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A Duke For All Seasons #1
The Winter Duke
After being rebuffed by her betrothed, Cadence flees to her brother-in-law’s remote estate in the English countryside to escape the humiliation of getting left at the altar. With Christmas rapidly approaching, Cadence intends to spend the holidays locked in her room with chocolate. Fortunately for her, the Duke of Colebrook has other ideas…
Renowned throughout London for his long string of lovers, Justin Dearborn, Duke of Colebrook, isn’t looking for a wife. Having been spurned once, he has no intention of putting his heart on the line a second time. Until one passionate kiss with Cadence leaves them both yearning for more…
With Christmas right around the corner, can two wounded hearts find the courage to love again? Or is this one affair that won’t make it to the New Year? Found out in The Winter Duke, the first novella in a brand new series by best-selling author Jillian Eaton!
Renowned throughout London for his long string of lovers, Justin Dearborn, Duke of Colebrook, isn’t looking for a wife. Having been spurned once, he has no intention of putting his heart on the line a second time. Until one passionate kiss with Cadence leaves them both yearning for more…
With Christmas right around the corner, can two wounded hearts find the courage to love again? Or is this one affair that won’t make it to the New Year? Found out in The Winter Duke, the first novella in a brand new series by best-selling author Jillian Eaton!
125 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2019
618 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Eaton
89 books489 followersJillian Eaton has written over forty historical romances and is known for finding the perfect balance between "intense emotions, sizzling chemistry, and light-hearted humor" (Swept Away by Romance). She grew up in Maine and now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their three boys on a 17-acre farm where they rescue and rehabilitate senior horses.
When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.
If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:
Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover
When she isn't writing, working at the barn, or playing a cutthroat game of Harry Potter Monopoly with her family, Jillian enjoys gardening, hiking, and being an adjunct professor at her Alma mater, Delaware Valley University.
If readers are new to her books, she always suggests the following:
Sweet and Swoony Romance: Duke at First Sight
Spicy and Mysterious: A Dangerous Seduction
All Around: Bewitched by the Bluestocking
Bit Darker: The Duchess Takes a Lover
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
March 25, 2019
OMG, So the Epilogue of The Autumn Duchess ended with this couple closing the door to the parlor!! I couldn't read this book fast enough! I love it when a roguish rake falls for a spunky beauty.
I loved this couple. They were snarky, sassy and funny. The Duke of Colebrook was an arrogant womanizer and Cadence kept him on his toes and made him work for it!! Looking forward to reading more of the Duke series, but I don't think another couple can top these two.
I loved this couple. They were snarky, sassy and funny. The Duke of Colebrook was an arrogant womanizer and Cadence kept him on his toes and made him work for it!! Looking forward to reading more of the Duke series, but I don't think another couple can top these two.
December 8, 2019
Did not like it much.
December 14, 2020
A wonderful and enjoyable novella that was clearly a quick read. Loved both the H/h.
January 13, 2019
5 stars for a short, sweet and funny book ...
I loved how snarky h was and H's utter laziness; she calls him an overfed cat who sleeps on windowsills ...
worth the time to read it ....
I loved how snarky h was and H's utter laziness; she calls him an overfed cat who sleeps on windowsills ...
worth the time to read it ....
June 14, 2020
El amor era tener todo
tu mundo cambiado por un solo beso
Un duque de invierno de Jillian Eaton libro 1 serie Un duque para cada estación
Mí humilde opinión
Lady Cadence es la segunda hija del barón Fairchild esta feliz ya que pronto se casará con el hijo mayor de un marqués pero Lord Benfield la sorprende diciendo que no se casará con ella.
Destrozada y humillada deja Londres para ir a la finca de su hermana Hannah.
Justin Dearborn, sexto duque de
Colebrook es un liberino y sinvergüenza que se instala en la finca de su poco amistoso vecino el duque de Wycliffe mientras su propia finca está en reparación.
Cadence y Justin chocan desde el primer momento, ella sabe que es de los que no se casan y él sabe que ella es inalcanzable por lo que no puede dejar de perseguirla.
Un beso y ambos estarán perdidos...
Este serie el spin-off de la serie Una duquesa para cada temporada. Cadence es la hermana de Hannah (Una duquesa de otoño) y Justin es el amigo de Evan.
Me había quedado intrigada por lo que iba a suceder entre estos dos y me gustó su historia.
Justin y Cadence juntos son una pareja sensual, sus diálogos son traviesos y con humor. Me encantaron los dos.
Un libro que aunque cortito trae un romance delicioso con una lady que no tiene miedo a decir lo que piensa y un duque tan arrogante como sexy.
December 28, 2021
It was quite cute at points and had some funny bits . The writing is engaging and easy to read, and the plot moves along at a nice pace.
I thought the central romance was okay, they had good chemistry and I liked their dynamic. Of the two main characters, I preferred Cadence a lot more and I liked that she stood up for herself. The ending was nice
Colebrook was a bit annoying - he was quite pushy in a way that was off-putting as it felt at times like he was making Cadence uncomfortable. I also felt like his backstory became a bit redundant when we
Whilst I liked the ending, I would have liked
It was an enjoyable way to pass forty minutes, nothing complicated, but I don’t think I’d reread it.
I would recommend it if you want a Christmassy sort-of-enemies-to-lovers historical romance novella.
I thought the central romance was okay, they had good chemistry and I liked their dynamic. Of the two main characters, I preferred Cadence a lot more and I liked that she stood up for herself. The ending was nice
Colebrook was a bit annoying - he was quite pushy in a way that was off-putting as it felt at times like he was making Cadence uncomfortable. I also felt like his backstory became a bit redundant when we
Whilst I liked the ending, I would have liked
It was an enjoyable way to pass forty minutes, nothing complicated, but I don’t think I’d reread it.
I would recommend it if you want a Christmassy sort-of-enemies-to-lovers historical romance novella.
January 4, 2019
Wow, this short story was a concentration of wits bottled between these few pages.
I do not remember why I preordered this book, but today I’m definitively happy I did it.
Cadence and Justin are so far from perfect, they are perfectly imperfect for one another.
She thought she had everything anticipated except for not-soon-to-be betrothed, and more than the loss of a man she did not loved, it was the idea of not reaching her goal that hurt the most.
Justin had been hurt too previously by a woman he loved so he packed his feelings in a box to become the rakish of the scoundrel he can be.
Then they meet, and because she did not coy in his presence, and worst, she banters with him, never shy to express what she thinks of him.
Their battle of wits are hilarious, and what ever they face, they keep their spirit high.
« “I thought that since you were awake before noon the sky was falling down on us.” Justin scowled. “I don’t sleep that much.” Twisting in his arms, she regarded him with an arched brow. “You’re like an overfed cat languishing on a windowsill. All you do is sleep.” »
A very enjoyable novella.
I have now to dig in the artist list to find Hannah’s story.
I do not remember why I preordered this book, but today I’m definitively happy I did it.
Cadence and Justin are so far from perfect, they are perfectly imperfect for one another.
She thought she had everything anticipated except for not-soon-to-be betrothed, and more than the loss of a man she did not loved, it was the idea of not reaching her goal that hurt the most.
Justin had been hurt too previously by a woman he loved so he packed his feelings in a box to become the rakish of the scoundrel he can be.
Then they meet, and because she did not coy in his presence, and worst, she banters with him, never shy to express what she thinks of him.
Their battle of wits are hilarious, and what ever they face, they keep their spirit high.
« “I thought that since you were awake before noon the sky was falling down on us.” Justin scowled. “I don’t sleep that much.” Twisting in his arms, she regarded him with an arched brow. “You’re like an overfed cat languishing on a windowsill. All you do is sleep.” »
A very enjoyable novella.
I have now to dig in the artist list to find Hannah’s story.
March 14, 2019
Very pleasant.
Cadence Fairchild had grown up knowing that she was the most beautiful of four beautiful sisters. Unfortunately her father was a mere Baron. In addition, the coffers were to let so it fell to her older sister, Hannah, to sacrifice herself by marrying the Duke of Wyecliffe, who was considered maimed, thereby infusing the family finances with much needed money.
Cadence was an acknowledged beauty during her Season and she set about finding the most advantageous match possible regardless of love. The Earl of Benfield was about to propose but his mother interfered and suddenly she was the talk of the ton! The only thing she could think to do was to escape to her sister’s home for the winter.
Meantime, the Duke of Colebrook’s house was falling down around him so he decided to invite himself to stay with his neighbour, the Duke of Wyecliffe, until his property was renovated. He was a known rake and libertine who had sworn off love because of an unhappy courtship when younger.
When these two meet the sparks fly! Cadence shows none of a respect due his rank and her fiery nature attracts the duke more than he likes to admit. However, he is determined to kiss her at least once! But, when he does, they both find themselves wanting more!
This is a well written story that you can enjoy while reading at one sitting. Very romantically adult without being over the top.
Cadence Fairchild had grown up knowing that she was the most beautiful of four beautiful sisters. Unfortunately her father was a mere Baron. In addition, the coffers were to let so it fell to her older sister, Hannah, to sacrifice herself by marrying the Duke of Wyecliffe, who was considered maimed, thereby infusing the family finances with much needed money.
Cadence was an acknowledged beauty during her Season and she set about finding the most advantageous match possible regardless of love. The Earl of Benfield was about to propose but his mother interfered and suddenly she was the talk of the ton! The only thing she could think to do was to escape to her sister’s home for the winter.
Meantime, the Duke of Colebrook’s house was falling down around him so he decided to invite himself to stay with his neighbour, the Duke of Wyecliffe, until his property was renovated. He was a known rake and libertine who had sworn off love because of an unhappy courtship when younger.
When these two meet the sparks fly! Cadence shows none of a respect due his rank and her fiery nature attracts the duke more than he likes to admit. However, he is determined to kiss her at least once! But, when he does, they both find themselves wanting more!
This is a well written story that you can enjoy while reading at one sitting. Very romantically adult without being over the top.
Want to read
March 29, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/29/2019)! 🎁
June 18, 2020
Ging alles etwas zu schnell. Aber die Geschichte hat potential.
December 20, 2021
Loved every second of this! Cat and Justin's playful banter was top notch and they are adorable together 💕
The christmas tree incident will definitely go down in history as one of the greatest mysteries ever 🌲😏
The christmas tree incident will definitely go down in history as one of the greatest mysteries ever 🌲😏
March 22, 2019
Good read
Candence escaped London after the man she thought to marry told her that they would not be marrying after all. So she goes to stay with her sister and her husband in the country. This is where she meets her duke.
Justin is the Duke of Colebrook and he does not trust women after been spurned. But Candence surprises him when he realized he did not impress her and she stood up to him. They fight but there is a strong attraction between the two and Justin is determined to have her.
I enjoyed Justin's and Cadence story.
Candence escaped London after the man she thought to marry told her that they would not be marrying after all. So she goes to stay with her sister and her husband in the country. This is where she meets her duke.
Justin is the Duke of Colebrook and he does not trust women after been spurned. But Candence surprises him when he realized he did not impress her and she stood up to him. They fight but there is a strong attraction between the two and Justin is determined to have her.
I enjoyed Justin's and Cadence story.
January 6, 2019
This is another fantastic novella from Jillian Eaton. As always it is fully of laughter & love & is just the right length.
You will love Cadence & Justin probably because of their faults & the taster from The Autumn Duchess set it up brilliantly & the story did not disappoint.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
If you loved the Duchess series you will love this
Grab a coffee, chocolate & enjoy 😃
You will love Cadence & Justin probably because of their faults & the taster from The Autumn Duchess set it up brilliantly & the story did not disappoint.
I can’t wait for the rest of the series.
If you loved the Duchess series you will love this
Grab a coffee, chocolate & enjoy 😃
August 9, 2019
The most plotless book I have read in a long while. I came across it because it was free on Kindle Unlimited, but it was a waste of time the edit "plot"can be summed up in a sentence, no character development worth mentioning and to top it off, a handful of spelling mistakes... In fact, the description here pretty much sums up the whole story.
I may give the second book in the series a chance, but only because it's also free on Kindle Unlimited.
I may give the second book in the series a chance, but only because it's also free on Kindle Unlimited.
January 21, 2019
A wonderful read.
I love romance novels and read them constantly. After many years and many novels I feel pretty sure my ratings are great. This was one of my favorites to date. Keep writing Jillian and I will keep buying and reading yours. Thanks
I love romance novels and read them constantly. After many years and many novels I feel pretty sure my ratings are great. This was one of my favorites to date. Keep writing Jillian and I will keep buying and reading yours. Thanks
January 4, 2019
Oh boy, I had such a good laugh 😂. It's witty and funny, just the way I like my historical romance novels. Marvellous.
January 4, 2019
A nice continuation of the Wycliffe and Hannah story. This story is about the burning passion between Colebrook and Cadence. An enjoyable read.
January 13, 2019
Lovely story. 5☆
January 14, 2019
Another adorable novella by one of my favorite authors, it follows up the story of the sister in the "Fall Duchess". I'm looking forward to the "Spring Duke" in April !
February 7, 2019
A short and light romance story. Great dialogue but the extreme lack of historical accuracy takes it from a decent 3 stars down to two.
March 13, 2020
4 Stars
August 22, 2021
The Winter Duke, Book 1 in the A Duke for All Seasons series, was about His Grace Justin Dearborn, Duke of Colebrook, and Miss Cadence Fairchild, third daughter of Baron Fairchild.
Side Note: This book picked up where The Autumn Duchess left off. Cadence was the sister to Her Grace Hannah Fairchild Wycliffe (the Heroine of The Autumn Duchess), so you might want to read that series first before starting this series, although, it's neither necessary nor recommended (on my part as my reviews of that series might reveal, but just a suggestion).
After expecting a proposal for months from the Earl whom she believed had been courting her, Cadence found herself rebuffed by Lord Harold Benfield instead. Upon realizing the wedding would never take place, Cadence fled to her sister's home in hopes of spending the holidays crying in her room and devouring chocolate to nurse her wounded heart. Cadence was a bit hoity-toity, believing herself to be prettier, and even better than her sister, Hannah. She also thought that she, not Hannah, was supposed to be the one who made the better match, that she was perfect, beautiful, witty and belle of the ball. She had always gotten what she wanted. She also tended to be overly dramatic.
Justin, the very profligate Duke of Colebrook, had to find somewhere else to reside while his crumbling estate was being renovated. After having the ceiling literally cave in on him and interrupt a quite delectable threesome, Justin had his valet pack his things and they traversed to the Duke of Wycliffe's home, his neighbor and trusted friend. (Again, to find out more about this relationship, you can read The Autumn Duchess book.) Although they weren't the closest of friends, the Duke of Wycliffe did not turn him away in his time of need.
Upon their first meeting, Justin was quite taken with Cadence, even though she had mistaken him for her brother-in-law. When she realized that he was another duke who was a friend of Evan's, she wasn't sure what to make of him...but she did know that she was attracted to him. For all that they both told themselves that they either weren't interested in marrying the other, Justin and Cadence certainly enjoyed playing the cat and mouse game with each other...he chased, she ran...until she didn't.
The attraction was there from the first meeting, even though Cadence wanted to deny it and tell herself, and Justin, that she didn't like him at all. The passion had been smoldering from the moment they met, waiting to be set free. When they finally admitted it, there was no stopping it from turning into an all-consuming forest fire, burning everything in its path.
There wasn't a lot of angst or drama in this story. It was more of a "catch me if you can" plot that just kept running on, seemingly without an end. There was a tiny bit of humor, though not much. It was a book full of sexual tension that was overpowering.
While it was a decent enough book, it really had no substance and it wasn't very well fleshed out. All that mattered to the two main characters was bedding each other. There wasn't any getting to know each other, no real relationship that one could build on. The story really wasn't how one would think people really acted...or reacted...for the time period. It was a modern-day relationship that was forced to fit in the 1800s. The verbiage (with all the grammatical errors included) and the liberated woman Cadence ended up being were not of the historical era but more like the 2000's era. It definitely not worth a 5-star rating, and it won't be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
Side Note: This book picked up where The Autumn Duchess left off. Cadence was the sister to Her Grace Hannah Fairchild Wycliffe (the Heroine of The Autumn Duchess), so you might want to read that series first before starting this series, although, it's neither necessary nor recommended (on my part as my reviews of that series might reveal, but just a suggestion).
After expecting a proposal for months from the Earl whom she believed had been courting her, Cadence found herself rebuffed by Lord Harold Benfield instead. Upon realizing the wedding would never take place, Cadence fled to her sister's home in hopes of spending the holidays crying in her room and devouring chocolate to nurse her wounded heart. Cadence was a bit hoity-toity, believing herself to be prettier, and even better than her sister, Hannah. She also thought that she, not Hannah, was supposed to be the one who made the better match, that she was perfect, beautiful, witty and belle of the ball. She had always gotten what she wanted. She also tended to be overly dramatic.
Justin, the very profligate Duke of Colebrook, had to find somewhere else to reside while his crumbling estate was being renovated. After having the ceiling literally cave in on him and interrupt a quite delectable threesome, Justin had his valet pack his things and they traversed to the Duke of Wycliffe's home, his neighbor and trusted friend. (Again, to find out more about this relationship, you can read The Autumn Duchess book.) Although they weren't the closest of friends, the Duke of Wycliffe did not turn him away in his time of need.
Upon their first meeting, Justin was quite taken with Cadence, even though she had mistaken him for her brother-in-law. When she realized that he was another duke who was a friend of Evan's, she wasn't sure what to make of him...but she did know that she was attracted to him. For all that they both told themselves that they either weren't interested in marrying the other, Justin and Cadence certainly enjoyed playing the cat and mouse game with each other...he chased, she ran...until she didn't.
The attraction was there from the first meeting, even though Cadence wanted to deny it and tell herself, and Justin, that she didn't like him at all. The passion had been smoldering from the moment they met, waiting to be set free. When they finally admitted it, there was no stopping it from turning into an all-consuming forest fire, burning everything in its path.
There wasn't a lot of angst or drama in this story. It was more of a "catch me if you can" plot that just kept running on, seemingly without an end. There was a tiny bit of humor, though not much. It was a book full of sexual tension that was overpowering.
While it was a decent enough book, it really had no substance and it wasn't very well fleshed out. All that mattered to the two main characters was bedding each other. There wasn't any getting to know each other, no real relationship that one could build on. The story really wasn't how one would think people really acted...or reacted...for the time period. It was a modern-day relationship that was forced to fit in the 1800s. The verbiage (with all the grammatical errors included) and the liberated woman Cadence ended up being were not of the historical era but more like the 2000's era. It definitely not worth a 5-star rating, and it won't be added to the Keeper for the Shelves collection.
March 27, 2020
**Actually 3.5-rating**
Well, I like reading a full set of historical novellas, centered around a certain scenario, and I don't believe I've read this Author before, so this is a good place to start. We get sex in this novella, which is always weird because, for such a shortened time period together, sex in a historical novella feels even more rushed than in a regular book-length novel.
We get separate chapters for each MC...with Cadence's poor sap of a fiance breaking up with her or rejecting her and recalling his proposal because of his "Mother" - yeah, he's one of THOSE historical dudes that hangs on a Mum's every piece of advice, even for the woman he will marry. And with Justin, The Duke...eh, not a good sign. I get he's a rake, but I don't need a scene where two women are in his bed and prepared for a threesome. And, oddly, this situation was "arranged" by someone on Justin's staff...like his butler or man-at-arms or secretary...like??? WTF?
Plus, he was in the midst of undressing when he jumps on the two ladies on his bed and the next thing you know the ROOF CAVES IN, literally. They all scramble off the bed to watch the plaster fall because Justin is having his home renovated and he was promised the construction wouldn't be anywhere near his personal quarters...eh, and that was a clear lie. And from this we have a hurried dialogue between Justin and the two women where we learn they are married to titled men of The Ton and apparently sleeping with married women is not Justin's jam....O_O...okay, at least he has some morality, right?
Now here is where our MCs blend...Cadence's older sister is married to a Duke [possibly from Eaton's other 4-bk novellas set of A DUCHESS FOR ALL SEASONS?]..and since her fiance dumped her, she wants to wallow in misery at her sister's home, away from the ridicule of her parents and society. Justin, who is actually the Duke of Colebrooke, is neighbor to Cadence's brother-in-law and it looks like this is a constant "thing" Justin does where he stays at his neighbor's home whenever he wants to avoid his own home/estate. So, almost immediately... it's hate-to-love for these two because Cadence is tired of men and doesn't like rakes...and Justin is BOTH...to the N-th degree. So there is a lot of cornering in libraries and sitting rooms...avoiding one another for a week to a fortnight...then another flirty adventurous scene where there's heated banter and heavy flirting where Justin invades Cadence's personal space, in increasing amounts until...they share a near kiss...then they share an actual kiss...then they share another kiss and then Justin lifts Cadence's skirts to finger her to orgasm...so, you know, typical historical fodder.
They keep doing this roundabout until they actually start to have sex...and it's almost instant, then constant, until Cadence's sister and husband return from their "trip away" and The Duke-in-law discovers Justin in the flagrant throes of a "morning after" moment...and then wham! I LOVE YOU. No, I LOVE YOU. BAM! HEA into marriage.
There's an Epilogue for sheer need to assure us they are properly married and happy, but why? Aren't insta-loves found in novellas always a guaranteed HEA?
Well, I like reading a full set of historical novellas, centered around a certain scenario, and I don't believe I've read this Author before, so this is a good place to start. We get sex in this novella, which is always weird because, for such a shortened time period together, sex in a historical novella feels even more rushed than in a regular book-length novel.
We get separate chapters for each MC...with Cadence's poor sap of a fiance breaking up with her or rejecting her and recalling his proposal because of his "Mother" - yeah, he's one of THOSE historical dudes that hangs on a Mum's every piece of advice, even for the woman he will marry. And with Justin, The Duke...eh, not a good sign. I get he's a rake, but I don't need a scene where two women are in his bed and prepared for a threesome. And, oddly, this situation was "arranged" by someone on Justin's staff...like his butler or man-at-arms or secretary...like??? WTF?
Plus, he was in the midst of undressing when he jumps on the two ladies on his bed and the next thing you know the ROOF CAVES IN, literally. They all scramble off the bed to watch the plaster fall because Justin is having his home renovated and he was promised the construction wouldn't be anywhere near his personal quarters...eh, and that was a clear lie. And from this we have a hurried dialogue between Justin and the two women where we learn they are married to titled men of The Ton and apparently sleeping with married women is not Justin's jam....O_O...okay, at least he has some morality, right?
Now here is where our MCs blend...Cadence's older sister is married to a Duke [possibly from Eaton's other 4-bk novellas set of A DUCHESS FOR ALL SEASONS?]..and since her fiance dumped her, she wants to wallow in misery at her sister's home, away from the ridicule of her parents and society. Justin, who is actually the Duke of Colebrooke, is neighbor to Cadence's brother-in-law and it looks like this is a constant "thing" Justin does where he stays at his neighbor's home whenever he wants to avoid his own home/estate. So, almost immediately... it's hate-to-love for these two because Cadence is tired of men and doesn't like rakes...and Justin is BOTH...to the N-th degree. So there is a lot of cornering in libraries and sitting rooms...avoiding one another for a week to a fortnight...then another flirty adventurous scene where there's heated banter and heavy flirting where Justin invades Cadence's personal space, in increasing amounts until...they share a near kiss...then they share an actual kiss...then they share another kiss and then Justin lifts Cadence's skirts to finger her to orgasm...so, you know, typical historical fodder.
They keep doing this roundabout until they actually start to have sex...and it's almost instant, then constant, until Cadence's sister and husband return from their "trip away" and The Duke-in-law discovers Justin in the flagrant throes of a "morning after" moment...and then wham! I LOVE YOU. No, I LOVE YOU. BAM! HEA into marriage.
There's an Epilogue for sheer need to assure us they are properly married and happy, but why? Aren't insta-loves found in novellas always a guaranteed HEA?
September 10, 2019
The Winter Duke was a quick, enjoyable read with a delightful romance and a nice holiday setting.
After her almost fiancé breaks off their relationship, Cadence Fairchild flees London to her brother-in-law’s country estate hoping to escape the humiliation. Her plan is to spend the winter hibernating while she comes up with a way to repair her reputation. But that plan goes out the window when she arrives and discovers her brother-in-law’s neighbor has taken up residence while his estate undergoes repairs. Justin Dearborn, Duke of Colebrook, is a rake of the first order and the passion that ignites between him and Cadence threatens to consume them both.
Cadence and Justin’s relationship gets off to a rocky start, he thinks she’s stuck up and she finds him arrogant. Despite their immediate dislike of each other, the two find themselves attracted to one another which leads to a fantastic scene in the parlour. As the two grow closer, their relationship hits a few bumps along the way due to Justin’s insistence that marriage isn’t for him and his inability to trust after he was wronged in the past. An issue I had with their relationship is that Justin never really works through his issues, they’re just essentially forgotten about when it comes to the final big scene. Overall though their relationship was enjoyable and was the sole focus of the story, no side plots to distract from it.
The Winter Duke ended up being a nice read and I will be continuing on with the series at some point. I’d recommend this novella if you’re looking for a quick historical romance to pick up.
After her almost fiancé breaks off their relationship, Cadence Fairchild flees London to her brother-in-law’s country estate hoping to escape the humiliation. Her plan is to spend the winter hibernating while she comes up with a way to repair her reputation. But that plan goes out the window when she arrives and discovers her brother-in-law’s neighbor has taken up residence while his estate undergoes repairs. Justin Dearborn, Duke of Colebrook, is a rake of the first order and the passion that ignites between him and Cadence threatens to consume them both.
Cadence and Justin’s relationship gets off to a rocky start, he thinks she’s stuck up and she finds him arrogant. Despite their immediate dislike of each other, the two find themselves attracted to one another which leads to a fantastic scene in the parlour. As the two grow closer, their relationship hits a few bumps along the way due to Justin’s insistence that marriage isn’t for him and his inability to trust after he was wronged in the past. An issue I had with their relationship is that Justin never really works through his issues, they’re just essentially forgotten about when it comes to the final big scene. Overall though their relationship was enjoyable and was the sole focus of the story, no side plots to distract from it.
The Winter Duke ended up being a nice read and I will be continuing on with the series at some point. I’d recommend this novella if you’re looking for a quick historical romance to pick up.
April 9, 2019
Justin Dearborn, Duke of Colebrook is well known around the Ton as being quite the rogue. He is happy in his lifestyle & enjoys his freedom as a bachelor. He is in the isolated countryside at his family estate which after being vacant for 20 years, he is now refurbishing it. Unfortunately, things have not gone well & he fires his architect & won't be able to get another one until Spring; so he goes to the Duke of Wycliffe's property next to his (even though they don't get along) to stay with him & his new wife, Hannah.
Cadence Fairchild was almost betrothed to The Earl of Benfield but before it was announced he rebuffed her because his Mother did not approve of the match.
Now, it was the talk of the Ton & Cadence wanted to get away from the whispers & humiliation - so she went to spend the winter with her sister & her husband, Evan, Duke of Wycliffe.
This is where the fun begins when sparks, bantering & first impressions upon meeting one another take over & things just build to the end! I highly recommend all of Jillian Eaton's books - they are always full of wonderful characters with fun antics mixed in & a enticing story to enjoy. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Cadence Fairchild was almost betrothed to The Earl of Benfield but before it was announced he rebuffed her because his Mother did not approve of the match.
Now, it was the talk of the Ton & Cadence wanted to get away from the whispers & humiliation - so she went to spend the winter with her sister & her husband, Evan, Duke of Wycliffe.
This is where the fun begins when sparks, bantering & first impressions upon meeting one another take over & things just build to the end! I highly recommend all of Jillian Eaton's books - they are always full of wonderful characters with fun antics mixed in & a enticing story to enjoy. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
November 23, 2019
A Regency romance, this book is lighthearted and fairly amused but definitely does not follow the rules of society of the era. Cadence assumes that a proposal is in the offing and when she is rebuffed she flees the city to her brother-in-law's remote country estate. There she meets the Duke of Colebrook, whose home is in disrepair and needs a place to stay until spring. Cadence is angry enough to despite all men, making her antagonistic towards Justin, which results in him teasing and tormenting her like a teenage boy. He dares her to kiss him and that changes everything. The novel can be read in an evening if one has nothing pressing to do, and it does come to a good conclusion.
November 29, 2019
Eh. A not particularly likeable heroine, a real rake hero, an implausible situation and a love that had more to do with proximity than actual personality. This is fine if you're looking for a quick read with a historical gloss and aren't bothered with details.
This is not fine if you like at least a touch of authenticity (her sister left her completely alone in the house with a rake for several weeks, apart from the servants, but servants don't count because... they work for a living?) or live in England (wtf is Nottingshire? A township? What? You can research how exactly to light the fire, but you can't be bothered to look up Northumberland). That's not even counting the love that somehow grew between a steamy kiss and a coerced trip in search of a Christmas tree where she avoided him the whole time, yet somehow still fell in love with his kindness and generosity... ???
In all, eh. It's quick and it's free, so at least it did some things right.
This is not fine if you like at least a touch of authenticity (her sister left her completely alone in the house with a rake for several weeks, apart from the servants, but servants don't count because... they work for a living?) or live in England (wtf is Nottingshire? A township? What? You can research how exactly to light the fire, but you can't be bothered to look up Northumberland). That's not even counting the love that somehow grew between a steamy kiss and a coerced trip in search of a Christmas tree where she avoided him the whole time, yet somehow still fell in love with his kindness and generosity... ???
In all, eh. It's quick and it's free, so at least it did some things right.
January 25, 2020
I really enjoyed this short novella and am looking forward to possibly reading more in the series. As always with novellas, I find them entirely too short and as such, there were some things lacking by my standards. I felt the MCs needed more meat to their getting to know you time before they dropped the L and marriage bombs. I thought that the epilogue, while sweet, was unnecessary and the pages should have been spent more on that afore mentioned meat.
Otherwise, I did enjoy the book and found the MCs relatable and intriguing. Cute story!
Otherwise, I did enjoy the book and found the MCs relatable and intriguing. Cute story!
September 16, 2021
Good story and characters,but too short. I would have preferred more development of the plot. Justin,the Duke of Colbrooke, He was wounded by the treachery of a woman in the past. So, he becomes a rake, having no ties to any woman. Cadence was almost engaged when her fiancé called off the almost engagement. She flees to her sister who is newly married to the Duke of Wycliffe. Justin is also staying there while his nearby estate is being repaired. Justin and Cadence are drawn to each other. Cadence knows Justin will not marry. Can a Duke change his mind?
June 6, 2023
Perfect! 5 stars for a short story
No complications, no unnecessary drama or misunderstanding, just straight to the point
I read the Autumn Duchess a while ago and I didn't like Cadence because she was so entitled! But here she redeemed herself completely! She was really funny and likable, I loved how she challenge Justin.
And Justin was a marvellous male lead, a whore who found love and was tamed by Cadence.
Their banter was super funny, the book was short but filled wiht tension and anticipation.
And we got a nice epilogue too 😍
No complications, no unnecessary drama or misunderstanding, just straight to the point
I read the Autumn Duchess a while ago and I didn't like Cadence because she was so entitled! But here she redeemed herself completely! She was really funny and likable, I loved how she challenge Justin.
And Justin was a marvellous male lead, a whore who found love and was tamed by Cadence.
Their banter was super funny, the book was short but filled wiht tension and anticipation.
And we got a nice epilogue too 😍
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