Los secretos de Sir Richard Kenworthy

Smythe-Smith Quartet #4

by Julia Quinn, Laura Fernández Nogales (Translator)

Sir Richard Kenworthy tiene un mes para encontrar esposa. Sabe muy bien que no puede permitirse el lujo de ser exigente, pero cuando ve a Iris Smythe-Smith escondida detrás de un violonchelo en un concierto familiar, sabe que le ha tocado el premio gordo. Nadie repararía en ella a primera vista… su discreta belleza suele pasar desapercibida, pero no para Sir Richard. Él ya la ha descubierto: es la mujer perfecta para él.

Iris Smythe-Smith está acostumbrada a que la subestimen. Su encanto natural suele estar en segundo plano, ni siquiera su ingenio y su picardía son entendidos, pero a ella no le importa. Por eso desconfía cuando Sir Richard Kenworthy le pide a su amigo que se la presente. Flirtea con ella, es encantador y da toda la impresión de ser un hombre enamorado, pero ella no acaba de creerlo… Y es que Sir Richard tiene secretos ocultos e Iris los sospecha… ¿Podrá Iris hacer caso a su corazón y aceptar a Sir Richard? ¿O los secretos son tan oscuros para rechazar una petición de matrimonio?

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Regency, Fiction, Audiobook

348 pages, Paperback

First published January 27, 2015

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.

A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently in production by Shondaland as a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page.

Reviews

[Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read a lot of historical romance. I have read of a lot of rakes, a lot of rogues. A lot of alpha-males, a lot of assholes.

Rarely have I encountered a more loathsome, pitiful piece of trash as the love interest in this book.

Julia Quinn introduced me to HR. She made me love the genre, and I've been so disappointed in her books lately.

[Jilly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well it makes sense that this guy's name is Richard because he's a real Dick!

Seriously, I didn't like him.

10 things I hate about Dick:

1. He chose Iris for being plain, desperate, and lowly.
2. He planned to compromise her reputation.
3. He manipulated her while pretending to court her.
4. His supposed "guilt" that he felt did nothing to make him do the right thing.
5. He made her feel undesirable.
6. He refused to tell her the truth when she called him out on his motivations.
7. He was gaslighting her by acting like how he was acting was reasonable.
8. He didn't give her any warning, nor tell her about his true motivations in a kind or gentle way.
9. He ordered her to do what he wanted (a "sin" in her eyes) because he was her husband.
10. He ordered her not to leave him.
11. He still expected her forgiveness.

Oops, that's eleven. I could keep going on and on, actually. Dick had no redeeming qualities, in my eyes. We are all supposed to forgive him and like him because he fell in love with Iris and things worked out? Well, what if he hadn't fallen in love with her? What if things hadn't worked out? He had no plans on changing anything, or doing the right thing in those instances. He was perfectly willing to basically get himself a female slave by trapping some poor woman into his snare (by compromising her,) and then forcing her to do his will because men "owned" women back then. It's disgusting! I really wish I could kick his fictional ass!

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 1.5

I’ll keep this short because I am raging right now.

After finishing this book I only have one word for it: NOPE.

I’m pissed off.

I cannot even begin to tell you just how pissed off I am. I don’t even want to know what Quinn was thinking because this is so horrific and I cannot. Gone is the humor that characterizes her novels and instead we have painful rejections and awkward interactions mixed with selfish sisters.

That sorry excuse of a relationship. I’m sorry. Iris deserves better than Richard. I found their relationship to be too fast, too rushed, too inorganic for me to believe even for a second that real feelings could’ve developed. I mean, I thought for sure she would’ve developed them because she had no idea what the hell Richard was hiding from her. Even so, I didn’t feel it. No zing, no connection, nada.

The famous secret? Fuck off. What kind of manipulative bullshit is this?

The star I gave this book is solely because of Iris. What a wonderful heroine to be wasted on such a good for nothing ’hero’. She deserves so much better than a lying, deceitful, two-faced bastard who, to make matters worse, feels so awful about what he has to do but yup, does it anyway. DUDE, AT LEAST OWN UP TO YOUR ASSHATTERY. Don’t care if that’s not a word, I just made it so. I take issue with the fact that she was too fucking quick to forgive him. I would’ve frozen him out for so long he would’ve thought he had moved to Siberia.

I do believe that Hugh and Iris would’ve been a much better pairing. Sarah and Richard would be perfect for each other though that would’ve made one hell of an unreadable book.

[Cookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For as many disappointing reviews I've seen around of Julia Quinn's newest book, I was surprised how much I really. really liked the whole thing. I shouldn't be surprised though - I am not in the same sphere of people who think Quinn has gone downhill since her Bridgerton books.



I especially applaud this book because it tackles forgiveness in a relationship without the crime that begs forgiveness being infidelity. You know, sometimes it's just that people you love disappoint you in major ways and you have the choice to burn a bridge or find a way to work through it. At the end of the day, I read romance to indulge my belief that people can work through it and come out of the other side happy and whole.



I'm trying to not make my post be about how people give up on their marriages because of the sense that there's someone better out there for them, because that's not what this book is about. I was just really stirred by the fact that this is a love story about people who DECIDE to overcome BIG OBSTACLES.





Richard Kenworthy woos and quickly marries Iris Smythe-Smith under circumstances that he doesn't entirely disclose. In the course of the first few weeks of their marriage, Iris finds out all the troubling reasons why she was chosen and courted and begins to feel...everything. Regret. Anger. Loneliness. Heartbreak.



Look, I get most readers gripes about Richard lying and doing stupid things and asking for too much from Iris. I get it.


But I also get that his situation was impossible, as was Iris' situation, and what I thought was spectacular was the palpable feeling of absolute desperation.



The whole thing, while awful, I felt was beautifully handled and written. There was anger, and heartbreak and tears. I felt a real poignancy to Richards remorse and a genuine fondness for Iris, for her flaws and her courage.



There are very few historical romances that I can really write anything of note about beyond that I thought it was fun and romantic. I want more books like this one - more writing that feels like it gets to the heart of people - complicated people - and explores how you view your own relationships or what you'd do for someone else.



Once upon a time, I simply read romance to see boy fall in love with girl and live happily ever after. But what's the saying? Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt? I'm in a stage in my life where I want a little more teeth - and that's probably why I don't read all romance all the time now. I still love them, and I'll probably always read a fair amount (give or take 100), but I don't want to read a love story that is easy. Because love isn't easy.




"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."



Love is hard.



Julia Quinn has a real talent for understanding people, and therefore, writing spectacular characters. Sometimes with hilarious results (her pall-mall scene in The Viscount who Loved Me is still, hands down, the funniest, most brilliant piece of writing in a romance to date for me. "I win!" I'm laughing just typing about it). Sometimes, as with The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy, with gut kicking results.



I will gladly read anything Quinn writes and happily put my money where my mouth is...even if that's not the right way to use that saying. (?)

[Drew Doll · Rating 1 out of 5]

I cannot believe I am saying this about a Julia Quinn novel but I absolutely hate this book.



There is nothing even remotely appealing about Sir Richard Kenworthy. He is a sniveling, cowardly little rat. I understand there is an underlying theme of loving your family so much you will go to any lengths to protect them but when those lengths include lying and deceiving a spouse to their detriment you have gone too far. The more I read of this book the more I hoped Devil St. Ives would show up to horse-whip Richard.



I can read the words and tell there is supposed to be humor in the book. However, my overwhelming sorrow for how mistreated Iris is and anger at what an incredible putz Richard is deadens any levity. It's not that the book is poorly written - it is that Richard is such a totally unsympathetic character that I kept hoping the entire book that Ms. Quinn would kill him off (pecked to death by pigeons?) and introduce Iris's real husband.



That's my suggestion for the next book. Ms. Quinn should have Richard fall off a cliff and a kind, caring, trustworthy and honest husband show up for Iris. We could call it the The Well-Deserved Demise of Sir Richard Kenworthy.

Would I read it again? NEVER!

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This has one of THE WORST heroes I've ever read. I hated him and what he made the heroine do at the end. She deserved way better.

[Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book surprised me quite a lot how good it was in the beginning. Most romance books I usually read tend to be not to my liking. But I just loved the humor at the beginning of this book. I was really happy to read a book that started off that great. Then something happened, the humor disappeared and instead, the story took a more, “serious” tone, I can’t even say it was especially romantic. Because in my opinion, it’s hard to like a man that tricks you into marriage and then don’t explain why he did it. That don’t even explain why he can’t consummate the marriage, leaving the bride feeling unwanted and confused because even though they have only known each other for a short time she has feelings for him. He feels guilty about lying, but still, he doesn’t say anything g until the last minute and that makes him a real scoundrel I think.

It wasn’t that hard to figure out why he didn’t want to consummate the marriage, I figured it out quite fast, long before Iris got to know why Richard married her and seriously that was the least thought out plan ever! I don’t know how he was thinking, or rather if he even thought about the consequences of his actions. He thought so much about protecting his family (his two younger sisters) that he included an innocent person in his schemes.

In the end, I just want to say that lying is never good, it was a lie that started this mess and when everyone was honest with each other then they could work out what to do. If Richard and his sister had been honest with each other right from the start, then perhaps they could have worked out something that didn’t involve a rushed marriage. Hell if he had told Iris after the wedding about why he had to get married then they could have had fewer misunderstandings. But then again, then it would have been no drama...

But even though I didn’t like the story were much, in the end, did I like Julia Quinn's writing style, the book was easy to read, the humor great and I would very much read another of her books just to see if the story works better for me.

2.5 stars (An extra half star beacuse of the great beginning)

Thank you Piatkus for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!

[Sher❤ The Fabulous BookLover · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 I'm DONE with JQ Stars

I'm officially breaking up with Julia Quinn.



Which is sad because she was my auto-buy HR author for years. JQ is the one who introduced me too the world of historical romance, her Bridgerton series is to die for and her book When He Was Wicked is in my top 5 all time favorite HR books, right up there with Devil in Winter.

I don't know what's going on, but lately her books have not been doing it for me. I'm so pissed off right now so I'll try to keep this short and simple.

What I HATED about this:

1. The hero, Sir Richard, is a dick of all dicks! He's manipulative and deceitful and I don't know how the herione fell in love with him. I would've dropped kicked him so hard there would be no him! There was literally nothing to like about Richard. I tried to find something but I couldn't find a thing.

2. This Smythe-Smith series is horrible. This is one of the worst series I've ever read. I don't think I've given a book in this series anything over 3 stars.

3. When did it become funny to laugh at people that can't play a musical instrument?! Yes it was funny in the Bridgerton series, but it's old now. I've played instruments for years and I know how hard it can be, so to me it's NOT funny when someone is sincerely trying to learn or play a musical instrument. It's. Not. Funny.

4. There was literally no hot and steamy scenes. Iris and Richard finally consummated their marriage the last 3 pages of the book. Are you freaking kidding me! The sex was so badly written, I felt awkward and weird reading it. I started skimming through that scene and I NEVER skim over a hot and sexy scene.

5. I was bored out of my mind! There was probably 3 or 4 chapters with the characters talking about dull things like farming tenants for instance.

6. There was not one likeable character. Not one. I didn't even care for the herione.

7. The plot is laughable. It was mean, deceitful and plain stupid. Richard had to quickly find a wife so she could pretend to be pregnant with his sisters baby so his sisters won't be ruined.

8. Thank God I got this from the library, because if I bought this book there would be hell to pay.

Overall, if you're looking for classic JQ you won't get it here. I don't recommend this book. I do recommend Lisa Kleypas and Elizabeth Hoyt. But if you do want to read JQ, her earlier works like the Bridgerton series is amazing. Now that's a series worth reading.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up giving this a B- at AAR, which I think is closer to 4 stars than 3.

I’ve seen a lot of very mixed reactions to this book, which is the final novel in the author’s Smythe-Smith Quartet. All the negative comments I’ve seen concern the actions of the hero, the eponymous Sir Richard, who - it’s true - perpetrates a rather despicable deception on the heroine. But when I reached the end of the book, I found I was thinking of him as a decent man who had been backed into a corner and who made a very poor decision as a result rather than as a truly horrible person.

The questions as to the hero’s... well, hero-ness then struck me as being something that isn’t quite in Julia Quinn’s normal way. She’s known principally for deftly written romantic comedies full of sparkling wit and humour, but this book – this series, in fact – has employed some darker themes which haven’t always sat well in conjunction with her normally light, comedic style. There’s also been a tendency towards the melodramatic throughout the series (the dénoument of The Sum of All Kisses, I’m looking at YOU!) which I’ve found somewhat jarring when once again set against Ms Quinn’s usually more lighthearted fare.

Having said all that – I enjoyed The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy, while recognising that those secrets – and actually, there’s only one secret – and the way in which Richard keeps them from Iris, may be what makes this book practically unreadable for others.

The annual Smythe-Smith musicale was first introduced in the author’s Bridgerton series (I believe), and is known throughout the ton for being the musical event of the season…primarily as one that should be avoided at all costs. It’s that time of the year again, the young women of the family are designated to perform – and their friends and family attend in a show of support while discreetly packing cotton-wool into their ears. The one member of the quartet with any real musical talent is the cellist, Iris, whom we’ve met in the previous books. With her pale hair, eyes and skin she’s used to blending into the background and most of the time, she likes it that way as it affords her the chance to observe the idiosyncrasies and absurdities of life among the great and good of society.

So she’s surprised and rather unnerved when she notices a rather handsome young man staring at her throughout the performance, and even more surprised when he angles for an introduction. He is Sir Richard Kenworthy, a baronet who resides principally in Yorkshire and even though Iris is rather suspicious of Richard’s eagerness to meet her, she can’t help feeling a little flattered by the attentions of such a charming man.

A week later, following several morning calls, walks and drives in the park, Richard proposes – and while Iris is tempted, she asks him for more time to get to know him. But what she doesn’t know – and he doesn’t tell her – is that he doesn’t have time to spend on a courtship. He needs a wife and he needs one immediately, so he manoeuvres Iris into a compromising position, knowing that will force the issue.

Iris is dismayed. She likes Richard very much and, had his proposal been less precipitate, is fairly sure she would have accepted him. But now, she has had her choices taken away from her, and doesn’t know why.

The fact that Richard likes Iris just as much makes him feel like the lowest of the low. He has come to London with the intention of finding himself a bride from the ranks of the veterans of several seasons whose desire to marry has turned desperate. Instead, he’s smitten with Iris’ pale beauty and her quick wit – although he can’t deny that he also chose her because he suspected her tendency to fade into the background would mean she was unlikely to be one of the ton’s most sought after young ladies.

The first half of the book is very enjoyable, and Ms Quinn keeps the mystery of Richard’s reasons for needing to get married sufficiently vague as to keep the reader hooked and wanting to know more. Her trademark humour and lightness of touch are much in evidence, and even though Richard’s actions are not of the best, he does genuinely care for Iris and shows her some lovely moments of tenderness and genuine affection.

The real problems start after the wedding, when Richard refuses to consummate the marriage, leaving Iris feeling undesired and unattractive. Arrived at her new home, she is surprised to see Richard utterly livid when he learns that his two sisters have departed to stay with their aunt. Her suspicions that all is not as it seems are only strengthened, but with no evidence to go on but a vague feeling, she decides to try to set them aside as she adjusts to her new life.

Reasoning that he might as well take advantage of his sisters’ absence to spend time alone with Iris, Richard decides to offer her the courtship he wasn’t able to give her before and hopes to encourage her affection for him before he has to come clean about his reasons for marrying her. And here’s another nail in the coffin of Richard’s “hero-dom” – he is so desperate to take his new wife to bed, that he’s completely unable to resist touching her affectionately, or kissing her passionately – only to realise what he’s doing and pull back, leaving her alone, unsatisfied and bewildered.

When Richard’s reasons for marrying Iris so quickly were revealed, I confess I thought it was a dumb plan. Then I thought about it some more, and realised that it’s not actually beyond the bounds of possibility – even though it’s still a dumb plan. It’s difficult to say much more without spoilers, but the whole thing was born of Richard’s desperation to protect his younger sisters. He’s their legal guardian as well as their brother, a responsibility that came to him after the death of their parents when he was still at university. Having no idea how to care for two young girls – and, being a young man, not very much interested in doing so – he palmed them off on their aunt, something for which he now feels very guilty and for which he is obviously trying to atone.

This book has clearly divided opinions, and I can’t deny I’ve got mixed feelings about it. Iris is a terrific heroine – intelligent, kind and ultimately a tower of emotional strength, and it’s much in Richard’s favour that he is well able to recognise what a treasure he has unearthed in her. He’s not such a well-drawn character though, partly, I suspect because readers have had three other books in which to become acquainted with Iris, and partly because of the necessity to keep his motives hidden for a large part of the story.

The ending of the book feels rushed, and the solution to everybody’s problems seems to have been arrived at too easily when compared to the desperation evinced by Richard’s shameful deception. The fact that the behaviour of Richard’s eldest sister is so unpleasant doesn’t help the readers to sympathise with his actions, and as with the last book, the melodrama of the situation overbalances the final chapters.

Ultimately, I have to write reviews based on my own enjoyment, and I did enjoy reading The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy, despite my reservations. Richard is terribly misguided but not the contemptible bastard he has been labelled by some. In fact, he’s affable and rather sweet, and as I said at the outset, seems to me to be a man with his back against the wall who makes a very poor choice. It’s strongly written and there is much to enjoy in the relationship between the principals in the early stages, but I can see that it might not be a book for everybody.

[♥Sharon♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED Iris Smythe-Smith! She was great. Definitely no shrinking violet or in her case iris! LOL Good thing because while Sir Richard Kenworthy was charming he could also be a bastard.

Right from the beginning you know there is a BIG secret that Sir Richard is hiding. Iris can sense it but for the life of her she can't figure it out. One thing leads to another and rather quickly these two are married.

Shortly after Sir Richard and Iris arrive at his family home it doesn't take long for the two of them to truly become a couple. Iris was falling in love with Richard and there is no doubt that Richard loves her. But as the days pass by Richard knows the time is coming when his secret would be revealed. And while his secret comes from a good place he is almost certain that Iris won't understand and the risk of losing her is something he cannot not face.

Another FANTASTIC installment in this series. ❤

[Pepa · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es una mala novela. Engancha, se lee rápido. La primera parte cuenta con escenas divertidas con el sello típico de la autora. Los personajes están bien construidos y desde luego la autora sabe enganchar al lector con el secreto de Richard que le da título a la novela.
El problema han sido los personajes. No me han gustado ninguno.
Ella demasiado sumisa, pese a su fuerte carácter, dice a todo que sí sin rechistar y pese a que se enfada, su parte práctica le ha quitado lo que de ella me hubiera podido gustar.
Él. Puedo entender sus motivaciones, pero no la forma cruel en la que la trata "después de..." Me han faltado páginas para que se redima, la verdad
Las hermanas. Está claro que la pequeña puede ser una futura protagonista. Ya veremos. Egoísta y ... no digo más para no desvelar
La mayor... poco puedo decir de ella para no desverlar nada de lo mejor de la trama.
Si os gusta esta autora, os gustará la novela, depende de lo que os digan a vosotr@s los personajes.

Reseña completa http://masromance.blogspot.com.es/201...

[Celia {Hiatus until August} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu adorei este livro, para não variar, e tal como refiro sempre, não sei se a minha opinião tem idoneidade suficiente para... Adoro Julia Quinn!
No entanto, e não consigo entender, li, como é hábito as reviews sobre este livro, como é que a classificação é tão baixa. Talvez a expectativa seja alta, haja comparação com a série Bridgertons...
Eu gostei muito desta, o estilo é o mesmo.
Talvez pela situação/paisagem houve partes que me fizeram recordar https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
O inicio fez-me chorar... de tanto rir... Ai unicórnio, Frances, unicórnio... Adorável...
Também li muitas criticas à personagem de Richard, eu gostei.
Vamos lá a ver, "estamos" em 1800, ok? O homem mandava, literalmente na mulher. Não havia volta a dar. Achei a personagem querida, a solução foi à cromo mas ele também não estava em poder de toda a informação e não tinha as "ferramentas" para dar a volta à questão.
A história cativou-me até ao final, o grande segredo de Richard... Muita especulação...
Mas ele foi um querido com Iris, gostei da história deles.
Não entendo porque criticam o enredo, não houve traição, a maior parte das histórias o homem trai a mulher e ela perdoa, aqui houve valores mais altos.

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I read a lot of romance and I've read a lot of romance from the '70 and '80s so when I began hearing of a "secret" that was throwing everyone into a frenzy in this story, my imagination went wild. I'm going to put what I was imagining in spoiler tags so as not to ruin anything people who haven't read the book may be imagining.I imagined an insane wife locked in the attic, old blood feud that required the killing of the enemy's daughter, and as I read the story I, seriously, thought the sister was going to be a step-sister or even half sister and was carrying Richard's baby. So, because my shock has been weathered down due to my gluttony in this genre, I got to the secret and ended up not being disturbed horribly one way or the other. This is the genre of marrying because of wills and decades old blood feuds! I don't think the secret here was too crazy but I do understand how people left with a negative vibe from this book.

I was quite a fan of the first 80% of this book as I really enjoyed Iris and Richard's dialogue; they had a wonderful teasing and playful flow. I also think this had a very grown-up feel to it, meaning this is not a puppies and rainbows romance. There was a realistic and realness feeling of how two people who have just meet fall in love. Butterflies, nervousness, awkwardness, and tempered excitement all color Iris and Richard's interactions, I found myself feeling hopeful for them. This is no two hot people have the hots for each other but a view into the learning of one another, it was all sweetly real.

As to Richard not being truthful as to why he wanted to marry Iris, I didn't have a huge problem with it because like I said, I've cut my teeth on the revenge marriages of the '70s. What I did have a problem with was how all the characters suddenly turned very vitriol, really quite nasty. I understand that Iris was upset and felt betrayed and that led to her snappiness and coldness and Richard's barking of orders and general a-holeness was because of the stress of lying and trying to make things work out but all this anger and hate came at the last 20% or so. I can handle our leads being at odds in the beginning but at the end I like my couples to have figured it out and be growing emotionally and sexually closer. The switching of gears and flip flopped feeling left much to be desired for me, not to mention the very rushed ending.

I will say, this was my favorite from the series. I was just about to give up on Julia Quinn but the dialogue and interaction between Richard and Iris in the beginning has me on board for reading her next book.

[Heidi (can’t retire soon enough) · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are times in life when you just need to escape — I find myself saving Julia Quinn novels for just those times.

I liked the charming Iris but the setup took waaaayyy too long. And the ending was pretty easy to figure out but I got my happy ending!!

[Paige Bookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-oops-she-did-it-again-stars

"Love is when you forgive the unforgivable "

Well, color me impressed. I have read so many books in a lifetime that I'm not usually easily shocked when it comes to a story plot but Julia Quinn is definitely someone you shouldn't take for granted.

And...

Excuse me for sounding so smug, but it's so hard not to gloat when you are in possession of an entertaining book. The Smythe-Smith series is an absolute delight and the characters are adorable. (Unicorn, anyone?)

One question though. Will there be a fifth book?

[MRB · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sometimes I find myself really liking the Julia Quinn novels that most are decidedly indifferent to (and, conversely, failing to love some of her most popular ones!) So, despite reading a few ominous reviews of this book from readers whose opinions I trust, I was prepared to form my own opinion. Sadly, that opinion turned out to be that this is the worst Quinn novel I've ever read. The humor is painfully forced and unfunny, but the large stretches of dull dreariness are even more unpleasant to slog through.

The heroine is fine, albeit not interesting or memorable to me, but the "hero"...*shudder* As others have explained more eloquently than I could, this hero is the WORST. I tend to like flawed heroes and certainly don't need or want them to be blandly perfect, but this guy is just awful, and not even in an entertaining or amusing way. His titular "secret" is something that should have the heroine sprinting in the opposite direction. It's especially disappointing for me because I generally think Quinn's heroes are among the more appealing ones out there---in large part because, unlike the ultra-alpha jerks who dominate a lot of romantic fiction today, they tend to be so genuinely kind. This guy is...did I mention the worst?! Seriously, even if I had enjoyed other aspects of this novel, the characterization of the hero would have been enough to turn me off this book---and, sadly, I didn't enjoy other aspects of this novel. I rarely give one-star reviews, but I honestly couldn't come up with a valid reason to give this clunker even two stars.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started off really, really well. I love her writing, and the fact that it's always fast-paced and full of banter and quick-witted replies. The start to this book was no different, because even in spite of the forced marriage thing I still enjoyed it. Mostly because Richard was aware that what he was doing was reprehensible and he did feel sorry. But then it all sort of went south pretty fast. It started dragging a little, right around the time they arrived at Maycliffe and the reveal of the reason for the forced marriage fell completely short. I just did not care for all of the drama that went along with it.

I still enjoyed this for the most part, and even after the reveal I was still planning on being generous and go with 3 stars. But then the final 10% of so ruined that, when all I wanted to do was shake Fleur until she stopped talking altogether. I didn't even care about her reasoning in the end, I'd had it.

Though it needs to be mentioned that the scene with Harriet's play is pure brilliance. I laughed out loud throughout all of that, I am so very fond of the silliness. So, basically 3-4 stars for the first part and then a sad 1-2 stars for everything else. I am most displeased that the two new book releases I was looking forward to this month have both resulted in a 2-star-rating. Most disappointing.

Clearly I need to do a re-read of the Bridgerton books. Posthaste.

[Iary · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy a.k.a. "Am I really reading a Julia Quinn novel?"

Lately, Ms. Quinn has been writing rather bland books… but this one was actually kind of insulting. Which is new for her… and hopefully a situation not to be repeated.

You probably already know the premises: a peer of some kind comes down to London to hunt for a bride in two weeks or less. He finds the pale redhead to be adequate to his tastes and requirements, kisses her in a awfully brutish way, in order to compromise her and whisks her away to his far, far, FAR away home.

I had so many issues with this book, after just a hundred pages or so, it wasn’t even funny anymore.

First of all, how can Iris still stand the creature after that really, really botched kiss (to be read “assault”) that compromised her? Secondly, how can her parents/aunts/clan force her to marry the cretin? After all, she was caught “kissing” him by one of her own aunts, who is supposedly able to keep her mouth shut. They were never seen by anyone else, so how would the gossip actually start? And even if the gossip did start, Iris was already on her way to becoming a spinster, so why would the entire thing have caused her to be shunned by society, even provided that her aunt could really not keep quiet? And don’t even get me started on the parents...

Moving on. As their trip north began, so did the questions. Why isn’t he poorer? After all, he’s only a “Sir” and up to that moment it had been hinted that he might have only wanted her for her dowry, even if there was really not much of it… Why is he so well-known (where was he going since the innkeepers know him, but the whole of London doesn’t) and, of course, since this IS supposedly, a romance novel, why isn’t he banging his wife?
Then, for about fifty pages, as we get to the house and the ties start binding, I entered a serious state of denial. I saw the disaster coming, but I still refused to believe it.

no… No… NO! This kind of plot CANNOT exist in a Julia Quinn novel! She’s not Jo Beverly! She’s not Virginia Henley! Noooooo!!!!!

Alas, it did exist.

Never before have I witnessed such a slap in the face of womanhood (because we can’t even talk about feminism here); no, actually I have noticed this before, back when I was trying to survive through some Company of Rogues novels.

The “hero” manipulated, lied, assaulted and generally kept the “heroine” in the dark in order to have her pass his sister’s bastard as her own child... And, while she is incredulous for about a chapter or so, she soon starts thinking that she might actually love him. And then everything is great because hey! the sister can marry the baby's father, because he’s not dead, but then she can’t, because he’s beneath her station… and apparently this terrifying and distasteful plan was concocted by the “hero” just so his other sister might have a season in London and make a good match. Crazy, anyone? Forget Maycliffe Park! Bedlam would have been a much cosier place for these characters.

I cannot even begin to describe the complete disappointment I felt not only with the book and the characters, but with the author as well. Ms. Quinn! I started reading historical romances thanks to you! I managed to escape the crappiness of reality at times, thanks to you and other authors like yourself, authors I discovered because I liked your novels so much! What have you done!?

The review may also be found at:
Ze Blog

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED LOVED this one!!!!!

[Maja - BibliophiliaDK ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.5⭐

After the high of the previous book in this series, this was a total letdown for me. Sir Richard was, for a lack of a better word, an ass. He was not a worthy romantic hero and he certainly didn't deserve Iris. The way he spoke to her and his sisters turned me off to quickly. I was not pleased at all.

[Alba Turunen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Estrellitas. Me ha costado mucho decidirme, pero al final me he decantado por las 4 estrellitas porque el libro ha estado mejor de lo que creía.

Admito que no esperaba gran cosa de la novela por sus pésimas críticas, pero si soy sincera, el que mejores críticas tuvo fue el tercero y me pareció un rollo patatero.

En éste caso, "Los secretos de Sir Richard Kenworthy" no ha sido nada rollete. Me enganchó desde sus primeros capítulos, y aunque ha tenido sus más y sus menos, sus momentos de querer cagarme en los personajes y sobre todo en las hermanas de Richard, confieso que me ha gustado tanto como el primer libro de las Smythe-Smiths.

En éste último libro de la serie, tenemos a la prima soltera Smythe-Smith que quedaba por casarse. Iris es la más tímida de las primas, no es de las que más destaque en elegancia o belleza, pero si hay algo que comparte con sus primas es querer casarse y mandar a la porra el concierto que toda debutante Smythe-Smith debe dar cada primavera.

Será en su tercera temporada cuando al fin Iris conozca a Sir Richard Kenworthy. Richard es un baronet, un caballero de Yorkshire que ha acudido a Londres con unos poderosos motivos; debe conocer a una debutante pronto y casarse en pocas semanas, antes de volver a su casa de campo.

Cuando una noche Richard acompaña a su amigo, Winston Bevelstoke, al concierto anual de las Smythe-Smith, Richard pone el ojo en la chica que se esconde tras el violonchelo: Iris Smythe-Smith, una joven pálida y tímida, que atrae a Richard desde el principio, hasta el punto de que éste está convencido de que Iris debe ser la elegida.

Iris es más inteligente de lo que parece, y sabe que Sir Richard oculta algo más allá de su interés por ella. No sabe qué es, pero Sir Richard la acaba metiendo en un aprieto que los unirá de por vida, y en seguida tendremos el romance de un matrimonio que deberá pasar una serie de obstáculos muy difíciles, si quieren darse la oportunidad de conocerse en serio.

Si soy sincera, lo peor de éste libro realmente ha sido la actitud de Sir Richard. No es un protagonista del que te enamores fácilmente, y no lo es por la sencilla razón de cómo manipula a Iris y la situación para conseguir sus propósitos, que no son otros que esos secretos que guarda.

Por otro lado, los secretos de Sir Richard, diría que no son realmente suyos, pues atañen a sus hermanas y él cree que la suya es la única manera de solucionar las cosas. Si me preguntan a mí diré que las hermanas son unas niñatas odiosas que no me han permitido disfrutar más del libro, pues de haber sido las cosas de otra manera, los protagonistas se habrían enamorado en mejores circunstancias y Iris habría tenido el cortejo y la boda que se merecía.

Es verdad que el propio Richard no ha sido santo de mi devoción. En éste libro el personaje que más me ha gustado y con el que he empatizado es Iris. Según vas leyendo, te sientes igual que la protagonista, con sus mismas dudas, pero resignada a su situación y con entereza de cara a aceptar lo que el futuro le depare.

El romance no ha sido de los mejores, pese a que nace poco a poco entre los protagonistas, pero han sido esos secretos los que los han tenido más separados que unidos. Pese a ello, Julia Quinn lo ha solucionado mejor de lo que creía.

Sin duda las Smythe-Smith no son la serie más memorable de Julia Quinn, si no que es de las más corrientuchas. Al menos me ha gustado cómo empezó y como ha terminado.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here are some of my thoughts:
• I really like Iris. She is so sensible (which I am as well). I find myself rooting for her throughout the book because she is really trying to do her best given her situation, while Richard is being difficult and confusing. She is also family-oriented (as all the Smyth-Smiths seem to be) and intelligent.
• Richard. I like him, but dang he makes things unnecessarily complicated at times. His actions make sense during his *secret* situation, but Iris definitely stepped it up and is *almost* too good for him. However, he does redeem himself later on, and he really is a good guy overall.
• Daisy is so extra, I can’t. LOL. I’m quite disappointed that she doesn’t have her own book because I want to see if she is more thoughtful than she seems. In addition, I want to see who is able to handle her.
• For that matter, I want to see all the other Smyth-Smith girls, particularly Harriet with her crazy, dramatic plays. Elizabeth and Frances are amusing as always (but too young to have their own books, I believe).
• Harriet’s play scene with Frances having her unicorn horn stuck is so darn adorable and funny.
• I like the peacefulness of Maycliffe Park.
• This honestly would have made for a stronger read if we had actual scenes with Fleur’s romance.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is not my favorite Julia Quinn book, but it is one of the more pleasant ones. I’ll give this 3.5 stars (maybe 3).

Things that you might want to know (WARNING: Spoilers below)
Happy/satisfying ending? Yes. Cute. I would like to hear more about Fleur and John. I wanted to see them with their own scene. He seems like a solid guy, and if Julia Quinn developed their storyline, it would have made this a more interesting read.
Love triangle? Cheating? Angst level? Other things to note? No, no, low.

We know John had slept around before he met Iris, especially in his youth, but no specific details or persons.

Iris had no real other love interest/history except for John.
Tears-worthy? Can get emotional, but honestly not depressing at all. A happier book.
Humor? Yes, bits of humor here and there.
Favorite scenes? Harriet’s play. The proposal (because it was intense and crazy and a bit of a plot twist even though we saw it coming). When Iris moved to Maycliffe Park, and is getting a feel for the land. The end+epilogue.
What age level would be appropriate? Mature audience. Explicit details on sex. Vague mentions of prostitutes (in relation to a side character).

[Viri · Rating 3 out of 5]

En realidad fue un buen libro. Tuvo unas escenas realmente hilarantes, que me recordaron cuanto adoro la pluma de Julia Quinn. Pero nunca termine de empatizar totalmente con los personajes principales, y aunque fue una historia sencilla no tuvo momentos memorables. En fin, de toda la serie me sigo quedando con La suma de todos los besos. Este se queda en mi estantería por muuuuucho tiempo.

[Sory]

[Lexie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have, from the very first book in the Smythe-Smith Quartet...no actually from the very first Bridgerton Saga novel I read (of which this is a companion series to that Saga, the events often tangling with those 8 novels in many ways) loved the idea of the Smythe-Smith family.  My own family being somewhat large and sprawling I can very well understand how it feels to be labelled "One of many" or to be generalized as "Oh one of those kids".  

Its sometimes a blessing - how often do casual acquaintances remember individual kids they see maybe once a year?  You'd be surprised what you can get away with saying and then the next year they don't remember it was you.  And then its sometimes a curse - when you don't really "excel" at anything, your accomplishments tend to get lumped in or overshadowed by others easily.  This is rather the problem I've had with the last book (The Sum Of All His Kisses), for the life of me until I re-read my review I had forgotten what it was about.  Math?  Kissing = Math?  Or something? (Its um not quite about that)

So I had HOPES for this book.  Big HOPES.  Dramatic historical romance heroine HOPES (of which there's always italics and breathy sighs and emphasis given).  And in case you missed it the first time HIGH HIGH HOPES.

Some of those hopes were fulfilled.  Many of them in ways that angered me so very very much.

Look THE DUKE AND I is my very favorite Bridgerton novel and THE DEVIL IN WINTER by Lisa Kleypas is one of my very favorite historical romances of all time, so I'm used to grumpy, grouchy, passionate heroes who marry the heroines for their convenient reasons. I'm used to them compromising said lady to get it done (though in DEVIL that isn't quite the way it happens).  Hell I'm even used to the Heel Turns their personalities often take as they realize/deny their love for said heroine.

So trust me when I say I never wanted to murder a hero more then I did when Richard decided to contend for the Jackass Hero of the Year award.  

For those familiar with THE DUKE AND I you may see shades of that occurring here.  Iris, like Daphne, believes her marriage--despite starting as a confusing mix of quickness and deceit--could be something more.  She sees/feels something in Richard that makes her think there is more then just the surface.  But Iris, like Daphne, doesn't understand the WHOLE truth because Richard (like Simon) had what he felt was a very good reason to treat his awfully.

Here's the thing, Simon did what he did because he had a certain level of proof that made what he wanted to avoid logical (given his emotional issues tied up with it).  And he didn't set out to marry Daphne--that happened because of circumstance and he told her, point blank, what he wanted to avoid (she just chose to ignore it) even if he didn't tell her the why of it.  Richard does no such thing.  He courts, compromises and then marries, Iris under the assumption of "love" and "passion".  He acts, and says, things of a charming persuasive and even sexual nature to Iris during the day and then at night won't even LOOK at her.

