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How To #1
How to Marry a Duke
In Vicky Dreiling's enchanting Regency romance debut, Tristan - the rakish duke of Shelbourne - wants to marry and sire an heir. To help him choose among the dizzying array of wealthy but witless candidates, he secures the services of prim and proper matchmaker Miss Tessa Mansfield. But as Tessa seeks the perfect mate, the duke finds himself distracted by Tessa's considerable charms.
12 pages, Audiobook
First published January 1, 2011
55 people are currently reading
3318 people want to read
About the author
Vicky Dreiling
11 books561 followersVicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.”
When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. She holds degrees in English literature and marketing. A native Texan, she shares her home with her daughter and a spoiled mini-lop rabbit that lives in a slightly gnawed cardboard cottage.
When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. She holds degrees in English literature and marketing. A native Texan, she shares her home with her daughter and a spoiled mini-lop rabbit that lives in a slightly gnawed cardboard cottage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews
January 9, 2011
The beginning of this book was pleasant, but that was about all. I felt that the attraction between the hero and heroine was a bit ham-handed and abrupt. I also became very nervous when the author whipped out a competition and elimination a la The Bachelor. I am definitely not a fan of things like that.
But somehow I forgot my concerns as I got more and more into the story. Tristan and Tessa had a great dynamic together and I had a blast giggling over some of their interactions. The bride competition wasn’t focused on in the manner I feared it would be, so that was a plus too. It wasn’t ignored by any means, but I didn’t have to watch blow by blows of the hero interacting with countless other girls either.
I really liked all the side characters, especially Hawk and Tristan’s mother. I felt that they really added a lot to the story, especially as Tristan became more and more frazzled by his growing feelings for Tessa. Watching them slyly wind him up was hilarious for me!
Tessa had some moments of inner awareness that really surprised me. I was extremely pleased that the author had her honestly look at her actions and behavior toward Tristan, even though it didn’t always change her future behavior. The way she didn’t spare herself from the truth really bumped her up in my estimation.
I was extremely pleased that the author didn’t have the Tessa and Tristan constantly groping each other while he was supposed to be finding a bride. There was tension there, and they did slip up a time or two, but for the most part they both were aware of their roles and knew that they couldn’t just do whatever they wanted to.
This book was not stunningly original, and the bride competition was a weird setup, but it was fun and readable. The setup with Tristan being a rake and Tessa having a big dark secret were things I really felt could have been cut from the book. The draw here was the interactions between the characters. I felt there was enough of a hook there without including those things that were token at best.
So, overall I was very satisfied with this book. I even ended up getting so hooked into it that I stayed up until 1:30 am to finish it—and that was on top of being sick and having to wake up at 5:30. I just couldn’t help it, it hooked me.
Favorite Quotes:
Review originally posted at Fiction Vixen.
But somehow I forgot my concerns as I got more and more into the story. Tristan and Tessa had a great dynamic together and I had a blast giggling over some of their interactions. The bride competition wasn’t focused on in the manner I feared it would be, so that was a plus too. It wasn’t ignored by any means, but I didn’t have to watch blow by blows of the hero interacting with countless other girls either.
I really liked all the side characters, especially Hawk and Tristan’s mother. I felt that they really added a lot to the story, especially as Tristan became more and more frazzled by his growing feelings for Tessa. Watching them slyly wind him up was hilarious for me!
Tessa had some moments of inner awareness that really surprised me. I was extremely pleased that the author had her honestly look at her actions and behavior toward Tristan, even though it didn’t always change her future behavior. The way she didn’t spare herself from the truth really bumped her up in my estimation.
I was extremely pleased that the author didn’t have the Tessa and Tristan constantly groping each other while he was supposed to be finding a bride. There was tension there, and they did slip up a time or two, but for the most part they both were aware of their roles and knew that they couldn’t just do whatever they wanted to.
This book was not stunningly original, and the bride competition was a weird setup, but it was fun and readable. The setup with Tristan being a rake and Tessa having a big dark secret were things I really felt could have been cut from the book. The draw here was the interactions between the characters. I felt there was enough of a hook there without including those things that were token at best.
So, overall I was very satisfied with this book. I even ended up getting so hooked into it that I stayed up until 1:30 am to finish it—and that was on top of being sick and having to wake up at 5:30. I just couldn’t help it, it hooked me.
Favorite Quotes:
Pg. 56:
"Your Grace, I must be honest. Ladies expect gentlemen to display some tenderness. Thus far, you've demonstrated a sad lack of the finer feelings. I know this embarrasses you."
"Dash it all. I am not embarrassed."
She gave him a pitying look. "You needn't pretend with me. I'll instruct you in the ways to please and attract a lady."
Pg. 213:
“Think of a time when you did something you knew was wrong. Tell me what happened.” He hoped it had nothing to do with little lambs.
“Not long ago, I did something very bad,” Sally said. “I stole my sister Sarah’s love letter and read it.”
Julianne’s eyes lit with mischief. “What did it say?”
Sally wrinkled her nose. “It was all nonsense to me. The gentleman signed himself as Lord Randy. He said he wished to plunder the treasure in the bush and claimed he carried a candlestick in his, er, unmentionables.”
Review originally posted at Fiction Vixen.
January 20, 2011
4 stars – Historical/Regency Romance
Tessa’s Top Ten Guide for “How to Marry a Duke”
#1 Be unfashionably curvy.
#2 Play matchmaker for shy, awkward wallflowers and powerful, rakishly handsome dukes.
#3 Flaunt one’s spinsterhood with pride.
#4 Be Miss Independent and manage your money and estates better than most titled lords.
#5 Become close friends with and fight powerful attraction to aforementioned Duke.
#6 Gain the respect and admiration of the Dowager Duchess.
#7 Rebuke all possibility of marriage.
#8 Fiercely protect your secrets.
#9 Engage in a hot carriage tryst.
#10 Save others from scandal, even at risk to yourself.
This is an overall enjoyable read, but I was a little disappointed with the too quickly and easily wrapped up ending and lackluster love scene. There was a lot of buildup and conflict throughout the story that made the road to happily ever after for Tristan and Tessa seem quite daunting, and while my eyes misted during one very romantic moment, the ending still felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic. Although there is a very steamy, satisfying carriage romp, the only complete love scene isn’t until the end of the story and is rather abrupt. It didn’t seem like such a pivotal moment for their relationship or a passionate demonstration of their feelings, which was a bit of a letdown for me.
Still, it’s a charming, entertaining read, and since Tristan’s best friend and fellow rogue Hawk nearly stole the show every time he uttered a line in this, I’m especially looking forward to his story How to Seduce a Scoundrel. 4 stars!
Tessa’s Top Ten Guide for “How to Marry a Duke”
#1 Be unfashionably curvy.
#2 Play matchmaker for shy, awkward wallflowers and powerful, rakishly handsome dukes.
#3 Flaunt one’s spinsterhood with pride.
#4 Be Miss Independent and manage your money and estates better than most titled lords.
#5 Become close friends with and fight powerful attraction to aforementioned Duke.
#6 Gain the respect and admiration of the Dowager Duchess.
#7 Rebuke all possibility of marriage.
#8 Fiercely protect your secrets.
#9 Engage in a hot carriage tryst.
#10 Save others from scandal, even at risk to yourself.
This is an overall enjoyable read, but I was a little disappointed with the too quickly and easily wrapped up ending and lackluster love scene. There was a lot of buildup and conflict throughout the story that made the road to happily ever after for Tristan and Tessa seem quite daunting, and while my eyes misted during one very romantic moment, the ending still felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic. Although there is a very steamy, satisfying carriage romp, the only complete love scene isn’t until the end of the story and is rather abrupt. It didn’t seem like such a pivotal moment for their relationship or a passionate demonstration of their feelings, which was a bit of a letdown for me.
Still, it’s a charming, entertaining read, and since Tristan’s best friend and fellow rogue Hawk nearly stole the show every time he uttered a line in this, I’m especially looking forward to his story How to Seduce a Scoundrel. 4 stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2012
This one surprised me. I only read/listened to it because Audible.com had it on their $5 sale, but I ended up really enjoying much more than I thought. I mean, come on, a historical spoof of the TV show 'The Bachelor'? Really? OK, it was a stretch -- a big stretch, in fact -- but regardless I found myself sucked into the story and routing for the H/h.
I think what really worked for me is how much I liked the lead hero and heroine, as well as some of the secondary characters. The H/h had great chemistry and I fully believed in their attraction and romance. The ending was arguably over the top (a bit) but I did shed a few tears of happiness for the couple. It was touching, and it worked for me!
What didn't work so well was the competition to win the Duke via a Bachelor type competition where young ladies are let go a few at a time. It just didn't ring plausible in this historical setting, but once I let my disbelief go I found it entertaining. The final conflict toward the end was also weak, I didn't think they faced nearly the challenge to be together as they assumed.
The heat level was also a bit low for my taste, this one ranging on the mild side (G to PG). That will likely work well for other readers, as we all have our own taste when it comes to the bedroom scenes. Personally, I like it with a bit more heat.
I am glad I read this one, and if her next book shows up on audio I will get it too. The reader/narrator did a great job.
3.5 stars
I think what really worked for me is how much I liked the lead hero and heroine, as well as some of the secondary characters. The H/h had great chemistry and I fully believed in their attraction and romance. The ending was arguably over the top (a bit) but I did shed a few tears of happiness for the couple. It was touching, and it worked for me!
What didn't work so well was the competition to win the Duke via a Bachelor type competition where young ladies are let go a few at a time. It just didn't ring plausible in this historical setting, but once I let my disbelief go I found it entertaining. The final conflict toward the end was also weak, I didn't think they faced nearly the challenge to be together as they assumed.
The heat level was also a bit low for my taste, this one ranging on the mild side (G to PG). That will likely work well for other readers, as we all have our own taste when it comes to the bedroom scenes. Personally, I like it with a bit more heat.
I am glad I read this one, and if her next book shows up on audio I will get it too. The reader/narrator did a great job.
3.5 stars
January 15, 2011
Reviewed for THC Reviews
"4.5 stars" Debut author Vicky Dreiling started off the new year with a bang for me with her first novel, How to Marry a Duke. In it, she created two likable and relatively complex characters with whom I enjoyed taking a journey to true love and happiness. Her historical spoof of the reality TV show, The Bachelor, was cute. It gave the story some lighthearted moments with a few of the courtship elements being laugh-out-loud funny. Yet it wasn't all fun and games. There was also a nice mix of angst and emotion as the hero and heroine both battle past hurts and scandals to find their way to an HEA. The author is very deft at teasing the reader with Tristan and Tessa's issues, so much so that by the time I finally got to the reveal, particularly of Tessa's secrets, I was absolutely dying to know. While I can't say that I was particularly surprised by the revelations from the past, Ms. Dreiling did make events more complicated than I was expecting, making it very easy for me to sympathize. Overall, How to Marry a Duke was a highly enjoyable read.
Tristan begins the story as an unrepentant rake who is highly cynical about love. He amused me early on with his overly logical brain which rejects the notion that true love could possibly be real. Yet, I believe he fell for Tessa instantly and irrevocably from the moment he accidentally stepped on her fan and looked up into the most beguiling face he'd ever seen. It just took him a long time to realize it, and watching him squirm while he figured that out was half the fun of the story. He was definitely one of those stubborn alphas who was totally brought to his knees by a little thing called love. When it came to the courtship, I liked that Tristan wanted more than a simpering, vapid chit to be his wife, and I was very pleasantly surprised by his willingness to pledge fidelity to whomever he chose, even though he didn't believe it would be a love match. I did doubt Tristan a bit in the beginning of the courtship when he seemed to be paying more attention to the “pretty girls,” but he came around fairly quickly and proved that he had a good heart and could be fair to all the girls, recognizing that even the less physically attractive ones still had other admirable qualities. Tristan was quite the seductive charmer, but he could also be rather brooding. Best of all he was an incredibly honorable man, always trying to do right by everyone for whom he felt responsible. Tristan was certainly a very appealing hero and one who has earned a spot on my favorites list.
Tessa is a bit of a bluestocking, asserting the enjoyment of her independence and her matchmaking career as the main reasons for having no desire to marry, but no one knows that she harbors a painful secret that makes her feel unworthy of marriage. Instead, she chooses to live vicariously through the couples she matches. Underneath it all, it's obvious that she is a romantic, because she will only make love matches. The Duke, however, proves to be one of her biggest challenges, but she feels up to the task of opening his heart to love. Tessa is a rather plump heroine who doesn't consider herself to be particularly attractive, and it doesn't help when she overhears some biting remarks about her weight from a couple of the young ladies vying for Tristan's hand. All of this gives her a feeling of special responsibility to the wallflowers and unattractive ladies who no one seems to want to court. I liked that Tristan was able to make her feel beautiful. He was thoroughly entranced by her voluptuous figure and thought she was the loveliest woman he'd ever seen from the moment he first laid eyes on her. Tessa was a very sweet, kindhearted and thoughtful heroine who loved Tristan so much she was willing to give him up to save him from further hurt and scandal.
In addition to Tristan and Tessa, there were some very memorable secondary characters. At first, I was uncertain about Tristan's mother. She seemed rather cold and controlling, but it didn't take long for her to turn into an enigma with her belief in true love and apparent desire for her son to marry for love. Lady Shelbourne was a complicated character and the author definitely kept me guessing about her motives. The two bridal candidates who made it to the final round were both appealing in their own way, and I can't help but wonder if there might be stories for them somewhere down the line. Most notable of all was Tristan's best friend, Hawk, a rogue who could charm the stockings off any lady he wanted, but firmly asserted his love of bachelorhood. Much like Tristan though, this rake is about to fall and for none other than Tristan's sister, Julianne, a nice young lady who obviously only has eyes for him. I'm very much looking forward to reading their story, How to Seduce a Scoundrel, when it comes out in August 2011.
I can't wrap up my review without making special mention of my favorite scene in the entire book. The proposal was absolutely beyond amazing. It was so beautifully romantic, it left me with no doubt that Tristan loved Tessa to distraction. Not to mention, it had me crying so hard, you'd think I was the one being proposed to. I rarely cry when reading, but if I do, it's usually because of something sad or heartbreaking. I think this may mark the first time that I've actually cried happy tears over a book. Two things made it so lovely, one being the realization that Tristan had grown so dramatically from a resentful, cynical man who didn't believe in love into a man who wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and proved it by making a grand, romantic gesture that was unforgettable. The other thing is that the proposal seems to be a romantic element that often gets overlooked. Typically, in my experience of reading romance, it is either non-existent or it's a rather simple affair that doesn't stick with me. In How to Marry a Duke, Vicky Dreiling took the time and care to create one of the most memorable and romantic proposals I've ever read.
The plot itself is fairly fast-paced with lots of dialog, perhaps a little too much at times, because it occasionally seemed to drag a bit. Once in a while, I thought it could have used a few more details and introspection. The book isn't particularly steamy and normally this wouldn't bother me, but I couldn't help feeling just a tad disappointed that the final consummation wasn't a bit spicier after waiting so long to get there. In the grand scheme of things, these were little more than minor annoyances some of which may show Ms. Dreiling's greenness as an author and will probably work themselves out down the road as she gains more experience. Overall, I was always eager to get back to reading the book each time I had to put it down. For various reasons, I can see why How to Marry a Duke might not work for some readers, but personally, I was enchanted by its wonderful mixture of humor and emotion. I thought that it was an excellent debut novel, and I'll be eagerly waiting with bated breath for Ms. Dreiling's next release.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Hachette Book Group, in exchange for my review.
"4.5 stars" Debut author Vicky Dreiling started off the new year with a bang for me with her first novel, How to Marry a Duke. In it, she created two likable and relatively complex characters with whom I enjoyed taking a journey to true love and happiness. Her historical spoof of the reality TV show, The Bachelor, was cute. It gave the story some lighthearted moments with a few of the courtship elements being laugh-out-loud funny. Yet it wasn't all fun and games. There was also a nice mix of angst and emotion as the hero and heroine both battle past hurts and scandals to find their way to an HEA. The author is very deft at teasing the reader with Tristan and Tessa's issues, so much so that by the time I finally got to the reveal, particularly of Tessa's secrets, I was absolutely dying to know. While I can't say that I was particularly surprised by the revelations from the past, Ms. Dreiling did make events more complicated than I was expecting, making it very easy for me to sympathize. Overall, How to Marry a Duke was a highly enjoyable read.
Tristan begins the story as an unrepentant rake who is highly cynical about love. He amused me early on with his overly logical brain which rejects the notion that true love could possibly be real. Yet, I believe he fell for Tessa instantly and irrevocably from the moment he accidentally stepped on her fan and looked up into the most beguiling face he'd ever seen. It just took him a long time to realize it, and watching him squirm while he figured that out was half the fun of the story. He was definitely one of those stubborn alphas who was totally brought to his knees by a little thing called love. When it came to the courtship, I liked that Tristan wanted more than a simpering, vapid chit to be his wife, and I was very pleasantly surprised by his willingness to pledge fidelity to whomever he chose, even though he didn't believe it would be a love match. I did doubt Tristan a bit in the beginning of the courtship when he seemed to be paying more attention to the “pretty girls,” but he came around fairly quickly and proved that he had a good heart and could be fair to all the girls, recognizing that even the less physically attractive ones still had other admirable qualities. Tristan was quite the seductive charmer, but he could also be rather brooding. Best of all he was an incredibly honorable man, always trying to do right by everyone for whom he felt responsible. Tristan was certainly a very appealing hero and one who has earned a spot on my favorites list.
Tessa is a bit of a bluestocking, asserting the enjoyment of her independence and her matchmaking career as the main reasons for having no desire to marry, but no one knows that she harbors a painful secret that makes her feel unworthy of marriage. Instead, she chooses to live vicariously through the couples she matches. Underneath it all, it's obvious that she is a romantic, because she will only make love matches. The Duke, however, proves to be one of her biggest challenges, but she feels up to the task of opening his heart to love. Tessa is a rather plump heroine who doesn't consider herself to be particularly attractive, and it doesn't help when she overhears some biting remarks about her weight from a couple of the young ladies vying for Tristan's hand. All of this gives her a feeling of special responsibility to the wallflowers and unattractive ladies who no one seems to want to court. I liked that Tristan was able to make her feel beautiful. He was thoroughly entranced by her voluptuous figure and thought she was the loveliest woman he'd ever seen from the moment he first laid eyes on her. Tessa was a very sweet, kindhearted and thoughtful heroine who loved Tristan so much she was willing to give him up to save him from further hurt and scandal.
In addition to Tristan and Tessa, there were some very memorable secondary characters. At first, I was uncertain about Tristan's mother. She seemed rather cold and controlling, but it didn't take long for her to turn into an enigma with her belief in true love and apparent desire for her son to marry for love. Lady Shelbourne was a complicated character and the author definitely kept me guessing about her motives. The two bridal candidates who made it to the final round were both appealing in their own way, and I can't help but wonder if there might be stories for them somewhere down the line. Most notable of all was Tristan's best friend, Hawk, a rogue who could charm the stockings off any lady he wanted, but firmly asserted his love of bachelorhood. Much like Tristan though, this rake is about to fall and for none other than Tristan's sister, Julianne, a nice young lady who obviously only has eyes for him. I'm very much looking forward to reading their story, How to Seduce a Scoundrel, when it comes out in August 2011.
I can't wrap up my review without making special mention of my favorite scene in the entire book. The proposal was absolutely beyond amazing. It was so beautifully romantic, it left me with no doubt that Tristan loved Tessa to distraction. Not to mention, it had me crying so hard, you'd think I was the one being proposed to. I rarely cry when reading, but if I do, it's usually because of something sad or heartbreaking. I think this may mark the first time that I've actually cried happy tears over a book. Two things made it so lovely, one being the realization that Tristan had grown so dramatically from a resentful, cynical man who didn't believe in love into a man who wasn't afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and proved it by making a grand, romantic gesture that was unforgettable. The other thing is that the proposal seems to be a romantic element that often gets overlooked. Typically, in my experience of reading romance, it is either non-existent or it's a rather simple affair that doesn't stick with me. In How to Marry a Duke, Vicky Dreiling took the time and care to create one of the most memorable and romantic proposals I've ever read.
The plot itself is fairly fast-paced with lots of dialog, perhaps a little too much at times, because it occasionally seemed to drag a bit. Once in a while, I thought it could have used a few more details and introspection. The book isn't particularly steamy and normally this wouldn't bother me, but I couldn't help feeling just a tad disappointed that the final consummation wasn't a bit spicier after waiting so long to get there. In the grand scheme of things, these were little more than minor annoyances some of which may show Ms. Dreiling's greenness as an author and will probably work themselves out down the road as she gains more experience. Overall, I was always eager to get back to reading the book each time I had to put it down. For various reasons, I can see why How to Marry a Duke might not work for some readers, but personally, I was enchanted by its wonderful mixture of humor and emotion. I thought that it was an excellent debut novel, and I'll be eagerly waiting with bated breath for Ms. Dreiling's next release.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher, Hachette Book Group, in exchange for my review.
November 12, 2010
May possibly be the most unoriginal historical romance I've read all year.
And if the heroine is richer than God, unmarried at 26 and enjoys her independence, why does everyone and their mother have to be all in her business?
Also a rake by name with no examples shown and just mentioned, is no rake at all.
And if the heroine is richer than God, unmarried at 26 and enjoys her independence, why does everyone and their mother have to be all in her business?
Also a rake by name with no examples shown and just mentioned, is no rake at all.
June 9, 2021
3.5 stars it dragged out for a bit but i loved the couple and set up
May 18, 2017
Tristan Gatewick, Duke of Shelbourne
I'm a very visual person for those who haven't been able to tell by now. ;P Being able to picture *exactly* what characters look like is a big draw in for me because it's a glossed over element in many books. Stories have flaws, plots may not be the most original but when characters are written with such focus and depth, when every tick, mannerism and emotion is caught on the page? You have me for life. I don't always post pictures of my dream casting unless I can't get them out of my head and know exactly what they look like and boy did Tristan stand out to me. He's so yummy!
This was pretty much The Bachelor meets Millionaire Matchmaker set in the Regency era and it was quite fun. Tessa, the barely tolerated 'matchmaker' of the ton, picking 24 girls to vie for the Duke's heart was quite entertaining and hilarious. I really loved the duchess, Tristan's intimidating gruff mother and her 'insolent puppy' remarks. Too cute. Was this a flawless story? No. But it had a lot of heart and charm. The amount of angst, sexual tension and chemistry that pings back and forth between the hero and heroine was a delight and pretty much saved this from falling into a humdrum category. And oh man the angst! It hurt so good. Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, was absolutely scrumptious with those magnetic intense eyes of his, brooding presence and polished manners. Tessa was a wonderful original heroine whose independent streak yet vulnerable yearning heart makes her so endearing. The thing I enjoyed the most was how strong and smart Tessa was, she was nobody's fool. And I really loved the fact that she didn't try to fight her feelings for Tristan through the entire book which is a habit most HR stories fall into. That was the most refreshing thing of all, she recognized the real man behind the guarded polished duke and fell head over heels in love with him. It was really sweet to see. Oh she puts on a good show of not needing to marry or finding love but for deliberate reasons. Her heart is open and honest from the beginning and her internal struggle to do what's 'right' vs what she really wants was heartbreaking to see yet made her more admirable. Also the flirting, teasing and endless battle of whits between Tristan and Tessa was also really fun and adorable.
This wasn't perfect, the heroine's 'big awful shameful secret' was dragged out a little too long for my liking and milked for all its worth. I did feel the author built up the secret bigger then it was in some areas which just ended up making Tessa look like a willing martyr with her 'I don't deserve anything' mindset. You were a naive girl with no parents give yourself a break. And some of the dialogue is repetitive but-- all in all it was still very enjoyable and I loved the couple so much. So yes, if you are in the mood for a fun romantic angsty Regency novel I definitely recommend this!
Tessa drank in his features, committing them to memory- his black tousled hair, thick brows, perfect nose, and square jaw, freshly shaven, leaving only a hint of his heavy beard. Most of all she wanted to remember his brilliant blue eyes and the many times he'd gazed so intently at her.
I'm a very visual person for those who haven't been able to tell by now. ;P Being able to picture *exactly* what characters look like is a big draw in for me because it's a glossed over element in many books. Stories have flaws, plots may not be the most original but when characters are written with such focus and depth, when every tick, mannerism and emotion is caught on the page? You have me for life. I don't always post pictures of my dream casting unless I can't get them out of my head and know exactly what they look like and boy did Tristan stand out to me. He's so yummy!
This was pretty much The Bachelor meets Millionaire Matchmaker set in the Regency era and it was quite fun. Tessa, the barely tolerated 'matchmaker' of the ton, picking 24 girls to vie for the Duke's heart was quite entertaining and hilarious. I really loved the duchess, Tristan's intimidating gruff mother and her 'insolent puppy' remarks. Too cute. Was this a flawless story? No. But it had a lot of heart and charm. The amount of angst, sexual tension and chemistry that pings back and forth between the hero and heroine was a delight and pretty much saved this from falling into a humdrum category. And oh man the angst! It hurt so good. Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, was absolutely scrumptious with those magnetic intense eyes of his, brooding presence and polished manners. Tessa was a wonderful original heroine whose independent streak yet vulnerable yearning heart makes her so endearing. The thing I enjoyed the most was how strong and smart Tessa was, she was nobody's fool. And I really loved the fact that she didn't try to fight her feelings for Tristan through the entire book which is a habit most HR stories fall into. That was the most refreshing thing of all, she recognized the real man behind the guarded polished duke and fell head over heels in love with him. It was really sweet to see. Oh she puts on a good show of not needing to marry or finding love but for deliberate reasons. Her heart is open and honest from the beginning and her internal struggle to do what's 'right' vs what she really wants was heartbreaking to see yet made her more admirable. Also the flirting, teasing and endless battle of whits between Tristan and Tessa was also really fun and adorable.
You are my one and only, for all eternity.
This wasn't perfect, the heroine's 'big awful shameful secret' was dragged out a little too long for my liking and milked for all its worth. I did feel the author built up the secret bigger then it was in some areas which just ended up making Tessa look like a willing martyr with her 'I don't deserve anything' mindset. You were a naive girl with no parents give yourself a break. And some of the dialogue is repetitive but-- all in all it was still very enjoyable and I loved the couple so much. So yes, if you are in the mood for a fun romantic angsty Regency novel I definitely recommend this!
March 5, 2019
2.5 out of 5
There are some situations and dialogue in this book that are implausible during this era, but I didn't let it bother me. The plot is slow and dragged on a bit. I first noticed the slow pacing when I was on chapter 8 out of 23. It usually doesn't bode well for a book when I notice its slow pacing this early. I almost didn't finish the book, but I just had to know how it ended for the H/h. The hero's speech towards the end of the book was a little cheesy and fan fiction-like.I would know, I used to write fan fiction. What I found annoying was that the heroine had this "big secret" that the reader wasn't even allowed to know until it was revealed in the last couple of chapters. By then, one can already guess what her secret is. The hero's reaction to her big secret was a turn off. The antagonist was such a thorn on the heroine's side that I literally rejoiced when he . The hero's best friend, Hawk, was a joy to read. He's responsible for most of the humor in the book. Sadly, I won't be reading his book anytime soon, because I read a review that mentioned the implausible situations in his book, and I'm just not ready to read another HR book like that.
There are some situations and dialogue in this book that are implausible during this era, but I didn't let it bother me. The plot is slow and dragged on a bit. I first noticed the slow pacing when I was on chapter 8 out of 23. It usually doesn't bode well for a book when I notice its slow pacing this early. I almost didn't finish the book, but I just had to know how it ended for the H/h. The hero's speech towards the end of the book was a little cheesy and fan fiction-like.
January 31, 2011
This book kept me up all night reading. I both love and hate that! lol
But this is a different take on an Historical Romance. Any Bachelor fans out there? This book takes the Bachelor back to Regency England and throws in some fun twists. I'm actually not a fan at all of the TV show. So why on earth would I read a book based on said show? Let me tell you a little story. Everyone I know who has read this has loved it! My friend Catherine's review for fictionvixen is what had me picking it up ( http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... )
I saw it at Target and picked it up. (I'm such a dork I took a pic of myself buying the book and tweeted it to the author...yep I'm lame)
I thought I might read a bit before dinner, and next thing I know, dinner's late, the kids are whining that they're hungry, and I've lost all track of the time.
I ended up reading til something crazy like 2am, but it was soo worth being tired the next day.
Basically, a young lady has taken it upon herself to matchmake with the wallflowers of the balls. And she's not only successful, she's making love matches for them. Most of the ton believes she's an eccentric spinster, but since her behaviour is otherwise beyond reproach, no one really pays much attention to her. Until the Duke of Shelbourne meets her.
He has been declared the most eligible bachelor by the scandal sheets. Even though he wants to settle down and find a bride, his mother believes his should be a love match, whereas Tristan feels it should be a well-thought out decision. After meeting the prim Miss Mansfield, he feels he should hire her to find his bride. But he has no idea her matches are love matches, and he wants no such thing.
Tessa is determined to open Tristan's heart to love. And since his stipulations on his future wife are so critical, Tessa changes tactics. She invites 24 of the ton's finest young ladies to her house for a meet and greet. Let the games begin.
Tristan endeavors to beat Tessa at her own game, while Tessa just wants Tristan to at least attempt to like his future wife. But Tessa has a deep dark secret. And that awful secret comes out at the most unfortunate time- a group date to the opera. In fact, so much happens from that point on that I had to finish the book to see what the big secret was, to see how it would affect Tessa and Tristan, and I just had to find out!
My favorite quote was during a certain carriage ride, where Tessa and Tristan had gotten a little naughty:
"We must talk."
An arrested expression crossed her face. "I do not think that is a good idea."
"Tess, we've no time to argue now."
She inhaled sharply. "I am deeply sorry for seducing you. It did not occur to me that you would become so distraught."
"What?" Had she forgotten to pack her brains?
"You must not worry, for I will still respect you tomorrow." She paused. "But..."
Tristan gaped at her.He must have pleasured her senseless.
A knock sounded at the door. They both turned to stare at it. Then she glanced at him and said in a rush "I hope you will forgive me, but I cannot make an honest man out of you."
My favorite part of the whole book was later on, after Tessa's past had come back to bite her in the bum, Tristan told her off, leaving no room for her to doubt that he blamed her for the trouble that could potentially ruin his family. Tristan's mother, finally forced him to see something.
"I cannot imagine how she's endured all these years," his mother said. "She must have been terrified that night at the opera."
Tristan stared at his mother as one realization after another slammed into his brain. "She never showed it. He coerced her, but she walked out of the box with her head held high...She's the bravest person I've ever met."
I think I just fell a bit in love with Tristan at that point in the book.
The only ONLY reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because the ending felt really rushed. I mean if you've got a 400 page book, what's 5 or 10 more pages? But on the whole, this was a fabulous, fun and witty novel. Go in expecting it to be a light and fun adventure, and you won't be disappointed. Kudos, Vicky Dreiling for making me into a fan of your Bachelor.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
But this is a different take on an Historical Romance. Any Bachelor fans out there? This book takes the Bachelor back to Regency England and throws in some fun twists. I'm actually not a fan at all of the TV show. So why on earth would I read a book based on said show? Let me tell you a little story. Everyone I know who has read this has loved it! My friend Catherine's review for fictionvixen is what had me picking it up ( http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... )
I saw it at Target and picked it up. (I'm such a dork I took a pic of myself buying the book and tweeted it to the author...yep I'm lame)
I thought I might read a bit before dinner, and next thing I know, dinner's late, the kids are whining that they're hungry, and I've lost all track of the time.
I ended up reading til something crazy like 2am, but it was soo worth being tired the next day.
Basically, a young lady has taken it upon herself to matchmake with the wallflowers of the balls. And she's not only successful, she's making love matches for them. Most of the ton believes she's an eccentric spinster, but since her behaviour is otherwise beyond reproach, no one really pays much attention to her. Until the Duke of Shelbourne meets her.
He has been declared the most eligible bachelor by the scandal sheets. Even though he wants to settle down and find a bride, his mother believes his should be a love match, whereas Tristan feels it should be a well-thought out decision. After meeting the prim Miss Mansfield, he feels he should hire her to find his bride. But he has no idea her matches are love matches, and he wants no such thing.
Tessa is determined to open Tristan's heart to love. And since his stipulations on his future wife are so critical, Tessa changes tactics. She invites 24 of the ton's finest young ladies to her house for a meet and greet. Let the games begin.
Tristan endeavors to beat Tessa at her own game, while Tessa just wants Tristan to at least attempt to like his future wife. But Tessa has a deep dark secret. And that awful secret comes out at the most unfortunate time- a group date to the opera. In fact, so much happens from that point on that I had to finish the book to see what the big secret was, to see how it would affect Tessa and Tristan, and I just had to find out!
My favorite quote was during a certain carriage ride, where Tessa and Tristan had gotten a little naughty:
"We must talk."
An arrested expression crossed her face. "I do not think that is a good idea."
"Tess, we've no time to argue now."
She inhaled sharply. "I am deeply sorry for seducing you. It did not occur to me that you would become so distraught."
"What?" Had she forgotten to pack her brains?
"You must not worry, for I will still respect you tomorrow." She paused. "But..."
Tristan gaped at her.He must have pleasured her senseless.
A knock sounded at the door. They both turned to stare at it. Then she glanced at him and said in a rush "I hope you will forgive me, but I cannot make an honest man out of you."
My favorite part of the whole book was later on, after Tessa's past had come back to bite her in the bum, Tristan told her off, leaving no room for her to doubt that he blamed her for the trouble that could potentially ruin his family. Tristan's mother, finally forced him to see something.
"I cannot imagine how she's endured all these years," his mother said. "She must have been terrified that night at the opera."
Tristan stared at his mother as one realization after another slammed into his brain. "She never showed it. He coerced her, but she walked out of the box with her head held high...She's the bravest person I've ever met."
I think I just fell a bit in love with Tristan at that point in the book.
The only ONLY reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because the ending felt really rushed. I mean if you've got a 400 page book, what's 5 or 10 more pages? But on the whole, this was a fabulous, fun and witty novel. Go in expecting it to be a light and fun adventure, and you won't be disappointed. Kudos, Vicky Dreiling for making me into a fan of your Bachelor.
http://www.demonloversbooksandmore.co...
January 27, 2011
I finished this yesterday, and while I enjoyed it then, I can't remember much about it today. This is actually kind of disturbing to me, because I thought it was a pretty good book.
Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, wants/needs a wife. He even has a list of requirements for one. Voluptuous, graceful, intelligent, etc. And while it seems too clinical to most of you, it's not far from the truth to today's arranged marriages. Anyway, he doesn't exactly think that he should marry for love, because his father was a major jerk to his mother. Don't ask. He accidentally meets Miss Mansfield, Tess, our heroine. She's 26, a spinster by reputation, a matchmaker by profession, and perfect by Tristan. Well, almost perfect, if he hadn't gotten her to set him up with his future duchess. Recognizing a golden opportunity when she saw one, she brings in 24 young women to meet the bachelor Duke - all 24 competing to be Tristan's duchess. Of course, this is all moot, since the one that Tristan really wants is Tess. Things get really steamy, but in fear of a scandal, they both refuse to admit that they love each other. Finally, they(*cough*He*cough*) makes sure that there is no scandal and no worries for them to marry.
Oh yea, did I mention that Tess has a mysterious shameful past and an unwanted ex-suitor? I'm sure we can all connect the dot - Tess isn't a virgin. But maybe its just me, but I don't see why its such a big deal. As in Ms. Dreiling built up the suspense, making a big deal about this small issue. I was afraid that there was a murder or a baby involved. No, it was just the lack of a hymen. *facepalm*
I really liked Tristan. not like my ideal soulmate or whatever, but he was a realistic, confused man, who wanted love, but was still kinda afraid of it. He has a temper, but he isn't blind to reason. Ms. Dreiling was successful in creating a likeable, realistic HR hero. I also liked Tessa. Most of the time. Her guilty conscience annoyed me, mostly because I didn't think it was THAT big of a deal.
My favorite characters were Tristan's mom, Tristan's BFF, Hawk, and Tristan's lil sis, Julienne. Hawk and Julienne are supposed to be paired off in the next book. I can't wait. There was also a lot of emphasis on Amy and Georgette, the final 2 contestants for Regency Bachelor. I think they're getting their own HEA books. I hope, at least.
Overall, a fun read. Not very memorable, my only reason to rate this a 4, but otherwise, great.
Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, wants/needs a wife. He even has a list of requirements for one. Voluptuous, graceful, intelligent, etc. And while it seems too clinical to most of you, it's not far from the truth to today's arranged marriages. Anyway, he doesn't exactly think that he should marry for love, because his father was a major jerk to his mother. Don't ask. He accidentally meets Miss Mansfield, Tess, our heroine. She's 26, a spinster by reputation, a matchmaker by profession, and perfect by Tristan. Well, almost perfect, if he hadn't gotten her to set him up with his future duchess. Recognizing a golden opportunity when she saw one, she brings in 24 young women to meet the bachelor Duke - all 24 competing to be Tristan's duchess. Of course, this is all moot, since the one that Tristan really wants is Tess. Things get really steamy, but in fear of a scandal, they both refuse to admit that they love each other. Finally, they(*cough*He*cough*) makes sure that there is no scandal and no worries for them to marry.
Oh yea, did I mention that Tess has a mysterious shameful past and an unwanted ex-suitor? I'm sure we can all connect the dot - Tess isn't a virgin. But maybe its just me, but I don't see why its such a big deal. As in Ms. Dreiling built up the suspense, making a big deal about this small issue. I was afraid that there was a murder or a baby involved. No, it was just the lack of a hymen. *facepalm*
I really liked Tristan. not like my ideal soulmate or whatever, but he was a realistic, confused man, who wanted love, but was still kinda afraid of it. He has a temper, but he isn't blind to reason. Ms. Dreiling was successful in creating a likeable, realistic HR hero. I also liked Tessa. Most of the time. Her guilty conscience annoyed me, mostly because I didn't think it was THAT big of a deal.
My favorite characters were Tristan's mom, Tristan's BFF, Hawk, and Tristan's lil sis, Julienne. Hawk and Julienne are supposed to be paired off in the next book. I can't wait. There was also a lot of emphasis on Amy and Georgette, the final 2 contestants for Regency Bachelor. I think they're getting their own HEA books. I hope, at least.
Overall, a fun read. Not very memorable, my only reason to rate this a 4, but otherwise, great.
May 26, 2011
If you're looking for a sweet and feel-good Regency Romance, this is the right book for you. How to Marry a Duke is a little light in the sex department, but it's so fast-moving and entertaining that I barely had a chance to want for more.
Tristan is a duke looking for a wife. And he'll settle for nothing less than a suitable match. He wants a woman with intelligence, wit, breeding and fire. And the longer he searches, the clearer it is becoming that such a woman is hard to find. When he meets a matchmaking spinster named Tessa, he decides to employ her services. But he doesn't expect the attraction or friendship that quickly blossoms between them.
Tessa thinks love is something she'll never have, but she is determined to find it for Tristan. Even as her own feelings for him grow, she remains determined to find him a woman who can make him happy. Tessa has a deep secret, which she has kept for many years. But now, it's threatening to come out. Can she rely on Tristan's help? Or will it put him at risk for scandal as well?
Tessa is a worthy heroine: smart, independent, brave and loyal. And it's always a treat when a desirable woman is wrapped up in a package that's bigger than a size 2. Don't expect much in the way of surprises... things progress pretty much as you would expect. But sometimes there's comfort in that. I enjoyed it. 4 stars.
*I won this book in a giveaway from the publisher
Tristan is a duke looking for a wife. And he'll settle for nothing less than a suitable match. He wants a woman with intelligence, wit, breeding and fire. And the longer he searches, the clearer it is becoming that such a woman is hard to find. When he meets a matchmaking spinster named Tessa, he decides to employ her services. But he doesn't expect the attraction or friendship that quickly blossoms between them.
Tessa thinks love is something she'll never have, but she is determined to find it for Tristan. Even as her own feelings for him grow, she remains determined to find him a woman who can make him happy. Tessa has a deep secret, which she has kept for many years. But now, it's threatening to come out. Can she rely on Tristan's help? Or will it put him at risk for scandal as well?
Tessa is a worthy heroine: smart, independent, brave and loyal. And it's always a treat when a desirable woman is wrapped up in a package that's bigger than a size 2. Don't expect much in the way of surprises... things progress pretty much as you would expect. But sometimes there's comfort in that. I enjoyed it. 4 stars.
*I won this book in a giveaway from the publisher
January 18, 2011
This was a strong 4 star book for me and I am definitely looking forward to the next one in the series. The story lost a star because some of the words used were not really from the Regency period (I usually do not mind it in stories, but it was a little too much in this one). Also, the ending was a bit anti-climatic and there was a lot of back and forth between the hero and heroine before their HEA. I know that probably does not make sense to anyone that has not read it, but overall I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2020
I just love the stories of Vicky! 💖
March 9, 2022
Then he reached into his coat, drew out a sealed paper, and offered it to her. “A gift for you,” he said.
A hush descended over the room.
She broke the seal with trembling fingers. The silence unnerved her as she unfolded the page. Her breath caught at the words.
You are my one and only, for all eternity.
The same words her father had written to her mother every day of their marriage.
February 12, 2025
2.5 stars
Have you ever read a book that starts off really well and you really like it…but then one thing happens and you’re like “ooh, this is not what I wanted, but interesting…” And then it just slowly spirals out of control? Yea. That was my experience reading How to Marry a Duke. To be fair, the plot was interesting enough to keep me engaged. But I ultimately lost interest in the romance because the heroine just bugged me so much.
What I liked:
The humour and the prose. The historical romance version of the Bachelor. This is actually not my first time reading a historical romance version of the Bachelor – At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker has a similar set up. I also really liked the fact that this was a friends to lovers romance. The chemistry was great. The banter was witty and funny. I also loved Tristan’s family and his friend, Hawk. The best scenes are the ones with Tristan, his sister, his mom, Hawk, and Tessa discussing Tristan’s courtship. Such a fun and engaging dynamic!
What I didn’t like:
The courtship and the plot revolving the villain were both interesting enough to keep my attention, but I ultimately lost interest in the romance towards the last third of the book. And this mostly has to do with the heroine, who has been keeping this ~big~ secret from everyone. Listen, in the context of the time period, I understand why she doesn’t want to confide in anyone. Her reputation is at risk and her secret has to do with something that had happened to her in the past, something that is actually abusive, as the hero himself correctly points out when he finds out. But a big altercation happens at a certain point in the story, which literally puts her life in danger. It obviously has to do with her secret, but instead of asking for help right away, she goes along with her life, prioritizing her matchmaking. It is a poor decision in so many ways and I was just so fed up by that point.
Her secret also adds a lot of unnecessary angst and guilt in the story, which I didn’t like at all. There is good angst, and then there is…bad angst. This was bad angst. Tessa refuses to communicate with Tristan. She refuses his proposal without telling him why and she refuses to confide in him, even though she supposedly trusts him. He repeatedly confides in her, but she never returns the favour. I get it, I really do – it’s not her fault and her reputation is at risk, so she has every reason to be apprehensive. She is scared, humiliated, and vulnerable. But her lack of trust in Tristan even after significant relationship development doesn’t sit well with me. It got to a point where I just got tired of all the drama, the guilt, and the shame.
Now I mentioned earlier that the heroine bugged me. It’s not the secret or the unnecessary angst that bugged me. I understood where she was coming from when she decided to hide her secret. That's not my problem. It’s Tessa's hypocrisy that bugged me. Tessa is…a horrible matchmaker lol. She’s incredibly biased and forces the hero to feel guilty about the girls he decides to eliminate. She tells him that she doesn’t want him, but she also doesn’t want the other girls to compete for his hand. She forces Tristan to keep this “plain” girl in the competition. And when it comes down to the “plain” girl and another pretty girl, Tessa wants Tristan to choose the “plain” one because she doesn’t want him to marry an attractive girl he might sexually desire. She doesn’t tell him this, but she thinks of it a few times, which bugged me so much. She reminded me of the heroine from Three Weeks with Lady X – hypocritical heroines “championing” the plain wallflowers. Tessa wants Tristan, but she pushes him away when he proposes to her. And on top of that, she has the nerve to get jealous when the other girls want him. And even though she knows Tristan wants to marry a woman he desires, she doesn’t want him to pick the “attractive” girl because obviously the “plain” girl, whom she has been championing this entire time, wouldn’t be sexually desirable to the hero. I…can’t.
Anyway, this book had potential and if the heroine hadn’t bugged me so much, I would have probably enjoyed it a lot more.
Have you ever read a book that starts off really well and you really like it…but then one thing happens and you’re like “ooh, this is not what I wanted, but interesting…” And then it just slowly spirals out of control? Yea. That was my experience reading How to Marry a Duke. To be fair, the plot was interesting enough to keep me engaged. But I ultimately lost interest in the romance because the heroine just bugged me so much.
What I liked:
The humour and the prose. The historical romance version of the Bachelor. This is actually not my first time reading a historical romance version of the Bachelor – At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker has a similar set up. I also really liked the fact that this was a friends to lovers romance. The chemistry was great. The banter was witty and funny. I also loved Tristan’s family and his friend, Hawk. The best scenes are the ones with Tristan, his sister, his mom, Hawk, and Tessa discussing Tristan’s courtship. Such a fun and engaging dynamic!
What I didn’t like:
The courtship and the plot revolving the villain were both interesting enough to keep my attention, but I ultimately lost interest in the romance towards the last third of the book. And this mostly has to do with the heroine, who has been keeping this ~big~ secret from everyone. Listen, in the context of the time period, I understand why she doesn’t want to confide in anyone. Her reputation is at risk and her secret has to do with something that had happened to her in the past, something that is actually abusive, as the hero himself correctly points out when he finds out. But a big altercation happens at a certain point in the story, which literally puts her life in danger. It obviously has to do with her secret, but instead of asking for help right away, she goes along with her life, prioritizing her matchmaking. It is a poor decision in so many ways and I was just so fed up by that point.
Her secret also adds a lot of unnecessary angst and guilt in the story, which I didn’t like at all. There is good angst, and then there is…bad angst. This was bad angst. Tessa refuses to communicate with Tristan. She refuses his proposal without telling him why and she refuses to confide in him, even though she supposedly trusts him. He repeatedly confides in her, but she never returns the favour. I get it, I really do – it’s not her fault and her reputation is at risk, so she has every reason to be apprehensive. She is scared, humiliated, and vulnerable. But her lack of trust in Tristan even after significant relationship development doesn’t sit well with me. It got to a point where I just got tired of all the drama, the guilt, and the shame.
Now I mentioned earlier that the heroine bugged me. It’s not the secret or the unnecessary angst that bugged me. I understood where she was coming from when she decided to hide her secret. That's not my problem. It’s Tessa's hypocrisy that bugged me. Tessa is…a horrible matchmaker lol. She’s incredibly biased and forces the hero to feel guilty about the girls he decides to eliminate. She tells him that she doesn’t want him, but she also doesn’t want the other girls to compete for his hand. She forces Tristan to keep this “plain” girl in the competition. And when it comes down to the “plain” girl and another pretty girl, Tessa wants Tristan to choose the “plain” one because she doesn’t want him to marry an attractive girl he might sexually desire. She doesn’t tell him this, but she thinks of it a few times, which bugged me so much. She reminded me of the heroine from Three Weeks with Lady X – hypocritical heroines “championing” the plain wallflowers. Tessa wants Tristan, but she pushes him away when he proposes to her. And on top of that, she has the nerve to get jealous when the other girls want him. And even though she knows Tristan wants to marry a woman he desires, she doesn’t want him to pick the “attractive” girl because obviously the “plain” girl, whom she has been championing this entire time, wouldn’t be sexually desirable to the hero. I…can’t.
Anyway, this book had potential and if the heroine hadn’t bugged me so much, I would have probably enjoyed it a lot more.
August 10, 2021
This book was really good and I enjoyed it a lot. It was very different and it held my interest throughout.
The whole match making career thing really worked for this book. The hero approached the heroine, hoping she was a widow and would make an excellent bed partner (she was a curvelious little blondieee) only to find out she was a spinster with a match making career. In order to get close to her, he asks her to find him a match, and gives her list of all the qualifications for his future wife. He obviously wants this done on the low-low and doesn’t want the whole of society to know that he’s using her to find him a wife, coz truly he doesn’t need her help, and it’s embarrassing.
However….the heroine has plans to further her career so instead of choosing a handful of girls, she sent a request to about 26 families and had them all come to her house (and the hero aswell) to inform them that the duke is looking for a wife and all 26 girls fit his criteria……😭😭😭😭😭 the hero was like WTFFF? But he couldn’t back out now. So they begin to eliminate the girls one by one. Whilst this is happening the hero and heroine get close …naturally, they have a few stolen kisses but the heroine is like no this can’t continue, because it’s not good for the candidates and she has a massive secret that doesn’t make her eligible to marry anyone.
Okay so this massive secret annoys me.
So the secret is that she had sex with someone she thought she was in love with and would marry at the age of 18 but her uncle says ‘no’, buys him a commission to go to war and hopefully dies there ….he doesn’t but instead 8 years later the man come back to haunt her. The hero finds this out and he explodes, he literally gets sooo fucking mad at her for this. I was like huh? He goes on to say how this secret of hers could ruin all the families she’s been involved with, and basically says he shouldn’t have involved her in his life and makes her feel sooo bad….I beg your pardon? Okay she had sex…once….about 8 years ago…and now your slut shaming her….the double standard in HR pisses me off. It was literally the one time, and now shes made out to be a HUGE whore whose going to put several families to shame, the hero was so mean about it, I hated him at this point, he was so nice throughout, and then he just makes her feel like shit. Especially since this secret was eating her up for 8 years and she wasn’t able to fall in love because she kept thinking that if she does get married her husband won’t except her becuase she’s not a virgin ….and boy was she right in that respect, the hero (who she fell in love with) made her out to be a whore. He was like ‘you should’ve told me this from the start, you have put so many family in jeopardy’ and then he goes of to deal with the man. The heroine at this point isn’t able to sleep or speak, she was so scared and rendered helpless. The hero’s mum, the dowager duchess (who was a right shrew throughout the book) had to comfort her, the heroine was so alone in the world, she had no family and this ‘big secret’ could ruin her and the man she loves….ugh. So the hero comes back after tossing the man into some boat bound for Neverland, and he realizes he’s been a dick and apologizes… yea whatever 🙄
The whole match making career thing really worked for this book. The hero approached the heroine, hoping she was a widow and would make an excellent bed partner (she was a curvelious little blondieee) only to find out she was a spinster with a match making career. In order to get close to her, he asks her to find him a match, and gives her list of all the qualifications for his future wife. He obviously wants this done on the low-low and doesn’t want the whole of society to know that he’s using her to find him a wife, coz truly he doesn’t need her help, and it’s embarrassing.
However….the heroine has plans to further her career so instead of choosing a handful of girls, she sent a request to about 26 families and had them all come to her house (and the hero aswell) to inform them that the duke is looking for a wife and all 26 girls fit his criteria……😭😭😭😭😭 the hero was like WTFFF? But he couldn’t back out now. So they begin to eliminate the girls one by one. Whilst this is happening the hero and heroine get close …naturally, they have a few stolen kisses but the heroine is like no this can’t continue, because it’s not good for the candidates and she has a massive secret that doesn’t make her eligible to marry anyone.
Okay so this massive secret annoys me.
So the secret is that she had sex with someone she thought she was in love with and would marry at the age of 18 but her uncle says ‘no’, buys him a commission to go to war and hopefully dies there ….he doesn’t but instead 8 years later the man come back to haunt her. The hero finds this out and he explodes, he literally gets sooo fucking mad at her for this. I was like huh? He goes on to say how this secret of hers could ruin all the families she’s been involved with, and basically says he shouldn’t have involved her in his life and makes her feel sooo bad….I beg your pardon? Okay she had sex…once….about 8 years ago…and now your slut shaming her….the double standard in HR pisses me off. It was literally the one time, and now shes made out to be a HUGE whore whose going to put several families to shame, the hero was so mean about it, I hated him at this point, he was so nice throughout, and then he just makes her feel like shit. Especially since this secret was eating her up for 8 years and she wasn’t able to fall in love because she kept thinking that if she does get married her husband won’t except her becuase she’s not a virgin ….and boy was she right in that respect, the hero (who she fell in love with) made her out to be a whore. He was like ‘you should’ve told me this from the start, you have put so many family in jeopardy’ and then he goes of to deal with the man. The heroine at this point isn’t able to sleep or speak, she was so scared and rendered helpless. The hero’s mum, the dowager duchess (who was a right shrew throughout the book) had to comfort her, the heroine was so alone in the world, she had no family and this ‘big secret’ could ruin her and the man she loves….ugh. So the hero comes back after tossing the man into some boat bound for Neverland, and he realizes he’s been a dick and apologizes… yea whatever 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2011
This was very funny historical romance, I laughed so many times and vas very engaged in the story. I would have rated it 5 stars but I really do not like the bachelor theme and I like more steamy romance books with deeper feelings between the characters but this was a fresh light HR romance that many will like.
August 26, 2016
The first book in Vicky Dreiling's How To Series.
Light and entertaining. I felt like I was watching the reality show The Bachelor except it was set in the Regency era. I recommend it to anyone who loves a fun historical romance novel.
Light and entertaining. I felt like I was watching the reality show The Bachelor except it was set in the Regency era. I recommend it to anyone who loves a fun historical romance novel.
February 18, 2015
This book was full of wit and chemistry! Realistic? No. Entertaining? Definitely.
September 13, 2023
3½ ⭐️
hatta birkaç küçük ayrıntı olmasa 4 bile olabilirdi, kafa dağıtmak için güzel bir romance oldu.
evlenmesi gereken ama gözde damat adayı olmaktan muzdarip bir dükümüz var: Tristan
bir de evlenmeyi reddeden hali vakti oldukça yerinde, meslek olaraksa çöpçatanlık yapan ama sosyetenin kızkurusu olarak gördüğü Tessa karakterimiz var.
dük bir geline, Tessa ise kariyerinde iyi bir sıçramaya ihtiyaç duyuyor ama kızımız bu evlilik işlerini kendi doğrularına göre organize etme konusunda oldukça kararlı
kurgu işte bu iş ilişkisi üzerine kurulu. çiftin arasındaki çekim, yazarın karaktleri ele alma durumu genel olarak güzel. bu kategoride okunulur diyeceğim kitaplardan biri bence. serinin kalan karakterlerine de devam etmeyi düşünüyorum bu yüzde.
hatta birkaç küçük ayrıntı olmasa 4 bile olabilirdi, kafa dağıtmak için güzel bir romance oldu.
evlenmesi gereken ama gözde damat adayı olmaktan muzdarip bir dükümüz var: Tristan
bir de evlenmeyi reddeden hali vakti oldukça yerinde, meslek olaraksa çöpçatanlık yapan ama sosyetenin kızkurusu olarak gördüğü Tessa karakterimiz var.
dük bir geline, Tessa ise kariyerinde iyi bir sıçramaya ihtiyaç duyuyor ama kızımız bu evlilik işlerini kendi doğrularına göre organize etme konusunda oldukça kararlı
kurgu işte bu iş ilişkisi üzerine kurulu. çiftin arasındaki çekim, yazarın karaktleri ele alma durumu genel olarak güzel. bu kategoride okunulur diyeceğim kitaplardan biri bence. serinin kalan karakterlerine de devam etmeyi düşünüyorum bu yüzde.
December 29, 2010
I received this book free from the publisher through the Goodreads "First Reads" contest.
A very enjoyable, easy read from debut author Vicky Dreiling.
Since this is an ARC, I will do my best to avoid spoilers, including in my shelf tags, so please keep in mind that this book would be categorized in at least three extra shelves than are listed (and yes, it's killing me to do that because I know I'll forget to come back after the novel has been released and fix them) :P
What worked for me:
*As the back cover says "Her methods may be scandalous" -- scandalous, perhaps, but hilarious. It reminded me in ways of At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker (which is an under-appreciated novel in and of itself). I also loved the push and pull between Tristan and Tessa as each attempted to keep the upper hand in the proceedings.
*The UST between the two was delicious, and the carriage scene was smoking!
*I thoroughly enjoyed the girls that Tessa had chosen to vie for Tristan's hand, and especially enjoyed how several of them ended up being much more developed characters rather than the caricatures that Ms. Dreiling could have turned them into.
*The Duchess was awesome! I always enjoy the scheming old "dragons" of the ton, and I also liked how multi-dimensional she was. Ms. Dreiling could've easily played her off as a caricature as well, but chose to give her many sides to her personality rather than the requisite "disapproving relative".
What didn't work for me:
*There is indeed a TSTL moment, though not nearly as big a one as some stories might have. Let's just say the heroine is a bit too independent for her own good at times.
*I did figure out what Tessa was keeping from her friends fairly early on, though I suspect with the vast amount of clues given, that was intentional on the author's part.
*The obligatory consummation scene felt just that -- obligatory. It felt like a quicky -- all main event and no foreplay lol As a reader, I like to drowned in UST before a couple gives into their passions, but the final love scene felt much more like Ms. Dreiling was re-reading an edit and said "Hmmm. They're together now officially, so I guess I have to make them scrump." I almost feel as though it would've been more appropriate to have lowered the sensuality rating a wee bit and done everything fade-to-black, though I admit I would've missed the **CENSORED FOR SPOILER** scene had that been the case. ;)
*There were a few instances where Tessa seemed much more experienced or knowledgeable than she should have. Specifically, in one instance, we'll just say she seemed to know a bit more about the mechanics of things than I would've expected from her.
Anything else of note that don't really fall into the "worked/didn't work" categories
*The ball at the end was a bit syrupy and almost over-the-top. On the other hand, however, who doesn't dream of a "grand gesture" from their beloved? And I admit, the very last paragraph of the novel made me grin and say "Awwwwww" out loud. Yes, my family thinks I'm insane now :P
*I kid you not, Tristan mentally referred to his wang as "the bad boy in his drawers" (page 255 if you don't believe me lmao). Now, I'm all for creative euphemisms, because I'll be the first to admit that reading the word "penis" in a romance novel makes me twitchy (and not in a good way), but really? Bad Boy?
I also really liked Hawk and am SO looking forward to the sequel (How to Seduce a Scoundrel, due out in July 2011)
There were several moments that had me chuckling such as the quote I mentioned in my status update where he chalked the fluttery feeling he got when touching her hand up to indigestion, or when he waved the white flag in the drawing room.
Overall? A very enjoyable, light and easy read. I was actually smiling when I finished the book, and therefore I give it a solid 5 Stars.
A very enjoyable, easy read from debut author Vicky Dreiling.
Since this is an ARC, I will do my best to avoid spoilers, including in my shelf tags, so please keep in mind that this book would be categorized in at least three extra shelves than are listed (and yes, it's killing me to do that because I know I'll forget to come back after the novel has been released and fix them) :P
What worked for me:
*As the back cover says "Her methods may be scandalous" -- scandalous, perhaps, but hilarious. It reminded me in ways of At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker (which is an under-appreciated novel in and of itself). I also loved the push and pull between Tristan and Tessa as each attempted to keep the upper hand in the proceedings.
*The UST between the two was delicious, and the carriage scene was smoking!
*I thoroughly enjoyed the girls that Tessa had chosen to vie for Tristan's hand, and especially enjoyed how several of them ended up being much more developed characters rather than the caricatures that Ms. Dreiling could have turned them into.
*The Duchess was awesome! I always enjoy the scheming old "dragons" of the ton, and I also liked how multi-dimensional she was. Ms. Dreiling could've easily played her off as a caricature as well, but chose to give her many sides to her personality rather than the requisite "disapproving relative".
What didn't work for me:
*There is indeed a TSTL moment, though not nearly as big a one as some stories might have. Let's just say the heroine is a bit too independent for her own good at times.
*I did figure out what Tessa was keeping from her friends fairly early on, though I suspect with the vast amount of clues given, that was intentional on the author's part.
*The obligatory consummation scene felt just that -- obligatory. It felt like a quicky -- all main event and no foreplay lol As a reader, I like to drowned in UST before a couple gives into their passions, but the final love scene felt much more like Ms. Dreiling was re-reading an edit and said "Hmmm. They're together now officially, so I guess I have to make them scrump." I almost feel as though it would've been more appropriate to have lowered the sensuality rating a wee bit and done everything fade-to-black, though I admit I would've missed the **CENSORED FOR SPOILER** scene had that been the case. ;)
*There were a few instances where Tessa seemed much more experienced or knowledgeable than she should have. Specifically, in one instance, we'll just say she seemed to know a bit more about the mechanics of things than I would've expected from her.
Anything else of note that don't really fall into the "worked/didn't work" categories
*The ball at the end was a bit syrupy and almost over-the-top. On the other hand, however, who doesn't dream of a "grand gesture" from their beloved? And I admit, the very last paragraph of the novel made me grin and say "Awwwwww" out loud. Yes, my family thinks I'm insane now :P
*I kid you not, Tristan mentally referred to his wang as "the bad boy in his drawers" (page 255 if you don't believe me lmao). Now, I'm all for creative euphemisms, because I'll be the first to admit that reading the word "penis" in a romance novel makes me twitchy (and not in a good way), but really? Bad Boy?
I also really liked Hawk and am SO looking forward to the sequel (How to Seduce a Scoundrel, due out in July 2011)
There were several moments that had me chuckling such as the quote I mentioned in my status update where he chalked the fluttery feeling he got when touching her hand up to indigestion, or when he waved the white flag in the drawing room.
Overall? A very enjoyable, light and easy read. I was actually smiling when I finished the book, and therefore I give it a solid 5 Stars.
February 14, 2012
This review was posted at Under The Covers
I picked this book up with really no expectations. I liked the cover and the blurb seemed pretty interesting. But I was so pleasantly surprised with the storyline! This book was by no means a boring historical romance, it had some humor, some intrigue, gossiping tongues, an untamable (or so he thought) rake and a woman who thought she should give up on finding happiness for herself but wanted to find it for everyone else.
I think the best way to tell you about the storyline is that it's a historical cross between these two reality shows:
This is such a fun concept! Accomplished rake, Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, needs to find a wife. He is the most eligible bachelor of the season. At a party he meets a girl that looks like sin stirs his lust. But she turns out to be what could be considered a spinster. Tessa is 26, not a spring chicken by any means. She inherited a great deal of money from her uncle and she is not interested in marriage for herself. Ever. However she has made it her job to find other ladies a suitable husband.
When Tristan finds out that the woman that caught his eye is a matchmaker, he hires her services. She decides to make it a big courtship. She gathers the women she feels would fit him better, and they go through a few events after which he eliminates certain candidates.
And during that whole time they both have to pretend they are not falling in love. That they are not the perfect match. But she feels something that happened in the past could never allow her the happiness of being married to Tristan.
This story was different and fun. I had a great time reading it!
I picked this book up with really no expectations. I liked the cover and the blurb seemed pretty interesting. But I was so pleasantly surprised with the storyline! This book was by no means a boring historical romance, it had some humor, some intrigue, gossiping tongues, an untamable (or so he thought) rake and a woman who thought she should give up on finding happiness for herself but wanted to find it for everyone else.
I think the best way to tell you about the storyline is that it's a historical cross between these two reality shows:
This is such a fun concept! Accomplished rake, Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, needs to find a wife. He is the most eligible bachelor of the season. At a party he meets a girl that looks like sin stirs his lust. But she turns out to be what could be considered a spinster. Tessa is 26, not a spring chicken by any means. She inherited a great deal of money from her uncle and she is not interested in marriage for herself. Ever. However she has made it her job to find other ladies a suitable husband.
When Tristan finds out that the woman that caught his eye is a matchmaker, he hires her services. She decides to make it a big courtship. She gathers the women she feels would fit him better, and they go through a few events after which he eliminates certain candidates.
And during that whole time they both have to pretend they are not falling in love. That they are not the perfect match. But she feels something that happened in the past could never allow her the happiness of being married to Tristan.
This story was different and fun. I had a great time reading it!
November 12, 2010
HOW TO MARRY A DUKE
By Vicky Dreiling
Tristan James Gatewick, the Duke of Shelbourne, has been declared England’s most sought-after bachelor in England. He’s postponed finding a bride for several years and now finds that he should expedite his marrying. But, how to choose from so many women who weren’t quite what he wanted for a wife. His requirements are not odd – graceful, dutiful, modest and have decorum. She should be over 21, never married and of noble birth. So, attending balls is how he goes in search of his future bride.
Until one unfortunate night when he steps on the fan of the one woman at the ball who wasn’t begging him for attention, Tessa Mansfield. After finding out she’s the local matchmaker he decides to hire her to find him a wife. And she does, 24 potential wives. Twenty-four, beautiful young women whose families and themselves would love to catch the most eligible bachelor in England.
Through a series of tests and games, Tristan would eventually choose his bride. Eventually there are only two candidates left. Both were beautiful, talented and smart. To choose one would hurt the other’s feelings. So, tormented, his decision must be made.
And there’s suspense when an old suitor arrives with desires of marrying Tessa. But now Tristan has to deal with feelings that he didn’t expect to feel.
Vicki has filled this book with laugh out loud adventures as each of the ladies compete for Tristan’s attention. There were also moments I wanted to cry with the characters. I immediately became so entwined with the characters that I was there with them in the room.
Vicki has promised us more of these characters. I so look forward to Hawk’s story that I plead with Vicki to hurry, hurry, hurry. I need my next fix on the Vicki Dreiling books!
By Vicky Dreiling
Tristan James Gatewick, the Duke of Shelbourne, has been declared England’s most sought-after bachelor in England. He’s postponed finding a bride for several years and now finds that he should expedite his marrying. But, how to choose from so many women who weren’t quite what he wanted for a wife. His requirements are not odd – graceful, dutiful, modest and have decorum. She should be over 21, never married and of noble birth. So, attending balls is how he goes in search of his future bride.
Until one unfortunate night when he steps on the fan of the one woman at the ball who wasn’t begging him for attention, Tessa Mansfield. After finding out she’s the local matchmaker he decides to hire her to find him a wife. And she does, 24 potential wives. Twenty-four, beautiful young women whose families and themselves would love to catch the most eligible bachelor in England.
Through a series of tests and games, Tristan would eventually choose his bride. Eventually there are only two candidates left. Both were beautiful, talented and smart. To choose one would hurt the other’s feelings. So, tormented, his decision must be made.
And there’s suspense when an old suitor arrives with desires of marrying Tessa. But now Tristan has to deal with feelings that he didn’t expect to feel.
Vicki has filled this book with laugh out loud adventures as each of the ladies compete for Tristan’s attention. There were also moments I wanted to cry with the characters. I immediately became so entwined with the characters that I was there with them in the room.
Vicki has promised us more of these characters. I so look forward to Hawk’s story that I plead with Vicki to hurry, hurry, hurry. I need my next fix on the Vicki Dreiling books!
June 7, 2021
There’s so much wrong with this book. First of all, I totally expected Georgette and Amy to be gay and in love. You dragged us along for the whole book rooting for their love for them to end up as NAIVE LITTLE FRIENDS????
Then the whole sexual shaming. The Duke is a self declared rake. He even had two mistresses at the start of the novel! But he has the audacity to be upset and angry at Tessa for not feeling comfortable enough to gossip about her traumatic sexual history?? To be quite honest, the whole Richard subplot was unnecessary. It was just there to amplify the sex shaming and victim blaming. ALL FOR THE IDIOT DUKE TO RESCUE HIS DAMSEL WHO INSISTS THAT SHE ISN’T A DAMSEL.
Like this woman spends the whole book telling us how independent and rich she is and how she would never sacrifice that. Then, the moment Tristan is a little understanding, SHE DROPS HER WHOLE BELIEF SYSTEM. I MEAN HE PROPOSED TO HER IN PUBLIC, FOR GOD’S SAKE.
And another thing, why the fuck was the author so callous about penal shipping?? Like that just made me despise the Duke so much more. The shipping to a penal colony was so immoral and not to mention that it also lead to the genocide of the country’s indigenous people.
All in all, a big mess of a book.
Then the whole sexual shaming. The Duke is a self declared rake. He even had two mistresses at the start of the novel! But he has the audacity to be upset and angry at Tessa for not feeling comfortable enough to gossip about her traumatic sexual history?? To be quite honest, the whole Richard subplot was unnecessary. It was just there to amplify the sex shaming and victim blaming. ALL FOR THE IDIOT DUKE TO RESCUE HIS DAMSEL WHO INSISTS THAT SHE ISN’T A DAMSEL.
Like this woman spends the whole book telling us how independent and rich she is and how she would never sacrifice that. Then, the moment Tristan is a little understanding, SHE DROPS HER WHOLE BELIEF SYSTEM. I MEAN HE PROPOSED TO HER IN PUBLIC, FOR GOD’S SAKE.
And another thing, why the fuck was the author so callous about penal shipping?? Like that just made me despise the Duke so much more. The shipping to a penal colony was so immoral and not to mention that it also lead to the genocide of the country’s indigenous people.
All in all, a big mess of a book.
December 28, 2017
Leído en Marzo 2012
Me encantó...!!
Reseña:
Tristan, Duque de Shelbourne, es un hombre con una misión que cumplir: encontrar una esposa a la que pueda tolerar durante el tiempo que deban compartir sus vidas. El amor no es necesario… ni deseable. Pero, ¿cómo escoger entre una enorme y fastidiosa lista de candidatas ricas-pero-tontas?Contratando los servicios de una casamentera con reputación de correcta y formal… y pretendiendo convencerse después que ella no es la mujer más cautivadora que ha conocido.
Ayudar al diabólico duque a crear un concurso para que elija a su pareja perfecta es el tipo de desafío que más disfruta Tessa Mansfield. Sus métodos pueden ser escandalosos, pero está decidida a encontrarle más que una esposa al célebre soltero... le mostrará el verdadero amor. Sin embargo, cuando Tessa observa a las mujeres rivalizar por el afecto del Duque, anhela ganarse su corazón para ella. Y tras los besos robados que confirman el deseo de Tristan por ella, Tessa sabe que ha roto la regla número uno de las casamenteras: nunca enamorarse del novio.
Me encantó...!!
Reseña:
Tristan, Duque de Shelbourne, es un hombre con una misión que cumplir: encontrar una esposa a la que pueda tolerar durante el tiempo que deban compartir sus vidas. El amor no es necesario… ni deseable. Pero, ¿cómo escoger entre una enorme y fastidiosa lista de candidatas ricas-pero-tontas?Contratando los servicios de una casamentera con reputación de correcta y formal… y pretendiendo convencerse después que ella no es la mujer más cautivadora que ha conocido.
Ayudar al diabólico duque a crear un concurso para que elija a su pareja perfecta es el tipo de desafío que más disfruta Tessa Mansfield. Sus métodos pueden ser escandalosos, pero está decidida a encontrarle más que una esposa al célebre soltero... le mostrará el verdadero amor. Sin embargo, cuando Tessa observa a las mujeres rivalizar por el afecto del Duque, anhela ganarse su corazón para ella. Y tras los besos robados que confirman el deseo de Tristan por ella, Tessa sabe que ha roto la regla número uno de las casamenteras: nunca enamorarse del novio.
October 11, 2020
The story it self is good but I feel like it was draw out over many chapters for no reason. I liked Tessa and I like how she handle most things. But I felt she could have been more up front with the duke (Tristen)
Good story just slow and drawn out
Good story just slow and drawn out
May 15, 2011
Tristan, Duke of Shelbourne, has decided it is time to leave his youth behind and get a wife and take his duties as Duke seriously. He has many requirements but wants a woman, not some young debutante girl. When he accidentally steps on a fan and meets the lovely gaze of a woman, he is smitten. But when he learns her identity as a matchmaker who has declared that she will never marry, Tristan decides to hire Tessa. Tessa enjoys her matchmaking business as she helps the painfully shy and overlooked wallflowers find their own happiness but she knows that a successful match of a duke will give her the coup she wants. But here the fun begins! Instead of having just one woman for Tristan meet, Tessa does something daring. She invites twenty some young ladies to her home all at once and announces that they are all competing for the dukes hand (very much like our modern day show, The Bachelor.) Tristan initially refuses, he is persuaded by Tessa that this is the best course of action....plus he has a hard time denying Tessa anything already *g*
Sigh, I really enjoyed this book. For a debut novel it was excellent!! It is funny, sweet, sexy, emotional and guaranteed to leave a smile on your face. I am sad that I do not have a back list to devour and I can not wait for the next book in this series, How to Seduce a Scoundrel to come out in July. It was so much fun watching Tristan and Tessa trying to ignore their growing feelings for each other, after all, Tristan had committed himself to finding a wife and he couldn't just stop the courtships and choose the matchmaker! I was happy that Tristan truly did not develop any feelings for any of the other woman, other than friendship. All his emotions were for Tessa alone. And oh, sigh, the ending...what a beautiful ending! I highly recommend this one and look forward to more! 4 1/2 stars
Sigh, I really enjoyed this book. For a debut novel it was excellent!! It is funny, sweet, sexy, emotional and guaranteed to leave a smile on your face. I am sad that I do not have a back list to devour and I can not wait for the next book in this series, How to Seduce a Scoundrel to come out in July. It was so much fun watching Tristan and Tessa trying to ignore their growing feelings for each other, after all, Tristan had committed himself to finding a wife and he couldn't just stop the courtships and choose the matchmaker! I was happy that Tristan truly did not develop any feelings for any of the other woman, other than friendship. All his emotions were for Tessa alone. And oh, sigh, the ending...what a beautiful ending! I highly recommend this one and look forward to more! 4 1/2 stars
October 4, 2011
I have come to realize that the best books I've ever read were purchased on impulse, and this one is at the top. I was frankly STUNNED at how good this début book was. I started to read in the afternoon, and read it through the night, and early morning. I just could not part ways with it. The above blurb does not do it justice.
Our Hero meets our Heroine on page 4 by stepping on and crushing her fan. That scene was written so well, that it took me into that ballroom with it! From that point on, I was hooked, lined and sunk by the page 371 where I just broke down and wept.
I've read a few reviews of the book, and a lot of them are describing it as "hilarious". To me the word "warm" would describe it better. This read, at least for me, was a perfect balance of romance, drama, and humor. I'll go ahead and admit that I had my doubts about the premise of "The Bachelor" in Regency England. I didn't think it would work, but boy was I proven wrong.
This was very fresh and entertaining. As for the "secret" and the mystery, even that surprised me! Just when I thought I figured it out, I'm knocked off my rocker! I loved the chemistry between the two main characters as much as I loved the chemistry of all the secondary ones as well. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the character of the Duchess, Tristan's mother. I'm thinking of starting a petition for her love story in a novella if nothing else. Her Grace deserves her own happy ending!
There's not a thing that I didn't like about this book. Nothing. NADA! If you want to feel fuzzy kind of warm, and you want to laugh and cry, don't pass this one up. "How to Seduce a Scoundrel" is a story of Julianne and Hawk and it will be out in July of this year. Vicky Dreiling, where have you been hiding? Welcome to my Keeper Shelf!
Melanie
Our Hero meets our Heroine on page 4 by stepping on and crushing her fan. That scene was written so well, that it took me into that ballroom with it! From that point on, I was hooked, lined and sunk by the page 371 where I just broke down and wept.
I've read a few reviews of the book, and a lot of them are describing it as "hilarious". To me the word "warm" would describe it better. This read, at least for me, was a perfect balance of romance, drama, and humor. I'll go ahead and admit that I had my doubts about the premise of "The Bachelor" in Regency England. I didn't think it would work, but boy was I proven wrong.
This was very fresh and entertaining. As for the "secret" and the mystery, even that surprised me! Just when I thought I figured it out, I'm knocked off my rocker! I loved the chemistry between the two main characters as much as I loved the chemistry of all the secondary ones as well. I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed the character of the Duchess, Tristan's mother. I'm thinking of starting a petition for her love story in a novella if nothing else. Her Grace deserves her own happy ending!
There's not a thing that I didn't like about this book. Nothing. NADA! If you want to feel fuzzy kind of warm, and you want to laugh and cry, don't pass this one up. "How to Seduce a Scoundrel" is a story of Julianne and Hawk and it will be out in July of this year. Vicky Dreiling, where have you been hiding? Welcome to my Keeper Shelf!
Melanie
April 19, 2011
Overall Rating: 4.95 // Action: 2 / Emotion: 5 / Romance: 5 / Sensuous: 3 / Intrigue: 4 / Regency Flavor: 5 // Humor: 13 / Tears: 9
Vicky Dreiling accomplished strong emotional engagement with her debut novel, How To Marry A Duke , the first book in The 'How To' Trilogy. Although the depth of emotional angst suffered by Tristan James Gatewick, the Duke of Shelbourne was tame compared to many other heros starring in other books, it was very realistic to see why he would eschew marriage after watching his drunken, wastrel of a father shame his mother with his philandering.
Another way Dreiling drew the reader into the story was to leave blatant hints that the bold matchmaking spinster, Tessa Mansfield, had a less than savory past that she was willing to go to great lengths to keep secret. Tessa's emotions were very realistic throughout the book. She {1} took an unwanted assignment because it would bolster her career; {2} lusted after the too-charming-to-be-real, hunky, hero; {3} played favorites with the bridal candidates; and {4} was jealous and envious of the candidates who got to "have a season."
Would highly recommend this book to regency lovers who like to read {1} interesting interaction between the hero and heroine as they fight about the way to conduct a business-like courtship, and {2} witness scads of sexual tension and self-recrimination because the duke and the matchmaker are attracted to each other.
A more detailed review of How To Marry A Duke can be found at my blog Wolf Bear Does Books.
Vicky Dreiling accomplished strong emotional engagement with her debut novel, How To Marry A Duke , the first book in The 'How To' Trilogy. Although the depth of emotional angst suffered by Tristan James Gatewick, the Duke of Shelbourne was tame compared to many other heros starring in other books, it was very realistic to see why he would eschew marriage after watching his drunken, wastrel of a father shame his mother with his philandering.
Another way Dreiling drew the reader into the story was to leave blatant hints that the bold matchmaking spinster, Tessa Mansfield, had a less than savory past that she was willing to go to great lengths to keep secret. Tessa's emotions were very realistic throughout the book. She {1} took an unwanted assignment because it would bolster her career; {2} lusted after the too-charming-to-be-real, hunky, hero; {3} played favorites with the bridal candidates; and {4} was jealous and envious of the candidates who got to "have a season."
Would highly recommend this book to regency lovers who like to read {1} interesting interaction between the hero and heroine as they fight about the way to conduct a business-like courtship, and {2} witness scads of sexual tension and self-recrimination because the duke and the matchmaker are attracted to each other.
A more detailed review of How To Marry A Duke can be found at my blog Wolf Bear Does Books.
January 13, 2016
Ok, so once again it's not Grand Literature, but hey!, my brain is scarcely working due to the rude awakenings I've fallen victim to (3 or 4 times a night, might I add, and every night on top of that!...) since my barely 4 years old has started suffering from nightmares. I needed something light and entertaining to read while every night I sit in bed with her, waiting for her to fall asleep. I've found it! Even though my brain is not working at it's usual speed due to fatigue (LOL, is someone going to take the bait and respond to this!), I still expect my light reading to demonstrate a minimum of intelligence and, most importantly, a sense of humour.
So I came across Vicky Dreiling (what a nice first name she has, and she writes it properly, no wonder I enjoyed reading her! LOL again), and I thought "why not?". Good thinking on my part, I was highly entertained! It was a fun read, a little naughty and a lot witty! We've not fallen into the cookie cutter type of historical novel here, we're talking light, yes, but light with Spirit, with a twist. I found myself laughing out loud repetitively and I've been widely amused by the author's word play. Of course the story is predictable, but the ride is highly enjoyable!
"The light touch of her hand on his sleeve stirred an odd, tight feeling in his chest. Probably a digestive disorder." (chapter 3).
That is one passage who had me laughing out! You'll have to find out the rest by yourself if ever you're in need of a light enjoyable read.
So I came across Vicky Dreiling (what a nice first name she has, and she writes it properly, no wonder I enjoyed reading her! LOL again), and I thought "why not?". Good thinking on my part, I was highly entertained! It was a fun read, a little naughty and a lot witty! We've not fallen into the cookie cutter type of historical novel here, we're talking light, yes, but light with Spirit, with a twist. I found myself laughing out loud repetitively and I've been widely amused by the author's word play. Of course the story is predictable, but the ride is highly enjoyable!
"The light touch of her hand on his sleeve stirred an odd, tight feeling in his chest. Probably a digestive disorder." (chapter 3).
That is one passage who had me laughing out! You'll have to find out the rest by yourself if ever you're in need of a light enjoyable read.
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