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The Heir and the Spare #1

Sarah's Duke and Ellie's Gentleman

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Sarah's Duke: Sensual novel
Sarah Collins is a vicar’s daughter from Somerset and she has one goal for her first Season in London—to find a husband that can provide for her and her family. She doesn’t need a great fortune or a title, she would actually prefer not to have to go into London ever again. She has little to offer other than her beauty and a pleasant temperament, but she is hoping that will be enough to secure her a man who will be kind to her.
Oliver Lyre is the newly inherited Duke of Lincoln. Born as the spare son, he never expected to inherit his father’s mantle, and has neither the skills nor the desire to enjoy the benefits of his rank. He knows that he must marry a lady befitting of the position, but when he rescues the beautiful Sarah Collins one night, he can’t imagine living without her lovely smile in his life.
Should he marry the delectably sweet virgin who would undoubtedly make a horrible Duchess, or do what duty demands of him?

Ellie's Gentleman: sweet short story
Ellie Sommers is twenty years old, beautiful, lively and intelligent. She has finally returned to her family home after another long London season. She wants nothing more than to stay in her beloved country town and ride her horses. Enter Robert Blakely, a widower and a true gentleman. He has come to spend Christmas with his long-time friend William, Ellie’s father. Robert has no wish to marry again and is shocked to discover his own interest in the beautiful daughter of his friend. The only problem is that he is twice her age and a widower who has convinced himself he will never marry again.

285 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 11, 2015

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About the author

Georgiana Louis

7 books18 followers

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5 stars
376 (39%)
4 stars
285 (30%)
3 stars
198 (20%)
2 stars
60 (6%)
1 star
28 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
Profile Image for HR-ML.
1,270 reviews54 followers
June 28, 2018
Story happened in 1812 London & the countryside.

This featured Oliver, the 'spare son' who became a duke
1 year ago upon the death of his father and elder brother.
His brother's hateful widow, Lady Honoria, thought Oliver
must marry her. Sarah, a vicar's daughter, was genuinely
sweet & ethereal in her beauty.

Oliver met Sarah (O+S) after her near-rape by a suitor at
a ton event. He gave Sarah his jacket and helped her and
her mother discreetly leave the venue. Several people
ultimately caught O + S in a compromising position @
another event. The author painted Oliver as more noble
because it involved seduction and not near-rape? Sarah
was partially disrobed and humiliated in both instances.

Oliver acted SPINELESS toward the "2 evils" (my name)
of Honoria and his mother, who taunted and criticized
his new wife Sarah. They undermined her too. He told
Sarah she exaggerated the treatment she received from
those 2. Too little, too late Oliver redeemed himself
somewhat. Sarah deserved much better, IE Archie, one
of Oliver's best friends.

I detested this selfish "hero" Oliver who sucked all the joy
and love from the room. Sorry, but his behavior had no
justification.

I skipped the free short story which followed.
Profile Image for Kiry Gallagher.
11 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2019
I know there's supposed to be conflict in romance novels but "grown ass man will not stand up to his mother" is just not doing it for me.
Profile Image for Candace N.
318 reviews10 followers
June 21, 2018
Sarah’s Duke isn’t a story that blew me away but it was an okay read. If you are looking for something relaxing, not badly written and low key this is the perfect book. I liked the storyline but didn’t connect to the characters. They were both very timid. Too timid. I just prefer characters that stand out a bit more. I had a hard time believing that Oliver would allow his mother and his sister-in-law get away with as much as they did. Sarah was nearly raped and immediately after she was found crying, she was comfortable enough to laugh and joke and instigate a kiss with Oliver? I had a hard time believing that. Also I couldn’t understand how she would be as forgiving as she was. I just didn’t feel the characters were developed enough and that they didn’t stay true to their characters. That is just my opinion though. Other people may like that type of character but it’s not really my thing. All things considered it was an okay read. I decided not to read the bonus short story.
Profile Image for Elodie’s Reading Corner.
2,554 reviews152 followers
June 27, 2018
I was looking for a short story, and this book was the perfect fit.
At first, I thought it was a classical read, they meet each other, fall for another and bam they are married.
Hopefully, even for a quick read, the author managed to give the main characters some depth.
Sarah is the perfect naive debutant, but she is also more perspicacious than many and has some wits. When she realizes who is really her rescuer, she is well aware, she has no future with him. So when the unthinkable becomes en present, she does her best to adjust to her new position. She goes from an adorable young woman to a very lovable lady. I was very sad for her, angry at her husband for not standing up for her.
Oliver appears at first as confident and certain of what he wants or not, then he can’t stay away from Sarah, even knowing it will probably cost her to be linked to him. It is at this time, I saw the scars left from a lifetime of disdain as he was not born the right son. I cringed from his lack of reactions about the verbal abuse from his own family on his wife. But I do know it is not easy to overcome years of harassment. He needed time, but by the end, for himself and Sarah, he will act as the Duke he has become.

The second story is a cute novella about a young woman who goes after what she wants because she feels this man she just meets, even if older, is the perfect match.
A lovely tale of second chance between two people not so different even if age should set them appart.
90 reviews
June 25, 2018
??? spoiler alert

First Oliver, even though he felt insecure himself, thought she wasn't good enough to be a duchess. Then marries her. Then he's such a wimp he lets his mother and sister in law treat her like crap and drive her away. Then after three months of being miserable he still isn't man enough to do what makes him happy until he overhears his sister in law and realizes how horrible she is (duh). So he finally goes to her and she apologises to him (like she did something wrong!) and gives him head! What the...! Seriously, he should have begged her forgiveness for a week before she forgave him.
And the second story is sweet, but really you want your 20 year old with your best friend who's 42? Could have made her 30 or 35.
Profile Image for Elsbeth.
837 reviews
April 21, 2018
Whereas Sarah's Duke is a very passionate story, Ellie's Gentleman is a lot sweeter. Both are very nice stories!
I love Sarah, she is strong and funny. But Oliver is an indecisive coward. Needless to say, I'm not very charmed by the man.
I like it that this story doesn't end where lots of stories end: with their wedding. Life, and this book, doesn't end with marriage. It just changes.
Ellie's story is a sweet and lovely Christmas romance.
Profile Image for Ishara.
559 reviews9 followers
December 16, 2019
Oliver has to be the most weak willed Duke I've come across in historical romance. Sarah's outlook made her come across like brazen girl, all things considered, which made her too modern for a heroine of this time period.
378 reviews
June 23, 2018
Not accurate historically. Hero was spineless and very irritating. Couldn’t connect with characters and story. Under developed and immature story and characters.
Profile Image for Sara Jo.
1,058 reviews11 followers
January 3, 2023
This story had potential but the cowardice of both the MCs dragged it down.
Profile Image for Louise Hay.
216 reviews5 followers
June 22, 2018
These are short stories rather than complete books--I feel a little guilty about counting them in my "books read" tally.

The stories were entertaining. I would have rated the stories higher if they had been better written, proofread, and edited. The number of errors was very high. There were sentences I had to reread to determine what the intent was. Phrases were repeated. Perhaps I should offer my services as a proofreader.

Sarah's Duke is the story of a "low born" girl having a "season" in London with the goal of finding a wealthy husband in the "marriage mart" to be able to assist her family financially. Her father is a viscount's youngest son, so no inheritance, and lives very happily as a vicar. Oliver is a reluctant duke. He is the second son and was never expected or prepared to be a duke, but the deaths of his father and brother change that. These two meet at a social event. Oliver is intrigued, but bullied by his mother and sister-in-law. Sarah and Oliver eventually marry, to the chagrin of the mother and sister-in-law who are very unkind to Sarah and underhanded in their efforts to cause trouble. Things eventually work out, but Oliver had to grow up and take charge of his life and marriage. I liked it.

Ellie's Gentleman is about a woman, without a title, who has endured three London seasons without meeting anybody husband-worthy. She prefers life on her father's country estate to life in London. When she returns home from her latest season, she learns that her father has invited a friend, who is a widower, to spend the holidays with them. Turns out the widower and the daughter take a liking to each other, in spite of the widower's determination to not marry again. I liked this one, too.
Profile Image for Frances Law.
1,123 reviews14 followers
March 20, 2019
Two for the price of one.

Sarah’s Duke is a very nice novella. Sarah is the daughter of a vicar and the granddaughter of a viscount. Because her father married a lady of quality rather than an aristocrat, his family has never had anything to do with them. Her family can only afford one season so all their hopes are on her making a good, but not outstanding, match. Oliver is a duke. He inherited the title unexpectedly when his father and older brother both died suddenly. Unfortunately he had always been denigrated by both parents as the unneeded ‘spare’. Subsequently, he hadn’t been schooled in managing the estates either. He has very low self esteem and allows his mother to rule him. So when he meets the very beautiful Sarah he is totally unprepared. The problem is that his mother and brother’s widow do not approve. The big question is, will Oliver allow these two women to destroy his marriage?
Ellie’s Gentleman is little more than a sweet short story. Ellie has returned home from her latest season having not yet found anyone she would like to marry. She dislikes everything about London and the season and cannot imagine marrying someone who would wish to spend most of the year there. She would rather remain in the country where she might find a nice country gentleman to marry. On arriving home she finds that her father has invited an old friend to spend Christmas with them. Robert Blakely is a widower who has decided that at forty-two he is too old to remarry. In fact, after having a bitter marriage and then losing his wife in childbirth, he has no intention of ever going through that again. Ellie, however, has other ideas!
These are nice relaxing reads.
Profile Image for Ms M.
152 reviews
June 27, 2018
Too sweeeet for me

The heroine is a borderline of being a doormat in my opinion. For me a good book is all about the heroines and since I not fond of this one son regretfully I gave this 3 -. Same goes to the Hero he so nor my typical heroes what a pushover.

Instead being content after read one HR book I got a bit annoying. Waiting for heroine to grow some backbone'-after H left her and his mom and his sister in law walked over her-but never happened. I guess she don't have a choice being a doormat to a duke is better choice than her other options. Definitely not my kind of heroines.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
2,346 reviews28 followers
August 20, 2019
Sarah and Oliver

I truly lived this book. I was glued to Sarah and Oliver's story from the very beginning.oliver is the second son of a Duke and is struggling with been plunged unexpectedly into the role. Sarah is the daughter of a vicar, in town for her first and only chance to get a good match and be able to support her family. Is in one of season balls that this two meet and instantly connect despite both knowing they are unfit match. Full of intrigue, betrayal and raw emotions where for once the H is not a cold and prideful lord but suffers with inadequacies and insecurities. Cant wait to read the next book of the series!!! Highly recommended
Profile Image for Sharon Eikenberry-Deary.
732 reviews5 followers
July 19, 2018
2 women with huge hearts.

Sara with man who was courting her but made advances which wunwelcome. when hiding in the treesOliver saved her. By ton rules because he was a Duke could not marryher. Will he save her enspit of his mother and the ton.
Ellie was tired of the Seasons in London. When returning to the country home she is elated when he said she didn't have to go next season. When she met her father's old friend. Will she find what she has been searching for in 3 seasons. Will Robert find what he has been missing for 5 yrs afyter the death of his wife andchild
Profile Image for MEF.
388 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2019
Fantasy Regency and not for me

I managed 75% of this, latterly on skim read. Sarah was tolerably likeable albeit the usual innocent with a heart of gold who is sexually alluring and a natural in the bedroom, but Oliver the reluctant Duke, raised as ‘the spare’ was first besotted with Sarah and then so far under his mother’s thumb it tested me to the limit of my tolerance and belief. He was starting to grow a backbone but I couldn’t be bothered to persist with the unrealistic storyline, fantasy social situations and caricature cast.
1,103 reviews7 followers
June 20, 2023
Pity the second son!

Oliver is now Duke, but has lived his life being told he was useless and worthless, so when he was at Eaton he joined with four other second son! Hates balls but promises his best friend to attend his sister’s birthday ball,. Sarah is there with gentlemen who’s courting her, but as they walk in the garden, he tries to force himself on her, and at her scream Oliver saves her, Charlotte gets her home without ruin. Story of no self confidence, unworthy feelings and trials they go through!
390 reviews
May 6, 2024
This one is tricky to rate. Although I enjoyed the second half of the book well enough, the MM character frustrated me. The fact that he was aware of his family's effect on him and ignored the torture that they were giving to his wife, a woman even less prepared for her new role than he was. I loved Charlotte's reaction to him coming back to London without his new wife, yet that did not move him into action. I don't know if him finally growing a back bone was enough to earn an "okay" rating. I guess 2.5 because I rarely rate a book 2 starts or less.
Profile Image for Galina Sulaiman.
2,355 reviews6 followers
October 11, 2017
Sarah's Duke

A cute historical romance. Sarah is searching for a wealthy husband to help her family, she falls for a Duke. He falls for her. But will both of their insecurities win? His mother and sister in law are doing the best they can to sabotage his marriage. I enjoyed this cute novel.
Profile Image for Ann Gonzalez.
1,499 reviews15 followers
June 19, 2018
Very good

I really enjoyed Sarah's Duke. I liked the characters and the conflict. There were a few errors, but overall it was a good story.
Ellie's Gentleman was a very short story. It was okay. I found it difficult to believe that she wanted a man as old as her father. Ellie seemed immature at times.
1,324 reviews2 followers
January 27, 2022
Sarah,s Heart

Can you amagine falling in love with someone who his titled
And his family does everything to make you feel not good enough to be his Duchess. That s what happened to Sarah. This is a beautiful story ,one that will bring out all your emotions ,including red hot anger!
Thank you♥️
77 reviews
February 10, 2022
I guess steamy means porn?

Well mostly the story was good, but most all the romance was killed (for the reader) by porn. I finally felt like finding out how they got back together after 3 months of his stupidity, for them to, not confess their love and regret, but to him getting serviced immediately. Last book I will read by this author.
17 reviews
June 20, 2018
Typical Historical Fiction

Pretty good as characters were well developed. Emotions and reactions for the main male character were pretty in-depth considering the short length of the book.
221 reviews
June 24, 2018
Quick Read

I enjoyed Sarah's Duke. It was lively and romantic. It drew you into the story. Ellie is quite a different story. Quick read but silly story and characters. Very obvious story.
Profile Image for Jill Pearson.
27 reviews2 followers
August 19, 2018
Needs a proofreader

I enjoyed the storyline but was distracted by errors. I especially noticed them in the bonus story, Ellie's Gentleman. On one page Ellie had green eyes and a few pages later she had brown.
2,472 reviews10 followers
December 1, 2018
Two ok books

I enjoyed Ellie’s story more. Even though it as just a short story. Sarah’s Duke was a coward. Really didn’t like him, and my heart hurt for Sarah. I guess the ending kind of made up for the rest of the book. But just a little.
306 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2019
Readable

But somewhat disappointing in depth of quality. However a slightly different approach in that it’s a question of a test of devotion to extended family versus immediate family when there is conflict
Profile Image for Jo Anne.
14 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2019
Sarah Duke

Never read the author but Sarah duke was very good. Did not like the short story that came with, wasn't my type of book. Would read the author books again as long as it recency.
2,633 reviews10 followers
August 20, 2019
Fascinating

What a great story to start the series. A slight intro to all the characters, love their attitudes! Regency era is tough enough with all their rules but I loved how they tackled their problems.
429 reviews3 followers
September 8, 2020
Sarah's Duke featured a couple of rather weak characters. The Duke couldn't stand up to his mommy or former sister-in-law.
The bonus book was a bit better, but the age difference was a bit much for me.
314 reviews
May 7, 2017
Love discovered

This story shows how love can bloom if preconceived notions can be put aside and feelings be trusted and love fought for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews

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