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Lords and Undefeated Ladies #3
What a Duchess Does
She's in no position to turn down a duke.
They both know it.
That doesn't mean the game is over...
Selene's mother is deathly ill, and there's little a poor housemaid can do. Working in her cousin's house, grateful for the roof over her head, Selene doesn't dream anymore of a titled marriage. Only a little of falling in love.
Nicholas Hayden, the Duke of Talbourne, learned early in life never to show what he wanted. But sad experience, and silence, won't help him conquer his passion for the housemaid he has rescued — a passion that threatens everything he has built for his life.
A mother's scheme with a duke as cold as the devil could transform Selene from a housemaid to a duchess in a matter of days. But Selene dares to want a marriage that isn't just for show. If she's going to make a deal with this devil, she has demands of her own.
What a Duchess Does is a historical regency romance novel with steamy moments and sweet ones, of about 450 pages.
It includes a duke determined to have his way and a duchess determined to make a difference. And as always, a Happily Ever After.
What a Duchess Does is a standalone book! But if you enjoyed it, follow it with Crown of Hearts, or get ready for a related story in The Caped Countess in July 2021!
They both know it.
That doesn't mean the game is over...
Selene's mother is deathly ill, and there's little a poor housemaid can do. Working in her cousin's house, grateful for the roof over her head, Selene doesn't dream anymore of a titled marriage. Only a little of falling in love.
Nicholas Hayden, the Duke of Talbourne, learned early in life never to show what he wanted. But sad experience, and silence, won't help him conquer his passion for the housemaid he has rescued — a passion that threatens everything he has built for his life.
A mother's scheme with a duke as cold as the devil could transform Selene from a housemaid to a duchess in a matter of days. But Selene dares to want a marriage that isn't just for show. If she's going to make a deal with this devil, she has demands of her own.
What a Duchess Does is a historical regency romance novel with steamy moments and sweet ones, of about 450 pages.
It includes a duke determined to have his way and a duchess determined to make a difference. And as always, a Happily Ever After.
What a Duchess Does is a standalone book! But if you enjoyed it, follow it with Crown of Hearts, or get ready for a related story in The Caped Countess in July 2021!
511 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2020
427 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Judith Lynne
36 books76 followersJudith Lynne writes rule-breaking romances with love around every corner. Her characters tend to have deep convictions, electric pleasures, and, sometimes, weaponry.
She loves to write stories where characters are shaken by life, shaken down to their core, put out their hand… and love is there.
A history nerd with too many degrees, Judith Lynne lives in Ohio with a truly adorable spouse, an apartment-sized domestic jungle, and a misgendered turtle. Also an award-winning science fiction author and screenwriter, she writes passionate Regency romances with a rich sense of place and time.
She loves to write stories where characters are shaken by life, shaken down to their core, put out their hand… and love is there.
A history nerd with too many degrees, Judith Lynne lives in Ohio with a truly adorable spouse, an apartment-sized domestic jungle, and a misgendered turtle. Also an award-winning science fiction author and screenwriter, she writes passionate Regency romances with a rich sense of place and time.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 25, 2020
Enchanting!
Fabulous hero and heroine. Nicholas and Selene 's fairy tale romance was a joy to read. With a great cast of characters you get swept away by the story.
Fabulous hero and heroine. Nicholas and Selene 's fairy tale romance was a joy to read. With a great cast of characters you get swept away by the story.
October 17, 2020
I really enjoy this authors take on these types of books. There’s always a twist that puts things into a different perspective than the usual Victorian era romance. I was sucked into Selene and Nicholas’ story which became more complex as I read on. I really hoped they got their act together and it was interesting to see their characters develop - which usually happens when in love. Looking forward to more books from this author.
Received a complimentary copy of this book for a voluntary review.
Received a complimentary copy of this book for a voluntary review.
June 12, 2023
2.5 stars- quit at 75% through the book. I'll start with the good. I got this for free. The protagonist is blind, and it's fascinating to see that in a regency romance. She also has an interest in politics, and her love interest sits in the House of Lords. Political intrigue is part of the novel, and the Duke is trying to get something done about the East India company. A friend of the protagonist seems to suffer from depression, and there is an acknowledgement that she is ill but the doctors don't know what to do about it. I feel like this all would have been fabulous, say in the hands of Georgette Heyer.
The bad... Despite being the third book in a series, it was advertised that this could be read as a stand alone story. However, I was super confused at the beginning of the novel as to how any of the characters knew each other, and they were references to what happened in the previous novel, only they were not fleshed out enough to allieviate my confusion. I did not need an entire synopsis, but something more would have been helpful. I have read other book series out of order (particularly murder mysteries, as those are also usually stand alone stories), and those have all done a better job of summing-up how everyone knows each other, and how we got to the beginning of the novel.
