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One Scandalous Season #1
Never Desire a Duke
A secret from his past holds the key to their future...
A Marriage Beyond Hope
Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Lord Vane Barwick, the Marquess of Claxton, whose rumored list of amorous conquests includes almost every beautiful woman of the ton. Yet a shocking encounter with him in a crowded ballroom—and a single touch—are all it takes to reawaken her furious passion for him. But how can she trust the man who crushed her dreams and took away the one thing she wanted most?
A Love Beyond Reason
Lord Claxton has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined his marriage to Lady Sophia. Now, after nearly a year abroad, the reformed rogue vows to win back the only woman he's ever truly loved. He'll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable husband she deserves—and the passionate lover she desires. As the snowdrifts deepen outside their ancestral home, can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?
A Marriage Beyond Hope
Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Lord Vane Barwick, the Marquess of Claxton, whose rumored list of amorous conquests includes almost every beautiful woman of the ton. Yet a shocking encounter with him in a crowded ballroom—and a single touch—are all it takes to reawaken her furious passion for him. But how can she trust the man who crushed her dreams and took away the one thing she wanted most?
A Love Beyond Reason
Lord Claxton has never forgiven himself for the youthful mistake that ruined his marriage to Lady Sophia. Now, after nearly a year abroad, the reformed rogue vows to win back the only woman he's ever truly loved. He'll do whatever it takes to prove he can be the honorable husband she deserves—and the passionate lover she desires. As the snowdrifts deepen outside their ancestral home, can they rekindle the flame that burned so bright and find a new path to forever?
375 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 24, 2013
42 people are currently reading
1551 people want to read
About the author
Lily Dalton
7 books116 followersLily Dalton grew up as an Army brat, moving from place to place. Her first stop after relocating was always the local library, where she could hang out with familiar friends: Books! Lily has an English degree from Texas A & M University and after graduation worked as a legal assistant in the fields of accident reconstruction and litigation. She now lives in Houston, Texas, with her family. When she isn't at work on her next manuscript, she spends her time trying out new recipes, cheering on her favorite Texas football teams and collecting old dishes, vintage linens and other fine "junque" from thrift stores and flea markets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
April 1, 2016
4.25
What a lovely story! So cute and romantic. I love Vane and Sophia. They have their ups and downs but worked through their problems just in time for Christmas. I know it is April but I'm really in the holiday spirit. Absolutely wonderful story!
What a lovely story! So cute and romantic. I love Vane and Sophia. They have their ups and downs but worked through their problems just in time for Christmas. I know it is April but I'm really in the holiday spirit. Absolutely wonderful story!
July 24, 2016
I've given this a C+ at AAR.
This second-chance romance, in which an estranged couple are stranded together following a snowstorm, was for the most part an enjoyable and well-written début from Lily Dalton. The novel has lot going for it – an attractive and devoted hero-to-die-for, a lovely underlying sensuality and a real sense of relationship progression - but a couple of rather large flaws prevented me from rating it more highly.
Sophia and Vane Barwick, Duke and Duchess of Claxton have been estranged for some months following the loss of their unborn child. Instead of taking comfort from each other, the loss tears the couple apart, and shortly after the tragedy, Claxton leaves England to resume his diplomatic work in Europe. During his seven-month absence, his wife hears not a word from him and feels certain he must be having a whale of a time and not sparing her a thought. With this in mind, Sophia determines that it is time for her to move on with her life, and she is going to ask her husband for a formal separation.
On the night of a party which is being held to celebrate her beloved Grandfather’s birthday, she hears that Claxton has come back to England and is both annoyed and upset that she seems to have been the only person to have had no idea of his return.
Because Claxton had a reputation as a bit of a ladies’ man before their marriage, Sophia now has it in her head that he’s been sleeping around since, too. He admits that in a drunken binge after their loss, he did escort a few women around that he probably shouldn’t have, and that he also didn’t conduct himself with particular discretion – but he never slept with any of them. Sophia doesn’t believe him – a situation not helped by the fact that her gorgeous husband has to continually fight off the unwanted attentions of numerous women. The fact that he isn’t interested in any of these other women seems to have passed her by.
Her request for a separation catches him completely off guard, as he had hoped to be able to set things right between them and resume their life together. It’s true that his running off to Europe to escape his grief wasn’t probably the best thing he could have done, and he does admit that he should have stuck around and fought for her and their marriage. But – and here is the first of those big flaws I mentioned – it’s Sophia who refuses to see him and sends him away following the miscarriage. Claxton is the one who believes they should unite in their grief and console each other for their loss, but she withdraws from him and yells at him to stay away from her. This is the premise for their separation and it’s rather weak.
Sophia needs time to think and to work out what she wants – so after the party, she heads off to Camellia House, Claxton’s childhood home, knowing that he never spends any time there. But unbeknownst to her, her husband has discovered her intention and arrives before her, walking into the midst of a situation that could have come straight out of a French farce, and which only serves to worsen his relationship with his wife.
Sophia always spends Christmas with her family, so she doesn’t intend to be away too long, but the onset of a severe snowstorm means that a return journey is impossible, and is likely to be so for a few days. So she and Claxton have no alternative but to wait out the weather.
There were some very well-characterised secondary characters in the story, most notably the flirty Lady Mellenbourne who really just wants to be loved, and Mr and Mrs Kettle, the house’s old retainers. They worked there when Claxton’s mother was alive and are very fond of him, despite his long absence. He had a happy childhood there – until his mother died when he was ten and he and his brother were removed from the house by their tyrannical father who, up to that point, they had never even seen. Claxton harbors no love for the man, who believed his young heir should be taught all the things necessary to grow up a real man, such as drinking, gambling and whoring. Especially the whoring, which Claxton admits, probably accounts for the rather large number of females who shared his bed before his marriage.
And this leads me to major flaw number two. At the beginning of their stay at the house, Sophia asks Claxton to write her a list of the names of all his previous lovers – not because she wants to hold it over him, but because she doesn’t want to find herself blindsided in the future by an encounter with an ex-mistress. Naturally, he is completely averse to the idea and tries to talk her out of it, but it’s the only way he can get her to agree to abandon the idea of a formal separation, so he capitulates and writes it.
Of course it’s just about the worst idea imaginable – even though he’s been faithful to her since he asked for her hand and the women he’s named are all in his past, Sophia is still hurt and angry, even though he did exactly what she asked after advising her against it.
And as if that’s not bad enough, Sophia, rather than destroying the list, instead keeps it and wears it, like a talisman, tucked into her bodice. She uses it to remind herself not to let herself fall in love with him again because while she is someone who loves whole-heartedly, he clearly isn’t. If he was, then he wouldn’t have slept with so many other women – and because he didn’t love any of them, he therefore can’t love her either.
Huh?
By this time, I was losing patience with the woman. She believes the worst of her husband for no reason other than gossip and rumor and the fact that women find him attractive. She’s insecure, quick to condemn and frequently self-righteous – and all the while Claxton is showing her in as many ways as he can think of that he loves her. True, he wants to seduce her as well, but he’s also considerate, kind and doing his best to meet her more than halfway in trying to mend their marriage.
On the plus side, I thought that the way their relationship progressed was very well written indeed, with some lovely moments of domestication (like the cooking scene) and interaction with the local villagers. Claxton has not been to Camellia House for more than a decade, and because the house and estate has been closed up, there is no work for the locals and the village is becoming rather run-down as a result. I liked that Sophia helped Claxton to see that the estate and surrounding area needed him and his patronage, and the way that they were bonding over their shared interest in the local community.
In the end, this really was a book of, well, if not two halves, then two parts. A large chunk of it was very enjoyable indeed – the parts which followed Sophia and Claxton as they began to open up and say the things they needed to say to each other as they took the first steps towards repairing their fractured marriage. Their interactions were humming with romantic tension and awareness, and the love scenes were well written and sexy. But the initial premise for their separation was weak, and I found Sophia’s insistence on retaining an emotional distance from Claxton got annoying very quickly. She justified it by telling herself that it was because she was accepting his limitations when it came to loving – that he would never love her as completely as she did him, so she was protecting herself from future hurt. But there was no real basis for this assumption on her part, and I had a huge problem with the fact that Sophia just couldn’t let go of what is a rather ridiculous determination to protect herself against a husband who shows her over and over again that he is utterly devoted to her. Towards the end, keeping the list of exes leads to some unforeseen and (for Claxton) heart-breaking consequences – and at that point, I really wanted him to tell her he’d had enough and she could have her bloody separation!
For a début novel, this was well-written and the characterization was strong, with Claxton probably being the most well-drawn of all the characters. I think Lily Dalton has shown real potential in this novel as it’s clear that she is capable of writing with flair and emotion and that she has the ability to tug at the reader’s heartstrings. But I would have enjoyed the book more if the conflict between the protagonists had had a more sound basis and if the heroine had been less sanctimonious and, in the end, more deserving of her husband’s devotion.
This second-chance romance, in which an estranged couple are stranded together following a snowstorm, was for the most part an enjoyable and well-written début from Lily Dalton. The novel has lot going for it – an attractive and devoted hero-to-die-for, a lovely underlying sensuality and a real sense of relationship progression - but a couple of rather large flaws prevented me from rating it more highly.
Sophia and Vane Barwick, Duke and Duchess of Claxton have been estranged for some months following the loss of their unborn child. Instead of taking comfort from each other, the loss tears the couple apart, and shortly after the tragedy, Claxton leaves England to resume his diplomatic work in Europe. During his seven-month absence, his wife hears not a word from him and feels certain he must be having a whale of a time and not sparing her a thought. With this in mind, Sophia determines that it is time for her to move on with her life, and she is going to ask her husband for a formal separation.
On the night of a party which is being held to celebrate her beloved Grandfather’s birthday, she hears that Claxton has come back to England and is both annoyed and upset that she seems to have been the only person to have had no idea of his return.
Because Claxton had a reputation as a bit of a ladies’ man before their marriage, Sophia now has it in her head that he’s been sleeping around since, too. He admits that in a drunken binge after their loss, he did escort a few women around that he probably shouldn’t have, and that he also didn’t conduct himself with particular discretion – but he never slept with any of them. Sophia doesn’t believe him – a situation not helped by the fact that her gorgeous husband has to continually fight off the unwanted attentions of numerous women. The fact that he isn’t interested in any of these other women seems to have passed her by.
Her request for a separation catches him completely off guard, as he had hoped to be able to set things right between them and resume their life together. It’s true that his running off to Europe to escape his grief wasn’t probably the best thing he could have done, and he does admit that he should have stuck around and fought for her and their marriage. But – and here is the first of those big flaws I mentioned – it’s Sophia who refuses to see him and sends him away following the miscarriage. Claxton is the one who believes they should unite in their grief and console each other for their loss, but she withdraws from him and yells at him to stay away from her. This is the premise for their separation and it’s rather weak.
Sophia needs time to think and to work out what she wants – so after the party, she heads off to Camellia House, Claxton’s childhood home, knowing that he never spends any time there. But unbeknownst to her, her husband has discovered her intention and arrives before her, walking into the midst of a situation that could have come straight out of a French farce, and which only serves to worsen his relationship with his wife.
Sophia always spends Christmas with her family, so she doesn’t intend to be away too long, but the onset of a severe snowstorm means that a return journey is impossible, and is likely to be so for a few days. So she and Claxton have no alternative but to wait out the weather.
There were some very well-characterised secondary characters in the story, most notably the flirty Lady Mellenbourne who really just wants to be loved, and Mr and Mrs Kettle, the house’s old retainers. They worked there when Claxton’s mother was alive and are very fond of him, despite his long absence. He had a happy childhood there – until his mother died when he was ten and he and his brother were removed from the house by their tyrannical father who, up to that point, they had never even seen. Claxton harbors no love for the man, who believed his young heir should be taught all the things necessary to grow up a real man, such as drinking, gambling and whoring. Especially the whoring, which Claxton admits, probably accounts for the rather large number of females who shared his bed before his marriage.
And this leads me to major flaw number two. At the beginning of their stay at the house, Sophia asks Claxton to write her a list of the names of all his previous lovers – not because she wants to hold it over him, but because she doesn’t want to find herself blindsided in the future by an encounter with an ex-mistress. Naturally, he is completely averse to the idea and tries to talk her out of it, but it’s the only way he can get her to agree to abandon the idea of a formal separation, so he capitulates and writes it.
Of course it’s just about the worst idea imaginable – even though he’s been faithful to her since he asked for her hand and the women he’s named are all in his past, Sophia is still hurt and angry, even though he did exactly what she asked after advising her against it.
And as if that’s not bad enough, Sophia, rather than destroying the list, instead keeps it and wears it, like a talisman, tucked into her bodice. She uses it to remind herself not to let herself fall in love with him again because while she is someone who loves whole-heartedly, he clearly isn’t. If he was, then he wouldn’t have slept with so many other women – and because he didn’t love any of them, he therefore can’t love her either.
Huh?
By this time, I was losing patience with the woman. She believes the worst of her husband for no reason other than gossip and rumor and the fact that women find him attractive. She’s insecure, quick to condemn and frequently self-righteous – and all the while Claxton is showing her in as many ways as he can think of that he loves her. True, he wants to seduce her as well, but he’s also considerate, kind and doing his best to meet her more than halfway in trying to mend their marriage.
On the plus side, I thought that the way their relationship progressed was very well written indeed, with some lovely moments of domestication (like the cooking scene) and interaction with the local villagers. Claxton has not been to Camellia House for more than a decade, and because the house and estate has been closed up, there is no work for the locals and the village is becoming rather run-down as a result. I liked that Sophia helped Claxton to see that the estate and surrounding area needed him and his patronage, and the way that they were bonding over their shared interest in the local community.
In the end, this really was a book of, well, if not two halves, then two parts. A large chunk of it was very enjoyable indeed – the parts which followed Sophia and Claxton as they began to open up and say the things they needed to say to each other as they took the first steps towards repairing their fractured marriage. Their interactions were humming with romantic tension and awareness, and the love scenes were well written and sexy. But the initial premise for their separation was weak, and I found Sophia’s insistence on retaining an emotional distance from Claxton got annoying very quickly. She justified it by telling herself that it was because she was accepting his limitations when it came to loving – that he would never love her as completely as she did him, so she was protecting herself from future hurt. But there was no real basis for this assumption on her part, and I had a huge problem with the fact that Sophia just couldn’t let go of what is a rather ridiculous determination to protect herself against a husband who shows her over and over again that he is utterly devoted to her. Towards the end, keeping the list of exes leads to some unforeseen and (for Claxton) heart-breaking consequences – and at that point, I really wanted him to tell her he’d had enough and she could have her bloody separation!
For a début novel, this was well-written and the characterization was strong, with Claxton probably being the most well-drawn of all the characters. I think Lily Dalton has shown real potential in this novel as it’s clear that she is capable of writing with flair and emotion and that she has the ability to tug at the reader’s heartstrings. But I would have enjoyed the book more if the conflict between the protagonists had had a more sound basis and if the heroine had been less sanctimonious and, in the end, more deserving of her husband’s devotion.
May 17, 2022
“I’m begging you,” he murmured. “Ask me to stay.”
His hand moved behind her head, closing on the nape of her neck, a gesture of possession. Staring down, he pierced her through with his gaze.
“Sophia, say you want me to stay.”
I love failed marriage and men begging and this book has both 👍
His hand moved behind her head, closing on the nape of her neck, a gesture of possession. Staring down, he pierced her through with his gaze.
“Sophia, say you want me to stay.”
I love failed marriage and men begging and this book has both 👍
January 11, 2015
**THIS REVIEW IS FOR A DNF**
I am so pissed at this book right now. I hated it. I almost didn't even review it. But if I hold all of this anger inside me, it may drive me insane.
I'm going to start off with a bang: I hated the heroine, Sophia. She's beyond awful. Before I tell you why, I have to give you an idea of the premise. Sophia fell in love with and then married Claxton 17 months ago. Then, she got pregnant and when she was around 7 months along, she received a letter from one of her husband's former lovers. She went into a rage or a something and slipped and fell down the stairs, losing the baby.
She began to hate Claxton after he left England on a diplomatic mission. She had been hearing that he was sleeping around. Even after she finds out that he WASN'T sleeping around, she wouldn't forgive him. Not that he had done anything wrong to begin with! She never let up on him. I'll admit that he probably handled himself in a less than stellar manner after the death of their child but everyone grieves differently. But she learns about his awful childhood which explains why he has a hard time showing his feelings AND she learns that he never cheated on her and she STILL wouldn't give him an inch. I got really tired of reading about how much he hurt her and how she couldn't trust him. After she asks him for a legal separation, she goes and tries to walk to town, in the ice and snow, all by herself. She almost breaks her neck and Claxton has to help her. It gets worse from there. She's spending his money on random strangers like it's nothing. Even though she wasn't doing anything out of malice, it bothered me. In fact, she's a sweet and generous person to everyone...except her husband. To me, it felt really disingenuous for her to be wanting to leave him but for her to then go into town and start throwing cash around like she has the right just pushed me over the edge. Everything she did made me hate her more and more.
Claxton didn't do much for me. That was probably because I hated her and he was trying so hard to win her back. Nevertheless, I found myself rooting for him. I thought he was exceedingly stupid to write down the names of ALL the women he'd ever slept with PRIOR to their marriage. After she read the list and recognized most, if not all, of them, she held it against him! It was BEFORE they got married for shit's sake! I only really liked the parts where he couldn't hold his anger in anymore and finally said something mean to her. He'd only done it once or twice by the end of the book and I think he should have done it a lot more often.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. I hated it with a passion and I don't think I'll be reading any more books from this author. I'm just glad I didn't purchase this one. It would have been a waste of money.
I am so pissed at this book right now. I hated it. I almost didn't even review it. But if I hold all of this anger inside me, it may drive me insane.
I'm going to start off with a bang: I hated the heroine, Sophia. She's beyond awful. Before I tell you why, I have to give you an idea of the premise. Sophia fell in love with and then married Claxton 17 months ago. Then, she got pregnant and when she was around 7 months along, she received a letter from one of her husband's former lovers. She went into a rage or a something and slipped and fell down the stairs, losing the baby.
She began to hate Claxton after he left England on a diplomatic mission. She had been hearing that he was sleeping around. Even after she finds out that he WASN'T sleeping around, she wouldn't forgive him. Not that he had done anything wrong to begin with! She never let up on him. I'll admit that he probably handled himself in a less than stellar manner after the death of their child but everyone grieves differently. But she learns about his awful childhood which explains why he has a hard time showing his feelings AND she learns that he never cheated on her and she STILL wouldn't give him an inch. I got really tired of reading about how much he hurt her and how she couldn't trust him. After she asks him for a legal separation, she goes and tries to walk to town, in the ice and snow, all by herself. She almost breaks her neck and Claxton has to help her. It gets worse from there. She's spending his money on random strangers like it's nothing. Even though she wasn't doing anything out of malice, it bothered me. In fact, she's a sweet and generous person to everyone...except her husband. To me, it felt really disingenuous for her to be wanting to leave him but for her to then go into town and start throwing cash around like she has the right just pushed me over the edge. Everything she did made me hate her more and more.
Claxton didn't do much for me. That was probably because I hated her and he was trying so hard to win her back. Nevertheless, I found myself rooting for him. I thought he was exceedingly stupid to write down the names of ALL the women he'd ever slept with PRIOR to their marriage. After she read the list and recognized most, if not all, of them, she held it against him! It was BEFORE they got married for shit's sake! I only really liked the parts where he couldn't hold his anger in anymore and finally said something mean to her. He'd only done it once or twice by the end of the book and I think he should have done it a lot more often.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. I hated it with a passion and I don't think I'll be reading any more books from this author. I'm just glad I didn't purchase this one. It would have been a waste of money.
January 13, 2020
It wasn't the best, it wasn't the worst... I just didn't like either character.
September 19, 2013
Sometimes you read a book and you are just swept off your feet and sometimes you read a book and think, why did I even bother to read that book. BUT most books fall somewhere in the middle. Lily Dalton's Never Desire a Duke is just that sort of book. It is a book that makes you believe in love, believe in forgiveness and believe that there is always room for a second (or third) chance. It also reminds us that not everything is what it seems and sometimes, we have to take things on faith.
Lady Sophia, is a strong independent woman, she has to be since her cad of a husband doesn't even remotely believe in the marriage vows. Something she might have understood had she not done the unthinkable and fallen in love with the promise of him. After losing their child and being abandoned by him, Sophia discovers that he has returned and just one look sets her on fire all over again.
Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, is mad, bad and dangerous to know! He has led a life of dissipation and gluttony (in all areas) but one look at Sophia and his world just stopped. He became almost instantly a devoted spouse.. only trouble is he had no words to describe it.. and when a note from a past fling causes the accident that lost their child. Vane is bereft. When Sophia locks him out of her heart he is lost. Fleeing to the continent on a diplomatic mission. But now Vane is back and this time he is not going to let Sophia chase him away.
I really liked Vane (must be the name). He was a man who had it all and lost it but refused to give up. He offered his heart the only way he knew how over and over and over again... And yet was rebuffed again and again. This man had a stalwart heart and all he wanted to do was offer it to the woman he loved. The fact that he had no clue as to how to do that caused a few problems.. BUT Vane wasn't the problem in this book. It was Sophia.
Sophia was self righteous, insecure, stubborn, condemning and harsh. Sure there were some valid reasons but most of them were rumor and innuendo. The fact that she had the family support and HE was considered the villain is what turned this book from a good book to an ok book. Lack of communication ran rampant between this couple. Although, I do like when Vane turned the tables on her. When considering a separation he said why not a divorce.. since female adultery was the only acceptable reason for divorce Sophia, needless to say was not happy. *grins* Of course when Vane pointed out that all they had to do was spread a few rumors and it would be fact, Sophia was surely put in her place. And believe me I was happy to see it. And THAT was the problem.. I wanted to see Sophia put in her place. I just couldn't like her.
The fun thing about this book was the fact that Ms Dalton twisted the old tried and true catty other woman who wanted my man theme.. We found a villainess that was in reality a decent woman who just wanted love..
A family mystery helps to bring the two back together and we see glimpses of a pleasant woman that Vane might actually love.. so the love story itself isn't entirely unbelievable.. But honestly, had she treated me the way she treated Vane.. I wouldn't have bothered to try for reconciliation.. In a romance we need to WANT the couple to be together.. For me, honestly, I could not have cared less.. Sorry Sophia..
I will be reading Never Entice an Earl (the next book in the series) because I believe this storyline might be fun.. Hopefully both characters in that book will capture my interest.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Never Desire a Duke provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on September 24, 2013
Lady Sophia, is a strong independent woman, she has to be since her cad of a husband doesn't even remotely believe in the marriage vows. Something she might have understood had she not done the unthinkable and fallen in love with the promise of him. After losing their child and being abandoned by him, Sophia discovers that he has returned and just one look sets her on fire all over again.
Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, is mad, bad and dangerous to know! He has led a life of dissipation and gluttony (in all areas) but one look at Sophia and his world just stopped. He became almost instantly a devoted spouse.. only trouble is he had no words to describe it.. and when a note from a past fling causes the accident that lost their child. Vane is bereft. When Sophia locks him out of her heart he is lost. Fleeing to the continent on a diplomatic mission. But now Vane is back and this time he is not going to let Sophia chase him away.
I really liked Vane (must be the name). He was a man who had it all and lost it but refused to give up. He offered his heart the only way he knew how over and over and over again... And yet was rebuffed again and again. This man had a stalwart heart and all he wanted to do was offer it to the woman he loved. The fact that he had no clue as to how to do that caused a few problems.. BUT Vane wasn't the problem in this book. It was Sophia.
Sophia was self righteous, insecure, stubborn, condemning and harsh. Sure there were some valid reasons but most of them were rumor and innuendo. The fact that she had the family support and HE was considered the villain is what turned this book from a good book to an ok book. Lack of communication ran rampant between this couple. Although, I do like when Vane turned the tables on her. When considering a separation he said why not a divorce.. since female adultery was the only acceptable reason for divorce Sophia, needless to say was not happy. *grins* Of course when Vane pointed out that all they had to do was spread a few rumors and it would be fact, Sophia was surely put in her place. And believe me I was happy to see it. And THAT was the problem.. I wanted to see Sophia put in her place. I just couldn't like her.
The fun thing about this book was the fact that Ms Dalton twisted the old tried and true catty other woman who wanted my man theme.. We found a villainess that was in reality a decent woman who just wanted love..
A family mystery helps to bring the two back together and we see glimpses of a pleasant woman that Vane might actually love.. so the love story itself isn't entirely unbelievable.. But honestly, had she treated me the way she treated Vane.. I wouldn't have bothered to try for reconciliation.. In a romance we need to WANT the couple to be together.. For me, honestly, I could not have cared less.. Sorry Sophia..
I will be reading Never Entice an Earl (the next book in the series) because I believe this storyline might be fun.. Hopefully both characters in that book will capture my interest.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of Never Desire a Duke provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on September 24, 2013
January 11, 2015
So I didn't realize until I started reading this one, that is was a Christmas themed story. The blurb does really give that away in any way, so you don't expect it, but as I was reading, I found that the Christmas theme really added a flair to the story. This story is about Lord Claxton and Sophia, who fell in love and got married. But things went downhill very quickly, mostly judgements and miscommunication and making presumptions. Which can happen in any relationship especially in a romantic relationship. Then the book starts off after they have been estranged for almost a year. At this point the author does a bit of background information on the couple., so that you aren't at a total loss. Then they end up stuck at a manor in the country while they get snowed in, and they are forced to resolve differences. Claxton wants to reconcile with Sophia, he loves her and is willing to do anything to get her to soften toward him. Sophia is a bit stubborn like a mule, and doesn't believe there is any hope for them. All she wants is a child and then be separated for the rest of their lives. We see the ways that Claxton goes about to convince Sophia to listen to reason.
What I really enjoyed about this story, was seeing Claxton and Sophia interact with each other. They tend to get very intense with each other, and boy do they tend to say hurtful things, no wonder they are estranged...you see why they have been separated for a time. But you also see the sincere feelings that they have for each other. I found that I liked the hero way more than the heroine in this story. I found Sophia to be a bit full of herself at times, as the story progresses you see how much she has gone through, but so has Claxton, they both have been hurt, but she does have some good qualities, but I didn't really like her all that much through the story. She rubbed off me the wrong way, which was a little sad since she seemed to have great potential in the beginning. Claxton, now he was so great, I adored his character. He is a fighter especially when it comes to keeping his marriage together, I loved how he refused to give up on it, no matter how Sophia could be about it.
All in all though, this was a charming and romantic story that drew my attention. The writing is engaging and pulls the reader, the story line is simple yet complex at times, and the plot gives you some sexy twists and turns...a tender love story with a holiday twist.
What I really enjoyed about this story, was seeing Claxton and Sophia interact with each other. They tend to get very intense with each other, and boy do they tend to say hurtful things, no wonder they are estranged...you see why they have been separated for a time. But you also see the sincere feelings that they have for each other. I found that I liked the hero way more than the heroine in this story. I found Sophia to be a bit full of herself at times, as the story progresses you see how much she has gone through, but so has Claxton, they both have been hurt, but she does have some good qualities, but I didn't really like her all that much through the story. She rubbed off me the wrong way, which was a little sad since she seemed to have great potential in the beginning. Claxton, now he was so great, I adored his character. He is a fighter especially when it comes to keeping his marriage together, I loved how he refused to give up on it, no matter how Sophia could be about it.
All in all though, this was a charming and romantic story that drew my attention. The writing is engaging and pulls the reader, the story line is simple yet complex at times, and the plot gives you some sexy twists and turns...a tender love story with a holiday twist.
September 25, 2016
I just don't care. Vane is an ass. His wife gets the impression he's having an affair and his first instinct is to run? Disappear for seven months? And when he gets back, and she wants nothing to do with him, his choice is to harass her. Apologize and give her some space to let her get over it. Since I can't care about this situation or the heroine enough to continue, I'm dropping it.
July 29, 2017
I love finding debut authors and that is the main reason that I was so excited to receive Never Desire a Duke by Lily Dalton. It is so refreshing to read a new voice that has something to add to one of my favorite genres. While it is not perfect, I found this book to be a lovely mix of drama, comedy, and romance with some holiday spirit thrown in.
The plot falls in the troubled marriage category which is one that I like, but don't get a chance to read too often. In this case, Vane and Sophia were happily married until rumors about his possible infidelities caused friction between them. The major catalyst for their issues was a tragic event that shattered both of them and changed their views of their relationship forever.
The main part of the book takes place more than a year after that event. Vane has been abroad working as a diplomat while Sophia has remained at home, still dealing with the rumors surrounding her husband's extracurricular activities. They are reunited a few days before Christmas and decide to delay their intended separation for two very different reasons. Sophia desperately wants a child and is willing to tolerate her husband for the time it takes to have one. Vane, on the other hand, is still in love with his wife (though she is not aware of it) and is trying to find a way to repair the damage to their marriage that all the rumors have caused.
Things really become complicated when they become stranded at Vane's childhood home during a snowstorm. This forces them to spend more time in each other's companies and allows them to get to know one another better. I love getting to watch couples realize why they fell in love in the first place. Besides the expected conversations about misunderstandings, the author provides readers with a subplot to keep things entertaining. While waiting for the snow to melt, Vane and Sophia discover an old treasure hunt game that Vane's mother used to create for her children to play which allows them to work together towards a goal and learn more about each other.
I thought the development of Sophia, Vane, and the side characters was the strongest part of Never Desire a Duke. Lily Dalton clearly understands her characters and has thought out their motives. While I did not always agree with characters' actions, I understood their reasoning and appreciated the flaws that Dalton showed even in her main characters. Vane was, by far, my favorite character as he is the type of hero I love to read about: stoic, seemingly cold-hearted, and uncomfortable with showing his true feelings. He had a rough childhood after his mother's death and struggles with trusting others even his own wife. Sophia started as a vengeful wife who had been so happy with her marriage until the rumors became too much for her. She still has feelings for Vane, but does not trust him throughout most of the book. This did get a bit overdone especially after, I thought, Vane had proven himself to her. But, besides that, she was an intelligent, spunky, and genuine heroine that I did like by the end.
The side characters were very well-developed as well. I especially liked Mr. and Mrs. Kettle, the old couple that helped care for Vane during his childhood, and Annabelle, the flirty woman who seemed oblivious to the damage she was doing to Vane and Sophia's marriage and just got in the way. I also thought it was interesting how much time the author spent developing Vane's deceased parents who had a significant impact on his life and the overall storyline.
All in all, I thought Lily Dalton did a great job with her debut historical romance. The characters' personalities were nicely detailed while their relationships with each other were fascinating and appropriately flawed. The writing style provided a nice blend of drama and comedy that I enjoyed immensely. I definitely recommend this for fans of historical romance and am looking forward to reading the second book in the One Scandalous Season series, Never Entice an Earl.
For more reviews, check out my blog: Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews.
The plot falls in the troubled marriage category which is one that I like, but don't get a chance to read too often. In this case, Vane and Sophia were happily married until rumors about his possible infidelities caused friction between them. The major catalyst for their issues was a tragic event that shattered both of them and changed their views of their relationship forever.
The main part of the book takes place more than a year after that event. Vane has been abroad working as a diplomat while Sophia has remained at home, still dealing with the rumors surrounding her husband's extracurricular activities. They are reunited a few days before Christmas and decide to delay their intended separation for two very different reasons. Sophia desperately wants a child and is willing to tolerate her husband for the time it takes to have one. Vane, on the other hand, is still in love with his wife (though she is not aware of it) and is trying to find a way to repair the damage to their marriage that all the rumors have caused.
Things really become complicated when they become stranded at Vane's childhood home during a snowstorm. This forces them to spend more time in each other's companies and allows them to get to know one another better. I love getting to watch couples realize why they fell in love in the first place. Besides the expected conversations about misunderstandings, the author provides readers with a subplot to keep things entertaining. While waiting for the snow to melt, Vane and Sophia discover an old treasure hunt game that Vane's mother used to create for her children to play which allows them to work together towards a goal and learn more about each other.
I thought the development of Sophia, Vane, and the side characters was the strongest part of Never Desire a Duke. Lily Dalton clearly understands her characters and has thought out their motives. While I did not always agree with characters' actions, I understood their reasoning and appreciated the flaws that Dalton showed even in her main characters. Vane was, by far, my favorite character as he is the type of hero I love to read about: stoic, seemingly cold-hearted, and uncomfortable with showing his true feelings. He had a rough childhood after his mother's death and struggles with trusting others even his own wife. Sophia started as a vengeful wife who had been so happy with her marriage until the rumors became too much for her. She still has feelings for Vane, but does not trust him throughout most of the book. This did get a bit overdone especially after, I thought, Vane had proven himself to her. But, besides that, she was an intelligent, spunky, and genuine heroine that I did like by the end.
The side characters were very well-developed as well. I especially liked Mr. and Mrs. Kettle, the old couple that helped care for Vane during his childhood, and Annabelle, the flirty woman who seemed oblivious to the damage she was doing to Vane and Sophia's marriage and just got in the way. I also thought it was interesting how much time the author spent developing Vane's deceased parents who had a significant impact on his life and the overall storyline.
All in all, I thought Lily Dalton did a great job with her debut historical romance. The characters' personalities were nicely detailed while their relationships with each other were fascinating and appropriately flawed. The writing style provided a nice blend of drama and comedy that I enjoyed immensely. I definitely recommend this for fans of historical romance and am looking forward to reading the second book in the One Scandalous Season series, Never Entice an Earl.
For more reviews, check out my blog: Feminist Fairy Tale Reviews.
August 30, 2014
To read more reviews by me & The Book Wranglers visit:
The Book Wranglers
Rating: ****
Sophia, the Duchess of Claxton is tired of being married to a ghost. After a wonderful first few months of marriage to Vane Barwick (aka The Duke) the couple suffered a terrible trial in the form of a miscarriage of their first child. But that's not all, the miscarriage was caused by Sophia accidentally reading a letter addressed to the Duke of a torrid nature that was obviously from a lover.
Having already suffered rumors of infidelity, Sophia rushed from the house and fell on the front steps, miscarrying their baby. Afterwards, while lying in bed, distraught, she turned Vane away from comforting her, still upset about the supposed adultery, and a separation began to form between them.
Without anyone to talk to about the horror of losing their child, Vane turned to alcohol and gambling and begins to be seen in the company of other women around town. Sophia, meanwhile, is left to deal with her own grief alone, accompanied only by rumors and gossip about her husband. Shortly after that, Vane leaves London and goes abroad on a diplomatic mission for 7 months.
Now, as Christmas approaches, Vane arrives back in town hoping to reconcile with his wife, while Sophia is so frustrated with being abandoned that she contemplates a separation. She plans to ask Vane for a separation using the bargaining chip of another child as a reason for him to give in to her demands, since they both want another child. But from the first moment they see each other again, the heat is still there.
Sadly, their marriage cannot sustain itself on lust alone (though wouldn't that be nice?!). By happy accident, they both wind up in their country home of Camillia House, where they are forced to face their issues together while stuck in the town due to a winter storm. With villagers running around, people from Vane's boyhood showing up left and right, and a scorned ex-wannabe-lover of the Duke's all in town, will they be able to repair their relationship in time for Christmas?
The Best Thing
by Liz B.
Never Desire A Duke was my pick for a Holiday read and I couldn't be more happy with it. The relationship between Vane and Sophia is full of a tension that drives the book forward, leaving me panting...from how fast I sprinted through this story! (Get your minds out of the gutter. I swear.)
I especially appreciated the layered quality to this narrative, because, despite how hot and heavy some of the scenes got, it was a true love story. The authentic view of human emotions - especially Sophia's doubts that she can trust Vane and Vane's doubts that Sophia just wants another baby and not him - made this book impossible to put down.But then Dalton also intermixed issues from the near and far past for The Duke, revealing more of his childhood with his mother, his poor relationship with his father, and other experiences that made him into the man he has become.
By doing this, the author reveals more of Vane's character and motivations and we get to see both he and Sophia grow a lot throughout this book. Each struggles to forgive and let go (Vane can't forgive himself and Sophia can't let go of his past) and isn't that what Christmas is all about?
It all came to a satisfying conclusion on Christmas day that, though perhaps a tad predictable, is nonetheless heartwarming and sweet.
The Worst Thing
by Deidre D.
Overall I really enjoyed this Christmas story, though it was so much more than just a story for Christmas. Still, though I enjoyed the overall story there were aspects that just totally irritated me.
This entire story developed and spiraled out of control due to a lack of communication. Sophia refusing to communicate with Claxton right after their unfortunate loss left him feeling miserable and so he fled the country for 'work'. Claxton deciding not to broach the subject of his past and not defending himself when things begin to get rocky also created more drama. The most dissatisfying part of this book was watching Sophia and Claxton attempt to rebuild their relationship only to have Sophia continue to listen to the rumors and decide to guard her heart despite Claxton's several attempts to show his love and fidelity.
So, communication was the major culprit that agitated the characters and myself in this book.
Then you have the characters. While I really did enjoy the characters personalities throughout the story, Countess Meltenbourne was one character that not only needed a good shake, but a nice slap to go with it. Now I understand that during this time in history women rarely raised their voices, and never slapped a soul, however if they ever decided to start she should be the first to experience it. Not only was this character rude up to the last two chapters, but her actions were the catalyst for the horrible rumors spinning about Claxton, and caused a huge spectacle with Count Meltenbourne, in addition to her being just plain graceless and reckless! I don't think she actually learned anything from the fallout around her, other than how she needed to communicate with her husband. Hopefully that will curb her appetite to cause trouble amongst the ton.
Again, the overall story was perfect for our Christmas reading, but one of us had to accept 'The Worst Thing'. I believe that complaints for certain aspects of the book is what makes the story all the more better, so well done Lily Dalton!
Overall:
Though we thought the story was a bit one-sided because Vane had to keep jumping through hoops to prove his love to Sophia, we really enjoyed the Christmas spirit evident throughout and by the end we were completely won over by the growth each character showed - except maybe Lady Meltenbourne. But we suspect she'll never change! 4.5/5
The Book Wranglers
Rating: ****
Sophia, the Duchess of Claxton is tired of being married to a ghost. After a wonderful first few months of marriage to Vane Barwick (aka The Duke) the couple suffered a terrible trial in the form of a miscarriage of their first child. But that's not all, the miscarriage was caused by Sophia accidentally reading a letter addressed to the Duke of a torrid nature that was obviously from a lover.
Having already suffered rumors of infidelity, Sophia rushed from the house and fell on the front steps, miscarrying their baby. Afterwards, while lying in bed, distraught, she turned Vane away from comforting her, still upset about the supposed adultery, and a separation began to form between them.
Without anyone to talk to about the horror of losing their child, Vane turned to alcohol and gambling and begins to be seen in the company of other women around town. Sophia, meanwhile, is left to deal with her own grief alone, accompanied only by rumors and gossip about her husband. Shortly after that, Vane leaves London and goes abroad on a diplomatic mission for 7 months.
Now, as Christmas approaches, Vane arrives back in town hoping to reconcile with his wife, while Sophia is so frustrated with being abandoned that she contemplates a separation. She plans to ask Vane for a separation using the bargaining chip of another child as a reason for him to give in to her demands, since they both want another child. But from the first moment they see each other again, the heat is still there.
Sadly, their marriage cannot sustain itself on lust alone (though wouldn't that be nice?!). By happy accident, they both wind up in their country home of Camillia House, where they are forced to face their issues together while stuck in the town due to a winter storm. With villagers running around, people from Vane's boyhood showing up left and right, and a scorned ex-wannabe-lover of the Duke's all in town, will they be able to repair their relationship in time for Christmas?
The Best Thing
by Liz B.
Never Desire A Duke was my pick for a Holiday read and I couldn't be more happy with it. The relationship between Vane and Sophia is full of a tension that drives the book forward, leaving me panting...from how fast I sprinted through this story! (Get your minds out of the gutter. I swear.)
I especially appreciated the layered quality to this narrative, because, despite how hot and heavy some of the scenes got, it was a true love story. The authentic view of human emotions - especially Sophia's doubts that she can trust Vane and Vane's doubts that Sophia just wants another baby and not him - made this book impossible to put down.But then Dalton also intermixed issues from the near and far past for The Duke, revealing more of his childhood with his mother, his poor relationship with his father, and other experiences that made him into the man he has become.
By doing this, the author reveals more of Vane's character and motivations and we get to see both he and Sophia grow a lot throughout this book. Each struggles to forgive and let go (Vane can't forgive himself and Sophia can't let go of his past) and isn't that what Christmas is all about?
It all came to a satisfying conclusion on Christmas day that, though perhaps a tad predictable, is nonetheless heartwarming and sweet.
The Worst Thing
by Deidre D.
Overall I really enjoyed this Christmas story, though it was so much more than just a story for Christmas. Still, though I enjoyed the overall story there were aspects that just totally irritated me.
This entire story developed and spiraled out of control due to a lack of communication. Sophia refusing to communicate with Claxton right after their unfortunate loss left him feeling miserable and so he fled the country for 'work'. Claxton deciding not to broach the subject of his past and not defending himself when things begin to get rocky also created more drama. The most dissatisfying part of this book was watching Sophia and Claxton attempt to rebuild their relationship only to have Sophia continue to listen to the rumors and decide to guard her heart despite Claxton's several attempts to show his love and fidelity.
So, communication was the major culprit that agitated the characters and myself in this book.
Then you have the characters. While I really did enjoy the characters personalities throughout the story, Countess Meltenbourne was one character that not only needed a good shake, but a nice slap to go with it. Now I understand that during this time in history women rarely raised their voices, and never slapped a soul, however if they ever decided to start she should be the first to experience it. Not only was this character rude up to the last two chapters, but her actions were the catalyst for the horrible rumors spinning about Claxton, and caused a huge spectacle with Count Meltenbourne, in addition to her being just plain graceless and reckless! I don't think she actually learned anything from the fallout around her, other than how she needed to communicate with her husband. Hopefully that will curb her appetite to cause trouble amongst the ton.
Again, the overall story was perfect for our Christmas reading, but one of us had to accept 'The Worst Thing'. I believe that complaints for certain aspects of the book is what makes the story all the more better, so well done Lily Dalton!
Overall:
Though we thought the story was a bit one-sided because Vane had to keep jumping through hoops to prove his love to Sophia, we really enjoyed the Christmas spirit evident throughout and by the end we were completely won over by the growth each character showed - except maybe Lady Meltenbourne. But we suspect she'll never change! 4.5/5
November 21, 2014
This is a 3.5-star book for me.
* * *
It's an often-used trope in historical romance: they meet, fall in love, get married, and are about to start a family -- the perfect ending to this story would be the birth of the child, but, in Lily Dalton's debut novel, Never Desire a Duke, the perfect ending never happens. Sophia gets upset when she discovers love letters from Claxton's former mistress, and suffers a miscarriage when she tries to leave him. Grief, anger, guilt -- the result of this one moment destroys the fairy-tale marriage between our hero and heroine. Claxton decides to take the diplomatic post abroad, believing that what Sophia needs the most is time, space and privacy. It is seven months later and Claxton is back from his assignment abroad. While he knows that Sophia could never forgive him, he still believes that they can rescue their marriage. Imagine his surprise when Sophia asks him for a separation.
This is a story about second chances, about a couple who has drifted apart and must now try to find their way back to each other -- what is surprising about Dalton's version of this story is the heroine. Sophia isn't the sentimental or emotional party in this story -- it is Claxton. I thought this was a refreshing (and welcome) change. It was Claxton who was vulnerable and wore his heart on his sleeve and Sophia was careful and guarded her heart (and body) against Claxton. Our hero is in a difficult position: how can he convince his wife to give him a second chance? How can he explain when she has closed herself off to him? Sophia is ready to wage war with him, but all Claxton wants to do is wage peace. War and peace: where is the middle ground for this young couple?
The answer? In a village full of lovable characters, at Claxton's childhood home during a snowstorm. (And it also happens to be almost Christmas.)
Dalton's debut has all the elements that I love about stories about reconciliation, but I had a small problem with the emotional tone: the beginning is very dramatic and I was really expecting a story with a lot of angst, tears, and angry confrontation -- but, the story shifts and becomes unexpectedly lighthearted. It happens quite early in the story, so I was able to adjust to it -- but, then, there's Chapter 6 and a shooting.
(This scene takes a somewhat comic turn with the appearance of Lady Meltenbourne and her angry husband). Lady Meltenbourne also begins this story as a bit vicious: singling out Sophia and prodding her about Claxton's absence (Chapter 1), but, her character changes after Chapter 6. For me, these sudden shifts affected the flow and momentum of the story and I had to keep flipping back to see if I had missed anything.
The story finally finds some consistency after this point, and it's wonderful to read about Camellia House and the Kettles, the couple who were in the employ of Claxton's mother and now of Claxton. Dalton captures the warmth and quaintness of the small village setting and I really enjoyed the lookabout game that Sophia and Claxton embark on. Though we never meet her, Claxton's late mother sounded like a really wonderful person and a bit of a tragic character, considering what she had to endure from her husband. The game is, in a sense, a time-travel activity for Claxton, who is reminded of the goodness and love of his mother and of their small community. The game is also revelatory for Sophia who can now understand what motivates/drives her husband.
No heart is hard enough or cold enough to withstand the onslaught of such warmth, merriment and good cheer, and Sophia slowly (but still reluctantly) starts opening up to Claxton. Her main concern is Claxton's former amours and her worry that Claxton would continue to engage in extramarital affairs. While Claxton has repeatedly assured Sophia of his fidelity to her, I understand why Sophia is worried. It's clear that her image of Claxton has been shattered and she feels betrayed by him -- She hates the whispers around her when they are in society. She hates knowing that her husband has shared himself with other women. Her first instinct is self-preservation, and this is understandable -- but I also like that she hadn't completely closed the door on their story.
The best part about Dalton's story is the reflection on marriage and relationships -- Sophia and Claxton had a marriage, a good and happy one, but they didn't have a good relationship, which is why things fell apart the way it did. Now, snowbound and away from their usual routines, Sophia is getting to see a side of the duke that she has never seen before, and vice versa -- there are real and honest conversations that happen between the two of them. Being in Claxton's childhood home also served to contrast the marriage between the former duke and his wife (Claxton's parents) and the current duke and his wife. Healing, forgiveness, understanding -- it's magical how the human heart is capable of such grandness.
* * *
It's an often-used trope in historical romance: they meet, fall in love, get married, and are about to start a family -- the perfect ending to this story would be the birth of the child, but, in Lily Dalton's debut novel, Never Desire a Duke, the perfect ending never happens. Sophia gets upset when she discovers love letters from Claxton's former mistress, and suffers a miscarriage when she tries to leave him. Grief, anger, guilt -- the result of this one moment destroys the fairy-tale marriage between our hero and heroine. Claxton decides to take the diplomatic post abroad, believing that what Sophia needs the most is time, space and privacy. It is seven months later and Claxton is back from his assignment abroad. While he knows that Sophia could never forgive him, he still believes that they can rescue their marriage. Imagine his surprise when Sophia asks him for a separation.
He had no idea how to take her pain away or how to return their world to centre. At the same time, he felt so angry at her. He'd harboured such hope. He could not help but feel betrayed.
- Chapter 4
This is a story about second chances, about a couple who has drifted apart and must now try to find their way back to each other -- what is surprising about Dalton's version of this story is the heroine. Sophia isn't the sentimental or emotional party in this story -- it is Claxton. I thought this was a refreshing (and welcome) change. It was Claxton who was vulnerable and wore his heart on his sleeve and Sophia was careful and guarded her heart (and body) against Claxton. Our hero is in a difficult position: how can he convince his wife to give him a second chance? How can he explain when she has closed herself off to him? Sophia is ready to wage war with him, but all Claxton wants to do is wage peace. War and peace: where is the middle ground for this young couple?
The answer? In a village full of lovable characters, at Claxton's childhood home during a snowstorm. (And it also happens to be almost Christmas.)
Dalton's debut has all the elements that I love about stories about reconciliation, but I had a small problem with the emotional tone: the beginning is very dramatic and I was really expecting a story with a lot of angst, tears, and angry confrontation -- but, the story shifts and becomes unexpectedly lighthearted. It happens quite early in the story, so I was able to adjust to it -- but, then, there's Chapter 6 and a shooting.
A crack shattered the air. Atop her, his every muscle went taut.
"Someone?" Sophia strained to see if a tree branch had given way under the weight of the frost, but --
"Stay down," he growled, splaying his hand over her forehead and curling his body over hers. Crack. A split second later, a shower of snow covered them both.
His chest vibrated against hers as he uttered, "We're going to have to run for the wall over there."
The sudden realisation came over her. A tree hadn't made the cracking noise, but a gun. Someone was shooting at them.
"Who is trying to kill us?
"I don't know."
- Chapter 6
(This scene takes a somewhat comic turn with the appearance of Lady Meltenbourne and her angry husband). Lady Meltenbourne also begins this story as a bit vicious: singling out Sophia and prodding her about Claxton's absence (Chapter 1), but, her character changes after Chapter 6. For me, these sudden shifts affected the flow and momentum of the story and I had to keep flipping back to see if I had missed anything.
The story finally finds some consistency after this point, and it's wonderful to read about Camellia House and the Kettles, the couple who were in the employ of Claxton's mother and now of Claxton. Dalton captures the warmth and quaintness of the small village setting and I really enjoyed the lookabout game that Sophia and Claxton embark on. Though we never meet her, Claxton's late mother sounded like a really wonderful person and a bit of a tragic character, considering what she had to endure from her husband. The game is, in a sense, a time-travel activity for Claxton, who is reminded of the goodness and love of his mother and of their small community. The game is also revelatory for Sophia who can now understand what motivates/drives her husband.
No heart is hard enough or cold enough to withstand the onslaught of such warmth, merriment and good cheer, and Sophia slowly (but still reluctantly) starts opening up to Claxton. Her main concern is Claxton's former amours and her worry that Claxton would continue to engage in extramarital affairs. While Claxton has repeatedly assured Sophia of his fidelity to her, I understand why Sophia is worried. It's clear that her image of Claxton has been shattered and she feels betrayed by him -- She hates the whispers around her when they are in society. She hates knowing that her husband has shared himself with other women. Her first instinct is self-preservation, and this is understandable -- but I also like that she hadn't completely closed the door on their story.
"The poor duchess," whispered one of the women, but loudly and plain enough for Sophia to hear. "So young and pretty, forced to abide 'is lordship's strumpet sitting right there."
Someone shushed her sharply.
Sophia's hand tightened on the cup. The poor duchess. That would be her. ...
- Chapter 7
The best part about Dalton's story is the reflection on marriage and relationships -- Sophia and Claxton had a marriage, a good and happy one, but they didn't have a good relationship, which is why things fell apart the way it did. Now, snowbound and away from their usual routines, Sophia is getting to see a side of the duke that she has never seen before, and vice versa -- there are real and honest conversations that happen between the two of them. Being in Claxton's childhood home also served to contrast the marriage between the former duke and his wife (Claxton's parents) and the current duke and his wife. Healing, forgiveness, understanding -- it's magical how the human heart is capable of such grandness.
September 13, 2013
Yesterday I requested Never Desire a Duke via the publisher through NetGalley and since I'm on the publisher's auto-approval list I didn't have to wait to be approved which served me well since I loved Never Desire a Duke so much it would have sucked if I had had to wait.
I'm a huge fan of historical romances, I have been since I started reading the genre and I especially love historical romances that have lots of banter, wit and chemistry between the hero and heroine. Plus I love when the book centers on an already married couple like the one in this romance. It's one of my favourite themes in historical romances and it's one that I don't see that often which is what really prompted me to request it.
Never Desire a Duke is Lily Dalton's debut and I think she did a really fantastic job. Sophia and Vane (Lord Claxton) were absolutely marvelous together. The chemistry they had throughout the novel practically leaped of the screen of my iPad. Set during the holiday's we see the couple get reacquainted with each other after they've spent a year apart after a tragedy that struck them when they were in the early days of their marriage. We see the couple go through some tough ups and downs, come to grips with how they feel about themselves and each other as well as get a glimpse at a great love story all at the same time.
The book was full of laughs and there were times I found myself laughing and other times when Vane irritated me with his lack of sensitivity and lack of thinking where I wanted to hit him. Vane was a bit of a conundrum for me. I liked him at first, and then I didn't like him and then by the end of the book I loved him. His complete and utter devotion to Sophia was really admirable especially when he owned up to his mistakes and admitted his wrong doings. He really did love her and that showed. As for Sophia, I liked her right from the beginning and my heart really went out to her. She was smart, funny, and witty enough that she stood out from a lot of heroines that I've read about in the past. I really liked how she was able to admit her wrong doings as well.
Lily Dalton did a very good job in creating likable, realistic characters that were not perfect and flaws in their personalities but that is exactly what I liked to have in my historical romance novels. The story line was very sweet and I liked the fact that the book was set during Christmas since I've always really liked holiday romances and this one is definitely my favourite Christmas romance by far. The pace of the romance was just right and I didn't feel as if the story line was rushed whatsoever and everything was done very well. The love scenes were spicy but they didn't take up the whole of the novel which I really liked.
Overall, I think Lily Dalton's Never Desire a Duke was a great historical romance debut and I can't wait to read book two in the One Scandalous Season series that deals with Daphne, Sophia's younger sister. I hope it's just as good as this one but Daphne and her man have a lot to live up to when it comes to the chemistry part.
I would recommend Never Desire a Duke to all fans of historical romance novels especially set during the holidays where the book is more about the characters. If you're tired of the dreaded influx of insta-love that has been plaguing the genre than this one is the perfect one to read, Lily Dalton is a fresh voice in the genre and she's definitely someone to watch out for.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.
July 19, 2014
Fun quote:
"I was just trying to make her feel better."
"By taking off your breeches?!"
I won this book in a giveaway from Ramblings From This Chick book blog. I had read some good reviews about this book from some of my book blogs, so I was excited to try it. I will definitely try this author again, because I liked her writing style. However, I disliked the heroine so much in this story that I can't give this book a good rating. I was rooting for Sophia to get an antiHEA.
Sophia and Vane Barwick, are the Duke and Duchess of Claxton. Vane was a typical man-ho before they got married, but was faithful to Sophia once they said their vows 17 months ago. 7 months after they get married, Sophia finds a letter from one of his previous lovers and thinks that he is currently having an affair. The pregnant Sophia has an accident as the result of being so upset from finding this letter, falling down the steps ss she tries to flee the house, and subsequently miscarries. Devastated by the letter and the loss of her unborn child, she sends Vane away.
Vane, like the idiot he is, takes her at her word and leaves on a diplomatic mission for his country. While he is gone, many rumors swirl about his continued affairs, and Sophia believes each and every one. She decides that she is going to ask for a separation, but before she does that, she decides that Vane must give her a child so that she has someone to love. Brilliant. And she thinks she's going to be able to twist Vane's arm into letting her keep this child all to herself. Ok, now they're a pair of idiots.
Sophia then runs away to Camellia House, one of Vane's estates, thinking that he'll never find her there and she can figure out what she wants to do. But her sisters blab about where she's going, and so he follows her to the manor. But, in a situation that comploetely strains credulity, Vane's brother is at that remote and essentially deserted manor dallying with a married women, the same one who sent Vane the letter that got Sophia so mad. The brother knocks himself out by tripping on a bottle, leaving Vane to tidy up the partially undressed Lady Meltenbourne and bundle her on home. But, of course, Sophia magically walks in and finds Vane with this half undressed and obviously well-kissed woman, and draws the expected conclusion. Vane puts the woman in a second carriage to send her home, and now there's no way for Vane or Sophia to leave.
So now, Sophia and Vane are stranded in a snowstorm at this remote and deserted manor. With no one there to be a buffer. Sophia demands that Vane write a list out of all the woman that he has dallied with, so she is not taken by surprise when she meets them later. Vane, like the idiot he is, complies. This is not a good idea from either side! Sophia carries that list around and keeps it tucked in her bodice, using it to nurse her wounded feelings and maintain her pique. Sophia shows how pigheaded and self righteous she is, refusing to listen to Vane or believe him when he tries to get back together with her and tell her he hasn't cheated. I didn't think Vane was any prize either, but I hated Sophia. As with many other reviewers, if I were Vane, I would have told her to go f$%k herself and left as soon as I could.
I give the writing 3-1/2 stars, and the story 1 star.
"I was just trying to make her feel better."
"By taking off your breeches?!"
I won this book in a giveaway from Ramblings From This Chick book blog. I had read some good reviews about this book from some of my book blogs, so I was excited to try it. I will definitely try this author again, because I liked her writing style. However, I disliked the heroine so much in this story that I can't give this book a good rating. I was rooting for Sophia to get an antiHEA.
Sophia and Vane Barwick, are the Duke and Duchess of Claxton. Vane was a typical man-ho before they got married, but was faithful to Sophia once they said their vows 17 months ago. 7 months after they get married, Sophia finds a letter from one of his previous lovers and thinks that he is currently having an affair. The pregnant Sophia has an accident as the result of being so upset from finding this letter, falling down the steps ss she tries to flee the house, and subsequently miscarries. Devastated by the letter and the loss of her unborn child, she sends Vane away.
Vane, like the idiot he is, takes her at her word and leaves on a diplomatic mission for his country. While he is gone, many rumors swirl about his continued affairs, and Sophia believes each and every one. She decides that she is going to ask for a separation, but before she does that, she decides that Vane must give her a child so that she has someone to love. Brilliant. And she thinks she's going to be able to twist Vane's arm into letting her keep this child all to herself. Ok, now they're a pair of idiots.
Sophia then runs away to Camellia House, one of Vane's estates, thinking that he'll never find her there and she can figure out what she wants to do. But her sisters blab about where she's going, and so he follows her to the manor. But, in a situation that comploetely strains credulity, Vane's brother is at that remote and essentially deserted manor dallying with a married women, the same one who sent Vane the letter that got Sophia so mad. The brother knocks himself out by tripping on a bottle, leaving Vane to tidy up the partially undressed Lady Meltenbourne and bundle her on home. But, of course, Sophia magically walks in and finds Vane with this half undressed and obviously well-kissed woman, and draws the expected conclusion. Vane puts the woman in a second carriage to send her home, and now there's no way for Vane or Sophia to leave.
So now, Sophia and Vane are stranded in a snowstorm at this remote and deserted manor. With no one there to be a buffer. Sophia demands that Vane write a list out of all the woman that he has dallied with, so she is not taken by surprise when she meets them later. Vane, like the idiot he is, complies. This is not a good idea from either side! Sophia carries that list around and keeps it tucked in her bodice, using it to nurse her wounded feelings and maintain her pique. Sophia shows how pigheaded and self righteous she is, refusing to listen to Vane or believe him when he tries to get back together with her and tell her he hasn't cheated. I didn't think Vane was any prize either, but I hated Sophia. As with many other reviewers, if I were Vane, I would have told her to go f$%k herself and left as soon as I could.
I give the writing 3-1/2 stars, and the story 1 star.
September 23, 2013
First reviewed at Red Hot Books http://redhotbooks.com/2013/09/never-...
Novels that utilize the failing marriage trope are another favorite of mine. I like it because it’s often a good vehicle for conflict and angst and the reunion somehow always seems sweeter to me because of the pain they have to fight through to get back to each other.
It’s been over a year since Sophia, the Duchess of Claxton, has seen her husband Vane, the Duke, despite hearing of his exploits on the continent through the grapevine. Just as she is reconciling herself to request a legal separation, Vane returns, surprising her at a family holiday ball. Vane is determined to get back into Sophia’s good graces after practically abandoning her following a personal tragedy. All Sophia wants is for Vane to give her a child and then he is free from the confines of marriage but seeing him in person begins to shake that resolve. They end up at Vane’s childhood home where a snowstorm forced them to address the fallout of their marriage.
As you might assume, the internal dialog is heavy and slow and takes up the first half of the book. Vane alternates between berating himself over leaving and wanting to shag. Sophia is still drawn to her husband and continually reminds herself what a dawg he is. Had they sat down and spoke logically like adults, they would’ve cleared up their minor misunderstandings quickly.
Even with the lingering pain of their tragedy, I didn’t really feel anything for the main characters. There was practically no back story to connect with other than naming said tragedy and as a result the conflict felt superficial. Vane’s supposed horrible childhood was summed up in a paragraph and gotten over in 3 days. There is a mistaken identity farce with Vane and his brother that was unneeded. Finally, the “quest” that Vane and Sophia go on to connect with his mother was just plain silly.
What this book does give is a cutesy holiday historical romance that is entertaining enough for some light reading. I just prefer my reunions with a little more teeth.
Rating: C
*ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Novels that utilize the failing marriage trope are another favorite of mine. I like it because it’s often a good vehicle for conflict and angst and the reunion somehow always seems sweeter to me because of the pain they have to fight through to get back to each other.
It’s been over a year since Sophia, the Duchess of Claxton, has seen her husband Vane, the Duke, despite hearing of his exploits on the continent through the grapevine. Just as she is reconciling herself to request a legal separation, Vane returns, surprising her at a family holiday ball. Vane is determined to get back into Sophia’s good graces after practically abandoning her following a personal tragedy. All Sophia wants is for Vane to give her a child and then he is free from the confines of marriage but seeing him in person begins to shake that resolve. They end up at Vane’s childhood home where a snowstorm forced them to address the fallout of their marriage.
As you might assume, the internal dialog is heavy and slow and takes up the first half of the book. Vane alternates between berating himself over leaving and wanting to shag. Sophia is still drawn to her husband and continually reminds herself what a dawg he is. Had they sat down and spoke logically like adults, they would’ve cleared up their minor misunderstandings quickly.
Even with the lingering pain of their tragedy, I didn’t really feel anything for the main characters. There was practically no back story to connect with other than naming said tragedy and as a result the conflict felt superficial. Vane’s supposed horrible childhood was summed up in a paragraph and gotten over in 3 days. There is a mistaken identity farce with Vane and his brother that was unneeded. Finally, the “quest” that Vane and Sophia go on to connect with his mother was just plain silly.
What this book does give is a cutesy holiday historical romance that is entertaining enough for some light reading. I just prefer my reunions with a little more teeth.
Rating: C
*ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
October 18, 2013
This is an emotional story full of regrets, humor and romance as a couple with a marriage in turmoil must make some decisions about their future in an age where many do not have options. I really enjoy the journey Ms. Dalton takes us on with engaging characters and an emotional story set at Christmas time to put you in the holiday spirit.
Several months ago Sophia read a letter addressed to her husband, she was so distraught that she fell and lost her baby. Vane, the Duke of Claxton left soon after as he was incapable of dealing with his wife's grief. He took a foreign appointment away from his home and their infrequent correspondence did not say when he would return. Sophia was spending Christmas in London because her grandfather was ill and could not travel long distances. Much to her dismay at her grandfather's birthday party her husband decides to return home. Although now she can at least go on with her plans and ask him for a legal separation, as soon as she has another child.
Vane has no plans to give her a separation, he knows that even though he walked away from her once, he will never walk away again. He wants their marriage back and will do anything to make it work. When Sophia and Vane get stranded in a nearby village and his brother is along causing trouble, the story turns humorous and we cheer for the couple to find love again, yet life is never that easy.
I really enjoyed this story, the first in a new series by a new author and I will definitely be looking for the next book. The beginning is heartbreaking as...
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
Several months ago Sophia read a letter addressed to her husband, she was so distraught that she fell and lost her baby. Vane, the Duke of Claxton left soon after as he was incapable of dealing with his wife's grief. He took a foreign appointment away from his home and their infrequent correspondence did not say when he would return. Sophia was spending Christmas in London because her grandfather was ill and could not travel long distances. Much to her dismay at her grandfather's birthday party her husband decides to return home. Although now she can at least go on with her plans and ask him for a legal separation, as soon as she has another child.
Vane has no plans to give her a separation, he knows that even though he walked away from her once, he will never walk away again. He wants their marriage back and will do anything to make it work. When Sophia and Vane get stranded in a nearby village and his brother is along causing trouble, the story turns humorous and we cheer for the couple to find love again, yet life is never that easy.
I really enjoyed this story, the first in a new series by a new author and I will definitely be looking for the next book. The beginning is heartbreaking as...
Complete review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from publisher for an honest review
September 26, 2013
mistresses, misunderstandings and the misunderstood!
'Could a man not be snowbound with his wife without half of England arriving to interfere?'
And as I read along I certainly seconded the Duke of Claxton's sentiment.
The plot is thick with characters. their interplay is endearing, frustrating, humorous at times, sensual and sensitive at others.
I quite like the major players, indeed I had moments of sympathy for both leads,
The basic story line is couple marry, couple separate through misunderstanding and tragedy, couple have a chance to reconcile, more misunderstanding, progress is made hearts repaired, more misunderstanding, reconciliation. We see these things happening through the voices of both the Duke of Claxton, Vane Barwick, and that of his Duchess, Sophia.
Certainly, the descriptive prose brings alive the winter scenes, the dashing around on sledges, the crunch of ice underfoot. The charming scene in the church of trying to find the third part of the quest is indeed humorous. The pain that both Vane and Sophia are feeling, the way they keep missing each other in their understandings is poignant. Their interplay with others is well done. All is good. Maybe there were just too many bedroom scenes but, for the characters themselves perhaps not enough!
The story line had interesting elements, the characters are believable and yes I did want to jump onstage and tell them both to listen to each other from time to time. There are some fine tension points throughout that maintained my interest.
All the elements are here and indeed this is for you if you're in the mood for something not too taxing.
I do think Dalton's 'baby' [read the forward] has a lot to recommend it despite my not being as enamoured of it as I really wanted to be.
A NetGalley ARC
'Could a man not be snowbound with his wife without half of England arriving to interfere?'
And as I read along I certainly seconded the Duke of Claxton's sentiment.
The plot is thick with characters. their interplay is endearing, frustrating, humorous at times, sensual and sensitive at others.
I quite like the major players, indeed I had moments of sympathy for both leads,
The basic story line is couple marry, couple separate through misunderstanding and tragedy, couple have a chance to reconcile, more misunderstanding, progress is made hearts repaired, more misunderstanding, reconciliation. We see these things happening through the voices of both the Duke of Claxton, Vane Barwick, and that of his Duchess, Sophia.
Certainly, the descriptive prose brings alive the winter scenes, the dashing around on sledges, the crunch of ice underfoot. The charming scene in the church of trying to find the third part of the quest is indeed humorous. The pain that both Vane and Sophia are feeling, the way they keep missing each other in their understandings is poignant. Their interplay with others is well done. All is good. Maybe there were just too many bedroom scenes but, for the characters themselves perhaps not enough!
The story line had interesting elements, the characters are believable and yes I did want to jump onstage and tell them both to listen to each other from time to time. There are some fine tension points throughout that maintained my interest.
All the elements are here and indeed this is for you if you're in the mood for something not too taxing.
I do think Dalton's 'baby' [read the forward] has a lot to recommend it despite my not being as enamoured of it as I really wanted to be.
A NetGalley ARC
November 10, 2017
*Book source ~ NetGalley
Lady Sophia and Lord Vane Barwick, the Marquess of Claxton, have been estranged for a year. Mistakes on both parts have led to an increasingly untenable situation for Sophia and the next time she sees her husband she is going to ask for a divorce. But when he unexpectedly arrives in town making yet another bumbling stupid mistake his hopes for reconciliation are shot down with her words. However, this time he has no intention of running away like the moron he was. He intends to win Sophia’s love again, no matter what it takes.
An historical romance with heat, love, and loss this is one that had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Sophia and Vane seem to keep running afoul of bad circumstances and Vane is quite the idiot at times (to the point I truly wanted to beat his ass), but they eventually get things set right and come up with a HEA.
Lady Sophia and Lord Vane Barwick, the Marquess of Claxton, have been estranged for a year. Mistakes on both parts have led to an increasingly untenable situation for Sophia and the next time she sees her husband she is going to ask for a divorce. But when he unexpectedly arrives in town making yet another bumbling stupid mistake his hopes for reconciliation are shot down with her words. However, this time he has no intention of running away like the moron he was. He intends to win Sophia’s love again, no matter what it takes.
An historical romance with heat, love, and loss this is one that had me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Sophia and Vane seem to keep running afoul of bad circumstances and Vane is quite the idiot at times (to the point I truly wanted to beat his ass), but they eventually get things set right and come up with a HEA.
September 30, 2013
As a stunning new voice in the world of historical romance, Lily Dalton will take the world by storm with Never Desire a Duke. I absolutely loved it from the get go, and was sad to see it end. I already am eagerly anticipating Never Entice an Earl, book 2 in the series, which comes out next April.
I loved Never Desire A Duke's deviation from many of the typical storylines - in this one, the characters are already married, and Claxton instead is trying to save their marriage. It was so romantic and just perfect.
Sophia is such a strong main character and I adored her. Paired with Claxton, they make up the perfect pair.
I absolutely loved this one - the plot was so intriguing and I absolutely adored the characters. Lilly Dalton is an author to watch - I cannot wait to read another from her!
I loved Never Desire A Duke's deviation from many of the typical storylines - in this one, the characters are already married, and Claxton instead is trying to save their marriage. It was so romantic and just perfect.
Sophia is such a strong main character and I adored her. Paired with Claxton, they make up the perfect pair.
I absolutely loved this one - the plot was so intriguing and I absolutely adored the characters. Lilly Dalton is an author to watch - I cannot wait to read another from her!
March 16, 2014
2.5 STARS
Sophia was really hard to like in this book. At first, I sympathized with her. She lost her child and her husband (Vane) was seen in society with former mistresses and then he pretty much abandoned her. But as the story goes on, we find out that Vane, while exhibiting questionable judgement, had not been unfaithful to her. Yes, he was a total jackass for leaving her and focusing on his work instead of grieving with her, but he came back to make amends.
Vane was a pretty great character. He redeemed himself at every turn. But Sophia threw almost every kindness back in his face, and after awhile it became exhausting. Perhaps the book was a little too long as well, because the back and forth became very hard to take.
The childhood adventure game, started by Vane's late mother, was very sweet and probably my favorite part of the book.
Sophia was really hard to like in this book. At first, I sympathized with her. She lost her child and her husband (Vane) was seen in society with former mistresses and then he pretty much abandoned her. But as the story goes on, we find out that Vane, while exhibiting questionable judgement, had not been unfaithful to her. Yes, he was a total jackass for leaving her and focusing on his work instead of grieving with her, but he came back to make amends.
Vane was a pretty great character. He redeemed himself at every turn. But Sophia threw almost every kindness back in his face, and after awhile it became exhausting. Perhaps the book was a little too long as well, because the back and forth became very hard to take.
The childhood adventure game, started by Vane's late mother, was very sweet and probably my favorite part of the book.
June 27, 2020
Well I tried twice to read it and put it down both times. The plot devices were all too convenient, the characters are weak and predictable. I didn't believe his commitment to his wife, he didn't share his feelings with her, just drowned them in drink, and good times with previous lovers. Not a hero. The heroine was also short of being one, too sweet and too pathetic. I wanted her to be more, more courage, gumption and heart and perhaps take time to have an open conversation, without running away.
August 15, 2018
It’s a solid debut for a historical romance. I just wish that the heroine wasn’t so annoying. All throughout the book she would tell the hero to leave her when she was mad at him and then when he followed her orders, she was upset. She also did that with other orders/requests. When he listened to her, she was pissed at him or upset.
September 3, 2019
Ik heb de Nederlands talige uitgave gelezen : Voor altijd mijn man - Candlelight Historische roman 1183 .
Dit was een erg onrealistisch verhaal waarin een Hertog en Hertogin zich gedragen alsof ze tot de gewone burgerij behoren , ik kreeg op geen enkel moment het gevoel dat ik een historische roman aan het lezen was .
Dit was een erg onrealistisch verhaal waarin een Hertog en Hertogin zich gedragen alsof ze tot de gewone burgerij behoren , ik kreeg op geen enkel moment het gevoel dat ik een historische roman aan het lezen was .
October 11, 2013
I always forget how much I love historical romances until I decide to pick one up again and become completely wrapped up in the story. And boy did this one wrap me up! This Christmas romance made me feel so warm and fuzzy, and I didn't want to put it down.
Lady Sophia and Lord Vane haven't been on the best of terms lately. Ever since Sophia lost their baby and has been hearing various rumors of Vane's nefarious lifestyle, they haven't spoken to or seen each other in months, leaving their marriage in shambles. So when Vane shows up at a ball completely unannounced, Sophia is embarrassed, yet longing for the man who had hurt her the most. Running off to one of Vane's ancestral homes, Vane follows and they find themselves trapped by the snow. Can a few days shut off from the world help Sophia and Vane rediscover the passion neither of them can seem to forget?
Wow, this book. There was everything to love about this historical romance. I am so obsessed Christmastime, so the fact that this one takes place in the week leading up to Christmas made the story that much better. Not only was the setting perfect, but I absolutely loved the characters. And I mean every single one of them.
Sophia and Vane are so adorable, with the way they bicker and fight. I loved how the story followed their reacquaintance after they married. They had a history already, but now they're on their way to rekindling that romance in a much stronger way. And who wouldn't want to rekindle a romance with Vane? He's so gosh darn stubborn yet so gosh darn handsome. No wonder Sophia has no idea what to think or what to do whenever she's around him. Sophia's sisters, Vane's brother, and all of the other characters that pop up along the way are charming as well, and add so much more to the story.
A good romance doesn't only need great characters, but it also needs a great storyline. The trials that Sophia and Vane go through really show them more about each other than they've never known and force them to grow closer. Finding the letter from Vane's mother adds mystery and adventure as they embark on the quest to find even more letters and answers. Not only that, but the quest brings out the fun sides of Sophia and Vane, and allows us to watch their relationship grow in a super sweet way.
Overall, Never Desire a Duke was pure perfection. Lily Dalton knows how to create a sweet holiday romance with real emotions and charming characters. I know it's only October, but after reading this one, I'm longing for those cold, snowy nights to curl up with a steamy historical romance just like this one. Sadly, I have to wait until Spring to read Lily's next book in this series that focuses on one of Sophia's sisters. Until then, you all should pick up a copy of Never Desire a Duke now! It's the perfect holiday historical romance to curl up with during any time of the year.
Lady Sophia and Lord Vane haven't been on the best of terms lately. Ever since Sophia lost their baby and has been hearing various rumors of Vane's nefarious lifestyle, they haven't spoken to or seen each other in months, leaving their marriage in shambles. So when Vane shows up at a ball completely unannounced, Sophia is embarrassed, yet longing for the man who had hurt her the most. Running off to one of Vane's ancestral homes, Vane follows and they find themselves trapped by the snow. Can a few days shut off from the world help Sophia and Vane rediscover the passion neither of them can seem to forget?
Wow, this book. There was everything to love about this historical romance. I am so obsessed Christmastime, so the fact that this one takes place in the week leading up to Christmas made the story that much better. Not only was the setting perfect, but I absolutely loved the characters. And I mean every single one of them.
Sophia and Vane are so adorable, with the way they bicker and fight. I loved how the story followed their reacquaintance after they married. They had a history already, but now they're on their way to rekindling that romance in a much stronger way. And who wouldn't want to rekindle a romance with Vane? He's so gosh darn stubborn yet so gosh darn handsome. No wonder Sophia has no idea what to think or what to do whenever she's around him. Sophia's sisters, Vane's brother, and all of the other characters that pop up along the way are charming as well, and add so much more to the story.
A good romance doesn't only need great characters, but it also needs a great storyline. The trials that Sophia and Vane go through really show them more about each other than they've never known and force them to grow closer. Finding the letter from Vane's mother adds mystery and adventure as they embark on the quest to find even more letters and answers. Not only that, but the quest brings out the fun sides of Sophia and Vane, and allows us to watch their relationship grow in a super sweet way.
Overall, Never Desire a Duke was pure perfection. Lily Dalton knows how to create a sweet holiday romance with real emotions and charming characters. I know it's only October, but after reading this one, I'm longing for those cold, snowy nights to curl up with a steamy historical romance just like this one. Sadly, I have to wait until Spring to read Lily's next book in this series that focuses on one of Sophia's sisters. Until then, you all should pick up a copy of Never Desire a Duke now! It's the perfect holiday historical romance to curl up with during any time of the year.
April 9, 2015
I truly enjoyed Never Desire a Duke. I felt it was a strong beginning to the One Scandalous Season series by Lily Dalton. I adore series that are centered on a family and while Sophia’s family did not play a big part after the beginning of the story I liked that they had a hand in helping Sophia and Claxton reunite. I’m looking forward to reading Daphne and Clarissa’s stories as well.
That being said, I loved the middle of the story when Sophia and Claxton were snowed in at his ancestral home, Camellia House. Their interactions with the residents of the small village, especially the Kettles, left me with a huge smile on my face. The Kettles had been servants that had seen Claxton grow up to be a young man but hadn't heard from him since. They loved him like a son but were open-minded regarding his relationship problems with Sophia. I really liked them. A lot.
There is a fine line between love and hate and I understood where Sophia was coming from. It’s been quite a while but I well remember how it made me feel when I thought my partner was less invested in the relationship than I was.
There were only a couple of things that bothered me; Claxton agreeing to and then actually writing out a list of women he’d been with prior to their marriage and the sudden change in Lady Meltenbourne’s demeanor. But there were quite a few more things that I really appreciated; the nice sexual tension, the game of “lookabout” with the quests and Sophia and Claxton trying to make plum cakes.
All in all I truly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more from Lily Dalton.
That being said, I loved the middle of the story when Sophia and Claxton were snowed in at his ancestral home, Camellia House. Their interactions with the residents of the small village, especially the Kettles, left me with a huge smile on my face. The Kettles had been servants that had seen Claxton grow up to be a young man but hadn't heard from him since. They loved him like a son but were open-minded regarding his relationship problems with Sophia. I really liked them. A lot.
There is a fine line between love and hate and I understood where Sophia was coming from. It’s been quite a while but I well remember how it made me feel when I thought my partner was less invested in the relationship than I was.
There were only a couple of things that bothered me; Claxton agreeing to and then actually writing out a list of women he’d been with prior to their marriage and the sudden change in Lady Meltenbourne’s demeanor. But there were quite a few more things that I really appreciated; the nice sexual tension, the game of “lookabout” with the quests and Sophia and Claxton trying to make plum cakes.
All in all I truly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more from Lily Dalton.
August 12, 2015
3.5 stars for Never Desire a Duke.
Desperate for reconcilement with the only woman he has ever loved, Vane follows his wife to his boyhood home. There, a winter storm prevents Sophia from leaving and they are compelled to spend several days together. Vane's history as a scoundrel was the wedge that forced him from Sophia. Vane's history, in the home he grew up in, might just bring them back together.
During the first part of the story, there is much internal dialog for both Vane and Sophia. It is clear each is full of misconceptions of the other. I found this annoying and a bit dull - at first. (Just talk to each other!) I was just about to give up when things got interesting. When Vane's childhood became a presence in the story, it took off! To have the couple play the game that Vane's mother had started before she died, was the key to getting these two reacquainted and talking. It was at this point in the book that I was hooked and was able to enjoy the remainder of the story.
Never Desire a Duke is a sweet love story, sometimes sensuous, sometimes annoying, sometimes heartwarming. And in the end, a book I can recommend to readers of Regency romance.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
Desperate for reconcilement with the only woman he has ever loved, Vane follows his wife to his boyhood home. There, a winter storm prevents Sophia from leaving and they are compelled to spend several days together. Vane's history as a scoundrel was the wedge that forced him from Sophia. Vane's history, in the home he grew up in, might just bring them back together.
During the first part of the story, there is much internal dialog for both Vane and Sophia. It is clear each is full of misconceptions of the other. I found this annoying and a bit dull - at first. (Just talk to each other!) I was just about to give up when things got interesting. When Vane's childhood became a presence in the story, it took off! To have the couple play the game that Vane's mother had started before she died, was the key to getting these two reacquainted and talking. It was at this point in the book that I was hooked and was able to enjoy the remainder of the story.
Never Desire a Duke is a sweet love story, sometimes sensuous, sometimes annoying, sometimes heartwarming. And in the end, a book I can recommend to readers of Regency romance.
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
October 5, 2013
This was by far one of my very favorite books... the fact i bought it full price is telling in it's self as i tend to wm it...lol. I love angst and powerful love stories and this one had it all... the damaged young boy turns into a man... decisions he made prior to his marriage and some quite dubious ones made AFTER his marriage make Vane quite the hero and heart-breaker. Sophia is probably flat out one of my very favorite heroines... she is devastated by events that occur but she is practical...or as practical as you can be married to this man...lol. The reason for groveling and forgiveness on both parts were not given on one page, the story wrapped around this and it was all the better for it. I must confess there is a sick twistedness inside me that i am drawn to cheating books and forgiving situations but they must work for it. THis was on the cusp of that situation and you must read it! I finished it in less than 2 hours as i could not put it down. Then i go to the back to find out there is another story in this "family" this story has a proper ending as well as a HEA. Lily Dalton you are heading to the top of my MUST READ AUTHORS! exhale... wow....loved this one!
August 10, 2014
Wow! I found a new historical author! By far, I think this is one of the best romances of 2013. RWA agrees with me as the story was nominated for the prestigious RITA.
The novel is a second chance redemption story for both our hero, Vane, the Duke of Claxton and his bride, Sophia. When Claxton and Sophia suffer a tragic loss early in their marriage, they must learn to find a way to forgive one another and themselves before their love can emerge from the heartache. A beautifully told story with characters that jump of the page. The author’s voice drew me in from the beginning and never failed in her delivery of a brilliant tale. I liked the story so much; I bought everything she’d written.
What I loved best about the story is the author’s ability to tackle such a heavy topic while making the characters come alive in moments of lighthearted fun. She does this while never demeaning the trial and tribulations Claxton and Sophia must face. I defy anyone not to laugh then cry at the sledding scene. For that scene alone, Never Desire a Duke will be on my keeper shelf.
The novel is a second chance redemption story for both our hero, Vane, the Duke of Claxton and his bride, Sophia. When Claxton and Sophia suffer a tragic loss early in their marriage, they must learn to find a way to forgive one another and themselves before their love can emerge from the heartache. A beautifully told story with characters that jump of the page. The author’s voice drew me in from the beginning and never failed in her delivery of a brilliant tale. I liked the story so much; I bought everything she’d written.
What I loved best about the story is the author’s ability to tackle such a heavy topic while making the characters come alive in moments of lighthearted fun. She does this while never demeaning the trial and tribulations Claxton and Sophia must face. I defy anyone not to laugh then cry at the sledding scene. For that scene alone, Never Desire a Duke will be on my keeper shelf.
March 28, 2014
The Characters, All of Them, Are Wonderful
Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, so when she looks across the ballroom, and sees him there, she is surprised, but she is not unprepared. The Duke has been gone for quite sometime, but his actions have been gossiped about all over the Ton, and Sophia plans to ask him for a divorce, but with one condition. Vane knows he made several mistakes with his beautiful wife, but he has plans, also. He plans to win her forgiveness.
I noticed one reviewer said this was her favorite book for 2013! No wonder! This book not only has a great, interesting plot, but the characterizations, both secondary and primary, are so rich and endearing, that we want all these people to be our neighbors. This is one of the most heart-warming tales I've ever read! It is full of hope, brimming with love, saturated with romance. This should be read over and over!
Lady Sophia has long been estranged from her husband, Vane Barwick, the Duke of Claxton, so when she looks across the ballroom, and sees him there, she is surprised, but she is not unprepared. The Duke has been gone for quite sometime, but his actions have been gossiped about all over the Ton, and Sophia plans to ask him for a divorce, but with one condition. Vane knows he made several mistakes with his beautiful wife, but he has plans, also. He plans to win her forgiveness.
I noticed one reviewer said this was her favorite book for 2013! No wonder! This book not only has a great, interesting plot, but the characterizations, both secondary and primary, are so rich and endearing, that we want all these people to be our neighbors. This is one of the most heart-warming tales I've ever read! It is full of hope, brimming with love, saturated with romance. This should be read over and over!
October 25, 2013
This is a charming debut, with the theme of a marriage in jeopardy. Sophia and Vane, Duke of Claxton, separated after a terrible accident, which was caused by a bad misunderstanding. It was heartbreaking to read, actually, the emotion was handled all too realistically. After nearly a year this bruised and damaged couple decide to try for a baby, before a final separation. It sounds very tortured and it is, well written and with a tremendous amount of tugging at reader heartstrings; I sincerely wanted them both to be happy in love. What helps you survive the book is an unexpected lighter side with comic secondary characters doing outrageous things and romping around idiotically. Somehow or other it all dovetails in together, along with some lovely Christmas spirit, and makes for a wonderfully memorable romance.
January 20, 2014
Ok, first of all let me just say that I very much enjoyed this book. Although it is a historical, I found myself forgetting that at times, because all in all it was just a very good story. I loved the characters had moments that you wouldn’t normally see during that time; like sabotaging each other’s cakes or sleding down a hill. This book made me tear up several times; both good and bad reasons. It made me laugh, worry, and made my heart break. It was one of those books that are absolutely impossible to put down. I had to literally force myself not to read another chapter and another when I had other things to do. Robyn DeHart might have started my obsession with Historical Romances, but Ms. Lily Dalton is definitely keeping it alive. I cannot wait for the sequel!
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