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A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women #3
His Lessons on Love
New York Times bestselling author Cathy Maxwell’s delicious Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women series continues with this provocative romance between a reprobate earl and a sensible spinster who agree to marry under scandalous circumstances. Perfect for fans of Sophie Jordan and Sabrina Jeffries.
Lesson #1: A man, even titled and handsome, cannot be careless forever.
The Earl of Marsden—better known as Mars to all—has lived his life by his own rules... until he is presented with a very big problem in a very tiny package—a baby girl, his daughter, cast off by his ex-mistress. Mars won’t let his child be cast adrift, except he doesn’t know the first thing about babies.
Panicking, he turns to a woman for help. Not just any woman, but Clarissa Taylor, village spinster, matron-in-training, and Mars’s greatest critic. Still, who better to tend a motherless child than a woman who was abandoned as a babe herself?
Lesson #2: Life always plays the upper hand—especially when it comes to love.
Clarissa desperately wishes to not to be beholden to anyone. She has spent a lifetime being pitied by the village. Her plan is simple—to use what the intolerable earl will pay her to become her own woman. It all sounds so straightforward until the threat of scandal sends her and the one man she can’t abide toward... marriage?
Mars and Clarissa are about to learn the greatest lesson of all—that sparks always fly when the iron is hot.
Lesson #1: A man, even titled and handsome, cannot be careless forever.
The Earl of Marsden—better known as Mars to all—has lived his life by his own rules... until he is presented with a very big problem in a very tiny package—a baby girl, his daughter, cast off by his ex-mistress. Mars won’t let his child be cast adrift, except he doesn’t know the first thing about babies.
Panicking, he turns to a woman for help. Not just any woman, but Clarissa Taylor, village spinster, matron-in-training, and Mars’s greatest critic. Still, who better to tend a motherless child than a woman who was abandoned as a babe herself?
Lesson #2: Life always plays the upper hand—especially when it comes to love.
Clarissa desperately wishes to not to be beholden to anyone. She has spent a lifetime being pitied by the village. Her plan is simple—to use what the intolerable earl will pay her to become her own woman. It all sounds so straightforward until the threat of scandal sends her and the one man she can’t abide toward... marriage?
Mars and Clarissa are about to learn the greatest lesson of all—that sparks always fly when the iron is hot.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 25, 2022
57 people are currently reading
3042 people want to read
About the author
Cathy Maxwell
71 books2,190 followersCATHY MAXWELL spends hours in front of her computer pondering the question, "Why do people fall in love?" It remains for her the mystery of life and the secret to happiness.
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
She lives in the Austin, TX area where she is having the time of her life.
Visit her on Instagram, Twitter, FB, and TikTok at maxwellcathy (Yes, some other Cathy Maxwell nabbed the handle. However, she does own www.cathymaxwell.com and she'd love for you to swing by.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
February 2, 2022
I'm a big Cathy Maxwell fan, but it took me forever to read His Lessons on Love. I've enjoyed the others in the series, but it took awhile to get into this one. In fact, I took a four month break from reading this book before I picked it up again.
I enjoyed the story, mostly because I was pretty invested in the characters from the previous books in the series, though I think it can be read as a stand-alone. The plot wasn't anything super out of the ordinary, but it was a pleasant read all the way through.
There are many good tropes here: enemies-to-lovers, fake relationship, marriage of convenience, and they work, but I still had trouble with my focus throughout the book.
Overall, not one of Cathy Maxwell's most compelling reads but still enjoyable for fans of this series.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I enjoyed the story, mostly because I was pretty invested in the characters from the previous books in the series, though I think it can be read as a stand-alone. The plot wasn't anything super out of the ordinary, but it was a pleasant read all the way through.
There are many good tropes here: enemies-to-lovers, fake relationship, marriage of convenience, and they work, but I still had trouble with my focus throughout the book.
Overall, not one of Cathy Maxwell's most compelling reads but still enjoyable for fans of this series.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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July 19, 2022
This was super cute and as always I’m a sucker for a cute hero/child dynamic! I liked both characters and ultimately where his whole lil revenge plot went. I’ll totally read the others in the series and more from the author! The audiobook flew by and I was like WUT when I saw I was already at 83%. I just really love how he was with Dora 🥺
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶*/5
*two full scenes if I remember correctly which I should bc I just finished it but I swear I know there was a bed and I think there was a desk
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶*/5
*two full scenes if I remember correctly which I should bc I just finished it but I swear I know there was a bed and I think there was a desk
July 18, 2022
3.5 stars. I liked this a lot better than the second one which was so absurd. This one followed a fake marriage trope and a single father. It has an underlying mystery/issue where our heroine's father may have been behind our hero's fathers death.
January 28, 2022
3.5 stars
I loved the premise of this romance, Rake gets left with the baby between him and his mistress, finds heroine and hires her to be nanny to said baby. Oh AND, he's going to tell everyone they're married.
This was a very sweet read, with great characters, and I truly loved Clarissa. She was a wonderful heroine and her love for baby Dora was heartwarming.
I also loved the conflict added towards the end, it suited the story so well.
I would have liked a bit more tension and passion in the romance, but overall a very sweet read.
I loved the premise of this romance, Rake gets left with the baby between him and his mistress, finds heroine and hires her to be nanny to said baby. Oh AND, he's going to tell everyone they're married.
This was a very sweet read, with great characters, and I truly loved Clarissa. She was a wonderful heroine and her love for baby Dora was heartwarming.
I also loved the conflict added towards the end, it suited the story so well.
I would have liked a bit more tension and passion in the romance, but overall a very sweet read.
April 3, 2023
This was an okay read. I would say between 3 and 3.5 stars. Nothing wow, the hero was ok but he dealt with his problems in a self destructive path that I didn't appreciate. The heroine was also ok but the thing that most grabbed my attention was to know her background.
Maybe reading the previous books I would have appreciated this book more, but I don't know.
Maybe reading the previous books I would have appreciated this book more, but I don't know.
January 19, 2022
Barbara’s rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Series: A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women #3
Publication Date: 1/25/22
Period: Regency – 1815 – Maidenshop and London, England
Number of Pages: 384
Lawrence Grant Talmadge Edington (Mars), the Earl of Marsden, is a driven man and has been since his father was killed during a duel. His father died in his arms and Mars swore revenge on the man, Lord Dervil, who killed his father. He also hasn’t spoken to his mother in those ten years because she was the cause of the duel. Mars has managed small bits of revenge over the years by preventing Dervil from purchasing a bit of land he wanted and thwarting some business associations, but the revenge he longs for, putting a bullet through the man’s heart, has illuded him so far. Of course, that thirst for revenge hasn’t slowed his other appetites – drink, women, opium. Yes, he is a rake and a reprobate, but he is also handsome, charming, and well-liked by all who know him. Well, all except his mother and Dervil like him. Oh, and that matron-in-training who lives in Maidenshop – she doesn’t like him either. But, since he doesn’t like her, there is no problem there.
Clarissa Taylor has long been the village of Maidenshops group project. She, nor the village, knows anything about her parentage. She was just found on the doorstep of the parsonage one day and the vicar and his wife took her in. They took good care of her and raised her well, but they weren’t particularly loving and demonstrative. After they passed, she was really at the mercy of the charity of others. She contributed, of course. She took care of others, took part in village functions, and did her very best to be useful. She was even betrothed for two years until she discovered her betrothed was really in love with someone else but was too much of a gentleman to break it off with her. She left the village after that to take a position as a paid companion to a demanding and grumpy old woman in London. She’s back in the village now – after a harrowing experience with the old woman’s nephew. That was a narrow escape! Except, now she doesn’t know what she’ll do. The matrons of the village will have a solution for her – she’s sure of it.
Mars had a particularly bad night of drinking and howling at the moon. Then, there is this loud, commotion downstairs – and it is getting louder and coming closer. OOOOhhhhhhh! He just needs a bit of a restorative to make his headache go away – but that is not what he is about to get. No, his former mistress is entering his bed-chamber – loudly – and handing him a small, squirming bundle. Uh Oh! It appears his parting gift to her was more than just an expensive coach and four. That sweet, smelly bundle turns out to be his daughter, Dora, and all it took was one look and he was totally and completely smitten. But, what did he know of caring for an infant? No problem – the matrons of the village will know how he can get the help he needs.
So, Mars needs a nurse for Dora, and Clarissa needs a position. How convenient! Except, they don’t like each other. Leave it to sweet Dora – all she has to do is smile at Clarissa and it is all over. Clarissa and Mars head back to Belvoir, his estate, only to find a very unexpected and unwelcome visitor is already there. Clarissa hasn’t even gotten in the door before Mars is introducing her to his mother – as his betrothed. Uh! Oh! Uh! Oh! Uh! Oh!
I thoroughly enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers story. The story was well developed and well written, but, goodness, the characters are so very lovely. Mars is a flawed man who doesn’t know what love is – nor is he capable of feeling it – or so he thinks. I loved watching both Clarissa and Mars come to understand themselves and each other better and to come to truly respect and love each other.
I can definitely recommend this book – and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. I don’t know if this is the last book in the series or not, but the Logical Men’s Society was dissolved during the book, so it could be the last. Who knows? There didn’t seem to be any hints in this book to set up the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Series: A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women #3
Publication Date: 1/25/22
Period: Regency – 1815 – Maidenshop and London, England
Number of Pages: 384
Lawrence Grant Talmadge Edington (Mars), the Earl of Marsden, is a driven man and has been since his father was killed during a duel. His father died in his arms and Mars swore revenge on the man, Lord Dervil, who killed his father. He also hasn’t spoken to his mother in those ten years because she was the cause of the duel. Mars has managed small bits of revenge over the years by preventing Dervil from purchasing a bit of land he wanted and thwarting some business associations, but the revenge he longs for, putting a bullet through the man’s heart, has illuded him so far. Of course, that thirst for revenge hasn’t slowed his other appetites – drink, women, opium. Yes, he is a rake and a reprobate, but he is also handsome, charming, and well-liked by all who know him. Well, all except his mother and Dervil like him. Oh, and that matron-in-training who lives in Maidenshop – she doesn’t like him either. But, since he doesn’t like her, there is no problem there.
Clarissa Taylor has long been the village of Maidenshops group project. She, nor the village, knows anything about her parentage. She was just found on the doorstep of the parsonage one day and the vicar and his wife took her in. They took good care of her and raised her well, but they weren’t particularly loving and demonstrative. After they passed, she was really at the mercy of the charity of others. She contributed, of course. She took care of others, took part in village functions, and did her very best to be useful. She was even betrothed for two years until she discovered her betrothed was really in love with someone else but was too much of a gentleman to break it off with her. She left the village after that to take a position as a paid companion to a demanding and grumpy old woman in London. She’s back in the village now – after a harrowing experience with the old woman’s nephew. That was a narrow escape! Except, now she doesn’t know what she’ll do. The matrons of the village will have a solution for her – she’s sure of it.
Mars had a particularly bad night of drinking and howling at the moon. Then, there is this loud, commotion downstairs – and it is getting louder and coming closer. OOOOhhhhhhh! He just needs a bit of a restorative to make his headache go away – but that is not what he is about to get. No, his former mistress is entering his bed-chamber – loudly – and handing him a small, squirming bundle. Uh Oh! It appears his parting gift to her was more than just an expensive coach and four. That sweet, smelly bundle turns out to be his daughter, Dora, and all it took was one look and he was totally and completely smitten. But, what did he know of caring for an infant? No problem – the matrons of the village will know how he can get the help he needs.
So, Mars needs a nurse for Dora, and Clarissa needs a position. How convenient! Except, they don’t like each other. Leave it to sweet Dora – all she has to do is smile at Clarissa and it is all over. Clarissa and Mars head back to Belvoir, his estate, only to find a very unexpected and unwelcome visitor is already there. Clarissa hasn’t even gotten in the door before Mars is introducing her to his mother – as his betrothed. Uh! Oh! Uh! Oh! Uh! Oh!
I thoroughly enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers story. The story was well developed and well written, but, goodness, the characters are so very lovely. Mars is a flawed man who doesn’t know what love is – nor is he capable of feeling it – or so he thinks. I loved watching both Clarissa and Mars come to understand themselves and each other better and to come to truly respect and love each other.
I can definitely recommend this book – and I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. I don’t know if this is the last book in the series or not, but the Logical Men’s Society was dissolved during the book, so it could be the last. Who knows? There didn’t seem to be any hints in this book to set up the next one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 22, 2022
An Earl bent on Revenge is Shown that Life is Much Better When Focusing on Love.
His Lessons on Love by Cathy Maxwell is the third book in the “A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women” and although I have not read any other books in the series, I was able to enjoy this book.
This story features an Earl who is floundering through his life, he is really good at being bad and enjoys drinking, gambling, many women, and he is obsessed with revenge. Then one day he gets a huge wake-up call and his savior is a woman who he doesn’t get along with, a woman who doesn’t want to jump in bed with him, and the very woman who will make him realize it’s ok to love.
These two start out as enemies and quickly move into a fake relationship which then transitions to a marriage of convenience. They move very quickly through these stages so there isn’t a lot of wooing, romance, chemistry, or feelings—I actually would have liked their “courtship” to have been explored more, I believe the characters would have had more time for growth.
Overall it’s a good story, easy to read, smooth plot, fun characters—it just lacked a little passion & emotion ~ 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 3 Flames 🔥🔥🔥
His Lessons on Love by Cathy Maxwell is the third book in the “A Logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women” and although I have not read any other books in the series, I was able to enjoy this book.
This story features an Earl who is floundering through his life, he is really good at being bad and enjoys drinking, gambling, many women, and he is obsessed with revenge. Then one day he gets a huge wake-up call and his savior is a woman who he doesn’t get along with, a woman who doesn’t want to jump in bed with him, and the very woman who will make him realize it’s ok to love.
These two start out as enemies and quickly move into a fake relationship which then transitions to a marriage of convenience. They move very quickly through these stages so there isn’t a lot of wooing, romance, chemistry, or feelings—I actually would have liked their “courtship” to have been explored more, I believe the characters would have had more time for growth.
Overall it’s a good story, easy to read, smooth plot, fun characters—it just lacked a little passion & emotion ~ 3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 3 Flames 🔥🔥🔥
January 25, 2022
The Earl of Marsden, Mars to those who know him, has spent the last ten years of his life rather at loose ends and bent on revenge. When a former mistress presents him with a baby girl she claims is his daughter, Mars is completely willing to accept this new responsibility, but he has no idea how to care for a baby.
Desperate, Mars turns to the matrons of his village for help, despite his general disdain for their meddling ways. What he gets is Clarissa Taylor, an orphaned spinster who has become the village’s special project and who has always been especially critical of him. But she knows her way around babies and Mars needs help, so he quickly installs her as nurse to his daughter.
Clarissa is sick of being an object of pity in the village and doesn’t want to be beholden to anyone anymore. If that means tolerating Mars to earn the generous wage he’s willing to pay, so be it. Everything seems to be going to plan until a potential scandal emerges and she finds herself set to marry the man she despises above all others. Of course, hate and love are two sides of the same coin and the chemistry between Clarissa and Mars means they’re both going to be learning that lesson very quickly.
I have been looking forward to this redemption story since Mars was first introduced as a character. For that reason, I was just a little bit disappointed that much of his actual behavioral changes occurred very quickly and/or off page. That said, he underwent so much growth of character in his emotionality and thought processes that it still felt like a strong redemption story. I struggled to like Clarissa much of the time just because she was so sanctimonious and judgmental, even if she was often right about Mars and his wrongheadedness, she had also grossly misjudged him on a lot of things and held a grudge against him for childhood behaviors. The hate to love sort of chemistry Mars and Clarissa had was undeniable, though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more steam between them after such a slow burn. Thankfully, Clarissa did also show a good amount of character development as she came to the realization that she wasn’t always right and that she had been quite judgmental and sought to improve that behavior. Once she abandoned her self-righteousness, stopped thinking that everyone was trying to play games with her, and recognized that Mars was actually a good man in need of some care and guidance, things improved. All in all, I appreciated the character development we got here and, though I would’ve liked to see Mars’ mother put in her place one good time, I enjoyed this redemption story and I think it may be the strongest of the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Desperate, Mars turns to the matrons of his village for help, despite his general disdain for their meddling ways. What he gets is Clarissa Taylor, an orphaned spinster who has become the village’s special project and who has always been especially critical of him. But she knows her way around babies and Mars needs help, so he quickly installs her as nurse to his daughter.
Clarissa is sick of being an object of pity in the village and doesn’t want to be beholden to anyone anymore. If that means tolerating Mars to earn the generous wage he’s willing to pay, so be it. Everything seems to be going to plan until a potential scandal emerges and she finds herself set to marry the man she despises above all others. Of course, hate and love are two sides of the same coin and the chemistry between Clarissa and Mars means they’re both going to be learning that lesson very quickly.
I have been looking forward to this redemption story since Mars was first introduced as a character. For that reason, I was just a little bit disappointed that much of his actual behavioral changes occurred very quickly and/or off page. That said, he underwent so much growth of character in his emotionality and thought processes that it still felt like a strong redemption story. I struggled to like Clarissa much of the time just because she was so sanctimonious and judgmental, even if she was often right about Mars and his wrongheadedness, she had also grossly misjudged him on a lot of things and held a grudge against him for childhood behaviors. The hate to love sort of chemistry Mars and Clarissa had was undeniable, though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more steam between them after such a slow burn. Thankfully, Clarissa did also show a good amount of character development as she came to the realization that she wasn’t always right and that she had been quite judgmental and sought to improve that behavior. Once she abandoned her self-righteousness, stopped thinking that everyone was trying to play games with her, and recognized that Mars was actually a good man in need of some care and guidance, things improved. All in all, I appreciated the character development we got here and, though I would’ve liked to see Mars’ mother put in her place one good time, I enjoyed this redemption story and I think it may be the strongest of the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
October 15, 2021
I pretty much have enjoyed Cathy Maxwell as an author and most of her novels, and "His Lessons on Love", I believe is the third in this series that was an okay and feel good kind of read. Not having had the opportunity to read the other two in the series, this seems as if it can be read as a stand alone.
What captured my attention is the trope of frenemies to lovers which I typically like in her books. There is plenty of angst between Mars and Clarissa since childhood and it very evident in the beginning of the story. Clarissa was orphaned as a child and raised by the village vicar...a contrast to Mars who has been raised in a well-to-do environment. When Mars' former mistress leaves him with an infant child, his whole world crumbles from the savvy lifestyle that he has been accustomed. In some ways you had to feel a sympathy for the infant as she had a mother who didn't a child interrupted her life and a father who abused alcohol, opium and and never received the maternal love expected. Considering their shortcomings, I do like how Mars redeemed his rakish lifestyle and concentrated on loving and taking care of his daughter. I also loved how Clarissa was a strong individuals, although her judgmental ways sometimes became annoying. In any case, she did remain dedicated to them and unyielding to her convictions. This story was well-written, however I had a hard time getting through the read as it dragged a bit for me.
Although the attraction between the characters was set early on in the story, I was anticipating more from the relationship in regards to intimate scenes. My interest started to fade until it picked up a little over half the way when they did manage to have a hot and steamy. I enjoyed the plot although the mystery was no big mystery to me. I look forward to reading the other books in this series as I like her as an author.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
What captured my attention is the trope of frenemies to lovers which I typically like in her books. There is plenty of angst between Mars and Clarissa since childhood and it very evident in the beginning of the story. Clarissa was orphaned as a child and raised by the village vicar...a contrast to Mars who has been raised in a well-to-do environment. When Mars' former mistress leaves him with an infant child, his whole world crumbles from the savvy lifestyle that he has been accustomed. In some ways you had to feel a sympathy for the infant as she had a mother who didn't a child interrupted her life and a father who abused alcohol, opium and and never received the maternal love expected. Considering their shortcomings, I do like how Mars redeemed his rakish lifestyle and concentrated on loving and taking care of his daughter. I also loved how Clarissa was a strong individuals, although her judgmental ways sometimes became annoying. In any case, she did remain dedicated to them and unyielding to her convictions. This story was well-written, however I had a hard time getting through the read as it dragged a bit for me.
Although the attraction between the characters was set early on in the story, I was anticipating more from the relationship in regards to intimate scenes. My interest started to fade until it picked up a little over half the way when they did manage to have a hot and steamy. I enjoyed the plot although the mystery was no big mystery to me. I look forward to reading the other books in this series as I like her as an author.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 23, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Lawrence “Mars” Eddington, the Earl of Marsden is the last bachelor of the Three Bucks and the only remaining member of the Logical Men’s Society, which is just fine by him. In his experience, women can’t be trusted, and loving them only leads to pain. A fact that still haunts him when he recalls this father’s love for this wife and the duel that ended his life when he was shot by one of her lovers. Mars still hungers for revenge against Lord Dervil, the man who killed his father, and swears that one day he will get justice. But when a former mistress invades his home and leaves him with a baby – his baby – his plans for vengeance will have to be shelved for the time being.
But his plans are not the only ones that met with an unexpected twist, Miss Clarissa Taylor is also back in Maidenshop after she was terminated from the companion's job the matrons found for her. She has no idea what she is going to do, but as luck would have it – Mars needs a nursemaid and the matrons decide that Clarissa is the perfect person for the job. This would be the perfect solution if Clarissa and Mars didn’t dislike each other – but with no other options, Clarissa accepts. But what begins as a job, turns into a lifetime commitment when his mother appears and Mars claims they are married and the baby is theirs. And once his mother explains her reason for visiting, Mars sees a way to care for his child and get his revenge – he just needs to convince Clarissa to actually marry him.
This was a great addition to the series and after the sacrifices Clarissa made in the previous book, I was thrilled that she was getting a chance at HEA. This book is well-written, nicely-paced, and surprised me more than once. It is filled with witty banter, leads that have both suffered and have much more in common than either wants to admit, an adorable baby, surprise revelations, steamyish love scenes, cameos from previous characters, duels, more surprises, and finally a HEA that was just perfect for this story. This is the third book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title, but all three books are great, so for the best experience, do yourself a favor and read the books in order. I really enjoyed this book and am happy to recommend not only this title but the entire series!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
Lawrence “Mars” Eddington, the Earl of Marsden is the last bachelor of the Three Bucks and the only remaining member of the Logical Men’s Society, which is just fine by him. In his experience, women can’t be trusted, and loving them only leads to pain. A fact that still haunts him when he recalls this father’s love for this wife and the duel that ended his life when he was shot by one of her lovers. Mars still hungers for revenge against Lord Dervil, the man who killed his father, and swears that one day he will get justice. But when a former mistress invades his home and leaves him with a baby – his baby – his plans for vengeance will have to be shelved for the time being.
But his plans are not the only ones that met with an unexpected twist, Miss Clarissa Taylor is also back in Maidenshop after she was terminated from the companion's job the matrons found for her. She has no idea what she is going to do, but as luck would have it – Mars needs a nursemaid and the matrons decide that Clarissa is the perfect person for the job. This would be the perfect solution if Clarissa and Mars didn’t dislike each other – but with no other options, Clarissa accepts. But what begins as a job, turns into a lifetime commitment when his mother appears and Mars claims they are married and the baby is theirs. And once his mother explains her reason for visiting, Mars sees a way to care for his child and get his revenge – he just needs to convince Clarissa to actually marry him.
This was a great addition to the series and after the sacrifices Clarissa made in the previous book, I was thrilled that she was getting a chance at HEA. This book is well-written, nicely-paced, and surprised me more than once. It is filled with witty banter, leads that have both suffered and have much more in common than either wants to admit, an adorable baby, surprise revelations, steamyish love scenes, cameos from previous characters, duels, more surprises, and finally a HEA that was just perfect for this story. This is the third book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title, but all three books are great, so for the best experience, do yourself a favor and read the books in order. I really enjoyed this book and am happy to recommend not only this title but the entire series!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
January 24, 2022
4 stars (release day 1/25/22)
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a cute, fun historical fiction romance set in 1815 England. The Earl of Marsdan (Mars) has lived a life of irresponsibility, doing things his own way without a care as to what others think of him. That is, until his last mistress drops off a baby girl -his baby girl - and leaves. Immediately smitten with the child and determined to protect her at all costs, he seeks help from the town matrons.
Clarissa is an orphan and has been pitied by the village her whole life. She's determined not to be beholden to anyone anymore, but thus far her efforts to be independent have failed. So when the arrogant, intolerable Earl of Marsdan offers her a job as a nurse to his infant daughter, she reluctantly agrees. But when a crisis occurs she suddenly finds herself married to the Earl, and stepmother to his daughter. But before Clarissa says "I do", she has conditions, and one of them includes no intimacy. But the couple soon discovers that is easier said than done, and despite neither of them having any experience in loving someone, or being loved, true feelings begin to stir.
I really enjoyed this book. It's book three in a series, but you can read it as a stand alone. I haven't read the first two books but didn't feel like I missed out on anything because of it. There was enough information in the book to let me know what happened to put things in context. I liked Clarissa and Mars. The characters were well developed and had great chemistry. They grew during the story and their relationship slowly developed into a deep connection. The supporting characters added depth to the story that even I could appreciate despite not reading the other books. There is a little spice in this book, and a lot of warm fuzzy feelings. I highly recommend you read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.
This is a cute, fun historical fiction romance set in 1815 England. The Earl of Marsdan (Mars) has lived a life of irresponsibility, doing things his own way without a care as to what others think of him. That is, until his last mistress drops off a baby girl -his baby girl - and leaves. Immediately smitten with the child and determined to protect her at all costs, he seeks help from the town matrons.
Clarissa is an orphan and has been pitied by the village her whole life. She's determined not to be beholden to anyone anymore, but thus far her efforts to be independent have failed. So when the arrogant, intolerable Earl of Marsdan offers her a job as a nurse to his infant daughter, she reluctantly agrees. But when a crisis occurs she suddenly finds herself married to the Earl, and stepmother to his daughter. But before Clarissa says "I do", she has conditions, and one of them includes no intimacy. But the couple soon discovers that is easier said than done, and despite neither of them having any experience in loving someone, or being loved, true feelings begin to stir.
I really enjoyed this book. It's book three in a series, but you can read it as a stand alone. I haven't read the first two books but didn't feel like I missed out on anything because of it. There was enough information in the book to let me know what happened to put things in context. I liked Clarissa and Mars. The characters were well developed and had great chemistry. They grew during the story and their relationship slowly developed into a deep connection. The supporting characters added depth to the story that even I could appreciate despite not reading the other books. There is a little spice in this book, and a lot of warm fuzzy feelings. I highly recommend you read it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager. All opinions are my own.
April 21, 2022
4.25 Stars of Cathy Maxwell Goodness
Yeah, so this was much more on brand for what I expect of Ms. Maxwell. There was something decidedly lacking in structure and emotionally development for the previous two, but this one hit the nail on the head.
Mars and Clarissa were reluctant allies when little baby Dora arrives in their lives, and I loved that. There was a natural affinity that was grounded in teasing and contradiction between the two that felt very real and authentic in a way that I genuinely feel most HR writers actually fail at achieving (funnily enough though, the book I just finished prior —A Relentless Rake—achieved this). So the main characters here truly shine and are the best bit. Their love story is believable, well paced (despite my gripe below), and their chemistry leaped off the page (or ear? If you are an audio consumer). Second best bit? Definitely Mars’ very immediate devotion to his baby daughter. That was precisely the heartwarming, ovary-throbbing tidbit I needed amidst total chaos that is my life.
That said, I found the progression of the story a bit too fast paced for my taste. The plot spans the length of like… maybe 10 days? Maybe I’m wrong but I do tend to take not of this because it’s a sticking point for me in any story, ever. I’m a sucker for months—even YEARS—to go by. 10 days for an illegitimate baby, marriage, love, and all the other b-plots to be fulfilled was a lot for the equivalent time span of a semi-lengthy Easter vacation (as is the custom where I live, and it is just too short. Man I need time off). I also found the conflict resolution a touch to precipitous and slightly out of character for Mars and Rissa. But then… I chalk that up to The 10 Days Problem.
Also points for the period-truthful depiction of… the poopy bums of infants and the management of 19th century diapers/“clouts.” Yay Cathy, yay! This is probably also noteworthy for readers that dislike children or dislike reading about children. Baby caretaking abounds!
Altogether, this was delightful and a strong finish to an otherwise lackluster series from an author I utterly adore. Would recommend!
Yeah, so this was much more on brand for what I expect of Ms. Maxwell. There was something decidedly lacking in structure and emotionally development for the previous two, but this one hit the nail on the head.
Mars and Clarissa were reluctant allies when little baby Dora arrives in their lives, and I loved that. There was a natural affinity that was grounded in teasing and contradiction between the two that felt very real and authentic in a way that I genuinely feel most HR writers actually fail at achieving (funnily enough though, the book I just finished prior —A Relentless Rake—achieved this). So the main characters here truly shine and are the best bit. Their love story is believable, well paced (despite my gripe below), and their chemistry leaped off the page (or ear? If you are an audio consumer). Second best bit? Definitely Mars’ very immediate devotion to his baby daughter. That was precisely the heartwarming, ovary-throbbing tidbit I needed amidst total chaos that is my life.
That said, I found the progression of the story a bit too fast paced for my taste. The plot spans the length of like… maybe 10 days? Maybe I’m wrong but I do tend to take not of this because it’s a sticking point for me in any story, ever. I’m a sucker for months—even YEARS—to go by. 10 days for an illegitimate baby, marriage, love, and all the other b-plots to be fulfilled was a lot for the equivalent time span of a semi-lengthy Easter vacation (as is the custom where I live, and it is just too short. Man I need time off). I also found the conflict resolution a touch to precipitous and slightly out of character for Mars and Rissa. But then… I chalk that up to The 10 Days Problem.
Also points for the period-truthful depiction of… the poopy bums of infants and the management of 19th century diapers/“clouts.” Yay Cathy, yay! This is probably also noteworthy for readers that dislike children or dislike reading about children. Baby caretaking abounds!
Altogether, this was delightful and a strong finish to an otherwise lackluster series from an author I utterly adore. Would recommend!
January 10, 2022
The Earl of Marsden has a big problem: a baby daughter cast off by his ex-mistress. He grudgingly turns to Clarissa Taylor, village spinster, for help. Clarissa was orphaned as a baby and has spent a lifetime feeling pitied. She plans to take the funds Mars will pay her and become a new woman. But complications arise and suddenly Clarissa goes from employee to Countess!
This is the third book in the Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women series. I have not read the rest of the series yet, but feel that this book can be read alone. However, Clarissa was the former fiancée of the hero in the previous story.
This is a really wonderful book about family, forgiveness, and change. Mars was living in a lonely, alcoholic stupor until his former mistress dropped a parenting bomb in his lap. He decides in that moment that he has something to live for now and vows to be a better parent than his were. But, he doesn't know a thing about babies and can't do this alone. He and Clarissa are able to come to an understanding and she takes a position as nurse, hoping to better her circumstances.
Things quickly go off the rails as Mars' mother shows up, causing trouble, and Mars claims Clarissa as his wife. As much as Clarissa does not want to go along with it, she finally has a chance at a family and an opportunity to help others as Countess. I loved the vulnerability of both characters and how they slowly established a real relationship. I thought the twist was predictable, but the fallout was well done. I liked that the characters talked to each other, and both admitted their mistakes. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Tropes: Class Difference, Enemies to Lovers, Oh Baby, Marriage of Convenience
Steam: 1
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #HisLessonsonLove #NetGalley
This is the third book in the Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women series. I have not read the rest of the series yet, but feel that this book can be read alone. However, Clarissa was the former fiancée of the hero in the previous story.
This is a really wonderful book about family, forgiveness, and change. Mars was living in a lonely, alcoholic stupor until his former mistress dropped a parenting bomb in his lap. He decides in that moment that he has something to live for now and vows to be a better parent than his were. But, he doesn't know a thing about babies and can't do this alone. He and Clarissa are able to come to an understanding and she takes a position as nurse, hoping to better her circumstances.
Things quickly go off the rails as Mars' mother shows up, causing trouble, and Mars claims Clarissa as his wife. As much as Clarissa does not want to go along with it, she finally has a chance at a family and an opportunity to help others as Countess. I loved the vulnerability of both characters and how they slowly established a real relationship. I thought the twist was predictable, but the fallout was well done. I liked that the characters talked to each other, and both admitted their mistakes. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Tropes: Class Difference, Enemies to Lovers, Oh Baby, Marriage of Convenience
Steam: 1
* I received an ARC and this is my honest review. #HisLessonsonLove #NetGalley
February 3, 2022
Witty dialog, laugh-out-loud humor, emotional depth, and the blending of some of my favorite tropes - marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, and opposites attract - make this third book in Maxwell's A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women (don't you just love that title?) series my favorite.
This book can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone but for those of us who have read the first two books, the pairing of Clarissa and Mars comes as no surprise. These two have been walking a fine line between animosity and attraction for the entire series. Maxwell skillfully guides them from loathing to co-conspirators, to protectors of Mars' daughter, to friends, and finally, to love. I happily cheered them on the entire way as they both learned that appearances don't always tell the whole story, that people can change, and that love sometimes grows where least expected.
The book's title is certainly appropriate as Mars has much to learn, not only about love but about himself, his priorities, and the importance of focusing on the future rather than the past. But he isn't the only one who evolves. I appreciated the growth of both main characters as their stories were slowly unveiled to one another. There are some twists I saw coming, and others I didn't, that impacted each of them, contributing to how they viewed themselves as well as one another. I liked that the author didn't sugarcoat the difficult decisions that needed to be made and didn't give them any easy answers. Their HEA is one they have to work for which made it all the more sweet in the end. The secondary cast of characters add humor, conflict, and motivation to the overall story, some surprising me and others proving they are exactly as heartless as they appear. I may have cheered a few "just desserts" that are dished out.
If you enjoy well-crafted historical romance with complex characters, snappy banter, perfectly-placed humor, great chemistry, and life lessons that lead the way to a sigh-worthy happily ever after, pick up a copy of His Lessons on Love. I'm not sure if this book ends the series but wherever Maxwell decides to take readers next, I'll happily follow.
*ARC received for fair and unbiased review
This book can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone but for those of us who have read the first two books, the pairing of Clarissa and Mars comes as no surprise. These two have been walking a fine line between animosity and attraction for the entire series. Maxwell skillfully guides them from loathing to co-conspirators, to protectors of Mars' daughter, to friends, and finally, to love. I happily cheered them on the entire way as they both learned that appearances don't always tell the whole story, that people can change, and that love sometimes grows where least expected.
The book's title is certainly appropriate as Mars has much to learn, not only about love but about himself, his priorities, and the importance of focusing on the future rather than the past. But he isn't the only one who evolves. I appreciated the growth of both main characters as their stories were slowly unveiled to one another. There are some twists I saw coming, and others I didn't, that impacted each of them, contributing to how they viewed themselves as well as one another. I liked that the author didn't sugarcoat the difficult decisions that needed to be made and didn't give them any easy answers. Their HEA is one they have to work for which made it all the more sweet in the end. The secondary cast of characters add humor, conflict, and motivation to the overall story, some surprising me and others proving they are exactly as heartless as they appear. I may have cheered a few "just desserts" that are dished out.
If you enjoy well-crafted historical romance with complex characters, snappy banter, perfectly-placed humor, great chemistry, and life lessons that lead the way to a sigh-worthy happily ever after, pick up a copy of His Lessons on Love. I'm not sure if this book ends the series but wherever Maxwell decides to take readers next, I'll happily follow.
*ARC received for fair and unbiased review
October 1, 2022
His Lessons on Love by, Cathy Maxwell. Oh I so loved this story. I enjoyed every bit of the book. The writer did a great job with enticing me with Mars and Clarissas love story. The single dad. The unemployed beauty.
They Chance meet, then the chaos soon begins that ends with a passionate love affair. Yes, this is what I loved about the book. The story was very entertaining and exciting. Mars and Clarissas flirtatious ways was funny, but at other times saucy. The battle between whit and will with Mars and his nemesis was entertaining indeed.
The story is an awesome page turner that is easy to read. Some of the wording I thought that the book could do without, such as the flamboyant words. Keeping the words simple helps the book move along easily for the reader and also keeps them drawn into the book. The romance was charming and sweet. The relationship between Mars and his daughter, Dora was worth reading in the story.
They Chance meet, then the chaos soon begins that ends with a passionate love affair. Yes, this is what I loved about the book. The story was very entertaining and exciting. Mars and Clarissas flirtatious ways was funny, but at other times saucy. The battle between whit and will with Mars and his nemesis was entertaining indeed.
The story is an awesome page turner that is easy to read. Some of the wording I thought that the book could do without, such as the flamboyant words. Keeping the words simple helps the book move along easily for the reader and also keeps them drawn into the book. The romance was charming and sweet. The relationship between Mars and his daughter, Dora was worth reading in the story.
January 14, 2022
I’ve been reading this for two weeks and I’m not even at 30%. Cathy Maxwell is a hit-or-miss author for me and I’m sad this was a miss because I do like her writing style for the most part.
January 25, 2022
This is such a charming and delightful romance. Cathy Maxwell's writing has a comforting ease to it that is soft and easily accessible. This romance is well paced and a perfect addition to the A Logical Men's Guide to Dangerous Women. Maxwell has been teasing this couple from the start and their romance was really beautiful. This is definitely my favorite in the series and while it can be read as a standalone, having the background of the other two novels in this series helps to give their romance and their friendships more gravity.
Mars, is an earl, and over the last few novels we have seen him as a drunk lush with no goals or path in life, of course there are much deeper elements to his character that are waiting to boil over. At the start of this novel his is presented with a daughter who he was unaware of, but a past mistress. This is the catalyst that begins Mars journey to change. Mars wanting to provide his daughter with love and comfort hires Clarissa, and orphan who has been pitied and adopted by the village they live in from her birth. Clarissa has always felt a little on the outside, not knowing her past she has felt lost in what her future should be. But from the moment that Clarissa meets Mars' daughter Dora, her heart is claimed and she will do anything to protect and love this sweet baby.
I found this novel to really be a beautiful exploration and growth between two people. Mars has been trapped in the past and consumed with vengeance, and it order to get out of his spiral he needs something to fight for. When Mars is confronted with a baby who needs him to provide, he quietly steps up to the task and finds ways to establish a welcome, safe and loving environment for his daughter, something that he did not have in his youth. Clarissa is also at a cross roads in her life, she has recently had a failed engagement and now she is returning but to the village after a failed job as a lady's companion. I love that Mars' daughter becomes the motivation that both Clarissa and Mars need to learn. and establish what comes next in their lives.
Mars and Clarissa move swiftly from a working relationship to a marriage of convenience. And as their relationship changes and grows we really see a new side of Mars and get to understand him and his relationship to Clarissa on a much deeper level. I love that both Mars and Clarissa love Dora with such and unconditional strength. I love that their love for Dora helps them to open themselves up to understanding the other. And I love that they learn to love and respect each other for who they are and do this with their own free will. While Dora might have opened their minds and hearts, they both learn to love and trust the other on their own. Clarissa and Mars have a really sweet romance and I found it to have a really lovely level of sensuality, the steam level is moderate which is exactly what I would expect from this novel and it is beautifully done and shows the reader the trust and respect that these two have established.
I definitely recommend this novel, it is a perfect addition (and I believe) end to this small town romance series. Maxwell creates wonderful characters who we have grown to love throughout the books, the setting is absolutely charming and this much anticipated romance is exactly what I could hope for.
OUT January 25, 2022
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an eARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mars, is an earl, and over the last few novels we have seen him as a drunk lush with no goals or path in life, of course there are much deeper elements to his character that are waiting to boil over. At the start of this novel his is presented with a daughter who he was unaware of, but a past mistress. This is the catalyst that begins Mars journey to change. Mars wanting to provide his daughter with love and comfort hires Clarissa, and orphan who has been pitied and adopted by the village they live in from her birth. Clarissa has always felt a little on the outside, not knowing her past she has felt lost in what her future should be. But from the moment that Clarissa meets Mars' daughter Dora, her heart is claimed and she will do anything to protect and love this sweet baby.
I found this novel to really be a beautiful exploration and growth between two people. Mars has been trapped in the past and consumed with vengeance, and it order to get out of his spiral he needs something to fight for. When Mars is confronted with a baby who needs him to provide, he quietly steps up to the task and finds ways to establish a welcome, safe and loving environment for his daughter, something that he did not have in his youth. Clarissa is also at a cross roads in her life, she has recently had a failed engagement and now she is returning but to the village after a failed job as a lady's companion. I love that Mars' daughter becomes the motivation that both Clarissa and Mars need to learn. and establish what comes next in their lives.
Mars and Clarissa move swiftly from a working relationship to a marriage of convenience. And as their relationship changes and grows we really see a new side of Mars and get to understand him and his relationship to Clarissa on a much deeper level. I love that both Mars and Clarissa love Dora with such and unconditional strength. I love that their love for Dora helps them to open themselves up to understanding the other. And I love that they learn to love and respect each other for who they are and do this with their own free will. While Dora might have opened their minds and hearts, they both learn to love and trust the other on their own. Clarissa and Mars have a really sweet romance and I found it to have a really lovely level of sensuality, the steam level is moderate which is exactly what I would expect from this novel and it is beautifully done and shows the reader the trust and respect that these two have established.
I definitely recommend this novel, it is a perfect addition (and I believe) end to this small town romance series. Maxwell creates wonderful characters who we have grown to love throughout the books, the setting is absolutely charming and this much anticipated romance is exactly what I could hope for.
OUT January 25, 2022
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an eARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 7, 2022
Lawrence Eddington (Mars), Earl of Marsden, one desire is to kill the man (Lord Devril) who murdered his father in a duel. After a night of heavy drinking and howling at the moon, Mars is woken up the next morning by his ex-mistress, who barges into his room. She places a bundle of blankets on his bed and informs him she has a new protector. The blankets move. Mars goes over to investigate the blankets only to find a baby. His ex-mistress informs him that the baby is his daughter. She then leaves quickly in her coach. Mars tries to get his ex-mistress to take the baby back, but is unsuccessfully. He at first doubts the child is his until he looks for the sign of all Eddington children.. Mars finds it and knows the child is his. But he knows nothing about babies. In a panic, he rides his horse to Maidenshop to seek help from the matrons. Who is there but Clarissa Taylor, the one woman who strongly dislikes him. Clarissa jumps up and takes the fussy baby. She tells Mars the baby needs her clout changed and she is hungry. The matrons quickly gather clouts, a clean dress and goat's milk. Clarissa takes care of the baby's needs. She asks Mars the child's name. He tells her it is Dora. The matrons inform Mars he needs a nurse for Dora. They suggest Clarissa should fill that position. She says no. Mars asks to speak to Clarissa along. Can he convince her to become little Dora's nurse, or is her dislike of him an obstacle?
This enemies-to-lovers story is a delight to read. Dora is the glue that holds Clarissa and Mars together in the beginning. Once the couple gets past their mutual dislike of each other by getting to know who each other is as a person, mutual respect and, eventually love, grows between them. The plot is a simple romance. The dislogue fits each character. This is the third novel in A Logical Men's Guide to Dangerous Women trilogy. I haven't read the first two books in the trilogy. I was able to follow the characters and plot in this novel just fine. It works as a standalone.
This enemies-to-lovers story is a delight to read. Dora is the glue that holds Clarissa and Mars together in the beginning. Once the couple gets past their mutual dislike of each other by getting to know who each other is as a person, mutual respect and, eventually love, grows between them. The plot is a simple romance. The dislogue fits each character. This is the third novel in A Logical Men's Guide to Dangerous Women trilogy. I haven't read the first two books in the trilogy. I was able to follow the characters and plot in this novel just fine. It works as a standalone.
May 24, 2022
Mars and Clarissa have know each other since childhood, and no one could say they were friends. Then a baby is dropped off on Mars' doorstep and he knows Clarissa would be perfect to help. They both have preconceived ideas about the other and it was a pleasure to watch them learn how wrong they were. I love the writing style, and I also loved the previous books in the series
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2022
I received an ARC of this book.
This is the first book I have read by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed it until just after halfway through, when everything sort of fizzled out. Up to that point, the book was great. The main characters (and the secondary characters) were lots of fun. I was worried they would get annoying, but they were actually compelling and some of the scenes actually brought a smile to my face. The plot moved along well, and the main characters' journey toward having a real relationship was very believable. I appreciated the fact that they didn't let silly misunderstandings or perceived slights cause serious issues. They were both willing to admit when they were wrong or had done something they shouldn't, and that was very refreshing for a Regency Romance! They were able to be honest with each other for the most part, which made their relationship really worth rooting for.
But after the two consummated their marriage things just took a down-hill turn for me. A "love scene" does not have to be graphic or include lascivious details to be meaningful and make an impact. But it does need to suitably reveal the feelings of the characters and convey why this is a momentous event--honestly, that's why people read romance novels! But the love scene between our main characters in this book left a lot to be desired. It was short, very to-the-point, lackluster, and felt rote. The lack of real emotion made the few parts that were graphic extremely jarring and off-putting. I, as the reader, was expecting a much bigger payoff after watching their relationship organically grow, and I didn't get it here. And once that happened I really kind of lost interest in the book. The characters became flat and two-dimensional. I ended up skimming it. So the last third of the book really just disappointed me. I've been reading Regency Romance for about 30 years, and I knew exactly what was coming in this book, because I've read it over and over again hundreds of times.
I will probably try another book by this author, because the first portion of the book was great, but I don't think I would recommend this book, unless you want to be disappointed.
This is the first book I have read by this author. I thoroughly enjoyed it until just after halfway through, when everything sort of fizzled out. Up to that point, the book was great. The main characters (and the secondary characters) were lots of fun. I was worried they would get annoying, but they were actually compelling and some of the scenes actually brought a smile to my face. The plot moved along well, and the main characters' journey toward having a real relationship was very believable. I appreciated the fact that they didn't let silly misunderstandings or perceived slights cause serious issues. They were both willing to admit when they were wrong or had done something they shouldn't, and that was very refreshing for a Regency Romance! They were able to be honest with each other for the most part, which made their relationship really worth rooting for.
But after the two consummated their marriage things just took a down-hill turn for me. A "love scene" does not have to be graphic or include lascivious details to be meaningful and make an impact. But it does need to suitably reveal the feelings of the characters and convey why this is a momentous event--honestly, that's why people read romance novels! But the love scene between our main characters in this book left a lot to be desired. It was short, very to-the-point, lackluster, and felt rote. The lack of real emotion made the few parts that were graphic extremely jarring and off-putting. I, as the reader, was expecting a much bigger payoff after watching their relationship organically grow, and I didn't get it here. And once that happened I really kind of lost interest in the book. The characters became flat and two-dimensional. I ended up skimming it. So the last third of the book really just disappointed me. I've been reading Regency Romance for about 30 years, and I knew exactly what was coming in this book, because I've read it over and over again hundreds of times.
I will probably try another book by this author, because the first portion of the book was great, but I don't think I would recommend this book, unless you want to be disappointed.
September 8, 2021
This is a classic enemies to lovers book - with a briefly fake relationship bent. Mars and Clarissa have been at odds since they were children. Clarissa was a foundling and raised by the village vicar - when he and his wife died she was cared for by village gentry and basically raised by the village matrons. Mars was raised in the same village - but his father was killed in a duel over his mother when he was a teenager. Mars's mother is a very driven woman without a lot of true maternal love for her child. As a result - both Clarissa and Mars have fairly fixed opinions of each other and their views of men and women respectively.
I loved the growth Clarissa showed over the course of the book. She is able to look back at the choices she made - particularly when it comes to Mars and how she had lived her life up until this point. Clarissa is a strong, practical woman and just what Mars needs - but he isn't wrong when he says she is a matron before her time. Her judgment game is HARSH at the start of the book. But by the end of the book - you can see that she has softened somewhat - but still is strong in her convictions and beliefs - she just isn't as judgmental and has more understanding towards others.
I am not convinced, and this is where a star dropped off for me, that Mars had the same level of growth. His transformation from alcoholic and regular opium user to doting father and teetotaler is a transformation that happens in the space of a few hours. While he does show understanding of where he has been and where he needs to go - his transformation is definitely more of a work in progress. But I suppose aren't we all a bit of a work in progress.
Overall - I liked this book a lot and I have enjoyed this series of opposites attracting and strong women showing their worth. I definitely feel like there are still more stories to be told about the town of Maidenshop and its very interesting residents.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
I loved the growth Clarissa showed over the course of the book. She is able to look back at the choices she made - particularly when it comes to Mars and how she had lived her life up until this point. Clarissa is a strong, practical woman and just what Mars needs - but he isn't wrong when he says she is a matron before her time. Her judgment game is HARSH at the start of the book. But by the end of the book - you can see that she has softened somewhat - but still is strong in her convictions and beliefs - she just isn't as judgmental and has more understanding towards others.
I am not convinced, and this is where a star dropped off for me, that Mars had the same level of growth. His transformation from alcoholic and regular opium user to doting father and teetotaler is a transformation that happens in the space of a few hours. While he does show understanding of where he has been and where he needs to go - his transformation is definitely more of a work in progress. But I suppose aren't we all a bit of a work in progress.
Overall - I liked this book a lot and I have enjoyed this series of opposites attracting and strong women showing their worth. I definitely feel like there are still more stories to be told about the town of Maidenshop and its very interesting residents.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
October 5, 2023
His Lessons on Love is book 3 in the Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women. I have not read the first two books, and after reading this one, I'm not really inclined to. I'll explain.
At the beginning of the book is a brief prologue that explains the Logical Men's Society. Basically it's a band of brothers against marriage and one by one they get plucked out of the group because they end up marrying. Lawrence Eddington, the Earl of Marsden (but he goes by Mars) is bachelor number three in the series to tie the knot but it's an interesting road to get there.
We start off with Mars getting an unexpected delivery one morning in July 1815. When his former mistress shows up unannounced, she thrusts a baby girl in his arms, refusing to deal with her as she is now under somebody else's protection. A minor physical deformity that has plagued the Marsden line confirms the baby is indeed his daughter and that leaves Mars completely lost in what to do now. So he heads into the little town of Maidenshop to find help from the matrons.
Clarissa Taylor is not having a good day, a good month, or even a good year. After giving up her fiance so he could marry for love (book 2 - Thurlowe and Gemma's story) Clarissa tries to make her way in the world. Having been fired from her most recent post, she's just arrived back in Maidenshop to lick her wounds and seek advice from the matrons. Then Mars bursts through the door with a baby. Menadora, thankfully shortened to Dora, takes center stage for most of the story. But Mars knows he can't do it alone. The matrons push Clarissa into accepting a nurse position to care for Dora so off they go with a matron in tow for respectability. Mrs. Warbler can be the housekeeper because... why not?
Greeting them back at Mars's Belvoir estate is his estranged mother fresh from London. Showing up only when she needs something, Mars has to think quickly to get rid of her and blurts out that Clarissa is his wife, and Dora their daughter. His mother leaves after pleading her political case with Mars, but he's left thinking it may be best for Dora if he and Clarissa marry in truth. Clarissa thinks about it, and eventually agrees. But now a trip to London and a run-in with the man that killed Mars's father causes problems, and suddenly truths about Clarissa's past come to light. Will Mars regret pulling Clarissa into the family? Will Dora get the care she needs should Mars not be around? Will Clarissa get the closure she needs about her past?
This story was okay, which is why I'm just fine skipping books 1 and 2. The main characters from those books make appearances but I didn't feel like I missed too much of their stories to enjoy this one. But honestly, the first half of this book was so much about the baby, that I struggled to get into the story. It just got to be too much for me. When you boil the story down, Dora was the only reason Mars and Clarissa get together. They grew up together but she held grudges and there was a lot of animosity between them, although I liked that Clarissa told Mars that it was their conversation (in book 2) that urged her to release Thurlowe so he could marry (Gemma) for love. I also liked that Clarissa challenged Mars to do something good with the power he had in being an Earl. He had always been too drunk to care, but quits pretty much cold turkey when Dora comes into his life. In the end Mars puts his political power to good use, all the while upending his mother's machinations, and redirecting the political spotlight away from Dervil.
Of course, Mars and Clarissa marry for convenience and some chemistry begins to shine through after they wed but Mars is hell-bent on revenge against Dervil, the man who fought Mars's father in a duel and won. In the end, Mars is willing to give up everything, even his daughter and Clarissa's declared love, to see Dervil dead. He even arranges a large settlement so Clarissa can live comfortably with Dora should he not return. Clarissa pulls out all the stops in an effort to prevent the duel, but Mars will not be swayed. It's on the dueling field when he finally comes to his senses, but now he needs to chase after the woman he loves, hoping she hasn't left forever.
Having read a handful of Cathy Maxwell's books, I think I prefer her earlier works. The Lady is Tempted is my favorite and that's from 2002, whereas this book is from last year. I have a few more on my TBR shelf but I'm not in a big hurry to reach for them.
Steam on this one is a 2 from me. Clarissa was raised by the village pastor and wife so her values and charity for others take precedence. It also makes her a bit of a doormat where the matrons are concerned but they do rally to support her when she needs it. This was a good book, not a great one. 3 stars.
At the beginning of the book is a brief prologue that explains the Logical Men's Society. Basically it's a band of brothers against marriage and one by one they get plucked out of the group because they end up marrying. Lawrence Eddington, the Earl of Marsden (but he goes by Mars) is bachelor number three in the series to tie the knot but it's an interesting road to get there.
We start off with Mars getting an unexpected delivery one morning in July 1815. When his former mistress shows up unannounced, she thrusts a baby girl in his arms, refusing to deal with her as she is now under somebody else's protection. A minor physical deformity that has plagued the Marsden line confirms the baby is indeed his daughter and that leaves Mars completely lost in what to do now. So he heads into the little town of Maidenshop to find help from the matrons.
Clarissa Taylor is not having a good day, a good month, or even a good year. After giving up her fiance so he could marry for love (book 2 - Thurlowe and Gemma's story) Clarissa tries to make her way in the world. Having been fired from her most recent post, she's just arrived back in Maidenshop to lick her wounds and seek advice from the matrons. Then Mars bursts through the door with a baby. Menadora, thankfully shortened to Dora, takes center stage for most of the story. But Mars knows he can't do it alone. The matrons push Clarissa into accepting a nurse position to care for Dora so off they go with a matron in tow for respectability. Mrs. Warbler can be the housekeeper because... why not?
Greeting them back at Mars's Belvoir estate is his estranged mother fresh from London. Showing up only when she needs something, Mars has to think quickly to get rid of her and blurts out that Clarissa is his wife, and Dora their daughter. His mother leaves after pleading her political case with Mars, but he's left thinking it may be best for Dora if he and Clarissa marry in truth. Clarissa thinks about it, and eventually agrees. But now a trip to London and a run-in with the man that killed Mars's father causes problems, and suddenly truths about Clarissa's past come to light. Will Mars regret pulling Clarissa into the family? Will Dora get the care she needs should Mars not be around? Will Clarissa get the closure she needs about her past?
This story was okay, which is why I'm just fine skipping books 1 and 2. The main characters from those books make appearances but I didn't feel like I missed too much of their stories to enjoy this one. But honestly, the first half of this book was so much about the baby, that I struggled to get into the story. It just got to be too much for me. When you boil the story down, Dora was the only reason Mars and Clarissa get together. They grew up together but she held grudges and there was a lot of animosity between them, although I liked that Clarissa told Mars that it was their conversation (in book 2) that urged her to release Thurlowe so he could marry (Gemma) for love. I also liked that Clarissa challenged Mars to do something good with the power he had in being an Earl. He had always been too drunk to care, but quits pretty much cold turkey when Dora comes into his life. In the end Mars puts his political power to good use, all the while upending his mother's machinations, and redirecting the political spotlight away from Dervil.
Of course, Mars and Clarissa marry for convenience and some chemistry begins to shine through after they wed but Mars is hell-bent on revenge against Dervil, the man who fought Mars's father in a duel and won. In the end, Mars is willing to give up everything, even his daughter and Clarissa's declared love, to see Dervil dead. He even arranges a large settlement so Clarissa can live comfortably with Dora should he not return. Clarissa pulls out all the stops in an effort to prevent the duel, but Mars will not be swayed. It's on the dueling field when he finally comes to his senses, but now he needs to chase after the woman he loves, hoping she hasn't left forever.
Having read a handful of Cathy Maxwell's books, I think I prefer her earlier works. The Lady is Tempted is my favorite and that's from 2002, whereas this book is from last year. I have a few more on my TBR shelf but I'm not in a big hurry to reach for them.
Steam on this one is a 2 from me. Clarissa was raised by the village pastor and wife so her values and charity for others take precedence. It also makes her a bit of a doormat where the matrons are concerned but they do rally to support her when she needs it. This was a good book, not a great one. 3 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
His Lessons on Love
A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women Novel
by Cathy Maxwell
I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I have read by the author. If you are new to her as well my first impressions were to be reminded of Tessa Dares Spindle cove series. Our primary location is a smaller tight knit village community. Our primary women are intelligent, witty and relatable. Our hero is an adorable man child who comes into circumstances that require and inspire him to grow up and fulfill his potential. The transformative power of love with a makeover of his character and her wardrobe is always entertaining to me.
This story hooked me from the first page and I finished in less than 24 hours losing some sleep and requiring the use of text to speech. I couldn’t put it down. Point of view alternates between hero and heroine which I always love getting the inner thoughts and turmoil and begrudging admiration and attraction that develops in enemies to lovers stories. They’re not really enemies; they just irritate one another in a way reminiscent of The Hating Game.
However, their lives are each beset with major drama in the first two chapters that draws them together and they learn to trust and rely on one another and the stakes only ratchet up from there. There are so many sweet moments. There are laugh out loud moments. There is the mystery of who her parents are and the high drama of not one but two duels.
Trigger warnings - parent death and disengaged/uncaring parent/abandonment.
While this is steamy and open door it’s not overwhelmingly so. So if that’s not your cup of tea this is more of a plot heavy romance and I believe you could skim a few parts and still enjoy it.
Now I’m off to go research Ms Maxwells backlist. 5/5 for me.
A Logical Man's Guide to Dangerous Women Novel
by Cathy Maxwell
I received an e-arc of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I have read by the author. If you are new to her as well my first impressions were to be reminded of Tessa Dares Spindle cove series. Our primary location is a smaller tight knit village community. Our primary women are intelligent, witty and relatable. Our hero is an adorable man child who comes into circumstances that require and inspire him to grow up and fulfill his potential. The transformative power of love with a makeover of his character and her wardrobe is always entertaining to me.
This story hooked me from the first page and I finished in less than 24 hours losing some sleep and requiring the use of text to speech. I couldn’t put it down. Point of view alternates between hero and heroine which I always love getting the inner thoughts and turmoil and begrudging admiration and attraction that develops in enemies to lovers stories. They’re not really enemies; they just irritate one another in a way reminiscent of The Hating Game.
However, their lives are each beset with major drama in the first two chapters that draws them together and they learn to trust and rely on one another and the stakes only ratchet up from there. There are so many sweet moments. There are laugh out loud moments. There is the mystery of who her parents are and the high drama of not one but two duels.
Trigger warnings - parent death and disengaged/uncaring parent/abandonment.
While this is steamy and open door it’s not overwhelmingly so. So if that’s not your cup of tea this is more of a plot heavy romance and I believe you could skim a few parts and still enjoy it.
Now I’m off to go research Ms Maxwells backlist. 5/5 for me.
December 5, 2021
In His Lessons on Love the 3rd installment of a logical Man’s Guide to Dangerous Women by Cathy Maxwell we get the story of Clarissa Taylor and the Earl of Marsden whom we meet in the previous books. Though this is a standalone read I think it helps the flow of the story greatly to have read the two previous books. In her first desire we know that Ned Thurlowe and Clarissa were to have been married and that the Earl Marsden aka known as Mars in the village by all gets along with her as well as oil and vinegar.
Clarissa after being the bigger person and releasing her betrothed Ned to Gemma out of respect for their love now finds herself returned to the village after her attempt to stand on her own two feet ends in failure. Feeling tired of being beholden to the matrons of the village where she has been taken care off and pitied after being abandoned there as a babe, being employed by the Earl who suddenly finds himself a father seems a boon.
What should have been a straightforward arrangement becomes complicated when Lady Fenton, his mother shows up and she goes from employee to Countess! Marriage was not exactly in Mars’s plans but he knows how perception is important to the ton and Mars won’t let his child suffer due to illegitimacy.
With a few machinations by the village matrons who want nothing but happiness for the daughter they consider their own along with the village son, simple quickly becomes complicated and actions done in the pass threaten to also thwart the best laid plans. As in the previous books in the series thus far, this book touches on realistic life circumstances, choices and speaks of healing and moving on the best we know and to get a chance at happiness when it is presented itself. We the readers get to see Mars and Clarissa embark on a journey that teaches the greatest lesson in all of life is to grab love when it’s found. I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Clarissa after being the bigger person and releasing her betrothed Ned to Gemma out of respect for their love now finds herself returned to the village after her attempt to stand on her own two feet ends in failure. Feeling tired of being beholden to the matrons of the village where she has been taken care off and pitied after being abandoned there as a babe, being employed by the Earl who suddenly finds himself a father seems a boon.
What should have been a straightforward arrangement becomes complicated when Lady Fenton, his mother shows up and she goes from employee to Countess! Marriage was not exactly in Mars’s plans but he knows how perception is important to the ton and Mars won’t let his child suffer due to illegitimacy.
With a few machinations by the village matrons who want nothing but happiness for the daughter they consider their own along with the village son, simple quickly becomes complicated and actions done in the pass threaten to also thwart the best laid plans. As in the previous books in the series thus far, this book touches on realistic life circumstances, choices and speaks of healing and moving on the best we know and to get a chance at happiness when it is presented itself. We the readers get to see Mars and Clarissa embark on a journey that teaches the greatest lesson in all of life is to grab love when it’s found. I received a complimentary ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 20, 2022
Overall, I enjoyed reading this!. At the beginning it kind of cycled through a few tropes before it landed on what this book really was going to be - marriage of convenience.
I was compelled by the character's personal struggles and how they were entwined with one another. A foundling child, a baby with a mistress, a decades-long grudge... etc.
My main gripe about it was the timing. Why did this all have to take place within a week? It could have taken place over a month or two and the story wouldn't have changed much and the romance would have made a lot more sense. Everything would have been more convincing if it hadn't happened so fast.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was compelled by the character's personal struggles and how they were entwined with one another. A foundling child, a baby with a mistress, a decades-long grudge... etc.
My main gripe about it was the timing. Why did this all have to take place within a week? It could have taken place over a month or two and the story wouldn't have changed much and the romance would have made a lot more sense. Everything would have been more convincing if it hadn't happened so fast.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2022
This book started off strong and kept me guessing in the first half of the story. I loved Clarissa who was kind and good and incredibly lost and definitely hurt from being abandoned as a child. Mars is an absolutely wonderful surprise in the beginning of the book but for most of the last half he is hard headed and I wanted to yell at him! Of course, he was also traumatized as a child so it is understandable. I loved the friendships he had, I wish there had been more of that because I thought it showed more of his humanity. Overall I really enjoyed the book and I can’t wait to read the next in the series!!!
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March 27, 2022This title is misleading. There’s no school in this book.
January 29, 2022
We’ve encountered another book for which I’m perched right in the middle of the proverbial fence. Cathy Maxwell’s His Lessons on Love keeps flinging me around like a wooden gate in a windstorm. We have a Regency era enemies-to-lovers, with a marriage of convenience, and a rags to riches transformation - what’s not to love? Well, dear readers, a situation arises in which in any normal historical romance, the conflict would have righted itself when the hero abandoned their misguided quest and fell helplessly in love with the heroine. Not the case here.
A Little Bit of Plot
The Earl of Marsden has a problem. A wriggling, wet, wailing, and wonderful problem. His former mistress leaves him with an unexpected care package - his previously unknown baby daughter, Dora. Left with very few options, Mars turns to the last person he’d ever willingly seek out, spinster Clarissa Taylor. Unemployed with no prospects, Clarissa has no choice but to accept the position of nanny to Mar’s child, and as luck would have it, within hours, finds herself in a marriage of convenience. Mars enters the marriage without reluctance, as he is facing a situation which may leave Clarissa a widow but ensures his daughter has a loving mother.
The Top Bun (The Pro)
The Animosity
In some enemies-to-lovers books, the rift between the hero and heroine is often based on something frivolous, and they quickly make amends. In this novel, however, while they do make amends, both recognize and honestly discuss their animosity, eventually making an accord through their mutual love of Dora.
I will also admit that their differences are based on personal preference - she considers him a rake, he sees her as a prudish know-it-all.
Are both correct?
Yes.
When each admits that they other's view of them may be correct, they move closer to common ground.
“You find me arrogant.”
“Aye, you are arrogant. However, what I don’t like is that you believe your arrogance is excusable. After all, you are the wealthy, entitled Earl of Marsden. Why shouldn’t you do as you wish, even if it inconveniences others? It is just your due. I find it disgraceful that a man who has been given so much does so little.”...
“What annoys me about you, Miss Taylor, is your strong desire to be a matron-in-training…You are judgmental and you always have been. Even when you were shorter than a stump…i don’t even like your given name. Clarissa. You were preordained to prissiness.”
They both realize that in order to properly care for Dora, however, they need to make amends.
Additionally, I was quite impressed with Mar’s acceptance of his daughter and the lengths he goes to acknowledge her legitimacy as his heir. In comparison, Clarissa makes the decision to become caregiver to this tiny baby without a second thought, she falls in love with Mars, however, against her better judgment.
The Meat (The Con)
NO GRAND GESTURE (GG)
As I am going to recommend this book, I refuse to spoil the main conflict that arises. Let’s just say that Mars ignores Clarissa’s pleas to abandon his plans for revenge.
When I say pleads, we are talking on her knees weeping for him to change his mind and he doesn’t. Additionally, let me add that this plan involves someone who is knowingly close to Clarissa and will knowingly emotionally wound her.
Dick move, sir…dick…move.
Needless to say, I needed a GG, like Last of the Mohicans “I WILL FIND YOU” self-sacrificing level awesomeness to correct this.
The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
This is not the GG you’re looking for…but I’ll take it.
Again, I’m not going to spoil anything but I will say that Mars does come back with hat in hand begging for forgiveness. While he makes an adult and grownup gesture of penance, I wish the circumstances had been such that a GG was not needed. In the end, he must know his wife better than the reader, as she grants him forgiveness with little hesitation.
“There are some things I don’t ever want you to change, my lord. I like your stubbornness. It matches mine.”
“Oh no, you are far more stubborn”.
Clarissa swallowed a laugh. “Are you arguing with me?”
“I hope so. I want to argue with you every day for the rest of my life. Do you understand? Circumstances may have thrown us together, but I love you, Rissa. Even when you push me in directions I don’t want to go. I need the push. I need you.”
If you are looking for a quick enemies-to-lovers historical romance, you could do worse. I will definitely seek out Kathy Maxwell’s other works; moreover, I'll finish this series in particular. Maxwell has created two spectacular characters that while they accept their own personal flaws, find ways to overcome and grow, not only individually but as a couple.
A Little Bit of Plot
The Earl of Marsden has a problem. A wriggling, wet, wailing, and wonderful problem. His former mistress leaves him with an unexpected care package - his previously unknown baby daughter, Dora. Left with very few options, Mars turns to the last person he’d ever willingly seek out, spinster Clarissa Taylor. Unemployed with no prospects, Clarissa has no choice but to accept the position of nanny to Mar’s child, and as luck would have it, within hours, finds herself in a marriage of convenience. Mars enters the marriage without reluctance, as he is facing a situation which may leave Clarissa a widow but ensures his daughter has a loving mother.
The Top Bun (The Pro)
The Animosity
In some enemies-to-lovers books, the rift between the hero and heroine is often based on something frivolous, and they quickly make amends. In this novel, however, while they do make amends, both recognize and honestly discuss their animosity, eventually making an accord through their mutual love of Dora.
I will also admit that their differences are based on personal preference - she considers him a rake, he sees her as a prudish know-it-all.
Are both correct?
Yes.
When each admits that they other's view of them may be correct, they move closer to common ground.
“You find me arrogant.”
“Aye, you are arrogant. However, what I don’t like is that you believe your arrogance is excusable. After all, you are the wealthy, entitled Earl of Marsden. Why shouldn’t you do as you wish, even if it inconveniences others? It is just your due. I find it disgraceful that a man who has been given so much does so little.”...
“What annoys me about you, Miss Taylor, is your strong desire to be a matron-in-training…You are judgmental and you always have been. Even when you were shorter than a stump…i don’t even like your given name. Clarissa. You were preordained to prissiness.”
They both realize that in order to properly care for Dora, however, they need to make amends.
Additionally, I was quite impressed with Mar’s acceptance of his daughter and the lengths he goes to acknowledge her legitimacy as his heir. In comparison, Clarissa makes the decision to become caregiver to this tiny baby without a second thought, she falls in love with Mars, however, against her better judgment.
The Meat (The Con)
NO GRAND GESTURE (GG)
As I am going to recommend this book, I refuse to spoil the main conflict that arises. Let’s just say that Mars ignores Clarissa’s pleas to abandon his plans for revenge.
When I say pleads, we are talking on her knees weeping for him to change his mind and he doesn’t. Additionally, let me add that this plan involves someone who is knowingly close to Clarissa and will knowingly emotionally wound her.
Dick move, sir…dick…move.
Needless to say, I needed a GG, like Last of the Mohicans “I WILL FIND YOU” self-sacrificing level awesomeness to correct this.
The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
This is not the GG you’re looking for…but I’ll take it.
Again, I’m not going to spoil anything but I will say that Mars does come back with hat in hand begging for forgiveness. While he makes an adult and grownup gesture of penance, I wish the circumstances had been such that a GG was not needed. In the end, he must know his wife better than the reader, as she grants him forgiveness with little hesitation.
“There are some things I don’t ever want you to change, my lord. I like your stubbornness. It matches mine.”
“Oh no, you are far more stubborn”.
Clarissa swallowed a laugh. “Are you arguing with me?”
“I hope so. I want to argue with you every day for the rest of my life. Do you understand? Circumstances may have thrown us together, but I love you, Rissa. Even when you push me in directions I don’t want to go. I need the push. I need you.”
If you are looking for a quick enemies-to-lovers historical romance, you could do worse. I will definitely seek out Kathy Maxwell’s other works; moreover, I'll finish this series in particular. Maxwell has created two spectacular characters that while they accept their own personal flaws, find ways to overcome and grow, not only individually but as a couple.
March 12, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I really am glad to all those reviewers who mentioned that the first book in the series was probably the weakest book in the series and to hang in there for the other books. If they hadn't, I might never have gotten to this one. I actually heard about this one on a podcast and was intrigued, but when I realized that it was book 3 of a series, my inner completionist would not let me just read this one and started at the beginning. While the journey wasn't the smoothest, I'm ultimately glad I did because the history between these 3 friends and their future brides provided a perfect backdrop - I would not have appreciated our hero nearly as much without knowing his behavior first hand from the other books rather than having it alluded to in this one.
We start with our hero waking up hung over and discovering that his former mistress has left him with a bundle... of joy? He had no clue that she had been pregnant and had his daughter and now she leaves her with him and not even a look back. As Mars is a rake and not well acquainted with long periods of sobriety, he has no clue what to do with this baby girl, after determining that she is his, so he turns to the matrons of Maidenshop for help. Our heroine, Clarissa, has just returned from a failed placement as a ladies companion in London and is back in Maidenshop hoping to find help, advice, and hopefully the ability to make a life there again. As she's having breakfast with the matrons, Mars enters with a baby asking for help... and Clarissa seems to have a way with baby Dora. But they despise each other - or do they? When Mars lies to his estranged mother and says that Clarissa is his wife and not Dora's nurse, they decide (after a lot of apologizing for putting her in that situation) to actually marry... with conditions. Will this situation provide the perfect excuse to bring these two together to show them that it's a really thin line between love and hate?
Like I said earlier, I am so glad that I powered through the first two books in the series. I had SO many issues with the first one and thought the second one was better, but still had issues. This one was great, though - and we even get to see a bit of the previous two couples when Mars and Clarissa go to London. It was the perfect ending to this series, though I wouldn't mind revisiting Maidenshop at some point. Honestly, this book is the one that has me thinking that I should check out other books Cathy Maxwell has written. That said, while each book in this series is technically a standalone, this series serves best when read in order. I'll probably see if one of the libraries in the area have the books in stock via Libby or in person.
I really am glad to all those reviewers who mentioned that the first book in the series was probably the weakest book in the series and to hang in there for the other books. If they hadn't, I might never have gotten to this one. I actually heard about this one on a podcast and was intrigued, but when I realized that it was book 3 of a series, my inner completionist would not let me just read this one and started at the beginning. While the journey wasn't the smoothest, I'm ultimately glad I did because the history between these 3 friends and their future brides provided a perfect backdrop - I would not have appreciated our hero nearly as much without knowing his behavior first hand from the other books rather than having it alluded to in this one.
We start with our hero waking up hung over and discovering that his former mistress has left him with a bundle... of joy? He had no clue that she had been pregnant and had his daughter and now she leaves her with him and not even a look back. As Mars is a rake and not well acquainted with long periods of sobriety, he has no clue what to do with this baby girl, after determining that she is his, so he turns to the matrons of Maidenshop for help. Our heroine, Clarissa, has just returned from a failed placement as a ladies companion in London and is back in Maidenshop hoping to find help, advice, and hopefully the ability to make a life there again. As she's having breakfast with the matrons, Mars enters with a baby asking for help... and Clarissa seems to have a way with baby Dora. But they despise each other - or do they? When Mars lies to his estranged mother and says that Clarissa is his wife and not Dora's nurse, they decide (after a lot of apologizing for putting her in that situation) to actually marry... with conditions. Will this situation provide the perfect excuse to bring these two together to show them that it's a really thin line between love and hate?
Like I said earlier, I am so glad that I powered through the first two books in the series. I had SO many issues with the first one and thought the second one was better, but still had issues. This one was great, though - and we even get to see a bit of the previous two couples when Mars and Clarissa go to London. It was the perfect ending to this series, though I wouldn't mind revisiting Maidenshop at some point. Honestly, this book is the one that has me thinking that I should check out other books Cathy Maxwell has written. That said, while each book in this series is technically a standalone, this series serves best when read in order. I'll probably see if one of the libraries in the area have the books in stock via Libby or in person.
September 9, 2021
This is the third book of a series and is a classic enemies to lovers book. Mars and Clarissa have been at odds since they were children. Clarissa was a foundling and raised by the village vicar. When Mars' former mistress drops his infant child literally at his door, he had no idea what to do. Mars was not a character I initially liked. He was an alcoholic, opium abuser with mommy issues and our first scene is with his former mistress dropped his illegitimate child off to him to raise. Those issues were not really resolved, they just disappeared when he became a father. I would have liked to see him overcome those struggles a bit more. Clarissa came off as a little stuck up and unbending, but had great character growth throughout the book. She remained dedicated to her convictions, but was able to say when she had made a mistake and wanted to change.
I had a hard time with this book. There is one love scene and it is 65% through the book, and not as detailed as I would have hoped for after waiting that long! I did feel the characters grow to have feelings for each other, but I figured out the mystery part of the plot too early so it fell flat for me when the big reveal came.
I did not read the two other books in the series, and this book did fine as a standalone.
I had a hard time with this book. There is one love scene and it is 65% through the book, and not as detailed as I would have hoped for after waiting that long! I did feel the characters grow to have feelings for each other, but I figured out the mystery part of the plot too early so it fell flat for me when the big reveal came.
I did not read the two other books in the series, and this book did fine as a standalone.
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