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    Say Yes to the Marquess: Castles Ever After
    Say Yes to the Marquess: Castles Ever After
    Say Yes to the Marquess: Castles Ever After
    Audiobook9 hours

    Say Yes to the Marquess: Castles Ever After

    Written by Tessa Dare

    Narrated by Carmen Rose

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    USA Today Bestseller

    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateDec 30, 2014
    ISBN9780062384218
    Say Yes to the Marquess: Castles Ever After
    Author

    Tessa Dare

    Tessa Dare is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of more than a dozen historical romances. A librarian by training and a book-lover at heart, Tessa makes her home in Southern California, where she shares a cozy, cluttered bungalow with her husband, their two children, and a pair of cosmic kittens.

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    Reviews for Say Yes to the Marquess

    4/5

    433 ratings23 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Every time I begin to read/listen to one of Tessa Dare's stories, I wonder how I could possibly enjoy this book as much as her previous titles. I think "surely I can't love a character more than the last", but now I'm beyond certain I couldn't love a character more than - believe it or not - the hero of this story, Rafe Brandon. It was clear to me early on that this character had ADHD. And it speaks to a question I've long wondered about: how did neuro-divergent individuals fare in times before we had names and understanding of these things. It's easy to think that a person born into privilege will be at the most advantage, since they have all handed to them. Though this is a fictional story, it still shows the ways in which a person can be disadvantaged by their differences. This story heartened me beyond telling.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I LOVED this book...

      I loved Rafe & Clio, also Bruiser, Phoebe & Ellingworth...

      Daphne & her husband are not the worst, but are definitely irritating, but there's still something sweet about them.

      A funny, fun, warm, lovable story!

    • 5/5
      gente assinei oi serviço sem, querer e me vi obrigada a escutar audiobooks pra fazer valer a pena.

      enfim, amei! 100/10!

      o proto indignado que ela nao tava gravida foi o apice do amor desses dois. muito fofo!
    • 4/5
      I adored this first book in this series, Romancing The Duke, and while I liked Say Yes to the Marquess, a little voice kept whispering in my ear that something wasn't right. The humor was top notch, the couple was perfect for each other (I liked that they had a history together as childhood friends), and I admired Rafe's restraint during the first third or so of the book. Despite all of that AND the fact that Rafe and Clio were so well-suited for one another, she was engaged to Rafe's brother. That's a big no-no for me and cast a shadow over that last half of the story. Granted, this is reader preference, so to each his or her own.

      Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it and found myself firmly in the Clio/Rafe camp, I just had to acknowledge that voice in my head and keep going. I also had to suspend my belief more than normal. For example, Clio is very smart and took the initiative to look into a business for Twill Castle (which she owns independently of her fiancé). At the same time, she lacks the assertiveness to break her engagement to Piers? It's a little thing, but I noticed it just the same. I really think I was just in a weird mood when I read this one, so take it with a grain of salt.

      I'm still giving this one 4 stars because I laughed out loud...A LOT...regardless of my inner voice. This book still gets my recommendation, but it's not on the same level as book one. Moving on to book three!
    • 5/5
      I loved it. I just really did. My new fave Tessa Dare <3
    • 3/5
      A good romance, the last few chapters were the best. All that gaslighting in the beginning was really annoying though. I wish we could have a book about Phoebe, I loved her.
    • 4/5
      I liked it a lot but did not like the boxing aspect of the story..
    • 5/5
      Excellent novel, loved it and want to read more .

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Say Yes To The Marquess is the second book in this fun and sexy romp of a historical romance. TessaDare 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!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this a lot more than Romancing the Duke. I really loved Clio - I liked her boldness and ambition. Also, Rafe was a vast improvement as far as love interests go (I really didn't like Ransom in RTD). Overall, this romance was cute. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something quick and fun.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Enjoyable with several laugh out loud moments. I really enjoyed how the two characters work through each others trauma together. I wish the cover art more closely matched the physical description of the main character who is supposed to be plump.
    • 5/5
      2nd read- I gave this 4 stars originally, but after a second read, I just received so much enjoyment from this that I'm bumping it up. I laughed a lot, the couple is good together, (and for each other), and there are some nice touching moments. It's just a pretty solid book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Good read. I knew what was going to happen as I had accidentally read a book later in the series but I really liked the character of Clio. Would love a book focusing on Phoebe.
    • 5/5
      Tessa rarely lets me down. Like getting home on a crummy day and finding that someone has send you caramel cupcakes.Is Clio a completely unrealistic woman for her time? She is. Is Rafe too perfect? Yep. I don't care. Great banter, great romance, cute bulldogs, good beer. Its just delightful. I am reading a gutting book (Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents) at the same time I read this. While reading Caste there have been times when I just thought I was going to break into pieces from grief and frustration. It is a VERY important book that everyone should read. We have a duty to contextualize caste because we can't fix anything but symptoms until we fully identify what we are fixing, but that does not mean that as we bear witness we don't also need joy. This was my joy.
    • 4/5
      RTC probably.

      I'm a complete sucker for scenes in the rain.
    • 4/5
      Synopsis:Clio has been engaged for years but her intended remains overseas and elusive. Clio decided that if he really wanted to marry her she'd already be married and so decides to end the engagement. In steps her fiancé's brother, Rafe, to assure that the engagement remains intact. To do so, Rafe decides he will help Clio plan the wedding. Things do not go as planned as Clio and Rafe develop feelings. My rating:4/5This is the 4th Tessa Dare I have read to date and is in slot 3 in rank of my preferences. I likes Romancing the Duke and When a Scot ties the knot, both in this series, significantly better. Despite this not being my favorite I did enjoy it. I am in love with Tessa Dare's style and hope to binge every romance she has written. While her books are historical fiction the characters are relatable and feel like people you could meet in modern times. The characters and their struggles are relatable. Like her other books, this one is funny and heartwarming. This book was less steamy than When a Scot ties the Knot (which I liked) however I didn't care for the bedroom scenes as much. There was some "dirty talk" I wasn't a fan of. I liked the plot of this book and found humor in Rafe's ideas about women. The idea that he can make a woman fall in love and want to get married by basically showing her wedding stuff is idiotic but I can imagine men who don't know much about women believing such things. Some of Rafe's ideas bordered on misogyny however I didn't feel like he was a jerk but instead was someone who just didn't know women well. Clio counteracts Rafe by being a deep and complex characters with hopes and dreams I was onboard with. I loved her depth and how who she was turned many of Rafe's ideas about women on their head. I liked Clio as a character significantly more than Rafe.I really loved the ending of this book. The last scene subverted my expectations in an awesome way. I thought we were going to have a typical romance trope happen and something else happened which I just adored. If you enjoy historical romance I recommend this one. It was amazing as an audio book and I loved the narrator.
    • 4/5
      This series so far is just adorable and I really like how unique the characters have been.
    • 5/5
      Say Yes to the Marquess
      4.5 Stars

      Miss Clio Whitmore has been waiting to wed her wandering fiancé, Piers Brandon, for 8 long years. Fed up with his procrastination, and not without means of her own (namely a newly inherited castle in Twill), Clio approaches Rafe Brandon and demands to be released from the betrothal contract. Rafe, a ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, is just as determined that Clio should marry his brother (if only for his own peace of mind) and sets out to plan the wedding. Now if only he can keep his hands off the bride …

      Beware - Long and detailed review ahead. No spoilers though :0)

      It seems that I’m in the minority amongst my friends in loving this book. The issues that appear to emerge from the criticism include the unlikable secondary characters, the lack of historical detail and the theme of rivalry between brothers. None of these disturbed me in the least.

      Let’s take them one at a time. Yes, Clio’s sister Daphne and her husband, Teddy are insufferable; yet, it is clear from the start that Clio (and Rafe) will find a way to put them in their place and they do - Rafe punching Teddy in the kisser is simply priceless!. The rest of the cast from Clio’s youngest sister, Phoebe, to Rafe’s trainer and Ellington the dog add necessary humor to an otherwise serious storyline.

      A comparison with the first book, Romancing the Duke is inevitable here. While book #1 is cute and fluffy with some rather silly elements that stretch both the imagination and suspension of disbelief, Say Yes to the Marquess is more realistic and deals with darker issues, such as social humiliation and ostracism, family discord and guilt.

      Although the story lacks sufficient historical information and the story could well have been set in contemporary times, it is the romance that makes it all worthwhile. Rate and Clio’s chemistry is off the charts and their emotional connection is wonderful. They bring out the best in each other with unconditional love and acceptance.

      Rafe is an endearing mix of tremendous physical strength and emotional vulnerability, and seeing him struggle with and finally give in to his feelings for Clio makes for entertaining reading. If there is one small problem with his characterization, it is his unnecessary guilt and confused sense of honor that hinder his actions. However, without these, the romance would not have been as captivating.

      Clio is an incredible heroine. She stands her ground and refuses to succumb to the social norms that place restrictions on her merely due to her gender and class. Her protectiveness both of Rafe and her obviously autistic sister, Phoebe, makes her all the more appealing.

      Finally, the theme of brothers as rivals does not effect me as negatively as it did other readers, especially as it is quite clear that Piers doesn't love Clio and vice versa. There is no real rivalry for her affections and she isn't playing one off against the other (now that would annoy me!) My only nitpick here is that Piers got off too easily after all the years he made Clio wait and didn't even think of the humiliation she was suffering. Selfish prig!.

      All in all, a lovely romance and a charming couple. Although the next book features a different, unrelated couple, I would gladly read a book focusing on Phoebe.
    • 3/5
      Clio has been waiting eight years for her fiance to come home and marry her. Piers is in no hurry, but his brother Rafe is determined that the wedding must go on. Rafe is a prizefighter and a rebel in regards to the aristocracy, but he wants to do right by his brother, and that means getting Clio prepared for her wedding.However, Clio has changed her mind. She has inherited a castle and wants to start a brewery instead. Rafe would be a perfect partner - both for the brewery and for a wedding - if she can talk him into replacing his brother.I've enjoyed this entire series, but perhaps I made a mistake in reading the last book first as that has Pier's story. This story might have been better as a novella as it seemed to drag on, then wrapped up too quickly. The chemistry between Clio and Rafe was just so-so for me; if any man had paid her attention after the long wait for Piers, I thought Clio would have fallen for him. Still, as I said above, I enjoyed the series as a whole, and Ms. Dare's writing is always sexy and fun.
    • 4/5
      Fun book. Clio became engaged to Piers when she was seventeen, and deemed too young to take up duties as a diplomat's wife. But she never expected her engagement to last eight years. She's tired of waiting for a man who obviously doesn't really want her. Having just inherited a castle, she's decided to break her engagement and make a life on her own terms. The only thing stopping her is her fiancé's brother.Rafe has made a name for himself as a prizefighter, a life he prefers to the one he was born into. Since his father's death has been stuck overseeing the family's affairs, while his brother is off doing his thing. One of those charges has been to watch over Clio and provide what she needs. When he discovers that she wants out of the engagement, he is determined to change her mind.I liked both Clio and Rafe. Both of them had definite ideas of what they wanted out of their lives. They had the confidence they needed to pursue those dreams. But they also had issues that prevented them from believing in their ability to be loved. Clio has had the misfortune (in her eyes) to be built on the curvier side. This feeling was exacerbated by her mother's attitude and determination to make Clio fit her ideals. Having her fiancé put off their wedding for so long doesn't help. Once Clio decides she has had enough, she goes full steam ahead with her plans to take up residence in her castle and start a brewery as a way to support herself. But she needs her dowry to fund it, and to get it she must end her engagement, which is why she contacts Rafe. She needs him, as his brother's representative, to sign the release papers.Rafe has never felt like he fit in with his family. He never did well in school, and the frustration added to his temper problems, getting him kicked out of school. He had no support from his father, who after years of putting him down finally kicked him out. The only way Rafe had to survive was to become a fighter, so he became a great one. He was a champion until he was defeated in a brutal match up. Now he's determined to make a come-back, but the distraction of dealing with Clio isn't helping. He has spent so long feeling like a failure to his family, that he refuses to let Clio dump his brother. He's determined to show her that she really wants to marry Piers.The attraction between Clio and Rafe is obvious from the minute she confronts him for his signature, but both try to resist it. Clio is determined to show Rafe that marrying Piers is a bad idea, and he is equally determined to convince her it's a good one. All the time that they are trying to prove their points, the feelings between them continue to grow. There are some really funny moments as Rafe goes over the top in his attempts, ending in a cake fight between them. There are also some really sweet moments, as the connection between the two of them becomes clear. I loved the way that Clio sees the vulnerable man under prizefighter's surface. There are still signs of the boy who just wanted the love and respect of his father. I loved seeing her bring out that softer side. For his part, Rafe saw Clio for the beautiful and intelligent woman that she was. I loved how his attraction to her helped her see herself through his eyes. I also loved his astonishment and respect when she finally got him to listen to her plans for the brewery. It was great to see them finally realize that they belonged together, no matter what others tried to tell them. There were still a couple obstacles to get over, but that was managed pretty quickly. I loved Rafe's big moment at the end.I also enjoyed the underlying theme of family. Clio's relationships with her sisters were good, but definitely had their challenges. Daphne was so much like their mother that it affected Clio's ability to just come out and announce that she didn't want to marry Piers. Daphne can be quite the bulldozer, and never actually listened to what Clio was trying to say. Her husband was really annoying and I loved when Rafe punched him. I liked Phoebe. She is honest and quirky and obviously loves Clio. I would like to see her get her own story in the future, as I'm sure her abilities could create some interesting situations. Rafe's relationships with his father and brother were heartbreaking at times. I never did like his father from all the things that came out about him. Piers irritated me because of the way he kept Clio hanging for so long, and then expected her to fall in with his plans when he finally showed up. Rafe had been determined to protect Piers's engagement because of his own guilty feelings over the death of their father. But he also wants out of having to do Piers's job as marquess, because he feels so out of place doing it. He also feels guilty over the fact that he has wanted Clio as his own for years. I liked seeing them start to repair their relationship at the end.
    • 5/5
      Clio is a marriageable young woman, betrothed to a diplomat who is also a marquess. It isn't going well. After eight years of delays she's pretty much had it and doesn't have to put up with it anymore, because she has inherited a castle of her very own. So now her would-be-brother-in-law finds himself in the unfortunate position of trying to convince her to go through with the marriage, and when she states clearly that she has no interest in wedding plans, he has to take on all that as well.

      As a series concept, giving castles to various single women is genius. Who doesn't love castles? Real life is sadly lacking in women receiving property in their own right, let alone castles that they can rebuild or redecorate to suit themselves. Why isn't there a genre about real estate? Finding true lasting love is good and all, but land lasts for ever. Surely that's part of the appeal of Gone With the Wind? So much real property in Scarlett's hands.

      This is the novel for the woman who doesn't care about The Wedding. I know I'm not the only one who cared about nothing other than the tastiness of the cake (devil's food, and you?). Dare has tremendous fun making her heroine indifferent to the whole marriage business in favor of creating a business plan that makes best use of her new estate. And while the tropes are being upended, Dare gives us a professional boxing manager as wedding planner.

      Historically, I have no idea what time frame this is supposed to be, nor do I care. There's an old and beloved dog, did I mention that? He puts me in mind ofThree Men in A Boat which is a happy place to be.

      Library copy
    • 5/5
      Read/Listened for Fun (Kindle/Audible)Last book read in 2014Overall Rating: 4.50Story Rating: 4.25Character Rating: 4.75Audio Rating: 4.00 (Not Part of the Overall Rating)First Thought when Finished: Say Yes to Marquess by Tessa Dare was a great way to end 2014! Rafe was so very Alpha (all protective and beat on your chest kind of way). Clio was smart as a whip (Yet she still managed to hold very well to the time--tricky to pull off but done very well). Together they made an unconventional pair that was a delight to read! I do so hope that Clio's sister eventually will get a book (when she is a tad bit older).Audio Thoughts: Narrated By Carmen Rose / Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins This is the 2nd Historical Romance (the other being Sophie Jordan's Good Debutantes Guide to Ruin) that I have listened to narrated by Carmen Rose. She is becoming a narrator to watch for in my book. She handles the fine line of lady/spitfire very well!Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, Done! Reviews
    • 5/5
      Tessa Dare is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance writers. Her writing is simply a pleasure to read. I love how she takes characters who are seemingly imperfect and proves just how much more superior they are to what society considers perfection. From the romance to the clever battle of wits between the hero and heroine and the amusingly entertaining puns and other humorous situations interspersed throughout, Say Yes to the Marquess is a top notch Historical Romance that readers of this romance sub genre will not want to miss. Imagine waiting eight years for your betrothed. Well that's exactly what Miss Clio Witmore has done, and she is done waiting for diplomat, Marquess Piers Brandon to conquer the world before owning up to the promise he made at his family's behest many years ago. After all, he has never so much as kissed her, in all those eight years, so how highly can she factor into his future plans? Besides, if she ever marries, she is determined that it be for love love. So, she resolves to take care of her own needs, both financially, by starting a brewery on the land she fortuitously inherited, and emotionally, by ending her laughing stock engagement which has only brought her shame and pity. With the Marquess of Granville gone, however, she is forced to seek resolution with his notorious, younger brother, and once Champion prize fighter, Rafe Brandon. In the Marquess' absence, Rafe holds the Marquess power of attorney over all matters and she is determined that he sign the papers dissolving her engagement. Rafe Brandon, however, is equally determined to see Clio and Piers married albeit for his own personal reasons, so he challenges Clio to what he believes will be an easy wager. If after a week of no expense barred, wedding planning, that he himself will oversee, Clio still wishes to end the engagement, then he will sign the papers. After all, how hard can it be to charm a lady into wedding fever? Well, Rafe is soon to find out that Clio is no ordinary lady.As Clio and Rafe, and a whole cast of other eccentric family members and friends, explore flowers, cakes, music and gowns, however, the one thing that becomes painfully clear is the undeniable attraction between Clio and Rafe. What will Rafe do now, when the one woman that is definitely off limits, is the only one he could never live without?I loved so many things about this book. For one, this book had me in stitches. From the very beginning, I found myself chuckling at the interactions between Clio and Rafe which so frequently contained double meanings. Moreover, the sexual tension between the two, and the attention to each others' troubled past, and linked emotional needs, was incredibly well done. It is this complexity of the characters, and attention to how it affects their interactions with others and self definition of happiness, that makes Ms. Dare's works so special. I can't wait to read more of both Tessa Dare's back list and future works!Source: Review copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.