Secrets Of An Accidental Duchess: Number 2 in series (Donovan Sisters) [Mass Market Paperback]

I just finished Secrets of an Accidental Duchess and I'm just all over the place. I'm feeling so many different emotions now that I've finished this book. I really enjoyed this book but there were a few times I had to put this book down because it became a little rough to get through. It wasn't bad at all but this book was definitely not a light read. In fact, the villain of this story is so heinous and brutal and some of his actions made me shudder. Besides my hatred of the villain, I really enjoyed the story and all of the characters that are in it.

Let me just start off by saying that I love Max. I love Max so freaking much! Watching him and Olivia both fall in love with each other was great to watch. Their interactions with each other and just the way they both opened up to one another was great. There really weren't any games between them and I liked that. I liked that they both fell and fell hard.

I'll admit that the first couple of chapters kind of dragged for me a bit, but once Olivia and Max started interacting with each other the story just picked up and I found myself unable to stop reading. I loved getting to know who both Olivia and Max were. The type of people they were inside and out. Both are caring and so full of love. I was worried that I might not like Olivia based off of reading the back of the book. I'm not the biggest fan of heroines that always need saving and are helpless. That wasn't the case at all with Olivia. Everyone may try to baby her and shelter her but she definitely doesn't need it. She is strong and if given the chance, independent. She is also selfless. She willingly put others first to save them even if it costs her so much more. She doesn't back down when times get hard and I loved that about her.

With Max, in the beginning he's portrayed as a womanizing rake that doesn't have a care in the world and could care less about another feelings. That was not the case at all. Max is so caring and considerate. He fights for what he believes in and the ones he loves and cares about. He is truly good even though it takes him a while to realize it.

As I said before, I really enjoyed this story. I loved meeting the rest of the Donovans and I am eagerly awaiting the next book from Jennifer Haymore. I can't wait to see how things end up for the rest of the Donovans. I also will be checking out the first book in this series, Confessions of an Improper Bride. I loved seeing the little tidbits of Serena/Meg and her husband and I am very curious about their book.

**ARC copy provided by NetGalley/Forever Romance Publishing**

Olivia's family believes she is a fragile person since she had malaria as a child and feverish relapses. Although Olivia is more adventurous then she lets on, she has resigned herself to being an old maid and never marrying since she probably is unable to have children. Luckily, she is content.

When Max discovers Olivia at a London ball, he knows he must get to know her. Unfortunately, an old rival sucks him into a bet: seduce Olivia. He never expected to fall for the lovely, slight woman nor did he think the bet and accompanying rival would try to destroy him.

I loved this book! From early in the story, that special umph permeated throughout the story and I had to keep reading. Honestly, I read most of the book in one sitting.
Olivia and Max are great characters because they have depth. Their different upbringings shape the people they become. Olivia was born an English woman with little means, but raised in the Caribbean. Her bout with malaria and subsequent fevers make her seem fragile, which leads to her entire family worried about her health. I adored her personal strength that hid behind her slight stature.

Max is from a very different world than Olivia. He was born into luxury, but accidentally became heir to a dukedom. His relationship with Olivia is sweet and seductive. Plus, he falls for her as she is, not as her family perceives her.

In addition to the romance, there is a dramatic portion of the plot where an old rival becomes jealous and irate, especially when Olivia's family befriends his neglected wife. This added intrigue kept the story moving at just the point when the romance began to slightly stagnate.

Secrets of an Accidental Duchess has that special, nameless something that kept the pages turning! Maybe it is the love story filled with secrets? Maybe it's the jealous rival? Maybe it is a well-told story? In any case, Secrets of an Accidental Duchess is a must read for any fan of historical romance!

BookingIt Grade: A

I've read other Jennifer Haymore novels, but not from this series. While this is the second book in the series, and I haven't read the first, I was not disappointed.

Olivia, our heroine, is a really great character. Her weakness is quickly apparent - she's "sickly." She is not the traditional sickly, though, but it somewhat rules her life. The big thing that made a difference for me: she doesn't let her semi-frequent illness define her life. She remains active and doesn't let anything get to her; she's moved on with her life and refuses to let it get the best of her. She's very quick-witted and clever. Most of all, though, she knows exactly what she wants - until she begins falling for Max.

Max is one of the best heroes that I've had the pleasure of reading about in a long, long time. He's sexy and strong (both physically and emotionally). My favorite thing about him was that as soon as he saw Olivia, he knew he wanted her. Not in a completely sexual way, like many heroes in romance novels these days, but he truly felt something for her. He was drawn to her in a way that he couldn't explain. I think this is, largely, what made me love him as a character. He doesn't see Olivia as "less" than she is, just because of her illness, but is truly interested in helping her live her life normally - as long as he's part of it.

The plot is truly just as excellent. There's a ton going on, but it just adds to the story, rather than taking from it. There's the villain who really did make my skin crawl. He is well written and you know pretty much right off that he's the enemy. This plot escalates, finally culminating with tons of exciting action. The romantic plot was well done and completely believable. The subplot with Jessica and Beatrice is interesting and ties in well with the rest of the plots. These plots don't just happen to be taking place in the same location with related characters - they're all related and build off of one another.

Jennifer Haymore was already firmly in my to-read pile, but I think with this book, she jumps straight to auto-buy. I've purchased the first book in the series and look forward to reading Serena and Jonathan's story very soon.