Two people not looking for love. A damaged Marquess who lost 5 years of his life and his plot to avenge the one who tried to kill him. Phoebe wants a marriage with no emotions. She believes she found it. Until Robert comes back from the dead. Now her betrothed, Robert's cousin has lost everything and Robert is determined to see his cousin behind bars for trying to kill him. Phoebe gets caught up in the plot. Though she does not have feelings for her betrothed, Robert attracts her. More than revenge is on the line, so is Phoebe's heart. I received a complimentary copy and this my honest review.
a day ago

Robert Kirkian, Marquess of Landon was lost at sea for five years. He returns home to find his cousin claiming his title and hosting a house party in his house. Robert is sure that the cousin was behind the mishap that cost him a ship and the lives of his sailors but he needs proof. Miss Phoebe Dawson is betrothed to his cousin. It is an arrangement that brings his cousin her dowry (lots of money) and gives her family an opening into upper society. Robert’s plan is to ruin his cousin and he doesn’t mind interfering with his fiancee as well.

Phoebe for her part is willing to marry and tries to be proper during the gatherings and activities of the house party. But she is drawn to the charming Robert and sparks fly when they are left alone together. This is the third in the Daring Ladies series. It can be read as a stand alone as I didn’t catch any crossovers from the previous book, How Not to Marry a Duke (April 2023). This has just the right amount of banter, sharing pasts, lusting and longing. Also his grand gesture is wonderful and fits the storyline. The side story of her cousin Beatrice and his best friend and companion is an added romance. Looking forward to the next in the series or more from the author.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction/romance this is a juicy read! After the Marquess of Landon returns home after being ‘lost’ at sea, he seeks revenge on the person he thinks is responsible- his cousin. Upon his return he meets Phoebe, who proves to be more than just a pretty face. I like both of the main characters and their backstories, as well as some of the feminist undertones that go against the societal standards during this period. A revenge story is always fun too! Without giving any spoilers - I would have enjoyed a bit more ‘work’ from the characters to lead to the conflict resolution. While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC.

Loved the book. Loved the two main characters, Phoebe and Landon. Two souls damaged by acts of others in their past.
I loved the storyline as It was fast paced, never lagging. It always kept you intrigued.
5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to review this book.

What an engaging historical romance! I found myself enthralled the entire time as the author wove this story of ☠️ plots and secret rendezvous and a house party and secrets.

Landon is mysterious, roguish, and hell-bent on revenge.

Phoebe is an untitled beauty who is engaged to a baron… who happens to be Landon’s dastardly cousin.

THOUGHTS 💭
🩷 This book was unlike many other historical romances - I loved Landon’s partial middle eastern heritage and Phoebe’s “experience.”
🩷 Phoebe’s chosen charity, the reason for it, and how she supports them was wonderful to read.
🩷 I love a good Victorian-era weeks-long house party and this book primarily takes place at one.
🩷 There is a layer of mystery as Landon seeks to prove his almost-☠️ was no accident.

Thanks so much to Tina Gabrielle and Entangled Publishing for the ARC of this book!

Romance and revenge do not go together well. Landon needs to get revenge on his cousin for the attempt on his life, that revenge includes ruining his fiancé Phoebe. Of coarse Landon and Phoebe are perfect together and fall in love, if only Landon will admit it. This book had plenty of steam, mystery and the perfect grovel at the end.

Make Mine a Marquess was a cute and quick historical romance. I always love a good revenge plot so that combined with the instant chemistry between Landon and Phoebe made this one addictive read.

I adored Landon and Phoebe. The tension between them was so good!
Landon is focused on revenge and believes he is too damaged for love. I enjoyed following along as Landon and his friend Aram gathered evidence of Willard’s crimes. Part of this included seducing Phoebe away from Willard. Naturally, Landon is in denial and refuses to admit that he is truly falling for her. By the time he comes to his senses, it's too late.
Phoebe was so easy to root for. I really liked her charity work and all of the ways she supported her charity of choice. Despite what she was beginning to feel for Landon, she still believed marrying Willard was the right step to secure her future and make her parents happy. After all, a rogue can't be trusted. While I understood her reasons for agreeing to marry Willard, every time Phoebe had doubts - especially after witnessing his treatment of others - I just wanted her to come to her senses and call it off.
My heart broke for her when she learned of Landon's betrayal. I loved what he does to make it up to her though!
There were also some great side characters - I absolutely loved Aram and Beatrice.

This was my first book by Tina Gabrielle but it definitely won't be my last!

This was fine. I was not particularly inspired to pick this up on a regular basis because I found the MMC unlikeable. However, I did enjoy the FMC.

I love a resurrection story and the Marquess of Landon is back from the dead, having survived a shipwreck he believes was intentionally sunk by his cousin, Lord Willard. A revenge story is a great way to grab my attention and seeking revenge by trying to seduce your cousin’s betrothed? Sign me up! Landon and Phoebe have instant chemistry, but Phoebe is wary of “bad boys” having been burned once before, so she lets Landon flirt and makes him work at it. He doesn’t have to work too hard though because Willard is awful—full of himself, a dandy that’s only interested in money and has a gambling habit. Phoebe’s family has money, but no title to elevate them within the beau monde.

I loved the one on one sessions between Phoebe and Landon as they played backgammon and learned about one another. Clearly quality time is both their love language because it is what gives them the time to fall for one another. Phoebe felt that she must marry Willard to help her family’s status, but I felt like she couldn’t or wouldn’t look for ways out of her betrothal even when it seemed like she had choices. At the same time Landon is clearly falling for Phoebe, but stubbornly insists that he “isn’t good enough” for her and is only acting this way towards her for revenge. It think it just got a little repetitive and was more telling and less showing how these two could possibly work out.

I really enjoyed Phoebe’s philanthropy and loved her connection to the Unwed Mothers’ Charity. I can always get behind a heroine that stands for a cause and knows herself. I do wish Landon had had to grovel much longer and that Phoebe would’ve made him suffer just a bit more at the end. He definitely should have had to work harder for her affection and I wouldn’t have minded if she had taken longer to change her feelings (again, she’s been burned by a bad boy before so it’s no surprise she’d need more time). All in all this was a solid read and I also enjoyed the secondary love story between Beatrice and Aram. I received an early copy from Entangled Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Rating:🌟🌟🌟.5 rounded up to 4
Steam: 🪭🪭

This was my first book by Tina Gabrielle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s part of a series, but you don’t have to read them in order to know what is going on. From the beginning we are off to a great start. The writing is well done and there is a lot going on in the plot. The characters seem to have good chemistry as well. This book had a lot of elements that kept the plot fresh. I really enjoyed the mix of cultures in the book, and I learned a few things as well! I thought it was well written and well paced. The plot was an interesting concept, and I was surprised by the way things played out. One thing I would suggest would be to add more showing vs telling in the writing. There did seem to be some repetition in the writing, which didn't feel necessary. Specifically, the characters were thinking about the conflicts in the same way, or repeating that they have a duty to do something, and I found myself rushing through those parts of the story. Overall I would be likely to pick up another book by this author!

I enjoyed the whirlwind romance of Landon and Phoebe. I was drawn to Phoebe’s character right away, her giving nature and generous spirit truly wins over others. Landon is naturally drawn to her as she is not the same as the typical London ladies. Being a man who was raised of different cultures, it is expected that a woman untamed by the restrictions of society is what calls to him. Phoebe is not one to bow to a man, and it is that fire that makes her stand out and what makes her desire to be a kept wife so heartbreaking. She is clearly misguided by her past mistakes, but her solution is simply wrong. She is a woman driven by passion and would wilt under a marriage of convenience with an inattentive lord. Both Phoebe and Landon are damaged by their pasts, and only through each other can they truly heal and flourish. Their story is one of surprising care as they take the time to truly know the other.

I adored this book. I devoured it within twenty-four hours. The writing was perfect. The storyline is intriguing that you can not help but get pulled in from the start. The plot flowed beautifully. You feel as if you are there in the story.

I love Phoebe! She is a woman not afraid to defy the odds. She stands up for what she believes in and is not afraid of the consequences. She goes after what she wants and follows her heart. She is also sassy. Robert is a hot and daring MMC. He is out for revenge. He also had his tragedies to get over but is all around a stand-up guy. I love how entranced he is by Phoebe. I love Robert and Phoebe's forbidden love affair. They are chefs kiss together. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between them.

If you want a historical romance with a forbidden love affair, banter, revenge, finding one's self, and revenge, then definitely pick this up.

This was the first book that I have read by Tina Gabrielle. I read it as part of a Read Along with Entangled Publishing.

I enjoyed the plot. About midway through, I definitely knew the direction of the book, but I was still very engaged with it. The characters were well thought out and were provided with good history. I would have liked to hear more about Landon's time after the accident.

Thank you for the copy, this is my honest opinion.

Robert Kirkian's dramatic return from the presumed dead sets the stage for a tale of revenge and unexpected love. His path collides with Phoebe Dawson, his cousin's fiancée, sparking a captivating dance of attraction and resistance. Their burgeoning relationship, fraught with societal pressures and personal demons, forms the heart of the story. The story thrives on its compelling plot and the electric chemistry between the characters. However, the book's historical authenticity and character depth left me wanting more. Despite these, the dynamic between Robert and Phoebe, coupled with the underlying themes of vengeance and redemption, made for an engaging read, especially for those drawn to the allure of period romances intertwined with the complexities of human emotion.

Hertfordshire - 1827

Robert Kirkian, Marquess of Landon, has returned to England after a 5-year absence where it had been feared that he was lost when his ship sank at sea. During this period, his cousin, Baron Lord Willard had stepped into his shoes. He is engaged to Miss Phoebe Dawson, daughter of the wealthy owner of a coal mining business. He returns just as Willard is hosting a 3-week house party at his home. Robert knows that Willard has been spending lots of his money and ignoring the upkeep of his estates and his tenants. In addition, Robert notices that Willard has sold off some of his family treasures. In addition, he knows that Willard was responsible for the ship fire that killed 23 sailors, the captain and severely injured Robert. He is determined to find proof and then he will confront Willard.

Willard is shocked to see his cousin but tries to act happy that he has survived and returned. Robert tells him to continue with the party as his survival is worth a celebration. In the meantime, Robert is checking the estate books to see what he can uncover.

Robert is taken by Phoebe and finds that not only is she very beautiful but she is also intelligent. They get along quite well. A horseback ride together ends up with them kissing.

As the party continues, Robert is diligently trying to find proof about Willard’s dastardly deeds. While at the same time, he finds himself falling in love with Phoebe. Is there a way he can get her for himself?

I really liked this book and found that Robert and Phoebe were just made for one another. It was interesting to read about the places he had visited while he was away. A delightful story that I know readers will love. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Make Mine a Marquess was a fun and easy read of revenge, love and groveling! Phoebe has an unfortunate past for the regency age. She was young and thought she was in love and was compromised. She didn’t end up becoming pregnant but she decided to change her life and live by the rules of propriety and marry a man to give her family a tile. Unfortunately that man is a scoundrel and wastes money and wants only her dowry to keep himself afloat.
Landon has just returned to London and is ready for revenge. He was shipwrecked and thought to be dead - and he believes it all to be attempted murder to win his title and the access to his fortune. So Landon is ready to steal his attempted murderers fiancé and expose him. Too bad he falls for her instead.
Both Landon and phoebe have so much they personally need to overcome from their individual pasts. It was frustrating to know that Landon was going to use Phoebe for his revenge and hurt her but I was fully there for all the groveling he had to do in order to win her over. Easy read!

Seduction as a means of revenge

I liked this entertaining book with its nice plot, very likable characters, a touch of intrigue and some steam. Particularly the chemistry between Robert and Phoebe was great right from the start.

Robert Kirkian, Marquess of Landon, has spent the last five years seriously injured in Egypt after barely surviving a shipwreck. When he is fully recovered, he and his friend return to England to take revenge on his cousin and heir, who was responsible for the shipwreck and, in his absence, let the family estate fall into disrepair and embezzled his money.

His cousin William is notoriously broke and has just become engaged to a rich businessman's daughter, so Richard plans to find incriminating evidence, drive his cousin into debt and prevent the impending wedding, even if he has to seduce the fiancée.

Phoebe Dawson has had bad experiences with a man who lied and left her in her youth and therefore wants a business marriage without losing her heart. In order to enable her parents to move up into high society, she agrees to marry the impoverished Lord William Willard.

When William organises a house party at the country estate of his missing cousin Landon, Robert suddenly turns up and Phoebe is immediately drawn to the enigmatic marquess who seems to reciprocate her feelings…

All in all, an enjoyable read that I am happy to recommend!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a good historical fiction novel! I liked the suspense of waiting for Willard to be taken down! This story had a nice slow burn romance between Phoebe and lord Landon. Landon did lie and use her, which took some major sucking up to overlook that whole ordeal. Overall the story was captivating and I loved seeing Landon fall in love and almost forget what he was after originally. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled publishing for this ARC! I really enjoyed it!

Extremely fast-paced and engaging story about an MMC seeking revenge after supposedly being lost at sea. The FMC is torn between honoring an engagement and falling for a man who brings her to life. Will Pheobe be bound by duty and avoid any chance of heartbreak by marrying someone she does not love? Or will she allow herself to risk heartbreak, go against her mother's will, and chance falling in love? I love the representation and that Landon is of Middle Eastern descent.

Oooh I do love historicals with intriguing plots and this book definitely delivered! Make Mine a Marquess has a brave, bold heroine named Phoebe who prioritizes what is right rather than what is appropriate/socially acceptable which makes her the perfect partner for Landon who is seeking revenge on his cousin who tried to have him murdered to steal his estate. There was so much going on in the plot with this book that I really enjoyed. Landon's mixed motivations were really fun to see (he wanted to get revenge and use her to do it). I enjoyed that his intentions were muddied a bit especially as he falls for Phoebe. Unfortunately I found there was too much telling vs showing for me. I wanted to settle into the story and watch it happen but the author kept telling me how to feel about it or telegraphing loudly that *this is a BIG moment for these characters for these reasons* and I would have liked a little more subtlety in how the character development was being communicated. The story itself was very engaging so that's what kept me going even when the character development felt clunky. I know historical revenge subplot is a microtrope that many people enjoy so I'm confident that many others will enjoy the passion and plot of this book.