The Duke That I Marry audiobook

Maybe 4.5 stars.If you have been following the series, then you already know Willa Reverly and Matthew Addison, the Duke of Camberly. Willa is the last of the "Spinster Heiresses" and has recently become betrothed to Matt, the Duke of Camberly, the biggest "catch" of the season. She should be ecstatic, but she's not, in fact, she has just written to him breaking their betrothal.Matt has been at his country estate, licking his wounds, since his betrothal to Willa. He made a complete fool of himself over a married woman before becoming betrothed to Willa and his lover's rejection broke his heart. He will marry Willa because his estate is bankrupt and while rusticating he spent time looking over the books - something doesn't add up. When his grandmother arrives and demands to know why he is not in London - he questions her about the estate and finally learns the truth - the former duke had been blackmailed. Matt wants to find the blackmailer and get the money back, much to his grandmother's horror. But his plans are halted when he gets the letter from Willa - before he can do anything about the blackmailer, he needs to fix things with Willa.Matt can be incredibly charming and as the only boy with four older sisters, he understands women - or so he thinks - he meets with Willa and convinces her to go through with the wedding. He is surprised to realize that he really wants to marry her, he will never love her because after the fiasco with Letty, he will never let himself love again (insert eyeroll), but she is very pretty and he likes her. She agrees, mainly because she knows her father will not let her jilt him and because she really does like him.They marry and have a disastrous wedding night - But Matt refuses to let her shut him out. He is determined to make this marriage work and will do whatever he has to, to succeed. Things seem to be going well between them, Matt begins looking into the blackmailer and Willa is starting falling in love with him. But when she catches him with his former lover, she is crushed and runs to her mother. Her mother sets her straight and sends her back to her husband, however, before they can be reunited, Matt's digging into the blackmailer comes back to haunt him and he may lose the woman he never believed he could love. I thought this was a good book, it has a lot going on, but it is well done and stays on point. I did think Willa acted a little spoiled at times and Matt is more of a beta hero than I would have liked, but overall, they are both likable, they communicate with each other instead of letting misunderstandings fester, the wedding night was a little disturbing, but it didn't dimished the story for me and actually made me like Matt a little more than I thought I would. The mystery of the blackmailer was ok, the identity didn't come as much of surprise to me, but it did add a layer of intrigue and danger to the story that kept me turning the pages. I thought Matt's declaration at the end was flat out the best part of the book and the epilogue was very sweet. I would happily recommend this book and while it could be read as a stand alone, I suggest reading the series in order to get the most out of this story.*I am voluntarily leaving a review of an uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*

4.5 StarsArranged Marriage / Marriage of ConvenienceJilted HeroSuspenseInterconnected StandaloneI have not read the previous books in this series but I plan to soon. The other two books are about the heroine's best friends. I can't wait to check out their stories. I really enjoyed this author's writing and storytelling ability. I was immediately sucked into the story.I loved the angsty feels of this plot. Matt (the hero) was jilted by an ex lover (she was married), and having recently inherited an almost bankrupt dukedom, he was pressured to marry the heroine for her sizable dowry. A love match, it was not. Our duke had vowed never to fall in love again. And the angst ensued. I won't reveal more but only that I finished this book too quickly; I was hooked. There is a suspense factor and that's not really my thing in romance, however, in this case, I don't think it took away from the romance. On another note: I read a few reviews and I'm honestly so confused about mentions--and even rants--about "borderline rape." What book did they read?? I really don't think we read the same book, at all. But I suppose that's the amazing thing about reading...it's incredibly subjective. In fact, after finishing the book, I can say Matt is one of the most caring heroes I've read in historical romance. Whenever he was firm and stubborn, I actually appreciated it because to me, as a reader, it showed how much he was falling for Willa (the heroine) and wanted her by his side, always. He was an alpha when he needed to, and I adore my alpha heroes, one that fights for his heroine. Because one of my biggest pet peeves is a beta hero; ugh, how passive and boring. But "different strokes for different folks."HEA: Yes

This is my first read by Cathy Maxwell, I know she is a renowned author of Historical, so finally I took time to read her new release.And I loved it, even if it is the last book in this series, I was not lost, the different protagonists were well introduced.I loved the main couple, they are far from perfect, they have flaws and made mistakes, lot of but they try to redeem them and do not run away, they face life even when they would have preferred to hide, plus they listen when they simply could shut out the others.Willa is no different woman at first, except being a wealthy heiress, she has no special talent, she just has spent her life trying to be a good daughter and fulfill her parents expectations, until she reached her very limits and decided to cry off her betrothal.Matthew never thought he would inherit his grandfather tittle, nor get a bankrupted estate which put him in a situation to marry an heiress instead of marrying for love. Love he has sworn off after he made a mess of himself with a married woman. So when he receives a missive from his betrothed that she is releasing him from his promises the day before their marriage, he realizes it is time he gets to know his intended.« She was giving him a second chance . . . and she might be the person to help him become the man he wished to be. She had the strength of character to both test and challenge him, and he found he always wanted her to look at him as she had that afternoon when he’d rescued the kitten. Always. »I do loved how he tried to prove he was worth her trust, how he did not shy when their wedding night didn’t went well and tried his best to reassure her, I also appreciate Willa refused to be kept in a glass bubble and wanted to be really part of his life, even when events turned ugly, she stood her ground, refused to back down and he accepted her help.A very enjoyable and entertaining first read full of actions.

Friends to lovers in this marriage of convenience. Has a bit of mystery and predictability but was such a nice read.

4/5The Duke That I Marry started out with a mystery that needs to be solved, and then a beginning of what seems to be a budding romance - enough to get me started reading. Yep, can't believed I finished this book in one sitting.The characters have their own flaws and perfections. I like Matt - he seems to have a good head on his shoulder. He wasn't supposed to be in line for the title, but certain circumstances brought him to it. And now, he must save his crumbling estate and help his sister by marrying one of the richest heiresses in London. Only to find himself being dump a night before his wedding.Willow wanted love. She wants what her friends have who seemed to be happy and content of what they have. Everybody wants the Duke, and she wanted him not because of his looks but of the poetry he penned. But after their betrothal, he vanished and he expects her to marry him? Nooo way. So, she decided to let him go via letter. If she things he will let her, she was sorely mistaken. Matt can charm the dead. Poets are indeed deadly with words, and Matt was determined to have his bride. What he didn't expect was to like his bride, and wanting to spend time with her, especially during the wedding night. Although, their wedding night was such a surprise. It started out as romantic, but ended in a tone that was quite real, I was glad Cathy Maxwell didn't sugarcoat it like most author do.Their relationship might start out as a pragmatic one - she (or rather her family) needs him, and he needs her (or her fortune rather). Nevertheless, I like how Cathy allowed the love to grow without pushing it too far. Readers will enjoy falling in love together with the characters. It wasn't an insta-romance. There was attraction, and from their blossomed a relationship. They had their bumps, but all went well.The action part was pretty spectacular. It had my heart stop for a while, I couldn't breathe. It was just wow. The Duke That I Marry offers great romance, wonderful adventure and an i-am-on-the-edge-of-my-seat action that will have you hooked on to this book!Review originally posted on my blogPurchase Links: https://amzn.to/2Re7zCM Series Link: https://amzn.to/2KEF2n8 Follow me on: Twitter | Facebook | BookBub | Instagram More of my reviews at http://reviewsofabookmaniac.blogspot.com

Matthew Addison had been relatively content in his position as tutor until he unexpectedly inherited the bankrupt dukedom of Camberly. In his short time as Duke, he had also made a fool of himself over his married lover, Lady Letty Bainhurst. Matt had always thought he would marry for love, but after a conversation with his grandmother, he knows he must sacrifice himself and go through with his marriage with Willa Reverly. The little points game that the Spinster Heiresses had played had been so successful that Willa had snagged a the Duke of Camberly, who, alas, had proved to be a disappointment since their betrothal. That’s when Willa decided to cry off the day before the wedding, and Matt would have none of it. And so we come to the conclusion of the brilliant Spinster Heiresses series, in which Cathy Maxwell has demonstrated much originality and flair. The reason for Camberly’s financial woes is brilliant, and not much was first as it appeared to be, and I couldn’t wait to see what would transpire. Matt and Willa are fabulous characters: she is tiny but has always had a spine of steel, even though she hadn’t been able to show it before knowing Matt. I loved that she felt as I would have with the few choices women had during the Regency, and I could only cheer her on. Matt is even more complex: he is very engaging and charming, however a dreadful mistake he made had me nearly reconsider him as an honourable man. He did however make things right, and redeemed himself in my eyes. How splendid it is to watch characters really communicate, as Matt and Willa do, and Ms. Maxwell’s dialogues throughout are superb. I also loved how both Matt’s and Willa’s parents had influenced their views on marriage, and how it defines their approach to their own. It was refreshing to see conflicts that did not stem from misunderstandings, and love that was built on more than sexual chemistry. The mystery that caused so much trouble however did not quite go the way I had expected; it felt a bit anticlimactic. In the last quarter of the book, I thought one issue was resolved a tad too easily while another could have been handled with a bit more subtlety. Still, THE DUKE THAT I MARRY is a fabulous and utterly captivating read that had me reading just one more chapter, just one more page, and too late into the night. Well done again, Ms. Maxwell!I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read a lot of reviews prior to picking up this novel & a lot of the negative ones commented on the questionable consent scene. As someone who reads lots of books with questionable consent (I know it's not everyone's cup of tea) I felt that I couldn't rightfully take away from the rating because of it. Was it surprising to see in something as tame as historical romance? Yes. Normally in these regency novels our heroes are some of the only men who refrain from sexual assault. But I was thinking as I read that this was more realistic in terms of how it probably was back then, even with the nicest of guys. Was it a good scene? Not particularly. Was it the most rape-y scene ever? Not even close. Grey area. Read at your own risk if this is an issue for you.As for the rest of the novel I quite liked it. I don't know that it was Cathy Maxwell's best writing (I think I preferred the story lines in the other two books better) but I liked the characters a whole lot. There was just enough mystery to keep me guessing and a decent amount of action to keep me entertained.I like this series as a whole. I find that some historical romances are very hung up on "sounding" historical and sometimes the terminology and references bewilder me. Some readers were upset that Maxwell uses American words for certain items and professions, but I'll be honest I didn't even notice until someone pointed it out (although historicals aren't my preferred subgenre). A diehard historical reader will probably be bothered, though.

It takes time to find out that you are made for each other. Nice ending to the Spinster Heiresses series. Willa wants what her friends have while Matthew needs money to keep his estate going. There was tensions and an added danger to their marriage. A nice mix of romance, misunderstanding and danger keeping the tension high. I liked how both worked to make their marriage work. Each admitting to some mistakes.

I thoroughly enjoyed this heart-warming story and read it without pause. Cathy Maxwell has always been an author I apreciate.

This is the third book in the Spinster Heiresses series. In the previous books, three friends devised a game to keep them from getting bored at balls. They picked the catch of the season as their target (the Duke of Camberly was this season's target), and then each woman could win points based on successful flirting attempts: a dance is worth three points. Most points at the end wins. Willa won the game as well as Camberly (Matt). This is their story, and it begins just a few days before their wedding. However, Willa & Matt haven't seen each other since their betrothal ball because he left for the country to handle estate business since he is the unwilling and fairly new master of a bankrupt dukedom. Basically, even though it's a marriage of convenience, Willa ultimately wants love (and at the very least respect). But Matt was already in love with a married woman before and got burned. Also, there is mystery subplot involving the reason for the estate's financial problems: blackmail. I appreciate that the Spinster Heiresses are flawed women rather than perfect ideals, and Willa is no exception, but she's probably the one I liked the most out of the trio. Another dose of reality I appreciated was the consummation. I heard about it from other readers before I read it, so maybe it's because I was anticipating it, but I did not have a big issue with it. It's not perfect - which is real life - but the hero is aware, and it is something he tries to make amends for. I like Matt as a beta hero. He's so sweetly patient with Willa, I think he redeems himself from previous books, and he has a lot of growth in this one. My review of If Ever I Should Love You - 3 Stars.My review of A Match Made in Bed - 3 Stars. ARC provided by publisher for honest review.

This Spinster Heiress book was my favorite of the three. I loved Willa with her spirit and fortitude...though she be little she is fierce. Matt behaved badly with another mans wife in a previous book so we knew a bit of his background already. Willa was not mentioned much, except to describe her identity in society and her very petite size. I liked Matt because he was a man with sins and did not really appreciate his station. He knew that he had to marry Willa and had wanted to marry for love, rather than money. That was what he thought he was experiencing in the arms of a married woman. Although he thought Willa attractive, and did intend to marry her, she had read a book of poems he had written and fell in love with the young man who penned them years before. When Matt ignored her right up to the day before their wedding, she was not happy and wrote him a letter jilting him. Between that and the mystery that Matt's family was embroiled in, it was a shaky start indeed for the two. But they overcame, beautifully. I liked the flow of this story and the epilogue that gave a snippet of all three spinster's together with their husbands, happy and thriving. I would love more stories of them. This book would be a good stand alone, even without reading the other's first. ***Just a Side Note from this Humble Reviewer***I go to GoodReads as a fairly accurate compass for which books to read and which to pass on. Most reviews are well written and good directional for that purpose. This one got mixed reviews from one to five stars with various reasons as to why but I choose to listen to the audio version, narrated by the marvelous Mary Jane Wells. I would overlook vast plot mishaps and even character flaws for her. But I thought this story well plotted, planned, and executed. Each is entitled to their own opinion. HOWEVER, I do not appreciate hateful reviews of any books. It is easy to write a hateful review but it is NOT easy to write a book and have it published, no matter how popular the author is. Ms. Maxwell, I hope that you do not delve into these reviews too often and if you do that you take the horrid ones with a grain of salt. Of course, helpful criticism is always a good thing for writers but it is far too easy for people to be vile these days.

Very enjoyable! I was intrigued by this story from the first until the last page. A marriage on convenience where the heroine gilts the hero in the first chapter a day before the wedding? I'm intrigued! Probably the most satisfying part of this story was Matthew. Their story is a marriage of convenience, but Matthew was a true blue gentleman. He cared....I mean he truly, genuinely cared about Willa even though he barely knew her. They were strangers to each other, knew nothing about one another, but his primary concern was being a good husband to her. I loved the way he approached this marriage with a open mind rather than reservations or frustration with his situation. He wasn't angry he had to marry someone for their money, he was hopeful for the future. And he was a poet, a hopeless romantic with a broken heart...disbelieving he could love again and being proven wrong. It was wonderful! Willa was an interesting character. The first part of the book she was all fire...standing up for herself and choosing her own path. She had moments after that where it felt as if she somewhat resigned herself to making the best of her situation. But that was only temporary. Matthew helped change how she saw herself. As a person with feelings, ideas...she began to see herself as important, able to engaged in important conversation. Most importantly, she saw herself as a person worth loving and able to love in return. Part of that had to do with Willa's very unique relationship with her mother. There is a moment they share in the book that I thought was very important and special. The characters were so honest with one another...it was refreshing to hear. Willa wanted to run from the awkwardness of their relationship, but Matthew encouraged her to speak truthfully to him. It really helped move their relationship along so the story wasn't bogged down with miscommunications. The minor hiccup within the story...I didn't feel enough time had passed for the hero and heroine to declare their great love for each other. But it's a minor fault. Really, it's a very simple enjoyable love story. A great way to escape and pass the time.