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The Unwanted Dukes #3
The Duke and the Siren
Lady Vivianna Darby was considered a smashing success by society's standards. After all, she landed Ryder Maxen, the coveted Duke of Margate, in her first season out. Wildly in love, Viv believed herself lucky to have escaped the cold marriages common amongst the ton.
Until she found her husband in bed with an opera singer.
Now, four years later, Viv is determined to save her sisters from the same fate, until Viv's phaeton-racing husband suffers a deadly accident, and she's forced by duty to go to his deathbed.
Preparing herself for widowhood, she realizes she'll soon be free of the empty marriage she's been trapped in.
But what will she do if he lives?
Until she found her husband in bed with an opera singer.
Now, four years later, Viv is determined to save her sisters from the same fate, until Viv's phaeton-racing husband suffers a deadly accident, and she's forced by duty to go to his deathbed.
Preparing herself for widowhood, she realizes she'll soon be free of the empty marriage she's been trapped in.
But what will she do if he lives?
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2021
328 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Clever
44 books193 followersJessie decided to be a writer because there were too many lives she wanted to live to just pick one.
Taking her history degree dangerously, Jessie tells the stories of courageous heroines, the men who dared to love them, and the world that tried to defeat them.
Jessie lives in New Hampshire where if she’s not at her desk writing, she’s probably letting the dog out. Again.
Join Jessie's Readers Club for sneak peeks and the latest news: https://jessieclever.com/newsletter/
Taking her history degree dangerously, Jessie tells the stories of courageous heroines, the men who dared to love them, and the world that tried to defeat them.
Jessie lives in New Hampshire where if she’s not at her desk writing, she’s probably letting the dog out. Again.
Join Jessie's Readers Club for sneak peeks and the latest news: https://jessieclever.com/newsletter/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
February 19, 2021
I saw this on KU and wanted to read the sample. But no sample was available so I just downloaded the book intending to read a few chapters. And here I am and I finished the book. What is wrong with me? I dithered on how to rate this one. 2 or 3 stars? There are plot points that were infuriating, but the writing was good overall, and I did race through it so I settled on 3 stars. And then I finished my review and changed it to 2 stars lol.
Firstly, this book has cheating. I knew that going in. I wanted to read and find out if there was a good resolution and grovel. And I'm not really sure that there was.
When the h caught her new husband having sex with an opera singer, she ran back to her home. For 4 years. And he never came for her, wrote to her, approached her. He just went on his merry way drinking, partying, having sex with widows and unhappy wives. It basically comes down to the fact that he thought they were in a normal society marriage where they take lovers and she thought they were in love. I swear this guy was an imbecile and spent so much time drunk and sleeping around that he never examined his life or took even a moment to consider his wife. I have some quotes from the book I'll put in a spoiler tag.
Seriously, this guy using ignorance as an excuse for his behavior, never once thinking of anyone or anything but his own pleasure was ridiculous. I just cannot believe that he was anything other than a spoiled toddler.
Naturally the h lets him kiss her within minutes of being together again. She wonders how she can still love him after everything he has done. I wondered as well. Of course he gets his HEA, while she lived 4 years of hell, listening to the snickers and gossip of her peers, and will have the privilege of meeting up with all the society widows and bored wives that her husband has been shagging for the rest of her life.
Firstly, this book has cheating. I knew that going in. I wanted to read and find out if there was a good resolution and grovel. And I'm not really sure that there was.
When the h caught her new husband having sex with an opera singer, she ran back to her home. For 4 years. And he never came for her, wrote to her, approached her. He just went on his merry way drinking, partying, having sex with widows and unhappy wives. It basically comes down to the fact that he thought they were in a normal society marriage where they take lovers and she thought they were in love. I swear this guy was an imbecile and spent so much time drunk and sleeping around that he never examined his life or took even a moment to consider his wife. I have some quotes from the book I'll put in a spoiler tag.
Seriously, this guy using ignorance as an excuse for his behavior, never once thinking of anyone or anything but his own pleasure was ridiculous. I just cannot believe that he was anything other than a spoiled toddler.
Naturally the h lets him kiss her within minutes of being together again. She wonders how she can still love him after everything he has done. I wondered as well. Of course he gets his HEA, while she lived 4 years of hell, listening to the snickers and gossip of her peers, and will have the privilege of meeting up with all the society widows and bored wives that her husband has been shagging for the rest of her life.
February 18, 2021
Hero didn't redeem himself to me
I couldn't find anything redeemable about the so called hero. And I was pretty mad at her for even considering taking him back! I seriously wished he had died. He hurt her so bad and honestly I feel he will get that restless feeling again and leave her. I am sorry I read this. I do want to say the author is talented and can write well but I just hated the plot. He was a manho for four years and she was going to see his ex-lovers all over the place. I can't believe she fell for him again. And I never believed he loved her. Even with the epilogue. Not safe and definitely not a book I should have read. I kept hoping he really hadn't done everything he had done but unfortunately he did and she actually saw him having 'fun' with the opera singer. How disgusting is that. Just can't read stuff like this. I always think there's going to be a twist where unicorns and rainbows appear but instead I get ugly flying monkeys! Good job to the author and I am sure this book is going to be popular so just ignore my review. It's just my personal opinion.
I couldn't find anything redeemable about the so called hero. And I was pretty mad at her for even considering taking him back! I seriously wished he had died. He hurt her so bad and honestly I feel he will get that restless feeling again and leave her. I am sorry I read this. I do want to say the author is talented and can write well but I just hated the plot. He was a manho for four years and she was going to see his ex-lovers all over the place. I can't believe she fell for him again. And I never believed he loved her. Even with the epilogue. Not safe and definitely not a book I should have read. I kept hoping he really hadn't done everything he had done but unfortunately he did and she actually saw him having 'fun' with the opera singer. How disgusting is that. Just can't read stuff like this. I always think there's going to be a twist where unicorns and rainbows appear but instead I get ugly flying monkeys! Good job to the author and I am sure this book is going to be popular so just ignore my review. It's just my personal opinion.
December 27, 2022
A decent plot about an estranged couple but certain things could be done better.
Like his self-realization and grovel. And sincerity.
Cheating is a big trigger for most and so I can understand the several 1*/2* ratings but then why read a book whose blurb clearly tells us of it (and don't say because it was for free!)
For me, more than the cheating, it's always the how, the why and how much of it that’s significant. The bigger issue is how he treats her or doesn't - because we know there is going to be a second chance and reconciliation.
“She wasn’t naive enough to expect an apology. All she wished for was recognition of the pain he’d caused her. That was all. That would need to be enough.”
The book opens on the h learning that her estranged husband is dying after a phaeton accident and she rides her horse, overnight and in the cold (late December) to be with him. That’d mean that she cared for him, right? But interestingly, her initial reaction on learning of his bad condition is relief and she wishes him dead so that she can move on. I like that kind of clarity and wish she’d stuck with it. Hmmm.
Now, as per his doctor, someone close to him should nurse him. (Why not a retainer or a valet - of whom there's no sign.) She agrees to stay, for duty’s sake but is cold to all his friendly overtures - till obviously things change.
So, they have sex - eventually. And the author again gives mixed signals. Are we to believe that in their one-year marriage, she did not enjoy/understand sex. Two young, good-looking people, happily married should be able to work out the basics of sex. Orgasm being the most basic of it.
And she wasn’t a ‘painfully young or shy girl’ but 23 years old when they married and deemed 'brazen, mannish, headstrong' by society - quite old for a Regency woman. So, doesn't add up.
Just like it isn’t ‘so long ago’ but just 4 years ago!
They were married 5 years ago, 4 of which they’ve lived separately - and wherein instead of repenting/ going after her, he manhoe-s and orgie-s to his heart's content. It's not clear if he began cheating right from the beginning (of their marriage) or not? Because, to him it was always a convenient, society marriage while to her, it’s a love match. And he thinks he only behaved as all husbands are allowed to behave.
The past is very very blurry (easy but a bad call that) but we understand that she found him in bed with an opera singer in his ’chambers’. My first question is which chambers? Did the d-b actually bring a woman to their house and had sex with her in his chambers, most probably adjacent to his wife’s. Very unclassy and completely unforgivable. Of course, she left him. What an idiot above all else!
Coming back to the slow clearing off of the mus(!) and the new maturity and insight they claim to, I am not happy. I’d say the author fails here and instead of any real acceptance of his sins and a clear cut grovel, we get messy and self-indulgent reflections on his restlessness and reckless ways - read womanizing. No true self-awareness. I hate Hs who act like oversensitive prima donnas. Everything’s not about you, so get a grip on your so-called 'inner demons'.
While, she browbeats herself with - “Why hadn’t he come after her? Why had he strayed in the first place? Did he believe as the rest of society did? That she was too bold, too loud, too…much?” - and is just as annoying. Actually, she's too tight-lipped, uptight and screechy to be likable. Angry and unforgiving is okay. I just wanted her to have a calmer demeanor.
So, they stay together and talk but don't communicate all that well. Just some self-indulgent spieling without any real self-realization. I don't think the h found any real peace too.
As I said, the past has many alluded incidents and events that are not clearly portrayed, and this is irksome in itself.
So, you end the book with an antsy feeling of incomplete-ness.
Indeed, all this book really needs is clarity and a good decent grovel.
Like his self-realization and grovel. And sincerity.
Cheating is a big trigger for most and so I can understand the several 1*/2* ratings but then why read a book whose blurb clearly tells us of it (and don't say because it was for free!)
For me, more than the cheating, it's always the how, the why and how much of it that’s significant. The bigger issue is how he treats her or doesn't - because we know there is going to be a second chance and reconciliation.
“She wasn’t naive enough to expect an apology. All she wished for was recognition of the pain he’d caused her. That was all. That would need to be enough.”
The book opens on the h learning that her estranged husband is dying after a phaeton accident and she rides her horse, overnight and in the cold (late December) to be with him. That’d mean that she cared for him, right? But interestingly, her initial reaction on learning of his bad condition is relief and she wishes him dead so that she can move on. I like that kind of clarity and wish she’d stuck with it. Hmmm.
Now, as per his doctor, someone close to him should nurse him. (Why not a retainer or a valet - of whom there's no sign.) She agrees to stay, for duty’s sake but is cold to all his friendly overtures - till obviously things change.
So, they have sex - eventually. And the author again gives mixed signals. Are we to believe that in their one-year marriage, she did not enjoy/understand sex. Two young, good-looking people, happily married should be able to work out the basics of sex. Orgasm being the most basic of it.
And she wasn’t a ‘painfully young or shy girl’ but 23 years old when they married and deemed 'brazen, mannish, headstrong' by society - quite old for a Regency woman. So, doesn't add up.
Just like it isn’t ‘so long ago’ but just 4 years ago!
They were married 5 years ago, 4 of which they’ve lived separately - and wherein instead of repenting/ going after her, he manhoe-s and orgie-s to his heart's content. It's not clear if he began cheating right from the beginning (of their marriage) or not? Because, to him it was always a convenient, society marriage while to her, it’s a love match. And he thinks he only behaved as all husbands are allowed to behave.
The past is very very blurry (easy but a bad call that) but we understand that she found him in bed with an opera singer in his ’chambers’. My first question is which chambers? Did the d-b actually bring a woman to their house and had sex with her in his chambers, most probably adjacent to his wife’s. Very unclassy and completely unforgivable. Of course, she left him. What an idiot above all else!
Coming back to the slow clearing off of the mus(!) and the new maturity and insight they claim to, I am not happy. I’d say the author fails here and instead of any real acceptance of his sins and a clear cut grovel, we get messy and self-indulgent reflections on his restlessness and reckless ways - read womanizing. No true self-awareness. I hate Hs who act like oversensitive prima donnas. Everything’s not about you, so get a grip on your so-called 'inner demons'.
While, she browbeats herself with - “Why hadn’t he come after her? Why had he strayed in the first place? Did he believe as the rest of society did? That she was too bold, too loud, too…much?” - and is just as annoying. Actually, she's too tight-lipped, uptight and screechy to be likable. Angry and unforgiving is okay. I just wanted her to have a calmer demeanor.
So, they stay together and talk but don't communicate all that well. Just some self-indulgent spieling without any real self-realization. I don't think the h found any real peace too.
As I said, the past has many alluded incidents and events that are not clearly portrayed, and this is irksome in itself.
So, you end the book with an antsy feeling of incomplete-ness.
Indeed, all this book really needs is clarity and a good decent grovel.
March 9, 2021
I was not a remotely impressed by this book. The author manages to create one of the worst heroes I’ve ever read, no really, worst. Death knell? He’s TSTL, shallow and weak, not alpha or beta, just stupid.
I always go into a cheating husband book with the thought will he be redeemable. Nope, not possible with this one. They come into marriage from very differing perspectives. She’s in love or at least she thinks she is (it’s probably more infatuation), he thinks it’s a society marriage and continues to live a shallow, self indulgent lifestyle. He didn’t really care when she’s left him 4 years prior.
So, you have to come at this as a second chance, and you realize she’s the stronger of the two characters, she’s the alpha personality. Near the end of the book, he admits before his accident, he’s coming back to her not because he cared, but because she’s strong and could help him figure out what’s wrong with his life. What’s wrong? You’re stupid, that’s what’s wrong.
Edited to add: He's not mean, or cruel. He's just superficial, he cares when a situation or person is in front of him, but for the most part he's lived his life with an out of sight, out of mind mentality. He's a Peter Pan.
I always go into a cheating husband book with the thought will he be redeemable. Nope, not possible with this one. They come into marriage from very differing perspectives. She’s in love or at least she thinks she is (it’s probably more infatuation), he thinks it’s a society marriage and continues to live a shallow, self indulgent lifestyle. He didn’t really care when she’s left him 4 years prior.
So, you have to come at this as a second chance, and you realize she’s the stronger of the two characters, she’s the alpha personality. Near the end of the book, he admits before his accident, he’s coming back to her not because he cared, but because she’s strong and could help him figure out what’s wrong with his life. What’s wrong? You’re stupid, that’s what’s wrong.
Edited to add: He's not mean, or cruel. He's just superficial, he cares when a situation or person is in front of him, but for the most part he's lived his life with an out of sight, out of mind mentality. He's a Peter Pan.
February 18, 2021
Honestly... who tf would go back to someone who cheated on them so badly and
Not even care that they did it
It’s like the author is trying to make it sound well he’s a rake and it was it is a historical romance book so of course it’s not a big deal
And like.. Booboo honey sweetie hun... it doesn’t matter if it was just pleasure and that’s all you gave to them hunny.... you still got your dick wet didn’t you sweetie and cheated on your so called wife right hun?
Like is he just dumb... or thick headed
Jesus these authors need to get with the real world
WOMEN DONT FALL BACK THAT FAST WITH A CHEATING LOSER
Honestly most of the cheated books I’ve read it’s like they think that
no
Matter what the heroine is still attracted to the hero even tho his dick went into Someone els
Like idk doesn’t that make your attraction to him go down a little.
I
Not even care that they did it
It’s like the author is trying to make it sound well he’s a rake and it was it is a historical romance book so of course it’s not a big deal
And like.. Booboo honey sweetie hun... it doesn’t matter if it was just pleasure and that’s all you gave to them hunny.... you still got your dick wet didn’t you sweetie and cheated on your so called wife right hun?
Like is he just dumb... or thick headed
Jesus these authors need to get with the real world
WOMEN DONT FALL BACK THAT FAST WITH A CHEATING LOSER
Honestly most of the cheated books I’ve read it’s like they think that
no
Matter what the heroine is still attracted to the hero even tho his dick went into Someone els
Like idk doesn’t that make your attraction to him go down a little.
I
dnf
February 18, 2021I tried...but I couldn’t find get past what the hero did. He’d done too much damage to his marriage for me to be on board with their HEA.
March 10, 2021
Why I read this when I knew the H cheated?
I was always intrigued by the life of the real life Duchess Georgiana and her life as the ow when her husband cheated and whored while she got nothing and had to stay chaste and celibate most of her life. Because of her real life story, I wanted to delve into a book where cheating in historical times was explored.
This book portrayed all the elements of how the H cheated and got away with it. How he didn’t have any illegitimate children here and there, is something I don’t understand (how the author avoided). ( Not to mention, how he didn’t get an STD, syphilis was quite a thing back then, I’m sure he would have gotten it if we are realistic.)
The h in this stays celibate for 4 years until her husband gets into an accident and she is called upon as he seems to be dying.
The need for an heir is a must of course but the dignity that the h had was lost through it because the H never understood why the h was upset by his infidelity ( rolling my eyes), thus they finally reunited.
Despite the H’s wanting to stay faithful and staying true to the h by the end of the book, I found it lacklustre and if ever a crisis occurs or the H gets attracted to another woman, I am sure he would cheat again.
That being said, the book was written well but I wanted more from the H, I wanted him to feel honest remorse for what he had done, I wanted him to feel the pain she felt. I wanted him to see how it felt to see his wife happy with another man, maybe then he would have been truly remorseful. I am not saying she should have cheated but a bit of emotional bonding with another man would have been great and let the H think she was also having sexual relations. It would have been manipulative on her part but some men deserve it and this H was the worst of cheaters.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely not.
I’m sure there are other historical novels that are written far far better than this that also explore cheating in those times.
I was always intrigued by the life of the real life Duchess Georgiana and her life as the ow when her husband cheated and whored while she got nothing and had to stay chaste and celibate most of her life. Because of her real life story, I wanted to delve into a book where cheating in historical times was explored.
This book portrayed all the elements of how the H cheated and got away with it. How he didn’t have any illegitimate children here and there, is something I don’t understand (how the author avoided). ( Not to mention, how he didn’t get an STD, syphilis was quite a thing back then, I’m sure he would have gotten it if we are realistic.)
The h in this stays celibate for 4 years until her husband gets into an accident and she is called upon as he seems to be dying.
The need for an heir is a must of course but the dignity that the h had was lost through it because the H never understood why the h was upset by his infidelity ( rolling my eyes), thus they finally reunited.
Despite the H’s wanting to stay faithful and staying true to the h by the end of the book, I found it lacklustre and if ever a crisis occurs or the H gets attracted to another woman, I am sure he would cheat again.
That being said, the book was written well but I wanted more from the H, I wanted him to feel honest remorse for what he had done, I wanted him to feel the pain she felt. I wanted him to see how it felt to see his wife happy with another man, maybe then he would have been truly remorseful. I am not saying she should have cheated but a bit of emotional bonding with another man would have been great and let the H think she was also having sexual relations. It would have been manipulative on her part but some men deserve it and this H was the worst of cheaters.
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely not.
I’m sure there are other historical novels that are written far far better than this that also explore cheating in those times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 19, 2021b>What happened to the series?! Book #1 had me at page one, I truly thought I had found a solid series to get lost in. I was willing to over look my 1 star review for book #2 and dive into Book #3. After reading the reviews I will stay clear of this.
Although the marriage was one of convenience the H sleeps his way around while married, the heroine even witnesses him with a lover. There is nothing romantic about infidelity.
Side note: The the cover for The Duke and the Wallflower was elegant and unique but book 2 &3 have generic covers. Nothing about them stands out nor do they compliment the first book.
Although the marriage was one of convenience the H sleeps his way around while married, the heroine even witnesses him with a lover. There is nothing romantic about infidelity.
Side note: The the cover for The Duke and the Wallflower was elegant and unique but book 2 &3 have generic covers. Nothing about them stands out nor do they compliment the first book.
February 20, 2023
The H cheats soon after they marry, so she leaves and no contact for years. I found the time gap too long especially as the h continued to blame herself for his cheating. I liked many of the side characters far more than the main couple. He's sleazy and she's arrogant, neither are likable.
February 22, 2021
I saw that other reviewers were upset about the h's indifference to the hr. I felt none of this... all i felt was indifference. Both characters had no strong emotions or chemistry. I felt nothing about either. The story was well written enough I thought it would get better, but no.... nothing.
February 18, 2021
The wayward hero slept with numerous women publically during a 4 year long sex binge because it was expected of him to do so in society and hence he was confused at his wife's outrage upon finding him between the thighs of an opera singer and her subsequent immediate abandonment of him. There was practically zero serious atonement, no mention of protection used during the cheating period and his wife remained celibate.
On the edge of the fourth year the hero in an existential crisis looses his appetite for looser woman and without thought, on the spur of the moment decides to abandon all transient pleasures to reconcile with his estranged wife because he feels he has been objectified enough and none of his many mistresses, the opera singers, the actressess,the lonely wives, the widows actually appreciate him long term.
“Viv, I don’t remember any of these women. I think you believe all of my infidelities are some kind of grand love affairs, but I’m telling you they’re not. They’re just lonely wives and widows looking for pleasure, and I give it to them. It’s shallow and despicable, but that’s it. I never did any of it to purposely hurt you.”
Unsure why Sebastian Fielding, the Duke of Waverly was 'The Unwanted Duke' as he was wanted and had been had by practically every woman in society aside from his wife
unwanted
/ʌnˈwɒntɪd/
adjective
not or no longer desired.
On the edge of the fourth year the hero in an existential crisis looses his appetite for looser woman and without thought, on the spur of the moment decides to abandon all transient pleasures to reconcile with his estranged wife because he feels he has been objectified enough and none of his many mistresses, the opera singers, the actressess,the lonely wives, the widows actually appreciate him long term.
“Viv, I don’t remember any of these women. I think you believe all of my infidelities are some kind of grand love affairs, but I’m telling you they’re not. They’re just lonely wives and widows looking for pleasure, and I give it to them. It’s shallow and despicable, but that’s it. I never did any of it to purposely hurt you.”
Unsure why Sebastian Fielding, the Duke of Waverly was 'The Unwanted Duke' as he was wanted and had been had by practically every woman in society aside from his wife
unwanted
/ʌnˈwɒntɪd/
adjective
not or no longer desired.
February 20, 2021
This was such a disappointment.
Where did the strong Viv go? This is a woman who's caught her husband cheating , leaves him instantly and vows to return only if he comes for her. But she folds up with a few 💋. Really?all those questions you wanted to ask - sorry demand answers for - where are they? Ryder, her cheating husband's apology goes like this " I'm.sorry Viv I know I've had many lovers but I never wanted to hurt you" hello??? Cheating of any form hurts people and you've not spared a single lady who's crossed your path.
Besides and beyond the above, the book lacks a strong story. Many bedroom scenes do not a story make. Its also incomplete and this reflects on the editing - incidents.mentioned thats not followed up e.g. maids cheating them off cash. Its such random statement without any follow through. Characters are passsble.
This is book 3 of 4 possibly 5 books. The first one was a winner with focused on Eliza and Dax. Book 2 was passable and this one a sore disappointment. Im dreading book 4 which is to be released in May and maybe that's why the standards have plummeted. Ms Clever, kindly step.back a little qmd think through your next book. Im sure a lot of readers like me would prefer quality to quantity .
Where did the strong Viv go? This is a woman who's caught her husband cheating , leaves him instantly and vows to return only if he comes for her. But she folds up with a few 💋. Really?all those questions you wanted to ask - sorry demand answers for - where are they? Ryder, her cheating husband's apology goes like this " I'm.sorry Viv I know I've had many lovers but I never wanted to hurt you" hello??? Cheating of any form hurts people and you've not spared a single lady who's crossed your path.
Besides and beyond the above, the book lacks a strong story. Many bedroom scenes do not a story make. Its also incomplete and this reflects on the editing - incidents.mentioned thats not followed up e.g. maids cheating them off cash. Its such random statement without any follow through. Characters are passsble.
This is book 3 of 4 possibly 5 books. The first one was a winner with focused on Eliza and Dax. Book 2 was passable and this one a sore disappointment. Im dreading book 4 which is to be released in May and maybe that's why the standards have plummeted. Ms Clever, kindly step.back a little qmd think through your next book. Im sure a lot of readers like me would prefer quality to quantity .
February 22, 2021
Well written and engaging.
On plot and emotive level, that was wildly disappointing read. The thing is if you have the strength of character to run away and stay away from you philandering husband surely you have the strength of character to tell him to go f**** himself when he suddenly decides he done sowing his wild oats.
Would I was hoping for was that wanker would die and Viv would discover how to put childish things away and generally make peace with herself. After that she would find a kind and passionate man (some random cousin who inherits Margate perhaps) and they would fall in love and have lots of babies...Alas! Earwax!
On plot and emotive level, that was wildly disappointing read. The thing is if you have the strength of character to run away and stay away from you philandering husband surely you have the strength of character to tell him to go f**** himself when he suddenly decides he done sowing his wild oats.
Would I was hoping for was that wanker would die and Viv would discover how to put childish things away and generally make peace with herself. After that she would find a kind and passionate man (some random cousin who inherits Margate perhaps) and they would fall in love and have lots of babies...Alas! Earwax!
July 18, 2021
A cheating H ... Who cheats because he thinks that all men do that and surely the h should have known he would do the same ...
And of course he proceeds to live his life the same way during their separation
And this is after he admits he knows that the h loved him ...
Also, he had definite ideas about how sex with his wife and mistress should be different ... So he is a positively great lover to his mistresses but doesn't bother to give his wife any orgasms because he thinks wives should be treated with 'respect'
h was an intelligent woman ...
And I don't see any reason for her to love him
This is one of those which could have been really good if the author managed to do justice to the reconciliation part of the story ...
I just didn't believe in their HEA
And of course he proceeds to live his life the same way during their separation
And this is after he admits he knows that the h loved him ...
Also, he had definite ideas about how sex with his wife and mistress should be different ... So he is a positively great lover to his mistresses but doesn't bother to give his wife any orgasms because he thinks wives should be treated with 'respect'
h was an intelligent woman ...
And I don't see any reason for her to love him
This is one of those which could have been really good if the author managed to do justice to the reconciliation part of the story ...
I just didn't believe in their HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2021
I'm glad I'm not the only one who couldn't stand this hero! All of the negative reviews are spot-on. Honestly, the H has not a jot of emotional maturity, is a complete narcissist and manipulator. I kept reading because I like this writer, but she certainly dropped the ball here. I didn't buy H's sudden about-face after at the end, and it's one of the weakest HEA's I've read. I kept wanting to scream to the h, "Run away while you still can!"
For those who think I'm exaggerating, this is not a case where the H slipped up once and has regretted his mistake ever since. He continued to have affairs for four years after his stunned young wife left him, never once with a thought of curtailing his behavior, until he notices that he feels a bit "restless." By the ton's standards at that time, the H's behavior would have been beyond the pale. Even if it had been a marriage of convenience, the idea was for the wife to at least be able to sire an heir before the husband started his philandering. Otherwise he was risking another male in his family inheriting. (He'd also risk leaving behind a series of illegitimate children, of course, which would be an additional complication). Also, the idea in those days was to be discreet. Men did not typically have relations with mistresses in their own homes, in their own beds, where their wives and servants were keenly aware of what was going on. That would have been the height of disrespect.
Continuing my vent.......... (SPOILERS AHEAD)
If you look up "user" in the dictionary, you would find this H. He's a guy who, in modern times, would refuse to find a job while his wife worked 50-hour weeks, he'd have an affair, and blame it on her because she was out the house working. Instead of admitting to the h that he was wrong straight off the bat for being unfaithful and humiliating her, these are the kind of justifications this H makes to her and to himself: she was the one who ran away from him (uh, she caught you in bed having sex with another woman, jerk), married men in the ton have affairs all the time, their marriage wasn't a love match, really he's not a bad guy, ad nauseum. He's shockingly surprised that h is not happy to see him, because he doesn't understand why she'd be mad (!). It never even occurred to him that her walking in on him having sex and his never trying to apologize after four years, abandoning her to drink and party, would make her upset.
There's some nonsense when h accidentally spies a naughty phrase in a piece of mail H has received, and it appears to be a tawdry love letter written by one of his mistresses. There's an expectation that maybe somehow the letter isn't what it appears to be, but no, nothing so clever as that happens in this story. H admits he's had relations, so who knows who wrote the letter, but all the sex he has is cheap and doesn't mean anything to him, so why is it a big deal to h? (!) Oh, and by the way, he hasn't had THAT much sex, he mostly likes racing, drinking, and partying. So he's not a bad guy. Of course not.
H later apologizes a few times, mostly to continue to have sex with h while he's recovering. And because h has a low self-esteem, she tells him he doesn't need to apologize. She comes to think of his blatant, ongoing unfaithfulness as merely a "misunderstanding," and blames herself for the affairs as well, because she never spelled out to him at the beginning of the marriage that she expected him to be faithful. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I think I'm going to cast up my accounts.
While it's unusual to feature a "second chance" romance with a hero who cheated, it's not unheard of. HOWEVER, for the story to work, the H really needs to show evidence of having changed and grown, with every intention of loving and respecting the h in the future. But the h is the only one with any backbone, even with her low opinion of herself. She rides through awful weather to help save H's life- because he's such a dunce he sped off in one of the carriages he's always racing and got himself severely injured (but he was thinking of her at the time, so that justifies it. Right?). She puts her life on hold for months to patiently nurse him back to health. They have nightly sex, he treats her like he's courting her, asks her to stick around. Then she tells him that she loves him and...
He blows her off, says she was just a distraction to try to get rid of his "restlessness," which he's been ruminating about the entire bloody book. Meanwhile, she's hoping she's pregnant, because if she's stuck in the loveless limbo that is her marriage she at least wants a part of him to be with her forever.
Wait, I think I'm going to cast up my accounts again.
Honestly, if this book could be re-written, I would have loved for the h to have met someone at her sister's ball and left in full view of the H after she gave him a swift kick in the cajones. This H in no way, shape, or form deserved this h. Romance writers: Please stop creating h's with such poor images they feel stuck with their H no matter how much like yesterday's garbage the H has treated them. It's not romantic. And these are not great role models for the teens who sometimes read these books. I have a teenage daughter now, and I think about this sort of thing a lot these days.
Language is PG-rated. I ended up skimming through the sex scenes because I couldn't stand the H.
For those who think I'm exaggerating, this is not a case where the H slipped up once and has regretted his mistake ever since. He continued to have affairs for four years after his stunned young wife left him, never once with a thought of curtailing his behavior, until he notices that he feels a bit "restless." By the ton's standards at that time, the H's behavior would have been beyond the pale. Even if it had been a marriage of convenience, the idea was for the wife to at least be able to sire an heir before the husband started his philandering. Otherwise he was risking another male in his family inheriting. (He'd also risk leaving behind a series of illegitimate children, of course, which would be an additional complication). Also, the idea in those days was to be discreet. Men did not typically have relations with mistresses in their own homes, in their own beds, where their wives and servants were keenly aware of what was going on. That would have been the height of disrespect.
Continuing my vent.......... (SPOILERS AHEAD)
If you look up "user" in the dictionary, you would find this H. He's a guy who, in modern times, would refuse to find a job while his wife worked 50-hour weeks, he'd have an affair, and blame it on her because she was out the house working. Instead of admitting to the h that he was wrong straight off the bat for being unfaithful and humiliating her, these are the kind of justifications this H makes to her and to himself: she was the one who ran away from him (uh, she caught you in bed having sex with another woman, jerk), married men in the ton have affairs all the time, their marriage wasn't a love match, really he's not a bad guy, ad nauseum. He's shockingly surprised that h is not happy to see him, because he doesn't understand why she'd be mad (!). It never even occurred to him that her walking in on him having sex and his never trying to apologize after four years, abandoning her to drink and party, would make her upset.
There's some nonsense when h accidentally spies a naughty phrase in a piece of mail H has received, and it appears to be a tawdry love letter written by one of his mistresses. There's an expectation that maybe somehow the letter isn't what it appears to be, but no, nothing so clever as that happens in this story. H admits he's had relations, so who knows who wrote the letter, but all the sex he has is cheap and doesn't mean anything to him, so why is it a big deal to h? (!) Oh, and by the way, he hasn't had THAT much sex, he mostly likes racing, drinking, and partying. So he's not a bad guy. Of course not.
H later apologizes a few times, mostly to continue to have sex with h while he's recovering. And because h has a low self-esteem, she tells him he doesn't need to apologize. She comes to think of his blatant, ongoing unfaithfulness as merely a "misunderstanding," and blames herself for the affairs as well, because she never spelled out to him at the beginning of the marriage that she expected him to be faithful. (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I think I'm going to cast up my accounts.
While it's unusual to feature a "second chance" romance with a hero who cheated, it's not unheard of. HOWEVER, for the story to work, the H really needs to show evidence of having changed and grown, with every intention of loving and respecting the h in the future. But the h is the only one with any backbone, even with her low opinion of herself. She rides through awful weather to help save H's life- because he's such a dunce he sped off in one of the carriages he's always racing and got himself severely injured (but he was thinking of her at the time, so that justifies it. Right?). She puts her life on hold for months to patiently nurse him back to health. They have nightly sex, he treats her like he's courting her, asks her to stick around. Then she tells him that she loves him and...
He blows her off, says she was just a distraction to try to get rid of his "restlessness," which he's been ruminating about the entire bloody book. Meanwhile, she's hoping she's pregnant, because if she's stuck in the loveless limbo that is her marriage she at least wants a part of him to be with her forever.
Wait, I think I'm going to cast up my accounts again.
Honestly, if this book could be re-written, I would have loved for the h to have met someone at her sister's ball and left in full view of the H after she gave him a swift kick in the cajones. This H in no way, shape, or form deserved this h. Romance writers: Please stop creating h's with such poor images they feel stuck with their H no matter how much like yesterday's garbage the H has treated them. It's not romantic. And these are not great role models for the teens who sometimes read these books. I have a teenage daughter now, and I think about this sort of thing a lot these days.
Language is PG-rated. I ended up skimming through the sex scenes because I couldn't stand the H.
October 1, 2024
My least favorite book so far in this series. I didn't like how the heroine lacked strength and the necessary backbone. And even the hero had other view of their marriage he should have groveled a lot more
December 14, 2023
This is the 3rd book in the series, I listened on audio book and to be honest the writing is what got me through it because the narrator was not great.
A lot of the reviewers seem to have a real problem with the cheating MMC, a lot of people will inherently dislike that trope in a HEA. I don't always feel that way, I care more about character arcs and development. Viv was such a strong, confident, character. I tend to have a problem with female characters in HR, I tend not to like them and I'm torn here. I really liked Viv until about halfway through this book, I just got the sense that Ryder was going to get through this book with very little redemption. Most of my dislike of Viv is that she forgives him too easily, when he's done nothing to deserve it. All he had to do was catch her sympathy and sense of duty by almost dying. He was moderately charming, moderately considerate, but it's not enough for me.
A lot of the reviewers seem to have a real problem with the cheating MMC, a lot of people will inherently dislike that trope in a HEA. I don't always feel that way, I care more about character arcs and development. Viv was such a strong, confident, character. I tend to have a problem with female characters in HR, I tend not to like them and I'm torn here. I really liked Viv until about halfway through this book, I just got the sense that Ryder was going to get through this book with very little redemption. Most of my dislike of Viv is that she forgives him too easily, when he's done nothing to deserve it. All he had to do was catch her sympathy and sense of duty by almost dying. He was moderately charming, moderately considerate, but it's not enough for me.
January 21, 2023
Can't get on board with a cheater finding his HEA. No grovel other than an 'I'm sorry', whereas the FMC had to walk in on her husband banging another and then hear about his sexual escapades for the following 4 years. No sir, a simple 'I'm sorry' does not suffice!
March 13, 2021
Young love or not...
This is the story of Viv. A second chance love story of two lovers that failed to communicate early in their marriage. Each of them had different expectations of what marriage should be like. Each had to grow up before they understood what they wanted out of life. Yes he cheated (many times) but the fact is that it was the norm during that time.
This is the story of Viv. A second chance love story of two lovers that failed to communicate early in their marriage. Each of them had different expectations of what marriage should be like. Each had to grow up before they understood what they wanted out of life. Yes he cheated (many times) but the fact is that it was the norm during that time.
October 5, 2025
"I can fix him" final boss. Viv is portrayed as a tough, take no prisoners kind of lady and all of the sudden she's the weakest character ever all because of her unfaithful jerkwad husband? I don't buy it! And Ryder doesn't even have to try to win her back, he glances off into the distance and looks pensive once, and Viv is like omg I love this guy!
Me about Ryder Maxen:
This is why I can't stand the second-chance trope. It's nothing personal Ms. Clever, I normally love your work!
Me about Ryder Maxen:
This is why I can't stand the second-chance trope. It's nothing personal Ms. Clever, I normally love your work!
January 16, 2023
A marriage in trouble, but the hero didn't grovel enough. 3.5 stars.
Want to read
February 11, 2021I’m not big into beautiful heroines but I’m hoping this has some good angst and groveling
October 8, 2021
Inaccuracies distracting
I quite enjoyed this book, it was interesting to see the two main traditional crops of Kent, strawberries and hops, featured in one storyline. I am an avid reader and have been since I was a small child. I read anything and almost everything- I prefer fiction to non fiction, although I did read encyclopediae as a child if there was nothing else to hand. I have a fairly good general knowledge which unfortunately can mar my enjoyment of a book when I find glaring inaccuracies which an author with a History degree should not make. A little research would avoid this.
The book refers to kilometres and kilograms. The Duke himself refers to his plastered leg as weighing several kilogrammes. The Metric system was not adopted in the UK until 1965. Over 50 years later most Britons, including myself, use a combination of Metric and Imperial measure for everyday use. Imperial helps me to visualize a weight or a measurement but I often use Metric when actually weighing ingredients or measuring items. However, distance, except for athletic races, is measured in Imperial, in miles. All official road signs show distance between destinations in miles, and the speedometers in our cars measure in miles. The Metric system was introduced in France in 1795 and spread through Europe by Napoleon. This fact alone would have made it unthinkable that an English Lord of that era would use metric. It is about as likely as him standing to sing Las Marseillaise. We also do not refer to 'blocks' when referring to distance in towns or cities. The UK does not have a block system of town planning. We would refer to the actual distance in feet, yards or numbers of streets.
On another note, the inane phrase 'Going forward' was unheard of at that time. It is 21st Century American business speak which actually means 'in the future' or 'from now on'. A person from that time- or now- would understand it to mean an actual physical act of moving forward. The English language is constantly evolving and growing, adopting words and phrases from other languages and cultures. This one, however, is superfluous and meaningless and certainly has no place in an historical novel.
It seems to me that many of the authors who write historical fiction, usually set in England, are actually American. I can appreciate their talent and enthusiasm for the subject and that many of their readers will also be American, but perhaps their editors should think of actually employing an English proof reader to check for the sort of inaccuracies I have referred to.
I quite enjoyed this book, it was interesting to see the two main traditional crops of Kent, strawberries and hops, featured in one storyline. I am an avid reader and have been since I was a small child. I read anything and almost everything- I prefer fiction to non fiction, although I did read encyclopediae as a child if there was nothing else to hand. I have a fairly good general knowledge which unfortunately can mar my enjoyment of a book when I find glaring inaccuracies which an author with a History degree should not make. A little research would avoid this.
The book refers to kilometres and kilograms. The Duke himself refers to his plastered leg as weighing several kilogrammes. The Metric system was not adopted in the UK until 1965. Over 50 years later most Britons, including myself, use a combination of Metric and Imperial measure for everyday use. Imperial helps me to visualize a weight or a measurement but I often use Metric when actually weighing ingredients or measuring items. However, distance, except for athletic races, is measured in Imperial, in miles. All official road signs show distance between destinations in miles, and the speedometers in our cars measure in miles. The Metric system was introduced in France in 1795 and spread through Europe by Napoleon. This fact alone would have made it unthinkable that an English Lord of that era would use metric. It is about as likely as him standing to sing Las Marseillaise. We also do not refer to 'blocks' when referring to distance in towns or cities. The UK does not have a block system of town planning. We would refer to the actual distance in feet, yards or numbers of streets.
On another note, the inane phrase 'Going forward' was unheard of at that time. It is 21st Century American business speak which actually means 'in the future' or 'from now on'. A person from that time- or now- would understand it to mean an actual physical act of moving forward. The English language is constantly evolving and growing, adopting words and phrases from other languages and cultures. This one, however, is superfluous and meaningless and certainly has no place in an historical novel.
It seems to me that many of the authors who write historical fiction, usually set in England, are actually American. I can appreciate their talent and enthusiasm for the subject and that many of their readers will also be American, but perhaps their editors should think of actually employing an English proof reader to check for the sort of inaccuracies I have referred to.
June 6, 2022
Nope. Just NOPE.
I HATE cheating in romance books. I get physically sick reading them. And although I know the significance of some resemblance of reality in fiction, I simply don't understand why would you write about vile cheaters and name it as "romance". Simply DON'T.
And I get where the cheating is used as plot device, or a character flaw, as a "mistake", error of judgement or simply a once in a lifetime sin...but NOT where the manwhore cheating asshole goes on his merry way cheating WITHOUT remorse or realisation.
This guy HAD NO CLUE why he was left by his wife. And why she didn't accept his cheating and whoring. I mean...ARE YOU FOR REAL? This is a matured learned man in 30s and he doesn't know WHY cheating is bad?? He does it because everyone is doing it? He never redeemed, never grovelled, never reached out to his wife to apologise for 4 years and never even stopped it before he was FORCED to stop as he became bedridden. So he wouldn't have done anything to change himself or his lifestyle if he hadn't been in these circumstances. Wow. I mean. Just wow. What were you thinking Jessie Clever? Seems like you're not so clever.
AND you expect me to believe this guy will come around after his not so repentant half-ass realisation, and remain faithful when he doesn't even realise WHY his unfaithfulness is unacceptable? You tell me who never even considered stopping on his own volition and apologize to his wife and mend his debauched ways, kept vehemently seeking out pleasure outside his marriage without shame, that he will not fall for the next tasty morsel that lands on his lap? You tell me he wont be tempted outside of marriage once again just because he gave his word? Lol yeah right. Cheaters always find excuses for their nature. Just like this guy kept justifying and downplaying his filthy deeds all these years. It's just how they're wired. Once a cheater always a cheater. And THAT'S IT.
See I tend to avoid authors who write such disgusting books even though their other books are good. I simply stop respecting them. So I m gonna avoid this author for good.
I HATE cheating in romance books. I get physically sick reading them. And although I know the significance of some resemblance of reality in fiction, I simply don't understand why would you write about vile cheaters and name it as "romance". Simply DON'T.
And I get where the cheating is used as plot device, or a character flaw, as a "mistake", error of judgement or simply a once in a lifetime sin...but NOT where the manwhore cheating asshole goes on his merry way cheating WITHOUT remorse or realisation.
This guy HAD NO CLUE why he was left by his wife. And why she didn't accept his cheating and whoring. I mean...ARE YOU FOR REAL? This is a matured learned man in 30s and he doesn't know WHY cheating is bad?? He does it because everyone is doing it? He never redeemed, never grovelled, never reached out to his wife to apologise for 4 years and never even stopped it before he was FORCED to stop as he became bedridden. So he wouldn't have done anything to change himself or his lifestyle if he hadn't been in these circumstances. Wow. I mean. Just wow. What were you thinking Jessie Clever? Seems like you're not so clever.
AND you expect me to believe this guy will come around after his not so repentant half-ass realisation, and remain faithful when he doesn't even realise WHY his unfaithfulness is unacceptable? You tell me who never even considered stopping on his own volition and apologize to his wife and mend his debauched ways, kept vehemently seeking out pleasure outside his marriage without shame, that he will not fall for the next tasty morsel that lands on his lap? You tell me he wont be tempted outside of marriage once again just because he gave his word? Lol yeah right. Cheaters always find excuses for their nature. Just like this guy kept justifying and downplaying his filthy deeds all these years. It's just how they're wired. Once a cheater always a cheater. And THAT'S IT.
See I tend to avoid authors who write such disgusting books even though their other books are good. I simply stop respecting them. So I m gonna avoid this author for good.
February 20, 2021
The Duke and the Siren is a second chance romance by Jessie Clever. I was looking for a problematic romance, having read several "they were stupid but they figured it out before it got too bad" stories. This is definitely one not one of those. After reading the reviews, I was hesitant to give this a shot, but I did and I'm glad I did.
I really liked this book. If you're put off by a cheating hero, you'll hate this book. It's not a deal breaker for me; I just want the resolution to be worth it. In this case, I think it was worth it. Viv is our long-suffering heroine, having married and then cheated on by her husband, Ryder. Ryder is a rake, and marriage didn't change that. Viv catches Ryder in bed with another woman and leaves. She hoped for a true marriage, he expected a society marriage. But something did change for both of them, in the way of an accident that leaves Ryder clinging to life.
I liked the characters. I like that they acknowledged how stupid they were when they married. Ryder followed convention, being the dashing duke who slept around because it was expected of him, even when he started getting disillusioned. Viv was the stoic wife, who did nothing to disgrace her husband, but didn't hide her courage in the face of the many women who claimed to sleep with her husband. Ryder is a manwhore, and as many of them do, he becomes less and less attracted to his lifestyle, wanting more. They both grow and mature throughout the time they're together as he convalesces. Two months together lets them get to know the person the other has become and changes both of them as a result. Was there groveling? Yes. Was it believable? Also yes. Am I happy with the ending? Yeah, mostly. I think the last bit of stupidity on his side was unnecessary, but not unforgivable (no, it's not more cheating).
Over all I liked this book enough I expect to revisit it. Not every HR should have a neat and clean HEA. This still has one, but there's nothing neat or clean about it.
I really liked this book. If you're put off by a cheating hero, you'll hate this book. It's not a deal breaker for me; I just want the resolution to be worth it. In this case, I think it was worth it. Viv is our long-suffering heroine, having married and then cheated on by her husband, Ryder. Ryder is a rake, and marriage didn't change that. Viv catches Ryder in bed with another woman and leaves. She hoped for a true marriage, he expected a society marriage. But something did change for both of them, in the way of an accident that leaves Ryder clinging to life.
I liked the characters. I like that they acknowledged how stupid they were when they married. Ryder followed convention, being the dashing duke who slept around because it was expected of him, even when he started getting disillusioned. Viv was the stoic wife, who did nothing to disgrace her husband, but didn't hide her courage in the face of the many women who claimed to sleep with her husband. Ryder is a manwhore, and as many of them do, he becomes less and less attracted to his lifestyle, wanting more. They both grow and mature throughout the time they're together as he convalesces. Two months together lets them get to know the person the other has become and changes both of them as a result. Was there groveling? Yes. Was it believable? Also yes. Am I happy with the ending? Yeah, mostly. I think the last bit of stupidity on his side was unnecessary, but not unforgivable (no, it's not more cheating).
Over all I liked this book enough I expect to revisit it. Not every HR should have a neat and clean HEA. This still has one, but there's nothing neat or clean about it.
March 26, 2021
Is it love
Viv was over her marriage it was cold and lonely after finding her husband in bed with another woman! When she receives word he was dying she rushes to Margate their country estate to his deathbed! Ryder had raced his phantom one too many times and this time his life hangs in the balance as he was carried 25 miles from the accident! Big his Duchess is unsure how she feels about this man who has raced, gambled and slept with numerous women at deaths door! What if he lives? My heart broke for his infidelities like he finally got the pain he caused!!
Ryder unaware of the immeasurable pain he has caused Viv until she nurses him back from the brink of death! He can't even recall the women's faces he's restless and unhappy until the calming influence of his wife! How could have been so stupid??
Ryder turns his mind to estate matters and realizes he is finally content with Viv at his side! But what if its too late..its been 4 years and so much pain he caused and he didn't seem to realize how his actions so very public wounded his wife!
Viv refuses to be hurt again!? Will Ryder man up and come after his wife?
Viv was over her marriage it was cold and lonely after finding her husband in bed with another woman! When she receives word he was dying she rushes to Margate their country estate to his deathbed! Ryder had raced his phantom one too many times and this time his life hangs in the balance as he was carried 25 miles from the accident! Big his Duchess is unsure how she feels about this man who has raced, gambled and slept with numerous women at deaths door! What if he lives? My heart broke for his infidelities like he finally got the pain he caused!!
Ryder unaware of the immeasurable pain he has caused Viv until she nurses him back from the brink of death! He can't even recall the women's faces he's restless and unhappy until the calming influence of his wife! How could have been so stupid??
Ryder turns his mind to estate matters and realizes he is finally content with Viv at his side! But what if its too late..its been 4 years and so much pain he caused and he didn't seem to realize how his actions so very public wounded his wife!
Viv refuses to be hurt again!? Will Ryder man up and come after his wife?
January 4, 2022
DNF - I just couldn’t continue reading when the romantic male lead is such a vile excuse for a human that I think less of the female lead for even contemplating reconciliation. I called it in chapter three when she kisses him after twice vividly recalling when she walks in on him cheating. Oh and it wasn’t just the once, he continued to do so for the entire 4 years since they’ve been apart. It had only been days since he last violated his vows and because he’s bored of parties and all the women he decides he’ll go back and thinks she will just welcome him… and she does!?
Oh honey please come back to me and share all those lovely STDs you’ve collected because you make me feel like a real woman, not the strong independent one that others think I am. At that point there wasn’t anything that would make me want to see them get together.
Oh honey please come back to me and share all those lovely STDs you’ve collected because you make me feel like a real woman, not the strong independent one that others think I am. At that point there wasn’t anything that would make me want to see them get together.
August 2, 2021
The Duke and the Siren, Book 3 of The Unwanted Dukes series, was about Ryder Maxen (aka the Rogue Duke), the Duke of Margate, and his wife, Her Grace Vivianna Darby Maxen. The two had married during Viv's first season and she had thought them both in love...only to later find Ryder in bed with an opera singer.
Vivianna returned to her brother Andrew Darby, the Duke of Ravenwood's home to help her three sisters to find better matches than she had, hoping they would find love.
It had been 4 years since she had last seen her husband when an urgent knock sounded at the door of her brother's home, Vivi answered, only to find her husband's stable master's son standing there. When he told her that her husband was near death from a phaeton accident and asking for her, she determined to head home, uncertain as to whether she wanted him to live...or die and free her from the pain she had lived with since the discovery of his betrayal.
For the entirety of their marriage, Ryder had no qualms about cheating on Vivianna with anyone and everybody. In fact, he reveled in the debauchery. He had no remorse for his actions or the pain he inflicted on his wife. He made one single attempt to seek Vivianna out to ask for her help...but then never did. He just returned to his roguish ways. Then the accident happened.
Feeling duty-bound to nurse her estranged husband until he either succumbed to his injuries or survived to live another day, Vivianna stayed by his side. She struggled daily with her feelings of anger and sorrow of things that might have been. There were moments she prayed he would die and set her free. Then there were times she hoped he would survive and give her the answers she needed to hear.
When Ryder woke for the first time after the accident, he didn't ask Vivianna how she was, didn't ask for her forgiveness. His first thought was for his horses' condition. His horses. He had no concern about her or what had been happening with her during their four years of separation. After the doctor examined Ryder, he informed him that he would have many months of recuperation before he was out of any danger. Not wanting to be the one to stay and nurse him back to health, she also didn't believe it safe for a nurse to do the job.
Ryder showed his selfishness in not allowing Vivianna to hire a nurse to tend to him. He had no problem exploiting her feelings or taking advantage of her weaknesses in regard to him. After everything he had put her through, he still expected her to play nursemaid to him.
When Vivianna told Ryder he had hurt her with his actions, he couldn't understand her reaction because he believed every husband took one or more lovers. He didn't see why she would be upset that he had done that as well. He was such a selfish, vain, egotistical man. He blamed his wicked ways on "restlessness". What an A-hole!
Although Ryder apologized to her for being unfaithful and hurting her, the way he did it was...well it didn't seem sincere. He blamed it on "the actions of a careless young man heady with his first taste of the world"...and yet it was still happening at the time of his accident so how could he say it was the carelessness of a young man? He said he wished it wasn't Vivianna that he had hurt. Did that mean if it had been anyone else, it would have been okay to inflict such pain?
All the pain mentioned above...and only to chapter 5 of the book. How much more could this woman endure? Well, how about Ryder receiving a dirty letter from one of his current lovers? And then he had the audacity to ask her how many men she had been with during their separation. It actually made him jealous...and yet he didn't even consider how many women he had been with and how that had hurt Vivianna.
This guy...I mean seriously...he didn't even know what kind of condition his own estate was in...and had been in for at least 10 years! He was so into drinking, women, racing, gambling, and anything that kept him from being a responsible adult...let alone a Duke who had the care and well-being of servants and tenants.
While understanding that Vivianna desperately wanted to make her marriage work, and that...surprisingly...Ryder was actually having his eyes opened to reality, I definitely did not enjoy this book. The subject matter (Multiple, years-long infidelity) hit too close to home. Ryder never really, truly repented of his ways, and Vivianna had every reason to distrust him.
In all honesty, I was glad that Vivianna got her HEA...I just wish it had been with someone who deserved to share that HEA with her because Ryder sure the hell did not deserve it. He put her through four years of pain, anguish, ridicule, humiliation, scandal after scandal, and so much more that she should not have ever been able to trust him again.
I can't say I enjoyed this book...at all. In all the previous books, Vivianna was portrayed as a strong woman who knew her mind and, while it's understandable that she should have doubts when dealing with her own issues, the author should have allowed her to remain that strong when dealing with Ryder. It shouldn't have been so easy for him to win his way back into her heart. The author allowed him to yank Vivianna's chain over and over, and manipulate her until he hurt her yet again.
It was disappointing to see this story turn out so bad after the first two in the series were so good. This book definitely did not earn a 5-star rating, nor will it get added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
Vivianna returned to her brother Andrew Darby, the Duke of Ravenwood's home to help her three sisters to find better matches than she had, hoping they would find love.
It had been 4 years since she had last seen her husband when an urgent knock sounded at the door of her brother's home, Vivi answered, only to find her husband's stable master's son standing there. When he told her that her husband was near death from a phaeton accident and asking for her, she determined to head home, uncertain as to whether she wanted him to live...or die and free her from the pain she had lived with since the discovery of his betrayal.
For the entirety of their marriage, Ryder had no qualms about cheating on Vivianna with anyone and everybody. In fact, he reveled in the debauchery. He had no remorse for his actions or the pain he inflicted on his wife. He made one single attempt to seek Vivianna out to ask for her help...but then never did. He just returned to his roguish ways. Then the accident happened.
Feeling duty-bound to nurse her estranged husband until he either succumbed to his injuries or survived to live another day, Vivianna stayed by his side. She struggled daily with her feelings of anger and sorrow of things that might have been. There were moments she prayed he would die and set her free. Then there were times she hoped he would survive and give her the answers she needed to hear.
When Ryder woke for the first time after the accident, he didn't ask Vivianna how she was, didn't ask for her forgiveness. His first thought was for his horses' condition. His horses. He had no concern about her or what had been happening with her during their four years of separation. After the doctor examined Ryder, he informed him that he would have many months of recuperation before he was out of any danger. Not wanting to be the one to stay and nurse him back to health, she also didn't believe it safe for a nurse to do the job.
Ryder showed his selfishness in not allowing Vivianna to hire a nurse to tend to him. He had no problem exploiting her feelings or taking advantage of her weaknesses in regard to him. After everything he had put her through, he still expected her to play nursemaid to him.
When Vivianna told Ryder he had hurt her with his actions, he couldn't understand her reaction because he believed every husband took one or more lovers. He didn't see why she would be upset that he had done that as well. He was such a selfish, vain, egotistical man. He blamed his wicked ways on "restlessness". What an A-hole!
Although Ryder apologized to her for being unfaithful and hurting her, the way he did it was...well it didn't seem sincere. He blamed it on "the actions of a careless young man heady with his first taste of the world"...and yet it was still happening at the time of his accident so how could he say it was the carelessness of a young man? He said he wished it wasn't Vivianna that he had hurt. Did that mean if it had been anyone else, it would have been okay to inflict such pain?
All the pain mentioned above...and only to chapter 5 of the book. How much more could this woman endure? Well, how about Ryder receiving a dirty letter from one of his current lovers? And then he had the audacity to ask her how many men she had been with during their separation. It actually made him jealous...and yet he didn't even consider how many women he had been with and how that had hurt Vivianna.
This guy...I mean seriously...he didn't even know what kind of condition his own estate was in...and had been in for at least 10 years! He was so into drinking, women, racing, gambling, and anything that kept him from being a responsible adult...let alone a Duke who had the care and well-being of servants and tenants.
While understanding that Vivianna desperately wanted to make her marriage work, and that...surprisingly...Ryder was actually having his eyes opened to reality, I definitely did not enjoy this book. The subject matter (Multiple, years-long infidelity) hit too close to home. Ryder never really, truly repented of his ways, and Vivianna had every reason to distrust him.
In all honesty, I was glad that Vivianna got her HEA...I just wish it had been with someone who deserved to share that HEA with her because Ryder sure the hell did not deserve it. He put her through four years of pain, anguish, ridicule, humiliation, scandal after scandal, and so much more that she should not have ever been able to trust him again.
I can't say I enjoyed this book...at all. In all the previous books, Vivianna was portrayed as a strong woman who knew her mind and, while it's understandable that she should have doubts when dealing with her own issues, the author should have allowed her to remain that strong when dealing with Ryder. It shouldn't have been so easy for him to win his way back into her heart. The author allowed him to yank Vivianna's chain over and over, and manipulate her until he hurt her yet again.
It was disappointing to see this story turn out so bad after the first two in the series were so good. This book definitely did not earn a 5-star rating, nor will it get added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
December 31, 2021
His second chance loving his wife
I absolutely loved Viv and Ryders story. She left him almost 4 years ago for infidelity and know she’s racing across several counties to get to him since he might be dying.
Ryder never new why he was so restless and loved, racing, drinking and women. He knew married men had affairs so why was his wife so mad she left him.
It wasn’t until his accident that almost claimed his life and his wife nursing him back to health that he realized what is important in life.
Another wonderful story with a beautiful ending.
I absolutely loved Viv and Ryders story. She left him almost 4 years ago for infidelity and know she’s racing across several counties to get to him since he might be dying.
Ryder never new why he was so restless and loved, racing, drinking and women. He knew married men had affairs so why was his wife so mad she left him.
It wasn’t until his accident that almost claimed his life and his wife nursing him back to health that he realized what is important in life.
Another wonderful story with a beautiful ending.
February 20, 2023
Heroine: Vivianna Darby, 28. Nickname: Viv. Duchess of Margate.
Hero: Ryder Maxen, about 33? Duke of Margate. Known as the “Rogue Duke.”
Date: unknown
How they meet: Viv and Ryder met and married off-page 5 years previous and separated 4 years previous when Viv caught him in bed with another woman. She hasn’t seen him since.
What happens: While visiting family for Christmas, a servant arrives to inform Viv that her estranged husband has been in a serious accident and may be dying. He has specifically asked for her, so she goes on horseback in bad weather to see him. When she arrives she learns that his chances of surviving aren’t good. Even though he hurt her deeply when he cheated on her, she feels duty-bound to stay and nurse him. What Viv does not know is that Ryder was on his way to find her when the accident occurred; he felt she might be the only person who could save him from his inner demons.
Verdict: I haven’t read too many historical marriage-in-trouble romances. This was an interesting examination of the hero’s struggle to learn how to be a husband. While what he did was truly awful and reckless, we only hear about that part of his life as memories and the hero we meet realizes he was on the wrong path and wants to have a more meaningful life, recognizing that his wife is probably the one to help him with that. I think that makes it a bit easier to sympathize with him. He has a lot of time to think while on bed rest and having access to his inner thoughts, it is believable that he has it in him to become a better person. Equally interesting is the heroine’s pragmatic approach to doing what she believes is her duty, while trying to protect her heart even though she has compassion for him. I was a bit surprised that his poor choice of words triggered her as it did near the end of the book and that she couldn’t see through him. This is the third in the series, but I have not read the first book. I think this is ok as a standalone and one definitely doesn’t need to read the second book to understand what is going on in this one. However, I have a hunch there might be a bit of missing background on Viv in the first book.
Steam-level: steamy and explicit
Rating: 3 stars
Hero: Ryder Maxen, about 33? Duke of Margate. Known as the “Rogue Duke.”
Date: unknown
How they meet: Viv and Ryder met and married off-page 5 years previous and separated 4 years previous when Viv caught him in bed with another woman. She hasn’t seen him since.
What happens: While visiting family for Christmas, a servant arrives to inform Viv that her estranged husband has been in a serious accident and may be dying. He has specifically asked for her, so she goes on horseback in bad weather to see him. When she arrives she learns that his chances of surviving aren’t good. Even though he hurt her deeply when he cheated on her, she feels duty-bound to stay and nurse him. What Viv does not know is that Ryder was on his way to find her when the accident occurred; he felt she might be the only person who could save him from his inner demons.
Verdict: I haven’t read too many historical marriage-in-trouble romances. This was an interesting examination of the hero’s struggle to learn how to be a husband. While what he did was truly awful and reckless, we only hear about that part of his life as memories and the hero we meet realizes he was on the wrong path and wants to have a more meaningful life, recognizing that his wife is probably the one to help him with that. I think that makes it a bit easier to sympathize with him. He has a lot of time to think while on bed rest and having access to his inner thoughts, it is believable that he has it in him to become a better person. Equally interesting is the heroine’s pragmatic approach to doing what she believes is her duty, while trying to protect her heart even though she has compassion for him. I was a bit surprised that his poor choice of words triggered her as it did near the end of the book and that she couldn’t see through him. This is the third in the series, but I have not read the first book. I think this is ok as a standalone and one definitely doesn’t need to read the second book to understand what is going on in this one. However, I have a hunch there might be a bit of missing background on Viv in the first book.
Steam-level: steamy and explicit
Rating: 3 stars
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