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The Enchantresses #2
The Duke and The Enchantress
Some fairy tales begin with the kiss.
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick, needed a wife. After choosing an acceptable bride, he traps himself in a marriage of convenience and must tap his creativity to woo his frigid wife and fuel her passion. Drake battles scandals, duels, and his own carefully crafted reputation to win her heart.
Charlotte Trethow dreamt of a fairy tale marriage to the perfect man. When she marries the Duke of Annick, all her dreams should have come true, but no one told her happily ever after doesn’t start with wedding bells. Charlotte is thrust into a world with a plotting housekeeper, an interfering despot, and an unconventional husband.
This is the love story of Charlotte and Drake as they turn a marriage of convenience into a fairy tale romance.
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick, needed a wife. After choosing an acceptable bride, he traps himself in a marriage of convenience and must tap his creativity to woo his frigid wife and fuel her passion. Drake battles scandals, duels, and his own carefully crafted reputation to win her heart.
Charlotte Trethow dreamt of a fairy tale marriage to the perfect man. When she marries the Duke of Annick, all her dreams should have come true, but no one told her happily ever after doesn’t start with wedding bells. Charlotte is thrust into a world with a plotting housekeeper, an interfering despot, and an unconventional husband.
This is the love story of Charlotte and Drake as they turn a marriage of convenience into a fairy tale romance.
- GenresHistorical Romance
440 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2019
87 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Paullett Golden
15 books160 followersCelebrated for her complex characters, realistic conflicts, and sensual portrayal of love, Paullett Golden writes historical romance for intellectuals. Her novels, set primarily in Georgian England, challenge the genre's norm by starring characters loved for their imperfections and idiosyncrasies. The writing aims for historical immersion into the social mores and nuances of Georgian England. Her plots explore human psyche, mental and physical trauma, and personal convictions. Her stories show love overcoming adversity. Whatever our self-doubts, love will out.
Paullett Golden completed her post-doctoral work at King’s College London, studying Classic British Literature. Her Ph.D. is in Composition and Rhetoric, her M.A. in British Literature from the Enlightenment to the Victorian era, her B.A. in English. Her specializations include creative writing and professional writing. She has served as a University Professor for nearly three decades and is a seasoned keynote speaker, commencement speaker, conference presenter, workshop facilitator, and writing retreat facilitator.
As an ovarian cancer survivor, she makes each day count, enjoying an active lifestyle of Spartan racing, powerlifting, hiking, antique car restoration, drag racing, butterfly gardening, competitive shooting, and gaming. Her greatest writing inspirations, and the reasons she chose to write in the clean historical romance genre, are Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë.
Paullett Golden completed her post-doctoral work at King’s College London, studying Classic British Literature. Her Ph.D. is in Composition and Rhetoric, her M.A. in British Literature from the Enlightenment to the Victorian era, her B.A. in English. Her specializations include creative writing and professional writing. She has served as a University Professor for nearly three decades and is a seasoned keynote speaker, commencement speaker, conference presenter, workshop facilitator, and writing retreat facilitator.
As an ovarian cancer survivor, she makes each day count, enjoying an active lifestyle of Spartan racing, powerlifting, hiking, antique car restoration, drag racing, butterfly gardening, competitive shooting, and gaming. Her greatest writing inspirations, and the reasons she chose to write in the clean historical romance genre, are Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë.
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February 23, 2019
Series: The Enchantresses #2
Publication Date: 3/1/19
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick and Charlotte Trethow have married only to find that not only do they not know each other, the other isn’t who they thought they were. She thought he was her knight in shining armor and he thought she was loving and sensual. Those sad discoveries began as soon as the wedding was over. None of it was anything that five minutes of honest communication wouldn’t have fixed – but then – there wouldn’t be a book.
One of the things I loved in this book was the music. The descriptions of the music, the composing and how passionate the performance and writing of it were.
Drake was raised without love in his life – not from his mother and not from his father. He once thought he was in love, with an older woman, but he learned that she didn’t love him. He’s had many debutantes express interest in him, but they were interested in his title and wealth. He’s young, devastatingly handsome, wealthy, and titled so surely, he could find someone who would love him for himself. Unfortunately, he had very little time to find her because his mother has given him an ultimatum – marry before the season ends or she’ll find a bride for him.
I didn’t care for Charlotte in the last book and I was looking forward to seeing how the author was going to redeem her. In my view, Charlotte was immature, naïve, stubborn, selfish, self-centered, and everything was ‘all about me’ and at the same time she had very low self-esteem and expected herself to be ‘perfect’ in every way. There was just so very, very much angst on Charlotte’s part – but -- I kept seeing glimmers and thought ‘A-ha, she’ll have an epiphany now’, but – no. Even when her husband was bleeding from a wound, it was about her. It was her fault (it wasn’t), etc. She just made me very, very tired.
Their young and floundering marriage is beset with miscommunications, misunderstandings, and a mother-in-law from hell. Drake has to learn to trust Charlotte with his secrets and Charlotte has to learn to give her heart and body to Drake. I think the biggest thing though is that Drake had to grow a spine, at least as far as his mother was concerned. He allowed her to rule everything – even running the estate. He didn’t stand up to her nor did he defend Charlotte.
I really came to like Drake in the end, especially once he had his grand epiphany and learned that those deep dark secrets weren’t as cataclysmic as he thought they were. Frankly, I couldn’t understand why Drake would/could love Charlotte, I just didn’t feel it.
This is the second book by this author and her writing is smooth and flows easily. The main characters were supporting characters in the first book – The Earl and the Enchantress. It would appear that I misjudged Drake in that first book because I thought he was a crass, uncaring, boor and he was not – well – not exactly. Also, it was lovely to find that Lizbeth, Sebastian, and Aunt Hazel from the first book make an appearance. The better part of this story was filled with angst – mostly on Charlotte’s part – and I’m not a fan of angst.
The first chapter of the next book in the series is at the end of this book and it sounds like a really good read. I’ll be excited to see that one release.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 3/1/19
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick and Charlotte Trethow have married only to find that not only do they not know each other, the other isn’t who they thought they were. She thought he was her knight in shining armor and he thought she was loving and sensual. Those sad discoveries began as soon as the wedding was over. None of it was anything that five minutes of honest communication wouldn’t have fixed – but then – there wouldn’t be a book.
One of the things I loved in this book was the music. The descriptions of the music, the composing and how passionate the performance and writing of it were.
Drake was raised without love in his life – not from his mother and not from his father. He once thought he was in love, with an older woman, but he learned that she didn’t love him. He’s had many debutantes express interest in him, but they were interested in his title and wealth. He’s young, devastatingly handsome, wealthy, and titled so surely, he could find someone who would love him for himself. Unfortunately, he had very little time to find her because his mother has given him an ultimatum – marry before the season ends or she’ll find a bride for him.
I didn’t care for Charlotte in the last book and I was looking forward to seeing how the author was going to redeem her. In my view, Charlotte was immature, naïve, stubborn, selfish, self-centered, and everything was ‘all about me’ and at the same time she had very low self-esteem and expected herself to be ‘perfect’ in every way. There was just so very, very much angst on Charlotte’s part – but -- I kept seeing glimmers and thought ‘A-ha, she’ll have an epiphany now’, but – no. Even when her husband was bleeding from a wound, it was about her. It was her fault (it wasn’t), etc. She just made me very, very tired.
Their young and floundering marriage is beset with miscommunications, misunderstandings, and a mother-in-law from hell. Drake has to learn to trust Charlotte with his secrets and Charlotte has to learn to give her heart and body to Drake. I think the biggest thing though is that Drake had to grow a spine, at least as far as his mother was concerned. He allowed her to rule everything – even running the estate. He didn’t stand up to her nor did he defend Charlotte.
I really came to like Drake in the end, especially once he had his grand epiphany and learned that those deep dark secrets weren’t as cataclysmic as he thought they were. Frankly, I couldn’t understand why Drake would/could love Charlotte, I just didn’t feel it.
This is the second book by this author and her writing is smooth and flows easily. The main characters were supporting characters in the first book – The Earl and the Enchantress. It would appear that I misjudged Drake in that first book because I thought he was a crass, uncaring, boor and he was not – well – not exactly. Also, it was lovely to find that Lizbeth, Sebastian, and Aunt Hazel from the first book make an appearance. The better part of this story was filled with angst – mostly on Charlotte’s part – and I’m not a fan of angst.
