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Rogues to Riches #6
How to Catch a Duke
A fake engagement and plenty of charm keep the pages turning in this delightful Regency romance.
"I have come to ask you to kill me, my lord."
Miss Abigail Abbott desperately needs to disappear, and the only person she trusts to help her do that is Lord Stephen Wentworth, heir to the Duke of Walden. Stephen is brilliant, charming, and—when he needs to be—absolutely ruthless. So ruthless, that, he proposes marriage instead of a pretense of murder, to keep Abigail safe.
Stephen knows that Abigail has the dignity and determination of a duchess and the courage of a lioness. When she accepts his courtship of convenience, he also discovers she kisses like his most intimate wish come true. For Abigail, their arrangement is a sham to escape her dangerous enemies. For Stephen, it's his last, best hope to share a lifetime with the lady of his dreams—if he can convince her his love is real.
"I have come to ask you to kill me, my lord."
Miss Abigail Abbott desperately needs to disappear, and the only person she trusts to help her do that is Lord Stephen Wentworth, heir to the Duke of Walden. Stephen is brilliant, charming, and—when he needs to be—absolutely ruthless. So ruthless, that, he proposes marriage instead of a pretense of murder, to keep Abigail safe.
Stephen knows that Abigail has the dignity and determination of a duchess and the courage of a lioness. When she accepts his courtship of convenience, he also discovers she kisses like his most intimate wish come true. For Abigail, their arrangement is a sham to escape her dangerous enemies. For Stephen, it's his last, best hope to share a lifetime with the lady of his dreams—if he can convince her his love is real.
350 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 13, 2021
360 people are currently reading
1585 people want to read
About the author
Grace Burrowes
192 books2,915 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 298 reviews
May 6, 2021
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.
If you've been a reader of Burrowes' Rogues to Riches series, then you've been anticipating the younger brother Lord Stephen Wentworth's book. The Wentworth family went from living hand-to-mouth to the older brother Quinn (My One and Only Duke) being saved from the gallows and inheriting a dukedom. Their hard knock life has them not quite fitting in with the aristocracy and each sibling's story has reflected that while still placing them in privileged positions. I would suggest not jumping into the series at this book as you'd miss a lot of the Wentworth family dynamic and that directly affects the hows and whys of Stephen's character; you'd be missing a lot of the foundation for this story.
“I have come to ask you to murder me, my lord.”
Miss Abigail Abbott is a character that we meet in the previous book, Stephen's sister Constance's story (The Truth About Dukes). Abigail is an inquiry agent, a sort of private investigator. Having meet Stephen through Constance (they had some crackling tension in the previous book), Abigail thinks he's the perfect person to help her. She thinks there was a failed attempt to poison her and a failed kidnapping of her person. Abigail thinks it's a Lord Stapleton behind the attempts and it's due to some letters his now deceased son wrote Abigail when she was the son's mistress (she didn't know he was married). I'm not sure I ever completely bought into Abigail's idea that she needed to fake her own death to escape Lord Stapleton but it provided a fantastic first line to start the book off and gave a reason for Abigail to be in Stephen's company.
The conundrum of his mental processes, charm juxtaposed with calculation, fascinated Abigail. She was counting on his calculating mind to keep her physically safe, while the charm imperiled her heart.
I've read a good amount of Burrowes' stories and they typically have what I call a babbling brook pace and feel, gradual and gentle. I thought the tempo was different in this one, it felt more like ping pong action. I'd be reading a scene, engaged, and then the scene would cut and the next paragraph would show the characters at a later date thinking back to the scene I had been engaged in but cut out from. It worked for me at times and didn't at others as I thought I was missing out on some scene emotions; instead we get the emotions from inner thoughts from the characters. I'm not sure if my anticipating the babbling brook from Burrowes made this ping pong tempo feel off or if the tempo was off.
Abigail dearest, we all need a little kissing, cuddling, and cavorting. Proving that to you shall be my fondest challenge.
The mystery thread of why Lord Stapleton wanted the letters from Abigail felt thin for a a lot of the story. It takes until the end and revealing of why, for it to make sense but even then I'm not sure the journey we take to get there was supported for three hundred pages. Stephen and Abigail have good byplay but I did think for where I thought they were in their journey to come together that their first bedroom scene came a bit quick, even though it was around 50%. These two definitely have a connection, Abigail doubts her appeal because of her height and size and Stephen doubts his appeal because of his limp (his father broke his leg when he was a child) and vulnerabilities created because of these insecurities brings these two together. They're sweet with a little zip because of Stephen's kind but not always nice and Abigail's calling him on his not always nice but not letting him hide his kindness.
Stephen Wentworth was stealing her heart, and she was helpless to prevent his larceny.
Neither of Stephen's sisters make an appearance, which I did miss and I thought Duncan and Stephen should have had some alone scenes but there was a great breakthrough understanding between Stephen and his brother Quinn. With the ping pong tempo I talked about though, we get the brothers revealing and talking about some things but then after, granted, they do hug, we jump to Quinn with his wife and he has an emotional moment I wish could have been more with Stephen. The Wentworth's are a family that could have overwhelmed Stephen and Abigail's book but I love their dynamic all together that I could have stood for more of them.
She wanted to curl up in his arms and wake up in a world where nobody got in a lather about old letters, and a common inquiry agent could fall in love with a ducal heir.
Stephen was a character that I could read a series on him alone and Abigail had her own deep background, I could also read more about her, but importantly, she did match him. The mystery plot with the letters and how Abigail wanted to fake her own death, which leads to a fake engagement trope, even though these two pretty much admit their feelings are real from the beginning but thinking nothing can come of it, was a little weaker and you'll mostly go along because it keeps our two characters together. I also thought the author created a story that was open about all the bed-hopping that was going on during this time, the extramartial affairs and Stephen's bisexuality. It also looks like we are getting a Ned Wentworth book (boy Quinn adopted) and I am thrilled, especially after his appearances in this. There's always something comforting about visiting a Burrowes' world and family, How to Catch a Duke, will give you those feels.
If you've been a reader of Burrowes' Rogues to Riches series, then you've been anticipating the younger brother Lord Stephen Wentworth's book. The Wentworth family went from living hand-to-mouth to the older brother Quinn (My One and Only Duke) being saved from the gallows and inheriting a dukedom. Their hard knock life has them not quite fitting in with the aristocracy and each sibling's story has reflected that while still placing them in privileged positions. I would suggest not jumping into the series at this book as you'd miss a lot of the Wentworth family dynamic and that directly affects the hows and whys of Stephen's character; you'd be missing a lot of the foundation for this story.
“I have come to ask you to murder me, my lord.”
Miss Abigail Abbott is a character that we meet in the previous book, Stephen's sister Constance's story (The Truth About Dukes). Abigail is an inquiry agent, a sort of private investigator. Having meet Stephen through Constance (they had some crackling tension in the previous book), Abigail thinks he's the perfect person to help her. She thinks there was a failed attempt to poison her and a failed kidnapping of her person. Abigail thinks it's a Lord Stapleton behind the attempts and it's due to some letters his now deceased son wrote Abigail when she was the son's mistress (she didn't know he was married). I'm not sure I ever completely bought into Abigail's idea that she needed to fake her own death to escape Lord Stapleton but it provided a fantastic first line to start the book off and gave a reason for Abigail to be in Stephen's company.
The conundrum of his mental processes, charm juxtaposed with calculation, fascinated Abigail. She was counting on his calculating mind to keep her physically safe, while the charm imperiled her heart.
I've read a good amount of Burrowes' stories and they typically have what I call a babbling brook pace and feel, gradual and gentle. I thought the tempo was different in this one, it felt more like ping pong action. I'd be reading a scene, engaged, and then the scene would cut and the next paragraph would show the characters at a later date thinking back to the scene I had been engaged in but cut out from. It worked for me at times and didn't at others as I thought I was missing out on some scene emotions; instead we get the emotions from inner thoughts from the characters. I'm not sure if my anticipating the babbling brook from Burrowes made this ping pong tempo feel off or if the tempo was off.
Abigail dearest, we all need a little kissing, cuddling, and cavorting. Proving that to you shall be my fondest challenge.
The mystery thread of why Lord Stapleton wanted the letters from Abigail felt thin for a a lot of the story. It takes until the end and revealing of why, for it to make sense but even then I'm not sure the journey we take to get there was supported for three hundred pages. Stephen and Abigail have good byplay but I did think for where I thought they were in their journey to come together that their first bedroom scene came a bit quick, even though it was around 50%. These two definitely have a connection, Abigail doubts her appeal because of her height and size and Stephen doubts his appeal because of his limp (his father broke his leg when he was a child) and vulnerabilities created because of these insecurities brings these two together. They're sweet with a little zip because of Stephen's kind but not always nice and Abigail's calling him on his not always nice but not letting him hide his kindness.
Stephen Wentworth was stealing her heart, and she was helpless to prevent his larceny.
Neither of Stephen's sisters make an appearance, which I did miss and I thought Duncan and Stephen should have had some alone scenes but there was a great breakthrough understanding between Stephen and his brother Quinn. With the ping pong tempo I talked about though, we get the brothers revealing and talking about some things but then after, granted, they do hug, we jump to Quinn with his wife and he has an emotional moment I wish could have been more with Stephen. The Wentworth's are a family that could have overwhelmed Stephen and Abigail's book but I love their dynamic all together that I could have stood for more of them.
She wanted to curl up in his arms and wake up in a world where nobody got in a lather about old letters, and a common inquiry agent could fall in love with a ducal heir.
Stephen was a character that I could read a series on him alone and Abigail had her own deep background, I could also read more about her, but importantly, she did match him. The mystery plot with the letters and how Abigail wanted to fake her own death, which leads to a fake engagement trope, even though these two pretty much admit their feelings are real from the beginning but thinking nothing can come of it, was a little weaker and you'll mostly go along because it keeps our two characters together. I also thought the author created a story that was open about all the bed-hopping that was going on during this time, the extramartial affairs and Stephen's bisexuality. It also looks like we are getting a Ned Wentworth book (boy Quinn adopted) and I am thrilled, especially after his appearances in this. There's always something comforting about visiting a Burrowes' world and family, How to Catch a Duke, will give you those feels.
May 21, 2021
I've given this a B- at AAR, so that's 3.5 stars rounded up.
How to Catch a Duke is the sixth and final book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series about the members of the Wentworth family. The first book – My One and Only Duke– saw a ducal title conferred upon Quinton Wentworth, a wealthy banker from extremely humble origins who grew up doing whatever jobs he could find in order to provide for his younger siblings, and subsequent books have followed the various family members as they’ve each found their HEAs. The hero of How to Catch a Duke is Stephen, Quinn’s younger brother and heir whom we first met as a brilliant, mercurial teen whose insight and often biting wit was shadowed by melancholy, and whose frustrations over his disability – his abusive father smashed Stephen’s knee when he was a child and he needs a cane (sometimes two) to walk – came through strongly. Ten years later, Stephen is still brilliant and mercurial; he’s also charming, loyal, generous and quite ruthless when he wants to be and hasn’t let his physical limitations stop him from shagging his way across the continent or from ‘dallying’ extensively in England with a variety of willing partners.
When this book opens, Stephen receives a visit from Miss Abigail Abbott, the enquiry agent who recently did some work for his sister Constance (The Truth About Dukes). In a dramatic opening, Abigail tells Stephen that she has “come to ask you to murder me, my lord.” – which is, of course, not what she means at all; what she wants is to disappear while she attempts to find out why someone – a marquess no less – is out to do her harm. Abigail is cagey, but Stephen – being Stephen – quickly works out who it is and promptly offers to kill him instead.
The next morning over breakfast, Abigail explains that Lord Stapleton believes her to be in possession of some letters he wants returned – which she is unable to do as she no longer has them. She refuses to answer Stephen’s questions as to the identity of the writer and recipient of the letters, simply saying that the marquess is not entitled to them and is clearly prepared to go to any lengths to get them. Stephen recognises that Abigail – whom he already admires for her spirit and no-nonsense attitude (and lusts after for her other attributes) – is genuinely scared, and suggests that instead of faking her death, they should pretend to be engaged and that she should go to stay under Quinn’s protection at Walden House while they work out how to retrieve the letters or get Stapleton to stop hounding her – and preferably both.
I’m generally a fan of Grace Burrowes’ novels, although I’ve long since given up trying to keep up with them all! I enjoy her quirky writing style and the strong familial connections she creates in her stories, and although I haven’t read all the books in this series, I’ve read enough of them to be able to know who most of the characters are and how they relate to one another – so this isn’t the place to start with the Wentworths! But with all that said, I had a number of issues with the book that mean I can’t grade it more highly. The plot is stretched thin and moves very slowly until well into the second half, and I didn’t feel a great deal of chemistry between Stephen and Abigail, who become lovers very quickly, before they really know each other. And while I applaud Ms. Burrowes for writing a couple who talk frankly about sex and their past relationships, I found it hard to believe a young unmarried woman – even one who had had a lover – would have felt comfortable discussing such things with a man she didn’t know all that well. Then there’s the fact that Stephen makes no bones about the fact that he’s had intimate relationships with a few men as well as women, and Abigail takes that in her stride, too (as, it seems, do other members of the family). On the one hand, it’s great to see such a supportive, non-judgmental reaction, but on the other, their easy, unconcerned acceptance seemed too modern.
The best thing about the book is undoubtedly Stephen, probably the most complex and damaged character of all the Wentworths. He’s living with a terrible secret as well as a disability that has caused many to see him as ‘less than’ and has spent most of his life compensating for it in one way and another; not just in his legendary prowess between the sheets, but in many other ways, too, channelling what had been, in youth, self-destructive impulses into creative ones. The other thing I really liked was the new and greater understanding that develops between him and Quinn. Although Stephen had no wish to feel it, he couldn’t help resenting Quinn for being able to do things he couldn’t and for being able to escape their father’s cruelties, and Quinn has seen Stephen as somewhat spoiled, and self-indulgent, and has even been jealous of his intelligence. There’s never been any question that they’d do anything for each other, but they’ve always been a bit wary of each other, too, and I was pleased to see those misunderstandings finally laid to rest.
There’s a large-ish secondary cast of Wentworth siblings and in-laws I enjoyed re-visting, the villain of the piece is suitably nasty (although no match for Stephen), and the author skilfully weaves a realistic look at the plight of the less fortunate into the background of the story – whether it’s the soldiers returning from war to find there was no work and no help for them, or children, forced to work from the age of six as climbing boys or in mines and factories.
I liked many things about How to Catch a Duke, but unfortunately, the romance isn’t at the top of the list. I’ve been intrigued by Stephen since he first appeared in the book one, so I had high hopes for his book and I really wanted to like it more than I did, but even so, it’s certainly worth a qualified recommendation.
How to Catch a Duke is the sixth and final book in Grace Burrowes’ Rogues to Riches series about the members of the Wentworth family. The first book – My One and Only Duke– saw a ducal title conferred upon Quinton Wentworth, a wealthy banker from extremely humble origins who grew up doing whatever jobs he could find in order to provide for his younger siblings, and subsequent books have followed the various family members as they’ve each found their HEAs. The hero of How to Catch a Duke is Stephen, Quinn’s younger brother and heir whom we first met as a brilliant, mercurial teen whose insight and often biting wit was shadowed by melancholy, and whose frustrations over his disability – his abusive father smashed Stephen’s knee when he was a child and he needs a cane (sometimes two) to walk – came through strongly. Ten years later, Stephen is still brilliant and mercurial; he’s also charming, loyal, generous and quite ruthless when he wants to be and hasn’t let his physical limitations stop him from shagging his way across the continent or from ‘dallying’ extensively in England with a variety of willing partners.
When this book opens, Stephen receives a visit from Miss Abigail Abbott, the enquiry agent who recently did some work for his sister Constance (The Truth About Dukes). In a dramatic opening, Abigail tells Stephen that she has “come to ask you to murder me, my lord.” – which is, of course, not what she means at all; what she wants is to disappear while she attempts to find out why someone – a marquess no less – is out to do her harm. Abigail is cagey, but Stephen – being Stephen – quickly works out who it is and promptly offers to kill him instead.
The next morning over breakfast, Abigail explains that Lord Stapleton believes her to be in possession of some letters he wants returned – which she is unable to do as she no longer has them. She refuses to answer Stephen’s questions as to the identity of the writer and recipient of the letters, simply saying that the marquess is not entitled to them and is clearly prepared to go to any lengths to get them. Stephen recognises that Abigail – whom he already admires for her spirit and no-nonsense attitude (and lusts after for her other attributes) – is genuinely scared, and suggests that instead of faking her death, they should pretend to be engaged and that she should go to stay under Quinn’s protection at Walden House while they work out how to retrieve the letters or get Stapleton to stop hounding her – and preferably both.
I’m generally a fan of Grace Burrowes’ novels, although I’ve long since given up trying to keep up with them all! I enjoy her quirky writing style and the strong familial connections she creates in her stories, and although I haven’t read all the books in this series, I’ve read enough of them to be able to know who most of the characters are and how they relate to one another – so this isn’t the place to start with the Wentworths! But with all that said, I had a number of issues with the book that mean I can’t grade it more highly. The plot is stretched thin and moves very slowly until well into the second half, and I didn’t feel a great deal of chemistry between Stephen and Abigail, who become lovers very quickly, before they really know each other. And while I applaud Ms. Burrowes for writing a couple who talk frankly about sex and their past relationships, I found it hard to believe a young unmarried woman – even one who had had a lover – would have felt comfortable discussing such things with a man she didn’t know all that well. Then there’s the fact that Stephen makes no bones about the fact that he’s had intimate relationships with a few men as well as women, and Abigail takes that in her stride, too (as, it seems, do other members of the family). On the one hand, it’s great to see such a supportive, non-judgmental reaction, but on the other, their easy, unconcerned acceptance seemed too modern.
The best thing about the book is undoubtedly Stephen, probably the most complex and damaged character of all the Wentworths. He’s living with a terrible secret as well as a disability that has caused many to see him as ‘less than’ and has spent most of his life compensating for it in one way and another; not just in his legendary prowess between the sheets, but in many other ways, too, channelling what had been, in youth, self-destructive impulses into creative ones. The other thing I really liked was the new and greater understanding that develops between him and Quinn. Although Stephen had no wish to feel it, he couldn’t help resenting Quinn for being able to do things he couldn’t and for being able to escape their father’s cruelties, and Quinn has seen Stephen as somewhat spoiled, and self-indulgent, and has even been jealous of his intelligence. There’s never been any question that they’d do anything for each other, but they’ve always been a bit wary of each other, too, and I was pleased to see those misunderstandings finally laid to rest.
There’s a large-ish secondary cast of Wentworth siblings and in-laws I enjoyed re-visting, the villain of the piece is suitably nasty (although no match for Stephen), and the author skilfully weaves a realistic look at the plight of the less fortunate into the background of the story – whether it’s the soldiers returning from war to find there was no work and no help for them, or children, forced to work from the age of six as climbing boys or in mines and factories.
I liked many things about How to Catch a Duke, but unfortunately, the romance isn’t at the top of the list. I’ve been intrigued by Stephen since he first appeared in the book one, so I had high hopes for his book and I really wanted to like it more than I did, but even so, it’s certainly worth a qualified recommendation.
June 29, 2022
This was a nice story. Stephen never wanted to marry and have a family. Due to his own horrible father’s treatment of all his children. That was until Abigail came into his life.
I also like that Quinn and Stephen finally shared their childhood, that had trouble them both into adulthood.
I also like that Quinn and Stephen finally shared their childhood, that had trouble them both into adulthood.
April 15, 2021
In the past I have enjoyed Grace Burrows' books. This one was a bit - tedious - and had tossed in aspects that really did not serve to enhance the story and seemed added in for some reason. The hero was limited in movement and had to use canes but that made him interesting and different. The heroine was a non-typical woman of the time (she worked as an inquiry agent) and this story reflected a growing trend of making a Regency historical as modern and contemporary as possible.
The added on aspects had a feel as if someone said, "Let's be really trendy and add some kinky sex!" Chains, whips, and the like have all been mentioned in other books and by other authors but in this the hero softly admits to having had sexual encounters with both men and women. At one point, he contemplates the potential one ex-female and one ex-male partner - who are marrying - may compare his sexual prowess and skills.
None of this - by the way - actually contributes to the storyline.
This was one book that left me disappointed - it had none of the things a historical of the Regency period has come to represent. No witty dialogue, no tension of human action against social constraints, no guilt, no sense of honor on the line, and people too much like the people at the local club of today to actually be people of another time period.
Overall I found the story slow, lacking energy, and almost thrown together.
The added on aspects had a feel as if someone said, "Let's be really trendy and add some kinky sex!" Chains, whips, and the like have all been mentioned in other books and by other authors but in this the hero softly admits to having had sexual encounters with both men and women. At one point, he contemplates the potential one ex-female and one ex-male partner - who are marrying - may compare his sexual prowess and skills.
None of this - by the way - actually contributes to the storyline.
This was one book that left me disappointed - it had none of the things a historical of the Regency period has come to represent. No witty dialogue, no tension of human action against social constraints, no guilt, no sense of honor on the line, and people too much like the people at the local club of today to actually be people of another time period.
Overall I found the story slow, lacking energy, and almost thrown together.
April 14, 2021
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
The brilliant and enigmatic Lord Stephen Wentworth has met his match in a no-nonsense inquiry agent. I was looking forward to seeing what kind of woman Grace Burrowes would pair Stephen with and she did not disappoint. How to Catch a Duke is an engaging read thanks to its two well-drawn, unique leads and the refreshing openness that characterizes their romance.
Abigail Abbott is exhausted and at the end of her rope when she goes to Stephen for help. Someone is after old letters for reasons she cannot understand. But she won’t continue to put her household in danger so her last resort is to go to Stephen for help faking her own death. Except for as clever as Abigail is, Stephen is far more conniving and isn’t about to let the most intriguing woman he’s ever met vanish. He convinces her to agree to a fake courtship; his family is untouchable and thus the protection will extend to her while they figure out why someone is after the letters. Abigail knows there’s no way a match between her and a duke’s heir could ever be made real. But Stephen is a Wentworth. And Wentworths never let anything like society’s silly opinions stand in their way.
Abigail and Stephen make a great match. Stephen has a big heart and he loves deeply, but he also has a devious mind and would likely have gone down the wrong path at a young age if his cousin hadn’t taken him in hand and redirected his energies. Abigail is a straight-talking inquiry agent who cuts right through the façade Stephen wears and sees him for all that he is. I loved their frank talks and the banter between them. I also really loved that both of them are vulnerable. Abigail is statuesque and comments from others about her looks have made her a bit self-conscious. And Stephen, whose knee was smashed and didn’t heal properly is incredibly self-conscious about his scars, the use of his canes, and his fear of humiliation. I loved that each of them saw the other for the gorgeous person they were. Neither dismissed the other’s vulnerabilities but they made it clear how they saw them and helped build their confidence. They truly fell for each other in a fairly low drama way and their support for one another gave their romance a rock-solid feel.
The mystery of who is after Abigail and why is interesting and played out in a mostly satisfying manner. More importantly, the mystery served to draw Abigail and Stephen together and I was most invested in the love story. And it wouldn’t be a Rogues to Riches novel without at least a few additional Wentworths playing a role and I enjoyed visiting with Quinn, Jane, Duncan, Matilda, and Ned. If you’re new to the series, Burrowes avoids spoilers so you can easily start with How to Catch a Duke and pick up on the family dynamics. All in all, I greatly enjoyed How to Catch a Duke . The Wentworth family is refreshingly different from the norm and any outing with them is guaranteed to be entertaining.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The brilliant and enigmatic Lord Stephen Wentworth has met his match in a no-nonsense inquiry agent. I was looking forward to seeing what kind of woman Grace Burrowes would pair Stephen with and she did not disappoint. How to Catch a Duke is an engaging read thanks to its two well-drawn, unique leads and the refreshing openness that characterizes their romance.
Abigail Abbott is exhausted and at the end of her rope when she goes to Stephen for help. Someone is after old letters for reasons she cannot understand. But she won’t continue to put her household in danger so her last resort is to go to Stephen for help faking her own death. Except for as clever as Abigail is, Stephen is far more conniving and isn’t about to let the most intriguing woman he’s ever met vanish. He convinces her to agree to a fake courtship; his family is untouchable and thus the protection will extend to her while they figure out why someone is after the letters. Abigail knows there’s no way a match between her and a duke’s heir could ever be made real. But Stephen is a Wentworth. And Wentworths never let anything like society’s silly opinions stand in their way.
Abigail and Stephen make a great match. Stephen has a big heart and he loves deeply, but he also has a devious mind and would likely have gone down the wrong path at a young age if his cousin hadn’t taken him in hand and redirected his energies. Abigail is a straight-talking inquiry agent who cuts right through the façade Stephen wears and sees him for all that he is. I loved their frank talks and the banter between them. I also really loved that both of them are vulnerable. Abigail is statuesque and comments from others about her looks have made her a bit self-conscious. And Stephen, whose knee was smashed and didn’t heal properly is incredibly self-conscious about his scars, the use of his canes, and his fear of humiliation. I loved that each of them saw the other for the gorgeous person they were. Neither dismissed the other’s vulnerabilities but they made it clear how they saw them and helped build their confidence. They truly fell for each other in a fairly low drama way and their support for one another gave their romance a rock-solid feel.
The mystery of who is after Abigail and why is interesting and played out in a mostly satisfying manner. More importantly, the mystery served to draw Abigail and Stephen together and I was most invested in the love story. And it wouldn’t be a Rogues to Riches novel without at least a few additional Wentworths playing a role and I enjoyed visiting with Quinn, Jane, Duncan, Matilda, and Ned. If you’re new to the series, Burrowes avoids spoilers so you can easily start with How to Catch a Duke and pick up on the family dynamics. All in all, I greatly enjoyed How to Catch a Duke . The Wentworth family is refreshingly different from the norm and any outing with them is guaranteed to be entertaining.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
March 30, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up.
Since she’s begun experiencing threatening attacks visited upon her household, Miss Abigail Abbott has become desperate and determined that disappearing is the best course of action. There is only one person she trusts to help her, Lord Stephen Wentworth, a genius inventor, and heir to the powerful Duke of Walden. Stephen is shrewd and personable but utterly ruthless when need be, and he has the perfect solution to her problem: he’ll keep Abigail safe by making her his pretend fiancé.
Stephen finds himself in awe of Abigail’s strength and resourcefulness. As their faux courtship progresses, Stephen soon finds contentment he never expected in her arms, but for Abigail the engagement is still a mere pretense, even if her feelings are becoming real. For Stephen, every bit of his time spent with Abigail is real and his future happiness depends on his ability to convince her of the veracity of his feelings and that only she could ever become his duchess.
This is such a beautifully written book. The banter amongst all the Wentworths really, but especially between Stephen and Abigail, was excellent. These characters and the struggles they faced and the pain they felt made for a strong juxtaposition of the gritty against such exquisitely detailed writing. I loved the development of the relationship between Stephen and Quinn as well as the unfailing loyalty the family displayed toward its own. Stephen suffered more than many of even his closest family members ever realized, which made his confiding in Abigail stronger. Two fiercely independent main characters learned they could ask for help and lean on each other physically, emotionally, in every way that mattered, and that was beautiful. I thought the final melodrama may prove too much for me, but it was handled with grace and aplomb by the author and her characters and wound up being satisfying for all. I loved that Stephen and Abigail were for the most part bluntly honest with each other and faced challenges together. I could’ve done without the early scene between Stephen and his mistress but it was in no way cheating at that point and it did contribute to the plot a bit so I can deal with it. I enjoyed this story and the writing and found it a nice wrap-up of the series. I look forward to this author’s next work.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Since she’s begun experiencing threatening attacks visited upon her household, Miss Abigail Abbott has become desperate and determined that disappearing is the best course of action. There is only one person she trusts to help her, Lord Stephen Wentworth, a genius inventor, and heir to the powerful Duke of Walden. Stephen is shrewd and personable but utterly ruthless when need be, and he has the perfect solution to her problem: he’ll keep Abigail safe by making her his pretend fiancé.
Stephen finds himself in awe of Abigail’s strength and resourcefulness. As their faux courtship progresses, Stephen soon finds contentment he never expected in her arms, but for Abigail the engagement is still a mere pretense, even if her feelings are becoming real. For Stephen, every bit of his time spent with Abigail is real and his future happiness depends on his ability to convince her of the veracity of his feelings and that only she could ever become his duchess.
This is such a beautifully written book. The banter amongst all the Wentworths really, but especially between Stephen and Abigail, was excellent. These characters and the struggles they faced and the pain they felt made for a strong juxtaposition of the gritty against such exquisitely detailed writing. I loved the development of the relationship between Stephen and Quinn as well as the unfailing loyalty the family displayed toward its own. Stephen suffered more than many of even his closest family members ever realized, which made his confiding in Abigail stronger. Two fiercely independent main characters learned they could ask for help and lean on each other physically, emotionally, in every way that mattered, and that was beautiful. I thought the final melodrama may prove too much for me, but it was handled with grace and aplomb by the author and her characters and wound up being satisfying for all. I loved that Stephen and Abigail were for the most part bluntly honest with each other and faced challenges together. I could’ve done without the early scene between Stephen and his mistress but it was in no way cheating at that point and it did contribute to the plot a bit so I can deal with it. I enjoyed this story and the writing and found it a nice wrap-up of the series. I look forward to this author’s next work.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
April 17, 2021
I didn't think Grace Burrowes could write a novel that wasn't worth 5 stars. She always has well-developed characters, an interesting story, and beautiful prose. In this book, she maintained the prose, but everything else was lacking. Even the story was weak from the initial premiss. In this series with the Wentworths, I have found the characters less endearing in each consecutive book. In this one, however, I found them unpalatable.
It seems Ms. Burrowes is on a crusade to give her characters as many flaws and vices as possible and then dare the reader to be upset with them while the other characters blandly accept them as if it is of no moment at all. Murder, adultery, generally excessive philandering -- all perfectly understandable, no reason to judge. While that may be legitimate with some sins of the past (or present), I found it distasteful and, eventually, dirty when the hero of the novel admitted to having dallied with other men in his youth and then one of those other men ended up as a key character in the story. When he casually commented that both his former male and former female lover who were now lovers themselves could compare his prowess, I think the book far exceeded any standards of propriety or good taste. This is not the appropriate genre for that. I am grieved that the author chose to go in this direction as it added absolutely nothing to the character's development or the plot. As with so many things in our culture today, it was simply a means of normalizing homosexual behavior. This is not her first foray down this path, but it was her most unsettling, perhaps because it was done so boldly and in a way that detracted rather than in any way added to the story.
I finished the book because I have too much respect for the author to not give the book a fair review, but it was in no way comparable to her early work. I have found each successive book of hers recently to be less enticing than the one before. It is a huge disappointment for me as she is truly one of my all-time favorite authors.
It seems Ms. Burrowes is on a crusade to give her characters as many flaws and vices as possible and then dare the reader to be upset with them while the other characters blandly accept them as if it is of no moment at all. Murder, adultery, generally excessive philandering -- all perfectly understandable, no reason to judge. While that may be legitimate with some sins of the past (or present), I found it distasteful and, eventually, dirty when the hero of the novel admitted to having dallied with other men in his youth and then one of those other men ended up as a key character in the story. When he casually commented that both his former male and former female lover who were now lovers themselves could compare his prowess, I think the book far exceeded any standards of propriety or good taste. This is not the appropriate genre for that. I am grieved that the author chose to go in this direction as it added absolutely nothing to the character's development or the plot. As with so many things in our culture today, it was simply a means of normalizing homosexual behavior. This is not her first foray down this path, but it was her most unsettling, perhaps because it was done so boldly and in a way that detracted rather than in any way added to the story.
I finished the book because I have too much respect for the author to not give the book a fair review, but it was in no way comparable to her early work. I have found each successive book of hers recently to be less enticing than the one before. It is a huge disappointment for me as she is truly one of my all-time favorite authors.
August 11, 2022
2.5/5. I enjoy GB's subtle humour and her heroes are mostly of the nice and sensitive variety. However this book, like many of her other books, suffered from a pacing problem in the middle. There was a lot of going back and forth between relatives and a slow revealing of the background story of the letters. Stephen's internal musings, especially pertaining to his feelings for Abigail, were pretty cute but why did he have to be such a man-whore? Kudos to him for being liberally indiscriminate in his bed-partners, tupping men and women with equal enthusiasm, but did he really have to repeatedly mention to Abigail of his past conquests? It suggested a certain sense of pride in his sexual prowess. It is a wonder he did not have a scattering of illegitimate kids around, probably only because half the partners were male.
March 30, 2021
Series: Rogues to Riches #6
Publication Date: 4//13/21
Number of Pages: 368
** 3.5 Stars **
Grace Burrowes writing is always excellent and I always enjoy her stories. I have read almost everything she’s written, and I think this may be my least favorite. That may be because I have been waiting for Stephen’s story since the beginning of the series and it just wasn’t what I’d imagined for him. Then, add to that the cavalier way the story treated bisexuality during a time when it could get you HANGED, it just didn’t sit well. It wasn’t that I minded the bisexuality – it was that nobody thought anything about it – nobody was careful about mentioning it – and everybody seemed to be bisexual. I’m pretty sure that if I lived during that time and I was bisexual, I would most definitely NOT be discussing it with anyone – much less everyone. Because I wouldn’t care to be hanged. Also, I think bisexuality was just gratuitous to be politically correct. It added nothing to the story and didn’t move the plot along in any way.
As I mentioned above, we’ve met Stephen before, but we have also met Abigail Abbott before as well. Abigail Abbott is the plain-speaking, Quakerish, no-nonsense inquiry agent who helped the family earlier in another book. Stephen and Abigail met then, so he was pleased to see her when she showed up at his residence until she asked him to murder her. Oh! My Goodness! But, she didn’t actually want him to murder her – she just wanted him to help her disappear and for it to appear she had died. Someone is pursuing her – and she doesn’t know what lengths they’ll go to to get what they want from her. She knows WHO is after her and he’s a rich and powerful peer. She just doesn’t understand WHY exactly. She knows a lot more than she’ll tell Stephen, he doesn’t need to know all of that – he just needs to help her die.
Stephen, of course, has no intention of helping her die – pretend or otherwise. Since his family is powerful and they all outrank the peer who is causing the problem, he offers an alternative. He will court her – and she will stay in his brother’s home where she’ll be well protected.
Unlike some other reviewers, I actually liked Abigail for Stephen. She was no-nonsense, she was plain-spoken and direct, his disability didn’t bother her at all and she was able to physically offset his disability when needed. I wasn’t a big fan of her big ‘sacrifice’ at the end because it didn’t seem, to me, to go along with her no-nonsense, plain-spoken personality.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I don’t think I’d read it a second time.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 4//13/21
Number of Pages: 368
** 3.5 Stars **
Grace Burrowes writing is always excellent and I always enjoy her stories. I have read almost everything she’s written, and I think this may be my least favorite. That may be because I have been waiting for Stephen’s story since the beginning of the series and it just wasn’t what I’d imagined for him. Then, add to that the cavalier way the story treated bisexuality during a time when it could get you HANGED, it just didn’t sit well. It wasn’t that I minded the bisexuality – it was that nobody thought anything about it – nobody was careful about mentioning it – and everybody seemed to be bisexual. I’m pretty sure that if I lived during that time and I was bisexual, I would most definitely NOT be discussing it with anyone – much less everyone. Because I wouldn’t care to be hanged. Also, I think bisexuality was just gratuitous to be politically correct. It added nothing to the story and didn’t move the plot along in any way.
As I mentioned above, we’ve met Stephen before, but we have also met Abigail Abbott before as well. Abigail Abbott is the plain-speaking, Quakerish, no-nonsense inquiry agent who helped the family earlier in another book. Stephen and Abigail met then, so he was pleased to see her when she showed up at his residence until she asked him to murder her. Oh! My Goodness! But, she didn’t actually want him to murder her – she just wanted him to help her disappear and for it to appear she had died. Someone is pursuing her – and she doesn’t know what lengths they’ll go to to get what they want from her. She knows WHO is after her and he’s a rich and powerful peer. She just doesn’t understand WHY exactly. She knows a lot more than she’ll tell Stephen, he doesn’t need to know all of that – he just needs to help her die.
Stephen, of course, has no intention of helping her die – pretend or otherwise. Since his family is powerful and they all outrank the peer who is causing the problem, he offers an alternative. He will court her – and she will stay in his brother’s home where she’ll be well protected.
Unlike some other reviewers, I actually liked Abigail for Stephen. She was no-nonsense, she was plain-spoken and direct, his disability didn’t bother her at all and she was able to physically offset his disability when needed. I wasn’t a big fan of her big ‘sacrifice’ at the end because it didn’t seem, to me, to go along with her no-nonsense, plain-spoken personality.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I don’t think I’d read it a second time.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
July 6, 2021Confusing and hard to get into. DNF.
April 21, 2021
2-2.5 Stars! Not a fan of this one. I think I missed something. I was very confused while reading this one. I’d say you COULD read it as a standalone but I wouldn’t recommend it. If you’ve read the previous books in series, the ‘Rogues to Riches’ series (this is book #6 in said series), you’d most likely enjoy this book more than I did.
Other than feeling I missed the first few chapters, I also felt like an idiot because I had to Google the definition of a fair amount of ‘big words’. I understand that some of it was simply using historically correct language but I’d prefer the author ‘dumb it down’.
Confusing, the feeling of missing the beginning of the story, sesquipedalian - long worded (yes, I looked up a ‘big word’ & hopefully used it correctly!), anti-climatic ending with main characters I wasn’t interested in & they had absolutely zero sexual chemistry and/or romance. That sums this book up. However I did enjoy the surprise revelation at the end.
*I received this book at no charge from NetGalley & I voluntarily left this review.*
Other than feeling I missed the first few chapters, I also felt like an idiot because I had to Google the definition of a fair amount of ‘big words’. I understand that some of it was simply using historically correct language but I’d prefer the author ‘dumb it down’.
Confusing, the feeling of missing the beginning of the story, sesquipedalian - long worded (yes, I looked up a ‘big word’ & hopefully used it correctly!), anti-climatic ending with main characters I wasn’t interested in & they had absolutely zero sexual chemistry and/or romance. That sums this book up. However I did enjoy the surprise revelation at the end.
*I received this book at no charge from NetGalley & I voluntarily left this review.*
August 18, 2022
How to catch a Duke : Genre- Historical Romance
Tropes: Class Difference, Disabled Lead Character, Support Network, Surprise Reveal, Suspense/ Mystery, Women at work
The h is Abigail Abbott an inquiry agent from Yorkshire. The H is Lord Stephen Wentworth ducal heir of Walden an inventor and brother to the Duke of Walden, Quinn Wentworth. I gave this four stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review I liked: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mystery
Abigail flees Yorkshire under disguise as a man to aid protection under Lord Stephen Wentworth. She thought perhaps someone was trying to harm her and trying to steal her letters. Abigail doesn’t tell him everything just what is necessary. Stephen knows she isn’t revealing everything so he makes friends with her confiding in her about his own secrets. They agree to pretend to be courting until the case is solved. She opens up to him and tells him the truth.
Conclusion
Mystery Solved
The letters Abigail possessed were written by her lover a married man Lord Champlain Stapleton. She didn’t know he was married until after she lost their baby boy. He was stillborn. The letters were a remembrance of her son. Years later Champlain’s father wanted to retrieve the letters to protect his grandson. He asked lord Flemming for assistance getting the letters from Abigail Abbot. The reason that he wanted the letters was because his grandson couldn’t be Champlain’s son and heir because Harmonia Nicky’s mother conceived the baby when he was off philandering in France at the time. If they destroyed the evidence then his grandson would be protected. The person who actually stole the letters was not Lord Flemming on behalf of Stapleton (Lord Champlain’s father)but Harmonia Nicky’s mother. She wanted to hid the dates of conception so her son’s future as a Marquess was secure. The boy’s true father was Stephen Wentworth.
Love Story
Stephen and Abigail were pretending to be courting until the case was solved. He wanted to practice kissing her so they could convince others it was real. Eventually kissing led to sleeping together. Once they started they didn’t stop. They fell in love. Stephen was going to ask Abigail to marry him but then she found out he was the true father of Harmonia’s son. Stephen always said he would take care of his children and marry the mother. Once Stephen knew the truth he went Harmonia and talked to her about it. She said she would marry him out of duty but she was fond of Andy a painter/ artist. Both Stephen and Harmonia had slept with Andy the artist. They agreed that Andy marry her and once a week when that were both in town they would meet and he could visit Nicky. Stephen marries Abigail and she is expecting. He designs a knee brace so that he could waltz with his wife.
April 13, 2021
I’m sure I should have read this prior books before reading this one. I felt, since the beginning, that I was dropped in the middle of the story. I was so lost for most of the book. The writing didn’t work for me either. It felt like someone trying to sound like it was written during that time period. There were some moments I liked but I just felt so much disconnect that I couldn’t really enjoy it. Maybe if I read the prior books first it would have helped but I don’t think this series is for me.
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
March 26, 2021
This is not your typical historical romance. The relationship between the hero and heroine unfortunately weren't my cup-of-tea for what I come to expect from this genre. I think the story is brave to embrace some of the tropes and themes in this setting, but it did not endear me to the story. The characters were fun and delightful, but I didn't really love them together romantically. I must also note that I didn't really care for the prose in this story. I read a fair share of historical romance, but the style of this felt a little overwrought and unfortunately was a sticking point for me through the entire read. That being said, I do believe others will connect with this story and most of my issues with the story seem to be personal.
thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy
thank you NetGalley for the advance reader copy
December 30, 2021
✨Hey Stephen I could give you twenty* reasons why I loved this book . . .✨
1. I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book with a guy that’s more all-in than Stephen was with Abigail.
2. This man was such a cinnamon scented, icing glazed roll of compassion and tenderness.
3. Abigail said what she meant and understood what she wanted.
4. I’m simply so intrigued as to how authors can fit so much ~everything~ into such small books.
5. Perfectly woven romance and mystery; the intrigue was there from page one and it was all beautifully wrapped up with the kind of wrapping paper you can’t bear to throw away.
6. There’s also another adorable romance subplot.
7. The cameos of his family are in-depth and lovely and desperately make me want to read the other books in the series.
8. A truly shocking, good, dramatic ending that folds the corners and taped up all the edges; it also had great pacing and wasn’t rushed.
9. There was no obligatory fight scene; the overall drama took care of the tension in a refreshing and entertaining way.
10. At a few points the level of drama reach soap opera levels in the most delicious way.
11. Stephen was seriously dessert.
12. Whenever he said naughty I imagined it in the voice of Hugh Grant.
13. The heart put into this book was sincerely incredible.
14. Reminded me a lot of how Erica Ridley just stirred in so many sweet, enticing, and raw emotions.
15. The chemistry between the main couple was so sparky.
16. Stephen was honest and just so so in love (in case I didn’t make it clear before).
17. The perspective wasn’t just limited to the main couple, there were a few chapters from side characters that added yet another velvety layer.
18. One explicit sex scene and a few other entanglements that explored their heat and passion in such a warm way.
19. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
20. 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
*I’m aware the song says 50 but that’s a loooooot
*This lovely book was provided by the lovely publisher but all opinions are honest and my own
1. I’m not sure if I’ve ever read a book with a guy that’s more all-in than Stephen was with Abigail.
2. This man was such a cinnamon scented, icing glazed roll of compassion and tenderness.
3. Abigail said what she meant and understood what she wanted.
4. I’m simply so intrigued as to how authors can fit so much ~everything~ into such small books.
5. Perfectly woven romance and mystery; the intrigue was there from page one and it was all beautifully wrapped up with the kind of wrapping paper you can’t bear to throw away.
6. There’s also another adorable romance subplot.
7. The cameos of his family are in-depth and lovely and desperately make me want to read the other books in the series.
8. A truly shocking, good, dramatic ending that folds the corners and taped up all the edges; it also had great pacing and wasn’t rushed.
9. There was no obligatory fight scene; the overall drama took care of the tension in a refreshing and entertaining way.
10. At a few points the level of drama reach soap opera levels in the most delicious way.
11. Stephen was seriously dessert.
12. Whenever he said naughty I imagined it in the voice of Hugh Grant.
13. The heart put into this book was sincerely incredible.
14. Reminded me a lot of how Erica Ridley just stirred in so many sweet, enticing, and raw emotions.
15. The chemistry between the main couple was so sparky.
16. Stephen was honest and just so so in love (in case I didn’t make it clear before).
17. The perspective wasn’t just limited to the main couple, there were a few chapters from side characters that added yet another velvety layer.
18. One explicit sex scene and a few other entanglements that explored their heat and passion in such a warm way.
19. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
20. 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
*I’m aware the song says 50 but that’s a loooooot
*This lovely book was provided by the lovely publisher but all opinions are honest and my own
April 22, 2021
Another Burrowes gem!
June 12, 2022
I just read it, but out of order, now that I have caught up in the series, I wanted to read it again.
Because "trebuchet of logic and the boiling oil of her asperity" is a fabulous line. But also because I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this series, and the family dynamic, and just a bit of a caper feel.
Library copy
Because "trebuchet of logic and the boiling oil of her asperity" is a fabulous line. But also because I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this series, and the family dynamic, and just a bit of a caper feel.
Library copy
March 24, 2021
I’ve been waiting for Stephens story & it lived up to my expectations. I love how Abigail wasn’t a frightened innocent. She’s been through a lot & doesn’t let much shake her. When she does run into a problem she knows is out of league she turns to Stephen. Together they work to figure out who is after her. Of course falling for each other along the way. Great light read & I couldn’t put it down! Im hoping for Ned’s story next, fingers crossed.
March 14, 2021
Thanks to Forever Pub & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.
2.5 ⭐️
Witty, restrained & yet still sexy, the books I’ve read from Grace Burrowes’s Rogues to Riches series have been a joy to read. But I’m sad to say that How to Catch a Duke doesn’t work for me on a couple different levels.
On the surface I love the dynamic set up between Abigail Abbott, capable & no-nonsense professional inquiry agent, & urbane & charming Stephen Wentworth.
Having met in a previous book, Abigail re-enters Stephen’s life by asking him to kill her so she can essentially fake her own death & avoid the very real attempts someone is making to harm her.
Instead, Stephen decides to help her figure out who the threat is & why & he’ll do that while pretending to be engaged to our heroine.
Like the other Grace Burrowes books I’ve read this one has shining banter. I often feel like I’m watching an episode of Downtown Abbey when reading her books; so much feels placid but there are strong currents underneath.
Brava to Burrowes for including a hero & heroine who talk frankly about past relationships & sexual interests, & for how the heroine erodes the hero’s suaveness and makes a place that’s comfortable for him to be himself. Also on the emotional front, the way that the Wentworth brothers start to see one another differently as a result of their intended others is moving.
But I have a problem with how Stephen’s mistress is included in this one. He goes to visit her after his initial meeting with Abigail, which could be okay for me depending on the timing of how things start with Abigail...only in this book’s case soon after leaving his mistress Stephen kisses Abigail (it’s only a let’s-kiss-so-we-can-test-looking-like-a-real-couple kiss but still...) & he ends up wanting her to see how much she arouses him. Only hours after leaving the mistress he slept with.
In the beginning of this scene he even thinks to himself how frequently he is aroused soon after breaking things off with a mistress...which makes me doubt the authenticity of his feelings for Abigail. I briefly wondered, would he be this way with any available woman?
In general the pacing & timing of the end of his relationship with his mistress & the beginning of his with Abigail bothers me, especially when things continue to move so quickly with Abigail *and* he goes back to see his mistress for info later in the romance.
I want it to be a clean break between “relationships” & it doesn’t entirely feel that way.
Second, there’s a scene here where I feel like consent is somewhat dubious; where, essentially, Stephen’s language & the narrator’s description suggests that he does not want to do/is not prepared to do something sexually, and she ignores what he says. Immediately afterwards, he seems satisfied by how things happened, but the episode makes me feel uncomfortable.
I really wanted to love this one: Stephen has been a series favorite for me. But I’m sorry to say that How to Catch a Duke disappointed.
2.5 ⭐️
Witty, restrained & yet still sexy, the books I’ve read from Grace Burrowes’s Rogues to Riches series have been a joy to read. But I’m sad to say that How to Catch a Duke doesn’t work for me on a couple different levels.
On the surface I love the dynamic set up between Abigail Abbott, capable & no-nonsense professional inquiry agent, & urbane & charming Stephen Wentworth.
Having met in a previous book, Abigail re-enters Stephen’s life by asking him to kill her so she can essentially fake her own death & avoid the very real attempts someone is making to harm her.
Instead, Stephen decides to help her figure out who the threat is & why & he’ll do that while pretending to be engaged to our heroine.
Like the other Grace Burrowes books I’ve read this one has shining banter. I often feel like I’m watching an episode of Downtown Abbey when reading her books; so much feels placid but there are strong currents underneath.
Brava to Burrowes for including a hero & heroine who talk frankly about past relationships & sexual interests, & for how the heroine erodes the hero’s suaveness and makes a place that’s comfortable for him to be himself. Also on the emotional front, the way that the Wentworth brothers start to see one another differently as a result of their intended others is moving.
But I have a problem with how Stephen’s mistress is included in this one. He goes to visit her after his initial meeting with Abigail, which could be okay for me depending on the timing of how things start with Abigail...only in this book’s case soon after leaving his mistress Stephen kisses Abigail (it’s only a let’s-kiss-so-we-can-test-looking-like-a-real-couple kiss but still...) & he ends up wanting her to see how much she arouses him. Only hours after leaving the mistress he slept with.
In the beginning of this scene he even thinks to himself how frequently he is aroused soon after breaking things off with a mistress...which makes me doubt the authenticity of his feelings for Abigail. I briefly wondered, would he be this way with any available woman?
In general the pacing & timing of the end of his relationship with his mistress & the beginning of his with Abigail bothers me, especially when things continue to move so quickly with Abigail *and* he goes back to see his mistress for info later in the romance.
I want it to be a clean break between “relationships” & it doesn’t entirely feel that way.
Second, there’s a scene here where I feel like consent is somewhat dubious; where, essentially, Stephen’s language & the narrator’s description suggests that he does not want to do/is not prepared to do something sexually, and she ignores what he says. Immediately afterwards, he seems satisfied by how things happened, but the episode makes me feel uncomfortable.
I really wanted to love this one: Stephen has been a series favorite for me. But I’m sorry to say that How to Catch a Duke disappointed.
January 16, 2022
In How to Catch a Duke, Abigail Abbott, investigator extraordinary, and thorn in Stephen Wentworth's side, asks that very man to kill her, or at least make her disappear. You see, in her youth, she made a few mistakes, and it's either her past returned to haunt her, or her latest cases, which has lead to a poisoning attempt, and burglary. Lord Stephen Wentworth may be the heir to the Duke of Walden, but his own past has left him with permanent injuries, and he uses his intellect and cunning to get what he wants. In other words, he's perfect for Abigail to turn to. But when he announces he's going to protect her, by pretending to be engaged, rather than helping her disappear. The tension that has been between them since they met is about to run over, and their courtship of convenience may just turn into something more.
I have loved all of the books in this series, and when we met Abigail in The Truth about Dukes, and saw the chemistry and tension between her and Stephen, I just hoped we would see their story. And what a joy it was to read! They never made it easy for one another, and had a lot of demons to overcome, but the snark and banter between them, and the really heartfelt emotional scenes too, made it seem so real, and so perfect for them both. I liked the plot line of the letters, though I will agree with what I've seen other reviewers say, that the reason why the villain wanted them so much wasn't really made known until right at the end. But it was worth the wait no matter, and I'm so happy that all of the Wentworth siblings now have had their much deserved happy endings!
I have loved all of the books in this series, and when we met Abigail in The Truth about Dukes, and saw the chemistry and tension between her and Stephen, I just hoped we would see their story. And what a joy it was to read! They never made it easy for one another, and had a lot of demons to overcome, but the snark and banter between them, and the really heartfelt emotional scenes too, made it seem so real, and so perfect for them both. I liked the plot line of the letters, though I will agree with what I've seen other reviewers say, that the reason why the villain wanted them so much wasn't really made known until right at the end. But it was worth the wait no matter, and I'm so happy that all of the Wentworth siblings now have had their much deserved happy endings!
May 17, 2021
Uuuuuugh, I’m not going to bother with a review. I’ll let Stephan do it for me with his tidy plot summary:
“For God’s sake, Abigail. the situation is ludicrous.”
“For God’s sake, Abigail. the situation is ludicrous.”
Read
April 15, 2021I DNF after the second chapter.
April 19, 2021
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: https://wp.me/p3QRh4-1u6
Stephen Wentworth is the brother of, and heir to, The Duke of Walden. This is a far cry from their childhood, which was a life of near starvation and abuse from a drunken lout of a father. This same father even intentionally crippled Stephen, thinking that he would appear more sympathetic as he was sent out on the streets to beg. Now nearing thirty, Stephen has all the wealth he needs, and his father is long dead. He has to walk with a cane, sometimes two, sometimes the pain incapacitates him for days. Stephen’s lifelong anger over his condition has caused him to take a liberal sexual path, constantly seeking pleasure, and becoming quite proficient as a lover.
Abigail Abbott has the unusual career of being an investigative agent, a vocation not common for women at the time. When she finds herself the prey of the schemes of a titled lord, she seeks the help of Stephen, who she knows from helping his sister with a case. Though she wants Stephen to make it appear she died, he insists on fighting Marquess Stapleton, the villain, openly. He suggests they fake a courtship, giving society the impression that Abigail is under the protection of the Wentworth family, including the duke. Truth be told, Stephen has been attracted to Abigail from the moment he met her, and is eager to aid her, as well as spend more time with her.
I’ve followed this Rogues-to-Riches series from the beginning, and I really loved the character of the Duke of Walden, but I became more intrigued with each glimpse of his complicated brother, Stephen, and anxiously looked forward to his story. I’ve always been “hero-centric” in my reading, meaning I’m more interested in the male lead, and I ended up with mixed feelings about Stephen. First of all, the good – he’s brilliant, he’s charming, he’s generous, and he wants no one’s pity. He also has a dark side. As a child, he made a soul wrenching decision which left a stain on his soul. His anger with his own physical limitation has caused him to irrationally resent his brother. He also chose a path of sexual exploration which did not discriminate based on marital status or sex. Despite his jadedness, I believe that he truly fell for Abigail, quickly and deeply. Abigail, too, has a past, though it’s very tame compared to Stephen’s. I appreciated their willingness to be accepting of each other without judgment, though their attitudes seemed very modern. Some of Stephen’s past affairs, as well as many of his comments about bondage and spanking seemed jarring, and almost gratuitous, as I don’t feel they really were pertinent. Still, a lovely genuine romance develops between the couple, one that is strong enough for them both to put aside their doubts and plan a future together. One of the most emotional moments for me was a touching meeting between Stephen and the duke, where they finally have a long overdue conversation and embrace. There is an event which unfolds near the end that I really didn’t see coming, one that explains why the Marquess had Abigail in his sights. I finished HOW TO CATCH A DUKE hoping that Stephen had it within himself to keep his promise of faithfulness and that he and Abigail truly have a happy ever after. I recommend this book for fans of Grace Burrowes, as I am, with the caveat to be prepared for a different, somewhat grittier story.
Stephen Wentworth is the brother of, and heir to, The Duke of Walden. This is a far cry from their childhood, which was a life of near starvation and abuse from a drunken lout of a father. This same father even intentionally crippled Stephen, thinking that he would appear more sympathetic as he was sent out on the streets to beg. Now nearing thirty, Stephen has all the wealth he needs, and his father is long dead. He has to walk with a cane, sometimes two, sometimes the pain incapacitates him for days. Stephen’s lifelong anger over his condition has caused him to take a liberal sexual path, constantly seeking pleasure, and becoming quite proficient as a lover.
Abigail Abbott has the unusual career of being an investigative agent, a vocation not common for women at the time. When she finds herself the prey of the schemes of a titled lord, she seeks the help of Stephen, who she knows from helping his sister with a case. Though she wants Stephen to make it appear she died, he insists on fighting Marquess Stapleton, the villain, openly. He suggests they fake a courtship, giving society the impression that Abigail is under the protection of the Wentworth family, including the duke. Truth be told, Stephen has been attracted to Abigail from the moment he met her, and is eager to aid her, as well as spend more time with her.
I’ve followed this Rogues-to-Riches series from the beginning, and I really loved the character of the Duke of Walden, but I became more intrigued with each glimpse of his complicated brother, Stephen, and anxiously looked forward to his story. I’ve always been “hero-centric” in my reading, meaning I’m more interested in the male lead, and I ended up with mixed feelings about Stephen. First of all, the good – he’s brilliant, he’s charming, he’s generous, and he wants no one’s pity. He also has a dark side. As a child, he made a soul wrenching decision which left a stain on his soul. His anger with his own physical limitation has caused him to irrationally resent his brother. He also chose a path of sexual exploration which did not discriminate based on marital status or sex. Despite his jadedness, I believe that he truly fell for Abigail, quickly and deeply. Abigail, too, has a past, though it’s very tame compared to Stephen’s. I appreciated their willingness to be accepting of each other without judgment, though their attitudes seemed very modern. Some of Stephen’s past affairs, as well as many of his comments about bondage and spanking seemed jarring, and almost gratuitous, as I don’t feel they really were pertinent. Still, a lovely genuine romance develops between the couple, one that is strong enough for them both to put aside their doubts and plan a future together. One of the most emotional moments for me was a touching meeting between Stephen and the duke, where they finally have a long overdue conversation and embrace. There is an event which unfolds near the end that I really didn’t see coming, one that explains why the Marquess had Abigail in his sights. I finished HOW TO CATCH A DUKE hoping that Stephen had it within himself to keep his promise of faithfulness and that he and Abigail truly have a happy ever after. I recommend this book for fans of Grace Burrowes, as I am, with the caveat to be prepared for a different, somewhat grittier story.
April 11, 2021
This is an interesting historical romance that follows Abigail, a successful inquiry agent, and Stephen, the heir to the Duke of Walden. Abigail needs Stephen to protect her from a threatening and dangerous marquess and wants help faking her own death, but Stephen has another idea. By faking their engagement, Stephen can keep Abigail safe. Plus, this allows him to spend a bit more time with the intriguing and intelligent woman. However, will Stephen’s plan keep danger at bay, or will the secrets of the past ruin the possibility of a future?
Though this is a slower-paced historical romance, the characters and romance are lovely. Abigail and Stephen are compelling characters. As the story unfolds, you realize that events and relationships from the past have defined their present. They are both smart and quick-witted, but they hesitate to give in to their feelings because of their past traumas and fears. From their first conversation, their chemistry is obvious, and I love how easily they talk to, work with, and begin to trust each other.
I also like that their relationship is built on respect. Abigail and Stephen both think very highly of each other, and from there, love blossoms. Stephen does everything he can to protect Abigail, and he is ruthless, cunning, and so charming when he wants to be. They prove over and over again that they are a well-matched pair. Both are loyal and brave and a bit ahead of their time, and they complement each other beautifully.
This is a good story for readers who enjoy historical romance, but I would suggest reading the first four books in the series to further understand the characters and context. This story will appeal to readers who enjoy the fake relationship/engagement trope. Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author, and Forever Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Though this is a slower-paced historical romance, the characters and romance are lovely. Abigail and Stephen are compelling characters. As the story unfolds, you realize that events and relationships from the past have defined their present. They are both smart and quick-witted, but they hesitate to give in to their feelings because of their past traumas and fears. From their first conversation, their chemistry is obvious, and I love how easily they talk to, work with, and begin to trust each other.
I also like that their relationship is built on respect. Abigail and Stephen both think very highly of each other, and from there, love blossoms. Stephen does everything he can to protect Abigail, and he is ruthless, cunning, and so charming when he wants to be. They prove over and over again that they are a well-matched pair. Both are loyal and brave and a bit ahead of their time, and they complement each other beautifully.
This is a good story for readers who enjoy historical romance, but I would suggest reading the first four books in the series to further understand the characters and context. This story will appeal to readers who enjoy the fake relationship/engagement trope. Thanks so much to NetGalley, the author, and Forever Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
October 29, 2021
I won this book as a prize for a quilt I had made. Because it is a paperback, it has been sitting on my shelf for a few months. I am also not generally excited by Grace Burrowes as I prefer spicier reading. I also have developed terrible reading vision to go with my terrible eyesight in general so prefer e-books where I can enlarge the print and screw around with the lighting and font colors. But, I decided that no good book should go unread, and turned on all the lights I could find and dived in.
The banter between the characters was great and is what kept me coming back to the book. I love really great back and forth dialogue, Stephen and Abigail had me chuckling. Stephen was a magnificent hero. He is crazy smart and quite adventurous in trying out all the things (and people!) that catch his attention. He and Abigail are straightforward and honest with each other, so there are no big misunderstandings that could be taken care of with a sentence. The problem Abigail needed to solve was fairly easily figured out, although one part of it did catch me a bit by surprise - it was all neatly wrapped up in a way that made sense.
The hero was just head over heels for the heroine in all the best ways. He was protective yet respectful of the heroine's independence and skill set. He accepted her for herself. They worked as a team. The heroine is well-matched to him - she was smart and capable and did not ask the hero to be anyone other than who he was.
This book is 6th in a series, and I have not read any of the previous five that I can recall.
In reading some of the other reviews, I think this worked better as I hadn't developed any prior notions of who the main characters in the book are. However, after reading this one, I will be adding those to my TBR pile. This particular book is fairly low-angst despite the premise :)
The banter between the characters was great and is what kept me coming back to the book. I love really great back and forth dialogue, Stephen and Abigail had me chuckling. Stephen was a magnificent hero. He is crazy smart and quite adventurous in trying out all the things (and people!) that catch his attention. He and Abigail are straightforward and honest with each other, so there are no big misunderstandings that could be taken care of with a sentence. The problem Abigail needed to solve was fairly easily figured out, although one part of it did catch me a bit by surprise - it was all neatly wrapped up in a way that made sense.
The hero was just head over heels for the heroine in all the best ways. He was protective yet respectful of the heroine's independence and skill set. He accepted her for herself. They worked as a team. The heroine is well-matched to him - she was smart and capable and did not ask the hero to be anyone other than who he was.
This book is 6th in a series, and I have not read any of the previous five that I can recall.
In reading some of the other reviews, I think this worked better as I hadn't developed any prior notions of who the main characters in the book are. However, after reading this one, I will be adding those to my TBR pile. This particular book is fairly low-angst despite the premise :)
January 28, 2022
Audiobook Review:
I've enjoyed Grace Burrowes novels so far in this series, Rogues to Riches. "How to Catch a Duke" is the 6th and the trope is a friends to lovers story that was just okay. What to say about this one...it was one of my lease favorite in the series. This is Stephen's story and it involves Abigail Abbott where we met in another book. As it happens, Ms. Abbott shows up at his home and asked him to murder her. What woman in there right mind and I guess he was wondering the same thing would just show up and want to be killed...after dining on all he had to offer to boot. I did think that was a bit comical and chuckled. Unfortunately, he tries to divulge her real reasons and it appears she has someone after her and knows who the culprit is but doesn't know why...or does she?
Stephen is not in the position of murdering anyone whether literal or not. To help her in her cause, he decides to court her and be under his protection. One thing I did note from reading is the underlying tones of bisexuality, however it did nothing to the plot. Although both had some quirkiness to them, I thought that Stephen and Abigail paired well in this story. I do enjoy when love can overcome someone physical disabilities or how they view life in general. Abigail was someone plain but outspoken and Stephen had a physical impairment. Neither let these things get in the way of finding true love and their HEA although the ending was a bit off just a tad.
The narration by James Langton was good at times and not so good at others. Although enjoyable and witty, it could have been a bit better thus my 3-Star rating.
I've enjoyed Grace Burrowes novels so far in this series, Rogues to Riches. "How to Catch a Duke" is the 6th and the trope is a friends to lovers story that was just okay. What to say about this one...it was one of my lease favorite in the series. This is Stephen's story and it involves Abigail Abbott where we met in another book. As it happens, Ms. Abbott shows up at his home and asked him to murder her. What woman in there right mind and I guess he was wondering the same thing would just show up and want to be killed...after dining on all he had to offer to boot. I did think that was a bit comical and chuckled. Unfortunately, he tries to divulge her real reasons and it appears she has someone after her and knows who the culprit is but doesn't know why...or does she?
Stephen is not in the position of murdering anyone whether literal or not. To help her in her cause, he decides to court her and be under his protection. One thing I did note from reading is the underlying tones of bisexuality, however it did nothing to the plot. Although both had some quirkiness to them, I thought that Stephen and Abigail paired well in this story. I do enjoy when love can overcome someone physical disabilities or how they view life in general. Abigail was someone plain but outspoken and Stephen had a physical impairment. Neither let these things get in the way of finding true love and their HEA although the ending was a bit off just a tad.
The narration by James Langton was good at times and not so good at others. Although enjoyable and witty, it could have been a bit better thus my 3-Star rating.
March 28, 2021
Advance copy from NetGalley
I have been waiting and waiting for my request for this ARC to be approved, and I was thrilled to finally get a copy this week! Since I started reading the Rogues to Riches series, I’ve really fallen in love with the Wentworth family, but I have a special place in my heart for angry, brilliant, damaged Stephen. I was so looking forward to his book.
I blew through like I usually do with this series, and I found this one extra hard to put down. Abigail and Stephen’s love story was grand, as was the ever-present Wentworth family loyalty. I always love how Jane manages everyone, the scenes with Quinn were great (I might need to reread Quinn and Jane’s book), and I was happy Duncan and Matilda made an appearance or two (although too brief).
The characters in these romances always feel rather modern in their views. I can get on board with it, mostly, since the Wentworths didn’t have a sheltered or conventional childhood, but the open mindedness and relaxed attitude about sex is still surprising. I do appreciate that Burrowes dispenses with drawn out angst, misunderstandings, and secret keeping (so dumb) as tools for creating conflict. Her characters are smart, and they solve problems like adults in a very straightforward way that still keeps me turning pages.
Her acknowledgements make it sound like this is it for the Wentworths, and I’ll sure miss them.
I have been waiting and waiting for my request for this ARC to be approved, and I was thrilled to finally get a copy this week! Since I started reading the Rogues to Riches series, I’ve really fallen in love with the Wentworth family, but I have a special place in my heart for angry, brilliant, damaged Stephen. I was so looking forward to his book.
I blew through like I usually do with this series, and I found this one extra hard to put down. Abigail and Stephen’s love story was grand, as was the ever-present Wentworth family loyalty. I always love how Jane manages everyone, the scenes with Quinn were great (I might need to reread Quinn and Jane’s book), and I was happy Duncan and Matilda made an appearance or two (although too brief).
The characters in these romances always feel rather modern in their views. I can get on board with it, mostly, since the Wentworths didn’t have a sheltered or conventional childhood, but the open mindedness and relaxed attitude about sex is still surprising. I do appreciate that Burrowes dispenses with drawn out angst, misunderstandings, and secret keeping (so dumb) as tools for creating conflict. Her characters are smart, and they solve problems like adults in a very straightforward way that still keeps me turning pages.
Her acknowledgements make it sound like this is it for the Wentworths, and I’ll sure miss them.
April 19, 2021
Sadly, this story just didn't work for me on a lot of levels. To begin with, while there was definitely an attraction between our two leads, it seemed more like a platonic sort of relationship for me rather than romantic. Added to that when Stephen casually mentions that he had a sexual relationship with both an ex, and her new husband (and how they might discuss his sexual prowess between them), Abigail just accepts it without question or comment, something that most definitely would not have happened during that time period. I could have overlooked that, had the rest of the story seemed to be filled with other things like it. Things that did absolutely nothing to move the plot forward.
Even the culmination of who was after her and why fell flat for me. It seemed as though parts of this story were rushed, and cobbled together to try and make sense which simply leads to things feeling more disjointed than anything else. For example, how did Stapleton not know of the role that his daughter-in-law played in him getting (or not getting) what he wanted? How did no one realize the secret Harmonia kept when it took Abigail less than ten seconds to figure it out?
However, I will say that these characters were definitely not your typical historical romance characters, Stephen had a bad knee forcing him to use canes in order to walk, and Abigail was not only nearly as tall as him, but able to support his weight when needed to take some of the pain away (not to mention she worked as an inquiry agent). These things made them stand out from other novels of the same time period.
All things considered, the things that didn't work for me with this one will no doubt work for other reasons. Take what I've said into consideration, but not let that stop you from reading this if it sounds like something you will enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Even the culmination of who was after her and why fell flat for me. It seemed as though parts of this story were rushed, and cobbled together to try and make sense which simply leads to things feeling more disjointed than anything else. For example, how did Stapleton not know of the role that his daughter-in-law played in him getting (or not getting) what he wanted? How did no one realize the secret Harmonia kept when it took Abigail less than ten seconds to figure it out?
However, I will say that these characters were definitely not your typical historical romance characters, Stephen had a bad knee forcing him to use canes in order to walk, and Abigail was not only nearly as tall as him, but able to support his weight when needed to take some of the pain away (not to mention she worked as an inquiry agent). These things made them stand out from other novels of the same time period.
All things considered, the things that didn't work for me with this one will no doubt work for other reasons. Take what I've said into consideration, but not let that stop you from reading this if it sounds like something you will enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
April 14, 2021
Verbose.
While I liked the premise, Abigail needs help in disappearing and she goes to Stephen for his assistance as he's a duke's brother and heir. That's all good. What I did not like at all? That second chapter is with Stephen in bed with his mistress and Babette knows him very well. I was so put off by Stephen going from Abigail to Babette it turned me off the book. That he proposes marriage to Abigail as her solution to "disappearing" from a marquess would have all worked, but for the part that he has a mistress and bedded her while Abigail was staying under his roof. That was just too of-putting and did not work for me.
I normally find Grace Burrowes' books verbose as she is a lawyer and the dialogue always reflects that penchant. Her tone is very much in time with the timeframe. All stuff I'm down with, just not the whole mistress situation.
While I liked the premise, Abigail needs help in disappearing and she goes to Stephen for his assistance as he's a duke's brother and heir. That's all good. What I did not like at all? That second chapter is with Stephen in bed with his mistress and Babette knows him very well. I was so put off by Stephen going from Abigail to Babette it turned me off the book. That he proposes marriage to Abigail as her solution to "disappearing" from a marquess would have all worked, but for the part that he has a mistress and bedded her while Abigail was staying under his roof. That was just too of-putting and did not work for me.
I normally find Grace Burrowes' books verbose as she is a lawyer and the dialogue always reflects that penchant. Her tone is very much in time with the timeframe. All stuff I'm down with, just not the whole mistress situation.
May 4, 2021
It hurts my heart to give GB book 3 stars especially this one (This is Stephen’s book! Which I’ve waited for and longed for since the beginning of this series); however, the romance/chemistry between Abigail and Stephen felt lukewarm at best and nonexistent at others; the plot revolving around who is menacing Abigail for some billet doux from years ago, why they’re after her and the letters, as well as Abigail’s solution to the problem felt a bit contrived serving more as a vehicle to throw hero and heroine together rather than a real “red meat” plot. Lastly there was a bit of a too modern mindset in regard to some of Abigail and Stephen’s interactions which felt out of time and place to me. This one barely worked for me and were it not for GB’s long history of writing just what I want to read and taking me away to another time and place, to characters I love and cheer on, I might’ve given up about half way through.
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