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melodicfate's review against another edition
4.0
*I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I love a good marriage of convenience story. Something about a couple marrying, and THEN falling in love is just very appealing to me. Therefore, when I saw that in this book, the hero inherits not only a title but a bride, I was definitely sold on reading it. Luckily for me, I was not disappointed.
The two main characters, Nicholas and Isabella, were very likable. Nicholas started out as a typical rake, but what was interesting was that he was pretty bored of his life. All he did was box and seek out ladies. Still, there was more to him than that. He turned out to be quite kind and thoughtful, and I just loved watching him pursue Isabella.
Usually in England-set historical romance, the heroine is a spinster, a bookish girl who just wants love, or a plain woman with ambitious and intelligent aspirations. Therefore, it was pretty refreshing to read about someone who was trained to be the perfect duchess. She knew how to throw parties and balls, and she was very beautiful. However, the thing that made Isabella different was the fact that she was so “perfect”, that she didn’t know herself. She had no true opinions, and showed no emotions except for when she was around her sister Margaret. So, I felt very sorry for Isabella, but I also liked watching her come into her own person. Nicholas was very good for her, as he made Isabella say what she wanted and did not want. I just had so much fun watching him woo her, and her grow into her own person.
The side characters weren’t very numerous. Margaret, Isabella’s previously mentioned sister, was a funny, outgoing, and witty girl whom I immediately liked. Their parents treated Margaret horribly, just because she wasn’t beautiful like Isabella. That, and their treating Isabella like a thing rather than a person, caused me to hate them. They were some extremely horrible people, and I just wish we saw them get what they deserve. Then, there was Nicholas’s brother Griff. I liked Griff because he was intelligent and close to his brother, but I do think his character could have been developed a bit more. Finally, there was the former Duke of Gage, whom Nicholas replaced. He was a pretty flat villain, and didn’t add too much to the story, but I disliked him well enough.
Once I picked up this book, I never wanted to put it down. The story followed Nicholas as he inherited the title of Duke of Gage, when the former was found to not be a legitimate heir to the dukedom. As previously mentioned, Isabella was inherited right along with that title, as she had been betrothed to the former Duke of Gage. At first thinking they could both get out of it, they were proven wrong when Isabella’s parents threatened to ruin Nicholas and his family should he refuse Isabella. therefore, the two were married, and thus followed Nicholas’s discovery of just how constrained Isabella had been by her parents’ expectations of her. It was just so nice to see a man pursue his heroine with sensitivity, and companionship. I hated the villains, but I really liked the relationship between the two leads. Which just means that this novel did a lot right.
With all that said, of course I’m recommending you read this book. If you like historical romance and marriage of convenience stories, there should be no reason why you won’t enjoy it. The two main leads are likable, and watching the two of them fall in love was a good time. The writing was smooth, and I found myself immediately interested in the story. The book was a great way to continue my current love of all things historical romance, and hopefully it’ll do the same for you, or get you started reading it if you never have before.
I love a good marriage of convenience story. Something about a couple marrying, and THEN falling in love is just very appealing to me. Therefore, when I saw that in this book, the hero inherits not only a title but a bride, I was definitely sold on reading it. Luckily for me, I was not disappointed.
The two main characters, Nicholas and Isabella, were very likable. Nicholas started out as a typical rake, but what was interesting was that he was pretty bored of his life. All he did was box and seek out ladies. Still, there was more to him than that. He turned out to be quite kind and thoughtful, and I just loved watching him pursue Isabella.
Usually in England-set historical romance, the heroine is a spinster, a bookish girl who just wants love, or a plain woman with ambitious and intelligent aspirations. Therefore, it was pretty refreshing to read about someone who was trained to be the perfect duchess. She knew how to throw parties and balls, and she was very beautiful. However, the thing that made Isabella different was the fact that she was so “perfect”, that she didn’t know herself. She had no true opinions, and showed no emotions except for when she was around her sister Margaret. So, I felt very sorry for Isabella, but I also liked watching her come into her own person. Nicholas was very good for her, as he made Isabella say what she wanted and did not want. I just had so much fun watching him woo her, and her grow into her own person.
The side characters weren’t very numerous. Margaret, Isabella’s previously mentioned sister, was a funny, outgoing, and witty girl whom I immediately liked. Their parents treated Margaret horribly, just because she wasn’t beautiful like Isabella. That, and their treating Isabella like a thing rather than a person, caused me to hate them. They were some extremely horrible people, and I just wish we saw them get what they deserve. Then, there was Nicholas’s brother Griff. I liked Griff because he was intelligent and close to his brother, but I do think his character could have been developed a bit more. Finally, there was the former Duke of Gage, whom Nicholas replaced. He was a pretty flat villain, and didn’t add too much to the story, but I disliked him well enough.
Once I picked up this book, I never wanted to put it down. The story followed Nicholas as he inherited the title of Duke of Gage, when the former was found to not be a legitimate heir to the dukedom. As previously mentioned, Isabella was inherited right along with that title, as she had been betrothed to the former Duke of Gage. At first thinking they could both get out of it, they were proven wrong when Isabella’s parents threatened to ruin Nicholas and his family should he refuse Isabella. therefore, the two were married, and thus followed Nicholas’s discovery of just how constrained Isabella had been by her parents’ expectations of her. It was just so nice to see a man pursue his heroine with sensitivity, and companionship. I hated the villains, but I really liked the relationship between the two leads. Which just means that this novel did a lot right.
With all that said, of course I’m recommending you read this book. If you like historical romance and marriage of convenience stories, there should be no reason why you won’t enjoy it. The two main leads are likable, and watching the two of them fall in love was a good time. The writing was smooth, and I found myself immediately interested in the story. The book was a great way to continue my current love of all things historical romance, and hopefully it’ll do the same for you, or get you started reading it if you never have before.
emma89's review against another edition
1.0
I did not like this at all. I usually have a pretty high tolerance for historical inaccuracies in romances, but this was just too much. And it was just very repetitive and slightly boring. And there was no detail. I thought maybe there would be some interesting descriptions of Victorian boxing, but there was nothing. So disappointing.
shewritesinmargins's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
3.25
stennyi's review against another edition
1.0
I gave up on this book after 100 pages. The writing is so mediocre and the characters lack depth. The author can't seem to find the smart, witty banter she's looking for. It just comes off as "over-funny" and downright stupid.
ylime620's review
3.0
I enjoyed the writing style a lot, but I just didn't find the plot very engaging.
cabbagewhite's review against another edition
4.0
That was good. I love the whole forced into marriage but the husband turns out to be good, thing. It always crossed my mind (yes, I make stories in my head) & finally there is a book with that plot. I liked all of it, got kind of irritated with them not sharing thoughts & holding back. But of course if you don't know that person & your mother made you believe marriage is horrific I'm sure that how anyone would react. Quite enjoyable book.
nday's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in the Dukes Behaving Badly series, and another great read by Megan Frampton. I find it interesting that, to date out of the three books I’ve read in this series, she tends towards challenging heroines and totally dreamy heroes who have a modern frame of mind that works well within the framework of their worlds.
While, as with the first books, I struggled with the heroine, I loved the way that Isabella grew in partnership with Nicholas, that she found her backbone and strength in a large part because that’s what he asked of her. For her to show and be true to herself.
I love that this book didn’t take the easy route of falling straight into bed and building from there, but that it was a slow burn build into falling into bed and falling in love, and it was quite, quite lovely.
Both characters grew throughout the book, but it was a partnership and they both helped each other get there, and I really liked that.
While, as with the first books, I struggled with the heroine, I loved the way that Isabella grew in partnership with Nicholas, that she found her backbone and strength in a large part because that’s what he asked of her. For her to show and be true to herself.
I love that this book didn’t take the easy route of falling straight into bed and building from there, but that it was a slow burn build into falling into bed and falling in love, and it was quite, quite lovely.
Both characters grew throughout the book, but it was a partnership and they both helped each other get there, and I really liked that.
theeuphoriczat's review against another edition
4.0
Isabella was promised to the Duke of Gage, however, it appears that it is no matter who that is. When the current Duke position is contested, it lands in the lap of Nicholas who has never dreamed of the position. He is content with his life of debauchery because he has promised himself that once he gets married he would not dishonour his wife by fornicating.
So when he inherits a new title and along with it comes a bride he doesn't want. Things are more than he expected and most importantly more different than he expected. Isabella appears ice cold and uptight but he is willing to slow his pace to get to know her and peel back her cold exterior.
I really liked this book and it was really cute.
So when he inherits a new title and along with it comes a bride he doesn't want. Things are more than he expected and most importantly more different than he expected. Isabella appears ice cold and uptight but he is willing to slow his pace to get to know her and peel back her cold exterior.
I really liked this book and it was really cute.