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jackiepenn18's review
5.0
This childhood friends to lovers with a marriage of convenience set in Regency was a great read!!
Hattie and Finn were childhood friends but haven't seen each other in several years. But Finn comes to London just as Hattie is being blackmailed into an engagement. Determined to help his friend, Finn offers to marry Hattie. Hattie is conflicted at first, but then accepts Finn's offer. As the two build a new life in Scotland, they'll have to navigate new challenges as husband and wife.
I adored these two characters and really love how their love story unfolded. There were some great twists and turns in their story that kept the conflict alive. And that third act break-up was a dozy! But it felt grounded and real for what their issues were, and was heart-breaking for the reader. It's probably one of the best break-ups that I've read in romance. I also loved their path back to one another.
I also really love the representation in this one. I've been reading more diversity in historical romances, which I love and I hope to see more in the future!
I can't wait to read Addy's next book!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Entangled for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Hattie and Finn were childhood friends but haven't seen each other in several years. But Finn comes to London just as Hattie is being blackmailed into an engagement. Determined to help his friend, Finn offers to marry Hattie. Hattie is conflicted at first, but then accepts Finn's offer. As the two build a new life in Scotland, they'll have to navigate new challenges as husband and wife.
I adored these two characters and really love how their love story unfolded. There were some great twists and turns in their story that kept the conflict alive. And that third act break-up was a dozy! But it felt grounded and real for what their issues were, and was heart-breaking for the reader. It's probably one of the best break-ups that I've read in romance. I also loved their path back to one another.
I also really love the representation in this one. I've been reading more diversity in historical romances, which I love and I hope to see more in the future!
I can't wait to read Addy's next book!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Entangled for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
winterreader40's review
5.0
Henrietta is being blackmailed into marriage by her cousin because he feels the money her parents left her should have been his. When her childhood friend Lord Findlay, that she hasn't seen in years but who grew up well, offers to marry her to save her from this situation she initially rebuffs him to protect him and her family from scandal.
Finn has been infatuated with Hettie for years but they were to young when he saw her last, but he is in town looking for a wife and hoping it will be her when he finds out she's engaged. When he learns the circumstances and she turns him down he tells her she has till her wedding to change her mind and is so happy when she does even though he knows she isn't in love with him. Things go ok for a bit and then chaos ensues.
This is only my second 5 star romance this year but it had everything I love, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, smart characters, angst and a really good(if not quite perfect) grovel, 100% recommend this!
I received this ARC through NetGalley and Entangled Publishing
Finn has been infatuated with Hettie for years but they were to young when he saw her last, but he is in town looking for a wife and hoping it will be her when he finds out she's engaged. When he learns the circumstances and she turns him down he tells her she has till her wedding to change her mind and is so happy when she does even though he knows she isn't in love with him. Things go ok for a bit and then chaos ensues.
This is only my second 5 star romance this year but it had everything I love, friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, smart characters, angst and a really good(if not quite perfect) grovel, 100% recommend this!
I received this ARC through NetGalley and Entangled Publishing
timitra's review
4.0
I enjoyed One Season with the Duke. It was sweet and sexy with a bit of angst. It was so easy to read too. I flew threw it. However as much as I enjoyed it there were two things that really took away from it. One was that the pattern of speech most times was modern which was distracting as it took me out of the time and place of the story. The second one was the thing with Hettie took too long to be revealed and I wasn't a fan of Finn's behaviour. Some of it was justified but most of It was uncalled for. It was a solid debut and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more by this author.
Copy provided by publisher through NetGalley
Copy provided by publisher through NetGalley
fringebookreviews's review
3.0
I was hesitant to read this since blackmail is like bottom of the barrel for me, but someone said the villain was vanquished by the end of chapter two, to which I said HELL YEAH. However, while she rightfully didn’t marry him like he wanted, he was still a nuisance throughout the entire book. His actions had many consequences and it got old real fast…but it lasted the whole time 😩
A lot of the rest of the book was just Hettie learning how to be a Scottish duchess and dealing with the dowager who took SO long to warm up to her. I liked the dowager by the end, but combined with the blackmail, it just didn’t make for a plot I was interested in for about 75% of the time. I also just think friends to lovers is also a tough sell for me. It felt like we were missing a key part of their history since it happened off the page so long ago.
Finn and Hettie were adorable for the other 25%, though, so I’m definitely torn on my overall enjoyment of the book. I loved them but not the plot??? because I LOVED their dynamic. The little things they did for each other…I’m distraught no one talk to me. My favorite of the bunch was him brushing and braiding her hair after he requested to learn 🥹 oh and him giving Hettie all the sandwiches despite them being his favorite.
Their marriage was full of doubt and secrets, so it was obvious where the third act was headed, but I’d say it still surprised me. Initially the breakup really disgruntled me, but actually I really liked what it brought to their relationship. I think Hettie needed to demand what she wanted, so I was definitely rooting for her and happy to see she stood firm. I enjoyed the grovel and also really liked the shift in the dowager.
Overall, the writing was great and since I enjoyed the character work, I’ll definitely be reading more from DuLac! It’s hard when I really want to read a book—I mean LOOK at the cover—but the plot set-up just isn’t my thing. I err on the side of giving chances, since happy surprises are the best. I’d say I was pleasantly surprised by the loveliness of the main relationship, but not entirely sold on the plot. Either way, I definitely don’t regret reading this one, but I’m more excited for what’s to come!
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.5*/5
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
A lot of the rest of the book was just Hettie learning how to be a Scottish duchess and dealing with the dowager who took SO long to warm up to her. I liked the dowager by the end, but combined with the blackmail, it just didn’t make for a plot I was interested in for about 75% of the time. I also just think friends to lovers is also a tough sell for me. It felt like we were missing a key part of their history since it happened off the page so long ago.
Finn and Hettie were adorable for the other 25%, though, so I’m definitely torn on my overall enjoyment of the book. I loved them but not the plot??? because I LOVED their dynamic. The little things they did for each other…I’m distraught no one talk to me. My favorite of the bunch was him brushing and braiding her hair after he requested to learn 🥹 oh and him giving Hettie all the sandwiches despite them being his favorite.
Their marriage was full of doubt and secrets, so it was obvious where the third act was headed, but I’d say it still surprised me. Initially the breakup really disgruntled me, but actually I really liked what it brought to their relationship. I think Hettie needed to demand what she wanted, so I was definitely rooting for her and happy to see she stood firm. I enjoyed the grovel and also really liked the shift in the dowager.
Overall, the writing was great and since I enjoyed the character work, I’ll definitely be reading more from DuLac! It’s hard when I really want to read a book—I mean LOOK at the cover—but the plot set-up just isn’t my thing. I err on the side of giving chances, since happy surprises are the best. I’d say I was pleasantly surprised by the loveliness of the main relationship, but not entirely sold on the plot. Either way, I definitely don’t regret reading this one, but I’m more excited for what’s to come!
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️.5*/5
Thanks to the publisher for an eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
saltycaroline's review
4.0
I'm not like other girls. I would've married my hot Scottish duke best friend without needing to do it to escape blackmail. RIP Hettie but I'm different
CW: Sexual content, violence, emotional abuse
CW: Sexual content, violence, emotional abuse
lechepatito's review
3.0
This got off to a slow start - and I had trouble believing that Hettie would have not told her family of the blackmail. And his mom was redeemed fairly quickly for how awful she was at the start. But it was sweet to watch Hettie and Finn fall in love, and there was an appropriately extended grovel, which I appreciated. Not bad for a debut, and I will keep a eye out for more by this author. And what a gorgeous cover! Read for 23for23.
guiltlesspleasures's review
I got to 59% and decided this wasn’t for me. I tried—even took a 16-day break and then conscientiously picked it up again—but while the writing was good, the characterization was two-dimensional, the plot faintly ridiculous and the spice lackluster.
However, it did bring us possibly the world’s greatest euphemism for a clitoris: “nubbin of pure sensation”
However, it did bring us possibly the world’s greatest euphemism for a clitoris: “nubbin of pure sensation”
domid73's review
4.0
Drama
This follows Heiress Henrietta Monfort. She is being blackmailed by her cousin who is keeping a secret about her birth. Afraid that her family will disown her due to this she agrees to an engagement to him. At her engagement ball one dance between Hettie and Lord Findley ignites a new spark. A new plan is made to thwart Hettie from marrying her cousin. The new plan is to marry Findley so that this secret doesn’t mess up her marriage chances. There is a lot of scandal, secrets, and not to mention an annoying mother in law that keeps your attention throughout the book. Overall 4/5 stars
This follows Heiress Henrietta Monfort. She is being blackmailed by her cousin who is keeping a secret about her birth. Afraid that her family will disown her due to this she agrees to an engagement to him. At her engagement ball one dance between Hettie and Lord Findley ignites a new spark. A new plan is made to thwart Hettie from marrying her cousin. The new plan is to marry Findley so that this secret doesn’t mess up her marriage chances. There is a lot of scandal, secrets, and not to mention an annoying mother in law that keeps your attention throughout the book. Overall 4/5 stars
rainelle_barrett's review
5.0
One Season with the Duke. I am such a believer of true love. That’s why I loved reading this book. I’m sure you have read in the past my feelings about books that reads like a movie. How that story has the ability to take my imagination and run away with it until I’m completely spent after reading the book to the last word.
Readers this book falls under that category. I felt that the writing was phenomenal from how the writing reaches to the depth of loyalty forgiveness and love. I was very impressed from the fact that the book was getting better page after page. The writing is on point. I felt that the dialogue between the characters is very clear and real to the emotions of the of the story.
Is this because the story has a terrific plot? My answer is yes. Readers the plot was amazing to follow by. The characters uses the logic of the plot to help them accomplish their goals. Both characters, Hettie and Finn were perfect for the story.
Their goals, interesting as they are moved In tandem with the plot. Finn sought to rescue his best friend from a fate that truly was disastrous for Hettie and possibly those around her. Hettie, who felt that the walls are closing in around her sought no way out of this one hell of nightmare that she’s living. Then one day that dear childhood friend reappeared and the romance began. Well up until mom inserts her opinion and boy can she pack a punch.
Can I say “Ice Queen Dowager Duchess?” I believe that they should create a title for mothers like them. This Dowager has the ability to stare you down with cold dead eyes, as well as slap you in the face with a ice cold remark that leaves you frozen from the shock of her words. Threats of sending her to the Dowager house does not phase this woman. I say put her in a boat and push her out to sea.
Hopefully she will find her own little island where she can command locals to her heart contents. Let’s not even begin with the many outbursts from cousin Philip. I can only say read the book. For me this story was an amazing page turner that has great entertainment from every level that a romance story can take you. There are many moments that feels so real for the reader.
From the descriptive details of how Finn rubs his fingers along Hettie’s cheek or how he embraces her with his strong sensual kisses. Many of those times are during some explicit passionate caressing and fondling between the couple. And let me say that a number of these intimate moments leads to a whole lot of panting. I’m just saying. Stop me before I get carried away.
I loved Finn and Hettie the most. My reasoning is that they both fought battles that continuously challenged them. Separately the two applied tactics to face those challenges head on and later used those tactics as a force of one together. I definitely loved how the two characters Finn and Hettie were able to explore their desire for one another so freely without any limits. This lead me to believe that their story is a candidly sweet and an incredibly romantic love story.
I give this story two snaps and a, “Harold get me a pistol. I have a unwanted houseguest on my property.” Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Readers this book falls under that category. I felt that the writing was phenomenal from how the writing reaches to the depth of loyalty forgiveness and love. I was very impressed from the fact that the book was getting better page after page. The writing is on point. I felt that the dialogue between the characters is very clear and real to the emotions of the of the story.
Is this because the story has a terrific plot? My answer is yes. Readers the plot was amazing to follow by. The characters uses the logic of the plot to help them accomplish their goals. Both characters, Hettie and Finn were perfect for the story.
Their goals, interesting as they are moved In tandem with the plot. Finn sought to rescue his best friend from a fate that truly was disastrous for Hettie and possibly those around her. Hettie, who felt that the walls are closing in around her sought no way out of this one hell of nightmare that she’s living. Then one day that dear childhood friend reappeared and the romance began. Well up until mom inserts her opinion and boy can she pack a punch.
Can I say “Ice Queen Dowager Duchess?” I believe that they should create a title for mothers like them. This Dowager has the ability to stare you down with cold dead eyes, as well as slap you in the face with a ice cold remark that leaves you frozen from the shock of her words. Threats of sending her to the Dowager house does not phase this woman. I say put her in a boat and push her out to sea.
Hopefully she will find her own little island where she can command locals to her heart contents. Let’s not even begin with the many outbursts from cousin Philip. I can only say read the book. For me this story was an amazing page turner that has great entertainment from every level that a romance story can take you. There are many moments that feels so real for the reader.
From the descriptive details of how Finn rubs his fingers along Hettie’s cheek or how he embraces her with his strong sensual kisses. Many of those times are during some explicit passionate caressing and fondling between the couple. And let me say that a number of these intimate moments leads to a whole lot of panting. I’m just saying. Stop me before I get carried away.
I loved Finn and Hettie the most. My reasoning is that they both fought battles that continuously challenged them. Separately the two applied tactics to face those challenges head on and later used those tactics as a force of one together. I definitely loved how the two characters Finn and Hettie were able to explore their desire for one another so freely without any limits. This lead me to believe that their story is a candidly sweet and an incredibly romantic love story.
I give this story two snaps and a, “Harold get me a pistol. I have a unwanted houseguest on my property.” Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.