This novella originally appeared in the anthology, It Started With a WhisperDebutantes fear him. Their mamas shun him. And it’s all the fault of that gossip-monger, Lady X.William Grey, Lord Tensford, has an old title and an empty purse. He knew it would be difficult to find a Society bride, but after Lady X heeds baseless rumor and brands him Lord Terror, it’s next to impossible.Until he comes … impossible.
Until he comes to the aid of Lady Hope Brightley, who staunchly defends him to the ton, causing Lady X to re-dub him Lord Tender.
It’s no improvement. Now he’s a laughing stock as well as a fortune hunter. But Lady Hope means to repay his kindness by helping him to find a bride. But in the end, will she turn him over to the perfect mate? Or ask him to . . . Love Me, Lord Tender?
more
Love Me, Lord Tender is a sweet novella by Deb Marlowe. Hope and William discover that when you choose happiness over wealth, you end up having it all.
4.5 stars
William Grey, Lord Tensford has become infamous in Lady X’s column and known as Lord Terror for the horrible way he treats his female relations. Nothing could be farther from the truth, but gossip persists. He needs to marry a heiress to save his failing estate, but no woman is interested in Lord Terror – except Lady Hope Brightly. She finds him charming and when he saves her from an unwanted suitor, she calls him Lord Tender. The name sticks and now he is having an even harder time with the gossip. Hope feels awful and sets out to make things right. Will really likes Hope and wishes her dowry was larger and he could afford to marry her, but it is not nearly enough, so he accepts her help in finding a wife.
Hope wants him for herself, but she has to know that he wants her more than he wants money. Will will have to make difficult decisions and prove himself to win the woman he has come to love.
This story was originally published in the anthology It Started with a Whisper . it is a great story, with likable characters, I loved Will & Hope! The ending is great, there is no steam, just sweet kisses, great secondary characters (whose stories I would definitely read) and finally a HEA. This was a very sweet story and I am happy to recommend it.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an eARC that was provided to me.*
I did enjoy reading this book, but I felt like I was missing something in the story.
I’ve been in a reading slump, but leave it to Deb Marlowe to pull me out of it. I loved Love Me, Lord Tender. It’s a sweet romance with full interesting characters. The heroine, Hope, is a lovely character set on righting passed wrongs and finding true love for herself. The hero, Tensford, needs direction and a good public relations liaison. A series of misunderstandings and a couple meant to be, but realistic about their chances of making a match. Quick and entertaining read.
I have been a long time reader and reviewer of Deb Marlowe. She has such a beautiful way of writing. Deb Marlowe is a master of characterization, and her writing is so natural to the character development. Every time I read her work, I can totally envision the Lord and his Lady as if they were right in front of me! Her words are so digestible and her plot flows so fluently. It took me a while to get to this book for my own technical reasons, but the minute I successfully accessed it, I whooped for joy. Deb Marlowe never lets me down as a reader! With each of her books, I always end up asking myself how she does this? She is a gifted writer, and you will love this story! I ADORED Love Me, Lord Tender!
Short and sweet! Lord Tensford’s life is a mess, thanks to his mother’s mismanagement of their estates, which lead to strictures being placed on spending, which lead to a write up in Lady X’s gossip column, which saddled him with the name Lord Terror! How’s a lord supposed to attract a mate with that sobriquet? Enter Lady Hope, who wants nothing more than a lobster patty, but ends up being rescued by Lord Terror. Her attraction to him is immediate, but he needs funds, and her dowry of 2000£ just won’t do…but can she help him find the perfect lady to wed? Oh, and sorry about the slip which lead to a name change. Now he is Lord Tender! Will that help? One can only hope…but Lady Hope has a plan to get her man. Will it work?
Enticing characters that are a joy to read about!
Love Me, Lord Tender (A Series of Unconventional Courtships Book 1) by Deb Marlowe is a delightful, sweet, traditional – style Regency Historical Romance.
A novella, and a start to a new series, which promises to be a delightful series.
“This novella originally appeared in the anthology, It Started With a Whisper.”
This is the story of William Grey, Lord Tensford, aka Lord Terror, so labelled by the ton, through rumors and lies and Lady Hope Brightley, who is determined to help him become, Lord Tender.
Well paced story of lies, rumors, tabloid gossip, love and finding a HEA. The characters are charming and will definitely capture your heart. The storyline flows seamlessly and effortlessly. I enjoyed watching Hope and Willam find their HEA. Heartwarming and sweet story. A definite keeper. I can hardly wait for the next adventure in this series. Once again, Ms. Marlowe, has given her readers a most read story, with engaging characters and a HEA. She never disappoints her readers. Strongly recommended for fans of Historical Romance, Regency Romance, and clean, sweet Romance.
“I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review.”
Rating: 5
Heat rating: Sweet
Reviewer: AprilR
Witty, delightful romance with excellent narration
Audiobook version: 5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 5 stars narration
This sweet and clever 2.5-hour novella is a fantastic example of a traditional-style Regency romance. There is low steam (just kissing), and it is told in third person perspective alternating between the two main characters. A young man and woman of the upper class are each traversing the “marriage mart”, and they encounter problems. This story has a clever, subtle twist on the usual courtship in the Ton. Lord Tensford is a really likeable gentleman with substantial problems caused by financial strain and gossip. He has good moral fiber and intelligence, with paleontology as a hobby. Lady Hope Brightley is a determined, quick-witted woman whom I liked immediately. I loved this quirky romance. It whirled me away from my problems like a lovely waltz in a Regency ballroom.
The narrator, Siobhan Waring, gave an excellent performance. Both her high and low class English accents are flawless, and she is wonderful at both men’s and women’s voices. Her pacing and emoting are lovely. She interpreted the story extremely well and is more talented than many of the professional narrators I have listened to. I like her better than Rosalind Landor but not as much as Mary Jane Wells. I recommend this to anyone who wants a smart and fun historical romance. I am looking forward to the next audiobook in this series.
I received a free audiobook copy from the author via AuthorsDirect, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
Love Me, Lord Tender
A Series of Unconventional Courtships Series #1
Deb Marlowe
https://m.facebook.com/DebMarloweAuthorPage/
Release date 01/20/2020
Blurb :
Debutantes fear him. Their mamas shun him. And it’s all the fault of that gossip-monger, Lady X.
William Grey, Lord Tensford, has an old title and an empty purse. He knew it would be difficult to find a Society bride, but after Lady X heeds baseless rumor and brands him Lord Terror, it’s next to impossible.
Until he comes to the aid of Lady Hope Brightley, who staunchly defends him to the ton, causing Lady X to re-dub him Lord Tender.
It’s no improvement. Now he’s a laughing stock as well as a fortune hunter. But Lady Hope means to repay his kindness by helping him to find a bride. But in the end, will she turn him over to the perfect mate? Or ask him to . . . Love Me, Lord Tender?
This novella originally appeared in the anthology, It Started With a Whisper
My review :
When an impoverished peer in need of cash meet a young woman stirring his senses but unable to fill properly his coffers …
I promised myself I would read this book by this new-author-to-me because she is one of the thirty authors attending the Gold Coast this fall.
And I am happy I did it.
While it is a novella, the story does not fell rushed, the characters arrive to their epiphany after getting time to get to know each other.
Plus I loved the clever, witty and funny banters between the different protagonists.
Tensford has paid dearly when he came to his inheritance, but putting a stop to his relatives extravagances, he won a moniker pursuing everywhere as a society’s beast he is not.
Why when he encounters Lady Hope, he is stunned to not have her running the other way.
Most astonishing, she appears liking to be in his presence.
He is a kind and caring man, taking seriously his duty to his people, but surrounded by selfish people, he struggles to find solutions to restaure his wealth and support his tenants. He knows the easy way is a heiress, but the one selected by his mother ruffles his feathers, and the more he learns about Lady Hope, the more he is attracted to her when he should not.
Lady Hope is in some way an enigma, she is a late debutante due to her family having been struck by many tragedies, yet she won’t settle for the first proposal just to please her awful sister-in-law. Upon meeting Tensford, she is drawn to him and wants to redeem ton’s ladies to his jaded opinion of them.
Their relationship is one moving fast, their instant recognition helps them to trust one another, but will it be enough when other lives are at stake.
My only complain is I would have liked the meddling family’s members to get their right blowback from Hope’s sister-in-law and Tensford’s mother and sister, they were all very nasty creatures.
4.5 stars
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/553819458540563/?d=n