? Its sad and embarrassing.
Calder redeems himself to some extent in the second half of the book, but that is insufficient. There is no reason our heroine could want him other than the fact that he has a title she needs to access her own inheritance and he is handsome. This makes it hard to sympathize with her incessant wailing about him only wanting her for her looks while protesting her deep love for him. She loves his title, she loves his abs and glutes (spoiler: she "notices" them a lot), but never explains why that is different from his loving her hair and her breasts (spoiler: he "notices" them a lot.) Its just a lot of stuff and nonsense filling pages where they should be getting to know each other better and/or banging.
The second half of the book has our hero suddenly becoming an Edwardian version of Liam Neeson in nearly every movie he has been in the last 10 years. There is no transition time. This guy instantaneously transitions from The Great Santini to Bryan Mills (for those who have not seen Taken or its 74 sequels that is Neeson's character.) Why?
I don't ask a lot from my bodice rippers. I would have overlooked most of this if I hadn't spent 200 pages bored to tears. But I did spend 200 paged being bored to tears so I am feeling unforgiving. Bradley has so many lovely books, but this one is a miss.
I am a big Celeste Bradley fan so it pains me to give a sub-middling review to one of her books, but what's a girl to do? This book seems like it was written by two people or by one writer who started it, put it in a drawer, and finished up 10 years later.
The first half of the book is largely boring and frequently repetitive. It also provides us with a wildly unappealing hero. Calder is boring, taciturn, dismissive, condescending, and downright mean. He is also verbally abusive to his young child and at various points leaves her to wander freely through a textile factory (what could go wrong?) and hands her a loaded gun she is not trained to use when she asks for it. I need to note here that I am not clear on the age of the child because she is 7 in the first half and 9 in the second half even though the entire story takes place over the course of a week. One more note, I was really bugged by how Deirdre castigates herself for her impatience with Calder when he is being an ass. She should be patient with him when he orders her about (not is a sexy way) and treats her like temporary help? Its sad and embarrassing.
Calder redeems himself to some extent in the second half of the book, but that is insufficient. There is no reason our heroine could want him other than the fact that he has a title she needs to access her own inheritance and he is handsome. This makes it hard to sympathize with her incessant wailing about him only wanting her for her looks while protesting her deep love for him. She loves his title, she loves his abs and glutes (spoiler: she "notices" them a lot), but never explains why that is different from his loving her hair and her breasts (spoiler: he "notices" them a lot.) Its just a lot of stuff and nonsense filling pages where they should be getting to know each other better and/or banging.
The second half of the book has our hero suddenly becoming an Edwardian version of Liam Neeson in nearly every movie he has been in the last 10 years. There is no transition time. This guy instantaneously transitions from The Great Santini to Bryan Mills (for those who have not seen Taken or its 74 sequels that is Neeson's character.) Why?
I don't ask a lot from my bodice rippers. I would have overlooked most of this if I hadn't spent 200 pages bored to tears. But I did spend 200 paged being bored to tears so I am feeling unforgiving. Bradley has so many lovely books, but this one is a miss.
January 29, 2025
The first two chapters were enchanting and generally I had a smile on my face as I read. The middle did drag a bit though. The hero, Calder is a complete and utter blockhead. He did frustrate me and he certainly frustrates his wife. Deirdre has been in love with Calder for years. She proposes to him. After they are married, the fireworks begin and are entertaining. There are some surprises and danger in store for the couple as well. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
February 10, 2019
Nota: 7
El libro no está mal, pero parece que la autora ha cogido muchas escenas típicas de novelas románticas históricas y las ha juntado en ésta. El resultado no es malo, pero tampoco destacable .
El libro no está mal, pero parece que la autora ha cogido muchas escenas típicas de novelas románticas históricas y las ha juntado en ésta. El resultado no es malo, pero tampoco destacable .
