While not an original story line, Michelle McLean managed to set her story apart from others with a Cinderella meets her Prince Charming vibe. Even if it took them awhile to realize they were perfect for each other, they did get their happily ever after at the end.

Alex the Duke of Beaubrooke thought he had married a shy retiring lady Lavinia. He had no use for the social scene and was wrapped up in his plant research. Lavinia loved her new duties as a duchess which included hosting and attending ton events and this led to many misunderstandings and disagreements. I enjoyed the main characters in this story as well as the many secondary ones. I am not a huge fan of books that take place in balls and dinner parties so that was really the only negative for me.

Alexander Reddington, Duke of Beaubrooke needs to marry and produce an heir in order to keep the title he unexpectedly inherited in his family. Fortunately, thanks to his father, he need only choose one of the Wynnburn sisters. Alex met Lavinia earlier, but was unaware of who she was. Alex is a scholar and is somewhat obsessed with his research in botany. Not as outgoing as her sisters, Lavinia would rather sit in the corner and watch and read. Seeing they have much in common, Alex asks her to marry him. Although she can’t believe he chose her, she accepts. This is an enjoyable lighthearted romance with just a bit of angst. Alex and Lavinia are a good match. They do have a lot in common and the chemistry between them is great. There are a few bumps in the road, misunderstanding, irritation, unwarranted suspicion. Will they learn from their missteps and get their happy ending? They are both very intelligent people, so they should be able to figure it out.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

Alexander, the Duke of Beaubrooke meets Lavinia Wynnburn at a social gathering and is misled into thinking that they are two of the same. Unfortunately after they marry Lavinia turns into someone he doesn't really know.

I'm not a fan of this story. So the premise is that Lavinia is only a bookworm because she doesn't have the confidence and was never noticed over her sisters? Suddenly she has a shiney new title and becomes a whole new person?

I can almost understand Alex's reactions in this story, he didn't get what he bargained for. Neither did we.

Unfortunately I expected a different type of relationship from these two and the sudden changes in personality was too sudden for me.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, opinions are my own.

Four Weddings and a Duke is the sweet story of Alexander and Lavinia, who enter an arranged marriage and navigate a new life with each other. Alex is keen to focus on his research and wants to be left to it, while Livy is keen to fulfil her duties as the new Duchess of Beaubrooke, some of which require the presence of her husband.
This was an enjoyable read with some great characters who had really good chemistry. I particularly liked the character of Nigel Bainbridge and I was really glad that throughout the story he remained true.

This novel starts with an adorable meet-cute, leading to marriage proposal with the Duke of Beaubrooke. Lavinia WynnBurn is a wallflower, enjoying her books more the social events she dragged to by her family. The deep connection these two form was endearing, especially their daring displays of affection and willingness to break the rules of the ton.

Four Wedding and a Duke was delightful surprise. I look forward to reading more regency romance by this author.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and TLC Book Tours for the complimentary copy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Four Weddings and a Duke by Michelle McLean was a lovely read that I devoured in a few days. The main characters are sweet and likeable, two wallflowers that found each other in an arranged marriage. It was refreshing to find a story where the protagonists are alike, both shy and awkward, but with inner strength and pushing to get out of their comfort zone. We are used to seeing, at least that's my case, a different dynamic in romance, where one of the MC’s is strong and overbearing while the other is reserved. But, in this novel, McLean did something different, which I truly appreciated. I also liked the twist in the arranged marriage trope, where there was a choice to make and none of the parties involved hated the other. They knew they were compatible, which left room for the fondness to slowly grow between the couple. A slow burn, indeed.
I would have loved to see a bit more of the character development, I feel that the time jumps between scenes were a bit abrupt, and I would have liked to see their relationships grow in the page. The relationship growth between Alex and Lavinia was inferred between the chapter, but as a sucker of a good banter and cutesy scene, I would have love to see more of that. Regardless, it was a lovely read, with good characters and a heartwarming story, all we want out of a historical romance.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, held my interest and I wanted to find out what was going to happen. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

When reluctant Duke Alex has to pick one of three sisters to marry, he finds the perfect partner in Lavinia. Middle sister and largely forgotten and overlooked until Alex. He thinks she will be the perfect bride, as she seems introverted, more interested in books than balls, and she speaks her mind.
This is a pretty sweet low angst, marriage of convenience with a wallflower story. Lavina and Alex are attracted to each other but don't really seem to know what to do with those feelings. Alex buries himself in his work with plants, and Lavina thinks she's doing what Alex needs and starts to become a Duke's wife, she throws parties and attends balls and is sorely disappointed when Alex either doesn't show up or leaves early. I didn't love this change in her character and could understand Alex's confusion and disappointment as I felt the same way.

They have some big miscommunications with what each other expected from their marriage, which causes some hurtful things to be said on both sides, but once they realize they were both being dumb, and they actually love each other things really turn around and they become a pretty adorable couple, who belong together. I loved the ending, and what happens between Alex and Nigel had me laughing out loud.

This is a fun, entertaining read. Alex and Lavinia are engaging, relatable characters who captured my attention from the beginning and held it until the very end. I enjoyed this story from start to finish. The characters sparked from the start. The secondary characters added to the fabric of the story. I liked the various relationship depicted in this story. The ending wrapped up the subplots nicely, and I loved the epilogue.

A delightful story of two characters who might never had connected without a marriage of convenience!

She feels she is the least desirable in her family of offspring so has no worry of messing up in the Ton with her ways.

He needs a wife quick and only wants a heir and then on to his life. But little does he know that she will change his feelings.. That marriage of convenience may become much more than that and quickly! I read this through NetGallery

Alex, Duke of Beaubrooke has always known he would marry one of the Wynnburn sisters but was unsure of which one until he came across Lavinia, reading a book at a wedding. Alex thought that if she was that keen on reading, it would give him the time and space he needed for his research. Lavinia, the middle sister, was surprised that the duke had chosen her to be his bride, as she was often forgotten about, when her more vivacious sisters were about. Unfortunately, not everything went as planned, they hadn’t taken account of feelings being involved. There are a number of dramas that occur and some friendly rivalry. This was an entertaining read with likeable characters. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Four Weddings and a Duke starts out as a cute, sweet story by Michelle McLean. But believe you me, that Alexander Reddington and Lavinia Wynnburn find that they can argue strongly and makeup steamily in this story of marriage of convenience. A unique take on this story as both characters start changes soon after the marriage begins. Perhaps they just showed more of what they really were to start with.

Entertaining and surprising this story will certainly keep you reading. Character focused along with their relationship Alex’s and Lavinia’s story is one for the books. Read Four Weddings and a Duke to see these two in action.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What would normally be droll and boring characters come alive in Four Weddings and a Duke. Unexpected and fun, cranky and focused, sweet and endearing. The author hits all of the notes in this one.

Alexander (Alex) Reddington became the Duke of Beaubrooke when his father and older brother passed away within a short time of one another. Alex doesn’t relish the title because he is a dedicated botanist and would rather spend time plant grafting and researching his hybrid species.

Harriet, Kitty, and Lavinia Wynnburn are sisters and one of them will be the wife of Alex. The fathers of both decided that the families would marry. As Harriet is the prettiest and most outgoing, she is shocked when Alex chooses Lavinia, a quiet, studious young woman who would rather read that anything.

The wedding is lovely and while Lavinia thinks their wedding night will be perfect, she is wrong. Alex has chosen to give them time to get to know one another better. Thus, they head to his home, Wrothlake Park, to begin their lives together.

Up to this point I was really loving this book. But once they settled in, the bookish Lavinia turns into this person who wants to have parties and balls. She wants Alex to attend everything but he is so busy with his research and grafting which she already knew. I couldn’t help but feel that Harriet comes across as a trouble-maker by pushing Lavinia to have all of these soirees. Lavinia’s woe-is-me attitude grated on me. Why she keeps Bainbridge around all the time when she knows it aggravates Alex was silly. Hope I haven’t given out any spoilers here but I was want to explain the reasons why I didn’t really care for this book. However, since the first part was good, I am giving it 3 stars.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lavinia Wynnburn has always been overlooked. Content to sit behind potted palms, with a book in hand while the revelry of a ball swirls around her, Lavinia did not expect for a duke to sit next to her and change the course of her life.

As I embarked on this story, I foresaw the way this plot and its characters would navigate this arranged marriage, and the other challenges swirling around the match of Lavinia and Alexander, the Duke of Beaubrooke. Yet, as the story progressed, I was very wrong and I was glad for it. So many times we see a marriage in a historical romance that occurs towards the latter half of the story, but here we get a marriage within the first quarter. I was elated that McLean was giving me my every desire in a book that looks at the hard work that marriage can be-especially at the beginning and with a virtual stranger.

There were a few moments that I was on team Alexander and then I would switch to team Lavinia (which is where I sat for most of this story). Yet, as the story progresses we get to see how these characters come to realize the expectations and assumptions they had going into the marriage are suffering due to an abundance of talk and little in the way of listening. There was so much sweetness, angst, passion, and a beautiful reconciliation between these two.

I am very curious to see of McLean is making a series out of these three sisters and perhaps their close friend, Nigel Bainbridge. If so, I cannot wait, as there are some intriguing characters that I would love to see again!

I read and reviewed an advanced eARC of this book thanks to Entangled Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I loved this novel! Great characters throughout, well thought out and well written, perfect balance of love and conflict. I couldn't put it down so now I need to take a nap because I didn't get much sleep last night but it was worth it. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author!

The beautiful cover on this novel caught my eye. This is a regency romance with steam featuring an arranged marriage/marriage of convenience between a bookish wallflower and a Duke obsessed with botany.

Middle sister Lavinia and Alex, the new Duke of Beaubrooke, have their own meet cute involving a potted plant. While they have instant chemistry, it takes them some time and plenty of miscommunication to form a deeper connection and finally work things out. I liked Lavinia and seeing the growth of her relationship with her sisters. I had a harder time warming up to Alex as he was so single-minded about his botanical research. This was a quick and easy read which I appreciated.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

Today is a good day, and that’s because I get to talk about a delightful book I just read. I’m quite the connoisseur of historical romances so this one was right up my alley. While not familiar to me before, Michelle McLean has now made it to my list of go-to historical romance authors with her newest release, Four Weddings and a Duke. I will say, I’m not a fan of historical American western romances, but I’ve enjoyed her two regency era novels, so I’m willing to take a chance. Also, I picked up a few of her steamy contemporary rom coms that she pens under the name Kira Archer. Dang girl, you get it - quite the oeuvre!

A Little Bit of Plot
Being the middle daughter of 3 sisters, Lavinia Reddington is facing another season hiding behind potted plants while secretly devouring romance novels while spinsterhood looms. Not as extroverted as her sisters, she would rather spend a night with a good book or paintbrush rather than a ton outing.
Alexander Beaubrooke is the overly studious botanist who would rather toil in soil than step foot in a ballroom. While on the verge of a momentous scientific discovery, he needs a wife. One that detests society and it’s frivolities as much as he does - enter Lavinia.
Within days of meeting, the two are engaged to be married, it’s what comes after that will put their relationship on the line. What happens when suddenly Livvy enjoys taking part in parties and balls and Alex becomes increasingly involved with his work? One place they can’t deny their attraction is the bedroom; but will it be enough to save this relationship before it starts?

The Compliment Sandwich

The Top Bun (The Pro)
The Sensuality of a Pair of Glasses

Livvy has terrible eyesight, and because of this, needs spectacles or at least quizzing glasses to see. Because the ton in regency England was the worst, she is shamed from wearing the one thing that allows her to see - awesome. Alex, however, gets extremely frustrated when he witnesses her struggling without them. Each time he insists that she use them despite going against society’s opinions.

Before they headed to the table, Alex caught her arm and slipped her spectacles into her hand.
She glanced up at him shocked.
“Wear them,” he said.
“But…” Her eyes darted around the room, though without her spectacles or quizzing glass, the features of the guests were hazy.
He took them back from her and unfolded the thin wire arms so he could slip them onto her nose. He took care to make sure the loops fit comfortably behind her ears and let his thumbs trail across her cheeks in quick caress.
“It will be difficult to play cards if you are holding a quizzing glass with one hand. This is your home. You deserve to be able to comfortably see while you are in it… You are the Duchess of Beaubrooke now,” he said quietly. “You needn’t care what any of these people think.”

The sensuality of his caress to her face in public is something that would have been deemed inappropriate at the time. Many times throughout the book does this couple buck society's norms in relation to what some would deem 'appropriate'.

We find that as soon as they announce their engagement, Alex and Lavinia physically gravitate close to one another each time they’re in the same room together. The pull toward one another is magnetic.

She took a deep breath and slowly blew it out, moving ever so slightly closer to the duke, as if he’d shield her from whatever might come her way. A movement everyone seemed to have missed… except Harriet. Her eyes had focused on the excited flush in Lavinia’s cheeks and the pleased look in the duke’s eyes the moment they’d cleared the threshold.

So while tiny touches and the need to be in one another's orbit might not be sensual today, I think McLean describes how touch is taken for granted and how sensory deprived most were in this time period.

It was a very strange thing to be told one’s whole life that to even touch a man was so forbidden, it could ruin one’s entire life. And then, one day, after a few words from a clergyman, she could stand in this room with this man and do whatever she wanted with him. To him. It was a bit hard to reconcile, and she was sure at least some of the anxiety fluttering in her chest was latent guilt for engaging in activities she’d always been taught were sinful. That was now, somehow, the actions of a good and dutiful wife.

We should be thankful for the ability to touch one another at will at present and experience that connection with humanity. There is something sexy though to finally experience skin to skin contact after having been forbidden for so long.

The Meat (The Con)
While I absolutely love the GG in this, I wish we’d had more build up to Alex’s big revelation.

The Bottom Bun (The Pro)
The Relationship Between Harriet and Liv

Harriet, being the elder sister, and at one point, the one on the cusp of marriage, does not take the news of Lavinia’s wedding well. While at the time, as the reader, you’re like “listen chick, just be happy for your sister, and get that stick out ya’ rear”, you learn the reason for her upset and forgive her her haughtiness.

Lavinia has exceptional emotional intelligence, however, and while Harriet's iciness upsets her, she only hopes that she will find her own happiness and eventually they can make peace with one another. This peace comes more quickly than we anticipate, and because of spoilers, I’m just going to include this very lovely exchange when the two come to an understanding:
Harriet froze for a second, staring at her, and then shook her head. “This is part of being the Duchess of Beaubrooke. You anted to be the duchess, didn’t you?”
Lavinina shook her head. “No. I just wanted the duke.”
Harriet nodded slowly. “And that is why he married you. And why he made the right choice,” she said with a long sigh.
Lavinia blinked at her in surprise. Kitty did the same.
“Are you admitting that you were…wrong?” Kitty asked.
Harriet scoffed. “Don’t be absurd. I still would have made an excellent duchess.” She leaned forward and squeezed Lavinia’s had. “But I would have made him a terrible wife”.
Harriet plays a large part in the book past this point, and she turns out to be Livvy’s largest proponent. I ended up loving this character and their relationship.

Lastly, I am writing this as a plea to McLean to write both Kitty and Nigel's stories…if they’re the same one, I’m okay with that too (if you know what I mean).

Honestly, though, McLean does a wonderful job with these characters that at times frustrated me and at others swooning from their actions. I’m working through her Sweet Love Book series currently and it’s also another recommend for me!

I really enjoyed this book. It is a great historical romance. Lavinia is a wallflower middle daughter not looking to be the center of attention. She just wants to sit in a corner and read a book during any social situation, preferably wearing her glasses (which her mother doesn't think she should do out in public). Alexander is a Duke that is to marry one of the sisters of Lavinia's family. He just wants to spend time researching and doesn't want to be social, although as a Duke it is expected of him. He meets Lavinia & thinks they are kindred spirits in this regard. Once they get married, things get interesting. Highly recommend reading this one.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for free copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily