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Regency Brides #1
The Duke Who Stole My Heart
The Duke Who Stole My Heart is the sweet/tame version of The Duke’s Bride.
My dearest brother,
Harry, if you receive this letter it will be because I’ve eloped with an honorable American shipping merchant and will soon be sailing far from England to his home in the Americas. This decision doesn’t come easily. I’ve tried my best to convince your dear friend, the Duke of Ashten, to live again and remove himself from his own self-imposed exile, but in doing so I have instead been reminded of the day he first stole my heart. Eight years old, I was at the time, six years younger than the two of you. I adored chasing you both down to the river, climbing trees, and watching you fish. That was when I first fell in love with Ashten, but unfortunately that love is not reciprocated, even though I wish it were.
Our dear sister posts this letter to you on my behalf as my valise is now packed and I’m about to escape from under Mama’s eagle eyes for Gretna Green. An adventure awaits me, one hopefully without a brooding duke and a battle of wills at play.
Please, remain safe during this dreadful war. I miss you, terribly.
Your ever-loving sister, Ellie.
My dearest brother,
Harry, if you receive this letter it will be because I’ve eloped with an honorable American shipping merchant and will soon be sailing far from England to his home in the Americas. This decision doesn’t come easily. I’ve tried my best to convince your dear friend, the Duke of Ashten, to live again and remove himself from his own self-imposed exile, but in doing so I have instead been reminded of the day he first stole my heart. Eight years old, I was at the time, six years younger than the two of you. I adored chasing you both down to the river, climbing trees, and watching you fish. That was when I first fell in love with Ashten, but unfortunately that love is not reciprocated, even though I wish it were.
Our dear sister posts this letter to you on my behalf as my valise is now packed and I’m about to escape from under Mama’s eagle eyes for Gretna Green. An adventure awaits me, one hopefully without a brooding duke and a battle of wills at play.
Please, remain safe during this dreadful war. I miss you, terribly.
Your ever-loving sister, Ellie.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2019
1603 people are currently reading
869 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Wadsworth
277 books284 followersJoanne Wadsworth is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling Author who adores getting lost in the world of romance, no matter what era in time that might be. Hot alpha Highlanders hound her, demanding their stories are told and she’s devoted to ensuring they meet their match, whether that be with a feisty lass from the present or far in the past.
Living on a tiny island at the bottom of the world, she calls New Zealand home. Big-dreamer, hoarder of chocolate, and addicted to juicy watermelons since the age of five, she chases after her four energetic children and has her own hunky hubby on the side.
So come and join in all the fun, because this kiwi girl promises to give you her “Hot-Highlander” oath, to bring you a heart-pounding, sexy adventure from the moment you turn the first page. This is where romance meets fantasy and adventure…
Highlander Heat Series: HIGHLANDER'S CASTLE, HIGHLANDER'S MAGIC, HIGHLANDER'S CHARM, HIGHLANDER'S GUARDIAN, HIGHLANDER'S FAERIE, HIGHLANDER'S CHAMPION, HIGHLANDER'S CAPTIVE.
The Matheson Brothers Series: HIGHLANDER'S DESIRE, HIGHLANDER'S PASSION, HIGHLANDER'S SEDUCTION.
Clan Matheson Series: HIGHLANDER'S KISS, HIGHLANDER'S HEART, HIGHLANDER'S SWORD.
The Fae Series: HIGHLANDER'S BRIDE, HIGHLANDER'S CARESS, HIGHLANDER'S TOUCH.
The Matheson Warriors Series: HIGHLANDER'S SHIFTER, HIGHLANDER'S CLAIM, HIGHLANDER'S COURAGE, HIGHLANDER'S CRAVING.
Regency Brides Series: THE DUKE'S BRIDE, THE EARL'S BRIDE, THE WARTIME BRIDE, THE SECRET BRIDE.
Princesses of Myth Series: PROTECTOR, WARRIOR, HUNTER, ENCHANTER, HEALER, CHASER.
Billionaire Bodyguards Series: BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD ATTRACTION, BILLIONARE BODYGUARD BOSS, BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD FLING.
Living on a tiny island at the bottom of the world, she calls New Zealand home. Big-dreamer, hoarder of chocolate, and addicted to juicy watermelons since the age of five, she chases after her four energetic children and has her own hunky hubby on the side.
So come and join in all the fun, because this kiwi girl promises to give you her “Hot-Highlander” oath, to bring you a heart-pounding, sexy adventure from the moment you turn the first page. This is where romance meets fantasy and adventure…
Highlander Heat Series: HIGHLANDER'S CASTLE, HIGHLANDER'S MAGIC, HIGHLANDER'S CHARM, HIGHLANDER'S GUARDIAN, HIGHLANDER'S FAERIE, HIGHLANDER'S CHAMPION, HIGHLANDER'S CAPTIVE.
The Matheson Brothers Series: HIGHLANDER'S DESIRE, HIGHLANDER'S PASSION, HIGHLANDER'S SEDUCTION.
Clan Matheson Series: HIGHLANDER'S KISS, HIGHLANDER'S HEART, HIGHLANDER'S SWORD.
The Fae Series: HIGHLANDER'S BRIDE, HIGHLANDER'S CARESS, HIGHLANDER'S TOUCH.
The Matheson Warriors Series: HIGHLANDER'S SHIFTER, HIGHLANDER'S CLAIM, HIGHLANDER'S COURAGE, HIGHLANDER'S CRAVING.
