Secrets, Scandals, and Love

Beth escapes London because of a scandal caused by her brother, which led her fiancée to abandon her. She goes to a manor that shelters women with secrets. What secrets does the manor hold behind its doors? The women are not saying.

In the meantime, the Duke of Kirkstone is looking for his lost sister, and he lands on Lady Sophia's doorstep, where Beth is staying, near death. Beth decides to care for him, and as she does, tender feelings begin to develop. However, no one is willing to divulge Kit's sister's whereabouts. What will happen when he discovers the truth about why his sister went into hiding? Will he accept Beth's creative solution? If you like historical romance with secrets, scandal, and strong women, you might enjoy this story like I did.

I liked this and want to read the other installments now. I'm a fan of when women in this historical time do the different thing and support each other.

This is the fourth installment of the Ashton Park series. Lady Elizabeth is the Season's most sought after debutante. She has her pick of suitors, but she decides to settle for someone who will best suit her family instead of marrying for love. But unfortunately, she is left with a broken betrothal as a result of her brother's scandal and she decides to get away and go visit her sister-in-law's aunt, Lady Sophia. When Beth arrives, she realizes she is not the only one with a ruined reputation and that Lady Sophia has been providing refuge to other ladies who have been ruined. The Duke of Kirkstone, Kit, is headed in the opposite direction, in search of his missing sister. He is the one man that could have captured her heart years ago. Long tiresome hours and days of travelling take their toll and when Kit arrives at Lady Sophia's home, he passes out. Beth volunteers to nurse him back to health. The time she spends with Kit has made her realize she made a mistake when she rejected him years ago.
This was an enjoyable story with romance and intrigue, and I was engaged from the very start. It was a well-written book with interesting and likable characters, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to read it.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This book is part of a series, but it’s not necessary to read the previous ones to read this one (I didn’t). Lady Elizabeth Ashton is trying to outrun a scandal–not her own, but her brother’s. She goes to stay in a house that has something strange going on. No men live in the house, and there seems to be a distinct lack of propriety, even though the women who stay there are in different social classes. Then the Duke of Kirkstone (Kit) shows up half-dead after looking for his missing sister Mary for months. Mary is there, along with several other women, who are all pregnant and unmarried. The house is a safe haven for these women who have nowhere else to go since society has given up on them. Beth helps to take care of Kit and comes up with a very unlikely plan.

This book is part sweet romance and part commentary on “ruined” women. Kit, like most men of the time, has no real understanding of how stringent the rules are for women and how fragile safety is for them in this world. It’s refreshing to see Kit finally understanding the plight of his sister (and other women like her) without condemnation. After all, the very rules of society that shelter women also keep from them the knowledge they need to survive in the world.

For all of his ignorance of what happened to his sister, he cares a lot about her. He’s willing to understand, in part, because he is completely vulnerable himself while healing. Being so sick, he finally gets to see just how helpless one can be in the world and to realize just how hard it is. It’s about the closest he can get to understanding what it’s like to be in his sister’s shoes.

All in all, I liked the book. I’ll likely read the rest of the series when I have time. My only real gripe is that the timeline seems a little too condensed. Even though it deals with a heavy topic, it doesn’t seem that heavy and is quite sweet.

4 1/2*STARS*
Lady Elizabeth leaves London due to her brother Robert's scandal and the gentleman she was to marry breaks it off. Her refuge is her sister-in-laws aunt's home, Timmons Manor. Kit, the Duke of Kirkstone, has spent four months looking for his sister. His last information leads him to Timmons Manor.
Collapsing on arrival, Beth offers to be his nurse. Soon Beth learns the secret of the Manor and it's imperative to keep it from leaking to London society. A surprise at every corner and the support and selflessness of one young lady. Is it any wonder a duke falls in love with this lady.
Open bedroom.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

This is the fourth book in a series but can easily be read as a standalone.
I liked that we didn't have too many characters being introduced, which I kind of expected when I saw it was a series. It tends to get very confusing but that wasn't the case for this one!

This book follows Lady Elizabeth Ashton, also known as Beth who gets whisked away to Timmons Manor in far-off Yorkshire, the home of her sister-in-law’s Aunt Sophia after her family endures a few scandals thanks to her brother.
Then theres Kit Caudale, Duke of Kirkstone who arrives not much later after having a long search for his sister. He ends up falling ill and collapses not much later. Beth is the one nursing him back to health. She already knew the Duke since he courted her during her season but sadly did not choose him. Maybe she had made a mistake?

This was probably one of my first historian drama books, set in an earlier era than I'm used to but I enjoyed it none the less! Beth is a very strong and clever woman, continuing on after everything she's been through.

The romance is really really slow build and some scenes werent really to my taste but overall this was a fun read! I'll have a look in the future if I'll pick up more from this author!

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Duke I Came For by Abigail Bridges is the fourth book in The Ashton Park series. I haven’t yet read the first three books, but this one stands well alone.

Lady Elizabeth Ashton (Beth), daughter of a duke, has fled London due to family scandals which led to her being dumped by the man she had agreed to marry. Her refuge is Timmons Manor in far-off Yorkshire, the home of her sister-in-law’s Aunt Sophia. When she arrives, she finds a house full of young women. They all seem to be taking refuge there and Beth has to learn why.

Kit Caudale, Duke of Kirkstone, arrives at the house one day later after four months of fruitless sarching for his missing sister. His last lead has brought him to Timmons Manor. However, Sophia denies knowing the girl. Kit has fallen ill with pneumonia after exposure to the elements during his lengthy search. As soon as he hears his sister is not there, he collapses.

Beth and Kit were previously acquainted. He had courted her during her Season and was one of her top choices. Now, she regrets choosing the weak man she did. But would Kit have been the better choice?

Beth nurses Kit back to health and acts as a go-between for him and his sister (who is hiding out at Timmons Manor.) There is enough scandal here to bring down the houses of both dukes, unless Beth can convince Kit of a plan to salvage them all.

This is an enjoyable Romance with likable characters. The steam is saved until near the end. I’ll have to explore the rest of the Ashton Park series to get the full story on this family!

A very different perspective on some issues of that period. I love how she brings it up and deals with it. The main characters transform into mature well rounded people with a zest for life without losing who they are. Loved it!!
I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book.

The Duke I Came For by Abigail Bridges is part of her Ashton Park series and features Lady Elizabeth Aminta Emalyn Ashton, also known as Beth. There has been a scandal caused by her brother and it caused her betrothed to cry off. Not him, but his father, but what did Beth need with so weak a man? She has escaped the ton and come to Timmons Manor in Yorkshire to heal her wounds and determine her next steps. It takes her a while to discover what these women were all about, but not before Richard Christopher “Kit” Caudale, Eighth Duke of Kirkstone, had arrived looking for his sister. It seems he had refused to allow her to marry the man of her choosing: the local vicar, three times her age, and she fled, tired of his and her mother’s authority over her. Sadly he arrived extremely ill and had to be put to bed immediately, and the doctor called. At first they were not certain he would live. But, Beth nursed him, reasoning that she had no other tasks and so would not be missed. He had courted her during her ill-fated season and she came to see that maybe she had chosen in error when she selected someone else.

Beth was a good character, anything but shy, and creative and clever. She was adamant when it came to what was right, and what was not. She came up with an interesting way to solve several problems, get Kit’s sister Mary back, home, and keep herself away from London. Kit was the penultimate duke but willing to learn. Beth saw the man behind the facade as she nursed him. There were bridges to cross and Beth did that with aplomb. This book is about a modern solution to an age-old problem. Did places like Timmons Hall exost? Hard to know but it made an excellent story.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Duke I Came For by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AbigailBridges #TheDukeICameFor

Lady Elizabeth Ashton is running from her bother’s scandal. Richard Christopher Caudale, Duke of Kirkstone, is searching for his runaway sister. He wants to understand why she ran away. They find each other at the home of Lady Sophia Timmons, a very special place it turns out. He believes his answers are here, but Kit is quite ill when he reaches the Timmons house. He is taken in, and it is Beth is given the task of caring for him. Beth and Kit courted during the season, but it hadn’t worked out. As he recovers, they get to know each other, she rethinks her decision. Will Beth realize that Kit is indeed the Duke she came for? This is a story of remarkable second chances. Beth is intelligent and caring. She and Kit make a great couple. The story is emotional, the eclectic assortment of characters is wonderful, the ending happy. I really enjoyed it.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily reviewing it.

This is the overlaying theme in this story. It is not always running away, it is running toward. This is what Beth Ashford is doing when she begins her journey towards a new life. After being surrounded by family scandals, and having her life upended by them, she is taking the reins of her own future. Though not aware what she is running to, she knows she needs more. It comes as little surprise when that future appears as the Duke she denied ends up in need of her care. In nursing him back to health amid an unconventional household of women, we see Beth grow into her strength and her compassion. The relationship between Beth & Kit quickly blooms into a beautiful love. Both of these individuals are all about family, something that was not as apparent in the constricts of a ton courtship. How quickly Beth comes to the aid of his family, and indeed many others shows her capacity for love. Her ‘mad scheme’ showing her selflessness. I adored the interactions with her father, this book highlights the love and commitment of family like no other. That is truly the shining glory of this story. A pure delight!

The fourth in a series but can easily be read as a standalone (which I did, having never read this author before). Very easy to jump in and there aren't an overabundance of characters to confuse the plot.

This book features an interesting premise that I haven't come across before: a duke searching for his errant sister, he falls ill and is forced to recuperate in the house for wayward girls that she is secretly hiding in. While the woman that jilted him earlier in the season is also hiding out the same house for different reasons, and nurses him back to health. At the thought of a tender sickbed scene, my ears perked right up because I love nothing more than a feverish duke dressed in nothing in a sheet and the ministering angel that saves his life as they fall ass over teakettle for each other. However, that isn't what happened here.

The writing is clear and immerses you in the time period, however, the romance is excruciatingly slow build, the other parts of the story make a much bigger role than the love story in the first half. The much-anticipated sickbed scene stretched into what felt like half the book, and a lot more hacking up gross stuff than I am looking for in a romance. At one point he is hacking up lots of phlegm and then they kiss a few scenes later and I'm like uhhh, no .. 😑🤢

This is a very soft soft softtt romance, these two are wonderfully pure and tender. She is a super giving person, he is overprotective of his sister and "family is everything" for him so he will stop at nothing to find her. Because they fell in love earlier (maybe an earlier book? idk), there isn't a lot of ramping up of tension, they have established feelings but these feelings don't appear to be overwhelmingly strong. This book feels like it's more about love and sacrifice and tender loving care, rather than rampant passion. So if you're looking for a very gentle kind of love, you'll like this one. It IS open door and once they get to it, the scenes are hot but make sense for these two characters, even adding some humor to lighten up a sometimes heavy book.

There are 2 instances of "do you not know that women cry when they're happy?" just a few chapters apart and I'm not sure if it was intentional or not, as there was no allusion to it being a running bit, so that kind of took me out of the story temporarily.

My biggest complaint, other than the icky protracted sickbed plot is the fact that the bad guys don't get theirs in the end. I mean, his mom tries to kill her (!), and we basically get nothing bad happening to either of the two villains.

The ending, with the couple running off to India on a long honeymoon, left me scratching my head, as she had just sacrificed a lot for his sister and her new baby, as well as little orphan Mattie, and there was a joke along the way about how much she loved "saving" things. But then all these people are just left in England we are to assume? I hope they take Mattie at least, she's suffered enough. I was really expecting the epilogue to be a big gorgeous family gathering a few years later where we could see Mattie healing and Mary and cute little Mina also doing well.

All in all, it was an enjoyable romance, but I prefer a little more focus on the romance, and if it's focused on family instead, that the focus stays there through to the end.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

3⭐️

I love a regency romance! This is my first time reading Abigail Bridges. This second-chance romance/marriage of convenience story centers around a Duke, Kit, and Lady Beth, the daughter of another Duke. Beth finds herself in a scandal, through no fault of her own, forced to leave London and find refuge in a private home with many secrets in the country. Kit, in search of his missing sister, arrives to the doorstep of this house, exhausted with fever and pneumonia. Having met each other previously in London, Beth helps nurse Jim from death. Secrets are revealed from secondary characters, leading to a marriage of convenience for Kit and Beth.

I loved the details provided in the story. Many times, a story glosses over the day-to-day happenings, while this one read more like a captain’s log. There were points of drama, small amount of spice, but overall, a sweet story. I was disappointed as the epilogue seemed to go a completely different way than the story, leading me to wonder about the secondary characters and where the epilogue leads them?

Thank you to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a love story based on pure, sweet, innocent love that has been waiting to be claimed. I love the gentle approach to two people who appreciate one another for the right choices that they make, after addressing the incorrect choices that they made. The story of forgiveness and love is deep between Beth and Richard. The book was entertaining. The romance was a treat to read.

Lady Elizabeth Ashton was enjoying her first season until her brother got into a scandal. Now she has decided time away from all of it will be for the best.

Little does our heroine know but the household she chooses to go to is much more scandalous.

Richard, Duke of Kirkstone is furious with his sister for running away but also really worried about her.

Our hero will not stop searching, no matter how long it takes.

Family is the most important thing to both our lead characters. The very special place they find themselves has a lot of secrets.

This is a fascinating historical romance with many great characters, some of which you might have met in other books in the series. There are many problems for our characters to solve, with a little help. The results will surprise everyone.

Great fun.

Lady Elizabeth Ashton has fled London society, when her brother’s scandal leaves her reputation tarnished. She decides to seek refuge at the estate of her sister-in-law’s aunt. However, the home of Lady Sophia Timmons is not as it seems, and Beth soon discovers that Sophia is providing a home for young women who have been ruined. When Richard Christopher Caudale, the Duke of Kirkstone ends up on the doorstep of Sophia’s home, in search of his siter Mary, he collapses from exhaustion. When Beth volunteers to care for him, to keep Sophia’s home secret, Beth soon realises that she is falling in love with Richard. Soon they must work together to help his sister who is with child, and to salvage a life free from scandal for all of them.
Whilst together at Timmons Manor, Kit and Beth have time to get to know each other, without the influence of the ton. This is where we see the reality of a romance come though. The secondary characters of Sophie and Daphne are quite dynamic and give added depth to this story. I so enjoyed that the romance between Kit and Beth grew from the early stages in this book rather than go through the angst that often occurs in other storylines.
I have received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Although not a violent or highly suspenseful novel, the plot nevertheless draws the reader in with intrigue, secrets, and hidden motives, keeping one on tenterhooks throughout the story. Lady Elizabeth, or Beth to those closest to her, has been touted as the debutante of the season and she has had her share of being courted. Unfortunately, having decided that her head needs to rule her heart, she chooses a suitor that will best complement her family, not taking her own heart into account. However, when her fiancé sets her aside after her brother's unfortunate scandal, Beth takes matters into her own hands and flees to Lady Sophia where she has been assured of receiving the refuge she needs. When the one man who could have captured her heart arrives the next day and passes out in a dead faint in front of her, the only thing she can do is offer to nurse him through his illness in a house where men are not welcome. The Duke of Kirkstone, known as Kip, is hunting for his missing sister and all leads take him to the Timmons estate, where he is shocked to see Beth, but no sooner does he register her presence than his world turns black. This is a sweet and intriguing romance that takes place over a few days, but it is long enough for Beth to realize that she made a mistake in rejecting Kip's offer of marriage and she finds herself in the embarrassing situation of having to put forward a solution that will solve all their problems. Even though their current difficulties are solved, it seems that fate is against them as they are met with more opposition than they could have anticipated. Fortunately, the novel comes to a happy and successful conclusion and Beth's dreams are finally realized. I received a copy of this book as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

3.5 Stars
Lady Elizabeth Ashton had been one of the 1825 season’s best-known and desired debutantes. But when her brother’s scandal leaves Beth with a broken betrothal, she seeks refuge at the northern estate of her sister-in-law’s aunt. But all is not as it appears at the home of Lady Sophia Timmons, and Beth soon discovers Sophia is quietly providing a refuge for young women who have been ruined. But as Beth heads north, Richard Christopher Caudale, Duke of Kirkstone, heads south. Kit has been searching for his sister Mary for months and has tracked her to the home of Lady Sophia Timmons. But the weeks on the road have taken their toll, and by the time Kit arrives at Timmons House, he collapses, ill and close to death. On impulse Beth volunteers to nurse the young duke back to health. As Kit heals, however, Beth devises an outrageous plan to salvage them all.
The fourth book in the series & it could easily be read on its own. I liked both Kit & Beth & enjoyed reading their story but I found the ending a bit baffling as the couple seemed to move on but seemed to leave others behind, which for me meant the couple acted out of character & had the book ending on a low rather than a high. It was a well written book & the characters well portrayed.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Enjoyed this captivating regency romance that had a twist that made it interesting and kept me guessing what had actually happened. The story was fast paced and sufficiently steamy and kept me fully engaged. Definitely worth reading.

The story of a strong woman who help him find the truth of about his sister’s predicament and about his discovery of her many different traits and special skills that he admires. It is also about the admirable women who provide housing, aid and better futures to women in dire circumstances and the village that support them. A lovely read about two characters who makes surprising discoveries about each other.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and leaving my review voluntarily.