"The Contrary Debutante" is a decent entry into the world of Regency romance, but it falls short of being truly memorable. With some tweaks to pacing and character development, it could become a standout in the genre. Nonetheless, fans of historical romance may still find it to be a charming diversion.

The plot follows a familiar formula of overbearing female relatives and the heroine only becoming who she truly is when one man sees the real her. The only fresh take in this book is the hero being divorced which is certainly rare in a historical romance

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Marquess and the Wallflower

She does not want to marry, and just having come from a bitter divorce, he has no intention of falling in love ever again. What happens when Emerald and Robert meet? It is true that when it comes to matters of the heart, intentions tend to fall out the window. There will be challenges ahead; scandal will follow, and hearts will break.

Emerald was shy, and she wanted nothing to do with people and balls. However, she promised her mother to attend ten painful balls. She did not think she would fall in love before it was all over.

When Emerald finally fell in love, she thought that it would be simple to get her heart’s desire. However, the man she loved was hiding a secret. What happened when she discovered the truth? Would Robert be able to win back Emerald? He did not think he would fall in love, but now that he did, did he lose Emerald because of his secret? If you like British historical romance with secrets, unconventional families, and a bit of scandal, you might enjoy this story.

Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Reign. The Contrary Debutante is a historical romance fiction you don’t want to miss!!

I Loved It! From the first page to the last you will spellbound by The Contrary Debutante in the third in the series of The De Petras Sega. With the appearances from characters who found a special place in your heart are back bring chaos as only the De Petras can. Emily Murdock has given readers a book that is well-written and well paced, with flawed characters who manage to grow and yet retain their personalities which captivates you from the beginning until the very end, with secrets, heartfelt dialogue, family unity and with an enjoyable plot that brings this read together perfectly!

This book was such a quick and fuck read. I loved the plot and absolutely loved the characters so much. Could definitely see myself reading again

I generally enjoy Emily EK Murdoch and this book was no exception. Emerald de Petras seems the oddity amongst her strong and scandalous family. While she is indeed intelligent, stubborn, and witty, her overwhelming anxiety at ton events leaves her looking none of these things to the ton in general. Robert Ainsworth, Marquis of Swindmore, first meets Emerald in one of her rare moments of public external strength and becomes intrigued, especially as she seems to want nothing to do with him. Robert was not my favorite MMC, though he grew on me. I was skeptical of him being able to keep his marriage and divorce quiet since pretty much every other regency romance I have read talks at length about there being no real secrets in the ton. I also didn't love the concept of him falling in love with the first woman he connected with post-divorce and only 9 months on (I admit this might be my modern sensibilities come to play). I also really don't like liars. But he won me over by eventually accepting Emerald just as she is, not expecting her to change in order to become his wife.

A couple of quibbles - I didn't love the way Clarity was portrayed in this book (or in Adam's book, for that matter). I really liked her in her own book but here she came off as borderline harridan. I also thought there were a few holes in the plot, for example, the aforementioned lack of gossip and how Robert's ex-wife ended up being at Robert's home (or alternatively, how Emerald ended up at that particular address) for the confrontation with Emerald. Overall, a 3.75 star read, rounded up to 4 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions herein are entirely my own.

Can’t help but love the dark horse that is our Contrary Debutante, Emerald! She is the complete opposite of every other DePetras, a family of bold, strong characters. Where Emerald seems shy, quiet and withdrawn, she is a completely different person when with those she loves. One on one, she is just as bold as her mother & siblings. With Robert, she is almost outrageous in her boldness. They complete each other in the best ways and possess a complete understanding of one another. For despite being a Marquess, Robert is wounded and shields a nervous heart. I loved watching these two come together with such selfless love. The De Petra’s Saga is full of wild antics, strong family connections and plenty of passion.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Dragonblade Publishing for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I look forward to this authors work and was not disappointed. I loved that the heroine was shy.

This is the third book of the De Petras saga. Emerald is not interested in society. Her family is a bit eccentric and she doesn't appreciate the ton judging their every action and gossiping about them. As a result, she doesn't want to get married, because of course that will invite more scrutiny. She ends up making a deal with her mother to at least attend ten balls, and if nothing comes of them, then she is free. Emerald agrees thinking she will be off the hook from marrying once she attends the balls. But her plans go out the window when she meets Robert, Marquis of Swindmore. He is divorced, so he himself is not without scandal. He also sees Emerald for her true self and is completely captivated by her. He urges her to break out of her shell and give him a chance.
This was a well-written story and an absolutely lovely addition to the series and I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it. The characters were endearing and I enjoyed following Robert and Emerald's journey.
Thank you Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.

“Emerald, dance with me.” “No.” Quite honestly, I found this book very repetitive in its content. Back and forth between Robert trying to charm Emerald and her objecting to it. Once I got to the 3rd ball I was tired of it. It’s an okay romance novel. Did not sweep me off my feet. One good thing is that you don’t have to read the other books in the series to get the gist of this novel.

The Contrary Debutante by Emily E. K. Murdoch is the third book in the de Petras Saga. Emerald de Petras despises attending balls. She doesn’t want Society watching her, judging her, gossiping about her and her eccentric family. She doesn’t want marriage, as that would inevitably garner more attention. Emerald and her mother have reached a compromise: Emerald must attend ten more balls. If nothing comes of the balls, she will be free. Robert Ainsworth, Marquess of Swindmore, has just gotten free after a humiliating divorce. He has no plans to remarry. When Robert meets Emerald, he sees something in her that no one else does. He is drawn to her like never before. When Emerald refuses to dance with him, he enjoys the challenge. But soon the lines between flirtation and love become less defined, and Emerald and Robert start questioning their stances on marriage.

This is my favorite book of the de Petras Saga so far! Emerald and Robert were a very fun couple to watch grow closer. I loved how they knew each other so well.

If you love a historical romance with a reluctant FMC then this is the book for you. Emerald is dead set on not marrying, to her family’s dismay. However, Robert is up for the challenge of changing her mind.

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

Emerald de Petras is determined that she will not marry. Unlike the rest of her family, she hates the season, and attending ton events is like a nightmare. This will be her last season, and she won't put up with the gossip any more. So she makes her mother a deal: if Emerald attends 10 balls, she won't be forced to do anymore. Emerald agrees, thinking that it's a good compromise, but when she meets Robert Ainsworth, Marquis of Swindmore, all of her original thoughts go out of her head. Robert may have just gotten divorced, and the gossip and scandal is on everyone's tongue, but he is not about to stand down. As soon as he sees Emerald, he wonders why everyone thinks she is a wallflower. He sees the real Emerald, and relishes spending time with her, wanting her to come out of her shell, and be willing to give him a chance.

This book was enjoyable, though not as good as book 2 in my opinion. I really liked Emerald, and felt sorry for the way she was being railroaded by her mother and sister. She was very much introverted, and the gossip and scandal of the season is not something that she enjoyed. Everyone expected her to be someone she wasn't, except for Robert. I like him as a love interest, and though he was a little jokey and teasing to start off with, it was clear he fell quicker for Emerald than she did for him. He wanted her to be happy, and was willing to step aside if that was what it took. I'm really looking forward to Sapphy's book - hopefully that will be next!

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the fourth story from the De Petras Saga by Emily E. K. Murdoch and the story of the younger, shyer sister, Emerald De Petras. She is quite different from her sisters and mother in that she was quite negatively affected by the scandal of her family's past and the other differences that bring them attention from other members of Society. It seems as though she suffers near panic attacks when in crowds and hates attention, and as such tries to avoid social events, and does not wish to marry, to the frustration of her mother.

She wants to retire from Society, and no longer have to suffer their attentions, and the gossip and judgement, and as such, comes to a deal with her mother. That she attends 10 more balls, bringing her roughly to the end of the current Season, and if nothing changes, her family will leave her alone about socializing. Emerald literally starts to count the days/balls until she can leave it all behind her, and be a spinster in sweet solitude.

Robert Ainsworth, the Marquis of Swindmore, has just suffered through a humiliating divorce with a malicious, faithless woman who broke his confidence in himself, and his faith in love and women. He has done what he could to keep the scandal to the minimum, and when finally being granted his divorce, he decides he is going to indulge in seducing a woman. He meets Emerald, and is taken by her beauty, and intrigued by her behaviour. He observes the dichotomy of Emerald - she is bold, strong, and challenging when defending her family... but then she is also a beautiful woman who seems to shun attention, and is shy. Robert sees her as a challenge and decides to pursue her to see if he can even win a dance from her.

In general, I rather enjoyed this story. Emerald seemed so very different in personality from Coral, and their mother Opal and I was very interested in how her story would turn out, considering how shy she was. But I loved the characterization of her hidden strength, shown through her fierce loyalty and protectiveness of her younger sister against gossiping bullies in Society. The youngest De Petras, Sapphire, has a physical disability which makes her a target for others. I could see where Emerald could be cowed and overpowered by the other members of the family, considering how more overtly passionate and overpowering they are, and at times you can see them doing so. Maybe out of love and protectiveness, but there is a sense of some steamrollering happening - but that is family sometimes, right?

I did not like how Robert made it a goal to seduce a woman after his divorce, and this was his impetus in engaging in Society, which was something he did not seem to do much before. I get it though. It sounds like his ex was a cheater and likely made him feel emasculated and devalued, and after gaining his divorce, he probably wanted to boost his own ego and self confidence, but was not looking for love and marriage again soon.

But I did enjoy how he managed to break through Emerald's reserve and that he seemed to be open to actually developing a friendship with her and learning more about her rather than aiming to get directly under her skirts. Regardless, the strength and speed of his connection with Emerald seems to frighten Robert a bit and he ends up keeping secrets from her. But like most secrets, they will be out at some point, and this causes conflict in their budding relationship.

I am enjoying reading about this family and this particular branch of Emerald's story. More was given about Sapphire and Micah, and I am curious about how their future paths will go, but there was a bit more hinted about the conflict that Opal had with her brother in the past. I wonder if that will be more clear in Micah's story, considering he feels so disconnected, being the only son but not the heir or being groomed as the head of the household. Also nothing was mentioned about the niece who appeared in Coral's story.

4 stars out of 5.

Miss Emerald de Petras she is the middle daughter, she doesn't like crowds, especially balls. She'd rather stay at home and read. Robert is captivated by her and asks her to dance. She refuses and the chase is on.

Emerald with her nickname the Contrary Debutante is both shy around crowds and also strong willed.

Emerald wants a quiet life away from others and to not get married and newly divorced Robert doesn't want marriage either. Are they perfect for eachother?

I liked watching this romance blossom. Emerald coming out of her shell and Robert sharing his past. Of course each book has had the fun cast of family characters where the women take the lead. Female Power!

I think Micah and also Sapphire's stories are going to be pretty interesting in knowing their characters so far. I'm ready for the next book!

With a name like Emerald, who wouldn't want to shine?

Emerald de Petras that's who. The perfect definition of a wallflower, Emerald is more than happy to stand to the side in society events, preferring to stay out of the way than participate in the pointing, gossiping and judging that is prominent in society.

Striking a deal with her mother, Emerald must attend ten more balls during the current season, before she is free. No more balls, no more society, and no more debuting. She'll be done.

Little does she know, the Marquis of Swindmore, Robert Ainsworth, was more than happy to accept the challenge to win her heart before she disappears forever. Before long, it will become more than either of them ever thought.

The Contrary Debutante was published in July 2022. Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two people who need each other, but it will be a journey to find that out!

Emerald is painfully shy and has tolerated the balls and functions but has no desire to marry. Of course her mother wants her to find a match but makes a bargain with her to attend only ten more balls and she will not make her attend any more.

Robert had been through his own shame with having divorced his wife and was now trying to just enjoy life... he will never find love and has no desire to.

When these two end up together, they begin a cat and mouse game, but there are secrets to be revealed that may pull them apart. Great addition to this series!!

Miss Emerald de Petras doesn't like crowds, especially balls. She'd rather stay at home and read. She has no desire to marry. Her mother has other ideas. She offers a compromise. Attend ten balls left of the season. After that they will never demand her to attend a ball, a card party or dinner again. Is this a trap?
The first ball, Robert Ainsworth, Marquess of Swindmore, is drawn to Emerald. She refuses to dance with him. In fact she tells him she will never dance with him. Robert won't give up and pursues her at every ball, until she says yes. It's a runaway carriage when Robert says nothing of his past and loses the trust of the woman he loves. He can't give up. Nothing worth having is easy to get. A delicate balance of two people in love and the unconventional de Petras family that tends to interfere.
A twist in the plot that moves at an even pace.
Heat level 2
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Yet another de Petras meets her match. Emerald is a self-proclaimed wallflower due to her family's reputation. She abhors behavior which could be deemed scandalous. Robert, recently divorced from his unfaithful wife., is instantly intrigued by Emerald and finds her a challenge. Lies of omission lead to misunderstanding, anger and hurt. Ultimately it all comes together.
Thank you Emily E K Murdoch, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.