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fringebookreviews's review against another edition
2.0
✨Plot twist: I was the one deceived✨
As soon as I started this book, I just got so scared. I really liked book one and didn’t even read the summary for How to Deceive a Duke. I knew I’d read it no question. So when I started and the tropes were not my tea, I still held hope that I would be surprised. Well… I was surprised alright. Surprised that this book fell into every hole the main tropes leave open, without fail. It even found more to stumble down.
1. I dislike heroes who have to save their family name and are so “honorable.” Family must come first, we must be perfect, yada yada yada. I get familial loyalty to an extent, but Edward took it to an extreme for reasons I’m still not quite sure of. And it wasn’t like he was still saving the name, it was just keeping it at the tippity top of the barrel.
- We never got a concrete answer as to why the father was so depraved. And why Edward was called depraved at school. Was his father just a cheater and a rake? I don’t know. Because being a cheater and a rake was very common at the time and wouldn’t have made any major waves. There’s one other concept I can think of. I don’t know why this book didn’t spell it out. It was a HUGE inciting incident for our hero and it was majorly wishy washy.
2. Since Edward was so “loyal” to his family and self righteous, he majorly hurt Fiona at the beginning of the book and made decisions for her without her knowledge or input. He left her a letter breaking everything off, went back into her life four years later, left without a note that time, and then our story starts at year five. I just hated that he let his mother win, I’m sorry I get he needed to grow but there are so many other tropes and motivations that I enjoy better.
3. What’s worse though, is that his wench of a mother was behind it. She made the comment “fish out of water die gasping” referencing how Fiona, a commoner, would not acclimate to life in the ton. (Because her mother was a bitch with her friends and made a shop girl who married up k*** herself.) Why Edward didn’t send her to America to rot is beyond me. He was a duke but she was pulling all of his puppet strings for far too long. He kept repeating “fish out of water die gasping” to justify his actions. But of course he would never tell Fiona that. He was the one choking on those words. It’s also very unbelievable; Fiona would not have succumbed to the gossip.
- We all knew that since the mother had written in to the papers about a betrothal he hadn’t committed to once before, she’d do it again. He, being so holy and perfect, couldn't just say no my mother is a gargoyle I won’t be treated like a child. So we wait all book for this to happen because he keeps saying “I won’t let her” but never takes action. So when she does do it, you’re almost on her side because at least she’s smart.
- It is historically proven I do not do well with the terrible mother trope. I really don’t. They never get the proper justice. And by justice I mean punched right in the kisser. At best they get cut off and exiled or die off screen. Most of the time they just get told off once and slink away. Which is exactly what happened here. It was a great verbal lashing, but Fiona wasn’t there to witness it and it didn’t feel truly resolved. I don’t think she was ever on the page after that and the crimes didn’t fit the punishment.
4. When we meet Fiona again, she’s dressed as a man at a riot and throws a tomato that accidentally hits a guard. She is too thick to realize what a stupid and useless thing that was to do (a common theme). She’s surprised when it all goes to shit (a common theme). So she’s in jail on the brink of assault when Edward comes to her rescue. She goes on trial as a man. He doesn’t go in the courtroom to laud his ducal privilege because it would be obviously bad for his reputation. To be fair, he didn’t think she would be found guilty, but don’t you think you’d maybe just… not take any chances? He really kept monologuing about family first. So now Fiona is sentenced to house arrest at his home because his name is still needing to be used. People also know that he rescued her from jail so really, he wasn’t that stealthy.
- Fiona could have literally just put on her dress, never surfaced as Finley again, and walked away FREE. I think the implied “solution” to this plot hole is that Fiona wanted to stay as a man to sell the matches. The man who is also on trial and under house arrest but still traipsing about London ah yes. Idk get a different wig. Get a different idea. Get a clue.
5. It is at this point when I realized I just couldn’t believe what I was reading. Fiona McTavish gave the name Finley McTavish when arrested and signed documents F. McTavish. (First of all, give a fake name my GOD.) If she literally would have put her fucking dress back on, she could have walked away squeaky clean and lain low for a while. How many Finley McTavishes do we think existed? Ass loads. But no, she literally brings this character BACK TO LIFE while on house arrest while ALSO being Fiona in public as well. I’m sorry but people were BOUND to notice
- All this book talks about is scandal and gossip so they didn’t think people would talk when he carried Fiona into the house after being hurt or Finley traipsing about trying to sell matches because she was too stubborn to admit it was dangerous and impossible? It sucks that a woman doing business was impossible but I’m sorry. It was. It was foolish and made me not care. There were other ways to tackle the giant rather than poke it in the fucking eyeball and scream “you’re ugly come eat me please.” I had zero sympathy for zero character by 50%.
- They were literally saying both of her “names” around London, in public. They lent credence to this fucking Finley character. Or the fact that Fiona was there at all. Either pretend he’s a twin initially or buckle up because people want scandal. Then they had the audacity to be surprised when it all imploded! Royally! It tacked on even more drama to the tally and I was… a mess.
6. Then at 50% we get another fun and favorite trope: the scheming woman hell bent on becoming a duchess but is also the perfect ruthless candidate. Miss Luella Whatshername makes her grand appearance with as much nuance as the aforementioned giant. She’s bad and obviously going to team up with his mother. Again, I almost rooted for her because she was smart enough to recognize their idiocy. So many things were happening in this book and I simply couldn’t take it. Pick one of the many fucked things we have going on here, not all of them.
7. If that’s not enough, now we throw in Fiona’s terrible father who is just as bad as we know he’ll be. He does shit that Fiona hides because of course she does. She endangers people and makes even more foolish decisions. She keeps talking about how it’s so hard to keep lying when… she didn’t need to start.
- These characters acted for or because of someone else this entire book. They were never doing what they wanted until it was absolutely too late for me to care.
8. The book tried to go in a fun direction with Fiona teaming up with Will and Charlotte (Edwards younger siblings) but it just sullied an already extremely messy situation. Fiona and Will were supremely ridiculous as a giant fuck you to Edward, which in turn severely changes the course of Will’s life. All three of them (Fiona, Will, and Edward) were to blame for the monstrosity that was Edwards reaction. I can’t believe what happened happened on top of everything else already mentioned. I am so tried just remembering it all.
- I also didn’t like how the Scottish accents were written. It reminded me of Bethany Bennet’s first book, where I was so caught up trying to sift through the accent that I fell right out of the story. Maybe it’s a me thing, and I think it would have worked better as an audio, but it just felt so heavy handed. I know she’s Scottish but I also just really struggled reading her dialogue. It also wasn’t very consistent but in a way that didn’t make sense.
9. This really doesn’t function as a stand alone because it continuously references their past relationship, while barely telling let alone showing the chemistry there. I was severely lacking the chemistry beyond the bedroom scenes and a few miscellaneous quotes. I didn’t remember them being cuddly in book one, and a new reader definitely wouldn’t know at all. I needed either more of a refresh or less referring back to the past and relying on that to drive their lust for each other.
10. I will say though, Samara still had the witty humor and touches of what I loved about book one. I enjoyed when it was just Edward and Fiona with no talk of scandal or the past or family or matches or anything besides how they felt about each other. The intimate scenes were very well written and I’m so glad Samara was able to explore a steamier approach to the romance.
- If I could put the bedroom scenes and a few different “sweet nothings that were actually many somethings” into another book with a different plot, characters, motivations, etc. I would eat it up. I liked the romance, when it was able to take center stage in front of all the rest of the convoluted plot (didn’t happen much). The two stars are **only** for the romance developed in the intimate scenes. That being said, he never went down on her which was weird and we still had many teasing allusions to sexual acts that were never done on page.
- I will say that the mood was dampened a little when he was like I’m gonna marry her… at 56%, but didn’t call the vicar and was like I’m gonna court her properly blah blah blah. I was like bet, so the book is gonna end at 57%? Nope. I hated knowing we still had so much to go.
11. The ending was also very abrupt. They all got knocked with so much sense, I’m not sure why they weren’t running naked down the street screaming about his holy lord and the enlightenment they just received via extraterrestrial probing. I liked what Edward did to “redeem himself” but both characters were irredeemable to me in different ways. Also poor Charlotte. I liked her. I hope I’m brave enough to read book three because I still have hope. Omg wait I said the ending was abrupt but we can’t forget the second trial and her charges
As soon as I started this book, I just got so scared. I really liked book one and didn’t even read the summary for How to Deceive a Duke. I knew I’d read it no question. So when I started and the tropes were not my tea, I still held hope that I would be surprised. Well… I was surprised alright. Surprised that this book fell into every hole the main tropes leave open, without fail. It even found more to stumble down.
1. I dislike heroes who have to save their family name and are so “honorable.” Family must come first, we must be perfect, yada yada yada. I get familial loyalty to an extent, but Edward took it to an extreme for reasons I’m still not quite sure of. And it wasn’t like he was still saving the name, it was just keeping it at the tippity top of the barrel.
- We never got a concrete answer as to why the father was so depraved. And why Edward was called depraved at school. Was his father just a cheater and a rake? I don’t know. Because being a cheater and a rake was very common at the time and wouldn’t have made any major waves. There’s one other concept I can think of. I don’t know why this book didn’t spell it out. It was a HUGE inciting incident for our hero and it was majorly wishy washy.
2. Since Edward was so “loyal” to his family and self righteous, he majorly hurt Fiona at the beginning of the book and made decisions for her without her knowledge or input. He left her a letter breaking everything off, went back into her life four years later, left without a note that time, and then our story starts at year five. I just hated that he let his mother win, I’m sorry I get he needed to grow but there are so many other tropes and motivations that I enjoy better.
3. What’s worse though, is that his wench of a mother was behind it. She made the comment “fish out of water die gasping” referencing how Fiona, a commoner, would not acclimate to life in the ton. (Because her mother was a bitch with her friends and made a shop girl who married up k*** herself.) Why Edward didn’t send her to America to rot is beyond me. He was a duke but she was pulling all of his puppet strings for far too long. He kept repeating “fish out of water die gasping” to justify his actions. But of course he would never tell Fiona that. He was the one choking on those words. It’s also very unbelievable; Fiona would not have succumbed to the gossip.
- We all knew that since the mother had written in to the papers about a betrothal he hadn’t committed to once before, she’d do it again. He, being so holy and perfect, couldn't just say no my mother is a gargoyle I won’t be treated like a child. So we wait all book for this to happen because he keeps saying “I won’t let her” but never takes action. So when she does do it, you’re almost on her side because at least she’s smart.
- It is historically proven I do not do well with the terrible mother trope. I really don’t. They never get the proper justice. And by justice I mean punched right in the kisser. At best they get cut off and exiled or die off screen. Most of the time they just get told off once and slink away. Which is exactly what happened here. It was a great verbal lashing, but Fiona wasn’t there to witness it and it didn’t feel truly resolved. I don’t think she was ever on the page after that and the crimes didn’t fit the punishment.
4. When we meet Fiona again, she’s dressed as a man at a riot and throws a tomato that accidentally hits a guard. She is too thick to realize what a stupid and useless thing that was to do (a common theme). She’s surprised when it all goes to shit (a common theme). So she’s in jail on the brink of assault when Edward comes to her rescue. She goes on trial as a man. He doesn’t go in the courtroom to laud his ducal privilege because it would be obviously bad for his reputation. To be fair, he didn’t think she would be found guilty, but don’t you think you’d maybe just… not take any chances? He really kept monologuing about family first. So now Fiona is sentenced to house arrest at his home because his name is still needing to be used. People also know that he rescued her from jail so really, he wasn’t that stealthy.
- Fiona could have literally just put on her dress, never surfaced as Finley again, and walked away FREE. I think the implied “solution” to this plot hole is that Fiona wanted to stay as a man to sell the matches. The man who is also on trial and under house arrest but still traipsing about London ah yes. Idk get a different wig. Get a different idea. Get a clue.
5. It is at this point when I realized I just couldn’t believe what I was reading. Fiona McTavish gave the name Finley McTavish when arrested and signed documents F. McTavish. (First of all, give a fake name my GOD.) If she literally would have put her fucking dress back on, she could have walked away squeaky clean and lain low for a while. How many Finley McTavishes do we think existed? Ass loads. But no, she literally brings this character BACK TO LIFE while on house arrest while ALSO being Fiona in public as well. I’m sorry but people were BOUND to notice
- All this book talks about is scandal and gossip so they didn’t think people would talk when he carried Fiona into the house after being hurt or Finley traipsing about trying to sell matches because she was too stubborn to admit it was dangerous and impossible? It sucks that a woman doing business was impossible but I’m sorry. It was. It was foolish and made me not care. There were other ways to tackle the giant rather than poke it in the fucking eyeball and scream “you’re ugly come eat me please.” I had zero sympathy for zero character by 50%.
- They were literally saying both of her “names” around London, in public. They lent credence to this fucking Finley character. Or the fact that Fiona was there at all. Either pretend he’s a twin initially or buckle up because people want scandal. Then they had the audacity to be surprised when it all imploded! Royally! It tacked on even more drama to the tally and I was… a mess.
6. Then at 50% we get another fun and favorite trope: the scheming woman hell bent on becoming a duchess but is also the perfect ruthless candidate. Miss Luella Whatshername makes her grand appearance with as much nuance as the aforementioned giant. She’s bad and obviously going to team up with his mother. Again, I almost rooted for her because she was smart enough to recognize their idiocy. So many things were happening in this book and I simply couldn’t take it. Pick one of the many fucked things we have going on here, not all of them.
7. If that’s not enough, now we throw in Fiona’s terrible father who is just as bad as we know he’ll be. He does shit that Fiona hides because of course she does. She endangers people and makes even more foolish decisions. She keeps talking about how it’s so hard to keep lying when… she didn’t need to start.
- These characters acted for or because of someone else this entire book. They were never doing what they wanted until it was absolutely too late for me to care.
8. The book tried to go in a fun direction with Fiona teaming up with Will and Charlotte (Edwards younger siblings) but it just sullied an already extremely messy situation. Fiona and Will were supremely ridiculous as a giant fuck you to Edward, which in turn severely changes the course of Will’s life. All three of them (Fiona, Will, and Edward) were to blame for the monstrosity that was Edwards reaction. I can’t believe what happened happened on top of everything else already mentioned. I am so tried just remembering it all.
- I also didn’t like how the Scottish accents were written. It reminded me of Bethany Bennet’s first book, where I was so caught up trying to sift through the accent that I fell right out of the story. Maybe it’s a me thing, and I think it would have worked better as an audio, but it just felt so heavy handed. I know she’s Scottish but I also just really struggled reading her dialogue. It also wasn’t very consistent but in a way that didn’t make sense.
9. This really doesn’t function as a stand alone because it continuously references their past relationship, while barely telling let alone showing the chemistry there. I was severely lacking the chemistry beyond the bedroom scenes and a few miscellaneous quotes. I didn’t remember them being cuddly in book one, and a new reader definitely wouldn’t know at all. I needed either more of a refresh or less referring back to the past and relying on that to drive their lust for each other.
10. I will say though, Samara still had the witty humor and touches of what I loved about book one. I enjoyed when it was just Edward and Fiona with no talk of scandal or the past or family or matches or anything besides how they felt about each other. The intimate scenes were very well written and I’m so glad Samara was able to explore a steamier approach to the romance.
- If I could put the bedroom scenes and a few different “sweet nothings that were actually many somethings” into another book with a different plot, characters, motivations, etc. I would eat it up. I liked the romance, when it was able to take center stage in front of all the rest of the convoluted plot (didn’t happen much). The two stars are **only** for the romance developed in the intimate scenes. That being said, he never went down on her which was weird and we still had many teasing allusions to sexual acts that were never done on page.
- I will say that the mood was dampened a little when he was like I’m gonna marry her… at 56%, but didn’t call the vicar and was like I’m gonna court her properly blah blah blah. I was like bet, so the book is gonna end at 57%? Nope. I hated knowing we still had so much to go.
11. The ending was also very abrupt. They all got knocked with so much sense, I’m not sure why they weren’t running naked down the street screaming about his holy lord and the enlightenment they just received via extraterrestrial probing. I liked what Edward did to “redeem himself” but both characters were irredeemable to me in different ways. Also poor Charlotte. I liked her. I hope I’m brave enough to read book three because I still have hope. Omg wait I said the ending was abrupt but we can’t forget the second trial and her charges
mailovesbooksblog's review
3.0
As a fan of historical romances this was a solid book!
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Fiona McTavish is an engineer, a chemist, a rebel—and no one’s idea of a proper lady. She prefers breeches to ballrooms, but her new invention—matches—will surely turn as many heads. There’s just a little matter of her being arrested for a crime she didn’t commit. And the only person she can turn to for help is the man who broke her heart years ago.
Edward Stirling, Duke of Wildeforde, will do anything to restore his family’s name and put his father’s scandalous death behind them. But when Fiona needs his help getting released from prison, he can’t deny her—even though it means she must live with him as a condition of her freedom. With the desire between them rekindling as fast as the gossip about their arrangement is spreading among the ton, Edward will have to choose what matters most to him—his reputation or his heart.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC!
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Fiona McTavish is an engineer, a chemist, a rebel—and no one’s idea of a proper lady. She prefers breeches to ballrooms, but her new invention—matches—will surely turn as many heads. There’s just a little matter of her being arrested for a crime she didn’t commit. And the only person she can turn to for help is the man who broke her heart years ago.
Edward Stirling, Duke of Wildeforde, will do anything to restore his family’s name and put his father’s scandalous death behind them. But when Fiona needs his help getting released from prison, he can’t deny her—even though it means she must live with him as a condition of her freedom. With the desire between them rekindling as fast as the gossip about their arrangement is spreading among the ton, Edward will have to choose what matters most to him—his reputation or his heart.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC!
plottrysts's review
4.0
We love a lady scientist + aristocrat pairing as much as the next romance reader, especially when they fall for each other for their ~inner selves~, not the outer trappings of wealth. This one is well-written, sexy, and has an additional overlay of girl-dressed-like-a-gentleman/forced proximity (she has to stay at his place because a judge ordered her to in her male persona, not realizing the impropriety of it all). There are also quite a few nods towards social justice. Fiona's contributions to science are often overlooked because of her gender, while the utility of her inventions is also downplayed because they are only useful to "housemaids" and won't turn a profit.
Note that the conflict relies on miscommunication - and A LOT of it. We were absolutely frustrated and furious at certain points in the book when one party or the other would think, "I need to tell my lover this VERY IMPORTANT FACT, but it can wait until later..." NO, IT NEVER CAN, FIONA! That said, the book was charming enough that it didn't ruin the reading experience.
Before starting the book we want to give you a little heads-up about the CW - there is a suicide at the beginning of the novel that influences several characters' choices going forward, in case that has an impact for you.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
Note that the conflict relies on miscommunication - and A LOT of it. We were absolutely frustrated and furious at certain points in the book when one party or the other would think, "I need to tell my lover this VERY IMPORTANT FACT, but it can wait until later..." NO, IT NEVER CAN, FIONA! That said, the book was charming enough that it didn't ruin the reading experience.
Before starting the book we want to give you a little heads-up about the CW - there is a suicide at the beginning of the novel that influences several characters' choices going forward, in case that has an impact for you.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
difficultwomanreads's review
4.0
Second chance romance lovers, rejoice! Samara Parish has a book for you. The rebellious engineer and scientist Fiona McTavish had a whirlwind romance with Edward Stirling, the Duke of Wildeforde. Though he's rather strait-laced and proper, Edward couldn't resist Fiona, a girl prone to wearing breeches and rebelling against the norm. Within a matter of weeks, he proposed. But after doubts are planted in his head, Edward broke off the relationship, leaving Fiona brokenhearted and more than a little bitter.
That is, until she's arrested and the only person able to vouch for her character is Edward. This results in her having to await her court date in his custody, bringing the two of them back into close contact and forced to face their true feelings for each other.
This is a very classic "wild meets haughty" book, and ideal for a quick fix. Parish is an engaging writer, and I did truly believe that Edward and Fiona had that past romance, that the wounds were truly there, that they had a lot to recover from together. And the chemistry is great. I loved the tension between Fiona and Edward.
The issue I think I ran into was that Fiona was a bit too... good... for me. She was a proto-feminist, an inventory, and really had no responsibility for the breakup. Yes, she could be a little reckless, but that was nothing next to what Edward did in the early days of their romance. It played into a trend I've been seeing a lot of in romance--the man is the fuckup, and the woman has done... basically nothing wrong. I'm very much in favor of both of them being fuckups.
But nonetheless, it's a light, fun read and I would recommend it to fans of second chance romances.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
That is, until she's arrested and the only person able to vouch for her character is Edward. This results in her having to await her court date in his custody, bringing the two of them back into close contact and forced to face their true feelings for each other.
This is a very classic "wild meets haughty" book, and ideal for a quick fix. Parish is an engaging writer, and I did truly believe that Edward and Fiona had that past romance, that the wounds were truly there, that they had a lot to recover from together. And the chemistry is great. I loved the tension between Fiona and Edward.
The issue I think I ran into was that Fiona was a bit too... good... for me. She was a proto-feminist, an inventory, and really had no responsibility for the breakup. Yes, she could be a little reckless, but that was nothing next to what Edward did in the early days of their romance. It played into a trend I've been seeing a lot of in romance--the man is the fuckup, and the woman has done... basically nothing wrong. I'm very much in favor of both of them being fuckups.
But nonetheless, it's a light, fun read and I would recommend it to fans of second chance romances.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
cocoanoka's review
4.0
I received this book as an ARC via Netgalley and the publisher. Thank you for the opportunity to review!
This is the second book in the Rebels with a Cause series. To be honest, I didn't finish the first one because...it was closed door. Sorry! But good news, this one isn't! From what I can see, a lot of Fiona and Edward's backstory is explained in the previous book.
Fiona McTavish is anything but a prim and proper lady She's a scientist, chemist, engineer, and wearer of pants (gasp!), She has a bit of history with Edward Stirling, Duke of Wildeforde, and needs his help to get paroled after she is arrested. The terms of the parole is that she needs to become the charge of Edward while she awaits her trial.
Edward is the prim and proper one in this book. He intends to do his best to live up to his title and live a respectable life. He and Fiona are like oil and water in their personalities. Therein lies the problem. Honestly at the start of this book you have no idea how these two, who are so different from each other, are going to find their HEA. They are both almost too much. But you know they do. There is a lot of angst, miscommunication and differences these two need to figure out. This book has a lot of excitement and social commentary, which I loved. As an aside, I loved the cover. Recommended!
This is the second book in the Rebels with a Cause series. To be honest, I didn't finish the first one because...it was closed door. Sorry! But good news, this one isn't! From what I can see, a lot of Fiona and Edward's backstory is explained in the previous book.
Fiona McTavish is anything but a prim and proper lady She's a scientist, chemist, engineer, and wearer of pants (gasp!), She has a bit of history with Edward Stirling, Duke of Wildeforde, and needs his help to get paroled after she is arrested. The terms of the parole is that she needs to become the charge of Edward while she awaits her trial.
Edward is the prim and proper one in this book. He intends to do his best to live up to his title and live a respectable life. He and Fiona are like oil and water in their personalities. Therein lies the problem. Honestly at the start of this book you have no idea how these two, who are so different from each other, are going to find their HEA. They are both almost too much. But you know they do. There is a lot of angst, miscommunication and differences these two need to figure out. This book has a lot of excitement and social commentary, which I loved. As an aside, I loved the cover. Recommended!
saltycaroline's review
5.0
I work for the publisher of this book; all opinions presented are my own.
I loved the first book in this series, and with the seeds for Fiona and Edward's history and romance already having been planted, I was READY for this one...and it did not disappoint me. Truly some of my favorite things: girl in pants, a scientific historical heroine, a family uniting via shenanigans, SECOND CHANCE YEARNING, forced proximity, a starchy duke who delivers in bed...and of course, perhaps my favorite hero grovel of all time. A grovel of epic proportions. Edward got me with the grovel I won't lie.
I also love that we got a fiery Scottish heroine–a Scottish hero is more common in my experience–but Fiona is such a fun heroine, I simply adore her. And Edward!! My love! My stupid, stupid duke. "Awkward elder sibling who shows they care by being stern and trying to protect his sibling at the expense of their relationships but literally has no idea how to fix it" representation.
ALSO Fiona + the younger siblings wreaking havoc was iconic. Good for them.
CW: sexual content, emotional abuse/toxic relationships, alcoholism, infidelity
I loved the first book in this series, and with the seeds for Fiona and Edward's history and romance already having been planted, I was READY for this one...and it did not disappoint me. Truly some of my favorite things: girl in pants, a scientific historical heroine, a family uniting via shenanigans, SECOND CHANCE YEARNING, forced proximity, a starchy duke who delivers in bed...and of course, perhaps my favorite hero grovel of all time. A grovel of epic proportions. Edward got me with the grovel I won't lie.
I also love that we got a fiery Scottish heroine–a Scottish hero is more common in my experience–but Fiona is such a fun heroine, I simply adore her. And Edward!! My love! My stupid, stupid duke. "Awkward elder sibling who shows they care by being stern and trying to protect his sibling at the expense of their relationships but literally has no idea how to fix it" representation.
ALSO Fiona + the younger siblings wreaking havoc was iconic. Good for them.
CW: sexual content, emotional abuse/toxic relationships, alcoholism, infidelity
ksanders013's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
shankl's review
4.0
A smart, strong willed women who loves science finds herself dressing as a man to patent her latest invention that will revolutionize the lives of housemaids. Her rouse is soon discovered by the one man who stole her heart five years ago.
"A fish out of water dies gasping" phrase haunts Edward, hence why he left the love of his life to embrace responsibilities of being a Duke and the societal dictates of matrimony with a proper lady. Slowly he begins to recognize those things are irrelevant when it comes to matters of the heart.
This novel is a page-turner, and I love the chemistry between the two love interests. How to Deceive a Duke delivers the perfect second chance romance tale, and I look forward to book #3 which comes out later in 2022.
Thank you Forever for the novel and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.
Thank you Forever for the complimentary copy of this novel and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.
"A fish out of water dies gasping" phrase haunts Edward, hence why he left the love of his life to embrace responsibilities of being a Duke and the societal dictates of matrimony with a proper lady. Slowly he begins to recognize those things are irrelevant when it comes to matters of the heart.
This novel is a page-turner, and I love the chemistry between the two love interests. How to Deceive a Duke delivers the perfect second chance romance tale, and I look forward to book #3 which comes out later in 2022.
Thank you Forever for the novel and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.
Thank you Forever for the complimentary copy of this novel and Hachette Audio for the audiobook.