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Ambrosia #3
The Marquess Wins a Wife
Determined to find the man who ruined her sister and force him into matrimony at the point of a pistol, Lizzie Talbot hatches a plan to abduct the blackguard responsible. A plan which might have gone perfectly—had she not abducted the wrong man, and then shot him besides. With three siblings to support in a derelict manor house crumbling around them, and a wounded marquess to nurse back to health, will there be no end to her troubles?
Forced to rusticate in the countryside, Lucas Godwin, Marquess of Ashworth, can think only of enacting his vengeance upon the murderous harpy responsible for it. At least until Lizzie Talbot and her brood of unruly siblings begin to grow upon him, bringing a man long dead slowly back to life.
When Luke offers her a bargain—become his marchioness in exchange for his protection and support—Lizzie knows she must accept to secure her family’s future. But the man he is in London is so far removed from the man she thought she had known. Can there be any hope of warming her husband’s cold heart?
Forced to rusticate in the countryside, Lucas Godwin, Marquess of Ashworth, can think only of enacting his vengeance upon the murderous harpy responsible for it. At least until Lizzie Talbot and her brood of unruly siblings begin to grow upon him, bringing a man long dead slowly back to life.
When Luke offers her a bargain—become his marchioness in exchange for his protection and support—Lizzie knows she must accept to secure her family’s future. But the man he is in London is so far removed from the man she thought she had known. Can there be any hope of warming her husband’s cold heart?
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
June 8, 2023
4 stars. This author is just so talented and every book I've read by her has been well-written and enjoyable.
I liked this story and I especially liked that there is A LOT of groveling done by the hero at the end. It's so hard to find a really good grovel these days. I liked that the heroine is smart, strong, independent, and resourceful. While the hero was a great help to her, she never really needed him and would have found a way to survive without him.
The part of the story that I didn't love was when all his ex lovers were cropping up constantly. The hero was emotionally damaged and tried to bury his feelings by drinking, gaming, and sleeping around. He was a manwhore of the highest caliber. There is one past lover who is frequently mentioned and the heroine has many run-ins with her. The OW tries to convince the heroine that the hero is still sleeping with her, and she also throws herself at the hero near the end of the book and tries to break up the MCs. I'm just not a fan of OW-heavy storylines.
Safe w/ Exceptions (SAFETY DEETS HAVE SPOILERS)
I liked this story and I especially liked that there is A LOT of groveling done by the hero at the end. It's so hard to find a really good grovel these days. I liked that the heroine is smart, strong, independent, and resourceful. While the hero was a great help to her, she never really needed him and would have found a way to survive without him.
The part of the story that I didn't love was when all his ex lovers were cropping up constantly. The hero was emotionally damaged and tried to bury his feelings by drinking, gaming, and sleeping around. He was a manwhore of the highest caliber. There is one past lover who is frequently mentioned and the heroine has many run-ins with her. The OW tries to convince the heroine that the hero is still sleeping with her, and she also throws herself at the hero near the end of the book and tries to break up the MCs. I'm just not a fan of OW-heavy storylines.
Safe w/ Exceptions (SAFETY DEETS HAVE SPOILERS)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
Amazing!
I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. The hero was at times swoon worthy and at times a right bas?!%$! There was one scene where he was so cruel to her that I wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall! He redeemed himself though big time. He grovelled, he begged, he pleaded and he was so in love with her that it touched my heart. His first wife was not a good person. She was not faithful to him and actually died birthing someone else's child. He was so bitter and hurt and disillusioned and here was this heroine who loved her family so much, she was willing to kidnap her sisters lover so he would marry her. By gunpoint even. And that she did, and fortunately she got the wrong man, or should I say the right one. She did accidentally shoot him, but it brought him back to life really. He fell in love with her family and her. I loved his flipping of the coin to solve things. I thought it was funny but in the end, it did do some unintentional harm. But you knew he loved her. And all the good things he did for her family, he really had a good soul. The whole story was amazing. I was telling my friend that I hadn't really found a good romance in a while but today I finally did. Safe and free in KU.
I loved this book. It made me laugh and it made me cry. The hero was at times swoon worthy and at times a right bas?!%$! There was one scene where he was so cruel to her that I wanted to throw my Kindle against the wall! He redeemed himself though big time. He grovelled, he begged, he pleaded and he was so in love with her that it touched my heart. His first wife was not a good person. She was not faithful to him and actually died birthing someone else's child. He was so bitter and hurt and disillusioned and here was this heroine who loved her family so much, she was willing to kidnap her sisters lover so he would marry her. By gunpoint even. And that she did, and fortunately she got the wrong man, or should I say the right one. She did accidentally shoot him, but it brought him back to life really. He fell in love with her family and her. I loved his flipping of the coin to solve things. I thought it was funny but in the end, it did do some unintentional harm. But you knew he loved her. And all the good things he did for her family, he really had a good soul. The whole story was amazing. I was telling my friend that I hadn't really found a good romance in a while but today I finally did. Safe and free in KU.
December 16, 2024
I was ready to give this a 4-stars during the first parts. It’s a stunning read with great dialogue and plot.
Although Luke started to be some sort of rude asshole, he warmed up to me by the way he was acting with Lizzie’s younger siblings. Their bond and banter and Luke’s development was so great I thought it would continue. Not to mention that Lizzie was such a fun FMC, she kidnapped and shot Luke because of mistaken identity, then proceeded to nurse him back to health all the while the feverish Marquis was demanded retribution lmao, how can one not stan the story?
But when they returned to London, Luke became an unforgivable ass. The things he said and did, and the revelation that he is a widower who loved his wife despite said wife cheating on him, that he has the floor-length portrait of his wife decorated for all the world to see, and that he was a rake-RAKE combined it all made him insufferable with his blowing hot then cold to the point I wished Lizzie would leave him and find someone else.
He groveled but for me it wasn’t enough. Lizzie kinda gave in easily too.
I guess part of it is because of her youngest sister, Jo who is fond of Luke and wants to live with him again, but I guess I just hate it when children are used as foil for the reconciliation of the MMC who fucked up and FMC (also why I’m not a fan of surprised pregnancy).
If he groveled more, suffered more, begged more, then maybe I would have liked the book more or maybe I’m just too hard to please with men in books these days 🧍♀️but anyway, it is a wasted potential for me.
Although Luke started to be some sort of rude asshole, he warmed up to me by the way he was acting with Lizzie’s younger siblings. Their bond and banter and Luke’s development was so great I thought it would continue. Not to mention that Lizzie was such a fun FMC, she kidnapped and shot Luke because of mistaken identity, then proceeded to nurse him back to health all the while the feverish Marquis was demanded retribution lmao, how can one not stan the story?
But when they returned to London, Luke became an unforgivable ass. The things he said and did, and the revelation that he is a widower who loved his wife despite said wife cheating on him, that he has the floor-length portrait of his wife decorated for all the world to see, and that he was a rake-RAKE combined it all made him insufferable with his blowing hot then cold to the point I wished Lizzie would leave him and find someone else.
He groveled but for me it wasn’t enough. Lizzie kinda gave in easily too.
I guess part of it is because of her youngest sister, Jo who is fond of Luke and wants to live with him again, but I guess I just hate it when children are used as foil for the reconciliation of the MMC who fucked up and FMC (also why I’m not a fan of surprised pregnancy).
If he groveled more, suffered more, begged more, then maybe I would have liked the book more or maybe I’m just too hard to please with men in books these days 🧍♀️but anyway, it is a wasted potential for me.
June 5, 2023
3.5?? Feeling a bit conflicted about this one. It’s hard for me to give a lesser rating when I know it’s written well but just didn’t jive with certain things.
On one hand? Great writing. The beginning premise hooks you. I loved Lizzie. There is a bunch of cute side characters. And I do love a good transformation.
On the other hand? I was never totally on board with Luke. Like maybe 70%.
It was a classic asshole arrogant character who starts to thaw and you realize they’re mostly pretending to be heartless. But then we were thrown back into London and he’s an ass all over again…sure they had mostly a marriage of connivence but him and Lizzie are already married when we suddenly learn of his DEAD WIFE.
Not my cup of tea. (Also managed to read this trope twice in a row by accident!) And he’s like oh that’s my dead wife’s portrait, no biggie. Even though it totally changed his personality and life.
He loved his first wife, and even though she was not a good wife and cheated many times and they didn’t sleep together for years, he still can’t love again and became a HUGE rake after her death. I can only handle this in small doses and apparently Lizzie has to meet his ex lovers all the time and they’re always writing him letters. Another strike against him at this point even though he doesn’t seek them out.
So the grovel is pretty good and Lizzie is a strong character who doesn’t give in right away. His pain gave me joy, not gonna lie. I actually like that she becomes so cold to him and gives him a taste of his own medicine. I was also gleeful when she takes off her wedding ring that was the same as the dead wife. >>it’s a family heirloom, but…side eye<<
Way too late for me, he takes down his ex’s portrait in the house and says he was in love with what he wanted her to be, hated her by the end, and grieved for what could have been more than for her.
But I didn’t care for the damage he’d done. Lizzie had a hard life and deserved better so many times. He had a bad marriage and I don’t think that excuses his behavior.
Of course, he does grow and we know that even when he was being an ass, he didn’t realize he did care for Lizzie and her family. He takes care of them from pretty early on in the book, and I liked how he was with the younger children. But I’m masochist and I want more suffering on his part, because I just liked Lizzie so much.
It didn’t help that when she’s finally giving in and wants intimacy with him again, we’re reminded once again of his past dalliances when his ex lover tries to intrude. I know it’s meant to show his disinterest in her and love for Lizzie, but I just want all other people out of my mind at this point.
So overall, it was definitely well written and I rooted for Lizzie to be happy, but there’s just a few tropes that aren’t to my personal liking. I think if the latter portion of him realizing his wrongs was more like half the book instead of the last quarter, I might have loved it. But I still enjoyed it and could see how others would even more!
On one hand? Great writing. The beginning premise hooks you. I loved Lizzie. There is a bunch of cute side characters. And I do love a good transformation.
On the other hand? I was never totally on board with Luke. Like maybe 70%.
It was a classic asshole arrogant character who starts to thaw and you realize they’re mostly pretending to be heartless. But then we were thrown back into London and he’s an ass all over again…sure they had mostly a marriage of connivence but him and Lizzie are already married when we suddenly learn of his DEAD WIFE.
Not my cup of tea. (Also managed to read this trope twice in a row by accident!) And he’s like oh that’s my dead wife’s portrait, no biggie. Even though it totally changed his personality and life.
He loved his first wife, and even though she was not a good wife and cheated many times and they didn’t sleep together for years, he still can’t love again and became a HUGE rake after her death. I can only handle this in small doses and apparently Lizzie has to meet his ex lovers all the time and they’re always writing him letters. Another strike against him at this point even though he doesn’t seek them out.
So the grovel is pretty good and Lizzie is a strong character who doesn’t give in right away. His pain gave me joy, not gonna lie. I actually like that she becomes so cold to him and gives him a taste of his own medicine. I was also gleeful when she takes off her wedding ring that was the same as the dead wife. >>it’s a family heirloom, but…side eye<<
Way too late for me, he takes down his ex’s portrait in the house and says he was in love with what he wanted her to be, hated her by the end, and grieved for what could have been more than for her.
But I didn’t care for the damage he’d done. Lizzie had a hard life and deserved better so many times. He had a bad marriage and I don’t think that excuses his behavior.
Of course, he does grow and we know that even when he was being an ass, he didn’t realize he did care for Lizzie and her family. He takes care of them from pretty early on in the book, and I liked how he was with the younger children. But I’m masochist and I want more suffering on his part, because I just liked Lizzie so much.
It didn’t help that when she’s finally giving in and wants intimacy with him again, we’re reminded once again of his past dalliances when his ex lover tries to intrude. I know it’s meant to show his disinterest in her and love for Lizzie, but I just want all other people out of my mind at this point.
So overall, it was definitely well written and I rooted for Lizzie to be happy, but there’s just a few tropes that aren’t to my personal liking. I think if the latter portion of him realizing his wrongs was more like half the book instead of the last quarter, I might have loved it. But I still enjoyed it and could see how others would even more!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2023
"The Marquess Wins a Wife" is the story of Lizzie and Luke.
Another wonderful read by AR!
Carefully she set the broken bits and pieces upon the tray, until at last the floor was cleared enough of it for her to sponge away the dried remnants of the stew that had congealed upon the floor and coated the wall.
Why had it never occurred to him before that someone would have to clean the messes he’d made?
The story begins with a kidnapping at gunpoint- the heroine believes the hero has defiled her sister and wants him to marry her. As the truth (that she kidnapped the wrong man) is revealed, she panics and shoots the hero. Working hard to save his life while he threatens to hang her in feverish recuperation, she soon pulls him from the brink of death.
He is initially a grump and pretty mean, but soon realizes the sacrifices she has made for him and her family. The story takes a sweet turn, where he decides to become her protector and marries her.
Her dreams shatter when she moves to London, and learns that the hero is an alcoholic, a secret widower and does not care for having a wife. How will her unloved heart recover?
“I never wanted power over you.” She hadn’t managed to take so much as a sip of her tea, since his hands still commandeered hers.
“But you have it,” he insisted “You have had it since—since you purchased that damned jar of marmalade for me. Since you pulled the stitches from my ungrateful hide. Since you soothed me when I was burning up with fever. Lizzie, I fell in love with you in Hatfield. You made me different than I had been. Better than I had been. You—all of you—gave me purpose again. I would have done anything to keep you.”
I really liked this. Not as angsty or adventurous as her other books, but this was sweet, sprinkled with chunks of angst in the right places. We got to see lots of scenes of the hero's grovel, the heroine's family was entertaining, the butler was sassy, all characters got a redemption, some old faces came back and the epilogue had LOADS of babies.
Safe
4/5
Another wonderful read by AR!
Carefully she set the broken bits and pieces upon the tray, until at last the floor was cleared enough of it for her to sponge away the dried remnants of the stew that had congealed upon the floor and coated the wall.
Why had it never occurred to him before that someone would have to clean the messes he’d made?
The story begins with a kidnapping at gunpoint- the heroine believes the hero has defiled her sister and wants him to marry her. As the truth (that she kidnapped the wrong man) is revealed, she panics and shoots the hero. Working hard to save his life while he threatens to hang her in feverish recuperation, she soon pulls him from the brink of death.
He is initially a grump and pretty mean, but soon realizes the sacrifices she has made for him and her family. The story takes a sweet turn, where he decides to become her protector and marries her.
Her dreams shatter when she moves to London, and learns that the hero is an alcoholic, a secret widower and does not care for having a wife. How will her unloved heart recover?
“I never wanted power over you.” She hadn’t managed to take so much as a sip of her tea, since his hands still commandeered hers.
“But you have it,” he insisted “You have had it since—since you purchased that damned jar of marmalade for me. Since you pulled the stitches from my ungrateful hide. Since you soothed me when I was burning up with fever. Lizzie, I fell in love with you in Hatfield. You made me different than I had been. Better than I had been. You—all of you—gave me purpose again. I would have done anything to keep you.”
I really liked this. Not as angsty or adventurous as her other books, but this was sweet, sprinkled with chunks of angst in the right places. We got to see lots of scenes of the hero's grovel, the heroine's family was entertaining, the butler was sassy, all characters got a redemption, some old faces came back and the epilogue had LOADS of babies.
Safe
4/5
October 20, 2023
I'm really mad at the author for not reading my mind and writing the scenarios i crafted specifically for lizzie and luke
June 2, 2024
🗣 I loved it so much. I was about to go in a reading slump but this book saved me.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Lizzie Talbot
I love her sm. She was loyal, self-sacrificing, strong, practical. She had not lost her spirit and generosity of soul despite her terrible situation. She is one of the most admirable heroines I have read about in a long time. She was a strong girl who was raising her family on her own. I respect her for not taking anyone's shit. She loved her siblings and it showed. They had each other's back and I loved every single scene where they stood up for each other even if it was something small. She had so much to give despite her situation and troubles.
Lucas Godwin
I love him despite his flaws(and he did make up for his mistakes so we're good). He was a tortured soul with such tragic past. His past strongly controlled him and I felt really bad for him. He couldn't see past his hurt. He was emotionally damaged and tried to bury his feelings by drinking, gaming, and sleeping around. But he found himself again after meeting Lizzie and her family which is super cute. He made mistakes but he owned up to his mistakes and became a worthy man. I loved watching him grow from a bitter person who couldn't forget bad things that happened in the past to a caring and loving person. I'm proud of him.
Their chemistry
They had scorching chemistry. My kindle was burning whenever they were close. I loved every single scene of them. I'd have read their scenes even if they won't do anything and just sit together lol.
Lucas, Talbot family and Willie
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of them together especially loved how they all were putting Lucas in his place at every turn. Lucas was torn between keeping Lizzie at a distance so as not to risk his heart again and craving the company of his new family. Willie(who was a a fantastic secondary character) and Lucas's unlikely friendship was delightful.
I ordered my own copy after finishing it on kindle unlimited because I want it in my life.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
pre read
This is the first ever recommended book I'm reading thanks to Ras and I'm not at all nervous infact I'm pretty excited 🫶🏻✨
Let's gooooooooooo 🏃🏻♀
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Lizzie Talbot
I love her sm. She was loyal, self-sacrificing, strong, practical. She had not lost her spirit and generosity of soul despite her terrible situation. She is one of the most admirable heroines I have read about in a long time. She was a strong girl who was raising her family on her own. I respect her for not taking anyone's shit. She loved her siblings and it showed. They had each other's back and I loved every single scene where they stood up for each other even if it was something small. She had so much to give despite her situation and troubles.
Lucas Godwin
I love him despite his flaws(and he did make up for his mistakes so we're good). He was a tortured soul with such tragic past. His past strongly controlled him and I felt really bad for him. He couldn't see past his hurt. He was emotionally damaged and tried to bury his feelings by drinking, gaming, and sleeping around. But he found himself again after meeting Lizzie and her family which is super cute. He made mistakes but he owned up to his mistakes and became a worthy man. I loved watching him grow from a bitter person who couldn't forget bad things that happened in the past to a caring and loving person. I'm proud of him.
Their chemistry
They had scorching chemistry. My kindle was burning whenever they were close. I loved every single scene of them. I'd have read their scenes even if they won't do anything and just sit together lol.
Lucas, Talbot family and Willie
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all of them together especially loved how they all were putting Lucas in his place at every turn. Lucas was torn between keeping Lizzie at a distance so as not to risk his heart again and craving the company of his new family. Willie(who was a a fantastic secondary character) and Lucas's unlikely friendship was delightful.
I ordered my own copy after finishing it on kindle unlimited because I want it in my life.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
pre read
This is the first ever recommended book I'm reading thanks to Ras and I'm not at all nervous infact I'm pretty excited 🫶🏻✨
Let's gooooooooooo 🏃🏻♀
October 2, 2023
3.7 stars
This is my third AR book, and I have to say that she is among the very short list of contemporary HR authors that I would be tempted to read. And though I am not reading her books in order, I think that this one shows that her writing style is getting better and better at the genre. Her prose in this book felt very cozy to read, even more so than the previous two I have read. Like her other books, her plot for this book was original and well done, and I am happy that there were no glaringly OTT elements (as witnessed in my previous reads).
The start of the book is not typically what I would have thought I would have enjoyed, but I really did! The friction between the very grumpy Marquess and overworked Lizzie was very entertaining. The poverty in which her family was mired in was movingly well described. The little family surrounding Lizzie was also well depicted and were nice addition to the cast (except perhaps for Imogen!). Lizzie was a different kind of h, with her very merciful and gentle heart (the marmelade jar ❤!) but yet with a very zesty mouth 😊. Luke was a big boor, but the way he started humbling himself when he realised the sacrifices Lizzie made everyday was very nice.
The plot took however a downturn once they moved to London. I understand the need for that part of the story to be introduced abruptly, for maximum angst's sake, but yet, the way it was done had an intangible, evasive quality to it that somehow what should have been a direct unexpected hit in the chest instead translated into a hurried, vague sudden happening. That part of the story was too rushed imho, so much that the angst and heartbreak that in theory was building between Luke and Lizzie felt flat and diluted. We were told of things that were causing an ever widening breach between them, but the swift and sedate riffling through these things did not allow time for the angst to take root and really make an impact. The fast-paced words lacked an emotional component to really drive in the meaning. Also, less tell and more show on some story elements in that part would have been essential (e.g. the taunting from ex-lovers that is just referenced but not seen). Happily, the story picked up again shortly after, at the moment Luke first tried to reach out to his wife (and failed epically!). I really liked his kind of grovel, all patience and devotion, esp. him surrendering the coin to her (in fact, I am still surprised how much I enjoyed this plot element).
Though having no bearing in my enjoyment of the romance between Luke and Lizzie, I found the intimate scenes in this book... lacking. Too many words and vague actions. Perhaps done on purpose to match the genre? I did not need graphical, but certainly less 'flowery' description.
Overall, I enjoyed this HR a lot, and to date this is the best all-round book penned by AR! Looking forward to any of her future books.
P.S. I laughed out loud at the Dedication 😂. And yes, it is only now that I realised that AR uses the same male model on her covers everytime 😁😆!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2023
I loved this. And while I understand that real life redemptions may be slow and include some back pedaling, the hero's rock bottom comes along with some really hurtful actions and words to his poor wife. On the verge of unforgivable. And since this was around the 75% mark, I didn't get to see enough change and groveling. Like, my heart is still feeling a bit broken.
There's a lovely epilogue and I know they're alright, but the positive changes and the groveling weren't enough to outweigh the hurt.
Earlier on in the book, you see the hero make small, positive changes. And it felt believable.
I think what killed me is the level of backsliding he did until he emotionally ripped out the heart of the heroine (and me). And then, he realizes his wrong and changes his ways COMPLETELY and never backslides again. And it just didn't feel satisfying like the smaller changes and realizations.
I had a hard time believing he could go from the callous, heartless, selfish/self-centered, and cruel words/actions to being the most amazing husband/brother ever.
There's a lovely epilogue and I know they're alright, but the positive changes and the groveling weren't enough to outweigh the hurt.
Earlier on in the book, you see the hero make small, positive changes. And it felt believable.
I think what killed me is the level of backsliding he did until he emotionally ripped out the heart of the heroine (and me). And then, he realizes his wrong and changes his ways COMPLETELY and never backslides again. And it just didn't feel satisfying like the smaller changes and realizations.
I had a hard time believing he could go from the callous, heartless, selfish/self-centered, and cruel words/actions to being the most amazing husband/brother ever.
March 17, 2024
3.5 stars
The first half of this book is one of the best things I’ve ever read. After an improbable start it quickly shifted into high gear, with writing that was brisk, witty, heart-warming, and engaging, and brilliantly established the two main characters, an ascerbic, over-privileged marquess with a take-charge attitude and a drinking problem, and a not-too-bright but soft-hearted, quick-tempered, mouthy, and supremely competent woman shepherding her siblings through financially-straitened circumstances. I loved it right up through a fun carriage ride to London.
That’s when the book I had been reading turned into another book entirely and it just didn’t make sense. The tone turned dark. The two main characters I’d enjoyed so much in the first half of the book disappear. The marquess flips off the entire family that he’d been determined to save. The mouthy wench turns into a silent, indifferent society gadabout. First the marquess deliberately crushes her, then she deliberately crushes him and, worst of all, the author starts carefully explaining their motivations with a whole lot of psychological gobbledygook that kinda-sorta made sense but was boring as hell. Then it all fizzles to a weak, uninteresting ending.
Was the first half of this book a fluke? Or did the author just get caught up in her idea for the barrier to a HEA and lose sight of all else as the book progressed? I will read another book before I make up my mind, but I’m not sure I can handle another disappointment like the last half of this book.
5 stars for the first half, 2 stars for the second half = 3.5 stars
The first half of this book is one of the best things I’ve ever read. After an improbable start it quickly shifted into high gear, with writing that was brisk, witty, heart-warming, and engaging, and brilliantly established the two main characters, an ascerbic, over-privileged marquess with a take-charge attitude and a drinking problem, and a not-too-bright but soft-hearted, quick-tempered, mouthy, and supremely competent woman shepherding her siblings through financially-straitened circumstances. I loved it right up through a fun carriage ride to London.
That’s when the book I had been reading turned into another book entirely and it just didn’t make sense. The tone turned dark. The two main characters I’d enjoyed so much in the first half of the book disappear. The marquess flips off the entire family that he’d been determined to save. The mouthy wench turns into a silent, indifferent society gadabout. First the marquess deliberately crushes her, then she deliberately crushes him and, worst of all, the author starts carefully explaining their motivations with a whole lot of psychological gobbledygook that kinda-sorta made sense but was boring as hell. Then it all fizzles to a weak, uninteresting ending.
Was the first half of this book a fluke? Or did the author just get caught up in her idea for the barrier to a HEA and lose sight of all else as the book progressed? I will read another book before I make up my mind, but I’m not sure I can handle another disappointment like the last half of this book.
5 stars for the first half, 2 stars for the second half = 3.5 stars
September 23, 2023
New author. So, new author qualification.
They fall into one of three categories:
💚 Meaning: Happy to read this author again.
🟡 Meaning: I'll need to read one more book to decide
⛔ Meaning: Nope (pretty self-explanatory)
My first new author search that pays off!
I loved this book. I loved the angst, I loved the MCs, I loved the set up.
This is angst at its best. MCs that hurt each other until I can feel my heart bleed. A cruel hero who pushes his love away and then has to grovel and plead to win her back. And grovel he does!
My only objection would be the sister, Imogen. I felt there really wasn't any need for a spoilt brat, our heroine is suffering enough. Also, the book would benefit from better historical descriptions. The rooms, clothes and other general historical settings were superficial. But nothing that more experience and research couldn't fix for later books.
Conclusion: 💚
They fall into one of three categories:
💚 Meaning: Happy to read this author again.
🟡 Meaning: I'll need to read one more book to decide
⛔ Meaning: Nope (pretty self-explanatory)
My first new author search that pays off!
I loved this book. I loved the angst, I loved the MCs, I loved the set up.
This is angst at its best. MCs that hurt each other until I can feel my heart bleed. A cruel hero who pushes his love away and then has to grovel and plead to win her back. And grovel he does!
My only objection would be the sister, Imogen. I felt there really wasn't any need for a spoilt brat, our heroine is suffering enough. Also, the book would benefit from better historical descriptions. The rooms, clothes and other general historical settings were superficial. But nothing that more experience and research couldn't fix for later books.
Conclusion: 💚
June 28, 2023
5 stars!
This book started with a bang (literally). I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I finished at 2am.
We have a self-sacrificing FMC who needs to care for her 3 younger siblings, an emotionally unavailable MMC who she accidentally shoots in a case of mistaken identity, a marriage of convenience, a delicious build up of angst and SATISFYING GROVEL.
Loved it.
This book started with a bang (literally). I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down until I finished at 2am.
We have a self-sacrificing FMC who needs to care for her 3 younger siblings, an emotionally unavailable MMC who she accidentally shoots in a case of mistaken identity, a marriage of convenience, a delicious build up of angst and SATISFYING GROVEL.
Loved it.
December 6, 2024
THE GROVELING
THE ANGST
THE MEET CUTE
🤌🤌🤌
THE ANGST
THE MEET CUTE
🤌🤌🤌
August 21, 2023
It was fun at places but wholly it was so unrealistic there was never a doubt it was anything but fiction.
The way FMC and her servant behaved with MMC after abducting and shooting him is unbelievable. Had he forced his company on them or they didn't know his station it would have made sense, but the way they kept telling him again and again he ought to be grateful they didn't leave him to die made me so angry. (had it been me I would have made sure they hang, at least the servant).
Also, FMC never showed any anger at all towards her sister for getting pregnant out of wedlock or acting like a petulant child all the time, and when our good MMC made a remark about it to the sister our FMC threw tea at him. Won't recommend it, there are dozens of good books with similar premise.
The way FMC and her servant behaved with MMC after abducting and shooting him is unbelievable. Had he forced his company on them or they didn't know his station it would have made sense, but the way they kept telling him again and again he ought to be grateful they didn't leave him to die made me so angry. (had it been me I would have made sure they hang, at least the servant).
Also, FMC never showed any anger at all towards her sister for getting pregnant out of wedlock or acting like a petulant child all the time, and when our good MMC made a remark about it to the sister our FMC threw tea at him. Won't recommend it, there are dozens of good books with similar premise.
April 3, 2024
Aydra Richards's storytelling reminds me a lot of Sherry Thomas where her heroes are kind of just not great guys to begin with and then they continue to fuck everything up AND YET I still root for the asshole to win over the heroine every time. Richards does a very good job of getting me emotionally invested in her books ha.
January 27, 2024
4.5 Stars
I was invested since the beginning. Truly enjoyed their story and how slowly they fell in love with each other.
The Hero is a big grump and the heroine is not exactly sunshine but she gives back as good as she gets.
Great story, I have to give this author’s other books a go.
I was invested since the beginning. Truly enjoyed their story and how slowly they fell in love with each other.
The Hero is a big grump and the heroine is not exactly sunshine but she gives back as good as she gets.
Great story, I have to give this author’s other books a go.
October 2, 2023
*** Book Q & A***
* How did the book make you feel?: I enjoyed this somewhat slow-burn romance.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I enjoyed how the H was immersed in the h’s world. I wish this book would’ve packed more punch with the angst. I felt the book glossed over what would’ve been super angsty once the couple arrived in London.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I liked both of the MC’s. They were each short-sighted in their own ways, but they came across as genuinely good people.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: I enjoyed the coin and the groveling!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: rake and innocent virgin h, Regency, enemies to lovers, H not over dead wife’s bad behavior
* What did you think about the ending?: I wanted him to take her on a honeymoon, dang it! Did he? Surely he did! The epilogue was far into the future, but very sweet.
* What is your impression of the author?: This author is very talented. I love her historical notes at the end of her novels. My favorite will likely always be His Deceitful Duchess. It was fun seeing Mrs. Knight and Sebastian again!
Possible Triggers and Safety: rake hero, virgin h, alcoholism, gambling addiction, no cheating, h and H pushing away, HEA
* How did the book make you feel?: I enjoyed this somewhat slow-burn romance.
* How do you feel about how the story was told?: I enjoyed how the H was immersed in the h’s world. I wish this book would’ve packed more punch with the angst. I felt the book glossed over what would’ve been super angsty once the couple arrived in London.
* What did you think about the main characters?: I liked both of the MC’s. They were each short-sighted in their own ways, but they came across as genuinely good people.
* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: I enjoyed the coin and the groveling!
* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: rake and innocent virgin h, Regency, enemies to lovers, H not over dead wife’s bad behavior
* What did you think about the ending?: I wanted him to take her on a honeymoon, dang it! Did he? Surely he did! The epilogue was far into the future, but very sweet.
* What is your impression of the author?: This author is very talented. I love her historical notes at the end of her novels. My favorite will likely always be His Deceitful Duchess. It was fun seeing Mrs. Knight and Sebastian again!
Possible Triggers and Safety: rake hero, virgin h, alcoholism, gambling addiction, no cheating, h and H pushing away, HEA
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I really wanted to like this one but I'm just so tired of reading these amazing women suffering repeatedly because everyone around them just... sucks. Also, Lucas acted 15 through the whole book. A complete moron.
I really wanted to like this one but I'm just so tired of reading these amazing women suffering repeatedly because everyone around them just... sucks. Also, Lucas acted 15 through the whole book. A complete moron.
February 4, 2024
Not a trainwreck but there was enough angst.
May 27, 2023
MMC with a broken heart who just needed a good girl's love and who in the end groveled enough for forgiveness;
fmc decided, fierce. A big sister who kept everyone together and safe even if it cost her.
Imogen deserved a good spanking, but at least in the end she came to her senses.
super cute epilogue!
fmc decided, fierce. A big sister who kept everyone together and safe even if it cost her.
Imogen deserved a good spanking, but at least in the end she came to her senses.
super cute epilogue!
January 23, 2024
Lots of fun with an H who hides serious issues. The h does the same as she protects her family from starvation. She saves his life more than once, in return he's quite cruel and acts badly. He has reasons but once he's honest, they achieve a deserved HEA. Very likeable people with real world issues.
March 6, 2024
i! LOVED! this!
my favorite aydra richards novel so far. this was so so good. more heroines should be shooting their love interests, actually! let’s make this a thing!!
my favorite aydra richards novel so far. this was so so good. more heroines should be shooting their love interests, actually! let’s make this a thing!!
August 28, 2023
“You are the other half of my heart”
Another wonderful book by Aydra Richards.
It might not be as emotional and gut-wrenching as the author’s previous stories, but it still had a right amount of that special brand of angst I enjoy so much.
First off all, I loved how this book started; one might say Lizzie and Luke had a very unconventional ‘meet-cute’, when she mistook him for someone else and… shot him. The whole opening scene was amazing: funny and dramatic, with foul- mouthed hero, who dropped the f-bomb in the most hilarious of ways.
And it was only the beginning, because let me tell you – the hero is beyond grumpy. He’s mean, and arrogant, even if justifiably so – given the circumstances. He butted heads with the heroine almost constantly, but during all that banter he actually starts to appreciate Lizzie and her chaotic family. As he himself later on admitted, he started to fall in love.
It’s in the later part of the story, when the action moved to London, when we learn more about the hero and why he is the way he is. I must admit, there were some bombshells dropped there, that I actually gasped upon reading.
I’m not going to lie, at first it was difficult to like Luke, but later on – when his past trauma was revealed – I started to get it. He was a man living in the past, allowing “ghosts to rule him”.
I loved the angst that fueled the last third of the book; the hero was again being an a-hole, but he groveled beautifully.
The romance was sweet and spicy; Luke never shied away from showing how much he wanted Lizzie, but I loved and hated how their first intimate scene went. On one hand, it absolutely fit hero’s view of their marriage and his – almost callous – attitude toward Lizzie, on the other I felt she deserved better.
I felt for her; Lizzie was so devoted to her family, almost always thinking last about herself, with pretty ungrateful sister and absentee father. It was sweet how Luke, even during him most asshol-ish days immediately stood up for her.
The Marquess Wins a Wife was fun and romantic, with just the right amount of angst. I read it basically in one go, which is a rarity for me now.
4,25/5 stars
July 17, 2024
This book was a rollercoaster ride that started with a bang – literally! Our heroine, bless her trigger finger, managed to put a bullet in the hero's arm. Talk about meet-cute gone wrong! I reveled in the subversion of tropes – the damsel damseling a bit too hard, and the arrogant hero brought low (by being at the mercy of the heroine nursing him back to health). Their initial interactions were electric, a delightful dance of forced proximity and sizzling dislike that had me snorting tea out my nose.
However, once the "I do's" were exchanged, the plot seemed to suffer from a severe case of amnesia. The witty banter vanished, replaced by domestic bliss so bland it could put a Valium to sleep. The ending angst felt like a last-minute attempt at CPR on a flatlining story. It was about as effective as defibrillating a particularly stubborn houseplant.
Overall, a promising start that fizzled faster than a damp firecracker. Still, for the sheer audacity of the opening scene, and the hero's hilarious descent from Mount Awesome, I give it two thumbs up (one for each cheek the hero probably wished he could sit on after his little mishap).
However, once the "I do's" were exchanged, the plot seemed to suffer from a severe case of amnesia. The witty banter vanished, replaced by domestic bliss so bland it could put a Valium to sleep. The ending angst felt like a last-minute attempt at CPR on a flatlining story. It was about as effective as defibrillating a particularly stubborn houseplant.
Overall, a promising start that fizzled faster than a damp firecracker. Still, for the sheer audacity of the opening scene, and the hero's hilarious descent from Mount Awesome, I give it two thumbs up (one for each cheek the hero probably wished he could sit on after his little mishap).
May 28, 2023
I loved this historical romance! Lizzie is a brave, sassy, strong heroine who raises her siblings selflessly against all odds! When she learns that someone ruined her sister, she is determined to find him and force him into matrimony at the point of a pistol, so she hatches a plan to abduct the blackguard responsible, but her plans get derailed, when she abducts the wrong man. That man is our hero, Lucas Godwin, the Marquess of Ashworth, who is justifiably angry about this situation. Despite that, he finds himself getting concerned and trying to protect our heroine and her unruly siblings and proposes a marriage of convenience. Lizzie and Luke have so much chemistry and great banter! Luke's tortured past and his struggle with alchohol create a lot of conflict but at the end his honest grovelling redeems him and they get the HEA they deserve!
September 20, 2023
This wud'abeen a 5* read for me if it had been on the same track as before the wedding. It just plummeted after that and went bonkers, he, she, them and the whole lot of it. I understand he's supposed to be different in London but what about the understanding, the grace and the likes? This'd so much potential!
November 12, 2023
Pretty good, although not my favorite of Aydra Richards books. The grovel wasn’t super drawn out but tbh what the guy didn’t wasn’t as bad as her other books so it didn’t need to be. I loved how competent the heroine was and how the hero was able to take some of the pressures off her plate.
•Rake MMC
•Poor/destitute FMC
•Marriage of convenience
•Sick bed/caretaking
•Grovel
•Rake MMC
•Poor/destitute FMC
•Marriage of convenience
•Sick bed/caretaking
•Grovel
January 26, 2024
4.5 🌟's
so gooooddododo omg 😭 the angst, the effortless pacing and progression, the rake turned right.. UGH chef's kiss love this author
so gooooddododo omg 😭 the angst, the effortless pacing and progression, the rake turned right.. UGH chef's kiss love this author
June 30, 2024
It didnt made me feel much.. 4 star just because the grovel.
August 26, 2024
idk man if i can call that groveling, plus didn't feel the chemistry much at all, tbh i don't think i like luke much in general 😭
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