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Wylder Sisters #1
[When You Wish Upon a Duke] (By: Isabella Bradford) [published: August, 2012]
In a sparkling new series filled with irresistible charm and sizzling romance, award-winning author Isabella Bradford introduces us to the eldest of three Wylder sisters—unruly country girls whose passion for life leaves their London suitors breathless.Raised in the Dorset countryside, Lady Charlotte Wylder doesn’t care one bit about well-bred decorum. The dark-haired, blue-eyed beauty would rather ride a horse than attend a stuffy ball. So when Charlotte learns that she is to leave immediately for London to wed the Duke of Marchbourne, a perfect model of aristocratic propriety, she is less than enchanted with her arranged marriage.But to her delight, their first encounters are brazenly flirtatious, and their wedding night burns with passion. March’s broad shoulders and dark countenance make Charlotte want to rip every button off his waistcoast. She may even be falling in love with her new husband. Yet whenever their desire boils over, March reluctantly pushes Charlotte away. Will past secrets and present misunderstandings mire their marriage in scandal, or serve to strengthen a bond that is destined to last a lifetime?
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First published July 31, 2012
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About the author
Isabella Bradford
9 books159 followersIsabella Bradford is a pseudonym for Susan Holloway Scott, the award-winning author of more than fifty historical novels and historical romances. Her bestselling books have been published in nineteen countries and translated into fourteen languages with more than three million copies in print. Bradford also writes as half of the Two Nerdy History Girls (twonerdyhistorygirls.com), an entertaining history blog and Twitter account (@2nerdyhistgirls) with an international following. She is a graduate of Brown University, and lives with her family outside of Philadelphia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
November 26, 2012
I was going to give this one 3.5 stars, but I knocked it down to 3 because of something stupid towards the end.
Charlotte Wylder and the Duke of Marchborne have been betrothed since they were children, although it comes as rather a shock to Charlotte, who knew nothing about it until she was eighteen. But she and March are both young, attractive and wealthy and are well disposed towards each other from their first meeting; it's clear that before long, this initial liking will blossom into more.
Charlotte has a very open and engaging manner - she's like a breath of fresh air to March, who inherited his dukedom at a young age, and has therefore spent most of his life surrounded by the trappings of his title and who has always striven to act as a duke should.
Unfortunately however, the well-meaning advice of Charlotte's aunt and March's cousin serves to cause discord between the pair. Aunt Sophronia is constantly cautioning Charlotte that she must moderate her behaviour to that becoming a duchess, and unfortunately, extends this advice to the bedroom, telling Charlotte that she must act like a duchess in bed and basically lie back and think of England. No thrashing about and wailing allowed, or her husband will think she's behaving like a common harlot.
March has a few skeletons in the cupboard which encourage him to believe that it is wrong to burden his beloved with bouts of energetic sex and as a result, he shags her stupid on their wedding night and then is promptly overcome with remorse for his crude and animalistic behaviour and leaves her (and the wet patch!) to sleep alone. Charlotte, having enjoyed herself immensely is left to wonder what she's done wrong.
So what looked like a promising relationship very quickly becomes stilted, with both of them trying to do what they think the other must want, but never actually discussing it - although Charlotte does try.
I like stories where the principal focus is on the relationship between the characters, so I enjoyed the book as March and Charlotte attempted to put things right between them.
But I knocked the half-star off for the ridiculous duel scene towards the end. There are plenty of scenes in HRs where the heroine rushes off to the field of honour in order to try to prevent her beloved from fighting a duel. But I don't think I've ever come across such a daft method of prevention as the one Charlotte comes up with. She is already pregnant enough that she needs her dresses let out, yet she clmbs a tree at the appointed spot with the intention of pelting her husband's opponent with (wait for it) apples in which she has put some broken glass. And as if that isn't stupid enough, she enlists the help of her strict and proper aunt! I can just about tolerate a stupid plot device, but the character transplant necessary for the aunt is taking it a bit too far.
On the whole, then, this is a charming, easy read - apart from the daft bit towards the end!
Charlotte Wylder and the Duke of Marchborne have been betrothed since they were children, although it comes as rather a shock to Charlotte, who knew nothing about it until she was eighteen. But she and March are both young, attractive and wealthy and are well disposed towards each other from their first meeting; it's clear that before long, this initial liking will blossom into more.
Charlotte has a very open and engaging manner - she's like a breath of fresh air to March, who inherited his dukedom at a young age, and has therefore spent most of his life surrounded by the trappings of his title and who has always striven to act as a duke should.
Unfortunately however, the well-meaning advice of Charlotte's aunt and March's cousin serves to cause discord between the pair. Aunt Sophronia is constantly cautioning Charlotte that she must moderate her behaviour to that becoming a duchess, and unfortunately, extends this advice to the bedroom, telling Charlotte that she must act like a duchess in bed and basically lie back and think of England. No thrashing about and wailing allowed, or her husband will think she's behaving like a common harlot.
March has a few skeletons in the cupboard which encourage him to believe that it is wrong to burden his beloved with bouts of energetic sex and as a result, he shags her stupid on their wedding night and then is promptly overcome with remorse for his crude and animalistic behaviour and leaves her (and the wet patch!) to sleep alone. Charlotte, having enjoyed herself immensely is left to wonder what she's done wrong.
So what looked like a promising relationship very quickly becomes stilted, with both of them trying to do what they think the other must want, but never actually discussing it - although Charlotte does try.
I like stories where the principal focus is on the relationship between the characters, so I enjoyed the book as March and Charlotte attempted to put things right between them.
But I knocked the half-star off for the ridiculous duel scene towards the end. There are plenty of scenes in HRs where the heroine rushes off to the field of honour in order to try to prevent her beloved from fighting a duel. But I don't think I've ever come across such a daft method of prevention as the one Charlotte comes up with. She is already pregnant enough that she needs her dresses let out, yet she clmbs a tree at the appointed spot with the intention of pelting her husband's opponent with (wait for it) apples in which she has put some broken glass. And as if that isn't stupid enough, she enlists the help of her strict and proper aunt! I can just about tolerate a stupid plot device, but the character transplant necessary for the aunt is taking it a bit too far.
On the whole, then, this is a charming, easy read - apart from the daft bit towards the end!
June 24, 2012
I'm a sucker for a good "arranged marriage" story, and this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed how March and Charlotte had, if not "love" at first sight, at least attraction and compatibility from the start.
The biggest conflict in their relationship actually came from the fact that Charlotte tried so hard to be a "proper" Duchess, and as such was ashamed of her own passion. March's own attitudes towards the "proper" way to treat his Duchess dealt him loads of guilt and confusion as well, and together, things got all muddled up for a bit.
The actual "villain" was a bit ridiculous, as was the final "confrontation", and honestly, I think I would have enjoyed this book more had the main conflict simply been that of just how passionate a "proper" Duke and Duchess should be together.
4/5 Stars
The biggest conflict in their relationship actually came from the fact that Charlotte tried so hard to be a "proper" Duchess, and as such was ashamed of her own passion. March's own attitudes towards the "proper" way to treat his Duchess dealt him loads of guilt and confusion as well, and together, things got all muddled up for a bit.
The actual "villain" was a bit ridiculous, as was the final "confrontation", and honestly, I think I would have enjoyed this book more had the main conflict simply been that of just how passionate a "proper" Duke and Duchess should be together.
4/5 Stars
August 11, 2022
hated x
July 24, 2012
Lady Charlotte Wylder thinks her life is fine--she lives in the country with her mother and two younger sisters and a tree climbing cat. So when a solicitor arrives one night to talk to her, and not her mother, she knows it must be something life altering. Charlotte does not think it is going to be a summons from her fiancee... the one she never knew she had but has been engaged to since she was a baby. Still, she dutifully goes with her family to London to meet and wed the Duke of Marchbourne. Except their first meeting goes a bit awry...see March, as he goes by, is so anxious to finally meet his bride he 'accidentally' bumps into their carriage and more tree climbing ensures. This is actually quite a fun first interaction between the confident and impulsive Charlotte and the solid, steadfast March and sets up the course for their upcoming relationship--fun and impulsive yet serious But as the first attraction fades, will this couple find the happiness they long for without breaking all of society's' rules?
This is the start of a new series from Isabella Bradford and I enjoyed it. Charlotte was a delight to read, though she is only eighteen which is always an annoyance to me even though I know it was perfectly acceptable during those times to wed and such. Still, she is portrayed as eager to please her new duke but at the same time, do what is best for her and her heart. There is quite a bit of back and forthness between our couple that I did find to be a bit tedious. March grew up being very proper and knew that he was betrothed to a daughter of an earl to help boost his family standing. Even though he is related to the kind his mother was just a mistress and if feels the taint still. So March would let down his guard and be passionate and enjoy his new wife but then would immediately regret the way he treated Charlotte which naturally leads to Charlotte thinking she displeased him in some way. And even though the talk about it, there is a deeper issue with March that takes some time to be revealed and helps explain his issues. The attention to the details of the fashion during this time period was also great to read. Not many books have heroines always in hoops and hair powder so it is always a nice treat to be immersed in something different. Overall, a very delightful book full of wit and charm and passion that will leave you hoping this couple can overcome their trust issues and find the happiness they were blessed to have. And oh, the epilogue is just going to make you sigh and smile. So perfect. 4 stars
I received this eARC from Ballantine Books via edelweiss.com
This is the start of a new series from Isabella Bradford and I enjoyed it. Charlotte was a delight to read, though she is only eighteen which is always an annoyance to me even though I know it was perfectly acceptable during those times to wed and such. Still, she is portrayed as eager to please her new duke but at the same time, do what is best for her and her heart. There is quite a bit of back and forthness between our couple that I did find to be a bit tedious. March grew up being very proper and knew that he was betrothed to a daughter of an earl to help boost his family standing. Even though he is related to the kind his mother was just a mistress and if feels the taint still. So March would let down his guard and be passionate and enjoy his new wife but then would immediately regret the way he treated Charlotte which naturally leads to Charlotte thinking she displeased him in some way. And even though the talk about it, there is a deeper issue with March that takes some time to be revealed and helps explain his issues. The attention to the details of the fashion during this time period was also great to read. Not many books have heroines always in hoops and hair powder so it is always a nice treat to be immersed in something different. Overall, a very delightful book full of wit and charm and passion that will leave you hoping this couple can overcome their trust issues and find the happiness they were blessed to have. And oh, the epilogue is just going to make you sigh and smile. So perfect. 4 stars
I received this eARC from Ballantine Books via edelweiss.com
November 3, 2016
I spent all day reading and living in Bradford's world and I enjoyed every moment!
Charlotte, 18, is firstborn to a wealthy but loving aristocratic family. Her father, the Earl of Hervey, dies when she's 4, and remaining family retreats from society to a country manor. One day, in the middle of the night, Charlotte's life changes: a gentleman arrives informing her she's to be married to the Duke of Marchbourne, to whom she's apparently been engaged to since infancy. Will they be able to find love as Charlotte and the Duke try to negotiate their new relationship and their place in society?
I really enjoy this book, especially the characters.
Charlotte is kind, independent, and carefree. She's a dreamer who likes adventures and climbing trees. Charlotte isn't a typical "lady", but she's loyal. She want to take care of her family, which grows beyond her Mother and sisters to include March.
March is essentially the opposite of Charlotte. He's practical, particular, regimental, calculating (but not in a bad way). March's grandfather is the illegitimate son of the King. He feels the shame of his family's beginnings and tries to rectify this by avoiding all scandal.
With that said, I think the central conflict and motivation in this story comes from March's debate with himself between propriety and passion. March cares very much for Charlotte. For example:
"He did wish simply to fulfill his obligation and marry her. He wanted to win her heart." oh March! *swooooon*
OR
"My friends call me March, and I dare to hope that my wife will likewise be my friend."
But March does not know how to reconcile his zeal for his wife with the propriety required of his station.
Charlotte tries to encourage him to let loose, especially in the bedroom. But repeatedly March withdraws from her, critical of his own passion. Can he get over this and embrace his new wife?
A few favorite moments:
-Charlotte and March's first kiss in the dress shop dressing room! So sweet but lots of passion between them!
-Aunt Sophronia... *sigh* I understand she has good intentions, wanting to keep Charlotte from being gossiped about and being ruined, but still...her advice doesn't help.
-Apparently people go to the theater to have sexy times, lolololol!
-"What malicious devil inspired him to desire his own wife like this." HAHAHAHA! Poor March!
-INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS SEXY TIMES! For example:
C: "How can I be juicy as a berry?"
M: "You'll see." *faints* And he definitely shows her... OOLALA!
I enjoy seeing March come to terms with his family's history, the poor relationship between his parents, and his fear of becoming like his father. I'm not sure if all the drama at the end is necessary...It seems off topic and tangential to the main story. But March and Charlotte find happiness and satisfaction with one another, with fantastic prospects for their future.
This is a very quick and delicious read. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. I highly recommend!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!
Charlotte, 18, is firstborn to a wealthy but loving aristocratic family. Her father, the Earl of Hervey, dies when she's 4, and remaining family retreats from society to a country manor. One day, in the middle of the night, Charlotte's life changes: a gentleman arrives informing her she's to be married to the Duke of Marchbourne, to whom she's apparently been engaged to since infancy. Will they be able to find love as Charlotte and the Duke try to negotiate their new relationship and their place in society?
I really enjoy this book, especially the characters.
Charlotte is kind, independent, and carefree. She's a dreamer who likes adventures and climbing trees. Charlotte isn't a typical "lady", but she's loyal. She want to take care of her family, which grows beyond her Mother and sisters to include March.
March is essentially the opposite of Charlotte. He's practical, particular, regimental, calculating (but not in a bad way). March's grandfather is the illegitimate son of the King. He feels the shame of his family's beginnings and tries to rectify this by avoiding all scandal.
With that said, I think the central conflict and motivation in this story comes from March's debate with himself between propriety and passion. March cares very much for Charlotte. For example:
"He did wish simply to fulfill his obligation and marry her. He wanted to win her heart." oh March! *swooooon*
OR
"My friends call me March, and I dare to hope that my wife will likewise be my friend."
But March does not know how to reconcile his zeal for his wife with the propriety required of his station.
Charlotte tries to encourage him to let loose, especially in the bedroom. But repeatedly March withdraws from her, critical of his own passion. Can he get over this and embrace his new wife?
A few favorite moments:
-Charlotte and March's first kiss in the dress shop dressing room! So sweet but lots of passion between them!
-Aunt Sophronia... *sigh* I understand she has good intentions, wanting to keep Charlotte from being gossiped about and being ruined, but still...her advice doesn't help.
-Apparently people go to the theater to have sexy times, lolololol!
-"What malicious devil inspired him to desire his own wife like this." HAHAHAHA! Poor March!
-INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS SEXY TIMES! For example:
C: "How can I be juicy as a berry?"
M: "You'll see." *faints* And he definitely shows her... OOLALA!
I enjoy seeing March come to terms with his family's history, the poor relationship between his parents, and his fear of becoming like his father. I'm not sure if all the drama at the end is necessary...It seems off topic and tangential to the main story. But March and Charlotte find happiness and satisfaction with one another, with fantastic prospects for their future.
This is a very quick and delicious read. I can't wait to read the other books in the series. I highly recommend!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2013
Charlotte Wylder lives with her mothers and sisters out in the country after her father died while she was a child and her mother sought to to protect her children from the wicked ways of the ton. Life is nice but a bit dull...
All that changes when they are informed that before he died,her father contracted a marriage for Charlotte with the Duke of Marchbourne so the family and especially Charlotte is amazed and overjoyed at this turn of event.
They then travel to London to meet her betrothed.
Charlotte and March first meeting is far from conventional as March was so eager (and nervous) to meet his intended that he rode out and caught Charlotte just as she was trying to retrieve her sisters kitten who had climbed a tree.
March is taken aback by Charlottes behavior but not in a bad way ;)
Later they meet again and share a heated kiss wich only convinces them that they are meant to be married.March even pushes the date for their wedding ahead,wich Charlotte is flattered but also a bit nervous about since she had hoped they would have time to get to know each other a bit better and also prepare her mentally to leave her mother and sisters.
So they are married and its a wonderful day for both of them. March brings Charlotte back to his,and now her home too.
Then their wedding night comes and they tumble into bed and... well lets just say things goes very well for the both of them. *hint hint*
But afterwards March is digusted at the ungentlemanly way he "used" Charlotte and assures her the next day that she will never have to be subjected to such behavior EVER AGAIN.
Charlotte is confused since she liked their time in bed but since her husband has showed such a disgust at this she cant help but wonder if her behavior was wanton and not fitting a duchess.
So they start their married life together and March is as attentive as ever to her in the day but in the nights things are not so great.With March trying to curb his "baser nature" and Charlotte having to contain herself so she is not percieved as a bad girl by March.
Then there is London society to contend with also,many of whose members are far from pleasant people.
This is a historical romance where the hero and heroine start out liking each other very well but with the actual love coming later.
Some could say their relationship is a bit too perfect,but yes while its very sweet the story doesnt start until after they are married and they find out that they have to get to know each other better.
I liked both the hero and heroine very much,they are just very nice people. March has his demons though but they havent led him into a life of vice and rakedom,instead he tries to be ever the perfect english gentleman to such a degree he denies himself happiness.
Charlotte is young and a bit naive but she truly cares about her husband wish she could find a way to help him take down his walls.When it finally happens its a very sweet moment.
Even if it involves climbing a tree or two.
I give this 3,5 stars could have been 4 but there is a scene at the very end that stretched my imagination to its limits.
If you liked this book :
The Parfit Knight
The Mésalliance
Heartless
The Serpent Prince
All that changes when they are informed that before he died,her father contracted a marriage for Charlotte with the Duke of Marchbourne so the family and especially Charlotte is amazed and overjoyed at this turn of event.
They then travel to London to meet her betrothed.
Charlotte and March first meeting is far from conventional as March was so eager (and nervous) to meet his intended that he rode out and caught Charlotte just as she was trying to retrieve her sisters kitten who had climbed a tree.
March is taken aback by Charlottes behavior but not in a bad way ;)
Later they meet again and share a heated kiss wich only convinces them that they are meant to be married.March even pushes the date for their wedding ahead,wich Charlotte is flattered but also a bit nervous about since she had hoped they would have time to get to know each other a bit better and also prepare her mentally to leave her mother and sisters.
So they are married and its a wonderful day for both of them. March brings Charlotte back to his,and now her home too.
Then their wedding night comes and they tumble into bed and... well lets just say things goes very well for the both of them. *hint hint*
But afterwards March is digusted at the ungentlemanly way he "used" Charlotte and assures her the next day that she will never have to be subjected to such behavior EVER AGAIN.
Charlotte is confused since she liked their time in bed but since her husband has showed such a disgust at this she cant help but wonder if her behavior was wanton and not fitting a duchess.
So they start their married life together and March is as attentive as ever to her in the day but in the nights things are not so great.With March trying to curb his "baser nature" and Charlotte having to contain herself so she is not percieved as a bad girl by March.
Then there is London society to contend with also,many of whose members are far from pleasant people.
This is a historical romance where the hero and heroine start out liking each other very well but with the actual love coming later.
Some could say their relationship is a bit too perfect,but yes while its very sweet the story doesnt start until after they are married and they find out that they have to get to know each other better.
I liked both the hero and heroine very much,they are just very nice people. March has his demons though but they havent led him into a life of vice and rakedom,instead he tries to be ever the perfect english gentleman to such a degree he denies himself happiness.
Charlotte is young and a bit naive but she truly cares about her husband wish she could find a way to help him take down his walls.When it finally happens its a very sweet moment.
Even if it involves climbing a tree or two.
I give this 3,5 stars could have been 4 but there is a scene at the very end that stretched my imagination to its limits.
If you liked this book :
The Parfit Knight
The Mésalliance
Heartless
The Serpent Prince
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2012
When You Wish Upon a Duke is the first book in Isabella Bradford's series about the three Wylder sisters. Charlotte is the oldest of the sisters and since the death of their father she has had to look after her heartbroken mother and her younger siblings. The family have been living in the country for years and Charlotte is a happy tomboy, much to her mother's distress. It comes as quite a shock to Charlotte when a solicitor arrives to organise the details of her wedding. It turns out her father had arranged a marriage between her and the Duke of Marchbourne but nobody had thought to tell her. Nervous about travelling to London and being forced into polite society Charlotte is equally worried about meeting her future husband for the first time. Luckily their attraction is instant but it doesn't take long before misunderstands start to force a wedge between them. Can they look past their differences and find a way to connect with each other?
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, Charlotte and March make a great couple and I loved the chemistry and banter between them. The circumstances of their first meeting had me laughing out loud and I quite often giggled as I read about Charlotte's latest escapade. Charlotte may be young and quite innocent but she has a backbone to her and she stands up for what she wants from her relationship with March. It takes her a while to figure out where things are going wrong between them but as soon as she does she takes steps to fix things.
March is a hero who has some major issues to work through, his family history and the behaviour of his father all cause him embarrassment and he is determined not to repeat his ancestors mistakes. He is crazy about Charlotte from the moment he sees her and even goes as far as bringing their marriage forward because he can't wait to make her his but after the wedding he is so focused on treating her like a lady that he stops thinking of her as a passionate woman. His heart is in the right place but thanks to the expectations placed on him by society he comes close to ruining his marriage before it's even properly begun.
When You Wish Upon a Duke is a great start to a series and I'm pleased that we don't have long to wait for the next two instalments. I'm looking forward to getting to know Charlotte's younger sisters Lizzie and Diana better and I have a feeling that Diana in particular is going to be quite a handful - her future husband is going to need to keep his wits about him! If you're looking for a fun, witty and light hearted historical romance then you can't go wrong with this series and I think it will appeal to fans of authors like Eloisa James and Julia Quinn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, Charlotte and March make a great couple and I loved the chemistry and banter between them. The circumstances of their first meeting had me laughing out loud and I quite often giggled as I read about Charlotte's latest escapade. Charlotte may be young and quite innocent but she has a backbone to her and she stands up for what she wants from her relationship with March. It takes her a while to figure out where things are going wrong between them but as soon as she does she takes steps to fix things.
March is a hero who has some major issues to work through, his family history and the behaviour of his father all cause him embarrassment and he is determined not to repeat his ancestors mistakes. He is crazy about Charlotte from the moment he sees her and even goes as far as bringing their marriage forward because he can't wait to make her his but after the wedding he is so focused on treating her like a lady that he stops thinking of her as a passionate woman. His heart is in the right place but thanks to the expectations placed on him by society he comes close to ruining his marriage before it's even properly begun.
When You Wish Upon a Duke is a great start to a series and I'm pleased that we don't have long to wait for the next two instalments. I'm looking forward to getting to know Charlotte's younger sisters Lizzie and Diana better and I have a feeling that Diana in particular is going to be quite a handful - her future husband is going to need to keep his wits about him! If you're looking for a fun, witty and light hearted historical romance then you can't go wrong with this series and I think it will appeal to fans of authors like Eloisa James and Julia Quinn.
December 4, 2013
I had high hopes for this book. It started strong. The hero and the heroine are crazy about each other right off the bat. They want the same things; their path to happiness is clear. But as they move forward in what seemed like a pretty straightforward love story, they completely screw themselves up.
After the death of her father, Charlotte grew up in the country with her mother and sisters. She had no idea he had arranged a marriage for her until a solicitor arrived from the Duke of Marchbourne, ready to bring her back to London. Fortunately, March ends up being more than she had ever dreamed she would find in a match. He is handsome and kind and he wants her every bit as much as she wants him. In fact, he is so excited about marrying her, they move up the wedding and tie the knot right away.
They are blissfully happy at first. But then, March's neurosis kicks in. Way back in the family tree, his great-grandmother was a mistress to the king. It was the start of what he considers his base bloodline. His father frequented whores. March is terrified that somehow his bloodline will affect him in similar fashion. So he resolves to treat Charlotte as nothing less than an impeccable lady. His heart is in the right place, in that he is trying to honor her. But he stops treating her as a true lover, as a partner. And of course, she has no idea what is behind the change. She thinks she somehow screwed up.
Around and around these two go, taking a step forward and two steps back... worrying about propriety and ideals when they have real love already in their grasps. It was very frustrating. There is essentially no external conflict or secondary plot at all. Just Charlotte and March getting caught up in what they think they should be doing and forgetting what made them happy in the first place.
I liked Charlotte. She is innocent without being an idiot and she would really be quite competent if March gave her the chance. As for March, he is a good man at his core, but his hang-ups are serious. We do find in the course of the book there is more to his issues than it first appears, and that helps to explain his behavior a bit more. But all in all, it just kind of fizzled.
Rating: C-
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
After the death of her father, Charlotte grew up in the country with her mother and sisters. She had no idea he had arranged a marriage for her until a solicitor arrived from the Duke of Marchbourne, ready to bring her back to London. Fortunately, March ends up being more than she had ever dreamed she would find in a match. He is handsome and kind and he wants her every bit as much as she wants him. In fact, he is so excited about marrying her, they move up the wedding and tie the knot right away.
They are blissfully happy at first. But then, March's neurosis kicks in. Way back in the family tree, his great-grandmother was a mistress to the king. It was the start of what he considers his base bloodline. His father frequented whores. March is terrified that somehow his bloodline will affect him in similar fashion. So he resolves to treat Charlotte as nothing less than an impeccable lady. His heart is in the right place, in that he is trying to honor her. But he stops treating her as a true lover, as a partner. And of course, she has no idea what is behind the change. She thinks she somehow screwed up.
Around and around these two go, taking a step forward and two steps back... worrying about propriety and ideals when they have real love already in their grasps. It was very frustrating. There is essentially no external conflict or secondary plot at all. Just Charlotte and March getting caught up in what they think they should be doing and forgetting what made them happy in the first place.
I liked Charlotte. She is innocent without being an idiot and she would really be quite competent if March gave her the chance. As for March, he is a good man at his core, but his hang-ups are serious. We do find in the course of the book there is more to his issues than it first appears, and that helps to explain his behavior a bit more. But all in all, it just kind of fizzled.
Rating: C-
*ARC Provided by NetGalley
August 15, 2012
Isabella Bradford -- real name Susan Holloway Scott -- knows her history. I have long enjoyed the blog she writes, with the incomparable Loretta Chase, www.twonerdyhistorygirls.com. Having written many historical novels, including several set in Restoration England, she has now set her hand to historical romance set smack in the middle of Georgian England.
I was prepared to be impressed, but alas this was not to be. When You Wish Upon a Duke is a perfectly okay story, but there's really not much there there.
Lady Charlotte Wylder enters into an arranged marriage with the Duke of Marchbourne. She's been raised in the country by her widowed mother and is a bit of a hoyden; she is determined, however, to become a perfect duchess. March, on the other hand, while young has been a duke for years, and he seems to have no vices. March is the great-grandson of a king (not named, but it would be a fictitious Charles II), via his actress mistress, and even three generations on is still sensitive about his illegitimate origins. Hence, he conducts himself with utmost propriety.
Most of the novel revolves around their problems adjusting to their changed circumstances, especially in the bedroom. After a incendiary wedding night encounter, he suddenly becomes distant and proper. Charlotte, seeking advice from her dragon-aunt, is advised to conduct herself in the bedroom as a lady. In other words, lie back and think of England. Obviously, this does not produce satisfaction, although they do share a growing attachment and love for one another.
The story of how they work things out is very sweet, but it just isn't enough to carry an entire novel. Realizing this, perhaps, the author throws in a bit of scandal involving a notorious marquess, a duel, and babies. It is too little, and way too late, though.
Bradford's writing is so good, and her grasp of the historical setting so adept, however, that I'm sure to read the next installment, as Charlotte's younger sister finds herself in company with yet another duke.
I was prepared to be impressed, but alas this was not to be. When You Wish Upon a Duke is a perfectly okay story, but there's really not much there there.
Lady Charlotte Wylder enters into an arranged marriage with the Duke of Marchbourne. She's been raised in the country by her widowed mother and is a bit of a hoyden; she is determined, however, to become a perfect duchess. March, on the other hand, while young has been a duke for years, and he seems to have no vices. March is the great-grandson of a king (not named, but it would be a fictitious Charles II), via his actress mistress, and even three generations on is still sensitive about his illegitimate origins. Hence, he conducts himself with utmost propriety.
Most of the novel revolves around their problems adjusting to their changed circumstances, especially in the bedroom. After a incendiary wedding night encounter, he suddenly becomes distant and proper. Charlotte, seeking advice from her dragon-aunt, is advised to conduct herself in the bedroom as a lady. In other words, lie back and think of England. Obviously, this does not produce satisfaction, although they do share a growing attachment and love for one another.
The story of how they work things out is very sweet, but it just isn't enough to carry an entire novel. Realizing this, perhaps, the author throws in a bit of scandal involving a notorious marquess, a duel, and babies. It is too little, and way too late, though.
Bradford's writing is so good, and her grasp of the historical setting so adept, however, that I'm sure to read the next installment, as Charlotte's younger sister finds herself in company with yet another duke.
August 25, 2012
When You Wish Upon a Duke is a book that will make readers smile, but it is lifted above the status of a merely amusing book by the detailed look it offers of the domestic life of a duke and duchess in Georgian England. From descriptions of Charlotte’s quarters in the ducal mansion to the clothes she wears and the food served to the ducal couple, the setting is vibrantly rendered. I especially liked the scene where the duke asks Charlotte to call him March, the name his intimates use, and she agrees to do so if he addresses her by her first name. Both customary behavior and the way this relationship will depart from the customary are revealed in this brief exchange.
I found it refreshing that although there is an arranged marriage, March and Charlotte are eager to fall in love with one another and committed to one another’s happiness. It was also pleasant to encounter a hero who was neither a rake nor a recluse brooding over nameless wrongs. The focus of the novel is unswervingly on the hero and heroine, but readers see enough of Charlotte’s sisters, especially the youngest, to trust they will prove interesting heroines in their turn. I must admit the one scene that disturbed me was Charlotte’s parting from her family. Their disappearance from the story was convenient for the narrative, but the manner seemed heartless. March has a cousin whom I found interesting and would like to see more of. I have a suspicion about him, and I will be interested in seeing if I’m correct. If I’m wrong, I’ll just have to imagine I’m right.
See full review at Just Janga.
http://justjanga.blogspot.com/2012/08...
I found it refreshing that although there is an arranged marriage, March and Charlotte are eager to fall in love with one another and committed to one another’s happiness. It was also pleasant to encounter a hero who was neither a rake nor a recluse brooding over nameless wrongs. The focus of the novel is unswervingly on the hero and heroine, but readers see enough of Charlotte’s sisters, especially the youngest, to trust they will prove interesting heroines in their turn. I must admit the one scene that disturbed me was Charlotte’s parting from her family. Their disappearance from the story was convenient for the narrative, but the manner seemed heartless. March has a cousin whom I found interesting and would like to see more of. I have a suspicion about him, and I will be interested in seeing if I’m correct. If I’m wrong, I’ll just have to imagine I’m right.
See full review at Just Janga.
http://justjanga.blogspot.com/2012/08...
August 21, 2012
Lady Charlotte Wylder learns she is betrothed to the Duke of Marchbourne the day before she has to leave for London to prepare for her wedding. She's been raised in the Dorset countryside and is less than thrilled at the prospect of leaving her carefree lifestyle for the trappings of London society, not to mention a prospective husband she's never met. Lord Marchbourne, or March as he's called, is a bit anxious himself to see this young woman he's set to marry and orchestrates a chance encounter to get a glimpse. This first meeting sets off an attraction that brings delight and consternation to them both.
This is the first book in the Wylder Sisters series and it doesn't suffer the foundation-laying pains you might normally encounter. The complete focus is on Charlotte and March and their developing relationship. It was refreshing to find they really liked each other at the onset and the attraction was passionate. Charlotte was delightful, even if she seemed more mature than you would have expected of an 18-year old, and was a perfect foil to March's staid and somber personality. The ensuing conflict was interesting without being too contrived and the advice given to the couple from those close to them made it that much more intriguing. The secondary characters were well developed and added just the right amount of flavor to the story.
I loved Charlotte and March and their romance. The writing is extraordinary and entrenched in the history of that era, from the fashion to the venacular and to the societal norms. This is my first time reading this author and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and any other books in the works.
This is the first book in the Wylder Sisters series and it doesn't suffer the foundation-laying pains you might normally encounter. The complete focus is on Charlotte and March and their developing relationship. It was refreshing to find they really liked each other at the onset and the attraction was passionate. Charlotte was delightful, even if she seemed more mature than you would have expected of an 18-year old, and was a perfect foil to March's staid and somber personality. The ensuing conflict was interesting without being too contrived and the advice given to the couple from those close to them made it that much more intriguing. The secondary characters were well developed and added just the right amount of flavor to the story.
I loved Charlotte and March and their romance. The writing is extraordinary and entrenched in the history of that era, from the fashion to the venacular and to the societal norms. This is my first time reading this author and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series and any other books in the works.
August 11, 2012
4 stars (I would have given it 4.5, but the adventure plot right there at the end I thought unnecessary and took away from the story)
Confession time here: I love arranged marriages/marriage of convenience books. I love seeing the couples meet, marry and then start to slowly fall in love. Here was no exception. Charlotte is every inch a Earl's daughter and March every inch a Duke but from the moment they first meet and then later after they are married, they can't seem to keep their hands of of each other. Which is unseemly because HOW DARE A HUSBAND AND WIFE DESIRE EACH OTHER? Especially the Duke and Duchess of Marchborne. As Charlotte's aunt told her, "no man wants a mistress for a wife".
I will admit upfront there really isn't much of a plot to this book. Instead it's 300 pages of a man and a woman learning to grow and live and love with each other. The expectations they have of themselves, the expectations Society has of them as a Duke and Duchess, it quickly enthralled me and left me reading quite happily for two hours waiting for these two people to figure it all out. Which, eventually they did. Lovely. The slow pace of this book isn't for everyone but on a hot summer day like today when I couldn't move without dying, it was for me. Eagerly awaiting the next installment, er....Wlyder sister I mean.
*ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY
Confession time here: I love arranged marriages/marriage of convenience books. I love seeing the couples meet, marry and then start to slowly fall in love. Here was no exception. Charlotte is every inch a Earl's daughter and March every inch a Duke but from the moment they first meet and then later after they are married, they can't seem to keep their hands of of each other. Which is unseemly because HOW DARE A HUSBAND AND WIFE DESIRE EACH OTHER? Especially the Duke and Duchess of Marchborne. As Charlotte's aunt told her, "no man wants a mistress for a wife".
I will admit upfront there really isn't much of a plot to this book. Instead it's 300 pages of a man and a woman learning to grow and live and love with each other. The expectations they have of themselves, the expectations Society has of them as a Duke and Duchess, it quickly enthralled me and left me reading quite happily for two hours waiting for these two people to figure it all out. Which, eventually they did. Lovely. The slow pace of this book isn't for everyone but on a hot summer day like today when I couldn't move without dying, it was for me. Eagerly awaiting the next installment, er....Wlyder sister I mean.
*ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY
August 1, 2012
เป็นเรื่องที่เกี่ยวกับหนุ่มสาวคู่หนึ่ง
ที่พ่อของทั้งคู่ได้ทำการตกลงให้เป็นคู่หมั้นคู่หมายให้ตั้งแต่ยังเด็ก
นางเอกก็เป็นฝั่งใส ๆ ร่าเริง เป็นเด็กชานเมือง
ส่วนพระเอกก็จะเป็นคนในเมือง
ที่ค่อนข้างจะแคร์สังคมคนรอบข้าง
เนื้อเรื่องจะดำเนินเกี่ยวกับการปรับตัวของทั้งคู่
ฝั่งนางเอกก็ต้องรับมือกับการเข้าสังคม ทำตัวให้เหมาะสม
ส่วนพระเอกก็มีปมปัญหาชีวิตขมขื่นวัยเด็ก
ทั้งยังต้องรับมือกับความใสซื่อของนางเอกอีก
เป็นเรื่องที่ย่อยง่ายๆดีค่ะ
อ่านได้เพลิน ๆ ดีเหมือนกัน
เสียแต่ว่า นอกจากพลอตความรัก การปรับตัวนี่แล้ว
ไม่มีพลอตรอง ไม่มีอะไรที่น่าตื่นเต้นเร้าใจอะไรเลย
อ่านจบแล้วก็จบกัน ไม่ต้องคิดเยอะ
ให้ 3.5 ดาวค่ะ
ที่พ่อของทั้งคู่ได้ทำการตกลงให้เป็นคู่หมั้นคู่หมายให้ตั้งแต่ยังเด็ก
นางเอกก็เป็นฝั่งใส ๆ ร่าเริง เป็นเด็กชานเมือง
ส่วนพระเอกก็จะเป็นคนในเมือง
ที่ค่อนข้างจะแคร์สังคมคนรอบข้าง
เนื้อเรื่องจะดำเนินเกี่ยวกับการปรับตัวของทั้งคู่
ฝั่งนางเอกก็ต้องรับมือกับการเข้าสังคม ทำตัวให้เหมาะสม
ส่วนพระเอกก็มีปมปัญหาชีวิตขมขื่นวัยเด็ก
ทั้งยังต้องรับมือกับความใสซื่อของนางเอกอีก
เป็นเรื่องที่ย่อยง่ายๆดีค่ะ
อ่านได้เพลิน ๆ ดีเหมือนกัน
เสียแต่ว่า นอกจากพลอตความรัก การปรับตัวนี่แล้ว
ไม่มีพลอตรอง ไม่มีอะไรที่น่าตื่นเต้นเร้าใจอะไรเลย
อ่านจบแล้วก็จบกัน ไม่ต้องคิดเยอะ
ให้ 3.5 ดาวค่ะ
January 20, 2016
Written by one of the two nerdy history girls, this book is set in 1760 and, as you would expect, includes some nice little historical details. It is written in an easy-to-read style and comes with a satisfactory happy ending. I did find it hard to believe that a lady in Georgian dress could physically climb a tree, but I let that go. The reason I didn't like this book more was because the central theme of the book seemed to be the resolution of the Duke's sexual hangups. There was far too much detail for my taste, some of which I found quite unpleasant. I would have preferred to have seen more romance and more historical references.
August 6, 2015
This was likeable-ish enough. This is the second book I have read from Bradford and I really wish there was another adjective she could use for his member. I mean, can "cock" be the only term used for male genitalia appropriate for this time frame?
Charlotte and March were a good enough couple. I guess. The tree-climbing shenanigans were at least fun.
Charlotte and March were a good enough couple. I guess. The tree-climbing shenanigans were at least fun.
July 12, 2016
✨ Review ✨
3.5 stars
This books is history romance book. I loved how the writer wrote the story but the story was fine, it somehow pointed out mostly to the characters making love. I personally liked the beginning of the book more than the ending. I don't think I'll continue reading the other books of this series.
3.5 stars
This books is history romance book. I loved how the writer wrote the story but the story was fine, it somehow pointed out mostly to the characters making love. I personally liked the beginning of the book more than the ending. I don't think I'll continue reading the other books of this series.
November 11, 2017
This was a cute loving romance. The hero was such a gentleman and the heroine was a fiesty little hoyden who was perfect for him. What began as a marriage of convenience quickly turned into love. There were some funny moments too with the heroine's silly aunt and all of her prudish rules about how a young lady should behave.
May 17, 2020
When you Wish Upon a Duke is a twist on the old arranged marriage story.
Read the rest of the review here at Thoughts by Tash
Read the rest of the review here at Thoughts by Tash
September 8, 2012
2 ½ stars – Historical Romance
April 4, 2020
It started well enough, though I was annoyed by Diana and her foolish coddling of the silly cat. Don't get me wrong I like cats fine but to make your sister climb a tree every time your cat goes out your window onto a tree branch and of course is cause for the dust-up in the first scene where the main characters meet is annoyingly thoughtless and selfish but also nonsensical for someone who lives in the country and is familiar with animals, she should know very well that the can can climb in or down when she is ready.
The aunt is indeed a dragon and while she has all those overbearing traits that we love to hate it does serve to advance the plot and create some of those confusions that give a story the conflict it needs to continue. She does seem to be well meaning in her own way, just out of touch or with her own ideas of the priorities.
The biggest issue I had was with March, Duke and hero of the story. He had all the makings of a good guy but his neurosis are beyond exasperating. I get the overprotecting bit that has him trying doing things that ultimately go wrong. And later I understand that there was something more distressing that happened to him that contributes to his issues and may be more complicated to get over but the basis of it all seems to be this notion that it is inappropriate and disrespectful to be passionate with this wife so that he should only do his duty. Despite being enamoured of her and having her respond passionately too him every time they kiss or do more he somehow believes that he's disrespecting her by bringing her pleasure and can't understand why she's upset wen he get's his own pleasure and then leaves her before she can get any herself. It's so implausible as to be ridiculous.
And of course the duel bit at the end was just ludicrous.
The aunt is indeed a dragon and while she has all those overbearing traits that we love to hate it does serve to advance the plot and create some of those confusions that give a story the conflict it needs to continue. She does seem to be well meaning in her own way, just out of touch or with her own ideas of the priorities.
The biggest issue I had was with March, Duke and hero of the story. He had all the makings of a good guy but his neurosis are beyond exasperating. I get the overprotecting bit that has him trying doing things that ultimately go wrong. And later I understand that there was something more distressing that happened to him that contributes to his issues and may be more complicated to get over but the basis of it all seems to be this notion that it is inappropriate and disrespectful to be passionate with this wife so that he should only do his duty. Despite being enamoured of her and having her respond passionately too him every time they kiss or do more he somehow believes that he's disrespecting her by bringing her pleasure and can't understand why she's upset wen he get's his own pleasure and then leaves her before she can get any herself. It's so implausible as to be ridiculous.
And of course the duel bit at the end was just ludicrous.
March 28, 2020
#1 in the Wylder Sister historical romance series
I particularly liked this book because it was a little different from the usual plot. This time we meet Charlotte and the Duke of Marchbourne as they are first meeting, having been betrothed to each other since childhood by their fathers. They marry right away, and the rest of the book is about their ups and downs as they begin married life. Charlotte is very personable--young and bubbly and adventurous, having been raised in the country her whole life. But she's strong and able to hold her own in society. March is staid and solemn, trying to offset the scandal caused by his ancestors. They are a good match, in love with each other, but running into problems when each tries to support the other. Very cute. I loved the characters, and the issues they faced were realistic (considering the times they lived in) and kept the story moving forward quickly and enjoyably. I will definitely look for the next in this series sooner rather than later.
I particularly liked this book because it was a little different from the usual plot. This time we meet Charlotte and the Duke of Marchbourne as they are first meeting, having been betrothed to each other since childhood by their fathers. They marry right away, and the rest of the book is about their ups and downs as they begin married life. Charlotte is very personable--young and bubbly and adventurous, having been raised in the country her whole life. But she's strong and able to hold her own in society. March is staid and solemn, trying to offset the scandal caused by his ancestors. They are a good match, in love with each other, but running into problems when each tries to support the other. Very cute. I loved the characters, and the issues they faced were realistic (considering the times they lived in) and kept the story moving forward quickly and enjoyably. I will definitely look for the next in this series sooner rather than later.
February 22, 2020
When You Wish Upon A Duke is book one in the Wylder Sisters series by Isabella Bradford. I think I have stumbled across a treasure. This was my first time to read a Bradford book, and I adored it. I had a hard time putting it down. This story is so different and unique. I loved the heroine Lady Charlotte Wylder and the hero James Augustus FitzCharles, Duke of Marchbourne or March for short. Bradford does a great job of recreating 1760 England in speech, dress, and activities of the time. There are several hilarious moments and some tearful ones as well. Several steamy sex scenes are masterfully written. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I checked these books out from the library.
March 31, 2021
I sometimes like the books that skip over the will they/won't they part of the story. It's a romance novel, of course they are going to end up together. It's the learning to live together part that is sometimes the most interesting, as is the case with this book. Honestly I didn't find the main characters in this anywhere near as annoying/ridiculous as in many other romances I've read. They were more open with each other which helped avoid a lot of the petty misunderstandings that are common in this genre.
September 26, 2018
This is the story of Lady Charlotte Wylder and the Duke of Marchbourne. The year is 1760 and Charlotte has just learned she is to be wed to the Duke and they have never met. Charlotte is young and has lived in the country for years so going to London seems exciting. Charlotte and March wed but have to learn to live together and to trust each other. The book was a quick easy read.
November 10, 2019
I skimmed this book. The first part was about our hero thinking he behaved like an animal (like his father) on his wedding night even though his bride told him it was wonderful. Then there was our "villain" who, for some unknown reason, tries to compromise our heroine.
An aunt grated on my nerves.
Not much to this book.
An aunt grated on my nerves.
Not much to this book.
September 2, 2018
The story had a few good points, like a funny meet-cute and a hilarious little sister.
However, there's a lot of drama and push-pull in the relationship, mostly because our hero has some serious hang-ups and there's a HUGE lack of communication.
However, there's a lot of drama and push-pull in the relationship, mostly because our hero has some serious hang-ups and there's a HUGE lack of communication.
December 8, 2025
Not my favorite book.
I generally love regency novels, but this book did not captivate me very well. Charlotte and March do love each other, but their attraction just doesn't feel very strong.
I generally love regency novels, but this book did not captivate me very well. Charlotte and March do love each other, but their attraction just doesn't feel very strong.
December 10, 2017
It's overly sweet and can't help but feel much is in his teen rather than his late twenties.
Nice quick reading but can't stand the over the hill sweetness and "young" feel of the characters.
Nice quick reading but can't stand the over the hill sweetness and "young" feel of the characters.
February 18, 2018
Read 1 - unfinished
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