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kristi518's review
3.0
Having not read the first three books in the series I was a little worried that I would be lost in reading this, the fourth installment in the Dukes of War series. My worry was soon gone because this book stands on its own. It does follow the typical Regency romance recipe but with a few surprisingly good differences.
I enjoyed the characters in this book. I found it refreshing that Daphne, even though she needed Blackpool's help to avoid a forced, unwanted marriage, was intelligent, driven and also showed vulnerability. Blackpool, while being the typical Regency male wasn't perfect in body and had his own vulnerable side. The two together were a good match. Their feelings seemed genuine and authentic to the story. I enjoyed the fact that they knew each other and there wasn't the usual "hate at first sight" aspect commonly found in this genre.
The storyline is typical of this genre but still interesting. I enjoyed the scene where all the prospective grooms were in the dining room to see Daphne. It almost seemed like a scene out of "The Bachelorette" tv show. While this book is for the most part "clean", there is one intimate scene between the two that is quite descriptive. I think this could have been left out or less descriptive and not taken away from the story.
All in all this is a good book. I believe fans of the genre will enjoy the book. I would like to read the previous books now just to know the other characters more.
I enjoyed the characters in this book. I found it refreshing that Daphne, even though she needed Blackpool's help to avoid a forced, unwanted marriage, was intelligent, driven and also showed vulnerability. Blackpool, while being the typical Regency male wasn't perfect in body and had his own vulnerable side. The two together were a good match. Their feelings seemed genuine and authentic to the story. I enjoyed the fact that they knew each other and there wasn't the usual "hate at first sight" aspect commonly found in this genre.
The storyline is typical of this genre but still interesting. I enjoyed the scene where all the prospective grooms were in the dining room to see Daphne. It almost seemed like a scene out of "The Bachelorette" tv show. While this book is for the most part "clean", there is one intimate scene between the two that is quite descriptive. I think this could have been left out or less descriptive and not taken away from the story.
All in all this is a good book. I believe fans of the genre will enjoy the book. I would like to read the previous books now just to know the other characters more.
bhavani's review
3.0
This is the second story I've read - to my recollection - that has a protagonist with a disability. I liked Bartholomew and Daphne's romance but I found both their monologues repetitive at times.
kay_slayerofbooks's review
5.0
The best 1 thus far!
Bartholomew was an absolute fool and Daphne was and absolute prude and totally in denial. Until they no longer were. My favorite out of this series so far.
Bartholomew was an absolute fool and Daphne was and absolute prude and totally in denial. Until they no longer were. My favorite out of this series so far.
golden_lily's review against another edition
3.0
I think it's time for The Dukes of War and I to part ways. It's not just the lack of comedy or the difficult protagonists; I don't think there's anything left to explore in this world. (The preview of book five made that pretty clear.)
Bartholomew and Daphne are childhood friends who agree to a fake engagement to secure Daphne's inheritance. The plot is flimsy; Daphne's "evil" guardian is a pirate and minor character from the second book who Ridley is obviously planning to star in a future title. He's gruff and demanding and tells the couple that they'll marry by the end of the week, no stalling! So obviously, the Captain isn't mentioned again in their more than a month of stalling. The real conflict comes from Bart and Daph themselves, trying to out martyr each other.
Batholomew and his twin were notorious rakes before the war. Beloved by men as a boxing legend and woman as a legendary lover, Bartholomew became infatuated with the idea of fighting for his country. Edward followed him, but never came home. Worse, Batholomew lost a leg trying to save his brother. Traumatized and depressed, he vows to never return to society where people can pity and emasculate him. I had less issue with his plot than Daph's, until it came time for him to see his friends. The scene at the wedding and the fact that he never took up for Edward's pregnant fiance rubbed me the wrong way. He was so lost in his own grief, he couldn't even come together with the person who would understand it best. Understandable at first, but less so three-quarters of the way through the story.
Daphne always came second to her vicar father's flock. Desperate to be loved by him, she threw herself into charitable causes. She vows to never marry, as love and a husband would take her away from the people she champions. There's nobility in that, but Daphne is actually extremely selfish. She looks down on everyone around her for not helping "enough" or in her way. She doesn't want help, because she doesn't want to share. Even her best friend, who she knows takes up for rich and poor alike, is the subject of some really scornful, (and undeserved,) thoughts.
The romance is fine, though I didn't see as much chemistry between the main characters as I'd like. They're too self involved for anyone else. I did appreciate the big, romantic gesture and how fighting for Daphne taught Bartholomew some acceptance. What I didn't feel was how his family flipped on a dime afterwards. The love scenes were sexy and didn't feel repetitive, but there are only two.
In all, fans of the series may be disappointed, as The Major's Faux Fiancee is something of a departure and new fans won't find much substance.
Bartholomew and Daphne are childhood friends who agree to a fake engagement to secure Daphne's inheritance. The plot is flimsy; Daphne's "evil" guardian is a pirate and minor character from the second book who Ridley is obviously planning to star in a future title. He's gruff and demanding and tells the couple that they'll marry by the end of the week, no stalling! So obviously, the Captain isn't mentioned again in their more than a month of stalling. The real conflict comes from Bart and Daph themselves, trying to out martyr each other.
Batholomew and his twin were notorious rakes before the war. Beloved by men as a boxing legend and woman as a legendary lover, Bartholomew became infatuated with the idea of fighting for his country. Edward followed him, but never came home. Worse, Batholomew lost a leg trying to save his brother. Traumatized and depressed, he vows to never return to society where people can pity and emasculate him. I had less issue with his plot than Daph's, until it came time for him to see his friends. The scene at the wedding and the fact that he never took up for Edward's pregnant fiance rubbed me the wrong way. He was so lost in his own grief, he couldn't even come together with the person who would understand it best. Understandable at first, but less so three-quarters of the way through the story.
Daphne always came second to her vicar father's flock. Desperate to be loved by him, she threw herself into charitable causes. She vows to never marry, as love and a husband would take her away from the people she champions. There's nobility in that, but Daphne is actually extremely selfish. She looks down on everyone around her for not helping "enough" or in her way. She doesn't want help, because she doesn't want to share. Even her best friend, who she knows takes up for rich and poor alike, is the subject of some really scornful, (and undeserved,) thoughts.
The romance is fine, though I didn't see as much chemistry between the main characters as I'd like. They're too self involved for anyone else. I did appreciate the big, romantic gesture and how fighting for Daphne taught Bartholomew some acceptance. What I didn't feel was how his family flipped on a dime afterwards. The love scenes were sexy and didn't feel repetitive, but there are only two.
In all, fans of the series may be disappointed, as The Major's Faux Fiancee is something of a departure and new fans won't find much substance.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
*I received a free ARC of The Major's Faux Fiancee from Intrepid Reads via Netgalley in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*
The Major's Faux Fiancee was filled with humor and longing. Daphne was a very resourceful woman, but she had some inner monologues that became slightly annoying because she kept on thinking no one would ever love her for herself.
This book counts towards the #COYER scavenger hunt item 16 - Read a novel set in the Regency era.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
The Major's Faux Fiancee was filled with humor and longing. Daphne was a very resourceful woman, but she had some inner monologues that became slightly annoying because she kept on thinking no one would ever love her for herself.
This book counts towards the #COYER scavenger hunt item 16 - Read a novel set in the Regency era.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
freemajo's review against another edition
2.0
This was very unrealistic and repetitive. The h is now the ward of her pirate cousin who threatens to institutionalize her if she doesn't get married, so she calls in the H for a faux engagement until she reaches her majority. She doesn't want to wed because she is a SJW who writes letters as men to gain sympathy for a variety of causes; she doesn't have time for love/wife-ing/etc. The H has a prosthetic leg and a complex about it, "No one could ever love me" etc etc.
The two of them are so wrapped up in their psychoses that they refuse to see what's in front of their faces, ad nauseum.
The two of them are so wrapped up in their psychoses that they refuse to see what's in front of their faces, ad nauseum.