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The Dukes' Pact #1
The Viscount's Sinful Bargain
#1 in The Dukes’ Pact Series—six dukes take dire steps to force their heirs to marry, while those heirs fight just as hard to remain bachelors. A sweet regency romance. Read for Free in Kindle Unlimited!
Lord Hampton cursed his luck. Six dukes were in league together to force their sons to marry, and one of them was his own father. The old men had drawn up a formal pact, with severe consequences to their heirs included. Edwin is determined to devise a way out of it; he has no intention of marrying any time soon. He’s also desperate to get his name off the ton’s lips. Mamas are circling like hunters round a wounded stag, and every pert little miss is fanning herself.
Cassandra Knightsbridge, only daughter of Viscount Trebly, has not had a very usual upbringing. She rides like the devil, leaving her groom far behind...if she bothered to take a groom at all. More alarming, there would be few gentlemen who could best her with a fowling piece. Of course, she knows those particular habits will not find approval in a London drawing room and ought not be mentioned. That is, until a condescending lord provokes her.
Might not a tale of a girl who shoots turn society’s attention away from the dukes’ pact? The whispers wind their way through drawing rooms, and the talk about Miss Knightsbridge blooms.
Edwin’s love for the lady blooms too, but now he’s made it impossible to win her.
Lord Hampton cursed his luck. Six dukes were in league together to force their sons to marry, and one of them was his own father. The old men had drawn up a formal pact, with severe consequences to their heirs included. Edwin is determined to devise a way out of it; he has no intention of marrying any time soon. He’s also desperate to get his name off the ton’s lips. Mamas are circling like hunters round a wounded stag, and every pert little miss is fanning herself.
Cassandra Knightsbridge, only daughter of Viscount Trebly, has not had a very usual upbringing. She rides like the devil, leaving her groom far behind...if she bothered to take a groom at all. More alarming, there would be few gentlemen who could best her with a fowling piece. Of course, she knows those particular habits will not find approval in a London drawing room and ought not be mentioned. That is, until a condescending lord provokes her.
Might not a tale of a girl who shoots turn society’s attention away from the dukes’ pact? The whispers wind their way through drawing rooms, and the talk about Miss Knightsbridge blooms.
Edwin’s love for the lady blooms too, but now he’s made it impossible to win her.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2020
899 people are currently reading
535 people want to read
About the author
Kate Archer
36 books100 followersBy the time I was eleven, my Irish Nana and I had formed a book club of sorts. On a timetable only known to herself, Nana would grab her blackthorn walking stick and steam down to the local Woolworth’s. There, she would buy the latest Barbara Cartland romance, hurry home to read it accompanied by viciously strong wine, (Wild Irish Rose, if you’re wondering) and then pass the book on to me. Though I was not particularly interested in real boys yet, I was very interested in the gentlemen in those stories—daring, bold, and often enraging and unaccountable. After my Barbara Cartland phase, I went on to Georgette Heyer, Jane Austen and so many other gifted authors blessed with the ability to bring the Georgian and Regency eras to life.
I would like nothing more than to time travel back to the Regency (and time travel back to my twenties as long as we’re going somewhere) to take my chances at a ball. Who would take the first? Who would escort me into supper? What sort of meaningful looks would be exchanged? I would hope, having made the trip, to encounter a gentleman who would give me a very hard time. He ought to be vexatious in the extreme, and worth every vexation, to make the journey worthwhile.
I most likely won’t be able to work out the time travel gambit, so I will content myself with writing stories of adventure and romance in my beloved time period. There are lives to be created, marvelous gowns to wear, jewels to don, instant attractions that inevitably come with a difficulty, and hearts to break before putting them back together again. In traditional Regency fashion, my stories are clean—the action happens in a drawing room, rather than a bedroom.
As I muse over what will happen next to my H and h, and wish I were there with them, I will occasionally remind myself that it’s also nice to have a microwave, Netflix, cheese popcorn, and steaming hot showers.
Come see me on Facebook - @KateArcherAuthor or visit my website at https://katearcher.weebly.com
I would like nothing more than to time travel back to the Regency (and time travel back to my twenties as long as we’re going somewhere) to take my chances at a ball. Who would take the first? Who would escort me into supper? What sort of meaningful looks would be exchanged? I would hope, having made the trip, to encounter a gentleman who would give me a very hard time. He ought to be vexatious in the extreme, and worth every vexation, to make the journey worthwhile.
I most likely won’t be able to work out the time travel gambit, so I will content myself with writing stories of adventure and romance in my beloved time period. There are lives to be created, marvelous gowns to wear, jewels to don, instant attractions that inevitably come with a difficulty, and hearts to break before putting them back together again. In traditional Regency fashion, my stories are clean—the action happens in a drawing room, rather than a bedroom.
As I muse over what will happen next to my H and h, and wish I were there with them, I will occasionally remind myself that it’s also nice to have a microwave, Netflix, cheese popcorn, and steaming hot showers.
Come see me on Facebook - @KateArcherAuthor or visit my website at https://katearcher.weebly.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
June 27, 2020
Kate Archer is a new-to-me and perhaps even new author, since this is the only book to be found on her author's page here on Amazon. The price of the book is right and I like to give new HR authors a try, hence my downloading of this story.
The Dukes' Pact series, of which this is #1, has six dukes of the realm despairing of their heirs and wanting them to marry ASAP. So they make a pact that their heirs will suffer dire consequences if they don't find themselves wives within a given period of time. (Was it a year? Can't remember.)
All of these heirs are friends and all of them have no interest in marrying, but their fathers do not care how they feel about the whole situation. It's dad's way or the highway.
This first story involves Viscount Hampton. No thanks, says he, to marriage. But then he meets Cassandra Knightsbridge, daughter of Viscount Trebly, and his life starts to unravel. Not because he falls desperately in love with her at first sight. Nope, it's because he's a prime example of an a-hole and he and his friends do something to mess up her reputation, spreading some untrue and unkind gossip which takes hold in the ton like a wildfire.
The rest of the book has him trying to undo the harm he has done to her. It's an interminable journey. Along the way they fall in love, I guess, although the tepid attraction here is easy to miss. The book is much too long. It's a one-trick-pony of a plot and I was bored. I don't feel any desire to find out what happens to this guy's five friends. They all struck me as entitled jerks. They can all go live in Cheapside, or better yet St. Giles, as far as I'm concerned.
The Dukes' Pact series, of which this is #1, has six dukes of the realm despairing of their heirs and wanting them to marry ASAP. So they make a pact that their heirs will suffer dire consequences if they don't find themselves wives within a given period of time. (Was it a year? Can't remember.)
All of these heirs are friends and all of them have no interest in marrying, but their fathers do not care how they feel about the whole situation. It's dad's way or the highway.
This first story involves Viscount Hampton. No thanks, says he, to marriage. But then he meets Cassandra Knightsbridge, daughter of Viscount Trebly, and his life starts to unravel. Not because he falls desperately in love with her at first sight. Nope, it's because he's a prime example of an a-hole and he and his friends do something to mess up her reputation, spreading some untrue and unkind gossip which takes hold in the ton like a wildfire.
The rest of the book has him trying to undo the harm he has done to her. It's an interminable journey. Along the way they fall in love, I guess, although the tepid attraction here is easy to miss. The book is much too long. It's a one-trick-pony of a plot and I was bored. I don't feel any desire to find out what happens to this guy's five friends. They all struck me as entitled jerks. They can all go live in Cheapside, or better yet St. Giles, as far as I'm concerned.
June 8, 2020
Firstly, thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC of this title. A review, honest or otherwise, was requested but not required.
