Member Reviews
I really enjoyed Luci and Roderick's story!
Luci is determined to find the person who murdered one of her friends. Her father is determined to marry her off to the very man she believes did the deed. She secretly writes a gossip column that exposes his deeds as well as the deeds of other horrible men of the ton. One of those men is Roderick. Because of what Luci writes about him, he loses everything.
When Roderick starts to court Luci for her dowry, they soon learn that what would have been a marriage of convenience, could be so much more. But what will happen when Roderick learns Luci's secret? Will they get their HEA?
This was a great addition to the Undaunted Debutantes series and I can't wait to read the conclusion of the series!
This second book in the Undaunted Debutantes series is a nice middle in the series sandwich. It has enough romance sprinkled with enough drama to keep the reader interested. We find out who the angry man that was headed for Lady Luciana at the end of book one and why. The sparks fly between Roderick Crofton, the Duke of Montrose and Lady Luci, however they issue to work out a lot of issues before book's end. There's Roderick's financial situation, Luci's contribution to that situation, Luci's father attitude toward her and all women, and then there is Tilda's death on her wedding day. The question: did Lord Abercorn push his bride down the stairs to her death? If yes, then how do they find evidence to prove it? Although these questions are not answered in this book, there is one more in the series for resolution. In addition, we need to find out just who is that handsome stranger that has Lady Ophelia just about jumping out of her shell?
Greatly enjoyed this story and this series. Loved the series, will continue to read this author.
I really enjoyed this story. The herione is strong and ibdependent. I didn't like her much on the beginning but came to understand why she was the ways she was and grew to adore her. The hero is determined and confident though I would have like to know more about the mystery behind his lost family fortune.
Second book in this series and just as good as the first. I enjoyed reading about Lucianna and Roderick's love story, it was well written and engaging. No resolution to who killed Tilda but a few clues along the way. Look forward to the next in the series.
I received an ARC copy of this book from netgalley.
The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna by Christina McKnight is an interesting Regency Romance. #2 in "The Undaunted Debutantes", while can be read as a stand alone, I'd suggest reading #1 first, only to get the back story of these ladies. Not necessary to follow this story.
Lucianna Constantine, quick-witted, head-strong, independent, determine to prove who murdered her dear friend with the help of her other friends and she writes a column for the notorious Mayfair Confidential, as a columnist she understands the beau monde is cruel, scandalous and has many unscrupulous men.
The Duke of Montrose, Roderick Crofton, was left financially destitute, his betrothed gone, and lacking the means to find the lords responsible for duping his sire. His entire family's fortune was stolen when his father trusted the wrong men. So what can a Duke do....marry a wealthy heiress, enter....Lucianna.
A quick read with an enjoyable cast of characters. The plot was interesting with less danger, suspense and mystery but with more romance than the previous book, "The Diappearance of Lady Edith". However, I found Lucianna and Roderick's story to be one of love, and trust with secrets that could destroy so many innocent lives, as while as their own HEA. Steady paced, and well written with a few twists and turns.
Ms. Christina McKnight writes with passion and emotions, the reader can't help but be drawn into her story, Lucianna and Roderick's story was no different. I enjoyed watching these two characters work out their differences to find love, and happiness. Another great read by Christina McKnight!
I can't wait to read Lady Ophelia's story, coming soon. Pick up your copy of this exciting series.
Rating: 4
Heat rating: Sweet to very Mild
Reviewed by: AprilR
I'm really beginning to like Christina McKnight's books. This is the 2nd book in this trilogy and, although, I enjoyed it, I didn't love it like I did Edith's story. This one didn't have the danger factor like the first book did. In this entry we follow Lucianna, another friend of the doomed Tilda. Lucianna has learned to stand up for herself because of her tyrant of a father. So she's very opinionated, headstrong, and doesn't easily trust people. Then we meet Roderick, who has lost his fiancé because of something Lucianna wrote in the paper. So he's out for revenge until......they meet. This one is more about the romance between the two rather than finding evidence about Abercorn. He's the one that supposedly killed their friend, Tilda. (Not a spoiler since this happened quickly in the first book) Once again, I liked the writing, the characters, and the plot. I hope in the 3rd book we get some answers about who killed Tilda.
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Oh Luci……You so got side swiped by love that is for sure!! LOL
Lucianna was not going to stop searching for a clue against the dastardly man who killed her friend. She will not give up even though Edith is happily engaged and Ophelia is too busy reading then investigation. She will not fail her deceased friend.
Roderick was too side swiped by love. He was bound and determined to destroy the person who ruines his chance at find who stole from his family. He stumbles on Luci in a fencing match and he couldn’t help but fall in love with her! She is feisty and challenges him every step of the way but he won’t have it any other way.
I loved the almost disgust that Roderick feels for Luci’s sire and his treatment of her. His desire to protect her is what is his “down fall” into loving her. Luci is going to catch the man who ruined her friend’s happiness and took her life. When Roderick becomes an ally in her journey she is confused and finds herself even more drawn to the man.
I gotta say, I loved how Luci was so stubborn and this book is like a taming of the shrew updated version. Roderick thinks taming Luci will save her but in fact it saves him.
I can’t wait for Ophelia’s book!!
You really need to read book one in order to follow along. Luci and Roderick are a perfect pair. I think there were some parts the author could have expounded on but overall it was a very good read. I cannot wait for book three.
The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna (The Undaunted Debutantes, #2)
by Christina McKnight
Definite buy buy buy book. While you could take off a star, I could not bring myself to do it! I was engaged with this story. I would of perhaps liked a little more of the mystery! I can say it is well written, wonderful characters and just keeps you wanting more as you travel through the story. I can hardly wait for the next in the series and hope to wind up the mystery! So buy and sit and enjoy it is truly a good read! I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom
Lady Luci of The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna is everything a debutante is not. She is tall, slender, witty, sharp-tongued and intelligent. And, she fences like none other. She even bests Roderick Crofton, the Duke of Montrose. The Misfortune is second in the Undaunted Debutantes series. Although Lady Luci’s story is second in the series and a stand alone novella, I went back and read The Disappearance of Lady Edith just to find out more to the underlying theme in the novella. Both begin with a prologue detailing Tilda, Edith, Luci and Ophelia having a quick visit on Tilda’s wedding night before she goes to her bedchamber to await her new husband, the Duke of Abercorn. The next scene in the books describes the loss of Tilda following an argument with her new husband and her dead at the bottom of the stairs. Luci, Edith and Ophelia know Abercorn pushed her down the stairs, they just have to prove it.
Luci’s dilemma is her life under the thumb of her cruel, somewhat sadistic father. His joy is in his cruelty and threats to his wife and children. Luci sees herself as her family’s protector. Ms. McKnight keeps Edith and her hero, Triston, as active secondary characters in Luci and Montrose’s romance. As one of Luci, Edith and Ophelia’s secrets, they write a gossip column as revenge and use it to highlight rakes amongst the ton’s male population. Luci has used it against her father and his horrible treatment of her mother with his mistresses. She even used it against the Duke of Montrose believing he was as rakish as her father.
Once Luci meets, through fencing, and gets to know Roderick, she begins to realize she was wrong about him and even comes to care for him. Ms. McKnight seems to have a give of bringing hero and heroine together quickly building strong, romantic, believable relationships in a short amount of time. Luci and her two friends are determined to prove Abercorn killed their friend, bringing Roderick and Triston in on the intrigue.
The Undaunted Debutantes series is quick and thorough in building characters, their relationships and their challenges. Yet, you know that although they have found love, they will not truly find happiness until they have proven Abercorn murdered their dear friend, Tilda. I look forward to Ophelia’s story next. And, I love Triston’s sisters. If you have not thought about writing a series that includes them, please do. They are quite unique and delightful.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The book is an easy read and appropriate for any age. Lady Lucianna is a very strong willed, independent female who is determined to see that Lord Abercorn pays for deliberately killing his new wife Tilda who was one of her best friends. There is a lot going on in this book which includes her new romance with Lord Montrose. The romance seems to be a minor part in the book.
What draws me to author Christina McKnight is one trait above all else. She doesn't write victims, she creates heroines. Her female leads are spirited individuals with the brains to fight for themselves instead of playing the damsel in distress. Of course, in the case of Lucianna that proved to be somewhat of a negative trait, because she lead with her heart instead of the facts. A painful tragedy has set her on a course that could prove to be her undoing. The Misfortune of Lady Lucianna is a story of survival that romances, intrigues and captivates.
DNF so will not be rating or reviewing. Thank you for the opportunity to read this title.
This is the second book in the series about three friends, Lady Lucianna, Lady Edith and Lady Ophelia, determined to uncover evidence that their friend, Duchess Tilda Abercorn, was murdered on her wedding night by the Duke of Abercorn. Lucianna knows what she saw and she has no problem vocalizing her opinion about Abercorn or writing about it in the Gazette. While no one believes her about Abercorn, she's determined to expose every misdeed by gentlemen of the ton including the Duke of Montrose, Roderick Crofton, but could she have gotten things wrong about Roderick and scandalized the wrong man?
I was eager to find out what really happened to Tilda, and this plot does move the mystery forward, but it's mostly about the developing romance between Lucianna and Roderick. I loved Roderick especially his honor and determination to keep Lucianna safe especially from her cruel and overbearing father. Ms. McKnight weaves another enjoyable story of the three friends. I'm anxiously awaiting Ophelia's story and to finally learning who killed Tilda. Although there were less typos in this book than in the first book, there were still enough of them to jar me out of the story. Fans of Regency romance will definitely enjoy this book, but it would be better served reading the first book to fully understand everything the young women are trying to do.
One tragic night changed Lady Lucianna Constantine’s life: when her best friend Tilda fell to her death from plummeting down a flight of stairs on her wedding night. Did she fall down the flight of stairs or was she pushed by her new husband the Duke of Abercorn. Now, Luci & her friends Ophelia & Edith dedicate their time watching the man they think is responsible, whilst gathering information to expose other scoundrels posing as gentlemen of honour about London.
Quick-witted hellion Lucianna has witnessed the cruelty of London’s beau monde her entire life starting with her own father. So she is more than willing to singlehandedly take down every vile man that crosses her path. Roderick Crofton, the Duke of Montrose, had his entire family fortune stolen when his father trusted the wrong men. After a scandalous article surfaces in the London Daily Gazette, written by the notorious Mayfair Confidential columnist, Roderick finds himself financially destitute, without a betrothed, and lacking the means to find the lords responsible for duping his sire.
Roderick & Luci meet at Bentley’s fencing parlour where they fence & Luci beats Roderick, their attraction is immediate & sizzles but Luci flees on learning Roderick’s name.
A very enjoyable read, the plot is fast paced & I read the book in two sittings. The characters are well portrayed & have depth of character, Roderick & Luci are very likeable & Ophelia is starting to come out of her shell too. This is the second book of the trilogy & continues on from the first book. There is less mystery in this part but there is romance, I was hoping that the mystery surrounding Tilda’s death would progress but it seemed to be on the back boiler apart from the question as to how could Abercorn have changed from his red robe to his formal attire so quickly, I’m looking forward to the third part when all should be revealed. I felt Roderick’s investigation into his lost funds would have been solved & I hope this is also resolved in the last part.
As always, I will give my honest review in return for this ARC. While written well, I found this story to be a bit disappointing. There were many things within the story that were not expounded on and so left me unfulfilled and crucial parts unresolved. Perhaps those will resolve in future tales but it really left me adrift.
This novel was an enjoyable and quick read. It continues from where the first novel in the series ended but involves less mystery than the first book but has the romance.
Lucianna Constantine wants to prove Lord Abercorn killed her friend with the assistance of her friends Edith and Ophelia. Luci is a hellion and is a very independent woman for her time. She is also passionate, but due to her father's indiscretions, she believes all men are rakes and scoundrels. She writes as a Mayfair Confidential, along with her friends, about scandalous men.
Roderick Crofton, the Duke of Montrose, was ruined by an article Luci wrote. He needs to marry an heiress, since his father lost all the family money by trusting the wrong people. The woman he was seen with was helping him in his investigation. I wish the author went more in depth into the investigation or tie it into Luci's investigation. Roderick decides to confront Luci and finds her intriguing. He decides to get even with her by proposing marriage.
Luci has no desire to wed. However, her father as plans for her and she finds an ally in Roderick. Luci and Roderick are keeps secrets from each other though. When Lord Abercorn proposes marriage to Luci, she knows she cannot marry a man she believes killed her friend and needs Roderick's help. Roderick has his own agenda but he cares for Luci and does not want her to marry a man like Abercorn. Luci still needs to prove her killed her friend and I wish there was a little more focus on this. Still, I enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading the next book in the series to see if the women can prove Abercorn is a murderer and how it ties into the other stories.