I know this is common with romances written in modern times, but the Duke's inability to not think about sex at an inappropriate time was super annoying. Maybe it is because I am on the Ace spectrum (I'm demi), but I really don't think you should be thinking about how much you want to shag your new wife when you are checking her for bruises, even if it is the first time you are getting to see her naked. I mean, I can skip the sex scenes, but that scene was just ridiculous. I think the author may have been trying to have the Duke be demi, as he apparently has never felt attraction to anyone else, but that scene was still so weird to me.
Also, what is with the men in modern-written romances having major trauma that the protagonist is supposed to fix? Or maybe it's just the first two Bridgerton novels and this one. It does provide a reason for the couple to have relationship strife, and that can be the case in real life too (without one partner "fixing" the other).
The bad... Despite being the third book in a series, it was advertised that this could be read as a stand alone story. However, I was super confused at the beginning of the novel as to how any of the characters knew each other, and they were references to what happened in the previous novel, only they were not fleshed out enough to allieviate my confusion. I did not need an entire synopsis, but something more would have been helpful. I have read other book series out of order (particularly murder mysteries, as those are also usually stand alone stories), and those have all done a better job of summing-up how everyone knows each other, and how we got to the beginning of the novel.
I know this is common with romances written in modern times, but the Duke's inability to not think about sex at an inappropriate time was super annoying. Maybe it is because I am on the Ace spectrum (I'm demi), but I really don't think you should be thinking about how much you want to shag your new wife when you are checking her for bruises, even if it is the first time you are getting to see her naked. I mean, I can skip the sex scenes, but that scene was just ridiculous. I think the author may have been trying to have the Duke be demi, as he apparently has never felt attraction to anyone else, but that scene was still so weird to me.
Also, what is with the men in modern-written romances having major trauma that the protagonist is supposed to fix? Or maybe it's just the first two Bridgerton novels and this one. It does provide a reason for the couple to have relationship strife, and that can be the case in real life too (without one partner "fixing" the other).
May 28, 2023
***spoilers***
My first book by this author, and it started out well. I rather liked the author’s staccato style of writing, although I was sometimes thrown by abrupt changes in direction.
The first 70% of the book: 4 stars. I like the way the story builds, the way that Talbourne’s character and motivations are revealed layer by layer, and Selene’s difficulties figuring out how to fit into her new life and with her new husband, a man trained from birth to hide all thoughts and feelings behind a wall of silence. A wall of silence would be especially hard for a blind person to penetrate. I normally hate a plot where obstacles would be solved with a simple question or two, but the lack of communication has been built into Talbourne’s character so it was less irritating here.
The last 30% of the book: 1 star. The book, in trying for some big dramatic denouement, unravels. Selene, instead of gaining maturity and insight, becomes a self-absorbed drama queen who overhears a piece of gossip and immediately flies into high dudgeon and leaves her husband (after he has begged her to be patient while he learns to share his thoughts and emotions), without even asking if what she heard is true. Leaves a child she professes to love. Leaves WITH a man who has pursued her romantically. Cares more about her social position than all she has left behind. Cares more about some votes than her husband. Is willing to take and use all the security her marriage and title has provided for her and her mother while discarding the man who has provided it. And the author seems to find this admirable. Independence is admirable: selfishness is not.
And all the talk of playing “the game” became annoying. Political tracts during sex was just bizarre. What can I say? By the end I was just glad it ended.
My first book by this author, and it started out well. I rather liked the author’s staccato style of writing, although I was sometimes thrown by abrupt changes in direction.
The first 70% of the book: 4 stars. I like the way the story builds, the way that Talbourne’s character and motivations are revealed layer by layer, and Selene’s difficulties figuring out how to fit into her new life and with her new husband, a man trained from birth to hide all thoughts and feelings behind a wall of silence. A wall of silence would be especially hard for a blind person to penetrate. I normally hate a plot where obstacles would be solved with a simple question or two, but the lack of communication has been built into Talbourne’s character so it was less irritating here.
The last 30% of the book: 1 star. The book, in trying for some big dramatic denouement, unravels. Selene, instead of gaining maturity and insight, becomes a self-absorbed drama queen who overhears a piece of gossip and immediately flies into high dudgeon and leaves her husband (after he has begged her to be patient while he learns to share his thoughts and emotions), without even asking if what she heard is true. Leaves a child she professes to love. Leaves WITH a man who has pursued her romantically. Cares more about her social position than all she has left behind. Cares more about some votes than her husband. Is willing to take and use all the security her marriage and title has provided for her and her mother while discarding the man who has provided it. And the author seems to find this admirable. Independence is admirable: selfishness is not.
And all the talk of playing “the game” became annoying. Political tracts during sex was just bizarre. What can I say? By the end I was just glad it ended.
May 30, 2023
In order for me to finish reading a book that ends up containing steamy scenes, the story—especially the romance—has to be satisfying enough to stand on its own without the sex, because I skip it. This one was deeply thoughtful and delightful—a story of two people who were made for each other but don’t know it. In learning to trust each other, they discover their own weaknesses and strengths and work to understand and be understood while breaking destructive habits and building healthier ones. A rich and satisfying love story with depth and humor. Content warning: 2 scenes of marital sex.
June 4, 2023
Not enjoyable.
Not enjoyable, but I plowed on and managed to finish it. I can't really put my finger on what I didn't like about this book. I feel a little bit like the beginning was abrupt and should have been preceded by something. The reader is just dropped into the story and it's an odd sense of not knowing what is going for like the first half of the book. Maybe longer.
I dunno. I finished it, but I would tell anyone else not to bother.
Not enjoyable, but I plowed on and managed to finish it. I can't really put my finger on what I didn't like about this book. I feel a little bit like the beginning was abrupt and should have been preceded by something. The reader is just dropped into the story and it's an odd sense of not knowing what is going for like the first half of the book. Maybe longer.
I dunno. I finished it, but I would tell anyone else not to bother.
April 9, 2021
Lots to Like
Very likable characters that show us why they have fallen in love with each other -- what they find in each other that draws them in. This is found in all of this author's books. Nice attention to detail, the time period, and setting. Nice humor in dialog. Great supporting characters.
Very likable characters that show us why they have fallen in love with each other -- what they find in each other that draws them in. This is found in all of this author's books. Nice attention to detail, the time period, and setting. Nice humor in dialog. Great supporting characters.
September 1, 2021
The kindle version is missing many, many pages
The kindle version of this book is missing a terribly large amount of pages. There is blank page after blank page all throughout the book. It is incredibly annoying and make it difficult to keep your place in the story. Very frustrating!
The kindle version of this book is missing a terribly large amount of pages. There is blank page after blank page all throughout the book. It is incredibly annoying and make it difficult to keep your place in the story. Very frustrating!
February 20, 2023
Great read
I truly liked this story, one of falling down and picking oneself up regardless of where that takes you. I also liked so far in this series that you have used issues that even today people with disabilities face. It added just a little more depth to the characters which I enjoyed.
I truly liked this story, one of falling down and picking oneself up regardless of where that takes you. I also liked so far in this series that you have used issues that even today people with disabilities face. It added just a little more depth to the characters which I enjoyed.
June 20, 2024
Unusual for a story found free on Apple Books as not being the first in a series and not being a short story or novella and is not really a short novel either. It's said to standalone as are the others in the series, but the characters are featured and their stories referenced obliquely. Also interesting for disabled (main) characters and the hero in this one is described as not being standout handsome but blending into the background. His power doesn't come in showiness or loudness.
I appreciate the historical context at the beginning and the end.
I'm curious to read the other stories after seeing them hinted at and that they share characters.
I appreciated what seemed like it might be a case of asexual, but in the end more like demisexual as the hero wasn't interested until he met Selene. I thought possibly for both halves of the couple, but with Selene it was more like many a proper Regency and Victorian heroine she just hasn't had much communicated to her about marriage. I could have done without the detail of the sex scenes.
I appreciate the historical context at the beginning and the end.
I'm curious to read the other stories after seeing them hinted at and that they share characters.
I appreciated what seemed like it might be a case of asexual, but in the end more like demisexual as the hero wasn't interested until he met Selene. I thought possibly for both halves of the couple, but with Selene it was more like many a proper Regency and Victorian heroine she just hasn't had much communicated to her about marriage. I could have done without the detail of the sex scenes.
September 21, 2022
Too many characters
Some sex, too many non essential characters. Previous story characters, need to do short introduction where we know them from. Favorite scene was when Henry took Salina to dance the promanod. Spelled all wrong
Some sex, too many non essential characters. Previous story characters, need to do short introduction where we know them from. Favorite scene was when Henry took Salina to dance the promanod. Spelled all wrong
May 6, 2024
Selene is blind and works as a housemaid for her cousin. Nicholas Hayden is the Duke of Talbourne meets Selene and they fall in love and marry. This is the story of how Selene goes from a housemaid and marries Nicholas and becomes a duchess. I really enjoyed this wonderful historical romance novel.
October 6, 2021
The way wit words. The in expected handicap of the heroine! I loved it
March 11, 2023
An enjoyable romantic story with loads of twists and turns and interesting characters.
April 14, 2023
This book was fine. I liked it but I felt like it really dragged. It could have easily been 100 pages less and I don't think I would have lost any of the flow and the story would have been great.
June 29, 2023
Light hearted overly detailed historical romance. Clever premise having a blind heroine, but plot gets lost in incident sidetracks
Read
July 8, 2023very good
November 22, 2023
Main character with a disability
Loved the main character introduction but the story grew dull with over filled dialogue. I left the book unfinished unfortunately.
Loved the main character introduction but the story grew dull with over filled dialogue. I left the book unfinished unfortunately.
April 24, 2025
A delightful, clean Regency romance.
May 31, 2023
Didn't like the writing style. dnf
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews