by Tessa Dare
Series: Castles Ever After #2
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Your presence is requested at romantic Twill Castle for the wedding of Miss Clio Whitmore and . . . and . . . ? After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement. Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother—even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself. So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet? 1. He starts with flowers. A wedding can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes.2. He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride—and tries not to picture her as his.3.He doesn't kiss her. 4.If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again.5. When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off. 6. And no matter what—he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.
Say Yes to the Marquess the second book in Tessa Dare’s Castle Ever After series was such a delicious romp. Take a strong, quirky, intelligent heroine and a ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake then, mix in a castle, meddlesome siblings and you have the makings of a brilliant tale that will make you laugh and swoon!
Clio Whitmore became betrothed to Pier Brandon eight years ago. He has been traveling abroad, and despite a few return visits, no marriage has been forthcoming. Dubbed Miss Wait-more by the ton Clio is done waiting. When she inherits a Castle, she makes plans to end the engagement but she needs Rafe Brandon’s help. Brandon is Pier’s younger brother, and his signature can release her. The tale that unfolds is delicious with moments of laughter and heated moments to make you swoon.
Tessa Dare introduced characters that are unique, flawed and guaranteed to wrap themselves around your heart. Clio is such a breath of fresh air. Beneath her proper facade, she is witty, intelligent and quite sure of what she wants. Rafe Brandon besides being positively yummy is a misunderstood younger brother who never quite measured up. I loved learning the many sides of him. His valiant attempts to convince Clio to marry his brother were touching. As his own feelings are revealed I melted for this charming man. Secondary characters were wonderful and added to the tale and our understanding of the hero and heroine. Clio’s sister and her snot of a husband had me wreathing. Her sixteen-year-old sister was such a surprise. She is geeky, brilliant and someone whose story I need to have. I cannot wait to see whom she finds a match with. Ms. Dare…we need her story! I enjoyed Rafe’s trainer and his concepts of society. Dare made all of these secondary characters memorable and I love when a writer adds this extra layer of depth.
The plot for Say Yes to the Marquess is simple and yet it could not be more complicated. Rafe asks for a week to prepare for his brother’s return and to convince Clio she should not break the engagement. She agrees if he promises to sign the papers at the end. Dare wove in twists, reveals and hilarious moments. Then she sprinkled in banter and delicious kisses before bringing us heat. The couple felt genuine, and while there was drama on the way to our HEA, it was not overdone.
Say Yes to the Marquess works as a standalone. The theme to this series is castles and romance. Dare delivered another winner and I closed this book with a smile on my face.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Kathy
Great review! I have book 1 in this series and I can’t wait to start it soon. I love her Spindle Cove series so I’m sure this is just as good =)
kimbacaffeinate
Oh book one was fun Kathy…enjoy!
Braine Talk Supe
Not reading historical romances but I’ve been watching quite a lot of it. This season is time travel month for me, Merry Christmas, Kimberly!!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo I love time travel Braine..sorry I missed this comment while on break
alreem
lovely review, its been a while since i read a book like this one 🙂 I have been in the mood for historical fantasy/zombie lately 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Zombies are always good 😉
sharonda
Love the review Kim. That cover is to die for 😉
Happy Holidays
kimbacaffeinate
No worries I fixed it and agree the cover is to die for.
Rashika
While I read and enjoyed Romancing the Duke, I admit to have been planning on skipping this book (although I *did* request the eARC so that does mean that some subconscious part of me wasn’t read to skip the book?). I don’t even know why any more because after reading your book, all I could think of was how cute this book sounded. I WANTS it!
I am so glad you enjoyed the book, Kimba!! 😀
Fantastic review! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. I adore this series, Hope you decide to try it
Sophia Rose
They both sound like a wonderful pair and I really want to read this one. I’ve yet to pick up one of her books so that’s an added incentive too, Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Dare needs to be read Sophia!
Karen
I have several of Dare’s books on my Kindle but haven’t read any yet (I think I might have read one really short novella). Sounds like just the type of Historical Romance I enjoy most though.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
kimbacaffeinate
You are for in a treat then..her books are delightful 🙂
Katherine
This looks so good! I’ve only read one Dare book but I loved it and have been wanting to read more. I”m really looking forward to this one and the one before this in the series. I love when there’s a strong side character so you can anticipate their story.
kimbacaffeinate
Her characters are all unique and memorable Katherine .
Nick
Squeee! I’m so happy you loved this too, Kim! I adored this book and it gave me so many feels! And yes! I can’t wait to see who Clio’s sister is paired up with! She was such an interesting character!
Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes we need Clio’s sister’s book for sure!
Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
One of these days I’ll work in a Tessa dare book 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I hope you do, her characters are wonderful.
Debbie Haupt
OH how cute is that premise. Thanks for the heads up!
kimbacaffeinate
This series is great fun Debbie 🙂
Stormi
I so need this one, but I also so need to read the first one that is in my ereader..lol. I am going to read it during COYER. 🙂 I love Tessa Dare!
kimbacaffeinate
You are in for a treat my friend..this series is delightful!
Jenny
YEAH KIM!!!! We’re review twins today. I absolutely LOVED this book as well. Tessa Dare just never disappoints, and this book made me happy from beginning to end. Yes to a story featuring Clio’s sister:)
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe…I am so happy you felt the same way!
Silvia
Sounds great! I haven’t read anything by Tessa Dare before, but I got Romancing The Duke to review and you’re making me really want to start the read right away…
kimbacaffeinate
Oh I loved that one too..yep you need to pull it out!
Naomi
This sounds like quite the fun read… I think I would like Rafe, he sounds like the honorable kind of … fellow!
kimbacaffeinate
Rafe was delightful 🙂
Benish K
I like that cover – The review seems lovely, I should check out this book like now.
Benish | Feminist Reflections
kimbacaffeinate
Why Yes, yes you should 🙂
Melliane
It’s nice that it works as a standalone book! I think I tried and enjoyed a book by the author but I haven’t read more, I should! She sounds awesome!
kimbacaffeinate
This series has been wonderful Melliane.
blodeuedd
Sounds awesome to me 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Yes..you would enjoy this series 🙂
kindlemom1
You are really making me want to pick up a historical Kim with this lovely review. I am so happy this was such a great read for you, I really love it when that happens.
kimbacaffeinate
This series has been such fun Ali 🙂