Enjoyable romp. Ellie is a fun character and so is Ned. The cat is a real scene stealer. ( )

Fun book, involving a matchmaking Duchess, a thieving cat, an oblivious hero and a heroine who has all but given up. The Duchess gives a Valentine ball every year at the end of a week long house party. She always invites a variety of people who she thinks will match well with each other. This year she really wants her middle son, Ned, to move on with his life and find a new love. She has the perfect woman in mind, but he is oblivious.

Ned had been very much in love with Cicely. He feels responsible for her death since he had gotten her pregnant. Now he tries to control everything in his life, trying to minimize any kind of risks. He has finally gotten to the point where he is ready to look for a new wife, but he isn't looking for a great love. Finding Ellie in his room looking for her bloomers startles him. He suddenly sees her differently than his good friend. He can't stop picturing her wearing those bloomers and it's freaking him out. She is also acting differently than she usually does at these get togethers. He sees her being pursued by a couple gentlemen and he doesn't like it but can't figure out why. He gets over protective with her and is stunned when she tells him to back off. Ned makes a really stupid proposition to her and is really surprised when she not only turns him down but tosses a brandy in his face before storming out. He was so confused and even more so when his brothers confront him and explain what an idiot he is to him. He has to decide if he can face his fears and open himself up to love again or go through life without the love that he needs.

I really liked Ellie. She has been in love with Ned since she was a child. She wasn't really surprised when he married her best friend Cicely, a girl who was the perfect society bride. When Cicely died in childbirth Ellie was there for Ned as a friend, but still hopeful that he would eventually see her as a woman. After four years she has decided that it will never happen. If she wants to be a wife and mother she'll have to settle for someone else. She's looking at the single gentlemen at the house party but she's not impressed. She has noticed that Ned is actually looking at the other women this year and fears that once again he'll overlook her. She's trying to get up the courage to go after him herself. Aiding her in this effort is Reggie the family cat, who likes to steal things and hide them in Ned's room. Ellie accidentally brought along a pair of red silk bloomers that Reggie seems particularly attached to. She is horribly embarrassed when Ned finds her searching his room for those bloomers. The cat steals them several times, forcing Ned and Ellie into contact with each other. She finally admits to herself that she changed her ways to become more like what she thought Ned wanted and is tired of hiding her true self. I loved the way that she starts to stand up for herself and push back against Ned's attempts at control. It was fun to see her really go after him at the end and overcome all his objections.

I enjoyed the Duchess's attempts to get Ned to open his eyes. She uses the presence of the single men and their interest in Ellie as a way to show him what he's missing. Though it was pretty devious of her, I liked the way that she finagled Ellie into a much better ball gown and the effect it had on Ned. I also loved the example that she set for her family with the obvious love that she and the Duke still share. I also enjoyed seeing her manage all the various couples and lead them where she wants them to go.

There were some really funny parts, often involving the cat and his propensity to take things and hide them in Ned's room. There are a couple people there that have hidden agendas and their downfalls are also pretty amusing. Percy comes off as a real jerk, but with something the Duchess said there may be redemption in his future. I also enjoyed Jack's attempts to avoid the lady pursuing him and am really looking forward to reading his book soon. ( )

This is a sweet, light-hearted friends-to-lovers story set at a country houseparty. There's not much action -- not in the bedroom or anywhere else. In fact, the hottest scenes are between the hero's mother and father -- a rather refreshing change for this aging reader. ( )

I loved the secondary characters and the writing in this novel. What didn't work for me was the main characters. I found I liked the Duchess of Love much more than her son or her would be daughter in law. That said, I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series because I am totally intrigued by Ash's character. ( )

BEDDING LORD NED by Sally MacKenzie is an exciting historical romance set in Regency England. It is book #1 in the “Duchess of Love” series. It also has the prequel novella “The Duchess of Love” in the back of this book. Can ”Silky Red Bloomers” bring love and romance to a willower and a spinster? Miss Eleanor “Nell” Bowman,a spinster determined to find a husband and forget the man of her heart Lord Edward “Ned”. Lord Ned a handsome widower’s,who has deep regrets at the lost of his wife and child,but knows he needs to move on. Enter his matchmaking mama,”The Duchess of Love”. What happens is infused with humor,especially the thieving house cat who apparently adores Nell’s “red bloomers”,he keeps stealing them and taking them to Ned. Written with humor,wit,heat,charm,Ned and Nell will have you following them around and cheering them onward to love and happiness. Ms. MacKenzie is a great storyteller who pulls the reader in and carries you away with her humor and sexy writing. I enjoyed “Bedding Lord Ned”, read it in one setting,couldn’t put it down. A laugh out loud story that will lighten your day. With a sassy heroine,a determined cat,and a handsome hero who finds his home at last you will not go wrong with “Bedding Lord Ned” . Fast paced and a page turner. I can hardly wait for the next installment of “Duchess of Love” series. Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Zebra Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing,the author’s website and My Book Addiction and More.

RATING: 5

HEAT RATING: Mild: Mild detailed scenes of intimacy,mild violence or profanity.

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More ( )