What do you think?
Rate this book
The Brides of Belgravia #3
You May Kiss the Duke
A MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE
Against her better judgement, spirited beauty Sabine Noble agrees to speedily marry a stranger who can remove her from the home of an abusive uncle. The union allows her to relocate to London and start a new life writing travel guides and enjoying the city on her own terms.
A DOWRY WITH NO EXPECTATIONS
Sea Captain Jon Stoker has no desire to be a husband, but Sabine's offer of a commitment-free marriage and a hefty dowry is hard to refuse. After he delivers Sabine from her violent uncle, the deal allows Stoker to say good-bye and sail away.
A CHANCE RESCUE
When Stoker's travels put him in harm's way, neither dowry nor freedom can save him. His unconscious body is returned to England, and a chance discovery by his estranged wife rescues him from the morgue. Sabine is uncertain of her responsibilities to the unconscious husband she barely knows, but she begins the reluctant job of nursing him back to health.
A RECOVERY OF THE HEART
In the private confines of Sabine's bedroom, the estranged husband and wife reckon with the attraction that has been there all along and the new, hot-sparking desire. And when Stoker has recovered and Sabine takes revenge on her dangerous uncle, they realize that attraction and desire have evolved into love.
Against her better judgement, spirited beauty Sabine Noble agrees to speedily marry a stranger who can remove her from the home of an abusive uncle. The union allows her to relocate to London and start a new life writing travel guides and enjoying the city on her own terms.
A DOWRY WITH NO EXPECTATIONS
Sea Captain Jon Stoker has no desire to be a husband, but Sabine's offer of a commitment-free marriage and a hefty dowry is hard to refuse. After he delivers Sabine from her violent uncle, the deal allows Stoker to say good-bye and sail away.
A CHANCE RESCUE
When Stoker's travels put him in harm's way, neither dowry nor freedom can save him. His unconscious body is returned to England, and a chance discovery by his estranged wife rescues him from the morgue. Sabine is uncertain of her responsibilities to the unconscious husband she barely knows, but she begins the reluctant job of nursing him back to health.
A RECOVERY OF THE HEART
In the private confines of Sabine's bedroom, the estranged husband and wife reckon with the attraction that has been there all along and the new, hot-sparking desire. And when Stoker has recovered and Sabine takes revenge on her dangerous uncle, they realize that attraction and desire have evolved into love.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 21, 2019
160 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Charis Michaels
13 books502 followersCHARIS MICHAELS is thrilled to be making her debut with Avon Impulse. Prior to writing romance, she studied Journalism at Texas A&M and managed PR for a trade association. She has also worked as a tour guide at Disney World, harvested peaches on her family’s farm, and entertained children as the “Story Godmother” at birthday parties. She has lived in Texas, Florida, and London, England. She now makes her home in the Washington, D.C.-metro area.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 4, 2019
Liked but didn't love this book. The others in the series were better. I kind of felt disconnected from the characters. There was something missing from the story for me.
Despite that I liked the book. I just expected more.
Cute moments but nothing to write home about.
Despite that I liked the book. I just expected more.
Cute moments but nothing to write home about.
July 27, 2021
Jon Stoker rescues Sabine Noble from an abusive uncle, marries her, and then fucks off for 4-5 years, only to reappear at death's door in the belly of a floating naval hospital. Sabine rescues him. Once he regains consciousness, they begin the delicate dance of flirting about fighting, fighting about fucking, and making out like horndogs.
1. Here's the thing: so much of this book is them thinking about each other. And a lot of it is Jon Stoker in a bed trying not to bleed to death from the hole in his side (and later trying not to explode from the boner in his pants). And some of it is Sabine trying to decide if she's ready for sex with Jon Stoker. And that just wasn't the book I was planning on.
2. Jon's whole handling of the sexual aspect of their relationship was terrible. Talk about a hero who doesn't listen to a god-damned word his heroine is saying?? Like, any man who so fluently and intentionally DOES NOT LISTEN to the wants and desires of his partner is a SHITSACK. And lo, we got pages and pages of Jon being such a shitsack.
3. I don't know: there were a few various threads in this that felt like they were muted or lost by the end of the thing, versus coming together to tell a cohesive, holistic story? I kept expecting something to happen and nothing really did.
4. The part that really lost me was when Jon was ready to beat the shit outta some rando for planning to have sex in his adopted-family's house during a party...........and then he immediately has sex with Sabine in his adopted-family's house during a party. Fucking hypocrite.
5. I finished this a few days ago and my recollections have already been dimmed by time and ennui I guess??
1. Here's the thing: so much of this book is them thinking about each other. And a lot of it is Jon Stoker in a bed trying not to bleed to death from the hole in his side (and later trying not to explode from the boner in his pants). And some of it is Sabine trying to decide if she's ready for sex with Jon Stoker. And that just wasn't the book I was planning on.
2. Jon's whole handling of the sexual aspect of their relationship was terrible. Talk about a hero who doesn't listen to a god-damned word his heroine is saying?? Like, any man who so fluently and intentionally DOES NOT LISTEN to the wants and desires of his partner is a SHITSACK. And lo, we got pages and pages of Jon being such a shitsack.
3. I don't know: there were a few various threads in this that felt like they were muted or lost by the end of the thing, versus coming together to tell a cohesive, holistic story? I kept expecting something to happen and nothing really did.
4. The part that really lost me was when Jon was ready to beat the shit outta some rando for planning to have sex in his adopted-family's house during a party...........and then he immediately has sex with Sabine in his adopted-family's house during a party. Fucking hypocrite.
5. I finished this a few days ago and my recollections have already been dimmed by time and ennui I guess??
June 13, 2019
This book could have been a 5-star read. If you want to know why it isn't, it's all in the last paragraph. I wrote most of my review when it seemed obvious to me that it would merit 5 stars; I left it untouched, so you might understand why I ended up bitterly disappointed.
Sabine and her friends Willow and Tessa wanted to be independent. They were wealthy, and the only way to truly achieve independence was a marriage of convenience with a husband who would stay away and let them be. Willow and Tessa had found love, but Sabine had remained at home, cataloging her late father's maps. She really didn't want to get married, but her uncle was making her life unbearable. On that fateful day of 1830, Jon Stoker, who was the last of his trio of friends to remain unmarried, had decided to go tell Sabine he didn't want to marry either. Like her, his friends had put him up to it. What happened next was to determine the course of their future, and so they agreed to a marriage of convenience. They had met a few times in four years after their wedding, corresponded a little. Jon was away while Sabine's publication, A Noble Guide to London, thrived. Sabine was on a quest of her own, regarding her uncle's strange goings-on, and that's when she stumbled upon her estranged husband, who had been stab and half dead. He had rescued her once, now it was her turn.
I had so enjoyed the previous book, my expectations for this installment were sky high. And Charis Michaels does not disappoint! YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE is fantastic! The very intricate plot moves at a brisk pace, the writing flows effortlessly, and Sabine and Jon are magnificent. Both are blunt, straightforward, very proud, and don't want to show any weaknesses or depend on anyone. Sabine is efficiency personified and quite managing. Jon has a genuine aura of danger about him, and she is more than woman enough to handle it. There was no instalust, no instalove, but I felt what had made them agree to that marriage of convenience, when it was not their intention to begin with. There was trust. Jon feels he is not worthy of her, and viewed from his perspective, it's true. He has a fascinating backstory, and he is the most honourable of men, even if he can't see it.
The conversations Jon and Sabine have while he's recuperating are outrageously entertaining, and I laughed out loud several times. The dialogues throughout the book are so extraordinary that I can't find the proper word to do them justice. From hilarious banter - let's not forget the maid Perry here - to heart to heart talks, the verbal exchanges are superb. There is that particular conversation, a moment, when you sense their relationship shifting. It's subtle, and unmistakable. Sabine and Jon are extremely strong and vibrant people; they both have personal demons to conquer, and watching them grow as their romance blossomed was mesmerising. YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE is so well written that you feel what is merely implied, you hear the whispers that flutter in our couple's hearts, the desire that consumes them. It's all there for us to grasp, to sense, to experience. YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE exudes charm, sensuality, intelligence, and wit. And woven into this exquisite and passionate romance are a couple of exciting mysteries, essential to the plot. YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE stands entirely on its own, the missing details on the events of the first two books are included in the epilogue.
YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE was a perfectly marvellous story until the first - and only real - sex scene which, for me, was catastrophic. It contradicted what Jon had said and done earlier, it was completely out of character. Jon would never have done that, never. I took out a whole star for that unfortunate faux pas from the author. It was not what happened or how, it was where and when it happened. For once, I was eagerly anticipating a sex scene and it was ruined by the author ignoring her character's principles. It was in very poor taste, incredibly rude, and the worst part is, Jon is not to blame: the author forced him to do something he would never, ever have done. He would never have disrespected his friends that way, never; he demonstrated, before and after, that he possessed tremendous self-control. The whole scene is perfect, but the time and place was all wrong. Thereafter, it became difficult for me to concentrate on the story because I felt that my intelligence had been insulted; I was seething. I'm glad I had written my review (almost all of it except this paragraph) before that scene because I wonder if I would have remembered all that was amazing. It is not the first time that I've seen books spoiled by a problematic sex scene and/or a botched ending, but I think it's the first time I've seen a book ruined by the author basically neglecting to respect a character that she had so carefully crafted. In case you're wondering, it's not a consent issue. It took me out of the story, and I had a tough time caring about how it would all end, because I felt I could not trust the author anymore. A very, very unfortunate move which, in my opinion, could have been so easily done otherwise without any consequences. And another star was lost because of that, because I felt betrayed, and I couldn't overlook it. There was also one detail at the very end; I don't know, maybe it should have been left out, it felt a bit cheap.
While I'm feeling frustrated, might as well include the typos (and that's not the author's fault).
"bails of wool" (bales); whiskey (it's whisky in England); "lite fare" (light); "shaking the tangle of her falling coiffeur away from her face." (the poor man! It's coiffure);
"She kissed the whirl of his ear, " (whorl); "“How much are you willing to pay to for this something?”" (to pay for); "When I found him five years later, he’d been left for dead," (it's four)
Sabine and her friends Willow and Tessa wanted to be independent. They were wealthy, and the only way to truly achieve independence was a marriage of convenience with a husband who would stay away and let them be. Willow and Tessa had found love, but Sabine had remained at home, cataloging her late father's maps. She really didn't want to get married, but her uncle was making her life unbearable. On that fateful day of 1830, Jon Stoker, who was the last of his trio of friends to remain unmarried, had decided to go tell Sabine he didn't want to marry either. Like her, his friends had put him up to it. What happened next was to determine the course of their future, and so they agreed to a marriage of convenience. They had met a few times in four years after their wedding, corresponded a little. Jon was away while Sabine's publication, A Noble Guide to London, thrived. Sabine was on a quest of her own, regarding her uncle's strange goings-on, and that's when she stumbled upon her estranged husband, who had been stab and half dead. He had rescued her once, now it was her turn.
I had so enjoyed the previous book, my expectations for this installment were sky high. And Charis Michaels does not disappoint! YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE is fantastic! The very intricate plot moves at a brisk pace, the writing flows effortlessly, and Sabine and Jon are magnificent. Both are blunt, straightforward, very proud, and don't want to show any weaknesses or depend on anyone. Sabine is efficiency personified and quite managing. Jon has a genuine aura of danger about him, and she is more than woman enough to handle it. There was no instalust, no instalove, but I felt what had made them agree to that marriage of convenience, when it was not their intention to begin with. There was trust. Jon feels he is not worthy of her, and viewed from his perspective, it's true. He has a fascinating backstory, and he is the most honourable of men, even if he can't see it.
The conversations Jon and Sabine have while he's recuperating are outrageously entertaining, and I laughed out loud several times. The dialogues throughout the book are so extraordinary that I can't find the proper word to do them justice. From hilarious banter - let's not forget the maid Perry here - to heart to heart talks, the verbal exchanges are superb. There is that particular conversation, a moment, when you sense their relationship shifting. It's subtle, and unmistakable. Sabine and Jon are extremely strong and vibrant people; they both have personal demons to conquer, and watching them grow as their romance blossomed was mesmerising. YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE is so well written that you feel what is merely implied, you hear the whispers that flutter in our couple's hearts, the desire that consumes them. It's all there for us to grasp, to sense, to experience. YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE exudes charm, sensuality, intelligence, and wit. And woven into this exquisite and passionate romance are a couple of exciting mysteries, essential to the plot. YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE stands entirely on its own, the missing details on the events of the first two books are included in the epilogue.
YOU MAY KISS THE DUKE was a perfectly marvellous story until the first - and only real - sex scene which, for me, was catastrophic. It contradicted what Jon had said and done earlier, it was completely out of character. Jon would never have done that, never. I took out a whole star for that unfortunate faux pas from the author. It was not what happened or how, it was where and when it happened. For once, I was eagerly anticipating a sex scene and it was ruined by the author ignoring her character's principles. It was in very poor taste, incredibly rude, and the worst part is, Jon is not to blame: the author forced him to do something he would never, ever have done. He would never have disrespected his friends that way, never; he demonstrated, before and after, that he possessed tremendous self-control. The whole scene is perfect, but the time and place was all wrong. Thereafter, it became difficult for me to concentrate on the story because I felt that my intelligence had been insulted; I was seething. I'm glad I had written my review (almost all of it except this paragraph) before that scene because I wonder if I would have remembered all that was amazing. It is not the first time that I've seen books spoiled by a problematic sex scene and/or a botched ending, but I think it's the first time I've seen a book ruined by the author basically neglecting to respect a character that she had so carefully crafted. In case you're wondering, it's not a consent issue. It took me out of the story, and I had a tough time caring about how it would all end, because I felt I could not trust the author anymore. A very, very unfortunate move which, in my opinion, could have been so easily done otherwise without any consequences. And another star was lost because of that, because I felt betrayed, and I couldn't overlook it. There was also one detail at the very end; I don't know, maybe it should have been left out, it felt a bit cheap.
While I'm feeling frustrated, might as well include the typos (and that's not the author's fault).
"bails of wool" (bales); whiskey (it's whisky in England); "lite fare" (light); "shaking the tangle of her falling coiffeur away from her face." (the poor man! It's coiffure);
"She kissed the whirl of his ear, " (whorl); "“How much are you willing to pay to for this something?”" (to pay for); "When I found him five years later, he’d been left for dead," (it's four)
September 20, 2020
Three friends propose a deal with three businessmen: their dowries in exchange for marriages of convenience and freedom. Sabine Noble has no interest in her friends' marriage scheme, but needs to get away from an abusive uncle. Jon Stoker also has no interest in marriage, but the commitment-free offer and hefty dowry are hard to refuse. Jon helps Sabine escape, and sails away...the two corresponding infrequently and only seeing each other once a year.
In London, Sabine start a new life writing travel guides using her deceased father's maps. Still hoping to return to her family home one day, Sabine begins looking into her uncle's nefarious use of her father's maps for a smuggling operation. While investigating, she accidently find her husband, injured and left for dead. She reluctantly takes on the job of nursing him back to health and, in close quarters, the two finally have to deal with their marriage and growing attraction.
This is the third book in the Brides of Belgravia series and best read in order. This book was 3.5 stars for me, bumped up to four. I think if you don't have the full history of these characters across the other two books, you might not "care" as much about their story.
With Stoker being bedridden and their forced proximity, this is a book that has a lot of more dialog and less action. These are two awkward and broken characters. Because of her uncle's physical abuse, Sabine is uncomfortable with men. Stoker grew up in a brothel and later worked to rescue women from prostitution. He has a damaged view of relationships and intimacy. He desires Sabine, but sees sex as a transaction and he's witnessed so many broken women that he's afraid to be passionate.
Spoiler ahead...
*
*
*
Stoker loses his composure and the first time they make love is wild and completely out of character for him. He hates himself for it (even though she loved it) and vows to only touch her as a "gentleman." The next time, it's cold and impersonal and neither of them enjoys it. You almost never see this in romance novels; normally everyone has fantastic sex with multiple orgasms. I thought this was really refreshing that the sex was boring and they had to talk about it. They both had to deal with their past experiences in order to be more intimate with each other. I felt like there needed to be one more LONG love scene to drive it home.
In London, Sabine start a new life writing travel guides using her deceased father's maps. Still hoping to return to her family home one day, Sabine begins looking into her uncle's nefarious use of her father's maps for a smuggling operation. While investigating, she accidently find her husband, injured and left for dead. She reluctantly takes on the job of nursing him back to health and, in close quarters, the two finally have to deal with their marriage and growing attraction.
This is the third book in the Brides of Belgravia series and best read in order. This book was 3.5 stars for me, bumped up to four. I think if you don't have the full history of these characters across the other two books, you might not "care" as much about their story.
With Stoker being bedridden and their forced proximity, this is a book that has a lot of more dialog and less action. These are two awkward and broken characters. Because of her uncle's physical abuse, Sabine is uncomfortable with men. Stoker grew up in a brothel and later worked to rescue women from prostitution. He has a damaged view of relationships and intimacy. He desires Sabine, but sees sex as a transaction and he's witnessed so many broken women that he's afraid to be passionate.
Spoiler ahead...
*
*
*
Stoker loses his composure and the first time they make love is wild and completely out of character for him. He hates himself for it (even though she loved it) and vows to only touch her as a "gentleman." The next time, it's cold and impersonal and neither of them enjoys it. You almost never see this in romance novels; normally everyone has fantastic sex with multiple orgasms. I thought this was really refreshing that the sex was boring and they had to talk about it. They both had to deal with their past experiences in order to be more intimate with each other. I felt like there needed to be one more LONG love scene to drive it home.
June 3, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up.
After going along with her friends idea of placing an advert in the Times looking for grooms, Sabine Noble never expected or wanted to find love, she just wanted escape. So when Sabine married Jon Stoker, it was strictly a marriage of convenience, she believed he needed her dowry for a shipping venture and she needed to rescued from her abusive uncle, it seemed like the perfect arrangement. They strike a bargain and agree to marry and part ways. It seemed that these two would never find the kind of happiness her friends have with their convenient grooms, but that is fine, she is happy in London and if she happens to think of her handsome husband and wonder what he is doing from time to time, that is to be expected - right?
Sabine moved to London four years ago after marrying and parting ways with Jon. She has a very satisfying life writing travel guides. Her life is calm and predictable until she discovers that her vile uncle might be up to no good and sets out to investigate. It is on one of her investigative outings that she finds her husband left for dead on board a hospital ship. Unable to leave him, she brings him back to her rooms and sees to his care. She doesn't want him in her home, but there is no one else to care for him or so she tells herself.
When Jon wakes, he is confused, what happened to him? He is surprised to see Sabine, the girl he rescued by marrying her and then sailed away from. Jon has a history of rescuing women, born to a prostitute and raised in a brothel, Jon has experienced the absolute worst of mankind and has some very odd ideas of what is and is not acceptable - very odd - he is (and always has been) attracted to Sabine and insists on leaving her apartments, but when the doctor says he has to stay, he reluctantly agrees and slowly Sabine begins to peel away the layers that make up this complex man. The longer they are together, the more they dread their inevitable parting, but maybe it doesn't have to end... But before they can consider their options, they must find out who tried to kill Jon and Sabine must figure out what her uncle is up to and find a way to regain everything he stole from her.
This was a very interesting story with incredibly complexed characters, warmish love scenes, surprising revelations, witty and entertaining banter, a heroine who knows what she wants and a hero that thinks he knows more than he actually does. I enjoyed reading the book, but felt like a lot was left out and the ending left me with a lot of unanswered questions and feeling a bit unsatisfied. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
After going along with her friends idea of placing an advert in the Times looking for grooms, Sabine Noble never expected or wanted to find love, she just wanted escape. So when Sabine married Jon Stoker, it was strictly a marriage of convenience, she believed he needed her dowry for a shipping venture and she needed to rescued from her abusive uncle, it seemed like the perfect arrangement. They strike a bargain and agree to marry and part ways. It seemed that these two would never find the kind of happiness her friends have with their convenient grooms, but that is fine, she is happy in London and if she happens to think of her handsome husband and wonder what he is doing from time to time, that is to be expected - right?
Sabine moved to London four years ago after marrying and parting ways with Jon. She has a very satisfying life writing travel guides. Her life is calm and predictable until she discovers that her vile uncle might be up to no good and sets out to investigate. It is on one of her investigative outings that she finds her husband left for dead on board a hospital ship. Unable to leave him, she brings him back to her rooms and sees to his care. She doesn't want him in her home, but there is no one else to care for him or so she tells herself.
When Jon wakes, he is confused, what happened to him? He is surprised to see Sabine, the girl he rescued by marrying her and then sailed away from. Jon has a history of rescuing women, born to a prostitute and raised in a brothel, Jon has experienced the absolute worst of mankind and has some very odd ideas of what is and is not acceptable - very odd - he is (and always has been) attracted to Sabine and insists on leaving her apartments, but when the doctor says he has to stay, he reluctantly agrees and slowly Sabine begins to peel away the layers that make up this complex man. The longer they are together, the more they dread their inevitable parting, but maybe it doesn't have to end... But before they can consider their options, they must find out who tried to kill Jon and Sabine must figure out what her uncle is up to and find a way to regain everything he stole from her.
This was a very interesting story with incredibly complexed characters, warmish love scenes, surprising revelations, witty and entertaining banter, a heroine who knows what she wants and a hero that thinks he knows more than he actually does. I enjoyed reading the book, but felt like a lot was left out and the ending left me with a lot of unanswered questions and feeling a bit unsatisfied. This is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
June 17, 2019
I was looking so forward to this book. And it was just so disappointing. I liked the story line but at times it felt like too much was happening, that I had to believe a bit to much that didn't seem plausible. But really the biggest problem I had was with after the first sex scene. Stoker felt guilty that he had been so rough (she had enjoyed it) so he went the opposite direction. The next scene is this uncomfortable delicate love making scene that Sabine doesn't enjoy. They later have a conversation more plot things happen and it ends with him agreeing to let himself go and enjoy the moment. But we never see it! The reader get one awesome scene but their clothes never actually come fully off and a couple tepid scenes that Sabine endures because its what Stoker says he wants and she's hoping he will notice the difference in pleasure for both of them and then a passionate kiss when Stoker agrees to go back to being more assertive. There is no payoff!
Secondly the book ends quickly weirdly and almost like the author hit her max amount of pages and then went well I'm done. This book had so many good things going for it but was terribly paced which made for an awkward and frustrating read.
Secondly the book ends quickly weirdly and almost like the author hit her max amount of pages and then went well I'm done. This book had so many good things going for it but was terribly paced which made for an awkward and frustrating read.
May 22, 2019
Finally - Sabine and Stoker’s story.
I have been intrigued to find out what is at the heart of Sabine and Stoker’s marriage. There have been little teasers scattered through the two preceding books in the Brides of Belgravia story. Sabine could easily have been a tragic heroine and object of pity. Stoker could have been the strong and silent hero. Their love story could have been one of anguished misunderstandings and fraught silences. Fortunately, Charis Michaels is much more talented than that.
You May Kiss the Duke has an assertive, competent and generous woman as the central character. Sabine is forging her own way and has a sound plan to find her own revenge for past wrongs. She is not waiting for any knight in shining armour. The hero is silent but initially very far from strong. In fact he has been left for dead in the stinking morgue of a hospital ship and is rescued by Sabine only after a fiercely fought battle with the astonished menfolk who foolishly try to get in her way.
There’s no annoying ‘instalove’ happening in this story either. Sabine is a reluctant and distracted nurse. Stoker is an uncooperative and embarrassed patient. The dog is the most tender hearted of the central characters in the early stages of this love story.
The love scenes are well written and help to progress the reader’s understanding of the personalities involved. One of my favourite scenes in the book is an interlude between Sabine and Stoker that is at once amusing, frustrating and heartbreaking. A sex scene that demonstrates a male character’s vulnerability and evidence of past traumas is not often seen in Historical Romance, and it is done here with a light hand and obvious affection for her characters.
Characters from the previous novels are alluded to, but don’t have an enormous presence, and some explanation for this is included in the plot.
This will be a reread book for me and I hope there will also be an Audible version shortly.
I have been intrigued to find out what is at the heart of Sabine and Stoker’s marriage. There have been little teasers scattered through the two preceding books in the Brides of Belgravia story. Sabine could easily have been a tragic heroine and object of pity. Stoker could have been the strong and silent hero. Their love story could have been one of anguished misunderstandings and fraught silences. Fortunately, Charis Michaels is much more talented than that.
You May Kiss the Duke has an assertive, competent and generous woman as the central character. Sabine is forging her own way and has a sound plan to find her own revenge for past wrongs. She is not waiting for any knight in shining armour. The hero is silent but initially very far from strong. In fact he has been left for dead in the stinking morgue of a hospital ship and is rescued by Sabine only after a fiercely fought battle with the astonished menfolk who foolishly try to get in her way.
There’s no annoying ‘instalove’ happening in this story either. Sabine is a reluctant and distracted nurse. Stoker is an uncooperative and embarrassed patient. The dog is the most tender hearted of the central characters in the early stages of this love story.
The love scenes are well written and help to progress the reader’s understanding of the personalities involved. One of my favourite scenes in the book is an interlude between Sabine and Stoker that is at once amusing, frustrating and heartbreaking. A sex scene that demonstrates a male character’s vulnerability and evidence of past traumas is not often seen in Historical Romance, and it is done here with a light hand and obvious affection for her characters.
Characters from the previous novels are alluded to, but don’t have an enormous presence, and some explanation for this is included in the plot.
This will be a reread book for me and I hope there will also be an Audible version shortly.
May 13, 2024
Stoker wins the dubious honor of being the Most Oblivious Man in England. Sabine has to say more or less literally "You don't get to make decisions for me or decide how I feel about things, and right now I want you to ravish me like you said you've been thinking about for years", and even then he panics and tries to treat her delicately and gently, only for her to say "this isn't working and it's boring to boot, I much preferred the ravishment". He has his reasons, being the son of a prostitute and having viewed sex as a transaction in which the man gets pleasure and the woman gets money/material goods/etc his whole life. But lord, the number of times he chastises himself for physically desiring his own wife, who definitely wants him too...
May 26, 2019
The problem with a hero or heroine being injured and bedridden is that there’s not much for the hero and heroine to do beyond talk to each other. Was really excited about this title but liked the first two in the series more.
February 10, 2023
3.5 Stars. Well written with quirky characters. This is the only one of the series I have read. If her characters in other novels are as enjoyable, I would read more of her books. In this one the plot is not enough to carry the day.
August 25, 2020
It was o.k. I did prefer books 1 and 2.
May 20, 2019
I've only recently discovered Charis Michaels with the previous two books in the Brides of Belgravia series, and so far, You May Kiss the Duke is my favourite.
The whole marriage of convenience trope is one of my favourites in the historical romance genre, and while the whole series revolves around this trope, I really liked how the third developed. Here we have two characters, Sabine Noble and Jon Stoker who had no intention of ever having a real relationship despite their marriage. Both characters come into the marriage with a lot of baggage and therefore, marriage is not ideal to either. That is, until, circumstances force Sabine to take in her husband when she discovers him near death. The proximity forces them to actually get to know one another and from there, well, the rest is history (even if the journey isn't entirely a smooth one).
Charis Michaels is a delightful writer and I adored this trilogy. Her characterizations and witty heroines make each novel a delight. Sabine and Stoker in particular are fabulous characters and I loved watching their romance unfold.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
The whole marriage of convenience trope is one of my favourites in the historical romance genre, and while the whole series revolves around this trope, I really liked how the third developed. Here we have two characters, Sabine Noble and Jon Stoker who had no intention of ever having a real relationship despite their marriage. Both characters come into the marriage with a lot of baggage and therefore, marriage is not ideal to either. That is, until, circumstances force Sabine to take in her husband when she discovers him near death. The proximity forces them to actually get to know one another and from there, well, the rest is history (even if the journey isn't entirely a smooth one).
Charis Michaels is a delightful writer and I adored this trilogy. Her characterizations and witty heroines make each novel a delight. Sabine and Stoker in particular are fabulous characters and I loved watching their romance unfold.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
August 25, 2019
After reading Willow and Brent’s story, I knew I had to read Sabine and Jon’s.
And what a journey it was!
I made the mistake to read the prologue and first chapter offered as teasers the day before the release and just before going to bed, I was nearly mad when I woke up to find it was not yet delivered on my kindle shelves (I did the mistake to preordered it on a.com instead of a.fr, where the preorders are loaded at my midnight time, not the US’ one.)
As I was left with a cliffhanger, 6am did not cone soon enough. Then I was left to read bit by bit during my working schedule. But yehhh, I turned the last page this morning.
I just adored witnessing their stumbles to one another.
Sabine does not have any real romantic bones in her, she is straightforward, clever, using facts as foods for thoughts.
She never gave really a thought about men and marriage until her uncle and his abuses changed her, she turned weary of all men and swore to never again become pray of one.
Jon is a survivor, and because of his upbringing, he became a kind of rescuer and protector of the abused. His past shaped him in a man afraid of closeness and scared to unleash his own needs. He can’t see sex encounters as anything as a trade, never having felt loved, it is only about power and greediness from one side and means to survive or gain a deal on the other side.
Once they rekindle, and thanks to his injuries and a complete lack of nurse talent in her, their story moves to a slowly pace, giving them time to accustom and trust another. In the meantime, their feelings awaken and give them something to think about.
It was incredible to see them argue and exchange, as it was how they built their relationship but expressing their thoughts loudly, never backing down but facing them. There was no poems nor flowers, only the mutual respect they have for one another and the insight each add to their inquiries by sharing every bit of knowledges they have.
I loved how with words and reasoning, Sabine smoothly broke Jon’s walls, he is so afraid to disrespect or hurt her, he can’t free the passion he has for her, until she with patience shows him he will never overpower her as he worships her too much for it. It was also very entertaining to watch Sabine grew up and take matters in hand to learn about the marriage bed and seduce her husband as he is dead bend to never touch her to not degrade her.
Mrs Charis Michaels crafted an awesome and entertaining tale with two very unique characters, who use their intellect and wits to approach the other and win its trust and love.
And what a journey it was!
I made the mistake to read the prologue and first chapter offered as teasers the day before the release and just before going to bed, I was nearly mad when I woke up to find it was not yet delivered on my kindle shelves (I did the mistake to preordered it on a.com instead of a.fr, where the preorders are loaded at my midnight time, not the US’ one.)
As I was left with a cliffhanger, 6am did not cone soon enough. Then I was left to read bit by bit during my working schedule. But yehhh, I turned the last page this morning.
I just adored witnessing their stumbles to one another.
Sabine does not have any real romantic bones in her, she is straightforward, clever, using facts as foods for thoughts.
She never gave really a thought about men and marriage until her uncle and his abuses changed her, she turned weary of all men and swore to never again become pray of one.
Jon is a survivor, and because of his upbringing, he became a kind of rescuer and protector of the abused. His past shaped him in a man afraid of closeness and scared to unleash his own needs. He can’t see sex encounters as anything as a trade, never having felt loved, it is only about power and greediness from one side and means to survive or gain a deal on the other side.
Once they rekindle, and thanks to his injuries and a complete lack of nurse talent in her, their story moves to a slowly pace, giving them time to accustom and trust another. In the meantime, their feelings awaken and give them something to think about.
It was incredible to see them argue and exchange, as it was how they built their relationship but expressing their thoughts loudly, never backing down but facing them. There was no poems nor flowers, only the mutual respect they have for one another and the insight each add to their inquiries by sharing every bit of knowledges they have.
I loved how with words and reasoning, Sabine smoothly broke Jon’s walls, he is so afraid to disrespect or hurt her, he can’t free the passion he has for her, until she with patience shows him he will never overpower her as he worships her too much for it. It was also very entertaining to watch Sabine grew up and take matters in hand to learn about the marriage bed and seduce her husband as he is dead bend to never touch her to not degrade her.
Mrs Charis Michaels crafted an awesome and entertaining tale with two very unique characters, who use their intellect and wits to approach the other and win its trust and love.
May 4, 2021
Just ok.
The book had a good premise and the dialog was very clever. There was way too much internal conflict and the action did not deal with the main couple directly. She had her side story and he had his. I wasn't able to get to the end without skipping parts. The hero had trouble with physical intimacy because of his difficult childhood. Although it was understandable, it was not fun to read. I don't know if I would read this author again.
The book had a good premise and the dialog was very clever. There was way too much internal conflict and the action did not deal with the main couple directly. She had her side story and he had his. I wasn't able to get to the end without skipping parts. The hero had trouble with physical intimacy because of his difficult childhood. Although it was understandable, it was not fun to read. I don't know if I would read this author again.
October 24, 2020
3.5
Enjoyable though I didn't love Sabine's general attitude most of the time. She's okay. Stoker is great and struggles with his past but overcomes it.
Good final installment of this series.
Enjoyable though I didn't love Sabine's general attitude most of the time. She's okay. Stoker is great and struggles with his past but overcomes it.
Good final installment of this series.
May 5, 2022
Ok... I'll admit, the blurry-ish cover does not inspire much confidence, and be warned this is the slowest of slow burns (one of the heroes of the other books makes a joke that the time it takes each man to fall for their bride increases: first took "minutes", days, then years). But regardless, this book really knocked my socks off.
Pros
-Characters
1.Sabine
* I loved her sleuthing spirit (going undercover to discover her nefarious uncle's plans with her dog Bridgette in tow gave me Veronica Mars and Back-Up (only a true Marshmallow will understand the capitalization)vibes), and also the way she handles her growing affection towards a husband she married for convenience five years ago (our girl questions him about his feelings, such as... you know, "why did you marry me?").
*Plus, Sabine owns her sexuality (straight up telling Stoker to... stoke her fire, so to speak... I apologize for the pun. I'll see myself out), unashamed of wanting roughness rather than refined love making.
2.Stoker
*Now, strange pro, but I liked how he had to overcome his negative association with sex: his mother was a sex worker, one who didn't like her job, but it kept food on the table. Stoker grew up only knowing that the men who liked his mother gave him trinkets, food, and a place to stay. And when she opens up about what all these nice things for him cost her, he bolts, hitting the streets to flee her life. But years down the way, he takes to saving women and children from unsavory situations to, I read it as, make up for his contribution to his mother's suffering.
*And while he has punched his V card, he views sex as purely transactional, only doing it to get something in return and women couldn't possibly enjoy a good pawing. Love that Sabine has to keep him from spiraling over "ruining her and her first time" by saying, "I asked for more. The only thing I want and got from sex with you was my own release and yours". He has to learn that lust and love can co-exist and not in the normal "bad boy duke" way. Our guy is seriously shy.
-Chemistry
*While this is the definition of a slow burn (I mean, they got married, go their separate ways, and then five years later, Sabine finds Stoker half-dead in a morgue), we do get lovely tidbits about them observing each other that span years, continents on Stoker's part (you're welcome, my fellow Marshmallows):
1.When they finally kiss, Stoker's hands marvel at her body, internally gushing how even the thought of it/her got him through years worth of voyages.
2.Rather than see him sexually/aesthetically, Sabine feels great pride/relief at having someone to share her investigation with (she literally rushes home to tell him about her day and for his part, Stoker is elated at the passion she displays when he asks).
3.Their sex scenes are electric, baby! That is all.
-Overcoming Anxiety
*Sabine and Stoker both have past trauma (she was physically abused by her uncle, he's the child of a sex worker), and while both aren't that great at handling it (Sabine thinks she's got a handle on her anger towards her uncle, claiming she doesn't think about him much anymore, Stoker points out that yes, she does, nearly every single day of her investigation and Stoker's spent his adult life avoiding love because according to him, no real pleasure can be found there), they're willing to work to get better.
-Unlike most heroines who claim to be wary of men yet are shown to have a gaggle of them 'round for ton dances, Sabine is shown to keep a solitary existence, living alone, keeping a small staff of only a footman and a few maids, and interacts with her neighbors in passing. She does, however, value her female friends (AKA the other Brides of Belgravia).
*Sabine and Stoker also aren't gaga from the get go about seeing each other again; she's not fantasizing about him in her bed (not at first anyway); she's understandably turned off about suddenly having someone invade her space.
Bonuses
-Sabine saying she lives in a cellar apartment just made me picture Laverne & Shirley's place during the early seasons.
-Cover man kinda looks like Paul Rudd. I'm not mad at it.
*And he dons glasses! My heart!
Con
-The big bad was taken down in less than a chapter and says "First, I'll get the dog", giving me cringey "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog, too!" vibes. Honestly, the whole mystery smuggling thing was a bit boring. But, it did bring out the investigative team of Stoke and Sabine, so... silver lining.
I had fun and did analysis along the way. What more could this reader want?
Pros
-Characters
1.Sabine
* I loved her sleuthing spirit (going undercover to discover her nefarious uncle's plans with her dog Bridgette in tow gave me Veronica Mars and Back-Up (only a true Marshmallow will understand the capitalization)vibes), and also the way she handles her growing affection towards a husband she married for convenience five years ago (our girl questions him about his feelings, such as... you know, "why did you marry me?").
*Plus, Sabine owns her sexuality (straight up telling Stoker to... stoke her fire, so to speak... I apologize for the pun. I'll see myself out), unashamed of wanting roughness rather than refined love making.
2.Stoker
*Now, strange pro, but I liked how he had to overcome his negative association with sex: his mother was a sex worker, one who didn't like her job, but it kept food on the table. Stoker grew up only knowing that the men who liked his mother gave him trinkets, food, and a place to stay. And when she opens up about what all these nice things for him cost her, he bolts, hitting the streets to flee her life. But years down the way, he takes to saving women and children from unsavory situations to, I read it as, make up for his contribution to his mother's suffering.
*And while he has punched his V card, he views sex as purely transactional, only doing it to get something in return and women couldn't possibly enjoy a good pawing. Love that Sabine has to keep him from spiraling over "ruining her and her first time" by saying, "I asked for more. The only thing I want and got from sex with you was my own release and yours". He has to learn that lust and love can co-exist and not in the normal "bad boy duke" way. Our guy is seriously shy.
-Chemistry
*While this is the definition of a slow burn (I mean, they got married, go their separate ways, and then five years later, Sabine finds Stoker half-dead in a morgue), we do get lovely tidbits about them observing each other that span years, continents on Stoker's part (you're welcome, my fellow Marshmallows):
1.When they finally kiss, Stoker's hands marvel at her body, internally gushing how even the thought of it/her got him through years worth of voyages.
2.Rather than see him sexually/aesthetically, Sabine feels great pride/relief at having someone to share her investigation with (she literally rushes home to tell him about her day and for his part, Stoker is elated at the passion she displays when he asks).
3.Their sex scenes are electric, baby! That is all.
-Overcoming Anxiety
*Sabine and Stoker both have past trauma (she was physically abused by her uncle, he's the child of a sex worker), and while both aren't that great at handling it (Sabine thinks she's got a handle on her anger towards her uncle, claiming she doesn't think about him much anymore, Stoker points out that yes, she does, nearly every single day of her investigation and Stoker's spent his adult life avoiding love because according to him, no real pleasure can be found there), they're willing to work to get better.
-Unlike most heroines who claim to be wary of men yet are shown to have a gaggle of them 'round for ton dances, Sabine is shown to keep a solitary existence, living alone, keeping a small staff of only a footman and a few maids, and interacts with her neighbors in passing. She does, however, value her female friends (AKA the other Brides of Belgravia).
*Sabine and Stoker also aren't gaga from the get go about seeing each other again; she's not fantasizing about him in her bed (not at first anyway); she's understandably turned off about suddenly having someone invade her space.
Bonuses
-Sabine saying she lives in a cellar apartment just made me picture Laverne & Shirley's place during the early seasons.
-Cover man kinda looks like Paul Rudd. I'm not mad at it.
*And he dons glasses! My heart!
Con
-The big bad was taken down in less than a chapter and says "First, I'll get the dog", giving me cringey "I'll get you my pretty, and your little dog, too!" vibes. Honestly, the whole mystery smuggling thing was a bit boring. But, it did bring out the investigative team of Stoke and Sabine, so... silver lining.
I had fun and did analysis along the way. What more could this reader want?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
4.75
Near perfect. I was always going to rock with an adult Jon Stoker and this didn’t disappoint. What a unique story.
Of all the heroes in this and the Bachelor Lords series the last one you’d expect to turn up near dead and be convalescing through nearly the entire book is Stoker - we barely ever see him sitting down or not climbing up a window let alone lying in bed for weeks. I loved how his fear of overpowering women in life, lust and love and identity as a rags to riches Important Man were juxtaposed with his sheer powerless as an invalid, his lack of agency in the various investigations going on in the book, and his weakness to resist Sabine.
Sabine was always the most intriguing of the 3 brides to me and the snippets we got of her with her friends and with (or not with) Stoker in the previous books were so curious and left much to the imagination. I loved the snippets of her guide books and how she wove her sleuthing into her work without either endeavor ever feeling over the top or girl bossy like some HRs tend to veer towards. I loved her working through her trauma as a victim of physical abuse and being able to take ownership of her sexuality and desires. The chemistry in this book is unreal for 2 people who haven’t spent more than a few minutes together in 4+ years.
My only beef and the reason this isn’t a 5 star is I absolutely do not need Stoker to be legitimate or the heir to a dukedom. The amazing thing about him is that he had this horrible upbringing and has seen the worst possible aspects of humanity and still is able to open himself up to people like the Courtlands, his friends, and Sabine. Even when he’s pushing her away it’s an issue of his skewed view of sex and viewing her as too Good to taint with unrestricted desire, not denying his love or resisting her love for him. I even think finding out his father was a Duke who misused his mother is fine and makes sense. For him to then find out they were married the whole time and he has claim to a dukedom feels retconning or “see? He was noble the entire time and deserves a woman like Sabine!” It’s far more impressive for him to have this life despite being illegitimate and the son of sex worker who a Duke ignored. My only hope is that off page, Sabine and Stoker discuss this and decide they’d prefer to spend their lives in Surrey over taking on a gross dukedom.
Near perfect. I was always going to rock with an adult Jon Stoker and this didn’t disappoint. What a unique story.
Of all the heroes in this and the Bachelor Lords series the last one you’d expect to turn up near dead and be convalescing through nearly the entire book is Stoker - we barely ever see him sitting down or not climbing up a window let alone lying in bed for weeks. I loved how his fear of overpowering women in life, lust and love and identity as a rags to riches Important Man were juxtaposed with his sheer powerless as an invalid, his lack of agency in the various investigations going on in the book, and his weakness to resist Sabine.
Sabine was always the most intriguing of the 3 brides to me and the snippets we got of her with her friends and with (or not with) Stoker in the previous books were so curious and left much to the imagination. I loved the snippets of her guide books and how she wove her sleuthing into her work without either endeavor ever feeling over the top or girl bossy like some HRs tend to veer towards. I loved her working through her trauma as a victim of physical abuse and being able to take ownership of her sexuality and desires. The chemistry in this book is unreal for 2 people who haven’t spent more than a few minutes together in 4+ years.
My only beef and the reason this isn’t a 5 star is I absolutely do not need Stoker to be legitimate or the heir to a dukedom. The amazing thing about him is that he had this horrible upbringing and has seen the worst possible aspects of humanity and still is able to open himself up to people like the Courtlands, his friends, and Sabine. Even when he’s pushing her away it’s an issue of his skewed view of sex and viewing her as too Good to taint with unrestricted desire, not denying his love or resisting her love for him. I even think finding out his father was a Duke who misused his mother is fine and makes sense. For him to then find out they were married the whole time and he has claim to a dukedom feels retconning or “see? He was noble the entire time and deserves a woman like Sabine!” It’s far more impressive for him to have this life despite being illegitimate and the son of sex worker who a Duke ignored. My only hope is that off page, Sabine and Stoker discuss this and decide they’d prefer to spend their lives in Surrey over taking on a gross dukedom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2019
Pixham, Surrey - 1830
Sabine Noble and some of her friends with nice dowries, have put an advertisement out looking for husbands. They hope to marry sailors who would be gone all the time. In exchange for their dowries and a marriage of convenience, the girls can live happily in London.
Sabine has suffered yet another beating by her evil uncle, Sir Dryden. After her father’s sudden death, the man came to live with her and her mother. He took over everything and beat Sabine on a regular basis. Today, after beating Sabine, he locked her in a cupboard.
Jon Stoker has arrived to inquire about the ad to marry Sabine. Finding her in the cupboard, he releases her and then locks her uncle in the cupboard.
Jon is a kind man who has, in the past, rescued many other women like Sabine. They both agree to a marriage of convenience that will allow her to enjoy the freedom of a married woman, while she and her husband live separate lives. After marrying, Jon returns to sea.
London - 1834
Sabine Stoker is living a happy life working as a successful and popular writer of numerous travel guides for areas of interest in London. As her father was a cartographer, she has a great desire to draw maps to include in her guides.
Sabine is off to visit a hospital ship docked in London filled with sailors all ill with scurvy. There, she recognizes her desperately ill husband, Jon, and takes him home to nurse him.
As they spend time together, both show their stubbornness as they do their best to not allow themselves to be attracted to one another.
This book started off rather promising, but when Sabine and Jon started spending more time together as he healed from his wound, I found their banter to be inane, immature, and, frankly, boring. I read the first book of the series and liked it because it showed Jon as a true hero, whereas this book seemed to emphasize the character’s inability to get along. Playing the oneupmanship game gets old.
Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Sabine Noble and some of her friends with nice dowries, have put an advertisement out looking for husbands. They hope to marry sailors who would be gone all the time. In exchange for their dowries and a marriage of convenience, the girls can live happily in London.
Sabine has suffered yet another beating by her evil uncle, Sir Dryden. After her father’s sudden death, the man came to live with her and her mother. He took over everything and beat Sabine on a regular basis. Today, after beating Sabine, he locked her in a cupboard.
Jon Stoker has arrived to inquire about the ad to marry Sabine. Finding her in the cupboard, he releases her and then locks her uncle in the cupboard.
Jon is a kind man who has, in the past, rescued many other women like Sabine. They both agree to a marriage of convenience that will allow her to enjoy the freedom of a married woman, while she and her husband live separate lives. After marrying, Jon returns to sea.
London - 1834
Sabine Stoker is living a happy life working as a successful and popular writer of numerous travel guides for areas of interest in London. As her father was a cartographer, she has a great desire to draw maps to include in her guides.
Sabine is off to visit a hospital ship docked in London filled with sailors all ill with scurvy. There, she recognizes her desperately ill husband, Jon, and takes him home to nurse him.
As they spend time together, both show their stubbornness as they do their best to not allow themselves to be attracted to one another.
This book started off rather promising, but when Sabine and Jon started spending more time together as he healed from his wound, I found their banter to be inane, immature, and, frankly, boring. I read the first book of the series and liked it because it showed Jon as a true hero, whereas this book seemed to emphasize the character’s inability to get along. Playing the oneupmanship game gets old.
Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 18, 2019
I was so pleased with this book! It’s always a treat when you find an author who can really write, and who has also tackled an unusual/unlikely plot, but who can make you believe in it while you are reading.
Sabine Noble is an independent woman, she spends her days researching and writing guidebooks to London, while also investigating her abusive uncle, who she believes is involved in criminal activity, using her late father’s maps.
She had married Captain Jon Stoker in a true marriage of convenience, and has only had very limited contact with him since - a couple of times a year.
Whilst investigating her uncle she bluffs her way onto a hospital ship and unexpectedly discovers Jon in the hold,unconscious. she takes him home to nurse him, forced into close proximity, they discover feelings for each other, will they turn their convenient marriage into a love match?
What I loved about this book was the characters. Sabine is ravishingly beautiful, but she is not perfect. She is an indifferent nurse, brusque almost to the point of rudeness, independent, self sufficient, and not a paragon as many heroines in historical romances can be. She is intelligent, kind, and straightforward. She has been very wary of all men including Jon, but is also now finally very attracted to him. She is a really great character, as is Jon, he is honourable, stoic, damaged emotionally from his childhood and the things he has seen. He has been secretly attracted to Sabine from the moment he met her, but happy to give her her independence and see her occasionally from afar.
Will he be able to overcome his background and reach out for what he wants, will he understand that they can have a relationship of equals, and that Sabine will get just as much from a true union as he will.
The plot about Sabine’s uncle was also well executed. There was another subplot about Jon’s paternity, Could he really be the son of a Duke?
I liked this enough to get the first two books in the series, highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Sabine Noble is an independent woman, she spends her days researching and writing guidebooks to London, while also investigating her abusive uncle, who she believes is involved in criminal activity, using her late father’s maps.
She had married Captain Jon Stoker in a true marriage of convenience, and has only had very limited contact with him since - a couple of times a year.
Whilst investigating her uncle she bluffs her way onto a hospital ship and unexpectedly discovers Jon in the hold,unconscious. she takes him home to nurse him, forced into close proximity, they discover feelings for each other, will they turn their convenient marriage into a love match?
What I loved about this book was the characters. Sabine is ravishingly beautiful, but she is not perfect. She is an indifferent nurse, brusque almost to the point of rudeness, independent, self sufficient, and not a paragon as many heroines in historical romances can be. She is intelligent, kind, and straightforward. She has been very wary of all men including Jon, but is also now finally very attracted to him. She is a really great character, as is Jon, he is honourable, stoic, damaged emotionally from his childhood and the things he has seen. He has been secretly attracted to Sabine from the moment he met her, but happy to give her her independence and see her occasionally from afar.
Will he be able to overcome his background and reach out for what he wants, will he understand that they can have a relationship of equals, and that Sabine will get just as much from a true union as he will.
The plot about Sabine’s uncle was also well executed. There was another subplot about Jon’s paternity, Could he really be the son of a Duke?
I liked this enough to get the first two books in the series, highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 8, 2020
Read it in a day! Would read this book again. I love the dynamics of these two. Learning who they are and what they become when you take care of each other.
Wish I had a romantic gentleman like Jon's character- feel like I'm not in the correct era. love the chivalry. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn romance of Jon Stoker & Sabine Noble. I felt their chemistry from the very beginning of this novel. Especially love the slow burn intimacies Simple but so affective to arouse sexual emotions with two people.
When Jon saved Sabine from her horrible hideous uncle the cupboard. I found Jon's character as a true gentleman. Warmed heart to describe the struggles that Jon expressed when related to intimacy. Where he believed that being passionate meant he was a monster. Based on witnesses his mother's behavior with men.
I was thrilled that expressed Sabine's innocent when related to sex & marriage. Though very eager to learn. But also wanted the passion and ecstasy of intimacy. Not just wanting boring sex. This story is about respect, supporting one another when it truly matters. During that time of support becoming friends, lovers & true partners. That is what a marriage should be.
Again I read a series out of order. Darn it! I will have to read Earl of Cassin & Joseph Chances' love story of three ladies who place an advertisement of marriage and the outcome of their lives with these 3 strangers who have to become partners for a new life. Will all parties earn mutual respect for one another. I'll need to read the rest find out.
Wish I had a romantic gentleman like Jon's character- feel like I'm not in the correct era. love the chivalry. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn romance of Jon Stoker & Sabine Noble. I felt their chemistry from the very beginning of this novel. Especially love the slow burn intimacies Simple but so affective to arouse sexual emotions with two people.
When Jon saved Sabine from her horrible hideous uncle the cupboard. I found Jon's character as a true gentleman. Warmed heart to describe the struggles that Jon expressed when related to intimacy. Where he believed that being passionate meant he was a monster. Based on witnesses his mother's behavior with men.
I was thrilled that expressed Sabine's innocent when related to sex & marriage. Though very eager to learn. But also wanted the passion and ecstasy of intimacy. Not just wanting boring sex. This story is about respect, supporting one another when it truly matters. During that time of support becoming friends, lovers & true partners. That is what a marriage should be.
Again I read a series out of order. Darn it! I will have to read Earl of Cassin & Joseph Chances' love story of three ladies who place an advertisement of marriage and the outcome of their lives with these 3 strangers who have to become partners for a new life. Will all parties earn mutual respect for one another. I'll need to read the rest find out.
May 29, 2019
If you have followed Charis Michaels through her six book, 2 series journey you will recall the sullen, young Jon Stoker, in Book two of Bachelor Lords of London where he first appeared as Elizabeth’s errand boy and lead raider. Image my thrill when in this series we got new books on ‘the boys’ from the previous series.
Jon literally ‘grew up’ over the books and was a perfect ‘angsty’ hero in this one where we get to know him and his back story. Growing up in the streets of London, Jon Stoker is a ‘silent sufferer’ who had his own thoughts and ideas about love and other stuff!!) Walls he has built around himself, a typical ‘brooding’ hero who shies away from committing to the heroine.
And he lands up in confinement with untidy, feisty, clever Sabine, who is most unlike your typical heroine. As she admits herself, she is a terrible nursemaid yet she is the one who brings Jon back from being nearly dead.
I have always found Charis Michaels writing witty and wonderful and this marriage of convenience trope is always a bestseller with me. So I do admit that is was a double whammy, added to that was a glimpse of Elizabeth and Bryson that had me retrieving my copies of Heneritta Place once more.
Jon literally ‘grew up’ over the books and was a perfect ‘angsty’ hero in this one where we get to know him and his back story. Growing up in the streets of London, Jon Stoker is a ‘silent sufferer’ who had his own thoughts and ideas about love and other stuff!!) Walls he has built around himself, a typical ‘brooding’ hero who shies away from committing to the heroine.
And he lands up in confinement with untidy, feisty, clever Sabine, who is most unlike your typical heroine. As she admits herself, she is a terrible nursemaid yet she is the one who brings Jon back from being nearly dead.
I have always found Charis Michaels writing witty and wonderful and this marriage of convenience trope is always a bestseller with me. So I do admit that is was a double whammy, added to that was a glimpse of Elizabeth and Bryson that had me retrieving my copies of Heneritta Place once more.
May 28, 2019
An unusual marraige of convenience story that kept me intrigued as to how this story would play out!
Sabine, the third of the Brides of Belgravia, only wants to marry a man so that she can begin her independence. Oh yes, a sailor who is gone all the time and is just in name only. He gets the dowry and she lives her life with absent spouse!!
Jon Stoker answered her ad and finds her in an unusual situation that truly is terrible. But he marries her and sets sail not to be seen until a few years later. Fate has a way of stepping in especially when least expected and Sabine finds Jon on a hospital ship filled with sailors very ill with scurvy. Reluctantly she takes him home and nurses him back to health and as they spend time together their attraction slowly develops.
A heartfelt story of two wounded souls who really needed each other and the journey they took to achieve happiness. Really a wonderful story not to be missed! I read this through Edelweiss.
Sabine, the third of the Brides of Belgravia, only wants to marry a man so that she can begin her independence. Oh yes, a sailor who is gone all the time and is just in name only. He gets the dowry and she lives her life with absent spouse!!
Jon Stoker answered her ad and finds her in an unusual situation that truly is terrible. But he marries her and sets sail not to be seen until a few years later. Fate has a way of stepping in especially when least expected and Sabine finds Jon on a hospital ship filled with sailors very ill with scurvy. Reluctantly she takes him home and nurses him back to health and as they spend time together their attraction slowly develops.
A heartfelt story of two wounded souls who really needed each other and the journey they took to achieve happiness. Really a wonderful story not to be missed! I read this through Edelweiss.
January 2, 2021
i was so disappointed with this one. i pretty much skimmed 1/4 of the book for the parts that contained Sabine's investigation & Stoker's family history. while i did like seeing Bryson & Elisabeth from The Bachelor Lords of London appear in this book, i felt their appearance was too long.
Sabine and Stoker overthink too much. I didn't like how Stoker seems to wallow in self-pity almost throughout the book, thinking he's not good enough for Sabine or anybody. Yes, he had a horrible upbringing and have seen horrible things but that doesn't give him the reason to drown in self-pity and after so long, especially not when Sabine was trying to help him see his self-worth. gosh i was so frustrated with Stoker. Also, i felt the drama with Sabine's uncle & Stoker's 'dad' was too much for me. i only enjoyed the first 1/4 of the book before it went downhill due to Stoker's 'i'm not good enough for you' attitude.
one thing i absolutely enjoyed though, was the lengthy letter Stoker sent to Cassin & Joseph for abandoning him in his need and cursing his friends for it. i laughed at that.
Sabine and Stoker overthink too much. I didn't like how Stoker seems to wallow in self-pity almost throughout the book, thinking he's not good enough for Sabine or anybody. Yes, he had a horrible upbringing and have seen horrible things but that doesn't give him the reason to drown in self-pity and after so long, especially not when Sabine was trying to help him see his self-worth. gosh i was so frustrated with Stoker. Also, i felt the drama with Sabine's uncle & Stoker's 'dad' was too much for me. i only enjoyed the first 1/4 of the book before it went downhill due to Stoker's 'i'm not good enough for you' attitude.
one thing i absolutely enjoyed though, was the lengthy letter Stoker sent to Cassin & Joseph for abandoning him in his need and cursing his friends for it. i laughed at that.
May 28, 2019
"You May Kiss the Duke" was quite an enjoyable read. This book stood very well on its own and I didn't feel lost at all even though I haven't read the earlier books in the series yet. All of the characters were well-developed and likeable, and I particularly enjoyed the banter between Stoker and Sabine. I also loved that Sabine was such a strong heroine. She knew her own mind and wasn't afraid to tell Stoker what she wanted. As for Stoker, I admired how hard he worked to overcome the difficulties of his childhood, as well as his determination to protect Sabine while still respecting her boundaries.
This was the first book I've read by Charis Michaels, but it definitely won't be the last. I plan to go back and read the others in this series and also look forward to seeing what Ms. Michaels plans to write next.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first book I've read by Charis Michaels, but it definitely won't be the last. I plan to go back and read the others in this series and also look forward to seeing what Ms. Michaels plans to write next.
*ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2019
Delightful! I was so impatient to get to their book and it did not disappoint!
Like all of Charis Michaels' plots, external challenges are the window dressing for her characters' growth. And she successfully wraps that all up in a way that doesn't slow down the emotional journey.
Both the hero and heroine are so prickly it was immensely delightful to see them slowly (SO SLOWLY) warm up to another human. Also the way Michaels' never fails to remind us that you know, women can organically have desires and take ownership of that desire. Yes, even virgins!! Bless you Ms Michaels!
Warnings for past physical abuse, and one scene of present physical violence.
Like all of Charis Michaels' plots, external challenges are the window dressing for her characters' growth. And she successfully wraps that all up in a way that doesn't slow down the emotional journey.
Both the hero and heroine are so prickly it was immensely delightful to see them slowly (SO SLOWLY) warm up to another human. Also the way Michaels' never fails to remind us that you know, women can organically have desires and take ownership of that desire. Yes, even virgins!! Bless you Ms Michaels!
Warnings for past physical abuse, and one scene of present physical violence.
December 5, 2021
Jon and Sabine
He saved her from an abusive uncle/guardian four years before by giving her a marriage of convenience. He is a sailor and she now lives alone in London writing travel guides. She is also trying to gather information against her uncle. While doing so, she stumbles upon Jon on a hospital ship, presumed dead. She brings him back to her home to convalesce.
These two are a pair. After her uncle's abuse, she trusts no man so having Jon in her home is a strange dynamic. She is also a poor nurse, which she freely admits. Jon is a horrible patient. He doesn't want to stay down and injures himself further. An attraction flares.
Fun read.
He saved her from an abusive uncle/guardian four years before by giving her a marriage of convenience. He is a sailor and she now lives alone in London writing travel guides. She is also trying to gather information against her uncle. While doing so, she stumbles upon Jon on a hospital ship, presumed dead. She brings him back to her home to convalesce.
These two are a pair. After her uncle's abuse, she trusts no man so having Jon in her home is a strange dynamic. She is also a poor nurse, which she freely admits. Jon is a horrible patient. He doesn't want to stay down and injures himself further. An attraction flares.
Fun read.
dnf
March 2, 2023This book had a somewhat interesting premise but that was squandered - we get a whole too long chapter where the two main characters are taking literal pages to walk from one room to another - and I know he's injured so it's not going to take two steps but I don't need all this internal thinking for pages then "we took another step" then more internal thinking and rinse and repeat until the chapter's finally over
I also don't usually let other people's reviews influence whether or not I'll read a story but if what people are saying is true, that even the "Duke" part of the title is never truly resolved, then what's the point? Also, reviews make the Hero sound awful
I also don't usually let other people's reviews influence whether or not I'll read a story but if what people are saying is true, that even the "Duke" part of the title is never truly resolved, then what's the point? Also, reviews make the Hero sound awful
May 23, 2019
At last, Sabine and Jon
While this can be a stand alone tale, it does complete the series of the Brides of Belgravia. Sabine and Jon married for convenience and her dowry. For her, it was to escape the cruelty of her uncle. When she discovers him near death in a ship hospital, Sabine brings him home and their relationship develops.
this story tugged at my heartstrings, brought me to tears, and made me smile. I think it is my favorite of the series. Wonderful read!
While this can be a stand alone tale, it does complete the series of the Brides of Belgravia. Sabine and Jon married for convenience and her dowry. For her, it was to escape the cruelty of her uncle. When she discovers him near death in a ship hospital, Sabine brings him home and their relationship develops.
this story tugged at my heartstrings, brought me to tears, and made me smile. I think it is my favorite of the series. Wonderful read!
January 31, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy. The idea of three women taking their fates into their own hands, putting an advertisement in the paper for husbands that would take their dowries and leave them their freedom, and then finding love with those men? I just loved it.
I also was so happy to see Jon Stoker (a character from another of Michaels' book) get a happy ending so so deserving of him. (If you've read The Virgin and the Viscount you know what an incredible character he is)
I also was so happy to see Jon Stoker (a character from another of Michaels' book) get a happy ending so so deserving of him. (If you've read The Virgin and the Viscount you know what an incredible character he is)
May 24, 2019
Great find
This is the final book in the trilogy. All were excellent reads. This last book was the most tragic story, but love was found, hurts assaged and all is well. The author pulled me in with the tragedy both main characters had to survive, they became stronger for it and found the true love needed to heal their souls. Great read.
This is the final book in the trilogy. All were excellent reads. This last book was the most tragic story, but love was found, hurts assaged and all is well. The author pulled me in with the tragedy both main characters had to survive, they became stronger for it and found the true love needed to heal their souls. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews