What do you think?
Rate this book
Duchess For The Weekend
Effie is out of options. To escape financial ruin, she agrees to an outrageous proposition from the one man she loathes above all others: the arrogant, impossible Duke of Silverthorn.
His demand, among many others? She must spend a weekend in the country, posing as his betrothed to put an end to his aunt’s meddling schemes.
The role is absurd.
Effie is a quiet wallflower, not the sort of woman a proud duke parades before society. Certainly not a duke who has always made it plain that he would never marry beneath his station.
And yet, one desperate “yes” later, she finds herself seated in his grand carriage, heading towards a secluded estate where the act of future duchess must appear effortless, convincing, and entirely sincere.
His aunt welcomes Effie as a miracle sent from the heavens. The Duke plays his part to perfection.
A little too well, perhaps.
Because suddenly, the lines between pretend and real begin to blur… especially when Effie and the Duke find themselves not merely sharing a room, but a bed – and everything begins to spiral out of control… including her feelings.
His demand, among many others? She must spend a weekend in the country, posing as his betrothed to put an end to his aunt’s meddling schemes.
The role is absurd.
Effie is a quiet wallflower, not the sort of woman a proud duke parades before society. Certainly not a duke who has always made it plain that he would never marry beneath his station.
And yet, one desperate “yes” later, she finds herself seated in his grand carriage, heading towards a secluded estate where the act of future duchess must appear effortless, convincing, and entirely sincere.
His aunt welcomes Effie as a miracle sent from the heavens. The Duke plays his part to perfection.
A little too well, perhaps.
Because suddenly, the lines between pretend and real begin to blur… especially when Effie and the Duke find themselves not merely sharing a room, but a bed – and everything begins to spiral out of control… including her feelings.
- GenresHistorical Romance
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 1, 2026
This was such a fun book, I found myself laughing out loud a lot. Both the Duke of Silverthorne, Simeon alone with his unknowing cousin, Charles, have no idea what one desperate Lady is about to do to them. Euphemia Gordon is a wallflower, and desperate as her uncle who is in control of her life after her father died has lost most if not all that was left to her. The only thing she has left is her racehorse, Pegasus. She would never sell him as he reminds her of her father and the good times they had on the track. She needs to marry and has decided if she can just get one kiss from Charles he will offer for her. Nothing goes as planned, but what a great story to read and see how it all works out or not. I was going to write a long review, but instead decided you need to read the wit, humor, misunderstanding, secrets and desire between the couple yourself. There are lots of twists and turns, along with finding what you think you need and who is perfect for you may not even be close. I loved most of the characters, Martha the maid, Agnès, her best friend, her husband Lord Arduroy is a dull, stern, old fashion thinking man who learns a very important lesson. Aunt Octavia was my favorite; the ending would not have happened without her insight and love for both Simeon and Effie. Effie gets her one kiss, then other and then other but who is counting? Both of them are. Run and get a copy to see what and why. We also get a peek at the next book and who it is about. I received an ARC from the author and wish to thank her. This is my honest opinion and am freely giving it.
July 28, 2026
This is a lively Historical Regency Romance where we meet Effie who’s living with her Uncle who has gone into debt and spends her money left to her after the passing of her father. The only thing she has left of her father is his prize winning horse, Pegasus that she owns. With her emotions towards Charles, Effie tries to gain his attention but fails miserably. When the Duke of Silverthron, Simeon gets pulled into Effie’s charades they both find themselves unsure of their growing feelings. Simeon is surprised to learn about Effie and the reasons behind her actions and grows to understand and fights his attraction and need to protect her. These two are most definitely an unlikely pair but somehow they fit perfectly together. Their denial is dealt with when others sees what they don’t and take matters into their own hands. I enjoyed how Effie does everything in her power to keep her head and give her ALL to try kiss from Charles. Instead Simeon delivers one kiss after another and boy do they find exactly what they need…each other!
July 31, 2026
We have Miss Euphemia Gordon aka Effie she is a magnet for impossible situations but has a heart of gold.
Effie is out of options. To escape financial ruin, she agrees to an outrageous proposition from the one man she loathes above all others: the arrogant, impossible Duke of Silverthorn.
Simeon is dark, handsome brooding with dozens of responsibilities! He requires a beautiful, aloof and quiet Duchess the complete opposite of Effie. They bump heads often but agree on horse matters and keeping his aunt happy with a faux engagement. His aunt is very crafty and tired of the single state of her nephew. She provides one bed. These two are stubborn and proud and the least likely to give in! Thank goodness for Sir Charles the original object of Effie’s affection stepping in. There is stingy, gambling uncle who is absolutely deplorable and definitely gets his just deserts. You will laugh out loud throw your kindle then keep reading! Outstanding!
I received an ARC copy from the author for my unbiased review!
Effie is out of options. To escape financial ruin, she agrees to an outrageous proposition from the one man she loathes above all others: the arrogant, impossible Duke of Silverthorn.
Simeon is dark, handsome brooding with dozens of responsibilities! He requires a beautiful, aloof and quiet Duchess the complete opposite of Effie. They bump heads often but agree on horse matters and keeping his aunt happy with a faux engagement. His aunt is very crafty and tired of the single state of her nephew. She provides one bed. These two are stubborn and proud and the least likely to give in! Thank goodness for Sir Charles the original object of Effie’s affection stepping in. There is stingy, gambling uncle who is absolutely deplorable and definitely gets his just deserts. You will laugh out loud throw your kindle then keep reading! Outstanding!
I received an ARC copy from the author for my unbiased review!
July 31, 2026
Since her father died, Euphemia Gordon has been the ward of her uncle who has taken and spent most of what was left to her. Effie has determined to end this by finding a husband. She has her eye on Sir Charles, cousin to the Duke of Silverthorn. Simeon knows what he wants in his ideal wife. When Effie saves him from a marriage trap, he agrees to help her gain Charles’s attention. He asks in return that she sell him Pegasus, the race horse her father left her. Not thrilled, she agrees. They don’t agree on a lot, and butt heads often, but horses are a common interest. Simeon also needs a bit of help with a meddling aunt. A faux betrothal, just for a weekend, turns into something much more. Their visit with Aunt Octavia is a fun. How does it all turn out? With nudges from Charles and Aunt Octavia, the stuffy duke and awkward wallflower might find their happy ever after. An entertaining romance with lots of humor, engaging characters, and a happy ending (for everyone except a greedy uncle).
I voluntarily reviewed a special copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a special copy of this book.
August 13, 2026
The book had some editing errors (at least one part repeated itself completely out of order). It also had some decorum errors: unescorted couples; unmarried people sharing a bed and having sex without the expectation of marriage; lack of guardian oversight of women; Charles coming back on the scene for no reason. The racehorse angle lost focus: Did the Duke demand payment back for his bride's horse? Did he marry her to share ownership? Did the horse race ever again? Why include this at all if nothing comes of it? The stupid missing dirty books side story, the idiot uncle, the errant cousin Maribel, the vicar's daughter. It wasn't a horrible read, just a disjointed one. I would recommend a pass on this one.
July 28, 2026
I was asked to write my honest opinion after reading the ARC. Here is my honest opinion.
The heroine, Effie, is a strong young woman determined to change her lot in life. All she needs is for Charles to notice her. She’s sure he will fall in love when he gets to know her. Her plans never quite work out. It is his cousin, Simeon , who offers to help out. What follows is one of the best stories I’ve read in a while. Ms West has incorporated humor to this love triangle to make the story shine. I couldn’t stop smiling, or reading, I even laughed out loud. Effie does change the view of two or three men in her quest for independence but will she end up with the right man?
The heroine, Effie, is a strong young woman determined to change her lot in life. All she needs is for Charles to notice her. She’s sure he will fall in love when he gets to know her. Her plans never quite work out. It is his cousin, Simeon , who offers to help out. What follows is one of the best stories I’ve read in a while. Ms West has incorporated humor to this love triangle to make the story shine. I couldn’t stop smiling, or reading, I even laughed out loud. Effie does change the view of two or three men in her quest for independence but will she end up with the right man?
Review of advance copy received from Author
I couldn’t put it down.
Fantastic! I laughed, I smiled, I forgo sleep, and enjoyed every moment of it. I felt transported into the pages and swept along on a breathtaking journey as Effie fought against the injustices and restrictions women faced during this time, especially if unmarried and left to the mercies of a close male relative, as she was. She is a force of determination and optimism shining with a radiance that intrigues and captivates the Duke. This is an amazing read by a talented storyteller.
I read this book as an ARC and voluntarily leave this review.
Fantastic! I laughed, I smiled, I forgo sleep, and enjoyed every moment of it. I felt transported into the pages and swept along on a breathtaking journey as Effie fought against the injustices and restrictions women faced during this time, especially if unmarried and left to the mercies of a close male relative, as she was. She is a force of determination and optimism shining with a radiance that intrigues and captivates the Duke. This is an amazing read by a talented storyteller.
I read this book as an ARC and voluntarily leave this review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Effie had set herself certain goals to achieve in the Season, most importantly getting Sir Charles to notice her. Simeon, Duke of Silverthorn was his cousin. He has a set criteria for his future bride. When Effie inadvertently helps him out, they come to an arrangement to help one another. I did wonder when it would dawn on Effie that she wasn’t in love with Charles. I did like the relationship between Effie and Simeon and I especially liked Aunt Octavia. This was an entertaining read with likeable characters. I also enjoyed the fact that Effie was no walkover and stood up for herself. She was also extremely loyal to her friend, Agnes. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Duchess for the Weekend was more than I expected. When a person reads as much as I do (currently 249 books this year) there are lots of repeated plots. The characters are usually the primary difference, then the talent of the author adds depth and detail. This book, on the other hand, has a storyline that I haven’t encountered previously. The main characters are very interesting and drew my interest immediately. The world building portrays lovely country scenes and the homes are described so that I could envision them. I highly suggest it, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.
August 26, 2026
The Duke and the Wallflower.
Simeon is a tall, dark and handsome Duke. Effie is a wallflower who pines for his cousin Charles. But Effie has something Simeon wants. A horse named Pegasus. The two strike a bargain. Effie sells Simeon her horse in return for his help to get his cousin to notice her. But things don’t go quite as planned. I enjoyed the story and the characters. My only complaint is that most of the book focused on Effie’s perspective. I would have enjoyed it more if there was more written from Simeon’s perspective.
Simeon is a tall, dark and handsome Duke. Effie is a wallflower who pines for his cousin Charles. But Effie has something Simeon wants. A horse named Pegasus. The two strike a bargain. Effie sells Simeon her horse in return for his help to get his cousin to notice her. But things don’t go quite as planned. I enjoyed the story and the characters. My only complaint is that most of the book focused on Effie’s perspective. I would have enjoyed it more if there was more written from Simeon’s perspective.
August 29, 2026
When I read a historical romance, I want the proper decorum. For one, there were no chaperones, and second, AUNT OCTAVIA ALLOWED AN UNMARRIED MAN AND WOMAN SLEEP IN THE SAME ROOM. Might as well be a brothel. The duke really disliked Effie and didn’t even find her appealing at all, so I was kind of iffy about them. I know that the author did that on purpose, but it’s not really my cup of tea. And I think there were too many ideas in the book so everything got a bit muddled. Charles, Pegasus, horse racing, the debt ridden uncle, the missing books, etc. too much.
July 28, 2026
Effie has set her heart on Charles, but he doesn’t seem to have the same feelings. Simeon, the Duke, accidentally interferes with Effie’s plan to get a kiss, and so begins their unusual friendship.
This is a wonderful story of self-worth and the pursuit of love. The characters are great and the story flowed well. There is humour, angst and discovery, all of which make this a read I can definitely recommend.
I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC copy of the book.
This is a wonderful story of self-worth and the pursuit of love. The characters are great and the story flowed well. There is humour, angst and discovery, all of which make this a read I can definitely recommend.
I voluntarily received and reviewed an ARC copy of the book.
July 29, 2026
Received an ARC for a honest review. So here goes:
Effie is that girl. Witty, hilarious, and completely unapologetic. She starts out with her eyes set on Charles, only to end up making a deal with his cousin, Duke Simeon, and what follows is pure gold. Emmi weaves so much humor into the situation, making the whole story an absolute joy to read. I'm still working my way through it, but I’m already 100% recommending it!
Effie is that girl. Witty, hilarious, and completely unapologetic. She starts out with her eyes set on Charles, only to end up making a deal with his cousin, Duke Simeon, and what follows is pure gold. Emmi weaves so much humor into the situation, making the whole story an absolute joy to read. I'm still working my way through it, but I’m already 100% recommending it!
July 31, 2026
Great story! I enjoyed laughing at Effie's antics and fashion choices and swooning over all the Duke's gestures he made to show something Effie was too laser focused to miss. Well, at least until she wasn't. The developing romance was fun to read and had some great chemistry between Effie and the Duke. I liked the way everything played out and the epilogues at the end gave great insight and closure. I would definitely recommend reading this one. I'm ready for what comes next from this author.
August 1, 2026
This historical romance was a fun read. Effie kept me laughing and on my toes with the situations she got herself into…or rather planned occasionally.
Her scheming got her the wrapped up in the arms of the Duke! I do believe he wasn’t sure what happened.
Effie & kept me laughing & wondering what was going to happen. The Duke was also a schemer, which is why they were a perfect pair!
I was provided an ARC copy for my honest review.
Her scheming got her the wrapped up in the arms of the Duke! I do believe he wasn’t sure what happened.
Effie & kept me laughing & wondering what was going to happen. The Duke was also a schemer, which is why they were a perfect pair!
I was provided an ARC copy for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed Charles (the Duke) and his gruff, stern manner. He really didn't know how to express his emotions or how to deal with Effie's more free-spirited nature. They had a few close calls, a romance that started out forced and then became so much more than either expected. Passion flares brightly and so does their journey to HEA.
October 9, 2026
An HEA facing many challenges, particularly as the intended groom appeared completely ignorant of the wishful wanting-to-be-his bride, devises a number of ways to capture his attention. No spoilers here. Author West easily engaged my interest throughout as I hoped for a happy outcome. Over all, a nice historical romance with a bit of spice.
July 28, 2026
I really enjoyed reading this book. The beginning is kind of slow, but the more we learn about the characters, the more the story picks up. I liked that despite the fact they are rather contrary personalities, the attraction prevails even though they know it won't be easy in the future .
October 15, 2026
the title of the book is misleading
Why pray, named a book for an event that happens in the middle of the book? And literally was just about 2 pages at most? It was also boring at some parts.
Why pray, named a book for an event that happens in the middle of the book? And literally was just about 2 pages at most? It was also boring at some parts.
August 26, 2026
I liked both lead characters and the sweet story. They had a good rapport.
September 20, 2026
“chacon à son goût”
Rating 4.5 This book is a charming romp set in regency England. It, at times, is humorous, outrageous and uplifting.
Rating 4.5 This book is a charming romp set in regency England. It, at times, is humorous, outrageous and uplifting.
August 15, 2026
Interesting
Different story, I liked it. I wished that she used his name in intimate moments instead of calling him "Duke."
Different story, I liked it. I wished that she used his name in intimate moments instead of calling him "Duke."
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews