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Diamonds of Welbourne Manor Spin Off #1
The Shy Duchess: A Marriage of Convenience Historical Romance
With her golden hair and dazzling emerald eyes, Lady Emily Carroll should have her pick of suitors. Instead, her crippling shyness has earned her the nickname "Ice Princess."Nicholas, Duke of Manning, isn't looking for a bride, but he won't pass up a stolen kiss at a masked ball.With her blushes hidden, Emily lets her inhibitions go. Only to find herself betrothed! Now it's her wedding night, and her new husband seems determined to thaw his Ice Princess and reveal her every secret….
307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2011
About the author
Amanda McCabe
260 books169 followersaka Laurel McKee (Amanda Carmack)
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 17, 2018
Another oxymoron of the day - treacly fluff!
How adorably earnest she looked, his serious new duchess.
A truly shy h unlike the purported ones who start roaring like lionesses pretty soon in the story. I am not much for wallflower/bluestocking hs, for the authors tend to overs-stress on these qualities making for a flat, dreary reading.
But this h’s shyness is believable and relatable and she’s a true sweetheart. The society sees her as a haughty and cold ‘ice princess’ as does the H and his family.
She was not the sort of lady he usually liked. She was quiet, watchful, where he liked blithe gregariousness, daring and humour.
But he cannot help being drawn to her again and again.
The H’s a nice decent guy, if a secretly tormented widower who keeps his pain well hidden even from his family.
Some mishaps and incidents push them towards each other. There’s a wary attraction but love doesn’t feature on their mindscapes. A practical moc ensues and a sweet, heart-melting and at the same time bland journey to love and hea follows.
She smiled as she touched the petals, suddenly looking so very young and free. The shy, slightly worried London lady was gone. And he could feel his old, grief-saddened self melting away, too.
Two things that I need clarification for...
”And once—well, once there was a person. But that was a long time ago, when I was too young to appreciate what such an understanding was.”
Who’s the H referring to here? His dead wife would be a logical conclusion. But he has shared with the h about his first wife. If this person was her, he could have said so but he leaves it at this. Just curious.
And who’s the h referring to here??
Perhaps the dark-eyed lady needed him, or maybe he could not bear to be away from her so long.
This happens just after she discovers the first wife’s painting in his desk and he comes in to tell her that they are leaving for London. The only ow barely referred to, is a redhead and the h knows the first wife is dead so who the hell is this!
Darn niggles!
How adorably earnest she looked, his serious new duchess.
A truly shy h unlike the purported ones who start roaring like lionesses pretty soon in the story. I am not much for wallflower/bluestocking hs, for the authors tend to overs-stress on these qualities making for a flat, dreary reading.
But this h’s shyness is believable and relatable and she’s a true sweetheart. The society sees her as a haughty and cold ‘ice princess’ as does the H and his family.
She was not the sort of lady he usually liked. She was quiet, watchful, where he liked blithe gregariousness, daring and humour.
But he cannot help being drawn to her again and again.
The H’s a nice decent guy, if a secretly tormented widower who keeps his pain well hidden even from his family.
Some mishaps and incidents push them towards each other. There’s a wary attraction but love doesn’t feature on their mindscapes. A practical moc ensues and a sweet, heart-melting and at the same time bland journey to love and hea follows.
She smiled as she touched the petals, suddenly looking so very young and free. The shy, slightly worried London lady was gone. And he could feel his old, grief-saddened self melting away, too.
Two things that I need clarification for...
”And once—well, once there was a person. But that was a long time ago, when I was too young to appreciate what such an understanding was.”
Who’s the H referring to here? His dead wife would be a logical conclusion. But he has shared with the h about his first wife. If this person was her, he could have said so but he leaves it at this. Just curious.
And who’s the h referring to here??
Perhaps the dark-eyed lady needed him, or maybe he could not bear to be away from her so long.
This happens just after she discovers the first wife’s painting in his desk and he comes in to tell her that they are leaving for London. The only ow barely referred to, is a redhead and the h knows the first wife is dead so who the hell is this!
Darn niggles!
August 21, 2016
Oh, such a lovely story. Wholly enjoyable.
4.5*
4.5*
January 25, 2013
3.25 out of 5 stars
This was a leisurely, inoffensive read, much like the shy duchess herself. Emily hides among potted palms at social events, such is her painful shyness. Even though she is beautiful and her parents have pinned their hopes on her marrying well, most of the eligible men call her 'The Ice Princess', Emily overhears just such talk from a couple of gentlemen, and in fleeing the scene in mortification, falls against a well muscled chest.
It is Nicholas, Duke of Manning. He is every inch the proper Duke, in looks and bearing. They had met before at a house party (part of the Anthology The Diamonds of Welbourne') They have an enlightening conversation. Nicholas cannot forget her. Perhaps, she would make him a good Duchess, she is well mannered and well born. But did he want an ice princess in his bed?
Nicholas is a fine hero, upstanding, a true gentleman, and one with a secret. He has been lonely a long time, and the more he comes across Emily, the more he senses a simmering passion under the ice princess facade.
Nothing really earth shattering happens in this book, it is focused almost exclusively on Emily and Nicholas, and their sweet but short courtship was endearing. But I felt it lacked a real narrative heat, no real tension in the plot. An over zealous suitor of Emily posts a touch of menace, but hardly merits a raised eyebrow. Also Emily herself is keeping a secret, but again, it is not enough to cause any great shock.
However, once Emily becomes the duchess, things heat up between her and Nicholas. She discovers Nicholas' secret, and it has her doubting they could ever be truly happy, despite how well matched they are in the bedroom.
A satisfactory read, I found the hero and heroine well thought out and their love story sweet with a nice balance of heat to keep things from getting too dull. However, I wished there was more going on here to create a little tension.
This was a leisurely, inoffensive read, much like the shy duchess herself. Emily hides among potted palms at social events, such is her painful shyness. Even though she is beautiful and her parents have pinned their hopes on her marrying well, most of the eligible men call her 'The Ice Princess', Emily overhears just such talk from a couple of gentlemen, and in fleeing the scene in mortification, falls against a well muscled chest.
It is Nicholas, Duke of Manning. He is every inch the proper Duke, in looks and bearing. They had met before at a house party (part of the Anthology The Diamonds of Welbourne') They have an enlightening conversation. Nicholas cannot forget her. Perhaps, she would make him a good Duchess, she is well mannered and well born. But did he want an ice princess in his bed?
Nicholas is a fine hero, upstanding, a true gentleman, and one with a secret. He has been lonely a long time, and the more he comes across Emily, the more he senses a simmering passion under the ice princess facade.
Nothing really earth shattering happens in this book, it is focused almost exclusively on Emily and Nicholas, and their sweet but short courtship was endearing. But I felt it lacked a real narrative heat, no real tension in the plot. An over zealous suitor of Emily posts a touch of menace, but hardly merits a raised eyebrow. Also Emily herself is keeping a secret, but again, it is not enough to cause any great shock.
However, once Emily becomes the duchess, things heat up between her and Nicholas. She discovers Nicholas' secret, and it has her doubting they could ever be truly happy, despite how well matched they are in the bedroom.
A satisfactory read, I found the hero and heroine well thought out and their love story sweet with a nice balance of heat to keep things from getting too dull. However, I wished there was more going on here to create a little tension.
July 15, 2025
It started to get cute when they finally married and were sweet on each other but that was like 15% of the book. If it wasn't for the last leg of the book I would think these two didn't have chemistry otherwise. This deployed every annoying awful stereotype when it comes to a “shy” character that managed to veer straight into TSTL. The heroine Lady Emily can’t stand crowds or any kind of attention where she wishes the “ground will swallow her up”. She’s so clumsy that she trips, stumbles and nearly breaks her neck on every imaginary crack, rock, step, her dress, you name it. Her overbearing mother tells her the night before her wedding how she must “do her duty and bear the pain” which has her frightened out of her mind and wanting to run away at every opportunity. She likes the Duke, the Duke likes her but she can’t bear to talk to him or even smile cause IT’S NOT PROPER. Normally I love angsty situations where feelings are suppressed or misunderstood but this was just silly. This isn’t how you write shy characters. It’s honestly offensive. :/
December 22, 2014
DNF. Some spoilers in further comments.
Only made it about a fourth of the way in. This books is SO CONTRIVED. The writing is juvenile (way too many exclamation points and quotations) and tries too hard. The characters lack depth and are generally unlikable, but perhaps this is because the heroine seems to dislike everyone around her (it almost reads as though she belittles their existence, and thinks that she is above everything and everyone.)
Emily, the heroine, is a mismatched conglomeration of characteristics that the author seems to hope are becoming, but ultimately read as inconsistent. Many things also seem to be out of place for the time period. Exactly how does the governess of an earl's daughter become the master of a school to help former prostitutes? Where does she get the funds to not only teach these girls, but to house and feed them? How could she think it possibly appropriate to hire her former charge as a teacher? If she truly cared about Emily and understood the society in which she lives (which presumably she does since she was a governess to the aristocracy), how could she possibly think this a good idea? Secrets like these don't tend to stay secret. Emily doesn't even try that hard to keep it a secret. She brings along a maid, whose allegiance is not to her mistress, but to her mother and father. How would she ensure the maid's silence?
Also, if Emily is supposedly under the microscope of her parents, and society, how is she able to find time every week to make it to this part of town for hours? It feels like this situation was ultimately contrived - invented simply for the purpose to show the audience, oh look how likeable our heroine is! She wants to be helpful! Granted, I did only read about 25% of the book. Perhaps these questions get answered further on, but given the quality of writing I doubt it.
The hero also seems to lack depth. He's so much of a Gary Stu, it's hard to understand him. The author does try though - we get the sad story of his first wife, but the description of their whirlwind courtship seems forced and unlikely.
The stories I tend to give one stars to, I usually do because they affront my morals (i.e. rape, dubious consent, general assholishness). This book didn't really qualify under these standards, but I couldn't give it more. It was NOT a good book. I can't say that "it was okay," because it really wasn't. It reads like something a high school student would write. No depth and fully contrived.
I feel so horrible about having cut this book to shreds, especially when I didn't even finish it. Perhaps it DOES get better, but I don't have the motivation to read further. I really don't see how it could get better, but never say never.
Only made it about a fourth of the way in. This books is SO CONTRIVED. The writing is juvenile (way too many exclamation points and quotations) and tries too hard. The characters lack depth and are generally unlikable, but perhaps this is because the heroine seems to dislike everyone around her (it almost reads as though she belittles their existence, and thinks that she is above everything and everyone.)
Emily, the heroine, is a mismatched conglomeration of characteristics that the author seems to hope are becoming, but ultimately read as inconsistent. Many things also seem to be out of place for the time period. Exactly how does the governess of an earl's daughter become the master of a school to help former prostitutes? Where does she get the funds to not only teach these girls, but to house and feed them? How could she think it possibly appropriate to hire her former charge as a teacher? If she truly cared about Emily and understood the society in which she lives (which presumably she does since she was a governess to the aristocracy), how could she possibly think this a good idea? Secrets like these don't tend to stay secret. Emily doesn't even try that hard to keep it a secret. She brings along a maid, whose allegiance is not to her mistress, but to her mother and father. How would she ensure the maid's silence?
Also, if Emily is supposedly under the microscope of her parents, and society, how is she able to find time every week to make it to this part of town for hours? It feels like this situation was ultimately contrived - invented simply for the purpose to show the audience, oh look how likeable our heroine is! She wants to be helpful! Granted, I did only read about 25% of the book. Perhaps these questions get answered further on, but given the quality of writing I doubt it.
The hero also seems to lack depth. He's so much of a Gary Stu, it's hard to understand him. The author does try though - we get the sad story of his first wife, but the description of their whirlwind courtship seems forced and unlikely.
The stories I tend to give one stars to, I usually do because they affront my morals (i.e. rape, dubious consent, general assholishness). This book didn't really qualify under these standards, but I couldn't give it more. It was NOT a good book. I can't say that "it was okay," because it really wasn't. It reads like something a high school student would write. No depth and fully contrived.
I feel so horrible about having cut this book to shreds, especially when I didn't even finish it. Perhaps it DOES get better, but I don't have the motivation to read further. I really don't see how it could get better, but never say never.
January 11, 2012
Totally not for me. Kudos for the beautiful cover that drew me in though.
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...
Just look at the beautiful cover. It is a piece of art! So lovely. In fact, I was drawn to read The Shy Duchess from my huge TBR pile because of that beautiful cover. I won this book in a fabulous blog hop and I was eager to try a new to me author. I am a huge historical romance reader as it is my favourite of all the romance genres but The Shy Duchess wasn't for me. I want to be specific why I didn't care for the book because my reasons may very well be the same reasons other would love this story.
I am not a shy person. I am reserved and I like to hold back a bit in a crowd until I am comfortable but I am very very far from being shy. Reading about The Shy Duchess, I had a very difficult time relating to Lady Emily because she was so timid and skittish. She saw the worst in every situation and seem to seek out the negative with every interaction. I like my female protagonists to be confident and sure of themselves. Reading about all of Emily's hesitant reactions drove me a little crazy.
Nicholas was not a manly alpha Duke character that had a tortured upbringing. He wasn't abused and in fact had a wonderful family. It was nice change for once but then I realized as it turns out, he was boring. I know lots of readers that don't like the whole tortured past going on with their heroes so The Shy Duchess is for you. Is this the type of conversations you enjoy? Let me set it up for you...
Emily and Nicholas sneak away to a secret watering hole on their honeymoon and they are laughing and having a great time. Nicolas says to Emily, ...."we could sing and weave daisy chains, and lay in the sun all day long."
Yeah I don't know about you but weaving daisy chains doesn't bode well with me and what I like to read from my heroes.
Even with Emily here is an example of her getting all mad and angry. "It was time for something quite extreme. She was going to have to get rude."
Oh heavens forbid my female protagonists doing extreme rudeness!
So The Shy Duchess is as fluffy as a romance novel as you could get. She is an annoying English proper prude and he is a gentle as an English gentleman could be. All wrapped up in a whole lot of boring.
Teasers: stuffy ballrooms, firework display, gallant save from a runaway carriage, morning sickness before her courses were even missed *eyeroll*
http://anotherlookbookreviews.blogspo...
Just look at the beautiful cover. It is a piece of art! So lovely. In fact, I was drawn to read The Shy Duchess from my huge TBR pile because of that beautiful cover. I won this book in a fabulous blog hop and I was eager to try a new to me author. I am a huge historical romance reader as it is my favourite of all the romance genres but The Shy Duchess wasn't for me. I want to be specific why I didn't care for the book because my reasons may very well be the same reasons other would love this story.
I am not a shy person. I am reserved and I like to hold back a bit in a crowd until I am comfortable but I am very very far from being shy. Reading about The Shy Duchess, I had a very difficult time relating to Lady Emily because she was so timid and skittish. She saw the worst in every situation and seem to seek out the negative with every interaction. I like my female protagonists to be confident and sure of themselves. Reading about all of Emily's hesitant reactions drove me a little crazy.
Nicholas was not a manly alpha Duke character that had a tortured upbringing. He wasn't abused and in fact had a wonderful family. It was nice change for once but then I realized as it turns out, he was boring. I know lots of readers that don't like the whole tortured past going on with their heroes so The Shy Duchess is for you. Is this the type of conversations you enjoy? Let me set it up for you...
Emily and Nicholas sneak away to a secret watering hole on their honeymoon and they are laughing and having a great time. Nicolas says to Emily, ...."we could sing and weave daisy chains, and lay in the sun all day long."
Yeah I don't know about you but weaving daisy chains doesn't bode well with me and what I like to read from my heroes.
Even with Emily here is an example of her getting all mad and angry. "It was time for something quite extreme. She was going to have to get rude."
Oh heavens forbid my female protagonists doing extreme rudeness!
So The Shy Duchess is as fluffy as a romance novel as you could get. She is an annoying English proper prude and he is a gentle as an English gentleman could be. All wrapped up in a whole lot of boring.
Teasers: stuffy ballrooms, firework display, gallant save from a runaway carriage, morning sickness before her courses were even missed *eyeroll*
May 3, 2011
The cover of this book caught my attention every time I passed it in the store (which was a lot…). I finally gave in, because it was a Regency after all. How can you go wrong? Besides, its Amanda McCabe and she writes great books.
A beautiful and aloof heroine who is woefully misunderstood by everyone is one of my favorite character types. Lady Emily fits the profile perfectly. Her relationship with Nicholas follows the standard romance pattern all the way to their Happily Ever After. It’s the perfect afternoon or weekend read to temporarily escape the stresses of life. No disappointments found here and the detail to the Regency period is an appreciated bonus.
A beautiful and aloof heroine who is woefully misunderstood by everyone is one of my favorite character types. Lady Emily fits the profile perfectly. Her relationship with Nicholas follows the standard romance pattern all the way to their Happily Ever After. It’s the perfect afternoon or weekend read to temporarily escape the stresses of life. No disappointments found here and the detail to the Regency period is an appreciated bonus.
January 19, 2015
The Shy Duchess started with The Ice Princess—Lady Emily Carroll, strolled outside and almost took a fall before she was rescued by the Duke of Manning—Nicholas Fitzmanning. They immediately attracted to each other though remained oblivious of each other’s feelings. Nevertheless, the two got married after a scandalous encounter at another ball. And so, began their journey towards self-discovery and each other.
Lady Emily seemed sensible and smart at first, but then she disappointed me by making stupid decisions over and over again. She asked Nicholas about one secret that no one else knew of and he told her. But she didn’t consider it worthwhile to mention her secrets. She closed up to everyone and I was disappointed that one of her problems didn’t get the proper resolution. In fact, it wasn’t even mention despite the heavy impact it had on Emily’s trouble to trust people.
On the other hand, I was satisfied with the way the author handled the marriage of convenience. The main characters acted like adults and talked their problems with each other except the aforementioned secrets. Nicholas cared for Emily and showed it. He understood that his first wife was his past and that Emily was his future. It was refreshing to see such a common sense sometimes in romance novels. His fear for Emily being pregnant was justified considering that his first wife died in childbirth. It was only that Emily’s habit to jump to stupid conclusion about Nicholas and his feeling for her that annoyed me. I guess it was only essential for the drama to last for as long as it could.
Lady Emily seemed sensible and smart at first, but then she disappointed me by making stupid decisions over and over again. She asked Nicholas about one secret that no one else knew of and he told her. But she didn’t consider it worthwhile to mention her secrets. She closed up to everyone and I was disappointed that one of her problems didn’t get the proper resolution. In fact, it wasn’t even mention despite the heavy impact it had on Emily’s trouble to trust people.
On the other hand, I was satisfied with the way the author handled the marriage of convenience. The main characters acted like adults and talked their problems with each other except the aforementioned secrets. Nicholas cared for Emily and showed it. He understood that his first wife was his past and that Emily was his future. It was refreshing to see such a common sense sometimes in romance novels. His fear for Emily being pregnant was justified considering that his first wife died in childbirth. It was only that Emily’s habit to jump to stupid conclusion about Nicholas and his feeling for her that annoyed me. I guess it was only essential for the drama to last for as long as it could.
January 17, 2012
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: February 15, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harelquin
Imprint: Harlequin Historical
Author’s Website: http://ammandamccabe.com/
My Source for This Book: Gift
Part of a Series: Diamonds of Welbourne Manor (spinoff)
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Overall, this was a delightfully soft, fairly lighthearted historical romance. Emily’s shyness combined with her desire to please and take care of her family made her a wonderful heroine, but she also balanced her giving nature with a touch of rebellion in some of her charity work, which helped to keep her from becoming boring. Nicholas was more of a beta-hero than I’d expected, but even so, he was a good man and grew to become truly devoted to her.
In the end, this was a very sweet, yet sexy tale, perfect for those times when you want a lighter read rather than one heavy on the angst.
Recommended for fans of shy heroines (of course), of marriages to avoid scandal, and of two people discovering that sometimes the one you thought the most ill-suited for you is actually your perfect match.
4.5/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: February 15, 2011 (Available Now!)
Publisher: Harelquin
Imprint: Harlequin Historical
Author’s Website: http://ammandamccabe.com/
My Source for This Book: Gift
Part of a Series: Diamonds of Welbourne Manor (spinoff)
Series Best Read In Order: Works well as a standalone
Steam Level: Steamy
Overall, this was a delightfully soft, fairly lighthearted historical romance. Emily’s shyness combined with her desire to please and take care of her family made her a wonderful heroine, but she also balanced her giving nature with a touch of rebellion in some of her charity work, which helped to keep her from becoming boring. Nicholas was more of a beta-hero than I’d expected, but even so, he was a good man and grew to become truly devoted to her.
In the end, this was a very sweet, yet sexy tale, perfect for those times when you want a lighter read rather than one heavy on the angst.
Recommended for fans of shy heroines (of course), of marriages to avoid scandal, and of two people discovering that sometimes the one you thought the most ill-suited for you is actually your perfect match.
4.5/5 Stars
July 12, 2016
Lady Emily Carroll is extremely shy, preferring to stay at home reading or teaching rather than going to balls and such. However due to her station and her mother's eagerness to see her married, Emily must attend at least some of the balls. During one of these balls she hears some unfortunate things about her and decides to step out for a bit, there she literally runs into ...
Nicholas, Duke of Manning who is not necessarily looking for a marriage, is very proper and is trying to do everything to uphold the family name. Nicholas and Emily have actually met before this incident but due to her shyness Emily thinks she has no chance with the Duke, much to her mother's despair.
Due to an unfortunate or fortunate (depending on how you look at it) Nicholas and Emily must marry. Both seem ok with this, there was no resentments and such.
This book was really easy to read, there was no great tension and there didn't seem to have much happening really. It was really low on angst which I appreciated.
Nicholas, Duke of Manning who is not necessarily looking for a marriage, is very proper and is trying to do everything to uphold the family name. Nicholas and Emily have actually met before this incident but due to her shyness Emily thinks she has no chance with the Duke, much to her mother's despair.
Due to an unfortunate or fortunate (depending on how you look at it) Nicholas and Emily must marry. Both seem ok with this, there was no resentments and such.
This book was really easy to read, there was no great tension and there didn't seem to have much happening really. It was really low on angst which I appreciated.
April 16, 2015
I would have said that this was your 'standard' Mills and Boon novel - Hero, Heroine, few silly obstacles, realisation of love - it was actually one of the better ones that I had read. Two criticisms beyond general Mills and Boon flaws: Firstly, Emily was a klutz. She fell over about 12000 times in the first few chapters, for no other reason than it gave Nicholas a chance to touch her. Yet, once they 'hooked up' she didn't so much as stumble again. Secondly, one of my pet hates in books is when characters constantly recite the other characters names.
'Are you tripping over like an idiot, Emily?' 'I am, Nicholas!'
Not the mention my even bigger pet hate, which is when relations call each other By. Their. Relationship. *Shudder*
'Hello Sister!' 'Morning, Brother, did you see that ditz Emily fall over again?'
A light, afternoon read but nothing to set your literary world alight.
'Are you tripping over like an idiot, Emily?' 'I am, Nicholas!'
Not the mention my even bigger pet hate, which is when relations call each other By. Their. Relationship. *Shudder*
'Hello Sister!' 'Morning, Brother, did you see that ditz Emily fall over again?'
A light, afternoon read but nothing to set your literary world alight.
March 19, 2011
Lovely historical. McCabe is one of my favorite harlequin historical authors.
July 6, 2011
I guess I was expecting more conflict.
October 27, 2021
Good story and characters
Some editing/continuity issues that weren’t ideal, and some parts drag. Overall a sweet, good read and I will absolutely be looking at future works of this author.
Some editing/continuity issues that weren’t ideal, and some parts drag. Overall a sweet, good read and I will absolutely be looking at future works of this author.
March 8, 2012
My first book of this author, and it was a good one. Emily Carroll is a beautiful young lady of the ton whose parents are looking to get their daughter married. She could have had a bevy of suitors, if not for her debilitating shyness around people, the men misinterpret that she is an “ice princess” and the rest think of her as a wallflower, since she spends much of her time hiding in ballrooms behind potted plants. Nicholas, Duke of Manning is being pressured by his family to get married and for a while Emily seemed to be a good candidate, but Nicholas thought she was too serious to fit into his fun loving, outgoing family. But Nicholas has his own reason to not want to get married, and hopes his brother Stephen will be his heir. Through coincidental meetings, Nicholas and Emily get to know each other and under the guise of masks, kiss thinking the other doesn’t recognize. Nicholas realizes that Emily is no ice princess, but very warm, friendly and kind to those she knows, but feels guilty about kissing her and feels honor bound to propose even though he does not want to get married. Emily realizes that Nicholas is outgoing and is always surrounded by people and his family, you can be alone in a crowd of people and Nicholas rather be alone in his country estate than in London. When they meet again at the last ball of the season, Emily confesses of the kiss and is angry when she finds out he knew her identity all along. They get caught in a compromising position in which Nicholas promptly announces their betrothal. They both decide to make the best of the situation and try to have a happy life. Nicholas tells Emily the reason he did not want to get married and that no one else knows, even his family was that he fell in love and got married in Italy while on his grand tour but his wife died. He does not tell her that his wife died in childbirth along with the baby and that he is deathly afraid that if Emily gets pregnant, her life would be in danger, so he doesn’t plan on getting Emily pregnant. Emily also keeps secrets from her husband like she has fallen in love with him, but after finding his former wife’s picture in his desk think Nicholas still loves his first wife. She also does not tell him that her former suitor, Mr. George Rayburn is blackmailing her after he finds out that she volunteers her time to teach disadvantaged females who are former prostitutes and as a newly duchess will bring scandal on Nicholas. In the end, Nicholas does figure out her secrets and that he too is in love with his wife and his wife tells him she is pregnant and they can get through it together and Mr. Rayburn gets a thrashing.
In my opinion, this historical romance was very drama free compared to the others especially being a Harlequin. Emily and Nicholas had issues of their own, but they seem to work through them without much angst. I don’t know if that was because the book was not long enough and the character didn’t have the time to develop or that it was author’s intent to be as angst-free as possible because problems arose and they were solved very easily. Emily slowly seemed to be gaining confidence and finding out who she is, but we do not see that in action. Nicholas seemed to move through his fear of childbirth as well only in a couple of pages, although it seemed ridiculous that he took no additional precaution and kept having unprotected sex, so yes don’t be so surprised that she ends up pregnant. Overall, the book was pretty good, even with the lack of angst and the relief reader feels that it will all end in happily ever after. Nicholas and Emily were very likeable characters and regardless of missing a developed plot, somehow the author cleverly made that deficit feel inconsequential. The book is enjoyable to read especially if you are looking for something light-hearted and quick.
I think this is the series in order since it’s not numbered:
1. Diamonds of Wellbourne Manor by Diane Gaston
2. The Shy Duchess by Amanda McCabe
3. How to Marry a Rake by Deb Marlowe
In my opinion, this historical romance was very drama free compared to the others especially being a Harlequin. Emily and Nicholas had issues of their own, but they seem to work through them without much angst. I don’t know if that was because the book was not long enough and the character didn’t have the time to develop or that it was author’s intent to be as angst-free as possible because problems arose and they were solved very easily. Emily slowly seemed to be gaining confidence and finding out who she is, but we do not see that in action. Nicholas seemed to move through his fear of childbirth as well only in a couple of pages, although it seemed ridiculous that he took no additional precaution and kept having unprotected sex, so yes don’t be so surprised that she ends up pregnant. Overall, the book was pretty good, even with the lack of angst and the relief reader feels that it will all end in happily ever after. Nicholas and Emily were very likeable characters and regardless of missing a developed plot, somehow the author cleverly made that deficit feel inconsequential. The book is enjoyable to read especially if you are looking for something light-hearted and quick.
I think this is the series in order since it’s not numbered:
1. Diamonds of Wellbourne Manor by Diane Gaston
2. The Shy Duchess by Amanda McCabe
3. How to Marry a Rake by Deb Marlowe
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2020
Woman staggers out of nervousness and mild PTSD sometimes in public although trained to walk, so trips, falls onto hero, then does it again on another event and then does it again on another event, this time in high heels, and it just seemed so...contrived. If she had such severe difficulty walking in public, she should have just feigned a sprained ankle like everyone else in the genre and given herself some rest from the repeated strain of not being able to walk--except all the many times she walked just fine. She could have walked arm-in-arm with a woman friend or male relative or whomever. It did not gain my sympathy and got tiring, since the woman never seemed to address it in herself and always seemed surprised to be unable to frigging walk: people say mean things that she overhears, so she dissolves into dysfunction and can't walk etc. so blunders onto an attractive dude in public--although again, many times she DID and COULD just frigging walk, so it wasn't a disability, just some thing that she needed to be aware of and deal with. It just lost me. It happened too many times without being addressed for me and made me want the heroine to change since she kept walking down the same street and falling into the same hole, so to speak.
December 27, 2016
This book is really a very solid 3.5 to 3.75 - It doesn't quite get to 4 territory. It is nice that the premise is of a shy lady, but somehow it doesn't ever get over being self conscious as a book. The sex is written well, but still somewhat odd, not really sexy, but fairly well done. It would have improved by having the sex and touching be a smidge more erotic.
November 7, 2016
My Second harlequin romance ... I have to admit harlequin historical books are better than modern harlequin romances ...
May 28, 2022
I really liked Emily and Nicholas, but it seemed like a lot of their getting to know each other was in the background.
I really liked how both of the main characters decided that they would try to be nice to each other, even though their situation wasn’t what either of them wanted.
At the beginning, Emily was quite shy, but after that initial shyness, it sort of disappeared. That doesn’t mean that she was outgoing, it just meant that she talked to different people which I didn’t think made her shy.
I liked how the secrets in this book were revealed. When Emily or Nicholas find out about a secret, they don’t immediately give up. I liked how they talked to each other to figure it out.
I wanted to see more of the side characters as Nicholas has a big family, but they are rarely shown, and even then it was in short scenes. Also, Emily had friends from the school, but that isn’t really shown until the conflict.
I might read more books by this author as I really liked the main characters and their relationship, but I wanted to see more of the side characters.
I really liked how both of the main characters decided that they would try to be nice to each other, even though their situation wasn’t what either of them wanted.
At the beginning, Emily was quite shy, but after that initial shyness, it sort of disappeared. That doesn’t mean that she was outgoing, it just meant that she talked to different people which I didn’t think made her shy.
I liked how the secrets in this book were revealed. When Emily or Nicholas find out about a secret, they don’t immediately give up. I liked how they talked to each other to figure it out.
I wanted to see more of the side characters as Nicholas has a big family, but they are rarely shown, and even then it was in short scenes. Also, Emily had friends from the school, but that isn’t really shown until the conflict.
I might read more books by this author as I really liked the main characters and their relationship, but I wanted to see more of the side characters.
December 13, 2018
The love story here had a few incoherent details and was too flat overally. For example, I could not understand how Emily ‘s shyness was mistaken by others as haughtiness or coldness? Nicholas tells Emily of his late wife, but after Emily finds a miniature of said wife the reader is left to think that Nicholas has a mistress he is desperate to return to... at least that are Emily ‘s thoughts. And the use of the Timeline is confusing (I don’t know how to express it in a different way). All in all : too boring and confusing, but at least there is the (happily ever after”.
November 2, 2019
If you're looking for a book that (successfully) paints a quiet, tender love story then this is the one for you.
I'm surprised by the relatively low rating. It's lovely in its simplicity, and the author didn't try to add in the frills we expect in romance novels nowadays which would've been a disservice to this couple. Nothing to distract from their journey to love and trust.
The story had tension that kept the plot moving but it left a few things unanswered. Hopefully to be revealed in the next novel.
I'm surprised by the relatively low rating. It's lovely in its simplicity, and the author didn't try to add in the frills we expect in romance novels nowadays which would've been a disservice to this couple. Nothing to distract from their journey to love and trust.
The story had tension that kept the plot moving but it left a few things unanswered. Hopefully to be revealed in the next novel.
July 6, 2025
Good read from Amanda McCabe. I got hooked when I read the previous books in the Welbourne series and then found the books on the brothers!! I really liked the characters and the plot of this book. So looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
July 11, 2017
She wasn't shy.
November 13, 2017
A truly fairy tale romance that make me giddy with smile 🙃
June 13, 2018
Pensavo qualcosina di meglio. La protagonista si fa mille pippe mentali inutilmente, bella, buona e gentile e davvero troppo insicura
December 24, 2018
Tre stelle e ½
January 6, 2019
This was so sweet and full of fluff 😍😍
February 15, 2020
Even better the 2nd time through.
Loved this story. Just read for the 2nd time. Romantic and funny at times. Well written. Hard to put down. Thank you for a lovely story.
Loved this story. Just read for the 2nd time. Romantic and funny at times. Well written. Hard to put down. Thank you for a lovely story.
November 8, 2021
boring not for me perhaps. I thought it was too long but kind of okay with it
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