She dreams of marrying a nobleman. Too bad he’s only pretending to be one.Cecilia Cosgrove’s beauty opens doors and hearts everywhere she goes. With a marquess courting her, the status and wealth her family is counting on her to obtain is finally within her reach—until she meets Jacques Levesque, the French nobleman who immediately pegs her as affected and superficial. While piqued and offended, … superficial. While piqued and offended, Cecilia secretly begins to wonder whether he might not have a point.
Poor French émigré Jacques Levesque has been disguised as a French nobleman for almost as long as he can remember, trying his hardest to keep his head down in a society obsessed with rank and high birth. But when Cecilia Cosgrove comes into his life, he finds it hard to maintain his façade—or to want to.
While Cecilia struggles between the desire to please others and the wish to pursue her own course, Jacques’s interest in her provokes a powerful enemy intent on taking him down. With love, acceptance, and the future on the line for them both, Cecilia and Jacques must decide whether a life lived behind a mask is any life at all.
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Cecilia is the third in a series but can be read/listened to as a stand alone. Cecilia initially comes across as a shallow, spoiled debutante. She cares most about how she is perceived and how high she can climb the social ladder. When Cecilia meets Jacques, she first experiences what it’s like to be seen for more than a pretty face. Her character arc has the potential for a big shift and Jacques is that hero that I love to see be a part of it. He is steady and stands up for what he believes in.
I enjoyed the narrator’s voice and intonation. I think she did well transitioning between character voices; they were distinct and pleasant sounding all around.
I finished Cecelia last night and I’m still thinking about Cecelia and Jacques today. What an ambitious storyline this one was. After reading Isabel, it was hard for me to imagine her being the heroine of any story; she was so full of her own beauty and prowess and the impact that she thereby had on others. My one thought about her prior to this story was that her sister Isabel (from the previous story) seemed to have hope for her…and it was obvious that her parents (particularly her father) were to blame for much of the way in which Cecelia conducted herself.
Jacques (in spite of his secrets) was the perfect gentleman and hero. He was certainly the perfect match for Cecelia. Some of the antics of Cecelia and her “unusual friend Caro” were quite outrageous but also added a lot of fun and intrigue to the storyline…and gave Jacques an opportunity to show his courage and heart, as well as perhaps leading to his downfall.
I definitely highly recommend this read and, since the audiobook just became available today (and the narrator sounds great), I’m planning to start listening tonight!
Cecilia by Martha Keyes is a wonderful story that is set in the Regency period of British history. Cecilia is beautiful and she knows it! Her parents would love for her to marry a certain Marquess who is also a rake! Can Jacques win Cecilia and overcome his past? Can Cecilia lose her mask and be true to herself?
There is adventure and reference to actual historic characters. I found myself smiling at some of the antics that Cecilia took part in.
This is a well written story with well developed characters and plot. I received an advance reader copy of this book and I always review every book that I read. I highly recommend this clean romance story.
Sometimes I am hesitant to read a book that features a character I didn’t like from a previous book by the same author, but this book redeemed Cecilia and I grew to love her! There is so much character growth for her as she begins to truly see herself, or at least the public image she portrays, and decided she didn’t like what she saw. The romance between her and Jacques was tender and real and I truly could not figure out how the author was going to untangle their predicament. Such a fun read with interesting plot twists and a villain you love to hate – don’t miss this one!
I had access to an advance copy of this book but am voluntarily leaving a review of my own opinions.
A Regency Suspenseful Romance
I love Martha Keyes Regency books.
In the beginning Cecelia isn’t a likable person. She is the product of her upbringing and that isn’t great. I liked the character growth and evolution to a sympathetic character.
There is suspense and a bit of mystery, plus of course a romance.
I was given a free review copy by a 3rd party and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved the story of Cecilia and Jacques! You think Cecilia is a spoiled brat and only thinking of herself. But then Jacques sees behind her mask and helps her realize she is more than her parent’s expectations, and then you discover that Jacques is wearing a mask as well. There are so many surprises in this story you wonder how they will ever have their happy ending. I loved how they were able to look below the surface and see each other for who they truly were. Don’t miss this story, it’s a page turner! I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is my first book of the series. I love that there are real historical figure elements. Adventure and romance, and the pressures to conform to society at the expense of your own heart. I laughed and I cried. Tragedies and hopes and dreams. Superb book with realistic characters and an amazing storyline with ups and downs and twists and bends. Truly wonderful.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Oh boy- I Loved this book! It was so different from other historical romance books I’ve read. Some parts had me so frustrated I wanted to yell at certain characters. How could people be so shallow/mean? I wasn’t sure how the author was going to wrap things up into a happy ever after, but she did and it was fantastic!
I did receive an ARC copy of this book, but that in no way has influenced my review- it was good- you should purchase it.
I enjoyed reading this book and watching Cecilia’s growth as a character. I admit that I did not like her as a character in a previous book and may not have read it had I not received an ARC (I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review). However, Ms. Keyes did a great job taking a shallow character and showing her grow and develop into a really likable heroine. My favorite character, though, was the hero. His dilemma was relatable and realistic. I also liked that it took longer for the hero and heroine to really fall for each other. I have really enjoyed all of Ms. Keyes stories in this series. They are fun, clean, refreshing, and well written.
I didn’t like Cecilia at first. She had an attitude and came off as stuck up and flirtatious. But she showed kindness to her cousin Letty. I realized she and Jacques both wear masks, hiding their true identities. Lady Caro makes an appearance and leads Cecilia on an adventure and plays an integral part in this story. Her parents are trying to push her towards a nasty rakish marquess, who is determined to keep her from the one heart wants Jacques. There was plenty of suspense in this Regency romance.
After reading Isabel’s story I wasn’t sure how I could come to root for Cecilia in her own love story! She was selfish and only cared for what society valued. Insert Jacques the man who helped her see the error of her ways and realize what truly brings joy and happiness. This is a story about the value of love and how it can make the world a better place. Can’t wait to read about Tobias next!
I think this was an awesome story with great character development!
Cecilia Cosgrove has a beauty that can get her any man she wishes, and that’s what her family expects, that se marries a wealthy and titled nobleman. She is being courted by a marquess, so it seems things are going well until she meets Jacques Devesque who seems to be the first man not to be charmed by her beauty and even dares to describe her as affected and frivolous. While shocked and offended, the truth stings, and the honesty of the man piques her interest.
But Jacques hides behind a mask as well. Pretending, for many years, to be a noble frenchman, he is nothing but a poor immigrant. He lies low in society and hates all the hypocrisy that living among the ton entails.
As he and Cecilia start to get along, while he escorts her with his cousin to some events, both begin to let their guard down. Cecilia starts to be herself, not what others expect her to be… And Jacques begins to grow feelings for her, but what will she think when he tells her who he really is? Will she reject him? Aside this problem, there’s a villain that, as soon as he detects jacques interest in Cecilia, is determined to take him down. Will he succeed?
I loved this story, especially because of the character growth, and how Cecilia changes her views, attitude and discovers who she really is and wants to be. The romance is very sweet! And the intrigue and danger the villain adds makes it all the more interesting! I truly enjoyed this story and would love to read more from this author!
I definitely recommend it to Regency Romance lovers!
I really enjoyed reading Cecilia! It is the 3rd book in the Families of Dorset Series. I read book 2, Isabel, but they can be read as a stand-alone novel also. Cecilia is Isabel’s sister. Cecilia was favored by her parents because of her beauty. They expected her to make advantageous match. She believed it also, she was conceited, arrogant and vain. Then she meet Jacques. It was his first time to London and he was disgusted by her and didn’t mind telling her! Jacques and his father were servants to a French nobleman, who was fleeing the upheaval in France. Certain circumstances happened, upon their arrival in Dover, that changed their lives forever! I loved the characters in this book and the reminders that we should never judge others. This is a clean regency romance. The writing is good, I enjoyed that she added in real characters from that time period! It could have used a bit more editing .ie (wrong names; got confusing). I highly recommend this book. I can’t wait for book 4 (Tobias’ story) coming soon! I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
What a fun plot. I love Jacques story! He was such a great character. Such a gentleman. I love that he was willing to be himself, as much as he could be, and didn’t really care about society and it’s rules. Cecilia’s story was really fun to read and watch unfold. I love the changes that came over her. Lady Caroline was a great addition to this story. I don’t know how I have never heard of her, but I enjoyed what she brought to this story. I really wasn’t sure how this story could have a happy ending and was pleasantly surprised by the ending. I still have some questions that weren’t answered, but I hope they’ll somehow be addressed in Tobias’ story.
This story was just lovely. I really enjoyed the characters, the way they saw themselves more clearly, changed, helped each other, and showed support and friendship. I thought the love story was sweet, clean, and beautiful. The ending was so perfect! I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
The third book in the Families of Dorset series a well written story that heldmy interest throughout. This is French émigré Jacques Levesque and Cecilia Cosgrove’s story and everything they go through to be together. I enjoyed reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I had an ARC copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The character development was great. I didn’t like this character when she appeared in the previous book, but she really grows up in this book. Martha did a great job with the plot in this book too.
This book had me engrossed in the story and riding the roller coaster of emotions along with the characters. It is a good author that can make an unlikable h likeable and relatable. Her growth and character development felt real and natural.The story had a nice flow and felt realistic. I appreciate keeping the story within the time period it was written. I had to laugh at myself while reading this book since I was very much rooting for the H & h I made myself anxious for them. “Is he going to be discovered?” “What will happen if he’s discoverd?” The addition of Caroline Lamb was fabulous and added an nice touch to the story. I loved it. This might be my favorite of the series. I feel confident in recommending this author in whatever she writes. I always enjoy the development of the story and characters. The dialogue is well done as well as supporting characters.
I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was a story about seeing through masks, finding the courage to abandon them, and cherishing the freedom of their absence. I immediately liked the hero when he didn’t fall for the usual attention-seeking manipulations of a prideful debutante. While I was amused by his frank observations, I also simultaneously felt for the flustered heroine who was only behaving in a way that had always been encouraged by her parents and society. For much of this story, though, I questioned the absence of any regret expressed by the hero specifically related to the deception of his aunt and cousin. The inclusion of Lady Caroline Lamb was brilliant! Who better to teach someone not to care what others think, while also serving as a cautionary tale about consequences? As a fan of a book and television show about the young Queen Victoria, I was vaguely aware of the real historical figure, who was the unfortunate and scandalous wife of the future prime minister, Lord Melbourne. I was intrigued to see the personal side of her outside of the gossip that surrounded her troubled life. There were some tense confrontations, an evil villain, and an unexpected ending. I couldn’t put this book down at times, and that’s always a sign of a well-crafted story!
*I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
I’m going to start by saying I really enjoyed this book. Cecilia has a problem! She is beautiful and her family expects her to marry well and help the family coffers. This book really highlights the shallowness of the Regency ton. In reading this you have to wonder what you would have behaved if put into the same circumstances. I loved how Cecilia slowly changed. Martha Keyes brought us some very interesting characters, including one tht really existed. Be sure and read the notes regarding Lady Caroline. I love when an author uses real life characters and gives us notes regarding their life and how they might have deviated from facts. Read and enjoy. It is not necessary to read Isabel first but it can help in understanding Cecilia.