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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Probably the strongest in the series, as the heroine is a more interesting character than the others, though the hero is a bit generic and plot is a bit weak. Call it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
i actually wish we'd had more of their married life. i was surprised when i realized it was ending.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, so now I love the pair and I despised the Duke for quite some time. I am quite sure that this journey is just as intended, but the thing is I am not even sure, if the much needed character development actually happened... I love that he now loves his wife and he loves her as a person and for who she is. But I am not sure if enough groveling and repentance happened for all that contempt that was shown towards other women. The backstory makes his starting point very understandable, but the borderline incel-like stances could be challenged a little more.
The way this experienced man with social and other powers coerced and entrapped this girl was really uncomfortable. And I am generally partial to insta-lust and some degree of betraying body of an inexperienced FMC. But those first kisses were just plain ick to me.
The way this experienced man with social and other powers coerced and entrapped this girl was really uncomfortable. And I am generally partial to insta-lust and some degree of betraying body of an inexperienced FMC. But those first kisses were just plain ick to me.
I have never read Anne Gracie before but when edelweiss offered this book for review I thought I would try it despite Marry in Scarlet being the fourth book of a series of "marriage of convenience" Regencies. I was very pleasantly surprised and delighted by Gracie's story and will definitely seek out the other books in the series.
The marriage of convenience here is between Hart, the Duke of Everingham (yes another duke), and Lady George who has recently been recognized as a daughter of the late earl and brought into the family. She's grown up largely alone so a welcoming family is new to her. I gathered that this happened in earlier books, but Gracie brings the reader up to date quickly and I was able to follow without any problems. Hart has been jilted (at the altar no less!) by another sister and so Lady George is offered up by her aunt to take the place of the missing bride because after all one is as good as the other, right?
Hart doesn't agree but is intrigued that Lady George has no intention of marrying him having famously declared herself uninterested in marriage at all. When the two finally meet then the sparks fly and Hart realizes that the sisters are not so interchangeable at all. I enjoyed Hart's machinations as he tried to figure out how to hunt down Lady George and the necessary and big grovel he performs once he realizes how he's misjudged her. Lady George is tremendous fun as a character but many of her actions hide the hurt of growing up abandoned and unwanted as a girl. They have great chemistry together and they actually talk through their issues which is refreshing.
They fight and compromise and find a way to make a family together and all of that was just lovely. The subplot about the duke's ward did come a bit out of nowhere, but since "found family" is one of my favorite story themes, I'm not complaining.
Well-written book with great characters! I will be reading Anne Gracie again.
Thank you to the publisher and edelweiss for the eARC for review.
The marriage of convenience here is between Hart, the Duke of Everingham (yes another duke), and Lady George who has recently been recognized as a daughter of the late earl and brought into the family. She's grown up largely alone so a welcoming family is new to her. I gathered that this happened in earlier books, but Gracie brings the reader up to date quickly and I was able to follow without any problems. Hart has been jilted (at the altar no less!) by another sister and so Lady George is offered up by her aunt to take the place of the missing bride because after all one is as good as the other, right?
Hart doesn't agree but is intrigued that Lady George has no intention of marrying him having famously declared herself uninterested in marriage at all. When the two finally meet then the sparks fly and Hart realizes that the sisters are not so interchangeable at all. I enjoyed Hart's machinations as he tried to figure out how to hunt down Lady George and the necessary and big grovel he performs once he realizes how he's misjudged her. Lady George is tremendous fun as a character but many of her actions hide the hurt of growing up abandoned and unwanted as a girl. They have great chemistry together and they actually talk through their issues which is refreshing.
They fight and compromise and find a way to make a family together and all of that was just lovely. The subplot about the duke's ward did come a bit out of nowhere, but since "found family" is one of my favorite story themes, I'm not complaining.
Well-written book with great characters! I will be reading Anne Gracie again.
Thank you to the publisher and edelweiss for the eARC for review.
Very good book. Even though it is the fourth in the series, it works fine as a stand-alone, with enough backstory provided so that I wasn't lost. However, I will go back and read the earlier books because I want the whole story. In the previous book, the Duke of Everingham was left at the altar by Rose Rutherford when her first husband turned up alive. The duke is in no hurry to try again, except for the fact that he is now the quarry of every unmarried woman in London. He is appalled when his godmother suggests Georgiana Rutherford, the niece of his former fiancée. That is until a close encounter with her stirs his interest.
George has no interest in getting married and has made that clear to the men who have pursued her. She is determined to maintain her independence and live life on her own terms. George has an uphill battle in front of her as she tries to convince her great-aunt that she is serious, especially when it comes to the duke.
