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Series Review: Girl Meets Duke by Tessa Dare

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for The Duchess Deal (from Goodreads):

When girl meets Duke, their marriage breaks all the rules…

Since his return from war, the Duke of Ashbury’s to-do list has been short and anything but sweet: brooding, glowering, menacing London ne’er-do-wells by night. Now there’s a new item on the list. He needs an heir—which means he needs a wife. When Emma Gladstone, a vicar’s daughter turned seamstress, appears in his library wearing a wedding gown, he decides on the spot that she’ll do.

His terms are simple:
– They will be husband and wife by night only.
– No lights, no kissing.
– No questions about his battle scars.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s pregnant with his heir, they need never share a bed again.

But Emma is no pushover. She has a few rules of her own:
– They will have dinner together every evening.
– With conversation.
– And unlimited teasing.
– Last, and most importantly… Once she’s seen the man beneath the scars, he can’t stop her from falling in love…

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Favourite Author
Series: Girl Meets Duke
Author: Tessa Dare
# of Books: 4 (Full Reading Order)
Book Order: Connected
Complete?: Book 4 to be released in February 2021
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Romance
Heat Rating: Toasty
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: August 2017 – ongoing
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

When I was in a historical romance phase, I discovered Tessa Dare and I’ve never looked back. Even though I don’t go out of my way to read much of the genre anymore (there are a few exceptions like Anna Harrington and Kelly Bowen), I make it a point to read anything Tessa Dare writes.

The Plot:

I’d read 14 other books by Tessa Dare by the time I started this series and you know what is shocking to me? That all her series and novels feel fresh and unique. Certainly, there are aspects to her novels that are her trademark–like the unconventional-to-society heroine or a scared hero or the way she can convey humour throughout–but I never truly feel like I’m reading a regurgitation of her previous novels or that they follow a set, formula.

I had a blast meeting all these new characters and watching all the hi-jinx they get into as they fall in love and challenge societal norms.

The Characters:

I immediately fell in love with ALL our leads in The Duchess Deal. When our heroine meets the future heroines in the series, I was so excited to see who was getting their story next that I definitely peeked at the synopsis for the rest of the series.

Everyone is just delightful. And I love how their individual struggles and growth are highlighted in their novels through the plot and romance.

The Romance:

The tension is so delicious in each novel! I couldn’t get enough of our couples–it made the books so addicting to read! But I really loved how the romances had a bit of a slow burn to them where they take their time to truly fall in love with the person and not just because they have insane physical chemistry.

My Audiobook Experience:

Humour doesn’t always come across in written novels for me–though that has never been a problem with Tessa’s novels–so audiobooks are a great way for me to get the humour because you hear the tone the author wants the dialogue to be delivered in. Now that I’ve started listening to her books in audio, I think that’s the only way I can enjoy them! They are just so easy and fun to listen to!

Series Rating: 5/5

The Duchess Deal 5/5 | The Governess Game 5/5 | The Wallflower Wager 4/5 | The Bride Bet TBD

Honestly, this series reminded me why Tessa Dare has become an automatic must read author for me. She never fails to disappoint when it comes to characters, romance, plot and humour!

Read if You Like: historical fiction
Avoid if You: dislike historical fiction romances

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare (Spindle Cove Series #1)
Duke of My Heart by Kelly Bowen (Season for Scandal Series #1)
If the Duke Demands by Anna Harrington (Capturing the Carlisles Series #1)

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Series Review: The Wanton Dairymaid by Tessa Dare

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for Goddess of the Hunt (from Goodreads):
In this lush and seductive novel, exciting new author Tessa Dare takes desire to brazen heights.
Ever the bold adventuress, Lucy Waltham has decided to go hunting for a husband. But first she needs some target practice. So she turns to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy Trescott, the Earl of Kendall, to hone her seductive wiles on him before setting her sights on another man. But her practice kisses spark a smoldering passion-one that could send all her plans up in smoke.
Jeremy has an influential title, a vast fortune, and a painful past full of long-buried secrets. He keeps a safe distance from his own emotions, but to distract Lucy from her reckless scheming, he must give his passions free rein. Their sensual battle of wills is as maddening as it is delicious, but the longer he succeeds in managing the headstrong temptress, the closer Jeremy comes to losing control. When scandal breaks, can he bring himself to abandon Lucy to her ruin? Or will he risk his heart and claim her for his own?

SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Favourite Author
Series: The Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy
Author: Tessa Dare
# of Books: 3 (Goddess of the Hunt, Surrender of a Siren, A Lady of Persuasion)
Book Order: Connected but Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Historical Romance, Regency, Adult Fiction
Heat Rating: hot
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating

I actually read these books years ago but realized I didn’t write a review for them until I was updating Tessa Dare’s latest series, Castles Ever After, on my blog. So my review may be a little on the short side but I do remember loving every minute of these books!

During my Regency phase, I stumbled upon Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove Series and when I was waiting for the rest of those books to publish, I wanted to read more from her and found this series.

This series is everything you expect from Tessa. It has its charmingly funny moments which I find so refreshing in this genre. You also have great heroines who are independent and just plain fun to read about! The romances are great as they focus more on an actual emotional connection and not just physical lust towards the significant other. Make sure you set significant time aside because you will want to read anything by Tessa Dare in a day.

What I particularly liked about this series is that it felt like a modern contemporary romance but set in regency times. The classic situation of asking someone you know to help you seduce someone else, only to fall in love with the student/teacher is a very modern concept to me. It’s also one of my favourite scenarios to read about because they are often a lot of fun and super sweet. The rest of the books in the series are no exception. They also reminded me of The Marriage to a Billionaire Series by Jennifer Probst as that series also has a “magical book” that seems to bring romantic situations to the characters once it is in their possession.

Although you can definitely read each book as a standalone in any order, I really recommend that you read them in the order of the trilogy. The events of the last book are due to the results of the first two books so I feel like you would miss out on knowing why things are the way they are.

My Rating: 4/5

Fans of Tessa Dare will love this series and if you aren’t a fan of hers, I think these books will make you one! If you want a regency read that is more fun than cheesy and a dash more modern than not, this is a great series for you to grab!

Read if You Like: fun regency reads, humour
Avoid if You: less sexual situations, regency

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare (Spindle Cove Series #1)
The Countess by Lynsay Sands (Madison Sister Trilogy #1)

Series Review: Castles Ever After by Tessa Dare

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Castles Ever After Series

Synopsis for Romancing the Duke (from Goodreads):

As the daughter of a famed author, Isolde Ophelia Goodnight grew up on tales of brave knights and fair maidens. She never doubted romance would be in her future, too. The storybooks offered endless possibilities.

And as she grew older, Izzy crossed them off. One by one by one.

~~Ugly duckling turned swan?~~
~~Abducted by handsome highwayman?~~
~~Rescued from drudgery by charming prince?~~

No, no, and… Heh.

Now Izzy’s given up yearning for romance. She’ll settle for a roof over her head. What fairy tales are left over for an impoverished twenty-six year-old woman who’s never even been kissed?

This one.

SERIESous’ Top Book Series: Must Read/Favourite Author
Series: Castles Ever After

This series crosses over with the Spindle Cove Series in book #4, Do You Want to Start a Scandal

Author: Tessa Dare
# of Books: 4 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Connected – Same Universe
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Romance, Historical, Regency
Heat Rating: Toasty
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: January 2014 – September 2016
Source & Format: Public Library–eBooks; Audiobook (#4)

**This post was originally posted as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**

Romancing the Duke, Book #1:

When I read a Tessa Dare book I know that I am going to get three things: great romantic leads, humour and an entertaining plot line. After reading two of her other awesome series, I was eagerly awaiting this new one!

I really enjoyed this book despite not really knowing to expect plot wise from the vague plotline. But the plot was a lot of fun and interesting and there were aspects to it there weren’t like anything I have read in this genre before. It did remind me a lot A Night to Surrender in the setup but each story has its unique aspects to it and they really are different.

As expected, I smiled and chuckled to myself as I read–which is always a bonus. Ms Dare’s characters are always a great blend of wit and fun and always a joy to read. I always appreciate her female characters in particular. They are always strong leads who are more than able to take care of themselves despite the somewhat extraordinary situations they find themselves in.

The sexual tension between Izzy and Ransom was awesome to watch unfold. I loved their connection and their interactions with each other.

Note About Series Order:

These books aren’t connected by characters, rather they are connected by the idea that the leads inherit an old castle. So don’t expect any crossover of characters or a sequel book about one character from the previous novel. The only exception is with Book #4 Do You Want to Start a Scandal. It features a particular character from Say Yes to the Marquess (#2).

–March 14, 2015– Book #2: Say Yes to the Marquess

I FINALLY managed to read Say Yes to the Marquess! I’ve had my name on my library’s hold list since September 2014, where I was in position 100–when the book’s release date wasn’t until December 2014! I guess people know a good thing when they see it!

There is a reason why Tessa Dare is the only historical romance reader I still follow continuously. Her works are always so consistent in what they deliver but I never feel like I am reading a regurgitation of her previous works or another historical romance. Say Yes to the Marquess was everything I thought it was going to be (based on the synopsis). It was really cute, fun and sweet which was exactly what I needed to read. It was a great follow-up to Romancing the Duke.

I’m super, super excited to read When a Scot Ties the Knot. I think it is going to be my favourite of the series based on the synopsis. It looks like it is going to be a lot of fun and I can’t wait!

–April 25, 2017– Book #3: When a Scot Ties the Knot

I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed when my favourite historical author (Tessa Dare) created a highlander (my guilty pleasure romance genre) hero.

This book was just perfect! It was funny, sweet and ultimately charming.

It helps that the premise is just so ridiculous, it’s fun! The whole notion is so entertaining to watch unfold. These two try their best to outmaneuver the other but end up learning more about themselves and what it means to be in a relationship.

What really shone for me was the romance itself. They have this great chemistry from the start. Too often you see characters compromise who they are for their partner–especially in highlander romances. But these two establish this great relationship of understanding and mutual respect that’s just a joy to watch.

I can’t wait to reread this one in the years to come!

–October 1, 2019– Book #4: Do You Want to Start a Scandal

It should have been a no brainer to me that I would absolutely love an audiobook production of a Tessa Dare novel but it took me until now to give it a try.

OMG — I loved every minute of this book. It was the perfect blend of two fantastic series (Castles Ever After and Spindle Cove) and wraps up both series perfectly. I had been dying to read this book I wasn’t disappointed in any way by the plot, chemistry, romance or characters. FABULOUS!

Series Rating: 4/5

Romancing the Duke 4/5 | Say Yes to the Marquess 4/5 | When a Scot Ties the Knot 5/5 | Do You Want to Start a Scandal 5/5

Simply put: this is a fun, light-hearted read that Tessa Dare fans will love and new readers will enjoy!

Read if You Like: historical romances, strong heroines, fun
Avoid if You: dislike characters appearing over multiple instalments

A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare (Spindle Cove Series #1)
In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks (McCabe Trilogy #1)

Series Review: Spindle Cove by Tessa Dare

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Synopsis for A Night to Surrender (from Goodreads):
Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are… nowhere to be found. Or are they?

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters… and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle… but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

SERIESous’ Top Book Series: #1 Regency Read; Must Read Author; Favourite Author
Series: Spindle Cove
Author: Tessa Dare
# of Books: 5 (Full Series Order Here)

There are also 3 ebook novellas: #1.5 Once Upon a Winter’s Eve; #3.5 Beauty and the Blacksmith; #4.5 Lord Dashwood Missed Out

Complete?: Yes
Genre: Regency, Romance, Strong Heroines, Humour
Heat Rating: Hot
Point of View: Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: August 2011 – September 2016
Source & Format: Public Library–eBooks & Paperbacks; Audiobook (#5)

My Expectations / Why I Picked It Up:

I can remember picking up A Night to Surrender and going into it with so-so expectations. This was during my Regency phase so basically I was reading whatever my library had in eBooks and I came across this series and decided to give it a try.

I’m I sure glad that I did!

My Review:

These books have everything I enjoy in a book. Strong females (in droves I might add!), swoon-worthy males, hot romance and the best part of all is they have a dash of humour. I find that in Regency reads, it is really hard to find one where the leads have a witty sense of humour. Most of the time, the books of this genre only focus on the romance but with these ones, you get the whole package and this is something I think is unique to Tessa Dare’s writing and why she has quickly become one of my favourite authors.

A Night to Surrender was a great start to the series. It sets the tone for the rest of the books and introduces us in the perfect way to Spindle Cove and its characters. Spindle Cove is a place filled with unique, independently strong women so you can only imagine the stories that ensue. I find that this book, as well as the others never have a dull moment so it is extremely hard to put them down once you have started.

A Week to be Wicked (book 2) picks up right where book 1 ends and we get enough of a taste in A Night to Surrender that I was dying to get my hands on book 2. I finished this book in a day–it was that good and addicting (and at the time I was studying for exams so not so good!). It was just a lot of fun to read and I laughed throughout the novel. It is by-far my favourite of the series though book 4 is a very close second.

A Lady by Midnight (book 3) is probably my least favourite of the series. It is still a fantastic read, but it just didn’t get me the way A Week to be Wicked did–though to be fair, whatever followed A Week to be Wicked was going to have a tough act to follow. I really enjoyed it though and it still was a great addition to the series 🙂

Any Duchess will Do (book 4) reminded me of a cross between Pretty Woman and the Princess Diaries. The whole plot premise was a lot of fun and the characters were a hoot. Again, I devoured this book in a day and it definitely one of my favourites of the series. It was a great way to end the series though I wish there were more coming. I read on Dare’s blog that she has no immediate plans for more books in the series though she imagines she will return to Spindle Cove someday–all I have to say is that I sure hope so!

Review of Novellas:

As for the novellas, they are cute reads that have what would normally happen in the full-sized novels but in a quicker, shorter read. You don’t need to read them after/before the respective books as they don’t totally tie in to the stories of the following novel, but they (particularly Beauty and the Blacksmith) feature a character’s story that you will probably be dying to read after the first few books. I highly recommend you read them if you are looking for quick reads between books.

–March 3, 2016– Book #4.5: Lord Dashwood Missed Out

I was really, really excited when I heard Tessa Dare was returning to Spindle Cove. While I was satisfied with the way the series “ended”, I will never deny the chance to return to see some favourite characters.

This novella was a lot of fun yet touching at the same time. It was great to see all the characters again a few years later and I loved the two new leads we get. The flow is great, the romance is sweet with just a dash of spice and the whole situation is just a lot of fun and typical Spindle Cove shenanigans. I wish the story was longer though. I wanted to tease out the relationship a bit more but it was a great, quick read.

I am so excited to the 5th full length book!

–October 1, 2019– Book #4: Do You Want to Start a Scandal

It should have been a no brainer to me that I would absolutely love an audiobook production of a Tessa Dare novel but it took me until now to give it a try.

Series Rating: 5/5

One of my all-time favourite series. Just a great blend of story, characters and wit. If you want a regency read that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has a dash of humour to it, PICK THESE UP! They are great light reads and highly addicting.

Read if You Like: fun regency reads, light-hearted, head-strong women
Avoid if You: want a more serious regency read