“Goodger writes romances that touch readers’ hearts and bring a smile to their day.” —RT Book Reviews The Brides of St. Ives The charming seaside town of St. Ives is hard to leave—but to save her family from ruin, one young woman must face a frightening unknown . . . Orphaned young, Oliver Sterling, eleventh duke of Kendal, lives in seclusion in his massive home, Horncliffe Manor. Convinced … Sterling, eleventh duke of Kendal, lives in seclusion in his massive home, Horncliffe Manor. Convinced since childhood that he is monstrous, his only company is his guardian, Mr. Winters—a man who perpetuates Oliver’s self-loathing. Still, Oliver is only human. One day, he sees a beautiful young woman in a painting titled “St. Ives Girl.” Captivated, he asks Mr. Winters to find her, marry her by proxy, and bring her back as his bride . . .
Rebecca Kane is shocked that her squire father has agreed to marry her off to a duke in exchange for payment of his gambling debts. But with no option, she submits. Rebecca fears this husband she has never seen in the light of day—yet in the marriage bed, her husband is kind and gentle. And though they remain in darkness, she detects nothing odd about him. She wonders what he is hiding and soon finds there are more mysteries to uncover—about the unsettling noises coming from deep within the manor, about Mr. Winters, and about love—of oneself and one’s beloved . . .
Praise for the novels of Jane Goodger
“An unforgettable read.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars, on The Earl Most Likely
“Fun, delightfully romantic—and sexy.” —Sally MacKenzie on The Spinster Bride
“A touching, compassionate, passion-filled romance.” —RT Book Reviews on A Christmas Waltz
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Oliver Sterling, the Duke of Kendal, has spent his life in near total isolation at his mansion, Horncliffe Manor. An orphan almost since he can remember, his only remaining family member is his “keeper” Mr. Winters. Oliver has been convinced since childhood that he is a monster and lives apart from the world, surrounded by terrible rumors and fear and filled with loneliness. When he sees a painting of a beautiful woman, he instructs Mr. Winters to find her, marry her by proxy, and bring her back as his new duchess.
Rebecca Caine is the daughter of a mere squire with no such loft aspirations as marriage to a duke. She is shocked to learn that, due to her father’s gambling debts, she must marry the Duke of Kendal or her family will lose everything. With no other option, Rebecca agrees, though she fears the new husband she’s yet to actually see in the light, though he is astonishingly gentle with her. Even though she hasn’t fully seen him, he seems perfectly ordinary to her and she wonders just what is going on in her new home. Between the unsettling noises in the manor and the odd behavior of the staff and villagers, Rebecca sets out to unravel the mysteries of her new home and the people in it.
This book had a great gothic feel of suspense throughout, even if some things were rather predictable. It put me much in mind of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, one of my all time favorites, with a villian a la Mrs. Danvers. I also really loved Oliver and Rebecca as a couple and how strong they became together through everything they had to deal with. This was my first read from this author but now I’ll be checking out the rest of this series for sure.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** 3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 **
Oliver Sterling became the eleventh Duke of Kendal at the age of six. His mother took one look at him when he was born and demanded his father remove him from the house. When the father refused, his mother left – and died five years later. After his mother left, Oliver then had five wonderful years with a father who loved him and was proud of him – regardless of Oliver’s ‘affliction’. When Oliver’s father suddenly died at the breakfast table – right in front of Oliver – Mr. Winter (a distant family relation) became Oliver’s guardian.
Mr. Winter was extremely ‘protective’ of Oliver and kept him totally isolated from other people because of his ‘affliction’. The staff was slowly replaced until there was no one who knew Oliver when his father was alive. Mr. Winter runs the dukedom and Oliver becomes more and more isolated. The servants fear Oliver because they think he is a monster – they won’t even look at him and run from him if they do happen to see him.
Oliver becomes a very sad and lonely man who has no clue about the world and allows Mr. Winter to shield him from everything and everyone. Oliver has all of the material comforts, but none of the human comforts. Then, Oliver sees a portrait of a lovely, red-haired young woman and he is mesmerized by her. The more he looks at the portrait, the more he is mesmerized. So, he tells Mr. Winter that he wants her as his bride and to make arrangements for a marriage by proxy and then to bring his bride to him.
Rebecca Kane loves St. Ives. The village is small, near the beautiful, blue sea and the weather is never too cold. She’s never even seen snow. She has a small cadre of close friends and all is right in her world. Well, it is mostly right in her world. The father they all love is a squire (not an aristocrat), and he loves to gamble. Since they are not rich, their finances are usually precarious.
Rebecca isn’t concerned when she is called into her father’s study one morning – until she gets there and notices that there is another man present and her father will hardly look at her. Then, her father says the words that drop the bottom out of her world. He has lost a great deal of money to Mr. Winter and the only way to keep a roof over the heads of her sisters and her mother – and to keep him out of debtor’s prison – is for Rebecca to marry the Duke of Kendal. NO! But, of course, she has to in order to keep her family safe.
I thought this book had a very unique storyline and I liked it. Can you picture how naïve and dependent someone would be if they were raised in a total vacuum, got only the information provided to them from someone with an agenda, and were constantly told they were a monster because of their ‘affliction’? That is Oliver – and I loved watching him grow and realize that the larger world wouldn’t all view him as a monster. This book is as much about Oliver growing into the man his father would have been proud to call son as it is about the romance between Oliver and Rebecca.
I think – maybe – the author was trying to infuse a gothic feel into the story with the ‘afflicted’ hero, the old, brooding house, the air of fear, etc. but it didn’t quite get there for me. I guess it was more beauty and the beast – without the caring, supportive cast. Oliver and Rebecca were truly all on their own. I liked that the ton was willing to give Oliver a chance because they liked and admired his father, but I also thought that they accepted him a bit too readily. I guess I think that if I suddenly met the son of someone I had liked and admired – 20 years later – I would welcome him and give him a chance, but I wouldn’t immediately become his best friend.
Another thing that I didn’t get was a well-liked, well-respected man like Oliver’s father would leave his young son in the total care of someone like Mr. Winter. Oliver should have had a group of trustee’s named as well as a guardian. So – boo for Oliver’s father.
At any rate, I enjoyed the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oliver Sterling, Duke of Kendal is a recluse, a unique condition has kept him a virtual prisoner in his home, so when he sees a painting of a beautiful woman, he sends his “guardian” Philip Winters to find her and marry her proxy.
Rebecca Caine is summoned to her father’s study and informed that in order to save her family from financial ruin, she must marry the Duke of Kendal. Having no choice, she agrees, but takes an immediate dislike to Mr. Winters. When she arrives at the castle, she is surprised that the duke is not there to meet her, but later that night, he comes to her in the dark.
This was one of the most bizarre books I have ever read and I am still not sure if the author was trying to give the story a gothic twist or if it was supposed to be a twisted version of beauty and the beast or if it was a farce. I definitely didn’t love this book, but I can’t say that I hated it either, I am not exactly sure how I feel about it, which makes assigning a rating very hard – so, I am going to go middle of the road and give it 2.5 stars. The idea of the story is original, the characters are likeable and there is a very sweet HEA But, the twists and turns get out of hand and are at times completely over the top and there are several unbelievable scenarios as well as an “insta-love” feel to the story that was a bit off-putting. This is the fourth book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone title with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by Netgalley and the pulisher.
This book was my first read by Mrs Jane Goodger and obviously won’t be my last.
Why is there so many fabulous authors and so few hours in a day?
I do remember having seen Mrs Goodger name pass in front of me but too focused on other matter, I let it pass, but now thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, i was provided an ARC. Book I also purchased right after finishing its reading.
I didn’t know what really to expect outside a beauty and beast kind of story, and for that I was very wrong.
Never it was about a monster, more about a victim and how with the help of the right person, he finds his voice.
Their journey to their happily ever after was not a smooth one, despite beginning on a wrong foot, Rebecca’s strength helps her set her place his her new husband home, slowly they get to know another and come to care for the other without her seing him.
I found out Oliver’s affliction before it was revealed as the author took time to distill this and there some bit of informations.
And Rebecca’s reaction when she came face to face with him was perfect, thinking him even more dashing.
From there, began their reconquest of Oliver’s life, with his wife’s help, he will slowly confront his own fear and then stand for them both. It will be a kind of pas-de-deux as they will have to move together among the muddy roads of the ton with always a shadow looming over their happiness.
They are a beautiful couple, always thinking about their other half before themselves, never they question nor second-guess their affection, they have pure faith in each other.
Mrs Jane Goodger added a hint of mystery and an evil character to compound the many issues they have to manage.
