The Perfect Duchess

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

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.

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!

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?

Once again, Erica Taylor has managed to pack so much into one story. Lady Clara Masson has always loved Andrew, the Duke of Bradstone and has done since his childhood friendship with her brother Johnathan. However, several years have passed and Clara’s sister has vanished, her younger brother away at sea for several years and she has become a pariah in society, largely due to the rumours circulated by Johnathan. This becomes apparent to Andrew, when at ball held by his family that he finds himself defending Clara. He decides to court her and arrives at her home, only to find her being attacked by Johnathan. Andrew saves Clara and decides that to protect her, he must marry her.
Both Clara and Andrew struggle with their feelings, particularly Clara who finds it difficult to believe Andrew’s sincerity given that he was one engaged to her twin sister, only to have been rejected on the day of his wedding. Whilst their personalities differ, there was never a moment when I believed that these two were meant to be together. The detail given to this story and each of the secondary characters certainly adds to the novels charm. Each of Andrew’s family members and his friends are explored yet this never takes away from the romance between Clara and Andrew. Both characters are well developed and their interactions so very enjoyable.
I certainly hope to read more about the Andrew’s family and friends.
I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book of the series. Wow- there were some surprises here and there- lies, death, blackmail, and drama are just a few things this story has. The past and the present have whole new meanings. The love story unfolds in a steady pace and was well written. It's a page turner with many ups and downs- enjoy the ride.

Once upon a time, I loved regency romance novels and then I simply didn't because they were too alike and I had had my fill of them. Erica Taylor's The Perfect Duchess is my first in 2-3 years and it does not disappoint.

Initially I found the heroine to be a little insipid, however, that is probably because I've forgotten how a lady is supposed to act in a room full of frenemies. I liked the pace of the book and though it seemed that certain portions kept dragging on there was a reason for it. In the end the author explained Clare's hesitation, Andrew's hot and cold attitude and Jonathan's hateful behaviour. I enjoyed many of the side characters including Andrew's sister Norah. I think she is an interesting character and i hope to continue reading about all the MacAlisters in the next few years.

I wish the book hadnt ended immediately after the wedding, however it makes sense for it not to if we are to read about them in other books. I just hope there is enough about them.

I really enjoyed this book, from beginning to end it had me totally hooked.
The story is of a Duke who’s been left at the alter by one twin and later falls for the other , and for her story , she is abused by her brother the Earl , rescued by her childhood friend the Duke , and together they discover the real reason her twin disappeared and that they both mistrust far too easily .
A brilliantly written story of growing trust , love and devotion , between two people who have been hurt far too much by those that should have given them unconditional support.
Erica is a wonderful author and I can’t wait to read more of her work x
Highly recommend

The perfect duchess is a steamy romance novel which portrays Clara and the duke of Bradstone. Clara is scorned by the society and the Duke has no interest in society or love. Circumstances bring them together and the seed of romance starts budding. Clara's brother plays the villain in the story and is thwarted at each step by Bradstone. The characters in the novel are well developed and there are some instances in the book when the conversations among them make you smile. Overall a good story and I recommend it to the readers who likes to read romance based on the time period of dukes, honour, balls and horse carriages.

Really enjoyed this book. The Duke's family is awesome! I would be willing to read more from this author.

Unusual and suspenseful story of twins and marriage gone awry and reputations ruined and why.

I like Clara and Andrew and their developing relationship in the book. Andrew was protective since Clara's brother was trying to get rid of her for an inherentance and had influence on what happened to Clara's twin. I think there were questions left open that Clara should have asked Andrew meant on the conversatshe overheard. I would have liked Clara to explain where she was for two years so others would have know and that society finally accepted her. I was surprised Clara's other brother did not check on the sisters since he knew how his other brother was. THANKS

“The Perfect Duchess,” by Erica Taylor was a very lovely story, with likable main characters and interesting side characters to boot. Andrew, the Duke of Bradstone, is calm, cold and steady – and also known as the Stone Duke. It is pretty much a ruse, he was a second son who should never have inherited the dukedom and he sometimes doesn’t feel up to the task of being a duke.

Lady Clara had known Andrew since she was a young child, he was a friend of her older brother, and had a childish crush on him for years. But, he was once engaged to her twin sister who ran off and left him at the altar. She doesn’t have a chance with him much to her dismay, and her reputation has been ruined by her twin sister’s eloping with a footman and some very nasty rumors that have run amuck.

Clara and Andrew meet again after a long separation at his annual birthday ball, they dance and they are once again drawn to each other. Clara’s circumstances were really awful and force the couple into an engagement of convenience. Clara believes she will break off the engagement as soon as she can, not believing that Andrew can truly come to care for her.

Andrew has to decide if he can open his heart again and fall in love with the sister of the woman who jilted him at the altar. Clara, already half in love, has to decide if she can forgive him for choosing her sister and not choosing her. There are rumors to battle, villains to fight and a mystery to solve.

Recommended read, I hope the author writes stories for some of Andrew’s siblings and his friends. Not too many passionate scenes, which were pretty tame. But a very good read nonetheless.

The Perfect Duchess (The Macalisters, #2)
by Erica Taylor
A definite buy book!
From page one to the end, I laughed, smiled, got irritated and just rooted for the heroine and the hero. At times I became a little too involved and felt like I was standing there with them! One thing I must say about this author, she has a way of getting to my emotions. She is definitely talented and I cannot help but look for more of her writing. I was completely engaged in this story so enjoy! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

I loved this book. I love to read historical romances, and added mystery is even better! The main character, Clara, is relatable and loveable. The dynamics of the hero's family add depth. I had a hard time putting the book down and stayed up way too late reading and rooting for Andrew and Clara!

I was really looking forward to Erica's new tale and as expected, I loved it!

I really like how the story was written out, but it could have been better if there was a short prologue as to how Andrew became the Duke of Bradstone. I know that Andrew told Clara how he became the duke, and his friendship with her brother came to an end, but I feel that if there was a prologue then it would be easier to understand what happened, who is who, and other stuff. I have read Susanna's novel, and in my opinion, hers should've been the 2nd story instead of her brothers.

Overall, the novel was good read, and I would re-read it again. I am looking forward to more of Erica's novels and cannot wait for Sarah's story.

I just love this story. Ms. Taylor has created two really wonderful heroes. Andrew is strong, because he's had to be strong. Clara is strong, because otherwise she would be lost. This story has twists and turns...just when you think you know what's happening, something changes. It has a host of wonderful supporting characters. I hope that Ms. Taylor is going to tell us their stories too. My heart did hurt for Andrew for quite a bit of the story. He is the man everyone depends on. I don't want to tell you their story, you need to read it for yourself. You will cherish it. I was given a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review...and I honestly recommend it!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

About: Andrew Macalister, oft regarded as the Stone Duke of Bradstone, hates his annual birthday ball tradition. He dislikes facing those around him who only see him for his title, and has given up on a chance to live a normal life. That is, until he spots Lady Clara Masson across the ballroom. Clara's twin sister is the woman who infamously jilted Andrew at the altar five years ago, but little does Clara know, Andrew had been smitten with her since childhood, and he finds her presence a ray of sunshine in a dreary dukedom.

When Clara's life is threatened by her evil brother, Johnathan, Andrew must do the only thing he can think of to save her: propose marriage. Between Clara's trust issues and Andrew's battle with societal norms, two find romance under dangerous circumstances.

Review: At the beginning of this book, I thought to myself "Wow this is a fast paced book I love it!!" then once I read more it slowed down a lot. I liked that the book started out quickly, but I didn't like how much it slowed down, I almost lost interest a couple of times. In the end the book was a treat to read.

I loved both main characters, Clara seemed like a very strong independent woman that had been hurt all through her life. The way she dealt with people and their hurtful remarks surprised me, most people would have crumbled but she stayed as strong as ever. Andrew irritated me at the beginning, he acted like he would marry Clara no matter what she wanted. The farther I read into the book the more I started to realize Andrew had just had a hard time in his life, that is why he was "The Stone Duke". I loved all of Andrew's siblings however Norah did irritate me just a little, I know she was raised to be in polite society but her attitude was still terrible.

The story line itself was really good, I loved the plot and how everything worked into the story. Like I said at the beginning the only thing that I hated was how the book went fast in the beginning and then slowed down so much I almost couldn't finish it. I think the author did great with this story, I didn't really notice any grammar or spelling errors. I would recommend this book to friends for sure.

I gave the book 4 stars due to the reasons posted above.

This is a lovely little romance about a young woman, Lady Clara, whose life isn’t as wonderful as all that. She lives with her ogre of a brother and isn’t invited many places as she has a slightly tarnished reputation, although not as a result of anything she has ACTUALLY done. Clara attends a huge party one evening, against her older brother’s wishes, and runs into the party’s host, Andrew, who is now a Duke, but as children, he was her friend.
This meeting turns into an evening that is filled with dancing, and banter, and simple pleasures. It also sets off a chain of events that involve intrigue, action, danger, and changes Clara’s future.
This is a terrific story, with a host of colorful well written characters who I do believe have future stories of their own. ( I certainly HOPE so!) The two main characters have longing and heat between them, and the HEA is sweet. I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this book to romance readers who enjoy a bit of excitement with their romance.

Duke of Dreams

So I was offer the chance to read this book first, through NetGalley
It’s actually my first book by this author and I was not deceived
This is a Historical Romance Novel Based out of London in the high society of the time.
This Story is about Andrew Macalister and Clara Masson

Andrew Macalister, often regarded as the Stone Duke of Bradstone. He dislikes facing those around him who only see him for his title, and has given up on a chance to live a normal life. That is, until he spots Lady Clara Masson across the ballroom. Clara's twin sister is the woman who infamously jilted Andrew at the altar five years ago, but little does Clara know, Andrew had been smitten with her since childhood, and he finds her presence a ray of sunshine in a dreary dukedom.

When Clara's life is threatened by her evil brother, Johnathan, Andrew must do the only thing he can think of to save her: propose marriage. Between Clara's trust issues and Andrew's battle with societal norms, two find romance under dangerous circumstances.
All in all this Story is great and awesome. Nice Plot which even though I tried, I did not find out what it was before the end. I hadn’t red historical books in a long time and this one reminded me why I love those so Much. I will be sure to keep an eye out on that author. I really would love to read more about those Macalister

So a big 4 Stars :)

I enjoy reading historical romances and this one was one of the best ones I had read in a while. I absolutely fell in love with the story.