Description
Baldwin Undercross, Duke of Sheffield, has a secret he’s keeping from almost everyone he knows and loves. He is destitute, thanks to gambling by his late father and his own bad decisions. There is only one option now, marry for money and do it soon. An opportunity presents itself when a rich American woman arrives in Society hunting for a title in trade for a huge dowry.

Helena Monroe is the companion to her entitled cousin and she is miserable. But once she encounters Baldwin on a terrace, her time in England starts to look up. She quickly realizes he believes she is her cousin and everything starts to fall apart.

Baldwin is now torn between a future that will save his family legacy and one with a woman he is growing increasingly attached to. Will he choose safety or passion, obligation or love?

My Thoughts:

This series just gets better with each new release!

Baldwin has successfully kept his secret from everyone, at least the part he played in their financial straits. His mother knows that her late husband gambled away most of his fortune but doesn't know of the bad decisions her son made that have made things worse.
Determined to marry a woman with a fortune he seeks out an American heiress. When he meets Helena he is immediately attracted to her and is certain she is the ticket to the resolution of his problems.

When he discovers that she is not the heiress he thought but her penniless cousin he still thinks to woo the young woman who will bring him the needed fortune.
But his heart will not allow it!
Will he follow his heart and marry for love or follow the fortune he needs to set things right?h
This heartwarming new addition to the 1797 Club series is not to be missed.
Although part of a series this book can be read as a stand alone but in this reader's opinion it is best when read in this the order the books were released.
I gave this book 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 4 of 5 flames, although there is a sweet nature to the intimacy in this book there is still enough steaminess to titillate the appetite.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author/publisher to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Another keeper from jess michaels. I absolutely love Baldwin and Helena story. Their connection were so strong since the beginning. Even though Charity and her dad were really horrible to her, I did feel emotional at the end when Charity stood up against her dad and took Helena defense. Awesome book. I can't wait for the other Duke's stories.
I received this copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review that is all my own.

Awesome book. I read this and could not put it down. The Duke of Sheffield made me fall in love with him. And Helena was just a great match for him. Awesome story.

Baldwin Undercross, Duke of Sheffield, has a secret that he’s broke and destitute from everyone he knows. On the surface it looks like he has everything, but in reality he’s desperate to marry an heiress as soon as possible. There’s an American heiress who’s hunting a title and he’s willing to trade his title for her dowry. At a ball he mistakenly encounters her cousin Helena Monroe on the terrace and he feels things are looking up she has intrigued him as no other woman has, but once he realizes his mistake she’s not the heiress everything starts falling apart.
He has to save his family’s legacy and secure the future of the Dukedom, there is no room for him to fall in love with the penniless Helena. He must sacrifice his happiness for his family and their future. Helena has no money or dowry so while Baldwin is attracted to her she knows he can’t shirk his duties and pursue her. Oh but that’s easier said than done, Helena and Baldwin are instantly attracted and passion sizzles between the two every time they meet. I love these two characters the odds are against them, will Baldwin choose safety or passion, obligation or love? No one has ever stood up for Helena before and chosen to love her unconditionally even her parents! Will these be united against the odds and finally find their HEA?
This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

"Here we are, two people who'll never get what they want because of what someone else did. Because of what we did to ourselves."

FINAL DECISION: A sweet and sometimes angsty and seemingly doomed love between two people who don't see a way forward together until they decide that love means more than anything and are willing to do whatever it takes to be together. Baldwin and Helena are a couple who seem perfect for one another and yet do not see a way forward -- until there is no other choice.

THE STORY: Baldwin Undercross, Duke of Sheffield has been keeping a secrets from his friends and family -- he is bankrupt. His father squandered the family fortune with gambling and Baldwin contributed his own bad decisions to the problem. In fact, Baldwin has only one solution now -- marry an heiress. He has his mind on a rich American, but he cannot keep his eyes off her impoverished and scandalous cousin and companion, Helena Monroe.

OPINION: This is a sweeter book that I expected. The drama in the book is the necessity of Baldwin to marry for money and Helena's lack of the same. It's a book more about pride and doing what is expected rather than internal problems for the couple.

These are such nice characters that they obviously belong together from the moment that they meet. Everyone seems to recognize that, but Baldwin's troubles and his pride and shame keep these characters apart. Baldwin has to learn to swallow his pride and rely on the people who are there always willing to stand by him if he just asks.

Helena has her own problems that stem from being betrayed by those who should care for her.  That gives the story some angst.

For me, however, this book is centered around these characters who need only to decide that nothing matters more than one another in order to find their happiness.

A great addition to the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: There are lots of appearances by the other couples and the bachelor dukes.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE DUKE OF NOTHING is the fifth book in the 1797 Club series about a group of dukes who have been friends since they were children. This book is a standalone with the romance but the friends make appearances.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to prepare a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Reviews will be posted on January 16th to retail sites.

Baldwin Undercross, Duke of Sheffield, is broke due to his father's gambling habits and his own as well. A marriage to a woman with an impressive dowry seems like a small price to pay until he meets Helena Monroe. Helena is a cousin to an American heiress and is acting as her companion while a suitable peer is found.
Baldwin feels an enormous relief when he meets a young lady on a terrace and falls fast for whom he believes is the newly arrived heiress. The mistaken identity is quickly found out but not before Baldwin and Helena fall hard for each other.
With a cruel Uncle itching to punish Helana and put the Duke of Sheffield in his place, a happy ending seems impossible. Luckily, with the tight knit 1797 Club, there may be a small chance for this couple to succeed.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, my one complaint about reading a Jess Michaels book is knowing once I am done I'll have to wait for another story to be released.
I loved Helena in this story and Baldwin was an amazing champion for her. His anger when she expected to be disappointed time and time again was heartwarming. Getting a glimpse of previous characters is always a welcomed bonus! Another winner.

This is the fifth romance in the 1797 club series it could be read as a stand alone book but the series is brilliant & I’d definitely recommend reading it from the start
Baldwin Undercross, Duke of Sheffield, has a secret he’s keeping to himself even though it’s torturing him. He is destitute, thanks to gambling by his late father and his own bad decisions following his father’s death. There is only one option now, marry for money and do it soon. An opportunity presents itself when a rich American woman arrives in Society hunting for a title in trade for a huge dowry. Helena Monroe is the companion to her entitled cousin Charity and she is miserable as both her uncle & Charity treat her as the lowest of servants. She encounters Baldwin on a terrace, her time in England starts to look up as the attraction between the pair is immediate.
Baldwin is the brother of Charlotte who recently married Ewan, the Silent Duke. The walk in the garden & revelations by the fountain had me welling up & from there on I was routing for Baldwin & Helena to have their HEA. This is yet another engrossing, riveting read that takes you on a roller coaster of emotions. The characters are very well drawn & I just love the interaction between the Dukes & their growing number of wives. This is another keeper & I can’t wait for the next book to be released
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Love this series. The characters and their issues are real enough to connect, yet romance book not quite reality worthy.

The Duke of Nothing is book 5in the 1797 Club Series and can be read as a stand-alone, which I did.

Baldwin and Helena's story was sweet and angsty.
Both had reasons they felt kept themselves from each other. Helena had an indiscretion, through no fault of her own; Baldwin inherited a dukedom riddled in debt he added to by making poor financial decisions trying to dig his way out.
Baldwin must marry for money to have any chance of clearing his debts; Helena has been left to depend on the good (or not so good) will of a wealthy uncle in exchange for being the companion to her heiress cousin.
They meet by chance on the terrace of a ball, neither one exchanging names, where Baldwin mistakenly presumes she's her heiress cousin and his future doesn't seem so bad.
Because he's in search of an heiress, and her cousin is one, they continually find themselves at the same events. Their connection continues to grow and they confide in one another regarding the reasons they can't be together. Because everyone around them seems to get what they want and there is no hope for them, they settle for taking what they want right now, which is each other.
While things seem hopeless, and unsuspecting hero swoops in to ensure happiness for all.
While this is my first in this series it's not my first Jess Michaels book, and just like the rest, she doesn't disappoint. With the right amount of angst, right amount of sweet and the right amount of steam I was glad to start the series with Baldwin and Helena and plan to catch up with the rest of 1797 Club.
An ARC of this book was provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

Yes please!! Give me more. Jess Michaels is a fantastic writing with amazing characters. Her stories are heartfelt, enchanting and fun. This is one of those stories that you curl up in bed to read from start to finish. Once you start you wont want to put it down

What's not to love about reading a steamy Jess Michaels book on a cold and snowy New England day. Both the story line and characters were unique and not often seen in romance let alone historical romance books. I can't wait for the next installment in the 1797 club series

The Duke of Sheffield truly has nothing. His father was a gambling addict and introduced his son, but current duke, Baldwin Undercross, to gambling. Through his father’s bad decisions and some of his own, the dukedom is basically bankrupt. Baldwin and his mother know he must marry money to bring the dukedom back to what it once was before the gambling ruined it. Wealthy Peter Shephard and his daughter, Charity, have come to England from the states to find her a titled husband. They brought with them Charity’s ruined cousin, Helena Monroe, as her companion.

The inevitable happens, Helena and Baldwin fall in love. They have an instant connection before she knew he was a duke and he knew she was considered ruined. The way he asks her to tell him her story just endears him to you all the more. It takes a while to find out the details of Helena’s ruin. It is sad that she believes she is better off with her cruel uncle and mean cousin. Yet, it is typical of what could have happened in that day and time to some one who was considered ‘ruined.’ She has an amazingly kind heart and generous nature.

Of course, cruel Uncle Peter is going to do what he can to keep them apart. Charity is the surprise in Helena and Baldwin’s HEA. She had not been a friend or kind to Helena. She definitely took advantage of Helena on numerous occasions treating her as a poor relation.

Jess Michaels keeps us connected to 1797 Duke’s club by bringing the previous characters to the house party the current duchess has to help her son decide whom he will marry. Especially as Baldwin watches his friends, including his sister, show their love to each other. He wants to marry for love, but knows he cannot. You practically feel the anguish with which Baldwin lives with the mistakes he made to help compound the debt over his head. As he explains to Helena why they cannot marry, she, in her tremendous kindness, accepts this. They both reach for what they can temporarily have together. It all makes for a great story.

I received this book for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Baldwin Undercross, Duke of Sheffield, is one of the most handsome and intriguing dukes of The 1797 Club. Just look at that cover! We got to see more of him in the fourth novel, The Silent Duke, in which his sister married one of his closest friends. Now, it’s Baldwin’s turn to marry, whether he wants it to be or not. He’s been hiding a dark secret since he became the Duke of Sheffield five years earlier. His father’s gambling and bad judgement with his finances has left them broke and Baldwin can no longer keep them afloat. When he discovers three debts of his father’s totaling 5,000 pounds, he decides he must marry for money and fast. His mother brings up the possibility of marrying an American heiress new in town. Unfortunately he mistakes the heiress’s cousin for her and the spark is lit.

Helena Monroe has come to England to be her cousin Charity’s companion while Charity parades herself on the marriage mart. An accidental meeting on a terrace blossoms into a love that Helena never imagined she would know.

I fell in love with Helena’s character instantly. While she was unable to show the world who she was because of her past indiscretion (which wasn’t even her fault), once she’s accepted by Baldwin’s set, she has friends for life. Both Helena and Baldwin put up an obstacle for their futures brought on by their stubborn pride. Their slow progression was frustrating at times and I swear I would’ve smacked each of them at some point, but it really did help in the development of their relationship. There were moments of joy and of heartache, but in the end, the duke won the heart of his lady love.

I am chopping at the bit for the six remaining books in the series releasing in 2018. While this novel can easily be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the entire series thus far. The 1797 Club series is a brilliant idea as a whole and Michaels gives us a five star read with each novel.

(3.5 STARS)
I absolutely loved the characters in this book. They were honest, good people who are down on their luck. Baldwin is such a gentleman. He is not a rake and is a generally good and kind man. This makes it difficult for him when he must make the ultimate choice to choose between his family’s livelihood and the woman he has come to love. Even though Baldwin is bitter about having to sacrifice his happiness and love to marry an heiress, he is still kind to all of the heiress’ on his mother’s list. He is wonderful with Helena and at winning her trust and confidence. At the end, when he makes this difficult choice… WOW!

Helena too is such a nice person. From the moment she meets Baldwin, she brightens his life and lightens up his plight. I felt for Helena because she has and still is losing a lot. Back in America, she lost her friends and family during a time she should have been supported. Her uncle takes her in, but even here she is losing because he does not respect or care for her. When she does find that someone who will love and care for her, he is unable to offer marriage. Knowing she can never have more, she decides to grasp onto the love and support he IS offering. Although it is not enough, he makes her feel happy and loved.

I found Charity’s character in the book could’ve been written better. In the beginning, we come to think of her as snobbish and spoiled. We see this by how she treats Helena in the many scenes they are together. Towards the end, Charity does something that is so out of character it almost seems counterfeit. As for the plot of who had Baldwin’s debt, I knew the answer from the beginning. However, it does not detract from the overall pace and enjoyment of this book. This is a wonderful book to cozy up by the fire with. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NGC for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own

A well told story that has all the right ingredients that one looks for in a historical romance. A Duke who must find a bride, but not just any bride will be acceptable. She must come with an extremely large dowry as his late father had been a gambler and lost the family fortune. In addition there were large outstanding vowels held by persons unknown. At a party he briefly meets (big gasp) a colonial with whom he feels a strong attraction. Unfortunately, the lady in question is only a penniless companion to the heiress with the huge dowry. The reader must root for the underdog and see if true love will conquer greed.

I have given this book a four star rating and would recommend it to anyone seeking a historical romance to read.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased review.

I received a copy of this book to read from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This book is book 5 in Jess Michaels series 1797 Club. The Duke of Nothing can be read as a stand-alone. This was the first book in this series that I read but the other characters with their own stories appear in this book so now I want to read more about them. Baldwin Undercross (yes his name makes me giggle) Duke of Sheffield has inherited a dukedom and a huge pile of debt from his father. For the last 5 years he has been trying to find a way to pay back the debt and when we meet him he is at a low point and feels the only way to get out from under the enormous weight of his obligations is to marry a heiress. Helena Monroe is the poor relation to an American heiress with an enormous dowry. Shunned by her family she is forced to depend on her ruthless uncle and spoiled cousin for a roof over her head. These two each burdened with secrets that will prevent them from being together fall in love while counting stars on a darkened terrace. The story is quite steamy. Publishing Date is January 16, 2018 #TheDukeOfNothing #NetGalley

This is Baldwin an Helena’s story. He is a Duke that is deep in debt. She was ruined by rape in America. He is looking for a wealthy bride. She is a companion to her wealthy cousin. He finds out someone has pu rchased 5000 pounds worth of debt. He falls in love with Helena and wants to marry her but her uncle tries to blackmail him into marrying her cousin Charity. Charity saves the day by threatening her own father. Charity will marry an Earl and Helena will marry her Duke. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. Jess Michaels is awesome author.

I got this book and had to put every other novel aside to read it and I loved it - again! Jess did it - again!
The Dukes are so far my favorite series. They are all unique and you simply have to love them.
This time there is a Duke who has no money but nobody knows about it. He has to find a wife and there are quite a few "prospects" who would bring 10000 to 50000 pounds into the marriage and would be able to help him. But - and there is always a but - he falls in love with a young woman who has nothing, except a past with a scandal and she's american, so she doesnt even have a family or title.

I loved the book and couldnt put it down!!

Sheesh - so many Christmas presents to wrap and yet all I could do was sit and read Baldwin and Helena’s story! This book caught me from the start and I couldn’t put it down.

Baldwin is broker than broke and too proud to share that with friends or family. He has to marry for money, so it kills him that he falls for the also broker than broke Helena.

Loved the chemistry and romance between these two and Michaels does such a great job of writing characters you empathize and care for. Thus the unwrapped gifts in my house...

Nice to see characters from previous books, but this can easily be read as a standalone. I love the entire series though!

Now back to my scheduled wrapping...

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

I love Jess Michaels's books and the story of Baldwin and Helena did not disappoint. Although I felt bad for Baldwin, it's Helena's backstory that grips your heartstrings. It's terrible what women had to endure in regency times and it's awful what was considered a woman's fault. Nevertheless, Baldwin and Helena were both great characters and they had great chemistry together. I liked all the side characters from previous books who helped Baldwin and Helena reach their HEA. Overall, this was a great read and one I'd recommend!