The Day of the Duchess
Ratings14
Average rating2.8
15
Ratings14
Average rating2.8
The third book in Sarah MacLean's witty and romantic Scandal & Scoundrel series featuring a ravishing heroine and the man, desperately in love, who now has to make amends. The one woman he will never forget… Malcolm Bevingstoke, Duke of Haven, has lived the last three years in self-imposed solitude, paying the price for a mistake he can never reverse and a love he lost forever. The dukedom does not wait, however, and Haven requires an heir, which means he must find himself a wife by summer’s end. There is only one problem—he already has one. The one man she will never forgive… After years in exile, Seraphina, Duchess of Haven, returns to London with a single goal—to reclaim the life she left and find happiness, unencumbered by the man who broke her heart. Haven offers her a deal; Sera can have her freedom, just as soon as she finds her replacement…which requires her to spend the summer in close quarters with the husband she does not want, but somehow cannot resist. A love that neither can deny… The duke has a single summer to woo his wife and convince her that, despite their broken past, he can give her forever, making every day the Day of the Duchess.
Reviews with the most likes.
I was so mad at seraphia when they were having sex dude (forgot his name) pulled away, very distressed and asked if this was real. She says yes all the while thinking that she's going to run right after. Wtf?!? I couldn't after that. 1 star plus one for Sarah's writing.
Infidelity is one of my hard limits in romance, but what made this book work for me was the fact that Haven hadn't yet told Sera he loved her when it happened. She hadn't told him either. That, to me, makes all the difference in the world. They had a brief whirlwind courtship, were caught together and forced to marry. Taking the circumstances into consideration, I had to give Haven and the story a chance.
4.5 stars. MacLean does it again. I loved this book, and it felt so much more complex than a mere romance novel. It deals with issues and problems that most can relate to, and it feels almost contemporary in its handling of trust and betrayal. I found the ending predictable but delightful nonetheless. One caveat – most of MacLean's novels can be read out of order, but I think this one is best if you've read Sophie and King's story The Rogue Not Taken.
This book is more bittersweet than most romance novels. The time slip storytelling beautifully weaves together the rise and fall of Sera and Malcolm's marriage. Watching the characters grow through love, loss, grief, and pain is worth the read. Sera's sisters are a hilarious bunch that wonderfully counterpoint the heartache of Sera and Mal.
Originally posted at rebeccasreadingcorner.blog.
Series
3 primary booksScandal & Scoundrel is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 2015 with contributions by Sarah MacLean.
