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Duke's Daughters #2
Lady Be Reckless
The Duke’s five daughters have beauty, breeding, and impeccable reputations. Or at least, they did. Now that two have chosen to follow their hearts, can the others be far behind?
Lady Olivia refuses to repeat her siblings’ scandalous mistakes. Instead, she will marry the lord rejected by her sister and help with his good works. When he resists, Olivia forms another win his lordship’s admiration by helping his illegitimate best friend find a bride. How difficult can it be to transform the rakish Edward Wolcott into a gentleman? To ignore his virile good looks? To not kiss him in a moment of impulsive madness? Apparently, very difficult indeed.
Edward Wolcott promised his ailing father he would marry well, and it appears Lady Olivia wishes to assist him. The sparkling firebrand intends to smooth his way through London’s ballrooms, parlors, and eligible ladies, while all Edward’s thoughts suddenly revolve around bedrooms . . . and Lady Olivia herself. Only a scoundrel would seduce the duke’s most dutiful daughter. And only a truly reckless lady would risk everything to be in his arms . . .
Lady Olivia refuses to repeat her siblings’ scandalous mistakes. Instead, she will marry the lord rejected by her sister and help with his good works. When he resists, Olivia forms another win his lordship’s admiration by helping his illegitimate best friend find a bride. How difficult can it be to transform the rakish Edward Wolcott into a gentleman? To ignore his virile good looks? To not kiss him in a moment of impulsive madness? Apparently, very difficult indeed.
Edward Wolcott promised his ailing father he would marry well, and it appears Lady Olivia wishes to assist him. The sparkling firebrand intends to smooth his way through London’s ballrooms, parlors, and eligible ladies, while all Edward’s thoughts suddenly revolve around bedrooms . . . and Lady Olivia herself. Only a scoundrel would seduce the duke’s most dutiful daughter. And only a truly reckless lady would risk everything to be in his arms . . .
Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2018
81 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
About the author
Megan Frampton
42 books1,073 followersMegan Frampton's love affair with books began when her parents moved her to a remote town in New Hampshire where there was only one television station. And then the TV broke. She devoured every book of fiction in her well-read parents' library, finding special joy in Georgette Heyer and the fairy tales collected and translated by Andrew Lang. Megan majored in English literature at Barnard College and worked in the music industry for fifteen years. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband (her former intern) and her kid.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 19, 2021
Fuck it I'm giving this a 5 out 5 stars for original realistic angst between two people from different classes. Our hero is born a bastard but his father took him in and took care of him despite of his status. To fulfill his dying wish, our hero agrees to find a wife but what he least expected was to fall for the girl who is in love with his best friend. The heroine feels like she needs to marry the man her older sister turned down and in order to gain his interest, she thinks by playing a matchmaker for his best friend, she'll be in his good books and then everyone gets a happily ever after. What they both least expect is falling for each other!
I liked the angst in this one because it took an approach I've never seen before. Our heroine and hero know they love each other but our heroine messes up by not declaring her feelings to him when he needs to hear it the most. So it's up to her to make things right. Meanwhile, Megan didn't drag it out but gave it just the right amount of time for it to simmer and for them to put aside differences. I also love the final redemption our hero had when he met his grandfather who never took him in as his own.
I liked the angst in this one because it took an approach I've never seen before. Our heroine and hero know they love each other but our heroine messes up by not declaring her feelings to him when he needs to hear it the most. So it's up to her to make things right. Meanwhile, Megan didn't drag it out but gave it just the right amount of time for it to simmer and for them to put aside differences. I also love the final redemption our hero had when he met his grandfather who never took him in as his own.
March 23, 2022
Update: This was the perfect reread audiobook bc I didn’t need to focus much as I remembered most of it and still thoroughly enjoyed the characters! Jilly Bond committed crimes with the narration though 💀 I think this is my favorite Megan Frampton so far.
_________
✨Follow your heart, or the body part that seems as though it is in the most need.✨
This book was so much fun!! I really enjoyed where Frampton took the main characters from the beginning to the end. It was clever, unique, and substantial without being too heavy.
The humor took a little while to get going but after a few chapters I was really enjoying the wit and charm of the writing. The chapter headers are a great example of the playful nature of the narrative (one such is listed above). These little quirks also found themselves within the characters and narration so it was all a very endearing experience. I’m including one of my favorite lines because it was just so good: “The Other One. The one who was playing havoc with her mind and her capitalization.”
I never wanted to put this one down. I simply couldn’t wait for Olivia and Edward to finally make their attraction realized. I loved their chemistry and connection, especially after their first rather *unsavory* meet-cute. Can we make meet-unsavory a thing? That scene nearly took me out, I was so embarrassed but also eating it up.
Olivia was a great, multi-layered character. On paper, she had all the makings of a very unlikable and self-righteousness person. However, she was rather bumbling and endearing in her own ways. She had confidence (sometimes misplaced) and thoroughly liked herself (there was a lovely paragraph on page 213 detailing this). She also did come to her senses very quickly after she fumbled interactions so it would have been hard to dislike her. She was also the one who had to grovel at the end, which is always exciting. While she was obstinate and headstrong, she was also caring and desperately in love.
Edward was the perfect counterpart to Olivia. He calmed her storm while still being interesting and roguish. The love he had for his father was so sweet and it was pretty much impossible to dislike him as well. His love for Olivia was all the more rewarding and sweet knowing where it all began. His relationship with the kittens was icing on the cake. I had such a good time watching the two of them fall in love and then try to deny it as well as be completely clueless as to what the other was feeling.
The temporary breakup scene was very mild and I found it actually worked very well within the constructs of the characters. It wasn’t overdone or too lengthy, but it was the final step they needed to take as a couple and individuals. And then it was time for some very sweet and equally hot love to be made so it was all very well and good. And then when they had to reveal the engagement to her family it was perfectly dramatic.
I am also super stoked that I was right about the couple for book three—I thought I sensed a spark there. I can’t wait to meet more of the characters and I hope they’re all as complex as Olivia and Edward.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
_________
✨Follow your heart, or the body part that seems as though it is in the most need.✨
This book was so much fun!! I really enjoyed where Frampton took the main characters from the beginning to the end. It was clever, unique, and substantial without being too heavy.
The humor took a little while to get going but after a few chapters I was really enjoying the wit and charm of the writing. The chapter headers are a great example of the playful nature of the narrative (one such is listed above). These little quirks also found themselves within the characters and narration so it was all a very endearing experience. I’m including one of my favorite lines because it was just so good: “The Other One. The one who was playing havoc with her mind and her capitalization.”
I never wanted to put this one down. I simply couldn’t wait for Olivia and Edward to finally make their attraction realized. I loved their chemistry and connection, especially after their first rather *unsavory* meet-cute. Can we make meet-unsavory a thing? That scene nearly took me out, I was so embarrassed but also eating it up.
Olivia was a great, multi-layered character. On paper, she had all the makings of a very unlikable and self-righteousness person. However, she was rather bumbling and endearing in her own ways. She had confidence (sometimes misplaced) and thoroughly liked herself (there was a lovely paragraph on page 213 detailing this). She also did come to her senses very quickly after she fumbled interactions so it would have been hard to dislike her. She was also the one who had to grovel at the end, which is always exciting. While she was obstinate and headstrong, she was also caring and desperately in love.
Edward was the perfect counterpart to Olivia. He calmed her storm while still being interesting and roguish. The love he had for his father was so sweet and it was pretty much impossible to dislike him as well. His love for Olivia was all the more rewarding and sweet knowing where it all began. His relationship with the kittens was icing on the cake. I had such a good time watching the two of them fall in love and then try to deny it as well as be completely clueless as to what the other was feeling.
The temporary breakup scene was very mild and I found it actually worked very well within the constructs of the characters. It wasn’t overdone or too lengthy, but it was the final step they needed to take as a couple and individuals. And then it was time for some very sweet and equally hot love to be made so it was all very well and good. And then when they had to reveal the engagement to her family it was perfectly dramatic.
I am also super stoked that I was right about the couple for book three—I thought I sensed a spark there. I can’t wait to meet more of the characters and I hope they’re all as complex as Olivia and Edward.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶🌶/5
May 30, 2018
One of my favorite romance tropes involves a woman of higher station falling for a man beneath her social standing. So when I read the blurb about this lady trying to help an illegitimate businessman get accepted by society in order to find a wife, I thought I had found my jam.
Not exactly.
Lady Olivia is “in love” with Bennett, the lord her sister ditched in the first book and Edward (the bastard)’s best friend. I can live with that, but I knew right off the bat that Olivia was not to be a heroine I would enjoy. As the book begins, she proposes to Bennett, which hey, shows moxie, but quickly becomes evidence of her naivete and self-centeredness. Olivia has concocted a complete fantasy of a relationship between them–with feelings Bennett does not reciprocate at all–and she decides to help Edward only as a means to man she truly wants.
The thing is, Olivia thinks herself a paragon of virtue: a righter of wrongs, an advocate for justice. She is actually quite clueless, never really thinking of what others need or want, only how it makes her feel to help them. She pats herself on the back so much, one might fear her arm would fall off. No one and nothing is immune from becoming a cause… from strangers to kittens to Edward. She doesn’t want to help so much as to feel good about herself for helping. For crying out loud, she is so unable to think of anyone herself, there’s actually a scene where she has a revelation that her twin sister has wants and needs of her own. (*head desk*)
I hated her. And it wasn’t even a fun kind of hate. It was a *cringe* make-someone-else-the-heroine kind of hate. Thank goodness for the hero.
Edward saved this book for me. He is a man judged on circumstances of his birth that were out of control. But he has so much money, he is still able to skate on the edge of society. He was raised by his father and brought up in the family business. (Honestly, his relationship with his dad was one of the best things the book had going for it.) Now his father is sick, and his dying wish is to see Edward secured in a good marriage. It’s that–and his undeniable attraction to Olivia which allow him to accept her plan to find him a proper wife.
Edward knows who he is and refuses to be cowed by those who see him as something less. He is incredibly patient with Olivia and understands what motivates her to behave the way she does. He loves her and helps her learn how to talk to people and think about their needs. It just takes a really long time for her to see the light.
Too long for me. I loathed her. And that made it hard to really get into the book, despite the fact that I really liked the hero.
Maybe the next one will be a better fit for me.
Rating: C
*ARC provided by publisher
Not exactly.
Lady Olivia is “in love” with Bennett, the lord her sister ditched in the first book and Edward (the bastard)’s best friend. I can live with that, but I knew right off the bat that Olivia was not to be a heroine I would enjoy. As the book begins, she proposes to Bennett, which hey, shows moxie, but quickly becomes evidence of her naivete and self-centeredness. Olivia has concocted a complete fantasy of a relationship between them–with feelings Bennett does not reciprocate at all–and she decides to help Edward only as a means to man she truly wants.
The thing is, Olivia thinks herself a paragon of virtue: a righter of wrongs, an advocate for justice. She is actually quite clueless, never really thinking of what others need or want, only how it makes her feel to help them. She pats herself on the back so much, one might fear her arm would fall off. No one and nothing is immune from becoming a cause… from strangers to kittens to Edward. She doesn’t want to help so much as to feel good about herself for helping. For crying out loud, she is so unable to think of anyone herself, there’s actually a scene where she has a revelation that her twin sister has wants and needs of her own. (*head desk*)
I hated her. And it wasn’t even a fun kind of hate. It was a *cringe* make-someone-else-the-heroine kind of hate. Thank goodness for the hero.
Edward saved this book for me. He is a man judged on circumstances of his birth that were out of control. But he has so much money, he is still able to skate on the edge of society. He was raised by his father and brought up in the family business. (Honestly, his relationship with his dad was one of the best things the book had going for it.) Now his father is sick, and his dying wish is to see Edward secured in a good marriage. It’s that–and his undeniable attraction to Olivia which allow him to accept her plan to find him a proper wife.
Edward knows who he is and refuses to be cowed by those who see him as something less. He is incredibly patient with Olivia and understands what motivates her to behave the way she does. He loves her and helps her learn how to talk to people and think about their needs. It just takes a really long time for her to see the light.
Too long for me. I loathed her. And that made it hard to really get into the book, despite the fact that I really liked the hero.
Maybe the next one will be a better fit for me.
Rating: C
*ARC provided by publisher
May 12, 2018
This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lady Be Reckless is the second book in her Duke's Daughters series. It took me a while to read this one, I just wasn't in the mood for it but this past week I knuckled down and picked it up and I am so glad that I did because I had such a fun time with this book. Which normally I do with this author. I love the wit and charm that was displayed in this story here. We have a story with a heroine that helps match couples. Our hero has been pushed by his ailing father to marry before he dies. So he asks Olivia for help in finding a wife, when secretly he is in love with Olivia and wants her for himself but knowing he isn't good enough for her since he doesn't have a title and is a working man but very sucessful.
I found this book to be witty and fun and full of charm and the romance that develops between these two was so endearing. I loved seeing another of the sisters fall in love and fight for that love. I really did enjoy that this book had low angst, since I was in the mood for a soft and sweet love story that made me laugh and this book did it for me so wonderfully. Simple a fully satisfying and compelling read that I fell head over heels in love with and I can't wait for more!!
[foogallery id="56618"]
Lady Be Reckless is the second book in her Duke's Daughters series. It took me a while to read this one, I just wasn't in the mood for it but this past week I knuckled down and picked it up and I am so glad that I did because I had such a fun time with this book. Which normally I do with this author. I love the wit and charm that was displayed in this story here. We have a story with a heroine that helps match couples. Our hero has been pushed by his ailing father to marry before he dies. So he asks Olivia for help in finding a wife, when secretly he is in love with Olivia and wants her for himself but knowing he isn't good enough for her since he doesn't have a title and is a working man but very sucessful.
She made him remember, she thought, who he truly was. An intelligent, thoughful, proud man who apparently did not like being called adorable.
I found this book to be witty and fun and full of charm and the romance that develops between these two was so endearing. I loved seeing another of the sisters fall in love and fight for that love. I really did enjoy that this book had low angst, since I was in the mood for a soft and sweet love story that made me laugh and this book did it for me so wonderfully. Simple a fully satisfying and compelling read that I fell head over heels in love with and I can't wait for more!!
[foogallery id="56618"]
November 29, 2020
This was a sweet book.
Listened to it on audio though, and the narrator made them sound 60 years old... just... the warble she used was really off putting. Kind of ruined my enjoyment.
Cute story of a bastard son of a wealthy man trying to do right by his ailing father. We never found out if they guy would die though. Everything got resolved a little too neatly for how dire we made it seem.
Not enough steam for me either. Slow burn with a few kisses and fondles along the way.
Listened to it on audio though, and the narrator made them sound 60 years old... just... the warble she used was really off putting. Kind of ruined my enjoyment.
Cute story of a bastard son of a wealthy man trying to do right by his ailing father. We never found out if they guy would die though. Everything got resolved a little too neatly for how dire we made it seem.
Not enough steam for me either. Slow burn with a few kisses and fondles along the way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2018
I don't like giving books a low rating, especially when it's my first time reading an author. But the honest truth is I was truly bored by Lady Be Reckless. Nothing stood out for me, I easily zoned out--and never felt like I missed anything while doing so. It took me 5 days to read this, which is really slow for me, but what's worse is that more than once I looked at my Kindle and thought "Do I really want to read right now? Because I need to finish that book and I'm not at all motivated or excited to do so...." Maybe I should have just DNF'ed instead. That's neither here nor there at this point; I did finish it, and all I can say is I was bored and underwhelmed and didn't really enjoy this one.
Not even the set up of "I bet you can't make me a respectable gentleman and find me a wife" could save this book for me. Going into the book, I was excited for this, and instead I was severely disappointed in what we got from it -- which was basically nothing and then it just disappeared into the abyss entirely while the story moved on to . . . whatever else.
The sex was also super underwhelming. It's a slow burn, which isn't a problem by itself, but the two scenes -- three with her first orgasm scene -- were super generic and kinda boring as well. On top of not showing up until nearly 90%!
Did I highlight a few quotes that I liked? Sure. Did I hate this book? No. But I'm just glad to be done with it. Finally. And that says it all, really.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If you wish to look at some quotes/thoughts I highlighted, please check out my Twitter feed
Not even the set up of "I bet you can't make me a respectable gentleman and find me a wife" could save this book for me. Going into the book, I was excited for this, and instead I was severely disappointed in what we got from it -- which was basically nothing and then it just disappeared into the abyss entirely while the story moved on to . . . whatever else.
The sex was also super underwhelming. It's a slow burn, which isn't a problem by itself, but the two scenes -- three with her first orgasm scene -- were super generic and kinda boring as well. On top of not showing up until nearly 90%!
Did I highlight a few quotes that I liked? Sure. Did I hate this book? No. But I'm just glad to be done with it. Finally. And that says it all, really.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
If you wish to look at some quotes/thoughts I highlighted, please check out my Twitter feed
January 29, 2018
I had read the previous book in this series and had enjoyed it, so I was excited to get to this one.
I loved Olivia and Edward. She’s outspoken and goes after what she wants. He’s genuinely good and struggling a bit. Together they have spirited arguments and understanding and omg so much chemistry.
Plot wise it moved decently. There were a few scenes of miscommunication, but they were swiftly addressed and the book has low angst. Again I loved the scenes with Olivia’s sisters and their loyalty and support. I enjoyed getting little bits of information about the sister from the previous book.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see who gets the next story.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Olivia and Edward. She’s outspoken and goes after what she wants. He’s genuinely good and struggling a bit. Together they have spirited arguments and understanding and omg so much chemistry.
Plot wise it moved decently. There were a few scenes of miscommunication, but they were swiftly addressed and the book has low angst. Again I loved the scenes with Olivia’s sisters and their loyalty and support. I enjoyed getting little bits of information about the sister from the previous book.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see who gets the next story.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
May 10, 2018
It took nearly a month, but I did it.
In the penultimate love scene, they call the heroine's vagina a "daisy" like that's supposed to be charming or something.
So ... yeah. This might be my entire review. IDK if I can force myself to write a full one.
But never say that BAVR isn't a woman of her word. Challenge complete, goddamn it.
In the penultimate love scene, they call the heroine's vagina a "daisy" like that's supposed to be charming or something.
So ... yeah. This might be my entire review. IDK if I can force myself to write a full one.
But never say that BAVR isn't a woman of her word. Challenge complete, goddamn it.
September 10, 2017
4.5 stars
Lady Be Reckless is delicious, delightful, humorous and fairly hot. Olivia was outrageous, but in a nice way, and Edward with all his confidence was still a man who felt the need to prove himself.
Lady Be Reckless is delicious, delightful, humorous and fairly hot. Olivia was outrageous, but in a nice way, and Edward with all his confidence was still a man who felt the need to prove himself.
March 1, 2018
Megan Frampton knows how to keep the pages turning and this new installment in her Duke's Daughters series is no exception.
Lady Olivia is hopelessly in love with Lord Carson and she is convinced he loves her in return. So when she proposes to him and he turns her down, she doesn't quite know what to do, besides persevere. She concludes that all she has to do is to prove herself worthy and he'll come around. Which means she needs a project - some way in which to help Lord Carson - and what better way is there than to make a respectable gentleman out of his illegitimate best friend by getting said friend engaged to a lady? Tenacious and optimistic, Lady Olivia is certain she'll succeed, even if it will require resisting a man whose kisses are oh so tempting.
Edward Wolcott knows Society only tolerates him because of his father's wealth. He is keenly aware that he will never be 'one of them'. But when his ailing father asks him to find a bride and Lady Olivia offers to help him do so, he decides to go along with it. For his father's sake, of course. Not because he wants to spend more time with a woman as lovely and tempting as Lady Olivia. She is after all in love with his best friend and would never consider marrying a bastard, which becomes a bit of a problem with Edward must acknowledge that he's done what he never intended to do and fallen in love with the lady himself.
This was a fun read with an incredibly kind-hearted hero who's trying to find his place in a world he doesn't fit into, and a heroine whose tenacity prompts her to fight for what she believes in, including the right to marry the illegitimate man of her dreams.
Lady Olivia is hopelessly in love with Lord Carson and she is convinced he loves her in return. So when she proposes to him and he turns her down, she doesn't quite know what to do, besides persevere. She concludes that all she has to do is to prove herself worthy and he'll come around. Which means she needs a project - some way in which to help Lord Carson - and what better way is there than to make a respectable gentleman out of his illegitimate best friend by getting said friend engaged to a lady? Tenacious and optimistic, Lady Olivia is certain she'll succeed, even if it will require resisting a man whose kisses are oh so tempting.
Edward Wolcott knows Society only tolerates him because of his father's wealth. He is keenly aware that he will never be 'one of them'. But when his ailing father asks him to find a bride and Lady Olivia offers to help him do so, he decides to go along with it. For his father's sake, of course. Not because he wants to spend more time with a woman as lovely and tempting as Lady Olivia. She is after all in love with his best friend and would never consider marrying a bastard, which becomes a bit of a problem with Edward must acknowledge that he's done what he never intended to do and fallen in love with the lady himself.
This was a fun read with an incredibly kind-hearted hero who's trying to find his place in a world he doesn't fit into, and a heroine whose tenacity prompts her to fight for what she believes in, including the right to marry the illegitimate man of her dreams.
February 25, 2018
Lady Be Reckless by Megan Frampton is book Two in the "Duke's Daughters" series. This is the story of Edward Wolcott and Lady Olivia Howett. I haven't yet read the previous book so for me this was a standalone book.
Olivia believes herself in love with Lord Bennett Carson, the man her sister Eleanor was supposed to marry but ditched him instead. Olivia goes to him and lets him know that she will marry him but he turns her away. Olivia finds that she was not alone with Bennett that Edward was listing. They have a bad first meeting but they talk later when looking for Olivia's sister.
Edward is a acknowledge illegitimate son that the town always has snide remarks for. Edward's father is sick and asked that Edward find a wife and make things right. Olivia thinks that if she helps Edward find a wife that Bennett will she how helpful she is. But unknown to Olivia Bennett has asked that Edward distract her. Edward does need Olivia's help and with the two of them working together they start to find that all they needed was right in front of them.
Loved this book!!
Olivia believes herself in love with Lord Bennett Carson, the man her sister Eleanor was supposed to marry but ditched him instead. Olivia goes to him and lets him know that she will marry him but he turns her away. Olivia finds that she was not alone with Bennett that Edward was listing. They have a bad first meeting but they talk later when looking for Olivia's sister.
Edward is a acknowledge illegitimate son that the town always has snide remarks for. Edward's father is sick and asked that Edward find a wife and make things right. Olivia thinks that if she helps Edward find a wife that Bennett will she how helpful she is. But unknown to Olivia Bennett has asked that Edward distract her. Edward does need Olivia's help and with the two of them working together they start to find that all they needed was right in front of them.
Loved this book!!
February 18, 2018
This was a cute and fun romance. Though I am gonna be honest, I am pretty sure I have read it before...nope, not this book, just one with a totally similar premise. But hey, who cares, it was still fun and amusing.
Olivia wants to save the world. And also to marry Lord Carson since her sister failed to. And she does fancy him so that is good.
Edward is a bastard. The ton does not approve, but luckily his dad is really rich. He is kind and lovely and why is the ton so evil! His dad loved his mum. His dad has raised him and still they turn their noses.
Olivia decides that Edward is her next project and he lets her (cos she is so cute and fun). Obviously they fall in love. Lord Carson, well he just have to find someone else to marry (though he does not really care.)
It was fun and cute.
Olivia wants to save the world. And also to marry Lord Carson since her sister failed to. And she does fancy him so that is good.
Edward is a bastard. The ton does not approve, but luckily his dad is really rich. He is kind and lovely and why is the ton so evil! His dad loved his mum. His dad has raised him and still they turn their noses.
Olivia decides that Edward is her next project and he lets her (cos she is so cute and fun). Obviously they fall in love. Lord Carson, well he just have to find someone else to marry (though he does not really care.)
It was fun and cute.
November 5, 2017
Edward is never bored with Olivia, "he was frozen in place, his eyes pinned to the kittens. “You brought me . . . cats?” he said in disbelief." It's like Edward can read his woman's thoughts ar times, "...looking over her shoulder at him. He had lain back down, the sheets tangled around his waist, his chest on delicious display, making her want to dive back into bed with him and do more exploring. “What is it?” he asked, arching a brow. As though he knew just what she was thinking and he was thinking the same thing." I liked this book, Edward was easy to fall in love with, and Oliva just spoke her mind.
September 7, 2017
I loved Olivia!! She made me laugh in parts and cringe in others. I found myself enjoying this book more than the first in the series and now I can't wait to read Ida's story.
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!
Thanks to HarperCollins for the ARC!
February 24, 2018
3.5 stars
Lady Olivia Howett wants to make everyone happy, she also hates injustice in any form, so she believes that she is the perfect woman to marry Lord Carson, the man her sister Eleanor was supposed to marry, and it doesn't hurt that Olivia is in love with Bennett, Lord Carson. Convinced that marrying him is the perfect solution, she gets him alone and proposes. When he tells her that he is not interested, she is angry and humiliated. He leaves and she is ready to indulge in a good cry when someone in the back of the room speaks up.
Edward Wolcott is the acknowledged bastard son of financier Mr.Beechcroft and best friend to Bennett. He was in the room avoiding the snide remarks about his birth and the not so discreet snubs. He overheard the entire interlude with Olivia and Bennett and offers her some advice, when she asks who he is, she ends up insulting him and he leaves.
Later they meet again when she is trying to find her sister, Bennett introduces them, Edward offers to help her find her sister and Olivia apologizes, she asks if everyone snubs him and is upset to learn that they do. She decides that she can help him (after all helping is what she does best), and then Bennett will see how wonderful she is and realize that he should marry her.
When Edward gets home that night, his father tells him that he is ill and only has months to live. He wants to see Edward settled and accepted before he dies and makes him promise to find a suitable wife. Edward agrees to try. The next day Bennett asks him to distract Lady Olivia and turn her interest elsewhere. Edward doesn't understand why Bennett is not as captivated by her as he is, but he agrees.
When Olivia sees Edward later, she launches her plan to help him. He confesses that he needs to find a bride and offers her a large donation to her favorite charity if she will help him.
Olivia dives into this project head first and make every effort to see Edward accepted. They spend time together and Olivia begins to doubt her feelings for Bennett, because she is attracted to Edward. Olivia loves spending time with Edward, for the first time in her life she is completely free to be herself and she likes it. She invites him and his father to dinner and hopes to further his social acceptance and find him a bride - a plan that isn't nearly as appealing as it started out being.
When her mother humiliates her at dinner and she runs out, Edward comes to comfort her and she kisses him. Later she tries to remind herself that it is Bennett she loves and she is trying to find a wife for Edward, not marry him herself. When Edward announces that he is returning to the country with his father and says that he will send her the donation, she kisses him - again. He kisses her back and then tells her this is goodbye. Olivia doesn't understand what she is feeling and she goes to see him and brings him a gift and collects the donation.
A week passes and Olivia admits that she misses him and that she is not in love with Bennett, but Edward is gone and she will most likely not see him again. She also begins to make some discoveries about herself. She is ashamed to realize that she doesn't really listen to people and always assumes that she knows what is best for everyone. She wants to change and becomes closer to her twin. When her mother tells her that Bennett has invited them to the country and is sure that he is going to propose, Olivia isn't sure how she feels or what she will do if Bennett does propose.
They arrive and learn that they are staying at Mr. Beechcroft's home and not Bennett's - Olivia is overjoyed to see Edward and when they are alone, sparks fly. Olivia returns to the others and finds her sister Pearl, she tells Pearl that she kissed him (again) and that she might love him. Pearl suggests she tell him how she feels. She makes a plan but is sidetracked when they visit the village, she saw some children and assumed they needed help and charged in to "save" them. Her efforts are not well received and she is humiliated. Edward comforts her as they walk back and tells her she needs to learn to ask if someone needs help, not just act like she knows what is best for everyone, she agrees. When rain threatens, they detour to a vacant shed and one thing leads to another - but before they go too far, she tells him they should marry and lists the reasons why it is a good idea. Edward takes offense and leaves her - he is incredibly sensitive about his birth and felt like she was taking pity on him. He loves her, but he can't be with her.
Olivia is bewildered and doesn't know what she did wrong, then realizes that while she listed all the benefits marriage would have for them both - she never told him how she feels about him. Her sisters urge her to speak to him and when they speak the misunderstanding is quickly resolved.
But Edward still has demons to conquer and Olivia has to stand up to her parents, who are ready to marry her off to Bennett.
This was an interesting story, not what I was expecting and not like any other Megan Frampton book I have ever read. The story moves at a quick pace and while there is definitely significant change in Olivia, I didn't really see the same change in Edward. I don't know exactly what I felt was missing from the story, but I didn't feel like it was everything it could have been. The writing is good, the love scenes steamy, the conflicts don't drag out and there is a very nice HEA. It is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher*
Lady Olivia Howett wants to make everyone happy, she also hates injustice in any form, so she believes that she is the perfect woman to marry Lord Carson, the man her sister Eleanor was supposed to marry, and it doesn't hurt that Olivia is in love with Bennett, Lord Carson. Convinced that marrying him is the perfect solution, she gets him alone and proposes. When he tells her that he is not interested, she is angry and humiliated. He leaves and she is ready to indulge in a good cry when someone in the back of the room speaks up.
Edward Wolcott is the acknowledged bastard son of financier Mr.Beechcroft and best friend to Bennett. He was in the room avoiding the snide remarks about his birth and the not so discreet snubs. He overheard the entire interlude with Olivia and Bennett and offers her some advice, when she asks who he is, she ends up insulting him and he leaves.
Later they meet again when she is trying to find her sister, Bennett introduces them, Edward offers to help her find her sister and Olivia apologizes, she asks if everyone snubs him and is upset to learn that they do. She decides that she can help him (after all helping is what she does best), and then Bennett will see how wonderful she is and realize that he should marry her.
When Edward gets home that night, his father tells him that he is ill and only has months to live. He wants to see Edward settled and accepted before he dies and makes him promise to find a suitable wife. Edward agrees to try. The next day Bennett asks him to distract Lady Olivia and turn her interest elsewhere. Edward doesn't understand why Bennett is not as captivated by her as he is, but he agrees.
When Olivia sees Edward later, she launches her plan to help him. He confesses that he needs to find a bride and offers her a large donation to her favorite charity if she will help him.
Olivia dives into this project head first and make every effort to see Edward accepted. They spend time together and Olivia begins to doubt her feelings for Bennett, because she is attracted to Edward. Olivia loves spending time with Edward, for the first time in her life she is completely free to be herself and she likes it. She invites him and his father to dinner and hopes to further his social acceptance and find him a bride - a plan that isn't nearly as appealing as it started out being.
When her mother humiliates her at dinner and she runs out, Edward comes to comfort her and she kisses him. Later she tries to remind herself that it is Bennett she loves and she is trying to find a wife for Edward, not marry him herself. When Edward announces that he is returning to the country with his father and says that he will send her the donation, she kisses him - again. He kisses her back and then tells her this is goodbye. Olivia doesn't understand what she is feeling and she goes to see him and brings him a gift and collects the donation.
A week passes and Olivia admits that she misses him and that she is not in love with Bennett, but Edward is gone and she will most likely not see him again. She also begins to make some discoveries about herself. She is ashamed to realize that she doesn't really listen to people and always assumes that she knows what is best for everyone. She wants to change and becomes closer to her twin. When her mother tells her that Bennett has invited them to the country and is sure that he is going to propose, Olivia isn't sure how she feels or what she will do if Bennett does propose.
They arrive and learn that they are staying at Mr. Beechcroft's home and not Bennett's - Olivia is overjoyed to see Edward and when they are alone, sparks fly. Olivia returns to the others and finds her sister Pearl, she tells Pearl that she kissed him (again) and that she might love him. Pearl suggests she tell him how she feels. She makes a plan but is sidetracked when they visit the village, she saw some children and assumed they needed help and charged in to "save" them. Her efforts are not well received and she is humiliated. Edward comforts her as they walk back and tells her she needs to learn to ask if someone needs help, not just act like she knows what is best for everyone, she agrees. When rain threatens, they detour to a vacant shed and one thing leads to another - but before they go too far, she tells him they should marry and lists the reasons why it is a good idea. Edward takes offense and leaves her - he is incredibly sensitive about his birth and felt like she was taking pity on him. He loves her, but he can't be with her.
Olivia is bewildered and doesn't know what she did wrong, then realizes that while she listed all the benefits marriage would have for them both - she never told him how she feels about him. Her sisters urge her to speak to him and when they speak the misunderstanding is quickly resolved.
But Edward still has demons to conquer and Olivia has to stand up to her parents, who are ready to marry her off to Bennett.
This was an interesting story, not what I was expecting and not like any other Megan Frampton book I have ever read. The story moves at a quick pace and while there is definitely significant change in Olivia, I didn't really see the same change in Edward. I don't know exactly what I felt was missing from the story, but I didn't feel like it was everything it could have been. The writing is good, the love scenes steamy, the conflicts don't drag out and there is a very nice HEA. It is the second book in the series, but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher*
July 22, 2018
This is a well written and enjoyable Historical romance. The author has a very good grasp of the time period and the customs of that time, yet her characters and their actions are relatable to modern times as well. Olivia has had too much responsibility thrust upon her and seems to think that she has to redeem her family’s reputation all on her own. Edward is grateful to his father for the acceptance that his mother’s family failed to provide and wants to make him happy, but a bastard has little chance of making it in high society no matter how much money he has. Bennett Carson is an interesting character who deserves his own happy ending. I hope to be reading about that in the next installment of this series.
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
Maura
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More
Full Review @ Coffee Time Romance & More
February 26, 2018
Megan Frampton won me over when I read Why Do Dukes Fall in Love? and since then I have only good things to say about her and her books. The best part of the book was the kittens and that is not a bad thing. I just loved them. Edward's father is also a good element in the book because he did everything he could to provide for his son and he was a good father. Olivia, the lady in question is reckless and a little ahead of her time. She proposed twice during the events of this book to two gentlemen, which was weird and for me 50 years too early. She is not the easiest character to like and she is either a hit or miss. I do hope you will like her. Edward might be a child born out of wedlock, but he is a good person and one of my liking. He has some issues with his legitimacy as it was to be expected. He was a flawed character, but in a way that made him more relatable than anything else.
I know I devoured the book since it took me a short amount of time to finish it for a 384-page book. I wanted to see how Olivia and Edward would manage to fall in love and get what they wanted. I was happy with the final result. I hope to see Bennett's book sometime soon. Maybe he will marry Pearl or something.
You should give this book a chance and I hope you will like it as much as I did.
I know I devoured the book since it took me a short amount of time to finish it for a 384-page book. I wanted to see how Olivia and Edward would manage to fall in love and get what they wanted. I was happy with the final result. I hope to see Bennett's book sometime soon. Maybe he will marry Pearl or something.
You should give this book a chance and I hope you will like it as much as I did.
April 17, 2018
Loved it even more the second time around!
February 27, 2018
Follow your heart, or the body part that seems as though it is in the most need.
~ Lady Olivia’s Particular Guide to Being Reckless
I’m not quite sure if it’s me, or if I’ve just been drawn to a plethora of ‘difficult characters to like of late – but Megan Frampton took the self-important, heedless and occasionally overbearing Olivia and used situations and one perfectly wonderful man in Edward to bring her some self-awareness, growth and, above all, some truly amusing circumstances in which she learned these lessons. For Olivia was too much – too determined to see every injustice and rush in to quell it without actually considering the problems in a way that was deeper than her initial impression. And then, she was so busy being ‘righteous’ and ‘enlightened’ (and she was far more aware of the inequities in financial and social situations than her peers), that she never actually doubted her rightness in making a stand, or in fact, her rightness about her decisions about other people’s feelings. So much in her own belief in her way being right, and others requiring her guidance that she is spectacularly set back in her quest to move forward in proposing to a man, who truly isn’t at all interested.
And then we have Edward: born on the wrong side of the blanket yet afforded the education and money of others in the upper classes with one huge difference: his father rescued him from placement in an orphanage, claimed him and provided him with love and support that many Lords and Ladies should admire. Having his best friend be a Lord and the object of Olivia’s apparent affection, Edward is thrown by the insistent curiosity he has for her. Of course, his friend is determined that an accident of birth should not influence Edward’s reception in society or search for a wife: and with Edward’s father receiving some troubling news about his health, Edward’s talked into a promise to find a wife in short order. Enter Bennet and his challenge to Olivia: her determination to suss out and eliminate all injustices make her the perfect person to see Edward accepted into society and help him to find a match.
Say what you mean. Unless what you mean will upend your entire life. In which case, you should probably shout.
~ Lady Oliva’s Particular Guide to Being Reckless
Olivia had me laughing out loud in places and cringing in others- while Edward missed no social graces in appearing as a gentleman, and perhaps is all the more intriguing for his heart and understanding of the world around him – good, bad and pretentions alike. While it was obvious to everyone (but Olivia’s parents and she herself) that she and Bennett were too alike in their determination to make a difference with little else to build a relationship upon, it is her twin Pearl who instantly sees the potential for love to bloom between Olivia and Edward: a notion that Bennett himself had and used that thought to thrust them together. And Oliva is blissfully unprepared for overthinking her own heart until the situation is so in her face that she can’t figure it out. Fortunately for her, she does have her twin Pearl to discuss things with – and help her to sort things out. Of course, nothing is as simple as them being compatible and Edward’s obvious enjoyment of her bossiness, but the ride to the end – full of missteps, laughs and some clothes-destroying kittens is a delightful one. Sure to please fans of the series and these sisters who, despite their parent’s and society’s desires for proper tend to fall out of the norm quite frequently.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
~ Lady Olivia’s Particular Guide to Being Reckless
I’m not quite sure if it’s me, or if I’ve just been drawn to a plethora of ‘difficult characters to like of late – but Megan Frampton took the self-important, heedless and occasionally overbearing Olivia and used situations and one perfectly wonderful man in Edward to bring her some self-awareness, growth and, above all, some truly amusing circumstances in which she learned these lessons. For Olivia was too much – too determined to see every injustice and rush in to quell it without actually considering the problems in a way that was deeper than her initial impression. And then, she was so busy being ‘righteous’ and ‘enlightened’ (and she was far more aware of the inequities in financial and social situations than her peers), that she never actually doubted her rightness in making a stand, or in fact, her rightness about her decisions about other people’s feelings. So much in her own belief in her way being right, and others requiring her guidance that she is spectacularly set back in her quest to move forward in proposing to a man, who truly isn’t at all interested.
And then we have Edward: born on the wrong side of the blanket yet afforded the education and money of others in the upper classes with one huge difference: his father rescued him from placement in an orphanage, claimed him and provided him with love and support that many Lords and Ladies should admire. Having his best friend be a Lord and the object of Olivia’s apparent affection, Edward is thrown by the insistent curiosity he has for her. Of course, his friend is determined that an accident of birth should not influence Edward’s reception in society or search for a wife: and with Edward’s father receiving some troubling news about his health, Edward’s talked into a promise to find a wife in short order. Enter Bennet and his challenge to Olivia: her determination to suss out and eliminate all injustices make her the perfect person to see Edward accepted into society and help him to find a match.
Say what you mean. Unless what you mean will upend your entire life. In which case, you should probably shout.
~ Lady Oliva’s Particular Guide to Being Reckless
Olivia had me laughing out loud in places and cringing in others- while Edward missed no social graces in appearing as a gentleman, and perhaps is all the more intriguing for his heart and understanding of the world around him – good, bad and pretentions alike. While it was obvious to everyone (but Olivia’s parents and she herself) that she and Bennett were too alike in their determination to make a difference with little else to build a relationship upon, it is her twin Pearl who instantly sees the potential for love to bloom between Olivia and Edward: a notion that Bennett himself had and used that thought to thrust them together. And Oliva is blissfully unprepared for overthinking her own heart until the situation is so in her face that she can’t figure it out. Fortunately for her, she does have her twin Pearl to discuss things with – and help her to sort things out. Of course, nothing is as simple as them being compatible and Edward’s obvious enjoyment of her bossiness, but the ride to the end – full of missteps, laughs and some clothes-destroying kittens is a delightful one. Sure to please fans of the series and these sisters who, despite their parent’s and society’s desires for proper tend to fall out of the norm quite frequently.
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
March 5, 2018
Loved!
Edward and Olivia were wonderful from start to finish here. Even when Olivia's obliviousness was making me cringe (which it did. A lot.), so was so earnest and tried so hard it was impossible not to feel for her--as Edward soon found out. Their meet-not-quite-so-cute was very a la Rhett and Scarlett, though her single-minded determination and insistence that she always knew what was best for everyone are really all she had in common with that other heroine. (Oh...and a need for being in control. Hmmm. Maybe they're more similar than I thought at first...) Fortunately, Olivia's much less selfish, if not always less self-centered, and realizes important facts about herself before it's too late, unlike the heroine of Gone with the Wind . Most importantly, Lady Be Reckless is an actual romance, so an HEA is coming at the end.
I loved that Edward refused to apologize for what he was (illegitimate) even while admitting certain truths to himself about his situation and standing. He is the perfect hero for Olivia--charmed by her bossiness, and even though he sees her flaws he loves her for them. Plus, his cat sleeps on his bed. How can you not love this guy?
Some of my favorite bits--besides every scene in which Edward and Olivia are together--are the blurbs at the beginning of the chapters. Initially they are from Lady Olivia's Particular Guide to Decorum (sample: "If you believe something in right, you should do it. Even at the risk of being wrong. But you are never wrong.") but soon the title shifts to Lady Olivia's Particular Guide to Being Reckless (sample: "Oh my goodness, that was fun, I cannot wait to do it again." I leave it to your imagination as to what she's talking about...but yes, it's that.)
How on earth did I miss the first book in this series? ( Lady Be Bad , Eleanor's story, which I must. Read. Soon.) You'd better believe my eyes will be peeled for Ida's story ( The Lady is Daring ), Pearl's story, and (dare I hope?) Della's story...
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Edward and Olivia were wonderful from start to finish here. Even when Olivia's obliviousness was making me cringe (which it did. A lot.), so was so earnest and tried so hard it was impossible not to feel for her--as Edward soon found out. Their meet-not-quite-so-cute was very a la Rhett and Scarlett, though her single-minded determination and insistence that she always knew what was best for everyone are really all she had in common with that other heroine. (Oh...and a need for being in control. Hmmm. Maybe they're more similar than I thought at first...) Fortunately, Olivia's much less selfish, if not always less self-centered, and realizes important facts about herself before it's too late, unlike the heroine of Gone with the Wind . Most importantly, Lady Be Reckless is an actual romance, so an HEA is coming at the end.
I loved that Edward refused to apologize for what he was (illegitimate) even while admitting certain truths to himself about his situation and standing. He is the perfect hero for Olivia--charmed by her bossiness, and even though he sees her flaws he loves her for them. Plus, his cat sleeps on his bed. How can you not love this guy?
Some of my favorite bits--besides every scene in which Edward and Olivia are together--are the blurbs at the beginning of the chapters. Initially they are from Lady Olivia's Particular Guide to Decorum (sample: "If you believe something in right, you should do it. Even at the risk of being wrong. But you are never wrong.") but soon the title shifts to Lady Olivia's Particular Guide to Being Reckless (sample: "Oh my goodness, that was fun, I cannot wait to do it again." I leave it to your imagination as to what she's talking about...but yes, it's that.)
How on earth did I miss the first book in this series? ( Lady Be Bad , Eleanor's story, which I must. Read. Soon.) You'd better believe my eyes will be peeled for Ida's story ( The Lady is Daring ), Pearl's story, and (dare I hope?) Della's story...
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 27, 2018
Lady Be Reckless is the second book in Frampton’s Duke’s Daughters series. Olivia is the third daughter who refuses to follow her parents’ plans for her. Edward is a wonderful hero—intelligent, sensitive, and insightful enough to see to the heart of Olivia. Some readers may find Olivia’s ebullience appealing and her compulsion to right the wrongs of the world endearing, but others may find her a bit too much. Frampton prefaces her chapters with quotations from Lady Olivia’s Guides: “Lady Olivia’s Particular Guide to Decorum” for the first twelve chapters and switching to “Lady Olivia’s Particular Guide to Being Reckless” in chapter thirteen after Edward’s kisses seriously undermine Olivia’s sense of decorum. In significant ways, this novel tells the story of the education of Lady Olivia Howlett. Olivia moves from penning gems such as “If you believe something is right, you should do it. Even at the risk of being wrong. But you are never wrong” to “I have no idea anymore.” She learns that she does not have all the answers, and she learns to listen to others.
I admit that although I adored Edward, Olivia reminded me strongly of Austen’s Emma, a heroine with whom I am not enamored. I dislike Emma so much that I petitioned my committee to substitute Persuasion for Emma on the nineteenth-century English fiction section of the reading list for my doctoral comprehensive exams. My problems with Olivia were not enough to spoil my appreciation of the book, but they were enough to rank this second book as less stellar than the first, which was among my top ten last year. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book, and if you appreciate humorous romance with generous servings of charm and sizzle, I think you will enjoy it too. The Lady Is Daring, bookworm Ida’s story is next, with a release date of September 25, 2018. I am eager for this one for two reasons: (1) it looks as if Bennett will finally meet his match and (2) Ida sets out to find sister Della, the most scandalous of the duke’s daughters. I can’t wait!
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2018/02...
I admit that although I adored Edward, Olivia reminded me strongly of Austen’s Emma, a heroine with whom I am not enamored. I dislike Emma so much that I petitioned my committee to substitute Persuasion for Emma on the nineteenth-century English fiction section of the reading list for my doctoral comprehensive exams. My problems with Olivia were not enough to spoil my appreciation of the book, but they were enough to rank this second book as less stellar than the first, which was among my top ten last year. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book, and if you appreciate humorous romance with generous servings of charm and sizzle, I think you will enjoy it too. The Lady Is Daring, bookworm Ida’s story is next, with a release date of September 25, 2018. I am eager for this one for two reasons: (1) it looks as if Bennett will finally meet his match and (2) Ida sets out to find sister Della, the most scandalous of the duke’s daughters. I can’t wait!
See full review at The Romance Dish:
http://www.theromancedish.com/2018/02...
April 29, 2018
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Lady Be Reckless is the second instalment in Megan Frampton's standalone Duke's Daughters historical series. It tells the cute and funny romance as it develops between Edward and Lady Olivia.
Olivia is singlehandedly determined to marry family friend Lord Carson. She wants to fulfil her duty and marry well, but is not prepared for his reaction to her rather unconventional suggestion. In steps Carson's friend, the acknowledged but illegitimate Edward.
Edward is extremely wealthy and handsome, he should be regarded as quite the catch, but as illegitimate he finds it difficult to be accepted by society. He wants to marry well and please his father.
Edward and Olivia decide to work together: he'll help her gain Carson's affection and she'll find him a society wife. Now I'm sure you can probably guess what happens in the end (it's not a spoiler), but I really liked their story. It was hilarious watching them try to deny the inevitable. It turns out they may have been played instead...
4 Stars in my Sky!
Lady Be Reckless is the second instalment in Megan Frampton's standalone Duke's Daughters historical series. It tells the cute and funny romance as it develops between Edward and Lady Olivia.
Olivia is singlehandedly determined to marry family friend Lord Carson. She wants to fulfil her duty and marry well, but is not prepared for his reaction to her rather unconventional suggestion. In steps Carson's friend, the acknowledged but illegitimate Edward.
Edward is extremely wealthy and handsome, he should be regarded as quite the catch, but as illegitimate he finds it difficult to be accepted by society. He wants to marry well and please his father.
Edward and Olivia decide to work together: he'll help her gain Carson's affection and she'll find him a society wife. Now I'm sure you can probably guess what happens in the end (it's not a spoiler), but I really liked their story. It was hilarious watching them try to deny the inevitable. It turns out they may have been played instead...
4 Stars in my Sky!
February 6, 2018
Really love this book, Lady Olivia seems at first glance, flighty and overly concerned about her own causes and plans but she displays a lot of heart and righteousness that is hidden because of her standing in society and how much she really is able to change society. So taking on Edward as her worthy cause was a natural progression. Edward on the other hand is another unlikely hero, an acknowledged natural son but treated as an outsider in polite society. He's one of the few who displays great affection and love for his father. I do like the way he's portrayed as outwardly strong but quite sensitive emotionally brought about by his upbringing and his relationship with his father really is quite wonderful. Olivia and Edward together is just fantastic, their chemistry combustible . This book will definitely delight until the last page.
*ARC provided*
*ARC provided*
November 19, 2019
I have a long, colorful history with "light historicals" - which is to say, they're not really a favorite. I've been burned too many times by the improbably cutesy. But this book worked for me because the author has some underlying serious conflict (the hero's illegitimacy and how he is viewed by society) wrapped in a romantic-comedy-like candy coated shell. The heroine is reminiscent of Austen's Emma - which is to say she's a do-gooder who thinks she knows best for everybody else. Her heart is in the right place however, and she does grow over the course of the story - so she worked for me. Pairing her up with the more world-weary hero who is smitten with her from the start (even if he doesn't outwardly show it) is perfect. It has sex scenes in it, but other than that this read a bit Traditional Regency to me in tone (even though, yes, I'm aware it's set in the Victorian era....). I did feel like the epilogue could have been a bit meatier, but other than that - I liked this quite a bit. I'm not all the interested in going back to read Eleanor's story - but I'm all in with Ida and Pearl.
ETA -Disclaimer: I had a previous working relationship with the author through the now defunct web site Heroes & Heartbreakers.
ETA -Disclaimer: I had a previous working relationship with the author through the now defunct web site Heroes & Heartbreakers.
March 12, 2020
I wasn't sure I would finish this book. After mostly enjoying the first book, I went into this book intrigued by where the next sister would go. Except, she didn't feel like the same sister for the most part. The book didn't make clear how much time had passed -- it was mentioned that the older sister had been married about a year, and later the heroine refers to her self as 20. I'm certain she was not 19 in the first book.
Regardless, she is passionate and immature, which is a combination that made me want to smack her. The hero is interesting, and his predicament is real, and I'm not sure why he was interested in the heroine at the beginning.
I pushed through to the end, and I was rewarded by personal growth from the heroine. I'll leave it at that.
Regardless, she is passionate and immature, which is a combination that made me want to smack her. The hero is interesting, and his predicament is real, and I'm not sure why he was interested in the heroine at the beginning.
I pushed through to the end, and I was rewarded by personal growth from the heroine. I'll leave it at that.
April 21, 2018
Loved the hero - he was such a Soft boy behind a tough exterior. And his dad was fantastic. Loved our heroine - she was very, very relatable. Almost painfully so. And the sister relationships were fantastic in this one, yet again. Can't wait for the next book!
April 30, 2018
Olivia thinks she loves Bennett, but as time goes on, she realizes his friend Edward is the one she wants. The feeling is mutual, but they both feel a relationship between them would never work. Love seeing the twists and turns they take to a happy ending!
March 19, 2020
I enjoyed this, even though Olivia was a spoiled brat. Thankfully, she grew as a person over the course of the book, but not enough to ever really endear her to me.
March 2, 2018
We have Lady Olivia Howlett, daughter of the Duke of Marymount and Mr. Edward Wolcott, born on the wrong side of the blanket. Both desperately want to be needed and needed for themselves, not her connections or his wealth. Where Olivia has a chip on her shoulder about social inequities, injustices and inequalities (real or assumed), Edward’s chis is because he is constantly fighting against his birth and dislike of the ton. They each need to get out of their own ways and see things from a different perspective. Thankfully they help each other achieve this.
I liked the story between Olivia and Edward. Their banter was charming and they kept each other on their toes. Watching Olivia’s motivation change was interesting and seeing her “AH HA” moment caught me off guard in a pleasant way. Edward was slow to grasp his “AH HA” moment, but seemed to enjoy and embrace his new sense of freedom and lightness of heart more than Olivia.
I realize the main concept behind the story was Edward’s being illegitimate, but I did feel a bit battered and bruised by the end of the story. Throughout the story I was constantly reminded, like there had been time to forget, that Edward was a “B.” Even after Olivia realizes she loves him the “B” word was first in her mind, heart and tongue. IT was always mentioned at social events, walks in the park, rides through the park and dinner parties. On one hand for Edward, he seemed ok with it because he knew his father loved him and, contrary to the times in the ton, was demonstrative. On the other hand, Edward was always defensive and seemed almost to the point of self-loathing and total disgust with the world. In every way he was the gentleman, he dressed the part, had the manners, was able to converse in society, but he allowed the view of the ton to dictate how he was going to act.
I did not read the first book in the series, but enough background was given that I did not feel lost. The Duchess, Olivia’s mother, had me sending up prayers of thanks to my mother for being present, loving and caring in my life. A more self-absorbed, brainless and insensitive woman I have never met- real or book! I am convinced the Dike’s daughters have grown up to enter society is a testament to NATURE and society’s rules. I adored Olivia’s twin, Pearl and her other sister, Ida, immensely. They were humorous, loving and amazingly level-headed given their parents. I think I will read the first in the series to see if the Duchess has always been that way and hope that she snaps out of it for Pearl and Ida. I look forward to their stories!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I liked the story between Olivia and Edward. Their banter was charming and they kept each other on their toes. Watching Olivia’s motivation change was interesting and seeing her “AH HA” moment caught me off guard in a pleasant way. Edward was slow to grasp his “AH HA” moment, but seemed to enjoy and embrace his new sense of freedom and lightness of heart more than Olivia.
I realize the main concept behind the story was Edward’s being illegitimate, but I did feel a bit battered and bruised by the end of the story. Throughout the story I was constantly reminded, like there had been time to forget, that Edward was a “B.” Even after Olivia realizes she loves him the “B” word was first in her mind, heart and tongue. IT was always mentioned at social events, walks in the park, rides through the park and dinner parties. On one hand for Edward, he seemed ok with it because he knew his father loved him and, contrary to the times in the ton, was demonstrative. On the other hand, Edward was always defensive and seemed almost to the point of self-loathing and total disgust with the world. In every way he was the gentleman, he dressed the part, had the manners, was able to converse in society, but he allowed the view of the ton to dictate how he was going to act.
I did not read the first book in the series, but enough background was given that I did not feel lost. The Duchess, Olivia’s mother, had me sending up prayers of thanks to my mother for being present, loving and caring in my life. A more self-absorbed, brainless and insensitive woman I have never met- real or book! I am convinced the Dike’s daughters have grown up to enter society is a testament to NATURE and society’s rules. I adored Olivia’s twin, Pearl and her other sister, Ida, immensely. They were humorous, loving and amazingly level-headed given their parents. I think I will read the first in the series to see if the Duchess has always been that way and hope that she snaps out of it for Pearl and Ida. I look forward to their stories!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 16, 2018
2.5 Stars
Blimey. The heroine just hit me wrong one too many here. While I’m all for confident and proactive woman with golden heart, always willing to lend a hand to the poor and needy, Lady Olivia just stumped me; sadly, not in a good way. She was a bullheaded, presumptuous know-it-all who just didn’t want to LISTEN to others. Or even her TWIN SISTER.
Sure, Lady Olivia had reasons. And like I mentioned earlier, she had good intentions to help. Still, her single-mindedness was too much. That she dared to be furious over others’ judgement and conduct when she herself had done the same... sigh.
The plot itself is interesting though. How an illegitimate gentleman can enter Society and be accepted with the help of this holier-than-thou Duke’s daughter, while said lady was trying to win the gentleman’s best friend’s heart. I liked Edward Wolcott, he’s not a typical HR hero in how his POV voicing the hurt he felt for himself and his father and be frank in suggesting to Olivia:
But most refreshing of all was Mr. Beechcroft, Edward’s father and the kittens. The exchanges between father and son were what provided amusement to me throughout reading.
Having said that, I thought even the alternate POVs between Edward and Olivia didn’t really form a solid flow of the story. From one meddling to another scheming, they just didn’t blend so well and the characters portrayal felt one-dimensional. I keep thinking; perhaps, had I liked the heroine more I’d enjoy the book more than I did. Possibly. As it is though, I’m gonna take a wait-and-see stance whether to read the next installment of this series.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Blimey. The heroine just hit me wrong one too many here. While I’m all for confident and proactive woman with golden heart, always willing to lend a hand to the poor and needy, Lady Olivia just stumped me; sadly, not in a good way. She was a bullheaded, presumptuous know-it-all who just didn’t want to LISTEN to others. Or even her TWIN SISTER.
Her sister was more than just her sister. She was a person with her own wants, desires, and interests...Huh!! I am so glad she was not my sister!!
...it had also been a revelation about how horrible Olivia felt when she realized it had taken her more than twenty years to discover the revelation in the first place.
Sure, Lady Olivia had reasons. And like I mentioned earlier, she had good intentions to help. Still, her single-mindedness was too much. That she dared to be furious over others’ judgement and conduct when she herself had done the same... sigh.
The plot itself is interesting though. How an illegitimate gentleman can enter Society and be accepted with the help of this holier-than-thou Duke’s daughter, while said lady was trying to win the gentleman’s best friend’s heart. I liked Edward Wolcott, he’s not a typical HR hero in how his POV voicing the hurt he felt for himself and his father and be frank in suggesting to Olivia:
”Never let anyone see your pain. Keep it to yourself, because if they see it, they will attack you.”
But most refreshing of all was Mr. Beechcroft, Edward’s father and the kittens. The exchanges between father and son were what provided amusement to me throughout reading.
Having said that, I thought even the alternate POVs between Edward and Olivia didn’t really form a solid flow of the story. From one meddling to another scheming, they just didn’t blend so well and the characters portrayal felt one-dimensional. I keep thinking; perhaps, had I liked the heroine more I’d enjoy the book more than I did. Possibly. As it is though, I’m gonna take a wait-and-see stance whether to read the next installment of this series.
Advanced copy of this book is kindly given by the author/publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
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