Regency Brides Series: THE DUKE'S BRIDE, THE EARL'S BRIDE, THE WARTIME BRIDE, THE SECRET BRIDE.
Princesses of Myth Series: PROTECTOR, WARRIOR, HUNTER, ENCHANTER, HEALER, CHASER.
Billionaire Bodyguards Series: BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD ATTRACTION, BILLIONARE BODYGUARD BOSS, BILLIONAIRE BODYGUARD FLING.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 220 reviews
March 20, 2018
You will love this IF you're a fan of:
1. An agoraphobic grouchy H.
2. A meddling heroine who chases after him even after he had been about to propose a marriage of convenience to her late best friend.
3. A H who is not willing to deal with his emotional and psychological issues but chooses to hide and sulk.
4. Very little passion between the MC's.
5. An OM who is a helluva a lot more desirable and manly than the H.
6. A heroine who is so selfish that she's willing to marry the OM, who treats her like a special fairy princess, knowing that she doesn't love him.
I don't like any of the above and I really hate the brooding beta H's who are prone to inactivity and can outdo Hamlet when it comes to pondering and analyzing. Actually, even Hamlet's pondering is preferable because Shakespeare's H is all about "To be or not to be". This asshole duke is more like " To think or not to think... thinking is hurting my itty bitty brain." All this H does is moan, groan and feel sorry for himself. I wanted to remind him to count his blessings that he's a f*****g duke who's as rich as Croesus and that there are poor starving orphans getting raped in St. Giles and other London slums. I am still gonna read the second novel in this series and I am hoping for a H I can actually sigh over and admire. The blurb really attracted my attention because I thought the novel would start with a H who is chasing after the woman he had treated as a sister for so long. Instead, it starts with the heroine chasing after the whiny and sulking H. He doesn't even decide to chase after her until most of the novel is already over and done with !
1. An agoraphobic grouchy H.
2. A meddling heroine who chases after him even after he had been about to propose a marriage of convenience to her late best friend.
3. A H who is not willing to deal with his emotional and psychological issues but chooses to hide and sulk.
4. Very little passion between the MC's.
5. An OM who is a helluva a lot more desirable and manly than the H.
6. A heroine who is so selfish that she's willing to marry the OM, who treats her like a special fairy princess, knowing that she doesn't love him.
I don't like any of the above and I really hate the brooding beta H's who are prone to inactivity and can outdo Hamlet when it comes to pondering and analyzing. Actually, even Hamlet's pondering is preferable because Shakespeare's H is all about "To be or not to be". This asshole duke is more like " To think or not to think... thinking is hurting my itty bitty brain." All this H does is moan, groan and feel sorry for himself. I wanted to remind him to count his blessings that he's a f*****g duke who's as rich as Croesus and that there are poor starving orphans getting raped in St. Giles and other London slums. I am still gonna read the second novel in this series and I am hoping for a H I can actually sigh over and admire. The blurb really attracted my attention because I thought the novel would start with a H who is chasing after the woman he had treated as a sister for so long. Instead, it starts with the heroine chasing after the whiny and sulking H. He doesn't even decide to chase after her until most of the novel is already over and done with !
September 20, 2022
This book started slow, got better later in the story.
October 16, 2018
DONT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS BOX SET!!!
It is not even worth the 99cents I paid for it. This story makes no sense. It is really unrealistic.The Duke of Ashten has hidden away and become a recluse. He will not go out in society. Now here is the stupid unbelievable part. Ashley the young lady he was going to ask for her hand in marriage Elopes.
Ashley elopes with a Sea Captian whom she loved and she wanted to marry. So they eloped before Ashten could ask for her hand in marriage. Her and her husband died when there ship sinks. What does Ashten do he say he murdered her. WTH!! Whats even worse Ashten didn't love Ashley. This is ridiculous. Ashten goes on and on about how he murder her because he was going to ask to marry her. This is just stupid.
In the meantime Spinster Lady Ellie Trentbury (I am sick of Spinster stories) daughter of a deceased Earl and sister to the current Earl has always been in love with Ashten who is her brothers best friend. She is after Ashten like a tick on a dog. Ashten loves her but she is his best friends sister. This goes on forever. Then Once Ashten thinks he is going to loose Ellie to another he goes after her. But now its Ellie's turn to play hard to get for the rest of the book. Too Much Angst!! The Conflict makes not sense. Totally waste of my time to read. But I won't bother with bk2 in the box set. I cant believe this got published!!
Oh You don't even get know Ashten's full name until the middle of the story WHY?
Sorry I Can Not Recommend the The Duke's Bride!!
It is not even worth the 99cents I paid for it. This story makes no sense. It is really unrealistic.The Duke of Ashten has hidden away and become a recluse. He will not go out in society. Now here is the stupid unbelievable part. Ashley the young lady he was going to ask for her hand in marriage Elopes.
Ashley elopes with a Sea Captian whom she loved and she wanted to marry. So they eloped before Ashten could ask for her hand in marriage. Her and her husband died when there ship sinks. What does Ashten do he say he murdered her. WTH!! Whats even worse Ashten didn't love Ashley. This is ridiculous. Ashten goes on and on about how he murder her because he was going to ask to marry her. This is just stupid.
In the meantime Spinster Lady Ellie Trentbury (I am sick of Spinster stories) daughter of a deceased Earl and sister to the current Earl has always been in love with Ashten who is her brothers best friend. She is after Ashten like a tick on a dog. Ashten loves her but she is his best friends sister. This goes on forever. Then Once Ashten thinks he is going to loose Ellie to another he goes after her. But now its Ellie's turn to play hard to get for the rest of the book. Too Much Angst!! The Conflict makes not sense. Totally waste of my time to read. But I won't bother with bk2 in the box set. I cant believe this got published!!
Oh You don't even get know Ashten's full name until the middle of the story WHY?
Sorry I Can Not Recommend the The Duke's Bride!!
March 28, 2019
I could barely get thru this. The repeated reference to “Alexander the First” as a reigning monarch in Europe is the hill upon which I am going to die in this review.
We don’t refer to rulers as “the First” until there is actually a second ruler of that area by the same name. For example , Queen Elizabeth I was simply Queen Elizabeth until Elizabeth II took the throne, about 400 years later. Queen Victoria is simply Queen Victoria, not Victoria I. Therefore, a reigning monarch would not be referred to as “the first.”
And in a similar rant, while we say “the first” we write it using Roman numerals. So again - it’s annoying when a writer of historical fiction is messing up a fairly simple thing.
My takeaway from this book is that if I was not invested enough in the characters or the story to ignore this ridiculous issue, that probably means it really just wasn’t a story that I was going to enjoy. It was a free book, so I am out nothing. If this kind of thing doesn’t bother you, it may be a great read for you. If you found yourself agreeing with me at any point in my above rant, maybe it would be a good idea to skip this one.
We don’t refer to rulers as “the First” until there is actually a second ruler of that area by the same name. For example , Queen Elizabeth I was simply Queen Elizabeth until Elizabeth II took the throne, about 400 years later. Queen Victoria is simply Queen Victoria, not Victoria I. Therefore, a reigning monarch would not be referred to as “the first.”
And in a similar rant, while we say “the first” we write it using Roman numerals. So again - it’s annoying when a writer of historical fiction is messing up a fairly simple thing.
My takeaway from this book is that if I was not invested enough in the characters or the story to ignore this ridiculous issue, that probably means it really just wasn’t a story that I was going to enjoy. It was a free book, so I am out nothing. If this kind of thing doesn’t bother you, it may be a great read for you. If you found yourself agreeing with me at any point in my above rant, maybe it would be a good idea to skip this one.
August 23, 2017
"THE DUKE'S BRIDE' by Joanne Wadsworth is the First Book in the New Series called " Regency Brides". This is the story of Ellie and Ashten. Ashten was Ellie's brother friend and she would trail after them. Ellie always knew she wanted Ashten but Ashten seem only to see her as his friends sister. Ashten saved her once and he did keep her Ribbon that as a good luck charm. But Ashten thought he loved another and when that didn't work he took himself into a self exile where he hardly went into public. But Ellie and her American friend Tidmore plan to try and draw him out with their relationship.
This was such a sweet and easy read that you won't want to put down.
Loved it!
REGENCY ROMANCE SERIES:,
The Duke's Bride, #1;
The Earl's Bride, #2;
The Wartime Bride, #3;
The Secret Bride, #4;
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
This was such a sweet and easy read that you won't want to put down.
Loved it!
REGENCY ROMANCE SERIES:,
The Duke's Bride, #1;
The Earl's Bride, #2;
The Wartime Bride, #3;
The Secret Bride, #4;
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
https://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2H...
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.facebook.com/RomanceBookR...
http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
Want to read
August 8, 2020🎁 FREE on iBooks today (3/23/2019)! 🎁
November 24, 2020
Actual trash. I cannot tell you what compelled me to pick this up AND finish it, but it was not worth my time.
March 22, 2019
I really liked this book is haven't read a historical romance in a while 😍
December 15, 2017
An absolute delight to read! Fast paced with danger and romance. A must read! Joanne Wadsworth nailed book 1 in her new and exciting Recency Romance. More please!!
December 23, 2019
3.5 stars
I enjoyed the second half of this book more than the first half. I think mainly because I lost patience with Ashten. He was very willing to indulge in passionate kisses and be jealous of other suitors but not offer marriage. Ellie was also a character I didn’t take to, as she seemed to be using others to make Ashten jealous. Tidmore was a very honourable man, one who I wished had a holly ending. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I had purchased a copy.
I enjoyed the second half of this book more than the first half. I think mainly because I lost patience with Ashten. He was very willing to indulge in passionate kisses and be jealous of other suitors but not offer marriage. Ellie was also a character I didn’t take to, as she seemed to be using others to make Ashten jealous. Tidmore was a very honourable man, one who I wished had a holly ending. I received a copy via Booksprout and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own. However, I had purchased a copy.
August 15, 2020
MAJOR Plot spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.
4.5 stars
I thought this review was going to go complete differently as I started this story. It was very difficult to get into at first. For me, there was nothing really compelling about the beginning, and at points I was bored with it. I wasn’t feeling Ellie or Ashten aka Pierce. I wasn’t enjoying the storyline. I didn’t feel the chemistry, tension or angst between Ellie and Ashten in the beginning like I was expecting with this whole best friend’s little sister trope. The romance just seemed off to me. There was a lot of talk about the war for way too long that I just didn’t care for like at all especially with amount of detail that they went in. The only thing about that war storyline that I cared for was how it effected Ashten, meaning him being discharged due his leg injury and having slight PTSD. The rest about the war I didn’t need. I get it was for context, but I didnt’ need to know that much about Napoleon and his next move, etc. The beginning in general just wasn’t good for me, and I thought I was going to really not enjoy this book or get through it.
Then Ellie’s family came into the fold, it was like the flip switched, and the story did a complete one eighty. I began to love it. It became so much more compelling. The relationship between Elie and Ashten became more defined and more interesting. The chemistry started soaring off the page between them. There were some very spicy scenes between them that were terrific. There were some funny moments between them that earned a couple chuckles. They had head butting tension between them that just added more angst to the story, which I loved. The feels came into play as the more emotional storyline played out between them. There were some heartbreaking moments, but swoony moments as well. It was so good. Everything that I didn’t like from the beginning faded away until it was nearly forgotten because it got to be that freaking and just what I wanted. It was quite a turnaround.
There were quite a few stand out moments and scenes that I just want to highlighted that I really enjoyed. The first one being Ellie’s family. I loved them so much and have became heavily invested in them as a characters and their stories. I loved the sister dynamics. I loved the big brother Winterly, and his interactions between himself and his sisters. I loved how protective yet very affection he was over Ellie. It was just really sweet and caring. He was just a sweetheart. I loved Ellie’s mother, even though she was pushing her daughter into marriage though doing it in a very caring and affectionate way. It wasn’t too much, but it was funny. It was great to see the core family dynamics that really drew me in the most after the rocky start. It just was a great addition to the romance that just made the story fuller and richer. I appreciate whenever that becomes a factor in a romance, and I really appreciated it here.
What I found was interesting was the fact that Ellie had more than one romantic interest in the story. The first one, Thomas, was partially a setup in order to get Ashten to react and stop acting as recluse in isolation, which he had been doing for the past six months due to the fact his trauma in the war and blaming himself because he thought himself responsible for the death of a woman. So, Ellie setup this whole scenario where she told Ashten that she was planning to elope with this guy, but not telling him who the guy was. She knew, because she knew him all her life, that he wouldn’t be able to stand the fact that she was marrying this guy that he would want to know who he was, but he would need to figure out himself because she wasn’t telling him. So, she figured that he would come out in public to investigate of who this guy was and see who she was hanging out with. That was her plan for getting Ashten out of the house. She was right she was curious and that got the ball rolling on their romance, which very much incited his jealousy as well, which she wasn’t expecting, believing he didn’t feel the same way about her that she did him. Her whole plan was just to stop him from beginning not a recluse anymore. Anyway Thomas became a ploy, but then he became a sort of suitor as well. As did another guy, who was set about wooing and enjoying Ellie’s company, setting another log on the fire so to speak, which got Ashten’s ire up even more.
Usually I don’t like multiple suitors involved in the plot and the romance because usually it’s unnecessary, but here it totally worked because it gave Ashten the kick in the pants that he needed to stop wallowing and start living again and pursing what he wanted, which was Ellie. Plus there was this funny moment when he crashed Ellie’s date with one of the guys acting as “chaperon” to make sure nothing unseemly happened between Ellie and this other guy. Yeah that was the reason. That was really entertaining to see that scene take place, and other moments that he interrupted between Ellie and the other guys. Of coarse it was made very clear that she was only interested in Ashten, and she wasn’t using these guys to incite his jealousy just to get Ashten out of his house. That was her only motive. She had no idea that Ashten even had feelings for her and even asked him if he would ever consider her as his wife, which he said no. She took him for his word and operated on that assumption. So, that’s why it didn’t come across so bad for me like it sometimes comes off in other books with other love interests involved. Plus I loved seeing Ashten jealousy. So that didn’t hurt either.
A really romantic, which turned to spicy, moment between Ashten and Ellie was the dance in the gazebo. It was just very sweet and lovely as they held each other and danced under the stars while they talked. It had that really romantic vibe that I really loved. It was a special moment especially for Ellie, who had been dreaming of this for years and years. It was Cinderella at the ball then quickly turned erotic as they spoke of kisses, and the kisses that Ellie experienced. Kisses that were respectful, yet she felt nothing. So Ashten volunteered to kiss her unrespectfully and see if there was a difference. This became a joke for the rest of the book between them that I found hilarious. Kiss her unrespectfully he did, and sparks flew. It was hot like lava in a volcano hot. It was sexy, passionate, and erotic as kisses turned to stroking, caressing, and touching. It was so good and showed off their chemistry beautifully. That scene was just the start of the explosion between them with many others to follow. I loved it.
Once Ashten woke up and realized his feelings for Ellie, he really pulled out all the stops. He did a range of things to show that she was it for him from seducing her in her bedroom, to following her on elopement, and then just putting it all out there and declaring his love for her. He did a lot to show her how important she was to him, though she didn’t believe him, thinking he was only asking her to marry him out of force and nothing more. The way came across when he was trying to prove his love for her was desperation and heartbreak because she wouldn’t believe him. I could see that it was breaking him from the inside out, and he really didn’t know what to do. It broke my heart to see how broken he was becoming at the thought of loosing her. Even though I didn’t question his sincerity, I know Ellie did. I know why she did. For so long he kept pushing her away and saying that he didn’t want her as his wife then to have a complete turnaround was a little disconcerting for her. So I didn’t blame her or want to shake her. I just wanted her to see it.
Then came to love scene, which was as sexy and passionate as I expected, but it was so much more than that because there was love between them. A connection that had grown and got closer once Ashten decided to live and accept what he felt for Ellie. Some of the words that he used during that scene were just so swoon worthy. The stuff he said about her taking him to Heaven with her and just other really sweet and loving things just really put that love scene over the top. it showed how emotionally he was involved with he with her. He wanted to love her mind, body, and soul. In every way possible, which was so freaking beautiful. It just added so much depth to the scene. Plus it was pretty steamy between them, which didn’t hurt either. It was great first time scene on every level.
Overall, once I got over the beginning , I freaking loved this story. It had a lot of things I was expecting especially with the trope of best friend’s little sister. It wasn’t overly angsty, but there was just enough for me that it made me enjoy the story. It was funny. It was sweet. It was loving. It was a lot spicier than I thought it was going to be. Their chemistry was really good once it got more into the story. I loved the friendship that they had, which then translated to this intense passion and love for one another. I loved Ellie’s family. There were just so many good things about this story that I was happy that I did stick it out in the end and complete it. I just a satisfying and entertaining read that I can see myself reading again. I had really a good time.
This has made me intrigued for other stories in this series involving Ellie’s siblings because I became really invested in those characters. Whether I read them or not is another story, but if I get a chance I might. Hopefully they will be as good as this one was.
4.5 stars
I thought this review was going to go complete differently as I started this story. It was very difficult to get into at first. For me, there was nothing really compelling about the beginning, and at points I was bored with it. I wasn’t feeling Ellie or Ashten aka Pierce. I wasn’t enjoying the storyline. I didn’t feel the chemistry, tension or angst between Ellie and Ashten in the beginning like I was expecting with this whole best friend’s little sister trope. The romance just seemed off to me. There was a lot of talk about the war for way too long that I just didn’t care for like at all especially with amount of detail that they went in. The only thing about that war storyline that I cared for was how it effected Ashten, meaning him being discharged due his leg injury and having slight PTSD. The rest about the war I didn’t need. I get it was for context, but I didnt’ need to know that much about Napoleon and his next move, etc. The beginning in general just wasn’t good for me, and I thought I was going to really not enjoy this book or get through it.
Then Ellie’s family came into the fold, it was like the flip switched, and the story did a complete one eighty. I began to love it. It became so much more compelling. The relationship between Elie and Ashten became more defined and more interesting. The chemistry started soaring off the page between them. There were some very spicy scenes between them that were terrific. There were some funny moments between them that earned a couple chuckles. They had head butting tension between them that just added more angst to the story, which I loved. The feels came into play as the more emotional storyline played out between them. There were some heartbreaking moments, but swoony moments as well. It was so good. Everything that I didn’t like from the beginning faded away until it was nearly forgotten because it got to be that freaking and just what I wanted. It was quite a turnaround.
There were quite a few stand out moments and scenes that I just want to highlighted that I really enjoyed. The first one being Ellie’s family. I loved them so much and have became heavily invested in them as a characters and their stories. I loved the sister dynamics. I loved the big brother Winterly, and his interactions between himself and his sisters. I loved how protective yet very affection he was over Ellie. It was just really sweet and caring. He was just a sweetheart. I loved Ellie’s mother, even though she was pushing her daughter into marriage though doing it in a very caring and affectionate way. It wasn’t too much, but it was funny. It was great to see the core family dynamics that really drew me in the most after the rocky start. It just was a great addition to the romance that just made the story fuller and richer. I appreciate whenever that becomes a factor in a romance, and I really appreciated it here.
What I found was interesting was the fact that Ellie had more than one romantic interest in the story. The first one, Thomas, was partially a setup in order to get Ashten to react and stop acting as recluse in isolation, which he had been doing for the past six months due to the fact his trauma in the war and blaming himself because he thought himself responsible for the death of a woman. So, Ellie setup this whole scenario where she told Ashten that she was planning to elope with this guy, but not telling him who the guy was. She knew, because she knew him all her life, that he wouldn’t be able to stand the fact that she was marrying this guy that he would want to know who he was, but he would need to figure out himself because she wasn’t telling him. So, she figured that he would come out in public to investigate of who this guy was and see who she was hanging out with. That was her plan for getting Ashten out of the house. She was right she was curious and that got the ball rolling on their romance, which very much incited his jealousy as well, which she wasn’t expecting, believing he didn’t feel the same way about her that she did him. Her whole plan was just to stop him from beginning not a recluse anymore. Anyway Thomas became a ploy, but then he became a sort of suitor as well. As did another guy, who was set about wooing and enjoying Ellie’s company, setting another log on the fire so to speak, which got Ashten’s ire up even more.
Usually I don’t like multiple suitors involved in the plot and the romance because usually it’s unnecessary, but here it totally worked because it gave Ashten the kick in the pants that he needed to stop wallowing and start living again and pursing what he wanted, which was Ellie. Plus there was this funny moment when he crashed Ellie’s date with one of the guys acting as “chaperon” to make sure nothing unseemly happened between Ellie and this other guy. Yeah that was the reason. That was really entertaining to see that scene take place, and other moments that he interrupted between Ellie and the other guys. Of coarse it was made very clear that she was only interested in Ashten, and she wasn’t using these guys to incite his jealousy just to get Ashten out of his house. That was her only motive. She had no idea that Ashten even had feelings for her and even asked him if he would ever consider her as his wife, which he said no. She took him for his word and operated on that assumption. So, that’s why it didn’t come across so bad for me like it sometimes comes off in other books with other love interests involved. Plus I loved seeing Ashten jealousy. So that didn’t hurt either.
