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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Lady Selina Balfour is determined to
remain single throughout the remainder
of her life. She has loved and lost a man
to death when she was younger and never
will put herself in a position to get involved
with a man again.
Malcolm Locke, the Duke of Caversham
is determined to wed Selina even after
he has proposed many times and been
rejected by her.
Both Selina and Malcolm have become
involved in an election. Both of them are
backing opposing candidate.
The battle has begun…..especially after
a conversation overheard in a secret
passage way indicating the Malcolm was
buying votes for his candidate.
There is underlying chemistry between
Malcolm and Selina but will he ever be
able to present his real personality to
her or will his arrogance and hunger for
power keep them apart.
Well fleshed, multifaceted main characters
with interesting backstories. Will they be
able to put the past behind them?
An interesting array of secondary characters
that are well defined plus a fur baby named
Percival to add to the story.
Mix helpful siblings, a quirky aunt, bribery,
elections, fear of rain with deep attraction
for a good read.
This is book # 4 in the Impossible Balfours
series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read No Duke Need Apply.
I received a free copy of this book via
Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a
review. My opinion is my own.
No Dukes Need Apply is a very entertaining historical romance with believable, well-developed characters. It is definitely one of the best historical romances I have read recently. Selina and Malcolm had a superficial relationship for many years but never scratched below the surface. When they finally did become better acquainted, they found they found that not only were they both very capable leaders, but they had more in common than they ever realized. Both had social personas that hid their flaws and insecurities from public dissection. Not only is the book entertaining, but there is a good message that true love requires taking risks, revealing not only hopes and dreams, but also sharing one’s past, warts and all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lovely story and characters from beginning to end
The story between a “misunderstood” hero and a reluctant heroine. The story got me from the very beginning which is a luring entry. I did already find the first chapters emotional and showing the characters in depth. Very fortunately this promise of warmth and in depth character carried on throughout the whole story.
The H was very selfreflexive which I always like in a character as it gives depth.
Both really aspired to learn to know eachother by talking to eachother, asking questions and observing eachother. I really loved this comprehensive process of the H and h learning to know one another which carried the story – no intstalove but a nice development of understanding and feelings.
Especially in the middle of the book this was reinforced by many cute scenes and actions: a nice little adventure in a secret corridor, him repinning her hair, their first dance, a significant handkerchief.
The end was a bit too short for me but I can’t really tell because it was a bit rushed or because I didn’t want the story to end.
Overall a wonderful 5 star read.
A very good book with a few twists. When boys are young, they try to get a girl’s attention by being annoying. As they grow up, they should realize that is not the best way to find favor in a woman’s eyes. However, sometimes it is hard to break a habit, and harder still to understand your own heart, and what is motivating your actions.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Those Balfours! This time Selina Balfour, who has been there for her siblings and she is almost into spinsterhood! Malcolm Locke has had a tendre for Selina and wants to marry her. But he and her family end up on different sides of the political arena and it seems that there sparring reaches new levels!
But as the journey continues, these two find they may be on opposite sides but the sizzling attraction wants to win out!
Gemma Blackwood is a talented author who’s written a charmingly delightful tale of enemies to lovers, Malcolm, The Duke of Caversham and Lady Selina. I was captivated by this sweet romance story.
I characters we’re delightful in their ways. Selena was strong and capable but quite stubborn. When Malcolm, our swoon worthy hero made up his mind that Selina was a woman for him, nothing was going to do until she became his Duchess. The supporting characters were interesting and Louis and Aunt Ursula were a riot and Malcolm’s conversations with the dog were a bonus.
The dialogue was witty and fun. I enjoyed the sparring and interaction between the couple. It’s different and interesting. All in all it was a wonderful story that’s sure to entertain you.
Thank you so much Gemma for such a wonderful story of romance and falling in love.
I loved this sweet story! I thought the storyline and characters were wonderful full of emotion, drama, forgiveness and humility. They looked beyond their imperfections and found the real person along with true love.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A wonderful book by Author Gemma Blackwood.
It has wonderful characters and a really good plot.
I loved reading this book…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I very much enjoyed this. Lady Selina gets her happy end and readers of the series finally learn exactly why she is so determined not to marry. I’m a fan of a friendly war of words and there was much witty banter here. Caversham can be much admired for his persistence.
The background of political competition adds some spice to the story, preventing it from being a run of the mill ballroom romance.
This book is so wonderful. I loved Selina she wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted. I liked how Selina and Malcom had names for each other, even though they weren’t the most flattering. Loved the intrigue, chemistry, drama, and wondering what was going to come next. Loved how they finally came around.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It would take more than determination to win Selina’s hand!
by sewsummore
Malcolm, the Duke of Caversham, had longed to make Lady Selina his wife, but she continually foiled his advances, intent on becoming a spinster and enjoying the freedom that would come with it. Selina had been in love before, but the object of her affections had died. She felt that the pain of losing a loved one was something she never wanted to feel again. Despite her rejection, Malcolm never intended to give up his determination to win Selina. I enjoyed this historical romance and Selina’s intention to live life her way. The Duke had a lot to learn about what was important to Selina before he could hope to win her favor. It was when he had lost her that he realized what he had to do to win her forever.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is an enemies-to-lovers regency romance that had a unique plot and witty banter between the two main characters. Caversham has been in love with Selina for years (though he does not realize it completely) but she is content to be a spinster. When they become political rivals, however, Selina can no longer avoid him and must face the feelings she has for him that she would rather not acknowledge.
I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books and enjoyed watching Selina and Caversham’s growing relationship as they realize some of their preconceived notions were completely wrong. A fun read for fans of regency romance!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 Stars
The Balfours are back with the fourth book in this steamy historical romance series. This time it is almost-a-spinster, Selina Balfour, that is thrown headlong into a romance she never saw coming.
Malcolm Locke, the Duke of Caversham, has been a political and personal rival of the Balfour family for years. Yet, he can’t stop proposing to the woman he believes is his perfect duchess, Selina. When Selena and Malcolm end up on opposite sides of an important election, their arguments and passions set fire to their opposing worlds.
As the election gets closer, Blackwood creates deeply emotional and fantastically romantic situations for our couple to further their complete connection. In the beginning, I wondered how the two would ever get together. Blackwood develops a love so true, my happy tears flowed by the end of the book.
More Balfours means more books. Keep them coming Gemma! I’ll be waiting for another tremendous love story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gemma Blackwood has written a book that I had a hard time putting down. This is a unique story about romance and an election. I love the way the characters play off against each other. Our Duke is not a good boy where ladies are concerned and our Lady will not become another woman in his line of women, even though he is a handsome man. The dialogue in this book is great and I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lady Selina Balfour doesn’t want to fall in love or marry. She has lost people she has loved, and it’s too painful. The Duke of Caversham has been in love with her for years and has asked her to marry him many times. But she thinks he isn’t serious. Will she ever believe him?
I loved this book and the humor involved in courting. The dog really stole the show!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
My way of deciding if I enjoy a book is the sense of loss when it comes to an end.
This book did that. I wanted more pages more interactions just more.
It was romantic and was not simply about simpering misses and their hunt for a husband.
Both characters were strong and open with each other and the addition of the politics fight changed it from the usual historic romance to a very interesting story.
As ever the author knows just how to keep the reader captivated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’ve read each book in this series and they’ve all been quite good. In book four of The Impossible Balfours series, Selina is the focus of this story.
The eldest of the Balfours, Selina has taken care of her siblings since the death of their parents. Selina is content to bask in the joy that she receives just from helping her siblings. Or is she? Malcolm Locke isn’t so certain.
Malcolm sets himself a quest to make Selina his duchess. Selina has all that he is looking for in a duchess. She is graceful, poised, well liked and beautiful just to name a few. But Selina isn’t inclined to become Malcolm’s duchess. Selina isn’t inclined to become any man’s wife.
But as Selina get to knows Malcolm better, she realizes he isn’t quite the man he pretends to be. Malcolm realizes Selina is everything he thought she was and more and yearns for her light in his life. But can he convince Selina to give him a chance to make her happy?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A very welcome story with a strong heroine and a refreshingly imperfect hero. It was easy to relate to them as real people with real issues and desires who are trying to make the best of their worlds. Even though you know that everything will work out in the end, there is enough tension to make that journey interesting with some twists and turns to ensure you keep reading long past bedtime. And a special shout out for Percy, my favorite character by far. Well done!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. As I love this author’s work, I would have purchased it anyway.
I love the fact that the Hero is quite in love with the Heroine, but totally clueless about it. Selina, accustomed to taking charge of her siblings, doesn’t have a lot of time to ponder personal growth, either, so their head-to-head combat, so to speak, from beginning to end, is unsurprising. Add a hotly-contested election and the mixed blessing of helpful siblings, and there is plenty of mayhem to go around. I laughed, I cried, I loved both of them before the end.
Who will win, who will lose, and is there really a loser if there is a happily ever after?
This is the fourth book in The Impossible Balfours series and can be read as a stand-alone, although the first three are definitely worth the read, as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I read a lot of historical romances and I really enjoy when the author puts a twist on the usual expectations of the genre. It’s not often in a historical romance that the reader pretty much learns that the Hero is besotted with the Heroine. Besotted is code for IN LOVE. Alas, Malcolm, our gorgeous Grace doesn’t quite realize he is in love with Lady Selina. He tends to define his feelings as a desire to find the perfect candidate to be his Duchess. But we know it’s love. Readers don’t often get to experience the self-reflection both of these characters engage in. Both are in for some epic growth from the beginning to the end.
Throw in an election, well-meaning, protective and helpful siblings, an adorable dog, a fear of rain, bribery, an eccentric aunt, a lady who NEVER dances and a haughty duke who manages to be a sweetheart and clueless in love and you have one heck of a romance
***Slight Spoiler***
I usually don’t include favorite parts of the book, but this scene is hilarious and encapsulates the book. A haughty nobleman who has loved this woman forever and a brilliant Lady who, despite her outwardly perfection, has secret hopes even she doesn’t realize, are inexplicably connected to each other.
In this scene, Malcolm asks Selina to waltz at an informal party. Selina only knows how to lead, having instructed her younger siblings in the art of dancing. “I’ll make a fool of myself,” she hissed, but he was not deterred. “And if you do? Better here than a crowded ballroom. This won’t be the last time I dance with you.” They stumbled again, but he was prepared this time, and he righted her quickly. “You almost have it.” “I don’t.” “Well, you will have it once you stop trying to lead.” She glared. “Following is not in my nature.” Malcolm chuckled, softly.
Loved it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.