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Marriage Mart Mayhem #2
The Duke's Quandary
London 1814...
Drake, Duke of Manchester is searching the Marriage Mart for a perfect bride. He wants a woman who is poised, sophisticated, and worthy of the title Duchess. But most of all, he wants a woman who does not want the useless emotion of love.
Socially awkward Miss Penelope Clayton isn't meant for marriage. A serious botanist, she has no desire to wed, so being forced by her guardian to participate in the Season to find a husband is torture. She'll never fit in with the ton, especially if they discover she's been pretending to be a man within the scientific community.
As Drake's family makes over Penelope, turning her from naive bluestocking to enchanting debutante, he is put upon to introduce her to society and eligible bachelors. Despite dance lessons and new gowns, Penelope is the opposite of poised and sophisticated as she stumbles from one mishap to the next. Why then, does he find it so hard to resist her?
Drake, Duke of Manchester is searching the Marriage Mart for a perfect bride. He wants a woman who is poised, sophisticated, and worthy of the title Duchess. But most of all, he wants a woman who does not want the useless emotion of love.
Socially awkward Miss Penelope Clayton isn't meant for marriage. A serious botanist, she has no desire to wed, so being forced by her guardian to participate in the Season to find a husband is torture. She'll never fit in with the ton, especially if they discover she's been pretending to be a man within the scientific community.
As Drake's family makes over Penelope, turning her from naive bluestocking to enchanting debutante, he is put upon to introduce her to society and eligible bachelors. Despite dance lessons and new gowns, Penelope is the opposite of poised and sophisticated as she stumbles from one mishap to the next. Why then, does he find it so hard to resist her?
285 pages, Unknown Binding
First published March 10, 2014
144 people are currently reading
742 people want to read
About the author
Callie Hutton
149 books1,441 followershttp://calliehutton.com/newsletter/ (receive a free book for signing up and be up to date on new releases and sales)
Hi Romance Fans,
My historical romances are full of heat, humor, and quirky characters. I’ve always loved history, which was my college major. Things of the past fascinate me. Not those boring history classes in high school, but the history of people. How they lived their lives, what they ate, what they wore, the challenges they faced, what they worried about.
I have recently delved into Historical Cozy Mysteries. My very first one, For the Love of the Baron, a Historical Romantic Suspense novella, spurred me to try a full length, non-romance focused cozy mystery. A Study in Murder released last year from Crooked Lane Publishing, and the reviews have been excellent. The second book, The Sign of Death, released this year and the next book, The Mystery of Albert E. Finch will release in January of 2022.
I've also been busy keeping up with my Regency/Victorian romances. Check out my latest series, The Rose Room Rogues. Four brothers who own a gambling club and find themselves caught in the net of love.
Watch for my new Highlander series, The Sutherlands of Dornoch. The first book in that series, To Deceive a Highlander, will release March 30th.
Take a look around my website and check out some of the books I write, and their lovely covers. www.calliehutton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
June 2, 2022
I have to say the Duke took some warming up to, but then he came through spectacularily at the end!
March 9, 2023
2016: As I read The Earl's Return first (which is the sixth book in this series) I thought I should go back and read the rest of the series. I wanted to start with Drake and Penelope's story because they seem to be an amazing couple, so connected and in love that I wanted to know more. Their story is adorable, beautiful, and so romantic.
Penelope is a unconventional heroine as she isn't quite a proper lady in the ton but more of a country miss whose main interest happens to be science, botany to be precise. She really rather stay in the country studying her plants and such but her sponsor invites her to have a Season and she is whisked off to London. Her host is the Duke of Manchester and his family. His family warms up to her fairly quickly and are very supportive of her. The Duke, not so much. See, he is looking for perfection. He is searching for his future duchess and wife who needs to a standard all of her own with no flaws. Penelope certainly has her own flaws. For example, the perfect duchess will be graceful and Penelope is incredibly clumsy and a hazard to herself and anyone and thing around her (I find it to be adorable but Drake fears what sort of mess she will make next). Next, the perfect duchess will dance like a swan and be a wonderful conversationalist. Penelope doesn't know how to dance, moves in the wrong direction and would very much rather read a book about botany or spend her time digging in the garden and she isn't incredibly social (I still find her adorable but, again, Drake rather not spend all his time speaking directions to her while dancing nor would he like to see her covered in dirt.) So if Penelope is so far from his perfect duchess image then why can't he stay away from her? You will have to read to find out. ;)
Why you say? Well...
Over time he grows to understand who she is rather than what he wants her to be. Once he realizes that she is perfect in all her flaws, he really can't stay away from her. Seriously. Like he follows her everywhere. Some may say it is because she may fall or hurt herself, she is very clumsy after all, but I like to think that he just so in love with her that he doesn't want to leave her side even for a moment.
Read this book. You won't regret it.
Penelope is a unconventional heroine as she isn't quite a proper lady in the ton but more of a country miss whose main interest happens to be science, botany to be precise. She really rather stay in the country studying her plants and such but her sponsor invites her to have a Season and she is whisked off to London. Her host is the Duke of Manchester and his family. His family warms up to her fairly quickly and are very supportive of her. The Duke, not so much. See, he is looking for perfection. He is searching for his future duchess and wife who needs to a standard all of her own with no flaws. Penelope certainly has her own flaws. For example, the perfect duchess will be graceful and Penelope is incredibly clumsy and a hazard to herself and anyone and thing around her (I find it to be adorable but Drake fears what sort of mess she will make next). Next, the perfect duchess will dance like a swan and be a wonderful conversationalist. Penelope doesn't know how to dance, moves in the wrong direction and would very much rather read a book about botany or spend her time digging in the garden and she isn't incredibly social (I still find her adorable but, again, Drake rather not spend all his time speaking directions to her while dancing nor would he like to see her covered in dirt.) So if Penelope is so far from his perfect duchess image then why can't he stay away from her? You will have to read to find out. ;)
Why you say? Well...
Over time he grows to understand who she is rather than what he wants her to be. Once he realizes that she is perfect in all her flaws, he really can't stay away from her. Seriously. Like he follows her everywhere. Some may say it is because she may fall or hurt herself, she is very clumsy after all, but I like to think that he just so in love with her that he doesn't want to leave her side even for a moment.
Read this book. You won't regret it.
March 22, 2021
J'ai dévoré cette romance historique en une nuit.
J'ai été prise par surprise par la plume fluide et par l'histoire plus que prenante. J'ai ri quelques fois en suivant les aventures un peu maladroites de Penelope. Ce fut un régal.
J'ai été ravie de retrouver brièvement les protagonistes du premier tome.
Ici et pour les prochains tomes, nous allons sur une même fratrie. Cela peut faire penser à la saga Bridgerton Collection, Volume One, mais je trouve que l'on en est un peu loin quand on regarde la construction de l'intrigue. Mais pour les fans des Bridgerton, cette saga sera parfaite pour vous.
Je vais de ce pas enchainer avec le tome 4, car le 3 ne me tente pas plus que cela.
J'ai été prise par surprise par la plume fluide et par l'histoire plus que prenante. J'ai ri quelques fois en suivant les aventures un peu maladroites de Penelope. Ce fut un régal.
J'ai été ravie de retrouver brièvement les protagonistes du premier tome.
Ici et pour les prochains tomes, nous allons sur une même fratrie. Cela peut faire penser à la saga Bridgerton Collection, Volume One, mais je trouve que l'on en est un peu loin quand on regarde la construction de l'intrigue. Mais pour les fans des Bridgerton, cette saga sera parfaite pour vous.
Je vais de ce pas enchainer avec le tome 4, car le 3 ne me tente pas plus que cela.
April 6, 2015
Dejemos que Drake hable un poco por sí mismo.
"¿Qué demonios tenía esa mujer que tanto le enfurecía en un minuto, y luego le hacía desear envolverla con sus brazos en el siguiente?"
"Y aunque él tenía la intención de encontrar una novia esta temporada, nunca sería la señorita Penélope Clayton."
"-Por otro lado, querida hermana, se te está pasando un poco el arroz.
-[...]Pero tengo apenas veintidós. No estoy en la senectud."
"Su madre era demasiado suave cuando se trataba de las niñas. Ella les animaba en esa tonta idea de esperar al hombre correcto."
"-La chica estaba coqueteando conmigo.
Pensando en la tímida Penélope, tan inepta en materia social y absorta en su ciencia, el comentario del hombre era casi risible."
"Penélope estaba en lo correcto. Ella no pertenecía a su mundo."
"Penélope lo era todo. Entusiasta e ingenua, con gran entusiasmo por las cosas sencillas. Pero no, se aseguró a sí mismo, no era alguien que él quisiera para ostentar el título de su duquesa."
"...le vendría bien recordar su declarado deseo de casarse con la mujer perfecta. Desde luego, no alguien como ella."
"-Lo último que quisiera hacer es herir tus sentimientos, o hacer que te sientas como si estuvieras, de alguna manera, por debajo de mí. (!!!!!)"
"Entonces no habría más visitantes molestos diciéndole que estaba enamorado de la mujer más inepta de todo Londres."
"¿Cómo podía la chica ser tan tonta como para ser capturada de nuevo a solas con Smythe? ¿Estaba tratando de comprometerse a sí misma?"
"Este matrimonio sería un éxito aunque su novia quedara corta según sus expectativas."
"-¿Qué pasa con mi trabajo?
-Vas a renunciar a eso, naturalmente. Estarás ocupada con los deberes de una duquesa."
"Estaba a punto de casarse con una mujer todo lo contrario de su duquesa ideal. Cuando comparó mentalmente a Lady Daphne con Penélope... bueno, era mejor no seguir esa línea de pensamiento. Lo hecho, hecho estaba."
"Él suspiró ante esta evidencia adicional de su falta de idoneidad para asumir el papel de duquesa."
"-Me refiero a esta obsesión que pareces tener sobre la encantadora dama con la que te casaste, que no te ha dado ninguna razón para avergonzarte.
-Y me gustaría mantenerlo así."
"El jugar con la ciencia no es un pasatiempo adecuado para una duquesa. Tendrás deberes que cumplir, una casa que llevar, sirvientes que supervisar. Y, a la larga, habrá niños que van a necesitar tu atención."
¿QUÉ ES ESTO? (Y menos mal que no puse todas las restantes, es más de lo mismo) Esto no es romántico. Es terrible. Ella está loca de amor por él, que deja pasar sus faltas. Abandona demasiado rápido sus sueños para estar a la altura de Drake. Y dios, cómo llora. Le toca una mano, llora, la besa, llora, le grita, llora, le da la espalda, llora, cierra una puerta, llora. What's wrong with you?
Ni hablar de lo incómodamente torpe que es. Tropieza, llora.
El libro es malo. Los escenarios principales son: vestidos, fiestas y sociedad. Todo frívolo, todo superficial. Lo odio. La gente es muy hipócrita, se la pasa chismorreando y hablando de estupideces. No hay otros escenarios ni profundidad en nada. Me cansó. Penélope es botánica (de su propio jardín, porque no ha llegado más lejos). Pero solo eso sabemos, cada vez que habla de su trabajo, Drake la pone en off y se pone a pensar los "suculentos" pechos que tiene, o su redondado trasero, o lo carnosa que es su boca. (QUUUUUEE?). A él no le interesa su trabajo, su personalidad, nada. Cada vez que tropieza (y lo hace demasiado seguido para mi gusto) piensa en las usos que podría darle a su boca, pechos, culo, ay por dios. Y ella está tannnn fascinada.
Drake es un VERDADERO imbécil. Con un gran complejo de Edipo. No deja de comparar a Penélope con su madre. *escalofríos* Sumado con las referencias sexuales me da que pensar sobre sus conflictos no resueltos. Tiene ideas retrógradas. Tiene cinco hermanas, (y al parecer un hermano más del que solo sabemos su nombre, ni idea de si está vivo o que hace) y no tiene tacto. No sabe como tratar a nadie que no sea su ego.
Y por si fuera poco, es increíblemente repetitivo. Fiestas, baile, tropieza. Otra fiesta, baile, tropieza.
"¿Qué demonios tenía esa mujer que tanto le enfurecía en un minuto, y luego le hacía desear envolverla con sus brazos en el siguiente?"
"Y aunque él tenía la intención de encontrar una novia esta temporada, nunca sería la señorita Penélope Clayton."
"-Por otro lado, querida hermana, se te está pasando un poco el arroz.
-[...]Pero tengo apenas veintidós. No estoy en la senectud."
"Su madre era demasiado suave cuando se trataba de las niñas. Ella les animaba en esa tonta idea de esperar al hombre correcto."
"-La chica estaba coqueteando conmigo.
Pensando en la tímida Penélope, tan inepta en materia social y absorta en su ciencia, el comentario del hombre era casi risible."
"Penélope estaba en lo correcto. Ella no pertenecía a su mundo."
"Penélope lo era todo. Entusiasta e ingenua, con gran entusiasmo por las cosas sencillas. Pero no, se aseguró a sí mismo, no era alguien que él quisiera para ostentar el título de su duquesa."
"...le vendría bien recordar su declarado deseo de casarse con la mujer perfecta. Desde luego, no alguien como ella."
"-Lo último que quisiera hacer es herir tus sentimientos, o hacer que te sientas como si estuvieras, de alguna manera, por debajo de mí. (!!!!!)"
"Entonces no habría más visitantes molestos diciéndole que estaba enamorado de la mujer más inepta de todo Londres."
"¿Cómo podía la chica ser tan tonta como para ser capturada de nuevo a solas con Smythe? ¿Estaba tratando de comprometerse a sí misma?"
"Este matrimonio sería un éxito aunque su novia quedara corta según sus expectativas."
"-¿Qué pasa con mi trabajo?
-Vas a renunciar a eso, naturalmente. Estarás ocupada con los deberes de una duquesa."
"Estaba a punto de casarse con una mujer todo lo contrario de su duquesa ideal. Cuando comparó mentalmente a Lady Daphne con Penélope... bueno, era mejor no seguir esa línea de pensamiento. Lo hecho, hecho estaba."
"Él suspiró ante esta evidencia adicional de su falta de idoneidad para asumir el papel de duquesa."
"-Me refiero a esta obsesión que pareces tener sobre la encantadora dama con la que te casaste, que no te ha dado ninguna razón para avergonzarte.
-Y me gustaría mantenerlo así."
"El jugar con la ciencia no es un pasatiempo adecuado para una duquesa. Tendrás deberes que cumplir, una casa que llevar, sirvientes que supervisar. Y, a la larga, habrá niños que van a necesitar tu atención."
¿QUÉ ES ESTO? (Y menos mal que no puse todas las restantes, es más de lo mismo) Esto no es romántico. Es terrible. Ella está loca de amor por él, que deja pasar sus faltas. Abandona demasiado rápido sus sueños para estar a la altura de Drake. Y dios, cómo llora. Le toca una mano, llora, la besa, llora, le grita, llora, le da la espalda, llora, cierra una puerta, llora. What's wrong with you?
Ni hablar de lo incómodamente torpe que es. Tropieza, llora.
El libro es malo. Los escenarios principales son: vestidos, fiestas y sociedad. Todo frívolo, todo superficial. Lo odio. La gente es muy hipócrita, se la pasa chismorreando y hablando de estupideces. No hay otros escenarios ni profundidad en nada. Me cansó. Penélope es botánica (de su propio jardín, porque no ha llegado más lejos). Pero solo eso sabemos, cada vez que habla de su trabajo, Drake la pone en off y se pone a pensar los "suculentos" pechos que tiene, o su redondado trasero, o lo carnosa que es su boca. (QUUUUUEE?). A él no le interesa su trabajo, su personalidad, nada. Cada vez que tropieza (y lo hace demasiado seguido para mi gusto) piensa en las usos que podría darle a su boca, pechos, culo, ay por dios. Y ella está tannnn fascinada.
Drake es un VERDADERO imbécil. Con un gran complejo de Edipo. No deja de comparar a Penélope con su madre. *escalofríos* Sumado con las referencias sexuales me da que pensar sobre sus conflictos no resueltos. Tiene ideas retrógradas. Tiene cinco hermanas, (y al parecer un hermano más del que solo sabemos su nombre, ni idea de si está vivo o que hace) y no tiene tacto. No sabe como tratar a nadie que no sea su ego.
Y por si fuera poco, es increíblemente repetitivo. Fiestas, baile, tropieza. Otra fiesta, baile, tropieza.
April 18, 2015
CLUMSY LIKEABLE HEROINE!!
The Duke's Quandary started out Ok but started getting a little silly to believe. Penelope Clayton has been summoned to London to have a season. Her aunt Feebie has arranged for her to be brought by the Dowager Duchess Of Manchester. Penelope is a renowned Botanist, but publishes her work under a mans name She is also very awkward and clumsy. She has one disaster after another to the point it is not funny but a bit ridiculous. She walks into furniture, spells tea all over the place. Just silly accidents. But she is also a very beautiful and kind and intelligent young lady. I like this part of her character.
We are introduced to Drake in bk 1 The Elusive Wife, he was a Marquess at that time. The Duke's Quandary is his story. Drake is now the Duke of Manchester and he is looking for the perfect young lady to be his Duchess. Penelope is not at all what he wants in a wife, but finds himself very attracted to her. Sometime Drake was just a little mean to Penelope always pointing out her imperfections, but then he would always apologize. He found himself defending her social forepaws, when she was being ridiculed by society. Toward the end of the book Drake and Penelope are caught in a compromising position. Drake immediately announces there betrothal.
The story is a light and full of fluff read. There are some delightful characters in the story like Drakes mother the Dowager Duchess. The story was no wear nearly as good as The Elusive Wife, but it was Ok and I enjoyed it for the most part.
The Duke's Quandary started out Ok but started getting a little silly to believe. Penelope Clayton has been summoned to London to have a season. Her aunt Feebie has arranged for her to be brought by the Dowager Duchess Of Manchester. Penelope is a renowned Botanist, but publishes her work under a mans name She is also very awkward and clumsy. She has one disaster after another to the point it is not funny but a bit ridiculous. She walks into furniture, spells tea all over the place. Just silly accidents. But she is also a very beautiful and kind and intelligent young lady. I like this part of her character.
We are introduced to Drake in bk 1 The Elusive Wife, he was a Marquess at that time. The Duke's Quandary is his story. Drake is now the Duke of Manchester and he is looking for the perfect young lady to be his Duchess. Penelope is not at all what he wants in a wife, but finds himself very attracted to her. Sometime Drake was just a little mean to Penelope always pointing out her imperfections, but then he would always apologize. He found himself defending her social forepaws, when she was being ridiculed by society. Toward the end of the book Drake and Penelope are caught in a compromising position. Drake immediately announces there betrothal.
The story is a light and full of fluff read. There are some delightful characters in the story like Drakes mother the Dowager Duchess. The story was no wear nearly as good as The Elusive Wife, but it was Ok and I enjoyed it for the most part.
February 25, 2014
A sweet, enjoyable, lovely romance, The Duke's Quandary was a wonderful read. I really liked this book. It was a delightful historical romance.
Penelope was a lovely heroine. She was very kind and a genuinely likable character. She was extremely clumsy and never seemed to say the right thing in Society. But, she faced all the gossip and snide comments with more strength and dignity than any of the debutantes could hope for. My only problem is that I wish she would have stood up to Drake more when he got too bossy about being a "proper duchess." But, overall, I really liked her.
Drake was good. He was very sweet and protective of his family. Most of the time, he was kind, sweet, and rather adorable. However, sometimes, I wanted to whack him upside the head for being an idiot. His whole obsession with "the perfect duchess" was frustrating and a bit baffling. I did't understand why he was so set on it, especially because his own mother was an unconventional duchess who enjoyed a love match and was still dearly loved by her family. It was annoying, to say the least. But, it did't bother me too much. So, I still ended up liking him, particularly because he did a brilliant job redeeming himself in the end. Overall, I thought he was great.
The romance was lovely. Despite Drake's issues, they were sweet together. They were perfectly matched, despite their reluctance to admit it. And, the chemistry between them was hot. Definitely some sensuous scenes in store.
The plot was well paced and I was hooked the entire way through. The story was so sweet and lovely and I really enjoyed it. And, the ending was perfect.
The Duke's Quandary was a wonderful historical romance. I really liked this book. It was a sweet, delightful, enjoyable read. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Penelope was a lovely heroine. She was very kind and a genuinely likable character. She was extremely clumsy and never seemed to say the right thing in Society. But, she faced all the gossip and snide comments with more strength and dignity than any of the debutantes could hope for. My only problem is that I wish she would have stood up to Drake more when he got too bossy about being a "proper duchess." But, overall, I really liked her.
Drake was good. He was very sweet and protective of his family. Most of the time, he was kind, sweet, and rather adorable. However, sometimes, I wanted to whack him upside the head for being an idiot. His whole obsession with "the perfect duchess" was frustrating and a bit baffling. I did't understand why he was so set on it, especially because his own mother was an unconventional duchess who enjoyed a love match and was still dearly loved by her family. It was annoying, to say the least. But, it did't bother me too much. So, I still ended up liking him, particularly because he did a brilliant job redeeming himself in the end. Overall, I thought he was great.
The romance was lovely. Despite Drake's issues, they were sweet together. They were perfectly matched, despite their reluctance to admit it. And, the chemistry between them was hot. Definitely some sensuous scenes in store.
The plot was well paced and I was hooked the entire way through. The story was so sweet and lovely and I really enjoyed it. And, the ending was perfect.
The Duke's Quandary was a wonderful historical romance. I really liked this book. It was a sweet, delightful, enjoyable read. Romance lovers, this is a book worth checking out.
*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
October 8, 2014
Here we have one of the most unlikable heroes in romance: a character that not only tries and succeeds in changing the heroine but also constantly compares the heroine to another female in his thoughts, to others, and to the heroine!
Add to that a heroine that does not show herself to be the botanist she is described as(author laziness) and you have a book that is not worth reading.
Add to that a heroine that does not show herself to be the botanist she is described as(author laziness) and you have a book that is not worth reading.
May 10, 2020
Penélope ha vivido su vida desde que su padre ha muerto, en el campo. Ella es feliz allí, amante de la botánica tiene todo lo que necesita a su alcance. Hasta que las peores noticias le llegan: su tía y su tutor se han puesto de acuerdo en que debe asistir a una temporada en Londres para encontrar marido. Sólo que ella no quiere eso, y mucho menos quiere escuchar como Drake, el hombre que le robó su primer beso, le recuerda lo desastrosa que ella es.
Tengo un amor odio con este libro. Ha sido un si pero no, ya sabéis cómo va esto.
Al principio la historia me aburrió bastante, no iba a ningún lado solo era escuchar lo mucho que odiaba y temblaba Penélope con esto de ir a una temporada en Londres. Además de que todavía no había chicha ninguna entre Drake y ella así que nada me mantenía leyendo.
Cuando por fin empezó a haber algo, odie a Drake. Estaba harta de que en un momento la estuviera besando y al otro estuviera en plan: es que eres un desastre, yo necesito a una mujer que sepa ser una duquesa blablabla 🙄 y yo necesito a un hombre que no sea tan gilipollas como tu, Drake pero no se puede pedir todo en esta vida. De verdad que no lo aguanté, y realmente esto duró hasta el final incluso cuando él la quería tal y como era pero estaba emperrado en que ella fuese otra, alguien más finolis, más regia y yo que se un florero era lo que quería y aún tenía la cara de decir que no le parecía que Penélope estuviese sufriendo ni siendo infeliz. NOOOOOO que vaaaaa, apenaaaaaas, ella era muy feliz escuchando como siempre estaba detrás de ella: no hagas eso, no digas malas palabras no es propio de una duquesa, compórtate, haz esto, no hagas lo otro blablabla. Yo también estaría super feliz de que me estuviesen criticando las 24 h. Y que ella no le dijera nada... Me fastidió bastante porque se volvió demasiado sumisa, por parte de ella me faltó que tuviese más carácter.
Y os preguntaréis por qué la nota entonces... Pues porque tuvo momentos entre tanta crítica que me encantaban juntos. Cuando ellos estaban solos él no parecía ser tan idiota, y realmente al final la dejó ser quien era y la amó como era, que es lo que tenía que hacer desde el principio. Me gustó, no digo que no, pero los hay mucho mejores en cuanto a historia y protagonistas se refiere.
Tengo un amor odio con este libro. Ha sido un si pero no, ya sabéis cómo va esto.
Al principio la historia me aburrió bastante, no iba a ningún lado solo era escuchar lo mucho que odiaba y temblaba Penélope con esto de ir a una temporada en Londres. Además de que todavía no había chicha ninguna entre Drake y ella así que nada me mantenía leyendo.
Cuando por fin empezó a haber algo, odie a Drake. Estaba harta de que en un momento la estuviera besando y al otro estuviera en plan: es que eres un desastre, yo necesito a una mujer que sepa ser una duquesa blablabla 🙄 y yo necesito a un hombre que no sea tan gilipollas como tu, Drake pero no se puede pedir todo en esta vida. De verdad que no lo aguanté, y realmente esto duró hasta el final incluso cuando él la quería tal y como era pero estaba emperrado en que ella fuese otra, alguien más finolis, más regia y yo que se un florero era lo que quería y aún tenía la cara de decir que no le parecía que Penélope estuviese sufriendo ni siendo infeliz. NOOOOOO que vaaaaa, apenaaaaaas, ella era muy feliz escuchando como siempre estaba detrás de ella: no hagas eso, no digas malas palabras no es propio de una duquesa, compórtate, haz esto, no hagas lo otro blablabla. Yo también estaría super feliz de que me estuviesen criticando las 24 h. Y que ella no le dijera nada... Me fastidió bastante porque se volvió demasiado sumisa, por parte de ella me faltó que tuviese más carácter.
Y os preguntaréis por qué la nota entonces... Pues porque tuvo momentos entre tanta crítica que me encantaban juntos. Cuando ellos estaban solos él no parecía ser tan idiota, y realmente al final la dejó ser quien era y la amó como era, que es lo que tenía que hacer desde el principio. Me gustó, no digo que no, pero los hay mucho mejores en cuanto a historia y protagonistas se refiere.
September 7, 2020
Regency England.
Drake, a duke & head of the family, housed his mother
and 5 grown sisters, 1 being a reclusive widow. He wanted
a "perfect wife" : sophisticated, ton-savy and biddable.
Penelope was raised in Boston by her botanist father who
treated her as the son he never had. Botany became her
obsession & she excelled at it. Upon his death, she moved
to rural England & lived w/ staff. She submitted scientific
findings, under a male name to an all-male scientific
society. Pen became clumsy w/o her specs which her aunt
forbad her to wear.
Drake acted the prig, and smirked & snorted too much
for my taste. After a time, he lusted after Pen. But could
he appreciate her whole self, including the sometimes
clumsy lady & brainy scientist? He knew himself as im-
perfect but expected Pen to be perfect. He made a +
gesture before the end, but it felt too late. His criticism
and judgmental nature was off-putting.
Drake, a duke & head of the family, housed his mother
and 5 grown sisters, 1 being a reclusive widow. He wanted
a "perfect wife" : sophisticated, ton-savy and biddable.
Penelope was raised in Boston by her botanist father who
treated her as the son he never had. Botany became her
obsession & she excelled at it. Upon his death, she moved
to rural England & lived w/ staff. She submitted scientific
findings, under a male name to an all-male scientific
society. Pen became clumsy w/o her specs which her aunt
forbad her to wear.
Drake acted the prig, and smirked & snorted too much
for my taste. After a time, he lusted after Pen. But could
he appreciate her whole self, including the sometimes
clumsy lady & brainy scientist? He knew himself as im-
perfect but expected Pen to be perfect. He made a +
gesture before the end, but it felt too late. His criticism
and judgmental nature was off-putting.
December 17, 2016
I'm honestly annoyed by the book. It wasn't hate. Just pure concentrated annoyance. For a 300 page book it moved too slowly, I never felt they attraction or emotion or anything about each other. Let's get into this. The writing is well done and easily understood, but I didn't like the characters. I paid $17 bucks for this book because I'm down to support authors not backed by a publishing house. But this story was not worth it to me.
Our hero, Drake. I never usually talk about the heroes first, but he deserves it because I DID NOT LIKE HIM. At all. He wasn't evil or cruel or anything, but he was OPPRESSIVE. I didn't like that he was ALWAYS comparing the heroine to his ideal 'Perfect Duchess'. What makes it worse, is that his ideal duchess was a mean, snobby but not in a large way, woman who appears in the book quite a few times. He does not interact with her too much. But the mentioning was annoying. Drake wanted our heroine to be someone she wasn't. Even after they were engaged, because HE accosted her in the garden, he kept telling her that she would have to give up science and forcing her into his strict criteria that her clumsy ass would NEVER fit. Then when she voiced her concerns on the matter he'd just wave them off. (the author tries to make him redeem himself with the science thing and FAILS)
Our heroine, Penelope, I love the name and am annoyed by the girl. She was a botanist, which is another word for plant lover. She wasn't overly annoying with the science thing, but sometimes it's like shut your mouth about it! Other than looks, I have NO IDEA why she liked the hero. She was clumsy. And when I say clumsy, I mean to the point of it irritating me. I understand her being social awkward, I want to go along the lines of saying that she had crippling anxiety, most likely Social Anxiety Disorder. She knocked over something or had dirt on her every five seconds. She was like a toddler. You can go dig in the mud without getting it on your face and causing everyone to laugh at you. And despite not going into society and chatting with men a lot, its common knowledge that no one wants to hear you go into a dissertation about plants. Point blank. She does defy him with the forbidding her of science thing though.
Her aunt was annoying. I personally wear glasses, if I'm not wearing glasses I'm wearing contacts. I NEED them. I'm not legally blind, but I'm no use without them. So the fact that they kept telling her to take them off when SHE COULDN'T SEE WELL without them. Irritated me. Her aunt had the nerves to PLUCK them off her face at a ball. Which makes her EVEN MORE clumsy.
On top of that, these characters spend most of the time THINKING about each other and how nice the other is, rather than actually being together. And when they're together he's fondling her and kissing her and then telling her that they shouldn't do this.
Oh, and this is a new one! They don't tell each other that they love each other in this book. Its said through thoughts, but never to one another.
Don't even get me started on the sex scenes. They were bad. Not necessarily because of how the author wrote them, they were scant but not too bad, but because YOU DONT LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTERS, ESPECIALLY NOT THE HERO. He basically forced her into this marriage (then tried to force her to become his ideal duchess) and then he comes to her after there wedding(which she tries to stop plenty of times, not because she didn't like him tho. Just b/c he had already told her what he wanted in a wife and she knew that wasn't her and it was just a mess) and is ready to sleep with her. She should have put up a fight! They get into an argument after she brings up the science again and he still thinks its okay cause we're going to sleep together and she'll do what I say. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN!!!! He's like, she's just like my mom. Unconventional and my dad was in love with her, so I'm probably going to look forward to a life like that too.
I'M SO ANNOYED. Fair to say I didn't like this but I didnt hate it enough for it to be one star. So I'll give it two. Its funny cause this is the first book I've read(and hated) where I didn't at least think some passages were cute to tab and have a quotes section on my review.
Our hero, Drake. I never usually talk about the heroes first, but he deserves it because I DID NOT LIKE HIM. At all. He wasn't evil or cruel or anything, but he was OPPRESSIVE. I didn't like that he was ALWAYS comparing the heroine to his ideal 'Perfect Duchess'. What makes it worse, is that his ideal duchess was a mean, snobby but not in a large way, woman who appears in the book quite a few times. He does not interact with her too much. But the mentioning was annoying. Drake wanted our heroine to be someone she wasn't. Even after they were engaged, because HE accosted her in the garden, he kept telling her that she would have to give up science and forcing her into his strict criteria that her clumsy ass would NEVER fit. Then when she voiced her concerns on the matter he'd just wave them off. (the author tries to make him redeem himself with the science thing and FAILS)
Our heroine, Penelope, I love the name and am annoyed by the girl. She was a botanist, which is another word for plant lover. She wasn't overly annoying with the science thing, but sometimes it's like shut your mouth about it! Other than looks, I have NO IDEA why she liked the hero. She was clumsy. And when I say clumsy, I mean to the point of it irritating me. I understand her being social awkward, I want to go along the lines of saying that she had crippling anxiety, most likely Social Anxiety Disorder. She knocked over something or had dirt on her every five seconds. She was like a toddler. You can go dig in the mud without getting it on your face and causing everyone to laugh at you. And despite not going into society and chatting with men a lot, its common knowledge that no one wants to hear you go into a dissertation about plants. Point blank. She does defy him with the forbidding her of science thing though.
Her aunt was annoying. I personally wear glasses, if I'm not wearing glasses I'm wearing contacts. I NEED them. I'm not legally blind, but I'm no use without them. So the fact that they kept telling her to take them off when SHE COULDN'T SEE WELL without them. Irritated me. Her aunt had the nerves to PLUCK them off her face at a ball. Which makes her EVEN MORE clumsy.
On top of that, these characters spend most of the time THINKING about each other and how nice the other is, rather than actually being together. And when they're together he's fondling her and kissing her and then telling her that they shouldn't do this.
Oh, and this is a new one! They don't tell each other that they love each other in this book. Its said through thoughts, but never to one another.
Don't even get me started on the sex scenes. They were bad. Not necessarily because of how the author wrote them, they were scant but not too bad, but because YOU DONT LIKE THE MAIN CHARACTERS, ESPECIALLY NOT THE HERO. He basically forced her into this marriage (then tried to force her to become his ideal duchess) and then he comes to her after there wedding(which she tries to stop plenty of times, not because she didn't like him tho. Just b/c he had already told her what he wanted in a wife and she knew that wasn't her and it was just a mess) and is ready to sleep with her. She should have put up a fight! They get into an argument after she brings up the science again and he still thinks its okay cause we're going to sleep together and she'll do what I say. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN!!!! He's like, she's just like my mom. Unconventional and my dad was in love with her, so I'm probably going to look forward to a life like that too.
I'M SO ANNOYED. Fair to say I didn't like this but I didnt hate it enough for it to be one star. So I'll give it two. Its funny cause this is the first book I've read(and hated) where I didn't at least think some passages were cute to tab and have a quotes section on my review.
March 3, 2014
Summation Of The Book:
The Duke Of Manchester is seeking a bride. One who acts accordingly, behaves and who he deems worthy for the title of Duchess.
Penelope Clayton - a socially awkward botanist who never intends to marry. However forced to participate in the society season under the full judgement of the Ton by her Guardian. She fears she will never fit in with the Ton as she has been posing as a botanist and shuns marriage as well.
The Duchess takes Penelope under her wing for the Season, giving her a makeover much to the anguish of Drake, the very formal Duke. Turning the "ugly duckling" into a beautiful swan so to speak, Penelope is the total opposite of poised. Clumsy at nearly every turn, how will she fair during the Season in society? Will Drake find his version of the "perfect Duchess"?
Thoughts On The Book:
This book had so many emotions - happiness, love, loss, mourning and moving on. Penelope and Drake together were a powerhouse read that pulled on the heart strings all throughout the book. Even the rest of the characters in the book were an enchanting read - The Duchess, Marion, Mary, Abigail, Sybil and Sarah as well as many more.
The Duke's Quandary was such a beautiful read. From the well written, stately characters that are part of higher society, but still down to earth characters and the not so stately and the trials and tribulations those characters faced throughout the story.
The moment their characters meet at the Manchester Estate the fun definitely begins. The scenes at their first meeting were a hilarious read with the anguish that Drake's character endured watching Penelope trying to act accordingly, but inadvertently having some sort of a mishap.
Quote:
"She swallowed several times and leaned forward to place her cup on the low table in front of her, but instead set it on the edge. Drake watched it teeter there, sweat breaking out on his brow. The girl was a walking disaster."
Further into the book there were so many heart warming moments between the characters. Drake would always come to Penelope's defence. He was drawn to the innocent,breath of fresh air Penelope. He gives off the impression of an exceptionally serious Duke, but one who has a heart of gold.
An absolute joy to read this book. I could not offer enough praise to the Author for writing such phenomenal characters and in such detail, believable scenarios with real feelings within those scenes. The road that these characters set upon is one road that will change them all.
If you want an AA+ read then The Duke's Quandary fits that bill - it is a must read!
Five Star Read!
*ARC received for an honest review.
The Duke Of Manchester is seeking a bride. One who acts accordingly, behaves and who he deems worthy for the title of Duchess.
Penelope Clayton - a socially awkward botanist who never intends to marry. However forced to participate in the society season under the full judgement of the Ton by her Guardian. She fears she will never fit in with the Ton as she has been posing as a botanist and shuns marriage as well.
The Duchess takes Penelope under her wing for the Season, giving her a makeover much to the anguish of Drake, the very formal Duke. Turning the "ugly duckling" into a beautiful swan so to speak, Penelope is the total opposite of poised. Clumsy at nearly every turn, how will she fair during the Season in society? Will Drake find his version of the "perfect Duchess"?
Thoughts On The Book:
This book had so many emotions - happiness, love, loss, mourning and moving on. Penelope and Drake together were a powerhouse read that pulled on the heart strings all throughout the book. Even the rest of the characters in the book were an enchanting read - The Duchess, Marion, Mary, Abigail, Sybil and Sarah as well as many more.
The Duke's Quandary was such a beautiful read. From the well written, stately characters that are part of higher society, but still down to earth characters and the not so stately and the trials and tribulations those characters faced throughout the story.
The moment their characters meet at the Manchester Estate the fun definitely begins. The scenes at their first meeting were a hilarious read with the anguish that Drake's character endured watching Penelope trying to act accordingly, but inadvertently having some sort of a mishap.
Quote:
"She swallowed several times and leaned forward to place her cup on the low table in front of her, but instead set it on the edge. Drake watched it teeter there, sweat breaking out on his brow. The girl was a walking disaster."
Further into the book there were so many heart warming moments between the characters. Drake would always come to Penelope's defence. He was drawn to the innocent,breath of fresh air Penelope. He gives off the impression of an exceptionally serious Duke, but one who has a heart of gold.
An absolute joy to read this book. I could not offer enough praise to the Author for writing such phenomenal characters and in such detail, believable scenarios with real feelings within those scenes. The road that these characters set upon is one road that will change them all.
If you want an AA+ read then The Duke's Quandary fits that bill - it is a must read!
Five Star Read!
*ARC received for an honest review.
August 26, 2022
I have taken this series out of order so this just based on this book and not continuity. So you are a smart girl that has a passion for botany and american, all you want to do is be left alone on your estate. But aunties be pestering you for a season and you don't have a choice. You meet a guy who's great but as a reader nothing but red flags. The ending gave a token bid at giving our smart girl a satisfying ending.
I recommend those that like the redemption of toxic men in regency romance
I recommend those that like the redemption of toxic men in regency romance
February 25, 2014
I was given The Duke's Quandry by the author in an ARC for an honest review. So here goes:
This book started off slow, not that it didn't have a lot happening it did, but it took awhile for it to really build to the romantic part and when it did, well it was wonderful. The story features our heroine, Penelope, who is klutzy, wears glasses, a serious scientist/botanist, anti social but who has a good kind heart. She loves to play in the gardens and doesn't even notice the dirt. She is so very different from any other heroine in any other regency, in that she is all those things I mentioned but she is beautiful inside and out.
Now about our hero, who we met in the Elusive Wife, book #1 in this series, he is Drake and in book #1 he was an absolutely wonderful guy, not so in this story. In this story his father has died, he has 4 sisters and a mother to take care of. One sister refuses to leave her room because her husbands been lost at sea and so he decides he doesn't want love but he wants the perfectly cold and perfect wife.
Why is he not into love? Well his mother was not the perfect wife and he wants a more obedient wife than his mother was to his father. The truth is he is a sole male in a family of strong and independant women and think he just wants one woman, his wife to take control of his sisters and one who listens to him.
For most of the book Drake is a jerk. But the author is really good at making heroes terrible and then redeeming them and making you fall in love with them and she does that in this book superbly. So why was Drake terrible? well for one he keeps kissing Penelope, even while he is saying he wants the perfect wife who will never cause him any trouble and he wants a loveless marriage. Even when Penelope gets a marriage proposal from another man he still is thinking of marrying the perfect woman but not wanting he to be with anyone else.
Then they end up getting engaged and then married and he makes her give up her science, makes her insecure and is harping on her changing. Everyone keeps telling him to stop but he doesn't listen. However he does love Penelope and the sex is fantastic and on the whole he does make her happy. Then when its time to prove who and what he is.....he surprised me, and he surprises Penelope and you will fall in love with him as he shows the world how much he loves and supports Penelope.
What a great story, I truly loved it and when you close the book you will be smiling.
This book started off slow, not that it didn't have a lot happening it did, but it took awhile for it to really build to the romantic part and when it did, well it was wonderful. The story features our heroine, Penelope, who is klutzy, wears glasses, a serious scientist/botanist, anti social but who has a good kind heart. She loves to play in the gardens and doesn't even notice the dirt. She is so very different from any other heroine in any other regency, in that she is all those things I mentioned but she is beautiful inside and out.
Now about our hero, who we met in the Elusive Wife, book #1 in this series, he is Drake and in book #1 he was an absolutely wonderful guy, not so in this story. In this story his father has died, he has 4 sisters and a mother to take care of. One sister refuses to leave her room because her husbands been lost at sea and so he decides he doesn't want love but he wants the perfectly cold and perfect wife.
Why is he not into love? Well his mother was not the perfect wife and he wants a more obedient wife than his mother was to his father. The truth is he is a sole male in a family of strong and independant women and think he just wants one woman, his wife to take control of his sisters and one who listens to him.
For most of the book Drake is a jerk. But the author is really good at making heroes terrible and then redeeming them and making you fall in love with them and she does that in this book superbly. So why was Drake terrible? well for one he keeps kissing Penelope, even while he is saying he wants the perfect wife who will never cause him any trouble and he wants a loveless marriage. Even when Penelope gets a marriage proposal from another man he still is thinking of marrying the perfect woman but not wanting he to be with anyone else.
Then they end up getting engaged and then married and he makes her give up her science, makes her insecure and is harping on her changing. Everyone keeps telling him to stop but he doesn't listen. However he does love Penelope and the sex is fantastic and on the whole he does make her happy. Then when its time to prove who and what he is.....he surprised me, and he surprises Penelope and you will fall in love with him as he shows the world how much he loves and supports Penelope.
What a great story, I truly loved it and when you close the book you will be smiling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2014
I liked this book. What I enjoyed the most was the laughter. I laughed for almost every chapter. There was something just so sweet and heart warming about the heroine. However, it was this same sweetness that made me not love her absolutely. There were times I felt like she had no backbone, absolutely no spine. I wanted her to stand up to the women that were mean to her, and to Drake for demanding so callously that she gave up botany, something that she loved so much.
Drake was an interesting character. I did not fully understand his desire to have this perfect duchess. I understand that he had several females in the household and he wanted calm and order and not the emotional turmoil they brought. But it was inescapable that he loved them completely. So his insistence on having the perfect, biddable duchess was a little puzzling. He was still a good character and I really started to enjoy him.
I overall enjoyed this book. The pacing was great and I read it in one sitting, and that is what I loved the most. The author’s style was engaging and she kept me turning the pages wondering what would happen next. I also loved the details I got that authenticated the period. They were not overwhelming, just enough to make me feel as if Drake and Penelope were really in 1814.
Drake was an interesting character. I did not fully understand his desire to have this perfect duchess. I understand that he had several females in the household and he wanted calm and order and not the emotional turmoil they brought. But it was inescapable that he loved them completely. So his insistence on having the perfect, biddable duchess was a little puzzling. He was still a good character and I really started to enjoy him.
I overall enjoyed this book. The pacing was great and I read it in one sitting, and that is what I loved the most. The author’s style was engaging and she kept me turning the pages wondering what would happen next. I also loved the details I got that authenticated the period. They were not overwhelming, just enough to make me feel as if Drake and Penelope were really in 1814.
July 3, 2016
In a perfect world, Drake has teamed up with Colin from Tessa Dare's A Week to Be Wicked and Cross from Sarah Maclean's One Good Earl to start a club for aristocratic men who love and support their amazing scientist wives.
August 12, 2019
Miss Penelope Clayton adalah seorang ahli botani dan namanya termasuk dlm ilmuwan yg disegani dgn nama samaran seorang pria. Tapi saat mendapat surat dari bibinya utk mengikuti season di London, Penelope merasa tidak ada ruginya mencoba.
Dan dimulailah bencana itu sejak Penelope memasuki kediaman milik Drake, Duke of Manchester, sponsornya. Drake sendiri sedang mencari seorang istri dgn kriteria lady yg sempurna dan jelas Penelope yg canggung dan nerd ini tidak masuk kategorinya. Penelope ini super clumsy sbg seorang lady, tapi tidak menghalangi Drake utk (akhirnya) jatuh cinta pd gadis ini.
Ceritanya (untunglah) singkat saja. Penelope tidak tertolong lagi walaupun di-makeover secantik apapun. Walau katanya sifat Penelope yg tidak sempurna "melengkapi" sifat kaku dari Drake, saya merasa chemistry mereka kurang nyambung. Mungkin bagi bbrp pembaca, kelakuan Penelope menggemaskan tapi bagi saya justru menyebalkan dan menjijikkan. Saya geli dgn kebiasaan Penelope yg selalu mencucurkan airmatanya saat ditegur/dimarahi Drake. Atau saat
Positifnya cuma satu di ending cerita, . Itu saja sepertinya. Yg lainnya sangat standar dan malah kurang logis bagi saya spt satu keluarga besar Drake memuja Penelope, entah krn kebaikan hatinya atau kecerobohannya. Terlalu mirip "Little Prairie" keluarga Drake ini.
Dan dimulailah bencana itu sejak Penelope memasuki kediaman milik Drake, Duke of Manchester, sponsornya. Drake sendiri sedang mencari seorang istri dgn kriteria lady yg sempurna dan jelas Penelope yg canggung dan nerd ini tidak masuk kategorinya. Penelope ini super clumsy sbg seorang lady, tapi tidak menghalangi Drake utk (akhirnya) jatuh cinta pd gadis ini.
Ceritanya (untunglah) singkat saja. Penelope tidak tertolong lagi walaupun di-makeover secantik apapun. Walau katanya sifat Penelope yg tidak sempurna "melengkapi" sifat kaku dari Drake, saya merasa chemistry mereka kurang nyambung. Mungkin bagi bbrp pembaca, kelakuan Penelope menggemaskan tapi bagi saya justru menyebalkan dan menjijikkan. Saya geli dgn kebiasaan Penelope yg selalu mencucurkan airmatanya saat ditegur/dimarahi Drake. Atau saat
Positifnya cuma satu di ending cerita, . Itu saja sepertinya. Yg lainnya sangat standar dan malah kurang logis bagi saya spt satu keluarga besar Drake memuja Penelope, entah krn kebaikan hatinya atau kecerobohannya. Terlalu mirip "Little Prairie" keluarga Drake ini.
February 6, 2022
SI TU AIMES BRIDGERTON 👉🏽 lis ça!
J’ai lu la version FRANÇAISE de ce livre publiée par ADA (2/15$, un bon divertissement pour le prix!)* alors je pense que la traduction de certaines scènes soient dans un français un peu kitsch et c’est ce que je n’ai pas « aimé » de l’histoire. La terminaison un peu vieillotte et vraiment cliché des quelques scènes spicy 😅🌶
J’avais lu le premier tome à l’été 2021 et j’avais apprécié ma lecture sans avoir d’attentes. Chaque tome de cette série, comme dans Bridgerton, raconte une histoire d’amour différente d’un membre de la haute société londonienne des années 1800ish - j’avoue que j’ai oublié la date!
On y retrouve les mœurs de l’époque: chaperon, la fille modèle, duc, duchesses, la virginité avant le mariage, etc. Vraiment un classique où on ne se trompe pas si on aime le style.
Dans son genre, je donnerais 7⭐️/10
J’ai lu la version FRANÇAISE de ce livre publiée par ADA (2/15$, un bon divertissement pour le prix!)* alors je pense que la traduction de certaines scènes soient dans un français un peu kitsch et c’est ce que je n’ai pas « aimé » de l’histoire. La terminaison un peu vieillotte et vraiment cliché des quelques scènes spicy 😅🌶
J’avais lu le premier tome à l’été 2021 et j’avais apprécié ma lecture sans avoir d’attentes. Chaque tome de cette série, comme dans Bridgerton, raconte une histoire d’amour différente d’un membre de la haute société londonienne des années 1800ish - j’avoue que j’ai oublié la date!
On y retrouve les mœurs de l’époque: chaperon, la fille modèle, duc, duchesses, la virginité avant le mariage, etc. Vraiment un classique où on ne se trompe pas si on aime le style.
Dans son genre, je donnerais 7⭐️/10
not-interested
September 30, 2019Writing too obvious and unsubtle - telling rather than showing style.
March 9, 2014
I was totally HONORED and HUMBLED by Callie Hutton with an advance copy of her upcoming new release THE DUKE'S QUANDARY, the second book in THE MARRIAGE MART MAYHEM series. It was a hero and heroine who could not be more different from each other. Penelope Clayton is a plant crazy, klutzy, glass wearing, muddy hem, nervous and shy woman who has been living by herself with her plants for 3 years after the death of her father. The hero is Drake who is the Duke of Manchester. He is a serious, stuffy and loves his family of crazy women. He has an energetic, loving and easygoing mom. He also has 4 unmarried sisters, Abigail, twins Sybil and Sarah and baby Mary and another sister Marion who has been her room for 2 years grieving for lost at sea hubby. Drake has been trying to fill his father's huge shoes and feel his is failing. He thinks if he married the "Prefect Duchess" that he will be able to fill those shoes easier. THIS IS HOW P MET D; Drake and his family are at the front door as a great wind enters followed by Penelope. She has her hair half up and down, dirt on her face, glasses falling down her nose, a pelisse missed buttoned and is clutching a wrapped up plant with dirt falling on the floor. She sees everyone, whips off her glasses, curtsied and threw her hand and dirt out and says, "How do you do?" Then she freaks out and flees. Drake chases and catches her down the street and in that one moment his embraced her tender heart and his heart could not let her go. This story has so many elements that make it AWESOME LOVE STORY!! Here are just a few of those elements, a perfect Lady Daphne, evil Lady Sirey, klutzy moments, super hot kisses, hilarious klutzy scenes, heart melting love, a compromised situation, semi-forced marriage, fire extinguisher worthy scenes. I give this book my highest rating of 5 fingers up and 10 toes!! I also warn readers to stock up on fire extinguishers before reading this book!!The Duke's Quandary
``
August 30, 2014
Wanting a Perfect Dutchess
Drake, Duke of Manchester wanted the perfect Dutchess this season. He was to do his duty to marry and produce an heir. He was relegated with being in charge of trying to bring out into society a girl from the country this season along side one of his sisters.
Penelope, was a botanist who was secretly following in her father's footsteps. She was always in the mud discovering new species of plants. Now, she was being forced to London by her aunt to make her society debut. What a mess! She knew she was awkward and she was extremely clumsy. She had no education in reference to the ton, other than to know they were vicious. She had to attend this season's debut. She figured no gentleman would want to have anything to do with her and she would be able to return to the country.
Drake could not believe how clumsy his new charge was and how could this chit ever find a husband when she proclaimed she was a scientist. He would have his work cut out for him with this one. Not only was he already dealing with trying to find his four sister's husband's, now he had the impossible task of this new charge.
How could he concentrate on finding his own perfect dutchess this season? Oh, catastrophe issues in his all too perfect world.
Drake, Duke of Manchester wanted the perfect Dutchess this season. He was to do his duty to marry and produce an heir. He was relegated with being in charge of trying to bring out into society a girl from the country this season along side one of his sisters.
Penelope, was a botanist who was secretly following in her father's footsteps. She was always in the mud discovering new species of plants. Now, she was being forced to London by her aunt to make her society debut. What a mess! She knew she was awkward and she was extremely clumsy. She had no education in reference to the ton, other than to know they were vicious. She had to attend this season's debut. She figured no gentleman would want to have anything to do with her and she would be able to return to the country.
Drake could not believe how clumsy his new charge was and how could this chit ever find a husband when she proclaimed she was a scientist. He would have his work cut out for him with this one. Not only was he already dealing with trying to find his four sister's husband's, now he had the impossible task of this new charge.
How could he concentrate on finding his own perfect dutchess this season? Oh, catastrophe issues in his all too perfect world.
August 7, 2014
3.75*
I enjoyed this story and the characters. They were all so charming. Penelope the awkward wallflower who spent most of her life far outside of society and Drake a Duke looking for the perfect woman to be his perfect Duchess. It was fun to read how these two people found what they never thought they wanted. The only draw back was I felt the Penelope could of been less wimpy and stand up for herself more. I'm looking forward to reading this next book in the series. I hope that Marion finds her HEA.
I enjoyed this story and the characters. They were all so charming. Penelope the awkward wallflower who spent most of her life far outside of society and Drake a Duke looking for the perfect woman to be his perfect Duchess. It was fun to read how these two people found what they never thought they wanted. The only draw back was I felt the Penelope could of been less wimpy and stand up for herself more. I'm looking forward to reading this next book in the series. I hope that Marion finds her HEA.
August 23, 2022
I listened to the audio version of THE DUKE’S QUANDARY, bk#2 in Callie Hutton’s Marriage Mart Mayhem series. TDQ was a Regency Romance in an Opposites Attract trope. It was narrated by Billie Fulford-Brown.
MY RATING GUIDE: 3 to 3.5 Stars. I enjoyed this.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS CUTE/OKAY; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
1814, London ~
Following the death of her botanist father, 21yr old FMC Miss Penelope Clayton must relocate to England to be nearer her only surviving family member, an aunt in London. The aunt wishes Penelope to receive a proper Season that she might find for herself a suitable husband. Accordingly, the aunt arranges for Penelope to be sponsored by an influential friend, a duchess. The friend’s son, MMC Drake, the Duke of Manchester has been asked to introduce Penelope to suitable men of the ton. While Drake is kept busy with introductions, he also searches the ton for a proper wife for himself, a woman who would perform well her duties as a duchess and would become the perfect mother for his future children. Penelope, a true blue stocking, only wishes to escape the Season, return to the country and to her serious studies as a botanist.
Comments ~
THE DUKE’S QUANDARY was an easy listen. Drake’s family was very accepting of the awkward blue stocking among them, which was a nice change and the details which indicated Penelope’s character were also nice touches. I had mixed feelings about Drake - both his character and behavior, nearly till the end. The narration was okay but not the best I’ve heard and at times, Penelope’s word choices seemed too contemporary for the period. Overall, I did enjoy THE DUKE’S QUANDARY but it wasn’t among my favorite “reads.” This was my first Callie Hutton novel.
ReaderCautions - Not recommended to readers who prefer Clean fiction or to YA readers.
Profanity - Yes. Strong language is used rarely.
Violence - Minimal fisticuffs (once).
Sexual Situations - Yes. Intimate moments and talk occurs.
MY RATING GUIDE: 3 to 3.5 Stars. I enjoyed this.
1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= THIS WAS CUTE/OKAY; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).
1814, London ~
Following the death of her botanist father, 21yr old FMC Miss Penelope Clayton must relocate to England to be nearer her only surviving family member, an aunt in London. The aunt wishes Penelope to receive a proper Season that she might find for herself a suitable husband. Accordingly, the aunt arranges for Penelope to be sponsored by an influential friend, a duchess. The friend’s son, MMC Drake, the Duke of Manchester has been asked to introduce Penelope to suitable men of the ton. While Drake is kept busy with introductions, he also searches the ton for a proper wife for himself, a woman who would perform well her duties as a duchess and would become the perfect mother for his future children. Penelope, a true blue stocking, only wishes to escape the Season, return to the country and to her serious studies as a botanist.
Comments ~
THE DUKE’S QUANDARY was an easy listen. Drake’s family was very accepting of the awkward blue stocking among them, which was a nice change and the details which indicated Penelope’s character were also nice touches. I had mixed feelings about Drake - both his character and behavior, nearly till the end. The narration was okay but not the best I’ve heard and at times, Penelope’s word choices seemed too contemporary for the period. Overall, I did enjoy THE DUKE’S QUANDARY but it wasn’t among my favorite “reads.” This was my first Callie Hutton novel.
ReaderCautions - Not recommended to readers who prefer Clean fiction or to YA readers.
Profanity - Yes. Strong language is used rarely.
Violence - Minimal fisticuffs (once).
Sexual Situations - Yes. Intimate moments and talk occurs.
March 15, 2014
I reviewed this over at Heroes and Heartbreakers. http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com... The review's a bit long.
It is a truth universally to be accepted by readers of historical romance that a young woman, if beloved by the man of her dreams, will blossom under the sun of love and acceptance. This proves to be true for Boston-bred Penelope Clayton in Callie Hutton's The Duke's Quandary. After the death of her father, a noteworthy botanist and her frequent collaborator, Penelope moved back to England, where she lived a quiet life in the country. Surrounded by plants and books, Penelope’s sole interaction with the outside world is in her secret role as a male botanist—one with a growing reputation in the field. This pastoral existence, like Eden, cannot endure, and one day Penelope’s aunt writes to say that a London Season is a must.
I feel I would not be doing justice to my sister’s memory by allowing her only child to rusticate in the country, faced with no more of a future than life as a spinster.
Penelope is socially awkward and a bit clumsy as well, mostly because she has not been encouraged to wear her glasses in public. Who of us could glide through life if we couldn’t see where we were going? When Penelope arrives in London she does not make a particularly good impression on the young Duke of Manchester and his bevy of sisters.
Spectacles slid halfway down her nose, and she tilted her head back, apparently attempting to keep them on her head. Her pelisse was haphazardly buttoned, and she held something wrapped in a cloth close to her chest.
Clumps of dirt fell from the material, landing on her pelisse, and then dropping unceremoniously to the floor. She attempted a smile, but her quivering lips never quite made it.
Not a particularly impressive introduction to the family that is going to introduce her to the mysteries of the ton, but Drake’s mother and his sisters are particularly likable, seeing beyond Penelope’s nervous awkwardness. Their older sister Marion, Lady Tunstall, is a widow, still mourning the death of her husband, and Penelope, when she hears this, is moved by sympathy to reach out to Marion. She also realizes that her upbringing, devoid of a female friend or relative, has left her vulnerable and unprepared in the arena of social skills.
Even though Penelope is wise beyond her years, she is still in awe of the duke’s sisters, saying to him, “…I am a bit overwhelmed by the number of feminine accomplishments your sisters possess.” Dutton again and again finds opportunities for Penelope and Drake to have quiet, meaningful conversations while not neglecting the tragicomic instances of female loose cannons blasting some fresh air into the ballrooms of the ton. Think Balogh’s Christine and the practically perfect Duke of Bedwyn from Slightly Dangerous.
Drake is puzzled by his attraction to Penelope, and being a man of reason, wants to remedy that by getting to know her better. He offers to take her to that mecca for intellectual heroines, the bookstore. Whereas it so often seems that courting couples meet in the library, late at night, not here. Penelope is a shadowy creature tending her precious seedlings in the garden, which is where Drake discovers her one evening. He cannot understand why she wants to muck around in the dark.
“I’m a botanist, and that’s what I do. Most people don’t understand it, and see my activities as strange. Hence, the cover of darkness.”
He finally hears her words. She sees herself as strange and in all truthfulness, he does as well. She tells him emphatically that she does not want a husband. But there’s more to romantic chemistry than mere science and Penelope and Drake are inextricably drawn to each other. Under the cover of darkness they kiss, unable to fight “the intense physical awareness between them.” The crux of their conflict is that Penelope sees herself only as a scientist and Drake sees himself not as a man falling in love, but as a duke, with a duke’s responsibilities. He’s very blunt.
“This cannot continue. I need a wife this year, but someone who knows the ton, who can step into the position of duchess.” He looked her up at her, his jaw set. “I need to be very careful of my selection.”
Perhaps you’re thinking good riddance to Drake, find a more compatible mate but Penelope and Drake, beyond the luscious lust that sparks frequently between them, have much in common. Both of them have been forced into new roles that alarm them, making them rigid out of fear of the unknown. His father died too young and Drake is determined to be the perfect duke, forgetting the passionate, often out-of-the-ordinary the life his parents created for themselves. Penelope thinks her science will provide all the succor and excitement she needs. Of course both are wrong.
The ever-expedient interlude at the ball forces a marriage between the two (think of The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn) and turns out to be quite lovely because a real love grows between them after they’re married. I like so much that blissful lovemaking doesn’t cause Penelope to abandon her desire to continue her scientific research. When Drake promises to be a good husband to her, putting her happiness foremost, the real marital conversation ensues.
“Does that mean I can continue with my science?”
He leaned back and blew out a sigh. “Dabbling in science is not an appropriate pastime for a duchess…he reached out to caress her cheek, his eyes darkening with passion, “eventually there will be children who will need your attention.”
Ignoring the jolt to her insides at his comment about children, she focused on another part of his decree. “Science is not a pastime. It is my work. “She stiffened her spine. “I’ve spent most of my life ‘dabbling,’ as you so casually state, in botany—a legitimate branch of science.”
And so Callie Hutton gives the duke a quandary that must be sorted out in the second half of the story. The solution that Penelope and Drake arrive at is as original as their romance.
It is a truth universally to be accepted by readers of historical romance that a young woman, if beloved by the man of her dreams, will blossom under the sun of love and acceptance. This proves to be true for Boston-bred Penelope Clayton in Callie Hutton's The Duke's Quandary. After the death of her father, a noteworthy botanist and her frequent collaborator, Penelope moved back to England, where she lived a quiet life in the country. Surrounded by plants and books, Penelope’s sole interaction with the outside world is in her secret role as a male botanist—one with a growing reputation in the field. This pastoral existence, like Eden, cannot endure, and one day Penelope’s aunt writes to say that a London Season is a must.
I feel I would not be doing justice to my sister’s memory by allowing her only child to rusticate in the country, faced with no more of a future than life as a spinster.
Penelope is socially awkward and a bit clumsy as well, mostly because she has not been encouraged to wear her glasses in public. Who of us could glide through life if we couldn’t see where we were going? When Penelope arrives in London she does not make a particularly good impression on the young Duke of Manchester and his bevy of sisters.
Spectacles slid halfway down her nose, and she tilted her head back, apparently attempting to keep them on her head. Her pelisse was haphazardly buttoned, and she held something wrapped in a cloth close to her chest.
Clumps of dirt fell from the material, landing on her pelisse, and then dropping unceremoniously to the floor. She attempted a smile, but her quivering lips never quite made it.
Not a particularly impressive introduction to the family that is going to introduce her to the mysteries of the ton, but Drake’s mother and his sisters are particularly likable, seeing beyond Penelope’s nervous awkwardness. Their older sister Marion, Lady Tunstall, is a widow, still mourning the death of her husband, and Penelope, when she hears this, is moved by sympathy to reach out to Marion. She also realizes that her upbringing, devoid of a female friend or relative, has left her vulnerable and unprepared in the arena of social skills.
Even though Penelope is wise beyond her years, she is still in awe of the duke’s sisters, saying to him, “…I am a bit overwhelmed by the number of feminine accomplishments your sisters possess.” Dutton again and again finds opportunities for Penelope and Drake to have quiet, meaningful conversations while not neglecting the tragicomic instances of female loose cannons blasting some fresh air into the ballrooms of the ton. Think Balogh’s Christine and the practically perfect Duke of Bedwyn from Slightly Dangerous.
Drake is puzzled by his attraction to Penelope, and being a man of reason, wants to remedy that by getting to know her better. He offers to take her to that mecca for intellectual heroines, the bookstore. Whereas it so often seems that courting couples meet in the library, late at night, not here. Penelope is a shadowy creature tending her precious seedlings in the garden, which is where Drake discovers her one evening. He cannot understand why she wants to muck around in the dark.
“I’m a botanist, and that’s what I do. Most people don’t understand it, and see my activities as strange. Hence, the cover of darkness.”
He finally hears her words. She sees herself as strange and in all truthfulness, he does as well. She tells him emphatically that she does not want a husband. But there’s more to romantic chemistry than mere science and Penelope and Drake are inextricably drawn to each other. Under the cover of darkness they kiss, unable to fight “the intense physical awareness between them.” The crux of their conflict is that Penelope sees herself only as a scientist and Drake sees himself not as a man falling in love, but as a duke, with a duke’s responsibilities. He’s very blunt.
“This cannot continue. I need a wife this year, but someone who knows the ton, who can step into the position of duchess.” He looked her up at her, his jaw set. “I need to be very careful of my selection.”
Perhaps you’re thinking good riddance to Drake, find a more compatible mate but Penelope and Drake, beyond the luscious lust that sparks frequently between them, have much in common. Both of them have been forced into new roles that alarm them, making them rigid out of fear of the unknown. His father died too young and Drake is determined to be the perfect duke, forgetting the passionate, often out-of-the-ordinary the life his parents created for themselves. Penelope thinks her science will provide all the succor and excitement she needs. Of course both are wrong.
The ever-expedient interlude at the ball forces a marriage between the two (think of The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn) and turns out to be quite lovely because a real love grows between them after they’re married. I like so much that blissful lovemaking doesn’t cause Penelope to abandon her desire to continue her scientific research. When Drake promises to be a good husband to her, putting her happiness foremost, the real marital conversation ensues.
“Does that mean I can continue with my science?”
He leaned back and blew out a sigh. “Dabbling in science is not an appropriate pastime for a duchess…he reached out to caress her cheek, his eyes darkening with passion, “eventually there will be children who will need your attention.”
Ignoring the jolt to her insides at his comment about children, she focused on another part of his decree. “Science is not a pastime. It is my work. “She stiffened her spine. “I’ve spent most of my life ‘dabbling,’ as you so casually state, in botany—a legitimate branch of science.”
And so Callie Hutton gives the duke a quandary that must be sorted out in the second half of the story. The solution that Penelope and Drake arrive at is as original as their romance.
March 9, 2021
I probably wouldn’t have purchased this based on the description. But the beginning was a bonus at the end of the first book. I’m so glad I listened because this turned out to be such a sweet story.
I thought Drake was a bit more happy-go-lucky in the first book, he was sort of stiff in this. Not so much in his manner, but more in his attitude concerning society and how he was perceived. Which I find funny because he was very flirty in the first book.
I thought Drake was a bit more happy-go-lucky in the first book, he was sort of stiff in this. Not so much in his manner, but more in his attitude concerning society and how he was perceived. Which I find funny because he was very flirty in the first book.
July 23, 2022
Wonderful Wonderful Story!
Quite a few funny parts in this story. I absolutely loved the characters and the storyline so much. Penelope and Drake made for an interesting and funny story. I just love Callie Hutton’s stories. I don’t read western stories but I’m sure they are funny as well. On to the next Marriage Mart Story #3. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜
Quite a few funny parts in this story. I absolutely loved the characters and the storyline so much. Penelope and Drake made for an interesting and funny story. I just love Callie Hutton’s stories. I don’t read western stories but I’m sure they are funny as well. On to the next Marriage Mart Story #3. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜
February 3, 2026
Every so often I come across a book that I know I will want to read over and over. The Duke’s Quandary is exactly one of those books. I was enchanted from almost the beginning. Miss Penelope Clayton is a lovely character filled with beauty and imperfections….very, very relatable imperfections. “He took in their guest’s appearance with dismay. Her hair was half up and half down, brown curls tumbling about her shoulders. Spectacles slid halfway down her nose, and she tilted her head back, apparently attempting to keep them on her head. Her pelisse was haphazardly buttoned, and she held something wrapped in a cloth close to her chest. Clumps of dirt fell from the material, landing on her pelisse, and then dropping unceremoniously to the floor. She attempted a smile, but her quivering lips never quite made it.” Penelope is a “closet” botanist. At this time in history – 1814 – smart women were looked down upon by the Ton and relegated to the category of “Blue Stockings”. Penelope is extremely intelligent but hasn’t been raised in high society; therefore, she knows little of it. Her aunt decrees that Penelope must go to London for the Season so she can find a husband. So, Penelope lands on Drake, the Duke of Manchester’s doorstep as the guest of his family. She is in almost every way the opposite of what Drake wants in a wife.
Hutton builds interest in the story with two types of conflict. First the conflict that Penelope feels within herself. She doesn’t have much self-esteem and feels destined to embarrass herself and everyone around her with her clumsy ways. The second conflict is that the hero Drake has his own set of standards that he demands must be fulfilled in a wife – none of those are fulfilled by Penelope in the least. And yet, throughout the story Drake is conflicted by his growing attraction to the hazel eyed Blue Stocking.
“Unable to speak with him being so close, Penelope merely nodded. She peered up and licked her lips. He was so big. Tall, broad shouldered, and muscular. He seemed to seize all the surrounding air. Despite the slight blur in her vision, she drank in his hazel eyes with specks of gold. Strands of his light brown hair, interspersed with golden wisps, fell over his broad forehead. As her gaze lowered, she took in his aristocratic nose above wide, sensual lips. The scent of horses and something musky that she remembered from the evening of her arrival defined him as male. She squashed her desire to fill her lungs with it.”
Absolutely loved this book and am continuing with the rest of the Marriage Mart Mayhem series.
Hutton builds interest in the story with two types of conflict. First the conflict that Penelope feels within herself. She doesn’t have much self-esteem and feels destined to embarrass herself and everyone around her with her clumsy ways. The second conflict is that the hero Drake has his own set of standards that he demands must be fulfilled in a wife – none of those are fulfilled by Penelope in the least. And yet, throughout the story Drake is conflicted by his growing attraction to the hazel eyed Blue Stocking.
“Unable to speak with him being so close, Penelope merely nodded. She peered up and licked her lips. He was so big. Tall, broad shouldered, and muscular. He seemed to seize all the surrounding air. Despite the slight blur in her vision, she drank in his hazel eyes with specks of gold. Strands of his light brown hair, interspersed with golden wisps, fell over his broad forehead. As her gaze lowered, she took in his aristocratic nose above wide, sensual lips. The scent of horses and something musky that she remembered from the evening of her arrival defined him as male. She squashed her desire to fill her lungs with it.”
Absolutely loved this book and am continuing with the rest of the Marriage Mart Mayhem series.
October 16, 2018
THIS IS A WATERED DOWN VERSION OF DUKE MEETS UNLIKELY HEROINE WHOM HE EVENTUALLY FALLS IN LOVE WITH! MY FAVOURITE AND GO-TO TROPE FOR ANY DAY.
OUR HERO is a Duke. He's also trying to follow in the footsteps of what a Duke is supposed to be like - behaviour, conduct and even the kind of wife he should marry. In other words...he's changed from fun young man to stuffy, rigid Duke. When his youngest sister's First Season is about to begin, his mother has agreed to sponsor and take on another woman from the countryside who will also experience her first season. Though their family is financially stable, Drake cannot imagine how his father handled this household of women and their love for shopping. Add another odd duck into their flock, he's going to need all the patience in the world to deal with. He's also agreed to help the strange but beautiful Penelope to find suitors, although with every encounter he sees more beneath the golden rimmed glasses into a warm, loving but a bit insecure woman who doesn't belong in society. And she may not be the Perfect Duchess but she's perfect for him.
OUR HEROINE has only one love in her life - botany. Following in the steps of her deceased botanist Father, she's extremely passionate and engrossed in finding new species of plants to present to the Botany Society that existed for men but not for women during that time. When she was pushed to join the London Season, she had no choice but to go forth with it and had to experience plenty of stressful moments - especially the sharp tongues of the society harpies because with her shabby clothes and her clumsiness, she makes terrible company for the public. Yet, she's also a fighter in her own way. She's the kind of heroine you would root for and hope that someone notices her worth. Well, fear not for Drake will be there to play exactly that - A Hero. Their attraction was building until a mistake led to an expedient wedding.
OVERALL this story didn't have much heat or angst. It was more sweet and smooth, not as intense as some others that I have read, though I still liked it very much.
OUR HERO is a Duke. He's also trying to follow in the footsteps of what a Duke is supposed to be like - behaviour, conduct and even the kind of wife he should marry. In other words...he's changed from fun young man to stuffy, rigid Duke. When his youngest sister's First Season is about to begin, his mother has agreed to sponsor and take on another woman from the countryside who will also experience her first season. Though their family is financially stable, Drake cannot imagine how his father handled this household of women and their love for shopping. Add another odd duck into their flock, he's going to need all the patience in the world to deal with. He's also agreed to help the strange but beautiful Penelope to find suitors, although with every encounter he sees more beneath the golden rimmed glasses into a warm, loving but a bit insecure woman who doesn't belong in society. And she may not be the Perfect Duchess but she's perfect for him.
OUR HEROINE has only one love in her life - botany. Following in the steps of her deceased botanist Father, she's extremely passionate and engrossed in finding new species of plants to present to the Botany Society that existed for men but not for women during that time. When she was pushed to join the London Season, she had no choice but to go forth with it and had to experience plenty of stressful moments - especially the sharp tongues of the society harpies because with her shabby clothes and her clumsiness, she makes terrible company for the public. Yet, she's also a fighter in her own way. She's the kind of heroine you would root for and hope that someone notices her worth. Well, fear not for Drake will be there to play exactly that - A Hero. Their attraction was building until a mistake led to an expedient wedding.
OVERALL this story didn't have much heat or angst. It was more sweet and smooth, not as intense as some others that I have read, though I still liked it very much.
October 8, 2022
Sometimes my propensity to forget the plots of novels I've read before comes handy, but this was not one of those times. I remembered nothing from this book and I was like 'Yeah sure, I mean I did rate the book 4 stars previously... let's go for it'
NO, I shouldn't have gone for it. *sigh*
I get the trope-ification of romance novels that's rampant these days, trust me I do. But I think authors need to understand that it's not which trope they chose to include in the novel, what matters is how they include it and make it their own.
The characters were basic, the story was basic, the dramatic tension (if any) was basic. The conclusion was basic. It was all b a s i c.
There was not even one original thought in the entire novel and that's frankly just sad. What irked me the most is that the author tells us a couple of times that the heroine has a spine, but never shows it.
Penelope is a pushover and would have let Drake trample all over her if he kept kissing her. The grand gesture in the end just seems as his benevolence, rather than his repentance. He realised his mistake without her standing up for herself. What happens when she needs to the next time? And when he doesn't 'realise' his mistakes?
It most feels like a crime to give so much thought into a book of which I'm sure that the author didn't give half as much thought in writing it. I won't torture myself further, thank you.
NO, I shouldn't have gone for it. *sigh*
I get the trope-ification of romance novels that's rampant these days, trust me I do. But I think authors need to understand that it's not which trope they chose to include in the novel, what matters is how they include it and make it their own.
The characters were basic, the story was basic, the dramatic tension (if any) was basic. The conclusion was basic. It was all b a s i c.
There was not even one original thought in the entire novel and that's frankly just sad. What irked me the most is that the author tells us a couple of times that the heroine has a spine, but never shows it.
Penelope is a pushover and would have let Drake trample all over her if he kept kissing her. The grand gesture in the end just seems as his benevolence, rather than his repentance. He realised his mistake without her standing up for herself. What happens when she needs to the next time? And when he doesn't 'realise' his mistakes?
It most feels like a crime to give so much thought into a book of which I'm sure that the author didn't give half as much thought in writing it. I won't torture myself further, thank you.
historical
January 15, 2019Drake, Duke of Manchester is searching the Marriage Mart for a perfect bride. He wants a woman who is poised, sophisticated, and worthy of the title Duchess. But most of all, he wants a woman who does not want the useless emotion of love.
Socially awkward Miss Penelope Clayton isn't meant for marriage. A serious botanist, she has no desire to wed, so being forced by her guardian to participate in the Season to find a husband is torture. She'll never fit in with the ton, especially if they discover she's been pretending to be a man within the scientific community.
As Drake's family makes over Penelope, turning her from naive bluestocking to enchanting debutante, he is put upon to introduce her to society and eligible bachelors. Despite dance lessons and new gowns, Penelope is the opposite of poised and sophisticated as she stumbles from one mishap to the next. Why then, does he find it so hard to resist her?
Socially awkward Miss Penelope Clayton isn't meant for marriage. A serious botanist, she has no desire to wed, so being forced by her guardian to participate in the Season to find a husband is torture. She'll never fit in with the ton, especially if they discover she's been pretending to be a man within the scientific community.
As Drake's family makes over Penelope, turning her from naive bluestocking to enchanting debutante, he is put upon to introduce her to society and eligible bachelors. Despite dance lessons and new gowns, Penelope is the opposite of poised and sophisticated as she stumbles from one mishap to the next. Why then, does he find it so hard to resist her?
February 9, 2019
I absolutely loved this book. Drake, Duke of Manchester, is set on finding a Duchess. Only the perfect lady will do. Love has no place in his plan to find her. Lady Penelope does not want a husband, but finds herself having to find one at her Aunts insistence. She is happier digging in the dirt perusing her life in botany. When these two are thrown together, the fun starts. I laughed till I couldn’t laugh at these two. Drakes family was wonderful. This is the second book in The Marriage Mart Mayhem series. I’m fixing to start on the third. The characters are very well written as well as the secondary characters. Callie Hutton is a wonderful author. This story tugged at my heartstrings as well as tickled my funny bone. I highly recommend this book. I was gifted this book and am voluntarily reviewing. It is my honest opinion.
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