In this enemies-to-lovers regency romance by USA Today bestselling and HOLT Medallion winning author Bree Wolf, a bankrupt duke and a merchant’s daughter realise how inconvenient a marriage of convenience can be when love is added to the mix.England 1805: EDMOND DUNSWORTH, DUKE OF CROMWELL, needs a wife. He doesn’t want one, but he needs one. Or rather her dowry.With his finances dwindling by … dowry.
With his finances dwindling by the day, he has no time spending months courting an heiress. So Edmond agrees when his steward suggests he marry the daughter of a wealthy merchant, who seeks to align himself with titled families.
Relying on his dashing good looks and rakish charm, Edmond expects nothing less but for his future wife to swoon into his arms. However, ANNA HANFORD couldn’t be more displeased with her father’s choice.
Fiercely independent and utterly furious, Anna is far from impressed by Edmond’s standing and title and even less so by his infuriatingly handsome face. Instead, she is determined to fight him every step of the way and prove to him – as well as herself – that she is a far cry from the simpering, mindless ninny he must think her to be!
A battle of wills ensues, and although exasperated with his new wife at first, Edmond soon learns that fighting with Anna can be utterly pleasurable – if done right!
Will they cease fire long enough to realise that hatred has turned to passion? Can Edmond convince Anna that there is more to him than meets the eye?
If you like marriage of convenience stories with a touch of mystery, a dash of humour as well as deep, heartfelt emotions, then you’ll love this installment of Bree Wolf’s emotionally charged Love’s Second Chance Series. Grab CURSED AND CHERISHED, get a cup of tea, settle into your favorite reading spot and start this swoon-worthy romance now!
Each love story in this series can be read as a stand-alone. However, most readers prefer to read them in order.
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I am loving the way this author writes. Its so easy to read with just enough excitement, passion, strength of characters and everything that makes one want to read more of her books.
In this story Anna is forced to marry Edmond who is a bankrupt Duke so that she can prevent her sister having to marry him instead of being able to marry her current love match.
The cat and mouse games between Anna and Edmond are soooo brilliantly funny that I found myself laughing many a time. Gosh, but she is so very headstrong and has such fixed ideas of how things should be between them and is very badly advised by her “friend” on how all men are bad and are not to be trusted.
Luckily the warmth of love and eventual trust that builds between them builds and saves the day.
I am very happy to recommend this story as a clean, romantic, enjoyable and entertaining historical novel. Enjoy!
2. Book 2: Cursed & Cherished: The Duke’s Willful Wife: 5 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical romance Cursed & Cherished: The Duke’s Wilful Wife (Love’s Second Chance: Tales of Lords & Ladies Book 2) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
This is another well-written clean Historical Romance. The foreshadowing hints at the underlying plots without fully giving it away. This is another well-written love story filled with conflict between the main couple, Anna’s family, and her best friend. The conflicts provide just enough spice and intrigue to keep you hooked. Of course like all good love stories, the ending is a happy one and lends a sense of completeness to the story, yet hints at a sequel.
3. Book 3: Abandoned & Protected: The Marquis’ Tenacious Wife:4 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novel Abandoned & Protected: The Marquis’ Tenacious Wife (Love’s Second Chance: Tales of Lords and Ladies, #3) by Bree Wolf, and this review was given freely.
This is the fourth novel in the series. It takes a slightly different slant in that it involves a Scottish clan rather than English Nobility. Abandoned and Protected contains another strong female main character, Harriet, her many struggles with her past and accepting love. Like the last 3 novels, the end of the book contains a cliffhanger. Unlike the last three novels, the epilogue does not complete the story, It was an excerpt or a second cliffhanger that reinforced the potential of Tristan’s death that was hinted at in the end of the main story.
4. Book 4: Betrayed & Blessed: The Viscount’s Shrewd Wife:5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical romance Betrayed & Blessed: The Viscount’s Shrewd Wife (Love’s Second Chance: Tales of Lords & Ladies) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Betrayed & Blessed is a well-written full-length clean Regency Romance that has it all. Tristan and Elisabeth rise above family abuse and treachery to form a happy and loving marriage. Tristan’s Sister Henrietta and her husband Connor’s mad journey, to save Tristan, is continued in the end of this novel. The Dowager/Grandmother is a strong woman who is not afraid to give her opinion and is skilled in subtle manipulation and insults. Hints are given regarding who I think will be the next couple in the series. And of course, the happy ending.
5. Book 5: Deceived & Honoured: The Baron’s Vexing Wife:5 stars
I received a free copy of Deceived & Honoured: The Baron’s Vexing Wife (Love’s Second Chance: Tales of Lords and Ladies, #5) by Bree Wolf, and this review was given freely.
Cunning, subterfuge and well intentions help Derek achieve his goal, the hand of Lady Madeline. The romance of Derek Ainsworth and Lady Madeline flows easily. This clean and sweet romance has a strong theme of doubt of self-worth but a reformed Rogue, a cute three-year-old and loving interfering family, and friends provide both balance and humor.
6. Book 6: Sacrificed and Reclaimed- The Soldier’s Daring Widow:5 stars 5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novel Sacrificed and Reclaimed- The Soldier’s Daring Widow(Love’s Second Chance: Tales of Lords & Ladies Book 6) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Separated by the need for adventure, injured at war, and left for dead Edward Dunning returns to England broken in body and mind to find his wife Megan has grown into a strong and independent wife. The majority of this novella expresses the fear, despair, and desires of Megan and Edward both before and during their reunion. This is an emotional romance featuring contemplation of suicide, a child almost falling to her death, and a happy ending expressing joy in the future.
7. Book 7: Destroyed & Restored: The Baron’s Courageous Wife:5 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novel Love’s Second Chance Series book #12: Destroyed & Restored: The Baron’s Courageous Wife by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
Matthew suffering from regret, insecurity regarding his self-worth, and nightmares after a duel has gone wrong vows to do anything his cousin Tristan requires.
Coincidence and a threat to use Lady Adelaide as collateral at a card game embroils Matthew Baron Whitworth in a marriage of convenience to the woman he has been secretly attracted to. Complexed, interesting, and easy flowing this novel focuses on such topics as legitimacy and birthright vs blood and emotions as the true meaning of family and recovering from abuse. There are some twists and secrets but the end is ultimately heartwarming.
8. Book 8: Despised & Desired: The Marquess’ Passionate Wife also Tales of Damsels and Knights book 1:5 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical romance Despised & Desired: The Marquess’ Passionate Wife (Love’s Second Chance book 8/ Tales of Damsels and Knights book 1) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely
Another excellent story by Bree Wolf. Despised and Desired starts out as the two before with sadness, angst, and intrigue. Somewhere along the way the two main characters, Ellie and Rick .succeed against adversity and form a deep and lasting love, heal the broken hearts of the females of the house, and solve a mystery.
9. Book 9: Ruined & Redeemed: The Earl’s Fallen Wife also Book 2 Tales of Damsels and Knights::4 stars
I received a free copy of the clean historical novel Ruined & Redeemed: The Earl’s Fallen Wife (Love’s Second Chance Series: Tales of Damsels & Knights Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Bree Wolf
This is a complicated and ironic plot of desire, greed, and revenge with the dark themes of forced contractual arranged marriages, mental illness, abuse, and rape.
Discovering he had been manipulated by his father, thirty-year-old Sebastian CampbellViscount Huntly/ Earl of Weston returns from his tour of the continent to his home of Hartridge Hall when he learns his father has forced his younger sister Victoria into a loveless marriage to the abusive Lord Northfield which spurs Sebastian to taunt his father by marrying “an unsuitable woman of unknown parentage” Lotte Ferris/ Lady Charlotte Frampton, who just happens to be one of Lord Northfild’s past rape victims and long thought dead. Strongly attracted and drawn to Charlotte, Sebastian begins a campaign to earn her trust and love while “Lotte” struggles to keep her identity and traumatic past hidden.
I really am glad I finished it. I hated her from the beginning. And about stopped reading 5 or 6 times. But I pushed on, and in the end I am glad I did. It’s a great ending.
The Cover: The cover is satisfactory. There is nothing to grab the eye other than the contrasting fonts, which highlight the contrasting words in the title. I never understood where the “cursed” part was, though.
The Plot: I would say that this is not your typical marriage of convenience story as there ends up being a mystery involved, which I didn’t see coming and which was quite satisfying.
The Characters: I liked all the characters that I was supposed to like and disliked the ones I was supposed to dislike, except I think I was supposed to feel something kind towards Henrietta. And I didn’t. I loathed her so much I don’t even care to find out if she gets her HEA in the next book. She was terribly manipulative of her friend with her desperation to not alone. She was thrilled to see Anna suffer to validate her own misandry. I disliked her more than the actual villain.
Final Thoughts: 4 Stars. It was good. I enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I have no desire to continue the series.
Very enjoyable.
hard to put down romantic novel
I like this writer
I enjoyed all the books in this series. Lots of surprises, romantic tension without vulgarity. No X-rated scenes.
m still reeling from the box that landed in the fire. Wow! What lady wouldn’t want a man like the duke in her life. A huge twist in the story I did not see coming. Loved it!
Intriguing story! I bit of a twist that is unexpected. My only problem was that I did not particularly like the female character at the beginning.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters were believable and the plot was intriguing!
I really excellent read could not put this book down.
Sometimes love is hard won. But could be most satisfying as this story is. Anna had some pretty large hurdles to climb but Edmond was very patient. It took him awhile to realize his love for Anna but he knew the moment he met her that he was attracted to her and not her sister. She was his little vixen. She also discovered a betrayal amongst his household. As Ms Bree Wolf is wont to do she developed this little twist to the story which you won’t see coming. But these are only human weaknesses of life. I was very happy that Ms Bree also included the forgiveness part that took place from those who were betrayed. And that they were given a second chance. Most satisfying.
I really enjoyed this one! I already liked Edmond from the first book, so I was really looking forward to getting to know him better in Cursed and Cherished. Anna was also a great heroine. I loved how she wasn’t afraid to do what she thought was necessary to help her sister out. I also liked seeing Graham and Rosabel again.
To obtain a large dowry.
Edmund, Duke of Cromwell, needs to marry a young lady with a large dowry to save his estate. His steward recommends marrying one of Mr. Hanson’s daughters, a rich man in trade. In a scheme for her sister to marry the man she loves, Anna and her sister will swap personalities. It works, but Edmond already knew Anna’s true self and really wanted her for his wife. Anna feels resentment because she didn’t have a choice in the man she wanted to marry. Turmoil in their marriage could end it, but Edmond won’t give up. Add to their relationship, where did all the money go that disappeared from the estate. I love this series, even though I don’t necessarily read them in order. They always have a great plot and interesting characters.
A Worthy 4 and 1/2 Stars Read and Sequel to the Series!
Having recently reread the first book in Love’s Second Chance series, it was so nice to have Edmond Dunsworth, a very likable secondary character in the first, be the H in Cursed & Cherished when I read it. He was a Duke that needed to marry quickly to save his estate. The quickest and best choice he could make was one of two sisters. Needless to say, despite some role reversals planned purposely by the two sisters, he chose Anna, the sister that ended up being the one that would challenge him the most. Without going into too much detail, Anna tried hard to thwart him as much as she could before she was won over. There were some misdeeds that went on which were eventually sorted out before resolving into a HEA. Thank you Bree for a fine read. Look forward to rest of series.
Please note: I received a copy of this book as a gift. This is an honest review of what I read.
Within this period of history, women had few to no rights. As property dispersed to the most advantageous suitor, love was a rarity. Wolf’s book is the absolute first to have delved into the woman’s emotions to an extent that was beyond a simple complaint. The heroine’s devastation over the forced pairing was powerful. The hero’s realization of what he had done was a love story in itself. Although this is a clean romance, more emotion can be felt between the characters than books that are graphically described. I enjoyed the first of the series and was delighted to like this one even more. The author also developed the secondary character in a way, that makes me look forward to the next book
5 stars
I purchased a copy of the clean historical romance Cursed & Cherished: The Duke’s Willful Wife (Love’s Second Chance: Tales of Lords & Ladies Book 2) by Bree Wolf and this review was given freely.
This is another well written clean Historical Romance. The foreshadowing hints at the underlying plots without fully giving it away. This is another well written love story filled with conflict between the main couple, Anna’s family,and her best friend. The conflicts provide just enough spice and intrigue to keep you hooked. Of course like all good love stories, the ending is a happy one and lends a sense completeness to the story, yet hints at a sequel.
DRAW!!!
True to form, this tale is most definitely Regency. Bree weaves this story with so many twists and turns. As well as ups and downs. With emotions running a muck, while the main characters play hardheaded, stubborb, standoffish, until finally its love and steamy scenes. A story based when women were nothing but chatel. It will draw you and a keep your attention on every single word. I would recommend this read to everyone who loves Regency romances.
This book got my emotions flowing. At the beginning., angry at the way of life for a woman, sad for the loss of life, frustrated at sequenced of events, thrilled by the strong will, and emotionally settled at the end.