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Duchess of Love #3
Loving Lord Ash
A Little Misunderstanding. . .
Kit, the Marquis of Ashton, is in a sticky wicket. He married young and for love--how naïve. He discovered his mistake the very day of his wedding, but he is saddled now with a wife he's reluctant to trust. And however much evidence he gathers against faithless Jess, he can't seem to prove her guilt to the final judge--his foolish heart.
Jessica knows she's bobbled her marriage, however innocently. A fairytale wedding makes no difference if she hasn't got the marquis charmed to show for it. Well, she's had enough of accidental encounters with naked gentlemen and near misses explaining things to her husband. It's time to buck up and go win her man back--even if she has to fight very dirty indeed.
Kit, the Marquis of Ashton, is in a sticky wicket. He married young and for love--how naïve. He discovered his mistake the very day of his wedding, but he is saddled now with a wife he's reluctant to trust. And however much evidence he gathers against faithless Jess, he can't seem to prove her guilt to the final judge--his foolish heart.
Jessica knows she's bobbled her marriage, however innocently. A fairytale wedding makes no difference if she hasn't got the marquis charmed to show for it. Well, she's had enough of accidental encounters with naked gentlemen and near misses explaining things to her husband. It's time to buck up and go win her man back--even if she has to fight very dirty indeed.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2014
161 people are currently reading
1033 people want to read
About the author
Sally MacKenzie
42 books639 followersSally MacKenzie decided to become a writer in grade school when she read one of her stories to the class. Her classmates laughed and she was hooked. She sat down immediately to pen her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
The hooked part is right--cursed might be a better description--but the sitting down and writing part came later. Much later.
Sally eventually went on to college, majoring in English, and, upon graduation, did what many English majors do--she went to law school. But she still couldn’t shake her dream of writing fiction. Midway through law school, she faced the fact that she really did not want to be a lawyer. She took a permanent leave of absence, came home to the Washington, D.C. area, and sat down to type her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
She did come home and write, but mostly she wrote regulations for the United States government’s school nutrition programs. (Ketchup as a vegetable, anyone?) When her law school sweetheart graduated, he moved to D.C. and they got married. A couple years later, the first of their four sons was born, and Sally “retired” to manage their family. She wrote a story or two and some picture book texts, all now stored away in a filing cabinet, but she spent most of her energies on baby tending which rapidly evolved into carpool driving. She became an extremely skilled scheduler, getting all four boys to soccer, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, piano, scouts, and birthday parties without ever losing one. (Okay, she did lose the youngest for a few minutes, but she found him before he’d toddled into the parking lot.) And she did more writing--school newsletters, auction programs, class plays, swim league guidance, and the acclaimed annual MacKenzie family newsletter--but no fiction.
Finally, the boys started driving (Eek!) and leaving for college. The nest was emptying and she wasn't getting any younger. The time had come to chase the dream or let it go for good, so she sat down at the computer and wrote. And rewrote. And rewrote again until she had a polished manuscript. She joined the Romance Writers of America, and when the plea went out for Regency manuscripts for the 2004 Golden Heart contest, she sent in The Naked Duke. The stars aligned. She made the final round, and one of the judging editors liked the manuscript and offered to buy it.
Yee haw!!
When not writing or obsessing over the various mysteries of book promotion, Sally can be found at the gym working hard to age gracefully, at the pool on the SLOW side of the Masters swim practice, or at one meeting or another volunteering at the helm of the summer swim league.
Here's Sally with her family--she's 5 ft. 8 in. tall, but she's short in this crowd.
Well, not exactly.
The hooked part is right--cursed might be a better description--but the sitting down and writing part came later. Much later.
Sally eventually went on to college, majoring in English, and, upon graduation, did what many English majors do--she went to law school. But she still couldn’t shake her dream of writing fiction. Midway through law school, she faced the fact that she really did not want to be a lawyer. She took a permanent leave of absence, came home to the Washington, D.C. area, and sat down to type her first novel.
Well, not exactly.
She did come home and write, but mostly she wrote regulations for the United States government’s school nutrition programs. (Ketchup as a vegetable, anyone?) When her law school sweetheart graduated, he moved to D.C. and they got married. A couple years later, the first of their four sons was born, and Sally “retired” to manage their family. She wrote a story or two and some picture book texts, all now stored away in a filing cabinet, but she spent most of her energies on baby tending which rapidly evolved into carpool driving. She became an extremely skilled scheduler, getting all four boys to soccer, basketball, baseball, track, swimming, piano, scouts, and birthday parties without ever losing one. (Okay, she did lose the youngest for a few minutes, but she found him before he’d toddled into the parking lot.) And she did more writing--school newsletters, auction programs, class plays, swim league guidance, and the acclaimed annual MacKenzie family newsletter--but no fiction.
Finally, the boys started driving (Eek!) and leaving for college. The nest was emptying and she wasn't getting any younger. The time had come to chase the dream or let it go for good, so she sat down at the computer and wrote. And rewrote. And rewrote again until she had a polished manuscript. She joined the Romance Writers of America, and when the plea went out for Regency manuscripts for the 2004 Golden Heart contest, she sent in The Naked Duke. The stars aligned. She made the final round, and one of the judging editors liked the manuscript and offered to buy it.
Yee haw!!
When not writing or obsessing over the various mysteries of book promotion, Sally can be found at the gym working hard to age gracefully, at the pool on the SLOW side of the Masters swim practice, or at one meeting or another volunteering at the helm of the summer swim league.
Here's Sally with her family--she's 5 ft. 8 in. tall, but she's short in this crowd.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
January 23, 2020
This is a bizarre and gross combination of Sally MacKenzie's usual romantic farce and some of the most epic slut shaming as in every three pages the hero wonders if his wife will be faithful and how many lovers she's had only he doesn't refer to it that politely. And she thinks he has been having orgies all over England. Guess who gets away with it in Ton? Hero is not the only one that thinks the heroine is beyond the pale. She's been fair game for everyone for the last eight years. Yuck.
Jokes on both of them as they are both virgins.
One big, fat epic NO! Too bad as SM is usually very entertaining.
Jokes on both of them as they are both virgins.
One big, fat epic NO! Too bad as SM is usually very entertaining.
February 11, 2020
I'm usually not a fan of angst, and this book was full of it. But I love it when a couple falls in love long after they say "I do"!
Very enjoyable ending to this series!
Very enjoyable ending to this series!
December 29, 2016
Un final de serie desastroso.
En los anteriores ya me había quedado claro que la autora no respeta los convencionalismos de la época pero esto ya ha sido pasarse.
Para empezar, Kit decide casarse con Jess quien, como ella repite hasta la saciedad, era sólo la hija de un jefe de establos irlandés y después de llevarse una visión del trasero de Percy entre sus blancos muslos. Otra cosa que la autora no repite casi nada.
Justo después decide abandonarla en su hacienda en el campo hasta que cumplidos los 30 años le sobreviene la idea de hacer algo con su matrimonio, es decir, de tener un heredero y otro por si acaso y volver a olvidarse de ella. ¿Hay algo raro en el número 30, aparte del cambio de década, para que le entre esa urgencia?
No bastando con eso, nuestro protagonista se mantuvo fiel a su esposa, sólo de nombre, durante esos largos años y como resultado a sus treinta años sigue siendo virgen. Que a nadie le extrañe, es lo más normal del mundo permanecer fiel a una mujer con la que te casaste después de pillarla con otro y a la que abandonaste justo después de dar el sí quiero.
Pero lo mejor es que Jess ha convertido la hacienda en un refugio para todos los hombre homosexuales de la regencia y se dedica a pintar a hombres desnudos. ¡Eso sí que es darle una patada a la ambientación histórica!
¿Aún después de haber leído lo anterior sigues esperando que mejore? Lamento comunicarte que ni de lejos. No hablan entre ellos para aclarar nada. Se pasan todo el libro repitiendo una y otra y otra vez los mismos pensamientos. Sin descanso. Y al final todo se soluciona de una forma que sería hasta cómica si no fuera tan tonta.
Quiero que me devuelvan el tiempo que invertí en esta porquería.
En los anteriores ya me había quedado claro que la autora no respeta los convencionalismos de la época pero esto ya ha sido pasarse.
Para empezar, Kit decide casarse con Jess quien, como ella repite hasta la saciedad, era sólo la hija de un jefe de establos irlandés y después de llevarse una visión del trasero de Percy entre sus blancos muslos. Otra cosa que la autora no repite casi nada.
Justo después decide abandonarla en su hacienda en el campo hasta que cumplidos los 30 años le sobreviene la idea de hacer algo con su matrimonio, es decir, de tener un heredero y otro por si acaso y volver a olvidarse de ella. ¿Hay algo raro en el número 30, aparte del cambio de década, para que le entre esa urgencia?
No bastando con eso, nuestro protagonista se mantuvo fiel a su esposa, sólo de nombre, durante esos largos años y como resultado a sus treinta años sigue siendo virgen. Que a nadie le extrañe, es lo más normal del mundo permanecer fiel a una mujer con la que te casaste después de pillarla con otro y a la que abandonaste justo después de dar el sí quiero.
Pero lo mejor es que Jess ha convertido la hacienda en un refugio para todos los hombre homosexuales de la regencia y se dedica a pintar a hombres desnudos. ¡Eso sí que es darle una patada a la ambientación histórica!
¿Aún después de haber leído lo anterior sigues esperando que mejore? Lamento comunicarte que ni de lejos. No hablan entre ellos para aclarar nada. Se pasan todo el libro repitiendo una y otra y otra vez los mismos pensamientos. Sin descanso. Y al final todo se soluciona de una forma que sería hasta cómica si no fuera tan tonta.
Quiero que me devuelvan el tiempo que invertí en esta porquería.
September 28, 2019
Bueno, no se puede negar que este libro es una comedia, de lo de histórica... ya no estoy tan segura.
Estamos en la Inglaterra victoriana, pero tal como lo presenta la autora, se diría que más bien estamos en el siglo XXI. MacKenzie se salta todas las reglas de las convenciones sociales de la época para poder crear una historia a su gusto, lo que hace que el lector de romance histórica eleve las cejas cada dos por tres.
Los protagonistas de esta historia son el primogénito de la duquesa del amor, lord Ashton, y Jess, la hija del jefe de los mozos de cuadra, lady Ashton. El marqués, para ser el primogénito de semejante familia, resulta un poco sosainas, y Jess demasiado vital para él. Forman una pareja extraña, como extraña es la razón por la que se casaron. Toda la historia se desarrolla en base a las avenencias y desavenencias de la pareja a causa de varios malentendidos.
Escrito, como los anteriores, con tintes de comedia, tiene situaciones de lo más variopintas que provocan cierta hilaridad. Resulta una novela amena si uno no se fija demasiado en el rigor histórico.
Estamos en la Inglaterra victoriana, pero tal como lo presenta la autora, se diría que más bien estamos en el siglo XXI. MacKenzie se salta todas las reglas de las convenciones sociales de la época para poder crear una historia a su gusto, lo que hace que el lector de romance histórica eleve las cejas cada dos por tres.
Los protagonistas de esta historia son el primogénito de la duquesa del amor, lord Ashton, y Jess, la hija del jefe de los mozos de cuadra, lady Ashton. El marqués, para ser el primogénito de semejante familia, resulta un poco sosainas, y Jess demasiado vital para él. Forman una pareja extraña, como extraña es la razón por la que se casaron. Toda la historia se desarrolla en base a las avenencias y desavenencias de la pareja a causa de varios malentendidos.
Escrito, como los anteriores, con tintes de comedia, tiene situaciones de lo más variopintas que provocan cierta hilaridad. Resulta una novela amena si uno no se fija demasiado en el rigor histórico.
August 23, 2015
3.5
Una novela llena de libertades sociales y eso me frena. No quita de ser una novela entretenida con algunas escenas divertidas.
Ha empezado mucho mejor de lo que ha terminado.... la autora da demasiadas vueltas sobre un mismo tema y, al final, como lector acabas perdiendo un poco el interés.
Recomendable para una lectura ligera
Una novela llena de libertades sociales y eso me frena. No quita de ser una novela entretenida con algunas escenas divertidas.
Ha empezado mucho mejor de lo que ha terminado.... la autora da demasiadas vueltas sobre un mismo tema y, al final, como lector acabas perdiendo un poco el interés.
Recomendable para una lectura ligera
October 4, 2017
La verdad es que tengo que decir que este último libro que le da cierre a esta serie me dejó bastante decepcionada, pensé la historia se iba a desarrollar de otra manera y lo triste es que por alguna extraña razón le tenía ganas a esta lectura.
Ambos personajes principales me desesperaron mucho, uno con lo de los chismes y la otra que por su estatus social que repetía una y otra y otra vez hasta el cansancio.
Honestamente todo el desarrollo de la historia me pareció muy poco creíble, puede que por la época y todo eso las mujeres tuvieran que aguantarse de todo, pero en serio luego de 8 años y se aparece el marido para llegar un acuerdo y tras eso ver lo que vio y aún así seguir adelante me pareció absurdo, es más el hecho de que se casaran ya fue un absurdo y más por las circunstancias en la que se dio dicha boda.
El asunto de Percy que en todo caso ha venido desde el primer libro siendo un personaje antagónico y que al final terminará como terminó fue todavía mucho más absurdo pues no sabía si enojarme, reírme o qué con toda la situación, en serio que decepción y me imagino se preguntarán por qué entonces le pongo 3 ESTRELLAS, bueno porque a pesar de los absurdos tuvo su felices por siempre que es lo que me gusta en mis lecturas eso sí, como acá en Goodreads no hay para poner mitad de estrellas le puse 3 pero para mí en realidad le pondría 2.5 ESTRELLAS
Ambos personajes principales me desesperaron mucho, uno con lo de los chismes y la otra que por su estatus social que repetía una y otra y otra vez hasta el cansancio.
Honestamente todo el desarrollo de la historia me pareció muy poco creíble, puede que por la época y todo eso las mujeres tuvieran que aguantarse de todo, pero en serio luego de 8 años y se aparece el marido para llegar un acuerdo y tras eso ver lo que vio y aún así seguir adelante me pareció absurdo, es más el hecho de que se casaran ya fue un absurdo y más por las circunstancias en la que se dio dicha boda.
El asunto de Percy que en todo caso ha venido desde el primer libro siendo un personaje antagónico y que al final terminará como terminó fue todavía mucho más absurdo pues no sabía si enojarme, reírme o qué con toda la situación, en serio que decepción y me imagino se preguntarán por qué entonces le pongo 3 ESTRELLAS, bueno porque a pesar de los absurdos tuvo su felices por siempre que es lo que me gusta en mis lecturas eso sí, como acá en Goodreads no hay para poner mitad de estrellas le puse 3 pero para mí en realidad le pondría 2.5 ESTRELLAS
February 28, 2017
This book is especially bad. It's hard to swallow that Kit, the heir to a dukedom, would offer marriage to his stable master's daughter the instant he catches her having sex with his nemesis, and then once he marries drop her off at a faraway estate and proceed to ignore her for the next 8 years. During that time, Kit has remained loyal to his marriage vows and has become a 30 year old virgin.
When he finally goes to claim her and start making babies, he and everyone around them are constantly insulting her (he catches her with a naked man, again, plus it's been rumored that she's had a great many lovers over the 8 years). Her response to the insults: to become even more physically attracted to him. Despite all this, they both want to save their marriage. What?
AND, I can't even count how many times the word "cock" was used.
When he finally goes to claim her and start making babies, he and everyone around them are constantly insulting her (he catches her with a naked man, again, plus it's been rumored that she's had a great many lovers over the 8 years). Her response to the insults: to become even more physically attracted to him. Despite all this, they both want to save their marriage. What?
AND, I can't even count how many times the word "cock" was used.
April 28, 2017
Fun book. Kit and Jess have been married for eight years - and separated the entire time. Kit caught Jess in a compromising position and rather than listen to her explanation, he took her to his country estate and left her there. Since that time, he has lived in London, alone and miserable, because he still loves her. During those eight years, rumors have abounded about her faithless activities. He knows that he needs to have an heir, and is ready to make a deal with her to do so.
Jess has spent the last eight years stuck in the country. She doesn't mind, in some ways, as it gives her all the time she wants for her painting and sketching. She also knows that the problem with her marriage is mostly her fault, for believing in Percy's words. But she is about at the end of her patience, especially with the stories of Ash's romantic exploits in London. It is time to reclaim her husband.
The opening was pretty funny, with Ash arriving at the estate as Jess is painting one of the servants - a naked servant. He walks in just as the man has lost his balance and fallen on top of Jess. Ash, of course, believes that history is repeating itself, and is ready to throw in the towel and ask for a divorce. But Jess isn't ready to give up, and they strike a deal. Jess and Ash will go to London and see if they can rescue their marriage. If not, they will part ways.
I liked Kit and Jess, but their problems would have been solved much quicker if they had just talked to each other. But Kit let his pride get in the way, and went off to sulk in London. Jess simply believed that Kit had realized that marrying the daughter of the Irish groom had been a mistake. On Kit's side, it doesn't help that he was deeply in love with Jess and had been saving himself for their marriage, so he is also suffering from extreme frustration. This has a tendency to cloud his thinking.
There are some pretty funny moments throughout the book. Jess's ease with her all male staff at her home, thanks to the fact that none of them are interested in her as a woman, was something that didn't set well with Kit because he was blind to the reasons. They went to his home in London to avoid dealing with his mother, the Duchess of Love, only to discover that she was there ahead of them. This meant that they had to suffer through unwanted and frankly embarrassing advice for her. I loved the scene where one of Jess's servants, who was actually a baronet avoiding his family, confronted Ash and pointed out some things he felt Ash should know.
I loved how Jess and Ash were slowly reconnecting, motivated by the attraction that is still just as strong. I enjoyed seeing Jess play the temptress, even though she was just as inexperienced as Ash. The biggest thing they had to get past was the event that had caused their separation to start with. The final confrontation with Percy was satisfying and funny, as he got what was coming to him. It was also the catalyst for Ash and Jess to finally talk about what had happened. I especially liked that Kit finally got through to Jess that he loved her just as she was and that her parentage made no difference to that.
*copy received in exchange for honest review.
Jess has spent the last eight years stuck in the country. She doesn't mind, in some ways, as it gives her all the time she wants for her painting and sketching. She also knows that the problem with her marriage is mostly her fault, for believing in Percy's words. But she is about at the end of her patience, especially with the stories of Ash's romantic exploits in London. It is time to reclaim her husband.
The opening was pretty funny, with Ash arriving at the estate as Jess is painting one of the servants - a naked servant. He walks in just as the man has lost his balance and fallen on top of Jess. Ash, of course, believes that history is repeating itself, and is ready to throw in the towel and ask for a divorce. But Jess isn't ready to give up, and they strike a deal. Jess and Ash will go to London and see if they can rescue their marriage. If not, they will part ways.
I liked Kit and Jess, but their problems would have been solved much quicker if they had just talked to each other. But Kit let his pride get in the way, and went off to sulk in London. Jess simply believed that Kit had realized that marrying the daughter of the Irish groom had been a mistake. On Kit's side, it doesn't help that he was deeply in love with Jess and had been saving himself for their marriage, so he is also suffering from extreme frustration. This has a tendency to cloud his thinking.
There are some pretty funny moments throughout the book. Jess's ease with her all male staff at her home, thanks to the fact that none of them are interested in her as a woman, was something that didn't set well with Kit because he was blind to the reasons. They went to his home in London to avoid dealing with his mother, the Duchess of Love, only to discover that she was there ahead of them. This meant that they had to suffer through unwanted and frankly embarrassing advice for her. I loved the scene where one of Jess's servants, who was actually a baronet avoiding his family, confronted Ash and pointed out some things he felt Ash should know.
I loved how Jess and Ash were slowly reconnecting, motivated by the attraction that is still just as strong. I enjoyed seeing Jess play the temptress, even though she was just as inexperienced as Ash. The biggest thing they had to get past was the event that had caused their separation to start with. The final confrontation with Percy was satisfying and funny, as he got what was coming to him. It was also the catalyst for Ash and Jess to finally talk about what had happened. I especially liked that Kit finally got through to Jess that he loved her just as she was and that her parentage made no difference to that.
*copy received in exchange for honest review.
