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english_lady03's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I’m something of a new convert to Edwardian Fiction, and have not been a consistent follower of Downton Abbey, so it’s not always my ‘thing’. I did however, very much enjoy the last book in this series The Lost Heiress so I jumped at the chance to read this one.
I loved some of the characters. Brice was just adorable, and the absent-minded but cheery Ella was so endearing. It would indeed be hard to remain depressed for very long in the presence of people like them. I liked how the story carried on the subplot of the last one with the conflict over the diamonds, but in a lot of ways this was in the background. The main theme was Brice and Rowena’s stormy relationship.
In some ways, I commend authors who want to explore such subjects as the impact of emotional and psychological trauma and abuse. Yet I would say it depends on how it’s done. I don’t like to see totally unnecessary rape scenes in books, and I absolutely don’t support the use of such content simply to rank up the drama and tension. I don’t believe the author does this with the protagonists, but some of the themes might be hard to deal with for some readers. The attendant themes of grace, forgiveness and acceptance were also well handled even if some of the character’s behaviour was inconsistent. For instance, Rowena was not meant to be a confident person, and yet threw a hissy fit when she got jealous of her husband and thought he was trying to control her.
My main issues were with the language. I did not feel that the representation of the Scottish characters accent, dialect and some of their attitudes was entirely realistic. It’s all ‘Dinnae fash yerself lass’. Sorry, but as a Brit, who is quite used to hearing Scottish people speak, it just seemed exaggerated and very stereotypical. Dare I say more like how Americans think a person from the Highlands would speak then how they actually do? Seriously, not everyone in the Highlands speaks Gaelic (some actually speak a dialect that is heavily influenced by Old Norse), and not everyone speaks like Sean Connery or Gerard Butler. The present day Duke of Argyll, for instance, does not even have a ‘Scottish accent’ at all.
Also, what many American readers would think of as ‘Scottish’ terms and phrases are also used extensively in Northern England as well. Yes, you could hear people in rural Yorkshire saying things like ‘lass, aye and ye’. Finally, British people do not usually talk about ‘getting new drapes’ or ‘drawing back the drapes’. We call them curtains. Those kind of Americanisms stand out.
I did doubt that a Highland Earl of the early 20th century would have been quite so insular and narrow-minded. Rowena’s family for instance would refer to events like the Jacobite rebellion as recent history, when they had happened like 200 years before. I appreciate that there has always been and always well be a certain degree of friction between Scotland and England which really goes back to Anglo-Saxon times, but to me it did not seem to fit the setting and period. In one place for instance, Brice asked Rowena why she had not had many aristocratic suitors, and she said they were all English. Really? What about Wales and Ireland? Britain consists of three counties, it’s not a synonym of England.
Also, I found it took me a long time to get through this book. It part that was because of other commitments, but I did find it heavy-going in a lot of places. Perhaps it had to do with the depth and scope of the work, but it does not normally take me a month to get through a book like this. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but just noting it. I think I would read it again, but devote more time to doing so, and I am interested in the next and final book in the series due out in September.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley (and also the paperback via their UK distributors) for the purposes of giving a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
I’m something of a new convert to Edwardian Fiction, and have not been a consistent follower of Downton Abbey, so it’s not always my ‘thing’. I did however, very much enjoy the last book in this series The Lost Heiress so I jumped at the chance to read this one.
I loved some of the characters. Brice was just adorable, and the absent-minded but cheery Ella was so endearing. It would indeed be hard to remain depressed for very long in the presence of people like them. I liked how the story carried on the subplot of the last one with the conflict over the diamonds, but in a lot of ways this was in the background. The main theme was Brice and Rowena’s stormy relationship.
In some ways, I commend authors who want to explore such subjects as the impact of emotional and psychological trauma and abuse. Yet I would say it depends on how it’s done. I don’t like to see totally unnecessary rape scenes in books, and I absolutely don’t support the use of such content simply to rank up the drama and tension. I don’t believe the author does this with the protagonists, but some of the themes might be hard to deal with for some readers. The attendant themes of grace, forgiveness and acceptance were also well handled even if some of the character’s behaviour was inconsistent. For instance, Rowena was not meant to be a confident person, and yet threw a hissy fit when she got jealous of her husband and thought he was trying to control her.
My main issues were with the language. I did not feel that the representation of the Scottish characters accent, dialect and some of their attitudes was entirely realistic. It’s all ‘Dinnae fash yerself lass’. Sorry, but as a Brit, who is quite used to hearing Scottish people speak, it just seemed exaggerated and very stereotypical. Dare I say more like how Americans think a person from the Highlands would speak then how they actually do? Seriously, not everyone in the Highlands speaks Gaelic (some actually speak a dialect that is heavily influenced by Old Norse), and not everyone speaks like Sean Connery or Gerard Butler. The present day Duke of Argyll, for instance, does not even have a ‘Scottish accent’ at all.
Also, what many American readers would think of as ‘Scottish’ terms and phrases are also used extensively in Northern England as well. Yes, you could hear people in rural Yorkshire saying things like ‘lass, aye and ye’. Finally, British people do not usually talk about ‘getting new drapes’ or ‘drawing back the drapes’. We call them curtains. Those kind of Americanisms stand out.
I did doubt that a Highland Earl of the early 20th century would have been quite so insular and narrow-minded. Rowena’s family for instance would refer to events like the Jacobite rebellion as recent history, when they had happened like 200 years before. I appreciate that there has always been and always well be a certain degree of friction between Scotland and England which really goes back to Anglo-Saxon times, but to me it did not seem to fit the setting and period. In one place for instance, Brice asked Rowena why she had not had many aristocratic suitors, and she said they were all English. Really? What about Wales and Ireland? Britain consists of three counties, it’s not a synonym of England.
Also, I found it took me a long time to get through this book. It part that was because of other commitments, but I did find it heavy-going in a lot of places. Perhaps it had to do with the depth and scope of the work, but it does not normally take me a month to get through a book like this. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but just noting it. I think I would read it again, but devote more time to doing so, and I am interested in the next and final book in the series due out in September.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley (and also the paperback via their UK distributors) for the purposes of giving a review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
addieray's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
booked_withmissb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
what_ella_reads's review
3.0
I was pretty excited to read this story, featuring my favorite character from "The Ladies of the Manor," series, Brice. My favorite male characters are usually the witty,fun-loving, and kind characters, like Eanrin from Tales of Goldstone, Merry from LOTR, and Throne from TLC. I knew Brice fit that bill after reading the first book in this series. I looked forward to seeing who he would fall in love with and how.It didn't happen anyway I though it would.
Another thing I like about Brice of how explicitly he trusts God and will obey when he knows he should, no matter the consequences. An act of faith prompts him to marry Rowena, whom he does not know very well.
I will admit, I was disappointed with the romance, at first. I understood why they got married so fast, but it seemed like their relationships just didn't mesh throughout most of the book. When Rowena finally let down her walls and let Brice in, a sweet romance bloomed. Brice's patience and gentleness with Rowena was refreshing.
The one thing that made me a but uncomfortable was that rape plays a big part in this story. [SPOILER] Rowena was raped in the past and is almost forced to marry her rapist. The details are not explicit, but frank conversations between Rowena and her loved ones about her rape do occur.
Though Brice and Rowena 's story is a good one, but I do think I prefer the first book to this one.
My rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
Another thing I like about Brice of how explicitly he trusts God and will obey when he knows he should, no matter the consequences. An act of faith prompts him to marry Rowena, whom he does not know very well.
I will admit, I was disappointed with the romance, at first. I understood why they got married so fast, but it seemed like their relationships just didn't mesh throughout most of the book. When Rowena finally let down her walls and let Brice in, a sweet romance bloomed. Brice's patience and gentleness with Rowena was refreshing.
The one thing that made me a but uncomfortable was that rape plays a big part in this story. [SPOILER] Rowena was raped in the past and is almost forced to marry her rapist. The details are not explicit, but frank conversations between Rowena and her loved ones about her rape do occur.
Though Brice and Rowena 's story is a good one, but I do think I prefer the first book to this one.
My rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
rosannelortz's review
4.0
Rowena has never felt loved by her father, a harsh Scottish earl who plans to force her into marriage with a man she fears and loathes. All she wants is to escape the certain doom which will drive her to the same despair her mother lived and died in. When the chivalrous Brice Myerston, Earl of Nottingham, visits the neighborhood, circumstances and people conspire to throw them together, and before Rowena knows it, she is trapped into the impossible situation of marrying a man she barely knows.
Brice has charmed his way through London society for years without entangling himself with any debutantes. But when a skittish and frightened Rowena is dangled in front of him, he abandons meaningless flirtation to listen to the words God is telling him: “Love her.” The two embark upon the unknown journey of matrimony, getting to know each other as strangers. But they have more problems to contend with than their own awkwardness and misunderstandings–the curse of the mysterious jewels from the previous book in this series seems to be following them, as are the villains who will stop at nothing to obtain the priceless red diamonds….
This story deals with heavy themes of rape and abuse and the healing that comes afterwards. Brice was a remarkable hero in the story, feeling called to save Rowena, marrying her, and falling in love with her afterwards. Rowena was well-portrayed and earned my sympathy, although I did not particularly care for the pervasive rendering of her Scottish brogue in the dialogue. This story could stand alone but makes more sense following the first book to understand the history of the characters’ relationships and the ongoing saga of the curse of the Fire Eyes.
Brice has charmed his way through London society for years without entangling himself with any debutantes. But when a skittish and frightened Rowena is dangled in front of him, he abandons meaningless flirtation to listen to the words God is telling him: “Love her.” The two embark upon the unknown journey of matrimony, getting to know each other as strangers. But they have more problems to contend with than their own awkwardness and misunderstandings–the curse of the mysterious jewels from the previous book in this series seems to be following them, as are the villains who will stop at nothing to obtain the priceless red diamonds….
This story deals with heavy themes of rape and abuse and the healing that comes afterwards. Brice was a remarkable hero in the story, feeling called to save Rowena, marrying her, and falling in love with her afterwards. Rowena was well-portrayed and earned my sympathy, although I did not particularly care for the pervasive rendering of her Scottish brogue in the dialogue. This story could stand alone but makes more sense following the first book to understand the history of the characters’ relationships and the ongoing saga of the curse of the Fire Eyes.
morgangiesbrecht's review
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
A sweetly written marriage of convenience with a dose of mystery.
My heart ached for Rowena, and yet her growth over the story was beautifully handled. Brice was a sweetheart in the way he treated Rowena & reacted to her secret.
A sweetly written marriage of convenience with a dose of mystery.
My heart ached for Rowena, and yet her growth over the story was beautifully handled. Brice was a sweetheart in the way he treated Rowena & reacted to her secret.
jolantheerb's review
5.0
LOVED!! Well this book could be read alone, it ties in nicely with the first book in the series (which you should read as well!). Roseanna White is one of my all-time favorite authors and her writing has such depth of characters, details, and plot line.
emmeline7's review
5.0
This book was every bit as fantastic as the first! I was really looking forward to reading Brice's story since meeting him in The Lost Heiress. It was heartbreaking at times, but I loved watching these two grow! I'm excited to read the next!
adventuresofaliterarynature's review
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.
blueluz's review
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.