The Duke's Accidental Wife

The book delivers exactly what the title promises. Kathrine and Ravenswood find themselves forced to marry when they accidentally get discovered in a compromising position. Things would have gone smoother if they wanted the same things in life. The surprising thing is that the person who doesn’t want kids is Kathrine and the one who does is Ravenswood. The chemistry is present from an early point and that helps the matters when it comes to their relationship. I loved Raven’s romantic side.
I find Catherine one of the best constructed characters I have read in a while. She is passionate about what she does and the people she loves. The things that held her back are solid and they make sense unlike some other heroines and heroes I read show more about. She cares for her aunt a lot. The scene that has stayed in my mind for quite some time is the one where she finds her aunt after a conflict she had with her. That scene made me cry. show less

...a surprising finale

I was expecting something different from the Duke of Ravenwood's story. I didn't expect him to find himself in a situation where he must do the 'honourable' thing, much less with a woman who regards him as so much less than what he really is. A woman he views as a hoyden and totally suspect. I also am stymied as to why his sister, Lady Amelia, pushed him to hold a social function when she knows that this is the very thing he hates.
I also must confess that after my first stirrings of anger with Miss Katherine Ross, the woman who will turn Ravenwood's life upside down, I started to empathize with her.
Katherine lives for her artistic endeavours and museum collections, Ravenswood for acting as he is supposed show more to--guiding the members of the House of Lords down the proper avenues.
These two unlikely people have a not too enticing future if both simply glare at each other's differences.
But when finally the Duke lets loose his poetic soul behind the cold upright facade, we do indeed see his passion and his soul. As Katherine reflects, 'This kiss was because she saw him. Saw him in the peonies and the cherry tress, in the Ivy and the twisting branches.' Ah, be still my beating heart!
I did feel that the loose ends were not tied up quite properly. Katherine's fears of childbirth were not adequately addressed on stage between her and Ravenswood.
A pleasing story once I'd overcome my initial, and I must admit, shocked reactions.

A NetGalley ARC show less

With the 7th book in this series it is finally the Duke’s turn to find happiness and love. The Duke of Ravenwood was forced to stay behind when all his friends went off to war. At the time he was jealous but after seeing them come back emotionally and physically wounded he realized that he was the lucky one. This book along with the first book, The Viscount’s Christmas Temptation, makes nice bookends to the entire series. In the first Lady Amelia is running the Duke’s house and she now hand’s the duties over to Kate in this last book.
Ravenwood is known for being cold and aloof but in reality he is a hard-working Duke who feels that his duty as a peer must come first. But, when he is alone in his office he is a romantic who show more writes poetry and holds out the hope of marrying for love. He isn’t aloof, he’s shy. The first few chapters of this book are reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice and just like Mr Darcy, our Duke isn’t proud he’s shy.
On the other hand, Katherine Ross is a woman who is friendly with everyone. She enjoys life to the fullest. She doesn’t care to marry for love because she doesn’t plan to marry at all. Imagine her shock and surprise when she is accidentally caught in a storage closet with the Duke and they are forced to marry. In addition to a new bride, the Duke also inherits an elderly aunt who has raised Katherine since she was a girl and who is now beginning to show signs of dementia.
These 2 are opposites in every way. He is a Duke who needs an heir and she is a duchess who is deathly afraid of childbirth and didn’t plan to have children. Their marriage gets off to a frosty start but outside the bedroom, they begin to forge a friendship.
The interaction between Ravenwood and Katherine is among the best of the series. He tries to be more open while she tries to be structured. They each put aside their fears to be open to loving the other.
Ms Ridley has crafted a wonderful series which shows the real-life side of the return from war and it’s impact on the men who fought and the women left to pick up the pieces on their return. Throughout the entire series, the Duke has been in the background as a trusted friend who cares as much for the men who fought as their wives. This book can be read on it’s own but for a truly delightful experience one would do well to pick up the entire series. show less

Every girl dreams of falling in love and living happily ever after. Right? NOT!!! Katherine is the complete antithesis of that claim. Falling in love is not for her. She prefers her own company and the freedom to make her own decisions. I received an ARC of The Duke's Accidental Wife in exchange for an honest review. A cynic and a romantic, how could you not fall for these characters. Erica Ridley has turned the tables on the way romance is perceived with this one. Ravenwood is the ideal. A romantic at heart searching for the other half of his soul. I love that Ms. Ridley tried something different. She stayed true to her addictive stories but with a twist that was surprising and fantastic.

Preconceptions can be misconceptions – and that is just what Katherine Ross “Kate” and Lawrence Pembroke, the Duke of Ravenwood found to be true before the end of the book.

Kate was footloose and fancy free living with her great Aunt Havens when at one of her social events she and Ravenwood were caught in an apparently compromising situation. They both had ideas of what their future would be and that future did not include what they were suddenly faced with. As the two of them get to know one another better they find that what they believed true of one another is not quite accurate and worth reconsidering.

I loved the way Kate began to see beyond the exterior Ravenwood presented to the world. I enjoyed Ravenwood’s slow opening show more up and sharing as time went on. This is a story of family, caring, sharing and giving and I thoroughly enjoyed it. show less

Kate Ross and the Lawrence Pembroke, Duke of Ravenwood, don't like each other much; she's too flighty and headstrong for the stern, organized Duke. Of course, they get caught in a compromising situation and are forced into marriage.
Kate doesn't want a husband, mostly because she's afraid of having children and them dying. Ravenwood secretly wants a family and true love so their marriage starts off a bit rocky. It takes a while and some compromise for them to finally learn about each other and get their HEA.
While I found it interesting that Ravenwood decided to give Kate time to come to terms with her situation and not try to seduce her into his bed before time, I also didn't feel much heat between the two. It seemed more like they show more decided to make the best of things, even though they were both so busy, they didn't spend any time together. I felt as if they were determined to fall in love with each other, and so they did which wasn't very romantic.
It's a good fast read, but not one of my favorites. show less

I have been waiting for the Duke of Ravenwood's story since he first made his appearance in The Viscount's Christmas Temptation. He seemed like a character who needed love in his life and I couldn't wait to see him get his own happily ever after.
He is quite a closed off character and it would be easier for the reader to understand him more if they have read the previous books in the series.
Katherine Ross is outspoken, sociable and friendly but she doesn't follow the rules of society and isn't on the hunt for a husband. Unfortunately being discovered in a compromising position with the Duke of Ravenwood forces the pair into a marriage that neither of them want.
Lord Ravenwood is very romantic behind his cold exterior. He doesn't like show more crowds of people and shies away from social functions but he makes the effort to attend the functions that matter to Katherine and he supports her fully in her endeavours to promote the arts. He doesn't find it easy to voice his feelings though and the only real outlet he has is through his poetry and being creative in his own little secret garden.
There is a lovely feel to this story as the pair get to know one another. They acknowledge an attraction but they have to like each other as well in order for this marriage to work. Small steps in the right direction are made when they both make changes to their lives to ensure the happiness of the other. Katherine seems to be attuned to his eccentricities and adapts her lifestyle accordingly. Lord Ravenwood becomes less stuffy as the story progresses and the pair make the most adorable couple and well worth the wait.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. show less