Betting on a Duke

Widows of Mayfair #4

by Christine Donovan

She expected to marry one gentleman but found herself sold to another.

Lady Clarice Dawson has been in love with Samuel Radcliff for as long as she can remember. He is the second son of the Duke of Stanton, and she intends to marry him when she turns eighteen. It has always been the plan—a love match since birth, a fairytale in the making. That is, until she wakes up in a living nightmare, with her father talking nonsense, acting irrationally and cruelly, and she finds herself being sold to the highest bidder to settle her father’s debts.

Samuel Radcliff has his entire life marry Clarice Dawson, have a nursery full of children, and raise thoroughbred horses in the country. But life can be cruel. The love of his life marries someone else, and then his family dies, leaving him alone to navigate his new life as the Duke of Stanton.

Seven years pass, and Samuel Radcliff owns two thoroughbred horses that will be racing in the upcoming season. But his two closest friends worry he is neglecting his duties to the dukedom and persuade him to spend time in London searching for a wealthy bride. He agrees but desires only to return to the safety of his horses. That is, until he sees someone from his past. Clarice.

After being a widow for two years, Clarice has decided it’s time to enter the London social scene and look for a husband. To her utter shock and surprise, the first gentleman she makes eye contact with is Samuel Radcliff. She finds herself tumbling back seven years to the last time they saw each other—the day she thought their engagement would be announced—and they pick up where they left off as old feelings resurface.

But her father believes he still has control over her life, and his dislike of Samuel’s dead father fuels his revenge to see that neither Samuel nor his daughter finds happiness. Can Clarice and Samuel find their fairytale ending . . . or not?
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Tropes you'll chance loveDamaged heroHeroine is a widowSecret babyThoroughbred racingDanger from a family member

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Widows of Mayfair
Book 1: Loving an Earl
Book 2: Pursuing A Duke
Book 3: Marrying a Marquess

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2026

About the author

Once Christine began penning her first novel, she hasn’t stopped writing. She juggles her time between writing indie books and writing for Dragonblade Publishing. She has four grown sons, three granddaughters, one cat, and one black lab puppy named Luna.

Her novels encompass several genres, including regency, contemporary and paranormal romance. Her favorite saying to describe her books is: “Romance that touches the heart, soothes the soul and feeds the mind.”

She lives on the southeast coast of Massachusetts, is a PAN member of RWA a member of Novelist, Inc and Rhode Island Romance Writers. She is a #1 Amazon International Bestselling Author.

Reviews

[Pam Bereznak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine Donovan is still a pretty new author for me. This is only my 12th book by her but they have been some really good reads. She is published by Dragonblade and a lot of my favorite authors are also published by them. I added Book 2 and 3 from this series to my favorite books read list. They were so damn good. Can't wait for this one.

Well this one definitely didn't disappoint. This book was so damn good. I loved Clarice and Samuel. Their story was both sad and wonderful. Her dad was a total ass. Without giving anything away, after you read this and then the book you'll get it, but I don't understand how you find something out so incredible but then just leave it alone. I guess in a way I get why but still seems strange to do that if it's yours. Anyway, it was such a great read. I couldn't put it down. Another book added to my favorite books read list for Jan, 2026.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betting on a Duke is the fourth book in the Widows of Mayfair series. This can be a stand-alone read.

Lady Clarice Dawson & Samuel Radcliff have been in love since they have been children. Samuel asks Clarice to marry him and she accepts. All is right with in their world until they each meet with their fathers. Their long-time friendship has ended and there will be no marriage between them. Once as home Clarice is told she will never marry Samuel and will be marrying someone else. She is basically sold off to the highest bidder to rescue her father from his debts. Clarice finds herself married to a despicable man. Seven years later her husband has died, and she is free to make her own choices. But her father returns to inform her he will again be making the decisions, and she is to stay away from Samuel.

Samuel is now the Duke of Stanton and owns two thoroughbred horses that will be racing in the upcoming season. At a party he sees Clarice and all the feelings return for both of them. But rumors blaming Samuel for the fire that caused his entire family deaths begin to trickle out. Another house fire threatens everyone. While his friends believe someone else is responsible, Clarice stands by Samuel as they face the rumors. But will the rumors threaten their newly discovered relationship or will they be strong enough to withstand them.

This was a wonderful story. There were sections where I would have liked to see more drama. Samuel's family dying was a missed opportunity. Clarice's mother dying is another. Her father fleeing to France is another. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the story, but I think this would have enriched the story.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an unbiased review.

[Anonymous 5 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is a soft, emotional second-chance romance that feels like stepping into a ballroom filled with secrets, longing, and unfinished promises.
Lady Clarice Dawson grows up believing she will marry her childhood love, Samuel Radcliff, the second son of the Duke of Stanton. Their future seems certain and sweet. But everything falls apart when her father spirals into debt and cruelty, and Clarice is forced into a marriage she never wanted. The heartbreak is immediate and painful, especially knowing how deeply both Clarice and Samuel love each other.
Samuel’s journey hurt my heart in a different way. After losing Clarice and then unexpectedly becoming the Duke of Stanton, he retreats into his love of horses, avoiding the responsibilities and expectations of London society. When he and Clarice meet again seven years later, the tension is instant. Their first glance at each other carries years of regret, love, and “what ifs.”
I really enjoyed the second-chance romance element. The feelings between Clarice and Samuel never truly faded, and that makes their reunion powerful. There’s something comforting about a love that survives time, grief, and forced separation. At the same time, the presence of Clarice’s controlling father adds drama and frustration. He is easy to dislike, which makes you root even harder for the couple.
If you enjoy stories about lost love, dukes with wounded hearts, strong heroines reclaiming their lives, and fairytale endings that must be fought for, this one will likely charm you.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing and am voluntarily leaving my review. 

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Clarice Dawson & Samuel Radcliff have been in love for as long as they can remember. He is the second son of the Duke of Stanton, and they intend to marry when she turns eighteen. That is, until she wakes up in a living nightmare, with her father talking nonsense, acting irrationally and cruelly, and she finds herself being sold to the highest bidder to settle her father’s debts. Seven years pass, and Samuel now the Duke of Stanton owns two thoroughbred horses that will be racing in the upcoming season. But his two closest friends worry he is neglecting his duties to the dukedom and persuade him to spend time in London searching for a wealthy bride. He agrees but desires only to return to the safety of his horses. That is, until he sees someone from his past. Clarice. After being a widow for two years, Clarice has decided it’s time to enter the London social scene and look for a husband.
The fourth book in the series & whilst it’s easily read on its own characters do overlap. I really liked both Samuel & Clarice & loved their second chance romance. The chemistry between them sizzled & they’d never fell out of love with each other. Things seem to be progressing well until someone from their past puts a fly in the ointment & threatens their new found happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & read it in two sittings they only downside for me was that the villain got away scot free, they so deserved their comeuppance
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

If you are worried about picking this book up because you have not read the previous books in the series, you do not need to be. Although I am sure some of the characters had their stories told in earlier books, you do not need to know about any of them or anything that happened in previous books in order to enjoy this one. My favorite part of this story was that it lacked the angst many of these types of stories usually have - rather than there being animosity between them because of what happened in the past, both Clarice and Samuel were ready to basically pick up where they had left off when they were separated. There was some awkwardness which only made their situation more realistic. I also liked that when Clarice told Samuel about the baby it was not used as a reason to create drama between them and served as a means of having them grow closer. The only thing I found lacking in this story was wrapping up loose ends - or at least further developing some of aspects of the story. The possible affair between Clarice's mother and Samuel's father for one - what they did to their spouses pretty awful. And was Clarice's father also such an awful human being? And if he was how were he and Samuel's father ever "best friends"? I also would have liked more of a resolution with her father - did he kill Samuel's family?

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow—this story swept me up from the very first page and refused to let go. Betting on a Duke is everything I love about Regency romance: passion, heartbreak, longing, and that irresistible spark of hope that keeps you turning pages long after you meant to stop.

What made this one stand out for me is how deeply Clarice and Samuel already love each other before the story even begins. Their connection is powerful, lived‑in, and beautifully tender, and Donovan pulls you right into that emotion from the start. This isn’t your typical second‑chance romance. The author weaves a layered backstory that blends seamlessly with the present, creating a world where every choice, every heartbreak, and every reunion feels earned.

The characters are unforgettable—not just Clarice and Samuel, but the entire cast. Even the side characters feel alive, with stories simmering beneath the surface. I love when a book makes me want to follow every thread, and this one absolutely did. I honestly can’t believe I missed the earlier books in the series, but you can bet I’ll be grabbing them as fast as I can.

Christine Donovan’s storytelling shines here. She balances passion, danger, and emotional depth with such ease, and the result is a romance that feels both sweeping and intimate. I devoured it in one sitting.

A huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. I can’t wait to add a finished copy to my shelves.

You’re going to love this passionate adventure.

[SelinaW · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful heartwarming second chance story of Clarice and Samuel, who were separated by the evil schemes of Clarice’s father and come together years later, having endured much pain and heartbreak, but loving each other still.

This was my first book by Christine Donovan and I really enjoyed her writing style. It flows so smoothly and really is a quick and delightful read. I really liked that she didn’t shy away from everyday worries and chores that the characters dealt with, which we normally do not see discussed in the books. Supporting characters were a wonderful addition as well.

I would add that there was quite a bit of plot-appropriate, but nonetheless major active storylines happening simultaneously, and some of them (the biggest one in my opinion) was mentioned and dealt with the least, hasty resolution appearing in the final chapter. All in all though, I really enjoyed it and will definitely read the author again!

Thanks to Netgalley and Dragonblade for this advance copy!

[Mary Gosse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I’ve read the previous three books in this series, which have overlapping characters, but everything of importance is explained well and it could be read as a stand-alone. The books starts out detailing Samuel and Clarice’s original love story, and then tells us from their perspectives what happened and how they were torn apart (they/we eventually find out more details). This really demonstrates to the reader how much in love they really were, and it’s easy to root for them through the rest of the book!

Just like in the previous books, I loved that Samuel and Clarice had such good friends in their circles, who supported them and gave them good advice. At times, their love story seemed to progress slowly, but the plot and issues they ran into were interesting and believable.

Overall, this was a good book and I’m looking forward to any other books in this series and what happens next with their group of friends! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this free advanced copy - this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Adelaide · Rating 3 out of 5]

Betting on a Duke has an engaging premise, and I never felt lost in the plot. However, there were moments where the pacing slowed, and some sections felt repetitive enough that I found myself skimming.

Both protagonists were appealing, and I enjoyed witnessing their initial romance as well as their eventual reunion. I also appreciated the inclusion of the child and how that situation was handled within the story, as it added emotional depth.

That said, I did notice several grammar and formatting issues, along with occasional incorrect use of Regency titles or terminology, which briefly pulled me out of the story.

The novel features a large cast of secondary characters, many of whom were intriguing enough to make me curious about their future stories, and that interest has invested me in the broader series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Mhughessc · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Betting on a Duke" is the fourth book in Christine Donovan's "Widows of Mayfair" series. I have not read the other books in this series, and I didn't feel confused or like I needed to read the previous books in order to understand what was going on in this book. Clarice and Samuel were in love as teenagers and strongly believed that their fathers were in agreement that the two should be wed. However, due to the devious actions of both fathers, Clarice was married off to an older man who could help her father pay his debts. Clarice endured this marriage for several years until her husband died, but she never forgot about Samuel. When their paths cross years later, the two realize that their feelings for each other never waned. The two pick up right where they left off -- but will life conspire against them once more?

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Tiffany P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this second chance romance. I loved the love story of Samuel and Clarice. They were destined to be together. It had been planned since they were children and they loved one another from childhood. Due to behavior beyond their control, they were torn apart. After seven years apart and becoming a widow, the moment they saw one another again, they both knew that the love still lived. This story contained great, supportive friends, a never ending love, forced marriage, a cruel husband, a cruel father, a devoted hero, an unexpected dukedom, horse racing, crimes, villains, steamy love scenes, selfless love, and a HEA. I do wish the villains would have had more consequences and that the truth would have been revealed about past deeds in more detail.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and am voluntarily leaving this review

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caught between warring parents, Lady Clarice and Samuel did not stand a chance for the future, but when vengeance is taken too far, it causes far more damage than their already broken hearts. Even bad times come to an end, and when Clarice is finally free of her horrendous marriage, she comes face-to-face with Samuel in a ballroom, and then all bets are off as they connect once again, proving that the feelings they had for one another in their youth are valid and enduring. Unfortunately, Clalrice's despicable father refuses to let go of his hatred of Samuel's family, which leads to further pain and suffering. Nevertheless, the novel comes to a delightful conclusion, but I do wish Clarice's father had faced the justice he deserved. I received a copy of this intriguing romance as a gift through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Karma · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author, and I generally enjoyed it. The writing was smooth and easy to get through, which made it a pleasant read and never felt like a slog.

That said, the story leaned a bit too much into insta-love for my taste. The author is clearly talented, but I felt the characters could have used more depth and development. A slightly slower pace would have helped the relationships feel more natural and fleshed out.

Overall, a decent, enjoyable read and a good introduction to the author’s work.

I received this book from Netgalley. This doesn't impact my opinion in any way.

[Petula · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical romance is a second chance story. Other people's secrets drive our young lovers apart. Hopefully they can get past it to make a future.
This is part of a series where each of the heroines is a young widow, just learning to live her life by her own rules. Each one is different from the last, and what they need from the heroes makes for great stories. I have enjoyed all of them so far and am looking forward to the next one.
Great fun.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clarice and Samuel are childhood friends who know they will someday marry. When her father suddenly decides she's not to marry Samuel, Clarice is heartbroken. Her father instead sells her off to an old man. After her husband dies, Clarice bumps into Samuel and they resume their friendship. Clarice's mad father will do anything to see them separated. Can they have a happily ever after? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The initial story of the main characters romance drew me in to the plot of the book. However when the MFC father attempts to separate them when they meet later in life there were too many threads and in places the story became repetitive. I did enjoy the book as a bit of light relief.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

[Bel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Christine Donovan book and it certainly won’t be my last! I really enjoyed the pacing, longing and chemistry between Clarice & Samuel.


I could not book Betting on a Duke down and finished reading in one sitting - it was easy to read and helped me get out of a reading slump.


Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for this ARC.

[JXR · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun historical romance with some great characters, though the ending was a hair unsatisfying because the main villain gets away scot-free. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.