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The Notorious St. Claires #1
The Duke's Cinderella Bride
FROM PLAIN JANE TO SOCIETY BRIDE!
Brooding Hawk St. Claire, Duke of Stourbridge, believes Jane Smith to be a mere servant girl--albeit a remarkably attractive one! So when genteel Miss Jane is wrongly turned out of her home for inappropriate behavior following their encounter, the duke takes her in as his ward.
Although Hawk is the first man to make Jane's pulse race, she knows she cannot risk falling for his devastating charm. A marriage between them would be forbidden--especially if he were to discover the shameful truth about her....
Brooding Hawk St. Claire, Duke of Stourbridge, believes Jane Smith to be a mere servant girl--albeit a remarkably attractive one! So when genteel Miss Jane is wrongly turned out of her home for inappropriate behavior following their encounter, the duke takes her in as his ward.
Although Hawk is the first man to make Jane's pulse race, she knows she cannot risk falling for his devastating charm. A marriage between them would be forbidden--especially if he were to discover the shameful truth about her....
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
32 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
Carole Mortimer
1,296 books907 followersI have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.
I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 19, 2017
The heroine in this novel was treated worse than Cinderella. And her aunt and spoilt female cousin were caricature type of bitches. They were so obviously jealous of the heroine's beauty ( apparently the heroine looked just like her dead mother and the aunt was crazily obsessed with hating the heroine's mother ). In the aunt's eyes, a woman's gotta be plump and blonde to be beautiful. The H however, prefers sexy slim redheads and that was unfortunate for the cousin because the wicked aunt was hoping to match make and marry her horrible daughter into the family of a Duke. The beginning was full of the stereotypical type of situations one would expect from a Cinderella-esque novel but things got really sweet and sexy after the heroine was kicked out of her home by the aunt.
It took the hero the usual period of brooding and denial, but he eventually came to realize that he couldn't live without the heroine, but the bitchy fat aunt had to try and cause trouble one last time by accusing the heroine of theft. Everything worked out in the end, as it is supposed to in romance novels. The H was truly a splendid creation. Carole Mortimer almost outdid herself when she crafted this sexy guy so why only 3 stars ? It was enjoyable but not really worthy of more than 3 stars. I've read other romance novels that covered the Cinderella theme in a better manner.
It took the hero the usual period of brooding and denial, but he eventually came to realize that he couldn't live without the heroine, but the bitchy fat aunt had to try and cause trouble one last time by accusing the heroine of theft. Everything worked out in the end, as it is supposed to in romance novels. The H was truly a splendid creation. Carole Mortimer almost outdid herself when she crafted this sexy guy so why only 3 stars ? It was enjoyable but not really worthy of more than 3 stars. I've read other romance novels that covered the Cinderella theme in a better manner.
December 20, 2017
A cute but tad paint-by-the-numbers Regency Cinderella, foundling story.
The H and h meet at a house party where she is the drudge relative of a shallow, spiteful woman and her equally awful daughter. Because she is so much more attractive and downtrodden than dear daughter she's kicked out of the house.
She basically lifts a ride from the Duke and ends up as his quaisi-ward/companion to his sister. A family backstory is resolved as the Duke and the heroine fight their feelings. Quite improper behavior ensues.
I'm giving this a low 3 rating as some of the dialogue between the H and h was just a little too arch and cutesy for me. Mortimer tried just a tad too hard, but overall enjoyable.
I would have given this a hard 3 if the comeuppance for the evil woman had been on page rather than off although hurray for the Duke who hunts the evil monster down to have it out with her even if we don't get to read it.
The H and h meet at a house party where she is the drudge relative of a shallow, spiteful woman and her equally awful daughter. Because she is so much more attractive and downtrodden than dear daughter she's kicked out of the house.
She basically lifts a ride from the Duke and ends up as his quaisi-ward/companion to his sister. A family backstory is resolved as the Duke and the heroine fight their feelings. Quite improper behavior ensues.
I'm giving this a low 3 rating as some of the dialogue between the H and h was just a little too arch and cutesy for me. Mortimer tried just a tad too hard, but overall enjoyable.
I would have given this a hard 3 if the comeuppance for the evil woman had been on page rather than off although hurray for the Duke who hunts the evil monster down to have it out with her even if we don't get to read it.
July 22, 2023
If I could give a zero, this would be a zero star book.
Fifty shades of bad. Seriously one of the worse heroes I have ever read. He is ALWAYS judging her in a scarlet veil. He is despicable to her. I felt very sorry for the heroine to be constantly wronged for something that she was not a part of. Her entire existence is to be pitied, I felt.
Fifty shades of bad. Seriously one of the worse heroes I have ever read. He is ALWAYS judging her in a scarlet veil. He is despicable to her. I felt very sorry for the heroine to be constantly wronged for something that she was not a part of. Her entire existence is to be pitied, I felt.
March 18, 2018
Review of audiobook: I usually like Carole Mortimer's Harlequin Presents titles, so was looking forward to her foray into historicals. Very disappointed. I even sped up the audio play as fast as possible to get through it. I guess that is audio skimming. Not nearly enough accuracy for the period for this reader of Georgette Heyer, Lisa Kleypas, etc. Dull conversations, bland characters and no angst. Sad face.
August 26, 2010
– I truly struggled with scoring these two titles. They were so deliciously bad that I teetered back and forth between a 1 and the Keeper Shelf. In reading thousands of romances over the years, I’ve never read such laughable prose with the exception of The Italian’s Rags-to-Riches Wifeby Julia James. Both are Harlequin titles and the overuse of exclamation points just makes my internal editor shriek in pain. There are over 100 of the little beasties just waiting to pop out and steal your breath.
So why did I think about putting these titles on the Keeper Shelf? Because the author makes up her own WORDS. Yes, snig-lets via Carole Mortimer. For example:
‘Lord Tillton?’ Jane gasped at his accusation. ‘I detest Lord Tillton! He behaved most disgracefully towards me during dinner—to such a degree that in the end I had to pierce his wrist with my fingernails in order to stop his pawing of me beneath the table. Besides which, he is a married man!’ she added frowningly.
Hawk’s mouth twisted scathingly. ‘Summer house parties like this one are notorious for the night-time assignations of people who are indeed married—but not to each other.’
I mean, can you get any better than this? And she stacks them one after another - the overuse of adverbs is hysterical. I found myself greedily turning the pages to gorge myself on paragraph after paragraph of sloppy prose and hilarious:
‘They obviously no longer offer such refuge,’ he pointed out coldly, unpityingly. ‘I will bid you good-night, Miss Smith.’ He turned away, and this time he did not look back, did not hesitate as he strode purposefully back to Markham Park.
I’m surprised he didn’t trip over piles of commas and exclamation points on his way out.
These books are painfully, deliciously, awfully bad and I loved every word. ~ Ana, www.ireadromance.com
So why did I think about putting these titles on the Keeper Shelf? Because the author makes up her own WORDS. Yes, snig-lets via Carole Mortimer. For example:
‘Lord Tillton?’ Jane gasped at his accusation. ‘I detest Lord Tillton! He behaved most disgracefully towards me during dinner—to such a degree that in the end I had to pierce his wrist with my fingernails in order to stop his pawing of me beneath the table. Besides which, he is a married man!’ she added frowningly.
Hawk’s mouth twisted scathingly. ‘Summer house parties like this one are notorious for the night-time assignations of people who are indeed married—but not to each other.’
I mean, can you get any better than this? And she stacks them one after another - the overuse of adverbs is hysterical. I found myself greedily turning the pages to gorge myself on paragraph after paragraph of sloppy prose and hilarious:
‘They obviously no longer offer such refuge,’ he pointed out coldly, unpityingly. ‘I will bid you good-night, Miss Smith.’ He turned away, and this time he did not look back, did not hesitate as he strode purposefully back to Markham Park.
I’m surprised he didn’t trip over piles of commas and exclamation points on his way out.
These books are painfully, deliciously, awfully bad and I loved every word. ~ Ana, www.ireadromance.com
October 17, 2022
Really got into this story, couldn't put it down. Had this on my kindle for such a long time. Glad I started reading it. I love CM's stories. A very enjoyable story. 4.5 ☆
May 25, 2014
Ειλικρινά εξαιρετικό. Μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ και θεωρώ πως επιβεβαιώνει την άποψή που έχω σχηματίσει για τη Mortimer. Είναι συγγραφέας βιβλίων εποχής και όχι σύγχρονης λογοτεχνίας. Θα ήθελα περισσότερες και εντονότερες ερωτικές σκηνές, όμως για τη Mortimer παραμένει υπέρβαση και βέβαια έχει γραφτεί και κάποια χρόνια νωρίτερα. Όμως οι δύο πρωταγωνιστές έχουν απίστευτο ενδιαφέρον και θεωρώ ότι υπερκαλύπτουν την έλλειψη που ένιωσα.
July 8, 2009
Nice story but a bit too much fighting & reconciling.
The hero is the typical ogre and the woman can speak for herself. So the couple is continuously bickering. It may be nice few times but since I was half through the book it got on my nerves. At one page they are fighting and on the next everything was a big mistake and they kiss. Not very believable.
Average romance.
The hero is the typical ogre and the woman can speak for herself. So the couple is continuously bickering. It may be nice few times but since I was half through the book it got on my nerves. At one page they are fighting and on the next everything was a big mistake and they kiss. Not very believable.
Average romance.
May 19, 2024
Kärleks historia utan att dem blir kära eller något annat.
Hon råkar bara komma in på en midda för att de inte ska vara 13 vid bordet när hon är någon som ingen vill tala om.
Men hon tar sing där ifrån gömt och behöver nu spendera sommar på landet utanför london. Men de är typ två middagar och kanske 5 minuter av samtal max.
Hon råkar bara komma in på en midda för att de inte ska vara 13 vid bordet när hon är någon som ingen vill tala om.
Men hon tar sing där ifrån gömt och behöver nu spendera sommar på landet utanför london. Men de är typ två middagar och kanske 5 minuter av samtal max.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2017
Cinderella story
I loved this book. The Duke was quite the hero and I loved Jane. Her Aunt was horrible and I wished I would have seen her get her just desserts. I wanted to see her suffer. She was evil and treated Jane like a slave for 12 long years. She stood up to the Duke and was very strong willed. I definitely can't wait to read more about the St Claire family. Safe and wonderful!
I loved this book. The Duke was quite the hero and I loved Jane. Her Aunt was horrible and I wished I would have seen her get her just desserts. I wanted to see her suffer. She was evil and treated Jane like a slave for 12 long years. She stood up to the Duke and was very strong willed. I definitely can't wait to read more about the St Claire family. Safe and wonderful!
October 15, 2015
Boring!! The story is just boring. Takes pages for a few lines of dialogue. The rest are winded adjectives and adverbs as everyone says. Wannabe alpha duke gets pushover by everyone! From his brother, sister, to the heroine!!! He can glare and stick down his nose at everyone but they pretty much shove that nose right up his butt with all the respect they give him . And Jane... So rooting for her but she becomes this annoying creature. She's a poor relation but acts nothing of the sort. It goes downhill when she stowaways in his carriage and the acts like she's entitled to bicker with him at ever turn. Did not finish at 55%.
May 19, 2023
Une romance assez bof.
La plume n'a rien d'exceptionnelle bien que le vocabulaire soit varié, et même si la romance est appréciable, je l'ai trouvé trop rapide, sans réel fondement. J'ai trouvé très peu d'intérêt aux dialogues que j'ai jugé très plats et répétitifs par moment. Les personnages ne font que se prendre le bec pour une raison obscure, ils se disputent, finissent par s'embrasser, et ainsi de suite jusqu'à la fin. En parlant du dénouement, tout se passe très rapidemenet. Le rebondissement final est gros comme une maison, si bien qu'on le voit arriver à des kilomètres, et tout se règle en quelques pages.
En réalité, j'ai eu l'impression qu'il ne se passait pas grand chose dans ce roman, Jane rencontre le duc, Jane suit le duc, Jane et le duc se disputent, s'embrassent, et ainsi de suite jusqu'à la fin. C'est très bof mais j'ai tout de même passé un bon moment de lecture. Toutefois, je ne le relirai plus, c'est certain.
A noter tout de même que certains points sont anachroniques et montrent que la période historique et les moeurs de l'époque sont mal maitrisés (et ça, ça a vite fait de me crisper). Par exemple, que Jane apparaisse les cheveux lachés, ses belles boucles rousses à la vue de tous aurait été considéré comme très inconvenant pour l'époque, alors que dans le récit, ça ne choque absolument personne.
Dernière chose qui m'a fortement déplu, c'est le personnage masculin. Je n'ai pas supporté son caractère colérique et arrogant. Ce peut être intéressant chez les héros de romance, surtout en historique, mais là c'était simplement agaçant. Quoi que Jane lui dise, il finissait par se dire qu'elle était sotte et qu'il savait mieux qu'elle ce dont elle avait besoin. Mais bien sûr, il la trouvait belle et désirable, alors ce n'était pas grave... A aucun moment je n'ai senti que le personnage évoluait vraiment, d'ailleurs la romance entre les deux héros arrive un peu de nulle part! Ils sont rapidement attirés l'un vers l'autre, soit, pourquoi pas, mais cela passe de l'attirance à l'amour fou sans qu'on ne sache vraiment comment, c'est à peine s'ils entretiennent une seule conversation ayant un semblant de sens!
En bref, des dialogues très répétitifs, une romance bof qui nait on ne sait pas comment, et un héros qui ne m'a pas convaincue. Une lecture qui fait passer le temps, mais loin d'être indispensable.
La plume n'a rien d'exceptionnelle bien que le vocabulaire soit varié, et même si la romance est appréciable, je l'ai trouvé trop rapide, sans réel fondement. J'ai trouvé très peu d'intérêt aux dialogues que j'ai jugé très plats et répétitifs par moment. Les personnages ne font que se prendre le bec pour une raison obscure, ils se disputent, finissent par s'embrasser, et ainsi de suite jusqu'à la fin. En parlant du dénouement, tout se passe très rapidemenet. Le rebondissement final est gros comme une maison, si bien qu'on le voit arriver à des kilomètres, et tout se règle en quelques pages.
En réalité, j'ai eu l'impression qu'il ne se passait pas grand chose dans ce roman, Jane rencontre le duc, Jane suit le duc, Jane et le duc se disputent, s'embrassent, et ainsi de suite jusqu'à la fin. C'est très bof mais j'ai tout de même passé un bon moment de lecture. Toutefois, je ne le relirai plus, c'est certain.
A noter tout de même que certains points sont anachroniques et montrent que la période historique et les moeurs de l'époque sont mal maitrisés (et ça, ça a vite fait de me crisper). Par exemple, que Jane apparaisse les cheveux lachés, ses belles boucles rousses à la vue de tous aurait été considéré comme très inconvenant pour l'époque, alors que dans le récit, ça ne choque absolument personne.
Dernière chose qui m'a fortement déplu, c'est le personnage masculin. Je n'ai pas supporté son caractère colérique et arrogant. Ce peut être intéressant chez les héros de romance, surtout en historique, mais là c'était simplement agaçant. Quoi que Jane lui dise, il finissait par se dire qu'elle était sotte et qu'il savait mieux qu'elle ce dont elle avait besoin. Mais bien sûr, il la trouvait belle et désirable, alors ce n'était pas grave... A aucun moment je n'ai senti que le personnage évoluait vraiment, d'ailleurs la romance entre les deux héros arrive un peu de nulle part! Ils sont rapidement attirés l'un vers l'autre, soit, pourquoi pas, mais cela passe de l'attirance à l'amour fou sans qu'on ne sache vraiment comment, c'est à peine s'ils entretiennent une seule conversation ayant un semblant de sens!
En bref, des dialogues très répétitifs, une romance bof qui nait on ne sait pas comment, et un héros qui ne m'a pas convaincue. Une lecture qui fait passer le temps, mais loin d'être indispensable.
March 28, 2021
I was very disappointed with this book. The storyline itself was good, but I just didn't see any reason for Hawk, the Duke, or Jane to love each other. The only time they weren't arguing with each other was when they were kissing and then they immediately went back to arguing afterwards. They definitely felt lust for each other, but not love. They never tried to understand each other Instead of communicating with each other, both of them kept making false assumptions about the other, which led to constant bickering. They argued and snapped at each other so much in the book that practically every sentence said to each other had an exclamation point at the end of it. It must be exhausting for the characters to say things in a way that requires an exclamation point at the end of their sentence all the time. I don't think they knew how to say anything normally until the last 2 pages of the book. Even his marriage proposal at the end was made in anger and yelled at her in front of others. Sorry. That's just not romantic to me.
July 25, 2024
Devo dire che sono rimasta notevolmente sorpresa, non avendo mai particolari aspettative su questo tipo di romanzi.
La storia tra i due protagonisti è frizzante e dinamica, piena di irriverenza ma soprattutto anticonvenzionale. C'è tutto quello che non ti aspetteresti da un romanzo ambientato in questo periodo.
La protagonista è davvero un personaggio, nel vero senso del termine. Non sa stare minimamente al suo posto, incurante di tutto e di tutti.
Forse è proprio questo il bello di questo romanzo, constatare che non gliene frega minimamente niente delle convenzioni che la circondano e della posizione che ricopre lei stessa in società.
Il nostro duca ha il suo perché, sebbene un po' troppo istigato alla violenza ( unica nota che purtroppo mi ha fatto storcere il naso)
Ma tutto sommato una lettura leggera e di intrattenimento, ottima per passare delle ore di relax.
La storia tra i due protagonisti è frizzante e dinamica, piena di irriverenza ma soprattutto anticonvenzionale. C'è tutto quello che non ti aspetteresti da un romanzo ambientato in questo periodo.
La protagonista è davvero un personaggio, nel vero senso del termine. Non sa stare minimamente al suo posto, incurante di tutto e di tutti.
Forse è proprio questo il bello di questo romanzo, constatare che non gliene frega minimamente niente delle convenzioni che la circondano e della posizione che ricopre lei stessa in società.
Il nostro duca ha il suo perché, sebbene un po' troppo istigato alla violenza ( unica nota che purtroppo mi ha fatto storcere il naso)
Ma tutto sommato una lettura leggera e di intrattenimento, ottima per passare delle ore di relax.
July 14, 2018
Not sure if it was just my paperback copy, but had noticed a lot of grammar and typos. Mulberry Hall became Mulberry Park, Mulberry Mall twice (yep Mall), back to Hall. Wide instead of wife, and some sentences just didn't make sense - which in turn hurt my brain a little. Haha.
Really wanted to like the book, though felt Jane's attitude and being rather outspoken for a young woman growing up without title appeared to be too outspoken for a woman of her "class". Speaking down to a Duke for example.
Felt the ending was a bit of an anticlimax, guess I've been too spoilt for choice?
Wanted to like the book more than I did, am sorry can only give you two stars. ☹
Really wanted to like the book, though felt Jane's attitude and being rather outspoken for a young woman growing up without title appeared to be too outspoken for a woman of her "class". Speaking down to a Duke for example.
Felt the ending was a bit of an anticlimax, guess I've been too spoilt for choice?
Wanted to like the book more than I did, am sorry can only give you two stars. ☹
June 29, 2024
Miała być historia Kopciuszka, w polskiej wersji „Książe i Jane”. Daleka krewna, traktowana przez swoich opiekunów okropnie, postanawia uciec i poszukać swoich korzeni. Zakrada się więc do dorożki Księcia, który przyjechał kilka dni wcześniej do rezydencji jej patronów. Kiedy w oberży okazuje się, że dziewczyna wywinęła taki numer, Książe zabiera ją ze sobą do wiejskiej posiadłości i nie wie co z nią zrobić, bo rodzi się w nim uczucie, ale niski status dziewczyny, córki pastora, wstrzymuje go w działaniach.
Szybka, przewidywalna i niestety niezbyt romantyczna.
https://www.youtube.com/@angelic_on_p...
Szybka, przewidywalna i niestety niezbyt romantyczna.
https://www.youtube.com/@angelic_on_p...
February 17, 2022
I have never felt a book to be a waste like this one has been. The general storyline was good but it missed so much. Some characters were left hanging that I feel would have helped carry the story and fill the obvious holes. Also how the Duke and Jane came to realize that they each loved one another was purely anticlimactic. I sincerely wish the author had done a better job.
May 1, 2023
This was an interesting story and I enjoyed the main characters. I enjoyed the banter between the two and the unexpected twists this story took. I found the main characters engaging and at time very entertaining. It was fun to see Hawk brought to his knees by love. The side characters were interesting and many added to the fabric of the story.
November 9, 2020
Jane the Poor Relative
I love this author and have read almost all of her work. But this time I almost didn’t finish this book!! All the hero and heroine did was argue!! Not very entertaining!! Finally the nearer the ending, the more pleasant everyone became.
I love this author and have read almost all of her work. But this time I almost didn’t finish this book!! All the hero and heroine did was argue!! Not very entertaining!! Finally the nearer the ending, the more pleasant everyone became.
July 13, 2025
So much back and forth and Jane kept getting on my nerves for assuming the duke meant something that was only ever in her head. They should have just communicated more but alas. It was a good read nonetheless.
January 26, 2017
Was ok. Typical of the genre. Didn't like the hero much. Didn't love the writing much. Heroine was ok, but not my favourite.
July 26, 2018
Good Story. I enjoyed it.
August 3, 2020
I read the notorious st Claire's a number times. Iwish their were more books like them. Love the men and the women they marry.
December 9, 2020
Really good read. Jane doesn't meekly sit quiet like most female leads in these historical romances.
March 1, 2021
Reto bukumo knyga, visomis prasmėmis :) Niekam nerekomenduoju.
May 3, 2021
This was so bad. Even if you're like "but I like Historical Romance," - nah. Don't do it.
March 18, 2022
It was okay. The heroine seemed too bold for someone who wasn’t exposed to society. The hero was okay. The coincidences at the end seemed unbelievable.
June 30, 2022
Liked the writing style. Relationship with dad was quite weird. Will read more of author though!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews