The Once and Future Duchess audiobook

This is a series I'm invested in and I love every book that has come out so far. It was a long wait for this book, Isabel's book, and I had intended to read it slowly -- to savor it and prolong my enjoyment of it. But Isabel's story demanded a faster pace from me: she is being pressured by the Prince Regent to marry, and marry soon, and she has also been tasked by His Royal Highness to oversee the reform and marriage of the rest of the Royal Entourage: the Duke of Candover, the Duke of Sussex, and the Duke of Barry.She thought to hit two birds with one stone by proposing marriage to the Duke of Candover, a long-time friend of her late father and her de facto adviser. Isabel also happens to be in love with the James, which makes the whole marriage easier for her to swallow, but James rejects her proposal and she searches elsewhere. Using a very useful list that the Prince Regent has prepared for her, but the Duke of Candover cannot help but feel ... irritated with the turn of events. He cares for Isabel, but a promise to her late father to see her married to a man much closer to her age makes him ineligible for her hand. To entertain the thought of marrying her would mean betraying the promises he made to her father. However, the thought of anyone else with Isabel is just as unacceptable to him.This is a book that made me go "wow" in the early chapters. There is great chemistry between James and Isabel -- it's something that's just there between the two of them. Isabel hasn't really expressed her feelings explicitly, but James has an idea of her esteem. James feels it, but never shows it to Isabel. It's so polite!He looked down at her now bowed head. She loosened the ribbons of her elegant bonnet and allowed it to fall down her back -- at the end of its tied ribbons. The shiny brown coils of her luxurious hair gleamed in the rays of sunlight. Without thinking, James silently removed one glove and reached toward the crown of her head. His fingers, a hairbreadth away from her sleek head, stopped. He could feel warmth radiating from her -- so close yet so far.And in that moment he imagined the beauty of the life he would have if he had been allowed to close the distance between them. He willed her to glance up at him, but she did not.The shadow of a raven passed overhead and cawed its displeasure.He returned his hand to its proper place by his side.- loc 508James has a reputation for being too serious, too stoic, too formal -- he never show emotions and is a stickler for protocol. He's also had a dead fiancé, and another one that he jilted at the altar, so marriage is the last thing on James's mind.Isabel is very young, but she has an old soul. She's a duchess in her own right and manages her duchy very well. I love the idea of her being in the Royal Entourage, this lady who wields the same power as the rest of the gentlemen. She has wisdom, experience and insight beyond her years, but, while she has the highest title in the land and can afford anything she wants, the one man she desperately wants has refused her. She has a list of names from her "secret" pen pal (the Prince), and it reveals a really charming side to Isabel: she is innocent in the ways of the world, but she is also incredibly astute and observant. This is not a story about two characters falling in love. They are already in love -- it's a matter of acting on the feeling. But, there's love, and there's also honour and duty -- and one has to make a choice which one supersedes the rest. In the case of dukes and duchesses, so much and so many depend on them to make the right decisions. James has chosen duty, and Isabel has chosen love. I was so excited whenever Isabel and James were in the same room/place: I loved how they talked to each other, I loved how they argued with each other. There is just so, so much pent-up passion between the two and I kept waiting for it to break out to the surface.Just once she wished ... just once she wanted him to kiss her. She did not want to kiss Lord Whiskers or Mr. Cocksure. She wanted to look into the depths of this man's mysterious brown eyes and share something wicked and intimate. And she wanted desperately for him to know her. As a woman, and not as the child he thought she still was.- loc 948* * * She had the most expressive eyes. They were a pale golden colour. Highly unusual and not unlike a lioness. And her mass of shiny, lovely brown hair. Not as dark as his own, but a beautiful lighter shade. more like maple that shone in the -- Lord, since when had he attempted poetry? And at this moment? Across from a demented tonsured religious? The madhouse was in his future.- loc 2168Nash also introduces Isabel's younger cousin, Calliope Little, who steals a lot of the scenes in this novel and has the best lines, I think. I really, really hope Nash writes about her -- even a small novella or a full-length novel. I really just want to read more of her!"I will not wait another moment," Calliope said sharply. "There are four reasons. One" -- she held up her index finger 00 "it's been twenty seven minutes -- well beyond protocol. Two" -- up went a second digit -- "she's not supposed to be alone with any man unless they are engaged. Even then it's not allowed, although many companions just look the other way. I'm not one of those." She took a breath and help up the third finger. "Three, I want to know what's going on. I'd wager it's no good. And lastly, no one should be made to sit in a chamber without a single thing to do or see." She stared daggers at the butler. "I told you I preferred a room with curiosities."- loc 605One duke in a story is amazing. Two interacting in the same story is awesome, but three is a bit mindblowing. As this is the last book in the series (and I wish it wasn't) Nash also resolves the story of the Duke of Sussex and hints at the Duke of Barry's happy ending. I was very satisfied with how Nash was able to unite these three storylines into a cohesive story ... But it leads me to wishing, wanting to read more about them. Nash has enchanted me and reeled me into this dizzyingly fun world and I have fallen in love with her dukes and duchess (and Prince) and her wonderful way of mixing humour with insight ... And I'm afraid to let go of that and of them. I really don't want this series to end! (The only silver lining is that, it means Sophia Nash will be writing something new ... hopefully soon? ^_^)Disclosure: I received this ARC via Edelweiss. Thank you to Sophia Nash, and Avon for the opportunity! Yes, this is an honest review.

I really liked this book. I'm pretty new to the "historical romance" genre, so I'm still getting used to the terms and setting. This was a fun read. The romance was cute, but it could've been developed a little bit more. Also, the ending was rushed. I wanted to see more of the couple together.

I loved this story. I loved the idea of a duchess running her duchy without a male counterpart, and the strength of the heroine's belief in herself and the power of love. The Duke she marries does not quite deserve her imo, but the a wonderful twist at the end had me cheering.There are clearly others in this series and they are in my TBR. There are many, many charachetrs in this story to love. I think my favourite was the young Calliope, the heroine's cousin. I do hope she has a story of her own out soon.

This was so so cute! And strangely, the dukedom passes to a woman. No a male relative. The daughter. She is a Duchess by both, not by marriage. Unbelievable! But I am very glad to read that. If only for the fantasy of it. The story itself is pretty cute.

What a story!This was beautifully done I loved all the characters almost afraid it wasn't going to come out right heat level a 4! Very happy with this but I like this softer now I have to go back and read the other three

Ok ok it was heartwarming gStory took the long route it’s secrets adults with unloved souls and love hurdles galore. In the end in the glory of arms Robinson and the last ditch interruption of a marriage a love match is made

Liked this quite a lot in spite of the overabundance of dukes and a lack of understanding of the laws of primogeniture. The characters drew me in and I cared very much how the story resolved.

James, the Duke of Candover is the Premier duke of the realm; also one of the wealthiest; handsomest; and it must be said the biggest stick in the mud ever! Duty, duty, duty! At the deathbed of his beloved god-father, more father to him than his own, he was asked to make sure his god-father’s beloved only daughter, now a Duchess in her own right would be seen to and protected. To be sure, she should marry appropriately - a man no more than a few years older than she, so that she would never have to care for an aged old man.Since she was a child, Isabelle Tremont, the Duchess of March has always been in love with the Duke of Candover. During her father’s last days, Candover had brought great peace and solace to her father. Isabelle was more than grateful for his devotion to her father in his last days, which was why when Prinny made it known that he wanted his Entourage of unwed dukes and yes, even Isabelle, an unwed Duchess to go forth and propagate (so to speak) she would do as she was bid! Actually, Prinny was sure that Isabelle and James would make a splendid match! However, pride, duty, and a death-bed promise would keep James apart from the one woman he could not have – who is the only one who he knew he would ever truly love.*** The one thing I am so sorry for after reading THE ONCE AND FUTURE DUCHESS, is that it is the last book of the Entourage series. Obviously, from reading book #4, I can only surmise how much enjoyment I have missed by not having discovered this series long before the last book. Truly, there are no excuses, as I am fully aware of Ms. Nash’s excellence in telling a historical tale, complete with fascinating characters, terrific plots, and lovely sensualness.Isabelle, was such a delight - a young woman who grew up knowing her duty, even though she was not the male heir that would have made her parents so much happier. She knew, yes she was loved, but knew she could never measure up to a male heir. Mindful of that, Isabelle was determined to do her utmost to do herself proud in running the estates she was now responsible for. No time for fun and games, that most young ladies born of good ton were able to indulge in. No, it would be up to her to continue her line and in that regard she was ready to wed and provide the needed heir. Having a somewhat clandestine pen-pal relationship with Prinny, Ms. Nash left the reader with some interesting and humorous reading as Isabelle and Prinny combined their efforts in hoping to shackle James into marital bliss. Unfortunately, for Isabelle, her hero and best friend James, Duke of Candover, whom she knew cared for her turned her down flat when she approached him for a marriage of convenience. Turning the tables on him, Isabelle then enlisted James to help her weed out the undesirables on her list of possible suitors and try as he might to stay unbiased, the thought of Isabelle in another’s embrace was not easy to swallow.Bottom Line: This book was above all, a very fun read, with some extremely interesting long held secrets revealed. My only wish is that I started this wonderful series from the beginning – and I may just go out and pick up this backlist as it was truly that good!Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

Posted on What I'm ReadingWhen I started my blog back in 2012, I read a Sophia Nash book and absolutely loved the story. We jump ahead to 2014, I got a chance to review another of Sophia's books. I saw the title which intrigued me. To be honest I didn't really read the blurb on the book all I read focused on was the title and the author. I know that's terrible of me, but it's how I roll sometimes. Anyway, I enjoyed Once and Future Duchess, because one it can be read as a standalone. Which is good since I have the propensity to start books in the middle of a series. Yes, I would probably get more out of a series if I read from book one, but whats the fun it that (kidding). Back to my thoughts since I'm seriously veering off subject. When I started Once and Future Duchess, I was a little worry, because I just wasn't diving to the story. Eek. However, I finally found myself captivated by the story and by the time I hit the middle I was worry about James (Duke of Candover) and Isabelle getting together. I know that they were going to eventually get together, if they didn't that would be a terrible romance. Sorry.James so fixated on duty and trying to keep the promise he made to Isabelle's father. However, Isabelle has been in love with James forever and tries to get him to see things her way. Isabelle goes after James and gets shot down. I know sad. You have to give Isabelle credit, I mean she doesn't give up and hopes James sees her more than a duty. James character flaw is that he's so set on doing the right thing that he almost miss his chance of happiness. I liked the story. I love that Isabelle loves James even though she's 12 years his junior. I adore the characters in the story and how they try to get James to see what he's missing out on, especially Isabelle's little cousin Calliope Little. She's probably one of wisest characters in the story for her age. Overall, an entertaining read that I'm glad I got a chance to read. I guess the best way to describe there's always something going on, maybe a little chaotic at times, but enjoyable. Copy provided by Avon via Edelweiss

One of the Best Sex Scenes EverIsabelle Tremont, the Duchess of March, and James Fitzroy, the Duke of Candover, are members of the Royal Entourage. This group attends the Prince Regent in his reveling and debauchery, but one night is so scandalous that it incites public outrage. The Prince intends to repair the damage to his reputation by decreeing that his fellow cronies get married at once. This is just fine with Isabelle, because she is the last of her line, so she knows she has a duty to her station. Besides she has been in love with the Duke of Candover for years. But how can she convince the very reluctant Duke of Candover, that Prinny knows best?This is the fourth book in the Royal Entourage Series and it ties up a lot of the loose ends that arced throughout the series very nicely. The characters we have grown to love in the previous books make frequent appearances in this book. Nash excels in creating complex, riveting plotting in this book. Her characters all interact with frequency and witty, fun dialogue. The settings are richly interpreted.Nash's sex scenes are the best. She handles them deftly, sensuously. Her scenes are rich with love and the author lets her readers share how much the act of love means to the lovers. Nash knows that body part placement is secondary to the emotion of giving in this most intimate way. Nash makes us feel the love, too.The end for me, however, was a letdown. It was too abrupt and totally unbelievable given the nature of the characters and the mores of that society. The ending afforded no opportunity for us to see the hero and heroine as a couple. We have waded through four books and this is all we get?The book reads like it is the last in the series, because almost all the entourage have found their happy ending and the secrets have been revealed, but what about the Duke of Barry and Mary Haverty? Please let us know what happened to them.

In theory, the Duke of Candover is the most eligible peer in the realm. But in truth, he has a deep aversion to the merest hint of marriage, not to mention two botched engagements which have marked his jaded soul. Now, after a debauched bachelor party that causes public outcry, the Prince Regent is demanding that it's Candover's turn to be brought to heel. And Prinny secretly believes that Isabelle Tremont, the Duchess of March, is precisely the lady up to the challenge.Isabelle must marry, but a day of reckoning with the man she's loved for years is her greatest fear. If Candover insists she's too young and innocent for a seasoned world-weary man like him, there's no shortage of other candidates. Gentlemen of prestige and position. Gentlemen whose attentions are driving Candover to jealous distraction. Yet one abandoned moment under the stars hints that if they can put aside pride and duty, then a love once denied might just be their destiny.I have to say that I was unsure about this book. It was far different than any Historical Romance that I had read before. Both Isabelle and James are of equal ranking and after a scandalous situation, involving all of Prinny's friends, Prinny has decided that they both should find spouses.Isabelle is in love with James and has loved him for years, but James made a promise to her father, that he would never marry her.This book is not just one love story but two! And I loved both of them. Such a beautiful book. I was I had read the first book in this series before I read this, because this book was so good. I am now going to get all the other books and read them in order, you really don't have to, as this book could be read as a stand alone, but it did leave me wanting more!This book earns a 9 out 10 for a new spin on Regency Romance!

Returning to Regency England where the Prince was a bit of a hellion, Sophia Nash sets the Once and Future Duchess as the story of Isobel, the fourth book in the series. I haven’t read the earlier books (I will remedy that) but I didn’t find a lack of information that impeded my understanding or enjoyment of this story. Particularly unusual in that both of these characters are equals: I’m so used to the historic romance that I read be a fight against convention and class standing that a story that brought characters who naturally would have been in contact in a social setting was both unusual and enjoyable. I liked both Isobel and James, although there were several points that I could have gladly shaken or slapped them in turns. A scandal in which their whole circle, including the Prince, were involved, the mitigation is for the Prince’s inner circle to all find spouses. The scandalous behavior, whether real or imagined is threatening his position and the crown’s reputation. Isobel is lovely; determined, strong and unafraid to go after what she wants, she wants James, has loved him for years and if only she can just convince him. James was frustrating: decided he wouldn’t marry but now required to, it took him seemingly forever to actually see what was in front of his eyes in Isobel. Men can be so frustrating and James and antiquated promises made in haste years ago are a waste of energy and time. And Nash adds in a bonus with another romance starting to blossom with Amelia and Sussex, and while just glimpses are available, those are delicious teasers and made me want more. Sophia Nash – you have a new reader hooked! I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Isabelle is the Duchess of March and is told she must marry. She isn't against that she has to but there really is only one man she wants. The problem is he does not want to settle down and pushes her away. Candover has tried to get married before and it never happened. Even with Prinny saying he must marry he still refuses to. He thinks a lot of Isabelle but doesn't want to see her tied to him. He also doesn't want her with anyone else. He will have to look deep inside to see what he really wants before Isabelle is gone for good.Isabelle is a strong independent woman who is doing a great job being a duchess. She wants kids and doesn't want to marry just anyone. She does her best to get James to see she is the one for her. She is also a great person who would put aside her happiness to ensure her friends are happy. James keeps to himself and tries to stay out of things. He has enough secrets and doesn't want more. He is attracted to Isabelle but is afraid to let love have any part of him. He is also very loyal and caring even when he seems gruff.I really enjoyed getting to know Isabelle and James in this book. From the start you can see they clearly belong together. Isabelle is a great character as she isn't like the normal ones. She knows she has to marry and she is loyal to the crown but she also does things her way. She may be young but she uses her head and is doing ok on her own. James will sometime make you want to shake him and say open your eyes man. He sometimes doesn't put out the best signals and really it takes a very young person to get him to open his eyes. this was a delight to read and I liked getting to know all the characters and figuring out everyone's family secrets. there is plenty of love in this book and I will say even I worried sometimes how it would turn out. If you enjoy historical romances be sure to pick this one up.

Reviewed by JoAnneBook provided by EdelweissOriginally posted at Romancing the BookHistorical fiction, especially those set in Regency England, is one of my favorite genres and The Once and Future Duchess by Sophia Nash did not disappoint. With a refreshing set of characters who weren’t straitlaced as most nobility would be there was an undercurrent of lightheartedness to the story line. The letters from HRH, The Prince Regent, trying to marry off the Dukes and Duchesses were amusing and got to the heart of the matter. The Duke of Candover ( James) and Duchess of March (Isabelle) were so right for each other but they each held back and when Isabelle tried to force the issue it backfired. Watching each of them suffer but trying to get on with their lives was heartbreaking and I could feel their pain. Calliope was a fourteen year old who seemed wise beyond her years but mostly acted her age and she was a breath of fresh air as was Amelia. There were several love stories and romances going on at the same time among different characters and they held my interest due to the fast pace of the story line. There was ultimately a happily ever after on several fronts and I hope to meet up with them again in future books in the series. The book did end too abruptly for me and there would have been better closure in an epilogue.This is the fourth book in the series and I need to go back and read them to fill in some of the back history although I didn’t feel I missed out on anything by not having read them in order. I do hope the series continues since there is more story to tell. There was an excerpt in the back of the book of book one in the series, Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea. Nash is a new to me author and I will be adding her to my always growing TBR pile!