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Awakened by a Kiss #1
A Duchess a Day
An heiress with a plan…
Lady Helena Lark has spent years trying to escape her wedding to the vain and boring Duke of Lusk. She’s evaded, refused, even run away. When her family’s patience runs out, they pack her off to London to walk down the aisle. But Helena has another idea: find a more suitable bride to take her place, even if she must look for a replacement duchess every day.
A bodyguard with a job to do…
Declan Shaw, better known as “The Huntsman,” is a mercenary who can pick and choose his clientele. After his last job, escorting a young noblewoman to France, landed him in jail under false accusations, he wants nothing to do with aristocrats or women. But the law isn’t done with him, and if he agrees to babysit a duke’s errant fiancé, the payout could make his legal troubles go away.
A most unexpected alliance…
When their worlds collide, Declan realizes that containing his new client is only slightly harder than keeping his hands off her. Helena senses an ally in her handsome new bodyguard and solicits his help. Together they must escape the forces that oppose them and fight for the fairy-tale love they desire.
Lady Helena Lark has spent years trying to escape her wedding to the vain and boring Duke of Lusk. She’s evaded, refused, even run away. When her family’s patience runs out, they pack her off to London to walk down the aisle. But Helena has another idea: find a more suitable bride to take her place, even if she must look for a replacement duchess every day.
A bodyguard with a job to do…
Declan Shaw, better known as “The Huntsman,” is a mercenary who can pick and choose his clientele. After his last job, escorting a young noblewoman to France, landed him in jail under false accusations, he wants nothing to do with aristocrats or women. But the law isn’t done with him, and if he agrees to babysit a duke’s errant fiancé, the payout could make his legal troubles go away.
A most unexpected alliance…
When their worlds collide, Declan realizes that containing his new client is only slightly harder than keeping his hands off her. Helena senses an ally in her handsome new bodyguard and solicits his help. Together they must escape the forces that oppose them and fight for the fairy-tale love they desire.
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 10, 2020
91 people are currently reading
6403 people want to read
About the author
Charis Michaels
13 books503 followersCHARIS MICHAELS is thrilled to be making her debut with Avon Impulse. Prior to writing romance, she studied Journalism at Texas A&M and managed PR for a trade association. She has also worked as a tour guide at Disney World, harvested peaches on her family’s farm, and entertained children as the “Story Godmother” at birthday parties. She has lived in Texas, Florida, and London, England. She now makes her home in the Washington, D.C.-metro area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
September 6, 2021
probably just because shadow and bone is fresh in my mind but i got some helnik vibes
November 10, 2020
What a fun bodyguard, forbidden romance! From the start, I was hooked on this book. Declan is in jail for crime he didn't commit and the only way he can get out is if he is a bodyguard for Helena and ensure she does not run away from her betrothal to an insufferable duke. I loved the chemistry between Declan and Helena and how much Declan was trying not to fall for her since his future depended on having her marry the duke. I loved how the seven dwarfs were integrated into the story and it was fun watching Helena and Declan run around trying to find women who would be suitable brides for the duke so that Helena could be free. The romance even got a little angsty at the end, which I loved. This was just a fun romance and I would definitely recommend it!
January 31, 2021
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Emotional Depth:💔💔💔
Sexual Tension:⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆
(All these are personal opinion on a 1-5 scale)
This was my first Charis Michaels and boy, am I sold. I already have 5 of her 6 books published coming to me from the library. Rarely do a find a writer that just interests me so quickly. Wraps me up in the world of the story where I’m so eager to keep reading. I absolutely adored her writing style.
This book is a Snow White and the Seven Dwarves retelling, in a way and I absolutely love the way it was done. Clever, clever. I adore fairy tale retellings.
Our heroine is Helena and she’s been betrothed to the uninspiring Duke of Lusk for years. She has begged, pleaded, and ran away to try to escape her wedding. But, the time has come, and the Duke’s uncle is going to make sure she will walk down the aisle.
In steps our criminal, err hero - Declan. Found in Newgate Prison, he’s hired to keep Helena where she should be, following her every step right up until she’s walking down the aisle. He’s willing to do about anything to get out of jail.
Give this book a try if you want:
- Forced proximity – these two are on page together the whole book and it’s glorious
- Fairy tale retelling – Snow White version
- Class differences – heroine is the daughter of an earl and hero is a commoner
- Lower steam – lots of touches and kisses but only 1 full sex scene (The tension and kisses make this book feel a bit steamier)
- Lower angst – there’s some worry about what will happen but ultimately the story is about the hero and heroine working together towards a goal and growing closure with every chapter.
- I also put it under masquerade, but it's a smaller part of the book closer to the end.
Helena was a delight to me. She’s got a problem (her engagement) and she is not going to sit around and bemoan the circumstances of her life. She’s going to do something about it, whether anyone will help her or not. She has both her parents and 3 sisters, but she is not close to any of them. There’s a small family dynamic that goes on with the sisters that I rather enjoyed. Made the characters feel all the more real.
Declan, it’s kind of hard for me to peg what kind of hero he is. If you read it, let me know what you think. He doesn’t really feel like an alpha to me, but he’s not all beta either. It’s like he’s the best of both worlds wrapped up in one man. He cares so much, and he lets the Helena take the lead but he draws the line where it needs to be drawn. I enjoyed him.
Things that bring down the rating just a tad for me was a wish there was one intimate scene that went a little further. They had such great tension and the kisses were so so good, but I wanted it to go just a little further, at least once.
Also some things were just borderline silly. Some things made me wonder, would that actually even happen or be possible??? But I am not a stickler about that stuff, and just went along for the ride. Just a small note – I really wish they would have gone off to the apple orchard Helena talks about so much in the story. I was wanting to experience that since her love for it was so vibrant.
While not hilariously funny (thinking of the slap stick situations of Tessa Dare), I found Michael’s writing to have my favorite kind of humor. Woven throughout the story, a line here and there relating to a specific character or situation. Witty and clever writing.
Also, I actually was surprised by the ending. And while it was a bit silly, I quite loved it.
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋🦋
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Emotional Depth:💔💔💔
Sexual Tension:⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Sensuality: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Number of Sex Scenes: 🍆🍆
(All these are personal opinion on a 1-5 scale)
This was my first Charis Michaels and boy, am I sold. I already have 5 of her 6 books published coming to me from the library. Rarely do a find a writer that just interests me so quickly. Wraps me up in the world of the story where I’m so eager to keep reading. I absolutely adored her writing style.
This book is a Snow White and the Seven Dwarves retelling, in a way and I absolutely love the way it was done. Clever, clever. I adore fairy tale retellings.
Our heroine is Helena and she’s been betrothed to the uninspiring Duke of Lusk for years. She has begged, pleaded, and ran away to try to escape her wedding. But, the time has come, and the Duke’s uncle is going to make sure she will walk down the aisle.
In steps our criminal, err hero - Declan. Found in Newgate Prison, he’s hired to keep Helena where she should be, following her every step right up until she’s walking down the aisle. He’s willing to do about anything to get out of jail.
Give this book a try if you want:
- Forced proximity – these two are on page together the whole book and it’s glorious
- Fairy tale retelling – Snow White version
- Class differences – heroine is the daughter of an earl and hero is a commoner
- Lower steam – lots of touches and kisses but only 1 full sex scene (The tension and kisses make this book feel a bit steamier)
- Lower angst – there’s some worry about what will happen but ultimately the story is about the hero and heroine working together towards a goal and growing closure with every chapter.
- I also put it under masquerade, but it's a smaller part of the book closer to the end.
Helena was a delight to me. She’s got a problem (her engagement) and she is not going to sit around and bemoan the circumstances of her life. She’s going to do something about it, whether anyone will help her or not. She has both her parents and 3 sisters, but she is not close to any of them. There’s a small family dynamic that goes on with the sisters that I rather enjoyed. Made the characters feel all the more real.
Declan, it’s kind of hard for me to peg what kind of hero he is. If you read it, let me know what you think. He doesn’t really feel like an alpha to me, but he’s not all beta either. It’s like he’s the best of both worlds wrapped up in one man. He cares so much, and he lets the Helena take the lead but he draws the line where it needs to be drawn. I enjoyed him.
Things that bring down the rating just a tad for me was a wish there was one intimate scene that went a little further. They had such great tension and the kisses were so so good, but I wanted it to go just a little further, at least once.
Also some things were just borderline silly. Some things made me wonder, would that actually even happen or be possible??? But I am not a stickler about that stuff, and just went along for the ride. Just a small note – I really wish they would have gone off to the apple orchard Helena talks about so much in the story. I was wanting to experience that since her love for it was so vibrant.
While not hilariously funny (thinking of the slap stick situations of Tessa Dare), I found Michael’s writing to have my favorite kind of humor. Woven throughout the story, a line here and there relating to a specific character or situation. Witty and clever writing.
Also, I actually was surprised by the ending. And while it was a bit silly, I quite loved it.
April 23, 2021
This book started off good but the anachronism eventually ruined the book for me. I don't mind a few historical inaccuracies, but there were just too many for me to tolerate. These two continuously make out like a modern-day couple with little concern for getting caught, which could be a nice change for some readers. There was even a line that ended with "blah, blah, blah." Like, really? *shaking my head*. The hero was too beta for me. Would he be considered a gamma hero then? lol. This review written by Smitten sums up pretty much of my thoughts on this book. I was just less generous with my rating. So if you can get past the historical inaccuracies, then this book is pretty fun to read.
A second review (with spoilers) that I agree with is this one written by ahopelessreader.
A second review (with spoilers) that I agree with is this one written by ahopelessreader.
June 23, 2022
Look, we're gonna rave about this one, because it's exactly what we want in a romance: a lighthearted bodyguard romance with a riff on Disney's Snow White and two main characters who fall for each other immediately? Yes, please!
It's difficult to convey just how much fun we had reading this book, so we'll just leave you with a sample of our actual super serious notes for this one:
They can’t keep their hands off of each other and I loved it so much. I love scenes where they keep saying “we should stop” “yeah we should” *smooch smooch* “okay I’m stopping now” “me too” *kiss kiss* “no seriously stop kissing me” “I am stopping” *they both carry on kissing* This is EVERY SINGLE MAKEOUT SCENE until they finally get married and I loved it. Like LOVED it.
Just read this freaking book, OK?
4-Word Summaries:
Laine: His freedom or hers?
Meg: Leggo the Huntsman, Snow!
It's difficult to convey just how much fun we had reading this book, so we'll just leave you with a sample of our actual super serious notes for this one:
They can’t keep their hands off of each other and I loved it so much. I love scenes where they keep saying “we should stop” “yeah we should” *smooch smooch* “okay I’m stopping now” “me too” *kiss kiss* “no seriously stop kissing me” “I am stopping” *they both carry on kissing* This is EVERY SINGLE MAKEOUT SCENE until they finally get married and I loved it. Like LOVED it.
Just read this freaking book, OK?
4-Word Summaries:
Laine: His freedom or hers?
Meg: Leggo the Huntsman, Snow!
November 27, 2020
Lady Helena Lark, an heiress with a plan, has spent years trying to escape her betrothal and pending wedding to the drunk and dull Duke of Lusk, Bradley Gridleston. She’s evaded, refused, and even ran away—more than a handful of times. When her family’s patience runs out, they pack her off to London to walk down the aisle but Helena has another idea—find a more suitable bride to take her place, even if she must look for a replacement duchess every day (which later to be revealed as a Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs reference) that prompts an unlikely alliance with Declan Shaw, better known as “The Huntsman,” who is a mercenary who can pick and choose his clientele. After his last job, escorting a young noblewoman, Knightly Snow, to France, landed him in jail under false accusations, he wants nothing to do with aristocrats or women but the law isn’t done with him, and if he agrees to babysit a duke’s errant fiancé, the payout could make his legal troubles go away.
When their polar opposite worlds collide, Declan realizes that containing his new client is only slightly harder than keeping his hands off her while Helena senses an ally in her handsome new bodyguard and solicits his help. Together they must escape the forces that oppose them and fight for the fairy-tale love they desire, leaving readers with a strong lasting impression.
Embarking on this read, I am shook. This was waaaaaay better than I had originally expected and to think I wasn’t going to request this ARC on Netgalley but thank goodness I ignored my stupid thoughts and took the plunge.
Helena was hands down one of the best heroines I have read in a historical romance in a very long long time! She oozes confidence, was playful and forward with Declan, and remained true to herself throughout the novel. Declan and Helena had a great balance in their romance. There wasn’t any winey, woe me moments and they took a realistic approach to their bubbling relationship (pros/cons) and made it work. They complimented each other so well despite their backgrounds and I instantly fell in love with these characters and that also included the sides Knightly (she’s a riot!) and Lusk (more so after Knightly resurfaces).
I sincerely hope the next installment to the series, ‘When You Wish Upon a Duke’, features Knightly and Lusk. The Duke truly did awakened by a kiss before doing a 180 when she came out of hiding. He was no longer dull, boring, drunk and a pushover when it came to his uncle. I really need more of this couple now and I would be utterly devastated if we don’t get to see more of them in the future. My fingers are crossed!
September 5, 2023
This was a sweet and fun historical from an author I hadn't tried before, but definitely enjoyed. Some of the scenes and situations felt a little improbable but I just relaxed into the ride, suspended a few moments of disbelief, and had a good time lol.
Helena (h) was a strong main character with her refreshing honesty and the grounded nature she displayed. She's a lady and has an opportunity to be an exceedingly wealthy duchess, but she wants to be an apple farmer on the land that was her grandparents'. Not to mention her betrothed is horrendous. Declan (H) was also a strong main character, but he was much more conflicted (which I honestly thought was more realistic than Helena's certainty at times). He's a former soldier turned mercenary turned ex-convict for a crime he didn't commit turned Helena's minder to get her down the aisle. They have an instant rapport and attraction, but this is still a slow burn. The premise focuses on Helena's attempts to find someone else to take her place in her betrothal and Declan's attempts to help her, while also not hurting himself and his family. Written in third person, dual POV. Some om drama since h's engaged to another man, slight sort of ow drama, not really, when a former client of the H's expresses interest in him but the only client he ever crossed any line with was the h and she's all he sees once he meets her. H is not a virgin but didn't appear to be manwhore and h was a virgin, H is even her first kiss from what I recall.
I liked the incorporation of elements of Snow White. This isn't an exact retelling thankfully since I enjoy the retellings where they divert from the original inspiration more. The story has lots of scheming, some family drama, and some humor. As the clock ticked down, you could feel the characters' desperation to not only free Helena but also to figure themselves out. Declan was rightfully concerned about a possible future with them, not just because he had some legal troubles being dangled over his head, but also because he was a commoner and Helena had always had a cared for life. There are a couple of steamy scenes, but this isn't an overly explicit romance, although there are some details.
I did not see the resolution of their dilemma coming and I appreciated that it was surprising as well as fitting. The ending is a HEA with them married and 6 months later. I felt like all the loose ends were tied up and I was happy with their happiness.
Helena (h) was a strong main character with her refreshing honesty and the grounded nature she displayed. She's a lady and has an opportunity to be an exceedingly wealthy duchess, but she wants to be an apple farmer on the land that was her grandparents'. Not to mention her betrothed is horrendous. Declan (H) was also a strong main character, but he was much more conflicted (which I honestly thought was more realistic than Helena's certainty at times). He's a former soldier turned mercenary turned ex-convict for a crime he didn't commit turned Helena's minder to get her down the aisle. They have an instant rapport and attraction, but this is still a slow burn. The premise focuses on Helena's attempts to find someone else to take her place in her betrothal and Declan's attempts to help her, while also not hurting himself and his family. Written in third person, dual POV. Some om drama since h's engaged to another man, slight sort of ow drama, not really, when a former client of the H's expresses interest in him but the only client he ever crossed any line with was the h and she's all he sees once he meets her. H is not a virgin but didn't appear to be manwhore and h was a virgin, H is even her first kiss from what I recall.
I liked the incorporation of elements of Snow White. This isn't an exact retelling thankfully since I enjoy the retellings where they divert from the original inspiration more. The story has lots of scheming, some family drama, and some humor. As the clock ticked down, you could feel the characters' desperation to not only free Helena but also to figure themselves out. Declan was rightfully concerned about a possible future with them, not just because he had some legal troubles being dangled over his head, but also because he was a commoner and Helena had always had a cared for life. There are a couple of steamy scenes, but this isn't an overly explicit romance, although there are some details.
I did not see the resolution of their dilemma coming and I appreciated that it was surprising as well as fitting. The ending is a HEA with them married and 6 months later. I felt like all the loose ends were tied up and I was happy with their happiness.
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July 3, 2023✨I finished it and that is my greatest accomplishment to date.✨
This could probably be 2⭐️ because I simply NEVER cared about it and it didn’t make much sense (granted my attention span was that gif of Anna from Frozen like fighting to stay awake and engaged). I’ll be generous and give it 3⭐️ because I didn’t pay it enough attention to hate it lol. I did like the vision of leather and bare, muscled biceps that the hero gave to us at the masquerade though.
Although do we notice how I said hero just now? Yeah it’s because I literally do not know his name. Give me a million dollars right now if I could answer and I’d walk away with nothing. Huntsman is a thing he was called but like his name name? Not a clue. He could be walking down the street and I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this man. Wait is it John? I’m like 100% serious is it John?? I need to go check. *Went to go check* Welp it was Declan Shaw… I have failed horribly lmao I’m actually impressed. John sounded so right. I listened to this at 2.0 speed so maybe Declan said at 2x the speed sounds like John. Fuck it that’s my excuse.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶.5/5
I remember approximately 0.0 sex scenes in this book but I think they were there? We’re going with 2.5🌶 because they were apparently less memorable than John’s name.
This could probably be 2⭐️ because I simply NEVER cared about it and it didn’t make much sense (granted my attention span was that gif of Anna from Frozen like fighting to stay awake and engaged). I’ll be generous and give it 3⭐️ because I didn’t pay it enough attention to hate it lol. I did like the vision of leather and bare, muscled biceps that the hero gave to us at the masquerade though.
Although do we notice how I said hero just now? Yeah it’s because I literally do not know his name. Give me a million dollars right now if I could answer and I’d walk away with nothing. Huntsman is a thing he was called but like his name name? Not a clue. He could be walking down the street and I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this man. Wait is it John? I’m like 100% serious is it John?? I need to go check. *Went to go check* Welp it was Declan Shaw… I have failed horribly lmao I’m actually impressed. John sounded so right. I listened to this at 2.0 speed so maybe Declan said at 2x the speed sounds like John. Fuck it that’s my excuse.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶🌶.5/5
I remember approximately 0.0 sex scenes in this book but I think they were there? We’re going with 2.5🌶 because they were apparently less memorable than John’s name.
October 12, 2022
3.5 stars. This is a retelling of Snow White, with seven duchess candidates instead of the seven dwarves. I did like this story in general, but wasn’t really blown away by it. I have a love/hate relationship with fairytale retellings because having it be too similar to the original always makes the story overly predictable. This book is just different enough from the original story to not totally irritate me. I think this book, and series, would be great for those readers who do really like a good fairytale retelling. I do think the series is a step above what I’ve read in the past.
Safe; virgin heroine, non manwhore hero who has been celibate because he was in prison, no cheating, no scenes with om/ow, OM drama because heroine is engaged to OM even though she’s desperate not to be, no major OW drama.
Safe; virgin heroine, non manwhore hero who has been celibate because he was in prison, no cheating, no scenes with om/ow, OM drama because heroine is engaged to OM even though she’s desperate not to be, no major OW drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2021
When I originally reviewed this, I said it was a 1.5, but I rounded up to two stars. But the longer this book has sat with me, the more I can't stand by that. Not for any particularly bad or problematic reason, just because there seems to be so much bad and a distinct lack of anything good in this book that really well and truly saves it, except for the cover because that cover is STUNNING and captivating all on its own. So points to whoever designed the cover, it's a good one. As for everything eise? Welllll.....
I think I need to say this first: I saw another reviewer call a historical like this as Regency Disneyland, as in contemporary in every way except for aesthetics. And normally? I'm totally fine with Regency Disneyland books. I'm okay with the fantasy of historical romances if it means we get more diversity and makes it easier to root for our heroes and heroines because they're more "forward thinking," than they would be for the time period(although I will say that there were always forward thinking people in any period of time because that's how we have progress today, but I digress) All of that said, there's a limit even for me, and I think this is it. So if you're someone who really cares about historical accuracy in your historical romances, you should definitely skip this one. And if you don't care as much, you should still skip it for all the reasons I'm going to get into now.
Let's start with our main characters, Declan and Helena. Declan was in prisoned for a crime he didn't commit and was just let out to take this job making sure Helena follows through with her engagement to the duke. He is made explicitly aware of the fact that if this isn't successful, all of the money he would've been paid would be withheld, and also he would most likely get thrown back into prison. So tell me why 0.3 seconds into this new assignment, he's already undermining the duke's uncle to help Helena in whatever scheme she's got planned to get out of her marriage to the duke. There's a couple of lip service acknowledgements of trying to refuse, but he never follows through or tries very hard to actually do the job he was hired to do, despite knowing the risk to not only himself but the family he takes care of. He has no grounding motivation because even though he says he wants to help his family, he's ready to risk it all five seconds after meeting our pretty heroine.
Speaking of Helena, I mostly found her annoying and hard to deal with. She was bossy and rude and seemed to give not a single fuck about anything or anyone except for her and what she wanted, and that's to the detriment of period accuracy. Because there are multiple scenes were, in public, Helena seduces Declan (once, in front of another character) with no regard to the fact that their partnership is a secret or more importantly, the damage it could do to her/her family's reputations. She's always seen as being so capable and clever and it just grates on the nerves. She's also willing to risk it all after one meeting with the "groom" that the duke's uncle hired for her. Her stunts are usually childish and ill thought out and she just did not work as a character for me at all.
Because these two had no real consistent characterization or chemistry to build from, the romance suffered and often felt nonsensical and like it was moving way too fast, particularly at the ending. I can't even recall any particularly sweet or cute moment between the two of them. It was mostly Declan (weakly) trying to push her away and Helena just outright refusing to let him stop their affair. It was boring and bad.
The worst part about all of this, though, is that Charis Michaels seems to be averse to writing conflict that isn't drama between the main couple. Because for all the sneaking around they were doing, for all the risk that Declan himself was taking, it didn't have any weight because the uncle who hired him, seemed completely oblivious. There were never scenes of Declan reporting to the uncle on what was going on or if Helena was planning anything. Not even scenes of Declan having to protect his ass from getting discovered as a turn coat because there were no confrontation scenes with the uncle. It was a conflict, a big conflict, with no real stakes because Michaels didn't live up to any of the danger and excitement she promised.
Adding on to the fact that Michaels seemed uninterested in writing anything that wasn't the main couple, it boggles my mind that she didn't take the opportunity for Helena to form bonds and become friends with the seven girls she was interviewing to take her place as the prince's bride. There was hardly any interaction with the women on page, and we didn't even get to see all of their interactions. It could've been cool and fun to see a group of women coming together and forming bonds over this (admittedly strange) circumstance. But we got none of it. Except one of the girls is who Helena openly flirted with Declan in front of, so I suppose there's that.
The ending itself was disappointing and wrapped up WAY too neatly and conveniently for it to be anything other than laughable, giving us a last minute twist that was unneeded and unwanted. It left me feeling bitter about the story I just read, and that's never a feeling you want to have after just finishing a book you were excited about.
As this was a Snow White retelling, I thought I would take a moment to talk about the inclusion of the nods/references to Snow White. But most of them were just shoehorned/ham fisted in and served no real purpose to the narrative and especially the inclusion of the "dwarves" (the nicknames for the girls that Helena was trying to recruit) seemed weird at best and almost mean spirited at worst. There was a Mirror Mirror game that made no sense to me and Helena grew apple trees in the forest. And that... is really all the references to Snow White there are. And it's not satisfying enough. It doesn't use elements of the story to help tell this one. I honestly, truly, don't know why this was a fairytale retelling in the first place.
I think the reason I'm so disappointed is because I saw that cover and read the synopsis and thought this was going to be something I absolutely loved, especially as I love both romance and fairytale retellings. But as it is? It's just a miss from me. I might try another Charis Michaels book at some point, but I can't be sure if this is what I'm going to get.
I think I need to say this first: I saw another reviewer call a historical like this as Regency Disneyland, as in contemporary in every way except for aesthetics. And normally? I'm totally fine with Regency Disneyland books. I'm okay with the fantasy of historical romances if it means we get more diversity and makes it easier to root for our heroes and heroines because they're more "forward thinking," than they would be for the time period
Let's start with our main characters, Declan and Helena. Declan was in prisoned for a crime he didn't commit and was just let out to take this job making sure Helena follows through with her engagement to the duke. He is made explicitly aware of the fact that if this isn't successful, all of the money he would've been paid would be withheld, and also he would most likely get thrown back into prison. So tell me why 0.3 seconds into this new assignment, he's already undermining the duke's uncle to help Helena in whatever scheme she's got planned to get out of her marriage to the duke. There's a couple of lip service acknowledgements of trying to refuse, but he never follows through or tries very hard to actually do the job he was hired to do, despite knowing the risk to not only himself but the family he takes care of. He has no grounding motivation because even though he says he wants to help his family, he's ready to risk it all five seconds after meeting our pretty heroine.
Speaking of Helena, I mostly found her annoying and hard to deal with. She was bossy and rude and seemed to give not a single fuck about anything or anyone except for her and what she wanted, and that's to the detriment of period accuracy. Because there are multiple scenes were, in public, Helena seduces Declan (once, in front of another character) with no regard to the fact that their partnership is a secret or more importantly, the damage it could do to her/her family's reputations. She's always seen as being so capable and clever and it just grates on the nerves. She's also willing to risk it all after one meeting with the "groom" that the duke's uncle hired for her. Her stunts are usually childish and ill thought out and she just did not work as a character for me at all.
Because these two had no real consistent characterization or chemistry to build from, the romance suffered and often felt nonsensical and like it was moving way too fast, particularly at the ending. I can't even recall any particularly sweet or cute moment between the two of them. It was mostly Declan (weakly) trying to push her away and Helena just outright refusing to let him stop their affair. It was boring and bad.
The worst part about all of this, though, is that Charis Michaels seems to be averse to writing conflict that isn't drama between the main couple. Because for all the sneaking around they were doing, for all the risk that Declan himself was taking, it didn't have any weight because the uncle who hired him, seemed completely oblivious. There were never scenes of Declan reporting to the uncle on what was going on or if Helena was planning anything. Not even scenes of Declan having to protect his ass from getting discovered as a turn coat because there were no confrontation scenes with the uncle. It was a conflict, a big conflict, with no real stakes because Michaels didn't live up to any of the danger and excitement she promised.
Adding on to the fact that Michaels seemed uninterested in writing anything that wasn't the main couple, it boggles my mind that she didn't take the opportunity for Helena to form bonds and become friends with the seven girls she was interviewing to take her place as the prince's bride. There was hardly any interaction with the women on page, and we didn't even get to see all of their interactions. It could've been cool and fun to see a group of women coming together and forming bonds over this (admittedly strange) circumstance. But we got none of it. Except one of the girls is who Helena openly flirted with Declan in front of, so I suppose there's that.
The ending itself was disappointing and wrapped up WAY too neatly and conveniently for it to be anything other than laughable, giving us a last minute twist that was unneeded and unwanted. It left me feeling bitter about the story I just read, and that's never a feeling you want to have after just finishing a book you were excited about.
As this was a Snow White retelling, I thought I would take a moment to talk about the inclusion of the nods/references to Snow White. But most of them were just shoehorned/ham fisted in and served no real purpose to the narrative and especially the inclusion of the "dwarves" (the nicknames for the girls that Helena was trying to recruit) seemed weird at best and almost mean spirited at worst. There was a Mirror Mirror game that made no sense to me and Helena grew apple trees in the forest. And that... is really all the references to Snow White there are. And it's not satisfying enough. It doesn't use elements of the story to help tell this one. I honestly, truly, don't know why this was a fairytale retelling in the first place.
I think the reason I'm so disappointed is because I saw that cover and read the synopsis and thought this was going to be something I absolutely loved, especially as I love both romance and fairytale retellings. But as it is? It's just a miss from me. I might try another Charis Michaels book at some point, but I can't be sure if this is what I'm going to get.
January 7, 2021
So I finished today.
It was a really sweet story.
I am sitting at 4 stars with it. I really liked.. The unique story was fun.
I liked the set up and the interactions that Declan and Helena had. She was so smart and her plans for getting out of her betrothal are really fun. I really liked that they were on the same side for a good part of the book. I loved their marriage in the dead of night. And I also loved that this Snow White part of this was about Knightly and not about Helena. I was getting a bit confused about that, but I liked where it went eventually. It was sweet, sexy, and fun. I can't really say that I disliked much of it, I just also don't think it will stick with me longer than a week or 2. Like, it doesn't stand out or anything.
It was a really sweet story.
I am sitting at 4 stars with it. I really liked.. The unique story was fun.
I liked the set up and the interactions that Declan and Helena had. She was so smart and her plans for getting out of her betrothal are really fun. I really liked that they were on the same side for a good part of the book. I loved their marriage in the dead of night. And I also loved that this Snow White part of this was about Knightly and not about Helena. I was getting a bit confused about that, but I liked where it went eventually. It was sweet, sexy, and fun. I can't really say that I disliked much of it, I just also don't think it will stick with me longer than a week or 2. Like, it doesn't stand out or anything.
February 23, 2021
The set up of this book is perfect and it's really fun in a way but it just didn't captivate me! Maybe it's the audiobook I'm listening to or maybe it's because it's instant lust and trust on some pretty bland characters. There are also a whole group of character that distracted me from the romance which I didn't like.
November 12, 2020
A Duchess A Day is the first book in the Awakened by a Kiss series by Charis Michaels. This is a three- book series inspired by characters from fairy tales.
Lady Helena Lark is a desperate woman. Her parents have signed marriage contracts for her to marry the worst possible man, Bradley Girdleston the Duke of Lusk. She has tried for years to get out of this impending marriage but is now facing down the wedding day.
Declan Shaw is a desperate man. He is faced with a choice of either continuing to sit in New Gate prison, trying to prove his innocence for a crime he did not commit, or taking an offer of guarding a hesitant bride and insuring she makes it to the altar.
Declan Shaw and Lady Helena Lark are brought together by the circumstances and soon find themselves desperately in love. Together they work to circumvent the impending marriage.
In the beginning, the story seemed to have the potential to be pretty good. However, once the characters started to develop the problems quickly mounded up. I found that aspects which make a good historical romance is the use of time appropriate language, character behavior, and situations. This book failed to deliver on these elements. The lead characters’ behaviors were more like those in contemporary romance novels than those found in historical romance novels. I had problems with the male hero’s language and behaviors and the female lead character, supposedly an earl’s daughter and a virgin, showed no sign of decorum. The female lead character was far too aggressive in instigating sexual encounters with her groom/bodyguard, and while these primarily were kissing scenes (there is one mild sex scene in the book), she threw herself at her groom/bodyguard in the most unlikely and unbelievable places.
Another problem I had with the story was that the author’s use of references to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves missed the mark. Names of characters and objects from the fairy tale were used in the story but in no way did these relate to the original fairy tale. The author’s reference to the seven dwarves did not enhance the story.
A third problem I had was the over-use of characters’ repetitive internal dialog about their situations. As a reader I find this technique comes off as nothing more than page filler. It led me to want to skim ahead just to get through the repetition. Lastly, the author’s use of a dark cloaked stranger, was problematic. This character appears throughout the story, essentially at every place the lead characters went to outside of the home, and the explanation for this person’s spying did not make much sense. On a positive note, in the end there was a Happy Ever After.
I struggled to finish reading this book. The problems were too great to recommend it.
~ Andrea
Lady Helena Lark is a desperate woman. Her parents have signed marriage contracts for her to marry the worst possible man, Bradley Girdleston the Duke of Lusk. She has tried for years to get out of this impending marriage but is now facing down the wedding day.
Declan Shaw is a desperate man. He is faced with a choice of either continuing to sit in New Gate prison, trying to prove his innocence for a crime he did not commit, or taking an offer of guarding a hesitant bride and insuring she makes it to the altar.
Declan Shaw and Lady Helena Lark are brought together by the circumstances and soon find themselves desperately in love. Together they work to circumvent the impending marriage.
In the beginning, the story seemed to have the potential to be pretty good. However, once the characters started to develop the problems quickly mounded up. I found that aspects which make a good historical romance is the use of time appropriate language, character behavior, and situations. This book failed to deliver on these elements. The lead characters’ behaviors were more like those in contemporary romance novels than those found in historical romance novels. I had problems with the male hero’s language and behaviors and the female lead character, supposedly an earl’s daughter and a virgin, showed no sign of decorum. The female lead character was far too aggressive in instigating sexual encounters with her groom/bodyguard, and while these primarily were kissing scenes (there is one mild sex scene in the book), she threw herself at her groom/bodyguard in the most unlikely and unbelievable places.
Another problem I had with the story was that the author’s use of references to Snow White and the Seven Dwarves missed the mark. Names of characters and objects from the fairy tale were used in the story but in no way did these relate to the original fairy tale. The author’s reference to the seven dwarves did not enhance the story.
A third problem I had was the over-use of characters’ repetitive internal dialog about their situations. As a reader I find this technique comes off as nothing more than page filler. It led me to want to skim ahead just to get through the repetition. Lastly, the author’s use of a dark cloaked stranger, was problematic. This character appears throughout the story, essentially at every place the lead characters went to outside of the home, and the explanation for this person’s spying did not make much sense. On a positive note, in the end there was a Happy Ever After.
I struggled to finish reading this book. The problems were too great to recommend it.
~ Andrea
November 30, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 !!!!!!!! 🌶 🌶/5
PLEASE, THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!!! I don't even like Historical Romances and to this day I have not read one that made me laugh THIS MUCH! This is the silliest, sexiest and most ingenious writing I have seen in ages! Charis Michaels has my heart! Ugh, nothing gets me hornier than intelligent female humor!
First, let's talk about Declan. Jesus Christ, the butterflies this man gave me??? The golden retriever energy? The "you may order me to do just about anything you'd like". WHY WAS IT SO HOT to have a strong, bossy, female MC ordering a mercenary (playing stable-boy) around? The set up for this was so genius and I realized I have a way more dominant personality than I thought. Here I was, reading dark romances, thinking I wanted to be controlled and dominated when controlling and dominating a golden retriever of a man is way hotter.
Both of these characters were so cleverly written, they have such incredible personalities, it is almost impossible NOT to fall in love with both of them. I smiled so much I felt like I had a hanger in my mouth. It physically hurt. No miscommunication tropes, just brutal honesty. No unnecessary messing around with the plot, no unjustified cheesiness. This was so leveled, so perfect, the right amount of tension, the right amount of humor, the right amount of sex. This is a new voice, someone who FINALLY made me enjoy a historical romance so much that I am probably going to beg everyone I meet to read this book.
Such an unique story, with Snow White elements. Helena is set to marry a duke but she would rather die than marry someone she doesn't love. She has the most brilliant idea, she will interview a different duchess every day until she finds someone more suiting for that boredom of a man, maybe if he falls in love with someone else, he will let her go. In the meantime, her parents are sick and tired of her antics, the duke’s uncle hires an ex-con, mercenary/bodyguard to pass as her groom and to make sure she doesn't try to run away. This was hilarious, sexy, deliciously feminist and made me hot and bothered in the best ways.
Declan, 
If you're into historical romances, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS. If you have never read a historical romance before, THIS HAS TO BE YOUR FIRST!
July 8, 2022
Y'all, "A Duchess a Day," let me tell you-
Even without the nods to Snow White, this story is a total fairytale. Like, if books had a taste, I imagine this book would be a sweet, crisp yet chewy macroon. A pink one.
This book literally breathed new life into me. I've been reading darker, more mystery filled books with our #BookclubNameForthcoming So to switch over to this fairytale was like being a little doe and hearing Helena Sing Sweet Nightingale and following the glittery music notes to her hidden cottage. Covered with vines as all forest cottages should be.
Let's see how many tropes I can find from the book and then use to create a run on sentence because run on sentences are my favorite kind of sentences because you can say some much more while it's your turn to talk:
In this fairytale retelling, the MCs form a cross class secret romance that is definitely insta-lust as they partner on a goal that allows them to move from insta-lust to friends to lovers where the hero falls first.
Not only is Heroine Helena wonderfully bossy, but she is this precious mix of niavaty but already comfortable in her own skin and calling. She is a powerhouse telling saying: "I reject your rejection." Declan, the Huntsman Hero is down for the count towards Helena from Go. He cracked me up with his ability to run a bit dramatic in his reality.
Ok, so seven tropes and my ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating should be enough to recommend this book.
Alrighty, they have kissed, I have now fantasized about a huntsman wrapped in black leather and told you about it!
Even without the nods to Snow White, this story is a total fairytale. Like, if books had a taste, I imagine this book would be a sweet, crisp yet chewy macroon. A pink one.
This book literally breathed new life into me. I've been reading darker, more mystery filled books with our #BookclubNameForthcoming So to switch over to this fairytale was like being a little doe and hearing Helena Sing Sweet Nightingale and following the glittery music notes to her hidden cottage. Covered with vines as all forest cottages should be.
Let's see how many tropes I can find from the book and then use to create a run on sentence because run on sentences are my favorite kind of sentences because you can say some much more while it's your turn to talk:
In this fairytale retelling, the MCs form a cross class secret romance that is definitely insta-lust as they partner on a goal that allows them to move from insta-lust to friends to lovers where the hero falls first.
Not only is Heroine Helena wonderfully bossy, but she is this precious mix of niavaty but already comfortable in her own skin and calling. She is a powerhouse telling saying: "I reject your rejection." Declan, the Huntsman Hero is down for the count towards Helena from Go. He cracked me up with his ability to run a bit dramatic in his reality.
Ok, so seven tropes and my ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating should be enough to recommend this book.
Alrighty, they have kissed, I have now fantasized about a huntsman wrapped in black leather and told you about it!
November 5, 2020
4.5 stars!
In the five years she’s been betrothed to the Duke of Lusk, Lady Helena Lark has tried everything she can think of to escape the match. The man is wholly uninterested in marrying, but her refusals have nonetheless all failed and her family is determined to see the lucrative match finally come to fruition. But Helena has one last idea to make good on her escape: find another bride for Lusk.
Declan Shaw, a former soldier turned mercenary, better known as The Huntsman, is well-known for his skill and has his pick of wealthy clients. His last job seeing a young noblewoman to the south of France ended in disaster, with Declan imprisoned and falsely accused of kidnapping his charge. He’s not interested in having anything further to do with the aristocracy, but is left little choice if he hopes to be released from prison so he agrees to mind the duke’s fiancé and see she makes it down the aisle.
But when Declan meets Helena, he finds her utterly irresistible. She senses his reluctance to aid the duke and enlists him as an ally. Against his own rules forbidding involvement with a client, Declan is soon all in with Helena, helping her enact her plan to see herself free of Lusk and securely in Declan’s arms instead.
I do love a good fairytale retelling, and this was a cute one. I’ve never read anything quite like it and while some of the plot points still don’t quite make sense to me, I really don’t even mind. I adored Declan as the initially somewhat reluctant hero. Once he decided he was all in, there was no hesitation and he was fully committed to Helena. She was just as steadfastly loyal to him and their determination to be together no matter what made this a delight to read. I loved that Helena was fiercely determined to have her freedom and make her own way, but she never came off as shrewishly insufferable or arrogant as is the case so often with heroines lately. Instead, she was willing to reevaluate and admit to being wrong, considering Declan’s feelings along with her own. I enjoyed picking out all the nods to Snow White and they gave this regency a refreshingly whimsical feel. I’m continuing this series and looking forward to the next fairytale.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
In the five years she’s been betrothed to the Duke of Lusk, Lady Helena Lark has tried everything she can think of to escape the match. The man is wholly uninterested in marrying, but her refusals have nonetheless all failed and her family is determined to see the lucrative match finally come to fruition. But Helena has one last idea to make good on her escape: find another bride for Lusk.
Declan Shaw, a former soldier turned mercenary, better known as The Huntsman, is well-known for his skill and has his pick of wealthy clients. His last job seeing a young noblewoman to the south of France ended in disaster, with Declan imprisoned and falsely accused of kidnapping his charge. He’s not interested in having anything further to do with the aristocracy, but is left little choice if he hopes to be released from prison so he agrees to mind the duke’s fiancé and see she makes it down the aisle.
But when Declan meets Helena, he finds her utterly irresistible. She senses his reluctance to aid the duke and enlists him as an ally. Against his own rules forbidding involvement with a client, Declan is soon all in with Helena, helping her enact her plan to see herself free of Lusk and securely in Declan’s arms instead.
I do love a good fairytale retelling, and this was a cute one. I’ve never read anything quite like it and while some of the plot points still don’t quite make sense to me, I really don’t even mind. I adored Declan as the initially somewhat reluctant hero. Once he decided he was all in, there was no hesitation and he was fully committed to Helena. She was just as steadfastly loyal to him and their determination to be together no matter what made this a delight to read. I loved that Helena was fiercely determined to have her freedom and make her own way, but she never came off as shrewishly insufferable or arrogant as is the case so often with heroines lately. Instead, she was willing to reevaluate and admit to being wrong, considering Declan’s feelings along with her own. I enjoyed picking out all the nods to Snow White and they gave this regency a refreshingly whimsical feel. I’m continuing this series and looking forward to the next fairytale.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 3, 2020
I have read many Beauty and the Beast retellings. I love a good fairy tale. This is my first Snow White retelling and my first book by Charis Michaels and I am 100% sold on both! I think I fell a little in love with Declan as the Huntsman and certainly loved his and Helena's love story. It was fun and light and just steamy enough to keep you wanting a little more. Their story resolved in such a clever way and I can't wait for the next book!
October 18, 2021
4.5 stars
Amazing novel, definitely a new favorite.
Amazing novel, definitely a new favorite.
November 3, 2020
Truly a 4.5 star rating.
I loved this a whole lot! This was much more of a Snow White and the Huntsman retelling than I had thought I was going to get, and was pleasantly surprised by it. Especially the tie in with the dwarves. 🤣
Both Helena and Declan were loveable characters in their own way, though I can see people having a tough time loving Helena in parts of this story.
I was loving all of the stolen steamy moments between our couple, and when they finally became one, I thought it was very sweet and genuine, with all of the cards on the table at the time it happened.
I am looking forward to exploring more from this author, and will DEVOUR any sequel that comes out in this series!
I loved this a whole lot! This was much more of a Snow White and the Huntsman retelling than I had thought I was going to get, and was pleasantly surprised by it. Especially the tie in with the dwarves. 🤣
Both Helena and Declan were loveable characters in their own way, though I can see people having a tough time loving Helena in parts of this story.
I was loving all of the stolen steamy moments between our couple, and when they finally became one, I thought it was very sweet and genuine, with all of the cards on the table at the time it happened.
I am looking forward to exploring more from this author, and will DEVOUR any sequel that comes out in this series!
March 27, 2023
Lady Helena Lark must marry the Duke of Lusk. She has known this for five long years and tried everything to avoid the doomed wedding. But, she finally has been forced to London for the impending nuptials. However, she has one last scheme to try; she is going to find another woman for the Duke and hope that they fall madly in love and he calls off the wedding!
Declan Shaw, known as The Huntsman, to his business associates, is released from jail by the Duke’s uncle and is tasked with keeping Helena from running away again or pulling any other hair-brained scheme. He is determined to succeed in this job as he desperately needs the money to support his ailing father and two sisters. Of course, being released from prison after being wrongfully accused is nice as well!
I had a hard time with this book. At times I found it boring. Others I was confused; either but the rushed emotions that seemed to come from nowhere to odd plot scenarios. I would find myself reading and wondering how we got to the middle of the street in a rainstorm…Maybe it was the narrative that was not clear or that things happened so fast that I was not following quickly enough. I’m not sure. But I also knew exactly who was stalking Helena and Declan and saw the ending about halfway through the book. Also, I get that Duke Lusk was horrible, but, other than the scene at the party, I just wished he was more of a jerk than he was presented. I wanted to really HATE him, so I could feel more of the trepidation Helena felt. Helena felt very juvenile to me, in her manners, the way she spoke, the way she behaved towards Shaw…anyway, I really don’t want to tear this book apart, but the kissing was ridiculous and I could not tell their was desire on Shaw’s side. I mean he is supposed to be experienced, but he barely touched her provocatively and there was zero passion.
Declan Shaw, known as The Huntsman, to his business associates, is released from jail by the Duke’s uncle and is tasked with keeping Helena from running away again or pulling any other hair-brained scheme. He is determined to succeed in this job as he desperately needs the money to support his ailing father and two sisters. Of course, being released from prison after being wrongfully accused is nice as well!
I had a hard time with this book. At times I found it boring. Others I was confused; either but the rushed emotions that seemed to come from nowhere to odd plot scenarios. I would find myself reading and wondering how we got to the middle of the street in a rainstorm…Maybe it was the narrative that was not clear or that things happened so fast that I was not following quickly enough. I’m not sure. But I also knew exactly who was stalking Helena and Declan and saw the ending about halfway through the book. Also, I get that Duke Lusk was horrible, but, other than the scene at the party, I just wished he was more of a jerk than he was presented. I wanted to really HATE him, so I could feel more of the trepidation Helena felt. Helena felt very juvenile to me, in her manners, the way she spoke, the way she behaved towards Shaw…anyway, I really don’t want to tear this book apart, but the kissing was ridiculous and I could not tell their was desire on Shaw’s side. I mean he is supposed to be experienced, but he barely touched her provocatively and there was zero passion.
July 3, 2023
3 out of 5 stars
This book is good and pretty romantic (and the plot is very clever and unique), but just not steamy enough for me to believe that their horniness for each other was like full on. I enjoyed Helena and Declan, but the lack of actual sex in the book was an interesting choice because it is not marketed as closed-door romance. I don't mind closed door at all; however, if it's not closed door but chooses to make the encounters closed door-ish, it just is a bit boring because then there is no compensation for it through a lovely Jane Austen style Wentworth-placing-hands-on-Anne's-waist-as-he-hoists-her-up-in-the-carriage >>>. So I think that is what is missing here: a clear direction of what kind of romance it wants to be, since a closed-door would have to demonstrate attraction through tension and hand placements (absolutely wonderful) and and this didn't have that because it wasn't closed door, so all of those special moments are gone but then not replaced with sexual steam and stuff, if that makes sense.
Here is what the book needed more of:
"And now she jumped up, straddling him. He caught her bottom with two hands. Declan bounced her in his hands, finding the perfect alignment of her body."
I also really liked the choice of him liking her bossing him around -- again, we have some ideas from the author but nothing fully developed to the point that it is unforgettable.
This book is good and pretty romantic (and the plot is very clever and unique), but just not steamy enough for me to believe that their horniness for each other was like full on. I enjoyed Helena and Declan, but the lack of actual sex in the book was an interesting choice because it is not marketed as closed-door romance. I don't mind closed door at all; however, if it's not closed door but chooses to make the encounters closed door-ish, it just is a bit boring because then there is no compensation for it through a lovely Jane Austen style Wentworth-placing-hands-on-Anne's-waist-as-he-hoists-her-up-in-the-carriage >>>. So I think that is what is missing here: a clear direction of what kind of romance it wants to be, since a closed-door would have to demonstrate attraction through tension and hand placements (absolutely wonderful) and and this didn't have that because it wasn't closed door, so all of those special moments are gone but then not replaced with sexual steam and stuff, if that makes sense.
Here is what the book needed more of:
"And now she jumped up, straddling him. He caught her bottom with two hands. Declan bounced her in his hands, finding the perfect alignment of her body."
I also really liked the choice of him liking her bossing him around -- again, we have some ideas from the author but nothing fully developed to the point that it is unforgettable.
March 15, 2021
AHHHH this was so good!
A reimagining of Snow White, a forbidden romance, many MANY make out sessions, a strapped hero, a heroine who can’t keep her hands off him, delicious chemistry, I enjoyed this way more that I was expecting.
A reimagining of Snow White, a forbidden romance, many MANY make out sessions, a strapped hero, a heroine who can’t keep her hands off him, delicious chemistry, I enjoyed this way more that I was expecting.
November 9, 2020
A Duchess a Day is a fun, smart, and romantic love story. The novel focuses on Declan Shaw and Lady Helena Lark, a mercenary and an heiress. Declan is a mercenary wrongly imprisoned for murder. When he has the opportunity to be released with the agreement to serve as an heiresses bodyguard, Declan reluctantly takes the offer. Helena is an heiress who has been trying to break her engagement to a disinterested, inebriated, and philandering fiancee for five years.
An unwilling participant in an arranged marriage, Helena refuses to be a pawn in her parents’ greedy schemes, especially when her marriage will result in the destruction of the land that she holds dear. Helena determines, with Declan��s help, to find other suitable women to entice her betrothed and, hopefully, break the engagement. However, neither Helena nor Declan planned to develop feelings for each other, especially considering the impossible positions they are both in. How can they be together when life threatens to tear them apart?
I loved Helena and Declan’s story. They are so different, yet they complement each other well. Declan is tough, while Helena is naive. He is experienced, and she is innocent. However, both are passionate, strong, and stubborn, and they both have a quick wit, which adds to their fantastic chemistry. They also seem to understand each other well. As both characters are misunderstood and used, Helena and Declan are drawn to one another. I loved how their relationship blossomed.
Unfortunately, Declan doesn’t feel like he is good enough for Helena. She is an heiress, and he is a mercenary. He has the threat of prison looming over him, and he has three family members to care for. He doesn’t want to burden her with his problems. Helena, in turn, feels invisible and helpless and has no one to turn to. She hates the vapid, materialistic society that her parents have forced her to be a part of and wishes to return to her quieter life at her apple orchard. Declan is the first person to really see her, understand her, and support her. The pair brings out the best in each other, and their characters are dynamically developed.
A Duchess a Day is a witty and swoon-worthy historical romance with dynamic protagonists and a well-paced plot. Readers who enjoy feisty main characters and a HEA will love this story! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Avon for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
An unwilling participant in an arranged marriage, Helena refuses to be a pawn in her parents’ greedy schemes, especially when her marriage will result in the destruction of the land that she holds dear. Helena determines, with Declan��s help, to find other suitable women to entice her betrothed and, hopefully, break the engagement. However, neither Helena nor Declan planned to develop feelings for each other, especially considering the impossible positions they are both in. How can they be together when life threatens to tear them apart?
I loved Helena and Declan’s story. They are so different, yet they complement each other well. Declan is tough, while Helena is naive. He is experienced, and she is innocent. However, both are passionate, strong, and stubborn, and they both have a quick wit, which adds to their fantastic chemistry. They also seem to understand each other well. As both characters are misunderstood and used, Helena and Declan are drawn to one another. I loved how their relationship blossomed.
Unfortunately, Declan doesn’t feel like he is good enough for Helena. She is an heiress, and he is a mercenary. He has the threat of prison looming over him, and he has three family members to care for. He doesn’t want to burden her with his problems. Helena, in turn, feels invisible and helpless and has no one to turn to. She hates the vapid, materialistic society that her parents have forced her to be a part of and wishes to return to her quieter life at her apple orchard. Declan is the first person to really see her, understand her, and support her. The pair brings out the best in each other, and their characters are dynamically developed.
A Duchess a Day is a witty and swoon-worthy historical romance with dynamic protagonists and a well-paced plot. Readers who enjoy feisty main characters and a HEA will love this story! Thanks so much to Netgalley and Avon for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
July 5, 2021
What a sweet, fun, and adorable forbidden-love romance! 😍😍 I was hooked right from the start and I never found a moment I would call dull. I really really loved it!
Declan is freshly out of jail, where he was sentenced for a crime he did not commit, on a condition that he has to pose as Helena's groom to keep an eye on her and ensure that she marries the Duke of Lusk - Bradley. Helena is the heiress of a huge orchard of apples, which she'll have to give away to the drunk and dull Duke if she marries him. He and his uncle plan to remove the orchard and mine for limestones there instead. In order to protect her precious trees, she has refused, evaded, shown signs of madness, and even ran away a couple of times — but to no avail. But, Helena has another idea to avoid marrying the Duke — find a much better suited wife for him, who will make him fall head over heels for her and eventually the Duke will refuse to marry Helena! This begins her search for potential Duchess and she interviews one potential duchess a day.
I really loved the Declan and Helena through the story. They were caring and supportive, towards each other as well as other people and things in their lives. They were resilient and brave, yet showed signs of vulnerability. The chemistry between them was epic and even though there wasn't a lot of smut in this book, I could feel the tension between the two. They just worked great together.
I really enjoyed how the author used the Seven Dwarfs reference in the story. I think it was pretty clever. The writing style was good too. It was easy breezy and made it a fast read.
My only complaint was that there was absolutely no personality to the Duke of Lusk. For about 85% of the book, he's either not there at all or is drunk and indisposed. Which does not make for interesting story where he is supposed to be a villain. I mean, sure the uncle posed as a villain mainly but we never get to know why Declan let his uncle control a majority of the narrative. It felt as if, the Duke was mostly asleep through most of the book only to rise and provide an HEA to the story.
Declan is freshly out of jail, where he was sentenced for a crime he did not commit, on a condition that he has to pose as Helena's groom to keep an eye on her and ensure that she marries the Duke of Lusk - Bradley. Helena is the heiress of a huge orchard of apples, which she'll have to give away to the drunk and dull Duke if she marries him. He and his uncle plan to remove the orchard and mine for limestones there instead. In order to protect her precious trees, she has refused, evaded, shown signs of madness, and even ran away a couple of times — but to no avail. But, Helena has another idea to avoid marrying the Duke — find a much better suited wife for him, who will make him fall head over heels for her and eventually the Duke will refuse to marry Helena! This begins her search for potential Duchess and she interviews one potential duchess a day.
I really loved the Declan and Helena through the story. They were caring and supportive, towards each other as well as other people and things in their lives. They were resilient and brave, yet showed signs of vulnerability. The chemistry between them was epic and even though there wasn't a lot of smut in this book, I could feel the tension between the two. They just worked great together.
I really enjoyed how the author used the Seven Dwarfs reference in the story. I think it was pretty clever. The writing style was good too. It was easy breezy and made it a fast read.
My only complaint was that there was absolutely no personality to the Duke of Lusk. For about 85% of the book, he's either not there at all or is drunk and indisposed. Which does not make for interesting story where he is supposed to be a villain. I mean, sure the uncle posed as a villain mainly but we never get to know why Declan let his uncle control a majority of the narrative. It felt as if, the Duke was mostly asleep through most of the book only to rise and provide an HEA to the story.
August 10, 2023
Changing rating from 4 to 5 because its the next day and ive been bummed all day that i finished it already.
Overall really good book. It was much easier for me to read than when you wish upon a duke (which i also really enjoyed), the romance just happened quicker which i really like especially when in a slump.
I loved all the kisses and sneaking around and the pull the characters had toward one another.
Ngl i was really curious about the duke of lusk since hes not your typical slimy gross or even besotted reluctant fiance. He was indifferent and even slightly hostile. And during a game in the book there was just a side of him i thought may just be a mask of sorts or his actions may be hiding some kind of trauma. He isnt delved into but i thought he could potentially make for an interesting hero for a future book, not that he will be and i probably just look too much into it.
One thing was i occasionally found it difficult to figure out who's pov i was in. This was only a few times and i think maybe it was because i spaced out butim not sure.
Really liked it, i will definitely be reading the third book in this series as well. Look forward to reading her other books as well.
Safety:
3rd person dual pov
Lots of kisses
1🔥
◇OM drama: h is betrothed but neither her fiance nor her like each other much less interact often. She is trying to find a suitable replacement bride for him.
◇OW drama: no but one of Hs clients, the one that out him in jail, reveals herself and throws herself at him and is too familiar with him. H admits she tried to seduce him but he wasnt interested. And h asks if they ever hooked up and he assures her he hadnt. No drama came from it
◇h 24, H late 20s early 30s
◇no cheating/sharing
◇no seperation
◇virgin h, no manhoe H, hes had lovers but it didnt seem like he hopped around a lot.
◇no contraceptive
◇HEA 6 months in the future, married and living on her apple farm.
Overall really good book. It was much easier for me to read than when you wish upon a duke (which i also really enjoyed), the romance just happened quicker which i really like especially when in a slump.
I loved all the kisses and sneaking around and the pull the characters had toward one another.
Ngl i was really curious about the duke of lusk since hes not your typical slimy gross or even besotted reluctant fiance. He was indifferent and even slightly hostile. And during a game in the book there was just a side of him i thought may just be a mask of sorts or his actions may be hiding some kind of trauma. He isnt delved into but i thought he could potentially make for an interesting hero for a future book, not that he will be and i probably just look too much into it.
One thing was i occasionally found it difficult to figure out who's pov i was in. This was only a few times and i think maybe it was because i spaced out butim not sure.
Really liked it, i will definitely be reading the third book in this series as well. Look forward to reading her other books as well.
Safety:
3rd person dual pov
Lots of kisses
1🔥
◇OM drama: h is betrothed but neither her fiance nor her like each other much less interact often. She is trying to find a suitable replacement bride for him.
◇OW drama: no but one of Hs clients, the one that out him in jail, reveals herself and throws herself at him and is too familiar with him. H admits she tried to seduce him but he wasnt interested. And h asks if they ever hooked up and he assures her he hadnt. No drama came from it
◇h 24, H late 20s early 30s
◇no cheating/sharing
◇no seperation
◇virgin h, no manhoe H, hes had lovers but it didnt seem like he hopped around a lot.
◇no contraceptive
◇HEA 6 months in the future, married and living on her apple farm.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2020
This was a new to me author and I couldn’t pass up that synopsis.
I loved Helena and Declan. She’s determined and he’s smitten and together they have some fantastic scenes. I loved their honesty, willingness to help each other, and the natural progression of the relationship. Yes, there’s instant interest, but it’s not insta-love.
Plot wise, it was good. I liked Helena’s idea of getting other ladies to audition (of sorts) and even though the act of meeting them was repetitive, each woman was different. There is a bit of push and pull between Helena and Declan, but (as he puts it), she’s relentless. I will say that I was sort of annoyed at the last bit of resolution for Declan. I won’t spoil anything, but it was something serious and was dealt with so flippantly.
Overall, the characters were so much fun and I love this different sort of fairy tale. I can’t wait to read the next one.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Helena and Declan. She’s determined and he’s smitten and together they have some fantastic scenes. I loved their honesty, willingness to help each other, and the natural progression of the relationship. Yes, there’s instant interest, but it’s not insta-love.
Plot wise, it was good. I liked Helena’s idea of getting other ladies to audition (of sorts) and even though the act of meeting them was repetitive, each woman was different. There is a bit of push and pull between Helena and Declan, but (as he puts it), she’s relentless. I will say that I was sort of annoyed at the last bit of resolution for Declan. I won’t spoil anything, but it was something serious and was dealt with so flippantly.
Overall, the characters were so much fun and I love this different sort of fairy tale. I can’t wait to read the next one.
**Huge thanks to Avon Books for providing the arc free of charge**
October 2, 2021
I’m a sucker for a retelling of a classic fairytale and Charis Michaels did just that and more. I was so invested in these characters. Even Lusk who you hated was intriguing. Helena was a fantastic heroine that was “relentless” and Declan was dreamy and protective. But what I loved was that in the end a woman saved them all! So good! So clever!
November 22, 2020
What do you need with more than one new lockdown regulation a day coming your way? A Duchess a Day. Clearly.
If there ever was a time to get into the wonderfully absurd but uplifting, funny, romantic and fantastical world of regency love captured in novels competing with one another for "most awful cover" every day of the year- this is it.
The book opens with the male main character's point of view and it starts out in a prison. Already I was hooked. Quite an unusual start to a regency romance- YAAS PLEASE! Declan aka the Huntsman aka a delicious snack of a man is the ideal swoon worthy imposing not-so gentleman rake a lot of us reading these novels have a serious soft spot for (despite or maybe because of all the hard, hard muscles they display). Anyway, objectification aside, Declan is...wonderful. I liked him from the get-go. Usually characters have to grow on me, especially the rogues, but the Huntsman...aaahh. I don't exactly know what it was about him, maybe his hilarious thoughts in comparison to what he ended up saying, how he deals with absurd situations, how he cares for his father and sisters...there was a lot to love and I did end up loving it.
He is hired to guard a young Lady who is to marry a bloke one would evidently want to bolt from marrying. The huntsman is to prevent such a thing from happening and finds himself being hired as a mix between bodyguard/chaperone/ nanny/gouvernante/jack of all trades/companion. The Lady of course is Helena and her eyes are not firmly set on "the prize of matrimony". And she has been quite effective in not being married off. But now, alas, it seems she is finally snared in and the family she is to marry into makes sure she doesn't stray this time. I am glad the book did comment on how absurd it is none the less that one would hire an accused felon for the task of getting a girl married, however innocent Declan might acutally be.
Helena meets Declan as her personal groom, a servant of the house, and is therefore in a position of "not-knowing", compared to the readers, which makes for an interesting read and development. But it's by no means boring for the reader, because while the main outcome of course is quite predictable, there are a lot of obstacles that are not so easily overcome. If Declan fails to "deliver" the bride-to-be for example he is promised to not only lose the money his family desperately needs, but also his freedom. And how could he then be with Helena?
Why 3.5 and not 5 stars? Because there are obvious flaws that I just cannot ignore. A man out of prison, locked up under the conditions described in the book, does not look like Declan does. Also this was advertised as a regency fairytale retelling. I don't really think it did that justice. Yes, Declan is also called Huntsman, but none of the other essential traits of Snowwhite was met here other than Helena having white skin, balck hair and she enjoys growing apples. She has green eyes and no "little friends", she still has both parents and sisters. Of course, later on Knightly Snow shows up and puts a new spin on the fairytale perspective, but reallly.... when we talk Fairytale I think original (in which a prince wakes her up with a kiss) and not a semi-convincing take on Snowwhite and the Huntsman with Kirsten Steward. Ugh. And then some Disney dwarf versions thrown into the mix just for good luck. Maybe an US American audience is targeted more by this. I wasn't it.
For anyone who wants to read this despite my points of ciriticism I say: DO IT! The attraction is already sizzling in the thrid chapter, the dialogues are full of banter, the female lead is feisty and Declan put it quite nicely when he says that "In my experience, disaster proliferates when females are involved". And even though this could be viewed as a sexist and totally inappropriate comment, it does hold true in a very entertaining way in this book. It's not overly sexy and this author is no Tessa Dare, but it's okay.
If there ever was a time to get into the wonderfully absurd but uplifting, funny, romantic and fantastical world of regency love captured in novels competing with one another for "most awful cover" every day of the year- this is it.
The book opens with the male main character's point of view and it starts out in a prison. Already I was hooked. Quite an unusual start to a regency romance- YAAS PLEASE! Declan aka the Huntsman aka a delicious snack of a man is the ideal swoon worthy imposing not-so gentleman rake a lot of us reading these novels have a serious soft spot for (despite or maybe because of all the hard, hard muscles they display). Anyway, objectification aside, Declan is...wonderful. I liked him from the get-go. Usually characters have to grow on me, especially the rogues, but the Huntsman...aaahh. I don't exactly know what it was about him, maybe his hilarious thoughts in comparison to what he ended up saying, how he deals with absurd situations, how he cares for his father and sisters...there was a lot to love and I did end up loving it.
He is hired to guard a young Lady who is to marry a bloke one would evidently want to bolt from marrying. The huntsman is to prevent such a thing from happening and finds himself being hired as a mix between bodyguard/chaperone/ nanny/gouvernante/jack of all trades/companion. The Lady of course is Helena and her eyes are not firmly set on "the prize of matrimony". And she has been quite effective in not being married off. But now, alas, it seems she is finally snared in and the family she is to marry into makes sure she doesn't stray this time. I am glad the book did comment on how absurd it is none the less that one would hire an accused felon for the task of getting a girl married, however innocent Declan might acutally be.
Helena meets Declan as her personal groom, a servant of the house, and is therefore in a position of "not-knowing", compared to the readers, which makes for an interesting read and development. But it's by no means boring for the reader, because while the main outcome of course is quite predictable, there are a lot of obstacles that are not so easily overcome. If Declan fails to "deliver" the bride-to-be for example he is promised to not only lose the money his family desperately needs, but also his freedom. And how could he then be with Helena?
Why 3.5 and not 5 stars? Because there are obvious flaws that I just cannot ignore. A man out of prison, locked up under the conditions described in the book, does not look like Declan does. Also this was advertised as a regency fairytale retelling. I don't really think it did that justice. Yes, Declan is also called Huntsman, but none of the other essential traits of Snowwhite was met here other than Helena having white skin, balck hair and she enjoys growing apples. She has green eyes and no "little friends", she still has both parents and sisters. Of course, later on Knightly Snow shows up and puts a new spin on the fairytale perspective, but reallly.... when we talk Fairytale I think original (in which a prince wakes her up with a kiss) and not a semi-convincing take on Snowwhite and the Huntsman with Kirsten Steward. Ugh. And then some Disney dwarf versions thrown into the mix just for good luck. Maybe an US American audience is targeted more by this. I wasn't it.
For anyone who wants to read this despite my points of ciriticism I say: DO IT! The attraction is already sizzling in the thrid chapter, the dialogues are full of banter, the female lead is feisty and Declan put it quite nicely when he says that "In my experience, disaster proliferates when females are involved". And even though this could be viewed as a sexist and totally inappropriate comment, it does hold true in a very entertaining way in this book. It's not overly sexy and this author is no Tessa Dare, but it's okay.
November 10, 2020
A fun read!
A fanciful Regency romance cleverly using the Snow White tradition as the organizing motif to give us a wonderfully witty romance. This fractured regency fairytale has a skew of cleverly inserted identifiable parts.
Lady Helena Lark has been evading her arranged marriage to the Duke of Lusk for years, using more outrageously creative attempts as time moves on.
Declan Shaw, a mercenary dubbed “The Huntsman” languishing in Newgate prison is released on the condition that he will guard Helena and prevent her from escaping her upcoming nuptials.
Helena has other ideas. Declan is faced with a rather different challenge. Guarding this astonishing woman is a test in more ways than one. His amazement as Helena plots with all the confidence and ability of the best of spies equals my delight at Helena's capabilities.
Helena plans to introduce alternative candidates to Lusk as part of her campaign.
Her seven potential duchesses list riffs off the seven dwarfs--Sleepy, Happy etc.
Helen's bodyguard and protector Declan (remember the Huntsman movie!) is fabulous.
The swapped roles with Lusk who seems removed to the point of sleepiness and is awakened by a surprising entry is nicely drawn. Indeed explosive!
All the best elements are present, aided by a strong plot and tight writing, to give us a three W read--Wow factor, Winsome and Wonderful!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
A fanciful Regency romance cleverly using the Snow White tradition as the organizing motif to give us a wonderfully witty romance. This fractured regency fairytale has a skew of cleverly inserted identifiable parts.
Lady Helena Lark has been evading her arranged marriage to the Duke of Lusk for years, using more outrageously creative attempts as time moves on.
Declan Shaw, a mercenary dubbed “The Huntsman” languishing in Newgate prison is released on the condition that he will guard Helena and prevent her from escaping her upcoming nuptials.
Helena has other ideas. Declan is faced with a rather different challenge. Guarding this astonishing woman is a test in more ways than one. His amazement as Helena plots with all the confidence and ability of the best of spies equals my delight at Helena's capabilities.
Helena plans to introduce alternative candidates to Lusk as part of her campaign.
Her seven potential duchesses list riffs off the seven dwarfs--Sleepy, Happy etc.
Helen's bodyguard and protector Declan (remember the Huntsman movie!) is fabulous.
The swapped roles with Lusk who seems removed to the point of sleepiness and is awakened by a surprising entry is nicely drawn. Indeed explosive!
All the best elements are present, aided by a strong plot and tight writing, to give us a three W read--Wow factor, Winsome and Wonderful!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
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