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Wedded Women Quartet #1

A Brooding Beauty

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What happens after happily ever after?

The marriage of Lady Catherine Nettle and Marcus Windfair, the 7th Duke of Kensington, was declared the affair of the Season. They seemed perfect for each other… until they weren’t.

Now after three years of separation Catherine wants a divorce. She can no longer remain married to a man who does not return her love and is willing to do whatever it takes – including following Marcus to the secluded cottage in the highlands where they spent their honeymoon – to get what she wants.

Marcus can no longer trust his wife after what happened three years ago, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t love her. Refusing her ridiculous request for a divorce, he escapes to Woodsgate, confidant his wife will not follow him into the wilds of Scotland. Unfortunately for the Duke, this is one bet he is bound to lose.

Forced together, husband and wife reach an unusual compromise: Catherine agrees to sleep with her husband for two months, after which time Marcus will grant her a divorce. It is the perfect solution for two people who claim to no longer love each other… or is it?


A Brooding Beauty is the first novella in the Wedded Women Quartet. Each novella is 15,000 - 20,000 words in length.

63 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2012

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About the author

Jillian Eaton

89 books490 followers
Jillian Eaton has written over forty historical romances and is known for finding the perfect balance between "intense emotions, sizzling chemistry, and light-hearted humor" (Swept Away by Romance). She grew up in Maine and now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three boys on a 17-acre farm where they rescue and rehabilitate senior horses.

When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.

If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:

Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover

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5 stars
148 (21%)
4 stars
227 (32%)
3 stars
212 (30%)
2 stars
83 (11%)
1 star
28 (4%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
Profile Image for Serena Books.
2,014 reviews108 followers
June 15, 2020
Eiel
Hemos sido insoportablemente crueles entre nosotros, Catherine eso no puede ser fácil de olvidar o perdonar.



A brooding beauty de Jillian Eaton libro 1 de la Serie Wedded Woman Quartet

Mí humilde opinión:


Lady Catherine Nettle y Marcus
Windfair, el 7mo duque de Kensington se casaron muy felices.

Había real atracción y afecto, parecían el uno para el otro pero un viaje destruirá el reciente enlace.

Tres años juntos y Catherine quiere el divorcio. No puede estar casada con alguien que no confía en ella y la mira con desprecio pero Marcus se niega a dárselo!

Marcus debe huir de su mujer que está decida a obtener el divorcio. Él no se lo dará por más que no confíe en ella la ama y hará lo que sea para retenerla aunque eso significara viajar a Woodsgate su finca en las salvajes tierras de Escocia.

Catherine no se dará por vencida por liberarse de un infeliz matrimonio.

Cuando llega mojada y cansada a Escocia entre discusiones y miradas de desprecio, ambos llegan a un acuerdo:

Catherine acepta dormir con su marido por dos meses, después de eso, Marcus le concederá el divorcio.

Sin embargo el amor actúa de formas misteriosas... cuando finalmente se queman los puentes, admiten sus sentimientos y se confiesan verdades... Solo entonces tendrán un verdadero felices para siempre.



Que manera de sufrir con Catherine y Marcus!!! Me mordía las uñas y maldecía a todo momento con cada escena llena de tención.

Catherine en un intento de mantener a Marcus con ella, le hace sentir celos, ella realmente no lo engaña pero él cree que sí por todos los rumores en Londres. Un tema del que no habla. Ambos se lo guardan y que piensen lo que quieran! Esto hace que su matrimonio se venga a abajo.

Por otro lado Marcus se enfocaba más en hacer su fortuna que en su mujer y eso cooperó a la separación.

Es una historia dramática y desgarradora porque los protagonistas se quieren de verdad pero por circunstancias tontas comienzan a odiarse pero siempre recordando y mirando atrás como empezaron con amor y siendo leales aunque el otro no lo piensa así.

Me encantó esta historia y como la autora resolvió los tiempos de separación hasta que finalmente arreglan las cosas entre ellos.

Una escena fuerte fue la de la cocina cuando Marcus, borracho, se le va la mano con Catherine, y celoso por los hombres que cree estuvieron con ella, la toca bruscamente. Aunque para y se da cuenta de lo mal que hizo, me pareció que Catherine debió haberle hecho algo más que morderlo. Fue algo imperdonable por hacer aunque fuera movido por los celos y quería hacerle sufrir como él sufría.

En fin, creo en las segundas oportunidades y estos dos tontos sin dudas se la merecían. Me gustó como lo resolvieron al final.

El epílogo fue uno de los más lindos y tiernos que leí de los libros de la autora. Adorable de verdad.

Profile Image for Dina.
1,324 reviews1,366 followers
August 6, 2013
The premise of this book - an estranged married couple trying to figure out how to put an end to the misery that's taken over their lives since their marriage fell apart - was interesting, but the story was too short to fully engage me.

Quick summary:

Based on my summary of the story, one might think I disliked it. I did not. Marcus and Catherine weren't perfect, but I actually liked them. I also liked the plot. My issues were only related to the way it was developed: the amount of time/scenes dedicated to secondary events - Catherine's debacle with the coach on her way to Scotland, for example - could have been better used to showcase Marcus and Catherine's troubled relationship, the ending was too rushed and the epilogue was too long.

All things considered, this was a nice read. It didn't rock my world, but it was good enough to make me want to read A Ravishing Redhead, the next book in the series.

P.S.: Darn you, Amazon! You gave me books #2, #3 and #4 of the series for free just to make my OCD go ballistic and force me to buy this one. You are evil! Evil! :P
Profile Image for Lisa.
328 reviews83 followers
February 19, 2012
I really enjoyed the premise of this story--a couple at odds with each other within their marriage. Lady Catherine married her ideal man at eighteen, Marcus, Duke of Kensington to enjoy a few blissful months together and then he heads off to America to increase his fortune. Well, this upsets Catherine and she decides to stay in London and attend balls and whatnot and enjoy life even though her husband all but deserted her. Upon arriving home, Marcus hears rumors of infidelity and it infuriates him and the couple become distant and sharp with each other--just passing each other in society a few times a year. Catherine finally decides a divorce is in order and naturally Marcus says no as that is just not done but he still loves his wife. Catherine stills loves Marcus as well even though she believes he has a mistress and cares naught for her.

This is a classic misunderstanding story between our couple and you can't help but think to yourself--just talk to each other! But even though the storyline isn't all that fresh, I really enjoyed the writing. I always love to see stories of strife after the happy marriage because in reality, everyone can not live happily ever after all the time :) I thought this novella had a wonderful blend of story, heat and love. Catherine is sharp and plucky and Marcus is a bit brooding and together they make a lovely couple that I was happy to see get another chance at their happily ever after. This is the start of a quartet and we get just a peek at the other friends that will make up the rest of the stories and I am very much looking forward to them! I believe this is Jillian Eaton's debut and I thought she did a wonderful job and I hope she branches out into a full length novel someday as I think she could tell an engaging, longer story as well. For a quick, sexy read mixed with some misunderstandings, A Brooding Beauty is sure to please! 4 stars
Profile Image for Nuki.
111 reviews78 followers
April 2, 2017
Deceptive cover pic. The heroine is described as blonde and blue eyed. A short novella about a love marriage that falls apart due to misunderstandings and lack of communication between the two characters. However, it was an enjoyable read. *** stars.
Profile Image for Jillian Eaton.
Author 89 books490 followers
April 16, 2012
I have always loved historical romances. I loved the drama of it all, and of course the romance. What I didn't always love was how almost every book I read seemed to end with the hero and heroine getting married, as if that was the end of their love story. As a woman about to get married herself, I certainly know that marriage is not the end of the road! So I set about writing a story that answered the age old question: what happens after happily ever after?

A Brooding Beauty is the first novella in the Wedded Women Quartet. It is about Catherine and Marcus, two people who fancied themselves in love and got married. Three years later they are barely speaking to each other. This is a story of missed chances and poor communication, something that is rampant in every relationship. If only Marcus or Catherine had the courage to simply speak their minds! But alas, such is not the case with these two hard headed love birds. Will they let rumors and mistrust tear them apart completely? Or will they be able to find their way back to the love they once knew? Find out in A Brooding Beauty, available now on Amazon for only $0.99!

If you liked Marcus and Catherine's story, be sure to find out what happens to Margaret and Henry in A Ravishing Redhead, available now! :)
Profile Image for Cláudia Monteiro.
67 reviews62 followers
April 18, 2021
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed reading about these two!
Although there wasn't much character development, with it being a short story, I did get an understanding of who they are, and ended up feeling quite connected to them.
Marcus and Catherine... Will you please talk to one another?, was my inner monologue the whole time. I have to admit, though: when it comes to this genre, I am a sucker for the "miscommunication/assuming-all-of-the-wrong-things-until-they-make-up" type of storyline.
Profile Image for Pamela.
1,829 reviews40 followers
June 21, 2018
This is the story about the,Duke of Kensington, who married his love, Catherine. It all goes very well, and then a misunderstanding, that neither want to discuss puts a wedge between them. Four years later they are still apart, until she arrives to tell him she wants a divorce. Then the action gets interesting. I loved the sweet story, and Epilogue, but felt it could have been longer, and given us more time to better know both characters. 4 stars...
Profile Image for Arlena.
3,483 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2012
Author: Jillian Eaton
Published By: J. A. E.
Age Recommend: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 4
Blog Review For: Great Minds Think Aloud
Review:

"A Brooding Beauty" by Jillian was a good short romance novel. The
author really worked her magic with this story and it really turn out to be a cute story dealing with Catherine and Marcus (Duke of Kensington).

The story was of two people that had misunderstood each other in more ways than one. Marcus leaves to work in America and upon his return hears that his wife has been cheating on him. (Rumors) Instead of this couple talking about this situation both of them are now distant and very short with each other. Next .... Catherine is wanting a divorce even though she still loves Marcus.....even through she believed he had a mistress. (Rumors) Naturally Marcus says NO to the divorce.
How the author is able to bring this couple back together is a work of art. Will Catherine and Marcus finally be able to talk and work out their problems?... Had their been any affairs? You must read this novel to find out.

"A Brooding Beauty" had a blend of sexual heat and love. For this was
truly a romance novel and wow what an ending. I really liked it! If you are in for a quick sweet romance then this novel, "A Brooding Beauty" is for you.




Read more: http://www.greatmindsthinkaloud.probo...
Profile Image for Emily.
1,261 reviews
April 11, 2014
I really enjoyed this little romance. I'm already hooked, and can't wait to read the other books in the series.

I thought Jillian Eaton did a great job with the premise of the book, and with character development. She certainly maintained my interest throughout each chapter, and I found myself looking forward to turning the page.

A Brooding Beauty is a great little romance filled with bursts of sensuality. I can't wait to see what A Ravishing Redhead has in store for Margaret. I read the preview for chapter 1, now it's time to read the rest of the chapters.

Happy Reading!

Update from reading a second time: Stil loved it. Although, there is one thing that bothers me. Cat has blond hair, but the woman on the cover(s) has deep brown. I pay attention to those small details.

First read 09/05/2012

Read a second time 04/10/2014
Profile Image for Hot Mess Sommelière ~ Caro.
1,492 reviews243 followers
May 26, 2012
This was a short and fun historical romance novella. The story is about a married couple that doesn't get along anymore after a stupid misunderstanding. Will they work it out?

As I said, the story is quite short so I can't say much about the content without spoiling it for everyone else, but I'll say something about the rest.

The Characters: Characters, especially in the genre of Historical Romance, where the storylines tend to be quite similar, are veeeeeeery important. Ms. Eaton handled her characters wonderfully. The bickering couple wasn#t exactly new to me, but it somehow still managed to get and keep my attention.

The writing style: Neat, not too flourished. The characters' emotions are well-thought out and understandable. The language employed was neither experimental nor particularly beautiful, but it served its purpose. I would categorize it as basic historical romance style, since I wouldn't be able to tell it apart from its peers.

The storyline: Neat and unsurprising, but that was its charm.

Brooding Beauty is a simple and short tale that could be called a rather typical historical romance. If that's what you're looking for, look no longer.
Profile Image for Tonileg.
2,243 reviews26 followers
August 26, 2012
It is so sad when a person wakes up to find that their marriage is dead. This happens to Lady Catherine Nettle and Marcus Windfair, the 7th Duke of Kensington. They were in love when they were courting but for the past three years they have lived separate lives and in separate bedrooms.
This is a short but sweet story about Cat and Marcus' marital problems.
Historical English 'ton' society short story romance.
less then 100 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars and there is another story A Ravishing Redhead
Profile Image for Nelly.
482 reviews13 followers
October 13, 2020
Meh...

I was in the mood for a short novel so I picked this up. The plot sounded nice, marriage in trouble then reconciliation. But both characters were so unlikable, especially the wife Catherine.

Yeah I get she saw young and naive but why let your husband believe rumors when a simple denial could have fixed things... Ironically she believes he had a mistress when she obviously never saw him with another woman, but again rumors!!

Profile Image for Jess - The Hexed Library.
1,104 reviews147 followers
July 10, 2014
I really enjoyed this novella, I read it in a little over an hour. The two main characters were charming and well, I'm a sucker for a cute love story!

The writing was enjoyable and had a nice quality to it. Miss Eaton seems to know what she is doing!

Probably going to dive right in to the second novella of this series in a few minutes!
Profile Image for Sarah.
39 reviews3 followers
September 23, 2012
Nice book. Wish it was longer, but the author did a good job catching us up on what was going on with Marcus and Catherine. Only thing I just noticed is the cover image shows a brunette woman, but Cat was blonde.
Profile Image for Kat.
283 reviews
August 19, 2013
—Le daría la bienvenida a la vida de mendigo —susurró dolorosamente—, si eso significa que podría pasar una noche más en tus brazos.


AY, LO AMÉ MUCHO. Aunque muy cortito, pero hermosisimo<3
Profile Image for Nessa.
3,952 reviews74 followers
August 22, 2017
A SOLID 2.5 STARS!

THIS STORY WAS SO SHORT I QUESTIONED ITS EXISTENCE....BUT THE STORY WAS ANGST PACK...AND THE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CHARACTERS...WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT IF IT HAD BEEN A FULL LENGTH NOVEL INSTEAD OF A NOVELLA.
Profile Image for Charlie.
578 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2016
Foolishness. Did not finish.
Nothing important they did made any sense.
Profile Image for Conina.
462 reviews19 followers
May 15, 2017
Не заслужава 4-те звезди, освен ако не сте като мен - мъжът ви е заминал да прави пари в чужбина, а вие сте оставени (или забравени?) назад, назад +/- дете. В моя случай има и дете, в случая на главната героиня - не. Но това е достатъчно (+ малко още нерегулирани хормони) да си поплачете тук-там.

Майка ми казваше, че "проблемите в семейството се решават в спалнята" и стоя зад думите й. Ако не в спалнята, то с говорене. Точно това засяга и авторката на романа - говорете помежду си, прощавайте (ако въобще има нужда) и продължавайте напред. Гледането и тровенето в отминали дразги няма да помогне. Сега, на това последното още не съм му хванала цаката, ама има време :)

Новелката е кратка, няма и 70 страници, сексът засяга 1/3 от тях, та от останалите 2/3 трябва да изчегъртате смисъла и посланието: говорете си за проблемите, за да ги решите. Ако повече млади читателки извадят тази поука овреме, може и да имат по-спокоен семеен живот. Остатъка от книгата си е чиста приказка: балове, хубави дрехи, слуги... Но това е бегло споменато; с богат речников запас тази новелка би могла да прерасне в хубав роман, но - уви! - краткостта е стил на авторката.

Profile Image for Sieravonne.
358 reviews3 followers
February 2, 2018
Weeell, their reconciliation was rather abrupt. It was like the author ended it just for the sake of ending it.

Whatever happened to, "If Marcus ever asked her if she was guilty of adultery she would reply honestly, but he never had. Instead he continued to believe rumor and speculation over his own wife and for that – even more than his abandonment of her – Catherine could never forgive him."?

Catherine melted quite quickly after Marcus's love declaration. Mayhap she should have told him sooner instead of waiting for him to ask her. She could have save them both from the 3 years of heartaches and dramas! Because in the end, she was also the one who explained everything without him asking for the truth.
Profile Image for Rachel Smart.
603 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2018
Loved it!!

For such a short book it is very well thought out and executed. Catherine and Marcus fall in love and marry. However she to miss communications and pride the become fierce enemies who secretly still love each other!
I really enjoyed this book! Can't wait to read the next book.
189 reviews
July 20, 2019
Great

Really enjoyed but wish it was longer. Wonderful characters, would liked to get to know them better. But as it’s a novella, things go quickly. Highly recommend for a quick enjoyable read.
Profile Image for iread.
832 reviews10 followers
April 18, 2018
Loved it

This is a wonderful story of repairing a shattered relationship. I can not wait to read more from Jillian Eaton.
Profile Image for Aj.
2,501 reviews
November 30, 2020
A Brooding Beauty was a quick and enjoyable story by Jillian Eaton.

Not long enough to get your teeth into but well written. Lady Catherine Nettle and Marcus Windfair, the 7th Duke of Kensington were the affair of the Season. They seemed perfect for one another… until they weren’t. Lots of misconceptions in this story but you don't have to wait long for their happily ever after.
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