Reviews

The Devil Is a Marquess by Elisa Braden

corritos's review

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hopeful lighthearted medium-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

4.0

binaldoshi252's review against another edition

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5.0

Characters : 5 stars
Chemistry/Suitability : 5 stars
Romance : 5 stars
Plot other than romance : Virtually none.

Recommendation for the Rescued from Ruin series in general- If you like steamy romances in the regency era with well-fleshed out characters, sharp commentary from a character that's a mix between Dowager of Downton Abbey and Lady Olenna Tyrell from GoT, and a couple of diabolical villains thrown in, pick this series and you won't regret.

My absolute favourite of the entire series. Who knew rake#1 and consummate scoundrel Marquess Rutherford would have the most romantic story? Again, like Atherbourne, I was shocked that I loved Chatham. Bad boys are not my type lol. It also has one of my favourite tropes - house refurbishment, and the entire household getting involved is just icing on the cake.

This book differs from all others in many ways -
Spoilerneither party wants to be married, they have no interaction prior to their marriage and the consummation happens a full two months later. By which time, they have built a genuine friendship/companionship. Charlotte goes to sleep holding his hand... Chatham takes one look at Viola and wonders what the fuss is all about... oh my heart...
.

Even individually, Charlotte and Chatham are my favourite characters of the series. She is just the right kind of sweet, clumsy, enterprising and stubborn. And Chatham's change feels very organic and even his romantic side feels very much in character. Don't want to spoil too much about his backstory here.

I guess some of my expectations that were unfulfilled in Cads and Dukes were met by this one. The romance is all the more passionate for being slow-building. During their first time, Charlotte is hilarious and Chatham rightfully frustrated.

Also, the entire plot is the contract marriage. There's no action (of any other variety). The ending plays out like a dream.

ivyreadstoomuch's review against another edition

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3.5

Well. At least they were really hot. 

I only have myself to blame for my high expectations of this book. After seeing it recommended every other post on r/HistoricalRomance, I figured I was missing out on something big. What I was left with was a reaffirmation that I am very hard to please when it comes to reformed rakes. Or redemption arcs in general. 

From all the reviews about their fiery banter and hotheadedness, I was expecting Charlotte to give as good as she got. 

"To her he represented the worst of English society- an entitled lord born to privilege and radiating sardonic boredom. She had not altered her opinion." 

That energy didn’t last very long. Where was that Charlotte? Where was the Charlotte who
smeared horse shit on her groom on their wedding day? She immediately falls into a caretaker role when he's detoxing from alcohol and now feels sorry for him the rest of the book.
I guess she’s a bigger person than I am. I would’ve sulked for months if my father forced me into marriage. Even if he was a hot marquess. 

And Benedict. The devil. He goes through a whole character overhaul but not in the way I wanted. Was he a devil? No, he was just a mean, privileged drunk with a pretty face. I thought this would be a battle of manipulation. Benedict scheming
to keep Charlotte in England and Charlotte resisting. Neither puts up much of a fight in making it a real marriage.
The only battles here are internal. 
Despite all their issues, I regret to say they were really hot. They had amazing chemistry and the slow burn nature of their relationship only increased the tension. He was overcome with desire for her but refused to seduce her. 
This book didn't captivate me as much as I wanted it to because it skipped over all the juicy parts.
We have Charlotte and Ben knowing they're in love by around the 50% mark and then the rest of the book is the miscommunication trope where they both think the other wants to leave.
It's a mess. They could've just talked about their feelings. 

agrippinaes's review against another edition

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3.0

So, I really struggled with the opening of this book. I really wanted to like the dynamic between Charlotte and Chatham, as it was a fun one, but the writing in the beginning felt very plodding and slow. I actually almost DNF, which would have been a shame because in the end I really wanted to it.

Once the characters began spending a lot of time together, it really took off. The romance was actually quite solid once I got into it. They had great chemistry, the sex scenes were steamy and well-written, and there’s a very good ‘that’s my wife’ sort of dynamic going on here if you like that kind of thing. I also liked the ending, as it wasn’t dragged out and resolved quite nicely.

Overall I thought the book was quite cute – it was just that the opening was quite slow for me. But once I got into it I really enjoyed it.

Content Notes: Arranged marriage, forced proximity, bargains/deals/wagers, reformed rake.

Warnings:
SpoilerDeath of a parent, toxic relationship with a parent, alcohol withdrawal, references to intimate partner violence, fire, burns, fainting, death in childbirth (in past), grief.


Other:
SpoilerOn-page sex, virgin FMC, OW scene
SpoilerThe book opens immediately after the MMC has had sex with his benefactress. He doesn’t have sex with any other women in the rest of the book.
, pregnancy (towards end of book)
.

sharonjay's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5

finaldeztination's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.75

loosealbluth's review against another edition

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I didn’t care about or like the characters

anggia's review

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emotional funny medium-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

5.0

GAHHH BENEDICT CHATHAM THE MAN YOU ARE😔😔😭😭😭🫡 ily with all my heart UGH

bigsleepie's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

LISTENNNNNN......  this is peak regency romance for
me. Not at all what I expected, but
in the best possible way. Just a delicious, sometimes ridiculous, slice of life kinda deal and SO tender. I want it
for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,
every day, forever. 

yvonne1030's review against another edition

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5.0

Rate:5