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The Wayward Woodvilles #1
Mi tiempo con un Duque
Son completamente opuestos. La sociedad nunca lo aprobaría. Pero eso no les impide querer más...
Greyson Everett, futuro duque de Derby, ha sido exiliado. Cortado financieramente y desterrado al campo por su crítico padre, se espera que se arrepienta y trabaje como un plebeyo. Si tiene alguna esperanza de volver a su vida real, tendrá que mantener el rumbo y dejar de besar a la hija mandona, obstinada y demasiado encantadora de su empleador. Debería ser fácil. Pero no lo es ...
Hailey Woodville está agradecida por todas las manos que hacen que las tareas de las tareas de la modesta finca de su padre sean ligeras. Bueno, ella está agradecida por la mayoría de ellos. Greyson es uno de los peores trabajadores que ha visto. Su ineptitud en el trabajo manual sólo es superada por su arrogancia y su belleza. Ella debería mantenerse alejada. Desafortunadamente, ella no puede ...
Pero pronto, Greyson tendrá que determinar si el precio de ser feliz para siempre con Hailey es uno que puede (y está dispuesto) a pagar, y Hailey tendrá que decidir si puede perdonar a Greyson los pecados de su pasado desenfrenado.
Greyson Everett, futuro duque de Derby, ha sido exiliado. Cortado financieramente y desterrado al campo por su crítico padre, se espera que se arrepienta y trabaje como un plebeyo. Si tiene alguna esperanza de volver a su vida real, tendrá que mantener el rumbo y dejar de besar a la hija mandona, obstinada y demasiado encantadora de su empleador. Debería ser fácil. Pero no lo es ...
Hailey Woodville está agradecida por todas las manos que hacen que las tareas de las tareas de la modesta finca de su padre sean ligeras. Bueno, ella está agradecida por la mayoría de ellos. Greyson es uno de los peores trabajadores que ha visto. Su ineptitud en el trabajo manual sólo es superada por su arrogancia y su belleza. Ella debería mantenerse alejada. Desafortunadamente, ella no puede ...
Pero pronto, Greyson tendrá que determinar si el precio de ser feliz para siempre con Hailey es uno que puede (y está dispuesto) a pagar, y Hailey tendrá que decidir si puede perdonar a Greyson los pecados de su pasado desenfrenado.
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 7, 2022
1245 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Gill
140 books1,012 followersTamara is an Australian author who grew up in an old mining town in country South Australia, where her love of history was founded. She loves to write romance novels in an array of genres, including regency, medieval, and time travel.
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Buy direct from my store - now open!
https://www.tamaragill.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
November 26, 2022
5 Stars
- Ms Gill is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.
- I am loving these Woodvilles!
- Very interesting plot.
- Sweet romance.
- I absolutely adored Hailey.
- Grayson could have handled things better.
- The duke was a jackass.
- Ms Gill is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.
- I am loving these Woodvilles!
- Very interesting plot.
- Sweet romance.
- I absolutely adored Hailey.
- Grayson could have handled things better.
- The duke was a jackass.
February 14, 2022
A nice opener to a new series. I flew through reading this. Good characters and storyline. I liked all of this story, but I loved the second half on the book best. A lovely HEA ending. 4☆
July 28, 2022
The idea was solid but the execution was not. There were so many instances that needed editing for me to believe that the situation could happen even in a fictional world. Plus insta love, convenient resolution and very little back story made it an easy but very silly book. I will not continue with the series.
December 23, 2022
I hated this book. The amount of times I almost didn't finish it was really, really high. It was short, and I was mildly curious how it ended, so I pushed through. I apologize if this is somewhat incoherent. I hated this book so much that I have to rant about it.
Let's start with one of the most damning problems. This is the first of a series centered on the Woodville family. There is almost no time spent establishing the family. Her father likes to bird watch and neglects their tenants and farm. Her mother wants her daughters to marry well. Her mother isn't in the book until the climax and only one of her sisters has any dialogue before the epilogue. I don't care about the Woodville family. I barely care about the protagonists in the book. Compelling characters are nonexistent here. The Bennett family from Pride and Prejudice this is not.
The first time I almost put the book down: "Greyson narrowed his eyes at his sire. How was it that he was from his loins?" I think my eyes rolled so hard, I saw the inside of my skull. Greyson's father is quickly established as the villain of the piece. There are rumors that he is insane. They're never really explored. Don't worry. He's barely in it and dies conveniently. The main character doesn't have to stand up to him or overcome him or get cut off. He dies conveniently.
Also, you want to talk about a book where characters fall in love for very little reason? This is it! Enemies to lovers? Great trope. I love it. Let's see the work behind it. How do the characters resolve their differences? This book has a shirtless male protagonist. That's pretty much it. Also, onto the enemies thing? Hailey yells at him a lot for looking superior (and judging), his tone, not knowing that he is bathing in her drawing spot on her first day, for calling her out for spying on him. She yells at him, tells him off, until she doesn't. He's into it. In fairness, he is a jerk. But it would have been nice to see him fail at his job or something. He doesn't. He is actually quite proficient at all hard labor he is given. Granted, this is largely mucking the barn. There are scenes where he excels at other things, but he's mainly in the barn. Alone. Until Hailey shows up.
That's almost their entire relationship beyond the physical beyond jealousy over another love interest. Who looked promising as the third of a love triangle but "showed his true colors" the first scene he was actually in. It was a lucky break. Hailey had known him her entire life, but didn't know how he felt about farmhands until she was attracted to one.
Also, can I point out that she knew that he didn't have a lot of work experience in the field because of his hands. Valid. But she was looking at them from a window...at a distance. So, apparently, we can tell how soft or calloused someone's hands are as they are leaving a carriage from a distance? "Hailey could see [Greyson's hands] looked as soft as butter even from a distance." Why couldn't this be saved for them actually meeting in the first place. Also, kind of pointless, because Greyson was apparently very proficient in everything he tried.
This is just one of the many, many logical inconsistencies I see in this novel.
Now, the drama. Greyson has been posing as a farmhand (and he is great at it apparently with no training) because his father banished him to the Woodville estate for having a mistress. His father, the Duke, was apparently rejected by Hailey's mother twenty five years ago and he knows that his son will seduce one of the daughters if he goes to work as a farmhand on their estate. Greyson's friend and servant go with him on this endeavor. But, like most other characters, he is barely in the book. The Duke hopes that Greyson and one of the Woodville daughters elope, or his son ruins one of them, so he can torture Hailey's mother further. His plan works in the sense that Greyson and Hailey fall in love and Greyson didn't bother to tell her that he's a duke. It's amazing that Hailey wasn't ruined based on the complete lack of discretion displayed by the pair --Hailey asks Greyson to accompany her to town numerous times (despite never asking anyone before), gets him off of his shifts at work, and no one suspects anything). Also Hailey told a few people about their love for one another. Right when Greyson has threatened Hailey's other suitor and they could come clean, the Duke shows up. Because of course he does. Hailey is afraid she has been ruined, as the Duke plans to ruin her reputation in London. His revenge on her mother complete, he dies. Because of course he does.
Greyson apologizes about a month later and all is forgiven.
Let's start with one of the most damning problems. This is the first of a series centered on the Woodville family. There is almost no time spent establishing the family. Her father likes to bird watch and neglects their tenants and farm. Her mother wants her daughters to marry well. Her mother isn't in the book until the climax and only one of her sisters has any dialogue before the epilogue. I don't care about the Woodville family. I barely care about the protagonists in the book. Compelling characters are nonexistent here. The Bennett family from Pride and Prejudice this is not.
The first time I almost put the book down: "Greyson narrowed his eyes at his sire. How was it that he was from his loins?" I think my eyes rolled so hard, I saw the inside of my skull. Greyson's father is quickly established as the villain of the piece. There are rumors that he is insane. They're never really explored. Don't worry. He's barely in it and dies conveniently. The main character doesn't have to stand up to him or overcome him or get cut off. He dies conveniently.
Also, you want to talk about a book where characters fall in love for very little reason? This is it! Enemies to lovers? Great trope. I love it. Let's see the work behind it. How do the characters resolve their differences? This book has a shirtless male protagonist. That's pretty much it. Also, onto the enemies thing? Hailey yells at him a lot for looking superior (and judging), his tone, not knowing that he is bathing in her drawing spot on her first day, for calling her out for spying on him. She yells at him, tells him off, until she doesn't. He's into it. In fairness, he is a jerk. But it would have been nice to see him fail at his job or something. He doesn't. He is actually quite proficient at all hard labor he is given. Granted, this is largely mucking the barn. There are scenes where he excels at other things, but he's mainly in the barn. Alone. Until Hailey shows up.
That's almost their entire relationship beyond the physical beyond jealousy over another love interest. Who looked promising as the third of a love triangle but "showed his true colors" the first scene he was actually in. It was a lucky break. Hailey had known him her entire life, but didn't know how he felt about farmhands until she was attracted to one.
Also, can I point out that she knew that he didn't have a lot of work experience in the field because of his hands. Valid. But she was looking at them from a window...at a distance. So, apparently, we can tell how soft or calloused someone's hands are as they are leaving a carriage from a distance? "Hailey could see [Greyson's hands] looked as soft as butter even from a distance." Why couldn't this be saved for them actually meeting in the first place. Also, kind of pointless, because Greyson was apparently very proficient in everything he tried.
This is just one of the many, many logical inconsistencies I see in this novel.
Now, the drama. Greyson has been posing as a farmhand (and he is great at it apparently with no training) because his father banished him to the Woodville estate for having a mistress. His father, the Duke, was apparently rejected by Hailey's mother twenty five years ago and he knows that his son will seduce one of the daughters if he goes to work as a farmhand on their estate. Greyson's friend and servant go with him on this endeavor. But, like most other characters, he is barely in the book. The Duke hopes that Greyson and one of the Woodville daughters elope, or his son ruins one of them, so he can torture Hailey's mother further. His plan works in the sense that Greyson and Hailey fall in love and Greyson didn't bother to tell her that he's a duke. It's amazing that Hailey wasn't ruined based on the complete lack of discretion displayed by the pair --Hailey asks Greyson to accompany her to town numerous times (despite never asking anyone before), gets him off of his shifts at work, and no one suspects anything). Also Hailey told a few people about their love for one another. Right when Greyson has threatened Hailey's other suitor and they could come clean, the Duke shows up. Because of course he does. Hailey is afraid she has been ruined, as the Duke plans to ruin her reputation in London. His revenge on her mother complete, he dies. Because of course he does.
Greyson apologizes about a month later and all is forgiven.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2022
4.5 Stars
Greyson Everett, future Duke of Derby, has been exiled. Cut off financially and banished to the country by his disapproving father, he’s expected to repent and work like a commoner. Hailey Woodville is grateful for all the hands that make light work of the chores on her father’s modest estate. Greyson is obviously not used to manual with his soft hands but he's determined to learn.
The start of a new series & what looks set to be an enthralling series. I loved Hailey who was a mature, feisty young woman & I really liked Greyson & was glad when he finally stood up to his horrible father. I loved the chemistry & verbal banter between Greyson & Hailey & how their relationship changed & grew. I loathed the Duke of Derby who was manipulative, vengeful & just downright horrid & cheered when his plans were thwarted. A well written engrossing read & I look forward to the other Woodville siblings finding love
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Greyson Everett, future Duke of Derby, has been exiled. Cut off financially and banished to the country by his disapproving father, he’s expected to repent and work like a commoner. Hailey Woodville is grateful for all the hands that make light work of the chores on her father’s modest estate. Greyson is obviously not used to manual with his soft hands but he's determined to learn.
The start of a new series & what looks set to be an enthralling series. I loved Hailey who was a mature, feisty young woman & I really liked Greyson & was glad when he finally stood up to his horrible father. I loved the chemistry & verbal banter between Greyson & Hailey & how their relationship changed & grew. I loathed the Duke of Derby who was manipulative, vengeful & just downright horrid & cheered when his plans were thwarted. A well written engrossing read & I look forward to the other Woodville siblings finding love
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
May 7, 2022
Review....
After the Duke tells his steward his true reason for sending his son north....I was angry and thought about putting the book aside. I stayed with it to see is Greyson could in deed prove his father, the duke, wrong and gain some substance. Greyson started to show promise in his thoughts and work. Then at 44% into the book things stared to go askew for me. Greyson abandons his hands off attitude toward unmarried women and Hailey becomes loose and seems to throw her morals out the window. I was so disappointed I put the book down and did LAUNDRY to clear my head!!!!
After picking the book back up, I did finish. The Duke was still nasty, evil and horrible. Thankfully he got his!! I did cheer and frighten the grands. I was glad to see Greyson remember himself and hold true. The grand gesture/grovel was brilliant. I have always enjoyed Ms. Gill's writing, her humor and endearing characters. This book threw me for a moment, but in the end I was charmed. I look forward to the series.
Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in anyway.
After the Duke tells his steward his true reason for sending his son north....I was angry and thought about putting the book aside. I stayed with it to see is Greyson could in deed prove his father, the duke, wrong and gain some substance. Greyson started to show promise in his thoughts and work. Then at 44% into the book things stared to go askew for me. Greyson abandons his hands off attitude toward unmarried women and Hailey becomes loose and seems to throw her morals out the window. I was so disappointed I put the book down and did LAUNDRY to clear my head!!!!
After picking the book back up, I did finish. The Duke was still nasty, evil and horrible. Thankfully he got his!! I did cheer and frighten the grands. I was glad to see Greyson remember himself and hold true. The grand gesture/grovel was brilliant. I have always enjoyed Ms. Gill's writing, her humor and endearing characters. This book threw me for a moment, but in the end I was charmed. I look forward to the series.
Disclaimer: I received a complementary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in anyway.
July 19, 2023
I really enjoyed this one! I look forward to the series.
I was surprised at how Greyson could redeem himself in so few pages, but he did it! I loved seeing their relationship grow and how Greyson was so thoughtful of her.
I was surprised at how Greyson could redeem himself in so few pages, but he did it! I loved seeing their relationship grow and how Greyson was so thoughtful of her.
February 7, 2022
Grayson Everett, Marquess of Cadmael, is being punished by his father the Duke of Derby. "A mean and nasty, vindictive bastard whom he loathed." He is banished to Northhamptonshire to work as a farmhand on a farm owned by the Woodville family. Hailey Woodville looks after the family estate. When two new farmhands arrive she notices that Grayson's hands are soft and places a bet with her father on how long he stays. It soon becomes apparent that Hailey and Grayson's bickering is a lot more than bickering. Their first kiss will not be their last and dreams of them being together cross both their minds. Only Grayson has not revealed his true identity. It is only a matter of time for this to blow up in his face. A very passionate, steamy book with an heir finding something worth fighting for.
The first book in the series and I can hardly wait to read the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book gifted by the author.
The first book in the series and I can hardly wait to read the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book gifted by the author.
January 16, 2023
[[ BOOK INFO ]]———————————————
—<< ✨ 1.5 stars rounded up ✨>>—————————
Pages: 181
Chapters: 28 (excluding epilogue)
Main shelves: historical romance, f/m, frenemies-to-lovers, forced proximity-ish, insta-lust, fish out of water, hidden identity, country house, virgin, rags-to-riches
👤POV(s): multiple: Grayson, Hailey, Greyson’s father (only for part of chap 1)
📝Ending: HEA (Happily ever after)
📚Series? Yes but can be read as standalone. Same world but follow different protagonists.
<< Includes >>
• sneak peak of ‘On a wild duke chase’ (Woodville book 2)
………………………………………………………………………………
[[ CONTENT WARNINGS ]]
………………………………………………………………………………
[[ Q’s ]]
Q: Sex scenes?
Q: Love triangle?
Q: unrequited love?
Q: virgin trope?
Q: Character death?
………………………………………………………………………
[[ PERSONAL COMMENTS ]]
contain spoilers
📓 this book reads very much like a story of a foolish first love for the heroine.
The book emphasises his ‘difference’ to any man she had known before like that his voice and the way he spoke was unlike any other (apparently more ‘cultured’ compared to people who didn’t come from money), or that his appearance was unlike any other and blushing, apparently to the point of nearly ‘swooning’ once when he called her ‘beautiful’ and ‘kind.’
Then they’re kissing and by the 54% mark, she’s already given up on the idea of having a Season to find a husband (something she had expressed excitement for), daydreaming about marrying him in a very idealistic, childish manner, all without considering the consequences, sacrifices and complications that would arise. (eg. how are they going to make enough money to live?)
Which leads into the next point…
📓 insta-lust bordering on insta-love. As soon as they meet, there are paragraphs describing their features and an instant connection where they are constantly looking at each other and talking about the other person. Also for some reason, 2 scenes where the male protagonist is seen stripping down and the book waxes on about his body...
📓 the relationship pacing was rushed. When they first meet, they are unnecessarily rude to each other, yet the next day, the heroine is confessing her hopes and dreams to him on a picnic—a person she literally met yesterday.
Not only that, but there was nothing that lead into that scene, nothing that justified this sudden change in demeanour: no moment of vulnerability, bonding over a common interest, or seeing another side to the other character and re-evaluating their first opinions of them.
📓 questionable consent when kissing. Grayson moves to kiss Hailey but she doesn’t want to so she pushes him away and runs for the door and in response, he grabs her by the arms and forcefully kisses her again. The second time this happens we are reading from his perspective where it’s made clear that he feels her pushing him away while he's kissing her but continues until she stops resisting.
📓 No character development. Greyson starts as an arrogant and cocky individual and stays that way until the very end. The plot had a lot of potential in his particular character arc and yet he doesn’t actually learn anything from working in the fields.
He starts out with no experience yet picks up the skills in seconds and is even praised for his work. So when the author added a few lines about ‘taking a lot for granted’ it didn’t feel like a particularly moving change of perspective.
Especially since he continually takes comfort in the knowledge that he is higher in the social hierarchy as an advantage in comparison to any person who expresses romantic interest in Hailey in that they are only a ‘gentleman’ but not a ‘lord’ like himself. 🙄
And at the end of the day, there weren’t any redeeming moments for his character.
📓 Grayson’s father arranges a marriage for Grayson with another person and Grayson’s first reaction is to express outrage and say that her face resembled a horse.
He makes this comparison time and time again when her name is brought up, saying he found nothing about her attractive and implies that her appearance is the reason she had very few offers despite her father’s wealth and was desperate to marry.
This constant critique of a person’s appearance definitely did not endear him to me and a later insistence of the heroine’s physical attractiveness and beauty in direct comparison not moments later soured the relationship and his character further
📓 when ‘defending’ his reputation as a rake to his father his response could be summarised by 2 lines:
Two sentences that ooze unearned privilege and in turn, his ignorance and childish foolhardy considering the reality of that time for the majority of people that made his position in life possible.
Which is reflected in the relationship. So the next point probably comes as no surprise…
📓 I didn’t like the relationship dynamic. In a lot of ways, their relationship lacked emotional connection. They first notice each other because they find each other physically ‘attractive’ and it never really goes much further than that. The heroine tells him her dreams and he compliments her and that’s pretty much it. Not to mention the fact that their whole relationship was based and built on a lie about his identity.
The heroine, throughout the majority of the book (while under the assumption that Grayson was a only a farmhand) stands to lose a lot more than the hero while he was safe with the knowledge that he would return to his old life, living in luxury.
Grayson seems to carry more power in the relationship, having had more experience while the heroine was easily swept away with pretty words and his looks without experience of much else.
📓 After the reveal about Grayson’s true identity coinciding with his father’s ill-timed appearance, and having herself and her mother slut-shamed, Hailey still somehow does not grasp the severity of the situation. And her replies to her mother’s questions felt childish and naive, which doesn’t at all reflect her actual age (21)
📓 Their HEA felt very sudden and unearned. After the reveal about Grayson’s true identity, Hailey was heartbroken, angry and disillusioned. She seemed to be less naïve, having realised the reality she was in, yet one conversation later and she’s agreed to marry Grayson— the very person who she had appeared to have started resenting.
And aside from that complete personality 180, the only thing that even makes that scene possible is that fact that Grayson’s father died from a seizure the night after the identity reveal, having already left Grayson with everything despite being coded as this book’s main antagonist.
📓 It also doesn’t make sense for Hailey’s mother to push her to marry a titled man when her whole backstory was that despite being rich and high in society, she refused the duke’s marriage offer and married someone without a title or generational money because she fell in love.
When explaining all this to Hailey she even says that she would have married him if he had no money at all and that she didn’t regret turning down the duke’s offer. So why is she shown to be so disapproving of her daughters marrying people for love even if they are without title or money? You could argue that she just wanted the best life for her daughters but wouldn’t someone with her backstory put happiness over wealth in her family? especially since she has been in her daughter's position with her parents?
📓 very centred around the protagonists. Other characters barely appear, have any sort of personality or life, or serve any other purpose than to progress the romance. The only conversations the protagonists have with their ‘friends’ is only ever about the love interest. Also, the way it’s written makes it feel there are barely any other characters at all.
eg. Hailey brings food for the workers but then she starts having a conversation with Grayson, the other characters disappear for the scene entirely. No talking in the background, no one else in the conversation, nothing.
📓 Grayson continually implies that his father is not sane and even jokes (or at least I think it was a joke) about his how his father ‘should be in Bedlam’ which just felt insensitive and like the author took the antagonism a little too far.
📓 reveals the secret of the plot to the reader in chap 1 through Grayson’s father’s POV
………………………………………………………………………
[[ CONCLUSION ]]
This was a quick read with a straight storyline that lacked depth in plot and characters. The author’s choice to not write in the social politics of the time are understandable but unfortunately resulted in the characters coming off as ignorant, naïve and childish, especially the female protagonist.
Their relationship felt rushed and I struggled to feel invested.
—<< ✨ 1.5 stars rounded up ✨>>—————————
Pages: 181
Chapters: 28 (excluding epilogue)
Main shelves: historical romance, f/m, frenemies-to-lovers, forced proximity-ish, insta-lust, fish out of water, hidden identity, country house, virgin, rags-to-riches
👤POV(s): multiple: Grayson, Hailey, Greyson’s father (only for part of chap 1)
📝Ending: HEA (Happily ever after)
📚Series? Yes but can be read as standalone. Same world but follow different protagonists.
<< Includes >>
• sneak peak of ‘On a wild duke chase’ (Woodville book 2)
………………………………………………………………………………
[[ CONTENT WARNINGS ]]
………………………………………………………………………………
[[ Q’s ]]
Q: Sex scenes?
Q: Love triangle?
Q: unrequited love?
Q: virgin trope?
Q: Character death?
………………………………………………………………………
[[ PERSONAL COMMENTS ]]
contain spoilers
📓 this book reads very much like a story of a foolish first love for the heroine.
The book emphasises his ‘difference’ to any man she had known before like that his voice and the way he spoke was unlike any other (apparently more ‘cultured’ compared to people who didn’t come from money), or that his appearance was unlike any other and blushing, apparently to the point of nearly ‘swooning’ once when he called her ‘beautiful’ and ‘kind.’
Then they’re kissing and by the 54% mark, she’s already given up on the idea of having a Season to find a husband (something she had expressed excitement for), daydreaming about marrying him in a very idealistic, childish manner, all without considering the consequences, sacrifices and complications that would arise. (eg. how are they going to make enough money to live?)
Which leads into the next point…
📓 insta-lust bordering on insta-love. As soon as they meet, there are paragraphs describing their features and an instant connection where they are constantly looking at each other and talking about the other person. Also for some reason, 2 scenes where the male protagonist is seen stripping down and the book waxes on about his body...
📓 the relationship pacing was rushed. When they first meet, they are unnecessarily rude to each other, yet the next day, the heroine is confessing her hopes and dreams to him on a picnic—a person she literally met yesterday.
Not only that, but there was nothing that lead into that scene, nothing that justified this sudden change in demeanour: no moment of vulnerability, bonding over a common interest, or seeing another side to the other character and re-evaluating their first opinions of them.
📓 questionable consent when kissing. Grayson moves to kiss Hailey but she doesn’t want to so she pushes him away and runs for the door and in response, he grabs her by the arms and forcefully kisses her again. The second time this happens we are reading from his perspective where it’s made clear that he feels her pushing him away while he's kissing her but continues until she stops resisting.
📓 No character development. Greyson starts as an arrogant and cocky individual and stays that way until the very end. The plot had a lot of potential in his particular character arc and yet he doesn’t actually learn anything from working in the fields.
He starts out with no experience yet picks up the skills in seconds and is even praised for his work. So when the author added a few lines about ‘taking a lot for granted’ it didn’t feel like a particularly moving change of perspective.
Especially since he continually takes comfort in the knowledge that he is higher in the social hierarchy as an advantage in comparison to any person who expresses romantic interest in Hailey in that they are only a ‘gentleman’ but not a ‘lord’ like himself. 🙄
And at the end of the day, there weren’t any redeeming moments for his character.
📓 Grayson’s father arranges a marriage for Grayson with another person and Grayson’s first reaction is to express outrage and say that her face resembled a horse.
He makes this comparison time and time again when her name is brought up, saying he found nothing about her attractive and implies that her appearance is the reason she had very few offers despite her father’s wealth and was desperate to marry.
This constant critique of a person’s appearance definitely did not endear him to me and a later insistence of the heroine’s physical attractiveness and beauty in direct comparison not moments later soured the relationship and his character further
📓 when ‘defending’ his reputation as a rake to his father his response could be summarised by 2 lines:
'his father ought to be proud that his trysts were private, not fodder for gossips’ (chapter 1)
‘what gentleman in town does not enjoy their lifestyle?’ (chapter 23)
Two sentences that ooze unearned privilege and in turn, his ignorance and childish foolhardy considering the reality of that time for the majority of people that made his position in life possible.
Which is reflected in the relationship. So the next point probably comes as no surprise…
📓 I didn’t like the relationship dynamic. In a lot of ways, their relationship lacked emotional connection. They first notice each other because they find each other physically ‘attractive’ and it never really goes much further than that. The heroine tells him her dreams and he compliments her and that’s pretty much it. Not to mention the fact that their whole relationship was based and built on a lie about his identity.
The heroine, throughout the majority of the book (while under the assumption that Grayson was a only a farmhand) stands to lose a lot more than the hero while he was safe with the knowledge that he would return to his old life, living in luxury.
Grayson seems to carry more power in the relationship, having had more experience while the heroine was easily swept away with pretty words and his looks without experience of much else.
📓 After the reveal about Grayson’s true identity coinciding with his father’s ill-timed appearance, and having herself and her mother slut-shamed, Hailey still somehow does not grasp the severity of the situation. And her replies to her mother’s questions felt childish and naive, which doesn’t at all reflect her actual age (21)
"I love Greyson. He's going to marry me, Mama."
📓 Their HEA felt very sudden and unearned. After the reveal about Grayson’s true identity, Hailey was heartbroken, angry and disillusioned. She seemed to be less naïve, having realised the reality she was in, yet one conversation later and she’s agreed to marry Grayson— the very person who she had appeared to have started resenting.
And aside from that complete personality 180, the only thing that even makes that scene possible is that fact that Grayson’s father died from a seizure the night after the identity reveal, having already left Grayson with everything despite being coded as this book’s main antagonist.
📓 It also doesn’t make sense for Hailey’s mother to push her to marry a titled man when her whole backstory was that despite being rich and high in society, she refused the duke’s marriage offer and married someone without a title or generational money because she fell in love.
When explaining all this to Hailey she even says that she would have married him if he had no money at all and that she didn’t regret turning down the duke’s offer. So why is she shown to be so disapproving of her daughters marrying people for love even if they are without title or money? You could argue that she just wanted the best life for her daughters but wouldn’t someone with her backstory put happiness over wealth in her family? especially since she has been in her daughter's position with her parents?
📓 very centred around the protagonists. Other characters barely appear, have any sort of personality or life, or serve any other purpose than to progress the romance. The only conversations the protagonists have with their ‘friends’ is only ever about the love interest. Also, the way it’s written makes it feel there are barely any other characters at all.
eg. Hailey brings food for the workers but then she starts having a conversation with Grayson, the other characters disappear for the scene entirely. No talking in the background, no one else in the conversation, nothing.
📓 Grayson continually implies that his father is not sane and even jokes (or at least I think it was a joke) about his how his father ‘should be in Bedlam’ which just felt insensitive and like the author took the antagonism a little too far.
📓 reveals the secret of the plot to the reader in chap 1 through Grayson’s father’s POV
………………………………………………………………………
[[ CONCLUSION ]]
This was a quick read with a straight storyline that lacked depth in plot and characters. The author’s choice to not write in the social politics of the time are understandable but unfortunately resulted in the characters coming off as ignorant, naïve and childish, especially the female protagonist.
Their relationship felt rushed and I struggled to feel invested.
February 14, 2022
Farm Laborer
They’re complete opposites. Society would never approve. But that doesn’t stop them from wanting more…
Greyson Everett, future Duke of Derby, has been exiled. Cut off financially and banished to the country by his disapproving father, he’s expected to repent and work like a commoner. If he has any hope of getting back to his real life, he’ll have to stay the course—and stop kissing his employer’s bossy, opinionated, and entirely too lovely daughter. It should be easy. But it’s not…
Hailey Woodville is grateful for all the hands that make light work of the chores on her father’s modest estate. Well, she’s grateful for most of them. Greyson is one of the worst workers she’s ever seen. His ineptitude at manual labor is exceeded only by his arrogance—and his beauty. She should stay away. Unfortunately, she cannot…
But soon, Greyson will need to determine if the price of happily ever after with Hailey is one that he’s able (and willing) to pay—and Hailey will need to decide if she can forgive Greyson the sins of his rakish past.
This is the first novel in a new series.
Greyson is heir to the dukedom but he is pretending to be a farm laborer.
The daughter to that farmer is in love with him.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited.
Tamara Gill writes a good romance
They’re complete opposites. Society would never approve. But that doesn’t stop them from wanting more…
Greyson Everett, future Duke of Derby, has been exiled. Cut off financially and banished to the country by his disapproving father, he’s expected to repent and work like a commoner. If he has any hope of getting back to his real life, he’ll have to stay the course—and stop kissing his employer’s bossy, opinionated, and entirely too lovely daughter. It should be easy. But it’s not…
Hailey Woodville is grateful for all the hands that make light work of the chores on her father’s modest estate. Well, she’s grateful for most of them. Greyson is one of the worst workers she’s ever seen. His ineptitude at manual labor is exceeded only by his arrogance—and his beauty. She should stay away. Unfortunately, she cannot…
But soon, Greyson will need to determine if the price of happily ever after with Hailey is one that he’s able (and willing) to pay—and Hailey will need to decide if she can forgive Greyson the sins of his rakish past.
This is the first novel in a new series.
Greyson is heir to the dukedom but he is pretending to be a farm laborer.
The daughter to that farmer is in love with him.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited.
Tamara Gill writes a good romance
February 8, 2022
A Duke of a Time, Tamara Gill.Oh how this book was fun to read. The constant back and forth bickering between Greyson and Hailey, while their simmering desire for one another percolated was very entertaining. Their non filtered passion for each other was very exciting in the book. I liked that the story was a fast read.
I also like that the writer had the ton switch roles with the workers of common wealth. Greyson, I think held his ground and started fitting in easily with the other workers, but this didn’t happen until Greyson shared their truths about what things mean the most. The characters were all charming and added to the entertainment. The romance was heated and passionate.
I also like that the writer had the ton switch roles with the workers of common wealth. Greyson, I think held his ground and started fitting in easily with the other workers, but this didn’t happen until Greyson shared their truths about what things mean the most. The characters were all charming and added to the entertainment. The romance was heated and passionate.
August 15, 2024
DNF at 22%. No one was likable. I don’t enjoy the trope of “he’s so hot, I lose all reason’. The MMC was a total ass. His father is also horrible. Some things just don’t make sense. The FMC’s mother didn’t marry for money or title, but she wants all her daughters to? I am a meme of “why” hands. Ultimately, I’m tired of reading books about men behaving badly.
February 10, 2022
Hard to believe this is my 39th book by Tamara Gill. I really enjoy her stories and writing.
I really liked this book. I liked story and the characters. And as always, the sex is so well written. I felt it read a little quick and didn’t get to much depth of characters but it was written well enough where you could pretty much get the jest of who they were as people and why. I do like that she didn’t dip too deep into any secondary characters. A tad with her sister... Almost every time, by the time the next book in the series comes out I’ve read anywhere from 50 books to 150 books so don’t remember them anyway. :)
I would definitely recommend this book. I think this is going to be a good fun series.
I really liked this book. I liked story and the characters. And as always, the sex is so well written. I felt it read a little quick and didn’t get to much depth of characters but it was written well enough where you could pretty much get the jest of who they were as people and why. I do like that she didn’t dip too deep into any secondary characters. A tad with her sister... Almost every time, by the time the next book in the series comes out I’ve read anywhere from 50 books to 150 books so don’t remember them anyway. :)
I would definitely recommend this book. I think this is going to be a good fun series.
May 13, 2024
Amei a história e os protagonistas.
August 3, 2023
This was a good first book in a series. I had read book two already, from my library. I liked the characters, and the banter, and the ending. I'm glad that the heroine made him work a bit for her love, because I believe it made the difference, in him as a man to consider for marriage. He had loved his life as a rake to long . I gave it a solid four stars
February 10, 2025
Loved this book, read it super quickly. Love a happy ending, a romance and it’s was a bit raunchy in places. Would definitely recommend as a quick read and really good 👏🏼🤩 xx
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2022
DNF 31%
It was an interesting set up, but poor execution. The main characters have zero chemistry and the heroine came across as incredibly shallow. Literally she had a guy she wanted to marry, but then she saw the hero without his shirt so now that guy isn't good enough for her anymore.
It was an interesting set up, but poor execution. The main characters have zero chemistry and the heroine came across as incredibly shallow. Literally she had a guy she wanted to marry, but then she saw the hero without his shirt so now that guy isn't good enough for her anymore.
December 5, 2025
Sweet, short and very to the point
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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February 2, 2022
🌾 A Duke of a Time 🌾
The Wayward Woodvilles Book 1
✒️ Tamara Gill
https://www.facebook.com/tamaragillro...
Release Date 02/07/2022
Publisher Tamara Gill
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093XV8RZ2/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
They’re complete opposites. Society would never approve. But that doesn’t stop them from wanting more…
Greyson Everett, future Duke of Derby, has been exiled. Cut off financially and banished to the country by his disapproving father, he’s expected to repent and work like a commoner. If he has any hope of getting back to his real life, he’ll have to stay the course—and stop kissing his employer’s bossy, opinionated, and entirely too lovely daughter. It should be easy. But it’s not… Hailey Woodville is grateful for all the hands that make light work of the chores on her father’s modest estate. Well, she’s grateful for most of them. Greyson is one of the worst workers she’s ever seen. His ineptitude at manual labor is exceeded only by his arrogance—and his beauty. She should stay away. Unfortunately, she cannot… But soon, Greyson will need to determine if the price of happily ever after with Hailey is one that he’s able (and willing) to pay—and Hailey will need to decide if she can forgive Greyson the sins of his rakish past…
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will his sire win by coming between them …
From the moment I caught sight of the covers of this series I have be intrigued.
Hailey is no ton’s debutante, she is in charge of her parents’ estate and rules it, fairly but firmly.
So when two city’s fellows land in the midst of her workers, she immediately thinks they won’t last. Plus one of them is so cheeky, impertinent and so tempting.
Greyson is furious at his controlling father, but seems only able to comply to his orders or his life might turn even more difficult. So he is here, now a farmhand, mucking stalls and bickering with his daughter’s employee.
They are immediately drawn to one another, never really fighting their attraction, going quickly from bantering to kissing but a scheming villain set on revenge, deceit and misconceptions stand between them and happiness.
A short steamy fast moving story with a convenient resolution to save the day.
3.5 stars rounded up.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 foreplays and lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZfZ-ICI...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
The Wayward Woodvilles Book 1
✒️ Tamara Gill
https://www.facebook.com/tamaragillro...
Release Date 02/07/2022
Publisher Tamara Gill
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B093XV8RZ2/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
They’re complete opposites. Society would never approve. But that doesn’t stop them from wanting more…
Greyson Everett, future Duke of Derby, has been exiled. Cut off financially and banished to the country by his disapproving father, he’s expected to repent and work like a commoner. If he has any hope of getting back to his real life, he’ll have to stay the course—and stop kissing his employer’s bossy, opinionated, and entirely too lovely daughter. It should be easy. But it’s not… Hailey Woodville is grateful for all the hands that make light work of the chores on her father’s modest estate. Well, she’s grateful for most of them. Greyson is one of the worst workers she’s ever seen. His ineptitude at manual labor is exceeded only by his arrogance—and his beauty. She should stay away. Unfortunately, she cannot… But soon, Greyson will need to determine if the price of happily ever after with Hailey is one that he’s able (and willing) to pay—and Hailey will need to decide if she can forgive Greyson the sins of his rakish past…
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will his sire win by coming between them …
From the moment I caught sight of the covers of this series I have be intrigued.
Hailey is no ton’s debutante, she is in charge of her parents’ estate and rules it, fairly but firmly.
So when two city’s fellows land in the midst of her workers, she immediately thinks they won’t last. Plus one of them is so cheeky, impertinent and so tempting.
Greyson is furious at his controlling father, but seems only able to comply to his orders or his life might turn even more difficult. So he is here, now a farmhand, mucking stalls and bickering with his daughter’s employee.
They are immediately drawn to one another, never really fighting their attraction, going quickly from bantering to kissing but a scheming villain set on revenge, deceit and misconceptions stand between them and happiness.
A short steamy fast moving story with a convenient resolution to save the day.
3.5 stars rounded up.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 foreplays and lovemaking scenes.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZfZ-ICI...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
February 8, 2022
Greyson Everett, Marquess of Cadmael and future Duke of Derby, has been sent to the country to work on the Woodville farm as farmhand as punishment for what his father, the current Duke of Derby and a consummate jerk, for his rakish lifestyle. Hailey Woodville is the oldest Woodville daughter. She knows and love the farm and takes care of the estate for her father. There is an interest, actually its starts as curiosity, between Hailey and Greyson from the day he arrives at the farm. They do try to resist the attraction, but before long the chemistry between them sizzles. Can anything come of it?
This is solid story with engaging characters. The Woodvilles are a strong loving family. The daughters are delightful. Hailey is feisty and intelligent. Greyson changes a lot during his stay. He trades his spoiled, entitled attitude for one that not only appreciates what it is like to work, but what it means to be a good landowner, and a good Duke.
When his nasty father shows up, spills secrets, insults almost everybody, and causes as much hurt as possible, Greyson knows he must find the courage to face his father. There is a happily ever after in there somewhere, but this guy is going to have to work for it. This is a well-written interesting start to a new series. I enjoyed it and look forward to more.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
This is solid story with engaging characters. The Woodvilles are a strong loving family. The daughters are delightful. Hailey is feisty and intelligent. Greyson changes a lot during his stay. He trades his spoiled, entitled attitude for one that not only appreciates what it is like to work, but what it means to be a good landowner, and a good Duke.
When his nasty father shows up, spills secrets, insults almost everybody, and causes as much hurt as possible, Greyson knows he must find the courage to face his father. There is a happily ever after in there somewhere, but this guy is going to have to work for it. This is a well-written interesting start to a new series. I enjoyed it and look forward to more.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
February 25, 2023
Where to start?!
I am a huge historical romance lover (think bridgerton/Tessa Dare etc) I especially love a good series.
So with that in mind and the fact that most of the series is available on kindle unlimited, I thought I was in for a good old time.
A time was had, though I'm not sure if it was good!
For the first of a rather large series I found the family background lacking enormously. The main thing we know about them is the amount of daughters and the fact that the father bird watches. That's it.
Now onto the story. It starts off promising, but quite quickly becomes predictable and repetitive.
The enjoyable banter between the two main characters falls away so fast and the duke goes from rakish to a soppy puddle giving me a large dose of the ick.
Then we had the usual, they fall in love but there is an obstacle or two. These are normally overcome but boy did these two overcome them fast! How convenient that within a day of being against the wall, all should fall into place.
I just found it rushed and although a 'nice' easy read, It didn't have much bite. I often come to the end of the book feeling happy things worked out, sad it's finished but eager to see where other characters end up.
With this, I felt nothing. Just a little mehhh.
I feel I may read the next in the series to see if it improves, but overall I'm glad I didn't pay for the book.
I am a huge historical romance lover (think bridgerton/Tessa Dare etc) I especially love a good series.
So with that in mind and the fact that most of the series is available on kindle unlimited, I thought I was in for a good old time.
A time was had, though I'm not sure if it was good!
For the first of a rather large series I found the family background lacking enormously. The main thing we know about them is the amount of daughters and the fact that the father bird watches. That's it.
Now onto the story. It starts off promising, but quite quickly becomes predictable and repetitive.
The enjoyable banter between the two main characters falls away so fast and the duke goes from rakish to a soppy puddle giving me a large dose of the ick.
Then we had the usual, they fall in love but there is an obstacle or two. These are normally overcome but boy did these two overcome them fast! How convenient that within a day of being against the wall, all should fall into place.
I just found it rushed and although a 'nice' easy read, It didn't have much bite. I often come to the end of the book feeling happy things worked out, sad it's finished but eager to see where other characters end up.
With this, I felt nothing. Just a little mehhh.
I feel I may read the next in the series to see if it improves, but overall I'm glad I didn't pay for the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2022
Grayson Everett has been sent to the country by his father, the Duke of Derby, as a punishment for his laziness and his rakish ways. He’ll have to work as a farm hand and earn his living until his father is ready to have him back. The work at the estate is hard, but the owner has a particularly beautiful, smart and bossy daughter that could help brightening his days. Little does Grayson know that the place he has been sent to has been chosen with vengeance in mind…
Hailey Woodville is managing her family’s estate for years on behalf of his father. She’s loved by all farm workers, but she has exacting standards for them. And the new farm hand, Mr. Everett, is not meeting them. Even if he’s exceptionally handsome and charming…
The author pens a pretty straightforward book with an instant attraction between the main characters and plenty of tender and steamy love scenes. I liked that the arrogant, rakish hero changed his ways thanks to the love of a genuine, loving woman. Hailey is definitely the best character of all, while Grayson was too much of a coward for my liking. All in all, an enjoyable and quick read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hailey Woodville is managing her family’s estate for years on behalf of his father. She’s loved by all farm workers, but she has exacting standards for them. And the new farm hand, Mr. Everett, is not meeting them. Even if he’s exceptionally handsome and charming…
The author pens a pretty straightforward book with an instant attraction between the main characters and plenty of tender and steamy love scenes. I liked that the arrogant, rakish hero changed his ways thanks to the love of a genuine, loving woman. Hailey is definitely the best character of all, while Grayson was too much of a coward for my liking. All in all, an enjoyable and quick read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 9, 2022
An entertaining easy read, you won't go wrong with this fabulous story from author Tamara Gill.
Needing to be reformed, future duke Greyson is sent to a farm to do manual labor as a punishment. He never expected his life to be turned upside down by Hailey Woodville, his employer.
This is a charming story about reformation and in learning that titles are not what is important in life.
I fully enjoyed this novel with a very interesting storyline and of course Tamara Gill is such a strong and wonderful author.
My only disappointment of it was that I did not like the character of Hailey. She came off too spoiled and towards the end really assuming and bitchy. Which is sad considering that when she was with Greyson, she was somewhat likable. I didn't find too much redeeming about her character in the end. Now Greyson I thought was well done and you could really sense the development of him.
On-screen kissing, pleasuring and a bedroom scene at the end.
Overall a very pleasant read and one I am sure readers will love. Highly recommended.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review
Needing to be reformed, future duke Greyson is sent to a farm to do manual labor as a punishment. He never expected his life to be turned upside down by Hailey Woodville, his employer.
This is a charming story about reformation and in learning that titles are not what is important in life.
I fully enjoyed this novel with a very interesting storyline and of course Tamara Gill is such a strong and wonderful author.
My only disappointment of it was that I did not like the character of Hailey. She came off too spoiled and towards the end really assuming and bitchy. Which is sad considering that when she was with Greyson, she was somewhat likable. I didn't find too much redeeming about her character in the end. Now Greyson I thought was well done and you could really sense the development of him.
On-screen kissing, pleasuring and a bedroom scene at the end.
Overall a very pleasant read and one I am sure readers will love. Highly recommended.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review
June 12, 2023
A Duke of a Time is the first in the new The Wayward Woodvilles series and is a great start. This is a story of opposites attract and overcoming class differences to find a happily ever after. Greyson Everett is the future Duke of Derby and has been exiled to Northamptonshire to work as a farm hand to curb pleasure seeking ways. The vile Duke also has a hidden agenda for the farm he has chosen. Hailey Woodville oversees the workers on her father's small estate and when two new workers show up, she is less than impressed. Mr. Everett presents as very cocky and off-putting, not respectful of his betters. Their constant bickering leads to sparks of attraction but class differences and Greyson's secret threaten to destroy the love they are building. The story that follows is an enjoyable, steamy romance with some troublesome moments. The characters are relatable and entertaining who persevere until they find their happily ever after.
I received this story from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
I received this story from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
February 2, 2022
This start of a new series was so enjoyable & I can't wait to read the remainder of the series. The book had the ingredients I look for in reading - it was well-written, had a consistent good pace, interesting story, lovable characters & most of all, it left me smiling & happy I read the book.
Greyson & Hailey were so opposite from the moment they met, or were they? I loved the witty banter between them, the growth Greyson accomplished was amazing & Hailey's belief & learning to trust was heartwarming. I don't go over the story in my review because it's cheating the reader but let me say that the story grabs your interest immediately & keeps you turning pages until "The End". I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
Greyson & Hailey were so opposite from the moment they met, or were they? I loved the witty banter between them, the growth Greyson accomplished was amazing & Hailey's belief & learning to trust was heartwarming. I don't go over the story in my review because it's cheating the reader but let me say that the story grabs your interest immediately & keeps you turning pages until "The End". I voluntarily read & reviewed an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book; all thoughts & opinions are my own.
February 2, 2022
I loved reading Tamara Gill's latest book A Duke of a time the first in her new series aptly naned The Wayward Woodvilles.
Greyson and Hailey's story was enthralling and captivating I loved reading how Greyson's view of the world changed and how he adapted himself to his new enforced circumstances learning new skills, to appreciate all those around him regardless of their status. Hailey learns to look beneath the veneer and first impressions to see a man she can be herself with who she can see a future with regardless of the fact that he is to all intents and purposes in her father’s employ.
However circumstances beyond their control in the shape of Greyson's ducal father puts paid to all her dreams. How can she love a man who did not trust her with his true circumstances, was it all real or just a ruse. Can Greyson will her back? Will they get their happy ending?
Greyson and Hailey's story was enthralling and captivating I loved reading how Greyson's view of the world changed and how he adapted himself to his new enforced circumstances learning new skills, to appreciate all those around him regardless of their status. Hailey learns to look beneath the veneer and first impressions to see a man she can be herself with who she can see a future with regardless of the fact that he is to all intents and purposes in her father’s employ.
However circumstances beyond their control in the shape of Greyson's ducal father puts paid to all her dreams. How can she love a man who did not trust her with his true circumstances, was it all real or just a ruse. Can Greyson will her back? Will they get their happy ending?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2022
I didn't like Greyson at first. He was spoiled and self-centered but being forced to work as a farm hand for the Woodvilles changed him. I can't say it humbled him as he still has some arrogance and skirts the edge of what was acceptable and what would get him fired. Hailey gives him attitude right back, but probably because she wasn't expecting a servant to act that way. I was surprised she didn't question how well spoken he was, but she did bet based on his smooth hands he wouldn't last long. He pushes the boundaries with their secret relationship where if it was discovered she would be ruined even if he prevented the possibility of pregnancy. His father was the villain in the story determined to enact his revenge and not caring who else he destroyed in his wake. This was a steamy forbidden romance with plenty of laugh out loud and some sweet moments.
February 8, 2022
WHAT A WAY TO START A NEW SERIES!!! A Duke of a Time by Tamara Gill is the first in her new series The Wayward Woodvilles and as I said what a great way to start a new series. This regency story was a true joy to read and I could not put it down. The romance between Greyson and Hailey just sizzled, I found this to be very original, very well written and easy to read. Tamara is one of the best authors of today and she never disappoints. This story has an evil father who controls his son, a gentleman farmer’s daughter, a punishment, revenge, not knowing the truth of who he is, a valet who is his best friend, a difference in status, a forced betrothed, great banter in the beginning and falling in love. I am highly recommending you read this book… you will not be disappointed!!!
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.
February 8, 2022
A Slow Burn
The Wayward Woodvilles is an enjoyable start to Tamara Gill’s new series. Hailey and Greyson are well-matched as far as stubbornness and wit are concerned. I felt like a gentleman who wasn’t used to manual labor would have struggled a tad bit more than Greyson did. I also would have liked more interaction between Hailey and her other sisters, not just Isla, as a way to set the stage for the upcoming books in the series.
Overall, I didn’t find myself feeling strong emotions for Hailey. I felt more attached to Greyson. I think it would be an interesting twist if he were the one to help the other sisters make their matches. A Duke would have access to info about the character of other gentlemen…🤔
The steam factor of this book is moderate, but it may give some readers bangxiety since the actual act doesn’t occur until the latter portion of the book.
The Wayward Woodvilles is an enjoyable start to Tamara Gill’s new series. Hailey and Greyson are well-matched as far as stubbornness and wit are concerned. I felt like a gentleman who wasn’t used to manual labor would have struggled a tad bit more than Greyson did. I also would have liked more interaction between Hailey and her other sisters, not just Isla, as a way to set the stage for the upcoming books in the series.
Overall, I didn’t find myself feeling strong emotions for Hailey. I felt more attached to Greyson. I think it would be an interesting twist if he were the one to help the other sisters make their matches. A Duke would have access to info about the character of other gentlemen…🤔
The steam factor of this book is moderate, but it may give some readers bangxiety since the actual act doesn’t occur until the latter portion of the book.
February 20, 2022
Greyson's insane father puts him to work secretly in a farmer's country house as a laborer where the farmer's daughter falls in love with him only to be embarrassed when the father arrives and calls her foul names and Greyson doesn't defend her although he is in love also.
The love story is believable, and Hailey, the daughter, and Greyson are both well portrayed except that Greyson doesn't stand up to his father until the very end and conveniently Daddy dies so all the difficulties the couple experienced are over because now Greyson is the Duke.
He is the only son. He could have made a stink before this since he could not be disinherited. I would have liked to see more of his backbone earlier. Hence loss of star.
Sexy and hard to put down because I kept hoping for the challenge. At least Hailey made him grovel a little before the HEA.
The love story is believable, and Hailey, the daughter, and Greyson are both well portrayed except that Greyson doesn't stand up to his father until the very end and conveniently Daddy dies so all the difficulties the couple experienced are over because now Greyson is the Duke.
He is the only son. He could have made a stink before this since he could not be disinherited. I would have liked to see more of his backbone earlier. Hence loss of star.
Sexy and hard to put down because I kept hoping for the challenge. At least Hailey made him grovel a little before the HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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