What do you think?
Rate this book
Say I Do #1
Yours Truly, The Duke
Yours Truly, The Duke is the first novel in the historical romance Say I Do trilogy about dukes needing to wed to tap into their wealth by New York Times bestselling author Amelia Grey.
Fredericka Hale needs a husband, and fast. She’s been caring for her deceased sister’s three young children, and now a childless cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Fredericka is powerless to stop her, but having a husband might sway the ruling. The last thing Fredericka wants is a hurried-up marriage to a man she doesn’t know—much less love, but she’ll do it for the children. So when the handsome Duke of Wyatthaven shows up with a proposal, she accepts. He'll help her, and in return, they’ll lead separate lives. But distance cannot keep them from their powerful attraction.
At the top of his game in London, the Duke of Wyatthaven has no interest in marriage. However, if Wyatt doesn’t marry by week’s end, he’ll lose a sizable inheritance from his grandmother. When Wyatt’s solicitor finds Miss Fredericka Hale, Wyatt considers this little hiccup solved. Miss Hale is lovely, and intelligent. Most importantly, she prefers country life to London, so he’s free to continue his life as usual. But when circumstances force Fredericka and the children to show up at the duke’s door, Wyatt can’t deny he’s always been under her spell. Will the duke give up his bachelor lifestyle and give into the fiery passion growing between them?
Fredericka Hale needs a husband, and fast. She’s been caring for her deceased sister’s three young children, and now a childless cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Fredericka is powerless to stop her, but having a husband might sway the ruling. The last thing Fredericka wants is a hurried-up marriage to a man she doesn’t know—much less love, but she’ll do it for the children. So when the handsome Duke of Wyatthaven shows up with a proposal, she accepts. He'll help her, and in return, they’ll lead separate lives. But distance cannot keep them from their powerful attraction.
At the top of his game in London, the Duke of Wyatthaven has no interest in marriage. However, if Wyatt doesn’t marry by week’s end, he’ll lose a sizable inheritance from his grandmother. When Wyatt’s solicitor finds Miss Fredericka Hale, Wyatt considers this little hiccup solved. Miss Hale is lovely, and intelligent. Most importantly, she prefers country life to London, so he’s free to continue his life as usual. But when circumstances force Fredericka and the children to show up at the duke’s door, Wyatt can’t deny he’s always been under her spell. Will the duke give up his bachelor lifestyle and give into the fiery passion growing between them?
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2023
59 people are currently reading
6793 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Grey
35 books855 followersAmelia Grey (aka Gloria Dale Skinner) grew up in a small town in the Florida Panhandle. She has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over twenty-five years. She has lived in Alabama, Connecticut, New Hampshire and now lives in Florida.
Amelia has won the coveted Romantic Times award for Love and Laughter, the prestigious Maggie award for best historical and Affaire de Coeur's best American historical award. She has been a finalist for the Golden Heart and the Holt Medallion awards which are given by Romance Writers of America and numerous other awards. Her books have been sold to many countries in Europe, Russia and China.
Amelia likes flowers, candlelight, sweet smiles, gentle laughter and sunshine.
Amelia has won the coveted Romantic Times award for Love and Laughter, the prestigious Maggie award for best historical and Affaire de Coeur's best American historical award. She has been a finalist for the Golden Heart and the Holt Medallion awards which are given by Romance Writers of America and numerous other awards. Her books have been sold to many countries in Europe, Russia and China.
Amelia likes flowers, candlelight, sweet smiles, gentle laughter and sunshine.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews
January 8, 2023
This is a well-written, entertaining, historical romance novel. It has a likable female protagonist, a kind and caring male protagonist, adorable children, family drama, a touch of humor, a heart warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. The poems at the beginning of each chapter are a lovely touch. I am looking forward to reading the second entry in Ms. Grey's Say I Do Trilogy with great anticipation.
NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Amelia Grey kindly provided me with an ARC of this wonderful novel, and this is my honest opinion.
NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Amelia Grey kindly provided me with an ARC of this wonderful novel, and this is my honest opinion.
January 25, 2023
I’ve seen a lot of people say that Fredericka was an annoying character, and yeah she was (just like every person in this book), but how does Wyatt not warrant any censure??? Frankly, he was a shallow attempt at being the “good cop” to Fredericka’s “bad cop.” She misunderstood his “good” intentions, yes, but he simply needed to shove his intentions up his ass until they got custody. He was just as at odds with everything she did as she was with him.
The last half of this book literally framed Fredericka as the villain because she didn’t let the children go about with no rules. She clearly let them have fun. I think this is such poor execution and weak writing. Honestly, a lot of takes in this book felt like lightly veiled misogyny. It’s one thing to be like hey maybe just ease off a little bit and another to be like you don’t love the children enough, your sister loved your cousin more, you have failed raising them, and have given them nervous disorders??? Is this man a doctor??? Doctor Evil maybe.
This book warranted chapters upon chapters of third act breakup and it lasted mere pages. I also recognize I know how nothing works but for a duke he seemed to have absolutely zero power??
He also said Jane was literally an evil maniacal wench because Fredericka liked rules and “made her like that.” And that Fredericka’s sister wanted the kids to be like Jane because she loved Jane more so there should’ve be any rules. How would he even know?? His heads so far up his own ass I’m surprised he can tell the time. He literally said she didn’t love the children because she didn’t want them to grow up to be mini versions of him aka GIGANTIC ASSHOLES. God he’s so disgusting. He also just said that Jane’s not bad at all and was being unfairly judged by Fredericka so really he’s a biohazard.
Say what you want about Fredericka being overbearing, but the children got hurt and didn’t understand how much was at stake because Wyatt couldn’t wait to teach them how to have fun until AFTER they got custody. He was flippant and never took anything seriously. He may be an easier character to side with on the outside looking in, but if I was living with him? Good lord constable take me away. He was an entitled dick. I’m still pissed about his views on mistresses I don’t care if that was the done thing. There’s no on page reference of him cutting monetary ties to his mistress, just that he hadn’t “seen her.”
Also Wyatt literally tries to redeem Jane at the end because apparently he just loves her so fucking much??? He makes Fredericka forgive her!!! He thought this was good??? He can easily say “put the past behind you” when he can’t forget his past. I hate him your honor I HATE HIM.
Back to Fredericka though. She let that man distract her with kisses EVERY time she needed to rip into him. She was too meek for being the bad cop character. I needed her to grow a backbone and whack him with it.
*CW domestic abuse* Also I am SO confused how and why she’d convince her sister to go to London with a husband that physically abused her?? For context: Her sister and brother in law got food poisoning on a trip and died. Later, the children thought Wyatt was going to hurt Fredericka because they’d seen the behavior at home, according to Fredericka. So again, why would she encourage her sister to travel with him when she was resistant?? Obviously, she wasn’t responsible for their deaths, but the abuse was such a random thing to throw in with heavy implications?? It was barely referenced but I couldn’t shake this.
Also the sex was pathetic. It wasn’t even a scene, more like a vaguely horny shadow. This is all we got:
“With skill and tenderness, they came together as husband and wife. Their bodies joined as intimately and sensuously as possible.”
I wouldn’t have requested this book if I’d have known we weren’t at least getting a quality sex scene because it’s just not what I prefer in historical romance. This happened at 82%. And the book wasn’t decidedly chaste up until this point, so I was expecting explicit. Because frankly, without a good sex scene, the only thing I was looking forward to was Jane thinking she succeeded in being a gigantic twat? Yeah no thank you.
This was a new to me author and while I can’t say I regret giving her a shot, I know that I’ll never shoot it again. What a waste of a beautiful cover.
⭐️.5/5 🌶️*/5
*The word loins was about as deep as this book went, so if that tickles your tastebuds then have at it. Re: “With skill and tenderness, they came together as husband and wife. Their bodies joined as intimately and sensuously as possible.”
Join me sensuously daddy 🫡
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
The last half of this book literally framed Fredericka as the villain because she didn’t let the children go about with no rules. She clearly let them have fun. I think this is such poor execution and weak writing. Honestly, a lot of takes in this book felt like lightly veiled misogyny. It’s one thing to be like hey maybe just ease off a little bit and another to be like you don’t love the children enough, your sister loved your cousin more, you have failed raising them, and have given them nervous disorders??? Is this man a doctor??? Doctor Evil maybe.
This book warranted chapters upon chapters of third act breakup and it lasted mere pages. I also recognize I know how nothing works but for a duke he seemed to have absolutely zero power??
He also said Jane was literally an evil maniacal wench because Fredericka liked rules and “made her like that.” And that Fredericka’s sister wanted the kids to be like Jane because she loved Jane more so there should’ve be any rules. How would he even know?? His heads so far up his own ass I’m surprised he can tell the time. He literally said she didn’t love the children because she didn’t want them to grow up to be mini versions of him aka GIGANTIC ASSHOLES. God he’s so disgusting. He also just said that Jane’s not bad at all and was being unfairly judged by Fredericka so really he’s a biohazard.
Say what you want about Fredericka being overbearing, but the children got hurt and didn’t understand how much was at stake because Wyatt couldn’t wait to teach them how to have fun until AFTER they got custody. He was flippant and never took anything seriously. He may be an easier character to side with on the outside looking in, but if I was living with him? Good lord constable take me away. He was an entitled dick. I’m still pissed about his views on mistresses I don’t care if that was the done thing. There’s no on page reference of him cutting monetary ties to his mistress, just that he hadn’t “seen her.”
Also Wyatt literally tries to redeem Jane at the end because apparently he just loves her so fucking much??? He makes Fredericka forgive her!!! He thought this was good??? He can easily say “put the past behind you” when he can’t forget his past. I hate him your honor I HATE HIM.
Back to Fredericka though. She let that man distract her with kisses EVERY time she needed to rip into him. She was too meek for being the bad cop character. I needed her to grow a backbone and whack him with it.
*CW domestic abuse* Also I am SO confused how and why she’d convince her sister to go to London with a husband that physically abused her?? For context: Her sister and brother in law got food poisoning on a trip and died. Later, the children thought Wyatt was going to hurt Fredericka because they’d seen the behavior at home, according to Fredericka. So again, why would she encourage her sister to travel with him when she was resistant?? Obviously, she wasn’t responsible for their deaths, but the abuse was such a random thing to throw in with heavy implications?? It was barely referenced but I couldn’t shake this.
Also the sex was pathetic. It wasn’t even a scene, more like a vaguely horny shadow. This is all we got:
“With skill and tenderness, they came together as husband and wife. Their bodies joined as intimately and sensuously as possible.”
I wouldn’t have requested this book if I’d have known we weren’t at least getting a quality sex scene because it’s just not what I prefer in historical romance. This happened at 82%. And the book wasn’t decidedly chaste up until this point, so I was expecting explicit. Because frankly, without a good sex scene, the only thing I was looking forward to was Jane thinking she succeeded in being a gigantic twat? Yeah no thank you.
This was a new to me author and while I can’t say I regret giving her a shot, I know that I’ll never shoot it again. What a waste of a beautiful cover.
⭐️.5/5 🌶️*/5
*The word loins was about as deep as this book went, so if that tickles your tastebuds then have at it. Re: “With skill and tenderness, they came together as husband and wife. Their bodies joined as intimately and sensuously as possible.”
Join me sensuously daddy 🫡
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are honest and my own.
March 26, 2023
Overall: ⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞
Sensuality: 💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: Some with the children
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine.
(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 the first in Grey’s new series, Say I Do
Basic plot:
Fredericka must marry to secure her guardianship of her nieces and nephew. Wyatt must marry to secure his inheritance from his grandmother. They find each other the perfect marriage of convenience...
Give this a try if you want:
- Mostly London setting
- Marriage of convenience
- Children in the story – heroine is guardian of 3 children (2 girls and a boy, aged 5, 7 and 9. Charlie has a stutter)
- Low steam – there’s plenty of kisses but they are all very short and PG and only 1 scene that you will have to read a few times to be sure it’s an actual intimate act.
Ages:
- Heroine is 20, hero is 28
My thoughts:
This book really exhausted me in the worst way. I don’t even really want to write a review on it, so you should just read Fringe Book Reviews take on it because it is exactly what I felt!
I was really hoping I would love this one – I loved the initial set up of it. Duke must marry in 7 days?? Leading to a marriage of convenience? Yes please.
Then we get 3 children, which okay, not my favorite but I can totally have that with some great romance. But I never felt the romance between these two, or even came to like them.
This book seemed to be filled with quite a bit of miscommunications and assumption on both characters parts but especially the heroine. Then she would confront the hero on it and not even let him speak! Or explain anything! And then he would just let it go and they both just kept thinking things that were wrong about each other…
Then we have custody battle which isn’t my thing anyway – they are just so, so stressful and isn’t usually an environment that gives me lots of feels. And in this situation I felt like they both made a number of foolish decisions that of course lead to disaster. It made it an immensely frustrating book for me to read.
Also, not sure we needed the whole strange poetry plot. The hero has a hatred for poetry and the heroine loves poetry and it was just….strange? His extreme hatred for it (the trauma from his teacher, burning poetry books...It seemed extreme? Especially with everything else going on in the book it definitely wasn’t needed – the plot had plenty.) I went to think about what I know about these characters and I felt the character depth wasn’t that great but they do have this as a part of their identity…
And the hero is pretty jerky to the heroine. He tells her to do things that she shouldn’t be doing and doesn’t really listen to her in a number of parts. And the fact that he tells her to forgive her extremely toxic family members instead of protecting her from them? No. No. shudders in remembrance
Basically I didn’t like anything about this book. I actually felt angry reading it in quite a few places. I’m sure it will work for others – it wasn’t badly written or anything it just gave me the opposite of good romance feels and I’m glad to move on from it.
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: Some with the children
Perspective: Third person from both hero and heroine.
(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 the first in Grey’s new series, Say I Do
Basic plot:
Fredericka must marry to secure her guardianship of her nieces and nephew. Wyatt must marry to secure his inheritance from his grandmother. They find each other the perfect marriage of convenience...
Give this a try if you want:
- Mostly London setting
- Marriage of convenience
- Children in the story – heroine is guardian of 3 children (2 girls and a boy, aged 5, 7 and 9. Charlie has a stutter)
- Low steam – there’s plenty of kisses but they are all very short and PG and only 1 scene that you will have to read a few times to be sure it’s an actual intimate act.
Ages:
- Heroine is 20, hero is 28
My thoughts:
This book really exhausted me in the worst way. I don’t even really want to write a review on it, so you should just read Fringe Book Reviews take on it because it is exactly what I felt!
I was really hoping I would love this one – I loved the initial set up of it. Duke must marry in 7 days?? Leading to a marriage of convenience? Yes please.
Then we get 3 children, which okay, not my favorite but I can totally have that with some great romance. But I never felt the romance between these two, or even came to like them.
This book seemed to be filled with quite a bit of miscommunications and assumption on both characters parts but especially the heroine. Then she would confront the hero on it and not even let him speak! Or explain anything! And then he would just let it go and they both just kept thinking things that were wrong about each other…
Then we have custody battle which isn’t my thing anyway – they are just so, so stressful and isn’t usually an environment that gives me lots of feels. And in this situation I felt like they both made a number of foolish decisions that of course lead to disaster. It made it an immensely frustrating book for me to read.
Also, not sure we needed the whole strange poetry plot. The hero has a hatred for poetry and the heroine loves poetry and it was just….strange? His extreme hatred for it (the trauma from his teacher, burning poetry books...It seemed extreme? Especially with everything else going on in the book it definitely wasn’t needed – the plot had plenty.) I went to think about what I know about these characters and I felt the character depth wasn’t that great but they do have this as a part of their identity…
And the hero is pretty jerky to the heroine. He tells her to do things that she shouldn’t be doing and doesn’t really listen to her in a number of parts. And the fact that he tells her to forgive her extremely toxic family members instead of protecting her from them? No. No. shudders in remembrance
Basically I didn’t like anything about this book. I actually felt angry reading it in quite a few places. I’m sure it will work for others – it wasn’t badly written or anything it just gave me the opposite of good romance feels and I’m glad to move on from it.
Content warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
no-way-jose
May 10, 2025No rating, DNF at 11%. The low rating on this one is justified.
It actually starts off interesting. But the heroine starts being a humorless black cat when proposed to by a DUKE.
Lol she’s desperate to find a husband, in order to keep custody of her nieces and nephew. She actually has a list of potential guys that she’s gone thru and met with and then crossed them off one by one as it became obvious that they weren’t ideal for her.… and then a handsome duke that she finds herself attracted to approaches her and proposes marriage. She proceeds to berate him for daring to propose in front of her nieces and nephew. 🤨
Naturally I hop onto to GR to see if she’s going to be a problem thru out the book, and I saw one reliable reviewer had commented this:- “Low steam – there’s plenty of kisses but they are all very short and PG and only 1 scene that you will have to read a few times to be sure it’s an actual intimate scene”
That’s all I needed to hear. Peace out ✌🏼
It actually starts off interesting. But the heroine starts being a humorless black cat when proposed to by a DUKE.
Lol she’s desperate to find a husband, in order to keep custody of her nieces and nephew. She actually has a list of potential guys that she’s gone thru and met with and then crossed them off one by one as it became obvious that they weren’t ideal for her.… and then a handsome duke that she finds herself attracted to approaches her and proposes marriage. She proceeds to berate him for daring to propose in front of her nieces and nephew. 🤨
Naturally I hop onto to GR to see if she’s going to be a problem thru out the book, and I saw one reliable reviewer had commented this:- “Low steam – there’s plenty of kisses but they are all very short and PG and only 1 scene that you will have to read a few times to be sure it’s an actual intimate scene”
That’s all I needed to hear. Peace out ✌🏼
February 7, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
*New author and new series for me*
In my fictional journey, my favorite romance trope is marriage of convenience, something which Amelia Grey does very well in this novel as she weds a playboy Duke to a woman who desperately wants to raise her orphaned nieces and nephews. Fredericka and Wyatt were a delightful pairing and I loved the bickering over misunderstandings and child rearing equipped with the slow burn romance.
Those who enjoy a clean romance will find it here because although we get passionate embraces, when these two finally consummate their marriage it's a fade to black scene. Admittedly, I was a bit frustrated by that but it cannot take away from what a beautiful story this was. I appreciated that the author offers readers a different obstacle in making their marriage look authentic-the guardianship of Elise, Charles, and Belle.
The kind of story that had me reaching to finish it at 3 a.m. this morning.
Expected Publication Date. 28 /03/23
Goodreads review published 05/02/23
*New author and new series for me*
In my fictional journey, my favorite romance trope is marriage of convenience, something which Amelia Grey does very well in this novel as she weds a playboy Duke to a woman who desperately wants to raise her orphaned nieces and nephews. Fredericka and Wyatt were a delightful pairing and I loved the bickering over misunderstandings and child rearing equipped with the slow burn romance.
Those who enjoy a clean romance will find it here because although we get passionate embraces, when these two finally consummate their marriage it's a fade to black scene. Admittedly, I was a bit frustrated by that but it cannot take away from what a beautiful story this was. I appreciated that the author offers readers a different obstacle in making their marriage look authentic-the guardianship of Elise, Charles, and Belle.
The kind of story that had me reaching to finish it at 3 a.m. this morning.
Expected Publication Date. 28 /03/23
Goodreads review published 05/02/23
February 20, 2023
When only marriage will do!
Frederika Hale needs a husband to stall her cousin Jane taking Fredericka’s sister’s children from her. Frederika has had charge of her children for over a year. Jane has never visited or had anything to do with the children but recently having accepted her childless state, has decided she is best situated to bring the children up.
The Duke of Wyatthaven needs a wife or else his grandmother’s fortune goes to a poetry society. The head of that Society is a man who taught Wyatt at Eton. A man who couldn’t punish the young heir to the dukedom, but his friends had no such impediments for the bully.
It was quite hilarious watching the duke and his dukely friends attempting to compose a letter of marriage. Even more amusing was what he ended up with.
It turns out Wyatt is quite an interesting man, far more than I found Frederika to be, who seems hampered by her own childhood insecurities
I enjoyed the duke’s relationship with the children, particularly Bella who called him Uncle, Your Grace, and howled with laughter at the image of the children imitating the duke and his friends holding a card night—complete with card, cheroots and cards. Jane was not amused. Fredericka was undone.
A marriage of convenience tale with some addictions that made for a lively read, although I just wasn’t fully feeling the chemistry between the main protagonists.
A St. Martin’s Press invite via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Frederika Hale needs a husband to stall her cousin Jane taking Fredericka’s sister’s children from her. Frederika has had charge of her children for over a year. Jane has never visited or had anything to do with the children but recently having accepted her childless state, has decided she is best situated to bring the children up.
The Duke of Wyatthaven needs a wife or else his grandmother’s fortune goes to a poetry society. The head of that Society is a man who taught Wyatt at Eton. A man who couldn’t punish the young heir to the dukedom, but his friends had no such impediments for the bully.
It was quite hilarious watching the duke and his dukely friends attempting to compose a letter of marriage. Even more amusing was what he ended up with.
It turns out Wyatt is quite an interesting man, far more than I found Frederika to be, who seems hampered by her own childhood insecurities
I enjoyed the duke’s relationship with the children, particularly Bella who called him Uncle, Your Grace, and howled with laughter at the image of the children imitating the duke and his friends holding a card night—complete with card, cheroots and cards. Jane was not amused. Fredericka was undone.
A marriage of convenience tale with some addictions that made for a lively read, although I just wasn’t fully feeling the chemistry between the main protagonists.
A St. Martin’s Press invite via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
February 5, 2023
Good traditional story. Very light with the heat. Cute kids.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The story was definitely different in that we had a female character in a very nontraditional role as a single woman, raising three children.
We also have the antagonistic evil-doer that you love to hate. And let’s not forget the main male character that made the deal of the century and knows it
One of the things that I did not necessarily agree with is the definite traditional views and values that the main female character displayed. While the story had a lot of fun and humor, Fredricka felt rigid and definitely a traditionalist which surprised me. That played well together with her husband, but it took a lot for him to break down those walls and find their true connection.
The story could have used a lot more heat and passion in order to fire up their true connection, in my opinion. Their romance was written well, but it was closed-door, and upping the fire factor would have helped us feel that emotional connection overall.
The story has a nice blend of traditional and non-traditional aspects. It’s a wonderful fun, lighthearted story in many aspects, but also very traditional in many aspects.
I have read a lot of Grey's books, and for some reason, this one did not captivate me. If you are looking for a true historical romance, Yours Truly, The Duke is one to grab.
* review copy received for consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/yours-truly-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The story was definitely different in that we had a female character in a very nontraditional role as a single woman, raising three children.
We also have the antagonistic evil-doer that you love to hate. And let’s not forget the main male character that made the deal of the century and knows it
One of the things that I did not necessarily agree with is the definite traditional views and values that the main female character displayed. While the story had a lot of fun and humor, Fredricka felt rigid and definitely a traditionalist which surprised me. That played well together with her husband, but it took a lot for him to break down those walls and find their true connection.
The story could have used a lot more heat and passion in order to fire up their true connection, in my opinion. Their romance was written well, but it was closed-door, and upping the fire factor would have helped us feel that emotional connection overall.
The story has a nice blend of traditional and non-traditional aspects. It’s a wonderful fun, lighthearted story in many aspects, but also very traditional in many aspects.
I have read a lot of Grey's books, and for some reason, this one did not captivate me. If you are looking for a true historical romance, Yours Truly, The Duke is one to grab.
* review copy received for consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/yours-truly-...
March 17, 2025
This book was entertaining, sort of. If you get past the repetition and angst. And the PG romance. I was looking for something a little steamier. If you want steamy, read another book and if you find a good one let me know.
In order to retain custody of her sisters three children, Fredericka Hale needs a husband. Her cousin, who also wants the children, has a husband and an in with the court, so Frederika needs to act quickly.
The Duke of Wyatthaven so happens to find himself in a position where he too needs a quickie marriage in order to claim his inheritance from his grandmother's estate. He figures that marriage to Fredericka will solve both their problems. He can help her win her petition in the court and she can help him get his inheritance. Win-Win. And since Fredericka plans to live in the country with the children, he can continue with his life in London.
This arraignment works great until a visit from Fredericka's cousin throws her into a tizzy and Fredericka packs up the children and hightails it for London. But the reality of the Duke of Wyatthaven's bachelor lifestyle comes as a surprise to her and impacts her chances for custody. Also a surprise is the depth of attraction that flares between Fredericka and Wyatt.
In order to retain custody of her sisters three children, Fredericka Hale needs a husband. Her cousin, who also wants the children, has a husband and an in with the court, so Frederika needs to act quickly.
The Duke of Wyatthaven so happens to find himself in a position where he too needs a quickie marriage in order to claim his inheritance from his grandmother's estate. He figures that marriage to Fredericka will solve both their problems. He can help her win her petition in the court and she can help him get his inheritance. Win-Win. And since Fredericka plans to live in the country with the children, he can continue with his life in London.
This arraignment works great until a visit from Fredericka's cousin throws her into a tizzy and Fredericka packs up the children and hightails it for London. But the reality of the Duke of Wyatthaven's bachelor lifestyle comes as a surprise to her and impacts her chances for custody. Also a surprise is the depth of attraction that flares between Fredericka and Wyatt.
March 6, 2023
This is the first book in Amelia Grey's new series, and it was an ok read for me. The story has a few tropes that I always enjoy, especially the marriage of convenience and the opposites-attract romance. Plus, the kids are adorable! I didn't love the romance as much as some of the other aspects of the story, like Wyatt's friend group, and Fredericka's relationship, and Wyatt's growing relationship, with the children.
The love story between Wyatt and Fredericka didn't quite hit the mark for me. They have a lot to overcome, and there were times when they both frustrated me with their miscommunication and failed attempts to understand each other. I almost think they were too different. I found Wyatt to be immature, and it was hard to get invested in his character. Fredericka, on the other hand, was a bit too strict, which made it challenging to connect with her. Fredericka is very disciplined and straight-laced, while Wyatt is a rake and very carefree. He has a lot of growing up to do to fill the role of husband and father, and their parenting philosophies were so different. There were times when they complemented each other well, but the chemistry wasn't quite there for me. It's definitely a slow-building and burning, closed-door love story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The love story between Wyatt and Fredericka didn't quite hit the mark for me. They have a lot to overcome, and there were times when they both frustrated me with their miscommunication and failed attempts to understand each other. I almost think they were too different. I found Wyatt to be immature, and it was hard to get invested in his character. Fredericka, on the other hand, was a bit too strict, which made it challenging to connect with her. Fredericka is very disciplined and straight-laced, while Wyatt is a rake and very carefree. He has a lot of growing up to do to fill the role of husband and father, and their parenting philosophies were so different. There were times when they complemented each other well, but the chemistry wasn't quite there for me. It's definitely a slow-building and burning, closed-door love story.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
May 29, 2024
Yours Truly, The Duke was an enjoyable marriage of convenience romance between a duke and a woman caring for her deceased sister’s children.
The Duke of Wyatthaven needs a wife by week's end to receive a sizable inheritance and Fredericka Hale perfectly fits his needs. She's lovely, intelligent, and has no desire to move to the city. Fredericka needs a husband in order to retain custody of her deceased sister’s three young children after a cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Prepared to lead separate lives, Wyatt and Fredericka marry and promptly go back to their former lives. But when circumstances force Fredericka to show up at the duke's door, their marriage of convenience becomes a whole lot more complicated.
The premise of Yours Truly, The Duke sounded fun and I loved the opening scene of the book where Wyatt writes his proposal to Fredericka with his friends while drunk. The scene was so outlandish and each letter the trio wrote was more ridiculous than the last. It was a great way to set up the marriage of convenience trope and I was immediately pulled in as I wanted to see how everything would play out.
Wyatt and Fredericka's first meeting doesn't go well as she believes he's joking about the proposal but once that is cleared up, the pair marry quickly. Not long after the wedding, Fredericka and the children rush to London due to threats Fredericka receives surrounding her custody of the children. I liked the friendship of sorts that the two develop although I did have a harder time buying into a romantic connection between the two. Their interactions were pleasant but I never really felt they moved beyond that in their relationship. I did like how the plot surrounding custody of the kids played out and was happy with the ending of the book.
Overall Yours Truly, The Duke was still an entertaining read despite the issues I had with the romance and I will definitely be picking up the sequel, Sincerely, The Duke, when it releases.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
The Duke of Wyatthaven needs a wife by week's end to receive a sizable inheritance and Fredericka Hale perfectly fits his needs. She's lovely, intelligent, and has no desire to move to the city. Fredericka needs a husband in order to retain custody of her deceased sister’s three young children after a cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Prepared to lead separate lives, Wyatt and Fredericka marry and promptly go back to their former lives. But when circumstances force Fredericka to show up at the duke's door, their marriage of convenience becomes a whole lot more complicated.
The premise of Yours Truly, The Duke sounded fun and I loved the opening scene of the book where Wyatt writes his proposal to Fredericka with his friends while drunk. The scene was so outlandish and each letter the trio wrote was more ridiculous than the last. It was a great way to set up the marriage of convenience trope and I was immediately pulled in as I wanted to see how everything would play out.
Wyatt and Fredericka's first meeting doesn't go well as she believes he's joking about the proposal but once that is cleared up, the pair marry quickly. Not long after the wedding, Fredericka and the children rush to London due to threats Fredericka receives surrounding her custody of the children. I liked the friendship of sorts that the two develop although I did have a harder time buying into a romantic connection between the two. Their interactions were pleasant but I never really felt they moved beyond that in their relationship. I did like how the plot surrounding custody of the kids played out and was happy with the ending of the book.
Overall Yours Truly, The Duke was still an entertaining read despite the issues I had with the romance and I will definitely be picking up the sequel, Sincerely, The Duke, when it releases.
**I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**
July 13, 2024
Legitimately one of the worst books I’ve ever read. A train wreck I couldn’t look away from.
Follow up on 7/13/24:
Okay, so I finally have some time to write some thoughts out on this one. Buckle up, this one was wild.
The concept here was totally fine! She needs a husband to keep custody of her nieces and nephew, he also needs a wife (by the end of the week???) to get an inheritance (which he wants to keep from a poetry society - yeah this part is weird, more on this later). So they decide they should marry! That's about where this whole thing falls apart (if it already hadn't based on the poetry society thing).
-She has custody of her nieces and nephew after the death of her older sister and brother in law. Who died of food poisoning (??) while staying at an inn on a trip to London. It is later revealed in the book that London is only a two hour trip from the home, so I'm not sure why they were staying overnight at an inn. Additionally, the FMC urged her sister to go on the trip to reconnect with her husband, which the FMC feels guilty about because that's why her sister died. HOWEVER, it is also revealed at other points in the book that her sister's husband was physically abusive (as in, the kids are terrified that the MMC may hit the FMC because their father used to behave that way towards their mother). And there is ABSOLUTELY no reflection in the book about how the FMC was urging her sister to reunite with her abusive spouse. (IIRC, I do not think the FMC knew about this at the time, but there's still no reflection about how that behavior isn't okay and if she'd known, she never would have urged her sister to reconnect with her spouse.)
-This, however, is not surprising because the entire premise of the book is that the FMC's childless cousin wants custody of the three children (or, maybe just the one boy - there was one paragraph where the author stated the cousin only wanted the boy and would have let the FMC keep the two girls, which is then never mentioned again). The childless cousin was approximately the same age as the FMC's older sister, and when FMC and her sister were orphaned, the cousin's parents took them in. Wherein the cousin and older sister either absolutely bullied the hell out of the FMC, or maybe just... were older siblings who sometimes didn't want the approximately 5-7 year younger kid tagging along with them. It's not clear because sometimes it's treated as the latter and sometimes as the former, and there's actually a really big difference. But what I can say is that no matter what the history was, the on page behavior of the cousin in the book itself was ABSOLUTELY horrendous - she repeatedly gaslight the FMC, spread vicious rumors about her, reported hurtful gossip specifically for the purpose of hurting her, and encouraged her husband to take out publicly humiliating bets about the FMC's marriage, among other things. Her behavior in this book was that of a middle school mean girl. Which made the book eventually having them "make up" in the epilogue to be an extremely poor choice. (And at the insistence of the MMC, at that! What a romantic epilogue! Forcing your spouse to make up with the cousin whom you witnessed be deliberately cruel to her!)
-Also this all makes the supposed good relationship the FMC and her sister had very strange??? Were they close? Were they not close? I NEVER COULD TELL.
-Let's touch a bit on the romance itself.
-Starting out: the MMC reached out to the FMC (whom he had never met before) because his lawyer knew she was looking to get married ASAP. Something only her lawyer knew. So that means her lawyer broke privilege in communicating her legal situation to someone else without her permission. (Yes, privilege did exist in England then. I know this because I give the privilege & confidentiality presentation at work multiple times a year, and the history of privilege is part of it.)
-Then, when they decide to marry, they MUST get married by the end of the week. I don't remember the exact timing, but I think they meet on Monday and have to be married by Friday. It's definitely five days or less. HOWEVER, somehow the banns were properly read between the time they met and were married. (This comes up later when the cousin is spreading rumors about the FMC and MMC's marriage, and the FMC again counters that the banns were properly read.) But... that's not how that works!
-They get married and then think they're just going to go on about their lives, with her living in the country and him returning to London to return to his regular lifestyle, and that somehow that's going to fix everything re: custody of the children without any further work on their part. And then are shocked when the evil cousin stops by the country house and reports that she knows it's not a real marriage.
-Honestly a lot of the fun of the concept of people getting married to help each other out is them actually talking to each other to help each other out, which simply did not happen here. At all. Throughout the entire book. Once they do actually start living together, they still basically lead separate lives, except for when they're together and playing good cop/bad cop with the kids. They never actually sit down and talk about how to work to keep custody of the kids.
-Speaking of the whole good cop/bad cop thing, neither one of them are very good with the kids. She insists that they behave perfectly at all times, and he seems to think that they don't need any structure or supervision - which, of course, always resulted in them getting into very bad situations that were witnessed by other people and got back to the evil cousin. (And on one of the occasions, resulted in the FMC insisting like six times that a young pickpocket needed to be thrown in jail and shown no leniency, which was not a great look.)
-Also, the MMC accused the FMC of not loving the kids????? I didn't realize I had to put that on my list of "oh absolutely not" points for romance novels, but apparently I do. Authors, don't do this.
-As to the custody battle itself, what is the point of marrying a duke if said duke is going to be so bad at being powerful and keep getting outwitted by the evil cousin's husband, who is just the younger brother of a viscount.
-Oh, also! Let's revisit the MMC's inheritance, which he could only get if he married within a week (this seems... like not enough time and a very poorly drafted will) otherwise it would go to some poetry society. The MMC absolutely hated poetry because when he was in school, he couldn't memorize some lines of poetry, and his abusive schoolteacher decided that he couldn't abuse the MMC, a future duke, so instead he would take his cane to the MMC's friend. Said friend sustained extensive damage to his hand, which was broken in many places and never healed properly. The damage to the friend's hand persisted to adulthood.
-There is a small subplot about the injured friend, who was well educated but not titled or especially wealthy. He has a younger sister who made her debut that season, and so the MMC threw a party in her honor shortly after getting married (while the FMC was still in the country with the kids, because the MMC and the FMC didn't think their lives otherwise would change at all!!!!). The MMC and the friend's sister share a special solo dance during the party. The MMC does not at all consider how this would look, and naturally this is the moment when the FMC arrives in London after being confronted by the evil cousin that morning. Just another moment showing how weird it was that the two characters (especially the MMC) didn't think about how their behavior would play publicly.
-Anyway, the MMC hates poetry because the professor who injured his friend loved it, and naturally the FMC writes poetry and loves it. I don't really know why the book did this because there was so much else going on, but this also happened.
This is all I care to remember at the moment. This book was genuinely very, very bad, and extremely poorly edited. An absolute shitshow from start to finish.
Follow up on 7/13/24:
Okay, so I finally have some time to write some thoughts out on this one. Buckle up, this one was wild.
The concept here was totally fine! She needs a husband to keep custody of her nieces and nephew, he also needs a wife (by the end of the week???) to get an inheritance (which he wants to keep from a poetry society - yeah this part is weird, more on this later). So they decide they should marry! That's about where this whole thing falls apart (if it already hadn't based on the poetry society thing).
-She has custody of her nieces and nephew after the death of her older sister and brother in law. Who died of food poisoning (??) while staying at an inn on a trip to London. It is later revealed in the book that London is only a two hour trip from the home, so I'm not sure why they were staying overnight at an inn. Additionally, the FMC urged her sister to go on the trip to reconnect with her husband, which the FMC feels guilty about because that's why her sister died. HOWEVER, it is also revealed at other points in the book that her sister's husband was physically abusive (as in, the kids are terrified that the MMC may hit the FMC because their father used to behave that way towards their mother). And there is ABSOLUTELY no reflection in the book about how the FMC was urging her sister to reunite with her abusive spouse. (IIRC, I do not think the FMC knew about this at the time, but there's still no reflection about how that behavior isn't okay and if she'd known, she never would have urged her sister to reconnect with her spouse.)
-This, however, is not surprising because the entire premise of the book is that the FMC's childless cousin wants custody of the three children (or, maybe just the one boy - there was one paragraph where the author stated the cousin only wanted the boy and would have let the FMC keep the two girls, which is then never mentioned again). The childless cousin was approximately the same age as the FMC's older sister, and when FMC and her sister were orphaned, the cousin's parents took them in. Wherein the cousin and older sister either absolutely bullied the hell out of the FMC, or maybe just... were older siblings who sometimes didn't want the approximately 5-7 year younger kid tagging along with them. It's not clear because sometimes it's treated as the latter and sometimes as the former, and there's actually a really big difference. But what I can say is that no matter what the history was, the on page behavior of the cousin in the book itself was ABSOLUTELY horrendous - she repeatedly gaslight the FMC, spread vicious rumors about her, reported hurtful gossip specifically for the purpose of hurting her, and encouraged her husband to take out publicly humiliating bets about the FMC's marriage, among other things. Her behavior in this book was that of a middle school mean girl. Which made the book eventually having them "make up" in the epilogue to be an extremely poor choice. (And at the insistence of the MMC, at that! What a romantic epilogue! Forcing your spouse to make up with the cousin whom you witnessed be deliberately cruel to her!)
-Also this all makes the supposed good relationship the FMC and her sister had very strange??? Were they close? Were they not close? I NEVER COULD TELL.
-Let's touch a bit on the romance itself.
-Starting out: the MMC reached out to the FMC (whom he had never met before) because his lawyer knew she was looking to get married ASAP. Something only her lawyer knew. So that means her lawyer broke privilege in communicating her legal situation to someone else without her permission. (Yes, privilege did exist in England then. I know this because I give the privilege & confidentiality presentation at work multiple times a year, and the history of privilege is part of it.)
-Then, when they decide to marry, they MUST get married by the end of the week. I don't remember the exact timing, but I think they meet on Monday and have to be married by Friday. It's definitely five days or less. HOWEVER, somehow the banns were properly read between the time they met and were married. (This comes up later when the cousin is spreading rumors about the FMC and MMC's marriage, and the FMC again counters that the banns were properly read.) But... that's not how that works!
-They get married and then think they're just going to go on about their lives, with her living in the country and him returning to London to return to his regular lifestyle, and that somehow that's going to fix everything re: custody of the children without any further work on their part. And then are shocked when the evil cousin stops by the country house and reports that she knows it's not a real marriage.
-Honestly a lot of the fun of the concept of people getting married to help each other out is them actually talking to each other to help each other out, which simply did not happen here. At all. Throughout the entire book. Once they do actually start living together, they still basically lead separate lives, except for when they're together and playing good cop/bad cop with the kids. They never actually sit down and talk about how to work to keep custody of the kids.
-Speaking of the whole good cop/bad cop thing, neither one of them are very good with the kids. She insists that they behave perfectly at all times, and he seems to think that they don't need any structure or supervision - which, of course, always resulted in them getting into very bad situations that were witnessed by other people and got back to the evil cousin. (And on one of the occasions, resulted in the FMC insisting like six times that a young pickpocket needed to be thrown in jail and shown no leniency, which was not a great look.)
-Also, the MMC accused the FMC of not loving the kids????? I didn't realize I had to put that on my list of "oh absolutely not" points for romance novels, but apparently I do. Authors, don't do this.
-As to the custody battle itself, what is the point of marrying a duke if said duke is going to be so bad at being powerful and keep getting outwitted by the evil cousin's husband, who is just the younger brother of a viscount.
-Oh, also! Let's revisit the MMC's inheritance, which he could only get if he married within a week (this seems... like not enough time and a very poorly drafted will) otherwise it would go to some poetry society. The MMC absolutely hated poetry because when he was in school, he couldn't memorize some lines of poetry, and his abusive schoolteacher decided that he couldn't abuse the MMC, a future duke, so instead he would take his cane to the MMC's friend. Said friend sustained extensive damage to his hand, which was broken in many places and never healed properly. The damage to the friend's hand persisted to adulthood.
-There is a small subplot about the injured friend, who was well educated but not titled or especially wealthy. He has a younger sister who made her debut that season, and so the MMC threw a party in her honor shortly after getting married (while the FMC was still in the country with the kids, because the MMC and the FMC didn't think their lives otherwise would change at all!!!!). The MMC and the friend's sister share a special solo dance during the party. The MMC does not at all consider how this would look, and naturally this is the moment when the FMC arrives in London after being confronted by the evil cousin that morning. Just another moment showing how weird it was that the two characters (especially the MMC) didn't think about how their behavior would play publicly.
-Anyway, the MMC hates poetry because the professor who injured his friend loved it, and naturally the FMC writes poetry and loves it. I don't really know why the book did this because there was so much else going on, but this also happened.
This is all I care to remember at the moment. This book was genuinely very, very bad, and extremely poorly edited. An absolute shitshow from start to finish.
June 15, 2023
4/5 stars, honestly a great introduction to historical romance for me
Thank you to St.Martins Press for the arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Before this book, I had never read any book that was labeled as historical romance, though I had read historical fiction books with hints of romance in it. But historical romance is really such a unique genre, it has such specific tropes that this book was just scratching the surface of the possibilities. Since romance is new to me, and I had held my own perceptions of it before reading, I also held certain perceptions about this genre as well. While there was just a bit more I was hoping for from this book, I think it was a really great introduction and does genuinely make me want to check out more of this genre
The romance trope in this book was one of my favorites, which I definitely think helped my enjoyment of everything, the mixture of slight enemies to lovers as well as fake dating/marriage of convenience was lovely to see in such a setting. There was always loads of tension between the main characters, even if at times it felt a bit rushed when they were in close quarters with one another. If it had been a little longer I think there could've been more room for slower growth, which would have increased my enjoyment just a little bit.
In general, I enjoyed the main characters, but the main character did sometimes annoy me. She was the main source of miscommunication in my opinion. She was interesting and I do want to know if the rest of the series is going to focus on some of her other friends or the Duke's, but there were moments when she was a little bit annoying for me. Especially with the children, I understood they were living in "proper society" but completely not allowing them to play was a little bit too strict in my opinion, so I'm glad the Duke was trying to help with that.
[TW: infertility mentioned, death of parents mentioned, physical abuse]
Thank you to St.Martins Press for the arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Before this book, I had never read any book that was labeled as historical romance, though I had read historical fiction books with hints of romance in it. But historical romance is really such a unique genre, it has such specific tropes that this book was just scratching the surface of the possibilities. Since romance is new to me, and I had held my own perceptions of it before reading, I also held certain perceptions about this genre as well. While there was just a bit more I was hoping for from this book, I think it was a really great introduction and does genuinely make me want to check out more of this genre
The romance trope in this book was one of my favorites, which I definitely think helped my enjoyment of everything, the mixture of slight enemies to lovers as well as fake dating/marriage of convenience was lovely to see in such a setting. There was always loads of tension between the main characters, even if at times it felt a bit rushed when they were in close quarters with one another. If it had been a little longer I think there could've been more room for slower growth, which would have increased my enjoyment just a little bit.
In general, I enjoyed the main characters, but the main character did sometimes annoy me. She was the main source of miscommunication in my opinion. She was interesting and I do want to know if the rest of the series is going to focus on some of her other friends or the Duke's, but there were moments when she was a little bit annoying for me. Especially with the children, I understood they were living in "proper society" but completely not allowing them to play was a little bit too strict in my opinion, so I'm glad the Duke was trying to help with that.
[TW: infertility mentioned, death of parents mentioned, physical abuse]
February 12, 2023
I know this is an author's baby so I hate to rate harshly, but this has been one of my least favorite reads in years.
I have a lot of thoughts.
Will be reviewed at smittenbybooks.com
I have a lot of thoughts.
Will be reviewed at smittenbybooks.com
January 10, 2023
Fredericka needs a husband and quickly. The Duke of Wyatthaven, Wyatt, who has no interest in ever marrying, finds himself also in need of a wife. The two decide to embark in a marriage of convenience. Wyatt needs to find a wife in order to collect his codicil in his grandmother's will and Fredericka is trying to gain permanent custody of her orphaned nieces and nephew. Fredericka knows marrying a Duke will give her an edge to winning custody over her cousin, Jane. For a little while after they marry, the two continue to enjoy separate lives. Fredericka continues to live in the country with the children, while to the Duke returns to London. But when Jane shows up unexpectedly and tells her no one in the ton believes they have a real marriage, Fredericka decides to pack up and head to London. Much to Wyatt's surprise.
Now I think to best summarize my feelings about this book I'll break them down into different topics :)
1. Jane is the literal devil. The woman is so unlikeable. She constantly belittles Fredericka and even goes so far as having police officers come and help her take the children away. The author (attempts?) to give her some redemption at the end by having Jane come over and say she always loved Fredericka and look here I even saved the poems you wrote me. But the woman is pure trash.
2. Fredericka. I didn't love her character. She never let the kids act like kids and play. She wanted them to be polite and proper and Wyatt often said they reminded him of wooden soldiers. She was also very quick to jump to conclusions, and always took everything Wyatt said to her out of context. She seemed to pick fights with him just to fight. I understand that she grew up feeling like her sister that was 8 years older than her didn't want her following her around all the time, but...I think she should learn to relax. Pick up a nice hobby, like fern collecting. (It notes that she likes to write poetry, but it doesn't seem to be taking the edge of for her so maybe it was time to try something else)
3. Wyatt. He's perfect. I love a good rakish Duke and Wyatt had all those qualities and more. Plus the way he would stop and try to spend time with the kids to help make them relax and just be kids for awhile. My heart. Don't change a thing babe.
4. The romance. Now listen the way this book lead me on. I was given such passionate kissing scenes that screamed the promise of a dirty descriptive scene when the two of them finally get freaky in bed. What I got was: "With skill and tenderness, they came together as husband and wife." What the hell is that?! I even went back a page to make sure I hadn't missed the down and dirty. But no, this is what I got after 246 pages of a slow burn! I understand some people don't like smut, and I can appreciate that. But don't lead me on for that long with these steamy kissing passages just to dump that line on me at the end.
5. Fredericka was misspelled as Frederick twice in the book and for some reason I found that very distracting...
Overall though this book has a great premise. And it is a good slow burn romance..just don't expect fireworks at the end.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Now I think to best summarize my feelings about this book I'll break them down into different topics :)
1. Jane is the literal devil. The woman is so unlikeable. She constantly belittles Fredericka and even goes so far as having police officers come and help her take the children away. The author (attempts?) to give her some redemption at the end by having Jane come over and say she always loved Fredericka and look here I even saved the poems you wrote me. But the woman is pure trash.
2. Fredericka. I didn't love her character. She never let the kids act like kids and play. She wanted them to be polite and proper and Wyatt often said they reminded him of wooden soldiers. She was also very quick to jump to conclusions, and always took everything Wyatt said to her out of context. She seemed to pick fights with him just to fight. I understand that she grew up feeling like her sister that was 8 years older than her didn't want her following her around all the time, but...I think she should learn to relax. Pick up a nice hobby, like fern collecting. (It notes that she likes to write poetry, but it doesn't seem to be taking the edge of for her so maybe it was time to try something else)
3. Wyatt. He's perfect. I love a good rakish Duke and Wyatt had all those qualities and more. Plus the way he would stop and try to spend time with the kids to help make them relax and just be kids for awhile. My heart. Don't change a thing babe.
4. The romance. Now listen the way this book lead me on. I was given such passionate kissing scenes that screamed the promise of a dirty descriptive scene when the two of them finally get freaky in bed. What I got was: "With skill and tenderness, they came together as husband and wife." What the hell is that?! I even went back a page to make sure I hadn't missed the down and dirty. But no, this is what I got after 246 pages of a slow burn! I understand some people don't like smut, and I can appreciate that. But don't lead me on for that long with these steamy kissing passages just to dump that line on me at the end.
5. Fredericka was misspelled as Frederick twice in the book and for some reason I found that very distracting...
Overall though this book has a great premise. And it is a good slow burn romance..just don't expect fireworks at the end.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2023
Book #1 in the NEW series “Say I Do” centers around both hero + heroine needing to marry ASAP.
Our hero Wyatt, Duke of Wyatthaven, has within the week to marry, or he will lose his late grandmother’s inheritance with the money being given to a poem society. He plans to use the money to fund hospitals that helps men damaged in the war. Wyatt is known to be a notorious rake and has NEVER had any intention of marrying before this little hiccup in his grandmother’s will. He also has past trauma from his boarding school days.
Our heroine Fredericka Hale needs a husband to keep her nephew and nieces in her care. Her childless cousin Jane has petitioned the court for guardianship. Jane is the epitome of mean. She has always belittled Fredericka, not to mention she has always gotten her way even as a child.
After the two marry, Fredericka still resides in the country, with Wyatt living in the city at his London home. Jane visits Fredericka pressing her on taking the children away, saying her marriage is false since they live separately. She and the children show up on Wyatt’s doorstep to disprove Jane’s assumptions. Jane’s husband is close to the magistrate who will decide on the children’s guardian, and Fredericka is afraid he will be swayed in Jane’s favor.
One thing they both didn’t count on was falling in love. Wyatt’s time spent getting to know the children and the time he took (away from his own life) to help Fredericka was adorable. This is a sweet story, low angst, that would be great for readers that prefer a closed-door romance. ❥ 3.5 stars — Pub. 3/28/23
Our hero Wyatt, Duke of Wyatthaven, has within the week to marry, or he will lose his late grandmother’s inheritance with the money being given to a poem society. He plans to use the money to fund hospitals that helps men damaged in the war. Wyatt is known to be a notorious rake and has NEVER had any intention of marrying before this little hiccup in his grandmother’s will. He also has past trauma from his boarding school days.
Our heroine Fredericka Hale needs a husband to keep her nephew and nieces in her care. Her childless cousin Jane has petitioned the court for guardianship. Jane is the epitome of mean. She has always belittled Fredericka, not to mention she has always gotten her way even as a child.
After the two marry, Fredericka still resides in the country, with Wyatt living in the city at his London home. Jane visits Fredericka pressing her on taking the children away, saying her marriage is false since they live separately. She and the children show up on Wyatt’s doorstep to disprove Jane’s assumptions. Jane’s husband is close to the magistrate who will decide on the children’s guardian, and Fredericka is afraid he will be swayed in Jane’s favor.
One thing they both didn’t count on was falling in love. Wyatt’s time spent getting to know the children and the time he took (away from his own life) to help Fredericka was adorable. This is a sweet story, low angst, that would be great for readers that prefer a closed-door romance. ❥ 3.5 stars — Pub. 3/28/23
June 15, 2023
This was my first Amelia Grey book, and I had a hard time getting into it. There were some cute moments, especially involving the children and some frustrating moments of miscommunication between Fredericka and Wyatt.
I truly wanted to like this one more than I did.
It felt like there was so much potential with this story. However, it just never really lived up to it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I truly wanted to like this one more than I did.
It felt like there was so much potential with this story. However, it just never really lived up to it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Read
March 18, 2023It's been about 4 days since I finished this one, and I am still unsure how to rate or review this book. But I need to review it, so here goes nothing.
Yeah... okay... I've got nothing. Review to come.
Alright. I took some more time to think about this and I have finally decided on 3 stars.
This book was a marriage of convinces, which is one of my favorite tropes. I enjoyed the book a lot, and it even had me laughing out loud. I read an ARC of this book, and I don't know if that was why I didn't love it, but I could tell that it needed a lot of work. I hope it goes through several more edits before it is published, but it honestly should not have been given to readers in this state.
I think my main issue with this story was that it was more attraction rather than falling in love. They just didn't have enough interactions with each other for it to feel genuine. I did like the plot though. I liked how he needed a wife to get his inheritance and she needed a husband to keep her sister's children. Although, as I stated, they needed more interactions with each other throughout the story.
I wish I would have enjoyed this one more than I did, but I did like the story overall.
Yeah... okay... I've got nothing. Review to come.
Alright. I took some more time to think about this and I have finally decided on 3 stars.
This book was a marriage of convinces, which is one of my favorite tropes. I enjoyed the book a lot, and it even had me laughing out loud. I read an ARC of this book, and I don't know if that was why I didn't love it, but I could tell that it needed a lot of work. I hope it goes through several more edits before it is published, but it honestly should not have been given to readers in this state.
I think my main issue with this story was that it was more attraction rather than falling in love. They just didn't have enough interactions with each other for it to feel genuine. I did like the plot though. I liked how he needed a wife to get his inheritance and she needed a husband to keep her sister's children. Although, as I stated, they needed more interactions with each other throughout the story.
I wish I would have enjoyed this one more than I did, but I did like the story overall.
March 31, 2023
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Yours Truly, The Duke is the first book of the new Say I Do series by Amelia Grey, featuring one of my favorite tropes, a marriage of convenience. Fredricka needs a husband or she might lose her sister's children. Wyatt needs a wife or he will definitely loose his grandmother's inheritance. It seems like an ideal situation; they will marry, each will get what they need and sometime later they will figure out when to get back together to produce the needed heir. Both should have been able to go on with their lives independently but fate had other things in store for them.
Like I mentioned, this is one of my favorite tropes in any genre but especially so in historical romance. When Fredricka's sister died tragically, she took over the care of her sister's children. Being an orphan herself, she wants them to know how loved they are, but three children under the age of 10 are a lot to handle. Jane was her sister's best friend and a member of the peerage. Jane cannot have children of her own and has decided she can be a better mother to the children and is attempting to get custody. When Fredricka married Wyatt she assumed that with his title she would not be at risk, but Jane is still pushing her suit and Fredricka needs Wyatt to play dutiful husband or she may loose the children she loves so much.
Wyatt thought he could run off, get married and then go back to living his life just the way he had always done. He wasn't planning on marrying for years yet, so when Fredricka shows up at his door, children in tow, to play the perfect family he was not prepared. While he didn't want to play family quite yet, he did make a promise to help Fredricka keep the children. Spending time with her is starting to get to him. There is something about his little wife that is crawling under his skin and the more time he spends with her the more he wants to spend with her, even if most of what they do is fight.
I enjoyed this story. The children are dealing with some traumatic feelings after the death of two parents. Fredricka was doing a really good, if not strict, job at being their caretaker but when Wyatt enters the picture she gets a glimpse of what being in a real family would be like with him and part of her longs for that more than anything. She also sees that it can be fun, not measured out fun like she has been doing, but real unplanned fun. Fredricka and Wyatt are a great match as they both see life in very different ways. I enjoyed the sexual tension between them and hoped they'd figure it all out sooner, rather than later. It was fun watching the friction between them build, until it finally ignited.
Overall, I enjoyed the entire story. Fredricka has some serious self worth issues and doesn't think anyone could want her since she has been neglected most of her life. Those parts might have got a little tedious since I felt the author reminded us too much. Still it was an enjoyable story and I look forward to other books to the series.
Review copy was received from . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Yours Truly, The Duke is the first book of the new Say I Do series by Amelia Grey, featuring one of my favorite tropes, a marriage of convenience. Fredricka needs a husband or she might lose her sister's children. Wyatt needs a wife or he will definitely loose his grandmother's inheritance. It seems like an ideal situation; they will marry, each will get what they need and sometime later they will figure out when to get back together to produce the needed heir. Both should have been able to go on with their lives independently but fate had other things in store for them.
Like I mentioned, this is one of my favorite tropes in any genre but especially so in historical romance. When Fredricka's sister died tragically, she took over the care of her sister's children. Being an orphan herself, she wants them to know how loved they are, but three children under the age of 10 are a lot to handle. Jane was her sister's best friend and a member of the peerage. Jane cannot have children of her own and has decided she can be a better mother to the children and is attempting to get custody. When Fredricka married Wyatt she assumed that with his title she would not be at risk, but Jane is still pushing her suit and Fredricka needs Wyatt to play dutiful husband or she may loose the children she loves so much.
Wyatt thought he could run off, get married and then go back to living his life just the way he had always done. He wasn't planning on marrying for years yet, so when Fredricka shows up at his door, children in tow, to play the perfect family he was not prepared. While he didn't want to play family quite yet, he did make a promise to help Fredricka keep the children. Spending time with her is starting to get to him. There is something about his little wife that is crawling under his skin and the more time he spends with her the more he wants to spend with her, even if most of what they do is fight.
I enjoyed this story. The children are dealing with some traumatic feelings after the death of two parents. Fredricka was doing a really good, if not strict, job at being their caretaker but when Wyatt enters the picture she gets a glimpse of what being in a real family would be like with him and part of her longs for that more than anything. She also sees that it can be fun, not measured out fun like she has been doing, but real unplanned fun. Fredricka and Wyatt are a great match as they both see life in very different ways. I enjoyed the sexual tension between them and hoped they'd figure it all out sooner, rather than later. It was fun watching the friction between them build, until it finally ignited.
Overall, I enjoyed the entire story. Fredricka has some serious self worth issues and doesn't think anyone could want her since she has been neglected most of her life. Those parts might have got a little tedious since I felt the author reminded us too much. Still it was an enjoyable story and I look forward to other books to the series.
March 6, 2023
Wyatt, The Duke of Wyatthaven needs a wife quickly or risk losing an inheritance from his grandmother. She has a surprising codicil to her will that he just learned about. It doesn’t effect his dukedom but is of value and prime property in London. Frederika Hale needs a husband. For the last year she has been raising her sister’s three children. But a cousin has threatened to take as she realizes she wont be having children of her own. A husband, especially a Duke will give her protection. They’ve not met and seemingly Wyatt learns of her situation through a solicitor. He doesn’t want any changes to their lives at the moment. He is busy with his gaming and card tournaments. And he is content to let her stay in the children's country home. (Oddly, he knows he will need an heir eventually but they don’t discuss this while deciding to wed.)
I’m mixed on this book. I like Fredericka and feel like she’s done well with the children given the circumstances. Wyatt wants to bring out the more playful side to the children when he does involve himself in their upbringing. Both MCs have insecurities from their childhood. But Wyatt doesn’t take care of business as far as I’m concerned. He seemingly doesn’t have much power as a Duke because he belongs to the wrong political party. He has the information to stop the process regarding the children but it doesn’t seem to be a priority for him. His actions don’t always follow his words. And a personal pet peeve, he never cuts ties with his mistress, although he doesn’t see her in the story. Those two are not the same thing. On the plus side his kisses make her swoon and he is very kind.
I am new to Amelia Grey and this is the first in a new series. But with this beautiful cover I was expecting more heat than a couple of kisses and a few sentences of a non descriptive love scene. The author shows some extra in the story by bringing up past issues, and mention of spousal abuse and the effects on the children of the parents deaths. But surprisingly I didn’t feel much towards the characters. I like historical romances and often can recall small details of why this or that one stands out. This one felt like a formula book. The story is okay but it will quickly fade from my mind.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a review.
I’m mixed on this book. I like Fredericka and feel like she’s done well with the children given the circumstances. Wyatt wants to bring out the more playful side to the children when he does involve himself in their upbringing. Both MCs have insecurities from their childhood. But Wyatt doesn’t take care of business as far as I’m concerned. He seemingly doesn’t have much power as a Duke because he belongs to the wrong political party. He has the information to stop the process regarding the children but it doesn’t seem to be a priority for him. His actions don’t always follow his words. And a personal pet peeve, he never cuts ties with his mistress, although he doesn’t see her in the story. Those two are not the same thing. On the plus side his kisses make her swoon and he is very kind.
I am new to Amelia Grey and this is the first in a new series. But with this beautiful cover I was expecting more heat than a couple of kisses and a few sentences of a non descriptive love scene. The author shows some extra in the story by bringing up past issues, and mention of spousal abuse and the effects on the children of the parents deaths. But surprisingly I didn’t feel much towards the characters. I like historical romances and often can recall small details of why this or that one stands out. This one felt like a formula book. The story is okay but it will quickly fade from my mind.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for a review.
February 6, 2023
Sadly, this was a miss (and a mess!). The plot summary, cover, and first few pages were so misleading here, and I for one am super bummed.
Things this book has: A stubborn hero; a lack of steam; random dangling plot points never mentioned again; insta-love; and a hero who won't end things with his mistress but loves the heroine???
Things this book lacks: any real chemistry; justification for the heroine to suddenly be the 'bad guy' for letting 3 young children go crazy, and logic behind mentioning of spousal abuse,
My thanks to Amelia Grey, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Things this book has: A stubborn hero; a lack of steam; random dangling plot points never mentioned again; insta-love; and a hero who won't end things with his mistress but loves the heroine???
Things this book lacks: any real chemistry; justification for the heroine to suddenly be the 'bad guy' for letting 3 young children go crazy, and logic behind mentioning of spousal abuse,
My thanks to Amelia Grey, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Paperbacks, and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 11, 2024
This was an enjoyable read. I love marriage of convenience. I liked the focus on the children, though it was rather annoying that the man swoops in and is better with them than her. Certain aspects of this were a bit nonsensical, like Frederica not wanting to uproot the children then immediately doing so, and that weird poetry issue, but overall I enjoyed it. Also Wyatt doing exactly what he said he wouldn't and giving it all up for her. I guess it's a nice change to have the man doing that, but I would have preferred no one. I did chuckle to myself and totally lose the mood the first time the hero mentioned his loins, I just can't with that one.
February 24, 2023
Copy received via Netgalley for an honest review
This one started out well, but as the story progressed, Fredericka became more annoying, and whilst Wyatt was largely misunderstood/there were miscommunications between them, he also was not always that good a guy either.
I found myself more and more frustrated as I read on. I wanted to talk some sense into her, tell him to think before he spoke, and just really scream at them both. Still right to the end there is miscommunications and nt talking things out.
I did like Rick and Hurst a lot more than our leading couple. I would come back for their books.
This one started out well, but as the story progressed, Fredericka became more annoying, and whilst Wyatt was largely misunderstood/there were miscommunications between them, he also was not always that good a guy either.
I found myself more and more frustrated as I read on. I wanted to talk some sense into her, tell him to think before he spoke, and just really scream at them both. Still right to the end there is miscommunications and nt talking things out.
I did like Rick and Hurst a lot more than our leading couple. I would come back for their books.
March 21, 2023
I really struggled to finish this story. The writing came across as very clunky at times, and I didn’t find the build of the love story believable. There were several period inconsistencies that I won’t enumerate and I felt the author missed out on the opportunity to give a more realistic portrayal of a custody battle.
January 7, 2025
Made it to page 163 and it just feels like they keep having the same arguments. I also find it bizarre Wyatt can’t stop thinking about Fredericka but is still so determined to continue living a bachelor’s life as a husband.
December 28, 2022
I have been provided with a copy of Yours Truly, The Duke from the publisher via NetGalley for an impartial review. This is the first book in the brand-new Say I Do Trilogy series and this was just a great way to start off a new series. This was such a cute story. I was drawn into these new characters' lives and I felt so much for these characters and everything that they had been through. It was just so easy to get lost in this interesting story. The only drawback I had was at the beginning of each chapter there was some poetry that I thought was unnecessary and didn’t help the story move forward at all. Other than that I really enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.
April 9, 2023
A marriage of convinance, but is it?
Frederika needed to find a husband to keep her cousin from getting custody of her sister's kids and Wyatt needed to marry to get the inheritance from his grandmother. They made a deal, but found it harder and harder to stay apart.
Frederika and Wyatt are definitely opposites, but they found ways to meet in the middle. I liked Wyatt's character a lot since he was east going and got along so well with the children, but Frederika wasn't nearly as likeable. I felt she was way too stiff. I wanted her to have more of an additional passion other than fighting for keeping the kids. Not sure what could have made her less dull.
The overall plot was done well, but I just wanted more from the main characters.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
Frederika needed to find a husband to keep her cousin from getting custody of her sister's kids and Wyatt needed to marry to get the inheritance from his grandmother. They made a deal, but found it harder and harder to stay apart.
Frederika and Wyatt are definitely opposites, but they found ways to meet in the middle. I liked Wyatt's character a lot since he was east going and got along so well with the children, but Frederika wasn't nearly as likeable. I felt she was way too stiff. I wanted her to have more of an additional passion other than fighting for keeping the kids. Not sure what could have made her less dull.
The overall plot was done well, but I just wanted more from the main characters.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.
June 21, 2025
#1 in the Say I Do Regency Romance series
This book started out great, with a marriage of convenience in order to gain an inheritance (him) and gain custody of nieces and nephew (her). The characters are appealing, and the sparks between them promised a good relationship, but they agreed to live separately until later. When things start to become a problem with the children, Frederica heads to London, much to Wyatt's surprise, and that's when their relationship begins to blossom. The story moved forward well, but I just couldn't love the characters as much as I wanted to. Frederica is tough--always wanting the children to live up to an impossible ideal. She clearly doesn't know how to handle them, and it was frustrating to see her struggle, much to the children's detriment. Wyatt, on the other hand, is a little too lenient, for reasons from his past regarding discipline and unhappiness at school. They clash a lot, and it got old, I thought. Both were unreasonable, but especially Frederica. She took everything said to her as a criticism and didn't handle it well. I will, however, continue with this series, and Grey always creates a good story.
This book started out great, with a marriage of convenience in order to gain an inheritance (him) and gain custody of nieces and nephew (her). The characters are appealing, and the sparks between them promised a good relationship, but they agreed to live separately until later. When things start to become a problem with the children, Frederica heads to London, much to Wyatt's surprise, and that's when their relationship begins to blossom. The story moved forward well, but I just couldn't love the characters as much as I wanted to. Frederica is tough--always wanting the children to live up to an impossible ideal. She clearly doesn't know how to handle them, and it was frustrating to see her struggle, much to the children's detriment. Wyatt, on the other hand, is a little too lenient, for reasons from his past regarding discipline and unhappiness at school. They clash a lot, and it got old, I thought. Both were unreasonable, but especially Frederica. She took everything said to her as a criticism and didn't handle it well. I will, however, continue with this series, and Grey always creates a good story.
January 4, 2023
3.5 stars, but will round to 4.
Such an outstanding start to a new series although the book isn't perfect. I have always enjoyed marriages of convenience and Amelia Gray made it a unique story in her own writing style. I really liked the characters and their back and forth arguing at times, but it did get to be a bit much. I like stories with children and animals that help it to be a bit more entertaining. The word "book room" instead of study or library felt off rather or not it was used.
The cousin Jane was horrid and I feel it should have resolved differently, but it was okay. I felt the ending was rushed, but overall complete.
There is romance and the illusion of sex, but their love for one another was more luke warm than on fire in my opinion.
I would recommend the story and look forward to reading other books in the series.
I received a copy from NetGalley for a honest review.
Such an outstanding start to a new series although the book isn't perfect. I have always enjoyed marriages of convenience and Amelia Gray made it a unique story in her own writing style. I really liked the characters and their back and forth arguing at times, but it did get to be a bit much. I like stories with children and animals that help it to be a bit more entertaining. The word "book room" instead of study or library felt off rather or not it was used.
The cousin Jane was horrid and I feel it should have resolved differently, but it was okay. I felt the ending was rushed, but overall complete.
There is romance and the illusion of sex, but their love for one another was more luke warm than on fire in my opinion.
I would recommend the story and look forward to reading other books in the series.
I received a copy from NetGalley for a honest review.
April 1, 2023
"Fredericka Hale needs a husband, and fast. She’s been caring for her deceased sister’s three young children, and now a childless cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Fredericka is powerless to stop her, but having a husband might sway the ruling. The last thing Fredericka wants is a hurried-up marriage to a man she doesn’t know—much less love, but she’ll do it for the children. So when the handsome Duke of Wyatthaven shows up with a proposal, she accepts. He'll help her, and in return, they’ll lead separate lives. But distance cannot keep them from their powerful attraction."
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
March 4, 2023
I thought that the story was awesome. The writer grabbed my attention with the introductions of the characters Wyatt and Fredricka. I was very intrigued by Wyatt and his friends at the beginning of the book. Three men secluded in a den going over a to draft a letter. I thought that it was a little funny. The characters are quite charming. The love story was so sweet and charming. I absolutely loved how their story was told and how they made it their mission to keep the children. Until next time my fellow readers… read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews