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The Oxford Set #1

The Marquess's Adventurous Miss

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They started out oh so wrong, but can he make it right?

Richard, Marquess of Heatherbroke, is on a mission to reclaim his illegitimate child, Harriet. No one can stop him, especially not Prudence, a vicar’s daughter. So, when Richard kidnaps the pair of them, Prudence knows what she must do. She must protect Harriet, even though it means leaving behind everything she has ever known. United by their love for Harriet and a growing attraction to each other, Prudence and Richard must overcome highwaymen, parental disapproval and Richard’s scandalous past, as they argue, flirt and finally fall in love. But will any of these things keep them apart?

Publisher's Note: This steamy historical contains graphic scenes.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2021

57 people are currently reading
187 people want to read

About the author

Ava Bond

11 books56 followers
Ava lives in Scotland with her husband and their small cat, Gwendolen. She is an enthusiastic historical romance reader, and loves getting suggestions of other books to read.

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5 stars
62 (36%)
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59 (34%)
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36 (21%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for Lauren.
1,496 reviews215 followers
June 5, 2022
Reas: 5/28/22
A very generous 3 stars!
The book was a fun, light read! I enjoyed it for the most part.

Problems:
1. It takes longer than 2 days by carriage to reach Gretna Green from London. AB needed to look at a map before writing a story. Why didn't the publishers not catch this error?

2. His daughter was amazingly obedient. No three year old would behave in a carriage for an hour let alone 2 days. First, you would have made atleast 50 potty breaks just the 1st day of travel. Secondly, the child would be whining, jumping all over the place, and asking "why" every 2 seconds. I could list more but anybody who's met a 3 year old knows how horrible they are at that age. Why do authors and movies add a child in the story if they are just background noise?

3. The h gets backhanded 4xs during a highway robber, but she feels no pain or swelling later.

I know this is an easy read but these problems ruined some of the book for me. Still, it was a nice book!
Profile Image for ChasingLeslie.
470 reviews109 followers
October 10, 2023
Richard Cavendish, Marquess of Heatherbroke, is on a mission to find his illegitimate child. When he meets the child and her caretaker, Miss Prudence Pendleton, Richard absconds with them both! Prudence must protect Harriet, even if it means traveling with this stranger. Neither is sure whether to trust the other, but attraction grows the longer they stay together.

This is the first book in the Oxford Set series. Richard came into his title after the death of his brother and, in his grief, slept with a married woman who pursued him. Her husband found out after she become pregnant and told Richard he would hide the child where Richard wouldn't find it so he would always worry about the child's welfare. After a four year search, he finally receives a tip and races off to recover his daughter.

This book didn't work for me, but it might be a good read for others. The story was driven by plot action and I would have liked more focus on the character development. I, personally, couldn't connect with either main character, and that made it hard to care about their happy ending. The heroine was incredibly naive and the hero continued to make questionable decisions, even after other mistakes from his past that he clearly did not learn from.

Tropes: Kidnapping, Child as a Plot Point, Road Trip

Steam: 2.5

* I received a review copy and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
1,141 reviews19 followers
March 27, 2022
Thanks to BookSirens for the free copy of this ebook; this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first time I am reading this author and this is the first book of a series, the Oxford Set. It is a regency romance, about Richard, the Marquess of Heatherbroke. He is a second born son, who did not expect to inherit his title. He was taken up as part of the Oxford set, a group of school friends which his brother, George, was part of. It sounds like Richard was devastated by the sudden death of his brother, and was drunk and vulnerable in the immediate aftermath of his grief. During that time, the wife of one of his friends came to his, and they had a brief one night affair. Unfortunately, she became pregnant from their together, and because of circumstances, her husband knew he could not be the father. She placed the blame on Richard, implying that he seduced her, and her husband, the Duke of Woolwich, took revenge on him in various ways, including isolating him from the set by turning them against him, from London society, and taking his baby away.

There was a lot of drama and angst in the first 20-25 pages of this novel. The story continues on a few years down the road. Richard has been living on one of his estates in Scotland, and with his only relation, his grandmother, and has spent the past several years searching for his child to bring her home. He is a bit jaded and embittered by his experiences, and his primary focus is to find his child. He finally gets a viable lead when one of his ex-friends as to where the child is.

Harriet is a foundling child of three, who was brought into the Pendleton household by the stepmother of Prudence, the heroine, as a baby. Prudence has no idea the circumstances of how this happened, but she has helped care for Harriet and has grown to love her. Her father is the vicar of a small village. Prudence has a desire to see more of the world, but her father is very dependent on keeping her home to help him.

Prudence is walking in the village with Harriet when they are suddenly grabbed by a strange man. This is Richard, who was told that his child has been seen with a woman, and it was presumed that she is the mistress of the Duke who took his child and hid her from him. He just wanted to take his child and make it back to his estate, but was forced to take Prudence as well. She learns that he is Harriet's father, and decides to stay for the journey to help Harriet. Richard initially does not trust Prudence, thinking she is Woolwich's mistress and helping him, but eventually they learn more about each other and grow to care for each other.

There was quite a lot of angst and action in this story - death, adultery, betrayal, kidnapping. I was a bit conflicted at first, and could see why the Duke of Woolwich would be so angry at Richard, considering one of his friends betrayed him quite heinously by sleeping with his wife, possibly forcing her as she may have implied, while he was away. But it sounds like Richard may have been the one taken advantage of, by the Duchess - though ultimately he did sleep with the wife of his friend. However, all the friends of the set seemed to have been turned against Richard, and he did not attempt to defend himself, perhaps to save the reputation of the Duchess, it was implied. On saying that, she is a character that the readers ultimately never meet, and only know of in a secondary way, through the speech and impressions of other characters. I found that a bit unsatisfactory, because her actions lead to key events in this story and we never get any resolution as to why she did as she did and why she let things happen. Such as why she engaged in an adulterous affair, and seemed to take advantage of Richard's vulnerability. Why she implied she was taken advantage of, causing Richard to be turned on by his friends, and ultimately why she allowed her child to be taken like that, and not allowed to know her father. It is implied she was selfish and narcissistic, but we never get to know her through any direct interactions with her. The Duke is made out to be a character that is angry, and vengeful; the desire to hurt Richard by taking the baby away and abandoning it somewhere seems incredibly harsh, especially to the child... But then ultimately, he did make sure the child was taken in by a responsible, caring family. Still, to take an innocent baby away from a mother, and to deny a father his child seems to be quite heartlessly harsh.

Regardless, this was an interesting story, and I enjoyed the angst and the developing relationship between the main characters, but left me with a lot of questions. Probably questions that may be answered in future novels in the series? It was quite interesting that for a series about a set of friends, this book was more about the abandonment of friends, and there was no real resolution of those relationships - Richard gets his child back, and finds a woman to trust and love... but it still seems like the friendships with the Oxford Set were still severed. After all, many of them thought he betrayed the Duke, and ruined his wife, so they turned their backs on him. Those who did not necessarily believe that story, still did not help Richard for years, or even maintain a relationship with him.

3.75 stars out of 5.



Profile Image for Space Cowgirl.
4,133 reviews144 followers
April 8, 2022
The Second Son🐺🍆⛲🔪Takes Over

ADULT Historical Recency Romance 💕and Adventure

Richard🐺🍆⛲ is now the Marquess of Heatherbroke. Gone are his days of idle pursuits and no responsibilities.

ARC Provided by Book 📚Sirens 💃
I also got this ebook from Amazon 📚with KU.

Good ADULT Historical Recency Romance💕 reading!
Profile Image for Gloria Pastorino.
Author 82 books59 followers
February 12, 2022
I gather that this is the author’s debut novel, in the historical romance genre at least, and in my opinion never was the saying “a good beginning bodes well” more right than in this case. Ava Bond is really a very promising and talented writer! The landscape descriptions are astonishing without being boring or lengthy, the hero and the heroine are well characterized and their love is passionate, romantic and compelling. Richard has made a mistake, but he’s been paying for it every day of his life. While trying to find his lost daughter, he meets the woman who’s taking care of her, Prudence, and kidnaps them both! But Prudence, who is supposed to be a meek country girl, the daughter of a Vicar of a small village, hides an adventurous heart… Her character is really a treat: she’s sweet, brave, resourceful and endearing. But Richard is a match for her: he’s honorable, good and kind. For once (it doesn’t happen very often in historical romance!) both characters are very likeable from the very start.
Furthermore, this is the first book of a series and I think there’s a lot of potential here. I’ve already seen a couple of side characters whose stories might be enjoyable to read…
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Margaret.
3,215 reviews33 followers
September 11, 2021
I was not sure if I wanted to read and review this book... but... I soon found myself totally engaged. Richard Cavendish, Marquess of Heatherbrook fathered a baby girl with a married woman. The angered husband sent the baby away after her birth and refused to tell Richard where she is. After four years, Richard has information on where to find her. Traveling at breakneck speed, he reaches Tudor Village and kidnapps Prudence Pendleton and his daughter. Highwaymen, no chaperone, a sweet little girl and a Marquess who loses his heart.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from Booksprout.
Profile Image for Veronica and Rae.
163 reviews11 followers
March 20, 2022
As a purveyor of mostly Regency era fiction, I understand the limitations that must exist to writing a historically accurate novel while at the same time filling it full of chemistry, sexuality, and otherwise counter-norm characteristics. For most readers, one must allow at least a modicum of suspension of disbelief. If you can’t, then I’m afraid you will be unable to truly enjoy most historical romance novels. I believe this pertains to Ava Bonds, The Marquess's Adventurous Miss: An Oxford Set Novel, on a number of occasions throughout. Not that I didn’t enjoy this novel, I did, I just had a few issues that I will touch upon.

A Little Bit of Plot

Richard, the titular Marquess, has been searching for his long lost illegitimate daughter for 4 years. Having been removed from her mother at birth and left upon the doorstep of Prudence, the local vicar’s daughter, Harriet is considered a foundling. Raising the child like her own from the moment she was found, Prudence holds a close connection with the child. Concurrently, upon learning of Harriet’s whereabouts, Richard kidnaps both his daughter and Prudence. Learning of the child’s true parentage, Prudence decides to journey along with Richard back to his home in order to ensure Harriet’s safety. Many obstacles befall the group as they travel to Richard’s home Brayton, as do many sparks and longing looks.

The Compliment Sandwich

The Top Bun (The Pro)
The Pacing

The novel takes place literally over a few days, all of which occur on the run - so to speak. I’m not going to spoil as to why they are racing against the clock, but it has to do with the circumstances around Harriet’s birth and as to why she was sent away. Both Richard and Prudence start off on the wrong foot, for obvious reasons (i.e. the kidnapping) and have preconceived notions of the other’s intentions. So you have an enemies-to-lovers situation combined with runaway set pieces and a bit of intrigue.

The problem with a limited time frame and swift pacing leads to my con with the book.

The Meat (The Con)
The Chemistry

With so limited time, and most of it, laboring under incorrect assumptions, we aren’t privy to many moments of attraction, especially from Prudence. I think Richard is quite taken with her off the bat and, to be honest, isn’t the most discerning of men; therefore, even if he has ill will towards Prudence, he still wants to get horizontal.
He was so close to believing her innocent facade. He pressed himself closer to her body, bringing his arms around her. His left hand lifted to try to capture her neck, and his right to press the small of her back flush against him. For a moment she stilled, and he realized his mistake. Her body froze, and he stepped back, realizing that while her enthusiasm was genuine, it was built on sheer curiosity and total lack of experience.

Part of the issue with the lack of chemistry is the level of experience between the two characters. While I applaud Bonds for making Prudence more than just a silly hare-brained miss, I found it a bit distressing at what actually convinces Richard that she is as innocent as she claims. That also might be the feminist in me, where in which no one should have to defend their own honor, but that’s modern thinking and as I said above - suspension of disbelief.

Also, I wasn’t totally convinced that Prudence’s reputation wouldn’t be in complete tatters when this was all over, the cover story or not.

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
A Father's Search for his Daughter

This book came at just the right time for me. I’ve been reading so many historical romances lately where the heroine is wagered away as a bet on a horserace, to keep debtors from taking the family finances, or literally just to be auction off as chattel to the highest bidder. Now, I understand that last one is a normal occurrence in most HR, but sometimes I miss the days of Mr. Bennett and his “I could not have parted with you, my Lizzy, to anyone less worthy.” So to read a story about a father searching tirelessly for years to find his illegitimate daughter was refreshing. Richard literally kidnaps a woman and risks quite possibly, nowadays, some legal repercussions, to have her with him.
Looking at his daughter now, a lump formed in his throat at the idea of her suffering. He wouldn’t allow it. He’d murder anyone who ever tried to hurt Harriet, who would be rude to her, or make her cry.

When faced with danger along their journey, Richard immediately thinks of keeping Harriet safe, she’s his number one priority.
Richard’s feet carried him forward to snatch up his daughter. God, he’d never let her leave Brayton. He’d lock the door and bar her, anything to ensure her safety. She was small, weighing less than he imagined as he crushed her to him. Her blonde strands lifted and caught in his nose as het let out his breath.

Putting this in context, he has a similar reaction to Prudence’s safety, however, he’s still a bit hesitant. Again, I chalk this up to a lack of chemistry between the characters. They’ve a large hill in terms of trust to climb, and I don't necessarily believe they’ve ascended the top by the denouement of the novel.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a shorter novel and fast paced, so you can breeze through it . I would highly recommend a nice cup of tea and a warm blanket, hey, maybe even a nice fire as you take in all the romantic action. I will definitely look out for more works by Ava Bond and would be interested to read about other members of the Oxford Set who play minor roles in this novel.

To learn more about the podcast or to read more reviews click here:Chick Lit Book Club Podcast
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,119 reviews49 followers
September 10, 2021
Richard is a Marquess and on a mission to claim his illegitimate child and he won’t let anyone stand in his way. He kidnaps Prudence and the child, but what will happen when sparks fly between them. Fast-paced historical read with loads of drama, suspense and steam. I liked it.
Profile Image for Danette Fowlie.
221 reviews4 followers
March 17, 2022
A man accused and refusing to defend himself finally released by the woman who falls in love with him. A unique twist on a historical novel. Just a great romance novel with some wonderful twists you do not expect. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Nicole.
926 reviews15 followers
April 26, 2022
Beautiful

This is my first book from this author and I have to say that it was so good. Once I got into the story I couldn't find anything that would have been able to tear my attention away from this book. I definitely look forward to the next book in this series.
4,720 reviews41 followers
April 7, 2022
An unexpected love.
All he wants his is daughter but he got so much more and it made for a grand read. The hero of the tale made a serious mistake but, another who was his friend is out to destroy him by using the hero’s daughter. He knows this and he is doing ever thing he can to find and protect her. The heroine will come into the picture too for the same reason to protect the young child. I found this book very entertaining. I liked the characters some came to understand that they made a mistake in judgment, others face a terrible loss, and there were those who found that one important person. Mistakes, redemption, and love are the main issues in this book and it was a truly splendid piece to spend time with. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for Bridget Love to read Lewis.
2,462 reviews28 followers
May 14, 2022
Along for the ride

Prudence has been taking care of Harriet her whole life! She knows the child has mysterious origins but as a sheltered and subdued Vicar's daughter who is extremely sheltered no questions were really asked!
Richard name has been blackened years ago by his so called friends his only focus has been finding his daughter! When she is found Prudence will not allow the small child who has been her life travel with his strange man!
Richard lies about his identity this story is full of adventures! There are lies, Highway man and days of traveling! Prudence is a strong capable woman without heart father around but brow beaten when he is! Definitely more adventure than Prudence has seen in her lifetime!
This author is new to me and some things I am sure I like but overall this book was definitely a page turner! I will read more on this series!
Profile Image for Elodie’s Reading Corner.
2,554 reviews152 followers
March 31, 2022
🪆The Marquess's Adventurous Miss 🪆
An Oxford Set Novel Book 1
A Regency Romance Series
✒️ Ava Bond
https://www.facebook.com/AvaBondAuthor/
Release Date 04/01/2022
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SDH53JR/...

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

An embittered noble bent on revenge.

Richard, Marquess of Heatherbroke, has been thrown out of his Oxford Set for one mistaken night. He is a broken and bitter man, who only cares for one thing: finding and protecting his illegitimate child.

A vicar's daughter with a heart of gold.

Prudence Pendleton leads a sedate country life as the daughter of a vicar. Although she longs for adventure, the only hint of mystery in her life is Harriet, the little girl who was left on their doorstep in the middle of the night years ago.

A romance neither expected but cannot resist.

When Richard kidnaps the pair of them, Prudence knows what she must do. She must protect Harriet even though it means leaving behind everything she has ever known. Prudence and Richard are united by their love for the child and a growing attraction for each other, but will Richard’s infamous past, and a host of other obstacles keep them apart?

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

I confess this book left me conflicted, I wanted to like it as the premise and the blurb were intriguing but I never really connected with the main characters.
The opening chapter left me wondering why the hero did not fight for the truth. Yet, whatever his excuses were, he committed adultery, even worth with one of his friends’ spouse.
So what the reason is behind his fault, it is quite an unforgivable transgression. And even if the scorned husband turns into a cruel bitter being, he is in right to be more than furious.
After his idea of punishment is to harm an innocent.

That everyone of their set turned their back to hero, is understandable. That he, from this moment becomes driven, in a mission to rescue his missing child, whatever the means, is to comprehensible too.

This story surprised me by the heroine’s naivety, all her life’s experiences seamed to come from the gothic romances she is fond of. Thus how she analyses every situation she finds herself caught in, like she was one of her books’ character.

I never really felt a connection between them, they were more in continual dialogue with themselves than truly exchanging together.
3 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbxD-lRD...

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
Profile Image for Elodie’s Reading Corner.
2,554 reviews152 followers
March 31, 2022
🪆The Marquess's Adventurous Miss 🪆
An Oxford Set Novel Book 1
A Regency Romance Series
✒️ Ava Bond
https://www.facebook.com/AvaBondAuthor/
Release Date 04/01/2022
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SDH53JR/...

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯

An embittered noble bent on revenge.

Richard, Marquess of Heatherbroke, has been thrown out of his Oxford Set for one mistaken night. He is a broken and bitter man, who only cares for one thing: finding and protecting his illegitimate child.

A vicar's daughter with a heart of gold.

Prudence Pendleton leads a sedate country life as the daughter of a vicar. Although she longs for adventure, the only hint of mystery in her life is Harriet, the little girl who was left on their doorstep in the middle of the night years ago.

A romance neither expected but cannot resist.

When Richard kidnaps the pair of them, Prudence knows what she must do. She must protect Harriet even though it means leaving behind everything she has ever known. Prudence and Richard are united by their love for the child and a growing attraction for each other, but will Richard’s infamous past, and a host of other obstacles keep them apart?

𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

I confess this book left me conflicted, I wanted to like it as the premise and the blurb were intriguing but I never really connected with the main characters.
The opening chapter left me wondering why the hero did not fight for the truth. Yet, whatever his excuses were, he committed adultery, even worth with one of his friends’ spouse.
So what the reason is behind his fault, it is quite an unforgivable transgression. And even if the scorned husband turns into a cruel bitter being, he is in right to be more than furious.
After his idea of punishment is to harm an innocent.

That everyone of their set turned their back to hero, is understandable. That he, from this moment becomes driven, in a mission to rescue his missing child, whatever the means, is to comprehensible too.

This story surprised me by the heroine’s naivety, all her life’s experiences seamed to come from the gothic romances she is fond of. Thus how she analyses every situation she finds herself caught in, like she was one of her books’ character.

I never really felt a connection between them, they were more in continual dialogue with themselves than truly exchanging together.
3 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene.

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CbxD-lRD...

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
Profile Image for Winnifred D..
916 reviews35 followers
February 19, 2022
This is a debut novel that is fast paced and kept me reading, the h is generally smart and easy to root for, and there are enjoyable moments of humor. That said, I wish the characterization and writing style had been sharper. At times the H was rudderless, switching between being a stereotypical alpha and then a beta. There was too much hot-cold behavior/thinking between the MC's overall, and because of this, they lacked a certain spark. I love witty banter in a book, but it should eventually serve the underlying purpose of deepening characterization, or it just becomes moot. I felt that the dialog could have been pared down and the character's insights could have been less repetitive. On the nitpicky side, there are also some anachronistic terms and awkward phrasings ("extents and purposes" instead of "intents and purposes," for example).

My biggest hurdle to enjoying this, however, was the age/experience difference between the H/h. I know it would have been common for a girl in her late teens to marry a man in his late 20's during the Regency period, but this h is so naive and sheltered in her thinking, it's hard for the reader not to feel protective toward her. Meanwhile, the H immediately believes (and way too stubbornly insists) that she must be a man's mistress and has sexual feelings toward her immediately. It comes across as borderline creepy. Added to this, H/h's abrupt almost-sex scene takes place when she's quite tipsy, and even though she throws herself at him, it bothered me that he took advantage. He'd already made a previous questionable ethical decision involving his friend's wife, which gets swept under the rug simply because there's evidence that the wife was unhappy and loved the H. (This isn't much of a moral victory, to be honest.)

Bottom line: This is an OK rainy day read. Unfortunately, though, it didn't give me the feels I'm looking for when I read a Regency romance.

I read an advance review copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. My opinions are my own.
54 reviews2 followers
Read
April 3, 2022
From page one, you can feel the heartbreak of Richard, Marquess of Heatherbroke in the The Marquess's Adventurous Miss by Ava Bond, which is a brand new series. From the loss of his brother by blood to the loss of brothers by an albeit tenuous bond. He only has his grandmother who believes in him. He is accused of fathering a child by another peer of the group, who helped destroy his reputation in that group. Richard finds out where the child is living and goes to take his daughter, but in doing so he also captures Prudence Pendleton. Prudence knows there was something kind of mysterious behind Harriet’s coming to live with her, her father and step-mother. Prudence loves Harriet and will protect her from Richard.

Richard is in a bad place, in part because of his actions and even more so because of Harriet’s mother who left several people broken in her wake. From the minute I started reading the book I was drawn in by Ava Bond’s words and characters. I could feel the depth of Richard’s grief and loss for his family, his friends and his daughter. As Prudence was stuck at home with no way to broaden her world, being with Richard was an opportunity to see more of the world while protecting Harriet at all costs.

I was captivated by Harriet and invested in Richard and Prudence’s stories individually and collectively. I love a forced travel trope with a hero full of angst and Ms. Devon delivered on all counts. My heart was broken in parts and my heart melted in other parts. I love the Dowager and her love for her grandson as well. Prudence saw Richard for who he was and he did the same. It was a great start to a new series. I received the ARC for the second book as well, and I couldn’t put the book down. I would highly recommend the The Marquess's Adventurous Miss by Ava Bond.

I received an ARC of the The Marquess's Adventurous Miss by Ava Bond through BookSirens and read the book voluntarily.
Profile Image for Cait M.
1,373 reviews11 followers
September 24, 2022
2.5 stars rounded up.
Prudence is a country vicar's daughter. She has been caring for a foundling child named Harriet who was mysteriously given to her family to raise as a baby. Harriet is three and clever and very attached to Prudence.

Richard is a Marquess. Being a younger son he never expected to inherit, and when his elder brother had a riding accident and died he was distraught. The day he discovered his brother's death, a friend's wife (who was secretly infatuated with him) came to offer her condolences. She got him drunk and they slept together. She became pregnant. When her husband the duke found out he confronted Richard and accused him of assault. The duke told Richard he would never see the child and that he would possibly turn it over to a workhouse or brothel and Richard would never know.

Ever since then Richard has been hunting the location of the child. He finally gets information that his daughter is living in a small village possibly with one of the duke's mistresses. Caring for nothing but the safety of his child, Richard charges in and finds Harriet and Prudence out walking. He kidnaps them and takes them both to his estate in the North.

The whole time he thinks Prudence is a mistress of the duke and doesn't believe her story of being a vicar's daughter. He realises he knows nothing about children and needs her help.

Meanwhile, Prudence is tired of her boring country life and longs for some adventure. She starts to discover how much Richard really cares for Harriet and sees him as less of a gothic villain and more the wronged hero.

Completely unbelievable road trip. Travelling with a three year old and no luggage would be a disaster, but Harriet barely makes a peep.

The romance is not convincing either. Prudence is very forgiving considering Richard propositions her when they first meet. Also, there is a love scene after Prudence has drunk a few wines which didn't sit well with me.

This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Profile Image for Jessica Lynne.
267 reviews10 followers
April 2, 2022
As seen on my blog (Jessie's Reading Corner):
DISCLAIMER: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Marquess' Adventurous Miss is Ava Bond's debut novel and the first in her The Oxford Set series.

After an ill-fated affair with a married woman, Richard Cavendish (the Marquess of Heatherbroke) is desperate to find his daughter, Harriet. He cocks up this scheme to kidnap her but, in doing so, also kidnaps Prudence Pendleton.

Prudence Pendleton is the vicar's daughter and longs for adventure (thanks to the gothic novels that she loved to read.) When Harriet was placed under her family's care, Prudence took it upon herself to raise her. It is during one of their walks, that they are both kidnapped by a man claiming to be Harriet's father.

This was an enjoyable read. I liked Richard and Prudence. Richard took some getting used to in the beginning, but his distrust of Prudence is warranted considering what his so-called friends did to him. I loved how he softened up around her. Prudence was a great heroine. I loved how protective she was of Harriet and how she stood up to Richard and his accusations. The more time they spend together, Richard and Prudence both start to develop feelings for the other and, by the time they get to Richard's estate, Prudence is not sure whether she even wants to go back home!

This book is quite steamy. Prudence, as the vicar's daughter, is a virgin and knows nothing of how a child is conceived; which she ponders greatly after hearing about Richard's ill-timed affair with Harriet's mother. She questions Richard on the fundamentals, which leads to some steamy experimentation.

I think fans of steamy historical romances would enjoy this story. As mentioned above, I really enjoyed Prudence and Richard's story and am looking forward to where Ava takes this series next!
Profile Image for Candy Briggs.
731 reviews14 followers
March 28, 2022
Richard Cavendish is the second son of the Marquess of Heathebroke. His brother George is next in line. George falls from his horse and breaks his neck. Richard is now the Marquess. Needless, to say he is terrified of all that the title consists of. He had not been trained for it. He had a one-night stand with the Duchess of Woolwich, a child was made that night. When her husband found out he went to Richard and wanted to beat him silly. But instead, he hid the child from him, he finally found her after three years of looking. He went to get her, unknown to anyone but the young woman with her. He got them and brought them back to his home and his grandmother. But he showed kindness and teasing to them both. Prudence Pendleton is the daughter of a vicar and has been kidnapped, along with three-year-old Harriett. She loves Harriett, her father, and her Stepmother had custody of Harriett.

There were a lot of things happening around them, while Richard wanted to get them to his house so they would be safe. The teasing that went on between Richard and Prudence was witty and funny but sometimes it was hard to tell. The other characters were equally entertaining. He had suffered so much but he knew he was at fault and willing to take his punishment for what he and the Duchess had done. I found this story wonderful and heartening to see someone treat Richard well. I can't seem to do this book justice, so I will leave it to your opinion.

I received this ARC from Book Sirens and voluntarily reviewed this, Novel.
Profile Image for Marybeth.
2,289 reviews21 followers
September 5, 2021
Richard has been searching for his daughter for over three years. He was taken advantage of by a woman already married and when her husband finds out, he takes the child from her mother and hides her. When he finds where she is, he goes to claim her. Harriet has been raised in the local vicar's family and she and Prudence, the vicar's grown daughter are close. When Richard takes Harriet, he has to take Prudence as well. That is the start of a relationship between Prudence and Richard. There is distrust on both sides, but they do resolve.it. There is a quick HEA for them, once they get through all the lies and trust issues.

I loved the story and it is the start of a new series. But, I thought that, since this is a book published by Blushing Books, that there would be spanking or other discipline in the story. There is none. I received an advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Emma.
2,864 reviews39 followers
February 26, 2022
What started out as a mistake blew up into a reputation ruining fiasco for the Marquess of Heatherbroke. Lies and accusations were slung at him which were not true. His close friends deserted him. He fathered a child when the wife of one his friends seduced him. But she turned around and lied and painted him a blackgard. The husband swore as his punishment he would never know his daughter and he was going to give her away. Perhaps a foundling hospital or a brothel who knew? Richard spent the next three years looking everywhere for his daughter. He finally got a break. He kidnapped the young lady who was looking after his daughter. Thus began a harrowing story of misunderstandings and forgiveness. A very good story.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Happily Ever After
Inspirational
Page-turner
Realistic
Steamy
Tragic
Unpredictable
Witty
449 reviews3 followers
April 1, 2022
The Marquess’s Adventurous Miss is a delightful adventure romance. Prudence Pendleton was a vicar’s daughter who had led a sheltered life. I thought her personality was very kind and compassionate while at the same time she was brave and a quick thinker. Richard, on the other hand was a good man who had been viciously maligned. He was determined to find his daughter who had been taken and deposited somewhere as a foundling. They certainly experienced a great deal of excitement the first few days of their relationship. It’s an interesting way to spin a story to have the characters desperately trying to stay alive as they become acquainted on a roller coaster carriage ride and deciding whether they can trust one another. I thank the author for an advance review copy and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
434 reviews24 followers
October 5, 2025
The Marquess's Adventurous Miss by Ava Bond

Richard Cavendish, Marquess of Heatherbroke, had an affair with the Duchess of Woolwich, Lady Annabel. She got pregnant and her husband the Duke told his friends, that Richard Cavendish had seduced her. Richard Cavendish discovered that he had a daughter named Harriet and kidnapped her and her companion Prudence Pendleton. On the journey back to his estate he and Prudence ended up falling in love. He allowed her to write to father and telling where she was going to be. They arrived at his estate, where his grandmother took charge of Prudence and Harriet. Richard offered to married Prudence and she turned them down. Her father and stepmother arrived and she left with them returning to London for Lady Annabel died in childbirth. Richard followed her to London told her he loved her and wanted to marry her and she agreed.
Profile Image for BlueFalkon95.
510 reviews1 follower
March 20, 2022
A quick and certainly not for a speed reader type of read. I very much enjoyed reading about a almost love at first sight story between two people. The Marquess set on obtaining his daughter back and didn’t expect extra baggage along with his daughter. Certain characters reminded me of my own siblings and at first I wanted to put the book down but knew the story is not about them but fictional. I am amazed on how a person’s reputation could be ruined by stories gossiped in the ton whereas in today’s timeline someone’s reputation is not cared about. I am glad that the couple fought for their love of each other to become a loving family.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
154 reviews3 followers
April 2, 2022
Richard the Marquess of Heatherbroke made a mistake when his brother died. He slept with a friends wife and had a child with her. Her husband to pay him back took the child far from where Richard could find her. He spent four years looking for and thanks to another friend of both the husband and Richard he finally finds his daughter. Prudence Pendleton has been carring for a child who she thought was parentless. Out of the blue she and the child are kidnapped by Richard. Prudence travels with him to gets his child settled after she settles down from him kidnapping prudence on the way there they have to deal with robbers . They end up developing feelings for each other I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Michelle.
601 reviews
May 24, 2024
DNF 67%——-I cannot explain why this book is so boring to me… It is taking me three days to get 67% because I keep putting it down to do other things.. like laundry— the characters are boring… No witty clever banter, boring short conversations- Richard kidnaps Prudence, who has been like a sister/caregiver to his daughter Harriet from an affair -prudence agrees to go with Richard, so Harriet is not left alone, but in all honesty, she goes with Richard because she’s attracted to him. She has raised Harriet from infancy and seems like she has zero connection with the child . I mean she’s basically like her mother. The 4 year old child says nothing and when she speaks, its adult-like—
there is no steam at the 67% mark and even if there was going forward, I would not care. I no Longer care what happens to Richard and prudence and will not pick up another book by this author.
Profile Image for Olivia.
487 reviews
March 24, 2022
Feisty single miss gets kidnapped by a marquess who really just wanted his illegitimate daughter back. Richard seems both the villain and the victim here since he was banished by his friends after impregnating a married lady. He's been trying to find his daughter for years and seizes his opportunity on the road. Unfortunately, his daughter's caretaker, a vicar's daughter Prudence is along for the ride. There's a lot of mistrust and untold truths between our two leads, but they can't help being attracted to each other. And they have the child in common too. Fun to read and it was nice to uncover Richard's back story as he opens up to Prudence.
1,491 reviews19 followers
April 7, 2022
wonderful characters
I enjoyed reading about the wonderful characters in this book very much:
Richard has suffered severe losses but in trying to right his mistake from the past wreaks havoc upon Prudence´s life by abducting her along with his daughter Harriet. Prudence is an unusual character: nobody would think a vicar´s daughter has such a penchant for adventure but she also takes her responsibility for her stepsister Harriet very seriously. Both only wanting the best for Harriet but seldomly agreeing and constantly fighting their mutual attraction sparks naturally fly between those two.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,233 reviews3 followers
May 2, 2022
Richard, an unwilling Marquess following the passing of his brother, has been banished by his friends related to 'ungentlemanly' like behavior resulting in an illegitimate daughter. Prudence, the attractive daughter of a Vicar, raises Harriet when a baby is left at the parsonage. When Richard learns of his daughter, he eventually comes to find her a few years later with Prudence. Desperate, he kidnaps the both of them since they're inseparable. Then follows the ins and outs of their attraction and romance. Different plot, however, a bit too explicit and steamy in the romance area to be comfortable for some - otherwise an interesting Regency read.
Profile Image for Sonia.
669 reviews15 followers
August 4, 2022
Enemies to Lovers and a great adventure

Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2022

This book was really good! The relationship of Richard and Prudence gets off to a very rocky start. At first, both of them legitimately believe that the other is a bad person. Surprisingly, given that the story takes place over a brief period of time, Richard and Prudence develop deep feelings for one another. This book was a real page turner and I read it in a day. Other members of "the Oxford Set" are introduced in the book and I'm eager to read their stories in the future.

I received a free ARC from BookSirens, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.
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