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The Duchess Society #0.5
The Ice Duchess
A scandalous countess plays matchmaker…for a man she once longed to take for herself.
Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, is known as the Ice Countess for her rebellious ways and refusal to marry again. But a scandalous Christmas wager fashioned by Georgiana’s childhood obsession changes everything.
The demanding duke needs a bride...
Dexter Munro, mere days from becoming the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. Except the only woman he’s ever desired has vowed never to marry again. Not even to become his duchess.
Georgiana and Dex share a sizzling attraction and a wicked past…but is their scorching passion enough to melt the Ice Countess’ heart?
If you adore sexy Dukes, feisty Duchesses, and a steamy second-chance romance set in the magnificent Regency era, The Ice Duchess is the historical for you!
*This book was previously published in the A Scandalous Christmas anthology.*
Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, is known as the Ice Countess for her rebellious ways and refusal to marry again. But a scandalous Christmas wager fashioned by Georgiana’s childhood obsession changes everything.
The demanding duke needs a bride...
Dexter Munro, mere days from becoming the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. Except the only woman he’s ever desired has vowed never to marry again. Not even to become his duchess.
Georgiana and Dex share a sizzling attraction and a wicked past…but is their scorching passion enough to melt the Ice Countess’ heart?
If you adore sexy Dukes, feisty Duchesses, and a steamy second-chance romance set in the magnificent Regency era, The Ice Duchess is the historical for you!
*This book was previously published in the A Scandalous Christmas anthology.*
102 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2020
372 people are currently reading
1580 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Sumner
60 books1,637 followers"Witty dialogue and steamy sensuality.”
—Publisher’s Weekly
The USA Today bestselling author's storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, HOLT Medallion, Golden Leaf and MAGGIE among others. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before returning to NYC.
When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!
Find me everywhere on social here!
https://linktr.ee/tracysumner
—Publisher’s Weekly
The USA Today bestselling author's storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, HOLT Medallion, Golden Leaf and MAGGIE among others. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before returning to NYC.
When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!
Find me everywhere on social here!
https://linktr.ee/tracysumner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 391 reviews
September 10, 2024
Another Christmas Duke
I honestly don’t have a lot to say about this book. I’m reading it as part of an anthology (which I will be rating separately) and this is book two. It’s extremely similar in set-up to book one, but was much better.
It was a sweet Christmas-light story (more winter than anything) about childhood friends and best friend’s little sister with another Duke who wasn’t quite as tortured as most.
Couple things I didn’t love: he left the country and abandoned her after her brother died and she was forced to marry a 70 yr old Earl. Kinda gross. He kept thinking he should have run back to save her, but didn’t. So she married a gross grandpa who was mean to her and now she has issues. I guess she had to have conflict somehow but couldn’t she have married an ok guy? Why 70? Gross.
Another thing is the hero is meant to be an academic, slightly nerdy guy but he was not that at all. He was experienced with women and a destroyer in the sack. I love a nerdy hero for his awkwardness. This author wanted us to believe he was awkward and yet nothing he did suggested that he was that in any way. Just don’t pretend he’s awkward if you want him to be a charming beast, just make him charming. Trying to play both sides doesn’t work.
Other than that this is a fairly light novella, with some steam and a well paced romance.
I’m rating everything one star higher atm because of my book slump, I can’t tell if this was actually boring because absolutely nothing is holding my attention right now, so take that into account lol.
I honestly don’t have a lot to say about this book. I’m reading it as part of an anthology (which I will be rating separately) and this is book two. It’s extremely similar in set-up to book one, but was much better.
It was a sweet Christmas-light story (more winter than anything) about childhood friends and best friend’s little sister with another Duke who wasn’t quite as tortured as most.
Couple things I didn’t love: he left the country and abandoned her after her brother died and she was forced to marry a 70 yr old Earl. Kinda gross. He kept thinking he should have run back to save her, but didn’t. So she married a gross grandpa who was mean to her and now she has issues. I guess she had to have conflict somehow but couldn’t she have married an ok guy? Why 70? Gross.
Another thing is the hero is meant to be an academic, slightly nerdy guy but he was not that at all. He was experienced with women and a destroyer in the sack. I love a nerdy hero for his awkwardness. This author wanted us to believe he was awkward and yet nothing he did suggested that he was that in any way. Just don’t pretend he’s awkward if you want him to be a charming beast, just make him charming. Trying to play both sides doesn’t work.
Other than that this is a fairly light novella, with some steam and a well paced romance.
I’m rating everything one star higher atm because of my book slump, I can’t tell if this was actually boring because absolutely nothing is holding my attention right now, so take that into account lol.
January 12, 2022
Overall: 4.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Just a touch
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is a great prelude to The Duchess Society series – Dex and Georgie both have page time in book 1, as well as the heroine of that book working for the Society.
Basic plot
Dex promised his sick father he would find a bride by twelfth night. He returns to England, and the woman he left behind, and finds her a widow. They make a bet that they both win – she wants an adventure and he wants her assistance finding a bride.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period – 1820
- Childhood friends/second chance trope
- Geologist hero, heroine runs The Duchess Society – where they help women make appropriate matches (and make sure they have contracts that protect them and their assets)
- A bit of a hero must marry for his father/matchmaker trope
- Christmas novella!
- Average novella steam – 1 full scene with other kisses and remembered scenes
- Georgie is 25, Dex 30
My thoughts:
This was an enjoyable novella and prelude to Tracy Sumner’s latest series, The Duchess Society.
Georgiana grew up with Dex, they roamed the hills together, and even shared a kiss before he left her to her fate – married off to an unkind older man. When he returns, she’s widowed and hurt and he’s feeling like the jerk he should for leaving her.
Novellas can be hard for me because sometimes they just don’t feel like a full story. I didn’t really find that here (It felt complete to me) but I do wish I had gotten some more background for them. This is just a personal preference and why I don’t usually go for second chance – I feel like I’m missing some of their story, their romance, and that drives me bonkers. Also when I miss the first kiss I always die a little inside. I live for the firsts! I don’t feel the butterflies quite as much when the relationship is already established.
Overall though I did enjoy this one. Dex and Georgie spend pretty much all of the page time together which is a huge plus for me. I adored that Dex was willing to bare his feelings, his soul for Georgie. I love how focused he was on her and how he’d held her close to his heart for their time apart.
Georgie just broke my heart. Trapped in a cruel marriage to a man, she’s been hurt and broken. I love how gentle Dex was with her, until she was able to trust and open to him.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Just a touch
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
This is a great prelude to The Duchess Society series – Dex and Georgie both have page time in book 1, as well as the heroine of that book working for the Society.
Basic plot
Dex promised his sick father he would find a bride by twelfth night. He returns to England, and the woman he left behind, and finds her a widow. They make a bet that they both win – she wants an adventure and he wants her assistance finding a bride.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency time period – 1820
- Childhood friends/second chance trope
- Geologist hero, heroine runs The Duchess Society – where they help women make appropriate matches (and make sure they have contracts that protect them and their assets)
- A bit of a hero must marry for his father/matchmaker trope
- Christmas novella!
- Average novella steam – 1 full scene with other kisses and remembered scenes
- Georgie is 25, Dex 30
My thoughts:
This was an enjoyable novella and prelude to Tracy Sumner’s latest series, The Duchess Society.
Georgiana grew up with Dex, they roamed the hills together, and even shared a kiss before he left her to her fate – married off to an unkind older man. When he returns, she’s widowed and hurt and he’s feeling like the jerk he should for leaving her.
Novellas can be hard for me because sometimes they just don’t feel like a full story. I didn’t really find that here (It felt complete to me) but I do wish I had gotten some more background for them. This is just a personal preference and why I don’t usually go for second chance – I feel like I’m missing some of their story, their romance, and that drives me bonkers. Also when I miss the first kiss I always die a little inside. I live for the firsts! I don’t feel the butterflies quite as much when the relationship is already established.
Overall though I did enjoy this one. Dex and Georgie spend pretty much all of the page time together which is a huge plus for me. I adored that Dex was willing to bare his feelings, his soul for Georgie. I love how focused he was on her and how he’d held her close to his heart for their time apart.
Georgie just broke my heart. Trapped in a cruel marriage to a man, she’s been hurt and broken. I love how gentle Dex was with her, until she was able to trust and open to him.
Here’s a few random parts that I wanted to note from the book
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
September 10, 2024
Dnf at 52%
I’m sorry but this book is so boring I just can’t. Maybe it’s a me problem, because it seems to have all the right ingredients, a tormented hero, childhood friends to lovers, ‘it’s always been you’. Unfortunately there’s no life in it and it makes me feel absolutely nothing.
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy.
I’m sorry but this book is so boring I just can’t. Maybe it’s a me problem, because it seems to have all the right ingredients, a tormented hero, childhood friends to lovers, ‘it’s always been you’. Unfortunately there’s no life in it and it makes me feel absolutely nothing.
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy.
August 13, 2025
Georgiana, better known as The Ice Countess for her refusal to play nice with the ton or remarry after the death of her cruel, older husband, is attending a Christmas party at the home of a neighbor when she spies Dexter Reed Munro, future Duke of Markham, returned home after roaming the earth for seven years in pursuit of his passion, geology. His father is close to death, forcing his return, and when she sees him again memories flood Georgiana of their childhood bond.
Those untamed children racing over moor and heath, roaming the limestone caves and caverns of Derbyshire, were long gone. Their lone kiss, a glancing brush of his lips against hers before he departed on his adventures, meant nothing.
So she turns away, but then he spies her and finds himself recaptured by her charms.
Before, she’d been too young and he a foolish boy who wasn’t sure what he wanted, what he needed. He’d had much to prove, many people to disprove…. But ambition had exacted a personal cost, no doubt about it. Cost her, too, he was coming to suspect.
Dexter, as a future duke, must marry and produce an heir as part of his duties. He can’t see anyone in the role of his duchess but Georgie. Unfortunately, her experience with her first husband has convinced Georgie marriage is off the table forever.
The prose danced across the page. The Christmas setting wasn’t really that relevant to the plot but snow and ice added a seasonal touch. Dexter was an outstanding physical specimen, and thoughtful and sweet and sensual and stubborn and generous and totally gone on Georgie, and getting goner by the minute. He employs a few subtle strategies to convince Georgie she’s the ideal choice for a duchess, then lays his heart on the line.
And Georgie stomps on it. She loved Dexter before and realizes she loves him still, but (a) marriage is a legal trap for a woman, (b) memories of her first husband were the stuff of nightmares, and the reader never finds out why, we’re just told that in vague terms, (c) she doesn’t want to be a duchess, (d) she resents Dexter for thinking he can just come back and claim her, (e) she’s got her Duchess Society [the irony!] to keep her warm, (f) she’s free for the first time and doesn’t want to give that up, and on and on. So she offers him one night—which becomes five nights—and they have hot, joyful, passionate sex and hot, joyful, passionate companionship cataloging his crates of rocks and then she’s to leave for London and he’s to find a wife and become a duke and that’s the end of it.
This, this, was unlike any experience of her life, unlike any dream, any fantasy. She realized how much she loved him, how incredible they were together, how it was going to destroy them both when she left.
She loves him madly. But she won’t have him. But she loves him madly, and always has. How does this make sense? Does the author really expect the reader to believe that any woman in her right mind would refuse the man she loves and has always loved, who has been her past and wants with all his heart to be her future, who has given her joy in the bedroom and warmth and laughter in the drawing room, refuse him and send him out into the world to marry another woman, to have children with another woman, to travel and have adventures with and grow old with another woman? While she grows old free and alone, with her Duchess Society as her boon companion?
Nope. Not buying it. If two people who love each other can’t be together, I need a reason that makes sense to me, and this one didn’t pass the smell test. It’s manufactured romance BS wrapped in a gorgeous package, and it dropped my rating from 5 stars to 3.
Those untamed children racing over moor and heath, roaming the limestone caves and caverns of Derbyshire, were long gone. Their lone kiss, a glancing brush of his lips against hers before he departed on his adventures, meant nothing.
So she turns away, but then he spies her and finds himself recaptured by her charms.
Before, she’d been too young and he a foolish boy who wasn’t sure what he wanted, what he needed. He’d had much to prove, many people to disprove…. But ambition had exacted a personal cost, no doubt about it. Cost her, too, he was coming to suspect.
Dexter, as a future duke, must marry and produce an heir as part of his duties. He can’t see anyone in the role of his duchess but Georgie. Unfortunately, her experience with her first husband has convinced Georgie marriage is off the table forever.
The prose danced across the page. The Christmas setting wasn’t really that relevant to the plot but snow and ice added a seasonal touch. Dexter was an outstanding physical specimen, and thoughtful and sweet and sensual and stubborn and generous and totally gone on Georgie, and getting goner by the minute. He employs a few subtle strategies to convince Georgie she’s the ideal choice for a duchess, then lays his heart on the line.
And Georgie stomps on it. She loved Dexter before and realizes she loves him still, but (a) marriage is a legal trap for a woman, (b) memories of her first husband were the stuff of nightmares, and the reader never finds out why, we’re just told that in vague terms, (c) she doesn’t want to be a duchess, (d) she resents Dexter for thinking he can just come back and claim her, (e) she’s got her Duchess Society [the irony!] to keep her warm, (f) she’s free for the first time and doesn’t want to give that up, and on and on. So she offers him one night—which becomes five nights—and they have hot, joyful, passionate sex and hot, joyful, passionate companionship cataloging his crates of rocks and then she’s to leave for London and he’s to find a wife and become a duke and that’s the end of it.
This, this, was unlike any experience of her life, unlike any dream, any fantasy. She realized how much she loved him, how incredible they were together, how it was going to destroy them both when she left.
She loves him madly. But she won’t have him. But she loves him madly, and always has. How does this make sense? Does the author really expect the reader to believe that any woman in her right mind would refuse the man she loves and has always loved, who has been her past and wants with all his heart to be her future, who has given her joy in the bedroom and warmth and laughter in the drawing room, refuse him and send him out into the world to marry another woman, to have children with another woman, to travel and have adventures with and grow old with another woman? While she grows old free and alone, with her Duchess Society as her boon companion?
Nope. Not buying it. If two people who love each other can’t be together, I need a reason that makes sense to me, and this one didn’t pass the smell test. It’s manufactured romance BS wrapped in a gorgeous package, and it dropped my rating from 5 stars to 3.
January 3, 2022
1.5☆
This was an unfortunate choice 😕
There was almost no steam, the why behind the H leaving years ago never really explained...he let her marry a 70yo grandpa for Goodness sake!!! And he proclaimed to be in love with her... even now, he bullied her into confessing her feelings when he avoided it... and a lot of things remained unexplained... really weird book, very disappointing 😞
This was an unfortunate choice 😕
There was almost no steam, the why behind the H leaving years ago never really explained...he let her marry a 70yo grandpa for Goodness sake!!! And he proclaimed to be in love with her... even now, he bullied her into confessing her feelings when he avoided it... and a lot of things remained unexplained... really weird book, very disappointing 😞
July 25, 2021
SHORT AND SWEET 2ND CHANCE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
Second chance romances are some of my favourite! So I was obviously into this novella from the beginning. Georgiana and Dex had a sweet relationship, with both of them knowing, that they could only truly be themselves with the other. In this story, Dex was the one who who knew, that Georgiana was the one he wanted. That is something I don't see a lot in HR and I really liked it. Their relationship was sweet and progressed nicely. There was one thing, whoever, that I did not understand. Why did people call Georgie the 'Ice Duchess'? I didn't see anything icy in her personality, her countenance or her behavior. It jarred a bit. But other than that, this was a sweet, easily read story that makes me want to continue this series.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Second chance romances are some of my favourite! So I was obviously into this novella from the beginning. Georgiana and Dex had a sweet relationship, with both of them knowing, that they could only truly be themselves with the other. In this story, Dex was the one who who knew, that Georgiana was the one he wanted. That is something I don't see a lot in HR and I really liked it. Their relationship was sweet and progressed nicely. There was one thing, whoever, that I did not understand. Why did people call Georgie the 'Ice Duchess'? I didn't see anything icy in her personality, her countenance or her behavior. It jarred a bit. But other than that, this was a sweet, easily read story that makes me want to continue this series.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Follow me for more book loving content!
Blog ✨ Facebook ✨ Instagram ✨ Twitter
Blog Post: 15 Bookworm Problems
January 3, 2022
Dexter Munro, heir to the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. But the only woman he wants is determined not to marry again. Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, had a disastrous first marriage not of her choosing. Will their hearty attraction and meaningful past change her mind?
This is the prequel novella to the Duchess Society series. It's a lovely second chance story. Because of the length, Georgie comes around a little quickly on marriage...but I liked that Dex wasn't the one dragging his feet and was actively telling Georgie that he wanted her.
Tropes: Widow, Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, Childhood Love/First Love, Matchmaker
Steam: 1 (and another implied scene)
* I received a copy from the author and this is my honest review.
This is the prequel novella to the Duchess Society series. It's a lovely second chance story. Because of the length, Georgie comes around a little quickly on marriage...but I liked that Dex wasn't the one dragging his feet and was actively telling Georgie that he wanted her.
Tropes: Widow, Second Chance, Friends to Lovers, Childhood Love/First Love, Matchmaker
Steam: 1 (and another implied scene)
* I received a copy from the author and this is my honest review.
May 16, 2022
Another delicious entry in the rather captivating prequel to the Duchess Society series. Georgina Whitcombe and Dexter Munro, soon to be the Duke of Markham, are childhood friends. They understand each other but their budding attraction was never given a chance to grow. Maybe now it can, if either of them are inclined
July 9, 2021
“The Ice Duchess” is a first time read by Tracy Summer, new author to this reader. I so love second chance romances especially when they are well-written with likeable characters.
Georgiana the Countess Winterbourne known to the ton as the Ice Countess is determined to never marry because of the pain she experienced by her first husband who was cruel and old enough to be her father. Dexter Munro, the soon to be Duke of Markham is persistent in his attempts to make Georgiana his wife and fulfill a promise he made to his dying father. Clearly from the onset, there is a slow growing attraction between Georgiana and Dex. Because of her bad experience with her first husband, Georgiana was made to feel worthless and broken. She is of the understanding that all marriages of convenience are what she had experienced and is unable to experience true passion…something Dex can teach her if she will just open her heart.
I thought the story was well-written but have pulled back some on the pay throughout the story of Georgiana’s emotional turmoil. I did love Dex’s persistence and even coming up with a plan to convince her to take a chance at love with him. The pace was a bit slow, and at times becoming close to boredom. As the story continued, it picked up and I was delighted to see the passion that both characters could draw from one another and transforming into the love that they truly felt. That passion that Georgiana thought she could never feel, gradually melted the iciness she held inside for so long. The intimacy between the main characters was steamy and well done for this historical romance. This was a quick read and enjoyed it very much. A recommended read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Independently Published for this ARC for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Georgiana the Countess Winterbourne known to the ton as the Ice Countess is determined to never marry because of the pain she experienced by her first husband who was cruel and old enough to be her father. Dexter Munro, the soon to be Duke of Markham is persistent in his attempts to make Georgiana his wife and fulfill a promise he made to his dying father. Clearly from the onset, there is a slow growing attraction between Georgiana and Dex. Because of her bad experience with her first husband, Georgiana was made to feel worthless and broken. She is of the understanding that all marriages of convenience are what she had experienced and is unable to experience true passion…something Dex can teach her if she will just open her heart.
I thought the story was well-written but have pulled back some on the pay throughout the story of Georgiana’s emotional turmoil. I did love Dex’s persistence and even coming up with a plan to convince her to take a chance at love with him. The pace was a bit slow, and at times becoming close to boredom. As the story continued, it picked up and I was delighted to see the passion that both characters could draw from one another and transforming into the love that they truly felt. That passion that Georgiana thought she could never feel, gradually melted the iciness she held inside for so long. The intimacy between the main characters was steamy and well done for this historical romance. This was a quick read and enjoyed it very much. A recommended read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Independently Published for this ARC for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 6, 2021
4.5 Stars
Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, is known as the Ice Countess for her rebellious ways and refusal to marry again. Dexter Munro, mere days from becoming the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. Except the only woman he’s ever desired has vowed never to marry again. Not even to become his duchess. Georgiana and Dex share a sizzling attraction and a wicked past but is their scorching passion enough to melt the Ice Countess’ heart?
A lovely story of childhood friends to lovers & Dex & Georgie have known each other forever after all he was her brother Anthony’s best friend. I loved both Dex & Georgie & their attraction sizzled, they both loved each other but she had endured a loveless marriage to an elderly Earl & once bitten twice shy. However the passion between them couldn’t be denied but would she take the plunge? I read this delightlful novella in a sitting.
Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, is known as the Ice Countess for her rebellious ways and refusal to marry again. Dexter Munro, mere days from becoming the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. Except the only woman he’s ever desired has vowed never to marry again. Not even to become his duchess. Georgiana and Dex share a sizzling attraction and a wicked past but is their scorching passion enough to melt the Ice Countess’ heart?
A lovely story of childhood friends to lovers & Dex & Georgie have known each other forever after all he was her brother Anthony’s best friend. I loved both Dex & Georgie & their attraction sizzled, they both loved each other but she had endured a loveless marriage to an elderly Earl & once bitten twice shy. However the passion between them couldn’t be denied but would she take the plunge? I read this delightlful novella in a sitting.
August 12, 2022
This was really cute! I’m going to be honest and say that the tension between Dex and Georgie was so strong that I had to read the epilogue 🤦🏻♀️ you know the book is good when I do that. Even though this was a short story I didn’t feel like it was missing anything. I felt like I understood the main characters backstories and I was invested in their future.
Tracy must know what I like because there were multiple gifts being given and I was beside myself with joy. This friends to lovers, best friend’s sister story makes me very excited to read Hildy’s story next!
Tracy must know what I like because there were multiple gifts being given and I was beside myself with joy. This friends to lovers, best friend’s sister story makes me very excited to read Hildy’s story next!
October 1, 2021
3.5 stars
I enjoyed diving in to my first Tracy Sumner book! For anyone looking for a quick read, this story is short but very sweet and also quite steamy. It included two of my favorite tropes, childhood friends to lovers and second chance at love, which Sumner executed excellently in such a short amount of time. I think making Georgie and Dex's story longer would have really given time for them to grow and for us as readers to see that, but overall I'm glad I read this prequel and look forward to diving into Hildy's story in book #1 with the hope that Georgie and Dex will make appearances!
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I enjoyed diving in to my first Tracy Sumner book! For anyone looking for a quick read, this story is short but very sweet and also quite steamy. It included two of my favorite tropes, childhood friends to lovers and second chance at love, which Sumner executed excellently in such a short amount of time. I think making Georgie and Dex's story longer would have really given time for them to grow and for us as readers to see that, but overall I'm glad I read this prequel and look forward to diving into Hildy's story in book #1 with the hope that Georgie and Dex will make appearances!
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 4, 2024
⭐⭐⭐💫
3½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
Rather good romantic build up and chemistry.
Rather interesting hero.
Geologist hero.
Second chance trope.
How understanding and gentle the hero was with the heroine.
Widow heroine.
➖ What I disliked:
Formulaic in the character description/character choice/visual appearance.
(Small/petite and slim heroine and tall big/muscular hero.)
Both main characters needed more backstory and some more depth.
(More info on the heroes past and personality and more info on the heroines first husband and their bad marriage and her past etc.)
Some parts were a little jumbled/underdeveloped and had some little issues with telling instead of showing.
(The author hinted and eluded to a lot of things, or just mentioned them very briefly and then you don’t get to see what they were, but also some things would have made more sense sooner if you got more clues about things earlier in the story.)
Some parts of the story were a little bit too anachronistic/too modern.
Repetitive.
July 24, 2021
This was a second chance, low-angst romance with likable hero- heroine. I liked that hero was a nerd who didn’t care about his title but was responsible and compassionate. Heroine referred as Ice Countess was his match in every way. They both were so in tune with each other. And I’m happy they got their happy ever after.
Epilogue was adorable and satisfying.
I just wish hero had a more solid reason for leaving the first time but I guess young and passionate about his career did it.
I also liked that hero was the main persuer in this book and heroine didn’t give in to his demands easily.
Safe and recommended.
Epilogue was adorable and satisfying.
I just wish hero had a more solid reason for leaving the first time but I guess young and passionate about his career did it.
I also liked that hero was the main persuer in this book and heroine didn’t give in to his demands easily.
Safe and recommended.
May 1, 2023
2-Stay-Frozen-Stars
- Meh!
- Too slow, especially for a novella.
- I adored Dex. He was so hopelessly in love!
- Another duchess named Georgiana. I did not understand her.
- Good friendly banter but tepid chemistry. No steam.
- Not a lot happened initially and then it shot off in random directions.
- I may be unclear a bit because I skimmed, a lot.
- Meh!
- Too slow, especially for a novella.
- I adored Dex. He was so hopelessly in love!
- Another duchess named Georgiana. I did not understand her.
- Good friendly banter but tepid chemistry. No steam.
- Not a lot happened initially and then it shot off in random directions.
- I may be unclear a bit because I skimmed, a lot.
April 25, 2022
Read twice.
Not so much of an ice Duchess at the end. Enjoyable friends to lovers short story.
Loved the epilogue. 4☆
Not so much of an ice Duchess at the end. Enjoyable friends to lovers short story.
Loved the epilogue. 4☆
December 23, 2023
3.5⭐️
This was a fun and cute historical romance novella. It had very subtle Christmas vibes and I was hoping for a bit more plot around the holiday but it still felt like a good read for the winter. I really enjoyed this romance and I felt connected with the characters even with it being a shorter book. It was sweet with a little bit of spice and the conflict felt believable. The writing felt extremely modern at some points and that totally took me out of the historical time period we were supposed to be in. This was a short yet satisfying read overall.
This was a fun and cute historical romance novella. It had very subtle Christmas vibes and I was hoping for a bit more plot around the holiday but it still felt like a good read for the winter. I really enjoyed this romance and I felt connected with the characters even with it being a shorter book. It was sweet with a little bit of spice and the conflict felt believable. The writing felt extremely modern at some points and that totally took me out of the historical time period we were supposed to be in. This was a short yet satisfying read overall.
February 6, 2022
3.5 stars rounded to 4! This is a short but sweet childhood friends to lovers novella. Georgiana is a widowed countess. Although she's out of mourning, she has no desire to marry again. Not only that, she's created "The Duchess Society," an agency that prepares young women for marriages that won't oppress them.
If you like traditional historical romance but without the traditional "old school" issues, this will appeal. We're looking forward to see the development of the Duchess Society premise.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
If you like traditional historical romance but without the traditional "old school" issues, this will appeal. We're looking forward to see the development of the Duchess Society premise.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novella.
February 15, 2022
A short, sweet, passionate tale of second chance love that gave me all the feels… highly recommended.
His dilemma? He missed Derbyshire almost as much as he missed Georgie. In a way, they’d become one in his mind, in his heart. He’d walked the moors with her, the forbidding wind stealing across the desolate expanse capturing their breath and pinkening her cheeks. Two loves of his life intrinsically linked. It rose above the physical what he felt for her, above the emotional, as it did for the untamed land in the north. So layered, his feelings, a mere man had no hope of explaining them. He only knew it was. He pressed his hand to his heart, holding back the familiar ache.
Swoon alert… he was a geologist, traveling the world on expeditions, and he kept in his pocket a piece of lapis the exact color of her eyes 😍
“Love is my religion—I could die for that—I could die for you. My creed is love, and you are its only tenet.” - John Keats
His dilemma? He missed Derbyshire almost as much as he missed Georgie. In a way, they’d become one in his mind, in his heart. He’d walked the moors with her, the forbidding wind stealing across the desolate expanse capturing their breath and pinkening her cheeks. Two loves of his life intrinsically linked. It rose above the physical what he felt for her, above the emotional, as it did for the untamed land in the north. So layered, his feelings, a mere man had no hope of explaining them. He only knew it was. He pressed his hand to his heart, holding back the familiar ache.
Swoon alert… he was a geologist, traveling the world on expeditions, and he kept in his pocket a piece of lapis the exact color of her eyes 😍
“Love is my religion—I could die for that—I could die for you. My creed is love, and you are its only tenet.” - John Keats
March 11, 2022
Summary
Georgina Whitcomb survived a horrible marriage, been widowed and now runs a successful school that educates young women how to manage a marriage. But when she runs into Dexter Munro at a house party, all the feelings from her youth coming flooding back. Dex is back to find a wife as his father is dying and he will become Duke soon. Georgina refuses to marry again and lose her independence but Dex is determined to make her change her mind because he has always loved her as well. After spending several passionate days together, she is still determined to carry on…alone. Dex tells her to meet him at the museum in a few days if being apart makes her realize how much she loves him.
Tropes: Regency Era, House party, Titled hero, Widow, Experienced heroine, Damaged heroine, Unrequited love, Second Chance, fling to love,
The Plot : So much pining, angst, love and passion tossed into a short novella, but it was perfection! Their unspoken feelings for each other still smoldering after years apart and watching them realize the others feelings was too good! And his compassion for what she went through in her first marriage and his pursuit of her had me so in love with Dex. Some heroines who just deny, deny, deny bother me, but Georgie didn’t; I genuinely understood her hesitation with giving her heart away.
The Heroine : Georgina Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne was in love with Dex, but left her behind to pursue his geology career, and with the death of her brother, she was married off to an old man, who treated her poorly. She morphed from a fun loving adventurous girl to the closed-off Ice Countess she is now. I truly felt for her and understood her heartbreak.
The Hero : Dexter Munro, soon-to-be Duke of Markham, left home years ago after a fight with his father, leaving Georgina behind. He traveled everywhere pursuing his interest in geology, but with his dad dying, he came home to pick up his place as the future Duke. It bothered me that he could leave her to her fate all while harboring feelings for her, but he redeemed himself by revealing his feelings for her and pursuing her even when she closed herself off to his pursuits.
The Steam : although a slow burn, when the spark finally does ignite it is hot since they’ve been pining after each other for over a decade!
Stand Out Moment : oh my gosh, my heart ripped out of chest when she did t show up to their meeting spot!
Who Would Like This : Anyone looking for a quick, steamy read that sets the stage for the rest of the series.
Final Thoughts : I adored watching this romance unfold and am eager to start the next book in the series!
Georgina Whitcomb survived a horrible marriage, been widowed and now runs a successful school that educates young women how to manage a marriage. But when she runs into Dexter Munro at a house party, all the feelings from her youth coming flooding back. Dex is back to find a wife as his father is dying and he will become Duke soon. Georgina refuses to marry again and lose her independence but Dex is determined to make her change her mind because he has always loved her as well. After spending several passionate days together, she is still determined to carry on…alone. Dex tells her to meet him at the museum in a few days if being apart makes her realize how much she loves him.
Tropes: Regency Era, House party, Titled hero, Widow, Experienced heroine, Damaged heroine, Unrequited love, Second Chance, fling to love,
The Plot : So much pining, angst, love and passion tossed into a short novella, but it was perfection! Their unspoken feelings for each other still smoldering after years apart and watching them realize the others feelings was too good! And his compassion for what she went through in her first marriage and his pursuit of her had me so in love with Dex. Some heroines who just deny, deny, deny bother me, but Georgie didn’t; I genuinely understood her hesitation with giving her heart away.
The Heroine : Georgina Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne was in love with Dex, but left her behind to pursue his geology career, and with the death of her brother, she was married off to an old man, who treated her poorly. She morphed from a fun loving adventurous girl to the closed-off Ice Countess she is now. I truly felt for her and understood her heartbreak.
The Hero : Dexter Munro, soon-to-be Duke of Markham, left home years ago after a fight with his father, leaving Georgina behind. He traveled everywhere pursuing his interest in geology, but with his dad dying, he came home to pick up his place as the future Duke. It bothered me that he could leave her to her fate all while harboring feelings for her, but he redeemed himself by revealing his feelings for her and pursuing her even when she closed herself off to his pursuits.
The Steam : although a slow burn, when the spark finally does ignite it is hot since they’ve been pining after each other for over a decade!
Stand Out Moment : oh my gosh, my heart ripped out of chest when she did t show up to their meeting spot!
Who Would Like This : Anyone looking for a quick, steamy read that sets the stage for the rest of the series.
Final Thoughts : I adored watching this romance unfold and am eager to start the next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2021
The Ice Duchess is a wonderful, romantic novella and a prequel to Tracy Sumner’s Duchess Society series. After a terrible marriage to a man much older than her, Georgiana vows she will never remarry. A widow known as The Ice Duchess, Georgiana spends much of her time with The Duchess Society helping other women entering into marriage. However, when the love of her life, her brother’s best friend, returns, old feelings resurface.
Dex has known since they were kids that his relationship with Georgiana was special. When the geologist returns after being away for years, he realizes that his biggest mistake was not taking Georgiana with him. He loves her and has always been in love with her. Now, after making a promise to his dying father to find a wife before Twelfth Night, he just has to convince Georgie to take a chance on love.
Georgiana loves her freedom. Now a widow and financially independent, Georgiana controls her own life and doesn’t have to answer to anyone. Her loveless marriage took away her freedom, and it also took her self-worth and skewed her opinions about marriage. Dex has to work hard to show her that all marriages aren’t cold, demoralizing, and unfeeling. Georgiana changes quite a bit in the story as Dex slowly melts the ice around her heart.
I love the relationship between Georgie and Dex. They have such wonderful memories of growing up together, and they shared a beautiful friendship with her brother, which has since passed. They share many tender moments, and it’s clear they care for each other from the start. Dex is so determined to show Georgiana how much he cares for her, and he is positively swoon-worthy. I love how he woos her and makes her see how different a loving, trusting marriage can be. His love, affection, and thoughtfulness slowly win her over. Plus, they have off-the-charts chemistry!
A wonderful childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance, The Ice Duchess is a quick and captivating read. It’s warm-hearted and passionate and is a great story for readers who like historical romance. Thanks so much to Tracy Sumner for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Dex has known since they were kids that his relationship with Georgiana was special. When the geologist returns after being away for years, he realizes that his biggest mistake was not taking Georgiana with him. He loves her and has always been in love with her. Now, after making a promise to his dying father to find a wife before Twelfth Night, he just has to convince Georgie to take a chance on love.
Georgiana loves her freedom. Now a widow and financially independent, Georgiana controls her own life and doesn’t have to answer to anyone. Her loveless marriage took away her freedom, and it also took her self-worth and skewed her opinions about marriage. Dex has to work hard to show her that all marriages aren’t cold, demoralizing, and unfeeling. Georgiana changes quite a bit in the story as Dex slowly melts the ice around her heart.
I love the relationship between Georgie and Dex. They have such wonderful memories of growing up together, and they shared a beautiful friendship with her brother, which has since passed. They share many tender moments, and it’s clear they care for each other from the start. Dex is so determined to show Georgiana how much he cares for her, and he is positively swoon-worthy. I love how he woos her and makes her see how different a loving, trusting marriage can be. His love, affection, and thoughtfulness slowly win her over. Plus, they have off-the-charts chemistry!
A wonderful childhood friends-to-lovers, second-chance romance, The Ice Duchess is a quick and captivating read. It’s warm-hearted and passionate and is a great story for readers who like historical romance. Thanks so much to Tracy Sumner for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
April 28, 2022
I received an ebook copy of this book from the author in exchange for review.
The Ice Duchess by Tracy Sumner is the prequel to The Duchess Society series. Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, refuses to marry again. A Christmas wager with her childhood best friend Dexter Munro changes everything. Dexter is just days away from becoming the Duke of Markham. He promised his dying father that he would find a wife by Twelfth Night. Dex only wants to marry Georgie. The pair find themselves immensely drawn to each other, but can Dex convince Georgie to marry him?
This is a short, super sweet novella. I loved how unconventional both Dex and Georgie were.
The Ice Duchess by Tracy Sumner is the prequel to The Duchess Society series. Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, refuses to marry again. A Christmas wager with her childhood best friend Dexter Munro changes everything. Dexter is just days away from becoming the Duke of Markham. He promised his dying father that he would find a wife by Twelfth Night. Dex only wants to marry Georgie. The pair find themselves immensely drawn to each other, but can Dex convince Georgie to marry him?
This is a short, super sweet novella. I loved how unconventional both Dex and Georgie were.
dnf
March 31, 2022DNF at 50%. Too much telling, not enough showing. I guess it was a bit repetitive so I lost interest halfway through. I might check out one of her full-length novels because the writing is okay.
August 23, 2021
Wildly passionate, short but sweet!
January 7, 2023
Georgiana Whitcomb, the widowed Countess Winterbourne, has been labeled the Ice Countess because of her refusal to conform to society’s dictates that insist she must remarry. She is determined to maintain her freedom, but a rather inappropriate wager with her childhood love threatens to change everything.
Dexter Munro has spent the past few years traveling and pursuing his passion for geology, making a name for himself as an expert in the field. His father’s failing health and imminent passing have brought Dex back to England to take on the responsibilities of the Duke of Markham. One of those duties includes fulfilling the promise he made to his father to choose a wife by Twelfth Night. But the only woman Dex has ever truly wanted is adamant she won’t marry again, despite her feelings for him, leaving Dex with very little time to convince her that what they have is special and worth going after with all her heart.
I can kind of go either way on whether I enjoy the childhood friends trope, simply because they can sometimes become mired in the same sort of regret for time lost that plagues the second chance trope for me. Thankfully, that was not the case in this instance. After a dismal first marriage, Georgiana was definitely bitter and afraid, but her sentiments were at least relatable, even if she did cause Dex a great deal of perhaps unnecessary angst. I really liked that Dex was persistent but not pushy, helping Georgie see that relationships can be different from what she knew before, and she didn’t need to be afraid to follow her heart. I did want to see more explanation of why Dex left Georgie behind in the first place and why she was forced into marrying an old man, rather than just being explained as Dex being young, dumb, and unaware of his feelings. This just resulted in Georgie coming off as prickly and snappish in some scenes in which her behavior was probably more justified than we as readers realized. Nonetheless, I did appreciate that Dex knew what he wanted as a mature man and wasn’t afraid to go after it. Dex was an adorable nerd but that translated into a charmingly awkward sense of romance that I couldn’t resist any more than Georgie could, and I was quite relieved when she came around and stopped trying to preserve a sense of freedom that brought her no joy. Georgie and Dex both show a considerable amount of growth, especially considering this was a short novel, and I enjoyed their journey.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Dexter Munro has spent the past few years traveling and pursuing his passion for geology, making a name for himself as an expert in the field. His father’s failing health and imminent passing have brought Dex back to England to take on the responsibilities of the Duke of Markham. One of those duties includes fulfilling the promise he made to his father to choose a wife by Twelfth Night. But the only woman Dex has ever truly wanted is adamant she won’t marry again, despite her feelings for him, leaving Dex with very little time to convince her that what they have is special and worth going after with all her heart.
I can kind of go either way on whether I enjoy the childhood friends trope, simply because they can sometimes become mired in the same sort of regret for time lost that plagues the second chance trope for me. Thankfully, that was not the case in this instance. After a dismal first marriage, Georgiana was definitely bitter and afraid, but her sentiments were at least relatable, even if she did cause Dex a great deal of perhaps unnecessary angst. I really liked that Dex was persistent but not pushy, helping Georgie see that relationships can be different from what she knew before, and she didn’t need to be afraid to follow her heart. I did want to see more explanation of why Dex left Georgie behind in the first place and why she was forced into marrying an old man, rather than just being explained as Dex being young, dumb, and unaware of his feelings. This just resulted in Georgie coming off as prickly and snappish in some scenes in which her behavior was probably more justified than we as readers realized. Nonetheless, I did appreciate that Dex knew what he wanted as a mature man and wasn’t afraid to go after it. Dex was an adorable nerd but that translated into a charmingly awkward sense of romance that I couldn’t resist any more than Georgie could, and I was quite relieved when she came around and stopped trying to preserve a sense of freedom that brought her no joy. Georgie and Dex both show a considerable amount of growth, especially considering this was a short novel, and I enjoyed their journey.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
November 5, 2021
Sweet, sexy, and wonderfully written friends-to-lovers, second chance novella.
In this starter to a new series by Tracy Sumner, Countess Georgiana Whitcomb, a widow, has started a group called the Duchess Society to help steer young women of the ton through the pitfalls of the marriage mart. "Georgie" endured an arranged marriage with an abusive man and is cynical about love, earning the sobriquet The Ice Countess. While at a social event, she encounters the Marquess of Westfield for the first time in years. He was once her closest childhood friend, but he left home abruptly after a falling out with his father. He has made his way in the world as a geologist, but now must return to his estate, as his father is in poor health and he is in line to inherit the dukedom. The Marquess (or Dex, as Georgiana knows him) would love nothing more to turn back the clock, to revive their friendship and even forge it into something more, but first he must break through the ice Georgiana has hardened around her heart.
I enjoyed every turn of phrase in this well-crafted novella. There is nothing unexpected in the storyline, but the characters come across as real and their HEA is heartfelt. This is a prequel to the first book in the series (which, ironically, I happened to read first), but it works fine as a standalone. Highly recommend. Heat level: 4.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
In this starter to a new series by Tracy Sumner, Countess Georgiana Whitcomb, a widow, has started a group called the Duchess Society to help steer young women of the ton through the pitfalls of the marriage mart. "Georgie" endured an arranged marriage with an abusive man and is cynical about love, earning the sobriquet The Ice Countess. While at a social event, she encounters the Marquess of Westfield for the first time in years. He was once her closest childhood friend, but he left home abruptly after a falling out with his father. He has made his way in the world as a geologist, but now must return to his estate, as his father is in poor health and he is in line to inherit the dukedom. The Marquess (or Dex, as Georgiana knows him) would love nothing more to turn back the clock, to revive their friendship and even forge it into something more, but first he must break through the ice Georgiana has hardened around her heart.
I enjoyed every turn of phrase in this well-crafted novella. There is nothing unexpected in the storyline, but the characters come across as real and their HEA is heartfelt. This is a prequel to the first book in the series (which, ironically, I happened to read first), but it works fine as a standalone. Highly recommend. Heat level: 4.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2022
Childhood friends to lovers isn't really my thing but this novella proved to be an exception to the rule... And what an exception at that!
I loved how Dex was so tenecious in his pursuit, and so very genuine with his feelings from the very start. Our Georgie girl might've turned out to be too repetitive and stubborn in her denial in any other story but here... it worked. Her doubt and hesitation made sense, making her love and heartache for Dex break my heart 🥺💜
Can't wait to read more of this series!
I loved how Dex was so tenecious in his pursuit, and so very genuine with his feelings from the very start. Our Georgie girl might've turned out to be too repetitive and stubborn in her denial in any other story but here... it worked. Her doubt and hesitation made sense, making her love and heartache for Dex break my heart 🥺💜
Can't wait to read more of this series!
January 27, 2022
Countess Georgiana and Dexter soon to be duke. 3.5 stars. I am happy that I read the first in the series instead of this prequel first. I think due to this being a novella some things seemed rushed to me. I really wanted more romantic grovel from Dex. He and Georgiana had been friends since childhood. He left her to go and further his career when she needed him the most imho. He must marry fast to please his very ill father. When his father passes he will become a duke (though he really does not care about being a Duke ). Luckily, I do like him much better in The Brazen Bluestocking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2022
✨ 5 out of 5 stars ✨
Normally I don't like novellas, but with "The Ice Duchess", that was not at all the case... I loved it! Tracy Sumner did an excellent job of developing our heroine (Georgiana) and hero (Dexter) even with such a page limit.
Full RTC
Normally I don't like novellas, but with "The Ice Duchess", that was not at all the case... I loved it! Tracy Sumner did an excellent job of developing our heroine (Georgiana) and hero (Dexter) even with such a page limit.
Full RTC
November 4, 2024
Fabulous introduction to this series and one that I enjoyed so much that I wish it was a full length book. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read this author. I’m looking forward to the feast of the series.
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