The marriage game is afoot in this clever blend of My Fair Lady meets Pride and Prejudice with a twist!Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, likes his life in a certain order. Give him a strong drink, a good book, and his dog for company, and he’s content. But when he goes to his library and finds a woman sitting in his chair, petting his dog, what starts as a request for her to leave … what starts as a request for her to leave quickly turns to a fiery battle of wits, leading to a steamy kiss that could ruin them both if they were caught.
So of course, damn it all, that’s when Edward’s aunt walks in, and thereafter announces Miss Georgiana Bly is the future Duchess of Thornfield.
Georgiana was content to be a spinster, spending her days reading and working to keep her family out of debt. But now her days are spent locked away with a growly duke, learning how to be the perfect duchess, and her nights spent fighting the undeniable attraction to a man who was never meant for her.
As their wedding day approaches, the attraction between them burns hot and fierce, but is it enough to melt the duke’s chilly facade?
more
I very much enjoyed this book, with well written and unusual characters.
12/08/2021 “The Spinster and the Rake” (nook) is a delightful story which kept me immersed as the story unfolded. Edward is rather cynical but he “comes around” as he gets to know Georgiana. She, poor girl, is good at stepping into messes. But, all ends well with a HEA.
This story was just okay to me unfortunately! I even read it first and heard it as an audiobook later to see if I missed something buuut unfortunately no.
Some of the story I liked and some of it made me really annoyed with the main characters.
I actually liked the side characters like Edwards’s best friend the Scottish Lord Montrose and Georgiana’s sister Elizabeth and their romance a lot more even though you don’t hear a lot about them;)!
I loved that helping horses get back to health after being mistreated by there former owners brought him peace of mind. His people skills aren’t the best and he often makes mistakes but her reactions to it I really didn’t understand.
The beginning actually made me laugh because he was so out of place and this woman just did everything to get him to notice her.
Unfortunately I didn’t quite understand their meet cute and why he kissed her because she treated him so badly at first. She mistook him as a servant because he had to change clothes really fast after the accident in the beginning and all he could find was his stable boys.
She annoyed me a lot some places but she was also really understanding in other places. So she was really up and down for me too.
These two really came into there characters and they were opposites from the very beginning but they grew within themselves and became better people for each other and for themselves. I liked the banter between them and as I mentioned I liked how much they grew together. At the beginning, Edward had his preconceived ideas about Georgiana and he was a bit annoying but I was happy that Georgiana defended herself, she did not allow him to be that way with her. But then there was Georgiana, she was not who I was thinking she should have been when they first met, I was like huh? What in the heck Georgiana?, But all in all as the time when all, I was pleasantly surprised and the story developed and it got better, they got better and I utterly enjoyed…
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author…(netgalley)..voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
Light, sweet, and enticing!
The Spinster and the Rake is a heartwarming, Georgian romance that transports you back to 1790s England and features the intelligent, bold, Georgiana Bly who is well educated but content with her simple, country life, and the handsome, single Duke of Thornfield, Edward Stanhope who prefers solitude, quiet, and bachelorhood but after an impulsive kiss grudgingly agrees to marry to protect reputations.
The prose is effortless and alluring. The characters are private, considerate, and appealing. And the plot is a fulfilling blend of family, friendship, societal expectations, secrets, scandal, attraction, understanding, love, and tender moments.
Overall, The Spinster and the Rake is an alluring, charming, atmospheric tale by Devon that is more character-driven than action-packed but is nevertheless a wonderful start to this Never a Wallflower series that I look forward to more of.
I loved, loved, loved this book! The characters, the romance, the banter, everything! I loved the characters especially Georgiana. I loved her spirit and I really connected with her personality. Georgiana and Edward are definitely one of my favorite couples ever and I loved their story. Their romance was sweet but steamy and totally swoon-worthy! The banter as well was one of my favorite parts. It was fun and flirty and made me really enjoy this story and the characters. The overall premise and plot of the story was good and well-written. Eva’s writing sucked me in from the start and kept me hooked with each sweet and memorable moment! Eva wove a great tale of romance full of personality and fun, flirty banter and I can’t wait for more!
Such a good story! I really liked these characters. I had a feeling about him and it proved right. They were so tormented but she kept a stiff upper lip. Glad he shared his life with her. It made them so much better together. Can’t wait to read the next book.
One of my favorite authors, I couldn’t wait to read this book.
A very opinionated young lady, who wants to remain a spinster, is caught kissing the duke in his study. She thought he was a groom, since he was wearing those muddy britches. Marrying a duke was not what she wanted, but Georgiana has never backed down from a challenge. Edward never expected his Duchess would be a young lady like Georgiana. Passionate kisses lead to Edward doing something totally unexpected. Only honesty and their true affection for each other will overcome the obstacles thrown into their path. I love the interaction between this couple. Much laughter and some tears.
I loved this charming love story. Edward is the Duke of Thornfield, who encounters Georgiana Bly, a gentleman’s daughter, sitting in his private library, in his favorite chair. Appalled at her behavior, he tells her to leave, but she mistakes him for a servant and gives it right back to him until he daringly threatens to kiss her if she doesn’t leave. She calls his bluff so he kisses her which leads to their being caught in a compromising position. Now they are engaged in an unwanted marriage. She thinks him to be arrogant and despicable. He thinks she’s a social climbing country girl. Their dialogue and banter is delightful. As the sparks fly, so does their passion. They soon learn that they want to please the other, and that there is so much more to their partner than they had ever realized. An absolutely wonderful story!
Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield, is known for being icy and uncaring, but when he encounters Miss Georgiana Bly a woman in this library he seems to come to life with their fiery witty banter that leads to a passionate kiss. Now Edward’s aunt walks in on their passionate interlude and declares they have to marry. Georgina has no plans to ever wed, but after her encounter with man she didn’t even know, she’s now forced to marry the Duke. Quite an entertaining book as these two try to get to know one another, the sparks fly, the attraction grows between them. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent book.
I love stories where the heroes have a special need. Although it is not specifically cited, Edward, the Duke, has all the hallmarks of a person on the autism spectrum. This makes his character have an extremely dry wit and no sense of humor. Georgiana is not Duchess material but finds herself becoming one. The story has a deep sense of compassion for others who are different. Both Georgiana and Edward had things that made them different from others but made them perfect for each other. Being able to love each other and share their lives together gave them the opportunity to heal and grow.
This was my first book by Eva Devon and I will be reading more of them.
Aunt Agatha forces a house party on her nephew in hope of a forthcoming marriage. Out riding with guests, Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield, thwarts an attempt by a debutante to trap him into marriage after they landed in a muddy ditch. Stripping off his ruined coat, he runs to his private library. It’s his oasis from people and overwhelming sounds only to find an upstart woman in his favorite chair. He rather rudely orders her out.
Georgiana Bly may be a spinster and from a barely respectable family, but she will do no such thing. The very idea that a footman would treat her in such a manner is insupportable. She refuses and asks him to build up the fire. The Duke is half shocked and half amused so he threatens to kiss Georgiana if she won’t leave and follows through on his threat. Enter Aunt Agatha and a gaggle of debutantes to witness the ruination of Georgiana, unless of course, the Duke takes pity on her and announces their engagement.
Edward is clearly suffering from Asperger’s or a high functioning form of autism and can’t stand loud noises or being surrounded by people. He came off as an icy unfeeling man but underneath he cares deeply for his family and all he’s responsible for including the tenants on his land. His true character is slowly revealed in layers with hurt feelings on both sides. Georgiana thinks the marriage just might make it on mutual admiration, that is, until the wedding night ends with Edward working on the estate books.
It’s a wonderful story that reveals each character’s flaws and how they work out their issues.
Miss Georgiana Bly has a very thin thread attached to the aristocracy. Her mother, the daughter of an earl, married a mere mister, a mister who is quite inept when it come to the family finances. Georgiana and her sisters are so far down on the ton ladder, she never expects to ever marry. That is until she mistakes the Duke of Thornfield for a servant and is caught with him in an unusually passionate kiss.
Edward, the Duke of Thornfield, at first believes Miss Bly is a schemer like all the rest of the single ladies at his house party. Even after he accepts his fate to make her his duchess, he has severe doubts about her abilities to stand by his side. To ready her for the position of a lifetime, Edward with his Aunt Agatha, begin giving Georgiana “duchess lessons” to teach her what her mother never thought to prepare her for. As things progress and the wedding date nears, the duo can’t deny the passion that flairs between them even if Edward is somewhat frosty most of the time.
While Devon keeps an air of mystery around the reason for Edward’s personality traits until later in the novel, I understood his slow thaw where Georgiana was concerned. Georgiana was true to herself throughout the entire novel. While she found herself in a situation she never expected to be in, she wanted to learn all she could about being a successful duchess and wife. I really loved the little moments between the duo that brought them inches closer. By the time the end of the novel arrived, they were so naturally at the perfect place for their burgeoning relationship.
Devon has a five star novel to begin this unforgettable new series. While we know Georgiana’s sister begins a romance in this novel, we don’t get all the juicy details. Maybe Devon will grant us the story of a jovial earl and another Miss Bly as the Never a Wallflower series continues.
I received The Spinster and the Rake (Never a Wallflower, #1) for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If you want to read a book that seems to just fly through your fingers then this ones for you. The characters are so awesome and and entertaining. They make you cheer for them and make you get so mad that you just want to spit. On the other hand you just want to pick them up and give them a big bear hug. Do I recommend this book, oh with everything I can tell you! Run out and grab it!
The Spinster and the Rake is the first in Eva Devon’s Never a Wallflower Series. It’s a fun little trip through the ruination, education, and unlikely courtship of Edward Stanhope, the Duke of Thornfield, and Georgiana Bly, a spinster determined to remain one. The story is charming, with fun secondary characters that make this book a great rainy day read.
Edward is a rake, though he really didn’t come across as one to me. He seemed more awkward than anything, but I believed his character had anxiety issues which controlled his behavior. Not that he was a jerk or anything, just a bit out of his element, especially when dealing with husband-hunting women and the mothers that raise them. Which totally explains his reaction to Georgiana.
Georgiana is more comfortable surrounded by books than people. Having failed in securing a husband a few times, she’s settled on remaining unmarried and only runs into Edward because of her dislike of the whole social game. She’s high handed and snooty at first, which made me wonder if I’d like her at first. But through the story, she shows her intelligence, determination, and willingness to roll with circumstances. My favorite line from the book:
“If you must train me to be a better duchess, I must train you to be a better man.”
There’s a bit of insta-lust in the beginning of the book, but that’s expected in these kind of books. This is a slow-burn romance that leaves the reader waiting, then extremely pleased with the results.
Ms. Devon’s books have never disappointed me and this one keeps that record solid. I really enjoyed this book. it had everything I wanted: fun characters, interesting set-up, and great writing to pull it all together. Can’t wait to see what’s next in the series.
Although they don’t take in much beyond the surface, first impressions are often what solidifies how we see someone else. We forget to look beneath the surface. Edward and Georgiana have a rough start as a result of their first impressions. And when they are caught in a situation that forces them together, they are also forced to look beyond those impressions to the real selves beneath. Georgiana is a self-imposed spinster. She has no desire to join the ton, and is perfectly happy reading, walking the Dales, and soaking in the life around her. In other words, she is not aspiring Duchess material. Edward is a Duke with an arrogance that is in keeping with his station. He appears cold and snobbish and not the warm, affectionate partner Georgiana would want. Although these impressions seem to capture who these two people are, they are wrong. Edward begins to realize Georgiana is “strong, determined, and not to be intimated.” Georgiana starts to see Edward is passionate, with a sense of adventure and hope for life. They fascinate each other. Their journey to discover each other and find their HEA is funny, tender, emotional, and so well worth the read. You can see each struggle against their first impressions of the other. And then, we see those first impressions grow and change as they realize there is more to each of them than just a Spinster or a Rake.
This book will kill your reading slump. Right from the start, Devon sucks you in to the story of Georgiana Bly and Edward, Duke of Thornfield. The second these two are on the page together, when Georgiana mistakes Edward for a servant and refuses to leave his private library, the story flows in such a delicious way that you don’t want to put the book down. She calls Edward’s bluff of his threat to kiss her to scare her away and the two are caught into an unwanted marriage on both sides. What’s particularly great about this book is both characters are so likable. Georgiana is smart and witty and unafraid to say what’s on her mind…even to a Duke. Edward is that grumpy hero with a soft center that is truly a good person deep down, despite what he may think of himself. I loved that Devon wrote Edward to be on the spectrum and how he handles the challenges that brings. I love that Georgiana is put in an unwanted to very difficult position as she is not someone of rank before her marriage to Edward and still puts on her big girl panties and deals with it in the best way she knows how. The writing is great and this book was just fun. I’m looking forward to more in this series. 4.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for an ARC of this book. The opinions here are my own.
This is the first book by Eva Devon that I have read and I totally enjoyed it. I loved the way Georgiana is a strong woman who speaks her mind and is not afraid to share her knowledge. Edward, the Duke of Thornfield didn’t know what he had gotten himself into when he was found kissing Georgiana. He likes his life in a certain manner. Everything in it’s place and everything done a certain way. One great kiss just blew up his orderly ways. I can’t wait to see what is next in this series.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book never really drew me in. The plot is straightforward as two people from different classes and with drastically different personalities are thrust together and come to love each other. I found it hard to stay engaged due to an excessive number of adjectives, abrupt time shifts, and disappearing items.
Read my full review:
https://rebeccasreadingcorner.blog/review-eva-devon-the-spinster-and-the-rake/
I did like the characters very much, even though they were the complete opposites in some ways but very alike in others. They both enjoyed peace and quiet and a shared love of books. They obviously come from different spheres of society, although Georgiana’s mother was the daughter of an earl. I loved the way that Georgiana was open, honest and very intelligent. She had a daunting task ahead of her, learning how to be a duchess, but she had her mother’s example to help her. Edward, the Duke of Thornfield, was a complex person, he had the outward persona of an arrogant aristocrat that he showed to the world but that wasn’t his true self. The scene at Richmond was particularly endearing. This was a very engaging read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.