What do you think?
Rate this book
Wicked Widows #1
Why Dukes Say I Do
Even in London society--where everyone knows what you did last season--you never know who's next in line to walk down the aisle...TRUE LOVE IS OFTEN FOUNDWith her whirlwind social life in London, Lady Isabella Wharton has little interest in the customs of the country. But when her godmother asks her to pay a visit to her bachelor grandson in Yorkshire, Isabella can't refuse. It behooves her to please the old dowager, since she harbors one of Isabella's most scandalous secrets. So off she goes to see the newly-titled--and notoriously rustic--Duke of Ormond...WHERE YOU LEAST EXPECT ITTrevor Carey doesn't care about what goes on behind ballroom doors. He is content with the simple life--and isn't ashamed to admit it to a society flirt like Lady Isabella. But the country air brings out a different side of Isabella--one full of longing and passion. Can her sophistication be hiding a desire for love? When a blackmailer from the city arrives to threaten Isabella, Trevor will shield her from harm--even travel to London. Can the duke tackle the ton on Isabella's behalf ...and manage to keep her all to himself?
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2013
66 people are currently reading
1472 people want to read
About the author
Manda Collins
33 books1,590 followersManda Collins grew up on a combination of Nancy Drew books and Jane Austen novels, and her own brand of Regency romantic suspense is the result. A former academic librarian, she holds advanced degrees in English Lit and Librarianship. Her books have been favorably reviewed in Entertainment Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, Bookpage, and USA Today. A native of Alabama, she lives on the Gulf Coast with a very stubborn cat and more books than are strictly necessary.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
July 23, 2013
Lady Isabella Wharton and her friends were part of something they would dearly like to forget but her godmother has other ideas and holds the threat of revealing what really happened to have Isabella do her will. As such, Isabella finds herself off to the countryside in order to summon home the new Duke of Ormond, a man who seemingly ignores his duties. Yet when Isabella meets Trevor Carey, she finds the opposite. Here is a man devoted to caring for his tenants and land. He never expected to inherit the dukedom and due to some bad blood in the past, he has no desire to go to London and assume the duties. Spending time with Isabella and seeing how his beloved sisters interact with her, Trevor slowly starts to rethink his decision. When a threat on Isabella's life becomes known, Trevor takes steps to protect her. Will he lose his heart in the end as well?
The start of Manda Collins newest series was an enjoyable, easy read and my favorite book by her so far! Isabella was such a strong woman who has overcome a bad first marriage and somehow still keeping her spirit intact and becoming very resilient. Trevor quickly notices this along with a sweetness underneath, especially in the way she bonds with his sisters. Isabella comes off a bit rude in the beginning but she grows into herself with Trevor and together they just fit. Trevor was a dedicated man and I liked seeing his layers unfold and I really enjoyed his interactions with his sisters. After all, what man wants his sisters to grow up into ladies? I was pleased with the mystery aspect of this romance as well. It does not overpower the story at all and I was surprised at the revelation in this one but the overall arc continues on through the next books while still giving a nice conclusion in this one. This book had me laughing, smiling and sighing and flipping the pages to find out what would happen next and I eagerly look forward to the friends' upcoming stories. 4 solid stars
eARC provided by St Martins Press via netgalley.com
The start of Manda Collins newest series was an enjoyable, easy read and my favorite book by her so far! Isabella was such a strong woman who has overcome a bad first marriage and somehow still keeping her spirit intact and becoming very resilient. Trevor quickly notices this along with a sweetness underneath, especially in the way she bonds with his sisters. Isabella comes off a bit rude in the beginning but she grows into herself with Trevor and together they just fit. Trevor was a dedicated man and I liked seeing his layers unfold and I really enjoyed his interactions with his sisters. After all, what man wants his sisters to grow up into ladies? I was pleased with the mystery aspect of this romance as well. It does not overpower the story at all and I was surprised at the revelation in this one but the overall arc continues on through the next books while still giving a nice conclusion in this one. This book had me laughing, smiling and sighing and flipping the pages to find out what would happen next and I eagerly look forward to the friends' upcoming stories. 4 solid stars
eARC provided by St Martins Press via netgalley.com
October 5, 2015
I enjoyed this book with its intriguing story (inspired by the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer), engaging characters, passion and romance.
WHY DUKES SAY I DO is the first book in Manda Collins’s new series, Wicked Widows, which centres around sisters, Isabella and Perdita and their friend, Georgina… all widows of abusive husbands. They share a terrible secret concerning the death of Perdita’s husband, the Duke of Ormonde, but find themselves blackmailed and threatened by someone who obviously knows that secret.
Trevor reminds me of Alec, the hero of Ms Collins’s How to Romance a Rake. He is honourable, a gentleman and treats everyone with kindness and civility. As one of his tenant’s remarks to Isabella - “a kinder, more dedicated master we could not have asked for.” His care and concern for others is also seen in the importance he attaches to his duties as magistrate and how protective he is towards Isabella when he finds out about the threatening letters.
I understand his determination not to take up his role as the Duke of Ormonde. He holds no love for the Ormonde family who turned their back on his father who chose to marry for love rather than wealth.
He clearly loves his sisters but tends to be overprotective… a trait which I am sure is shared by a lot of older brothers. It is hard for him to accept that the seventeen year old Eleanor is now a young lady as Isabella points out.
“She isn’t so much older than Belinda,” he said defensively.
“There is a vast ocean of difference between thirteen and seventeen,” Isabella said. “And well you know it. You simply wish there were not. It won’t be long before she has beaux. I wouldn’t be surprised if she weren’t already smitten with some country swain.” He gulped down his brandy at the thought.
“You don’t think…” He glanced warily at Isabella.
I thought it was amusing that he was horrified by the fact that Eleanor may have a beau.
I admire Isabella…her strength, resilience and courage. She went through a soul-destroying, abusive marriage but has lost none of that indomitable spirit. Her selfless love for her sister and her need to ensure Perdita’s future happiness, above all else, made me like her even more.
Her interactions with Trevor’s sisters, Eleanor and Belinda, show the genuine affection she has for them. She also recognises how ill-equipped they are to take their place in society as the sisters of a duke and desperately need her guidance.
…there was something familiar about these two sisters, something that made Isabella want to shield them from the hurts and embarrassments that awaited them in the world outside their little village.
I particularly love the scene where Isabella loans Eleanor a gown …… Eleanor’s reactions and excitement are contagious.
I found the romance between Isabella and Trevor perfectly paced. They both start out with preconceived ideas about each other. Isabella has been preconditioned by the Dowager Duchess to expect some kind of stuffy, country yokel living a rustic existence while Trevor initially believes Isabella to be nothing more than a frivolous society lady. It is both amusing and delightful watching their preconceived notions slowly shattered allowing them to move from physical attraction to falling in love.
He’d expected Isabella to be incapable of conversing about anything but the latest on-dit, but she had proved knowledgeable on a variety of topics, including, to his great surprise, the glamorous world of crop rotation. She’d explained it away, saying that her father had been fond of agricultural talk despite making his home in London. She had, she said, absorbed the information over the course of many years listening to him drone on about it.
…to her surprise and admiration, Ormonde not only knew everyone’s names, but he also was able to ask after their siblings and parents and children and grandchildren and in some cases great-grandchildren, with an easy manner that indicated he had been doing so for years. He clearly cared for their welfare beyond just ensuring that they were able to produce a good crop yield. He cared about them as people.
The secondary characters add depth to the story. I was charmed by Trevor’s sisters, Eleanor and Belinda with their delightful banter and I love the humour Trevor’s friend and neighbour, Sir Lucien Blakemore, brings to the story:
“I took Lady Wharton and my sisters into York yesterday to go dress shopping.”
Blakemore blanched. “Ye gods, no wonder you’re livid. A shopping trip could make any man go mad.”
I like how Ms Collins intersperses social comments throughout the story and highlights the often harsh realities of being a woman during this era.
It wasn’t hard to figure out the identity of the person sending Isabella the threatening letters, but the action was still dramatic enough to keep me turning the pages. There is a cliff-hanger because the villainous mastermind behind the threats is still at large and the mystery surrounding his identity is set to continue throughout the series.
Overall this was an enjoyable start to Ms Collin’s new series with just the right amount of romance and mystery. I will definitely be reading the next book, Why Earls Fall in Love, which is Georgina’s story.
REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 STARS
The Wicked Widows series (click on covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
WHY DUKES SAY I DO is the first book in Manda Collins’s new series, Wicked Widows, which centres around sisters, Isabella and Perdita and their friend, Georgina… all widows of abusive husbands. They share a terrible secret concerning the death of Perdita’s husband, the Duke of Ormonde, but find themselves blackmailed and threatened by someone who obviously knows that secret.
Trevor reminds me of Alec, the hero of Ms Collins’s How to Romance a Rake. He is honourable, a gentleman and treats everyone with kindness and civility. As one of his tenant’s remarks to Isabella - “a kinder, more dedicated master we could not have asked for.” His care and concern for others is also seen in the importance he attaches to his duties as magistrate and how protective he is towards Isabella when he finds out about the threatening letters.
I understand his determination not to take up his role as the Duke of Ormonde. He holds no love for the Ormonde family who turned their back on his father who chose to marry for love rather than wealth.
He clearly loves his sisters but tends to be overprotective… a trait which I am sure is shared by a lot of older brothers. It is hard for him to accept that the seventeen year old Eleanor is now a young lady as Isabella points out.
“She isn’t so much older than Belinda,” he said defensively.
“There is a vast ocean of difference between thirteen and seventeen,” Isabella said. “And well you know it. You simply wish there were not. It won’t be long before she has beaux. I wouldn’t be surprised if she weren’t already smitten with some country swain.” He gulped down his brandy at the thought.
“You don’t think…” He glanced warily at Isabella.
I thought it was amusing that he was horrified by the fact that Eleanor may have a beau.
I admire Isabella…her strength, resilience and courage. She went through a soul-destroying, abusive marriage but has lost none of that indomitable spirit. Her selfless love for her sister and her need to ensure Perdita’s future happiness, above all else, made me like her even more.
Her interactions with Trevor’s sisters, Eleanor and Belinda, show the genuine affection she has for them. She also recognises how ill-equipped they are to take their place in society as the sisters of a duke and desperately need her guidance.
…there was something familiar about these two sisters, something that made Isabella want to shield them from the hurts and embarrassments that awaited them in the world outside their little village.
I particularly love the scene where Isabella loans Eleanor a gown …… Eleanor’s reactions and excitement are contagious.
I found the romance between Isabella and Trevor perfectly paced. They both start out with preconceived ideas about each other. Isabella has been preconditioned by the Dowager Duchess to expect some kind of stuffy, country yokel living a rustic existence while Trevor initially believes Isabella to be nothing more than a frivolous society lady. It is both amusing and delightful watching their preconceived notions slowly shattered allowing them to move from physical attraction to falling in love.
He’d expected Isabella to be incapable of conversing about anything but the latest on-dit, but she had proved knowledgeable on a variety of topics, including, to his great surprise, the glamorous world of crop rotation. She’d explained it away, saying that her father had been fond of agricultural talk despite making his home in London. She had, she said, absorbed the information over the course of many years listening to him drone on about it.
…to her surprise and admiration, Ormonde not only knew everyone’s names, but he also was able to ask after their siblings and parents and children and grandchildren and in some cases great-grandchildren, with an easy manner that indicated he had been doing so for years. He clearly cared for their welfare beyond just ensuring that they were able to produce a good crop yield. He cared about them as people.
The secondary characters add depth to the story. I was charmed by Trevor’s sisters, Eleanor and Belinda with their delightful banter and I love the humour Trevor’s friend and neighbour, Sir Lucien Blakemore, brings to the story:
“I took Lady Wharton and my sisters into York yesterday to go dress shopping.”
Blakemore blanched. “Ye gods, no wonder you’re livid. A shopping trip could make any man go mad.”
I like how Ms Collins intersperses social comments throughout the story and highlights the often harsh realities of being a woman during this era.
It wasn’t hard to figure out the identity of the person sending Isabella the threatening letters, but the action was still dramatic enough to keep me turning the pages. There is a cliff-hanger because the villainous mastermind behind the threats is still at large and the mystery surrounding his identity is set to continue throughout the series.
Overall this was an enjoyable start to Ms Collin’s new series with just the right amount of romance and mystery. I will definitely be reading the next book, Why Earls Fall in Love, which is Georgina’s story.
REVIEW RATING: 4.5/5 STARS
The Wicked Widows series (click on covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals blog:
http://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com/...
August 11, 2013
review posted on Got Fiction? books
Well it isn’t every Romance novel that opens with a murder.
I really enjoyed Manda Collins’ Ugly Ducklings series, so I was looking forward to this start of her new series the Wicked Widows. This begins, as I said, with a death.
The Lady Isabella Wharton is trying to remove her sister Perdita from a brutal marriage to the Duke of Ormonde. Their friend Georgina has a pistol and shoots him while Isabella is trying to get Ormonde to drop the knife from Perdita’s throat. However he falls on his own knife. That is how the Duke of Ormonde came to be both stabbed and shot. The family helped cover up the ladies’ parts in his death, but no one really knows which was the fatal blow-the purposeful shot, or the accidental stabbing.
The next scene shows the dowager duchess, Ormonde’s grandmother and Isabella’s godmother, blackmailing Isabella to go to Yorkshire to bring home her other wayward grandson, the new Duke of Ormonde. He wants absolutely nothing to do with the title or the family, so for Isabella, this won’t be an easy task.
Isabella doesn’t really know what to expect, but Trevor isn’t it. He definitely has a chip on his shoulder about the Dukedom and his family (who cut off his father without a cent), but Isabella won’t give up. She can’t. When someone starts leaving threatening notes in her room that say “I know what you did last Season,” she realizes that she might not be free of her brother-in-law’s death. Does she dare confide in Trevor?
This was a slow romance. They didn’t even kiss until about halfway through the book, but it worked for the story. Besides, once they did kiss, it was delightfully steamy and worth the wait. The mystery is only partially solved, but that’s because there are after all, 2 other ladies who were involved in what happened last Season.
I didn’t like how there had been a subplot with the Dowager Duchess and it was left hanging. I’m sure it will be shown in the next book, but it felt like it should have been taken care of in this one. I did however like the plot, the characters, and I look forward to the next installment in Manda Collins’ Wicked Widows.
***ARC courtesy of the author and St. Martin's Press
Well it isn’t every Romance novel that opens with a murder.
I really enjoyed Manda Collins’ Ugly Ducklings series, so I was looking forward to this start of her new series the Wicked Widows. This begins, as I said, with a death.
The Lady Isabella Wharton is trying to remove her sister Perdita from a brutal marriage to the Duke of Ormonde. Their friend Georgina has a pistol and shoots him while Isabella is trying to get Ormonde to drop the knife from Perdita’s throat. However he falls on his own knife. That is how the Duke of Ormonde came to be both stabbed and shot. The family helped cover up the ladies’ parts in his death, but no one really knows which was the fatal blow-the purposeful shot, or the accidental stabbing.
The next scene shows the dowager duchess, Ormonde’s grandmother and Isabella’s godmother, blackmailing Isabella to go to Yorkshire to bring home her other wayward grandson, the new Duke of Ormonde. He wants absolutely nothing to do with the title or the family, so for Isabella, this won’t be an easy task.
Isabella doesn’t really know what to expect, but Trevor isn’t it. He definitely has a chip on his shoulder about the Dukedom and his family (who cut off his father without a cent), but Isabella won’t give up. She can’t. When someone starts leaving threatening notes in her room that say “I know what you did last Season,” she realizes that she might not be free of her brother-in-law’s death. Does she dare confide in Trevor?
This was a slow romance. They didn’t even kiss until about halfway through the book, but it worked for the story. Besides, once they did kiss, it was delightfully steamy and worth the wait. The mystery is only partially solved, but that’s because there are after all, 2 other ladies who were involved in what happened last Season.
I didn’t like how there had been a subplot with the Dowager Duchess and it was left hanging. I’m sure it will be shown in the next book, but it felt like it should have been taken care of in this one. I did however like the plot, the characters, and I look forward to the next installment in Manda Collins’ Wicked Widows.
***ARC courtesy of the author and St. Martin's Press
December 4, 2013
3 1/2 sweet stars
This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed how well written it was and how much the characters come alive. Ms. Collins did a superb job at keeping a mystery throughout the story and I found myself guessing who the "bad guy" could be.
Trevor Carey makes a good hero. I liked his character but he wasn't as yummy as I was hoping he would be. Please don't get me wrong because he was enjoyable to read about. ;)
"You make me lose all semblance of civilized behavior, " he muttered. "I want to carry you off to the bed and keep you there until neither of us is able to walk."
"Trevor," she whispered, kissing him with flattering abandon. "I stayed awake for hours last night thinking of you. Of this."
Lady Isabella Wharton was an ok heroine. Some parts of her past made me question why the author added them into the story and some parts I felt were unnecessary (her miscarriage). I hate reading about things like that.
"With this ring," he said against her palm, "I thee wed...
"With my body," he whispered, "I thee worship."
All in all, I thought it was a nice and sweet little read. I adored reading about Trevor's sisters (Belinda & Eleanor). I also enjoyed reading about Sir Lucien Blakemore. I really, REALLY hope that Ms. Collins will write his story in the near future.
I eagerly await for Manda Collins next historical romance to come out: "Why Earls Fall In Love".
This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed how well written it was and how much the characters come alive. Ms. Collins did a superb job at keeping a mystery throughout the story and I found myself guessing who the "bad guy" could be.
Trevor Carey makes a good hero. I liked his character but he wasn't as yummy as I was hoping he would be. Please don't get me wrong because he was enjoyable to read about. ;)
"You make me lose all semblance of civilized behavior, " he muttered. "I want to carry you off to the bed and keep you there until neither of us is able to walk."
"Trevor," she whispered, kissing him with flattering abandon. "I stayed awake for hours last night thinking of you. Of this."
Lady Isabella Wharton was an ok heroine. Some parts of her past made me question why the author added them into the story and some parts I felt were unnecessary (her miscarriage). I hate reading about things like that.
"With this ring," he said against her palm, "I thee wed...
"With my body," he whispered, "I thee worship."
All in all, I thought it was a nice and sweet little read. I adored reading about Trevor's sisters (Belinda & Eleanor). I also enjoyed reading about Sir Lucien Blakemore. I really, REALLY hope that Ms. Collins will write his story in the near future.
I eagerly await for Manda Collins next historical romance to come out: "Why Earls Fall In Love".
July 27, 2013
Lady Isabella Wharton, her sister and her best friend all have a secret. The know how the previous Duke of Ormond died, or rather was killed. Unfortunately Lady Isabella's Godmother, the late Duke's grandmother, also knows and is using the information to blackmail Isabella into bringing Trevor Casey, the new and estranged Duke of Ormond back into the family fold. But sparks soon start to fly when Isabella meets the maddening new Duke who inflames her lust as much as her anger. Soon, however, threatening notes start to arrive and it is more than her heart that is in danger as she confides in Trevor...her life may well be in peril as well.
What a pleasant surprise this book was! I have been a little underwhelmed by Manda Collins Ugly Ducklings series, which although I enjoyed, it wasn't anything outstanding. However, although Why Dukes Say I Do wasn't perhaps original in story or characters it had that certain spark that made me unable to put it down as I devoured each page.
What did stand out for me in this book was how the heroine, Isabella, changed, at first she was a bit of aloof and cold but the more you got to know her and her polite mask dropped the more I liked her and just wanted her to have a HEA. Trevor was also a great hero, I loved how he was with his younger sisters, he was so incredibly sweet and a bit clueless; it was adorable. Together they were great, maybe they didn't have tear-your-clothes-off chemistry but they complimented each other.
There was also an element of mystery in this book as Isabella is getting threatening notes and attempts on her life. Although I guessed early on whodunit, I liked that the mystery was two fold as we discover there be a mastermind behind the threats. I imagine this plot will follow through into the next book and I can't wait to see what happens and find out who the ultimate villain is.
I really enjoyed the first book in the Wicked Widows, it has started the series on a high note and I am looking forward to the next book.
December 13, 2015
It took me quite some time to start this one and now I think I am glad because so I could read the whole series in one go.
this is the first book in this series and I have to say it has an interesting plot.
the characters were fun to be with and I enjoyed their story.
what left me wanting is the ending. I don't understand why Authors don't see the need of their readers to experience the happily ever after a bit more
this is the first book in this series and I have to say it has an interesting plot.
the characters were fun to be with and I enjoyed their story.
what left me wanting is the ending. I don't understand why Authors don't see the need of their readers to experience the happily ever after a bit more
February 11, 2018
fraquinho... nem sei se merece as 3* completas. por alguma razão não consegui gostar do livro como queria. pode ser que o próximo seja melhor
February 7, 2019
Já tinha este livro no Kobo para ler há algum tempo, mas, não sei porque razão, nunca me lembrei de o ler assim que o recebi. Falha minha. Embora tenha lido algumas reviews de leitoras cujo género preferido é o romance de época, não muito favoráveis a este livro, peguei-lhe com fé e mergulhei de cabeça, como se costuma dizer. Não fiquei nada arrependida. Gostei imenso da escrita desta autora (nova para mim) e de como ela conseguiu criar personagens de fácil temperamento, mas ao mesmo tempo, fortes nas suas convicções.
Isabella é uma mulher já com a sua dose de passado traumático, embora seja ainda muito jovem. Foi casada com um homem que se supunha ser de boa índole, mas que afinal não passava de um homem violento e traidor. Agora, já viúva, lamenta o facto de também a sua irmã ter tido o mesmo destino que ela. Também a irmã casou com um homem violento e cruel que não pensava em mais nada a não ser em sim, mulheres e vida boémia, apesar de ser o Duque de Ormond.
Opinião Completa no Sinfonia dos Livros
https://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.co...
Isabella é uma mulher já com a sua dose de passado traumático, embora seja ainda muito jovem. Foi casada com um homem que se supunha ser de boa índole, mas que afinal não passava de um homem violento e traidor. Agora, já viúva, lamenta o facto de também a sua irmã ter tido o mesmo destino que ela. Também a irmã casou com um homem violento e cruel que não pensava em mais nada a não ser em sim, mulheres e vida boémia, apesar de ser o Duque de Ormond.
Opinião Completa no Sinfonia dos Livros
https://sinfoniadoslivros.blogspot.co...
June 20, 2014
Originally Posted At My Blog: Addicted To Romance
Lady Isabella, recently widowed, is glad to be free of a marriage that was a brutal prison. Now her sister is soon to make a solid match with a man she adores. But when her godmother, blackmails her into visiting her grandson and convincing him to take the full responsibilities of being the Duke of Ormond. So Isabella has no choice, since she would do anything for her sister. Trevor Carey, only cares about the country life, taking care of his tenants and farms, and seeing to his younger sisters. When his grandparents left his parents on their own, he had no interest in forming a bond with his grandmother when he became the Duke. At first Trevor is furious at Isabella, for trying to get him to return to London, to the family who has never cared about him or his sisters until they needed him. As Isabella tries to convince Trevor of his duties, Isabella starts to slowly fall for the handsome duke, who treats her with desire and tenderness..
Why Dukes Say I Do is the first book in the wicked widows series. This is the first chance I have had to read from this author, and I really enjoyed this book, a lot more than I expected. I found this story to be quite enjoyable and fun to read. The setting of this story takes place in the countryside of England, and we see a instant attraction between Isabella and Trevor form. But what I really liked was seeing them form more of a friendship in the beginning, and then it turns into something more deeper.
The characters in this story were quite delightful, and I loved the difference in each of their personalities. The hero of the story, Trevor, has certain characteristics that just makes your thirsty for more. He isn't your normal hero of a regency. He isn't a rake or rogue....but just as tasty. Trevor is honorable and loyal, but from the beginning of the story he has a possessive hold on Isabella. I love his treatment to Isabella and his sisters, so sweet and protective. Isabella is quite strong and I really admired her, especially when you see what she has suffered in her past. But she has major trust issues and I liked the way the author portrays this character, and instills a emotional edge to the story that wraps around your finger, and you just need to find out what happens. Some of the side characters were quite fun: The two younger sisters were funny and heartwarming and I fell in love with them. They reminded me of my sisters and I growing up. Even the best friend of Trevor was delicious and I hope he gets his story with the governess (that would be a good story). You can't help but root for Isabella and Trevor from beginning to end. This story is enchanting, with some sexy chemistry, a bit of intrigue, and a plot that never stops. GUARANTEED TO SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET!!
Lady Isabella, recently widowed, is glad to be free of a marriage that was a brutal prison. Now her sister is soon to make a solid match with a man she adores. But when her godmother, blackmails her into visiting her grandson and convincing him to take the full responsibilities of being the Duke of Ormond. So Isabella has no choice, since she would do anything for her sister. Trevor Carey, only cares about the country life, taking care of his tenants and farms, and seeing to his younger sisters. When his grandparents left his parents on their own, he had no interest in forming a bond with his grandmother when he became the Duke. At first Trevor is furious at Isabella, for trying to get him to return to London, to the family who has never cared about him or his sisters until they needed him. As Isabella tries to convince Trevor of his duties, Isabella starts to slowly fall for the handsome duke, who treats her with desire and tenderness..
Why Dukes Say I Do is the first book in the wicked widows series. This is the first chance I have had to read from this author, and I really enjoyed this book, a lot more than I expected. I found this story to be quite enjoyable and fun to read. The setting of this story takes place in the countryside of England, and we see a instant attraction between Isabella and Trevor form. But what I really liked was seeing them form more of a friendship in the beginning, and then it turns into something more deeper.
The characters in this story were quite delightful, and I loved the difference in each of their personalities. The hero of the story, Trevor, has certain characteristics that just makes your thirsty for more. He isn't your normal hero of a regency. He isn't a rake or rogue....but just as tasty. Trevor is honorable and loyal, but from the beginning of the story he has a possessive hold on Isabella. I love his treatment to Isabella and his sisters, so sweet and protective. Isabella is quite strong and I really admired her, especially when you see what she has suffered in her past. But she has major trust issues and I liked the way the author portrays this character, and instills a emotional edge to the story that wraps around your finger, and you just need to find out what happens. Some of the side characters were quite fun: The two younger sisters were funny and heartwarming and I fell in love with them. They reminded me of my sisters and I growing up. Even the best friend of Trevor was delicious and I hope he gets his story with the governess (that would be a good story). You can't help but root for Isabella and Trevor from beginning to end. This story is enchanting, with some sexy chemistry, a bit of intrigue, and a plot that never stops. GUARANTEED TO SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET!!
August 7, 2013
Loved this historical romance! Why Dukes Say I Do was a brilliant read, full of thrills, surprises, romance, and a mystery. Fans of historical romance, you are going to love this book.
Isabella was a strong heroine. After a horrible marriage, she's won her independence. Well, mostly. She didn't figure the dowager duchess into her plans. I thought she was a great character. On the surface, she seems jaded and somewhat snobbish. But, as the book went on, we underneath her mask and that part of her was very likable. One thing I really liked about her was that she didn't let her experiences with her father, husband, and brother-in-law sour her toward all men. In a lot of romances, one bad experience leaves a heroine a man-hater and sometimes it's a little annoying. But, with her, even after having bad experiences with 3 men, Isabella still knew that there were good men in the world. She just hasn't met very many of them. I found her to be a lovely character.
Trevor was so amazingly sweet, I just wanted to give him a hug. If you want to see a true gentleman, here he is. Trevor was just wonderful. So sweet to his sisters and Isabella, determined to his duty, and willing to do whatever in order to win the love of his life. He was brilliant and I adored him.
The romance was wonderful. Isabella and Trevor were a lovely couple. Their romance was sweet, and their feelings for each other were palpable. I appreciated that they didn't wallow in denial about their feelings and, instead, acted on them. And, there was some heat between them for sure.
The plot was fast paced. The mystery of the blackmailer had me on the edge of my seat and I was hooked the entire way through. And the ending was lovely, tying up the romance while leaving the mystery open for the next book in the series. This looks like a promising series and I can't wait to read the next book.
Why Dukes Say I Do was a lovely romance, one that I really enjoyed. Lovers of the genre, you will love this book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks for a copy!
Isabella was a strong heroine. After a horrible marriage, she's won her independence. Well, mostly. She didn't figure the dowager duchess into her plans. I thought she was a great character. On the surface, she seems jaded and somewhat snobbish. But, as the book went on, we underneath her mask and that part of her was very likable. One thing I really liked about her was that she didn't let her experiences with her father, husband, and brother-in-law sour her toward all men. In a lot of romances, one bad experience leaves a heroine a man-hater and sometimes it's a little annoying. But, with her, even after having bad experiences with 3 men, Isabella still knew that there were good men in the world. She just hasn't met very many of them. I found her to be a lovely character.
Trevor was so amazingly sweet, I just wanted to give him a hug. If you want to see a true gentleman, here he is. Trevor was just wonderful. So sweet to his sisters and Isabella, determined to his duty, and willing to do whatever in order to win the love of his life. He was brilliant and I adored him.
The romance was wonderful. Isabella and Trevor were a lovely couple. Their romance was sweet, and their feelings for each other were palpable. I appreciated that they didn't wallow in denial about their feelings and, instead, acted on them. And, there was some heat between them for sure.
The plot was fast paced. The mystery of the blackmailer had me on the edge of my seat and I was hooked the entire way through. And the ending was lovely, tying up the romance while leaving the mystery open for the next book in the series. This looks like a promising series and I can't wait to read the next book.
Why Dukes Say I Do was a lovely romance, one that I really enjoyed. Lovers of the genre, you will love this book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Paperbacks for a copy!
July 22, 2014
I absolutely LOOOOVED this story! This is probably Manda Collins' best book so far. The romance was incredibly sweet & the mystery, that I'm assuming is going to carry over to the next two books, is intriguing. I guessed who the tormentor was pretty quickly, but I'm ok with that since I was much more interested in their romance. Isabella is an extremely likable heroine. She is sweet & kind, intelligent, funny, independent, & strong. Trevor is....::sigh:: oh so dreamy. While my other book boyfriends are incredibly Alpha with tortured pasts (Zsadist from BDB & Reyes from Charley Davidson), Trevor is the PERFECT man & he is now on my list of book boyfriends. That's not even an exaggeration. He's perfect. Theres not one flaw with the man. He's hard working, funny, smart, caring, kind, sweet, understanding, communicates marvelously, & protective while still giving his lady love the freedom & independence she deserves. I want one. I mean, c'mon! He even had a HUGE....well...you know. Comparing it to a horse?!?! Get out if town with that! LMAO! I have yet to encounter a man that possess ALL of those qualities &....assets. Eleanor & Belinda, Lucien Blakemore, Perdita & Georgina, & the servants (aside from the obvious LoL) are all incredibly likable secondary characters that give the story a complete feel. It reinforces the readers view of the H & h by allowing us to see the kind of people they are surrounded & held in esteem by. Although not likely, it's very easy to turn this from a trilogy & expand to tell the story of characters such as Eleanor, Belinda, & Lucien (I can totally picture him hooking up with Miss Nightingale ;P). I strongly recommend this to any one who wants to read something that will make their heart smile. I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment with Georgina & Coniston!
November 28, 2013
The first in a new trilogy, Why Dukes Say I Do was a sweet, solid book that filled my every duke-snaring expectation. I’d been in a bit of a rut when I picked up this book, and it got me right out of it. I loved (almost) every bit of this book, from the scandal that set it off to the duke’s sweet little sisters.
Trevor was a leading man after my own heart: down to earth and unassuming, solid, respectful. He’s a country gentleman through and through and even when he puts his foot in his mouth it’s only because he’s trying to do the right thing. I have to admit, I find it exceedingly sexy when a man has such a large…work ethic. :P I very much enjoyed his interactions with Isabelle and his sisters, the way he did his best to navigate the female sphere of society for their sake even though it made him thoroughly uncomfortably. So adorable.
I also enjoyed that Isabelle had an astute understanding of gender dynamics. That wasn’t the focus of the novel, but it still warmed my heart when she’d snidely point out male privilege to Trevor. They were small moments -- this isn’t a book about first wave feminism -- but they were very welcome. But they did lead to my one complaint about the novel: Isabelle and Trevor have a very frank conversation about power, and the lack of it that women have and Isabelle’s issues with it in particular. It’s a great scene, and Trevor expresses his willingness to respect Isabelle’s needs. And then…yeah, that gets thrown out the window a few scenes later. *sigh* Well, I’ll just pretend she set him straight afterward and enjoy all the rest of this book.
Trevor was a leading man after my own heart: down to earth and unassuming, solid, respectful. He’s a country gentleman through and through and even when he puts his foot in his mouth it’s only because he’s trying to do the right thing. I have to admit, I find it exceedingly sexy when a man has such a large…work ethic. :P I very much enjoyed his interactions with Isabelle and his sisters, the way he did his best to navigate the female sphere of society for their sake even though it made him thoroughly uncomfortably. So adorable.
I also enjoyed that Isabelle had an astute understanding of gender dynamics. That wasn’t the focus of the novel, but it still warmed my heart when she’d snidely point out male privilege to Trevor. They were small moments -- this isn’t a book about first wave feminism -- but they were very welcome. But they did lead to my one complaint about the novel: Isabelle and Trevor have a very frank conversation about power, and the lack of it that women have and Isabelle’s issues with it in particular. It’s a great scene, and Trevor expresses his willingness to respect Isabelle’s needs. And then…yeah, that gets thrown out the window a few scenes later. *sigh* Well, I’ll just pretend she set him straight afterward and enjoy all the rest of this book.
August 15, 2013
I really like the chemistry and romance between Trevor and Isabella. I also like all the mystery and intrigue surrounding the threats to Isabella. Ms. Collins did a wonderful job in writing this one. Great start of a new series.
March 22, 2019
A história não me cativou muito...
October 26, 2024
Isabella is a widow who was in an abusive marriage. Her sister, Perdita, was also in an abusive marriage. The book opens with Peridita's husband, the Duke of Ormonde, holding a knife to Peridta's throat. Georgina, their friend was also there. What happens next forms one of the plot points of this book (and the next 2). Someone knows their secret.
Isabella is tasked with going to the countryside to retrieve Trevor, the new duke. She goes to help her sister who is being romanced and is thought to be in love with a new person; the dowager duchess has enough power to end it or let it be. Trevor's dad was the exiled second son of the old duke, the current dowager's grandson. And as a result, he does not like that side of the family.
Anyway, Isabella does well out in the country and forms friendships with Trevor's younger sisters; Eleanor and Belinda. She and Trevor gradually give in to their attraction and fall in love. She confides in Trevor her abusive marriage, the threatening notes she is getting, and her abusive marriage. There have also been attempts to injure/kill her (a damaged carriage, a cut strap on a saddle for example).
I did like the slow burn. The characters were also likable. However, I did find my attention drifting at times and this was easy to put down (and pick up later). And while we do find out who was behind the notes/"gifts" Isabella was getting, we do not know who the primary person is behind the notes that Georgina and Perdita have also gotten.
Isabella is tasked with going to the countryside to retrieve Trevor, the new duke. She goes to help her sister who is being romanced and is thought to be in love with a new person; the dowager duchess has enough power to end it or let it be. Trevor's dad was the exiled second son of the old duke, the current dowager's grandson. And as a result, he does not like that side of the family.
Anyway, Isabella does well out in the country and forms friendships with Trevor's younger sisters; Eleanor and Belinda. She and Trevor gradually give in to their attraction and fall in love. She confides in Trevor her abusive marriage, the threatening notes she is getting, and her abusive marriage. There have also been attempts to injure/kill her (a damaged carriage, a cut strap on a saddle for example).
I did like the slow burn. The characters were also likable. However, I did find my attention drifting at times and this was easy to put down (and pick up later). And while we do find out who was behind the notes/"gifts" Isabella was getting, we do not know who the primary person is behind the notes that Georgina and Perdita have also gotten.
July 26, 2014
(Original post at Doing Some Reading)
I have been waiting to read the next installment from Manda ever since I’ve finished her Ugly Duckling series and this is it. This was what I have been waiting for.
So we have the prologue starting off with a death (wasn’t sure how it was going to go from there) but it needed to start somewhere right? But yes, a death.
(This is where Manda got her ideas for the series from. She was thinking of scary films and what not and then it hit her…wham! I know what you did last season! –Okay, yeah I stalked her at one of her blog chats and got this info from her but I needed to know, you know. I have to creep around my authors to get the good stuff out of them. I thank you very much–)
This leads to the heroine, Isabella, being blackmailed by her godmother (yes, her very own upstart sneering godmother) to set against her to travel to Yorkshire to retrieve (more like seduce) the new Duke, the hero, Trevor, to come to London and hold his position to the family (and be controlled by the godmother, which is his grandmother).
There were lots of things that happened in this story. It was rather a slow start to the story but it was an okay pace. The story of a blackmailer began to appear the second Isabella arrived in town which I thought was a great plot to move the relationship between the two along.
Isabella thinking Trevor a mere country man got a surprise of her life when she meets him and finds that he actually lives in a very comfortable life. Trevor also finds Isabella enticing and very well knowledgeable in politics and other likes. Both characters were very likable and have flaws but also demons they had to over come. I also loved seeing them change throughout the story and see them come to trust and believe in each other as they come to know one another better during their acquaintance.
I definitely loved Eleanor and Belinda, sisters of the Duke! They were so sweet and naive at times and so lovable I wanted them as my very own friends! Eleanor, at seventeen is very sweet, gentle, soft spoken and kind girl who want to be a young woman and ready for her debut. While Belinda, at thirteen was wild, out spoken, curious, opinionated and is a playful child who loved the country and never wants to leave.
Trevor is very protective brother and I understood him so well on that front because, well, they’re his sisters and they will forever be children to him. I found it very sweet that he never want them to grow up and when Isabella came into their lives and started dressing Eleanor in dresses proper enough for a seventeen year old girl. Trevor thew a fit! It was very touching, although absurd that he would not want his sister to look like the young woman she has become, it was very assuring that he loved her and Belinda very much to want them to stay kids under his protection forever~
“If it were up to me she’d wear pinafores and her hair in braids for the rest of her days.” -Trevor, Duke of Ormonde. p.238
As the relationship between Trevor and Isabella moved forward I was surprise that there wasn’t much for them to stand on for the relationship to actually process in its direction. I was kind of sad that there wasn’t more tension and attraction rays shooting off the tops of their heads at each others’ presence. It was a slow start but everything also seemed to have been forced together for them to be together in a way.
And their first kiss scene was….not what I wanted. Though it may have been the right time there was just not enough tension for it to be a great first kiss for the two of them for me. Even if it was well into the book and well past the half point.
But back to the story of finding the culprit who’s blackmailing and threatening Isabella. Sadly I kind of figured who that person was from the gecko. But it was still a great read figuring it out if it was other people that were popping up in the story. (Sorry if I’m giving away spoilers.)
I did have problems with the use of character’s names. At certain points in the dialogues the names of characters would change and it confuse me like heck!
For example, at first the character was referred to by their first name, Lucian, in every dialogue he’d spoken in the beginning of the conversation with Trevor. But then, this Blackmore entered the conversation and I was at a lost! I had to re-read the whole passage and flip back to the beginning to find this Lucian gentleman just to see his full name and title, but to also make sure I wasn’t missing another gentleman in the room hearing upon this private conversation between the two. Bold and be hold Lucian is Lord Blackmore! I was very annoyed by this I shall say.
I was also annoyed by the characters not referring to the other character’s name. Many times when Isabella (in her own view) was in dialogue with Trevor, the Duke of Ormonde, she (or Ms. Manda) referred to him as “the Duke“. Why can’t she just simply state him as Trevor or Osmond, instead of “the Duke said” or “the Duke this or that” ? (I’m sorry if I’m being harsh but it just really bothered me as I was reading.)
I really did really like this book beside all those problems. And I really adored the friends I found in this book! Sir Lucian Blackmore is one secondary character I can’t wait to see! a friend of Trevor, we got to see a bit of his side and he is definitely a very hero-esque character. But I’m super curious and a little bite scared of what the next books will entail for him. (His book is not next but still! We got to see a bit of his romantic interest.) I’m not so sure who will end up with who because there were so many lovable characters that I’m not sure what Ms. Manda Collins will have for each of them. (well for the third book, that is.)
This story ends with a good ending but the culprit at large still has more victims to target so we’ll have to see what we find of him/her in the next book.
I have been waiting to read the next installment from Manda ever since I’ve finished her Ugly Duckling series and this is it. This was what I have been waiting for.
So we have the prologue starting off with a death (wasn’t sure how it was going to go from there) but it needed to start somewhere right? But yes, a death.
(This is where Manda got her ideas for the series from. She was thinking of scary films and what not and then it hit her…wham! I know what you did last season! –Okay, yeah I stalked her at one of her blog chats and got this info from her but I needed to know, you know. I have to creep around my authors to get the good stuff out of them. I thank you very much–)
This leads to the heroine, Isabella, being blackmailed by her godmother (yes, her very own upstart sneering godmother) to set against her to travel to Yorkshire to retrieve (more like seduce) the new Duke, the hero, Trevor, to come to London and hold his position to the family (and be controlled by the godmother, which is his grandmother).
There were lots of things that happened in this story. It was rather a slow start to the story but it was an okay pace. The story of a blackmailer began to appear the second Isabella arrived in town which I thought was a great plot to move the relationship between the two along.
Isabella thinking Trevor a mere country man got a surprise of her life when she meets him and finds that he actually lives in a very comfortable life. Trevor also finds Isabella enticing and very well knowledgeable in politics and other likes. Both characters were very likable and have flaws but also demons they had to over come. I also loved seeing them change throughout the story and see them come to trust and believe in each other as they come to know one another better during their acquaintance.
I definitely loved Eleanor and Belinda, sisters of the Duke! They were so sweet and naive at times and so lovable I wanted them as my very own friends! Eleanor, at seventeen is very sweet, gentle, soft spoken and kind girl who want to be a young woman and ready for her debut. While Belinda, at thirteen was wild, out spoken, curious, opinionated and is a playful child who loved the country and never wants to leave.
Trevor is very protective brother and I understood him so well on that front because, well, they’re his sisters and they will forever be children to him. I found it very sweet that he never want them to grow up and when Isabella came into their lives and started dressing Eleanor in dresses proper enough for a seventeen year old girl. Trevor thew a fit! It was very touching, although absurd that he would not want his sister to look like the young woman she has become, it was very assuring that he loved her and Belinda very much to want them to stay kids under his protection forever~
“If it were up to me she’d wear pinafores and her hair in braids for the rest of her days.” -Trevor, Duke of Ormonde. p.238
As the relationship between Trevor and Isabella moved forward I was surprise that there wasn’t much for them to stand on for the relationship to actually process in its direction. I was kind of sad that there wasn’t more tension and attraction rays shooting off the tops of their heads at each others’ presence. It was a slow start but everything also seemed to have been forced together for them to be together in a way.
And their first kiss scene was….not what I wanted. Though it may have been the right time there was just not enough tension for it to be a great first kiss for the two of them for me. Even if it was well into the book and well past the half point.
But back to the story of finding the culprit who’s blackmailing and threatening Isabella. Sadly I kind of figured who that person was from the gecko. But it was still a great read figuring it out if it was other people that were popping up in the story. (Sorry if I’m giving away spoilers.)
I did have problems with the use of character’s names. At certain points in the dialogues the names of characters would change and it confuse me like heck!
For example, at first the character was referred to by their first name, Lucian, in every dialogue he’d spoken in the beginning of the conversation with Trevor. But then, this Blackmore entered the conversation and I was at a lost! I had to re-read the whole passage and flip back to the beginning to find this Lucian gentleman just to see his full name and title, but to also make sure I wasn’t missing another gentleman in the room hearing upon this private conversation between the two. Bold and be hold Lucian is Lord Blackmore! I was very annoyed by this I shall say.
I was also annoyed by the characters not referring to the other character’s name. Many times when Isabella (in her own view) was in dialogue with Trevor, the Duke of Ormonde, she (or Ms. Manda) referred to him as “the Duke“. Why can’t she just simply state him as Trevor or Osmond, instead of “the Duke said” or “the Duke this or that” ? (I’m sorry if I’m being harsh but it just really bothered me as I was reading.)
I really did really like this book beside all those problems. And I really adored the friends I found in this book! Sir Lucian Blackmore is one secondary character I can’t wait to see! a friend of Trevor, we got to see a bit of his side and he is definitely a very hero-esque character. But I’m super curious and a little bite scared of what the next books will entail for him. (His book is not next but still! We got to see a bit of his romantic interest.) I’m not so sure who will end up with who because there were so many lovable characters that I’m not sure what Ms. Manda Collins will have for each of them. (well for the third book, that is.)
This story ends with a good ending but the culprit at large still has more victims to target so we’ll have to see what we find of him/her in the next book.
July 4, 2014
Manda Collins
Isabella, Perdita and Georgina were all in the room when Perdita's hubby, the cruel and evil Duke of Ormond, was shot and stabbed to death and, now over a year later, a evil unknown nemesis wants REVENGE for the Duke's untimely death!
Lady Isabella Wharton is a woman who is finally free from her hubby's hate, fists and controlling ways. It took his death in a duel over his mistress to do it, but you should never waste GREAT LUCK! Isabella has endless choices to make now and loves every minute of it. Her sister, Perdita, is safe to find love and peace or so she thought. Her Godmama, the Dowager Duchess of Ormond (so not the fairy kind), blackmail Isabella, with her sister's hope of loving marriage, if she doesn't go to convince and maybe flirt, not seduce, her grandson, the new Duke of Ormond, into coming to London and be the Duke the Duchess wants him to be. So off to untamed English village of Nettlefield, Isabella goes.
Trevor Carey may be the new Duke of Ormond, but he will NEVER pick up the ducal anything, since his father was banished from his family emotional and financial for marrying the woman he love, Trevor's mom. He sees no reason to go back to the cruel bosom of the family ever. He loves his sisters, Eleanor and Belinda, his tenants, his village of Nettlefield, his home and estate that his father worked with his own hands. Trevor plans to never leave his responsibilities here for London. What do they say about plans? Exactly, don't have any!
On her way to Nettlefield House, Isabella's carriage (aka the Dowager's carriage, because if she is going to be blackmailed, she will ride in comfy style) breaks down and she and Liston, her servant, are awaiting her coachman for rescue. Trevor stops to help and overhears her chatting with Liston, in her uppity London way, and he decides to have a little fun and act like a commoner, because he is sick of all the London women looking for a favor, money or worse a hubby. Isabella thinks this man is a flirt, but she needs a ride, and she let's him help her onto his horse. Trevor think this woman is a stiff as a board because she thinks he is below her. She realizes her mistake, as they travel to his Duke home, and he gives her a speech about how he will NEVER bending to his grandmother!
Trevor strikes a deal, if she learns about all his responsibilities, like visiting tenants and being the magistrate, he will consider going to London and to protect her sister budding romance, she agrees. Belinda and Eleanor are screaming for female guidance and help with their over protective brother and she enjoys doing girlie things and taming Trevor's protectiveness. As Isabella receives a threaten note, Trevor learn of the carriage's axle sabotage and when Trevor talks about the carriage, she spills about the note and they decide to band together to keep her safe. As Isabella follows Trevor to learn about his responsibilities, she begins to admire this gentle, gooey hearted and down to earth man. The more time Trevor spends with Isabella his imagination begins to see her in his arms, on his lips and in his bed. When they innocently touch, HELLO sparks and then they kiss, PASSION ignites between them. With the village busybodies, toe curling kisses, threats aplenty, 2 slightly scheming sisters, more nasty blackmail, unchecked passionate embraces, a creepy man for her past, a shopping trip for his sisters and a best friend for Trevor to get advice from that help these 2 crazy kids realize that maybe LOVE is afoot. Will Isabella give her heart and control over to him? How will Trevor show her that he will treasure not control her? Can their love save Isabella from the hidden evil? Can Trevor learn to relax and let his sisters be woman?
I have read this amazing book before and the 2nd time was even better. Ms. Collins spins a good mysterious tale and her hero and heroine were great together. What Isabella needed, Trevor had and visa versa. Isabella was abuse victim, but she always had an inner strength that protected her spirit and soul. Trevor was a very UNtypical duke and man for his time. He loved every seed, tenants, servant and they were all to be respected and treasured. Trevor learned this at his Father's and I believe at his mom's example, too. Ms. Collins assembled a cast of quirky characters for the village of Nettlefield. She made them so life like that I keep planning ways in my head to embarrass and humbled Mrs. Palmer permanently. Ms. Collins does set up a lot of sexual tension and some steamy scenes, but I wanted more spark worthy episodes. Abusive relationships are a tough subject to write about and Ms. Collins gave Isabella a great support system. I know Isabella is a character from a book, but abuse victims need stories, even fictional, to give them hope and show them that light, however small, is there if they grab it. I want to THANK Ms. Collins for writing this story and giving HOPE to us all. OK, nothing with the serious stuff! Ms. Collins made me lose a few calories with this tale by having me scream at Mrs. Palmer, stabbing at a nasty meanie (don't tell my librarian please I might get a fine), making tears linked from the sisterly love flowing and I had to actually turn pages because it was in paperback, so I got to eat my pasta with no guilt. This 1st book in Ms. Collins Wicked Widow series gets my score of 4 fingers up and 7 toe and don't be jealous, but I am reading book 2 NEXT!
This story brought to y'all via my AWESOME library!
February 1, 2020
Entre 3⭐️ e 3,5⭐️
September 14, 2017
Gostei desta história, fácil de ler, bastante divertida mas começou de uma maneira bastante esquisita para um romance....Um assassinato.
Opinião completa em: http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
Opinião completa em: http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...
September 9, 2013
"Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide.
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.
...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square
You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there."
Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins is the first in the Wicked Widows series, and I suspect that they aren't really wicked. I also suspect that the killing we are witness to in the first chapter is to be what connects this series.
Our heroine is Lady Isabella Wharton, a widow and an escapee from an abusive marriage. She is also the god-daughter to a conniving woman, the Dowager Duchess of Ormonde, who isn't above blackmail to get what she wants. What she wants in this case is for Isabella to traipse out to the country, and drag the dowagers recalculate grandson, Trevor, the current Duke, to London.
When Trevor and Isabella meet it is two worlds clashing. Isabella is a city girl who thinks Trevor is a county bumpkin. Trevor is a hard-working country gentleman who thinks Isabella is a town fribble. The both hate each other's worlds immensely. Entering into Trevor's hatred of the city is also his blindness to the fact that his sisters are growing up. One especially is a seventeen-year-old who he has isolated from the big bad London world. (Although, I though while reading this book that there had to have been thousands of young ladies what never made it to London and probably lived full and productive lives.)
The story was an interesting study of two opposites who learn to respect each other and eventually grow to love each other. Because I was enjoying how well this couple was working together I was a little thrown by a silly misunderstanding that happens after they are married. The misunderstanding went totally against the trust that Trevor and Isabella had built and in my opinion was a distraction to the storyline.
Also a bit of a distraction were the mysterious threatening notes that Isabella was receiving. I think the story could have been a strong story without the outside interference. And by the way, I knew who it was right away and when the big reveal happened it was a bit over dramatic for my taste.
For the most part, I enjoyed the romance between Trevor and Isabella - their budding relationship was a treat to watch. That part of the book had a smooth, gentle flow. When the mystery appeared that flow became a frenzy.
I would encourage Ms. Collins to leave some of these peripheral elements out of her stories because I believe she could have a strong voice amongst authors who can write about relationships, such as Mary Balogh or Lisa Kleypas. I for one would enjoy her story without the mystery.
P.S. Authors, be careful what names you give to your characters - choosing to name a character Moneypenny will only throw a reader out of a story and may make them start singing "Goldfinger, he's the man...the man with the Midas touch..."
KaysBlog
Farm livin' is the life for me.
Land spreadin' out so far and wide.
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.
New York is where I'd rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.
...The chores.
...The stores.
...Fresh air.
...Times Square
You are my wife.
Good bye, city life.
Green Acres we are there."
Why Dukes Say I Do by Manda Collins is the first in the Wicked Widows series, and I suspect that they aren't really wicked. I also suspect that the killing we are witness to in the first chapter is to be what connects this series.
Our heroine is Lady Isabella Wharton, a widow and an escapee from an abusive marriage. She is also the god-daughter to a conniving woman, the Dowager Duchess of Ormonde, who isn't above blackmail to get what she wants. What she wants in this case is for Isabella to traipse out to the country, and drag the dowagers recalculate grandson, Trevor, the current Duke, to London.
When Trevor and Isabella meet it is two worlds clashing. Isabella is a city girl who thinks Trevor is a county bumpkin. Trevor is a hard-working country gentleman who thinks Isabella is a town fribble. The both hate each other's worlds immensely. Entering into Trevor's hatred of the city is also his blindness to the fact that his sisters are growing up. One especially is a seventeen-year-old who he has isolated from the big bad London world. (Although, I though while reading this book that there had to have been thousands of young ladies what never made it to London and probably lived full and productive lives.)
The story was an interesting study of two opposites who learn to respect each other and eventually grow to love each other. Because I was enjoying how well this couple was working together I was a little thrown by a silly misunderstanding that happens after they are married. The misunderstanding went totally against the trust that Trevor and Isabella had built and in my opinion was a distraction to the storyline.
Also a bit of a distraction were the mysterious threatening notes that Isabella was receiving. I think the story could have been a strong story without the outside interference. And by the way, I knew who it was right away and when the big reveal happened it was a bit over dramatic for my taste.
For the most part, I enjoyed the romance between Trevor and Isabella - their budding relationship was a treat to watch. That part of the book had a smooth, gentle flow. When the mystery appeared that flow became a frenzy.
I would encourage Ms. Collins to leave some of these peripheral elements out of her stories because I believe she could have a strong voice amongst authors who can write about relationships, such as Mary Balogh or Lisa Kleypas. I for one would enjoy her story without the mystery.
P.S. Authors, be careful what names you give to your characters - choosing to name a character Moneypenny will only throw a reader out of a story and may make them start singing "Goldfinger, he's the man...the man with the Midas touch..."
KaysBlog
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2013
4.5 stars, originally posted on My Book Musings.
The chilling prologue of Why Dukes Say I Do portends already that there will be accidents along the way for the three main characters of the Wicked Widows trilogy: sisters Isabelle and Perdita, and their good friend Georgina. I thought it would be just some big secret, a case of blackmail, but things take a turn for the sinister throughout the book. There were some really sick scenes. However, the main culprit behind all these threats are still being teased out to us by Manda - and I for one am looking forward to...well, confirming my suspicions.
You know how when you read a book and then you read abut the hero/main male character, you go "damn it, why aren't you real?!" Well, that's exactly how I felt about Trevor Carey (never mind my fantasy of being a real-live duchess). He's very honest, a gentleman, he's good with kids, passionate, and loyal, not to mention quite hot. He's also very protective of his sisters, and of course of Isabella. Gosh, I want him. Do these guys still even exist? He grew up in the country and has quite unfavorable views of the city (London).
The female protagonist, Isabella Wharton, is very admirable. I like how strong she is, and how compassionate she is towards others. She, on the other hand, loves her city and has skewed views of the countryside. But that's to be expected, especially since she doesn't really venture that far out. She has been severely maltreated by her late husband, and so she values her independence and freedom.
I'm glad that Manda Collins provided some basis for their falling in love with each other. This wasn't a case of insta-love. It was quite apparent that they were falling in love with each other for their personalities (not to mention their rocking bods) all throughout the books. And thank you, Manda, for giving a great, curvy female protagonist! I also liked that from the first page of the book, I felt like I was whisked to the scene immediately. This is not something that is so easy to do, especially with the TV blaring Disney Junior cartoons while my loveable 2-yr-old niece plays around the living room, knocking things over. I just kept getting immersed into the story, and I enjoyed getting myself lost in those pages. Don't you just love it when that happens?
I was thrilled to my toes while reading their story. I'm glad the plot stayed away from the usual "s/he doesn't love me" conflict, which is getting quite tiring. Also, having an honest and transparent male protagonist is such a relief in this genre! One thing that I noticed about Why Dukes Say I Do is that it was so apparent who the culprit behind the threats against Isabelle are. It wasn't so mysterious for me. However, given that this is a historical romance book and not a mystery book, I'm not particularly piqued about that.
I am so excited to read the rest of the Wicked Widows series, and sincerely recommend this to all historical romance lovers. ;)
The chilling prologue of Why Dukes Say I Do portends already that there will be accidents along the way for the three main characters of the Wicked Widows trilogy: sisters Isabelle and Perdita, and their good friend Georgina. I thought it would be just some big secret, a case of blackmail, but things take a turn for the sinister throughout the book. There were some really sick scenes. However, the main culprit behind all these threats are still being teased out to us by Manda - and I for one am looking forward to...well, confirming my suspicions.
You know how when you read a book and then you read abut the hero/main male character, you go "damn it, why aren't you real?!" Well, that's exactly how I felt about Trevor Carey (never mind my fantasy of being a real-live duchess). He's very honest, a gentleman, he's good with kids, passionate, and loyal, not to mention quite hot. He's also very protective of his sisters, and of course of Isabella. Gosh, I want him. Do these guys still even exist? He grew up in the country and has quite unfavorable views of the city (London).
The female protagonist, Isabella Wharton, is very admirable. I like how strong she is, and how compassionate she is towards others. She, on the other hand, loves her city and has skewed views of the countryside. But that's to be expected, especially since she doesn't really venture that far out. She has been severely maltreated by her late husband, and so she values her independence and freedom.
I'm glad that Manda Collins provided some basis for their falling in love with each other. This wasn't a case of insta-love. It was quite apparent that they were falling in love with each other for their personalities (not to mention their rocking bods) all throughout the books. And thank you, Manda, for giving a great, curvy female protagonist! I also liked that from the first page of the book, I felt like I was whisked to the scene immediately. This is not something that is so easy to do, especially with the TV blaring Disney Junior cartoons while my loveable 2-yr-old niece plays around the living room, knocking things over. I just kept getting immersed into the story, and I enjoyed getting myself lost in those pages. Don't you just love it when that happens?
I was thrilled to my toes while reading their story. I'm glad the plot stayed away from the usual "s/he doesn't love me" conflict, which is getting quite tiring. Also, having an honest and transparent male protagonist is such a relief in this genre! One thing that I noticed about Why Dukes Say I Do is that it was so apparent who the culprit behind the threats against Isabelle are. It wasn't so mysterious for me. However, given that this is a historical romance book and not a mystery book, I'm not particularly piqued about that.
I am so excited to read the rest of the Wicked Widows series, and sincerely recommend this to all historical romance lovers. ;)
August 20, 2013
First, I LOVE the cover, it's so gorgeous.
Manda Collins kick off her brand new series, Wicked Widows with a dazzling story titled Why The Dukes Say I do and once again she proof herself to be one of historical romance author to watch for.
The book opened with a confrontation between Isabella, Lady Wharton, her sister, Perdita, their friend, Georgiana and Perdita's brute of a husband, Duke of Ormond which end up with the death of the duke.
Due to his cousin's misfortune demise, Trevor Carey now is the new Duke of Ormond. However he still a gentleman farmer at heart and to his grandmother, The Dowager Duchess' dismay, he refuse to go to London and take his place as the head of the family.And why would he? After all the Ormonds disowned his father for married his mother years ago.
The Dowager then forced Isabella to retrieve Trevor from Yorkshire. But without realizing it , there is someone else who follow Isabella to Yorkshire and threat Isabella's peace of mind and safety...
I thoroughly enjoy this. Its different from the usual bodice ripper type with a rakish hero and shy but opinionated miss. Trever was such a great hero, he's sweet, caring, and devoted (Can someone please tell me where I can find a guy like that??) And Isabella was a strong character who will do anything to protect those whom she love. I love how their romance unfolded. It was a bit slow burn, but it was fit with their characters.
Of course, there were some things that I didn't excited about, like how long it took for Isabella to know the culprit, and the problem with the dowager duchess' seem still unsolved. Also, that Georgianna who will be next book's heroine appeared very little in this book. I almost thought that she was the villain
But overall this book worth it 4stars. And I look forward for the next book with Georgiana and Earl of Coniston and the real villain who blackmailed the three widows.
Manda Collins kick off her brand new series, Wicked Widows with a dazzling story titled Why The Dukes Say I do and once again she proof herself to be one of historical romance author to watch for.
The book opened with a confrontation between Isabella, Lady Wharton, her sister, Perdita, their friend, Georgiana and Perdita's brute of a husband, Duke of Ormond which end up with the death of the duke.
Due to his cousin's misfortune demise, Trevor Carey now is the new Duke of Ormond. However he still a gentleman farmer at heart and to his grandmother, The Dowager Duchess' dismay, he refuse to go to London and take his place as the head of the family.And why would he? After all the Ormonds disowned his father for married his mother years ago.
The Dowager then forced Isabella to retrieve Trevor from Yorkshire. But without realizing it , there is someone else who follow Isabella to Yorkshire and threat Isabella's peace of mind and safety...
I thoroughly enjoy this. Its different from the usual bodice ripper type with a rakish hero and shy but opinionated miss. Trever was such a great hero, he's sweet, caring, and devoted (Can someone please tell me where I can find a guy like that??) And Isabella was a strong character who will do anything to protect those whom she love. I love how their romance unfolded. It was a bit slow burn, but it was fit with their characters.
Of course, there were some things that I didn't excited about, like how long it took for Isabella to know the culprit, and the problem with the dowager duchess' seem still unsolved. Also, that Georgianna who will be next book's heroine appeared very little in this book. I almost thought that she was the villain
But overall this book worth it 4stars. And I look forward for the next book with Georgiana and Earl of Coniston and the real villain who blackmailed the three widows.
September 6, 2013
I requested this title to review from NetGalley because the title intrigued me, the blurb promised a well-written book with an air of mystery, and the cover is so lusciously romantic.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The characters are well drawn and likeable. Isabella is strong and courageous, and although she is vulnerable due to the legacy of her first husband, who abused her, she is no cowed woman, and I really liked that in her. Trevor is a man of principle, very attractive for his decency as lord and magistrate in his area and in his role as guardian for his two younger sisters. He is chivalrous and has a delightfully masterful edge.
The story is compelling, with enough mystery and drama to keep you turning the pages until the very end. It feels realistic enough for the time, and the twist at the end is both surprising and strangely moving.
For me, though, what really stands out in the book is the quality of the writing. Manda Collins is an excellent writer who expertly writes in the historical fiction style, with plenty of old-fashioned terminology and phrasing included without becoming burdensome for the reader. I especially loved her flashes of wit among the more serious and poetic writing:
Tonight, she was wearing what he secretly referred to as a gut puncher, for the feeling it inspired in him. The gown was a bluish green, the shade of a robin’s egg. it was cool and elegant and hugged her every delicious curve.
…
“I was unlucky enough to meet the fellow at the tavern on the night he arrived. A more perfect example of a ‘toadeater’ I don’t believe I’ll ever meet.”
…
Only Belinda was content to eat her luncheon without weighing in on the conversation. Though Trevor thought he noticed a judgmental tone in the way she consumed her peas.
Overall, a book I heartily recommend as a passionate, lively, well-crafted novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The characters are well drawn and likeable. Isabella is strong and courageous, and although she is vulnerable due to the legacy of her first husband, who abused her, she is no cowed woman, and I really liked that in her. Trevor is a man of principle, very attractive for his decency as lord and magistrate in his area and in his role as guardian for his two younger sisters. He is chivalrous and has a delightfully masterful edge.
The story is compelling, with enough mystery and drama to keep you turning the pages until the very end. It feels realistic enough for the time, and the twist at the end is both surprising and strangely moving.
For me, though, what really stands out in the book is the quality of the writing. Manda Collins is an excellent writer who expertly writes in the historical fiction style, with plenty of old-fashioned terminology and phrasing included without becoming burdensome for the reader. I especially loved her flashes of wit among the more serious and poetic writing:
Tonight, she was wearing what he secretly referred to as a gut puncher, for the feeling it inspired in him. The gown was a bluish green, the shade of a robin’s egg. it was cool and elegant and hugged her every delicious curve.
…
“I was unlucky enough to meet the fellow at the tavern on the night he arrived. A more perfect example of a ‘toadeater’ I don’t believe I’ll ever meet.”
…
Only Belinda was content to eat her luncheon without weighing in on the conversation. Though Trevor thought he noticed a judgmental tone in the way she consumed her peas.
Overall, a book I heartily recommend as a passionate, lively, well-crafted novel.
January 27, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first experience with Manda Collins and I enjoyed myself. I liked the unique hero (a duke who wants nothing to do with his title) and the relatable heroine. I did think their relationship moved a little too fast for my taste, but they were a cute couple. The fact that they became friends before lovers was definitely nice to read about. I loved Trevor's little sisters and hope to see them get their own stories in the future. While this was not perfect, I thought it was fun and recommend it for fans of cute historical romance.
This was my first experience with Manda Collins and I enjoyed myself. I liked the unique hero (a duke who wants nothing to do with his title) and the relatable heroine. I did think their relationship moved a little too fast for my taste, but they were a cute couple. The fact that they became friends before lovers was definitely nice to read about. I loved Trevor's little sisters and hope to see them get their own stories in the future. While this was not perfect, I thought it was fun and recommend it for fans of cute historical romance.
February 2, 2017
I'm at 25% and I just can't do it anymore. I can't quite put my finger on why I don't like this, but it's just become a chore to read. The characters and the storyline just don't grab me. I really don't like the hero and he comes across as a boring stick in the mud. Even though there is a supposed "frisson of attraction" between the characters, I just didn't care. There are a lot of lures that should snag me into the plot- elegant lady and stubborn gentleman, adorable sisters, a secret past, and a blackmailer, but I just don't like it.
This was my first attempt at this author so I'm going to try another work by her before I give up.
This was my first attempt at this author so I'm going to try another work by her before I give up.
August 29, 2013
*I received a free ARC of Why Dukes Say I Do via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.*
Why Dukes Say I Do had all the ingredients I look for in a historical romance - love, spunk, mystery, humor and a lady that knows how to get what she wants!
Full review to come soon.
This and all other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Why Dukes Say I Do had all the ingredients I look for in a historical romance - love, spunk, mystery, humor and a lady that knows how to get what she wants!
Full review to come soon.
This and all other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
July 31, 2013
Okay, once again...I love Manda's style of writing! I like the suspense mixed up in the romance ....not for the sake of any damsel in distress, it is a huge part of the story and it works...
Great characters once again....in fact, dare I say some of my favorite!
This is a great start to a new series...
Great characters once again....in fact, dare I say some of my favorite!
This is a great start to a new series...
June 27, 2013
This was a sensual and romantic novel with a wonderful hero and an endearing heroine. A good choice for Regency romance lovers.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the August issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur Magazine in the August issue. http://affairedecoeur.com.
September 15, 2025
I figured out the major plot point, but was very intrigued as to why. Lady Isabella is tasked to retrieve the new Duke and bring him back to London to assume his duties by her godmother, his grandmother. The previous Duke was married to her sister and had died the year before. A few people knew what happened, but it was largely kept secret. On her way to his home in Yorkshire, she is in an accident with her carriage. The Duke meets her on the road without knowing who she was and vice versa. He takes her home to recover, while the carriage is fixed. She meets his sisters and tries to get a governess for them at the same time as convincing Trevor that the older sister needs to have a come out very soon. While this is happening, notes and gifts start showing up for Isabella and scare her. Someone keeps threatening her. Lots of intrigue and I loved it!
July 28, 2018
Trevor is the new duke but refuses to leave the country. Isabella has been blackmailed into going there only to find that she likes him, the country and his sisters. Except as a widow, there's so much of her past including murder that has been kept secret. The whole story is superbly done and I enjoyed reading this. I'd definitely read more historicals from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews