When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules… appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.
His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.
But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…
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Ok… this was very cute. I gobbled it up. I like the author’s voice and the point of view she provided both characters. And I love a beauty and the beast retelling, which this book kind of hinted. I also read the second book in the series, which was equally cute. This is one where I’ll allow for a little miscommunication/the man not believing that a woman could possibly think a thing (that she loves him) because of the way his past was laid out. Usually that frustrates me, but here it worked.
I would like to read more in this series about relatively feminist women and their romances. I think the first two have worked very well.
Update: I’ve re-read this book at least once, and it stands up! Really very cute. I’ve also read the available books from the rest of the series, which are also cute, though not as good as this first one. Still recommend, though!
Enjoyed this book! It was funny.
I love the story that makes me laugh. And this one made me laugh out loud a number of times. It was well written and original great fun. The characters were wonderful, and it was sexy without being disgusting. I award very few five star ratings. This one is a definite keeper for re-reading.
So funny! At one point, I actually laughed till I cried and my stomach hurt! I need the rest of this series! Post Haste!!
I always trust Tessa Dare books
I love this story about Charlotte and Piers. Especially the part when Charlotte’s mother tries to explain what happens between a man and wife in the marriage bed. It was hilarious! I can’t help but laugh everytime I hear about an Aubergine and a peach! You must read it to find out what I am talking about. I have read this book at least 4 times and Everytime I wish to laugh it puts me in a good mood after reading this tale. Great writing Tessa Dare.
Excellent book. I love this author’s combination of humor romance!!
Great book!
Original characters; new twist on a trusted plot. Emma was heartwarming and endearing, The duke was quite beastly but tamed by Emma. Emma saw possibilities everywhere, even in the old drapery (she wanted to sew herself gown). I love how “the beast” dealt with the pastor (Emma’s father).
Ash suffered burn in war but is a duke in need of an heir . So he makes an offer to the the young lady who storms into his house demanding pay for the wedding dress his ex fiancee requested but never paid.
Emma is a seamstress demands pay for the duke but he offers her to be a success instead with conditions. Love is not permitted not is affections.
Good book loved the humor and the characters were great had to finish it before bed page tuner for sure
I like Tessa Dare’s books; she puts humor as well love in her books.
When they first meet, Emma is wearing the wedding dress, for his ex-fiancé.
Instead of taking the dress that Emma designed, The Duke proposes a proposition for Emma; Marry him to give him a heir.
The Duke has rules about they’re time together, in bed; but so does Emma.
It’s a battle of wills, and they both win in the end.
I am only half-way through this wonderful book, and I have already put Tessa Dare on my “Must Buy” list. It is very clever and romantic — a witty “Beauty and the Beast” story. I look forward to reading more of Tessa Dare’s historical romances!
Quintessential Tessa Dare. Funny and Sexy with engaging characters.
This is my first time reading anything by Tessa Dare. I had heard good things about her, and I love a good historical romance novel. Who doesn’t? (That’s a rhetorical question). I definitely rate this book, glasses of wine AKA the whole bottle!
I devoured this book! I made the mistake of starting this book at the end of the evening. I wasn’t sleepy at the time and figured starting a new adventure could potentially lead to some colorfully fun dreams. I didn’t get to sleep that night until 5:00 AM the following morning! I didn’t even notice the time passing. It was my kindle that forced me to go to sleep because its battery was dying.
Let’s get to the novel part!
The male lead Ash, or the Duke of Ashbury is this complicated, reclusive, wounded war veteran of a man who hides how kind his heart is deeper down inside himself than the scars that mar his skin. Emma is this brilliant, brave lady of the gentry who was forced to survive by leaving her hometown, walking to London alone in the snow and finding work as a seamstress to clothe and feed herself. She sees people for who they are rather than by what they look like.
Ash needs an heir to succeed him or when he dies all of his lands and money will go to his dip wad of a cousin who will squander everything for quick cash. Being the wonderful guy that Ash is, he is worried about the thousands of lives that are under his care. Unfortunately, Ash was seriously injured during a war and now half of his body is gravely disfigured. Making it very difficult for him to secure a wife.
When Emma storms into his home unannounced, making demands of him, and refusing to back down to his intimidating demeanor, Ash decides on the spot that she is going to be the one who bears his children. After making up a few ridiculous rules for their marriage of convenience, Emma moves in, they are married and they commence attempting to make a baby. If it sounds awkward as hell, don’t worry – it is! But it’s also extremely hilarious. With devil cats, scheming servants and a rag tag group of outcasts this book demands to be read in its entirety in one sitting.
Now that we know what the story is ABOUT let’s move on to what I truly thought of it.
I ABSOLUTELY adored the verbal sparring in this book! You have a male character who has every right to be a bitter enraged male but somehow deep down truly cares about the girl and those who are near him…even the damned cat?! Swoon! AND – he curses using Shakespeare’s curses?! I mean come on! On top of it, you have a female lead who can stand toe to toe with him with her own craft version of verbal judo.
Fun side note~ I went to a school for performing arts in high school, and I remember that we would quote Shakespeare and act out our more favorite scenes in the hallways or on the grass at lunch! I had forgotten how much I love Shakespeare and the genius that are his words. My new goal for 2019 is attempt to cut out cursing completely and instead work on my Shakespearean curses…Thank you very much Tessa Dare!
Also, this historical romance wasn’t anything like the other historical romances in the past. It doesn’t focus so much on the gentry and the ton, but more on the characters and their personal journeys. And to be honest, I didn’t miss the court at all. The Duchess Deal had me laughing out loud and on a huge emotional roller coaster ride up until the very end of the book.
I have to admit, when I am nearing the end of a book, I start trying to predict what’s going to happen or how it will end. But this story had so many emotional turn points that I just couldn’t put it down and I was surprised what felt like all the time. At one point, I had to stop reading so I could make the commute to work. I decided I would stop reading at the end of the chapter I was currently on… BIG MISTAKE! The end of the chapter ended in what felt like a sucker punch straight to my gut! I was so upset that I stomped around my house, startling my sleeping dog and my studying husband by muttering to myself, “Great! Just great! The author just went ahead and threw me for a loop! And now I’m going to be anxious and worried about what’s going to happen my entire way to work! GREAT!” Thankfully, hubby hugs and dog kisses were given in excess until the despair in my stomach had settled down enough for me not to drive like a bat out of hell.
Now if you’re the type of reader that enjoys a strong female lead with a spine of steel and a mushy heart of gold, this is going to be the book for you. The side characters are even extremely entertaining in their own rights. From the servant’s to Emma’s friends there is no part of this book that feels superfluous or unneeded. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series because I’m not yet ready to give up this book universe.
I tried thinking overnight what critiques I could apply to this book. Comments and praise are great but I believe we as readers have a right to speak up about the critiques we noticed. Unfortunately, at this time I couldn’t think of anything that would be worthy to note on how to make it a better book.
Anyways, dear friends, I hope you enjoyed my review! Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Were you hoping for something a bit more in my review? Please let me know! Until next time!
Bookworm Riley Rae
(B.R.R.)
You can view more reviews on my blog at https://bookwormraes-romanceblog.com
Pleasure to read.
Tessa Dare is one of my all time favorite historical romance author! ALL of her books contain smart, funny, witty, and sometimes quirky characters that you’ll end up not being able to quit reading about til their story is done, then you’ll be disappointed 🙂
It was oh-so-wonderful. I’m swooning so to speak just thinking of it
Audio version of this book was absolutely brilliant. Loved every minute. Still chuckling.
My favorite Tessa Dare book ever! Grouchy hero with a heart of gold, a strong brave heroine — what else could one want?
Audio-book: Narrator – Mary Jane Wells
Oh my gosh! This narrator completely nailed this audio in every form and fashion. This is one of the times that listening to the book was so much better than reading it could be. Mainly because when she does the hero’s role, she adds such amazing life and animation to him that is not projected in just the words alone. She gives a unique voice to Ashbury and I fell totally in love with him. She does the same with Emma as well, but Ash’s personality really shone through in her performance of him. It was almost like listening to a movie except so much better!
I loved this book so much! I wasn’t expecting to which made it all the more thrilling. This couple were perfect together with their give and take/push and pull. Their quirky personalities that meshed just right added to my enjoyment. They had a few heavy conflicts to overcome but it never felt overly angsty. The steam factor was off the chart and listening to it was blush inducing. I loved the way Ash slowly gave way to Emma and allowed all his rules to be broken. Mostly, I loved that Emma didn’t see a broken disfigured man, but a man she respected and loved.
So glad I chose this one to spend time with!