Romancing the Duke: Castles Ever After

I am disappointed once again with Ms. Dare, after an excellent start; I thought Ms. Dare had come back with a very good read. Only to have it dwindle into a silly fairytale. The plot was flimsy, and only the sex scenes take it out of the children’s section of books.

I am of course very aware of the many 5 star ratings, so obviously most do not share my view. I will say this author is very talented in dialogue. She had wonderful characters with great stories but reduced them to well….a fairy tale.

I mean this with the greatest respect to the author, but this book could be easily reworked and turned into a great story for young readers. There was a moral and lessons to be learned here. However, the one where Izzy our heroine learns that love is not about looks would be better taught if the hero were not blind.

I recommend it if you love reading Cinderella. Otherwise if you simply like Ms. Dare and want to read her new book, wait till it is not full price. This author IS very talented. But for me, I need an adult story with at least a passing glance at the time period and realistic plots.

So folks, you are on your own. Fairytale or not?

This is one of those books that you will re-read again just for fun. Soild characters and plot. Laugh out load moments, sexy moments (4 on a scale of 1-5) I put this up there with Elizabeth Hoyts lighter reads like The Raven Prince.

Wow! Well written, fast-paced, twists and turns, witty dialogue and genuinely likeable characters...what more could you ask for? Maybe " When is the next book in the series being released?" Very Enjoyable read!

I like Tessa Dare, despite generally not liking the Regency genre, but this novel was a stinker. The main character is as Mary Sue as it gets, embodying the living legacy of her father's writing and inspiring a cult (yeah, definitely worthy of being called a cult) of Regency era LARPers who follow her around the country dressed in pretend armor and fanciful getups. This and other anachronisms made it incredibly hard to get a feel for what period this setting was actually meant to represent!

When an older gentleman (a godfather? I'm not clear on their relationship) leaves her some totally random castle in his will (seriously?) she moves in only to find it already inhabited by a very cranky duke. The rest of the story basically tells itself, so I won't bother to sum it up except to say that when the solicitor makes special mention of how this strange old man left broken-down castles to women all over the country, I literally groaned out loud. This is a series I will not be following.

I couldn't wait for another Tessa Dare. Loved most of her books, except for the novellas which I wouldn't bother with. I was shocked by this though. The hero was okay. It was ridiculous. Didn't care for the heroine. She was really dopey. Was she ugly? Pretty? You never get the answer. I guess because he is blind anyway so it doesn't matter but I hate it when authors do this, refrain from describing characters. The mock medieval army, I guess a 19th century version of reinactment, was ridiculous. There was no sizzle factor either. What happened Tessa?!!

*Review first published on Goodreads!*

3.5ish stars

I liked it. Really. I'm being bold here, but the H/h truly define the word 'love'. The scene where she rearranged the furniture for him, and he filled her rooms with candles because she was afraid of the dark; that was sweet. That's what I think love is all about. <3

And the scene where he brought her to the bat-infested room, damn, there were so much feels; mortified that there could be a bat stuck in her hair, heartbroken that he could never conjure the real her in his mind, ever, and just so bloody excited for what was to come for them.

However, I was a tad disappointed because this time, Tessa Dare's book did not make me guffaw like with A Week to Be Wicked. Let's hope the rest of the series will be more awesome than this.

A really charming adult fairy tale. Imaginative, original and well-written. It is always a pleasure to read Tessa Dare books, and I thought it would be impossible to beat Spindle Cove. But this was fresh and just a really great read. Huzzah!

Tessa Dare is one of my favorite authors, but I'm not sure what to make of this first book in her new Castles Ever After series. I couldn't tell while reading it if Dare meant for this to be a gothic romance. It certainly has gothic elements -- penniless ingenue in desperate straits at the mercy of bitter, scarred, misanthropic (but tall, dark, and handsome) man, set in a creepy, crumbling, isolated old castle that might well be haunted -- but if Dare was aiming for gothic, she missed her mark. Despite the creepy ambience, this book doesn't have the dark, spooky, suspenseful tone of a gothic novel. Instead, I think (hope?) Dare was spoofing the old gothics, and if that was her intent, she hit the nail on the head, because the gothic tropes seem not so much eerie as entertaining (example: the story is set at Gostley Castle, and the heroine's solicitor asks whether that rhymes with "ghostly" or "ghastly.")

The heroine, Izzy Goodnight, finds herself destitute after her father fails to provide for her in his will. She's down to her last shillings when she learns she's inherited a crumbling castle in Northumberland. Unfortunately, the castle isn't empty: Ransom, the Duke of Rothbury, has been convalescing (read: hiding) there since being gravely injured in a duel with his ex-fiancee's lover. Rothbury contests Izzy's inheritance, since he owns the castle and didn't authorize its sale to the guy who bequeathed it to Izzy. However, he's ignored his correspondence for the months since his injury, and both agree that there might be some clue to the dilemma amid the pile of letters awaiting Rothbury's attention. Since Rothbury's condition still doesn't allow him to read his mail without assistance, Izzy agrees to act as his secretary while they sort out the mess.

The reader has to be willing to approach this story with an open mind, because much of it is just absurd. That a gently-bred, unmarried woman would be willing to stay, unchaperoned, in a ghost- and pest-infested old pile with a cranky, unmarried duke (and said duke would be willing to let her) is the first of many disbeliefs the reader must willingly suspend. (It helps that Izzy is penniless: she hasn't really got any alternative; it also helps that Ransom's injuries are significant enough that, duke or not, he's not a hot commodity on the marriage mart anymore.)

Izzy is penniless, but she's not alone in the world. Before his death, her father published a serial novel which is so popular it inspired LARPers to tour the countryside, re-enacting the scenes. To this band of misfits, Izzy is a celebrity -- though they don't know, and don't want to know, the real Izzy; they just want to know the timid, innocent little girl immortalized in the novel.

Though Romancing the Duke is undeniably entertaining, and there were several points where I laughed out loud (Izzy has a pet weasel, and come on, how often do you find LARPers in romance?), much of the plot didn't really work for me. Ransom is attracted to Izzy, and eventually his number one priority is to see to her well-being, but he's really slow in getting there: in the first scene, she is literally fainting because she hasn't eaten in days, and when Ransom learns that, he doesn't try to feed her or even seem worried that she's gone hungry. Later on, Ransom uncomfortably close to a bodice-ripper-style angry-sex seduction scene, and while I should have trusted Dare to avoid a dubious consent love scene (as she eventually does when Izzy calls halt), it was a close call and turned me off to Ransom as a romantic lead.

Worse, there's a huge hole in the plot. Ransom and Izzy come together to try and sort out his correspondence and who owns Gostley Castle, and it's rapidly clear that someone has been taking advantage of Ransom's inattention to his business affairs to rip him off. Figuring out the scheme and unmasking the thief should have been the climax of the novel, but instead it was barely touched upon, only glancingly mentioned as an afterthought in a final scene that was a chaotic train wreck of a plot gone off the rails.

I love Tessa Dare's books, but this one is just plain silly. There's a nice build up of tension until the inevitable happens but then it all falls apart to childishly written dialogue and equally childish plotting. Extremely disappointing.

Sometimes Tessa Dare can be a little hit and miss for me, and this one was somewhere in between for me.

I went in expecting to really like it as the scarred, angry, alpha trope is one of my favorites. Ransom does not disappoint, he rages and growls and demands and I found Izzy refreshing in her response to him. She stood up for herself and gave as good as she got without seeming over the top. Sometimes in attempting to craft spunky heroines with backbone authors end up creating somebody who is irrationally stubborn and just plain annoying. Ransom and Izzy were believable and their chemistry was definitely hot, I loved that despite being a virgin Izzy had desires and wasn't absurdly innocent despite her backstory. There was a little bit of the instant intense lust of True Love that I did think was a bit silly.

Unfortunately, the backstory is where things fell flat for me. The story of Ransom's scar seemed lack-luster and rather contrived and Izzy's troupe of play acting knights and ladies was farcical. The conclusion to what was for the most part a warm, satisfying romance seemed slap-stick silly and left me crafting alternatives in my mind. I enjoyed the romance but sort of didn't buy their histories or the conclusion to the big problem which seemed more like a plot device than anything else.

Like I said, the was a fun read but it was lacking that little something extra that makes a novel excellent.

I love the hero! I love a scared messed up hero. I found myself laughing out loud a couple of time. I love that the h wasn't scared of the H. I also love at the end when the H stood up for the h and their HEA. Great job Tessa Dare. This book is why I love your books!

I had such high hopes for this book after I downloaded the sample, alas it quickly took a left turn into ridiculous. Cosplay in a historical romance? As a fan of both all things geeky and of a variety of fandoms I was more than vaguely insulted at the heavy handed and completely preposterous mashup.

I'm realizing I'm just not a big Tessa Dare fan. This one has abundant silliness, from wink-wink fandom allusions (the Goodnight Tales inspire 19th century readers to dress up as medieval knights and ladies, and they have taglines, catchphrases, and nicknames that have to be Trekkie-inspired) to the local rector's daughter having nothing better to do that help the heroine clean the castle. There's a lot of near-ravishment and questionable choices from the hero, who is a watered-down Mr. Rochester, which comes with the territory, but I don't know if Dare sells his turnabout from "I'm so mad I should probably ravish her" to "I can't live without her and I won't let anything bad happen to her" in a believable or satisfying way. The line between escapist fun and silly disappointment is fine and subjective, but, for me, this falls on the side of the latter.

I am still wondering what was author thinking when writing this book.. childish dialogues, story poorly managed and..., i started reading but was not able to finish. Normally, I at least read the ending but here I honestly couldn't care less.

Izzy is the adult daughter of a recently deceased author who wrote fantasy books about a fantasy kingdom (think Tolkien, Rawlings, Star Trek etc.) The premise of the books was the author telling these stories to his young daughter (as in "Princess Bride.") Left destitute upon her father's death (who couldn't be bothered willing her even the royalties from his books) Izzy learns that she has inherited a castle from an old family friend. Upon arriving at the run down derelict castle she discovers the Duke (as in Prince) who was scarred and blinded (but only sometimes) in a duel (curse) and is now a recluse (Beast.) Spunky Izzy decides to hang around to clean up the castle, the Duke and his business affairs. The Duke is angry, lonely and horny - so is Izzy for that matter. He has only his valet for company. He believes the castle is his but since he hasn't bothered to have anyone open and read his mail to him in months he doesn't know what is going on. Apparently he has spent the time since his duel prowling the castle and counting steps between point A and point B. The fantasy books have a fan club and members of the fan club show up at the castle, in costume and talking like the book's medieval characters to pay homage to their heroine Izzy. They also decide that the Duke is the personification of the scarred chivalrous hero of the books. Izzy panders to them by taking them on a tour of the gardens before they leave for their fair, or meeting or whatever (Comic-Con.) I can't help you beyond that point in the book because I closed the page, went to the contents of my Kindle and deleted it.

This author's early books showed promise and I enjoyed them. Recently, not so much. This is the absolutely last book I will get written by her. If I could give it zero stars, I would.

This book is Tessa Dare in top form - I just loved it. Her prose is laugh out loud... and it really is a fairytale that you can lose yourself in for several hours of humour, semi-drama and sizzling romance...

Ransom is scarred and physically injured from a short-sword fight that occurred several months ago, but he is a handsome man in spite of the injuries.

Izzy is described as not a beauty, at least in her own eyes her super curly, untameable hair and her nose make her unattractive. They are forced together through a misunderstanding where she is bequeathed the property from her Godfather but Ransom says he’s never sold it... Izzy sticks her feet in and won’t leave and so fire, fun, craziness follows...

This has it all.. there are knights, a ghastly, ghostly Gostly Castle, a resident scarred and tortured Duke, handmaidens and a feisty, innocent young woman who refuses to be pushed around.

Loved it...
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Romancing the Duke was such a fun read! Why haven't I read Tessa Dare before now? Well, probably because I don't like the covers. Really I don't like the covers of most old-timey books even though I love old-timey books in general. I am glad I gave Tessa Dare a chance. This definitely definitely won't be my last (I may or may not have already put every other book of hers on my hold list at the library...)

Izzy has been struggling to get by. She is almost completely out of money, she has nothing since her father's sudden passing, and no one to really help her out. She has been trying to survive, but it is hard. So when she receives a letter stating that she received an inheritance from someone she is hoping for a few hundred pounds to help her get by. She doesn't expect to show up at a decrepit castle with a grumbly, handsome man living in it having no idea what she is talking about. She definitely didn't expect to inherit the castle itself and have to fight the grumbly man for it.

Ransom is a Duke, but he has been holed up in his castle almost completely by himself for the past 7 months. Ever since the accident. Or whatever happened to him. He is rough around the edges, but you can see he cares, he just doesn't want to show it. With his past and upbringing it is no wonder he is not the kind, caring person that he could be. That he is in secret. Oh, I loved Ransom so much! I love the big, tough, grumbly teddy bears. Oh, he was fun.

Ramson and Izzy were awesome together. He keeps trying to run her off with threats of ruining her, but he doesn't realize that Izzy wants that. She has dreamed of love and kisses and everything like that her whole life, but everyone treats her as a little girl because of the fairy tales her father wrote. The fairy tales that are incredibly popular, that everyone loved. She is so kind to the fans of her father's stories. So kind to all the people who ask her the same questions since the stories were cut off mid-scene when he died unexpectedly! They all want to know what happens next, but there is no next now. So when Ransom actually treats her like a woman and not a little girl as everyone else does she loves it. She wants more of it.

With the two of them stuck in the castle together and drawn together it was only a matter of time because dratted feelings start getting involved. Neither of them expected it, both think the other couldn't possibly care for them, but they were so sweet together. Ransom has a great deal of pride and doesn't want anyone's help, but he is so kind with Izzy. So...everything. They both were. Not that it is easy. They are both stubborn and want what they want and they were so much fun to watch. I loved this story and can't wait to read more from this new to me author!

This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland blog

I wanted to like this book, but I'm always a hard sell on books where the characters just stay in one place for the entirety of a book. I love when characters go out and meet people, see new places, but that just isn't the case here. There's a good explanation for it in this story, and I did love the love interests, but the plot just didn't work for me.

This story about Miss Izzy Goodnight and Ransom, the duke of Rothbury. One night finds Izzy at the door of Gostley Castle from a letter she received from a mysterious sender. It detailed that she was set to inherit something of her late father's, and almost penniless, showing up at the castle was her last chance. She's in her mid to late 20s and with no prospects of marriage anytime soon. She desperately needs money, but when she shows up at the door of the castle, she meets a surly and disgruntled man named Ransom and promptly faints at the sight of him (she also hasn't had much to eat in the days leading up to this point either).

It appears that Izzy was gifted a castle by her godfather, the man she never really knew but left her and two other women with their own castles in an attempt for them to have their fairytale stories.

Ransom isn't having any of it. It's rightfully his castle and has been in his family for generations. But since he has not been since in the public eye for months, the castle appears to have been sold off to Izzy's godfather to do with as he pleased. It soon becomes evident why he is so obstinate about giving up his castle (besides the fact that it was his until the announcement that it wasn't). Ransom is partially blind and has holed himself in the castle with his valet, as the castle is his safe space away from prying eyes.

Ransom lost his sight months ago due to rather unfortunate circumstances that just broke my heart. I do love Ransom and came to found him endearing. I love how Izzy and Ransom bicker and Izzy takes charge of situations when they don't meet her satisfaction. Case in point, when she is kissed for the first time, and she doesn't feel like Ransom is doing it properly, she demands that he do it correctly and passionately. Izzy may be a damsel in need of saving (financially), but she certainly never comes across as one personality-wise.

I love Izzy and the interactions with the other characters. I don't know if it's because of the voices for the audiobook, but I found some scenes particularly grating. Especially that of the vicar's daughter from the neighboring village, Abigail, and all the scenes where the characters were reciting lines from Izzy's father's novels. I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I had read it instead of listened to it on audio. If I were to continue with the series, I think I would have to switch over to reading it instead since it appears that the same narrator is used for the rest of the books.

For the most part, the book is hilarious, if not a little too over-the-top with silliness. Izzy's father was well known throughout the country as having written a well-known series with the main character based off his own daughter. There are fans of the series who go about cosplaying (LARPing?) as the characters and roam about the countryside in full costume.

The book seemed to do everything right, as far as consent and how Ransom's disability is portrayed, but I was unfortunately bored for most of it or annoyed by the secondary characters. It also seemed to take a long time for anything to...I don't know, happen? The ending in particular was very dramatic and seemed rushed. I think I'll give the other books in the series and try, but I will be switching to reading the books instead of listening to the audio narration, I think.

I’m in love with Tessa Dare’s talent!
This jump in the fairytale universe was so refreshing. I’m just now mesmerized by the author’s gift to create incredible characters and worlds.
None of her characters are weak, what ever life has thrown on their way, it has strengthened them.
And this new vision of the beast and his non-beauty has me sucked in.
I do adored the main characters but also the other protagonists surrounding them. Even if they have little part in this story, the author gave them some depth to enlighten the storyline.
Izzy or Isolde Ophelia Goodnight is an amazing woman, she is like all the heroines Tessa Dare gave life, a very strong woman who had to do what was necessary to live and gave up her little girl’s dreams to do so.
Ransom, the Duke of Rothbury is man who buried himself in a crumbling castle while he tries to recover from an injury who left him scared and cripple. But when E learn to know him, it is just the scenery who has moved, even among the ton, he was always alone.
My heart arched for what they both suffered in their past. One to have to grew up without any fairness nor love around him, all alone while the other had to fend for herself to provide income and food on the table, then to left behind from all her hopes.
Tessa Dare creates tantalized heroes but what I love most is that they are not afraid of who they really are, they do not hide themselves behind properties to tell what is in their minds and what they feel, they accept life’s chalenges with all its risks.
One more great read.
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The story had very little substance. The hero and heroine were affable enough - but the problems weren't problems.

Worse, she didn't really characterize how people of their social classes would have really behaved.

It felt almost like she had an idea for a book, fleshed out a rough outline and turned that into an incomplete book.

Now this, this, was exactly what I was looking for. Sweet, without being treacly. Sexy, with actual emotion behind it. Just perfect for today. I’ve been on the outs, a bit, with romance books and this broke that streak nicely.

Tessa Dare has penned a beautiful fairy-tale that straddles the line between reality and fantasy beautifully. There were many of the standard tropes present and accounted for. Duke that’s disfigured in some way, gruff, angry at the world, reclusive and unlikeable…that is until our determindley cheerful heroine shows up. Not that he drops at her feet immediately, but I knew it was coming. And I loved that.

I loved Izzy, and her relentless belief that she could make her own fairy-tale. Despite what life had already thrown at her. I loved her willingness to work for it, and her bone-deep desire not to trod on anyone else’s dreams and fantasies along the way.

I grew to love Ransom along the way, as he grew to love Izzy. I loved that he was caught in her web – not that she wove one intentionally – before he even realized what was going on. I loved that he went to such lengths, to be kind – even when he didn’t realize that’s exactly what he was being. And I loved that he screwed up along the way and made efforts to overcome it, beyond just sex, of course.

Sometimes I read historical romance and I want all the historical facts and details completely accurate. Sometimes I read it and I just want to be transported to this perfect version of the past. Sometimes I just pick it up and let the book decide. I couldn’t, honestly, tell you how much was historically accurate here – not much, I’m guessing – but I can tell you that I was absolutely charmed the entire time I was reading it

This is the romantic, beauty-and-the-beast-esque, fairy-tale you’re looking for. Doubt not.

Dear and brightest lights of heaven. I don’t quite know what to say about this book, because I’m still giggling over it. Now, giggling is not my usual reaction to regency romance, but it’s the only option open to me at the end of this book. Izzy is so much fun. She’s spunky and determined and still so idealistic in spite of everything her life has become. Ransom is everything a proper gothic hero should be: dark, moody, brooding, emotionally and physically scarred. He is that ultimate male that we females want to ‘fix’. (Light of heaven! I hate that sentiment, but it plays well in this book.) The story is a bit of a Beauty and the Beast retelling. The biggest differences being that the beauty and beastliness are mostly internal rather than the outward appearance. For the beauty doesn’t believe she’s the least bit attractive and the beast doesn’t realize that his appearance isn’t so monstrous. I would dearly love for there to have been more of this book. I wasn’t ready to let these characters go at the end.

Sometimes I’ll go to my physical bookcase here in my patio room (library) and push aside the newer paperback to get to the piles at the back of the shelves. (Yes, my books shelves can hold three rows of paperbacks each – I’m a hoarder of books) I’ve kept these books because I obviously intend to re-read them one day… and I was in the mood for something unusual. When I unearthed the pile of Castles Ever After books I knew I’d hit on exactly what I was looking for. This is my third, or is it now fourth, time that I’ll be revisiting with Izzy and Ransom – and each time I find something new to chuckle over.

I found Izzy to be a woman with dual parts to her personality. A touch of whimsy in a practical woman, common sense with the heart of a dreamer and a woman who doesn’t see her own unique beauty rather sees herself as rather plain and unassuming. I would say she is more the fairy tale maiden in search of her knight in shining armor (even if it’s a bit rusty and needs some polish). It was a delightful treat to see her fully blossom with Ransom.

This is one of those stories where to say too much would take away the fun for the new reader in discovering the twits and turns, enjoyable madcap moments and steamy romance that is Izzy and Ransom’s love story. I had fun with Romancing the Duke, I laughed, smiled, got a bit annoyed and fell in love with a castle, a couple and an unusual pet. You’ll enjoy this one.

I own a softly worn, much read paperback copy of this novel.

I needed this. I needed this book, this story, this love, these laughs and all the fun and silliness and swoons encapsulated in ROMANCING THE DUKE. I don't think it's as good as WHEN A SCOT TIES THE KNOT (yes, I read them out of order, but whatever, they are standalones), it's certainly not as consistently laugh out loud hilarious and ridiculous, but it's just so good. So sweet. So wonderful.

The first in her Castles Ever After series introduces us a recently orphaned, penniless, and all but hopeless young woman, Isolde Goodnight, who is sent a notice explaining she has recently inherited a castle from a late godfather. Of course, when she arrives at the castle, it's very much in residence by a damaged Duke, Ransom of Rothbury, who has been struck blind by an incident.

This book has shades of JANE EYRE, if Jane were to meet Rochester for the first time only after the fire. And actually this felt almost like a love letter to Brontë.. and then quickly became so much more. The plain girl and the blind man fall in love, of course, and their journey into romance is sweet and oh so sexy, full of banter and boners, but it's the supporting cast, the core of fairy tales reminiscent of a regency HARRY POTTER (well, maybe more a medieval-style Harry) written by Izzy's father that thread through the story, a fuzzy little ermine, and a group of what are basically LARPers who invade the castle, that make this story more than just a romance. They make it bizarre and hilarious and wonderful. I love the tongue in cheek commentary within the dialogue, I love how what begins as crude seduction later becomes desperate desire and I love that it takes a blind man to see what all others cannot.

Dare has quickly become a favourite of mine. Sure, this is only my second read of hers but still. Her voice is so cheeky, so endearing. The characters so darling. The premise of the books, at least in this series, are not any different from your standard historical romance but she toys with the cliches, the tropes, and she both makes fun of it and has fun messing with your expectations.

These books put a grin on your face and make you laugh. Like her bevy of damaged leading men, you just can't help but fall for them.

"Everyone knew that Cinderella had to scrub the floors before she could win the handsome prince."

Loved it! A true page turner and difficult to put down. This book is sweet, funny, sexy and will give you belly butterflies. This book is pretty light on the sex but there is SO much more to it. When it does happen, its damn amazing.

I really love a scared hero and witnessing his hard crunchy shell get dissolved by the right woman. I know its probably silly of me, but I just cant help swooning for them. I super appreciate a smart witty, soft and sweet heroine who will stand up for the people she loves.

I'll leave you with my favorite quote...
"She was entirely unaware of the protocol when becoming acquainted with a man’s rampant sex organ. Did she reach out and give it a handshake? Touch one finger to the tip? Bid it a polite howdoyoudo?"

The first word that comes to mind when thinking about this novel is "delightful". This was the most wonderful historical romance, with some similarities to the typical Beauty and the Beast storyline. I was expecting a typical Regency romp, but what I actually read was honestly one of the cutest, most heartwarming storylines I've ever come across. That, juxtaposed with some surprisingly steamy sex scenes, really solidified this as perhaps one of the best historical romances I've had the pleasure of reading.

I very much liked the hero in this, his crude words and flaws making him fabulously attractive, and I absolutely loved that fact that, although a virgin and never been kissed, Izzy was not naive at all, and a highly intelligent woman. Their flirtatious banter was exceptional, and I read this with a smirk plastered across my face the entire way through. I really appreciated that Dare didn't take herself too seriously here, using the Regency as a backdrop for a fairy tale adaptation, incorporating cosplayers.

Yes, it was cheesy, there were grand gestures (though maybe the most entertaining I've ever read, it has to be said), and perhaps it wasn't the most believable plotline, but the fact that it was such an original plotline really, really made up for it. Reading this really was a pleasure.

Would I read the sequel? Hell yes. Gimme more cuteness and hilarity.

?Old, beautiful castles + a magical book series and its fandom + two stubborn protagonists

?I loved Izzy. She is kind and funny, doesn't give up and always finds something good in every situation. She only wants to live in her new castle and be free.

?I did like Ramson, too. He is a grumpy hero, who doesn't believe he deserves love, but god when he fells for Izzy. He can't be more romantic and adorable if he tries.

?Their interactions are hilarious and adorable.

?My biggest problem: Izzy doesn't really learn or recognize her ableism. She makes some comments like she knows better than Ramson about his disability.

I cannot believe this is the first time I am reading Tessa Dare. Why didn't anyone tell me how fabulously she writes? I laughed, I cried, I got mad... this book sucked me right in and made me part of the story.

The heroine of this story is Izzy Goodnight, who is also the subject of the renowned Goodnight Tales known throughout London to be written by Izzy's father. With everyone thinking of Izzy as a big-eyed innocent young girl, its no wonder that she has never had a suitor. But all is not well in Izzy's fairytale... she finds herself destitute after her father dies unexpectedly and leaves everything to his closest male heir, a horrible cousin who delights in throwing Izzy out of her home. Izzy's sad situation immediately drew me into the story and a connection with her character. Beyond that, she was a lot of fun and had an endearing way about her. And I have to sympathize with any girl who, like me, looks like she has a brown octopus on her head. The struggle is real. Curly girls unite.

However, my true love of this story was Ransom, Duke of Rothbury. My absolute favorite type of hero... the dark, damaged, broody kind with a tragic story of his own. Ransom has been hiding away in a moldering castle, known as Ghastly Castle, since he was grievously injured and blinded (view spoiler) Oh man, Ransom stole my heart. I loved him and all of his gruff ways and wickedly delicious seductions. He really could do no wrong in my eyes and, towards the end, I thought they were treating him horribly. They just didn't understand that he was trying to do the right thing, and he just needed to be loved and squeezed and taken care of forever. (Just like George. Brownie points for anyone who gets the reference.)

The romance between Izzy and Ransom developed nicely. Izzy just wanted to care for someone, but had never really been cared for herself. In turn, Ransom did things that showed he cared for Izzy, even though he denied his true motivations to preserve his gruff and broody reputation. Although I would have liked to see a little more of the fraud and competency matter... particularly whether Ransom pursued legal action against those who were stealing/embezzling from him. That was a nice secondary storyline that added a little something to the story.

Narrator Carmen Rose also did a wonderful job on this audiobook. She added great inflection and personality to her narration, which really brought Random and Izzy to life. Even Duncan, the valet, was represented with an interesting accent and engaging manner. A+ performance.

4.5 stars / 3 flames.

Part of the Castles Ever After series. I had previously read When a Scot Ties the Knot and enjoyed it.

Romancing the Duke was adorable, funny; I could not put it down. I was not disappointed. The hero is scarred and slightly jaded; the heroine is plane, unmarried, off the shelf and determined to have her way. Not because she is demanding, but because she has no choice. It is an easy read, funny in places, heart wrenching in others but a story that reaches into your heart and spirit as fairy tales sometimes do come true. It is good book after a hard day or to simply snuggle under a quilt and enjoy.

Isolde Ophelia Goodnight [Izzy] 26, never been kissed, yearning for romance, receives a letter informing her that her godfather the Earl of Lynforth has died, bequeathed her something and she is to meet the solicitor at Ghostly Castle in Northumberland. She prays it is a few hundred pounds.
When Izzy arrives at Ghostly Castle she discovers the solicitor is late. When she approaches the main entry she encounters a surly man standing in the shadows. As it begins to rain, he tells her to leave. Izzy swoons from lack of food. He thinks it’s because she saw his scarred face. He has no choice but to carry her into the great hall, where he strips her of her wet outer garments. When she comes to she discovers the surly man is the previous owner, Ransom, the Duke of Rothbury, whom some presumed dead, and is very much alive, only scarred and blind.

The solicitor arrives with papers of the bequest. To the surprise of Izzy and the horror of Ramson, it is Ghostly Castle. He leaves them to fight for ownership. Ransom is not too happy to learn his castle had been sold to the old Earl without his knowledge. He wants her out. She refuses to leave as she has no money and nowhere to go.

Izzy is the daughter of the late Henry Goodnight, a beloved author of children’s tales. The story unfolds that her father neglected to change his will after she was born and all went to a cousin that hates her. Even the royalties of his stories go to the estate, now to the cousin, leaving Izzy destitute. She refuses to sully the memory of her father to anyone as all of England loved Goodnight and his tales.

Ransom hires Izzy as his secretary to help him with the mound of correspondence he can’t read and didn’t trust anyone to help him. In reading his mail, Izzy and Ransom discover he is being cheated. As more letters are opened, more treachery is discovered including a letter saying his sanity is in question. Doctors and his solicitors are coming in the following weeks to question and examine him.

Comic relief, in the form of reenactors, arrives at the castle dressed as the beloved characters of Goodnight’s children’s tale. They are a motley crew and you will love them. There are secrets and old hurts to be revealed, love to be discovered as Izzy and Ransom begin to restore the castle and try to prove his sanity. Some scenes are predictable and some will be a surprise. I won’t spoil it for you. Read it. Enjoy it and find the others in the series. They are worth the time.

I couldn't believe they kept stating the heroine was unattractive/ugly. The front cover picture is of a beautiful lady but throughout the book she is describe as unattractive. Also, I wish someone warned me that the hero in this book was blind.

“Romancing the Duke” by Tessa Dare was nominated and won the Romance Writers of America’s RITA for Historical Romance – meaning that romance writers have judged her book to represent excellence in romance writing.

**4.5 STARS**
This is my first Tessa Dare novel and it will not be my last. Izzy Goodnight and Ransome, the Duke of Rothbury are two imperfect characters who both believe they have a right to Gostley Castle. I love Dare’s light-hearted, yet poignant, voice and the witty dialogue.

I do admit she takes liberties with mores of the times; such as a women of good breeding staying alone with an unmarried man with no acceptable chaperones are ever around and the LARPers. However, I love a writer with a good sense of humor who’s willing to stretch the genre. Writers have to know the rules before they can break them, but Dare keeps us focused on the story – which is about two vulnerable outcasts who find strength in each other and themselves. The character growth was realistic and gradual and I loved the developing romance!

I especially loved that Izzy, while sexually inexperienced, wasn’t afraid to take control of her own sexuality. She didn’t hem and haw, thinking about ‘good girls don’t’, she demanded that Ransom kiss her a second time. She was an agent of her own pleasure and it fit with her character because she thought this was perhaps the first and only time she would experience romance, so she grabbed on to it with a kung-fu grip.

Dare excels in is characters (both major and minor) and dialogue that sings and flow like honey. As I as was reading, there were phrases that made me pause…because they were so unique (and I’ll say it, PERFECT!) they made me giddy. Like the way she describes summer rain as “little potbellied drunkards” and the vicar’s daughter was a “different breed” than Izzy.

There was one thing that made this book less than perfect for me and that was the ending. There were a few loose ends: 1) the theft of Ransom’s cash and 2) his incompetence hearing. Who stole the money? Was it one of his lawyers? Or maybe a land manager? And how did he do in London trying to prove his sanity? Just a few sentences at the end would’ve cleared this right up.

This book was an excellent example of writing and romantic character growth. When I read romance, I want to know how and why the hero and heroine are the only one for each other. Dare seamlessly weaves together two characters who need each other and push each other towards growth and their HEA.

Isolde Ophelia Goodnight has a problem. Her godfather left her a castle, but not only is it falling into ruin, it’s inhabited by an ogre. Well, maybe not an ogre. He’s actually a handsome duke, but he acts like an ogre, and he believes the castle is his. Thus begins Romancing the Duke, a delightful fairytale that follows the adventures of Izzy, England’s sweetheart due to her father’s wildly popular stories that feature her, and Ransom William Dacre Vane, the eleventh Duke of Rothbury, a scarred and isolated misanthrope who wants nothing to do with Izzy or the fans of her father’s writing who follow her around.

Ransom and Izzy are charming characters, and it’s easy to become caught up in their stories. Each of them has seen hardship and each has much to overcome before finding the happily ever after that should be waiting at the end of every fairytale. But even though the the troubles the hero and heroine face are often quite sad, the author manages to inject a great deal of humor in the story, making this a fun read. I especially enjoyed how Izzy is a constant surprise to the duke. He does his best to scare her away, both from the castle and from himself, but she never reacts the way he expects her to, and always challenges his perception of himself and the world. I also liked the secondary characters—Duncan, Ransom’s faithful valet and Abigail, the vicar’s daughter who befriends Izzy—and the richness their presence adds to the story.

My one knock on Romancing the Duke would be how modern it feels, both in situations and in language. I don’t mean there are glaring anachronisms in the book, rather that the tone of it is essentially modern. That is not my preference in historical novels, but the story is involving enough and the writing competent enough that it didn’t materially affect my enjoyment of the story. There were also a few too many sex scenes—both complete and interrupted—for my taste. At certain points in the story, it felt like the plot got lost in all the sexual activity, but the author eventually brings everything back into focus for a satisfying resolution.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with Ransom and Izzy and would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a romance novel with a little fairy tale in it.

originally posted at Long and Short Reviews

I loved this book! Generally speaking, I enjoy every story I read from Tessa Dare, but this is definitely one of my favorites! It has a wonderfully tortured, scarred, blind hero –and a resourceful, funny, and unattractive heroine. It made me laugh. It made my pulse pound. And it even made me a little bit misty.

Izzy grew up surrounded by her father’s famous stories of brave knights and fair maidens. He even made her a part of his popular tales, making her a bit of a celebrity and beloved by his fans. What he didn’t do was provide financial care for her after his death. She is barely getting by when her “godfather” bequeaths her an old run-down castle. Imagine the shock that was to the duke already living there!

Ransom has been living like a recluse for nearly a year, following a duel, as he nursed his broken body and shattered pride. He is nearly blind, but is almost immediately taken by the unusual woman who invades his castle. He tries to get rid of her, but she refuses to go, and eventually they fashion a deal to share the castle as they investigate how it came to be her inheritance. Ransom is so alone, so cut off from the world, both physically and emotionally. He’s never known love. He’s angry and he’s cynical… Izzy’s polar opposite.

Despite the harsh hand she has been dealt, Izzy hasn’t given up her belief in goodness and love. She has a lovely spirit. But she is no shrinking violet. She is pragmatic and she’s passionate. I loved watching her seep behind Ransom’s defenses. I loved watching his realization of what she meant to him. I loved their sexy times. I loved their emotion. I even enjoyed the whimsy of the hard-core fans of The Goodnight Tales.

I have read some other reviews who didn’t enjoy this as much as I did. Specifically, some people were bothered by a lack of historical realism. Others called it fluffy. But I disagree. This book charmed me and touched me and satisfied me all at once. A real treat!

Rating: A-

This was a 3.5 star read for me. A fun take on a fairy tale romance, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight is on her last bit of funds when she receives a letter that she has been left something in her godfather's will and must arrive at Gostley Castle to claim her inheritance. Upon arrival at the castle, Izzy meets Ransom, the Duke of Rothbury, who currently lives at the castle. When Izzy's solicitor arrives at the castle and announces what she inherited is Gostley Castle which Ransom believes to be his, hilarity ensues. It's a quirky mix with Izzy having followers because of a series of books written based on her likeness & misadventures and Ransom being overwhelmed by his solitary existence now being taken over by circumstances he didn't know existed. I liked Ransom and Izzy's relationship the best. The followers of the books series was a bit weird and crazy but interesting. I will pick up the next book in the series because it's a fun take on historical romance.

It's funny, there was a recent discussion in my book group on what some editors have said readers don't want -- heroes that cry, heroines that aren't busy softening the edges of the heroes, people with disabilities -- and I said "I love all of those, and Tessa Dare totally writes like, all of them!". I'm hoping the fact that this is a bestseller after only a few days proves that people do, in fact, want these stories. I love my heroes and heroines and everyone else to be people, and that is something that this author really excels at.

Oh there is crying. There's prickliness. There's a Beauty and the Beast story that's gotten a little messy, because both participants are pretty convinced they're the beast. There's cosplay. There's angry groping. Pretty much, this is one of my favourite books I've read by Tessa Dare and I already know has hit the comfort read list, because it is so hilarious, touching, and sweet. It's everything that is my catnip.

Thank you for writing people, keep writing people, and keep giving me things editors feel are too risky or imperfect (what?!) for Romancelandia, because this is exactly what I want.

SPOILERS (sorta, from the first... couple of pages):

If this is going to be the set-up for more of these books -- "Hey your godparent you didn't really know left you a castle, enjoy!" -- then I am 100% on board, because it is pretty much the best thing ever. What would you even DO with a falling-down pile of stones? I'm looking forwards to more!

This has got to be the fluffiest romance I have read in a long while...there were even pancakes in it! You must be in a certain mindset when you open this book so that you enjoy it--you must check realism at the door.

This story is about Izzy and Ransom. Izzy is a plain, poor spinster with a lot of dreams that she just can't seem to let die. She is forthright, loyal, ingenuous, and charmingly unsure about her appearance. Ransom is a beast. He let pride get the better of him and has pushed everyone away and kept himself isolated as he recovers from an injury that leaves him nearly blind. However, he also finds Izzy beautiful, frustrating, arousing, and an unexpected reason for him to live again. Unlike other fairy tales, he still remains a bit of a beast. His hair stays long, he likes to talk dirty, and sex is often on the brain, but he does turn over a romantic side and it makes this story charmingly sweet.

As I have said in previous reviews, I am not a huge fan of Dare's sex scenes. They come across as harsh to me and often don't fit into the lightness of the rest of her writing. In this story, they fit a little better with Ransom's character so they didn't bother me as much. Either that, or I am becoming desensitized because every new author is now writing this way. Regardless, I find myself skipping the scenes more and more often now, which is sad, but true for me. Call me a a prude, but I don't like seeing cock or f**k in print. Ever. Ok, I digress.

Anyways, Dare's writing is effortlessly light and while I was a little put off at first, I soon found myself enjoying it. The breezy writing fit well with the fairytale theme and after reading some more serious material, it was a nice change of pace.

Dare combines humor and romance beautifully and while the humor can sometimes tread close to farce, it never truly crosses it because the romance feels too real. Was this the best story I have read about a blind hero? No. As one of my Goodreads buddies commented, Yours Until Dawn (Teresa Medeiros) and Lynn Kurland's This is All I Ask were better. In fact, I think there are many things this hero did in this story that a true blind man could not. However, Dare's approach to storytelling is never about realism and anyone that has not learned that by now has not been paying attention. Dare's stories are about the joys of unexpected love, a lesson to not take life too seriously, and a reminder to laugh.

Check your expectations for realism at the door; Dare's stories abound with anachronism. Rather, settle in for a funny, sweet story during a time when you want to smile like a fool and fall in love with fairy tales all over again. This story is charming. I will be continuing the series.

Why did I not listen to other people when they were raving about this book?! I have seriously been missing out on one of the BEST Historical Romance Reads of 2014. Not only is the writing phenomenal, but the characters were amazing to read as they bickered, kissed, played nice, and everything in between. I have so many pages marked with favorite quotes that I might as well just mark the entire story as one.

Isolde (Izzy) Goodnight has not only missed her chance at finding a husband due to being ordinary, but she has also lost her family and fortune. While she still has her dignity and the respect of her Fathers fans from his written books, Izzy is alone and broke. When her Godfather passes away and leaves her a castle in horrible conditions, she thinks of it as a way to start fresh and have her castle she always dreamed of. Oh, and she is still a virgin at 26 years old.

Ransom William Dacre Vane, the 11th Duke of Rothbury, has been hiding away in his family castle for months. After his intended bride ran away with another man, Ransom went looking for them. When he found them, he was bested in a duel and left blinded from the wound. He now hides from everyone so they don’t have to see his ugliness and he can lick his wounded, injured pride. When Izzy arrives to claim her castle, Ransom refuses to believe his home has been taken from him. Together they make out a deal to where she stays and becomes his secretary while they figure out who has taken advantage of him.

Not only did I fall in love with Ransom, but the strength and determination that Izzy had standing up to him, made me enjoy this couple so much more. Izzy refuses to back down from him and it does bring about many memorable scenes and dialogue. Izzy can certainly hold her own against the stubborn and rude Duke of Rothbury!

The side characters were wonderful as well! I loved the characters of Duncan and Abigail. I enjoyed them so much that I do hope they are featured again in future books — maybe as main characters even. If you are looking for a wonderful tale full of knights, honor, laughter and suspense, Ms. Dare includes it all in Romancing the Duke. A true fairy tale romance to read and be swept up in.

Rating: A ... Heat: Hot

Izzy Goodnight has been forced to spend her entire life acting like life is a fairytale when, for her, it has been anything but. Losing her father a year ago left her alone and near penniless. She’s been living on the kindness of her author father’s rabid fans. Even though Izzy knows there are no Prince Charmings, no knights in shining armor, and no happily ever afters, she can't help but have hope when a solicitor informs her that her godfather left her something in his will.

Which is how she ends up at Gostley Castle, home to the reclusive former rake, the Duke of Rothbury—Ransom William Dacre Vane. Who is not at all happy to have some temptress of a woman on his land, ruining his plans. His plans to molder and slowly fade away. Scarred and blinded, Ransom’s not looking for help. Or pity. He just wants to be left alone. And when the solicitor tells izzy that Gostley castle is hers, not his, he knows getting rid of her won't be easy.

Izzy and Ransom start out as two reluctant roommates. Neither one is willing to back down and concede defeat. While they try to figure out who the rightful owner is, they're forced to cohabitate. And things quickly become complicated and... filled with sexual tension. Izzy and Ransom were magical together. There was something so enthralling and almost fairytale like about their romance. How Izzy sees herself as plain, while Ransom thinks she's a temptress. How Ransom thinks he's beastly, while Izzy knows he’s roguishly handsome. I love how they each have these vulnerabilities that they reluctantly let each other see.

Ransom was such a swoon-worthy hero. Prickly and moody, surly and grumpy. Always using his blindness to keep people at a distance. Izzy was not going to let that stand. She comes barreling into his life and won't take no for an answer. Won't let him push her away. Both are such vulnerable characters, who find strength in each other and in themselves. Watching them reveal and discover each other was beyond romantic. They had me utterly captivated.

Romancing the Duke is dreamy and magical. The scarred hero is a weakness of mine and Ransom turned me into mush. I fell for him almost immediately, bad behavior and all. And Izzy is my kind of heroine—strong, resilient, and determined. She could wallow in self-pity but she never does. Combine these two beautiful characters with an old, dilapidated castle and more than a few crazy hijinks (some involving a wily ermine) and this book was unputdownable.

I haven’t read many historical romances lately, so after a seeing a lot of positive buzz for Romancing the Duke, I decided it was time to read Tessa Dare’s latest release. I have read a couple of her books, and have enjoyed each one. I found this one utterly charming, just like the feisty protagonist, Izzy. I raced through, and was sorry when I reached the last page. I really need to hit up more of Tessa Dare’s backlist.

Izzy is desperate and impoverished, which prompted her to hire a coach and head off to the remote Gostley Castle after receiving a letter that one of her father’s benefactors has left her an inheritance. Since her father’s death, she has been barely getting by. He died suddenly, and Izzy learns, much to her dismay, that he never bothered to update his will, so all of his possessions have been willed to her cousin. They have hated each other since childhood, and he’s absolutely crowing that she has been left with nothing.

Rather bitter that her life’s work has been for naught, she’s angry that her father neglected to see to her welfare. She gave up everything to assist him with the serial he wrote for the newspaper, using her as the main character. The Goodnight Tales garnered quite a following, even after his death, and Izzy is constantly asked about them by her father’s fans. I loved this premise-she is even followed by cos-players who are so enchanted with the story that they dress up like their favorite characters and have formed clubs to celebrate The Goodnight Tales. If it wasn’t for their popularity, she would probably have fared even worse after her father’s demise.

After arriving at the castle, she meets grouchy Ransom, the Duke of Rothbury. He isn’t in the mood for visitors, and he promptly attempts to chase her away from his moldering castle. Injured in a duel, he is suffering from a disfiguring scar, as well as blindness, from the misguided fight. He isn’t happy to have a woman in his home, and he’s even less amused when he discovers that he no longer owns his family’s estate, and that Izzy has just inherited it. Refusing to believe it, because he would never sell Gostley Castle, they come to an agreement. While he was licking his wounds in private, he ignored his business correspondence. Izzy agrees to help him go through the massive pile of letters, for a fee, to see how the castle was sold. She needs the money to fix up the pile of crumbling stone, and he needs to discover who has been cheating him out of his money and property.

I found it difficult to sympathize with Ransom at first because he brought about his own misfortune; but Izzy – Izzy! She is the victim of an unfortunate set of circumstances that left her with nothing but the few dresses in her travel bag. Her father was a miserable caretaker for not ensuring that she was left with the means to provide for herself after his death. Now that she has a roof over her head, she is going to fight tooth and nail to keep it. I loved Izzy and her attitude, and how she refused to be cowed by the gruff, angry duke who refuses to give in gracefully and accept that Izzy is now the owner of the castle.

The secondary characters are also a treat, from the cos-playing fans of The Goodnight Tales, to Izzy’s new acquaintances at the castle. Romancing the Duke made me laugh, held me spellbound, and even made me gasp with dismay when Izzy reads a fan letter to Ransom, and discovers that The Goodnight Tales is partly responsible for his turn of poor luck. I hated to have the book come to an end, and I am now eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, Say Yes to the Marquess. In the meanwhile, I will have to revisit Spindle Cove; I have a few sitting unread on my Kindle!

Grade: A-

There is nothing lacking in Dare's ability to write and write well - in fact that's why I keep reading her. But I'm noticing a common theme where sometimes her story plots feel clumsy, unbelievable, and hurried. In this particular book, issues I had:
1. I'm not certain why the duke fell so in love with Izzy so quickly.
2. How he became blind was a bit anti-climactic. So he was in a duel...but what HAPPENED. Izzy hears the tale from the valet, but never fully from the duke.

***minor spoiler alert***
3. This is my biggest problem: what HAPPENED at the end!? The entire plot of finding out who and how the duke's solicitors were plotting against him. It was resolved with one sentence, that "the duke is in love". WHAT!? I couldn't continue after that revelation, but did so just b/c it was 5 pages from the end.

I was not a fan of the whole Goodnight tales and clan of Moranglia. It felt like die-hard Harry Potter groupies to me. Maybe the next one in the series (Say Yes to the Marquess) will be better thought-out. Wish she can go back writing like her last novel, Any Duchess Will Do.

First Date: From the first few lines I could feel the magic of this tale. I immediately slipped in and connect with our heroine Isolde Ophelia Goodnight. Isolde or Izzy is an optimist who tried to look on the bright side. With her father’s passing, she has been left destitute but a letter announcing she is a benefactor of an estate has her taking her last few shillings and traveling to Gostley Castle. Izzy is a celebrity of sorts since her father’s weekly fantasy serial “The Goodnight Tales”, featured her as a young girl. At twenty-six Izzy has given up completely on fairy tales. Her father’s stories were magical and I wanted more. You have to suspend belief as is necessary for all fairytales but I swallowed the pill and enjoyed it.

Second date: Izzy arrived at Gostley Castle! In the garden, she spies Ransom William Dacre Vane, the eleventh Duke of Rothbury and his wolf . At which time she promptly faints! Ransom’s estate is in complete disrepair and so is the man, but gads is he smexy and brooding. But wait the letter about being a benefactor? Oh, this was an interesting thread and created some tension and a little mystery. I loved the banter between these two; Izzy clearly annoys him, and the reasons were delicious. The whole story has a fairy tale feel that satisfied both the little girl inside me and the woman. We get heat with just enough details to curl my toes. It all felt genuine, and I loved how they interacted. Izzy is such a colorful, whimsical, lovable character. She made me laugh, cheer for her and believe. Izzy is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical heroines.

Third date: Knights, Queens, fair maidens what is all this? It is wonderful that is what it is! Something is foul at Gostley Castle, and Izzy intends to sort it out. While Ransom continues to push Izzy away his arguments are getting weaker. The man is such a romantic and it is so endearing. What makes it so swoon-worthy is that he doesn’t even realize he is being romantic with his gestures. As the tension builds towards the climax, I could not help but root for them. Wait, is the date coming to an end? I had such a good time and cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Romancing the Duke gave me a whirlwind romance, and I closed this story with a smile. I absolutely enjoyed the fairytale elements in this tale. I would love to read the serials about Moranglia. There was a lose thread that wasn’t answered and I am not sure why. It didn’t impact the overall tale but left me curious. Izzy and Ransom were such a fun couple. I laughed, sighed and rooted for them. The next book in the series, Say Yes to the Marquess, will release later this year. A copy was received from publisher in exchange for an unbiased review that originally published at caffeinated book reviewer.

The story begins when Isolde Ophelia Goodnight (Izzy) receives a letter stating that her godfather died and has left her a bequest. She is to meet Lord Archer at Gostley Castle for the particulars.
When Izzy arrives at Gostley Castle, she meets a handsome stranger.
He leaned one shoulder against the archway. "Aren't we going to continue"
"Continue what?"
"This game." His voice was so low it seemed to crawl to her over the flagstones, then shiver up through the soles of her feet. "Am I a Russian prince? No. Is my favorite color yellow? No. Would I object if you were to come inside and remove ever stitch of your damp clothing?" His voice did the impossible. It sank lower. "No."
He was just making sport of her now.
Izzy clutched her valise to her chest. She didn't want Snowdrop getting wet. "Do you treat all your visitors this way?"
Idiot. She cursed herself and braced for another low, mocking "no."
He said, "Only the pretty ones."
She thinks that she might be hallucinating because she had never considered herself pretty or beautiful. She was just plain. Her hair was dark and so unruly that she couldn't begin to tame it. She simply thought he must be daft. But she faints right in front of him.
This is the part where I'm hooked. And as soon as Lord Archer arrives and tells her that she's now the proud owner of the castle, Gostley Castle, she can scarce believe it. What luck! A home of her very own! Property always belongs to fathers, brothers, husbands, son. Never women. Nothing like this ever happens to Izzy. And she's absolutely thrilled.
The Duke of Rothbury is dumbfounded. There is no way Izzy is stealing the property out from under him. He never sold it to her godfather and now he's beginning to question how this could have happened. It seems, perhaps, that the answer may lie with in the stacks of mail that he hasn't looked through.... hasn't been able to look through. He's blind. Well, partly. Sometimes he can make out shapes or colors or certain things (and that happens usually in the mornings) but most of the time he just simply cannot see anything. And he'll be damned if this little chit snatches his castle out from under him.
Does this story not sound good so far? I enjoyed it so very much. Especially when both the hero and heroine refused to leave the castle. They both claimed it as their own.
"This isn't such a quandary as it seems," she said. "You want to stay. I want to stay. Until the legal matters are settled, we'll share."
"Share?"
"Yes, share. This is a vast castle, built to house hundreds of people. I'll just take a spare tower or wing for my own. You won't even notice me."
He leaned close. "Oh, I'd notice you, Miss Goodnight. I'd notice you. There's no castle big enough to keep a man like me from being aware, every moment, of a woman like you. You don't have to speak a word. I can hear the rustle of your petticoats. I can smell the scent of your skin. I can feel your heat."
Heavens. If he could sense her heat, he must feel it right now. She was hot everywhere.
..."Do you understand what I'm saying to you?" he asked.
"Yes," she breathed. "and you're mad if you think I'll back down from this now."
They stood in tense silence.
"That's it," he said, at length. "You're leaving this place the same way you came in."
He ducked, caught her by the legs, and threw her over his shoulder--with ease of a man who'd tossed many a woman over his shoulder. This was definitely not his first go at lady-tossing.
But it was definitely Izzy's first time being tossed, and she had no idea how to respond. Beat her fists against his back? Kick and scream? Later, she'd think of a dozen things. Witty retorts and clever rejoinders. Right now, all the blood was rushing to her head, and her mind was a hot, throbbing blank.
He bounced her weight, plumping her backside with his forearm. "There's so little to you."
The dismissive words jarred her tongue loose.
"You're wrong," she said. "There's a great deal to me, Your Grace. More than you know. More than anyone supposes. You can carry me outside, if you like. I'll come back in. Again, and again. As many times as it takes. Because this is my castle now. And I'm not leaving."

Oh, and the banter is simply marvelous. He's sarcastic and she's stubborn. It's a wonderful setting for disaster and all things off limits. Try as they might, they cannot stop the growing feeling they have for one another.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed her again. Harder this time. mainly just to quiet her prattling, but also to underscore the original meaning. If she wanted tender starlight interludes, Ransom was not her man. When it came to physical pleasure, he was aggressive, bold and unashamed of it. If he had to make the point twice, so be it.
But as he kissed her, something went horribly, horribly wrong.
This time, she kissed him back. Not with mere curiosity or artless enthusiasm but with a sweet, unfettered passion that made his ribs ache.
His eyes flew open in shock--not that it made a damn bit of difference. He still couldn't see, only feel.
Sweet God above, did he feel.
This was... this was not supposed to happen.

Ransom and Izzy absolutely came alive with passion in this story. It was so much fun to read about.
She said, "But that's what I like most, you see. No one ever talks that way to me. You're so crude and profane. I... I know it's absurd, but I can't help it. I find it perversely delightful."
She liked crude? She wanted profane?
Very well, then. Crude and profane he could give her.
"Listen to me. When a man wakes up, he wakes wanting. He wakes hard and rude and aching with need." He shifted, pressing his massive erection against her hip. "Do you feel that?"
She gasped. "Yes."
"It wants in you." he said.
"In... in me."
"Yes. In you. Hard, deep, fast and completely. Now don't you wake me at this hour again unless you found the perfect retort to that."

Ransom is a likable hero. He's rough around the edges but begins to soften a bit. He's blunt and to the point and he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him.
It really is enjoyable to read how they straighten out the problem of who's castle it is. As with most stories, you'll find out in the end but don't skip to the back to read just yet. Enjoy the story. It has humorous parts in it, the love scenes are marvelous, and the characters are wonderful.

And I love when an author has an animal that's apart of the story. This one would be an ermine named Snowdrop. She doesn't have a huge role in the story but the parts she's in are hilarious.

I simply love Tessa Dare! You can hardly go wrong with one of her novels.

This book was quite simply delight from start to finish. I'm terribly sorry but I intend to wax lyrical about the characterisation, plot and style.

From the moment I read that the heroine was called Isolde Ophelia Goodnight, I knew I would be in for a treat. Isolde (Izzy to her friends) is the penniless daughter of a renowned writer. She unexpectedly finds herself the owner of a decrepit Gothic castle that still contains the former owner Ransom, Duke of Rothbury. Izzy was full of strength, grace and determination even though she had wild hair that refused to be tamed. She spent supporting her father yet he failed to provide for her in his will and just shy of destitute, she and her pet ermine are determined to make the best of their adventure. Sure the castle might be in tatters and her room full of bats but she's known an awful lot worse. I loved the gentle way that she interacted with her father's fans and how she was able to remain upbeat even in dire situations.

Ransom is your typical Byronic hero. His mother died in childbirth and his father blamed him for her death. He thought his life had taken a turn for the better when he got engaged but she ran off with another man. He was partially blinded in a duel with this man. Ransom secluded himself in his castle since his injury and has forsaken all company apart from his faithful manservant. He refuses to turn the castle over to Izzy as he never authorised the sale and there is something rather captivating about her. It is only when Izzy helps him go through his mountain of correspondence that they realise someone has been taking advantage of his absence.

Dare has created a romance that is endearing, sweet and downright humorous. Our couple are thrown together through a series of unfortunate circumstances and find it hard to resist each other. Ransom needs Izzy to help him come to terms with his injury and she needs him to make her feel something other than plain. Some modern values crept in at this point but to be honest, I was enjoying the book so much I didn't care.

I was enchanted with this novel and can't wait for the next in the series. Definitely pop this on top of your historical romance tbr pile.

I loved this book, mostly because I'm the world's biggest Harry Potter nerd, and I recognized the Regency era equivalent thanks to Ms. Dare's creative talent. I've read more than my share of Regency romances, and after a while, they start blending in with each other. But this one will always retain the distinction as the only romance ( or book!) for that matter, written about Cos Players! Yes, that's what they are. There were times I was flipping through the pages about the Moranglians and chuckling to myself in recognition. I would not be surprised if Ms. Dare is a closeted fan girl of some fantasy series herself.

The story itself was wonderful. The perfect blend of tragedy, tenderness, comedy, and romance. Usually, I am not much for physically maimed heroes, I'm afraid. But Ms. Dare is such a skilled writer that I was able to forget my usual squeamishness in this regard. Ransom is angsty, blind, and devastatingly soulfull. And Izzy is a hopeless romantic who somehow convinces herself that she's past all fairy-tale foolish nonsense. It's an unlikely pairing, and I admit to being somewhat skeptical at first. But what makes this story work is that it doesn't pretend to be anything other than whimsical fiction. You're not expected to believe that this is real--and so you're able to go along with the fun.

4.5 Stars
~Reviewed by FRANCESCA & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Tessa Dare does it again! Here’s a series I’ll be hooked on for as long as she wants to write it. What an unconventional hero and how I love him! I am always a fan of a hero with a disability and scarred, and in this case, Ransom is partially (or mostly) blind. He’s a Duke but he’s had a rough go in the past year. Getting hurt in a fight, being scarred and losing his sight. As well as losing his fiance to another man. He’s been hiding in Gostley Castle ever since.

That is until Izzy Goodnight strolls in. She’s down on her luck herself, with no where to go after her father died. Her last hope is meeting a mysterious man who sent her a letter about an inheritance she may have. Which turns out to be the Castle itself. Izzy’s godfather (or better described as her father’s friend whom she met once) has left her Gostley Castle. But there’s a surly Duke in it who believes his property wouldn’t have been sold without his consent. And so Izzy becomes Ransom’s secretary and helps him go through months of mail to figure out if indeed the property was sold to her godfather, rendering it hers.

I loved every single thing about this story. It’s a fairy tale style story that you can’t help but get wrapped up in and just brings a smile to your face. Izzy has been forced by life to slowly give up her belief in happily ever afters, and that her prince charming won’t come and swoop her off her feet. She’s become more practical. Forced to live a lie to make her father’s followers happy. But she’s still the kind of woman that sees the glass half full and finds the good in everything.

Ransom I just loved. He’s moody and grumpy, but he’s caring from the beginning. Even after life beat him down, he’s still got good in him even though he tries to muddy it. I really enjoyed Izzy and Ransom together. They have great chemistry and they were perfect to help each other out. They are both misfits in a way and they brought out the best in each other out.

You can expect to smile and even laugh out loud with this story. This is the perfect blend of historical romance and fairy tales with characters full of life and emotion. You won’t be able to stop reading until you’ve finished!

*ARC provided by publisher

What better heroine than one that is presented as plainest of them all but endlessly sensual, charming, and lovable. Isolde Goodnight arrives to what she believes is her only possession in this world only to find out the castle she believes now belongs to her may still belong to her previous owner. The Duke of Rothbury seems will never willingly give up his castle, not only because it's his refuge after his injury, but because he never intended to sell it.
The story revolves, of course, around the two trying to figure out a way to settle ownership among other things. The beauty of the story is that they fall in love in spite in other flaws and mistakes, present and past.
This book reminds me a little bit of "Beauty and the Beast", only the Beauty is really never the beauty. It seems she never achieved "woman" status or so she felt because everyone attached her too much to her father's stories. Our Beast here teaches her not only beauty is in the eye of the beholder but gives her the confidence she needed to continue being her true self.
Dialogue is witty and fun, extremely well played and done in unexpected ways. When you're expecting a way of conversation something absolutely different is thrown around. You're expecting seduction, you get, snoring? Not a single character feels flat and I did feel compelled to turn page after page. I do have to admit I rolled my eyes a bit at Izzy's Tales followers. Specially when they were to act a little part in a ruse to get our Hero out of a conundrum but what followed felt a little too forced. Now, I'm not complaining because I can see some fandoms acting that way nowadays, but back then, not sure. Only complain for sure is that the main problem seemed resolved a little too easy and too quickly, didn't do much for me.

This was a very sweet, if predictable read, and I found it very entertaining.

Ranson, our hero, is suitably taciturn given his miserable upbringing and unfortunate accident. Evie, the heroine, is plucky and determined without being a shrew. The sex scenes were sensual, and added to the story, but I especially loved the descriptions of the castle -- and the Moranglians were a hoot. There is a comedy of manners feel that would make a very funny and interesting stage play. Even the villains were dealt with in swift and creative way without ruining the sweet tone. Best of all, it's very well written.

I've read contemporary books by Tessa Dare and didn't know what to expect from her with an HR, but the girl can write anything well. My interest was held to the end, and that's not always the case for me with a lighter HR.

(This review refers to the audio version of this book available at Audible.)

Highly recommended

Book provided by publisher for review on my blog from which review this is adapted. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.

I have loved everything I’ve read by Tessa Dare but I had a hard time getting into this at the very beginning of the story; the “damaged duke” trope is so often used that I find myself sighing when it comes up. However, Tessa quickly individualizes her characters and stories rendering the trope more appealing.

A theme here, and a recurring theme in Tessa’s books, is the inequity women experienced (and continue to experience to some degree depending on location). And, she has a way of combining humor, love, lust and the foibles of the upper crust of 19th century British society (AKA the Ton) into a charming, hot, poignant and humorous story. Her prose is often lovely and it is always accessible.

I thought it was a little more erotic and regarded sex with more modern sensibilities than Tessa’s Spindle Cove series.

Another theme is the “white knight charging to the rescue;” only in ROMANCING THE DUKE, the female love interest. Izzy, has finally rejected all the themes young women were, and often still are, brought up believing.

Tessa’s characters are always a bit "to type," but with enough characteristics to make them individual. There is enough difference in them to make them worth reading and they always win my affection.

I liked all those things and that it is hot — very, very hot. I highly recommend this or any of the books in the Spindle Cove series. This one is the first in a new series though and a great chance to be in at the beginning!

I’ve been on a contemporary suspense/thriller kick lately, so it took me a few pages to switch gears and start to enjoy Tessa Dare’s latest, Romancing the Duke, which publisher HarperCollins tells me is the first of a new “Castles Ever After” series. I read Tessa’s Spindle Cove series a while back – and enjoyed it – so after catching a review in an old issue of PW I decided to check it out.

I’m glad that I did – even if the flowery language threw me for a loop in the beginning (the gear-switching phase). I even took the following note: “‘His facial topography was a proud, noble landscape’ Really? Who WRITES that crap?”

Well, Tessa Dare writes that crap – as flowing out of the mind of her protagonist, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight, upon meeting our hero Ransom Vane, the Duke of Rothbury. Turns out Izzy can be excused for her melodrama, as she’s grown up as the inspiration for a wildly popular serial fairy tale written by her father. Since her father’s death she’s been surviving (scraping by) on the goodwill and heroine-worship of the story’s devotees. All that chivalry and Gothic high drama can influence a girl’s way of thinking.

She’s down to her last few shillings when Izzy receives an enigmatic message advising her that she’s the beneficiary of an unexpected bequest from her godfather, and asking her to meet at Gostley Castle. She arrives in Northumberland to a crumbling castle (of course), in the rain (did you expect a sunny day?), with no one there to greet her except a “tall, dark, handsome man” (yes, that really is a direct quote) who keeps to the shadows. And then she faints – ah, not into his arms, but onto the stone courtyard. Turns out she hasn’t eaten in a couple of days, though the titular Duke believes she’s fainted dead away at the sight of his scarred face. Yup, we’ve got that cliché in there too.

You might sense my snark, but surprisingly by this point of the story – only 12 pages in – these characters have already won me over, and I’m enjoying every second of the story and every thought flowing through the characters’ heads. And that’s a total testament to Tessa Dare’s writing style and storytelling ability. On the surface, she’s hitting every bad historical cliché, but she’s also very cleverly and very subtly weaving in Rothbury’s wry sense of humor and Izzy’s glimmering hopefulness. It feels as if the characters are aware of themselves as a cliché, laughing softly, and acting their story with enthusiasm, energy, and joy regardless.

Tessa’s superbly understated characterization makes both Izzy and Ransom completely irresistible and creates a charming story. You root for these characters all the way. Despite the language, they feel genuine. Their dialog is witty and the love scenes are both tender and tingly. Tessa takes melodrama and sneakily turns it into lighthearted fun. Kudos!

I was a bit disappointed with this book. I read Ms. Dare's Spindle Cove books and loved them. So I guess I was expecting more out of this book.

For me it was too fairytale-y. I'm not one to read fairytale like books but have enjoyed other books like it. But I found this one to be too over the top and silly.

I thought the author took too many liberaties with the historical accuracy. While I can look away from many inaccuracies, I thought it was too much to overlook in this one.

While I did enjoy the characters, Ms. Dare writes witty banter that I often find myself laughing at, I was rolling my eyes too many times to really enjoy the story.

Read from February 17 to 19, 2014

I just could not stop smiling reading this. I think I am still smiling. It is so wonderfully delightful without being cloying. I hate using these cliche words, but it was really charming. :)
Like a fairy-tale for grownups.

Izzy is just the best kind of heroine. 26 and now alone in the world. Her father died and left her with nothing, even though he was famous for writing stories with Izzy being a big part in those stories. She is down to her last shillings and is being summoned to a Castle for some inheritance from a god father.

For some reason she ends up inheriting that bat infested Castle with one big problem. There is a Duke still there. Scarred and visually impaired, Ransom is stubborn and kind of like a wounded animal.

From the first meeting of the two, I could feel the sparks, the chemistry was off the charts.

She just blows into his dark ordered life like a sparkly charming whirlwind.

And the other characters are just to sweet. I don't want to say too much, its nicer to just read and experience. There is just such a sense of honor and romance throughout this book. Izzy never gave up on her dreams and she is just so lovable. And as gruffy and hurt as the Duke is, you just want him to have her.

This is the perfect romance novel to read when you need some smiles in your life. :)

** read March 2014

I kept hearing great things about this book, so I decided to pick up my own copy and try it out. AND now I feel like I have a bit of a book hangover.

I loved it. It's everything I love in my historical romances. Quirky heroine. Brooding Duke. Odd animals and secondary characters. Oh yeah, and a castle. How could I forget that?

I'm rather sappy with my romantic fiction, and I'll admit I love light-hearted romance. Those are probably my favorite sort of romance reads. Don't get me wrong, I can go the angsty, dark reads with the best of them. But, I get enough angst in real life at times. Sometimes I just want something entertaining and/or humorous that makes me smile. Something lovely.

And there you have it, Romancing the Duke. Yes, I actually thought this was a 'lovely' book. It had everything I enjoy the most - bursts of humor, sweet hero (when he wasn't brooding), cute heroine, great dialogue between the hero and heroine which never seemed forced, just flowed naturally. The book was well-written, and I can honestly say there wasn't any aspect of the book I didn't like. Not even close. This book totally was left with the warm fuzzies at the end. Now I can't wait for more to come in this series.

If you're looking for a light-hearted, fun read, go ahead and grab this one. It's a great book in my opinion.

Read for Book Club/Borrowed from the Library (Cover Girls/Frisco Public Library)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50

First Thought when Read: Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare hit the historical romance sweet spot for me!

Story Thoughts: I love stories where the both characters are flawed and that is the case in Romancing the Duke. At the heart of the story were two characters who needed to find each other in order to heal, lead full lives, and have the kind of sweeping love that I think we all dream about now and then. I fell in love with this story from the beginning and fell deeper with every page! There was intrigue, mystery, fun, and most of all romance at every turn.

Character Thoughts: Izzy is awesome! No seriously, she is probably going to make my top 5 female leads for 2014. She was fun, spirited, smart, unafraid, and had that gumption that makes you cheer. Ransom is broodish, arrogant, physically flawed, and just to die for! These two just made me cheer, laugh, sigh, and swoon! They were also surrounded by delightful side characters which just made the story shine more!

Final Thoughts: Fans of historical romance should check out Romancing the Duke!

I own most of the books in Tessa's Spindle Cove series and thoroughly enjoy her writing. I've put off reading this book and ended up checking it out from the library because I'm not a fan of fairy tales and knew it wouldn't be a favorite. But I am a fan of Tessa Dare and her writing does not disappoint with her customary humor and well crafted characters. I laughed out loud several times and mostly liked the H/h, Ransom and Izzy. But the storyline was too over the top for me. Every time she wrote about the bats, all I could think about was the smell. And when she wrote about the fan club, I kept imagining scenes from Galaxy Quest [HD], which is a great movie, but doesn't feel much like an 1800s romance. I started skimming at chapter 21, then skipped to the last few chapters to get to the ending. I think readers who enjoy fairy tales will enjoy this book, but it wasn't my cuppa.

Such a delightful historical romance. I had been in such a romance funk, I was a bit sick of all the tropes you find in them. Even though this book was full of the normal tropes, the banter between the two love interests is what made this such an enjoyable read. There were so many hilarious moments between Izzy the virginal maiden, and Ransom the ill-tempered Duke. There is insta-love, sexy times, and Castles!

This is part of a series, but from what I gather the other books are not about Izzy and Ransom. I will read more Tessa Dare books, but I am sad that we are not getting more of these two.

Love it! So sweet and romantic and absolutely wonderful, Romancing the Duke was a brilliant historical romance. Everything about it was just perfect.

Izzy was tons of fun. She was a great heroine and very likable. She was a very kind and compassionate person, but she had a backbone of steel. She was determined to get what she wanted, no matter what she had to do. Even if it involved battling against a very stubborn duke. I really liked her. She was a lovely character.

Ransom (the Duke) was also wonderful. He tried to be a jerk to prove he was bad news and scare Izzy away from what he saw as his castle, but it was always obvious that he was a true gentleman. No matter how he tried to deny it, he was an imminently good man. And he was so sweet. When he wanted to woo a lady, he went all out. I totally adored him. He was just perfect.

The romance was wonderful. Izzy and Ransom were so sweet together and a totally perfect match. I loved how determined Ransom was to win Izzy over. And they had a ton of chemistry and a few steamy moments. They were a lovely couple.

The plot was fast paced. I was completely hooked the entire way through. There were some secrets that came as a surprise and the story was just so much fun and so wonderfully witty, from the fantastic Goodnight stories to the mischievous ermine. I enjoyed every bit of it and I was completely entertained, with both the romance and the humor. And the ending was lovely. Tessa Dare is a brilliant romance author and this new series doesn't disappoint. I can't wait to read more from it!

Romancing the Duke was a brilliant historical romance. I completely and totally loved this book and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was romantic, witty, and tons of fun. Lovers of romance, you have to read this book.

*I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

So, I really, really LOVE me some Tessa Dare. Now, I’m a bigger fan of her contemporary romances, but I still enjoy the historical romances for what they are. That being said, all I can say about this one is that it was just okay. Seriously, I started and finished the quick read yesterday, so it wasn’t tough to get through, but I already can’t remember the storyline. I guess that means the novel is pretty much forgettable, and that’s what makes it just okay.
Since I must offer a summary, I quickly looked back at the book and now I remember! Tessa Dare gives us a rather likeable heroine in Izzy Goodnight, the daughter of the recently-deceased and much-loved author of The Goodnight Tales, a popular serial novel that has taken England by storm. Izzy has been struggling financially since her father’s death, but she ends up inheriting a decrepit castle from her pseudo godfather. Unfortunately (well, really fortunately), this castle is inhabited by handsome Random, the Duke of Rothbury, who was blinded the previous year in a duel. What else is there to say? They bicker during a number of fairly minor complications and end up falling passionately in love. What else do we expect? Nothing, for an average, just okay, historical romance, and that’s what we get.
Yes, it’s predictable, but Izzy is sweet, funny, and endearingly desperate. Random is wounded, gruff, and hiding a big heart. See, the clichés do certainly continue. Tessa Dare does manage to weave in the story-within-a-story element with The Goodnight Tales, which reminds me a bit of The Princess Bride. The Tales has such a following that poor Izzy has to deal with role-playing fans (19th century LARPers) dressed as knights and handmaidens following her around. Needless to say, the Duke is not a fan of their disruptions.
No need for a real spoiler alert here. Everything ends up just as every reader expects. ***TINY SPOILER ALERT*** However, I was slightly surprised when it turns out that the actual author of The Goodnight Tales is and always has been Izzy, not her father. However, I shouldn’t have been surprised. When I thought back on the story, Dare actually gives countless hints. No one, except this sleep-deprived mom, should be shocked by the twist. ***SPOILER OVER***
If you want a little candy for your brain, Romancing the Duke will offer some satisfaction, but it won’t likely fully relieve your craving.

I borrowed this book from my local library because, based on some other reviews, I thought it might not be one I care to read again. I was right..I wouldn't bother reading this again. Many times I read a book (Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn) and the characters stay with me for days after. I just finished this last night and I'm ready to move on. I did like the characters but the whole book groupie thing was totally annoying to me. I've read most of the books from Tessa Dare's Spindle Cove series & enjoyed them much more. Also agree with another reviewer that the cover on this book just did not fit with the description of Issy. Worse for me since I've had to look at it every day since not downloaded to my Kindle. Not ready to give up on Tessa Dare but will probably borrow the next book as I did this one.

I like historical romance that is historical and is romantic. However, Dare's Any Duchess Will Do (Spindle Cove) didn't actually meet those two criteria for me (just the romantic part) but I loved it to pieces. That was a great, sigh-worthy, fun, fairy tale of a story that didn't have one thing that grated or annoyed me.

This one, however, didn't work as well for me. Yes, the writing is worthy of Dare, has many funny moments and many romantic moments. (The painted stars in the epilogue come to mind as one beautiful example.) But the plot was just too impossible for me this time around. And the hero was a horse's patootie for a good portion of the book and was terrible as a problem solver. The situations of the plot were a bit silly and unbelievable and lacked much of the charm of the first book and the characters here were not as appealing and lacked depth.

ANY DUCHESS WILL DO, this is not. If this had been written by a less capable writer than Dare, I would have given it 2 stars. Her ability to make you feel the love and her sense of humor make up somewhat for the unsatisfactory plot.

I don’t know how Tessa Dare comes up with these ideas for book series but I am so glad that she does. I really did not think she could match the Spindle Cove series but with Castles Ever After she has come up with at the very least a match.

What happens when you mix an old run down castle, a woman out of resources and a man hiding from the world. What happens in Romancing the Duke is a fun read full of romance, drama, secrets, and most of all fun. That is what Tessa Dare does best; she gives her readers a great story filled with scenes full of laughter. Izzie finds that her fairy tale does come true when she inherits an old castle complete with the man to make her dream come true.

Romancing the Duke is a great start to the Castles Ever After. I can’t wait for the next woman to find herself with a castle and of course a man to make the fairy tale come true.

I find this the second best book by Tessa Dare, The Duchess Deal being the best so far. It is a delightful romantic story, and TD has a lovely witty writing style. Read the ebook several times, but also enjoyed the audio book narrated by Carmen Rose. the audio book was great as well, made me discover witty sentences and other parts that i probably scanned over while reading, or that were emphasised more in the audiobook. Highly recommend book and audio!

I absolutely loved Romancing the Duke. If Dare’s other novels are like this one, I can’t wait to dive in.

The biggest reason I adored this book so much was my absolute love for both Izzy and Ransom (although I think his name is ridiculous). I couldn’t help but fall in love with them. Izzy is almost impossible not to relate to. She’s quite independent and intelligent, however she’s looked-over by men, she’s most definitely not wealthy, and she’s not gorgeous. Since her father’s passing, Izzy is pretty much destitute, and struggling to stay afloat. When she learns that she has been left a castle, albeit a castle almost in ruins, she’s shocked but elated. The previous owner of the castle, Ransom (who also happens to be a wealthy duke) is not happy about Izzy’s arrival, however, and they butt heads.

Ransom hasn’t had an easy life, either, despite being a duke. His father wouldn’t have won any father-of-the-year awards, that’s for sure. Ransom grew up to be a reserved man, but one who expects to get his own way. However, after a severe injury he’s secluded himself to Gostley Castle, the castle that Izzy has now become the owner of.

Ransom and Izzy’s first meeting is a memorable one, and one of my favorite scenes in the whole book. Even though they are both determined to prove they are the rightful owner of Gostley Castle, it’s abundantly clear they’ve got chemistry. And that chemistry, naturally, grows into a loving relationship. I just loved seeing these two characters fall for each other.

The real stars are definitely Izzy and Ransom, but Dare fills Romancing the Duke with wonderful secondary characters, and a beautiful setting. I’ve never wanted to live in a run-down castle, as I have while reading Romancing the Duke. Even with it’s vermin infested rooms, and it’s crumbling walls, I wanted to stay in Gostley Castle. It practically had it’s own personality, and I loved it. And the Moranglian Army was hilarious to read about. They’re like a Regency Era traveling Comic Con. Ransom’s valet, Duncan, and Miss Pelham were wonderful additions as well.

I cannot explain enough how much I enjoyed Romancing the Duke. It was a wonderful book to start my journey into Tessa Dare’s books. Romancing the Duke has my favorite things in an historical romance: comedy, amazing main characters with lots of chemistry, a great story, and an amazing setting.

I received an eARC for review. I was not compensated for this review, and my opinions are my own.

I loved the way people were die hard fans of the stories. I loved the way they would dress up and play characters from the stories. I know people do it now, but the idea that people would do it back then was fun. I loved the main characters and the setting. I thought this story was different than most historical romances that I read.

I've read these books out of order and this book is **by far** the best in the Castles series so far. The other two felt rushed to me and very superficial in their characterizations, but this one was practically perfect. Tessa Dare is ridiculously talented when she puts on her A-game and this book definitely reflects that. The banter between Ransom and Izzy is so witty and clever throughout the story, which was not only highly entertaining ((I actually laughed out loud several times while reading and that is very unlike me!), but also builds amazing sexual tension between them. The characters have depth and are wonderfully likable. Their love story is sweet and passionate; you just want to root for them. ***MILD SPOILER*** I love how this book didn't have to turn into an 80s movie with the blind hero magically getting his sight back and validating that the "plain" heroine is still worth loving. Was dreading that predictable ending the entire time I was reading and then it actually DIDN'T happen! I was so thrilled with that. Love Tessa Dare!

Having read When a Scot Ties the Knot and loving it, I was excited to read more from the Castles Ever After series of standalones. While I laughed myself silly in that book, Romancing the Duke wasn't quite as funny. I only laughed out loud once but I did enjoy the story of Izzy and Ransom. It took a bit to pull me in, but with Ransom's prickly personality and Izzy's chameleon personality, I enjoyed watching them go back and forth. Sometimes you just a need a sweet and sexy historical romance and if that's what you're looking for, you'll find it here.

Wow! I didn't want to put this book down. Tessa Dare writes wonderfully, full of feeling, humour and emotion. Loved this story. I don't want to give away any spoilers so I will just say, Ransom was a uniquely fantastic lead and Izzy was a perfect match! I even let out a few gasps here and there.. well done Ms. Dare!! I am just loading up my kindles with the second book in the Castles Ever After series: Say Yes to the Marquess. Looking forward to it a lot!

Original review posted at: http://paragraphsandpetticoats.blogspot.ca/

I enjoyed this breezy entertaining romance, but it's not what I'd call accurate historical fiction. Aside from the setting (a mouldering castle), the clothing, and the fact that the hero is a duke blinded in a duel, it's a modern romance. The heroine is quite modern, what she and the duke get up to is quite modern, and the whole subplot involving a group of people who dress up like characters in a book and travel around together felt thoroughly modern. I actually liked the subplot, I just didn't buy it in whatever time period this novel is supposed to be set in.

Recommended for anyone who enjoys historical romance with a modern heroine and who isn't too concerned about details.

It was a very good book. It made me laugh, and i knew all along who she was, the writer of the books, i think this book might have continued, in other books, i want to know what happen to them, and their children. This was my first book reading of hers. I would read another one of hers. I will the rest what in this series and start another.

Tessa Dare is just too darn good! That's all you need to know.

But if you really want to know about the book, it's got everything a good romance should have. Vulnerable, but proud hero. Spunky, talented, and desperate heroine down to her last hope for a happily-ever-after. Long-suffering manservant. Vicious pet ermine. Weasely solicitors. Devoted fanatical readers. Lovely crumbling castle.

This may be the best romance novel I've ever read. These two imperfect people make the perfect match. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Romancing The Duke
Tessa Dare
Avon, Jan 28 2014
ISBN: 9780062240194

Miss Isolde Ophelia Goodnight became motherless at a young age. Her father became a successful writer so Izzy lived okay though never as the romantic heroine of the fairy tales she adores. When Papa died, Izzy was left a penniless friendless orphan who no longer cared whether Prince Charming arrived as avoiding starvation supersedes romanticizing.

Lord Archer writes Izzy that her godfather the Earl of Lynforth recently died and left her a bequest; he asks for her to meet him at Gostley Castle in Northumberland. With no other prospects, Izzy travels to the castle where the executer tells her she inherited Gostley. However, her castle also contains a reclusive resident, scarred and blind Ransom William Dacre Vane, Duke of Rothbury. He demands she leave so he could wallow in peace, but she refuses. As they cohabitate in the castle, Izzy regales him with fairy tales and begins to believe her bitter castle mate may be her Prince Charming with the twist that she rescues his heart.

The first Castles Ever After Regency romance is an amusing gender war that purposely uses anachronisms and comedic situations as subgenre satirical humor. The lead couple is a nice pairing of two people who at first seem like the anti-Cinderella and anti-Prince Charming. Although his original trauma fails to convince the reader of its genuineness, fans will enjoy Tessa Dare's fractured ode to romantic fairy tales.

Harriet Klausner

I can really say that I loved this story. I have read many of Tessa Dare's books if not all of them.She never disappoints.
The story is about Isolde and her hero Ransom (Love the names). the heroine is a little older and has given up on happily ever after...A knight in shining armour and heroes.I loved the hero Ransom, he was sweet and vulnerable and yes ones upon a time a rake. Isolde on the other hand is a dreamer and says what she thinks and I loved that about her.
All I can say is that you wont be sorry for reading this book because the storyline is great.The story also has some steamy scenes that are hot hot hot :)..Enjoy your reading.

Beauty and the Beast where Izzy is the grown-up version of Christopher Robin. Her father was idiotic to leave her penniless like that (and that would never happen, I think, because of real-life inheritance laws and his intellectual property not belonging to his estate). It was a nice, very slow story. Bit boring in the middle but good resolution.

The first book in the always-enchanting Tessa Dare's newest series, Castles Ever After, Romancing the Duke is a wonderful mesh of the gothic along with a dash of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table and Beauty and the Beast. Izzy Goodnight’s father penned The Goodnight Tales, a series of fairy tales about chivalry and honor, romantic love, and derring-do. When her father dies, however, Izzy is left destitute and unprotected, a woman poor and alone. When she receives news she has been left an inheritance, she travels from home to meet her fate. She also meets Ransom, an angry and emotionally and physically scarred duke.
This story is very reminiscent of Jillian Hunter’s A Duke’s Temptation; in that story, the hero wrote dark stories of chivalry and adventure, his heroine was an obsessed fan, and they lived in an old castle. Its comedy also brings to mind Jane Austen’s gothic spoof novel, Northanger Abbey. There’s a decrepit ancient castle, a brooding and damaged hero, an innocent yet ever-optimistic and practical heroine, and a colorful cast of secondary characters.
There is some wonderfully wry humor here, mostly tongue-in-cheek, especially connected with the Goodnight Tales’ groupies (hilariously called Moranglians from the make-believe world of Moranglia) who travel the countryside and re-enact jousts and scenes from the beloved tales. Also, Ransom’s perpetual irritation plays wonderfully against Izzy’s brisk efficiency and persistence and kindness. He can’t resist her as she wears him down. She even has a pet ermine named Snowdrop, one of many well-meaning but frivolous gifts bestowed on Izzy by the Moranglians. The scene when they descend on the castle and Izzy plays along with them made me laugh out loud.
Duncan, Ransom’s long-suffering and devoted valet-cum-butler, is an important character as he reveals the truth of the duke’s past, a truth that literally sets Ransom free. There’s also Miss Abigail Pelham, the vicar’s efficient and enthusiastic daughter, who adds a nice prim and proper touch to this otherwise enjoyably bawdy and saucy story.
Ransom reminds me of Lord Dain, the tortured hero in Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels, but this story’s lighthearted and fairy tale-like tone is the complete opposite of that darker story. Like Dain, Ransom feels that no one loves him, that he is unloveable, so he doesn’t even want to try. Until Izzy. But he’s not as cold and cruel as Dain can be.
Izzy is a sweet and curious heroine. She dreams of true love and her own happily ever after and hopes for the best in all situations. She is completely responsible for herself now that her father is gone and she comes to recognize that Ransom’s fears and vulnerabilities mirror her own. It’s sweet how each try to comfort the other. For example, she’s terrified of the dark and Ransom’s touching gestures are a comfort to her. And, when solicitors come calling to try to dispute his dukedom, Izzy and the Moranglians band together to help him.
In a no-nonsense and straightforward manner, Tessa Dare also touches on the vulnerability of women during this time. Without fighting for her rights to the castle, Izzy would be turned out on the streets, destitute and alone. ”’Don’t tell me you’re one of those women with radical ideas.’ ‘No,’ she returned. ‘I’m one of those women with nothing. There are a great many of us.’” (p42)
Memorable moments:
“If he had to have a swooning, nuzzling woman collapse on his doorstep, why couldn’t it be one who smelled of vinegar and old cheese? No, he had to get one scented of rosemary and sweet powdered skin." (p12)
”’Beautiful women are always trouble. Whether they mean to be or not.’” (p18)
“Any self-respecting rake had two kinds of women in his life: those he took to bed at night and those who made him a pancake in the morning. If he suddenly wanted both from the same woman, it was a warning flag. One big and red enough even for a blind man to see." (p94)
"She’d been alone for a long time. In some ways, since well before her father died. And she was well-enough acquainted with loneliness to understand that the worst part wasn’t having nobody caring for you—it was having nobody to care for." (p137)
“She couldn’t let this happen. It was all well and good to say ‘no expectations,’ but Izzy knew how her affection-starved heart worked. She was so desperate to love and be loved, she could sprout tender feelings toward a rock. And rocks didn’t call her ‘bewitching’ or ‘temptress.’” (p183)
If you enjoy stories within stories, gothic spoofs, and ever-optimistic heroines and damaged heroes, you might enjoy this fun and entertaining story.

This was sweet and fun and heartwarming. The perfect light palate cleanser after a darker, sad book. The hero and heroine are wonderful, well rounded, imperfect characters, and the supporting cast is sublime. Looking forward to the next book and another charming HEA.

Tessa Dare never fails to satisfy! I have been reading historical romance for years and Tessa Dare is still my favorite author in this genre. The stories she crafts are hardly likely but they are so delightfully framed that she makes them believable. Each story she writes is so charming I wish they were real. Her characters are often difficult but their counterparts never fail to disarm them and solve conflicts with wit and grace. All of Tessa Dare's novels are gems that I have laughed and cried through. These novels provide more than diversion, they have transported me and brightened my days. Enjoy!

I really loved this book. Isolde Goodnight, with her fairy tale name, is the heroine, daughter of a storyteller from childhood that makes people believe in living a larger then life fantasy. Paired up with a scarred hero, who has anger issues and doesn't believe in love and we have humorous and witty dialogue that will make you laugh. Of course their paths cross in the most unexpected way. Whose castle is it anyway? Wait and see.

This book reminded me somewhat of the WIZARD OF OZ.

Isolde (Izzzy) reminded me of Dorothy, who dreams of a life in vivid colors and imagination, looking for love. The Duke of Rothbury, (Ransom) is the scarred hero, who lacks courage to face the world after his accident, believes he is heartless, and is confused by this preposterous idea of love, reminds me of a mixture of the scarecrow, the tin man and the lion. Oh where is the wizard when you need him anyway? (lol)

I don't want to give away any spoiler twists but I will say that Tessa Dare's new Castles Ever After series is off to a great start.

I love Tessa Dare and this book didn't disappointed me but I must tell you, fellow reader that it's a lot like a fairy Tail and a lot of absurd and sometimes silly things happens. That said, it was all we, fans of a good romance want, a handsome but scarred both phisically and emotionally hero and a marvelous heroine! Izzy is inteligent, determined and not afraid of pursue what she wants, this being an old castle or a first kiss! Beautiful and hot romance, with an Interesting and well developed plot.

Tessa Dare is just too darn good! That's all you need to know.

But if you really want to know about the book, it's got everything a good romance should have. Vulnerable, but proud hero. Spunky, talented, and desperate heroine down to her last hope for a happily-ever-after. Long-suffering manservant. Vicious pet ermine. Weasely solicitors. Devoted fanatical readers. Lovely crumbling castle.

This may be the best romance novel I've ever read. These two imperfect people make the perfect match. I'm looking forward to the rest of the series.

Romancing The Duke
Tessa Dare
Avon, Jan 28 2014
ISBN: 9780062240194

Miss Isolde Ophelia Goodnight became motherless at a young age. Her father became a successful writer so Izzy lived okay though never as the romantic heroine of the fairy tales she adores. When Papa died, Izzy was left a penniless friendless orphan who no longer cared whether Prince Charming arrived as avoiding starvation supersedes romanticizing.

Lord Archer writes Izzy that her godfather the Earl of Lynforth recently died and left her a bequest; he asks for her to meet him at Gostley Castle in Northumberland. With no other prospects, Izzy travels to the castle where the executer tells her she inherited Gostley. However, her castle also contains a reclusive resident, scarred and blind Ransom William Dacre Vane, Duke of Rothbury. He demands she leave so he could wallow in peace, but she refuses. As they cohabitate in the castle, Izzy regales him with fairy tales and begins to believe her bitter castle mate may be her Prince Charming with the twist that she rescues his heart.

The first Castles Ever After Regency romance is an amusing gender war that purposely uses anachronisms and comedic situations as subgenre satirical humor. The lead couple is a nice pairing of two people who at first seem like the anti-Cinderella and anti-Prince Charming. Although his original trauma fails to convince the reader of its genuineness, fans will enjoy Tessa Dare's fractured ode to romantic fairy tales.

Harriet Klausner

I can really say that I loved this story. I have read many of Tessa Dare's books if not all of them.She never disappoints.
The story is about Isolde and her hero Ransom (Love the names). the heroine is a little older and has given up on happily ever after...A knight in shining armour and heroes.I loved the hero Ransom, he was sweet and vulnerable and yes ones upon a time a rake. Isolde on the other hand is a dreamer and says what she thinks and I loved that about her.
All I can say is that you wont be sorry for reading this book because the storyline is great.The story also has some steamy scenes that are hot hot hot :)..Enjoy your reading.

Beauty and the Beast where Izzy is the grown-up version of Christopher Robin. Her father was idiotic to leave her penniless like that (and that would never happen, I think, because of real-life inheritance laws and his intellectual property not belonging to his estate). It was a nice, very slow story. Bit boring in the middle but good resolution.

The first book in the always-enchanting Tessa Dare's newest series, Castles Ever After, Romancing the Duke is a wonderful mesh of the gothic along with a dash of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table and Beauty and the Beast. Izzy Goodnight’s father penned The Goodnight Tales, a series of fairy tales about chivalry and honor, romantic love, and derring-do. When her father dies, however, Izzy is left destitute and unprotected, a woman poor and alone. When she receives news she has been left an inheritance, she travels from home to meet her fate. She also meets Ransom, an angry and emotionally and physically scarred duke.
This story is very reminiscent of Jillian Hunter’s A Duke’s Temptation; in that story, the hero wrote dark stories of chivalry and adventure, his heroine was an obsessed fan, and they lived in an old castle. Its comedy also brings to mind Jane Austen’s gothic spoof novel, Northanger Abbey. There’s a decrepit ancient castle, a brooding and damaged hero, an innocent yet ever-optimistic and practical heroine, and a colorful cast of secondary characters.
There is some wonderfully wry humor here, mostly tongue-in-cheek, especially connected with the Goodnight Tales’ groupies (hilariously called Moranglians from the make-believe world of Moranglia) who travel the countryside and re-enact jousts and scenes from the beloved tales. Also, Ransom’s perpetual irritation plays wonderfully against Izzy’s brisk efficiency and persistence and kindness. He can’t resist her as she wears him down. She even has a pet ermine named Snowdrop, one of many well-meaning but frivolous gifts bestowed on Izzy by the Moranglians. The scene when they descend on the castle and Izzy plays along with them made me laugh out loud.
Duncan, Ransom’s long-suffering and devoted valet-cum-butler, is an important character as he reveals the truth of the duke’s past, a truth that literally sets Ransom free. There’s also Miss Abigail Pelham, the vicar’s efficient and enthusiastic daughter, who adds a nice prim and proper touch to this otherwise enjoyably bawdy and saucy story.
Ransom reminds me of Lord Dain, the tortured hero in Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels, but this story’s lighthearted and fairy tale-like tone is the complete opposite of that darker story. Like Dain, Ransom feels that no one loves him, that he is unloveable, so he doesn’t even want to try. Until Izzy. But he’s not as cold and cruel as Dain can be.
Izzy is a sweet and curious heroine. She dreams of true love and her own happily ever after and hopes for the best in all situations. She is completely responsible for herself now that her father is gone and she comes to recognize that Ransom’s fears and vulnerabilities mirror her own. It’s sweet how each try to comfort the other. For example, she’s terrified of the dark and Ransom’s touching gestures are a comfort to her. And, when solicitors come calling to try to dispute his dukedom, Izzy and the Moranglians band together to help him.
In a no-nonsense and straightforward manner, Tessa Dare also touches on the vulnerability of women during this time. Without fighting for her rights to the castle, Izzy would be turned out on the streets, destitute and alone. ”’Don’t tell me you’re one of those women with radical ideas.’ ‘No,’ she returned. ‘I’m one of those women with nothing. There are a great many of us.’” (p42)
Memorable moments:
“If he had to have a swooning, nuzzling woman collapse on his doorstep, why couldn’t it be one who smelled of vinegar and old cheese? No, he had to get one scented of rosemary and sweet powdered skin." (p12)
”’Beautiful women are always trouble. Whether they mean to be or not.’” (p18)
“Any self-respecting rake had two kinds of women in his life: those he took to bed at night and those who made him a pancake in the morning. If he suddenly wanted both from the same woman, it was a warning flag. One big and red enough even for a blind man to see." (p94)
"She’d been alone for a long time. In some ways, since well before her father died. And she was well-enough acquainted with loneliness to understand that the worst part wasn’t having nobody caring for you—it was having nobody to care for." (p137)
“She couldn’t let this happen. It was all well and good to say ‘no expectations,’ but Izzy knew how her affection-starved heart worked. She was so desperate to love and be loved, she could sprout tender feelings toward a rock. And rocks didn’t call her ‘bewitching’ or ‘temptress.’” (p183)
If you enjoy stories within stories, gothic spoofs, and ever-optimistic heroines and damaged heroes, you might enjoy this fun and entertaining story.

This was sweet and fun and heartwarming. The perfect light palate cleanser after a darker, sad book. The hero and heroine are wonderful, well rounded, imperfect characters, and the supporting cast is sublime. Looking forward to the next book and another charming HEA.

Tessa Dare never fails to satisfy! I have been reading historical romance for years and Tessa Dare is still my favorite author in this genre. The stories she crafts are hardly likely but they are so delightfully framed that she makes them believable. Each story she writes is so charming I wish they were real. Her characters are often difficult but their counterparts never fail to disarm them and solve conflicts with wit and grace. All of Tessa Dare's novels are gems that I have laughed and cried through. These novels provide more than diversion, they have transported me and brightened my days. Enjoy!

I really loved this book. Isolde Goodnight, with her fairy tale name, is the heroine, daughter of a storyteller from childhood that makes people believe in living a larger then life fantasy. Paired up with a scarred hero, who has anger issues and doesn't believe in love and we have humorous and witty dialogue that will make you laugh. Of course their paths cross in the most unexpected way. Whose castle is it anyway? Wait and see.

This book reminded me somewhat of the WIZARD OF OZ.

Isolde (Izzzy) reminded me of Dorothy, who dreams of a life in vivid colors and imagination, looking for love. The Duke of Rothbury, (Ransom) is the scarred hero, who lacks courage to face the world after his accident, believes he is heartless, and is confused by this preposterous idea of love, reminds me of a mixture of the scarecrow, the tin man and the lion. Oh where is the wizard when you need him anyway? (lol)

I don't want to give away any spoiler twists but I will say that Tessa Dare's new Castles Ever After series is off to a great start.

I love Tessa Dare and this book didn't disappointed me but I must tell you, fellow reader that it's a lot like a fairy Tail and a lot of absurd and sometimes silly things happens. That said, it was all we, fans of a good romance want, a handsome but scarred both phisically and emotionally hero and a marvelous heroine! Izzy is inteligent, determined and not afraid of pursue what she wants, this being an old castle or a first kiss! Beautiful and hot romance, with an Interesting and well developed plot.

I have loved all of the Tessa Dare books I have read, including this one. To be fair, hisorical accuracy was not a primary part of this book, but once one got over some of the modern day speech, I fell in love. The charactors were written beautifuly, and overlooking the fact that this was no traditional Historical Romance, one cannot help but read this and feel happy. Was it a fanciful, if not entirely accurate portrayal of the time period? Yes. But never the less,this book reminded me of the reason I read romance, to experience the pain, joy,sadness ect. right beside charectors in the end will never let you down.
So if your looking for some Georgette Heyer type of Romance(which I love by tbe way) this may not be the book for you, but if your like me, a reader who is in need of a good story written by a trusted author, who is for sure going to make you smile, then do read this book! It will not dissapoint.

What an enjoyable read! I found the magical connection between characters (Ransom and Izzy), marvelously developed attraction, and sparkling dialogue (woven through with humor and wit).

Both Ransom and Izzy are unforgettable characters with flaws and strengths that complement one another...they're a perfect pair. Their love story is a KEEPER. Kudos to the author.

There are just so many things I love about this story! There were kisses that made me smile, touches that made me tremble, starry nights that gave me goosebumps, and confessions that made me want to weep! From the first page to the last, I was swept up into this delightful, romantic, sexy story, and "Doubt not, my lady, I shall return!" for more of the Castles Ever After series!!

A copy of this story was provided by Avon Books, and in return I gave them an honest review.

I loved it. Dare provides another touching and amusing romp, similar to her Spindle Cove series. The heroine, Izzy, falls in love with the wounded hero when she inherits his castle. While there are broad elements that echo Beauty and the Beast, the specifics are unique and enjoyable, particularly if you are familiar with fan culture today. I haven’t enjoyed a novel this much is some time. It was a pleasure to read and I am certain to read it again. “Release the ermine!”

"Release the ermine!"

Ha ha, this book was pretty great. It was really sweet, fun, heartfelt, and even funny. I wasn't expecting that. And while you could feel the struggle the main characters were dealing with the emotion of it never got too bogged down or out of control. I kind of loved this book. A great read when you want a more light hearted historical romance.

I usually love Tessa Dare's HR stories but Romancing the Duke fell a little short for me. Izzy is described as being unattractive and ugly and Ransom the Duke is scared and blind. I don't know if HR authors have run out of ideas for story or what, but writing about an ugly heroin and blind Duke just doesn't do it for me. I read this book months ago, but couldn't make up my mine to how many stars to give it 2 or 3. So I gave it 3 stars becasue although I don't like reading these types of characters doesn't mean others wont mind ugly and blind. The story in its self was average so I made up my mind and gave it 3 stars.

The plot & characters are very lovable. The grumpy duke, Ransom, dislikes the presence of whimsical & bold Izzy, so the encounters they have in the house is quite humorous, the dialogue betwn the 2 that Tessa Dare sets up is so silly. If u like this book, then you'll enjoy "Any Duchess will do," another funny RN. Both are very entertaining to curl up in the bed before sleeping!

I could draw a lot of parallels here (Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, Harry Potter) and if you are a fan of any of those great tales then you will most likely enjoy this fresh take on a tried and true favorite. A damaged hero, a spunky heroine, and a cast of quirky characters combine to make Romancing the Duke a delightful story. I laughed out loud ("release the ermine!") and I cheered ( "doubt not") and I generally just loved this story. Thank you, Tessa Dare, for keeping me entertained cover-to-cover on a dreary, rainy day. I can't wait to read more!

I have read this story before, you have probably read this story before. It's a bit reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast and a lot reminiscent of "Yours Until Dawn" by Teresa Medeiros (better in my opinion) and "This is All I ask" by Lynn Kurland. It's more light and fluffy, less calories!, but in a mediocre way. Pancakes, pancakes without chocolate chips perhaps.

26yr old woman left destitute by irresponsible father. But wait! Godfather leaves her a bequest, a castle. However, this castle comes with a blind cranky Duke who claims the castle is still his. Interlude of, I hate to say it but, boring yawn interactions. Seriously, were was wolf dog? I wanted more of the wolf dog and the ermine, their feisty love/hate romance? intrigued me.

Anyway, Duke has a cousin and solicitors that are trying to discredit him so he must put on a good show and act competent or become a peasant nobody. Izzy (26yr old) and her merry band of knights and hand maidens (her father wrote fairytales) battle together to keep the Duke in silk.

2 stars because this is Tessa Dare and her writing is credible but really just yawn. Look, I read a ton of romance so obviously there is somewhat of a formula I like and enjoy. This one however, did not feel fresh and did not intrigue me.

Read if you don't want to be taxed, want light and fluffy, and like beaten dead horses (umm, metaphorically of course).

First off, I'm a woman. My the store account is in my husband's name. Okay, about this book. I really enjoyed it. Fairy tales do come true! It was a very cute and sweet story (with Hot parts too). The overall plot/story is what fairy tales are all about. I can't wait to read the second book in this series!

Not every hero is handsome with pretty manners and not every heroine is gorgeous. I enjoyed the humor the author employed in painting her characters and the strength each showed (in some cases developed) during the course of the book.

I'll be charitable and rate this book 2 stars, because Tessa Dare does know how to write cheeky, enjoyable banter between her hero and heroine.

Apparently, alas, the author also knows how to phone it in.

And while I might not exactly call the final scene "a chaotic sh**storm of badly-plotted WTFery," as a reviewer elsewhere did, I do think the phrase "badly plotted WTFery" rather applies to the book as a whole. There was just no "there" there, for me.

Normally, I would include in my review a few concrete examples of things that did not work for me. But there were so many in this book--involving insta-lust, telling-not-showing, and actions/dialog/events/revelations that just seemed to be thrown in there rather than developed according to some reasonably well-laid-out plot--I wouldn't know where to start. Plus, it would require spoiling some of the story.

Now, if you are in the market for a fairy tale for adults--just a totally unbelievable, over-the-top yarn, but with some sex and an HEA--Romancing the Duke may fill the bill. And it won't tax a single brain cell, either.

However, if you require a scintilla of realism or depth here or there in your historical romances, you may have problems with this one.

I wish the author had made this a contemporary, specifically, as a story about a savvy, snarky writer working on a "fairy tale" novel, and weaving events in the present with events taking place in the novel. Then the contemporary, casual feel of the fairy tale might have worked better for me.

My first Tessa Dare book was A Week to Be Wicked, which I thought was terrific. But I'm finding the author's more recent works to be very disappointing.

I had a lot of fun with the moranglians, especially the parallels that you could see between their philosophies and attitudes compared to our modern brony subculture. This isn't any high art art or extravagant story rich in bladiblah, but it was fun and worth a day of your time.

Izzy and Ransom were such a surprising couple! He was hurt and wounded; she was looking for true hero! Her personality made Ransom finally believe that love was possible. Great story and worth the purchase price! I could not put this book down!

I really liked the first book in the castles series. I was a bit confused by why Izzy made her choices but regency romances aren't really in my wheelhouse so I'm not going to fight the logic. Overall I enjoyed the story and will be picking up the next two in the series. The cover art was absolutely beautiful.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. It is not as long and detailed as some romance novels but it was charming. It's a quick read and keeps your attention throughout. I'm looking forward to the next Castle!

Adored the characters, and the twist surprised me -which doesn't happen often. I cannot wait to read the next book. Tessa Dare just might be my new favorite author. Finished it in a day and so worth staying up until 2 AM.

Tessa Dare's novels include a lot of humor and silliness that work well with the darker themes of what the hero and heroine need to overcome when finding love. I look forward to the next installment in this new series.

Much like decadent chocolate cake, dramatic declarations of love are best enjoyed in moderation. Unfortunately, in this book, restraint was set aside along with the sensibilities of the historical period.

The hero didn't act as a duke: not only did he duel with a commoner and lost, but afterward he shut himself away in a remote dilapidated castle without servants while he recovered from his injuries, ignoring all his responsibilities, dependents, and correspondence.

For a proper spinster, the heroine acted with shocking disregard for her reputation, arriving at the castle on sketchy summons and using the last of her money to pay for the trip. Since she lacked the means to leave, she decided to earn her way as the hero's secretary - true, he needed help sorting through a mountain of mail - but hiring a female? It just wasn't done. Need I mention she wound up on her back before long? But then a vicar's unmarried daughter called at the castle, and finding it "in a state" stayed on to serve as a chaperone, winding up with a role of a housekeeper, maid of all work, and the heroine's companion. Quite frankly, I failed to see the point - as the saying goes - the horse had already bolted...

Now, on to the main conflict. The obstacle to a marriage between the protagonists was the hero's very vocal disdain for love and the heroine's refusal to marry without it. The difference in their stations - the heroine was a daughter of a knight - didn't warrant a mention, apparently. And, judging by the effort required to resolve the nefarious plot against the hero, it's only purpose was to bring the couple together.

But, even if I were to overlook those pesky details, the sticky sweet ending, in which a brooding misanthrope changed his opinion on love and friendship nearly overnight, turned me off the story completely.

I could draw a lot of parallels here (Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, Harry Potter) and if you are a fan of any of those great tales then you will most likely enjoy this fresh take on a tried and true favorite. A damaged hero, a spunky heroine, and a cast of quirky characters combine to make Romancing the Duke a delightful story. I laughed out loud ("release the ermine!") and I cheered ( "doubt not") and I generally just loved this story. Thank you, Tessa Dare, for keeping me entertained cover-to-cover on a dreary, rainy day. I can't wait to read more!

I came to this author via Eloisa James and Ms. Quinn, and was looking for an author whose characters are similarly witty and humorous. This book is well written, but isn't clever/funny in the same way. Not for me.

I absolutely loved this book. I think Tessa Dare has such a wonderful talent not to mention any one with the name Tessa is totally cool haha! (My self included) it was such a lovely tale and such a great romance. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends!

Silly, preposterous plot. I simply don't understand how this farcical effort has garnered so many high ratings. Tessa Dare is capable of so much better, but I find myself reluctant to try her next effort.

I have just started reading Tessa Dare. Romancing the Duke is my third novel and based on the other two books, i am looking forward to finishing this one. The plots are full of surprises, laughter and romance that make you want to keep reading till the end. I am looking forward to reading more!!

Romancing the Duke had such an incredible balance of humor, dark/serious elements, camaraderie, LOVE, multidimensional characters and plot twists. Dare's voice shines through and guides us readers on a journey that keeps you entertained from cover to cover. You can not skim this one. You should take it all in and savor it like fine wine. Each scene, line and metaphor is crafted in an enticing and artful way that resonates with the reader. This is an incredible read and astounding way to start off what will probably be yet another successful book series filled with characters and stories that'll stick with me long after the happily ever after.

Full Review can be found at Not Another Romance Blog.

I'm a big fan of Tessa Dare, she gives her historical a modern feel - which may bother others because it's not authentic - but I enjoy it because it makes her characters and stories funny and fun to read.

I simply love this book. The characters and plot are laced in complexity, making the love that develops between them that much more special. It is truly one of the best romances that I've read this year.

MAJOR SUPER SPOILER!!!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO READ THE BOOK I GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY!
DOUBT NOT THIS IS A STORY FOR 10 year olds minus the sex interludes and modern America not regency or victorian! I hated many things here they are modern unrealistic to the area terms !
She had a big nose he was blind to see it? The name Izzy! No no!
Were there plasters in victorian times for your finger that is!
Aggressively dark curly hair yuck!
She so ugly he attracted because he was blind.
Very American," I make a good pancake?" Star trekkie theme ?? Do not appreciate it!
Father Christmas ???
Damage to the eye nerve? Medical establishment ? Who had such medical knowledge then?
Dark brown octopus ?
Summer at the border with Scotland does not mean its hot?
Her whisker rasped lips , yuck!?
Friendly drunk?
Second day in the castle and the presence of a duke and she sits with one bare foot dangling over the sofa very Disney to me!
She says to duke ," You are welcome to help clean a dressing room ",really?
Flea in the throws of passion?
Elephants the size of rats and vice versa?
Reenactments ! How modern day America !
In the neighbourhood ? No no !
Young girl who did not know duke pinched dukes arse and then giggled ?
Begged him to touch her all over? Lady of that period ?
She knew that African cheetahs sped away fast?
Broken and injured author arranges for another heavy item to bang on his head?
How many fingers am I holding up ?
Erotic octopus fetishes begun ?
Aunt whats her face?
Letter content unrealistic coincidence !
Every time there is a sex interlude an accident happens again unrealistic two in a row!
They know piranhas ?
The response RIGHT very American INDEED would have been British and of the era!
Homed in rather than honed in and other editing errors we pay for these books ,why aren't they proof read?
A. hurricane in north England?
Cliché riddled saying I love you just as the other person has fallen asleep how many times must we read that line?
The minute he mentions he may possibly lose everything ,low and behold she thinks of her selfish little self and money also smell quite American!
The Cinderella rush to make everything golden in 5 days as regards the castle and wardrobe was another immature eye rolling moment!
Like what you have done with the place?
Girls drawing sideburns and mustaches with bits of coal, yes ofcourse that would happen in Victorian or Regency England , how absolutely immature childish writing!
They hatched a plan they practiced out the plan a bunch of simpering silly females ruled by the heroine which left you wondering what kind of a sorry case of a duke was he that he could not take control of his own affairs handle his solicitors etc surly he handled estates and had stewards to assist him just another ridiculous scenario that made him duke in label only !Let alone final plan E attack them with a weasel ,at this point my eyes rolling had reached its zenith!
Vicars daughter grabs and kisses stranger on the mouth to prove a point how modern never would happen by unmarried girl then let alone vicars daughter!?
Do heroes and heroines needs to be broken damaged by childhood trauma neglectful parents etc does the heroine by law must be ugly while the hero whether scarred or missing a limb by rule devastatingly handsome ? Do the majority of women really relate to this overly done cliché i think not! When will we get a historical romance that has just some parts true to the period not overly done of course but avoids sounding like a New York modern day romance.I read most of Ms Dares books DOUBT NOT she can write what she sadly cannot do is take out her upbringing as an American out of the story , having been exposed to both cultures the other being British and being neither myself I am able to pick up far too easily the reality of the environment time and place which is a total mood killer as I enjoy Historical Romance .I am certainly not picky as regards content it can range from body ripper to Kleypas ,Julie Anne Long ,Hoyte and Alexandra Benedict who for some stupid reason was not offered to continue writing ! But I refuse to pay for a historical romance and sit down to a modern version disguised behind the words duke and castle! Unrealistic scenarios solicitors stealing ,framing a duke not in that era modern day America definitely yes ,fans masquerading as elected staff first of all there would be no fan club let alone a duke one of the wealthiest as we are told would need assistance from commoners to save himself let alone have to prove himself to said solicitors !
Contradiction he imprisoned himself in the castle to rot we are told to cut off all ties then why does he care soo much about what was happening in his absence? Not very persuasive that he suddenly wanted to do everything for her modern day Pollyanna !
Tomorrow ,the solicitors arrived! Again American English ! Oh , there were plenty more grammatical errors ,I often make them myself half asleep writing reviews but this one sentence really takes the cake , I don't get paid for the review you do for the book get an editing team it is unfair that we pay for classroom pavement English !
Wealthiest Duke decides to go to London to empty bank account or borrow money from clubs rather than face solicitors or employ new ones???? Ridiculous spiraling out of control unrealistic scenario!!!!!!
The valet calls the Duke a fool as if? A true idiot! Seething at that ,no servant ever would dare!!!! Strong supposedly cold Duke was made to cry by valets harsh words boohoo!!!!Another contradiction and unlikely scenario he rides off in the dead of night blind ?We were told he spent months getting the layout of the castle yet he trapezes into the night????
She blew hot and cold , one minute she wanted him to respect her fans and understand them, by telling him off , next she was saying to not treat her like them!bMake up your mind woman!
Most creepy , the constant reference to him having the nations little innocent and throwing up her skirts something very wrong about referencing little girl to woman temptress together all the time even if she were now 26 it sounded creepy patting her on the head ,giving her sweetmeats and all that , Yuck!
"Juvenile and predictable" , was a sentenced used by the author it summarizes the whole content of this book!
"Pancakes are not for up negotiation" ? and I paid for this!
Ulric hanging from two finger of one hand wearing armor , really?Like childish 10 year olds the enactment fans hood the duke with play play sword and take him into the woods ,could this story get more childish???? "Take an oath go through trials to join our ranks Duke" , what are they 5 ? and what is this ? I thought I bought a historical romance !!!!!!
"I took your pocket money at school " ? firstly I doubt a duke would have gone to school in his youth ,governesses and all that, let alone with a bunch of commoners ,plus no one was given pocket money in starving regency or victorian era and why would a Duke steal money again ? Cheap children's movie modern America! So one minute I am reading graphic sex then the duke and some commoners are acting like 5 year olds ! It is truly unfathomable how Ms Dare wrote such a mess of a book truly unfathomable!!!!
Joined order of the poppy with fantasists, Duke asks , "Does that mean we get to smoke opium now?" by now my eyes are totally squint from eye rolling !
All too conveniently one of the immatures is a lawyer!!!!!
"All England knows it " ,the errors don't stop ! of of of of!!!!
Sweet powdered skin? yuck!!!!
One minute he had a barrister the next a lawyer then solicitors !
Him begging the solicitors for his money ?????
He asked for a whiskey the most common thing for dukes yet doctor comments ,"Devoted to whiskey"??? Apart from being offensive towards the duke which would never have been allowed , what a totally stupid response just because he asked for one drink, the stupid conclusion was drawn , like I said I constantly felt caught in a cheap hollywood kids movie ! This is definitely NOT Tessa Dare !!! The incredulous immature scenario continues ,the judges kid just so happens to be confined to a bed and enjoys the stories what are the chances not even a Mickey Mouse cartoon has so many convenient happy endings! What 10 year old wrote this book??? She continued the stories with The Shadow Night ? Wasn't he the one who murdered his brother and hero of the previous story , interesting? Castle walls weren't painted and did she not scream throughout this torturing book she did not want to be treated like a baby why the baby room then for her?
I never return books I have read because it is unfair on the author ! I DID THIS ONE as I felt mislead and cheated into thinking it was a historical romance, the only claim to a h.romance it has is the words Duke and Castle the rest is childish prattle ,sorry but Ms Dare has proven she can write this is not historical romance!!!!Left me wondering could Ms Dare have followed along the lines of this plot and allowed a 13 year old relative a hand at some of this writing ,because her other works do not show such immaturity .

I came to this author via Eloisa James and Ms. Quinn, and was looking for an author whose characters are similarly witty and humorous. This book is well written, but isn't clever/funny in the same way. Not for me.

I absolutely loved this book. I think Tessa Dare has such a wonderful talent not to mention any one with the name Tessa is totally cool haha! (My self included) it was such a lovely tale and such a great romance. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends!

Silly, preposterous plot. I simply don't understand how this farcical effort has garnered so many high ratings. Tessa Dare is capable of so much better, but I find myself reluctant to try her next effort.

Romancing the Duke had such an incredible balance of humor, dark/serious elements, camaraderie, LOVE, multidimensional characters and plot twists. Dare's voice shines through and guides us readers on a journey that keeps you entertained from cover to cover. You can not skim this one. You should take it all in and savor it like fine wine. Each scene, line and metaphor is crafted in an enticing and artful way that resonates with the reader. This is an incredible read and astounding way to start off what will probably be yet another successful book series filled with characters and stories that'll stick with me long after the happily ever after.

Full Review can be found at Not Another Romance Blog.

MAJOR SUPER SPOILER!!!!! DO NOT READ IF YOU WANT TO READ THE BOOK I GIVE TOO MUCH AWAY!
DOUBT NOT THIS IS A STORY FOR 10 year olds minus the sex interludes and modern America not regency or victorian! I hated many things here they are modern unrealistic to the area terms !
She had a big nose he was blind to see it? The name Izzy! No no!
Were there plasters in victorian times for your finger that is!
Aggressively dark curly hair yuck!
She so ugly he attracted because he was blind.
Very American," I make a good pancake?" Star trekkie theme ?? Do not appreciate it!
Father Christmas ???
Damage to the eye nerve? Medical establishment ? Who had such medical knowledge then?
Dark brown octopus ?
Summer at the border with Scotland does not mean its hot?
Her whisker rasped lips , yuck!?
Friendly drunk?
Second day in the castle and the presence of a duke and she sits with one bare foot dangling over the sofa very Disney to me!
She says to duke ," You are welcome to help clean a dressing room ",really?
Flea in the throws of passion?
Elephants the size of rats and vice versa?
Reenactments ! How modern day America !
In the neighbourhood ? No no !
Young girl who did not know duke pinched dukes arse and then giggled ?
Begged him to touch her all over? Lady of that period ?
She knew that African cheetahs sped away fast?
Broken and injured author arranges for another heavy item to bang on his head?
How many fingers am I holding up ?
Erotic octopus fetishes begun ?
Aunt whats her face?
Letter content unrealistic coincidence !
Every time there is a sex interlude an accident happens again unrealistic two in a row!
They know piranhas ?
The response RIGHT very American INDEED would have been British and of the era!
Homed in rather than honed in and other editing errors we pay for these books ,why aren't they proof read?
A. hurricane in north England?
Cliché riddled saying I love you just as the other person has fallen asleep how many times must we read that line?
The minute he mentions he may possibly lose everything ,low and behold she thinks of her selfish little self and money also smell quite American!
The Cinderella rush to make everything golden in 5 days as regards the castle and wardrobe was another immature eye rolling moment!
Like what you have done with the place?
Girls drawing sideburns and mustaches with bits of coal, yes ofcourse that would happen in Victorian or Regency England , how absolutely immature childish writing!
They hatched a plan they practiced out the plan a bunch of simpering silly females ruled by the heroine which left you wondering what kind of a sorry case of a duke was he that he could not take control of his own affairs handle his solicitors etc surly he handled estates and had stewards to assist him just another ridiculous scenario that made him duke in label only !Let alone final plan E attack them with a weasel ,at this point my eyes rolling had reached its zenith!
Vicars daughter grabs and kisses stranger on the mouth to prove a point how modern never would happen by unmarried girl then let alone vicars daughter!?
Do heroes and heroines needs to be broken damaged by childhood trauma neglectful parents etc does the heroine by law must be ugly while the hero whether scarred or missing a limb by rule devastatingly handsome ? Do the majority of women really relate to this overly done cliché i think not! When will we get a historical romance that has just some parts true to the period not overly done of course but avoids sounding like a New York modern day romance.I read most of Ms Dares books DOUBT NOT she can write what she sadly cannot do is take out her upbringing as an American out of the story , having been exposed to both cultures the other being British and being neither myself I am able to pick up far too easily the reality of the environment time and place which is a total mood killer as I enjoy Historical Romance .I am certainly not picky as regards content it can range from body ripper to Kleypas ,Julie Anne Long ,Hoyte and Alexandra Benedict who for some stupid reason was not offered to continue writing ! But I refuse to pay for a historical romance and sit down to a modern version disguised behind the words duke and castle! Unrealistic scenarios solicitors stealing ,framing a duke not in that era modern day America definitely yes ,fans masquerading as elected staff first of all there would be no fan club let alone a duke one of the wealthiest as we are told would need assistance from commoners to save himself let alone have to prove himself to said solicitors !
Contradiction he imprisoned himself in the castle to rot we are told to cut off all ties then why does he care soo much about what was happening in his absence? Not very persuasive that he suddenly wanted to do everything for her modern day Pollyanna !
Tomorrow ,the solicitors arrived! Again American English ! Oh , there were plenty more grammatical errors ,I often make them myself half asleep writing reviews but this one sentence really takes the cake , I don't get paid for the review you do for the book get an editing team it is unfair that we pay for classroom pavement English !
Wealthiest Duke decides to go to London to empty bank account or borrow money from clubs rather than face solicitors or employ new ones???? Ridiculous spiraling out of control unrealistic scenario!!!!!!
The valet calls the Duke a fool as if? A true idiot! Seething at that ,no servant ever would dare!!!! Strong supposedly cold Duke was made to cry by valets harsh words boohoo!!!!Another contradiction and unlikely scenario he rides off in the dead of night blind ?We were told he spent months getting the layout of the castle yet he trapezes into the night????
She blew hot and cold , one minute she wanted him to respect her fans and understand them, by telling him off , next she was saying to not treat her like them!bMake up your mind woman!
Most creepy , the constant reference to him having the nations little innocent and throwing up her skirts something very wrong about referencing little girl to woman temptress together all the time even if she were now 26 it sounded creepy patting her on the head ,giving her sweetmeats and all that , Yuck!
"Juvenile and predictable" , was a sentenced used by the author it summarizes the whole content of this book!
"Pancakes are not for up negotiation" ? and I paid for this!
Ulric hanging from two finger of one hand wearing armor , really?Like childish 10 year olds the enactment fans hood the duke with play play sword and take him into the woods ,could this story get more childish???? "Take an oath go through trials to join our ranks Duke" , what are they 5 ? and what is this ? I thought I bought a historical romance !!!!!!
"I took your pocket money at school " ? firstly I doubt a duke would have gone to school in his youth ,governesses and all that, let alone with a bunch of commoners ,plus no one was given pocket money in starving regency or victorian era and why would a Duke steal money again ? Cheap children's movie modern America! So one minute I am reading graphic sex then the duke and some commoners are acting like 5 year olds ! It is truly unfathomable how Ms Dare wrote such a mess of a book truly unfathomable!!!!
Joined order of the poppy with fantasists, Duke asks , "Does that mean we get to smoke opium now?" by now my eyes are totally squint from eye rolling !
All too conveniently one of the immatures is a lawyer!!!!!
"All England knows it " ,the errors don't stop ! of of of of!!!!
Sweet powdered skin? yuck!!!!
One minute he had a barrister the next a lawyer then solicitors !
Him begging the solicitors for his money ?????
He asked for a whiskey the most common thing for dukes yet doctor comments ,"Devoted to whiskey"??? Apart from being offensive towards the duke which would never have been allowed , what a totally stupid response just because he asked for one drink, the stupid conclusion was drawn , like I said I constantly felt caught in a cheap hollywood kids movie ! This is definitely NOT Tessa Dare !!! The incredulous immature scenario continues ,the judges kid just so happens to be confined to a bed and enjoys the stories what are the chances not even a Mickey Mouse cartoon has so many convenient happy endings! What 10 year old wrote this book??? She continued the stories with The Shadow Night ? Wasn't he the one who murdered his brother and hero of the previous story , interesting? Castle walls weren't painted and did she not scream throughout this torturing book she did not want to be treated like a baby why the baby room then for her?
I never return books I have read because it is unfair on the author ! I DID THIS ONE as I felt mislead and cheated into thinking it was a historical romance, the only claim to a h.romance it has is the words Duke and Castle the rest is childish prattle ,sorry but Ms Dare has proven she can write this is not historical romance!!!!Left me wondering could Ms Dare have followed along the lines of this plot and allowed a 13 year old relative a hand at some of this writing ,because her other works do not show such immaturity .