Oliver’s guardian was such a complex personality, I loved detest him and how manipulative he was and to which length he could go, hopefully he received his right reward.
In all it was one marvelous tale of going past our own fear and live life at the fullest.
When I first started reading this book, I thought it was more a fairytale like Beauty and the Beast. When Oliver’s affliction is finally relieved, I was surprised and delighted by Rebecca’s reaction. Poor Oliver, orphaned at a young age and raised by a distant cousin, he had no idea the depths that Mr. Winters would go to to retain control of both Oliver and the ducal properties. Oliver thought himself a monster and never thought to question Mr. Winters about it. Marrying Rebecca was the best thing for Oliver and as she helped him understand his affliction and begin to assert his own voice.
There are quite a few twists and turns in the story that kept me reading until the end. Ms. Goodger weaves a compelling story of loss, betrayal and finally love before Oliver and Rebecca find their happily ever after.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy and opinions are my own.
The Reluctant Duchess is a different take on one of my favorite themes – Beauty and the Beast. Jane Goodger’s fourth book in the Bride of St. Ives series is a well-written, romantic read with Gothic elements of suspense and mystery.
Rebecca Kane is a beauty but Oliver Sterling, eleventh Duke of Kendal is only a “beast” because his affliction is not understood. His guardian and factotum Phillip Winters has perpetuated the idea that Oliver is monstrous to society and his own servants to further Winters’ own ends.
When Rebecca dutifully marries Oliver by proxy in exchange for her father’s gambling debts, she travels to Horncliffe Manor prepared to meet the “Ghost Duke.” Rebecca is tenacious and courageous and finds Oliver is unusual but not a monster.
As their relationship develops, love blooms and they take on Society together. The road to their HEA is not an easy one, as they must deal with betrayal and an unexpected villain.
While this is the fourth book in the series, it can definitely be enjoyed as a stand alone. Goodger’s well-developed characters will give you hours of reading pleasure.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Reluctant Duchess by Jane Goodger is the story of The Brides of St. Ives Series. This is the story of Rebecca Kane and Oliver Sterling, the Eleventh duke of Kendal. I have read the previous books but feel you could make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Rebecca lives in St. Ives where it is very nice although her father has a gambling problem so money is always tight but she is as happy as she can be in the situation. Then one day she is called into her father’s office to learn that she is to be used in Marriage to pay off her father’s debits. Oliver’s mother left him when he was little because his father wouldn’t send him away. Oliver and his father of course became close but then one day when he was very young he died. Mr. Winter step in to take care of him but in truth he just kept him isolated and engaged in keeping him with doubts about himself. Now in their present day, Oliver is very much isolated and thinks himself a monster but when he sees a portrait of Rebecca he wants her for his wife. Of course things are done by proxy and Rebecca is kept in the dark literally when she gets to Oliver. But Rebecca goes forward with solving the mystery that is Oliver and his situation.
The Reluctant Duchess by Jane Goodger
The Brides of St. Ives #
Rebecca Caine has two options…marry the Duke of Kendall or send her father to debtors prison. Loving her father and family she opts to marry a man she has never seen and head days away from home to live with and make a life with a stranger. Is the man abnormal? A freak? Disfigured? A Monster? She is not sure and his wanting it dark when they are together is definitely unsettling. The rumors are rife and unpleasant but also rather unbelievable so she goes about learning the truth, getting to know Oliver and eventually falling in love with him and he with her. That said, they have a lot of hurdles to overcome with evil people causing trouble, a trip to London and time with the ton that is unsettling, and a long ago mystery that is finally solved, too.
Did I like the book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing – Lyrical Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4 Stars
1879 Horncliffe Manor My first historical romances were gothic, so I was excited about this book due to the premise. I can honestly say this one pulled me in from the first page!
Oliver Sterling, eleventh Duke of Kendal, could not stop looking at the beautiful young woman in the picture. “Who is she?” he asked, turning to look at his guardian. Philip Winters, the man who raised him, gave a dismissive shrug. “I have no idea Your Grace. But I can find out. Shall I have her delivered?” Oh my I knew right then, this was going to be interesting!
Well Winters actually did deliver the young lady, after finding her in her village and wagering with her father so that he had him at his mercy. The prize was Rebecca, the oldest of four daughters of a squire if she did not marry the duke by proxy, her whole family would be destitute. It seemed she had no choice…
Can you just imagine? Rebecca and her friend figured out Mr. Winters set out to manipulate her father and that made it all the worse. But a Duke wanting to marry a commoner? What was wrong with him?
This is an engaging story of a man believing himself a monster, not having hardly any human contact except for his guardian, that finds someone by chance. A caring, compassionate soul, Rebecca was fated to come together with Oliver and help bring him to the light.
Mystery, suspense, strong emotions and unexpected happings kept me enthralled until the end. I have read several books by this author and she has quickly become one I want to continue reading over and over! I cannot wait until the next in this series!
An old story, but told with feeling and passion, Jane Goodger updates the Beauty and the Beast in this story of an isolated duke and a young girl sold into marriage to remove her father’s debts. Aside from the love story, there is the mystery of Oliver’s “affliction” and the slow emergence of him from the isolation forced upon him by a guardian who is not the protector he claims to be. The best books make us imagine ourselves in a situation — what it might be like, for example, to grow up dependent on one person as Oliver is, or to be sold off to pay debts, as Rebecca was. This is a melancholy yet ultimately hopeful love story with the message — once more — of the redemptive power of true love. (I received an ARC on NetGalley. Opinions mine.)
It has been a while that I have read a Jane Goodger book and I was happy to get this one. It was a fairly different story line and I enjoyed it. So we meet Rebecca who is informed by her father that she is to marry the Duke of Kendal by proxy of Mr. Winters. Rebecca is adamant that she will not do it but if she does not get married her family will lose everything, her father will go to debtors prison and her sisters would be destitute. She reluctantly agrees and when the Duke (Oliver) goes to her room to make the marriage official she informs him that is not going to happen and the reason. Oliver didn’t agree with the way that Mr. Winters handled it but he didn’t see away around it. Rebecca gives in but she wants to get to know Oliver better and she wants to see him since he only comes at night and the staff is deftly afraid of him. When she does she doesn’t understand why? As these two fall in love they are bombarded with issues and an evil person pulling the strings..enjoy!
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions
Oliver Sterling, eleventh duke of Kendal, lives in seclusion in his massive home, Horncliffe Manor in the north of England. His only company is his guardian, Mr. Winters. One day, Oliver sees a beautiful young woman in a painting titled “St. Ives Girl.” Captivated, he asks Mr. Winters to find her, marry her by proxy, and bring her back as his bride. Rebecca Kane is shocked that her squire father has agreed to marry her off to a duke in exchange for payment of his gambling debts. But with no option, she submits. When Rebecca arrives at Horncliffe she learns that no one is allowed to look at the Duke & the rumours about him are less than complimentary. Though they remain in darkness, she detects nothing odd about him.
This is the fourth book in the series & easily stands on its own. My first reaction was ‘oh no not another Beauty & the Beast story’ but the more I read the more I realised that although it was broadly this trope it was so much more. This is the first time I’ve read a book with any character having this condition. I enjoyed the book & the more I read the more engrossed I became & by the second half of the book the pages flew by. Strong characters, I liked both Oliver & Rebecca & thoroughly disliked Philip. I liked how the relationship between Oliver & Rebecca developed & the strength they found in each other. The road to their HEA wasn’t straightforward with a villain intent of thwarting them but it was entertaining.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
The Reluctant Duchess has every right to be reluctant! Jane Goodger’s descriptions of the castle and characters were vivid. All the best scenes take place at the castle.
I received an advanced readers copy of the book but the opinions are voluntarily my own.
I really, really, really loved this story! Such an amazing read that involves a duke who has been in seclusion for years, a young miss who suddenly finds herself married to said duke, the duke’s “guardian” who will stop at nothing to get his way and a lot of twists, turns, mystery and suspense. Amidst all of that is the love and passion that Oliver and Rebecca share!
My heart ached for Oliver and what he went through all his life due to his “condition”. Ostracized by people and feared because of horrible gossip, he lives in seclusion and darkness. When he sees a painting of Rebecca, he knows she’s the one for him and orders his guardian to find her and bring her to him, even marrying her by proxy.
Rebecca makes a very strong and calm heroine and I absolutely love her reaction when she realizes what Oliver’s “condition” is:) She is exactly what he needed and she helps him have a life again and accepted by the ton. The only problem is, she’s not accepted because she’s just a country girl that had no title until she married Oliver! Someone is out to cause them problems and they must find out who it is before it’s too late!!!
I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.