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Dollar Princess #2
To Dance with a Duke
For those who love The Gilded Age and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
In 1884, Ames Welby, the Duke of Severton, is desperate. His ancestral home is falling apart, his tenant farmers are starving, and his family name is tainted by a mysterious scandal that keeps people away. With no fortune and no time, he does the unthinkable—marries for money. But Lily Parker, the American heiress he weds in haste, is no pampered socialite. She’s practical, passionate, and has a plan to restore Pickering Castle—and the reputation of the five reclusive Welby brothers.
Inspired by her love of matchmaking and her longing for connection, Lily invites four eligible young women to a summer house party, hoping to spark romance and rebuild the family’s future. What follows is a whirlwind of mischief, mismatched couples, and unexpected love. But when Lily’s belief in true love clashes with Ames’s fear of family curses and social ruin, their fragile marriage is put to the ultimate test.
As storms rage and secrets unravel, Ames must will he fight for legacy—or for the woman who’s taught him that love is the most daring risk of all?
In 1884, Ames Welby, the Duke of Severton, is desperate. His ancestral home is falling apart, his tenant farmers are starving, and his family name is tainted by a mysterious scandal that keeps people away. With no fortune and no time, he does the unthinkable—marries for money. But Lily Parker, the American heiress he weds in haste, is no pampered socialite. She’s practical, passionate, and has a plan to restore Pickering Castle—and the reputation of the five reclusive Welby brothers.
Inspired by her love of matchmaking and her longing for connection, Lily invites four eligible young women to a summer house party, hoping to spark romance and rebuild the family’s future. What follows is a whirlwind of mischief, mismatched couples, and unexpected love. But when Lily’s belief in true love clashes with Ames’s fear of family curses and social ruin, their fragile marriage is put to the ultimate test.
As storms rage and secrets unravel, Ames must will he fight for legacy—or for the woman who’s taught him that love is the most daring risk of all?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Gabrielle Meyer
83 books3,327 followersGabrielle Meyer grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate near the banks of the Mississippi River, imagining real and make-believe stories about the occupants who had lived there. She went on to work for the Minnesota Historical Society and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River, not far from where she grew up, with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and non-fiction filled with hope. Learn more about Gabrielle and her writing by visiting www.gabriellemeyer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 31, 2026
All fans of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers needs to read this clever retelling of the story set in the Gilded Age of the UK in a castle on the North Sea rather than the mountains of Montana. And don’t worry there’s no Sobbin Women but the brothers are definitely the unruly brothers you know.
It’s a sequel but you don’t need to read the first, however if you did this is Lily’s story.
The book is sweet, clean, and I’d let any teenager read it. A nice solid romance with a bit of suspense and action.
It’s a sequel but you don’t need to read the first, however if you did this is Lily’s story.
The book is sweet, clean, and I’d let any teenager read it. A nice solid romance with a bit of suspense and action.
June 16, 2026
How refreshing to read a novel that starts with the marriage (and a semi-arranged one, at that)! I did struggle to like Ames who was so distant at first, and Lily doesn't seem to quite learn her lesson about not keeping things from him, but the wrap-up was intriguing and makes me eager to read the next novel in this series.
June 18, 2026
“I want to create a life with you that we both want. One of our own making. More than anything, I want you to be happy, Lily.”
To Dance with a Duke by Gabrielle Meyer
Ahhhh! I loved this second book in the Dollar Princess series! Full of romance, mystery, suspense, and it has Seven Brides for Seven Brothers vibes!
I love Gabrielle’s connection to that musical, so I think it is so special she wrote it into a book.
The Duke she wrote makes for such a great grumpy Duke, and he has every reason to be grumpy because of things that happened in the past. I felt horrifed for him! And his brothers too. If you love Seeking Persephone and want a book with a comparable grumpy Duke, then definitely check out “To Dance with a Duke.”
I really loved Lily’s character and her fortitude, grit, and determination to make things work in her marriage and to try to make the best of her situation.
As always, Gabrielle weaves beautiful Christian messages into her stories. I loved the discussions of free will and making our own choices, of God leading them to each other and about the importance and sacredness of marriage.
The romance is sweet and delectable while staying behind closed doors. I laughed, swooned, and ate up every ounce of this delightful new story from the author of the Timeless series!
I highly recommend this book! And can be read as a standalone, though I definitely recommend book 1 as well! And book 3 will release this fall!
Favorite Parts:
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers vibes
Marriage of Convenience
“My Wife”
His brothers
The view
Mystery and suspense
The secret passageway
Loved the whole book
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Closed-door: Kissing, implied sexual intimacy (between married couple), scandal mentioned
Violence/gore: Mild -kidnapping, man gets wounded, murder (happens in past, discussed in present),
Substance Use: Mild-social drinking
Prejudices: Social classes
Religious Content: Christian themes
Other: death (past)
Book Info:
Series: Dollar Princesses book 2
Genre: Historical Romance; Gilded Age
Romance Level: Closed-door
Release Date: Available now
Publisher: Indie
POV: Single First person
Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.
To Dance with a Duke by Gabrielle Meyer
Ahhhh! I loved this second book in the Dollar Princess series! Full of romance, mystery, suspense, and it has Seven Brides for Seven Brothers vibes!
I love Gabrielle’s connection to that musical, so I think it is so special she wrote it into a book.
The Duke she wrote makes for such a great grumpy Duke, and he has every reason to be grumpy because of things that happened in the past. I felt horrifed for him! And his brothers too. If you love Seeking Persephone and want a book with a comparable grumpy Duke, then definitely check out “To Dance with a Duke.”
I really loved Lily’s character and her fortitude, grit, and determination to make things work in her marriage and to try to make the best of her situation.
As always, Gabrielle weaves beautiful Christian messages into her stories. I loved the discussions of free will and making our own choices, of God leading them to each other and about the importance and sacredness of marriage.
The romance is sweet and delectable while staying behind closed doors. I laughed, swooned, and ate up every ounce of this delightful new story from the author of the Timeless series!
I highly recommend this book! And can be read as a standalone, though I definitely recommend book 1 as well! And book 3 will release this fall!
Favorite Parts:
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers vibes
Marriage of Convenience
“My Wife”
His brothers
The view
Mystery and suspense
The secret passageway
Loved the whole book
Content Guide:
Language: none
Sexual Content: Closed-door: Kissing, implied sexual intimacy (between married couple), scandal mentioned
Violence/gore: Mild -kidnapping, man gets wounded, murder (happens in past, discussed in present),
Substance Use: Mild-social drinking
Prejudices: Social classes
Religious Content: Christian themes
Other: death (past)
Book Info:
Series: Dollar Princesses book 2
Genre: Historical Romance; Gilded Age
Romance Level: Closed-door
Release Date: Available now
Publisher: Indie
POV: Single First person
Thank you to the Author and publisher for the review copy. All thoughts are my own.
June 19, 2026
The Dollar Princess Series is shaping up to become a favorite series for me. Book 1 was great...Book 2 was excellent. Not only do I love the Regency/Gilded Age settings across the series, but the inclusion of the various classical musicals–genius!
To Dance with a Duke was a loose Seven Brides for Seven Brothers retelling. It doesn't fully follow the plot, but it inspires its own unique story based on some of the more significant events. I read the book, and watched the original musical afterwards. As usual, I should have done that in the reverse order, but such is my style. I did really enjoy following up the book with the musical is was inspired by!
I do have to mention one small issue I had with the first portion of the story...it felt VERY similar to the beginning of Seeking Persephone. I do love that book, so I didn't mind it, but it just seemed a bit too close to the other story. After the first portion, this story veered off in a different direction, and then all was good.
Lily, an American heiress, makes a lovely FMC, who travels to England to marry an aristocrat. Ames, Duke of Severton, likewise makes a delightful MMC, who needs a wealthy American heiress to support his crumbling estate. Lily and Ames quickly agree to a marriage of convenience, and while Lily understands this isn't a love match, she eventually realizes she wants and needs love in a marriage. Ames is not so sure about that, but as most Regency heroes eventually realize, they do in fact love the girl, and become very protective. While trying to woo her husband, Lily is also determined to make the most of the her new home and new brothers, and invites her fellow American heiress friends to the castle in hopes of making a match for her brother-in-laws. Add in jealous brothers, confused heiresses, legends of a family curse, and a gang of underground smugglers, and you've got quite the interesting plot! It's actually quite a miracle that we get a happy ending with this one.
The faith content is light, with themes being focused on forgiveness and honesty. Lily struggles with honesty and transparency and is prone to poor decisions, and Ames is required to lean into forgiveness many times. There is some character growth late in the game, and faith elements tucked in here and there. I was a bit worried that the family curse storyline might get darker than I prefer, but it stayed pretty mild.
While some reviewers didn't care for Lily & Ames relationship, I can appreciate that two broken people coming together have to learn to navigate marriage, and making huge mistakes is often part of that. Stubborn people take time to unlearn the tendency to rely on yourself, and learn to rely on God and your husband to lead. Not every wife is automatically a good one, and as someone who has a hard time letting others lead, I can see the value of showing the reality of that process. Not to mention the situations she's dealing with aren't exactly lending themselves to transparency and trust building. Forget the psychology of the situation, from a writing perspective Lily's poor decisions were needed to set up some of the plot points 😉
What I enjoyed:
🏰 Regency/Gilded Age era setting
🏰 The ill-mannered brothers
🏰 Lily basically demanding a prenup of sorts
🏰 The tunnels
🏰 The forbidden romance side plot
⚠️ Content Warnings:
- American heiress marriage trade
-"Swapping" boyfriends
- Dishonesty of a spouse
- Abduction
- Murders/death (off page, mildly described)
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 4.5 Stars
Writing: 5.0
Characters & Plot: 4.5
Faith & Content: 4.0
Enjoyability: 5.0
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book, especially for lovers of the Regency/Gilded Age era. The added elements from Seven Brides gave it a really unique spin.
To Dance with a Duke was a loose Seven Brides for Seven Brothers retelling. It doesn't fully follow the plot, but it inspires its own unique story based on some of the more significant events. I read the book, and watched the original musical afterwards. As usual, I should have done that in the reverse order, but such is my style. I did really enjoy following up the book with the musical is was inspired by!
I do have to mention one small issue I had with the first portion of the story...it felt VERY similar to the beginning of Seeking Persephone. I do love that book, so I didn't mind it, but it just seemed a bit too close to the other story. After the first portion, this story veered off in a different direction, and then all was good.
Lily, an American heiress, makes a lovely FMC, who travels to England to marry an aristocrat. Ames, Duke of Severton, likewise makes a delightful MMC, who needs a wealthy American heiress to support his crumbling estate. Lily and Ames quickly agree to a marriage of convenience, and while Lily understands this isn't a love match, she eventually realizes she wants and needs love in a marriage. Ames is not so sure about that, but as most Regency heroes eventually realize, they do in fact love the girl, and become very protective. While trying to woo her husband, Lily is also determined to make the most of the her new home and new brothers, and invites her fellow American heiress friends to the castle in hopes of making a match for her brother-in-laws. Add in jealous brothers, confused heiresses, legends of a family curse, and a gang of underground smugglers, and you've got quite the interesting plot! It's actually quite a miracle that we get a happy ending with this one.
The faith content is light, with themes being focused on forgiveness and honesty. Lily struggles with honesty and transparency and is prone to poor decisions, and Ames is required to lean into forgiveness many times. There is some character growth late in the game, and faith elements tucked in here and there. I was a bit worried that the family curse storyline might get darker than I prefer, but it stayed pretty mild.
While some reviewers didn't care for Lily & Ames relationship, I can appreciate that two broken people coming together have to learn to navigate marriage, and making huge mistakes is often part of that. Stubborn people take time to unlearn the tendency to rely on yourself, and learn to rely on God and your husband to lead. Not every wife is automatically a good one, and as someone who has a hard time letting others lead, I can see the value of showing the reality of that process. Not to mention the situations she's dealing with aren't exactly lending themselves to transparency and trust building. Forget the psychology of the situation, from a writing perspective Lily's poor decisions were needed to set up some of the plot points 😉
What I enjoyed:
🏰 Regency/Gilded Age era setting
🏰 The ill-mannered brothers
🏰 Lily basically demanding a prenup of sorts
🏰 The tunnels
🏰 The forbidden romance side plot
⚠️ Content Warnings:
- American heiress marriage trade
-"Swapping" boyfriends
- Dishonesty of a spouse
- Abduction
- Murders/death (off page, mildly described)
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 4.5 Stars
Writing: 5.0
Characters & Plot: 4.5
Faith & Content: 4.0
Enjoyability: 5.0
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book, especially for lovers of the Regency/Gilded Age era. The added elements from Seven Brides gave it a really unique spin.
June 11, 2026
This one is all the ladies who love the Gilded Age, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, or swoony marriage of convenience!
We met our main characters in the first book of the American Dollar Princess, To Love a Lady. Lily Parker, an American heiress braves London society to snag a titled husband and the chance of a rise in station for her sister back in America. When Ames’s first choice, Clara, rejects him, she kindly puts a worm in his ear to seeking out Lily.
Quite desperate for funds for his estate and a womanly influence for his reclusive brothers, he offers the first chance he gets and Lily, seeking an escape from unwanted suitors, quickly agrees.
Lily is determined to bring Pickering back to its former glory but rumored curses and reluctant brothers-in-law prove a difficult task. She soon finds herself in the midst of more trouble and danger than she bargained for.
I loved this story! Lily’s determination and commitment. Ames and his brothers, who are stubborn but lovable. Sweet Aunt Eliza. With so many brothers, there are plenty of love stories with lots of drama. I enjoyed all the similarities between this book and the movie.
And I am so excited for the next story which is a Sound of Music retelling!!
Thank you Gabrielle for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Historical Fiction
Musical Retelling
Clean Romance
Closed Door Romance
June 20, 2026
I’ve been dying to get my eyes on the Duke of Severton’s story and to have a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers retelling set in the Gilded Age included? Yes, please!
Ames has to get married asap to save his crumbling castle and those relying on him. American heiress, Lily, is practical and has secrets, but jumps into this marriage of convenience wholeheartedly. And the result is highly entertaining.
Gabrielle Meyer never fails to quickly engage her readers into a delightful story, and this Dollar Princess series is charming and amusing. With hints of attraction, whiffs of chemistry, and elements of a gothic tale, the twists captivated me, giving this one an original feel to a beloved favorite musical.
I’m already eager for what’s next in this series!
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
Ames has to get married asap to save his crumbling castle and those relying on him. American heiress, Lily, is practical and has secrets, but jumps into this marriage of convenience wholeheartedly. And the result is highly entertaining.
Gabrielle Meyer never fails to quickly engage her readers into a delightful story, and this Dollar Princess series is charming and amusing. With hints of attraction, whiffs of chemistry, and elements of a gothic tale, the twists captivated me, giving this one an original feel to a beloved favorite musical.
