This novel was a good read. The novel continues with another Macalister trying to get down the isle. Lady Clara Masson has loved Andrew Macalister, Duke of Bradstone, since she was a girl. When he was engaged to marry her sister, it broken her heart. But, her sister left Andrew at the alter. Rumors began to spread about Clara, mainly due to her brother's influence. Clara has hated by her brother and felt abandoned by her family. One night, she disobeys her brother to attend Andrew's birthday celebration and does not expect to dance with him. Andrew sees Clara again after 5 years and he desires her. He likes that she is strong in the face of cruelty. Andrew was not supposed to be the duke and harbors strong feelings about that. When Clara's life becomes endangered, Andrew tells everyone they are betrothed to protect her. However, he realizes he needs her in his life and wants the marriage. He is nicknamed the "stone duke", but Clara is able to break thru his barriers. Clara though knows Andrew does not love her and plans to break the engagement, but knows she cannot leave since her brother will come after her. As Clara and Andrew spend more time together, truths are reveled, which impacts their relationship. Still, someone is out to harm Clara and will stop at nothing to do so. Will Andrew be able to keep Clara face and can both accept their love for the other?

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley.

Andrew, the Duke of Bradstone, rescues his childhood friend Lady Clara, as she is being insulted publicly at his birthday ball. He was once engaged to her twin sister Christina, but she eloped with a footman rather than marry him. Andrew proceeds to dance with Lady Clara twice and takes her to supper, which leads to gossip and to Clara's brother disowning her.

DNF at 17% (after skimming from 11%). I try very hard not to give up on novels I receive to review, but I just couldn't keep going any further on this one. I had problems with the anachronistic language and sometime plainly misused language - jilting some one at the altar is not "abdication", Andrew's study has "deep depths" etc.

While perhaps this will be revealed later on it the plot, I was confused as to why Lady Clara was so ostracized by society simply because she had spent two years mourning the deaths of her father and sister. Surely she would be more likely to be chastised for not mourning them sufficiently, and also far more likely to face gossip for having a twin married to a footman... If no one in society will give her the time of day, why does she bother sneaking into society balls anyway? How can Lady Clara have expected her Great Aunt Bridgette to chaperone her at the birthday ball when she arrived without her and doesn't even know where she lives?

Clara's brother's treatment of her (and again maybe the plot goes on to explain this) was so extreme and so outside acceptable behaviour for a gentleman that it was the final straw for me.

I love reading Regency romance and when I saw that this was set in 1811, I couldn't help but wish for it.
This book brings the heat. It has the scandal, drama, mystery, fashion, gossip, love and most of all it has the Bradstones! Well, what do you get when you have a handsome, rich and titled man who goes after a lady that is the talk of ton? The Duke, Andrew Bradstone, sees Lady Clara across the hall at his birthday ball and he approaches her and the way he showers her with his attention gets every tongue wagging. Lady Clara returns home to the vengeful and spiteful brother, Jonathan Morston, and in a rage he hits her, insults her and kicks her out of their home but not before The Duke swoops in and takes her to his home. This marks the beginning of the story behind Lady Clara's misfortunes and also intensifies the attraction between them.
I loved their different personalities because Clara's honesty and ability to speak her mind balances Andrew's caution.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley after the publisher granted my wish and it's been worth every minute!

I absolutely love this book and haven't been able to put it down. It has romance, scandal and intrigue. Andrew is handsome, sexy, rich and he's a Duke. Clara is beautiful, the center of scandal and in serious peril of getting hurt. Andrew rescues her and it's hard to stop reading. I started reading this book one evening and it was 2:00 AM and I was still reading! Getting up to go to work was rough, but I didn't care. I give this book five stars and recommend it highly.

How many tries does it take to get Duke of Bradstone married? 3
Andrew was the second son, but after his father and older brother pass on, he inherits the dukedom. He stonewalls himself after this happens. He goes from being the second son to being flocked by people that only want the power and prestige that comes with being associated with a duke. Andrew was fond of Clara, so I don’t understand why he would let himself be arm twisted into proposing to her twin sister instead of Clara.
I have to say, I really liked Clara... at the beginning, not so much during the middle. No one of the ton liked her because of the lies her own brother spread and the scandal of her own twin sister but she was brave in defying them anyways and, I liked the way she handled Lady Laura. I would have punched that girl. I also liked the little snippets of gossip at the beginning of each chapter. Sort of like Julia Quinn novel of the Bridgertons with Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, There was even a Lady Danbury in this book but not like Julia Quinn’s Lady Danbury.
I’m not sure this is a historical romance because the way Andrew communicates so quickly about things that are going on in the story it almost seems like the have cell phones or internet. I seriously wanted to slap her a couple of times, she finally got Andrew to admit his love for her and she says she’s the one who is not sure anymore.
Other than that, this was a really great read. All the assassination attempts were getting annoying.
** ARC provided by the author for an honest review **

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2177083205