June 25, 2008
[close] The dangerously beautiful Deirdre Cantor is determined to inherit her grandfather's vast fortune. All she needs is to marry a duke...and be the first granddaughter to walk down the aisle. After all, she has always dreamed of becoming a member of the haute ton.
So when the proper Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is abandoned at the altar, Deirdre makes it her business to become his wife--in spite of the whispers about his past.
Soon Deirdre's visions of a lavish existence with the handsome Calder are shattered when she learns his shocking secret. Feeling betrayed, Deirdre seeks revenge by playing a perilous and seductive game of cat and mouse with her husband that threatens to drive them both to the heights of passion.
She will not surrender to him, no matter how great her desire. But at what cost?
Calder is determined to keep his secret under lock and key--and to make his stunning wife his in every way that matters. Even if it means winning her heart all over again...
I loved this book, but then again I love everything Celeste Bradley writes. The dialog is both funny and sweet.
So when the proper Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, is abandoned at the altar, Deirdre makes it her business to become his wife--in spite of the whispers about his past.
Soon Deirdre's visions of a lavish existence with the handsome Calder are shattered when she learns his shocking secret. Feeling betrayed, Deirdre seeks revenge by playing a perilous and seductive game of cat and mouse with her husband that threatens to drive them both to the heights of passion.
She will not surrender to him, no matter how great her desire. But at what cost?
Calder is determined to keep his secret under lock and key--and to make his stunning wife his in every way that matters. Even if it means winning her heart all over again...
I loved this book, but then again I love everything Celeste Bradley writes. The dialog is both funny and sweet.
May 16, 2008
I know that a lot of people didn't care for Dee in the last book b/c of her appearance but after seeing Lady Tessa I could only guess why she turned out that way and boy was I happy to see that she really is different then her "mask" she wears.
I even liked the hero and felt bad for him as well. I think they did an excellent job healing each others hurt.
What I didn't like and be prepared for spoilers:
I didn't like the BIG MIS UNDERSTANDING he doesn't love me I'm not good enough for her crap. I think in this situation it fit solely based on their characterzation but I still don't like it to take so blessed long.
The baby at the end seriously why do you need a baby to be happy. It's crap and just once I would like to read an ending that wasn't a surprise baby... Sheesh
I even liked the hero and felt bad for him as well. I think they did an excellent job healing each others hurt.
What I didn't like and be prepared for spoilers:
I didn't like the BIG MIS UNDERSTANDING he doesn't love me I'm not good enough for her crap. I think in this situation it fit solely based on their characterzation but I still don't like it to take so blessed long.
The baby at the end seriously why do you need a baby to be happy. It's crap and just once I would like to read an ending that wasn't a surprise baby... Sheesh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2013
Great book, I can't wait to see Sophie get her HEA, and hopefully the Butler/Lady's Maid romance starts, and is good!
January 23, 2024
Se queda!!
September 15, 2013
Sir Hamish Pickering died a couple generations ago, but not before making a ridiculous will. He somehow had scads of money (dumb must've paid well in those days), and his will settles twiddle on his female descendants and even less than twiddle on the males—unless…
The first female descendant who marries a duke, or marries a guy who eventually becomes a duke, inherits the whole bundle. And if anybody speaks of the terms of the will outside the family, the money goes to pay the fines of smugglers.
Bachelorette # 2 is Dierdre, whose father died when she was young, leaving her at the mercy of her horrible stepmother Tessa. Tessa is an abusive shrew, and she's groomed Dierdre to marry that duke so that she (Tessa) will have lots of money and people will have to kiss her butt.
And the good news is Dierdre is actually in love with a man who will one day be a duke. Calder, Marquis of Brookhaven, has been her obsession since she first saw him and his wife (who is fortunately dead) years ago. She actually clipped newspaper references to the pair. It just about killed Dierdre when Calder proposed to her cousin and sometime friend Phoebe, but Phoebe jilted him at the altar for his bastard brother Rafe. So Calder is free again. But, since his first wife died fleeing the marriage with her lover, this jilt has the gossip-mongers calling him the Beast of Brookhaven and wondering what it is about the guy that makes otherwise sensible women run the other way once they know him.
Dierdre doesn't believe any of it--Calder's a good guy, she couldn't love him if he werent. Anyway, she'slurking waiting in his library when he finally gets home from the aborted wedding. She has a suggestion for him.
Calder accepts, and the vows are said almost immediately.
Thing is, well, Calder is a bit of a bossy, pigheaded jerk—and he waits until what should be their wedding night to spring his exceedingly undisciplined daughter on Dierdre. He never told Dierdre or anybody else about the kid, but now he feels quite within his rights to order Dierdre to take her in hand—every governess he's employed has walked within a week, but now he has someone he doesn't have to pay and she can't quit. Yup. There's a reason wife #1 left him, and a reason his kid's a miserable brat.
Meanwhile, all the people from the first book are still around (plus one or two more) and still looking for ways to prevent these girls from gaining that Pickering inheritance. This one had me going a bit more because of the conflict between D and Calder, so another 4 star.
The first female descendant who marries a duke, or marries a guy who eventually becomes a duke, inherits the whole bundle. And if anybody speaks of the terms of the will outside the family, the money goes to pay the fines of smugglers.
Bachelorette # 2 is Dierdre, whose father died when she was young, leaving her at the mercy of her horrible stepmother Tessa. Tessa is an abusive shrew, and she's groomed Dierdre to marry that duke so that she (Tessa) will have lots of money and people will have to kiss her butt.
And the good news is Dierdre is actually in love with a man who will one day be a duke. Calder, Marquis of Brookhaven, has been her obsession since she first saw him and his wife (who is fortunately dead) years ago. She actually clipped newspaper references to the pair. It just about killed Dierdre when Calder proposed to her cousin and sometime friend Phoebe, but Phoebe jilted him at the altar for his bastard brother Rafe. So Calder is free again. But, since his first wife died fleeing the marriage with her lover, this jilt has the gossip-mongers calling him the Beast of Brookhaven and wondering what it is about the guy that makes otherwise sensible women run the other way once they know him.
Dierdre doesn't believe any of it--Calder's a good guy, she couldn't love him if he werent. Anyway, she's
Calder accepts, and the vows are said almost immediately.
Thing is, well, Calder is a bit of a bossy, pigheaded jerk—and he waits until what should be their wedding night to spring his exceedingly undisciplined daughter on Dierdre. He never told Dierdre or anybody else about the kid, but now he feels quite within his rights to order Dierdre to take her in hand—every governess he's employed has walked within a week, but now he has someone he doesn't have to pay and she can't quit. Yup. There's a reason wife #1 left him, and a reason his kid's a miserable brat.
Meanwhile, all the people from the first book are still around (plus one or two more) and still looking for ways to prevent these girls from gaining that Pickering inheritance. This one had me going a bit more because of the conflict between D and Calder, so another 4 star.
May 17, 2012
Second book in the Heiress Bride series and a great continuation. In the first book, we were introduced to both Calder and Deidre so there didn't feel like much of a separation with the storyline aside from getting a new point of view on a second romance.
I absolutely adored the character Meggie, Calder's imp of a daughter. The scene in which she manages to corral a tavern full of miscreants to do her bidding was by far the best in the book.
The villain in this story turned out not to be too villainous as easily manipulated and it was a tragic way to see the end of Baskin although to be sure, I'm quite anxious to see how things end for Wolfe in Sophie's story.
The bonus excerpt only whetted my appetite to see how it concludes with Sophie and Graham.
I absolutely adored the character Meggie, Calder's imp of a daughter. The scene in which she manages to corral a tavern full of miscreants to do her bidding was by far the best in the book.
The villain in this story turned out not to be too villainous as easily manipulated and it was a tragic way to see the end of Baskin although to be sure, I'm quite anxious to see how things end for Wolfe in Sophie's story.
The bonus excerpt only whetted my appetite to see how it concludes with Sophie and Graham.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2012
it's nice to see how the duke is being warmed up by his wife because he is such a cold person. oh well, you couldn't blame him, right? after all, his first wife is dead, fiancee had run away with his younger brother, it'll make anyone to become cold and distant from the others. he was so hurt from the woman that keep leaving him that he become more guarded with his heart. therefore, it's good that the heroine can break through his guard and can manage to love him as well. not many people can do that.
January 18, 2010
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book after I saw that it had managed only about a 3.5 or so cumulative rating. Well, I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed reading it. It had humor, love, spice and sizzle and not too many annoying devices found in so many historical romances. I think this author is underappreciated and hope that she will one day be "discovered" by some of my friends here who enjoy this genre.
June 18, 2009
Deirdre Cantor and Calder Marbrook are sensual and exciting. The chase scene is well worth the read. I missed reading the first one in this series, and I keep putting it off because Calder is rejected in it. He was a man in need of someone to really love him. He is almost a "cave man" at times.
September 16, 2018
Very enjoyable. The characters might have been difficult to like or understand without the insight into their internal dialogues - thank goodness for those! In the end I was very happy with their ending and it made me happy.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed Susan Ericksen's narration.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed Susan Ericksen's narration.
June 1, 2012
The second book of "The Heiress Brides" was an excellent read. I kept wanting to know what challenges Deidre sent Calder's way. I was enchanted with how she let herself develop and be less afraid. I was especially charmed with Lady Margaret and her fighting spirit. This is a book to keep.
February 24, 2013
A delicious Regency read!! Engaging characters and an entertaining plot line. Nice amount of steam to keep the story popping!
I love a lively historical with all the pomp and circumstance! Really enjoyable read!
A fun series.
I love a lively historical with all the pomp and circumstance! Really enjoyable read!
A fun series.
May 28, 2015
Segundo de la trilogía las Herederas. Para mí, el mejor de los tres, gracias al personaje masculino. Ese Calder, tan cortado e inseguro, escondiéndose detrás de una personalidad déspota cuando en realidad, es la manera que tiene de disimular que no tiene ni puta idea de qué hacer con su mujer.
February 10, 2014
I like this book very much. Loved little Meggie, she was adorably hilarious.
October 25, 2017
Leído en Abril 2011
Estuvo entretenido... y me gustó!!
Estuvo entretenido... y me gustó!!
September 15, 2020
Where to begin? The first book in this story gave me promise that the second might give more. However, it didn't deliver quite as much as I would have liked it to.
In the beginning, I didn't like Deirdre. She seemed rude, stuck-up, and unlikable. However, as the story progressed, you begin to see why she has a hard shell and tends to be a bit self-absorbed. Her stepmother, Tessa, is in charge of her and her cousins on their venture into London to capture a duke. The one who lands herself a duke will win the family fortune, and Dee knows she can make it happen. Her stepmother wants it even more than her and spends her time belittling Dee and her cousins, pushing them, and trying to advance Dee through devious means. She isn't a likable character, and you can get a little more 3D perspective on Dee as we enter book two in this series.
When we find Dee in this story, she's determined to make her dream come true: marry Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, after Phoebe leaves him for Rafe. We find Dee had a crush on Calder when she was younger, and now, she campaigns to marry him. He agrees to her plan, and they get hitched. Soon after, we find he was keeping a secret - his daughter from his first marriage, his supposed murder of said first wife, and his tendency to compare Dee and the first wife. All of this leads to Dee deciding to take her revenge on Calder, and funny enough, becomes friends with his daughter.
I liked the friendship Dee has with her stepdaughter. It becomes one of the positive points of this book. You get to see a new side to Dee, and she does have a caring and compassionate heart. There's some humor, sarcastic banter, and touching scenes. The story progresses okay, but after a while, I become bored with the vengeance theme on Dee's behalf.
The butler's part adds a cute reprieve, and I enjoy his character as well as the Irish maid's.
Calder is a decent male protagonist. I felt for him in the first book of this series because Phoebe gives him hope and takes it away. He has some positive attributes that you hope to see evolve in this book. In some ways, he redeems himself by the end of the book, but I had hoped he'd catch on and pick a different tune before such a dangerous event would have to occur.
Also, I didn't like the solicitor side-story. It added some suspense, but I didn't like the characters, especially the bad guy of the duo. Overall, this held a few more positives than the first, including the fact that I liked the characters more than book one's.
I suppose I like the spy series better. You can find out more about those series in my reviews:
https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
In the beginning, I didn't like Deirdre. She seemed rude, stuck-up, and unlikable. However, as the story progressed, you begin to see why she has a hard shell and tends to be a bit self-absorbed. Her stepmother, Tessa, is in charge of her and her cousins on their venture into London to capture a duke. The one who lands herself a duke will win the family fortune, and Dee knows she can make it happen. Her stepmother wants it even more than her and spends her time belittling Dee and her cousins, pushing them, and trying to advance Dee through devious means. She isn't a likable character, and you can get a little more 3D perspective on Dee as we enter book two in this series.
When we find Dee in this story, she's determined to make her dream come true: marry Calder Marbrook, the Marquis of Brookhaven and future Duke of Brookmoor, after Phoebe leaves him for Rafe. We find Dee had a crush on Calder when she was younger, and now, she campaigns to marry him. He agrees to her plan, and they get hitched. Soon after, we find he was keeping a secret - his daughter from his first marriage, his supposed murder of said first wife, and his tendency to compare Dee and the first wife. All of this leads to Dee deciding to take her revenge on Calder, and funny enough, becomes friends with his daughter.
I liked the friendship Dee has with her stepdaughter. It becomes one of the positive points of this book. You get to see a new side to Dee, and she does have a caring and compassionate heart. There's some humor, sarcastic banter, and touching scenes. The story progresses okay, but after a while, I become bored with the vengeance theme on Dee's behalf.
The butler's part adds a cute reprieve, and I enjoy his character as well as the Irish maid's.
Calder is a decent male protagonist. I felt for him in the first book of this series because Phoebe gives him hope and takes it away. He has some positive attributes that you hope to see evolve in this book. In some ways, he redeems himself by the end of the book, but I had hoped he'd catch on and pick a different tune before such a dangerous event would have to occur.
Also, I didn't like the solicitor side-story. It added some suspense, but I didn't like the characters, especially the bad guy of the duo. Overall, this held a few more positives than the first, including the fact that I liked the characters more than book one's.
I suppose I like the spy series better. You can find out more about those series in my reviews:
https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
June 23, 2019
THIS STARTED OUT AS A BUNGLING MESS BUT MADE UP FOR IT WHEN THE CHARACTERS CONFRONTED EACH OTHER AND ACTUALLY DEALT WITH THEIR SITUATION. THIS WOULD HAVE TURNED OUT INTO A FRUSTRATING, BAD BODICE RIPPER TYPE OF NOVEL IF IT DIDNT.
HERO has been groomed as his father's heir his whole life. In other words, he is VERY INEPT with portraying emotions and giving affections. Least to say, he's good at ordering people about and not asking nicely. He's not a bad man, in fact sometimes you just want him to just say what's on his mind DAMMIT! After being cuckold by his first wife who despised him, he failed in his responsibility as a father in the emotional department. Neglected is a good word to describe his daughter. When he marries Deidre, she turns his life upside down though sadly not in a very warm spirited or Hallmark Christmas way. It was an ABSOLUTE DISASTER because they were always arguing and only consummated the marriage after half the book. BUT the hot bedroom scenes made up for it after.
HEROINE has been in love with the hero all her life ever since she first laid eyes on him. Of course his life would have been better if he met her first. But alas, that isnt the case and Now that the opportunity arises she wants this future Duke for herself. Thus she proposed and he accepted! And begins their trial of a marriage. Needless to say, she's not happy when he dropped the bombshell of his mythical daughter's existence only to bring back bad memories of her own stepmother and childhood. Deidre is like a version of Cinderella and the wicked stepmom sans the sisters. All she ever wants is love and for the man she love to love her back. I'm only glad she KNOWS that she hasn't shown him what hes missing in love after they fought so much. She can't just expect the man to fall in love with her right away.
OVERALL it had everything to make it a perfect romance for a weekend read in my case. It wasn't filled with angst but enough passion and some moments to make it all worthwhile.
HERO has been groomed as his father's heir his whole life. In other words, he is VERY INEPT with portraying emotions and giving affections. Least to say, he's good at ordering people about and not asking nicely. He's not a bad man, in fact sometimes you just want him to just say what's on his mind DAMMIT! After being cuckold by his first wife who despised him, he failed in his responsibility as a father in the emotional department. Neglected is a good word to describe his daughter. When he marries Deidre, she turns his life upside down though sadly not in a very warm spirited or Hallmark Christmas way. It was an ABSOLUTE DISASTER because they were always arguing and only consummated the marriage after half the book. BUT the hot bedroom scenes made up for it after.
HEROINE has been in love with the hero all her life ever since she first laid eyes on him. Of course his life would have been better if he met her first. But alas, that isnt the case and Now that the opportunity arises she wants this future Duke for herself. Thus she proposed and he accepted! And begins their trial of a marriage. Needless to say, she's not happy when he dropped the bombshell of his mythical daughter's existence only to bring back bad memories of her own stepmother and childhood. Deidre is like a version of Cinderella and the wicked stepmom sans the sisters. All she ever wants is love and for the man she love to love her back. I'm only glad she KNOWS that she hasn't shown him what hes missing in love after they fought so much. She can't just expect the man to fall in love with her right away.
OVERALL it had everything to make it a perfect romance for a weekend read in my case. It wasn't filled with angst but enough passion and some moments to make it all worthwhile.
July 6, 2020
I really like this series so far.
Some highlights for me: The daughter, Meggie, was wise beyond her years. I really loved her scenes. The climax at the end had some really horrible moments and some hilarious moments, and it all worked.
The Duke Next Door was far from perfect, though it was enjoyable and highly readable so I'm not going to nitpick. A few things though, I really dislike when the h/H simple don't talk to each other and misunderstanding abound, and that really took up most of the book. The chemistry was there, but the "love" was missing the mark. I wish that Deirdre would have told Calder how she had been in "love" with him since age 16, but even then, the way she fell for him was a little creepy given the circumstances. There was a lot of "tell" and not enough "show" when it came to the awful stepmother, Tessa. A scene with Tess could have fit in well. As with the other book, the two "villains" reprise their roles.
I am SO looking forward to Sophie's book!
Some highlights for me: The daughter, Meggie, was wise beyond her years. I really loved her scenes. The climax at the end had some really horrible moments and some hilarious moments, and it all worked.
The Duke Next Door was far from perfect, though it was enjoyable and highly readable so I'm not going to nitpick. A few things though, I really dislike when the h/H simple don't talk to each other and misunderstanding abound, and that really took up most of the book. The chemistry was there, but the "love" was missing the mark. I wish that Deirdre would have told Calder how she had been in "love" with him since age 16, but even then, the way she fell for him was a little creepy given the circumstances. There was a lot of "tell" and not enough "show" when it came to the awful stepmother, Tessa. A scene with Tess could have fit in well. As with the other book, the two "villains" reprise their roles.
I am SO looking forward to Sophie's book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews