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Unconventional Brides #1
The Duke's Inconvenient Bride
A jilted duke. A shy wallflower. A marriage of convenience that neither of them wants.
When Lady Emma Carlisle’s twin sister jilts the wealthy and influential Duke of Ashford, their distraught parents pressure shy Lady Emma to marry the duke in her sister’s place, dashing her hopes of a love match.
Lady Emma is determined to make the best of the situation, but her new husband is cold, aloof, and wants nothing to do with her. In his quieter moments, she catches glimpses of a thoughtful and intelligent man she’d like to know better, if only he weren’t determined to keep her at a distance.
Lady Emma is willing to offer the duke her heart, but she knows there’s every chance he’ll break it. After all, why would the handsomest man in the ton fall for his second best bride?
If you love the glamor of Bridgerton or the drama of Downton Abbey, then The Duke's Inconvenient Bride is your next must-read book.
When Lady Emma Carlisle’s twin sister jilts the wealthy and influential Duke of Ashford, their distraught parents pressure shy Lady Emma to marry the duke in her sister’s place, dashing her hopes of a love match.
Lady Emma is determined to make the best of the situation, but her new husband is cold, aloof, and wants nothing to do with her. In his quieter moments, she catches glimpses of a thoughtful and intelligent man she’d like to know better, if only he weren’t determined to keep her at a distance.
Lady Emma is willing to offer the duke her heart, but she knows there’s every chance he’ll break it. After all, why would the handsomest man in the ton fall for his second best bride?
If you love the glamor of Bridgerton or the drama of Downton Abbey, then The Duke's Inconvenient Bride is your next must-read book.
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2024
1568 people are currently reading
1474 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Rivers
5 books72 followersJayne Rivers adores regency romance books, especially those by Sarah MacLean and Julia Quinn. She writes feel-good stories with heroines she’d love to befriend and heroes she’d love to sweep her off her feet - if she weren't married, of course.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
June 26, 2024
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A perfect imperfect hero and a shy overlooked wallflower grudgingly enter a strangers-to-lovers marriage of convenience and accidentally fall in love.
This is a debut book for the author and I actually really really enjoyed it. Not once did I feel like rolling my eyes or setting the book aside to never pick it back up again. To be honest, pretty much everything in the story, I have seen before. But! You know how you read a book and you love 80% of it and wish the author had tweaked this part here or made this part there a bit different and THEN it would be a 5-star read for you? I feel like the author has been taking notes while reading HR herself, and combined all the ‘best of’ into this storyline so everything seemed charming, lighthearted yet very emotional, steamy, and angsty. I can’t specifically point at anything that I wished was different, it all worked for me 😍
The hero, Vaughan, did not strike me as grumpy or rude. He was an endearingly stoic sweetheart. He was ever so polite and considerate to the heroine, yet he was still deeply flawed. He had social anxiety, hated small talk, froze up in public settings and his bff Longley would help him out and guide conversations, he was clueless on social niceties and would feel guilty knowing that he had somehow upset the heroine but had no idea what he had done actually, he was very calm and thoughtful, yet was determined to not fall in love like his father mistakenly did.
The heroine, Emma, was a shy wallflower that endured being forever compared to her slightly prettier twin sister. She dealt with everything with grace, yet she had a backbone when needed. She was very relatable, had realistic dialogues and emotions, and was easy to root for.
What really hooked me into the story was anticipating how these two reluctant strangers would transition to lovers and how the hero would slowly fall in love and admit it to the heroine. There were at least two main sex scenes, very hot steamy and detailed, yet classy with none of today’s shock value verbiage. The hero’s past was never mentioned, so I was kind of wondering if he was a virgin with all of his social anxiety but he seemed to know what he was doing in the bedchamber 😍
Lastly, there is a 3rd act break-up at 80% that had my heart pinging, or squeezing, that hurtful feeling. You could feel their heartache leaping off of the pages. I loved it! And it was just what the hero needed to confront his feelings.
And don’t worry, the last 10% of the story has so many of the wrongs or slights done to the heroine addressed and it was soooo sweet. With a sweet epilogue to follow.
This is a debut book for the author and I actually really really enjoyed it. Not once did I feel like rolling my eyes or setting the book aside to never pick it back up again. To be honest, pretty much everything in the story, I have seen before. But! You know how you read a book and you love 80% of it and wish the author had tweaked this part here or made this part there a bit different and THEN it would be a 5-star read for you? I feel like the author has been taking notes while reading HR herself, and combined all the ‘best of’ into this storyline so everything seemed charming, lighthearted yet very emotional, steamy, and angsty. I can’t specifically point at anything that I wished was different, it all worked for me 😍
The hero, Vaughan, did not strike me as grumpy or rude. He was an endearingly stoic sweetheart. He was ever so polite and considerate to the heroine, yet he was still deeply flawed. He had social anxiety, hated small talk, froze up in public settings and his bff Longley would help him out and guide conversations, he was clueless on social niceties and would feel guilty knowing that he had somehow upset the heroine but had no idea what he had done actually, he was very calm and thoughtful, yet was determined to not fall in love like his father mistakenly did.
The heroine, Emma, was a shy wallflower that endured being forever compared to her slightly prettier twin sister. She dealt with everything with grace, yet she had a backbone when needed. She was very relatable, had realistic dialogues and emotions, and was easy to root for.
What really hooked me into the story was anticipating how these two reluctant strangers would transition to lovers and how the hero would slowly fall in love and admit it to the heroine. There were at least two main sex scenes, very hot steamy and detailed, yet classy with none of today’s shock value verbiage. The hero’s past was never mentioned, so I was kind of wondering if he was a virgin with all of his social anxiety but he seemed to know what he was doing in the bedchamber 😍
Lastly, there is a 3rd act break-up at 80% that had my heart pinging, or squeezing, that hurtful feeling. You could feel their heartache leaping off of the pages. I loved it! And it was just what the hero needed to confront his feelings.
And don’t worry, the last 10% of the story has so many of the wrongs or slights done to the heroine addressed and it was soooo sweet. With a sweet epilogue to follow.
April 24, 2024
This is a new author for me but also this is her only book so I guess she would be an new author for everyone :). When I looked at this book on Amazon it says it's Tudor Historical but the read book sample shows it takes place in 1819 which is Regency. Strange.
I really liked this story a lot, especially for a first time author. I loved Emma and Vaughn. I felt their personalities matched perfectly. I really liked the story and felt she got great depth in the characters. Sex scenes were not bad at all. They had some really good detail and there were a few of them. I do like to mention if there is sex in my reviews with a new author because I research every author and sometimes it's hard to know if there is sex in the books or not. I know some people like it and some don't. I will put her on my list of authors to read in the future.
I really liked this story a lot, especially for a first time author. I loved Emma and Vaughn. I felt their personalities matched perfectly. I really liked the story and felt she got great depth in the characters. Sex scenes were not bad at all. They had some really good detail and there were a few of them. I do like to mention if there is sex in my reviews with a new author because I research every author and sometimes it's hard to know if there is sex in the books or not. I know some people like it and some don't. I will put her on my list of authors to read in the future.
October 10, 2024
3.5 stars
The author says it herself, she writes feel good stories. And this story sure feels like that. The romance plot of this book had very good bones and the characters were sympathetic. Quite sweet. However, I felt the writing style, while decent, was a bit too descriptive in a too sedate way, making the story flow feel perhaps a smidgen wooden. Also, there were tiny elements here and there that felt period wrong. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the read and will likely check out more from this author.
P.S. I love that cover!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2024
I loved it
Maybe because I am feeling kinda nostalgic but this novel just hit the right spot! I've been rereading some old favorites and this reminded me of them. Just a perfect imperfect hero and a woman who deserves love and so much more. A better review will be forth coming!
Maybe because I am feeling kinda nostalgic but this novel just hit the right spot! I've been rereading some old favorites and this reminded me of them. Just a perfect imperfect hero and a woman who deserves love and so much more. A better review will be forth coming!
April 24, 2024
Really loved this one! The writing was smooth, the story flowed and I was invested in the characters!
The hero is rigid and stern, but he hides his discomfort in crowds and his awkwardness in social settings. He has no choice but to find a bride so his title doesn’t go to his odious cousin. But he doesn’t want love, as he watched love destroy his father. He chooses a woman he is sure he has no feeling for, but one who will make a good hostess. But it’s her sister he is drawn to, which is why he does everything he can to avoid her. He doesn’t want to feel the feelings for any woman he marries, so his first choice of a woman that does nothing to stir him is the best way forward.
But when his bride elopes with another man, an unconventional arrangement with the sister is reached. She will marry the duke in her sister’s place and provide him the heir and hostess duties that he so desperately needs. And he will do everything in his power to prevent himself from forming an attachment.
He does his best, I give him that. But love has a way of breaking the sternest and most determined of hearts.
I also ABSOLUTELY LOVED that the hero’s past wasn’t mentioned AT ALL. not a word!! I look forward to reading more from this author.
Safe. Hero’s past isn’t mentioned, doesn’t come off as a manwhore. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No cheating or sharing. Some OW drama (sister of heroine was engaged to hero, but he felt nothing for her.) HEA with epilogue.
The hero is rigid and stern, but he hides his discomfort in crowds and his awkwardness in social settings. He has no choice but to find a bride so his title doesn’t go to his odious cousin. But he doesn’t want love, as he watched love destroy his father. He chooses a woman he is sure he has no feeling for, but one who will make a good hostess. But it’s her sister he is drawn to, which is why he does everything he can to avoid her. He doesn’t want to feel the feelings for any woman he marries, so his first choice of a woman that does nothing to stir him is the best way forward.
But when his bride elopes with another man, an unconventional arrangement with the sister is reached. She will marry the duke in her sister’s place and provide him the heir and hostess duties that he so desperately needs. And he will do everything in his power to prevent himself from forming an attachment.
He does his best, I give him that. But love has a way of breaking the sternest and most determined of hearts.
I also ABSOLUTELY LOVED that the hero’s past wasn’t mentioned AT ALL. not a word!! I look forward to reading more from this author.
Safe. Hero’s past isn’t mentioned, doesn’t come off as a manwhore. Heroine is a virgin and belongs only to her hero. No cheating or sharing. Some OW drama (sister of heroine was engaged to hero, but he felt nothing for her.) HEA with epilogue.
October 1, 2024
I will definitely be reading this author again, even if this one didn't wow me.
Emma spends the majority of the book getting the shit end of the stick from her family and well... everyone but her younger sister and her maid, who are just as unempowered as she is.
It made it kind of unpleasant and frustrating at first.
But I did like the character growth of the Duke (Vaughan). He is a bit of an emotional coward from his uncaring mother who made an art form of cuckolding his weak willed father. But really, the man is an adult and has surely seen other marriages that have worked out well.
I didn't care for his friend Longley who didn't even consider Emma as an option for Vaughan to wed and barely noticed her. I thought he was a prig and I hope the woman he falls for in the next book leads him a Looooooong merry dance.
Anyways, Vaughan is determined to NOT marry for love but only to procreate and plans to leave his wife to languish in the country as soon as she's pregnant. He doesn't think of this wife to be (when he finds her) as a person really. He's only considering his own interests. So I wasn't a fan of him at first.
He is a shy man and hates balls. He is thoughtful in some ways but utterly blind in others. Still he's a hell of a lot better than the ass who Emma's sister twin (not identical) runs off with. The sister (Violet) was supposed to marry the duke, but runs off to Gretna Green leaving her family to deal with the aftermath as social pariahs. She's a very self absorbed to the point of stupidity person. Of course Emma loves her despite it all. The author tries to redeem Violet in the end but I still disliked her.
Emma isn't really a doormat with Vaughan even if she is with her own family. And damn, was that ever frustrating for the first 3rd of the book!
SO I loved the interactions between Emma and Vaughan even if he was a bit of an idiot.
But the way her parents and sister apologize to her eventually near the end seemed kinda outta the blue and didn't feel real or sincere to me considering they hadn't paid much attention to her when Violet was around. Especially because Emma never really gave them her mind. But one thing Emma is good at is stating the facts.
I loved that Emma ends up leaving Vaughan when he stays firm that he will never love her. But was disappointed that the only place she could go to get away was Violet's place with her new husband the douche canoe. It just seemed so unfair that she gets her nose rubbed in Violet's happy marriage and that Violet knows how sad Emma is with her own marriage. It was like... can Emma never get a break???
I was still felt a bit frustrated towards the end because of all the time spent showing how everyone forgot about her when Violet was around. Not just the young men, but EVERYONE... except her maid and younger sister. I loved how Vaughan stood up for Emma after they married. That was one of the best things about the story. He does it at least 3 times and they were delicious.
Why couldn't the author have given her a friend who would stick up for her?
Anyways, mixed feelings but overall enjoyable.
Safety is good.
Emma spends the majority of the book getting the shit end of the stick from her family and well... everyone but her younger sister and her maid, who are just as unempowered as she is.
It made it kind of unpleasant and frustrating at first.
But I did like the character growth of the Duke (Vaughan). He is a bit of an emotional coward from his uncaring mother who made an art form of cuckolding his weak willed father. But really, the man is an adult and has surely seen other marriages that have worked out well.
I didn't care for his friend Longley who didn't even consider Emma as an option for Vaughan to wed and barely noticed her. I thought he was a prig and I hope the woman he falls for in the next book leads him a Looooooong merry dance.
Anyways, Vaughan is determined to NOT marry for love but only to procreate and plans to leave his wife to languish in the country as soon as she's pregnant. He doesn't think of this wife to be (when he finds her) as a person really. He's only considering his own interests. So I wasn't a fan of him at first.
He is a shy man and hates balls. He is thoughtful in some ways but utterly blind in others. Still he's a hell of a lot better than the ass who Emma's sister twin (not identical) runs off with. The sister (Violet) was supposed to marry the duke, but runs off to Gretna Green leaving her family to deal with the aftermath as social pariahs. She's a very self absorbed to the point of stupidity person. Of course Emma loves her despite it all. The author tries to redeem Violet in the end but I still disliked her.
Emma isn't really a doormat with Vaughan even if she is with her own family. And damn, was that ever frustrating for the first 3rd of the book!
SO I loved the interactions between Emma and Vaughan even if he was a bit of an idiot.
But the way her parents and sister apologize to her eventually near the end seemed kinda outta the blue and didn't feel real or sincere to me considering they hadn't paid much attention to her when Violet was around. Especially because Emma never really gave them her mind. But one thing Emma is good at is stating the facts.
I loved that Emma ends up leaving Vaughan when he stays firm that he will never love her. But was disappointed that the only place she could go to get away was Violet's place with her new husband the douche canoe. It just seemed so unfair that she gets her nose rubbed in Violet's happy marriage and that Violet knows how sad Emma is with her own marriage. It was like... can Emma never get a break???
I was still felt a bit frustrated towards the end because of all the time spent showing how everyone forgot about her when Violet was around. Not just the young men, but EVERYONE... except her maid and younger sister. I loved how Vaughan stood up for Emma after they married. That was one of the best things about the story. He does it at least 3 times and they were delicious.
Why couldn't the author have given her a friend who would stick up for her?
Anyways, mixed feelings but overall enjoyable.
Safety is good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2024
Read:6/27/24
3.5
I waited too long to review this book , and I forgot some of the plot. What I remember is that I liked this story.
3.5
I waited too long to review this book , and I forgot some of the plot. What I remember is that I liked this story.
August 10, 2024
This had decent angst and I enjoyed it!
March 25, 2025
For about 40%/50% of the book, I had high hopes that it would be a good read.
I was REALLY enjoying how the author was dealing with the twin sister's situation and how the characters take a while to have more contact, although I found the writing too modern for the time period in which the story was written in.
The problem is that the book remains the same for the other 40% and only gets resolved in the last 10%.
The characters, especially Vaughan, take a sudden personality turn without any necessary development.
It was very difficult to read a book in which the characters swim, swim, swim, and don't get any closer to the shore. It is extremely frustrating to read about Emma's problems and see that she does absolutely nothing to improve her situation.
She accepts very little from Vaughan (even though she is the only one in her family, besides Sophie, with any kind of principle) and keeps getting hurt for nothing.
In one chapter, she says that she feels an evolution in their relationship, and I was wondering WHEN if they don't have a decent conversation in the whole book.
Vaughan is one of the most detestable characters I've ever read. He has his problems, but he doesn't care at all about what his actions do to Emma. He says he feels guilty, but there's no internal battle before he hurts her. He doesn't care about her coming home and helping her, and he doesn't care about isolating the poor girl when it's convenient for him.
No scene of him taking care of her when she's sick would justify or make me feel at least a little affection for him.
The sudden turn he has at the end is terrible. We only have one POV of him to believe that Emma leaving was something that changed him. He does absolutely nothing after arriving drunk at her sister's house, wanting her to come back. EMMA needs to go after him, and out of nowhere, he becomes a different person when she arrives.
We spend 40% of the book watching him be a despicable person and then not seeing any consequences for his actions. Emma accepts everything VERY quickly. The same thing happens with her parents' last-minute apologies, who don't discuss their actions at all in the rest of the book. I still don't know where this guilt of theirs came from if the author didn't give any previous clues.
Vaughan and Emma's relationship is non-existent. There is no conversation between them in the book, and nothing they do in the last 10% convinces us that they have any connection. The explicit scenes between them are embarrassing.
In addition, the author's writing doesn't match the time period. There are terms that don't make sense in the story, and they talk in a limbo between the contemporary and Regency era.
I didn't like reading it. The idea for the story is great, but the execution was too flawed.
I was REALLY enjoying how the author was dealing with the twin sister's situation and how the characters take a while to have more contact, although I found the writing too modern for the time period in which the story was written in.
The problem is that the book remains the same for the other 40% and only gets resolved in the last 10%.
The characters, especially Vaughan, take a sudden personality turn without any necessary development.
It was very difficult to read a book in which the characters swim, swim, swim, and don't get any closer to the shore. It is extremely frustrating to read about Emma's problems and see that she does absolutely nothing to improve her situation.
She accepts very little from Vaughan (even though she is the only one in her family, besides Sophie, with any kind of principle) and keeps getting hurt for nothing.
In one chapter, she says that she feels an evolution in their relationship, and I was wondering WHEN if they don't have a decent conversation in the whole book.
Vaughan is one of the most detestable characters I've ever read. He has his problems, but he doesn't care at all about what his actions do to Emma. He says he feels guilty, but there's no internal battle before he hurts her. He doesn't care about her coming home and helping her, and he doesn't care about isolating the poor girl when it's convenient for him.
No scene of him taking care of her when she's sick would justify or make me feel at least a little affection for him.
The sudden turn he has at the end is terrible. We only have one POV of him to believe that Emma leaving was something that changed him. He does absolutely nothing after arriving drunk at her sister's house, wanting her to come back. EMMA needs to go after him, and out of nowhere, he becomes a different person when she arrives.
We spend 40% of the book watching him be a despicable person and then not seeing any consequences for his actions. Emma accepts everything VERY quickly. The same thing happens with her parents' last-minute apologies, who don't discuss their actions at all in the rest of the book. I still don't know where this guilt of theirs came from if the author didn't give any previous clues.
Vaughan and Emma's relationship is non-existent. There is no conversation between them in the book, and nothing they do in the last 10% convinces us that they have any connection. The explicit scenes between them are embarrassing.
In addition, the author's writing doesn't match the time period. There are terms that don't make sense in the story, and they talk in a limbo between the contemporary and Regency era.
I didn't like reading it. The idea for the story is great, but the execution was too flawed.
April 15, 2024
Thanks to Booksprout for a copy of this story and this is my freely given opinion.
This is a debut novel/historical romance by this author. In this story, Vaughn Stanhope, the Duke of Ashford has no desire to marry, having seen a horrible example of it from his own poorly matched parents. His mother flaunted her adultery and engaged in many affairs, to the point where as a young child, Vaughn caught her in bed with one of her lovers. Despite her cheating, his father was a fool in love, and despite being publicly cuckolded by her, loved her and that love crippled and wrecked him emotionally. Vaughn suffered as a bystander to their drama, and also as a target for cruel jibes and mockery by his peers, not the least of which from his own cousin, Reginald. Unfortunately Reginald, and his children are Vaughn's direct heirs, and Vaughn will not let that stand.
Despite his disdain of marriage, he is determined to enter the marriage mart and find himself a wife that meets his criteria, including being well bred, socially adept enough to make up Vaughn's own brusqueness and lack of social grace, and a good hostess. Most importantly she must not want love. Vaughn is willing to give his future wife his name, status, and wealth, but other than enough time together to beget an heir, he does not want more than a marriage of convenience.
To this end, he and his friend, the Earl of Longley descend on the London Season and sniff out the most popular star of the Season, Lady Violet Carlisle. She has debuted with her twin Emma, but Emma is frequently overlooked and discounted by others, including her own parents, being the quieter, less outgoing, less obvious twin. She is often overlooked or disparaged as being a pale imitation of Violet, and this eats away at her confidence and enjoyment of society.
Ashford thinks Violet is perfect for his plans as a wife, especially as he has no deep feelings or attraction for her. Violet agrees, especially considering her initial wishes on entering the marriage mart is to wed well and wealthy. It is Lady Emma who desires the love match, but luckily she is not for Vaughn. Especially as he finds himself inconveniently attracted to both her beauty and her quiet strength, and kindness. His plans go seriously awry though when Violet finds herself realizing she is in love with another and she jilts the Duke, and plunges him and her family into scandal.
To redeem themselves from scandal and being cut from Society, the Carlisles convince Emma to save them, and offers her to the Duke as an alternative, and Emma is willing to do so to save her family from social ruin. Emma is hopeful that she and Vaughn can learn to develop an affection that can become love in their marriage, and is hoping time spent together can help this. She is very confused and hurt when he consistently puts barriers up between them, and does what he can to put space between them. Every time she thinks they are getting somewhere in their relationship, something happens to undermine her confidence, or cause a futher rift she feels in their relationship. But Vaughn is also not honest with himself or her about what he wanted in their marriage, or the truth of what he feels for her, and his fears.
I felt this was a good debut historical romance, with angsty miscommunication and misunderstanding, as well as sensual attraction between the two characters. Emma was a sweet character ad I liked her dynamic with her sister and her maid, but wish that for a woman who was supposed to have a quiet strength her and whom Vaughn came to appreciate as not being a mouse, I do wish she did confront her parents and Violet about all the ways they diminished and overlooked her over the years. Vaughn did so as well in his initial treatment of her, but did in the end give her the attention and courtship she deserved, and the ending was quite sweet. There was nice balance of sweet and sensual. I did enjoy this story and look forward to any future stories.
3.75 stars out of 5
This is a debut novel/historical romance by this author. In this story, Vaughn Stanhope, the Duke of Ashford has no desire to marry, having seen a horrible example of it from his own poorly matched parents. His mother flaunted her adultery and engaged in many affairs, to the point where as a young child, Vaughn caught her in bed with one of her lovers. Despite her cheating, his father was a fool in love, and despite being publicly cuckolded by her, loved her and that love crippled and wrecked him emotionally. Vaughn suffered as a bystander to their drama, and also as a target for cruel jibes and mockery by his peers, not the least of which from his own cousin, Reginald. Unfortunately Reginald, and his children are Vaughn's direct heirs, and Vaughn will not let that stand.
Despite his disdain of marriage, he is determined to enter the marriage mart and find himself a wife that meets his criteria, including being well bred, socially adept enough to make up Vaughn's own brusqueness and lack of social grace, and a good hostess. Most importantly she must not want love. Vaughn is willing to give his future wife his name, status, and wealth, but other than enough time together to beget an heir, he does not want more than a marriage of convenience.
To this end, he and his friend, the Earl of Longley descend on the London Season and sniff out the most popular star of the Season, Lady Violet Carlisle. She has debuted with her twin Emma, but Emma is frequently overlooked and discounted by others, including her own parents, being the quieter, less outgoing, less obvious twin. She is often overlooked or disparaged as being a pale imitation of Violet, and this eats away at her confidence and enjoyment of society.
Ashford thinks Violet is perfect for his plans as a wife, especially as he has no deep feelings or attraction for her. Violet agrees, especially considering her initial wishes on entering the marriage mart is to wed well and wealthy. It is Lady Emma who desires the love match, but luckily she is not for Vaughn. Especially as he finds himself inconveniently attracted to both her beauty and her quiet strength, and kindness. His plans go seriously awry though when Violet finds herself realizing she is in love with another and she jilts the Duke, and plunges him and her family into scandal.
To redeem themselves from scandal and being cut from Society, the Carlisles convince Emma to save them, and offers her to the Duke as an alternative, and Emma is willing to do so to save her family from social ruin. Emma is hopeful that she and Vaughn can learn to develop an affection that can become love in their marriage, and is hoping time spent together can help this. She is very confused and hurt when he consistently puts barriers up between them, and does what he can to put space between them. Every time she thinks they are getting somewhere in their relationship, something happens to undermine her confidence, or cause a futher rift she feels in their relationship. But Vaughn is also not honest with himself or her about what he wanted in their marriage, or the truth of what he feels for her, and his fears.
I felt this was a good debut historical romance, with angsty miscommunication and misunderstanding, as well as sensual attraction between the two characters. Emma was a sweet character ad I liked her dynamic with her sister and her maid, but wish that for a woman who was supposed to have a quiet strength her and whom Vaughn came to appreciate as not being a mouse, I do wish she did confront her parents and Violet about all the ways they diminished and overlooked her over the years. Vaughn did so as well in his initial treatment of her, but did in the end give her the attention and courtship she deserved, and the ending was quite sweet. There was nice balance of sweet and sensual. I did enjoy this story and look forward to any future stories.
3.75 stars out of 5
March 26, 2024
Vaughan Stanhope oedipalled so far close up to the sun he came spiralling right back down. It’s impossible, unavoidable, to not go to psychoanalysis, when all the man does is think about his parents’ awful match, how his mother didn’t even have the dignity to hide her cheating, how his father was a fool in love, and how he refuses to be like them. Instead, he wants exactly what they had - an open marriage, essentially - without any of the feelings. He goes hunting for a wife who’ll be decent enough, respectful enough, and he won’t under any circumstances fall in love. It all comes crashing down when he meets Emma, and isn’t she simply a fool in love.
I could go on about contrasts and comparisons but that’d be spoiling the story. Which is a fairly great story! But I also want to shake both of the main characters, just a little. And then sit with each of them individually for a cup of tea for maybe an hour where I listen as they talk about their childhoods.
Great if you’re into regency romances! Made me think of Bridgerton, and not in a bad way. If anything I might rewatch the show to scratch the itch it left me with. I love the period, love the ton, the dresses, the balls. I wouldn’t last a day. But it’s fun to read about!
Thank you to Hidden Gems for the ARC!
I could go on about contrasts and comparisons but that’d be spoiling the story. Which is a fairly great story! But I also want to shake both of the main characters, just a little. And then sit with each of them individually for a cup of tea for maybe an hour where I listen as they talk about their childhoods.
Great if you’re into regency romances! Made me think of Bridgerton, and not in a bad way. If anything I might rewatch the show to scratch the itch it left me with. I love the period, love the ton, the dresses, the balls. I wouldn’t last a day. But it’s fun to read about!
Thank you to Hidden Gems for the ARC!
July 6, 2024
2.5 ⭐️ - I was scared for this at first because the premise is that the heroine Emma has to marry her sister’s betrothed (the Duke) to save her family’s reputation. The sister left to elope with another man, and it’s a shame because Emma always wanted to marry for love.
Emma was always being overlooked for her beautiful twin sister, so because of that I didn’t love the idea of her having to marry someone who chose the sister first. I think after being a shadow of her sister her whole life, the idea would’ve worked better if someone actually chose her instead of forced marriage, like if he was the one who ended the betrothal or something?
To be fair, the Duke never loved the sister. He actually wanted a wife he could basically get an heir from and then leave alone, because his mother messed up his idea of love.
So, I understood where this book was trying to go but it was very frustrating along the way. Vaughan (the Duke) is so back and forth and never voices things to Emma so this poor girl just always feels rejected by him. After every thought Vaughan thinks oh I don’t want to encourage her feelings, I can’t be close to her, I have to distance myself etc. and it was so repetitive. He’s thinking this for at least 3/4 of the book- they barely spend any time together!
At one point Emma says she thinks they’re making progress at closeness - did I miss it? The closest we got was him telling her stories when she’s sick and asleep. He waits at her bedside and then isn’t even there when she wakes up and we don’t even see his reaction to her being ok?!
I guess their main closeness is sex but even that I felt little for, because he’s so determined to be cold to her after. I also don’t like how he’s happy he’ll be her only one and he seems very experienced (I wonder how since he’s very socially averse?) I just couldn’t get on board with the spice since the emotion was so lacking and he seemed just horny for her and I wanted my girlie to have better considering she was happy with his scraps of kindness.
I think the pace was just off. It takes them way too long to actually get married, then he avoids her for most of the time, and then we finally get him being nice in the last 10% of the book which just wasn’t enough for me.
For some positives, I liked a lot of the side characters, including her maid Daisy and her sister Sophie. I also liked the settings and thought the writing was easy to read.
Overall, it wasn’t my cup of tea!
Emma was always being overlooked for her beautiful twin sister, so because of that I didn’t love the idea of her having to marry someone who chose the sister first. I think after being a shadow of her sister her whole life, the idea would’ve worked better if someone actually chose her instead of forced marriage, like if he was the one who ended the betrothal or something?
To be fair, the Duke never loved the sister. He actually wanted a wife he could basically get an heir from and then leave alone, because his mother messed up his idea of love.
So, I understood where this book was trying to go but it was very frustrating along the way. Vaughan (the Duke) is so back and forth and never voices things to Emma so this poor girl just always feels rejected by him. After every thought Vaughan thinks oh I don’t want to encourage her feelings, I can’t be close to her, I have to distance myself etc. and it was so repetitive. He’s thinking this for at least 3/4 of the book- they barely spend any time together!
At one point Emma says she thinks they’re making progress at closeness - did I miss it? The closest we got was him telling her stories when she’s sick and asleep. He waits at her bedside and then isn’t even there when she wakes up and we don’t even see his reaction to her being ok?!
I guess their main closeness is sex but even that I felt little for, because he’s so determined to be cold to her after. I also don’t like how he’s happy he’ll be her only one and he seems very experienced (I wonder how since he’s very socially averse?) I just couldn’t get on board with the spice since the emotion was so lacking and he seemed just horny for her and I wanted my girlie to have better considering she was happy with his scraps of kindness.
I think the pace was just off. It takes them way too long to actually get married, then he avoids her for most of the time, and then we finally get him being nice in the last 10% of the book which just wasn’t enough for me.
For some positives, I liked a lot of the side characters, including her maid Daisy and her sister Sophie. I also liked the settings and thought the writing was easy to read.
Overall, it wasn’t my cup of tea!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
fun and quick read, interesting characters. i wish we got more relationship dynamics between everyone, but overall was cute and entertaining.
fun and quick read, interesting characters. i wish we got more relationship dynamics between everyone, but overall was cute and entertaining.
June 22, 2024
The book titled "The Duke's Inconvenient Bride" had certain sections that felt excessively lengthy, particularly the first part, as it took a third of the book before reaching the wedding. Personally, I found Vaughan to be inconsiderate both before and after the wedding. It was frustrating to witness his behavior on their wedding night and again during their initial night at his estate. I felt a strong urge to metaphorically knock some sense into him. His preoccupation with avoiding his father's mistakes caused him to overlook Emma's distinctiveness compared to his mother. Moreover, the way he handled the consummation phase was problematic. Although he wasn't forceful, he needlessly prolonged the foreplay going hot and cold at every encounter,
which led Emma to believe she was being rejected and hurt her emotionally. His behavior after they consummated their marriage was equally disappointing. It made me wish I could run him over with a bus. Is this how a man should treat his wife after their first intimate encounter? I couldn't understand why I continued reading despite these frustrations. Every time Emma perceived him as a gentle and thoughtful husband, I gritted my teeth in disbelief. It was simply infuriating. And don't even get me started on Violet, the supposedly oblivious twin sister. (Yeah, right!) Nevertheless, I persisted in reading to see where the story was headed, and I must say that the final part somehow made up for all the shortcomings. This was my first and only experience with this author, and I have no intention of reading anything further. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars.
which led Emma to believe she was being rejected and hurt her emotionally. His behavior after they consummated their marriage was equally disappointing. It made me wish I could run him over with a bus. Is this how a man should treat his wife after their first intimate encounter? I couldn't understand why I continued reading despite these frustrations. Every time Emma perceived him as a gentle and thoughtful husband, I gritted my teeth in disbelief. It was simply infuriating. And don't even get me started on Violet, the supposedly oblivious twin sister. (Yeah, right!) Nevertheless, I persisted in reading to see where the story was headed, and I must say that the final part somehow made up for all the shortcomings. This was my first and only experience with this author, and I have no intention of reading anything further. I would rate it 2 out of 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2025
So, this book follows the classic 'jilted hero' trope. Our Duke, bless his heart, was all set to marry this stunning beauty, right? But then, bam, she dumps him! Talk about a blow to the ego. So, what does he do? Marries the less-than-stunning sister, of course! Talk about consolation prizes.
Poor guy spent the entire book whining about how his intended was prettier and how his actual wife wasn't. Seriously, dude, get over yourself! But, of course, true love prevails (shocking, I know). He eventually realizes that his wife, despite her lack of… shall we say, visual appeal, actually has a personality. Who knew?
Overall, a lighthearted read with just the right amount of angst. Just try not to roll your eyes too hard at the hero's constant whining.
Poor guy spent the entire book whining about how his intended was prettier and how his actual wife wasn't. Seriously, dude, get over yourself! But, of course, true love prevails (shocking, I know). He eventually realizes that his wife, despite her lack of… shall we say, visual appeal, actually has a personality. Who knew?
Overall, a lighthearted read with just the right amount of angst. Just try not to roll your eyes too hard at the hero's constant whining.
May 25, 2024
I really enjoyed this sweet historical romance. I’m a sucker for the resistant hero falling for the shy heroine. Jilted and angry he definitely wasn’t the happiest of husbands in the beginning. This one had a well written story to go with the group of interesting characters. It was just the story I needed.
April 24, 2024
I like Emma a lot. This was a cute story!
May 13, 2024
*3.5 stars*
May 6, 2025
A very good read!
April 10, 2024
What an exceptional book, well written, full of love, romance, drama, intrigue, society, action, mystery and lots of twists. Vaughan is a Duke looking for a lady to marry that would make him a good Duchess. All he wants is to get an heir, no love and able to live his own life. Emma is a young Lady who wants to marry for love. She has a twin who is more out going life of the party type. When Vaughan meets them together at a ball, he is aware of Emma but chooses her sister. When he finds out that Emma wants love he decides to go with her sister. So after he is jilted , her parents offer him a deal- Emma. They do marry and everything starts to change between them. Has lots of action and some sadness in their lives due to parents and Vaughan's other relatives. Love the finish to this story. Fabulous story telling by this author. Would strongly recommend to everyone.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 22, 2024
Almost dnfed at 95%
June 10, 2024
Please stop putting Bridgerton & Downton Abbey into every description. It’s a star for disappointment. Let stories stand on their own merits.
The story has potential but is weakly or maybe quickly put together. Neither of the leads had a backbone or investment when it came to their relationship. It kinda grew in time but the time was so brief that it was questionable. It needed more meat or development into the relationship and true growth to make it more interesting. And honestly, before the marriage happened would be nice versus afterwards.
The story has potential but is weakly or maybe quickly put together. Neither of the leads had a backbone or investment when it came to their relationship. It kinda grew in time but the time was so brief that it was questionable. It needed more meat or development into the relationship and true growth to make it more interesting. And honestly, before the marriage happened would be nice versus afterwards.
August 2, 2024
The story was well written. It had me interested at the beginning. Towards the end it started to go very slow. I feel like I wanted negative things to happen to the selfish sister. But instead she was just sorry. It had a happily ever after, but I expected more drama. That’s the reason for the three stars.
May 18, 2024
Yikes, she was such a doormat for him it gives me secondhand embarrassment reading his rejections and she just keeps on asking for scraps of attentions from him. It takes little to no effort for him to grovel and the end.
May 9, 2024
Ugh so boring. Every character was boring. Author tried to make the Duke more likable by giving him social anxiety but he was just a douche. Couple barely spoke but loved each other 🙄🙄
June 19, 2025
Everyone treats Emma awful and then everything goes to perfect in the last 10% of the book. She is constantly mocked by the other characters in this book. It definitely needed a more development.
April 10, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Really Enjoyed, Will Reread
🌶️🌶️ - Standard Romance Level
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience; MMC won't love because of tragic backstory; Belated Love Epiphany; Wallflower
I received this title as an ARC through Booksprout. All opinions and comments on this title are freely given and are my own.
This was my first book by Jayne and I truly enjoyed it. Due to the selfish and self-righteous snobby actions of others our main characters, Emma and Vaughan, find themselves married. Both have different reasons for wanting to be married in the first place, just not to each other. So of course they're going to fall in love and live happily ever after.
What I loved:
I also thoroughly enjoyed the positive friendship Vaughan has with Andrew. Andrew has been a friend of our hero's since school and he was the best kind of supportive friend. Andrew helped Vaughan deal with social situations and gently but firmly told him the truth when Vaughan was acting irrationally. Andrew also did the Regency era equivalent of taking someone's keys which just made me love his character even more. I love genuine male friendships in books and their's was very well done.
The character arc with Emma's parents was also very well done. It wasn't drawn out or overly dramatic and because of that it was believable.
What I didn't think made sense:
Possible Cons for Others:
I will say that, while I did not mind it, Emma is rather set on finding love and getting married ASAP. The strength of this desire is understandable considering that she feels overshadowed and forgotten next to Violet. Emma truly just wants someone to be on her side and see her, but that need to connect might seem desperate to some readers. She's not desperate, just lonely and wants someone in her corner who doesn't compare her to Violet.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🌶️🌶️ - Standard Romance Level
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience; MMC won't love because of tragic backstory; Belated Love Epiphany; Wallflower
I received this title as an ARC through Booksprout. All opinions and comments on this title are freely given and are my own.
This was my first book by Jayne and I truly enjoyed it. Due to the selfish and self-righteous snobby actions of others our main characters, Emma and Vaughan, find themselves married. Both have different reasons for wanting to be married in the first place, just not to each other. So of course they're going to fall in love and live happily ever after.
What I loved:
I also thoroughly enjoyed the positive friendship Vaughan has with Andrew. Andrew has been a friend of our hero's since school and he was the best kind of supportive friend. Andrew helped Vaughan deal with social situations and gently but firmly told him the truth when Vaughan was acting irrationally. Andrew also did the Regency era equivalent of taking someone's keys which just made me love his character even more. I love genuine male friendships in books and their's was very well done.
The character arc with Emma's parents was also very well done. It wasn't drawn out or overly dramatic and because of that it was believable.
What I didn't think made sense:
Possible Cons for Others:
I will say that, while I did not mind it, Emma is rather set on finding love and getting married ASAP. The strength of this desire is understandable considering that she feels overshadowed and forgotten next to Violet. Emma truly just wants someone to be on her side and see her, but that need to connect might seem desperate to some readers. She's not desperate, just lonely and wants someone in her corner who doesn't compare her to Violet.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 31, 2025
3.5 don’t give up reading this ⭐️
Where to begin? This is a hard one to review. The first half is pretty boring and I almost gave up. It was a historic 9-5 grind. Honestly the story’s premise is awesome, but it lacked a little imagination.
The skeleton was so good, but there just wasn’t enough meat on the bones. The H resistance to love became a little juvenile. He is an adult and I wish the betrayal or what ever that was, was deeper, worse, that would have been epic. Because the writing is beautiful.
The steam… it felt like the author was uncomfortable writing it, and that came across. I don’t think all romance novels needs detailed 🍆.
However the ending made my fingers tingle and this is how an epilogue is written! Loved the epilogue.
Should you read it? Yes, the ending is worth the drudgery.
9-5 grind scale - 7/10 🥱 too much description of putting on socks or being hungry and what ever.
Where to begin? This is a hard one to review. The first half is pretty boring and I almost gave up. It was a historic 9-5 grind. Honestly the story’s premise is awesome, but it lacked a little imagination.
The skeleton was so good, but there just wasn’t enough meat on the bones. The H resistance to love became a little juvenile. He is an adult and I wish the betrayal or what ever that was, was deeper, worse, that would have been epic. Because the writing is beautiful.
The steam… it felt like the author was uncomfortable writing it, and that came across. I don’t think all romance novels needs detailed 🍆.
However the ending made my fingers tingle and this is how an epilogue is written! Loved the epilogue.
Should you read it? Yes, the ending is worth the drudgery.
9-5 grind scale - 7/10 🥱 too much description of putting on socks or being hungry and what ever.
September 29, 2025
3.5.
This was a quick read. I liked it enough.
Though the basis for the drama is the hero doesn't want to be in love and thinks he doesn't love his wife and won't ever in the future. That trope is a bit meh to me. Of course the hero comes to realize he is capable of love and does in fact love his wife. But until then, there is often some hurt feelings and drama. This was pretty low in angst compared to other books with the same plots.
This was a quick read. I liked it enough.
Though the basis for the drama is the hero doesn't want to be in love and thinks he doesn't love his wife and won't ever in the future. That trope is a bit meh to me. Of course the hero comes to realize he is capable of love and does in fact love his wife. But until then, there is often some hurt feelings and drama. This was pretty low in angst compared to other books with the same plots.
June 14, 2024
Confection Sweet
This slow burn recency romance won't bend any rules. Its a sweet easy follow. The constant references to Mansford Park and Emma were a bit much but no problem. The major conflict lasted the entire book with the sweet courting we love to see towards the end. All in all it was a lovely way to pass the afternoon with well written characters and low spice/heat.
This slow burn recency romance won't bend any rules. Its a sweet easy follow. The constant references to Mansford Park and Emma were a bit much but no problem. The major conflict lasted the entire book with the sweet courting we love to see towards the end. All in all it was a lovely way to pass the afternoon with well written characters and low spice/heat.
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