The infamous Duke of Wadebridge always gets what he wants—even if he must play the scoundrel to get it. When His Grace meets the beautiful, genteel Cassandra Staunton at a garden party, nothing will stop him from pursuing her.He returns to Longstone village intending to court her, but Cassandra is unswayed by his attentions and most certainly not interested in becoming his duchess, for marriage … duchess, for marriage has always been impossible due to her delicate health.
Can Cassie recognize the real man beneath the reputation, or will Wade’s bold proposal—that she travel to Cornwall as his mistress, instead—be the wedge that finally drives them apart?
Romance Heat Level: Warm (3.5 out of 5)
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*I received a free digital ARC via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
Great sequel!
Of course, we know from the beginning how this has to turn out – it is a HEA in planning! And we’ve already met both Wade and Cassie in the previous book, and this book starts with repeating the garden party, but from their POVs.
There is an almost instant attraction that goes on here, but Wade starts as the pursuer, with Cassie being convinced. Although, due to her delicate health and having been told that her “women’s troubles” will prevent her from marriage, she tries to push him away, subtly, in the beginning, just like she has done with many suitors, although she does make sure to enjoy the attention whilst it lasts.
Cassie’s oldest sister, Octavia, tries to convince her to not let Wade get too close, as he’s a known womaniser and cad. She doesn’t listen, knowing that it could be the one chance to enjoy such attention from someone of his position, before she returns to her confirmed spinsterhood.
Cassie believes firmly that Wade won’t be interested in her once he learns of her health problems, yet he is so enamoured with her as a person, that he doesn’t let this get in the way. In fact, he is ready to prove himself reformed, just for her, just to keep her. And so, with her refusing marriage, Wade tries to convince her to join him at his stately home in Cornwall, as his mistress.
Will Cassie accept this proposal? And will the two find their way through the complications of health, station, and reputation?
We have to wait right until the end of the book to meet up with Simon and Octavia again, who not only wish to check on Cassie, but are also ready to share their happy news. Oh, and they learn of what Honoria’s been up to – via an article in the Times!
Now I should comment on the setting. It should have clicked sooner with me, Wadebridge and Cornwall, as I’ve actually been to Wadebridge! It’s not just a small fishing village now, with the tourists lining the streets during the summer. There’s a Camel Trail, which runs between Padstow and Wadebridge, an old disused railway line that has been converted into a cycle path that runs alongside the Camel estuary. It is a beautiful route, but what should be noted is that Wadebridge lies at the mouth of the estuary, and not directly by the sea, as insinuated in this book. Some liberties have been taken with regards to the Duchy, also, as there is a Duchy of Cornwall, but not Wadebridge (Wadebridge would have been too small to host a Duchy, anyway, historically).
Anyway, despite my niggles, it was an enjoyable book all in all! Both MCs prove to have such heart that you can’t help but adore them.
Final rating: – Really liked
I found this story of Cassandra and Wade so full of love.
Wade, a duke, is known for his outrageous behavior. Does not do what society expects and goes its own way.
Cassandra is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and he is instantly in love with her. Because of her beauty, Cassandra has already had several marriage proposals but has never accepted one. She is more than a beautiful sight and no man looks beyond that. But Wade sees her for who she is and Cassandra falls for him. But she cannot marry him because she cannot bear children.
Wade has been neglected all his life. After his father’s death, he was taken away from his mother and raised by others who wanted to protect his duchy. Everyone sees in him only a dark duke and not for who he is. But Cassandra looks further and sees the gentle man he is. He wants to be a better man for her.
The end of the book ends with Simon and Octavia, from part 1, who come to visit them. The four of them discover that Honoria is engaged in London …….
I travel to London and read the story of Honoria and Philip. If it’s as good as this book and its predecessor, I’m going to have a great evening!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Seven days felt like an eternity when she had been waiting twenty-three years for her life to began.” Such were the musings of Cassandra Stauton, awaiting the party her and her younger sister were invited to at Caswell Hall, home of Lord Althorn, where her older sister Octavia had taken a position as a governess.
As Cassandra meets one of the guest, Wade, the Duke of Wadebridge, it seems they get along really well and he is charmed by her. A country miss without all the airs of the tarnished Ton. Cassie finds herself flirting and enjoying his company. But it could never go anywhere. Her delicate health would prevent that ever happening.
Such and emotional heartfelt story. Wade really had not had much love in his life and he acted the scoundrel to get what he wanted. Cassie longed for more than her everyday world and the two were really meant to be. Now if only they can find a way!
Allyson Jeleyne is fast becoming an author I adore. Her writing is spot on and her stories grab the heart with her wonderful characters! Cannot wait to read Honoria’s story!
This story was so beautiful it made me cry. Cassandra never thought she would have a husband or a home of her own. Because of her female problems she always thought she would die a spinster. But when visiting her sister she meets Wade, the Duke of Wadebridge, someone who has had a lonely upbringing and no family. He sees first Cassandra’s beauty but loves the kind, sweet, thoughtful person she is and he is longing to have a family of his own and someone to truly love and care for him. But she has always been told she couldn’t be a true wife and mother so she rejects his suit in favor of his friendship. But Wade wants more and he will do anything to make her his Duchess.
Book two in the Staunton Sisters series a well written story with a great storyline and the story flowed smoothly across the pages, This is Cassandra Staunton and the infamous Duke of Wadebridge, Wade’s story they meet at Caswell Hall, Simon and Octavia have invited them as Wade is Simon’s friend. They will have somethings to get through. I want to read Honoria’s story. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The weak one becomes the strong one!
This book features Cassandra Octavia’s sister. Wade has decided that he wants her. Now, this puts them at odds with each other but the twists are a-coming. This is a rather complex tale but like book one, it is well-written and with outstanding characters. Everyone sees Cassandra as weak yet as the book moves you will gain another vision of Cassandra. Good story!! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it
Two lonely souls cry out for each other! Will they listen or will they become ships passing in the night, never discovering the deep abiding love they have both been subconsciously searching for for so long?? As in Book 1, the romance was allowed to develop on a more subdued level, although Wade does not do a very good job at reading the thought-process and emotions of Cassandra and almost ends up ruining his chances with her!
While a different trope from that seen in Book 1, we still get the wonderful writing ability of Allyson Jeleyne and another deeply touching and moving love story!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Infamous Duke
Staunton Sisters Series #2
Allyson Jeleyne
https://www.facebook.com/AllysonJeleyne/
Release date 12/05/2019
Publisher Fifty Forty Productions
Blurb :
The infamous Duke of Wadebridge always gets what he wants—even if he must play the scoundrel to get it. When His Grace meets the beautiful, genteel Cassandra Staunton at a garden party, nothing will stop him from pursuing her.
He returns to Longstone village intending to court her, but Cassandra is unswayed by his attentions and most certainly not interested in becoming his duchess, for marriage has always been impossible due to her delicate health.
Can Cassie recognize the real man beneath the reputation, or will Wade’s bold proposal—that she travel to Cornwall as his mistress, instead—be the wedge that finally drives them apart?
My review :
Will a young miss be strong enough to leave conventions behind to follow her heart …
After reading the first book in this series, I waited eagerly for this one, as Wade was very intriguing.
This story is set in two places and periods.
The firsts following the events of the previous book, then where it left.
Wade is a marvelous hero, he shaped him in a scoundrel to spike those responsible of his upbringing. What he went through and the loneliness of his childhood is poignant.
Robbed of any kind of love, he outside of his friendship with Simon keeps everyone at arm’s length.
Until a country miss bewitches him. She is the first woman to really see past his mask.
Sure she rejects him but she also accepts who he is truly.
My heart ached for the little boy who was separated from his mother, sent to a cold and unfeeling school facing bullies because of his title. Why growing up, he made his mission to chock at every turn those who uncaring decided of his fate, even if it blackens his name.
Cassandra in a different way was robbed too from potential love, her affliction seen as a disability. So much she is told to bury any little girl’s dreams because of her body betraying herself.
What an irony having been offered the face of an angel or a temptress when she is told to avoid men at all cost.
Hopefully for her, Wade is no normal man, he has set his sight on Cassandra, not as a challenge but as the woman whom makes him rewrite his own rules.
The first part plays hot and cold with Wade’s sentiments, he has a long to prove her he sees past and beyond her beauty, that he is attracted to the true Miss Cassandra, the one lurking in the shadow, striving under society’s restrictions.
Why I wondered when she would finally tired of submitting to her own predicament in silence, when she would rebel against her designated fate.
Mrs Allyson Jeleyne narrated with talent the struggles Cassandra faces, as she must decide between the unknown and what had always been so certain. But Wade’s willingness to risk his soul and heartbreak just and only for her, makes her ponder if she rightfully chooses the good path.
The second part of book is just awesome, a very slow and tender courtship, where they share their troubles, their fears but also renew their feelings and explore them.
It is not easy to summarize such a complexe tale with characters slowly baring layer upon layer as they fight hands in hands their troubles and pains.
5 stars
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