This book is second in the series but reads perfectly fine as a standalone. Jewel has had her heart broken by an insincere relationship and she is detThis book is second in the series but reads perfectly fine as a standalone. Jewel has had her heart broken by an insincere relationship and she is determined to save the Earl of Winchcombe from her cousin's scheming to trap him in marriage.
This leads the two on a quick paced adventure together. It can be rather funny in spots and I especially enjoyed the discussions on dress color. It was surprisingly steamy, so I rather liked that aspect to it as well.
But. It was just one of those books that to me really loses the romance in all the craziness of the plot. There was SO MUCH going on in this book. And it also included a few instances of miscommunication, overhearing something/making assumptions and thus making an ass of yourself...I really dislike that in romance. I also prefer my romances to be more focused on the character development or the growing relationship. I don't mind a bit of plot obviously, or adventure...but this book had it all haha. I think this would work for many people though.
I give a solid 3 ½.
This was my first book by this author.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
****Spoilers Ahead******* The reason I didn't love this book was it had all of this going on, and it would have been wonderful with just a bit less, or a moment to catch my breath haha.
(view spoiler)[ There's a secret plot by the family to get the Earl compromised into marriage
The heroine's father is arrested in America
There is a horrible, conniving Uncle lying and trying to steal the heroine's fortune
The Earl's sanity is being challenged by other lords and they want to put him in an insane asylum because he's scarred and scary.
The Earl has a terrible scar that makes everyone scream and throw milk pails at him.
The hero and heroine create a fake marriage to further each of their goals
They adopt a lady that lives in the forest as their maid.
There's a former fiance from America that of course comes to England and harasses them.
Someone is demanding the deed to the Earl's property has been gambled away two years ago by his dead father and they are taking over his property.
There's a missing diamond that's legendary and the royal family wants it back.
I feel like I just read 16 books. And I stopped taking notes on all this at 60%. (hide spoiler)]
Merged review:
This book is second in the series but reads perfectly fine as a standalone. Jewel has had her heart broken by an insincere relationship and she is determined to save the Earl of Winchcombe from her cousin's scheming to trap him in marriage.
This leads the two on a quick paced adventure together. It can be rather funny in spots and I especially enjoyed the discussions on dress color. It was surprisingly steamy, so I rather liked that aspect to it as well.
But. It was just one of those books that to me really loses the romance in all the craziness of the plot. There was SO MUCH going on in this book. And it also included a few instances of miscommunication, overhearing something/making assumptions and thus making an ass of yourself...I really dislike that in romance. I also prefer my romances to be more focused on the character development or the growing relationship. I don't mind a bit of plot obviously, or adventure...but this book had it all haha. I think this would work for many people though.
I give a solid 3 ½.
This was my first book by this author.
I was able to receive an ARC copy complimentary from netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
****Spoilers Ahead******* The reason I didn't love this book was it had all of this going on, and it would have been wonderful with just a bit less, or a moment to catch my breath haha.
(view spoiler)[ There's a secret plot by the family to get the Earl compromised into marriage
The heroine's father is arrested in America
There is a horrible, conniving Uncle lying and trying to steal the heroine's fortune
The Earl's sanity is being challenged by other lords and they want to put him in an insane asylum because he's scarred and scary.
The Earl has a terrible scar that makes everyone scream and throw milk pails at him.
The hero and heroine create a fake marriage to further each of their goals
They adopt a lady that lives in the forest as their maid.
There's a former fiance from America that of course comes to England and harasses them.
Someone is demanding the deed to the Earl's property has been gambled away two years ago by his dead father and they are taking over his property.
There's a missing diamond that's legendary and the royal family wants it back.
I feel like I just read 16 books. And I stopped taking notes on all this at 60%. (hide spoiler)]...more
Jess McGale is a farmer's daughter. Her family makes a wonderful honey scented soap, using real honey from their farm, and the product is unparalleledJess McGale is a farmer's daughter. Her family makes a wonderful honey scented soap, using real honey from their farm, and the product is unparalleled. Just when they were on the verge of having a supportive financial venture with it, part of the farm is destroyed. Now she's desperate for investors to help repair the damage and get the business back on its feet. She decides posing as Lady Whitfield will get her in to the doors she needs to make this succeed.
Noel is a charming, wealthy, fun loving duke. He really is a rather unique hero with his personality. Those tired of the brooding man with a scowl in the corner, come hither. Those looking for the ultimate gentleman, the every so sweet beta hero, charming, witty, funny, loving...DUKE, here he is. Yes, he has had his adventures back in the day, but upon meeting Lady Whitfield, he finds himself acting like he never has before.
I think so many people will adore this book. The focus is all on the two of them. There is no murderer, no villain, no mystery. The dialogue is wonderfully funny and witty. The hero is not arrogant, pushy, self serving. He will not make you uncomfortable with his advances, as he has very clearly made sure he is not taking advantage of anyone. The sex is super hot and explicit (those that prefer fade to black will probably be skimming over a bit of this), there's plenty of language used (f*** used sexually and as an expletive (33 times) , c**t (2 times)). While it's not bdsm by any means, there is some level of dominant/submissive entered into their relationship with the heroine being the dominant one. She's very demanding and stating exactly what she wants from the duke and he happily obliges. There's always quite a bit of dirty talk going on in the scenes. Leigh's writing creates a wonderfully inclusive world where women are entrepreneurs and their opinions are actually entertained and respected. She lifts up racially diverse characters.
