Ames’ review of When the Duchess Said Yes by Isabella Bradford.
The romantic escapades of the irrepressible Wylder sisters continue in Isabella Bradford’s fun, charming, and breathtakingly passionate series—as the wildest of the Wylders turns an arranged marriage into a game of desire to tame a wayward duke.
Notorious for her free-spirited antics, Lady Elizabeth Wylder revels in attention—but not the sort that leaves her humiliated when her future husband, the Duke of Hawkesworth, fails to appear for their much-anticipated first introduction.
So when a chance encounter leads to a sizzling kiss with a dangerously handsome stranger, she nearly succumbs. The shock of finally meeting her betrothed only to come face to face with her rakish would-be seducer inspires fury—and fans the flames of a fire that both Lizzie and the Duke acknowledge is a most agreeable way to start a marriage. In her husband’s arms, Lizzie knows she has found love. But is the passion that accompanies endless nights of erotic discovery enough to persuade a duke whose scandalous lineage and lifestyle prevent him from giving his heart completely?
I read and enjoyed When You Wish Upon a Duke earlier this year so I was looking forward to the second book in the Wylder Sisters series.
Lizzie Wylder, Charlotte’s younger sister, is betrothed to the Duke of Hawkesworth, or Hawke, as he is known to his friends and family. Hawke’s father left a stipulation in his will that he must marry Lizzie before her 19th birthday or he won’t inherit a dime. He will be a penniless duke. Hawke didn’t have an easy relationship with his father, so the betrothal irks him. He actually lived in Italy for the past ten years to stay away from his father and any mention of him. But he’s back in England to marry his betrothed before her 19th birthday, and he didn’t give himself a lot of time. He’s really dragging his feet. Then on the night before he’s supposed to meet his future wife, he sees an enchanting woman at the opera. They share a look and then he loses her! He becomes a bit obsessed with his mystery woman, more so when he runs into her again at another event (where he’s supposed to meet Lizzie).
Of course we know that his mystery woman is Lizzie herself. When they finally meet face to face, with proper introductions all around, Lizzie is furious. For the sake of everyone involved, they decide to put their initial scorn for each other behind them. And then they begin to appreciate each other’s sense of humor and that initial attraction between comes forward again and then they begin to fall in love.
I thought When the Duchess Said Yes was uneven. I thought the beginning was slow, all the run-ins and Hawke dragging his feet to meet his intended. Like he was so desperate not to meet her, he focuses on his mystery woman.
Things did pick up though once they finally got married. That part was enjoyable to read. The conflict was internal, with Hawke wanting to return to Italy once his duty was done and how Lizzie finds out about it and her reaction. I did like Hawke and Lizzie and their story was cute. But that beginning dragged.
I’m going to give WtDSY a 3 out of 5.
This book is available from Ballantine. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
You can read more from ~ames~ at Bookish Ames.
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