Drewsmina "Drew" Treylayne was a wicked stepsister. Since her stepsister became a princess, Drew has been doing her best to become a better person and come to terms with her own insecurities. That has led her to the concept of opening a finishing school for young ladies--she just needs the funds.

Enter Ian, the Duke of Lachlan. Living as a smuggler, he's been cut off from society for some time--which puts him at a disadvantage when his estranged sister comes to town with her two daughters. Not only will having them properly finished give them an opportunity to marry well; it could also give Ian the opportunity to reenter society.

The only trouble is that Ian is immediately attracted to Drew, which makes it all the easier for them to end up in a scandalous embrace...

I'll be honest--I think that the big issue with this one is the heroine. The hero is kind of gruff and cranky and does have that DILF energy we're all looking for... But the heroine is at a point in her journey where she's trying to be good. And her previous actions are being explained through her issues and insecurities, and I just...

I heard of this book being promoted as the wicked stepsister's love story--and when I heard that, I assumed she'd be a bit bitchier. I love a bitchy heroine. We don't get enough of them. And to be frank, we don't get one here. Drew is a good girl, and while that's fine... Her path to redemption really began before this book kicks off. So the wicked stepsister connection is fairly tangential.

In every other sense, this is a fairly soft, fairly straightforward romance. I did like the deflowering scene--there's a bit of that teach me vibe... But I couldn't really shake the idea that the book would've had more of an edge if we'd started earlier in Drew's path to redemption.

If you're into the daddy hero vibe with a softer landing point, this book will work for you. I just wanted more from the heroine.

Thank you to Netgalley for proving a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A little bit Cinderella's redeemed "wicked" step-sister, a little bit The Ugly Duckling, and an entirely wonderful book! I love this series and how Charis Michaels takes "our favorite fairy tales' forgotten characters and making them the hero of their own story" (per the blurb from the series Goodreads page).

This third book was the one I was the most excited about, and it did not disappoint! I love when a villain gets their own story, and when I saw the cover reveal for A Duchess by Midnight I knew IMMEDIATELY it was going to be about one of Cinderella's stepsisters. Though the coloring of the heroine on the cover is strongly reminiscent of Disney's Anastasia, the main character's name (Drewsmina) brings to mind the other Disney animated movie stepsister, Drizella. (Let's be honest, nobody really knows or cares which one is which...)

I love the chemistry between Drew and Lachlan (though I did want to punch Lachlan right in his face a couple of times - HOW can anyone be so oblivious!?), both in the romantic sense as well as their interactions with Lachlan's nieces. Drew is the type of character I want to be friends with, which is how I know I've found a great book, haha!

I'd love to see more Regency romance retellings like this series and Eloisa James' Fairy Tales series!

This is the third book in the Awakened by a Kiss series, but can be read as a standalone. The hero of the second book, When You Wish Upon a Duke, makes a few brief appearances, but there are no major spoilers for the earlier books. That being said, I LOVED the first two books in this series, and you should definitely read them!

The third installment in Charis Michaels' Awakened By a Kiss series might be the most magical one yet! The story of a reformed ugly/evil stepsister and a duke trying to fix his past mistakes, A Duchess by Midnight was delightful, engaging, and a blast to read.

It was clear to me from the beginning that the plot would reel me in: this story is one part fairytale retelling, one part "woman comes in to help out a disastrous household run by a man at wits' end" tropey goodness, and one part accidental speedy marriage. But it was the characters that kept me interested. Drew is complex, and her story is one of growth. Growth beyond her past, beyond her terrible mother, beyond her current attempts to be as nonconfrontational as possible. It's not often that we see a romance heroine who used to be terrible (often, that's a trait reserved for the men), and I really enjoyed seeing that here. The other women of the book - Imogene and Ivy and Lady Tribble, in particular - were equally interesting and layered, allowed to have flaws as well as moments to shine. I found Ian, our leading man, to be a bit flatter, but nonetheless a good partner for Drew, particularly when he finally figured things out in the end.

There were a few plot threads that felt underutilized, though, which held the story back a bit. Drew's mother was terrible, yes, but beyond showing up once and being rude, she didn't have much point. I had hoped to see her fully thrust into a villainous role, but no such luck. The side plot of Ian's tenants, too, felt somewhat unrealized. A lot of the resolution of that took place off the page, and it always felt a bit tacked on. I would have enjoyed seeing Ian interact more directly with his people and perhaps seeing a few of those tenants fleshed out a bit more.

Overall, though, I found that I didn't want to put down this book, and ended up practically devouring it in the better part of a day. My favorite of the series so far!

4.25/5

Overall, a fun romance read that does a good job with the dialogue and relationships between the characters. I especially liked the way that the relationship between the main character Drew, and the nieces evolved. The romance was sweet, but my fault with it was that Lachlan kind of seemed to wish washy. I guess I’m a bit into the stronger take charge type.

It should come as no surprise that we absolutely adored this book! Charis Michaels's signature seems to be "fantastical situation with authentic characters," and this book is no exception. Drewsmina is one of Cinderella's wicked stepsisters - specifically, she's the tall beanpole sister with orange hair a la Disney's Cinderella. This is not her redemption arc - she has spent the last decade or so going no-contact with her mother, low-contact with her sister, repairing her relationship with Princess Cynde, and working on herself. Now her goal is to use her hard-won experience by working with young debutantes to give them the opportunity to enjoy their season without falling into the same traps she did. Drew meets the Duke of Lachlan when he's basically coerced by his friend to take her on as the finishing governess for his nieces. It should come as no surprise to any romance reader that their forced proximity and shared goals give them the perfect chance to fall in love.

Lachlan's past has elements of tragedy, adding to the overall theme of learning to live with the consequences of your actions by doing better. The secondary characters are also fully-realized actors. Lachlan's nieces' trauma and the way they are dealing with it are beautifully written, without losing any of the charm or humor of a fairy tale retelling. It also may be the first time we've ever read this specific situation in a historical novel, and it's one that has special interest to us. (Possible spoiler: escaping from a cult!)

Finally we want to point out that this book is 100% absolutely the sexiest Charis Michaels we've ever read. The first two books in the series lean more on the sexual tension than the sexual resolution, but this one has it all for you. (As we've said before and will say again whenever it's merited: POINTS FOR LOCATION!)

This objective review is based on a complimentary advanced reader copy of the novel.

“That’s one of the many wonderful things about love, isn’t it?… It’s instinctual. It is a waiting, late, inside all of us, like a seed. You needn’t be shown. It helps, perhaps, but love can erupt inside you, a wellspring, even if you’ve never heard of it before in your life.”

This series is a retelling of fairytales, from the perspective of a side character. This one is a retelling of Cinderella. In this book, ‘Cynde’ has married a prince, albeit the eighth son. Drew was one of Cynde’s wicked stepsisters, and has no reformed and wants to open a finishing school for the girls of the ton. Cynde and her husband have roped Ian Clayback, the Duke of Lachlan into being Drew’s first client. Ian has two nieces who have a somewhat flighty mother and a mysterious past following the death of their father. They are in great need of finishing, and the stakes are incredibly high for Drew.

This was a longer and somewhat more complex plot than I tend to expect from a modern historical romance, but I ended up really enjoying the extra meat to the story. The nieces were an integral part of the story and were really well fleshed out. There were sort of two distinct sections of the story, the first part where Drew was working in the home to work on finishing the girls, and then once her and Ian were discovered, their marriage of convenience and how they worked through that. I found this very enjoyable, but I think it does say something that the most poignant quotes about love were said by Ian’s sister, about her now-dead husband—both the quote at the top of this review and below.

This one is between 3 and 4 for me, but more towards 4!

“Do you know, what Tribble said to me the night we met? He said, ‘There you are. I’ve been searching for you my whole life, and now you’ve finally come. Thank God.’ It was the most gratifying thing, to be seen and wanted.”

Loved this take-off of the fairy tale, Cinderella, where one of the wicked stepsisters is the heroine of this book!

Drewsmina aka Drew, was a 'mean girl' before the term was coined. She was unkind to her stepsister and pretty much unkind to everyone...until...she wasn't. Now she is trying to redeem herself by helping other young ladies 'come out' in society. She wants to help the wallflowers of the world know their worth and which spoon to use for soup!

Ian has a sister and two nieces he feels he has let down. While running his estates that his father took no interest in, he hasn't kept in touch with his family. His sister was taken in by a cultish group after her husband died and now his two nieces need help with a season or two. He has hired Drew to help them.

Throw in lessons on deportment and making sure you don't get saddled with a man you don't want just because of a faux pax, tennis, riding, and all of the things young ladies should know. Drew and Ian have some chemistry and are 'caught' flagrante delicto. OH MY. A hurried wedding between them, and you have A Duchess by Midnight!

Great story. This is obviously a stand-alone since that's the way I read it. I do feel the need to read the first two books just for my own enjoyment.

A unexpected love with each other and the Duke is a great player in this story.
Miss Drewsmina “Drew” Trelayne is a former awkward child and one-time wicked stepsister. Raised by a bitter, overbearing mother, Drew is all grown up and has made peace with her orange hair and bean-pole height. Her transformation has inspired her dream of opening a finishing school that emphasizes inner beauty, capability, and confidence. But launching a school costs money so Drew must begin with private clients who pay well and don’t ask many questions.
A Reclusive Duke...
Ian Clayblack, the Duke of Lachlan, lives alone on his Dorset estate, forced by scandal into a smuggler’s life. When his estranged sister arrives with her two daughters, he feels obligated to give the girls a proper Season. Venturing back to society could clear his name and provide his vagabond nieces with a better life. Who better to help than the striking Miss Trelayne?
A Midnight Kiss...
Affording Drew’s services isn’t a problem for Lachlan, but his growing desire for her is. As his nieces warm to her gentle charm, he is overwhelmed by her unique beauty and open manner. When they’re caught in a scandalous embrace, nothing short of marriage will save all of them from further scandal.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I loved the premise of this book and the play on the Cinderella retelling but with the "wicked. stepsister" as the heroine. It was the first book in quite some time to grab me from the very first scene. I was a little confused in the beginning, however. wondering if there was another book I should have read first to get more of a sense of Drewsmina's 'wickedness'. While we are told she has 'transformed' from her old self, it was hard to reconcile that picture with her personality in the present. I also struggled a bit with the depth of her innocence. Even though that is a common trope in these romances, I guess it seemed at odds with the rest of her personality - though I may feel different if I read it at a different moment. Who knows! Overall, it was relatively low romantic angst and I will definitely continue with the series.

Drew is a previously spoiled and shrewish lady who has reformed into a refined spinster, set to style and reform new debutantes. Her stepsister, Princess Cynde, has set her up with new clients in the form of a duke’s two nieces. Ian, Duke of Lachlan, has recently taken in his widowed sister and her 16 year old twin daughters. The girls have had a sheltered past and it will take a lot of polish to get them reading for London society. Drew and Ian have a lot of underlying insecurity, so they both have trouble being honest with each other. After being caught in a compromising situation, they are forced to marry. I enjoyed the threads of previous stories in the series woven in, though it’s not necessary to read this series in order.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher via NetGalley***

I will read pretty much anything when the hero is named Ian. Add in that this was a lot of fun to read, and I am right there with the story of Drew and Ian. I loved their connection, their relationship and they way they related to one another.

I loved the premise of this one, the idea of a woman being hired to assist young women who are embarking on their seasons and need the guidance of someone who knows how to tell them how to behave in order to have a successful season. I am sure there are other books out there with this premise, but this is the only one I can think of, and I really loved it and the idea of this story.

The writing was also strong, and I was able to relate to the characters and the situations they found themselves in.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

I was enjoying this one up until about 40%. After they got caught in a compromising position that the heroine just had scolded her charge for, they had to get married and it was just too soon for me.

In this retelling of Cinderella's stepsister, Drew has transformed from an evil stepsister, to a woman determined to make it on her own as a stylist. Her first and only client, the Duke of Lauchlan, is forced to hire her to train his nieces who have been in what can only be described as a cult.

Lots of lose ends in this one.

I feel like each Charis Michaels just gets better and better. In A Duchess by Midnight, we have Drew, who is a reformed ugly step sister to Cynde(rella). She wants to help women launch into society for money and stop relying on her horrible family. Ian wants to be grumpy and otherwise, he's not sure, but his sister and her daughters are newly free of a CULT. CALL YOUR DAD. Cynde brings them together and sparks fly. I really found this to be completely charming, a truly enjoyable, well-crafted rom com. My only gripe is that there's some old school language around virginity being the most desirable state and the tearing of the hymen (ICK). What is this, 2009? I can put that aside though and say that this is a true delight and you should read it.

I think it's safe to call me a fan at this point. Charis Michaels consistently pulls us into beautiful, vibrant worlds of her own making, with characters that are easy to love. This fun twist on one of the horrid stepsisters from Cinderella continues her fabulous fairytale spinoff series.

This is such a fun historical romance series. Each book puts a unique spin on classic fairy tales, which I loved. This book has total Cinderella vibes, except the protagonist is not Cinderella. It’s her wicked step-sister.

I found Drew’s character really interesting. She is different from the typical historical romance heroine in that she was a mean and vindictive person when she was younger. However, her maltreatment of others, destructive behavior, and mean-spirited attempts to hurt others are in the past, and she is a changed woman. Now much older and wiser, Drew wants to use her experience and growth to help others by becoming a stylist for upcoming debutantes. This is how she meets Ian, who has two nieces in need of assistance.

Ian is an interesting character as well. A scandal in his past has pushed Ian to live a pretty isolated life. However, devoted to his family and determined to help his sister and nieces who have just come to live with him, Ian brings them to London to introduce them to society. At the behest of the prince, Ian begrudgingly agrees to Drew’s assistance, and he soon realizes that Drew is exactly what his family needs. I enjoyed Ian’s character arc and how hard he works to do right by his family and tenants. I also loved his swoon-worthy romance with Drew.

The romance between Drew and Ian is filled with chemistry, and when they are forced to marry after being caught in a compromising situation, the chemistry only intensifies. However, lack of communication, not knowing each other well, and other obstacles stand in the way of their happiness. I like how they begin to open up to and trust each other and show each other their vulnerable sides. And their sexy scenes are super swoon-worthy. One particular scene when they are bird-watching made me want to take up the hobby!

The secondary characters, especially Ian’s sister and nieces, are also really interesting, and I wish their stories and characters were a bit more developed. They all went through so much, and I wanted to know more about their backstories and journeys to understand them better. I would love for one of them to be the focus of a future novel, as each of their stories is compelling.

This is an entertaining addition to the series, and I enjoyed the fairy tale elements, the romance, and the inclusion of some unique sub-plots. I would recommend the book to readers of historical romance, and though it is the third book in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Avon Books, and the author for providing me with an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

This is a new author for me. I love recreations of fairy tale stories and this author gives us a side character story that is gripping, compelling, and so very well told. Cinderella is a favorite of mine INE the fact that there is so much that can happen and various ways things can go right or wrong. The family dynamics along give far scenarios.

Drewsmina Trelayne (Drew) mean, self-centered, cruel step sister is now the kind, gracious, thoughtful, and caring person she always wanted to be. Yes she has reinvented herself and wants to open a styling school to help other young girls avoid what she went through.

Ian Clayblack, the Duke of Lachlan, is young and has had no real guidance to become the duke, except for his uncle's example. The love of the land and people to survive and thrive doing what they love. This makes him quiet, compassionate, and contenplaintive.

To turn an ugly step sister into a swan takes imagination, throw in colorful onto cows for an imperfect duke and you get the struggles of life in a totally different view. So come join the fun and see how these two pick themselves up as they become who they are meant to be and have a few laughs, crys, and oh real it's along the way.

I normally have no problem breezing through various historical romances, but something felt off about this one. I don't know if it was me or my mood, but this book just felt so long and drawn out. I had a very hard time staying interested.

thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and the author for the eARC in exchange for my review.

A Lighthearted Quirky Take off of Cinderella for adults.
My first time reading this authors writing.
The story was well written for the most part and I enjoyed Drew and Ian but it had so many things going on that I had a hard time keeping my interest. I did do a lot of skimming.
The romance parts were very good and sensual, most of the characters were likeable but I didn't care for a few of them. I got turned off after two thirds of the way and I was glad to finally get to the end
I did receive an advanced copy for my honest opinion.
Adult Advisory:
Cover: 5 Stars.
3 1/2 ✔ Star rounded up to 4 stars

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Ok, so I'll start with what I've said before this year: what's up with these 400 pages historical romances? Seriously, how long were they before edits?!
Charis Michaels had the quirky idea to do fairytale retellings with a twist: it's not about the protagonists but minor characters. So far so good. This particular story involves one of Cinderella's evil sisters. I have no clue where the author came up with the names but Drewsmina is quite possibly the most obnoxious female name I have ever heard. Ugh. Now I shall never regard the name Drew the same.
Moving on, it's hard for me to rate this book. I don't only read for the pleasure of the story, I also like to see authors experiment and do different things with storytelling. And Charis Michaels is great at this. So great that I'm afraid this book will be far from an audience favorite. Here's why: while she keeps the basic elements of a romance with the tropes (governess&employer, arranged marriage that blossoms) and the HEA, the side stories are way too dark and serious to allow a nice fluffy feeling to unfold while reading this. <spoiler>the whole sect story and the horrible things reverend Sagg did to Timothea and the girls are gloomy and utter mood-killers</spoiler>. The intimacy scenes are good, though some feel very modern (one made me think of an episode of Two and a Half Men with Charlie and Judith's sister in the coatroom). My rating of this book is based on the crafty way it was constructed. Flawless execution, with the amendment that it's a bit too long - and I don't know who cares that much about fabrics and types of birds.
However, it's best to warn the unsuspecting romance reader who is looking for joy and fluff that this is not where to find those.

***Special thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Charis Michaels for sharing this ARC COPY with me in exchange for my honest review***

Absolutely LOVED it! A Disney-like side character gets a truly enchanting Happily Ever After!

~*~*~*~ Full Review to Come~*~*~*~

Overall Rating → <b> 4.5 STARS</b>
Price is Right? → <spoiler> </spoiler>
Love Triangle? → <spoiler> No </spoiler>
Cheating? → <spoiler> No </spoiler>
Angst Level: High, Medium, Low → <spoiler> Low </spoiler>
Heat/Language Level: Rated G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17 → <spoiler> R </spoiler>
HEA → <spoiler> Yes </spoiler>
Page Turner? → Yes
Would I recommend? → Yes
Would I re-read? → Yes
Would I read more from this author? → Absolutely

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