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The Beauchamp Betrothals #1
Taip ilgai tavęs ieškojau
Netikėtai įsimylėjusi hercogą!
Rozalinda Alen nedalyvauja aukštuomenės gyvenime. Ji jau seniai susitaikė su mintimi, kad niekada neištekės. Gyvenimas ją išmokė, jog santykiai tik skaudina. Kai susitikimas su paslaptingu nepažįstamuoju pažadina viltį, kad viskas gali klostytis kitaip, ji pati jaučiasi priblokšta...
Rozalinda nė nenutuokia, kad paslaptingasis vyras yra Leo Bečampas, Čeritono hercogas.
Tikėdamasis išvengti jo besivaikančių damų hercogas keliauja prisidengęs kitu vardu. Kuklioji Rozalinda yra pirmoji Leo pakerėjusi moteris. Bet ar pavyks įtikinti šią Pelenę patikėti jam širdį?
Rozalinda Alen nedalyvauja aukštuomenės gyvenime. Ji jau seniai susitaikė su mintimi, kad niekada neištekės. Gyvenimas ją išmokė, jog santykiai tik skaudina. Kai susitikimas su paslaptingu nepažįstamuoju pažadina viltį, kad viskas gali klostytis kitaip, ji pati jaučiasi priblokšta...
Rozalinda nė nenutuokia, kad paslaptingasis vyras yra Leo Bečampas, Čeritono hercogas.
Tikėdamasis išvengti jo besivaikančių damų hercogas keliauja prisidengęs kitu vardu. Kuklioji Rozalinda yra pirmoji Leo pakerėjusi moteris. Bet ar pavyks įtikinti šią Pelenę patikėti jam širdį?
316 pages, Hardcover
First published June 19, 2017
About the author
Janice Preston
83 books152 followersI grew up in Wembley, North London, with a love of reading, writing stories and animals. After leaving school at eighteen, I moved to Devon and any thoughts of writing became lost in the hectic rush of life as a farmer’s wife, with two children and many animals to care for. When my children left home for university, I discovered a love of history and of the Regency period in particular and began to write seriously for the first time since my teens.
Real life then got in the way and I didn't write again until 2009. I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association in 2012 and my first Regency romance was accepted for publication by Harlequin Mills & Boon in late 2013.
I now live in the West Midlands with my second husband and two cats and I continue to write Regency romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon.
Real life then got in the way and I didn't write again until 2009. I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association in 2012 and my first Regency romance was accepted for publication by Harlequin Mills & Boon in late 2013.
I now live in the West Midlands with my second husband and two cats and I continue to write Regency romances for Harlequin Mills & Boon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 2, 2017
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
While I’m certainly not averse to the use of the Cinderella trope, I was actually quite pleased to discover that the title of Cinderella and the Duke is not all that representative of the story contained within the pages of this novel. The characters are slightly older than are normally found in historical romance (he’s just hit forty, she’s thirty), which I appreciated, and our nominal Cinders isn’t so much downtrodden by her horrible family as she has taken upon herself the burden of looking after them all to such an extent that she has resigned herself to not having a life of her own.
Due to a complicated family situation – and to prevent her lovely, eighteen year-old step-sister being sold off in order to pay her guardian’s debts – Rosalind Allen moves herself and her two siblings (brother and aforementioned step-sister) to a small house on a neighbouring estate before sending her sister to London in the charge of her aunt, Lady Glenlochrie, to make her London début. Lady Helena Caldicot (Nell) is a diamond of the first water and the daughter of an earl, so Rosalind dearly hopes that she will make a suitable match which will forever remove her from her guardian’s power.
Out walking one day, Rosalind is accosted by a fine gentleman who has obviously been riding with the hunt – and who makes it clear that he is now interested in hunting down a very different quarry. He corners Rosalind and makes her very nervous, but fortunately is soon joined by three other gentlemen, one of whom diffuses the situation and leaves Rosalind to continue on her way.
Rosalind’s rescuer is Leo Beauchamp, Duke of Cheriton, who prefers, when away from London to travel as Mr. Leo Boyton so as not to find himself knee-deep in ambitious, marriage-minded young ladies thrown at him by their equally ambitious mamas. He has been a widower for a number of years and has three grown-up children – two sons and a daughter, who is about to make her come-out and has come to stay with his cousin, the bastard son of the previous Duke of Cheriton, in the hope that perhaps the man’s long sojourn abroad might have improved their relationship. It hasn’t. He is as unpleasant and competitive as ever and Leo is beginning to regret his visit.
The next day, Leo encounters Rosalind again and introduces himself as Mr. Boyton. She had already made herself known as Mrs. Pryce – having previously assumed a different name in order to protect Nell (again – complicated). Leo can’t deny the strength of the attraction he had experienced on first seeing Rosalind and senses the feeling is mutual. She is a widow (he thinks) and it’s been a long time since he’s felt this sort of instantaneous connection with a woman and thinks that perhaps a dalliance with a lovely widow is just what he needs to lessen his irritation with his smarmy cousin and temper his boredom.
Rosalind is just as strongly drawn to the authoritatively handsome Mr. Boyton, and decides it’s time for her to experience something of life’s pleasures for herself. Having spent almost half of her thirty years raising Freddie and her step-siblings, she has resigned herself to never marrying or having a family of her own, but isn’t going to pass up this chance to make some good memories to take with her as she dwindles into spinsterhood.
A relationship begun in deceit by both parties is naturally not destined to go well, and given that Leo’s late wife’s frequent infidelities have made him suspicious of women and their motives, it’s not long before he jumps to the conclusion that Rosalind has deliberately set out to spring the trap he’s spent years avoiding, and is out to secure herself a position as his duchess. Rosalind is stunned and furious that he could think such a thing – and then deeply hurt that the man with whom she has fallen in love could have treated her so shabbily. But she is not afforded much time to brood upon her situation because a letter from Lady Glenlochrie summons her and Freddie urgently to London and turns her attention to Nell’s situation.
When Rosalind and Leo meet again, Leo is still deeply mistrustful, in spite of the fact that he missed Rosalind dreadfully and has recognised the truth of his feelings for her. But he soon begins to understand the reasons behind her deception about her identity and to realise that he had been too quick to jump to a very unfair conclusion. They gradually begin to regain their earlier closeness, but Rosalind is stubborn and makes some bad judgements of her own when she feels that Leo is trying to organise her life and take her family away from her. It’s perhaps a little extreme, but the author does a good job here of showing that Rosalind knows she is being irrational even as she is protesting the changes going on around her; she has spent so long taking care of others that she finds it difficult to let go and allow Freddie and Nell to live their own lives and make their own decisions and is worried at the prospect of no longer being needed.
Leo’s experience of marriage has made him wary of trusting others and he has built up emotional walls in an attempt to protect himself from experiencing such disillusionment and heartache again. He is sometimes a little high-handed and his belief that Rosalind has set out to trap him is rather contrived, but he is possessed of an insight borne of maturity that is extremely attractive, and his obvious devotion to his family and his willingness to open himself to love again for Rosalind’s sake make him a worthy hero.
The sub-plot concerning Leo’s nasty cousin is perhaps a bit creaky and the Big Misunderstanding – a plot device of which I’m not a fan – is arrived at in too contrived a manner, but overall, Cinderella and the Duke is an enjoyable read featuring a couple of flawed but likeable principals, and gets Janice Preston’s new Beauchamp Betrothals series off to a good start.
While I’m certainly not averse to the use of the Cinderella trope, I was actually quite pleased to discover that the title of Cinderella and the Duke is not all that representative of the story contained within the pages of this novel. The characters are slightly older than are normally found in historical romance (he’s just hit forty, she’s thirty), which I appreciated, and our nominal Cinders isn’t so much downtrodden by her horrible family as she has taken upon herself the burden of looking after them all to such an extent that she has resigned herself to not having a life of her own.
Due to a complicated family situation – and to prevent her lovely, eighteen year-old step-sister being sold off in order to pay her guardian’s debts – Rosalind Allen moves herself and her two siblings (brother and aforementioned step-sister) to a small house on a neighbouring estate before sending her sister to London in the charge of her aunt, Lady Glenlochrie, to make her London début. Lady Helena Caldicot (Nell) is a diamond of the first water and the daughter of an earl, so Rosalind dearly hopes that she will make a suitable match which will forever remove her from her guardian’s power.
Out walking one day, Rosalind is accosted by a fine gentleman who has obviously been riding with the hunt – and who makes it clear that he is now interested in hunting down a very different quarry. He corners Rosalind and makes her very nervous, but fortunately is soon joined by three other gentlemen, one of whom diffuses the situation and leaves Rosalind to continue on her way.
Rosalind’s rescuer is Leo Beauchamp, Duke of Cheriton, who prefers, when away from London to travel as Mr. Leo Boyton so as not to find himself knee-deep in ambitious, marriage-minded young ladies thrown at him by their equally ambitious mamas. He has been a widower for a number of years and has three grown-up children – two sons and a daughter, who is about to make her come-out and has come to stay with his cousin, the bastard son of the previous Duke of Cheriton, in the hope that perhaps the man’s long sojourn abroad might have improved their relationship. It hasn’t. He is as unpleasant and competitive as ever and Leo is beginning to regret his visit.
The next day, Leo encounters Rosalind again and introduces himself as Mr. Boyton. She had already made herself known as Mrs. Pryce – having previously assumed a different name in order to protect Nell (again – complicated). Leo can’t deny the strength of the attraction he had experienced on first seeing Rosalind and senses the feeling is mutual. She is a widow (he thinks) and it’s been a long time since he’s felt this sort of instantaneous connection with a woman and thinks that perhaps a dalliance with a lovely widow is just what he needs to lessen his irritation with his smarmy cousin and temper his boredom.
Rosalind is just as strongly drawn to the authoritatively handsome Mr. Boyton, and decides it’s time for her to experience something of life’s pleasures for herself. Having spent almost half of her thirty years raising Freddie and her step-siblings, she has resigned herself to never marrying or having a family of her own, but isn’t going to pass up this chance to make some good memories to take with her as she dwindles into spinsterhood.
A relationship begun in deceit by both parties is naturally not destined to go well, and given that Leo’s late wife’s frequent infidelities have made him suspicious of women and their motives, it’s not long before he jumps to the conclusion that Rosalind has deliberately set out to spring the trap he’s spent years avoiding, and is out to secure herself a position as his duchess. Rosalind is stunned and furious that he could think such a thing – and then deeply hurt that the man with whom she has fallen in love could have treated her so shabbily. But she is not afforded much time to brood upon her situation because a letter from Lady Glenlochrie summons her and Freddie urgently to London and turns her attention to Nell’s situation.
When Rosalind and Leo meet again, Leo is still deeply mistrustful, in spite of the fact that he missed Rosalind dreadfully and has recognised the truth of his feelings for her. But he soon begins to understand the reasons behind her deception about her identity and to realise that he had been too quick to jump to a very unfair conclusion. They gradually begin to regain their earlier closeness, but Rosalind is stubborn and makes some bad judgements of her own when she feels that Leo is trying to organise her life and take her family away from her. It’s perhaps a little extreme, but the author does a good job here of showing that Rosalind knows she is being irrational even as she is protesting the changes going on around her; she has spent so long taking care of others that she finds it difficult to let go and allow Freddie and Nell to live their own lives and make their own decisions and is worried at the prospect of no longer being needed.
Leo’s experience of marriage has made him wary of trusting others and he has built up emotional walls in an attempt to protect himself from experiencing such disillusionment and heartache again. He is sometimes a little high-handed and his belief that Rosalind has set out to trap him is rather contrived, but he is possessed of an insight borne of maturity that is extremely attractive, and his obvious devotion to his family and his willingness to open himself to love again for Rosalind’s sake make him a worthy hero.
The sub-plot concerning Leo’s nasty cousin is perhaps a bit creaky and the Big Misunderstanding – a plot device of which I’m not a fan – is arrived at in too contrived a manner, but overall, Cinderella and the Duke is an enjoyable read featuring a couple of flawed but likeable principals, and gets Janice Preston’s new Beauchamp Betrothals series off to a good start.
May 13, 2017
I really like this, even though the title is “Cinderella and the Duke” the fairy-tale isn’t pushed into you face, it is very subtle. You get the Cinderella undertones with a young woman having to do all the chores while the step parent does what he wants, and yes she does meet her own prince charming, but there is just so much more to this.
Leo finds it very difficult to trust people, his marriage wasn’t a love match and it wasn’t a happy match either, it was a more of a duty ticked off this list kind of thing for him. His late wife Margaret; by all account was a real light weight, she was actually a bit of a floozy (I love that word, and I don’t get to use it enough) but she really didn’t deserve what eventually happened to her.
After going through years of what he did with his wife and then when she was murdered he did lose a lot of himself, he shut himself away. He retreated back into his safe, little shell and in some way he has just shut himself down, away from society and family. It’s a way to protect himself but it is such a shame because Leo is a tender, loving and kind man who loves absolutely he is fiercely protective and he is a wonderful father who tries his best for his children, even though all three are legally adults he worries about them like any parent would, and after their shared trauma he is worried how and when I they will get on with their lives.
He is such a catch but not because he is a Duke but the man he is, his character and patience and steel determination makes him the prize. Rosalind is such a very lucky woman to have that silvery gaze locked on her.
This isn’t just a sweet and tender Historical Romance about love after loss, there is a real dark undertone to this that makes it intriguing especially when we get into both their individual stories The dark twists in the story do revolve around Lascelle’s who is Leo’s cousin, even though he is a horrid creature he is an excellent character. He really is the kind of character that you just love to hate right from the first moment we see him you just know that there is something very wrong with this guy.
This is a sweet story of two people who seem to think that they are both not destined for happiness but in amongst a turbulent time they find a kindred spirit. This is book one in the new Beauchamp Betrothal Series and judging by this one, this is going to be a delicious series and I can’t wait to read more of this especially if it is going to feature Leo’s brother and all round cheeky chappy; Vernon.
This was an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Full review at Chicks Rogues and Scandals
https://chicksroguesandscandals.wordp...
Leo finds it very difficult to trust people, his marriage wasn’t a love match and it wasn’t a happy match either, it was a more of a duty ticked off this list kind of thing for him. His late wife Margaret; by all account was a real light weight, she was actually a bit of a floozy (I love that word, and I don’t get to use it enough) but she really didn’t deserve what eventually happened to her.
After going through years of what he did with his wife and then when she was murdered he did lose a lot of himself, he shut himself away. He retreated back into his safe, little shell and in some way he has just shut himself down, away from society and family. It’s a way to protect himself but it is such a shame because Leo is a tender, loving and kind man who loves absolutely he is fiercely protective and he is a wonderful father who tries his best for his children, even though all three are legally adults he worries about them like any parent would, and after their shared trauma he is worried how and when I they will get on with their lives.
He is such a catch but not because he is a Duke but the man he is, his character and patience and steel determination makes him the prize. Rosalind is such a very lucky woman to have that silvery gaze locked on her.
This isn’t just a sweet and tender Historical Romance about love after loss, there is a real dark undertone to this that makes it intriguing especially when we get into both their individual stories The dark twists in the story do revolve around Lascelle’s who is Leo’s cousin, even though he is a horrid creature he is an excellent character. He really is the kind of character that you just love to hate right from the first moment we see him you just know that there is something very wrong with this guy.
This is a sweet story of two people who seem to think that they are both not destined for happiness but in amongst a turbulent time they find a kindred spirit. This is book one in the new Beauchamp Betrothal Series and judging by this one, this is going to be a delicious series and I can’t wait to read more of this especially if it is going to feature Leo’s brother and all round cheeky chappy; Vernon.
This was an ARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Full review at Chicks Rogues and Scandals
https://chicksroguesandscandals.wordp...
December 1, 2018
2.5 stars. This review has some mild spoilers so be warned.
I was a little disappointed with this book. Rosalind is hiding out in the country with her crippled brother Freddie and she is pretending to be a widow to keep her step sister safe (it's complicated). She meets a man while out walking and can tell right away that he is a slimeball who thinks women are good for one thing. Leo (The Duke in the story, and the slimeball's cousin) comes to her rescue. But Leo doesn't want those grasping single women to know who he is so he pretends to be simply Mr. Boyton. These two are instantly attracted.
It was hard for me to like either MC because from the start, Leo only sees Rosalind as a piece of tail for him to have a little fun while in the country. I mean, she's a widow so she's fair game. (I honestly thought he was as bad as his cousin, he just used slow seduction to get her in bed instead of being a slimeball up front) And Rosalind, who has spent her entire life raising and protecting her younger siblings, decides that now she should forget all of that and give her virginity to Leo since she'll never see him again and she deserves a little fun. (This seemed so contrary to her thoughts earlier and so stupid that she would risk not only her reputation, but that of her sister about to make her come out. (And that was unforgivable in my opinion) All those years of sacrifice and she throws it all away for a quick tumble with some guy she has only known for a few days? Dumb). It ends badly.
Rosalind and Leo meet up again in London where they are both hurt and angry. Leo thinks that Rosalind was out to trap him in marriage and is just like all those other gold diggers. Rosalind thinks he just used her and left (which he did, but later regretted). When they find out the truth of each other's identity, they talk and Leo decides he loves her and pursues her.
There was a lot to like in this story. Once they clear the air, the romance was nice. Leo pursues Rosalind with a single minded intensity. Rosalind, is not a doormat and she makes Leo work for it. The book is safe, Leo had a bad first marriage with a cheating wife but he wasn't a man-whore afterward.
But there was too much that annoyed me to fully recommended this book. Rosalind is so used to running everyone's life, that she can't let go. It's all about me, me, me. Her brother Freddie has been crippled since he was a child and she treats him like a cripple. The man is 25 years old yet she makes all his decisions for him. When he gets a wonderful job opportunity all Rosalind can think about is how it affects her, how she'll be abandoned. She's angry at him and resentful that he has something for himself. She needed to pull her head out of her rear. She acted a little crazy a lot of the time.
There was an unnecessary side plot with an orphaned little girl that made no sense. The slimeball cousin made a great villain, but he was OTT and Rosalind seemed to forget that he couldn't be trusted and kept giving him chances. And the push-pull and back and forth with the romance got on my nerves and I was rolling my eyes quite a bit near the end.
The book also loses romantic points with me because
I was a little disappointed with this book. Rosalind is hiding out in the country with her crippled brother Freddie and she is pretending to be a widow to keep her step sister safe (it's complicated). She meets a man while out walking and can tell right away that he is a slimeball who thinks women are good for one thing. Leo (The Duke in the story, and the slimeball's cousin) comes to her rescue. But Leo doesn't want those grasping single women to know who he is so he pretends to be simply Mr. Boyton. These two are instantly attracted.
It was hard for me to like either MC because from the start, Leo only sees Rosalind as a piece of tail for him to have a little fun while in the country. I mean, she's a widow so she's fair game. (I honestly thought he was as bad as his cousin, he just used slow seduction to get her in bed instead of being a slimeball up front) And Rosalind, who has spent her entire life raising and protecting her younger siblings, decides that now she should forget all of that and give her virginity to Leo since she'll never see him again and she deserves a little fun. (This seemed so contrary to her thoughts earlier and so stupid that she would risk not only her reputation, but that of her sister about to make her come out. (And that was unforgivable in my opinion) All those years of sacrifice and she throws it all away for a quick tumble with some guy she has only known for a few days? Dumb). It ends badly.
Rosalind and Leo meet up again in London where they are both hurt and angry. Leo thinks that Rosalind was out to trap him in marriage and is just like all those other gold diggers. Rosalind thinks he just used her and left (which he did, but later regretted). When they find out the truth of each other's identity, they talk and Leo decides he loves her and pursues her.
There was a lot to like in this story. Once they clear the air, the romance was nice. Leo pursues Rosalind with a single minded intensity. Rosalind, is not a doormat and she makes Leo work for it. The book is safe, Leo had a bad first marriage with a cheating wife but he wasn't a man-whore afterward.
But there was too much that annoyed me to fully recommended this book. Rosalind is so used to running everyone's life, that she can't let go. It's all about me, me, me. Her brother Freddie has been crippled since he was a child and she treats him like a cripple. The man is 25 years old yet she makes all his decisions for him. When he gets a wonderful job opportunity all Rosalind can think about is how it affects her, how she'll be abandoned. She's angry at him and resentful that he has something for himself. She needed to pull her head out of her rear. She acted a little crazy a lot of the time.
There was an unnecessary side plot with an orphaned little girl that made no sense. The slimeball cousin made a great villain, but he was OTT and Rosalind seemed to forget that he couldn't be trusted and kept giving him chances. And the push-pull and back and forth with the romance got on my nerves and I was rolling my eyes quite a bit near the end.
The book also loses romantic points with me because
March 22, 2019
Janice Preston writes with such flair to every sentence, making each chapter so enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed reading Cinderella and the Duke. I recommend all her books, specially to those who like reading historical/romance Regency/romance books, that author Janice Preston specialises in.
July 26, 2017
Four point five stars.
Cinderella And The Duke is a Regency romance from Mills & Boon / Harlequin. The book is set in 1812, with dual locations of Buckinghamshire and London.
Thirty year old Rosalind Allen has complicated family relations. She has run away, with her crippled brother, to the safety of a house on the Foxbourne Manor estate, and sent her step-sister, Nell, to London to prepare for her first social season, hopefully in time to find a husband before Nell’s obnoxious guardian, Sir Peter Tadlow, can marry her off in a deal to pay off his gambling debts. Forever the 'poor relatives', Ros and Freddie lack the social standing to prevent Tadlow taking advantage of his guardian role.
Ros meets Antony Lascelles, the new owner of neighbouring Halsdon Manor, and Leo Beauchamp, the widowed Duke of Cheriton, who is visiting his cousin with friends who wish to buy horses from Ros’ family friend and landlord.
To protect herself and her siblings, Ros calls herself Mrs Pryce and makes it known that she is a widow. Leo too, prefers some anonymity whilst in the shires, using the name of one of his lesser titles. This way he hopes to prevent endless introductions to marriageable young ladies.
Ros and Leo meet at first by accident and then again when they rescue a young runaway child. Ros becomes quite attached to the child, who becomes an excuse for the pair to continue meeting and their friendship grows.
Messages from London have both Ros and Leo urgently heading to the capital. Ros must take the place of Nell’s chaperone for the season and Leo must attend to his family. But when they meet in society, long kept secrets come to the fore. Will they be able to trust each other? Will the gap in their social standing keep them apart?
A very well written story which I enjoyed, both settings worked well and the characters were easy to fall in love with. I enjoyed the part played by Hector the Wolfhound too. Definitely a book I would recommend for readers of this genre.
Cinderella And The Duke is a Regency romance from Mills & Boon / Harlequin. The book is set in 1812, with dual locations of Buckinghamshire and London.
Thirty year old Rosalind Allen has complicated family relations. She has run away, with her crippled brother, to the safety of a house on the Foxbourne Manor estate, and sent her step-sister, Nell, to London to prepare for her first social season, hopefully in time to find a husband before Nell’s obnoxious guardian, Sir Peter Tadlow, can marry her off in a deal to pay off his gambling debts. Forever the 'poor relatives', Ros and Freddie lack the social standing to prevent Tadlow taking advantage of his guardian role.
Ros meets Antony Lascelles, the new owner of neighbouring Halsdon Manor, and Leo Beauchamp, the widowed Duke of Cheriton, who is visiting his cousin with friends who wish to buy horses from Ros’ family friend and landlord.
To protect herself and her siblings, Ros calls herself Mrs Pryce and makes it known that she is a widow. Leo too, prefers some anonymity whilst in the shires, using the name of one of his lesser titles. This way he hopes to prevent endless introductions to marriageable young ladies.
Ros and Leo meet at first by accident and then again when they rescue a young runaway child. Ros becomes quite attached to the child, who becomes an excuse for the pair to continue meeting and their friendship grows.
Messages from London have both Ros and Leo urgently heading to the capital. Ros must take the place of Nell’s chaperone for the season and Leo must attend to his family. But when they meet in society, long kept secrets come to the fore. Will they be able to trust each other? Will the gap in their social standing keep them apart?
A very well written story which I enjoyed, both settings worked well and the characters were easy to fall in love with. I enjoyed the part played by Hector the Wolfhound too. Definitely a book I would recommend for readers of this genre.
July 10, 2018
I truly adored this story. Rosalind Allen has spent her 30 years serving and loving her family. She has given up on her own personal happiness to secure happiness for her brothers and sister. Leo Beauchamp, Duke of Cheriton is a widower with three children who keep his life busy. When he meets Rosalind, he finds himself unexpectedly attracted to her. I enjoyed the complexity of the story. This book is the first in the Beauchamp Betrothals and I believe they need to be read in order to grasp the depth of each story. Highly recommend.
September 12, 2024
Įtraukiantis meilės romanas vykstantis XIX a. Anglijoje. Nekantrauju griebti antrą dalį.
November 13, 2021
I had mixed feelings about this book. This is my first book from this author so i had no prior expectations whatsoever. I went in having a neutral expectation, though the title did entice me a little to pick it up to read.
I enjoyed the first part where Leo and Rosalind managed to bond with one another without the watch of the ton and without any pretenses. They were just Mr Boyton and Mrs Pryce, just enjoying each other’s company. The trouble came when they went to London and found out that they both gave fake identities to one another.
The main issue is that they had miscommunication. Okay, so while I didn’t hate Rosalind or Leo, i did not like them either. I found it hard to believe they fell in love within a short period of time they spent together. For Leo, while i understand his intentions in doing certain things to help Rosalind were good, the way he went about doing it made him seem arrogant.
As for Rosalind, i can’t help but dislike her a little because she was acting very protective and prickly whenever Leo tried to help. While i understand she feels useless or that her authority was taken away because Leo ‘dared’ to help her, the least she could do was feel grateful and thank him for trying to help her instead of blaming him for everything he does.
Also, both of them have their issues in reacting a certain way towards each other. For Leo, his wife cheated on him and he didn’t deem it as necessary to tell Rosalind why he overreacted when he found out that she was actually not married and a virgin after he took her. For Rosalind, she does not want to tell Leo the reason why she doesn’t want to marry him because of her hatred of the upper classes. This reluctance in sharing their stories led to a miscommunication between them and I didn’t like it.
Felt this book could have had better banter between Leo and Rosalind and more bonding, less thinking and more sharing of stories.
I enjoyed the first part where Leo and Rosalind managed to bond with one another without the watch of the ton and without any pretenses. They were just Mr Boyton and Mrs Pryce, just enjoying each other’s company. The trouble came when they went to London and found out that they both gave fake identities to one another.
The main issue is that they had miscommunication. Okay, so while I didn’t hate Rosalind or Leo, i did not like them either. I found it hard to believe they fell in love within a short period of time they spent together. For Leo, while i understand his intentions in doing certain things to help Rosalind were good, the way he went about doing it made him seem arrogant.
As for Rosalind, i can’t help but dislike her a little because she was acting very protective and prickly whenever Leo tried to help. While i understand she feels useless or that her authority was taken away because Leo ‘dared’ to help her, the least she could do was feel grateful and thank him for trying to help her instead of blaming him for everything he does.
Also, both of them have their issues in reacting a certain way towards each other. For Leo, his wife cheated on him and he didn’t deem it as necessary to tell Rosalind why he overreacted when he found out that she was actually not married and a virgin after he took her. For Rosalind, she does not want to tell Leo the reason why she doesn’t want to marry him because of her hatred of the upper classes. This reluctance in sharing their stories led to a miscommunication between them and I didn’t like it.
Felt this book could have had better banter between Leo and Rosalind and more bonding, less thinking and more sharing of stories.
August 26, 2017
Received arc in return for an honest review naughtiness 4*
This book I one of the first I have read by the lovely Janice Preston and most definitely will not be the last, I utterly adored every aspect of this wonderful story and was completely hooked on every page.
As always I will not give spoilers ever however I will Sa this wonderfully written story grabs hold of you in your mind and heart. It is impossible not to feel every emotion that is happening along with each twist and turn until we reach the end which I must admit had me weeping with a huge smile on my face which is always what I need at the end of the books I read, so I can most definitely highly recommend this book to all who love historical romance,
Thank you Lady Janice for writing it 💖
This book I one of the first I have read by the lovely Janice Preston and most definitely will not be the last, I utterly adored every aspect of this wonderful story and was completely hooked on every page.
As always I will not give spoilers ever however I will Sa this wonderfully written story grabs hold of you in your mind and heart. It is impossible not to feel every emotion that is happening along with each twist and turn until we reach the end which I must admit had me weeping with a huge smile on my face which is always what I need at the end of the books I read, so I can most definitely highly recommend this book to all who love historical romance,
Thank you Lady Janice for writing it 💖
November 14, 2019
I found this a really good book. Rosalind is a great character. She has spent most of her life caring for her family. Leo is travelling incognito to avoid all the pushy mama's and grasping ladies who would try to entrap him into marriage. When he meets Rosalind he sees a conquest because of her fictional widow's title but what he instead finds is a unique woman who will not allow his overbearing attitude push her into accepting his hand in marriage.
July 25, 2019
Since I read Mrs Janice Preston last release, Daring To Love the Duke’s Heir, I was very eager to read about his siblings story but also his own father.
I ordered the prequel series to this book but was unable to find a moment to read any until today.
I’m in between two reads, an advance copy that left me shaken and a new release tomorrow I do not want to pass on.
So I have a few hours free to enjoy a book I know will cheer my mood.
Rosalind and Leo are very flawed characters, their stubbornness and need to control others life have a cost.
Sure, it is easier for Leo, as a male and a duke, it was engrained in him since his birth while Rosalind, having been shunned by her own blood and flesh, she became this managing self by necessity and for need to feel she is worthy of people’s attention. Sacrificing her own future to assure her siblings one. Sure at time, she matured as a rather selfish mother hen, unable to see she must let them go, as they are all grown up.
Leo, after having been betrayed by his late wife is weary of lying women, and matchmaking mamas.
By meeting under false identities, they are running straight to deception that even their sizzling chemistry will have problem to overcome.
Their forged existence and the unsaid things between them will lead to misconceiving and miscommunications, and in its wake they will be left distrust of the other.
When they meet again, it will not be an easy task to clean the slate as their stubbornness and pride will rise to a top-notch level.
It will be up to them to decide what they want and if they can surmount their past disbelief.
A beautiful tale of two headstrong beings who clash head until they accept they need each other.
I ordered the prequel series to this book but was unable to find a moment to read any until today.
I’m in between two reads, an advance copy that left me shaken and a new release tomorrow I do not want to pass on.
So I have a few hours free to enjoy a book I know will cheer my mood.
Rosalind and Leo are very flawed characters, their stubbornness and need to control others life have a cost.
Sure, it is easier for Leo, as a male and a duke, it was engrained in him since his birth while Rosalind, having been shunned by her own blood and flesh, she became this managing self by necessity and for need to feel she is worthy of people’s attention. Sacrificing her own future to assure her siblings one. Sure at time, she matured as a rather selfish mother hen, unable to see she must let them go, as they are all grown up.
Leo, after having been betrayed by his late wife is weary of lying women, and matchmaking mamas.
By meeting under false identities, they are running straight to deception that even their sizzling chemistry will have problem to overcome.
Their forged existence and the unsaid things between them will lead to misconceiving and miscommunications, and in its wake they will be left distrust of the other.
When they meet again, it will not be an easy task to clean the slate as their stubbornness and pride will rise to a top-notch level.
It will be up to them to decide what they want and if they can surmount their past disbelief.
A beautiful tale of two headstrong beings who clash head until they accept they need each other.
September 5, 2018
For those who enjoy “the fairy-tales come true”-(fiction) genre (and I do) this was such a fun and well-written story.
Janice Preston was a new to me author and I have enjoyed several of her stories over the past week.
The romance has a good speed and interesting conflicts.
Her characters are richly developed and her plot lines are fun. And the family gets under your skin in a good way- ensuring the selection of another one of her books as soon as one is done.
Janice Preston was a new to me author and I have enjoyed several of her stories over the past week.
The romance has a good speed and interesting conflicts.
Her characters are richly developed and her plot lines are fun. And the family gets under your skin in a good way- ensuring the selection of another one of her books as soon as one is done.
July 4, 2017
Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 3.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Characterisation: 3.5/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
May 2, 2018
Rosalind Allen, along with her brother Freddie, is keeping a low profile in Buckinghamshire, where she is known as Mrs Pryce, a widow. The deception is in order for Rosalind’s beloved stepsister Nell, who along with her brother, is in London in hope of finding a suitable husband, and not have to marry the horrible man Nell’s guardian has in mind for her. Rosalind and Freddie have been in the countryside only a fortnight, when Rosalind comes across some riders, obviously well-heeled men, and Rosalind is captivated by one of them who proves to be quite the gentleman: Mr Leo Boyton. Leo is visiting his cousin Anthony Lascelles incognito, using one of his lesser titles, that of Viscount Boyton, to avoid marriage-minded ladies. However, Leo had not anticipated meeting the beguiling widow Pryce.
After Lady Cecily and the Mysterious Mr Gray, book 3 of The Beauchamp Betrothals, I knew I would have to read Leo’s story because he had made an indelible impression on me: I thought the Duke of Cheriton positively terrifying. CINDERELLA AND THE DUKE is a romance, but it is one of the most extraordinary character studies I have ever read. Janice Preston’s characters are exceedingly complex, so alive and vibrant, flawed and also very human. Rosalind is thirty, firmly on the shelf, and dedicated to her twenty five year-old brother Freddie, who is physically challenged. Rosalind is an admirable woman, but she is terribly overprotective, and is smothering Freddie, ignoring the fact that he is not a child anymore. She is proud, honourable, fearless in her devotion to her siblings, and very stubborn. She doesn’t realise how she and Cheriton are so very much alike, because while Leo is sweet, lovely, and charming, Cheriton is still quite terrifying. The Duke was certainly born to the role: the man disappears behind the power his title gives him. Fortunately, it is for the good, and my goodness, seldom have I ever read a character taking ownership of his allotted pages as he does. I cannot believe how bigger than life he is, which I’m sure is how dukes really behave, but is he ever intimidating! It was quite a nice change as well that Leo is forty, and a widower with older children than we are used to.
CINDERELLA AND THE DUKE is a romance with so many twists and turns, so many unexpected turns of events, I was glued to the page because I never knew what would happen next, let alone how in the world Leo and Rosalind would ever find their HEA. Ms. Preston’s sumptuous writing and sharp dialogues give this fictional world an entirely mesmerising tone: we are not reading about the Beauchamps, we are living alongside them. The attraction between Leo and Rosalind shimmers, their interactions go from quiet and tender to explosive. There is a defining moment in the story that left me speechless – and as a reader, elated and delirious with glee, and seething at the same time – because of Ms. Preston’s courage as a writer to dare explore a very uncomfortable situation in a very realistic way. And I will rave again about those incredibly well-written characters: I adored Freddie, I commiserated with his situation; Anthony Lascelles is one of the most enigmatic, intriguing, mystifying characters I have ever come across; I could go on for ages about those incredible fictional people. And Leo Beauchamp, Duke of Cheriton? Leo is a lovely man, but when he’s in duke mode, beware! He still terrifies me! Do I need to mention that I am over the moon that this series will continue for a good while!
I was gifted a copy of this book, which I voluntarily read and reviewed without incentive or pressure to do so. This in no way influences my review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
After Lady Cecily and the Mysterious Mr Gray, book 3 of The Beauchamp Betrothals, I knew I would have to read Leo’s story because he had made an indelible impression on me: I thought the Duke of Cheriton positively terrifying. CINDERELLA AND THE DUKE is a romance, but it is one of the most extraordinary character studies I have ever read. Janice Preston’s characters are exceedingly complex, so alive and vibrant, flawed and also very human. Rosalind is thirty, firmly on the shelf, and dedicated to her twenty five year-old brother Freddie, who is physically challenged. Rosalind is an admirable woman, but she is terribly overprotective, and is smothering Freddie, ignoring the fact that he is not a child anymore. She is proud, honourable, fearless in her devotion to her siblings, and very stubborn. She doesn’t realise how she and Cheriton are so very much alike, because while Leo is sweet, lovely, and charming, Cheriton is still quite terrifying. The Duke was certainly born to the role: the man disappears behind the power his title gives him. Fortunately, it is for the good, and my goodness, seldom have I ever read a character taking ownership of his allotted pages as he does. I cannot believe how bigger than life he is, which I’m sure is how dukes really behave, but is he ever intimidating! It was quite a nice change as well that Leo is forty, and a widower with older children than we are used to.
CINDERELLA AND THE DUKE is a romance with so many twists and turns, so many unexpected turns of events, I was glued to the page because I never knew what would happen next, let alone how in the world Leo and Rosalind would ever find their HEA. Ms. Preston’s sumptuous writing and sharp dialogues give this fictional world an entirely mesmerising tone: we are not reading about the Beauchamps, we are living alongside them. The attraction between Leo and Rosalind shimmers, their interactions go from quiet and tender to explosive. There is a defining moment in the story that left me speechless – and as a reader, elated and delirious with glee, and seething at the same time – because of Ms. Preston’s courage as a writer to dare explore a very uncomfortable situation in a very realistic way. And I will rave again about those incredibly well-written characters: I adored Freddie, I commiserated with his situation; Anthony Lascelles is one of the most enigmatic, intriguing, mystifying characters I have ever come across; I could go on for ages about those incredible fictional people. And Leo Beauchamp, Duke of Cheriton? Leo is a lovely man, but when he’s in duke mode, beware! He still terrifies me! Do I need to mention that I am over the moon that this series will continue for a good while!
I was gifted a copy of this book, which I voluntarily read and reviewed without incentive or pressure to do so. This in no way influences my review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 5, 2017
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-zY
Rosalind Allen is now thirty years old, and has spent the last fourteen years caring for her younger brother, Freddie, and her step siblings, Jack and Nell. Upon her stepfather’s death, Rosalind had to act quickly to remove Nell from her new guardian’s clutches, as he had plans to marry her off to one of his cronies to settle a debt. Now Rosalind and Freddie are staying at a friend’s cottage, with Rosalind using an assumed name, while they contemplate their next course of action.
Leo Beauchamp, Duke of Cheriton, is visiting his cousin’s home in the country. Because he is widowed, he is still considered a great matrimonial prize, despite being the advanced age of forty and having three grown children. In order to hide from his pursuers, Leo is using the name of Mr. Boynton during this visit. While out riding one day, Leo finds his rakish cousin, Anthony, accosting Rosalind, who is not desirous of his attention. Leo manages to thwart Anthony’s attempted seduction, at least for the moment.
Rosalind and Leo have more occasions to meet, though they are aware of each other by their assumed identities of Mr. Boynton and Mrs. Pryce. Leo is delighted to be treated as just an ordinary man, and not be fawned over because he is a duke. Rosalind finds herself finally enjoying the attention of a handsome man who finds her attractive. They soon become friends, then lovers, as Rosalind has taken the bold step of wanting to experience passion for the first time. Leo, however, is shocked at her innocence, and feels that she knows his identity, and is just another woman trying to trap him. They part on bad terms, with Leo being unsure of how he should handle the relationship. When he eventually decides to call on her again, it’s to find that she and Freddie have left the cottage.
Rosalind and Freddie were urgently summoned to London, as the woman who was chaperoning Nell had an unfortunate accident. As expected, she encounters Leo, and they both become aware of the other’s true identity. Both are suspicious and antagonistic toward each other, as Leo suspects she’s pursuing him, while Rosalind believes she was just a momentary fling for an uppity aristocrat. Eventually they are able to work past those erroneous assumptions only to find there are more complications.
Both Rosalind and Leo are stellar and honorable characters with the best of intentions, and I adore them. Rosalind has dedicated her life to caring for her siblings and never had a real chance of finding her own happiness. Now every attempt by Leo to ease her burdens and to make things right seems to make Rosalind feel “unnecessary.” This couple has many obstacles to overcome to finally achieve their hard won happy ever after. CINDERELLA AND THE DUKE is a wonderful love story with a great hero and heroine who need to overcome their preconceived notions, and to let go of prior hurts. There’s a wonderful cast of supporting characters, as well as a couple of odious villains who contribute to this very satisfying and enjoyable read. A particularly lovely gesture at the story’s end makes for a teary, but wonderful and warm conclusion. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how refreshing it was to read about a hero who was forty and a heroine who was thirty – truly a breath of fresh air.
Rosalind Allen is now thirty years old, and has spent the last fourteen years caring for her younger brother, Freddie, and her step siblings, Jack and Nell. Upon her stepfather’s death, Rosalind had to act quickly to remove Nell from her new guardian’s clutches, as he had plans to marry her off to one of his cronies to settle a debt. Now Rosalind and Freddie are staying at a friend’s cottage, with Rosalind using an assumed name, while they contemplate their next course of action.
Leo Beauchamp, Duke of Cheriton, is visiting his cousin’s home in the country. Because he is widowed, he is still considered a great matrimonial prize, despite being the advanced age of forty and having three grown children. In order to hide from his pursuers, Leo is using the name of Mr. Boynton during this visit. While out riding one day, Leo finds his rakish cousin, Anthony, accosting Rosalind, who is not desirous of his attention. Leo manages to thwart Anthony’s attempted seduction, at least for the moment.
Rosalind and Leo have more occasions to meet, though they are aware of each other by their assumed identities of Mr. Boynton and Mrs. Pryce. Leo is delighted to be treated as just an ordinary man, and not be fawned over because he is a duke. Rosalind finds herself finally enjoying the attention of a handsome man who finds her attractive. They soon become friends, then lovers, as Rosalind has taken the bold step of wanting to experience passion for the first time. Leo, however, is shocked at her innocence, and feels that she knows his identity, and is just another woman trying to trap him. They part on bad terms, with Leo being unsure of how he should handle the relationship. When he eventually decides to call on her again, it’s to find that she and Freddie have left the cottage.
Rosalind and Freddie were urgently summoned to London, as the woman who was chaperoning Nell had an unfortunate accident. As expected, she encounters Leo, and they both become aware of the other’s true identity. Both are suspicious and antagonistic toward each other, as Leo suspects she’s pursuing him, while Rosalind believes she was just a momentary fling for an uppity aristocrat. Eventually they are able to work past those erroneous assumptions only to find there are more complications.
Both Rosalind and Leo are stellar and honorable characters with the best of intentions, and I adore them. Rosalind has dedicated her life to caring for her siblings and never had a real chance of finding her own happiness. Now every attempt by Leo to ease her burdens and to make things right seems to make Rosalind feel “unnecessary.” This couple has many obstacles to overcome to finally achieve their hard won happy ever after. CINDERELLA AND THE DUKE is a wonderful love story with a great hero and heroine who need to overcome their preconceived notions, and to let go of prior hurts. There’s a wonderful cast of supporting characters, as well as a couple of odious villains who contribute to this very satisfying and enjoyable read. A particularly lovely gesture at the story’s end makes for a teary, but wonderful and warm conclusion. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how refreshing it was to read about a hero who was forty and a heroine who was thirty – truly a breath of fresh air.
December 27, 2017
A good read despite the main characters
Leo is a Duke and meets Roz while incognito. He’s manipulative, arrogant and always gets what he wants. Roz is stubborn and impulsive. But they both also had good qualities and were a good match.
Leo is a Duke and meets Roz while incognito. He’s manipulative, arrogant and always gets what he wants. Roz is stubborn and impulsive. But they both also had good qualities and were a good match.
August 6, 2017
I won this book in a giveaway Janice did here in Goodreads and let me first say: I was so damn excited about that.
I even tweeted about it and, to my surprised, Janice answered me back. I got to connect to her on Twitter! YEY! She was very kind and sweet which made me even more thankful for receiving her book.
I did start and put down the book a couple of times this past few weeks. The main reason was because I know I would love the book and I know she hadn’t publish the next book yet, which meant I would have to wait in agony. So, I couldn’t start because I was as sad as I was excited. And I still am.
As the book begun to reach the ending I would get happy and sad. A bittersweet feeling… And then, SAUDADE came as soon as I read the last word and reality set in. Nostalgia, the feeling of missing someone/something… The happy memories of the moments reading the book… And I know I would love it and feel this way before reading it. That’s why this book is one of my favorites.
Besides that, this book and Janice writing, made me discover that I actually enjoy regency and historical romances. I haven’t read many of them and now I’m very open to read more. Especially Janice’s.
I finished reading the book at 1am. I was in such a good part of the book that I couldn’t put it down. I had been reading only two chapters a day because I didn’t want to end it, but as soon as I got to that part of the book I forgot to stop and finished reading it. LOVED IT!
Now, about the book… Like I said, it’s one of my favorites. I’m not usually the type of reader that reviews what she reads, I do recommend the books I like to my friends and family, but I don’t do reviews. Although that may be true, I felt like Janice and this book deserve at least that. So here it is.
First of all, I enjoyed how Janice wrote the book and the concept created. It’s not a typical Cinderella story. It was unusual and refreshing how she used the ‘evil uncle’ instead of the old used ‘evil step-mother’.
Another thing I did enjoy was the fact that the characters are older than most stories we see. They aren’t very old, Leo is in his 40s (if I’m not mistaken) and Rosalind is 30. But that’s old enough to stand out for some people, me included, since it’s been sometime since I read a book about someone in their 30s.
Rosalind is the older sister protecting and always taking care of her brothers and sister. As an older sister, I can relate to that, even though I’m 22 years old (23 in October). Besides, for the past 4 years I have been helping my grandparents a lot. Plus, Rosalind also has that motherly personality, that I’ve seen in a lot of mothers.
Leo is, in one word, dreamy. I love him. He’s a father, he’s caring and he said something that I loved:
I loved it so much I had to tweet about it.
One thing I liked too was Freddie. He’s such an intriguing character. I wonder if Janice is going to let us follow his live in a book too. Or at least tell us more in future books, because I found him very fascinating, and I love that he’s now following his own path in a way.(Thank God for Leo!)
He wanted to be independent and I get it, I can relate to that, and I can relate in some ways to Rosalind’s thoughts and worries. My little brother isn’t in the same circumstances as Freddie, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to protect him. Just like I know he wants to protect me. So, I just hope that in future books Freddie appears even if a minor/secondary character, giving people advices or some type of wisdom. I don’t know why but the way he sometimes spoke to Ros made him sound like a man of knowledge.
Now, I really want to read the next one and I would even do another review for those books too. I knew that Janice would write about Leo’s sons and daughters, at least I hoped, and today she told me on Twitter that she would be writing about Vernon, Cecily, and Olivia, Dominic and Alexander (Leo’s daughter and sons). Now I’m excited. Vernon’s book will be (hopefully) out in October. What a perfect birthday present that would be.
I will be waiting for the next book, maybe my mom will give it to me on my birthday.
I totally recommend this book to everyone, and I hope – if you check it out – that you enjoy it as much as I did.
I even tweeted about it and, to my surprised, Janice answered me back. I got to connect to her on Twitter! YEY! She was very kind and sweet which made me even more thankful for receiving her book.
I did start and put down the book a couple of times this past few weeks. The main reason was because I know I would love the book and I know she hadn’t publish the next book yet, which meant I would have to wait in agony. So, I couldn’t start because I was as sad as I was excited. And I still am.
As the book begun to reach the ending I would get happy and sad. A bittersweet feeling… And then, SAUDADE came as soon as I read the last word and reality set in. Nostalgia, the feeling of missing someone/something… The happy memories of the moments reading the book… And I know I would love it and feel this way before reading it. That’s why this book is one of my favorites.
Besides that, this book and Janice writing, made me discover that I actually enjoy regency and historical romances. I haven’t read many of them and now I’m very open to read more. Especially Janice’s.
I finished reading the book at 1am. I was in such a good part of the book that I couldn’t put it down. I had been reading only two chapters a day because I didn’t want to end it, but as soon as I got to that part of the book I forgot to stop and finished reading it. LOVED IT!
Now, about the book… Like I said, it’s one of my favorites. I’m not usually the type of reader that reviews what she reads, I do recommend the books I like to my friends and family, but I don’t do reviews. Although that may be true, I felt like Janice and this book deserve at least that. So here it is.
First of all, I enjoyed how Janice wrote the book and the concept created. It’s not a typical Cinderella story. It was unusual and refreshing how she used the ‘evil uncle’ instead of the old used ‘evil step-mother’.
Another thing I did enjoy was the fact that the characters are older than most stories we see. They aren’t very old, Leo is in his 40s (if I’m not mistaken) and Rosalind is 30. But that’s old enough to stand out for some people, me included, since it’s been sometime since I read a book about someone in their 30s.
Rosalind is the older sister protecting and always taking care of her brothers and sister. As an older sister, I can relate to that, even though I’m 22 years old (23 in October). Besides, for the past 4 years I have been helping my grandparents a lot. Plus, Rosalind also has that motherly personality, that I’ve seen in a lot of mothers.
Leo is, in one word, dreamy. I love him. He’s a father, he’s caring and he said something that I loved:
‘You are mistaken. The mark of a gentleman has nothing to do with money or with fine possessions. Birth is, of course, important but it is manners that mark the true gentleman. Manners and the treatment of others and, in particular, the treatment of those of lower birth. If you do not understand that, Anthony – and believe it – you will never earn your place in society.’ (page 78, Chapter Six)
I loved it so much I had to tweet about it.
One thing I liked too was Freddie. He’s such an intriguing character. I wonder if Janice is going to let us follow his live in a book too. Or at least tell us more in future books, because I found him very fascinating, and I love that he’s now following his own path in a way.
He wanted to be independent and I get it, I can relate to that, and I can relate in some ways to Rosalind’s thoughts and worries. My little brother isn’t in the same circumstances as Freddie, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to protect him. Just like I know he wants to protect me. So, I just hope that in future books Freddie appears even if a minor/secondary character, giving people advices or some type of wisdom. I don’t know why but the way he sometimes spoke to Ros made him sound like a man of knowledge.
Now, I really want to read the next one and I would even do another review for those books too. I knew that Janice would write about Leo’s sons and daughters, at least I hoped, and today she told me on Twitter that she would be writing about Vernon, Cecily, and Olivia, Dominic and Alexander (Leo’s daughter and sons). Now I’m excited. Vernon’s book will be (hopefully) out in October. What a perfect birthday present that would be.
I will be waiting for the next book, maybe my mom will give it to me on my birthday.
I totally recommend this book to everyone, and I hope – if you check it out – that you enjoy it as much as I did.
July 9, 2017
A sweet retelling of Cinderella featuring older protagonists.
Rosalind Allen is a thirty year old spinster who has spent her entire life caring for her younger siblings. Her mother was the granddaughter of a duke who eloped with a common soldier. As a result, she was disowned, and slowly grew more bitter. After her father's death, Rosalind's mother remarried an earl and was welcomed back by her family, but they never acknowledged Rosalind or her younger brother, Freddie. After her mother's death, Rosalind continued to live with her stepfather and eventually started to care for her younger step-siblings as well. He has recently died however, and her step-siblings' uncle is out to ruin their lives. He plans to marry her stepsister off to an unsuitable man in order to pay off his gambling debts, and is already pillaging her stepbrother's inheritance. Rosalind manages to get her sister away from her uncle and to her aunt, and is currently living incognito in the countryside, so the uncle doesn't find them. While there, she meets Leo. He is a duke, but like her, is incognito. The two are attracted to one another and start an affair, but once Leo realizes that Rosalind isn't the widow she portrayed herself as, he is angry at her and feels betrayed. Before they can resolve things however, Leo is called away to town to deal with his son.
Rosalind is also called away to town when her sister's aunt breaks her leg and needs Rosalind to act as chaperon. Rosalind is reluctant because she doesn't like the nobility or want to see her mother's family, but agrees anyway. Once she's there however, she discovers that Leo actually is a duke, and that her sister and his daughter have become best friends. Despite their various issues with one another, they continue with their relationship. Through it, Leo learns to trust again, and Rosalind overcomes her prejudices and learns that she doesn't need to control every aspect of her family.
I liked both Rosalind and Leo. They were both older characters, Rosalind 30 and Leo 40, and I liked seeing them fall in love. Most characters are much younger than that in romances, so it was nice to have an older couple for once. Their issues also felt natural as a result of their pasts. Neither one of them were looking to fall in love, but they found it anyway.
The villain was also good. Lascelles was Leo's cousin and a bastard; if his parents had been married, he would have been the duke, and his bitterness over that has infected his relationship with Leo.
I liked the role of family in this book. Both leads have largish families and care a great deal about all of them. Rosalind is used to being the one to care for her family, and she struggles with what she sees as losing control of them, but Leo helps to see that this is merely a naturally result of them growing up. While Leo has problems with his younger son, he clearly cares for all of his children and his siblings, and while he has problems with his cousin, he feels bound to him as well. We'll clearly be seeing more of these characters in the future, and I look forward to it.
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a sweet first entry into this series and can't wait to see what else this series brings.
Rosalind Allen is a thirty year old spinster who has spent her entire life caring for her younger siblings. Her mother was the granddaughter of a duke who eloped with a common soldier. As a result, she was disowned, and slowly grew more bitter. After her father's death, Rosalind's mother remarried an earl and was welcomed back by her family, but they never acknowledged Rosalind or her younger brother, Freddie. After her mother's death, Rosalind continued to live with her stepfather and eventually started to care for her younger step-siblings as well. He has recently died however, and her step-siblings' uncle is out to ruin their lives. He plans to marry her stepsister off to an unsuitable man in order to pay off his gambling debts, and is already pillaging her stepbrother's inheritance. Rosalind manages to get her sister away from her uncle and to her aunt, and is currently living incognito in the countryside, so the uncle doesn't find them. While there, she meets Leo. He is a duke, but like her, is incognito. The two are attracted to one another and start an affair, but once Leo realizes that Rosalind isn't the widow she portrayed herself as, he is angry at her and feels betrayed. Before they can resolve things however, Leo is called away to town to deal with his son.
Rosalind is also called away to town when her sister's aunt breaks her leg and needs Rosalind to act as chaperon. Rosalind is reluctant because she doesn't like the nobility or want to see her mother's family, but agrees anyway. Once she's there however, she discovers that Leo actually is a duke, and that her sister and his daughter have become best friends. Despite their various issues with one another, they continue with their relationship. Through it, Leo learns to trust again, and Rosalind overcomes her prejudices and learns that she doesn't need to control every aspect of her family.
I liked both Rosalind and Leo. They were both older characters, Rosalind 30 and Leo 40, and I liked seeing them fall in love. Most characters are much younger than that in romances, so it was nice to have an older couple for once. Their issues also felt natural as a result of their pasts. Neither one of them were looking to fall in love, but they found it anyway.
The villain was also good. Lascelles was Leo's cousin and a bastard; if his parents had been married, he would have been the duke, and his bitterness over that has infected his relationship with Leo.
I liked the role of family in this book. Both leads have largish families and care a great deal about all of them. Rosalind is used to being the one to care for her family, and she struggles with what she sees as losing control of them, but Leo helps to see that this is merely a naturally result of them growing up. While Leo has problems with his younger son, he clearly cares for all of his children and his siblings, and while he has problems with his cousin, he feels bound to him as well. We'll clearly be seeing more of these characters in the future, and I look forward to it.
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was a sweet first entry into this series and can't wait to see what else this series brings.
July 29, 2017
A stellar historical romance imbued with colourful period detail, heartwarming drama and searing emotion, Cinderella and the Duke is the latest enchanting Regency tale from Janice Preston’s exceptional pen!
Miss Rosalind Allen had learned from a very early age that there is no place for her and her brother, Freddie, in Society. Having been rejected by her aristocratic mother’s family, Rosalind and her brother have instead opted to live a quiet life in the country, away from the hostile and unwelcoming glares of the Ton. For most of her life, Rosalind had dedicated herself to her family – something which she has never regretted even if she had to forego romantic love and any thoughts of an attachment or of making a suitable match. However, Rosalind’s beauty has not gone unnoticed for she soon attracts the attention of the lascivious Anthony Lascelles and his dashing relation, Mr Leo Boynton. But Rosalind knows that she must not get entangled with members of the aristocracy and risk exposure for she could stand to lose everything!
Leo Boynton has got secrets of his own – mainly that he has been travelling across the English countryside in disguise to avoid meddling mamas throwing their eligible daughters at him when they find out that he is Leo Beauchamp, the Duke of Cheriton! After the calamitous end of his last marriage, Leo had vowed never to get married ever again and to keep his heart firmly under lock and key, but a chance encounter with Rosalind awakens feelings deep within him which he thought long buried! However, he is in for a shock when he realises that Rosalind had kept a secret from him and that she is not the woman he had thought her be! After letting someone breach the walls which he had built around himself, has Leo ended up falling in love with a woman he will never be able to trust?
With fate seemingly intent on pushing the two of them together, Leo and Rosalind quickly realise that resisting one another will prove to be an endeavour which simply cannot be accomplished. But are they willing to put their hearts on the line and take a chance on love? Or will they simply not manage to triumph against all the obstacles that are standing in their way?
In a market cluttered with wallpaper and cookie cutter historical romances, Janice Preston’s enthralling historical romances stand head and shoulders above most of the titles on the shelves today. In Cinderella and the Duke, this consummate storyteller has penned an intelligent, smart, intriguing and captivating historical romance with an intelligent, courageous and noble hero and a handsome and charismatic heroine at its heart. I loved the fact that this was not the typical debutante meets a rake story, but a multi-layered story with two mature characters finding love when they least expected it.
A wonderfully crafted historical romance from one of the genre’s most outstanding writers, Cinderella and the Duke is another sensational read from Janice Preston.
Miss Rosalind Allen had learned from a very early age that there is no place for her and her brother, Freddie, in Society. Having been rejected by her aristocratic mother’s family, Rosalind and her brother have instead opted to live a quiet life in the country, away from the hostile and unwelcoming glares of the Ton. For most of her life, Rosalind had dedicated herself to her family – something which she has never regretted even if she had to forego romantic love and any thoughts of an attachment or of making a suitable match. However, Rosalind’s beauty has not gone unnoticed for she soon attracts the attention of the lascivious Anthony Lascelles and his dashing relation, Mr Leo Boynton. But Rosalind knows that she must not get entangled with members of the aristocracy and risk exposure for she could stand to lose everything!
Leo Boynton has got secrets of his own – mainly that he has been travelling across the English countryside in disguise to avoid meddling mamas throwing their eligible daughters at him when they find out that he is Leo Beauchamp, the Duke of Cheriton! After the calamitous end of his last marriage, Leo had vowed never to get married ever again and to keep his heart firmly under lock and key, but a chance encounter with Rosalind awakens feelings deep within him which he thought long buried! However, he is in for a shock when he realises that Rosalind had kept a secret from him and that she is not the woman he had thought her be! After letting someone breach the walls which he had built around himself, has Leo ended up falling in love with a woman he will never be able to trust?
With fate seemingly intent on pushing the two of them together, Leo and Rosalind quickly realise that resisting one another will prove to be an endeavour which simply cannot be accomplished. But are they willing to put their hearts on the line and take a chance on love? Or will they simply not manage to triumph against all the obstacles that are standing in their way?
In a market cluttered with wallpaper and cookie cutter historical romances, Janice Preston’s enthralling historical romances stand head and shoulders above most of the titles on the shelves today. In Cinderella and the Duke, this consummate storyteller has penned an intelligent, smart, intriguing and captivating historical romance with an intelligent, courageous and noble hero and a handsome and charismatic heroine at its heart. I loved the fact that this was not the typical debutante meets a rake story, but a multi-layered story with two mature characters finding love when they least expected it.
A wonderfully crafted historical romance from one of the genre’s most outstanding writers, Cinderella and the Duke is another sensational read from Janice Preston.
December 30, 2017
In a story of concealed identities on the road to happy ever after, Janice Preston writes a love story with well crafted, likeable characters who just need to overcome a few bumps in the road.
I have been a fan of Janice Preston’s books since her debut ‘Mary and The Marquis’, and what I really like about her subsequent books is that she mentions characters from her previous novels (in this case Richard Stanton, the hero of ‘From Wallflower to Countess’), which is a nice touch if you have read the other books, but no hinderance to the story if you haven’t. Indeed, we previously met Leo in the same story as Richard, and it was nice to see his own story being told. Similarly, the characters in her novels may be Dukes and members of high society, but they are never your typical regency rich men who live the high life; they have their own issues, and are generally not your stereotypical perfect man.
Both Leo and Rosalind are well crafted characters who make you want to root for their future happiness. The fact both are concealing their true identities when they first meet (Leo is a Duke wanting to avoid women who are attracted to his title, and Rosalind is posing as a widow to evade family problems), makes an interesting concept as the start of their love story is effectively built on a lie, and once the truth is revealed there is a need for both to re-evaluate their feelings, although they clearly want to be together.
As with the author’s previous books, the secondary characters are also well crafted and essential to the plot - Anthony Lascelles makes a great villain.
As this is the first of a two part series (I assume the second book will be about Leo’s brother Vernon), I look forward to reading it, and finding out what happens to Leo and Rosalind after this book ended.
August 28, 2018
This is the first book in The Beauchamp Betrothals series and the second book I've had the pleasure of reading from author Janice Preston and definitely not the last! I've been looking forward to reading this book since I first met our hero Leo Beauchamp, the Duke of Cheriton in the book From Wallflower to Countess.
Leo Beauchamp the Duke of Cheriton is a wealthy and powerful man, a widower with three older children and head of a large extended family. Leo's first marriage was not a happy one and being a duke and a catch on the marriage mart he has a very difficult time with trust. Rosalind Allen has accepted she will never marry and have children of her own, content in helping raise her younger siblings for the last 14 years. Rejected by her mother's family in society she has no love for the ton.
Leo intrigued me from a previous book and I was so happy to hear he had his own story and 2 series based on his family with The Beauchamp Betrothals & the The Beauchamp Heirs! I absolutely adored Leo and Rosalind together and the fact that they were both a little older than the norm for regency couples, Leo just turning 40 and Rosalind being 30 made their story even more special. Leo and Rosalind were very strong characters in charge of their perspective families. Secrets, misunderstandings and villains come between these two but eventually their love for each other overcomes the many obstacles between them. We have a fabulous cast of secondary characters and an absolutely perfect ending! I loved this story and would highly recommend it!
Leo Beauchamp the Duke of Cheriton is a wealthy and powerful man, a widower with three older children and head of a large extended family. Leo's first marriage was not a happy one and being a duke and a catch on the marriage mart he has a very difficult time with trust. Rosalind Allen has accepted she will never marry and have children of her own, content in helping raise her younger siblings for the last 14 years. Rejected by her mother's family in society she has no love for the ton.
Leo intrigued me from a previous book and I was so happy to hear he had his own story and 2 series based on his family with The Beauchamp Betrothals & the The Beauchamp Heirs! I absolutely adored Leo and Rosalind together and the fact that they were both a little older than the norm for regency couples, Leo just turning 40 and Rosalind being 30 made their story even more special. Leo and Rosalind were very strong characters in charge of their perspective families. Secrets, misunderstandings and villains come between these two but eventually their love for each other overcomes the many obstacles between them. We have a fabulous cast of secondary characters and an absolutely perfect ending! I loved this story and would highly recommend it!
July 20, 2017
I loved the connection that Leo and Rosalind share it managed to be both sizzling and romantic which was the perfect combination for me. I found myself smiling whenever they were together they were flirty, fun and feisty interactions. It really was so easy to fall for this charming story and all of the characters too. It was great to see a slightly older pairing than I am used to seeing in historical romance and I really enjoyed this difference. Rosalind is a strong character and once she sets her mind on something she is also very determined. I can definitely understand the attraction with Leo especially his strong family values which match perfectly with Rosalind's own sense of commitment to her family's happiness.
The threat lurking in the background kept me interested and made me invested in Rosalind's story and hopefully achieving her happy ending. There are trust issues on both sides and it was great to see the characters develop but can they slowly regain the trust that they have lost. They both have tragic pasts that make them such a great pairing. Sweet at times but with some darker characters lurking in the shadows to mix things up a bit.
A great combination of sweet, romantic and sizzling!
With thanks to Mills & Boon and Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The threat lurking in the background kept me interested and made me invested in Rosalind's story and hopefully achieving her happy ending. There are trust issues on both sides and it was great to see the characters develop but can they slowly regain the trust that they have lost. They both have tragic pasts that make them such a great pairing. Sweet at times but with some darker characters lurking in the shadows to mix things up a bit.
A great combination of sweet, romantic and sizzling!
With thanks to Mills & Boon and Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 3, 2021
Yes at 30 Rosalind Allen is firmly on the shelf, she concerns herself with trying to ensure that her family is happy, well matched and that those of her half-family with a corrupt guardian who is spending their inheritance. At the moment she has retreated to a house in the country where she's happy, but when one of the other houses is sold to a man who believes that he's entitled to everything around him, including her. Then she meets Leo Boyton who intrigues her and he seems to be interested in her. When she realises that he's really a Duke this almost breaks the relationship, she doesn't think that she's cut out for a relationship with a member of the nobility. He keeps taking choice out of her hands too which bumped this otherwise excellent story down.
I found it an interesting and engaging read with some minor flaws.
I found it an interesting and engaging read with some minor flaws.
March 19, 2022
Rosalind a thirty year old spinster met Leo Boynton alias the Duke of Cheriton, 40, a widower with three grownup children. He is disillusioned but attracted to Rosalind while she feels he is the last chance for her to have a relationship as she doesn’t intend getting married. The story is complicated with other characters and side stories. While the plot was interesting, I found the heroine to be especially irritating. She has a lot of issues due to her backstory. Due to which she keeps making mistakes and manages to get into trouble with the Duke's cousin a villainous character. Leo is shown to be dominating but good hearted.
April 4, 2019
One of my favorite tropes. A thirty year old spinster has taken care of her siblings with no life of her own, meets a charming gentleman in the country. Calling herself a widow to hide from her stepfather's wicked heir, she will do anything to protect her family. The gentleman has his secrets, too. Their passion for each other can't be denied, until everything starts to unravel. A strong lady not afraid to give her opinion goes toe to toe with an imperious Duke. Another one I stayed up all night to read! A keeper!
June 3, 2021
The second half of this book was painful. I forced myself to finish it because I always try to give an author the benefit of turning a book around. The heroine is not likable, seems to not appreciate help, is a poor judge of character and refuses to learn from her mistakes. She is bitter, petty, poorly educated in social mores, and ill bred. It makes no sense that the Duke would pursue her to the extent he does. They hardly know each other, they share very little dialogue, and their one sex scene is unpleasant. And it is never called a harness room (for horses)... it is a tack room.
October 27, 2017
The story is set in 1812 and begins in Buckinghamshire and moves to London for the Season.
Leo Beauchamp decides to conceal the fact that he is the Duke of Cheriton while visiting his cousin.
Rosalind Allen is 30 years old and has no aspirations of finding a husband.
In spite of the fact that both Leo and Rosalind are both mature, their behavior seem juvenile.
Other than the title, there is no relation to the trope of Cinderella.
Leo Beauchamp decides to conceal the fact that he is the Duke of Cheriton while visiting his cousin.
Rosalind Allen is 30 years old and has no aspirations of finding a husband.
In spite of the fact that both Leo and Rosalind are both mature, their behavior seem juvenile.
Other than the title, there is no relation to the trope of Cinderella.
November 11, 2019
Trials and Errors to true Love
Wonderful book page turning and many twists and turns of the storyline . The characters were so intriguing you just fall in love with Leo and Rosalind, on how Rosalind fights her love for Leo and Leo fighting it to but also trying to help Rosalind admit she loves him.
Janice Preston is a wonderful author with characters that come to life with adventures that have you from the very beginning💕
Wonderful book page turning and many twists and turns of the storyline . The characters were so intriguing you just fall in love with Leo and Rosalind, on how Rosalind fights her love for Leo and Leo fighting it to but also trying to help Rosalind admit she loves him.
Janice Preston is a wonderful author with characters that come to life with adventures that have you from the very beginning💕
February 16, 2023
Le aspettative non erano alte anche se la trama mi aveva molto stuzzicata. Non è stato quello che mi aspettavo ma non sono esattamente delusa e anzi, sono più propensa alle 3 stelle e mezzo haha.
Il libro è scorrevole e carino, fa il suo dovere. Devo dire che inizia bene e ho sentito fin dalle primissime pagine la chimica che è palpabile e pazzesca, anche se non l’ho percepita durante tutto il romanzo.
Lettura molto carina e leggera, veloce anche haha.
Il libro è scorrevole e carino, fa il suo dovere. Devo dire che inizia bene e ho sentito fin dalle primissime pagine la chimica che è palpabile e pazzesca, anche se non l’ho percepita durante tutto il romanzo.
Lettura molto carina e leggera, veloce anche haha.
June 24, 2023
Full of all the tropes I hate. It's instalust, with a prose chock full of heated loins, quivering quims, straining breasts, dilated pupils and heavy breathing. Its so relentless and OTT, the mental image I had of these two was dogs in heat. Other irritating tropes include: stupid, stubborn, contrary h; arrogant, up-his-own-arse H; betraying body syndrome; lies and misunderstandings; more misunderstandings.
Not for me, I wanted to punch both of these characters in the mouth.
Not for me, I wanted to punch both of these characters in the mouth.
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