This book was very boring. The chemistry between Nicholas and Carrie was just not there. The story is mostly internal monologues, which could not keep my attention. When they finally do get together it was lackluster.

Book 2 of Maggi Anderson’s “Never” series. I thought this was an okay story. It seemed to drag on for 80% of the book and then the last 10% was super rushed, felt like the romance portion of the story was almost an after thought quickly added at the end. I would have enjoyed more story about Nicholas and Carrie’s actual falling and being in love. The epilogue, if you can consider it one, was not even a page long - so another let down. Very little chemistry in the story.

2 Stars | 2 Flames

Nicholas has promised his friend Max he would take care of his three children if anything happened to Max. The unthinkable happened and he suddenly found himself with two young ladies, one ready for her first season at twenty and the other only a few years away from that time. The boy going to Eton and only with them on holiday.
Nicholas had planned never to marry but then finding Carrie a husband he could approve of was hard because deep down he wanted her himself. Carrie could not find a husband because she wanted Nick. They had become a family without trying. Nicholas just had to get up the nerve to realize it.

Romance with a Dash of Suspense

Nicholas promises his friend to take care of his children. He finds himself falling in love with his oldest ward, but he has no place for love in his life. He loved once, and he lost. He has no intention of going through the pain of losing his heart once more. Can Carrie break down his defenses? Nicholas is determined to marry her off. Who will win in the end? Perhaps, if one wins, so does the other.

Unfortunately, their feelings are not the only problem with which Nicholas and Carrie must contend. An evil villain has mayhem and murder on his mind. Will Nicholas be able to stop him before he does any harm?

This is a romance with a dash of suspense. The book was a bit slow for me. The romance and suspense happen close to the end of the book.

Nicholas becomes guardian to his friend's two young children. Caroline, their older sister, accompanies them to his home for a short while before heading to London for her first season. He wants to protect his battered heart, she hopes to marry quickly and bring her siblings into her home. The more time they spend together the more the lines blur. Throw in meddling family and an uncle with a nefarious scheme and you're looking at a very enjoyable read.
Thank you Maggi Andersen, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

There's nothing new with this story. It's predictable and full of the same tropes we see everywhere. Not one of my favorites.

This is the fourth book in a series, but as I have never read the series or the author previously, this book does fine as a standalone.

Having made a promise to his friend and mentor, Nicholas was now guardian to his two younger children, and promised to help the third child, the eldest, come out as debutante. This was a sweet, slow to burn romance with no heat. I enjoyed watching Nicholas interact with the two youngest children and Carrie falling him much faster than he fell for her. There really was no angst and at about 90% of the book Nicholas declares his love for her and asks her to marry him....without them ever even having shared a kiss. This took me aback and felt like a rushed ending considering the storyline to that moment never had them even kiss. It was an enjoyable read, but I would call this almost a clean romance, which is not my usual type of romance novel.

The tropes are age difference, class difference, guardian/ward.

Nicholas becomes guardian to two young children and a soon-to-be debutante when a good friend passes away. Carrie is the debutante who wants total say in who she will marry, and she openly states her opinion with Nicholas. Nicholas feels he should have some say in the decision to protect her from unsavory individuals, but Carrie refuses to listen to him. His sister Guinevere will sponsor Carrie for the season and introduce her to various gentlemen. Nicholas refuses to recognize his feelings for Carrie, yet is jealous of the attention other men pay her.
This is a charming story that I would highly recommend.

Nicholas, Marquess of Pennington, has an orderly life, regimented, unencumbered, his work, his estate fills his life, he has no need for anyone to share it with. There is a reason for his attitude, loss, loss of a much loved young lady, the loss of his father, and his older brother. Nicholas has a very good friend, Max, Baron Lemming, whose own wife is dead, and has three beautiful children, a young beauty, Caroline, her precocious younger sister, Arabella, and the very young heir, Jeremy. Max reveals to Nicholas that he is dying, will Nicholas become their guardian? Four years later, they come into his well ordered life, and the adventures begin! I enjoyed this clean book, the last four pages were unnecessary in my opinion, however, it is a HEA story. Heat Rating 1 out 3, I would give 99.5% of the book, 1/2, the last four pages, a 3.
I highly recommend. Thank you Netgalley!
carolintallahassee
I

A gentle romance born out of the losses of the most important people in their lives, I found this novel tender and heartwarming. Like many people who have determined how they are going to manage their lives after it is taken over by children, Lord Nicholas, the Marquess of Pennington quickly comes to realize that all his planning is being obliterated by a lively teenage girl, a beautiful young debutant and a boy who needs a man's hand in his life. From the blurb on this book, I expected some suspense and was holding my breath, waiting for the ax to drop. When it eventually did come, it was almost a relief. I loved Nicholas' character, the slow thawing of his heart and his protective stance not only over the siblings but their elderly relative as well. Caroline's concerns for her family's well-being and then her responsible actions when trouble comes makes her Nicholas' perfect match. The story comes to a sweet conclusion, leaving me smiling at the outcome. I received a copy of this novel as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Confirmed bachelor, Nicholas, Marquess of Pennington finds himself taking charge of his friend’s children after he dies, Caroline is not exactly the kid he was expecting but a young beautiful woman. He seems a good guardian for Arabella and Jeremy and he slowly wins over Caroline. An enchanting story of finding love in the least expected places, as Nicholas never expected marry after his devastating loss. These two come to grips with their responsibilities, feeling and fall in love. I love the interaction between them its make an excellent story I’m voluntarily reviewing.

I enjoyed reading this book! Never Dance with a Marquess is the story of Nicholas, Marquess of Pennington, who has suffered the loss of his first love, his father and brother. The story opens on a conversation between Nicholas and his friend, Max, who is dying. Max asks Nicholas to be the guardian of his three children. Several years later, Max dies and Nicholas finds himself with two children and a young lady in need of a London season. The young lady, Carrie, doesn't want a season but she will do anything for her family. The story follows Nicholas, Carrie and the other family members through daily routines. There is some danger and some heat but just enough to make the storyline flow. This is a very good book and I would definitely recommend it.

I would like to thank Netgalley for allowing me to read it. They in now way influenced my review.

Nicholas, Marquis of Pennington, has his ordered life upended when he fulfills a promise to his dying friend and becomes ward to his friend's two young children while helping to supporting the oldest daughter Caroline through her first Season. Caroline at first thinks Nicholas arrogant and aloof and she's not sure he's the best person to take care of her two younger siblings. It's not until she spends some time with him and the children at Nicholas's country seat that she begins to see him in a different life. Nicholas, on the other hand, is struggling trying to balance running his estate and taking care of Bella and Jeremy.

This was a cute story with the major part of it focused on Nicholas and how he changes and realizes he does want to marry and have a family. He can't imagine his life without Caroline, but it takes him to the 95% mark to declare his feelings. The villain in the story is pretty predictable and rather stupid. There's not much action in the story, but more a slow-burn sweet romance between Nicholas and Caroline.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

Never Dance With a Marquess by Maggi Andersen is a sweet romance between Nicholas, Marquess of Pennington and his ward, Carrie Leemings. Nicky had met her father many years before and had become fast friends, at least in part over a shared love of history. When Max had asked Nicky to become guardian to his children, he issued a warning about his brother, Simon, who had absconded after a charge of murder. Max worried he would be back, coming after his son’s fortune. It had been years but now Max had died and the youngest daughter would live with him, with visits during school holidays from her brother. Carrie, the oldest would be making her come out with the help of his sister, Gwen. Carrie came to visit before the season began, and in the middle of everything else, Nicky and Carrie fell in love.

Everyone knew it except Nicholas.It was breaking Carrie’s heart that he refused love, but she had steeled her heart against it, and him. Of course, Simon does rear his ugly head but is quickly dispatched. Carrie is a hit with the ton and quickly receives a proposal. It is supremely entertaining to watch Nicky struggle with himself over Carrie and love. His interactions with the children mark him as a father-in-waiting. Carrie does everything she can and still he rejects her. This is a well plotted books with plenty of believable twists and turns. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Never Dance With a Marquess by Dragonblade through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Never Dance With a Marquess is a read in one sitting close proximity, forbidden romance. Nicholas, Marquess of Pennington becomes the legal guardian of his good friend’s two school age children, Nicholas takes his responsibilities very seriously, including his promise to assist his friend’s eldest daughter in finding a husband. Caroline/Carrie Leeming wants to find an amiable husband who will allow her to care for her siblings - she does not want the handsome Marquess, not one bit. Unfortunately her heart and mind do not get the same memo. While living in his house, Carrie falls more and more in love with the older man as she watches him care for her brother and sister. For his part, Nicholas is finding it hard to resist the beautiful young woman and although he believes himself to old and jaded, he begins to lose the battle and his heart. Carrie and Nicholas’ happily ever after is sweet and well deserved. If you are looking for a quick and easy, historical romance, TBR Never Dance With a Marquess. Enjoy.

Never Dance With a Marquess was a sweet and somewhat predictable romance. I enjoyed the family dynamic of the story.

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

Enjoyable and entertaining read from Maggi and the 2nd book in The Never Series.
It’s a decent length book that holds your attention throughout, the characters are great.

Nicholas the Marquess is quite serious and has a soft center, I feel he’s made for the partner he’s given, Carrie has her fair share of troubles and is embarking on her first season , as her guardian Nickolas must help her find a husband .

All easy, until the two start to have feelings that will throw a spanner in the works.
But he doesn’t want to fall in love and she doesn’t want to be told what to do by a man.

This book has tender moments, tense and emotionally charged moments too.
I really enjoyed it and I’m sure you will too.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

England, 1818
Having made a promise to his friend and mentor, Nicholas was now guardian to his three children. Well one was not exactly a child. No, Carrie was about to make her come out as a debutante. Bella and Jeremy were the two younger.

Nicholas thought Carrie was lovely but was glad to have his sister assist with her come out! But Carrie has no with to marry without love and she is pretty stubborn can I say?

A charming story of love found when least expected with a little danger and adventure!

Nicholas, Marquis of Pennington is a confirmed bachelor after suffering the tragic loss of his first love Sylvia, and the recent deaths of his brother and father, Nicholas is determined never to risk his heart again. Then Maxwell, Baron Leeming who has a weak heart asks Nicholas to be his childrens' guardian as he fears his younger brother Simon, who is wanted for murder, will return to England and attempt to take control of the children’s fortune. Max’s young heir could be in danger. After her father Max dies, Caroline Leeming’s younger brother and sister Jeremy & Bella move to Elm Park the marquis’ home. About to embark on her first Season, Carrie must also spend time at Elm Park. Determined to dislike him, the handsome marquis is not what Carrie expects. When he proves to be a kind and capable guardian for Arabella and Jeremy, rescuing them from scrapes, Carrie fears she is falling in love with him. As the days pass into weeks, she finds it unbearable to leave Elm Park for London and a life away from her family. Nicholas finds himself with not only two unruly youngsters who test his nerves, but a lovely debutante he must see through her first London Season. His sister, Lady Guinevere Winston, has agreed to be Carrie’s chaperone.
This is the second book in the series & is easily read on its own. A well written delightful read that captured & held my interest all the way through & I read it in an afternoon. A lovely slow burn romance with Nicholas being the last to realise his feelings. Carrie is mature for her age & a lovely older sister to Jeremy & Bella. I loved The Leeming siblings who were a handful but Nicholas handled them sensitively. I liked Nicholas but the more I read the more I grew to love him. I also loved how the pair went from being wary around each other to liking & finally to falling in love. I look forward to the rest of the series
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After losing his father and brother, and unexpectedly inheriting the marquessate, Nicholas, Marquess of Pennington relies heavily on his friend and mentor, Maxwell, Baron Leeming, for support. But when Max asks Nicholas to become guardian to his three children when he dies, to avoid Max's scapegrace younger brother getting his hand on the wealth, and the title, Nicholas agrees, but is wary. Now finding himself guardian to 2 children, and with the responsibility of supporting the eldest daughter, Caroline, in her come out, Nicholas' limits are tested. Carrie doesn't really understand why her father changed so much after making Nicholas promise to care for her and her siblings, but she blames Nicholas, and doesn't want to believe he is a good and caring man. However, the longer they are together, both in the country and in London, it's clear the attraction between the two of them is growing, and when a dangerous plot is uncovered, they will do just about anything to save each other, and those they care about.

This book was such a quick read, and I really enjoyed the love story between Nicholas and Carrie. There's a ten year age gap between them - Max, Carrie's father, had been Nicholas' tutor at Oxford - and when they first meet following Max's death, Carrie is grown up, and ready to make her debut in society. Nicholas isn't expecting them to have much to do with each other, not when his married sister, Gwen, is leading the debut and all it entails, but when the younger daughter, Bella, begs her to visit the county estate, Nicholas faces spending time with an alluring woman, who is making him reconsider his pledge never to marry.But his past and events he has suffered through have changed him, and it's hard for him to see that he could make Carrie happy. And for Carrie, she does want to marry, and have a family, but she also wants the chance to explore, and be happy - not to marry the first gentlemen who offers for her. She's adamant that Nicholas is to blame for just about everything, and wants to see him in the worst light possible, but he's really not bad, and she's soon gone for him. I liked seeing both of them grow and develop their feelings, rather than it just being an instantaneous thing. Also seeing characters we met in book 1, Never Doubt a Duke, was a nice surprise, and I look forward to see what Maggi releases next.