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Mistress #1-2
More Than a Mistress / No Man's Mistress
From New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh come two classic tales of Regency-era romance, where scandalous liaisons kindle passions too powerful to conceal.
MORE THAN A MISTRESS
Hired to serve as nursemaid to the wounded Duke of Tresham, Jane Ingleby tries to pretend it’s strictly a business arrangement. Surely there could be nothing more perilous than being the lover of such a man. Yet when she gets past his devilish façade and sees the noble heart within, she knows the greatest jeopardy of all—a passion that drives her to risk everything on one perfect month with an improper gentleman who thinks that love is for fools.
NO MAN’S MISTRESS
Lord Ferdinand Dudley is accustomed to getting what he wants—until he tries to claim his rightful estate from the bewitching Lady Viola Thornhill. Refusing to cede him the home she calls her own—and unwilling to consider marriage—Viola knows that this is a battle she cannot afford to lose. Each day under the same roof brings its share of frustration—and temptation—as both sides in this contest of wills find their resolve melting in the heat of passion’s bright flame.
From the Paperback edition.
MORE THAN A MISTRESS
Hired to serve as nursemaid to the wounded Duke of Tresham, Jane Ingleby tries to pretend it’s strictly a business arrangement. Surely there could be nothing more perilous than being the lover of such a man. Yet when she gets past his devilish façade and sees the noble heart within, she knows the greatest jeopardy of all—a passion that drives her to risk everything on one perfect month with an improper gentleman who thinks that love is for fools.
NO MAN’S MISTRESS
Lord Ferdinand Dudley is accustomed to getting what he wants—until he tries to claim his rightful estate from the bewitching Lady Viola Thornhill. Refusing to cede him the home she calls her own—and unwilling to consider marriage—Viola knows that this is a battle she cannot afford to lose. Each day under the same roof brings its share of frustration—and temptation—as both sides in this contest of wills find their resolve melting in the heat of passion’s bright flame.
From the Paperback edition.
529 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
113 people are currently reading
516 people want to read
About the author
Mary Balogh
200 books6,343 followersMary Jenkins was born in 1944 in Swansea, Wales, UK. After graduating from university, moved to Saskatchewan, Canada, to teach high school English, on a two-year teaching contract in 1967. She married her Canadian husband, Robert Balogh, and had three children, Jacqueline, Christopher and Sian. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, music and knitting. She also enjoys watching tennis and curling.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mary Balogh started writing in the evenings as a hobby. Her first book, a Regency love story, was published in 1985 as A Masked Deception under her married name. In 1988, she retired from teaching after 20 years to pursue her dream to write full-time. She has written more than seventy novels and almost thirty novellas since then, including the New York Times bestselling 'Slightly' sextet and 'Simply' quartet. She has won numerous awards, including Bestselling Historical of the Year from the Borders Group, and her novel Simply Magic was a finalist in the Quill Awards. She has won seven Waldenbooks Awards and two B. Dalton Awards for her bestselling novels, as well as a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 9, 2019
Mary Balogh is one of my favorite Authors, she never fells to draw you into the Character's and their lives and feelings.
These two stories of two brothers are wonderful. 'More than a Mistress' has the Duke of Tresham, a strong, over bearing
man who most people are afraid of. He is use to people doing what he tells then just by looking at them. He has had three duels and come out of all without a scratch. The fourth duel is interrupted by one Jane Ingleby. He is shot in the leg. She becomes his nurse Let the games began.
She is out spoken and the only person the Duke has ever had talk back to him. She always gets the last word too.The interchange between these two was great and made the story. Jocelyn thinks she is a servant, of the working class. Jane has secrets, and when they come out the great and mighty Duke will find his true self and a person oppressive by his late father.
Book 'Two No Man's Mistress' is about Jocelyn brother Ferdinand, who is fun loving, happy cheerful person. He has just won Pinewood Manor which has been the home of one Lady Viola Thornhill for three years in a card game. Ferdinand did not know anyone was living at the house.
Now Viola has a secret pass and is determined she is staying in her home. Ferdinand being the brother of the Duke of
Tresham has checked out the deed and knows the Manor is his. He is staying. As these two learn of each other and work out the owner of the Manor. There is humor, sadness and yep love. In both stories Lady Angeline Heywood their sister added her total lack of taste in both dress's and mostly bonnets. Will have you laughing out loud.
This is a great two book set. The Secret Mistress I have now found out sounds like it should have been read first.
But am starting in now and just know I will love it too. I hope..
Be sure to give these books a read, am sure I will be re reading them as I have done with other books by Miss Balogh.
These two stories of two brothers are wonderful. 'More than a Mistress' has the Duke of Tresham, a strong, over bearing
man who most people are afraid of. He is use to people doing what he tells then just by looking at them. He has had three duels and come out of all without a scratch. The fourth duel is interrupted by one Jane Ingleby. He is shot in the leg. She becomes his nurse Let the games began.
She is out spoken and the only person the Duke has ever had talk back to him. She always gets the last word too.The interchange between these two was great and made the story. Jocelyn thinks she is a servant, of the working class. Jane has secrets, and when they come out the great and mighty Duke will find his true self and a person oppressive by his late father.
Book 'Two No Man's Mistress' is about Jocelyn brother Ferdinand, who is fun loving, happy cheerful person. He has just won Pinewood Manor which has been the home of one Lady Viola Thornhill for three years in a card game. Ferdinand did not know anyone was living at the house.
Now Viola has a secret pass and is determined she is staying in her home. Ferdinand being the brother of the Duke of
Tresham has checked out the deed and knows the Manor is his. He is staying. As these two learn of each other and work out the owner of the Manor. There is humor, sadness and yep love. In both stories Lady Angeline Heywood their sister added her total lack of taste in both dress's and mostly bonnets. Will have you laughing out loud.
This is a great two book set. The Secret Mistress I have now found out sounds like it should have been read first.
But am starting in now and just know I will love it too. I hope..
Be sure to give these books a read, am sure I will be re reading them as I have done with other books by Miss Balogh.
August 5, 2025
reread y
July 28, 2023
More Than a Mistress - 4 stars
No Man’s Mistress - 2 stars
No Man’s Mistress - 2 stars
May 17, 2018
2.45 stars/dnr - rated r
Two stories in one book. So far, I've only read the first, More Than a Mistress. Love the author's writing style. Liked the Hero and heroine. The ending seems somewhat incomplete. I would have rated it higher had it not been r-rated. I wish I could figure out which of Mary Balogh's books, if any, are more "clean"; although I suppose I should have known better than to hope a book titled More Than a Mistress would be clean!!
Two stories in one book. So far, I've only read the first, More Than a Mistress. Love the author's writing style. Liked the Hero and heroine. The ending seems somewhat incomplete. I would have rated it higher had it not been r-rated. I wish I could figure out which of Mary Balogh's books, if any, are more "clean"; although I suppose I should have known better than to hope a book titled More Than a Mistress would be clean!!
March 31, 2017
Turns a typical trope around which is a bit of a surprise.
August 18, 2012
Two brothers, two books, two happily ever afters makes me one satisfied reader.
September 3, 2023
Worst fucking 'hero'. He degrades the heirone sexually in an attempt to hurt her. He explains how this is how he treated his mistresses in the past. Im sick of reading about heros who use and degrade women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 16, 2019
I thought the ending was anticlimactic! I was disappointed in this book but stuck with it. I chose not to read Ferdinand's book, the second of this duo.
May 5, 2021
Worth it.
Read
June 1, 2022Story 1 much better than Story 2.
December 15, 2023
More Than a Mistress- 4 ⭐
No Man's Mistress- 4 ⭐
No Man's Mistress- 4 ⭐
October 27, 2016
Ugh. Men.
February 10, 2015
Too bad these books came in a package, and there can only be one rating for both. I really enjoyed the first one, and I would give it 5*. The second one can barely make it to a 2* though.
More than a Mistress: Jocelyn and Jane are both stubborn, standoffish, quick tempered, but in fact so perfect for each other that they seem indeed destined to have a ‘happily ever after’ - quarrels included. They do take a good while to let their guards down and allow their caring and sensitive sides show. Their verbal exchanges are highly entertaining and rarely sentimental. Jane is not at all the mild and sometimes helpless heroine you would normally expect in a regency romance. And Jocelyn, even after opening up to Jane and letting his artistic inclinations surface, remains the same forbidding Duke of Tresham in public. Both are absolutely delightful!
No Man’s Mistress: a former prostitute - regardless of her background - and Ferdinand Dudley, who was such a charming secondary character in More than a Mistress? REALLY?... Too predictable, from the moment Viola's past 'profession' was revealed, too sappy, and too hard to believe. I just skimmed through the book from about the halfway point on. The only reason I would give the book 2* instead of 1* is for the short glimpses of Jocelyn and Jane.
More than a Mistress: Jocelyn and Jane are both stubborn, standoffish, quick tempered, but in fact so perfect for each other that they seem indeed destined to have a ‘happily ever after’ - quarrels included. They do take a good while to let their guards down and allow their caring and sensitive sides show. Their verbal exchanges are highly entertaining and rarely sentimental. Jane is not at all the mild and sometimes helpless heroine you would normally expect in a regency romance. And Jocelyn, even after opening up to Jane and letting his artistic inclinations surface, remains the same forbidding Duke of Tresham in public. Both are absolutely delightful!
No Man’s Mistress: a former prostitute - regardless of her background - and Ferdinand Dudley, who was such a charming secondary character in More than a Mistress? REALLY?... Too predictable, from the moment Viola's past 'profession' was revealed, too sappy, and too hard to believe. I just skimmed through the book from about the halfway point on. The only reason I would give the book 2* instead of 1* is for the short glimpses of Jocelyn and Jane.
February 13, 2013
Boy, I love a good Balogh, going all the way back to Secret Pearl, ground-breaking and completely believable. More than a Mistress reminds me of that glorious story, but like a shadow reminds one of that which casts it. The heroine escaping to London believing she has committed murder is an unfortunate premise because it is unbelievable in a Regency setting. Clever duel scene followed by clever mistaken identity scene rescues the beginning somewhat. With a good dose of Balogh-building sensuality, the mistress-master relationship developing to true love rises to three stars.
It's not Balogh's best work, because it will forever be overshadowed by some of the best Regency ever written--by this author.
No Man's Mistress is a great title and hints at great conflict. Ironically, conflict was not this book's strong point. A courtesan would never be accepted by the ton and the brother who first appeared in the first book simply could not be virgin. Balogh is such a clever author--I was hoping for things to be more difficult for these two star-crossed lovers but she ushers them past roadblocks that would have stopped real historical characters until they achieve a forgettable happy-ever-after.
It's not Balogh's best work, because it will forever be overshadowed by some of the best Regency ever written--by this author.
No Man's Mistress is a great title and hints at great conflict. Ironically, conflict was not this book's strong point. A courtesan would never be accepted by the ton and the brother who first appeared in the first book simply could not be virgin. Balogh is such a clever author--I was hoping for things to be more difficult for these two star-crossed lovers but she ushers them past roadblocks that would have stopped real historical characters until they achieve a forgettable happy-ever-after.
March 23, 2012
In MTAM, plain Jane interrupts a duel, resulting in the Duke of Tresham getting shot in the leg. He hires her to be his nurse.
An arrogant, intensely private man, Jane is the only person who stands up to him and needles him.
Soon she finds herself falling in love — he does have a few redeeming qualities, such as a sense of honor.
When her stint as nurse is over, and Jane has no where to go the duke offers her choice: to be his mistress or to pursue a singing career.
She decides to become his mistress, and practical Jane is soon appealing to the duke on more than a physical level.
But there is shocking revelation, and duke feels betrayed after showing Jane his private self, something she didn't reciprocate.
But the duke can't give up his newfound self, and goes after Jane.
These two are complex and definitely strike sparks off one another.
In NNM, the duke younger brother wins a country estate that already has a resident. The young lady refuses to leave, and the two make a wager. If she can seduce him, he leaves; if he doesn't succumb, he leaves. But somewhere along the way the two fall in love.
The ending was hard to believe, but, hey, it's a romance.
An arrogant, intensely private man, Jane is the only person who stands up to him and needles him.
Soon she finds herself falling in love — he does have a few redeeming qualities, such as a sense of honor.
When her stint as nurse is over, and Jane has no where to go the duke offers her choice: to be his mistress or to pursue a singing career.
She decides to become his mistress, and practical Jane is soon appealing to the duke on more than a physical level.
But there is shocking revelation, and duke feels betrayed after showing Jane his private self, something she didn't reciprocate.
But the duke can't give up his newfound self, and goes after Jane.
These two are complex and definitely strike sparks off one another.
In NNM, the duke younger brother wins a country estate that already has a resident. The young lady refuses to leave, and the two make a wager. If she can seduce him, he leaves; if he doesn't succumb, he leaves. But somewhere along the way the two fall in love.
The ending was hard to believe, but, hey, it's a romance.
December 30, 2011
More Than A Mistress -- 5 stars!
I love this one!! Reading it reminds me of why I loved historical romances so much; I had kind of forgot since I've been sucked into the realm of the paranormal romance for the past few months. I realized that historical romances are just so...romantic--for the lack of a better word.
I absolutely adore all the characters and would totally read every single one of their happily ever after if they're available. I was grinning like a madman at the end of the this one. Now I hope that the other story measures up.
No Man's Mistress -- 5 Stars!
Amazing! There are no words to describe how much I loved this one. I love Ferdinand's boyish demeanor and Viola's cunning. It goes without saying that readers love to read about a man, who is determined not to fall in love, fall hard. I had loved Jocelyn's brooding personality but this brother's charm is even more appealing. I also have to mention that I love seeing Jocelyn and Jane in this story--to get a glimpse of their married life.
I love this one!! Reading it reminds me of why I loved historical romances so much; I had kind of forgot since I've been sucked into the realm of the paranormal romance for the past few months. I realized that historical romances are just so...romantic--for the lack of a better word.
I absolutely adore all the characters and would totally read every single one of their happily ever after if they're available. I was grinning like a madman at the end of the this one. Now I hope that the other story measures up.
No Man's Mistress -- 5 Stars!
Amazing! There are no words to describe how much I loved this one. I love Ferdinand's boyish demeanor and Viola's cunning. It goes without saying that readers love to read about a man, who is determined not to fall in love, fall hard. I had loved Jocelyn's brooding personality but this brother's charm is even more appealing. I also have to mention that I love seeing Jocelyn and Jane in this story--to get a glimpse of their married life.
January 17, 2011
Turnabout is fair play in an unusual twist, a retire courtesan deflowers an English aristocrat. A little on the farce side with Lord Dudley and Viola Thornhill "forced" to live in the same manor that both believe they own. It turns more serious when we find out that Thornhill was previously an infamous prostitute fabled for spending only one night with each wealthy client. Viola was forced into the life to protect her family and gladly escaped it through the late Earl Of Bamber who sets her up to live in the country and enables her to have an estate that produces income to save the family. Lord Dudley upsets that apple cart and Viola's life. A predictable end but some interesting insights into the lot of women in the Regency Era including a fleeting reference to the pain of infertility for a peripheral character, Lady Heyward.
We also are updated on the marriage of Jane and Jocelyn from the first Dudley book.
We also are updated on the marriage of Jane and Jocelyn from the first Dudley book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2013
The three stars are for No Man's Mistress. I'd give More Than a Mistress two stars, maybe two and a half. I wanted to like it more than I did. One minute the characters were amusing, the next they'd be annoying the crap out of me. They make cameo appearances in the second book, which I found much stronger overall, and they are much less annoying in small doses. Why did I bother reading the second book when I didn't like the first book that much? Well, obviously, because it was there. Which only goes to show that smooshing two volumes of a trilogy together is a brilliant marketing scheme, because now I'm probably going to read #3, even though it's not there. Just because I've gone this far and may as well.
August 23, 2017
This the first 2 books of the trilogy.
Book 1 is Jocelyn's story. Regency romance with sex. This is one of my favorite MB historical romances.
I loved Jane, the heroine & I loved Jocelyn the hero. Both have a lot of chemistry together.
No Man's Mistress : 3 stars.
This is Ferdinand's story. He wins an estate gambling with friends & finds out there's already a pretty young woman living there. Viola was given Pinewood manor 2 years ago & does NOT intend to give it up.
This was only a 3 star for me. The story was OK, but convoluted. What has happened to Viola was horrible. Fortunately, Ferdie comes through for her. A perfect HEA. Ho hum.
There's also a rarity in romanceland : A virgin hero!
