Romancing the Duke: Castles Ever After (Castles Ever After, #1)

by Tessa Dare

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.

• ISBN10: 0062240196
• ISBN13: 9780062240194
• Publish Date: 30 January 2014 (first published 28 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 6 July 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Avon Books
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Berls]

4.5 stars
I haven't read a lot of Tessa Dare, but everything I have read I have thoroughly enjoyed. Romancing the Duke was no exception. I suppose it's meant to be a Beauty and the Beast retelling, and while I can see it, it's a little bit of a stretch.

Despite not quite living up to my expectations on the Beauty and the Beast front, the story and characters were fantastic. Izzy was fantastic. She's strong willed and determined; I loved the way she stood up to Ransom. She's resourceful and funny (I mean there were times where I burst out laughing and had to share her one-liners because they were that good). Then there's Ransom. A scarred, grumpy, blind hero - the perfect opposite to Izzy's determination, he's been hit hard by life recently and is out for the count. It was wonderful watching her get under his skin and transform him from "the beast."

Their romance may have made me a little misty eyed and most certainly had me fanning myself (read: sizzling hot!). The side story of Izzy's father's stories and massive fan following was entertaining and produced a surprise I wasn't expecting (though I really should have). Turns out I've read one of the other books in this series (#3) and I don't believe there's any connection, so perhaps they're entirely unrelated? I'll see, as I'd like to continue with the series.

[mrs_mander_reads]

So good!

I don't know, this was a little odd. I liked it for the most part but the story development was all over the place and kind of aimless. There were just lots of random sections like the body in the wall? that just didn't really make sense or go anywhere. I did like both characters but I didn't particularly connect with them - they were kind of flat and bland. I liked the nod to fairytales and castles and happy ever afters - the whimsy was a nice touch. The knights were humorous if not completely weird. The resolution was pretty weak and the book was too long - it could've been condensed for a much tighter story. 3 stars - edging towards the lower side of 3.

[verkaskodova]

1. Ta regency fandom základna byla totálně boží a hilarious
2. Skvělá chemie
3. Dialog, kterému jsem se smála ne protože by byl trapný (za poslední dva týdny jsem naráz přečetla tři červené knihovny a všechny byly tak trochu padlé na hlavu), ale protože měl v sobě něco witty a clever
4. Nenudila jsem se ani po těch kritických 60%, kde se hrdinové obvykle spolu vyspí a pak už jen nudné popisy toho, jak hlavní hrdina v kalhotách neskrývá jen cock, ale rovnou celého roostera (toto je skutečná narážka, pokud máte náladu na bizár, kde teta vyšívá pohlavní orgány, všemi deseti doporučuju "The Beast of Beswick" :D)
5. Bylo to strašně cute ._.

Jediný problém, že hlavní hrdinky byly moc povolné a doba regency se až tak moc neřešila, ale s tím dokážu žít, 4/5 plně zasloužené.

[Amanda]

September 2015 reread: Upping my rating on Romancing the Duke to five stars because Tessa Dare is brilliant and her books are delightful, no matter how many times you read them. And that just makes me happy.

--

It's no secret I'm a fan of Tessa Dare. And Romancing the Duke has done little to change that... except maybe made me even more impatient for her next book. But I have a feeling that should surprise no one.

Is there really a better way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon than with a Tessa Dare book? They just make me HAPPY. And this one was no different.

Oh... the characters. Ransom is struggling with his eyesight, trying to waste away in his castle. Izzy's in need of a home after her dad dies and she loses everything---only to be given Ransom's.

An unlikely pair, to be sure, but the duke was indeed romanced. Despite all his denials that he didn't need it. And Izzy got her romance, even if she'd given up on getting it. The surprises in this book? They were good. I kinda want to read the book all over again.

If you're already a Tessa Dare fan, Romancing the Duke is a book you don't want to miss. If you're a historical romance fan, well... same thing. I can't wait until the next book in this series is out. Who will get her own castle?

[lizarodz]

It’s been a while since I read historical romance and it felt like slipping into my favorite jammies.  Romancing the Duke was such a pleasure to read.

Izzy is asked by a lawyer to present to Gostley Castle, where she meets the Duke of Rothbury (Ransom) and finds out she has inherited said castle.  The problem is that the duke did not sold the castle so foul play is afoot.  To unravel the problem and since Izzy has nowhere else to go, she agrees to work with Ransom and assist him in putting his affairs in order.

Izzy is a realist dreamer.  I know that is a contradiction, but even her name (Isolde Ophelia Goodnight) was inspired by tragedy and romance.  Izzy’s father was the author of a very successful short stories and when he passed away without changing his will, he left her penniless.  She takes the word “romantic” to a whole new level.  She tries to be positive about her circumstances and see the glass as half full.

“Her cravings for romance were gone. Now she’d settled for bread. What fairy tales were left over for a plain, impoverished, twenty-six-year-old woman who’d never even been kissed?”

Ransom is swoon worthy for sure.  He’s handsome, even after a terrible dueling accident.  He’s bad tempered, bad mannered, rude and crass, at least at the beginning.  Of course, he changes quite a bit after he meets Izzy and she brings order, friendship and love into his life.  However, he’s all bark and no bite (although I wouldn’t mind his bite!)

“Now listen to me. I don’t know who they are or what they want from you. But while there’s breath in my lungs and strength in my body, I swear this much: I won’t let you come to harm.”

I really enjoyed the other characters and the fact that they are not what it seems.  For instance, the beautiful Miss. Pelham is the vicar’s daughter and you expect her to me mean and conceited just because she’s so pretty.  She’s not, she’s all kindness and goodwill.  The Moraglian army was hoot too!

I really liked Romancing the Duke, but I felt it could have been longer.  It seemed to me like Ransom changed a lot almost overnight.  I would have loved to see more about their life together, even if the epilogue was very sweet.  This is my first book by Tessa Dare and I did enjoy the writing.  The plot is so funny!  The followers of Izzy’s father stories call themselves Moranglians and it reminded me so much of the Star Wars, Star Treck and other fandoms.

“But as he kissed her, something went horribly, horribly wrong.

This time, she kissed him back. Not with mere curiosity or artless enthusiasm but with a sweet, unfettered passion that made his ribs ache.”

Overall, Romancing the Duke was a really good historical romance.  It had humor, great characters, a crazy plot and a happy ending.

About the cover:  I love this cover.  I like the colors, the font and the castle on the background.  It is very tasteful and graceful.This review was originally posted on Reading With ABC

[inlibrisveritas]

Romancing the Duke was a chance purchase on my part. I happened to have some actual spending money and it was just there, tempting me with the promise of a different main character. Then I remembered Kimba’s review (found here: Review) and I took the chance because it’s rare we disagree on books. This was money well spent!

Isolde Ophelia Goodnight, or Izzy, is a woman who has grown up surrounded by fairy tale expectations thanks to the stories that bare her name the Goodnight Tales. They are extremely popular and everyone sees her as the young Izzy who dreams of dashing heroes, sleeps under painted stairs, and is full of innocence. However she is not just some character in a fairy tale and she yearns for something more, a more substantial life than the one that her father left her with…or should I say didn’t leave her. She’s witty, smart, and not afraid to be bold when she needs to be. I loved how she wasn’t afraid to face problems head on or dig in her heels and stand her ground. However when she inherits a dilapidated castle she runs in to a rather prickly (and handsome) problem. The Duke of Rothbury, Ransom. Ransom is blind and has some very obvious reservations about women and trusting people, and has become a recluse who most people think is dead. He has a crude mouth and doesn’t use the normal civil niceties. Having these two together was amazing! They had some much normal tension to work around that definitely flowed over into sexual tension that it was great seeing these two try to tiptoe around each other and fail. Their banter was hilarious and definitely unique. Izzy can paint a picture with her words and Ransom is more likely to melt the ears off a priest with his, so it was nice to see them try to cross into each other’s territory. Duncan, Ransom’s valet, is equally hilarious as he tries his hardest to do his job but is thwarted by Ransom’s strict desire to have none of it.

The romance is unconventional, full of passion, and even surprisingly tenderness. I loved seeing how the relationship went from a very physical attraction to something more sweet as they learn about themselves and each other. I also liked how the book didn’t use an troupe I’m familiar with but actually made fun of how over-romanticized some of them are.

Overall I found Romancing the Duke to be highly enjoyable and I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out later this year! This is my first Tessa Dare book and I loved the way she weaved the fairy tale romance with outright passion, so I’m definitely going to read more from her.

[kimbacaffeinate]

I decided to take Romancing the Duke on a date and it was divine!

First Date: From the first few lines I could feel the magic of this tale. I immediately slipped in and connect with our heroine Isolde Ophelia Goodnight. Isolde or Izzy is an optimist who tried to look on the bright side. With her father’s passing, she has been left destitute but a letter announcing she is a benefactor of an estate has her taking her last few shillings and traveling to Gostley Castle. Izzy is a celebrity of sorts since her father’s weekly fantasy serial “The Goodnight Tales”, featured her as a young girl. At twenty-six Izzy has given up completely on fairy tales. Her father’s stories were magical and I wanted more. You have to suspend belief as is necessary for all fairytales but I swallowed the pill and enjoyed it.

Second date: Izzy arrived at Gostley Castle! In the garden, she spies Ransom William Dacre Vane, the eleventh Duke of Rothbury and his wolf . At which time she promptly faints! Ransom’s estate is in complete disrepair and so is the man, but gads is he smexy and brooding. But wait the letter about being a benefactor? Oh, this was an interesting thread and created some tension and a little mystery. I loved the banter between these two; Izzy clearly annoys him, and the reasons were delicious. The whole story has a fairy tale feel that satisfied both the little girl inside me and the woman. We get heat with just enough details to curl my toes. It all felt genuine, and I loved how they interacted. Izzy is such a colorful, whimsical, lovable character. She made me laugh, cheer for her and believe. Izzy is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical heroines.

Third date: Knights, Queens, fair maidens what is all this? It is wonderful that is what it is! Something is foul at Gostley Castle, and Izzy intends to sort it out. While Ransom continues to push Izzy away his arguments are getting weaker. The man is such a romantic and it is so endearing. What makes it so swoon-worthy is that he doesn’t even realize he is being romantic with his gestures. As the tension builds towards the climax, I could not help but root for them. Wait, is the date coming to an end? I had such a good time and cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Romancing the Duke gave me a whirlwind romance, and I closed this story with a smile. I absolutely enjoyed the fairytale elements in this tale. I would love to read the serials about Moranglia. There was a lose thread that wasn’t answered and I am not sure why. It didn’t impact the overall tale but left me curious. Izzy and Ransom were such a fun couple. I laughed, sighed and rooted for them. The next book in the series, Say Yes to the Marquess, will release later this year.


Copy received from publisher in exchange for unbiased review that originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer