User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
HELLO ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE HISTORICAL ROMANCES.
This was everything. First, we have Kitty, who is a wallflower desperate for marriage so that she can support her family and her sister can have a good match. So she sends a betrothal announcement to the paper about her and a reclusive duke who hasn't been seen in ten years getting married. The romance was EVERYTHING. Alexander literally comes to London after being away for ten years to go to a ball just to see Kitty and find out who has made this announcement. Alexander is scarred and unable to walk very well on his own, but he is so stubborn and pushes himself way beyond his limits. Their romance was so adorable and I loved how Kitty wasn't scared of Alexander. And this had the only one bed trope, which had me swooning. Alexander agreed to continue with the engagement farce as long as Kitty spent time with him...ALONE...in Scotland. Their trip was everything and the chemistry! So good. And the end? SO GOOD. Ugh. This book had me feeling so many things and I absolutely loved it! If you haven't read it yet, you must!
Rating: really liked it
Now, this is how you write a Beauty and the Beast retelling.
This was
gorgeous. And it has somewhat left me speechless.
Rating: really liked it
"Marry me,” he groaned. “Be my friend…be my wife…my duchess. I promise to love you with every breath in my body and every emotion in my heart until the end of my days, Katherine. I vow it."
I honestly cannot believe that this was my first Stacy Reid book. I was so pleasantly surprised by how compelling and gripping her writing style was! This book was seriously unputdownable, I flew through it in one sitting.
My Darling Duke was pretty much a near-perfect read for me. While this was only a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, it's definitely my favorite to date.
❁
Plot: ❁
After four seasons of being overlooked, Katherine ‘Kitty’ Danvers (23) is desperate to secure herself a marriage to save her family from financial ruin and to make sure her younger sisters are able to secure suitable matches. When her friends declare themselves ‘Sinful Wallflowers’, she comes up with an outrageous plan to use the power of a duke's name to her advantage. And so, she declares herself fiancée of Alexander Masters (30), Duke of Thornton, a recluse who hasn’t been seen by the ton for many years. But when Alexander hears of this supposed marriage, he is more than intrigued and leaves his life of quiet seclusion at his Scottish estate and goes off to London to meet his
fiancée…
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Characters: ❁
Kitty was such a likeable heroine! I really admired her for the risks she took for her family. The lie would've completely ruined her and her dreams of having a family of her own but she was so
selfless. I also really enjoyed seeing her witty and daring nature shine through when she was around Alexander.
Now, Alexander was such lovable hero! I fell in love with him and his quiet soul so easily. He’s different from other ‘Beasts’ in BT&B retellings in the sense that he had already accepted his disabilities and really had no hopes for matrimony. Although he did lash out at times, I felt like it was completely understandable. I felt for his loneliness and was so happy that he ultimately found intimate tenderness in the silence he shared with Kitty.
You are the only person I’ve ever wanted to share my silence.
The secondary characters in this story were marvelous! Kitty’s friends, the ‘Sinful Wallflowers’ were such a cute bunch, I honestly can’t wait to read their stories. I also really enjoyed the household staff at the Scottish estate and I was so amused with them shipping Alexander and Kitty!
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The Romance: ❁
“I never knew a kiss could taste like sunshine,” she said softly.
“And also of the storm,” he murmured.
Even though there was no grand villain or crazy obstacles, I was never bored! The romance was definitely a slow-paced, friends to lovers kind of story. I loved seeing Kitty and Alexander’s friendship blossom and how they navigated their fake betrothal. They settled into each other’s lives so seamlessly and ended up being so perfect for each other despite Alexander's intentions in keeping her at arms length.
Their witty conversations were so fun, I literally couldn’t keep the smile off my face! And the epilogue was just SO PERFECT - you just know Kitty and Alexander are going to be happy for the rest of their beautiful lives.
❁
Other highlights: ❁
In regards to Alexander's disabilities, and without giving too much away, I must say that I was so impressed with the way the author handled everything. Stacy Reid was really able to bring something new to the table and offer a different depiction of the 'Beast'. Sorry that this sounds so vague, but you have to read this book for yourself!
If you love a good BT&B retelling, you do not want to miss this one! While this book doesn't have all the fireworks and explosions other HR's have, if you enjoy a book that focuses on the development of a relationship, this book might just be up your alley.
Rating: 4.5/5
Rating: really liked it
4.25 "couple goals" starsLove me some Stacy Reid, so I paid the full price for this one when it came out because I couldn't wait for a sale after I read the blurb and saw some of the reviews!
This book is the first in a new series by one of my favorite HR authors (she always delivers my "musts" in books!), and it features a group of 5 women who have labeled themselves, "Sinful Wallflowers" -- the only problem is that none of them have ever done anything remotely sinful... but they are determined to change that!
Katharine Danvers ("Kitty" to her friends and family) is the eldest of 4 daughters. When their father passed away, the estate and monies went to the nearest male relative, so Kitty and her sisters along with her mother were essentially cast out to live only on a meager dowager salary. As there is no dowry, Kitty has been overlooked for 4 seasons now, and she won't allow that to happen to her younger sisters; thus, she is prepared to risk her own reputation in the hopes that it allows her siblings to secure matches to men who are titled, have at least comfortable wealth on which to live, and most importantly, are by choice. Ideally, she hopes all of her sisters find love matches as she has given up that hope sitting on the shelf at 23 years old. This dream for her sisters inspires her sinful deed: to declare herself engaged to a duke! And who better than the Duke of Thornton of whom no one has seen hide nor hair from for a decade? There is little chance he will hear about it in the wilds of Scotland where he is said to reside, and by the time her farce is played out, Kitty hopes her debuting sister will have made a match that will keep her happy and secure, and later allow for her to sponsor the younger girls in their debuts. How can this plan possibly fail?
Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton, has been a recluse for 10 years... since the accident that claimed his parents' lives and left him scarred and semi-paralyzed. Before the fire that took so much from him and his younger sister (whom he risked his life to save), he was entrenched in society and enjoyed the benefits he wrought as the heir to a dukedom. Alexander was engaged to a diamond of the first water, and they were declared a perfect match in every way... but when he was maimed, she could not bear to look upon him any longer and broke off the engagement. Alexander was told by the doctors he has employed that he would never walk again, but he has managed to do just that for a few hours each day, not without pain, but the feeling of some normalcy is well worth the effort to him. And though he has defied some of the odds, he has been informed that he is impotent; and therefore, unable to produce an heir. Given his situation, he has remained at the family estate in Scotland with his younger sister for the last 10 years. He actively participates in politics via his letters, and he has his friends argue his beliefs on the floor for him. He also collects things from all over the world - one he used to travel often, but since his impairment has had to be satisfied with continuing to acquire items to add to his treasure room, which is where he spends much of his time. For Alexander, there is little to live for, and he is deeply lonely, but he refuses to bow to his depression, and he does not burden anyone with his concerns. But when he receives congratulations from one of his solicitors on his engagement, he is intrigued. It isn't the first time that someone has claimed to be connected to him, but they usually want money; in this case, the woman appears to only want to use his name. Alexander is curious as to what she is about with this ruse, so he decides to venture to London for the first time in a decade to meet this imposter. When he is introduced at a ball Kitty is attending, they will finally meet face-to-face, and the sparks fly (in several ways)!
What I liked:
--- Kitty is a spirited young woman looking out for her family at any cost - she is very likeable, and though she knows it is wrong to carry out such a ruse, she keeps a tally of expenses with the full intent of paying the duke back, so her morals are solid
--- Alexander is tough to crack - he allows no one in, but once the reader gets to know him better, he is definitely swoon-worthy
--- Decent helping of steamy goodness
What I didn't like as much:
--- The main characters didn't meet until over 25% into the book - I wish there had been more time with them together bc they were very entertaining
--- Alexander was a little too stubborn (he eventually got there, though)
--- Not as much steamy goodness as I usually get from Stacy Reid, but given the plot points, it made sense as to why
Overall, I was not disappointed! The main characters were refreshingly unique and fun to watch spar with each other, and (of course), they were given a very satisfying HEA.
Plot --- 4/5
Main Characters --- 4.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5
Steam Level* --- 3.5/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
Rating: really liked it
I loved writing Kitty and Alexander's love story! I hope you enjoy their journey to HEA as much as I loved taking them there.
Love,
Stacy
Rating: really liked it
This is my first Stacy Reid book and I loved it. My Darling Duke was so good. I loved Alexander and Kitty so much. They were adorable together. Alexander was so relatable. I felt his pain, fear and loneliness. Kitty was so much fun. Sassy, bold and vibrant Kitty was the perfect woman to bring Alexander out of his shell. The relationship build up was great. It was a slower burn read but I never felt bored or stalled. The ending was so sweet I hope we readers get more of this couple in future books. Overall I really loved this book and I can't wait to read about the other Wallflowers.
Rating: really liked it
As Katherine Danvers hits society newspapers and gossip columns with claims that she is engaged to the Duke of Thornton, Kitty is preparing for an extensive social calendar as the invites come flooding in. A claim the duke is unlikely to be made aware of, following his self-imposed exile from London society to his estate in Scotland. Choosing to live the life of a recluse, Alexander has ostracised himself from London and Government following a tragic accident that has left him scarred, and by the time he does find out about his alleged engagement, Kitty will have secured a worthy match for her sisters among London’s most eligible bachelors, and thereby protecting her family from financial ruin.
Romance is a very new genre for me and one I choose today to break up some heavy books I have read recently and who doesn’t love a warm, cuddly, sometimes steamy romance that gives us the feel-good factor, and an ending you won’t be disappointed in.? A story of Cinderella combined with a retelling of beauty and the beast. Although the duke is no beast – handsome, rich and a strong character, the perfect male character to transport you into a dream world when you need it.
Surprisingly I thought this was very well written, I say that because some of the other Romance novels I have read over the years were not. I flew through this book today, so easy to read and engrossing. The characters were likeable or at least intriguing, Kitty herself, scheming, resourceful and brazen to have created such an elaborate tale. The feel-good factor that Romance gives us and knowing we will smile at the end is the reason why these novels attract such a huge following. Personally, I prefer crime/thrillers that create so much suspense with an unpredictable ending, but this novel was all about the journey, the scheming and two people with very different backgrounds deciding if they had enough chemistry and depth to make it work.
I will continue to read Romance stories, from time to time, and have a few in store recommended by my Goodreads friend Warda, I have dubbed Queen of Romance!!! And I have to commend Warda on this choice.
Rating: really liked it
Disclaimer: Laura ❀, Ren ♡ (and everyone else who loved the book) please close your eyes and act like you haven't seen this. I don't know what went wrong with My Darling Book, it just didn’t work for me. The story was romantic, and they were really beautiful moments, but I didn’t care about the characters and I struggled to keep reading from the beginning. I thought maybe it would be better when they finally meet, but it felt too unrealistic (or maybe I was just bored).
“I would lay the world at your feet if I could, Katherine.”
“I do not need the whole world. Just a little bit of you, Alexander.” BUT
the disability rep was really good, and it deserves 3 stars for that alone. I only wish I was able to connect with the characters, because it’s really hard to find books which this rep, specially with the degree of disability Alexander (H) had.
Also, I hope I’m not the only one who rolled her eyes in this scene (it was when they almost drown in the river)
“He’s dead?” ()
“I cannot hear his heartbeat or feel the heat of his breath. I fear he is truly dead.” (...)
“Surely it cannot be so. How dreadful!”
Her heart ached at the naked agony in Alexander’s gaze. “He was a wife.. children and grandchildren? Why did I risk going over the bridge? (...) God damn you,” the duke roared, slapping the man’s chest.
It was a sacrilege, beating a dead man’s chest, He repeated the motion, this time his sound of fury and denial muted. Just as she was about to order him to stop, one of the man’s fingers twitched. (...)
