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Fiery Tales #3
The Duke's Match Girl
From USA Today bestselling author Lila DiPasqua comes a scorching new historical romance novella in the acclaimed Fiery Tales series! A romantic, erotically charged retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl.
As childhood friends, Leopold d'Ermart and Suzanne Matchet were inseparable. One unforgettable Christmas Eve, their relationship changed from the best of friends...to lovers. But the heir of the Duke of Mont-Marly isn't supposed to fall in love with the daughter of his family's physician. Or vice versa.
Is this a second chance at first love?
Years later, Suzanne is dreading her first Christmas without her father. The heartbreak Leo caused when he left seven years ago is a distant memory. And she prefers to keep it that way. The last thing Suzanne expects is for tall, dark, and sinfully seductive Leo d'Ermart to show up at her door and announce he wants her back in his life. And in his bed. Worse, the now celebrated libertine is even more devastating to a woman's senses than ever before...
Or are they playing with fire?
The only woman Leo, Duke of Mont-Marly, has ever yearned for is the adorably unconventional, intelligent beauty who got away. He discovers Suzanne creating and selling matchsticks, elixirs for the ill...and is still so damned alluring. Leo is determined to show her the depth of his desire, win back Suzanne's heart. And give her a Christmas beyond her wildest imagination...
Warning: Explicit language and love scenes. 32,000 word novella.
As childhood friends, Leopold d'Ermart and Suzanne Matchet were inseparable. One unforgettable Christmas Eve, their relationship changed from the best of friends...to lovers. But the heir of the Duke of Mont-Marly isn't supposed to fall in love with the daughter of his family's physician. Or vice versa.
Is this a second chance at first love?
Years later, Suzanne is dreading her first Christmas without her father. The heartbreak Leo caused when he left seven years ago is a distant memory. And she prefers to keep it that way. The last thing Suzanne expects is for tall, dark, and sinfully seductive Leo d'Ermart to show up at her door and announce he wants her back in his life. And in his bed. Worse, the now celebrated libertine is even more devastating to a woman's senses than ever before...
Or are they playing with fire?
The only woman Leo, Duke of Mont-Marly, has ever yearned for is the adorably unconventional, intelligent beauty who got away. He discovers Suzanne creating and selling matchsticks, elixirs for the ill...and is still so damned alluring. Leo is determined to show her the depth of his desire, win back Suzanne's heart. And give her a Christmas beyond her wildest imagination...
Warning: Explicit language and love scenes. 32,000 word novella.
106 pages, ebook
First published December 3, 2013
67 people are currently reading
1735 people want to read
About the author
Lila DiPasqua
19 books808 followersLila DiPasqua is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical romance with extra heat. She is published in multiple languages and loves art and animals. She's surrounded by many dog toys.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
August 8, 2024
(THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL is part of Lila DiPasqua’s Fiery Tales series but can easily be as a standalone.)
**5 Delightfully Wicked Stars**
I LOVED this novella! It was romantic, steamy and funny and kept me totally entertained from the first page to the last.
Here are the things I loved:
The story combines two of my favourite tropes…friends to lovers and second chances. I adored Leo… his willingness to admit how much he had hurt Suzanne and his sheer determination to prove how much he truly loves her. Suzanne is still feeling the pain caused by the death of her beloved father and wants nothing to do with the man who broke her heart. I love that she refuses to trust him even though she still feels a strong attraction. In fact, she leads him a merry dance and I love the letter she sends him when he asks her to spend Christmas with him at the Château Montbrison.
Your Grace,
Your man has informed me of your offer. He was quite uncomfortable about relaying my response. It is for his ease that I put it to you here in writing. As to your offer— and I say this with the utmost sincerity— you may take it, and insert it into your exalted posterior.
Sincerely,
Suzanne
Oh boy! Leo wasn’t going to give up at the first hurdle and I was in awe of his ingenuity, especially when he uses a little bribery to enlist the whole town in his schemes. Everyone in the town bombards Suzanne with reasons why she should go with Leo. I loved this exchange between the innkeeper and Suzanne…
“Well, perhaps you should consider that he is a wealthy man.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“With much power and influence.”
“I’m aware of that, too.”
“What about his enormous manhood?”
That stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned. “Pardon?”
Then there is the episode involving Gaspard…
and the delightful picture of Suzanne’s two employees, Rosalie and Lucille, surreptitiously eavesdropping on her conversation with Leo.
Suzanne is my sort of unconventional heroine. She has a brilliant mind and a great passion for science and I adore Leo for being proud of her abilities and loving her adorable little quirks and oddities.
Of course, this is Lila DiPasqua, so expect wickedly delicious, sizzlingly sexy, toe-curling love scenes with some dirty talk from Leo…definitely not for prudish ears! There is a pretty hot scene in the carriage on the way to Château Montbrison and Leo does luscious things with ice cream too!
I’m a sucker for a sigh-worthy ending and this has a real heart-melting one. I won’t spoil it for you other than to say that Suzanne’s matches play a significant part and Leo…his words are totally swoon-worthy! There is even an added bonus of a charming Epilogue.
THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL is a fun and steamy novella and so curl up with a glass of wine and your favourite chocolates and enjoy!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
SENSUALITY RATING: SIZZLING
Fiery Tales series (click on the book cover for more details):
CHECK OUT LILA'S GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG...CLOSES MIDDAY (GMT) SATURDAY 14th DECEMBER (NOW CLOSED):
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
**5 Delightfully Wicked Stars**
I LOVED this novella! It was romantic, steamy and funny and kept me totally entertained from the first page to the last.
Here are the things I loved:
The story combines two of my favourite tropes…friends to lovers and second chances. I adored Leo… his willingness to admit how much he had hurt Suzanne and his sheer determination to prove how much he truly loves her. Suzanne is still feeling the pain caused by the death of her beloved father and wants nothing to do with the man who broke her heart. I love that she refuses to trust him even though she still feels a strong attraction. In fact, she leads him a merry dance and I love the letter she sends him when he asks her to spend Christmas with him at the Château Montbrison.
Your Grace,
Your man has informed me of your offer. He was quite uncomfortable about relaying my response. It is for his ease that I put it to you here in writing. As to your offer— and I say this with the utmost sincerity— you may take it, and insert it into your exalted posterior.
Sincerely,
Suzanne
Oh boy! Leo wasn’t going to give up at the first hurdle and I was in awe of his ingenuity, especially when he uses a little bribery to enlist the whole town in his schemes. Everyone in the town bombards Suzanne with reasons why she should go with Leo. I loved this exchange between the innkeeper and Suzanne…
“Well, perhaps you should consider that he is a wealthy man.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“With much power and influence.”
“I’m aware of that, too.”
“What about his enormous manhood?”
That stopped her dead in her tracks. She turned. “Pardon?”
Then there is the episode involving Gaspard…
and the delightful picture of Suzanne’s two employees, Rosalie and Lucille, surreptitiously eavesdropping on her conversation with Leo.
Suzanne is my sort of unconventional heroine. She has a brilliant mind and a great passion for science and I adore Leo for being proud of her abilities and loving her adorable little quirks and oddities.
Of course, this is Lila DiPasqua, so expect wickedly delicious, sizzlingly sexy, toe-curling love scenes with some dirty talk from Leo…definitely not for prudish ears! There is a pretty hot scene in the carriage on the way to Château Montbrison and Leo does luscious things with ice cream too!
I’m a sucker for a sigh-worthy ending and this has a real heart-melting one. I won’t spoil it for you other than to say that Suzanne’s matches play a significant part and Leo…his words are totally swoon-worthy! There is even an added bonus of a charming Epilogue.
THE DUKE’S MATCH GIRL is a fun and steamy novella and so curl up with a glass of wine and your favourite chocolates and enjoy!
REVIEW RATING: 5/5 STARS
SENSUALITY RATING: SIZZLING
Fiery Tales series (click on the book cover for more details):
CHECK OUT LILA'S GIVEAWAY ON MY BLOG...CLOSES MIDDAY (GMT) SATURDAY 14th DECEMBER (NOW CLOSED):
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
March 19, 2018
Ok so sue me for being the only reviewer to hate this novella. On second thoughts, don't sue me because I need money to buy dog chow for Harold.
I knew this was erotic historical romance but I didn't expect that it would be heavy on the erotic and light on the historical. Normally that would have been great because reading erotica has often made me horny enough to send very sexy text messages to the husband while he's at work. But the erotica in this novel failed to make me horny because the hero made me angry. I didn't like the H all that much; I guess it will take time for me to develop a fondness for French heroes ( even if he is a duke ). Leo was an entitled, egotistical asshole who ruined the heroine's life 7 years ago before he went on to marry a French debutante called Constance. The fact that he and his wife never shared a life together didn't endear me to Leo, because I still hated him for seducing Suzanne and then marrying another woman whom his family felt was "suitable". I liked Suzanne a lot more but felt that she could have put up a greater fight against a skankaholic douche-donkey like Leo, when he came sniffing at her skirts after his wife died. Leo was also very promiscuous during his MOC to Constance. His wife had also had her own OM. This is not the kind of H I find romantic. He and his wife cheated on each other and he would not have ended his marriage. He only decided to come after the heroine after his wife died in a carriage accident while having sex with her lover.
The author did redeem him at the end, but I guess I'm just a little too vengeful and unforgiving to accept him as a H I can admire. He did grovel a lot and apologize but I still didn't like him, despite his final "grand gesture." There have been a few H's, in other romance novels, that I've accepted even though they had not been celibate. Their circumstances were not Leo's. I can't accept a H who cold bloodedly seduces the 18 yr virgin heroine ( because he had to "have her" before he married ) while knowing that his wedding was definitely happening. He had also lied to the 18 yr old Suzanne and told her they'd be together forever. The f****r did that just to have sex with her. Leo wasn't yet the duke when he seduced the teen heroine, but his actions were totally that of a French droit du seigneur. The next morning after seducing her, he dumped her. That's all kinds of F up - even for a novella set in the 17th century. I will read the other stories in this "Fiery Tales" series but I can't say that I found this appealing, personally. Maybe it's just me because all the other reviews are wonderful...
And on that note, I need to say that perhaps I ought to have scoured through all the reviews since I didn't see a single one that said he was a cheater. If I had I would have avoided reading this. It's supremely annoying because I pick my romances CAREFULLY just to avoid cheaters. The historical romances ( in the post bodice ripper era at least ) tend to be safe, but of course there's an exception like this novella.
NB: I am aware that this novella is set in the 17th century when betrothal arrangements were written contracts that were usually binding. I am also aware that there was the expectation that people marry only within their class and for dynastic purposes. I know all this because History was one of my majors at university. I am not mentioning this to blow my own trumpet; actually that's a laugh because History majors are so many, they're a dime a dozen. I am only saying this to avoid anyone sending me messages about the subtle difference between "cheating" or "technical non cheating" ( as some will call it ) in this novella from a historical perspective. I know all about history and historiography but I also hate cheating in romance novels - even if it's written during an era where the cultural belief systems can be used to explain it. This is my opinion, I stand by it and am not going to argue about it with anybody. And the ONLY reason this gets 2 stars instead of 1, is because the author didn't include scenes about him and his many OW. The End.
I knew this was erotic historical romance but I didn't expect that it would be heavy on the erotic and light on the historical. Normally that would have been great because reading erotica has often made me horny enough to send very sexy text messages to the husband while he's at work. But the erotica in this novel failed to make me horny because the hero made me angry. I didn't like the H all that much; I guess it will take time for me to develop a fondness for French heroes ( even if he is a duke ). Leo was an entitled, egotistical asshole who ruined the heroine's life 7 years ago before he went on to marry a French debutante called Constance. The fact that he and his wife never shared a life together didn't endear me to Leo, because I still hated him for seducing Suzanne and then marrying another woman whom his family felt was "suitable". I liked Suzanne a lot more but felt that she could have put up a greater fight against a skankaholic douche-donkey like Leo, when he came sniffing at her skirts after his wife died. Leo was also very promiscuous during his MOC to Constance. His wife had also had her own OM. This is not the kind of H I find romantic. He and his wife cheated on each other and he would not have ended his marriage. He only decided to come after the heroine after his wife died in a carriage accident while having sex with her lover.
The author did redeem him at the end, but I guess I'm just a little too vengeful and unforgiving to accept him as a H I can admire. He did grovel a lot and apologize but I still didn't like him, despite his final "grand gesture." There have been a few H's, in other romance novels, that I've accepted even though they had not been celibate. Their circumstances were not Leo's. I can't accept a H who cold bloodedly seduces the 18 yr virgin heroine ( because he had to "have her" before he married ) while knowing that his wedding was definitely happening. He had also lied to the 18 yr old Suzanne and told her they'd be together forever. The f****r did that just to have sex with her. Leo wasn't yet the duke when he seduced the teen heroine, but his actions were totally that of a French droit du seigneur. The next morning after seducing her, he dumped her. That's all kinds of F up - even for a novella set in the 17th century. I will read the other stories in this "Fiery Tales" series but I can't say that I found this appealing, personally. Maybe it's just me because all the other reviews are wonderful...
And on that note, I need to say that perhaps I ought to have scoured through all the reviews since I didn't see a single one that said he was a cheater. If I had I would have avoided reading this. It's supremely annoying because I pick my romances CAREFULLY just to avoid cheaters. The historical romances ( in the post bodice ripper era at least ) tend to be safe, but of course there's an exception like this novella.
NB: I am aware that this novella is set in the 17th century when betrothal arrangements were written contracts that were usually binding. I am also aware that there was the expectation that people marry only within their class and for dynastic purposes. I know all this because History was one of my majors at university. I am not mentioning this to blow my own trumpet; actually that's a laugh because History majors are so many, they're a dime a dozen. I am only saying this to avoid anyone sending me messages about the subtle difference between "cheating" or "technical non cheating" ( as some will call it ) in this novella from a historical perspective. I know all about history and historiography but I also hate cheating in romance novels - even if it's written during an era where the cultural belief systems can be used to explain it. This is my opinion, I stand by it and am not going to argue about it with anybody. And the ONLY reason this gets 2 stars instead of 1, is because the author didn't include scenes about him and his many OW. The End.
December 30, 2016
I don't know why this book is called the Duke's Match Girl. How is Suzanne Leo's match girl? Yes I read the writer's note in the beginning. And yes I am familiar with Andersen's The Little Match Girl. And no, I don't get it.
But no matter, the thing is this is a novella. Like all novellas, they are too short for me to feel anything for the characters. This book is a second chance romance, so that saved us some time. We go in to the book assuming that Suzanne and Leo were once in love.
The book can be summarized as the following: a common girl met the heir to a duke. Both were children, 2 years apart in age. Said heir found the girl refreshing because she had "spunk" and never treated him as if he was better. They grew up and fell in love. Lover boy could not keep his hands to himself but knew that he could not marry a common girl. So he led the girl to believe that he was going to marry her. They had sex, on Christmas eve no less. Fantastic, mind-blowing, emotional sex that totally had lover boy's balls twitch with excitement (rolling eyes). They woke up, girl realized he was not going to marry her, was heartbroken and left with her father as soon as they could manage. Lover boy married a woman with all the right pedigree, slept with his wife on the wedding night. But it turned out his new wife wanted to marry another but married him out of duty. So they separated and never lived under the same roof again. 7 years later his wife died, while in the middle of committing adultery with her lover. The writer went on to say that they died while her lover "was inside her", which I believe was supposed to excite the readers. I thought it was overdone. Lover boy was now the duke, had money and status and everything he could ever want, including a dead wife. He was free to pursue the one woman with whom he had some mind-blowing sex. In order to have sex like that again, he tracked down the girl and started a campaign to convince her to go back with him. A major part of the book is about his efforts, how he had convinced that the girl that he loved her. They had mind-blowing sex again. Girl played hard to get a little more and surrendered. I love you and I love you too. The end.
Oops did I do it again? Did I just fail yet again to appreciate the efforts being put into writing a story? I apologize. What can I say, this has been done. I don't mind a tried plot, if it is done right. When it is done like this book, that is called mediocrity.
But no matter, the thing is this is a novella. Like all novellas, they are too short for me to feel anything for the characters. This book is a second chance romance, so that saved us some time. We go in to the book assuming that Suzanne and Leo were once in love.
The book can be summarized as the following: a common girl met the heir to a duke. Both were children, 2 years apart in age. Said heir found the girl refreshing because she had "spunk" and never treated him as if he was better. They grew up and fell in love. Lover boy could not keep his hands to himself but knew that he could not marry a common girl. So he led the girl to believe that he was going to marry her. They had sex, on Christmas eve no less. Fantastic, mind-blowing, emotional sex that totally had lover boy's balls twitch with excitement (rolling eyes). They woke up, girl realized he was not going to marry her, was heartbroken and left with her father as soon as they could manage. Lover boy married a woman with all the right pedigree, slept with his wife on the wedding night. But it turned out his new wife wanted to marry another but married him out of duty. So they separated and never lived under the same roof again. 7 years later his wife died, while in the middle of committing adultery with her lover. The writer went on to say that they died while her lover "was inside her", which I believe was supposed to excite the readers. I thought it was overdone. Lover boy was now the duke, had money and status and everything he could ever want, including a dead wife. He was free to pursue the one woman with whom he had some mind-blowing sex. In order to have sex like that again, he tracked down the girl and started a campaign to convince her to go back with him. A major part of the book is about his efforts, how he had convinced that the girl that he loved her. They had mind-blowing sex again. Girl played hard to get a little more and surrendered. I love you and I love you too. The end.
Oops did I do it again? Did I just fail yet again to appreciate the efforts being put into writing a story? I apologize. What can I say, this has been done. I don't mind a tried plot, if it is done right. When it is done like this book, that is called mediocrity.
December 29, 2016
Loved this very sexy read!
This was a great read in the lead up to Christmas, a retelling of The Little Match Girl, a Hans Christian Anderson Christmas Fairytale. Only this one is a lot more grown up, and very, very sexy.
A wonderful second chance/hate to love story with a feisty heroine. Slow build, which I love, with off the charts erotica when you finally get there. I'll never think of champagne and ice cream the same again ;-)
This was a great read in the lead up to Christmas, a retelling of The Little Match Girl, a Hans Christian Anderson Christmas Fairytale. Only this one is a lot more grown up, and very, very sexy.
A wonderful second chance/hate to love story with a feisty heroine. Slow build, which I love, with off the charts erotica when you finally get there. I'll never think of champagne and ice cream the same again ;-)
December 15, 2013
FANTASTIQUE!
I adore this novella. ADORE! Incredibly sexy and romantic story.
LOVE!
Review to follow.
Grade: A+
I adore this novella. ADORE! Incredibly sexy and romantic story.
LOVE!
Review to follow.
Grade: A+
June 8, 2022
Despite being a short story it's impossible not to like the heroine: Suzanne is an entrepreneur, boss lady, fearless and ex-heartbroken. Ah, she is also some kind of physician although clandestinely because she is a woman, ofc.
Leo is trying hard to amend his past mistakes after choosing duty to the detriment of love...Yeah he's one of those vulture hero who needs everyone to die to finally "attack" the heroine 🤣
Random thoughts:
• The way Constance died...Omfg 👀😂
• I don't think I'm mature enough for some descriptions used like "his cock twitched in response"..I mean, what? 👀
• I really like this author's spicy scenes but in the last 2 books I read (book #2 Undone and this one) the heroes talk soooooo much...they definitely need to stop saying what they will do to the *insert some body part of heroine body* because it's being neglected..and just do it!!
The ending is so cute! I almost shed an emotional tear 😊
⚠️ although the story takes place around Christmas and actually ends on Christmas Eve I don't think it invokes the Christmas spirit so it's possible to read it any time of year. The focus is on the couple.
Leo is trying hard to amend his past mistakes after choosing duty to the detriment of love...Yeah he's one of those vulture hero who needs everyone to die to finally "attack" the heroine 🤣
Random thoughts:
• The way Constance died...Omfg 👀😂
• I don't think I'm mature enough for some descriptions used like "his cock twitched in response"..I mean, what? 👀
• I really like this author's spicy scenes but in the last 2 books I read (book #2 Undone and this one) the heroes talk soooooo much...they definitely need to stop saying what they will do to the *insert some body part of heroine body* because it's being neglected..and just do it!!
The ending is so cute! I almost shed an emotional tear 😊
⚠️ although the story takes place around Christmas and actually ends on Christmas Eve I don't think it invokes the Christmas spirit so it's possible to read it any time of year. The focus is on the couple.
December 4, 2013
It is not an exaggeration to say I’ve been waiting for The Duke’s Match Girl for a long while. When I heard that Lila DiPasqua was writing a story loosely based upon the Hans Christian Andersen tale, I didn’t know how she’d pull it off. Boy, did she deliver.
Leopold d’Ermant, the Duc de Mont-Marly (Leo for short) is given a second chance at finding his happily ever after with the one woman he can’t forget – Suzanne Machet (clever right?). Seems Leo and Suzanne grew up being best friends before they became lovers. I won’t spoil the story for you, but let’s just say Leo has a lot of work ahead of him to make amends for his bad deeds. He wants Suzanne back into his life and into his arms. She’s smart, quick-witted, and a joy to all that know her. But she’s not going to forget the past. It’s a wonderfully told tale that caused me to laugh one moment at the opening scene with Leo’s brothers then cry minutes later as Suzanne reveals her grief at the loss of her father and the loss of Leo all those years ago. It was easy for me to fall in love with Leo and Suzanne within the first few pages. As I’ve come to expect of Lila DiPasqua stories, this one is hot (fans hand across the face) and the characters are vibrant.
During the busy holiday season when I have little time for myself, I plan to grab a glass of wine, hide out, and enjoy this beautifully told Christmas story again. Yes, I think it’s that wonderful of a story that I want to read it again. It’ll be on my keeper shelf.
Leopold d’Ermant, the Duc de Mont-Marly (Leo for short) is given a second chance at finding his happily ever after with the one woman he can’t forget – Suzanne Machet (clever right?). Seems Leo and Suzanne grew up being best friends before they became lovers. I won’t spoil the story for you, but let’s just say Leo has a lot of work ahead of him to make amends for his bad deeds. He wants Suzanne back into his life and into his arms. She’s smart, quick-witted, and a joy to all that know her. But she’s not going to forget the past. It’s a wonderfully told tale that caused me to laugh one moment at the opening scene with Leo’s brothers then cry minutes later as Suzanne reveals her grief at the loss of her father and the loss of Leo all those years ago. It was easy for me to fall in love with Leo and Suzanne within the first few pages. As I’ve come to expect of Lila DiPasqua stories, this one is hot (fans hand across the face) and the characters are vibrant.
During the busy holiday season when I have little time for myself, I plan to grab a glass of wine, hide out, and enjoy this beautifully told Christmas story again. Yes, I think it’s that wonderful of a story that I want to read it again. It’ll be on my keeper shelf.
July 3, 2022
An okay second chance romance. I am so over heroes only being lusty for the heroines! Tell me how she enthralled you with her personality without making her weirdo for enjoying reading or science yk ?
December 21, 2016
So Lovely, Hot and Steamy
Amazing characters and a great storyline bring us a sexy Duke, who decides to return to his first love and try to win her back after treating her horribly as young adults. A most satisfying ending, thank you. Danny Scott.
Amazing characters and a great storyline bring us a sexy Duke, who decides to return to his first love and try to win her back after treating her horribly as young adults. A most satisfying ending, thank you. Danny Scott.
December 17, 2016
3.5 rounded down, mostly because this could have been really good but fell short of that for me.
This was not an amazing read, but it was certainly better than the last DiPasqua that I read, which was the one based around The Emperor's New Clothes. That one was incredibly explicit, with hardly any plot to speak of. This one was still on the explicit side, but it did have a storyline, and most of the book was actually focused on conversations between the MC's. The idea that this is at all based upon The Little Match Girl is an enormous stretch- the whole match idea could have easily been removed from the story with really no notice. I felt like it was added in at the last second to make it fit the fairy tale theme, and I thought it could have been done in a more meaningful way to the actual plot of the story. The h here, Suzanne, is actually very likable and easy to root for. I didn't care for Leo, the H, as he treated Suzanne horribly in the past and basically thought he could win her back with an apology and some grand gestures he could afford to pull off. He seemed arrogant and never really redeemed to me. As this is a novella, it lacks the depth and development of a full-length novel, but even compared to another recent Christmas novella I read, it seems formulaic and lacking in...authenticity? The HEA seemed abrupt and dare I say it? Cheesy. I wish this author would stop trying to write such explicit material, tone it down a bit, and develop the story and characters a bit more. The idea of spiced-up fairy tales is a good one, but the random foul language and explicit content is jarring and doesn't make this entirely work for me. It was okay.
This was not an amazing read, but it was certainly better than the last DiPasqua that I read, which was the one based around The Emperor's New Clothes. That one was incredibly explicit, with hardly any plot to speak of. This one was still on the explicit side, but it did have a storyline, and most of the book was actually focused on conversations between the MC's. The idea that this is at all based upon The Little Match Girl is an enormous stretch- the whole match idea could have easily been removed from the story with really no notice. I felt like it was added in at the last second to make it fit the fairy tale theme, and I thought it could have been done in a more meaningful way to the actual plot of the story. The h here, Suzanne, is actually very likable and easy to root for. I didn't care for Leo, the H, as he treated Suzanne horribly in the past and basically thought he could win her back with an apology and some grand gestures he could afford to pull off. He seemed arrogant and never really redeemed to me. As this is a novella, it lacks the depth and development of a full-length novel, but even compared to another recent Christmas novella I read, it seems formulaic and lacking in...authenticity? The HEA seemed abrupt and dare I say it? Cheesy. I wish this author would stop trying to write such explicit material, tone it down a bit, and develop the story and characters a bit more. The idea of spiced-up fairy tales is a good one, but the random foul language and explicit content is jarring and doesn't make this entirely work for me. It was okay.
December 21, 2013
GREAT hero and heroine!!!!! I loved how Leo set out to make it up to her for how he'd treated her seven years ago. Funny, romantic and STEAMY.
Leo's redemption--how he went about capturing Suzanne's heart again:
1. He goes out of his way to not only tell her how he feels, but show her--in such a grand scale---BEFORE he sleeps with her (and man, the sexy scenes are seriously hot)!
2. He pledges never to leave her and that he's a changed man...BEFORE he sleeps with her---and is true to his word.
4. Tells her up front that he has a surprise waiting for her back at his estate (where she grew up) and asks her to trust him just one more time (and what a fantastic surprise it was!!!!)
I love second chance stories, and Leo earned his second chance with his one and only love, Suzanne.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (note: photo from Lila DiPasqua's fan facebook page--because I loved her inspiration photo of Leo! :-)
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"
Leo's redemption--how he went about capturing Suzanne's heart again:
1. He goes out of his way to not only tell her how he feels, but show her--in such a grand scale---BEFORE he sleeps with her (and man, the sexy scenes are seriously hot)!
2. He pledges never to leave her and that he's a changed man...BEFORE he sleeps with her---and is true to his word.
4. Tells her up front that he has a surprise waiting for her back at his estate (where she grew up) and asks her to trust him just one more time (and what a fantastic surprise it was!!!!)
I love second chance stories, and Leo earned his second chance with his one and only love, Suzanne.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (note: photo from Lila DiPasqua's fan facebook page--because I loved her inspiration photo of Leo! :-)
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June 11, 2018
Why even bother? This “book” was only like 20-pages.
Spoilers!
Hero and heroine grow up together. He’s the son of a Duke and she is the daughter of his father’s personal physician. They have carnal relations when she turns 18 and he dumps her to marry someone else a few weeks later.
Fast forward seven years and she is an apothecary who hasn’t been with anyone else while he has dipped his dick into half of London over the same amount of time.
Hero decides no other woman will do and shows up at her one shop hangs out there for a few days. She resist him for a couple pages and then heads back to his estate to celebrate Christmas with his family. Did I mention they had carnal relations during the carriage ride?
So here’s the deal - if the heroine is so amazingly smart beautiful talented witty why has she been alone these past seven years and what prompted our hero to finally want to reconnect with her?
I had a ton more problems with the story - zero historical accuracy, lightning disappearance of heroine’s spine, etc., but the reality is that this is just mediocre erotica masquerading as a romance novella.
Spoilers!
Hero and heroine grow up together. He’s the son of a Duke and she is the daughter of his father’s personal physician. They have carnal relations when she turns 18 and he dumps her to marry someone else a few weeks later.
Fast forward seven years and she is an apothecary who hasn’t been with anyone else while he has dipped his dick into half of London over the same amount of time.
Hero decides no other woman will do and shows up at her one shop hangs out there for a few days. She resist him for a couple pages and then heads back to his estate to celebrate Christmas with his family. Did I mention they had carnal relations during the carriage ride?
So here’s the deal - if the heroine is so amazingly smart beautiful talented witty why has she been alone these past seven years and what prompted our hero to finally want to reconnect with her?
I had a ton more problems with the story - zero historical accuracy, lightning disappearance of heroine’s spine, etc., but the reality is that this is just mediocre erotica masquerading as a romance novella.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2013
The set-up and the hero's former douchebaggery was enough to set my teeth on edge- but the story was so so beautiful, I was a reader captivated. It's a testament to the author's skill she manages to fit both toe-curling erotic scenes AND swoon-y romance in only 106 pages..
August 13, 2016
Author Lila DiPasqua once again treats readers to her superb storytelling skills with "The Duke's Match Girl", a nicely naughty addition to her "Fiery Tales" series. Set in France in the late 17th century, this lush, sweetly erotic reunion romance will also captivate readers with its rich historical detail. Leopold Charles Nicolas d’Ermart, Duc de Mont-Marly, is a man with a mission. He means to make amends with the woman who was once his childhood friend--the woman whose heart he had broken seven years before. Suzanne Matchet was the daughter of the d'Ermart family's in-residence physician, who took great delight in his daughter's intelligence. Suzanne and Leo were friends for years, until the night when the desires of their young adulthood turned friendship into passion. However, a nobleman cannot dally with the daughter of a mere physician without consequences. Suzanne and her father were forced to leave the d'Ermart estate, and Leo later married a suitable bride. Ironically, Leo's bride rejected him soon after their wedding, and she was later killed alongside her lover in a carriage accident. After seven years, with both their fathers deceased, will Leo be able to win back his Suzanne? She has remained her own woman, pursuing her skills as a healer and herbalist, and running her own apothecary shop. Her heart still feels the hurt of Leo's betrayal after he took the innocence she so willingly gave. When Leo strides boldly into her shop and begins his sensual wooing, will Suzanne be able to resist? Theirs was a longtime friendship which ignited into a youthful, fiery passion. Among the still smoldering embers, is true love a spark waiting to burst into flame? Lila DiPasqua is a gifted author whose exquisitely-detailed descriptive writing makes her "Fiery Tales" a compelling series indeed.
Review Copy Gratis Author
Review Copy Gratis Author
January 13, 2022
oh goodness me. i’ve never cheered harder for a couple. i just wanted leo and suzanne. the sexual tension is off the chart, the second chance romance is worth the heart palpitations and the yearn for love is still so visible. i’m enthralled, i can’t put it down at all. IT WAS THE SWEETEST STORY EVER. I NEVER WANTED MORE FOR A BOOK TO BE LONGER. even though it’s a short one, i felt the love and hope the two of them had for each other. lila dispasqua did a wonderful job in portraying those raw emotions within the characters. the things leo said made me swoon, and the sassiness of suzanne made me laugh with joy. i just loved the both of them so much, and they definitely deserve this love.
books in the series:
1. a midnight dance: ✰✰✰✰
2. undone: ✰✰✰✰
3. the duke’s match girl: ✰✰✰✰✰
4. sleeping beau: ✰✰✰✰
5. little red writing: ✰✰✰✰
6. bewitching in boots: ✰✰✰✰
7. the marquis’s new clothes: ✰✰✰✰✰
8. the lovely duckling: ✰✰✰
9. the princess and the diamonds: ✰✰✰
10. three reckless wishes: ✰✰✰✰
books in the series:
1. a midnight dance: ✰✰✰✰
2. undone: ✰✰✰✰
3. the duke’s match girl: ✰✰✰✰✰
4. sleeping beau: ✰✰✰✰
5. little red writing: ✰✰✰✰
6. bewitching in boots: ✰✰✰✰
7. the marquis’s new clothes: ✰✰✰✰✰
8. the lovely duckling: ✰✰✰
9. the princess and the diamonds: ✰✰✰
10. three reckless wishes: ✰✰✰✰
December 25, 2013
Lila is truly a master at re-twisting favorite fairy tales and she hits another winner with this re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl.
The relationship between Leo, our tortured hero, & Suzanne, our lovely heroine, was complicated (of course!) and fraught with sexual chemistry. I was really pulling for Suzanne as Leo had been quite the cad to her years ago and she had risen to the challenge of surviving without him by helping others. I was so mad at Leo in the beginning, I didn't think Lila could repair the damage... but, don't despair! Lila's stories are full of unexpected twists and her books, like the beloved fairy tales, always have happy ever afters and will leave you feeling delightfully sated.
Please know that you can easily read The Duke’s Match Girl as a stand alone. Once you do, I bet you'll want to read Lisa's other Fiery Tales. They're all wonderful reads.
I truly enjoyed this lovely Christmas book and recommend it to anyone who craves being romantically enchanted.
4 1/2 STARS!
The relationship between Leo, our tortured hero, & Suzanne, our lovely heroine, was complicated (of course!) and fraught with sexual chemistry. I was really pulling for Suzanne as Leo had been quite the cad to her years ago and she had risen to the challenge of surviving without him by helping others. I was so mad at Leo in the beginning, I didn't think Lila could repair the damage... but, don't despair! Lila's stories are full of unexpected twists and her books, like the beloved fairy tales, always have happy ever afters and will leave you feeling delightfully sated.
Please know that you can easily read The Duke’s Match Girl as a stand alone. Once you do, I bet you'll want to read Lisa's other Fiery Tales. They're all wonderful reads.
I truly enjoyed this lovely Christmas book and recommend it to anyone who craves being romantically enchanted.
4 1/2 STARS!
January 20, 2014
Oh what a lovely read. Leo, the Duke of Mont-Marly, after one night of passion lost not only his best childhood friend but the only woman he would ever love. Suzanne Matchet, deceived after giving her virtue to Leo, leaves with her father and attempts to put Leo from her mind once and for all. Years later, while mourning the loss of her beloved father, Leo shows up at her door tempting her to take up where the left off years ago. Not believing Leo is sincere, Suzanne basically tells him to get lost, and Leo, being determined, camps himself outside her door. Loved the interaction between these two lost souls and their struggles to get to their HEA. Leo was definitely swoon-worthy! The sex was hot, but didn't deter from the story-line at all....just made me want to continue on to see how they would work through their doubts and fears.
December 12, 2013
I am a big, big fan of second chances in my books. I think it’s great and I think everyone deserves one. The Duke’s Match Girl has made me feel very happy after reading it. I was grinning like a fool at around 11pm (which is when I finished this book) because this was so romantic and while it was a second chance story, there wasn’t much angst. I honestly don’t know how Ms. DiPasqua has managed to fit that much story in 106 pages but she did and I”m glad for it.
Read the full review over at Sleepless Nights Romance Reviews!
Read the full review over at Sleepless Nights Romance Reviews!
December 22, 2013
I totally fell in love with this book. I bought it on a whim to enjoy a quick Christmas read that I could add to my "Christmas Collection" and boy am I glad I did. The idea of taking fairy tales which are romantic at heart to begin with, and all, by the way have a happy ever after, and spinning them into hot, erotic, romance intrigued me. This is a super sweet story that has a hot connection between the characters. The romance is as heavy sigh quality romantic as it is, well, fiery and erotic. Why did I not know about this author before now? I'm heading off to the e-store now to purchase more in this series and more from this author.
August 9, 2016
3.5 stars. I wish this had been longer to include more of the backstory and current lives of the two MCs. Although the H did grovel, it should have been more protracted one to equal the cold and callous betrayal. The heroine forgave a little too quickly for the hurt/pain inflicted.
August 6, 2016
Lila writes the best fiery fairy tales I've ever read. The research that goes into these re-tellings is obvious and goes a long way to making each story she writes rich and entertaining.
December 29, 2022
A different and definitely adult take on Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale, the novella is witty, sensuous, and entertaining. Leo d'Ermart has always regretted his selfish treatment of Suzanne Matchet and most especially that he deliberately set out to break her heart. Only Leo got far more than he bargained for and found himself at the receiving end of another's betrayal. Seven years is a long time for harboring regrets, but when he gets his second chance, Leo has no intention of allowing the lovely and highly intelligent Suzette to slip through his fingers. Using every one of his resources, he plans his coup, eventually making the fair apothecary take note and consider his plan. An entertaining read and leaves one chuckling at Leo's antics and holding out for Suzette's promise of love.
February 16, 2021
4.5 rounded up.
I've been in awful reading slump. Everything I've tried from new to old hasn't worked and I've stopped before 30 percent every time.
This kind of got me a little out of the slump. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. I think them having previous history helped build their emotional connection in about 100 pages. I thought the hero did a great job making amends for the stupid things he had done in the past, and I thought the heroine did make him work for her forgiveness.
My only complaint is sometimes the wording during sex got weird. I don't personally want someone to say vaginal walls flooding, but hey that's just a personal preference 😂
It was a good quick read and I am looking forward to more by this author.
I've been in awful reading slump. Everything I've tried from new to old hasn't worked and I've stopped before 30 percent every time.
This kind of got me a little out of the slump. I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters. I think them having previous history helped build their emotional connection in about 100 pages. I thought the hero did a great job making amends for the stupid things he had done in the past, and I thought the heroine did make him work for her forgiveness.
My only complaint is sometimes the wording during sex got weird. I don't personally want someone to say vaginal walls flooding, but hey that's just a personal preference 😂
It was a good quick read and I am looking forward to more by this author.
January 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this erotic romance novella! The fairy tale inspiration is great and the book was sexy AND had some very sweet, romantic moments.
March 8, 2023
chef's kiss the epilogue was so sweet too
June 6, 2024
I have not read all these Fiery Tales yet, though my favourite so far is this one. A very sexy story. An excellent read. 4☆
June 12, 2022
Fiery and Sexy Tale
I love this author! Lila DiPasqua is a master storyteller, I love the way she retells her sexy tales!
This is a beautiful second chance romance. Leopold d’Ermont is the future Duke of Mont-Marly and Suzanne Matchet is the beautiful daughter of his family physician.
They fall in love and on a Christmas Eve share passionate love. But, her family leaves and takes her to start a new life. They are heartbroken!
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the characters and the attention to details. Leo is a gorgeous alpha male and intends to win back Suzanne. Suzanne is heartbroken but still in love with him. This is a beautiful love story of two people finding their forever again.
I love this author! Lila DiPasqua is a master storyteller, I love the way she retells her sexy tales!
This is a beautiful second chance romance. Leopold d’Ermont is the future Duke of Mont-Marly and Suzanne Matchet is the beautiful daughter of his family physician.
They fall in love and on a Christmas Eve share passionate love. But, her family leaves and takes her to start a new life. They are heartbroken!
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the characters and the attention to details. Leo is a gorgeous alpha male and intends to win back Suzanne. Suzanne is heartbroken but still in love with him. This is a beautiful love story of two people finding their forever again.
January 9, 2014
3.5 stars
This was my first book by Lila DiPasqua. I'd read in another review that this novella works very well as a stand alone. It does, so that made it perfect for me. Sometimes I like to start off with a novella rather than a full book when I’m reading a new to me author. It’s usually enough to give me a taste for their work but doesn’t require much of a time commitment from me. My first impression upon starting into the story was, “Wow, this author can write!”
THE DUKE'S MATCHGIRL tells the tale of Leo and Suzanne. They have a history together. Years ago, Leo and Suzanne were childhood best friends. That friendship developed into love as they grew older. The problem was that Leo was engaged to another woman all along. He didn’t know his intended and he didn’t love her. His position in society and his obligation to his family gave him no choice in the matter. Looking back, he realizes he never should have kept his impending marriage a secret from Suzanne. It broke her heart when she discovered his deception, and drove her away from him.
Suzanne has spent the years since Leo’s betrayal working as a successful apothecary. It’s a great profession for her. As a woman on her own in life, it gives her a comfortable life. On a more personal side, it gives her the opportunity to use her love of science and quest for knowledge in a way which is socially acceptable for a woman of her time. You know how I love female scientists, so of course I was all about Suzanne. She is smart, determined, independent, and resilient. Leo’s sudden reappearance in her life threatens her carefully constructed happiness.
There are so many good points to this little novella. The character development is very good. I got to know and connect with Suzanne very quickly. Enough so that I could feel her vulnerability to Leo. The quality of writing is just as good. The pace is perfect and the amount of dialogue, action, and inner thought was well balanced. The chemistry was spot on too. Their desire for one another was one big continuous smolder.
THE DUKE'S MATCHGIRL is no blushing historical romance, this is an erotic historical romance. Surprisingly, that was the source for my biggest stumbling block with the story. The erotic nature of their relationship was too much for me. Suzanne was a brilliant woman and she had obviously made informed and rational life choices before Leo’s reappearance. I was a little annoyed that she couldn’t seem to sustain an intelligent thought when in the same room as Leo. Even when in a serious conversation, she couldn’t think beyond her lust. That frustrated me more and more as the story went on.
I was so impressed with everything about this book, but the full-on erotic nature of it was a little too much for me. Because of that, I had to deduct a full point in my overall rating. I do realize though that every reader has a different reaction to a book. So, if you are looking for an erotic historical romance that is both well-written and engaging, this is your book.
This was my first book by Lila DiPasqua. I'd read in another review that this novella works very well as a stand alone. It does, so that made it perfect for me. Sometimes I like to start off with a novella rather than a full book when I’m reading a new to me author. It’s usually enough to give me a taste for their work but doesn’t require much of a time commitment from me. My first impression upon starting into the story was, “Wow, this author can write!”
THE DUKE'S MATCHGIRL tells the tale of Leo and Suzanne. They have a history together. Years ago, Leo and Suzanne were childhood best friends. That friendship developed into love as they grew older. The problem was that Leo was engaged to another woman all along. He didn’t know his intended and he didn’t love her. His position in society and his obligation to his family gave him no choice in the matter. Looking back, he realizes he never should have kept his impending marriage a secret from Suzanne. It broke her heart when she discovered his deception, and drove her away from him.
Suzanne has spent the years since Leo’s betrayal working as a successful apothecary. It’s a great profession for her. As a woman on her own in life, it gives her a comfortable life. On a more personal side, it gives her the opportunity to use her love of science and quest for knowledge in a way which is socially acceptable for a woman of her time. You know how I love female scientists, so of course I was all about Suzanne. She is smart, determined, independent, and resilient. Leo’s sudden reappearance in her life threatens her carefully constructed happiness.
There are so many good points to this little novella. The character development is very good. I got to know and connect with Suzanne very quickly. Enough so that I could feel her vulnerability to Leo. The quality of writing is just as good. The pace is perfect and the amount of dialogue, action, and inner thought was well balanced. The chemistry was spot on too. Their desire for one another was one big continuous smolder.
THE DUKE'S MATCHGIRL is no blushing historical romance, this is an erotic historical romance. Surprisingly, that was the source for my biggest stumbling block with the story. The erotic nature of their relationship was too much for me. Suzanne was a brilliant woman and she had obviously made informed and rational life choices before Leo’s reappearance. I was a little annoyed that she couldn’t seem to sustain an intelligent thought when in the same room as Leo. Even when in a serious conversation, she couldn’t think beyond her lust. That frustrated me more and more as the story went on.
I was so impressed with everything about this book, but the full-on erotic nature of it was a little too much for me. Because of that, I had to deduct a full point in my overall rating. I do realize though that every reader has a different reaction to a book. So, if you are looking for an erotic historical romance that is both well-written and engaging, this is your book.
October 17, 2018
The third book in the Fiery Tales series is a short novella that is a steaming second chance love story. I love that the Hero, Leo, and the Heroine, Suzanne, were childhood knock-about best friends getting into mischief together, so there's that history of them really knowing each other before the reality of society expectations influences Leo's future. He is the heir of the Duke and she is the spirited daughter of their family's physician, who flouts convention from the get-go and speaks to Leo with a bluntness no one else has ever dared use.....and she still does when they meet again seven years since their parting.
A Midnight Dance - 3 stars
Undone - 3+ stars: Liked this book better than first.
The Duke's Match Girl - 5 stars
Leo is trying to recover a love that was destroyed by ducal duty. The way he goes about it will make your insides flip with excitement. The grand gestures he can orchestrate are romantic and heartfelt. Sure, he stuffed it up when they were younger, but it's not hard to see his journey since then has shaped his heart and focused his desires. He is quite intent on claiming the only woman who has ever rocked his world.
Suzanne is in self-preservation mode and admirably tries to derail Leo's pursuit of her. I love that he is charmed by her rebuffs; scenes involving her letter, and then Gaspard.
The sexy times are embraced by them both, and you gotta love it when there's food involved.
Excellent lead characters, and amusing secondary characters. This story is on my keeper shelf, for sure.
A Midnight Dance - 3 stars
Undone - 3+ stars: Liked this book better than first.
The Duke's Match Girl - 5 stars
Leo is trying to recover a love that was destroyed by ducal duty. The way he goes about it will make your insides flip with excitement. The grand gestures he can orchestrate are romantic and heartfelt. Sure, he stuffed it up when they were younger, but it's not hard to see his journey since then has shaped his heart and focused his desires. He is quite intent on claiming the only woman who has ever rocked his world.
Suzanne is in self-preservation mode and admirably tries to derail Leo's pursuit of her. I love that he is charmed by her rebuffs; scenes involving her letter, and then Gaspard.
The sexy times are embraced by them both, and you gotta love it when there's food involved.
Excellent lead characters, and amusing secondary characters. This story is on my keeper shelf, for sure.
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