Smitten by Books

Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare
Release Date: December 30

Your presence is requested at romantic Twill Castle for the wedding of Miss Clio Whitmore and … and …?

After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She’s inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement.

Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother–even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself.

So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride’s cold feet?

• He starts with flowers. A wedding can’t have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes.
• He lets her know she’ll make a beautiful, desirable bride–and tries not to picture her as his.
• He doesn’t kiss her.
• If he kisses her, he definitely doesn’t kiss her again.
• When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off.
• And no matter what–he doesn’t fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.

First book in the Castles Ever After series:

This is the second book in the Castles Ever After series and dare I say it’s better than the first…

The first still takes the cake in my book, but this one inspires plenty of humor, a hero to swoon for, and the witty play-on-words title. FYI: The book is much like the TV show, except instead of finding just a dress, they are working on all-things-wedding.

Let’s talk about that hero. Rafe Brandon is the brother to a Marquess. He’s also a champion boxer and shunned from polite society. Why on Earth would the heroine want anything to do with him? Because he can sign off on papers to end her engagement to his brother, who’s on a diplomatic mission and soon-to-be returning home. So sign papers and it’s all wrapped up. Easy, right? Not for this man who can’t seem to sit still, let alone dress in proper attire or control his emotions. He won’t let his brother’s fiancée get away, instead he’ll convince her that marrying his brother is the best thing ever. Too bad Rafe wants our lovely heroine for herself. Sorry, I couldn’t help the recap. This is definitely my type of hero. He infuriates, captivates, and is so damn precious… even with big, meaty fists.

Speaking of the heroine, I loved her. Clio is a women in search of her own identity and a future not ruled by men, which is almost unheard of in Regency England. That being said, this is a reminder that Dare’s historical romance is not historically accurate as much as it’s fun. Back to Clio—she’s smart, funny, and not a skinny stick either. The challenges and censure she’s faced over the years from family and the ton make her incredibly strong, but still weak. In ways she’s willing to take risks and in others she’s not. Watching her evolve over the course of the story is as emotional as it was fun.

Now secondary characters; Dare really shines with them. The best is Rafe’s promoter, Bruiser. In fact, Bruiser says some of my favorite lines in the whole story.

Rafe looked at it. “A quizzing glass. Really.”

“I’m telling you, these things scream upper crust. You should get one, Rafe. No, I mean it. Someone talks over your head? Quizzing glass. Someone asks a question you can’t answer? Quizzing glass.”

“You honestly think a stupid monocle is all you need to blend in with the aristocracy?”

Brusier raised the quizzing glass and peered at Rafe through the lens. Solemnly.

The idiot might be onto something.

Humor comes naturally to Dare and, like the first book of the series, I laughed a lot. As for plot development, there were a few twists and turns in the book were unexpected, and maybe a bit off with the direction of the story. Unfortunately, due to spoilers I can’t really go into detail, but let’s say some main character decisions about three quarters of the way through read strange to me. Yet, in the end everything still worked out. As for pacing, nothing read slow or dragged for long periods. Everything is fast, furious, and ever evolving. Honestly, I haven’t read a book by Dare that has slow bits.

Overall, this book is a good second in the series. I’d highly recommend it to those who enjoy their historical romance with humor… or for those with a love of cake. For readers who enjoy Victoria Dahl.

Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot