Thank you NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the chance to read and review this book.

It's been a while since I've read a regency romance that actually covers topics on the heavier side, without dismissing them altogether by the end. Henry has a gambling problem and that doesn't magically go away; he is gambler and that stays until the end. Katie has a birthmark that scares people, and that doesn't just disappear with her revealed to be a conventional beauty. Her father doesn't become gentle with them at the end, and they really will struggle for money in the future.

This made it a good solid read. And the spice was just **chefs kiss**!

Entertaining Historical Romance

Cursed when he was thirteen, Henry’s luck finally ran out at age thirty as the witch who cursed him moted it be. A duke he might be, but he lost everything to an enemy, and he did not understand why. He went to stay with his mother when he ran into Katie. She was the daughter of the man who destroyed him, and from their first meeting, she scolded him for neglecting his tenants. Henry wanted to find out why Katie’s father was targeting him for revenge, and Katie agreed to help, but she had conditions. What would the two uncover? As they got closer, sparks flew between them, but she was the daughter of his enemy. How would it all turn out, and could Henry get free from the witch’s curse? I enjoyed this historical romance and would recommend it.

What a heartfelt book! Katie has led a sheltered, lonely life because of her cold, uncaring father. He's kept her a virtual prisoner because of her birthmark. Her father wins an estate from the Duke of Carlisle. Henry, the Duke of Carlisle has a gambling addiction. Katie and Henry meet after Katie moves into his former house. Both of the main characters have issues with lack of self esteem and confidence: Katie, from her abusive upbringing and Henry, from losing everything to addiction. I love both of these characters and was rooting for them. After running to gretna green for a rushed marriage, they basically start from scratch. This ends in a happy for now. They still have a ways to go, but I feel they will come out great in the end. There's still one more book in the series.
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

This is such a cute book. Henry, Duke of Carlisle, is a gambler and after losing his family's country estate he tries to get it back and ends up losing his London townhouse as well. With nowhere else to go, he goes to his mother's dower house on the estate's lands.

When he gets there, Henry meets Lady Katherine, daughter of the Marquess of Shrewsbury, who was essentially exiled to the estate by her father who had won it from Henry. Henry engages Katie's help to figure out why her father hates him so much that he made an effort to win all of Henry's properties and lands. Katie has a large birthmark on her face which has caused her to hide away her whole life. As they work together to figure out what is going on with her father, Katie helps Henry to curtail his gambling addiction, and Henry helps Katie become more comfortable with meeting new people and living as herself.

The two of them are really good for each other and it is nice to see Henry redeem himself and Katie come into her own. I didn't realize this was the second of a series so this book could very easily be read as a standalone. I look forward to the next book to find out how Henry and his 2 friends solve the overall issue of them being "cursed" when they were teens.

I received a promotional copy and am giving an honest review.

My Fair Katie by Shana Galen is the story of the second of three men who were cursed by a witch when they were just boys. His two friends had been cursed on their thirtieth birthdays in the most horrific of ways, and now it was his turn.. But, he had hope. A poem left indicated that he/they might be able to lift the curse. This is his story. Henry, Duke of Carlisle was a gambler. He had already lost his family’s country home and now he had just lost their house in London. Why the Marquis of Shrewbury had it in for him was anybody’s guess. With nowhere else to go, Henry made his way to the Dowager House on his former estate. His mother owned it so he had not been able to gamble it away. She was less than happy. Idiot, she called him, but not before he had been brought to task by the most beautiful woman he met on the road. For not taking better care of his tenants of all things. She had a large birthmark on her cheek but that did nothing to bank her appeal. And she grew to love him, for what reason he could not imagine.

Lady Katherine Malfort, Katie, was the only daughter of the Marquis of Shrewbury. She had been sent to this deteriorating heap of a house by him. He wanted to be rid of her. He was ashamed of her mark. When she became aware that it was his goal to let the entire estate fall into ruin, she took things into her own hands. She was stubborn and intelligent. She allowed the Dowager Duchess to convince her she no longer needed to wear a veil to go out in public. The Dowager said people would bet used to her birthmark, and they did. Henry was the furthest thing from strong, although he was moderately intelligent. The were a good pair and excellent characters. This is an interesting series and this, a good read. The plot is ridiculous in most peoples’ eyes, but they believed it and that is all it took. And the things that happened. Were they simply coincidence? Great series, Ms. Galen. Thank you!

I was invited to read My Fair Katie by Dragonblade. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #ShanaGalen #MyFairKatie

Shana Galen is an auto buy author for me (I had this preordered before I got an ARC). She is create vivid worlds and is able to create realistic conflicts that feel fresh.

I really liked the way Kate came out of her comfort zone. She meets Henry and after a time become friends. The story just gets better from there! I would have liked to have had more about their lives instead of the abrupt ending.

I loved this book! The main character’s were very likable and it was a very refreshing book to read. The story was very well written and I enjoyed the plot so much and the plot twist was so good!

Henry Lewis, the Duke of Carlisle was on a winning streak when he loses almost all the properties his family has owned for generations to the Marquess of Shrewsbury. It was an ill-fated attempt to win back his ancestral home, Carlisle Hall, that finally did him in, losing his townhouse instead. It was a game of vingt-et-un, and may or may not be the result of a curse from a witch he and his school friends had offended during their time in Scotland. Carlisle knows, though, that it's this lifelong urge to seek the thrill of games of chance that was his ultimate downfall.

Carlisle Hall is currently occupied by Shrewsbury's daughter, Lady Katherine Malfort. Shrewsbury is ostensibly keeping his daughter in Carlisle Hall to keep her away from society, owing to a conspicuous birthmark on her face. But to Katie, it's a punishment for attempting to run away to Paris and pursue art studies and painting. Katie makes the best of her forced exile in the country by taking on the mantle of mistress of the estate--seeing to tenants' needs, and even forming a wary friendship with the Dowager Duchess, whose dower house had been fortunately secured against Henry's gambling tendencies.

Penniless and debt-ridden, Henry ventures to Carlisle Hall to find a way to get it back. An old feud between the Carlisles and the Shrewsburys, involving ownership of a piece of land in France might be the piece of the puzzle that Henry is looking for. He enlists Katie's grudging assistance. In working together, Henry's initial attraction to Katie percolates into a shared desire and deeper feelings. As they get to know one another, they go up against all odds, not only to win back Henry's properties and dignity, but also his self-respect and a way forward--a future free of the burdens of the past, for him, for them both.

This being a historical romance, there's much thought into how Shana Galen framed and progressed Henry and Katie's physical relationship, as they went from enemies to grudging allies to friends with sparks and then to full-fledged lovers. Everything, from their first time, to how the act becomes a bit more natural for Katie, and how two people to get to know how to respond to each other's bodies--all of these were shown in a way that I feel was so deliberately differentiated from the usual fare, but--and this is the most important thing, all that did not feel out of beat to the story and the characters.

My Fair Katie is the second book in the Misfortune's Favorites series. Though I did not read the first one, My Fair Katie is easy enough to follow and can be read as a standalone. (It makes me want to go back to the first now, though, and now awaiting the conclusion). There's a lot going on, with the interconnected stories and the supernatural elements, but IT ALL WORKS, and how! I enjoyed this one thoroughly.

I received an ARC through the author on #Netgalley. This review is made voluntarily, honestly, and for free.

My Fair Katie is the second book in Shana Galen’s Misfortune’s Favourites series. It follows the stories of three men who were cursed by a witch when they were thirteen. The ‘curse’ takes effect when each of them turn thirty. I have not read the first in the series which I think takes place concurrently with this one but it was easy enough to follow the story so this can be read as a standalone.
Henry Lewis, Duke of Carlisle, has a gambling addiction. At the start of this story he has pretty much gambled away everything that is not entailed. In a desperate bid to win back his country estate which he lost to the Marquess of Shrewsbury [the man who seems determined to ruin him], he wagers his town house in London – and ends up losing everything. With no other options Henry has to retire to his mother’s Dower House – set next to the estate the Marquess won from Henry.
Lady Katherine Malfort has been banished to the country by her father the Marquess. Having been kept away from the Ton her entire life because of a large birthmark on her face, she attempted a bid to break free by travelling to Paris to pursue a career in painting. Her father discovered her plan and now she is languishing in the country in a house that seems to be falling down around her with no access to her beloved paints. When she realises how much the tenants have been neglected by the previous owner Kate is angry and determined that she will help improve their lot as much as she is able.
So when said previous owner turns up with seemingly no cares she is furious. She wants nothing to do him. But Carlisle wants to find out why her father has such a hatred for him and needs access to his father’s papers which are still at Carlisle Hall. The more she meets him the less she can hold onto her anger. As they continue meeting can Henry and Katie overcome their own personal obstacles to aim for a happy ever after?
I did like this story in general. Henry and Katie’s relationship was fairly angst free. I liked that they communicated well and they were open and honest with each other. I loved Katie. She has been brought up largely with indifference by her horrible father and she has learnt to hide away most of her life so ended up living a very lonely life with no friends. I loved how she learnt to find herself a purpose and realise that her birthmark did not define her. She is patient, loving, kind and strong.
I had mixed feelings about Henry. I really had trouble respecting a man who gambles away his entire estate and thought nothing about the people that depended upon him including his tenants and his family. His reasons for doing so were a little flimsy at best. I understand that all the heroes in this series are flawed but it’s difficult to like him. He did have his good points – I loved that Katie’s supposed ‘defect’ made no impression on him at all. He saw Katie for what she was and didn’t hide how desirable he found her.
On the whole though, I think he was forgiven a lot. Katie is fiercely loyal to him and stays strong for him when he lapses. I can see her being his rock in future but I couldn’t see that he had the inner strength in himself. I hope in the next book we might get glimpses of the man he can be. I did like Henry but am not sure he deserved it.
On a side note, I really liked Henry’s mother. She is a strong, no nonsense lady who encouraged Katie in her own way. She was sometimes harsh with Henry but it was a fraction of what he deserved and the love she had for him always shone through. Her disappointment with him was completely understandable.
Another point I didn’t love was that Katie’s father also seemed to get away scot free with the destruction he wrought. He wasn’t a likeable character at all and ended up with all of Carlisle’s estates and houses and the land he was after in the first place [which in itself was not a great reason for doing what he did – why did he not just talk to Henry after his father died?]. Henry just gave everything away [which I know was to show his love for Katie] but it didn’t sit well that the Marquess was rewarded for being a terrible father and a horrible man in general.
I am not sure I will go back and read the first book but I will look to the third book to see what happens to the curse and if there is a reversal of fortune [Katie definitely deserves it!]. I liked Henry but loved Katie. I received an advanced review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

It was great to return to the Misfortunes Favorites series for the second book about Carlisle & Katie. Poor Carlisle has a hard time of things but together they face their challenges and adventures while building a life together. I love the underlying theme of the curse of the witch and how these men work to overcome their trials. Also, the secondary characters are hilarious! I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

My Fair Katie

A Duke with a serious gambling problem and a curse over his head and his enemy’s daughter whose father is ashamed of her and doesn’t care about her at all, meet and thru many ups and downs fall in love.
I fell in love with these characters. I was totally invested in their lives. They came alive for me Shana did a great job with the plot, characters, their relationship and the resolution. Everything about it was believable. I enjoyed it immensely. Well done, Shana

This multifaceted novel lifts the veil on the nature of addiction, holding grudges and living with disfigurement, making one realize that nothing has changed over the years. Lady Katherine's father is ashamed of her birthmark and deals with her harshly, but despite having lost the one thing that brought her joy, Katie finds ways in which to compensate and instead of bowing under pressure she becomes a strong and courageous woman. Henry, Duke of Carlisle, however, is almost destroyed when he loses everything he has at the turn of the cards. It takes his mother's stern reprimand and Katie's resilience to pull him out of his despair. Unfortunately, dealing with Katie's father is another matter altogether as the man cannot be appeased nor will he see reason. As Henry discovers, anything is possible with the love of a good woman at his side. This book is part of a series and the matter of a curse still has to be resolved, although things do look promising. Henry and Katie's story, nevertheless, does come to a very happy conclusion. I received a copy of this romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Henry has lost everything because of his gambling addiction. He retreats to his mother’s home in the country to regroup and that is where he meets Katie. They couldn’t be more different, but they find themselves drawn to one another. She is basically a prisoner in her father’s house. He has hurt so many people with his gambling. Can these two people find happiness together?

I didn’t like the beginning. Henry isn’t likable. His gambling and his losses at the gambling table annoyed me because I have read book one in the series, and I understand how serious these events will be. The author did a good job giving Henry a major growth curve. When he finds out why the “bad guy” hates him, Henry develops a plan to solve that issue. I actually really liked Henry by the end. Katie has a sad backstory. Her father is absolutely awful to her. I think the author made a good choice letting Katie learn her own strength. She needs that strength to be with Henry long term. I like that the author had both characters learn how to be responsible adults together. There are some good side characters that help the story to move forward. I even like the “bad guy” and think that he helped to move the overall series forward.

My one issue with the story is that I can’t picture the characters or settings. The story itself left an impression but the only description that stuck with me is Katie’s birth defect. That’s unusual for this author but I’m not sure it makes much difference for the overall series.

This story is an historical romance set in England and Scotland. While both characters are grown adults neither starts the story with any job or view toward the future. This story focuses on the two of them finding their purposes. This is book 2 of a series and you should read this series in order. I will read more from this author in the future.

Henry, the Duke of Carlyle is a deeply flawed man, his addiction to gambling has caused him to lose everything to Lady Katherine’s father. Katie’s flaw is a large port stained birthmark on her face. Together, they face their flaws and build a life together.

This was another enjoyable read from this author. I love the trope of the non-conventionally 'attractive' person finding the one person who sees beyond to the beauty inside.

In this case, it is Lady Katherine Malfort - who was born with a strawberry birthmark on her face - who learns her worth and gains confidence from meeting and befriending Henry Lewis, the Duke of Carlisle. Henry never once shrinks away from Kate, and helps her see that she IS beautiful and worthy of love.

I enjoyed the story, especially the continuation of the over-arching plot involving the witch's curse - and can't wait for the final book to see how it is all resolved.

Henry the Duke of Carlisle has one love and that is the gambling . When he turns 30 he has lost all of his family's estates and money and now lost the last house they owned . He tried to win them but he lost them at a game against the Marquess of Shrewsbury . The Marquess has his own daugher Katie living at Henry's estate because she is artist and tried to escape to Paris to leanr from a famous painter . Katie was born with a birthmark in her face and her face and her father has always kept her hidden . Now that she is in country and met with the Duke's mother she is helping her with her new tenants who need their help . When they meet she show him no respect and call him out about his behavior . He is the only man who doesn't look at her like she is cursed . When he learns that her father is holding a vendetta against him he is trying to find the truth about what happen years ago so he asks her help . Spending each night together in the library brings them together and she falls for him . Will he be able to resist his passion for wager or his love for Katie will win ?
I received this book from netgalley and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .

This was truly a beautiful book, the second of an equally beautiful series that features flawed male characters who struggle to change their ways and are helped by strong, but also vulnerable women. I laughed quite a lot this time, but I was also touched by Katie and Henry's story and I think Galen did a magnificent job at portraying a pathological gambler.
I loved the side characters, especially Henry's mother and the deaf (?) butler. The writing is superb as always. I really can’t wait to read the last book and finally see all three friends reunited.

I’m a huge Shana Galen, and this book did not disappoint!! Good story, good character’s and good dialogue. Storyline flowed and I couldn’t put the book down. A must read!

Two disillusioned people, who are supposed to be enemies, find love amidst a curse in this delightful romance.

Henry and Katie were both captivating characters. From the start, Henry saw her for the brilliant person she was, underneath the birthmark that she was taught to be ashamed of. Katie kept her promise of standing by Henry and never leaving him to fight his demons on his own. It was amusing and charming to see Henry trying to make sense of the curse and the witch.

Henry’s gambling addiction was portrayed extremely well. We could clearly see and understand his obsession and how strong a hold it had on him, the push and pull between his compulsion and his conscience. It ruled his thoughts, until he discovered the wildfire of attraction burning between him and Katie. If they weren’t kissing each other, they were thinking of kissing each other. The story never implied that Henry’s addiction was miraculously solved, but that it would be possible for him to manage it in the future with help.

There was a spot in the middle that slowed down somewhat, but overall the pacing was just right. I cannot wait to read Rory’s story and see how the curse situation gets resolved. If you like steamy historical romance with down-on-their-luck characters, then this is the series for you.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.