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Dukes & Desires #7
The Scandalous Marriage
The charms of a rumored rake prove irresistible in this captivating Regency from the New York Times –bestselling author of the Agatha Raisin mysteries.
As far as matrimonial prospects were concerned, Lucy Bliss was told she’d make an excellent clergyman’s wife. Her mother, however, had loftier aspirations for her lovely younger sister Belinda. Belinda would marry a duke. More specifically, the Duke of Wardshire.
Lucy was truly horrified. “Lucifer” Wardshire! Why, he was rumored to be as wicked as the devil, with orgies and mistresses—and worse! As the London Season unfolded, Lucy couldn’t decide who was more abominable, her vulgar mama or the arrogant yet disconcertingly handsome duke. No matter, Lucy vowed to go to any lengths to protect her sister, even if her mission should take her into the very arms of the devilish duke himself . . .
Praise for M.C. Beaton
“A romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” — Booklist
“Veteran author Marion Chesney (aka M.C. Beaton) delivers top-notch Regency fare.” — RT Book Reviews
As far as matrimonial prospects were concerned, Lucy Bliss was told she’d make an excellent clergyman’s wife. Her mother, however, had loftier aspirations for her lovely younger sister Belinda. Belinda would marry a duke. More specifically, the Duke of Wardshire.
Lucy was truly horrified. “Lucifer” Wardshire! Why, he was rumored to be as wicked as the devil, with orgies and mistresses—and worse! As the London Season unfolded, Lucy couldn’t decide who was more abominable, her vulgar mama or the arrogant yet disconcertingly handsome duke. No matter, Lucy vowed to go to any lengths to protect her sister, even if her mission should take her into the very arms of the devilish duke himself . . .
Praise for M.C. Beaton
“A romance writer who deftly blends humor and adventure . . . [sustaining] her devoted audience to the last gasp.” — Booklist
“Veteran author Marion Chesney (aka M.C. Beaton) delivers top-notch Regency fare.” — RT Book Reviews
155 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1991
57 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
144 books758 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
February 8, 2019
One of my favorite Chesney Regencies! Lucy, seemingly meek and certainly not as pretty as her younger sister, brings out the sass to try and warn the rakish Duke of Wardshire away from Belinda when their vulgar mother tries to make a match. The duke falls for the elfin and high spirited Lucy, of course!
PS- I think this is the first one I bought after I got married, much to the bemusement of my husband, who had previously only seen me read "the classics" or 1,000 page fantasy tomes. Now when I read books like this, he still asks, "Is it scandalous? IS IT A REAL SCANDAL?!" And of course I have to describe the whole plot to him!
PS- I think this is the first one I bought after I got married, much to the bemusement of my husband, who had previously only seen me read "the classics" or 1,000 page fantasy tomes. Now when I read books like this, he still asks, "Is it scandalous? IS IT A REAL SCANDAL?!" And of course I have to describe the whole plot to him!
January 4, 2024
I have read a book by Marion Chesney recently and it was a real pleasure. This was my first time reading her books, but it definitely won't be my last! Although the book had conventional tropes and was quite old, I was surprised by how the story turned out. However, some of the antiques were a bit over the top, for example, the heroine didn't want to marry the duke because he hadn't professed his love for her and ran away to become a maid. Overall, it was a quick read. Her writing style reminded me of Mira Stables and Joan Wolf, but her prose is more elaborate than theirs. If you enjoy books by these authors, then I think you'll enjoy Ms. Chesney's books as well. Now, I am off to dive into more of her novels.
August 11, 2024
A delightful, Regency, romantic comedy, blessedly free of Chesney's sudsy, murder-mystery melodrama
Nineteen-year-old Lucy Bliss is quite lovely in her own right, but since her 17-year-old sister Belinda's beauty is so extreme that everyone who beholds her considers her a "diamond of the first water," as far as their worldly mother is concerned, Lucy's charms are as nothing in comparison her precious Belinda. She has refused to waste time and money providing Lucy with a season, declaring her oldest daughter only worthy of marriage to a lowly vicar, in spite of the fact that Mr. Bliss hails from the lower aristocracy and Mrs Bliss from the gentry, their family is quite wealthy, and both of her daughters have been provided with a hefty dowry. In contrast to her cavalier treatment of Lucy, within a few short weeks, all the stops are to be pulled out for Belinda's London comeout, since Mrs Bliss is convinced that nothing less than a Duke will do for Belinda.
When Mrs Bliss learns that the notorious, but extremely rich and handsome, 34-year-old Duke of Wardshire has finally decided to settle down, she is determined that the fiancée he chooses will be Belinda. But Lucy is equally determined that her mother will not marry off her beloved little sister to a lecherous rake, even if ultimately the only thing she can do to thwart her mother's ambition is to enter into an insincere engagement with the man herself.
Out of perhaps 40 of MC's novels that that I have read so far which are marketed as historical romances, this is one of only two or three in which the main plot is actually a romance. Her comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a comedy of errors executed by an ensemble cast of comically bizarre characters, and a romance plot that runs a distant second. Her non-comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a dark melodrama rife with murder or attempted murder, attempted rape, and a vindictively jealous Other Woman who is often the perpetrator of the murder or attempted murder within the plot.
In this comedic novel, there certainly is a jealous OW, but she is not a murderous villain or even a main antagonist. Lucy's primary antagonists are her mother and the Duke.
Mrs Bliss is a typical, MC, obnoxious, female antagonist, which is a common theme throughout her novels. Though given the fact that this is a comedy, Mrs Bliss is not remotely as creepily grotesque as MC's female villains.
Happily for romance fans, most of this romp of a novel is focused on the comic manipulation and counter manipulation between Lucy and the Duke, who is not actually evil. His character is a clever twist on the popular romance trope of the Dark and Dangerous, Alpha hero. In the years since he unexpectedly inherited his dukedom, he has encouraged his best friend to put about rumors of his supposed depravity in order to keep intrusive hordes of ambitious, matchmaking mamas at bay.
Belinda is quite unique in the MC panoply of female subcharacters. Like the Duke, she provides an entertaining comic twist on a classic, Regency-romance subcharacter, the beautiful widgeon. At first glance, Belinda seems to have nothing between her pretty ears but vacant space. However, she turns out to be eminently practical in both rationally self-interested and compassionately caring ways. Her direct honesty stands in stark comic relief to the corkscrew machinations of Lucy and the Duke. As such, she is a brilliantly executed character in the Confidante role. I also adored the secondary romance featuring Belinda. It is one of the most amusing and heartwarming parts of the book.
All in all, for someone new to MC, this is an excellent book to try first.
I rate this novel as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Primary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Secondary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars
Nineteen-year-old Lucy Bliss is quite lovely in her own right, but since her 17-year-old sister Belinda's beauty is so extreme that everyone who beholds her considers her a "diamond of the first water," as far as their worldly mother is concerned, Lucy's charms are as nothing in comparison her precious Belinda. She has refused to waste time and money providing Lucy with a season, declaring her oldest daughter only worthy of marriage to a lowly vicar, in spite of the fact that Mr. Bliss hails from the lower aristocracy and Mrs Bliss from the gentry, their family is quite wealthy, and both of her daughters have been provided with a hefty dowry. In contrast to her cavalier treatment of Lucy, within a few short weeks, all the stops are to be pulled out for Belinda's London comeout, since Mrs Bliss is convinced that nothing less than a Duke will do for Belinda.
When Mrs Bliss learns that the notorious, but extremely rich and handsome, 34-year-old Duke of Wardshire has finally decided to settle down, she is determined that the fiancée he chooses will be Belinda. But Lucy is equally determined that her mother will not marry off her beloved little sister to a lecherous rake, even if ultimately the only thing she can do to thwart her mother's ambition is to enter into an insincere engagement with the man herself.
Out of perhaps 40 of MC's novels that that I have read so far which are marketed as historical romances, this is one of only two or three in which the main plot is actually a romance. Her comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a comedy of errors executed by an ensemble cast of comically bizarre characters, and a romance plot that runs a distant second. Her non-comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a dark melodrama rife with murder or attempted murder, attempted rape, and a vindictively jealous Other Woman who is often the perpetrator of the murder or attempted murder within the plot.
In this comedic novel, there certainly is a jealous OW, but she is not a murderous villain or even a main antagonist. Lucy's primary antagonists are her mother and the Duke.
Mrs Bliss is a typical, MC, obnoxious, female antagonist, which is a common theme throughout her novels. Though given the fact that this is a comedy, Mrs Bliss is not remotely as creepily grotesque as MC's female villains.
Happily for romance fans, most of this romp of a novel is focused on the comic manipulation and counter manipulation between Lucy and the Duke, who is not actually evil. His character is a clever twist on the popular romance trope of the Dark and Dangerous, Alpha hero. In the years since he unexpectedly inherited his dukedom, he has encouraged his best friend to put about rumors of his supposed depravity in order to keep intrusive hordes of ambitious, matchmaking mamas at bay.
Belinda is quite unique in the MC panoply of female subcharacters. Like the Duke, she provides an entertaining comic twist on a classic, Regency-romance subcharacter, the beautiful widgeon. At first glance, Belinda seems to have nothing between her pretty ears but vacant space. However, she turns out to be eminently practical in both rationally self-interested and compassionately caring ways. Her direct honesty stands in stark comic relief to the corkscrew machinations of Lucy and the Duke. As such, she is a brilliantly executed character in the Confidante role. I also adored the secondary romance featuring Belinda. It is one of the most amusing and heartwarming parts of the book.
All in all, for someone new to MC, this is an excellent book to try first.
I rate this novel as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Primary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Secondary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars
October 20, 2011
I remembered liking Marion Chesney's regency romances years ago. That was before I began to really study the craft of writing. Now that I know more about craft, I found this a little disappointing. The heroine does some very silly things, which I could forgive since she'd only 19. But the hero acts out of spite all the time, constantly making things worse by "punishing" someone. It was a guick read, but ultimately unsatisfying.
December 12, 2023
A delightful, Regency, romantic comedy, blessedly free of Chesney's sudsy, murder-mystery melodrama
Nineteen-year-old Lucy Bliss is quite lovely in her own right, but since her 17-year-old sister Belinda's beauty is so extreme that everyone who beholds her considers her a "diamond of the first water," as far as their worldly mother is concerned, Lucy's charms are as nothing in comparison her precious Belinda. She has refused to waste time and money providing Lucy with a season, declaring her oldest daughter only worthy of marriage to a lowly vicar, in spite of the fact that Mr. Bliss hails from the lower aristocracy and Mrs Bliss from the gentry, their family is quite wealthy, and both of her daughters have been provided with a hefty dowry. In contrast to her cavalier treatment of Lucy, within a few short weeks, all the stops are to be pulled out for Belinda's London comeout, since Mrs Bliss is convinced that nothing less than a Duke will do for Belinda.
When Mrs Bliss learns that the notorious, but extremely rich and handsome, 34-year-old Duke of Wardshire has finally decided to settle down, she is determined that the fiancée he chooses will be Belinda. But Lucy is equally determined that her mother will not marry off her beloved little sister to a lecherous rake, even if ultimately the only thing she can do to thwart her mother's ambition is to enter into an insincere engagement with the man herself.
Out of perhaps 40 of MC's novels that that I have read so far which are marketed as historical romances, this is one of only two or three in which the main plot is actually a romance. Her comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a comedy of errors executed by an ensemble cast of comically bizarre characters, and a romance plot that runs a distant second. Her non-comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a dark melodrama rife with murder or attempted murder, attempted rape, and a vindictively jealous Other Woman who is often the perpetrator of the murder or attempted murder within the plot.
In this comedic novel, there certainly is a jealous OW, but she is not a murderous villain or even a main antagonist. Lucy's primary antagonists are her mother and the Duke.
Mrs Bliss is a typical, MC, obnoxious, female antagonist, which is a common theme throughout her novels. Though given the fact that this is a comedy, Mrs Bliss is not remotely as creepily grotesque as MC's female villains.
Happily for romance fans, most of this romp of a novel is focused on the comic manipulation and counter manipulation between Lucy and the Duke, who is not actually evil. His character is a clever twist on the popular romance trope of the Dark and Dangerous, Alpha hero. In the years since he unexpectedly inherited his dukedom, he has encouraged his best friend to put about rumors of his supposed depravity in order to keep intrusive hordes of ambitious, matchmaking mamas at bay.
Belinda is quite unique in the MC panoply of female subcharacters. Like the Duke, she provides an entertaining comic twist on a classic, Regency-romance subcharacter, the beautiful widgeon. At first glance, Belinda seems to have nothing between her pretty ears but vacant space. However, she turns out to be eminently practical in both rationally self-interested and compassionately caring ways. Her direct honesty stands in stark comic relief to the corkscrew machinations of Lucy and the Duke. As such, she is a brilliantly executed character in the Confidante role. I also adored the secondary romance featuring Belinda. It is one of the most amusing and heartwarming parts of the book.
All in all, for someone new to MC, this is an excellent book to try first.
I rate this novel as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Primary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Secondary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars
Nineteen-year-old Lucy Bliss is quite lovely in her own right, but since her 17-year-old sister Belinda's beauty is so extreme that everyone who beholds her considers her a "diamond of the first water," as far as their worldly mother is concerned, Lucy's charms are as nothing in comparison her precious Belinda. She has refused to waste time and money providing Lucy with a season, declaring her oldest daughter only worthy of marriage to a lowly vicar, in spite of the fact that Mr. Bliss hails from the lower aristocracy and Mrs Bliss from the gentry, their family is quite wealthy, and both of her daughters have been provided with a hefty dowry. In contrast to her cavalier treatment of Lucy, within a few short weeks, all the stops are to be pulled out for Belinda's London comeout, since Mrs Bliss is convinced that nothing less than a Duke will do for Belinda.
When Mrs Bliss learns that the notorious, but extremely rich and handsome, 34-year-old Duke of Wardshire has finally decided to settle down, she is determined that the fiancée he chooses will be Belinda. But Lucy is equally determined that her mother will not marry off her beloved little sister to a lecherous rake, even if ultimately the only thing she can do to thwart her mother's ambition is to enter into an insincere engagement with the man herself.
Out of perhaps 40 of MC's novels that that I have read so far which are marketed as historical romances, this is one of only two or three in which the main plot is actually a romance. Her comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a comedy of errors executed by an ensemble cast of comically bizarre characters, and a romance plot that runs a distant second. Her non-comic novels tend to have a main plot that is a dark melodrama rife with murder or attempted murder, attempted rape, and a vindictively jealous Other Woman who is often the perpetrator of the murder or attempted murder within the plot.
In this comedic novel, there certainly is a jealous OW, but she is not a murderous villain or even a main antagonist. Lucy's primary antagonists are her mother and the Duke.
Mrs Bliss is a typical, MC, obnoxious, female antagonist, which is a common theme throughout her novels. Though given the fact that this is a comedy, Mrs Bliss is not remotely as creepily grotesque as MC's female villains.
Happily for romance fans, most of this romp of a novel is focused on the comic manipulation and counter manipulation between Lucy and the Duke, who is not actually evil. His character is a clever twist on the popular romance trope of the Dark and Dangerous, Alpha hero. In the years since he unexpectedly inherited his dukedom, he has encouraged his best friend to put about rumors of his supposed depravity in order to keep intrusive hordes of ambitious, matchmaking mamas at bay.
Belinda is quite unique in the MC panoply of female subcharacters. Like the Duke, she provides an entertaining comic twist on a classic, Regency-romance subcharacter, the beautiful widgeon. At first glance, Belinda seems to have nothing between her pretty ears but vacant space. However, she turns out to be eminently practical in both rationally self-interested and compassionately caring ways. Her direct honesty stands in stark comic relief to the corkscrew machinations of Lucy and the Duke. As such, she is a brilliantly executed character in the Confidante role. I also adored the secondary romance featuring Belinda. It is one of the most amusing and heartwarming parts of the book.
All in all, for someone new to MC, this is an excellent book to try first.
I rate this novel as follows:
Heroine: 4 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Primary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Secondary Romance Plot: 4 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars
July 20, 2016
Though I love Marion Chesney's novel, The Scandalous Marriage fell flat for me. Not only did the main characters have little personality (besides a supposed personality they mutually had, although I didn't see it), the book jumped all over the place.
We touched upon important social aspects, such as servants and hard labour, and also marriage in general. But all the important aspects were immediately dismissed as little importance, and we're left with a happy ending --an extremely rushed one at that.
That said, I loved Belinda's personality. She is possibly the most in-depth character in the book, and a simple delight to watch. I am so glad she also had her happy ending.
Overall, it's not a bad book, but other works by the author are astoundingly better.
We touched upon important social aspects, such as servants and hard labour, and also marriage in general. But all the important aspects were immediately dismissed as little importance, and we're left with a happy ending --an extremely rushed one at that.
That said, I loved Belinda's personality. She is possibly the most in-depth character in the book, and a simple delight to watch. I am so glad she also had her happy ending.
Overall, it's not a bad book, but other works by the author are astoundingly better.
October 15, 2024
Decent book. This is the second book of the same author I read and I will probably read more but she doesn't exactly excite me. She's funny but wont have you laughing, she's got good lines but none memorable, she's got excitement but lacks passion, she's got interesting characters but you won't fall in love with them. I like her blurbs, get the book and then it somehow falls flat.
Its not bad. I did enjoy it quite a bit. But something is missing to make it stand out and captivate you.
It was a first kiss for both of them, clumsy, inexpert, but making the pair feel like Tristan and Isolde and Romeo and Juliet rolled into one.
This was cute. Not the main couple but one of my favorite bits.
Finally, WHAT IS THE HERO'S NAME? lol
Its not bad. I did enjoy it quite a bit. But something is missing to make it stand out and captivate you.
It was a first kiss for both of them, clumsy, inexpert, but making the pair feel like Tristan and Isolde and Romeo and Juliet rolled into one.
This was cute. Not the main couple but one of my favorite bits.
Finally, WHAT IS THE HERO'S NAME? lol
April 5, 2019
Lucy Bliss has one goal in mind, to save her little sister, Belinda, from their mother's ambitious goal of marrying her to the Duke of Wardshire, who is said to be devilish and terrible. To save Belinda from the Duke, Lucy inadvertently finds herself paired with him more often than she would like, and soon finds herself in a tangle that she just can't get out of. But anything is worth it if she can save her little sister.
Fun, clever, and clean - I really enjoyed this romance. The characters were fun, and I almost felt like forthright seventeen year old Belinda stole the show with her honesty and telling it like it is.
Fun, clever, and clean - I really enjoyed this romance. The characters were fun, and I almost felt like forthright seventeen year old Belinda stole the show with her honesty and telling it like it is.
January 31, 2016
Reading this book was a very strange experience. I found myself chuckling and quickly turning pages. However, around the 90% mark I realized Beaton had pretty much thrown one contrivance atop another and had no idea how to actually end the novel. More problematically I felt the main couple’s marriage was going to go badly since they had appalling communication skills and almost nothing in common besides mind games and scheming.
September 21, 2025
This one didn’t quite land for me. I struggled to connect with the main couple, which made it hard to care about the plot of any book. Their dynamic felt more like a game of oneupmanship than a romance, and while that might appeal to some, it wasn't for me.
The Duke of Wardshire, whose actual name I don’t recall ever being mentioned, remained a title more than a person, which oddly suited the emotional distance I felt throughout. The only characters who sparked any real interest were the duke's friend, Rufus Graham, and Belinda, who delivered some genuinely funny lines. Her wit was a highlight, even if it couldn’t rescue the rest.
On the other hand, Mrs. Bliss was a whirlwind of chaos. Her antics pushed past eccentric into downright obnoxious, and I found her exhausting to read. That said, I did notice echoes of her personality in her daughters, likely to their horror, which added a layer of unintentional humor.
If you enjoy romances where the leads spend more time scheming than connecting, this might be your cup of tea. For me, the humor wasn’t enough to overcome the lack of likable leads.
The Duke of Wardshire, whose actual name I don’t recall ever being mentioned, remained a title more than a person, which oddly suited the emotional distance I felt throughout. The only characters who sparked any real interest were the duke's friend, Rufus Graham, and Belinda, who delivered some genuinely funny lines. Her wit was a highlight, even if it couldn’t rescue the rest.
On the other hand, Mrs. Bliss was a whirlwind of chaos. Her antics pushed past eccentric into downright obnoxious, and I found her exhausting to read. That said, I did notice echoes of her personality in her daughters, likely to their horror, which added a layer of unintentional humor.
If you enjoy romances where the leads spend more time scheming than connecting, this might be your cup of tea. For me, the humor wasn’t enough to overcome the lack of likable leads.
January 12, 2024
"I will make your life a misery," she vowed.
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "That is more like the Lucy Bliss I know and love."
"Other girls of her class rarely saw their mothers from the cradle to the grave. Why was she cursed with such an overwhelming, talkative, brash, and vulgar mama?"
This was my second M.C. Beaton novel, and like the previous one it was an utter delight!! With a develish duke who has nurtured his bad reputation in order to be left alone, a vulgar mama hell-bent on him marrying her youngest daughter, and an older sister determined to prevent it at any cost. I loved Lucy and the Duke of Wardshire, both so determined to get the upper hand, they just can't help falling for each other's spirit! And Lucy's mother was a woman to rival even Mrs. Bennett for vulgarity. But the banter, chemistry, and hijinks were delightful. Short and sweet with satire-like humor, hilarious hijinks, and two indomitable MCs so determined to put each other off - they can't help but fall! If you're a fan of historical romance then definitely grab this one.
*Side note - this is a horrible cover! It's been republished with a new one - Goodreads needs to update 😂
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. "That is more like the Lucy Bliss I know and love."
"Other girls of her class rarely saw their mothers from the cradle to the grave. Why was she cursed with such an overwhelming, talkative, brash, and vulgar mama?"
This was my second M.C. Beaton novel, and like the previous one it was an utter delight!! With a develish duke who has nurtured his bad reputation in order to be left alone, a vulgar mama hell-bent on him marrying her youngest daughter, and an older sister determined to prevent it at any cost. I loved Lucy and the Duke of Wardshire, both so determined to get the upper hand, they just can't help falling for each other's spirit! And Lucy's mother was a woman to rival even Mrs. Bennett for vulgarity. But the banter, chemistry, and hijinks were delightful. Short and sweet with satire-like humor, hilarious hijinks, and two indomitable MCs so determined to put each other off - they can't help but fall! If you're a fan of historical romance then definitely grab this one.
*Side note - this is a horrible cover! It's been republished with a new one - Goodreads needs to update 😂
April 30, 2021
There was nothing really wrong with this book - it is traditional of its genre - the practical, plain-ish sister who delights the Duke, but there were some rather silly part in there as well. One expects a certain rompish style in these Regency style books, but this one went too far in many ways, the heroine doing some incredibly stupid things.
The redeeming feature - strangely - was the overbearing mother whose loquacious habits were funny, though one could understand why the characters tried to escape so often.
Overall, for those who like the scandalous "Dukes and Spinsters" stories, this would be okay. I do like them, but this one didn't quite hit the spot.
April 22, 2023
This is the last book in the series. Starting from book 1, each heroine got dumber and stupider culminating with Lucy in this silly tale. She runs away twice to become a maid! Ridiculous! The Duke was more than patient with her tiresome antics. The pushy mother Mrs. Bliss was forward and the funniest part of the book.
December 21, 2023
A most demanding mother!
A rogue of the worst, but has decided he needs a wife! So Mrs. Bliss has decided he4 younger is the perfect bride for him, with her shrill and vulgar try’s to make it happen. Lucy the older and by her mother’s on though, plain! But Lucy doesn’t think her younger sister should be subjected to the wicked Duke, and sets ou5 to sabotage his every move.
A rogue of the worst, but has decided he needs a wife! So Mrs. Bliss has decided he4 younger is the perfect bride for him, with her shrill and vulgar try’s to make it happen. Lucy the older and by her mother’s on though, plain! But Lucy doesn’t think her younger sister should be subjected to the wicked Duke, and sets ou5 to sabotage his every move.
July 14, 2017
Cute twists and turns on the bumpy road to love.
Belinda is to marry a duke, so her pushy mother says and schemes. But Mama is wrong, and her older daughter, Lucy has caught the eye of the duke. Will they, won't they?
Belinda is to marry a duke, so her pushy mother says and schemes. But Mama is wrong, and her older daughter, Lucy has caught the eye of the duke. Will they, won't they?
July 26, 2020
Lucy is clever and yet a bit foolish too. But I do admire her strength of character. I enjoyed seeing her working as a servant, willing to be a drudge to avoid a painful marriage devoid of love. But I liked Belinda more. She knew what she wanted from the start and caught her vicar when she met him.
January 12, 2024
Reluctant Bride
This is the story of two sisters whose mother is forcing them into marriages not of their own choosing. They look for ways out of it to comic results eventually finding men who love them. A cute story.
This is the story of two sisters whose mother is forcing them into marriages not of their own choosing. They look for ways out of it to comic results eventually finding men who love them. A cute story.
September 16, 2017
Another excellent read.
January 16, 2019
Always enjoyable and amusing
December 27, 2019
The first 3/4 was good. And then I just wanted to shake her. It was getting tiresome
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March 22, 20202.4
So slow. The characters weren’t any more believable than the dialogue—which wasn’t good. Wish this was better because the synopsis sounded promising.
So slow. The characters weren’t any more believable than the dialogue—which wasn’t good. Wish this was better because the synopsis sounded promising.
May 21, 2020
Just didn't like it.
August 29, 2020
I am a sucker for these kind of books! I thoroughly and ended rather abruptly though.
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February 1, 2021Would not read.
February 8, 2021
3.5 stars.
September 22, 2021
Leaped right over juvenile to land smack on puerile.
November 27, 2021
Tried too hard.
December 23, 2023
Wonderful
Delightful story. Love won out in the end. Wonderful characters that kept the reader engaged and wanting to see what happens next.
Delightful story. Love won out in the end. Wonderful characters that kept the reader engaged and wanting to see what happens next.
July 19, 2024
Could not put this book sown
An absolute delight from cover to cover. Love these independent girls who demanded true love no matter the Endless obstacles.
An absolute delight from cover to cover. Love these independent girls who demanded true love no matter the Endless obstacles.
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January 14, 2025I do think that Chesney prioritizes comedy over emotional resonance, but I did laugh quite a bit at this, so I can't really complain too much.
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