Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Helpful Score: 1
Good book, and one that is very different than most historical romances. The Duke's Heiresses series is about three ordinary women whose lives are changed by unexpected bequests from a duke. Each woman deals with suspicious, angry, and disappointed relatives of the duke while making the best of their new circumstances.
In this book, Rosamund overcame many challenges to become a successful milliner. As the daughter of a tenant farmer left homeless after his death, she entered service as a housemaid. Rosamund fell in love and was seduced by the son of the house and booted out when his parents discovered the affair. The only employment she could find was as a maid at a London brothel, where a kindness to one of the working girls earned her the money to start her hat shop.
I liked Rosamund. She is intelligent, practical, and strong-willed. After learning of her good fortune, she took the time to think through her options and make plans. I liked that Minerva, from the first book (Heiress for Hire), befriended her and helped her through the early days of her inheritance. The one aspect she isn't quite sure of is the half-interest in a business she knows nothing about. Her co-owner is intense, rude, and disturbingly handsome.
Kevin is a brilliant inventor but socially inept. He says what he thinks without trying to be polite about it. Kevin was horrified when his uncle bequeathed his share of Kevin's business to an unknown woman. During the year it took to track Rosamund down, Kevin could not move forward with his invention. Now he plans to get her to sign her rights over to him, protecting himself and his creation from any unwanted interference. Unfortunately for him, his plans don't work out quite as he intended.
Kevin and Rosamund get off to a rough start. The first thing he does upon meeting her is shove papers at her giving him control of her half of the company. He is baffled when she refuses to sign them. It's his invention, and he should be able to do things his way. Rosamund intends to look after her interests, and she doesn't believe that Kevin knows how to run a successful business.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Kevin and Rosamund. It was a slow one, going from enemies to friends to lovers. Once Kevin realized that Rosamund was serious about being involved in the business, he knew he must rethink his actions. As intense and determined as he was, he was also an honorable man who refrained from attempting to intimidate or browbeat Rosamund into doing things his way. Instead, he took the time to get to know her and help her settle in and find ways to work together. Kevin prides himself on his focus never having been compromised by a woman but soon finds that focus splintered by Rosamund's proximity. He blames it on lust, admiration, nearness - anything but growing feelings for her.
Rosamund ignores the sparks between them, as she has plans of her own. Now that she has money and improved circumstances, she wants to find her first love and show him that they can be together now. I ached for her when she saw him and discovered that her dream man possessed feet of clay and a cruel heart. Her heartbreak was evident, as was her disillusionment. I liked how Kevin offered comfort and sympathy and reined in his desire for her. Rosamund's pragmatic nature enables her to put it behind her quickly, and that same nature encourages her to give in to her desire for Kevin.
Working together to move Kevin's invention forward created some interesting situations. As a successful businesswoman in her own right, Rosamund has ideas about the next steps to take. Unfortunately, Kevin's extreme paranoia about protecting his invention causes him to refuse all of her ideas, usually quite rudely. I loved that she doesn't back down and finds ways to make him see reason. His fears of losing control of his company eventually lead him to propose a marriage of convenience to Rosamund. Once again, their pragmatic natures show themselves as they discuss the various pros and cons of marrying without mentioning feelings.
Not long into their marriage, Rosamund's proactive steps set off Kevin's anger yet again. This time, the accusations he flings at her, and his cruel comments strike deep at her insecurities. I ached for Rosamund as she fled her heartbreak. It takes a few days for Kevin to calm down and realize his mistakes. I liked seeing him go after her but felt that more groveling was in order before she should forgive him.
The Radnor family dynamics created some awkward situations. The late duke's decision to change his will left most of his family with shattered expectations, and they weren't happy about it. Kevin's Aunt Agnes is very vocal with her fury while others settle for sly remarks and innuendos. I liked how Rosamund handled herself at the family dinner - polite but not intimidated. Kevin faced a much angrier group when they discovered his plans to marry Rosamund. I loved watching him stand up to them all despite some personal consequences. There are still questions about the death of the late duke that will hopefully be addressed in the final book.
#netgalley
In this book, Rosamund overcame many challenges to become a successful milliner. As the daughter of a tenant farmer left homeless after his death, she entered service as a housemaid. Rosamund fell in love and was seduced by the son of the house and booted out when his parents discovered the affair. The only employment she could find was as a maid at a London brothel, where a kindness to one of the working girls earned her the money to start her hat shop.
I liked Rosamund. She is intelligent, practical, and strong-willed. After learning of her good fortune, she took the time to think through her options and make plans. I liked that Minerva, from the first book (Heiress for Hire), befriended her and helped her through the early days of her inheritance. The one aspect she isn't quite sure of is the half-interest in a business she knows nothing about. Her co-owner is intense, rude, and disturbingly handsome.
Kevin is a brilliant inventor but socially inept. He says what he thinks without trying to be polite about it. Kevin was horrified when his uncle bequeathed his share of Kevin's business to an unknown woman. During the year it took to track Rosamund down, Kevin could not move forward with his invention. Now he plans to get her to sign her rights over to him, protecting himself and his creation from any unwanted interference. Unfortunately for him, his plans don't work out quite as he intended.
Kevin and Rosamund get off to a rough start. The first thing he does upon meeting her is shove papers at her giving him control of her half of the company. He is baffled when she refuses to sign them. It's his invention, and he should be able to do things his way. Rosamund intends to look after her interests, and she doesn't believe that Kevin knows how to run a successful business.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Kevin and Rosamund. It was a slow one, going from enemies to friends to lovers. Once Kevin realized that Rosamund was serious about being involved in the business, he knew he must rethink his actions. As intense and determined as he was, he was also an honorable man who refrained from attempting to intimidate or browbeat Rosamund into doing things his way. Instead, he took the time to get to know her and help her settle in and find ways to work together. Kevin prides himself on his focus never having been compromised by a woman but soon finds that focus splintered by Rosamund's proximity. He blames it on lust, admiration, nearness - anything but growing feelings for her.
Rosamund ignores the sparks between them, as she has plans of her own. Now that she has money and improved circumstances, she wants to find her first love and show him that they can be together now. I ached for her when she saw him and discovered that her dream man possessed feet of clay and a cruel heart. Her heartbreak was evident, as was her disillusionment. I liked how Kevin offered comfort and sympathy and reined in his desire for her. Rosamund's pragmatic nature enables her to put it behind her quickly, and that same nature encourages her to give in to her desire for Kevin.
Working together to move Kevin's invention forward created some interesting situations. As a successful businesswoman in her own right, Rosamund has ideas about the next steps to take. Unfortunately, Kevin's extreme paranoia about protecting his invention causes him to refuse all of her ideas, usually quite rudely. I loved that she doesn't back down and finds ways to make him see reason. His fears of losing control of his company eventually lead him to propose a marriage of convenience to Rosamund. Once again, their pragmatic natures show themselves as they discuss the various pros and cons of marrying without mentioning feelings.
Not long into their marriage, Rosamund's proactive steps set off Kevin's anger yet again. This time, the accusations he flings at her, and his cruel comments strike deep at her insecurities. I ached for Rosamund as she fled her heartbreak. It takes a few days for Kevin to calm down and realize his mistakes. I liked seeing him go after her but felt that more groveling was in order before she should forgive him.
The Radnor family dynamics created some awkward situations. The late duke's decision to change his will left most of his family with shattered expectations, and they weren't happy about it. Kevin's Aunt Agnes is very vocal with her fury while others settle for sly remarks and innuendos. I liked how Rosamund handled herself at the family dinner - polite but not intimidated. Kevin faced a much angrier group when they discovered his plans to marry Rosamund. I loved watching him stand up to them all despite some personal consequences. There are still questions about the death of the late duke that will hopefully be addressed in the final book.
#netgalley
