Cinderella’s Charade With the Duke

by Jeanine Englert

A Regency retelling of Cinderella in the first of a new trilogy, Regency Fairytales, from Jeanine Englert!

From fake betrothal

…to fairytale ending?

Once upon a time, governess Hattie Potts longed for adventure, but accepting a position in Duke of Wimberley William Sutherland's household was only the beginning…

For when the scandal surrounding his wife’s death exposes him and his daughter to Society gossip, William has an unorthodox solution to divert the unwanted attention: a pretend courtship with Hattie!

She’s transformed into the perfect lady for her dashing employer. Yet, while very real sparks are flying between them, an accident leaves William with no memory that their engagement is only a charade…

From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past.

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published October 28, 2025

About the author

Jeanine Englert’s love affair with mysteries and romance began with Nancy Drew, Murder She Wrote, and her Grandmother’s bookshelves full of romance novels. She is a VIVIAN® and Golden Heart® Finalist as well as a Silver Falchion, Maggie, and Daphne du Maurier Award Winner in historical romance and mystery. She was also named the 2024 Georgia Author of the Year in romance for A Laird without a Past.

Her Scottish Highland historical, Regency historical, and historical mystery novels revolve around characters seeking self-acceptance and redemption. When she isn’t wrangling with her characters on the page, she can be found trying to convince her husband to watch her latest Masterpiece or BBC show obsession. She loves to talk about books, writing, her beloved rescue pups, as well as mysteries and romance with other readers.

Visit her website at www.jeaninewrites.com.

Reviews

[ItaPixie · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Sutherland, the Duke of Wimberley, is a single father after he lost his wife in a carriage accident, so he called Hattie Potts, an out of town governess to take care of his emotionally tried daughter. When he needs a fake betrothed to shut down the ton gossip, he asks Miss Potts to become his Lady.

William and Hattie are well-suited and likable, even if they come from different worlds: a Duke the first, and an orphan the latter. He is so gentle with his daughter, he is willing to do anything to protect her, even to hire a governess without any experience. Hattie is kind and sensitive, she instantly cared about the Duke's daughter.
I loved to follow their journey through the pages of this book. They put aside their fears, doing things so out of character for them, and finally opening their hearts to each other.

Jeanine Englert can be proud of her first Regency novel, because Cinderella’s Charade With the Duke is a nice, easy flowing story.

Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.

[Pam Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hattie turns out to be such a likeable character. She has determination and a sense of loyalty to the two other orphans she grew up with. All her actions are to make a future for them all. Her individuality and sincerity is what gets her application noticed by the Duke who is looking for a caring governess for his daughter who has not spoken since the death of her mother. William, the Duke, also seems to be most loved by his staff and retainers who he treats well and with respect. This is contrary to the customs of the Ton, but he detests the artificiality in London and much prefers to live in the country with his staff who he regards as friends.
As the title suggests, Hattie finds herself in a rags to riches situation but acts as she does at the request of William's friends with his best interests in mind. Set outside Regency London away from the Ton, this is a refreshing change and William's estate is vividly described. It is when William's London friends arrive for his inaugural ball as Duke that complications arise. It is interesting to watch Hattie navigate two spheres and her relationships she forms seem sincere and believable.
In short: rags to riches
Thanks to the publisher

[Jeannie Vitale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hattie Potts did not have an easy beginning to her life. But, with the encouragement of her two closest friends, Trudy and Ophelia, Hattie decides to apply for a position as a governess to the Duke of Wimberley’s little girl, Millie. The Duke, William Sutherland, reads Hattie’s letter and decides to give her the position of governess.
There is a scandal brewing within The Ton about the death of the Duke’s wife. Also, since she died, little Millie has not spoken a word. Hattie and Millie begin their relationship and it quickly blossoms into a close bond.
William is aware that The Ton is watching his every move closely. He decides to come up with a plan that includes a courtship with Hattie. Hattie agrees with his plan for a show to The Ton at The Ball. Hattie becomes a beautiful lady with the help of his cousin, Daphne. All goes well at The Ball until after The Ball. Will this fairytale continue?
The characters were well written and easy to get to know. The scenes were easy to visualize. This Cinderella-type fairytale is a wonderful read and a page-turner for sure. I would recommend this book to all! A historical fiction you do not want to miss!