A really romantic, which turned to spicy, moment between Ashten and Ellie was the dance in the gazebo. It was just very sweet and lovely as they held each other and danced under the stars while they talked. It had that really romantic vibe that I really loved. It was a special moment especially for Ellie, who had been dreaming of this for years and years. It was Cinderella at the ball then quickly turned erotic as they spoke of kisses, and the kisses that Ellie experienced. Kisses that were respectful, yet she felt nothing. So Ashten volunteered to kiss her unrespectfully and see if there was a difference. This became a joke for the rest of the book between them that I found hilarious. Kiss her unrespectfully he did, and sparks flew. It was hot like lava in a volcano hot. It was sexy, passionate, and erotic as kisses turned to stroking, caressing, and touching. It was so good and showed off their chemistry beautifully. That scene was just the start of the explosion between them with many others to follow. I loved it.
Once Ashten woke up and realized his feelings for Ellie, he really pulled out all the stops. He did a range of things to show that she was it for him from seducing her in her bedroom, to following her on elopement, and then just putting it all out there and declaring his love for her. He did a lot to show her how important she was to him, though she didn’t believe him, thinking he was only asking her to marry him out of force and nothing more. The way came across when he was trying to prove his love for her was desperation and heartbreak because she wouldn’t believe him. I could see that it was breaking him from the inside out, and he really didn’t know what to do. It broke my heart to see how broken he was becoming at the thought of loosing her. Even though I didn’t question his sincerity, I know Ellie did. I know why she did. For so long he kept pushing her away and saying that he didn’t want her as his wife then to have a complete turnaround was a little disconcerting for her. So I didn’t blame her or want to shake her. I just wanted her to see it.
Then came to love scene, which was as sexy and passionate as I expected, but it was so much more than that because there was love between them. A connection that had grown and got closer once Ashten decided to live and accept what he felt for Ellie. Some of the words that he used during that scene were just so swoon worthy. The stuff he said about her taking him to Heaven with her and just other really sweet and loving things just really put that love scene over the top. it showed how emotionally he was involved with he with her. He wanted to love her mind, body, and soul. In every way possible, which was so freaking beautiful. It just added so much depth to the scene. Plus it was pretty steamy between them, which didn’t hurt either. It was great first time scene on every level.
Overall, once I got over the beginning , I freaking loved this story. It had a lot of things I was expecting especially with the trope of best friend’s little sister. It wasn’t overly angsty, but there was just enough for me that it made me enjoy the story. It was funny. It was sweet. It was loving. It was a lot spicier than I thought it was going to be. Their chemistry was really good once it got more into the story. I loved the friendship that they had, which then translated to this intense passion and love for one another. I loved Ellie’s family. There were just so many good things about this story that I was happy that I did stick it out in the end and complete it. I just a satisfying and entertaining read that I can see myself reading again. I had really a good time.
This has made me intrigued for other stories in this series involving Ellie’s siblings because I became really invested in those characters. Whether I read them or not is another story, but if I get a chance I might. Hopefully they will be as good as this one was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2019
Lady Ellie Trentbury has loved the Pierce Blackgale, the Duke of Ashten since she was a little girl. But Ashten has never indicated he held her in any regard other than his best friends little sister. Ellie had resigned herself to never being more to Ashten than his friend when she learned that Ashten had intended to propose to one of her dearest friends.
Ashten is in hiding as he blames himself for the death of a woman he had considered marrying. If he hadn't intended to pursue her she wouldn't have run off with another man to sea and died. Ellie thinks Ashten is being ridiculous and hatches a plan with her eldest brothers business partner , Mr. Thomas Tidmore, to try to get Ashten to return to society.
She informs Ashten that she intends to elope but he mustn't tell. Ashten is shocked that Ellie would do such a thing and demands to know whom she intends to elope with. Ellie refuses to tell him outright but does tell him that she will be dancing with her intended at a ball in a few days and if Ashten wants to know he will have to attend the ball. Ashten, however, does not attend the ball but Ellie discovers that he is spying on her in order to find out whom her intended is and decides to confront him. Ashten gives in to his desire and kisses Ellie in a most "disrespectful kiss" manner when she confronts him, then proceeds to tell her to go back to the ball.
Ellie decides to continue with her fake elopement in hopes that Ashten will, if not make her his wife, at least rejoin society. Ashten intends to stop her. But Ellie, knowing that Ashten will not wed her, decides to make the fake elopement real and agrees to marry Mr. Tidmore. When Ashten discovers she has taken her brothers carriage and is heading for Gretna Green with Mr. Tidmore he goes after her. Ashten can't let her marry another, not now that he has discovered how much he loves her. But will he be able to convince Ellie to change her mind and marry him instead?
Good book and can be read in less than a day. Quite a few funny segments as well as being a charming read. If you like Regency Romances I recommend giving this one a try.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ashten is in hiding as he blames himself for the death of a woman he had considered marrying. If he hadn't intended to pursue her she wouldn't have run off with another man to sea and died. Ellie thinks Ashten is being ridiculous and hatches a plan with her eldest brothers business partner , Mr. Thomas Tidmore, to try to get Ashten to return to society.