October 15, 2015
When it was all said and done I enjoyed this one and stayed up to finish it. I adored Kit (Ash) and Jess. Yes, their reason for staying apart would have been so easily solved if they just TALKED. That part was frustrating. But, in their time apart, they both matured. I LOVED that Ash was a virgin and Jess was his one and only. That was refreshing and uncommon in this genre.
(Now I'm on my soapbox, just for a bit....Yes, I saw some reviews that bitched about it not being realistic- an heir to a major title marrying a servant, the gay servants- but I really don't care. It's fiction and one could argue most of the historical romance isn't realistic either. Who cares? I don't. Because of that, it was a little different. And I welcomed that.)
(Now I'm on my soapbox, just for a bit....Yes, I saw some reviews that bitched about it not being realistic- an heir to a major title marrying a servant, the gay servants- but I really don't care. It's fiction and one could argue most of the historical romance isn't realistic either. Who cares? I don't. Because of that, it was a little different. And I welcomed that.)
January 13, 2019
2.5/5. Married 8 years and living separately the whole time, with the vows unconsummated. YThe plot revolves around a case of simple misunderstanding that could have been resolved from the start. Way too much wearisome lust between the virginal protagonists (yes, both saved themselves throughout the long separation) and not enough love, despite their professions of such. Why would the heroine allow herself to get into such a compromising situation with the odious Percy to start with, I can't even begin to understand. Why did his mother, the supposed Duchess of Love, not interfere to end their estrangement, when playing cupid is what she does best?
July 23, 2016
Sally is one of my favorite comedic historical romance authors, and I did enjoy the first 2 books in this series, although as the reader you have to suspend your disbelief. But Loving Lord Ash misses the mark in so many ways. This book doesn't make sense at all, and the outcome is so unbelievable and eye rolling. Also there seems to be some big inconsistencies and many moments of confusion throughout.
First of all, the Duke's first son, the heir to the family name wouldn't be allowed to wed a stable hand's daughter. But it happens here with Kit, the hero, who 8 years ago married his childhood friend and the woman he loved, Jessica, regardless her father was his servant. But after the wedding he drops her off at the country estate and leaves her there, not to see or speak to her 8 years later when he decides he needs an heir. The reason Kit has been so "mean" to Jessica, is that he believes he caught Jessica making love to another man who was their friend. In order to claim Jessica as his own, Kit marries her, but then dumps her, not telling her why he has rejected her, regardless of marrying her. Jessica has no idea and refuses to explain what Kit thinks he saw. 8 years of miscommunication, for what??
The only endearing thing is that Kit was faithful to his marriage and is a virgin. Jessica is a virgin also but she assumes Kit is having orgies left and right because of the gossip she reads in the paper. Kit assumes Jessica is servicing men left and right because he believes the gossip, and the fact she only has men as her servants, which all happen to be gay.
This story isn't plausible in any way and my reaction most of the time was WTF?!
Such a disappointment, and one book that is one big WTF all around.
More at Booklikes:
First of all, the Duke's first son, the heir to the family name wouldn't be allowed to wed a stable hand's daughter. But it happens here with Kit, the hero, who 8 years ago married his childhood friend and the woman he loved, Jessica, regardless her father was his servant. But after the wedding he drops her off at the country estate and leaves her there, not to see or speak to her 8 years later when he decides he needs an heir. The reason Kit has been so "mean" to Jessica, is that he believes he caught Jessica making love to another man who was their friend. In order to claim Jessica as his own, Kit marries her, but then dumps her, not telling her why he has rejected her, regardless of marrying her. Jessica has no idea and refuses to explain what Kit thinks he saw. 8 years of miscommunication, for what??
The only endearing thing is that Kit was faithful to his marriage and is a virgin. Jessica is a virgin also but she assumes Kit is having orgies left and right because of the gossip she reads in the paper. Kit assumes Jessica is servicing men left and right because he believes the gossip, and the fact she only has men as her servants, which all happen to be gay.
This story isn't plausible in any way and my reaction most of the time was WTF?!
Such a disappointment, and one book that is one big WTF all around.
More at Booklikes:
January 12, 2014
Loving Lord Ash does the estranged married couple theme very well. I had some happy surprises reading this book, including two main characters who I found thoroughly likable. Lighter historical romance, but the tone and the storyline are very engaging.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine in the March 2014 issue: http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine in the March 2014 issue: http://affairedecoeur.com.
September 23, 2015
This book was definitely a 'skimmer'. I could have read the first couple of chapters, skimmed through until I got to the middle for a couple of chapters, and then skimmed through until the last couple of chapters. Of course, I had been hearing of Jess and Ash through out the first three books so I had been exposed to the basis of their story. I was looking forward to reading it in this book. Then, I found that most of it was repeated over and over and over again with little new being added until the last 20 or so pages. It was tedious as were the characters. They were 20 and 22 going on 16 and 18 and they didn't mature much past that age when they were 26 and 28. I am wondering if Ms. MacKenzie was as tired of the Duchess of Love as I was. It was a disappointing end to this series.
October 12, 2015
že já se na ty vévody tak těším a oni mě vždycky zklamou...
March 25, 2019
Lord Ashton aka Kit sudah menikah selama 8 thn dgn Jess, putri dari pengurus kudanya, tapi tidak pernah menjamahnya. Sejak kejadian memergoki Jess dgn Pierce, Ash tidak berminat (tetapi menikahi) Jess.
Jadi saat dirinya baru berpikir ulang utk mendapatkan pewaris dan cadangannya, dia berencana mendatangi Jess yg selama ini terkucil di manor-nya. Lagi-lagi kejadian yg sama dgn 8 thn yg lalu terulang kembali, Jess sedang memeluk pelayannya, Roger.
Alur cerita super lelet dan bikin gregetan krn solusinya sebenarnya cuma satu, komunikasi utk meluruskan semua salah paham. Tetapi baik Ash maupun Jess nyaris gak beranjak utk membereskan masalah diantara mereka. Pdhl baik Ash maupun Jess masih sama-sama virgin. Ash dan Jess sama-sama gengsi dan salah paham menganggap yg lainnya berpengalaman. Ah cape deh!!!
Kepribadian Ash ini rada bolot menurut saya, udah gitu cenderung lurus banget hidupnya alias super membosankan. Jess juga hanya melukis melukis melukis saja... nyaris spt gak ada kehidupan lainnya (selain menghindar dari pria-pria kurang ajar sebangsa Pierce). Andai gak dibantu dan didorong oleh pihak ketiga spt Venus, si Duchess of Love dan Roger, si Lord Trendal, saya rasa pasangan ini SULIT utk bersatu.
Lumayan saja utk penutup seri. But not too good at all.
Jadi saat dirinya baru berpikir ulang utk mendapatkan pewaris dan cadangannya, dia berencana mendatangi Jess yg selama ini terkucil di manor-nya. Lagi-lagi kejadian yg sama dgn 8 thn yg lalu terulang kembali, Jess sedang memeluk pelayannya, Roger.
Alur cerita super lelet dan bikin gregetan krn solusinya sebenarnya cuma satu, komunikasi utk meluruskan semua salah paham. Tetapi baik Ash maupun Jess nyaris gak beranjak utk membereskan masalah diantara mereka. Pdhl baik Ash maupun Jess masih sama-sama virgin. Ash dan Jess sama-sama gengsi dan salah paham menganggap yg lainnya berpengalaman. Ah cape deh!!!
Kepribadian Ash ini rada bolot menurut saya, udah gitu cenderung lurus banget hidupnya alias super membosankan. Jess juga hanya melukis melukis melukis saja... nyaris spt gak ada kehidupan lainnya (selain menghindar dari pria-pria kurang ajar sebangsa Pierce). Andai gak dibantu dan didorong oleh pihak ketiga spt Venus, si Duchess of Love dan Roger, si Lord Trendal, saya rasa pasangan ini SULIT utk bersatu.
Lumayan saja utk penutup seri. But not too good at all.
April 27, 2015
This book was alright. It was pretty simple and straightforward. It wasn't a gripping tale but it wasn't tiresome either. I liked some elements and disliked some and I think they even each other out. I liked that it was a whacky and messed up relationship. Both the hero and the heroine thought the other were sexually experienced rakes/rakes in feminine form, when in reality, they are both virgins. I liked that they loved each other and waited for the other. Both are simple and kind of innocent in their ways. I think what I love the most is the circumstances of her living arrangements. Since they were estranged for eight years, she had been living as the sole female in a mansion of men. People gossip about her own harem when in reality, the men have absolutely no interest in her because they are gay. I thought it was a pretty interesting set up but they moved away really fast.
What I didn't like so much is the endless harping on how much they want each other. It had a really slow pace of storytelling, which I don't mind if there is a story to tell. However, it was pretty much the characters admiring each other's bodies. I get it, you're still attracted to each other. You don't have to go on forever and repeat it again and again. I feel like it is a filler writing and I really didn't enjoy reading it.
Anyways, the story revolves around Jess and Kit. They loved each other when they were children but didn't really voice it. When Jess' father died, she was desperate enough to tie herself to Percy. However, Percy didn't have any intentions of marrying her. They were caught in a compromising position by Kit. Kit pressured Percy to marry her and not leave her in disgrace. Percy refused and Kit married her to save her reputation. However, her action weighed heavily on his mind and he left as soon as they were married. They were separated for eight years.
In those eight years, both Kit and Jess believed the other were gallivanting and sharing sexual favours to everybody they encountered. In reality, both were virgins.
Kit came for her in order to procure an heir. However, he caught her in a compromising position again and said he wanted to divorce her instead. Her friend pushed her to come after him. Since he still loved her, he couldn't resist and wanted to make a baby with her. He made her sign a paper that states that any baby born in nine months wasn't his.
Throughout the book, he continues to doubt that she would be faithful. Meanwhile, she isn't sure she could make the marriage work because of his suspicions. Their past destroyed their possible future and both parties are just trying to salvage the marriage.
The origin on their contention appeared in her introductory party. Jess was consoling Percy's fiancee since Percy just broke up with her. Percy has this weird obsession with Jess and it is mixed in with trying to please his mother. He sabotaged Jess and Kit's relationship because he wanted to get back at Kit. Kit was always being held as a standard that he should aspire to. He had an inferiority complex and hated Kit. Therefore, he tried to destroy whatever Kit valued. He finally gave up his agenda when he met his fiancee.
Meanwhile, Kit and Jess straighten out their feelings. Kit finally asks about the time when Percy was between her legs with his pants down. Jess explains about her desperation and when she found out that Percy didn't mean to marry her, she kneed him and stopped him before she lost her virginity. Jess finally confronted him about his many women. She thought that he was still sleeping around. Kit finally confesses that he is still a virgin and would need her expertise when they finally consummate. She confesses that she, too, is a virgin. They make love.
In the epilogue, they finally have their heir.
What I didn't like so much is the endless harping on how much they want each other. It had a really slow pace of storytelling, which I don't mind if there is a story to tell. However, it was pretty much the characters admiring each other's bodies. I get it, you're still attracted to each other. You don't have to go on forever and repeat it again and again. I feel like it is a filler writing and I really didn't enjoy reading it.
Anyways, the story revolves around Jess and Kit. They loved each other when they were children but didn't really voice it. When Jess' father died, she was desperate enough to tie herself to Percy. However, Percy didn't have any intentions of marrying her. They were caught in a compromising position by Kit. Kit pressured Percy to marry her and not leave her in disgrace. Percy refused and Kit married her to save her reputation. However, her action weighed heavily on his mind and he left as soon as they were married. They were separated for eight years.
In those eight years, both Kit and Jess believed the other were gallivanting and sharing sexual favours to everybody they encountered. In reality, both were virgins.
Kit came for her in order to procure an heir. However, he caught her in a compromising position again and said he wanted to divorce her instead. Her friend pushed her to come after him. Since he still loved her, he couldn't resist and wanted to make a baby with her. He made her sign a paper that states that any baby born in nine months wasn't his.
Throughout the book, he continues to doubt that she would be faithful. Meanwhile, she isn't sure she could make the marriage work because of his suspicions. Their past destroyed their possible future and both parties are just trying to salvage the marriage.
The origin on their contention appeared in her introductory party. Jess was consoling Percy's fiancee since Percy just broke up with her. Percy has this weird obsession with Jess and it is mixed in with trying to please his mother. He sabotaged Jess and Kit's relationship because he wanted to get back at Kit. Kit was always being held as a standard that he should aspire to. He had an inferiority complex and hated Kit. Therefore, he tried to destroy whatever Kit valued. He finally gave up his agenda when he met his fiancee.
Meanwhile, Kit and Jess straighten out their feelings. Kit finally asks about the time when Percy was between her legs with his pants down. Jess explains about her desperation and when she found out that Percy didn't mean to marry her, she kneed him and stopped him before she lost her virginity. Jess finally confronted him about his many women. She thought that he was still sleeping around. Kit finally confesses that he is still a virgin and would need her expertise when they finally consummate. She confesses that she, too, is a virgin. They make love.
In the epilogue, they finally have their heir.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2016
Originally reviewed for: Historical Romance Lover blog
This is book 3 in the Duchess of Love series.
Kit, the Marquis of Ashton, has been estranged from his wife since their wedding day. He has finally decided that he must make a decision about his marriage. When he arrives at her home, he finds her in the arms of another man, who just happens to be naked.
Jess has finally made the decision to confront her husband about their marriage when he shows up at her studio. Unfortunately, he finds her in the arms of her naked friend. That is not how she wanted their first meeting to go. Of course, Ashton storms off but Jess' s friend convinces her to go after him to see if they can make a go of their marriage.
