Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I had my doubts about this book, but it was available on Overdrive and had reasonable reviews on Goodreads.
I thought this book was a little too anachronistic. The whole "The Bachelor" style contest was entertaining but wildly unrealistic. Also I'm pretty sure the phrase "consenting adults" would not have been used at the time.
But overall it was entertaining. And I actually worried about the characters, so points to the author.
I thought this book was a little too anachronistic. The whole "The Bachelor" style contest was entertaining but wildly unrealistic. Also I'm pretty sure the phrase "consenting adults" would not have been used at the time.
But overall it was entertaining. And I actually worried about the characters, so points to the author.
Sweet, feel-good, and the perfect read for a cross-country plane flight. I enjoyed this book a lot. Was there much depth? No, really not, and honestly the light mystery wasn't all that mysterious. But I was charmed by both the hero, the heroine, and several of the secondary characters who I would be delighted to find out more about.
The plot was just like The Bachelor. Although, there was less alcohol and the ending was expectedly like all other romance books.
I truly enjoyed this story, it was a good romance. That secret Tessa kept mentioning, but never saying what it was until the very end, even though I practically knew what it was, was driving me crazy and it drew me to the story at the same time it put me off because it seemed she (the author) was drawing it out too much.
I loved this: "Suppose you were competing with another man for a girl's attentions. The other gentleman brings flowers and poems. What would you do to stop him?" "Shoot him"...
Also loved the duchess and Hawk and their funny remarks.
I loved this: "Suppose you were competing with another man for a girl's attentions. The other gentleman brings flowers and poems. What would you do to stop him?" "Shoot him"...
Also loved the duchess and Hawk and their funny remarks.
For a debut novel it has everything an accomplished novelist has and more. The wit and charm between the hero and heroine were amazing, the chemistry live with fire and it had me laughing uncontrollably and sobbing at parts. I fell in love with Tristan and Tessa. I kept yelling at Tessa to speak her heart and wishing I was in her place. In short this novel made me remember the days where I would lose myself in this make believe world and fall in love with the characters!
Highly recommended to read, although some events took too long to resolve but it was such a great read!
Highly recommended to read, although some events took too long to resolve but it was such a great read!
Fun bit of fluff- a regency edition of The Bachelor, with unexpected twists. A sagging middle is made up for with a very exciting last quarter.
First in the Regency historical romance series set in England.
The Story
Tessa is fortunate to be independently wealthy which allows her to pursue her career as a matchmaker for the wallflowers of high society and it is within this role that the Duke of Shelbourne pursues his encounter with Tessa Mansfield. For the Duke is tired of inane chits pursuing him.
My Take
This is a cute, fluffy historical romance. Dreiling started well for the first few pages with her humorous digs at the ton but quickly ran low in the humor although she did maintain a lively story throughout.
Dreiling did such a lovely job on adhering to most of the rules and expectations of period society that the occasional lapses were disconcerting, hence the "4". I certainly gagged over the concept that the "scandal would rock the nation"…
The Cover
A very floral garden feel in this cover with its soft green background and a half nude Tristan making love to Tessa in her lovely pink gown. The title is a bit of a misnomer but it is much catchier than "how to intrigue a man".
The Story
Tessa is fortunate to be independently wealthy which allows her to pursue her career as a matchmaker for the wallflowers of high society and it is within this role that the Duke of Shelbourne pursues his encounter with Tessa Mansfield. For the Duke is tired of inane chits pursuing him.
My Take
This is a cute, fluffy historical romance. Dreiling started well for the first few pages with her humorous digs at the ton but quickly ran low in the humor although she did maintain a lively story throughout.
Dreiling did such a lovely job on adhering to most of the rules and expectations of period society that the occasional lapses were disconcerting, hence the "4". I certainly gagged over the concept that the "scandal would rock the nation"…
The Cover
A very floral garden feel in this cover with its soft green background and a half nude Tristan making love to Tessa in her lovely pink gown. The title is a bit of a misnomer but it is much catchier than "how to intrigue a man".
There’s so much wrong with this book. First of all, I totally expected Georgette and Amy to be gay and in love. You dragged us along for the whole book rooting for their love for them to end up as NAIVE LITTLE FRIENDS????
Then the whole sexual shaming. The Duke is a self declared rake. He even had two mistresses at the start of the novel! But he has the audacity to be upset and angry at Tessa for not feeling comfortable enough to gossip about her traumatic sexual history?? To be quite honest, the whole Richard subplot was unnecessary. It was just there to amplify the sex shaming and victim blaming. ALL FOR THE IDIOT DUKE TO RESCUE HIS DAMSEL WHO INSISTS THAT SHE ISN’T A DAMSEL.
Like this woman spends the whole book telling us how independent and rich she is and how she would never sacrifice that. Then, the moment Tristan is a little understanding, SHE DROPS HER WHOLE BELIEF SYSTEM. I MEAN HE PROPOSED TO HER IN PUBLIC, FOR GOD’S SAKE.
And another thing, why the fuck was the author so callous about penal shipping?? Like that just made me despise the Duke so much more. The shipping to a penal colony was so immoral and not to mention that it also lead to the genocide of the country’s indigenous people.
All in all, a big mess of a book.
Then the whole sexual shaming. The Duke is a self declared rake. He even had two mistresses at the start of the novel! But he has the audacity to be upset and angry at Tessa for not feeling comfortable enough to gossip about her traumatic sexual history?? To be quite honest, the whole Richard subplot was unnecessary. It was just there to amplify the sex shaming and victim blaming. ALL FOR THE IDIOT DUKE TO RESCUE HIS DAMSEL WHO INSISTS THAT SHE ISN’T A DAMSEL.
Like this woman spends the whole book telling us how independent and rich she is and how she would never sacrifice that. Then, the moment Tristan is a little understanding, SHE DROPS HER WHOLE BELIEF SYSTEM. I MEAN HE PROPOSED TO HER IN PUBLIC, FOR GOD’S SAKE.
And another thing, why the fuck was the author so callous about penal shipping?? Like that just made me despise the Duke so much more. The shipping to a penal colony was so immoral and not to mention that it also lead to the genocide of the country’s indigenous people.
All in all, a big mess of a book.