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The Duke Disaster
A fussy prig of a duke meets his match in a notorious widow.
The Duke of Hartwood is a precise, exacting man. As head of the prestigious and well-respected Barnes family, he demands perfection. A Barnes must be above reproach and never mentioned in the gossip columns. When a distant cousin’s widow decides to scandalize London by courting disaster and tainting the Barnes name, Hartwood is summoned by his family.
Do something, anything, about Mrs. Celia Barnes.
After a terrible, lonely marriage, Celia has found her independence as a widow. Vowing never to wed again, she embraces the social whirl and outlandish behavior. Thumbing her nose at the priggish Barnes family is vastly pleasurable...until the Duke of Hartwood unexpectedly barges into her bedroom, demanding Celia cease embarrassing his family. He doesn’t care if she beds every man in London, just be discreet about it.
Celia has never responded well to authority and Hartwood is no exception even if she finds him attractive. They agree on only one thing…
Mutual dislike.
But one angry kiss and a far too pleasurable carriage ride later, dislike has turned into something else…an unexpected passion, so strong it threatens to ruin them both.
The Duke of Hartwood is a precise, exacting man. As head of the prestigious and well-respected Barnes family, he demands perfection. A Barnes must be above reproach and never mentioned in the gossip columns. When a distant cousin’s widow decides to scandalize London by courting disaster and tainting the Barnes name, Hartwood is summoned by his family.
Do something, anything, about Mrs. Celia Barnes.
After a terrible, lonely marriage, Celia has found her independence as a widow. Vowing never to wed again, she embraces the social whirl and outlandish behavior. Thumbing her nose at the priggish Barnes family is vastly pleasurable...until the Duke of Hartwood unexpectedly barges into her bedroom, demanding Celia cease embarrassing his family. He doesn’t care if she beds every man in London, just be discreet about it.
Celia has never responded well to authority and Hartwood is no exception even if she finds him attractive. They agree on only one thing…
Mutual dislike.
But one angry kiss and a far too pleasurable carriage ride later, dislike has turned into something else…an unexpected passion, so strong it threatens to ruin them both.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2025
325 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Ayers
42 books612 followersKathleen Ayers has been a hopeful romantic since the tender age of fourteen when she first purchased a copy of Sweet Savage Love at a garage sale while her mother was looking at antique animal planters. Since then she’s read hundreds of historical romances and fallen in love dozens of times. In particular she adores handsome, slightly damaged men with a wicked sense of humor. On paper, of course.
Kathleen lives in Houston and is married with one college aged son and two very spoiled dogs.
Kathleen lives in Houston and is married with one college aged son and two very spoiled dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
April 30, 2025
Likes:
- Opposites attract
- Enemies to lovers
- steamy scenes
- there’s probably more but it’s been a week or two so I’ve already forgotten 😅😅😅 (there’s gotta be reasons why I rated this 3 stars)
Dislikes:
- All these cousins on the hero’s side. Why so many?
- The hero’s deceased mother.
- There always seems to be something missing from this author’s books when it comes to the emotional connection between the hero and heroine. I don’t know how to describe it. It feels like the romance goes from point A to point D while skipping points B and C.
- Opposites attract
- Enemies to lovers
- steamy scenes
- there’s probably more but it’s been a week or two so I’ve already forgotten 😅😅😅 (there’s gotta be reasons why I rated this 3 stars)
Dislikes:
- All these cousins on the hero’s side. Why so many?
- The hero’s deceased mother.
- There always seems to be something missing from this author’s books when it comes to the emotional connection between the hero and heroine. I don’t know how to describe it. It feels like the romance goes from point A to point D while skipping points B and C.
August 18, 2025
3.7 stars
Agreeably surprised because I do not usually read HRs with widows, but this cover just reeled me in 😅! The writing was good, the plotting felt fresh and the chemistry between Celia and Oliver was quite sizzling. The pace could have been a little bit more even but overall, I enjoyed this book very much.
Tropes in this book:
💐 h is a merry widow
💐 H is a duke, very rigid and arrogant, and with OCD tendencies
💐 Opposites attract
💐 Obnoxious in-laws
💐 Dirty secret (brief)
💐 Not good enough to be a duchess (brief)
💐 Steamy times
💐 Jealousy and grovel
It would have been a 5 stars read if the comeuppance of the in-laws had been provided in more details (I am a bloodthirsty girl 😅), if the grovel had been longer, and if there had been more details in the Epilogue on how they faced society and won (as it is, it looked like they were hiding in the countryside). I will certainly read more from this author in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2025
i think celia needed to throw more things at people
March 16, 2025
Oliver & Celia. Kathleen Ayers' books are perfect for getting out of a reading slump. The only problem is that I end up binging them in a day and then its over. This book is the same.
Celia married at 18 into a very prominent family, The Barnes family. She was abandoned on her wedding night by her husband who enlisted in the East India Trading Co and went to India where he ended up dying of a opioid addiction.
She was left a widow after spending her marriage in the home of her husband's brother and his wife who didn't really like her. After his passing she ended up moving into her own home and living off an allowance. She finally was free and went a little crazy. Still being a Barnes, the family didn't like her antics getting their family name in gossip columns so they wrote to the head of the family, Duke of Hartwood. He came to town to reign her in but he was met with a hellion that wasn't scared of him.
The banter between the Duke and Celia was awesome. He is a strict, control freak. I mean the back and forth between them on the placement of a mantle clock was so funny. She was a complete chaos next to his buttoned up self. He tries to get her to be all prim and proper all while being overly attracted to her as she is.
The chemistry between them and the banter really kept me engaged in the book. He is fighting the fact that she isn't the traditional duchess that he was raised he should have (his mother was a piece of work). But he can't control his attraction and the feelings he develops as they spend more and more time with each other.
There is a curve ball thrown in and I legit teared up when she beared her feelings to him at the opera but I just love a HEA. This is the first book in this series and she introduced some of the other future widows and I just can't wait...
Celia married at 18 into a very prominent family, The Barnes family. She was abandoned on her wedding night by her husband who enlisted in the East India Trading Co and went to India where he ended up dying of a opioid addiction.
She was left a widow after spending her marriage in the home of her husband's brother and his wife who didn't really like her. After his passing she ended up moving into her own home and living off an allowance. She finally was free and went a little crazy. Still being a Barnes, the family didn't like her antics getting their family name in gossip columns so they wrote to the head of the family, Duke of Hartwood. He came to town to reign her in but he was met with a hellion that wasn't scared of him.
The banter between the Duke and Celia was awesome. He is a strict, control freak. I mean the back and forth between them on the placement of a mantle clock was so funny. She was a complete chaos next to his buttoned up self. He tries to get her to be all prim and proper all while being overly attracted to her as she is.
The chemistry between them and the banter really kept me engaged in the book. He is fighting the fact that she isn't the traditional duchess that he was raised he should have (his mother was a piece of work). But he can't control his attraction and the feelings he develops as they spend more and more time with each other.
There is a curve ball thrown in and I legit teared up when she beared her feelings to him at the opera but I just love a HEA. This is the first book in this series and she introduced some of the other future widows and I just can't wait...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2025
I have not been reading much historical romance this year instead focusing on other genres, but this book reminded me why I love historical. Oliver, Duke of Hartwood, is the exact type of hero I like. He's stuffy, rude, duty-driven, and a little OCD. Then the tornado that is Celia Barnes comes into his life and destroys him with her messes and her chaos. But this is exactly what he needs. Someone who pushes him outside of his comfort zone and reminds him that duty isn't everything.
I loved this. The tension and the chemistry were everything. These two battled each other till the very end. I mean, there are times where they can't fight the attraction between them, but you know they hate it. Outside pressures, society, his family, and everything tried to keep them apart. But in the end, all they had to fight through made their happily ever after much sweeter. I loved watching Oliver let his proverbial hair down and start to see that love is important, and it's worth fighting for.
Overall, a super enjoyable read. It reminds me of The Design of Dukes, which is my favorite book she's ever written, and now I think I'll dive back into that one. No one does tension and romance quite like Kathleen Ayers does.
I loved this. The tension and the chemistry were everything. These two battled each other till the very end. I mean, there are times where they can't fight the attraction between them, but you know they hate it. Outside pressures, society, his family, and everything tried to keep them apart. But in the end, all they had to fight through made their happily ever after much sweeter. I loved watching Oliver let his proverbial hair down and start to see that love is important, and it's worth fighting for.
Overall, a super enjoyable read. It reminds me of The Design of Dukes, which is my favorite book she's ever written, and now I think I'll dive back into that one. No one does tension and romance quite like Kathleen Ayers does.
April 9, 2025
Celia is a brat, and who can blame her?! After being passed along like an unwanted coat for years – from her brother to her husband to his family, the Barnes’ – she’s finally free and ready to have fun and ruffle some feathers. Preferably those of her judgy priggish in-laws. She’s also very ready to finally discover what pleasure truly means.
Oliver was raised with a good old sturdy English oak up his arse by his fearsome dragon of a mother. As a duke and head of the prestigious Barnes clan, it’s up to him to keep them all in line and the family honour squeaky clean. So evidently when the widow of some distant cousin starts a few too many scandals, they all turn to him for a solution.
They go together like fire and ice. She has a problem with authority, and he isn’t used to disobedient chaotic wilful women. Both of them possess delightful dry quick wit, great determination and colourful creativity when it comes to outmanoeuvring the other – the only inconvenience is their sizzling attraction... and when tempers rise, so does their passion.
Punishment turns to pleasure, resistance to longing, hurt to honesty.
An affair sounds like the perfect thing to get out of each other’s system. The flame will burn itself out... won’t it?
This was a brilliant opposites attract, forbidden romance!
She’s a stick remover extraordinaire, and he’s so cocksure he never saw her coming. The sparks are jumping of the page, and the banter and steam are delectable! Literally! 😉
His family is a meddling manipulative pest, and so are his potential bride and father-in-law. It’s through their unwanted interventions we discover his and her pasts, the cause of all their misery, and the why they are simply made for each other.
This author never disappoints! Her witty, fast-paced, naughty style, her multi-layered MCs and her nifty plot twists are what I adore about this genre. It’s a grand setting with a big crowd, yet it never feels crowded. It’s brazen and cocky, yet remains vulnerable and intimate. It’s absolutely wonderful and I loved it, start to finish!
Oliver was raised with a good old sturdy English oak up his arse by his fearsome dragon of a mother. As a duke and head of the prestigious Barnes clan, it’s up to him to keep them all in line and the family honour squeaky clean. So evidently when the widow of some distant cousin starts a few too many scandals, they all turn to him for a solution.
They go together like fire and ice. She has a problem with authority, and he isn’t used to disobedient chaotic wilful women. Both of them possess delightful dry quick wit, great determination and colourful creativity when it comes to outmanoeuvring the other – the only inconvenience is their sizzling attraction... and when tempers rise, so does their passion.
Punishment turns to pleasure, resistance to longing, hurt to honesty.
An affair sounds like the perfect thing to get out of each other’s system. The flame will burn itself out... won’t it?
This was a brilliant opposites attract, forbidden romance!
She’s a stick remover extraordinaire, and he’s so cocksure he never saw her coming. The sparks are jumping of the page, and the banter and steam are delectable! Literally! 😉
His family is a meddling manipulative pest, and so are his potential bride and father-in-law. It’s through their unwanted interventions we discover his and her pasts, the cause of all their misery, and the why they are simply made for each other.
This author never disappoints! Her witty, fast-paced, naughty style, her multi-layered MCs and her nifty plot twists are what I adore about this genre. It’s a grand setting with a big crowd, yet it never feels crowded. It’s brazen and cocky, yet remains vulnerable and intimate. It’s absolutely wonderful and I loved it, start to finish!
April 20, 2025
I had been in a bit of a reading slump until I started this book. I struggled through several less-than-excellent books. Then I started this one and didn’t put it down until it was finished. I loved Oliver and Celia. Two hurting people, who appeared to be complete opposites, but discovered that, deep down, they had more in common with one another than anyone else in their families.
These two needled each other, but from almost the start, they loved each other.
This is mildly steamy, and lucky for us, the start of a new series. I hope the next books will be ready to read sooner rather than later, because I truly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to more.
These two needled each other, but from almost the start, they loved each other.
This is mildly steamy, and lucky for us, the start of a new series. I hope the next books will be ready to read sooner rather than later, because I truly enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to more.
April 17, 2025
This was such an entertaining read! We have a priggish duke and a notorious scandalous widow. Oliver, head of the Barnes family, epitome of proper gentlemanly etiquette has been forced to return to London to deal with Celia, the notorious widow determined to stain their reputation. What he expects to be an easy fix turns out to be a challenge unlike any other when he finds himself drawn to Celia and her chaos.
As for Celia, she’s been passed around like properly, refused the right to live how how she wants for so long and discarded by a husband that hurt her. All she wants now as a widow is live life to the max. Unfortunately she can’t shed her Barnes name and is hounded at every opportunity by the family to cease her antics. When yet another priggish Barnes comes to demand her obedience it does not go well!
I ended up absolutely loving the dynamic between Celia and Oliver. The hearted arguments and stubbornness on both sides was so fun and I loved seeing them mess with one another. I loved Celia from the start and really felt for her. She deserved so much more. And Oliver really grew on me the more he gave into his real self beneath all the forced Duke-ness. I really liked how their relationship developed, from the moments of unexpected passion to the admittance that they both wanted more. It felt natural and was full of emotional growth, sweetness and passion.
Overall I really enjoyed this read - I ended up binging in one go because I couldn’t put it down! The dynamic was just such a fun one (also shout out to Edmond’s, he was such a great side character!) and I loved the way their romance played out and that when the dreaded misunderstanding came, it was actually really reasonable and the resolution came swiftly and with a lot of satisfaction!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series - we met two of Celia’s friends in expecting will get their own book and they have already captured my attention so I’m excited!
As for Celia, she’s been passed around like properly, refused the right to live how how she wants for so long and discarded by a husband that hurt her. All she wants now as a widow is live life to the max. Unfortunately she can’t shed her Barnes name and is hounded at every opportunity by the family to cease her antics. When yet another priggish Barnes comes to demand her obedience it does not go well!
I ended up absolutely loving the dynamic between Celia and Oliver. The hearted arguments and stubbornness on both sides was so fun and I loved seeing them mess with one another. I loved Celia from the start and really felt for her. She deserved so much more. And Oliver really grew on me the more he gave into his real self beneath all the forced Duke-ness. I really liked how their relationship developed, from the moments of unexpected passion to the admittance that they both wanted more. It felt natural and was full of emotional growth, sweetness and passion.
Overall I really enjoyed this read - I ended up binging in one go because I couldn’t put it down! The dynamic was just such a fun one (also shout out to Edmond’s, he was such a great side character!) and I loved the way their romance played out and that when the dreaded misunderstanding came, it was actually really reasonable and the resolution came swiftly and with a lot of satisfaction!
I can’t wait for the next book in this series - we met two of Celia’s friends in expecting will get their own book and they have already captured my attention so I’m excited!
April 17, 2025
As always a great start to a series by the wonderful Kathleen Ayers. Loved the priggish duke and the so called scandalous widow. Their banter and chemistry was great. Now have to wait until 2026 for the next book in this series but that’s ok as I can reread and re-listen to her other series.
Still waiting with baited breath for the remaining Beautiful Barrington series audiobooks.
Still waiting with baited breath for the remaining Beautiful Barrington series audiobooks.
May 27, 2025
i literally smiled the entire time i was reading this so yeah…historical romances you will always be loved by me and i think i found a new author to devote my life to
March 15, 2025
This is a 3.5 stars rounded to 4 for me. I greatly enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half, so please read the entire review before choosing to think it’s all negative. 🙃
At the start, I had a very difficult time liking Celia. My first impression was that she was a brat. I figured there was more to her than her childishness, but it was a little hard to read through. Oliver was also difficult to really like at first too. He was just stuffy and over pretentious. For the first part, he seemed to war between rule keeping and his lust.
In some ways, I found the first part and the second part of the story were a bit incongruous. I mean, the story still flowed and fit, but their depths of character were not fully bloomed until the second part. Which, I get that character growth is a good thing, but I didn’t see a lot of whispers of “what could be” in the beginning.
Nevertheless, once Oliver decided he was done with trying to evade his desires, the story really turned a corner for me. In both of these characters, I saw depth and passion that was fun and engaging (if not traumatic at times too.) They were two lonely people who found love and hope in one another.
I appreciated how Celia was so real with her feelings of wanting to “do right” for Oliver - even though she spent her entire life doing what others wanted of her. I also liked that she didn’t back down and let Oliver off the hook when he accuses her of taking other lovers after she sacrificed so much of herself.
Oliver ended up being a lovely romantic man. His flower arrangements were so sweet. And the way he liked to eat trifle was….wow! 🥵 His groveling at the end was on point as well. He ended up being a wonderful MMC that I wanted to see more of.
The story overall was quite interesting and I did like the premise. So many times dukes are presented as they can get away with whatever they want. In this case, Oliver had too many hovering cousins to placate to do whatever he wished. It was fun to see the cousins swarm and manipulate and then end up with their just desserts (and decidedly not trifle 🤭). I also enjoyed watching Lady Helen and her father find their place too. It was a pleasing way to end the story.
Despite my negative opinions of the first half of the book, it’s certainly worth reading for the second half.
At the start, I had a very difficult time liking Celia. My first impression was that she was a brat. I figured there was more to her than her childishness, but it was a little hard to read through. Oliver was also difficult to really like at first too. He was just stuffy and over pretentious. For the first part, he seemed to war between rule keeping and his lust.
In some ways, I found the first part and the second part of the story were a bit incongruous. I mean, the story still flowed and fit, but their depths of character were not fully bloomed until the second part. Which, I get that character growth is a good thing, but I didn’t see a lot of whispers of “what could be” in the beginning.
Nevertheless, once Oliver decided he was done with trying to evade his desires, the story really turned a corner for me. In both of these characters, I saw depth and passion that was fun and engaging (if not traumatic at times too.) They were two lonely people who found love and hope in one another.
I appreciated how Celia was so real with her feelings of wanting to “do right” for Oliver - even though she spent her entire life doing what others wanted of her. I also liked that she didn’t back down and let Oliver off the hook when he accuses her of taking other lovers after she sacrificed so much of herself.
Oliver ended up being a lovely romantic man. His flower arrangements were so sweet. And the way he liked to eat trifle was….wow! 🥵 His groveling at the end was on point as well. He ended up being a wonderful MMC that I wanted to see more of.
The story overall was quite interesting and I did like the premise. So many times dukes are presented as they can get away with whatever they want. In this case, Oliver had too many hovering cousins to placate to do whatever he wished. It was fun to see the cousins swarm and manipulate and then end up with their just desserts (and decidedly not trifle 🤭). I also enjoyed watching Lady Helen and her father find their place too. It was a pleasing way to end the story.
Despite my negative opinions of the first half of the book, it’s certainly worth reading for the second half.
May 15, 2025
I love Kathleen Ayers' writing. This is my 28th book by her. I read one of her books in 2016 but didn't picked her up again faithfully in 2019 and now she is one of my top favorite authors. For my birthday a few years ago, my DIL bought some of my favorite books by her and was able to get her to personally sign them for me. What a fantastic gift and I'll always treasure them. She has such hot and yummy sex in her books. Always a sign of a good book. 😊
OMG, this book just grabs you and won’t let go. I was on the edge of my seat reading Celia and Oliver’s confrontations. Such foreplay!!! My god, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a couple to fuck as much as these two. I loved this couple. I loved their personalities. I loved the story. What great depth in all aspects...the story, the main characters and even the minor characters. So damn good. I never wanted it to end. Definitely adding to my favorite books read list for April, 2025.
OMG, this book just grabs you and won’t let go. I was on the edge of my seat reading Celia and Oliver’s confrontations. Such foreplay!!! My god, I don’t think I’ve ever wanted a couple to fuck as much as these two. I loved this couple. I loved their personalities. I loved the story. What great depth in all aspects...the story, the main characters and even the minor characters. So damn good. I never wanted it to end. Definitely adding to my favorite books read list for April, 2025.
March 19, 2025
Listen y'all, if you've ever needed to read a book, it's this one! It hits all the right spots...it's steamy, it's dreamy, and the big bad Duke is my kind of prig😉 Kathleen Ayers is the queen when it comes to an enemies to lovers relationship, I think it's all the bickering that floats my boat! It was so nice, I read it twice.😍😍
April 26, 2025
this was definitely inspired (ripped off) by the evie dunmore series, what with the name of this new series being called 'league of extraordinary widows'. three girl best friends in this one and all happen to be widows conveniently. the duke disaster is the first book and just like bringing down the duke, the first one in evie dunmore's a league of extraordinary women series, it had a stuffy duke who goes crazy over a brazen, wild woman he shouldn't have and can't have. as you can tell by the rating, i do not give a flying fuck about the similarities because i love both! i might even say i like this more than evie's first book. this was simpler and funnier and easily digestible? not to say that anything else isn't great. i just prefer this style i guess. i loved it!!! im just a huge sucker for good banter and arguments that cut through bone. oliver and celia delivered. the ocd rep was acutely represented in case of oliver.
i hate to compare, even tho thats all i have done so far in the review and all i did in my head while reading the book, i just can't not see the similarities lol it works fine with me, me being a big fan of evie's work. excited for other two books! i wonder which one will give hattie. minerva's is giving lucie.
anyway, I've been discovering the kindle victorian romance genre and I love what I've found so far. kathleen ayers has joined eliana piers and tanya wilde in my new faves. going to check out the rest of her catalogue and await the next league book with much anticipation.
i hate to compare, even tho thats all i have done so far in the review and all i did in my head while reading the book, i just can't not see the similarities lol it works fine with me, me being a big fan of evie's work. excited for other two books! i wonder which one will give hattie. minerva's is giving lucie.
anyway, I've been discovering the kindle victorian romance genre and I love what I've found so far. kathleen ayers has joined eliana piers and tanya wilde in my new faves. going to check out the rest of her catalogue and await the next league book with much anticipation.
April 18, 2025
The Duke Disaster
By Kathleen Ayers
Historical Romance
Set in Victorian England, 1841
FMC Celia Barnes, 23, recently widowed
MMC Oliver Barnes, the Duke of Hartwood, 33 years old, distant cousin by marriage to FMC
After a brief marriage that was loveless in every way imaginable, Celia Barnes has created the illusion of a merry widow, much to the consternation of her stuffy in-laws.
The stern and proper Oliver Barnes, Ninth Duke of Hartwood, has intervened to admonish the woman before she further sullies the Barnes name.
Describing Oliver as having "mommy issues" is an understatement. He became the Duke at 13 years old and carries many of the assumptions and attitudes his stern, judgmental mother projected onto him.
As he exchanges banter with his butler, there is a sense that he is not such a stiff and humorless man. Their relationship serves to humanize the character.
Celia believes she is completely undesirable because her deceased husband was verbally abusive and degrading toward her. She has internalized much of that criticism as a result. Of course, she’s gorgeous, if a bit unsophisticated.
Celia and Oliver are drawn to each other, and their love story follows an enemies-to-lovers trope. The author skillfully brings the heat without compromising the storyline. In every good steamy romance, the open-door scenes advance the plot rather than seeming like they were included to meet a quota for smexy content.
Many characters have wronged the female main character (FMC), showing a blatant disregard for her safety and happiness, which is absolutely reprehensible. Because of this, I found myself feeling more sympathetic toward her than I usually would. Her behavior can come off as ridiculous and immature, and if it weren't for the antagonists treating her so poorly, I might not have cared as much about her happy ending. Initially, she does seem a bit foolish.
The antagonists in this story are less malevolent, and their villainy is more subtle compared to the characters in the author’s previous works. I would have preferred to see them receive their comeuppance on the page, as that absence felt unresolved. Perhaps the sheer number of people who wronged the female main character (FMC) in the past made it difficult to include all the necessary details for a proper resolution.
I found Celia and Oliver to be a bit flat overall as characters, the side characters were more engaging to me, but the story arc was inventive, and the big reveal was unexpected.
Since this is the first book in a new series featuring an entirely fresh lineup of characters for long-time readers of Kathleen Ayers, we are introduced to various Lords and Ladies who will inhabit the world of "The League of Extraordinary Widows."
I gave this one 4 1/2 stars -for GR and AZ I will reduce to 4 stars.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this e-book. This has been my freely given opinion.
By Kathleen Ayers
Historical Romance
Set in Victorian England, 1841
FMC Celia Barnes, 23, recently widowed
MMC Oliver Barnes, the Duke of Hartwood, 33 years old, distant cousin by marriage to FMC
After a brief marriage that was loveless in every way imaginable, Celia Barnes has created the illusion of a merry widow, much to the consternation of her stuffy in-laws.
The stern and proper Oliver Barnes, Ninth Duke of Hartwood, has intervened to admonish the woman before she further sullies the Barnes name.
Describing Oliver as having "mommy issues" is an understatement. He became the Duke at 13 years old and carries many of the assumptions and attitudes his stern, judgmental mother projected onto him.
As he exchanges banter with his butler, there is a sense that he is not such a stiff and humorless man. Their relationship serves to humanize the character.
Celia believes she is completely undesirable because her deceased husband was verbally abusive and degrading toward her. She has internalized much of that criticism as a result. Of course, she’s gorgeous, if a bit unsophisticated.
Celia and Oliver are drawn to each other, and their love story follows an enemies-to-lovers trope. The author skillfully brings the heat without compromising the storyline. In every good steamy romance, the open-door scenes advance the plot rather than seeming like they were included to meet a quota for smexy content.
Many characters have wronged the female main character (FMC), showing a blatant disregard for her safety and happiness, which is absolutely reprehensible. Because of this, I found myself feeling more sympathetic toward her than I usually would. Her behavior can come off as ridiculous and immature, and if it weren't for the antagonists treating her so poorly, I might not have cared as much about her happy ending. Initially, she does seem a bit foolish.
The antagonists in this story are less malevolent, and their villainy is more subtle compared to the characters in the author’s previous works. I would have preferred to see them receive their comeuppance on the page, as that absence felt unresolved. Perhaps the sheer number of people who wronged the female main character (FMC) in the past made it difficult to include all the necessary details for a proper resolution.
I found Celia and Oliver to be a bit flat overall as characters, the side characters were more engaging to me, but the story arc was inventive, and the big reveal was unexpected.
Since this is the first book in a new series featuring an entirely fresh lineup of characters for long-time readers of Kathleen Ayers, we are introduced to various Lords and Ladies who will inhabit the world of "The League of Extraordinary Widows."
I gave this one 4 1/2 stars -for GR and AZ I will reduce to 4 stars.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this e-book. This has been my freely given opinion.
April 17, 2025
What happens when the fussy Duke of Harwood, Oliver Barnes, meets his match with a notorious widow? What happens is one heck of a really fun book to read.
The Duke of Harwood is the head of the respected Barnes Family. When the Barnes family is thrown into a tizzy over gossip that the widow Barnes is not behaving herself, they report to the Duke to do something about her outlandish behavior. The Duke of Harwood has a lot of responsibility keeping the Barnes family on track and then comes Mrs. Celia Barnes into his life. She puts a wrench into his very well organized life and that causes the Duke to have a talk with Celia to tell her to behave herself as she is causing problems within the Barnes family. Celia thought she was free of disapproving relatives and was hoping to live the life she wants to live. Celia’s year of mourning was not a pleasant time for her as her husband’s family did not really want to be bothered with her. Celia doesn’t care what the Barnes family thinks of her, and she certainly doesn’t care what the Duke thinks of her. Of course Harwood gives her an ultimatum about behaving herself and that includes keeping her name out of the gossip columns. But as he does not know Celia very well, he will learn that she is very independent and he will have his hands full with trying to keep her out of trouble. Their first meeting is hilarious and the fun never ends after that, so the story between a fussy Duke and a free spirited woman is a must read.
The Duke and Celia may not be the perfect couple, but they are perfect together and that’s all that really matters.
I was given an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review of this book.
The Duke of Harwood is the head of the respected Barnes Family. When the Barnes family is thrown into a tizzy over gossip that the widow Barnes is not behaving herself, they report to the Duke to do something about her outlandish behavior. The Duke of Harwood has a lot of responsibility keeping the Barnes family on track and then comes Mrs. Celia Barnes into his life. She puts a wrench into his very well organized life and that causes the Duke to have a talk with Celia to tell her to behave herself as she is causing problems within the Barnes family. Celia thought she was free of disapproving relatives and was hoping to live the life she wants to live. Celia’s year of mourning was not a pleasant time for her as her husband’s family did not really want to be bothered with her. Celia doesn’t care what the Barnes family thinks of her, and she certainly doesn’t care what the Duke thinks of her. Of course Harwood gives her an ultimatum about behaving herself and that includes keeping her name out of the gossip columns. But as he does not know Celia very well, he will learn that she is very independent and he will have his hands full with trying to keep her out of trouble. Their first meeting is hilarious and the fun never ends after that, so the story between a fussy Duke and a free spirited woman is a must read.
The Duke and Celia may not be the perfect couple, but they are perfect together and that’s all that really matters.
I was given an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review of this book.
April 21, 2025
Another great romantic series begins!
This was a terrific read, and I devoured it in one. It is an enchanting start to a new series by Kathleen Ayers, and as in previous books has marvellous characterisation especially the MMC and MFC, Oliver and Celia.
There is plenty of humour and witty banter, lovely ‘set downs’ too.
Oliver is an uptight, autocratic rigidly correct Duke of Hartwood. He always behaves correctly. Celia is a scatty, messy, mischievous widow, who released from an unhappy marriage, to a cousin of Oliver’s, and the control of prudish dull relatives, wants to have fun and her independence. It’s an explosive mix and I loved the foibles of each, their interaction was so well written.
Oliver and Celia share awful relatives, spiteful, greedy and self serving. They manipulate Celia, and their. plotting to uphold the honour of the family name and reputation by involving Oliver, Head of the family, is extraordinary.
Sparks fly when the Duke tries to discipline Celia, she drives him crazy, she’s beautiful, chaotic but such fun.
It’s a great story and truly romantic. I enjoyed all the characters especially the frightful Barnes family and the posturing members of the Ton. I hope we meet the widowed friends of Celia in the future, perhaps Edmond the notable butler too?
This was a terrific read, and I devoured it in one. It is an enchanting start to a new series by Kathleen Ayers, and as in previous books has marvellous characterisation especially the MMC and MFC, Oliver and Celia.
There is plenty of humour and witty banter, lovely ‘set downs’ too.
Oliver is an uptight, autocratic rigidly correct Duke of Hartwood. He always behaves correctly. Celia is a scatty, messy, mischievous widow, who released from an unhappy marriage, to a cousin of Oliver’s, and the control of prudish dull relatives, wants to have fun and her independence. It’s an explosive mix and I loved the foibles of each, their interaction was so well written.
Oliver and Celia share awful relatives, spiteful, greedy and self serving. They manipulate Celia, and their. plotting to uphold the honour of the family name and reputation by involving Oliver, Head of the family, is extraordinary.
Sparks fly when the Duke tries to discipline Celia, she drives him crazy, she’s beautiful, chaotic but such fun.
It’s a great story and truly romantic. I enjoyed all the characters especially the frightful Barnes family and the posturing members of the Ton. I hope we meet the widowed friends of Celia in the future, perhaps Edmond the notable butler too?
April 20, 2025
Oliver, the Duke of Hartwood, is the head of the exemplary, prestigious, and well-respected Barnes family. He is used to everyone quivering before him and obeying his commands. Mrs. Celia Barnes is a notorious widow, scandalizing the family with her wild behavior. She needs to be stopped—and it’s Oliver’s responsibility. But Celia will not bend to his commands, and when they go head to head, tempers ignite.
I absolutely loved this wonderful book. I could not put it down—I even read it at the gym on the exercise bike! It was the first thing I grabbed this morning when I opened my eyes. I just wanted to keep reading.
The banter between the obsessively tidy Duke and the scandalous, chaotic widow was fantastic and fun. As a reader, you just wait for the rigid Duke to snap—and when he does, it is absolutely hot.
It’s an opposites-attract, forbidden-love romance, but I also felt the enemies-to-lovers vibe. This first installment in The League of Extraordinary Widows bodes well for the rest of the series. I cannot wait for the next book. Just give me a date so I can preorder it already!
I absolutely loved this wonderful book. I could not put it down—I even read it at the gym on the exercise bike! It was the first thing I grabbed this morning when I opened my eyes. I just wanted to keep reading.
The banter between the obsessively tidy Duke and the scandalous, chaotic widow was fantastic and fun. As a reader, you just wait for the rigid Duke to snap—and when he does, it is absolutely hot.
It’s an opposites-attract, forbidden-love romance, but I also felt the enemies-to-lovers vibe. This first installment in The League of Extraordinary Widows bodes well for the rest of the series. I cannot wait for the next book. Just give me a date so I can preorder it already!
April 17, 2025
Oliver is perfection, a duke is always perfection … as the head of large family with members in high places and eyes and ears everywhere, everyone does his bidding and doesn’t even dream about contradicting him. The only one who’s not toeing the line and tainting the reputation of the family is the widow of a distant cousin whom he barely remembers.
When her antics escalate he decides to take matters into his own hands, viewing her a disease that must be cured.
Nothing prepares him for the impact Celia’s life has on him for his sternness and her obvious disregard for his status and their mutual dislike don’t rule out the intense attraction they feel for each other.
His grey and gloomy life suddenly becomes a kaleidoscope of colors and when he’s treated the same way he’s been treating her …. He finally sees how to fix his and Celia’s lives.
Ms Ayers treat us with another great story of loss and betrayal but also of resilience and strength. I especially loved Oliver’s butler Edwards.
When her antics escalate he decides to take matters into his own hands, viewing her a disease that must be cured.
Nothing prepares him for the impact Celia’s life has on him for his sternness and her obvious disregard for his status and their mutual dislike don’t rule out the intense attraction they feel for each other.
His grey and gloomy life suddenly becomes a kaleidoscope of colors and when he’s treated the same way he’s been treating her …. He finally sees how to fix his and Celia’s lives.
Ms Ayers treat us with another great story of loss and betrayal but also of resilience and strength. I especially loved Oliver’s butler Edwards.
April 19, 2025
The Duke Disaster
By Kathleen Ayers
Book 1
The League of Extraordinary Widows
What an incredible start to a new series a captivating story between a stick in the mud upright priggish Duke who loves order and precision in short a downright perfectionist bore and his name is Oliver the Duke of Hartwood.
He thrives on consistency and rules with an autocratic hand as such he lords over the Barnes family.
When scandalous rumours arise from a distant Barnes widow he becomes obsessed with squashing the rumours of the wicked Mrs. Celia Barnes but once he meets said widow his equilibrium is tilted like never before!
Sparks fly between Celia and Oliver, with Celia embracing her new found freedom will Oliver trying to bring her to heal and behave like the well respected stuffy aristocrat he deems she should be.
A tale of opposites attract written to perfection, I truly felt like I was a bystander in their lives loved the chemistry and the depth of feeling Ms. Ayers brought forward between the main characters.
I highly recommend this and all of Kathleen Ayer’s work she truly is a gifted writer!
Was gifted an ARC and this is my unbiased review.
By Kathleen Ayers
Book 1
The League of Extraordinary Widows
What an incredible start to a new series a captivating story between a stick in the mud upright priggish Duke who loves order and precision in short a downright perfectionist bore and his name is Oliver the Duke of Hartwood.
He thrives on consistency and rules with an autocratic hand as such he lords over the Barnes family.
When scandalous rumours arise from a distant Barnes widow he becomes obsessed with squashing the rumours of the wicked Mrs. Celia Barnes but once he meets said widow his equilibrium is tilted like never before!
Sparks fly between Celia and Oliver, with Celia embracing her new found freedom will Oliver trying to bring her to heal and behave like the well respected stuffy aristocrat he deems she should be.
A tale of opposites attract written to perfection, I truly felt like I was a bystander in their lives loved the chemistry and the depth of feeling Ms. Ayers brought forward between the main characters.
I highly recommend this and all of Kathleen Ayer’s work she truly is a gifted writer!
Was gifted an ARC and this is my unbiased review.
April 16, 2025
What a great start to a new series! Celia Barnes is a widow, fresh out of mourning, who is taking London by storm, much to her late husband's family dismay. They don't want their precious family name ruined so they call in the head of the family, the Duke of Hartwood. Oliver has disliked Celia from the first time he saw her at her wedding. But does he really dislike her or is that anger and aggression hiding his real feelings?
The Barnes family, including the Duke, treated Celia HORRIBLY! Oliver and Celia's banter was fantastic - I loved that she kept picking at him by moving the clock on the mantle LOL However, Oliver's hot and cold with her was not fun and I really wish she would have stood up for herself earlier.
The Barnes family, including the Duke, treated Celia HORRIBLY! Oliver and Celia's banter was fantastic - I loved that she kept picking at him by moving the clock on the mantle LOL However, Oliver's hot and cold with her was not fun and I really wish she would have stood up for herself earlier.
April 15, 2025
This book is a gem , start to finish! It’s one of my favorites of the year! The characters are absolutely delightful. Oliver is a model arrogant Duke, groomed in protocol to the extreme. Celia is his complete opposite, and thoroughly enjoys pushing his buttons . This heroine is a hoot; sarcastic, defiant and disrespectful in the most charming of ways! The dialogue and clever banter in this story by our wonderful author, Kathleen Ayers, is brilliant! The Duke is called into town by his conniving cousins demanding that he do something about the one cousin’s widow who is bringing scandal to the family name with her outlandish behavior. As Oliver goes head to head with Celia, he finds that he has met his match in this feisty little spitfire, and deny it as he tries, he can’t resist “His Autumn”!
April 18, 2025
This first book in The League of Extraordinary Widow's series was an extremely riveting and well written historical romance. It was very compelling with humor, wit, clever and sarcastic banter, haunting pasts, annoying and despicable relatives, societal expectations of family, the Ton, and so many intense emotional issues and twists that were very captivating. I really enjoyed this delightful and engaging enemies to lovers love story and their delicious chemistry and passion. I was very happy with how love overcame so many obstacles. I can't wait for the second book. I highly recommend reading!
May 30, 2025
Pros: It kept me interested enough to finish it. & while I did not like the main male character very much, I'm glad it ended happily.
Cons: The main male character is a sexist, slut-shaming hypocrite for like 95% of the book. Also, not a fan of the "I own you"-possessive, type characters -- but I understand that it is popular trope among readers so I didn't include that in my rating. It was mostly his awful personality & the fact that the main female character didn't make him suffer longer before getting together.
Not one of my favorites, but not upset that I spent time finishing it so I take that as a win.
Cons: The main male character is a sexist, slut-shaming hypocrite for like 95% of the book. Also, not a fan of the "I own you"-possessive, type characters -- but I understand that it is popular trope among readers so I didn't include that in my rating. It was mostly his awful personality & the fact that the main female character didn't make him suffer longer before getting together.
Not one of my favorites, but not upset that I spent time finishing it so I take that as a win.
April 17, 2025
I am a big fan of Ms Ayers "Barringtons ". the series is great was the first to last book.
coming to this book , Oliver and Celia were the perfect example of opposites attract.
Oliver was the high and mighty priggish DUKE who was just above any reproach.
Celia was a widow who was abandoned by her husband.
she was fiesty and very likeable.
the banter between these two was highly engaging and entertaining.
their chemistry was steamy .
this story was a page turner.
cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
coming to this book , Oliver and Celia were the perfect example of opposites attract.
Oliver was the high and mighty priggish DUKE who was just above any reproach.
Celia was a widow who was abandoned by her husband.
she was fiesty and very likeable.
the banter between these two was highly engaging and entertaining.
their chemistry was steamy .
this story was a page turner.
cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
April 17, 2025
An extremely excellent read, so funny in places I had to laugh to myself on numerous occasions.
As usual for Kathleen Ayers this novel is well written and expressed in such a way that it flows effortlessly from one word to the next.
The interactions between the Duke and Celia are entertainingly enjoyable to read.
Length is longer than my preferred read length but Kathleen’s excellent writing makes it a pleasurable experience despite the extra time to read.
I received this novel as a complimentary ARC, all opinions are my own and are given freely.
As usual for Kathleen Ayers this novel is well written and expressed in such a way that it flows effortlessly from one word to the next.
The interactions between the Duke and Celia are entertainingly enjoyable to read.
Length is longer than my preferred read length but Kathleen’s excellent writing makes it a pleasurable experience despite the extra time to read.
I received this novel as a complimentary ARC, all opinions are my own and are given freely.
April 18, 2025
Oh, my! Katherine Ayers does it again. I fell in love with Celia, the irresistible object, and Oliver, the immovable force. When they meet, sparks fly, and I couldn't put this book down. Finished in one reading. Although ton society labels Celia a harlot and a trollop and attribute many liaisons to her with numerous men, in actuality, Celia is still a virgin, despite having been married. Watching these two fall in love and defy society was wonderful. I heartily recommend this to all lovers of romantic fiction. Although I received an Advance Review Copy, my opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
April 17, 2025
Terrific!
Loved it! The characters are delightful, the story is very entertaining as well! There are plenty of nasty characters to dislike, boo, and hope that bad things happen to them. Both our hero and heroine are too trusting and ignorant of the secrets kept and the manipulations of the so called friends and family!
Loved it! The characters are delightful, the story is very entertaining as well! There are plenty of nasty characters to dislike, boo, and hope that bad things happen to them. Both our hero and heroine are too trusting and ignorant of the secrets kept and the manipulations of the so called friends and family!
April 20, 2025
Another winner!
I've read literally every book written by Kathleen Ayers and this one now ranks up there with my favorites. I loved the "Taming of the Shrew" vibe and witty banter between the main characters. The resolution felt a little rushed but I loved Celia and Oliver so much that it didn't detract from an otherwise gem of a story.
I've read literally every book written by Kathleen Ayers and this one now ranks up there with my favorites. I loved the "Taming of the Shrew" vibe and witty banter between the main characters. The resolution felt a little rushed but I loved Celia and Oliver so much that it didn't detract from an otherwise gem of a story.
April 17, 2025
My Autumn
This is a wonderfully written story of two very different people who are alike in so many ways. Celia and Oliver are well written and well developed characters with the perfect amount of heat. I enjoyed their journey and look forward to the upcoming books on Celia’s widowed friends. Oh, and I adore a good trifle.
This is a wonderfully written story of two very different people who are alike in so many ways. Celia and Oliver are well written and well developed characters with the perfect amount of heat. I enjoyed their journey and look forward to the upcoming books on Celia’s widowed friends. Oh, and I adore a good trifle.
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