I was excited to read this book because the premise sounded interesting—a hero who’s not a Duke for once, the intrigue of a blackmail plot, an independent heroine. There was so much potential here with a disabled hero, too. Sadly, once I started reading I found I was not interested. I can’t really put my finger on why, but I felt absolutely nothing while reading apart from boredom. There’s nothing out-and-out wrong with what I read, I just flat out didn’t care about it. I decided to stop exerting so much effort and stopped reading after a few chapters. In my opinion as a reader, if I’m not hooked by then I’m not going to spend any more of my reading time trying to get there. This could be a “it’s not you, it’s me” problem since I tend to enjoy angst levels that would make Cruella de Ville cry. Regardless, this book was not for me.

There were also some weird formatting issues with the eARC I downloaded that probably didn’t make it feel like less work. Hopefully those will be straightened out in the final version.

I love Sabrina Jeffries and her writing, so naturally I went into this expecting a lot from it! But, sadly it ended up disappointing me.
This series features the various children of a duchess who was married thrice -to different dukes- and all three of them are dead.

The Bachelor focuses on Lady Gwyn Drake, the daughter from her mother's second marriage! She's thirty years old and pretty much on the shelf, but after spending most of her years in Berlin she's back in London and she's to be presented at court. But she's being blackmailed due to a mistake during her youth, which she wishes to hide from her family.

Joshua Wolfe is an injured war-hero, who is currently working as the gamekeeper at her brother's estate. When Gwyn's blackmailer comes to threaten her at the estate, Joshua intervenes and saves her, but she doesn't give him the full details on the incident.
So, when her twin brother finds out about this, he decides to hire Joshua to keep her safe during the London season. And Joshua has his own reason for going to London, as he wants to get back to working in the Navy but his injuries have damaged his leg quite badly!
Plus, there's the attraction between him and Gwyn, though he doesn't want to immediately act on it!

The book had a really good plot and amazing potential, but I ended up hating the main characters - especially Joshua! It had a great start and I was hooked from the firs few chapters itself. In the beginning, I just saw him as a grumpy hero who is annoyed with everything due to his injury. But, as we got to know more about him, his interactions with Gwyn really began to annoy me! Because he was basically holding Gwyn responsible her for using her "feminine wiles" on him, to attract him.
I'm not kidding!

"I know better than to think you actually desire me." He scowled at her. "You merely want to wrap me around your finger so you can do as you please while we're in London-not let me know where you're going, not allow me to accompany you, head off on walks and rides without any escort but a groom." She gaped at him. "That's what you think of me? That I'm the worst sort of flirt, the worst sort of woman, who could manipulate a man by using my 'feminine wiles' to get my way? No wonder you have no wish to marry me, if that's how you see me. And that's precisely why I have no wish to marry a suspicious fellow like you, Joshua Wolfe!"
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....."So now you think it's logical to assume I'm toying with your affections? Is that it? Or is it that you simply don't like the idea of a woman like me having a say in such things as her own desires?"
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"I don't know what you're worried about", he said testily. "Everywhere you go you make another conquest. First Malet and now the groom. And you haven't even had your debut yet."
"I notice you don't include yourself in that number of conquests. Apparently, I'm very bad at using my feminine wiles. You saw right through them."

And I've seen my fair share of rude heroes in many HR books, but Joshua never really apologizes to her for these comments and she doesn't ask for one either. Gwyn is pretty tough and independent at the start, and she argues back when he comments like this, but later she doesn't really seem to mind. She has more issues with herself and her supposed 'harlotry' than anyone else does. Atleast Joshua was decent to her in those parts! Their relationship just had this quick jump from physical attraction to the let's-talk-about-marriage stage that I found it a little hard to believe.

The last few chapters show that the deaths of the duchess' husbands might not have been accidents at all, so I'm mildly intrigued. I might end up checking the next book just to see how the author takes the mystery plot, but I do hope that the characters are better than the ones in this book!

I thought that this was a really good story!

It flowed really well and it had an interesting plot.  It was a very well written, the characters were strong and it was very well developed and I thought that the plot was very good too - it was a very enjoyable book!

It is 5 stars from me for this one - it is definitely one I will be very highly recommending!

I’ve never read a Sabrina Jeffries romance but I think I’m going to pick up others because I didn’t hate this historical romance.

It’s pretty fast paced and I like the plot even though it’s pretty bonkers for a historical. Gwynn is a great heroine but Joshua isn’t really my type of hero.

I do recommend this if you like your historicals on the fun and wacky side though.

I haven’t read Sabrina Jeffries in a while. So glad I read The Bachelor. Major Wolfe is a wonderful, wounded hero. He loves Gwyn, but doesn’t think he’s good enough for her. Gwyn is so attracted to the Major. Lots happens! I don’t want to be a spoiler, so I won’t tell you what happens, but know that this story is well written, with great characters including a very horrible villain! I love the way the story flowed and recommend this story for a wonderful ready!

I have been looking forward to this book ever since I got a peek at the first chapter last year!
I couldn't read this fast enough. And the action in this book was pretty good.

Lady Gwyn Drake is being blackmailed by her former suitor, who is threatening to go public with her secrets. When war hero Major Joshua Wolfe finds her being shaken by the scoundrel he shoots over their heads to chase the man away. Gwyn tells Joshua that the man meant to rekindle their relationship and kidnap her, in order to keep the blackmailing a secret.
Now Major Wolfe has been hired by her brother the Duke of Thornhill, to be her bodyguard to keep her safe as she makes her debut in London.

Their first kiss was good. But their second kiss, when he takes to practice shooting was amazing.
And that scene in the orangery was fire! I think I was even blushing as I read it, despite having read plenty of steamy romance novels.

I can't wait for Thorn's book and further unravelling the other mystery in this book.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and Kensington Books.
#TheBachelor #NetGalley

I have previously read Sabrina Jeffries books and enjoyed them, but haven’t read one by her for a few years. I felt this one was not as good as her older books but I did enjoy it. After realising it was the 2nd in a series I felt the series storyline should have moved along more in this one. I would enjoy reading the next in the series and thank you for allowing me to read a preview copy.

This was a much more compelling installment than the first of the series. Gwyn is a formidable heroine and Joshua's quiet intensity makes him an interesting hero. I like the clash between classes and I love the dynamics of the duo. Both characters suffer from past traumas and once they reveal them to the other, a true trust develops that goes far beyond just their physical attraction.

(My one concern is that this book tends to use idiosyncratic language which makes the conversations seem dated.)

I'm a sucker for a main character with a disability, so that makes me happy. I enjoy the conflict between the twins, they felt real, as did all the internal conflicts going on. Malet made for a good love-to-hate villain. I'm interested in the meta arch intrigue. I realize this is a rather disjointed review but I cant think of a way to make them more cohesive.

4.5 stars

I enjoyed this book. I had previously read the one chapter teaser and thought it had potential, I liked the hero Joshua, though grumpy at first he looks after the heroine, Gywn and realises that she's being blackmailed. I'd read the previous book and it's looking more likely that Lydia the mother is part of a big mystery. I like how there's different strands to each book. I'll definitely be looking out for the third book and this looks to be becoming a series that begs to be re-read! I'd heartily recommend this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I really struggled with this one.

The hero is annoyingly gruff, moody, surly, quick to irritate and anger. I did not find many of the interactions romantic, the sex scenes are at times terribly cringy (lots of descriptions that involving, plunging, stabbing, groping and rubbing). I don't like how the hero "blames" the heroine for being attracted to her, and his jealousy is at times borderline disturbing.

Not SB finest.

Ever since she and her family moved back to England from Prussia, Lady Gwyn Drake has been hiding the folly of a youthful affair in order to protect her family. When the same former suitor comes to her family's country home to blackmail Gwyn by threatening to reveal her secret, his manhandling is quickly put to an end by the estate gamekeeper, Major Joshua Wolfe. It is clear to Gwyn's twin brother, the Duke of Thornstock, that she needs protection during her upcoming London season, so he hires the Major to act as her bodyguard. War hero Joshua feels he must accept the request given that Thorn and Gwyn's mother is his aunt by marriage and he hopes to use the trip to London to facilitate a meeting with the War Secretary so he can petition to return to full duty in the Royal Marines. He takes his job protecting Gwyn seriously, but ignoring his ever growing attraction to her becomes increasingly difficult in such close proximity. Though he knows he's beneath Gwyn socially, despite being the grandson of a duke himself, Joshua can't stop his mind wondering what a future with her might be like.

Gwyn is used to being sought only for her money and would prefer to avoid suitors both old and new, as all have been fortune hunters thus far, but with danger closing in on her, and her feelings for Joshua growing, a reckoning between them fast becomes inevitable.

I really loved this book. It was a fast read, but I couldn't put it down; it really held my attention and I was rooting for Joshua and Gwyn the whole way. Joshua is used to rejections and snide remarks because of his ruined leg and his experiences have only enhanced the natural gruffness of his personality. Both Gwyn and Joshua were afraid of being hurt and rejected by the other, each believing themselves unworthy of the other. Joshua was genuinely sweet and adorable beneath his grumpy exterior and I loved him and Gwyn as a couple. At first I thought Gwyn's attitude and poor decision making would ruin it for me, but I came to understand and like her and she also grew quite a bit. The villain was a nice addition to the story, as well as the ongoing mystery subplot flowing through this series. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and can't wait for Thorn's story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Fantastic slow burn romance with witty dialogue and beautiful imagery.

Gwynn is a strong female character who knows her own mind and survives every obstacle life throws her way. Joshua - the wounded war hero is just perfect. Together they are HR gold.

Plenty of action and subplots hinting at future books made this a fast paced read that I definitely recommend.

We met Joshua and Gwyn in the first book of the series. Joshua was badly wounded in battle and is discontented being on half pay working for his family. Gwyn's brother hires him to be her bodyguard to protect her from Lionel Malet, an old beau with some secrets she does not want revealed. Joshua's biggest concern is fighting his attraction to Gwyn and being bumped back up to full pay and being a true Major again.

Great mystery and romance! There is still the mystery of who is killing the dukes of the family, but Sabrina Jeffries always does such a great job of making the book feel like a standalone even when part of the story carries throughout a series.

Many thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

I had a hard time getting into this book. But once I did I really enjoyed it. Good story. Kept me hooked and reading into the night to finish it.

I enjoyed this book. Sabrina Jeffries has a way with drawing you into the story and keeping there till the very end.

The book is Gwyn's story but Joshua was the central figure in the much awaited book 2 of the Duke Dynasty series. The storyline weaves to a happily-ever-after for two souls carrying heavy secrets and dealing with a villainous man from her past. A great plot and superb character development. There are a couple of minor loose ends but it's definitely a 'must read'.

This was a fun, light read by Sabrina Jeffries. I particularly enjoyed watching Joshua coming back to life over the course of the book - his injury has left him depressed and feeling useless, which he masks with a huge amount of grumpiness, but we see his humour returning, and I was glad to see him find a purpose in life (that wasn't entirely linked to his romantic life). Gwyn was a mature heroine who was nonetheless stuck in one mistake from the past, and I liked seeing her get unstuck.
My one complaint would be that there is clearly a mystery being built up over the series but it is sooooo sloooooow. We saw a Suspicious Event early in this book, which was ostensibly linked to the main plot, but we found out relatively quickly that it wasn't, and it was sort of left to just sit there, forgotten, until the final pages where it re-emerged to remind us that there is a Big Mystery. I don't think the book needed that - it was quite complete in itself, despite being the second in a series.
An enjoyable read overall, despite this small quibble.

The first chapter of this book had my little grumpy-hero-loving heart all a’flutter.

And on paper (no book pun intended) I should have loved this book. There’s banter and forced proximity and the bones are good. Excellent even. But something about this couple didn’t quite do it for me…even though I liked both of them!

Though they did fight a lot in the beginning and I liked that a lot. Still, the love emotions didn’t quite grab me by the guts. Maybe it was a chemistry thing? I don’t know.

I liked this book. Just not quite my favorite Sabrina Jeffries novel. It’s okay. That happens.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy. The Bachelor is set to release in February. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Great historical fiction.
Gwyn has a past with a scoundrel, Malet, which she is deeply ashamed of. When Malet gets desperate for money, he attempts to blackmail Gwyn into buying his silence of what happened between them all those years ago. Her brother, Thorn, knows only part of the story but hires Major Wolfe to act as Gwyn's bodyguard, fearing he may try to kidnap her. But the story is a bit more complicated than meets the eye, and there are actually several pieces of the story all interwoven masterfully to create a great story of love, betrayal, secrets, and suspense.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.