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Desperately Seeking Duke #1
About a Rogue
The first book in the new series Desperately Seeking Duke from USA Today bestselling and RITA award-winning author Caroline Linden.
It’s no love match…
Bianca Tate is horrified when her sister Cathy is obliged to accept an offer of marriage from Maximilian St. James, notorious rake. Defiantly she helps Cathy elope with her true love, and takes her sister’s place at the altar.
It’s not even the match that was made…
Perched on the lowest branch of his family tree, Max has relied on charm and cunning to survive. But an unexpected stroke of luck gives him an outside chance at a dukedom—and which Tate sister he weds hardly seems to matter.
But could it be the perfect match?
Married or not, Bianca is determined to protect her family’s prosperous ceramics business, even when Max shows an affinity for it—not to mention a dangerous ability to intrigue and tempt Bianca herself. And when Max realizes how beautiful and intelligent and desirable Bianca is, he’ll have to prove he’s no rogue, but the passionately devoted husband she craves…
It’s no love match…
Bianca Tate is horrified when her sister Cathy is obliged to accept an offer of marriage from Maximilian St. James, notorious rake. Defiantly she helps Cathy elope with her true love, and takes her sister’s place at the altar.
It’s not even the match that was made…
Perched on the lowest branch of his family tree, Max has relied on charm and cunning to survive. But an unexpected stroke of luck gives him an outside chance at a dukedom—and which Tate sister he weds hardly seems to matter.
But could it be the perfect match?
Married or not, Bianca is determined to protect her family’s prosperous ceramics business, even when Max shows an affinity for it—not to mention a dangerous ability to intrigue and tempt Bianca herself. And when Max realizes how beautiful and intelligent and desirable Bianca is, he’ll have to prove he’s no rogue, but the passionately devoted husband she craves…
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2020
About the author
Caroline Linden
60 books1,659 followersCaroline Linden was born a reader, not a writer. She earned a degree in mathematics from Harvard University and worked as a programmer in the financial services industry before realizing writing fiction is much more exciting than writing code. Her books have won the NEC-RWA Readers' Choice Award, the JNRW Golden Leaf, the Daphne du Maurier Award, and RWA's RITA Award, and have been translated into seventeen languages around the world. She lives in New England.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 432 reviews
April 5, 2022
Update April 2022 - listened to the audiobook for the first time. Was a comfort read. Still love it.
Update July 2020:
I joined a Buddy Read for this one because I have read most of the recent New Releases as a Buddy Read in the HRBC by Caroline Linden. It really surprised me when I got an ARC and I didn't want to miss buddy reading for it. Anyways, it was not as loved by my fellow readers. I still love it and could re-read it tomorrow if I had the time, but I would just note that it does start off showing the H&H in rather unfavorable lights and it takes awhile to unpack that. The hero has some mystery and hidden secrets, even as you start to like him more, and there are not much in the way of hints to give insight on what is behind the facade. That takes nearly the entire book to understand. If it was another author, I might not have had the patience for it. So, just FYI if you are in the mood for something that is a journey that builds, this might be a good option, but if you're in the mood something that is more exciting and gratifying earlier in the book, then this is probably not the one for you. Cheers all! Hope you are well.
May 2020:
Gorgeous book. I am a huge Linden fan, and this one will certainly go down as among my favorites by her. The characters, the setting and the romance were wonderfully described, and I look forward to picking this up again to reread.
The story starts out with a dukedom in peril, leading to a search for distant heirs. Three possibilities emerge, including the hero of this story, Max St. James. He is not first in line, but the Duchess summons him to the estate to give him a chance. He is gifted a good sum and is promised more on good behavior. Max is not one to miss an opportunity, and he is also not keen on being at the mercy of someone else’s idea of good behavior, having earned the reputation of a scandalous rogue. He seeks a partnership with a successful pottery works owner, Sam Tate. The only way to make a partnership is to marry into it and luckily Tate has two single daughters.
Bianca ends up married to the rogue, though she is none too pleased. She chose the marriage when she learns her father has already signed over a portion of the pottery works. Bianca is actively invested in the business. She creates glazes for the pottery and argues with her father about business decisions, so she is not keen on a London rogue coming in and usurping her.
I really enjoyed the way these two ambitious leads challenged each other, which led to admiration and love. Max was a very compelling hero. He started out as an enigma and the slow revealing of his hidden depths was a delicious process. Bianca was a strong, determined heroine, but she was not afraid to relent when she realized she was wrong.
This was a really lovely read and satisfying romance. I think it is a good story to try out Linden and definitely recommend if you like a setting away from balls and house parties.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. This was my honest opinion.
Update July 2020:
I joined a Buddy Read for this one because I have read most of the recent New Releases as a Buddy Read in the HRBC by Caroline Linden. It really surprised me when I got an ARC and I didn't want to miss buddy reading for it. Anyways, it was not as loved by my fellow readers. I still love it and could re-read it tomorrow if I had the time, but I would just note that it does start off showing the H&H in rather unfavorable lights and it takes awhile to unpack that. The hero has some mystery and hidden secrets, even as you start to like him more, and there are not much in the way of hints to give insight on what is behind the facade. That takes nearly the entire book to understand. If it was another author, I might not have had the patience for it. So, just FYI if you are in the mood for something that is a journey that builds, this might be a good option, but if you're in the mood something that is more exciting and gratifying earlier in the book, then this is probably not the one for you. Cheers all! Hope you are well.
May 2020:
Gorgeous book. I am a huge Linden fan, and this one will certainly go down as among my favorites by her. The characters, the setting and the romance were wonderfully described, and I look forward to picking this up again to reread.
The story starts out with a dukedom in peril, leading to a search for distant heirs. Three possibilities emerge, including the hero of this story, Max St. James. He is not first in line, but the Duchess summons him to the estate to give him a chance. He is gifted a good sum and is promised more on good behavior. Max is not one to miss an opportunity, and he is also not keen on being at the mercy of someone else’s idea of good behavior, having earned the reputation of a scandalous rogue. He seeks a partnership with a successful pottery works owner, Sam Tate. The only way to make a partnership is to marry into it and luckily Tate has two single daughters.
Bianca ends up married to the rogue, though she is none too pleased. She chose the marriage when she learns her father has already signed over a portion of the pottery works. Bianca is actively invested in the business. She creates glazes for the pottery and argues with her father about business decisions, so she is not keen on a London rogue coming in and usurping her.
I really enjoyed the way these two ambitious leads challenged each other, which led to admiration and love. Max was a very compelling hero. He started out as an enigma and the slow revealing of his hidden depths was a delicious process. Bianca was a strong, determined heroine, but she was not afraid to relent when she realized she was wrong.
This was a really lovely read and satisfying romance. I think it is a good story to try out Linden and definitely recommend if you like a setting away from balls and house parties.
*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. This was my honest opinion.
May 16, 2021
About a Rogue
by Caroline Linden brings a fresh setting and engaging characters to this historical romance. Bianca Tate can’t stay silent and do nothing when her older sister Cathy needs to accept a marriage offer from Maximilian St. James. Therefore, she helps her sister elope with her true love and takes Cathy’s place at the altar. Max has had a hard life and has relied on charm and wit to survive. However, he has learned that he has the slim possibility of coming a duke.
Bianca and Max are fully developed characters with lots of chemistry. However, this is not an instant love story. Additionally, several of the secondary characters are well developed and provide additional interest and conflict.
When this author puts a marriage of convenience, a disdain for the groom, and an indifference to which sister is the bride together with a pottery works at the bottom of Marslip Hill, the novel is a winner. I enjoyed learning more about how the earthenware was produced. The world-building was great in the country setting and during the trip to London. There was always a strong sense of time and place transporting me to 1787. I also enjoyed the everyday life and the cricket game.
Secrets, lies of omission, misunderstandings, business ventures, family, friendship, intrique, gambling, wit, enjoyable plot, hurt feelings, and much more keep the story moving at a good clip. There are some steamy scenes in the latter part of the book and there is very little violence. This novel isn’t super twisty, but if you like intelligent scientific female protagonists and strong male leads, then this may be the book for you.
Overall, this was engrossing, entertaining, and a good start to a new series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Bianca and Max are fully developed characters with lots of chemistry. However, this is not an instant love story. Additionally, several of the secondary characters are well developed and provide additional interest and conflict.
When this author puts a marriage of convenience, a disdain for the groom, and an indifference to which sister is the bride together with a pottery works at the bottom of Marslip Hill, the novel is a winner. I enjoyed learning more about how the earthenware was produced. The world-building was great in the country setting and during the trip to London. There was always a strong sense of time and place transporting me to 1787. I also enjoyed the everyday life and the cricket game.
Secrets, lies of omission, misunderstandings, business ventures, family, friendship, intrique, gambling, wit, enjoyable plot, hurt feelings, and much more keep the story moving at a good clip. There are some steamy scenes in the latter part of the book and there is very little violence. This novel isn’t super twisty, but if you like intelligent scientific female protagonists and strong male leads, then this may be the book for you.
Overall, this was engrossing, entertaining, and a good start to a new series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I won a digital copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
August 1, 2020
About a Rogue was my first book from Caroline Linden, but it won't be my last. I found it to be utterly delightful.
I was sort of afraid that Max would be a difficult MC to like, but he was really someone I enjoyed for the entire book. He was smart and resilient, and just very, very likable. Plus. his chemistry with Bianca was electric. I really enjoyed the slow-build, enemies-to-lovers romance, and I felt as though everything evolved very organically. Bianca was a little harder to like as she hates Max at the beginning, and runs with that hatred for way longer than Max deserves. However, I liked how fiercely loyal she was and how she fought for what she believed in.
Everything from the plot to the supporting characters was really well done. It was the kind of book where I had trouble finding something I didn't enjoy. Sure, it wasn't the kind of book that I stay up all night reading, but I would recommend this book again and again to my historical romance-loving friends.
A very solid romance and a great introduction to Caroline Linden. A big win for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I was sort of afraid that Max would be a difficult MC to like, but he was really someone I enjoyed for the entire book. He was smart and resilient, and just very, very likable. Plus. his chemistry with Bianca was electric. I really enjoyed the slow-build, enemies-to-lovers romance, and I felt as though everything evolved very organically. Bianca was a little harder to like as she hates Max at the beginning, and runs with that hatred for way longer than Max deserves. However, I liked how fiercely loyal she was and how she fought for what she believed in.
Everything from the plot to the supporting characters was really well done. It was the kind of book where I had trouble finding something I didn't enjoy. Sure, it wasn't the kind of book that I stay up all night reading, but I would recommend this book again and again to my historical romance-loving friends.
A very solid romance and a great introduction to Caroline Linden. A big win for me.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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May 19, 2020
I was given an Advanced Review Copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was extremely excited and feel privileged to be chosen, so I will write a bit more than usual.
I don't know how Caroline Linden does it, but she always evokes an emotional reaction in me. She also frequently has Heroes who must grow on me throughout the book.
Maximilian St. James was just such a hero. He arranged to marry Cathy, the beautiful eldest daughter of Samuel Tate, only to gain some control in the Perusia pottery works family business. Cathy was a very biddable daughter. She didn't speak up against the match to her father. However, she was in love with the local rector Mr. Mayne; and on impulse, she packed to run away in secret. Fortunately, her sister Bee caught her and helped her plan the escape more thoroughly.
Bianca Tate was quite the opposite of Cathy--less porcelain doll perfect beauty, more fiery temper, and not biddable at all. She never planned to marry and worked long hours in Perusia, her first love.
When the wedding day came and Mr. Tate found the bride missing, he confessed to the remaining daughter Bianca that he gave away 25% of Perusia. Since he would be in breach of contract, the only way to save the family business would be for Bianca to fill in and marry St. James. In anger, she agreed; and Max seemed to have no issue either. I felt Bianca's rage. I almost shook with tears of anger at her father. There may be readers who have an issue with the heroine. She was hard-headed and not malleable. She held on to her anger and did not give her husband a chance at first. However, I felt her stance so well, I thought it best she took a long time to come around.
Max was her perfect match. Although he was a rake and a rogue in his past, he did have many good character qualities. He was slow to anger and willing to be patient to win the long game: "like a steady flow of water over stone, his attention and suggestive words were wearing away her resistance."
Another consistent joy for me in Linden's writing is her movement. Her stories don't simply take place with the aristocracy in countless ballroom scenes. The characters have a greater purpose, and the action of the story takes place in varying location settings. In addition to some of the best character and relationship development, her stories have mystery that is unveiled seamlessly.
I was happy to receive answers to all my questions about Max's past and greatly look forward to finding out what happened to Captain St. James in Book 2. Also included was a lovely E-ONLY Novella between the valet Christopher Lawrence and the lady's maid Jenny Hickson. It was a sweet bonus.
All in all, this was a perfect romantic read I highly recommend to anyone, whether you have read the author before or not, even if you do not like heroines who take a long time before giving the hero a chance.
I don't know how Caroline Linden does it, but she always evokes an emotional reaction in me. She also frequently has Heroes who must grow on me throughout the book.
Maximilian St. James was just such a hero. He arranged to marry Cathy, the beautiful eldest daughter of Samuel Tate, only to gain some control in the Perusia pottery works family business. Cathy was a very biddable daughter. She didn't speak up against the match to her father. However, she was in love with the local rector Mr. Mayne; and on impulse, she packed to run away in secret. Fortunately, her sister Bee caught her and helped her plan the escape more thoroughly.
Bianca Tate was quite the opposite of Cathy--less porcelain doll perfect beauty, more fiery temper, and not biddable at all. She never planned to marry and worked long hours in Perusia, her first love.
When the wedding day came and Mr. Tate found the bride missing, he confessed to the remaining daughter Bianca that he gave away 25% of Perusia. Since he would be in breach of contract, the only way to save the family business would be for Bianca to fill in and marry St. James. In anger, she agreed; and Max seemed to have no issue either. I felt Bianca's rage. I almost shook with tears of anger at her father. There may be readers who have an issue with the heroine. She was hard-headed and not malleable. She held on to her anger and did not give her husband a chance at first. However, I felt her stance so well, I thought it best she took a long time to come around.
Max was her perfect match. Although he was a rake and a rogue in his past, he did have many good character qualities. He was slow to anger and willing to be patient to win the long game: "like a steady flow of water over stone, his attention and suggestive words were wearing away her resistance."
Another consistent joy for me in Linden's writing is her movement. Her stories don't simply take place with the aristocracy in countless ballroom scenes. The characters have a greater purpose, and the action of the story takes place in varying location settings. In addition to some of the best character and relationship development, her stories have mystery that is unveiled seamlessly.
I was happy to receive answers to all my questions about Max's past and greatly look forward to finding out what happened to Captain St. James in Book 2. Also included was a lovely E-ONLY Novella between the valet Christopher Lawrence and the lady's maid Jenny Hickson. It was a sweet bonus.
All in all, this was a perfect romantic read I highly recommend to anyone, whether you have read the author before or not, even if you do not like heroines who take a long time before giving the hero a chance.
September 9, 2021
4.5 stars. Ah yes my first ever hr book with a marriage of convenience married couple that supports each other outside and inside the bedroom doors. He's literally her business partner and bounces off ideas with her for her family business. And it's an enemies to lovers where she has low self esteem since she's not her sister while he has his dark secrets of his own that he thinks he won't be suitable for her. And they're so so so adorable when they're living together and spending time together. All the stolen glances. Small touches. And secret smiles??? Kill me.
January 30, 2021
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bianca resolved before noon on her wedding day that she would hate and despise her husband for the rest of her life.
About a Rogue kicks off the Desperately Seeking Duke series with an intriguing start. Readers might be thrown at first as we get the story first and then the characters, which is different from the more typical introduction to characters and then we follow them to get the story. Here, we are first introduced to the Duchess of Carlyle and her man Mr. Edwards and through their discussion and the duchess' musings, we learn that her younger son has just died. This is particularly important because her husband is dead and her oldest son is intellectually disabled, an heir is needed for the vast and rich Carlyle dukedom. Mr. Edwards has discovered three possible heirs, “An army man, a cardsharp, or a Frenchman,”, choices the duchess isn't particularly excited about. When the army man, Captain Andrew St. James and the cardsharp, Maximilian St. James show up, she interviews them and explains that she will give them an allowance and keep a watch over them to see how responsible and settled they are and in six months time they are to report back to her. Max is the second heir behind the captain but he has had at least one foot in poverty all his life and is determined to not let this opportunity pass him by, he's going to find a way to turn the duchess' allowance into a permanent flow of money he can control.
He suspected they had both acted on impulse, even if her impulse sprang from passion and fury while his came from an iron-willed determination not to let this opportunity slide through his grasp.
Bianca has lived in Perusia all her life, a town founded by her father's pottery works business, she loves creating new glazes and working there. When a man starts coming around and her father is impressed with his fine London ways, connections to a dukedom, and seems to be trying to court her older sister Cathy, Bianca is instantly on her guard. Bianca knows that Cathy is in love with the local curate and when their father approves a marriage between them, Bianca helps Cathy plan her elopement. When the day of the wedding comes and there is no bride, Bianca and her father fight and push each other until Bianca agrees to marry Max in Cathy's place, thinking Max will refuse. Max just wanting to accomplish a stakehold in Perusia, agrees to marry Bianca.
Even in his plain, sober clothing, wearing spectacles and reading a dust-dry contract. Obviously he knew he was a handsome man. Bianca was wildly annoyed that she had to know it, too.
With the marriage of convenience, there is also some enemies-to-lovers and Taming of the Shrew. Bianca only calls Max “That Man” and will test your resolve with her very caustic and borderline bratty attitude. Max through it all just plays the calm and unruffled husband trying to build and implement some new ideas to improve Perusia, while also non-confrontationally challenging Bianca. It's around the 40% mark that Bianca starts to thaw towards him and their relationship takes over as the focus of the story as they travel to London for some Vauxhall sexiness and then come home for what turns out to be some foreplay in the form of a competitive game of cricket. There's obviously some slow burn to this couple but what I really enjoyed was how there felt like purpose to their sex scenes. Max decides early that he won't push anything or in fact act on any signs from Bianca until she is all in with her desire, which can be read as Max wanting that emotional connection from her. They start off oil and water but as each emotional connection is built, so is the feeling of desire and it made the eventual physical scenes have that much more heat to them.
No one had ever spoken to her like that. No one had ever looked at her this way. It made her feel wild and beautiful and powerful, that this man wanted her.
This story was more about the present time and Max and Bianca connecting. There is some background to Max, his father being a wastrel, his mother writing to the Duke of Carlyle for financial help and only receiving a five pound note, and his aunt ending up caring for him, that explained aspects of his personality and helped fill out his character. Bianca was outshone by him as her beginning attitude was aggravating in The Shrew way. I also thought that the ending issue with Max's aunt had a bit of forced in drama, instead of adding to the story, feel. Overall, though, this had an appreciated different feel to it while still giving the tried and true Vauxhall but adding in some interesting pottery works elements. Max and Bianca were a sparking spot to stop off at for a while in the overarching plot of finding an heir for the Carlyle dukedom. The ending brings us back to the beginning with the Captain and, as of now, first in line heir, not heard from for a while and missing. This series started off fresh and intriguing, I'm looking forward the next.
He smiled, that lazy rogue’s smile that both put her on guard and made something inside her soften treacherously.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bianca resolved before noon on her wedding day that she would hate and despise her husband for the rest of her life.
About a Rogue kicks off the Desperately Seeking Duke series with an intriguing start. Readers might be thrown at first as we get the story first and then the characters, which is different from the more typical introduction to characters and then we follow them to get the story. Here, we are first introduced to the Duchess of Carlyle and her man Mr. Edwards and through their discussion and the duchess' musings, we learn that her younger son has just died. This is particularly important because her husband is dead and her oldest son is intellectually disabled, an heir is needed for the vast and rich Carlyle dukedom. Mr. Edwards has discovered three possible heirs, “An army man, a cardsharp, or a Frenchman,”, choices the duchess isn't particularly excited about. When the army man, Captain Andrew St. James and the cardsharp, Maximilian St. James show up, she interviews them and explains that she will give them an allowance and keep a watch over them to see how responsible and settled they are and in six months time they are to report back to her. Max is the second heir behind the captain but he has had at least one foot in poverty all his life and is determined to not let this opportunity pass him by, he's going to find a way to turn the duchess' allowance into a permanent flow of money he can control.
He suspected they had both acted on impulse, even if her impulse sprang from passion and fury while his came from an iron-willed determination not to let this opportunity slide through his grasp.
Bianca has lived in Perusia all her life, a town founded by her father's pottery works business, she loves creating new glazes and working there. When a man starts coming around and her father is impressed with his fine London ways, connections to a dukedom, and seems to be trying to court her older sister Cathy, Bianca is instantly on her guard. Bianca knows that Cathy is in love with the local curate and when their father approves a marriage between them, Bianca helps Cathy plan her elopement. When the day of the wedding comes and there is no bride, Bianca and her father fight and push each other until Bianca agrees to marry Max in Cathy's place, thinking Max will refuse. Max just wanting to accomplish a stakehold in Perusia, agrees to marry Bianca.
Even in his plain, sober clothing, wearing spectacles and reading a dust-dry contract. Obviously he knew he was a handsome man. Bianca was wildly annoyed that she had to know it, too.
With the marriage of convenience, there is also some enemies-to-lovers and Taming of the Shrew. Bianca only calls Max “That Man” and will test your resolve with her very caustic and borderline bratty attitude. Max through it all just plays the calm and unruffled husband trying to build and implement some new ideas to improve Perusia, while also non-confrontationally challenging Bianca. It's around the 40% mark that Bianca starts to thaw towards him and their relationship takes over as the focus of the story as they travel to London for some Vauxhall sexiness and then come home for what turns out to be some foreplay in the form of a competitive game of cricket. There's obviously some slow burn to this couple but what I really enjoyed was how there felt like purpose to their sex scenes. Max decides early that he won't push anything or in fact act on any signs from Bianca until she is all in with her desire, which can be read as Max wanting that emotional connection from her. They start off oil and water but as each emotional connection is built, so is the feeling of desire and it made the eventual physical scenes have that much more heat to them.
No one had ever spoken to her like that. No one had ever looked at her this way. It made her feel wild and beautiful and powerful, that this man wanted her.
This story was more about the present time and Max and Bianca connecting. There is some background to Max, his father being a wastrel, his mother writing to the Duke of Carlyle for financial help and only receiving a five pound note, and his aunt ending up caring for him, that explained aspects of his personality and helped fill out his character. Bianca was outshone by him as her beginning attitude was aggravating in The Shrew way. I also thought that the ending issue with Max's aunt had a bit of forced in drama, instead of adding to the story, feel. Overall, though, this had an appreciated different feel to it while still giving the tried and true Vauxhall but adding in some interesting pottery works elements. Max and Bianca were a sparking spot to stop off at for a while in the overarching plot of finding an heir for the Carlyle dukedom. The ending brings us back to the beginning with the Captain and, as of now, first in line heir, not heard from for a while and missing. This series started off fresh and intriguing, I'm looking forward the next.
He smiled, that lazy rogue’s smile that both put her on guard and made something inside her soften treacherously.
October 16, 2020
This was pretty good. I don't usually bother with Georgian-era historical romance, but this had remarkably little of that period beyond occasional mentions of powdered hair and suchlike. Max himself is, of course, his own man and wears his long hair in a queue unpowdered like god intended. Or something. Okay, I'm poking fun and the book doesn't earn it. Most of it is outside of anything that'd have a strong imprint of the era so it ended up being much less a factor than I'd feared.
Not that Linden goes out of her way to be period accurate. I mean, Max and Bianca are openly talking trade with Max's noble friends and nobody says boo and he even brags on Bianca's way with inventing new glazes. To an actual ducal buddy of his. And everybody is all impressed and stuff. So yeah, pretty ahistorical, I'm thinking. And that's before we get to the Tate family response to Max's great secret.
But I didn't actually mind all of that because frankly, I was in it for Max and Bianca and I liked both of them a ton and was pulling for them to join as a team from the beginning. Max made for a great underdog to root for and Bianca was tough, but fair, if a bit fast on the judgement about Max. Both are hard-working and since they care deeply about the same thing, that worked out fantastic. I loved when they worked together, whether it was for the Tate family business or playing cricket.
Not so happy-making was Max's great secret. Worse, it was the kind of secret that the author kind of had to keep coy about for it to have any impact at all—mostly because it was the kind of thing that wouldn't strike modern audiences as something Max should dread at all. And since Bianca and her family responded like truly enlightened people (i.e. modern), it really was a lot of angst over nothing just like a reader would have suspected if Linden hadn't been so coy. Which is a long way of saying that the secret keeping was annoying and the reason for it turned out to be lame.
So the minor annoyance of the era attitudes being warped in the protagonists favor and the whole secret keeping thing makes this a four star read, though solidly so for me. And yeah, that's mainly because I liked the protagonists so much and really loved seeing them develop love, trust, and intimacy.
A note about Steamy: There are most of three explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They were about what I expected they'd be so . . . serviceable enough. By the time they happen, the couple is already intimate in every meaningful way so they're mostly gratuitous, really.
Not that Linden goes out of her way to be period accurate. I mean, Max and Bianca are openly talking trade with Max's noble friends and nobody says boo and he even brags on Bianca's way with inventing new glazes. To an actual ducal buddy of his. And everybody is all impressed and stuff. So yeah, pretty ahistorical, I'm thinking. And that's before we get to the Tate family response to Max's great secret.
But I didn't actually mind all of that because frankly, I was in it for Max and Bianca and I liked both of them a ton and was pulling for them to join as a team from the beginning. Max made for a great underdog to root for and Bianca was tough, but fair, if a bit fast on the judgement about Max. Both are hard-working and since they care deeply about the same thing, that worked out fantastic. I loved when they worked together, whether it was for the Tate family business or playing cricket.
Not so happy-making was Max's great secret. Worse, it was the kind of secret that the author kind of had to keep coy about for it to have any impact at all—mostly because it was the kind of thing that wouldn't strike modern audiences as something Max should dread at all. And since Bianca and her family responded like truly enlightened people (i.e. modern), it really was a lot of angst over nothing just like a reader would have suspected if Linden hadn't been so coy. Which is a long way of saying that the secret keeping was annoying and the reason for it turned out to be lame.
So the minor annoyance of the era attitudes being warped in the protagonists favor and the whole secret keeping thing makes this a four star read, though solidly so for me. And yeah, that's mainly because I liked the protagonists so much and really loved seeing them develop love, trust, and intimacy.
A note about Steamy: There are most of three explicit sex scenes putting this in the middle of my steam tolerance. They were about what I expected they'd be so . . . serviceable enough. By the time they happen, the couple is already intimate in every meaningful way so they're mostly gratuitous, really.
July 3, 2020
Caroline Linden is one of my hands-down favorite authors and this first installment in a new series about three unlikely heirs to a dukedom is Linden at her best. She is a queen of the character-driven romance and in About a Rogue, her talent of showing two unlikely souls falling for each other is perfectly steamy, romantic, and all-around delightful. Add to that the fun series hook of who will inherit and a setting that takes place primarily in a pottery business with a dash of Vauxhall glamour and an epic cricket match and you have one heck of a story.
Bianca is a heroine with an intense work ethic, an fiery temper, and an ironclad devotion to her family. All of these things start out as enormous barriers to a HEA with the man she weds in an impulsive fit of pique. Most of the time, I don't like heroines that are a bit mulish and temperamental, but of course, this is Linden, and she handles it beautifully.
I loved how Bianca was a foil for the perfectly controlled, intensely focused, and often underestimated Max. Whereas Bianca wore her emotions on her sleeve, Max was careful and slowly chipped away at his wife's resistance. The surrender was explosive and from then on out, I loved how the two worked as a team. It is always satisfying to read a story where the two characters overcome their obstacles and the author then shows how the two can really stick together. Linden does an excellent job of showing how Max finds a home after wandering and searching for so long and Bianca, for all her initial quick judgments, once she falls for Max, never wavers in her devotion and would use all her fiery nature to fight FOR Max instead of against him.
This story was well-paced with some mystery surrounding Max's past (which I thought was well-handled within the context of the time period) and the eventual confrontation with Bianca's sister and the duchess holding the secrets to who would inherit. It also had just some fun scenes with the Vauxhall masquerade and the epic cricket match between the rival pottery businesses. I also thought the sweet extra story that captures the romance between the valet and lady's maid (within the context of Max and Bianca's story) was a cherry on top from the upstairs/downstairs perspective.
Overall, I loved this and can't wait to revisit it. Highly recommend for new romance readers and grizzled romance veterans (like me!) alike. There's something in this story for everyone.
Bianca is a heroine with an intense work ethic, an fiery temper, and an ironclad devotion to her family. All of these things start out as enormous barriers to a HEA with the man she weds in an impulsive fit of pique. Most of the time, I don't like heroines that are a bit mulish and temperamental, but of course, this is Linden, and she handles it beautifully.
I loved how Bianca was a foil for the perfectly controlled, intensely focused, and often underestimated Max. Whereas Bianca wore her emotions on her sleeve, Max was careful and slowly chipped away at his wife's resistance. The surrender was explosive and from then on out, I loved how the two worked as a team. It is always satisfying to read a story where the two characters overcome their obstacles and the author then shows how the two can really stick together. Linden does an excellent job of showing how Max finds a home after wandering and searching for so long and Bianca, for all her initial quick judgments, once she falls for Max, never wavers in her devotion and would use all her fiery nature to fight FOR Max instead of against him.
This story was well-paced with some mystery surrounding Max's past (which I thought was well-handled within the context of the time period) and the eventual confrontation with Bianca's sister and the duchess holding the secrets to who would inherit. It also had just some fun scenes with the Vauxhall masquerade and the epic cricket match between the rival pottery businesses. I also thought the sweet extra story that captures the romance between the valet and lady's maid (within the context of Max and Bianca's story) was a cherry on top from the upstairs/downstairs perspective.
Overall, I loved this and can't wait to revisit it. Highly recommend for new romance readers and grizzled romance veterans (like me!) alike. There's something in this story for everyone.
June 18, 2023
It's been a long time since I read a Caroline Linden book, but I definitely need to go back and read more of hers. About a Rogue was excellent and Bianca (h) and Max (H) had a solid romance that progressed from distrust with a contentious feel (on Bianca's part) to a true partnership and love. And that progression was so well done and well paced.
The story starts with Max trying to take advantage of a change in his life after he finds out that he's potentially in line for a dukedom. He has ideas and plans for the Tate family's business so, making sure to highlight his connections, has proposed a marriage between himself and the eldest Tate daughter, who unbeknownst to Max is in love with someone else. Bianca encourages her sister to say no to the marriage and follow her heart, but when the sister does, Bianca's pressured to take her place. So they end up married and Max adjusts his vision of what his marriage will be because of the change in bride while Bianca is determined to keep her distance. Written in third person, dual POV. No om drama or real ow drama (they do have a brief run-in with a couple of H's past hookups but he brushes them aside; also h is jealous of how H's friends know him so well and wonders if they were ever lovers but they weren't). H is not a virgin and had a reputation prior to his life-changing news and h was a virgin.
I loved the details of the Tate family business making dinnerware and esp the details of Bianca working with glazes. I also loved how Max's actions challenged Bianca's expectations and initial perceptions. He shows her who he is and what he can bring to the business and to their marriage so the slow winning of her trust, belief in him, and affections was all the sweeter. There were fun scenes of them together like a competition to who would be at breakfast first, Max showing off his calves, an important cricket game, and lots of moments to build their tension but also show their daily lives.
My heart did feel for Max as his past was slowly shared because unlike Bianca's close family and town, Max went through some things...and continues to have a secret challenge. I didn't love the secret keeping but it did make sense once it was revealed and Bianca's reactions to the secret AND to him actually keeping it were different and very believable. Even though there is on page spice in this book, I wouldn't say it's overly explicit. There are a few scenes and one semi-public one (hidden) that was really hot. The focus of the book is on the characters and their relationship though, along with the plot line involving the secret.
Some great supporting characters rounded out the story with primarily Bianca's father being a large figure who's nothing loving and who she butts heads with, her sister, her aunt, servants, and employees. Friends of Max's make appearances and I did like how Bianca made friends in that group too and was accepted. The duchess, her attorney, and another distant cousin are in the start of the book when Max learns of his potentially being an heir with a return to a couple of these characters at the end. There's also a mysterious bad guy connected to the secret.
There is a third act conflict (no breakup) involving the secret and even though I didn't like the secret keeping, I liked the execution of the plot line and the resolution. I felt Max and Bianca truly chose each other by the end and that's important to me with arranged marriages. Some of the plot line though surrounding that conflict wasn't resolved and it bothered me. The mystery of who will be the heir of the dukedom is also still hanging at the end of the book and is why there's no extended epilogue, which was understandable since there are more books that follow that overarching plot, but this story felt a bit unfinished because of the ending even though they have their HEA. They're just not sure how the dukedom may affect their future. I saw that there's an extended epilogue novella that was released at the end of the whole series though that does feature Max and Bianca, at least in part, so that's a relief. I don't know if I'll continue the series, but I'm very glad I picked up this book and got to experience their love story and I would recommend it!
The story starts with Max trying to take advantage of a change in his life after he finds out that he's potentially in line for a dukedom. He has ideas and plans for the Tate family's business so, making sure to highlight his connections, has proposed a marriage between himself and the eldest Tate daughter, who unbeknownst to Max is in love with someone else. Bianca encourages her sister to say no to the marriage and follow her heart, but when the sister does, Bianca's pressured to take her place. So they end up married and Max adjusts his vision of what his marriage will be because of the change in bride while Bianca is determined to keep her distance. Written in third person, dual POV. No om drama or real ow drama (they do have a brief run-in with a couple of H's past hookups but he brushes them aside; also h is jealous of how H's friends know him so well and wonders if they were ever lovers but they weren't). H is not a virgin and had a reputation prior to his life-changing news and h was a virgin.
I loved the details of the Tate family business making dinnerware and esp the details of Bianca working with glazes. I also loved how Max's actions challenged Bianca's expectations and initial perceptions. He shows her who he is and what he can bring to the business and to their marriage so the slow winning of her trust, belief in him, and affections was all the sweeter. There were fun scenes of them together like a competition to who would be at breakfast first, Max showing off his calves, an important cricket game, and lots of moments to build their tension but also show their daily lives.
My heart did feel for Max as his past was slowly shared because unlike Bianca's close family and town, Max went through some things...and continues to have a secret challenge. I didn't love the secret keeping but it did make sense once it was revealed and Bianca's reactions to the secret AND to him actually keeping it were different and very believable. Even though there is on page spice in this book, I wouldn't say it's overly explicit. There are a few scenes and one semi-public one (hidden) that was really hot. The focus of the book is on the characters and their relationship though, along with the plot line involving the secret.
Some great supporting characters rounded out the story with primarily Bianca's father being a large figure who's nothing loving and who she butts heads with, her sister, her aunt, servants, and employees. Friends of Max's make appearances and I did like how Bianca made friends in that group too and was accepted. The duchess, her attorney, and another distant cousin are in the start of the book when Max learns of his potentially being an heir with a return to a couple of these characters at the end. There's also a mysterious bad guy connected to the secret.
There is a third act conflict (no breakup) involving the secret and even though I didn't like the secret keeping, I liked the execution of the plot line and the resolution. I felt Max and Bianca truly chose each other by the end and that's important to me with arranged marriages. Some of the plot line though surrounding that conflict wasn't resolved and it bothered me. The mystery of who will be the heir of the dukedom is also still hanging at the end of the book and is why there's no extended epilogue, which was understandable since there are more books that follow that overarching plot, but this story felt a bit unfinished because of the ending even though they have their HEA. They're just not sure how the dukedom may affect their future. I saw that there's an extended epilogue novella that was released at the end of the whole series though that does feature Max and Bianca, at least in part, so that's a relief. I don't know if I'll continue the series, but I'm very glad I picked up this book and got to experience their love story and I would recommend it!
July 4, 2020
Seems as if you can't read an HR that doesn't have either a duke, a rake, or a rogue as its hero. Dukes and rakes have pretty clear-cut definitions, but what exactly is a rogue? One source gave me two definitions: (1) dishonest or unprincipled man, and (2) large wild animal driven away or living apart from the herd and having destructive tendencies. Nope, those don't describe our hero here. Then there was this other source that defined a rogue as being "mischievous, knavish, a scoundrel or a scamp."
That second source's definition fits our hero better, although during the course of this novel, he shows very few of even those tendencies. He's an all-round good guy. Well, he does realize his effect on the opposite sex and does like to dress well and exhibit his manly legs to advantage.
The year is 1787, some 24 years before the Regency era officially begins. Maximilian St. James, our hero, a man who survives on his wits and gambling skills, has just learned that he is second in line to inherit the dukedom of a duke who has no viable immediate-family heirs. He and the first-in-line heir are given allowances to live on and instructions to find wives and also show that they are worthy of the title "duke".
Max uses his windfall to buy into the Tate family's ceramics business and also to marry into the business by taking the older daughter Cathy to wife. But beautiful, docile Cathy has other ideas and runs off with the local vicar. That leaves Bianca, not-so-docile daughter, to do the honors of marrying him. She's not happy about it and lets him know in no uncertain terms.
Bianca is a talented glazer and is actively involved in the family business. She resents Max's becoming a partner, especially considering he has no actual knowledge of or experience in the business. There you go. Marriage of convenience. Resentment and dislike turning into liking and respect turning into love.
Along the way we learn some tidbits about the ceramics and pottery business, and, also, by dribs and drabs, some secrets in Max's life. The pottery aspect is interesting and unusual for a historical romance, although Courtney Milan had a similar family business in her AFTER THE WEDDING and Nancy Bilyeau wrote a very good, informative historical novel, THE BLUE, about porcelain and glazes and the search for the perfect blue. (Here our heroine is searching for the perfect red glaze.)
I liked this story for the most part. The romance developed well. The characters were likeable. Even Bianca, who started out the story as quite an unpleasant harpy, softened and became appealing. And, of course, Max is a very, very good guy here.
Problems I had with the story were in its execution and a few of the ways plot was developed. (1) I could not quite figure out why Mr. Tate, who owned a successful ceramics business, felt it necessary to get Max involved and much less to have him marry a Tate daughter. (2) I could not understand why Max, in the past, had not tried to get involved in other business ventures, instead of just relying on gambling to survive. (3) I found Max's secret to be a nothing-burger. A real letdown when I was expecting something, anything, more interesting or spectacular in the reveal.
Still, this was a decent entry in the HR genre. I'm not sorry I read it and may try out more books in the series.
That second source's definition fits our hero better, although during the course of this novel, he shows very few of even those tendencies. He's an all-round good guy. Well, he does realize his effect on the opposite sex and does like to dress well and exhibit his manly legs to advantage.
The year is 1787, some 24 years before the Regency era officially begins. Maximilian St. James, our hero, a man who survives on his wits and gambling skills, has just learned that he is second in line to inherit the dukedom of a duke who has no viable immediate-family heirs. He and the first-in-line heir are given allowances to live on and instructions to find wives and also show that they are worthy of the title "duke".
Max uses his windfall to buy into the Tate family's ceramics business and also to marry into the business by taking the older daughter Cathy to wife. But beautiful, docile Cathy has other ideas and runs off with the local vicar. That leaves Bianca, not-so-docile daughter, to do the honors of marrying him. She's not happy about it and lets him know in no uncertain terms.
Bianca is a talented glazer and is actively involved in the family business. She resents Max's becoming a partner, especially considering he has no actual knowledge of or experience in the business. There you go. Marriage of convenience. Resentment and dislike turning into liking and respect turning into love.
Along the way we learn some tidbits about the ceramics and pottery business, and, also, by dribs and drabs, some secrets in Max's life. The pottery aspect is interesting and unusual for a historical romance, although Courtney Milan had a similar family business in her AFTER THE WEDDING and Nancy Bilyeau wrote a very good, informative historical novel, THE BLUE, about porcelain and glazes and the search for the perfect blue. (Here our heroine is searching for the perfect red glaze.)
I liked this story for the most part. The romance developed well. The characters were likeable. Even Bianca, who started out the story as quite an unpleasant harpy, softened and became appealing. And, of course, Max is a very, very good guy here.
Problems I had with the story were in its execution and a few of the ways plot was developed. (1) I could not quite figure out why Mr. Tate, who owned a successful ceramics business, felt it necessary to get Max involved and much less to have him marry a Tate daughter. (2) I could not understand why Max, in the past, had not tried to get involved in other business ventures, instead of just relying on gambling to survive. (3) I found Max's secret to be a nothing-burger. A real letdown when I was expecting something, anything, more interesting or spectacular in the reveal.
Still, this was a decent entry in the HR genre. I'm not sorry I read it and may try out more books in the series.
July 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. It had a nice plot, a little bit different than the usually regency book.
I especially liked the heroine, Bianca had a nice evolution and she matured into a strong and wonderful woman.
The Hero was a respectful and lovely man. I liked how he waited for her to feel secure before bedding her even tho he had blue balls. 😅
There were things I wanted to see more of and were left unexplored. But it was an enjoyable read.
I especially liked the heroine, Bianca had a nice evolution and she matured into a strong and wonderful woman.
The Hero was a respectful and lovely man. I liked how he waited for her to feel secure before bedding her even tho he had blue balls. 😅
There were things I wanted to see more of and were left unexplored. But it was an enjoyable read.
April 10, 2024
I've given this a B+ for narration and a B for content at AudioGals.
Caroline Linden is one of my favourite historical romance authors, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting About a Rogue, the first book in her new Desperately Seeking Duke series, in which the ‘candidates’ for a ducal title are encouraged to show themselves worthy of such lofty status while the legalities as to which of them is the rightful heir are all sorted out. With the always reliable Beverly A. Crick back at the microphone, I settled in for an entertaining and enjoyable listen.
As the story begins, the elderly Duchess of Carlyle – whose son, the current duke, is in uncertain health – has summoned their closest male relations to Carlyle Castle to inform them that one of them – most likely Captain St. James – is the heir apparent to title and the other – Mr. Maximilian St. James – the heir presumptive. Wasting no time, she informs them that she expects them both to start living in a way that befits their new status and suggests they get married as a step towards respectability. She is particularly concerned with Max, who has a reputation for loose-living and frequenting London’s many gaming hells, but makes the same offer to both men. She will give them five hundred pounds each:
Max may have a reputation for taking risks, but he’s already got a plan for his future – and with the Duchess’ money, he has the means to carry it out. He has seen a business opportunity at Perusia, a successful and well-respected family business – a pottery works – in Staffordshire that produces some of the finest tableware in England. The business is sound, but Max can see many ways it could be improved and decides the best way to cement a partnership is to marry the owner’s beautiful, demure younger daughter, Cathy. Samuel Tate is keen to pursue the connection, but his elder daughter Bianca is not, and is furious with her father for proposing “to sell you [Cathy] like a suckling pig in the market, without so much as asking your opinion!” As far as she’s concerned, Mr. St. James is a pretentious, good-for-nothing fortune hunter who will only make her sister miserable. But Cathy, while clearly not happy about it, is a dutiful daughter and agrees to the match, despite the fact that she’s in love with someone else. When Cathy reveals her plan to elope with the man she loves, Bianca fully supports her, and helps the couple on their way the night before the planned wedding – and the following morning finds herself in extremely hot water with her father who is far more angry than Bianca had anticipated. Bianca insists he’s brought the situation upon himself by trying to force Cathy into marriage but her anger turns to shock when Tate tells her he’s given St. James a one-quarter share in the business AND that he could end up with more if he sues for breach of promise. Bianca is devoted to Perusia; she loves the work she does there and hopes to run it someday, and is devastated at the thought that she could lose it. When Tate suggests she should take her sister’s place at the altar, Bianca decides that if that’s what she needs to do to prevent Perusia from the ruin St. James will inevitably bring about, then that’s what she’ll do.
Outwardly Max doesn’t seem too bothered about the last-minute change of bride. Inwardly he’s wondering if he’s lost his mind. Bianca Tate has made no secret of her intense dislike of him but, he reasons, there’s no real need to change his plans. His intention had always been to take charge of marketing and selling Perisua-ware, expanding their market and increasing sales, which would mean he’d be spending most of his time in London and around the country while his wife remained home; the change of bride needn’t make any difference.
But something about Bianca’s fiery nature and obvious disdain for him piques Max’s interest and he initially decides that the best way to confound her is not to respond to her dismissive remarks and put-downs, and to convince her that he knows what he’s doing. This quickly morphs into a genuine desire to show her that he’s willing to learn about Perusia and the manufacturing process and to prove his abilities as a businessman, and very gradually – and begrudgingly – Bianca starts to come around and to realise that her initial judgements about him and his abilities may have been incorrect. Max is handsome and charming of course, but he’s also kind and clever with a good head for business. And I was really impressed with the fact that Ms. Linden not only found a way to give independent, feisty Bianca an unusual profession, but also that she shows Bianca working at it and being successful. The current trend in historical romance to have the heroine running a business of one sort or another, often rings false because very rarely do we see them doing anything remotely business-like or, in some cases, working at all. The author also does a fantastic job of bringing these two wonderful characters together; Max and Bianca have great chemistry right from the start, and Max’s gentle and persistent wooing of his new wife by showing clearly how much he respects and admires her and by being willing to learn and adapt is incredibly sexy. Bianca’s gradual change of heart is really well done as she finds it difficult to hold on to her preconceptions in the face of Max’s obvious good sense, or to deny that he’s a very attractive man. Max recognises Bianca’s attraction to him before she does really, and although knows he could seduce her, he doesn’t want that – he wants her to come to him because she wants him, too, and he’s prepared to wait for as long as it takes.
There are hints throughout that Max is keeping something from Bianca, though, and it’s in the execution of this plotline that the novel falls down. These hints seemed to be teasing some sort of terrible secret, but when the reveal eventually comes, it’s a complete anti-climax. By the time it happens, Max and Bianca’s romance is mostly wrapped up, so the final chapters feel like a really strange “add-on”, and instead of finishing the book feeling satisfied and happy for Max and Bianca, I came away disappointed. And that was a real shame, because everything about it – the romance, the characters and the setting – had been working incredibly well up until that point.
Beverley A. Crick has narrated a number of Ms. Linden’s books by now, and I was glad to see her services had been retained for this new series. Her voice is expressive and easy on the ear, she differentiates effectively between all the characters, and is skilled at picking up on the emotional connection the author develops between the leads and conveying it to the listener. She voices the various secondary characters according to age and station, and her interpretation of the two principals is very good indeed; she gives Bianca a slight regional accent and delivers her dialogue in the first part of the book in an abrupt, waspish manner which feels exactly right, and then gradually removes the harsh edge as the story progresses and Bianca starts to realise she’s been wrong about Max. Ms. Crick doesn’t drop her voice into her boots to portray the heroes in the romances she narrates, but she always makes them sound masculine and appropriately attractive by means of a slightly lower pitch and, in Max’s case, a considered delivery that perfectly matches his confident determination. It’s as accomplished and insightful a presentation as I’ve come to expect from Ms. Crick, and although I was disappointed with certain aspects of the story, her performance, together with the lovely romance make it possible for me to recommend About a Rogue – albeit with some reservations.
Note – the audio does NOT include the e-novella that is present in the digital and print editions.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals .
Caroline Linden is one of my favourite historical romance authors, and I’ve been eagerly awaiting About a Rogue, the first book in her new Desperately Seeking Duke series, in which the ‘candidates’ for a ducal title are encouraged to show themselves worthy of such lofty status while the legalities as to which of them is the rightful heir are all sorted out. With the always reliable Beverly A. Crick back at the microphone, I settled in for an entertaining and enjoyable listen.
As the story begins, the elderly Duchess of Carlyle – whose son, the current duke, is in uncertain health – has summoned their closest male relations to Carlyle Castle to inform them that one of them – most likely Captain St. James – is the heir apparent to title and the other – Mr. Maximilian St. James – the heir presumptive. Wasting no time, she informs them that she expects them both to start living in a way that befits their new status and suggests they get married as a step towards respectability. She is particularly concerned with Max, who has a reputation for loose-living and frequenting London’s many gaming hells, but makes the same offer to both men. She will give them five hundred pounds each:
I trust you will use it wisely, and return to Carlyle Castle in six months’ time more sober, refined gentlemen. If I am satisfied with your progress, I shall grant a further sum of one thousand five hundred pounds per year, to continue as long as you remain respectable.
Max may have a reputation for taking risks, but he’s already got a plan for his future – and with the Duchess’ money, he has the means to carry it out. He has seen a business opportunity at Perusia, a successful and well-respected family business – a pottery works – in Staffordshire that produces some of the finest tableware in England. The business is sound, but Max can see many ways it could be improved and decides the best way to cement a partnership is to marry the owner’s beautiful, demure younger daughter, Cathy. Samuel Tate is keen to pursue the connection, but his elder daughter Bianca is not, and is furious with her father for proposing “to sell you [Cathy] like a suckling pig in the market, without so much as asking your opinion!” As far as she’s concerned, Mr. St. James is a pretentious, good-for-nothing fortune hunter who will only make her sister miserable. But Cathy, while clearly not happy about it, is a dutiful daughter and agrees to the match, despite the fact that she’s in love with someone else. When Cathy reveals her plan to elope with the man she loves, Bianca fully supports her, and helps the couple on their way the night before the planned wedding – and the following morning finds herself in extremely hot water with her father who is far more angry than Bianca had anticipated. Bianca insists he’s brought the situation upon himself by trying to force Cathy into marriage but her anger turns to shock when Tate tells her he’s given St. James a one-quarter share in the business AND that he could end up with more if he sues for breach of promise. Bianca is devoted to Perusia; she loves the work she does there and hopes to run it someday, and is devastated at the thought that she could lose it. When Tate suggests she should take her sister’s place at the altar, Bianca decides that if that’s what she needs to do to prevent Perusia from the ruin St. James will inevitably bring about, then that’s what she’ll do.
Outwardly Max doesn’t seem too bothered about the last-minute change of bride. Inwardly he’s wondering if he’s lost his mind. Bianca Tate has made no secret of her intense dislike of him but, he reasons, there’s no real need to change his plans. His intention had always been to take charge of marketing and selling Perisua-ware, expanding their market and increasing sales, which would mean he’d be spending most of his time in London and around the country while his wife remained home; the change of bride needn’t make any difference.
But something about Bianca’s fiery nature and obvious disdain for him piques Max’s interest and he initially decides that the best way to confound her is not to respond to her dismissive remarks and put-downs, and to convince her that he knows what he’s doing. This quickly morphs into a genuine desire to show her that he’s willing to learn about Perusia and the manufacturing process and to prove his abilities as a businessman, and very gradually – and begrudgingly – Bianca starts to come around and to realise that her initial judgements about him and his abilities may have been incorrect. Max is handsome and charming of course, but he’s also kind and clever with a good head for business. And I was really impressed with the fact that Ms. Linden not only found a way to give independent, feisty Bianca an unusual profession, but also that she shows Bianca working at it and being successful. The current trend in historical romance to have the heroine running a business of one sort or another, often rings false because very rarely do we see them doing anything remotely business-like or, in some cases, working at all. The author also does a fantastic job of bringing these two wonderful characters together; Max and Bianca have great chemistry right from the start, and Max’s gentle and persistent wooing of his new wife by showing clearly how much he respects and admires her and by being willing to learn and adapt is incredibly sexy. Bianca’s gradual change of heart is really well done as she finds it difficult to hold on to her preconceptions in the face of Max’s obvious good sense, or to deny that he’s a very attractive man. Max recognises Bianca’s attraction to him before she does really, and although knows he could seduce her, he doesn’t want that – he wants her to come to him because she wants him, too, and he’s prepared to wait for as long as it takes.
There are hints throughout that Max is keeping something from Bianca, though, and it’s in the execution of this plotline that the novel falls down. These hints seemed to be teasing some sort of terrible secret, but when the reveal eventually comes, it’s a complete anti-climax. By the time it happens, Max and Bianca’s romance is mostly wrapped up, so the final chapters feel like a really strange “add-on”, and instead of finishing the book feeling satisfied and happy for Max and Bianca, I came away disappointed. And that was a real shame, because everything about it – the romance, the characters and the setting – had been working incredibly well up until that point.
Beverley A. Crick has narrated a number of Ms. Linden’s books by now, and I was glad to see her services had been retained for this new series. Her voice is expressive and easy on the ear, she differentiates effectively between all the characters, and is skilled at picking up on the emotional connection the author develops between the leads and conveying it to the listener. She voices the various secondary characters according to age and station, and her interpretation of the two principals is very good indeed; she gives Bianca a slight regional accent and delivers her dialogue in the first part of the book in an abrupt, waspish manner which feels exactly right, and then gradually removes the harsh edge as the story progresses and Bianca starts to realise she’s been wrong about Max. Ms. Crick doesn’t drop her voice into her boots to portray the heroes in the romances she narrates, but she always makes them sound masculine and appropriately attractive by means of a slightly lower pitch and, in Max’s case, a considered delivery that perfectly matches his confident determination. It’s as accomplished and insightful a presentation as I’ve come to expect from Ms. Crick, and although I was disappointed with certain aspects of the story, her performance, together with the lovely romance make it possible for me to recommend About a Rogue – albeit with some reservations.
Note – the audio does NOT include the e-novella that is present in the digital and print editions.
This review originally appeared at AudioGals .
You can read the rest of this review at AudioGals .
June 19, 2020
1787
Max can't believe he's in line for a dukedom. He didn't know what to expect when summoned to Carlyle Castle, but he has found out he must prove himself a worthy gentleman or his new allowance could be cut off. He sets off to create a respectable life for himself and find a meek wife. He sets his sights on the Tates, who own a pottery business.
Samuel Tate's pottery business has been in the family for generations. Unfortunately for him, he only has 2 daughters and no son to pass on the business. Bianca sees no problem with this, as she can manage it just as well as her father does. Her father is over the moon when the perfect gentleman from London, Max, shows interest in his mild mannered daughter Cathy. Cathy's heart belongs to someone else though and switches places with her sister the morning of the wedding.
This book is enemies to lovers done right. The heroine is very much against her marriage to Max and is quite snarky to him in the beginning. While this hasn't been my favorite trope lately, I adored Max's quips back to her. He took all of her hostility in stride and turned it around into funny interactions that left Bianca flustered. Also, the heroine turns her behavior around by halfway through the book, so it wasn't dislike until they magically loved each other. She fights her dislike and it lessens over time with Max's charm until she finds she's actually liking him.
The steam in this book is fairly mild. A few quick kisses and a few full scenes towards the end. My favorite was a naughty scene in the middle of Vauxhall gardens. But nothing extremely explicit or crazy language used, for those who avoid that stuff.
Max is so much a beta hero. He is so caring about Bianca and her family. He is wonderful. I really enjoyed him. He was very much a gentleman to Bianca even with her spitting venom at him in the beginning. He has a pleasant personality. He's not a grumpy brooder. But he does have a secret. And while secrets aren't my favorite thing in romance novels, this one didn't play out the way I expected it to, and I was happy with the way it worked out.
Bianca is a very independent and opinionated heroine. Once she gets over her dislike of Max she is quite sweet though. Sometimes those feisty heroines can annoy me a bit but I didn't find that with her.
The thing that dropped the rating for me a lot was this book felt soooo slow. While I really did like the aspect of the pottery business – it was different and interesting and the way it was described I was really able to picture the pieces made – I just kept waiting for something to happen. I felt like a lot of what I had read by 50% could have been described in 20%. But there are so many sweet little scenes in this book. And it was clever. The banter and their interactions were rather funny sometimes. Overall a very pleasant read. There also was a short novella about Bianca's maid and Max's valet at the end of the book that was rather cute.
Thank you netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Spoilers about my favorite parts
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.
.
.
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.
.
.
.
.
.
Max can't believe he's in line for a dukedom. He didn't know what to expect when summoned to Carlyle Castle, but he has found out he must prove himself a worthy gentleman or his new allowance could be cut off. He sets off to create a respectable life for himself and find a meek wife. He sets his sights on the Tates, who own a pottery business.
Samuel Tate's pottery business has been in the family for generations. Unfortunately for him, he only has 2 daughters and no son to pass on the business. Bianca sees no problem with this, as she can manage it just as well as her father does. Her father is over the moon when the perfect gentleman from London, Max, shows interest in his mild mannered daughter Cathy. Cathy's heart belongs to someone else though and switches places with her sister the morning of the wedding.
This book is enemies to lovers done right. The heroine is very much against her marriage to Max and is quite snarky to him in the beginning. While this hasn't been my favorite trope lately, I adored Max's quips back to her. He took all of her hostility in stride and turned it around into funny interactions that left Bianca flustered. Also, the heroine turns her behavior around by halfway through the book, so it wasn't dislike until they magically loved each other. She fights her dislike and it lessens over time with Max's charm until she finds she's actually liking him.
The steam in this book is fairly mild. A few quick kisses and a few full scenes towards the end. My favorite was a naughty scene in the middle of Vauxhall gardens. But nothing extremely explicit or crazy language used, for those who avoid that stuff.
Max is so much a beta hero. He is so caring about Bianca and her family. He is wonderful. I really enjoyed him. He was very much a gentleman to Bianca even with her spitting venom at him in the beginning. He has a pleasant personality. He's not a grumpy brooder. But he does have a secret. And while secrets aren't my favorite thing in romance novels, this one didn't play out the way I expected it to, and I was happy with the way it worked out.
Bianca is a very independent and opinionated heroine. Once she gets over her dislike of Max she is quite sweet though. Sometimes those feisty heroines can annoy me a bit but I didn't find that with her.
The thing that dropped the rating for me a lot was this book felt soooo slow. While I really did like the aspect of the pottery business – it was different and interesting and the way it was described I was really able to picture the pieces made – I just kept waiting for something to happen. I felt like a lot of what I had read by 50% could have been described in 20%. But there are so many sweet little scenes in this book. And it was clever. The banter and their interactions were rather funny sometimes. Overall a very pleasant read. There also was a short novella about Bianca's maid and Max's valet at the end of the book that was rather cute.
Thank you netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Spoilers about my favorite parts
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May 30, 2020
YES! There's the Caroline Linden whose books I fell in love with years ago! Also, the first historical romance I really enjoyed in a long time. I am so happy!
This was really a nice surprise for me. A nice nod to The Taming of the Shrew with the sisters' roles reversed (Bianca is the shrewish one, while her sister Catherine is the good one)!
What you need to know:
After the death of the Duke of Carlyle's last direct heir, the family is at a loss. His mother, the Duchess, is desperate to find whoever might have a claim to the title - however remote - and summons the distant relatives to the castle to make them an offer: if they change their ways, settle down, get married, and show an interest in the estate, they will receive an annuity and be allowed back into the family fold. One of them is Maximilian St. James, a disreputable rogue. He is intrigued by the offer, but has no intention of just knuckling under. Determined to make his own way, he uses his new connection to ingratiate himself to Mr. Tate, one of the best ceramics manufacturers. Luckily for him, he has a beautiful, seemingly biddable young daughter. Only things don't go according to plan, and he ends up marrying his intendent's shrewish sister. Sparks fly, and he soon discovers that this might actually be everything he always wanted. Now all he has to do in convince his wife that they are perfect for each other…
What I liked:
Max. Sigh. He's the sweetest. And I mean it. Smart, funny, driven, hard-working, and kind. Ok, he marries for connections, but I liked his honesty. He never hid why he wanted to marry into the family, and soon makes himself invaluable, making the factory even more prosperous by sheer determination and hard work. I loved that about him. He's not afraid to work, and he actually knows what he's doing and has a plan. I also loved how he didn't make a move on Bianca while she still hated him. These two take their time getting to know each other, and watching them slowly work out their differences was really sweet!
And the fact that this is very much a character-driven story with strong, interesting leads plus a slow-burn romance that is given time to develop.
What I didn't like:
Bianca - in the beginning. She was really hard to warm up to, especially since she has no reason (that I can see) for hating Max and marriage as much as she does. Her parents were happy and kind to each other, and one single aunt still sulking because her parents wouldn't let her marry a penniless nobody does not really explain it well enough for me. She's the type of heroine with a temper, who sulks, yells, and throws things when she doesn't get her way. I just can't sympathize with that kind of heroine and find them annoying, sorry. BUT she did actually grow on me halfway through the book when the reasonableness everyone always praised her for finally shone through and she decided to listen to Max and actually talked to him.
The drama. I hate fabricated drama, and when it comes with a heavy dose of the hero saying things like "she can never know my deepest darkest secret because then she will hate me!" (even though she actually is very reasonable when it matters), it never works for me, because it's never anything truly bad, and a lot of time is wasted with pointless angsting and agonizing over what would happen if she found out from someone else and all that. It's my least favorite trope. Also, the last minute drama when the big bad secret is finally revealed was also a bit too much for me.
All in all, this was a really sweet and wonderful start to the new series, and I can't wait for the next one!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This was really a nice surprise for me. A nice nod to The Taming of the Shrew with the sisters' roles reversed (Bianca is the shrewish one, while her sister Catherine is the good one)!
What you need to know:
After the death of the Duke of Carlyle's last direct heir, the family is at a loss. His mother, the Duchess, is desperate to find whoever might have a claim to the title - however remote - and summons the distant relatives to the castle to make them an offer: if they change their ways, settle down, get married, and show an interest in the estate, they will receive an annuity and be allowed back into the family fold. One of them is Maximilian St. James, a disreputable rogue. He is intrigued by the offer, but has no intention of just knuckling under. Determined to make his own way, he uses his new connection to ingratiate himself to Mr. Tate, one of the best ceramics manufacturers. Luckily for him, he has a beautiful, seemingly biddable young daughter. Only things don't go according to plan, and he ends up marrying his intendent's shrewish sister. Sparks fly, and he soon discovers that this might actually be everything he always wanted. Now all he has to do in convince his wife that they are perfect for each other…
What I liked:
Max. Sigh. He's the sweetest. And I mean it. Smart, funny, driven, hard-working, and kind. Ok, he marries for connections, but I liked his honesty. He never hid why he wanted to marry into the family, and soon makes himself invaluable, making the factory even more prosperous by sheer determination and hard work. I loved that about him. He's not afraid to work, and he actually knows what he's doing and has a plan. I also loved how he didn't make a move on Bianca while she still hated him. These two take their time getting to know each other, and watching them slowly work out their differences was really sweet!
And the fact that this is very much a character-driven story with strong, interesting leads plus a slow-burn romance that is given time to develop.
What I didn't like:
Bianca - in the beginning. She was really hard to warm up to, especially since she has no reason (that I can see) for hating Max and marriage as much as she does. Her parents were happy and kind to each other, and one single aunt still sulking because her parents wouldn't let her marry a penniless nobody does not really explain it well enough for me. She's the type of heroine with a temper, who sulks, yells, and throws things when she doesn't get her way. I just can't sympathize with that kind of heroine and find them annoying, sorry. BUT she did actually grow on me halfway through the book when the reasonableness everyone always praised her for finally shone through and she decided to listen to Max and actually talked to him.
The drama. I hate fabricated drama, and when it comes with a heavy dose of the hero saying things like "she can never know my deepest darkest secret because then she will hate me!" (even though she actually is very reasonable when it matters), it never works for me, because it's never anything truly bad, and a lot of time is wasted with pointless angsting and agonizing over what would happen if she found out from someone else and all that. It's my least favorite trope. Also, the last minute drama when the big bad secret is finally revealed was also a bit too much for me.
All in all, this was a really sweet and wonderful start to the new series, and I can't wait for the next one!
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
January 20, 2022
I'm really pleasantly surprised here!
This is such a nice and heartwarming story!
I loved the romance and how the hero changed by himself! It was really lovely to read!
The same can be said about the heroine! And how she changed her view of the hero because she was able to actually think! And that's so rare in romancelandia! LOL
This is such a nice and heartwarming story!
I loved the romance and how the hero changed by himself! It was really lovely to read!
The same can be said about the heroine! And how she changed her view of the hero because she was able to actually think! And that's so rare in romancelandia! LOL
July 15, 2021
4.5 ' perfect marriage of convenience' ⭐
Wow!!! I have never read Caroline Linden before but this book turned out to be the best book with a marriage of convenience trope, I have read in recent times.
The story is about Macmillan James
( Max), who comes from a distant family of a duke. And, even though he is born a gentleman, his younger years were spent in poverty, moving from one relative to another. Later, he became a gambler and a rogue. So, when he got a chance to secure his future, he decided to marry the elder daughter of a rich pottery businessman.
Bianca is the second daughter and is an artist who helps her father in formulating new ideas for their pottery business. She wanted to stop her sister, Cathy from marrying Max but ended up getting married herself. 🤭🤭
Things I loved about this book-
•A marriage of convenience (my fav).
•A super-slow burn. (really slow)💕
• Real hate to love( not just dislike but pure hatred from the h, just because she hates fortune hunters and rogues).
• Business class MCs.( It's fun to read about country fairs, cricket matches etc)
•Rational, intelligent, quick-witted, MCs (both H & h)
• A reformed rake ( we know he was a rake in the past from his admission).
•An actual relationship development where the Hero was forced to prove himself.
•A dedicated, appreciative hero, in short, the perfect book-husband. 😍😍
•A strong-willed heroine who has passion and dedication for her work and does not let men walk over her. Plus, she does not start panting over the Hero, just because "he is so good looking".
• A well-developed plot and subplot.
Niggles-
I felt the plot became a bit dramatic and stretched towards the end but in reality, I found this book and the narration by Beverly A Crick, a pure perfection. I am looking forward to reading more books by Caroline Linden in future.😊😊
Wow!!! I have never read Caroline Linden before but this book turned out to be the best book with a marriage of convenience trope, I have read in recent times.
The story is about Macmillan James
( Max), who comes from a distant family of a duke. And, even though he is born a gentleman, his younger years were spent in poverty, moving from one relative to another. Later, he became a gambler and a rogue. So, when he got a chance to secure his future, he decided to marry the elder daughter of a rich pottery businessman.
Bianca is the second daughter and is an artist who helps her father in formulating new ideas for their pottery business. She wanted to stop her sister, Cathy from marrying Max but ended up getting married herself. 🤭🤭
Things I loved about this book-
•A marriage of convenience (my fav).
•A super-slow burn. (really slow)💕
• Real hate to love( not just dislike but pure hatred from the h, just because she hates fortune hunters and rogues).
• Business class MCs.( It's fun to read about country fairs, cricket matches etc)
•Rational, intelligent, quick-witted, MCs (both H & h)
• A reformed rake ( we know he was a rake in the past from his admission).
•An actual relationship development where the Hero was forced to prove himself.
•A dedicated, appreciative hero, in short, the perfect book-husband. 😍😍
•A strong-willed heroine who has passion and dedication for her work and does not let men walk over her. Plus, she does not start panting over the Hero, just because "he is so good looking".
• A well-developed plot and subplot.
Niggles-
I felt the plot became a bit dramatic and stretched towards the end but in reality, I found this book and the narration by Beverly A Crick, a pure perfection. I am looking forward to reading more books by Caroline Linden in future.😊😊
January 30, 2021
Maximilian St. James proposes marriage to Cathy Tate. Cathy's sister, Bianca is NOT AMUSED and helps her sister elope with her actual bf, the local vicar. Then she marries Max instead! Once the deed's done, they set about getting to know one another: one convinced she's saved her sister from a conniving fortune hunter; the other certain he inadvertently upgraded wives. Will their growing fondness be enough to stave off DRAMATIC NONSENSE?
1. It is, of course. I'm calling this out only because the dramatic nonsense was overly dramatic and nonsense. It wasn't enough that Max has a deep dark secret, but that deep dark secret comes with a shoot-em-up action figure who makes rude comments about Bianca. Also, the angst over Cathy's assertion the marriage can be put aside. Also, the return to the duchy to discover that Captain St. James is MIA OMG.
It's all a bit much, which was, to mine eyes: unnecessary.
2. The handling of an 'unwanted' marriage bits were great: the settling, the discovery of nuance and affection and the growing of a partnership! Chef's kiss! It was really, really enjoyable. I like reading about mostly decent people trying to live mostly decent lives together, foiled only by their growing attractions for one another which they fear to mention in case it ruins everything!
3. I liked that Max kept in front of Bianca so she couldn't ice him out, but also didn't force his presence on her? He absolutely persists, but does listen when Bianca asks him to gtfo or give her space and that was nice.
4. I'm CONVINCED that book three is going to be about the dreaded Frenchman and the companion and if it is not I AM GOING TO BE SO DISAPPOINTED. LINDEN, THROW A GIRL A BONE!
1. It is, of course. I'm calling this out only because the dramatic nonsense was overly dramatic and nonsense. It wasn't enough that Max has a deep dark secret, but that deep dark secret comes with a shoot-em-up action figure who makes rude comments about Bianca. Also, the angst over Cathy's assertion the marriage can be put aside. Also, the return to the duchy to discover that Captain St. James is MIA OMG.
It's all a bit much, which was, to mine eyes: unnecessary.
2. The handling of an 'unwanted' marriage bits were great: the settling, the discovery of nuance and affection and the growing of a partnership! Chef's kiss! It was really, really enjoyable. I like reading about mostly decent people trying to live mostly decent lives together, foiled only by their growing attractions for one another which they fear to mention in case it ruins everything!
3. I liked that Max kept in front of Bianca so she couldn't ice him out, but also didn't force his presence on her? He absolutely persists, but does listen when Bianca asks him to gtfo or give her space and that was nice.
4. I'm CONVINCED that book three is going to be about the dreaded Frenchman and the companion and if it is not I AM GOING TO BE SO DISAPPOINTED. LINDEN, THROW A GIRL A BONE!
June 17, 2020
Series: Desperately Seeking Duke #1
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 384
Yikes! The Carlyle dukedom is in danger and the duchess is desperately seeking out possible heirs. Her older son, the duke, is sickly and has a very limited mental capacity – he certainly cannot marry and father children. That wasn’t such a problem until both of her younger sons died – one in the Army and the has just died of an unfortunate accident before he could marry and have children. The dukedom’s solicitor, Mr. Edwards, has been diligently searching for the heirs – because the duchess wants them to learn the ways of the dukedom before they have to take over. Three possible heirs have been identified and none of them make the duchess happy. One of them is a Frenchman, one is in the army, and the last is a cardsharp. Our current story features the cardsharp, Maximilian St. James.
Max had no desire to be under the duchesses thumb, but he was grateful for the money she handed him and for the promise of the yearly payout he would receive from the dukedom. Well, except that yearly payout came with strings – he had to become respectable and be on his good behavior. The judgment about whether he was respectable, of course, was the duchesses. Max didn’t care for that at all. Max has always wanted to be independent, but life circumstances just never allowed that. He had to make his life the best way he could. Now, he has a bold plan and he is so excited about the possibility of making his own future.
Max was introduced to Mr. Samuel Tate, owner of Perusia, a fine pottery factory when he was in London. Mr.Tate was impressed with Max and his relationship to the ton and subsequently invited him to visit Perusia. Mr. Tate had no sons and when Max presented him with a partnership proposal – as well as a proposal of marriage for Mr. Tate’s oldest daughter, Cathy, Mr. Tate was thrilled. Cathy, the sweet, docile daughter wasn’t thrilled though and promptly eloped with the man she did love. OOPS!
There was nothing sweet nor docile about Bianca Tate – Cathy’s only sister. Bianca, who was every bit as stubborn and pig-headed as her father, was furious that he’d just sell out his daughter like that. So, when Bianca discovered Cathy packing to run away with the man she loved, Bianca decided to help her. What Bianca didn’t expect was to end up having to marry Max in Cathy’s place!
I absolutely adored both Max and Bianca. Max was determined to win his wife’s affections and Bianca was determined to despise Max no matter what he did. It was so much fun watching Max slowly, but steadily, destroying all of Bianca’s defenses.
One of the most refreshing things about this story was that it wasn’t set in London among the ton. Yes, there were several titles involved, but they weren’t the focus. The focus of the story was Max and Bianca and I felt as if I really got to know them. The romance felt real and I could genuinely feel that they were in love. Also included in my ebook was a short novella featuring Lawrence, who is Max’s valet. It was a really sweet story as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the second book in the series – A Scot To The Heart – which features the army officer – Captain Andrew St. James of his majesty’s Scotts Guards.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 6/30/20
Number of Pages: 384
Yikes! The Carlyle dukedom is in danger and the duchess is desperately seeking out possible heirs. Her older son, the duke, is sickly and has a very limited mental capacity – he certainly cannot marry and father children. That wasn’t such a problem until both of her younger sons died – one in the Army and the has just died of an unfortunate accident before he could marry and have children. The dukedom’s solicitor, Mr. Edwards, has been diligently searching for the heirs – because the duchess wants them to learn the ways of the dukedom before they have to take over. Three possible heirs have been identified and none of them make the duchess happy. One of them is a Frenchman, one is in the army, and the last is a cardsharp. Our current story features the cardsharp, Maximilian St. James.
Max had no desire to be under the duchesses thumb, but he was grateful for the money she handed him and for the promise of the yearly payout he would receive from the dukedom. Well, except that yearly payout came with strings – he had to become respectable and be on his good behavior. The judgment about whether he was respectable, of course, was the duchesses. Max didn’t care for that at all. Max has always wanted to be independent, but life circumstances just never allowed that. He had to make his life the best way he could. Now, he has a bold plan and he is so excited about the possibility of making his own future.
Max was introduced to Mr. Samuel Tate, owner of Perusia, a fine pottery factory when he was in London. Mr.Tate was impressed with Max and his relationship to the ton and subsequently invited him to visit Perusia. Mr. Tate had no sons and when Max presented him with a partnership proposal – as well as a proposal of marriage for Mr. Tate’s oldest daughter, Cathy, Mr. Tate was thrilled. Cathy, the sweet, docile daughter wasn’t thrilled though and promptly eloped with the man she did love. OOPS!
There was nothing sweet nor docile about Bianca Tate – Cathy’s only sister. Bianca, who was every bit as stubborn and pig-headed as her father, was furious that he’d just sell out his daughter like that. So, when Bianca discovered Cathy packing to run away with the man she loved, Bianca decided to help her. What Bianca didn’t expect was to end up having to marry Max in Cathy’s place!
I absolutely adored both Max and Bianca. Max was determined to win his wife’s affections and Bianca was determined to despise Max no matter what he did. It was so much fun watching Max slowly, but steadily, destroying all of Bianca’s defenses.
One of the most refreshing things about this story was that it wasn’t set in London among the ton. Yes, there were several titles involved, but they weren’t the focus. The focus of the story was Max and Bianca and I felt as if I really got to know them. The romance felt real and I could genuinely feel that they were in love. Also included in my ebook was a short novella featuring Lawrence, who is Max’s valet. It was a really sweet story as well.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the second book in the series – A Scot To The Heart – which features the army officer – Captain Andrew St. James of his majesty’s Scotts Guards.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 29, 2020
3.25/5. I didn't love it. It took me a while to warm up to the lead characters. Daughter of a pottery factory owner, Bianca, is forced to wed the roguish Max after her sister did a runner on him the night before their scheduled marriage-of-convenience. She's most unhappy with the situation and is not reticent about showing her discontent with both her pushy father and her opportunistic husband, who himself appears way too content with his substitute wife and the deal he struck with her father. They slowly gain growing respect and fondness for one another as the prickly Bianca loses her thorns and the slippery Max gains a bit of grip, embracing his new roles as responsible business partner and husband - oh, and ducal heir-in-waiting.
The narration was very good for the most except for Max's voice, which had a very nasal delivery that was jarring.
The narration was very good for the most except for Max's voice, which had a very nasal delivery that was jarring.
August 8, 2021
Best part about this book was neither the hero or heroine did a suprise 180 at the end and needed to apologize/atone for something as in the case in the majority of romance books. Instead these were two flawed but good people trying to make a unplanned marriage work to the best of their abilities and they did. I totally believed they fell in love fully and completely by the end.
I loved the cricket match and the end with
I have book 2 and 2.5 on hold through Libby. Fingers crossed they come in soon because I need more of this series in my life (even though we all already know its the lost Frenchman that will wind up with the dukedom by the end haha)
I loved the cricket match and the end with
I have book 2 and 2.5 on hold through Libby. Fingers crossed they come in soon because I need more of this series in my life (even though we all already know its the lost Frenchman that will wind up with the dukedom by the end haha)
November 19, 2021
Heroine was jarring, why was she shrewish? Why she acting like I a spoilt child when it comes to the hero he will literally not be doing anything that would aggravate her instead he will be trying to get along with her but she will look for every reason to manipulate herself into thinking that he is doing something wrong or that she shouldn’t like him, even though he is perfect.
The hero was a good hero he was ambitious and he had a good brain and I agree with everything that he was doing in order to turn around his life. he originally started off as a poor man who gambled to earn a living he often spend time on the streets when he was so destitute however having spoken with the Dutchess he was able to receive some sort of money. And I liked how he use that money to educate himself on business and law in order to make A decision that will provide more income into his life which also required marrying one of the two daughters of the wealthiest pottery manufacturing CEO (lol I can’t think of another word right now).
He originally wanted the Pius and quiet and shy daughter however that particular daughter was already in love with another man so her and the sister [heroine] they would elope. On the wedding day we discovered that The original daughter that was supposed to get married to the hero has already runoff with another man so the father was furious and made our heroine marry the hero lol .
But no, the heroine was so jarring I could not continue this book without getting irritated every time we have dialogue coming from her 🙄
The hero was a good hero he was ambitious and he had a good brain and I agree with everything that he was doing in order to turn around his life. he originally started off as a poor man who gambled to earn a living he often spend time on the streets when he was so destitute however having spoken with the Dutchess he was able to receive some sort of money. And I liked how he use that money to educate himself on business and law in order to make A decision that will provide more income into his life which also required marrying one of the two daughters of the wealthiest pottery manufacturing CEO (lol I can’t think of another word right now).
He originally wanted the Pius and quiet and shy daughter however that particular daughter was already in love with another man so her and the sister [heroine] they would elope. On the wedding day we discovered that The original daughter that was supposed to get married to the hero has already runoff with another man so the father was furious and made our heroine marry the hero lol .
But no, the heroine was so jarring I could not continue this book without getting irritated every time we have dialogue coming from her 🙄
October 2, 2021
3.5 stars. I have been a fan of Caroline Linden for a long time now, and this is yet another solid read from her. I wish this series was complete because I could easily binge all of it right now. She is a very talented author, which shows in the consistency of her work.
This book is about Bianca and Max. Max is second (or third) heir to a dukedom and has lived a very dissolute life. At the start of the story (which introduces the overarching storyline for the series), he is summoned and told that he is in the immediate line of succession, and that the duchess expects him to turn his life around. She gives him an allowance to help him do just that. Max seizes the opportunity he has been given and offers marriage to Bianca’s sister in exchange for partnership in their father’s business. He sees a chance to be a successful and free man - to change his life forever - since he doesn’t ever expect to actually inherit. However, when Bianca’s sister runs away and marries another man, Bianca is convinced to take her place in haste. They go through a lot of growing pains together, but eventually get a nice HEA.
Like I said, I really did enjoy this story. Some parts were a little unbelievable in the beginning - but the author did a good job of explaining them later. I think this would have gotten a higher rating from me, but I just couldn’t quite get past the hero’s initial choice to marry the heroine’s sister. He planned to have a distant marriage with her, one filled with other lovers, but somehow immediately changed his mind with the heroine? It felt a bit too far fetched. He didn’t even take much time to start desiring the heroine, which made it all the more unrealistic. Also, his big secret felt a little overblown. I was expecting something really awful and shocking! I’m glad it wasn’t, but the build up to it was so great that it felt melodramatic.
Safety was good overall, no others for either of them. Heroine virgin, hero manwhore, they run into a couple of his previous lovers, but it was a very small thing that was immediately brushed aside.
This book is about Bianca and Max. Max is second (or third) heir to a dukedom and has lived a very dissolute life. At the start of the story (which introduces the overarching storyline for the series), he is summoned and told that he is in the immediate line of succession, and that the duchess expects him to turn his life around. She gives him an allowance to help him do just that. Max seizes the opportunity he has been given and offers marriage to Bianca’s sister in exchange for partnership in their father’s business. He sees a chance to be a successful and free man - to change his life forever - since he doesn’t ever expect to actually inherit. However, when Bianca’s sister runs away and marries another man, Bianca is convinced to take her place in haste. They go through a lot of growing pains together, but eventually get a nice HEA.
Like I said, I really did enjoy this story. Some parts were a little unbelievable in the beginning - but the author did a good job of explaining them later. I think this would have gotten a higher rating from me, but I just couldn’t quite get past the hero’s initial choice to marry the heroine’s sister. He planned to have a distant marriage with her, one filled with other lovers, but somehow immediately changed his mind with the heroine? It felt a bit too far fetched. He didn’t even take much time to start desiring the heroine, which made it all the more unrealistic. Also, his big secret felt a little overblown. I was expecting something really awful and shocking! I’m glad it wasn’t, but the build up to it was so great that it felt melodramatic.
Safety was good overall, no others for either of them. Heroine virgin, hero manwhore, they run into a couple of his previous lovers, but it was a very small thing that was immediately brushed aside.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2020
Bianca Tate has no desire to marry as she only has eyes for the glazes she creates for her family’s ceramics business, and that definitely includes a man out for nothing but said business. However, when her sister is forced into a betrothal, Bianca takes her place. Maximillian St. James is suddenly an (unlikely) heir to a dukedom after spending most of his life without its little comforts. To even make this inheritance somewhat possible, he is forced to marry. It doesn’t really matter which Tate sister he marries. Or does it?
So I had been looking forward to this book for a long time and there were loads of good things about it. Max being one of those things. His attitude the entire book was so affable that it was hard not to like him, maybe even love him a little bit. However, his good nature made Bianca’s refusal to like him that much more irritating. Especially because she seemed to hold on to the same reason the entire book. That doesn’t mean I necessarily disliked her, though. I just thought she needed to ease up a bit.
I did wish more of the ceramics business had been highlighted because it seemed to pretty much disappear once Max and Bianca actually got married. I always like the idea of a heroine continuing her work despite getting married so that was a bit disappointing.
I personally liked the mystery element and had no idea what was going on until the end. It was definitely a nice change of pace from the “normal” conflict at the end of the characters having an argument that could be solved by talking.
I am so very excited to read the next title on this series, especially after seeing that cover!!
*I received an eARC from Caroline Linden in exchange for an honest review.
So I had been looking forward to this book for a long time and there were loads of good things about it. Max being one of those things. His attitude the entire book was so affable that it was hard not to like him, maybe even love him a little bit. However, his good nature made Bianca’s refusal to like him that much more irritating. Especially because she seemed to hold on to the same reason the entire book. That doesn’t mean I necessarily disliked her, though. I just thought she needed to ease up a bit.
I did wish more of the ceramics business had been highlighted because it seemed to pretty much disappear once Max and Bianca actually got married. I always like the idea of a heroine continuing her work despite getting married so that was a bit disappointing.
I personally liked the mystery element and had no idea what was going on until the end. It was definitely a nice change of pace from the “normal” conflict at the end of the characters having an argument that could be solved by talking.
I am so very excited to read the next title on this series, especially after seeing that cover!!
*I received an eARC from Caroline Linden in exchange for an honest review.
June 29, 2020
Naming a Duke!
The heir to the Duke of Carlyle, his younger son is dead. His heir, his eldest son is brain damaged and unable to take up the dukedom reins. Now the hunt for who might succeed is on. The Duchess of Carlyle's agent has found three men who are eligible due to their family ranking. They are as the Duchess laments to herself, “an army man, a cardsharp, or a Frenchman. ” She's plainly not enamoured with any of them.
Still she decides to give the first two men some support to ensure that if they did inherit they'd have some knowledge of their responsibilities. The Frenchman is not to be considered.( Hmm! That bodes well for an interesting development in the future!)
As for the cardsharp and the captain, "either of them is preferable to a Frenchman, of all people...The gambler is most likely a hopeless case. Once a gamester, always a gamester. It’s like an infection in the blood. As for the Frenchman . . .”
Cardsharp! Gambler! Maximilian St. James has been that and more! Now he decides to turn the windfall from the Duchess into more concrete success.
He becomes engaged to the elder daughter of Samuel Tate, the owner of a very successful pottery works. With a keen intellect behind his calm presence he looks to put down roots and develop business interests that will strengthen his financial security to a point where it matters not if he's ever declared the Duke’s heir.
Things work out somewhat differently when the Tate sisters are informed about the eldest, Cathy’s upcoming marriage to Max. Cathy is already in love with another party.
Bianca Tate, the younger daughter, is intensely involved with the family pottery business, cleverly inventing new glazes, and working with porcelain. Feisty and determined to the point of thoughtless, she's forever throwing down the gauntlet heedless to where her temper flash might land her. Her shock when her father declared that Max as her sister's fiancé would be given a quarter percentage of the business fuelled her fury beyond incendiary. Which left her in a place of no return when, in a rush of that famous temper, she accepts marriage to Max in place of her beloved older sister.
A different type of read, set against the background of the ton, with characters much further down the social ladder, being involved as they are in 'trade'. A very pleasing read with a slight twist to the 'marriage of convenience' trope that really was only convenient for one person--until it became more!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
The heir to the Duke of Carlyle, his younger son is dead. His heir, his eldest son is brain damaged and unable to take up the dukedom reins. Now the hunt for who might succeed is on. The Duchess of Carlyle's agent has found three men who are eligible due to their family ranking. They are as the Duchess laments to herself, “an army man, a cardsharp, or a Frenchman. ” She's plainly not enamoured with any of them.
Still she decides to give the first two men some support to ensure that if they did inherit they'd have some knowledge of their responsibilities. The Frenchman is not to be considered.( Hmm! That bodes well for an interesting development in the future!)
As for the cardsharp and the captain, "either of them is preferable to a Frenchman, of all people...The gambler is most likely a hopeless case. Once a gamester, always a gamester. It’s like an infection in the blood. As for the Frenchman . . .”
Cardsharp! Gambler! Maximilian St. James has been that and more! Now he decides to turn the windfall from the Duchess into more concrete success.
He becomes engaged to the elder daughter of Samuel Tate, the owner of a very successful pottery works. With a keen intellect behind his calm presence he looks to put down roots and develop business interests that will strengthen his financial security to a point where it matters not if he's ever declared the Duke’s heir.
Things work out somewhat differently when the Tate sisters are informed about the eldest, Cathy’s upcoming marriage to Max. Cathy is already in love with another party.
Bianca Tate, the younger daughter, is intensely involved with the family pottery business, cleverly inventing new glazes, and working with porcelain. Feisty and determined to the point of thoughtless, she's forever throwing down the gauntlet heedless to where her temper flash might land her. Her shock when her father declared that Max as her sister's fiancé would be given a quarter percentage of the business fuelled her fury beyond incendiary. Which left her in a place of no return when, in a rush of that famous temper, she accepts marriage to Max in place of her beloved older sister.
A different type of read, set against the background of the ton, with characters much further down the social ladder, being involved as they are in 'trade'. A very pleasing read with a slight twist to the 'marriage of convenience' trope that really was only convenient for one person--until it became more!
A HarperCollins ARC via NetGalley
August 5, 2023
Loved this cute story about a rogue who may become a Duke and his efforts to prove himself. The setup for this series is creative and I think I'm really going to enjoy this series. The elderly Duchess has a problem. Her son, the current Duke, cannot have children and is in ill health. An heir will come from some other branch of the family tree and there are three prospects. The Duchess has set a trial for each and will judge which is the most suitable to inherit the Dukedom.
Maximilian St. James is a notorious London rake and gambler. He is summoned by the Duchess and told that is a distinct possibility he could become the future Duke. Along with two others, he is given a task and he intends to win. He is always on the lookout for a good investment and now he has the means to make a success of any enterprise. He just has to marry the beautiful daughter of a prosperous manufacturer to do it.
Bianca Tate is not about to let her sister marry a rogue and a gambler when she truly loves the vicar and he loves her too. But Cathy is duty bound to do as her father dictates. Bianca has another idea and helps Cathy elope, takes place at the alter and marries Maximilian St. James.
To say this isn't a love match would be an understatement. But, Max didn't much care which Tate sister he married, he just wanted a part of the family business. Bianca just wants her sister to be happy and is determined to protect her family business from Max. Both of them have erroneous preconceptions and both have to learn to trust the other. That pesky attraction could prove useful in helping them each obtain their goal.
Maximilian St. James is a notorious London rake and gambler. He is summoned by the Duchess and told that is a distinct possibility he could become the future Duke. Along with two others, he is given a task and he intends to win. He is always on the lookout for a good investment and now he has the means to make a success of any enterprise. He just has to marry the beautiful daughter of a prosperous manufacturer to do it.
Bianca Tate is not about to let her sister marry a rogue and a gambler when she truly loves the vicar and he loves her too. But Cathy is duty bound to do as her father dictates. Bianca has another idea and helps Cathy elope, takes place at the alter and marries Maximilian St. James.
To say this isn't a love match would be an understatement. But, Max didn't much care which Tate sister he married, he just wanted a part of the family business. Bianca just wants her sister to be happy and is determined to protect her family business from Max. Both of them have erroneous preconceptions and both have to learn to trust the other. That pesky attraction could prove useful in helping them each obtain their goal.
May 15, 2020
Well, this was an absolute delight. I don't really like Georgian romances (it's the wigs!), but I loved that Linden featured characters that were engaged in trade (less wigs!). The marriage-of-convenience trope was done so, so well in this one. Bianca made an impulsive decision to marry Max in place of her sister and it turns out Max wasn't the dandyish fortune hunter that she was expecting. For his part, Max is determined to be part of something larger and finally have some roots after living precariously for most of his life. There wasn't a ton of drama here, the character development was fantastic, and it was simply two competent people development a partnership. Everything about About a Rogue just worked for me.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
June 26, 2020
4.25 stars- Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Bianca Tate loves two things: her family and Perusia, her family’s ceramics business. When her father agrees to let a rogue with some paper-thin connection to a duke marry Bianca’s sister, Cathy, and have a quarter share in Perusia, Bianca is furious. Not only is Cathy in love with another, how dare her father give away a piece of her inheritance to a stranger known for his gambling? In a fury, Bianca helps Cathy elope with her beloved…only to find that she herself has to take Cathy’s place at the altar. She may have to marry Maximilian St. James, but she’s determined he won’t interfere in her life or her family’s business. Only Max turns out to be quite different than she imagined. Slowly Bianca finds herself thawing to the stranger she married as she learns that perhaps there may be more to the charming rogue than she first thought.
About a Rogue is so much fun to read! Max and Bianca have excellent chemistry and I loved watching Bianca in particular go from loathing her husband and all she believes him to be to falling for the real man beneath the rogue.
Max grabbed my heart from the first. He’s got a good heart, sharp business sense, and has had a difficult life. Learning that he’s possibly in line for a dukedom is the first stroke of luck he’s had in a long time. It’s not the possibility of a title, but rather the money promised if he becomes respectable that gives Max the leg up he needs to find the security he so craves. Perusia isn’t just a means to an end for him and I loved watching Max’s business acumen at work as he comes up with new ideas. He’s the perfect addition to the Tate family, whether Bianca wants to admit it or not. As for Bianca, there are a few Taming of the Shrew elements in the beginning of About a Rogue as she resists her father’s plans and Max’s charms. I understood why she was so angry, though because I had more insight to Max than she, I felt sorry for him. However, Max stays one step ahead of Bianca in often funny ways and I loved the sparks that flew between them. Bianca is fiercely loving in addition to incredibly talented and once she begins to see the true Max the story really takes flight. They are a dynamite pair and I loved watching their relationship develop.
About a Rogue is the first book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series and I cannot wait to see what Caroline Linden has in store for the other Carlyle heirs. Each story promises to be quite different and in this one I loved the backdrop of the ceramics business. From the artistry of it to Max’s ideas for expanding the business to Bianca’s gift for glazes and knowledge of chemistry, the Perusia part of the story not only added depth to the world and story, it was fascinating in its own right. I truly adored About a Rogue and will happily revisit Max and Bianca again and again.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Bianca Tate loves two things: her family and Perusia, her family’s ceramics business. When her father agrees to let a rogue with some paper-thin connection to a duke marry Bianca’s sister, Cathy, and have a quarter share in Perusia, Bianca is furious. Not only is Cathy in love with another, how dare her father give away a piece of her inheritance to a stranger known for his gambling? In a fury, Bianca helps Cathy elope with her beloved…only to find that she herself has to take Cathy’s place at the altar. She may have to marry Maximilian St. James, but she’s determined he won’t interfere in her life or her family’s business. Only Max turns out to be quite different than she imagined. Slowly Bianca finds herself thawing to the stranger she married as she learns that perhaps there may be more to the charming rogue than she first thought.
About a Rogue is so much fun to read! Max and Bianca have excellent chemistry and I loved watching Bianca in particular go from loathing her husband and all she believes him to be to falling for the real man beneath the rogue.
Max grabbed my heart from the first. He’s got a good heart, sharp business sense, and has had a difficult life. Learning that he’s possibly in line for a dukedom is the first stroke of luck he’s had in a long time. It’s not the possibility of a title, but rather the money promised if he becomes respectable that gives Max the leg up he needs to find the security he so craves. Perusia isn’t just a means to an end for him and I loved watching Max’s business acumen at work as he comes up with new ideas. He’s the perfect addition to the Tate family, whether Bianca wants to admit it or not. As for Bianca, there are a few Taming of the Shrew elements in the beginning of About a Rogue as she resists her father’s plans and Max’s charms. I understood why she was so angry, though because I had more insight to Max than she, I felt sorry for him. However, Max stays one step ahead of Bianca in often funny ways and I loved the sparks that flew between them. Bianca is fiercely loving in addition to incredibly talented and once she begins to see the true Max the story really takes flight. They are a dynamite pair and I loved watching their relationship develop.
About a Rogue is the first book in the Desperately Seeking Duke series and I cannot wait to see what Caroline Linden has in store for the other Carlyle heirs. Each story promises to be quite different and in this one I loved the backdrop of the ceramics business. From the artistry of it to Max’s ideas for expanding the business to Bianca’s gift for glazes and knowledge of chemistry, the Perusia part of the story not only added depth to the world and story, it was fascinating in its own right. I truly adored About a Rogue and will happily revisit Max and Bianca again and again.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
September 15, 2020
3.5 stars for this very entertaining story.
I enjoyed watching Max and Bianca fall in love and build a solid marriage. If the story had stuck to their relationship and all the interesting details about her family's business, it would have been a 4 star book. I thought the sub-plot about his aunt was mostly unnecessary.
I will definitely pick-up the next book in the series when it comes out.
I enjoyed watching Max and Bianca fall in love and build a solid marriage. If the story had stuck to their relationship and all the interesting details about her family's business, it would have been a 4 star book. I thought the sub-plot about his aunt was mostly unnecessary.
I will definitely pick-up the next book in the series when it comes out.
February 4, 2021
3.5/5 stars
To start, this was a book that really needed a family tree I could easily reference in the prologue. I had to read a few pages several times to be able to follow exactly who was who/how everyone was related. (Although any family tree would be incomplete, I'm sure, since the third book of the series is clearly - hopefully?? - going to be the as-yet-unnamed Frenchman and Pippa).
This was overall a pretty solid romance. I liked the two main characters a lot, and I liked the way their romance grew over time and how they complemented each other both personally and professionally. They were well set up to be very happy and successful together, even though Max won't ultimately become the duke. Knocking this down from four stars mainly because there were too many "Oh come on, just talk to each other" moments, which mainly centered around The Big Secret and were really quite frustrating. I also could have done with a little less drama at the end, since it was then disposed of fairly easily. But that aside, this was enjoyable and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
To start, this was a book that really needed a family tree I could easily reference in the prologue. I had to read a few pages several times to be able to follow exactly who was who/how everyone was related. (Although any family tree would be incomplete, I'm sure, since the third book of the series is clearly - hopefully?? - going to be the as-yet-unnamed Frenchman and Pippa).
This was overall a pretty solid romance. I liked the two main characters a lot, and I liked the way their romance grew over time and how they complemented each other both personally and professionally. They were well set up to be very happy and successful together, even though Max won't ultimately become the duke. Knocking this down from four stars mainly because there were too many "Oh come on, just talk to each other" moments, which mainly centered around The Big Secret and were really quite frustrating. I also could have done with a little less drama at the end, since it was then disposed of fairly easily. But that aside, this was enjoyable and I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
July 28, 2020
4.5*
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - my first from this author. To quickly summarize the story, Bianca marries Max when her sister, the intended bride, elopes with her true love. Max is second in line to a dukedom and sent out with an allowance from the Duchess to “make something of himself.”
The part I did think was very different from most books is we don’t see the first meeting between all parties involved. It’s told after the fact when Max comes to town to start courting Cathy, Bianca’s sister. However, to be honest, it probably shortened the book by several chapters and I tend to prefer shorter books as of late.
Bianca works at the family’s pottery business developing colorful glazes. I actually found this very interesting! And it was so much better than the usual HR books where the women are ladies of leisure. Bianca had a lot of spunk!
I’m very curious to see if this book ends up having a sequel due to the ending. I hope so!
Highly recommend.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I thoroughly enjoyed this book - my first from this author. To quickly summarize the story, Bianca marries Max when her sister, the intended bride, elopes with her true love. Max is second in line to a dukedom and sent out with an allowance from the Duchess to “make something of himself.”
The part I did think was very different from most books is we don’t see the first meeting between all parties involved. It’s told after the fact when Max comes to town to start courting Cathy, Bianca’s sister. However, to be honest, it probably shortened the book by several chapters and I tend to prefer shorter books as of late.
Bianca works at the family’s pottery business developing colorful glazes. I actually found this very interesting! And it was so much better than the usual HR books where the women are ladies of leisure. Bianca had a lot of spunk!
I’m very curious to see if this book ends up having a sequel due to the ending. I hope so!
Highly recommend.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
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