Sadly, and this is just pure personal preference, this book annoyed me to no end. And obviously I shouldn't read a book titled Would I Lie to the Duke when I really just can't abide liars. I just can't. I ended up not liking the heroine AT ALL for her behavior numerous times. For me though, it was more than the fib. It was her taking a wonderfully charming hero and making him beg forgiveness for being too presumptuous, which I thought was an absolute joke. The character development was great in this book, but also fell heavily on the heroine. I still feel like I don't know the hero that well and I definitely read romance for the heroes. I'm always sad when they are neglected. The heroine was so dominant and sexually aggressive compared the hero and that's also something I'm just not that into. None of these make this a bad story, just for me, it didn't give me the feels I wanted. I didn't love the sex because I couldn't get over the heroine.
In so many ways this story was better to me than the first in the series. I feel like the relationships of the union of rakes was much better established and here I could actually imagine and see the friendship of the members, unlike the first book. But I also disliked it so much more than the first one. The first in the series left me bored, but overall happy with a few things. This one makes me gnash my teeth.
Thanks netgalley for the ARC. These are all my very own thoughts and opinions on the book.
Merged review:
Jess McGale is a farmer's daughter. Her family makes a wonderful honey scented soap, using real honey from their farm, and the product is unparalleled. Just when they were on the verge of having a supportive financial venture with it, part of the farm is destroyed. Now she's desperate for investors to help repair the damage and get the business back on its feet. She decides posing as Lady Whitfield will get her in to the doors she needs to make this succeed.
Noel is a charming, wealthy, fun loving duke. He really is a rather unique hero with his personality. Those tired of the brooding man with a scowl in the corner, come hither. Those looking for the ultimate gentleman, the every so sweet beta hero, charming, witty, funny, loving...DUKE, here he is. Yes, he has had his adventures back in the day, but upon meeting Lady Whitfield, he finds himself acting like he never has before.
I think so many people will adore this book. The focus is all on the two of them. There is no murderer, no villain, no mystery. The dialogue is wonderfully funny and witty. The hero is not arrogant, pushy, self serving. He will not make you uncomfortable with his advances, as he has very clearly made sure he is not taking advantage of anyone. The sex is super hot and explicit (those that prefer fade to black will probably be skimming over a bit of this), there's plenty of language used (f*** used sexually and as an expletive (33 times) , c**t (2 times)). While it's not bdsm by any means, there is some level of dominant/submissive entered into their relationship with the heroine being the dominant one. She's very demanding and stating exactly what she wants from the duke and he happily obliges. There's always quite a bit of dirty talk going on in the scenes. Leigh's writing creates a wonderfully inclusive world where women are entrepreneurs and their opinions are actually entertained and respected. She lifts up racially diverse characters.
Sadly, and this is just pure personal preference, this book annoyed me to no end. And obviously I shouldn't read a book titled Would I Lie to the Duke when I really just can't abide liars. I just can't. I ended up not liking the heroine AT ALL for her behavior numerous times. For me though, it was more than the fib. It was her taking a wonderfully charming hero and making him beg forgiveness for being too presumptuous, which I thought was an absolute joke. The character development was great in this book, but also fell heavily on the heroine. I still feel like I don't know the hero that well and I definitely read romance for the heroes. I'm always sad when they are neglected. The heroine was so dominant and sexually aggressive compared the hero and that's also something I'm just not that into. None of these make this a bad story, just for me, it didn't give me the feels I wanted. I didn't love the sex because I couldn't get over the heroine.
In so many ways this story was better to me than the first in the series. I feel like the relationships of the union of rakes was much better established and here I could actually imagine and see the friendship of the members, unlike the first book. But I also disliked it so much more than the first one. The first in the series left me bored, but overall happy with a few things. This one makes me gnash my teeth.
Thanks netgalley for the ARC. These are all my very own thoughts and opinions on the book....more
Cat is totally at home running through the woods, climbing trees, and taking down wild boar alone. Her wildness, freedom and vibrant love of life has cCat is totally at home running through the woods, climbing trees, and taking down wild boar alone. Her wildness, freedom and vibrant love of life has captured Nathaniel’s attention.
When a letter from the Queen summons the best healer and protector, Cat and Nathaniel travel together to London court.
This is my first Heather McCollum and I can’t help but feeling a bit, not lost necessarily, but lacking a lot of history. Quick recaps are here and there, but I was upset that apparently I missed those first kiss from a previous book. I wish there had been a flashback to it so I could feel more tension between them.
Unfortunately for me, this book had a lot of action and the romance got lost between all the running here and there. There was a scene where they played cards to exchange information about themselves and I really enjoyed that. However, it just didn’t have the tension build up I prefer.
I do think this book is well written and if you enjoy plenty of action, politics of the era, and court intrigue, this may well be a hit for you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Merged review:
Cat is totally at home running through the woods, climbing trees, and taking down wild boar alone. Her wildness, freedom and vibrant love of life has captured Nathaniel’s attention.
When a letter from the Queen summons the best healer and protector, Cat and Nathaniel travel together to London court.
This is my first Heather McCollum and I can’t help but feeling a bit, not lost necessarily, but lacking a lot of history. Quick recaps are here and there, but I was upset that apparently I missed those first kiss from a previous book. I wish there had been a flashback to it so I could feel more tension between them.
Unfortunately for me, this book had a lot of action and the romance got lost between all the running here and there. There was a scene where they played cards to exchange information about themselves and I really enjoyed that. However, it just didn’t have the tension build up I prefer.
I do think this book is well written and if you enjoy plenty of action, politics of the era, and court intrigue, this may well be a hit for you.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own....more
Becky (romantic_pursuing_feels)
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Books:
historical-romance
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