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The Notorious Briarwoods #3
The Duke's Absolutely Mad Marriage
The Duke of Westleigh does what he wants. He says what he wants. He takes what he wants. As one of the most powerful men in England, nobody wants to get in his way. After all, he comes from a notorious, mad-capped family. A family that acts first and deals with consequences later. But his family has always been on the side of good.
Yet, the duke has a secret fear. One that plagues his heart. So, when the American woman, Mercy Miller, comes into his life, he immediately asks her to marry him. It is an outrageous thing to do, perfectly in keeping with his family tradition of marrying who they please, despite the ton. But. . . In this match, meant to keep him safe from his fears, will he awaken them instead?
Mercy has a mind of her own, and as she embraces the duke’s wild family, the joy the Briarwoods' antics bring, and the passion the duke sparks within her, can she accept Westleigh's secrets? Or will Mercy’s love save him from the darkness he so desperately tries to hide from the world?
Yet, the duke has a secret fear. One that plagues his heart. So, when the American woman, Mercy Miller, comes into his life, he immediately asks her to marry him. It is an outrageous thing to do, perfectly in keeping with his family tradition of marrying who they please, despite the ton. But. . . In this match, meant to keep him safe from his fears, will he awaken them instead?
Mercy has a mind of her own, and as she embraces the duke’s wild family, the joy the Briarwoods' antics bring, and the passion the duke sparks within her, can she accept Westleigh's secrets? Or will Mercy’s love save him from the darkness he so desperately tries to hide from the world?
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2024
675 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 21, 2025
This was my 70th book by Eva Devon. I read one of her books in 2016 then didn't pick her up again until 2018 and I have been reading her ever since.
I have not really been a fan of this series. Book 1 and 2 were just as boring as this one. This one was the worst of the bunch so far. I mostly skimmed the pages just to get through. As with the other 2 books, the characters had no personalities, no passion, just boring. UGH! I felt like I was reading, just to read.
I have not really been a fan of this series. Book 1 and 2 were just as boring as this one. This one was the worst of the bunch so far. I mostly skimmed the pages just to get through. As with the other 2 books, the characters had no personalities, no passion, just boring. UGH! I felt like I was reading, just to read.
dnf
June 19, 2025DNF at 13%
Story started too late. I have no understanding of why he proposed, and even the scenes that purport to explain are just “well I guess he has a hunch!” Not interested enough to keep reading to see if there’s more.
6.19.25
Story started too late. I have no understanding of why he proposed, and even the scenes that purport to explain are just “well I guess he has a hunch!” Not interested enough to keep reading to see if there’s more.
6.19.25
Read
September 29, 2025Does being bipolar count as a personality trait bc dude’s got that and nothing else tethering him to reality
March 27, 2025
Nothing much HAPPENED
There wasn't much of a story here, little action. There WAS a transformation, a realization that wholly opening oneself to love provides a peace and serenity in which one can confidently approach life without fear. This was graphically and defiantly illustrated but in no way preached or taught. It just IS. I am curious whether Devon takes the same approach with all her novels and what other truths she reveals, if any.
There wasn't much of a story here, little action. There WAS a transformation, a realization that wholly opening oneself to love provides a peace and serenity in which one can confidently approach life without fear. This was graphically and defiantly illustrated but in no way preached or taught. It just IS. I am curious whether Devon takes the same approach with all her novels and what other truths she reveals, if any.
November 30, 2024
This installment in the series is entertaining. But there is a real hollowness to what should be something complex and deep.
The very passionate and intense Duke meets the perfect woman, an American of equal passion and drive. What should follow is a story full of details that let us learn about these fascinating people. Instead, we get a high-level generic romance full of declarations about women's rights and government neglect of the people. This series is placed in such a rich time of French rage, American arrogance from the revolutionary win, and English fear enhanced by iron fists. Yet the story barely skims these topics and lights on barely romantic tropes. The $ex is limited, brief, and frankly so-so at best. There is virtually no romance, just a lot of inner monologue followed by quick declarations.
Every problem is quickly solved by this uber powerful, uber rich family full of what's supposed to be "characters" but is instead pretty one/two dimensional at best characterizations. You never really get true insight into them because they are barely sketched out through those monologues and smarty pants dialogue. You get bare descriptions of eye and hair color, occasional comments about tropey square jaws, or rosebud lips. Clothes? Not really. Decor and housing, coaches, horses, balls? Sorta. We need more details, more richness, and so much more emotion and discovery.
After reading several of these, I'm beginning to see a pattern. They each feel like a template that's been fleshed out some, but not nearly enough. I like some mindless reading as much as the next person, but I need more than what amounts to a slightly heavy outline.
There is tremendous potential here, but it isn't achieved.
The very passionate and intense Duke meets the perfect woman, an American of equal passion and drive. What should follow is a story full of details that let us learn about these fascinating people. Instead, we get a high-level generic romance full of declarations about women's rights and government neglect of the people. This series is placed in such a rich time of French rage, American arrogance from the revolutionary win, and English fear enhanced by iron fists. Yet the story barely skims these topics and lights on barely romantic tropes. The $ex is limited, brief, and frankly so-so at best. There is virtually no romance, just a lot of inner monologue followed by quick declarations.
Every problem is quickly solved by this uber powerful, uber rich family full of what's supposed to be "characters" but is instead pretty one/two dimensional at best characterizations. You never really get true insight into them because they are barely sketched out through those monologues and smarty pants dialogue. You get bare descriptions of eye and hair color, occasional comments about tropey square jaws, or rosebud lips. Clothes? Not really. Decor and housing, coaches, horses, balls? Sorta. We need more details, more richness, and so much more emotion and discovery.
After reading several of these, I'm beginning to see a pattern. They each feel like a template that's been fleshed out some, but not nearly enough. I like some mindless reading as much as the next person, but I need more than what amounts to a slightly heavy outline.
There is tremendous potential here, but it isn't achieved.
May 17, 2025
This is easily the worst book in the series for me (thus far). To begin with, as this is the third book in the series, I would have thought we would know a little bit more about the Briarwood Family; mainly their looks and their different hobbies and talents. Sadly, they remain as caricatures of people who seem to just be present in the background to provide comic relief, or move a specific plot point along. To be honest, not only could I not tell you a singular difference between any of them, but there are just so many of them that for me, they have all just blended together. This was also true of the world as well, while there were details for some things, it mainly felt drab. Imagine watching a play on stage. You can see the backdrop against which things are happening, but it's a bit out of focus so you're missing details that would help you visualize the scene better.
Then we have what the author is trying to pass for romance, when in actuality? It's merely two characters who are using one another for different things. Leander wants to marry Mercy because she's not like the ladies of the ton, and he admires her for it. He also knows she won't back down in the face of adversity (mainly this mysterious "condition" that he suffers from). Mercy on the other hand, had no desire to marry him at all, until she visited a printing press and was talked down to my the owner. It was then that she realized as his wife she would have the money and power to do as she pleased. And what she wanted to do was start her own printing press to print novels written by women. So why not call it was it was? A mutually beneficial arrangement? Instead, the author has them declaring their love for each other when up until this point there had been no interactions that would indicate such strong feelings on either side. Friendship certainly, attraction without a doubt. But love? No.
Perhaps I wouldn't have been so disappointed with the romance aspect of this one if there had been something, anything at all, that caused even the barest hint of tension. But there wasn't, even with their being ample opportunities (at least three that I can think of).
Missed Potential #1. Tobias and Mercy's parents. It is stated pretty early on that their parents were staunch loyalists who abandoned their children when the war for independence broke out in the Americas. When they appeared at the Briarwood's home, I expected there to be some drama. I expected there to be some threats. Yet, there were none. Leander tells them to leave, and they do. Why didn't the author have them attempt to blackmail Leander? It was obvious that they did not want either of their children marrying into the family as they considered their own children "traitors to the crown", so why didn't they put that rumor out amongst the ton? Shown people treating Mercy and her brother with open disdain, or giving them the cut direct. Give them something to overcome.
Missed Potential #2. Leander's "affliction". Instead of having Mercy come upon him and insist upon accompanying him to his country home, the author could have chosen to have him disappear altogether, maybe leaving her a letter that was open to misinterpretation. That would have given the author the space for Mercy to discover the depths of her feelings for her husband and choose to join him in the country despite him telling her not to. And when she showed up, it would have given Leander the message that she cared for him. This could have led to them spending more time just the two of them and then up to that declaration of love that had already come without any reasoning behind it.
Missed Potential #3. The reason Mercy came to London in the first place. You see, it would seem that she had fled the Americas in a bit of a hurry due to a certain Mister Norris who wanted to take over her family's printing press to the point that Mercy was worried he would somehow force her into marrying him in order to get it. Yet, when he shows up at the Briarwood country estate (and just how did he know how to find that since they were no longer in London), nothing happens. He yells, throws around accusations, and then is led away by three of Leander's brothers. Why not have Mercy and/or Tobias have threats sent to them beforehand? Why not go the old tried and true route of Norris kidnapping Mercy and trying to take her back to America with him?
As you can see, there were so many opportunities this author could have taken to not only make this book longer, but to add so much more depth to the characters and the world they inhabit than we got. Hopefully the future ones are better.
Then we have what the author is trying to pass for romance, when in actuality? It's merely two characters who are using one another for different things. Leander wants to marry Mercy because she's not like the ladies of the ton, and he admires her for it. He also knows she won't back down in the face of adversity (mainly this mysterious "condition" that he suffers from). Mercy on the other hand, had no desire to marry him at all, until she visited a printing press and was talked down to my the owner. It was then that she realized as his wife she would have the money and power to do as she pleased. And what she wanted to do was start her own printing press to print novels written by women. So why not call it was it was? A mutually beneficial arrangement? Instead, the author has them declaring their love for each other when up until this point there had been no interactions that would indicate such strong feelings on either side. Friendship certainly, attraction without a doubt. But love? No.
Perhaps I wouldn't have been so disappointed with the romance aspect of this one if there had been something, anything at all, that caused even the barest hint of tension. But there wasn't, even with their being ample opportunities (at least three that I can think of).
Missed Potential #1. Tobias and Mercy's parents. It is stated pretty early on that their parents were staunch loyalists who abandoned their children when the war for independence broke out in the Americas. When they appeared at the Briarwood's home, I expected there to be some drama. I expected there to be some threats. Yet, there were none. Leander tells them to leave, and they do. Why didn't the author have them attempt to blackmail Leander? It was obvious that they did not want either of their children marrying into the family as they considered their own children "traitors to the crown", so why didn't they put that rumor out amongst the ton? Shown people treating Mercy and her brother with open disdain, or giving them the cut direct. Give them something to overcome.
Missed Potential #2. Leander's "affliction". Instead of having Mercy come upon him and insist upon accompanying him to his country home, the author could have chosen to have him disappear altogether, maybe leaving her a letter that was open to misinterpretation. That would have given the author the space for Mercy to discover the depths of her feelings for her husband and choose to join him in the country despite him telling her not to. And when she showed up, it would have given Leander the message that she cared for him. This could have led to them spending more time just the two of them and then up to that declaration of love that had already come without any reasoning behind it.
Missed Potential #3. The reason Mercy came to London in the first place. You see, it would seem that she had fled the Americas in a bit of a hurry due to a certain Mister Norris who wanted to take over her family's printing press to the point that Mercy was worried he would somehow force her into marrying him in order to get it. Yet, when he shows up at the Briarwood country estate (and just how did he know how to find that since they were no longer in London), nothing happens. He yells, throws around accusations, and then is led away by three of Leander's brothers. Why not have Mercy and/or Tobias have threats sent to them beforehand? Why not go the old tried and true route of Norris kidnapping Mercy and trying to take her back to America with him?
As you can see, there were so many opportunities this author could have taken to not only make this book longer, but to add so much more depth to the characters and the world they inhabit than we got. Hopefully the future ones are better.
October 12, 2024
My rating for The Duke's Absolutely Mad Marriage, by Eva Devon: 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.
This was the 3nd book in the Notorious Briarwoods series. These books can be read standalone, but I believe they would be more enjoyable if read in order -- as they are each about the romance of one of the Briarwood siblings.
I liked that the Briarwood family was so different than most noble families of the time. They didn't care what others thought of them, and didn't bother to try and meet society's ridiculous expectations. I also really liked that the family stuck together, cared deeply about each other, and did their best to help each other achieve happiness.
I liked Mercy, but thought it was sad that her history led her to believe she would never be truly happy. She was just existing, thinking the only love she would ever have was from her brother. I liked when she realized that Leander and his family all wanted to love her.
Leander was likable, and I loved that he would do anything for the people he loved. He realized almost immediately that Mercy was the woman for him, and went about convincing her of that. His problem, which would not have been understood in that time period, seemed to be that he was bipolar. I liked that he and his family had learned how to deal with his "episodes", and that they helped him keep society from finding out. I also liked that Mercy immediately wanted to help him get through those episodes, too.
I liked that the Briarwoods and Mercy's brother contrived to get that her together with Leander, as they realized Leander and Mercy were perfect for each other. Their methods were a bit unusual for the time, but it ended up working out.
This book did have sex scenes, but they were fairly tame. Sometimes it is nice to read more romantic, less explicit sex scenes.
I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
This was the 3nd book in the Notorious Briarwoods series. These books can be read standalone, but I believe they would be more enjoyable if read in order -- as they are each about the romance of one of the Briarwood siblings.
I liked that the Briarwood family was so different than most noble families of the time. They didn't care what others thought of them, and didn't bother to try and meet society's ridiculous expectations. I also really liked that the family stuck together, cared deeply about each other, and did their best to help each other achieve happiness.
I liked Mercy, but thought it was sad that her history led her to believe she would never be truly happy. She was just existing, thinking the only love she would ever have was from her brother. I liked when she realized that Leander and his family all wanted to love her.
Leander was likable, and I loved that he would do anything for the people he loved. He realized almost immediately that Mercy was the woman for him, and went about convincing her of that. His problem, which would not have been understood in that time period, seemed to be that he was bipolar. I liked that he and his family had learned how to deal with his "episodes", and that they helped him keep society from finding out. I also liked that Mercy immediately wanted to help him get through those episodes, too.
I liked that the Briarwoods and Mercy's brother contrived to get that her together with Leander, as they realized Leander and Mercy were perfect for each other. Their methods were a bit unusual for the time, but it ended up working out.
This book did have sex scenes, but they were fairly tame. Sometimes it is nice to read more romantic, less explicit sex scenes.
I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
July 28, 2024
Sometimes madness makes you better……
This was a good story, and I was waiting for the Duke to find his happy ending after making sure his sisters found theirs. This was the story of Leander and Mercy, the American sister of his sister’s betrothed. The dynamics between the two of them was instantly moving. Mercy was pessimistic, untrusting, and even negative at times after a troubled childhood that lacked love. Spending time with the Briarwoods and Leander specifically, Mercy saw what real love in a family looks like and it opened her eyes to what could be. She showed Leander what it was like to have someone take care of him for once instead of him taking care of everyone else. He learned that he could be truly loved by someone other than his family.
This story contained great characters that were witty, loyal, and just plain entertaining. The Briarwood family is probably one of the most loving and entertaining families, definitely in my list of favorites, from all of the different series that I have read over the last few years. This was a good romance that showed the connection build between the two throughout with no real villains that caused problems and a bit of steam with a HEA. I really loved it even though I thought Mercy’s negativity and stubbornness was going to annoy me too much.
This was a good story, and I was waiting for the Duke to find his happy ending after making sure his sisters found theirs. This was the story of Leander and Mercy, the American sister of his sister’s betrothed. The dynamics between the two of them was instantly moving. Mercy was pessimistic, untrusting, and even negative at times after a troubled childhood that lacked love. Spending time with the Briarwoods and Leander specifically, Mercy saw what real love in a family looks like and it opened her eyes to what could be. She showed Leander what it was like to have someone take care of him for once instead of him taking care of everyone else. He learned that he could be truly loved by someone other than his family.
This story contained great characters that were witty, loyal, and just plain entertaining. The Briarwood family is probably one of the most loving and entertaining families, definitely in my list of favorites, from all of the different series that I have read over the last few years. This was a good romance that showed the connection build between the two throughout with no real villains that caused problems and a bit of steam with a HEA. I really loved it even though I thought Mercy’s negativity and stubbornness was going to annoy me too much.
July 28, 2024
The Duke's Absolutely Mad Marriage by Eva Devon is the third book about the Briarwoods. The Briarwoods are a notorious family that are originals. Their parents were a duke and an actress, which was not done. The children while participating in the season all had different ways to stand out. The Duke, as the oldest son, works hard to make sure his family is happy. He wants to make the world (at least England) the best it can be.
Leander, the Duke of Westleigh works on legislation for the Lords and has hired a printer to make pamphlets. The printer Tobias agreed to make those pamphlets and fell in love with the Duke’s sister. His sister Mercy followed him across the ocean and the Duke has set his sights on Mercy as his wife. However as always there are some secrets and some surprises.
The Duke's Absolutely Mad Marriage by Eva Devon can be read as a stand alone as well as one in a series. The three younger brothers continue to make me laugh with their determination to cause harm, while not doing it. The novella is short, so do not expect a big buildup. The story is a fun read.
Leander, the Duke of Westleigh works on legislation for the Lords and has hired a printer to make pamphlets. The printer Tobias agreed to make those pamphlets and fell in love with the Duke’s sister. His sister Mercy followed him across the ocean and the Duke has set his sights on Mercy as his wife. However as always there are some secrets and some surprises.
The Duke's Absolutely Mad Marriage by Eva Devon can be read as a stand alone as well as one in a series. The three younger brothers continue to make me laugh with their determination to cause harm, while not doing it. The novella is short, so do not expect a big buildup. The story is a fun read.
July 31, 2024
4.6
We have Mercy Miller sister to Tobias from the previous story and Leander aka Duke of Westleigh who within minutes of meeting Mercy says Marry me! Of course things he’s absolutely mad she has known so little joy in her life! Her parents abandoned she and Tobias and she is having problems in New York with the printing company there with a very over zealous suitor!
Leander has a secret it’s something his grandfather struggled with and he hides in the country when those strange mood swings hit him! It seems like some sort of depression that would probably be controlled with meds today!
Mercy is encouraged by the Duchess to take him seriously as he is not in the habit of asking women to marry him!
He runs in the opposite direction! He is handsome, wealthy and his title alone makes women swoon! But Mercy is made of far more practical stuff which Leander will need in the days ahead!
Mercy slowly comes around to the idea and realizes all the good she can do not only as a Duchess but for Leander who needs her!
They have a few stormy days ahead but Mercy stays the course as he is just what she needs and vice versa! I absolutely love the ending! Bravo
We have Mercy Miller sister to Tobias from the previous story and Leander aka Duke of Westleigh who within minutes of meeting Mercy says Marry me! Of course things he’s absolutely mad she has known so little joy in her life! Her parents abandoned she and Tobias and she is having problems in New York with the printing company there with a very over zealous suitor!
Leander has a secret it’s something his grandfather struggled with and he hides in the country when those strange mood swings hit him! It seems like some sort of depression that would probably be controlled with meds today!
Mercy is encouraged by the Duchess to take him seriously as he is not in the habit of asking women to marry him!
He runs in the opposite direction! He is handsome, wealthy and his title alone makes women swoon! But Mercy is made of far more practical stuff which Leander will need in the days ahead!
Mercy slowly comes around to the idea and realizes all the good she can do not only as a Duchess but for Leander who needs her!
They have a few stormy days ahead but Mercy stays the course as he is just what she needs and vice versa! I absolutely love the ending! Bravo
September 4, 2024
5 STARS, HISTORICAL ROMANCE DRAMA
Eva Devon gets 5 STARS with her exciting well written storyline of Book 3 in her Series: The Notorious Broad woods plus provides a good BLURB. Good characters that make the reader laugh & run through their other emotions.
Mercy an American Revolutionary who is a passionate printer & whose parents deserted her & her brother because they were royalist. However, now in London with the war has passed Mercy & he brother are finding love.
The Briarwoods family is thought of as crazy and the Duke, Leander, larger than life. He has a secret that the public doesn't know & now he wants to marry the American, Mercy.
It seems both of these people are hiding something about themselves. Take a chance & grab this entertaining and moving read.
RECOMMEND
Eva Devon gets 5 STARS with her exciting well written storyline of Book 3 in her Series: The Notorious Broad woods plus provides a good BLURB. Good characters that make the reader laugh & run through their other emotions.
Mercy an American Revolutionary who is a passionate printer & whose parents deserted her & her brother because they were royalist. However, now in London with the war has passed Mercy & he brother are finding love.
The Briarwoods family is thought of as crazy and the Duke, Leander, larger than life. He has a secret that the public doesn't know & now he wants to marry the American, Mercy.
It seems both of these people are hiding something about themselves. Take a chance & grab this entertaining and moving read.
RECOMMEND
January 5, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Ebook/kindle unlimited
I really enjoyed this story of the Duke and the American, and she became a duchess. I love how independent she is. I’m glad she has her brother Tobias, but sad that their parents abandoned them and called them traitors.
I love that she likes working the printing press .
I did find the touch of mental health, which I’m guessing would be Bipolar. I love how the family supports the Duke in this time.
Again still very aware of everything, including feelings and actions. No actual conflict does make me not love these stories as much.
I LOVE the more we see of Hector-the brother 💕 He is my favorite so that added another dimension to my enjoyment. I really hope he doesn’t let me down when his story comes
Ebook/kindle unlimited
I really enjoyed this story of the Duke and the American, and she became a duchess. I love how independent she is. I’m glad she has her brother Tobias, but sad that their parents abandoned them and called them traitors.
I love that she likes working the printing press .
I did find the touch of mental health, which I’m guessing would be Bipolar. I love how the family supports the Duke in this time.
Again still very aware of everything, including feelings and actions. No actual conflict does make me not love these stories as much.
I LOVE the more we see of Hector-the brother 💕 He is my favorite so that added another dimension to my enjoyment. I really hope he doesn’t let me down when his story comes
July 20, 2024
I absolutely love this romance, it's empowering and emotional. Beautifully written and paced, I felt connected to the characters, especially Leander and Mercy. There are minor characters that give cohesion to the story. Both Leander and Mercy have bridges to cross. Leander has his inner struggle and darkness, he knows what he wants, he's very protective of his family and happiness is key. Mercy is an American who doesn't quite fit in the Ton, she has her fears and I enjoy how she came out of her inner shell to embrace the joy of life. Leander and Mercy together are a wonderful combination, great chemistry and passion and I loved their happily ever after.
August 12, 2024
I LOVED THIS ONE
EVa Devon is a great storyteller, and this book is perhaps the best historical romance novel I've read so far. An American woman named Mercy--who walked the cold ground at Valley Forge and knew many of the heroes of the Revolutionary War personally--travels to England on family business after the Revolution. She meets a British duke, who proposes to her on first sight. Mercy has been outcast by her loyalist parents and has little patience for titles and landed gentry. Yet, they are inexorably drawn together against her better judgement and her patriot politics. Great fun, Good historic context.
Highly recommend.
EVa Devon is a great storyteller, and this book is perhaps the best historical romance novel I've read so far. An American woman named Mercy--who walked the cold ground at Valley Forge and knew many of the heroes of the Revolutionary War personally--travels to England on family business after the Revolution. She meets a British duke, who proposes to her on first sight. Mercy has been outcast by her loyalist parents and has little patience for titles and landed gentry. Yet, they are inexorably drawn together against her better judgement and her patriot politics. Great fun, Good historic context.
Highly recommend.
April 21, 2025
The Duke’s Absolutely Mad Marriage is not the typical regency romance. Mercy and Leander’s story dealt with some serious subjects like abandonment, women’s rights, America’s independence from England, and the fact that the Duke has manic/ depressive episodes. Back then this illness was not understood or even named, so their society considered all mental illnesses as madness. Anything not understood or different is heckled and ostracized. For a duke to be considered mentally infirmed, it would not just tarnish his image and diminish his credibility but make him laughingstock. Though at times, it seemed a bit much, I enjoyed reading it.
September 24, 2024
entertaining read
I did find the story entertaining however I felt it was a little rushed , I feel funny saying that cause I am one is those people that hate when they drag out a story and take forever to get what it’s obvious going to happen. But yet I still felt there could of been more, but yet it’s still worth reading I do wish they incorporated the other people from the previous books that’s the main reason I choose to read book series cause I want to keep engaged in the previous characters as well
I did find the story entertaining however I felt it was a little rushed , I feel funny saying that cause I am one is those people that hate when they drag out a story and take forever to get what it’s obvious going to happen. But yet I still felt there could of been more, but yet it’s still worth reading I do wish they incorporated the other people from the previous books that’s the main reason I choose to read book series cause I want to keep engaged in the previous characters as well
January 1, 2025
A great read
I really enjoyed reading about Leander and Mercy, how they met to how they fell in love. She came to England from America to find her brother because she was being harassed by a man who had been trying to force her to marry him for the publishing company. She showed up on the Duke's doorstep and he felt something there right away. It was a cute and quick courtship that led to a very HEA. I highly recommend this book! ❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍
I really enjoyed reading about Leander and Mercy, how they met to how they fell in love. She came to England from America to find her brother because she was being harassed by a man who had been trying to force her to marry him for the publishing company. She showed up on the Duke's doorstep and he felt something there right away. It was a cute and quick courtship that led to a very HEA. I highly recommend this book! ❤❤❤❤❤❤👍👍👍👍👍👍
September 29, 2024
Great addition to the series.
What a unique and interesting family. This is Meanders story, and surprised all by wishing to marry Tobias' sister Mercy. It is a lovely story of two souls in need, finding each other. We learn a bit more about the Bears kids and love them even more for it. Enjoy!
What a unique and interesting family. This is Meanders story, and surprised all by wishing to marry Tobias' sister Mercy. It is a lovely story of two souls in need, finding each other. We learn a bit more about the Bears kids and love them even more for it. Enjoy!
March 15, 2025
Excellent story and subject!
It’s not often that an author addresses a hero with bipolar disorder in a novel, but it was great to see Eva Devon work it into the story. I learned a lot about the disorder because of her descriptions of the main character. His disorder was part of what made him magnificent!
It’s not often that an author addresses a hero with bipolar disorder in a novel, but it was great to see Eva Devon work it into the story. I learned a lot about the disorder because of her descriptions of the main character. His disorder was part of what made him magnificent!
March 17, 2025
Such a Fun Read
This book and author is delightful! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful book. Great characters, lovely story of profound love and trust. You will be glad to know it is not a waste of time to read this! I will be recommending this book and author to friends and family.
This book and author is delightful! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this wonderful book. Great characters, lovely story of profound love and trust. You will be glad to know it is not a waste of time to read this! I will be recommending this book and author to friends and family.
March 19, 2025
Beautiful
This is a beautiful story with wonderful, strong characters. Nice that it foregoes the now trite formula so many authors are still following (huge misunderstanding near the end before the HEA). This story does have an ‘episode’ near the end but it is dealt with care and love between the MCs. Highly recommend.
This is a beautiful story with wonderful, strong characters. Nice that it foregoes the now trite formula so many authors are still following (huge misunderstanding near the end before the HEA). This story does have an ‘episode’ near the end but it is dealt with care and love between the MCs. Highly recommend.
August 18, 2025
Enjoying this series so much!
I'll be onto the next one as soon as the review pop-up goes away! Mercy and her duke are wonderful and beautifully matched, and, sadly, many other men in the story are accurately portrayed. I'm hoping to see more of Lady Priscilla in the future, but I am patient. The history unfolding in this series is a great aspect of the stories, too.
I'll be onto the next one as soon as the review pop-up goes away! Mercy and her duke are wonderful and beautifully matched, and, sadly, many other men in the story are accurately portrayed. I'm hoping to see more of Lady Priscilla in the future, but I am patient. The history unfolding in this series is a great aspect of the stories, too.
August 20, 2025
Love it For What It Is
Delightful story. Not deep, certainly, but delightful nonetheless. We are told of the circumstances that inform each character but don’t look for close examination of any of them they’re not to be found. The Briarwood family is madcap as they come, though, and a lot of fun, so enjoy it for what it is and go devour the next book.
Delightful story. Not deep, certainly, but delightful nonetheless. We are told of the circumstances that inform each character but don’t look for close examination of any of them they’re not to be found. The Briarwood family is madcap as they come, though, and a lot of fun, so enjoy it for what it is and go devour the next book.
July 30, 2024
Have Fun! Marry Me
Miss Mercy Miller from The United States 🇺🇸 wasn’t Dutches’s material. Lender, Duke of Westleigh, was absolutely mad! Great characters, secrets and family traditions will thrill and hold your interest.
Miss Mercy Miller from The United States 🇺🇸 wasn’t Dutches’s material. Lender, Duke of Westleigh, was absolutely mad! Great characters, secrets and family traditions will thrill and hold your interest.
August 11, 2024
LOVE PREVAILS ACROSS ALL CIRCUMSTANCES
Fear of abandonment in light of bipolar disorder is masterfully described by an author who allows the characters to discover the depths their love could overcome. While single, Leander had always withdrawn during his times of extreme high and low moods. However, his new bride Mercy insists on retreating with him to the country. Her caring love travels through his dark time and brings him safely back again.
Fear of abandonment in light of bipolar disorder is masterfully described by an author who allows the characters to discover the depths their love could overcome. While single, Leander had always withdrawn during his times of extreme high and low moods. However, his new bride Mercy insists on retreating with him to the country. Her caring love travels through his dark time and brings him safely back again.
August 18, 2024
Love is the answer
As a psychologist, I was overwhelmed with the idea at unconditional love could sooth the most negative effects of bipolar disorder.
I was enchanted by how a family, knowing only love even with the world as it is, could be so very joyful!💓
As a psychologist, I was overwhelmed with the idea at unconditional love could sooth the most negative effects of bipolar disorder.
I was enchanted by how a family, knowing only love even with the world as it is, could be so very joyful!💓
August 20, 2024
Excellent.
I enjoyed this novel greatly, the storyline is quite unique and handles Leander’s struggles well.
Mercy and Leander’s love story is sweet.
I’m looking forward to the next novel and Hector’s story.
I enjoyed this novel greatly, the storyline is quite unique and handles Leander’s struggles well.
Mercy and Leander’s love story is sweet.
I’m looking forward to the next novel and Hector’s story.
September 3, 2024
A wonderful romance. No made up drama. No lies and evasion. Just life and facing it. I love the handling of mental illness with such grace. And this family is awesome. I don't give 5 stars often and this one is definitely one of the best.
January 7, 2025
Beautifully accurate
The author did a wonderful job of describing bipolar in a story based long before any such term existed. The story is truly great on its own, but the mental health aspect is written so clearly, and with such respect, that gives us an unexpected bonus!
The author did a wonderful job of describing bipolar in a story based long before any such term existed. The story is truly great on its own, but the mental health aspect is written so clearly, and with such respect, that gives us an unexpected bonus!
March 19, 2025
A delightful story of finding love after many negative moments in life as well as finding acceptance of a mental illness. All the characters are lovable throughout this story. Excellent reading for a feel-good moment as well as a regency romance!
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