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The Dukes of War #5
The Brigadier's Runaway Bride
Enjoy another witty, emotional book in New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erica Ridley’s fan-favorite Dukes of War regency romance series!
Miss Sarah Fairfax is having a wretched year. Her intended perished at war. His child is in her belly. To secure her future, she resigns herself to a loveless marriage. Just as she’s about to say I do, her fiancée returns from the grave to crash the wedding... but he’s no longer the charming, carefree man she remembers.
After being left for dead on the battlefield, Brigadier Edmund Blackpool is scarred inside and out. He fights his way home only to discover his intended before the altar with his best friend. He'll be the one to marry her, no matter what she wants! But when his new bride disappears with his child, he must reopen his wounds to win the most important battle of his life.
Miss Sarah Fairfax is having a wretched year. Her intended perished at war. His child is in her belly. To secure her future, she resigns herself to a loveless marriage. Just as she’s about to say I do, her fiancée returns from the grave to crash the wedding... but he’s no longer the charming, carefree man she remembers.
After being left for dead on the battlefield, Brigadier Edmund Blackpool is scarred inside and out. He fights his way home only to discover his intended before the altar with his best friend. He'll be the one to marry her, no matter what she wants! But when his new bride disappears with his child, he must reopen his wounds to win the most important battle of his life.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2015
435 people are currently reading
1238 people want to read
About the author
Erica Ridley
130 books2,196 followersGet freebies and 99¢ deals at: https://ridley.vip
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
August 27, 2015
Young lovers are separated by war, their final time together a time of sexual expressions of a promise of their future together. Edmund is lost in the battle, presumed dead and Sarah is pregnant with their child. His best friend has promised marriage to Sarah to save her child from the brand of bastard. At the moment their vows are to be sealed, the door slams open and there, barely recognizable is Edmund, Sarah’s Edmund, her heart and soul. Her child will have its father and she her love. Their marriage should have been the culmination of a dream come true, but little did they know they were now strangers with new baggage to unpack, a child to raise and insecurities to overcome. When their precarious life is once again rocked, will they run or learn to become the couple they were once meant to be, through thick and thin?
The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride by Erica Ridley is another spellbinding addition to the Dukes of War series that brings forth another heart-wrenching tale of a love that seems doomed as two people forget to share their thoughts, their lives and their emotions as they once did. One tries to be the perfect mate, doing what was expected, feeling unworthy of the love received. Another gets lost in feeling too imperfect after the birth of a child. Neither being honest enough to share with the other or to cross the imaginary lines they have drawn.
Once again, Erica Ridley serves up a large portion of turmoil, misunderstanding and desperate love to be fought for and once again, the struggle of her characters reflect the era, the customs and the devastation of a war left behind only physically. Grab your parasol and your lace hanky, you may need them both!
I received an ARC edition from Intrepid Reads in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Dukes of War - Book 5
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Intrepid Reads
ISBN 9781939713377
Genre: Historical Romance
Print Length: 146 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride by Erica Ridley is another spellbinding addition to the Dukes of War series that brings forth another heart-wrenching tale of a love that seems doomed as two people forget to share their thoughts, their lives and their emotions as they once did. One tries to be the perfect mate, doing what was expected, feeling unworthy of the love received. Another gets lost in feeling too imperfect after the birth of a child. Neither being honest enough to share with the other or to cross the imaginary lines they have drawn.
Once again, Erica Ridley serves up a large portion of turmoil, misunderstanding and desperate love to be fought for and once again, the struggle of her characters reflect the era, the customs and the devastation of a war left behind only physically. Grab your parasol and your lace hanky, you may need them both!
I received an ARC edition from Intrepid Reads in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Dukes of War - Book 5
Publication Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Intrepid Reads
ISBN 9781939713377
Genre: Historical Romance
Print Length: 146 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
September 15, 2015
3 Stars
I received a free eARC of this book from Intrepid Reads via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Dukes of War series has been a back and forth experience for me. I thought it took some time for the series to get going, but the fourth book (The Major's Faux Fiancée) was enjoyable and I was looking forward to this installment. I also was excited because poor Sarah Fairfax and the long-lost Edmund Blackpool would finally be able to reunite and get their well-deserved happy ending.
Sarah and Edmund were betrothed before the war started and they spent one amazing night together. The next day Edmund was gravely injured and thought to be dead by his brother and his friends. Sarah is devastated by her betrothed's death and her life just gets worse when she discovers that she is pregnant. Earlier books in the series have shown Edmund's friends trying to help Sarah with the Duke of Ravenwood offering to marry her. And, of course, things are thrown for a loop when Edmund shows up at the wedding and discovers the truth about what has been going on for the past eight and a half months.
While I got through The Brigadier's Runaway Bride pretty quickly, I found myself a little disappointed. Edmund and Sarah's story had so much potential, but the whole thing felt rushed and unsatisfactory. I thought the development of both characters was well-done. Sarah had a difficult time after Edmund went missing and I admired her ability to be realistic about her situation. And I felt for Edmund who did everything he could to return to her and was shocked by what he came back to. But, as a couple, they kept being put in situations without being allowed to just be together and I felt like the romance suffered. I also wished that more time had been given to the issues that Edmund brought back from the war because it felt like it was just glossed over.
I hated to have this type of reaction to a book that I was really looking forward to. I do still enjoy Erica Ridley's writing so I will continue with the series, but I will go into them with more hesitation than I did this time.
I received a free eARC of this book from Intrepid Reads via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Dukes of War series has been a back and forth experience for me. I thought it took some time for the series to get going, but the fourth book (The Major's Faux Fiancée) was enjoyable and I was looking forward to this installment. I also was excited because poor Sarah Fairfax and the long-lost Edmund Blackpool would finally be able to reunite and get their well-deserved happy ending.
Sarah and Edmund were betrothed before the war started and they spent one amazing night together. The next day Edmund was gravely injured and thought to be dead by his brother and his friends. Sarah is devastated by her betrothed's death and her life just gets worse when she discovers that she is pregnant. Earlier books in the series have shown Edmund's friends trying to help Sarah with the Duke of Ravenwood offering to marry her. And, of course, things are thrown for a loop when Edmund shows up at the wedding and discovers the truth about what has been going on for the past eight and a half months.
While I got through The Brigadier's Runaway Bride pretty quickly, I found myself a little disappointed. Edmund and Sarah's story had so much potential, but the whole thing felt rushed and unsatisfactory. I thought the development of both characters was well-done. Sarah had a difficult time after Edmund went missing and I admired her ability to be realistic about her situation. And I felt for Edmund who did everything he could to return to her and was shocked by what he came back to. But, as a couple, they kept being put in situations without being allowed to just be together and I felt like the romance suffered. I also wished that more time had been given to the issues that Edmund brought back from the war because it felt like it was just glossed over.
I hated to have this type of reaction to a book that I was really looking forward to. I do still enjoy Erica Ridley's writing so I will continue with the series, but I will go into them with more hesitation than I did this time.
July 9, 2024
⭐
1 star.
👎
DNF @ 40%.
Foolish/immature main characters.
OTT miscommunication/misunderstandings.
The plot is too jumbled/disjointed…. But also rather thin/flat.
Zero chemistry and tension between the main characters.
Too anachronistic.
Tedious/boring.
Underwhelming.
1 star.
👎
DNF @ 40%.
Foolish/immature main characters.
OTT miscommunication/misunderstandings.
The plot is too jumbled/disjointed…. But also rather thin/flat.
Zero chemistry and tension between the main characters.
Too anachronistic.
Tedious/boring.
Underwhelming.
September 5, 2015
ARC REVIEW
The Dukes of War book 5, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride was one that I was looking forward to. I have read all the other books in the series and throughout the books I had been hoping that the death of Brigadier General Edmund Blackpool had been greatly exaggerated. I was happy when I found out I was right. I love stories like this two people so in love but have grown and are different from the young person they once were but still stick it out and deal with it and figure out no matter what they will always love each other.
Edmund Blackpool was left for dead on the Waterloo battlefield. He woke up in a Polish convent and his only thought was getting back to Sarah. Eight months ago Sarah was able to sneak away and visit Edmund before he went of to battle in Waterloo. Confessions of love were spoken and an unofficial engagement happened. Edmund has traveled all the way back only to find the one woman he has ever loved standing up about to marry another man, and very pregnant.
Sarah Fairfax thought her love was dead and then she found out she was pregnant with his child. Raised with an unsteady flux of money she was determined not to have that for her baby and even though it felt like a betrayal she agreed to Ravenwoods proposal. When during the ceremony Edmund shows up and claims his bride. Sarah is relieved and scared at the same time. She is relieved that Edmund is alive and still wants to marry her, but she is scared that he is only marrying her because she is pregnant and everything afterward. Edmund feels betrayed, by his friends for not coming back for him and because Sarah didn't wait. He doesn't blame the he understands it but it still hurts. He is now afraid of not being a good father and a good husband, he is scared that Sarah no longer loves the man he has become. Sarah and Edmund have a hard time being parents not knowing what they are doing. Love conquers all, especially when there is trust and communication to go with it.
Overall, it was short, and kinda sweet. A little rushed but enjoyable none the less. I really look forward to Ravenwoods story I think he really needs his HEA.
The Dukes of War book 5, The Brigadier's Runaway Bride was one that I was looking forward to. I have read all the other books in the series and throughout the books I had been hoping that the death of Brigadier General Edmund Blackpool had been greatly exaggerated. I was happy when I found out I was right. I love stories like this two people so in love but have grown and are different from the young person they once were but still stick it out and deal with it and figure out no matter what they will always love each other.
Edmund Blackpool was left for dead on the Waterloo battlefield. He woke up in a Polish convent and his only thought was getting back to Sarah. Eight months ago Sarah was able to sneak away and visit Edmund before he went of to battle in Waterloo. Confessions of love were spoken and an unofficial engagement happened. Edmund has traveled all the way back only to find the one woman he has ever loved standing up about to marry another man, and very pregnant.
Sarah Fairfax thought her love was dead and then she found out she was pregnant with his child. Raised with an unsteady flux of money she was determined not to have that for her baby and even though it felt like a betrayal she agreed to Ravenwoods proposal. When during the ceremony Edmund shows up and claims his bride. Sarah is relieved and scared at the same time. She is relieved that Edmund is alive and still wants to marry her, but she is scared that he is only marrying her because she is pregnant and everything afterward. Edmund feels betrayed, by his friends for not coming back for him and because Sarah didn't wait. He doesn't blame the he understands it but it still hurts. He is now afraid of not being a good father and a good husband, he is scared that Sarah no longer loves the man he has become. Sarah and Edmund have a hard time being parents not knowing what they are doing. Love conquers all, especially when there is trust and communication to go with it.
Overall, it was short, and kinda sweet. A little rushed but enjoyable none the less. I really look forward to Ravenwoods story I think he really needs his HEA.
February 14, 2017
In Regency England being unwed and pregnant is the worst possible situation to be found in. Miss Sarah Fairfax has managed to get herself into that harrowing predicament. The unborn child's father is Brigadier Edmund Blackpool, shot through the chest and left for dead on the battlefield of Waterloo. Everyone, including the Brigadier's identical twin, Major Bartholomew Blackpool, also badly injured there, concludes the same. Enter Edmund's life-long friend, the duke of Ravenswood who sacrificially offers to wed Sarah in order to give her unborn child legitimacy. In the most impossible coincidence, A very much-alive Edmund crashes the wedding of Sarah and the duke to rescue her from a loveless marriage! Suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome, Edmund is a frightening specter and causes Sarah to temporarily flee his presence and hide out. This fifth installment of the Dukes of War series is a tough one to review without treading into spoiler territory. Let me just say that the off-spring of Edmund and Sarah practically steals the show! This was definitely not my favorite in the series but I still enjoyed the inclusion of the lovable characters from the other romances in this series. As a former Vietnam veteran, I appreciated the treatment of PTSD by the author but found the struggle of the two lovers to regain their former romance somewhat unsatisfying. There is also the obligatory sexual scene which this reviewer would have rather been left out (okay, so they are married) but I realize I'm in the minority here. As always, I have no criticism of the author's writing style - only the somewhat awkward story line. However, I still enjoyed enough it because I have already purchased the final two books in the series: The Pirate's tempting stowaway and The Duke's Accidental Wife.
August 20, 2015
I really enjoyed the others in this series. REALLY enjoyed them, but this one, provided by the publisher/author through netgalley, not so much.
I'll admit that a lot of that is probably totally personal to me and my own likes and dislikes. When I had my daughter, I spent the first 6 months in a haze comprised of hormones, tea, sore boobs and literally no sleep. Quite frankly, when I'm reading a romance to relax, I don't want to be reminded of those awful days. It doesn't make me feel relaxed, intrigued, entertained and certainly not remotely romantic.
I'll also admit that I had a problem with the dead-twin-coming-back-from-the-dead thing. It was just so obvious that it made my roll my eyes and wander whether the story would have been better if the heroine had ended up with Ravenswood.
Finally, it felt as though nothing was really resolved except that the heroine caught up on her sleep and the hero and heroine made love for the first time after the birth of their twins. I don't expect total resolution in romances, or completely neat ends all tied up tight, but I do expect there to be some sense of closure beyond the feeling that their marriage was doomed to failure because of the overbearing interference of the hero's mother.
It was all a bit disappointing really, because the others were so enjoyable.
2 stars. It was OK.
I'll admit that a lot of that is probably totally personal to me and my own likes and dislikes. When I had my daughter, I spent the first 6 months in a haze comprised of hormones, tea, sore boobs and literally no sleep. Quite frankly, when I'm reading a romance to relax, I don't want to be reminded of those awful days. It doesn't make me feel relaxed, intrigued, entertained and certainly not remotely romantic.
I'll also admit that I had a problem with the dead-twin-coming-back-from-the-dead thing. It was just so obvious that it made my roll my eyes and wander whether the story would have been better if the heroine had ended up with Ravenswood.
Finally, it felt as though nothing was really resolved except that the heroine caught up on her sleep and the hero and heroine made love for the first time after the birth of their twins. I don't expect total resolution in romances, or completely neat ends all tied up tight, but I do expect there to be some sense of closure beyond the feeling that their marriage was doomed to failure because of the overbearing interference of the hero's mother.
It was all a bit disappointing really, because the others were so enjoyable.
2 stars. It was OK.
August 29, 2015
Whilst this will work well as a standalone story, having been lucky enough to read the earlier stories in this series, it was great to catch up on the 'Dukes' - and especially Edmund - again.
With many dramatic events, people reconnecting but wary after the turmoil of recent years - not to mention an over the top fussy Mum - the return of Edmund and his discovery that Sarah is having his child is emotively shared making it easy for readers to empathise with the characters. The relating of events from different points of view enhance them and draw the reader in to the story. It is a heart breaking story of love found, lost and rediscovered but only after the two reconnect to each other.
His feelings of inadequacy because he's been missing for so long make him attempt to be the perfect husband whilst still sorely affected by his war time experiences. This is contrasted to her worries about how tired she feels, worries about her body has changed during and after pregnancy, making her feel unsightly and wary of any intimacy together with coping with being a new mother all add turmoil, misunderstandings and dilemma to the story, none of which can be resolved till they give their love a chance and trust each other and their hearts once more.
This is a great addition to the series and ideal for anyone who enjoys historical romance from the Regency era in England!
With many dramatic events, people reconnecting but wary after the turmoil of recent years - not to mention an over the top fussy Mum - the return of Edmund and his discovery that Sarah is having his child is emotively shared making it easy for readers to empathise with the characters. The relating of events from different points of view enhance them and draw the reader in to the story. It is a heart breaking story of love found, lost and rediscovered but only after the two reconnect to each other.
His feelings of inadequacy because he's been missing for so long make him attempt to be the perfect husband whilst still sorely affected by his war time experiences. This is contrasted to her worries about how tired she feels, worries about her body has changed during and after pregnancy, making her feel unsightly and wary of any intimacy together with coping with being a new mother all add turmoil, misunderstandings and dilemma to the story, none of which can be resolved till they give their love a chance and trust each other and their hearts once more.
This is a great addition to the series and ideal for anyone who enjoys historical romance from the Regency era in England!
September 7, 2015
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review via NetGalley.
2.5*
Opinion in Portuguese: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2015/...
This was my first NetGalley book. I’ve never heard about this author, so it was all completely new.
In this historical romance, we have a story with a different perspective: usually, we read about what happens before the marriage and kids, how the couple met, if it was love at first sight, and so on. Here, the book focuses on the post-marriage part, and the birth of not one baby, but twins (double the work load!).
Sarah and Edward felled in love at first sight apparently, and before he went off to war, they decided that making love would be a good idea, considering that when he came back they would marry. Well, 8 and something months later, the girl has a huge “bun in the oven” and the guy is presumed dead.
Edward’s friends, even though they only appear in the book a few times, they looked like interesting characters, willing to do anything to help Sarah (who was pregnant and had no baby daddy).
When Edward miraculously returns from war and expects to find his bride worrying about him and why wasn’t he found, his life turns around: instead of being just a fiancé in love, he becomes a daddy just a few days after he marries Sarah, so that his baby boys are not born illegitimate.
The book tries to deal (just a bit) with post-traumatic stress. If you want to work in something like that, at least try to develop it more than just saying he was scarred of loud noises; show the reader what happened, not only to the main character but to the ones surrounding him! Because everyone hurts, even if in different ways.
The love and romance should have been more developed, you can see (and feel) the love they have for their children, but the love for each other isn’t very present.
The writing was a bit repetitive, the descriptions of the characters and places were weak and should have been more explored.
Despite all this, the book took the job (because it’s a real job!) that is to raise two children, twins, without a lot of money and with difficult problems that would take time to overcome, even with the support of friends and family (again, something that could have been more developed). The book could have been bigger, better, even though it ends with the promise of something better for this family.
2.5*
Opinion in Portuguese: http://pepitamagica.blogspot.pt/2015/...
This was my first NetGalley book. I’ve never heard about this author, so it was all completely new.
In this historical romance, we have a story with a different perspective: usually, we read about what happens before the marriage and kids, how the couple met, if it was love at first sight, and so on. Here, the book focuses on the post-marriage part, and the birth of not one baby, but twins (double the work load!).
Sarah and Edward felled in love at first sight apparently, and before he went off to war, they decided that making love would be a good idea, considering that when he came back they would marry. Well, 8 and something months later, the girl has a huge “bun in the oven” and the guy is presumed dead.
Edward’s friends, even though they only appear in the book a few times, they looked like interesting characters, willing to do anything to help Sarah (who was pregnant and had no baby daddy).
When Edward miraculously returns from war and expects to find his bride worrying about him and why wasn’t he found, his life turns around: instead of being just a fiancé in love, he becomes a daddy just a few days after he marries Sarah, so that his baby boys are not born illegitimate.
The book tries to deal (just a bit) with post-traumatic stress. If you want to work in something like that, at least try to develop it more than just saying he was scarred of loud noises; show the reader what happened, not only to the main character but to the ones surrounding him! Because everyone hurts, even if in different ways.
The love and romance should have been more developed, you can see (and feel) the love they have for their children, but the love for each other isn’t very present.
The writing was a bit repetitive, the descriptions of the characters and places were weak and should have been more explored.
Despite all this, the book took the job (because it’s a real job!) that is to raise two children, twins, without a lot of money and with difficult problems that would take time to overcome, even with the support of friends and family (again, something that could have been more developed). The book could have been bigger, better, even though it ends with the promise of something better for this family.
September 2, 2015
Happy Release Week!
This is the 5th book in the Dukes of War Series. You don't need to read the rest to be caught up here, although it was lovely to see many of the characters from previous books wander through these pages.
Edmund arrives back in England eight months after having been shot and left for dead. In fact, his brother and friends saw him go down and knew he had to be dead from the horrific wound. He arrives just as his beloved is nearly married to one of his friends. He's so grateful to have arrived in the nick of time, a joyful reunion filled with intimacies on his mind...and then Sarah turns. And he sees how very far along in pregnancy she is. Thankfully all involved immediately assure him the babe is his. This wedding is stopped, and a wedding between the two of them is arranged.
This is the story of how Edmund and Sarah find their way back to the love and joy they had when they last met. It is certainly a learning experience for them both. They both needed to learn and grow and it was enjoyable to see them do so.
I took a bit of rating away for repetition in the narrative. As anyone who reads my reviews knows, that is a real hardship for me. I tend to skim the bits we've seen over and over and I begin to want my red pen.
Besides that, this was a very worthy installment in the Dukes of War series. And now I want the next one!
Thank you, Intrepid and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book.
This is the 5th book in the Dukes of War Series. You don't need to read the rest to be caught up here, although it was lovely to see many of the characters from previous books wander through these pages.
Edmund arrives back in England eight months after having been shot and left for dead. In fact, his brother and friends saw him go down and knew he had to be dead from the horrific wound. He arrives just as his beloved is nearly married to one of his friends. He's so grateful to have arrived in the nick of time, a joyful reunion filled with intimacies on his mind...and then Sarah turns. And he sees how very far along in pregnancy she is. Thankfully all involved immediately assure him the babe is his. This wedding is stopped, and a wedding between the two of them is arranged.
This is the story of how Edmund and Sarah find their way back to the love and joy they had when they last met. It is certainly a learning experience for them both. They both needed to learn and grow and it was enjoyable to see them do so.
I took a bit of rating away for repetition in the narrative. As anyone who reads my reviews knows, that is a real hardship for me. I tend to skim the bits we've seen over and over and I begin to want my red pen.
Besides that, this was a very worthy installment in the Dukes of War series. And now I want the next one!
Thank you, Intrepid and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book.
October 10, 2017
Sarah Fairfax is marrying a man she doesn't love but for the sake of her child she is carrying she knows she has no other choice. The man she loves and was engaged she believes is dead, that is until he crashes the wedding.
Quickly paced. I felt for Sarah as she was in an impossible situation given the era and knew what it would mean for her child. While the love is still there for both Sarah and Edmund they have to reconnect and they have a lot they have to navigate as a married couple. Entertaining story, would check out the other books in the series.
Quickly paced. I felt for Sarah as she was in an impossible situation given the era and knew what it would mean for her child. While the love is still there for both Sarah and Edmund they have to reconnect and they have a lot they have to navigate as a married couple. Entertaining story, would check out the other books in the series.
May 19, 2017
I've been hoping that Edmund Blackpool would turn out to be alive, so I really liked the premise of this book. Just as his heavily pregnant finance, Sarah, is about to marry another man in order to secure the future for her child, Edmund turns up and stops the wedding. Sarah is ecstatic to have Edmund back, but after what they've been through, both are carrying some baggage that keeps them from communicating with one another openly. As they struggle together as new parents, they both worry about their future and how they will take care of their family.
Sarah and Edmund were wonderful characters, and the storyline kept me interested. I'm looking forward to the next book of the series.
Sarah and Edmund were wonderful characters, and the storyline kept me interested. I'm looking forward to the next book of the series.
September 7, 2020
Nice, and sweet too.
September 19, 2015
Childhood sweethearts torn asunder by war; Will they rediscover the love they lost?
He stole her first kiss. And then he stole her heart.
THE BRIGADIER'S RUNAWAY BRIDE by Erica Ridley is an enjoyable, but heart-wrenching, regency historical romance and the fifth book in her Dukes of War series. The Dukes of War regency romance series features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.
All the books in this series work very well as standalones if that is your preference. I'm reading the series out-of-order and don't feel that it has materially affected my enjoyment of it. That said, I have read posts by other reviewers that the enjoyment of recurring characters and series subplots will be greatly increased if the series is read in order.
Here is the suggested reading order:
1. THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION- Currently free at most major retailers My review of it can be found here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
2. THE EARL'S DEFIANT WALLFLOWER
3. CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS
4. THE MAJOR'S FAUX FIANCE'
5. THE BRIGADIER'S RUNAWAY BRIDE
THE BRIGADIER'S RUNAWAY BRIDE is a second chance at love tale with a hero suffering from PTSD and a heroine with her own problems. Together they must find a way to re-unite as a family and rediscover the passion that had been theirs before the war. This was the love story of Miss Sarah Fairfax and Brigadier Edmund Blackpool.
They had been childhood friends and evolved into a young couple madly in love. They had one joyous weekend, a last fling before he went into combat. Then he had gone missing after Waterloo. His brother and friends witnessed him go down and knew he had to be dead from the horrific wound....until he showed up in the nick of time to stop Sarah's wedding to the Duke, one of his best friends.
That last fling resulted in a pregnancy for Sarah. The Duke had offered to marry her so that the baby that Edmund had sired would not be born branded as a bastard. They had waited to marry until the last possible moment as Sarah had felt that she was betraying Edmund by marrying his best friend. But she had to think of the child and she was due to deliver at any time. Edmund had been her heart and soul, but this new Edmund who stopped her marriage to the Duke was a stranger to her. With a child now to raise, could they recapture the love and joy they had lost? It will be a difficult, emotional journey for them both.
I became enamored with this series when I listened to the delightful first book, THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys sexy regency romances peppered with angst and tempered with humor. I already have the other books on my reader and hope to catch up with the series soon! I can't wait for the next book in the series, THE PIRATE'S TEMPTING STOWAWAY, releasing in December 2015. I love pirates!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
3 1/2 Wine Glasses!
He stole her first kiss. And then he stole her heart.
THE BRIGADIER'S RUNAWAY BRIDE by Erica Ridley is an enjoyable, but heart-wrenching, regency historical romance and the fifth book in her Dukes of War series. The Dukes of War regency romance series features roguish peers and dashing war heroes who return from battle only to be thrust into the splendor and madness of Regency England.
All the books in this series work very well as standalones if that is your preference. I'm reading the series out-of-order and don't feel that it has materially affected my enjoyment of it. That said, I have read posts by other reviewers that the enjoyment of recurring characters and series subplots will be greatly increased if the series is read in order.
Here is the suggested reading order:
1. THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION- Currently free at most major retailers My review of it can be found here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
2. THE EARL'S DEFIANT WALLFLOWER
3. CAPTAIN'S BLUESTOCKING MISTRESS
4. THE MAJOR'S FAUX FIANCE'
5. THE BRIGADIER'S RUNAWAY BRIDE
THE BRIGADIER'S RUNAWAY BRIDE is a second chance at love tale with a hero suffering from PTSD and a heroine with her own problems. Together they must find a way to re-unite as a family and rediscover the passion that had been theirs before the war. This was the love story of Miss Sarah Fairfax and Brigadier Edmund Blackpool.
They had been childhood friends and evolved into a young couple madly in love. They had one joyous weekend, a last fling before he went into combat. Then he had gone missing after Waterloo. His brother and friends witnessed him go down and knew he had to be dead from the horrific wound....until he showed up in the nick of time to stop Sarah's wedding to the Duke, one of his best friends.
That last fling resulted in a pregnancy for Sarah. The Duke had offered to marry her so that the baby that Edmund had sired would not be born branded as a bastard. They had waited to marry until the last possible moment as Sarah had felt that she was betraying Edmund by marrying his best friend. But she had to think of the child and she was due to deliver at any time. Edmund had been her heart and soul, but this new Edmund who stopped her marriage to the Duke was a stranger to her. With a child now to raise, could they recapture the love and joy they had lost? It will be a difficult, emotional journey for them both.
I became enamored with this series when I listened to the delightful first book, THE VISCOUNT'S CHRISTMAS TEMPTATION. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys sexy regency romances peppered with angst and tempered with humor. I already have the other books on my reader and hope to catch up with the series soon! I can't wait for the next book in the series, THE PIRATE'S TEMPTING STOWAWAY, releasing in December 2015. I love pirates!
My full review is posted at Reading Between The Wines Book Club. Please check it out here: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...
3 1/2 Wine Glasses!
August 28, 2015
There are books you love and there are books you are unsure about and this one fits into the 2nd group. I don’t say that I didn’t love it but it was different.
“The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride” is the 5th installment in the “The Dukes of War” series by Erica Ridley. I just finished part 4 a couple of days ago.
I liked all the other parts but I am unsure, like I said, about this one. Maybe there were too many sore boobs? I am no mother and I dare not to imagine what Sarah went through after she gave birth – suddenly to twins (what a miracle, very predictable in my opinion).
She is about to marry Ravenwood but suddenly the – SPOILER (!) – dead thought former lover, Edmund Blackpool returns the moment the priest is about to declare their marriage. The next 200 pages is about their relationship, their parenthood and a lot of sore boobs. I don’t mind nursing mothers and all those things but this was a bit too much for my taste.
Next to all that I didn’t like Edmund – I hated him in the beginning for returning and I disliked him in the end, I couldn’t feel any sympathy for him. Yes, he took care of Sarah and the kids but there were no emotions, nothing like that.
Maybe I’d liked Sarah’s story more if she’d gotten married to Ravenwood who would learn to love her and the twins who weren’t his – but he was willing to give his dukedom to those kids without a second thought.
Rating: 3***
“The Brigadier’s Runaway Bride” is the 5th installment in the “The Dukes of War” series by Erica Ridley. I just finished part 4 a couple of days ago.
I liked all the other parts but I am unsure, like I said, about this one. Maybe there were too many sore boobs? I am no mother and I dare not to imagine what Sarah went through after she gave birth – suddenly to twins (what a miracle, very predictable in my opinion).
She is about to marry Ravenwood but suddenly the – SPOILER (!) – dead thought former lover, Edmund Blackpool returns the moment the priest is about to declare their marriage. The next 200 pages is about their relationship, their parenthood and a lot of sore boobs. I don’t mind nursing mothers and all those things but this was a bit too much for my taste.
Next to all that I didn’t like Edmund – I hated him in the beginning for returning and I disliked him in the end, I couldn’t feel any sympathy for him. Yes, he took care of Sarah and the kids but there were no emotions, nothing like that.
Maybe I’d liked Sarah’s story more if she’d gotten married to Ravenwood who would learn to love her and the twins who weren’t his – but he was willing to give his dukedom to those kids without a second thought.
Rating: 3***
September 6, 2015
What a thrilling journey of the heart!
What is a girl to do when faced with the fact she's pregnant is about to have a child out of wedlock, yet the fathers been killed in battle. Marry his best friend who's a duke. But what happens when he comes back from supposed death at the 11th hour.
Sarah and Edmund's story is one that I really enjoy. There is none of the love/hate relationships you see so often now. Just two people in love trying to make it together. Sarah is worried for Edmund, hes not the man that went off to war & the stress of a new child might be to much for him. How can you not love them both as they wad through the complications of marriage and parenthood while trying to find themselves all over again. Poor man is dealing with what we now call PTSD, It warms the heart and make you cheer them on as they find a balance to find their HEA
I wish the book could have lasted longer, I wanted to much more. Which is only in a greedy way, the author thankfully didn't bog down the pages with cannon fodder. I just love this couple that much, would enjoy another look at them later in the series.
What is a girl to do when faced with the fact she's pregnant is about to have a child out of wedlock, yet the fathers been killed in battle. Marry his best friend who's a duke. But what happens when he comes back from supposed death at the 11th hour.
Sarah and Edmund's story is one that I really enjoy. There is none of the love/hate relationships you see so often now. Just two people in love trying to make it together. Sarah is worried for Edmund, hes not the man that went off to war & the stress of a new child might be to much for him. How can you not love them both as they wad through the complications of marriage and parenthood while trying to find themselves all over again. Poor man is dealing with what we now call PTSD, It warms the heart and make you cheer them on as they find a balance to find their HEA
I wish the book could have lasted longer, I wanted to much more. Which is only in a greedy way, the author thankfully didn't bog down the pages with cannon fodder. I just love this couple that much, would enjoy another look at them later in the series.
August 15, 2015
It was Sarah's wedding and she should be happy but she is pregnant and the man she loved is dead. But is he really. Edmund was serious injured in the battle of Waterloo and has fought his way back to the women he loves. Only to find she is marrying his friend today so what does he do? He goes and stops the wedding. Edmund and Sarah marry but they both have issues with their selves Sarah feels she is ugly after giving birth, Edmund can't block out what happened in the war and only want to protect his family from anything that can hurt them. So will Sarah and Edmund find their way back to each other?
I love Erica Ridleys books. I hope you give one of her books a try you won't regret it.
I love Erica Ridleys books. I hope you give one of her books a try you won't regret it.
August 25, 2015
Sarah thought her betrothed was lost at Waterloo and herself lost with the child growing inside, when their mutual friend stepped up to save her reputation.
Standing at the altar she´s surprised when her lost love returns from the dead.
Edmund has fought his way back to the woman he loves only to find her about to marry someone else. Can they still get their Happily Ever After, after all?
Historical Romance, emotions, fluffy smut and family fluff in a great combo.
Love seeing the Dukes of War getting their happy ending <3
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
Standing at the altar she´s surprised when her lost love returns from the dead.
Edmund has fought his way back to the woman he loves only to find her about to marry someone else. Can they still get their Happily Ever After, after all?
Historical Romance, emotions, fluffy smut and family fluff in a great combo.
Love seeing the Dukes of War getting their happy ending <3
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
October 10, 2018
3.5 - Voto
.
"La maggior parte delle donne sarebbe stata felicissima al pensiero di stare per diventare duchessa.
La signorina Sarah Fairfax, tuttavia, non era la maggior parte delle donne. In primo luogo, si trovava di fronte ad un altare temporaneo in un’alcova privata della tenuta londinese del duca di Ravenwood, con le spalle dritte, la testa alta e il ventre gonfio per la gravidanza. In secondo luogo, Ravenwood – il duca bello e appetibile che Sarah stava per sposare – non era il padre del bambino che aspettava. Costui era Edmund Blackpool, il ragazzo con i riccioli d’oro arruffati e gli occhi azzurri da sogno che le avevano rubato il fiato e il cuore fin da quando erano bambini. Edmund era tutto ciò che Sarah desiderava… e tutto ciò che non avrebbe mai avuto."
.
La figura di Edmund Blackpool, il protagonista di questo nuovo capitolo, ha aleggiato su tutti i libri precedenti incidendo moltissimo nella vita dei personaggi che abbiamo imparato a conoscere.
Dato per morto sul campo di battaglia, l’uomo ha lasciato i suoi amici e il suo gemello pieni di sensi di colpa e di rimpianti. Bartholomew ha faticato a perdonare il Conte di Carlisle che, rischiando la propria vita sotto i colpi di fucile e di cannone, lo ha trascinato verso la salvezza, strappandolo a forza dal corpo insanguinato del gemello, sapendo di poter salvare solo uno di loro. Nonostante sia passato molto tempo il loro rapporto di amicizia è ancora in una fase delicata e Bartholomew, incapace di separarsi dai ricordi di Edmund, ha conservato i suoi beni e la sua casa così come lui li aveva lasciati.
Ma nel corso degli ultimi mesi è emersa una situazione ben più problematica che angoscia tutti gli amici: Sarah, la donna che Edmund amava e voleva sposare al ritorno dalla guerra, sta per avere un figlio, frutto della loro ultima notte insieme, un bambino che per la società sarà un bastardo e renderà la vita di sua madre solitaria.
Dopo aver cercato in tutti i modi una soluzione, il Duca di Ravenwood, l’unico fra gli amici a non essere partito per la guerra a causa del suo titolo, decide di fare un sacrificio estremo: lui, che era l’unico a desiderare un matrimonio d’amore, decide di sposare Sarah facendo del figlio di Edmund il suo erede e della sua fidanzata una duchessa.
Ed è proprio mentre si stanno celebrando queste nozze che inizia questo nuovo capitolo.
Una Sarah disperata è in procinto di sposare un uomo che non ama per dare a suo figlio un futuro migliore, ma proprio mentre sembra che tutto sia deciso, un fantasma del passato interrompe la cerimonia. Edmund è vivo ed è tornato per riprendersi la donna amata, ma l’uomo di oggi è ben diverso dal giovane allegro e affascinante del passato e Sarah, ormai prossima al parto, non è più la leggiadra fanciulla che lui corteggiava.
Questa della Ridley è una serie che inneggia all’amicizia e all’amore fraterno, l’affetto che questi uomini provano l’uno per l’altro è davvero enorme.
Il conte di Carlisle non ha esitato un attimo a rischiare la vita pur di salvare i suoi amici, ma incalzato dal nemico non ha potuto che scegliere chi salvare dei due, aiutato dal fatto che le ferite di Edmund sembravano mortali. Il gesto eroico gli ha salvato la vita seppur con la perdita di una gamba ma Bartholomew, per molto tempo, non ha voluto perdonare l’amico salvatore e solo recentemente i due si sono riavvicinati anche grazie alle loro mogli.
Nonostante ciò il conte non ha mai smesso di preoccuparsi e di provare rimorso per la decisione che è stato costretto a perdere. Per Bartholomew vivere senza il suo gemello equivale ad essere privato di una parte di sé; il legame con il fratello è così forte da avergli impedito di vendere le cose gli erano appartenute.
È stato difficile per lui scoprire che Sarah gli ha tenuto nascosta la sua condizione, nonostante capisca che la decisione che lei ha preso è la sola possibile.
Ma il ritorno di Edmund cambia tutto e se da una parte rende gli amici incredibilmente felici, per la giovane donna inizia un cammino volto a ritrovare in quell’uomo così cambiato il ragazzo che fin dall’adolescenza ha colpito il suo cuore.
Dopo il primo colpo di scena, che avevamo comunque già letto nel libro precedente, in questo nuovo capitolo in realtà non accade molto; è tutto un lento riscoprirsi da parte di due persone che il destino ha cambiato profondamente. Entrambi sono in preda alle paure, e se Sarah crede di non essere bella agli occhi del marito, Edmond da parte sua pensa di essere ben poca cosa rispetto ad un Duca che sicuramente avrebbe reso la vita della ragazza semplice e piena di ricchezze.
È poi il racconto di ciò che accade all’arrivo di un bambino, quello sconvolgersi della vita che, se da una parte rende tutto bello e sorprendente, dall’altra ti lascia stanca priva di tempo per te stessa e le persone che ami.
È un libro dolce e romantico, che racconta di due persone che non credono di essere abbastanza per coloro che amano, che non si sentono più perfetti e che devono trovare il coraggio di essere onesti l’uno con l’altro per poter tornare ad essere felici. Un capitolo in cui l’azione è poca e la trama è abbastanza lineare per una serie carina, che racconta storie d’amore molto tenere che si leggono con piacere anche se non particolarmente originali, e che vedrà come prossimo protagonista un affascinante pirata.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
.
"La maggior parte delle donne sarebbe stata felicissima al pensiero di stare per diventare duchessa.
La signorina Sarah Fairfax, tuttavia, non era la maggior parte delle donne. In primo luogo, si trovava di fronte ad un altare temporaneo in un’alcova privata della tenuta londinese del duca di Ravenwood, con le spalle dritte, la testa alta e il ventre gonfio per la gravidanza. In secondo luogo, Ravenwood – il duca bello e appetibile che Sarah stava per sposare – non era il padre del bambino che aspettava. Costui era Edmund Blackpool, il ragazzo con i riccioli d’oro arruffati e gli occhi azzurri da sogno che le avevano rubato il fiato e il cuore fin da quando erano bambini. Edmund era tutto ciò che Sarah desiderava… e tutto ciò che non avrebbe mai avuto."
.
La figura di Edmund Blackpool, il protagonista di questo nuovo capitolo, ha aleggiato su tutti i libri precedenti incidendo moltissimo nella vita dei personaggi che abbiamo imparato a conoscere.
Dato per morto sul campo di battaglia, l’uomo ha lasciato i suoi amici e il suo gemello pieni di sensi di colpa e di rimpianti. Bartholomew ha faticato a perdonare il Conte di Carlisle che, rischiando la propria vita sotto i colpi di fucile e di cannone, lo ha trascinato verso la salvezza, strappandolo a forza dal corpo insanguinato del gemello, sapendo di poter salvare solo uno di loro. Nonostante sia passato molto tempo il loro rapporto di amicizia è ancora in una fase delicata e Bartholomew, incapace di separarsi dai ricordi di Edmund, ha conservato i suoi beni e la sua casa così come lui li aveva lasciati.
Ma nel corso degli ultimi mesi è emersa una situazione ben più problematica che angoscia tutti gli amici: Sarah, la donna che Edmund amava e voleva sposare al ritorno dalla guerra, sta per avere un figlio, frutto della loro ultima notte insieme, un bambino che per la società sarà un bastardo e renderà la vita di sua madre solitaria.
Dopo aver cercato in tutti i modi una soluzione, il Duca di Ravenwood, l’unico fra gli amici a non essere partito per la guerra a causa del suo titolo, decide di fare un sacrificio estremo: lui, che era l’unico a desiderare un matrimonio d’amore, decide di sposare Sarah facendo del figlio di Edmund il suo erede e della sua fidanzata una duchessa.
Ed è proprio mentre si stanno celebrando queste nozze che inizia questo nuovo capitolo.
Una Sarah disperata è in procinto di sposare un uomo che non ama per dare a suo figlio un futuro migliore, ma proprio mentre sembra che tutto sia deciso, un fantasma del passato interrompe la cerimonia. Edmund è vivo ed è tornato per riprendersi la donna amata, ma l’uomo di oggi è ben diverso dal giovane allegro e affascinante del passato e Sarah, ormai prossima al parto, non è più la leggiadra fanciulla che lui corteggiava.
Questa della Ridley è una serie che inneggia all’amicizia e all’amore fraterno, l’affetto che questi uomini provano l’uno per l’altro è davvero enorme.
Il conte di Carlisle non ha esitato un attimo a rischiare la vita pur di salvare i suoi amici, ma incalzato dal nemico non ha potuto che scegliere chi salvare dei due, aiutato dal fatto che le ferite di Edmund sembravano mortali. Il gesto eroico gli ha salvato la vita seppur con la perdita di una gamba ma Bartholomew, per molto tempo, non ha voluto perdonare l’amico salvatore e solo recentemente i due si sono riavvicinati anche grazie alle loro mogli.
Nonostante ciò il conte non ha mai smesso di preoccuparsi e di provare rimorso per la decisione che è stato costretto a perdere. Per Bartholomew vivere senza il suo gemello equivale ad essere privato di una parte di sé; il legame con il fratello è così forte da avergli impedito di vendere le cose gli erano appartenute.
È stato difficile per lui scoprire che Sarah gli ha tenuto nascosta la sua condizione, nonostante capisca che la decisione che lei ha preso è la sola possibile.
Ma il ritorno di Edmund cambia tutto e se da una parte rende gli amici incredibilmente felici, per la giovane donna inizia un cammino volto a ritrovare in quell’uomo così cambiato il ragazzo che fin dall’adolescenza ha colpito il suo cuore.
Dopo il primo colpo di scena, che avevamo comunque già letto nel libro precedente, in questo nuovo capitolo in realtà non accade molto; è tutto un lento riscoprirsi da parte di due persone che il destino ha cambiato profondamente. Entrambi sono in preda alle paure, e se Sarah crede di non essere bella agli occhi del marito, Edmond da parte sua pensa di essere ben poca cosa rispetto ad un Duca che sicuramente avrebbe reso la vita della ragazza semplice e piena di ricchezze.
È poi il racconto di ciò che accade all’arrivo di un bambino, quello sconvolgersi della vita che, se da una parte rende tutto bello e sorprendente, dall’altra ti lascia stanca priva di tempo per te stessa e le persone che ami.
È un libro dolce e romantico, che racconta di due persone che non credono di essere abbastanza per coloro che amano, che non si sentono più perfetti e che devono trovare il coraggio di essere onesti l’uno con l’altro per poter tornare ad essere felici. Un capitolo in cui l’azione è poca e la trama è abbastanza lineare per una serie carina, che racconta storie d’amore molto tenere che si leggono con piacere anche se non particolarmente originali, e che vedrà come prossimo protagonista un affascinante pirata.
.
Lucia63 - per RFS
August 28, 2015
I enjoyed the characters as much as the story itself. I did find some of the beginning text to be a little redundant, but not enough to make me stop reading.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
August 21, 2020
DNF 55%. Lack of love, lack of details, plenty of foolish behaviours. The heroine in particular was hard to fathom, prone to self-pity and misjudgements, running off at the slightest notion and not giving the hero a chance to prove himself to her.
September 17, 2015
It seems that a return from the dead does not mean a happily ever after for Edmund and Sarah. There is till love on both sides so there is a HEA.
June 28, 2019
It was a sweet story in parts but omfg have these people never thought of talking to each other? The anachronisms were incredibly jarring, too. However, it was a pleasant enough quick read.
March 1, 2022
2.5⭐️ This wasn’t for me. I was eager to read how Edmund returned from the dead, but it was a chore to complete. The story dwelled too much on parenthood and Sarah’s insecurity.
September 11, 2021
Of the three Ridley novels I’ve read this is my least favourite.
The characters didn’t catch my interest as keenly as the other hero’s/heroines did. I found myself skipping through a lot of the pages or just skimming them. This might be because I have binged three of the novels in the row but this read through did not pull me.
Edmund was fine. He was actually very kind and forgiving. After all he had been through he was not a charming dandy anymore but a more somber version of his younger self. He suffers from PTSD and it makes it hard for him to return to his life in London. I think my biggest peeve with his story was that his PTSD and his hopeless attitude towards the future were never really addressed. In the end he is happy with his family and they move out of London it didn’t feel satisfying, like there was more work to do. I feel like he didn’t get to reconcile with his friends or even feel like he would compared to the others.
Sarah spends the book in a state of desperation. She is desperate to protect her children, desperate for money and desperate for love. She was very very different from Jane and Daphne. There is strength in all of her decisions and a certain nobility to protect her children that I appreciate but she never came across as strong and independent as the other two.
I am going to take a break from the series now. There is one more book that I am interested in, in this particular set but I don’t want to read it in a binge and risk disliking it.
The characters didn’t catch my interest as keenly as the other hero’s/heroines did. I found myself skipping through a lot of the pages or just skimming them. This might be because I have binged three of the novels in the row but this read through did not pull me.
Edmund was fine. He was actually very kind and forgiving. After all he had been through he was not a charming dandy anymore but a more somber version of his younger self. He suffers from PTSD and it makes it hard for him to return to his life in London. I think my biggest peeve with his story was that his PTSD and his hopeless attitude towards the future were never really addressed. In the end he is happy with his family and they move out of London it didn’t feel satisfying, like there was more work to do. I feel like he didn’t get to reconcile with his friends or even feel like he would compared to the others.
Sarah spends the book in a state of desperation. She is desperate to protect her children, desperate for money and desperate for love. She was very very different from Jane and Daphne. There is strength in all of her decisions and a certain nobility to protect her children that I appreciate but she never came across as strong and independent as the other two.
I am going to take a break from the series now. There is one more book that I am interested in, in this particular set but I don’t want to read it in a binge and risk disliking it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2025
The twin of the last story (THE MAJOR'S FAUX FIANCEE), Bartholomew, lost his identical twin at Waterloo. Unfortunately, Edmund and his fiancée (Sarah Fairfax) anticipated their vows (at Bruges, just before he went back to war), and she is now eight months pregnant. Phillip, the Duke of Ravenwood (one of Edmund’s best friends), offers to marry Sarah to provide a future for her and her child. During the hurried wedding ceremony, Edmund arrives and stops the wedding. He demands that Sarah marry him as soon as possible. However, he is stunned to see the pregnancy of his intended.
After the wedding, Sarah leaves the wedding because she thinks Edmund is being high-handed and not speaking to her of love and happiness. Sarah's family is disappointed she didn't marry the duke and is only marrying Edmund. While she is hiding from Edmund, she goes into labor. The rest of the story is how two people, unready for parenthood, suddenly learn together to care for their family. In the meantime, they reestablish their relationship.
Dukes of War – Total of 8
0. All I Want (2016)
1. The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (2014) -- VG aka The Viscount's Tempting Minx
2. The Earl's Defiant Wallflower (2014) – G+
3. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (2015)
4. The Major's Faux Fiancée (2015)
** 5. The Brigadier's Runaway Bride (2015)
6. The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway (2015)
After the wedding, Sarah leaves the wedding because she thinks Edmund is being high-handed and not speaking to her of love and happiness. Sarah's family is disappointed she didn't marry the duke and is only marrying Edmund. While she is hiding from Edmund, she goes into labor. The rest of the story is how two people, unready for parenthood, suddenly learn together to care for their family. In the meantime, they reestablish their relationship.
Dukes of War – Total of 8
0. All I Want (2016)
1. The Viscount's Christmas Temptation (2014) -- VG aka The Viscount's Tempting Minx
2. The Earl's Defiant Wallflower (2014) – G+
3. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (2015)
4. The Major's Faux Fiancée (2015)
** 5. The Brigadier's Runaway Bride (2015)
6. The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway (2015)
February 4, 2019
Meh. It was less romance and more newlyweds (Sarah and Blackpool)and new parents trying to figure things out. Had they had even one honest communication, they wouldn’t have had any angst. The heroine was a bit of a ninny which I’ll assume is pregnancy hormones? She runs off without telling anyone on her wedding day and that night she ends up having twins. It’s her friend who calls her husband...yep new parents on their wedding night. I just felt running off under the circumstances was silly and not telling anyone was immature.
Blackpool had been off at war and crashed the wedding earlier that day to his friend the Duke of Ravenwood who was marrying Sarah to save her and the baby’s reputation thinking his friend Blackpool was dead....the hero didn’t appreciate his friends sacrifice to wed his girl due to jealousy. Nor did Blackpool appreciate that the duke used his influence so that Blackpool could take his place at the alter. I felt too much was going on and it just never felt fun or romantic. Sarah was terrified they would be poor and he felt she didn’t think he’d provide...getting reacquainted, talking fears and other difficult subjects and emotions, new parents and all that entails...it was just too much...it became dreary and exhausting.. Romance books are an escape from everyday. Heck, I was glad to escape this book to my life which is much less dark and dreary.
Blackpool had been off at war and crashed the wedding earlier that day to his friend the Duke of Ravenwood who was marrying Sarah to save her and the baby’s reputation thinking his friend Blackpool was dead....the hero didn’t appreciate his friends sacrifice to wed his girl due to jealousy. Nor did Blackpool appreciate that the duke used his influence so that Blackpool could take his place at the alter. I felt too much was going on and it just never felt fun or romantic. Sarah was terrified they would be poor and he felt she didn’t think he’d provide...getting reacquainted, talking fears and other difficult subjects and emotions, new parents and all that entails...it was just too much...it became dreary and exhausting.. Romance books are an escape from everyday. Heck, I was glad to escape this book to my life which is much less dark and dreary.
March 6, 2017
Miss Sarah Fairfax is having a wretched year. Her intended, Edmund Blackpool died at Waterloo. His child is in her belly. To secure her future, she resigns herself to a loveless marriage to the Duke of Ravenwood. Just as she's about to say I do, her fiancée returns from the grave to crash the wedding but he's no longer the charming, carefree man she remembers. After being left for dead on the battlefield, Brigadier Edmund Blackpool is scarred inside and out. He fights his way home only to discover his intended before the altar with his best friend. He'll be the one to marry her, no matter what she wants! But when his new bride disappears, he must reopen his wounds to win the most important battle of his life
So pleased Edmund didn’t die, he has to come to terms with the fact that Oliver York rescued his twin Matt, leaving him for dead. He soon realises that everyone thought he was dead on the battlefield. He is overjoyed when Sarah has twin boys & he takes a role in their upbringing. He is still suffering mentally from the war, his body is just about healed but the hustle & bustle of London life isn’t helping his mental recovery. Another lovely book in the series, that showed both Edmund & Sarah working their way through to a HEA. The bathing of the twins is hilarious.
So pleased Edmund didn’t die, he has to come to terms with the fact that Oliver York rescued his twin Matt, leaving him for dead. He soon realises that everyone thought he was dead on the battlefield. He is overjoyed when Sarah has twin boys & he takes a role in their upbringing. He is still suffering mentally from the war, his body is just about healed but the hustle & bustle of London life isn’t helping his mental recovery. Another lovely book in the series, that showed both Edmund & Sarah working their way through to a HEA. The bathing of the twins is hilarious.
July 27, 2018
This love story starts in after the couple has fallen in love and given in to their passions - then everything went wrong. Edmund Blackpool was left for dead on the battlefield at Waterloo and it has taken him 8 long months to finally reach home…just in time to stop the wedding of his fiancee Sarah Fairfax to one of his best friends. Believing the father of the child she’s expecting was dead, she thinks she has no choice but to take the offer of marriage to give the baby a name. Once everything is sorted out and they marry, it’s just the beginning of their story. They must get to know each other again, while dealing with the scars inside and out of their experiences in the time they were apart. I thought Edmund’s issues sounded very realistic but the things that Sarah worried about should have been much less important than she made them. Although she is a new mother with loss of sleep and hormones to deal with, so perhaps she can be excused. All in all, a great story and I was happy to see many of the characters from previous stories appear along the way. On to the next story, The Pirate’s Tempting Stowaway.
July 2, 2019
Edmund and Sarah are in love. He joins the army and goes off to war. She visits him while he's on leave, he proposes, and they have sex. He then goes off to fight in the battle of Waterloo where he is killed. Sarah is left pregnant and unmarried. Fast forward eight months and Sarah is about to marry Edmund's friend to save the child from being illegitimate. Edmund, who was gravely wounded and not killed, returns just in time to stop the wedding, but he is angry and worn out. He has no kind words for Sarah or his friend.
After obtaining a special license, Edmund and Sarah are married. Now they have to see if they can find a way to be happy. She is guilty over deciding to marry his friend and believing him dead. He is guilty for the unprotected sex that left her pregnant and desperate. She's worried he'll reject her changed body and he's worried he'll hurt her. They must find a way to open up to each other while being new parents and newly married.
This is an historical romance which also has some elements of PTSD for Edmund. The noise and crowds of London make him anxious. The characters are developed and the plot is interesting.
After obtaining a special license, Edmund and Sarah are married. Now they have to see if they can find a way to be happy. She is guilty over deciding to marry his friend and believing him dead. He is guilty for the unprotected sex that left her pregnant and desperate. She's worried he'll reject her changed body and he's worried he'll hurt her. They must find a way to open up to each other while being new parents and newly married.
This is an historical romance which also has some elements of PTSD for Edmund. The noise and crowds of London make him anxious. The characters are developed and the plot is interesting.
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