The duke, known to his friends as Hart, is wealthy and arrogant. When he wants something, he succeeds in getting it. His first real encounter with George is when he sees her riding her stallion and decides he must have it. I laughed out loud at his stunned disbelief at her refusal. In-person discussions aren't any more successful. However, it does succeed in arousing his interest, as she is the only female he's encountered who doesn't bore him to tears. With her stated interest in living in the country with her horses and dogs, she would be perfect for him. He ignores her comments about not wanting to marry anyone. In his experience, women always have hidden motives. He doesn't believe that she's not interested in him - he's a duke! And rich!
The development of the relationship between George and Hart is a tempestuous one. George doesn't like him at all at the beginning. She thought he was a cold fish when he was engaged to Rose. His superior attitude grates on her nerves, and George calls him out on it often. Hart wholeheartedly believes that she is playing games with him, pretending disinterest when she has every intention of accepting his suit. A spontaneous kiss shocks them both with the feelings it stirs up. Hart is disturbed by his loss of control but is sure that it is a temporary condition. George is just plain confused about why she forgets everything else when he kisses her. Her discussion with her Aunt Dottie about those feelings is a riot. Determined to have his way, Hart arranges a situation that compromises her, thus trapping her into marriage. George is rightfully furious and lets him know it. She's ready to stick to her guns until a third party gets involved.
Having given her word, George is ready to move ahead. I loved the part describing the marriage settlements and Hart getting a different view of her. There is also a fantastic scene where George points out Hart's hypocrisy in how he set her up. It was an eye-opening moment for him. I liked that he was man enough to accept the truth and apologize for his actions. He still had a bit of learning though, as it was George's reputation that suffered because of them. It took a comment from a friend for Hart to realize what George was going through, and he went all out to make up for it. George doesn't exactly sit back and suffer in silence either. Though done in a moment of temper and disgust, she makes a very bold decision regarding her wedding. Hart won me over entirely with his support and understanding at the ceremony, and with the stop they made between the wedding itself and the wedding breakfast.
After the wedding, Hart and George finally have some time to truly get to know each other. There is still some push and pull as Hart adjusts to George's way of doing things. There is a bit of trouble at the end involving Hart's ward, who is briefly mentioned at the beginning. I liked how George and Hart worked together and found a solution that worked for everyone. There was a brief misunderstanding at the end that could have sent their marriage down the wrong path. Fortunately, Hart was able to get past his pride and tell George how he felt. I loved seeing everyone together in the epilogue.
George has no interest in getting married and has made that clear to the men who have pursued her. She is determined to maintain her independence and live life on her own terms. George has an uphill battle in front of her as she tries to convince her great-aunt that she is serious, especially when it comes to the duke.
The duke, known to his friends as Hart, is wealthy and arrogant. When he wants something, he succeeds in getting it. His first real encounter with George is when he sees her riding her stallion and decides he must have it. I laughed out loud at his stunned disbelief at her refusal. In-person discussions aren't any more successful. However, it does succeed in arousing his interest, as she is the only female he's encountered who doesn't bore him to tears. With her stated interest in living in the country with her horses and dogs, she would be perfect for him. He ignores her comments about not wanting to marry anyone. In his experience, women always have hidden motives. He doesn't believe that she's not interested in him - he's a duke! And rich!
The development of the relationship between George and Hart is a tempestuous one. George doesn't like him at all at the beginning. She thought he was a cold fish when he was engaged to Rose. His superior attitude grates on her nerves, and George calls him out on it often. Hart wholeheartedly believes that she is playing games with him, pretending disinterest when she has every intention of accepting his suit. A spontaneous kiss shocks them both with the feelings it stirs up. Hart is disturbed by his loss of control but is sure that it is a temporary condition. George is just plain confused about why she forgets everything else when he kisses her. Her discussion with her Aunt Dottie about those feelings is a riot. Determined to have his way, Hart arranges a situation that compromises her, thus trapping her into marriage. George is rightfully furious and lets him know it. She's ready to stick to her guns until a third party gets involved.
Having given her word, George is ready to move ahead. I loved the part describing the marriage settlements and Hart getting a different view of her. There is also a fantastic scene where George points out Hart's hypocrisy in how he set her up. It was an eye-opening moment for him. I liked that he was man enough to accept the truth and apologize for his actions. He still had a bit of learning though, as it was George's reputation that suffered because of them. It took a comment from a friend for Hart to realize what George was going through, and he went all out to make up for it. George doesn't exactly sit back and suffer in silence either. Though done in a moment of temper and disgust, she makes a very bold decision regarding her wedding. Hart won me over entirely with his support and understanding at the ceremony, and with the stop they made between the wedding itself and the wedding breakfast.
After the wedding, Hart and George finally have some time to truly get to know each other. There is still some push and pull as Hart adjusts to George's way of doing things. There is a bit of trouble at the end involving Hart's ward, who is briefly mentioned at the beginning. I liked how George and Hart worked together and found a solution that worked for everyone. There was a brief misunderstanding at the end that could have sent their marriage down the wrong path. Fortunately, Hart was able to get past his pride and tell George how he felt. I loved seeing everyone together in the epilogue.