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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Tess and Justin engaged in a charming dance of avoidance and attraction that could only lead to one inevitable conclusion.
I just love that Justin proposed a marriage of convenience to Tess because he needed a duchess and also because he found her irresistible. As if the two were mutually exclusive, but he was lucky enough to find both in one woman. And so Tess found herself in a situation where she was trying to hang on to her secrets and Justin was equally determined not to fall in love with his captivating wife.
Kate Bateman consistently creates interesting, strong FMCs with stubborn ideas of their own, and wonderful men who stand by their sides and support them in their wild endeavors. This duke and duchess certainly didn’t disappoint, and Tess’s friends seemed equally fascinating. Justin and Tess were an excellent match in intellect and wits that was clearly communicated through the engaging writing style.
I can highly recommend this book if you like a steamy historical romance with some intrigue and drama. This is the first book in a new series and I cannot wait to read more.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I read this one in the first week of December and it was such a fun HR read with amazing chemistry between the leads!
Tess Townsend is the Dowager Duchess of Wanaford after her husband died on their wedding night. But noone except her best friends knows that she's a virgin. And she runs an investigative agency with them now
Tess Townsend is the Dowager Duchess of Wanaford after her husband died on their wedding night. But noone except her best friends knows that she's a virgin. And she runs an investigative agency with them now
I enjoyed this book but I didn't love it as much as Bateman's previous books.
The detective agency angle did not work for me: it came about suddenly, did not feel organic, and made the conflict feel very forced. It was difficult to believe she couldn't tell him about the agency and what she was doing so I thought surely there had to be more coming, but no. And for some readers that's fine but I expected more from the story and one of my favorite authors.
The detective agency angle did not work for me: it came about suddenly, did not feel organic, and made the conflict feel very forced. It was difficult to believe she couldn't tell him about the agency and what she was doing so I thought surely there had to be more coming, but no. And for some readers that's fine but I expected more from the story and one of my favorite authors.
I requested this book before the boycott. I look forward to reviewing it when St Martin’s Press addresses the racism against Palestinians and Muslims.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Our opinions of this book are a great illustration in how expectations can affect your perspective. We both really like Kate Bateman, so when we got a copy of her latest book and new series starter we were really looking forward to it. I read it first and was underwhelmed, to say the least. I let Laine know, and she went into reading it with adjusted (more appropriate?) expectations, and ended up thinking it was fine.
So what's up with this book? What got me most was the emphasis on physical virginity. It was both offensive and illogical. I don't mind that she lied about not having consummated her first marriage. But to continue lying about her experience - AND that she'll take care of the contraception - annoyed me more and more as the book went on.
The conclusion was super fun but also made 0 sense with this book. I felt like I saw the Kate Bateman I liked but without any setup. But look. Laine absolutely loved that the conflict that is a marriage of convenience where the issue is that they both like and want to f*ck each other. Maybe it's TOO convenient a marriage!
A generous 3.5 stars.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
So what's up with this book? What got me most was the emphasis on physical virginity. It was both offensive and illogical. I don't mind that she lied about not having consummated her first marriage. But to continue lying about her experience - AND that she'll take care of the contraception - annoyed me more and more as the book went on.
The conclusion was super fun but also made 0 sense with this book. I felt like I saw the Kate Bateman I liked but without any setup. But look. Laine absolutely loved that the conflict that is a marriage of convenience where the issue is that they both like and want to f*ck each other. Maybe it's TOO convenient a marriage!
A generous 3.5 stars.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Gets an extra half star for being the first regency I've read to acknowledge Cricket existing.
medium-paced
Kate Bateman is an auto purchase author for me. So, when I saw that she had a new series starting, I couldn't wait to read it. This book lived up to my expectations. There was romance, a little bit of intrigue, and sexual tension that came off the pages.
Kate Bateman writes good books! They always have high quality writing and compelling characters. This book is no exception.
The opening scene is fantastic (won’t spoil it here) and hilarious. Throughout the book, there were a number of times I laughed out loud. While overall I think this book is a light read and low angst, there is depth to the book. I wouldn’t call it a rom com at all. It hits a nice middle point between light and heavy read.
I was very fond of Tess - the female main character- and even more fond of her friends, Daisy and Ellie. (I hope we can expect subsequent books with their stories!). They are really compelling and hilarious women with a beautiful friendship.
I really liked Rowan, but did find him a bit less complex, sometimes not as 3-D as the other characters.
Some small aspects of the plot didn’t fit for me. I wasn’t totally clear on why Tess had to be the one to go meet the blackmailer every time. And Rowan’s grand gesture in the end didn’t make a ton of sense to me.
All considered, this is a very enjoyable historical romance novel and I recommend it !
This is an honest review based on an ARC received by St. Martins Press.
The opening scene is fantastic (won’t spoil it here) and hilarious. Throughout the book, there were a number of times I laughed out loud. While overall I think this book is a light read and low angst, there is depth to the book. I wouldn’t call it a rom com at all. It hits a nice middle point between light and heavy read.
I was very fond of Tess - the female main character- and even more fond of her friends, Daisy and Ellie. (I hope we can expect subsequent books with their stories!). They are really compelling and hilarious women with a beautiful friendship.
I really liked Rowan, but did find him a bit less complex, sometimes not as 3-D as the other characters.
Some small aspects of the plot didn’t fit for me. I wasn’t totally clear on why Tess had to be the one to go meet the blackmailer every time. And Rowan’s grand gesture in the end didn’t make a ton of sense to me.
All considered, this is a very enjoyable historical romance novel and I recommend it !
This is an honest review based on an ARC received by St. Martins Press.
I do love this author. She has such a way with female friendships, wit, and men who are not ready fit the women who careen into their lives.
Tess had a semi lucky break in her first marriage. She died by plan to wed again. The duchy she married into seems to be very bad luck for those who inherit until it falls to the 8th in line, Justin Thornton.
I enjoyed their meeting and their deal. I did take off a star because the “breakup” seemed a bit much& the accidents were resolved off page . Overall a delightful read.
Tess had a semi lucky break in her first marriage. She died by plan to wed again. The duchy she married into seems to be very bad luck for those who inherit until it falls to the 8th in line, Justin Thornton.
I enjoyed their meeting and their deal. I did take off a star because the “breakup” seemed a bit much& the accidents were resolved off page . Overall a delightful read.