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Confirmed Bachelors #6
Eagleton: Confirmed Bachelors Book 6
Two people haunted by their past…
Alexander Wraxall, 6th Marquess of Eagleton, worries he may be cursed. Those close to him tend to die, and he believes he is, in part, responsible for their deaths. When he receives a packet of letters from a relative he thought long dead, he embarks on a journey that will change his life forever.
Since washing up on the shores of Lake Garda, Nell Marsdon has put her nightmarish history behind her and, in the house of Angelica Montovani, has found some peace. It is shattered by the arrival of the Marquess of Eagleton, a man who represents everything she has learned to despise.
Under the sun of a foreign land, they will be forced to confront their deepest fears, but will it unite or divide them?
Alexander Wraxall, 6th Marquess of Eagleton, worries he may be cursed. Those close to him tend to die, and he believes he is, in part, responsible for their deaths. When he receives a packet of letters from a relative he thought long dead, he embarks on a journey that will change his life forever.
Since washing up on the shores of Lake Garda, Nell Marsdon has put her nightmarish history behind her and, in the house of Angelica Montovani, has found some peace. It is shattered by the arrival of the Marquess of Eagleton, a man who represents everything she has learned to despise.
Under the sun of a foreign land, they will be forced to confront their deepest fears, but will it unite or divide them?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2023
127 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
Jenny Hambly
34 books90 followersI love history and the Regency period in particular. I grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, Charlotte and Emile Bronte, and Georgette Heyer.
I now write traditional Regency romance novels. I like to think my characters, though flawed, are likeable, strong, and true to the period. Rosalind is the first in my Bachelor Brides series. Sophie and Katherine complete the series. The books are linked by characters introduced in each. They can be read as stand-alone novels, but are best read in order.
I live by the sea in Plymouth, England with my partner, Dave. I like reading, sailing, wine, getting up early to watch the sunrise in summer, and long quiet evenings by the wood burner in our cabin on the cliffs in Cornwall in winter.
Find out more about me, join my mailing list, or just see what I am up to, at www.jennyhambly.com
I now write traditional Regency romance novels. I like to think my characters, though flawed, are likeable, strong, and true to the period. Rosalind is the first in my Bachelor Brides series. Sophie and Katherine complete the series. The books are linked by characters introduced in each. They can be read as stand-alone novels, but are best read in order.
I live by the sea in Plymouth, England with my partner, Dave. I like reading, sailing, wine, getting up early to watch the sunrise in summer, and long quiet evenings by the wood burner in our cabin on the cliffs in Cornwall in winter.
Find out more about me, join my mailing list, or just see what I am up to, at www.jennyhambly.com
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 21, 2024
Last book in the confirmed bachelor series and features Alexander Wraxall, Marquess of Eagleton, who we first met in book four, having terrorised Cressy into fleeing from Bath, seducing a young widow, fighting a duke over Cressy, and being forced to marry the widow after she discovered she was pregnant. Now some eighteen months later Alexander is a completely different person, now widowed he's decided to visit his Italian grandmother for the first time and take his baby with him.
Nell, Lady Flint, overheard her husband offering to give her to an Italian count for the evening to pay off his gambling debts, so she flees Verona with the help of Lady Westcliff (from another series of this author) only to fall from a boat on the lake and end up in the home of Alexander's grandmother, as her companion. When he arrived she's intimidated as he's so direct, but also learns she's being looked for as her husband was found dead in the river days after she disappeared.
I enjoyed this book, some crossover from other books in the series, and other series, and a good if not quite believable plot. I worry for people who go out to watch the sunset at seven am, some proof reading would have been beneficial, a few silly errors in this book now seen any previously.
Sad the series has come to an end. I think Derriford is still my favourite, but despite its issues this may be the second.
Nell, Lady Flint, overheard her husband offering to give her to an Italian count for the evening to pay off his gambling debts, so she flees Verona with the help of Lady Westcliff (from another series of this author) only to fall from a boat on the lake and end up in the home of Alexander's grandmother, as her companion. When he arrived she's intimidated as he's so direct, but also learns she's being looked for as her husband was found dead in the river days after she disappeared.
I enjoyed this book, some crossover from other books in the series, and other series, and a good if not quite believable plot. I worry for people who go out to watch the sunset at seven am, some proof reading would have been beneficial, a few silly errors in this book now seen any previously.
Sad the series has come to an end. I think Derriford is still my favourite, but despite its issues this may be the second.
April 19, 2023
Good story (no spoiler review)
This book was writen in a style I can only say is so Jenny Hambly. I love her books and this one was not lacking love, adventure or character development. I was so happy to see a reformed Eagleton from this series. He was a villian that you felt was redeemable before. The way he loved his baby was precious, and to see him fall for a the perfect girl for him was great. I love the lady of this book as well, her story was truly unique and well written. I look forward to the next story.
Clean book, no sex scene but fantastic chemistry/attraction and some kisses.
This book was writen in a style I can only say is so Jenny Hambly. I love her books and this one was not lacking love, adventure or character development. I was so happy to see a reformed Eagleton from this series. He was a villian that you felt was redeemable before. The way he loved his baby was precious, and to see him fall for a the perfect girl for him was great. I love the lady of this book as well, her story was truly unique and well written. I look forward to the next story.
Clean book, no sex scene but fantastic chemistry/attraction and some kisses.
July 7, 2023
A clean story. A widowed Marquis who has a damaged upbringing and a damaged Lady fleeing her abusive husband ‘collide’ in Italy. I was not initially sure, as for whatever reason I am not always a fan of plots primarily set overseas. However, as the story unfolded I was drawn in and initial thoughts on the plot did not unfold. I would have liked to have heard how Angelica fared in England, and also Tim and Maria. It does say that we will here about some of the characters in the next book about Emma, so maybe my wishes will be granted, although it does not say which characters.
April 29, 2023
romance and redemption
Hambly is a very good writer and her characters leap off the page. I have loved this series, yet I found this one less compelling than the previous volumes. The redemption of a foolhardy rake isn’t an easy task and I wasn’t quite sure about Eagleton even at the end. Not because I thought he’d return to his past ways, but because he was still so emotionally broken from his upbringing.
Angst abounds: triggers for emotional abuse and violence.
Hambly is a very good writer and her characters leap off the page. I have loved this series, yet I found this one less compelling than the previous volumes. The redemption of a foolhardy rake isn’t an easy task and I wasn’t quite sure about Eagleton even at the end. Not because I thought he’d return to his past ways, but because he was still so emotionally broken from his upbringing.
Angst abounds: triggers for emotional abuse and violence.
December 31, 2023
fun clean regency story
Loved this book. We see the H turn the corner finally and become the H. Well written and had a bit of adventure/mystery which is great.
Nice job on making his change believable. It's been awhile since I read the previous books in the series, so I may not fully remember Eagleton's personality in the other stories, but it felt like a true change that was real.
Series worth reading and clean.
Loved this book. We see the H turn the corner finally and become the H. Well written and had a bit of adventure/mystery which is great.
Nice job on making his change believable. It's been awhile since I read the previous books in the series, so I may not fully remember Eagleton's personality in the other stories, but it felt like a true change that was real.
Series worth reading and clean.
June 10, 2024
not what I was hoping
I have been waiting to read Eagleton’s story for a long time. And I hate to admit I was a little disappointed. Their relationship was just weird to me…I know, they were both damaged but it just seemed like they argued a lot, were offended by each other or disdained each other…and I just didn’t feel the sexual tension.
I have been waiting to read Eagleton’s story for a long time. And I hate to admit I was a little disappointed. Their relationship was just weird to me…I know, they were both damaged but it just seemed like they argued a lot, were offended by each other or disdained each other…and I just didn’t feel the sexual tension.
April 15, 2023
a must read
Another must read from Jenny, with an interesting storyline. I hope to hear more of the count and Sophia in the future. A shame Sophia’s father didn’t get his comeuppance. Most enjoyable.
Another must read from Jenny, with an interesting storyline. I hope to hear more of the count and Sophia in the future. A shame Sophia’s father didn’t get his comeuppance. Most enjoyable.
June 3, 2023
Freddie
I had not realized how much I had missed Ms Hamby’s writing. I have read the whole series of Confirmed Bachelors and then I found this one. THE BEST of an excellent series of books. Love, adventure and mystery in one excellent book ❤️
I had not realized how much I had missed Ms Hamby’s writing. I have read the whole series of Confirmed Bachelors and then I found this one. THE BEST of an excellent series of books. Love, adventure and mystery in one excellent book ❤️
November 24, 2023
a tiny bit hokey
A bit of misunderstandings and unbelievable coincidence… but a fun read. Ma. Hamblys characters are very forgiving and her villains mostly misunderstood rather than evil.
A bit of misunderstandings and unbelievable coincidence… but a fun read. Ma. Hamblys characters are very forgiving and her villains mostly misunderstood rather than evil.
May 13, 2025
very disappointing read
Her other books were good but this one was far from believable and not well written. On every page she says “his lips twisted” at least once. The leading man is also unhinged and would not possibly make a good husband or father.
Her other books were good but this one was far from believable and not well written. On every page she says “his lips twisted” at least once. The leading man is also unhinged and would not possibly make a good husband or father.
May 10, 2023
Italy is a sprinkled mention in Regency stories, but to have it as the main setting was an interesting variation.
May 12, 2023
This book was a disappointment after having read many of Jenny Hambly's books. I found the h tedious and the H erratic and sometimes unlikable. Also, it was way too long.
September 27, 2024
Another great story by JH of a bad boy turned good. Loved it.
October 28, 2024
Aided by love
This was such a complete story. The characters Nell and Alexander were so good together. The drama kept the story from becoming dull. The ending was very romantic.
This was such a complete story. The characters Nell and Alexander were so good together. The drama kept the story from becoming dull. The ending was very romantic.
April 21, 2023
One of my absolute favorite regency romance novels! I liked all books in this series but, in my opinion, this is the best. The characters are likable and believable and the story is convincingly set in this period. The unexpected turns in the story are not predictable, so there is some suspense up to the end, without breaking the smooth flow of the story. I utterly enjoyed this engaging feel-good romance novel.
May 3, 2023
Jenny Hambly is one of my must-read authors, and this book was another excellent addition to her repertoire, to round off the Confirmed Bachelors series. The distinguishing characteristic of this one is the setting - most of the book is well beyond the usual run of Regency backdrops, being set on the shores of Lake Garda, and I can’t tell you how refreshing it was to be somewhere so unusual. If you’ve been to Italy it will bring back memories, and if you haven’t, you’ll be able to imagine it.
Here’s the premise: Alexander, the Marquess of Eagleton, travels to Italy with his baby daughter to reunite with a lost part of his family. Nell is escaping from her family. Both of them will have to come to terms with their past histories in order to forge a future together. And right there is my sole grumble with this book - there is a LOT of backstory to be explained. Both hero and heroine have deeply tortured pasts and even the minor characters have their own tragedies and family feuds to overcome.
It all serves to make the story a bit top heavy, and the early chapters in particular are bogged down in explanations. Sometimes it almost felt that I’d missed an earlier book (and actually part of Lord Eagleton’s may have been in Ormsley). Personally, I prefer all the history to be dripped in gently rather than as a torrent, but it does serve to underscore just why these two are so slow to trust, and why they’re liable to lash out at each other. There are a lot of missteps along the way as they snipe at each other, and then completely fail to make allowances.
But once the story gets going, it becomes compelling reading, and not just for the romance. The Italian setting is a big part of the magic of the book, especially the lake itself, the grape harvest and later the lovely city of Verona. It’s painted with an artist’s eye for detail, such as the door knockers, the amphitheatre and the odd fact that boats tend to ply the lake at night (why, I wonder?). [Edit: the author tells me it's because the wind changes direction at night; what a charming detail!]
While some elements of the past are laid to rest with surprising ease, the last few chapters see some startling and dramatic developments which I definitely did not see coming. One thing I particularly enjoyed in this book is that several of the apparently villainous characters turned out to be far more complex that they seemed at first sight. I love it when a little twist makes the reader see a character in a completely different light. This is how people really are, not the rigid black and white so often seen in fiction.
Needless to say, everything is resolved satisfactorily at the end, and hero and heroine reach their happy ending in resounding style. This is another fine work by the author, and only the weight of all that backstory keeps it to fours stars for me.
Here’s the premise: Alexander, the Marquess of Eagleton, travels to Italy with his baby daughter to reunite with a lost part of his family. Nell is escaping from her family. Both of them will have to come to terms with their past histories in order to forge a future together. And right there is my sole grumble with this book - there is a LOT of backstory to be explained. Both hero and heroine have deeply tortured pasts and even the minor characters have their own tragedies and family feuds to overcome.
It all serves to make the story a bit top heavy, and the early chapters in particular are bogged down in explanations. Sometimes it almost felt that I’d missed an earlier book (and actually part of Lord Eagleton’s may have been in Ormsley). Personally, I prefer all the history to be dripped in gently rather than as a torrent, but it does serve to underscore just why these two are so slow to trust, and why they’re liable to lash out at each other. There are a lot of missteps along the way as they snipe at each other, and then completely fail to make allowances.
But once the story gets going, it becomes compelling reading, and not just for the romance. The Italian setting is a big part of the magic of the book, especially the lake itself, the grape harvest and later the lovely city of Verona. It’s painted with an artist’s eye for detail, such as the door knockers, the amphitheatre and the odd fact that boats tend to ply the lake at night (why, I wonder?). [Edit: the author tells me it's because the wind changes direction at night; what a charming detail!]
While some elements of the past are laid to rest with surprising ease, the last few chapters see some startling and dramatic developments which I definitely did not see coming. One thing I particularly enjoyed in this book is that several of the apparently villainous characters turned out to be far more complex that they seemed at first sight. I love it when a little twist makes the reader see a character in a completely different light. This is how people really are, not the rigid black and white so often seen in fiction.
Needless to say, everything is resolved satisfactorily at the end, and hero and heroine reach their happy ending in resounding style. This is another fine work by the author, and only the weight of all that backstory keeps it to fours stars for me.
May 8, 2023
Too much back story in the beginning bogged the story down. Once Eagleton reaches Italy, then story start to roll and make sense.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews