A fake engagement becomes the real thing in this historical romance that New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes calls “first-rate Regency fun!” and is perfect for fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton series! Lady Clara Ashford had no intention of ever getting married. A rogue took advantage of her innocence when she was young, and she’s spent her whole life trying to make sure no one finds … trying to make sure no one finds out. But now that her sister is engaged, Clara’s well-meaning aunt has set her sights on Clara. Desperate to avoid the matchmaking schemes, Clara’s not sure what to do–until her neighbor, the new Duke of Reigate, shows up on her doorstep in need of her help.
Quincy Nesbitt reluctantly accepted the dukedom after his brother’s death, but he’ll be damned if he accepts his brother’s fiancée as well. The only polite way to decline is to become engaged to someone else–quickly. Lady Clara has the right connections and happens to need him as much as he needs her. But he soon discovers she’s also witty and selfless, and if he’s not careful, he just might lose his heart.needs her. But he soon discovers she’s also witty and selfless, and if he’s not careful, he just might lose his heart.needs her. But he soon discovers she’s also witty and selfless, and if he’s not careful, he just might lose his heart.needs her. But he soon discovers she’s also witty and selfless, and if he’s not careful, he just might lose his heart.
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Clara is the spinster sister who has raised her younger siblings when her mother died. Due to secrets from her past, she feels she should never marry. Quincy is a duke’s younger son who runs away as a teenager after his father dies. Quincy comes back to England after making something of himself in America. Will he stand up to the evil widow duchess? Is Clara truly worthy of love? Both of them are not whom people see them as. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my honest review.
What a breathtaking love story!
Oh my, I just loved this story of Quincy and Clara, two hurting people who find everything they’re missing in each other. Such a tender story, yet with plenty of heat and heart. I love the various characters (and it was wonderful to see Peter and Lenora again) and the story is unique, though a bit heartbreaking at times.
Quincy had my heart right from the prologue. What a strong, brave young man he had to be! And Clara had such a huge heart despite the horrible things she’d endured. These two really belong together, and you could feel their love floating right off the page. I adored their HEA, and appreciated the years-in-the-future epilogue.
If you like your Regency romances to make you swoon hard, this is the book for you. It’s every bit as good as the first, and I recommend it just as highly. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This was the second book in the series, and the second book I’ve read from the author! I really enjoyed this story of two damaged souls finding kindred spirits in each other.
Lady Clara Ashford has no intention of marrying. Her mother died when she was young, and she took on a mothering role for her younger brother, and baby sister, Phoebe. But, when she was 15 she was seduced by a rogue, to devastating consequences. Her father spent a fortune making sure no one ever found out, but Clara never got to have a season Out in London, and she decided she would spend her life at home on the Isle of Synne, caring for her family, and being useful in all ways she could. Now that her brother and father have passed, and her younger sister is engaged to be married, she realizes she’ll be alone with no real purpose to her life.
Quincy Nesbitt, the new Duke of Reigate, is at loose ends. He came back from Boston to visit his best friend Peter (the hero from book 1), before taking off on his lifelong dream trip around the world. But, when he visits his mother’s house in London, after running away following his father’s death 15 years earlier, he finds that all 3 of his older brothers are dead, and he is now the Duke. He has no interest in the position, especially once he discovers the dukedom is bankrupt, and he’ll have to use his personal travel fund to fix it. But, before he can even worry about that, his devil of a mother is trying to foist off his dead brother’s fiancée on him. Over his dead body. Maybe a fake engagement with Clara can save him!
Quincy and Clara had chemistry way back in book 1, and I was hoping to see them together! They both had such damaged souls, which we learned much more about here in their own story. They really were such excellent partners for each other, and I adored they way they tried to protect each other along the way. They both had devastating things that happened to them in their youth that they had to learn to overcome, and they really helped each other to do so. Plus, Quincy’s best friend Peter is Clara’s cousin, so he was already beloved by the family (and by me! He was a favorite for me in book 1)!
The side characters here were fun, and we met most of them in book 1, especially Clara’s crazy, crotchety, hilarious aunt, Lady Tesh! Quincy’s mother was truly a heinous witch, and I wanted to see her suffer so much! Even in the end, I felt like she didn’t really completely get what was coming to her, which I would’ve appreciated.
This book was so sweet, and also had some steam! I really enjoyed getting to know Clara and Quincy, and watching them fall in love. If you’re into maps and other fun extras, you can find them on the author’s website, in addition to content warnings. I definitely recommend this book, and series, for all historical romance lovers!
Content Warning for talk of infant mortality/stillbirth (off page).
1804
Quincy Nesbitt is the youngest of 4 sons of the Duke and Duchess of Reigate. Today, the family is burying their father and Quincy is devastated. He had loved his father and they had been very close. His mother is a cold and angry woman, incapable of showing affection. She and her son, the new duke, have decided that Quincy will be signed up aboard a Navy ship to toughen him up. Hurt and angry, he decides to run away before he can be sent away.
1818
Quincy has returned to London for a short visit with his friend, Peter, before taking off on long travels. The two men had built a profitable business in Boston in America and have now sold it. Quincy plans to travel and Peter is now the Duke of Dane and married to Lauren. Peter also is caring for his two cousins, Lady Phoebe Ashford and Lady Clara Ashford, daughters of the previous duke. Phoebe is betrothed and Clara, now 30, hopes to find some to love one day.
Quincy decides to brave calling upon his mother only to find her dressed in black. She tells him that all of his brothers have died and he is now the Duke of Reigate. She is still very cold to him. He soon learns that his greedy brothers sold the family treasures and squandered the money. He knows that the proceeds of his Boston business will hopefully keep the dukedom afloat for awhile.
At Peter’s home where Quincy is visiting with Clara whom he admires immensely, his mother calls upon him bringing a young and very wealthy heiress who had been his deceased fiancé. His mother insists that he marry her to bring money to the family. He refuses and together with Clara tells the woman that they are betrothed. After they leave, Quincy and Clara wonder how they can get out of this lie or do they even want to?
What a delightful romance full of fabulous characters and written to keep the reader interested from the first to the last page. I really liked Clara and Quincy. Both of them have faced some adversity in their lives but have relied upon their strength to help them through. Well done, Christina Britton.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
There wasn’t anything wrong with this book. It flowed smoothly, and had some interesting characters. The problem is, I just didn’t connect with them. At times I felt the story itself was lacking something – a spark or something that brought it together in a way that made me care about these characters.
Part of the problem is I didn’t believe in the chemistry between these two. A friendship sure, as they did have some witty conversations and Clara steadied him in a way no one and nothing else ever had. I also liked how he forced Clara out of her comfort zone, getting her to participate in games and things she had given up in her youth in order to care for her younger siblings. I just didn’t feel like theirs was a love story. It was just sort of there.
Perhaps this was in part due to the fact that they both had tragic pasts that they needed to work through, one of which being the loss of a child. I felt these details while adding to the complexity of the characters, just dragged the story down because instead of talking about them, they just just brooded on their issues for most of the book.
I also didn’t care for Quincy’s mother. Her antics were not only toxic, but extremely over the top. As a Duchess, I feel she would have known better than to just show up at the home of another peer (especially imposing upon the family during preparations for a wedding happening that week). For someone who supposedly cared so much about her reputation and social standing, she certainly didn’t act like it.
Even with these things, I enjoyed the story just enough that I will give this author another chance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
A manipulating aunt forces a spinster and a new Duke to pretend to be engaged. Lady Clara Ashford doesn’t plan to get married. The secret she holds close to her heart would ruin the reputation of her family. Quincy Nesbit, the reluctant new Duke of Reigate, wasn’t planning to marry, yet. He promised his father before his death he would go on an adventure and travel the places they marked on a map. Returning to London after fourteen years away making his fortune, he’s ready to leave on his journey. His dream is dashed on learning he’s the new Duke with more need for his money. Clara gives him the stability to handle his anger. He entices her to enjoy life. When another secret is revealed, it’s a test to trust in their love for each other. A passionate emotional journey for two people to find their path in life. I never read an ending before finishing a book, but this one was very tempting.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a free copy of this book.
Lady Clara Ashford had no intention of ever getting married. A rogue took advantage of her innocence when she was young, and she’s spent her whole life trying to make sure no one finds out. But now that her sister Phoebe is engaged, Clara’s well-meaning aunt has set her sights on Clara. Desperate to avoid the matchmaking schemes, Clara’s not sure what to do — until her neighbour, the new Duke of Reigate, shows up on her doorstep in need of her help. Quincy Nesbitt returns to England & learns that he’s the Duke of Reigate after his three elder brothers have all died so he reluctantly accepts the dukedom but he’ll be damned if he accepts his brother’s fiancée as well. The only polite way to decline is to become engaged to someone else — quickly. Lady Clara has the right connections and happens to need him as much as he needs her.
This is the second book in the series & it can easily be read on its own. A very well written engrossing with wonderful characters. I loved Clara whose history was gradually revealed, she’s the rock that binds the family together & is totally selfless. However I adored Quincy who was everything & more that you want in a hero. The road to their HEA wasn’t easy, especially with a horrid Duchess trying to put a spoke in the works, but it did make for a totally enthralling read. Revelations had me in tears. The chemistry between Quincy & Clara sizzled & they nearly missed what was in front of their noses
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Since her seduction at the hands of a foul-intentioned rogue, Lady Clara Ashford has spent the last fifteen years knowing she can never marry. She has appointed herself to the role of caregiver for the rest of her family, but now with her younger sister set to marry and begin her own household, Clara is struggling to find her place. Fortunately, just when she most needs a purpose, her cousin’s friend Quincy, now the Duke of Reigate, has need of a pretend fiancée.
As the fourth son, Quincy Nesbitt never expected to inherit his father’s title, but when he returns from half a lifetime spent in America it is to find that his wastrel brothers have run the estate into the ground before their own early demises. Quincy knows he must do all he can for those who rely on the dukedom for their livelihoods. Though he takes his new responsibilities seriously, Quincy draws the line at marrying the lady to whom his late brother was briefly engaged, and the best way to avoid such an entanglement is to already have a fiancée. As Quincy and Clara put on a show for those around them, he realizes his feelings are utterly real. He just has to convince Clara of his sincerity and that’s he’s worth the risk.
I loved so many parts of this book. It has to get a five star rating because the first half and the last quarter were excellent, but there was some lag and a bit of repetitiveness in that third quarter. Clara’s enumeration of the reasons she and Quincy couldn’t have a real future got a bit old and she began to sound like a broken record after a while, and I do wish someone had put the duchess in her place more thoroughly. Nonetheless, Clara was very brave in how she revealed her pain to her loved ones and her recognition of Quincy’s inherent goodness when others seemed to underestimate him and only see a carefree rake. I adored Quincy as a hero and just wanted someone to give him the love his family had not. Thankfully, Clara was perfect for him and I loved how he respected her and stepped up to show her what it was like to have someone care for her for a change. In that respect, Quincy reminded me of Cam Rohan, from Lisa Kleypas’ Mine Till Midnight, and one of my all time favorite heroes. Clara and Quincy needed and respected each other so much and that made it impossible not to root for them, plus I quite liked that she was a bit older than him. I was also utterly charmed by the friendship between Quincy and Peter. That bond of brotherhood and closeness is rare and precious, and I thought it was illustrated very well here. I couldn’t put this book down and look forward to Margery’s story now.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As I started this story I found that I really liked Quincy and his finding out he is now the duke and it was such a sweet story but the more I read it I realized that this story has a lot of depth. Holy cow, I was hit with so many emotions that honestly, I swear I am not a watering pot most of the time, but I could not see what I was reading for the tears. If anyone deserved a break in their life it is Clara and she got it in a man named Quincy. They are both lovely characters. Quincy is so caring and compassionate and Clara, bless her heart, is just so worried about others that she never takes care of herself. I am not someone who cares about epilogues, I can take them or leave them, but this epilogue is epic! Christina took a nice story of two caring people and turned it into a fantastic story filled with such emotion.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
Someday My Duke Will Come
Isle of Synne Series #2
Christina Britton
https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaBrittonAuthor/
Release date 01/12/2021
Publisher Forever
A fake engagement becomes the real thing in this historical romance that New York Times bestselling author Grace Burrowes calls “first-rate Regency fun!” Lady Clara Ashford had no intention of ever getting married. A rogue took advantage of her innocence when she was young, and she’s spent her whole life trying to make sure no one finds out. But now that her sister is engaged, Clara’s well-meaning aunt has set her sights on Clara. Desperate to avoid the matchmaking schemes, Clara’s not sure what to do — until her neighbor, the new Duke of Reigate, shows up on her doorstep in need of her help.
Quincy Nesbitt reluctantly accepted the dukedom after his brother’s death, but he’ll be damned if he accepts his brother’s fiancée as well. The only polite way to decline is to become engaged to someone else — quickly. Lady Clara has the right connections and happens to need him as much as he needs her. But he soon discovers she’s also witty and selfless, and if he’s not careful, he just might lose his heart.
Will her past scars and his hateful relative dig a ridge between them ….
With this tale of two wounded persons whose past pain led to alter the course of their life, the author offers us a poignant story of strength and resilience.
A heartbreaking event pushed Clara to retreat in her shell, only showing her efficiency to the world while Quincy left everything behind, nearly forgetting who he was to accomplish his and his father’s dream.
Both are kind and helpful being, they are in charge and do not let mean persons or life’s circumstances change whom they are in their inner core. They are so very alike but hide it behind their very efficient society’s mask.
Clara made her life’s mission to be a mother’s figure for her younger siblings but by doing so, she deprived herself of any childhood joy. So when for once she let go of her restraints, the price to pay was so high she never ever after let go again. Always controlled, never impulsive, until Quincy’s return in her life.
Quincy left behind whom he was to begin anew and he made of his new life a success, now close to make his and his father’s long time dream true, his existence is once more turned upside down by a much unexpected news. Him the forth and lost son of a Duke is now the bearer of his father’s title. And with it, its bankrupted estate.
So what of his dreams when his spiteful mother wants retribution from him.
But an unexpected turn of event rescues him from her clutches and brings him closer to Clara.
Their fake engagement is the perfect mean to save them and by growing closer, they open unforeseen gates, bringing to the surface feelings they buried deep inside. Their way is paved by her silence and some astonishing secrets. And while Clara hold on for too long to her past pain, when Quincy many time demonstrated he was no judgmental fellow, she was in her right to be dubious after what she endured.
Oh my, the duchess of Reigate is such an awful and bitter creature, my only regret is we do not learn if she ever gets her right comeuppance. She fed my blood-lust to see her crushed and even harmed, I would have happily walked on her in stilettos. Sorry.
In all, the author delivers an emotional second chance tale, a story of letting the past go and look at the future.
4.5 stars
onscreen detailed lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author and publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/780863342502839/?d=n
This was an entertaining, well-written historical romance. Lady Clara Ashford has dedicated herself to helping her family. Quincy Nesbitt has unexpectedly inherited a dukedom and refuses to marry the woman who had been engaged to his brother. Clara and Quincy enter into an agreement to have a fake engagement. The book was fast-paced and I didn’t want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
My first book by Christina Britton and I really enjoyed it. A lovely historical that was a fake engagement, friends to lovers trope. This story had humor, witty banter, and emotionally difficult topics. It was a sweet slow burn of friends who eventually discover that they really do love each other.
Clara and Quincy find themselves in a bind and without thinking, Clara fakes an engagement to Quincy. Clara is basically a spinster (31) and Quincy is a newly discovered Duke that need a bride. Sounds like a perfect plan, fake an engagement and then part ways, but spending time together proves to put a kink in their plans. Clara is strong yet vulnerable. She harbors a secret that can ruin everything and everybody. Quincy is a dream that is charming, handsome and has a heart of gold. He wants to travel the world not take on the responsibility of a dukedom but Clara makes him reconsider his life. He sees her and she sees him.
I look forward to reading more books by Christina Britton. This book was fast paced and filled with quick banter. The secondary characters added an extra zest to the story. All I can say is that you can’t help but fall in love with Clara and Quincy and root for their HEA. And the epilogue was picture perfect!!
*ARC provided from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for my honest review*
How wonderful to find a book with a hero that you absolutely adore from the first page to the last. He was just perfect. I loved him in the last book, A Good Duke Is Hard To Find, and that just increased with this book. He is the loveliest, most honorable, steadfast, gentleman you could want to meet. We should all have the opportunity to know a Quincy at least once in our lifetime. I loved Clara as well, but she did get on my nerves after a while because she just needed to let go long before she did. Anyway, the book is wonderfully delivered, the story is compelling, all of the characters are delightful, and the epilogue is to-die-for. Definitely an excellent read and even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone.
We met and loved Lady Clara Ashford in the first book, and we learned much of her backstory. We also learn that backstory in this book, but in more detail than before. Because of her past, Clara has decided to never marry – and she is very, very, very adamant about that. No matter how much she might be attracted to Quincy, she’ll never let her heart belong to him and even if it did, she’d never marry him. Clara’s life is a bit of a conundrum at the moment because she doesn’t know where she belongs anymore nor does she know where her future lies. She’s spent her entire life – since the age of nine, taking care of her family – being a mother to her younger siblings and acting as hostess and then caregiver for her father. Now that her father and her brother have died and her sister is marrying in a few weeks, she wonders where that will leave her. She’s trying desperately to find a place for herself – to be helpful – to be of use. She needs to be useful. Her plan is to stay with her cousin, who inherited her father’s title, but over the weeks leading up to her sister’s wedding, she finds she isn’t really needed by any of them. She cannot marry because of her past – so what is left for her?
When we last saw Quincy Nesbitt, he was getting ready to board a ship to head back to America where he intended to sell off his remaining business and begin the travels that he and his father had dreamed of. On a whim, his first stop is back in England where he intends to visit with his friend and former partner, Peter Ashford, the new Duke of Dane. Little does he know what he’ll be walking into with his ‘real’ family. Oh! My! Goodness! Quincy is actually the fourth son of the Duke of Reigate – and he ran away from home at the age of fourteen when his father died. His mother despised him and his older brothers didn’t care for him either – so, when he overheard his mother planning to send him into the Navy, he gathered his courage and ran away. Now, when he goes to his old home to say a forever goodbye to his mother and brothers, he gets shocking news. News that can/will change his entire future.
Clara and Quincy have been attracted to each other from the moment they met, but neither would ever act upon it because they each had their futures planned. Now, a year later, Quincy has returned and they are thrown together more and more. Clara is wonderful at assuaging Quincy’s anger and agitation at the changes thrust upon him – and he treats her with such care and gentleness. It is delightful to see these two wounded souls help each other through upsetting and troubling times. Clara always leapt to Quincy’s defense and Quincy did all he could to bring Clara out of her shell where she could find joy in life again. They are absolutely perfect for each other and I enjoyed watching them grow into their HEA.
As I mentioned earlier, the Epilogue was absolutely perfect. Set several years into the future, it showed perfectly how their love had grown and flourished. I was left with a question though – whatever happened to the nasty duchess? No mention of her after her last departure from James’ home. I REALLY wanted to know that Quincy had exacted revenge of some sort – even if it was just moving her to a tiny dower house on some remote property.
I can definitely recommend this book and I’ll tell you this author is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.