Ashton and Jess agree to go to London as they believe that no one will be there. Wanting to spend their time alone trying to make their marriage work, they are surprised to see the whole family has come to town.
With the whole family around, can Ashton and Jess make their marriage a real one?
If you've read the other stories in the series, you were probably just as excited as I was to read Ashton and Jess's story. I was a little surprised at Jess's background and how the two of them became married, but MacKenzie did a wonderful job of tying up the series.
One of the things I liked best with this series, including this title, was that the author had many surprises in store for the reader. One sign that I really like a story is that I will stay up much later than I should be to finish it. That happened with all four books in this series. I was already up way past when I should have been sleeping when I finished book 2. But I just couldn't go to be without picking up and starting Loving Lord Ash. The storyline between all the books, just had me wanting more! Bravo, Sally MacKenzie!
Thanks go to Kensington Book via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
This is book 3 in the Duchess of Love series.
Kit, the Marquis of Ashton, has been estranged from his wife since their wedding day. He has finally decided that he must make a decision about his marriage. When he arrives at her home, he finds her in the arms of another man, who just happens to be naked.
Jess has finally made the decision to confront her husband about their marriage when he shows up at her studio. Unfortunately, he finds her in the arms of her naked friend. That is not how she wanted their first meeting to go. Of course, Ashton storms off but Jess' s friend convinces her to go after him to see if they can make a go of their marriage.
Ashton and Jess agree to go to London as they believe that no one will be there. Wanting to spend their time alone trying to make their marriage work, they are surprised to see the whole family has come to town.
With the whole family around, can Ashton and Jess make their marriage a real one?
If you've read the other stories in the series, you were probably just as excited as I was to read Ashton and Jess's story. I was a little surprised at Jess's background and how the two of them became married, but MacKenzie did a wonderful job of tying up the series.
One of the things I liked best with this series, including this title, was that the author had many surprises in store for the reader. One sign that I really like a story is that I will stay up much later than I should be to finish it. That happened with all four books in this series. I was already up way past when I should have been sleeping when I finished book 2. But I just couldn't go to be without picking up and starting Loving Lord Ash. The storyline between all the books, just had me wanting more! Bravo, Sally MacKenzie!
Thanks go to Kensington Book via NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange of an honest review.
December 1, 2014
Excellent all round - although I wished Ash had defended his wife when men derided her (with a punch).
Love the whole series!
Love the whole series!
February 1, 2014
*ARC generously provided by Kensington Books/Zebra via NetGalley for an honest review
Final review to be posted closer to publication date.
Final review to be posted closer to publication date.
May 30, 2018
Empecé este libro súper feliz y optimista. Primero porque la autora me gusta, sus historias son sencillas pero entretenidas, bonitas y divertidas, y segundo porque tenía muchísimas ganas de la historia de Ash. Al final, sin embargo, se ha quedado en 3⭐️ y ya está. Es del estilo de los demás pero mucho más exagerado. Mucho más alejado de la realidad de la época de lo que suelen ser y una cosa es tomarse alguna libertad (puedo vivir con ello sin problemas) y otra saltar al vacío a lo loco. Ha habido un momento en que hasta la duquesa, que no sale tanto, me ha molestado siendo excesivamente pesada y metomentodo. Jess tiene muy mal genio y presupone las cosas por sus santas narices, al menos Ash tiene algo en que basarse, ella no tiene absolutamente nada. Toda la trama se habría arreglado con una charla de cinco minutos, pero están 300 páginas dale que dale con lo mismo. Aun así no he odiado el libro ni nada parecido, pero quería mucho más para Ash, se merecía mucho más. Es un cierre de serie un poco decepcionante y me da rabia que haya sido precisamente él el que me haya dejado así.
June 23, 2025
es facil y corta esta historia. fluye rapido y su lectura es refrescante.
Se trata de la historia del marqués de Ashton, quien es heredero del ducado de Greycliffe, se ve en laobligacion de regresar a su hogar, la mansión Blackweith, mientras lucha por olvidar una imagen perturbadora de su esposa Jess con otro hombre.
Siendo renuente en lo que vio y a pesar de las tensiones, se encuentra con Lord Trendal, quien a ojo cerrado confia y siempre ha defendido a su esposa Jess de los insultos y malentendidos que se le presentan, a pesar de que ella insista en que no necesita de su protección.
Surge una charla sobre unos cuadernos de bocetos que Jess aún no ha compartido con Ashton, lo que sugiere secretos o tensiones no resueltas en su relación pero todo se arreglar con lo que la mayoria de los libros tienen invisible que es la comunicacion. Se hablan las cosas. se aclaran y fin.
Se trata de la historia del marqués de Ashton, quien es heredero del ducado de Greycliffe, se ve en laobligacion de regresar a su hogar, la mansión Blackweith, mientras lucha por olvidar una imagen perturbadora de su esposa Jess con otro hombre.
Siendo renuente en lo que vio y a pesar de las tensiones, se encuentra con Lord Trendal, quien a ojo cerrado confia y siempre ha defendido a su esposa Jess de los insultos y malentendidos que se le presentan, a pesar de que ella insista en que no necesita de su protección.
Surge una charla sobre unos cuadernos de bocetos que Jess aún no ha compartido con Ashton, lo que sugiere secretos o tensiones no resueltas en su relación pero todo se arreglar con lo que la mayoria de los libros tienen invisible que es la comunicacion. Se hablan las cosas. se aclaran y fin.
January 7, 2024
2 Stars
***HOOPLA Audio***
MC's: Jessica "Jess" & Kit "Ash"
First: Are we to believe that a man of 30 is still a virgin? Really? Not saying it's impossible, but...
Second: The lack of communication between Jess and Ash about the reasons for their 8 years separation is absurd. Each believes the rumors about the other, and yet knowing the rumors weren't true for themselves, they don't discuss it. A whole book was filled with this. It could have been so much better.
Third: I'm absolutely, positively no prude.....but this book is about nothing but rumors and constant talk of sex. Would have liked to have had a better storyline with the sex/rumors having less prominence in the story.
***HOOPLA Audio***
MC's: Jessica "Jess" & Kit "Ash"
First: Are we to believe that a man of 30 is still a virgin? Really? Not saying it's impossible, but...
Second: The lack of communication between Jess and Ash about the reasons for their 8 years separation is absurd. Each believes the rumors about the other, and yet knowing the rumors weren't true for themselves, they don't discuss it. A whole book was filled with this. It could have been so much better.
Third: I'm absolutely, positively no prude.....but this book is about nothing but rumors and constant talk of sex. Would have liked to have had a better storyline with the sex/rumors having less prominence in the story.
July 27, 2024
Une histoire comme je les aime !!😍
March 14, 2014
3.5/
Mon avis en Français
My ENglish review
I must say that I wanted this novel since the very first book of the series where we discover Ash. I was so curious to know what happened between him and his wife and the reason behind their break up. And I must say that I was also eager to see their reunion after waiting for so long. This is also why I thought I would love it beyond all the others, but I think I had a little too much expectations. It is good yes, but I think I’m still more in love with the first volume as it was a real discovery for me.
Ash has just turned 30 and he needs a heir. Things are well done, he also has a wife, even if he abandoned her the day after their wedding. The Marquis decides, that somehow, it is time to return to her and to ask for a child. Problem? Yes, because there is a big one! Once there, he surprises her in the arms of another naked man and then he realizes that nothing is possible between them and decides to divorce. But sometimes things aren’t really what they look like and as Jess said so, Ash seems to be very talented to fall on her while she is in completely ambiguous situations and yet often quite innocent. But when they finally decide to try to spend some time together to see if they can fix what is happening between them, they may learn that their feelings are still there.
I confess that I was really looking forward to discover the reason for the separation of our two heroes and it is true that I was quite surprised. It’s finally something quite stupid… but I find it a pity that they did not talk about it before, it would have solved many problems. But as someone told me once, if the characters were talking, there would be no stories. So of course, instead of believing each other, they prefer to listen to rumors spread about them. The worst is that we see they love each other! But neither really does an effort and ultimately they just wait to see what will happen. Yet as they go to London, to be alone and away from their homes, the whole family arrives, whether the Duchess, Ned, Jack or their companions. You doubt that then everything will be really explosive when they get together under the same roof.
I was really sad for Jess who, because of an unfortunate event, became the most hated girl, something she doesn’t really appreciate, especially when her husband believes all the rumors perfectly. Then I must say that no one hesitate to insult her and to explain the merits of their thinking. And even if the woman is strong, it is sometimes difficult for her to accept this without any reaction, particularly when her husband thinks the same. It was hurtful to see that Ash did not even try to give her the benefit of the doubt, but at the same time the two are really cute together and whatever her husband thinks, he does not hesitate to defend her against those who are attacking her and does everything to protect her.
It was a good new novel that ends the story of our three brothers and also allows us to see what they have become now with their companions. After that, it’s true it was perhaps a little below than what I thought but I still took a great pleasure in reading the novel and I strongly recommend you to try the first Volume as it is really great! I wonder now what will be the next book of the author because whatever she writes, I always love it.
Mon avis en Français
My ENglish review
I must say that I wanted this novel since the very first book of the series where we discover Ash. I was so curious to know what happened between him and his wife and the reason behind their break up. And I must say that I was also eager to see their reunion after waiting for so long. This is also why I thought I would love it beyond all the others, but I think I had a little too much expectations. It is good yes, but I think I’m still more in love with the first volume as it was a real discovery for me.
Ash has just turned 30 and he needs a heir. Things are well done, he also has a wife, even if he abandoned her the day after their wedding. The Marquis decides, that somehow, it is time to return to her and to ask for a child. Problem? Yes, because there is a big one! Once there, he surprises her in the arms of another naked man and then he realizes that nothing is possible between them and decides to divorce. But sometimes things aren’t really what they look like and as Jess said so, Ash seems to be very talented to fall on her while she is in completely ambiguous situations and yet often quite innocent. But when they finally decide to try to spend some time together to see if they can fix what is happening between them, they may learn that their feelings are still there.
I confess that I was really looking forward to discover the reason for the separation of our two heroes and it is true that I was quite surprised. It’s finally something quite stupid… but I find it a pity that they did not talk about it before, it would have solved many problems. But as someone told me once, if the characters were talking, there would be no stories. So of course, instead of believing each other, they prefer to listen to rumors spread about them. The worst is that we see they love each other! But neither really does an effort and ultimately they just wait to see what will happen. Yet as they go to London, to be alone and away from their homes, the whole family arrives, whether the Duchess, Ned, Jack or their companions. You doubt that then everything will be really explosive when they get together under the same roof.
I was really sad for Jess who, because of an unfortunate event, became the most hated girl, something she doesn’t really appreciate, especially when her husband believes all the rumors perfectly. Then I must say that no one hesitate to insult her and to explain the merits of their thinking. And even if the woman is strong, it is sometimes difficult for her to accept this without any reaction, particularly when her husband thinks the same. It was hurtful to see that Ash did not even try to give her the benefit of the doubt, but at the same time the two are really cute together and whatever her husband thinks, he does not hesitate to defend her against those who are attacking her and does everything to protect her.
It was a good new novel that ends the story of our three brothers and also allows us to see what they have become now with their companions. After that, it’s true it was perhaps a little below than what I thought but I still took a great pleasure in reading the novel and I strongly recommend you to try the first Volume as it is really great! I wonder now what will be the next book of the author because whatever she writes, I always love it.
May 4, 2018
My original review in French can be read at Izy's book dream - Duchesse des coeurs
2.5 stars
This book was disappointing on so many levels, I don't even know where to start.. Beware, this whole review has spoilers in, so consider yourselves warned!
Overall, it was really disappointing and I really had a hard time hanging on to this read. The first novel was so promising! Ah well, better luck next time..
2.5 stars
This book was disappointing on so many levels, I don't even know where to start.. Beware, this whole review has spoilers in, so consider yourselves warned!
Overall, it was really disappointing and I really had a hard time hanging on to this read. The first novel was so promising! Ah well, better luck next time..
October 2, 2015
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review via Netgalley.
I'd not heard of this author until recently, and then heard good things so volunteered to read this new book. It being part of a series did not spoil my read, as other characters were mentioned in such a way it was easy to keep up.
I've given the book 3 stars, and at a pinch I might say 3 1/2. Why? Because I just didn't care about the hero and heroine - and that's really important to me. Lord Ash and his wife Jess I just didn't believe really cared for one another at all - which perhaps makes it all the easier to believe their 8 year estrangement!
So what I did like: interesting beginning - a couple that are not a couple - other characters that are equally interesting like Roger and Dennis - but didn't steal the limelight away. There was an interesting element of bawdiness too. My jury's still slightly out on that. Loved the warm relationship between Ash's parents and the understanding of the love of pets. Great open mindedness about the different types of love and relationships too.
But again, though I understood the difference in Ash and Jess' stations in life, it still came across as quite absurd, especially the much contested virginity issue between the two - which did take right until the end of the book to be resolved and there wasn't enough tension there for me to really care if they made their marriage work or not. Percy the villain frankly was a bit strange and not terribly villainous imo if you had to believe that he had the power to destroy relationships.
It was a shame as I began to feel a little bored at the end, it had just been played out a bit too long and I lost interest. I certainly wouldn't rule out trying the author's other stories however.
I'd not heard of this author until recently, and then heard good things so volunteered to read this new book. It being part of a series did not spoil my read, as other characters were mentioned in such a way it was easy to keep up.
I've given the book 3 stars, and at a pinch I might say 3 1/2. Why? Because I just didn't care about the hero and heroine - and that's really important to me. Lord Ash and his wife Jess I just didn't believe really cared for one another at all - which perhaps makes it all the easier to believe their 8 year estrangement!
