Cover Image: Marquess of Magic

Marquess of Magic

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Not for me unfortunately. Remembered I never left a review here. It's been a while since I read it so my review isn't going to help very much! I haven't been on my Netgalley in years.

Was this review helpful?

This was a beautiful romance that lodged its cadences in my heart..
Many thanks to Wolf Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks NetGalley for the chance to read this story. Diana Kendricks is a happy to be a spinster until she meets Lord James Barrington who is has been involved with magic since he was a child. She hears all kinds of rumors about him. He teaches her about magic to dispel those rumors. They are attracted to each other but he is helping a friend and until she is able to be on her own he can't be more than friends. At the same time she has met another man who is not what he seems and her father has given his permission for them to see each other. She doesn't know which way to turn until the help of her friend.

Was this review helpful?

The Marquess of Magic by Jennifer Monroe is considered the third book in the series Sisterhood of Secrets. Having said that, I read the book as a stand alone and I was fine without reading the prior books, although I now am curious about reading them. The book was an interesting historical romance with the key element yet again about keeping secrets is bad.

Diana Kendricks thinks she wishes to remain a spinster, based on her parent’s marriage. They are never together and always seem unhappy. Never mind how they rarely have time for her between their affairs. She is in her final year of school where she is learning subjects beyond most women in her station.

Lord James Barrington felt a kick in his chest when he first met Diana Kendricks. They continue to accidentally meet up and she is as intrigued as he is. They begin to form a friendship as they begin to spend time together. However, James is keeping a secret from everyone. A secret that he won't even share with Diana, even when they agree to court.

Enter a thoroughly despicable man, Mr Stonebrook, who weasels his way into Diana’s life and proceeds to ‘court’ her while lying and being a cad. But with secrets comes the chance for the muddling of truths and deception. Diana and James are driven apart…

Jennifer Monroe is a new author to me and I enjoyed reading this novel. I think the characters were sweet and the romance was sweet as well. The Marquess of Magic by Jennifer Monroe is a good read.

Was this review helpful?

I was not impressed. The dialog was insipid, the characters were flat, and the motivations seemed pretty basic. The pacing was also off, with our main characters being far too candid too early in the story for a proper Regency romance-- it was definitely lacking in the "burning gaze across the ballroom"-type tension people flock to Julie Quinn for.

Based on the title and description, I expected a Regency-era romance/fantasy in the style of Julia Quinn, Garth Nix's "Newt's Emerald," and the "Sourcery & Cecilia" books. However, the only magic in this book is sleight of hand (which can also create some fantastic stories!), and although the author keeps claiming people "put a spell on [insert opposite love interest]," every reference to magic feels hackneyed and forced. The climax was somewhat interesting, and it did pull on the theme of illusionist magic, but by that point, I was totally bored with the rest of the book.

I will not be posting public reviews.

Was this review helpful?

In this mesmerizing Regency romance by Jennifer Monroe, a mysterious marquess and a misunderstood beauty need to realize that when love and magic mingle with desire, the results can be extraordinary…
I loved it! Drags the reader right into the plot from day one. Delightful and charming… I absolutely adore this series. Deliciously moreish… If you haven’t already discovered this author then what are you waiting for???’

Was this review helpful?

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

This is the 3rd book of the Secrets of Sisterhood series by Jennifer Monroe, a clean and sweet historical romance series.

I found this story rather sweet and charming. Diana Kendricks is one of the young women at Mrs. Rutley's finishing school. She is young, but not really all that naive as she is a witness to her parents failing marriage and estrangement, and is aware that her father is a serial cheater, and is also a recipient of his neglect. He only really seems to communicate with her via her mother, through extravagant gifts, so she associates gifts with buying love, when what she really wants is actual indications of his regard and affection, such as his approval. This unfortunately lays the foundation of how she views men and relationships. She was planning on becoming a spinster and avoiding marriage.

However, she meets James Barrington in the local village and the more they see of each other, the more they are intrigued by and like each other.

James obtained the moniker of Marquess of Magic, because of his love of magic and developing the skill of illusion as a youngster, but as he grew older, and because of Society gossip, rumours abounded about it, including how he bespells women to fall in love with him. Unfortunately his own mother is quite the noted gossip herself. In the meantime, James is keeping a rather large secret involving protecting the reputation and health of a very good childhood friend. This becomes quite a barrier to his developing relationship with Diana.

Diana ends up being caught up in a bit of a love triangle when her father sends a suitor her way. She wants to explore her relationship with James, but wants to keep her father happy as well, so encourages a friendship with the man her father favours. He, however, is determined to court her and marry her, despite her desire to keep their relationship as friends, and he works to undermine James, including lies involving the secret James holds.

I really liked James and his loyalty and protection towards his friends, and his warm relationship with his servants as well. He seems so likeable. I liked Diana as well, and empathize with her conflict of wanting the parental approval, despite the poor relationship. What I really loved was revealing more about the mystery of Mrs. Agnes Rutley, the headmistress of the school. A big big big reveal was in this story and it really is a biggie and while I loved it, it also left me with more questions that I hope (!!!) will be revealed in the remaining books.

3.5 stars out of 4.

Was this review helpful?

Such a sweet romance, with an adorable hero and heroine. There are the usual villains who try and keep them apart. Then there are good folk who keep planning to get them together. This was a pleasant read with some surprising twists.

Was this review helpful?

This is one of the best books I have read in quite awhile. It has a lot to keep your interest and I think it will leave you with a good feeling when you finish. . This well-written story has everything from families that are dysfunctional, secrets, true friendship, loyalty, scandal, deceit, romance, love and of course, magic.

Was this review helpful?

Cute Regency Love Story.

This is a part of a series of books, each talking the story of one of the friends that can be read as a standalone. This one tells the story of Diana, who is seriously considering not marrying due to her parents unhappy marriage. That very quickly changes once she meets the marquess and falls in love with him, However, he is carrying a secret that might ruin their chance at romance.

The story is cute, maybe a bit too cute for me.., Thought the characters a bit too one-dimension, but overall a sweet romance!

Was this review helpful?

Review posted via. Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4737243628
Miss Diana Kendricks is looking forward to spinsterhood. That is until she meets the mysterious Lord Barrington also called 'Marquess of Magic' in an embarrassing situation. The two are instantly attracted to each other. Over time as the attraction grows, Lord Barrington is harboring secrets. Will he choose to reveal the secret or risk losing the woman he loves?
I enjoyed this novel. Diana and James had such good chemistry. Even though it was a series, I still read without having to read the other books. I would recommend this book to friends and family.

Was this review helpful?

"The first day Mother arrived at school, I was certain of two things. The first was that I would never fall in love. The second was that magic in any form did not exist." Famous last words by Dianna who attended Mrs. Rutley's School for Young Ladies.

A wonderful story that wrapped around my heart and did not let go until the end. The premise of a group of girls who had attended the school and made a lifelong pact to always come to each others aid. Now, years later, with the head mistress ill, Dianna returns to tell her story of love!

Sweet and enchanting with a plethora of amazing characters including the Marquess of Magic who won her heart!! Cannot wait for more in this series!.

Was this review helpful?

A well written story with an interesting side line in magic and lots of twists and turns. I haven't read the other's but didn't feel I was out from this but will be looking to read more. Sweet and clean romance. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

The Marquess of Magic by Jennifer Monroe is the third book of the Sisterhood of Secrets. Miss Diana Kendricks looks forward to life as a spinster. She has been disillusioned of love by what she has seen of it. When she meets Lord James Barrington, who has been labeled as the Marquess of Magic, Diana is drawn to the mysterious Marquess with many rumors surrounding him. James has loved magic all his life. He wishes he could use his vanishing trick on his secret. It is because of this very secret that he should not consider marriage, but he cannot deny how he feels about Diana. James’ secret becomes too much to keep. He must reveal all if he hopes for happiness with Diana.

I really liked this book! I enjoyed James and Diana very much. I love how everything went down in the story.

Was this review helpful?

Diana meets James at the bookstore twice. Both times he teases her. Diana father sends Stonewood to court her. Stonewood shows a charming facade to Diana but he is a terrible person. He gets one of James’ childhood friends pregnant and leaves her. Stonewood tries to blame it on James. James who is a marquess wants to court Diana. Diana believes Stonewood’s lies and spurns James. Stonewood and Diana go to a party at James’ home. With the help of a well wisher. James and Diana are forced to talk. The story was well written and wonderful.

Was this review helpful?

James and Diana are interesting characters i liked reading about them both, the story kept pulling me in I wanted to know more on it. I liked the magic aspects and knowing about it. Thank you for the book 5 stars.

Was this review helpful?

This book, while part of a series, can be read without having read any of its predecessors, although I will likely go back and find the two books that came before.

Diana is young and beautiful, and her parents’ unhappy marriage has made her certain that all men are jerks and she never wants to marry. But she is fascinated by a local nobleman, dubbed the “Marquess of Magic” and all the rumors about him.

They meet cute, and he’s impressed by the fact that she outwits him. But he’s got a secret to protect, and isn’t interested in romance just now.

Best laid plans and all that.

Of course, he starts courting her. Of course there is another man interested in her, a man who we, the readers, know is Not Nice and is Only After Her Money. But Diana doesn’t know that, and thinks he’s sweet, even though she doesn’t feel anything for him past friendship.

Lord Barrington’s secret is a doozy, and of course, it causes problems and misunderstandings, which our villain is only too happy to capitalize on. Diana’s got a big chip on her shoulder about her father’s neglect of her, and how he buys her presents to appease her every time he fails to visit, and this, too, creates obstacles.

I felt like Diana was able to be in Barrington’s company a lot, with only another teenage girl as chaperone. I’m not sure that would have been enough for the propriety of the day. Barrington reveals some secrets far too easily to a couple of schoolgirls.

I did not understand why his mother gossiped so much about the headmistress of the girls’ school, given the revelation which came later about her.

In all, this was a quick read, not demanding, with an interesting premise.

Possible Objectionable Material:
An unwed pregnancy. Deception. Infidelity. Flirting. Kissing. There might have been some mild cursing. A little bit of violence.

Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like clean regency romance, feisty heroines, and a little bit of drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

This book is also reviewed

Was this review helpful?

It touched my heart!

Diana and James met in a book shop and when she saw him, panicked and pick up a most improper book. The second time she bumped into him in the same shop she had the same book! Needless to say he teased her and after looking at what he had purchased, she then went on to tease him. Diana didn’t believe in love she had learned well with her parents that things were not as they seemed and they both lived a lie. James had been brought up knowing that both his parents loved him.

Two men wanting to court her, one who had an ulterior motive to get her father’s money and one who kept a deep secret about another woman. Who was she to choose?

I loved Mrs Rutley’s character, she was headmistress of the School for Young Women who also became a friend.

Such a beautiful heart wrenching ending in all its happiness, it tore at my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful heartfelt story with a HEA!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I debated on giving this a four. The pace is slow and Diana's immaturity is frustrating to read through the book. Barrington is a very nice person, but he is just as frustrating, because he kept holding back to tell Diana his secret. Stonebrook...is one scary, not to be trusted dude. The most enlightening part of the book is the story behind the wooden top. My least favorite book of the series up to this point.
A clean romance. Kisses only.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This was a delightful regency romance to read that was full of magic, secrets and desire. James and Diana are interesting characters and they drew me in to their world.

Was this review helpful?