How to Entice an Earl (Ugly Ducklings Trilogy)

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Don't judge; The romance was sweet and I enjoyed the book. I liked the hero a ton, and I love the friends to lovers trope, and to be honest, I liked Lady Amelia the "Mean Girl" from the previous books and I wouldn't mind seeing her have a story. I enjoyed this engaging friends-to-lovers story with its blend of mystery and romance. How I imagine Christian… She had come to appreciate his sense of the absurd as much as his strength and loyalty. Christian is the perfect hero. Honourable, loyal, charming, witty and sexy, I love how fiercely protective he is towards Maddie and he certainly has lots of patience when it comes to her hair-brain schemes, although his patience does wear thin at times!

The guilt at not being there for his twin sister when she needed him gives him a certain vulnerability which I love in my heroes. It's also refreshing to find a heroine who is short with ample womanly curves rather than tall and graceful. If I have one criticism, it's that Maddie's impetuous behaviour did have me raising my eyebrows on more than one occasion.

But in the moving scene where she comforts Christian, I couldn't help but love her when she vows 'to keep his vulnerabilities safe in her heart. It's obvious they genuinely like and respect one another but have never thought of each other in romantic terms. At times, I felt that the romance was somewhat pushed into the background by the mystery plot but the love scenes were deliciously sensual. There were enough twists and turns in the murder mystery to keep me guessing and I enjoyed the witty repartee between Christian, Winterson and Deveril.

I was certainly surprised to see Ms Collins redeem the Ugly Ducklings' arch nemesis, Amelia Snow, at the end of the book and I'm intrigued to read her story in the forthcoming novella, The Perks of Being a Beauty. This was an entertaining ending to the trilogy and I'm looking forward to reading more of Manda Collins's books in the future. View all 3 comments. Another very pleasant read by Manda Collins.

She writes Regency with a light, enjoyable tough. Nicely sensual, and very steeped in the period. Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur.

Jan 30, Caz rated it liked it Shelves: I gave this a C- at AAR, so that's 2. When I read the first book in the series, How to Dance with a Duke , I rated it at 3 stars on Goodreads and said that while I found it to be engaging in places, I was disappointed overall - and I experienced much the same reaction to this book. The heroine is Lady Madeleine Essex, mostly known as Maddie which immediately struck me as rather too modern in tone.

At the beginning of the book, she decides that she needs to attend a gaming hell in order to do some research for the novel she is planning to write of which, incidentally, she never writes a single word during the whole course of the book. Naturally, the male friend she asks to take her refuses, so she inveigles her brother into taking her along.

Here, for me, was the point at which I started to get depressed about the direction the story was going to take. The mystery itself is fairly intriguing and was, I felt, more successful than the romance. There were a number of production errors that I found irritating, and which could easily have been solved by the employment of a good proof-reader.

And for some reason, Gresham is referred to as such — until, for some reason, his name reverts to Monteith… then back to Gresham for the bulk of the book… until once again, he is referred to as Monteith. I am disinclined to think that this is a case of the author's not knowing that an earl is referred to by his title rather than his family name; it reads to me more like an uncorrected error. It was mildly entertaining in places, and despite my reservations, I still think that Manda Colins is a good writer — but I felt that the characters never became more than one-dimensional and the romance fell sadly flat.

View all 4 comments. Although this is the last book in the trilogy, you don't need to have read the others to understand what is happening you just won't know the background stories of some of the characters in the book. For me How to Entice an Earl was a little I liked the main characters well enough; they seemed to go together nicely, but I found it hard to st This is the last in the Ugly Ducklings trilogy, featuring the last unmarried cousin Lady Madeline Essex and Christian Monteith, Earl of Gresham.

I liked the main characters well enough; they seemed to go together nicely, but I found it hard to stir myself up to think any more then "Aw that's nice", which unfortunately didn't really make it a very exciting read. However, maybe I am being too harsh, this is a light historical, it has a pleasant romance and I am glad that all the "Ugly Ducklings" a horrible nickname given to the three cousins got their own happily-ever-afters.

I don't think this will be a trilogy I would reread or even perhaps remember very clearly in the future but I would read another Manda Collins book, she writes well and has created a fun and romantic if not particularly memorable trilogy. Sep 05, Susan rated it really liked it Shelves: Fun romance with just enough mystery to add some intensity. Maddie and Christian have known each other a long time. Their friends have been pushing them together for years, but all they are is friends. Things start to change the night she visits a gaming house and stumbles over a dead body.

Christian was there for another reason, but doesn't hesitate to step in to protect Maddie from the consequences. I really liked both Maddie and Christian. Of the three "ugly ducklings" she is the most independ Fun romance with just enough mystery to add some intensity. Of the three "ugly ducklings" she is the most independent and outspoken. She has no trouble stating her opinions, especially when it comes to the "proper" place of a woman. So she wasn't very happy to be left stranded and dependent on Christian's help.

She is also determined to help clear her brother's name and ends up making a deal with Christian that she won't investigate without him. Spending all that time with Christian has her feelings for him changing.

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Christian is handsome, charming, witty and quite sexy. He has been tasked with checking into rumors of espionage on the part of someone at the gaming hell, and is there the night that Maddie talks her brother into bringing her. There's something about her that night that has him looking at her differently. In spite of his assignment he can't leave her to fend for herself.

How to Entice an Earl

I really loved the progression of their romance. They start out as friends first, never having looked at each other as anything else. Christian was the first to notice that things were changing that very first evening as he held her when she cried over what she had seen. He tried hard to ignore how right she felt in his arms.

One of the things I liked best about Christian was how well he understood Maddie. He respects her intelligence and her need to be involved. He is protective, but able to respect her abilities, even though some of her schemes make him wonder about her sanity. Maddie also notices that she's feeling different about Christian. When he kisses her it opens the door to a flood of feelings. Besides the physical attraction she also sees that there is more to him. She gets frustrated by his need to protect, but as she learns more about him she begins to understand, even though she still fights against it.

She is also protective of him and his feelings. The attraction between them is strong, and it's fun to see how easily they embrace it. Neither seems to be aware that the reason it is so wonderful for them is because they do love each other. I really liked the fact that there are no huge misunderstandings or crises that tear them apart or have to be overcome.

Maddie learns that it's okay to lean on Christian for help and support. She was surprised when he stood up to her father over his attitude toward her and it just added to her feelings for him. Christian learned that the most important thing he could do to show Maddie how much he cares is to talk to her, to not keep things from her just to protect her. There are a couple of interesting twists and turns to the mystery that kept me guessing about the culprit. Maddie's brother starts out looking pretty bad, but by the end things have turned around for him. The final confrontation is pretty intense.

I enjoyed seeing how Maddie got involved and how important it ended up being that she did. Dec 11, Janga rated it it was amazing. Like its predecessors, it weaves mystery and romance together in a fine balance. The action centers on the mystery, which also serves as a catalyst for the relationship between Maddy and Gresham. But the focus is squarely on the romance, and the reader is privileged to see the romantic relationship develop in a manner that involves humor, a deepening emotional intimacy, and plenty of sizzle. She is also surprisingly sensible despite her determination to fight her own battles.

I especially appreciated her recognition, even before she understands that she loves Gresham, that they must marry. She may resent the limitations her world imposes on women of her class, but she recognizes there are boundaries she cannot transgress without giving up more than she's willing to forfeit and without hurting those she loves. She also knows Gresham and values the man that he is. She believes they can build a life together even though she thinks she will miss the love match her cousins enjoy.

She had come to appreciate his sense of the absurd as much as his strength and loyalty. Who would wish to be tied to a man who never laughed, she wondered, leaping ahead to what she knew this interview was truly about. Not their well-being or their absurdity, but their marriage. I was ready to cheer aloud when on their wedding day Maddy learns something that could have become a Misunderstanding of Great Proportions. But Maddy proves how well she knows her man by rejecting the obvious and intuiting the truth. How rare is that in romance?

I waited impatiently for his story, and he proved to be the hero I expected. I highly recommend all three books. You can read this review and more at Forever Book Lover. How to Entice an Earl was my favorite in the Ugly Duckling series. These books have one common thread: For Cecily How to Dance with a Duke and Juliet How to Romance a Rake , the card proved to be a good luck charm, not only was it a way for them to meet eligible men, it soon lead to them meeting and falling in love with their husbands. While our heroine, Maddie, is happy that her two cousins found wedded bliss, she is not ready to settle down just yet, her first priority is finishing her novel.

The hero, Christian, as he jumps at protecting Maddie from the taunts of the series bully, Amelia. Maddie is head strong in gaining entry to gaming hells for research for her novel, Christian finds himself volunteering to be her escort. This book takes you on a roller coaster ride, there are twists and turns and just when you think you may have solved it, you find out that you are wrong. Manda blended both the romance and the mystery where they didn't overshadowed each other.

I would have loved to see a story dedicated to Lady Emily and Linton. Manda Collins is an author that will be on my must read list.. Feb 04, Zoe Liew rated it did not like it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Manda Collins makes some effort but I did not like this book. Collins doesn't seem to have a clear understanding of women's rights and where her main character, Maddie stands on the issue.

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Maddie seems angry at the slightest hint of being boxed in stereotypes of young women of the ton in the s, yet she is the first person to stereotype other people. She stereotypes Gresham and says things like, "Must you be such a man? Do you not think I have the intelligence to know that you were not Manda Collins makes some effort but I did not like this book. Do you not think I have the intelligence to know that you were not there for the typical reasons one visits a brothel? Really, Gresham, credit me with a bit of sense.

Alternating between Gresham and Monteith drives readers crazy.. To have someone address the same character as Monteith - reasoned to be the name of his title and estate - is confusing and must be addressed subtly and quickly The relation of this character to him and so on and so forth. The hero's sister had an affair that left her with negative consequences. You would think that he'd know better than to kiss the heroine and leave them open to others' discovery when he kissed her and sucked her nipple and all that Because then she'd be ruined and he'd have to marry her immediately.

But no, marriage didn't even cross his mind until they had sex or while they were having sex for the first time. Basically, I didn't like it. I think it's formulaic and the characters don't have any real depth to them. And things just didn't add up.

Jun 21, Cristin rated it liked it. I felt like this book was just okay. From the beginning, each character will admit to a sort of attraction, but it never gets more detailed than that.

How to Entice an Earl (Ugly Ducklings, #3) by Manda Collins

And one moment the two are talking as friends and he is kissing her and pulling her dress down. And Maddie is so nonchalant, like it's nothing new and perfectly normal to be that intimate for the first time right outside of a ballroom. She just goes right back into the ball and back to working on her plan to clear her brothers name. I don't know I felt like this book was just okay. I just don't like the idea that that sort of thing wouldn't destract you for at least a little bit. The whole story seems to be more focused on how headstrong Maddie is. Which is great for a heroine, but yes Maddie, when you are trying to find a murderer, there is going to be a chance of danger in that.

You should not do it on your own.

And you could use some protection. It drives me crazy how she will go on about how there is no risk in trying to find information about a murder. I just didn't feel like there was any character development and it was repetitive in Maddie's quest to be prove how unfair it is for her as a woman and that she herself can do everything a man can to find the murderer and clear her brothers name. I think she could have trusted Christian more. Nov 09, Linda rated it really liked it Shelves: Lovely romance , wallflower and last of the single cousins Madeline Essex isnot sure she wishes to marry at all; her immediate goal isto do research for a novel she isthe so write , this research requires avian to a gaming hell which for a Dukes daughter is unacceptable.

Maddie being her strong willed self after trying to convince her freind Christian montieth to take hierro one blackmails her younger brother to take her instead. Christian the new Earl of Gresham and former colonel in her majes Lovely romance , wallflower and last of the single cousins Madeline Essex isnot sure she wishes to marry at all; her immediate goal isto do research for a novel she isthe so write , this research requires avian to a gaming hell which for a Dukes daughter is unacceptable. Christian the new Earl of Gresham and former colonel in her majesty's army is know home working as an undercover investigator for the home office into a treasonous organization of bonapartist in London.

Christian while under cover at Mrs. Loving Maddie is an adventure she becomes embroiled ia a Murder, death threats and trying to solve who presents danger to Maddie's brother Linton. Maddie's extreme stubbornness lead to more time spent with Maddie and a lovely romance,some well written sex scenes and a good mystery! Apr 14, Mandy rated it did not like it. Oh, this book was just terrible. I picked it up because my name is Manda, too. The writing was so clunky.

This has the heaviest handed foreshadowing I think I have ever read. Sorry, but just mentioning Wollstonecraft is not enough. The way the couple hooks up is ridiculous, too. Is it Gresham or Monteith? Does he have blue eyes or green? Is Linton Maddie's older or younger brother?

These are just the editing mistakes I caught and drove me crazy. Maybe the author's style is just not for me but this was a completely lukewarm boring characters formulaic story. When a woman character who is strongly for woman's rights annoys me I know there is a problem. The storyline of Maddie wanting to research for her novel, then stumbling upon a murder mystery with occasionally having her Is it Gresham or Monteith? The storyline of Maddie wanting to research for her novel, then stumbling upon a murder mystery with occasionally having her boobies kissed by Gresham, was stale and completely disconnected.

I'm sorry, but, blah meh blah. Probably done with this author forever. Nov 30, Alisha rated it it was amazing. Another amazing book by Manda. It had romance, humor and intrigue. Jun 07, Lusie rated it liked it.

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This book stand a bit apart from other books in this genre by the added mystery about the death of a ton member. It was a bit predictable, but enjoyable. I like the characters and the romance. Nov 08, Megan rated it really liked it. Lady Madeline Essex is not ready to get married yet, even though her cousins Cecily and Juliet have both found love with their husbands.

Before she even the considers the idea of matrimony, she wants to write a novel before she takes that next step. Her novel is at the center of a Gaming Hell, so she decides to go to one to get information for her novel. After brow beating her brother, he takes her to Mrs. Baily's Gaming Hell, where she runs into her cousin's husbands friend, Colonel Lord Chris Lady Madeline Essex is not ready to get married yet, even though her cousins Cecily and Juliet have both found love with their husbands.

Christian has undertaken a mission from his former commanding officer to investigate a gamester for espionage, who happens to be a friend of Maddie's brother. Christian is informed that they will be attending Mrs. Bailey's he decides to attend to see what information he can gather. So when Maddie enters Mrs. Bailey's with her brother he is not surprised since they become acquainted since his friend, Lucas Dalton the Duke of Winterson courtship with her cousin Cecily, but that doesn't stop him from taking her aside and scolding her for being there When a murder takes place and Maddie happens to be the one to find the body and discovers its her brother's friend.

After her brother is found to have left Mrs Baily's, people are suspicious that he his involved. Maddie decides to find the murderer to clear her brothers name and since Christian was going to look into it since the person he was gathering in tel about turned up murdered decides to help Maddie and protect her from trouble. Now that they are thrown together, they now face this undeniable attraction for each other that can't be denied. And Maddie wonders if it will turn into a love that her cousins have found with their husbands This was a great conclusion to the "Ugly Duckling" trilogy.

I really liked Christian's character. He was honest, protective of those who he considers friends and his family, and patient, though Maddie has a way of running his patience thin. The Earl Claims a Bride. The Duke of Defiance. The Devil Is a Marquess. Accidentally Compromising the Duke. A Rogue by Any Other Name. The Duke of Danger. When a Girl Loves an Earl. Wicked in His Arms. The Duke of Ice. The Duke In My Bed.

A Misguided Lord Tenacious Trents - 2. This Earl is on Fire. Kissed by a Scottish Rogue. The Beast of Yorkshire. When a Marquis Chooses a Bride. When a Marquess Loves a Woman. The Duke of Ruin. No Groom at the Inn. All the Ways to Ruin a Rogue. Twelve Nights as His Mistress. Confessions of a Dangerous Lord. The Duke of Lies. The Debutante Is Mine. How to Marry a Marquess. The Virgin and the Viscount. If the Rogue Fits. Put Up Your Duke. It Started with a Kiss. How to Bewitch an Earl. One-Eyed Dukes Are Wild.

One for the Rogue. Marrying the Wrong Earl.

Twice Upon a Time. For the Love of the Viscount. Anything but a Gentleman. Three Weeks To Wed. An Affair in Winter.

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A Night of Forever. An Heiress for All Seasons. The Marquis and I. The Most Dangerous Duke in London. Last Night with the Duke. To Catch a Lady. Why Do Dukes Fall in Love? The Second Time Around. The Earl of Pembroke. When Good Earls Go Bad. A Taste of Seduction. A Touch of Passion. Do You Want to Start a Scandal. How to Manage a Marquess. Only a Duke Will Do. To the Duke, With Love. A Promise of More.

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