The first chapter of the next book in the series is at the end of this book and it sounds like a really good read. I’ll be excited to see that one release.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 27, 2021
DNF (20%)
Ironically, I've a lot to say after reading just a piece of this story.
▪️Heroine is definitely NOT a good match for the hero and vice versa. Sometimes we get to see/read the best couples in books despite their vast age gap, this was surely not that case. MCs conversations, banters and self thoughts showed how young Charlotte is for the hero. Whereas is almost double the heroine's age but still acts like some immature (and sometimes horny) teenager.
▪️There were A LOT of misunderstandings and miscommunication among the MCs which ultimately lead to lies and feelings getting hurt, which is a major turn off for me. Honestly, that was my point of retreat.
▪️There were little efforts in actually knowing each other, I can say that hero is kinda selfish and heroine, well, she's too young to even understand half of the things going on.🙄
▪️Last thing, writing style was of average sort.
Big NO from my end.
Ironically, I've a lot to say after reading just a piece of this story.
▪️Heroine is definitely NOT a good match for the hero and vice versa. Sometimes we get to see/read the best couples in books despite their vast age gap, this was surely not that case. MCs conversations, banters and self thoughts showed how young Charlotte is for the hero. Whereas is almost double the heroine's age but still acts like some immature (and sometimes horny) teenager.
▪️There were A LOT of misunderstandings and miscommunication among the MCs which ultimately lead to lies and feelings getting hurt, which is a major turn off for me. Honestly, that was my point of retreat.
▪️There were little efforts in actually knowing each other, I can say that hero is kinda selfish and heroine, well, she's too young to even understand half of the things going on.🙄
▪️Last thing, writing style was of average sort.
Big NO from my end.
December 25, 2019
Have you read the book 1 review yet?
>> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The story of this book occurs concurrently with the previous book.
While Lizzie struggled with the growing feeling for Sebastian Lancaster, Earl of Roddam, Charlotte was visibly courted by Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick.
We met Charlotte unsure of her new role as duchess in the carriage that was taking her to her new home, Lyonn Manor.
Charlotte was the daughter of a prominent man of parliament, but she was also aware that she was not raised to be the wife of a noble, after all, her father owned a mine.
But it was impossible to resist Drake's charm - and lips.
But now that they were married, he didn't look like that charming man from before. In fact, he spent most of his time in carriage sleeping.
"Not only she married a man she didn't know the first thing about aside from his ability to find every dark corner at a ball... Dazzled wasn't a strong enough word for the attraction she had felt during their monthlong acquaintance. Hypnotized, perhaps."
By contrast, Drake, at the age of 33, a man notoriously known as a rake, far more experienced than his 18-year-old wife, was beginning to feel insecure about his chosen. Was she interested only in his title, while before she was ardent to his kisses, now she was cold and distant?
"The Charlotte during courtship had giggled at his flirtations and kissed him in dark corners. This woman, however, did none of those things, not since the exchange of vows."
This tense situation only worsened over the course of the trip, when Drake realized that he would not be able to consummate his marriage at any Inn they stayed at.
Upon arriving at the Manor, Charlotte had a new challenge ahead: to please the unshakable Dowager Duchess of Annick, Lady Catherine.
Marriage turned out to be a nightmare!
Charlotte felt lonely and unhappy, and she still had to learn how to be a perfect duchess (her mother-in-law would accept nothing less than perfect). She and Drake were looking farther and farther apart, and to make matters worse, she discovers that he has a mistress many years his senior.
Hold on !!
Before you think the worst of each character (and believe me, I had a bad impression of Charlotte in the previous book), open your mind and get to know each character.
Paullett has the genius of showing each character not for their best, but for their flaws.
The great truth is that each, in their own way, was inexperienced, afraid, did not want confrontation and, above all, did not know how to express their feelings.
And as some unpleasant events happen and you think "OMG, this marriage is a huge mistake!", the game turns brightly.
If I had liked Sebastian Lancaster's character before, I was delighted at how Charlotte and Drake turned a marriage of convenience into a fairy tale.
"After a storm comes calm", the saying said, and here, step by step, the couple find the perfect path to happiness.
Drake looked like an irresponsible and sarcastic dandy; Charlotte looked like a spoiled and ambitious girl, and in the end, they turned out to be two tormented souls hungry for the desire to love each other.
Wonderful reading. Can't wait for the next book, the Baron.
5 stars
>> https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The story of this book occurs concurrently with the previous book.
While Lizzie struggled with the growing feeling for Sebastian Lancaster, Earl of Roddam, Charlotte was visibly courted by Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick.
We met Charlotte unsure of her new role as duchess in the carriage that was taking her to her new home, Lyonn Manor.
Charlotte was the daughter of a prominent man of parliament, but she was also aware that she was not raised to be the wife of a noble, after all, her father owned a mine.
But it was impossible to resist Drake's charm - and lips.
But now that they were married, he didn't look like that charming man from before. In fact, he spent most of his time in carriage sleeping.
"Not only she married a man she didn't know the first thing about aside from his ability to find every dark corner at a ball... Dazzled wasn't a strong enough word for the attraction she had felt during their monthlong acquaintance. Hypnotized, perhaps."
By contrast, Drake, at the age of 33, a man notoriously known as a rake, far more experienced than his 18-year-old wife, was beginning to feel insecure about his chosen. Was she interested only in his title, while before she was ardent to his kisses, now she was cold and distant?
"The Charlotte during courtship had giggled at his flirtations and kissed him in dark corners. This woman, however, did none of those things, not since the exchange of vows."
This tense situation only worsened over the course of the trip, when Drake realized that he would not be able to consummate his marriage at any Inn they stayed at.
Upon arriving at the Manor, Charlotte had a new challenge ahead: to please the unshakable Dowager Duchess of Annick, Lady Catherine.
Marriage turned out to be a nightmare!
Charlotte felt lonely and unhappy, and she still had to learn how to be a perfect duchess (her mother-in-law would accept nothing less than perfect). She and Drake were looking farther and farther apart, and to make matters worse, she discovers that he has a mistress many years his senior.
Hold on !!
Before you think the worst of each character (and believe me, I had a bad impression of Charlotte in the previous book), open your mind and get to know each character.
Paullett has the genius of showing each character not for their best, but for their flaws.
The great truth is that each, in their own way, was inexperienced, afraid, did not want confrontation and, above all, did not know how to express their feelings.
And as some unpleasant events happen and you think "OMG, this marriage is a huge mistake!", the game turns brightly.
If I had liked Sebastian Lancaster's character before, I was delighted at how Charlotte and Drake turned a marriage of convenience into a fairy tale.
"After a storm comes calm", the saying said, and here, step by step, the couple find the perfect path to happiness.
Drake looked like an irresponsible and sarcastic dandy; Charlotte looked like a spoiled and ambitious girl, and in the end, they turned out to be two tormented souls hungry for the desire to love each other.
Wonderful reading. Can't wait for the next book, the Baron.
5 stars
April 6, 2019
The Duke and the Enchantress
An Enchantress Novel book 2
by Paullett Golden
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick, has chosen a bride, courted and wooed, the delightful Charlotte Trethow is now his bride. She made his heart skip a beat during their courtship and now he’s ready to make her his. Instead he’s witnessing a different side to his bride that has him believing that all she wanted was the title of Duchess! Can he have been mistaken? Her kisses say yes and he knows just how to melt his ICE QUEEN.....one kiss at a time! Charlotte Trethow’s dreams have come true, she’s met her Prince, had a fairytale wedding and on her way to the fairytale castle. Instead her Prince has turned into a rude groping frog!! Her dream of being the perfect Duchess to make her husband proud turns into a nightmare! How could the perfect man change so fast?! If only his kisses didn’t leave her so breathless! A fast paced read that keeps the reader engaged with wonderful and entertaining characters. Charlotte and Drake both danced around each other, both wanted the same thing but each had issues. Charlotte was innocent and had no idea what to do on her wedding night - she had the jitters poor girl! Drake wanted to be loved for who he was, pouncing on his wife didn’t go well with her. And if that wasn’t enough she had to deal with a dragon of a mother-in-law! Their courtship as a married couple was a slow burn, I loved the way both matured and found their very much deserved HEA! Another delicious read by the very talented Paullett Golden! Can’t wait to read the next book.
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
An Enchantress Novel book 2
by Paullett Golden
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick, has chosen a bride, courted and wooed, the delightful Charlotte Trethow is now his bride. She made his heart skip a beat during their courtship and now he’s ready to make her his. Instead he’s witnessing a different side to his bride that has him believing that all she wanted was the title of Duchess! Can he have been mistaken? Her kisses say yes and he knows just how to melt his ICE QUEEN.....one kiss at a time! Charlotte Trethow’s dreams have come true, she’s met her Prince, had a fairytale wedding and on her way to the fairytale castle. Instead her Prince has turned into a rude groping frog!! Her dream of being the perfect Duchess to make her husband proud turns into a nightmare! How could the perfect man change so fast?! If only his kisses didn’t leave her so breathless! A fast paced read that keeps the reader engaged with wonderful and entertaining characters. Charlotte and Drake both danced around each other, both wanted the same thing but each had issues. Charlotte was innocent and had no idea what to do on her wedding night - she had the jitters poor girl! Drake wanted to be loved for who he was, pouncing on his wife didn’t go well with her. And if that wasn’t enough she had to deal with a dragon of a mother-in-law! Their courtship as a married couple was a slow burn, I loved the way both matured and found their very much deserved HEA! Another delicious read by the very talented Paullett Golden! Can’t wait to read the next book.
“I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.”
April 2, 2019
This was an enjoyable read. It moved along at a good pace. There were many misunderstandings that a plain talk would have cleared things up. Drake was a complex character, having missed out on love during his lifetime, he was desperate to find it with Charlotte. Charlotte wanted to be the perfect duchess but felt totally lost at first. It was good to read of her growing into her role of duchess but as her own self. They found harmony in their joint love of music and this helped them in their growing relationship. Not everything goes smoothly and there are many things to overcome before they get their HEA. I received a copy from eBooks Discovery and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 19, 2019
The Duke And The Enchantress is book two of The Enchantresses historical romance series.
The book is set during 1790 in Northumberland. The story opens with newlyweds Charlotte and Drake, as they travel home from London.
With only a month of courtship before their hasty marriage, Charlotte is anxious about the future. She realises that the couple know very little about each other, and she is frightened about what she may be expected to undertake in her role as Duchess.
Upon arrival at Drake’s home, Lyonn Manor, Charlotte is introduced to his mother, a woman who makes it very clear that she disapproves of her son’s choice of wife. Feeling lost, alone and bullied by Drake’s dragon like mother, Charlotte almost despairs that she will never achieve the type of married life that she once dreamed of. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-ehD
The book is set during 1790 in Northumberland. The story opens with newlyweds Charlotte and Drake, as they travel home from London.
With only a month of courtship before their hasty marriage, Charlotte is anxious about the future. She realises that the couple know very little about each other, and she is frightened about what she may be expected to undertake in her role as Duchess.
Upon arrival at Drake’s home, Lyonn Manor, Charlotte is introduced to his mother, a woman who makes it very clear that she disapproves of her son’s choice of wife. Feeling lost, alone and bullied by Drake’s dragon like mother, Charlotte almost despairs that she will never achieve the type of married life that she once dreamed of. See here for full review https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-ehD
January 4, 2020
A delightful tale of a newly married couple trying to pave their own path to finding love.
After starting out their marriage with so many misunderstandings, will they be able to realize they are both after the same thing? Love.
I very much enjoyed the way Paulett Golden weaves the characters from both The Earl and the Enchantress and The Duke and the Enchantress into two fun and well written stories. It’s like reading a bonus book! The weaving of the two stories so seamlessly goes to show what a supremely great job Golden has done writing this series.
I will be rushing to read the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Ms. Golden for a copy for review.
After starting out their marriage with so many misunderstandings, will they be able to realize they are both after the same thing? Love.
I very much enjoyed the way Paulett Golden weaves the characters from both The Earl and the Enchantress and The Duke and the Enchantress into two fun and well written stories. It’s like reading a bonus book! The weaving of the two stories so seamlessly goes to show what a supremely great job Golden has done writing this series.
I will be rushing to read the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and Ms. Golden for a copy for review.
February 7, 2020
This was a fast-paced, interesting read, that I found I did not want to put down! The story is fresh, original and exciting with characters that are realistic and likable. The story had everything that I crave in a Regency romance.
#TheDukeandTheEnchantress #NetGalley
#TheDukeandTheEnchantress #NetGalley
January 29, 2020
Excellent overlap and followup to the Earl and the Enchantress. Sweet story, and I loved how supportive she was of him once the truth came out.
September 15, 2019
Wonderfully complex characters, minor narrative issues
My thanks to Paullett Golden, who asked me to read a free copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS!
I didn’t like Charlotte or Drake as they were portrayed in the first book. I thought she was a whiny woe-is-me brat and he was an obnoxious, selfish asshole. I was very curious about this second book, because I didn’t think they could become likable characters, much less a hero and heroine, without personality transplants. But I was wrong. I cared very much about Drake and his many facets, and I sympathized with Charlotte, who might not have been as complex as Drake, but she wasn’t one-note, either.
Charlotte
Charlotte’s viewpoint provided us with a different perspective on her situation and gave her more depth than just “pouty debutante.” Do I wish she’d been more assertive when she arrived at Lyonn Manor? Yes, but I have to remind myself to be realistic. She was this innocent, bright-eyed 18-year-old who got caught up in a whirlwind courtship with a charming duke during her first Season. He dazzled her, and when he proposed a week later, she was still blinking the spots out of her vision. Regardless, what kind of idiot says no to a duke?
They married three weeks later, barely knowing anything about each other. She was taken to a strange place and surrounded by strange people. She had no idea how to duchess and didn’t have the confidence to stand up for herself, understandably. So of course she floundered at first. But she gave herself pep talks and made some changes here and there—passive-aggressively, but ya gotta start somewhere—and soon she was making bigger changes and taking charge of things she felt she could handle. She met obstacles, overcame them, and turned out to be a natural at duchessing. A standard arc, but she wore it well.
My absolute favorite Charlotte moment was early on when she’s hiding from Drake behind the screen. To distract herself during a tense, awkward silence, she tried to fit her big toe in one of the knot holes in the floorboard. Just one of those absent, idle things you do. As someone who hates to have unoccupied hands, I can relate to those kinds of gestures, and it did so much to humanize her. Sometimes it’s the little things.
She did have a der moment, though, when she pretended to be Phillip the tiger. Was following Drake to his mistress’s house to catch him in the act going a tad overboard? Yeah, but I rolled with it. I could buy that she wanted proof of his affair so she could accuse him with conviction. I could also buy that she dressed up as and passed for a young boy—that’s a common trope in historical romance—but what I wasn’t having was that she had no plan beyond getting to Maggie’s house. How did she not think Drake and Maggie would go upstairs or into a private room and be inaccessible to snoopy little servant boys? Did she think he’d walk through the front door and bump uglies with Maggie right there in the foyer, allowing her to just throw open the door and cry, “Gotcha!”? C’mon, sweetheart, you may not be your sister, but you’re not that stupid. I’m surprised none of her accomplices pointed it out to her.
Drake
Drake was deliciously complex. There were so many surprising facets to his character.
So his late father, the previous Duke of Annick, played the violin, which was, apparently, considered a feminine instrument, not sure why. That was scandalous enough, but there was also… It wasn’t completely clear. I’m not sure if he really was gay, or if it was just rumored he was gay because of his passion for playing a feminine instrument. Regardless, rumor was he was a “backgammon player” and favored “the old windward passage.” (*snorts* I’m still not over that euphemism.) And when Drake proved to be an errant child, his father made him learn the violin, thinking it would help with discipline, focus, etc. Not wanting the same stigma to be attached to her son—or not wanting to encourage him to be gay—probably both—Drake’s mother did her best to forbid him from playing or letting anyone know he even could play.
So he was raised on a mixed message; he showed musical talent and enjoyed playing but was told it was sinful and scandalous and that he couldn’t. This fucked with his sense of identity, and though he was never gay or even thought he might be, he felt he had to prove to the world—especially his mother—how masculine he was. How best to do that? Have lots of sex with women. Or at least make people think he had lots of sex with women. Hence, he developed and carefully maintained a reputation as a rake, and acted like a pompous ass so people would think he didn’t care what they thought, when really society’s opinion dominated his life. Beautiful irony.
It was also fascinating because this is usually the woman’s tale in historical romances. So often we see a heroine raised to never, ever do anything the least bit masculine for fear it would cause scandal and drive prospective husbands away, when in truth she doesn’t give a fig about propriety and prefers to dress in pants, ride horse like a man, and learn to fight with sword, dagger, and bow and arrow rather than to play piano or sing or sew. She’s forced to suppress some improper or undesirable aspect of herself and as a result feels like she’s playing a part. It was so cool to see that trope more or less turned around.
So while society thought Drake slept with anything in a skirt, he’d actually had only one lover in his life, the widow Margaret “Maggie” Collins, Dowager Marchioness of Waller. And, to my utter surprise, this was where it got dark.
When Drake was fifteen, Maggie invited him over to her place to play some of his music for her. He found out, however, that that was only a pretense. Maggie, and several other women her age (somewhere in their late 30s at the time, I think), would throw orgies and invite teenage boys. They’d encourage the boys to smoke, drink, snort snuff, and have sex with them. Though I don’t think any of the boys were unwilling, those women were, in modern terms, sexual predators.
I did not see that coming. I was reading the “party” scene—aka the orgy—and my eyes just got bigger and bigger. I give Golden so much respect for going there… She didn’t really embrace the darkness, just glossed over it with euphemisms and some shock and disapproval from Charlotte, but still. Respect.
Anyway, so what was Drake’s arc? Well, while Charlotte had low self-confidence, he had low self-worth. He didn’t think his father loved him, his mother seemed to disapprove of every breath he took, and Maggie only wanted to use him for personal gain—being able to say she had the favor of the Duke of Annick was the only thing that kept society from calling her out as the trash she was. His mother ran the household and pretty much the whole dukedom because she didn’t think he was competent, and he couldn’t express his greatest passion or show off his talent for music because it was considered vulgar and scandalous. Everything he did was met with disapproval or disappointment.
Then he began to believe Charlotte cared for him and allowed her to see the part of him no one else knew about—and she fell in love with him because he’s a brilliant musician and therefore deep and sensitive and vulnerable. *dreamy sigh* That’s poetry, there. His arc was coming to believe he was worthy of unconditional love and that his music was nothing to be ashamed of.
Narrative
My biggest issue with the narrative was that there’s no beginning to the story. The inciting incident was missing. *waves hand dismissively* Yes, there was a previous book that introduced Drake and Charlotte’s relationship, and yes, said book included glimpses of their courtship in London. I think, anyway; I didn’t go back and look because I shouldn’t have to. I don’t remember much of Drake and Charlotte as a couple in that book, because I was focused on Liz and Sebastian. I only remember Charlotte whining about being miserable and Drake having a mistress and no filter for his words.
This book, their book, skips the courtship in London and starts with them already married, which might not have been a problem except they kept referring to their time in London, and it sounded as if that time in their relationship was important. I felt as if I was watching the soaps with Grandma. I never watch soaps except once in a blue moon with her, so when I do, I have no idea what’s going on and have to give my context-clue-finding skills a workout.
Did it ruin the book? Absolutely not. But one of the first things you learn about writing is show, don’t tell. We had to rely on inner monologue and exposition to convey to us that Drake and Charlotte were hot for each other during their courtship and it wasn’t until after they were married that things got emotionally wonky. It did the job, but it probably would have been far more meaningful and engaging to have witnessed that information in actual scenes. Them meeting, him dazzling her, awakening passion in one another, being giddy and optimistic. Maybe a scene where his mother told him to pick a wife or she'd pick one for him, so we could feel his motivation. We could have had a promising start by which to measure how far they sank emotionally, how far they drifted from what they expected their marriage to be like. Instead of having to take their doubts for granted, we could have seen the seeds of those doubts planted and watched them grow.
A consequence of this was a saggy middle. Not the “this information is completely irrelevant and deserves the business end of a red pen” kind of saggy middle, rather the “trying to subtly draw out character revelations to fill pages” kind—an overabundance of inner monologue and narrative summary which got a bit redundant. I wonder if maybe there wasn’t enough conflict. The biggest antagonists were their misconceptions of one another, followed by the lesser evils of hypercritical mother and society’s opinion. Maggie was only an antagonist for like, five minutes. Charlotte and Drake sorted out their misconceptions before 60%, Maggie ceased to be a thing, the mother kind of dropped away for a while, and it was a matter of them trying to wrap their heads around actually having the relationship/marriage they dreamed of. Which was heartwarming, but not all that exciting.
It probably didn’t help that Golden set up a timeline for Charlotte and Drake’s relationship in the last book. She had to pace events and revelations so they would correspond with what happened in book one; that also could have contributed to the sense of being drawn out. Sounds like a pain in the ass, and I don’t envy her the challenge.
Overall
I think that covers most of my notes. Overall, I’m very impressed that I sympathized with and came to care about the characters as much as I did. The narrative suffered from some shortcomings but wasn’t crippled by them.
I look forward to the next Enchantress book, which will be the story of Sebastian’s long-lost sister Lilith, who has to deal with being illegitimate and abandoned, if I recall correctly. The excerpt seemed to set up the conflict well and whet my appetite. Not sure who the Baron is or how he’ll fit in—I searched this book for “baron” in case he was introduced and I missed it, but the only mention of one was the man Aunt Hazel married. I dare predict that Lilith, a midwife, will be involved in the birth of Sebastian and Liz’s first child, which we learned was on the way in the epilogue. Would be kinda strange if she weren’t involved, like a missed opportunity.
Also, I think Winston and Mary may become protagonists at some point in the series. I doubt they’ll be a couple, he’s over twice her age—then again, Drake was 15 years older than Charlotte, so I suppose the precedent has been set. Either way, they were given enough screen time here to make me believe they could be important later. Mary for sure.
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My thanks to Paullett Golden, who asked me to read a free copy of her novel in exchange for an honest review.
SPOILERS!
I didn’t like Charlotte or Drake as they were portrayed in the first book. I thought she was a whiny woe-is-me brat and he was an obnoxious, selfish asshole. I was very curious about this second book, because I didn’t think they could become likable characters, much less a hero and heroine, without personality transplants. But I was wrong. I cared very much about Drake and his many facets, and I sympathized with Charlotte, who might not have been as complex as Drake, but she wasn’t one-note, either.
Charlotte
Charlotte’s viewpoint provided us with a different perspective on her situation and gave her more depth than just “pouty debutante.” Do I wish she’d been more assertive when she arrived at Lyonn Manor? Yes, but I have to remind myself to be realistic. She was this innocent, bright-eyed 18-year-old who got caught up in a whirlwind courtship with a charming duke during her first Season. He dazzled her, and when he proposed a week later, she was still blinking the spots out of her vision. Regardless, what kind of idiot says no to a duke?
They married three weeks later, barely knowing anything about each other. She was taken to a strange place and surrounded by strange people. She had no idea how to duchess and didn’t have the confidence to stand up for herself, understandably. So of course she floundered at first. But she gave herself pep talks and made some changes here and there—passive-aggressively, but ya gotta start somewhere—and soon she was making bigger changes and taking charge of things she felt she could handle. She met obstacles, overcame them, and turned out to be a natural at duchessing. A standard arc, but she wore it well.
My absolute favorite Charlotte moment was early on when she’s hiding from Drake behind the screen. To distract herself during a tense, awkward silence, she tried to fit her big toe in one of the knot holes in the floorboard. Just one of those absent, idle things you do. As someone who hates to have unoccupied hands, I can relate to those kinds of gestures, and it did so much to humanize her. Sometimes it’s the little things.
She did have a der moment, though, when she pretended to be Phillip the tiger. Was following Drake to his mistress’s house to catch him in the act going a tad overboard? Yeah, but I rolled with it. I could buy that she wanted proof of his affair so she could accuse him with conviction. I could also buy that she dressed up as and passed for a young boy—that’s a common trope in historical romance—but what I wasn’t having was that she had no plan beyond getting to Maggie’s house. How did she not think Drake and Maggie would go upstairs or into a private room and be inaccessible to snoopy little servant boys? Did she think he’d walk through the front door and bump uglies with Maggie right there in the foyer, allowing her to just throw open the door and cry, “Gotcha!”? C’mon, sweetheart, you may not be your sister, but you’re not that stupid. I’m surprised none of her accomplices pointed it out to her.
Drake
Drake was deliciously complex. There were so many surprising facets to his character.
So his late father, the previous Duke of Annick, played the violin, which was, apparently, considered a feminine instrument, not sure why. That was scandalous enough, but there was also… It wasn’t completely clear. I’m not sure if he really was gay, or if it was just rumored he was gay because of his passion for playing a feminine instrument. Regardless, rumor was he was a “backgammon player” and favored “the old windward passage.” (*snorts* I’m still not over that euphemism.) And when Drake proved to be an errant child, his father made him learn the violin, thinking it would help with discipline, focus, etc. Not wanting the same stigma to be attached to her son—or not wanting to encourage him to be gay—probably both—Drake’s mother did her best to forbid him from playing or letting anyone know he even could play.
So he was raised on a mixed message; he showed musical talent and enjoyed playing but was told it was sinful and scandalous and that he couldn’t. This fucked with his sense of identity, and though he was never gay or even thought he might be, he felt he had to prove to the world—especially his mother—how masculine he was. How best to do that? Have lots of sex with women. Or at least make people think he had lots of sex with women. Hence, he developed and carefully maintained a reputation as a rake, and acted like a pompous ass so people would think he didn’t care what they thought, when really society’s opinion dominated his life. Beautiful irony.
It was also fascinating because this is usually the woman’s tale in historical romances. So often we see a heroine raised to never, ever do anything the least bit masculine for fear it would cause scandal and drive prospective husbands away, when in truth she doesn’t give a fig about propriety and prefers to dress in pants, ride horse like a man, and learn to fight with sword, dagger, and bow and arrow rather than to play piano or sing or sew. She’s forced to suppress some improper or undesirable aspect of herself and as a result feels like she’s playing a part. It was so cool to see that trope more or less turned around.
So while society thought Drake slept with anything in a skirt, he’d actually had only one lover in his life, the widow Margaret “Maggie” Collins, Dowager Marchioness of Waller. And, to my utter surprise, this was where it got dark.
When Drake was fifteen, Maggie invited him over to her place to play some of his music for her. He found out, however, that that was only a pretense. Maggie, and several other women her age (somewhere in their late 30s at the time, I think), would throw orgies and invite teenage boys. They’d encourage the boys to smoke, drink, snort snuff, and have sex with them. Though I don’t think any of the boys were unwilling, those women were, in modern terms, sexual predators.
I did not see that coming. I was reading the “party” scene—aka the orgy—and my eyes just got bigger and bigger. I give Golden so much respect for going there… She didn’t really embrace the darkness, just glossed over it with euphemisms and some shock and disapproval from Charlotte, but still. Respect.
Anyway, so what was Drake’s arc? Well, while Charlotte had low self-confidence, he had low self-worth. He didn’t think his father loved him, his mother seemed to disapprove of every breath he took, and Maggie only wanted to use him for personal gain—being able to say she had the favor of the Duke of Annick was the only thing that kept society from calling her out as the trash she was. His mother ran the household and pretty much the whole dukedom because she didn’t think he was competent, and he couldn’t express his greatest passion or show off his talent for music because it was considered vulgar and scandalous. Everything he did was met with disapproval or disappointment.
Then he began to believe Charlotte cared for him and allowed her to see the part of him no one else knew about—and she fell in love with him because he’s a brilliant musician and therefore deep and sensitive and vulnerable. *dreamy sigh* That’s poetry, there. His arc was coming to believe he was worthy of unconditional love and that his music was nothing to be ashamed of.
Narrative
My biggest issue with the narrative was that there’s no beginning to the story. The inciting incident was missing. *waves hand dismissively* Yes, there was a previous book that introduced Drake and Charlotte’s relationship, and yes, said book included glimpses of their courtship in London. I think, anyway; I didn’t go back and look because I shouldn’t have to. I don’t remember much of Drake and Charlotte as a couple in that book, because I was focused on Liz and Sebastian. I only remember Charlotte whining about being miserable and Drake having a mistress and no filter for his words.
This book, their book, skips the courtship in London and starts with them already married, which might not have been a problem except they kept referring to their time in London, and it sounded as if that time in their relationship was important. I felt as if I was watching the soaps with Grandma. I never watch soaps except once in a blue moon with her, so when I do, I have no idea what’s going on and have to give my context-clue-finding skills a workout.
Did it ruin the book? Absolutely not. But one of the first things you learn about writing is show, don’t tell. We had to rely on inner monologue and exposition to convey to us that Drake and Charlotte were hot for each other during their courtship and it wasn’t until after they were married that things got emotionally wonky. It did the job, but it probably would have been far more meaningful and engaging to have witnessed that information in actual scenes. Them meeting, him dazzling her, awakening passion in one another, being giddy and optimistic. Maybe a scene where his mother told him to pick a wife or she'd pick one for him, so we could feel his motivation. We could have had a promising start by which to measure how far they sank emotionally, how far they drifted from what they expected their marriage to be like. Instead of having to take their doubts for granted, we could have seen the seeds of those doubts planted and watched them grow.
A consequence of this was a saggy middle. Not the “this information is completely irrelevant and deserves the business end of a red pen” kind of saggy middle, rather the “trying to subtly draw out character revelations to fill pages” kind—an overabundance of inner monologue and narrative summary which got a bit redundant. I wonder if maybe there wasn’t enough conflict. The biggest antagonists were their misconceptions of one another, followed by the lesser evils of hypercritical mother and society’s opinion. Maggie was only an antagonist for like, five minutes. Charlotte and Drake sorted out their misconceptions before 60%, Maggie ceased to be a thing, the mother kind of dropped away for a while, and it was a matter of them trying to wrap their heads around actually having the relationship/marriage they dreamed of. Which was heartwarming, but not all that exciting.
It probably didn’t help that Golden set up a timeline for Charlotte and Drake’s relationship in the last book. She had to pace events and revelations so they would correspond with what happened in book one; that also could have contributed to the sense of being drawn out. Sounds like a pain in the ass, and I don’t envy her the challenge.
Overall
I think that covers most of my notes. Overall, I’m very impressed that I sympathized with and came to care about the characters as much as I did. The narrative suffered from some shortcomings but wasn’t crippled by them.
I look forward to the next Enchantress book, which will be the story of Sebastian’s long-lost sister Lilith, who has to deal with being illegitimate and abandoned, if I recall correctly. The excerpt seemed to set up the conflict well and whet my appetite. Not sure who the Baron is or how he’ll fit in—I searched this book for “baron” in case he was introduced and I missed it, but the only mention of one was the man Aunt Hazel married. I dare predict that Lilith, a midwife, will be involved in the birth of Sebastian and Liz’s first child, which we learned was on the way in the epilogue. Would be kinda strange if she weren’t involved, like a missed opportunity.
Also, I think Winston and Mary may become protagonists at some point in the series. I doubt they’ll be a couple, he’s over twice her age—then again, Drake was 15 years older than Charlotte, so I suppose the precedent has been set. Either way, they were given enough screen time here to make me believe they could be important later. Mary for sure.
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December 29, 2019
Before His Soldier🍆⛲, Lord Nimble, Retires
Book 2. Regency Era ADULT Romance💕
Baaaad Naaaasty libertine, Drake🐺🍆⛲, Duke of Annick, marries👰 Charlotte💃💋, the gorgeous young girl he flirts incessantly with, only to find when he allows his true bad boy self to come out, she gets turned off.
He marries👰 Charlotte💃💋, a commoner, but from wealthy parents, because it will anger his domineering mother, the dowager Duchess👺, and because He cannot come home from London without a bride👰. He is thirty-three now, getting long in the tooth!
Drake🐺🍆⛲ thought Charlotte💃💋 would be his bedtime playtoy, but she's afraid of him! She is totally ignorant of what ADULT scenes Drake🐺🍆⛲ wants to play out with her.
When the real 🌎world of Her new duties of being a wife and duchess start to sink in, Charlotte💃💋 freaks out. She doesn't have a clue what to do!
Charlotte💃💋 loves Drake🐺🍆⛲, but her ignorance and false modesty is pushing them apart.
The book is extremely witty and fun in many parts! Drake🐺🍆⛲ is so droll. Charlotte💃💋 has to get it together or become a doormat for the Dowager👺!
ARC Received from Booksprout🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
Book 2. Regency Era ADULT Romance💕
Baaaad Naaaasty libertine, Drake🐺🍆⛲, Duke of Annick, marries👰 Charlotte💃💋, the gorgeous young girl he flirts incessantly with, only to find when he allows his true bad boy self to come out, she gets turned off.
He marries👰 Charlotte💃💋, a commoner, but from wealthy parents, because it will anger his domineering mother, the dowager Duchess👺, and because He cannot come home from London without a bride👰. He is thirty-three now, getting long in the tooth!
Drake🐺🍆⛲ thought Charlotte💃💋 would be his bedtime playtoy, but she's afraid of him! She is totally ignorant of what ADULT scenes Drake🐺🍆⛲ wants to play out with her.
When the real 🌎world of Her new duties of being a wife and duchess start to sink in, Charlotte💃💋 freaks out. She doesn't have a clue what to do!
Charlotte💃💋 loves Drake🐺🍆⛲, but her ignorance and false modesty is pushing them apart.
The book is extremely witty and fun in many parts! Drake🐺🍆⛲ is so droll. Charlotte💃💋 has to get it together or become a doormat for the Dowager👺!
ARC Received from Booksprout🌱
I also got this ebook with KU.
December 21, 2019
The Duke and the Enchantress is the second book in the Enchantress series.
This book reminded me of an old school romance. Where misunderstanding and omissions were the drama that added to the story. I will say that I really liked it. Recently HR books seem to follow the same storyline, but this one was felt different. This story had a hero, Drake, that was not perfect all. There were times when I wanted to smack him in the head because he seemed oblivious to what his wife, Charlotte was going through.
Drake and Charlotte could of resolved some their problems if Drake could just grow a pair and stand up to his mother. Charlotte expected for him to stand up to her against his mother, but I'm glad that she did it on her own. I hated him during this moment. I later see his point when he tells her that she needs to do it on her own so his mother will not see her as weak.
Many things happen in their marriage that drive a wedge between them. It is not until they finally accept themselves for who they are that are finally able to be together at peace.
Overall it was a great story!
**Thank you to the author/publisher for providing the ARC through NetGalley for an honest review**
This book reminded me of an old school romance. Where misunderstanding and omissions were the drama that added to the story. I will say that I really liked it. Recently HR books seem to follow the same storyline, but this one was felt different. This story had a hero, Drake, that was not perfect all. There were times when I wanted to smack him in the head because he seemed oblivious to what his wife, Charlotte was going through.
Drake and Charlotte could of resolved some their problems if Drake could just grow a pair and stand up to his mother. Charlotte expected for him to stand up to her against his mother, but I'm glad that she did it on her own. I hated him during this moment. I later see his point when he tells her that she needs to do it on her own so his mother will not see her as weak.
Many things happen in their marriage that drive a wedge between them. It is not until they finally accept themselves for who they are that are finally able to be together at peace.
Overall it was a great story!
**Thank you to the author/publisher for providing the ARC through NetGalley for an honest review**
December 26, 2019
Drake, the Duke of Annick believes he has found the perfect woman to be his duchess. Charlotte Trethow believes she has found the perfect man to be a husband. However, the reality of marriage soon comes crashing down on them both, and they must struggle to find a commonality if their marriage is to have a chance.
I was very curious after reading the first book in the series as to the romance between Charlotte and Drake and so hoped that the next book in the series would tell their story. This book is cleverly linked to the first book in the series yet is a stand-alone story. It was wonderful to see Charlotte develop from the naive, immature yet starry-eyed girl into a woman with confidence and maturity. Drake also developed into a man that had strength and character. Together their story made for a lovely romance. The appearance of characters from book one also gave depth to the story. I so look forward to the next in the series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I was very curious after reading the first book in the series as to the romance between Charlotte and Drake and so hoped that the next book in the series would tell their story. This book is cleverly linked to the first book in the series yet is a stand-alone story. It was wonderful to see Charlotte develop from the naive, immature yet starry-eyed girl into a woman with confidence and maturity. Drake also developed into a man that had strength and character. Together their story made for a lovely romance. The appearance of characters from book one also gave depth to the story. I so look forward to the next in the series!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
February 3, 2020
Some fairy tales begin with the kiss.
This is the love story of Charlotte and Drake as they turn a marriage of convenience into a fairy tale romance.
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick, needed a wife. After choosing an acceptable bride, he traps himself in a marriage of convenience and must tap his creativity to woo his frigid wife and fuel her passion. Drake battles scandals, duels, and his own carefully crafted reputation to win her heart.
Charlotte Trethow dreamt of a fairy tale marriage to the perfect man. When she marries the Duke of Annick, all her dreams should have come true, but no one told her happily ever after doesn’t start with wedding bells. Charlotte is thrust into a world with a plotting housekeeper, an interfering despot, and an unconventional husband.
Drake marries Charlotte never expecting to love her but Charlotte has dreams of her own.. Her thoughts do not include the marriage bed where his include only that.
This is my first time reading this author's work. it is a convoluted tale and I liked it somewhat but I'm not sure if would read more.
I gave it 3.75 of 5.0 stars.
I received a complimentary copy to read am am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the love story of Charlotte and Drake as they turn a marriage of convenience into a fairy tale romance.
Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick, needed a wife. After choosing an acceptable bride, he traps himself in a marriage of convenience and must tap his creativity to woo his frigid wife and fuel her passion. Drake battles scandals, duels, and his own carefully crafted reputation to win her heart.
Charlotte Trethow dreamt of a fairy tale marriage to the perfect man. When she marries the Duke of Annick, all her dreams should have come true, but no one told her happily ever after doesn’t start with wedding bells. Charlotte is thrust into a world with a plotting housekeeper, an interfering despot, and an unconventional husband.
Drake marries Charlotte never expecting to love her but Charlotte has dreams of her own.. Her thoughts do not include the marriage bed where his include only that.
This is my first time reading this author's work. it is a convoluted tale and I liked it somewhat but I'm not sure if would read more.
I gave it 3.75 of 5.0 stars.
I received a complimentary copy to read am am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 24, 2019
It's a sign of a pretty good author when she takes a character who I found obnoxious in the first book and the beginning of this book, then makes me like him!
Drake and Charlotte both go into marriage with misconceptions about each other's character only to find that they really don't like each other once they get to Drake's estate. Add in a less than loving Dowager Duchess and that makes Charlotte's experience even less pleasant.
As the story progresses, Drake and Charlotte learn more about each other and particularly in Drake's case, confront the past in order to move forward. By the end of the book, I really liked both characters and was quite happy with how their relationship turned into love and trust and respect.
Bring on book 3!
Drake and Charlotte both go into marriage with misconceptions about each other's character only to find that they really don't like each other once they get to Drake's estate. Add in a less than loving Dowager Duchess and that makes Charlotte's experience even less pleasant.
As the story progresses, Drake and Charlotte learn more about each other and particularly in Drake's case, confront the past in order to move forward. By the end of the book, I really liked both characters and was quite happy with how their relationship turned into love and trust and respect.
Bring on book 3!
February 6, 2020
Newly married to a Duke, Charlotte is only eighteen and hasn't got a clue how to be a Duchess or the intimacy of marriage. All she knows is her husband is a rake. Drake, the Duke of Annick, doesn't know how to approach his virgin wife except as a rake, which puts her off. Add into the mix his dominating mother and his secrets. This marriage seems doomed from the start. I was a little frustrated because I felt all their complications took too long to resolve. Sometimes I wanted to give them my opinion on what they were doing wrong. Thank heavens for Aunt Hazel! Finally, they get it together. I must say Drake's secrets were nice surprises. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
March 7, 2019
The Duke and The Enchantress is a love story within a coming of age time for the new Duchess of Annick. Charlotte has married the Duke with expectations that may be a little high, even for a Duchess. She has insecurities about being a wife, running an estate, and being the "perfect" duchess. Her transformation is empowering to read although at times the story moves a little slow. A page turner for those looking for anyone looking to dive into a past time and place.
April 13, 2019
Delightful
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and the second (this book) was excellent as well. The characters actions and reactions were so unique and genuine. I loved the “hidden secrets” and the connections between the couple when they finally worked things out. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend reading this book.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and the second (this book) was excellent as well. The characters actions and reactions were so unique and genuine. I loved the “hidden secrets” and the connections between the couple when they finally worked things out. I really enjoyed the time I got to spend reading this book.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
January 10, 2020
After only a month of courtship the Drake Mowbrah, the Duke of Annick and Charlotte Trethow are married. He kisses inflamed him but now he finds himself trying to win his frigid wife. Charlotte is thrust into a world a whole new world of the nobility with plotting behind the scenes and unconventional husband makes for a great story. I loved theses wonderful characters as they both dance around each other as they slowly fall in love and find their true happiness. An excellent story and one I voluntarily wrote a review.
January 31, 2020
Book Two
Wow, I thought these two characters flimsy and dull following the usual marry for title blah blah. But in this book she brings life to two character I thought I would hate but the depth and insight into them is a true genius writing. Its only the second book but I’m hooked on the series and author.
I’m wondering how it took me so long to find these books. I can’t wait to read the rest.
Thank you to Netgalley/ Paullett Golden/ BookBuzz.net for the ARC in exchange for an honest Review.
Wow, I thought these two characters flimsy and dull following the usual marry for title blah blah. But in this book she brings life to two character I thought I would hate but the depth and insight into them is a true genius writing. Its only the second book but I’m hooked on the series and author.
I’m wondering how it took me so long to find these books. I can’t wait to read the rest.
Thank you to Netgalley/ Paullett Golden/ BookBuzz.net for the ARC in exchange for an honest Review.
March 2, 2020
This second book in the series was as good as the first. Drake and Charlotte enter a marriage of convenience. Both would like more, but outside influence and their own misconceptions make for a very twisted courtship. I recommend the purchase of this book.
Thank you Paulett Golden and NetGalley for allowing me this advance copy for my honest feedback.
Thank you Paulett Golden and NetGalley for allowing me this advance copy for my honest feedback.
June 4, 2021
Review to come!
June 11, 2021
Best book in the series.
I have now rae all the books in this series but unfortunately not in the correct order as I was sent a free copy of book number 3 and really enjoyed it. I would strongly recommend reading them in order.
I do enjoy Paulette's books the characters are so wonderful and very realistic,f.laws and all. This book had everything the wicked husband, furniture wife and
I have now rae all the books in this series but unfortunately not in the correct order as I was sent a free copy of book number 3 and really enjoyed it. I would strongly recommend reading them in order.
I do enjoy Paulette's books the characters are so wonderful and very realistic,f.laws and all. This book had everything the wicked husband, furniture wife and
December 21, 2022
enjoyed thoroughly
Great story of a man, a Duke, who retreated from his life and created a false sense of who is was for others to see. Great ending and finding true love.
Great story of a man, a Duke, who retreated from his life and created a false sense of who is was for others to see. Great ending and finding true love.
February 25, 2019
I have the distinct pleasure of reading and reviewing the Duke and the Enchantress before the anticipated March 1, 2019 debut of this stunning historical romance by Paullett Golden. I tried to be as spoiler free as possible since it’s just now coming out!
The novel is everything you could ever want from a story in this genre while also providing surprising and gratifying thematic depth.
Reading The Duke and the Enchantress is seeing the characters from the other side of a mirror. Glimpses into the main character, Charlotte, were introduced in the previous novel and presented her as a young and naive debutante social butterfly. This story focuses on Charlotte as she grows from that young girl into a woman. Before the first page of the novel, Charlotte is married to Drake, a Duke with vast wealth and status. However, being a Duchess is not everything Charlotte expected. Through adversity, Charlotte grows and finds inner strength. She learns love can not be part and parceled, that love is loving the whole person.
As the reader looks through the mirror at Drake, he is much more than the image he reflects. Confusion and critical misunderstanding when communicating with Charlotte shatters the perfect image Drake has of his new wife. To win her heart, he must face a duel, not just with a man who besmirches his wife and family name, but a duel within himself, to accept both personas as an integrated whole.
What I love about Golden’s books is that while they end in happily ever after, the stories are realistic depictions of the tribulations which we all face before finding happily ever after. It adds a delicate touch of realism the reader appreciates as a break from the traditional romantic novel formula.
The final obstacle for the couple is romance itself. One expects the romance to take place before the wedding. Yet, both Drake and Charlotte find that romance is more than stolen passionate kisses. Together, after the wedding, they learn the art of true romance and find their way into each other’s hearts.
The author has an uncanny ability to take characters previously embittered to the reader, and not only lead the characters to forgive each other, but as a reader, I found myself forgiving Charlotte and Drake’s flaws and misgivings.
Ultimately, the novel itself is flawless in it’s presentation and provides the reader with dynamic characters, drama, and steamy well written romantic interludes. My only complaint is waiting for the next novel in the series!
The novel is everything you could ever want from a story in this genre while also providing surprising and gratifying thematic depth.
Reading The Duke and the Enchantress is seeing the characters from the other side of a mirror. Glimpses into the main character, Charlotte, were introduced in the previous novel and presented her as a young and naive debutante social butterfly. This story focuses on Charlotte as she grows from that young girl into a woman. Before the first page of the novel, Charlotte is married to Drake, a Duke with vast wealth and status. However, being a Duchess is not everything Charlotte expected. Through adversity, Charlotte grows and finds inner strength. She learns love can not be part and parceled, that love is loving the whole person.
As the reader looks through the mirror at Drake, he is much more than the image he reflects. Confusion and critical misunderstanding when communicating with Charlotte shatters the perfect image Drake has of his new wife. To win her heart, he must face a duel, not just with a man who besmirches his wife and family name, but a duel within himself, to accept both personas as an integrated whole.
What I love about Golden’s books is that while they end in happily ever after, the stories are realistic depictions of the tribulations which we all face before finding happily ever after. It adds a delicate touch of realism the reader appreciates as a break from the traditional romantic novel formula.
The final obstacle for the couple is romance itself. One expects the romance to take place before the wedding. Yet, both Drake and Charlotte find that romance is more than stolen passionate kisses. Together, after the wedding, they learn the art of true romance and find their way into each other’s hearts.
The author has an uncanny ability to take characters previously embittered to the reader, and not only lead the characters to forgive each other, but as a reader, I found myself forgiving Charlotte and Drake’s flaws and misgivings.
Ultimately, the novel itself is flawless in it’s presentation and provides the reader with dynamic characters, drama, and steamy well written romantic interludes. My only complaint is waiting for the next novel in the series!
December 27, 2021
Paullett's books are pulling on my heart strings just the right way! My heart ached for the main characters and I couldn't put the book down!
It was a bit rocky start because I wasn't very fond either of Charlotte or Drake after the first book. But soon after I discovered there's so much more behind their facades, whole world of hidden fears and hurts and emotions.
I've always thought there is no objectively perfect person, that for different people there are subjective perfect persons. These first two books in the series brought this point across beautifully! Both Charlotte and Lisbeth do not understand what the other found in her man, while adoring and deeply connecting with own husband. As different as they are themselves, so are their husbands and homes. But those are just perfect for each.
If the first book very clearly spoke about the importance of communication in the marriage through the mouth of Lisbeth, this showed what happens when honest communication is blocked by fears and insecurities, ending up in a disaster.
Looking forward to the next book!
It was a bit rocky start because I wasn't very fond either of Charlotte or Drake after the first book. But soon after I discovered there's so much more behind their facades, whole world of hidden fears and hurts and emotions.
I've always thought there is no objectively perfect person, that for different people there are subjective perfect persons. These first two books in the series brought this point across beautifully! Both Charlotte and Lisbeth do not understand what the other found in her man, while adoring and deeply connecting with own husband. As different as they are themselves, so are their husbands and homes. But those are just perfect for each.
If the first book very clearly spoke about the importance of communication in the marriage through the mouth of Lisbeth, this showed what happens when honest communication is blocked by fears and insecurities, ending up in a disaster.
Looking forward to the next book!
April 29, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It is perfect light reading, engaging and compelling.
The plot is simple enough - a young woman of the upper classes, Charlotte, has married a Duke, who she only just met at her coming-out Season in London, a bare few weeks past. The story begins immediately after their wedding, as she is travelling with him by carriage to his estate. It is a carriage ride of a few days, and unfortunately for the new bride, the groom's taciturn cousin is also travelling with them, making one-to-one conversation with her new groom difficult. It doesn't help that the groom, Drake, also tries to engage her in banter and crude flirting that seems to be purely for the entertainment of his cousin. She finds this public teasing off-putting - and the Duke now seems so different from the gentle, affectionate man who wooed her. She is also beside herself with worry about how she will learn to be a proper Duchess.
Unbeknownst to Charlotte, Drake was under extreme pressure to choose a bride this season, as if he did not, his mother would choose one for him. He found Charlotte to be - as far as he could tell at the balls they attended - the perfect type: beautiful, mannered, educated, witty and friendly. So, he proposed. He is now taken aback by her reticence in the carriage, however, not realising the cause. He too, finds his new spouse suddenly very different from the person he thought he was marrying!
The story continues on to their disastrous wedding night in a pub, followed by their reaching the estate but finding a chilly reception from both Drake's mother and the manor staff, and what amounts to an ever-increasing, complex and maddening (yet entertaining) web of misunderstandings and assumptions. I just wanted to yell at everyone "would you just TALK to each other??!". It has been written with a warm, genuine understanding of how thoughts and worries, when kept to oneself, can grow and so easily lead to the wrong conclusions.
There are interesting adventures and intrigues along the way, and quite a few times when you really can't tell which way the tale will go. It all intertwines and wraps up in a very well-done way.
The plot is simple enough - a young woman of the upper classes, Charlotte, has married a Duke, who she only just met at her coming-out Season in London, a bare few weeks past. The story begins immediately after their wedding, as she is travelling with him by carriage to his estate. It is a carriage ride of a few days, and unfortunately for the new bride, the groom's taciturn cousin is also travelling with them, making one-to-one conversation with her new groom difficult. It doesn't help that the groom, Drake, also tries to engage her in banter and crude flirting that seems to be purely for the entertainment of his cousin. She finds this public teasing off-putting - and the Duke now seems so different from the gentle, affectionate man who wooed her. She is also beside herself with worry about how she will learn to be a proper Duchess.
Unbeknownst to Charlotte, Drake was under extreme pressure to choose a bride this season, as if he did not, his mother would choose one for him. He found Charlotte to be - as far as he could tell at the balls they attended - the perfect type: beautiful, mannered, educated, witty and friendly. So, he proposed. He is now taken aback by her reticence in the carriage, however, not realising the cause. He too, finds his new spouse suddenly very different from the person he thought he was marrying!
The story continues on to their disastrous wedding night in a pub, followed by their reaching the estate but finding a chilly reception from both Drake's mother and the manor staff, and what amounts to an ever-increasing, complex and maddening (yet entertaining) web of misunderstandings and assumptions. I just wanted to yell at everyone "would you just TALK to each other??!". It has been written with a warm, genuine understanding of how thoughts and worries, when kept to oneself, can grow and so easily lead to the wrong conclusions.
There are interesting adventures and intrigues along the way, and quite a few times when you really can't tell which way the tale will go. It all intertwines and wraps up in a very well-done way.
May 18, 2019
By author Paullett Golden, The Duke and the Enchantress is an enticing romance tale about two people who got married quickly when attraction and convenience combined, but what about love? Filling in the pieces from the relationship that we saw glimpses of I the first book in the Enchantress series, this book is a charming, funny, and steamy romance tale about two people who didn’t realize just what it was that they were getting themselves into. This is not a typical romance story. We do not detail the courtship or stolen kisses, although Charlotte does think back on them fondly, but rather we get a sweet romance tale about two people who are already married. As a period romance, there really is nowhere for either to go, they are married and chose to enter into their situation for practical reasons. But their attraction for one another will lead them down a beautiful love story, bringing them closer and closer together. Drake is a fun romantic lead because he is so different. He is not the typical Austin leading man that you might expect from period romances. Drake is lude, funny, likes his bad boy reputation, and is hiding a lot of himself away. I liked getting to witness him growing close to Charlotte because it meant his walls were coming down. He is the kind of character you don’t think you are going to like until you already love him. The well-written tale of love is a sweet and silly story that held my attention from beginning to end. If you like to read period romance books, then I would definitely recommend you give this book a try. It is a quick and sweet read, and Golden does an incredible job of pulling you into the story. I would give this book four stars.
July 7, 2019
Both books- 1 2 - are about infatuated couple who seem to be a major mismatchs until they start to unravel. Yet, the characters/couples in both books are the least to say the opposites.
Book one's main characters depicted an intellectually sure-of-what-she-wants heroine who goes after what she believes in, asserting her individuality and femininity, and a socially scorched hero with a big and genuine enough heart to fall head over heels in love with his lady and fight his demons for her.
Book two's couple are emphatically the opposite. They suffered the same dilemma through their own insecurities. Both Drake and Charlotte had to deal with their insecurities and struggle with their aspiration, trying to hold on to their hope. The almost naive bride never gave a serious thought about what the new life besides her husband will demand of her or what her obligations are, and it was easier to shy away than looking her feelings in the eyes. Drake's sensitive and romantic nature as a musical composer was well kept underneath a sarcastic flirty rakish mask well worn with matching reputation, built up only to serve as a shield from the outer world.
They both haven't communicated or opened up to share their thoughts and doubts which escalated to risky situations. Pushing themselves was straining and rushed them to being on the defensive and self-consumed despite the good intentions and deep feelings they carried for each other.
I absolutely loved the musical plot and vocabulary especially when it described few love scenes and heartfelt sensations.
Eventually, Love overcame all adversities and they were granted their happy-ever-after😊
Cannot wait for book 3!
Book one's main characters depicted an intellectually sure-of-what-she-wants heroine who goes after what she believes in, asserting her individuality and femininity, and a socially scorched hero with a big and genuine enough heart to fall head over heels in love with his lady and fight his demons for her.
Book two's couple are emphatically the opposite. They suffered the same dilemma through their own insecurities. Both Drake and Charlotte had to deal with their insecurities and struggle with their aspiration, trying to hold on to their hope. The almost naive bride never gave a serious thought about what the new life besides her husband will demand of her or what her obligations are, and it was easier to shy away than looking her feelings in the eyes. Drake's sensitive and romantic nature as a musical composer was well kept underneath a sarcastic flirty rakish mask well worn with matching reputation, built up only to serve as a shield from the outer world.
They both haven't communicated or opened up to share their thoughts and doubts which escalated to risky situations. Pushing themselves was straining and rushed them to being on the defensive and self-consumed despite the good intentions and deep feelings they carried for each other.
I absolutely loved the musical plot and vocabulary especially when it described few love scenes and heartfelt sensations.
Eventually, Love overcame all adversities and they were granted their happy-ever-after😊
Cannot wait for book 3!
November 27, 2020
This was absolutely delightful! I loved Charlotte and Drake and how they made their own happily ever after. It wasn't an easy journey for either of them. I almost hurt watching them slip past each other and I loved seeing the pieces come together between them. It was healing the heart of a young man and giving confidence to a stunning woman to rule the roost.
I didn't think it would ever be possible to like Drake! He was so uncouth in the first book and cringy. I'm so glad that we got to meet the Composer as well. He really did deserve Charlotte after all! The twists to his personality were brilliantly plotted out.
Charlotte wasn't an instant favorite of mine from the first book, but there was something about her personality that made me want to discover more about her. I think her taking charge with her marriage and her household was a huge development for her. Being the younger sister, it was so interesting to watch her blossom!
I really disliked the mother in law, she was quite the fire-breathing dragon. But I believe that she's now on the way to happy golden years. I really felt very irritated at Drake for not speaking up for his wife, in my point of view that is never acceptable. I literally cheered when he manned up and told Catherine how things were going to proceed going forward.
Seeing past favorites sprinkled here and there was positively diverting! I can't wait to see where this series will take us and which couples will find their heart's desires next! I love a well-written tale and this glorious author never disappoints!
I didn't think it would ever be possible to like Drake! He was so uncouth in the first book and cringy. I'm so glad that we got to meet the Composer as well. He really did deserve Charlotte after all! The twists to his personality were brilliantly plotted out.
Charlotte wasn't an instant favorite of mine from the first book, but there was something about her personality that made me want to discover more about her. I think her taking charge with her marriage and her household was a huge development for her. Being the younger sister, it was so interesting to watch her blossom!
I really disliked the mother in law, she was quite the fire-breathing dragon. But I believe that she's now on the way to happy golden years. I really felt very irritated at Drake for not speaking up for his wife, in my point of view that is never acceptable. I literally cheered when he manned up and told Catherine how things were going to proceed going forward.
Seeing past favorites sprinkled here and there was positively diverting! I can't wait to see where this series will take us and which couples will find their heart's desires next! I love a well-written tale and this glorious author never disappoints!
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