I am of mixed feelings about this book. There was a lot to like. I appreciated the true-to-time period mannerisms and dialogue. I really liked the true-to-time period courtship - e.g., no groping in alcoves, no semi-private erotica-style sexual encounters with a surprisingly adept virginal heroine, nothing but public conversational encounters in which Hampton and Miss Knightsbridge actually get to know one another. I liked the idea of gossip as a plot device - it's absolutely period-accurate - and the contrast between the way gossip affected women vs. men. I liked that the h was a smart, strong woman (girl?) -most of the time- and I liked the way she owned her "nonconventional" hobbies. And this is very personal, but I REALLY liked the whole big dog situation. As a large breed owner myself I felt a kinship to Miss Knightsbridge on that one. All her big vs. little dog commentary was right on. (Side note: It is my personal belief that frequently small dog owners don't bother to train their dogs because they can just PICK UP the offending animal and cart them away. I have not met more than two or three little yappy dogs in my entire life that were actually obedience-trained. This is not an exaggeration.)
So: there was a lot to like here.
I felt somewhat unexcited about the six-heirs-in-a-pact plot as it seemed unrealistic vis-a-vis the rest of the plot, and frankly I thought their plans to first discredit Miss Knightsbridge and then later redeem her were both out of character for the men in general. But, whatever, I've read less credulous setups and been able to roll with them, no problem.
I also felt that both the h and H exhibited some questionable/childish behavior. Hampton obviously made the *Big* mistake; he realized it almost as soon as he'd done it and tried to undo it. (And got very little credit for it.) The rest of his group probably wouldn't have done a thing to help without his influence, but they were all punished equally which seemed somewhat unfair. Cassandra acted her age, I suppose; why I expect a teenager to act more mature is a perennial mystery. I can't really see a real regency teenager, country-bred lady or no, informing a Dowager Duchess that she imagined the clay discs she was shooting to bits were the "heads of the DD's grandson and his friends". I mean, really. Nonetheless, both characters were obviously coming around to more mature outlooks by the end and will probably be madly in love with babies on the way in cameos of future series installments.
So where I kind of got stuck was the whole "guns" subplot. At first it was charming; obviously some country-bred ladies went shooting, even then. Miss Knightsbridge agreed that she should not have brought it up: even her otherwise permissive father said so. She was then ostracized for her hobby (and other things) by the gossipy London ladies. OK, fine, I get it. But then the book kind of turned into a low-level NRA ad in which guns were brought up A LOT and in the most glowing terms. Guns are fun! Guns are great for recreating! Guns save lives! The heroine saved the Dowager because she had a gun! and she is also a great shot! Now everyone sees the error of judging a girl for liking to shoot things! and maybe it's a good idea to have guns around!! The H will buy the h lots and lots of guns as a wedding present!!! because GUNS, YAY!!!!
Did the author intend this effect? I don't know. Is this a personal quibble? Probably? I don't know. It bothered me, though, and it bothered me more and more as the book went on. Maybe I'm being oversensitive but the tone felt wrong to me. The language kind of went from "shooting a fowling piece as a hobby" to the terms guns/firearms/arsenal. I believe the H even says at the end that he would purchase the h an "entire arsenal" to ensure her happiness.
I have no problem with a woman (or man) who wants to hunt and who intends TO EAT what she/he has killed, or a woman (or man) who likes to shoot clay discs or other targets as a hobby. I'm finding it difficult to articulate why exactly I was so bothered and I guess I felt like the book was trying to sell me on the wonderfulness of guns, and I would rather have been sold on the wonderfulness of the h and H and their relationship.
This review is getting way out of hand, lengthwise, so let me just say: this was an enjoyable book overall and I would recommend it to a historical romance reader who wants a "gentle" (read, not spicy) and unique romance, and, uh, likes guns. I'm interested to see where Ms. Archer takes this series, especially because I found myself very interested in the resolution of the attraction between Lady Sybil and Lord Lockwood.
I am of mixed feelings about this book. There was a lot to like. I appreciated the true-to-time period mannerisms and dialogue. I really liked the true-to-time period courtship - e.g., no groping in alcoves, no semi-private erotica-style sexual encounters with a surprisingly adept virginal heroine, nothing but public conversational encounters in which Hampton and Miss Knightsbridge actually get to know one another. I liked the idea of gossip as a plot device - it's absolutely period-accurate - and the contrast between the way gossip affected women vs. men. I liked that the h was a smart, strong woman (girl?) -most of the time- and I liked the way she owned her "nonconventional" hobbies. And this is very personal, but I REALLY liked the whole big dog situation. As a large breed owner myself I felt a kinship to Miss Knightsbridge on that one. All her big vs. little dog commentary was right on. (Side note: It is my personal belief that frequently small dog owners don't bother to train their dogs because they can just PICK UP the offending animal and cart them away. I have not met more than two or three little yappy dogs in my entire life that were actually obedience-trained. This is not an exaggeration.)
So: there was a lot to like here.
I felt somewhat unexcited about the six-heirs-in-a-pact plot as it seemed unrealistic vis-a-vis the rest of the plot, and frankly I thought their plans to first discredit Miss Knightsbridge and then later redeem her were both out of character for the men in general. But, whatever, I've read less credulous setups and been able to roll with them, no problem.
I also felt that both the h and H exhibited some questionable/childish behavior. Hampton obviously made the *Big* mistake; he realized it almost as soon as he'd done it and tried to undo it. (And got very little credit for it.) The rest of his group probably wouldn't have done a thing to help without his influence, but they were all punished equally which seemed somewhat unfair. Cassandra acted her age, I suppose; why I expect a teenager to act more mature is a perennial mystery. I can't really see a real regency teenager, country-bred lady or no, informing a Dowager Duchess that she imagined the clay discs she was shooting to bits were the "heads of the DD's grandson and his friends". I mean, really. Nonetheless, both characters were obviously coming around to more mature outlooks by the end and will probably be madly in love with babies on the way in cameos of future series installments.
So where I kind of got stuck was the whole "guns" subplot. At first it was charming; obviously some country-bred ladies went shooting, even then. Miss Knightsbridge agreed that she should not have brought it up: even her otherwise permissive father said so. She was then ostracized for her hobby (and other things) by the gossipy London ladies. OK, fine, I get it. But then the book kind of turned into a low-level NRA ad in which guns were brought up A LOT and in the most glowing terms. Guns are fun! Guns are great for recreating! Guns save lives! The heroine saved the Dowager because she had a gun! and she is also a great shot! Now everyone sees the error of judging a girl for liking to shoot things! and maybe it's a good idea to have guns around!! The H will buy the h lots and lots of guns as a wedding present!!! because GUNS, YAY!!!!
Did the author intend this effect? I don't know. Is this a personal quibble? Probably? I don't know. It bothered me, though, and it bothered me more and more as the book went on. Maybe I'm being oversensitive but the tone felt wrong to me. The language kind of went from "shooting a fowling piece as a hobby" to the terms guns/firearms/arsenal. I believe the H even says at the end that he would purchase the h an "entire arsenal" to ensure her happiness.
I have no problem with a woman (or man) who wants to hunt and who intends TO EAT what she/he has killed, or a woman (or man) who likes to shoot clay discs or other targets as a hobby. I'm finding it difficult to articulate why exactly I was so bothered and I guess I felt like the book was trying to sell me on the wonderfulness of guns, and I would rather have been sold on the wonderfulness of the h and H and their relationship.
This review is getting way out of hand, lengthwise, so let me just say: this was an enjoyable book overall and I would recommend it to a historical romance reader who wants a "gentle" (read, not spicy) and unique romance, and, uh, likes guns. I'm interested to see where Ms. Archer takes this series, especially because I found myself very interested in the resolution of the attraction between Lady Sybil and Lord Lockwood.
