adventuresofaliterarynature's review against another edition
5.0
This book had so much going for it before I even started the first page! First of all I love this author's books in general and the first book in this series was absolutely amazing. Secondly I loved Brice's character in The Lost Heiress and couldn't wait to see his story play out. And the last reason was the fact that this is a marriage of convenience story, and anyone who knows anything about my reading habits knows that that is one of my absolute favorite story lines. So with all of those reasons getting me giddy excited I dove in, and lost myself in the amazingness that was The Reluctant Duchess. As I already mentioned I was already a huge fan of Brice's before I began this book and each page only served to make me like him more and more. I loved his selfless nature, his desire to do anything to protect and care for those close to him, his close relationship with God, and the way he was so clearly tuned into, and willing to follow, the Spirit's leading. Rowena was a wonderful heroine as well, and my heart broke for all the pain she'd endured. But I admired the way that she never let it fully break her. Life beat her down time and again but she found a way to keep living. I also loved the fact that she was so authentic and didn't hide who she was. She had such a caring and loving heart and it shone through her actions. Rowena and Brice really were a well matched couple and I loved seeing their relationship and watching their love for each other slowly grow. There were so many moments that completely made me melt, but I won't spoil them! It was also great fun to catch up with the characters from the previous book and see how their lives had played out since we last saw them.
The Fire Eyes were once again the center of the action and mystery and there was enough intrigue to keep me hooked throughout the book. There were even some twists that I didn't even see coming!
So basically this book was one hundred percent awesome and I highly recommend this series! Can't wait for Ella's story!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The Fire Eyes were once again the center of the action and mystery and there was enough intrigue to keep me hooked throughout the book. There were even some twists that I didn't even see coming!
So basically this book was one hundred percent awesome and I highly recommend this series! Can't wait for Ella's story!
I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
catholicamanda's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I enjoyed the glimpse into the Scottish Highlands as well as England. The characters were also rather interesting.
Rowena is the heiress to an earldom and a Scottish clan. She has suffered in her life. Her mother committed suicide. Her father is abusive. Her beau takes advantage of her. Her step-mother despises her. This poor girl just needs somewhere to be safe. She can’t be safe in her own home so she has no idea what else to do.
Malcolm has been Rowena’s beau for quite a while. And then he takes advantage of her. He doesn’t really care about her at all. He is the closest relative of the Kinnaird, Rowena’s father, and would have inherited the estate had Rowena not been born. He still feels he is entitled to such an inheritace even if he has to get it through Rowena.
Lilias is a cousin of Rowena’s as well as her lady’s maid. Hard times made her become a servant to Rowena’s mother and now Rowena. She is the closest thing to a mother that Rowena has left. She wants only what is best for Rowena, even if that means leaving the Scottish Highlands for good.
Brice recently became the Duke of Nottingham with the death of his father. He has a super-strong faith and that was amazing. When his life got difficult, he turned first to God in prayer. He is protective and will take care of those who need him. At the beginning of the book, this is his sister and his mother. When he sees the full scope of Rowena’s problems, he feels compelled to help her situation.
Like I said at the beginning, I enjoyed reading The Reluctant Duchess. The characters were my favorite part. I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the series, The Lost Heiress.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title nor the content of this review.
Rowena is the heiress to an earldom and a Scottish clan. She has suffered in her life. Her mother committed suicide. Her father is abusive. Her beau takes advantage of her. Her step-mother despises her. This poor girl just needs somewhere to be safe. She can’t be safe in her own home so she has no idea what else to do.
Malcolm has been Rowena’s beau for quite a while. And then he takes advantage of her. He doesn’t really care about her at all. He is the closest relative of the Kinnaird, Rowena’s father, and would have inherited the estate had Rowena not been born. He still feels he is entitled to such an inheritace even if he has to get it through Rowena.
Lilias is a cousin of Rowena’s as well as her lady’s maid. Hard times made her become a servant to Rowena’s mother and now Rowena. She is the closest thing to a mother that Rowena has left. She wants only what is best for Rowena, even if that means leaving the Scottish Highlands for good.
Brice recently became the Duke of Nottingham with the death of his father. He has a super-strong faith and that was amazing. When his life got difficult, he turned first to God in prayer. He is protective and will take care of those who need him. At the beginning of the book, this is his sister and his mother. When he sees the full scope of Rowena’s problems, he feels compelled to help her situation.
Like I said at the beginning, I enjoyed reading The Reluctant Duchess. The characters were my favorite part. I highly recommend this book as well as the first in the series, The Lost Heiress.
I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley for review consideration. This in no way affects my opinion of the title nor the content of this review.
meezcarrie's review against another edition
4.0
Blissful sigh.
Those two words pretty much sum up my feelings about The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna White.
Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, is a “hero of heroes”. Charming. Godly. A man who prays. A man who listens to God. A man who rescues. A man who protects. He’s not perfect, but his flaws – few though they may be – make him all the more endearing. Rowena Kinnaird, his new duchess, is a heroine who immediately wins readers’ fierce loyalty. And then Brice’s. My heart broke for the abuse she had suffered, perhaps the worst sort of abuse a woman can endure, but I cheered for her as well. Because she is stronger than she believes, and it’s her heart and spirit which define her – not what a cowardly abuser did to her. As she begins to realize this for herself and as she begins to flourish under Brice’s steady affection, Rowena wins her own loyalty.
Unimaginable heartache collides with charming wit to create a mood that is the right blend of both. The settings, the suspense, the romance, the characters – all of these elements immersed me in the story and kept me captivated from start to finish. Roseanna White expertly pens an exquisite and powerful reminder that God “never forgets us, even when we feel He has.” And that no matter how storm-ridden our current circumstances, the true adventure lies in anticipating how He will eventually turn the clouds to sunshine. A beautiful story, rich in setting and vibrant with characters, The Reluctant Duchess belongs on every historical fiction fan’s must-read list!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Those two words pretty much sum up my feelings about The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna White.
Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, is a “hero of heroes”. Charming. Godly. A man who prays. A man who listens to God. A man who rescues. A man who protects. He’s not perfect, but his flaws – few though they may be – make him all the more endearing. Rowena Kinnaird, his new duchess, is a heroine who immediately wins readers’ fierce loyalty. And then Brice’s. My heart broke for the abuse she had suffered, perhaps the worst sort of abuse a woman can endure, but I cheered for her as well. Because she is stronger than she believes, and it’s her heart and spirit which define her – not what a cowardly abuser did to her. As she begins to realize this for herself and as she begins to flourish under Brice’s steady affection, Rowena wins her own loyalty.
Unimaginable heartache collides with charming wit to create a mood that is the right blend of both. The settings, the suspense, the romance, the characters – all of these elements immersed me in the story and kept me captivated from start to finish. Roseanna White expertly pens an exquisite and powerful reminder that God “never forgets us, even when we feel He has.” And that no matter how storm-ridden our current circumstances, the true adventure lies in anticipating how He will eventually turn the clouds to sunshine. A beautiful story, rich in setting and vibrant with characters, The Reluctant Duchess belongs on every historical fiction fan’s must-read list!
(I received a copy of this book in exchange for only my honest review.)
Read my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
millysreads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
betherin02's review against another edition
5.0
Full review on Faithfully Bookish http://www.faithfullybookish.com/review/ladies-of-the-manor-series-by-roseanna-m-white-giveaway/
Rowena Kinnaird has nearly lost all hope for a happy future because of seemingly insurmountable circumstances involving her heavy-handed father, cold stepmother, and dangerous, abusive suitor. Our friend Brice Myerston may be able to remove her from immediate danger but there are dangers waiting for him in England because of the mysterious treasure within his care.
Brice is charming and flirtatious yet completely committed to his faith, family, and friends. Brice’s personality and discernment make him one of my favorite characters.
Within the safety of Brice’s protection, Rowena finds healing and the courage to move forward. She blossoms into a confident, compassionate, and intelligent young woman. Rowena is an inspiring character.
I won this title in a giveaway on Kav’s Best Reads. My thanks to Kav, the publisher, and author! The opinions expressed are my own.
Rowena Kinnaird has nearly lost all hope for a happy future because of seemingly insurmountable circumstances involving her heavy-handed father, cold stepmother, and dangerous, abusive suitor. Our friend Brice Myerston may be able to remove her from immediate danger but there are dangers waiting for him in England because of the mysterious treasure within his care.
Brice is charming and flirtatious yet completely committed to his faith, family, and friends. Brice’s personality and discernment make him one of my favorite characters.
Within the safety of Brice’s protection, Rowena finds healing and the courage to move forward. She blossoms into a confident, compassionate, and intelligent young woman. Rowena is an inspiring character.
I won this title in a giveaway on Kav’s Best Reads. My thanks to Kav, the publisher, and author! The opinions expressed are my own.
erin_j's review against another edition
5.0
Lady Rowena Kinnaird, heiress of a highland earldom, has never felt like enough. And after a shocking attack she feels even more empty and fearful of the man she thought loved her. She needs to escape as soon as possible. The Duke of Nottingham, Brice Myerston, has enough going on in his life, he doesn’t need a virtual stranger being foisted on him. But after seeing that Rowena needs protection and to get away, he can’t ignore the Lord’s prompting in his heart. Now Rowena is the Duchess of Nottingham and realizing being with Brice brings a whole other kind of trouble to her life.
This was a beautiful story. I loved this book. So much good plot and romance. The pacing was perfect. The writing was excellent. The romance was rocky to begin with but such a lovely journey. Rowena and Brice are beautifully flawed characters that help each other grow. Roseanna M. White brings in some nasty villains as well and is keeping this fire eyes storyline fresh and intriguing as it moves into the next book. Just a wonderful story!
But there are definitely some heavy topics throughout which might be hard for some readers.
Trigger warnings: rape/sexual assault, a moment of suicidal thoughts, abuse from a parent, loss of a child/infant
This was a beautiful story. I loved this book. So much good plot and romance. The pacing was perfect. The writing was excellent. The romance was rocky to begin with but such a lovely journey. Rowena and Brice are beautifully flawed characters that help each other grow. Roseanna M. White brings in some nasty villains as well and is keeping this fire eyes storyline fresh and intriguing as it moves into the next book. Just a wonderful story!
But there are definitely some heavy topics throughout which might be hard for some readers.
Trigger warnings: rape/sexual assault, a moment of suicidal thoughts, abuse from a parent, loss of a child/infant
aprivett1994's review against another edition
4.0
I definitely enjoyed this book ans how it continued to show the stories of characters I came to love in The Lost Heiress. I also appreciated the author’s tender care when it comes to Rowena’s traumatic history. The way she highlighted Rowena’s inner thoughts and behaviors truly mimic what survivors go through. Great job!
melmo2610's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this second installment of the Ladies of the Manor series. Lots of intrigue and suspense and great characters. Brice is hilarious and so likable and what character! Rowena breaks your heart at all she's been through and you can't help but adore her. There is one twist near the the end that brought it to 4 stars for me rather than 5 but all in all a great read. Can't wit for the conclusion!