The Duke's Perfect Wife (Mackenzies & McBrides, #4)

by Jennifer Ashley

[stacey_is_sassy]

They even had "kinky" back in the olden days...

Sorry, I'm spoiling things again, please stop reading RIGHT NOW because the first sentence is a biggy.

Hart MacKenzie had a house full of women he paid to "play" with him. It doesn't matter when and at what stage in his life this happened, I just can't seem to get that thought out of my head. I gave it 5 stars when I read it the first time, so somehow, I started knowing that he wins me over.

What sort of play? Who was involved besides Mrs Palmer, his mistress? Geez, I wish I'd written a review after the first read to prepare myself. I've re-read/listened to all the previous instalments and I've become reacquainted with Hart MacKenzie. Unfortunately, I can't say I'm a fan which made me a wee bit nervous to start. I'm convinced that he had feelings for his mistress before she died. I think he's a hot head with anger issues. I also know that after his broken engagement to Eleanor, he'd married and then lost his wife and child, which threw him in a tailspin. OMG...this hero. There's too much to deal with.

Hart MacKenzie had to put on his game face and become the best damn hero out there to win me over. Well, he does put on his game face but sometimes it gets skewy iff from all the bloody drama that surrounds him. He'd do something sweet and I'd be smiling, then, unfortunately, his past would crash back in and I'd be left sighing in defeat. The whole bloody book is like this and yet I somehow come out the other side with a big goofy grin on my face.

I think my goofy grin could have a lot to do with Eleanor. Eleanor was strong, determined and a wee bit stubborn. I loved her honest and compassionate approach to life and those around her. With a father completely consumed with studying and writing, Eleanor has had to manage the house and servants while also struggling due to a lack of funds. With her beauty and intelligence, Eleanor should be happily married with children. If only she hadn't broken her engagement to a Duke's heir...

It's been years but it's obvious that Eleanor never moved on from Hart. She did the right thing breaking off her engagement but I wish she'd had a chance to move on to a little happiness. It's quite shocking how Eleanor came back into Hart's life and again, I feel like Eleanor is way too good for this man. But, the heart wants what the heart wants.

Honestly, Hart is no saint and he's bloody hard to love. By the end of the story, if you're like me, you're completely convinced that all along he just wanted Eleanor. Everything that happened before and after her were nothing, almost inconsequential to his need for Eleanor. They were just a way for Hart to pass the time until she became his. Unfortunately, poor Eleanor knows all about the before and after, so it takes a lot to convince her that she's all he needs.

The Duke's Perfect Wife is full of intrigue, political battles and there's even an attempted murder. It's fast paced and exciting with plenty of action to keep me entertained. We get to catch up with all of the Mackenzie's to see how they're all travelling.

Ian (Hart's brother) is back and I love him even more. I love his attitude, mannerisms and complete devotion to Beth and his children. He wants something, he gets it. How he gets it depends on what he wants. He'll manipulate, maneuver and manage people and things so that the outcome is how he plans. Ian is a genius and I love how his mind works.

Wow, another rambling review and I know I could go on forever about this one, but I'll do you a favour and stop here. It's just so hard to cover all the emotions and feelings this one provokes. I loved it which makes it hard to do it justice. Just know, that this series is AMAZING!! I'm so glad I've had the opportunity to step back into the MacKenzie world again. The narrator does a fantastic job again. No change in my rating, I loved it as much as the read...I think.