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A Duchess for All Seasons #3
The Summer Duchess
A widow with a broken heart… The granddaughter of a duke and darling of the ton, Lady Georgiana’s life was one glittering soiree after another...until her husband did her the grave disservice of dying. Recently returned to London after a year spent rusticating in the country, she’s eager to resume her social life. One thing she doesn’t plan on doing? Crossing paths with Sebastian Northcliff, the arrogant cad who stole her first kiss and broke her heart. A duke with a dark past… There are whispers about the Duke of Warwick. Whispers that he killed his first wife. Whispers that he is a cruel, unforgiving man. Whispers that he is incapable of love. For his part, Sebastian doesn’t care what people say...as long as they leave him the hell alone. With no family, no friends, and no plans to remarry, he’s content to live in the shadows. Until a chance encounter with an old flame reminds him just how hot his passion can burn. A passionate love affair seven years in the making... Georgiana has never forgiven Sebastian. Sebastian has never forgotten Georgiana. After seven years of loathing, can two opposites finally find love? Or is this one relationship that’s doomed to repeat itself? Find out in The Summer Duchess, the third novella in Jillian Eaton’s bestselling A Duchess for All Seasons series! The Summer Duchess is a novella of approximately 22k words.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2018
265 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Eaton
89 books489 followersJillian Eaton has written over forty historical romances and is known for finding the perfect balance between "intense emotions, sizzling chemistry, and light-hearted humor" (Swept Away by Romance). She grew up in Maine and now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three boys on a 17-acre farm where they rescue and rehabilitate senior horses.
When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.
If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:
Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover
When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.
If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:
Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 18, 2018
Yes, I curse the hero of this novella ! I hated and loathed him ! I loved the heroine Georgiana but Sebastian was a prime A+ asshole. His rationale for breaking her heart and marrying another woman was stupid. He'd lost his parents and his kid sister, so he didn't want to love someone and lose them again. The little rich boy didn't understand that death is a fact of life's natural cycle. So, what does he do ? He makes the heroine fall in love with him, during her debut season and then he dumps her to marry a woman he doesn't love ! His wife ended up cheating on him left, right and centre. He deserved it ! If his wife had lived, she'd have probably ended up getting pregnant by another man and his dukedom's future would've been in the hands of some other man's son. That humiliation was just what he deserved for dumping Georgiana like that. He had the audacity to claim that he did it because he loved her !
This storyline could've worked if the author had written a full length novel and given me some further justification to want to forgive this asshole. But, a 90 something page novella was too short for such an angst filled and painful storyline. I barely got time to get used to Sebastian; I definitely didn't feel that he was redeemed sufficiently. A lot of it was explained briefly but a trope like this cannot be handled properly in a novella. The epilogue was also set too early after their reconciliation. I needed a longer term epilogue, like in the wonderful The Spring Duchess, for me to believe that Sebastian had grovelled enough and to see proof that Georgiana was still happy.
Georgiana was the sister of the H from The Spring Duchess. Derek, the H from The Spring Duchess, should've called him out in a duel ! I hadn't liked Georgiana all that much in The Spring Duchess because she had seemed a bit condescending to Eleanor ( that book's heroine ). But, I grew to love her in this novella because she'd become best friends with Eleanor and I felt so sorry for all the pain she'd had to endure. After the asshole had jilted her, 8 years ago, to marry his cheating skank, Georgiana got married to a handsome Earl. She hadn't loved him but they got along well together, even though she suspected he'd had other women on the side. She hadn't been hurt by her late husband's affairs, though, and was happy that he'd stopped sleeping with her and concentrated on his other women. Her husband died in a carriage accident and the H's skanky wife was murdered by one of her many lovers.
The MC's are reunited at a house party where Sebastian grovels and begs for a second chance. There is a cute scene with them looking for hedgehogs for Eleanor, but it still wasn't cute enough to make me raise the rating for this novella. I'm still looking forward to the final novellaThe Autumn Duchess and I hope it's better than this. I also hope it's a storyline that can be handled properly via the novella format. My fav heroine in this series is still the pet loving Eleanor from The Spring Duchess. Georgiana's in second place because she has a lot more backbone than the shy heroine from The Winter Duchess and she's confident and witty.
Safety: Both MC's were not celibate after the H dumped the heroine. However, they were married to other people.
This is the asshole H, Sebastian ( and I have no idea why I'm wasting a photo on him )
This is the heroine Georgiana:
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2019
..
Welcome to the life of Lady Georgianna, the granddaughter of a duke. She was the darling of the ton and flitted happily along from one soiree after another until the untimely death of her husband. After a year spent mourning in the country, she is now returning to London yearning to recovery her social life.
A widow with a broken heart…
One thing she doesn’t plan on doing?
Crossing paths with Sebastian Northcliff, the arrogant cad who stole her first kiss and broke her heart.
The social scene in London seemed to be limited to a low number of individuals, which means Lady Georgianna's hopes of avoiding a certain individual were slim to none. As fate would have it, they run smack dab into one another again! Everything depends on how you react, but how will they react?
A duke with a dark past…
There are whispers about the Duke of Warwick. Whispers that he killed his first wife. Whispers that he is a cruel, unforgiving man. Whispers that he is incapable of love. For his part, Sebastian doesn’t care what people say...as long as they leave him the hell alone.
With no family, no friends, and no plans to remarry, he’s content to live in the shadows. Until a chance encounter with an old flame reminds him just how hot his passion can burn.
In this case, it seems that fate subverts the potentially familiar passion between these once star-crossed lovers once again. Can the heart forgive or the mind forget?
A passionate love affair seven years in the making...
Georgiana has never forgiven Sebastian. Sebastian has never forgotten Georgiana.
After seven years of loathing, can two opposites finally find love?
Or is this one relationship that’s doomed to repeat itself?
This is not a clean and wholesome book, so those offended by that type of content should avoid it. It has mild profanity with a lot of adult body language. It did have many redeemable qualities as well. It is able to stand on its own and will entertain most readers satisfactorily.
Plus, the series is available through the Amazon Prime Kindle Unlimited program at this time.
.
March 24, 2019
I am loving this series of novellas with arrogant Dukes that are resistant to love.
This one features a widow that was jilted by her first love. Years have past but their attraction is still strong, and he wants her back! I love it when couples get a second chance at love.
This one features a widow that was jilted by her first love. Years have past but their attraction is still strong, and he wants her back! I love it when couples get a second chance at love.
July 1, 2025
⭐💫
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Widow heroine.
Some tiny parts of the story was a little tiny bit interesting.
Second chance romance.
➖ What I disliked:
Underwhelming/boring.
Uninteresting main characters that lack spark among other things.
Unconvincing romance and chemistry that felt forced.
Formulaic.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice about both the main characters.
(Hero= tall, muscular, handsome…. And heroine: slender and beautiful etc.)
Cringey.
Too much push and pull.
Contradicting.
The OTT miscommunication.
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Widow heroine.
Some tiny parts of the story was a little tiny bit interesting.
Second chance romance.
➖ What I disliked:
Underwhelming/boring.
Uninteresting main characters that lack spark among other things.
Unconvincing romance and chemistry that felt forced.
Formulaic.
Formulaic in the character description/visual appearance/character choice about both the main characters.
(Hero= tall, muscular, handsome…. And heroine: slender and beautiful etc.)
Cringey.
Too much push and pull.
Contradicting.
The OTT miscommunication.
May 23, 2025
Summary:
Well, I’ve finished The Summer Duchess by Jillian Eaton, and in a shocking twist, it’s the best book of the series so far. So naturally, I’m giving it 2.5 stars. Listen, just because it’s the best doesn’t mean it’s good. I’m not enjoying this series, but I’m too deep to quit now. The end is in sight, and I’ve committed to the bit.
Characters:
Sebastian: His big romantic backstory is that he and Georgie had a picture-perfect love… until he dumped her and married someone else because he was afraid of not being with her. Okay. And now, seven years later, he’s single again and wants a do-over. Romantic? No. Slightly unhinged? Yes. He does have some charm, I’ll admit, but it’s the kind that fades fast once you realize his entire strategy is just “chase her until she gives up.”
Georgie: Girl. GIRL. Please. Every chapter she’s like “this is the last time,” and then five pages later she’s back in his arms. She had no standards, no plan, and no resistance. I kept hoping she’d surprise me and actually say no, but alas, we get a full book of emotional doormat behaviour. And for what? A man with commitment issues and a smug grin?
Overall Thoughts:
Technically, yes, this was the most enjoyable of the series. The pacing was better, the drama felt more coherent, and I wasn’t counting the pages like I did in the last two. But still, it’s giving “romance by persistence” instead of, you know, actual growth or communication. They got together because he refused to stop showing up, and she got tired of fighting it. Wow. Love that for them.
Anyway, I’m heading into the next one and hoping someone in this series figures out what healthy boundaries are. Fourth time’s the charm?
Rating:
★★½☆☆
Well, I’ve finished The Summer Duchess by Jillian Eaton, and in a shocking twist, it’s the best book of the series so far. So naturally, I’m giving it 2.5 stars. Listen, just because it’s the best doesn’t mean it’s good. I’m not enjoying this series, but I’m too deep to quit now. The end is in sight, and I’ve committed to the bit.
Characters:
Sebastian: His big romantic backstory is that he and Georgie had a picture-perfect love… until he dumped her and married someone else because he was afraid of not being with her. Okay. And now, seven years later, he’s single again and wants a do-over. Romantic? No. Slightly unhinged? Yes. He does have some charm, I’ll admit, but it’s the kind that fades fast once you realize his entire strategy is just “chase her until she gives up.”
Georgie: Girl. GIRL. Please. Every chapter she’s like “this is the last time,” and then five pages later she’s back in his arms. She had no standards, no plan, and no resistance. I kept hoping she’d surprise me and actually say no, but alas, we get a full book of emotional doormat behaviour. And for what? A man with commitment issues and a smug grin?
Overall Thoughts:
Technically, yes, this was the most enjoyable of the series. The pacing was better, the drama felt more coherent, and I wasn’t counting the pages like I did in the last two. But still, it’s giving “romance by persistence” instead of, you know, actual growth or communication. They got together because he refused to stop showing up, and she got tired of fighting it. Wow. Love that for them.
Anyway, I’m heading into the next one and hoping someone in this series figures out what healthy boundaries are. Fourth time’s the charm?
Rating:
★★½☆☆
Want to read
April 27, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/27/2019)! 🎁
June 13, 2020
Nunca debí dejarte. No casarme contigo es uno de los más grandes arrepentimientos de mí vida, Georgie.
La duquesa de verano de de Jillian Eaton libro 3 serie Una duquesa para cada temporada
Mí humilde opinión:
Una viuda con el corazón roto…
La nieta de un duque querida por todos, la vida de Lady Georgiana fue un brillante baile tras otro... Hasta que su marido la perjudica gravemente al morirse.
Recientemente volvió a Londres luego de un año en el rústico campo, está dispuesta a retomar su vida social.
Una cosa que no está supuesta a hacer?
Cruzar caminos con Sebastian Northcliff, el arrogante sinvergüenza que le robó su primer beso y le rompió su corazón.
Un duque con un oscuro pasado…
Hay rumores sobre el duque de Warwick. Rumores de que e mató a su primera esposa. Rumores de que es un cruel e implacable hombre. Rumores de que es incapaz de amar. Por su parte, a Sebastián no le importa lo que diga la gente... Mientras lo dejen malditamente en paz.
Sin familia, ni amigos, sin planes para volver a casarse, está contento de vivir en las sombras.
Hasta que un casual encuentro con una vieja llama le recuerda cuan caliente su pasión puede arder.
Un apasionado romance de siete años en ciernes...
Georgiana nunca perdonó a Sebastian.
Sebastian nunca olvidó a Georgiana.
Luego de siete años de odio, pueden dos opuestos finalmente encontrar el amor? O es esta una relación condenada a repetir lo mismo de nuevo?
Este es el segundo libro de la serie y es el que menos me gustó para ser sincera.
Esperaba un héroe al que me tiene acostumbrada JE, un aristócrata arrogante, un poco alfa y pagado de sí mismo con mucho encanto pero...
Voy a me encuentro con Sebastian que fue una decepción de hombre. Qué hombre imbécil de primera! Lo odie totalmente.
Porque no entendí como fue a enamorarla a Georgiana y dejarla para casarse con otra!
Sus excusas o explicaciones no tienen sentido para mí. Que por no aceptar que se enamoró de Georgiana porque teme perderla como a sus seres queridos cuando niño, la deja y prefiere casarse con otra que no ama para no sufrir? Y luego están los siete años dónde no fue feliz ninguno de ellos al final?
Para colmo él a va a decir que lo hizo porque la quería?! Me pareció que Georgiana lo perdonó con facilidad, debería haberlo hecho sufrir un poco, esmerarse por la gran metida de pata.
La verdad que odie al tipo este! Y por eso solo le doy ⭐⭐
Georgiana me cayó un poco mal en el libro de Eleanor, por como se reía de ella pero al conocerla aquí me gustó mucho y sentí mucha pena por ella.
Ni el epilogo me calmó la verdad. No vi nada como genuino porque me parece que al ser una historia corta, con pocas páginas, no se pudo poner bien los tiempos para que el héroe se redima correctamente con la protagonista por el daño causado.
Este tipo de trama necesita estos tiempos.
Regular este tercer libro, a ver qué pasa con el siguiente....
January 16, 2020
3.5-4 stars - Historical Romance
I like the author's voice and the audiobook narrator does a good job with this series.
I like the author's voice and the audiobook narrator does a good job with this series.
December 14, 2020
Enjoying this series by Jillian Eaton. This was a very quick and enjoyable book.
December 19, 2021
This one really really REALLY suffered from the novella treatment. The characters are great, the premise is great but there just isnt enough time spent with them for it to work out in the end, at least for me.
Shout out to lord Swiftmore aka the bff Seb doesn't deserve. Everyone needs a lord Swiftmore ❤
Shout out to lord Swiftmore aka the bff Seb doesn't deserve. Everyone needs a lord Swiftmore ❤
June 20, 2019
This book is typical. The hero broke the heroin's heart back in the day, and now years later she is still pissed at him. Instead of talking it out to find out why he left her high and dry, she would rather be mad at him one minute and then stick her tongue down his throat the next minute. Didn't finish it, got tired of the heroin being mad at the hero.
January 12, 2019
I really loved this short HEA story. On to book four. 4☆
March 13, 2020
3 Stars
August 21, 2021
The Summer Duchess, Book 3 of A Duchess for All Seasons series, was about Lady Georgiana "Georgie" (Perrin) Hebron, the Dowager Countess of Hebron, widow of Lord James, the Earl of Hebron, and His Grace Sebastian Northcliff, the Duke of Warwick.
After ending a year of mourning for her late husband, Georgiana returned to London to take part in the Season once again. Attending a luncheon at her closest friend, Lady Ginnie Swiftmore's home, Georgie was taken by surprise to find her past rearing its ugly head in the shape of a former love...Sebastian, the very man who had stolen her first kiss and broken her heart seven years before by choosing to marry Lady Abigail Waterson instead of her. When the same friends invited her to attend a house party at their country estate, Georgie readily agreed, only to feel the sting of betrayal from that same friend for inviting Sebastian as well.
Sebastian, also recently widowed, had to endure the rumors that he was a cruel, unforgiving man and that he had murdered his late, adulterous wife, even though the magistrate had declared him innocent of the deed because the crime scene spoke the truth of what had happened...one of his late wife's lovers had killed her.
Sebastian had never forgotten Georgie and, in fact, he still held strong feelings for her. Once he had learned her husband had died, Sebastian immediately planned his pursuit of her. However, he didn't count on her still hating him after seven long years. Nevertheless, he was determined to win her heart.
Side note: Why do authors think that their followers/fans want to read how many women their Heroes have bedded? "Sebastian had slept with some of the most stunning women the ton had to offer." Who flipping cares? That's not wanted info...that's him being a braggart. It's not his past prowess the reader wants to know about, but about why he had hurt Georgie all those years ago and why he thought he deserved another chance with her.
This story unfolded at a rapid pace, barely giving the reader time to acclimate to one situation before being tossed into another, pretty much like a relentless storm bent on destroying everything in its path, then doubling back to make certain it didn't miss anything. That Sebastian had changed from the person he had been when he first met Georgia was quite apparent. He had shed his demons and was ready to face whatever future was thrown at him...so long as it was a future with Georgie.
Georgie, however, was afraid to trust the person Sebastian had become. She had been utterly devastated by what she felt was his betrayal and didn't believe he wouldn't repeat his past mistakes, even though she had never stopped loving him.
Though it was a short novella, it was not lacking in drama or angst. It even had a dry sense of humor sprinkled in all the right places, and a touch of sadness for a young love lost. However, the chemistry and attraction between the two main characters were never in doubt from the very first moment they laid eyes on each other again. The way Sebastian ruthlessly pursued Georgie, and the way she stubbornly ran from said pursuit was fun to read and "watch" play out.
Unlike the two previous books in the series, this one was actually enjoyable. The Hero was even likable, and the Heroine was a strong, independent woman who wasn't afraid to admit when she was weak.
While it was a decent story, it still only garnered less than a five-star rating due to the grammatical errors...although they weren't as many as some books I've read of late. Nor will it be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection, but only because the first two books in the series didn't earn that right either. It was definitely better than those previous books in the series, without a doubt.
After ending a year of mourning for her late husband, Georgiana returned to London to take part in the Season once again. Attending a luncheon at her closest friend, Lady Ginnie Swiftmore's home, Georgie was taken by surprise to find her past rearing its ugly head in the shape of a former love...Sebastian, the very man who had stolen her first kiss and broken her heart seven years before by choosing to marry Lady Abigail Waterson instead of her. When the same friends invited her to attend a house party at their country estate, Georgie readily agreed, only to feel the sting of betrayal from that same friend for inviting Sebastian as well.
Sebastian, also recently widowed, had to endure the rumors that he was a cruel, unforgiving man and that he had murdered his late, adulterous wife, even though the magistrate had declared him innocent of the deed because the crime scene spoke the truth of what had happened...one of his late wife's lovers had killed her.
Sebastian had never forgotten Georgie and, in fact, he still held strong feelings for her. Once he had learned her husband had died, Sebastian immediately planned his pursuit of her. However, he didn't count on her still hating him after seven long years. Nevertheless, he was determined to win her heart.
Side note: Why do authors think that their followers/fans want to read how many women their Heroes have bedded? "Sebastian had slept with some of the most stunning women the ton had to offer." Who flipping cares? That's not wanted info...that's him being a braggart. It's not his past prowess the reader wants to know about, but about why he had hurt Georgie all those years ago and why he thought he deserved another chance with her.
This story unfolded at a rapid pace, barely giving the reader time to acclimate to one situation before being tossed into another, pretty much like a relentless storm bent on destroying everything in its path, then doubling back to make certain it didn't miss anything. That Sebastian had changed from the person he had been when he first met Georgia was quite apparent. He had shed his demons and was ready to face whatever future was thrown at him...so long as it was a future with Georgie.
Georgie, however, was afraid to trust the person Sebastian had become. She had been utterly devastated by what she felt was his betrayal and didn't believe he wouldn't repeat his past mistakes, even though she had never stopped loving him.
Though it was a short novella, it was not lacking in drama or angst. It even had a dry sense of humor sprinkled in all the right places, and a touch of sadness for a young love lost. However, the chemistry and attraction between the two main characters were never in doubt from the very first moment they laid eyes on each other again. The way Sebastian ruthlessly pursued Georgie, and the way she stubbornly ran from said pursuit was fun to read and "watch" play out.
Unlike the two previous books in the series, this one was actually enjoyable. The Hero was even likable, and the Heroine was a strong, independent woman who wasn't afraid to admit when she was weak.
While it was a decent story, it still only garnered less than a five-star rating due to the grammatical errors...although they weren't as many as some books I've read of late. Nor will it be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection, but only because the first two books in the series didn't earn that right either. It was definitely better than those previous books in the series, without a doubt.
January 8, 2024
The “I’m not good enough for you so I’m going to push you away” trope never works for me because it doesn’t ring true, doesn’t align with actual human behaviour. A worse trope though is the “I don’t want to experience the pain of losing a loved one so I’ll hurt the one I love.”
Sebastian‘s internal thoughts reveal he was exceedingly self-aware and calculatedly, deliberately, wounded Georgianna because he never wanted to experience again the pain of losing a loved one. He might not have been aware of his ultimate motivation (avoiding pain), but the fact that he made clear his love for--and serious interest in—Georgianna, then ruthlessly cut her off and married another woman, is nearly unforgivable. It takes really skilled writing to successfully execute this level of redemption, and probably impossible in novella format (though I bet Courtney Milan could pull this off, and probably already has).
The nerve of this guy to just come waltzing back into her life and presume that he could figure out a way to win her back—EXCEPT HIS FRIEND HAS TO POINT OUT THAT HE HASN’T ACTUALLY ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS. What a selfish sociopath. Yeah I guess his journey is about learning to be vulnerable with Georgianna, but the grovel just wasn’t there. Maybe the author didn’t think he needed to grovel? As in, he didn’t know better at the time so his present day self-awareness is enough? How about instead of Sebastian following Georgianna around, getting in her physical space and finger-banging her, you know what would have shown genuine remorse and respect for her personhood? If he stopped continually talking over her in his attempts to “explain” (which he does every time they’re together), and instead simply offered to LISTEN TO HER. He doesn’t want to hear about how his actions hurt her, he just wants to offer explanations and steamroll over her lived experience. How is she supposed to trust him? We never see him working to establish trust with her—instead we get the trite shortcut: a brawny rescue at the end, which in this story is enough for Georgianna.
Also, we’re supposed to feel a modicum of sympathy for this asshole because choices HE made saddled him with an unfaithful wife? He knew exactly who he was marrying, so fuck off with your tale of woe. Oh! And was it really necessary to have Georgianna marrying a kind-but-dull milquetoast? Couldn’t she have had some hot sex and fun times for the last FIVE YEARS?! This especially grates because Sebastian mentions the scores of lovers, mistresses, courtesans he had both before meeting Georgianna and during his marriage (you know, all while he had “never stopped loving her”). Georgianna deserved so much better. Bad meddling friend Ginny draws a false equivalency between Sebastian and Georgianna’s spouses, saying both married their spouse as a “safe choice”. I loathe this kind of poppycock because it just reinforces the refusing/hurting the one you love nonsense.
And can you blame Georgianna for ultimately marrying a kind, dependable man? The book reinforces that (false) dichotomy of “Safe” = Boring. Her husband sounded trustworthy, respectful, companionable, yet not one who inspired passionate feelings. Sebastian isn’t trustworthy and will get in your face to tell you his version of the situation, but he sure is exciting and hot. Do better, book. Perhaps I’m expecting too much nuance out of a novella.
I wonder what it says about romance-reading cis-het women that we have internalized the bullshit messaging stories like this reinforce. Maybe my rage is disproportionate to the length (and depth) of this novella, but I say my rage reflects the level of fuckery packed into this shallow little story.
Sebastian‘s internal thoughts reveal he was exceedingly self-aware and calculatedly, deliberately, wounded Georgianna because he never wanted to experience again the pain of losing a loved one. He might not have been aware of his ultimate motivation (avoiding pain), but the fact that he made clear his love for--and serious interest in—Georgianna, then ruthlessly cut her off and married another woman, is nearly unforgivable. It takes really skilled writing to successfully execute this level of redemption, and probably impossible in novella format (though I bet Courtney Milan could pull this off, and probably already has).
The nerve of this guy to just come waltzing back into her life and presume that he could figure out a way to win her back—EXCEPT HIS FRIEND HAS TO POINT OUT THAT HE HASN’T ACTUALLY ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS. What a selfish sociopath. Yeah I guess his journey is about learning to be vulnerable with Georgianna, but the grovel just wasn’t there. Maybe the author didn’t think he needed to grovel? As in, he didn’t know better at the time so his present day self-awareness is enough? How about instead of Sebastian following Georgianna around, getting in her physical space and finger-banging her, you know what would have shown genuine remorse and respect for her personhood? If he stopped continually talking over her in his attempts to “explain” (which he does every time they’re together), and instead simply offered to LISTEN TO HER. He doesn’t want to hear about how his actions hurt her, he just wants to offer explanations and steamroll over her lived experience. How is she supposed to trust him? We never see him working to establish trust with her—instead we get the trite shortcut: a brawny rescue at the end, which in this story is enough for Georgianna.
Also, we’re supposed to feel a modicum of sympathy for this asshole because choices HE made saddled him with an unfaithful wife? He knew exactly who he was marrying, so fuck off with your tale of woe. Oh! And was it really necessary to have Georgianna marrying a kind-but-dull milquetoast? Couldn’t she have had some hot sex and fun times for the last FIVE YEARS?! This especially grates because Sebastian mentions the scores of lovers, mistresses, courtesans he had both before meeting Georgianna and during his marriage (you know, all while he had “never stopped loving her”). Georgianna deserved so much better. Bad meddling friend Ginny draws a false equivalency between Sebastian and Georgianna’s spouses, saying both married their spouse as a “safe choice”. I loathe this kind of poppycock because it just reinforces the refusing/hurting the one you love nonsense.
And can you blame Georgianna for ultimately marrying a kind, dependable man? The book reinforces that (false) dichotomy of “Safe” = Boring. Her husband sounded trustworthy, respectful, companionable, yet not one who inspired passionate feelings. Sebastian isn’t trustworthy and will get in your face to tell you his version of the situation, but he sure is exciting and hot. Do better, book. Perhaps I’m expecting too much nuance out of a novella.
I wonder what it says about romance-reading cis-het women that we have internalized the bullshit messaging stories like this reinforce. Maybe my rage is disproportionate to the length (and depth) of this novella, but I say my rage reflects the level of fuckery packed into this shallow little story.
April 8, 2020
**Actually 3.5-rating**
Okay, I read the more recent Duke Trio last week. I had an inkling that one of these books would "link" readers to the first book, and it did. THE AUTUMN DUCHESS runs almost in the same time-frame as THE WINTER DUKE. Last time, also, there were only two books that were inter-connected. This book series has Bk #2-3 which kind of carries a similar time frame and also deals with intertwining characters. ALL of these books seem like women who are becoming Duchesses thru an arranged or forced marriage.
Okay so...it's learned about Georgiana's backstory is that she was once like a hoyden/bluestocking...and she trailed behind her big brother and looked up to him like a Hero. Until she was married off to a complete stranger who ended up making her a widow. I don't recall her marriage being nasty or filled with abuse...she simply wasn't in love. We also found out, Derek had a bit of regret because without realizing it, when forcing his sister to wed someone she didn't love completely...he lost the wild spirit of his little sister.
I think Eleanor, her sister-in-law has rubbed off on her, making her wish she could be like Eleanor more...or like her old tomboyish self. But she went thru a lot of maturing during her marriage and learned the hard way that being a bluestocking wasn't being a proper wife.
She had a great love before she went with an arranged marriage. Sebastian, the Duke of Warwick, was her soulmate 7yrs ago but he ended up breaking her heart. The woman he did end up marrying -->because it was simply better for his family that he marry for position and money than for simply love. It made it appear as if Sebastian had duped Georgiana. There's been terrible, nasty rumors flying about that Sebastian killed his wife...but she was so promiscuous...one of her many lovers [who thought he was the ONLY lover] managed to do the dirty deed, choking her until her last breath, leaving Sebastian to find her lifeless body.
He seems to be fine with taking the heat for her death because he doesn't plan on falling in love or marrying again. Except when Georgiana comes out of her extended year of mourning to return back home...and the two old loves bump into each other. And then they can't help bumping into one another, more and more as they seem to wander in the same circle of people, parties and friends.
Okay, I read the more recent Duke Trio last week. I had an inkling that one of these books would "link" readers to the first book, and it did. THE AUTUMN DUCHESS runs almost in the same time-frame as THE WINTER DUKE. Last time, also, there were only two books that were inter-connected. This book series has Bk #2-3 which kind of carries a similar time frame and also deals with intertwining characters. ALL of these books seem like women who are becoming Duchesses thru an arranged or forced marriage.
Okay so...it's learned about Georgiana's backstory is that she was once like a hoyden/bluestocking...and she trailed behind her big brother and looked up to him like a Hero. Until she was married off to a complete stranger who ended up making her a widow. I don't recall her marriage being nasty or filled with abuse...she simply wasn't in love. We also found out, Derek had a bit of regret because without realizing it, when forcing his sister to wed someone she didn't love completely...he lost the wild spirit of his little sister.
I think Eleanor, her sister-in-law has rubbed off on her, making her wish she could be like Eleanor more...or like her old tomboyish self. But she went thru a lot of maturing during her marriage and learned the hard way that being a bluestocking wasn't being a proper wife.
She had a great love before she went with an arranged marriage. Sebastian, the Duke of Warwick, was her soulmate 7yrs ago but he ended up breaking her heart. The woman he did end up marrying -->because it was simply better for his family that he marry for position and money than for simply love. It made it appear as if Sebastian had duped Georgiana. There's been terrible, nasty rumors flying about that Sebastian killed his wife...but she was so promiscuous...one of her many lovers [who thought he was the ONLY lover] managed to do the dirty deed, choking her until her last breath, leaving Sebastian to find her lifeless body.
He seems to be fine with taking the heat for her death because he doesn't plan on falling in love or marrying again. Except when Georgiana comes out of her extended year of mourning to return back home...and the two old loves bump into each other. And then they can't help bumping into one another, more and more as they seem to wander in the same circle of people, parties and friends.
May 11, 2019
In general terms I gave 2.5 stars, rounding to 3.
The Summer Duchess as well as the other books in this series is a short story. Unfortunately the plot needed to be better developed, which is hard to do well with a short story because everything happens fast.
The heroine participates in the series' previous book, The Spring Duchess, where she plays the hero's sister.
The idea of this book is very interesting. Lady Georgiana, the widow of the Earl of Hebron, crosses path with the man who broke her heart seven years ago, Sebastian Northcliff, the Duke of Warwick, and this meeting was orchestrated by none other than her best friend with ideas of prince charming. Georgiana’s never forgotten the wound caused by Sebastian and holds a tremendous grudge, but behind this grudge is hidden a love never surpassed. It is up to Sebastian to overcome the barriers erected around Georgiana's heart.
One thing I hated was the fact that the hero despite knowing it was his fault they were not together approachs her with irresistable stud atitudes instead of going after her humbling and crawling. This arrogant attitude in trying to win her back after all the damage he made, lost points in my opinion. And after Sebastian finally managed to explain himself, Georgiana accepted his word too quickly. He needed to crawl more and I think it would have been very interesting if he had had a competition from another suitor of caliber and felt fear of losing Georgiana for real.
Nevertheless the story was pleasant as a short story.
The Summer Duchess as well as the other books in this series is a short story. Unfortunately the plot needed to be better developed, which is hard to do well with a short story because everything happens fast.
The heroine participates in the series' previous book, The Spring Duchess, where she plays the hero's sister.
The idea of this book is very interesting. Lady Georgiana, the widow of the Earl of Hebron, crosses path with the man who broke her heart seven years ago, Sebastian Northcliff, the Duke of Warwick, and this meeting was orchestrated by none other than her best friend with ideas of prince charming. Georgiana’s never forgotten the wound caused by Sebastian and holds a tremendous grudge, but behind this grudge is hidden a love never surpassed. It is up to Sebastian to overcome the barriers erected around Georgiana's heart.
One thing I hated was the fact that the hero despite knowing it was his fault they were not together approachs her with irresistable stud atitudes instead of going after her humbling and crawling. This arrogant attitude in trying to win her back after all the damage he made, lost points in my opinion. And after Sebastian finally managed to explain himself, Georgiana accepted his word too quickly. He needed to crawl more and I think it would have been very interesting if he had had a competition from another suitor of caliber and felt fear of losing Georgiana for real.
Nevertheless the story was pleasant as a short story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2023
I'm really whatever about the author and her writing. A lot of things are way too modern and kind of weird. But I didn't really care. I think out of all of them The Winter Duchess made the most sense. Anyway, I listened to all four in the series.
And that's where my troubles started with the narrator. She is obviously U.S. American. She's got the non-rhoticity of RP British English down for the most part, the un-wanted r-s are not slipping in all that often but they do on occasion. A very weird thing this voice actor has cultivated is to speak the 'a' on occasion like a German 'a' instead of a British English one, e.g. when she says back, act, Abigail... there are more examples. But she doesn't do it when she says Anne or August. I wonder what the reasoning is. Can't be a consonant/vowel thing. She also pronounces French words well... let's say she tries to pronounce them the French way with a 2/3 success rate – ton, débutante, chignon. But it's nothing an English person would do, they adapt words to their own sound system even when they speak the foreign language and know better. All that said, the thing that takes one out the most of it all is the rising intonation at the end of each sentence, when it should be falling. It drove me crazy.
And that's where my troubles started with the narrator. She is obviously U.S. American. She's got the non-rhoticity of RP British English down for the most part, the un-wanted r-s are not slipping in all that often but they do on occasion. A very weird thing this voice actor has cultivated is to speak the 'a' on occasion like a German 'a' instead of a British English one, e.g. when she says back, act, Abigail... there are more examples. But she doesn't do it when she says Anne or August. I wonder what the reasoning is. Can't be a consonant/vowel thing. She also pronounces French words well... let's say she tries to pronounce them the French way with a 2/3 success rate – ton, débutante, chignon. But it's nothing an English person would do, they adapt words to their own sound system even when they speak the foreign language and know better. All that said, the thing that takes one out the most of it all is the rising intonation at the end of each sentence, when it should be falling. It drove me crazy.
May 15, 2020
I like Georgie a bit better in this book than we were made to believe in the second one. While I like a second chance love story there were many random parts to Georgie and Sebastian story that weren't explained well. Like both of their previous marriages, they both were totally fine with being with unfaithful people because Sebastian decided a loveless marriage was better than being with Georgie. Also it seemed like Sebastian made a very quick decision to pursue Georgie after seeing her again, when he said that he thought of doing so after he learned her husband died. I really liked how it seemed like Eleanor rubbed off on Georgie because she doesn't seem to enjoy society as much as she did before and she wants to help out any animal she can.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2021
Never too late
Georgiana aka Georgie was a young debutante when she met Sebastian! Sebastian was arrogant, handsome and a rake but he was in love with Georgie! When his parents and sister died Sebastian was fit company for a true love or so he thought but having survived a cold, cheating conniving duchess now he's ready to claim the love he was too stupid to embrace 7 years ago!
Georgie has made it difficult for Sebastian to spend more than 10 minutes with her as she is afraid rightly so he will break her heart again! Georgie also had a boring unfaithful husband at least he wasn't abusive!b
Sebastian has been given a second chance to win the woman he never stopped loving what if he can't? What if its too late?
Georgiana aka Georgie was a young debutante when she met Sebastian! Sebastian was arrogant, handsome and a rake but he was in love with Georgie! When his parents and sister died Sebastian was fit company for a true love or so he thought but having survived a cold, cheating conniving duchess now he's ready to claim the love he was too stupid to embrace 7 years ago!
Georgie has made it difficult for Sebastian to spend more than 10 minutes with her as she is afraid rightly so he will break her heart again! Georgie also had a boring unfaithful husband at least he wasn't abusive!b
Sebastian has been given a second chance to win the woman he never stopped loving what if he can't? What if its too late?
February 16, 2024
Georgiana and Sebastian Northcliff, Duke of Warwick
This was the shortest, but it was my favorite of the series.
I didn't like Georgiana much in the previous book, but luckily, she seemed like a better person here. Sebastian had broken her heart years before by choosing someone else over her, but now after 7 years and the both of them being widowed, he wants to make up for that mistake.
I like this more than the others because we finally got a book in this series where the hero didn't act like arrogant, pompous ass. He acknowledged his feelings and went after the woman he wanted. He just had the obstacle of getting over the pain he caused in the past, which wasn't an easy feat.
This was the shortest, but it was my favorite of the series.
I didn't like Georgiana much in the previous book, but luckily, she seemed like a better person here. Sebastian had broken her heart years before by choosing someone else over her, but now after 7 years and the both of them being widowed, he wants to make up for that mistake.
I like this more than the others because we finally got a book in this series where the hero didn't act like arrogant, pompous ass. He acknowledged his feelings and went after the woman he wanted. He just had the obstacle of getting over the pain he caused in the past, which wasn't an easy feat.
August 14, 2018
This is the 3rd book of the series & I have loved each one. They are the right length and they are funny & romantic & you can’t wait to read the next page. Although it left me with such a happy warm feeling I did not want it to end.
I read this in one sitting as couldn’t put it down.
The characters are well written & strong. I loved reading about Georgina & Sebastian’s love story.
I hope we get an Autumn Duchess & then maybe an update on them all?????
This is a fantastic series you do not want to miss
😃
I read this in one sitting as couldn’t put it down.
The characters are well written & strong. I loved reading about Georgina & Sebastian’s love story.
I hope we get an Autumn Duchess & then maybe an update on them all?????
This is a fantastic series you do not want to miss
😃
December 28, 2025
3 ⭐️
I liked the second-chance marriage storyline and the heightened emotions that came with the summer setting. The tension between the MC's felt believable and I appreciated the focus on communication, forgiveness and rekindling feelings that never fully disappeared. However, the conflict resolved too quickly and I wanted more time spent unpacking the hurt on both sides. Some emotional beats felt rushed rather than fully earned.
I liked the second-chance marriage storyline and the heightened emotions that came with the summer setting. The tension between the MC's felt believable and I appreciated the focus on communication, forgiveness and rekindling feelings that never fully disappeared. However, the conflict resolved too quickly and I wanted more time spent unpacking the hurt on both sides. Some emotional beats felt rushed rather than fully earned.
February 28, 2020
I'm so happy Georgiana got her happily ever after, and wrongs were righted.
I so want more of Georgie and Sebastian. Jillian Eaton writes wonderful novellas with the only drawback being they are very condensed in their telling, but when you don't have a lot of time to read a story, they're great and she's the best when it comes to telling them.
I so want more of Georgie and Sebastian. Jillian Eaton writes wonderful novellas with the only drawback being they are very condensed in their telling, but when you don't have a lot of time to read a story, they're great and she's the best when it comes to telling them.
August 30, 2018
For some never fades
A Duchess was madly in love with Subastian . She knew he was going to ask him to her to marry him. He suddenly left her and returned seven years later. Why did he leave, did he marry someone else? Read and find out.
A Duchess was madly in love with Subastian . She knew he was going to ask him to her to marry him. He suddenly left her and returned seven years later. Why did he leave, did he marry someone else? Read and find out.
January 30, 2019
So I have really liked this series so far, but this one was a little too short. I feel like we needed another event of some kind before the girl gives in to the guy she knows she is in love with. But Warwick and Georgiana are a really cute couple! I just wanted more time with them!
November 11, 2019
Fun and entertaining
I liked this book, it's an interesting follow up for the other two so far. I liked the characters and the plot line. The writing was cohesive. I always enjoy touches of humor in romance novels and this one didn't disappoint.
I liked this book, it's an interesting follow up for the other two so far. I liked the characters and the plot line. The writing was cohesive. I always enjoy touches of humor in romance novels and this one didn't disappoint.
September 2, 2018
Meh
Your other two books were we l thought it and interesting. This lacked spirit. It gets like this book was a misery to write. It's really not interesting all.
Your other two books were we l thought it and interesting. This lacked spirit. It gets like this book was a misery to write. It's really not interesting all.
September 5, 2018
Romance
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
Thank you for sharing these wonderful romance novels series books. Please keep writing more of these wonderful books. Thank you
October 18, 2018
Too short!! Sigh.
Very cute story but it was too short. Otherwise what a good set of characters. We just needed more story.
Very cute story but it was too short. Otherwise what a good set of characters. We just needed more story.
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