A fiercely independent heiress and a power-hungry duke go to war over an election – only to find there’s more than political power at stake… chiselled jaw. Which makes it all the more important that Selina’s candidate beats his in the upcoming election. Someone needs to teach the duke to behave.
Perhaps the first lesson can be that kissing a woman until her knees go weak isn’t enough to make her give up her ideals.
Everyone knows that Malcolm is in dire need of a respectable duchess, an heir, and an end to his rivalry with Selina. But why is he so determined to pursue the one woman who’ll never have him?
Selina’s not sure she wants to know the answer. Her wounded heart is more than she can risk. But she’ll happily take on the duke in the political arena, if a war is what he wants.
There’s only one possible outcome. Defeat for one. Victory for the other.
Unless there’s a sweet surrender in store for them both…
This is the fourth book in the series The Impossible Balfours. You do not have to read the other books to enjoy this one, but there are some connections between the books which will reward readers of the whole series.
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Selina is a strong lady who has dealt with many losses and is determined to remain unwed like her aunt. I think she feels guilty for her fiance’s death and fears falling for someone else and losing them too. The Duke of Caversham is determined to have her because she keeps telling him no. He doesn’t like losing and sees her as the perfect hostess and political asset for him. He is arrogant in his courtship of her and it was very funny to watch their sparing. I laughed, smiled, and shook my head at their courtship. He keeps thinking that she wants the same things as him. But she just wants to help a politician she believes in without resorting to corruption and be happy. Malcolm does change his ways and becomes quite the romantic swoon worthy hero. I loved his sweet rescue dog Percy, who he saved from being put down after his leg was broken by a carriage. Like his master he just need to be loved.
The fourth book in The Impossible Balfours series another well written story in this series. Lady Selina Balfour and Malcolm Locke the Duke of Caversham’s story,I found myself smiling as I read. This is an enemies to lovers story which I enjoyed reading. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
No dukes need apply. Except the right one. For years Malcolm Locke the Duke of Caversham, and Selena Balfour have been trading wits and barbs. She thinks he is conceited, entitled, and power hungry. He has also asked to court her for year and she always turns him down. Now when each has put forth and are backing a different candidate for the election in their borough. Malcolm wants his man in so he can gain power in parliament. But Selena’s candidate is smart and cares about the people in his district and is the best candidate. Now, pitted against each other, Malcolm ups his assault thinking if she agrees to marry him he will gain the upper hand in the election. But Selena is smart and confident. She starts to see a different side to Malcolm and just when she might be on the verge of accepting his proposal of marriage, she finds out that he might be dishonest and not the man she was growing to like. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
***SPOILERS***
While with any romance novel you have to suspend belief to some extent, this was a very entertaining read. I liked that it was clean, too. Some kisses, but no sex. I was pretty surprised at a part when a character encouraged one of her sisters to visit a man alone in his room who was only half-dressed, it would have been pretty shocking (as well as pretty imprudent) at the time, but so far as I could tell it was just a lot of cuddling and some kisses that resulted. I liked both characters and how they turned out at the end, and how the male hero didn’t treat the heroine like dirt and then suddenly fall in love with her.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Selina Balfour is the oldest sister of the Balfour family. She is very strong and independent. Malcolm Locke is the Duke of Caversham who has long appreciated Selina’s skills and thinks she would be the perfect Duchess for him. Unfortunately, Selina is sure she does not like him and his arrogant ways.
The two of them are on opposing sides in endorsing their candidates, so the two go head to head in the battle to get their candidate elected. But Malcolm not only wants his candidate to win the election, but he wants to win Selina’s heart as well! Despite her constantly pushing him away, he adamantly keeps coming back. Will his persistence finally win her heart? Or will both have to walk away and miss the HEA that is waiting for them.
This is a very enjoyable book with a great story line. With both characters being so stubborn, it’s a toss-up as to which one may give in or give up first! Grab your copy and see if anything can weaken their resolve!
I’ve read all of the previous stories and am glad to finally have Selina’s story. I’ve been waiting ever since book 3 and am certainly not disappointed. The Balfour family are a delight and I’m waiting for the next one.. It isn’t often that all the characters are interesting (even the bad ones) and the inevitable roadblocks are believable and cleared up in such an entertaining manner.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I found this series a few weeks ago and devoured the other books, seriously I was staying way too late to finish them. I kept searching Amazon trying to find this one and realized it hadn’t been released yet. I was so thrilled to see it available thru an advance copy this week and jumped at the chance.
Ms. Blackwood is absolutely amazing in the details of her characters and the world she has created. Now I’m anxiously waiting Lady Isobel’s story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved this Story!
They say love finds us when we are not looking for it. This was an awesome story, clean and wholesome with some passionate moments, without going too far. I love when there is more left to the imagination in that area, rather than skipping over pages saturated with naughtiness! I always enjoy a book with some banter back and forth, wittiness, humor, and well-developed characters. This book had all that and more!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was such a delightful story, with two very strong and confident power houses going head to head. Selina Balfour is the sister of a Duke and Malcolm Locke is the Duke of Caversham. They are on opposing sides endorsing candidates in the Twynham borough election. Selina is set on being a self sufficient spinster, organized and independent and she can’t stand the Duke of Caversham. She believes him to be over confident, arrogant, and outspoken, but he adores her, and wants her to be his Duchess. I must say that he was persistent in his pursuit of her. She slammed him down over and over again and he kept coming back. Their banter was charming and enjoyable. It was a great storyline with wonderful characters!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 4th book in the series The Impossible Balfours – It is a stand-alone book, but the rest of the series was very nice I would read them all. This is a clean romance by Gemma Blackwood and a nice read. I always enjoy Gemma Blackwood’s books, and this is no exception. This book is about Selina who is the oldest sister in the Balfour family and Malcolm who is a Duke who always admired Selina and her skills as a hostess, he thought she would make a wonderful Duchess. Selina really did not like him; he was known as the “His Gorgeous Grace”. The only thing I would change about this book is I would want more love and romance.
I receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 Stars
Lady Selina Balfour would make the perfect duchess. But the Duke of Caversham is far from her idea of the perfect husband. Malcolm Locke is everything Selina hates about powerful men – reckless, arrogant, and all too aware of his own chiselled jaw. Everyone knows that Malcolm is in dire need of a respectable duchess, an heir, and an end to his rivalry with Selina.
This is the fourth book in the series & whilst it could easily be read on its own the Balfours are thoroughly delightful as is the whole series. I loved Malcolm who was in love with Selina from the start but Selina had been heart broken years before when her fiancé died & she vowed never to feel that pain again. Selina is the eldest sister & is used to aiding her brother in the management of his homes & more, I loved how strong & humble she was. The verbal bantering between the pair is a joy & added to my enjoyment. They lock horns over a parliamentary election when they champion opposing candidates this throws them together & sparks fly. I’ve loved Aunt Ursula throughout the series, I look forward to Isobel’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A dog’s life.
In this tale, you will meet Malcolm and Selina both ever so stubborn, independent, and a touch arrogant you just know they are made for each other. I loved chapter 20 Selina was a bit of a devil and Daisy and Isobel seems to be having a bit of fun too with what was happening too. I liked the characters and the storyline it was a fun and engaging piece. Gemma Blackwood is one of my favorite authors and I am pleased to add this book to my collection. I know it will be one I will re-visit again. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
I enjoyed the book very much, I read most of it the evening I downloaded it. Finished it the next morning.
Many of the characters seemed familiar. I looked through my ebook library to realized I had read quite a few of Gemma Blackwood’s romances. In the last few days, I’ve reread all those and was delighted to once again delve into the sweet romances.
Even though I hadn’t read all in order, I enjoyed reading about each courtship and fallings in love as if a friend were reminiscing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A Contented Spinster?
Selina is determined that she will never wed and will become a contented spinster because no man could possibly love her nor she love him the way she loved her deceased love of her life.
That is, until she becomes aware of the feelings Malcolm is bringing to the surface of her consciousness, but she tries to push him away and the man is impossible, for the more she pushes, the more he pulls at her.
This fabulous story went by so quickly. It was really very interesting with lovely characters who complimented each other, each playing their part.
I really did enjoy this episode in the lives of the Impossible Balfours and look forward to he next. This one was certainly worth reading.
I read an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) and my review above is unbiased and given voluntarily.