I can’t pinpoint exactly what it is about this story and these new Grace Burrowes characters that has me so fascinated, but I am exactly that. Also desirous of more, intrigued, and giddy with anticipation. The protagonists are candid with each other (in daily events, not their personal histories), they have regrets, love deeply, are stubborn and imperfect. It all makes for a sooo much more interesting read than it could have been.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I expect a Grace Burrowes book to be well researched with an interesting plot and wounded but sympathetic characters and My One and Only Duke did not disappoint. I loved Quinn and Jane and the rest of the Wentworth family and I can't wait for the next book in the series.

No joke: I've read hundreds of historical romance (likely thousands), so it's unusual for one of them to surprise me. This novel did that. Quinn, who grew up with a drunk, abusive father, worked hard to better himself and provide for his siblings. As an adult, he runs a successful bank with a friend, and lives quietly in a tonnish neighborhood with his siblings.

Someone has it out for Quinn, and before he knows it, he's sentenced to death for a murder he didn't commit. In prison, he meets a pregnant, widowed pastor's daughter, Jane. She's there with her father, who is there ministering to the jailed and condemned. Jane's father is pompous and condescending, only willing to take his daughter back and help her raise her child if she pretends she was never married.

Seeking to do one last good deed, Quinn offers to marry Jane and give her some money to live away from her father. She accepts.

Quinn hangs and nearly dies - he's only saved because it's been discovered that he is the heir to a dukedom. (Despite my abrupt mention of it, the book does an excellent job at building up to this.)

Quinn and Jane have to get used to a marriage and a title neither one of them expected...all while Quinn is trying to discover who wants him dead.

Quinn and Jane are unusual, interesting characters, as are Quinn's siblings and friends. I'm looking forward to reading more about them!

Ms. Burrowes was an early favorite of mine when I first discovered historical romance and realized most of her books were available for check out at my local library. I binged her back catalog hard & the deeper I got, the more I realized that although the author purposefully links her stories, eventually (more so than other authors I've binged) they all start to sound and feel the same. With this in mind (or maybe it was after one to many Christmas anthologies), I took a prolonged Burrowes break.

When I received an early arc of My One and Only Duke, the start of her new Rogues to Riches series, I was wary, but hopeful a new series would see her breaking out of the close confines of the Wyndham family & taking on slightly different/darker subject matter. Hmm...she does and doesn't. It's a brand new family (the Wentworth's) with a disturbing history - abject poverty, physical abuse, eccentric and clever siblings, and a hero with the weight of the world on his shoulders...but it's all couched in rainbows and sunshine and happy endings and frankly, the style of writing doesn't fit the material.

Our hero, Quinn Wentworth, has had a hard life, but he's managed to rise above his origins to become a wealthy and powerful banker to London's elite. He's tough, honest, unsentimental and disciplined - in life and work. Unfortunately, someone has it out for him. When the story opens, he's imprisoned at Newgate, convicted of murder. He's forbidden his family from visiting him in prison and limited himself to contact with a small group of prisoners...but when his executioner catches a cold, his hanging is delayed.

During Quinn's brief reprieve, he meets Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, when she pops into his cell during one of her father's regular visits to the prison. The two form a bond - she can tell he's a good person despite the murder thing, and he guesses she's pregnant and wants to help her - and shortly before Quinn is to be executed, he offers to marry Jane and provide her with a comfortable living (away from her father) as a single mother/widower. Oh reader. The whole thing is so rushed and ridiculous, but has some potential (I did like these two together)...and then Quinn is suddenly free and a duke and married and focused on revenge and exhausted by his family and in love with his wife and blah, blah, blah. There are surprise twists, ridiculous plot contrivances, villains, odd non-sexy love scenes...and oops, it's all a big mess.

Jane and Quinn play at husband and wife whilst living amongst the eccentric and odd members of the Wentworth family. Jane is the perfect wife, Quinn is the perfect husband (except for his lying and deceitful behavior - but you're supposed to ignore that), and Jane's father is a complete asshole. No character is fully realized and their behaviors are out of sync with this revenge story? marriage of convenience story? redemption story? I'm still not sure. The eventual resolution of 'who set Quinn up' is completely predictable, and Quinn's actions afterwards totally out of character. Oh, the whole thing is just silly.

The author, unfortunately, spends so much time trying to be clever and witty (stylistically much like her previous novels) setting up the premise for the series, she completely forgets to tell an engaging or interesting story! The characters are flat, the story line is underdeveloped (and dull) and everything about it is so vague and awkward - including the abrupt PoV jumps between the principal pair; I struggled to get through it.

I wish this was the start of something great. It isn't.

My One and Only Duke is regency romance done right! I have been lucky enough to read a few of the authors previous books, but I think this one is a new favorite! This book has a rags-to-riches story within it, and I couldn't be more pleased with how everything turned out with Quinn and Jane! The journey was a bit angsty, but it really felt authentic. I highly enjoyed this one. I can't wait for the next one.

*ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Grace Burrows is hands down one of the best historical romance writers out there. To date I've read over 20 of her books and tthe latest My One and Only Duke is another sure fire winner. Her latest book follows Quinn Wentworth who some of you may remember from My Own True Duchess.

While held at Newgate prison for a crime he didn't commit, Quinn marries pregnant preachers daughter Jane Winston. Miraculously pardoned at the last minute Quinn and Jane suddenly fined themselves negotiating married life while complete strangers. As with all Burrows books, My One and Only Duke has a unique story line, interesting and likable characters and of course a HEA. My only complaint (and its not really a complaint) is that I would have liked an epilogue say 5 or 10 years down the road. I'd give this one a definite 4.7 stars.

Quinn Wentworth is waiting in Newgate prison to be hanged where he meets Jane, a widow, who is visiting prisoners with her preacher father. Quinn, who has come to care for some other prisoners, the prison cat and feeds crumbs to the birds on his window sill, offers the pregnant Jane a lifeline: marriage and enough money to escape her domineering father. This was a bit of a page turner: how will Quinn escape the noose, how will two strangers married to each other deal with their changed circumstances and how did Quinn end up in Newgate in the first place. What I enjoyed about this book was Jane’s honesty and goodness. Quinn’s personal history of coming from poverty and an abusive father to become a very successful banker and protector of his family (as well as a prison cat) made him an admirable character.

Many of Grace Burrowes’ books are on my keeper shelf and I’ll adding this one, as well as looking forward to reading about the other Wentworths (especially Ned). Sometime Ms. Burrowes misses the mark with me (too much dithering and needless drama due to an inability to trust and communicate). This was a five star hit.

My One and Only Duke is a sweet story full of wonderful characters that manage to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Quin Wentworth has a date with the hangman when a preacher's pregnant widowed daughter is doing charitable visits at the local prison. Trying to give a good turn, Quin offers to marry Jane to give her freedom from her scoundrel of a father. Sometimes things do not go as planned, Quin has escaped the noose, to have a leg shackle to an unplanned wife and an indebted lofty title. Jane and Quin's love story is sweet as they both become better people for their marriage as Jane convinces Quinn he is worthy of her, his family, and his title. Under Quinn's accepting love, Jane grows a backbone and stands up for herself. Danger comes calling when Quinn cannot give up his quest to find the fiend who framed him for murder and planned to see him hang. I enjoyed the full cast of characters and look forward to visiting each of their stories. I only give five stars to books worthy to be reread and I cannot image that I would not revisit Quinn and Jane. I do not believe you can read this book and not come away a little bit in love with Quinn.. I thoroughly enjoyed the rags to riches feel to the story as everyday people were lifted to nobility. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

Grace Burrowes writes delightful historical romances. We always buy her for our library. Her books are full of plot, character and emotion. Her secondary characters are fully developed and add to the richness of the story.

Grace Burrowes is one of my favorite authors and she didn't disappoint! Love her style and characters. Can't wait till the next one!

I've been reading mostly historical romances this year because after 50 years of reading mostly mysteries I was getting tired of all the bodies in my library. Well damnme, if I didn't score My One and Only Duke from NetGalley and was shocked to find it started with a soon-to-come hanging of a man in Newgate prison.
Further shocks to my poor system when I realized the man to be hanged was none other than banker extraordinaire Quinn Wentworth. I first encountered Wentworth in My Own True Duchess and fell madly in crush with him. He was a secondary character but almost took over the book.
Quinn Wentworth is the most discreet man in London, the banker with the mysterious painful past, the odd family, and evidently not much future until he is rescued from the noose and proclaimed the Duke of Walden.
How did he come to such a sorry pass? When the noose is put around his neck he is a common criminal, when the rope is cut from his neck he is a Duke. This is something Wentworth is determined to discover, especially the first part. Who wanted to ruin him and disgrace his family?
Meanwhile while in prison Quinn has acquired a few souvenirs; Jane Winston MacGowan, a pregnant widow and terribly mistreated daughter of a prison minister being the major acquisition. He marries her as a means of liberation from her father and as a way to give a future to her and the child. The new Duke also insists on exiting Newgate with a few pick pockets and whores. You can find family in the darndest places.
Speaking of family, Wentworth already has a doozy of a family waiting for him at home. His entire life has been spent protecting them. None of them are sure how to take the change in their circumstances. I'm pretty sure we will be hearing more about them in this new series-Rogues to Riches of which My One and Only Duke is a stellar start.
The new Duchess is wonderful. She is resilient, and determined to make the best of her new circumstances. This is easy for her because she finds herself falling in love with Quinn (who doesn't?).
So this is a strong love story, but it certainly isn't "hot" like most of Ms Burrowes earlier books. If this book was a menu in a Peter Chang restaurant this wouldn't even rate half a pepper.
This is a real mystery, a tightly plotted whodunnit. This sets the usual HR HEA formula totally on its head, with some terrific writing. I don’t think there is a character in My One and Only Duke who couldn’t carry their own story.
Don’t miss My One and Only Duke, it is way ahead of the pack of most HR books. Pay attention to the dedication of this book. Might explain the strengths exhibited in the writing, plotting and characters.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange of my fair and honest review.

I just finished reading My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes and really enjoyed it. The story follows Quinn Wentworth who has come up in the world from the doing odd jobs, to footman, to banker. Unfortunately at the start of the story we find Quinn in Newgate awaiting his sentence of being hung carried out. It is in Newgate where he meets Jane who is in a precarious situation. Quinn offers to marry Jane in order to to protect her with his name even after his death. It doesn't seem like there is much hope for this relationship.
This is the first in a new series for Burrowes and there are only very very minor mentions of some characters seen in her other books. The writing style is definitely different from other HEA historical romance writers and may not be for everyone but I like the dry/matter of fact style. The characters were quite endearing. Jane is a strong female character and not some milk water miss. Quinn is the quite brooding type but he made genuine efforts and was easy not to like. I'm excited to hear the stories of the supporting characters that are sure to have their day in this series.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Full review to be published online in late November.

MY ONE AND ONLY DUKE is the first book in Grace Burrowes new “Rogues to Riches” series. This is my first time read Burrowes work, as I don’t often read historical romances. This was an invite, however; and the book looked interesting. Quinn Wentworth has been convicted of murder and sits in Newgate awaiting execution. His money buys him comfort but not freedom. When Jane Winston accompanies her preacher father to the prison, the warden sends her to wait in Quinn's suite. Over the next few weeks, they strike up a friendship. When Quinn learns that she needs rescuing from her father, he impulsively offers marriage; being the widow of an executed felon is not an easy life, but better than the one she faces.

Neither of them realizes, however, that Quinn has been discovered to be the heir to a dukedom; a fact which saves his life in the very nick of time. Now they must unexpectedly negotiate married life, and Quinn and his family must come to terms with their sudden elevation to the nobility.

MY ONE AND ONLY DUKE is a very nice character driven romance, one sure to please fans of the author. I particularly appreciated the growth of the leads over the course of the book. Recommend.

My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes 4 stars

This a start of the Rogues to Riches series about the Wentworth Family. The book starts out with Quinn Wentworth stuck in a cell at Newgate Prison. He has been wrongly convicted and is awaiting execution. A wealthy banker, he is still managing and tying up his affairs while in prison. While in Newgate, he gathers a motley crew of a child pickpocket (Ned), a fellow prisoner (Davies) and others stuck in prison. A vicar ministering to the prison populace brings his pregnant daughter, Jane to the prison. She meets Quinn and they get married to give Jane some security. On the day of execution, the trapdoor opens, but Quinn is saved because he is heir to a dukedom. What ensues is a story about relationships between husband and wife, brother and siblings, and an individual and society. I liked the romance in this novel; Jane in a strong heroine. Quinn is a good man, but very stubborn and set in his ways. Jane soon sorts him out. I will eagerly wait for the next novel in this series about cousin Duncan.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever Books for the ARC of this book.

My One and Only Duke shares with us a family raised from poverty and familial cruelty to hard earned wealth to possible loss of a cherished brother. Quinn Wentworth is a man who does not fit into his skin. Condemned and accepting his fate for his own reasons, suddenly finds himself a duke. He was already wealthy, but had no idea he was the heir to a dukedom.

While awaiting his hanging, the daughter of a vicar invades his prison cell and his life. Jane Winston has an unbelievably generous, kind heart and a way of getting under your skin that is really welcome. The widowed, pregnant Jane wins Quinn’s heart in a way he does not even see. They wed so she can give her unborn child a future, but when Quinn’s life is spared, Jane is ecstatically happy. I loved that these two hashed out whether or not to stay married before Jane became aware of her change to duchess.

Ms. Burrowes is one of the best at developing her characters in a way that seeps into your heart so you hope for the unusual couple to find their HEA quickly. Yet, the development is at just the right pace to keep you entertained and hoping.

The entire Wentworth family is unique in their upbringing and how each of them dealt with the cruelty of their father. Quinn’s sister, brother and cousin are all prominent in Quinn and Jane’s romance. Quinn and Jane’s challenge to the other to keep honesty in their relationship is pulled to the edge. His family helps to keep us intrigued by making sure Quinn is staying honest. Add in Ned and the other servants brought from Newgate and you have a delightfully complete household.

Jane had a very unique way of disagreeing with others and taking them to task. Quinn become quite good at realizing she was waiting him out and counting to keep her temper. It was good to see her finally deal with her father, but even then, she was kinder than any one else would have been.

The ending is perfect and could not have been written better. One of the things I like best about Grace Burrowes’ books is the feeling you are there with her characters. You begin to feel you are part of the family watching their lives unfold around you. Her ability to develop the human characteristics and depth of emotions keeps you waiting for the next book in any of her series. Looking forward to Duncan’s story!