So what I did like: interesting beginning - a couple that are not a couple - other characters that are equally interesting like Roger and Dennis - but didn't steal the limelight away. There was an interesting element of bawdiness too. My jury's still slightly out on that. Loved the warm relationship between Ash's parents and the understanding of the love of pets. Great open mindedness about the different types of love and relationships too.
But again, though I understood the difference in Ash and Jess' stations in life, it still came across as quite absurd, especially the much contested virginity issue between the two - which did take right until the end of the book to be resolved and there wasn't enough tension there for me to really care if they made their marriage work or not. Percy the villain frankly was a bit strange and not terribly villainous imo if you had to believe that he had the power to destroy relationships.
It was a shame as I began to feel a little bored at the end, it had just been played out a bit too long and I lost interest. I certainly wouldn't rule out trying the author's other stories however.
August 22, 2016
Talk about your big misunderstandings... this one is... oof... a doozy. And it's caused Kit, the Marquis of Ashton, eldest son of the Duchess of Love, not to go near his wife for eight years.
Jessica grew up with the family but, as the daughter of the head groomsman, she wasn't really part of the nobility, but not really part of the lower classes either. When her father died, she was ecstatic that someone wanted to marry her. Well, that's part of the story anyway.
Almost immediately after the ceremony, Ash dumped her and went to stay at his parents' estate. Since then, rumors about both husband and wife have circulated the country. Well, the nobility at least.
Ash decides that enough is enough and he needs an heir (not to mention his two brothers are devastatingly happy in their new marriages), so it's time for a divorce. He's sort of a douche-hat about the whole thing, even in the face of Jess trying to tell him what really has happened, but he does end up growing out of it.
Sally MacKenzie is a consistent three- to four-star author for me and this is one of her best. Yes, the situation is corny. No, it probably wouldn't have really happened. Yes, we do get some great character development.
Jessica grew up with the family but, as the daughter of the head groomsman, she wasn't really part of the nobility, but not really part of the lower classes either. When her father died, she was ecstatic that someone wanted to marry her. Well, that's part of the story anyway.
Almost immediately after the ceremony, Ash dumped her and went to stay at his parents' estate. Since then, rumors about both husband and wife have circulated the country. Well, the nobility at least.
Ash decides that enough is enough and he needs an heir (not to mention his two brothers are devastatingly happy in their new marriages), so it's time for a divorce. He's sort of a douche-hat about the whole thing, even in the face of Jess trying to tell him what really has happened, but he does end up growing out of it.
Sally MacKenzie is a consistent three- to four-star author for me and this is one of her best. Yes, the situation is corny. No, it probably wouldn't have really happened. Yes, we do get some great character development.
October 21, 2018
The premise was good but the execution was poor with a clumsy and hopeless heroine. She wasn't quite TSTL but didn't have any redeeming qualities. The author couldn't decide whether the hero was Kit or Ash and used both liberally and inconsistently. He was a boring hero and the whole story revolved around a misunderstanding that could've been resolved with an honest conversation. The ending was anticlimatic and I was more interested in the salacious Lord Robert Trendal!
November 29, 2018
Listened to this one on audiobook. I wanted to DNF after a few chapters but... actually, I don't know why I kept listening and finished the whole thing because I didn't like the narrator and the book itself was horrible. Annoying, spineless heroine, the "hero" was A-W-F-U-L awful, and the so-called plot was entirely unbelievable and eye-rollingly ridiculous. The one star was for Fluff the dog and also because I can't give it any less here on GR. But, really, this book gets ZERO stars from me.
June 19, 2022
1.5
First of all, the cover. The heroine is described as dark-haired, but the girl on the cover obviously isn't. And her dog is black, big, looking like a bear. I read author's note explaining that a dog like that was too big to fit the cover. I think it would've been better not having a dog on the cover at all than having a completely different one. Also, sometimes (most times) there wouldn't be space, or something to separate, hers and his POV, which was a little confusing. It also happened with different scenes - it felt like they should've been separated somehow.
As for the story, I liked it in the beginning, but then I started to get annoyed. I didn't count, but in almost every part in Ash's POV he has to say how hard his cock was, or how it was getting hard and stuff like that. It looked like he didn't think about anything but his cock.
The heroine was so annoying with her stupid decision making, which made her look stupid and naive.
There's things that happen at about 80% that really annoyed me and I was on the verge of just leaving the book unfinished. . Everything got resolved after that, but I stopped caring long ago.
And the dog's behavior was described as a small child that doesn't talk, and not an actual dog. Yes, dogs are smart, but this dog associated a few words with bath, which was crazy. Like they'd say ba and he'd start whining and hiding under the bed, so they had to spell words associated with bath. It was just ridiculous. And the way they'd talk to him and he'd always understand every word. I love dogs and I've always been surrounded by them, we always have a few, as well as most our neighbors, but I've never seen a dog who understands every separate word, every sentence and context.
Rounding up to 2 stars, because the hero didn't become a manwhore, and he respected his wedding vows even though he didn't see his wife for years. I'd say I appreciate the same for the heroine, but sadly, the heroine almost always stays celibate, which was also the case here, no matter who caused the separation. I read another book by this author, and I don't remember much but I think it was okay. But after this, I don't think I'll read anything else.
First of all, the cover. The heroine is described as dark-haired, but the girl on the cover obviously isn't. And her dog is black, big, looking like a bear. I read author's note explaining that a dog like that was too big to fit the cover. I think it would've been better not having a dog on the cover at all than having a completely different one. Also, sometimes (most times) there wouldn't be space, or something to separate, hers and his POV, which was a little confusing. It also happened with different scenes - it felt like they should've been separated somehow.
As for the story, I liked it in the beginning, but then I started to get annoyed. I didn't count, but in almost every part in Ash's POV he has to say how hard his cock was, or how it was getting hard and stuff like that. It looked like he didn't think about anything but his cock.
The heroine was so annoying with her stupid decision making, which made her look stupid and naive.
There's things that happen at about 80% that really annoyed me and I was on the verge of just leaving the book unfinished. . Everything got resolved after that, but I stopped caring long ago.
And the dog's behavior was described as a small child that doesn't talk, and not an actual dog. Yes, dogs are smart, but this dog associated a few words with bath, which was crazy. Like they'd say ba and he'd start whining and hiding under the bed, so they had to spell words associated with bath. It was just ridiculous. And the way they'd talk to him and he'd always understand every word. I love dogs and I've always been surrounded by them, we always have a few, as well as most our neighbors, but I've never seen a dog who understands every separate word, every sentence and context.
Rounding up to 2 stars, because the hero didn't become a manwhore, and he respected his wedding vows even though he didn't see his wife for years. I'd say I appreciate the same for the heroine, but sadly, the heroine almost always stays celibate, which was also the case here, no matter who caused the separation. I read another book by this author, and I don't remember much but I think it was okay. But after this, I don't think I'll read anything else.
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