Category: Barb’s Reviews

The Perfect Duchess by Erica Taylor

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)Leave a comment

The Perfect Duchess (The Macalisters, #2)The Perfect Duchess by Erica Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: The MacAlisters #2
Publication Date: 4/17/18

This author has certainly gotten off to an impressive start as a writer. This is her second book and both have been excellent. While it is part of a series, you could certainly read it as a stand-alone. Frankly, I would recommend reading this as the first book in the series and then go back and read the first one. I have no idea what makes authors and publishers decide on the order of books in a series, but, in my humble opinion, this should have been the first book in this series.

At one time Andrew MacAlister and Jonathan Masson were best friends. Andrew often went home with Jonathan on school breaks and was intrigued by Jonathan’s younger sister Clare because she was so intrepid. When she was ten years old and Andrew was about sixteen, she told him she was going to marry him someday. On the day Andrew’s father and older brother were killed and he inherited the title, Jonathan developed an abiding hatred for Andrew. Andrew never knew why – but he never saw Clare after that. At least, not until she and her twin sister had their debut – and then shortly after that Andrew became engaged to Christina, Clara’s twin. You’ll learn all about that in the story, so I won’t tell you about it – but, to me, it makes Andrew look very, very weak-willed!

Everyone who was ever supposed to love Clare Masson left her, except her older brother Jonathan, and he hated her with every breath in his body. Things got really bad after her father died and Jonathan inherited. Wild, untrue rumors about her were floating throughout the ton and she was forbidden from attending any entertainments. Then, on the night of the annual MacAlister birthday ball, she decided to sneak out and attend. That set off a chain of events that almost caused her death – until Andrew saved her.

Andrew brings Clare into his home and places her under his protection by becoming betrothed to her. While he fully intends to go through with the marriage, she doesn’t because she has such trust issues and she wants him to love her, not just feel protective of her. They both have trust issues, but he works through his much quicker than she does and becomes truly committed to the relationship.

Clare is in constant danger until her brother can be found and dealt with – but – where is he? Nobody can find him. Then there are more attempts on Clare’s life. Will they finally get their HEA – you’ll just have to read the book to see. Oh, and at the end — there is quite a twist.

I read an ARC of this book and it was very unpolished at the time. I do truly hope that many of the errors I saw are fixed prior to publication. There is a lot of more modern phraseology as well as some incorrect word choices, etc.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview

“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”

The Duke Who Ravished Me by Diana Quincy

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Regency Era (1811-1820)2 Comments

The Duke Who Ravished Me (Rebellious Brides, #4)The Duke Who Ravished Me by Diana Quincy

Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Rebellious Brides #4
Publication Date: 4/17/18

Such a delightfully different story! It is well written, the characters make you care for them and the story is different and interesting. It isn’t an exciting, full of action kind of story, but one that develops carefully over time. While this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Adam Fairfax, the Duke of Sunderford, was raised in a cold and uncaring home. His father preached duty to country and title and honor above all – too bad he didn’t live that way. Adam was always a dutiful son until, at age eighteen, he witnessed something unbearable. Sinful Sunny was born shortly after that. Debauchery was his middle name. If you think you’ve read about some debauched characters in other books, you’ll find those were just child’s play compared to Sunny. He was determined he would never be anything like his father. He also had no feelings for any other human being on earth – he was incapable of love and softer feelings. So, imagine his absolute shock when, during one of his debauched parties in his playroom, his butler interrupts to say he has visitors. It turns out, he now has two young wards and a governess to contend with and he has no intention of keeping them around.

Isabel Finch, the governess to the two young Fairfax girls, loves them deeply. She’ll fight like a tigress to keep them safe and in a secure home – and Sinful Sunny’s home is neither safe nor secure. She dislikes him from the moment she meets him, but there is nothing she can do because she is the employee and he is the guardian. However, she doesn’t let that keep her quiet about his lifestyle and its possible exposure to his young wards.

It was fun to read the verbal battles between these two spirited people and to see them, over time, begin to care for each other. I was so glad that it didn’t happen immediately – but developed steadily. The lust was there, but the genuine caring took longer. It wasn’t surprising that she recognized it first because she had loved before. For him, it was a total shock. After all, he wasn’t capable of that emotion.

The twins, Patience and Prudence are delightful, joyful, inquisitive and loving. They are also insecure because as Prudence says – “no one ever keeps us”.

While this book isn’t filled with excitement or angst, I certainly didn’t miss them. I enjoyed the story and I hope you will as well.

Please check out my reviews at:
Blog: https://flippinpages.blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/flippinpages…
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippinPagesRev
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbBookReview

“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”