The Defiant Wife

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

The story centers exclusively on the heart retching romance between Phillipa and Rhys. As soon as the two met there was a spiritual connection between them. It went beyond lust. I admired Phillipa. Her soul was loving and full of concern for others. She had the character and personality of someone you may wish to call friend. She was not judgmental and despite her horrible circumstances and losses she dealt with everything in a realistic way. She was not an over-the-top character that one could not relate to. The truth was it was easy to relate with her. Poor Rhys he was not alone in his suffering. The scandal that hit Phillipa was the same scandal that hit him in a different way. Rhys is not the knight in shining armor but he was honorable, respectful, honest and treated all that worked for him with respect. He appreciated what he was given after a horrid upbringing by a stepmother who did not care for him and a father that neglected him. His father and stepmother had a son and they froze him out of their circle of family and love. I felt so bad for him. He was only a child and yet they treated him so badly. Rhys knew if he allowed Phillipa into his life it would be harder for him to win back any respectability with the ton. Phillipa knew it too. It was difficult to read the emotional feelings they had to fight to do what they thought was right in the eyes of society. A very emotional story

What happens when you find out your "husband" has married 3 women and you were not the legitimate one? Murder him. Well, not you but someone did and working with the other two "wives" might help. Or his brother who you have been fighting an attraction. Pippa could not help but freeze when she heard him call her name. "Phillippa?" "Rhys Montgomery, Earl of leighton, stood in the dim light of the hall and her breath caught just as it always caught, from the first moment she met him. He was a beautiful man, there was no denying that. He was tall, very tall, at least a head taller than she was. He had dark hair... and blue eyes. The deepest blue she'd ever seen." He was the brother of her late bigamist husband. A journey of ups and downs and barriers in the way, as true love tries to take root in these two wonderful characters. A story not to be missed!