[Harlequin Books]

Fairy Tales, Folklore & Mythology, Sagas, Historical Fiction, Victorian Historical Fiction, Regency Romance
Miniseries
Regency Fairytales (Book #1)

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Sound of Music meets My Fair Lady in this enthralling Regency romance by Jeanine Englert: Cinderella’s Charade with the Duke.

Hattie Potts has always yearned for adventure and romance. Accepting a position as a governess for the Duke of Wimberley might not seem conducive to making her romantic dreams a reality, but Hattie refuses to let anyone quell her spirit. However, little does Hattie realise that her position as a governess is going to propel her into a world of high society mischief and a masquerade that, if discovered, would shock everyone in Polite Society…

With the Ton speculating about the death of his wife, William, Duke of Wimberley, needs to come up with a way to divert attention – fast. Fully aware that society loves nothing more than gossip and tittle-tattle, William comes up with an unorthodox solution to stop the grapevine from going into overdrive – a pretend courtship with his governess, Hattie. It’s a plan that promises to be absolutely fool proof – until William begins to see Hattie in a whole new light…

Transformed into the perfect lady, it doesn’t take long for their convenient arrangement to give way to something far deeper than either one of them was expecting – until an accident leaves William with no memory that their engagement was a charade! Having lost her heart to William, should Hattie face facts and abandon all of her romantic dreams of a future with the duke? Or will her prince charming surprise her with the most precious gift of all: everlasting love…

Jeanine Englert’s Cinderella’s Charade with the Duke is a magical historical romance Regency readers will be bowled over by. Written with style and panache and full of humor, wit, pathos and charm, Cinderella’s Charade with the Duke is a heart-melting Regency tale with a delightful heroine and a hero it is impossible not to swoon over.

With sparkling dialogue, a gorgeous Regency setting and plenty of romantic drama to keep readers hooked, Cinderella’s Charade with the Duke by Jeanine Englert is a rewarding reading experiencing that will leave historical fans wanting more!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Geneva Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing and charming historical romance novel by Jeanine Englert!
The novel is set in 1814 England at Blither Manor. Hattie Potts, orphan, is transformed from a drab looking governess to the fictional, lovely Lady Penelope Denning; or in other words, a lovely, captivating Cinderella. Hattie becomes “the bold, confident woman that the Duke of Wimberly, William “Liam” Sutherland “wished to shock the ladies of the ton by not conforming to society’s expectations.” (page 110) Hattie is the ugly duckling who becomes the beautiful swan (Lady Penelope Denning); she changes her brown drab clothes for beautiful, colorful garments, she learns dance and fan etiquette (who knew there was fan etiquette), and remains the same sweet, kind woman. Both Hattie and William have been hurt by gossip and intrigue from the ton in the past. The novel portrays the growth of both characters as they learn to trust and to love. There are many twists and turns in the plot to keep the audience interested in reading to see how the characters learn to “Believe in oneself”! The book is a hopefilled novel that is as lovely and captivating as Cinderella.

[Jane Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love Cinderella? This Regency-inspired retelling is emotional, heartwarming, and romantic. William has inherited a dukedom after the death of his father, but is still reeling from the death of his young wife, who betrayed him and his young daughter and died doing so. His daughter doesn't speak, and he decides to hire a young woman, Hattie, as her governess. His reasons for his unusual choice are understandable, but what follows is pure fairytale, not necessarily the happy-ever-after type. I invested in the characters who are relatable and human; they are flawed, but their motivations are credible. Their love story is a fairytale romance, and takes them on a memorable emotional journey. It's an entertaining and immersive story that I read in a few hours.
I purchased a copy of this book.

[Gloria Pastorino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book, I loved the Cinderella theme and I really loved the heroine, sweet and strong at the same time. I loved also the unexpected turn of events in the second half of the book that improved the book greatly while the first half was dragging a little. Well written and well fleshed-out characters.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book! It was entertaining and beautifully written. I had this finished in no time. It was so good.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became absorbed in this from page one. When orphan Hattie Potts takes the position of governess for the Duke of Wimberley William Sutherland she has absolutely no idea how her life will change. The Duke’s daughter has not spoken since the day her mother died and the events surrounding her death are scandalous. To try and steer the family away from unwanted attention, and with the support of his cousin and very relaxed household, William comes up with the idea of Hattie pretending to be his betrothed……. I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this and loved the characters, how the story developed and flowed and found it to be a very heartwarming story.