The Infamous Duke

Wonderful Characters, Though Plot Lacks I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of this series, In the Viscount’s Arms, and with the brief glimpses we saw of Cassandra and Wade in that book, I was very curious to see what their story might be. I enjoyed this book is so much, even though it had some flaws. What I enjoyed most was simply the characters. Both the hero and heroine are very well drawn. While each could be seen as privileged in their own way, both have also suffered for it. Cassandra is the local beauty, and she unfortunately has severe female complaints; a doctor has led her to believe that she would be useless to a man because she could not participate in the marital bed given her “illness.” She wants more out of life than to be a spinster maiden, confined to keeping her cottage tidy and embroidering beautiful things. Her beauty has caused her to be nearly notorious in her community, and she has batted away more than a dozen suitors in part because she believes she cannot be a proper wife. Wade has been a duke nearly since birth, but he was taken away from his mother to be raised by guardians. So he has abandonment issues as well as self-esteem issues because the guardians only saw him as the young dukeling and not as simply a boy or young man. The author actually shows us this with great poignancy. You can't help but feel for this somewhat lost man who has acted inappropriately just because he wants true acceptance, friendship, and hopefully, love. I enjoyed reading the evolution of their relationship. Cassandra kept trying to push him away because of her perceived limitations, but he never let her do that completely, and he did so in a very gentlemanly way throughout that is such a delight to watch. I loved how Wade could see Cassandra for more than her beauty nearly from the start. He appreciated her strength, grace, intelligence, and compassion. I love it when a hero appreciates the heroine’s inner qualities. I have two issues with the book. I don't feel like the plot had enough to it. There was internal conflict for Cassandra, perhaps a little angst at for Wade as Cassandra figured out what she wanted to do, but there really wasn't much more than that. While I loved reading their sweet and loving adventures in Cornwall, I felt like I kept waiting for something to happen beyond their day-to-day interactions and deepening affection. My other issue with the book is I thought that some things should happen that didn't. Why didn't Wade take Cassandra to a specialist to help find out more about her condition and if what the quack said when she was 15 was true? He’s a duke, for goodness’ sake; he’s got money and connections. While the main sensual scene in the book is a good one (and definitely different from most and completely within character), why not have another one that goes to full completion, showing that Cassandra’s fears are unwarranted? I would have loved to have seen both of these scenarios. I appreciate that the author gives a great setup in both book one and this one for the next book of the series. I am definitely curious to see what happens with Honoria, the last Staunton sister. If you enjoy Regency romances with well-written characters and relatively low angst and don’t mind that there’s not much tension, you may very well enjoy this book.

repare to fall in love with the Staunton sisters and in particular Octavia, the eldest of the three. It had been twelve months since the death of their parents and they were formally ending their mourning. Having grown up in a small village with their mother a teacher, the village had taken them under their wing, but now they needed a plan to earn funds so that they could pay the bills and make ends meet. Maybe even buy some new dresses. When Octavia heard that the latest governess for Simon,Lord Althorn at Caswell Hall had quit, she saw it as her opportunity to get a job. Yes she was overqualified even though she had not had a formal education. I love this part when she marched in and almost demanded the job and yes, she did get hired! What she did not expect was how handsome he was because nobody really knew much about him! A wonderful journey to love and romance you will not be able to put down once you have started! I love her charge Leah who was Simon's niece and how kind he was to her.. Loved this story! I read this through Booksprout and the publisher.

The weak one becomes the strong one! This book features Cassandra Octavia’s sister. Wade has decided that he wants her. Now, this puts them at odds with each other but the twists are a-coming. This is a rather complex tale but like book one, it is well-written and with outstanding characters. Everyone sees Cassandra as weak yet as the book moves you will gain another vision of Cassandra. Good story!! I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it