May 29, 2020
Despite what you might suspect from the cover and title, this was a surprisingly wholesome read. Atmospheric and charming and every bit as authentic to the Regency era as can be, this was everything I wanted in a historical romance. A smartly paced plot with well defined characters set against the backdrop of the infamously critical London society. Everything about the narrative felt deliberate, structured, balanced by plot buildup and inner monologue. Of the many historical romance titles I've read, this one had dialogue that felt most fitting and natural for the era. The romance was sweet and a rather reigned in depiction of courtship in comparison to others within the genre - and for that I was pleasantly surprised. A delightful read that I finished in one sitting.
Oh, and that cover? Gorgeous. More of that please. I'm sick of '80's Fabio with a mullet and a kilt.
Thank you to netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, and that cover? Gorgeous. More of that please. I'm sick of '80's Fabio with a mullet and a kilt.
Thank you to netgalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2021
Six Dukes make a pact to force their heirs to marry. The rumor mill soon learns of it and the heirs are harrassed by marriage minded mamas. They decide to switch the attention to someone else by starting a rumor of an innocent debutante. They ruin the hr and don't seem that remorseful about it. It was hard to like any of them.
I loved Cassandra. She was such a strong, courageous person. Hampton was a cold fish. The romance could have redeemed the story but it lacked any passion.
The story was well written and fast paced. Too bad the characters weren't likeable.
I loved Cassandra. She was such a strong, courageous person. Hampton was a cold fish. The romance could have redeemed the story but it lacked any passion.
The story was well written and fast paced. Too bad the characters weren't likeable.
June 3, 2020
The Viscount’s Sinful Bargain
The Dukes' Pact Series #1
Kate Archer
https://www.facebook.com/KateArcherAu...
Release date 06/09/2020
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
Blurb :
#1 in The Dukes’ Pact Series—six dukes take dire steps to force their heirs to marry, while those heirs fight just as hard to remain bachelors. A sweet regency romance. Read for Free in Kindle Unlimited!
Lord Hampton cursed his luck. Six dukes were in league together to force their sons to marry, and one of them was his own father. The old men had drawn up a formal pact, with severe consequences to their heirs included. Edwin is determined to devise a way out of it, he has no intention of marrying any time soon. He’s also desperate to get his name off the ton’s lips. Mamas are circling like hunters round a wounded stag and every pert little miss is fanning herself.
Cassandra Knightsbridge, only daughter of Viscount Trebly, has not had a very usual upbringing. She rides like the devil, leaving her groom far behind…if she bothered to take a groom at all. More alarming, there would be few gentlemen who could best her with a fowling piece. Of course, she knows those particular habits will not find approval in a London drawing room and ought not be mentioned. That is, until a condescending lord provokes her.
Might not a tale of a girl who shoots turn society’s attention away from the dukes’ pact? The whispers wind their way through drawing rooms and the talk about Miss Knightsbridge blooms.
Edwin’s love for the lady blooms too, but now he’s made it impossible to win her.
My review :
When tricked to marry, a group of heirs engage in a game to avert the ton’s gaze from them, but at what cost ...
First is to be said, this book is a gem in itself. While I enjoy any kind of historical romance, when reading this one, I was transported back in time and like I were sitting in a drawing room savoring tea and scones and conversing with the Bennets, with a dash of adventure thanks to the brave heroine’s personality.
What a delightful read Mrs Kate Archer offers us, witty, clever and so very Regency like. It was so very different than the usual historical’s. I felt like I went back to my early twenties when I discovered Barbara Cartland and then Sense and Sensibility. The wording, dialogues and situations were so “Austenian”.
And the more I forayed in this tale, the more I smile and laughed. I discovered so many new words I can’t even remember them all, my vocabulary appeared as so limited while this book is a treasure to be adored.
I thought it would be the classic tale of the peer refusing to marry and shouting it high and mighty, then trying to win back his lady’s heart when he went to far, I never once dreamed this complexe tale of the ins and outs of the Regency’s society.
Mrs Archer has narrated more than only a romance , it was a show of the human comedy.
The London’s society is shown under such a dim light, more a snakes nest with its farmyard of hen-witted geese and their wagging tongues than a court of proud eagles, lovely doves and innocent fawns.
Why what has begun as a lark turned as a sour poisoned jab. With the two sides of the revenge, when truth is exposed, some are caught in a fire of their own making awaiting the second shoe to fall off. All the culprits get their right set-down, it was so rewarding and fun.
I usually discuss my thoughts about the main characters, but in this story, there are sure the young couple torn apart by the hero’s ill advised plan, a honest and strong heroine and an equally kind hero once he understood the wrongness of his deeds, there are also all the protagonists navigating around them, a Dowager Duchess, a handful of Dukes, the heroine’s father, a bunches of servants, a duet of dogs and so on...
Why I could go on and on, just read this tale loaded with quips and finesse.
5 stars as I can’t give more.
On a special note, I naively thought all the courtesy titles for a Duke’s heir were to be a marquess, but here the hero is a viscount. How we learn everyday something new.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
The Dukes' Pact Series #1
Kate Archer
https://www.facebook.com/KateArcherAu...
Release date 06/09/2020
Publisher Dragonblade Publishing
Blurb :
#1 in The Dukes’ Pact Series—six dukes take dire steps to force their heirs to marry, while those heirs fight just as hard to remain bachelors. A sweet regency romance. Read for Free in Kindle Unlimited!
Lord Hampton cursed his luck. Six dukes were in league together to force their sons to marry, and one of them was his own father. The old men had drawn up a formal pact, with severe consequences to their heirs included. Edwin is determined to devise a way out of it, he has no intention of marrying any time soon. He’s also desperate to get his name off the ton’s lips. Mamas are circling like hunters round a wounded stag and every pert little miss is fanning herself.
Cassandra Knightsbridge, only daughter of Viscount Trebly, has not had a very usual upbringing. She rides like the devil, leaving her groom far behind…if she bothered to take a groom at all. More alarming, there would be few gentlemen who could best her with a fowling piece. Of course, she knows those particular habits will not find approval in a London drawing room and ought not be mentioned. That is, until a condescending lord provokes her.
Might not a tale of a girl who shoots turn society’s attention away from the dukes’ pact? The whispers wind their way through drawing rooms and the talk about Miss Knightsbridge blooms.
Edwin’s love for the lady blooms too, but now he’s made it impossible to win her.
My review :
When tricked to marry, a group of heirs engage in a game to avert the ton’s gaze from them, but at what cost ...
First is to be said, this book is a gem in itself. While I enjoy any kind of historical romance, when reading this one, I was transported back in time and like I were sitting in a drawing room savoring tea and scones and conversing with the Bennets, with a dash of adventure thanks to the brave heroine’s personality.
What a delightful read Mrs Kate Archer offers us, witty, clever and so very Regency like. It was so very different than the usual historical’s. I felt like I went back to my early twenties when I discovered Barbara Cartland and then Sense and Sensibility. The wording, dialogues and situations were so “Austenian”.
And the more I forayed in this tale, the more I smile and laughed. I discovered so many new words I can’t even remember them all, my vocabulary appeared as so limited while this book is a treasure to be adored.
I thought it would be the classic tale of the peer refusing to marry and shouting it high and mighty, then trying to win back his lady’s heart when he went to far, I never once dreamed this complexe tale of the ins and outs of the Regency’s society.
Mrs Archer has narrated more than only a romance , it was a show of the human comedy.
The London’s society is shown under such a dim light, more a snakes nest with its farmyard of hen-witted geese and their wagging tongues than a court of proud eagles, lovely doves and innocent fawns.
Why what has begun as a lark turned as a sour poisoned jab. With the two sides of the revenge, when truth is exposed, some are caught in a fire of their own making awaiting the second shoe to fall off. All the culprits get their right set-down, it was so rewarding and fun.
I usually discuss my thoughts about the main characters, but in this story, there are sure the young couple torn apart by the hero’s ill advised plan, a honest and strong heroine and an equally kind hero once he understood the wrongness of his deeds, there are also all the protagonists navigating around them, a Dowager Duchess, a handful of Dukes, the heroine’s father, a bunches of servants, a duet of dogs and so on...
Why I could go on and on, just read this tale loaded with quips and finesse.
5 stars as I can’t give more.
On a special note, I naively thought all the courtesy titles for a Duke’s heir were to be a marquess, but here the hero is a viscount. How we learn everyday something new.
I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
June 10, 2020
Once upon a time there were six dukes, sitting at White's in London, discussing their progeny, the eldest sons, who were determined it seemed, to avoid the parson's mousetrap. Or was that just having the best time they could before responsibilities tied them down? I digress.. Yes these proud papa's (ok maybe not always) were determined to force their wayward heirs to settle down. Thus they formed a pact, a very strong pact to make those sons come in line and marry!
Really a charming story of the six sons of the gentlemen, determined to outwit their father's, but sometimes best place plans go awry!
First up and our hero (well it takes him a bit to get there!) is Edwin Weston, Viscount Hampton. He and his friend Lockwood plus Ashworth, Dalton, Cabot and Grayson were the six that had gotten the missive from their fathers. Find a wife within 2 seasons or get a job... But they had to get out into society and at least act like they were trying!
Cassandra Knightsbridge had come to town to be sponsored by her aunt, Lady Marksworth. She had grown up with just her and her father, who let her ride, shoot and do a lot of things the usual society miss would never do. But she had heard about the six gentlemen and she and her friend Sybil were determined to avoid them.
Of course that did not happen because Lord Hampton asked her for the first dance..
A delightful journey of misunderstandings, finding out how terrible gossip can be and then an attraction that cannot be denied, all written with a delicate wit and exciting storyline!
Really a charming story of the six sons of the gentlemen, determined to outwit their father's, but sometimes best place plans go awry!
First up and our hero (well it takes him a bit to get there!) is Edwin Weston, Viscount Hampton. He and his friend Lockwood plus Ashworth, Dalton, Cabot and Grayson were the six that had gotten the missive from their fathers. Find a wife within 2 seasons or get a job... But they had to get out into society and at least act like they were trying!
Cassandra Knightsbridge had come to town to be sponsored by her aunt, Lady Marksworth. She had grown up with just her and her father, who let her ride, shoot and do a lot of things the usual society miss would never do. But she had heard about the six gentlemen and she and her friend Sybil were determined to avoid them.
Of course that did not happen because Lord Hampton asked her for the first dance..
A delightful journey of misunderstandings, finding out how terrible gossip can be and then an attraction that cannot be denied, all written with a delicate wit and exciting storyline!
June 4, 2024
This shouldn’t have been my cup of tea at all. It’s awash with dukes, it’s all about the season (yawn) and it features a feisty heroine and an arrogant hero. And yet, somehow, it worked, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Who’d a thunk it?
Here’s the premise: six dukes are thoroughly fed up with their heirs refusing to marry and provide them with the vital grandsons they need to continue the line. They form a pact to knock their respective sons into shape, which involves losing their allowances and having to live in penury. The said heirs are outraged by this potential curtailment to their enjoyably wife-free lives. I did wonder where all the younger brothers were in this scenario. If the dukes themselves had done their duty as they should, then surely there would be two or three more sons in the pipeline if the number one sons fail to come up to scratch? But it’s a small point.
The sons are required to put in an appearance at every suitable engagement they’re invited to, and be sociable. Naturally, as the pact becomes known, every ambitious young lady and her mama sets their sights on one or other of the ducal heirs. Resentfully, until they can find a way of evading the terms of the pact, they turn up as bidden. Thus Edwin, Viscount Hampton, randomly agrees to dance with Cassandra Knightsbridge, where she is so miffed by his surly manners and lack of conversation that she berates him in ringing terms. Later, when she happens to sit near him at supper, she is still so cross with him that she lets slip certain unladylike facts about herself - that she likes to ride at a gallop, and without a groom in attendance, and that she regularly goes out shooting pheasant.
Lord Hampton and his friends strongly dislike the attention now being focused on them. If only the gossipy ton had some other story to deflect attention from the pact… and Edwin remembers Cassandra’s unusual habits. But galloping and shooting pheasant aren’t quite peculiar enough to do the trick, so Lord Dalton, one of the six, sends a man off to deepest Surrey to find some scandal about Cass.
Almost at once, Edwin has second thoughts. It’s really not honourable to besmirch the good name of a lady, and besides, she’s the most interesting female he’s ever met. When they manage to talk properly to each other, they find they have a great deal in common and actually get on rather well. But too late. Cass’s reputation is shot to pieces, her own ball is ruined and she’s forced to bolt back to Surrey.
I won’t spoil the surprise of how things go after this. Suffice to say, I enjoyed it hugely and it all seemed very appropriate (if not very plausible, but the proliferation of dukes already puts it out of the realm of credibility). There are a couple of events that happen very conveniently for plot purposes later on which really stretch the suspension of disbelief almost to snapping point, but I was enjoying the story too much at that point to be overly bothered.
There are some nitpicky things that bothered me. The Americanisms, for instance, such as looking ‘out the window’ (Brits would say ‘look out OF the window’), and fall and stoop (English houses don’t have stoops). Dance cards - well, so many Regencies have dance cards, even though they weren’t a thing until Victorian times, so let that pass. Gentlemen wouldn’t normally ride to a ball in town (such a pain to have to change into full evening dress when you arrive). The house in Berkeley Square that has a front garden (a cursory glance at Google StreetView would set that right; the vast majority of London houses, and every house in Berkeley Square, are virtually on the street, with only the narrow space of the ‘area’ (access to the basement) separating front door from pavement). And what does it mean when the heir to a dukedom is ‘already an earl’? He has a courtesy title (typically a marquessate, but it could be anything), but he isn’t an actual peer.
But despite all that, this book creates an authentic Regency atmosphere in one very important sense - it’s all about rank, ie the class system, which drives all of English society in those days. Those with rank used their power and influence to affect those below them, but they in their turn could be influenced by those of higher rank, and therefore greater power and influence. And despite those Americanisms and the irritating number of dukes, the book is beautifully written and I found it utterly absorbing. Five stars. Oh, and that title? A bit misleading. There’s nothing the least bit sinful or steamy about any of it.
Here’s the premise: six dukes are thoroughly fed up with their heirs refusing to marry and provide them with the vital grandsons they need to continue the line. They form a pact to knock their respective sons into shape, which involves losing their allowances and having to live in penury. The said heirs are outraged by this potential curtailment to their enjoyably wife-free lives. I did wonder where all the younger brothers were in this scenario. If the dukes themselves had done their duty as they should, then surely there would be two or three more sons in the pipeline if the number one sons fail to come up to scratch? But it’s a small point.
The sons are required to put in an appearance at every suitable engagement they’re invited to, and be sociable. Naturally, as the pact becomes known, every ambitious young lady and her mama sets their sights on one or other of the ducal heirs. Resentfully, until they can find a way of evading the terms of the pact, they turn up as bidden. Thus Edwin, Viscount Hampton, randomly agrees to dance with Cassandra Knightsbridge, where she is so miffed by his surly manners and lack of conversation that she berates him in ringing terms. Later, when she happens to sit near him at supper, she is still so cross with him that she lets slip certain unladylike facts about herself - that she likes to ride at a gallop, and without a groom in attendance, and that she regularly goes out shooting pheasant.
Lord Hampton and his friends strongly dislike the attention now being focused on them. If only the gossipy ton had some other story to deflect attention from the pact… and Edwin remembers Cassandra’s unusual habits. But galloping and shooting pheasant aren’t quite peculiar enough to do the trick, so Lord Dalton, one of the six, sends a man off to deepest Surrey to find some scandal about Cass.
Almost at once, Edwin has second thoughts. It’s really not honourable to besmirch the good name of a lady, and besides, she’s the most interesting female he’s ever met. When they manage to talk properly to each other, they find they have a great deal in common and actually get on rather well. But too late. Cass’s reputation is shot to pieces, her own ball is ruined and she’s forced to bolt back to Surrey.
I won’t spoil the surprise of how things go after this. Suffice to say, I enjoyed it hugely and it all seemed very appropriate (if not very plausible, but the proliferation of dukes already puts it out of the realm of credibility). There are a couple of events that happen very conveniently for plot purposes later on which really stretch the suspension of disbelief almost to snapping point, but I was enjoying the story too much at that point to be overly bothered.
There are some nitpicky things that bothered me. The Americanisms, for instance, such as looking ‘out the window’ (Brits would say ‘look out OF the window’), and fall and stoop (English houses don’t have stoops). Dance cards - well, so many Regencies have dance cards, even though they weren’t a thing until Victorian times, so let that pass. Gentlemen wouldn’t normally ride to a ball in town (such a pain to have to change into full evening dress when you arrive). The house in Berkeley Square that has a front garden (a cursory glance at Google StreetView would set that right; the vast majority of London houses, and every house in Berkeley Square, are virtually on the street, with only the narrow space of the ‘area’ (access to the basement) separating front door from pavement). And what does it mean when the heir to a dukedom is ‘already an earl’? He has a courtesy title (typically a marquessate, but it could be anything), but he isn’t an actual peer.
But despite all that, this book creates an authentic Regency atmosphere in one very important sense - it’s all about rank, ie the class system, which drives all of English society in those days. Those with rank used their power and influence to affect those below them, but they in their turn could be influenced by those of higher rank, and therefore greater power and influence. And despite those Americanisms and the irritating number of dukes, the book is beautifully written and I found it utterly absorbing. Five stars. Oh, and that title? A bit misleading. There’s nothing the least bit sinful or steamy about any of it.
June 7, 2020
Six dukes are in league together to force their eldest sons to marry. The old men had drawn up a formal pact, with severe consequences to their heirs included. Edwin Lord Hampton is determined to devise a way out of it, he has no intention of marrying any time soon. He’s also desperate to get his name off the ton’s lips. Mamas are circling like hunters round a wounded stag and every pert little miss is fanning herself. Cassandra Knightsbridge, only daughter of Viscount Trebly, has not had a very usual upbringing. She rides like the devil, & the times she does take a groom she leaves him far behind. More alarming, there would be few gentlemen who could best her with a fowling piece.
Might not a tale of a girl who shoots turn society’s attention away from the dukes’ pact? The whispers wind their way through drawing rooms and the talk about Miss Knightsbridge blooms.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & I found it to be a well written book that flowed well. Whilst for the most part it held true to the early nineteenth century I found it very hard to condone the way the six friends especially Edwin & Dalton behaved & I certainly wanted Edwin to grovel more. I loved Cass who whilst an original certainly handled all that was thrown at her extremely well, I also loved the Dowager Duchess, both of them were far more forgiving than I would have been. I would have liked an epilogue so that Edwin could be seen to have completely redeemed himself
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
Might not a tale of a girl who shoots turn society’s attention away from the dukes’ pact? The whispers wind their way through drawing rooms and the talk about Miss Knightsbridge blooms.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & I found it to be a well written book that flowed well. Whilst for the most part it held true to the early nineteenth century I found it very hard to condone the way the six friends especially Edwin & Dalton behaved & I certainly wanted Edwin to grovel more. I loved Cass who whilst an original certainly handled all that was thrown at her extremely well, I also loved the Dowager Duchess, both of them were far more forgiving than I would have been. I would have liked an epilogue so that Edwin could be seen to have completely redeemed himself
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
July 25, 2020
I am glad this was on kindle unlimited because I’d be upset if I spent 99 cents for this book. I was really excited the plot sounded so fun , it took off a little slow but then it just died! I enjoy reading romance books! Why ?? I love the romance, the tension and most of all the sex!! Yes I said it, sex sex sex! This book was about as exciting as watching a ant in the garden. It was not exciting and what was mote vexing was the H/h were hardly together. You read more about backround crap and it just lagged and lagged on. I stopped reading it at page 100 then started to skim it even the skimming was dull. There was no kiss or even spark to be found ( I stopped reading at pg 137) the couple reminded me of this... you know when your reading a book and the h is engaged or courting a man who is nice and just ok. He’s nice treats her well but there’s no spark but the Hero drives her passions to a boiling point. Well the hero I’m this book was like the one who was like ehh just a nice guy. If you want to read about a dull romance check this book out lol sorry to be harsh but wow this book was not good at all.
November 23, 2020
This is a first time read by this new to me author. Kate Archer's The Viscount's Sinful Bargain was an enjoyable read. There were some parts to like and some I'm not sure what to comment but all in all it was very nice. I like the fact that there are six Dukes making a pact of getting their son's to marry vs. mothers pushing their daughters to make well matches. It had its witty moments and comfy moements. Nice read.
September 5, 2024
enjoyable
This is not the usual romance I read. For starters, it’s a clean romance. Secondly, it’s a historical or regency romance. But I did enjoy the book. I do believe at some point I will read more in this series.
Historical/regency
Clean
This is not the usual romance I read. For starters, it’s a clean romance. Secondly, it’s a historical or regency romance. But I did enjoy the book. I do believe at some point I will read more in this series.
Historical/regency
Clean
October 2, 2020
Overall, fans of this genre will not only enjoy reading this book but will wish the next five books were already out!
Read full review in the 2020 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 October issue of InD'tale Magazine.
October 28, 2021
Super clean traditional historical romance, that was short on the 'romance'. The h is a daughter of a titled gentleman, raised in the country so has a range of practical skills. The H is one of 6 titled 'louts' and they use gossip to damage her. An intriguing plot but the writing style did not make this a good read for me. Pages and pages of tedious Telling, broken with some dialogue. The h was too perfect and the H was a very weak man. I couldn't see how they fell in love at all.
June 3, 2020
Let me start off by saying, “This ain’t your regular regency romance!” Never before has the heart of a historical novel been rooted in the plotting of six dukes with one clear goal “Marriage and Grandchildren.”
This was a surprisingly witty and interesting read that took a pleasant turn from the usual storyline of this genre. I loved the gun-toting, big dog-owning, unconventional heroine with her bold statements and even bolder outlook on life. More novels should follow the trend of making the men sweat and plot while the women chart a clear path away from loveless marriages. I adored all the broken stereotypes!
Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with his arc in exchange for my honest review.
This was a surprisingly witty and interesting read that took a pleasant turn from the usual storyline of this genre. I loved the gun-toting, big dog-owning, unconventional heroine with her bold statements and even bolder outlook on life. More novels should follow the trend of making the men sweat and plot while the women chart a clear path away from loveless marriages. I adored all the broken stereotypes!
Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with his arc in exchange for my honest review.
June 1, 2020
Edwin knows the way to his woman's heart, “I promised her a lot of guns,” Edwin said." I liked this book, I liked Edwin.
August 5, 2023
Boring and no connection or anything else towards the characters or story.
June 12, 2020
The title is deceptive! There is not even a kiss on the cheek! Edwin our hero makes some stupid decisions but haven’t we all! The corrective measures used were extremely unnecessary and improbable! The Dowager Duchess was memorable and lovable! It is difficult to discern a romance as there is very little interaction between Edwin and Cassie is fearless she rides well and shoots like a man! She is stubborn and opinionated and her nemesis is stuck in the country once her actions come to the forefront! I have read thousands of historical romances! There is at least hand holding and a kiss on the cheek! This story was anticlimactic for me after the title! I mean gossip is harmful and it takes little to tare a reputation down but it was really long and I struggled just to get to the end!! It was great on the humor but romance? Chemistry? Not!!
July 1, 2020
I liked this quite a lot and actually wished I could rate it higher. It's a cute, well-written Regency romance and sets up what I'm sure will be an entertaining book series.
Love both the hero and heroine. Cassandra is embarking on her first London Season with trepidation. Her mother died when she was young, and her father raised her with few restrictions on their country estate - she's an accomplished horsewoman who loves galloping over the countryside sans groom, and she's a crack shot, accomplished at bagging pheasant. She's also accustomed to having the freedom to speak her mind. Not exactly a demure debutante. Her aunt is sponsoring her while her father, Viscount Trebly, remains in the country.
The major topic of conversation among the ton is that six highly respected dukes have given their eldest sons ultimatums: marry within the next two years or get disinherited. This doesn't sit well with any of the young viscounts, who are enjoying their bachelor status and have no desire to be leg shackled. They're also embarrassed to be the subject of society gossip. It's insufferable, and they must find a way to stop it.
Cassandra Knightsbridge and her good friend Sybil are agreed that they wish to marry for love and have no desire to gain the attention of any of these viscounts, who would only be offering marriage because they're forced to. Unfortunately, they cannot refuse when two of the gentlemen request early dances from them at a ball.
Lord Hampton is so arrogant and aloof during his dance with Cassandra that she loses her temper, informing him that not every young lady cares for his recognition. During supper, he learns about her unusual riding and shooting skills and, still smarting from her set-down, later suggests to his friends that such a hoyden may have a scandalous secret they could feed to the gossip mill to deflect attention from themselves.
Once those wheels are in motion, Hampton gets to know the lady better and deeply regrets what he started. How can he and his cohorts get the genie back into the bottle?
It's a fun plot, with all of high Society buzzing about that awful Miss Knightsbridge while the six gentlemen, especially Lord Hampton, demonstrate their support for the lady. The author does a wonderful job of developing the premise in unexpected directions. Although the reader senses that Cassandra and Lord Hampton are destined to end up together even before they meet, it's hard to fathom how that can happen when events unfold as they do.
Characterizations are excellent, including Lord Hampton's no-nonsense grandmother, the dowager. There's also Lord Burke (NOT one of the notorious Six), who entertains with stories of the cook who presented dishes with misleadingly appetizing French names that translated to reveal horrible-sounding ingredients.
My major problem has to do with the credibility of these seven viscounts (including Lord Burke), who are all heirs to dukedoms, having a shared past of military careers fighting the French. I believe it was usually second sons or younger who would go to war rather than risk the death of a duke's heir.
If you overlook that, you'd expect more maturity from war-hardened soldiers. The Six seem like spoiled adolescents.
I don't see the point of making them all military veterans when, as presented here, they could just as easily be just a bunch of men who bonded through school, or shared interests, or grew up on neighboring estates. I do suspect their war experiences will be explored more in future stories (Lord Dalton has a facial scar from a combat wound and potentially is the most psychologically affected), but they're mostly irrelevant here.
Otherwise, it's really a charming and, as I said earlier, well-written story. I do recommend it.
Love both the hero and heroine. Cassandra is embarking on her first London Season with trepidation. Her mother died when she was young, and her father raised her with few restrictions on their country estate - she's an accomplished horsewoman who loves galloping over the countryside sans groom, and she's a crack shot, accomplished at bagging pheasant. She's also accustomed to having the freedom to speak her mind. Not exactly a demure debutante. Her aunt is sponsoring her while her father, Viscount Trebly, remains in the country.
The major topic of conversation among the ton is that six highly respected dukes have given their eldest sons ultimatums: marry within the next two years or get disinherited. This doesn't sit well with any of the young viscounts, who are enjoying their bachelor status and have no desire to be leg shackled. They're also embarrassed to be the subject of society gossip. It's insufferable, and they must find a way to stop it.
Cassandra Knightsbridge and her good friend Sybil are agreed that they wish to marry for love and have no desire to gain the attention of any of these viscounts, who would only be offering marriage because they're forced to. Unfortunately, they cannot refuse when two of the gentlemen request early dances from them at a ball.
Lord Hampton is so arrogant and aloof during his dance with Cassandra that she loses her temper, informing him that not every young lady cares for his recognition. During supper, he learns about her unusual riding and shooting skills and, still smarting from her set-down, later suggests to his friends that such a hoyden may have a scandalous secret they could feed to the gossip mill to deflect attention from themselves.
Once those wheels are in motion, Hampton gets to know the lady better and deeply regrets what he started. How can he and his cohorts get the genie back into the bottle?
It's a fun plot, with all of high Society buzzing about that awful Miss Knightsbridge while the six gentlemen, especially Lord Hampton, demonstrate their support for the lady. The author does a wonderful job of developing the premise in unexpected directions. Although the reader senses that Cassandra and Lord Hampton are destined to end up together even before they meet, it's hard to fathom how that can happen when events unfold as they do.
Characterizations are excellent, including Lord Hampton's no-nonsense grandmother, the dowager. There's also Lord Burke (NOT one of the notorious Six), who entertains with stories of the cook who presented dishes with misleadingly appetizing French names that translated to reveal horrible-sounding ingredients.
My major problem has to do with the credibility of these seven viscounts (including Lord Burke), who are all heirs to dukedoms, having a shared past of military careers fighting the French. I believe it was usually second sons or younger who would go to war rather than risk the death of a duke's heir.
If you overlook that, you'd expect more maturity from war-hardened soldiers. The Six seem like spoiled adolescents.
I don't see the point of making them all military veterans when, as presented here, they could just as easily be just a bunch of men who bonded through school, or shared interests, or grew up on neighboring estates. I do suspect their war experiences will be explored more in future stories (Lord Dalton has a facial scar from a combat wound and potentially is the most psychologically affected), but they're mostly irrelevant here.
Otherwise, it's really a charming and, as I said earlier, well-written story. I do recommend it.
June 4, 2020
Cassandra (the female MC) is an unconventional lady that likes to shoot things with her beloved gun and gallop through the lands of her home. She arrives (or, more like, she is sent to London by her dear, old Papa) in Town for the Season. There, is when the most exciting of gossip starts circulating: 6 Lords, which are expected to become Dukes in the future, will have to get married posthaste, because their fathers (the current Dukes) said so!
Well, let me just say, I hated those fathers as soon as I read that little bit. I hate any character that forces/blackmails/pressurises others, either for their own devices, or because they think they know best. In this instance, blackmailing their sons to marry by the end of the year because marrying and making heirs is their duty dammit, how dare aren’t they doing it yet! Just... *GAG*
Apart from all that, Cassandra was not a likeable heroine in my opinion. She was the lady-doth-protest-too-much sort, and trying TOO hard to make it known that she was soooo not interested in any of those 6 Lords.
(Oh no! He didn’t talk with you! How could you ever live the rest of your life now...! -but.. wait... Shouldn’t you be not interested in him in the first place...?)
Obviously, if you’re not interested, that’s perfectly fine, don’t be. But she just had to conspicuously show it all the time! Either because she was angry and words would conveniently pour out of her mouth, or because... Well, she was angry.
(I don’t think anyone cared, Cassandra.)
Regardless, as it happens, Hampton (the male MC) is interested in her from the beginning:
(Of course 🙄)
Look, obviously, a bit of push-and-pull is entertaining in romances, but not when it goes too much and people become annoying because they can’t understand their inner feelings for the other.
Cassandra, dear, if you can’t fathom why ‘your eyes would unbiddenly turn to look at Lord Hampton’, don’t you think it might mean something?
Hampton, darling, starting gossip about Cassandra by you and your other friends is not the way to go in life. Maybe that time was better spent trying to formulate a better, more mature plan, hmm?
Not particularly enjoyed this book - as shown - because of immature characters that can’t be honest with themselves first and foremost. *sigh*
Well, let me just say, I hated those fathers as soon as I read that little bit. I hate any character that forces/blackmails/pressurises others, either for their own devices, or because they think they know best. In this instance, blackmailing their sons to marry by the end of the year because marrying and making heirs is their duty dammit, how dare aren’t they doing it yet! Just... *GAG*
Apart from all that, Cassandra was not a likeable heroine in my opinion. She was the lady-doth-protest-too-much sort, and trying TOO hard to make it known that she was soooo not interested in any of those 6 Lords.
“He very much offended me actually,” Cassandra said. “He was all but wordless on the ballroom floor. I thought it rude and told him so.”
(Oh no! He didn’t talk with you! How could you ever live the rest of your life now...! -but.. wait... Shouldn’t you be not interested in him in the first place...?)
Obviously, if you’re not interested, that’s perfectly fine, don’t be. But she just had to conspicuously show it all the time! Either because she was angry and words would conveniently pour out of her mouth, or because... Well, she was angry.
“[...] I think,” she went on, “that the lord flatters himself over this pact. He wished to make it known that he was not on the auction block. I made it equally known that I was not bidding.”
(I don’t think anyone cared, Cassandra.)
Regardless, as it happens, Hampton (the male MC) is interested in her from the beginning:
The ladies he’d danced with that evening were all of a kind—eager to display their beauty and wit. Except, of course, Miss Knightsbridge.
(Of course 🙄)
Look, obviously, a bit of push-and-pull is entertaining in romances, but not when it goes too much and people become annoying because they can’t understand their inner feelings for the other.
Cassandra, dear, if you can’t fathom why ‘your eyes would unbiddenly turn to look at Lord Hampton’, don’t you think it might mean something?
Hampton, darling, starting gossip about Cassandra by you and your other friends is not the way to go in life. Maybe that time was better spent trying to formulate a better, more mature plan, hmm?
Not particularly enjoyed this book - as shown - because of immature characters that can’t be honest with themselves first and foremost. *sigh*
November 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this story, my first read from this author . The 6 sons of Dukes have been given an ultimatum by their fathers to find wives or lose their allowance and inheritance. All of them vow to find a way to get out of the situation.
Miss Knightsbridge doesn’t want a loveless marriage and to be under the scrutiny of the ton for the rest of her life so the last thing she wants is to come to the attention of the 6 future Dukes. After making a silk remark to Lord Hampton at a ball he takes offence and has an idea to make Miss Knightsbridge the focus of the ton gossip.
Things go horribly wrong and Lord Hampton can’t seem to do anything to make things right even with the help of the other future Dukes.
This is about comeuppance, revenge, a woman scorned and true friendship. It features gun slinging ladies, scoundrels, a couple of Mastiffs and a Pomeranian. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of the future Dukes.
Miss Knightsbridge doesn’t want a loveless marriage and to be under the scrutiny of the ton for the rest of her life so the last thing she wants is to come to the attention of the 6 future Dukes. After making a silk remark to Lord Hampton at a ball he takes offence and has an idea to make Miss Knightsbridge the focus of the ton gossip.
Things go horribly wrong and Lord Hampton can’t seem to do anything to make things right even with the help of the other future Dukes.
This is about comeuppance, revenge, a woman scorned and true friendship. It features gun slinging ladies, scoundrels, a couple of Mastiffs and a Pomeranian. I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of the future Dukes.
June 3, 2020
Viscount Edwin Hampton and his five friends are furious with the new rules issued by their fathers. All of society is talking about them being forced to find wives. So being the spoilt brats that they are, they throw someone else to the gossips.
Cassandra Knightsbridge has had an unusual upbringing as an only child of an indulgent father. She can out ride and out shoot a lot of men, but that is not to be talked about when she has her first season in London.
Gossip once started, be it true or false takes on a life of it's own and can absolutely ruin lives. This was even more true in the Georgian period of this story.
This is a sweet historical romance with a strong and independent heroine and a hero that needs to learn that he is not the center of the universe. It's lots of fun and all the characters are great. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Cassandra Knightsbridge has had an unusual upbringing as an only child of an indulgent father. She can out ride and out shoot a lot of men, but that is not to be talked about when she has her first season in London.
Gossip once started, be it true or false takes on a life of it's own and can absolutely ruin lives. This was even more true in the Georgian period of this story.
This is a sweet historical romance with a strong and independent heroine and a hero that needs to learn that he is not the center of the universe. It's lots of fun and all the characters are great. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
June 5, 2020
This is my first book by this author, but I am looking forward to reading more of her books and series. I enjoy a good regency novel like this one.
Six Dukes form a Pact involving theirs sons and a big mistake is made and things go from bad to worse. I loved Cassandra, she was not a wallflower, but did the things she enjoyed even though they might not be in fashion and frowned upon by others. She stayed true to herself.
A mistakes is made, but is owned up and regretted. Lord Hampton is not perfect, but he is human.
My favorite character was the Dowager She had spunk
Six Dukes form a Pact involving theirs sons and a big mistake is made and things go from bad to worse. I loved Cassandra, she was not a wallflower, but did the things she enjoyed even though they might not be in fashion and frowned upon by others. She stayed true to herself.
A mistakes is made, but is owned up and regretted. Lord Hampton is not perfect, but he is human.
My favorite character was the Dowager She had spunk
December 4, 2021
I loved it. The plot was different. The vicious fangs and tentacles of gossip- wow! . Extremely watertight plot , but the end was true and a little tad too long drawn. But , she's excused! What I didn't feel was the budding romance between Cassandra and Edwin. This one felt more like a crush. Im curious to see how the others in this series pan out. Fingers crossed 🤞 .
Recommended :👍
Recommended :👍
June 1, 2020
This is the first book in The Duke’s Pact series. Six older Dukes put extreme pressure on their six male heirs to marry. The six male heirs seem determined to join together and resist. The first to go down is Edwin who finds Cass so refreshing and unusual that he can’t help himself. I can’t wait to read the next one! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Press for my honest review.
July 22, 2020
I was mostly bored by the conflict. I thought that Dalton was the worst for acting on false info, Hampton was sort of a jerk for suggesting the gossip but changed his mind early on, and that the rest of the "gentleman of the pact" were only marginally involved in that they said "yeah, go ahead with trying to find some gossip" without understanding the possible consequence.
March 10, 2025
This was good. No kissing, no sex, no seduction. The hero is not a rake or a rogue. Just a grown man being forced to wed by his father.
June 10, 2020
A delight!
The Viscount's Sinful Bargain was a delight to read. More than once I found myself laughing out loud. Thank you for writing such a charming book.
The Viscount's Sinful Bargain was a delight to read. More than once I found myself laughing out loud. Thank you for writing such a charming book.
October 25, 2022
2.5 rounded up. This is well-written but the premise is unsatisfyingly unbelievable: future dukes would know exactly the harm their scheme would visit upon the innocent fMC. And, having gone through with it, how can a marriage be founded upon that history between them? Then the author disappoints by throwing-in an Aww poor fellow moment at the conclusion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2020
Dogs best friend
I felt there was more thought given to the relationship between George and May then Cass and Edwin. He proposing marriage to someone that he has never had an intimate conversation with or so much as kissed.
I felt there was more thought given to the relationship between George and May then Cass and Edwin. He proposing marriage to someone that he has never had an intimate conversation with or so much as kissed.
September 2, 2021
More allegory than romance
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
6 dukes want to play with grandchildren, but their sons aren't even courting. They give their sons 2 seasons to get married to a suitable woman, dowry not needed. After the 1st season, if no engagement, their allowance will be cut in half. After the 2nd, no allowance and they'll be kicked out of their family houses. After a season of poverty, the cycle starts over.
Somehow a copy of the letter gets around London.
Edwin, Viscount Hampton, son of Duke of Carlisle, thinks he should be celebrating surviving the war, not being punished with a wife. His friend, Lockwood, visits. He, Ashworth, Dalton, Cabot, and Grayson are in the same boat. Only Burke isn't affected because his father goes to a different gentlemen's club.
Cassandra Knightsbridge, only child of Viscount Tremblay, comes to London for her first season, hosted by her aunt, Lady Marksworth. Her good friend who lives next door, Sybil, and she talk about that letter. They're glad to know who got it so they can avoid those men who are looking to fulfill a contract rather than find love.
Cass and Sybil are introduced to Hampton and Lockwood, who claim dances. Then Cass watches them repeat the process multiple times, almost militarily. During their dance, Hampton doesn't talk to her. "Finally, to avoid looking a complete fool, and she would with so many eyes trained on Lord Hampton, she said, “The weather is particularly fine just now.” Rather than reply to this innocuous salvo, the lord only nodded. “You might at least attempt some sort of civility, my lord,” she said. Lord Hampton appeared startled, though he quickly recovered. “I am sorry, miss?” To call her miss, rather than Miss Knightsbridge, as if she were an inconsequential person whose name was not worth the effort of recalling. “Do not feign ignorance,” she said. “And do not suppose that every lady you encounter is desperate to know you.”" He's furious. She figures only 5 more sons to insult.
She and Burke go to supper. Burke sits by Hampton. The talk turns to the letter. Cass disdains being a duchess, prefers to be free to gallop alone w/o anyone commenting. A nearby lady smirks about wild rides. “What I believe Miss Danworth means to point out,” Lord Hampton said, “is that ladies galloping round the countryside, sans groom, is not exactly the done thing. One wonders what else might be on the list of done things in Surrey. I suppose you shoot pheasant and go round in trousers if you have a mind.” “If there was a practical reason for going round in trousers, I might very well do it, and any female might learn the skill [of pheasant hunting].”
The next day, the sons gather. Hampton suggests they start a rumor to supplant the talk about the letter, mentions what Miss Knightsbridge said last night. Dalton sends an investigator to get more rumors about her from her hometown.
EVALUATION
The theme of rumors and of being worried about what others say about you is very well done. I love the Dowager Duchess and her antithesis, Lady Montague. The romance left a lot to be imagined since we don't get much of Edwin's and Cass's conversations. His repentance is poignant.
I love the stories Burke tells about his cook during the war! Cass's dad and I share parenting theory.
RECOMMENDATION
For those who like clean regency romances. I wasn't intrigued enough by the characters to continue to the next story
FAVORITE QUOTES
The six gentlemen had entered the realms of late middle age, that time period when a reliable body begins to betray in surprising and unwelcome ways.
Slander and gossip [were] an enemy that could not be caught. It wafted through the air invisible and all that could be seen of it were those who had been laid waste by it. It could not be subdued, nor struck down, nor chained. In that way, it was more deadly than any Napoleon.
One may not adore all of the ton, but they’re what we’ve got and so we must make the best of it. What else are we to do? Sail to Massachusetts and have tea with some awful Americans?
Revolutions do not occur because a man is run through with a sword, they begin because too many men have suffered a thousand small cuts.
Ignore the cobras, they will eventually turn on each other and devour themselves.
“There now, I hear you have been through the wars, but there is no war here. Come in and be at peace in your home.”
The many letters…descended upon London and its environs like a flock of birds settling on tree branches.
“I’d rather shoot them all, but I suppose a ball will have to do.”
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: not even kisses
Language: 0 F words, 15 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: slap, attempted sexual assault
MY RATING SYSTEM
5 stars--WOW
4 stars--would read again
3 stars--was good, won't read again
2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it
1 star--didn't finish, it was so awful
Do I need to read books before this one: no
Cliffhanger: no
SUMMARY
6 dukes want to play with grandchildren, but their sons aren't even courting. They give their sons 2 seasons to get married to a suitable woman, dowry not needed. After the 1st season, if no engagement, their allowance will be cut in half. After the 2nd, no allowance and they'll be kicked out of their family houses. After a season of poverty, the cycle starts over.
Somehow a copy of the letter gets around London.
Edwin, Viscount Hampton, son of Duke of Carlisle, thinks he should be celebrating surviving the war, not being punished with a wife. His friend, Lockwood, visits. He, Ashworth, Dalton, Cabot, and Grayson are in the same boat. Only Burke isn't affected because his father goes to a different gentlemen's club.
Cassandra Knightsbridge, only child of Viscount Tremblay, comes to London for her first season, hosted by her aunt, Lady Marksworth. Her good friend who lives next door, Sybil, and she talk about that letter. They're glad to know who got it so they can avoid those men who are looking to fulfill a contract rather than find love.
Cass and Sybil are introduced to Hampton and Lockwood, who claim dances. Then Cass watches them repeat the process multiple times, almost militarily. During their dance, Hampton doesn't talk to her. "Finally, to avoid looking a complete fool, and she would with so many eyes trained on Lord Hampton, she said, “The weather is particularly fine just now.” Rather than reply to this innocuous salvo, the lord only nodded. “You might at least attempt some sort of civility, my lord,” she said. Lord Hampton appeared startled, though he quickly recovered. “I am sorry, miss?” To call her miss, rather than Miss Knightsbridge, as if she were an inconsequential person whose name was not worth the effort of recalling. “Do not feign ignorance,” she said. “And do not suppose that every lady you encounter is desperate to know you.”" He's furious. She figures only 5 more sons to insult.
She and Burke go to supper. Burke sits by Hampton. The talk turns to the letter. Cass disdains being a duchess, prefers to be free to gallop alone w/o anyone commenting. A nearby lady smirks about wild rides. “What I believe Miss Danworth means to point out,” Lord Hampton said, “is that ladies galloping round the countryside, sans groom, is not exactly the done thing. One wonders what else might be on the list of done things in Surrey. I suppose you shoot pheasant and go round in trousers if you have a mind.” “If there was a practical reason for going round in trousers, I might very well do it, and any female might learn the skill [of pheasant hunting].”
The next day, the sons gather. Hampton suggests they start a rumor to supplant the talk about the letter, mentions what Miss Knightsbridge said last night. Dalton sends an investigator to get more rumors about her from her hometown.
EVALUATION
The theme of rumors and of being worried about what others say about you is very well done. I love the Dowager Duchess and her antithesis, Lady Montague. The romance left a lot to be imagined since we don't get much of Edwin's and Cass's conversations. His repentance is poignant.
I love the stories Burke tells about his cook during the war! Cass's dad and I share parenting theory.
RECOMMENDATION
For those who like clean regency romances. I wasn't intrigued enough by the characters to continue to the next story
FAVORITE QUOTES
The six gentlemen had entered the realms of late middle age, that time period when a reliable body begins to betray in surprising and unwelcome ways.
Slander and gossip [were] an enemy that could not be caught. It wafted through the air invisible and all that could be seen of it were those who had been laid waste by it. It could not be subdued, nor struck down, nor chained. In that way, it was more deadly than any Napoleon.
One may not adore all of the ton, but they’re what we’ve got and so we must make the best of it. What else are we to do? Sail to Massachusetts and have tea with some awful Americans?
Revolutions do not occur because a man is run through with a sword, they begin because too many men have suffered a thousand small cuts.
Ignore the cobras, they will eventually turn on each other and devour themselves.
“There now, I hear you have been through the wars, but there is no war here. Come in and be at peace in your home.”
The many letters…descended upon London and its environs like a flock of birds settling on tree branches.
“I’d rather shoot them all, but I suppose a ball will have to do.”
POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)
Sex: not even kisses
Language: 0 F words, 15 Lord's name in vain, 0 S words
Violence: slap, attempted sexual assault
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