The Bachelor (Duke Dynasty Book 2)

I have read so many HR that I know what writers I enjoy. There are occasional disappointments but not many. I try to avoid new writers because I feel it’s like rolling the dice and I usually lose. I try not to be influenced by the book bloggers. I search the blogs so I can see what new books have been released. This is one time I took a chance on a bloggers positive review. The story sounded interesting. Big loser for me. Didn’t feel the romance. Too many characters. Maybe this isn’t a standalone? I describe these types of books as a slow train to nowhere. I was so bored I quit at 2/3. This writer will be a one and done for me.

Another favorite author bites the dust. The hero, who has no money, gives guineas to urchins as a tip. The characters walk to Bond street because it is only two miles.The language and behaviors are not consistent with the regency period. I found the writing very choppy and the sex scenes were not appealing. Either my understanding of what a good book reads like, or this really is as bad as I think it is.

Lady Gwyn Drake has a history with Lionel Malet that goes back much further than their recent encounter when he tried to abduct a heiress. He is blackmailing her and if she doesn't pay, he says he will tell the press about the affair they had ten years ago and ruin her. Gwyn never told anyone about the one night she spent in his bed or the consequences and will do anything to keep her secrets. Thinking she can intimidate him, she pulls a gun, but is quickly disarmed and would have been in trouble if she wasn't saved from him by Major Joshua Wolfe. A man she has long been attracted to and who clearly doesn't feel the same, or so she thinks.Joshua is the current Duke of Armitage's cousin and acting estate gamekeeper. Joshua was gravely wounded in battle years ago and is desperate to return to active duty. His letters to the War Office have been ignored, so when Gwyn's brother the Duke of Thornstock asks him to act as her bodyguard in London, he agrees and hopes that he can finally get some answers from the War Office and keep his attraction to Gwyn a secret. He feels unworthy of her, even though he is the grandson of a duke and a war hero.He is not sure what is going on with Gwyn and Malet, but he thinks there is more than what Thorn and Gwyn have told him and when there is an attempt to sabotage their coach, he is sure of it. He is determined to get answers and keep Gwyn at arm's length - but she won't make it easy!I thought this was a great addition to the series. Gwyn and Joshua are both a little broken and both have trust issues, they are clearly perfect for each other, but neither is going to make the journey to HEA a smooth ride! The book has some amusing dialogue, a lot of secrets, a bit of intrigue, some steamyish love scenes, a great supporting cast of characters, a nasty villain and finally HEA. I did feel like the book dragged a bit towards the end and I was disappointed that Gwyn never actually says "I love you" to Joshua - it is implied, but for me - it's not the same. This is the second book in the series, but there is also a linked novella in the anthology Seduction on a Snowy Night that is Heywood and Cass's story and the events in that book are closely linked to this story - so while this book is easily read as a standalone, I would recommend reading the novella "A Perfect Match" if you want a bit more backstory. Overall, I am happy to recommend this book and I look forward to the next installment.*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

When threatened, a lady tries to take matter in hand but must do with her assigned bodyguard, a man who stirs sensations she does not want to feel ...I do not know if it plays the same for other readers but each time I read a Sabrina Jeffries book, I feel like I hear a different voice from the other historical romances writers.There are few that have this effect on me and she is.Don’t get me wrong, I love it but still I need a few pages to adjust, so despite the time setting and the characters and their circumstances, they feel more modern than in most reads.I enjoyed the first glimpse I was offered last fall, why I was eager to read the full novel.And entertaining it was.Between the barbs and quips the heroes and siblings throw at each other, the hunt for the villain and the up and down in the romance, I spend quite enjoyable hours.Gwyn is haunted by a mistake she made as a young woman, while it is not openly told until later in the story, it is easily guessed. This lapse of judgement in her past suitor’s character is the cause of herself refusing to marry. It hold her back to accept anyone, why she readily dismisses even Joshua because she sees herself as not worthy.While she is no usual debutante, at thirty, she is well past the age, yet as a Duke’s sister and with the incentive dowry, she enters the marriage mart well provided, but she will have nothing to do with the peers courting herself and her dowry, first her former suitor is lurking in the shadows ready to blackmail her or reveal her past indiscretion if she does not concede to his demands. Plus she is attracted to Joshua but she is very sure he will never be able to forgive her youth mistake.Joshua suffers from PTSD, crippled during a naval ambush, he came close to loose more than his leg, after months of battle for his life, he retired in the countryside, seing himself as worthless because now he needs a walking stick to keep him upright. So even if he is attracted to Gwyn, he can’t see how they might have a future together, he a soldier on half pay and she a Duke’s daughter and sister.Their romance is one of winning each other trust, and there lies the main problem, they are wary of others and they not easily confide in others.Yet trusting the other will have to be followed by having faith in their own value to believe in a future together.4.5 stars for this fun fast-paced read, I just would have loved the background plot to have a more prominent place in the story, to see Joshua at work.I was granted an advance copy through Netgalley by the publisher Kensington, I had already preordered my own.Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Sabrina Jeffries novels always deliver.This novel is packed full of characters that had their own stories in other novels but can definitely be a stand alone book.The characters are wonderful and so is the plot. The Hero is wonderful and the story is truly romantic.I fully intend to read the other books in the series because this one was so enjoyable I was hooked from the first page.

This book was a good continuation of the series. I liked it - I especially liked the characters of Gwyn and Wolfe, but this one wasn't quite a 5 star read for me. I still enjoyed it though, and am looking forward to the next book with Thorne's story.

Personagens inteligentes e história interessante, além do romance fofo! E adorei essa família, a interação entre eles. Recomendo ler na ordem, esse é o 2o livro.

My wife likes reading these novels

Lady Gwyn Drake has long protected her family's reputation by hiding an imprudent affair from her youth. But when her former suitor Malet appears at Armitage Hall, manhandling the heiress and threatening to go public with her secrets, it's Gwyn who needs protecting. Her twin brother, Thorn, hires Joshua Wolfe, the estate's gamekeeper, to keep her safe in London during her debut. As a war hero, Joshua feels obligated to fulfill the assignment he has accepted. With handsome Joshua monitoring her every move, Gwyn would prefer to forget both the past and the parade of money-seeking bachelors at her coming out.This is the second book in the series about the five children of Lydia who married three dukes. Yes it could be read on its own but seriously why would you & miss out on a brilliant series. I make no bones about the author's books being must reads for me, they never disappoint, they are well written, very well researched, characters who jump out of the page at you & lovely romances. I'd loved both Joshua & Gwyn in the previous book & absolutely loved the road to their HEA, it wasn’t smooth but it made for a first class read. I can't wait for Thorn's story, which is next & there's also the mystery as to who is targeting the familyMy honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read