Mariah Wynn has been given another moniker-that as a “blue stocking”. As a very intelligent female, she finds it demeaning and frustrating that women are not perceived past their looks and ability to breed heirs. Patrick O’Leary believes that women have their place and it is not at a facility for higher learning. The two meet and clash, with their passion for being correct in their thoughts turning to passion for each other. Patrick’s overbearing attitude makes him a difficult person to like, much less love, but the tale is woven in a way to eventually allow Mariah to forgive his archaic beliefs.
I have read all the books in this series and was hoping this book would solve the underlying anger and mistrust between Mariah and her brother, Edward. However, it does not and leaves the storyline unfinished.

Miss Mariah Wynn is a strong independent young woman trying to prove her worth to her adoptive family. She’s a bluestocking who wants to go to the university to continue her education, but she runs into road blocks namely one Patrick O'Leary, Viscount Donal. No women are allowed into the college but that doesn’t stop her. Patrick is quite fascinated by the willful Mariah and eventually discovers there’s more to her than he first thought. A great read as these butt heads when their together until the sparks start to fly and the romance takes off. . I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent book.

My first thought about this book, is that I liked it a lot more than the last one, and I´ve read all the books in this series.
Miss Mariah Wynn has spent her life attempting to prove herself worthy. She is an intelligent bluestocking who fights for women right for education.
Patrick O'Leary, Viscount Donal, is our Irish hero. He studied at Oxford University and is in the city for a reunion when he sees Mariah attending a lecture at his University. For him, is unthinkable that women could get an education. But Mariah is going to teach him a lesson about willpower, strength and courage.
I like Mariah, she is witty and forthright. Patrick, not too much. He can´t stop thinking about Mariah and following her everywhere trying to seduced her, but at the same time he is convinced that marriage is not for him.
There´s a lot of kissing and funny dialogs. I got a bit tired of the word bluestocking, it was used way too much. Sometimes they got on my nerves because they were too stubborn for my taste.
I think that if you have read the previous books of this series you are going to enjoy this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

3.5 stars

A reasonable story and the hero and heroine are very human, perhaps for me too human. Patrick exhibited some unconscious bias when it came to female education and for me it took a long time for him to realise what Mariah needed and how reasonable her requests. Mariah was reckless and very pushy and it took her interaction with Caroline Herschel to realise there was a middle ground. Now I've read Book 1 and Book 6 in this series but I don't think I'll bother with the rest which is probably a shame as perhaps Mariah's back story was told in some of the other books.

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

Always the Bluestocking by Emily EK Murdoch is another in the Never the Bride series and possibly the best. When someone finally sees past the outward cover of the multi-chapter book that is Mariah Wynn, he believes that a simple tumble will cure his longing, but even when he is offered that, he discovers he wants more. Patrick O'Leary, Viscount Donal was an Irishman, through and through. He was not looking for a wife, but she kept popping up. Moreover, she made him work for it, or at least he felt he must. She was changing him, opening him to thoughts he had never had as well as some he had regularly. It was different with her. He found he didn't like it when he discovered that her academic mentor had her earmarked for marriage to his son. Interesting, because she saw no need to marry . . . until her convinced her.

Mariah is a fascinating character. She is totally her own person. She wants and education and she also wants it for other women. She is willing to fight and to embarrass herself. Patrick is willing to learn and change, a characteristic not always found in a man in this sort of romance. The plot, although thin on the surface, is riddled with scenarios, which endear both characters to the reader and make for a make-believe ending. It is a lovely story, one of the best of the series. An historical romance reader will love it. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Always the Bluestocking by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #alwaysthebluestocking

Thank you netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This historical romance missed the mark for me. Mariah is a bluestock determined to be educated at a university but her gender prevents her from enrolling. She meets Patrick who is intrigued by her desire to learn but thwarts her every attempt to further her education. I’m not a big fan of male characters that do not support their character of interest in their pursuits especially when his viewpoints are bluntly sexist. He does eventually change his ways but I’m not convinced he is truly in love with Mariah for who she really is. This author focuses too much on the heroine being a bluestock . We get it, it doesn’t have to be repeated a hundred times.

Mariah Wynn finds it beyond her comprehension that men can have the right to study academic subjects, but women have to be content with watercolors and embroidery. She has intelligence and longs to be allowed to pursue the subjects that attract her, but the men of society do not believe she has that right, even to the extent of bodily mishandling her to get their way. Patrick, Viscount Donal, finds her reactions amusing, but that is before he realises just how passionate she is about her studies. Mariah can be very persuasive, provided she is given a platform, but condescending males have a predetermined opinion on the subject. It is only when Patrick fails to defend Mariah and realises how he has disappointed her, that he understands how much he has lost. This novel brings to the fore the battles women had to go through to earn the right to be heard. Patrick is so very different from Mariah, but her campaigning eventually hits its mark and he does everything he can to smooth the way for her. This well written Regency romance has highs and lows, but eventually, love wins the day and even though Mariah does not win the war, she does win the battle for Patrick's heart. I received a copy of this standalone romance as a gift through NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Will he see past her need for knowledge and his view of women ...

Mariah is not an easy lady to like, she can be quite dismissive and she is not one to back down when challenged. But her battle is also a legitimate one.
I was unsure about Patrick, I liked his flaws and his charming personality. Behind closed doors he is able to do great things for Mariah but once in public, he wrongs her but staying silent, never really standing up for her.
When they meet, Patrick has a very narrowed view of a woman’s intellect. He, like his peers, is unable to understand women are not all fragile ornaments, that their brain is not only entranced by the prospect of purchasing their next gown. And while she proves him again and again she is not whimpering miss but someone with a will of steel and a hunger for knowledge, he has difficulties to see past her charms and the attraction he feels for her. Even when he knows she is so much more her appearance and that her bluestocking side is only one of her persona trait. But will he be able to accept her in whole and support her, be the shoulder she might need in dire time.

This new installment is first a feminist talk but also one about the right for everyone to be allowed education.
5 stars

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher Dragonblade Publishing, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

Well, I loved the premise of the story. Had a hard time liking Mariah and Patrick. Couldn't find any chemistry between them. Mariah is strong and determined but often really heartless.

Loved it! I was so happy to find it was Mariah's story. I liked her in 'Wallflower and she really came into her own in 'Bluestocking. She is a true heroine. Ridiculed and fighting for something that we women today take for granted. Through it all, Mariah stays true to herself and refuses to bow to convention. Patrick starts out with the typical lordly self importance, but Mariah helps to open his eyes. I definitely recommend this book as well as the others in the series. I've loved them all. Hoping to see more of Priscilla and Charles in the next!
Thank you Emily E K Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Okay, I cried. I cried a couple of times.
I enjoy this author. She whole heartedly writes her books with feelings. Her books always makes me feel good.
This book was about the fight for the rights of women. The heroine is a bluestocking that has never had a suitor. She is at her brother's wedding and when she is disrepected by a man asking her to dance, she states her feelings and out thinks him. The hero had been watching her. They meet up later in the story as she is getting kicked out of a men's only college. He is attracted to her, but only wants what he usually wants from women. Now the story clearly explains why he has his feelings and why she has her feelings and then there is a deep-learning of the characters.
These characters are real people, in my mind. They have depth, self acknowledgement and are sentient beings. This author gives the reader such real and deep characters and description of place, that the reader feels dropped into the story. I was not in my living room, I was in the town of Oxford, England, in the Regency period. This author's book have the capability of time travel and out of body experiences.
The book is very well written, with perfect grammar and spelling. The story is continuous and no straggling story lines or characters. Even though it is part of a series, it is not dependent on anything from a previous story. It is it's own story and experience. I recommend this book with 10 stars. But i can only go as high as 5 :(. Get this book!!

Always the Bluestocking is book six in the Never the Bride series, but can be read as a stand alone.

This is Mariah and Patrick's book, but it's really Mariah's story. Both are headstrong and stubborn characters. Mariah is a bluestocking (obviously) and she wants to change the world. She wants to fight for her right and women's rights to sit in at lectures at Oxford, in the hope of someday being granted permission for women to get a full Oxford education. She just doesn't know quite how to get her message heard. The book explored the plight of women at this time and the way Mariah was treated, and how she handled herself, made for an interesting story.

I like that this book took us out of the ballroom and the ton in favor of the Oxford setting. I had trouble at times connecting with Mariah. Sometimes she was very shy, other times she came across as quite abrasive with little care for other's feelings.

Patrick is the epitome of beta hero. He makes mistakes (which I love, because I love a flawed hero). He gets tongue tied. He doesn't say the right things. He felt very real to me. In the end, he stood up to support Mariah and made her cause his cause, Mariah was able to educate Patrick for the better. His grand gestures were actually really sweet. But I never felt we actually knew him, didn't go into his history or backstory much, and what was touched on was promising but never was expanded upon.

I felt like there was something missing in the relationship between Mariah and her "adopted" brother, the hero from the prior book. I felt there was something big or horrific that had happened between them to cause such strain, but nothing ever came of this, so that was a bit of a disappointment.

There are a couple steamy scenes in the rain, which I loved!! There was one sex scene about halfway through, in a fabulous location - no spoilers! I wish there was another intimate scene after love had been declared between Mariah and Patrick. I like to finish my books with a big, ummm, well, climax.

The book intertwines real life astronomers Caroline and William Herschel, which was a nice touch that had me googling more about these science pioneers.

This is the third book I've read in this series, and I really enjoy Emily E.K. Murdoch voice in the historical romance world. There's something easy about her books, like meeting with dear friends. I hope the next book is about Priscilla and her friend (the engaged) duke.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are freely given.

Always the Bluestocking by Emily E K Murdoch

This is the story of Miss Mariah Wynn the Bluestocking in question a society miss. A highly intelligent woman who only wants to be able to receive the same education as men and be able to go to university. At her brothers wedding she meets Lord Donal after a gentleman has tried to make a fool of her for being a said Bluestocking as no one wants to be involved with a lady of that persuasion.

A very well written book about Mariah just trying to be accepted into Oxford university . How she is heckled bulled snd made a fool of an her relationship of Patrick Lord Donal who in his way tried to help her.

A bit slow to warm up but after the first few chapters you follow a very emotional journey in numerous ways.

Miss Mariah Wynn is a true bluestocking. She has no interest in getting married. The idea of getting a proper education at Oxford university is what fires her up. She spends her time just trying to gain entrance to those hallowed halls. Unfortunately no women are permitted so she meets with ridicule.
Patrick O'Leary, Viscount Donal is back at Oxford for a reunion. As an Irish Lord he didn't really fit in the University but he made some good friends and connections. He knows women don't belong in a place like that.
This is an entertaining historical romance where you will want to smack the hero several times. Our brave and very determined heroine knows what it's like to be unwanted, she's lived with it all her life. Our hero just can't keep his foot out of his mouth, poor guy.
We modern-day women have the likes of this heroine to thank for the education we have available today.
Really good fun.

Lord Dashlane, Ash, is the last man standing. Will Cordelia be his downfall? Miss Cordelia Moorish wants nothing more in life than her music until she doesn't. Both Cordelia and her father find something that has been missing in Ash. Ash has secrets that he can not share. Is there any hope? Can Ash find peace, love and a home? As always, well written and so romantic.

Patrick O'Leary, Viscount Donal, has traveled to Oxford for the ten-year anniversary of his graduation. He intends to meet with friends, attend lectures and enjoy himself. When Mariah Wynn is caught inside a lecture hall, he's shocked because women are not allowed on campus or even the opportunity to gain an education. He's curious about this no-nonsense bluestocking, but the more he learns about her, the more he wants to know. Mariah is sick to death of being told she cannot get a gentlemen's education. It's just not done they say. Women belong in the home with children. She fights with every fiber of her being to gain entrance all the while thinking Patrick is supporting her only to find out when she needs him to step up, he fails her.

The plot of the book was good, but I found Mariah very off-putting at times. I understand her passion for an education, but too many times throughout the book, it seems her tunnel vision is to the detriment of anyone else's feelings. I almost stopped reading this book a number of times, but was curious to see if Mariah would mellow and if Patrick would step up to support her.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

This is an awesome series, one I just can’t get enough of.

I Love the characters and their wonderful relationships, the way they interact with each other is so good , chemistry is off the charts.

The whole storyline is excellent, and the world created by the author is full of intrigue and passion.
I’m so looking forward to reading more , seems I’ve not had my fill of them yet.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

Mariah is a bluestocking whom fights Oxford University for the right of woman to get an education. At the very least they should be allowed to sit in on the lectures! Patrick is among the many men who laugh at her. An attraction forms, but I found Patrick takes too long to come over to her side and support her. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book, especially knowing that were I to have lived in this time period under the same circumstances as Mariah, I likely would have been as much of a hoyden demanding an education right along with her.

The chemistry between the heroes was palatable, and the fact that Patrick and Mariah could bond beyond their meeting of minds, but also with their shared experiences of being insightful outcasts made them a great fit.

This is a quick and pleasant read. I appreciated the low-key conflict; both characters would have been fine without one another, which made it all the sweeter when they chose to be together.

One issue I had was with the grand gesture at the end. I won’t specify to avoid spoilers, but her reaction was 100% against her character. There’s no way she would have dropped THE ONE THING SHE HAS MOST COVETED in order to accept his Big Question. Actually, I was really turned off by that moment, which made me dock it by a star.

Other than that, I enjoyed the characters, plot, and the more relaxed conflict (perfect for this year). I’ll enjoy reading more from this author.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Always the Bluestocking follows the final heroine in this series, Miss Mariah Wynn, renowned bluestocking, and adopted sister of Viscount Wynn, our hero from the previous book. She fully believes in education for all, and being a woman should not bar her from university. Known amongst the ton for her bookish ways, she retreats to Oxford, where she tries, again and again, to make her way into lectures, colleges, and even into the Bodleian Library. No matter how many times she is hauled out and denied, she won't stop, and she thinks she's found a somewhat ally in Patrick O'Leary, Viscount Donal. Patrick has returned to Oxford from his Irish estate for his reunion celebrations, and is normally very against bluestockings, but something about Mariah intrigues him. Maybe it was seeing her rip into a rude gentlemen at her brother's wedding, or her sheer determination, but he needs to get closer to her, and soon finds himself agreeing with her goals. Has Mariah found someone who she could imagine being with, and perhaps even finally thinking marriage is for her?

I think that this one was my favourite out of the three in the series I have read. I loved Mariah when we met her in Always the Wallflower, as Letitia's best friend, and when I realised the 6th book would be her story, I was overjoyed. I loved learning more about her, and seeing her power and desire for education - not just for herself, but for all women who want it. She was in a privileges position as the sister of a Viscount, so used that to get a voice, even though it was difficult. The only thing I could've asked for was a little more of the backstory of her and Edward's relationship, as it had been alluded to in both this book and the last one, but that was still missing by the ending. Patrick was a lovely hero, flawed and not perfect, but with Mariah they worked together so well. Sometimes they rubbed each other up the wrong way, and bounced off each other, but their combined strengths were perfect, and they were definitely made for each other. Maybe we could've seen some more from other characters in this story, but all in all, I really enjoyed it!