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Refusing the Duke's Betrothal
Anticipating the duke's announcement of their betrothal, Eliza steels herself for defeat, only to discover that her father is giving her a choice. Spend a month getting to know the duke, and if, at the end of that time, she doesn't care for him, she can move on. Eliza takes this to heart, deciding that she will prove to the duke himself that they aren't compatible, especially not after the decisions the duke's father made in the last year of his life.Edward thought he had her, until her father added a stipulation to his proposal. Eliza had to approve. While unconventional, Edward decided he could handle it. Eliza was exactly what he was looking for in a wife and a partner, now he had to prove to her that he was right before the Duke of Kensington got his hands on her.
- GenresHistoricalRomance
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 15, 2021
10 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 3, 2023
It’s been a while since I’ve indulged in a good Regency romance, and this one did not disappoint. Great characters, intrigue, and a plot to reveal the old, scoundrel duke’s past misdeeds. Add a little spice and banter, and you’ve got a delightful little read.
November 17, 2021
Refusing the Dukes Betrothal was such an enjoyable book. I like the underlying scandal and the heroine wanting to defy being subjective to the normal views of women for this time period.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 14, 2022
Entertaining Read!
I’m not one for a historical romance but this book drew me in. Eliza is the perfect character. She’s strong and never changes for others. Edward was a nice surprise. He wasn’t at all like the other men in the story and he genuinely cared for Eliza. Without giving too much away, the storyline was gripping. I definitely didn’t see the twist coming!
I’m not one for a historical romance but this book drew me in. Eliza is the perfect character. She’s strong and never changes for others. Edward was a nice surprise. He wasn’t at all like the other men in the story and he genuinely cared for Eliza. Without giving too much away, the storyline was gripping. I definitely didn’t see the twist coming!
January 31, 2022
A fun regency romance. Eliza is a strong woman in an era that doesn't like women to be anything other than pretty and compliant. The author does an excellent job of portraying Eliza as a real character with both good points and bad rather than just a stereotype. With a steamy romance and real-life issues, it'll appeal to fans of more mature regency works. The side characters are nuanced and realistic and I look forward to the later books in the series, which I'm guessing will focus on them. Definitely worth a read.
November 15, 2021
After refusing a Duke’s proposal, a Lady assists him in clearing his father’s name
This is my first my first book by Renee Marski and it was a wonderful entertaining read. The story was enchanting with in-depth main characters that the reader can’t help but like. The plot is not one that is regularly seen in a regency romance genre. It has suspense, misunderstanding, romance, treachery, and true love, as well as keeping the reader guessing until the ending.
Eliza is not sure about Edward’s anticipated betrothal because of his father’s actions the last year of his life. Her father insists that she should take a month to know Edward and give him a chance o show he is not like his father. He also says that she has the final say in her engagement. Because Edward knows that Eliza is exactly what he is looking for in a wife, he knows that he can convince her that she is his only match. Eliza’s fakes engagement to the Duke’s son helps to enable the truth about Edward’s father to be revealed and the tale ends with an HEA.
Having received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, I voluntarily leave this review.
This is my first my first book by Renee Marski and it was a wonderful entertaining read. The story was enchanting with in-depth main characters that the reader can’t help but like. The plot is not one that is regularly seen in a regency romance genre. It has suspense, misunderstanding, romance, treachery, and true love, as well as keeping the reader guessing until the ending.
Eliza is not sure about Edward’s anticipated betrothal because of his father’s actions the last year of his life. Her father insists that she should take a month to know Edward and give him a chance o show he is not like his father. He also says that she has the final say in her engagement. Because Edward knows that Eliza is exactly what he is looking for in a wife, he knows that he can convince her that she is his only match. Eliza’s fakes engagement to the Duke’s son helps to enable the truth about Edward’s father to be revealed and the tale ends with an HEA.
Having received a free copy of this book via Booksprout, I voluntarily leave this review.
November 16, 2021
Eliza and Edward's Story . . .
This was a surprise from what I had expected. Eliza was unsure about wanting to be betrothed to Edward, Duke of Hartwell, because of his father’s actions in the last year of his life when he started acting out, ranting and raving against the poor and publicly beat a little boy. But instead of promising her to a man without any input from her, her father gave her a choice in the matter! He advised her to get to know the Duke of Hartwell over a month’s time and see if he is acceptable to her! If she can provide a valid reason for refusing him, she would not have to marry him.
Edward still believes that he can convince her that they were a good choice for marriage. She was just what he wanted in a wife. But the pressure is on since there is someone else who may try to persuade her against him. He had discovered the Duke of Kensington had been increasing his father’s paranoia and insecurities during his last year of illness, and had been encouraging his unacceptable behavior. Would he twist Eliza’s opinion of Edward in the same way?
This was a surprise from what I had expected. Eliza was unsure about wanting to be betrothed to Edward, Duke of Hartwell, because of his father’s actions in the last year of his life when he started acting out, ranting and raving against the poor and publicly beat a little boy. But instead of promising her to a man without any input from her, her father gave her a choice in the matter! He advised her to get to know the Duke of Hartwell over a month’s time and see if he is acceptable to her! If she can provide a valid reason for refusing him, she would not have to marry him.
Edward still believes that he can convince her that they were a good choice for marriage. She was just what he wanted in a wife. But the pressure is on since there is someone else who may try to persuade her against him. He had discovered the Duke of Kensington had been increasing his father’s paranoia and insecurities during his last year of illness, and had been encouraging his unacceptable behavior. Would he twist Eliza’s opinion of Edward in the same way?
November 15, 2021
Disappointed by the ending.
As I began reading Refusing the Duke's Betrothal by Renee Marski, I was certain that it would be a five-stars read.
I liked both the lead and supporting characters. The writing was well paced and easy to follow. I did notice some use of modern phrases, but nothing that was too disturbing or distracting. I was a bit put off by how unrealistic the story was, but it had its sweet and cute moments so I just kept reading with the hope of a sweet and satisfying ending.
Imagine my surprise when the ending came abruptly after the anticipated climatic moment. No follow up and no epilogue, just The End. Ugh. Whatever charity I felt toward this book was ruined.
Content 411: This book is free of swearing. It contains some kissing and one sexual encounter that is mildly described.
Disclosure: I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
As I began reading Refusing the Duke's Betrothal by Renee Marski, I was certain that it would be a five-stars read.
I liked both the lead and supporting characters. The writing was well paced and easy to follow. I did notice some use of modern phrases, but nothing that was too disturbing or distracting. I was a bit put off by how unrealistic the story was, but it had its sweet and cute moments so I just kept reading with the hope of a sweet and satisfying ending.
Imagine my surprise when the ending came abruptly after the anticipated climatic moment. No follow up and no epilogue, just The End. Ugh. Whatever charity I felt toward this book was ruined.
Content 411: This book is free of swearing. It contains some kissing and one sexual encounter that is mildly described.
Disclosure: I received a complementary copy of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily submitting my honest review.
November 22, 2021
This is a fun and engaging book by Renee Marski. Eliza and Edward are likeable characters, and the story is easy to read.
The book follows Eliza as she decides if she will accept the Duke's marriage proposal. It has drama, romance, intrigue, action- everything needed for a great book! My biggest complaint is that some of the parts pulled me out of the Regency feel, which broke up the pace of the book for me.
Overall, this is a fun, sweet romance story, but not a true Regency Romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book follows Eliza as she decides if she will accept the Duke's marriage proposal. It has drama, romance, intrigue, action- everything needed for a great book! My biggest complaint is that some of the parts pulled me out of the Regency feel, which broke up the pace of the book for me.
Overall, this is a fun, sweet romance story, but not a true Regency Romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 16, 2021
The first book in the Chasing Love Series a well written story that held my interest until the end. Eliza and Edward's story had suspense, drama, danger, twists, turns, a really nasty man, and romance. This is a new Author to me. I want to read the next book. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 11, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
DNF.
I’m sorry but I couldn’t finish it. It had me feeling angry and frustrated mainly because it’s supposed to be a historical book but none of it aligns with the historical setting. It's not a true Regency romance, as someone else has rightly said.
- It reads more like a modern/contemporary book with characters acting like people from this century but dressing up and talking in a historical setting; things that weren’t common in that time seem to be rampant in the book
- Edward was contradictory (he didn’t want to battle for a woman’s affections in relation to Bethany BUT was willing to battle for Eliza. This felt like an attempt to push the ML with the FL - merely using that statement/serving as a purpose to tell us why he didn’t want Bethany.)
- I don’t like Eliza —> she’s written to be right in every way and I feel like she’s not really learning anything. There's no growth as a person. She is a symbol of difference in women and I liked that BUT again, it all seems so forced. There is nothing ‘different’ about not liking shopping. If she liked fashion AND liked politics, that would be a little more believable but it’s almost like she’s written to hate everything and anything a lady is ‘supposed’ to like to show that she’s different.
- There was no chemistry between the main leads and everything happened too quickly. I would have liked to see a push and pull on both ends and some banter or something instead of Edward trying to woo her from the very start.
-
- All the ‘bad’ people are made to be obviously bad.
Anyway, as much as the writing is great and the descriptions are detailed (kudos to the author for that because set-up can be really hard and some don’t even do it!), this book just wasn’t for me.
DNF.
I’m sorry but I couldn’t finish it. It had me feeling angry and frustrated mainly because it’s supposed to be a historical book but none of it aligns with the historical setting. It's not a true Regency romance, as someone else has rightly said.
- It reads more like a modern/contemporary book with characters acting like people from this century but dressing up and talking in a historical setting; things that weren’t common in that time seem to be rampant in the book
- Edward was contradictory (he didn’t want to battle for a woman’s affections in relation to Bethany BUT was willing to battle for Eliza. This felt like an attempt to push the ML with the FL - merely using that statement/serving as a purpose to tell us why he didn’t want Bethany.)
- I don’t like Eliza —> she’s written to be right in every way and I feel like she’s not really learning anything. There's no growth as a person. She is a symbol of difference in women and I liked that BUT again, it all seems so forced. There is nothing ‘different’ about not liking shopping. If she liked fashion AND liked politics, that would be a little more believable but it’s almost like she’s written to hate everything and anything a lady is ‘supposed’ to like to show that she’s different.
- There was no chemistry between the main leads and everything happened too quickly. I would have liked to see a push and pull on both ends and some banter or something instead of Edward trying to woo her from the very start.
-
- All the ‘bad’ people are made to be obviously bad.
Anyway, as much as the writing is great and the descriptions are detailed (kudos to the author for that because set-up can be really hard and some don’t even do it!), this book just wasn’t for me.
April 17, 2022
I think this was a great start to a new series by a new-to-me author. I am always excited when I stumble upon a new author in this genre. The story was interesting and drew me in from the beginning and I enjoyed it all the way through. Eliza is a strong woman with a mind of her own and doesn't agree with society's stereotype of women. She is unsure about being betrothed to Edward, the Duke of Hartwell because of his father's behavior the last year of his life. Her father gives her the opportunity to get to know Edward before they are betrothed and if she still feels uneasy about it she doesn't have to go through with it. It's up to Edward to convince her they would be a good match. There are forces trying to keep them apart and possibly the same forces were the reason his father acted so strangely his last year of life. This story had intrigue, suspense, danger, and drama, all intertwined in an enjoyable romance.
A great start to the series, looking forward to the next book!
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
A great start to the series, looking forward to the next book!
I received a complimentary copy from StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving my review.
September 4, 2024
I just finished this one, and all I can say is WOW!!
I don't read historical romance much, but so glad I picked this one. Eliza stole my heart completely. What a badass woman! Fighting for her opinions and standing her ground in every situation. She is freaking amazing :)
There was enough drama to keep me turning pages. I finished this one in a day as it was so easy to read. The romance was heartwarming, with the essence of enemies to lovers that turned into a story that made me smile constantly.
Anne, Victoria, Duke's son, Bethany and everyone else was an excellent side character that fit the story well and it was amazing to learn about them all. Truly in love with this one! It also talked about some serious political issues back in the days and also how woman were treated.
If you like Regal romance, I highly recommend this one. Beautiful romance and enough drama to keep you enagaged from the very beginning!
I don't read historical romance much, but so glad I picked this one. Eliza stole my heart completely. What a badass woman! Fighting for her opinions and standing her ground in every situation. She is freaking amazing :)
There was enough drama to keep me turning pages. I finished this one in a day as it was so easy to read. The romance was heartwarming, with the essence of enemies to lovers that turned into a story that made me smile constantly.
Anne, Victoria, Duke's son, Bethany and everyone else was an excellent side character that fit the story well and it was amazing to learn about them all. Truly in love with this one! It also talked about some serious political issues back in the days and also how woman were treated.
If you like Regal romance, I highly recommend this one. Beautiful romance and enough drama to keep you enagaged from the very beginning!
July 17, 2024
REFUSING THE DUKE’s BETROTHAL was a fun regency romance read! We open the novel learning that Eliza is being pushed by her parents to accept the hand of Edward, the Duke of Hartwell, who is the most eligible bachelor in the ton. But Eliza doesn’t want to be controlled by any man, and is reluctant to accept.
One thing I really liked was how the book examined the way marriages at the time were more of arrangements and power plays between families and the people entering into the marriages often became little more than pawns. As this is a romance, we can all guess that eventually Eliza and her duke find their way to each other. But there’s also a delightful little side plot with Edward’s father where Eliza will have to work to help the duke clear his father’s name. Enjoyed this one, with detestable villains, swoon worthy spicy scenes, and a heroine I especially loved. 5/5 stars.
One thing I really liked was how the book examined the way marriages at the time were more of arrangements and power plays between families and the people entering into the marriages often became little more than pawns. As this is a romance, we can all guess that eventually Eliza and her duke find their way to each other. But there’s also a delightful little side plot with Edward’s father where Eliza will have to work to help the duke clear his father’s name. Enjoyed this one, with detestable villains, swoon worthy spicy scenes, and a heroine I especially loved. 5/5 stars.
July 28, 2023
Refusing the Duke’s Betrothal is a fun, quick read! At the very beginning, we learn that a duke named Edward wants to marry Eliza. She does not want to accept—she instead wants freedom, which women of her station usually do not achieve. Eliza’s father says she must give Edward a chance, and that she has a month to find a valid reason to reject the Duke’s proposal. No spoilers, but Edward and Eliza form a surprising alliance to do good deeds, making for fun twists. Fans of Regency romance novels will likely enjoy this short, satisfying read.
October 31, 2022
A cute, fun historical romance. In classic Pride & Prejudice fashion, our heroine is not interested in marrying a man just because he has a fortune and a title. But Eliza is also a bit of an amateur sleuth, and I loved that twist on her character. She helps the duke clear his father's name, and falls in love with him in the process. The plot had fun twists and turns leading up to the happily ever after for not just Edward and Eliza, but several secondary characters too.
October 7, 2025
.
Refusing the Duke's Betrothal is a regency romance with a twist. Not only do three young couples need to navigate the turbulent waters of courtship, but they must conspire to unseat a powerful man before they can be allowed their heart’s desire. I liked that some of Marski’s characters pushed the rules and limitations of the era, offering a counterpoint to the standards the remaining cast stubbornly clung to.
Refusing the Duke's Betrothal is a regency romance with a twist. Not only do three young couples need to navigate the turbulent waters of courtship, but they must conspire to unseat a powerful man before they can be allowed their heart’s desire. I liked that some of Marski’s characters pushed the rules and limitations of the era, offering a counterpoint to the standards the remaining cast stubbornly clung to.
February 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book.
Wow does Eliza know how to get into the middle of the drama.
I will absolutely be reading the rest of the series.
There are so many characters I want to know more about.
Wow does Eliza know how to get into the middle of the drama.
I will absolutely be reading the rest of the series.
There are so many characters I want to know more about.
February 11, 2023
A strong heroine who isn't coy to fight for what she wants and a man who cannot do anything else but oblige seem to be the right recipe for a good love story. I loved it!
June 28, 2023
An i story with
An engaging story with likable characters. The only issue was the dialogue which sounded very modern. It was a little jarring.
An engaging story with likable characters. The only issue was the dialogue which sounded very modern. It was a little jarring.
November 19, 2021
Refusing the Duke's Betrothal is a charming historical romance with a spirited protagonist, Eliza, whose father has insisted that she marry. Eliza is not at all certain that she is ready for marriage, but she cannot disobey her father, who thinks the duke of Hartwell is her perfect match. But Eliza has been left with a sliver of hope, she is given a month to be courted by the duke and may decline to marry him if she can present a valid excuse. This is a light and enjoyable romp that ought to please anyone looking for a low-angst romantic read!
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