*3.5 ( )

When I picked up this book, I thought the premise was a bit odd: Rafe is doing everything in his power to make Clio marry his brother. I feared it would resemble those books where the heroine is engaged to someone more stoic than the hero, and then it's super awkward as she tries not to cheat on her betrothed. This fate is avoided by Dare injecting plenty of humor into the story that it's a joy to read.

Rather than being awkward and horny, Clio is her own person, which is not only refreshing, but it also feels authentic. She has her heart set on opening a brewery on her lands, and she's so natural about it. Dare clearly did her research. I'm not much of a drinker, but I thoroughly enjoyed the scene where Clio describes three different types of alcoholic beverages, to Rafe's shock. There were a few times where she could have been more assertive, but it didn't bother me.

Rafe was also sympathetic. I loved reading about him falling in love with Clio and then accepting that love. It felt natural, and he managed to be romantic without making an ass out of himself. He's actually someone you could imagine falling in love with.

It's not as witty or dramatic as some romance novels, but that's because it's filled with romance without the manipulative tendencies. So while you shouldn't expect super high highs and really low lows with this book, it's still just as worthy of your notice. ( )

What do you do when you've been waiting for 8 years for an absent fiance you're not sure even likes you? In Tessa Dare's Castles Ever After series, if you're a lucky heiress, you say screw the groom, I just inherited a castle. Who needs ya? Clio has been trained to be a compliant woman of the ton, to the point of starvation to have the proper figure, but she's discovered she doesn't want her groom anymore. As a landowner, she has other plans, so she employs her groom's brother, Rafe, who she prefers when all is said and done, to release her from the overlong commitment. The profligate brother, Rafe was charged with watching after things while his brother was gone, and since he's screwed up everything else in his life, that's the one thing he is determined to succeed at. Except he's always been soft on Clio, too.

I am really enjoying this series of "what would a Regency-era heroine do if she suddenly inherited a castle?" It gives them power they wouldn't normally possess and the opportunity to be who they want to be. Cleverly written, believably Regency, I would highly recommend the latest addition (as well as the first!) to the Castles Ever After series. ( )

Clio Whitmore has spent eight years waiting for her fiance, Piers Brandon, the Marquess of Granville, to return from diplomatic duties abroad so that they can finally get married. But when she inherits a beautiful castle in Kent from an uncle, Clio decides she's had enough waiting and starts to pursue her own independent life. The only catch is she needs Piers' brother, Rafe Brandon to sign papers dissolving her engagement so that she can get control of her dowry funds. Rafe is in the midst of training to return to the world of illegal bare knuckle boxing and retake his champion title but he drops everything to go to Clio's castle and try to convince her to go ahead with her marriage to Piers. The only problem is that Rafe would much rather get Clio for himself than marry her off to his brother.

A solid historical romance from Tessa Dare. Clio and Rafe have excellent chemistry and their relationship development is enjoyable to read. I really appreciated that Dare includes two neurodiverse characters in the book. Of course, Dare doesn't use modern terms but based on character descriptions, Rafe has ADHD while Clio's youngest sister is on the Autism spectrum. While it won't make a list of my favourite Tessa Dare books, it was a good reading experience. ( )

First off, I think this cover is very silly. Tra-la-la, I’m just sitting on a hill with my dress falling off, nbd. I mean, where’s Rafe? Couldn’t he be on the cover with his horse or whatever? Or maybe carrying Ellingsworth around?

Anyway, despite missing out on a depiction of Rafe on the cover, I enjoyed the characters and Tessa Dare’s sense of humor in this one. There was a lot of angst, one full star’s worth—it can never be/it would never work/I’m not worthy, etc.—but I did love Rafe and Clio. I was surprised to find that one of the supporting characters was autistic, and I thought the portrayal of how others reacted to her, and how she felt about herself, seemed realistic. I also liked that there were some surprises about Piers, and he wasn’t just the distant fiancé we’re all rooting against.

There was a lot to admire in Clio: her resilience, persistence, and her love for her sisters, despite their family history and Daphne’s misguided treatment of her. And it was great when she finally stood up to Daphne. I loved that she saw through everything Rafe was doing to push the wedding, although I thought as a central plot point, his insistence on marrying her off to his brother was rather weak. It was explained, but I didn’t 100% buy it. And Rafe? What can I say? I love a big tough guy with a “secret pain,” and he was incredibly sweet to Clio. I’m glad the fact that Piers was still his brother wasn’t swept under the rug. It made the ending better than I could have imagined. ( )