Book 1 is Jocelyn's story. Regency romance with sex. This is one of my favorite MB historical romances.
I loved Jane, the heroine & I loved Jocelyn the hero. Both have a lot of chemistry together.
No Man's Mistress : 3 stars.
This is Ferdinand's story. He wins an estate gambling with friends & finds out there's already a pretty young woman living there. Viola was given Pinewood manor 2 years ago & does NOT intend to give it up.
This was only a 3 star for me. The story was OK, but convoluted. What has happened to Viola was horrible. Fortunately, Ferdie comes through for her. A perfect HEA. Ho hum.
There's also a rarity in romanceland : A virgin hero!
June 3, 2013
Jocelyn (Tresham) and Jane's story really affected me and it is one of my favourite MB books. Jane's story, is somewhat similar to an earlier book I had read, though, with the heroine being accused of murder and is running away. Luckily, I had read More than a Mistress first and I really enjoyed the relationship between Jane and Jocelyn (Tresh).
No Man's Mistress wasn't as riveting as More than a Mistress but I did appreciate the fact that the hero was NOT a rake and was, in fact, rather chaste, or rather, er, had hairtrigger issues because he was so desiring the heroine. It made him more human, and more appealing.
No Man's Mistress wasn't as riveting as More than a Mistress but I did appreciate the fact that the hero was NOT a rake and was, in fact, rather chaste, or rather, er, had hairtrigger issues because he was so desiring the heroine. It made him more human, and more appealing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2012
This is my first experience reading Mary Balogh, and in spite of what an extraordinarily long time it took me to finish the poor book, I think I will likely read her again. There are nice, three-dimensional characters, and plenty of conflict that doesn't rely too much on the hero and heroine not talking to each other. (I hate The Big Misunderstanding and Seeecrets as the main source of conflict.). A pair of nice, sweet, emotional love stories.
September 8, 2015
Two enjoyable Regency romances that take place within one family. Independent, feisty women, troubled but caring men, humour, conflict, happy endings - what more can one ask for. Especially enjoyed glimpses of Tresham the "family" man in the second book. Looking forward to reading Angeline's story.
March 29, 2012
This won't let me add the book(s) when I've read them a second time. That's a bummer. I do read Mary Balogh's books often, especially after reading something that's tough and emotional for me.....I just finished all three of THE HUNGER GAMES as well as GONE WITH THE WIND. Even though I'd read these books earlier this year, I couldn't help reading them again!!!!
October 5, 2013
More than a mistress in extremely similar to The Secret Pearl. Other than this, I enjoyed the story immensely. To bad I can't say the same about no man's mistress. That's why it got a three stars in stead of four! ;)
February 23, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed these first two books of a trilogy written by this author. The storyline is interesting. Women in society at the time were treated very unusually and these women are portrayed as strong and independent (a change from the norm). The men in the romantic lead are also unusual and are brothers. I am looking forward to reading the last story in the trilogy.
February 8, 2016
I loved both books & what a great value to get 2 books of a series in 1. I also loved that after hearing the Duke of Tresham's story, the 2nd book picks up 2 yrs & 2 kids later, so you know the love match did seem a truly 'happy ever after' story. The 2nd book, Lord Ferdinand's story is quite unusual, and I think will be a lasting love as well.
August 24, 2012
Perfectly delicious pair of stories. Jocleyn has healthy dollop of Wulfric in him. Ferdinand sets everything on its ear and comes out even more swoonworthy than he started off.
All the hallmarks of a long term annual, or when needing comfort, read.
All the hallmarks of a long term annual, or when needing comfort, read.
October 14, 2013
I read the first one and enjoyed it, but not enough to be motivated to read the second. I just realized this has been hanging around on my "currently reading" shelf for a while, even though I'm no longer currently reading it.
January 20, 2014
I thought a few times that these two stories were a little like Pretty Woman meets a Regency romance, at least in some aspects. I probably felt about the same about both stories - enjoyable, some different plot lines than I've read in the period pieces but didn't entirely catch me.
August 16, 2016
Neither of the stories in this book were all that great. In More Than a Mistress Jocelyn was overbearing and cruel and in No Man's Mistress Viola/Lillian was childish and immature. Neither character to me was all that redeemable. Not one of Ms Balogh's better efforts.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews