What happens when a husband who disappeared for five years suddenly returns demanding an heir? Catherine Raybourne is about to find out in this emotionally charged tale of second chances, lingering desires, and the courage it takes to rebuild a broken marriage.
Title: The Misbehaving Marquess by Leigh LaValle
Publish Date: October 26, 2012
Series: Nottinghamshire Series #2
Genre: Historical Romance Novella, Second Chance Romance
Length: 90 pages
Publisher: Heart Bay Publishing
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Note: Originally published in the anthology "Three Weddings and a Murder"
The Story
Having awaited the return of her husband for half a decade, Catherine Raybourne, the Marchioness of Foster, has no intention of reconciling with her misbehaving marquess. But when Jamie insists he needs an heir - immediately - she must confront her own lingering desires. Can she protect her heart while attempting to win his once again?
My Review
I fell in love with Catherine (Cat) in Leigh LaValle's The Runaway Countess, and I knew she had a story worth telling. I'm so glad LaValle gave her the chance to tell it in this emotionally satisfying novella that proves sometimes the best love stories are about finding your way back to each other.
From The Runaway Countess, I knew Cat was married, but there was little mentioned about why her husband was no longer in the picture. The Misbehaving Marquess fills in those gaps beautifully, revealing that Jamie left shortly after their marriage, leaving Cat to build a life without him for five long years. When he suddenly appears out of the blue with the shocking declaration that "he wants an heir," you can imagine the commotion that statement causes!
What I loved most about this book is the refreshingly open communication between the main characters. There are no wishy-washy protagonists keeping everything bottled up while readers wait impatiently for the "moment of truth." Cat and Jamie actually talk to each other, argue when necessary, and work through their issues like real people. It's incredibly refreshing in a genre that sometimes relies too heavily on misunderstandings that could be cleared up with a simple conversation.
Character Analysis
Catherine (Cat) has grown tremendously during her five years alone. She's no longer the young bride who was left behind - she's a strong, independent woman who has learned to live on her own terms. Her journey from hurt and abandonment to cautious hope is beautifully written and completely believable.
Jamie could have easily been written as an irredeemable cad, but LaValle gives him depth and genuine remorse for his actions. His reasons for leaving aren't excuses, but they help us understand both characters' motivations and make his desire to rebuild their marriage feel authentic rather than convenient.
Novella Perfection
As someone who's read many novellas that feel rushed or abrupt, I can say definitively that The Misbehaving Marquess is not one of them. LaValle has crafted a perfectly paced story with a satisfying beginning, compelling climax, and emotionally fulfilling ending. Every scene serves the story, and the transitions flow smoothly throughout.
The shorter format actually works in the story's favor here. The concentrated focus on Cat and Jamie's relationship allows LaValle to dive deep into their emotional journey without getting sidetracked by subplots. This is pure relationship-focused storytelling at its finest.
Emotional Impact
The emotional core of this story is incredibly strong. LaValle doesn't minimize the hurt that Jamie's abandonment caused, nor does she make Cat's forgiveness come too easily. The process of rebuilding trust feels genuine and earned, making their eventual reconciliation all the more satisfying.
The wedding vows scene (which I won't spoil here) is absolutely beautiful and represents everything that makes this novella work so well. It's romantic without being overly sentimental, personal without being private, and hopeful without ignoring the work that relationships require.
Connection to the Series
For readers of The Runaway Countess, this novella provides wonderful closure for Cat's character while also enriching the overall Nottinghamshire world. New readers can absolutely enjoy this as a standalone, though they might find themselves wanting to go back and read about how Cat and the other characters first met.
The story also sets up anticipation for future books in the series, particularly The Rogue Returns, which focuses on the enigmatic Roane character who appeared in the first book. LaValle has created a world where each story stands alone while contributing to a larger, interconnected narrative.
LaValle's Craft
LaValle continues to demonstrate her skill at creating believable characters with genuine depth. Her dialogue feels natural and authentic, and her understanding of what makes a compelling romance shines through in every interaction between Cat and Jamie. The historical details are woven seamlessly into the story without overwhelming the emotional core.
The pacing is particularly noteworthy - LaValle manages to create a complete emotional arc in just 90 pages without making anything feel rushed or underdeveloped. It's a masterclass in economical storytelling that never sacrifices emotional depth for brevity.
Themes
Second Chances: The story explores whether love can survive abandonment and whether marriages can be rebuilt from the ground up.
Growth and Independence: Cat's five years alone have made her stronger, and she doesn't give up that strength when Jamie returns.
Communication and Trust: The importance of honest conversation in rebuilding relationships is central to the story.
Forgiveness and Redemption: Both characters must forgive - Jamie must forgive himself, and Cat must decide if she can forgive him.
My Final Thoughts
The Misbehaving Marquess is exactly what a good novella should be - focused, emotionally satisfying, and perfectly paced. LaValle has given Cat the story she deserved, and readers who fell in love with her character in the first book will find this conclusion deeply satisfying.
This is second-chance romance done right, with realistic obstacles, genuine character growth, and a resolution that feels earned rather than convenient. Whether you're a series fan or new to LaValle's work, this novella showcases everything that makes historical romance compelling.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Join the Conversation
What do you think about second-chance romances? Do you prefer when authors provide closure for secondary characters from previous books? And can we talk about how refreshing it is when romance characters actually communicate with each other? 💕
More from the Nottinghamshire Series
- The Runaway Countess #1 - Where we first met Cat and Roane My Review
- The Misbehaving Marquess #2 (This book)
- The Rogue Returns #3 - Roane's story My Review
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About Leigh LaValle
Leigh LaValle is the author of the Nottinghamshire series, known for creating authentic historical romances with genuine emotional depth. Her characters feel real and relatable, and her stories explore the complexities of love, trust, and second chances with both humor and heart.
Love second-chance romance? Check out my other reviews of second chance romance or browse more historical romance! 💕✨
Oo.. that looks wonderful mm new author for me I will have to look her up!
ReplyDeleteKat- I look forward to stopping by to chat about The Rogue Returns when it releases this summer! Thanks for being a loyal reader :) I appreciate it!
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