Making Things Right

Jess Michaels is back with the second book in The Three Mrs Series, with a love that overcomes scandal. Though this book briefly summarizes previous events, it does help to read the first book in order to understand the story behind the bigamist husband, and his subsequent murder.

Phillipa (Pippa) Montgomery may have been betrayed by her late husband, but she won’t be foolish enough to fall for his brother. Rhys Montgomery the Earl of Leighton only wants what is best for his brother’s son Kenley, except maybe he wants Pippa too. Their lives are full of scandal, and they cannot afford an entanglement, but their desires will not leave them alone.

Pippa is beautiful, confident, independent, and determined not to let her unfortunate situation define her. Her story may be full of difficulties, but she faces life with understanding and compassion. Rhys has always done what is proper, and is quick to apologize for the actions of his brother. His honesty is refreshing, and he deeply loves Pippa for her confidence. Traveling to Bath gives them plenty of time to share their similar lonely pasts. With plenty of tension, and a lot of steamy romance as well.

With this story Jess Michaels fills in a little more of the mystery behind what happened before the bigamy was found out. As well as how the characters face the consequence of such a scandal. Their romance is pieced together well through shared experience, loss, shared compassion, and the desire to give Kenley a happy home. Leading to an authentic, satisfying, and healing ending.

Rhys is a swoon worthy hero and Pippa is a strong heroine in this second book of the series! Rhys’ brother was the bigamist that married Pippa and two others. Now that he is dead, Rhys is working to clean the mess up and start the process of overcoming the associated scandal. His biggest problem is the attraction he has felt for Pippa since he first met her. Pippa feels the same way.

Pippa and Rhys travel to Bath to retrieve Rhys’ nephew and figure things out and their attraction gets the best of them. Jess Michaels knows how to write romance and I love the chemistry of these characters. Knowing they shouldn’t be together and yet wanting it. This makes for a fabulous read!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

What happens when you find out your "husband" has married 3 women and you were not the legitimate one? Murder him. Well, not you but someone did and working with the other two "wives" might help. Or his brother who you have been fighting an attraction.

Pippa could not help but freeze when she heard him call her name. "Phillippa?" "Rhys Montgomery, Earl of leighton, stood in the dim light of the hall and her breath caught just as it always caught, from the first moment she met him. He was a beautiful man, there was no denying that. He was tall, very tall, at least a head taller than she was. He had dark hair... and blue eyes. The deepest blue she'd ever seen." He was the brother of her late bigamist husband.

A journey of ups and downs and barriers in the way, as true love tries to take root in these two wonderful characters. A story not to be missed!

Like It? Hate it? Love it? Why? The plot of having 3 women connected through bigamy is an interesting one and I'm sorry to say I missed the first book in the series (got to correct that).


Pippa and Rhys complimented one another's personality beautifully and were a natural fit as a couple even when they thought things were impossible. I loved the way they treated each other with respect and affection from the beginning, making their romance flow so easily and naturally. They can both stand alone as characters but there was something really special about the way their scenes were written that conveyed the depth of feeling they had for each other. they're both "fixers" and caregivers and I think because of that they made an unstoppable duo.

The circumstances that brought not just Rhys and Pippa together but Pippa and the two other Mrs. Montgomerys were less than ideal but I really enjoyed how Pippa, Abigail, and Celeste didn't turn into stereotypical women who fought over a loser of a man. They found common ground and a friendship they needed to get through the scandal. I loved that.


Click It or Skip It? Click It.

The Defiant Wife is the 2nd book in Jess Michaels' "The Three Mrs" series, featuring a trio of women who all discover they were married to the same man. I absolutely loved the first book in the series and I am thrilled to say that I enjoyed The Defiant Wife just as much.

The Defiant Wife follows Pippa, the second Mrs Montgomery, as she struggles to rebuild her life after the tragic events of the first book, including helping the Rhys, Earl of Leighton, her (not really) brother in law, to care for the illegitimate son of her late (not really) husband. Along the way Pippa and Rhys are forced to fight their growing attraction for one another, believing the circumstances make any relationship between them to be completely off the cards.

Thankfully, they didn't fight their attraction for too long, and when they gave in to their feelings, boy, did they really give into them. Michaels always writes beautiful intimate scenes and The Defiant Wife was no different. We're treated to some really wonderful steamy moments here, which are filled with passion and emotion. It was very easy to get swept away.

In the first book, Pippa was definitely the angriest of the three wives, and after seeing her back story and her life with the late Mr Montgomery, it was easy to see why. I adored watching her relationship with Rhys grow. They were both so caring of each other and I particularly enjoyed the moments where they encouraged each other to express the emotions they were experiencing through their difficult situation, instead of bottling them all up.

The Defiant Wife was a stunning, emotive romance, with plenty of steam and tons of heart. The ending was so satisfying and I really appreciated the fact that Michaels gives us a deeply nuanced, understanding conclusion to the story. There's only one thing I really need to say - when can I read book 3?

When Pippa found out that her late husband had 2 other wives, she knew that her life would never be the same. But she never imagined that she would fall for her husband's brother.

Rhys is trying to clean up the mess his brother left behind, which also includes a child. This means that he ends up spending quite a bit of time with Pippa who is taking care of the child.

Both are trying to play down the scandal that are involved with. While they are both developing feeling for the other, they know that will just make the scandal worse. Are they willing to fight for their love?

I really enjoyed Rhys and Pippa's story. They both tried to fight the attraction they felt for one another because of the larger scandal that would come with it. It was interesting watching them finally admit their feeling and then decide whether they would pursue them or not.

While you can definitely read this book as a stand alone, it will make it better to have read the previous book in the series first.

*Thank you NetGalley*






I read the first book and this book can be read as a stand alone but I suggest to read the first one first, specially because some things you can understand it better with the first one read.


The story follows Pippa and Rhys, she is one of the wives of a polygamist and the other is the brother of the polygamist, they met due unfortunate situations and their story is told with this book.


I love the way the author picked up the story, the difficulties of the situation and how the society handled it. The way their story flow and how they still interact with the other characters...


I just love them all, the three ladies are my kids, I want to hug them and I am so happy their stories are working...

This is the second book in The Three Mrs Series and it can be read as a standalone. Pippa had married for love but her husband, was hiding a lot of secrets, included a baby with her maid and two wives in London. When he ends up murder, Pippa and Rhys, Erasmus’ brother must discover the truth. What will happen when sparks fly between them. Fast-paced, steamy, historical read with loads of drama and suspense. Great characters and an entertaining read. I liked it.

Fun series. I haven't read the first book yet but I felt I could follow along easily. Great characters and story flow.

Murder and misalliances!

Phillipa Montgomery was the second wife of bigamist Erasmus Montgomery. Erasmus had three wives and had been pursuing a fourth. Three wives had given him three dowries to play with. He’s now dead and his lover (Phillipa’s former maid, and mother to his child, has fled the country.
Phillipa is looking after little Kenley to whom she’s grown very close.
Returning to Bath with Rhys Montgomery, the Earl of Leighton, she finds her parents disowning her and previous friends hissing her out of stores. Regency Society it seems is not ready for women tricked into marriage, even though they too have been mislead. Bit perhaps that’s the problem and their ire needs a focus.
Rhys is trying to clean up the mess his half brother has left behind. Is Phillipa part of that mess, a distraction or more? If not a distraction then the sooner they go their seperate ways the better.
Maybe! Given their rather steamy relationship things really need to turn around. All in all a conundrum.
A truly interesting concept but I found Lord Leighton a tad flat despite all that he does and is.
Although a stand alone, I’m disappointed I didn’t read the first title in the series. I think that would’ve given me a more rounded understanding, more of the back story.

A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Loved this one! It was a great continuation of the first story but similar to many of Jess Michaels's books can be read as a standalone. My one hang up on this book was it took the hero and heroine a long time to talk about their situation. By the time they finally got to this point I was practically yelling at them "Just talk already!" Great sexy scenes.

I absolutely LOVE this story. This is the second book I read from this author and I’m getting a bit obsessed with her writing.
When Pippa Montgomery found out her late husband was a bigamist and had been murdered, she thought nothing could ever be the same. When she met his brother Rhys, the Earl of Leighton, she was sure of it.
Now they must navigate a scandal that will tear them both apart. They must make decisions that will affect the illegitimate child Pippa’s late husband fathered behind her back. And ultimately they must fight, for as long as they can, the simmering desire between them that is bound to explode.
Two people, broken by a desperate scandal. They can only turn to each other, but they know they can never be together. Will they overcome the obstacles in their way and find a way to love one another? Or will the last consequence of one man’s conduct be the loss of a love that could last all time?
Rhys is my new prince charming. He is gorgeous! Sweet, generous, with so much love to give. He is trying to made amends for his brother’s sins. Including his second wife, Pippa. But he wants her for himself and fights his attraction for a long time. Pippa is so brave and lovely. She loves his husband’s illegitimate child and would do anything to protect him. Even moving to London to rise him near the man she loves.
This story is beautiful. They keep fighting their love in order to save the Leighton tittle. But what´s life if not a loving journey? There amazing kisses and sexy times to enjoy. For romantic hearts out there, this book is a must.
I loved the side characters and now I need Abigail and Gilmore’s story.

The Defiant Wife by Jess Michaels
The Three Mrs #2

What if she saw him first?
What if he had seen her before his brother did?
Would it have been easier, different, better?
Would it have been…could have been…should have been
And then…what is…

In book one of the series we find out that there is a bigamist that bilked three women of their dowries and was working on the fourth before he was stopped. In book one wife three, Celeste, met Owen and all eventually was made right for her. That left two remaining Mrs. Montgomery’s to find their own HEA and in book two we find out how Wife two, Phillipa, will fare.

What I liked:
* That all three Mrs. Montgomery’s were good women, strong, intelligent, positive, and harmed by the same men
* The friendship that formed between Abigail, Celeste and Phillipa
* The wedding of Owen and Celeste – so happy they are happy!
* The chemistry between Phillipa and Rhys
* The revelation of the backstories of both main characters
* That Phillipa was able to verbalize her needs and wants and move toward achieving them
* That Rhys was felt so responsible for trying to rectify what his brother, Erasmus, had done
* The balance in the relationship between Rhys and Phillipa – most of the time
* That Phillipa was able to escape Bath
* The friendship Rhys had with Gilmore and the friendship that he developed with Owen
* Owen’s words of wisdom given to Rhys near the end of the book
* The conclusion with a HEA for more than one
* Wondering what will happen in the finale of the trilogy and how Abigail will find her HEA with Gilmore…at least that is what I think book three will be about ;)

What I didn’t like:
* The Bigamist – Erasmus
* The parents of both Rhys and Phillipa
* The impact scandal had on so many

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

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

5 Stars

4.5 Stars
Pippa Montgomery never thought her life would go like this. When she found out her late husband Erasmus was a bigamist, she thought nothing could ever be the same. When she met his brother Rhys, the Earl of Leighton, she knew it. Now they must navigate a scandal that will tear them both apart. They must make decisions that will affect the illegitimate child Kenley, Pippa’s late husband fathered behind her back. Two people, broken by a desperate scandal. They can only turn to each other, but they know they can never be together.
This is the second book of the trilogy & follows on immediately from the first.A very well written book with strong characters. I loved both Rhys & Pippa but did feel that that they made more of their difficulties than were necessary, thank goodness for Gilmore & Owen who gave sound advice. I loved the chemistry between Rhys & Pippa which was electric from their first meeting. The first book set the scene for the series, so that this book could really focus on how Rhys & Pippa found their HEA, it wasn’t easy but made for an engrossing read & I look forward to Abigail’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

The Defiant Wife is another well-written historical by Ms. Michaels. A good pair of characters and a love story. Enjoyed it from start to finish.

A most interesting premise.

So this trilogy tackles bigamy in the regency era. Each book is a standalone, but I have found that I like reading the stories, as they are connect by well, a bigamist. As in their husband and what happens after he was killed.
Pippa is left dealing with the fall out and all the extra Mrs.
I also liked that Pippa and Rhys (her brother in law) are thrown together and well, you can imagine what happens. I do know that there were some legal issues (a man could not legally marry his brother's wife during a certain period in England. I digress. There are a LOT of obstacles (which I liked) and a unique plot (which I liked even more).

Recommend.


4.5

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. I am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

The Defiant Wife is the second in Jess Michaels’ 3 Mrs. series, picking up where the last story left off, but following another wife, Pippa, as she works to rebuild her life in the aftermath. It can work as a standalone, but I think the first provides a lot of the setup that makes this one much richer, and I generally do recommend it.

I admired Pippa’s strength of character as she faces uncertainty in the aftermath of the events of the next book, especially as the illegitimate child her bigamous husband bore with a maid has been left in her care.

Rhys is a massive contrast with his late brother, being honorable to a fault and determined to see all of his wives well cared for. But there’s something more with Pippa, complicated by the fact that she was technically married to his brother, even if not legally.

The romance for these two was an odd one, as when they’re together, there’s great chemistry, to the point where you question what could possibly stand in their way besides technicalities. But the myriad messes the brother left behind and Rhys’ dedication to fixing them led to them being apart for a good portion of the second half, and it slightly stagnated as a result until the final showdown with the villain of this book. Ultimately, it does make the happy ending well worth it, but I did long for more page time between them.

This is a compelling second installment, and I’m excited to see what happens in the third. If you love Regency romance that is equal parts steam and intrigue, you’ll enjoy this one.

I have received an ARC of this book by NetGalley, and The Passionate Pen and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. The Pub date of the book is April 13th. This review will be posted on my Goodreads, Facebook page and Instagram.
I was so happy when I receive this book so soon after finishing the first one. So curious to know how Phillipa and Rhys would have their happy ending – and now I know, and I like it very much. But it was a complicated journey due to all the suffering applied to the characters. I didn't stop reading until the end because I wanted to know what was going to happen and how these two characters were going to get to the point where they could finally be happy. The author makes us suffer and hate English society even more and its stupid ideas and stupid thoughts.
I really liked Phillipa and how she acted in the face of the whole situation with Rhys and her difficult social situation. I hated her parents as much as society and I was happy that there was no conciliation between her and her parents. I loved that Rhys was not afraid or ashamed to be himself, especially with Phillipa and his friends. True friends. The relationship between Phillipa and Rhys did not strike me at all as strained or strange. I was able to understand what they felt for each other and how the attraction between the two only increased with the passing of days and moments.
Another thing that pleased me was the fact that they did not make Rosie the villain of the story - even with what she did previously. I liked the way she was treated and how she also dealt with the situation of her little baby. In short, I really enjoyed the story and am looking forward to reading the next book by Duke and Abigail.

I’m loving how these three woman find a lasting love after they discover they’re husband polygamous Erasmus Montgomery was a bigamist. It’s wife number two Phillipa (Pippa) Montgomery who is trying to put her life back together with the help of her brother-in-law Rhys Montgomery, the Earl of Leighton. We find he’s left a child behind and we see Rhys steps up to take care of the little boy with Pippa’s help. An interesting story as these two try to navigate the relationship of being related to not being related. They’re very much attracted to each other, but they do not believe there can never be a future for them. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent story as Rhys and Pippa come to realize love will always conquer all doubts and overcome any obstacle.

This book is fantastic. I spent a whole week working crazy hard and getting completely worn out. I spent Sunday relaxing and recovering with this book in my favorite reading chair. It was *chef's kiss* perfection. 

I absolutely adore Pippa. She is on fire. She does not let the terrible circumstance she is in bring her down. She fights hard for what she wants. She is awesome. 

Rhys is also awesome. He feels deeply obligated to "fix" all of the terrible things his disgusting brother did. There is a good chunk of time where this keeps Rhys and Pippa apart which absolutely *infuriated me*. The whole time I was reading, I was screaming THERE WILL BE A SCANDAL ANYWAY! BE TOGETHER ANYWAY! JUST BE HAPPY! Hahaha 

I really really enjoyed this book. This series is really fun. I have loved both of the first two books and cannot wait for the third!