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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Win has some seriously icky views on women but he turns an entire 180 when he lays eyes on this one. That’s plausible, sure?
I have read most of Ms. Aston's books and most of what I have read are solidly 3.5-4 stars for me. This one, while enjoyable, didn't quite get there. The story centers on the last of the Second Sons, Win, who has returned home to take over a dukedom he never expected to inherit. The heroine is Sera, twin sister to Minta, who married another Second Son in the previous book. Perhaps it was because I read the books in this series all in a row, but the plot line here felt a bit repetitive. Hero unexpectedly becomes a peer, comes home planning to have the typical ton marriage, meets the heroine, everything changes for him but he doesn't bother to tell her, there is a reunion and a HEA.
Here, there were several times I felt like I was rereading Made for the Marquess, the third book in the series. And while many, if not most, regency romances have some form of insta-love, or at least insta-lust, the transitions here are remarkably fast. Win's quick switch does not feel like it came from true character development. Sera basically deciding to come be Win's unpaid governess (do we really think he would have let her stay in the room meant for the governess?) is somewhat bizarre in light of all that has been said about her shyness and discomfort in new situations. Not to mention how in the span of 24-hours Win went from distant guardian to loving uncle while in the same span of time two hellion boys become remarkably well-behaved. It just all felt a little nonsensical, even for a book of this genre.
All of that said, I still have mostly liked the Second Sons series and Ms. Aston's books and will continue to read both this series and her others. It is interesting that she is now branching into the secondary characters now that all 5 Second Sons have been married off. In conclusion, this was a 2.5 star read for me. I am rounding up because I know the author's other works.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions herein are my own.
Here, there were several times I felt like I was rereading Made for the Marquess, the third book in the series. And while many, if not most, regency romances have some form of insta-love, or at least insta-lust, the transitions here are remarkably fast. Win's quick switch does not feel like it came from true character development. Sera basically deciding to come be Win's unpaid governess (do we really think he would have let her stay in the room meant for the governess?) is somewhat bizarre in light of all that has been said about her shyness and discomfort in new situations. Not to mention how in the span of 24-hours Win went from distant guardian to loving uncle while in the same span of time two hellion boys become remarkably well-behaved. It just all felt a little nonsensical, even for a book of this genre.
All of that said, I still have mostly liked the Second Sons series and Ms. Aston's books and will continue to read both this series and her others. It is interesting that she is now branching into the secondary characters now that all 5 Second Sons have been married off. In conclusion, this was a 2.5 star read for me. I am rounding up because I know the author's other works.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions herein are my own.
The Second Sons, a group of 5 men raised as spares, shared a close bond. They made a family for themselves in their appointed roles in life, Life had other plans however, and one by one each of these men became titled men, finding love and happiness. Win is the last of this group, and despite seeing the happiness of his friends from finishing true love matches, he feels he will never know that and plans a business arrangement rather than marriage. Then he meets Seraphina Nichols and all that changes.
Polar opposites these two are. Win is outgoing, lively and confident where Sera is shy, quiet and reserved. Their love story is such a natural progression, that even reading it feels as though they were always together, What really stands out in this story is watching Win learn what it is to have love in his life, Despite growing up without any love, his heart is full to bursting with love to give. Seeing him take to his nephews and how easily they bond with him & Sera was truly beautiful. The fact that this was a love story of a family, not just a couple made it all the more special. I greatly enjoyed getting to know this group of men, and their lovely wives.
Polar opposites these two are. Win is outgoing, lively and confident where Sera is shy, quiet and reserved. Their love story is such a natural progression, that even reading it feels as though they were always together, What really stands out in this story is watching Win learn what it is to have love in his life, Despite growing up without any love, his heart is full to bursting with love to give. Seeing him take to his nephews and how easily they bond with him & Sera was truly beautiful. The fact that this was a love story of a family, not just a couple made it all the more special. I greatly enjoyed getting to know this group of men, and their lovely wives.
Win and Sera’s story was a treat for me to read. I really loved the romantic side to the story. I definitely loved the part of the uncle stepping in to give his wards a chance of living a good life. I thought that the story was a good read that moved well without any complications of weird terminology. The narrative of the story was easy to understand and comprehend. The story has some wonderful entertainment to it, The romance was very sweet and charming.
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fun instalove historical romance.
Colonel Winston Cutler, known as Win to his friends, never planned to be duke. But when his brother dies, he ends up returning to London. He also has two by-blow nephews who keep scaring off their governesses. Seraphina Nicholls has spent the last several years in Canada, but is now back in England and hoping to find a husband. She ends up volunteering to take care of Win's nephews though. Sera loves the boys but is upset when she realizes she might love the duke too. Win find Sera attractive, but not what he was looking for in a duchess.
I really enjoyed the setting and the found family aspect of the Second Sons. They are really there for each other and clearly support one another. Freddie and Charlie, Win's nephews, are adorable and just the kind of mischievous you'd expect from 6-year-old boys. They are adorable.
The biggest struggle I have with this book is the pacing. Sera solves all the problems with the boys in literally one day. Win figures out that he's in love with Sera, after believing that love wasn't for him his entire life, in that same day. I wish that the story had been spread out a bit more. We would have gotten to see the pranks of Freddie and Charlie more and really gotten to understand Sera and Win. Most of their feelings seemed to come kind of out of nowhere. I understand that this is a relatively short book, but I just wish we got a bit more character development. I did enjoy reading about Sera and Win with the children, though, as that's where we got to see them as people a bit more.
Overall, if you like historical romance, I think you'll enjoy this book. It's a fun, quick read with all the found family I look for in these kinds of books. I definitely think I'll go back and check out some of the other books in this series and read the other Second Sons' stories as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Colonel Winston Cutler, known as Win to his friends, never planned to be duke. But when his brother dies, he ends up returning to London. He also has two by-blow nephews who keep scaring off their governesses. Seraphina Nicholls has spent the last several years in Canada, but is now back in England and hoping to find a husband. She ends up volunteering to take care of Win's nephews though. Sera loves the boys but is upset when she realizes she might love the duke too. Win find Sera attractive, but not what he was looking for in a duchess.
I really enjoyed the setting and the found family aspect of the Second Sons. They are really there for each other and clearly support one another. Freddie and Charlie, Win's nephews, are adorable and just the kind of mischievous you'd expect from 6-year-old boys. They are adorable.
The biggest struggle I have with this book is the pacing. Sera solves all the problems with the boys in literally one day. Win figures out that he's in love with Sera, after believing that love wasn't for him his entire life, in that same day. I wish that the story had been spread out a bit more. We would have gotten to see the pranks of Freddie and Charlie more and really gotten to understand Sera and Win. Most of their feelings seemed to come kind of out of nowhere. I understand that this is a relatively short book, but I just wish we got a bit more character development. I did enjoy reading about Sera and Win with the children, though, as that's where we got to see them as people a bit more.
Overall, if you like historical romance, I think you'll enjoy this book. It's a fun, quick read with all the found family I look for in these kinds of books. I definitely think I'll go back and check out some of the other books in this series and read the other Second Sons' stories as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
This was such an adorable love story and story about family. Win our hero is so far my favourite of the series. I loved reading about him falling for the heroine, but also starting to love his nephews. The nephews storyline had me crying several times throughout the book and I’m so glad that they were happy with their uncle. I also loved the relationship between Sera and the boys