Isabella is a widow who was in an abusive marriage. Her sister, Perdita, was also in an abusive marriage. The book opens with Peridita's husband, the Duke of Ormonde, holding a knife to Peridta's throat. Georgina, their friend was also there. What happens next forms one of the plot points of this book (and the next 2). Someone knows their secret.
Isabella is tasked with going to the countryside to retrieve Trevor, the new duke. She goes to help her sister who is being romanced and is thought to be in love with a new person; the dowager duchess has enough power to end it or let it be. Trevor's dad was the exiled second son of the old duke, the current dowager's grandson. And as a result, he does not like that side of the family.
Anyway, Isabella does well out in the country and forms friendships with Trevor's younger sisters; Eleanor and Belinda. She and Trevor gradually give in to their attraction and fall in love. She confides in Trevor her abusive marriage, the threatening notes she is getting, and her abusive marriage. There have also been attempts to injure/kill her (a damaged carriage, a cut strap on a saddle for example).
I did like the slow burn. The characters were also likable. However, I did find my attention drifting at times and this was easy to put down (and pick up later). And while we do find out who was behind the notes/"gifts" Isabella was getting, we do not know who the primary person is behind the notes that Georgina and Perdita have also gotten.
Isabella is tasked with going to the countryside to retrieve Trevor, the new duke. She goes to help her sister who is being romanced and is thought to be in love with a new person; the dowager duchess has enough power to end it or let it be. Trevor's dad was the exiled second son of the old duke, the current dowager's grandson. And as a result, he does not like that side of the family.
Anyway, Isabella does well out in the country and forms friendships with Trevor's younger sisters; Eleanor and Belinda. She and Trevor gradually give in to their attraction and fall in love. She confides in Trevor her abusive marriage, the threatening notes she is getting, and her abusive marriage. There have also been attempts to injure/kill her (a damaged carriage, a cut strap on a saddle for example).
I did like the slow burn. The characters were also likable. However, I did find my attention drifting at times and this was easy to put down (and pick up later). And while we do find out who was behind the notes/"gifts" Isabella was getting, we do not know who the primary person is behind the notes that Georgina and Perdita have also gotten.
Miranda M. (Governess4hire) reviewed Why Dukes Say I Do (Wicked Widows, Bk 1) on + 146 more book reviews
3 1/2 sweet stars
This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed how well written it was and how much the characters come alive. Ms. Collins did a superb job at keeping a mystery throughout the story and I found myself guessing who the "bad guy" could be.
Trevor Carey makes a good hero. I liked his character but he wasn't as yummy as I was hoping he would be. Please don't get me wrong because he was enjoyable to read about. ;)
"You make me lose all semblance of civilized behavior, " he muttered. "I want to carry you off to the bed and keep you there until neither of us is able to walk."
"Trevor," she whispered, kissing him with flattering abandon. "I stayed awake for hours last night thinking of you. Of this."
Lady Isabella Wharton was an ok heroine. Some parts of her past made me question why the author added them into the story and some parts I felt were unnecessary (her miscarriage). I hate reading about things like that.
"With this ring," he said against her palm, "I thee wed...
"With my body," he whispered, "I thee worship."
All in all, I thought it was a nice and sweet little read. I adored reading about Trevor's sisters (Belinda & Eleanor). I also enjoyed reading about Sir Lucien Blakemore. I really, REALLY hope that Ms. Collins will write his story in the near future.
I eagerly await for Manda Collins next historical romance to come out: "Why Earls Fall In Love".
This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed how well written it was and how much the characters come alive. Ms. Collins did a superb job at keeping a mystery throughout the story and I found myself guessing who the "bad guy" could be.
Trevor Carey makes a good hero. I liked his character but he wasn't as yummy as I was hoping he would be. Please don't get me wrong because he was enjoyable to read about. ;)
"You make me lose all semblance of civilized behavior, " he muttered. "I want to carry you off to the bed and keep you there until neither of us is able to walk."
"Trevor," she whispered, kissing him with flattering abandon. "I stayed awake for hours last night thinking of you. Of this."
Lady Isabella Wharton was an ok heroine. Some parts of her past made me question why the author added them into the story and some parts I felt were unnecessary (her miscarriage). I hate reading about things like that.
"With this ring," he said against her palm, "I thee wed...
"With my body," he whispered, "I thee worship."
All in all, I thought it was a nice and sweet little read. I adored reading about Trevor's sisters (Belinda & Eleanor). I also enjoyed reading about Sir Lucien Blakemore. I really, REALLY hope that Ms. Collins will write his story in the near future.
I eagerly await for Manda Collins next historical romance to come out: "Why Earls Fall In Love".
