Harper St. George

THE STRANGER I WED was an engaging historical romance. Cora Dove and her sisters Jenny and Eliza are illegitimate and existing on the edges of society. When their father's mother dies and leaves them generous dowries, Cora thinks things will be better for them. However, her father, who controls the money, has put strings on it. He wants the girls to marry before they can inherit. He also wants them to live far away from New York so as not to embarrass his wife and legitimate children.

Inspired by the many American heiress who have married into the peerage, Cora, her sisters, and mother travel to England to look for husbands. One of the earlier American brides is willing to help them find men who meet the qualifications they have outlined for a husband.

Leopold Brendon, Earl of Devonworth, is on the list. He needs money to repair his home and get his younger brother clear of his gambling deaths before he can go back to what he really loves: serving in the House of Lords and passing a Water Quality Bill. The fact that he is handsome is actually a strike against him on the girls' list.

After some negotiations, Cora and Devonworth marry expecting a relatively short term marriage in name only. Cora eventually wants some of her inheritance and her freedom. However, she finds herself falling in love and realizes that they have a lot in common including women's rights. He falls for her too despite having had a bad experience with love in a past romance.

But the two have to face his political rivals and her many secrets before they can have their own 'happily ever after.'… (més)

Good conclusion to the series. We have seen Camille in the earlier books as a friend to the other heroines. She is trapped in a miserable marriage to the titled older man her social-climbing parents chose for her. When he dies, it releases her from the prison he kept her in with his disdain and emotional abuse. She's ready to spread her wings and search for the pleasure she's never experienced. Her chosen instructor is Jacob Thorne, the illegitimate son of an earl and one of the owners of the Montague Club.

Jacob is surprised at the proposition he receives from Camille. He is ready to deny her request until she offers to help him attain the project he's been working on. She offers him a fake engagement that will enable him to convince the investors he needs for a new club that he is ready to settle down and leave his womanizing ways behind him.

The development of their relationship is a slow burn as Camille has a lot of trauma to overcome. I loved Jacob's patience and understanding as he eased her way into the pleasures of the bedchamber. His sensitivity once he understood everything she'd been through was outstanding. I loved how his support helped her develop the courage to take control of her life. There is a period when Camille and Jacob pull away from each other, disturbed by their growing feelings for each other, but when Camille is in danger, Jacob comes through to rescue her. I liked seeing them embrace a new and exciting future together.

I also enjoyed seeing Camille use her experience to get involved in the Suffrage movement. Her work with them opened her eyes to the abuse she suffered and motivated her to make changes. I loved seeing her wrest control of her finances from her husband's equally obnoxious and controlling heir. I was also moved by how she put her experiences in writing as a release for her and to share with the broader world. I especially liked the effect it had on her mother.… (més)

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
The Duchess Takes a Husband is the fourth installment in the "Gilded Age Heiresses" series. I am newer to this series but after the third installment, I was really curious about this and how this author would handle this one. I absolutely adore all the tropes that come into play with this one and I really love the writing style of this author, it just has some a classy feel to it without it being too flowery. One can easily be swept away by the glittering sensuality that Harper St. George delivers in her works.

Summary
This story begins with our heroine Camille, Duchess of Hereford, who is a widow and has never been truly accepted by London Society. She has an interest in the suffrage movement and is associated with strong independent women but Camille has never known true independence until now with her late husband unable to control every aspect of her life. But she has desires and determination to win Jacob Thorne, co owner of the infamous gambling hell and club "Montague". Jacob, needs to appear more legitimate for a business venture in France, and he will need a woman to pose as his fiancee and when Camille comes to him with a daring proposal, they decide to make an arrangement that will satisfy both parties. But this proposal will be easier said than done when the heart gets involved...

My Outlook
The Duchess Takes A Husband is a fascinating installment that I easily gobbled up. I honestly recommend this in both digital or audio, both formats work so well as I did a combination of this one here. I am very new to this author, but every time I pick her up, I end up so impressed. I was so eager for Camille and Jacob's book. I honestly didn't know what to think of them being together, but this author make this relationship work so beautifully. I was on the edge of my seat with these two and how they learn each other. Camille's situation just broke my heart and I wanted so much for her and I truly became so endeared by her story and her road of self discovery but also in paving her own path but also wanting more in her love life as well. Seeing her go on this journey of self care was so inspiring at times and I could easily see parts of myself within her character. Harper St. George has this uncanny ability of crafting such relatable character you can see yourself in. The hero is just the right partner for her. I became so endeared by his unwavering devotion and patience for her especially when panic and fear set in. The way that the author handled these aspects so delicately was awe inspiring and I can't wait to read the earlier books in the series.

Overall View
The Duchess Takes A husband is a superb installment that brings together the sensuality of the gilded age, the romantacism of the era, and the sparkling human nature that endears the reader for the long haul.....A PRICELESS GEM!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4.5
World Building: 5
Cover:5
Hero: 4
Heroine: 4
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 3.5
Ending:4
Overall View: 4.25… (més)