Nicholas Gillingham is another of the myriad Duke's Bastards - another illegitimate son of the Duke of Roseford, his pregnant mother was married by Mr Gillingham, Steward to the Earl of Bramwell. Growing up with the earl's children as his bosom companions, Nicholas was educated with Thomas and Aurora. As teenagers Aurora and Nicholas fall in love, and when Nicholas asks for Aurora's hand Bramwell (abetted by Roseford) tricks them both. He makes Nicholas believe Aurora has rejected him in favour of the Earl of Lovell, and Aurora that Nicholas has run away to war.

9 year later, how things have changed. Nicholas is a war hero, badly injured and scarred - as a reward for his heroics, the peerage are debating awarding him a title. Nicholas is very keen on this, as he believes a title will give him the sort of power over his fate he has never had before.

Aurora was married off to Lovell, not that happily, now he has died, she has discovered her father has mismanaged his estates and her settlement, so she is not that well off, when she tries to find her friend, Imogen, another widow in even worse straits, and she is discovered in a notorious brothel, her reputation is in shreds.

When they meet again, at the new Duke of Roseford's (Nicholas's brother) house party because Katherine his wife, is trying to restore Aurora's reputation, and Nicholas is trying to canvass support from his brothers acquaintance among the peerage, can they both resist their continuing attraction to each other. What will it take for Nicholas to rid himself of his feelings for Aurora, and how can Aurora disguise the connection she still feels towards him.

When they finally discover how they were lied to, can they finally be honest and open with each other and hope for an HEA, or is Nicholas's desire for a title going to get in the way.

This was a lovely second chance romance, with good and reasonable main characters - but who find it hard to talk about the things that really matter.

I did enjoy this very much.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Gah so steamy and romantic and just intense! I've been trying to read more historical romance books and this one fit the bill! I definitely need to read more from this author!

My favorite of the series (so far!)! Both characters were "damaged" in their younger years, and this is a sweet and steamy second chance they both needed more than they knew. Looking forward to the next one!

This is the third book in the series. I have read the two previous books and this book makes up for the second book in the series. This was an enjoyable second chance romance. The characters were strong, had depth and were likable. I look forward to reading the next installment.

I couldn't get into the story but Jess Michaels does a wonderful job with characters but I couldn't get into this book and I really wanted to love it!

The Story in 4 Sentences or Less: Aurora and Nicholas were madly in love when they were younger and had plans to run away together and get married but life and two cruel fathers kept them apart. Now a widowed viscountess, Aurora is in the middle of scandal that could destroy any chance of a respectable future when she is invited to a country party where she runs into a familiar face. Nicholas managed to make a life for himself despite being a bastard son of the old Duke of Roseford, he's now a war hero being considered for a title and attending his half brother's party so that he can influence the right people to support him. Face to face after many years, Nicholas and Aurora confront their tangled past and the fact that they've never stopped loving each other but that might not be enough to save Aurora from scandal and saving Aurora might keep Nicholas from getting the title he wants.





Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? Another Roseford bastard to love lol. Nicholas is dependable, honorable, and a tad on the prickly side when it comes to his family. Unlike his siblings, Nicholas had a good man raise him as his own and he's well aware of the cruel games the nobility like to play and since his siblings, Selina and Morgan are forming close relationships with their brother, Robert, the new Duke of Roseford, it makes Nicholas a little wary of them.

I loved his slow but steady progression from beginning to end when it came to his family. They want to love this man so bad and as much as Nicholas tries to keep them at arm's length, they (especially Selina who is my favorite) don't let him. They show him in a million little ways that they not only love him but are there for him no matter what. It was great watching Nicholas realize that Robert wasn't trying to do anything more than use his title to help him and that Robert truly did care for his siblings' futures.


I was slow to warm up to Aurora because she was so secretive about her life and the events that led up to her being parted from Nicholas. But Aurora's gentle yet strong personality won me over. As hurt as she was over Nicholas' abandonment, she hadn't become petty or bitter. Just a lot more guarded. I liked her as the story went along and I could see why Nicholas was still in love with her. Their relationship had a slow build to it while they figured out what went wrong in the past and whether what was left was worth saving. The added conflict of Aurora's scandal gave them a reason to stay close together and explore that chemistry that was still a big part of their connection.


Overall, The Matter of a Marquess is another winner in The Duke's Byblows series. Jess Michaels excels at not only writing a convincing romance but heartwarming familial relationships between people that aren't always related by blood, which is what really keeps me coming back for more.



Click It or Skip It? Click it.

Such an amazing series and The Matter of a Marquess adds another fabulous story!

Having fell in love when they were young, they were parted by circumstances but they never forgot each other.
Now, Nicholas has returned from war a wounded hero who about to be bestowed a title from the crown. His half brother throws a house party for him to help him obtain support for the title and he runs into none other than Aurora, his love from long ago.

Lady Aurora is a widow, and through searching for her lost friend and done damage to her reputation by visiting a brothel. When they see each other, the spark and love is still there and before long they talk and the truth comes out about what parted them long ago.

I adored these characters and as always Jess Michaels pulled me in from the beginning and did not let go until the last page. Yes, I loved it!

Nicholas Gillingham grew up believing his father to be the man who raised him, the man-of-affairs for the Earl of Bramwell. He eventually learns that he is, in fact, the natural son of the Duke of Roseford, and Mr. Gillingham married his mother, and raised him as his own. Nicholas grew up with the earl’s children, becoming best friends with his son, and falling in love with his daughter. Aurora returns his affection, and suggests that they elope, knowing her father will never approve a match between the two. Nicholas, however, is always honorable, and decides to do things the right way and approach the earl directly, to ask for her hand in marriage. The earl has been well aware of the connection between his daughter and his servant’s son, and is ready to stop things before they go any further. The meeting with the earl is humiliating for Nicholas, as well as painful, as Aurora’s father advises Nicholas that she is engaged. He even takes Nicholas to see Aurora walking and smiling in the garden with her soon-to-be husband. Heartbroken and ashamed of his birth, Nicholas immediately joins the army, where he served for nine years, coming home injured, yet a hero. He’s also in line to be awarded a title, something he craves very badly, something that will give him the power he’s lacked all of his life.

Aurora is stunned when Nicholas suddenly disappears, and she learns that he left to join the army without a word to her. Pressured by her father, she weds Viscount Lovell, an unhappy union that lasts several years, until he turns up dead in embarrassing circumstances. Aurora was left only a pittance to live on, and she and her friend, Imogen, another widow, struggle to make ends meet. When Imogen decides to take the plunge and become a lady of the evening, Aurora goes searching for her. Of course, Aurora is spotted in a brothel, and of course it’s not kept quiet, and of course she is ruined, no matter the circumstances. When a kindly duchess invites Aurora to an upcoming house party, hoping to alleviate some of the scandal, Aurora accepts. The thing is, the duchess is married to the current Duke of Roseford, Nicholas’s half brother, and he’s also invited Nicholas, so that he may lobby those who have some input as to whether he is awarded his much coveted title.

The late duke of Roseford was a true libertine and scoundrel, taking any woman he wanted and not caring how many illegitimate children he sired. For a while, it seemed that his heir, Robert, would follow in his footsteps. But Robert turned his life around, and found love and happiness. He also was determined to find all his illegitimate half siblings and make them a part of his family. He has already developed a relationship with Morgan and Selina, but Nicholas is hard to get close to. Nicholas is torn between accepting the affection offered by his half siblings, and keeping his distance and his walls up. He can’t refuse Robert’s offer to help him achieve his title, though, and he’ll even endure the house party, if he must. As he joins Robert to greet the arriving guests, he is shocked to see Aurora step from the carriage.

Both Nicholas and Aurora are initially dismayed and troubled at seeing each other for the first time in nine years. Each believes the other to blame for their parting, and each had done their best to move on. Though they were both young, it appears that their love never died, and try as they may, they can’t stay away from each other. I love a good second chance at love story, and the thing I liked best about THE MATTER OF A MARQUESS is that after the initial shock of meeting again, Nicholas and Aurora talked. They didn’t skirt around the issue of their past, and their conversations finally led them to the truth of those who really betrayed them. While their love is still burning strong, now with an undeniable passion, Aurora realizes that her social ruin has made a match between them impossible. If it’s known that he’s courting her, his chances of obtaining the title he desires so badly are nil. At the same time, Aurora still seeks her missing friend, Imogen, and the trail leads to yet another child fathered by the dissolute late Duke of Roseford. I totally understood and sympathized with the character of Nicholas, and how he chose to deal with the life he was dealt. His reserve was not because he felt too little, but because he was afraid of feeling too much and getting hurt again. THE MATTER OF A MARQUESS is Book Number 3 in the Duke’s Bastards series, but can easily read as a standalone. It’s a steamy and fast paced read that I greatly enjoyed, and is bound to appeal to readers who crave star-crossed lovers, and a sweet second chance at love.

4.5 stars

What would you do with a second chance given?

For Nicholas and Aurora, they meet again ten years later and times have changed. Nicholas was injured in battle and is now hoping to gain a title for his acts of bravery and sacrifice. Aurora is now a widow and is living on hard times since her late husband left her with nothing. Of course there is a country party to connect them to new and powerful acquaintances and to reconnect the two of them by mere chance.

Usually there was a misunderstanding in there kinds of stories and this is why the couples don’t up together. It is the same for this one but it isn’t like a roll your eyes situation. Both decided they did want to talk about the past to clear the air. They didn’t wait for one of them to be shot at or something. I appreciate both of them taking the time to talk even when they don’t expect any sort of long term relationship. There is also plenty of physical connection because this is a romance novel after all. I loved the balance between the two.

Out of all of the siblings, Robert, Morgan, Selina and Nicholas, Nicholas is the least connected to Robert. Robert as we have learned from the prior books is trying to be the older brother since their late father was horrible. He is trying to do what he can for Nicholas but Nicholas keeps to himself. Of course Selina being Selina see right through him. All of the siblings have very different personalities and I love seeing them all together and helping each other out.

The plot of this book blends right into the next book as well which I’m super excited to read. We get a glimpse of the future couple and it sounds exciting. Can’t wait!

This is the 3rd book in the series but it can be read as a stand-alone. Nic had his heart broken by Aurora, he left for the Army and she married for a title. Now she is a widow and he an injured war hero. Aurora is in the midst of a scandal and is glad to get away to a house party. What will happen when she discovers there is only two on the guest list, herself and Nic? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, steam, emotion. Both characters are lots of depth and their story is fun, steamy and entertaining. I loved it!

This was a fun read filled with angst, and action, and romance. The hero is a wounded war vet which was handled really well and I was happy to see him get a better life after living as an outcast for much of his life. I wasn't as captured by the heroine, and her quest for her friend made her do some really stupid stuff. Overall the house party was fun and I love a close proximity romance.

The Matter of a Marquess was such a great story to read. It's about two young lovers, Aurora and Nicholas who were torn apart by the evil lies and deceit of both of their ruthless fathers. She is forced into a loveless marriage and he goes off to war to forget about her. Years later they get a second chance at love after taking part in a meeting amongst mutual friends. Together they set the record straight of what happened between them both all those years ago, and as they become reacquainted the path that they find themselves upon leads them both to uncover a scandal while looking for Aurora's friend that has mysteriously gone missing.
I really enjoyed their story as it was a little dark and edgy especially with all the suspense that was unfolding, and as the secrets were being revealed from the past it was such an exciting and imaginative plot line. The romance was just perfect too.
Another wonderful story to add to this series of The Duke's Bastards.

This was an engaging read. Nicholas Gillingham, was another of the Duke’s illegitimate children. He had been an officer in the army and had performed acts of bravery. He may be awarded a title, which is something he wants. He is learning to accept family bonds but it isn’t easy for him. There is something in his past that connects him to Lady Aurora Lovell. They need to discuss this before they can move on. Aurora is also involved in a scandal concerning her friend, Imogen. Some things are resolved in this story but not all. There are some heart breaking moments and moments of passion. I look forward to reading the next in the series. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A historical second chance.

Aurora and Nicholas share a past. For many years, they have lived very different lives. She married another, he went to war.
Their future is complicated by the past and their circumstances.
Nicholas' circumstances have changed drastically. So has Aurora's.
Complicated, steamy with a helming of angst.

Recommend.

4.5 stars, rounded up

Years ago, Nicholas Gillingham, the bastard son of the late Duke of Roseford, learned a hard lesson. He had given his heart to the Earl of Bramwell’s daughter, Lady Aurora, and believed that she loved him in return, but when he asks for her hand in marriage – the earl tells him that he is a fool – Aurora is going to marry Viscount Lovell and that she was just toying with Nicholas. The earl explains that Aurora would never marry a man with no title or prospects. He then has Nicholas look to the garden, where he sees his love arm in arm with Viscount Lovell. Heartbroken, Nicholas leaves and joins the army. Now nine years later, he is a hero and under consideration for the abeyant title of Marquess of Songstrum. While his siblings don’t understand his desire for a title, to Nicholas, this is what he has worked for every minute since being thrown over by Aurora. His half-brother Robert, the current Duke of Roseford throws a house party to introduce Nicholas to powerful peers that could help him in his quest to get a title.

Aurora, the widowed Viscountess Lovell, is on a mission, her dearest friend Imogen is missing and Aurora searches for her at a brothel. Unfortunately, she is recognized and soon her reputation is in tatters. She is wondering what she can do to save her friend when she gets an unexpected visit from Katheryn, the Duchess of Roseford. Katheryn vows to help her and invites her to the house party. She tells her that she has powerful friends and will help her find her friend and restore her reputation. Aurora agrees to go and is actually looking forward to the party – that is until she arrives and the man who swore he loved her and wanted to marry her, but broke her heart instead when he left without a word, confronts her in the drive when she sets down from her carriage.

Despite the anger Nicholas feels upon seeing Aurora again – he is still attracted to her and finds himself looking for ways to excuse her past betrayal. It isn’t long before they realize her father lied to them and that Nicholas’ insecurities made it easy for him to believe that Aurora would choose a man with a title over him. It is clear the love they shared never died, but if Nicholas wants to gain the title, he needs to be above reproach and if he pursues a relationship with Aurora, her recent scandal could ruin any chance he has. Aurora can’t let him make that kind of sacrifice for her and tries to distance herself. But when the search for Imogen brings them together and they realize how fragile life really is – will they still be willing to stay apart?

This was a well written, fast paced book that had me hooked from the first page. Nicholas and Aurora are both extremely likable characters that you can’t help but root for, but their journey to HEA will not be easy and tough choice will have to be made, but in the end, love truly does conquer all! This was an emotional story with betrayal, heartbreak, lies, cameos from previous characters, steamy love scenes, intriguing new characters, a bit of mystery and finally a long overdue HEA. I really enjoyed this book and Nicholas and Aurora have become one of my favorite fictional couples of all time – I just loved them together. This is the third book in the series (as well as a tie-in to the 1797 Club series), but it can be read as a standalone title with no problem. This is my favorite book in this series and I am happy to recommend this title!

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Aurora fell in love when she was younger, but ended up marrying another. A recent widow, she is just trying to survive when her reputation is torn apart when trying to save a friend. Trying to restore her reputation, she agrees to attend a house party. She never imagined it would put her in the same place as the man she has loved for so many years...

Living between two worlds, Nicholas has never felt like he belonged. Losing Aurora the first time about killed him emotionally. He then joined the army and was almost killed in battle. Still trying to find his place in the world, he agrees to attend his brother's house party. When he sees Aurora again, he feels like his heart will break all over again.

Can these two find their way back to one another?

I absolutely adored Aurora and Nicholas's story!! Reunion stories are one of my favorites and Michaels did not disappoint!! I loved watching these two together and seeing them finally get their HEA. This was a great addition to the Duke's Bastards series and I'm excited to read the next one in the series!!

When Jess Michaels writes you should take notes because you know it will be good and this book is no exception. The Matter of a Marquess is book three in her series The Duke's By-Blows and it doesn't disappoint. It can be read as a stand alone but it is better read in the series as you understand more of the characters and their relationships. Nicholas Gillingham is the oldest sibling and rightful heir but he is illegitimate. Raised as the son of a servant, he was schooled alongside the employer's children Thomas and Aurora. Nicholas falls in love with Aurora and they plan to marry until he sees her with another man. Believing that he has been thrown over, Nicholas joins the army.

The story picks up with Aurora's disgrace. She is alone with no money, no husband and now no reputation. Nicholas' sister-in-law, Katherine, comes to the aid of Aurora and invites her to their house party. The same party being thrown for Nicholas to help him acquire a title from the Prince Regent for his bravery on the battlefield. Nicholas and Aurora meet after nine years later and sparks fly. This book will make you laugh, cry, be angry, sigh, and any number of other emotions. I absolutely loved this book.

I received this book from Netgalley but they in no way influenced my review.

The Matter of a Marquess by Jess Michaels
The Duke’s By-Blows #3

Second chances for happy endings are not easily come by so when Nicholas and Aurora meet again it is anyone’s guess whether or not the two will be able to work through the past to make a future together.

What I liked:
* Aurora: a wonderful caring person that loves deeply, cares for her friends and has made some decisions that have changed her life. I liked her and liked her with Nicholas.
* Nicholas: a man who protects those he cares for, does what is right and is (usually) in control of his emotions. I liked him and liked him with Aurora.
* Robert: a truly kind and giving man that has brought his by-blow half siblings into a family they are creating together – loved his wife, too.
* Fortescue – a wonderful dog :)
* The way the main leads eventually worked through what happened in the past, dealt with issues in the present and came up with a solution for the future.
* The mature way Nicholas and Aurora chose to discuss rather than pout, flounce, and shout.
* Having a chance to catch up with the couples in the previous books and the setup for book four.
* The high regard Nicholas had for the man who raised and called him son.
* Wondering if perhaps we will see Aurora’s brother in a story of his own in the future.
* The way the story was written.
* Knowing there is another book in the series to look forward to.

What I did not like:
* The fathers of both Aurora and Nicholas – truly reprehensible characters
* Being reminded that even today women without means often have no other option but to rely on their bodies to pay the rent.

Did I enjoy this book? Definitely!
Would I read more in this series? As soon as a book is available!

Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen, LLC. for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I received an ARC from the author/publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Matter of a Marquess is the third in the Jess Michaels’ Duke’s Bastards (renamed By-Blows due to issues with censorship of language on retailer sites), and like the first two, there are also connections to her prior series, the 1797 Club. However, the story works well as a standalone.

The overall setup is one I’ve read before, with star-crossed lovers from different classes torn apart by malicious parents, but I feel like Michaels provided enough of her own spin and infusion of gravitas that I found myself emotionally moved even though I saw the misunderstanding coming, with both Nicholas and Aurora thinking the other culpable in the betrayal. I enjoyed that they grappled with the fact that they were torn apart, while also acknowledging that they have grown into more mature people who are capable of giving their love another shot.

And as someone who entered this world with the first book in the series and hopes to go back to read Roseford’s book soon, I love the continuous thread of familial relationships, which is at its strongest here. Nicholas and Roseford have some lovely moments as they reckon with the destructive role the former duke played in all their lives, and Selina, heroine of book two, is depicted as being protective of Nicholas and initially very hostile to Aurora due to the way she apparently broke her brother’s heart. And both the man Nicholas considers his true father for raising him and Aurora’s brother and mother are also so lovely, and I’d love to see a spin-off with any of them.

AMAZING read. Lost love reunited after 10 years. I was really looking forward to read Nicholas story and I wasn't disappointed at all. Aurora and Nicholas were in love since they were kids. They wanted to get married but unbeknown to them her father push them apart. He went to war and came back injured. She married someone else. Fast forward 10 years and they meet again for a gathering at Nicholas brother Country estate. Then the story really picks up from there until the end. This was an absolute joy to read. We are introduce to another sibling (I can't wait to read his story).

I voluntarily reviewed this ARC and the opinions expressed here are all mine.