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dianed's review against another edition
5.0
With the 7th book in this series it is finally the Duke’s turn to find happiness and love. The Duke of Ravenwood was forced to stay behind when all his friends went off to war. At the time he was jealous but after seeing them come back emotionally and physically wounded he realized that he was the lucky one. This book along with the first book, The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation, makes nice bookends to the entire series. In the first Lady Amelia is running the Duke’s house and she now hand’s the duties over to Kate in this last book.
Ravenwood is known for being cold and aloof but in reality he is a hard-working Duke who feels that his duty as a peer must come first. But, when he is alone in his office he is a romantic who writes poetry and holds out the hope of marrying for love. He isn’t aloof, he’s shy. The first few chapters of this book are reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice and just like Mr Darcy, our Duke isn’t proud he’s shy.
On the other hand, Katherine Ross is a woman who is friendly with everyone. She enjoys life to the fullest. She doesn’t care to marry for love because she doesn’t plan to marry at all. Imagine her shock and surprise when she is accidentally caught in a storage closet with the Duke and they are forced to marry. In addition to a new bride, the Duke also inherits an elderly aunt who has raised Katherine since she was a girl and who is now beginning to show signs of dementia.
These 2 are opposites in every way. He is a Duke who needs an heir and she is a duchess who is deathly afraid of childbirth and didn’t plan to have children. Their marriage gets off to a frosty start but outside the bedroom, they begin to forge a friendship.
The interaction between Ravenwood and Katherine is among the best of the series. He tries to be more open while she tries to be structured. They each put aside their fears to be open to loving the other.
Ms Ridley has crafted a wonderful series which shows the real-life side of the return from war and it’s impact on the men who fought and the women left to pick up the pieces on their return. Throughout the entire series, the Duke has been in the background as a trusted friend who cares as much for the men who fought as their wives. This book can be read on it’s own but for a truly delightful experience one would do well to pick up the entire series.
Ravenwood is known for being cold and aloof but in reality he is a hard-working Duke who feels that his duty as a peer must come first. But, when he is alone in his office he is a romantic who writes poetry and holds out the hope of marrying for love. He isn’t aloof, he’s shy. The first few chapters of this book are reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice and just like Mr Darcy, our Duke isn’t proud he’s shy.
On the other hand, Katherine Ross is a woman who is friendly with everyone. She enjoys life to the fullest. She doesn’t care to marry for love because she doesn’t plan to marry at all. Imagine her shock and surprise when she is accidentally caught in a storage closet with the Duke and they are forced to marry. In addition to a new bride, the Duke also inherits an elderly aunt who has raised Katherine since she was a girl and who is now beginning to show signs of dementia.
These 2 are opposites in every way. He is a Duke who needs an heir and she is a duchess who is deathly afraid of childbirth and didn’t plan to have children. Their marriage gets off to a frosty start but outside the bedroom, they begin to forge a friendship.
The interaction between Ravenwood and Katherine is among the best of the series. He tries to be more open while she tries to be structured. They each put aside their fears to be open to loving the other.
Ms Ridley has crafted a wonderful series which shows the real-life side of the return from war and it’s impact on the men who fought and the women left to pick up the pieces on their return. Throughout the entire series, the Duke has been in the background as a trusted friend who cares as much for the men who fought as their wives. This book can be read on it’s own but for a truly delightful experience one would do well to pick up the entire series.
emartinet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kristi518's review against another edition
3.0
Having read several of the books in this series I was anxiously awaiting Ravenwood's story. I was a little disappointed as I read this book because the story fell a bit flat for me. The characters in the book didn't seem as well developed as in the rest of the series.
Kate and Ravenwood are likable enough but they just didn't leap off the page at me. I didn't really find myself that interested in their story until well after the halfway point. They seemed a bit bland and one-dimensional. Ravenwood was a bit too brooding for my taste. Kate was independent and I found that to be refreshing.
The storyline was easily predictable and one I felt like I had read before. The author did add her own touches to the story to make it her own which was nice. I like her writing style and find her books easy to read.
All in all, this wasn't a bad book and my rating is really more of a 3 1/2 stars. This was a quick and easy read that wasn't too deep or thought provoking.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
Kate and Ravenwood are likable enough but they just didn't leap off the page at me. I didn't really find myself that interested in their story until well after the halfway point. They seemed a bit bland and one-dimensional. Ravenwood was a bit too brooding for my taste. Kate was independent and I found that to be refreshing.
The storyline was easily predictable and one I felt like I had read before. The author did add her own touches to the story to make it her own which was nice. I like her writing style and find her books easy to read.
All in all, this wasn't a bad book and my rating is really more of a 3 1/2 stars. This was a quick and easy read that wasn't too deep or thought provoking.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Katherine and the Duke of Ravenwood are complete opposites and they despise each other. Or do they? Their love story is sweet. The effort they each make in attempts to prove to the other that they are loved is touching. Almost makes me want to fall in love . . . Almost.
Katherine and the Duke of Ravenwood are complete opposites and they despise each other. Or do they? Their love story is sweet. The effort they each make in attempts to prove to the other that they are loved is touching. Almost makes me want to fall in love . . . Almost.
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
This is an honest review in exchange for an ARC from NetGalley.
3.5 stars. An enjoyable romance between two people who would never have chosen one another, but are perfect for one another. I liked the inclusion of Aunt Havers, and how she is treated with respect by her niece and husband. The way the relationship grows, with each individual learning to balance home and business life, and admiring the other's ability to do so as well, is refreshing. I was glad Katherine could continue with her passion after the necessity of marriage. Problems are easily solved, but that's sometimes really nice in a romance, and I had fun reading this one.
3.5 stars. An enjoyable romance between two people who would never have chosen one another, but are perfect for one another. I liked the inclusion of Aunt Havers, and how she is treated with respect by her niece and husband. The way the relationship grows, with each individual learning to balance home and business life, and admiring the other's ability to do so as well, is refreshing. I was glad Katherine could continue with her passion after the necessity of marriage. Problems are easily solved, but that's sometimes really nice in a romance, and I had fun reading this one.
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
The Duke's Accidental Wife had a lot of sweetness inside, even if there was quite a bit of sadness as well, because the protagonists didn't really understand each other at first.
The Dukes of War series is a really good one, and I loved getting to know Ravenwood better! He has been quite present in the prior books in the series, and I thought he was a stuck-up bore. Alas, I was wrong, he really proved that he has a big heart and a lot of sensibility in The Duke's Accidental Wife. He wasn't only honourable and firm, he was also very loving - and lovable - as he took on Catherine. Whom he thought was a scandalous airhead he didn't have a single thing in common with. And of course, they were absolutely delicious together once they let go of their pre-conceptions.
I think the part I love the most about historical romances is that newly married couples actually have to find out after the fact whether or not they are compatible. The Duke's Accidental Wife brought that point home in a great way, as both Catherine and Ravenwood had very definite thoughts about the other - without having ever spoken to each other. And while both of them were kind of victims of gossip, they had both felt how hard it was to cope with people thinking of them in a certain way, they also didn't seem to think that applied to the other. Catherine had made up her mind about him being stuck-up and very strict, and he really thought she was just a frivolous young thing he would never have anything in common with. Seeing them proved wrong was delightful!
There was a lot of longing in The Duke's Accidental Wife, and it was very sweet to see the two protagonists longing for love, devotion, acceptance and understanding - while not being fully prepared to give those same things to the other. Once they opened up a little, they realized that they had both found a hidden treasure, and it was great to be along for the ride. Written in third person point of view, past tense, the omniscient narrator let the readers in just enough to keep some mystery, but also so we get to know the characters well enough to care about them. The many dialogues make the story better, and the hidden beauty of Ravenwood and Catherine is worth finding.
He had always maintained a silent, retiring nature, but without his sister about to put her nose where it didn't belong, the only words spoken to him at home these days were Yes, Your Grace or Perhaps the blue waistcoat today.
If she were a man, perhaps her motley friends wouldn't have mattered. Lord Byron managed to be a poet and a baron. Brummell managed to be both a dandy and a debtor. For women, it was different. If one were an actress, the assumption was that she was also a whore.
This marriage might have been an accident, but it wasn't a mistake. Not if they worked at it.
The Duke's Accidental Wife had a lot of sweetness inside, even if there was quite a bit of sadness as well, because the protagonists didn't really understand each other at first.
The Dukes of War series is a really good one, and I loved getting to know Ravenwood better! He has been quite present in the prior books in the series, and I thought he was a stuck-up bore. Alas, I was wrong, he really proved that he has a big heart and a lot of sensibility in The Duke's Accidental Wife. He wasn't only honourable and firm, he was also very loving - and lovable - as he took on Catherine. Whom he thought was a scandalous airhead he didn't have a single thing in common with. And of course, they were absolutely delicious together once they let go of their pre-conceptions.
I think the part I love the most about historical romances is that newly married couples actually have to find out after the fact whether or not they are compatible. The Duke's Accidental Wife brought that point home in a great way, as both Catherine and Ravenwood had very definite thoughts about the other - without having ever spoken to each other. And while both of them were kind of victims of gossip, they had both felt how hard it was to cope with people thinking of them in a certain way, they also didn't seem to think that applied to the other. Catherine had made up her mind about him being stuck-up and very strict, and he really thought she was just a frivolous young thing he would never have anything in common with. Seeing them proved wrong was delightful!
There was a lot of longing in The Duke's Accidental Wife, and it was very sweet to see the two protagonists longing for love, devotion, acceptance and understanding - while not being fully prepared to give those same things to the other. Once they opened up a little, they realized that they had both found a hidden treasure, and it was great to be along for the ride. Written in third person point of view, past tense, the omniscient narrator let the readers in just enough to keep some mystery, but also so we get to know the characters well enough to care about them. The many dialogues make the story better, and the hidden beauty of Ravenwood and Catherine is worth finding.
He had always maintained a silent, retiring nature, but without his sister about to put her nose where it didn't belong, the only words spoken to him at home these days were Yes, Your Grace or Perhaps the blue waistcoat today.
If she were a man, perhaps her motley friends wouldn't have mattered. Lord Byron managed to be a poet and a baron. Brummell managed to be both a dandy and a debtor. For women, it was different. If one were an actress, the assumption was that she was also a whore.
This marriage might have been an accident, but it wasn't a mistake. Not if they worked at it.
kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Katherine and the Duke of Ravenwood are complete opposites and they despise each other. Or do they? Their love story is sweet. The effort they each make in attempts to prove to the other that they are loved is touching. Almost makes me want to fall in love . . . Almost.
Katherine and the Duke of Ravenwood are complete opposites and they despise each other. Or do they? Their love story is sweet. The effort they each make in attempts to prove to the other that they are loved is touching. Almost makes me want to fall in love . . . Almost.
verityw's review against another edition
2.0
****Copy from NetGalley in return for an honest review****
Hmmmm. So I thought this was ok. NO more than OK. I read the first few books in the series with varying results - my net opinion being "not terrible" and this is kind of the same - I didn't ever feel like I got a handle on why the characters were like they were and why they didn't like each other at the start. There were some timeline issues towards the end too which had me going back and checking up I hadn't missed something crucial. I don't think I'll bother to fill in the gaps.
Hmmmm. So I thought this was ok. NO more than OK. I read the first few books in the series with varying results - my net opinion being "not terrible" and this is kind of the same - I didn't ever feel like I got a handle on why the characters were like they were and why they didn't like each other at the start. There were some timeline issues towards the end too
Spoiler
a piece of paper given to the heroine the previous evening is described as worn smooth by useageSpoiler
Also this book confirms my dislike of plots involving women who don't want babies because it could kill them doing an abrupt about face when they fall in love with the right man. No satisfactory resolution to this - and so many pitfalls in the relationship between the h and H on the way there.taisie22's review against another edition
3.0
Kate Ross and the Lawrence Pembroke, Duke of Ravenwood, don't like each other much; she's too flighty and headstrong for the stern, organized Duke. Of course, they get caught in a compromising situation and are forced into marriage.
Kate doesn't want a husband, mostly because she's afraid of having children and them dying. Ravenwood secretly wants a family and true love so their marriage starts off a bit rocky. It takes a while and some compromise for them to finally learn about each other and get their HEA.
While I found it interesting that Ravenwood decided to give Kate time to come to terms with her situation and not try to seduce her into his bed before time, I also didn't feel much heat between the two. It seemed more like they decided to make the best of things, even though they were both so busy, they didn't spend any time together. I felt as if they were determined to fall in love with each other, and so they did which wasn't very romantic.
It's a good fast read, but not one of my favorites.
Kate doesn't want a husband, mostly because she's afraid of having children and them dying. Ravenwood secretly wants a family and true love so their marriage starts off a bit rocky. It takes a while and some compromise for them to finally learn about each other and get their HEA.
While I found it interesting that Ravenwood decided to give Kate time to come to terms with her situation and not try to seduce her into his bed before time, I also didn't feel much heat between the two. It seemed more like they decided to make the best of things, even though they were both so busy, they didn't spend any time together. I felt as if they were determined to fall in love with each other, and so they did which wasn't very romantic.
It's a good fast read, but not one of my favorites.