Member Reviews
I am an avid fan of Grace Burrowes. One of the things I consider being a good book is when it can grab my attention from the start and keep it until the end. This book had my attention from the first page and I resented having to put the book down to go to work. The characters are well developed and interesting and it has intrigue, romance, family challenges, sexy heroes, strong heroines, charming love story, and more. I am looking forward to the next book in the Rogues to Riches series. Grace Burrowes has another success with My One and Only Duke!
I remain enthralled by Grace Burrowes' low-key alpha males and interesting story lines. And I'm excited that she has a new series in the works!
Burrowes writes historical romance with an underlying practical streak that endears me to her characters one and all. Quinn is a working man from York with an awful childhood who struggled mightily to make something of himself. Now he finds himself imprisoned and facing execution for a crime that he may not have committed. Jane is the daughter of a frenzied preacher. Her life motto is "don't rock the boat."
Quinn's family needs to be set to rights, and Quinn needs to decide what's important - his future or his past. At times the writing felt uneven. And Burrowes' stories are always pragmatic enough to not dredge into the stronger emotions. However, there is something be said about a good honest story. And that's what you get from Grace Burrowes again and again. She remains an author I will buy without even glancing at the back cover.
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As always, Burrowes showcases good people doing their best to behave decently. Her eye for detail and family relationships add to the overall story while also setting the stage for future title in the series.
My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes is a terrific historical romance novel! Intense at times, fun and playful at other times.... The reader is allowed into the hearts of Quinn Wentworth and Jane Winston. Quinn is on death row, facing his final days for a crime he did not commit when he meets Jane Winston who is needing a rest while visiting the prison with her dad. Jane is a recent widow, pregnant and underneath her father's household. Her father is a zealous preacher who seems to make Jane absolutely miserable. Jane and Quinn make a deal to marry so that she and her baby will have security and he can go to his death knowing he helped someone. This unusual marriage of convenience is turned upside down when Quinn is dramatically pardoned and is being recognized as a duke!!
As Jane settles into the home with Quinn and his siblings, Quinn remains focused on the mystery of who was responsible for his imprisonment. He chases down clues during the day and tries to be a good husband and brother at night. I read through this book fast because it moves fast. The intimacy that develops between Quinn and Jane is slow and... dare I say normal? Not the typical instantly fall in love and the chemistry carries them through one or two disagreements. Oh, another thing I really enjoyed about My One and Only Duke is that Jane and Quinn have normal insecurities and both have to work through their baggage to figure out how through the issues that impact their relationship. I felt like there was depth to the characters!
The rest of the book flows fast as Quinn and Jane set out to begin married life. Virtually strangers, they have many adjustments to make including getting used to Quinn's siblings. (Each sibling deserves their own book! This is actually Book 1 of the new Rogues to Riches series by Grace Burrowes!) If you like historical romances with mystery, then I can recommend reading My One and Only Duke.
As a special bonus, the novella Once Upon A Christmas Eve written by Elizabeth Hoyt is included in the back of the book. I enjoyed this quick read featuring Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque and the sparkling chemistry between him and Sarah St. John. The romance story is adorable!!
Thank you to NetGalley, Grace Burrowes, and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the change to read and review this book. As always, my opinions are my own!
I’ve read Grace Burrows before, this is her first in a new series.
I enjoy her writing, she does a great job at witty banter.
Jane was a formidable heroine, and Quinn and his merry family were interesting. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I really enjoyed Jane and Quinn's story!
Can you imagine marrying a condemned man to be able to support your unborn child, only to have his life saved and him becoming a duke?? What a wild ride! I really enjoyed watching Quinn and Jane fall in love and navigate the world that became theirs when Quinn became a duke.
I'm excited to read the next book in the series!! I'm hopeful that we will get Quinn's siblings stories sometime in the future!
This was an interesting read for me. It was a very different than what I usually read and enjoy. There wasn't that, be still my heart, courtship and build up. There was no light, carefree parties. No glittering balls and all the elegance that goes with it. This is a more sober romance. A tale of two people that come together under very unique circumstances, not really thinking that they would end up committed to each for no more than a couple of hours.
The beginning when Quin is led to hang was pretty gripping. The emotions that our hero was feeling were pretty stark and raw. Those that were around to see and be witnesses,very sobering. I was turning page after page, wondering how it all was going to come to end. How he would be saved.
Jane's acceptance of Quin not having to be hanged was a little odd to me. She took it all in stride, not to mention the part about her life going from completely nothing to a Duchess. The acceptance of Quins unique family. At first it was intriguing but then it started to fall flat for me. I guess what kept me going was wanting to know who exactly was behind all the trouble with Quin. Who wanted to cause him harm.
I find it to be more of a mystery book with some romance mixed in. I was disappointed in the chemistry that both our hero and heroine had.
I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. My One and Only Duke is the first title in a new series by Grace Burrowes featuring the Wentworth family. The eldest of the siblings, Quinn, worked hard from an early age to break free of the poverty he was born into and is the successful co-owner of a bank. Despite his wealth, he has been falsely accused of murder and awaiting execution by hanging. Although facing death, Quinn still does what he can for some of his follow Newgate prisoners, including a young boy named Ned, a couple of prostitutes, and . While awaiting his fate, Quinn meets Jane Winston who accompanied her father, a reverend who spends his days ministering to prisoners after losing his perish several years previously due to a disagreement with a bishop. Jane is in a miserable situation; recently widowed, pregnant, and her only support is her father who lacks a living and is running out of possessions to pawn. Quinn is impressed by Jane and sees an opportunity for something good to come out of his execution; he will marry her and leave her funds enough to support her child and live independently of her father. Shortly after their wedding, Quinn in hanged, but due to the timely arrival of a representative of the College of Arms, Quinn is saved from death and awakens to a dukedom.
The rest of the story reveals what happens when two people enter a marriage of convenience that is supposed to only last several days to find themselves having to build a life together as well as Quinn working to make peace with his past. I found Jane to be extremely likeable; she's practical, determined to help Quinn find his place among his new peers, and make her life with Quinn work. Quinn has come from extreme poverty and carries some guilt for past events; he has to come to terms with his past and realize that he is worthy of Jane. There's a mystery to unravel - who set Quinn up for murder and fixed things so his money couldn't help him bribe his way out of his sentence? Much of the story focus's on Quinn and Jane working to build a relationship neither expected him to be around for and Burrowes's trademark of writing strong family relationships is on display here. Quinn's siblings and cousin are interesting secondary characters who will likely get their own stories, that I can't wait to read.
While I am an avid reader of historical romance, I had never read a book by Grace Burroughs before this. I enjoyed watching Quinn and Jane's romance blossom. Quinn was a great character. He raised himself up from nothing. His relationship with his siblings is at once fiercely loyal, and slightly adversarial. He has several relationships throughout this book, and each one leads to his growth as a person. I loved watching him with Ned, and Jane. I liked how they learned to lean on each other, and trust one another. Jane was also a great character. Feisty, despite being the daughter of a vicar, and willing to see the world differently. My only criticism would be that I felt the ending was a bit rushed, and the issue of Jane's father was not dealt with completely. I would recommend this book to a friend.
A wonderfully detailed and uplifting historical tale from Grace Burrowes.
Ned Wentworth is on death row for a crime he didn't commit.
Jane Winston's prison is constructed by her vicar father, who acts pious, but in truth is a self centered control freak, punishing her still for a youthful mistake in marrying the wrong man.
Ned wants to do one last good thing...freeing Jane from her father, so against his wishes they marry.
When a miracle occurs and he escapes with his life...barely, they decide to stay married and become a touching love story. This tale is packed with intrigue...who framed Ned, and how do they neutralize the threat, when they don't know who is responsible.
They must deal with family dysfunction, which Jane not only manages, but turns the whole family into a cohesive unit, by enabling each to see what drives the others.
This has to be one of my favorite books by Ms. Burrowes to date.
I requested and received a NetGalley ARC and have been delighted with this Rogues To riches book.
Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane novella Once Upon A Christmas Eve was a sweet historical bonus.
A broken axle brings Viscount Adam Rutledge and his grandmother to the door of Sarah St. John, the one chit who ignored him. When the doctor who checked on his grandmother advised she stay put for a fortnight, the close proximity of the pair, forced them to deal with their simmering attraction.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the introduction of all the characters, and I'm interested to find out what happens next with all of the siblings and friends that were introduced in this book.
Grace Burrows writes for those of us that enjoy our historical romances with a sense of realism, while we actually learn something. This story brings Newgate prison and life within its walls into perspective. The start was an eye opener and I wasn't sure that I'd enjoy it, but it quickly morphed from a morbid tale into an intriguing mystery and then into a blossoming, delightful romance. Complex, interesting characters make for a multilayered story that will make the reader want to revisit them, hopefully in subsequent books.
What a lovely book. It’s quiet and sweet. The story is intriguing and has interesting well developed characters.
Quinn Wentworth is sitting in Newgate awaiting his hanging for a murder he didn’t commit. Enter Jane, clergymans daughter, who has eloped to Gretna Green, been married and widowed and now expecting. Her father is a pious fool. Jane and a Quinn have an easy camaraderie. He decides to offer marriage since he is a doomed man and can provide her with monetary security.
A pardon. A dukedom. A real marriage. And the mystery of who framed Quinn. Lovely banter between Jane and Quinn as they both find their way to an HEA. Highly recommend!
Well, Grace Burrowes has done it again. My One and Only Duke is the first in a new historical romance series, in which we meet the intrepid Wentworth family, who have struggled up from poverty to make a name for themselves. Oldest brother and banker Quinn has been framed for murder and awaits execution in Newgate prison. Jane Winston is the unmarried, pregnant daughter of an erstwhile, zealous minister who visits the prisoners. When Quinn offers Jane a marriage of convenience, she reluctantly agrees for the sake of her unborn baby, since he convinces her that his name and fortune will protect her after his death. But fate, as usual, intervenes, and when Quinn is released, the unlikely pair of newlyweds have to figure out what to do with each other.
Burrowes introduces the usual assortment of intriguing siblings and friends, who will no doubt be featured in future books. The Windham clan even makes a brief appearance. This first entry is fast-paced and emotional, and I can't wait to see what happens next!
Jane is the only daughter of Preacher Winston and meets Quinn in prison. They are not in love. They enter into a marriage of convenience that will benefit Jane, for Quinn likes her and since he is about to die on the gallows he can do her a good deed. But a twist of fate spares Quinn and now he and Jane must muddle through a marriage and becoming Duke and Duchess.
Quinn is the rapscallion youth who has fought his way into adulthood and made it big in the banking business. He has been convicted of murder and sentenced to die. He is head of family to two sisters, Althea and Constance, and a brother, Stephen, the youngest at 17 and wheelchair bound. Quinn’s cousin, Duncan is tutor to Stephen and Quinn’s right hand man. Joshua is Quinn’s business partner and confidant. These are the fleshed out characters who will appear in future books in the series and I can’t wait to read their stories.
There is slow developing friendship and romance between Quinn and Jane, no falling in love immediately which is a breath of fresh air. However, Jane is vested in this marriage and her role as wife and Duchess. Quinn’s focus is on revenge for his incarceration and Jane’s challenge is to make him focus on their future.
Grace Burrowes wows me once again! This book is the first in her new Rogues to Riches series and it promises to be one of those where we cannot wait for the next book to publish. I can highly recommend this book and the multiple book boyfriends to be found in these pages.
Also includes the bonus novella Once Upon a Christmas Eve from New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
When his carriage wheel snaps in a snowstorm, Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, is forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.
**
This is a well written novella with loads of Christmasy feeling. It is an enemies-to-lovers story. Not a new offering (December 2017), it is available on Amazon for Kindle and Audio at a really good price. This novella wraps up the Maiden Lane Series. It is a must read for all Hoyt fans and those who want a cozy fireside read for the holidays.
Banker Quinn Wentworth has been convicted of murder. Problem is, he's innocent, but someone rich and powerful wants him dead and has bribed everyone to testify that Quinn murdered a man. While awaiting execution in Newgate, he meets Jane Winston, a recent widow who's pregnant. In order to help her situation, Quinn marries her to give her some stability settling a small allowance on her. Jane believes Quinn to be one of the most honorable men she's ever met and she mourns his death. Imagine her surprise when she finds out Quinn has been granted a pardon and inherited a title from the King himself. Can these two learn to live together as man and wife or will an annulment suit Jane better.
This story was interesting and I liked the way it opened with Quinn in Newgate. That was a new twist I hadn't seen before. The marriage was a good premise to bring these two together. While I liked both characters, I found the story bogging down a bit in the middle. Some of the issues brought up in the story was not resolved and it would have been nice to have an epilogue. Jane is pregnant and a successful birth would have tied up the story nicely. I thought the secondary characters a little annoying, but I am looking forward to read Duncan's story.
I enjoy grace burrowes, in fact she's one of my favorite authors. I adore romances involving dukes, infant that's one of my favorite genres. Unfortunately this book fell a bit short and I was completely thrown by that. The beginning dragged to the point that I almost put the book down and walked away from it. But I'm nothing if not diligent and Ms. Burrowes is owed my best effort for all the amazing novels I have rapidly devoured that she's put out over the years. When I hit the third of the way through mark things picked up and by the last third of the way I was hooked. So I can truly say it got miles better, but the beginning was so filled with drudgery and a lot of uninteresting aspects that I was sorely tempted to toss the book away and read something whose tempo picked right up from the beginning. In the end I did fall in love and truly enjoyed the characters and as always the writing was fantastic. Just that beginning truly could use some umph or something to make me interested and keep me glued to the pages.
I received a copy of this eARC unasked for in my email. It makes me feel like a chosen one.
I've only read one of her books before and it was ok. This one was much better.
She's the widowed, pregnant daughter of a preacher.
He's a self-made banker convicted of a murder.
He marries her to let her inherit his money when he is executed in a few days so she can get away from her overbearing father. But then he isn't executed. He's pardoned at the last second because it has been discovered that he is the heir to a dukedom that has been unclaimed for a while. Now they have to decide whether or not to go through with the marriage.
No explicit sex scenes. Thank you! Most everything is implied or fade to black. I find sex scenes incredibly boring.
All the family members are weird. I hope the next books in the series focus on each of them in turn.
Book one in the Rogue’s to Riches Series is Quinn Wentworth and Jane Winston’s story; a happily ever after, historical romance with sizzle and intrigue.
This is a dark, intense, compelling read. I could feel the intensity, live the emotions of each of the character, live in their world, their moments; vengeance, truth, lies, intrigue, family, love and romance. The author does a masterful job of weaving intrigue with a heartfelt romance; the mystery will keep you guessing until the end. Loved it, can hardly wait for the next in this series.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.
While banker Quinn Wentworth is in jail waiting for his execution he meets Jane Winston, the disgraced daughter of a prison preacher. Ever the gentleman and in the presence of a damsel in distress, Quinn will offer marriage to pregnant Jane to help her gain some much needed independence as a somewhat respectable widow once his sentence is carried. But when he’s declared the heir of a dukedom and a pardon is granted, Quinn and Jane will be thrown together as a newly married couple who barely know each other and is then that life will get a tad complicated.
This was my first read by the author and, though I was quite taken by the plot and enjoyed the characters at play, I can’t say the same for the writing. I couldn’t find a flow and was distracted by the flourish language and writing style. That said, it was still a rather original and fun story to read.