I’m already eager for what’s next in this series!
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
June 12, 2026
I’m so disappointed. I adored the first book in this series and was really hoping to like this one just as much. The FMC, Lily, ruined all of that for me. Squashed my hope like a bug.
She’s stupid, that’s all. She makes horrendous decisions and is considerate to everyone who isn’t her husband. She broke his trust so many times, at least five, and did absolutely nothing to build rapport between them.
Somehow Ames was always the one apologizing for her deception and their eventual falling out????? Like I’m a girls girl but I’m first and foremost a HUSBAND GIRL.
My marriage would be in SHAMBLES if I acted even remotely similar to this woman.
She’s stupid, that’s all. She makes horrendous decisions and is considerate to everyone who isn’t her husband. She broke his trust so many times, at least five, and did absolutely nothing to build rapport between them.
Somehow Ames was always the one apologizing for her deception and their eventual falling out????? Like I’m a girls girl but I’m first and foremost a HUSBAND GIRL.
My marriage would be in SHAMBLES if I acted even remotely similar to this woman.
June 21, 2026
First of all, this is Gabrielle Meyer, people. She is sooooo good. Truthfully, I think she ranks way up there in my top three favorite Christian authors. And this series? Fabulous!
An American heiress meets an English duke and agrees to marry him in the same evening, actually in the same dance! Her reasoning is sound and selfless.
His reasoning for wanting to marry her? Money. A business agreement to pay debts he inherited, to restore his estate and to help the tenant farmers. He was sure she just wanted to marry into his title, but he knew who she was first and liked what he heard. (Which isn’t revealed until much later.)
What happened after that was one terrific story, and not exactly what is typical.
I loved this book and will definitely read it again.
An American heiress meets an English duke and agrees to marry him in the same evening, actually in the same dance! Her reasoning is sound and selfless.
His reasoning for wanting to marry her? Money. A business agreement to pay debts he inherited, to restore his estate and to help the tenant farmers. He was sure she just wanted to marry into his title, but he knew who she was first and liked what he heard. (Which isn’t revealed until much later.)
What happened after that was one terrific story, and not exactly what is typical.
I loved this book and will definitely read it again.
June 12, 2026
Written by my favorite author. Inspired by my favorite movie. Has my favorite trope. How could I not have loved it?!
June 17, 2026
3.5⭐️/5
This was a fun read to be sure, but it just didn’t land for me the way I was hoping it would. Looking forward to reading the next one!
This was a fun read to be sure, but it just didn’t land for me the way I was hoping it would. Looking forward to reading the next one!
June 13, 2026
I absolutely adored this book! It’s a retailing of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! Gabrielle Meyer never disappoints, but this series has quickly become one of my favorites. As someone who loves stories set during the Gilded Age, I was immediately drawn in by the English setting, grand estates, and family dynamics. I especially enjoyed the addition of Lily, the American heiress, whose practical nature and determination brought a refreshing contrast to the traditions and expectations of English society.
The Welby family was fascinating, and I loved watching the relationships develop throughout the story. The mystery surrounding the family name added a bit of intrigue, while the matchmaking storyline with all the brothers brought plenty of humor and a bit of frustration. Meyer does such a wonderful job creating characters you genuinely care about and root for them as they navigate challenges, faith, and romance.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the theme of restoration not just of a castle and a family reputation, but of relationships, hope, and purpose. The story felt both comforting and engaging, with a perfect balance of romance, family, and historical detail. If you enjoy historical fiction, strong family bonds, and sweet romance, this book is a must-read. I highly recommend it and am already looking forward to spending more time with ……. Ah I don’t want to spoil the end of the book 😉😉. ❤️📚
The Welby family was fascinating, and I loved watching the relationships develop throughout the story. The mystery surrounding the family name added a bit of intrigue, while the matchmaking storyline with all the brothers brought plenty of humor and a bit of frustration. Meyer does such a wonderful job creating characters you genuinely care about and root for them as they navigate challenges, faith, and romance.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was the theme of restoration not just of a castle and a family reputation, but of relationships, hope, and purpose. The story felt both comforting and engaging, with a perfect balance of romance, family, and historical detail. If you enjoy historical fiction, strong family bonds, and sweet romance, this book is a must-read. I highly recommend it and am already looking forward to spending more time with ……. Ah I don’t want to spoil the end of the book 😉😉. ❤️📚
June 21, 2026
“In that moment, I was quite certain of two things. I was in love with my husband and I would find a way to make him love me in return.”
I loved every page of To Dance With a Duke, the second book in Gabrielle Meyer’s Dollar Princess series. I have not ever seen Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but this retelling has me determined to fix that very soon! Lily had such a sweet, spunky spirit and I loved how her relationship with Ames progressed. The brothers were fun and I loved how quickly they accepted Lily into their home. I felt so bad for Ames and everything his family went through and that he was still so determined to take care of his brothers and all of the people who depended on his family. Gabrielle brought so many sweet, Christian messages throughout the story and that really made me enjoy it even more. This story was full of fun side characters and I truly hope we get to see more of them in the upcoming books. There was some really interesting side plots that were full of mystery and suspense. Truly between this series and the Timeless series, Gabrielle is quickly becoming a must read author for me.
I’d like to thank Gabrielle Meyer for giving me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. The content of my review was not affected by this in any way.
I loved every page of To Dance With a Duke, the second book in Gabrielle Meyer’s Dollar Princess series. I have not ever seen Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but this retelling has me determined to fix that very soon! Lily had such a sweet, spunky spirit and I loved how her relationship with Ames progressed. The brothers were fun and I loved how quickly they accepted Lily into their home. I felt so bad for Ames and everything his family went through and that he was still so determined to take care of his brothers and all of the people who depended on his family. Gabrielle brought so many sweet, Christian messages throughout the story and that really made me enjoy it even more. This story was full of fun side characters and I truly hope we get to see more of them in the upcoming books. There was some really interesting side plots that were full of mystery and suspense. Truly between this series and the Timeless series, Gabrielle is quickly becoming a must read author for me.
I’d like to thank Gabrielle Meyer for giving me a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review. The content of my review was not affected by this in any way.
June 11, 2026
This story is a A Seven Brides for Seven Brothers retelling...and Oh, how I loved it!
Lily and Ames find sweet love despite a "business arrangement" marriage. With secrets, mysteries, trust, and marriages for the brothers, there are tender moments and real obstacles as each is hesitant to give their heart fully.
I mean, it's understandable.
Yet through it all, they come out stronger, and learn forgiveness, and grace. This story sent me on a roller coaster of emotions. But in the end, when Lily's safety is jeopardized and Ames's true feelings win out...he would move heaven and earth to see her safe...he realizes thar everything else is inconsequential.
A happily ever after retelling. Kisses only romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Lily and Ames find sweet love despite a "business arrangement" marriage. With secrets, mysteries, trust, and marriages for the brothers, there are tender moments and real obstacles as each is hesitant to give their heart fully.
I mean, it's understandable.
Yet through it all, they come out stronger, and learn forgiveness, and grace. This story sent me on a roller coaster of emotions. But in the end, when Lily's safety is jeopardized and Ames's true feelings win out...he would move heaven and earth to see her safe...he realizes thar everything else is inconsequential.
A happily ever after retelling. Kisses only romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
June 14, 2026
This was such a fun story. I loved Lily’s spunk and desire to make her husband proud of her. However, Lily’s continual keeping of secrets from Ames and Ames’ continual apologizing for his responses to feeling betrayed and misled, even when he really wasn’t the one at fault, was a little predictable and unbalanced. The same conflict seemed to repeat itself, and by the end I found myself wishing for more honest communication and a steady pattern of growth from both characters.
June 20, 2026
I love this series. They are sweet and easy to read and fun to see the connections to the musicals that inspired the story.
June 19, 2026
I surprisingly didn't love this one. The writing was solid, the story was promising, but the romance seemed too fast. I also didn't like the main character at all. She kept on making the same stupid mistakes, and I almost stopped reading at 88%.
June 17, 2026
As someone who hates misunderstandings as a trope, this was my first hate read of the year. The writing, world building and characters were great! Apart from the misunderstandings I really enjoyed reading it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
In a Nutshell: A historical romance that is not just a historical romance. Retelling of the classic Hollywood musical ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’. Interesting characters, great historical feel, wonderful setting. Christian fiction. Slightly slow and repetitive in the second half. A nice option for fans of the genre and of the movie. The second book in the Dollar Princess series but can be read as a standalone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
By now, my friends surely know of my fondness for this author’s writing. I don’t read many romances these days, but when they are from the pen of Gabrielle Meyer, I sign up before even reading the blurb.
The Dollar Princess series is a planned set of five books, each a Gilded Age retelling of a Hollywood musical. Each book shares the theme and some characters. There is also a continuity in the timeline though not in the plot. Hence this book can be read as a standalone.
This second novel is based on the excellent romantic + comic musical, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’. (There is a Bollywood copy of this movie as well titled ‘Satte Pe Satta’, starring then-superstar Amitabh Bachchan as the Indian “Adam”. It is also fairly entertaining for its time and has some hummable songs, but the original is the original for a reason.) If you enjoyed the movie, you will love this book version of it!
Bookish Yays:
💰 The novelisation of the musical – wow! This book takes some essentials from the movie but as always, the author gives it her own twist. I love that she eliminates the more problematic elements from the source material. In this case, that infamous kidnapping scene has been chucked out in favour of something more traditional and acceptable. No Sobbin’ Ladies in this one! I also appreciated the reduction in the number of brothers. Seven would have been too many to remember! 😅
💰 The novelty of the plot despite being a retelling. There are several new elements added to make the story more well-rounded. The Gothic mystery angle was unexpected! 👀
💰 The historical research. As always, mindblowing! Many authors would have been content to wing the historical elements as the romance should get greater focus in a romance novel. But Meyer’s books always contain a strong element of history that actually transports us to the era.
💰 Lily as the lead character. Loved her strength of character and her conviction to follow her duties as the duchess without compromising on her faith as well as personal goals. As she has the advantage of wealth that Jane in the movie didn’t, her approach towards training the Welby boys is quite different: not so comical, but equally endearing. (It helps to hum “Goin’ Courtin’” during this scene! 😁)
💰 Molly, Lily’s maid and a strong character despite her relatively small role.
💰 The four younger Welby brothers. (‘Younger’ being a relative word because they are all older than Lily!) Though each had a relatively limited page space because of the numerous characters, their complexities and emotions came out well. I didn’t like all of them equally but did like how they made their presence felt and how each had a different personality.
💰 The romance. As Lily and Ames start with a marriage of convenience, their love story takes a more slowburn and subtle route. Those looking for a more passionate romance story might not enjoy this, but I found it more realistic than an insta-attraction.
💰 The use of the Dollar Princess concept, which I didn’t realise so much in Book One but comes out strongly in this second novel. The detailing of the mentality of the Gilded Age rich ladies feels spot on.
💰 The setting. Not the USA nor the richer areas of London. The majestic Pickering Castle is set on the coastal moors by the North Sea, and this remote location is explored very well in several scenes.
💰 The depiction of the contrast between the American and British attitudes towards certain topics. The book is obviously a bit biased towards the USA, but I appreciate that there are a few lines in favour of a few UK tendencies too.
💰 The Christian content. Slightly diluted in this one, but still as meaningful. No needless preachiness; just a depiction of trusting in God’s plan and working towards your marriage in harmony with His plan.
💰 The cover art – so pretty! 😍
Bookish Okays:
💵 Ames. He is modelled on Adam from the movie (who is not exactly a woman’s dream man with his obnoxious misogyny towards Jane.) To be fair, Ames is a much better version of Adam. But in some scenes, I could see glimpses of the same closemindedness as Adam. This made me quite annoyed with the Duke. This is more a shortcoming of the original material than of the book, and a part of it can be excused by his title privilege.
💵 The numerous characters: five couples and their chaperones, phew! 😅 At one point, I was muddling all the pairs, but things soon became easier. Just go with the flow.
💵 There is a fair amount of secret-keeping between Ames and Lily, just as in the movie. Some secrets are justified; some just feel like needless miscommunication.
Bookish Nays:
💸 The repetitive conflict-and-instant-resolution scenes between Ames and Lily in the second half. The cyclical arguments and quick settlement got a teeny bit boring.
Overall, this turned out to be a lovely story, going much deeper than the movie and covering several more themes. I loved Book One: ‘To Love a Lady’ more because of adorable leads and stronger storyline, but I still had a lot of fun reading this novel and enjoyed making comparisons between it and the movie.
The lead pair of the next book has already been introduced in this story. Unless you've been living under a rock, you too will easily guess the movie inspiring the next adaptation as soon as you read that scene. I'm so excited for it! It's one of my all-time favourite musicals, even though it butchered reality despite claiming to be based on real events. (Is this much information sufficient for you to take a guess at what musical is next?)
Definitely recommended to anyone who likes historical fiction with slowburn romance and Christian values. You don’t need to know the movie to enjoy the book, but you will certainly appreciate the Easter Eggs better if you are familiar with it.
4 stars.
My thanks to author Gabrielle Meyer for providing me with a complimentary copy of “To Dance With a Duke” at my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
1884, England. Twenty-year-old American heiress Lily Parker is taken by surprise when the reclusive Duke of Severton, Ames Welby, proposes to her almost as soon as they meet. She knows that he is in desperate need of money to repair his ancestral home, and as she has wealth as well as an interest in leaving the crazy chaos of London, she accepts. What she doesn’t know is that life at Pickering Castle will be just as chaotic. Ames’ four brothers, though charming, don’t know how to behave in upper-class society. Practical-minded Lily soon hatches a plan to train them in the necessary etiquette and then invite four wealthy American girls and their chaperones to Pickering Castle, hoping for suitable matches. But the constant clash of love vs. money makes Lily’s task tougher than she anticipated. Adding to her troubles are the howls of the “Wailing Duchess” that make locals suspect Pickering Castle is haunted.
The story comes to us in Lily’s first-person perspective.
By now, my friends surely know of my fondness for this author’s writing. I don’t read many romances these days, but when they are from the pen of Gabrielle Meyer, I sign up before even reading the blurb.
The Dollar Princess series is a planned set of five books, each a Gilded Age retelling of a Hollywood musical. Each book shares the theme and some characters. There is also a continuity in the timeline though not in the plot. Hence this book can be read as a standalone.
This second novel is based on the excellent romantic + comic musical, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’. (There is a Bollywood copy of this movie as well titled ‘Satte Pe Satta’, starring then-superstar Amitabh Bachchan as the Indian “Adam”. It is also fairly entertaining for its time and has some hummable songs, but the original is the original for a reason.) If you enjoyed the movie, you will love this book version of it!
Bookish Yays:
💰 The novelisation of the musical – wow! This book takes some essentials from the movie but as always, the author gives it her own twist. I love that she eliminates the more problematic elements from the source material. In this case, that infamous kidnapping scene has been chucked out in favour of something more traditional and acceptable. No Sobbin’ Ladies in this one! I also appreciated the reduction in the number of brothers. Seven would have been too many to remember! 😅
💰 The novelty of the plot despite being a retelling. There are several new elements added to make the story more well-rounded. The Gothic mystery angle was unexpected! 👀
💰 The historical research. As always, mindblowing! Many authors would have been content to wing the historical elements as the romance should get greater focus in a romance novel. But Meyer’s books always contain a strong element of history that actually transports us to the era.
💰 Lily as the lead character. Loved her strength of character and her conviction to follow her duties as the duchess without compromising on her faith as well as personal goals. As she has the advantage of wealth that Jane in the movie didn’t, her approach towards training the Welby boys is quite different: not so comical, but equally endearing. (It helps to hum “Goin’ Courtin’” during this scene! 😁)
💰 Molly, Lily’s maid and a strong character despite her relatively small role.
💰 The four younger Welby brothers. (‘Younger’ being a relative word because they are all older than Lily!) Though each had a relatively limited page space because of the numerous characters, their complexities and emotions came out well. I didn’t like all of them equally but did like how they made their presence felt and how each had a different personality.
💰 The romance. As Lily and Ames start with a marriage of convenience, their love story takes a more slowburn and subtle route. Those looking for a more passionate romance story might not enjoy this, but I found it more realistic than an insta-attraction.
💰 The use of the Dollar Princess concept, which I didn’t realise so much in Book One but comes out strongly in this second novel. The detailing of the mentality of the Gilded Age rich ladies feels spot on.
💰 The setting. Not the USA nor the richer areas of London. The majestic Pickering Castle is set on the coastal moors by the North Sea, and this remote location is explored very well in several scenes.
💰 The depiction of the contrast between the American and British attitudes towards certain topics. The book is obviously a bit biased towards the USA, but I appreciate that there are a few lines in favour of a few UK tendencies too.
💰 The Christian content. Slightly diluted in this one, but still as meaningful. No needless preachiness; just a depiction of trusting in God’s plan and working towards your marriage in harmony with His plan.
💰 The cover art – so pretty! 😍
Bookish Okays:
💵 Ames. He is modelled on Adam from the movie (who is not exactly a woman’s dream man with his obnoxious misogyny towards Jane.) To be fair, Ames is a much better version of Adam. But in some scenes, I could see glimpses of the same closemindedness as Adam. This made me quite annoyed with the Duke. This is more a shortcoming of the original material than of the book, and a part of it can be excused by his title privilege.
💵 The numerous characters: five couples and their chaperones, phew! 😅 At one point, I was muddling all the pairs, but things soon became easier. Just go with the flow.
💵 There is a fair amount of secret-keeping between Ames and Lily, just as in the movie. Some secrets are justified; some just feel like needless miscommunication.
Bookish Nays:
💸 The repetitive conflict-and-instant-resolution scenes between Ames and Lily in the second half. The cyclical arguments and quick settlement got a teeny bit boring.
Overall, this turned out to be a lovely story, going much deeper than the movie and covering several more themes. I loved Book One: ‘To Love a Lady’ more because of adorable leads and stronger storyline, but I still had a lot of fun reading this novel and enjoyed making comparisons between it and the movie.
The lead pair of the next book has already been introduced in this story. Unless you've been living under a rock, you too will easily guess the movie inspiring the next adaptation as soon as you read that scene. I'm so excited for it! It's one of my all-time favourite musicals, even though it butchered reality despite claiming to be based on real events. (Is this much information sufficient for you to take a guess at what musical is next?)
Definitely recommended to anyone who likes historical fiction with slowburn romance and Christian values. You don’t need to know the movie to enjoy the book, but you will certainly appreciate the Easter Eggs better if you are familiar with it.
4 stars.
My thanks to author Gabrielle Meyer for providing me with a complimentary copy of “To Dance With a Duke” at my request. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
The digital version of this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to author Gabrielle Meyer for an ARC of this delightful novel!
First, I have been looking forward to getting the Duke of Severton's story since we first met him in To Love a Lady, the first book in this series! I really loved his character in that book and was intrigued by his backstory, so I was so excited to read this. However, while part of a series, this book could absolutely be read as a standalone.
Set in 1884 during the Gilded Age and loosely inspired by Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, this novel tells the story of Lily Parker, an American heiress who travels to London to find an aristocratic husband. Lily agrees to marry Ames Welby, Duke of Severton, who is eager to find a wealthy wife to help him restore his crumbling ancestral home, Pickering Castle, on the coastal moors of England. Upon arriving at the remote castle, Lily learns that her new husband's five younger brothers are in dire need of some manners and training on how to behave in society. With time, Lily increasingly feels like she wants more than a business arrangement from her marriage and also hopes to find future matches for her brothers-in-law and invites her eligible friends to stay for a house party.
This was such a romantic story! I really love a marriage of convenience story, so I loved watching Lily and Ames grow to care for each other with time. It was clear they liked and admired each other when they make the business-like decision to marry, but watching their interest in each other bloom throughout the book was so lovely. I appreciated that neither of them is perfect, but they continue to try to communicate and repair when they make mistakes.
Pickering Castle was an absolutely fantastic setting for this story, with its endless secret passageways, dark history, and eerie howling. I would give anything to take a tour! These dark and hidden passages are a major part of the plot and there were some very dramatic scenes involving people sneaking around the castle through them!
I think fans of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will be pleased with this novel. This has a different time period and setting, but the uncouth, unpolished brothers remain intact (albeit only five of them in this version!). I loved seeing Lily whip them into shape and then see all the drama and excitement as the brothers begin to court.
One of my favorite aspects of Lily's character is that she is a writer! I love to see writers write about reading and writing, because I know it is born out of personal experience. I love that Lily has aspirations and purpose beyond her fortune and in addition to her husband and is very successful at it. While this causes tension in her marriage at one point, I really appreciated how it was resolved and Ames' final opinion on the matter. I also loved the way the book concludes for Ames and Lily and their choices regarding Pickering Castle and their future. It felt like it ended on such a positive note for them both as a couple but for the sustainability of their livelihood moving forward.
This book also sets us up so well for the next book! I regret it isn't already out because I'm already anxious to read it.
Another well-written historical romance from Gabrielle Meyer! I love all of Gabrielle Meyer's novels, but the strong and independent female lead, historic & haunted mansion setting, and five handsome Welby brothers really made this one top-notch.
First, I have been looking forward to getting the Duke of Severton's story since we first met him in To Love a Lady, the first book in this series! I really loved his character in that book and was intrigued by his backstory, so I was so excited to read this. However, while part of a series, this book could absolutely be read as a standalone.
Set in 1884 during the Gilded Age and loosely inspired by Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, this novel tells the story of Lily Parker, an American heiress who travels to London to find an aristocratic husband. Lily agrees to marry Ames Welby, Duke of Severton, who is eager to find a wealthy wife to help him restore his crumbling ancestral home, Pickering Castle, on the coastal moors of England. Upon arriving at the remote castle, Lily learns that her new husband's five younger brothers are in dire need of some manners and training on how to behave in society. With time, Lily increasingly feels like she wants more than a business arrangement from her marriage and also hopes to find future matches for her brothers-in-law and invites her eligible friends to stay for a house party.
This was such a romantic story! I really love a marriage of convenience story, so I loved watching Lily and Ames grow to care for each other with time. It was clear they liked and admired each other when they make the business-like decision to marry, but watching their interest in each other bloom throughout the book was so lovely. I appreciated that neither of them is perfect, but they continue to try to communicate and repair when they make mistakes.
Pickering Castle was an absolutely fantastic setting for this story, with its endless secret passageways, dark history, and eerie howling. I would give anything to take a tour! These dark and hidden passages are a major part of the plot and there were some very dramatic scenes involving people sneaking around the castle through them!
I think fans of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers will be pleased with this novel. This has a different time period and setting, but the uncouth, unpolished brothers remain intact (albeit only five of them in this version!). I loved seeing Lily whip them into shape and then see all the drama and excitement as the brothers begin to court.
One of my favorite aspects of Lily's character is that she is a writer! I love to see writers write about reading and writing, because I know it is born out of personal experience. I love that Lily has aspirations and purpose beyond her fortune and in addition to her husband and is very successful at it. While this causes tension in her marriage at one point, I really appreciated how it was resolved and Ames' final opinion on the matter. I also loved the way the book concludes for Ames and Lily and their choices regarding Pickering Castle and their future. It felt like it ended on such a positive note for them both as a couple but for the sustainability of their livelihood moving forward.
This book also sets us up so well for the next book! I regret it isn't already out because I'm already anxious to read it.
Another well-written historical romance from Gabrielle Meyer! I love all of Gabrielle Meyer's novels, but the strong and independent female lead, historic & haunted mansion setting, and five handsome Welby brothers really made this one top-notch.
Review of advance copy received from Author
To Dance with a Duke is a delightful reimagining of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers set in the Gilded Age. As much as I enjoyed To Love a Lady, which was inspired by My Fair Lady, I thought To Dance with a Duke was an even stronger and more compelling story. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the author’s favorite movies, and her love for the musical really shined through.
Lily is beautiful and wealthy, though she is looked down upon as “new money” by the New York society. That’s where the concept of the Dollar Princesses comes in, a class of wealthy young ladies of which Lily finds herself a reluctant part. Her mother is desperate to marry her off to a British aristocrat for status, as a way to gain the societal acceptance for which she longs so fervently. Lily agrees, largely for the benefit of her younger sisters.
Enter Ames Welby, Duke Everton. He is master of a crumbling estate, with four younger (but grown) brothers in his care after the scandalous crime that ripped both parents from them in a single night. He needs to secure a wealthy heiress for the good of his estate, his tenant farmers, and his brothers. He’s very up-front about his needs. And Lily, to her own surprise, agrees to marry him almost immediately after meeting him. But this is a business deal, not the love match Lily has longed for since her childhood. Can anything deeper blossom from it, especially when both parties harbor secrets?
I love a good marriage of convenience, and the union between Ames and Lily definitely fit the bill. The two had a lot to overcome, especially in regards to their lack of trust in each other, but I was rooting for them both the entire time. Lily is a very strong heroine, following in the footsteps of her cinematic inspiration. The decision to make her a secret novelist was a really fun addition. Ames was also a great—if sometimes incredibly frustrating—character who felt true to his movie counterpart, as well. Gabrielle did a great job with the brothers, five here instead of seven, and I really appreciated that she kept their odd, alphabetical naming conventions. I also really enjoyed the added lightly Gothic air she wove into the Pickering Castle setting.
I’ve had a wonderful time with both of Gabrielle’s Dollar Princesses books so far, and I can’t wait to continue with the series. I especially appreciate To Dance with a Duke, as it compelled me to watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers for the very first time. And I absolutely loved it. The third installment, To Educate an Earl, inspired by The Sound of Music, is slated for publication October 6th!
Lily is beautiful and wealthy, though she is looked down upon as “new money” by the New York society. That’s where the concept of the Dollar Princesses comes in, a class of wealthy young ladies of which Lily finds herself a reluctant part. Her mother is desperate to marry her off to a British aristocrat for status, as a way to gain the societal acceptance for which she longs so fervently. Lily agrees, largely for the benefit of her younger sisters.
Enter Ames Welby, Duke Everton. He is master of a crumbling estate, with four younger (but grown) brothers in his care after the scandalous crime that ripped both parents from them in a single night. He needs to secure a wealthy heiress for the good of his estate, his tenant farmers, and his brothers. He’s very up-front about his needs. And Lily, to her own surprise, agrees to marry him almost immediately after meeting him. But this is a business deal, not the love match Lily has longed for since her childhood. Can anything deeper blossom from it, especially when both parties harbor secrets?
I love a good marriage of convenience, and the union between Ames and Lily definitely fit the bill. The two had a lot to overcome, especially in regards to their lack of trust in each other, but I was rooting for them both the entire time. Lily is a very strong heroine, following in the footsteps of her cinematic inspiration. The decision to make her a secret novelist was a really fun addition. Ames was also a great—if sometimes incredibly frustrating—character who felt true to his movie counterpart, as well. Gabrielle did a great job with the brothers, five here instead of seven, and I really appreciated that she kept their odd, alphabetical naming conventions. I also really enjoyed the added lightly Gothic air she wove into the Pickering Castle setting.
I’ve had a wonderful time with both of Gabrielle’s Dollar Princesses books so far, and I can’t wait to continue with the series. I especially appreciate To Dance with a Duke, as it compelled me to watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers for the very first time. And I absolutely loved it. The third installment, To Educate an Earl, inspired by The Sound of Music, is slated for publication October 6th!
June 16, 2026
All the stars for this amazing Gilded Age twist on Seven Brides for Seven Brothers! I’ve long been a fan of the musical & reading Gabrielle Meyer’s clever nod to this favorite was fantastic. After To Love A Lady, I couldn’t wait to read the mysterious Duke of Severton’s story & it was everything I’d hoped & more. All the humor & touching moments inspired by the musical were there along with an achingly lovely strangers to more romance & gripping gothic mystery. Set on the Yorkshire Coast in a crumbling castle with rumors of hauntings & smuggling, this story grabbed hold & didn’t let go!
I loved Lily Parker, the American Heiress who’s searching for love & purpose. She finds it in the handsome, scarred English Duke, Ames Welsby who needs her money to save Pickering Castle & provide for his four younger brothers. Though they barely know each another, there’s a connection between them & Lily hopes there might be the possibility of love. But, his tragic past & the spooky happenings at the castle make her question her decision, especially when her husband seems determined to keep her at arms length. His lovable brothers though desperately need her guidance & lessons in societal manners. I loved the lessons she deftly provides especially with regard to dinner.
Ames is that wounded, gruff hero you can’t help but adore. He’s afraid of letting down his guard when it seems he’s doomed to the Duke of Severton’s curse. I enjoyed watching Lily get under his skin & help him realize he can have both her money & love. I loved his late night piano serenades & exploring the castle with him & Lily. They’re secret passageways & a spooky gothic feel that I loved.
When Lily hosts a house party & invites her American heiress friends, I couldn’t wait to see what chaos would ensue. Ames’ brothers are a bit uncouth & Lily definitely has her work cut out for her. I loved seeing these wrestling brothers learn to dance & come up to snuff. Their love stories are as whirlwind as their brother’s, especially Brant’s forbidden romance with Lily’s maid Molly.
Loved the romance, mystery, humor & faith beautifully woven in. Can’t wait for the next book! Highly recommend to historical romance & musical fans. I received an advanced copy but also purchased in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.
I loved Lily Parker, the American Heiress who’s searching for love & purpose. She finds it in the handsome, scarred English Duke, Ames Welsby who needs her money to save Pickering Castle & provide for his four younger brothers. Though they barely know each another, there’s a connection between them & Lily hopes there might be the possibility of love. But, his tragic past & the spooky happenings at the castle make her question her decision, especially when her husband seems determined to keep her at arms length. His lovable brothers though desperately need her guidance & lessons in societal manners. I loved the lessons she deftly provides especially with regard to dinner.
Ames is that wounded, gruff hero you can’t help but adore. He’s afraid of letting down his guard when it seems he’s doomed to the Duke of Severton’s curse. I enjoyed watching Lily get under his skin & help him realize he can have both her money & love. I loved his late night piano serenades & exploring the castle with him & Lily. They’re secret passageways & a spooky gothic feel that I loved.
When Lily hosts a house party & invites her American heiress friends, I couldn’t wait to see what chaos would ensue. Ames’ brothers are a bit uncouth & Lily definitely has her work cut out for her. I loved seeing these wrestling brothers learn to dance & come up to snuff. Their love stories are as whirlwind as their brother’s, especially Brant’s forbidden romance with Lily’s maid Molly.
Loved the romance, mystery, humor & faith beautifully woven in. Can’t wait for the next book! Highly recommend to historical romance & musical fans. I received an advanced copy but also purchased in Kindle Unlimited. All opinions are my own & provided voluntarily.
June 14, 2026
“He was handsome, dangerously so. Ifl wasn't careful, I might lose my heart to my husband, and that was something I could never do.”
Oh this was just delightful set in the gilded age with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers vibes. Which is one of my all time favorite musicals & this had so many winks to the original that kept me smiling. Seriously I’m loving this musical Dollar Princess series! Set in England 1884 Ames Welby, the Duke of Severton, is desperate. His ancestral home is falling apart, his tenant farmers are struggling & his family name is tainted by a mysterious scandal that keeps people away. With no fortune, he decides to head to London & marry for money. When he meets Lily Parker an American heiress, he is drawn to her and her money. They marry quickly & head back to his haunted ancestral castle where Lily meets his four reclusive brothers. Lily is practical, passionate and she has plans to fix up the castle and possibly do a little match making. What follows is a whirlwind of mischief, mismatched couples & unexpected love. I love a marriage of convenience and this one was so much fun with lots of brothers, family curses, smuggling & too many secrets. It’s a sweet & swoony historical romance that will keep you turning the pages plus that epilogue has me excited for the next book in the series 🥰
"I missed you when you left, and I realized it was only my foolishness keeping me away."
“I was in love with my husband and I would find a way to make him love me in return.”
Oh this was just delightful set in the gilded age with Seven Brides for Seven Brothers vibes. Which is one of my all time favorite musicals & this had so many winks to the original that kept me smiling. Seriously I’m loving this musical Dollar Princess series! Set in England 1884 Ames Welby, the Duke of Severton, is desperate. His ancestral home is falling apart, his tenant farmers are struggling & his family name is tainted by a mysterious scandal that keeps people away. With no fortune, he decides to head to London & marry for money. When he meets Lily Parker an American heiress, he is drawn to her and her money. They marry quickly & head back to his haunted ancestral castle where Lily meets his four reclusive brothers. Lily is practical, passionate and she has plans to fix up the castle and possibly do a little match making. What follows is a whirlwind of mischief, mismatched couples & unexpected love. I love a marriage of convenience and this one was so much fun with lots of brothers, family curses, smuggling & too many secrets. It’s a sweet & swoony historical romance that will keep you turning the pages plus that epilogue has me excited for the next book in the series 🥰
"I missed you when you left, and I realized it was only my foolishness keeping me away."
“I was in love with my husband and I would find a way to make him love me in return.”
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ames Welby is looking for an heiress to rescue his crumbling estate while Lily Parker is wanting to escape the elderly duke her mother has in mind for her. So, when Ames proposes a business arrangement in the form of marriage, Lily accepts. As she gets to know Ames she discovers him to be fiercely protective of his four brothers and the estate, but also sees beyond his stoic nature to the man who he truly is. Navigating the social expectations of the English aristocracy, keeping secrets to protect themselves and others, Lily and Ames must make concessions and learn to trust each other.
Besides Lily, Aunt Eliza was my favorite character. She was so welcoming and helpful with the working of the manor and smoothing over some rough spots between Ames and Lily. Every new bride should have someone like Aunt Eliza in their life.
The legend of the wailing woman and the storming weather that prevailed lent an air of mystery, danger, and a Gothic feel to parts of the story. I loved how all of this tied into the story.
This is the second book in the Dollar Princess series and based upon the musical Seven Brides for Seven Sisters. If you are familiar with that story or a lover of historical romances, you’ll enjoy this story. I am looking forward to the third book that is based upon The Sound of Music. :)
I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
Besides Lily, Aunt Eliza was my favorite character. She was so welcoming and helpful with the working of the manor and smoothing over some rough spots between Ames and Lily. Every new bride should have someone like Aunt Eliza in their life.
The legend of the wailing woman and the storming weather that prevailed lent an air of mystery, danger, and a Gothic feel to parts of the story. I loved how all of this tied into the story.
This is the second book in the Dollar Princess series and based upon the musical Seven Brides for Seven Sisters. If you are familiar with that story or a lover of historical romances, you’ll enjoy this story. I am looking forward to the third book that is based upon The Sound of Music. :)
I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions in this review are my own.
June 6, 2026
Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless series gets a lot of attention, but this series needs more, because it’s an absolute delight! This second book has many nods to Seven Brides for Seven Brothers- one of my favorite musicals. I loved all the subtle movie nods. But if you’ve never seen the movie the story stands fine by itself!
The “dollar princesses” are American heiresses in London looking for titles in exchange for their money. Lily’s mother wants her to have a title, but she just wants to live somewhere not New York City or London. When Ames Welby- a Duke- makes her an offer of marriage which includes moving to a remote Yorkshire castle on the coast, she isn’t turned away by the fact that the rumors say it’s haunted. She doesn’t believe in ghosts anyway. Lily is tasked with helping Ames’ younger brothers learn their manners and make matches of their own, and bringing the castle back to life.
I loved everything about this book. There’s even some mystery and suspense, which I always love. I felt immersed in the time and place. Ames and Lily’s relationship is tumultuous yet rewarding. I really enjoyed their story and journey to love. Completely recommended.
I received a complementary copy of this book from the author. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.
The “dollar princesses” are American heiresses in London looking for titles in exchange for their money. Lily’s mother wants her to have a title, but she just wants to live somewhere not New York City or London. When Ames Welby- a Duke- makes her an offer of marriage which includes moving to a remote Yorkshire castle on the coast, she isn’t turned away by the fact that the rumors say it’s haunted. She doesn’t believe in ghosts anyway. Lily is tasked with helping Ames’ younger brothers learn their manners and make matches of their own, and bringing the castle back to life.
I loved everything about this book. There’s even some mystery and suspense, which I always love. I felt immersed in the time and place. Ames and Lily’s relationship is tumultuous yet rewarding. I really enjoyed their story and journey to love. Completely recommended.
I received a complementary copy of this book from the author. I was not asked to leave a positive review. My opinions are my own.
June 12, 2026
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.*
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Steam Level: 🔥 (closed door)
Quick Notes:
*Book 2 in a Series
*Marriage of Convenience
*Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
*Forbidden Romance
*Lots of Secrets
My Thoughts:
If you haven't read book 1 in this series, stop what you're doing and go read that first. Although you could technically read this on its own, I think you'll understand Ames and Lily much more with the backstory from the first book.
This installment follows Lily as she weds Ames Welby, the Duke Of Severton, and must adjust to her new life in his castle home with his four younger brothers. The inspiration for this comes from the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but it isn't necessary for you to be familiar with the musical to follow the storyline. I thought the brothers were all really fun and added some entertainment and a bit of romance of their own. They're definitely an important part of the main plot.
Lily and Ames pulled me in from the start and had some really touching moments in the first half. I especially loved the dancing lesson scene and the moments in the music room.
Another part I enjoyed was the storyline with Brant and Molly. I really felt for them as they navigated their love despite its forbidden nature.
I will say that there was a lot going on, and especially a lot of secrets being kept. I found myself a bit frustrated with Ames and Lily in the end, although things did work out well after all was said and done. I would definitely be interested in reading the next book!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Steam Level: 🔥 (closed door)
Quick Notes:
*Book 2 in a Series
*Marriage of Convenience
*Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
*Forbidden Romance
*Lots of Secrets
My Thoughts:
If you haven't read book 1 in this series, stop what you're doing and go read that first. Although you could technically read this on its own, I think you'll understand Ames and Lily much more with the backstory from the first book.
This installment follows Lily as she weds Ames Welby, the Duke Of Severton, and must adjust to her new life in his castle home with his four younger brothers. The inspiration for this comes from the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but it isn't necessary for you to be familiar with the musical to follow the storyline. I thought the brothers were all really fun and added some entertainment and a bit of romance of their own. They're definitely an important part of the main plot.
Lily and Ames pulled me in from the start and had some really touching moments in the first half. I especially loved the dancing lesson scene and the moments in the music room.
Another part I enjoyed was the storyline with Brant and Molly. I really felt for them as they navigated their love despite its forbidden nature.
I will say that there was a lot going on, and especially a lot of secrets being kept. I found myself a bit frustrated with Ames and Lily in the end, although things did work out well after all was said and done. I would definitely be interested in reading the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
"I'd heard of taking a step of faith, but this felt more like I was jumping feet first into a pit of stupidity."
"I cannot promise that I won't be stubborn or illogical or insensitive again. I've had a lot of practice at all those things." Не looked deep into my eyes. "But I can promise that I will try to be the best version of myself. You have my word."
I loved this book even more than the first! A Gilded Age series based on classic musicals, this one carries themes from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and is centered around an impoverished Duke and an American "Dollar princess" who joins him and his 4 brothers at his "haunted" estate.
I absolutely loved Ames and Lily. He had such deep, hidden wells of emotion which she slowly drew out and their chemistry and tenderness were absolutely swoony. I appreciated the reality of their journey of trust and communication, as they were basically strangers who got married. There were lots of "missed opportunities" to communicate but they kept choosing to come back and work it out - sometimes frustrating, but realistic and always satisfying.
I also loved all the clever nods to the original musical. There was the overarching storyline of course, but there were also several names or small references (June bride, tall as church steeples etc) that were hidden throughout for musical fans to catch. The story also had many creative and unexpected twists and even suspense that I was not expecting and thoroughly enjoyed! An absolutely captivating gilded age romance.
"I cannot promise that I won't be stubborn or illogical or insensitive again. I've had a lot of practice at all those things." Не looked deep into my eyes. "But I can promise that I will try to be the best version of myself. You have my word."
I loved this book even more than the first! A Gilded Age series based on classic musicals, this one carries themes from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and is centered around an impoverished Duke and an American "Dollar princess" who joins him and his 4 brothers at his "haunted" estate.
I absolutely loved Ames and Lily. He had such deep, hidden wells of emotion which she slowly drew out and their chemistry and tenderness were absolutely swoony. I appreciated the reality of their journey of trust and communication, as they were basically strangers who got married. There were lots of "missed opportunities" to communicate but they kept choosing to come back and work it out - sometimes frustrating, but realistic and always satisfying.
I also loved all the clever nods to the original musical. There was the overarching storyline of course, but there were also several names or small references (June bride, tall as church steeples etc) that were hidden throughout for musical fans to catch. The story also had many creative and unexpected twists and even suspense that I was not expecting and thoroughly enjoyed! An absolutely captivating gilded age romance.
Review of advance copy
As always, I absolutely adored this book for all the same reasons I love all of her other books… But one thing about this book was it’s raw reality on display. I appreciated the more realistic look into the Dollar Princess/Marriage Mart of high/aristocrat society.
It’s easy to read other books set in a similar timeframe and setting where the aristocrat falls in love with a servant and they make it work, but this book explores & highlights the real shame in this decision from both sides of society (the servant class is as against it as the upper).
We got our happily ever after, but it was a much more realistic one. I cannot wait for the next book and I’m excited that it is a bit of an offshoot from this book!
It’s easy to read other books set in a similar timeframe and setting where the aristocrat falls in love with a servant and they make it work, but this book explores & highlights the real shame in this decision from both sides of society (the servant class is as against it as the upper).
We got our happily ever after, but it was a much more realistic one. I cannot wait for the next book and I’m excited that it is a bit of an offshoot from this book!
June 14, 2026
Lots to love about this one. I loved the castle setting, the almost gothic feel to the story, and that it was inspired by "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." The brothers were fun and interesting characters and I appreciated the way the author made each one distinct in his own way.
I really liked Lilly and Ames, but got a bit frustrated at some of Lily's decisions and Ames's often harsh and stubborn attitude. And Lilly's insta-love for Ames was a bit much for me.
Still, I was enthralled with the story and really enjoyed it.
Tiny quibble: This author's work is typically free of more than one or two typos, but this book seemed to have more of its share than usual. This probably won't bother most people - just a quirk of mine.
I really liked Lilly and Ames, but got a bit frustrated at some of Lily's decisions and Ames's often harsh and stubborn attitude. And Lilly's insta-love for Ames was a bit much for me.
Still, I was enthralled with the story and really enjoyed it.
Tiny quibble: This author's work is typically free of more than one or two typos, but this book seemed to have more of its share than usual. This probably won't bother most people - just a quirk of mine.
June 18, 2026
I always like Marriage of Convenience tropes because it adds an element of the characters having to work things out with more at stake. I like this a lot, enjoyed Lily's character and how she wasn't timid and even when insecure, was vulnerable when given an opening. I actually liked Ames despite him being moody because it was understandable and authentic to his history, and he did consistently attempt to repair things after he dealt with his disappointment.
I did struggle with how Ames would tell her he had legitimate trust issues with her and she continued to hide things anyways. It felt like she didn't really hear him. He was always going back to her to apologize but she really did not unless he came to her first. I started to feel kind of sorry for him after awhile.
I did struggle with how Ames would tell her he had legitimate trust issues with her and she continued to hide things anyways. It felt like she didn't really hear him. He was always going back to her to apologize but she really did not unless he came to her first. I started to feel kind of sorry for him after awhile.
Review of advance copy received from Author
To Dance with a Duke was a breath of fresh air. I have grown up watching Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and to have that as a twist to this book was genius. Finding the the little gems from the movie was like a great Easter egg hunt!
Lily and Ames story drew me in from the start. The struggles they face throughout the story was one that I could relate to.
This story shows that love will always come through to the end. No matter the circumstances or trials. Love wins.
You want to relive your childhood movie, with a Guilded Age twist? This is the book for you!
(I was given an advanced e-book copy of this book for a review.)
Lily and Ames story drew me in from the start. The struggles they face throughout the story was one that I could relate to.
This story shows that love will always come through to the end. No matter the circumstances or trials. Love wins.
You want to relive your childhood movie, with a Guilded Age twist? This is the book for you!
(I was given an advanced e-book copy of this book for a review.)
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