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The Unwanted Dukes #4
The Duke and the Spitfire
Lady Johanna Darby has loved Benedict Carver since they were young, but he’s never seen her as more than his best friend’s little sister. When Benedict marries another and emigrates to America, she knows she will never love another. But with her sisters all wed, Johanna resigns herself to finding a match to finally leave her family home and give her brother his much-deserved freedom to find his own wife.
Until Benedict unexpectedly returns, newly titled and widowed.
Benedict Carver never doubted his place as the second son of a duke, mostly because his father would never let him forget it. Denied the station he desired at his family’s beloved Raeford Court, Benedict is sent to America with the bride his father chose for him. But when his brother dies in a tragic accident, Benedict finds himself with the title and an estate on the brink of collapse, thanks to his brother’s gambling debts and neglect. Having sworn never to remarry, Benedict must now select a bride with a hefty fortune if he is to save his beloved Raeford Court.
Even if that bride is his best friend’s little sister.
The Duke and the Spitfire is the fourth book in the steamy, heart-stopping historical romance series, The Unwanted Dukes. If you love sexy, spellbinding romance and heartwarming humor, don’t miss this captivating series from bestselling author Jessie Clever. Discover adventure and romance when you download The Duke and the Spitfire today.
Until Benedict unexpectedly returns, newly titled and widowed.
Benedict Carver never doubted his place as the second son of a duke, mostly because his father would never let him forget it. Denied the station he desired at his family’s beloved Raeford Court, Benedict is sent to America with the bride his father chose for him. But when his brother dies in a tragic accident, Benedict finds himself with the title and an estate on the brink of collapse, thanks to his brother’s gambling debts and neglect. Having sworn never to remarry, Benedict must now select a bride with a hefty fortune if he is to save his beloved Raeford Court.
Even if that bride is his best friend’s little sister.
The Duke and the Spitfire is the fourth book in the steamy, heart-stopping historical romance series, The Unwanted Dukes. If you love sexy, spellbinding romance and heartwarming humor, don’t miss this captivating series from bestselling author Jessie Clever. Discover adventure and romance when you download The Duke and the Spitfire today.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2021
306 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Clever
42 books195 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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July 31, 2022The Duke and the Spitfire, Book 4 of The Unwanted Dukes series, was about His Grace Benedict Carver, the Duke of Raeford, and Lady Johanna Darby, the youngest daughter of the sixth Duke of Ravenwood, sister to the now seventh Duke of Ravenwood.
Ben, being the second son of a Duke, had never expected to inherit the title. His father had chosen his wife five years previously and sent him to America. When his father had died, his brother became the Duke but then gambled and drank the estate money away, to the point the estate had fallen into disrepair. Ben's wife had died near the same time as his brother's death, and he returned to England to claim the title...and, though he had been determined to never marry again, knew he had to seek a wife with a large dowry to save his estate from his brother's creditors.
Jo had been in love with Ben for as long as she could remember but just as she had accepted he would never be available to her and prepared herself to marry someone else, Ben returned to England a widower.
Ben returned during a ball in Jo's honor and, upon hearing her brother mention her dowry, a plan began to form in his mind to seduce her into marriage. Although they had been childhood friends, he had never thought of Jo in a romantic way. However, he wasn't planning on wooing her for love. While he knew he would have to produce a legitimate heir, he had no plans to fall in love with her. His first marriage had not given him reason to ever want to love anyone.
When Jo and Ben met on the promenade the morning after the ball, Ben dared her to climb a tree as she had when they were youths. When he lifted her high enough to reach the lowest branch, she lost her grip and fell into his arms at which point he kissed her. When the kiss ended, Jo inadvertently let it slip that she had waited a long time for a kiss from him. Ben, upon realizing she had feelings for him, decided to use that against her to get her to marry him...like the cad he was. He figured it would be easy to get her to accept a courtship and marriage because of her feelings for him.
Ben, while out riding with Jo's brother, Andrew, informed him of the true nature of his first marriage, and then proceeded to ask him for permission to court Jo...without telling him the true reason for the courtship. While he secretly kept calling himself a cad and an arse and feeling guilty for wanting Jo only for her dowry, he had no qualms about letting Jo believe he had feelings for her, that he had no intention of it being a true marriage should she accept his proposal. He didn't care that, if she did, he would be denying her the right to be loved by someone else, he didn't care that he would be denying her the right to be happy.
The more time Ben spent with Jo, the more he became aware of his attraction to her...and the more desperate he became when he realized she was popular amongst the men of the ton. He used every trick he knew to manipulate Jo into accepting his proposal. He told her partial truths about the state of his finances and the estate. He used her feelings for him to make her believe he returned them. He led her to believe theirs would be a love match when he never intended to love her back. All because he wanted to feel better about himself, to restore his ancestral home, he was willing to crush the one person who had loved him for himself. What a total arse. He was so consumed with taking care of everyone from his mother to the tenets of his estate that he didn't care that he was depriving Jo of her own happiness.
When Jo finally learned the truth, it nearly tore her apart. When Ben told her he could never love again, he never took into account that he had just done to her what had been done to him with his first marriage. He had trapped her in a loveless marriage. He left her empty.
At least Jo had one consolation in the loveless marriage...Ben's mother loved her. Even as a child after her own mother had died, Ben's mother had filled the gap and accepted her, allowing Jo to follow her everywhere.
In order to keep his emotions in check, Ben stayed away from Jo by physically removing himself from their home. He made one trip after another, staying away for weeks that turned into months at a time.
While the passion and chemistry between them, when he allowed it, was strong, the angst and the drama were stronger. There was very little humor in this story, which was a sad thing as it was sorely needed. He had been destroyed by his father, his brother, as well as his late wife.
Johanna, on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with. The more someone hurt her, or even those she loved, the more she drew from her strength to defend, protect, and serve them. She would do whatever was required to see things made right, even to the point of losing her own happiness. Ben hated her for that strength because it was something he lacked. When Jo went so far as to aid Ben once again in saving their home from being sold off, he confronted Jo and, when she told him in all honesty why she had helped, it angered him to the point he did something unforgivable and it was at that moment he realized...he'd lost her because he'd finally broken her.
Ben was much like Ryder of the previous story...minus the cheating, gambling, and drinking. He was just a selfish imbecile who needed to have a chair broken over his head a time or two.
While I enjoyed Jo's character, Ben left a lot to be desired. He pretty much used emotional and psychological abuse to manipulate Jo at every turn. I can understand that he had been traumatized by three people who should have known better than to treat a person the way they did him, but that didn't give him license to turn around and do the exact same thing to Jo.
I can't give this book a 5-star rating nor can I add it to the Keeper for the Shelves collection. It just doesn't deserve either.
Ben, being the second son of a Duke, had never expected to inherit the title. His father had chosen his wife five years previously and sent him to America. When his father had died, his brother became the Duke but then gambled and drank the estate money away, to the point the estate had fallen into disrepair. Ben's wife had died near the same time as his brother's death, and he returned to England to claim the title...and, though he had been determined to never marry again, knew he had to seek a wife with a large dowry to save his estate from his brother's creditors.
Jo had been in love with Ben for as long as she could remember but just as she had accepted he would never be available to her and prepared herself to marry someone else, Ben returned to England a widower.
Ben returned during a ball in Jo's honor and, upon hearing her brother mention her dowry, a plan began to form in his mind to seduce her into marriage. Although they had been childhood friends, he had never thought of Jo in a romantic way. However, he wasn't planning on wooing her for love. While he knew he would have to produce a legitimate heir, he had no plans to fall in love with her. His first marriage had not given him reason to ever want to love anyone.
When Jo and Ben met on the promenade the morning after the ball, Ben dared her to climb a tree as she had when they were youths. When he lifted her high enough to reach the lowest branch, she lost her grip and fell into his arms at which point he kissed her. When the kiss ended, Jo inadvertently let it slip that she had waited a long time for a kiss from him. Ben, upon realizing she had feelings for him, decided to use that against her to get her to marry him...like the cad he was. He figured it would be easy to get her to accept a courtship and marriage because of her feelings for him.
Ben, while out riding with Jo's brother, Andrew, informed him of the true nature of his first marriage, and then proceeded to ask him for permission to court Jo...without telling him the true reason for the courtship. While he secretly kept calling himself a cad and an arse and feeling guilty for wanting Jo only for her dowry, he had no qualms about letting Jo believe he had feelings for her, that he had no intention of it being a true marriage should she accept his proposal. He didn't care that, if she did, he would be denying her the right to be loved by someone else, he didn't care that he would be denying her the right to be happy.
The more time Ben spent with Jo, the more he became aware of his attraction to her...and the more desperate he became when he realized she was popular amongst the men of the ton. He used every trick he knew to manipulate Jo into accepting his proposal. He told her partial truths about the state of his finances and the estate. He used her feelings for him to make her believe he returned them. He led her to believe theirs would be a love match when he never intended to love her back. All because he wanted to feel better about himself, to restore his ancestral home, he was willing to crush the one person who had loved him for himself. What a total arse. He was so consumed with taking care of everyone from his mother to the tenets of his estate that he didn't care that he was depriving Jo of her own happiness.
When Jo finally learned the truth, it nearly tore her apart. When Ben told her he could never love again, he never took into account that he had just done to her what had been done to him with his first marriage. He had trapped her in a loveless marriage. He left her empty.
At least Jo had one consolation in the loveless marriage...Ben's mother loved her. Even as a child after her own mother had died, Ben's mother had filled the gap and accepted her, allowing Jo to follow her everywhere.
In order to keep his emotions in check, Ben stayed away from Jo by physically removing himself from their home. He made one trip after another, staying away for weeks that turned into months at a time.
While the passion and chemistry between them, when he allowed it, was strong, the angst and the drama were stronger. There was very little humor in this story, which was a sad thing as it was sorely needed. He had been destroyed by his father, his brother, as well as his late wife.
Johanna, on the other hand, was a force to be reckoned with. The more someone hurt her, or even those she loved, the more she drew from her strength to defend, protect, and serve them. She would do whatever was required to see things made right, even to the point of losing her own happiness. Ben hated her for that strength because it was something he lacked. When Jo went so far as to aid Ben once again in saving their home from being sold off, he confronted Jo and, when she told him in all honesty why she had helped, it angered him to the point he did something unforgivable and it was at that moment he realized...he'd lost her because he'd finally broken her.
Ben was much like Ryder of the previous story...minus the cheating, gambling, and drinking. He was just a selfish imbecile who needed to have a chair broken over his head a time or two.
While I enjoyed Jo's character, Ben left a lot to be desired. He pretty much used emotional and psychological abuse to manipulate Jo at every turn. I can understand that he had been traumatized by three people who should have known better than to treat a person the way they did him, but that didn't give him license to turn around and do the exact same thing to Jo.
I can't give this book a 5-star rating nor can I add it to the Keeper for the Shelves collection. It just doesn't deserve either.
January 2, 2022
She's loved the H for years, all he wants is her dowry. He's been badly used by his family and lost confidence in himself. He does trust the h and knows she loves him. He decides he can't love her but it's really his trauma stopping him. It good with weak men and strong women in this series. Loved it.
June 27, 2021
It's my third book in this series.
First book was good,
Second book was not so bad,
I skipped third book in the series because I wasn't interested in Viv as main character,
and this one (my third) was a disappointment.
It's one big marital psychoanalysis as always but this time the husband is this supposedly tormented asshole, there's just no way to like this guy so all Joanna's efforts to mother him leave bad taste in readers mouth.
He should be kicked to the curb.
The ending is conventional and not very satisfying.
First book was good,
Second book was not so bad,
I skipped third book in the series because I wasn't interested in Viv as main character,
and this one (my third) was a disappointment.
It's one big marital psychoanalysis as always but this time the husband is this supposedly tormented asshole, there's just no way to like this guy so all Joanna's efforts to mother him leave bad taste in readers mouth.
He should be kicked to the curb.
The ending is conventional and not very satisfying.
March 29, 2025
2.5 stars rounded down to 2.
I liked this pairing, but I feel really bad about it.
Johanna has been in love with Ben, a second son, since she was a girl. He married five years ago and moved to Boston, but his wife, Minerva, and his elder brother both died, so he conveniently returns to England as a widower to take over his family lands and title. Unfortunately, his brother was a cad and squandered the family fortune, so Ben must marry someone wealthy to save the estate. He sets his sights on Johanna when he realizes she's in love with him. He grew up with her, and her older brother is his best friend, so he kind of feels bad about it, but he proceeds to seduce her for her money. It's a pretty romantic seduction, but it's absolutely nefarious. Anyway, things happen and of course he ends up falling for Johanna.
Johanna's love for Ben and his estate (she spent a lot of time there growing up) is pretty moving, but Ben is a mess of a man and her love "fixes" him which is one of my least favorite things. However, in this case it kind of worked? I rolled my eyes, but I also got caught up in the story of them saving the estate and also the reason why he claimed he couldn't love her back. Unfortunately, the story that unfolds about Ben's first marriage made me feel bad for his first wife, a character the author absolutely wants us to believe is a monster.
Minerva
Minerva deserved better, so Ben getting a happy ending just didn't sit right. The fridging is real in this one.
I liked this pairing, but I feel really bad about it.
Johanna has been in love with Ben, a second son, since she was a girl. He married five years ago and moved to Boston, but his wife, Minerva, and his elder brother both died, so he conveniently returns to England as a widower to take over his family lands and title. Unfortunately, his brother was a cad and squandered the family fortune, so Ben must marry someone wealthy to save the estate. He sets his sights on Johanna when he realizes she's in love with him. He grew up with her, and her older brother is his best friend, so he kind of feels bad about it, but he proceeds to seduce her for her money. It's a pretty romantic seduction, but it's absolutely nefarious. Anyway, things happen and of course he ends up falling for Johanna.
Johanna's love for Ben and his estate (she spent a lot of time there growing up) is pretty moving, but Ben is a mess of a man and her love "fixes" him which is one of my least favorite things. However, in this case it kind of worked? I rolled my eyes, but I also got caught up in the story of them saving the estate and also the reason why he claimed he couldn't love her back. Unfortunately, the story that unfolds about Ben's first marriage made me feel bad for his first wife, a character the author absolutely wants us to believe is a monster.
Minerva
Minerva deserved better, so Ben getting a happy ending just didn't sit right. The fridging is real in this one.
July 3, 2021
Solid story. Questionable motives
I did really enjoy this story but Ben's reasoning behind refusing to fall in love felt a little flat. What his father and first wife did and said were awful but it felt like he was holding on a little too tight to their words. Johanna showed him and told him over and over how much she loved and cared for him but he just kept fighting his feelings. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half.
I did really enjoy this story but Ben's reasoning behind refusing to fall in love felt a little flat. What his father and first wife did and said were awful but it felt like he was holding on a little too tight to their words. Johanna showed him and told him over and over how much she loved and cared for him but he just kept fighting his feelings. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half.
December 2, 2023
3.5/5
Me había gustado mucho esta serie y tenía muchas ganas de leer a la última de las hermanas Darby.
El libro me gustó. Es lindo bien llevado, con diálogos ágiles y HE asegurado.
No me convenció mucho Benedict, no termina ni de ser ni héroe ni villano, como que no termine de entender al personaje.
Johanna me llegó más.
Una novela simple y entretenida.
Me había gustado mucho esta serie y tenía muchas ganas de leer a la última de las hermanas Darby.
El libro me gustó. Es lindo bien llevado, con diálogos ágiles y HE asegurado.
No me convenció mucho Benedict, no termina ni de ser ni héroe ni villano, como que no termine de entender al personaje.
Johanna me llegó más.
Una novela simple y entretenida.
May 20, 2021
Not what you think
Johanna the youngest of five had to go along with everyone else's plans and ideas! Benedict did as well except Johanna didn't know it! Johanna was very young when she came out so she could watch quite despondent as Benedict aka Ben wed a beautiful creature! Most assuredly beauty was not skin deep but ugly to the bone! Ben surprisingly had little to do with women before marriage and years of horror with his wife broke him in ways not fully described here!
I have heard people say they can love someone for the both of them but that's foolish to try and definitely does not work! Johanna certainly tried but found it exhausting! She really really loves this man and all he can do is wallow in his past! That gives deceased or alive people way too much power over you present and future!! Benedict has a hard lesson to learn and almost too late learns the true price of love!!! He also learns the truth about his father!! Game changer!!
Johanna the youngest of five had to go along with everyone else's plans and ideas! Benedict did as well except Johanna didn't know it! Johanna was very young when she came out so she could watch quite despondent as Benedict aka Ben wed a beautiful creature! Most assuredly beauty was not skin deep but ugly to the bone! Ben surprisingly had little to do with women before marriage and years of horror with his wife broke him in ways not fully described here!
I have heard people say they can love someone for the both of them but that's foolish to try and definitely does not work! Johanna certainly tried but found it exhausting! She really really loves this man and all he can do is wallow in his past! That gives deceased or alive people way too much power over you present and future!! Benedict has a hard lesson to learn and almost too late learns the true price of love!!! He also learns the truth about his father!! Game changer!!
September 22, 2021
This is a quick, easy read. Johanna has loved Ben for years and finally has a chance to marry him. What seems as if it would be an easy relationship turns about to be rather complicated. I enjoyed watching Johanna's character as she continued to support Ben in spite of the difficulties they face.
August 31, 2021
this bored me a bit not gonna lie, after the wedding it was just meh
October 14, 2021
This series has been great!
This book is about letting go of old hurts. Ben was the second son of a duke. Between his father, brother and wife he was made to feel he was worthless. His brother died and he became a duke. After his wife died, he married his friend Johanna who had loved him since she was thirteen.
You will have to read the book to find out how everything was resolved. I am on to book 5, the final book in the series.
This book is about letting go of old hurts. Ben was the second son of a duke. Between his father, brother and wife he was made to feel he was worthless. His brother died and he became a duke. After his wife died, he married his friend Johanna who had loved him since she was thirteen.
You will have to read the book to find out how everything was resolved. I am on to book 5, the final book in the series.
April 3, 2022
just... just pretend these are americans having a go at being UK nobility or something — the anachronisms ("i guess") and obvious US-isms ("worshiped" and "fall [for autumn]" amongst others that i strove to forget as soon as i read them) just give the game away, and i can't pretend that this is anything but what it is.
now. four stars off because i hated the characters. i'd have cut five but then that's "unrated" for goodreads. heroine: you're not supposed to be so utterly sopping with love that you see your broken childhood crush who just told you he married you for your money and go "maybe my love will unbreak him". how am i meant to be invested in your story if i'm annoyed at you for being stupid?
and ben. FUCK ben. sorry but a traumatic childhood and shitty family and shittier wife is not an excuse to wave away cuntery of the first class. i guess westerners fall back on this reason every now and then to justify the horrible things they do but hey, ben, maybe ONE apology without the caveat of CPTSD might have helped? saying horrible things to her and always, always feeling "a weight he had been carrying" slip away each time — fuck that shit? is she some sort of trauma sponge for you?
the one time he says explicitly the words "I am sorry" to her he backs them up instantly with "but I cannot love another" stay classy ben.
god, I wanted to take a cricket — well, baseball — bat to his face.
i was not rooting for the characters in this book and i wish i hadn't seen it on that list of grovelling romance novels because this hero did not grovel in the SLIGHTEST
now. four stars off because i hated the characters. i'd have cut five but then that's "unrated" for goodreads. heroine: you're not supposed to be so utterly sopping with love that you see your broken childhood crush who just told you he married you for your money and go "maybe my love will unbreak him". how am i meant to be invested in your story if i'm annoyed at you for being stupid?
and ben. FUCK ben. sorry but a traumatic childhood and shitty family and shittier wife is not an excuse to wave away cuntery of the first class. i guess westerners fall back on this reason every now and then to justify the horrible things they do but hey, ben, maybe ONE apology without the caveat of CPTSD might have helped? saying horrible things to her and always, always feeling "a weight he had been carrying" slip away each time — fuck that shit? is she some sort of trauma sponge for you?
the one time he says explicitly the words "I am sorry" to her he backs them up instantly with "but I cannot love another" stay classy ben.
god, I wanted to take a cricket — well, baseball — bat to his face.
i was not rooting for the characters in this book and i wish i hadn't seen it on that list of grovelling romance novels because this hero did not grovel in the SLIGHTEST
June 27, 2021
Fabulous fourth in the series
This is another wonderful book by Jessie Clever, the 4th in The Unwanted Dukes series. Johanna, the youngest of the Darby children & 4th sister has a chance to find her way and get married. Will her secret love Ben be a possibility? This story is rich in detail, evocative in setting and full of emotional and physical struggles. Ben, newly widowed and returned from America, is also an unexpected new Duke with the death of his less than stellar in character brother Lawrence. Can Johanna find love with Ben? Can Ben love Johanna? Can they make a life together? I cried with both Johanna & Ben and even with Duchess but I also experienced lots of smiles. I loved how the author can instill all of the characters with distinct personalities and I thoroughly enjoyed the snippets that we got of the rest of Johanna’s family as the story progressed. I am so looking forward to Andrew’s story.
This is another wonderful book by Jessie Clever, the 4th in The Unwanted Dukes series. Johanna, the youngest of the Darby children & 4th sister has a chance to find her way and get married. Will her secret love Ben be a possibility? This story is rich in detail, evocative in setting and full of emotional and physical struggles. Ben, newly widowed and returned from America, is also an unexpected new Duke with the death of his less than stellar in character brother Lawrence. Can Johanna find love with Ben? Can Ben love Johanna? Can they make a life together? I cried with both Johanna & Ben and even with Duchess but I also experienced lots of smiles. I loved how the author can instill all of the characters with distinct personalities and I thoroughly enjoyed the snippets that we got of the rest of Johanna’s family as the story progressed. I am so looking forward to Andrew’s story.
September 16, 2021
Interfering Family
This was a very good book written by Jessie Clever and I enjoyed reading this book very much. A young woman a little brother, abusive aunt cousins, an invitation, an Duke, an interfering mother and grandmother, an riding accident, a house full of people, ignoring the guests, a proposition, refusal, a marriage proposal, wanting to refuse, getting to know the Duke, having nightmares, being threatened, finding out things, will happen at the Castle?. Will she have a happy ever after? Will she say no? Will the Duke realize he loves her? Will the Duke save her? Will she find her brother in time? I would recommend this book to everyone. Buy the book and find out what happens. Enjoy.
This was a very good book written by Jessie Clever and I enjoyed reading this book very much. A young woman a little brother, abusive aunt cousins, an invitation, an Duke, an interfering mother and grandmother, an riding accident, a house full of people, ignoring the guests, a proposition, refusal, a marriage proposal, wanting to refuse, getting to know the Duke, having nightmares, being threatened, finding out things, will happen at the Castle?. Will she have a happy ever after? Will she say no? Will the Duke realize he loves her? Will the Duke save her? Will she find her brother in time? I would recommend this book to everyone. Buy the book and find out what happens. Enjoy.
January 2, 2022
What?
Not a fan of either Ben or Joanna, especially Ben. This story had no depth. The ending was ridiculous and did not seem well thought out. But I am only a reader and who am I to critique a writer.
Not a fan of either Ben or Joanna, especially Ben. This story had no depth. The ending was ridiculous and did not seem well thought out. But I am only a reader and who am I to critique a writer.
December 1, 2025
I am attempting to complete this series, but I simply cannot find these characters likable, no matter how hard I try. This installment focuses on Johanna "Jo," the youngest of the sisters.
Jo has been in love with her brother Andrew's best friend, Ben, since childhood. Her heart was broken five years ago when Ben married another woman and moved abroad. Ben has now returned, having unexpectedly inherited the title of Duke following the passing of his eldest brother. Unfortunately, this inheritance comes with crushing gambling debts, forcing him to seek a new wife with a substantial dowry. Unsurprisingly, he targets Jo, the girl who has loved him forever, setting the stage for an emotional disaster.
From the outset, Ben's motives and behavior are deplorable. His internal monologue and spoken words are calculated and cruel:
• "It’s not like I’m going to ravish you,” he muttered.
• He muses on whether he "could seduce her into marrying him when he had no intention of giving her love? In fact, once wed, he very much hoped to see very little of her beyond what was required to sire an heir.”
• “He was going to court Johanna Darby, and he was going to win her hand. If only to secure her dowry.”
The narrative constantly details Ben's guilt over his manipulation, yet he continually powers through it as if his conscience means nothing. If his guilt is so easily dismissed, why dedicate so much page space to it? For instance: “He must keep Minerva from his mind if he were to convince Johanna he cared for her enough to get her to accept his suit.”
What is even more perplexing is Jo’s passivity. She completely fails to question the sudden, out-of-the-blue nature of his courtship. Relying solely on the trust she had in his childhood self, she blindly ignores the glaring red flags of his present intentions.
The most unbelievable moment comes when Ben finally confesses his true, transactional motives at the altar and she still marries him! Her rationale? To save his family home. The logic is truly staggering.
Their subsequent exchange perfectly encapsulates the frustrating dynamic:
“I want you, Johanna. Just as much as you want me, and maybe that can be enough. You don’t want my past, but it’s a part of me... Just don’t ask me to love you.” And then he kisses her. Why would Jo accept this bare minimum, emotionally abusive proposal and immediately engage with him intimately?
The book left me fuming over the sheer stupidity of the characters' decisions. While the author attempts to explain Ben's emotional distance through past trauma (emotional and physical abuse from his deceased parents and wife), this justification doesn't excuse his actions or make the sudden emotional shift at the end believable. The ending felt incredibly rushed; Ben, who repeatedly asserted he couldn't and wouldn't love her, miraculously declares his love in a completely unearned and unrealistic fashion.
Overall, this was a difficult read centered on deeply unlikable characters and frustrating narrative choices.
Rating: ⭐️ (2/5 Stars)
I am now moving on to the brother’s book. I sincerely hope his story offers a more satisfying and realistic romance.
Jo has been in love with her brother Andrew's best friend, Ben, since childhood. Her heart was broken five years ago when Ben married another woman and moved abroad. Ben has now returned, having unexpectedly inherited the title of Duke following the passing of his eldest brother. Unfortunately, this inheritance comes with crushing gambling debts, forcing him to seek a new wife with a substantial dowry. Unsurprisingly, he targets Jo, the girl who has loved him forever, setting the stage for an emotional disaster.
From the outset, Ben's motives and behavior are deplorable. His internal monologue and spoken words are calculated and cruel:
• "It’s not like I’m going to ravish you,” he muttered.
• He muses on whether he "could seduce her into marrying him when he had no intention of giving her love? In fact, once wed, he very much hoped to see very little of her beyond what was required to sire an heir.”
• “He was going to court Johanna Darby, and he was going to win her hand. If only to secure her dowry.”
The narrative constantly details Ben's guilt over his manipulation, yet he continually powers through it as if his conscience means nothing. If his guilt is so easily dismissed, why dedicate so much page space to it? For instance: “He must keep Minerva from his mind if he were to convince Johanna he cared for her enough to get her to accept his suit.”
What is even more perplexing is Jo’s passivity. She completely fails to question the sudden, out-of-the-blue nature of his courtship. Relying solely on the trust she had in his childhood self, she blindly ignores the glaring red flags of his present intentions.
The most unbelievable moment comes when Ben finally confesses his true, transactional motives at the altar and she still marries him! Her rationale? To save his family home. The logic is truly staggering.
Their subsequent exchange perfectly encapsulates the frustrating dynamic:
“I want you, Johanna. Just as much as you want me, and maybe that can be enough. You don’t want my past, but it’s a part of me... Just don’t ask me to love you.” And then he kisses her. Why would Jo accept this bare minimum, emotionally abusive proposal and immediately engage with him intimately?
The book left me fuming over the sheer stupidity of the characters' decisions. While the author attempts to explain Ben's emotional distance through past trauma (emotional and physical abuse from his deceased parents and wife), this justification doesn't excuse his actions or make the sudden emotional shift at the end believable. The ending felt incredibly rushed; Ben, who repeatedly asserted he couldn't and wouldn't love her, miraculously declares his love in a completely unearned and unrealistic fashion.
Overall, this was a difficult read centered on deeply unlikable characters and frustrating narrative choices.
Rating: ⭐️ (2/5 Stars)
I am now moving on to the brother’s book. I sincerely hope his story offers a more satisfying and realistic romance.
October 21, 2025
I know other people had problems with him marrying her for her dowry, but it didn't bother me. It's mentioned very early on in the H thoughts how he reminisced about the h while away living in America. She was much younger than him, so I took her love with a grain of salt. She was very young, it was an idealistic childhood love. It would have been icky with their age gap if the H had felt the same way. It made perfect sense to me that he would return and be surprised she'd grown up. Repeatedly mentions how attractive she is, how she still has light, how she is the same but a woman. This rings true to me. Of course he was drawn to her and picks someone to marry that not only comes with a fortune but he has such warm feelings for. While he feels constant guilt and shame for tricking her, it's pretty obvious he is into her from his internal dialogue. He constantly talks himself out of it because frankly low self-esteem. Him not being madly in love with her from the get-go didn't bother me in that Johannas love was still the naive starry-eyed love of youth. They both had feelings for each other, and they both had to come to terms with them and grow into adult love. They both viewed each other the same from childhood, so it didn't bug me. You could tell he was drawn to her and had feelings for her, but then he'd shame himself and talk himself into thinking it was just for money. I believed in their HEA. Could be I've read way too much regency where things like this happen so I'm biased IDK 🤷♀️ It was a relief to be in the head of a heroine who didn't suffer from low self esteem, it was actually the hero. The self-esteem thing bugged me a bit in the first two books, I struggle with it. While I enjoyed those books, I had to step back and have breaks because I would get annoyed. That didn't happen here. I wanted to keep reading. Full disclosure I skipped Vivs book, and I just felt like from what I'd seen, I wouldn't like reading that.
I actually felt a bit sorry for his dead wife, Minerva. She obviously had feelings for his brother, was forced to marry H, and lost her kid. They were both equally trapped. That does not make a good marriage. Her being a bit of a b*^#h makes sense since she loved his brother Lawrence, who was an absolute b*#t<*d. A sweet, kind woman would never be drawn to that awful man. But she still got shafted just like the H. Except the H had spent his life being abused and she just took her dissatisfaction out on him abusing him too.
Overall I liked it.
I actually felt a bit sorry for his dead wife, Minerva. She obviously had feelings for his brother, was forced to marry H, and lost her kid. They were both equally trapped. That does not make a good marriage. Her being a bit of a b*^#h makes sense since she loved his brother Lawrence, who was an absolute b*#t<*d. A sweet, kind woman would never be drawn to that awful man. But she still got shafted just like the H. Except the H had spent his life being abused and she just took her dissatisfaction out on him abusing him too.
Overall I liked it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2023
Love Conquers All
The following are my thoughts as I read this book. Johanna Darby…younger sister to the Duke of Ravenwood, in love with her brother’s friend Ben, needs to marry but continues to push potential partners away with her indifference. Benedict Carver.. a duke, recently widowed, a good friend to the Duke of Ravenwood. This is my first book by this author it appeared to be a brother’s best friend romance, let’s see if I am right. Ok so the H and the h kind of grew up together and had a friendly history. Well the Ton has a very poor opinion of the h. The brother of the h is super protective. The H is thinking about doing something that will affect not only himself but also the h, I don’t think it is a good idea. It is so funny as the h describes and remembers her first kiss with the H. Oh I am not liking the H right now. The h is so happy her dream is finally coming true. Things have taken an unhappy turn. The H has a great deal of mystery about his history. Here is the h rationalizing the behavior of the H. The H is really a jerk. I really admire the h and her fortitude, I would have probably not been that strong. He waited too late in my opinion, but hey it’s a HEA. Well I was right and wrong about the troupe of the book. The adversity faced by the h probably would have destroyed a weaker person. The H was not impressive at all to me and was a credit to the author’s writing style. The ability to dislike a character but also want to see the character paired with them succeed together. Yes, this story had me upset with the H for the majority of the book but then I learned he had a very messed up past. There is adult language and steam.
The following are my thoughts as I read this book. Johanna Darby…younger sister to the Duke of Ravenwood, in love with her brother’s friend Ben, needs to marry but continues to push potential partners away with her indifference. Benedict Carver.. a duke, recently widowed, a good friend to the Duke of Ravenwood. This is my first book by this author it appeared to be a brother’s best friend romance, let’s see if I am right. Ok so the H and the h kind of grew up together and had a friendly history. Well the Ton has a very poor opinion of the h. The brother of the h is super protective. The H is thinking about doing something that will affect not only himself but also the h, I don’t think it is a good idea. It is so funny as the h describes and remembers her first kiss with the H. Oh I am not liking the H right now. The h is so happy her dream is finally coming true. Things have taken an unhappy turn. The H has a great deal of mystery about his history. Here is the h rationalizing the behavior of the H. The H is really a jerk. I really admire the h and her fortitude, I would have probably not been that strong. He waited too late in my opinion, but hey it’s a HEA. Well I was right and wrong about the troupe of the book. The adversity faced by the h probably would have destroyed a weaker person. The H was not impressive at all to me and was a credit to the author’s writing style. The ability to dislike a character but also want to see the character paired with them succeed together. Yes, this story had me upset with the H for the majority of the book but then I learned he had a very messed up past. There is adult language and steam.
February 15, 2024
Esperaba algo mejor...
La primera mitad estaba buena, la segunda decayo
Spoilers
Bueno va de la prota la cual estuvo por AÑOS enamorada de el prota,el cual es el mejor amigo de su hermano.Y bueno como se nos presenta al inicio el se caso, y regreso despues de haber enviudado...
Hasta ahi todo bien ,ambos eran amigos, desde antes y después de tantos años sin verse, al prota le empieza interesar la prota,pero la cosa es que el prota solo quiere su dote porque quiere salvar el terreno que heredo.
Lo que me molesto es que se lo dije en la ceremonia de la iglesia frente a todos ,porque no queria sentirse culpable🙄,despues de casarse tuvo varias oportunidades de abrirse con su esposa y explicarle su pasado.El cual es que su papá era un maldito con el y le obliga a casarse con su primera esposa porque ella estaba esperando el hijo de hermana mayor,y bueno despues de haber perdido al bebe su primera esposa lo detestaba...
Lo que no queda claro si el amaba a su primera esposa 🤔.Tambien me molesto la vez en que casi tienen relaciones sexuales y el la dejo ahi tirada porque el le daba miedo amar🙄🙄.
Pudo haber sido un buen libro pero la segunda mitad lo arruino,el prota recien se da cuenta que la ama al final literal en casi las ultimas diez paginas...
La primera mitad estaba buena, la segunda decayo
Spoilers
Bueno va de la prota la cual estuvo por AÑOS enamorada de el prota,el cual es el mejor amigo de su hermano.Y bueno como se nos presenta al inicio el se caso, y regreso despues de haber enviudado...
Hasta ahi todo bien ,ambos eran amigos, desde antes y después de tantos años sin verse, al prota le empieza interesar la prota,pero la cosa es que el prota solo quiere su dote porque quiere salvar el terreno que heredo.
Lo que me molesto es que se lo dije en la ceremonia de la iglesia frente a todos ,porque no queria sentirse culpable🙄,despues de casarse tuvo varias oportunidades de abrirse con su esposa y explicarle su pasado.El cual es que su papá era un maldito con el y le obliga a casarse con su primera esposa porque ella estaba esperando el hijo de hermana mayor,y bueno despues de haber perdido al bebe su primera esposa lo detestaba...
Lo que no queda claro si el amaba a su primera esposa 🤔.Tambien me molesto la vez en que casi tienen relaciones sexuales y el la dejo ahi tirada porque el le daba miedo amar🙄🙄.
Pudo haber sido un buen libro pero la segunda mitad lo arruino,el prota recien se da cuenta que la ama al final literal en casi las ultimas diez paginas...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2023
This book was fine, but I didn’t like how Ben and Johanna’s relationship developed.
As characters Ben and Johanna were fine, and I liked how Johanna didn’t give up, but I was annoyed with how Ben didn’t want to open up about anything.
I didn’t understand Ben and Johanna’s childhood. Ben was supposed to be Andrew’s best friend, and yet it doesn’t say much about Andrew. Instead, it talks about how Johanna basically lived at Ben’s house – how is that possible?
There were only a few side characters, but they only appeared briefly in scenes. Ben’s mother was the best – she was funny, and I wish that she had been shown more.
I want to finish this series, but I’m not sure I’m going to like Andrew. During this series, I can’t remember him ever having a personality, and he says that he stayed in London because he had to look after his sisters, and yet it seems like he doesn’t even really care about them.
As characters Ben and Johanna were fine, and I liked how Johanna didn’t give up, but I was annoyed with how Ben didn’t want to open up about anything.
I didn’t understand Ben and Johanna’s childhood. Ben was supposed to be Andrew’s best friend, and yet it doesn’t say much about Andrew. Instead, it talks about how Johanna basically lived at Ben’s house – how is that possible?
There were only a few side characters, but they only appeared briefly in scenes. Ben’s mother was the best – she was funny, and I wish that she had been shown more.
I want to finish this series, but I’m not sure I’m going to like Andrew. During this series, I can’t remember him ever having a personality, and he says that he stayed in London because he had to look after his sisters, and yet it seems like he doesn’t even really care about them.
January 4, 2022
Finding peace
I absolutely loved Johanna and Ben’s story. Johanna loved Ben since she was a little girl but he married someone else and immigrated to America.
Ben was forced to do any things and one was marrying a bitch of a woman whom he despised. When his father and them his brother dies he then became the Duke.
When he was finally able to return to England with death of his wife he didn’t morn nor did he norm his brothers death. With a debt ridden estate because of all his brothers gambling debts he must find an heiress to marry as soon as possible.
When he sees Johanna again, his best friends little sister whose all grown up he devises a plane to court, wooo and marry her for her dowry. He can never love!!!
A wonderfully written story with a beautiful ending.
I absolutely loved Johanna and Ben’s story. Johanna loved Ben since she was a little girl but he married someone else and immigrated to America.
Ben was forced to do any things and one was marrying a bitch of a woman whom he despised. When his father and them his brother dies he then became the Duke.
When he was finally able to return to England with death of his wife he didn’t morn nor did he norm his brothers death. With a debt ridden estate because of all his brothers gambling debts he must find an heiress to marry as soon as possible.
When he sees Johanna again, his best friends little sister whose all grown up he devises a plane to court, wooo and marry her for her dowry. He can never love!!!
A wonderfully written story with a beautiful ending.
August 13, 2025
Abuse (off stage), its effects, love and healing
Ben was mentally and abused by his father, Johanna battered and bruised emotionly because she was lost in her large and noisy family. But they had been playmates as children and that, in the end, was a major help in the healing when they were adults. Their growth in understanding and love is believably shown. The author spends necessary time in the thoughts of each, without which that growth would not believable. I could feel with each of these characters as they changed and the changes themselves were realistic, not the magic or deus ex machina as they too often are in romance novels. Ben's position is especially poignant, I think because he's male; he's definitely more fragile than Johanna.
Ben was mentally and abused by his father, Johanna battered and bruised emotionly because she was lost in her large and noisy family. But they had been playmates as children and that, in the end, was a major help in the healing when they were adults. Their growth in understanding and love is believably shown. The author spends necessary time in the thoughts of each, without which that growth would not believable. I could feel with each of these characters as they changed and the changes themselves were realistic, not the magic or deus ex machina as they too often are in romance novels. Ben's position is especially poignant, I think because he's male; he's definitely more fragile than Johanna.
December 29, 2025
This duke sure is unwanted.
The duke character is terrible. They try to redeem him in the end with a tragic backstory but it’s not working on me.
Johanna seems nice enough but all I could think was that she deserves better.
I have read the first two books of this series and they were decent. I tried the third but was unimpressed. This one I was at least able to finish. Not sure if I will continue with the series.
Something that is irritating me is I liked the family dynamic in the first two books. But with this book I’m confused. Is this a nice tight knit family or was everyone neglected?
*read via audiobook
The duke character is terrible. They try to redeem him in the end with a tragic backstory but it’s not working on me.
Johanna seems nice enough but all I could think was that she deserves better.
I have read the first two books of this series and they were decent. I tried the third but was unimpressed. This one I was at least able to finish. Not sure if I will continue with the series.
Something that is irritating me is I liked the family dynamic in the first two books. But with this book I’m confused. Is this a nice tight knit family or was everyone neglected?
*read via audiobook
July 13, 2024
I liked the book but did not understand Ben's conflict and could not reconcile his hatred for his dead wife, who appeared to be as much as a victim as he was. I did not like him refusing to mourn her death. I did not like the way he treated Joanna. I did not understand why he could not tell her the reason for marrying his first wife. PS while impregnated by one brother and being forced to marry the other brother and move from the only home and country that she know, I am not surprised that the first wife did not want to sleep with Ben.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2021
I liked the heroine much more than the hero. We get it. You’ve been hurt. It took much too long for him to move on with her. There were a few things in the story that I thought were real weird: like the double dowry and him blurting out that he was marrying her for her money while standing before the pastor about to get married. I liked it enough that I went back and read the three earlier books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2022
Justice for Minerva!
Throughout the book she is described as an awful person but I can’t actually figure out what she did that is so horrible. She gets pregnant, is rejected by the father, forced to marry someone she doesn’t really know or care for, shippedoff to another country, loses the baby and is then judged for not wanting to host parties and not sleep with Ben who she doesn’t really know. I’m not seeing the master manipulator just someone that deserves sympathy. Did I miss something?
Throughout the book she is described as an awful person but I can’t actually figure out what she did that is so horrible. She gets pregnant, is rejected by the father, forced to marry someone she doesn’t really know or care for, shippedoff to another country, loses the baby and is then judged for not wanting to host parties and not sleep with Ben who she doesn’t really know. I’m not seeing the master manipulator just someone that deserves sympathy. Did I miss something?
December 9, 2025
Ben & Johanna
So sweet! Poor Ben! Such a H.O.R.R.I.B.L.E. dad, brother, and wife! It's no wonder Ben is so closed off and believes he CAN'T love Johanna. Cruelty's ever-reaching power, if we let it, affects so many more than the direct individuals involved. It creates generational curses that can be almost impossible to break. But that's the key word; almost. Thank goodness for those who love Ben, like Johanna, who refuse to give up on him!
So sweet! Poor Ben! Such a H.O.R.R.I.B.L.E. dad, brother, and wife! It's no wonder Ben is so closed off and believes he CAN'T love Johanna. Cruelty's ever-reaching power, if we let it, affects so many more than the direct individuals involved. It creates generational curses that can be almost impossible to break. But that's the key word; almost. Thank goodness for those who love Ben, like Johanna, who refuse to give up on him!
June 3, 2021
OMG! What an emotional rollercoaster this book was. I felt every hope and despair experienced by Johanna. I couldn’t put the book down because I had to know what happens to the relationship between Johanna and Ben. It nearly brought me to tears on two occasions. Another brilliant instalment in this series.
February 20, 2023
I was really looking forward to the Johanna book. This one shows the most how bad behaviour has on an adult in his childhood, of all the stories so far. Especially if you're not mentally strong. So unfortunately Ben has been my least favorite main character so far. And I think Johanna had a lot more sex in her story than her sisters :D
July 15, 2024
Lilykitty
What a wonderful story...and I can totally identify with Jo. I was the youngest of four daughters and I truly understand the need of being seen and included. Jessie Clever captured the hurt, angst and eventual love of this strong heroine...Maybe her strongest heroine yet.
What a wonderful story...and I can totally identify with Jo. I was the youngest of four daughters and I truly understand the need of being seen and included. Jessie Clever captured the hurt, angst and eventual love of this strong heroine...Maybe her strongest heroine yet.
June 1, 2021
Johanna has been in love with her neighbor Ben forever. When he comes back from America, he needs a wife who is wealthy. He asks Johanna marry him and when she finds out she is heartbroken. Ben is also heartbroken having been abused all his life. Can these two come together?
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