Holly‘s review of The Duke’s Perfect Wife (Mackenzie Brothers, Book 4) by Jennifer Ashley
Lady Eleanor Ramsay is the only one who knows the truth about Hart Mackenzie. Once his fiancee, she is the sole woman to whom he could ever pour out his heart.
Hart has it all–a dukedom, wealth, power, influence, whatever he desires. Every woman wants him–his seductive skills are legendary. But Hart has sacrificed much to keep his brothers safe, first from their brutal father, and then from the world. He’s also suffered loss–his wife, his infant son, and the woman he loved with all his heart though he realized it too late.
Now, Eleanor has reappeared on Hart’s doorstep, with scandalous nude photographs of Hart taken long ago. Intrigued by the challenge in her blue eyes–and aroused by her charming, no-nonsense determination–Hart wonders if his young love has come to ruin him . . . or save him.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Hart. His “unusual proclivities” were much hinted at in the previous books. I wasn’t sure if they would be the main focus of this book or how they tied in with his broken engagement from Eleanor. They weren’t the main focus, though they did play a large role, albeit off scene. As for how they tied in with his broken engagement, well, that’s a bit more complex.
Hart and Eleanor were engaged to be married until she ended things between them. Hart had declared it’s time for him to marry again, and surprisingly (or perhaps not?) Eleanor shows up back in his life, demanding a job. She has received some pictures of him she is sure he doesn’t want to get out, along with a blackmail note. She asks him to pay her to discover who’s behind the blackmail. Hart agrees because he wants her close. Now that he’s decided to take a wife, he knows Eleanor is the only one who will do.
Eleanor has no intention of getting back into bed with Hart – not in the literal or figurative sense – despite demanding a job from him. She just wants him safe. And if she can make a bit of much needed money while ensuring his safety, all the better.
Of course things are rarely as easy as one would like. It doesn’t take Eleanor long to realize it’s near impossible for her to resist Hart. Her stubborn heart insists she loves him, though she wish that weren’t so. If he chooses to press her, she knows she won’t be able to turn him down. She also knows she won’t be happy with him in the long run – Hart isn’t capable of making her happy. Or is he….
Hart was just as angry and cold here as he was in the precious books. But he was also strong and tender and surprisingly vulnerable. I believe Eleanor was the perfect match for him. She was inquisitive, demanding and stubborn. But also compassionate enough to understand Hart. He needed someone who understood him completely, who had compassion for him and his past, but who wouldn’t let him walk all over her. Eleanor fit the bill perfectly.
I especially liked that Hart told Eleanor everything. And I mean everything. He said on more than one occasions he had no secrets from her and he meant it. Whenever he had a problem he needed to work through, or thought about any of the secrets from his past, Eleanor was the person he turned to. That just doesn’t happen often enough in romance novels. Especially historicals.
Isabella’s matchmaking and interfering annoyed me a bit, but I would have been surprised if she hadn’t tried her best. Aside from that, the time spent with all the Mackenzies was well written. They didn’t take away from Hart and Eleanor, but added some levity to the story.
All in all an excellent novel. I’m sorry to see the end of the Mackenzie brothers, though I am glad to know Ashley intends to continue with series.
4.5 out of 5
The series:
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
yay, glad that you liked it, have been waiting to read this one. I have really enjoyed this series, and I do not read many historicals.