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Waywroth Academy #3
A Too Suitable Duchess
Lady Victoria Wickerby has always intended to fulfill the duty of her station and marry the man chosen by her father. Having disguised her determination beneath an air of blithe amusement, Victoria believes her obligation as a duke’s daughter is not incompatible with her covert ambitions. She fully intends to continue running a school for impoverished factory women. A man, no matter how handsome or powerful, will not disturb her life. She’s heard rumors about what takes place in a marriage bed and supposes that a little daily attention to her new husband will prove entirely bearable.
However, prominent aristocrats are accustomed to getting what they want. Three minutes each night will not be enough for Victoria’s fiancé of five years. Spencer Ashby, Duke of Casebridge, sets out to patiently, thoroughly seduce Victoria, even after the marriage has united their families. His ulterior motives are quickly revealed. Spencer has a young son from a previous liaison—and more, his son is wrapped in scandal. Spencer needs Victoria’s influence and charm to redirect the course of Society’s gossip. Presenting a unified front as a loving family will not be simple, and Spencer’s sweet, seemingly naïve bride expects a high price for her public smiles.
Tangled in their schemes, the no-nonsense newlyweds never expect to find a love as vigorous as their passion—a love even stronger than their stubborn hearts.
However, prominent aristocrats are accustomed to getting what they want. Three minutes each night will not be enough for Victoria’s fiancé of five years. Spencer Ashby, Duke of Casebridge, sets out to patiently, thoroughly seduce Victoria, even after the marriage has united their families. His ulterior motives are quickly revealed. Spencer has a young son from a previous liaison—and more, his son is wrapped in scandal. Spencer needs Victoria’s influence and charm to redirect the course of Society’s gossip. Presenting a unified front as a loving family will not be simple, and Spencer’s sweet, seemingly naïve bride expects a high price for her public smiles.
Tangled in their schemes, the no-nonsense newlyweds never expect to find a love as vigorous as their passion—a love even stronger than their stubborn hearts.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2019
3 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Lorelie Brown
15 books137 followersAfter a semi-nomadic childhood throughout California, Lorelie Brown spent high school in Orange County before joining the US Army. After traveling the world from South Korea to Italy, she’s settled north of Chicago. Because going from California warmth to northern snow seemed like the proper order of events...
Lorelie has three active sons and a tiny shih-tzu who thinks he’s son number three—not four, he’s too important to be the baby. Writing romance helps her escape a house full of testosterone.
In her immense free time (hah!) Lorelie co-writes contemporary erotic romance under the name Katie Porter. You can find out more about the “Vegas Top Guns” and “Club Devant” series at www.KatiePorterBooks.com or at @MsKatiePorter. You can also contact Lorelie on Twitter @LorelieBrown.
Lorelie has three active sons and a tiny shih-tzu who thinks he’s son number three—not four, he’s too important to be the baby. Writing romance helps her escape a house full of testosterone.
In her immense free time (hah!) Lorelie co-writes contemporary erotic romance under the name Katie Porter. You can find out more about the “Vegas Top Guns” and “Club Devant” series at www.KatiePorterBooks.com or at @MsKatiePorter. You can also contact Lorelie on Twitter @LorelieBrown.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 28, 2023
DNF. Not necessarily a bad book, but when you’ve been around the block a few times with historical romance, you start to pick up reused themes and lines.
For example: She wanted something… no, that’s not right. She wanted someone… she wanted…him.
Like okay?? Why does every damn point have to be reiterated 3 times. It’s not that deep babes. I think I’ve read that exact line in no less than 8 books. Listening to it as an audiobook was actually torturous. At first I was annoyed with it and actually gaslighted myself into thinking I was grumpy because of lack of sleep but in fact on a new day I realised this was just a no from me.
I think if you want to use this writing style then you need two things: more plot, and more shock factor. This author could give Tolkien a run for his money for unnecessary rambling.
For example: She wanted something… no, that’s not right. She wanted someone… she wanted…him.
Like okay?? Why does every damn point have to be reiterated 3 times. It’s not that deep babes. I think I’ve read that exact line in no less than 8 books. Listening to it as an audiobook was actually torturous. At first I was annoyed with it and actually gaslighted myself into thinking I was grumpy because of lack of sleep but in fact on a new day I realised this was just a no from me.
I think if you want to use this writing style then you need two things: more plot, and more shock factor. This author could give Tolkien a run for his money for unnecessary rambling.
February 26, 2024
3.5 stars
May 2, 2024
3 stars!
This had an interesting plot with the already existing heir...
RTC
This had an interesting plot with the already existing heir...
RTC
March 10, 2022
Hm. Hm hm hmmm.
I'm conflicted on this one. It's not bad, but I didn't really enjoy most of it.
The writing is very good. The author is very talented, and they have great ideas. The concepts of their books are excellent, and the page to page writing is quality. The bits that don't fit for me feel like they could've been smoothed out better in editing.
The characters are okay. Spencer's backstory is interesting and I do love a good guilt-ridden character convinced they can't overcome their past, etc. I struggled with Victoria a lot. "Practically perfect in every way" only really works for Mary Poppins. She's among the most wealthy and influential in the country, has loving friends and family, unrelentingly supported and praised, never had to do without, and does charity on the side. Then she gets a husband who, despite an arranged marriage, is attractive and devotes himself to satisfying her in bed.
So it absolutely sucks that he didn't tell her about his kid. But it doesn't seem the huge deal that Victoria makes of it that she should lie to people she doesn't respect about knowing about the kid ahead of time. I felt a lot like her parents every time this came up, feeling like there should've been something bigger for how she was reacting. It felt like Spencer should've gotten a shred of sympathy or benefit of the doubt somewhere before the end of the book for doing this for his innocent child.
Victoria's interactions with his son, Colin, throughout are fairly awkward. Women don't have to like children by virtue of being women, but it seems an odd choice to make to make a character who doesn't appear to like children the love interest in a romance with a man who has a child he loves. She doesn't try to interact with Colin at all until he's on his literal deathbed. Which. Hm. Doesn't bode really well for the long term there. Especially considering Victoria is the one who nearly killed him by bringing measles into the household by insisting on playing nurse despite not being one and not being immune to measles. (But of course she doesn't get sick.)
The arc of Victoria and Spencer getting to know each other and become closer despite being in an arranged marriage was good, with some very sweet moments. I would've preferred that to be the focus rather than overcoming Victoria's resentment. The sex scenes are very hot, and fantastically written. Definitely one of the author's strengths. The struggle was that I enjoyed them more out of context, rather than with the characters involved in the story, which isn't great for a romance.
Overall, it's not bad, it just didn't hit the right notes for me. I think someone who liked the characters better and felt more for Victoria would enjoy it much more. I still do want to try more by this author, because there are elements I enjoyed, so maybe another book will work better for me.
I'm conflicted on this one. It's not bad, but I didn't really enjoy most of it.
The writing is very good. The author is very talented, and they have great ideas. The concepts of their books are excellent, and the page to page writing is quality. The bits that don't fit for me feel like they could've been smoothed out better in editing.
The characters are okay. Spencer's backstory is interesting and I do love a good guilt-ridden character convinced they can't overcome their past, etc. I struggled with Victoria a lot. "Practically perfect in every way" only really works for Mary Poppins. She's among the most wealthy and influential in the country, has loving friends and family, unrelentingly supported and praised, never had to do without, and does charity on the side. Then she gets a husband who, despite an arranged marriage, is attractive and devotes himself to satisfying her in bed.
So it absolutely sucks that he didn't tell her about his kid. But it doesn't seem the huge deal that Victoria makes of it that she should lie to people she doesn't respect about knowing about the kid ahead of time. I felt a lot like her parents every time this came up, feeling like there should've been something bigger for how she was reacting. It felt like Spencer should've gotten a shred of sympathy or benefit of the doubt somewhere before the end of the book for doing this for his innocent child.
Victoria's interactions with his son, Colin, throughout are fairly awkward. Women don't have to like children by virtue of being women, but it seems an odd choice to make to make a character who doesn't appear to like children the love interest in a romance with a man who has a child he loves. She doesn't try to interact with Colin at all until he's on his literal deathbed. Which. Hm. Doesn't bode really well for the long term there. Especially considering Victoria is the one who nearly killed him by bringing measles into the household by insisting on playing nurse despite not being one and not being immune to measles. (But of course she doesn't get sick.)
The arc of Victoria and Spencer getting to know each other and become closer despite being in an arranged marriage was good, with some very sweet moments. I would've preferred that to be the focus rather than overcoming Victoria's resentment. The sex scenes are very hot, and fantastically written. Definitely one of the author's strengths. The struggle was that I enjoyed them more out of context, rather than with the characters involved in the story, which isn't great for a romance.
Overall, it's not bad, it just didn't hit the right notes for me. I think someone who liked the characters better and felt more for Victoria would enjoy it much more. I still do want to try more by this author, because there are elements I enjoyed, so maybe another book will work better for me.
January 2, 2023
“He had to make sure there was no way out, no chance things could fall through”. The premise of this book is SO SO SO abusive I just couldn’t get past that. The way the book tries to make us look past that because of what? He gave her a few orgasms and is a nice father? That does not make the situation okay whatsoever. And let’s me honest, you cannot read and enjoy a romance novel if you think the main love interest is a creep who should get absolutely NONE of the things he schemed and trapped her in for.
February 18, 2022
(Scribd)
I cannot believe no one has reviewed this. It's the perfect ending to the series which I really enjoyed. Although this is kinda angst ridden as it's a marriage for duty story it's completely understandable and their relationship grows organically and zero bad guys!
I cannot believe no one has reviewed this. It's the perfect ending to the series which I really enjoyed. Although this is kinda angst ridden as it's a marriage for duty story it's completely understandable and their relationship grows organically and zero bad guys!
April 8, 2022
Scribd Audiobook
June 7, 2022
It’s a little to erotic for me. Wasn’t a fan of this book couldn’t wait till it was finished
February 15, 2023
Essentially PWP.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews