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Daphne: Re-education of a Duchess

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When heiress Miss Daphne Jones finds herself married to the wrong brother – the black-sheep son of the Duke of Burlington – she has little idea that her groom will promptly disappear after the wedding, or worse, that she'll become a duchess and a widow before her seventeenth birthday.

Seven years later, the young and somewhat eccentric duchess has found contentment in taking care of her younger sisters, her absentminded brother-in-law, and an ever-growing menagerie of pets. The only thing missing from her life is a child of her own; but as she has finally accepted one of the many proposals to come her way, she feels confident this small detail will soon take care of itself.

However, when her husband is deposited on her doorstep, unconscious but very much alive, her life (and heart!) spirals out of her control, and she is faced with a seemingly insurmountable how does one go about seducing a man who seems determined to treat one with avuncular detachment and is set on an annulment?

283 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2025

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About the author

D.G. Rampton

7 books137 followers
Bestselling author DG Rampton writes romantic comedy – historical and contemporary – featuring strong-willed heroines, dashing men and sparkling banter.


DGRampton.com


I have always been a creative creature at heart, with a passion for storytelling. But, by some mischievous twist of fate, I found myself studying engineering (the driest and most analytical of subjects) and followed that up by working in the construction industry for ten years. What possessed me, you might well ask! But eventually the call of my creative inclinations proved too demanding and I started to write.

If it wasn't for the wonderful reviews I have received from my readers, I may have never continued my writing journey, so a huge thank you to anyone who has left me a lovely review!

xDG



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Community Reviews

5 stars
143 (47%)
4 stars
76 (25%)
3 stars
49 (16%)
2 stars
16 (5%)
1 star
15 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,200 reviews128 followers
April 3, 2025
Final Update: I finally have the words to describe this book and why it drew such an extreme reaction from me: it was like watching a grown man kick a bunny rabbit. Repeatedly. And not being the slightest bit sorry for it.
___________________

Update: DNF—again—at 94%

Mistakenly thinking this book’s second half had to be better than the first, I decided to continue. Wrong decision. No motivation is ever offered for Jack’s disrespect for Daphne or his family. Jack continues to be a jerk. He needs to be shot. Daphne continues to excuse his behavior. She needs to be institutionalized for her own protection.

And I need my head examined for not escaping permanently at 50%.
___________________

DNF at 50%

I have read this author’s first three books, loved them, gave all three five stars. This book is just as well-written.

But the subject matter made me so angry I want to rage cry.

Jack, the MMC, is awful. Atrocious. Inexcusable. I’ve run across a few cruel, sucky, selfish arseholes his equal in romance books before, but none worse. He marries Daphne for her dowry, then abandons her, fakes his own death, and when dragged unwillingly back home after a seven year absence, informs her he wants an annulment so that he can marry his fiancé, with whom he was apparently willing to commit bigamy.

F*ck him and the horse he rode in on.

Daphne deserves her share of the blame for my anger too. At first, I liked her. She was optimistic and cheerful and took the news of her husband’s resurrection with gladness, and began to feel attracted to him. But he treated her like crap, and she cheerfully accepted it. He told her he wanted to annul her, and she smiled through the hurt. But the final straw for me was when his fiancé and her parents showed up at his invitation, issued unbeknownst to her, and she was forced to welcome them into her home. And she did. Oh yes, she smiled through her tears and was concerned that Jack looked tired and began directing the servants to prepare tea. So now you know: SHE’S the woman who gets slapped across the face and then says, “Thank you, sir, may I have another.”

Unacceptable. I wholeheartedly reject it.
1 review
February 17, 2025
Jack is a jerk

I had to stop reading about halfway through. Jack (which is usually a nickname for John not James) was irredeemable. In my opinion, he could never make up for his despicable actions. The ultimate offense was inviting his " fiance " and her awful parents to stay at the home where he was residing with his wife. How or why she could have loved him in spite of his disgusting behavior is unfathomable and frankly even a saint could not have been expected to put up with him. It just made the book simply too unbelievable.
3 reviews
December 5, 2024
Another beautifully written story

I fell in love with DG Rampton's stories and couldn't wait for a new book. It has all: amazing writing skill, love, intrigue, and a wonderful storyline
108 reviews
February 11, 2025
Really enjoyed

This is the first book in a new series by this author and I really enjoyed it. I could not put it down and am really looking forward to Isadora’s story which is the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Bethany.
789 reviews
July 28, 2025
2.5* The side characters were more compelling than the main pair.
Profile Image for Rachael.
Author 3 books17 followers
October 26, 2025
I'm torn; the story is a mess, but I still somewhat enjoyed it. I can see the Georgette Heyer influence; it's definitely more risqué than Heyer (though still a closed-door romance), and it's even more far-fetched than Heyer's most absurd plots (though I don't think it achieved the screwball humor that Heyer excels at). Since the author's other books are rated much more highly than this one, I would definitely be willing to try them. But this story really needed some large-scale content edits.

It would have helped if a lot more work had been put into making the premise plausible.

I agree with other reviewers that Jack's a jerk to Daphne, but I don't think it's really his fault; I think it's a plot issue. Over all, the characters are forced into choices/actions to suit the plot, not because it's what they (or anyone) would actually do in these circumstances.
563 reviews4 followers
February 3, 2025
2 stars mostly due to preference.

I did like a lot of it except the ML (other characters, writing, pace). He's a bunch of red flag and I don't understand why the FL gave him the time of day (and the side characters keep on pushing for him). Love bombing the FL one moment, then hurting her the next.

He pretty much sailed through all his assholery without explanation or much remorse. I guess, the heart wants, what the heart wants, eh?

I might be to old to consider this romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rachel Gates.
Author 2 books8 followers
February 1, 2025
This might be my favorite DG Rampton novel yet! I devoured it yet didn't want it to end. Re-reading all of her other novels now until I can get the next Taming of the Dukes installment!
Profile Image for Inés.
436 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2026
This historical romance left me with mixed feelings.

The short review: it's an entertaining book, but not as good as I'd have expected from this author. There are well-drawn supporting characters,vivid dialogues and a touch of humour. However, the main couple and the plot present some weaknesses (in my view) and there's an overall sense of irreality (not only due to some historical inaccuracies).

The longer review:
The best bit of the book are the supporting characters. They all have their distinct personalities, conveyed mainly through their dialogues and actions, and they endow the story with a madcap kind of humour.
Unfortunately, the main couple are not so convincing. Their first scene together was very promising, but afterwards their personalities and behaviours (and their relationship) were a bit of a mess. The hero, (who I suppose was meant to be a brooding hardened man) comes out as rather stupid, intent on a course of action which, not only is unnecessarily cruel to his wife, but also seems clumsy from a business point of view, given his economical and social status as a duke and his family connections. An unintentionally cruel hero is not very attractive, but a daft stubborn one is certainly off-putting. I understand that the plot requires some conflict, I could even accept that the hero initially comes up with his harebrained idea, but he should have realised how stupid it was much earlier and moved on. The heroine isn't much better: there's a thin line between being good and being silly and between love and a toxic relationship... and it seems to me that, in this case, she crossed both lines. It's not that the protagonists were awful, but as a whole they didn't work for me. The same happened with the romance: there were some sweet or moving moments, but overall it lacked coherence.
Linked with the above is the plot: the starting point was quite provocative and it seems the author didn't quite know how to move on from this premise, so the story gets stuck in it almost till the end. Then, all of a sudden, the whole problem disappears and the couple gets their happy ending. I understand it's difficult to find a convincing way for the plot to progress after such a strong opening, but progress it must. Also, we're never told what gets the duke's brain working, what alternative he finds to his initial plan or what happens to some of the most obnoxious supporting characters (those involved in said initial plan). Too many vague points and loose ends for my taste.
Finally, while reading the book I had an increasing sense of irreality and disbelief. First, there's a lack of historical accuracy regarding the procedure or the social implications of a marriage annulment (not to mention the common error of supposing that it could be obtained on the grounds of lack of consummation). In fact, the annulment appears throughout the whole book to be something very much like a modern divorce (which it wasn't). But even if this was a contemporary romance involving a divorce, some of the situations would have felt unreasonable or simply outlandish (who invites his future wife to stay in a house where his current wife is living and expects everyone to be civil to each other?!). And, of course, some of the best historical romance stories I've read have impossible situations or are somewhat lax regarding historical accuracy, but always within reason. Here, the result was so incredible that it created a sense of detachment mixed with skepticism and this prevented me from getting immersed in the story.
Overall, a book with some flaws, slightly less enjoyable than previous books by this author, but still entertaining enough.
Profile Image for FriesianFan.
68 reviews
April 4, 2026
I got duped. I read DG's past three novel series and LOVED them. When I discovered she had started a new series, I saw in the title "CLEAN yet sensual". I first tested out the series by reading the sample (it included three chapters). It was really good and I liked the story line a lot. It was indeed clean and I loved the dialogue between characters. So, I purchased not only the ebook, but the audiobook as well.

I get eye fatigue, so was listening mostly and I believe I was only in chapter 4 when Jack was deposited back at his home, and Daphne was shocked to see him passed out on the bed. When she approached him, he stared at her and then removed her bodice and began fondling her bare breasts and french kissing her. Yes, DG's descriptions are very "descriptive"! Need I say more? This is not CLEAN!!! I do not want to read rated R (X) (foreplay) as this would be rated on on the screen!

I wasted my money on both. I deleted the e-book immediately and since I don't have an audible subscription, can not get a refund on it!

I am so very disappointed in DG Rampton. If you are going to write this kind of book, own it! Let us know. Don't mislead us. Don't say "clean" just say "open door" which is what that scene was. Clean is clean, period. There is a market for this kind of book, but not from those of us who LOVE CHEMISTRY, but don't want explicit descriptions of foreplay or beyond. It is sex regardless.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
61 reviews3 followers
August 5, 2025
Read the author's other works. This one is pretty bad.

The MMC is an absolute idiot in this one and doesn't redeem himself throughout.

Not sure what the trend is with making heterosexual male leads either so nice they've got no personality or complete beasts no sane person would want to be around in attempt to make them more 'alpha,' but I hate it.

This author is generally talented so I'm surprised to see this bomb so badly. MMC is abusive to FMC and his entire family and the FMC is generally a spineless mop the entire time as well. Truly tragic to see this happen to a potentially good plot. Aside from Jack being a useless wanker, the plot didn't even make sense, why did he do any of those things in the first place? Avoiding spoilers but if you make it through it, you'll see what I mean.

The FMC's sisters appear to have spine potential so I may read the next book to see if things improve, but if not I've given up.
1 review
December 3, 2024
Not up to D.G. Rampton's usual standard. The plot was weak. The author did not provide any compelling reasons for Jack's seven year absence in India. There were hints but considering he was heir to a dukedom, they were not compelling. And considering the continual flow of traffic between India and the UK, he would have found it almost impossible not to encounter people who knew him, let alone enter into partnership with a leading merchant or conduct a bigamous marriage with his daughter.

I read this story on kindle. Unfortunately because it appears to have been rushed to publication, it was not properly formatted.
853 reviews
July 6, 2025
A very enjoyable read! A father arranges a marriage for his daughter with a younger son, but instead she marries the older son. He goes to India and then when travelling to another colony by a ship, disappears after it is attacked by Pirates. Some years later he reappears in London and the story really begins, with complications and upsetting the life Daphne has grown into.
I loved the humour in the writing and enjoyed the tale, although there were a couple of things I questioned historically.
150 reviews
July 20, 2025
I thoroughly enjoy every book that I have read by this author, I was however hoping for maybe a bit more passion and felt the ending was a bit rushed. Jack could have done with being made to feel more guilty for his behaviour, Daphne was a bit too understanding. Overall an excellent book with laugh out loud moments but maybe more sizzle in the next one would be nice. Also I follow the author on Goodreads and she has recommended some excellent reads I would never have discovered; as not my usual genre of reading, who knew I would like cowboys!
Profile Image for Margaret.
105 reviews
March 29, 2025
An innocent and amusing book. I p enjoyed this and the various characters. The dialogue was good and liked lots of supporting characters as well as Jack and Daphne. Was Daphne a shade too sweet to be believable? Was Jack thick not to see what was in front of him? . I had a soft spot for Arthur. The only slightly strange idea was the exotic menagerie that Daphne had seemed rather far fetched - giraffes? Really?
Profile Image for Kim Power.
Author 5 books13 followers
April 8, 2025
Clever, funny, tender

4.5 stars rounded up. Daphne is sheer delight. A well rounded character, if a bit too forgiving. Jack is your typical alpha male. Selfish, cynical, even cruel. His change of heart is not so easily followed. Could it be only possessiveness or lust? The cast of characters is well drawn and nuanced. A few typos or missing words a mark against a very well written novel.
1 review
September 12, 2025
I loved the author’s first three books, especially Aurora. They were so well written, I almost could believe they were written by Georgette Heyer. This book almost seems as if it’s written by another author. The plot is incredibly weak. It’s not at all obvious why the ML behaves as he does - the explanation is thin and unbelievable. The dialogue is lame and stilted. What a disappointment. I’m at 31% and not sure I can continue. It’s painfully bad.
158 reviews4 followers
October 20, 2025
I really enjoyed author's books: Artemisia, Aurora, & Aphrodite so downloaded her book Daphne. Loved the first half. Writing is good, story is entertaining, a great h. Unfortunately, even though the H shows a few good qualities, I could not keep reading because of what he planned to do to the h. We learned about his plan about 20% into book. By 50% I was so disgusted with him I barely skimmed the rest of the book. Glad it was a KU book. I would have been disappointed if I'd paid for it.
9 reviews1 follower
December 25, 2025
could have been a 5 star read

This book was well written and the FMC was endearing with her kindness and animals. I also liked all the side characters. The reason this is a 3 star review instead of 5, is because the MMC’s insistence on an annulment and Inviting his new finance to their house gave me a major ick. There is no real explanation for why he would pursue an annulment. It felt really sordid and like he was a cheater.
846 reviews5 followers
December 18, 2024
What a treat

I loved Daphne and her sisters , what a wonderful series this should be. Jack the main character takes some time to like and appreciate he deserves being the so called hero! All the characters are great ,Jane and Arthur have their moments in this story which was deserved. I will definitely be reading this series!
635 reviews2 followers
March 15, 2025
I enjoyed reading this novel it is well written and has an interesting storyline.
Some aspects of protocol did not sit as correct with me (a duke’s daughter is a lady not a miss) and a few other points that I will leave unsaid so as not to spoil the reader’s enjoyment.
All in all an enjoyable read aside from my reservations.
Profile Image for Ulrike.
463 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2025
Well, I most certainly can't add anything to the one/two star ratings here *lol*
Yes, Jack is a jerk and Daphne too good for this world.
I also got annoyed with endless unnecessary dialogues - either between the sisters or other females in this book. Was it to gain some more pages?
I am not sure I want to read any other book by this author.. it took me way to long to finish this one..
841 reviews3 followers
June 15, 2025
I have no idea what re-education has to do with this story, the one who needs re-education is Jack the Duke. Daphne is superb and deserves far better than the selfish thoughtless jerk that is her long lost husband Jack.

I love the humour that lights up the story and I certainly enjoyed most of the book but quite why she wants Jack is beyond me.
157 reviews
December 27, 2025
Lighthearted, enjoyable Regency

I was a big fan of Rampton's Goddesses series and though this is very good, I don't think it was as good as that series. There is a large collection of enjoyable, believable characters. The pace is good. There were more humorous moments than maudlin moments. My favorite character, hands down, was the youngest sister, Emmiline.
17 reviews
May 20, 2025
Really loved this book! So sweet and wholesome. The characters are so loveable and well developed. I loved seeing the storyline unravel.

No spice. It didn't need it! I loved the Romantic interest.

genuinely can't wait for the rest of this series. I'll be reading it as soon as it comes out.
19 reviews
March 17, 2026
When you feel a bit down pick up this book, start laughing and continue laughing until the end. An excellent book for lifting the spirits. The antics of the humans and various animals was areal tonic. Thank you.
65 reviews
December 6, 2024
I really enjoyed the book and the characters but the premise of the hero not telling his family he was alive ???Disnt make sense and was never explained. … and yet I enjoyed the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
160 reviews2 followers
December 8, 2024
Book one

Loved it. Fun, light, witty. A delightful read and great little escape. Been waiting for this book, and now can't wait for the next.
Profile Image for Merrie.
400 reviews
February 21, 2025
Cute enough. Definitely G-rated. Perfect for teenagers who love regency romances.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews