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The Gilded Age Girls Club #1
Duchess by Design
In the first novel of Maya Rodale's enthralling new series, an English duke vows to make an American seamstress his duchess...
In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen...
Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family's estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.
...and true love is always in fashion
Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker—not a duchess—and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can't refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It's the perfect plan—as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all do not lose their hearts.
In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen...
Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family's estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.
...and true love is always in fashion
Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker—not a duchess—and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can't refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It's the perfect plan—as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all do not lose their hearts.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 23, 2018
270 people are currently reading
2888 people want to read
About the author
Maya Rodale
46 books1,621 followersMaya Rodale is the best-selling and award-winning author of funny, feminist fiction including historical romance, YA and historical fiction. A champion of the romance genre and its readers, she is also the author of Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels, Explained. Maya reviews romance for NPR and has appeared in Bustle, Glamour, Shondaland, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and PBS. She began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence and has never been allowed to forget it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
January 13, 2019
3.5 Stars — it took me along time to read this, but that was primarily due to it being hard copy. Otherwise I enjoyed. In terms of romance, there was too much back and forth, will they? Won’t they? But I thought the h&h well suited, and there is cute and witty dialogue.
It was focused on women’s rights and the positions they hold and small and large ways to liberate women. These are themes that have appeared in her previous books, though subtler, but I was happy with the setting of this book. The gilded age is becoming more popular of a setting, but it’s still relatively uncommon. I think it suits Rodale’s writing and stories better than Regency, in my opinion. I plot continue with the series.
It was focused on women’s rights and the positions they hold and small and large ways to liberate women. These are themes that have appeared in her previous books, though subtler, but I was happy with the setting of this book. The gilded age is becoming more popular of a setting, but it’s still relatively uncommon. I think it suits Rodale’s writing and stories better than Regency, in my opinion. I plot continue with the series.
June 7, 2024
Review from 2018
A- for narration;B for content
Duchess by Design is the first entry in Maya Rodale’s new Gilded Age Girls Club series of historical romances, set – not surprisingly – in New York’s Gilded Age at the end of the nineteenth century. While the premise – an impoverished duke who needs to marry money falls for a penniless woman instead – is a well-worn one, Ms. Rodale gives it a fresh coat of paint while also encompassing the many changes in society that were happening at the time and providing a solution to the central dilemma that is completely and absolutely right for this story.
Brandon Fiennes, Duke of Kingston, inherited a pile of debts along with his title, and is now faced with the time-honoured method of restoring the family finances, his crumbling estates, his tenant’s livelihoods and providing a dowry for his sisters. He must marry an heiress. On the advice of his cousin, Freddie, Lord Hewitt, Kingston travels to New York where his title will gain him an entrée in to the highest society and thus present him with his choice of current crop of Dollar Princesses – heiresses whose families have made huge sums of money from railways, manufacturing, real-estate and so on. It might not be what he wants for himself, but it’s the only way he can provide for all those who depend on him; even if he can’t marry for love, it will at least mean that his sisters will have the chance to do so.
He has just arrived in the city and is returning to his hotel on Fifth Avenue when he literally bumps into a young woman in the lobby – and pretty much falls in love at first sight, completely enchanted by the sparkle in the woman’s eyes and the fact that she isn’t fawning over him.
Miss Adeline Black, seamstress at one of New York’s most prestigious modistes, has gone to the Fifth Avenue Hotel to undertake a dress fitting for the wealthy socialite, Miss Harriet Burnett. Adeline immediately realises the handsome man with the firm, muscled chest and excellent tailoring must be the newly arrived English duke all the newspapers are gushing about, but doesn’t let on she knows who he is. During those few moments – and during the following short elevator ride – the gentleman embarks on a very gentle flirtation and Adeline is unable to stop herself from flirting back, just a little, even though she’s well aware that that is as far as anything between a duke and a seamstress can go. Besides, she’s determined to retain her independence and to eventually open her own dress shop, so men, love and romance aren’t on her agenda.
She is surprised to receive a note from him the next day, inviting her to take a walk in Central Park. She’s not sure she should go – after all, a young woman like her, who has to earn her living, has to be careful of her reputation, and in most people’s minds there’s only one thing a duke could possibly want from a seamstress. Then she realises she can do what she desperately wants to do – see the duke again – and at the same time turn the walk into an opportunity; if she wears a dress of her own creation, it’ll be free advertising! So she agrees, delighted when her plan works. The newspapers the next day are full of the mystery woman on the duke’s arm and describing her dress. But when her employer sees her with Kingston, she jumps to the wrong conclusion and dismisses her on the spot. Kingston is furious – but what can he do? In England he’d have… done something, spoken to someone, fixed the problem and got Adeline her job back. But in New York? He might be the most sought after and eligible bachelor in the city, but as he’s quickly finding out, being a duke doesn’t mean very much in a city where lofty titles count for nothing and things work so differently than they do at home.
Fortunately for Adeline, Harriet Burnet was impressed by her ideas and designs for making women’s clothing more comfortable and practical. She invites Adeline to visit the Ladies of Liberty Club, where she is introduced to women who are progressive in their thinking and whose stated, shared purpose is “the advancement of women in the professional arts.” They work behind the scenes to support working, professional women, believing that the more women are employed, the more powerful a force for change they will become. Adeline seizes her chance, suggesting that rather than simply helping her to find another position, they consider helping her to establish her own business…
Thus we have two protagonists who come at life from completely opposite directions – Kingston from centuries of entrenched beliefs, and Adeline, who is making it up as she goes along (kind of) taking advantage of the opportunities offered her. Yet while he is certainly privileged, Kingston is far from stupid and with Adeline’s help and influence, begins to see that the only way he can do the things his honour requires of him – maintaining the livelihoods of his dependents, taking care of his family – is to move with the times.
There’s a lot to enjoy about this story, not least of which is that the author has created a group of women working towards change who support – rather than compete – with each other. Kingston is a fabulous hero, a man who really listens to the woman he loves and applauds her ambition – and who is also not above admitting when he’s wrong. Adeline is plucky, determined and not afraid to speak her mind; she’s a great match for Kingston although I have to say that I wasn’t wild about something she tried to do near the end. But for all their compatibility, I never felt that the chemistry between them was much more than lukewarm. Maybe it was because there are so many other themes and issues packed into the novel that at times it seemed as though the romance was pushed aside – I’m not sure, but there wasn’t a lot of heat between them.
Charlotte North isn’t someone I’ve listened to before, as I see from an Audible search that she narrates mostly contemporary romance, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Given the New York setting and American heroine, it makes sense to use an American narrator, so Ms. North performs the entire narrative and majority of the dialogue in her natural accent. She’s obviously an experienced narrator; her pacing is perfect, and she differentiates very effectively between a fairly large number of female characters, from Adeline’s friends Rose and Rachel, to Harriet Burnett and her circle; every lady sounds different to the others, which makes it easy for the listener to follow multi-character conversations. It will come as no surprise that I was a little nervous to hear how Ms. North would handle Kingston’s accent, but fortunately, the English accent she adopts to portray him is consistent and very good indeed. A slight drop in pitch and an added resonance complete the picture of Kingston as an attractive hero, and she makes it easy to tell the difference between him and Freddie in their various conversations. All in all, it’s an extremely accomplished performance, and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I might before I started.
Duchess by Design is a strong start to Ms. Rodale’s new series, and although I found the romance a little lacking in heat, it nonetheless boasts a couple of engaging central characters and captures perfectly the optimism, creativity and progressiveness of the era. Charlotte North’s excellent performance serves to enhance the story, and I am certainly going to be seeking out more of her work.
A- for narration;B for content
Duchess by Design is the first entry in Maya Rodale’s new Gilded Age Girls Club series of historical romances, set – not surprisingly – in New York’s Gilded Age at the end of the nineteenth century. While the premise – an impoverished duke who needs to marry money falls for a penniless woman instead – is a well-worn one, Ms. Rodale gives it a fresh coat of paint while also encompassing the many changes in society that were happening at the time and providing a solution to the central dilemma that is completely and absolutely right for this story.
Brandon Fiennes, Duke of Kingston, inherited a pile of debts along with his title, and is now faced with the time-honoured method of restoring the family finances, his crumbling estates, his tenant’s livelihoods and providing a dowry for his sisters. He must marry an heiress. On the advice of his cousin, Freddie, Lord Hewitt, Kingston travels to New York where his title will gain him an entrée in to the highest society and thus present him with his choice of current crop of Dollar Princesses – heiresses whose families have made huge sums of money from railways, manufacturing, real-estate and so on. It might not be what he wants for himself, but it’s the only way he can provide for all those who depend on him; even if he can’t marry for love, it will at least mean that his sisters will have the chance to do so.
He has just arrived in the city and is returning to his hotel on Fifth Avenue when he literally bumps into a young woman in the lobby – and pretty much falls in love at first sight, completely enchanted by the sparkle in the woman’s eyes and the fact that she isn’t fawning over him.
Miss Adeline Black, seamstress at one of New York’s most prestigious modistes, has gone to the Fifth Avenue Hotel to undertake a dress fitting for the wealthy socialite, Miss Harriet Burnett. Adeline immediately realises the handsome man with the firm, muscled chest and excellent tailoring must be the newly arrived English duke all the newspapers are gushing about, but doesn’t let on she knows who he is. During those few moments – and during the following short elevator ride – the gentleman embarks on a very gentle flirtation and Adeline is unable to stop herself from flirting back, just a little, even though she’s well aware that that is as far as anything between a duke and a seamstress can go. Besides, she’s determined to retain her independence and to eventually open her own dress shop, so men, love and romance aren’t on her agenda.
She is surprised to receive a note from him the next day, inviting her to take a walk in Central Park. She’s not sure she should go – after all, a young woman like her, who has to earn her living, has to be careful of her reputation, and in most people’s minds there’s only one thing a duke could possibly want from a seamstress. Then she realises she can do what she desperately wants to do – see the duke again – and at the same time turn the walk into an opportunity; if she wears a dress of her own creation, it’ll be free advertising! So she agrees, delighted when her plan works. The newspapers the next day are full of the mystery woman on the duke’s arm and describing her dress. But when her employer sees her with Kingston, she jumps to the wrong conclusion and dismisses her on the spot. Kingston is furious – but what can he do? In England he’d have… done something, spoken to someone, fixed the problem and got Adeline her job back. But in New York? He might be the most sought after and eligible bachelor in the city, but as he’s quickly finding out, being a duke doesn’t mean very much in a city where lofty titles count for nothing and things work so differently than they do at home.
Fortunately for Adeline, Harriet Burnet was impressed by her ideas and designs for making women’s clothing more comfortable and practical. She invites Adeline to visit the Ladies of Liberty Club, where she is introduced to women who are progressive in their thinking and whose stated, shared purpose is “the advancement of women in the professional arts.” They work behind the scenes to support working, professional women, believing that the more women are employed, the more powerful a force for change they will become. Adeline seizes her chance, suggesting that rather than simply helping her to find another position, they consider helping her to establish her own business…
Thus we have two protagonists who come at life from completely opposite directions – Kingston from centuries of entrenched beliefs, and Adeline, who is making it up as she goes along (kind of) taking advantage of the opportunities offered her. Yet while he is certainly privileged, Kingston is far from stupid and with Adeline’s help and influence, begins to see that the only way he can do the things his honour requires of him – maintaining the livelihoods of his dependents, taking care of his family – is to move with the times.
There’s a lot to enjoy about this story, not least of which is that the author has created a group of women working towards change who support – rather than compete – with each other. Kingston is a fabulous hero, a man who really listens to the woman he loves and applauds her ambition – and who is also not above admitting when he’s wrong. Adeline is plucky, determined and not afraid to speak her mind; she’s a great match for Kingston although I have to say that I wasn’t wild about something she tried to do near the end. But for all their compatibility, I never felt that the chemistry between them was much more than lukewarm. Maybe it was because there are so many other themes and issues packed into the novel that at times it seemed as though the romance was pushed aside – I’m not sure, but there wasn’t a lot of heat between them.
Charlotte North isn’t someone I’ve listened to before, as I see from an Audible search that she narrates mostly contemporary romance, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Given the New York setting and American heroine, it makes sense to use an American narrator, so Ms. North performs the entire narrative and majority of the dialogue in her natural accent. She’s obviously an experienced narrator; her pacing is perfect, and she differentiates very effectively between a fairly large number of female characters, from Adeline’s friends Rose and Rachel, to Harriet Burnett and her circle; every lady sounds different to the others, which makes it easy for the listener to follow multi-character conversations. It will come as no surprise that I was a little nervous to hear how Ms. North would handle Kingston’s accent, but fortunately, the English accent she adopts to portray him is consistent and very good indeed. A slight drop in pitch and an added resonance complete the picture of Kingston as an attractive hero, and she makes it easy to tell the difference between him and Freddie in their various conversations. All in all, it’s an extremely accomplished performance, and I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I might before I started.
Duchess by Design is a strong start to Ms. Rodale’s new series, and although I found the romance a little lacking in heat, it nonetheless boasts a couple of engaging central characters and captures perfectly the optimism, creativity and progressiveness of the era. Charlotte North’s excellent performance serves to enhance the story, and I am certainly going to be seeking out more of her work.
June 24, 2019
2.5 to 3 stars. My first book by this author, and I won't be racing out to read any more :( The description of the book sounded quite appealing. The plot and characters were reasonably interesting and *should* have worked.
But sadly, the whole thing fell a little flat for me. I never fully engaged with the MCs - somehow they just didn't come alive. There was plenty of romance, although not a lot of actual kissing and passion - I would have liked to see more on that front. Also, there was a little too much to-ing and fro-ing about how a duke in need of a fortune and a poor dressmaker could ever make things work. Yeah, yeah, alright, already. Let's get on with it!
Usually this trope is one I would find pretty ridiculous, actually, but the author did eventually convince that it was within the realms of possibility at this time and place in history. I also admit, I did enjoy the dress descriptions. It may have been too much in another HR, but here, as the h was a dressmaker, it fitted in well.
The writer has a slightly quirky writing style, and I didn't mind that, actually. If only her characters were more real for me, I think I might have liked this book a whole lot more.
I read this book for my June read for the HRBC Romance Across The Ages challenge - 'Gilded Age'.
But sadly, the whole thing fell a little flat for me. I never fully engaged with the MCs - somehow they just didn't come alive. There was plenty of romance, although not a lot of actual kissing and passion - I would have liked to see more on that front. Also, there was a little too much to-ing and fro-ing about how a duke in need of a fortune and a poor dressmaker could ever make things work. Yeah, yeah, alright, already. Let's get on with it!
Usually this trope is one I would find pretty ridiculous, actually, but the author did eventually convince that it was within the realms of possibility at this time and place in history. I also admit, I did enjoy the dress descriptions. It may have been too much in another HR, but here, as the h was a dressmaker, it fitted in well.
The writer has a slightly quirky writing style, and I didn't mind that, actually. If only her characters were more real for me, I think I might have liked this book a whole lot more.
I read this book for my June read for the HRBC Romance Across The Ages challenge - 'Gilded Age'.
January 20, 2021
Just average.
August 15, 2020
4.5 stars!!!!
Quick fun read!! Highlights situations that are still present today! Having to laugh at bad jokes by paying customers lol!
Loved the premise & authors writing style! Very well done! I did not give it a 5 star as it was very cliché which is not a bad thing, but highly predictable & the ending felt rushed literally few pages to the end & still the misunderstanding of will I won’t I kinda thing! I knew it would end happily every after that part was a given, but did not get to really rejoice with our leading characters to celebrate as much as wanted! Now thinking about it seems more I didn’t want the story to be over that I’m feeling cheated which makes no sense as any great story just as in life eventually comes to an end! Granted she did add a few pages of épilogue ten years down the road which helped give a few more glimpses into their new lives!!
Witty banter & great details of the era! Pockets...greatest invention in a females outfit!!!! 🎉😂😂😂🤩😍
Highly recommend this novel!
Quick fun read!! Highlights situations that are still present today! Having to laugh at bad jokes by paying customers lol!
Loved the premise & authors writing style! Very well done! I did not give it a 5 star as it was very cliché which is not a bad thing, but highly predictable & the ending felt rushed literally few pages to the end & still the misunderstanding of will I won’t I kinda thing! I knew it would end happily every after that part was a given, but did not get to really rejoice with our leading characters to celebrate as much as wanted! Now thinking about it seems more I didn’t want the story to be over that I’m feeling cheated which makes no sense as any great story just as in life eventually comes to an end! Granted she did add a few pages of épilogue ten years down the road which helped give a few more glimpses into their new lives!!
Witty banter & great details of the era! Pockets...greatest invention in a females outfit!!!! 🎉😂😂😂🤩😍
Highly recommend this novel!
December 2, 2018
Lovely story. A very good begin of the new series.
October 22, 2018
Have I ever read a romance set in the Gilded age? I honestly can't tell. I think not. I have read historical fiction set then, but no romance. Oh and where is that tv series they talked about that would be set at this time? I need it.
Adeline is a seamstress with big dreams of her own shops, and she has this crazy idea in her designs. Pockets! Yes I told you that she is insane. Pockets, like why would women need pockets? (oh this makes me so sad, we still do not get pockets. I need pockets.) Her boss is not a big fan of her crazy idea of pockets. Poor Adeline.
The Duke of Kingston is looking for a Dollar Princess to save his dukedom. And I get it. He has responsibilities. His tenants, his family, his legacy. He needs money. He does not want to sell land and makes his people work in mines. I could not dislike him for it, because the dollar princesses thought the same. They wanted a title.
These two meet and sparks fly. But he needs a rich wife, and she needs her freedom. But he really likes her, and she is always the one fleeing away.
I think this would have been great as a historical fiction novel instead. She brought up so many interesting things. The Dollar Princesses, the 400 and their lives, the suffragettes, a woman's place in the world. I do think I would have liked it even more then. It would have been richer.
I did not know how this would end. I know there must be a HEA, but at times I just did not know how it would happen. He needs money. She has none. But do not fear, there will be a HEA.
New York, Balls, and dresses with pockets. It is a new world. Interesting.
Narrator. Charlotte North
She had a good range
Adeline is a seamstress with big dreams of her own shops, and she has this crazy idea in her designs. Pockets! Yes I told you that she is insane. Pockets, like why would women need pockets? (oh this makes me so sad, we still do not get pockets. I need pockets.) Her boss is not a big fan of her crazy idea of pockets. Poor Adeline.
The Duke of Kingston is looking for a Dollar Princess to save his dukedom. And I get it. He has responsibilities. His tenants, his family, his legacy. He needs money. He does not want to sell land and makes his people work in mines. I could not dislike him for it, because the dollar princesses thought the same. They wanted a title.
These two meet and sparks fly. But he needs a rich wife, and she needs her freedom. But he really likes her, and she is always the one fleeing away.
I think this would have been great as a historical fiction novel instead. She brought up so many interesting things. The Dollar Princesses, the 400 and their lives, the suffragettes, a woman's place in the world. I do think I would have liked it even more then. It would have been richer.
I did not know how this would end. I know there must be a HEA, but at times I just did not know how it would happen. He needs money. She has none. But do not fear, there will be a HEA.
New York, Balls, and dresses with pockets. It is a new world. Interesting.
Narrator. Charlotte North
She had a good range
October 28, 2021
Great start to this series! I can't wait to start the next book!
October 10, 2018
This book is fantastic. Full of Rodale's wit and feminist spin, set in the glitz and glamour of New York's Gilded Age. I loved that the feisty American heroine designs dresses (with pockets!). The hero is a stodgy duke looking for an heiress to save his crumbling English estate. This was a fascinating look at class politics at the time, as well as the contrasts between the Victorian Brits and the Gilded Age Americans.
It's a fun, easy read with plenty of steam. I devoured it!
*I was given an advance copy of the book by the author for an impartial review.
It's a fun, easy read with plenty of steam. I devoured it!
*I was given an advance copy of the book by the author for an impartial review.
October 15, 2018
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Brandon Fiennes, The Duke of Kingston needs to find a rich bride, he inherited a failing estate, two unmarried sisters and a mother with an expensive sense of style. He consults with his cousin Freddie and is told that if he wants a heiress, New York is the place to go hunting.
Adeline Black is a seamstress with dreams of opening her own shop and creating her own designs, her dreams do not include love, marriage or handsome dukes - until a chance meeting in a hotel lobby. She is attracted to the stranger, who must be the duke the papers have been writing about, but dukes don't marry seamstresses and she tries to put the encounter out of her mind and concentrate on her goal - to convince the heiress Harriet Burnett to go with her dress designs, including her signature - pockets!
Kingston cannot believe his luck, he meets the woman of his dreams his first day in New York, she is lovely, poised, intelligent AND an heiress! He sends a note to the suite she entered, asking her to meet him in Central Park. She is going to refuse until she reads a description of her outfit in the paper - this could be her break! She agrees to meet him and the attraction between them is red hot. But he still thinks she is an heiress...
When he learns the truth, he confronts her, she never lied to him, he never asked. She tries to walk away, but he follows her and his attention causes her to lose her position at Madame Chalfont's shop. He feels badly and offers to help her - she refuses and tells him, that he has no idea what it is like to be poor - he may think he is poor, but what he really is, is entitled.
Adeline spends the next week trying to find work and Kingston tries to find a bride - he narrows his choices down to two. Adeline gets an intriguing offer when she runs into Harriet at a speech in Union Square. Harriet and several friends have a club - Ladies of Liberty, they help women find work, they offer to fund her dream, but she must swear to keep their secret.
While out with Freddie, Kingston happens upon her shop - she refuses to see him - hilarity ensues! When she gives him the heads up about the two women he is considering for his duchess, he asks for her help. He invites her to the opera, she will wear one of her creations and get free advertising when the papers write about it. She agrees and at the opera, suggests a potential duchess, Miss Alice Van Allen.
Kingston can't seem to forget about Adeline and wishes he could marry her, but he has responsibilities to his title, family and tenants - he can't let them down, even at the cost of his own happiness. He begins to court Miss Van Allen and she is all he could ever hope for in a duchess, but his heart is not in the courtship - it is with a dressmaker who has no desire to marry and has no fortune.
Things start to take off for Adeline, her shop is a success and when she receives another letter from Kingston saying he has met Alice and yes she is perfect, but he thinks he should consider a few more ladies and asks her to attend a ball with him. She agrees. They attend and she tries not to feel hurt when he spends time with Alice and leaves her with his cousin Freddie. She doesn't like Freddie, he is handsy and makes her uncomfortable, she is angry because she cannot completely rebuff him, his wife is a client and he has yet to pay his bills - she cannot afford to anger him and it makes her more determined to remain independent. Kingston makes assumptions about her and Freddie and is jealous. On the way home, he realizes that he will marry Alice, but a part of his heart with always be with Adeline.
They have no contact for weeks and then have a random meeting on a rooftop garden. He misses her and again wishes that there was a way they could be together. The arrival of his mother and sisters remind him that he must propose to Alice, but he continues to stall.
When they meet again at a masked ball, sparks fly and he makes a decision. When Adeline leaves the ball, he follows her, knowing everything will change. She takes him to the bowery, hoping to scare him away, but they end up sharing their pasts and spend the night together. When he asks how she got the money to start her shop, they fight and she leaves, hurt.
Kingston follows through with his new plan and the fall out threatens Adeline's dreams. Can there be a HEA??
I loved this book, it was almost unputdownable - I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about him actively trying to find a bride who was not Adeline, but found that it didn't bother me at all. I loved Adeline and her friends and thought Harriet and the Ladies of Liberty were wonderful. I loved watching Kingston begin to envision a different future for his duchy - to let go of the past and bravely embrace the changes happening in his world. He and Adeline together were magical, she was exactly the duchess he needed - he just had to be brave enough to take the risk and she in turn had to be brave enough to trust him with her heart and dreams. There were a couple of title errors and typos that I assume will be corrected by publication - but overall, this was an outstanding start to the series and I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next book in the series!!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an Uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
Brandon Fiennes, The Duke of Kingston needs to find a rich bride, he inherited a failing estate, two unmarried sisters and a mother with an expensive sense of style. He consults with his cousin Freddie and is told that if he wants a heiress, New York is the place to go hunting.
Adeline Black is a seamstress with dreams of opening her own shop and creating her own designs, her dreams do not include love, marriage or handsome dukes - until a chance meeting in a hotel lobby. She is attracted to the stranger, who must be the duke the papers have been writing about, but dukes don't marry seamstresses and she tries to put the encounter out of her mind and concentrate on her goal - to convince the heiress Harriet Burnett to go with her dress designs, including her signature - pockets!
Kingston cannot believe his luck, he meets the woman of his dreams his first day in New York, she is lovely, poised, intelligent AND an heiress! He sends a note to the suite she entered, asking her to meet him in Central Park. She is going to refuse until she reads a description of her outfit in the paper - this could be her break! She agrees to meet him and the attraction between them is red hot. But he still thinks she is an heiress...
When he learns the truth, he confronts her, she never lied to him, he never asked. She tries to walk away, but he follows her and his attention causes her to lose her position at Madame Chalfont's shop. He feels badly and offers to help her - she refuses and tells him, that he has no idea what it is like to be poor - he may think he is poor, but what he really is, is entitled.
Adeline spends the next week trying to find work and Kingston tries to find a bride - he narrows his choices down to two. Adeline gets an intriguing offer when she runs into Harriet at a speech in Union Square. Harriet and several friends have a club - Ladies of Liberty, they help women find work, they offer to fund her dream, but she must swear to keep their secret.
While out with Freddie, Kingston happens upon her shop - she refuses to see him - hilarity ensues! When she gives him the heads up about the two women he is considering for his duchess, he asks for her help. He invites her to the opera, she will wear one of her creations and get free advertising when the papers write about it. She agrees and at the opera, suggests a potential duchess, Miss Alice Van Allen.
Kingston can't seem to forget about Adeline and wishes he could marry her, but he has responsibilities to his title, family and tenants - he can't let them down, even at the cost of his own happiness. He begins to court Miss Van Allen and she is all he could ever hope for in a duchess, but his heart is not in the courtship - it is with a dressmaker who has no desire to marry and has no fortune.
Things start to take off for Adeline, her shop is a success and when she receives another letter from Kingston saying he has met Alice and yes she is perfect, but he thinks he should consider a few more ladies and asks her to attend a ball with him. She agrees. They attend and she tries not to feel hurt when he spends time with Alice and leaves her with his cousin Freddie. She doesn't like Freddie, he is handsy and makes her uncomfortable, she is angry because she cannot completely rebuff him, his wife is a client and he has yet to pay his bills - she cannot afford to anger him and it makes her more determined to remain independent. Kingston makes assumptions about her and Freddie and is jealous. On the way home, he realizes that he will marry Alice, but a part of his heart with always be with Adeline.
They have no contact for weeks and then have a random meeting on a rooftop garden. He misses her and again wishes that there was a way they could be together. The arrival of his mother and sisters remind him that he must propose to Alice, but he continues to stall.
When they meet again at a masked ball, sparks fly and he makes a decision. When Adeline leaves the ball, he follows her, knowing everything will change. She takes him to the bowery, hoping to scare him away, but they end up sharing their pasts and spend the night together. When he asks how she got the money to start her shop, they fight and she leaves, hurt.
Kingston follows through with his new plan and the fall out threatens Adeline's dreams. Can there be a HEA??
I loved this book, it was almost unputdownable - I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about him actively trying to find a bride who was not Adeline, but found that it didn't bother me at all. I loved Adeline and her friends and thought Harriet and the Ladies of Liberty were wonderful. I loved watching Kingston begin to envision a different future for his duchy - to let go of the past and bravely embrace the changes happening in his world. He and Adeline together were magical, she was exactly the duchess he needed - he just had to be brave enough to take the risk and she in turn had to be brave enough to trust him with her heart and dreams. There were a couple of title errors and typos that I assume will be corrected by publication - but overall, this was an outstanding start to the series and I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next book in the series!!
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an Uncorrected eARC that was provided to me by Edelweiss and the publisher.*
February 7, 2019
This was such a fun, insightful historical romance! When it wasn't making me swoon, it was making me cheer on the inclusion of pockets in dresses and female empowerment in the Gilded Age.
Adeline was a winner of a heroine. She was so determined to become a dressmaker and for her designs to come to life. I loved the way she talked about fashion and the way she could show others what power lies in the way clothing is designed and who's wearing it. Fashion isn't just fashion and a dress is so much more than a dress. It reveals so much about us and what we want from life and this was especially true during this era. It was so moving to see the ways clothes could transform the characters we meet.
Kingston is dashing and charming but he has so much to learn about life in New York City and especially about what life is like for those less privileged. He's a Duke, and a recent one at that, so he's never really had to consider what other people's lives are like. Some people have felt like Adeline had to do a lot of emotional labor in order for Kingston to learn. However, I didn't feel that way. He listens and even if he doesn't initially agree or understand, he still honors Adeline's point of view and always ends up coming around. Honestly, I wish more men today would follow his example.
Adeline and Kingston were on fire together, whether bantering or wooing. The HEA seemed impossible, for not only class and financial reasons but because Adeline is dead set against ever marrying. But I trusted Maya Rodale would make it happen and the ending was so satisfying.
I highlighted so many passages. It was an absolute delight to read and I adored the sense of humor. The Ladies of Liberty society was a fantastic addition and I loved learning that such societies existed back then. Such moxie!
CW: sexual harassment, sexism (which is challenged)
Adeline was a winner of a heroine. She was so determined to become a dressmaker and for her designs to come to life. I loved the way she talked about fashion and the way she could show others what power lies in the way clothing is designed and who's wearing it. Fashion isn't just fashion and a dress is so much more than a dress. It reveals so much about us and what we want from life and this was especially true during this era. It was so moving to see the ways clothes could transform the characters we meet.
Kingston is dashing and charming but he has so much to learn about life in New York City and especially about what life is like for those less privileged. He's a Duke, and a recent one at that, so he's never really had to consider what other people's lives are like. Some people have felt like Adeline had to do a lot of emotional labor in order for Kingston to learn. However, I didn't feel that way. He listens and even if he doesn't initially agree or understand, he still honors Adeline's point of view and always ends up coming around. Honestly, I wish more men today would follow his example.
Adeline and Kingston were on fire together, whether bantering or wooing. The HEA seemed impossible, for not only class and financial reasons but because Adeline is dead set against ever marrying. But I trusted Maya Rodale would make it happen and the ending was so satisfying.
I highlighted so many passages. It was an absolute delight to read and I adored the sense of humor. The Ladies of Liberty society was a fantastic addition and I loved learning that such societies existed back then. Such moxie!
CW: sexual harassment, sexism (which is challenged)
March 1, 2020
I don’t know that I’ve ever read a historical that so explicitly calls out toxic masculinity. The Duke of Kingston has come to America to find a wealthy heiress to wed. When he meets Adeline at a fancy hotel, he assumes she’s a guest (and therefore rich) and is head over heels for her, thinking he can solve his money problems and marry for love in one fell swoop. In reality, Adeline is a seamstress, and she does not have the time or inclination to soothe Kingston’s ego when he discovers she doesn’t stand to inherit a fortune. She’s too busy working for a living, trying to keep a roof over her head and pursue her dream of someday owning her own dress shop. Kingston pursues her even as he knows he can’t marry her, and while Adeline is attracted to him too, she’s understandably guarded because she has so much more to lose, a fact that Kingston struggles to get through his thick head. Every time his privilege starts showing, though, Adeline deftly eviscerates him. It’s glorious. And the best part? He listens to her, and learns, and does better. If I could have jumped into the pages of the book, I would have gone around high-fiving everyone. You’d think based on the premise that this would be a story of a well-connected man saving a working class woman from poverty and making all her dreams come true, but this is SO not that and it surprised and delighted me at every turn.
March 28, 2019
This is a fantastic historical romance that I highly recommend. Although it's a great romance, what I loved even more was the time period (the Gilded Age) and the rich/poor and male/female dynamics going on. I loved how the heroine was challenging the world in which she lived and how the hero grew into a better man as a result of his meeting her. It really is one of the most successful romances I've read in awhile - the focus on female empowerment alone was 5 star worthy as it was handled so deftly. But, add in the opportunity to watch the hero grow from a privileged man who was pretty self-absorbed to a man who sees the world in an entirely new way ... and it was superb! So glad that I read this one! I can't wait to see what Maya Rodale has in store for us with this series!
May 18, 2021
3.5 rounded up. I am very impressed with this author's writing! And while this had a few issues for me, overall it was very enjoyable and I'm excited to read more from her.
September 11, 2018
I have read quite a few historical romance novels, but only one other that was set in the Gilded Age. When I found out about Duchess by Design being set in America as opposed to the usual setting of Britain, I was quite intrigued. Duchess by Design was a surprising read for me. I loved the focus on independence, feminism and chasing dreams.
Brandon, Duke of Kingston, is broke and is in desperate need of a wealthy wife to make amends on his estate. His search for a bride brings him to America where he stumbles upon Adeline, a seamstress with aspirations of becoming a dressmaker. When Kingston approaches her with a deal that would allow her to showcase her gowns at glamorous events in return for insight into the heiresses he intends to woo, she can't refuse him. Adeline was the star of this novel for me. She stole every scene that she was in. She was fierce, independent and resilient. As a woman of that era, she encountered many unfortunate obstacles, but she always rose up from them stronger than ever. She was brilliant in every way and very much of an admirable sort. Her passion for dressmaking truly shone through. It was very encouraging to watch her meander through society and charm all the rich ladies with her gowns with pockets, paving the way for her success. I also liked Brandon a lot. He was a little bit stubborn and snobby at first, but a sweeter facet of his personality emerged as the story progressed. It was great to watch his views about women slowly change into something more progressive as he got to know Adeline better and I was totally rooting for him.
I didn't particularly find Adeline and Brandon's romance to be life-changing or swoon-worthy - it was a somewhat of a gentle and quieter romance - but I found it to be quite sweet. The two made for a compelling couple especially as they were willing to listen to each other. I would have liked to see them interact a bit more and for the book to have focused more on their relationship. Instead of the romance, Duchess by Design was centered around the themes of feminism and Adeline's career aspirations. I'm not complaining, however, as I found the book to be enjoyable in every way. I was particularly into the book because of the Gilded Age Girl's Club and all their efforts into helping and allowing women to be a more productive part of society. They were such an interesting group and I'm looking forward to learning more about them. I also thought Maya Rodale did a wonderful job at making the Manhattan setting come to life. Everything was just luscious and glitzy - I loved it!
Though not the most romantic book out there, Duchess by Design was a great novel. I'm excited to see what Maya Rodale has in store for readers with the rest of this series.
Brandon, Duke of Kingston, is broke and is in desperate need of a wealthy wife to make amends on his estate. His search for a bride brings him to America where he stumbles upon Adeline, a seamstress with aspirations of becoming a dressmaker. When Kingston approaches her with a deal that would allow her to showcase her gowns at glamorous events in return for insight into the heiresses he intends to woo, she can't refuse him. Adeline was the star of this novel for me. She stole every scene that she was in. She was fierce, independent and resilient. As a woman of that era, she encountered many unfortunate obstacles, but she always rose up from them stronger than ever. She was brilliant in every way and very much of an admirable sort. Her passion for dressmaking truly shone through. It was very encouraging to watch her meander through society and charm all the rich ladies with her gowns with pockets, paving the way for her success. I also liked Brandon a lot. He was a little bit stubborn and snobby at first, but a sweeter facet of his personality emerged as the story progressed. It was great to watch his views about women slowly change into something more progressive as he got to know Adeline better and I was totally rooting for him.
I didn't particularly find Adeline and Brandon's romance to be life-changing or swoon-worthy - it was a somewhat of a gentle and quieter romance - but I found it to be quite sweet. The two made for a compelling couple especially as they were willing to listen to each other. I would have liked to see them interact a bit more and for the book to have focused more on their relationship. Instead of the romance, Duchess by Design was centered around the themes of feminism and Adeline's career aspirations. I'm not complaining, however, as I found the book to be enjoyable in every way. I was particularly into the book because of the Gilded Age Girl's Club and all their efforts into helping and allowing women to be a more productive part of society. They were such an interesting group and I'm looking forward to learning more about them. I also thought Maya Rodale did a wonderful job at making the Manhattan setting come to life. Everything was just luscious and glitzy - I loved it!
Though not the most romantic book out there, Duchess by Design was a great novel. I'm excited to see what Maya Rodale has in store for readers with the rest of this series.
February 9, 2019
I'm not actually doing a real review, just a few comments.
Duchess by Design actually had more depth than most historical romances that I read. Took on some historical truths of that period. Characters with some depth and inner lives, characters willing to make actual changes.
Duchess by Design actually had more depth than most historical romances that I read. Took on some historical truths of that period. Characters with some depth and inner lives, characters willing to make actual changes.
December 31, 2019
A progressive, romantic gem.
October 27, 2018
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I try to make a point of reviewing the books I win, but I'm so afraid that my myriad of thoughts about this book will never get organized into a coherent review that will do this book the justice it deserves. I'll give it try anyway.
I adored this book. It's so well-written and relevant. Adeline was a wonderful heroine. She has goals that don't involve getting married, but instead revolve around her talent and passion as a dressmaker. Kingston, or the duke as he is usually referred to, is also quite wonderful. He's lived life in a bubble of the upper-class where he's not immune to problems. His estates are crumbling, he owes money, he has to support his mother and sisters plus all of the workers on his estate. He doesn't want his sisters forced to marry for money so he decides to do his duty and marry for money himself. This requires traveling to New York where he can hopefully snag an heiress whose family wants to wed their money to the aristocracy. Despite this, he's blind to the everyday juggling and constant worrying that the 'lower' or maybe a better term would be 'working class' have to deal with every day and also to the struggle of women in the day.
The way Adeline and Kingston fall for each other, the way she teases him and likes him for who, not what, he is and the way he respects her passion for her work is just lovely. Kingston actually listens to Adeline when she explains to him the constant balancing act a woman who wants to make her own living faces and in doing so he becomes aware of the world beyond himself and his privileged upbringing. The way they navigate the social and economic issues of the time and their own circumstances was so wonderful.
One other aspect of this book that I really want to highlight is the way women working towards change and supporting, rather than competing with, other women is highlighted. It's so refreshing whenever I see that in a novel. I actually really liked the heiress that is Adeline's main rival. While she's not a big part of the book, her character is multi-dimensional and interesting. I'm crossing my fingers that she's the subject of a future book in this series.
I highly recommend any historical romance fan, or any contemporary romance fan looking for an entry into historical romances, read this one.
I adored this book. It's so well-written and relevant. Adeline was a wonderful heroine. She has goals that don't involve getting married, but instead revolve around her talent and passion as a dressmaker. Kingston, or the duke as he is usually referred to, is also quite wonderful. He's lived life in a bubble of the upper-class where he's not immune to problems. His estates are crumbling, he owes money, he has to support his mother and sisters plus all of the workers on his estate. He doesn't want his sisters forced to marry for money so he decides to do his duty and marry for money himself. This requires traveling to New York where he can hopefully snag an heiress whose family wants to wed their money to the aristocracy. Despite this, he's blind to the everyday juggling and constant worrying that the 'lower' or maybe a better term would be 'working class' have to deal with every day and also to the struggle of women in the day.
The way Adeline and Kingston fall for each other, the way she teases him and likes him for who, not what, he is and the way he respects her passion for her work is just lovely. Kingston actually listens to Adeline when she explains to him the constant balancing act a woman who wants to make her own living faces and in doing so he becomes aware of the world beyond himself and his privileged upbringing. The way they navigate the social and economic issues of the time and their own circumstances was so wonderful.
One other aspect of this book that I really want to highlight is the way women working towards change and supporting, rather than competing with, other women is highlighted. It's so refreshing whenever I see that in a novel. I actually really liked the heiress that is Adeline's main rival. While she's not a big part of the book, her character is multi-dimensional and interesting. I'm crossing my fingers that she's the subject of a future book in this series.
I highly recommend any historical romance fan, or any contemporary romance fan looking for an entry into historical romances, read this one.
April 1, 2021
Who would have thought our dashing, old fashioned, stick in the mud Duke would fall madly in lust with an intrepid, brilliant, focused dressmaker who is determined to change the world? Changing the world is easy, getting the Duke to see the world in a new way, now that is challenging indeed. Lots of fun, a great read!
June 1, 2023
I love a book where a Stupid Man gets educated on struggles women face every day & the likeable, head-on-her-shoulders leading lady makes him actually earn the redemption arc + her affection. Also the women solidarity & friendships? 11/10
May 8, 2019
Passion, drama and female empowerment set in The Gilded Age? Yes, please!
July 7, 2019
Gorgeous clothes, social consciousness and a great love story - really fun read!
January 14, 2019
If you’re looking for a historical with a somewhat different flair, look no further. Duchess by Design features the requisite duke the title suggests, but it takes us out of Regency England to New York’s Gilded Age, while he searches for his bride. It’s fresh and fun, and it’s filled with the kind of feminism and empowerment that made me want to cheer out loud.
Brandon is the stereotypical impoverished duke, in need of an heiress to help fill the coffers of his estate. The well of women who fit the bill in London is running dry, so he travels to America to take advantage of the surfeit families with new money. It’s when he first arrives that he lays eyes on Adeline. Since she is well dressed and appears to be staying in his high-class hotel, he believes her to be the kind of lady he’s searching for. But that would be too easy. Adeline is actually a seamstress visiting a client at the establishment.
The two flirt in an elevator, but Adeline instantly recognizes the duke from the gossip pages, and she knows nothing can come of it. She is blunt and irreverent, and Brandon is floored to be finally treated like a regular man. He ardently pursues Adeline, and by the time he learns she is without the funds he needs, his affections are already engaged. The story follows his attempts to stick to his original plan, even when he can’t stop thinking about the appealing woman from the elevator.
Adeline is a fashion visionary who dreams only of making beautiful dresses and being self-sufficient. She has no plans to marry and put her future in the hands of a man. But her livelihood is threatened by her connection to the duke. Her boss sees him trailing at her heels and assumes she is behaving inappropriately… which gets her fired. Thankfully, she encounters a group of women dedicated to lifting each other up and she gets an opportunity to start again.
I love the female camaraderie here and the message that feminism and female empowerment are far from new notions. I love how Adeline sees the power of dresses and the freedom and vehicles of expression they provide for women who have no other voice. I love that she makes dresses with pockets! But perhaps, best of all, I love how Brandon listens to what she says… that he is willing and able to learn that there is more than just the way of the world he has always known. He adapts and evolves because he is able to see through a new lens.
Engaging, easy reading with a couple I could get behind and an HEA that satisfies.
Rating: B+/A-
*ARC provided by publisher
Brandon is the stereotypical impoverished duke, in need of an heiress to help fill the coffers of his estate. The well of women who fit the bill in London is running dry, so he travels to America to take advantage of the surfeit families with new money. It’s when he first arrives that he lays eyes on Adeline. Since she is well dressed and appears to be staying in his high-class hotel, he believes her to be the kind of lady he’s searching for. But that would be too easy. Adeline is actually a seamstress visiting a client at the establishment.
The two flirt in an elevator, but Adeline instantly recognizes the duke from the gossip pages, and she knows nothing can come of it. She is blunt and irreverent, and Brandon is floored to be finally treated like a regular man. He ardently pursues Adeline, and by the time he learns she is without the funds he needs, his affections are already engaged. The story follows his attempts to stick to his original plan, even when he can’t stop thinking about the appealing woman from the elevator.
Adeline is a fashion visionary who dreams only of making beautiful dresses and being self-sufficient. She has no plans to marry and put her future in the hands of a man. But her livelihood is threatened by her connection to the duke. Her boss sees him trailing at her heels and assumes she is behaving inappropriately… which gets her fired. Thankfully, she encounters a group of women dedicated to lifting each other up and she gets an opportunity to start again.
I love the female camaraderie here and the message that feminism and female empowerment are far from new notions. I love how Adeline sees the power of dresses and the freedom and vehicles of expression they provide for women who have no other voice. I love that she makes dresses with pockets! But perhaps, best of all, I love how Brandon listens to what she says… that he is willing and able to learn that there is more than just the way of the world he has always known. He adapts and evolves because he is able to see through a new lens.
Engaging, easy reading with a couple I could get behind and an HEA that satisfies.
Rating: B+/A-
*ARC provided by publisher
October 20, 2018
Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale is the First book in The Gilded Age Girls Club series. This is the story of Adeline Black and Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston.
Brandon has inherited a Title with some rundown estates which are in need of money to repair them. Then he has a mother with expensive taste and two sister that will need to soon have their 'coming out'. So what Brandon settles on is getting a heiress wife which leads him to run into Adeline. Adeline is a seamstress who out to design her own dresses. When she meets Brandon she is attracted to him and learns he is a Duke. But her life as a seamstress isn't for a Duchess nor does she want to give up her dream. Brandon knows he needs a wife with money but he is drawn to Adeline. When they two finally strike a deal that she will help him with the wife business if he helps her get her gowns out to the town. But bargains sometimes go in a different directions just as theirs did.
Really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the other books to come out.
Brandon has inherited a Title with some rundown estates which are in need of money to repair them. Then he has a mother with expensive taste and two sister that will need to soon have their 'coming out'. So what Brandon settles on is getting a heiress wife which leads him to run into Adeline. Adeline is a seamstress who out to design her own dresses. When she meets Brandon she is attracted to him and learns he is a Duke. But her life as a seamstress isn't for a Duchess nor does she want to give up her dream. Brandon knows he needs a wife with money but he is drawn to Adeline. When they two finally strike a deal that she will help him with the wife business if he helps her get her gowns out to the town. But bargains sometimes go in a different directions just as theirs did.
Really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the other books to come out.
December 17, 2019
I loved Adeline! She wanted a chance to better herself, keeping her eye on the goal of owning her own dress shop. Her stubbornness and determination was admirable and I liked her pluckiness! Brandon, Duke of Kingston, was rather adorable himself. His stiff Britishness was such a contrast to Adeline’s American upbringing and I enjoyed their playful teasing with one another in regards to their backgrounds.
Their chemistry pulled me in from the first met cute and lasted to the final page! Brandon sweet me off my feet long before he did Adeline’s, but I have to say I loved the ride! These two were quite passionate about the end game and watching them realize their dilemmas were in fact very similar was icing on the cake!
The banter and deep conversational topics were eye opening and quite enlightening as well. Reading the author’s note, I liked how she highlighted some key points of the Gilded Age and enjoyed how she transformed them into a fantastic romance with great lessons.
Overall, I’m impressed! This is the first time I’ve read Rodale and I thought Adeline and Brandon’s story was edgy and refreshing! The Gilded Age setting, the wonderful romance, the diverse cast of charming, colorful characters, and the very interesting women’s lib topics kept my attention and has me looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
Their chemistry pulled me in from the first met cute and lasted to the final page! Brandon sweet me off my feet long before he did Adeline’s, but I have to say I loved the ride! These two were quite passionate about the end game and watching them realize their dilemmas were in fact very similar was icing on the cake!
The banter and deep conversational topics were eye opening and quite enlightening as well. Reading the author’s note, I liked how she highlighted some key points of the Gilded Age and enjoyed how she transformed them into a fantastic romance with great lessons.
Overall, I’m impressed! This is the first time I’ve read Rodale and I thought Adeline and Brandon’s story was edgy and refreshing! The Gilded Age setting, the wonderful romance, the diverse cast of charming, colorful characters, and the very interesting women’s lib topics kept my attention and has me looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
July 2, 2019
I've read a few Maya Rodale books before, and they were fine. Enjoyable. Well written. But this one, THIS ONE, made my whole day better. It's clever and irreverent (and anachronistic, sure...if occasional modern sounding language or speech patterns are going to throw you off, then maybe Ms. Rodale isn't for you), lighthearted without being lightweight, bolstering and adorable and kickass and hilarious. Best.
October 7, 2018
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
4 Stars.
Duchess by Design is the debut in The Gilded Age Girls Club series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment.
Just a decade until the turn of the twentieth century, the world is changing. Women are striving to find a voice and a life to call their own. Taking place in a thriving New York City, many impoverished entitled peers are flocking to America to marry heiresses to fund their failing dynasties back in England.
Adeline is a self-made, independent woman, striving to make her way in a world where women are seen as lesser. She isn't a damsel who needs to be rescued. She doesn't need a hero. She doesn't need a man to pay her way. Adeline has a voice and she's determined to use it and be heard.
After centuries of living off entitled lands and properties, the mismanagement of funds has Kingston wishing to marry into money. As a duke with many other titles, he struggles to save the legacy his father allowed to be bled dry, to protect his mother and sisters and their tenants. Kingston is selling his future happiness for the burden he carries, seeing the only way out is to marry for money, not for love. After centuries of a mindset where to earn money, to work, is seen as lesser, Kingston sets his sights on NYC's plethora of heiresses.
Push-pull, slow-burn, filled with lust-filled tension as a budding relationship is tested time and time again, Kingston opens his eyes to larger issues, while Adeline strives to make the lives of an entire gender better.
Having read the entire book in one evening, I was entertained, my appetite whetted for more, but there was just a little something missing for me, where I didn't get enthralled by the story, where I was rooting for the main characters. Maybe it had something to do with Kingston marrying for money, instead of solving his own problems- this isn't a gender issue for me, as I'm not a fan of that trope in historical romance, usually utilized by the female's family to get out of a bind.
Kingston does evolve as the story progresses. Maybe it was his cousin, while filled with reality, rubbed me wrong. I wanted a few pages with Kingston's family, but it was just told how they up and disappeared, to where I wasn't sure why they were shown at all, to be honest. Even the interaction the duchess and her daughters had with Adeline was told in a paragraph, when the scene would have been eye-opening to read. I needed more on this end, as it was the plot of the entire novel- Kingston's strong desire to protect his legacy and family.
However, I was intrigued by the women in the novel- a strong feminist, equality message on most pages. All of the women mentioned, I cannot wait to read their stories.
Highly recommended to fans of the author and the genre, Duchess by Design was a solid start to a new series, and I cannot wait to see what will come next.
Note: I received an uncorrected proof, where it is assumed all errors will be corrected prior to publication. The following did not affect my rating, but it did affect my enjoyment. There were numerous errors, which I've never noticed before by this author or publisher. Most notably, quote marks- Sometimes, end-quotes were in the middle of a string of dialogue. Other times, the end-quote was never used, connecting dialogue with monologue and just left dangling. This became confusing, as I had to read several passages a few times, and with a few, I couldn't figure out which was spoken or thought- obvious when it was actions or detailing. I only mention this as it was 20+ times. Another issue was the lack of commas after 'Well' 'Okay' 'Yes' 'No' and so on at the start of a sentence, as well as before or after the name of the person being spoken to within dialogue. Example: "Well (comma) I see what you mean (comma) Erica," would have been written as, "Well I see what you mean Erica." Sure, I can be mean... 'mean Erica' but that's not what the sentence is trying to relay.
4 Stars.
Duchess by Design is the debut in The Gilded Age Girls Club series, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment.
Just a decade until the turn of the twentieth century, the world is changing. Women are striving to find a voice and a life to call their own. Taking place in a thriving New York City, many impoverished entitled peers are flocking to America to marry heiresses to fund their failing dynasties back in England.
Adeline is a self-made, independent woman, striving to make her way in a world where women are seen as lesser. She isn't a damsel who needs to be rescued. She doesn't need a hero. She doesn't need a man to pay her way. Adeline has a voice and she's determined to use it and be heard.
After centuries of living off entitled lands and properties, the mismanagement of funds has Kingston wishing to marry into money. As a duke with many other titles, he struggles to save the legacy his father allowed to be bled dry, to protect his mother and sisters and their tenants. Kingston is selling his future happiness for the burden he carries, seeing the only way out is to marry for money, not for love. After centuries of a mindset where to earn money, to work, is seen as lesser, Kingston sets his sights on NYC's plethora of heiresses.
Push-pull, slow-burn, filled with lust-filled tension as a budding relationship is tested time and time again, Kingston opens his eyes to larger issues, while Adeline strives to make the lives of an entire gender better.
Having read the entire book in one evening, I was entertained, my appetite whetted for more, but there was just a little something missing for me, where I didn't get enthralled by the story, where I was rooting for the main characters. Maybe it had something to do with Kingston marrying for money, instead of solving his own problems- this isn't a gender issue for me, as I'm not a fan of that trope in historical romance, usually utilized by the female's family to get out of a bind.
Kingston does evolve as the story progresses. Maybe it was his cousin, while filled with reality, rubbed me wrong. I wanted a few pages with Kingston's family, but it was just told how they up and disappeared, to where I wasn't sure why they were shown at all, to be honest. Even the interaction the duchess and her daughters had with Adeline was told in a paragraph, when the scene would have been eye-opening to read. I needed more on this end, as it was the plot of the entire novel- Kingston's strong desire to protect his legacy and family.
However, I was intrigued by the women in the novel- a strong feminist, equality message on most pages. All of the women mentioned, I cannot wait to read their stories.
Highly recommended to fans of the author and the genre, Duchess by Design was a solid start to a new series, and I cannot wait to see what will come next.
Note: I received an uncorrected proof, where it is assumed all errors will be corrected prior to publication. The following did not affect my rating, but it did affect my enjoyment. There were numerous errors, which I've never noticed before by this author or publisher. Most notably, quote marks- Sometimes, end-quotes were in the middle of a string of dialogue. Other times, the end-quote was never used, connecting dialogue with monologue and just left dangling. This became confusing, as I had to read several passages a few times, and with a few, I couldn't figure out which was spoken or thought- obvious when it was actions or detailing. I only mention this as it was 20+ times. Another issue was the lack of commas after 'Well' 'Okay' 'Yes' 'No' and so on at the start of a sentence, as well as before or after the name of the person being spoken to within dialogue. Example: "Well (comma) I see what you mean (comma) Erica," would have been written as, "Well I see what you mean Erica." Sure, I can be mean... 'mean Erica' but that's not what the sentence is trying to relay.
October 23, 2018
White’s Club, London - 1895
Brandon Alexander Fiennes has just become the fifth Duke of Kingston. The man is broke and needs to marry a wealthy woman. When his father died, Kingston was left with huge debts, estates needing monetary support, his large ancestral home, Lyon House, his widowed mother, and two sisters. With him at White’s is his cousin, Freddie, Lord Hewitt. The two had grown up together are best friends. Now, Freddie is suggesting that Kingston consider a marriage of convenience, but rich heiresses are rare. That that are available do not appeal to Kingston. So, at Freddie’s suggestion, he decides to go to America and search for a rich American bride.
New York City - 1895
Miss Adeline Black is in a hurry to visit a client, Miss Harriet Burnett, who is staying at he Fifth Avenue Hotel. In her rush to get through the crowded lobby, she bumps right into Kingston. Excusing herself, she heads for the lift and Miss Burnett’s room. Kingston is quite taken with the exuberant young woman. Thinking that she must be wealthy to stay at this hotel, he strikes up a conversation with her in the lift and sees her go into Miss Burnett’s room which is right next door to his room.
Adeline works as a seamstress for Madame Chalfort and has come for a fitting for Miss Burnett. The young prefers comfortable clothes that look nice and have pockets which is Adeline’s specialty. With Adeline’s suggestions for achieving that goal, Miss Burnett decides to order an entire wardrobe of clothes. Intent on completing this large order, she is surprised when she receives a letter from Kingston inviting her to go for a walk. He thinks that she is Miss Burnett whom he heard has just inherited a fortune. As Kingston is feted by Mrs. Astor and other extremely wealthy Americans, he finds some of the young women to be quite bold. But where is Miss Burnett among these wealthy Americans?
When Kingston finally realizes that Adeline is a dressmaker, he can’t keep himself from falling in love with her. But, he needs a rich heiress. Oh, what shall he do now?
This story has a clever plot and some some scenes that I am sure readers will enjoy and even make them swoon.
Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Brandon Alexander Fiennes has just become the fifth Duke of Kingston. The man is broke and needs to marry a wealthy woman. When his father died, Kingston was left with huge debts, estates needing monetary support, his large ancestral home, Lyon House, his widowed mother, and two sisters. With him at White’s is his cousin, Freddie, Lord Hewitt. The two had grown up together are best friends. Now, Freddie is suggesting that Kingston consider a marriage of convenience, but rich heiresses are rare. That that are available do not appeal to Kingston. So, at Freddie’s suggestion, he decides to go to America and search for a rich American bride.
New York City - 1895
Miss Adeline Black is in a hurry to visit a client, Miss Harriet Burnett, who is staying at he Fifth Avenue Hotel. In her rush to get through the crowded lobby, she bumps right into Kingston. Excusing herself, she heads for the lift and Miss Burnett’s room. Kingston is quite taken with the exuberant young woman. Thinking that she must be wealthy to stay at this hotel, he strikes up a conversation with her in the lift and sees her go into Miss Burnett’s room which is right next door to his room.
Adeline works as a seamstress for Madame Chalfort and has come for a fitting for Miss Burnett. The young prefers comfortable clothes that look nice and have pockets which is Adeline’s specialty. With Adeline’s suggestions for achieving that goal, Miss Burnett decides to order an entire wardrobe of clothes. Intent on completing this large order, she is surprised when she receives a letter from Kingston inviting her to go for a walk. He thinks that she is Miss Burnett whom he heard has just inherited a fortune. As Kingston is feted by Mrs. Astor and other extremely wealthy Americans, he finds some of the young women to be quite bold. But where is Miss Burnett among these wealthy Americans?
When Kingston finally realizes that Adeline is a dressmaker, he can’t keep himself from falling in love with her. But, he needs a rich heiress. Oh, what shall he do now?
This story has a clever plot and some some scenes that I am sure readers will enjoy and even make them swoon.
Copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 9, 2020
SERIE LE MISS AMERICANE vol. 1
4.5
Era nella mia libreria da giugno in attesa di essere letto. L'altro giorno stavo riordinando un pò, e per caso l'ho sfogliato e ho letto il prologo. Non mi sono più fermata. L'ho finito in un giorno.
Mi ha preso da subito.
E' la prima volta che leggo la Rodale e mi piace tantissimo come scrive. Personaggi frizzanti e intriganti. Storia anche se non è niente di nuovo, devo dire che mi ha preso tantissimo. Si lui è un duca e lei è una sarta. Lui è inglese, ed è in America in cerca di una fanculla con una cospicua dote per mantenere i suoi beni. Lei non ha nulla. Ma ovviamente si sono innamorati.
Detto così sembra la solita storia, e invece no.
Qui innanzitutto come sfondo abbiamo New York di fine 1800 e le suffragette. C'è tutto un discorso di parità, non solo tra i due sessi, ma anche tra le classi sociali. Bello lo scontro tra tradizione e modernità.
La cosa interessante poi che qui finalmente le protagoniste possono parlare e fare, come se fossero ai giorni nostri. Si respira un'aria frizzante di rinnovamento, pur mantenendo i vecchi valori. Infatti la nostra protagonista è più interessata alla sua carriera di stilista che non a sposarsi.
New York di quegli anni poi...meravigliosa *_* tutto era una scommessa e tutto era possbile. Dove la gente cercava di trovare la propria strada, di riscattarsi. E infatti anche il nostro duca rimane ammaliato dalla città e non solo.
Non me lo aspettavo così bello. Diverso dal solito. Divertente, romantico, frizzante e mi è piaciuto respirare l'aria di quegli anni. Ha reso la storia molto più dinamica e interessante. Per carità mi piacciono quelli ambientati a Londra, ma qui è tutta un'altra cosa. Tutto è imprevedibile.
Un grazie va a Georgiana che mi ha segnalato il libro. Grazie di cuore!
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il prossimo ^^
4.5
Era nella mia libreria da giugno in attesa di essere letto. L'altro giorno stavo riordinando un pò, e per caso l'ho sfogliato e ho letto il prologo. Non mi sono più fermata. L'ho finito in un giorno.
Mi ha preso da subito.
E' la prima volta che leggo la Rodale e mi piace tantissimo come scrive. Personaggi frizzanti e intriganti. Storia anche se non è niente di nuovo, devo dire che mi ha preso tantissimo. Si lui è un duca e lei è una sarta. Lui è inglese, ed è in America in cerca di una fanculla con una cospicua dote per mantenere i suoi beni. Lei non ha nulla. Ma ovviamente si sono innamorati.
Detto così sembra la solita storia, e invece no.
Qui innanzitutto come sfondo abbiamo New York di fine 1800 e le suffragette. C'è tutto un discorso di parità, non solo tra i due sessi, ma anche tra le classi sociali. Bello lo scontro tra tradizione e modernità.
La cosa interessante poi che qui finalmente le protagoniste possono parlare e fare, come se fossero ai giorni nostri. Si respira un'aria frizzante di rinnovamento, pur mantenendo i vecchi valori. Infatti la nostra protagonista è più interessata alla sua carriera di stilista che non a sposarsi.
New York di quegli anni poi...meravigliosa *_* tutto era una scommessa e tutto era possbile. Dove la gente cercava di trovare la propria strada, di riscattarsi. E infatti anche il nostro duca rimane ammaliato dalla città e non solo.
Non me lo aspettavo così bello. Diverso dal solito. Divertente, romantico, frizzante e mi è piaciuto respirare l'aria di quegli anni. Ha reso la storia molto più dinamica e interessante. Per carità mi piacciono quelli ambientati a Londra, ma qui è tutta un'altra cosa. Tutto è imprevedibile.
Un grazie va a Georgiana che mi ha segnalato il libro. Grazie di cuore!
Non vedo l'ora di leggere il prossimo ^^
November 27, 2018
I am a Maya Rodale fan so of course I have to get all her books. Great narration by Charlotte North (audible review)
I enjoyed this book. Maybe a little overboard with the word"pockets" LOL but still good.
The story line was fun and different. From London to New York, I really liked the women's club that helped Adeline with her shop and the women's movement they were pushing for. I really liked Adeline, she was smart, witty, funny and a strong female lead character. Always a bonus. I liked Kingston too. Lots of great dialogue throughout the entire book!
As for the narration, it was good. I think this is my first Charlotte North narration and she did a great job. I enjoyed her very much. She did a great job on the male voices the accents and had a very nice reading voice.
I enjoyed this book. Maybe a little overboard with the word"pockets" LOL but still good.
The story line was fun and different. From London to New York, I really liked the women's club that helped Adeline with her shop and the women's movement they were pushing for. I really liked Adeline, she was smart, witty, funny and a strong female lead character. Always a bonus. I liked Kingston too. Lots of great dialogue throughout the entire book!
As for the narration, it was good. I think this is my first Charlotte North narration and she did a great job. I enjoyed her very much. She did a great job on the male voices the accents and had a very nice reading voice.
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