She informs Ashten that she intends to elope but he mustn't tell. Ashten is shocked that Ellie would do such a thing and demands to know whom she intends to elope with. Ellie refuses to tell him outright but does tell him that she will be dancing with her intended at a ball in a few days and if Ashten wants to know he will have to attend the ball. Ashten, however, does not attend the ball but Ellie discovers that he is spying on her in order to find out whom her intended is and decides to confront him. Ashten gives in to his desire and kisses Ellie in a most "disrespectful kiss" manner when she confronts him, then proceeds to tell her to go back to the ball.
Ellie decides to continue with her fake elopement in hopes that Ashten will, if not make her his wife, at least rejoin society. Ashten intends to stop her. But Ellie, knowing that Ashten will not wed her, decides to make the fake elopement real and agrees to marry Mr. Tidmore. When Ashten discovers she has taken her brothers carriage and is heading for Gretna Green with Mr. Tidmore he goes after her. Ashten can't let her marry another, not now that he has discovered how much he loves her. But will he be able to convince Ellie to change her mind and marry him instead?
Good book and can be read in less than a day. Quite a few funny segments as well as being a charming read. If you like Regency Romances I recommend giving this one a try.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2017
A Delightful story of childhood friends turned to lovers. Neighboring estates, early tragedy and family love that has made their bond strong.
Lady Ellie Marie Trentbury, sister of the Earl of Winterly, is strong willed, loving and determined. She is loyal, steadfast, a bit mischievous, and has known her heart since she was eight. Her family is very dear to her and they are the rock on which her character is built. Ellie has decided to take the bull by the horns and go for her heart’s desire.
Pierce Luke Blackgate, the Duke of Ashten, held Ellie within hours of her birth and he was six. The tragedy at age five could have destroyed him, but he was taken into the circle of the Trentbury family and he soared! He carries guilt for something completely out of his control. He is very concerned for his fellow soldiers, but was injured while fighting Napoleon, sent home and is being a bit of a grouch.
Ms. Wadsworth has created a strong group of characters with equal amounts of love, humor, and loyalty. The care put into the conversations and the teasing was skillfully done. I was a bit frustrated with Ashten’s caddish behavior, but he was redeemed in GRAND fashion- well done. With this being the first in the Regency Brides series the ground work was wonderfully laid for the adventures and HEAs to come. I am hopeful that a certain gentleman gets his own HEA, his willingness to sacrifice his future was overwhelming- I wanted to give him a hug. Thank you, Ms. Wadsworth, for this story and the future possibilities it holds!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Lady Ellie Marie Trentbury, sister of the Earl of Winterly, is strong willed, loving and determined. She is loyal, steadfast, a bit mischievous, and has known her heart since she was eight. Her family is very dear to her and they are the rock on which her character is built. Ellie has decided to take the bull by the horns and go for her heart’s desire.
Pierce Luke Blackgate, the Duke of Ashten, held Ellie within hours of her birth and he was six. The tragedy at age five could have destroyed him, but he was taken into the circle of the Trentbury family and he soared! He carries guilt for something completely out of his control. He is very concerned for his fellow soldiers, but was injured while fighting Napoleon, sent home and is being a bit of a grouch.
Ms. Wadsworth has created a strong group of characters with equal amounts of love, humor, and loyalty. The care put into the conversations and the teasing was skillfully done. I was a bit frustrated with Ashten’s caddish behavior, but he was redeemed in GRAND fashion- well done. With this being the first in the Regency Brides series the ground work was wonderfully laid for the adventures and HEAs to come. I am hopeful that a certain gentleman gets his own HEA, his willingness to sacrifice his future was overwhelming- I wanted to give him a hug. Thank you, Ms. Wadsworth, for this story and the future possibilities it holds!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
June 2, 2019
I don't particularly like to give bad reviews, especially for an author's work, since no one listens to the characters stories like the author does. But I'm really confused here. The Duke of Ashton was going to propose to a woman he didn't really love until he found out she had run off with a sea captain to elope. They both died at sea. That left Ashton feeling like he killed her. REALLY??? Ok, my thought process is, perhaps there was already something that gave him a low self esteem that he thought by loving her it had cursed her to die or something. If that were the case, I wish Joanne Wadsworth had at least alluded to it. When I read any type of Romance book, I want a strong Alpha, even if he is broken or flawed. I didn't get that here. That being said, it could just be me and my interpretation. But I can't in good conscience give this book a very high rating. Maybe next time.
September 3, 2022
Yeah this was not my cup of tea. I read a lot of historical romances every year and this just didnt sit right with me.
January 1, 2020
The characters were likable. The hero did get a little annoying by getting physical with the heroine and then telling her she would not be his wife. The liberties the heroine took with her freedom would of ruined her reputation for that time frame.
One thing I did like is the physical description's of the characters did not change through the whole book. A lot of authors tend to forget what their characters physical descriptions are and have the hero having deep brown eyes in chapter one but then say his blue eyes in chapter two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
One thing I did like is the physical description's of the characters did not change through the whole book. A lot of authors tend to forget what their characters physical descriptions are and have the hero having deep brown eyes in chapter one but then say his blue eyes in chapter two.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 24, 2021
The only reason I’m including this book in my “read” list is so I can avoid this author in the future. Clunky, non-era language abounds, and then you have editing omissions like this:
“Swigging down the rest of his whisky,” followed just down the page by “he knocked the rest of his drink back.” There must have been a little Hogwarts magic in his glass.
“Swigging down the rest of his whisky,” followed just down the page by “he knocked the rest of his drink back.” There must have been a little Hogwarts magic in his glass.
July 30, 2018
What to do when the man you have loved for a long time does not notice you? A fun story of childhood friends eventually turned to lovers and getting their Happy Ever After! This is the first book I have read by Joanne Wadsworth and now I wonder why it took me so long! Lady Ellie Trentbury has know most of her life that Pierce Blackgate, Duke of Ashten held her heart. Her brother's best friend, Ellie finally came to the conclusion he did not return her affections and decided she needed to move on and find a husband. Ashten had been been away from society after his own sad romance. But when Ellie decides to elope with her american friend, Ashten takes steps to save her. A wonderfully sweet story with characters you will love. Cannot wait to read more in this series!
August 22, 2017
Wow! I have a new favorite Joanne Wadsworth book. The Duke's Bride is a phenomenal read. Ms Wadsworth has delivered a well-written story and filled it with amazing, lovable characters. Ashten and Ellie's story is loaded with drama, humor and sizzle. It's a fun historical romance. I loved this book from cover to cover and look forward to reading more from Joanne Wadsworth in the future. The Duke's Bride is book 1 of the Regency Brides Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
April 10, 2019
True Love💘 Wins
The Duke of Ashten🐺🍆🌋🔪 chases his one true love💘 across England to Gretna Green to steal her from the arms of another man.. This was a cute and silly romance about childhood friends who finally realize they are in true love with each other.
The Duke of Ashten🐺🍆🌋🔪 chases his one true love💘 across England to Gretna Green to steal her from the arms of another man.. This was a cute and silly romance about childhood friends who finally realize they are in true love with each other.
July 29, 2018
The Duke's Bride by Joanne Wadsworth. They are likeable. This is a well written and very entertaining story. My free opinion. Thanks
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2019
Enjoyable read. Loved the characters, especially Ellie and her family. Loved to read about her brother.
4☆
4☆
December 12, 2019
3.5 stars
Very funny 😃. Maybe a bit too detailed at times, but still very funny!
Very funny 😃. Maybe a bit too detailed at times, but still very funny!
December 18, 2024
Absurd but there was a box set on hoopla so I'll take a deal when it's offered 👍
December 20, 2023
It was not good. A lot of what happens made no sense. For example, Also, it seemed the author didn't have a lot of knowledge about the time period, and just wrote from what she read about in other novels, so it didn't feel very accurate. The dialogues during the sex scenes were awkward and made me cringe a little.
May 10, 2021
I can't believe I actually listened to it all. It was truly terrible. I liked the general premise of the book which is why I started it. I had been thinking 2 stars, but as the list of problems grew, I knew that would be a disservice. I liked that the whole elopement was a ruse to get Pierce back into the world of the living. As I got further along in the book, I became more disgusted with myself for continuing to listen. The dialog was crisp, flippant, crude and overall lacking emotion. The emotional connection was lacking throughout the book which made the interactions hollow. I think the narrator is partly to blame for reading the intimate scenes in an pep-rally tone of voice and the things she says are inane! The bait and switch was underplayed as was Elle's anger and quick reversal. Finally, there was NO REASON for any of them to go to Gretna Green since they were all of age and the family was supportive of any match.
January 24, 2019
What to do when a man you have loved almost all your life, will not notice you are now grown? Take drastic measures! Ellie, sister to Harry, the Duke of Ashten's best friend, knew what she wanted and that was Pierce! The Duke had closed himself away after the death of his fiance and not come back out into society. Ellie plots a scheme to get he out of exile and make him take notice of her.
She hopes if she pretends to elope with another man, he will come to his senses!
A truly delightful story that was a lot of fun with Ellie's family and other characters. Now I want to read about Ellie's siblings as they find their happily ever after!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
She hopes if she pretends to elope with another man, he will come to his senses!
A truly delightful story that was a lot of fun with Ellie's family and other characters. Now I want to read about Ellie's siblings as they find their happily ever after!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2019
Started Beautifully, But No Romantic Development
This book started out really well. The characters were well established and the scene laid out. Unfortunately, the romance had hardly any development at all. The main characters kiss once and all of a sudden marriage is in the air. I wish that there had been more to it. More of a growth of love between the two characters as one coaxes the other back into society. That would have made this book absolutely perfect.
This book started out really well. The characters were well established and the scene laid out. Unfortunately, the romance had hardly any development at all. The main characters kiss once and all of a sudden marriage is in the air. I wish that there had been more to it. More of a growth of love between the two characters as one coaxes the other back into society. That would have made this book absolutely perfect.
March 23, 2019
This was a pretty good read until the end. We have Ellie who is trying to save her friend from locking himself away. Duke of Ashten has vowed never to leave his home again but Ellie won’t stand for it. In the beginning Ellie was smart and clever and I liked her. Then the ending comes along and she is stupid. Drove me crazy!
March 25, 2019
Ugh. Ugh ugh UGH! So fucking predictable and so trite. A mad dash to Gretna Green. Please. She could have easily gotten engaged the normal way, the match wasn't one her family or his family would have disapproved of so why do they have to run off? Announcing her engagement would have gotten "The Duke" just as jealous. Whatever. It is what it is.
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