Scan barcode
webbsusa's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, since I had never read anything by this author. I did enjoy this book, but I found it slow moving at times; the pacing was not ideal. I also didn’t think this historical romance was very historical; I have no idea when the book was set, and the language was unfortunately modern at times. On the plus side, I really loved the hero and heroine; they were appealing characters who deserved a better book.
melfierro's review against another edition
4.0
This is a classic story of forbidden love with a do-good twist. In a comic twist of fate, the heroine, Daphne, is left behind when her family leaves for Christmas vacation. Instead of try to catch up with them, she decides to use to the time to realize her dream of opening a home for unwed mothers.
In an unusual twist, the hero has bad reputation from past deeds that he is now trying to make up for. He had a falling out with Daphne's brother and now is forbidden fruit. She is determined to open her home, he is determined to restore his reputation and his relationship with her family.
Can the two overcome the past and her family's opinion and find true love?
In an unusual twist, the hero has bad reputation from past deeds that he is now trying to make up for. He had a falling out with Daphne's brother and now is forbidden fruit. She is determined to open her home, he is determined to restore his reputation and his relationship with her family.
Can the two overcome the past and her family's opinion and find true love?
amanda_siegrist's review against another edition
5.0
A very enjoyable read. The story held my attention the entire time, although, I was kind of confused why Alex hated Paul so much. They kept alluding to a reason, but it never quite made sense to me. They pictured Paul as such a bad guy, but I didn't see it, even in his history. I'm glad Daphne didn't see it either! Great couple!
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
Lady Daphne Hallworth is looking forward to the Christmas holiday, but when her family inadvertently leaves her home alone, she can't help but feel a little sorry for herself. Instead of dwelling too much on her dilemma, she decides it's the perfect opportunity to work on her passion project: opening a home for unwed mothers. Something she thinks of quite often as a place such as this could have helped her sister in her time of need before she took her own life.
On her way to visit her solicitor, Daphne's reticule is stolen and within it, her private journal. Detailing, among other things, her deepest desires, particularly where a certain notorious rake of a Duke is concerned.
Paul Barstowe, the Duke of Southart, has been on the outs with Daphne's family since he ended the engagement to, and humiliated, Daphne's sister-in-law along with some other indiscretions along the way. But when he encounters Daphne alone during the holidays and in need of help, he cannot turn her away. Paul agrees to help Daphne recover her journal before any of its secrets are made known if, in turn, she'll agree to start smoothing the way for Paul to reconnect with his former friends.
It's a time of cheer, a time of family, and a time of love.
It's nothing new when as author takes a former "villain" and turns them around into the hero of a piece, but it's how it's all handled that can make or break the story. Janna MacGregor has handled Paul's story admirably. Looking back, I think it's been building up since the beginning of the series. Mainly in the first book and in little glimpses in the two following. But I really enjoyed seeing Paul's redemption, as it were. The Good, the Bad, and the Duke lays bare all Paul's loneliness and insecurities, and how he's fighting everyday to earn back his good name, and the heartbreak that follows when he gets a setback, but how he still continues to fight. It's a beautiful story and sweet, yet indeed heartbreaking at times.
I think Daphne was the perfect one to partner Paul with. As Paul was entangled within the death of Daphne's sister, Alice, years ago, Daphne also felt the pang of the loss of her sister, but it also effected her in a different way. Daphne closed herself off, she "became invisible" and until that invisibility manifests itself in Daphne actually being forgotten, she's gone with the status quo. Being left behind is an eye-opener.
I loved the overall feeling of this book, but I did think there were times when the story went in too many different directions. There is the matter with Paul wanting to open a hospital, coincidentally bidding on the same property where Daphne wants to open her home for unwed mothers. Then the problem with the journal, their feelings for one another, Paul's past rearing its ugly head, among other things. I felt like some of these things could have been paired down a bit, especially where the journal was concerned, and the narrative as a whole would have felt crisper.
I did like what the story says about families. And I enjoyed that this series and it's characters are so tangled up together that there were quite a few times where I had to pause and mentally go over who was who and which family unit they fit into and who they married. I think it's more a commentary on Paul's want of a family, and of course the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, that brings these entanglements to light the most.
As it stands, however, I was delighted that Janna MacGragor gave this reformed rake his due. I'd fault anyone who would begrudge Paul a happily ever after.
There's also a nice set up for William Cavensham, whose own young broken heart has kept him from love. I can't wait to see what is up next!
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
On her way to visit her solicitor, Daphne's reticule is stolen and within it, her private journal. Detailing, among other things, her deepest desires, particularly where a certain notorious rake of a Duke is concerned.
Paul Barstowe, the Duke of Southart, has been on the outs with Daphne's family since he ended the engagement to, and humiliated, Daphne's sister-in-law along with some other indiscretions along the way. But when he encounters Daphne alone during the holidays and in need of help, he cannot turn her away. Paul agrees to help Daphne recover her journal before any of its secrets are made known if, in turn, she'll agree to start smoothing the way for Paul to reconnect with his former friends.
It's a time of cheer, a time of family, and a time of love.
It's nothing new when as author takes a former "villain" and turns them around into the hero of a piece, but it's how it's all handled that can make or break the story. Janna MacGregor has handled Paul's story admirably. Looking back, I think it's been building up since the beginning of the series. Mainly in the first book and in little glimpses in the two following. But I really enjoyed seeing Paul's redemption, as it were. The Good, the Bad, and the Duke lays bare all Paul's loneliness and insecurities, and how he's fighting everyday to earn back his good name, and the heartbreak that follows when he gets a setback, but how he still continues to fight. It's a beautiful story and sweet, yet indeed heartbreaking at times.
I think Daphne was the perfect one to partner Paul with. As Paul was entangled within the death of Daphne's sister, Alice, years ago, Daphne also felt the pang of the loss of her sister, but it also effected her in a different way. Daphne closed herself off, she "became invisible" and until that invisibility manifests itself in Daphne actually being forgotten, she's gone with the status quo. Being left behind is an eye-opener.
I loved the overall feeling of this book, but I did think there were times when the story went in too many different directions. There is the matter with Paul wanting to open a hospital, coincidentally bidding on the same property where Daphne wants to open her home for unwed mothers. Then the problem with the journal, their feelings for one another, Paul's past rearing its ugly head, among other things. I felt like some of these things could have been paired down a bit, especially where the journal was concerned, and the narrative as a whole would have felt crisper.
I did like what the story says about families. And I enjoyed that this series and it's characters are so tangled up together that there were quite a few times where I had to pause and mentally go over who was who and which family unit they fit into and who they married. I think it's more a commentary on Paul's want of a family, and of course the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, that brings these entanglements to light the most.
As it stands, however, I was delighted that Janna MacGragor gave this reformed rake his due. I'd fault anyone who would begrudge Paul a happily ever after.
There's also a nice set up for William Cavensham, whose own young broken heart has kept him from love. I can't wait to see what is up next!
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
labyrinth_witch's review against another edition
3.0
I was curious to see how she would have Paul Barstow redeem himself in this book. Centered around Daphne losing her incriminating journal and Paul stepping in to assist her when she’s “forgotten” by her family during the holidays, it’s revealed that they were actually childhood sweethearts. That it. Not much else of note.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this story. Paul was so questionable in the previous books in the series but he was totally redeemed in this book.
especbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Well-drawn characters and growing tension gripped me despite the mostly predictable progression of this story. Do not take this as a detriments, as the genre lends itself to predictability. The tale itself was well told.
joanav's review against another edition
4.0
I've received an ebook via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I know it’s early to be reading Christmas-related books, but really – is it ever too early to read Christmas stories? ❤️
Lady Daphne Hallworth quickly became one of my all-time favourite characters. She tried her best to be “the perfect daughter/sister/etc” and she shoved all her feelings in a diary. It actually sounds like something I would do, with the exception that I’ve tried to write a diary several times, but I always end up forgetting to write in it. I personally like to lay at night thinking about what I would write, and sometimes even say it out loud, in a whispered voice, just to put those feelings out there. So I can imagine what Daphne felt when her diary was stolen – as a result of a good action, which is even worse!
But, rest assure dear reader, she is not alone. In comes Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart, former friend of Daphne’s brother, and her former (and current!) crush. Paul acted badly in the past and that caused him to alienate his friends, but Daphne never truly believed he was a horrible person, instead she believed he was someone who had made mistakes, but who was truly a good person (which, of course, it’s true).
Daphne is left alone at Christmas and Paul is the one that is going to make her company and help her retrieve her diary. Paul and his Moonbeam.
I loved their relationship, Paul was so sweet with Daphne, and all he wanted was to help her. Even the impediments that might have gotten in the way, it was all resolved and I loved how strong and determined Daphne was, and how Paul tried to be his best version, for himself, for Daphne and for those that now depended on him. That’s one of my favourite things about the book, Paul’s awakening to become someone… not different per se, but someone with new objectives and a different view of life and of what really matters. And that’s also what brings Daphne’s family and friends back to being friends with Paul. They see how he’s improved, and that he is trying, he’s doing his best to become better, and he deserves the vote of confidence.
After reading this book, I decided never to have a diary with me in public and, if I ever do write in a journal, to have it locked at all times, because I don’t know if I could handle the stress of losing or having it robbed, with all my private thoughts. Daphne’s fight and endurance to act the right way not just for her, but for her family and those that might be affected by what she had written, was inspiring.
The Christmas ambience helped the story’s redemption arc, and it was lovely to have the beautiful descriptions of winter and Christmas decorations. I do love a good Christmas romance.
I know it’s early to be reading Christmas-related books, but really – is it ever too early to read Christmas stories? ❤️
Lady Daphne Hallworth quickly became one of my all-time favourite characters. She tried her best to be “the perfect daughter/sister/etc” and she shoved all her feelings in a diary. It actually sounds like something I would do, with the exception that I’ve tried to write a diary several times, but I always end up forgetting to write in it. I personally like to lay at night thinking about what I would write, and sometimes even say it out loud, in a whispered voice, just to put those feelings out there. So I can imagine what Daphne felt when her diary was stolen – as a result of a good action, which is even worse!
But, rest assure dear reader, she is not alone. In comes Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart, former friend of Daphne’s brother, and her former (and current!) crush. Paul acted badly in the past and that caused him to alienate his friends, but Daphne never truly believed he was a horrible person, instead she believed he was someone who had made mistakes, but who was truly a good person (which, of course, it’s true).
Daphne is left alone at Christmas and Paul is the one that is going to make her company and help her retrieve her diary. Paul and his Moonbeam.
I loved their relationship, Paul was so sweet with Daphne, and all he wanted was to help her. Even the impediments that might have gotten in the way, it was all resolved and I loved how strong and determined Daphne was, and how Paul tried to be his best version, for himself, for Daphne and for those that now depended on him. That’s one of my favourite things about the book, Paul’s awakening to become someone… not different per se, but someone with new objectives and a different view of life and of what really matters. And that’s also what brings Daphne’s family and friends back to being friends with Paul. They see how he’s improved, and that he is trying, he’s doing his best to become better, and he deserves the vote of confidence.
After reading this book, I decided never to have a diary with me in public and, if I ever do write in a journal, to have it locked at all times, because I don’t know if I could handle the stress of losing or having it robbed, with all my private thoughts. Daphne’s fight and endurance to act the right way not just for her, but for her family and those that might be affected by what she had written, was inspiring.
The Christmas ambience helped the story’s redemption arc, and it was lovely to have the beautiful descriptions of winter and Christmas decorations. I do love a good Christmas romance.
brittanyt's review against another edition
4.0
https://everyoneneedsbibliotherapy.wordpress.com/2019/01/08/the-good-the-bad-and-the-duke-by-janna-macgregor/
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**.
Oh do I love a good redemption story. I love when I despise a character in a book and then I see they are the focus of a future book and I think “ugh I am never going to like him/her” and then I’m wrong.
Paul was a jackass. He’s made a lot of mistakes. Mistakes that many are reluctant to forgive. His past was awful and he brought it forward with him.
Daphne is an amazing character. I loved how she cake to see Paul in a different light and worked to show her family who she saw.
I enjoyed this book and need to go back and read the earlier books in this series.
Oh do I love a good redemption story. I love when I despise a character in a book and then I see they are the focus of a future book and I think “ugh I am never going to like him/her” and then I’m wrong.
Paul was a jackass. He’s made a lot of mistakes. Mistakes that many are reluctant to forgive. His past was awful and he brought it forward with him.
Daphne is an amazing character. I loved how she cake to see Paul in a different light and worked to show her family who she saw.
I enjoyed this book and need to go back and read the earlier books in this series.