"When the Duchess Said Yes" By: Isabella Bradford Review

"When the Duchess Said Yes"

By: Isabella Bradford

Synopsis from Goodreads:

      Notorious for her free-spirited antics, Lady Elizabeth Wylder revels in attention—but not the sort that leaves her humiliated when her future husband, the Duke of Hawkesworth, fails to appear for their much-anticipated first introduction. 

      So when a chance encounter leads to a sizzling kiss with a dangerously handsome stranger, she nearly succumbs. The shock of finally meeting her betrothed only to come face to face with her rakish would-be seducer inspires fury—and fans the flames of a fire that both Lizzie and the Duke acknowledge is a most agreeable way to start a marriage. In her husband’s arms, Lizzie knows she has found love. But is the passion that accompanies endless nights of erotic discovery enough to persuade a duke whose scandalous lineage and lifestyle prevent him from giving his heart completely?

My Thoughts:
Isabella Bradford is a new author to me but I am so happy to have discovered her! She has written an engaging, fun, and utterly entertaining romance using the age old romantic tactic...the arranged marriage. Not a fan of this type of romance, I have definitely changed my mind and will read anything by Miss Bradford!
“When the Duchess Said Yes” is the tale of an arranged marriage between Elziabeth Wylder (Lizzie) and the Duke of Hawkesworth (Hawk). Lizzie's older sister, Charlotte, was blindsided with an unknown betrothal in the previous book. Lizzie has known for a couple of years that Hawk was her intended but had never met him.
Hawk decides to return to England from Italy after the death of his father.His father's will dictates he must marry before a certain birthday, so of course he must return to London and marry his betrothed. Not a great beginning to a romance, but it does get better. One night at a play, Hawk sees a gorgeous women from across the way and is instantly entranced. He tries to meet with her at the playhouse, but too many people prohibit him from meeting with this mystery lady.
Luckily for him, Hawk meets up with the mysterious woman and she is none other than his intended, Lizzie Wylder. He had been pretty reluctant until meeting Lizzie, but once he meets her, he is actually excited to get married. In romance novels, usually the hero is a "never gonna get married kinda guy," so this was a nice change.
Lizzie is a fun heroine. Throughout the story we are told how wild Lizzie is,but there is little actual proof of her wildness. She seemed pretty quiet and sedate to me, but hey, maybe I'm not the best judge. Either way, I did enjoy Lizzie. She was fun and honest, which I loved. So many of these young heroines are flighty and undecided, and I really didn't see that in Lizzie.
A fun, flirty new voice in romance, I would recommend Isabella Bradford to fans of Julia Quinn and Eloisa James. I had fun entering the world of the Wylder's and definitely will be checking out the finale to the trilogy, “When the Duke Found Love.” This book won't change your life, but it definitely will warm your heart and make you smile!

Book Details

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Date of Publication: September 25, 2012

# of Pages: 336

ISBN: 978-0345527313

Check out the rest of the Wylder Sisters Series

• “When You Wish Upon a Duke”
• “When the Duchess Said Yes”
• “When the Duke Found Love”

I received this book from Edelweiss in return I promised to give an honest and full book review. Thank you!