Diary entries fancifully addressed to TV host Ellen DeGeneres serve as flashbacks to Lily’s teenage years, when she met her first love, Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy she found squatting in a neighbor’s house. La única razón de que no tiene 5 estrellas es porque tal vez le falta ese *algo* para que me termine de encantar (que sinceramente es la razón de por qué usualmente leo otros géneros) pero tampoco es que le haya encontrado algo en contra a esta historia. There is something wonderful between us, and it sparks to life from a mere glance and transcends into something so profound at times that I am breathless, unable to believe such a feelings for this person could be real. When he discovers Katherine, instead of anger he finds himself to be more than a little curious… This was a great read, it was spicy and has a lot of intrigue. Amazing story of Alexander Masters, the Duke of Thornton, a terribly scared man, inside and out, and Miss Katherine Danvers, a lady trying to help her family.

She charmed him straight away and these two quickly became friends and started to fall for one another. Stacy Reid was really able to bring something new to the table and offer a different depiction of the 'Beast'. Admittedly, I haven't read much historical romance but these were the first three things that came to mind) I had really high hopes for this one. Ultimately, they’re separated not by time or physical remoteness but by emotional distance—Elliot and Macy always kept their relationship casual because they went to different schools. This book has a few tropes scattered in there, but mainly close-proximity/one-bed, fake-relationship, reclusive-hero, beauty-and-the beast.

Kitty Danvers and her group of wallflowery friends are veterans of multiple unsuccessful marriage market seasons in London. This book is one of the best historical romance stories I have read and I cannot wait to read more from this author! Alexander Masters, The Duke of Thornton, withdrew from society 10 years ago, after a house fire killed his parents and left him badly scarred. Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of the survivors. They had a strong bond and I really liked how they confided in each other, and encouraged one another to be bold and brave.

They spend time rowing in the lake, picnicking in the trees, discussing his collection of treasures from around the world, and sitting by the fire. Katherine Iphigenia Danvers…aka Kitty to family and friends, almost a spinster, desires to change her circumstances in a drastic manner. but when he was maimed, she could not bear to look upon him any longer and broke off the engagement. Maryann, for instance, has been betrothed to a man twice her age and plans to escape marriage by getting herself ruined by a notorious rake (in a book to come, natch). This was a really enjoyable regency romance, and the antics of the ton and the flirty banter between characters was exactly what I needed at this moment in time.Lily marries Ryle hoping the good will outweigh the bad, and the mother-daughter dynamics evolve beautifully as Lily reflects on her childhood with fresh eyes. She is not at all concerned about what his accident means for a potential future and family with him, she just loves him. Kitty’s solution to the family’s issues are simple – she will feign an engagement to the reclusive, not seen for years, mad, bad and dangerous Duke of Thornton. 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.

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. This is important as I have made some recent changes that are more important and want to be fully transparent. I started this one in audio, and while the narrator seemed okay, she was a bit quiet and I found her cadence distracting for some reason, so I switched to the ebook.Okay, a heroine brazenly declaring her betrothal to a total stranger and household staff mustering to promote their employer’s happiness are two of my favorite tropes, so I think I NEED to read this.

I think if you enjoy fewer descriptions in historicals and less authentic historical feels then this one will definitely work in many ways for you. I will be honest, when I first started this book I actually thought it might get to a five-star, that is how good it worked for me at first. The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty, and the author’s note at the end that explains Hoover’s personal connection to the subject matter is a must-read.I believe people look away because it is uncomfortable to gaze upon another’s pain when it is bare for the world to see. The book slows down once she moves into his castle, something he insists upon for a little while if she wants him to keep up the ruse of their engagement. My Darling Duke was the second book that I read by Stacy Reid, and while I liked My Wicked Marquess more, I liked this a lot.