A plethora of 2 star historical romances continued

My Fair Viscount (The Scandal Sheet #4)by Jess Michaels      

Train up your man!

A clever slant on an old story where roles are reversed. This time it's the boy who needs the culturing not the girl. The time is Regency England and a rookery lad, (well, slightly dangerous man really) David Shaw, is turned Viscount. This diamond in the rough needs a makeover. A wonderful ploy that didn't really follow through for me.
Miss Rose Higgins, (not Henry) who brings debutantes up to scratch is hired by the lovely Richard, David's cousin who was to be the Viscount before he did a search and found our rough and ready Davey. Richard is the one to be most admired here.
Of course the two main characters are attracted to each other. But I didn't feel the chemistry, and despite the promise of the premise, things faded away.

A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley


The Reluctant Duchess (The Brides of St Ives #4) by Jane Goodger      

Bartered bride!

I must admit this Beauty and the Beast stimulated story left me cold. I struggled to finish it.
Oliver Sterling, eleventh duke of Kendal, lives locked away in his overpowering mansion, Horncliffe Manor.
Having seen a painting of a beautiful young woman, Oliver decides he must have her as his wife at any cost. Little did he know his guardian Mr. Winters will follow that instruction to the letter.
Rebecca Kane has been used as a gambling token by her father. He lost and now Rebecca is the payment that will save her family from poverty. Of course Rebecca agrees. What else can she do? Oh, BTW the marriage was 'by proxy.'
How Rebecca can forgive her father is totally beyond me. Oh well, the role of the victim sits somewhere here I suppose. But wait, is this the same young woman who posed for an artist" Surely not de rigueur for a female of her standing as a gentlewoman. It seems Rebecca the victim has the wherewithal to transition to Rebecca the fearless.
Rebecca finds her new abode dark and oppressive, her husband even more so, particularly as she can never see him in any light. So she comes to know him by his personality and by his touch rather than his looks. The rest of that you can guess.
Of course there are further mysteries and the loathsome Mr. Winters appears firmly embedded in them.
Sounds like a great storyline but really I was put off by the whole bartered bride and touchy feely consummation in the dark aspect.

A NetGalley ARC

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