“I thought he moved.” Every foolish gothic book she’d ever read in the late evening blared through her mind. It did not help that the sky had the ominous darkness of a fiercely brewing storm. ()
The man jerked and then turned over to his side, coughing up mouthfuls of water. (...) “Ye had to thump so hard, Yer Grace?”I wouldn’t like to be in the company of these two if I ever got hurt. They are hopeless: one was too busy blaming himself and the other was thinking about zombies.🤦♀️
Rating: really liked it
Oh so many tears! Simply amazing story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have to tell you I got the major feels with this book. I found myself reading with tears rolling down my face several times. The author crafted a completely different story with a twist that simply captivated me. And the last part nearly broke my heart.
It’s not easy to catch the attention of a reviewer because we read so many stories. Sometimes it feels like I’m numb to emotion. However, when a author breaks through that tough exterior, the impact is even more touching.
This book is teeming with deep emotion and pain, both physical and emotional. But we also have amusement, wit, and genuine happiness that just makes you smile throughout the story. The complexity of the characters Reid crafted just really touched my heart.
My Darling Duke is one of the most intensely romantic, sexy, fun, and emotional Regency romances I have read. It will be rounding out my Best of 2019 list with a heart stopping five stars. I cannot say enough about this book so suffice it to say that if you love a great romance, you have to read this one!
This author has definitely caught my attention and I will be looking for more from her. If this is an example of her normal work, sign me up!
* copy received for review consideration
Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/my-darling-d...
Rating: really liked it
4.5 stars “I would lay the world at your feet if I could, Katherine."
"I do not need the whole world. Just a little bit of you, Alexander”
Sigh. This was such a fantastic book. I'm loving historical romances more and more with each one I read, and this one was great. Stacy Reid is a new to me author and I'm excited to read more from her.
Katherine 'Kitty' Danvers is a Wallflower. She's got an idea to change all that, though. Kitty pretends to be engaged to a reclusive Duke to give her family a little more credibility to get her sisters married off to respectable men. She never ever expects for the Duke to show up and seek her out.
Ten years ago, the Duke was in a tragic accident that left him scarred and wheelchair bound. In mind, he was destined to be alone. Until he met Kitty. She charmed him straight away and these two quickly became friends and started to fall for one another. I loved both of these characters so much. This was reminiscent of a beauty and the beast retelling and I never wanted to hit pause on this audiobook.
There was so much I adored about this story. I only wish we would have gotten more of this couple as a couple, still it was a wonderful read. I'm looking forward to more by this author!
Audio book source: Hoopla (library borrow)
Story Rating: 4.5 stars
Narrators: Mary Sarah
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 10 hours and 43 minutes
Rating: really liked it
🌹 4.5 stars 🌹 "Does it matter to you at all that I am here...in this boat with you?" she asked softly.
He stopped rowing. The eyes that peered at her were unfathomable. He reached for her, his fingers tracing the lines of her cheekbones and jaw.
"You are the only person I've ever wanted to share my silence."
➺ Fake engagement
➺ Somewhat like a Beauty and the Beast retelling 🌹
➺ Great friendship and sibling moments
➺ Classic one bed trope
➺ Reclusive and lonely hero
➺ Daring heroine who would do anything for her family
➺ AMAZING love story!
🌹
Summary 🌹
Katherine Danvers and her family were in a poor financial position which had worsened considerably since the death of her father. In an attempt to give her sisters the best shot at making good marriages she lies and tells society that she is the fiancé of the well-known but very reclusive,
Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters.
Kitty never expected the Duke to find out or to care as there was always so much gossip about him. But after hearing news of their supposed engagement, Alexander started keeping a close eye on the scandal sheets and became fascinated by the woman who claimed to be his fiancé - so fascinated that he decided to take the trip to London to meet her, despite not being out in society for around 10 years.
🌹
Review 🌹
This was such an easy, romantic read with so many amazing moments! I loved the writing style so much and I don't know if this can be fully classed as a Beauty and the Beast retelling but there were definitely some hints throughout that it could be one, with Kitty saying that Alexander hides away in the West Wing of his home like the Beast does! Despite the book having some of the more classic tropes I actually thought the story was so unique due to the wonderfully written characters.
Kitty is part of a group of young ladies who call themselves the "Sinful Wallflowers" as a joke. Encouraged by her supportive group of friends she decides to make the life-changing decision of lying about her engagement to an influential Duke to allow her sisters to enter society. Kitty was willing to sacrifice her reputation, as she would be found out to be a liar eventually, in order to allow her sisters to have a chance of happiness and I loved how selfless her actions were throughout the book.
Alexander had an accident that both left him scarred but also affected his ability to walk. Having faced judgement following the accident he set up home in Scotland and decided to keep his distance from the London crowd. I loved his character so much as he became more and more interested in Kitty and their friendship grew. He tried to push her away on numerous occasions because he did not want Kitty to sacrifice so much for him and it was so great to read about their growing feelings for each other.
The romance was just so great and I especially loved it when Alexander and Kitty went on a trip to his home in Scotland - the chemistryyy was AMAZING!!! I loved the epilogue as well, it just brought the story together in such a great way!! Honestly I just really enjoyed reading this love story!!
Rating: really liked it
group of wallflowers ✔
tortured, recluse, and grumpy hero ✔
fantastic heroine ✔
kind of beauty and the beast retelling ✔
delightful love story ✔
I really liked this book!!
Glad that I discovered a new author and will read more by her..
like right now!!
Rating: really liked it
4.5 Stars
This is a five-star book by all accounts, but I have rated it a smidge lower on a re-read, and I have a solid reason, so please, bear with me.
Very few books move me to tears, as alas, I am a tough nut to crack, but I will say this, it touched my heart. A story about dreams long-buried, only for a sliver of hope to appear, a moment of weakness that allows fear to resurface, reality ready to threaten you to a breaking point emotionally, such riotous thoughts, and such a poignant reminder of how afraid we can be of our own hopes and dreams. Loneliness can take many forms, but we forget that there is togetherness in the loneliness, and kinship or a friendship or a romance can be found in that bleakness. I ask you, how can such a tale not move you? (And I believe the rhetoric is implied.)
God, Stacy Reid is such a talented author. Her writing is visceral, and it just speaks to you emotionally. She isn't afraid to turn away from the HR usuals of pretty, rich, titled rakes and quirky, non-biddable wallflowers or to venture into something real, intrinsic and difficult using the barest threads of beloved tropes, in this case - a wallflower, a pretend engagement, and a Duke in a Beauty and the (broken) Beast retelling. Quick Review - A darling, beautifully emotional story.
- A darling heroine who is willing to fight for her family, her love, and herself with a bold plan, impudentness, and simple kindness. She may have appeared vain initially, but if that was vain, then it was glorious.
- A darling duke, indeed. Alexander was such a great representation of a scarred hero that he brought out all the saviour instincts in me. He was a sinfully seductive, scarred man and very easy to fall in love with.
- The romance was stars aligned, and we were meant for each other kind. They had a lovely friendship in the making, a feeling of belongingness, and all of it was sweet, especially their conversations, the teasing, and the pretty letters. The chemistry was little on account of the accident, but it was rife with sensuality. (view spoiler)
[Alexander considered himself incapable & impotent. (hide spoiler)]Here is my issue, though the field was wide open to explore all manner of non-invasive, exploratory sex, Ms Reid went with the convenient.
(view spoiler)[Alexander's main issue with marrying Kitty was that he would not be able to perform his husbandly duties and provide her with children. Instead of slowly developing their physical intimacies, the focus solely relied on the intense longing, resistance and stubborn behaviour. He almost broke his back trying to prove a point, but all he proved was that he was a man *heavy sigh* (hide spoiler)]
I feel that with the growing sense of success with each encounter, his confidence would have built, lending a solid weight to their romance, as opposed to one seduction becoming a cure-all. Or maybe I am putting the burden of delivering the Sun, Stars and the Moon on Ms Reid's shoulders. My Recommendation This story should be turned into a Netflix series and replace the shitshow that was Bridgerton Season 2 (personal vendetta conveyed). All said and done, Ms Reid never disappoints with her work, and this book is just darling.
Rating: really liked it
Je je
Je Je Je
Jejejejejejejjejejeje *giggles like a maniac*
Yup, this is a MF and I just gave it 5 stars. SAY WHUUUT??! 😲😲😲
I'm still swooning, clutching my pearls and fainting all at the same time because of this!! What an awesome and refreshing read!!! The story was so lovely and the main gurl? Oh my god, she was so awesome, she had a great personality, a very smart and imaginative mind and she wasn't afraid to put her feelings out there. She was brave and unapologetic in what she wanted, she went for it and achieved things. Loved her, wanna be like her, best heroine I've read in a while!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
And the Duke? I have a thing with Dukes since Renee took the role of the Duke of hastings or whatever the name is, but this guy? Alexander was something else man, he had a really playful personality, he loved bantering with Kitty and making her show him her mind. I love the guy, jesus. And his sacrifices and the way he tackles his disability? What a strong and stubborn man, me loves.
Loved every piece of this and I will come back later for more. 🥰😍
Rating: really liked it
Series: Sinful Wallflowers #1
Publication Date: 12/31/19
I finished reading this book yesterday and it has been on my mind all day today. It is a wonderful book filled with wit, humor, and hope – so much hope. We have a truly traumatized and damaged hero and I absolutely loved how this author handled him, his injuries, his spirit, and his bleak outlook on his future. This could have been one of those dark, intense, angsty books that I hate, but it wasn’t that way at all. I’m not usually a huge fan of the retelling of fairy tales, but this Beauty and the Beast retelling was almost magical. This is my first book by this author, but I can assure you I will give her books another try.
Katherine Danvers, her mother, and her sisters (Anna, Henrietta, and Judith) are in a very precarious situation. They are just one breath away from penury. When their father died without an heir, his title went to a relative – and that relative wasn’t in the least interested in providing for Kitty and her family. They had been living on their mother's small portion and that was almost gone. The hope was that Kitty would marry well and save them all, but in her fourth season, she hasn’t had any interest at all. She’s lovely, graceful and caring, but without a dowry and no connections, the men of the ton just aren’t smart enough to see her real value.
Kitty has come up with a plan to save her family even though it will mean ruination for herself. She’s thought long and hard about it. She’s done thorough research and has now chosen the perfect person – the very, very reclusive Duke of Thornton who hasn’t been seen in London in over seven years. How can he possibly get wind of what she is doing when he is so far north at McMullen Castle in Scotland? Her plan is simple, she’ll announce her engagement to the duke, provide a cover story for their courtship, and then do her best to see that her sister Anna makes an advantageous match. That will save the family and Kitty can then announce that her betrothal has ended and while that will ruin her, the rest of her family will be safe.
Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton, may not have set foot in London in over seven years, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have family and friends there. When he gets a visit from his godmother asking about his betrothal, he’s intrigued and has his butler acquire copies of any and all scandal sheets that carry stories about him and his betrothed. As he reads those stories, he becomes more and more intrigued by that brave and intrepid lady who is brazen enough to claim a betrothal with him. He’s not angry (well, maybe a little) and isn’t looking for revenge (well, maybe a little) – he is just intrigued – and he sets off for London. He’s not sure what he’ll do when he gets there, but…
Since her betrothal announcement things have sort of gotten out of hand for Kitty. Those lies have taken on a life of their own and she doesn’t have any idea how to control them. Then, at a ball, the Duke of Thornton makes his way to her and demands that they have a ‘talk’. Oh! My! Then things snowball and Kitty doesn’t know what to do. Will he denounce her and thus ruin not only her but her entire family? When he makes a demand she can’t refuse, she really is at a loss. Add in servants who want a romance between them, a sister who wants the same – well – that romance is definitely on a rocky roller coaster.
I highly recommend this story and if it is indicative of the entire series – I can’t wait for the stories of the other wallflowers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
