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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
I desperately wanted to love this. The cover is gorgeous, and I was in such a mood for historical romance. This started off absolutely delightful, but my enjoyment began to slowly plummet the longer Charlotte lied and deceived Rafe. One of my least favorite things is deception without good reason in my romances, and this has that for the majority of the book. But my dislike of what was happening really culminated with the first sex scene. It felt cruel how she slept with Rafe while letting him think they would be getting married, all the while knowing that she wasn't planning to. Rafe was such a sweet, adoring hero and it made the deceit all the more appalling to me. All this to say, regardless of her reasons for lying, the deception went on for far too long. But the deception goes on for much too long. Once these two fall in love, shouldn't Charlotte be able to trust in his good nature to at least hear her out before they break up?
The ending was satisfying, and I loved how the book wrapped up, even if Rafe was a little too easily won back. And the audio narration was great!
Overall, this is a well written historical romance that just wasn't for me. I will, however, be picking up this author's other works.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audio-arc of this book!
The ending was satisfying, and I loved how the book wrapped up, even if Rafe was a little too easily won back. And the audio narration was great!
Overall, this is a well written historical romance that just wasn't for me. I will, however, be picking up this author's other works.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audio-arc of this book!
DNF @ 24%
I enjoyed the previous 2 books in the series and liked the fact that the characters were not related to previous books.
I couldn’t get into this book - and really can’t put my finger on the why.
I enjoyed the previous 2 books in the series and liked the fact that the characters were not related to previous books.
I couldn’t get into this book - and really can’t put my finger on the why.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rafe, Duke of Rockford, has carried his title since a too young age. His father died when he was six, leaving his mother bereft and Rafe with the duties of the family name. Despite his dedication to the role, Rafe's mother says he's missing the most important piece-- marrying and begetting an heir and a spare. In an effort to force her son into compliance, she threatens to withhold the family hospital that was meant to pass into his hands. Tender-hearted Rafe cares too much for that part of his legacy to ignore the manipulation. It's time to find a wife.
In a meet-cute for the ages, Rafe becomes acquainted with Charlotte when he a) observes as she hits a would-be thief with a purse containing a brick and then b) gets hit with that very brick himself. At this first meeting, Charlotte's impersonating a lady to get a servant out of debtor's prison. The truth of the matter is that for all intents and purposes, she's a servant, too, tied to her home and subject to its cruel master. Though born to gentility herself, that hasn't carried any weight since the deaths of both her parents. Now, her stepfather looks for all the ways he can torment her, including having a servant imprisoned to keep her in line. They may live in Charlotte's ancestral home, but Charlotte is only welcomed there by her stepsister. Otherwise, the servants are the closest thing she has to family.
Both our protagonists were born of love matches, and the wish for the same lingers even though each has been made to expect they'll never experience it-- Rafe for duty and Charlotte through lack of means. The romance circles Charlotte's secret identity, befitting of a Cinderella retelling. It also offers a fresh take on love at first sight, another staple of the original story. The connection between Rafe and Charlotte is instantaneous, sure, but Devon still gives the characters space for uncertainty and new opportunities to grow what they feel. Charlotte is resistant to her feelings because of the lie she continues to tell, the one that makes her a suitable match for Rafe. Unlike her fairy tale counterpart, his hand wasn't offered to just any girl in the kingdom who could catch his eye. Instead, he was meant for her stepsister, not a girl who scrubs floors and was never trained for Society.
In terms of characterization, both leads have that Disneyfied energy-- pure of heart and intention. What could have been cloying worked well with the story. Each character's sense of integrity plays a role in keeping them apart. Charlotte, in particular, is weighed down by the guilt of keeping up the pretense that she's a normal young lady, using an assumed name to distance herself from her stepfather. Her sense of responsibility to others opens her up to the strongarming of her stepfather when he learns of her activities. I think that my only issue with the saccharine energy of the book is that the spicy scenes couldn't keep up, and the weight of the emotional connection between them feels feather-light, built on mutual respect and a yearning for a loving future. And while yes, that's obviously excellent and I take no issue with it, I expect a bit more oomph from a romance novel. Without all the emotions to sweep me along, some moments in the story stagnated for me.
A couple of random positives come to mind. The book has a distinct anti-imperialist energy and also identifies cruel policies from the period such as debtors' prisons, orphanages, and women's lack of rights within a marriage. For the most part, it's threaded seamlessly into the story. Rafe is, in part, so likable because he takes his privilege as a Duke so seriously to address these ills as both a politician and as someone with heaps of personal wealth. Another pro is the strong women we see across generations-- Rafe is guided by the wisdom (and sometimes blatant manipulations) of both his mother and grandmother. Each fills her family role with vigor but refuses to meet social expectations that don't suit her.
If you're looking for your next romantic fairy tale retelling, this historical take on Cinderella captures its energy well while adding new layers of nuance to broaden the picture. Thanks to Entangled for my copy to read and review!
In a meet-cute for the ages, Rafe becomes acquainted with Charlotte when he a) observes as she hits a would-be thief with a purse containing a brick and then b) gets hit with that very brick himself. At this first meeting, Charlotte's impersonating a lady to get a servant out of debtor's prison. The truth of the matter is that for all intents and purposes, she's a servant, too, tied to her home and subject to its cruel master. Though born to gentility herself, that hasn't carried any weight since the deaths of both her parents. Now, her stepfather looks for all the ways he can torment her, including having a servant imprisoned to keep her in line. They may live in Charlotte's ancestral home, but Charlotte is only welcomed there by her stepsister. Otherwise, the servants are the closest thing she has to family.
Both our protagonists were born of love matches, and the wish for the same lingers even though each has been made to expect they'll never experience it-- Rafe for duty and Charlotte through lack of means. The romance circles Charlotte's secret identity, befitting of a Cinderella retelling. It also offers a fresh take on love at first sight, another staple of the original story. The connection between Rafe and Charlotte is instantaneous, sure, but Devon still gives the characters space for uncertainty and new opportunities to grow what they feel. Charlotte is resistant to her feelings because of the lie she continues to tell, the one that makes her a suitable match for Rafe. Unlike her fairy tale counterpart, his hand wasn't offered to just any girl in the kingdom who could catch his eye. Instead, he was meant for her stepsister, not a girl who scrubs floors and was never trained for Society.
In terms of characterization, both leads have that Disneyfied energy-- pure of heart and intention. What could have been cloying worked well with the story. Each character's sense of integrity plays a role in keeping them apart. Charlotte, in particular, is weighed down by the guilt of keeping up the pretense that she's a normal young lady, using an assumed name to distance herself from her stepfather. Her sense of responsibility to others opens her up to the strongarming of her stepfather when he learns of her activities. I think that my only issue with the saccharine energy of the book is that the spicy scenes couldn't keep up, and the weight of the emotional connection between them feels feather-light, built on mutual respect and a yearning for a loving future. And while yes, that's obviously excellent and I take no issue with it, I expect a bit more oomph from a romance novel. Without all the emotions to sweep me along, some moments in the story stagnated for me.
A couple of random positives come to mind. The book has a distinct anti-imperialist energy and also identifies cruel policies from the period such as debtors' prisons, orphanages, and women's lack of rights within a marriage. For the most part, it's threaded seamlessly into the story. Rafe is, in part, so likable because he takes his privilege as a Duke so seriously to address these ills as both a politician and as someone with heaps of personal wealth. Another pro is the strong women we see across generations-- Rafe is guided by the wisdom (and sometimes blatant manipulations) of both his mother and grandmother. Each fills her family role with vigor but refuses to meet social expectations that don't suit her.
If you're looking for your next romantic fairy tale retelling, this historical take on Cinderella captures its energy well while adding new layers of nuance to broaden the picture. Thanks to Entangled for my copy to read and review!
If you love the movie Ever After and any version of the classic tale of Cinderella, you will love Eva Devon’s new take exploring the lives of Charlotte Browne and Rafe Dorchester, the Duke of Rockford.
Charlotte is a servant in the house of her step-father, Lord Palmerton, and lady’s maid to her best friend and lovely step-sister, Francesca. She tries to avoid her vicious step-brother, Phillip, at all times. The story does start much like the movie Ever After in that Charlotte dresses as a lady to get another house servant out of prison when she meets The Duke. The twists and turns begin there.
While Rafe does enjoy wine, women, and song, he has a huge heart and a charitable soul. One of his families charities, a foundling hospital, is supported by and started by his family. When his mother threatens to hand the reigns over to someone else if he doesn’t marry soon, he thinks of the beautiful blonde who stole his heart in one of the worst places in London.
Charlotte has Francesca basically hyping her up to Rafe and going along with the belief of her status as a lady. Charlotte knows close to nothing about being a lady. She doesn’t dance or paint or play the pianoforte. Yet, none of that matters to Rafe. He loves all the things she’s not and she can’t help but fall for the enchanting man. While Charlotte believes she is unworthy of Rafe’s love and has Lord Palmerton threatening her at every turn, Rafe does everything he can to show her she is the one for him.
The end of the novel shocked and surprised me as it is not your usual Cinderella ending. If you love swoon worthy Dukes, strong heroines, and a good step-sister, you’ll enjoy ever word of The Duke’s Secret Cinderella.
I received The Duke's Secret Cinderella (Never a Wallflower, #3) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Charlotte is a servant in the house of her step-father, Lord Palmerton, and lady’s maid to her best friend and lovely step-sister, Francesca. She tries to avoid her vicious step-brother, Phillip, at all times. The story does start much like the movie Ever After in that Charlotte dresses as a lady to get another house servant out of prison when she meets The Duke. The twists and turns begin there.
While Rafe does enjoy wine, women, and song, he has a huge heart and a charitable soul. One of his families charities, a foundling hospital, is supported by and started by his family. When his mother threatens to hand the reigns over to someone else if he doesn’t marry soon, he thinks of the beautiful blonde who stole his heart in one of the worst places in London.
Charlotte has Francesca basically hyping her up to Rafe and going along with the belief of her status as a lady. Charlotte knows close to nothing about being a lady. She doesn’t dance or paint or play the pianoforte. Yet, none of that matters to Rafe. He loves all the things she’s not and she can’t help but fall for the enchanting man. While Charlotte believes she is unworthy of Rafe’s love and has Lord Palmerton threatening her at every turn, Rafe does everything he can to show her she is the one for him.
The end of the novel shocked and surprised me as it is not your usual Cinderella ending. If you love swoon worthy Dukes, strong heroines, and a good step-sister, you’ll enjoy ever word of The Duke’s Secret Cinderella.
I received The Duke's Secret Cinderella (Never a Wallflower, #3) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If you love the movie Ever After and any version of the classic tale of Cinderella, you will love Eva Devon’s new take exploring the lives of Charlotte Browne and Rafe Dorchester, the Duke of Rockford.
Charlotte is a servant in the house of her step-father, Lord Palmerton, and lady’s maid to her best friend and lovely step-sister, Francesca. She tries to avoid her vicious step-brother, Phillip, at all times. The story does start much like the movie Ever After in that Charlotte dresses as a lady to get another house servant out of prison when she meets The Duke. The twists and turns begin there.
While Rafe does enjoy wine, women, and song, he has a huge heart and a charitable soul. One of his families charities, a foundling hospital, is supported by and started by his family. When his mother threatens to hand the reigns over to someone else if he doesn’t marry soon, he thinks of the beautiful blonde who stole his heart in one of the worst places in London.
Charlotte has Francesca basically hyping her up to Rafe and going along with the belief of her status as a lady. Charlotte knows close to nothing about being a lady. She doesn’t dance or paint or play the pianoforte. Yet, none of that matters to Rafe. He loves all the things she’s not and she can’t help but fall for the enchanting man. While Charlotte believes she is unworthy of Rafe’s love and has Lord Palmerton threatening her at every turn, Rafe does everything he can to show her she is the one for him.
The end of the novel shocked and surprised me as it is not your usual Cinderella ending. If you love swoon worthy Dukes, strong heroines, and a good step-sister, you’ll enjoy ever word of The Duke’s Secret Cinderella.
I received The Duke's Secret Cinderella (Never a Wallflower, #3) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Charlotte is a servant in the house of her step-father, Lord Palmerton, and lady’s maid to her best friend and lovely step-sister, Francesca. She tries to avoid her vicious step-brother, Phillip, at all times. The story does start much like the movie Ever After in that Charlotte dresses as a lady to get another house servant out of prison when she meets The Duke. The twists and turns begin there.
While Rafe does enjoy wine, women, and song, he has a huge heart and a charitable soul. One of his families charities, a foundling hospital, is supported by and started by his family. When his mother threatens to hand the reigns over to someone else if he doesn’t marry soon, he thinks of the beautiful blonde who stole his heart in one of the worst places in London.
Charlotte has Francesca basically hyping her up to Rafe and going along with the belief of her status as a lady. Charlotte knows close to nothing about being a lady. She doesn’t dance or paint or play the pianoforte. Yet, none of that matters to Rafe. He loves all the things she’s not and she can’t help but fall for the enchanting man. While Charlotte believes she is unworthy of Rafe’s love and has Lord Palmerton threatening her at every turn, Rafe does everything he can to show her she is the one for him.
The end of the novel shocked and surprised me as it is not your usual Cinderella ending. If you love swoon worthy Dukes, strong heroines, and a good step-sister, you’ll enjoy ever word of The Duke’s Secret Cinderella.
I received The Duke's Secret Cinderella (Never a Wallflower, #3) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have mixed feelings on this book. The beginning was a little rough getting into it, I wasn’t vibing with the writing but enjoyed the characters. The middle of the book I really enjoyed. And then the end just felt like it was dragging on and I was ready to be done with it.
I did like that Rafe was so smitten with Charlotte. And that their meet cute was her hitting him with a brick 😂 Charlotte was very kind which fits the Cinderella trope. I do wish we got to see her more with the staff members at the house, I would have liked to see more of their bond. And I really loved her relationship with Francesca, I thought it was sweet how they cared for each other. I was a little surprised by the ending, I thought that was were it was going but didn’t think the secret was that big.
I did like that Rafe was so smitten with Charlotte. And that their meet cute was her hitting him with a brick 😂 Charlotte was very kind which fits the Cinderella trope. I do wish we got to see her more with the staff members at the house, I would have liked to see more of their bond. And I really loved her relationship with Francesca, I thought it was sweet how they cared for each other. I was a little surprised by the ending, I thought that was were it was going but didn’t think the secret was that big.
Book 3 of the Never a Wallflower series is inspired by Cinderella though there is an evil stepfather, an evil stepbrother, and a stepsister who is her best friend.
Charlotte's horrible stepfather has kept her as a servant since her mother passed away. While Charlotte is on her way to bail out a kind elderly servant who was placed in debtor's prison by her stepfather she is attacked by a robber. And who comes to her rescue but the handsome and eligible Rafe Andrew William Henley Dorchester, Duke of Rockford. His kindness is unexpected from a Duke and she is charmed, but she must not reveal who she is. Her stepfather would be angry and threaten to hurt the people she loves once again and he may be even worse than debtor's prison. And so her ruse begins.
Rafe rescues an odd, outspoken, and intriguing young woman and assists her in freeing her friend from prison. Before Rafe knows who the woman is she is gone and he feels blindsided. The next day Rafe is on his mother's mission to obtain a wife and secure his heir to the Dukedom when he is greeted by none other than the woman he saved. It appears she is the relative of the woman he is calling upon, but his unsuspecting heart has already chosen his future bride...he just needs to convince her of that.
As observant and understanding as Rafe is, it bothered me that he couldn't figure out Charlotte's predicament sooner. It was also annoying that Francesca, Charlotte's stepsister, couldn't have asked for help before everything got so desperate. But then you wouldn't have a heroic rescue and an amazing discovery in Charlotte's life.
The story has several supporting characters who helped move the tale along. Charlotte has a lot of support from Francesca who is in a precarious situation as well. After all, her nasty father is wanting to marry her off to the highest bidder. I loved the fact that Rafe is surrounded by so many strong and formidable women who have his best interests at heart. His friends are delightful as well and I want a story on my favorite character, Lord Matthew Darrow. He's the bad-boy twin with the droll and scandalous sense of humor.
If you love a good Cinderella story with engaging characters and a few surprises along the way, give this book a try. You can never lose with an Eva Devon book.
Thank you to Ms. Devon for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Charlotte's horrible stepfather has kept her as a servant since her mother passed away. While Charlotte is on her way to bail out a kind elderly servant who was placed in debtor's prison by her stepfather she is attacked by a robber. And who comes to her rescue but the handsome and eligible Rafe Andrew William Henley Dorchester, Duke of Rockford. His kindness is unexpected from a Duke and she is charmed, but she must not reveal who she is. Her stepfather would be angry and threaten to hurt the people she loves once again and he may be even worse than debtor's prison. And so her ruse begins.
Rafe rescues an odd, outspoken, and intriguing young woman and assists her in freeing her friend from prison. Before Rafe knows who the woman is she is gone and he feels blindsided. The next day Rafe is on his mother's mission to obtain a wife and secure his heir to the Dukedom when he is greeted by none other than the woman he saved. It appears she is the relative of the woman he is calling upon, but his unsuspecting heart has already chosen his future bride...he just needs to convince her of that.
As observant and understanding as Rafe is, it bothered me that he couldn't figure out Charlotte's predicament sooner. It was also annoying that Francesca, Charlotte's stepsister, couldn't have asked for help before everything got so desperate. But then you wouldn't have a heroic rescue and an amazing discovery in Charlotte's life.
The story has several supporting characters who helped move the tale along. Charlotte has a lot of support from Francesca who is in a precarious situation as well. After all, her nasty father is wanting to marry her off to the highest bidder. I loved the fact that Rafe is surrounded by so many strong and formidable women who have his best interests at heart. His friends are delightful as well and I want a story on my favorite character, Lord Matthew Darrow. He's the bad-boy twin with the droll and scandalous sense of humor.
If you love a good Cinderella story with engaging characters and a few surprises along the way, give this book a try. You can never lose with an Eva Devon book.
Thank you to Ms. Devon for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
If you ever need an MMC who is kind, gentle, emotionally mature, romantic, and honorable, look no further than Rafe, the Duke of Rockford. He is the most annoyingly perfect MMC I've experienced in a book, though how can I complain when he is The Standard?
This book follows Charlotte who's been a servant in her stepfather's house since the age of 5. Despite his abuse and neglect, Charlotte is a headstrong and confident woman. I enjoyed her as a character while also screaming in my head about her decisions. When Rafe meets her, he is swept off his feet by her view of the world and promptly decides she will be the one [his mother is pressuring him] to marry.
Shenanigans ensue, all of it sickeningly sweet and perfect for a light read when you just watched Ever After and you need more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
If you ever need an MMC who is kind, gentle, emotionally mature, romantic, and honorable, look no further than Rafe, the Duke of Rockford. He is the most annoyingly perfect MMC I've experienced in a book, though how can I complain when he is The Standard?
This book follows Charlotte who's been a servant in her stepfather's house since the age of 5. Despite his abuse and neglect, Charlotte is a headstrong and confident woman. I enjoyed her as a character while also screaming in my head about her decisions. When Rafe meets her, he is swept off his feet by her view of the world and promptly decides she will be the one [his mother is pressuring him] to marry.
Shenanigans ensue, all of it sickeningly sweet and perfect for a light read when you just watched Ever After and you need more.