Grace Burrowes' writing sparkles and glitters, and this story is no exception. I have to say I particularly enjoyed the side characters in this story about a broke H and a bored h.

What I didn't love: the main couples' instant rapport (which felt inauthentic) and the predictability of the narrative. Not Burrowes' best, though still a cut above much from the genre.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

I loved this book so much, I reread right after I finished it! Grace Burrowes knows how to weave a magically romantic story that leaves a reader wanting more and more. A great book from a wonderful author. I recommend.

Grace Burrows always delivers the most remarkable stories of Dukes and Duchesses. This is no exception. Her characters are flawed and very real filled with the need of love and with meddling families to boot. Definitely recommended.

Curling up with a Grace Burrows historical romance is always as comforting as curling up with a good book, as the main character Elizabeth Windham would surely attest. Her love interest, Julian, however would surely disagree. Nevertheless, we are certain Elizabeth will change his mind about the value of books, given enough time! In this story, Julian is struggling under massive debts thanks to his fathers excessive spending on very expensive books to fill library after library. Books do not hold any intrinsic value, however, and do not put food on a Duke's (or his people's) plates, so Julian must marry for wealth. When he meets Elizabeth he becomes enchanted with her, and they begin to develop a friendship and become confidents. Although Elizabeth does come with a considerable dowry, and though they begin to fall in love, Julian resists marrying her due to his own demons. What follows is a gentle and lovely tale of two people learning from each other, and learning to trust in love. It's another enjoyable debut from Grace Burrows, who never disappoints.

As a dedicated bibliophile, I enjoyed this tale of a duke with an enormous...library. I hadn't considered how 30,000 volumes might be a hardship, but Julian St. David needs money more than the reading material that fills his home. Elizabeth is a spirited heroine and book lover, and watching the duke seduce her with his library is entertaining. A secondary romance plot is sweet and satisfying, too.

This was a very heartwarming, sweet book and I enjoyed it immensely. I really liked how the characters so obviously fit together and take care of each other. That's one of my favorite things in romance.

For this third book in her Windham Brides series, Grace Burrowes moves to Wales and the home of Julian St. David, Duke of Haverford, whose estate is so encumbered by the debts accrued by his father and grandfather – their passion for collecting books creating a massive library at equally massive expense – means he is one step away from bankruptcy.

As No Other Duke Will Do opens, Julian’s sister, Glenys, has organised a large – and expensive – house-party to which she has invited a number of eligible young ladies in the hopes of finding her brother an heiress to marry. Julian is a loving man with a lot to offer, but she knows he is unlikely to marry while the state of their finances remains so dire – ergo, she will find him a wife who has money. Julian, who has not been involved in the planning or even consulted about the party, is naturally horrified at the cost, but as he is presented with a fait accompli sees no alternative but to allow things to proceed as planned… and perhaps there will be a gentleman among the invited bachelors who will catch his sister’s eye. Just because – according to his calculations – he can’t afford to marry for another eight years or more doesn’t mean Glenys should be mouldering away at Haverford Castle with him, after all.

Elizabeth Windham is the eldest of the four nieces of the Duke and Duchess of Moreland and is attending the house party with her sister Charlotte under the chaperonage of their Aunt Arabella. With their two youngest sisters recently married, their parents (and the duke and duchess) have turned their attentions to getting the two elder Windham ladies settled into the matrimonial embrace, even though Elizabeth, at twenty-eight, has no real wish to marry and would much rather devote her time and energies to her pet-project of encouraging the development of circulating libraries.

What happens when a duke in possession of thirty-thousand books which he sees at the cause of his family’s ruination (and therefore hates) meets a woman with a passion for libraries and books of all kinds?

No Other Duke Will Do is pretty much standard Grace Burrowes fare. Two decent, likeable –and in this case, mature – protagonists meet and fall in love in an understated way, and while there are obstacles to be overcome, they find a way around them together. I admit that in this book, those obstacles are a little on the flimsy side and are rather conveniently resolved, but as usual, it’s Ms. Burrowes’ attention to characterisation, relationships and the small details that are her real strengths and which, ultimately, allow one to give some of the weaker aspects of the story a pass.

She does a wonderful job here of showing how Julian’s financial situation impinges on pretty much every area of his life; he’s an honourable, compassionate man who wants very much to do what is best for those who depend on him and who is continually constrained by his lack of funds. He has worked tirelessly to bring his finances around, but knows he has a lot more hard work and sacrifice ahead of him; and we really feel for him as he realises he has finally found the woman for him but cannot afford to marry her. Elizabeth is a strong, level-headed, quick-witted heroine who longs for more from life, but isn’t sure it’s ever going to happen for her; and whose love of books grew out of a longing to for a sense of identity among the large brood of Windham cousins and sisters. Her previous forays into romance have been unsuccessful, with men who proved to be less than she’d hoped, but with Julian, there’s a sense of subtle bonding between them as they become closer through their various discussions. Theirs isn’t a relationship founded on insta-lust; there’s an attraction there, yes, but they explore it slowly as Julian shows Elizabeth how a real gentleman should treat the woman he loves and Elizabeth provides the loving support Julian has not, until now, realised he needed so desperately.

One of this author’s other great strengths is her ability to create interesting secondary characters who take on lives of their own rather than being cardboard cut-outs introduced simply to make a point. Julian’s younger brother, Griffin, is the strongest and most loveable of these; deprived of oxygen at birth, Griffin is mentally impaired in some ways, but is a kind, gentle man in spite of his limitations, who loves the land and knows every inch of his estate. Julian loves Griffin dearly, but worries about him; until Julian can marry and have children of his own, Griffin is his heir, and Julian knows his brother could never cope with the demands of the dukedom should he ever inherit. Glenys and Radnor, Julian’s best friend, have – each unbeknownst to the other – carried torches for one other for years; Julian’s cousin Hugh and his estranged wife rekindle their marriage, and there’s love on the horizon for Lady Arabella, too, who, in one of the book’s most poignant moments, recounts the sad story of her own short marriage and tells Julian not to let love pass him by. It’s true there are rather a lot of secondary romances here, but fortunately, none of them really detracts from the central love story, and there’s a hint of what’s in store for Charlotte Windham, too, as she and Lucas Sherborne – Julian’s neighbour and his major creditor – strike sparks off each other.

I was a little bit hesitant getting into this book. Elizabeth and Charlotte have been the concerned overbearing, mother henning, very much on the shelf and expected to be spinsters older sisters in the past two books. They weren't that bad in Megan's book, The Trouble with Dukes, but in Anwen's story, Too Scot to Handle|, they were almost too much. So I was nervous with with book. Turns out I didn't need to be.

Elizabeth and Charlotte are close, they've paired themselves against the world and men in particular. When they are sent to a house party in Wales both are planning to endure and then go back to their original plans. But Elizabeth finds herself drawn to Julian the Duke of Haverford, lord of the crumbling castle and drowning in debt.

I really adored these two. Julian woo's Elizabeth and pays attention in a way that she has never received before. Elizabeth finds herself falling in love with Julian and instead of fighting it because it will change all her plans, she throws herself in headlong.

I enjoyed Griffin and I actually really wanted to spend more time with Radnor and Glenys. They were cute and I actually wanted to be a part of their romance as it continued. I will admit that Sherbourne is an interesting character. I'm excited that he will be in Charlotte's book. I also really really want Turnbull to come back. I like him.

SIGN ME UP!! Can every Romance be like this? No big misunderstanding. No assumptions. Two adults who have conversations about their feelings and fall in love <3

Two Windham sisters down and now Elizabeth the oldest faces a country house party with no less than a duke dangled before her. But before her protest that she’s only there for his library is off her lips, Haverford makes it clear that he plans to still be single at the end of his sister’s house party as well. I’ve enjoyed this series about the four sisters, their very different personalities, interests, and the men who pair them. Elizabeth and Julian’s story is no exception.
Review

While reading No Other Duke Will Do in order would make this Windham Brides spin-off series more enjoyable, this particular book works well as a standalone as it doesn’t really build from the story that came before it.

Julian St. David, the Duke of Haverford is in debt up to his eyeballs at no fault of his own so he’s determined to do what he can to reverse poor financial decisions back three generations before he takes a bride. In the meantime, he’s stuck footing the bill for a houseparty he doesn’t want and can’t afford, he has responsibility to help his sister find a loving husband, his younger brother Griffin is simple thus needing his care, and the man who holds his promissory notes invites himself to the party. The man is ready to break under all that he is carrying on his shoulders. I loved his honorable and caring nature from the beginning. He certainly dashes the determined Miss Elizabeth Windham off her feet right when she is wholly focused on her books and remaining single because a handful of bad encounters with men have left her unmoved about taking one more chance that love might exist.

The introduction to the characters and the conflict is early on and then the story takes its time teasing things out building the overall tension of the story arc as well as the romance to the end. I loved the story and particularly Julian and Elizabeth together, but I confess to wanting for things to move it along a bit faster. Part of this is due to a few side stories like Julian’s sister’s own romance, his brother’s romance, and the beginning of a story for Elizabeth’s sister. The main story slowed down as a result. Oddly, I really enjoyed all these plot threads and wouldn’t want to sacrifice any of them so I’m not sure how to resolve that with my impatience over the pace.

All in all, that was a tiny niggle and this story was once again a lovely interlude and an engaging entry in the series. I really liked what I was seeing of Sherborne and Charlotte’s story so I can’t wait for that one to come out. Historical romance lovers who enjoy a gentle pace, a great cast of characters, and a slightly spicy romance should give these a go.

My thanks to Forever for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Those who prefer their historical romances to sound and feel historical will savor No Other Duke Will Do by Grace Burrows. Julian St. David, Duke of Haverford, is up to his eyeballs in debt, thanks to ancestors who spent the family fortune acquiring a library of 30,000 books. He ought to wed an heiress, and his sister requires a match as well, so they host a house party at their castle in Wales. As one does. It is here that he meets Elizabeth Windham — a kind, intelligent, passionate and managing woman a bit too long on the shelf. She is the duchess he needs and the duchess he wants, but barriers to their match seem insurmountable — namely, his integrity and stubborn refusal to let her pay his debts to a nefarious neighbor (who Elizabeth fabulously and politely puts in his place); he believes she can do better than a penniless husband. While Elizabeth and the duke realize their love and passion for each other relatively early in the house party — and thoroughly enjoy their time together — you wonder just what sacrifices they'll have to make in order to live happily ever after (and also what fate will befall those 30,000 books!).

Book four in the Windham Brides series. Grace has written yet another wonderful Windham book!! This time we get Elizabeth's story. She attends a country house party in an effort to get away from the drama in London where she meets the Duke of Haverford who is looking for a wealthy bride to help save his finances that the previous generations destroyed. The two are determined to not like each other but find themselves drawn to each other regardless. Once they discover that they cannot fight their attraction they instead agree to an affair for the duration of the house party. Of course things have to go wonky and they find themselves in love trying to figure out how they can be together. The writing in these books is just amazing. It really brings the setting and time frame to life making you feel like you are there. I am addicted to the Windhams by this point after all of the wonderful books she has written with each one having its own unique flair that sets it apart from the others. Grace is one of my favorite historical romance authors and if you like the genre you should really take the time to read one of hers. I loved it so much it gets 5/5 stars.

A great return to form for Burrowes, whose last books didn't quite live up to her usual standards. Her hero & heroine are both wonderful - practical and with a lot of chemistry. However, it's her secondary characters who are much more intriguing. I look forward to her sister Charlotte's book which is next in the series, I believe.

I quite enjoyed the latest Windham brides book, with a Duke with no cash flow, but a world class library. This is a lovely romance revolving around a Duke who is desperately trying to save his family from financial ruin, and a reluctant love interest who knows she doesn't have a big enough dowry to save him. In the end he finds her love of books might be the answer they both needed.

Neither Julian, the Duke of Haverford nor Elizabeth Windham have plans to marry soon, but when they meet, sparks fly and they begin to think they may have to change their minds about the marital state. Burrowes creates two complex characters facing complex, realistic challenges, and does not let them take the easy way out to find their happily-ever-after. The reader can't help but root for these two to overcome their obstacles. A delightful read.

~~Reviewed by Amy~~

Grace Burrowes’ No Other Duke Will Do is a swoon-worthy romantic novel with biting wit, insightful social commentary, and memorable characters you can’t help but fall in love with. If you’re a Jane Austen fan, you’ll find this 3rd book in the Windham Brides series to be a joyful indulgence.

Julian Andreas Cynan Evan St David, 12th Duke of Haverford, had no plans to find a duchess for at least another decade. He couldn’t afford one. He was barely keeping afloat thanks to the debts his forefathers had incurred due to their passion for all things literary. Unfortunately, the only books Julian was interested in now were his ledgers. It didn’t help that his sister, Glenys, intent on ending his bachelorhood, was throwing a house party. Guests meant inane socializing and more expenses. Julian had no time for such pointless frivolities when there were lists, plans, and budgets to deal with.


Elizabeth Windham was ready to embrace spinsterdom. Having remained unmarried despite a decade of seasons, she was content to live a solitary life. But due to a recent scandal, her family was determined to see her wed, and the St. David house party promised to feature the most well-bred bachelors worthy of notice. While Elizabeth had no interest in pursuing a husband, she was impressed with her host. He was a duke, but he was unlike any aristocrat she’d met before.


After Julian and Elizabeth confessed that neither sought marriage, they decided to be friends and spent time together sharing confidences and stolen moments. A comfortable and daring relationship soon formed. They were both lonely and decided just because they were friends, didn’t mean they could never kiss and see where it leads. Only for the duration of the house party, of course. So amidst the threat of financial ruin, the party’s gossipmongers, and match-making siblings, true love picked an inconvenient time to bloom.