Iris meanwhile has spent much of her life in the shadows of her other relatives, not a stunning beauty nor extroverted person by nature Iris believed what many women who read romances dream of happening--gorgeous, attractive, highly wanted Richard saw in her something more then what was on the surface.  He understood her, understood how to help her and show her new experiences.  Imagine how it would feel if night after night, week after week, the man you thought saw your real self rejected you.  Not because of anything you did, but you'd believe it was something you did because what else could it be?  

And when he finally deigns to tell you WHY, why he manipulated you and forced your hand and played with your emotions the way he did, you can't do anything about it.  

More than anything else I wanted Iris to leave Richard and never look back.  I wanted her to show him what happens when you manipulate and scheme and deliberately ruin another's life for what you believe to be "good reasons".  If not for the fact this was a romance he didn't plan to fall in love with Iris, so what was his plan?  to continually treat her shabbily, never telling her anything and expecting her to be okay with it?  He was so worried about one scandal and one person's feelings that he never stopped to think he was doing something JUST AS BAD.  

Oh he plead remorse and seemed unhappy and regretful, but if not for the romance deus ex machina at the end nothing would have changed.

And that pisses me off like you have no idea.  

In the end this got 2 stars because Iris, and her family, are as always endearing and entertaining.  And really that only deserves half a star, but I can't do 1.5 stars...

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads
Blog rating: C

Richard Kenworthy needs a wife and fast. We don’t know why initially he’s in such a rush to get married. Only that he needs to quickly find the right kind of woman and he thinks he has in Iris Smythe-Smith. The fact that he sees her first at the annual (and still tragic) Smythe-Smith musical and he still wants to meet her should have warning bells going off all over the place. Iris is definitely skeptical and being someone who observes and notices everything, she knows right off that Richard isn’t telling her the truth. But he courts her and after a very short time asks her to marry him. When she asks for time, he kisses her knowing full well that they’ll be caught, they are, and now with Iris being compromised, she has no choice but to marry him. She leaves the only home she’s ever known for Richard’s estate and meets his two sisters, one of them being the reason for his hasty marriage.

I feel like the majority of the books I’ve read lately have me torn in one way or another and this is no exception. I adored Iris. She’s smart, witty and nothing gets past her. She may not be as outrageous as some of the other heroines we’ve come to know in this series, or as crazy as her sister Daisy is (who I love as well), but she’s still written in a way that had me feeling for her even knowing that whatever it is that Richard’s keeping a secret was going to crush her. When it does, my heart went out to her and above anything else, I wanted Iris to be happy, somehow, someway.

Richard, for as good of a guy he truly is, he still deceives Iris for much of the story. Sure he does it for what he believes to be a valid reason and he’s trying to be the best big brother and guardian to his two younger sisters that he can, but he still lies. His secret is also the reason that our hero and heroine don’t do much more than kiss and mess around for nearly the entire book. No actual sex until the last dying page (pretty much) of the book. I need more romance! More stolen moments! Just more! Because of that, I just never really believed that these two people fell in love. It’s not just the absence of sex, there just wasn’t a strong connection between them and that was mainly due to Richard keeping the real reason that he married Iris a secret for so long. He even goes so far as to admit that he didn’t marry her for love or any of the reasons he should have. The problem was, I never believed that he actually did fall in love with her, even after he declares it.

I was let down with this latest Smythe-Smith story. It lacked that fun/humorous factor that other books in this series have. Iris is fabulous and I enjoyed getting to know her. I just didn’t think that Richard was a worthy hero for her. Sure, I get that he’s trying to do right by his sister with his big marriage scheme, but being a great big brother doesn’t automatically make a great hero. The connection between Iris and Richard was lacking and I was left wanting more for them and their relationship.

[Ursula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book I enjoyed overmuch. The hero's idea to save his sisters and his motivation to marry the heroine - really fast - were. Just. No. Interesting plot-line. But. No.

How you would think it was ok to sacrifice someone else's chance at happiness and shackle them to you for life is beyond me. When that person was not well-known to you, and had done you no harm and had aways been sweet towards you makes it worse. Iris simply did not deserve to be used in this way. But use her our noble hero does.

Friends, you know I struggle with forgiveness. You know I have very high standards for my heroes. You know I hate heroines who are just so nice and kind that they are willing to forgive their man anything. Forgiveness is good. But there needs to be true remorse, true acknowledgement of the offence and a time of penance. That is how you earn forgiveness. Because if you don't work for it, you will never truly learn from your experience. You will just keep being an arse. It cuts both ways, I hasten to add- a heroine who wrongs a hero needs to do the same.

So Sir Richard Kenworthy (awful, pompous name btw) is an arse and Iris, dear sweet Iris, deserved better. The book was well-written, (Julia Quinn knows how to write, so 3 stars) but she just doesn't write heroes I like. I am a sucker for love at first sight, passionate attraction and lots of emotion. Drama. Angst. A ripper HEA. I just didn't get that here. My heart didn't race, I just felt sick in my stomach with Sir Richard's manipulative, calculating behaviour.
And a tad frustrated by the lack of choices young ladies had in Regency England, tbh. Grateful to be alive in the NOW :)
There will be many who will love this book. It's just that I am not one of them.

[Alex · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worst. Hero. Ever. Iris deserved way better than this.

[Cee (The Mistress Case) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second Read: April 25, 2016

Rating: 2.5 Stars. The book pained and sickened me as much as the first time.


First Read: Feb 2, 2015

Main thought: Not one of JQ's best. Quite disappointed. Not certain how to rate this.

For once she was going to let herself be happy without knowing why.
Because sometimes it was best not to question a gift. Sometimes one simply had to be glad for it without knowing why.

My initial reaction: Well, this is awkward. I’m confused about what I’ve read so far. I could practically feel the awkwardness leaking from the pages. And not just from the characters, but from the storytelling itself. The book fell— short, coming from Julia Quinn, who happens to be my favorite historical romance author of all times, known for her signature wit, swoon-worthy-characters and (sometimes) sensible heroines. There were funny moments in The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy that reminded me I was reading something by JQ, but other than that, uhhhh, I don’t know what good I can say about this book.


In the beginning, there is no “spark” between Iris and Richard, and that’s the point, so I have no complaint about this. Why? They aren’t supposed to have a sizzling chemistry, and experience insta-love because Richard’s courtship is obviously orchestrated and Iris suspects it.

The hero is handsome, charming, and nice— all admirable traits. Richard is a mysterious one and we don’t quite know his motives, except it involves keeping his secrets and having to do what he must. That includes hurting Iris.

The heroine (a character in previous Symthe-Smith romance books) is renowned for her sharp wit and sly sarcasm, whereas she can also be blunt and practical when the time calls for it. She will measure up opponents and calculate her moves before striking. She doesn’t seem the type to jump to conclusions or into a fight without examining the details or weighing the odds first. After all, she is quite the observer, and it’s in her nature to find proof to back up her evidence because she doesn’t completely trust everything to guts. I like all of this in her and will describe her in one word: feisty.

However, after she married, most of what makes her her simply disappears. Whosh! Gone. Suddenly, it felt like I was reading about a different woman. Iris becomes awkward, foolish, rejected, and out of place. And as much as I understand why she explodes into tears . . . my natural response was: Dear god, woman, where did you go? I know you like I know the back of my hand and this isn’t you!
But then I understood where she was coming from, as I kept on reading and allowed myself to sympathize with her. (I prefer not to bond with heroines by pitying them. Empathizing, yes. Pity, no.)

I admire how Iris is levelheaded and keeps her temper in check— that is until enough is enough. It’s evident that only Richard can make her act this way. Things will come to blow between them soon enough, but let’s take some time to look at the irony displayed throughout the story.

Things get quite ironic one morning during breakfast when they have a very wordy conversation that foreshadows the inevitable. If you’ve read The Sum of All Kisses, you should remember that Iris’s cousin, Sarah, faked illness to get herself out of performing in the family musicale, and Iris confronted her about it. Nonetheless, whether you read it or not, this history is important in The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy and it is the topic of the exchange between Iris and Richard in this scene, which carries an unnerving weight for the future of their marriage:

“I believe she considered it when she was making her plans. But no, I do not think it was her primary motive.”

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it matters,” she said with a passion that surprised herself. “It matters why we do things. It has to matter.”
“Even if the results are beneficial?”

. . .

“You obviously possess a high capacity for forgiveness.”
Iris felt herself draw back as she considered this. “I never thought so,” she said.

“I hope you do,” he said quietly.

There was also another conversation (later on in the book) that drew me back to this line:

“There was no change in the outcome for you. Her actions, while underhanded, did not affect you in the least.”

While Richard made a point, it was ironic for this reason when they had this future conversation (first let me inform you that Richard proposed to Iris before he compromised her):

“I had no choice!” she burst out. “You made sure I had no choice”
“If you had a choice,” he said, “if your aunt hadn’t walked in, if no one had seen my lips on yours . . .” He paused, and the silence was so heavy and tight that she had to look up. “Tell me, Iris,” he said softly, “can you say that your answer would have been different.”

No.

She would have asked for time. She had asked for time. But in the end, she would have accepted him. They both knew it.

You see what I mean?

Richard refuses to see how it concerns her if he had compromised her because they would have married anyways. Note that he had the same attitude towards the situation with Sarah. The results would have been the same, so are the “why” and “how” important? To Iris, it does matter why.

Not only did Richard shame her in front of her family, he did it for his selfish needs. Just like how Sarah (our previous heroine in The Sum of All Kisses in case you need reminding) had her own instincts— the most significant of them all is she looked out for only herself. To put it plainly, Sarah and Richard might as well become best friends because they are selfish cowards in my reality (at least Sarah used to be).

There is something else Richard said that stuck out to me; something about Iris not being a woman who demanded his attention, but earned it.

I am not sorry for this comparison, but Sarah demands your attention with her dramatic personality. On the other hand, Iris earns your attention with her sly humor and quiet behavior. At first read, anyone will overlook Iris in The Sum of All Kisses but eventually you’ll realize there is just something about her you can’t shake off. I knew I couldn’t, which was why I wasn’t surprised when she had her own book.

However, Iris is now part of my mental list of heroines I don’t like. I don’t like who she became and I blame Richard for it. I absolutely hate him. There is nothing in the world he can do to make me like him. He deserves hell and I wished Iris could have left him. He took EVERYTHING from her! Her dignity, her family, her chance at a REAL courtship and TRUE love.

Excuse me while I spend the next part ranting! Do not read. I beg of you if you don’t want to ruin it for yourself. This was a good twist, but it was rather predictable.

The big secret – I fucking knew it. I called it! I swear, I called it. I fucking called it! I had a suspicion Fleur was pregnant. From the beginning, it was obvious because of the emphasis on Fleur and this can only explain why Richard would hate himself for not being a better brother. He didn’t watch over his sisters and he blamed himself that Fleur was impregnated and became a fallen woman in his absence.
Upon his sisters’ arrival, when Fleur blurted out, “It isn’t going to work. Look at her!” it struck me why she would say that. I suspected Richard wanted Iris to pretend that Fleur’s child was her own once the baby was born. Pages later . . . I was right! This is the only reasonable explanation as to why he wanted a wife. But the problem is the baby wouldn’t resemble Iris. That’s why Fleur said what she said.
This is some fucked-up shit. Really fucked-up. I wasn’t even shocked, but I was beyond pissed. And then the anger turned into tears of frustration for Fleur and Iris. But back to rage and annoyance soon enough.

Overall: Iris’s story isn’t that great and exciting, and the bond between her and Richard is lacking. I am fairly disappointed because it was yet another terrible ending such as the one in The Sum of All Kisses.

I didn’t like the drama and I didn’t like Iris by the end of this book. She forgave too easily, and I was pissed off and done with her stupidity, as well as everyone else’s.

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy is worthy of three stars. Nothing more. Nothing less.

One star for enjoying the first half.

One star for Harriet’s play.

One star for the Iris I originally liked.

[Izzah ꒰Duchess of Cabria ಇ ⭑✧ ᴏɴ ᴘᴀᴛʀᴇᴏɴ ✧ ⋆꒱]

DNF @ 39%

I didn't make it far enough to see the hero being abusive or gaslighting the heroine, but the clues finally clicked and I couldn't believe this was a serious plot.

I came to the reviews for confirmation and indeed, such an asinine plot does exist. I just can't take it seriously.

If the story had taken the sincere approach and had honestly talked about coming to terms with loving a child not of your blood, about adoption and the possible future difficulties of raising said child, it could really had been a great story. But it's all about secrets and deceptions. Idiotic.

What disappointing ending to an otherwise hilarious, adorable series.