This is a story of second chances. Robert the Duke of Rothmere is given a second chance at life after being rescued from an insane asylum by his younger brother.
Lady Constance, the sister of the Duke of Cade is being given a second chance with the daughter she gave up at birth.
And then there's the relationship between Robert and Constance. It started many years ago when Robert was a patient and Constance was working there as a maid. They were reunited when Robert's brother and Constance's sister begin courting.
They fully take advantage of their 2nd chance, becoming best friends and falling in love.
I struggled at the beginning of this book. But as usual with a Grace burrowes book, i got to a point where I couldn't put it down. The HEA was just so sweet. It just made me sigh and say that was great!
5 stars
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I enjoyed reading this book. I like the stories in old England. The story was good but sad too. The way certain illnesses were treated was also sad. It was a busy but entertaining read and I would recommend the book to anyone.

I had a few trepidations about beginning this book – NOT because I thought it wouldn’t be well written or that it wouldn’t be a wonderful story. No, it was because I absolutely LOVED Robert in A Duke by Any Other Name, where Robert’s brother Nathaniel found his HEA, and we learned what a tragic life Robert had. From what we learned in that book, we knew more strife was on the way, and I just didn’t want to see him go through it. I was so afraid he’d be confined to a madhouse again – at least for a little while – and I just didn’t want to see it. Well, I should not have feared – I should have known. The author handled it all wonderfully and wonderful Robert was triumphant and the baddies got their due – well – some of their due anyway. I’d have preferred more, but I’m a bloodthirsty lady.

Robert Rothmere, Duke of Rothaven, was imprisoned (there isn’t a better word for it) in a private asylum at the age of ten – because he had the falling sickness (epilepsy) and his father was ashamed. To make matters worse, his father had him declared legally dead so his brother could assume the title. Robert spent a great many years there, being tortured with ice baths, deprivation, starvation, beatings, isolation, well, you name it and it happened to Robert. Then, five years ago, after his father died, his brother discovered he was alive and immediately retrieved him from the asylum. To say that Robert had phobias and eccentricities is putting it mildly, but he’s been slowly working his way through them – at least now he can go outside – as long as it is in a walled garden. When he again encounters the woman who saved his life while he was in the asylum, he has even more reason to fight to overcome all of his liabilities and become the duke he needs to be.

Lady Constance Wentworth has secrets – deep secrets – most in her family aren’t even aware of them. She has spent the last several years making herself unnoticeable – basically blending into the background. She is ‘perfect’. She always says the perfect thing. She never speaks out of turn. She conducts herself with the most upright respectability. All because she won’t bring shame to her family whose beginnings are pretty shaky to begin with. However, there was a time… Constance once ran away and took menial work at an asylum. There, she became close to the residents and saw their mistreatment. There was one young man who was horribly abused and they became close friends – until her brother found her and took her home.

Now, years later, Constance’s sister is marrying Robert’s brother. This, of course, brings Robert and Constance together as well and their feelings for each other are reignited. I loved how Constance’s support for Robert never, ever faltered. She’s also one smart cookie and helped Robert overcome his phobias as well as his foes.

I thought Lady Constance was the perfect match for Robert and I don’t think the story could have been told any better than it was. It was delightful to watch these two come into their own. I am so glad I decided to read it and I hope you will be as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We learned about Robert Rothmere, the hidden heir to the dukedom, in the previous book, and now we get his story with Constance Wentworth. Robert was hidden away because of his epilepsy and now that he’s been restored to his title, he expects there to be a motion for guardianship based on it. He’s not expecting to fall in love with Constance in the meantime.
The love story is a sweet one, and the characters are well written. Once again I enjoy Burrowes’ humour and writing style. The legal challenge to Robert is well laid out without feeling like info-dump.
Where the book stumbles is a secondary storyline involving Constance’s past that doesn’t quite fit with the characterization of some of the other characters and the resolution was abrupt and unsatisfying. For that, I struggled to rate it; based on my enjoyment of the rest of the book it results in a 3.5.

Grace Burrowed has another success on her hands with this book. The characters are real as is the emotions that the reader experiences reading this book. The author handles the subject of epilepsy with understanding and compassion without overdramatizing or minimizing it. A great read. Don't miss this one!

Lady Constance's sister is about to marry Robert, the Duke of Rothmere's brother. As far as their families know, Constance and Robert have never met. But in fact they have a shared past, and one that could reveal secrets both have kept from their families for many years.

Robert has recently rejoined society after decades in isolation, and he knows that to be accepted as the duke, he needs to marry soon and well. He decides that the proper Lady Constance would be the perfect, demure choice. But Constance isn't as proper as she seems, and whether she's tempted by Robert or not, marrying him could bring scandal down on everyone.

Burrowes does a wonderful job of creating large and loveable families. It's a pleasure to revisit this growing clan with each new book. She also excels at quiet romance that makes life better for the people involved, with dramatic plots but a minimum of angst.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review.

A sweet and tender love story that has quite a bit of depth to it, thanks to its intelligent treatment of mental illness and epilepsy before both were better understood. Definitely recommend!

Robert Rothmere, the Duke of Rothhaven suffered unimaginable torture at the hands of a quack doctor running a madhouse. Robert's father sent him away when he was eleven after he had developed epilepsy from repeated falls off a horse. His father thought to lock him away forever, but his brother Nathaniel finds out about him 10 years later and brings him home. Unfortunately, because of the torture he suffered, Robert is hiding away at the ducal seat while Nathaniel continues to act as the duke. Five years later, Robert is finally ready to accept the responsibility of being the duke with the help of Lady Constance Wentworth. However, not everyone is content to leave the happy couple in peace and a competency suit is brought against him. Can he hold it together while being questioned by the commission or will a fit at the wrong time doom him to a madhouse once again?

I found this book a compelling read and have high praise for Ms. Burrowes for her handling of such a difficult subject. While Robert and Constance are hardly the typical couple found in regency romances, their path to each other was exactly what each needed. The book was full of twists and turns and I found it hard to put it down especially as I neared the end. When everything looked bleak, an unlikely hero emerges to grant Robert and Constance their happily ever after.

I voluntarily read this advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

Constance is the seemingly boring sister; Robert is the recently un-hermited and re-announced Duke of Rothhaven who had been hidden away because of his epilepsy. Unbeknownst to their families, they two had actually met some years ago, and their feelings were kindled then. Now, they are free to marry-- and find Constance's by-blow daughter who had been raised by another family.

I downloaded this ARC because it received a starred review in one of the October Kirkuses, but it did not live up to my expectations. This book is not a romance-- it's a historical novel written with some nods to the romance genre. The relationship between Robert and Constance really developed when he was at Soames when she was working there-- some 10ish years prior. That is the story that should be told in these pages. I don't particularly care about the missing daughter or the plot to have Rothhaven declared incompetent. I want swooning and banter and flirting.

Diverse reads:
- Robert has epilepsy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever and Grand Central for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-second chance romance
-friends to lovers
-insta love
-historical romance
-a cinnamon roll of a duke
-over involved but well meaning family members
-a plot to steal the dukedom away


My favorite aspect of this book was the frank discussion of mental health and disability. I do wish the author note explaining the use of the proper terms for the time was at the beginning of the book as a bit of a CW but appreciate the push for historical accuracy. This was the fifth in a series. I did not realize this and do not really feel these are as much standalones.

This a multi-POV plot heavy book. While Robert and Constance are the main storyline there are also a lot of other stories going on with their family, as well as the POV of the couple who are attempting to have Robert declared incompetent. It's a lot, this is not a light read. Overall I enjoyed it but there was clearly a lot of backstory, especially with this being a second chance romance that knowing would have made me enjoy it even more.

Rating: 3.5 stars
Steam: 2/2.5


CW: mental health, chronic disability, seizure disorder, parental abuse and abandonment, mistreatment of the mentally ill

I love that this was basically a second chance love story that hadn’t really begun initially but could only lead to one logical conclusion. I love that familial loyalty is never in question. I love that the hero has such a steady countenance, but that doesn’t make him a dull character. But mostly, I love that Grace Burrowes continues to write the way she does, with unapologetically strong female leads.

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

I reviewed this book for Library Journal. They will publish the review after the editing process. Please check with them for the final text.

The Truth About Dukes is the kind of story that one can't help forming a love/hate attachment to.
Loving the pluck and tenacity of both its leading man and his lady. But hating all that they have had to endure.
Robert Rothmere, Duke of Rothhaven may have begun life eating from the most gilded of silver spoons. But after having been rendered epileptic due to a.series of childhood head injuries. He was left to live out his days, an unwilling patient of a hospital for the mentally ill.

Where at the tender age of 15. He would befriend a young staff member. By the name of Constance Wentworth.
Who he knew to be far more refined than someone of her station ought.
After falling as far in love with Constance as a 15 year old stuck in an asylum can.
She leaves and is mysteriously returned to the loving busom of her family.

Fast forward more than a couple of years. And my how things have changed.
The now duke is half heartedly making a somewhat forced entree into not so polite society. For the sake of his soon to be married brother.
While Constance is doing her level best to tolerate not so polite society for the sake of her hers.
Anyway...
As luck would have it. The now Duke, Robert, manages to snag Constance for a walk in the garden outside of the one ball that he has seemingly managed to tamp down his raging agoraphobia to attend. Only to find that said phobia has proved itself all to willing to ruin the fun. Forcing him to cling to poor Constance for dear life in order make it back inside. In as close to one piece as the poor man can muster.
It is from here that a friendship / relationship between the two begins to take shape. And the ball really gets rolling story-wise.

At it's heart. This is a truly relatable "you and me against the world romance. With Constance becoming not only Robert's wife and Duchess. But his biggest support and defender as well. As he fights to protect and defend not only the solvency of his dukedom. But his right and fitness to rule given his disability.
This story does a marvelous job of depicting the treatment, understanding, and societal mores, and prejudices faced by those with disabilities. As well as the lengths that employed by the unscrupulous to swindle such people out of money. Under the guise of protecting their best interests.

Robert does mange to be just the " white knight " that Constance needs. On far more private and personally devastating grounds. As he works to right the wrongs of her past. Healing her heart in the process.

This a beautiful story for those that believe that the most perfect of loves is often forged in pain, tempered by compassion, and ornamented by the timeless beauty of mutual respect.

A lovely addition to the Rogues to Riches series. Robert and Constance initially met under very trying circumstances and saved each other, but then went their separate ways. When they meet again, both are still struggling with over-protective family and learning how to become their best selves. They do this by seeing the strength in the other and encouraging the best type of growth. I love how they support each other and how their strengths and weaknesses mesh to create a wholeness in them both. They are both wonderful, flawed, relatable characters with Grace Burrowes signature writing of tenderness and affection. I definitely recommend this book.

Robert and Constance met years ago when both were broken and when they come together a second time it is to share a love that they won't let anyone take away from them again. Robert and Constance have to trust in each other and the love they have for one another in order to get through the nasty ordeal a meddling woman is putting them through. A great book. I couldn't put it down.

Remember to be Fierce
Grace Burrowes continues the exploration of the Wentworth family’s secrets, with a serious and honest romance. The Truth about Dukes picks up right after A Duke by Any Other Name, at Nathaniel former Duke of Rothhaven and Lady Althena Wentworth’s engagement party. Meeting again after ten years Robert Rothmere and lady Constance Wentworth have a lot to catch up on, and quickly. Robert has finally been brought home to be the Duke of Rothhaven, and society is not accepting of disabilities. Grace Burrows does a great job in her books representing characters with a variety of disabilities. The patience and understanding Constance has for Robert is a true representation of an accepting friendship. She has a wonderful artistic eye, and her descriptions of Robert are delightful to read. Robert’s respect and kinship with Constance is refreshing. Despite his traumatic life and anxiety, he still has a lot of room to support Constance in her struggles. Constance and Robert find a kinship in both their particularities, and together find a way to challenge society’s opposition with dignity. There are plenty of references, and meetings with previous characters in the Rogues to Riches Series. Including hints to the next book How to Catch a Duke with Lord Stephen Wentworth. Grace Burrowes creates a wonderful slow-burn romance about finding love in shared understanding.

I always love Grace Burrowes's books and this one did not disappoint. It is about a forgotten duke and a lady with a secret past. I enjoyed the the build up of the romance and the trials and tribulations they have to go through to be together. Great book.

I knew this book was going to be good...Grace Burrowes wrote it, but I was blown away by her characters.
A strong Duke with epilepsy, when it was treated as madness.
A strong female lead, who has mis-stepped, but her character is strong, strong enough that she and the duke are each other's saving grace through difficult times. They each understand why the other is the way they are and each has a deep love for their family.
When a vicious person sets out to do the Duke harm, the families unite together to protect him, as he strives ti protect his lady, his brother and his new family.
Written with humor and wit, this tale is not to be missed by lovers of Historical romance. Her descriptions of the scenes and people come to life.
I requested and was blessed with an ARC of this amazing tale.

The Truth About Dukes is the story of two outcasts who find love under the harsh scrutiny and judgment of society. Constance is a woman who likes to blend in. A woman who happily fades into the background with her plain dress and mundane demeanor, Constance holds some secrets close to her heart, never to be discussed with anyone else. That is until she reconnects with Robert Rothmere.

Rothmere suffers from epilepsy, or “the falling sickness,” and is very much judged for it. Institutionalized and maltreated by a questionable doctor, Rothmere is a recluse who struggles with his fears and the expectations of society. Neither really feels like they fit in until they meet each other.

The connection between Constance and Rothmere, which extends back to their teen years when both were in vulnerable and horrifying situations, is strong. Though neither is overtly demonstrative in front of others, their affection and desire for each other are clear. I love how they love each other, and their unconditional support is wonderful. Both characters have a lot of inner turmoil and outward obstacles to overcome, and their respect, admiration, and staunch support of each other through it all is lovely.

The story touches upon serious issues and handles them with honesty. Epilepsy, familial abuse, PTSD, legal battles, and unplanned pregnancies weigh on Constance and Rothmere, and it’s interesting (and horrifying) to see how these situations and struggles were handled in the past. I was shocked at how many people prejudged Rothmere and Constance and acted on greed, jealousy, and entitlement.

The Truth About Dukes is an interesting historical romance with unique characters and strong messages about love, life, and tolerance. Though this is the fifth book in the series, it can totally be read as a standalone. Thanks so much to Netgalley and Forever for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

For the first 15% of this book I really actively disliked it. I was seriously considering dnfing it. I've read Burrowes' books before and enjoyed them, but it felt like we were dumped into a scene midway through followed by a series of short conversations between characters I didn't know about this mysterious thing that no one was naming. Part of this could be that it was the fifth in a series (which I didn't realize until I started reading it.)

However. I persevered and actually started really enjoying it soon after that, when Constance and Robert start interacting more.

The really interesting thing about this book, to me, is that it wasn't what I was expecting for a historical romance. There wasn't a lot of sex (honestly that's a good thing), and Constance and Robert got together VERY early on. The conflict didn't hinge on their relationship or misunderstandings between them, but rather on outside events each was going through. It actually felt more like historical fiction than historical romance.

The families were wonderful, and I was reminded a great deal of the Bridgertons. Which is good as I adored the Bridgerton clan and now I adore the Rothmeres and Wentworths as well. I'm tempted to go back and read the other books in the series now that I know how much fun the characters are.

This novel also took on some serious topics - Epilepsy, mental competency trials, anxiety, and adopted children one regrets giving up. I don't have personal experience with any of those, but I do have other debilitating physical and mental illnesses and the way these topics were handled rang true to me.

All in all a great book, but that awkward beginning drops the rating a bit for me.