Why Dukes Say I Do

Wicked Widows, Book 1

De: Manda Collins

Narrado por: Anne Flosnik

With her whirlwind social life in London, Lady Isabella Wharton has little interest in the customs of the country. But when her godmother asks her to pay a visit to her bachelor grandson in Yorkshire, Isabella can't refuse. It behooves her to please the old dowager, since she harbors one of Isabella's most scandalous secrets. So off she goes to see the newly-titled - and notoriously rustic - Duke of Ormond.

Trevor Carey doesn't care about what goes on behind ballroom doors. He is content with the simple life - and isn't ashamed to admit it to a society flirt like Lady Isabella. But the country air brings out a different side of Isabella - one full of longing and passion. Can her sophistication be hiding a desire for love? When a blackmailer from the city arrives to threaten Isabella, Trevor will shield her from harm - even travel to London. Can the duke tackle the ton on Isabella's behalf...and manage to keep her all to himself?

©2013 Manda Collins (P)2013 Tantor

fun and sexy whodunit!

I love all of Manda's books that I have read so far! Romance + mystery is my favorite combo and I breeze through her books and never want to hit pause. Anne is an incredible performer as well. The characters all have easily distinguishable voices and and that helps the story flow very well!

ENTERTAINING REFRESHING REGENCY ROMANCE WITH DRAMA

Well, call me shallow but anything with the word 'Duke' in the title and before I know it it's on my iPhone and I'm hitting the 'play' button - magic yes - just like this listen.

I never thought I'd say this but it was a nice change to get away from the Rakes (though I do so love 'em) and the sweet virgin type books as this listen was an enjoyable and refreshing substitution. It had a rich likeable cast of characters that were mainly based in the country rather than ballrooms and a plot that not only had romance but also intrigue running through it as you try to figure out just who the villains are. Isabella, a widow living happily in London with pre-conceived distasteful ideas of the 'country' Duke...... that is until she is forced to the country on a mission and stays with the handsome, charming, likeable Duke then slowly she realises that she's the one that's got it all wrong.

There's murder (opening scene), blackmail, danger, secrets, threats, mystery, sabotage, fun, good secondary characters, sub plots, twists, and, of course, a sweet tender romance that develops as the H/H spend time with each other, learn from one-another and decide to compromise .....then their passion ignites. Trevor's life and kind ways, especially with his sisters and tenants, slowly draws her in but Isabella unfortunately becomes a damsel in distress and is in need of rescuing so Trevor is only too happy to be her knight in shining armour (and who doesn't want one of those).

This book partly concludes but there are still unanswered follow-on questions and an obvious 'simmering in the background' secondary romance that, no doubt, will be the main focus in book 2 mmmm can't wait.

Worth a credit? If you're like me and love a good, well written and well narrated historical romance that you can get lost in then this has to be in your Library - so that's a YES.

Tender Romance with suspense and mystery.

This is a very nice first book in the Wicked Widows series. The author's wonderful storytelling and vivid characters makes this one a must for regency lovers and anyone who enjoys a good romance with mystery and suspense..

There is nice chemistry between the main characters Trevor and Isabella. The love scenes are sweet and not too graphic. Isabella is a women with scars from her first marriage and Trevor is a wonderful tender sensual Hero.

This story takes place in the country so it doesn't focus on Balls or proper etiquette.....it focuses more on the mystery and romance which is quite refreshing. .

Since I enjoyed this one, I will be listening to the remainder of the series.

Enjoyable Romance

I enjoyed the book. The narration was good. I liked how the heroine told the hero what was going on. I hate books where everyone has secrets they keep from each other. This was a nice change where there was trust. I figured out who the mystery person was fairly early, but not why. This story ends and wraps up nicely. The story arc continues in the next book.

Good story, needs serious editing

The story is good as is the narration, but if poor editing and proofreading for errors and inconsistencies bothers you, skip this book. For example a sentence that includes 'on occasion... once in a while' or 'on the matter... of this matter' makes me long for a red pen. Similarly there is a little too much repetition of information and some basic editing flaws such as the hero being in a dressing gown and naked underneath but a short time later the lady is undoing the buttons of his waistcoat. Once I start noticing these problems, it is hard to stop.

The story is basically good with interesting plotlines and I like the characters, but I won't listen again, and I'm very glad I picked this up on sale. It is not worth a credit to me.

fun and entertaining

Great narrator! Fun and entertaining book. slower than some of her other books. great read!

Enjoyable romance

Well written, engaging story with likeable characters. Interesting enough to download the next book in the series...

Suspense!

The mystery in this one gets a little intense for a historical. Granted, I have a very low scare threshold and listening to those bits at midnight…while I guessed the villain from the start, the path was interesting.

My only complaint is that some information gets repeated a few times when totally unnecessary and almost the same phrasing. It got annoying after a while. Hence only 4 stars. That said I’m goi g to see if the library has the rest of the series , and if not, I might just use a credit.

Be warned there is a thread of the mystery that is unsolved, but the story wraps up this couple’s narrative nicely.

not a very pullimg in type of story

What would have made Why Dukes Say I Do better?

Make it to where it actual a plot and not run all over the pace.

What could Manda Collins have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Give the main plot more meaning and gave more hostory on his family.

What didn’t you like about Anne Flosnik’s performance?

Not her norm.

What character would you cut from Why Dukes Say I Do?

Alot of them.

Poorly written Cliffhanger

The story is an Ok premise but not very professional in writing. It reads as any idea that came to the author was immediately recorded. Unfortunately, that material was never completely thought-out or edited. The story rambles without direction. We hop around a mountain Regency tropes., country life, snobby ton, mistresses, Aristocratic laws treating the lower classes poorly, blah blah. ex Lady W asked : 'Your sister was married to the last Duke?' Her answer: 'Yes. before his death.' 🫥 ...
😆 🤣 😂 😹 As opposed to marrying after his death? Too much junk not enough substance and OMGosh Way to much repetition! If I had a dime for how often the phrase If so and so noticed they didnt show it. AUUUUGGGHH!

In addition, the family connections are very confoundinIng trying to figure out how everyone is associared is absurdly blurred. (I had to rewind 3 times to figure out who is related to who.

It is just confusing & very contradictory. Facts established at the beginning of the book or completely contradicted later. WHAT A MESS!
THEN to add insult to injury we don't even know "Who dunnit" in the end. I guess it will be revealed in a later book but its not worth the time or $$ / credit to find out.


In addition, the family connections are very confounding. Hpw everyone is associared is absurdly blurred. (I had to rewind 3 times to figure out who is related to who.

It is also confusing & very contradictory. Facts established at the beginning of the book or completely contradicted later. WHAT A MESS!
THEN to add insult to injury we don't even know "Who dunnit" in the end. I guess it will be revealed in a later book but its not worth the time or $$ / credit to find out.

The narrator puts a pretty bow on the book but it doesn't make up for the deficiencies.