The Nun Duchess: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Hazel Linwood

“I know how to pray, not how to be a Duchess.” “You just need to be my wife…”

Raised in a convent, Alethea now has the chance to finally meet her family. Yet her first night in her new life she ends up living a nightmare when someone abducts her…

Despite raising his brother, Duke Oliver never expected him to try to elope. Let alone kidnap the wrong bride! And now Oliver must clean up this mess and wed the woman before she is ruined….

But his new wife is far too innocent. Unsuitable for a Duchess, afraid of his siblings. Yet Oliver’s protective instincts scream when she is near. Making him crave to heal her heart… and hurt whoever broke it.

*If you like powerful Dukes, loving Duchesses and a marvelous depiction of the majestic Regency and Victorian era, then The Nun Duchess is the novel for you.

An enchanting regency romance by Cobalt Fairy of 80,000 words (around 400 pages) written by Hazel Linwood. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a sweet happily ever after.

Pick up "The Nun Duchess" today to discover Hazel's captivating story!

Genres: Historical, Regency

385 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2025

About the author

Influenced by the extraordinary tales of Jane Austen and Maria Edgeworth, Hazel Linwood has always adored the fairy-tale like romances of the past. The youngest of four sisters, she has spent most of her youth lost in the classic historical romances of her favorite authors. Despite her parents’ efforts to persuade her to pursue a career in medicine, she found her heart's true calling in English Literature.

After obtaining her degree, Hazel worked as an English teacher. That was until she met her husband and decided to indulge in her secret passion...writing! When she isn’t writing, Hazel enjoys spending time with her family, travelling or roaming the Texan countryside.

Embark on this journey of desire, decorum and intense love of Regency England. Let Hazel transport you into an era of pure, sincere love and charming lords that will take your breath away!

Reviews

[Lynn]

Once a Nun

Lady Alethea had been separated from her family as a child, ending up in the care of a nunnery. When it closed, she was reunited with her lost sisters.

One night, Alethea was carried off from their home by a young man who mistook her for one of her sisters. That young man was brother to a Duke who felt responsible for her and asked for her hand in marriage.

This was sort of a cosy read as it completely clean and sometimes very sweet, but of course the Duke had ridiculous issues that kept them apart. There is a happily ever after, but romance withheld by stupid qualms gets old when found in one book after another. This was well written and the characters well developed, but kind of a dud. I gave this three stars for the writing quality.

[Doreen Henderson]

A charming story. When she was very young, Alethea disappeared and it was assumed she was dead. She had actually been rescued and taken in by nuns. She was badly treated and it was many years before she was able to return to her family. On her first evening there, she was kidnapped by mistake, by Lord Theodore. Theo thought he was kidnapping Alethea's sister, Joyce. When Theo's brother, Duke Oliver, realised what he had done, he insisted that Theo should marry Alethea. Theo refused so Oliver married her instead to save her reputation. Their marriage was in name only but gradually they grew closer to each other. Oliver did not want children and this upset Alethea. Will they be able to resolve the issues between them? I liked the way Oliver's friends and Alethea's sisters tried to help them. I felt Oliver was wrong in his views about Joyce being unsuitable to marry Theo because she was a widow and older than him. Will he allow true love to find a way to happiness?

[JustJeri]

A sweet, easy flowing historical romance involving a woman who lived in a convent for her whole life, and a duke. It’s a traditional historical romantic novel two people marrying under unique circumstances, and the reluctance of the male of admit his love. I wish it would have shared why this daughter, out of four, ended up as a toddler living in a convent. Perhaps I missed that explanation. Also the Duke’s reasoning behind not wanting children was perplexing to me. I did love the monthly family costume party. I found it quite endearing. There were significant amount of editing errors which were disconcerting. Especially the ages of characters didn’t seem to compute when describing past and present. It is a good story, and I remain a fan of this author. Just this one had some issues for me. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.

[Debbie DiFiore]

This was a very sweet romance between a duke and a girl raised in a convent. I really liked them both but the book was rather boring. It just dragged a little for me. I did like how they came to be married, no spoilers, but it was a little farfetched. She had been physically abused as a child by the priest. Not sexually but corporal. She comes home to stay with her sisters once the orphanage was closed down. I never really understood why she was there though.the story is about finding love in a marriage. There is no ow or om drama. He just never wants children and she does. But he truly.loves her and she him by the end.of the story. Steam level is actually minus O! Lol. Very low key.

[Judith Syren]

Good read!

This is a sweet love story with strong engaging characters. Althea was lost as a child in a terrible storm, found and raised in a convent. When her family finally found her twenty-three years had past. Life with her sisters was difficult and to make matters worse she was kidnapped by a young man who though she was someone else. To prevent his brother’s scandal Oliver chose to marry her. You'll love watching their relationship blossom and how they conquer the hurdles that rise in their path to true love.

[Cecelia Gardon]

This was a fantastic story! Finally a new angle on a love story; not your typical society girl wants love. The plot was excellent and it was easy to read. I loved that it was a clean read!

My one complaint is the links to the prologue and thee epilogue are broken. Only one or two paragraphs come up and there is no way around it. This appears to be a Cobalt Fairy problem since it is occurring with every one of their books.

[Shelby Scott]

From one problem to another!

An interesting twist to an unusual story! Although there are many editing problems, it holds your attention. Althea is raised by a cruel priest in a nunnery, she fell in the river and washed down the river, found by nuns and stayed until it closed. Learned of her family and arrived only to be kidnapped that night, wrong sister. So Duke Oliver marries her to protect her and his family’s reputation. What a mess!

[Susan Faulkner]

Althea

What a lovely unusual story. Oliver and Althea are interesting characters but I believe it works have helped to develop the situation of Althea’s disappearance and her sudden return into the lives of the Carter family. Sweet romance and humorous interactions between Oliver and his close friends. I definitely recommend this book.

[Debdutch]

“The Nun Duchess” by Hazel Linwood

-A tender, unique historical romance with heart, humor, and second chances.
After years hidden in a convent, Alethea returns home—only to be kidnapped by mistake.
To save her reputation, the stern Duke Oliver marries her, beginning a slow-burn romance.
Their marriage of convenience blossoms into true love, despite personal fears and family meddling.

[Lifelongreader]

Needed proofing and corrections

The story was interesting and the characters warm and appealing. I was a bit uncertain of the Duke's motivation for the limitations he put upon their marriage. It was overall a good book, but it had a massive number of missing words and plethora of jumbled sentences.

[Pamela Barbee]

Interesting story, but for me the first part of the story seemed like parts were missing. First Althea is in a nunnery, then released and the next thing she is marrying a duke. I would have liked a little more information. Also later in the store there is mention of meetings before the wedding and there is nothing in the story that gives an details.

[Gladys Russell]

True Romance!!!

I have found that I love how our romance novels work! The thought makes me move me out of the way so I can watch LOVE Happen!!

I have been a romance attic from a young age! My only wish being let life imitate art!!

Thanks for restoring romance to me!!

Your faithful reader!!!

[Emma]

sweet story

Beautiful read which i thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. HL brought out the caring characters of both Oliver and Alethea in her writing. They both complemented each other.

[Nancy T Vega]

A Quick Wedding/And then Love..

Althea finds herself at her real home after being raised in a nunnery..and then she’s married to
The Duke..Oliver who is so soft spoken and always close by but there’s a secret that he has. And he will have to tell her eventually…

[Jane Morrow]

Great story except...

The story is very good. Plot and characters are compelling. However, I think it needs additional editing and proofreading. The continuity errors and typos were most distracting. I've never encountered that with this author.

[Patricia Formato]

typographical errors

There were so many errors that at times it made it difficult to read without going back & rereading the sentence again. It has a hea ending and is a very “ family “ rated story . The author could have done a lot more with the story line.

[kathy womack]

The Nun Duchess

Awesome, from beginning to end. I would recommend getting the pre-story that is offered, it helps set a foundation for the novel.

[M.Faison]

The good and the bad

The story was good but the editing was so poor that it frustrated and distracted me. I will try another book by this author and hope for better editing.

[Nat]

sweet but kinda boring

[Laurie]

A man who is kind and gentle with his younger siblings, but harsh and possessive with his wife and brother. an arranged marriage that becomes a love match. for me , it takes too long to get where its obviously going, but others who like the male character more might savor it. I also felt too sad for the wrongs done the female character to enjoy her happy ending