Best Books of November – BookriotA lady with a noble mission. A duke looking for redemption. A forbidden love that cannot be denied, in The Good, The Bad, and The Duke by Janna MacGregor.Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. But her quest … for unwed mothers. But her quest isn’t problem-free: She’s in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And that’s not all: someone has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?
Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him. But before he can win her family’s affection, he has to win hers first. Maybe love was the answer to their family feud all along?
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Janna MacGregor has exceeded my expectations in this story. Paul was the character we loved to hate. He was the Rogue in the previous stories of this series that seemed to have no visible redeeming qualities. Like Daphne he has been trying to be invisible to prevent his heart from hurting. The one thing they have always done is admired each other. The perfect quote from the book is, “Sometimes the heart does what it wants no matter what common sense says.” As the two begin to spend time together they try to fight the urges they have to physically devour each other. They are not successful and find themselves in some steamy situations. They fall in love and believe that with all the family drama there is no way they can be together. Daphne, however, is fierce and loyal and refuses to let anything stand in the way of keeping her from the man she loves even if it’s his own self doubts.
This story is one of my favorites because the main characters are both so flawed. You cannot help but root for them and hope for the best possible outcome. Daphne’s character still shines bright even with all the darkness and heartache she hides beneath the surface. It is a sweet and heartwarming story. Having scorching heat searing love scenes is just icing on the cake. Margaret giving Paul a kitten will bring tears to your eyes and you will cheer when the outcome is happy all around.
I really enjoyed this one! Watching Daphne go through a phase of learning about herself and deciding she’s going to live life for herself and stop trying to please others. Paul had to be taught that hew as worth something. That someone actually believed in him and loved him for himself. Daphne had loved him since she was a child and it took her awhile to realize it and to figure out who was most important in her life. Well worth the read! Thank you NetGally for the advanced copy!
This is an entertaining, well-written, steamy, historical romance novel. It has likable, engaging characters, a search for a stolen diary, family secrets, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. This is an excellent addition to Ms. MacGregor’s outstanding Cavensham Heiresses series, and can easily be read and enjoyed as a stand alone. The series does not have to be read in order, but is more enjoyable if it is. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed each entry in this series, and I am looking forward to reading Ms. MacGregor’s next one!
Full-bodied romance…with intelligence and heart.
Daphne is left behind at Christmas, and she decides to make the most of it and makes plans for a home for unwed mothers. A street urchin steals her reticule, but the journal inside is worth more than money–it has her deepest secrets inside–and she’s ready to do anything to get it back.
Paul, a new duke and reformed rake, is haunted by the reminders of the sins of his past from his deceased father reaching from the grave. He has plans for atonement and to honor his brother, but one very beautiful woman stands in his way–his former best friend’s sister.
As they vie for land and spend time together to find her journal, forbidden passion ignites between them. Paul knows her family will never accept him, and he’s prepared to sacrifice his happiness for his “Moonbeam.”
Secrets are revealed, a surprising alliance is made, all hope may not be lost, but time is of the essence.
**received an ARC from Netgalley**
How two completely logical, forward thinking, individuals could wring such deep emotions from me, well, the pile of tissues beside me is true testament to that. Friends to lovers, family secrets and tragedy, a desire to make the world a better place, this story had it all. It all blended so easily and seamlessly as we got to know Paul and Daphne. There are perfect individually, and beyond perfection when they join forces, and their love and attraction for each other is simply amazing!
Lady Daphne Hallworthy was preparing to accompany her family to their country home for the Christmas holiday. Lady Margaret and Lord Truesdale, the four-year-old twin children of Daphne’s brother Alex, the Marquess of Pembroke and Lady Claire, erupt into a sibling battle which leaves little Lady Margaret crying on the floor. Aunt Daphne rushes to pick her up and console her which results in a need to change her traveling dress. Thinking she has plenty of time after changing Daphne spends some time writing in her journal before heading back downstairs. Upon returning to the entryway she finds no one there. Home alone for Christmas!
Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart is new to his title. His older brother had recently passed away followed soon thereafter by his father. Paul hadn’t expected to be Duke. He had a very contentious relationship with his father and did all he could to annoy him; drinking, gambling and behaving as a veritable rake. Now he has promised his dying brother to reform himself. He knows there is much to be accomplished in that direction including attempting to gain the forgiveness and restored friendship of his old friend the Marquess of Pembroke. That might be difficult after meeting up with his sister Lady Daphne and putting her into a compromising position – at her insistence.
The Good, The Bad and The Duke by Janna MacGregor is the fourth book in her The Cavensham Heiresses series. Janna MacGregor has written a well-developed plot and storyline that kept me turning pages. I loved reading the surprises in this story. It was great to finally get to read Paul’s story and be reunited with beloved characters from previous books in the series. This is a great story! I highly recommend it!
Lady Daphne Hallworth is twenty-five years old and has resigned herself to being a spinster. She has had offers but wanted none of them. Because she is wealthy in her own right and has a loving family there is no need for a husband. What Lady Daphne wants most is to open a home for unwed mothers, to protect them from what happened to her sister.
Lord Paul Barstowe has recently become a Duke after the deaths of his brother then his father. He loved his brother and wants to build a hospital in his name for people suffering from the same ailments. Unfortunately he spent most of his life aggravating his father and proving he was the bad son. Now he has to earn back his respectability. Notes from his father delivered deliberately after his death do nothing to help his self-worth.
An emotional and saucy historical romance with very lovable characters. Our heroine has lost something very precious to her, but potentially dangerous to her family and will risk anything to get it back. Our hero is much too hard on himself for things that where beyond his control.
You will laugh and cry while reading this.
It is part of a series but easily read on it’s own. It will however tempt you to read the previous books in the series. I hope there are at least two more coming. (Maybe set in Northumberland)
I loved it.
Ah, the perfect time of the year for stories that take place at Christmas! The beautiful cover of this book was the first thing that caught my attention. Janna MacGregor is a new author to me. I have the first three in the series, but this is the first one I’ve read. Yep, another author who is now on my auto-buy list! You don’t have to read the others before you read this one, as it can totally stand alone. However, you’ll want to read them all, in order to get more of Paul. I know I want more of Paul!
The beginning of this book was just perfect, funny and sweet. We meet Paul as a very young man and Daphne still a girl. Even then you could see their connection and special friendship. Fast forward to years later. Paul is trying to turn his life around, having become a duke since losing his family, and after losing his dearest friends due to his past behavior. Then there’s Daphne, who feels like she is disappearing and becoming invisible. Her family inadvertently leaves her home alone when they go to the country for Christmas. Hurt, she brings her journal to the park to write, and she is robbed. After chasing the child thief in an attempt to retrieve her journal, she runs into Paul. He agrees to help her get it back, and in turn she will help him ease the way back into a relationship with his lost friends.
Thus begins a beautiful romance. Paul is reeling from the loss of his friends and brother, and dealing with the animosity of his father from beyond the grave. He is desperately trying to make amends and become the man his beloved brother knew he could be. Daphne can see past his prior bad behavior…apparently she is the only one who can see the real man inside. They already had friendship; it was lovely seeing their love grow. I spent the last third of this story in tears, as they try to get Daphne’s journal back and deal with hardship and heartbreak along the way. Everyone needs a little love at Christmas, and this book will gift you with just that.
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review of this book, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family at their country estate but when they accidentally leave her home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream opening a home for unwed mothers. Her alone time isn’t problem-free: She’s in a battle to win the property for the home against her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. And an urchin has stolen her personal diary, which holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harboured private feelings for the man her family scorns. Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honour his late brother Robbie and restore his reputation. They make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him.
This is the fourth book in the series, it could easily be read on its own however this debut series just keeps getting better. Paul has been portrayed as the villain in previous books but I’ve always felt he was misunderstood & wasn’t given a proper chance to explain himself & I so wanted him to be redeemed. Daphne & Paul were friends when they were children & she’s always fantasised about him. He was abused as a child & his late father is still tormenting him from beyond the grave with weekly small debts that need paying. Paul wants to be a good duke but his self esteem is so low. I loved this book & found it a roller coaster of emotions, there was humour & also some parts especially a couple of letters had me reaching for the hankies. The characters have depth & the pace was good & I read into the early hours to finish it.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The Good, the Bad, and the Duke (The Cavensham Heiresses #4) by Janna MacGregor Another great book by Janna… Thanks to the publisher and #NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book. Lady Daphne(a lady on a mission..home for unwed mothers) Paul Duke of Southart (looking for redemption) Their touching story has so many twists and turns, laughter, heartache, mystery, danger, the revisiting of old friends from the first three books, steamy… and of course a very HEA. I grew to love them both…and can’t wait for the next book.
“The Good, the Bad, and the Duke” by Janna MacGregor
I loved this story. Just a very few minutes into this story and I was hooked…by Lady Daphne’s story, her goal to establish a home for unwed mothers… and then I got hooked once again by Paul’s story, never able to please his father and having lived up to father’s disparagement he was now truly alone in the world, but trying to become the person his brother believed he could be… But then you know all that from reading the official book blurb. But they didn’t tell you that you would hate when your eyes got so tired you had to quit reading and rest your eyes… or that your heart just might break a little bit or you might find a chuckle or two along the way. This was a really good well written story. I was gifted an ARC of the story by the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.. and ever so pleased that I was offered this as an early read.
Angst and Redemption 4.5*.
I was sucked into this story; the hero belittled and unloved by his father who became a gamester and rakehell, trying to put his life on track and repair damaged relationships and the heroine who suppresses her character after the untimely death of her sister. Drawn together in an attempt to recover a stolen journal, each sees the other for who they truly are and begin to fall in love. Family dynamics, long held secrets and a malicious reporter do not make things plain sailing for the couple. Some of the scenes moved me to tears but in the end we get the HEA that the reader is waiting for.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a well-written, entertaining book. Lady Daphne Hallworth ends up alone for the holidays. She uses the time to write in her personal diary and work on plans for the home for unwed mothers she wants to open. Someone steals her diary, and she discovers her brothers former best friend, now enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart, is bidding on the same property she wants for her charity project. Paul is trying to improve his reputation, and wants to open a hospital to honor his brother. Daphne and Paul make an agreement for him to help get her diary back in exchange for her help changing her family’s opinion of him. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.
Lady Daphne Hallworth has been a good daughter and sister since her younger sister Alice passed away. She’s tried by all means to be a proper lady and remain out of trouble, even if it means not being true to herself, but as time goes by and she feels she’s become invisible to her family she makes the decision to embrace spinsterhood and the life she wants.
Lord Paul Barstowe was a second son and not likely to inherit the title, but when his father dies right after his older brother, he becomes the Duke of Southart. The former dissolute has to clean his reputation in order to garner the respect of his peers and to make possible his dream of opening a hospital to honor his dead brother.
Having read most books in the series, I agree that Lord Paul’s story had to be the most expected one. He’s one of the most interesting characters from the first book and it’s hard to know how good or bad he actually is until you read this book.
I really enjoyed the story and the characters. Paul and Daphne are a great couple and their story is a special one. I liked the plot and there was one twist I never saw coming. All of this made this book a really good read and my favorite from the series thus far.
I hope we get to read about Lord William and Mr. Farris at some point now that there aren’t any more Cavensham Heiresses.
I am doing a very happy dance right now. In a previous review I wrote that I thought Paul was the most interesting character and YAY! he gets his own story. I loved it. What more could happen to Paul who, as it turns out is not bad but just trying to help and always ends up looking poorly. I am so glad his story was told – he deserved a HEA and could not have gotten a better one. Daphne is the perfect person for Paul. She is kind, does not see him as a bad person and genuinely loves him. I could not help but cry over his deeds to do what is right and what was done wrong against him. Who knew he was so compassionate? Rake, I don’t think so. Can you tell I am infatuated with Paul? Loved loved this story.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
I’m so glad Daphne gave Paul a chance!
I love it when authors take a less-than-sympathetic character from an earlier book and show us how love can redeem even the worst sort of man. Paul is certainly seen as the worst by Daphne’s family, and it’s somewhat deserved. But there’s a lot more to Paul’s character and this book beautifully takes us on the journey through his many layers and his humble efforts to reform his reputation.
Daphne has always seen the good in Paul, but could never get the chance to express that because of the rift between him and her family. Circumstances finally align themselves to give them both the opportunity to discover just how perfect they are for each other.
This is a wonderful love story, full of depth and forgiveness, true love and redemption. It was a joy to read, and I look forward to reading more in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
When I saw the cover of this book and started reading it I was expecting some lighthearted Christmas themed drivel really. That is not at all what this book is. It just happens to be set at Christmas but this is a story of redemption, forgiveness, finding oneself, and allowing oneself to open up to loving and being loved. When Daphne finds herself left behind for the Christmas holiday by family members who each thought her to be traveling with the other, she decides to just remain in London and focus on the charity she intends to found and the townhouse she wants to establish for herself. She stops on an outing in town and takes some time on her favorite park bench to write in her very personal journal, which ends up being stolen by a street urchin. Daphne pursues said street urchin all the way to a gaming hell, whereupon she encounters Paul, the newly minted Duke of Southart attempting to pay an old gambling debt. Well known rake Paul used to be best friend to Daphne’s brother, so she had known him since childhood, up until a falling out resulted in an estrangement between her family and Paul. Unbeknownst to Paul, Daphne never forgot him or stopped caring about him. To keep her safe from the seedy characters lurking in and around the gaming hell, Paul agrees to help Daphne recover her stolen journal, as the secrets therein would devastate her family if they were to be made public. In exchange, Daphne agrees to help Paul smooth the waters with her brother and stepbrother, as his desires forgiveness and also needs their support for the hospital he plans to open in honor of his late brother. Paul keeps Daphne company over the Christmas holiday and begins his journey down the road to redemption. We have a very sly and threatening villain, a dynamic and complex, but very authentic, cast of supporting characters, and some great steamy scenes. There is also some angst and drama and one wonders how much this couple can take when they are constantly bombarded by various obstacles. I know this is a typical formula, but what sets this one apart is that our heroine is tenacious and persistent, but does not suffer from the tiresome lack of logical thinking that annoys me in most of the depictions of such a heroine. This was a great read and I would highly recommend it.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lady Daphne has held a tender for Paul since she was a child and now as an adult, the feelings are still there and have increased over time. Daphne had her reticule stolen and it contained her journal where she wrote some of her most personal thoughts. Trying to find the kid who stole it, she encounters Paul and he agrees to help her. As time goes by they form an attachment and he asks her to marry him and she says yes. Paul learns some devastating news and breaks with Daphne. There is a HEA but there is a lot that has to happen before this becomes a reality. The book is well written and I would highly recommend it as a great read.
I know it’s early to be reading Christmas-related books, but really – is it ever too early to read Christmas stories?
Lady Daphne Hallworth quickly became one of my all-time favourite characters. She tried her best to be “the perfect daughter/sister/etc” and she shoved all her feelings in a diary. It actually sounds like something I would do, with the exception that I’ve tried to write a diary several times, but I always end up forgetting to write in it. I personally like to lay at night thinking about what I would write, and sometimes even say it out loud, in a whispered voice, just to put those feelings out there. So I can imagine what Daphne felt when her diary was stolen – as a result of a good action, which is even worse!
But, rest assure dear reader, she is not alone. In comes Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart, former friend of Daphne’s brother, and her former (and current!) crush. Paul acted badly in the past and that caused him to alienate his friends, but Daphne never truly believed he was a horrible person, instead she believed he was someone who had made mistakes, but who was truly a good person (which, of course, it’s true).
Daphne is left alone at Christmas and Paul is the one that is going to make her company and help her retrieve her diary. Paul and his Moonbeam.
I loved their relationship, Paul was so sweet with Daphne, and all he wanted was to help her. Even the impediments that might have gotten in the way, it was all resolved and I loved how strong and determined Daphne was, and how Paul tried to be his best version, for himself, for Daphne and for those that now depended on him. That’s one of my favourite things about the book, Paul’s awakening to become someone… not different per se, but someone with new objectives and a different view of life and of what really matters. And that’s also what brings Daphne’s family and friends back to being friends with Paul. They see how he’s improved, and that he is trying, he’s doing his best to become better, and he deserves the vote of confidence.
After reading this book, I decided never to have a diary with me in public and, if I ever do write in a journal, to have it locked at all times, because I don’t know if I could handle the stress of losing or having it robbed, with all my private thoughts. Daphne’s fight and endurance to act the right way not just for her, but for her family and those that might be affected by what she had written, was inspiring.
The Christmas ambience helped the story’s redemption arc, and it was lovely to have the beautiful descriptions of winter and Christmas decorations. I do love a good Christmas romance.
Janna MacGregor