Tessa Dare

Your presence is requested at romantic Twill Castle for the wedding of Miss Clio Whitmore and . . . and . . . ? After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement. Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother—even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself. So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet? He starts with flowers. Ladies can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes. He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride— and tries not to picture her as his. He doesn't kiss her. If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again. When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown and vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off. And no matter what—he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.

Castles Ever After

Say Yes to the Marquess

Lover of Romance 

Say Yes To The Marquess is the second book in this fun and sexy romp of a historical romance. Tessa
Dare is well known as a queen of writing romances...and in my book she is one of the best ones out there. Ever since I got hooked on her spindle cove series, I have been loving this latest series dealing with animals and castle and true love...you can't get much better than that. In this story we have Clio Whitmore, who has inherited her very own castle, and a very nice one at that. Clio loves it, and is determined to make her own life. Ever since she was a teenager, she has been engaged to the elusive Marquess of Grandville, to claim her as his bride, and after eight long years of waiting for him to make up his mind, she has decided that she wants more out of life. Her plan is to convince his brother, the scoundrel...Rafe Brandon, to sign papers to release her from her agreement with his brother Pier. Rafe has always loved Clio, they grew up together as children, but he knows she can never be in his life. He is a rake, a famous pugilist, and loves it, but he loves her fiercely and refuses to bring her down to his level on the society ladder. The match with his brother is much better, and when she declares that she won't marry Pier, he decides to take matters in his own hands, plan her wedding, even though he knows nothing of weddings or flowers and such...but as he goes about to convince Clio of marrying his brother, and trying to seduce her with cakes and dogs, and birds...he soon learns that love has a way of ruining the best intentions...will Clio show Rafe that they are destined to be together or will he push her away forever...

What a astounding read!!! Oh I had so much fun with this one...and I loved it even more than the first one, and the first one was pretty great. But this story, totally caught me off guard, and probably one of the best books I have read all year, and that is saying something, since I have had the opportunity to read so many good ones...but I will say this one just might top them all.

The characters were so easy to love, and they charmed the socks right off my feet. I loved each character no matter what part they played in the story. From the main couple, to the crazy sisters, to the dog that tended to get into trouble despite his old age. Rafe Brandon---oh I would love to claim him as my own...oh but a girl can dream right? He was packed with sensuality and power, he is a fighter, as a career and livelihood, so he is built, but that is just the icing on the cake. He is honorable even though on the outside he appears to be a scoundrel...but the best kind. The kind that is sexual but he also has a tender and soft spot for one woman...Clio. Rafe is a bit too stubborn at times, and really he goes a bit overboard with the wedding stuff, but what a hoot he was muddling through it all. Now Clio...I liked her character, she was such a lively heroine, determined to let no man or beast stand in her way. Clio is very original, and has her own uniqueness, that I found to be charming, she is witty and so smart, and wants to establish her own brewery....what a character right? She is strong and wanting to make her own fate. She is tenacious and just as strong willed and stubborn as Rafe. These two do butt heads, and get caught sharing some memorable kisses that will just make you want to swoon with delight. They were quite the pair,

The story as a whole was simply delicious, and what a treat is was for me to read!!! This book had everything I need for a top notch romance! Sizzling chemistry, full of life characters, and a engaging plot. This installment was playful, fun and romantic...one to outsmart and outwit anyone. Such a empowering story that totally set off a feeling of charm and a story to dazzle!!

Maggie Hepditch

This was sweet and a great weekend read. I liked that Clio was strong and determined and wouldn't let anyone stop her. It was also nice to read about a plus size woman.

Jaclyn

THIS MADE ME SO SO SO HAPPY!!! Ahhhhhhh!!! 
I LOVE the feminism in this and how Rafe and Clio grew into themselves as they fell in love. Through in a dog, a castle, a cake fight, and this books everything! My favorite from Tessa Dare so far!!

Kate

(view spoiler)["I’ve spent a great deal of time alone these past eight years. I’ve come to know myself and my own capabilities. I’m resilient. I can withstand a little gossip. Or even a lot of it. I can inherit an estate and devote myself not only to its preservation, but its improvement. Because I’ve taken all those lessons and accomplishments that were supposed to make me the ideal diplomat’s wife—­and I’ve made them my own. At some point, while you were roaming the globe, making treaties and dividing the spoils of war, I quietly declared my own independence. I am the sovereign nation of Clio now. And there will be no terms of surrender." (hide spoiler)]

Amanda J 

Not my favorite premise but thought the heroine was relatable.

Renee Delcourt

Adorably fun and heartwarming. I love Tessa Dare's writing and always find them to be super easy to read. They are often very romcom esque and I love that. I really enjoyed Clio's determination and how just adorable Rafe is when it comes to his love for Clio. Also there is a scene with a dog that is epically adorable. If you love hunky ripped manly man be super sweet with the one he loves read this one!!!!

b.andherbooks

Clio was the talk of the ton after securing a proposal at her debut, but after waiting 8 years for her erstwhile fiancee to come home, she and the rest of society doubt the marriage will ever take place. Deciding that she is through with waiting, and ready to build her own life (and her own brewery!!) after inheriting a castle, Clio just needs the missing fiancee's brother to sign a nullification of the marriage contract. Too bad for Clio, the wild, prizefighting brother she has always been attracted to is not going to let her off so easily.

This was so much fun. Tessa Dare imbues her characters with a great sense of self, and a great sense of humor. There was cake, beer, and even a farty old bulldog. Rafe was a great hero, and the strife between the characters was not about resisting love for silly reasons, but for the real issue of Clio's engagement to Rafe's brother. Also, the sex scenes were super steamy and had wonderful tension building. Loved it!

2017 - Listened to this on audio book and it was just as enjoyable a romp as the first time. Clio is a great heroine who genuinely cares for herself, her family, and the man she loves. She wants her brewery and she'll have it just like when she decides she wants Rafe and she WILL have him as well. I adored how Rafe only wanted the best for her and his qualms about being with her stemmed from his fears of alienating his last family member. Also, when we finally meet the missing fiancee, we find out Piers isn't really an asshole, he just wasn't really in love with Clio. Of course he could have handled things better, but he had his reasons. 

And let's not forget Bruiser the trainer and Ellingworth the bulldog! Such great secondary characters in Tessa Dare's novels. <3

2020 -Basically this book is one of my all-time favorite romances. You know who gives me a mighty thirst? One of my all-time favorite romance heroes, Rafe Brandon. This prizefighter gave my heart a TKO when he tried to plan the best ever wedding for his one true love, Lady Clio Whitmore, and her intended, HIS BROTHER.
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Before you say wait a minute, how is this romantic, let me tell you this is the best pining I’ve ever seen on page. Rafe is completely devastated by his love for his brother’s fiancee and all he desires is to make her happy, even if that means giving her all the cakes to choose from for her wedding.
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His selfless actions AND his care for Clio make him an A+ in my book.

I am going to add a CW now that I've read this again in 2020. Lady Clio is described as "voluptuous, curvy" and called "Dumpling" by her jerk brother-in-law and her sister. She is starved by her own mother and abused for her entire young adult hood to make her "acceptable" to her fiancee and society. This is awful, and something I noticed in previous reads but really was extra awful to me this go around. Rafe loves Clio for who she is and loves her cake noises. But Clio's family is awful. So, tread lightly if this may be hurtful for you to read.

2021 - reread with the #ButDoTheyBang Darelings and I'm still just as in love with this book as I ever was. Rafe, described by author Tessa Dare as a "gruff-buff hero" is my favorite type of romance character. Growly, gruff, desperately pining for the woman he loves; doesn't understand feeeeelings and is slayed by a warm hug. Picked up more of Rafe's ADHD in this read, and disagreed with an assessment that Rafe was taking Clio's agency away. Clio and Rafe made a deal, I saw this more as a bout between two prizefighters. Also Bruiser is bisexual!

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Say Yes to the Marquess is my second Tessa Dare title and it’s nowhere near the last of her books I’ll read. I think her Castles Ever After series was a perfect introduction to the world of historical romance. They’re a little lighter, a bit naughty and a whole lot of fun. I can’t wait to read the third book… especially since getting an ARC of it was what launched me into my HR frenzy. :) (Soon. Very soon.)

Both Clio and Rafe were were fantastic characters. It’s probably weird to say this as a fan of romance,but I loved how he was trying to push her off on his brother, despite the feelings he had for her. I had every suspicion it would never happen and I think that’s the real reason I enjoyed it so much. It wasn’t like it was a true triangle, which make me kinda twitchy more often than not. These two just had fantastic chemistry. I loved how playful they were and their banter was top notch. It was sweet and romantic and the sexy times were steamy. I don’t think it’s possible to read this book without a grin on your face.

Say Yes to the Marquess is the perfect combination of awesome. I laughed, swooned and even teared up a little. I loved the characters and the relationships. The setting was described such that I felt like I was there with them. This was a fantastic addition to the Castles Ever After series!

Say Yes to the Marquess Castles Ever After

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