Miss Julia Smith peddles flowers for her daily bread, but lands in the Duchess of Arlington's household when selling blooms becomes unexpectedly hazardous. To Julia’s surprise, Her Grace offers not only safety, but also a chance at a new, fancier life—a life Julia isn’t sure she wants.
Harris Clarendale, Marquess of Ruthven, has seen his dear godmother taken in by one charlatan after another as Her Grace has searched in vain for a missing niece. Harris determines to charm his way past Julia’s defenses, and expose her for the schemer she is. Instead, he finds a woman of wit, honor, and integrity, and more than a little passion, and Julia learns that a fancy lord can also be a decent man with a loyal heart.
When secrets are revealed, will love be enough for Julia and Harris to forge a future together?
USA TODAY Bestselling author CHRISTI CALDWELL blames Judith McNaught's "Whitney, My Love!" for luring her into the world of historical romance. While sitting in her graduate school apartment at the University of Connecticut, Christi decided to set aside her notes and pick up her laptop to try her hand at romance. She believes the most perfect heroes and heroines have imperfections, and she rather enjoys torturing them before crafting them a well deserved happily ever after!
Christi makes her home in Charlotte, North Carolina where she spends her time writing her own enchanting historical romances, and baking surprisingly good cakes (almost 2 years in lockdown will do that) with her courageous son and twin daughters, each who with their daily antics provides limitless source material.
This was a refreshingly unique rags to riches story. To start with the h is not the lost heiress but the adopted sister. The story continues to not go the typical parh of hr. The author creates such good character development.
Miss Julia Smith is a flowerseller, but lands in the Duchess of Arlington's household when selling blooms becomes unexpectedly hazardous. To Julia’s surprise, Her Grace offers not only safety, but also a chance at a new, fancier life—a life Julia isn’t sure she wants. Harris Clarendale, Marquis of Ruthven, has seen his dear godmother taken in by one charlatan after another as Her Grace has searched in vain for a missing niece. Harris determines to charm his way past Julia’s defences, and expose her for the schemer she is. Instead, he finds a woman of wit, honour, and integrity, and more than a little passion, and Julia learns that a fancy lord can also be a decent man with a loyal heart. The third book in the series & it’s easily read on its own. Another brilliant read from the author, I’ve learned that I need to clear the decks & start her books early in the day as once started I’m not moving until I’m finished - oh & I also need some hankies nearby. This book was no different, totally engrossing, wonderful characters & a story that flows effortlessly. It took me on a plethora of emotions, I was breathless but smiling at the end. I loved Harris from the start & whilst I liked Julia at the beginning I grew to love her, throw in wonderful older characters to add to my enjoyment My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
A magical story that Christi is so famous for, bringing a heroine from rags to riches... and of course finding love!
Julia had grown up on the streets with her mother and the girl Adairia, they had found, who had been wandering around lost. They'd grown up together like sisters, although Adriana had always claimed she was a princess.
When things go bad and Julia ends up going to the home Adairia, grew up in, she finds out her friend is the niece of a duchess who had been looking for her for years! A case of mistaken identity, she is thought to be the long lost niece.
But the prince... I mean the Godson of the duchess, Harris does not believe her. Much to his dismay, he finds himself attracted to her.
Three wonderful ladies, a wounded godson, a heroine that grew up on the streets and a great cast of characters make this an wonderful story that I could not put down until the end! Such a great series and I cannot wait for more!
when adairia was encouraged by the words of rand graham about her past and potential connection with a noble family, all julia can think is that it's a trap. clearly opposite in nature, adairia is filled with optimism and trust while julia is jaded and skeptical.
one misunderstanding after another, the duchess of arlington accepted julia as her long-lost niece. riddled with guilt and tempted by a life she never even dreamed of having before, julia posed as adairia instead.
it's easy to dislike julia's actions but she's actually a very nice girl. toughened by the cruelty of the streets, julia knows how to take care of herself and understands how poverty affects the most vulnerable. when she assumed adairia's position by the duchess, she always think about the children left in her old life. her kindness moved even the coldest of hearts.
scarred in the past, harris have been skeptical about julia's true motives and identity. he suspects that she's like other frauds and is trying to weed out who julia really is. however, he couldn't help but be captivated by this enchanting and beautiful person. harris's interactions with julia forced him to check his privilege and opened his eyes to the lives of the poor.
overall, i really liked my fair marchioness. so far, i'm enjoying christi caldwell's stories. i adored julia's fiery personality. while she was adairia, julia wasn't scheming anything or had a malicious motive. she just purely wanted adairia's family to know more about adairia. the romance is gradual too. from harris's initial distrust to falling for julia was a huge change in feelings but julia's that charming.
I’ve decided all Christi Caldwell books should come with a warning label. They’re absolutely addictive! I read one and I immediately want more. That has definitely been the case with her Scandalous Affairs series. Each one has been better than the last. And this third book in the series takes the cake! There were some twists I didn’t see coming. One especially shocked me to my core. And of course she introduced some secondary characters that were so endearing and intriguing that I’m on pins and needles hoping they’ll have books of their own. My Fair Marchioness was exceptional for me because it was somewhat of a Cinderella story. My favorite fairy tale. Those heroines that come from the lower classes always seem so much more deserving to me. I love knowing their struggles won’t be forever. Julia Smith was especially deserving. I loved her dry wit, compassion, and her ability to find the joy in simple things. All the things Harris Clarendale, Marquess of Ruthven came to love in her as well. But not at first. In the beginning he was determined to prove her a charlatan intent on passing herself off as his godmother’s niece who had disappeared as a child. Thanks to his own stubbornness and the machinations of his absolutely endearing godmother, he was forced to spend time with Julia. And the more he was around her, the desire to learn about her gradually had nothing to do with his suspicions and everything to do with getting to know her. He was captivated. But that captivation didn’t happen overnight, and that’s what makes this story so delicious. Julia and Harris were both cynical and distrustful at first. Harris had been trapped as a young man by a deceitful woman, and Julia had never known real tenderness and affection. She’d lived a life that was a constant struggle to survive. Their journey to discovering each other was a delight. There’s a scene in the breakfast room where they are discussing a truce that is hysterical. And let me just say I’ve gained a new appreciation for the pianoforte. It was quite a “Pretty Woman” moment. Needless to say, I completely fell in love with this story. Christi Caldwell’s stories are always so refreshingly different and her characters are infinitely fascinating. I’m dying to know what happened with Adairia while she and Julia were apart. I can't wait to see more of Harris’ boyhood friends. And I’m really hoping Harris’ godmother has a book of her own in the future. Like previous books in this series, the banter between characters is matchless. And the sexual tension stewing under the surface was definitely one of the reasons I kept turning the pages. That and the fabulous plot which, as I mentioned previously, had a shocker of a twist and just enough titillation to make me anxious for the next book. If you’re looking for a story that will keep you spellbound with its sheer romance, this one is it.
Ms. Caldwell smashed this! Omg, had tears near the end. As you are probably aware, I loved this story. Entertaining and so enjoyable to read. Good storyline and brilliant characters. 5☆
Julia is a flower peddler with all that entails. She and her “sister” are just trying to survive. But secrets come out and her sister disappears and now Julia must navigate the streets and Society to save them both. Harrison knows that Julia is not who she says she is but he comes to want her anyway. Can lies lead to a happy ever after for them both? Read and find out!
When I write a review, I don’t like to be a spoiler. Other reviewers will tell you all about what happens in this story, but I want to tell you about the emotions. Once again Ms. Caldwell has opened up our hearts! Our heroine, Julia Smith, a poor flower seller, finds herself in the home of a Duchess posing as her long-lost niece. Yes, Julia manipulated the Duchess, but as she grew to love and respect her, she couldn’t continue her charade. Now it took Julia a few tries to finally tell her the truth, but she did it. The story comes out that her friend/sister Adairia has disappeared and Julia believes Adairia is dead…she also believes that Adairia is the Duchess’ long lost niece. We also meet Harris, the Marquess of Ruthven. He is cool and unemotional because of a past deception that caused him inordinate pain. As the Duchess’ nephew, he is determined to prevent Julia from hurting her. He doesn’t believe Julia’s tale that she is the long-lost niece, but what he does start to believe is that she is a very kind and selfless woman. The story’s plot is excellent, and that’s why all the heartbreak, sadness, forgiveness and love will wrap around you ! For the first time in ages I was wishing I had a paperback in my hand so I could peak at the last page…I just had to know the outcome of this story. I can promise you that once you open the book, you will struggle with putting it down…I could not and stayed up to finish this beautiful story. I truly hope you love it as much as I did. I have been granted an advance copy by the author, this is my true and unbiased opinion.
My Fair Marchioness by Christi Caldwell is brilliant. It is the third book in the Scandalous Affairs series. There is so much going on and I certainly do not want to give any spoilers. It is a fabulous read and I highly recommend it.
While I don't want to give away the story, I will say that this one does have an impostor, a caring godson, flower seller, danger in the Dials, learning to trust, unexpected twist and turns, journey to HEA and so much more. You may need one or two hankies. I received this book as a gift and have chosen to leave a review.
Another brilliant work from Christi Caldwell! She certainly writes with her heart, pulling every emotion from her believable and amazing characters, gifting the reader with a romantic journey charged with trials and triumphs, secrets and mystery, hope and love... lots of love. ❤️
A definite page turner with surprising twists and turns.
One of these days I will learn to keep klenex handy! The middle of the story, like clockwork, I'm bawling! Julie desperatly loves her "sister", Adairia, and is doing everything she can all her life to protect her..until she can't. Harris just wants his Godmother to move on with life and realize her neice isn't coming back. Julie ends up with Harris's godmother who takes her in after mistaking Julie for Adairia. The story rolls from there with Julie trying to keep her values while dealing with the changes in her life! Watching Harris and Julie fall in love with all the current troubles and their own issues with their pasts was heart-wrenching. I'm glad we got a glimpse of Steele, but was not happy with what he did. I did love the duchess and her friends. They were tough and smart with sarcasm to boot! I loved the book and thank you for the advanced copy, it was an amazing read!!
Lord falls for commoner at it's best. Miss Julia Smith peddles flowers with her sister and struggles to survive on the streets of London. Harris Clarendale, Marquess of Ruthven has never had to struggle a day in his life, but is not without his heartaches. Trust is hard earned for these two, and that's what makes this story more real. Characters are endearing, story is gritty and believable, surroundings are well described - once again an incredible read from Ms Caldwell.
I liked Julia and Harris’ personalities and if they were written in a different book, I really would have liked it but the story in this book isn’t for me.
Adairia is stupid but now that the rumour turned out to be real, no one will say anything to her. Also, I really don’t care to read about Julia talking about how good of a person Adairia was.
I don’t like the mistaken identity in this book and that, coupled with how I really didn’t like Adairia but she’s clearly going to be a big part of the book, made me DNF this book.
I definitely still want to try other books by this author but I just didn’t like the plot in this book.
Miss Julia Smith peddles flowers for her daily bread, but lands in the Duchess of Arlington's household when selling blooms becomes unexpectedly hazardous. To Julia’s surprise, Her Grace offers not only safety, but also a chance at a new, fancier life—a life Julia isn’t sure she wants.
Harris Clarendale, Marquess of Ruthven, has seen his dear godmother taken in by one charlatan after another as Her Grace has searched in vain for a missing niece. Harris determines to charm his way past Julia’s defenses, and expose her for the schemer she is. Instead, he finds a woman of wit, honor, and integrity, and more than a little passion, and Julia learns that a fancy lord can also be a decent man with a loyal heart.
When secrets are revealed, will love be enough for Julia and Harris to forge a future together?
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will her masquerade be the beginning of a better future or the end of her ...
Harris is the perfect titled man, all haughtiness and wealth. Sure he is able of being kind, like when he stepped into a shabby street to save a young woman from a dark fate because he was close by, but once his good deed done, he turned his feet and went back to his all privileges life. For years, he let his poor experience of married life cloud his vision of women, thus he is immediately wary of Julia. Well he has every rights to be. But he does not have the whole picture to understand her and why she entered into this deceit. Yet as he gets to know her, he is charmed by the woman she is, compassionate and selfless when she could have turned bitter and greedy after the harsh life she lived in the slums of the city. But will it be enough for him to forgive her when the truth will come to light.
I confess the first chapters had me at loss. Julia is not easy to like, her mind is quite jumbled, her thoughts go everywhere. After I, in some way, understand her trying to dose her friend’s hopes, there were no light nor knight to expect in their area, only hardship and deathly threats. And how her will to survive led to deceit. Still she did not take advantage to steal or benefit from her deception. Instead, she uses her place in the household to share what might go to waste with those suffering from hunger. Yet I struggled to fully appreciate her, I have a problem with liars, until she decided to end this charade, putting her fate in someone other’s hands. And while she was straightforward about who she truly was, her half truth would, as expected at one time, come back at her like a boomerang and knock her of her feet. But over her deeds and need to help others, I finally realized she never had any other mean to escape her fate than to rely on deceit. Who would have rescued her, a commoner, a poor flower peddler, offered her shelter if she had not let them thought she was someone else, the answer is simple, no one.
A beautiful story about seing past someone’s mistakes to acknowledge why they were made, to let the hurt rest to appreciate when an other chance is given. 4.5 stars
Now I am much intrigued by Rand, and hope he will have his own story.
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
This is the next in the fabulous Christi Caldwell’s Scandalous Affairs series, the reader need not have read the others to follow along though once you read this you will want to! Julia, our heroine briefly appears in Taming of the Beast though she can be easily missed. Brought up on the tough streets of St. Giles she makes her living as a flower seller and also protecting her sister of the streets Adairia, a lost child her mother saved years previously. Now years later an investigator is trying to find all the lost children and return them to their rightful families, Adairia has always maintained she was a princess from a magical kingdom, Julia ever practical dismisses her as fanciful. That is until the infamous gang leader, Rand Graham wants to talk to them. Danger ensues, Julia fearing for her life runs to the Duchess pretending to be her lost niece. Enter our hero Harris, a marquess, who is determined to spare his godmother from an imposter he sets out to expose Julia. Carrying hurt from his past Harris does not trust easily. Along the way they get to know one another and ultimately find love. When the truth is revealed, it threatens our young lovers but in true Christi style love wins out and they find their HEA. I throughly recommend this book, Christi continues to go from strength to strength delivering stories and characters with depth and grit.
Adairia and Julia grew up on the streets selling flowers. Pretty much only had each other to count on. I liked Adairia's pie in the sky attitude. She believed herself from a privileged home since she was four or five and never gave up thinking one day her dream would come true to be reunited with her family. Julia felt responsible for Adairia to keep her safe and protect her innocent nature. Julia was much stronger than she realized. She would not let anything or anybody stand in her way when it came to survival. She did what she must to support Adairia and herself. When Adairia disappeared, Julia thought the worse. She feared the bad men would come after her next. When a man did come to take her, she escaped with Adairia and her belongings and fled to the duchess for safety. Julia meant to tell the duchess what happened to Adairia but things got out of hand and the duchess thought she was Adairia. Well things got complicated after that. The duchess' godson was suspicious from the beginning and sought to watch Julia and prove her a fraud. Little did Harris know he would see a side of life he never did and Julia turned out to be unlike any woman he had ever met. A complicated romance. A must read. I do recommend it.
I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I always get excited when a new Christi Caldwell book comes out. I know I will get to escape my life and get loss in her book and the world she has created. My Fair Marchioness does not disappoint what a wild ride this book takes us on. It has danger, twists and lies also deceit. In this book we meet Miss Julia Smith a poor flower peddler from the dark side of town and Harris Clarendale of Marques of Ruthven from the wealth side of town.
I don't like to give out to much details of the book to spoil the read for others, I know I like to read a book with no spoilers to enjoy the ride the author takes us on. What I will say Julia was hard at first to understand and love she had so many different levels to her from her past. Harris was hurt in the past he does not trust any woman at all. So when Julia is invited by Harris Aunt the Duchess to come live in the house when she running from danger , Harris is not happy and doesn't trust Julia.
These two have a rocky start I love how Christi takes two people who seem like they don't belong together and makes a beautiful love story. We also meet other great characters in this book that you hope have books of their own. I know you will love this book has much has I do it book 3 in the Scandalous Affairs Series.
Christi Caldwell once again delivers a major hit with her new story My Fair Marchioness. It contains mistaken identity, a wronged Lord, dangerous criminals and three wonderful older women. When Julia and her mother found a lost girl Adairia they took her in and she became a sister to Julia. Together they sold flowers outside of Covent Garden to make a living. Adairia always talked about being a princess but who would believe that story - until they did. Thinking that Adairia is dead, Julia comes to tell her aunt the bad news but they take her in assuming she was Adairia. Everyone believes it except Harris who is distrustful of all women after he had a bad experience with his wife before she died. Just when You think there will be a happy ending - the truth comes out and everything seems to fall apart. Tears will flow as they try to get things sorted out but the Happily Ever After will put a smile on your face. I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.
The incredible Christi Caldwell, continues to blow me away with unique and intense storylines. Her stories always include absolutely wonderful characters with such depth and layers. It is impossible not to be drawn in to their lives and circumstances. Laugh, cry, bite my fingers; I am totally vested in them. Living in the Dials all of her life, Julia survives as a flower peddler, but when her closest friend disappears and her life is threatened as well, she seeks out the Duchess of Arlington, to see if she might truly be her friend’s Aunt. There she meets Harris, a Marquess, who immediately pegs her as an Imposter. As they spend time together, the most beautiful romance develops between them. They come from different worlds and teach each other the struggles of the rich and privileged, and those of the poor surviving the streets. But then he finds her to be the imposter he suspected her to be….. An heart-wrenching story, start to finish!
My Fair Marchioness the third book in Christi Caldwell’s Scandalous Affairs series is absolutely marvelous! I added the audiobook so I could use the Whispersync function and listen while working yesterday, because I couldn’t put it down. This is the story of Julia Smith and Harris Clarendon, Marquess of Ruthven. After the disappearance of her sister Adairia, Julia is afraid for her life, and flees to the home of the Duchess of Arlington. Ruthven, godson of the Duchess, had been protecting her from charlatans pretending to be her lost niece for years, so he certainly doesn’t trust Julia, but then, he has doesn’t trust any woman. But the more time he spends with Julia, the more the walls around his heart crumble. As with all Caldwell books, you’ll fall in love with these characters. But even more so with the secondary characters, Adairia, the twins, Ladies Cowpen and Crowley, Stebbings and the Duchess of Arlington. They made me laugh out loud! This is another must read, and I hope their will be another book.
Good, but I wasn’t as emotionally engaged as I usually am with Christi Caldwell’s characters and I’m not sure exactly why. Perhaps I felt Julia was a little too quick to abandon Adairia to certain death, and I’m never a fan of sketchy plot devices that seem out of character. Julia was too tough, practical, and tenacious to just accept her feeling as fact. I enjoyed the blossoming relationship between the hero and heroine and the way they changed each other’s view of the world, but the carriage sex on the way to deliver food to the poor was jarringly out of place and too early. Hero also jerked too quickly from thinking Julia was a deceiver to thinking her truthful, in spite of all the warning signs, then back to outrage at her deception, and then back to forgiveness and understanding, all of which made him look a bit of a dim bulb. However, I LOVED the duchess and her two friends and hope they show up again in other books. This book was not my favorite, but still worthwhile.
As always Christi Caldwell has out did herself❤ she brings you in with her strong characters and the situations that bring them together... priceless each one different but so page turning to see if they can get through the many emotions that not just the hero and heroine go through but YOU too❤ In My Fair Marchioness, Julia has you from the first page how she been struggling to get through each day and keep her sister and herself save, and then Harris, strong, a little cynical about women but loves the women in his family. This is a wonderful book, 3rd in the Scandalous Affairs series but a most recent one that will have you begging to get the first two if you haven't read them yet, and to see the other fantastic books Christi Caldwell has out❤ Waiting patiently for her next book... Maybe about Adairia and Rand????
My Fair Marchioness is Julia Smith and Harris Clarendale, Marquess of Ruthven’s story, 3rd book in the Scandalous Affairs series; a standalone, happily ever after, no cheating historical romance with a bit of sizzling romance and some intrigue. I have to say when I first started reading the story, I was hoping that Dairia was the heart of the story, but Christi with her magic drew me into her world where she weaves the lives of the most unlikely souls together. A lowly flower seller and a Marquess, find themselves falling in love. Despite the mistrust and the lies between them; both, find truths about themselves that eventually, lead them to each other’s arms. This is definitely another keeper by Christi, I am sooo hoping to read Dairia story someday, too! I receive an electronic copy of this book from the author for my honest review. (I also purchased the Kindle version)
4.5 rounded up because Caldwell got her groove back with this one. Thank god. After reading the previous book in this series and and first book on her Wantons series I was admittedly worried about whether this would be worth it.
The secondary characters are enjoyable though I hope Adaira isn’t as whimsical “oh my the world is magical” in her book. Julia was a delight and her backstory was believable as was the plot (thank god!) I didn’t feel the need to beat anyone over the head or scoff. It was an enjoyable romp maybe not an all time favorite but a really solid come back from the last few books. Can’t wait to read about Rand!
An emotional story as Miss Julia Smith peddles flowers for a living and unexpectedly ends up in the Duchess of Arlington's household when selling blooms becomes unexpectedly hazardous. Our hero Harris Clarendale, Marquess of Ruthven has a different idea about Julia Harris and he’s not about to see his dear godmother taken in by one charlatan. The Duchess offers Julia safety and a new chance at life and Harris starts to see a different woman than the charlatan he expected, one with honor, and integrity and he’s quite intrigued by her. I love the attraction and romance between them its make an excellent story I’m voluntarily reviewing.
I love everything by Christi Caldwell, and My Fair Marchioness is no different. Harris and Julia's story was so hard to put down. This rags to riches storyline is one of my favorites. Harris is a cynical, self-absorbed member of the ton while Julia is a flower seller from the streets. When they are thrown together, passions collide. Harris must learn to forgive and let go of the past while Julia must learn that her birth does not define her. Not only do I love Mrs. Caldwell's characters, but I love how after reading all of her books, she can still surprise me with plot twists. I can't wait for the next installment of the Scandalous Affairs series. Well done, Mrs. Caldwell, well done.
Happily ever after is a given in romance writing. It's the journey that makes the story. Ms Caldwell excells at creating the story, making her books an auto-buy for me, and letting me escape the hum-drum life of...well, enough about me. I recommend this book because it has an underlying poignancy, a tension that is actually not quite resolved. That promises more to come. That gives me hope for yet another few hours of escape. Heartfelt thanks. To Christi, to her authors in waiting, and for her guys.
I adore Christi Caldwell books. Seriously... I have read every single one and re-read more than any other author. I anxiously await her next release every time, but this one and the last couple have not given me that feeling of awe like some of the previous ones. They almost feel like she was being rushed? I know as popularity grows, people want more and more, but I am willing to wait for the full story and quality details that she can bring to her beautiful tales. I will always be a fan, but I am hoping for a leased “rush to publish” feel in the future. <3
Christi Caldwell is one of my favorites. She crafts stories and characters so full of life. Hardships and heartaches, love and hate. Julia and Harris are and odd couple in that she is an imposter pretending to be her adoptive sister. Harris fights his skepticism but falls for her anyway. Then everything blows up. The last chapter had me reading through tears. Great read!