This was an absolutely sweet, happy, and charming story filled with little unexpected schemes and twists. Julian and Elizabeth were delightful. I loved watching their relationship blossom. They were so at ease together. Elizabeth’s demure composure intrigued Julian, and her hidden ferocity fascinated him. She was perceptive and took him to task. He liked her scolding. Elizabeth felt the same of Julian. He was the duke, but beneath his somber, civil tones, when he was alone with her, his emotions took over. I loved their frank conversations and displays of affection. Their relationship “was how it was supposed to be between a man and a woman, both comfortable and daring, a private adventure”.


Julian’s and Elizabeth’s weren’t the only shenanigans going on at the house party. The secondary characters were just as loveable. I enjoyed seeing Glenys and Radnor discover their feelings for one another. Their bickering couldn’t mask their true affection. I laughed out loud when Radnor announced his intentions to court Glenys after he climbed into bed with her. Charlotte and Sherbourne were fun to watch too. Charlotte was so saucy and in her presence, Sherbourne was a little discombobulated. Seeing her put him in his place was a delight. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Griffin. He was as guileless as a boy and even less self-conscious. I’m still chuckling about the aching tallywags. I adored the relationships Ms. Burrowes portrayed among these siblings.


I suppose you could read this as a stand-alone but I think it would be frustrating. If you don’t know the history of the Windham sisters, there may be names and references that leave you confused. Besides, you’ll love the earlier books in this series. They are all filled with romance, passion, and wit. Ms. Burrowes’ writing style is stellar, and her books are vivid and fun to read.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book.

Grace Burrowes continues the Windham Brides series with No Other Duke Will Do. The Duke of Haverford is putting up with the house party his sister has arranged to find a bride for him. He is falling in love with Elizabeth Windham but his debts my be called in by a very wealth merchant who wants to marry into the aristocracy. High Regency romantic intrigues in a beautiful estate setting. Read this excellent romance.

If you are a fan 0f regency historical romances, for the most part the male leads are usually nobility with means. However, in the third Windham Brides novel, No Other Duke Will Do, the duke in question happens to be near bankruptcy! An unusual set up but trust Ms. Burrowes to be able to craft a story line where this particular duke's lack of material wealth makes up for with his honor and his vast library. Thus making him a great temptation to a certain Windham niece who has decided spinsterhood is a good option.
A house party has been set in the household of the Duke of Haverford, one he cannot afford. But to make sure his sister has a chance of making an advantageous match then he would suffer it. Never mind that she thinks the party is for him to catch a bride. That is never going to happen since he is all but penniless except for a vast and precious library of which he cannot fathom turning to coin. When the Windham nieces turns up, he never could imagine, that the one named Elizabeth will lead him astray and make him dream of a future with her.
Elizabeth Windham has no fondness for marriage, especially since she sees it as being auctioned off with no takers past a certain age. So, along with her sister Charlotte, attending house parties seems to be something to bear until they can be declared totally spinsters and retire to do some of their charitable works. She never took into account a certain penniless duke. And for the first time, her beloved books takes second place to this wonderful person who makes her yearn for marriage. Now how to convince her uncle the Duke of Moreland that marrying her penniless duke is the best thing for her.

No Other Duke Will Do, has a main romance and some minor ones written between. And I love how the story evolves. The characters of Julian, Elizabeth, Charlotte,Glenny, Radnor, Griffin and Biddy just jumps off the pages and makes you so invested in their stories. How you start asking "But why can't they just marry?" and "oh yeah, Duke and Duchess of Moreland cameos!" Even the sort of villain Sherbourne seems to be getting his own comeuppance in the nicest way possible. This book really does have that regency feel that Jane Austen's novels have. Well, it is a little bit more sexier but still the sentiment is similar. This particular romance makes you have all the feels perfect for the holiday season.

This book is a standalone and can be read separately from the other Windham-centric novels but fans will definitely get a kick out of once again getting a glimpse of the other Windham relatives.

As always, Grace Burroughs delights with a warmhearted and intimate romance. Fans of period romance, impeccable characterization, and believable dialog will enjoy this addition to Burroughs' latest spin-off of her Windham series.

Netgalley ARC Review

Grace Burrowes delivers another sweet, exciting romancing without the swash-buckling rogues or highwaymen of other novels. A duke with a vast library cannot afford to wed, and a young woman that loves to read comes into his life at a house party. The banter between characters is clever and the plot more realistic than most. A thoroughly enjoyable read!