A bluestocking and a rake… just ignore the heat in his gaze and the breathless want it brings. She had a plan and she’ll stick to it, which is a far sight better than getting her heart broken…isn’t it?
Kenneth Kissinger, know to his friends as Key, is happy living his life outside of polite society, drinking and gaming to his heart’s content. He has no use for debutantes and even less for a bluestocking and a wallflower like Lady Victoria. Except those plump lips call to him. Without a word, they promise sinful delights. Her actions speak as well, as she puts the needs of everyone in her family before her own. What would it be like to have the love of a woman like that?
But as fate, a bet, and family drama toss them together temptation becomes more difficult to deny. Can they resist temptation or will they share the kiss that has been foretold?
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Wonderful characters with their own personalities that keep this series interesting. This is Victoria and Key’s story. They both are misjudged and both felt unworthy of love. It was wonderful to see them grow and find their worth, especially to each other.
One of my favorite authors. 🙂
Kenneth aka Key, Earl of Kissinger is handsome, titled, rich & highly troubled. He & his family blamed him for the death of his sickly 17 yr. old brother when Kenneth was 16 yrs, old. He also grew up having a reading disability, like dyslexia while his brother was very intelligent. The family assumed the older brother would assume the earldom, so there was no worries about Key’s learning problems or to be concerned with anything surrounding him – then his brother drowned & his family no longer spoke to him. Kenneth is also the supposed next lord to fall under the spell of the Ducat sisters – Victoria to be exact.
Victoria Ducat is a self proclaimed bluestocking & finds books keep her happy, especially learning more about birds. She has decided that since 3 of her sisters have recently married & her younger sister would be making a match soon, she would remain unmarried & take care of her memory losing father & she could also continue her studies.
Key & Victoria go from disliking to loving each other after many emotional occurrences throughout the story. One of the moments was when her father became overly upset, throwing things because he was overly confused & how Key settled her father down – it was a touching moment for the whole family.
I highly recommend this book & Tammy has done such a wonderful job experiencing the closeness of family, handling older unwell parents, helping someone (no matter how it was in the past) know they deserve & are loved & there is someone out there for everyone. Great series – can’t wait to read Chase & Adelaide’s story!
She would give up any chance of love for her family, but Lady Victoria Ducat never expected to fall for the handsome, yet wayward rake, the Earl of Kissinger, even as her sisters were finding their own happily ever after with his former drinking and carousing peers. Victoria has her father to consider, her pursuit of all things cerebral and her own fiercely independent streak, but she is a woman, so why not accept one kiss before settling in for a lifetime of spinsterhood? One. Little. Kiss…
NEVER KISS AN EARL AT MIDNIGHT, Tammy Andresen’s latest romantic tale about tempting Fate, throwing caution to the wind and assuming one is immune to matters of the heart is another delightful tale of finding love just when one least expects it, but needs it most.
Cleverly written with characters filled with personality and their own hidden truths, once again, Ms. Andresen gets straight to the heart of matters and her readers, leaving them sighing and fanning themselves, all while smiling at the power of falling for a bad boy, no matter what era!
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Tammy Andresen!
Lady Victoria knows all about the gypsy’s bet and prediction regarding the Rakes and the Ducat girls. However, she has more intelligence than to believe that the outcome of a kiss from the Earl, Kenneth Kissinger, will have the same effect as on her older sisters. After all, she is a bluestocking and he is a desolate drunk. One small interaction puts Key in a new light, one where his caring and concern for others, regardless of the scorn being heaped on him, comes to the fore. When Key takes charge of what has become an unmanageable set of circumstances, Victoria realises that she hasn’t only met her match, but there is more to Key than she could have anticipated. I thoroughly enjoyed this historical romance, which although lighthearted does deal with some very real and heartbreaking issues. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
This fourth book in this series was quite different from all the previous one, with less bad events and more introspection.
I was very sorry for Key, he was misjudged because he suffers from some trouble like dyslexia and then was marked as dumb and not worth anything.
I was heartbroken to learn how his family rejected him.
While Victoria even if she is labeled as a bluestocking never she doubted she was loved by her sisters and father.
It was cute to watch them quickly fall for another, each able to see past the mask they wear in society.
Key is not scared by Victoria’s knowledge, more he supports her and would never want to stifle her need to learn. While Victoria sees past the rake, the one who drowns his sorrows in alcohol afraid to be found lacking.
I would have
A lovely addition to this series.
4.5 stars
Never Kiss an Earl at Midnight was a heartfelt story that explores Lady Victoria Ducat’s dealings with love and duty. From an early age Victoria knew that she was different from the other girls and as a woman she understood that the likelihood of her making a match with anyone was slim to non-existent. She was just too different, preferring her books and studies to interacting with people outside of her family. When her father’s mental wellness continued to deteriorate, she decided that she would forgo the most assured disappointment of not making a match and would become her father’s caretaker. This would take the pressure off of her family to watch after him and save her from doing what she hates the most, socializing.
While Victoria had what she considered a sound plan, she had no idea what truly was transpiring with her father. Luckily, there was one person known to her who did, unfortunately, he was none other than the rake she made it a point to avoid. Victoria wanted nothing to do with Kenneth Kissinger, the drunken scoundrel, despite what her body said otherwise. Key was most definitely a rake but he was also a man who was certain that no one who would ever want him if they saw the real him. Despite his best attempts, Victoria managed to see to the heart of him and was still kind, which was the undoing of Key’s resolve to stay as far away from her as possible. With Victoria set clearly in his sights, Key was going to do everything in his power to make sure that she did not give up a chance at happily ever after, even if that meant it was going to be without him.
Victoria and Key were both interesting characters who fit together perfectly. Key’s past was absolutely heartbreaking and it left him with no small number of emotional scars. It was also his past that made him a perfect match for Victoria as well as giving him the skills to deal with her father’s affliction. To see how his character handled everything with her father was quite touching. It was this kindness and concern that had Victoria’s heart melting towards Key and took this romance from nice to swoony. There was also a dangerous turn of events that took place in this story which have increased the overall tension for the characters and I am very excited to see how things turn out for them all in the next installment. It is going to be quite interesting! Overall, Never Kiss an Earl at Midnight was a sweet romance between two deserving characters and I found it to be a most enjoyable read.
This review is based on a complimentary book I received from Aurora Publicity. It is an honest and voluntary review. The complimentary receipt of it in no way affected my review or rating.
Well, why the heck not? One would want to kiss an Earl at Midnight or any other time if he was Kenneth, the Earl of Kissinger (see it is fated!). But Lady Victoria Ducat knows he is just a terrible rake, and she is a academic bluestocking who has an affinity for animals and learning their habits. Plus she had decided not to marry and devote herself to taking care of her father, who was loosing his memory. So what if she did find him handsome? She knew he had made a bet with his friends that they could kiss one of the Ducat sisters. What she did not know was that a gypsy had told them what they needed to do to find their love.
Victoria really did not know what was happening with her father, but in the end it seemed that Key did and he seemed to be able to help. Yes he became a caring, concerned person but deep down he had endured a lot in his life which just pulled at my heart.
Such an marvelous story that I enjoyed just as much as every book in this series! I know when I pick up a book of Tammy Andresen’s I might as well be prepared to sit uninteruped until I turn the last page!!
Never Kiss An Earl At Midnight by Tammy Andresen is another fabulous story of the Ducat sisters. Ms. Andresen provides readers with an outstanding, well-written story filled with amazing characters. Victoria is the bookworm, studious sister of the group and has decided to stay and take care of her father so her sisters can marry and start families of their own. Key is the Earl of Kissinger and the best friend of her brother in laws. He was also one of the rakes to bet on stealing a kiss from the Ducat sisters and his card was Victoria’s. Key and Victoria’s story is loaded with drama, humor, spice, action and suspense. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to my next book by Tammy Andresen. Never Kiss An Earl At Midnight is book 4 of the How to Reform a Rake Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from a third party. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lady Victoria Ducat has an orderly life filled with academic pursuits and the care of her ailing father. She has no use for a drunken rake like the Earl of Kissinger. Kenneth Kissinger, know to his friends as Key, is happy living his life outside of polite society, drinking and gaming to his heart’s content. He has no use for debutantes and even less for a bluestocking and a wallflower like Lady Victoria.
But as fate, a bet, and family drama toss them together temptation becomes more difficult to deny. Can they resist temptation or will they share the kiss that has been foretold?
The bluestocking who wants to be listened to & the rake who has no self esteem, a really lovely romance, I think this is my favourite of the series so far, great characters & a well paced story. Both Victoria & Key are going to remain single for various reasons however the best laid plans! I read this book in a sitting as once I’d started I’d no intention of putting it down. Loving the Ducat sisters, now looking forward to the final story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read