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Betting Against the Duke #3
A Deal at Dawn
The risks have never been more personal—or more dangerous—in this powerful Regency romance, as a resilient viscountess risks everything for the daughter she loves . . . and the duke she can’t forget.
Katherine Wilcox Palmers, the Viscountess of Hampton, has lost custody of the daughter she secretly bore to Jahleel Charles, now the Duke of Torrance. The bitter court ruling was engineered by the duke himself, but now he is gravely ill. If he dies, Katherine, branded a scandalous bigamist by her late husband’s vengeful family, may never see her child again—unless she makes a bold offer . . .
Desperate, Katherine swallows her pride and proposes that she will nurse the Jahleel back to health, serve his every need, and keep up appearances, on one he will secure her a respectable husband to silence society’s gossip. In private, she will be his mistress. . . .
But Jahleel has plans of his own. Pressured to produce an heir, he resolves to marry someone else. The hereditary blood sickness that plagues them both means Katherine can never be his bride again—no matter how fiercely their old passions reignite.
As dangerous forces gather, composed of those who would erase their child from the peerage for her mixed heritage, Jahleel and Katherine must confront the betrayals and deceptions that tore them apart. To protect their daughter, and fight for the future they were denied, they must jeopardize everything. Especially their hearts.
Katherine Wilcox Palmers, the Viscountess of Hampton, has lost custody of the daughter she secretly bore to Jahleel Charles, now the Duke of Torrance. The bitter court ruling was engineered by the duke himself, but now he is gravely ill. If he dies, Katherine, branded a scandalous bigamist by her late husband’s vengeful family, may never see her child again—unless she makes a bold offer . . .
Desperate, Katherine swallows her pride and proposes that she will nurse the Jahleel back to health, serve his every need, and keep up appearances, on one he will secure her a respectable husband to silence society’s gossip. In private, she will be his mistress. . . .
But Jahleel has plans of his own. Pressured to produce an heir, he resolves to marry someone else. The hereditary blood sickness that plagues them both means Katherine can never be his bride again—no matter how fiercely their old passions reignite.
As dangerous forces gather, composed of those who would erase their child from the peerage for her mixed heritage, Jahleel and Katherine must confront the betrayals and deceptions that tore them apart. To protect their daughter, and fight for the future they were denied, they must jeopardize everything. Especially their hearts.
337 pages, Paperback
Published June 30, 2026
About the author
Vanessa Riley
42 books1,759 followersI'm Vanessa Riley, and I write Historical Fiction of dazzling multi-culture communities of the 1750s to 1830s, The Revolutionary Years. I write for readers who treasure and share with friends books that showcase women, power, strong sisterhoods, and love.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 2, 2026
I came into this story expecting that I could read it as a standalone and largely thar worked, as the author does a good job explaining previous events and major players. However I would recommend starting the series from the beginning, both to follow along the story and have some connection already to the MCs of this one - Katherine and Jahleel.
As it was (and without previous connection to Katherine), I found her a selfish immature FMC. She had a chid with Jahleel and abandoned him shortly after due to the untruths told to her by ill-meaning story participants. Even though they were still married, she assumed that wasn’t true and married someone else. All along her daughter was raised as her sister. Now with her husband dead and Jahleel taking custody of her daughter, she oscillates between wanting her child back and letting things be as is to avoid dealing with the man she wronged. They are thrust together as Jahleel is very sick (here the author does a good job portraying struggles of a hereditary hematological disease). They find their way back to each other over the course of the story.
While their romance felt earned, the reader’s journey to it felt a bit uneven. The story is written in 1st person and I found the writing to be somewhat disjointed, stream of consciousness-like. Perhaps, again, this could be remedied and make more sense to a reader who followed the first two installments in the series. The other thing that I will take a small qualm with are some erroneous Russian references - words, patronimics with mistakes, etc. Jahleel is part Russian, so Russian language and words are a significant part of the story. The author should have had a native speaker proofread.
As it was (and without previous connection to Katherine), I found her a selfish immature FMC. She had a chid with Jahleel and abandoned him shortly after due to the untruths told to her by ill-meaning story participants. Even though they were still married, she assumed that wasn’t true and married someone else. All along her daughter was raised as her sister. Now with her husband dead and Jahleel taking custody of her daughter, she oscillates between wanting her child back and letting things be as is to avoid dealing with the man she wronged. They are thrust together as Jahleel is very sick (here the author does a good job portraying struggles of a hereditary hematological disease). They find their way back to each other over the course of the story.
While their romance felt earned, the reader’s journey to it felt a bit uneven. The story is written in 1st person and I found the writing to be somewhat disjointed, stream of consciousness-like. Perhaps, again, this could be remedied and make more sense to a reader who followed the first two installments in the series. The other thing that I will take a small qualm with are some erroneous Russian references - words, patronimics with mistakes, etc. Jahleel is part Russian, so Russian language and words are a significant part of the story. The author should have had a native speaker proofread.
July 21, 2026
3.5 Stars!
Finally we get the main story.
When I read book 1 in this series A Gamble at Sunset I was confused. I thought that i had missed a book because it was clear that Katherine and Jahleel were the real main characters who had lots of backstory. Im not going to say too much about the story since it is book 3 but I will say it is messy.
This is Black Historical Romance and I love that. I've really been trying to get more and more into series like this. Id much prefer to read Black Historical Romance than something like Bridgerton.
This book did take me a second to get into but once I was in I was in. I was really rooting for Katherine and Jahleel even though Katherine did something really horrible.
I would still recommend this book and the series as a whole.
Finally we get the main story.
When I read book 1 in this series A Gamble at Sunset I was confused. I thought that i had missed a book because it was clear that Katherine and Jahleel were the real main characters who had lots of backstory. Im not going to say too much about the story since it is book 3 but I will say it is messy.
This is Black Historical Romance and I love that. I've really been trying to get more and more into series like this. Id much prefer to read Black Historical Romance than something like Bridgerton.
This book did take me a second to get into but once I was in I was in. I was really rooting for Katherine and Jahleel even though Katherine did something really horrible.
I would still recommend this book and the series as a whole.
May 31, 2026
The story comes full circle! This series started with the Duke's point of view as his former wife's new husband died. Jahleel Charles knows that his marriage to Katherine Wilcox is still valid and decides to lure her back to him. Now that her sisters are married and the secret that Katherine's youngest sister is actually her daughter (by Jahleel!), we circle back to Jaheel and Katherine's love story for this final book in the Wilcox sister series.
We knew the series would circle back to Jahleel and Katherine eventually, but we didn't know we'd see Jahleel in the midst of a bout of "the blood disease" (what we now call sickle cell disease). The writing mimics his disjointed thoughts and really drives home how terrible the attacks are.
Katherine's chapters are fraught with regret and worry. Her dialogue and thoughts are almost staccato as she confronts the mistakes she has made in her life. It's pretty striking when the language and structure of sentences is in line with the emotions of the character. It made for a slightly uncomfortable read, but not in a bad way.
I really loved this series. It's different and fun and I'm glad our characters got their happily ever afters. I wouldn't mind if little Lydia become the matriarch of a family in a future series!
Side note: I was reading up on sickle cell after reading this and found that the life expectancy of people with the disease is 67 years old in the UK and 43 in the US. We have got to do better, America.
We knew the series would circle back to Jahleel and Katherine eventually, but we didn't know we'd see Jahleel in the midst of a bout of "the blood disease" (what we now call sickle cell disease). The writing mimics his disjointed thoughts and really drives home how terrible the attacks are.
Katherine's chapters are fraught with regret and worry. Her dialogue and thoughts are almost staccato as she confronts the mistakes she has made in her life. It's pretty striking when the language and structure of sentences is in line with the emotions of the character. It made for a slightly uncomfortable read, but not in a bad way.
I really loved this series. It's different and fun and I'm glad our characters got their happily ever afters. I wouldn't mind if little Lydia become the matriarch of a family in a future series!
Side note: I was reading up on sickle cell after reading this and found that the life expectancy of people with the disease is 67 years old in the UK and 43 in the US. We have got to do better, America.
June 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I’ve been a fan of Vanessa Riley’s books for a while now, so I was so excited when I got approved for A Deal at Dawn. Historical fiction has quickly become one of my favorite genres, and Vanessa Riley never disappoints.
I loved how this third and final book wrapped everything up so nicely. It felt like the perfect ending for the series while still giving readers a little mystery and a twist that kept me turning the pages. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story surprised me.
This was such a satisfying conclusion, and I honestly enjoyed every minute of it. I loved it so much that I already preordered a physical copy because I knew I wanted it on my bookshelf. If you’ve been following this series, you won’t want to miss this final installment!
I’ve been a fan of Vanessa Riley’s books for a while now, so I was so excited when I got approved for A Deal at Dawn. Historical fiction has quickly become one of my favorite genres, and Vanessa Riley never disappoints.
I loved how this third and final book wrapped everything up so nicely. It felt like the perfect ending for the series while still giving readers a little mystery and a twist that kept me turning the pages. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story surprised me.
This was such a satisfying conclusion, and I honestly enjoyed every minute of it. I loved it so much that I already preordered a physical copy because I knew I wanted it on my bookshelf. If you’ve been following this series, you won’t want to miss this final installment!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
E-ARC REVIEW Via NETGALLEY
RELEASE JUNE 2026
4 STARS
A Deal at Dawn is book 3 of a trilogy called Betting Against The Duke. Katherine Wilcox Palmers, who is the Viscountess of Hampton, has lost custody of her daughter. Her daughter's father, Jahleel Charles - Duke of Torrance, was behind her losing her daughter but now that he is ill, Katherine may lose all contact with her daughter forever! Not wanting this to happen, Katherine devises a plan with the hopes in regaining her daughter back but at what cost. The only plan that she knows Jahleel might agree to is if she nurses him back to health. What she doesn't know when he agrees is the Duke has his own agenda that can change everything and thwart her best laid plans.
A Deal at Dawn is not my usual genre, I enjoyed this historical romance novel. It is an interesting novel that helped cleanse my palatte of all of the thrillers I read, not only providing a romance storyline but a bit of mystery as well.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with E-ARCto read and provide my unbiased honest review.
RELEASE JUNE 2026
4 STARS
A Deal at Dawn is book 3 of a trilogy called Betting Against The Duke. Katherine Wilcox Palmers, who is the Viscountess of Hampton, has lost custody of her daughter. Her daughter's father, Jahleel Charles - Duke of Torrance, was behind her losing her daughter but now that he is ill, Katherine may lose all contact with her daughter forever! Not wanting this to happen, Katherine devises a plan with the hopes in regaining her daughter back but at what cost. The only plan that she knows Jahleel might agree to is if she nurses him back to health. What she doesn't know when he agrees is the Duke has his own agenda that can change everything and thwart her best laid plans.
A Deal at Dawn is not my usual genre, I enjoyed this historical romance novel. It is an interesting novel that helped cleanse my palatte of all of the thrillers I read, not only providing a romance storyline but a bit of mystery as well.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with E-ARCto read and provide my unbiased honest review.
August 8, 2026
“A Deal at Dawn” was the most provocative, unpredictable, breath-snatching, and heart-rate accelerating of the Betting Against the Duke series. Katherine Wilcox Palmers, the eldest of the Wilcox sisters, jeopardized more than their father’s legacy, Wilcox Coal, when she fled from true love into the arms of a lying, desperate backstabber. Author Vanessa Riley majestically captured the nuances, public, and covert attitudes toward Blackamoors during the Regency era. Yet, it was Katherine’s own prejudice and fear of the blood sickness that compelled her to orchestrate the devastating lie about her daughter Lydia’s parentage. That lie catapulted her into a web of emotional and financial humiliation that could cost her everything and everyone she’s loved.
Katherine has to pay the price for keeping the Duke of Torrance, aka Jahleel Charles, from his daughter. Riley uses scalpel-like precision to cut deep into Jahleel’s fury that has festered due to Katherine’s betrayal. Her presence is incendiary when it once set him ablaze with passion. The pages of “A Deal of Dawn” pulsate with the thunderous battle between vengeance, forgiveness, restoration, and healing. While Jahleel begs for more breaths with each bout of sickness, and Katherine begs for a deal to spare her/their daughter from a legacy of shame. Riley’s writing commands that sleep fairies flee, as there’s no rest for eyes begging for answers. Yes, it’s that captivating, and well worth the hours of volleying a myriad of emotions and speculations about the co-existence of love and justice in such a mess.
Katherine has to pay the price for keeping the Duke of Torrance, aka Jahleel Charles, from his daughter. Riley uses scalpel-like precision to cut deep into Jahleel’s fury that has festered due to Katherine’s betrayal. Her presence is incendiary when it once set him ablaze with passion. The pages of “A Deal of Dawn” pulsate with the thunderous battle between vengeance, forgiveness, restoration, and healing. While Jahleel begs for more breaths with each bout of sickness, and Katherine begs for a deal to spare her/their daughter from a legacy of shame. Riley’s writing commands that sleep fairies flee, as there’s no rest for eyes begging for answers. Yes, it’s that captivating, and well worth the hours of volleying a myriad of emotions and speculations about the co-existence of love and justice in such a mess.
July 2, 2026
Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.
This is a great historical romance choice for anyone wanting more diversity amongst the characters, in terms of both cultural background and abilities/illness representation, in this genre.
I loved the second chance romance/redemption after hurt theme of this story. Sometimes the characters’ struggles got it feel a little repetitive, but overall I was really rooting for them. And the happy ending was very satisfying and felt earned. It featured a dual POV of both protagonists in first person. I think I would have enjoyed a few actual flashback scenes of them in love at the beginning of their relationship, more than just being told of their time together in reminiscence.
I loved the development of Katherine’s relationship with her mother-in-law and with her daughter over the course of the story. It was very sweet to see them come to understand and love each other.
This is book 3 of the Betting Against the Duke series. I came into this as the first in the series, and I do feel like I could follow along and enjoy all of the characters. However, I would recommend new readers read the series in order. I’ve read other books by Vanessa Riley, and I would again. I really appreciate her choices in telling more diverse stories within a Regency setting, and how she pairs true historical events and people to her own story and characters.
This is a great historical romance choice for anyone wanting more diversity amongst the characters, in terms of both cultural background and abilities/illness representation, in this genre.
I loved the second chance romance/redemption after hurt theme of this story. Sometimes the characters’ struggles got it feel a little repetitive, but overall I was really rooting for them. And the happy ending was very satisfying and felt earned. It featured a dual POV of both protagonists in first person. I think I would have enjoyed a few actual flashback scenes of them in love at the beginning of their relationship, more than just being told of their time together in reminiscence.
I loved the development of Katherine’s relationship with her mother-in-law and with her daughter over the course of the story. It was very sweet to see them come to understand and love each other.
This is book 3 of the Betting Against the Duke series. I came into this as the first in the series, and I do feel like I could follow along and enjoy all of the characters. However, I would recommend new readers read the series in order. I’ve read other books by Vanessa Riley, and I would again. I really appreciate her choices in telling more diverse stories within a Regency setting, and how she pairs true historical events and people to her own story and characters.
July 8, 2026
I had such high hopes for this book, but it just didn’t deliver. I loved the premise — a Duke, bent on revenge, humbling his secret ex-wife and reconnecting with their secret child! The drama! The angst! The years-long yearning! And I loved that there was sickle cell rep, since that’s an issue that is so huge in the Black community (and would have been historically even more impactful.) But the first seventeen chapters were just Katherine spinning out over Jahleel’s sickness. It definitely captured the emotion of her agony, but all the back-and-forth and talking in circles just felt messy on the page in a way it wouldn’t have in real life. It felt like there were so many conversations that were disjointed, with characters responding to questions that hadn’t been asked or making non-sequitur observations. And the book felt like it was almost entirely dialogue, which is an odd choice for historical romance when descriptions of sumptuous ballgowns and gorgeous architecture are part of the draw.
I did the first two books in this series on audio, which I think hid a lot of these sins, and probably if I’d listened to the audiobook of this one it would’ve rated four stars. Instead, though, I was disappointed.
I did the first two books in this series on audio, which I think hid a lot of these sins, and probably if I’d listened to the audiobook of this one it would’ve rated four stars. Instead, though, I was disappointed.
October 9, 2026
I got a copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I waited and purchased the audiobook because that is how I read the first two books in the series.
I absolutely adore the Wilcox sisters. Their story has been so wonderful to read. I was glad to finally find out what happened between Katherine and the Duke. The Duke is very ill and his mother has collected his and Katherine's daughter, who thought Katherine was her sister. There is such a web of things surrounding these two. So much tangled with his illness and the scandal of being Black.
Katherine and the Duke had a deal. She is trying to hold him to it or renegotiate that deal. She doesn't want to lose Lydia. She is also very afraid of losing him. That is why she left him years ago after they first met and married.
I enjoyed watching the Duke settle old scores. And I enjoyed watching Katherine remember her worth and demand it after she has successfully issued her apology.
This book and series was so very well done. I especially loved the mix of cultures. There were British, Russian, African, and Jamaican mixed in.
Five star read.
I absolutely adore the Wilcox sisters. Their story has been so wonderful to read. I was glad to finally find out what happened between Katherine and the Duke. The Duke is very ill and his mother has collected his and Katherine's daughter, who thought Katherine was her sister. There is such a web of things surrounding these two. So much tangled with his illness and the scandal of being Black.
Katherine and the Duke had a deal. She is trying to hold him to it or renegotiate that deal. She doesn't want to lose Lydia. She is also very afraid of losing him. That is why she left him years ago after they first met and married.
I enjoyed watching the Duke settle old scores. And I enjoyed watching Katherine remember her worth and demand it after she has successfully issued her apology.
This book and series was so very well done. I especially loved the mix of cultures. There were British, Russian, African, and Jamaican mixed in.
Five star read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Katherine Wilcox Palmers, the Viscountess of Hampton, has lost custody of the daughter she secretly bore to Jahleel Charles, now the Duke of Torrance. The bitter court ruling was engineered by the duke himself, but now he is gravely ill. If he dies, Katherine, branded a scandalous bigamist by her late husband’s vengeful family, may never see her child again. Desperate, Katherine swallows her pride and proposes that she will nurse the Jahleel back to health, serve his every need, and keep up appearances, on one he will secure her a respectable husband to silence society’s gossip. In private, she will be his mistress.
The third book in the series & I feel the series is best read in order as the books are linked. I was interested to see how things would be resolved between Jahleel & Katherine. It held my interest all the way through. I liked both Jahleel & Katherine but didn’t love them but enjoyed this series finale. Well written, with strong characters & well paced
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The third book in the series & I feel the series is best read in order as the books are linked. I was interested to see how things would be resolved between Jahleel & Katherine. It held my interest all the way through. I liked both Jahleel & Katherine but didn’t love them but enjoyed this series finale. Well written, with strong characters & well paced
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Katherine and Jahleel have had an antagonistic relationship since we met them in book 1. So of course I was curious to learn why and boyyyy did we at the end of book 2! Katherine has been keeping a big secret from Jahleel 0_o
If you read book 1 you’ll know the two struck a deal...if Jahleel helps Katherine’s sisters secure husbands and since he fulfilled his part of the bargain, she agreed he can collect his winnings which are basically for her to be his mistress >.<
Katherine tries to make amends while Jahleel is unwell and I loved the banter and back and forth between these two. They have so much history and unresolved grievances between them it sure did make for some fun scenes.
this was indeed wild ride and I thoroughly enjoyed learning new things about Blackamoore history etc!
If you read book 1 you’ll know the two struck a deal...if Jahleel helps Katherine’s sisters secure husbands and since he fulfilled his part of the bargain, she agreed he can collect his winnings which are basically for her to be his mistress >.<
Katherine tries to make amends while Jahleel is unwell and I loved the banter and back and forth between these two. They have so much history and unresolved grievances between them it sure did make for some fun scenes.
this was indeed wild ride and I thoroughly enjoyed learning new things about Blackamoore history etc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A lovely, heartwarming finish to a historical romance trilogy!
Katherine and Jahleel have history - a lot of it - including a daughter, Lydia. But they went their separate ways, and now, years later, they find that the love and passion they have for each other has not faded.
There is something else, something that was and continues to be a life-threatening condition, which is sickle cell disease. It is very much present in these characters' lives and they are determined to live and laugh for as long as they can.
My love for reading fiction began with historical romance and when I find a good story, with excellent research and depth beyond the aesthetics of the setting, I am incredibly happy. I will definitely be looking for more from Vanessa Riley!
Katherine and Jahleel have history - a lot of it - including a daughter, Lydia. But they went their separate ways, and now, years later, they find that the love and passion they have for each other has not faded.
There is something else, something that was and continues to be a life-threatening condition, which is sickle cell disease. It is very much present in these characters' lives and they are determined to live and laugh for as long as they can.
My love for reading fiction began with historical romance and when I find a good story, with excellent research and depth beyond the aesthetics of the setting, I am incredibly happy. I will definitely be looking for more from Vanessa Riley!
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September 24, 2026Thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for this advance copy!
Vanessa Riley has such a unique style to her writing, and at times I haven't always vibed with it, but it seems to really work in A Deal at Dawn. Two people have been exposed as previously married (or currently??) and a beloved sister is actually a daughter. What I love about this story and Riley's writing is you really felt the way Katherine and Jalheel were dancing around each other, learning to trust each other again, and find a way to come together after years apart. I found this trilogy interesting and dramatic in the perfect way. I can't wait to see what Riley does yet, her books are so well done, with so much research and romance.
Vanessa Riley has such a unique style to her writing, and at times I haven't always vibed with it, but it seems to really work in A Deal at Dawn. Two people have been exposed as previously married (or currently??) and a beloved sister is actually a daughter. What I love about this story and Riley's writing is you really felt the way Katherine and Jalheel were dancing around each other, learning to trust each other again, and find a way to come together after years apart. I found this trilogy interesting and dramatic in the perfect way. I can't wait to see what Riley does yet, her books are so well done, with so much research and romance.
July 14, 2026
Vanessa Riley never disappoints.
Do you enjoy your historical romance with a heaping helping of angst, cultural representation, diverse characters, complicated family dynamics, steamy emotion, and real-life challenges? If so, A Deal at Dawn, the third and final book in Vanessa Riley's trilogy about the Wilcox sisters, should be on your must read list. I've been eagerly waiting for this story since book one and once I began reading, there was no way I was going to stop until I turned the final page. It's that compelling.
This is a series where I strongly recommend reading the three books in order.
ARC received via NetGalley.
Fair and unbiased opinion.
Do you enjoy your historical romance with a heaping helping of angst, cultural representation, diverse characters, complicated family dynamics, steamy emotion, and real-life challenges? If so, A Deal at Dawn, the third and final book in Vanessa Riley's trilogy about the Wilcox sisters, should be on your must read list. I've been eagerly waiting for this story since book one and once I began reading, there was no way I was going to stop until I turned the final page. It's that compelling.
This is a series where I strongly recommend reading the three books in order.
ARC received via NetGalley.
Fair and unbiased opinion.
July 15, 2026
3.5 ⭐️
I jumped into the deep end of the series with this one due to the strength of Riley's pen alone. I was pleasantly surprised at how well- balanced the romance and political talk were. I also appreciated how well the health issues were handled. Without spoiling anything here, I would suggest hardheaded readers (like myself 🤭) who insist on treating every book like a standalone start with the Author's Note first. It adds a lot of context and base knowledge to the world Riley has created here. That said, it's still totally possible to follow along using just the details at the beginning of the book too.
I jumped into the deep end of the series with this one due to the strength of Riley's pen alone. I was pleasantly surprised at how well- balanced the romance and political talk were. I also appreciated how well the health issues were handled. Without spoiling anything here, I would suggest hardheaded readers (like myself 🤭) who insist on treating every book like a standalone start with the Author's Note first. It adds a lot of context and base knowledge to the world Riley has created here. That said, it's still totally possible to follow along using just the details at the beginning of the book too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Since the first book I have been dying to have Katherine and Jahleel’s story. Both of them drove me crazy cause I’m just like obviously you need to be together. They went through it though. And I was with Lydia on why couldn’t they be “normal”. I love that eventually everybody was doing whatever they could to get these two together. I get why it made sense for them to marry other people but of course that couldn’t happen. Jealous Katherine was hilarious. I laughed, I cried, I wanted to hand out hugs and I loved their story that was not quite easy. I’m only sad that this was the last one. I hate when things end but this was a good way to end it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Katherine marries a second time, she thinks that her first marriage in Russia was not legal. After her second husband dies, she finds out his family lied to her and it was her first husband, Jahleel, that is legal. She is labeled a bigamist. Jahleel takes their daughter to raise and vows to help her clear all of it up all while he suffers on and off from a debilitating disease. Can they find happiness? I am glad the author placed a List of Characters at the front of the book. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was a bit disappointed in this book. Having read the previous book in the series, A Wager at Midnight, I felt as if Vanessa Riley had set up an amazing face-off between Jahleel and Katherine. They are both such strong characters and had a massive history behind their relationship.
However, it fell flat. Jahleel was too much the “master strategist” and I felt like we didn’t get enough of the reasons for his machinations. And Katherine just fell in with his plans rather than stepping up.
A few modern colloquialisms slipped in which took me out of the story. I’m pretty sure that “very mindful, very demure“ wasn’t a thing in 1817.
I appreciated what Riley was doing with this story and I always love her focus on history, especially Black history, in the Regency period. We also had unflinching representation of characters with sickle cell anaemia and it’s impact on their lives and relationships.
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.
However, it fell flat. Jahleel was too much the “master strategist” and I felt like we didn’t get enough of the reasons for his machinations. And Katherine just fell in with his plans rather than stepping up.
A few modern colloquialisms slipped in which took me out of the story. I’m pretty sure that “very mindful, very demure“ wasn’t a thing in 1817.
I appreciated what Riley was doing with this story and I always love her focus on history, especially Black history, in the Regency period. We also had unflinching representation of characters with sickle cell anaemia and it’s impact on their lives and relationships.
I received an advance copy of this book at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 2, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Vanessa Riley for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Deal at Dawn coming out June 30, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I’ve read several books by this author. I’m obsessed with regency era books! This was a really fun third book. I loved this book featured different characters from the other books. I love the diversity. I loved the writing. It was definitely a lot of dialogue, which I love. I’ll definitely check out more books by this author.
I’ve read several books by this author. I’m obsessed with regency era books! This was a really fun third book. I loved this book featured different characters from the other books. I love the diversity. I loved the writing. It was definitely a lot of dialogue, which I love. I’ll definitely check out more books by this author.
August 11, 2026
The End
Thank you, Netgalley, Zebra Books, and Vanessa Riley for the ARC of A Deal at Dawn. Below is my honest review.
An intriguing read that delves into the life of Katherine Wilcox. her sisters, their secrets, lies, promises kept and unkept. Secondary characters who had us talking to ourselves, as they knew all the secrets. On the other side, we have Jahleel Charles, the Duke who has a mysterious connection to the sisters. It was interesting learning about the blood disease, now known as Sickle Cell. We need a cure.
This was a perfect ending to the trilogy.
Thank you, Netgalley, Zebra Books, and Vanessa Riley for the ARC of A Deal at Dawn. Below is my honest review.
An intriguing read that delves into the life of Katherine Wilcox. her sisters, their secrets, lies, promises kept and unkept. Secondary characters who had us talking to ourselves, as they knew all the secrets. On the other side, we have Jahleel Charles, the Duke who has a mysterious connection to the sisters. It was interesting learning about the blood disease, now known as Sickle Cell. We need a cure.
This was a perfect ending to the trilogy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So good I read it twice. This book had me on the edge of my seat. Will they, won’t they, should they? Vanessa Riley’s books brings so much life to her stories I feel like I’ve traveled back in time. The story telling is so vivid I feel as though I’m watching a movie. This book was excellent.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 16, 2026
I had the opportunity to read the e-arc compliments of the publisher via NetGalley! Vanessa is brilliant in the conclusion of this trilogy. The storyline, characters and chemistry did not disappoint. I loved the love in this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this. I adored the Duke since book one. But in A Deal at Dawn I felt so much for Katherine and all she was struggling with.
Excellent story. Fantastic pacing. A beautiful love story.
Excellent story. Fantastic pacing. A beautiful love story.
July 8, 2026
The third book in the series. Long waited story about Katherine and the Duke.
I’ve enjoyed the Duke’s character, and how he cared for the family from the first book. Katherine on the other hand wasn’t my favorite character. Even though I understood that she had to take care of her family, so she had to make some hard decisions. And I am starting to understand why she did what she did, but I think a bit of communication and understanding could’ve went a long way for Katherine and the Duke.
Katherine was a bit much for me at the beginning of the book but grew on me. I’m also so glad that Scarlett checked her in the beginning of the book as she needed that and it’s been long overdue.
You could tell there was obviously love there between the two. But distance and a lot of hurt was also there.
This was a good 3rd book and I enjoyed learning more about the Katherine and the Dukes history.
I’ve enjoyed the Duke’s character, and how he cared for the family from the first book. Katherine on the other hand wasn’t my favorite character. Even though I understood that she had to take care of her family, so she had to make some hard decisions. And I am starting to understand why she did what she did, but I think a bit of communication and understanding could’ve went a long way for Katherine and the Duke.
Katherine was a bit much for me at the beginning of the book but grew on me. I’m also so glad that Scarlett checked her in the beginning of the book as she needed that and it’s been long overdue.
You could tell there was obviously love there between the two. But distance and a lot of hurt was also there.
This was a good 3rd book and I enjoyed learning more about the Katherine and the Dukes history.
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