The Good, the Bad, and the Duke (The Cavensham Heiresses, #4)

by Janna MacGregor

[stacey_is_sassy]

There was more Good than Bad in this Duke…

I had something happen that has never (if my memory serves me right) happened in my romance reads. The hero getting snubbed made me cry. I suppose this was different because normally it’s the heroine that gets snubbed in my historical romance reads. In this case, the former Rake, Paul, is trying his hardest to overcome his past and turn over a new leaf. It’s a tricky one though. See, I know how hard he’s trying to be a better man. BUT, I’ve also seen him at his worst and shed a tear over his thoughtless and horrible deeds. The trials and tribulations of a romance reader…when the Rake is Reformed…forgetting the bad to see the good.

I really struggled to remember the “bad” side of Paul Barstowe, the Duke of Southart. The Paul I just met, well, he was kind of sweet. There was a real vulnerability about him that made me want to reach into the book and give him a cuddle. His past relationship with his father ruined his life. His father made him feel unloved and insignificant. Paul’s way to get back at him and gain his attention is by acting up and getting into trouble. When his older brother dies and his father weeks later, the spare ignored and forgotten son, suddenly becomes important. It’s time for Paul to make up for his past and fulfil his brother’s dying wish…become the Good Duke.

Daphne has always had a crush on her older brother’s EX best friend. That’s a huge EX considering what Paul has done in his past. Daphne always saw the best in him and hoped that one day he would find happiness. She’s had some pretty lascivious thoughts about him, and considering Daphne is such a “good” girl, there’s no way she can share those feelings with anyone, let alone him. She does write them down in a journal that she keeps close…until the day it’s stolen.

I really enjoyed The Good, the Bad, and the Duke. The characters were interesting, the storyline kept my attention from start to finish and the emotions jumped off the pages. While there were plenty of sizzling moments, these were not the only emotions that had my heart pumping. I was also extremely mad at Paul’s father's terrible parenting. And, as I mentioned above, I was also shattered by the rejection that Paul dealt with. What made it even harder, I could completely understand why they rebuffed his attempts at peace. I can be pretty unforgiving when it comes to excusing a villain’s past dastardly deeds, especially when it has hurt a previous heroine I’ve liked. In this case, I need everyone to love Paul as much as I had come to.

This series has become one of my favourites in historical romance. The characters are loving and devoted to each other and the servants show loyalty, which is always a good sign. On a side note…I really love meeting the servants in a Lord or Lady’s house, like the loyal butlers, maids and footmen. But, I don’t like reading their love stories. Don’t I sound like a snob? It’s just that I see the hours they work and the dedication to their jobs that I can’t imagine they’d have time for love. Poor buggers, I’m dooming them to living lives without love. Sorry, butler, maids and footmen…

Anyways, if you’re looking for an entertaining historical romance with plenty of sizzle, a little angst and plenty of emotion, I definitely recommend The Cavensham Heiresses. I will be back for William’s story.

Stacey is Sassy, received a complimentary copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.