While exploring the ruins of an ancient castle, strangers Sarah and Kenver fall over the edge of a cliff. They end up spending the night in a sea cave and rescue themselves. But in this historical romance the damage is done: a single man and a single woman together overnight means he’ll have to do the honorable thing and marry her. But his parents chillingly disapprove and when Sarah and Kenver move in every obstacle is put in their path.

Sarah is a cheerful sort who at first tries to work around Kenver’s mother’s barbs and slights and machinations. Kenver is described as meek because he won’t stand up for Sarah against his parents. At least at first. Finally Sarah and Kenver move out of the house in order to have a normal marriage. But events take them back. Will their love and marriage survive the antagonizing parents?

Although this might be a richer read if read as part of the series I think it could be enjoyed as a standalone. It was hard for me to identify with Kenver in the story. I see him as a victim of child abuse and understand why he does not push back against the parents at first. But then his honor and protectiveness of Sarah comes out. Still, knowing this and having a natural empathy for victims of abuse, I still could not find him a sympathetic character. I could, however, identify with Sarah. She is charming and engaging.

There are no steamy parts so it would be a good book to suggest to patrons who don’t like heavy sex scenes.

I enjoyed other books in this series more than I liked this one. I would give it a 3.5 but will round it off as a 3.

Kenver trips on the edge of a cliff, Sarah holds out her hand to help him. They fall over the edge. They find their way to a cave. In the morning they find a way up the cliff. Everyone is looking for Sarah. All the neighbors call it a scandal. Kenver offers marriage to Sarah. Everyone is happy except for Kenver’s parents. After they are married his parents treat Sarah horribly. She is given a tiny room far away from Kenver. They make it very hard for Sarah to live there. His mother is very controlling. She wants to break them up. Kenver must stand up for Sarah.

The book was great. It kept me interested until the end.

4 stars

This is an interesting read in that the author makes her hero a put upon beta type who is really rescued by the heroine's friends. As in book 2 there's a parent who is manipulative and a bully and the hero has endured this all his life. The heroine finds herself in an untenable situation but luckily her friend who married a duke is close by. The duchess is investigating the Duke's estates, thus the title of the series, and this helps in the solution. I liked how the hero's sister comes partly to the rescue and we eventually understand what has made the mother the ogre she appears.

The series is not your usual regency romance but I think it's worth investing in as it's more realsitic of the times. The author seems to have a talent for characterisation of the male characters.

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

Kenver Pendrennon falls off a cliff and takes Sarah Moran with him. She manages to save his life when he is knocked unconscious but they are forced to stay overnight in a cave. When they are found, it looks like marriage is on the cards.

I managed to finish this book but at times it did feel like quite a slog. It took the appearance of some familiar characters about of a third of the way through to remember I'd read the last book in this series. The general premise is fine and Sarah is a likeable character but the other characters - particularly Kenver and his parents are really quite difficult to understand or have much sympathy for.

The problem with having a book shadowed by truly unlikeable antagonists (in this case Kenvers dreadful parents) is they're absolutely no fun to read about. They aren't witty or diabolical, just relentlessly dour and rather unpleasant.

A very sweet drama of family after a couple says I do. Its a nice book for a slow day. Like Bridgeton meets Hallmark in the nicest way

Oof this was such a miss, I wish I could forget about reading this. I couldn’t connect with the writing or the characters at all.

Kenver slipped off the Cornwall cliffs and when Sarah tried to save him,,, they ended up into each other's arms and into the sea. They were forced to marry to avoid a scandal. Of course, they fall in love along the way...

Both characters are terrific. They are especially terrific TOGETHER. I love their banter... They have great chemistry. A terrific book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I think that I just don't care for Jane Ashford's writing style. All three books in this series have been a disappointment. Too dry. To slow. Not at all spicy. I literally don't care about a single character.