Making Things Right

Jess Michaels is back with the second book in The Three Mrs Series, with a love that overcomes scandal. Though this book briefly summarizes previous events, it does help to read the first book in order to understand the story behind the bigamist husband, and his subsequent murder.

Phillipa (Pippa) Montgomery may have been betrayed by her late husband, but she won’t be foolish enough to fall for his brother. Rhys Montgomery the Earl of Leighton only wants what is best for his brother’s son Kenley, except maybe he wants Pippa too. Their lives are full of scandal, and they cannot afford an entanglement, but their desires will not leave them alone.

Pippa is beautiful, confident, independent, and determined not to let her unfortunate situation define her. Her story may be full of difficulties, but she faces life with understanding and compassion. Rhys has always done what is proper, and is quick to apologize for the actions of his brother. His honesty is refreshing, and he deeply loves Pippa for her confidence. Traveling to Bath gives them plenty of time to share their similar lonely pasts. With plenty of tension, and a lot of steamy romance as well.

With this story Jess Michaels fills in a little more of the mystery behind what happened before the bigamy was found out. As well as how the characters face the consequence of such a scandal. Their romance is pieced together well through shared experience, loss, shared compassion, and the desire to give Kenley a happy home. Leading to an authentic, satisfying, and healing ending. ( )

Murder and misalliances!

Phillipa Montgomery was the second wife of bigamist Erasmus Montgomery. Erasmus had three wives and had been pursuing a fourth. Three wives had given him three dowries to play with. He’s now dead and his lover (Phillipa’s former maid, and mother to his child, has fled the country.
Phillipa is looking after little Kenley to whom she’s grown very close.
Returning to Bath with Rhys Montgomery, the Earl of Leighton, she finds her parents disowning her and previous friends hissing her out of stores. Regency Society it seems is not ready for women tricked into marriage, even though they too have been mislead. Bit perhaps that’s the problem and their ire needs a focus.
Rhys is trying to clean up the mess his half brother has left behind. Is Phillipa part of that mess, a distraction or more? If not a distraction then the sooner they go their seperate ways the better.
Maybe! Given their rather steamy relationship things really need to turn around. All in all a conundrum.
A truly interesting concept but I found Lord Leighton a tad flat despite all that he does and is.
Although a stand alone, I’m disappointed I didn’t read the first title in the series. I think that would’ve given me a more rounded understanding, more of the back story.

A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley ( )

The Defiant Wife by Jess Michaels
The Three Mrs #2

What if she saw him first?
What if he had seen her before his brother did?
Would it have been easier, different, better?
Would it have been…could have been…should have been
And then…what is…

In book one of the series we find out that there is a bigamist that bilked three women of their dowries and was working on the fourth before he was stopped. In book one wife three, Celeste, met Owen and all eventually was made right for her. That left two remaining Mrs. Montgomery’s to find their own HEA and in book two we find out how Wife two, Phillipa, will fare.

What I liked:
* That all three Mrs. Montgomery’s were good women, strong, intelligent, positive, and harmed by the same men
* The friendship that formed between Abigail, Celeste and Phillipa
* The wedding of Owen and Celeste – so happy they are happy!
* The chemistry between Phillipa and Rhys
* The revelation of the backstories of both main characters
* That Phillipa was able to verbalize her needs and wants and move toward achieving them
* That Rhys was felt so responsible for trying to rectify what his brother, Erasmus, had done
* The balance in the relationship between Rhys and Phillipa – most of the time
* That Phillipa was able to escape Bath
* The friendship Rhys had with Gilmore and the friendship that he developed with Owen
* Owen’s words of wisdom given to Rhys near the end of the book
* The conclusion with a HEA for more than one
* Wondering what will happen in the finale of the trilogy and how Abigail will find her HEA with Gilmore…at least that is what I think book three will be about ;)

What I didn’t like:
* The Bigamist – Erasmus
* The parents of both Rhys and Phillipa
* The impact scandal had on so many

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )