What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Win a Duke: A Historical Regency Romance
Could a love story truly blossom from Aunt Agatha’s duchess contest?
The serious, responsible Duke Alistair Brookings intends to find a wife when the time is right. Helping his people is simply more important. Unfortunately for Alistair, his meddling Aunt Agatha has run out of patience. She’s trapped him into her wildest scheme yet — a contest to pick the perfect woman to be his duchess!
When an invitation arrives for her younger sister Sylvia, Elinor Hughes scoffs at the duchess contest. Who would want to marry a man who thinks she ought to compete for the privilege, even if he is a duke?
Nevertheless, accompanying Sylvia to the duchess contest might be Elinor’s ticket to freedom. If she doesn’t act soon, her father will force her to marry a man as wealthy as he is cruel. Yet her escape won’t be as simple as Elinor thought. One look at the duke, and her heart skips a beat. He’s not what she expected, and neither is the contest. And though she isn’t even a contestant, Elinor can’t seem to stop winning the challenges…
For those who enjoy charming romances, this story is perfect. 60,000 words of sweetness and humor. No cheating, no cliffhangers—just a strong happily ever after.
The serious, responsible Duke Alistair Brookings intends to find a wife when the time is right. Helping his people is simply more important. Unfortunately for Alistair, his meddling Aunt Agatha has run out of patience. She’s trapped him into her wildest scheme yet — a contest to pick the perfect woman to be his duchess!
When an invitation arrives for her younger sister Sylvia, Elinor Hughes scoffs at the duchess contest. Who would want to marry a man who thinks she ought to compete for the privilege, even if he is a duke?
Nevertheless, accompanying Sylvia to the duchess contest might be Elinor’s ticket to freedom. If she doesn’t act soon, her father will force her to marry a man as wealthy as he is cruel. Yet her escape won’t be as simple as Elinor thought. One look at the duke, and her heart skips a beat. He’s not what she expected, and neither is the contest. And though she isn’t even a contestant, Elinor can’t seem to stop winning the challenges…
For those who enjoy charming romances, this story is perfect. 60,000 words of sweetness and humor. No cheating, no cliffhangers—just a strong happily ever after.
- GenresHistorical Romance
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2023
82 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 23, 2023
Lovely, fun story. I really enjoyed it!!
January 25, 2025
One of the better ones
I really appreciate how Bennett took what sounded like a cliche idea of a house party romance and turned it on its head. The author like her lead herione Elinor both well received surprises. I found the romance clean and the story unique on the lower angst side but with enough angst to keep me reading. I adored how the author made the Duke show his sincerity near the end. I'd recommend this read to anyone who loves a good clean regency romance.
I really appreciate how Bennett took what sounded like a cliche idea of a house party romance and turned it on its head. The author like her lead herione Elinor both well received surprises. I found the romance clean and the story unique on the lower angst side but with enough angst to keep me reading. I adored how the author made the Duke show his sincerity near the end. I'd recommend this read to anyone who loves a good clean regency romance.
May 26, 2024
Acquired Kindle edition when offered free on Amazon.
This wasn't insultingly bad, but it wasn't really good either. So I'm going with two stars, and you can't take that as you will.
However . . . . . . .
The opening line
The Duke of Clarence stood at the window of his study, looking out over the grounds in silence and thinking of the work to be done.
Bennett, Harper. How to Win a Duke: A Clean Regency Romance (p. 1). Song Sparrow Press. Kindle Edition.
was enough to set me on edge. I expect, nay, I demand, that authors of any kind of historical fiction do at least some research. When the fiction is Regency romance, I expect the author to specifically research peerage titles, forms of address, all that sort of Regency minutiae that make a Regency romance a Regency romance. Using an existing, even though currently extinct, title like the Duke of Clarence should be a big no-no. But this one in particular has sooooooooo much baggage that it makes the willing suspension of disbelief almost impossible for anyone who knows anything about the real Dukes of Clarence.
Perhaps I give readers too much credit. Perhaps few if any of them have any knowledge at all about treasonous George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence. Perhaps fewer are aware of the scandals attached to another Duke of Clarence, Albert Victor, a grandson of Queen Victoria. Regardless whether there is any truth the scandals (probably not), it's just not a good idea to use real titles for fictitious characters.
As for the whole plot of Aunt Agatha's contest to choose Alistair's bride, I have to agree with the duke himself:
"Frankly, I think it's quite insulting to these women, being treated like nothing more than cuts of meat being selected at the butcher."
Bennett, Harper. How to Win a Duke: A Clean Regency Romance (p. 6). Song Sparrow Press. Kindle Edition.
It's laid out in the blurb, of course, but one doesn't necessarily have that blurb in front of one when one begins to read the actual book.
Still, had the writing been stellar, I might have overlooked the baggage of the title and the silliness of the premise. Alas, the writing was amateurish at best. Dear goodness, must we refer to the characters always by name? To see "Aunt Agatha" four times on a single little Kindle page, and "Alistair" the same number of times on that same page was just too much.
I won't waste any more of your time or my own on this one. Recommended only for those who like utterly mindless, unbelievable fluff that may or may not be even remotely historically accurate.
This wasn't insultingly bad, but it wasn't really good either. So I'm going with two stars, and you can't take that as you will.
However . . . . . . .
The opening line
The Duke of Clarence stood at the window of his study, looking out over the grounds in silence and thinking of the work to be done.
Bennett, Harper. How to Win a Duke: A Clean Regency Romance (p. 1). Song Sparrow Press. Kindle Edition.
was enough to set me on edge. I expect, nay, I demand, that authors of any kind of historical fiction do at least some research. When the fiction is Regency romance, I expect the author to specifically research peerage titles, forms of address, all that sort of Regency minutiae that make a Regency romance a Regency romance. Using an existing, even though currently extinct, title like the Duke of Clarence should be a big no-no. But this one in particular has sooooooooo much baggage that it makes the willing suspension of disbelief almost impossible for anyone who knows anything about the real Dukes of Clarence.
Perhaps I give readers too much credit. Perhaps few if any of them have any knowledge at all about treasonous George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence. Perhaps fewer are aware of the scandals attached to another Duke of Clarence, Albert Victor, a grandson of Queen Victoria. Regardless whether there is any truth the scandals (probably not), it's just not a good idea to use real titles for fictitious characters.
As for the whole plot of Aunt Agatha's contest to choose Alistair's bride, I have to agree with the duke himself:
"Frankly, I think it's quite insulting to these women, being treated like nothing more than cuts of meat being selected at the butcher."
Bennett, Harper. How to Win a Duke: A Clean Regency Romance (p. 6). Song Sparrow Press. Kindle Edition.
It's laid out in the blurb, of course, but one doesn't necessarily have that blurb in front of one when one begins to read the actual book.
Still, had the writing been stellar, I might have overlooked the baggage of the title and the silliness of the premise. Alas, the writing was amateurish at best. Dear goodness, must we refer to the characters always by name? To see "Aunt Agatha" four times on a single little Kindle page, and "Alistair" the same number of times on that same page was just too much.
I won't waste any more of your time or my own on this one. Recommended only for those who like utterly mindless, unbelievable fluff that may or may not be even remotely historically accurate.
September 23, 2025
Sylvia Hughes has been invited to Brookings House for a select competition to possibly become the Duchess of Brookings. She is allowed to bring a relative along with her and chooses to bring her older sister, Elinor. Sylvia is very beautiful and prized by her father who dislikes Elinor and calls her plain. Elinor is not plain but neither is she a stunning beauty. The Hughes father wants Elinor out of his house and has decided she will marry a man 30 years her senior. The man has a nasty disposition and was known to have mistreated his first wife. Elinor has decided to escape by becoming either a governess or a lady's companion and hopes to meet someone at the Brookings house party who can assist her. The sisters keep this a secret from their parents.
When Elinor and Sylvia arrive at Brookings House they meet the duke and his aunt Agatha. Aunt Agatha is the one responsible for the house party and competition. Alastair Brookings, the Duke of Brookings, is not interested in marrying at this time but accedes to his aunt's wishes and designs.
The Three contestants are very beautiful indeed but he finds himself drawn to Sylvia's older sister, Elinor. She is easy to talk to and really sees who he is instead of just a title and a fortune.
This is the first book I have read by this author who should get a good editor. There were several grammar and verb tense mistakes. I also found the ending had a somewhat fairytale style.
When Elinor and Sylvia arrive at Brookings House they meet the duke and his aunt Agatha. Aunt Agatha is the one responsible for the house party and competition. Alastair Brookings, the Duke of Brookings, is not interested in marrying at this time but accedes to his aunt's wishes and designs.
The Three contestants are very beautiful indeed but he finds himself drawn to Sylvia's older sister, Elinor. She is easy to talk to and really sees who he is instead of just a title and a fortune.
This is the first book I have read by this author who should get a good editor. There were several grammar and verb tense mistakes. I also found the ending had a somewhat fairytale style.
May 30, 2024
I thought this was a fun read. Elinor's father was truly horrid and her mother was a clueless wimp. I'm not sure how she had such beautiful, gracious daughters! Having said that, any mother would be proud to have such thoughtful ladies as their children. I truly enjoyed this read and look forward to the next one with anticipation!!
June 2, 2024
Awesomely adorable and enlighteningly exemplary love is blossomed and fulfilled in this extraordinarily enchanting complementing couple of this mesmerizingly delightful story of elegantly scenic description!
July 22, 2024
How to win a Duke
A wonderful novel of love, hope, survival and adventure, highly recommended. If you love regency romance, that is clean with wonderful characters, you will love this story.
A wonderful novel of love, hope, survival and adventure, highly recommended. If you love regency romance, that is clean with wonderful characters, you will love this story.
June 30, 2025
An interesting contest
Ladies vying for the possible chance to wed a Duke - challenges were met weaving a very good story. Fairly quick read to enjoy. There were some minor edits needed but overall I really enjoyed it. Nice ending and epilogue.
Ladies vying for the possible chance to wed a Duke - challenges were met weaving a very good story. Fairly quick read to enjoy. There were some minor edits needed but overall I really enjoyed it. Nice ending and epilogue.
April 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Even though I felt it lacked in the romance department it was still a good clean love story with strong female characters and a charming handsome Duke.
July 8, 2024
The contest idea was a little "out there," but I guess the dukes have to be parceled out somehow! A decent tale.
July 8, 2024
Fun, quick story
Elinor and Alistair. Aunt Agatha and her interesting proposal. This was a fun, heartwarming read. What could possibly go wrong?
Elinor and Alistair. Aunt Agatha and her interesting proposal. This was a fun, heartwarming read. What could possibly go wrong?
October 12, 2024
I liked the strong female lead who stayed a virgin until her wedding night.
January 24, 2025
good story
What a beautiful story of love. Out of a stressful situation love blooms and happily ever after is the result.
What a beautiful story of love. Out of a stressful situation love blooms and happily ever after is the result.
June 28, 2025
Delightful. First in a series that I am looking forward to continuing.
August 23, 2025
not bad, if a bit predictable. a regency version of a bachelor's contest.
October 18, 2025
The premise is delightful, but I feel like it missed its mark due to missed opportunities. There was really only 1 real moment we get to witness between the 2 main characters, and the others we are given an abridged version of what happens. Those moments are what I want to see as a reader! The writing was good, if a bit choppy, which disrupted the flow sometimes.
December 29, 2025
Funny & unique storyline; started slow, but the last third of the book moved quickly with unexpected results.
January 2, 2026
Is it weird that I stopped rooting for them? They annoyed me. It all resolved a bit too quickly, yet somehow, dragged on a bit too long.
It seems completely bonkers that he'd read someone else's letter. He knows it's not his. It's wild that he didn't dig any deeper at any point. He just accepts that she's a gold digger, and doesn't question if the letter is authentic, and won't listen to context, or ask for an explanation. It's frustrating that nobody bothered to give her alibi, which was her job search. Elinore should have done that right away. Agatha could have vouched for her. I bet she had letters too. I really hate when they have dumb misunderstandings.
Why is Sylvia lying? That's not a normal thing to do. People don't send other people on wild goose chases like that. Normal people would just state the alibi.
He's kinda impulsive. Also, he didn't pack any clothes for the trip, and traveled for days on horseback. He must have smelled just awful when he proposed. Feels like a plot hole.
Apart from that, and the flowery language, pretty fun. Almost squeaky clean. There's a reference to an "empty bed."
It seems completely bonkers that he'd read someone else's letter. He knows it's not his. It's wild that he didn't dig any deeper at any point. He just accepts that she's a gold digger, and doesn't question if the letter is authentic, and won't listen to context, or ask for an explanation. It's frustrating that nobody bothered to give her alibi, which was her job search. Elinore should have done that right away. Agatha could have vouched for her. I bet she had letters too. I really hate when they have dumb misunderstandings.
Why is Sylvia lying? That's not a normal thing to do. People don't send other people on wild goose chases like that. Normal people would just state the alibi.
He's kinda impulsive. Also, he didn't pack any clothes for the trip, and traveled for days on horseback. He must have smelled just awful when he proposed. Feels like a plot hole.
Apart from that, and the flowery language, pretty fun. Almost squeaky clean. There's a reference to an "empty bed."
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews