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Rogues to Riches #2
When a Duchess Says I Do
An enchanting Regency romance with a fairy-tale twist from an always witty and delightful New York Times bestselling author who Tessa Dare calls "a romance treasure."
Named to BookPage's "2019 Most Anticipated Romance" list!
Duncan Wentworth once tried his hand at rescuing a damsel in distress long ago, and he's vowed he'll never make that mistake again. Yet when he comes across a stranger in the poacher-infested woods of his estate, decency compels him to offer the lady aid. Matilda is whip-smart, she can read Duncan's horrible penmanship, and when she wears his reading glasses all Duncan can think about is naughty Latin poetry.
Widowed duchess Matilda Wakefield can't entrust her secrets to Duncan without embroiling him in the problems that sent her fleeing from London, but neither can she ignore a man who's honorable, a brilliant chess player, and maddeningly kissable. She needs to stay one step ahead of the enemies pursuing her, and falling into Duncan's arms is a distraction she can't afford-or they'll both pay the price.
"Grace Burrowes is terrific!" --Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Smart, sexy, and oh-so romantic." --Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author
"Burrowes is a writer of towering talent." --USA Today Happy Ever After
Named to BookPage's "2019 Most Anticipated Romance" list!
Duncan Wentworth once tried his hand at rescuing a damsel in distress long ago, and he's vowed he'll never make that mistake again. Yet when he comes across a stranger in the poacher-infested woods of his estate, decency compels him to offer the lady aid. Matilda is whip-smart, she can read Duncan's horrible penmanship, and when she wears his reading glasses all Duncan can think about is naughty Latin poetry.
Widowed duchess Matilda Wakefield can't entrust her secrets to Duncan without embroiling him in the problems that sent her fleeing from London, but neither can she ignore a man who's honorable, a brilliant chess player, and maddeningly kissable. She needs to stay one step ahead of the enemies pursuing her, and falling into Duncan's arms is a distraction she can't afford-or they'll both pay the price.
"Grace Burrowes is terrific!" --Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"Smart, sexy, and oh-so romantic." --Mary Balogh, New York Times bestselling author
"Burrowes is a writer of towering talent." --USA Today Happy Ever After
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
878 people are currently reading
2577 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
182 books2,893 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
March 20, 2019
*3.5 stars*
I enjoyed the character, writing style, and the romance, but the plot... yeah, it wasn't my bag.
When a Duchess Says I Do was my first read from Grace Burrowes, but I would read her again any time, any place. Her writing was competent and professional, and I'm sure she has already written some stories that could be favorites of mine. However, When a Duchess Says I Do was a bit too stressful and far-fetched for me.
When I read a story with a big mystery element, where a lot of details are left out until the end to keep us readers in the dark, I get a feeling of impatience or stress. That's what happened when I read this story. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something horrible to happen. I don't like that anticipation, but I recognize that that is something that is 100% just my tastes. I found myself rushing through certain sections and dreading to pick the story up again in others, which is why it took me over a week to finish a fairly regular length book.
Aside from that, and the fact that the actual plot was a bit confusing and unlikely-sounding, I really enjoyed these characters and the romance. I like a woman who is *not* a virgin in historical romance, and I liked Matilda's practicality and confidence. She was a strong, self-reliant woman, and I enjoyed her as a character very much. I also liked the reserved and moral Duncan, who resonated with me quite a bit.
The story was entertaining, and it made me want to read more in this series, but I still didn't mesh well with the mystery that ran throughout the book. However, fans of reads that are a bit more suspenseful (and who don't mind many, many POVs) will enjoy this one.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I enjoyed the character, writing style, and the romance, but the plot... yeah, it wasn't my bag.
When a Duchess Says I Do was my first read from Grace Burrowes, but I would read her again any time, any place. Her writing was competent and professional, and I'm sure she has already written some stories that could be favorites of mine. However, When a Duchess Says I Do was a bit too stressful and far-fetched for me.
When I read a story with a big mystery element, where a lot of details are left out until the end to keep us readers in the dark, I get a feeling of impatience or stress. That's what happened when I read this story. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for something horrible to happen. I don't like that anticipation, but I recognize that that is something that is 100% just my tastes. I found myself rushing through certain sections and dreading to pick the story up again in others, which is why it took me over a week to finish a fairly regular length book.
Aside from that, and the fact that the actual plot was a bit confusing and unlikely-sounding, I really enjoyed these characters and the romance. I like a woman who is *not* a virgin in historical romance, and I liked Matilda's practicality and confidence. She was a strong, self-reliant woman, and I enjoyed her as a character very much. I also liked the reserved and moral Duncan, who resonated with me quite a bit.
The story was entertaining, and it made me want to read more in this series, but I still didn't mesh well with the mystery that ran throughout the book. However, fans of reads that are a bit more suspenseful (and who don't mind many, many POVs) will enjoy this one.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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March 29, 2019
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The worst betrayals came from the closest ties.
The series Rogues to Riches follows the Wentworth family and their sudden inheritance of a Dukedom. Duncan Wentworth is cousin to the new duke and has traveled for many years as tutor to the duke's younger brother Stephen. He's a bit of a mysterious figure as he hugged the walls more in the first book (My One and Only Duke) and is a very quiet and contained person. Here he is sent to one of the dukedom's failing estates and told if he can't make it profitable in one year, Quinn (the duke) will require him to make it his permanent post. For how restless Duncan is, this feels like a punishment but is really a set-up by Quinn and his wife to help Duncan finally settle, calm, and come to terms with whatever past issues are making him run.
Matilda is on the run and ends up rescuing Duncan from a pair of poachers, prompting him to offer a meal and bed for the night. Matilda plays her cards pretty close to the vest but the reader knows she is on the run from her fiance and possibly, father, after she discovered some traitorous correspondence in her father's office. Matilda has traveled all over the world with her father who hunts for antiques and paintings, she was very briefly married to a duke and when Lt. Colonel Lord Parker hints at wanting a stable, stationary home, her dream, she accepts his proposal. Fearing Parker saw her with the traitorous correspondence, she runs, in fear of being hung for a traitor or forced to testify against her father and see him hung for a traitor.
How long since Duncan had noticed a woman? Truly noticed that the curve of her cheek and the curve of her eyebrow---the same graceful arc---both begged to be traced by his fingers?
As the reader only has Matilda's interpretation of the events that led to her flight, we're left in the dark, giving the story a little bit of a mystery feel. The full mystery part of the story isn't revealed until the latter half of the book, some readers may start to suspect Matilda's interpretation of certain characters before then. POVs from Parker and Matilda's father begin to be added as the story goes on, which brings a better well rounded view to the reader. Parker, somewhat, fell flat to me as his character was uneven and Matilda's father wasn't quite flushed out enough for me. However, the three characters that work for/with Matilda's father, Carlu, Tomas, and Petras, practically cry out for their own series.
Duncan's baggage also isn't fully revealed until the second half, although, there are some hints to his story that readers will probably have a decent idea to what caused his disillusionment. One of the strong suits of Burrowes is her talent in writing families. This could be read as a standalone but if you read the first, you'll enjoy how Quinn and his heroine make appearances and Stephen's relationship with Duncan is still featured, I did miss seeing the “Valkyrie” sisters. Bringing the relationship Duncan has with these characters to the forefront at times, envelopes the reader into this world Burrowes has created, it makes reading the book and series so much more whole and fulfilling.
Heaven help her, he could make a chess game of a kiss.
Chess is a running theme in this story, all the characters trying to position themselves for best personal outcome, while still trying to protect certain pieces. This tone gives the story a very deliberate pace, this is a slower moving story and one you sink into, instead of gobble up. I did think the romance was pretty quiet, these two maneuver around and then just kind of seep into each other; there's no loud chemistry explosion. They were sweet but not particularly inspiring, I wished for a little more life from Duncan and Matilda, although, there is something to be said for thoughtful loving.
I thought at the end, the villain collapsed extremely easily and the mystery/danger Matilda seemed or thought to be in, ended up feeling weakly constructed. As I said, the romance was quiet between these two but sweet. The strength of the novel was simply living with the Wentworths for a while, this family is so well drawn and charismatic, I'll be on the lookout for the next time I get to visit them and get to experience another one falling in love.
The worst betrayals came from the closest ties.
The series Rogues to Riches follows the Wentworth family and their sudden inheritance of a Dukedom. Duncan Wentworth is cousin to the new duke and has traveled for many years as tutor to the duke's younger brother Stephen. He's a bit of a mysterious figure as he hugged the walls more in the first book (My One and Only Duke) and is a very quiet and contained person. Here he is sent to one of the dukedom's failing estates and told if he can't make it profitable in one year, Quinn (the duke) will require him to make it his permanent post. For how restless Duncan is, this feels like a punishment but is really a set-up by Quinn and his wife to help Duncan finally settle, calm, and come to terms with whatever past issues are making him run.
Matilda is on the run and ends up rescuing Duncan from a pair of poachers, prompting him to offer a meal and bed for the night. Matilda plays her cards pretty close to the vest but the reader knows she is on the run from her fiance and possibly, father, after she discovered some traitorous correspondence in her father's office. Matilda has traveled all over the world with her father who hunts for antiques and paintings, she was very briefly married to a duke and when Lt. Colonel Lord Parker hints at wanting a stable, stationary home, her dream, she accepts his proposal. Fearing Parker saw her with the traitorous correspondence, she runs, in fear of being hung for a traitor or forced to testify against her father and see him hung for a traitor.
How long since Duncan had noticed a woman? Truly noticed that the curve of her cheek and the curve of her eyebrow---the same graceful arc---both begged to be traced by his fingers?
As the reader only has Matilda's interpretation of the events that led to her flight, we're left in the dark, giving the story a little bit of a mystery feel. The full mystery part of the story isn't revealed until the latter half of the book, some readers may start to suspect Matilda's interpretation of certain characters before then. POVs from Parker and Matilda's father begin to be added as the story goes on, which brings a better well rounded view to the reader. Parker, somewhat, fell flat to me as his character was uneven and Matilda's father wasn't quite flushed out enough for me. However, the three characters that work for/with Matilda's father, Carlu, Tomas, and Petras, practically cry out for their own series.
Duncan's baggage also isn't fully revealed until the second half, although, there are some hints to his story that readers will probably have a decent idea to what caused his disillusionment. One of the strong suits of Burrowes is her talent in writing families. This could be read as a standalone but if you read the first, you'll enjoy how Quinn and his heroine make appearances and Stephen's relationship with Duncan is still featured, I did miss seeing the “Valkyrie” sisters. Bringing the relationship Duncan has with these characters to the forefront at times, envelopes the reader into this world Burrowes has created, it makes reading the book and series so much more whole and fulfilling.
Heaven help her, he could make a chess game of a kiss.
Chess is a running theme in this story, all the characters trying to position themselves for best personal outcome, while still trying to protect certain pieces. This tone gives the story a very deliberate pace, this is a slower moving story and one you sink into, instead of gobble up. I did think the romance was pretty quiet, these two maneuver around and then just kind of seep into each other; there's no loud chemistry explosion. They were sweet but not particularly inspiring, I wished for a little more life from Duncan and Matilda, although, there is something to be said for thoughtful loving.
I thought at the end, the villain collapsed extremely easily and the mystery/danger Matilda seemed or thought to be in, ended up feeling weakly constructed. As I said, the romance was quiet between these two but sweet. The strength of the novel was simply living with the Wentworths for a while, this family is so well drawn and charismatic, I'll be on the lookout for the next time I get to visit them and get to experience another one falling in love.
April 9, 2019
This is second in a series and I think it benefits if you've read the other one first. It's not really necessary as you get everything you need to understand the story here. But I think having the full back-story for the Wentworth family is informative and knowing both Stephen and Quinn from that story is an enhancement..
I really liked Duncan in the first book and his patience and devotion with the brilliant-but-erratic Stephen. I liked his calming influence in the family prone to histrionics and I liked how he was someone who went about getting the necessary things done. So I'm delighted to see that fleshed out in this story and made both deeper and stronger. And I'll admit he is exactly my favorite heroic type—the quiet, competent man who does his best to protect those around him and see that they are safe and as well-provided-for as he can manage.
Matilda is less of a win. Burrowes is trying to sell her as a smart girl fleeing a desperate wrong and I just don't think it came together. I like her. And I like her courage and determination. And I love her appreciation for Duncan. But she doesn't come off as terribly bright despite the window-dressing chess mastery and I'm not much of a fan of her penchant of protecting others through information withholding (however sensible the reason seems). I like even less that the author has to intrude in the last third in order to ramp the plot up. It was clunky to . That whole thing left a bad taste and I'm glad my concern that further manipulation was forthcoming came to naught.
The difficulty with Matilda and the weird manipulation dropped this to 3½ stars. The very lovely family teamwork and Duncan being all Studly McPerfectson in the end has me rounding up to four, though.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes putting this at, just barely, the middle of my steam tolerance. They didn't really make much sense, though, and felt kind of tacked on. Which is a shame.
I really liked Duncan in the first book and his patience and devotion with the brilliant-but-erratic Stephen. I liked his calming influence in the family prone to histrionics and I liked how he was someone who went about getting the necessary things done. So I'm delighted to see that fleshed out in this story and made both deeper and stronger. And I'll admit he is exactly my favorite heroic type—the quiet, competent man who does his best to protect those around him and see that they are safe and as well-provided-for as he can manage.
Matilda is less of a win. Burrowes is trying to sell her as a smart girl fleeing a desperate wrong and I just don't think it came together. I like her. And I like her courage and determination. And I love her appreciation for Duncan. But she doesn't come off as terribly bright despite the window-dressing chess mastery and I'm not much of a fan of her penchant of protecting others through information withholding (however sensible the reason seems). I like even less that the author has to intrude in the last third in order to ramp the plot up. It was clunky to . That whole thing left a bad taste and I'm glad my concern that further manipulation was forthcoming came to naught.
The difficulty with Matilda and the weird manipulation dropped this to 3½ stars. The very lovely family teamwork and Duncan being all Studly McPerfectson in the end has me rounding up to four, though.
A note about Steamy: There are two explicit sex scenes putting this at, just barely, the middle of my steam tolerance. They didn't really make much sense, though, and felt kind of tacked on. Which is a shame.
May 23, 2019
Not bad, but not my favourite from this author. I did like both Duncan and Matilda, but I found the plot a little too complicated. I enjoyed their romance - Duncan was a very quiet fellow who was not well-known for romancing the ladies. Very different from the cliched 'rake', and I liked that. He did fall hard for Matilda, though.
The plot involved a rather muddy mystery, with some dastardly characters, some spying and some bullying. I did feel for Matilda who was trying do what she perceived was the right thing. It all got sorted out in the end, and the bad guy got his comeuppance. I was a bit confused about the role and moral position of Matilda's father, though, until the very end. Until then, I was never really sure whether he was a baddie or a goodie. It may be that I just missed the clues, or perhaps his character wasn't clearly enough drawn. But I did feel frustrated by that.
Ms Burrowes included an interesting back story for Duncan - a former priest who became disenchanted with corruption in the church, including some hypocritical actions and words by some higher up authorities. Sadly, there have no doubt always been some corrupt church members, and of course this theme fits in very well with some of the shocking revelations of recent years :(
But this is just a secondary/background part of the book. My main disappointment was with the overly complicated plot with the colonel and the spying etc. But yeah, the romance part was very nice.
The plot involved a rather muddy mystery, with some dastardly characters, some spying and some bullying. I did feel for Matilda who was trying do what she perceived was the right thing. It all got sorted out in the end, and the bad guy got his comeuppance. I was a bit confused about the role and moral position of Matilda's father, though, until the very end. Until then, I was never really sure whether he was a baddie or a goodie. It may be that I just missed the clues, or perhaps his character wasn't clearly enough drawn. But I did feel frustrated by that.
Ms Burrowes included an interesting back story for Duncan - a former priest who became disenchanted with corruption in the church, including some hypocritical actions and words by some higher up authorities. Sadly, there have no doubt always been some corrupt church members, and of course this theme fits in very well with some of the shocking revelations of recent years :(
But this is just a secondary/background part of the book. My main disappointment was with the overly complicated plot with the colonel and the spying etc. But yeah, the romance part was very nice.
August 13, 2019
Received for free from who knows where.
For a romance, the romance in When A Duchess Says I Do was rather lackluster.
Duncan Wentworth & Duchess Matilda Wakefield had ZERO chemistry. I felt no heat between these two and I found it super annoying that they said I love you after barely knowing each other for more than a week.
The non romance related storyline was moderately interesting but its conclusion was anticlimactic and rushed.
This book wasn't for me but I'm sure some romance readers will enjoy it.
For a romance, the romance in When A Duchess Says I Do was rather lackluster.
Duncan Wentworth & Duchess Matilda Wakefield had ZERO chemistry. I felt no heat between these two and I found it super annoying that they said I love you after barely knowing each other for more than a week.
The non romance related storyline was moderately interesting but its conclusion was anticlimactic and rushed.
This book wasn't for me but I'm sure some romance readers will enjoy it.
May 26, 2019
2.5 Meh Stars
In this book Grace Burrowes, gives us two mature main characters, widowers Duncan Wentworth and Matilda Wakefield, who have an enormous amount of experience of the good and bad of life/the world, and thus the bond they form is a deep one. However, whilst I enjoy a gentle romance and I can enjoy an understated romance, even a minute sizzle/spark would have been most welcome in this read.
I found myself unable to feel a strong emotional connection to the characters and plot, the writing flowed but it lacked potency. I also didn’t find myself very engaged with the overarching plot – the urge to know how things would progress just wasn’t there. In some ways the slow way in which the author revealed things worked, but then issues/problems were resolved far too quickly.
Matilda’s father is one of those characters that annoyed me to no end – I’m glad that
I think it’s time I take a hiatus from the author and her work, there are HR books of the authors that I do want to read, but right now the gentle/light tone and lack of intensity in her work is not something I’m in the mood for.
In this book Grace Burrowes, gives us two mature main characters, widowers Duncan Wentworth and Matilda Wakefield, who have an enormous amount of experience of the good and bad of life/the world, and thus the bond they form is a deep one. However, whilst I enjoy a gentle romance and I can enjoy an understated romance, even a minute sizzle/spark would have been most welcome in this read.
I found myself unable to feel a strong emotional connection to the characters and plot, the writing flowed but it lacked potency. I also didn’t find myself very engaged with the overarching plot – the urge to know how things would progress just wasn’t there. In some ways the slow way in which the author revealed things worked, but then issues/problems were resolved far too quickly.
Matilda’s father is one of those characters that annoyed me to no end – I’m glad that
I think it’s time I take a hiatus from the author and her work, there are HR books of the authors that I do want to read, but right now the gentle/light tone and lack of intensity in her work is not something I’m in the mood for.
May 10, 2021
This novel started out very promising but my interest waned as the story progressed. I think everything was a little too 'average' from the main characters to their relationship and the plot. There wasn't anything in this book that truly hooked me or my attention.
The writing style when it came to the settings was quite visual which I appreciated and found nice but it didn't make up for the rest of the novel that felt lacklustre.
I will say that although the book didn't leave a big impact on me, I did appreciate the disability representation that was included within the story. I don't often see this representation in historical romance, especially within the main character group and done positively.
***Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
The writing style when it came to the settings was quite visual which I appreciated and found nice but it didn't make up for the rest of the novel that felt lacklustre.
I will say that although the book didn't leave a big impact on me, I did appreciate the disability representation that was included within the story. I don't often see this representation in historical romance, especially within the main character group and done positively.
***Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
August 24, 2024
Review from 2019
B+ for narration / B- for content.
This second book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series takes place about five years after the events of book one, My One and Only Duke, and focuses on Duncan Wentworth, cousin of Quinn, Duke of Walden. When a Duchess Says I Do is a quiet, tender romance between a mature, well-matched central couple underpinned by an intriguing mystery, in which the author once again exhibits her talent for writing close-knit loving families and gently understated romances.
Scholar and former curate Duncan Wentworth has spent the last few years as tutor and companion to his cousin Stephen, younger brother of the Duke of Walden. Duncan is quiet, kind, knowledgeable and well-travelled, but owing to past disappointment and something he regards as a dreadful youthful mistake, he tends to eschew personal connection. In an effort to bring him out of himself somewhat, his cousin Quinn has directed Duncan to undertake the management of one of the dukedom’s less well-run estates – Brightwell in Berkshire – and to make it profitable within a year. If Duncan can achieve that, Quinn will take over the management of the properly, freeing Duncan to return to his studies and his travels, but if not, then Duncan will continue to manage it indefinitely, whether he wants to or not. Not surprisingly, Duncan isn’t all that happy about the situation, but he’ll nonetheless do the best he can for his cousin.
He’s returning to the house one day when he stumbles across a pair of poachers who aren’t about to simply run off and leave their catch behind. Duncan is outnumbered but determined to put up a fight, when a woman wielding a pistol appears and sends the miscreants packing. Duncan has never seen her before, but her clothes, although dirty, are well made and of good material and her manners are clearly those of a lady, but when he asks for her name, she deflects and is clearly uncomfortable.
Matilda Wakefield is on the run and has been living rough for the last few weeks, most lately holing up in the gatehouse of Brightwell and living off scraps and old fruit from the garden. When Duncan offers her a decent meal and the chance to get warm, she’s unable to resist, even though she knows she should. Telling herself she’ll accept the offered hospitality and then leave, Matilda accompanies Duncan to the house and joins him for lunch, finding herself reluctantly intrigued by this quiet, compassionate gentleman who sees so much more than she’s willing to reveal.
Duncan quickly discerns that this unknown lady is a damsel in distress if ever there was one, and is instinctively moved to help her however he can. He has a wealth of writings from his many travels abroad that he needs transcribed and readied for publication, but little time to attend to them thanks to the responsibilities now thrust upon him by his cousin, so he makes Matilda an offer of temporary employment as his amanuensis. She accepts – albeit with one eye on the door and the determination to leave at the earliest opportunity.
Days stretch into weeks, and Duncan and Matilda fall into a routine of sorts, she working on his papers, he on estate business during the day, sharing a meal in the evenings, talking, playing chess and enjoying each other’s company as their slow burning mutual attraction grows stronger. Falling in love is the last thing Matilda wants or needs given her situation, but she’s nonetheless determined to leave soon – it’s imperative if she’s to avoid bringing disaster down upon the head of the man who has become so dear to her.
Both characters are keeping secrets which are not fully revealed until the second half of the book, although hints are dropped fairly early on as to the reasons for Duncan’s restlessness and disillusionment. Matilda’s situation, however, takes longer to play out, and we also get a number of scenes from the viewpoints of her father, an art dealer with whom Matilda travelled extensively, and her fiancé, Lt. Colonel Lord Parker, who is actively trying to find her – although it gradually becomes clear that his reasons are not entirely altruistic. This plotline is interesting, although it sort of peters out towards the end, and the villain of the piece is barely two-dimensional, but it’s worth pushing on through the denouement for Matilda’s wonderful dressing down of someone who should have been looking out for her and failed miserably to do so.
I really liked Duncan, a quiet, competent man who is determined to protect and care for those around him to the best of his ability. In the previous book, he was very much the voice of reason and I liked his relationship with the brilliant, mercurial Stephen, which continues here. Matilda is perhaps a little less well-defined; I appreciated that she isn’t coy about the fact she’s had lovers and enjoys sex and I liked her courage and her devotion to Duncan, but wasn’t wild about her insistence on protecting others by keeping secrets, a trope which rarely works for me.
James Langton’s performance, however, did work for me. I’ve said before that I tend to listen to Grace Burrowes’ books rather than read them these days simply because I like his voice, and his performance here is delivered with his customary skill. One thing I wondered about, however, was his choice to give Duncan a slight Scottish accent; not because it’s bad (on the contrary, it’s very good), but because a) the text indicates he’s from Yorkshire (as are the rest of the Wentworths – Quinn and Stephen both speak with Yorkshire accents) and b) in one of the later chapters, the author writes: “Duncan was a fine strapping fellow, but he had no accent …” I’ve read various interviews with narrators over the years where they talk about their dread of suddenly finding out a character they’ve voiced a certain way over several books is then revealed to have a different accent; I can only assume something like that has happened here, because Mr. Langton gave Duncan the Scottish accent in the previous book and has obviously opted to maintain consistency by retaining it here. Ultimately, it wasn’t something that impacted on my enjoyment, so this is more of a “by the way” than an outright criticism. And on the subject of accents, there are number of secondary characters in the story who hail from various European countries, all of them voiced appropriately. Mr. Langton’s portrayal of Matilda is also really good – there are none of the pitch issues I’ve criticised in the past – and he does a great job capturing Stephen’s youthful enthusiasm and Parker’s shiftiness. It’s a well-paced, expressive performance, and contributed much to the overall listening experience.
Fans of the author and narrator will no doubt enjoy this latest outing with the Wentworths.
B+ for narration / B- for content.
This second book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series takes place about five years after the events of book one, My One and Only Duke, and focuses on Duncan Wentworth, cousin of Quinn, Duke of Walden. When a Duchess Says I Do is a quiet, tender romance between a mature, well-matched central couple underpinned by an intriguing mystery, in which the author once again exhibits her talent for writing close-knit loving families and gently understated romances.
Scholar and former curate Duncan Wentworth has spent the last few years as tutor and companion to his cousin Stephen, younger brother of the Duke of Walden. Duncan is quiet, kind, knowledgeable and well-travelled, but owing to past disappointment and something he regards as a dreadful youthful mistake, he tends to eschew personal connection. In an effort to bring him out of himself somewhat, his cousin Quinn has directed Duncan to undertake the management of one of the dukedom’s less well-run estates – Brightwell in Berkshire – and to make it profitable within a year. If Duncan can achieve that, Quinn will take over the management of the properly, freeing Duncan to return to his studies and his travels, but if not, then Duncan will continue to manage it indefinitely, whether he wants to or not. Not surprisingly, Duncan isn’t all that happy about the situation, but he’ll nonetheless do the best he can for his cousin.
He’s returning to the house one day when he stumbles across a pair of poachers who aren’t about to simply run off and leave their catch behind. Duncan is outnumbered but determined to put up a fight, when a woman wielding a pistol appears and sends the miscreants packing. Duncan has never seen her before, but her clothes, although dirty, are well made and of good material and her manners are clearly those of a lady, but when he asks for her name, she deflects and is clearly uncomfortable.
Matilda Wakefield is on the run and has been living rough for the last few weeks, most lately holing up in the gatehouse of Brightwell and living off scraps and old fruit from the garden. When Duncan offers her a decent meal and the chance to get warm, she’s unable to resist, even though she knows she should. Telling herself she’ll accept the offered hospitality and then leave, Matilda accompanies Duncan to the house and joins him for lunch, finding herself reluctantly intrigued by this quiet, compassionate gentleman who sees so much more than she’s willing to reveal.
Duncan quickly discerns that this unknown lady is a damsel in distress if ever there was one, and is instinctively moved to help her however he can. He has a wealth of writings from his many travels abroad that he needs transcribed and readied for publication, but little time to attend to them thanks to the responsibilities now thrust upon him by his cousin, so he makes Matilda an offer of temporary employment as his amanuensis. She accepts – albeit with one eye on the door and the determination to leave at the earliest opportunity.
Days stretch into weeks, and Duncan and Matilda fall into a routine of sorts, she working on his papers, he on estate business during the day, sharing a meal in the evenings, talking, playing chess and enjoying each other’s company as their slow burning mutual attraction grows stronger. Falling in love is the last thing Matilda wants or needs given her situation, but she’s nonetheless determined to leave soon – it’s imperative if she’s to avoid bringing disaster down upon the head of the man who has become so dear to her.
Both characters are keeping secrets which are not fully revealed until the second half of the book, although hints are dropped fairly early on as to the reasons for Duncan’s restlessness and disillusionment. Matilda’s situation, however, takes longer to play out, and we also get a number of scenes from the viewpoints of her father, an art dealer with whom Matilda travelled extensively, and her fiancé, Lt. Colonel Lord Parker, who is actively trying to find her – although it gradually becomes clear that his reasons are not entirely altruistic. This plotline is interesting, although it sort of peters out towards the end, and the villain of the piece is barely two-dimensional, but it’s worth pushing on through the denouement for Matilda’s wonderful dressing down of someone who should have been looking out for her and failed miserably to do so.
I really liked Duncan, a quiet, competent man who is determined to protect and care for those around him to the best of his ability. In the previous book, he was very much the voice of reason and I liked his relationship with the brilliant, mercurial Stephen, which continues here. Matilda is perhaps a little less well-defined; I appreciated that she isn’t coy about the fact she’s had lovers and enjoys sex and I liked her courage and her devotion to Duncan, but wasn’t wild about her insistence on protecting others by keeping secrets, a trope which rarely works for me.
James Langton’s performance, however, did work for me. I’ve said before that I tend to listen to Grace Burrowes’ books rather than read them these days simply because I like his voice, and his performance here is delivered with his customary skill. One thing I wondered about, however, was his choice to give Duncan a slight Scottish accent; not because it’s bad (on the contrary, it’s very good), but because a) the text indicates he’s from Yorkshire (as are the rest of the Wentworths – Quinn and Stephen both speak with Yorkshire accents) and b) in one of the later chapters, the author writes: “Duncan was a fine strapping fellow, but he had no accent …” I’ve read various interviews with narrators over the years where they talk about their dread of suddenly finding out a character they’ve voiced a certain way over several books is then revealed to have a different accent; I can only assume something like that has happened here, because Mr. Langton gave Duncan the Scottish accent in the previous book and has obviously opted to maintain consistency by retaining it here. Ultimately, it wasn’t something that impacted on my enjoyment, so this is more of a “by the way” than an outright criticism. And on the subject of accents, there are number of secondary characters in the story who hail from various European countries, all of them voiced appropriately. Mr. Langton’s portrayal of Matilda is also really good – there are none of the pitch issues I’ve criticised in the past – and he does a great job capturing Stephen’s youthful enthusiasm and Parker’s shiftiness. It’s a well-paced, expressive performance, and contributed much to the overall listening experience.
Fans of the author and narrator will no doubt enjoy this latest outing with the Wentworths.
March 26, 2019
Series: Rogues to Riches #2
Publication Date: 4/2/19
Number of Pages: 384
I thoroughly enjoyed this read that is populated with wonderfully complex, likable and very relatable characters. The writing, of course, is excellent and the plot is well delivered. I had a hard time buying the actual scenario of the plot, but I enjoyed the story anyway.
Duncan Wentworth is the sweetest, most honorable, really, really good man I have read in a long while. He’s totally selfless and helps his family and friends no matter the circumstances, yet he is totally unaware of the high esteem in which they all hold him. He just sees himself as a poor relation. His cousin Quinn, Duke of Walden, has sent Quinn to the Brightwell estate to set it to rights. Brightwell has fallen into disarray since the last duke died and Quinn wants to give it to Duncan – who doesn’t want it. So, Duncan isn’t happy, but he’ll do his very best to do what Quinn wants. Little does he know that things will soon take a turn toward the bright side.
Matilda Wakefield, Duchess of Bosendorf, is a widow who has spent most of her life traveling around the continent with her art dealer father. She’d always wanted a home – a permanent address – and that was why she had married her German duke. Now that he is gone, she is living in London with her father. Well – she had spent all of her life thinking her father was an art dealer, but now she isn’t so sure. She found evidence that he might be a spy for a foreign government – and – her want-to-be fiancé, Colonel Lord Parker, saw her with the document. She can’t take a chance on Parker turning her father in as a traitor, so she takes off with basically nothing except the incriminating document – including no money.
After being on the run for months – just barely surviving, emaciated and half-starved, she ends up on the grounds of Brightwell – just in time to rescue a very handsome man from two poachers. She doesn’t dare tell him who she is or anything about herself, but the offer of a warm fire and a warm meal entice her to at least go to the house with him for a short time.
Duncan knows there is more to the woman that she is admitting. He recognizes the signs and knows that she is afraid and needs help. Something he is only too willing to give. She doesn’t trust him or anyone else – and plans to leave as soon as she can – but, that leaving seems to keep stretching out. They grow closer and closer – and then the villain strikes. Can Duncan save Matilda? If he can, it won’t be easy.
I adored the supporting characters. My favorite was Stephen Wentworth and I cannot wait for him to get his book. He was a genius and a lovely young man who was constantly chafing against his physical limitations and I will absolutely love seeing him get his HEA.
While Matilda’s husband was deceased, she was not the Dowager Duchess. For her to be the Dowager, she would have had to have had a son, grandson, step-son who was the new Duke and also had a wife – otherwise, she was still just the Duchess. This book was also an example of perhaps the author getting stuck on a particular letter for names – we have Walden, Wakefield, and Wentworth.
I certainly enjoyed the story and I hope you will as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 4/2/19
Number of Pages: 384
I thoroughly enjoyed this read that is populated with wonderfully complex, likable and very relatable characters. The writing, of course, is excellent and the plot is well delivered. I had a hard time buying the actual scenario of the plot, but I enjoyed the story anyway.
Duncan Wentworth is the sweetest, most honorable, really, really good man I have read in a long while. He’s totally selfless and helps his family and friends no matter the circumstances, yet he is totally unaware of the high esteem in which they all hold him. He just sees himself as a poor relation. His cousin Quinn, Duke of Walden, has sent Quinn to the Brightwell estate to set it to rights. Brightwell has fallen into disarray since the last duke died and Quinn wants to give it to Duncan – who doesn’t want it. So, Duncan isn’t happy, but he’ll do his very best to do what Quinn wants. Little does he know that things will soon take a turn toward the bright side.
Matilda Wakefield, Duchess of Bosendorf, is a widow who has spent most of her life traveling around the continent with her art dealer father. She’d always wanted a home – a permanent address – and that was why she had married her German duke. Now that he is gone, she is living in London with her father. Well – she had spent all of her life thinking her father was an art dealer, but now she isn’t so sure. She found evidence that he might be a spy for a foreign government – and – her want-to-be fiancé, Colonel Lord Parker, saw her with the document. She can’t take a chance on Parker turning her father in as a traitor, so she takes off with basically nothing except the incriminating document – including no money.
After being on the run for months – just barely surviving, emaciated and half-starved, she ends up on the grounds of Brightwell – just in time to rescue a very handsome man from two poachers. She doesn’t dare tell him who she is or anything about herself, but the offer of a warm fire and a warm meal entice her to at least go to the house with him for a short time.
Duncan knows there is more to the woman that she is admitting. He recognizes the signs and knows that she is afraid and needs help. Something he is only too willing to give. She doesn’t trust him or anyone else – and plans to leave as soon as she can – but, that leaving seems to keep stretching out. They grow closer and closer – and then the villain strikes. Can Duncan save Matilda? If he can, it won’t be easy.
I adored the supporting characters. My favorite was Stephen Wentworth and I cannot wait for him to get his book. He was a genius and a lovely young man who was constantly chafing against his physical limitations and I will absolutely love seeing him get his HEA.
While Matilda’s husband was deceased, she was not the Dowager Duchess. For her to be the Dowager, she would have had to have had a son, grandson, step-son who was the new Duke and also had a wife – otherwise, she was still just the Duchess. This book was also an example of perhaps the author getting stuck on a particular letter for names – we have Walden, Wakefield, and Wentworth.
I certainly enjoyed the story and I hope you will as well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 6, 2020
2.75* I absolutely enjoyed book 1 of this series, but can't really say the same for this one. It's a decent romance set 5 years after the first book. It focuses on Duncan, the teacher/cousin, who has been tasked to bring the Brightwood estate to snuff. On a cold, wintry day, he stumbled upon a couple of poachers and was rescued by a stranger. This stranger is Matilda, a woman who has obviously been down on her luck for a while. It's also apparent that she's on the run from someone or something. Duncan offered Matilda a job to transcribe and organize his travel notes in an attempt to publishing them.
I don't find myself cheering for this couple as I did with book 1. It might be Duncan and Matilda's characters are not as interesting. Duncan is just too staid. I know he's supposed to be this quiet hero with hidden emotional depths. He didn't quite convince me though. Matilda is confusing. I understand when she's wary and suspicious at the start because of what happened. But, she's a dowager duchess, so I don't know why she didn't use that position to get out of her bit of trouble sooner. The author certainly emphasized that standing near the end of the book. Don't even ask about Matilda's father and all that went into the search for her by her erstwhile suitor, Colonel Parker. Found them quite annoying and kinda one dimensional. Overall, an okay romance with a promising premise that could've been executed a little bit better.
I don't find myself cheering for this couple as I did with book 1. It might be Duncan and Matilda's characters are not as interesting. Duncan is just too staid. I know he's supposed to be this quiet hero with hidden emotional depths. He didn't quite convince me though. Matilda is confusing. I understand when she's wary and suspicious at the start because of what happened. But, she's a dowager duchess, so I don't know why she didn't use that position to get out of her bit of trouble sooner. The author certainly emphasized that standing near the end of the book. Don't even ask about Matilda's father and all that went into the search for her by her erstwhile suitor, Colonel Parker. Found them quite annoying and kinda one dimensional. Overall, an okay romance with a promising premise that could've been executed a little bit better.
May 5, 2019
I really should have heeded my own advice. Grace Burrowes may be a decent author, but she's definitely not for me. Her writing is oddly divorced from feeling. It just seems like everything is being told behind an opaque film. That kind of silted and formal writing that really doesn't work for me in a romance novel.
Plot-wise, there's a lot going on, and it's a mess. Duncan is in charge of a small estate, and super ungrateful. He meets Matilda in the woods, and then a lot of plot happens that makes no sense for the characters. It's a mess, and I'm done with this series. For real, this time.
Plot-wise, there's a lot going on, and it's a mess. Duncan is in charge of a small estate, and super ungrateful. He meets Matilda in the woods, and then a lot of plot happens that makes no sense for the characters. It's a mess, and I'm done with this series. For real, this time.
August 21, 2022
Enjoyable second book in this series. Well developed MCs with some great secondary characters. I would have liked to see more development with Matilda’s father but overall another enjoyable historical from Ms Burrowes.
November 21, 2019
Made it page 178. It was a great premise but it just dragged on and on. It also took itself too seriously. All this build up and then they cut to the window. Forget that.
April 20, 2019
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If you're in the mood for a quieter style of romance then When a Duchess Says I Do is perfect. This isn't a romance of two characters in the first blushes of love. Instead we have two mature characters, Duncan and Matilda, who have a wealth of experience, both good and bad, who seem to have the good sense to fall in love with each other.Do I need violent fireworks of passion? No. I don't need it; however, although I liked the understated style of this romance, a small sparkler would have been very welcome. I think Burrowes writing style may have had an impact on this. This book had a cadence that made it seem like it was written in a much earlier time, with that comes a certain formality that doesn't quite lend itself to fiery emotions and sensuality.There wasn't just the romance to keep you turning the pages. Matilda was on the run at the beginning of the book, poaching on Duncan's territory. I really enjoyed how Burrowes slowly revealed the danger Matilda was escaping. It was cleverly done, we were given breadcrumbs to keep us following the trail, never quite revealing the whole truth until towards the last quarter of the book. This is a bit of a double edged sword though, as once everything is revealed, it was then resolved almost immediately somewhat undermining the danger that had been built up.I really like Grace Burrowes style and am really enjoying this series and getting to know the eccentric Wentworth family who it is based around. If you want a historical romance that takes you away from debutantes and balls and want something a bit more mature than you need to give this a try.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Suzanne❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
August 4, 2021
Peut-être même un poil moins.
L'explication finale de l'intrigue est totalement tirée par les cheveux. Rajouté à ça que le livre est bien ennuyeux...
Je ne pense pas lire la suite de la série.
L'explication finale de l'intrigue est totalement tirée par les cheveux. Rajouté à ça que le livre est bien ennuyeux...
Je ne pense pas lire la suite de la série.
May 8, 2019
3.5 Stars
If you’re in the mood for a quieter style of romance then When a Duchess Says I Do is perfect. This isn’t a romance of two characters in the first blushes of love. Instead we have two mature characters, Duncan and Matilda, who have a wealth of experience, both good and bad, who seem to have the good sense to fall in love with each other.
Do I need violent fireworks of passion? No. I don’t need it; however, although I liked the understated style of this romance, a small sparkler would have been very welcome. I think Burrowes writing style may have had an impact on this. This book had a cadence that made it seem like it was written in a much earlier time, with that comes a certain formality that doesn’t quite lend itself to fiery emotions and sensuality.
There wasn’t just the romance to keep you turning the pages. Matilda was on the run at the beginning of the book, poaching on Duncan’s territory. I really enjoyed how Burrowes slowly revealed the danger Matilda was escaping. It was cleverly done, we were given breadcrumbs to keep us following the trail, never quite revealing the whole truth until towards the last quarter of the book. This is a bit of a double edged sword though, as once everything is revealed, it was then resolved almost immediately somewhat undermining the danger that had been built up.
I really like Grace Burrowes style and am really enjoying this series and getting to know the eccentric Wentworth family who it is based around. If you want a historical romance that takes you away from debutantes and balls and want something a bit more mature than you need to give this a try.
If you’re in the mood for a quieter style of romance then When a Duchess Says I Do is perfect. This isn’t a romance of two characters in the first blushes of love. Instead we have two mature characters, Duncan and Matilda, who have a wealth of experience, both good and bad, who seem to have the good sense to fall in love with each other.
Do I need violent fireworks of passion? No. I don’t need it; however, although I liked the understated style of this romance, a small sparkler would have been very welcome. I think Burrowes writing style may have had an impact on this. This book had a cadence that made it seem like it was written in a much earlier time, with that comes a certain formality that doesn’t quite lend itself to fiery emotions and sensuality.
There wasn’t just the romance to keep you turning the pages. Matilda was on the run at the beginning of the book, poaching on Duncan’s territory. I really enjoyed how Burrowes slowly revealed the danger Matilda was escaping. It was cleverly done, we were given breadcrumbs to keep us following the trail, never quite revealing the whole truth until towards the last quarter of the book. This is a bit of a double edged sword though, as once everything is revealed, it was then resolved almost immediately somewhat undermining the danger that had been built up.
I really like Grace Burrowes style and am really enjoying this series and getting to know the eccentric Wentworth family who it is based around. If you want a historical romance that takes you away from debutantes and balls and want something a bit more mature than you need to give this a try.
September 28, 2019
This book took so much longer to finish I find the plot slow and was distracted with other books (with faster pace)
Don’t get me wrong, I like the writing style of this author but it’s the personality of the two main characters (true to form) that was putting me to sleep. They are both intelligent, however, Duncan been himself is a very quiet sort. Matilda, with secrets to hide was also a quiet sort in the beginning. The story only really started picking up when Stephen arrived. (After page 100) It improved the banter and I felt the story moving forward. All the secrets started coming out after page 200. The villain of the piece was caught.
I liked both these characters, but just wish it wasn’t so slow. The writing style doesn’t disappoint. Having really loved the first book, I was hoping this was in the same league. In term of writing yes, but the plot was slow. It’s really about a quiet country life- and it’s a great description of it.
I will read the third book in this series(if there is one) because Stephen and his sisters have a more outgoing personality so their stories might be more to my taste.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the writing style of this author but it’s the personality of the two main characters (true to form) that was putting me to sleep. They are both intelligent, however, Duncan been himself is a very quiet sort. Matilda, with secrets to hide was also a quiet sort in the beginning. The story only really started picking up when Stephen arrived. (After page 100) It improved the banter and I felt the story moving forward. All the secrets started coming out after page 200. The villain of the piece was caught.
I liked both these characters, but just wish it wasn’t so slow. The writing style doesn’t disappoint. Having really loved the first book, I was hoping this was in the same league. In term of writing yes, but the plot was slow. It’s really about a quiet country life- and it’s a great description of it.
I will read the third book in this series(if there is one) because Stephen and his sisters have a more outgoing personality so their stories might be more to my taste.
April 1, 2019
This was a new to me author and I really liked the premise.
I loved Matilda and Duncan. They're both bright and tired of being lonely and I really enjoyed reading their relationship slowly grow. I was absolutely here for everything that had to do with Stephen and I really hope he gets his own book. Quinn and Jane were delightful and I'm probably going to go back to the first book to see if it's theirs.
Plot wise, it was okay. I didn't really care for the movement of the story using so many POVs {even though it made sense} and wasn't invested in the spy thread. All I wanted was everything that had to do with Duncan and/or Matilda, so I found myself skimming some of the chapters that had alternate narrators.
Overall, it was a quick read with characters that had me rooting for them at the very beginning. I am definitely interested in the next book.
**Huge thanks to Forever for providing the arc free of charge**
I loved Matilda and Duncan. They're both bright and tired of being lonely and I really enjoyed reading their relationship slowly grow. I was absolutely here for everything that had to do with Stephen and I really hope he gets his own book. Quinn and Jane were delightful and I'm probably going to go back to the first book to see if it's theirs.
Plot wise, it was okay. I didn't really care for the movement of the story using so many POVs {even though it made sense} and wasn't invested in the spy thread. All I wanted was everything that had to do with Duncan and/or Matilda, so I found myself skimming some of the chapters that had alternate narrators.
Overall, it was a quick read with characters that had me rooting for them at the very beginning. I am definitely interested in the next book.
**Huge thanks to Forever for providing the arc free of charge**
November 18, 2021
This was just blah. Held little interest for me.
January 12, 2024
Book I own. I just love Grace Burrowes books. She brings all her characters to life but more in a down to earth way rather than the romantic fairytale glamour of the “ton”. The HR MC’s Duncan Wentworth and Mathilda a German Duke’s widow and daughter of a spy posing as an art dealer. Duncan is a first cousin to Quinn and Stephen. He was orphaned and raised by his Uncle and Aunt. His Uncle was a strict and abusive disciplinarian. His Aunt was kind and helped him. He was well educated and trained to be a curate but was disillusioned by his superiors who allowed the local vicar to get away with raping young women. He married a young woman who became pregnant by the vicar had the baby and died after giving birth along with the baby. Duncan taught school to poor children which he enjoyed and Quinn asked him to help Stephen his younger brother and Duncan tutored Stephen while traveling the continent (Europe). His next request from Quinn was to manage one of his properties in Berkshire Brightwell where he meets the leading lady Maddie. Mathilda believing her father was a traitor and she having discovered some plans in his desk thought Captain Parker who was courting her would arrest her father for being a spy and traitor ran away to save her father. She was hiding out at the Brightwell estate in the gamekeepers place. Duncan and she met while catching poachers on Brightwell property. She saved Duncan from possible injury by a knife wound by holding a gun on the two poachers. Afterwards Duncan brought her to Brightwell and fed her seeing her almost starving state and found her to be intelligent and well educated. He believed she was a lady fallen on hard times. He offered her a job to translate his travel journals for possible publication. She planned on leaving but never did. Their romance grows and the mystery she is hiding slowly reveals itself. The end of the story is interesting and unexpected. I gave this 4 stars ⭐️.
April 4, 2019
When a Duchess says I do By Grace Burrowes is book Two in the Rogues to Riches Series. This is the story of Duncan Wentworth and Matilda Wakefield. I haven't yet read the previous book, so for me this was a standalone book. Matilda has found some documents that have made her question some things about her father. Matilda goes on the run when she thinks she has been caught with some evidence that may her them. While on the run she meets Duncan who is traveling to help an estate and offers her help. Duncan knows there is something more going on with Matilda but Matilda is trying to keep things a secret.
Enjoyed reading their story. Ms.Burrowes always delivers solid romances and is one of my favorite authors.
Enjoyed reading their story. Ms.Burrowes always delivers solid romances and is one of my favorite authors.
April 2, 2021
2.75 stars rounded up
This is a 3-stars stretch ... the "like" factor in this book for me is Duncan; he's likable and his role as white knight is very true for his personality. Oh, and I also LOVE the Wentworth family of course, when they all come down to help Duncan, it is EXCELLENT
BUT!!!
Matilda, for a "smart" woman, isn't very smart. The situation that makes her on the run is RIDICULOUS come to think of it. Because it all goes to nothing. SERIOUSLY?!? NOBODY THINK ABOUT IT UNTIL THE VERY END?!?
Also, I could take the multiple perspectives in the first book because at least, they came from the Wentworth family members. In this one though, it ANNOYED THE HELL out of me. I didn't need to read about what Atticus Parker or Thomas Wakefield are thinking. And the parts where Duncan and Matilda are being sweet to one another, but their scenes are INTERRUPTED by scene from Parker/Wakefield made me gritted my teeth. Hate it!
Because of that, and I'm sure that this is the style that the author choses, I'm uncertain know if I want to read the next books. Even if I'm very curious with Stephen's own book.
This is a 3-stars stretch ... the "like" factor in this book for me is Duncan; he's likable and his role as white knight is very true for his personality. Oh, and I also LOVE the Wentworth family of course, when they all come down to help Duncan, it is EXCELLENT
BUT!!!
Matilda, for a "smart" woman, isn't very smart. The situation that makes her on the run is RIDICULOUS come to think of it. Because it all goes to nothing. SERIOUSLY?!? NOBODY THINK ABOUT IT UNTIL THE VERY END?!?
Also, I could take the multiple perspectives in the first book because at least, they came from the Wentworth family members. In this one though, it ANNOYED THE HELL out of me. I didn't need to read about what Atticus Parker or Thomas Wakefield are thinking. And the parts where Duncan and Matilda are being sweet to one another, but their scenes are INTERRUPTED by scene from Parker/Wakefield made me gritted my teeth. Hate it!
Because of that, and I'm sure that this is the style that the author choses, I'm uncertain know if I want to read the next books. Even if I'm very curious with Stephen's own book.
April 9, 2019
My Rating:4.5 Stars
Matilda Wakefield is on the run. She is in grave danger. She happened to be found in an area that is infested by poachers and when she runs into Duncan Wentworth not only does he save her life, but she almost takes his. After all, being on the run has placed her in further danger so she doesn’t know what harm he could possibly bring to her.
Duncan immediately sees that this woman needs help. Duncan is actually in need. His estate is in a bad way. A former schoolteacher, he found out that things are really really bad and he needs a lot of assistance. He quickly learns how smart Matilda is and what she can do to help him. What’s more is that his protective nature is almost sidelined by his attraction to her. Will she be able to trust him enough to tell him her secrets?
Matilda has very good reason for hiding what she is doing. But when she learns about Duncan Is that he is unlike many of the people she has has known. Not only is he extremely attentive, and attractive, he may actually be able to help. But then she wonders if she draws close to him will the danger that she exudes stretch out to him.
In the second book in the Rogues to Riches series by Grace Burrowes, we meet another member of the Wentworth family. In the first book of the series we met Quinn and how he met and married Jane. Now Duncan has a chance at love but it definitely will not come easy. Duncan and Matilda are a great team. They are both extremely intelligent, work well together and play well together I really enjoyed the story because I wanted so much for Matilda to find the safety that she so well deserved, as well as seeing Daniel find happiness after his past has been explored in the story.
Inasmuch as Duncan and Matilda, as well as Quinn and Jane are really wonderful characters, this review would be incomplete without mentioning Stephen, Duncan‘s cousin and Quinn‘s brother.0 Steven was instrumental in what transpired and holds a lot of promises in the story here.
Just as there were very likable characters in the story as we learn why Matilda ran, or at least part of the reason why, we find a character who is not so likable. That took this historical romance and gave this story an element of intrigue that was quite interesting and had me turning pages so fast that before I knew it I was 91% into the book. I devoured this book and I look forward to the next book in the series, which is Forever and a Duke, and is slated for release in November.
Many thanks to Forever for this ARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion.
Matilda Wakefield is on the run. She is in grave danger. She happened to be found in an area that is infested by poachers and when she runs into Duncan Wentworth not only does he save her life, but she almost takes his. After all, being on the run has placed her in further danger so she doesn’t know what harm he could possibly bring to her.
Duncan immediately sees that this woman needs help. Duncan is actually in need. His estate is in a bad way. A former schoolteacher, he found out that things are really really bad and he needs a lot of assistance. He quickly learns how smart Matilda is and what she can do to help him. What’s more is that his protective nature is almost sidelined by his attraction to her. Will she be able to trust him enough to tell him her secrets?
Matilda has very good reason for hiding what she is doing. But when she learns about Duncan Is that he is unlike many of the people she has has known. Not only is he extremely attentive, and attractive, he may actually be able to help. But then she wonders if she draws close to him will the danger that she exudes stretch out to him.
In the second book in the Rogues to Riches series by Grace Burrowes, we meet another member of the Wentworth family. In the first book of the series we met Quinn and how he met and married Jane. Now Duncan has a chance at love but it definitely will not come easy. Duncan and Matilda are a great team. They are both extremely intelligent, work well together and play well together I really enjoyed the story because I wanted so much for Matilda to find the safety that she so well deserved, as well as seeing Daniel find happiness after his past has been explored in the story.
Inasmuch as Duncan and Matilda, as well as Quinn and Jane are really wonderful characters, this review would be incomplete without mentioning Stephen, Duncan‘s cousin and Quinn‘s brother.0 Steven was instrumental in what transpired and holds a lot of promises in the story here.
Just as there were very likable characters in the story as we learn why Matilda ran, or at least part of the reason why, we find a character who is not so likable. That took this historical romance and gave this story an element of intrigue that was quite interesting and had me turning pages so fast that before I knew it I was 91% into the book. I devoured this book and I look forward to the next book in the series, which is Forever and a Duke, and is slated for release in November.
Many thanks to Forever for this ARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion.
April 24, 2020
I was looking forward to this book as the previous one floored me with how lovely it was.
And, while When a Duchess Says I Do is beautifully written - with smooth prose, interesting fleshed out characters, and witty banter - it lacks… something.
If I had any doubt that Grace Burrowes’s uses English with almost magical elegance - creating lush beautifully written passages that almost mesmerise the reader - this book reassured me it wasn’t just my luck that I‘ve previously read titles that were that well written. From the very first pages this one just pulls the reader in; the language is so beautiful, so rich, and so smooth, it’s really a pleasure just to soak it in, even if the story it wants to tell is not that… thrilling.
I’d say When a Duchess Says I Do is a very gentle romance. Both when it comes to its characters and the romance itself.
Duncan – the Wentworth cousin introduced in the previous book – and Matilda are very reserved, stoic even; they both have this quiet mature demeanor that doesn’t necessary promise a whirling and passionate romance. Even though their relationship started with almost literal bang, later on the romance progresses slowly and almost in matter of fact manner. Not that it’s anything wrong with that. The previous book’s main couple’s romance started in a very matter of fact fashion, with both parties agreeing to marriage of convenience not expecting any passion between them. Reserved and practical protagonists not necessary mean lack of thrilling romance. There were heaps of it in My One and Only Duke. But here I feel like the delicate, almost too gentle way Duncan and Matilda’s romance unfolded was too much. Don’t get me wrong, there is a simmering heat between them; I have never considered playing chess a foreplay, but this book proved me wrong. The way they communicated while masterfully strategizing their next moves was the best part of this book.
But maybe, just maybe their quiet passion was buried just… to deep.
It’s shame as they are both interesting characters. I really enjoyed their back stories, especially Duncan’s as it was quite shocking. Here I must praise Grace Burrowes as she didn’t give out any hints of his tragic past before, and it was pleasantly surprising to slowly learn of it during lengthy conversations he had with Matilda. I really liked his dry humour and caring nature. He might seem a harmless boring academic, but there was solid strength within him.
Matilda also had quite intriguing past, and it felt like there could be more depth to her backstory. Still, she was really interesting heroine: incredible strong and determined with rich and adventurous life. She and Duncan were quite similar in many ways, while having a completely different life’s experiences. Maybe that’s why they complemented each other so well.
As for the rest of the characters, I was very happy Duncan’s protégé, Stephen, made a lengthy appearance in this book, as well as a Quinn and Jane (the main couple form the previous book). The family dynamic between Wentworths was, again, amazing; the banter lively and smooth, and you could really feel how loyal and loving they were to each other.
Last but not least, the story. The premise intrigued me, but I’d be lying if I said the gentle way the romance progressed didn’t hinder the story itself. Everything unfolded very slowly as the characters spend most of the time secluded in Duncan’s estate. There was some tension building, but the final act ended quite abruptly, with almost out of the character behaviors from some of the main protagonists. In a way I felt more satisfaction in the way Quinn dealt with Jane’s infuriating father than Duncan and Matilda did with hers.
I had a difficult time rating When a Duchess Says I Do . I love Grace Burrowes’s elegant prose, her likable characters and special kind of charm she adds to her love stories, but I guess I’m still not completely sold on very slow burn romances with both characters being very reserved. Matilda and Duncan’s passion was quiet and gentle, maybe just too gentle for me.
I look forward to the next book, and I still hope Stephen will get his happy ever after.
3/5 stars
And, while When a Duchess Says I Do is beautifully written - with smooth prose, interesting fleshed out characters, and witty banter - it lacks… something.
If I had any doubt that Grace Burrowes’s uses English with almost magical elegance - creating lush beautifully written passages that almost mesmerise the reader - this book reassured me it wasn’t just my luck that I‘ve previously read titles that were that well written. From the very first pages this one just pulls the reader in; the language is so beautiful, so rich, and so smooth, it’s really a pleasure just to soak it in, even if the story it wants to tell is not that… thrilling.
I’d say When a Duchess Says I Do is a very gentle romance. Both when it comes to its characters and the romance itself.
Duncan – the Wentworth cousin introduced in the previous book – and Matilda are very reserved, stoic even; they both have this quiet mature demeanor that doesn’t necessary promise a whirling and passionate romance. Even though their relationship started with almost literal bang, later on the romance progresses slowly and almost in matter of fact manner. Not that it’s anything wrong with that. The previous book’s main couple’s romance started in a very matter of fact fashion, with both parties agreeing to marriage of convenience not expecting any passion between them. Reserved and practical protagonists not necessary mean lack of thrilling romance. There were heaps of it in My One and Only Duke. But here I feel like the delicate, almost too gentle way Duncan and Matilda’s romance unfolded was too much. Don’t get me wrong, there is a simmering heat between them; I have never considered playing chess a foreplay, but this book proved me wrong. The way they communicated while masterfully strategizing their next moves was the best part of this book.
But maybe, just maybe their quiet passion was buried just… to deep.
It’s shame as they are both interesting characters. I really enjoyed their back stories, especially Duncan’s as it was quite shocking. Here I must praise Grace Burrowes as she didn’t give out any hints of his tragic past before, and it was pleasantly surprising to slowly learn of it during lengthy conversations he had with Matilda. I really liked his dry humour and caring nature. He might seem a harmless boring academic, but there was solid strength within him.
Matilda also had quite intriguing past, and it felt like there could be more depth to her backstory. Still, she was really interesting heroine: incredible strong and determined with rich and adventurous life. She and Duncan were quite similar in many ways, while having a completely different life’s experiences. Maybe that’s why they complemented each other so well.
As for the rest of the characters, I was very happy Duncan’s protégé, Stephen, made a lengthy appearance in this book, as well as a Quinn and Jane (the main couple form the previous book). The family dynamic between Wentworths was, again, amazing; the banter lively and smooth, and you could really feel how loyal and loving they were to each other.
Last but not least, the story. The premise intrigued me, but I’d be lying if I said the gentle way the romance progressed didn’t hinder the story itself. Everything unfolded very slowly as the characters spend most of the time secluded in Duncan’s estate. There was some tension building, but the final act ended quite abruptly, with almost out of the character behaviors from some of the main protagonists. In a way I felt more satisfaction in the way Quinn dealt with Jane’s infuriating father than Duncan and Matilda did with hers.
I had a difficult time rating When a Duchess Says I Do . I love Grace Burrowes’s elegant prose, her likable characters and special kind of charm she adds to her love stories, but I guess I’m still not completely sold on very slow burn romances with both characters being very reserved. Matilda and Duncan’s passion was quiet and gentle, maybe just too gentle for me.
I look forward to the next book, and I still hope Stephen will get his happy ever after.
3/5 stars
April 8, 2019
Rating: 3.5 stars
This was my first book by Grace Burrowes, but I definitely plan to read more by her. The story and characters are remarkably well-crafted, and I fell in love with Matilda and Duncan. Shout out for amazing side characters as well: I adored Duncan's family, and basically need books for Matilda's father's lackeys ASAP.
Most of the book is told in the third person limited POV from either Matilda or Duncan's perspective, with some shorter sections from Lt. Col. Parker and Matilda's father (Wakefield) that help fill in just enough details for the reader to be compelling, but I was truly kept guessing until the very end just whom (and what) Matilda is running from. Despite this suspenseful element to the plot, the overall book seemed to move fairly slowly - not plodding, but at a sedate and serene pace.
The romance between Matilda and Duncan is also more muted than passionate, which I'm not sure if that's just Grace Burrowes' writing style, or if instead it's because of the intensely cerebral nature of both romantic leads. They're both in their own heads a lot, so there's a lot more thinking through things than action on the page. At the same time it's very intricate and intriguing, and I love the keen insights they both get into each others' character by this super-focused, highly intelligent observation they're both masters of. Basically if you find the game of chess titillating, you're going to love this book. If chess bores or confuses you, this might be a little slow and cerebral for you.
This is the second book in the Rogues to Riches series, but can be read as a stand alone with some minor spoilers for the first book, My One and Only Duke.
An copy this book was provided by the publisher for review.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
This was my first book by Grace Burrowes, but I definitely plan to read more by her. The story and characters are remarkably well-crafted, and I fell in love with Matilda and Duncan. Shout out for amazing side characters as well: I adored Duncan's family, and basically need books for Matilda's father's lackeys ASAP.
Most of the book is told in the third person limited POV from either Matilda or Duncan's perspective, with some shorter sections from Lt. Col. Parker and Matilda's father (Wakefield) that help fill in just enough details for the reader to be compelling, but I was truly kept guessing until the very end just whom (and what) Matilda is running from. Despite this suspenseful element to the plot, the overall book seemed to move fairly slowly - not plodding, but at a sedate and serene pace.
The romance between Matilda and Duncan is also more muted than passionate, which I'm not sure if that's just Grace Burrowes' writing style, or if instead it's because of the intensely cerebral nature of both romantic leads. They're both in their own heads a lot, so there's a lot more thinking through things than action on the page. At the same time it's very intricate and intriguing, and I love the keen insights they both get into each others' character by this super-focused, highly intelligent observation they're both masters of. Basically if you find the game of chess titillating, you're going to love this book. If chess bores or confuses you, this might be a little slow and cerebral for you.
This is the second book in the Rogues to Riches series, but can be read as a stand alone with some minor spoilers for the first book, My One and Only Duke.
An copy this book was provided by the publisher for review.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
February 28, 2019
Usually I love Grace Burrowes and am engrossed from the first to last page of her books. I adored Duncan and Matilda, separately and as a couple, and I was invested in their love story. But the plot was kind of outlandish, and didn't hold my attention. I found myself checking the remaining page count whenever the story turned away from the protagonists to the villain's perspective, spying, and international intrigue.
Burrowes generally writes captivating novels that concentrate on interior character development and a central love story, and even if there is an exciting external plot, it serves mainly to move the relationship forward. This one felt like it was trying too hard to be an adventure tale, and even though I cared about the adventure where it related to the main characters, I wasn't interested in it for its own sake.
But that being said, I enjoyed getting to know Duncan and Matilda, two nerdy introverts who found each other through unusual circumstances and fell in love over chess and travel journals.
Burrowes generally writes captivating novels that concentrate on interior character development and a central love story, and even if there is an exciting external plot, it serves mainly to move the relationship forward. This one felt like it was trying too hard to be an adventure tale, and even though I cared about the adventure where it related to the main characters, I wasn't interested in it for its own sake.
But that being said, I enjoyed getting to know Duncan and Matilda, two nerdy introverts who found each other through unusual circumstances and fell in love over chess and travel journals.
November 13, 2020
Duncan and Matilda, though their names seem more Australian than English were an interesting couple. The premise of this book is weak which is probably why the author took forever to get to the point of things. No substance and a few loose threads, just another typical Burrowes.
11/20: I liked this better the second time around, but I still hold the same opinion about the lack of substance in GB’s plots.
11/20: I liked this better the second time around, but I still hold the same opinion about the lack of substance in GB’s plots.
March 21, 2019
My favorite genre is historical romance. I adore all the historical details, courtship rules, and social mores. But sometimes I want more than just the love and romance that takes place in a London ballroom. I need a little adventure and suspense. Characters out of their element facing more jeopardy than just societal consequences. It enhances the relationship as they learn to trust each other and work against obstacles. In Grace Burrowes’ second book of her Rogues to Riches story, danger and passion intersect, and for Duncan and Matilda, there’s nothing like the threat of losing someone to make you realize how much you love and need them.
Matilda Wakefield, Dowager Duchess of Bosendorf, had played many roles in her life. Chess playing daughter of art dealer Thomas Wakefield and widow of an eccentric nobleman. Now she was in a role totally foreign to her, a woman on the run. Evidently her father dealt in more than art and now Matilda had been inadvertently embroiled in his schemes. Matilda found herself on the run to protect her father and being pursued by the man purporting to be her betrothed. Brightwell, a ducal holding where Matilda had formed some of her best memories, was deserted now, the duke long gone. It seemed the perfect place to run to until she could flee England altogether. But when she runs right into Duncan Wentworth’s arms, she finds escape is the last thing she wants to do.
As cousin to Quinn Wentworth, Duke of Walden, Duncan was sent to Brightwell to fix what became a shambles of an estate years ago. The lot of factors and stewards Quinn had inherited from the previous duke were driving the estate deeply into debt. While he missed his travels, which always put distance between him and his past, he didn’t mind being isolated at the crumbling estate with minimal staff. He thrived in solitude. Quinn gave him a year to set the estate to rights. Duncan planned on biding his time and then continue his travels. But he didn’t plan on Matilda Wakefield. And he didn’t plan on falling in love.
It was obvious to Duncan from the start that Matilda was afraid. Either she was the victim of wrong doing or was witness to it. Despite the fact that she was on her own and living on scraps, he could tell by the way she carried herself she was a woman of privilege. Decency compelled him to offer aid. So Duncan found himself hiring Matilda to work as his literary assistant and transcribe his travel journals. As the days passed, a relationship formed. Not only did Matilda help in settling the house to rights but she excelled in turning his cramped scribblings into legible coherent prose. She was also a worthy and enjoyable chess opponent. Duncan liked Matilda’s calmness and lack of airs. It had been a long time since he’d noticed a woman, and he definitely noticed Matilda. He wanted her to stay. For her sake and for his. Matilda had noticed Duncan too. He was a gentleman. A good man. He was adept at catching her in her lies yet she trusted him. Daily she resolved to leave but each night she put off her departure. Brightwell offered shelter, food, and warmth, but Duncan Wentworth was the most tempting reason to stay. But no matter the feelings she was having for him, she couldn’t involve him in her troubles or he could be implicated. Guilty by association. Just as in chess, the queen must protect her king.
Like the first book in this series, When A Duchess Says I Do is a story with wit, romance, and endearing characters. Readers will fall in love with the Wentworth family, and Matilda makes the perfect addition. Both Duncan and Matilda were such tender hearted, loyal people. They deserved each other. Someone who would put the other first in their life. Matilda risked her very life to protect a father who didn’t deserve her loyalty. She was even willing to give up her own happiness to protect Duncan. Duncan had lost much in his life. Grief and disappointment in those he’d trusted still haunted him. He kept a friendly distance from people but had great affection and loyalty to his family. Duncan had taught Quinn to read and devoted years to Stephen. He’d been both friend and teacher to Stephen saving him from slipping further into the melancholy that plagued him. His devotion to Matilda and keeping her safe was foremost in his mind. I loved watching their relationship develop. The slow revelation of past events and suspense and mystery surrounding Matilda’s suitor and her father only added to the excitement of the story. I adore this unconventional, quirky Wentworth family and look forward to seeing what’s in store for them next.
Matilda Wakefield, Dowager Duchess of Bosendorf, had played many roles in her life. Chess playing daughter of art dealer Thomas Wakefield and widow of an eccentric nobleman. Now she was in a role totally foreign to her, a woman on the run. Evidently her father dealt in more than art and now Matilda had been inadvertently embroiled in his schemes. Matilda found herself on the run to protect her father and being pursued by the man purporting to be her betrothed. Brightwell, a ducal holding where Matilda had formed some of her best memories, was deserted now, the duke long gone. It seemed the perfect place to run to until she could flee England altogether. But when she runs right into Duncan Wentworth’s arms, she finds escape is the last thing she wants to do.
As cousin to Quinn Wentworth, Duke of Walden, Duncan was sent to Brightwell to fix what became a shambles of an estate years ago. The lot of factors and stewards Quinn had inherited from the previous duke were driving the estate deeply into debt. While he missed his travels, which always put distance between him and his past, he didn’t mind being isolated at the crumbling estate with minimal staff. He thrived in solitude. Quinn gave him a year to set the estate to rights. Duncan planned on biding his time and then continue his travels. But he didn’t plan on Matilda Wakefield. And he didn’t plan on falling in love.
It was obvious to Duncan from the start that Matilda was afraid. Either she was the victim of wrong doing or was witness to it. Despite the fact that she was on her own and living on scraps, he could tell by the way she carried herself she was a woman of privilege. Decency compelled him to offer aid. So Duncan found himself hiring Matilda to work as his literary assistant and transcribe his travel journals. As the days passed, a relationship formed. Not only did Matilda help in settling the house to rights but she excelled in turning his cramped scribblings into legible coherent prose. She was also a worthy and enjoyable chess opponent. Duncan liked Matilda’s calmness and lack of airs. It had been a long time since he’d noticed a woman, and he definitely noticed Matilda. He wanted her to stay. For her sake and for his. Matilda had noticed Duncan too. He was a gentleman. A good man. He was adept at catching her in her lies yet she trusted him. Daily she resolved to leave but each night she put off her departure. Brightwell offered shelter, food, and warmth, but Duncan Wentworth was the most tempting reason to stay. But no matter the feelings she was having for him, she couldn’t involve him in her troubles or he could be implicated. Guilty by association. Just as in chess, the queen must protect her king.
Like the first book in this series, When A Duchess Says I Do is a story with wit, romance, and endearing characters. Readers will fall in love with the Wentworth family, and Matilda makes the perfect addition. Both Duncan and Matilda were such tender hearted, loyal people. They deserved each other. Someone who would put the other first in their life. Matilda risked her very life to protect a father who didn’t deserve her loyalty. She was even willing to give up her own happiness to protect Duncan. Duncan had lost much in his life. Grief and disappointment in those he’d trusted still haunted him. He kept a friendly distance from people but had great affection and loyalty to his family. Duncan had taught Quinn to read and devoted years to Stephen. He’d been both friend and teacher to Stephen saving him from slipping further into the melancholy that plagued him. His devotion to Matilda and keeping her safe was foremost in his mind. I loved watching their relationship develop. The slow revelation of past events and suspense and mystery surrounding Matilda’s suitor and her father only added to the excitement of the story. I adore this unconventional, quirky Wentworth family and look forward to seeing what’s in store for them next.
November 30, 2020
I picked this up for light reading over the Thanksgiving Day holiday (I took the whole week off). It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't my favorite. I felt like this was the first time I'd read this author but surprise! I read one of her books way back in 2015, and I was sort of meh about that one, too. Hm...sensing a theme here.
I do like that her characters aren't young and silly, that they are "mature" meaning in their late 20s and 30s. That's just fine with me. I sort of enjoyed the plot, but about half-way to almost 3/4 of the book, I almost quit. I felt like I could see a very convenient "problem" coming up that would keep our couple apart, and I'd already slogged through some 200+ pages, so I wasn't sure I wanted to keep going. I did put the book down for a few days while I made up my mind, and yes, I eventually picked it up and read to the end.
Overall, it was OK. And reading my review of the previous book, I had the same issues. The work is longer than it really needs to be, and while I do appreciate the maturity of the characters, something exciting could still happen (just because we're older doesn't mean we don't want excitement!)
I do like that her characters aren't young and silly, that they are "mature" meaning in their late 20s and 30s. That's just fine with me. I sort of enjoyed the plot, but about half-way to almost 3/4 of the book, I almost quit. I felt like I could see a very convenient "problem" coming up that would keep our couple apart, and I'd already slogged through some 200+ pages, so I wasn't sure I wanted to keep going. I did put the book down for a few days while I made up my mind, and yes, I eventually picked it up and read to the end.
Overall, it was OK. And reading my review of the previous book, I had the same issues. The work is longer than it really needs to be, and while I do appreciate the maturity of the characters, something exciting could still happen (just because we're older doesn't mean we don't want excitement!)
November 15, 2021
I've enjoyed the book, I liked more than book #1 or maybe I´m getting used to this writer, despite sometimes I get lost in the plot... it gets a bit confusing.
I've really enjoyed that the main characters of the first book appear and that we know what happened to them. I don't like when the characters of the previous books don't appear in the sequence books of the serie, it seems they always disappear to the Continent... In this book they appear and also interact with the main characters from this book, after all they are a family!
The trip to London
I rated 4 stars but maybe should rated 3 stars... still thinking about that...
I've really enjoyed that the main characters of the first book appear and that we know what happened to them. I don't like when the characters of the previous books don't appear in the sequence books of the serie, it seems they always disappear to the Continent... In this book they appear and also interact with the main characters from this book, after all they are a family!
The trip to London
I rated 4 stars but maybe should rated 3 stars... still thinking about that...
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