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The Willoughby Family #1
Something About Her
He is the one man she knows she shouldn't trust.
Michael Ashton, the Duke of Ravensdale, is caught in two scandals, neither of which is his own doing. The first involves a woman (don't they always), and the second...well, it also involves a woman and a large sum of stolen money. To clear his family name, Michael must track down his charlatan cousin... the same cousin believed to be dead.
She is the one woman he knows he can't have.
Blythe Willoughby Ashton has been married for a year, but hasn't been a wife for even a day. When she learns of her husband's death, she just wants to be left alone. Then her husband's cousin shows up uninvited on her doorstep, looking more handsome than any man should. Falling in love is the last thing she should do, especially when it becomes obvious that the secrets he's keeping could threaten not only her happiness, but her life.
Michael Ashton, the Duke of Ravensdale, is caught in two scandals, neither of which is his own doing. The first involves a woman (don't they always), and the second...well, it also involves a woman and a large sum of stolen money. To clear his family name, Michael must track down his charlatan cousin... the same cousin believed to be dead.
She is the one woman he knows he can't have.
Blythe Willoughby Ashton has been married for a year, but hasn't been a wife for even a day. When she learns of her husband's death, she just wants to be left alone. Then her husband's cousin shows up uninvited on her doorstep, looking more handsome than any man should. Falling in love is the last thing she should do, especially when it becomes obvious that the secrets he's keeping could threaten not only her happiness, but her life.
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2009
61 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Jeannie Ruesch
7 books113 followersJeannie Ruesch wrote her first story at the age of the six, prompting her to give up an illustrious, hours-long ambition of becoming a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader and declare that writing was her destiny. That journey to destiny took a few detours along the way, including a career in marketing and design.
Her first novel, a fairy-tale like historical romance, was published in 2009, but the darker side of life had always captivated her. So after a dinner conversation with friends about the best way to hide a dead body, she knew she had to find a way to incorporate suspense into her writing. (The legal outlet for her fascination.) Today, she continues writing what she loves to read - stories of history, romance and suspense. She lives in Northern California with her husband, their son and an 80 pound lapdog lab named Cooper. She can be visited at www.jeannieruesch.com or found regularly on Twitter or Facebook.
She is also the creator of the WIP Notebook, a writer's tool to help stay organized while you write, which you can find at her website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 22, 2009
A cute romantic love story with a crazy plot. An enjoyable, fun regency era read. The ending was a bit dramatic and over the top, but it worked in the context of the story. Will likely read more by this author. Sensuality rating was light and not something I would call steamy, but that didn't bother me. I would say this was more of a fairytale style love story than an actual romance.
October 10, 2013
Oh, I do love it when I read a book I literally have to force myself to put down so I can get some sleep!
Something About Her is just that sort of addicting, tantalizing historical read.
Ms. Ruesch's natural story telling abilities shine from the first page until the last. She swept me along on a concert of emotions. I adored everything Blythe and cheered her on when she smacked her nemesis. Michael hooked me with his devotion to his daughter, and his deep, if somewhat misplaced, sense of honor.
The secondary characters were equally delightful and some were the kind readers love to hate, which always adds a wonderful dimension to the plot. I cannot wait to read Adam's story, and I do home Keenan gets his own book too.
Kudos to Ms. Reusch for writing such a captivating story. I highly recommend it.
Something About Her is just that sort of addicting, tantalizing historical read.
Ms. Ruesch's natural story telling abilities shine from the first page until the last. She swept me along on a concert of emotions. I adored everything Blythe and cheered her on when she smacked her nemesis. Michael hooked me with his devotion to his daughter, and his deep, if somewhat misplaced, sense of honor.
The secondary characters were equally delightful and some were the kind readers love to hate, which always adds a wonderful dimension to the plot. I cannot wait to read Adam's story, and I do home Keenan gets his own book too.
Kudos to Ms. Reusch for writing such a captivating story. I highly recommend it.
January 10, 2014
This was a free bookbub book and it was cute, but very complicated-so many lies and confusion-but I admit I started it on my phone and came home and stayed up too late to finish it, which I rarely do on my "phone" book. Blyth is married and her husband leaves her immediately after the wedding. A year later she learns he is dead. The his cousin the Duke shows up because he thinks she knows where her husband is and where money he stole is. But that was a different wife, who Blythe finds out about and goes to visit and finds out that "wife" is pregnant. This goes on and on, then there is a break up and another Pregnant almost "wife" turns up. Many complications ensue, some I admity I skipped because it got so ridiculous!! Oh and did I mention the Duke was a widower, with a 7 year old daughter who liked to hide from him?
January 4, 2014
This was a good historical romance with a little mystery/intrigue thrown in.
I loved Blythe, she was witty, charming and had a fiery temper when needed. I enjoyed the way she put Michael in his place when he was acting like an insufferable ass.
I didn't really like Michael all that much, I thought he was pretty thoughtless where Blythe was concerned. He was constantly worrying about his family reputation, yet he seemed unconcerned about how he was affecting Blythe's reputation. And he seemed a bit stupid where Abigail was concerned, he should have investigated that a further. He did redeem himself in the end.
I wish there had been an epilogue, but Blythe's brother Adam (who I really liked) gets a book, so perhaps we'll see more of Blythe and Michael then.
January 7, 2014
I would rate this read a 3.5 stars. I'm going to round it up to a 4 star rating because I received this as a freebie.
I'm not normally a big fan of historical romance books, because I like more, shall I say, graphic romance reads? I saw another reviewer comment that the sex scenes were overly detailed but I found them to be tame. PG-13 at best in my opinion. I am glad I read this book though. It made for a nice easy, clean romance, and it flowed very well
I'm not normally a big fan of historical romance books, because I like more, shall I say, graphic romance reads? I saw another reviewer comment that the sex scenes were overly detailed but I found them to be tame. PG-13 at best in my opinion. I am glad I read this book though. It made for a nice easy, clean romance, and it flowed very well
September 7, 2015
Convoluted "plot" that appears to interest the author more than character, dialogue, period authenticity, credibility or humour. Absolutely not my style, but others might like the helter-skelter approach.
August 25, 2018
I found it hard to follow. the in love part happened so quickly between Michael Duke of Ravensdale and Widow Blythe.
May 20, 2019
Loved it
I loved it. Great story line, enough steamy scenes, and a happily ever after. Can't wait to read Adam's story. Recommend it to those who like historical romance.
I loved it. Great story line, enough steamy scenes, and a happily ever after. Can't wait to read Adam's story. Recommend it to those who like historical romance.
November 12, 2019
Something About Her
A story which keeps your interest from the first to the last page with many unexpected surprises in the plot.
A story which keeps your interest from the first to the last page with many unexpected surprises in the plot.
January 7, 2014
I wanted to rate this book higher, but when I sat down and thought what I liked and disliked about it, I came about even on the "like" and "dislike" lists.
I liked Blythe. I really liked Bethie (even though she started out as a 5-year-old and somewhere became 7 and her actions/speech never really made it clear how old she was.) Michael was okay. Kind of standard, but it was nice that Blythe didn't have to "teach" him to "love." He actually *gasp* figured that one out on his own.
I disliked Thomas, (but I was supposed to.) There is no indication of why all these women were so charmed by him anywhere in the book. He just kind of shows up on the scene and leaves chaos in his wake, (but doesn't seem to have a history of this until the Blythe/Anne/whomever debacle.)
The book would have been immeasurably better with a total rewrite of Abigail. She has too modern an outlook for the period. She would NEVER have threatened to go public with a pregnancy in that period. Society of the time pretty much winked at men who impregnated marriageable girls, but they were MUCH harsher on the women. She would have known that.
She would never have gotten so far in Society without learning to hold both her temper and her tongue. And if she had been sleeping around, especially so indiscreetly, she would have been "outed" long before Michael could try to "repair" the damage to his family's "honor."
So, I really think that if the book couldn't have ended after Blythe and Michael got together, some other trauma separating them would have worked better than Abigail's story.
I liked Blythe. I really liked Bethie (even though she started out as a 5-year-old and somewhere became 7 and her actions/speech never really made it clear how old she was.) Michael was okay. Kind of standard, but it was nice that Blythe didn't have to "teach" him to "love." He actually *gasp* figured that one out on his own.
I disliked Thomas, (but I was supposed to.) There is no indication of why all these women were so charmed by him anywhere in the book. He just kind of shows up on the scene and leaves chaos in his wake, (but doesn't seem to have a history of this until the Blythe/Anne/whomever debacle.)
The book would have been immeasurably better with a total rewrite of Abigail. She has too modern an outlook for the period. She would NEVER have threatened to go public with a pregnancy in that period. Society of the time pretty much winked at men who impregnated marriageable girls, but they were MUCH harsher on the women. She would have known that.
She would never have gotten so far in Society without learning to hold both her temper and her tongue. And if she had been sleeping around, especially so indiscreetly, she would have been "outed" long before Michael could try to "repair" the damage to his family's "honor."
So, I really think that if the book couldn't have ended after Blythe and Michael got together, some other trauma separating them would have worked better than Abigail's story.
February 9, 2014
Blythe Willoughby Ashton is deserted by her husband, Thomas Ashton, as soon they got married. He had professed love to her while wooing her. A year later, she finds herself a widow with no money. Her husband had stolen that too from Blythe. When her brother, mother and sisters want her to go with them to London, she refuses.
Michael Ashton, the Duke of Ravensdale, has always been in the midst of one scandal or the other. This time, he finds himself in a soup. A woman in London, claims he had compromised her and then he finds out his cousin, now presumed dead, has taken large amounts of his money. He discovers that Thomas was married and now he must find his cousin's wife to find Thomas's whereabouts, who he believes is still alive.
Michael is a widower with a seven year old daughter Bethie. She is a difficult child and her governess has left because of her antics. At the last moment, he is unable to find a replacement and arrives at Rosemead Manor, Gloucestershire, with her and as usual she runs away to hide somewhere. While trying to find her, he encounters Blythe and thinks of her as a servant!
Sparks fly but neither is prepared to give in. Both have pasts, secrets and are scarred. Just when you think, now the story eases, there is twist. A totally unpredictable novel. This is a romance novel, we know right from the beginning that it will have a happy ending. Yet, the story line is so good, that we cannot predict what is going to happen next. I liked the secondary characters too. And Bethie is so endearing.
Michael Ashton, the Duke of Ravensdale, has always been in the midst of one scandal or the other. This time, he finds himself in a soup. A woman in London, claims he had compromised her and then he finds out his cousin, now presumed dead, has taken large amounts of his money. He discovers that Thomas was married and now he must find his cousin's wife to find Thomas's whereabouts, who he believes is still alive.
Michael is a widower with a seven year old daughter Bethie. She is a difficult child and her governess has left because of her antics. At the last moment, he is unable to find a replacement and arrives at Rosemead Manor, Gloucestershire, with her and as usual she runs away to hide somewhere. While trying to find her, he encounters Blythe and thinks of her as a servant!
Sparks fly but neither is prepared to give in. Both have pasts, secrets and are scarred. Just when you think, now the story eases, there is twist. A totally unpredictable novel. This is a romance novel, we know right from the beginning that it will have a happy ending. Yet, the story line is so good, that we cannot predict what is going to happen next. I liked the secondary characters too. And Bethie is so endearing.
March 26, 2014
I love books set in England. Especially historical romances from the regency era. I'm fascinated by this period. The time when it took days to go anywhere, balls were the means of entertainment, titles were most important and any improper behavior was subjected to gossip. If I could travel through time that's where I'd like to go. I think I'd love it. Especially the part where I'd get to live in a manor.
Now that you've read my ramblings about why such books are near the top of my favorites list, you probably know why I chose to read this book. It seemed to be my cup of tea.
I liked so many things about this book. From the characters (a Duke! oh la la), the scandals and the descriptions of the English countryside & London. I stayed till 4am even though I had to wake up at 8. I had to finish it.
Wondering why I gave it only 4 stars then? Yes, it's a charming story and yes, it captured my attention till the wee hours of the morning. What's the problem then? You may find me a bit biased here. I've read so many regency novels and romances that I simply cannot avoid comparing them. And this book doesn't do justice to those times. It's understandable that the author changed some things. But, I've discovered I'm not OK with that. Make sense?
Rating - 4 stars
Who would I recommend it to - regency romance fans
August 25, 2013
I really liked this book, there was a little bit of mystery along with the romance. Was her first husband really dead? When the hero first met the heroine he mistook her for a servant and not his cousin's widow. The hero lied to her one time too many once they fell in love. When he was going to marry the other woman I was so mad, but it all worked out in the end. I will look for the author's next story about Adam.
Lots of kissing scenes, one sex scene, not too steamy. I enjoyed the book though and it kept my attention.
Lots of kissing scenes, one sex scene, not too steamy. I enjoyed the book though and it kept my attention.
July 11, 2015
The heart wants what it wants
Left on ur wedding day an hour after the ceremony......To become a widow a year later or is she? Raised by parents who hated one another and had a war in society of who could humiliate the other worse.....Ravensdale is the epitomy of conduct....Now he has to travel to the country to try to figure out what his cousins widow knows about the money he stole and where he is. Neither thought that they would find love. but can they forget the past? Can she forgive him the lies he told? From the country to London this story unfolds
Left on ur wedding day an hour after the ceremony......To become a widow a year later or is she? Raised by parents who hated one another and had a war in society of who could humiliate the other worse.....Ravensdale is the epitomy of conduct....Now he has to travel to the country to try to figure out what his cousins widow knows about the money he stole and where he is. Neither thought that they would find love. but can they forget the past? Can she forgive him the lies he told? From the country to London this story unfolds
January 9, 2014
This was a free book I found through bookbub. I loved the plot and the characters were pretty good. Halfway through the story it changed and kept me reading to see what happens next. It has some adult content that I skipped over and a few things I felt the book could have done without. It ended a little quickly and left me wishing for an epilogue. I enjoyed this book and would have given it a higher rating if it were cleaner.
March 9, 2020
DNF. Got about halfway and just wasn’t invested anymore. The pacing was sloppy, Blythe (heroine) came across as a little too perfect, and Michael (hero) didn’t confess all when he should’ve (namely, before bedding her). I also came across more typos than usual (they exist in almost every book but this one has more of them) and the Kindle version of the book had weird paragraph spacing. Overall I just didn’t see chemistry between the hero and heroine. 🤷♀️
September 18, 2009
Wonderful debut novel with enough twists that it isn't entirely predictable. A pleasant surprise of a book. The only thing I would have liked to see was a little more of, was interaction between Blythe and Elisabeth (Bethie) in the middle of the story to further their bond in my mind. Overall I think the characterization and plot development were engaging.
February 4, 2014
Probably one of the best historical romances I have read. I hadn't read characters like Thomas in any historical romance novel which made the story all the more interesting. I love the way the book starts. Hooks one from the beginning. Michael and Blythe make a good couple. I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommended.
February 16, 2014
I don't seek out romance novels and am always dismayed when they crop up in my library. Free book and not plagued by a lack of spelling skills, anyway, which sadly counts for a lots these days.
This period seems to inspire pretty much the same story over and over. Quick read for an afternoon if you're looking for a bit of fluff with a happy ending.
This period seems to inspire pretty much the same story over and over. Quick read for an afternoon if you're looking for a bit of fluff with a happy ending.
August 22, 2014
A cute romantic love story with a crazy plot. An enjoyable, fun regency era read. I'm fascinated by this period of time. Probably one of the best historical romances I have read. Halfway through the story it changed and kept me reading to see what happens next. It was a very good book, very intense, but enjoyable. I will admit I almost lost my temper because it was so frustrating at times.
January 4, 2014
Historical romance with lots of twists. Lady Ashton's husband leaves her hours after their wedding ceremony and disappears. He is involved in several illegal activities, including being involved with several women. Things heat up when the Duke gets involved.
September 13, 2016
Good story. Different twist on a romantic relationship start. I enjoyed the story. I really liked the heroine and felt badly that she had to have that year of wondering and sorrow. Was truly glad to have it end well for her.
August 22, 2013
An entertaining book with lots of twists and turns to the story. Well worth a read!
October 8, 2014
Nice Story.
Read
January 4, 2014We'll written over all maybe a few editing errors.
January 10, 2014
Is a great book to read
January 6, 2014
Well done
aside from wanting to discipline the daughter I enjoyed this book immensely, very nicely written with some typos and omitted words
aside from wanting to discipline the daughter I enjoyed this book immensely, very nicely written with some typos and omitted words
September 9, 2016
A fun story line--intense, suspenseful, but somewhat predictable in the end.
March 4, 2014
Did not intend to read this, but it was new to me & available & that was good enough, for a minute.
Very very uneven.
Very very uneven.
January 13, 2014
A little Confusing but I liked it :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews