Sebastian Sinclair, the Duke of Wessex, is not in love with Eliza Benton—nor anyone else, for that matter. But he must marry and produce an heir, and love is not required for either. His future duchess must be of high birth and good nature, a lady unlikely to snipe at him over breakfast. In short, the complete opposite of Eliza. So who better to help him find a bride?
Eliza Benton is not in love … not in love with the Duke of Wessex. He’s infuriating, arrogant, and an ass of the first order. Not that she has any intention of marrying anyone now that her secret dream is on the cusp of becoming reality. A husband would ruin all her careful plans. But she’s all for finding her nemesis the perfect bride, anything to get him from underfoot so she can focus on her writing.
Thank goodness Sebastian and Eliza aren’t in love. That would be disastrous.
more
Sebastian Sinclair, the Duke of Wessex uses wit and jest to avoid feeling, any feeling especially pesky love. Loving just leads to pain and grief and he refuses to go through that again. His greatest adversary is the witty and beautiful Eliza Benton. The two of them banter back and forth. They’re friends, that’s all, just friends. Eliza finds Wessex infuriating at best, but when she attends a house party to choose his bride, she finds something totally surprising. She more than enjoys his company and doesn’t want anyone else to occupy his time. Could these two avoid a disastrous outcome like falling in love?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, especially Wessex’s jesting and bantering with everyone, but especially with Eliza. He is much deeper than anyone realizes although Eliza is beginning to see through his fun facade and forces him to confront that pesky thing called feelings as she begins to confront her own feelings about him. Ms. Bright does a great job of teases out the details of what Wessex and Eliza really want out of life and I was eagerly turning the pages to see how it all ends. Definitely a fun and enjoyable read.
I have been so excited for this book since Wessex and Eliza made their first appearance in Twice As Wicked, the first book in the Wicked Secrets series, and it did not disappoint. Wessex is my favorite kind of hero: sarcastic, witty, arrogant, and ripe to be leveled by a strong heroine. Enter Eliza Benton from stage right. If you love friends to lovers with lots of sparkling banter and steamy interactions, don’t miss this wonderful conclusion to one of my favorite series!
Sebastian Sinclair, Duke of Wessex, Earl of Badington, and Knight of the Garter would have choked on a strawberry had his friends Lord Abington and Lord Eastwood not rapped him smartly on the back.
Thankful to be alive, Sebastian sends a note to his friend, Miss Eliza Benton, age 21, to help him plan a house party at his home, Pervale Hall in Derbyshire with a result of him finding a wife. Sebastian wants Eliza to make a list of 3-4 marriageable young women, with flawless reputations, for him to invite to his party and from which he will choose a bride.
When she turns, 22, Eliza will inherit Hyacinth Cottage and 5 thousand pounds from her deceased parents. Then she can live her life as she wishes. She and Sebastian are friends but nothing more. His actions tend to irk her quite often. Her friend and companion is Riya Kukherfee, a young woman from India.
At the party, the young women vie to impress Sebastian with their skills such as singing and archery. Everyone seems to be having fun. Togetherness gives Sebastian and Eliza a chance to talk more and actually get to know one another even better. But when they are caught kissing, they must quickly become betrothed and marry. Will their marriage be a success?
Oh, what a delightful story! They didn’t mean to fall in love but there we are. I loved the humor and I honestly believe that the best marriages are those where the couple shares the same sense of humor as do Eliza and Sebastian. Even though she has her fears, Eliza is so mature and understanding of Sebastian. This love is outstanding. I also loved Riya. Her character is very well written and she is a fabulous friend to Eliza. My first book by Elizabeth Brigh, but it won’t be my last. A must read!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
If you read this book in public, be prepared to be stared at when you laugh out loud. The story is immensely funny. Eliza and Sebastian have the most witty and engaging conversations. The two are the unlikeliest of best friends who end up married. They are both scared of losing the people they love and most of all scared of losing each other’s friendship. They talk themselves into a compromise that still leaves them deeply in love. It is a story filled with interesting and delightful characters.
Sebastian Sinclair, the Duke of Wessex, is not in love with Eliza Benton—nor anyone else, for that matter. But he must marry and produce an heir, and love is not required for either. His future duchess must be of high birth and good nature, a lady unlikely to snipe at him over breakfast. In short, the complete opposite of Eliza. So who better to help him find a bride?
Eliza Benton is not in love with the Duke of Wessex. He’s infuriating, arrogant, and an ass of the first order. A husband would ruin all her careful plans. But she’s all for finding her nemesis the perfect bride, anything to get him from underfoot so she can focus on her writing.
A lovely story of friends to lovers, this is the fourth book in the series, it could be read on its own but characters from earlier books do make appearances. I’m so glad Sebastian & Eliza have had their story & a lovely story it was too. I hadn’t liked Sebastian in earlier books thinking he was arrogant & shallow but how wrong was I? The more I delved into the book the more I fell for him. I loved Eliza with her fears & secrets. The highlight of the book was their banter & sniping is was highly entertaining. I also loved how they came to really know each other & neither wanted to spoil their friendship. A well written delightful read which captivated me from start to finish
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
I have been waiting so long for Wessex and Eliza’s story. I loved them in the previous books. Wessex is charming and witty and not very serious, or so we think. Eliza is his perfect foe. Can enemies become lovers? Of course they can. Both characters have pasts that they think prevents them from admitting that they can love and be loved. Eliza has a passion to be her own person until she is caught in a compromising position and has to become Sebastian’s wife. I liked that Eliza kept her passion alive. She made requests and Sebastian accepted them. But that is where the story kind of fell short for me. I did not care for the fact that Eliza kept everything a secret. She was best friends with Sebastian so why did she do it. Even though this story is well written and I enjoyed it, I was hoping for so much more for Sebastian and Eliza.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
A delightful read from a new to me author. It took me a little while to get into the cadence of the speech since I had read a modern romance before this one, but it was fitting for the time period. I enjoyed the humor and repartee between Sebastian and Eliza. I loved following their gradual emotional flowering as their feelings for each other grew. This is the conclusion to the Wicked Secrets series but can be read as a standalone.
I received a copy from Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
A fun (laugh out loud) read. I loved how Sebastian hid his good deeds in order that he was never taken seriously and his impish sense of humour. He and Eliza are an ideal match even if neither of them will admit it. Go ahead and read it you will not be disappointed.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Duke’s Wicked Wife
Wicked Secrets Series #4
Elizabeth Brght
https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethBrightBooks/
Release date 03/16/2020
Publisher Entangled Scandalous
Blurb :
Sebastian Sinclair, the Duke of Wessex, is not in love with Eliza Benton—nor anyone else, for that matter. But he must marry and produce an heir, and love is not required for either. His future duchess must be of high birth and good nature, a lady unlikely to snipe at him over breakfast. In short, the complete opposite of Eliza. So who better to help him find a bride?
Eliza Benton is not in love with the Duke of Wessex. He’s infuriating, arrogant, and an ass of the first order. Not that she has any intention of marrying anyone now that her secret dream is on the cusp of becoming reality. A husband would ruin all her careful plans. But she’s all for finding her nemesis the perfect bride, anything to get him from underfoot so she can focus on her writing.
Thank goodness Sebastian and Eliza aren’t in love. That would be disastrous.
My review :
When two persons set on a path find themselves “unexpectedly” entangled …
This is my first read by Mrs Elizabeth Bright and it will not be my last. I am just in love, everything from her witty writing to the portrayal of her characters is a pleasure for the mind.
The author is perfectly named and bears proudly her pen name as I can say she does right to it with her bright writing skill and style.
The Duke’s epiphany was such a humorous opening scene like I haven’t read since long, from there I was sucked in the story.
As the fourth in a series, we see again the protagonists of the previous stories but it perfectly can be read as a standalone.
Yet I do suppose the first books gave some insight of Sebastian’s personality.
He is such a lovely being, and while he might appears fickle to anyone not very observant, he is a master at chess, playing like a skilled player, he plans in advance his every move and all with an intended purpose.
I loved every layer of him slowly revealed, from the merry fellow, the scheming peer, the generous landlord, the scarred lover to the grieving boy. He is not solely the renowned philanthropist and rake, he is so much more but he hides it behind his society’s mask.
From the very beginning Eliza was his destined soulmate, yet he is so set on never putting his heart in jeopardy again, he can’t accept what was gnawing his every thoughts since their first encounter.
As for Eliza, she has set a path for her because of her birth and childhood. To avoid meeting her mother and mother-in-law’s destiny, she has decided to the opposite road, spinsterhood.
To her, nothing, not even the strange feeling Wessex stirs in her will move her from her chosen future.
I does understand her fears as women had few choices and voices in this matter until very recently. And she did not contemplate her potential avenir with only the purpose to avoid pregnancy, she gives it a meaning with her own work. Still with the Duke, she has found a partner in their bickering and witty games.
But like him, she withholds her feelings, keeping them at bay in the hope she might ensure her decided journey.
Together, they are quips, cleverness and witticism, both with a course set to circumvent their deepest fears because of the traumatic events from their past. It is up to them to choose if they may live a short life but at its fullest or a full length one with only half measures.
Mrs Elizabeth Bright with this 5 stars read shows the scope of her talent, from moving characters to facetious and sharp talks and inner dialogues.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Entangled, and purchased my own. Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272830/posts/575373583051817/
It was a cute book and one I really enjoyed.
Sebastion Sinclair, Duke of Wessex, Earl of Badington, and Knight of the Garter had decided while choking on a Strawberry. that he needed an heir. He was the last of his parents. He cared. Lord Abingdon and Mr. Eastwood were twins and his friends. He got a piece of paper and wrote a note to Miss Benton. Miss Benton was always necessary. He had decided to have a house party. He told his friends that the time had come for him to find a wife.
Miss Eliza Benton received his note. He asked if she was going to be there in the afternoon. She loved disappointing him as much as he took in annoying her. She felt she should be there to stop his next scheme. The trouble he could cause. He was as handsome as the twins. Miss Mukherjee was a friend who lived with her and they both got along very well. Eliza’s twenty-second birthday was coming up and she would be free, To write and be with her friend. She and Wessex so enjoyed sparing with each other. He liked calling her Sigrid, who was a Nordic Queen,” Sigrid the Haughty”. The three of them made a list of the attributes his future wife should have and started planning the house party for a fortnight from now.
This lovely story had some great moments. They were funny and sweet. Wessex wanted no married ladies but the twin’s wives. Too tempting. He had the reputation of being a rake.
Even with the silliness between them, they could be serious with each other. The characters were wonderful, even her brother was supportive and kind to her. Wessex was so young when he lost his parents, he seemed to me, needy, someone in his corner so to speak. As did she. She was a romance writer but no one knew and she wanted to keep it that way. So many things happened with them and their friends. Surprises are coming. I laugh and cried with them, feel their anger and fear. I very highly recommend this book of gentle and loving people.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.
I especially liked the strong female character. I found the male character sort of silly, but together they make a really good entertainment “team.” I will definitely read more historical fiction from Elizabeth Bright.
A great deal from this new-to-me author. Enjoyed it and will definitely read more by Elizabeth Bright.
Being a new-to-me author, I was pleasantly surprised with this very enjoyable read. The Duke of Wessex and Eliza Benton definitely got my attention and had me glued to their story. Loved the humorous banter between them, the friendship and romance, and the interesting characters that made up their world.
Full review appeared at Reader’s Edyn on 04/18/20
Eliza Benton has always had a bit of an odd relationship with Sebastion. They have known each other for years and even aided in the relationships of their close friends, helping them to realize their love for one another. But what is good for others does not translate as good for either of them. Sebastian plans to remain single for as long as he can hold out. Eliza determined never to marry, period. But after a sudden epiphany, Sebastian enlists Eliza to help him choose a bride. She must lessen the odds, so to speak and lead him on a path towards a few young ladies she finds acceptable to the station befitting a Duchess. Suddenly she finds herself at a country party that Sebastian is hosting with the goal of choosing a bride. He seeks her out and coaxes he guidance at every turn. But something shifts unexpectedly and they are caught in a compromising situation. Blast the man for ruining her carefully constructed plans for her life. Somehow she must maintain the secretive aspects of her life … but the more time they spend together, the more life with Sebastian doesn’t seem so bad. And before too long, rather than negotiate the terms of her surrender as Sebastian’s Duchess, Eliza is making a play to save her marriage, taking a chance that he could return her affections.
Sebastian Sinclair – Duke of Wessex – never intended to marry Eliza. Admittedly, she is always necessary within his life in one way or another, yet he continues to deny what is right in front of him. He isn’t capable of love, after all. It is a weakness and he refuses to feel anything. To be fair, Eliza has played much the same game in the form of denial. But a couple of weeks at his country home and a life-altering conversation with a friend suddenly forces Sebastian to realize that his separation from Eliza is an inevitability once he’s married … a reality that is one hundred percent unacceptable. As luck would have it, he ends up married to Eliza instead of the young lady he was supposed to offer for. Given her marriage demands prior to the wedding, he knows for certain that Eliza is guarding a secret – or ten – of her own. But when those secrets come to light, Sebastian believes he has thwarted every plan Eliza ever had for her future. Lug that he is, he doesn’t give her a chance to weigh in on the subject, never realizing that plans have a way of changing.
In my review of the second book in the series, Lady Gone Wicked, I created a couple of hashtags in support of #BentonWessex #ElizaSebastian – I am giddy with joy as my prediction way back from the first book in the series, Twice As Wicked, has finally borne fruit! And dang if it wasn’t glorious! To recap, here is a quote from my review back in 2017. “The secondary cast was wonderful and a truly brilliant addition. I can’t wait to read about Ms. Benton and Wessex as I am sure their turn will be coming soon.” Did I call it? Yes. I did! It’s been a long 3 years since first we met Eliza and Sebastian. But finally! An HEA for this enchanting couple! Some of you may ask if I am biased. I suppose on some level I may be. However, I do not believe the case is any different for other reviewers who share a love for a particular author or series as I do with this one. I have been with this series since book 1 was an ARC. I had little choice but to adore these characters and become completely invested in their HEAs as the series progressed. And do you know what? I do not regret a minute of it. In fact, I so enjoyed Sebastion, that I began the review of the second book in the series by speaking entirely of him!
So what did I love? Every part of it! Sebastian (or Wessex) and Eliza have been dancing around one another since the very first time they met. He was caught by her beauty. She wanted nothing to do with a Duke. Both were caught off guard. A bet occurred and Sebastian delivered. And from there, their delightful game of wit and schemes began. The two became almost an invisible life force for one another. Eliza acting annoyed, Sebastian seeking approval at every turn. Because of this “slow burn”, if you will, I cannot stress strongly enough that the series would be best if read in order. Knowing everything I know, the joining of Sebastian and Eliza wouldn’t be near as poignant as it truly is if read without all of the beautifully crafted back story of not only their relationship as it grows, but that of all of their friends finding love before they do. Of course, they actually found it first, they just had yet to realize it. I had actually made another prediction regarding Sebastian back in the second book. I had mentioned in my review that I had a strong feeling that there was a reason behind everything that Wessex says and does. He was a man of few words, but somehow, each time he spoke, it was something profound or life-altering. And dang if I wasn’t spot on with that supposition as well. To all – and I mean EVERYONE – Sebastian has little interest in anything of importance. He’s known to be a rake of the worst sort and he’s perfectly content with that brand. But what no one realizes is that he is always paying attention. Rather than tossing his title around to get results, he brings people around in other ways. Almost like a game. He downplays his part, making it seem as if he had no part at all, but he ultimately describes his intent in a nutshell with this quote, “I provided the right people with the right information, and then created an opportunity for which they could use it. Nothing more.” Who wouldn’t fall madly in love with that? Good grief!
The turning point for this couple was a discussion Sebastian has with Freesia and her news that he would have to give Eliza up. No wife would put up with such a friendship however innocent. So he seeks Eliza out as he commonly does, and ask her point-blank if she will give him up. It’s the catalyst to their relationship and helps nudge them along toward their HEA they always had sitting in front of them, but never allowed themselves to believe existed. At one point I was thinking that Freesia had planned their talk in an effort to make Sebastian see what he needed to do next, but since it was never again mentioned, I figured it was just a well-timed discussion that had nothing to do with good intentions. Speaking of the marriage is no great secret given the title of the book. It’s all about what happens afterward. Yes, everything prior is entertaining and full of the wit and banter I have come to recognize as a trait Ms. Bright has mastered, but the meat of the story occurs after the marriage and anyone who has followed this series will be digging in even more so at that point. And of course, I adored getting a chance to see Alice, Adelaide, Nate, and Nick once again. I could never get enough of any of them. Added to the story this time was a sort of secondary love story occurring between Riya and Ram. I was not nearly invested in them as our “regulars”, but they were fun getting to know and experience, none-the-less. Also provided is a short epilogue that takes place four years later. It absolutely destroyed me. Sebastian was amazing and all I can describe without providing any sort of spoiler is, “My heart!” But back to those predictions … in my review of book 2, I had mentioned that the Wicked Secrets series has the makings of Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory family. Given that the book ends with a letter from Riya and there might be something mentioned about a possible time-lapse and children, I may have hit the nail on the head once again. As the books tend to toss in a nod toward the next book in the series when they conclude, I pray I am correct. For the love of God, don’t let it be over! #WickedSecretsForever For those of you who have yet to experience Ms. Bright … What the heck are you waiting for? Pick up this series immediately! But be sure to begin with the first book! #BeneficialToReadInOrder #YouveBeenWarned Seriously though, I’ve had a blast with this series and author and I wish for many more entertaining times to come!
Kindle version provided by NetGalley/Entangled in exchange for an honest review.
“Sometimes an epiphany came like a crack of lightning, sharp and brilliant, and sometimes it came like a bit of hothouse strawberry lodged in one’s throat. Unfortunately for Sebastian Sinclair, Duke of Wessix, Earl of Badington, and Knight of the Garter, it was the latter.”
From the first line I knew this was going to be fun and delightful and without hesitation I was correct in that I was laughing out loud on the first page!!
The epiphany was that he needed to marry and begat a heir or all his holdings might go a bloody American relative! Plus he might die at any moment! He sent a not to Miss Eliza Benton to help him in his quest.
Eliza had to smile as she received the almost indecipherable note from Wessix. He was going to visit tomorrow. She tossed it in the drawer with all the others he had sent, not sure why she saved them. In six months she would inherit funds from her mother and a cottage and truly be independent.
They had met three years ago at a ball and he had been taken with her beauty and wit and she had been indifferent to his. It was the start of an enduring friendship.
When he announced to her he was going to marry, he wanted her to draw up a list for him.
Can I just say I adored this story? The relationship between these two and the banter had me laughing and smiling as Elizabeth Bright managed to wrap her characters around my heart! I could not wait to see what happened between these two to make them realize they were meant for each other and oh yes, they were!! Perfect!
The Duke’s Wicked Wife is the fourth book in the Wicked Secrets series but was fine as a stand-alone. I haven’t read any of the previous books and I don’t feel like I missed anything in the book. This book was hard for me to get into at first and seemed to drag in the beginning, but once I got further it picked up the pace and grabbed my attention. It was a friend to lover troupe, and I loved the story line and the characters. This author has been added to my follow list and I can’t wait to see what comes next.
New to me author Elizabeth Bright delivers a great story of two friends who never want to marry who are forced to wed each other. They discover that, despite their fears, they do love each other. I can’t wait to read more by this author! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for my honest review.
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-1b8
Sebastian Sinclair, Duke of Wessex, sees his life pass before his eyes as he almost chokes while eating a strawberry. If he should die without an heir, his title and properties would pass to a distant American relative, something he doesn’t want to happen. That means it’s time to choose a wife and work on producing the future duke. Who better to help him pick a wife, than his knowledgeable friend, Miss Benton?
Eliza Benton has no plans to marry, and when she reaches her next birthday, she plans to move to a cottage with her friend, Riya, and live a contented and quiet life writing. When her irritating friend, Wessex, asks her to select candidates to possibly become his duchess, she readily agrees. She chooses three eligible ladies, and makes plans to attend the duke’s houseparty to watch the action.
Eliza and Wessex met three years ago. He was impressed with her lack of fawning over him and her direct manner. They developed a quirky, teasing friendship – one where they don’t hesitate to say anything to each other, oftentimes needling the other, but clearly affectionate. Wessex’s good natured charm is a cover for a long ago wound that has made him determined never to love – hence, the reason for his casual approach to marriage. Eliza is determined to remain single, as she watched her mother and her stepmother die in childbirth.
The houseparty allows Wessex to interact with his three potential wives, all who appear to be excellent choices. So, why is Wessex caught in an embrace with Eliza? When it appears they are indeed compromised, Wessex does the honorable thing and announces their engagement. Realizing that she is between a rock and a hard place, Eliza agrees to the marriage, but she has certain conditions. Can a man who doesn’t want love, and a woman who doesn’t want to bear children possibly find common ground? Especially when Eliza is hiding something else from Wessex..
THE DUKE’S WICKED WIFE is my first introduction to Elizabeth Bright, and I was genuinely delighted. I love the character of Wessex! He is full of charm and humor, while hiding his genuine intelligence and caring behind his machinations to bring his schemes to fruition. His supposed self importance is very tongue in cheek and totally smileworthy. Eliza is not about to let Wessex’s exalted status overwhelm her. She knows her own mind, and she’s not afraid to let him know exactly what she thinks. It seems that everyone around them saw how they favored each other, something they didn’t see for themselves. There are wonderful side characters, some whose stories I’m going to have to go back and read, though I didn’t feel lost at all by reading this book first. I love how their romance developed, taking them both by surprise. I particularly enjoyed how throughout the book, Wessex kept thinking that there was something that he needed to say to Eliza, but he could never remember what it was. When he finally does realize what it is, and tells her, it’s a sweet moment. THE DUKE’S WICKED WIFE is a fabulous, entertaining, romantic read, which left me smiling and with the feeling that I’ve found another author to add to my must read list.
Sweetly thrilling, sexy fun and heart racing adventure filled with engaging charters, witty banter, exciting twists and thrilling passion. Was a great read from beginning to end. Really enjoyed this emotional and entertaining journey!
Every now and then someone reads a story and recommends it and this is how I got to hear about this particular one … and I am so grateful.
It is full of light hearted, spontaneous banter, witty and well written too with two of the loveliest friends to lovers main characters that I have ever read about.
Wow! This is really an outstanding story and I am so happy to have read it.
Thank you Elizabeth Bright. You really made my day!