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A Maypole in Mayfair #5
The Duke I Wished For
He’s the grumpiest man she’s ever met… And a duke at that. Though to be fair, Lady Daffodil didn’t know that particular detail until after she’d confessed to disliking embroidery, playing the pianoforte, and, oh yes, marriage. Even though she’d wanted to kick herself for being such a ninny, she liked the duke about as much as he favored her. Which is to say, not very much. So really, it worked out fine. Except that the next time she accidentally meets the surly Duke of Hathshire, he isn’t surly at all. He’s having the most adorable tea party at a tiny table with his young daughter and suddenly she sees him in a whole new light.
And now, she’s left to wonder, which man is the real Duke of Hathshire? And, after what she’d done, is there any version of him that might like her back?
And now, she’s left to wonder, which man is the real Duke of Hathshire? And, after what she’d done, is there any version of him that might like her back?
- GenresRomance
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2023
156 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 14, 2023
Lady Daffodil is attending Madame Bellafonte's along with her sister Delilah, it's Spring again & the maypole is in place so Daff & her friends all make a wish. Whilst daughter of an Earl both Daffodil & Delilah need to marry well & their mother is determined to find wealthy husbands for them both. Whilst at ball Daff hides from her mother & a would be suitor & accidentally meets the surly Duke of Hathshire. The next time she meets him he isn’t surly at all but is having the most adorable tea party at a tiny table with his young daughter Clarissa and suddenly she sees him in a whole new light.
An absolutely delightful short story, grumpy meets sunshine even if grumpy isn’t grumpy at all. Blake has decided he needs a wife & has a list! There's an instant attraction between Blake & Daff but she's nothing like his list - she isn’t very good at embroidery!!. Both quickly realise first impressions can be wrong. I loved both Blake & Daff who both fall hard & fast for each other & loved their often humorous journey to a HEA. The secondary characters are also well portrayed & I look fore to the other students finding love
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
An absolutely delightful short story, grumpy meets sunshine even if grumpy isn’t grumpy at all. Blake has decided he needs a wife & has a list! There's an instant attraction between Blake & Daff but she's nothing like his list - she isn’t very good at embroidery!!. Both quickly realise first impressions can be wrong. I loved both Blake & Daff who both fall hard & fast for each other & loved their often humorous journey to a HEA. The secondary characters are also well portrayed & I look fore to the other students finding love
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 9, 2023
The Duke I wished For
One absolutely sweet adorable romantic story, one of those stories that when you are finished, there is a smile on your face.
Lady Daffodil makes her wish around the Maypole while the Duke of Hathshire finds one very annoying woman following him around at a ball, accidentally hiding behind his build.
Everything in this story blends so well together
Highly Recommend
Stand alone
One absolutely sweet adorable romantic story, one of those stories that when you are finished, there is a smile on your face.
Lady Daffodil makes her wish around the Maypole while the Duke of Hathshire finds one very annoying woman following him around at a ball, accidentally hiding behind his build.
Everything in this story blends so well together
Highly Recommend
Stand alone
May 18, 2023
Butterfly wishes
Daffodil and Blake
I really enjoyed this story and the action packed plot. A tender, funny journey with so many turns and twists that keeps you smiling and turning page after page until the end
Daffodil and Blake
I really enjoyed this story and the action packed plot. A tender, funny journey with so many turns and twists that keeps you smiling and turning page after page until the end
May 25, 2023
This is book 5 in the Maypole in Mayfair series and it was just a delightful story. Book 5 continues the 'wishing on a maypole' tradition started by the group of four girls in books 1 through 4. Now with book 5 we have five new friends and a few are relations to the couples from the first four books.
This story centers around Lady Daffodil and how she meets gruff and grumbly Blake, the Duke of Hathshire, although she didn't know he's a duke yet. Daff's mother is trying to push her into the arms of a pre-selected suitor at a ball, so Daffodil tries to evade her by hiding behind a tall, broad, large man who just happens to block her from view perfectly. After an awkward and frustrating conversation they part ways. But when Daffodil accompanies her friend Isabelle to inspect the Duke of Hathshire's library for a project, Daff stumbles upon the duke and his young daughter enjoying a play tea party. Blake is initially embarrassed at being caught but Clarissa immediately takes to Daff and he just steps back and observes, and likes very much what he sees. Meeting again at the May Day festivities, Blake and Clarissa spend some time with Daffodil before her mother starts her scheming thoughts of trapping the duke into a match.
Blake decides that his bride hunt is over because he likes everything in his interactions with Daffodil, but Daff questions her own suitability when she compares herself to his list of wants, and to his late wife who was not a love match for him. But when Daff shies away from his mention of interest in marriage, Blake questions her feelings toward him. Can he convince Daff to become a part of his family? It's it possible that they could be a love match?
I really enjoyed this story and I'm excited for the next books in the series coming out this summer. I also liked Daffodil's father. Her mother was a force to be reckoned with but he puts his foot down when he sees the interest and connection between Blake and Daff. And when her mother tries to get devious, her father knows best and trusts that Daffodil and Blake will work everything out all on their own.
The only thing that bugged me in this story was that Daffodil had promised to not leave her sister Delilah with their mother at the May Day event, but (one page later) as soon as the duke makes his presence known, Daff walks away to accompany the Duke and Clarissa, leaving her sister with their parents.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next ones to get released. As far as short stories go, things happen fast, there are anachronisms, and it is a bit fluffy, but this is my catnip and it checked all my boxes. 5 stars from me on this one. No steam. Sweet kisses and embraces only.
This story centers around Lady Daffodil and how she meets gruff and grumbly Blake, the Duke of Hathshire, although she didn't know he's a duke yet. Daff's mother is trying to push her into the arms of a pre-selected suitor at a ball, so Daffodil tries to evade her by hiding behind a tall, broad, large man who just happens to block her from view perfectly. After an awkward and frustrating conversation they part ways. But when Daffodil accompanies her friend Isabelle to inspect the Duke of Hathshire's library for a project, Daff stumbles upon the duke and his young daughter enjoying a play tea party. Blake is initially embarrassed at being caught but Clarissa immediately takes to Daff and he just steps back and observes, and likes very much what he sees. Meeting again at the May Day festivities, Blake and Clarissa spend some time with Daffodil before her mother starts her scheming thoughts of trapping the duke into a match.
Blake decides that his bride hunt is over because he likes everything in his interactions with Daffodil, but Daff questions her own suitability when she compares herself to his list of wants, and to his late wife who was not a love match for him. But when Daff shies away from his mention of interest in marriage, Blake questions her feelings toward him. Can he convince Daff to become a part of his family? It's it possible that they could be a love match?
I really enjoyed this story and I'm excited for the next books in the series coming out this summer. I also liked Daffodil's father. Her mother was a force to be reckoned with but he puts his foot down when he sees the interest and connection between Blake and Daff. And when her mother tries to get devious, her father knows best and trusts that Daffodil and Blake will work everything out all on their own.
The only thing that bugged me in this story was that Daffodil had promised to not leave her sister Delilah with their mother at the May Day event, but (one page later) as soon as the duke makes his presence known, Daff walks away to accompany the Duke and Clarissa, leaving her sister with their parents.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next ones to get released. As far as short stories go, things happen fast, there are anachronisms, and it is a bit fluffy, but this is my catnip and it checked all my boxes. 5 stars from me on this one. No steam. Sweet kisses and embraces only.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2023
Lady Daffodil is an independent young lady who has no interest in the conventional pursuits of embroidery, music, or marriage; however, she has always been pushed by her mother on how to dress, think, act; now her family's finances are in jeopardy, and she must find a successful husband. When she meets a grumpy and reserved widower who has devoted his life to his daughter and his estate, she is not impressed but also doesn't realize who he is as no introduction was done during their humorous bantering.
Blake, Duke of Hathshire, is attending a social function which he hates. He would much rather be in the country with his, almost 5 years old daughter, Clarissa, and running his estate. However, after being a widower for almost two years, he needs to find an accomplished, pleasant, scandal free wife from a good family to become a mother to his daughter. After the unusual meeting he had with a beautiful, featherbrained lady that lacked social convention, he really questioned some of her answers and maybe his requirements for a wife weren't correct, but he would not see the lady again.
Daffodil accompanies her friend to a duke's home to visit his library for charitable endeavor, he has agreed to be a part of and as she waits for her friend to take care of her task, she accidentally comes upon the duke and his daughter having a tea party. They are both shocked to see each other but when his daughter invites Daff to tea, he is shocked because his daughter has been going farther into her shell and does not talk to many people and while he watches the two interact, maybe his first opinion of her was wrong. Daff also saw the duke's softer side during a tea party with his daughter, and she begins to wish for a different kind of future. But can she overcome his fears and prejudices, her lack of embroidery skills (LOL) and win his heart? Needless to say, their second meet was love at second sight and the story was full of lovable characters, snappy dialogue and sweet romance. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with just enough drama and humor to keep you entertained. Blake and Daffodil's interactions are full of sparks and tenderness and their love for Clarissa was heartwarming. The secondary characters are also well-developed and add to the fun and charm of the story; this book will have you smiling as you read "The End". I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
Blake, Duke of Hathshire, is attending a social function which he hates. He would much rather be in the country with his, almost 5 years old daughter, Clarissa, and running his estate. However, after being a widower for almost two years, he needs to find an accomplished, pleasant, scandal free wife from a good family to become a mother to his daughter. After the unusual meeting he had with a beautiful, featherbrained lady that lacked social convention, he really questioned some of her answers and maybe his requirements for a wife weren't correct, but he would not see the lady again.
Daffodil accompanies her friend to a duke's home to visit his library for charitable endeavor, he has agreed to be a part of and as she waits for her friend to take care of her task, she accidentally comes upon the duke and his daughter having a tea party. They are both shocked to see each other but when his daughter invites Daff to tea, he is shocked because his daughter has been going farther into her shell and does not talk to many people and while he watches the two interact, maybe his first opinion of her was wrong. Daff also saw the duke's softer side during a tea party with his daughter, and she begins to wish for a different kind of future. But can she overcome his fears and prejudices, her lack of embroidery skills (LOL) and win his heart? Needless to say, their second meet was love at second sight and the story was full of lovable characters, snappy dialogue and sweet romance. The story is fast-paced and engaging, with just enough drama and humor to keep you entertained. Blake and Daffodil's interactions are full of sparks and tenderness and their love for Clarissa was heartwarming. The secondary characters are also well-developed and add to the fun and charm of the story; this book will have you smiling as you read "The End". I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
May 19, 2023
Daffodil and her 10 months younger sister Delilah find themselves at a finishing school, visiting the Maypole one late April day. They are listening to stories of prior lasses who made wishes at the Maypole and had them all come true. Daffodil's eyes follow a beautiful butterfly and she wishes she could follow it off through the skies to a new life, away from her controlling mother. But by the first of May she has met Blake, the Duke of Hathshire, on three occasions, prompting her to sneak out at dawn to make a more detailed wish at the Maypole. Hope swells within her when the Duke and his daughter ask her father's permission to walk the Mayfair grounds with her. When he proposes she take the role of his duchess, she doesn't answer directly and her mother immediately comes to get her, chastising her and his daughter! Has she and her mother messed things up beyond salvation? This book is a good read.
May 7, 2023
I simply adored this story. It is a clean sweet romance. It is about Daffodil whose mother is trying to match her up with anyone who has money, even if he is horrible. Blake is a Duke who is widowed and has a daughter, he has decided it is time to get married. While he is thinking about getting married, he makes a list of what he would like his future Duchess to be like. Daffodil is nothing like his list. But when she meets his daughter, she is kind to her, and Clarissa immediately likes Daffodil back. I enjoyed this book, and I cannot wait to read the future books which will have Daffodil’s friends and sister in it.
I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my honest opinion.
May 9, 2023
Sweet story about another overbearing mother trying to match her daughter with unworthy men. Thankfully she has the support of some wonderful friends!
received a free copy of this book from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
received a free copy of this book from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 17, 2023
This is a sweetly romantic novel full of lovable, entertaining characters who dislike each other at first but fall in love as they get to know each other. Another great addition to the series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 20, 2023
had potential
I actually like the author’s “voice” and thought it had the potential to be cute. It just needed a lot more meat to it. It was so short there was not enough development of the love story.
I actually like the author’s “voice” and thought it had the potential to be cute. It just needed a lot more meat to it. It was so short there was not enough development of the love story.
August 28, 2023
The plot was simple. The characters were sweet. There's not more to add except that it was a quick read.
Note: Originally completed this book on 07 June 2023. All the 2023 book reviews I posted were accidentally deleted. I am in the process of reposting them. Thank you for your understanding.
Note: Originally completed this book on 07 June 2023. All the 2023 book reviews I posted were accidentally deleted. I am in the process of reposting them. Thank you for your understanding.
September 2, 2023
Cute quick fun and clean- I liked the growth even though it was a short book- it still wasn’t like a lust kind of falling in love, it was genuine and fun. I liked how sweet the little girl was and how important she played a part in the story
August 1, 2024
sweet
I liked the whole premise of wishing on a Maypole and having it come true. Daffodil is such a sweet character and I’m glad she escaped her mother’s awful machinations. This is a sweet and clean series that will make your heart sigh.
I liked the whole premise of wishing on a Maypole and having it come true. Daffodil is such a sweet character and I’m glad she escaped her mother’s awful machinations. This is a sweet and clean series that will make your heart sigh.
May 17, 2023
Pleasant read
I enjoyed this book and was looking forward to reading the others in the series.. However this was the only one on Kindle Unlimited soon I am disappointed.
I enjoyed this book and was looking forward to reading the others in the series.. However this was the only one on Kindle Unlimited soon I am disappointed.
May 17, 2023
This series is fun and magical. Simple wishes around the maypole become big dreams and dreamy happily ever afters. Daffodil and Blake are perfect together.
May 21, 2023
Very sweet
May 28, 2023
A lovely sweet romance. Enjoyed reading this story. Trying to get through the whole series. 4☆
June 7, 2023
Awkward meet cute, fun Tea party scene, great friend moments, love Delihah speech to her sister to encourage her
June 9, 2023
Very sweet novella with lots of tender moments between Blake and Daffodil.
September 30, 2023
easy read
A clean and sweet read with a happy ever after end despite the fa h she has a mother who is not really one who has her daughters best interests at heart
A clean and sweet read with a happy ever after end despite the fa h she has a mother who is not really one who has her daughters best interests at heart
October 21, 2023
I looooved it
I was really happy to see more of the series even if not directly Related
I totally enjoyed this one and I am jumping to read Adam's 😉
I was really happy to see more of the series even if not directly Related
I totally enjoyed this one and I am jumping to read Adam's 😉
May 15, 2024
4.5 Stars
October 19, 2024
Enjoyable book, short and sweet with a happy ending. Highly recommend if you're looking for a quick read.
May 23, 2023
Lady Daffodil and her friends know that former students of Madame Bellafonte’s finishing school have had wishes made while dancing around the Maypole have been fulfilled. They are ready for their turn. Daf meets the Duke of Hathshire at a ball where she is doing her best to avoid her mother’s intense matchmaking. The next time she sees Blake, she also meets his adorable daughter Clarissa. She and Clarissa take to each other right away. She and Blake are drawn to each other, but there is some hesitancy. This is a lighthearted romance with lovely characters. There is a tiny bit of drama thanks to Daf’s mother, lots of humor, and a wish-filled dance around the Maypole. I enjoyed this entertaining story with a wish made, a wish granted, and a happy ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
May 19, 2023
A delightful and sweet romance, grumpy meets sunshine. I liked the mistaken impressions at the beginning for Daffodil and the Duke which soon turned around and became a love at second sight. A lovely happily ever after.
September 30, 2025
After the success of other students from Madame Bellafonte's finishing school, Lady Daffodil and her friends make their own wish whilst dancing around the Maypole. With an overly ambitious mother prodding her and criticizing her every move, Daff, as she is fondly known by her sister and friends, has become nervous about appearing at social events, knowing that she will be forced to smile at yet another supposed worthy suitor. So far it has not been going well. In an attempt to avoid her mother's machinations, she uses the Duke of Hathshire as a shield, only to embarrass herself further. Fortunately, fate neatly puts her into his sphere once again, and the budding attraction between them ignites and flares. I loved the interaction between Daff and the Duke's little girl, which added humor to the romance. Despite misunderstandings and the desperate need to avoid her mother's plans, the novel does come to a successful conclusion and dreams do come true. I received a copy of this sweet romance as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.
July 6, 2023
Blake/Duke of Hathshire - He appears as grumpy but loves his daughter and is looking for a wife.
Lady Daffodil - doesn't like societal events but has a mom that has plans different from hers. Fortunately she can discreetly stand her ground.
I enjoyed reading this delightful story of instant fated love with a little friction. Their humorous story has a loving hea.
AMA
Lady Daffodil - doesn't like societal events but has a mom that has plans different from hers. Fortunately she can discreetly stand her ground.
I enjoyed reading this delightful story of instant fated love with a little friction. Their humorous story has a loving hea.
AMA
October 6, 2023
I absolutely love this series. This is book 5 of 8. They are sweet short stories that just make your day as you read them. The characters a wonderfully written and the story has just enough to keep you smiling. These make a great break between reading heavier books. I am looking to the rest of the series. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.
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