I just couldn't stay interested. This is the 6th book of the series and I have only read the first one. Maybe that's why? Someone is after some letters in Abigail's possession, willing to kill her and those around her to get them. She asks for Stephen's help to disappear. As they spend time together, Stephen discusses his past lovers both male and female. Wouldn't a woman of the time be even a little surprised? The final coincidence of their commingled past sexual partners makes for an odd read.

Lord Stephen Wentworth has a sinister, and not exactly undeserved, reputation, but even he is taken aback when a young woman asks him to murder her. Abigail Abbott actually wants him to arrange a fake murder so that an aristocrat who has been threatening her will leave her alone, but Stephen offers another solution: a fake engagement to provide her with protection while they work out why the marquis wants some letters she has.

The mystery proves unexpectedly intriguing, but the primary focus is upon the protagonists, whose initial attraction develops into love as they get to know each other better. Class differences and past secrets create obstacles: Abigail is an inquiry agent, and her upbringing by Quakers has shaped a social conscience inappropriate to the wife of a duke’s heir. Stephen, however, led a harsh life before his brother unexpectedly inherited a dukedom, and he is far more broad-minded than other aristocrats, especially in his care for women and those in the lower classes.

With her customary wit and frequent ironic insights, Burrowes steers them through to the reward they deserve in this, the sixth in the Rogues to Riches series set in Regency England. Strongly recommended.
HNR Issue 96 (May 2021)

I've tried a handful of Grace Burrowes books and for some reason I haven't found one that I love yet. I tried this one again recently and I still do not feel invested in the characters. I'm hoping one day I will like her writing, but for now it is a DNF

Burrowes has written a welcome addition to the Rogue to Riches series. The characters were likeable and the dialogue was witty. Stephen Wentworth is an interesting and challenging character, who finally blossoms. A satisfying read!

Abigail needs to disappear and asks acquaintance Stephen to help. Stephen counters with a mock courtship which may not be so mock on his part. A highly enjoyable, fast-paced romp through Regency England.
Thank you Grace Burrows, Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

A lovely entry in this series, a family I truly love! I started the series in the middle but ended up circling back to read the entire family and now can't wait for each new entry.

How to Catch a Duke (Rogues to Riches #6). By Grace Burrowes. 2021. Forever (ARC eBook).

Throughout the series Stephen Wentworth has been an enigma and so it only seemed fitting that the opening of How to Catch a Duke began with a request for Stephen to disappear a Miss Abigail Abbott. A request made by the inquiry agent herself. Being intrigued by Abigail, the last thing Stephen wants is to hide her away, so a fake engagement that will allow his family to extend protection to her is the way to go. And perhaps the engagement will never end.

Overall, this was my least favorite of the Rogues to Riches series; and of the other books I’ve read from this author, actually. I could see how intellectually the two could challenge each other, but I just never bought in to there being any chemistry between them; and their was a lot going on in the “romance” department, past and present, that detracted and seemed more of a “shock and awe” and “bandwagon” disservice rather then aid the plot. Stephen and Abigail, who I previously thought as proven clever, seemed to fall more on the boring and ludicrous side throughout this story. After the last two books featuring the Rothaven brothers, I was missing them and Stephen’s sisters, Althea and Constance. But there was some closure with Stephen’s relationship with his oldest brother, Quinn. And it was nice to see Stephen, as a Wentworth, get his happily ever after.

Yeah! We finally get Stephen's story! We've watched him grow up through the other books in the series and I was so excited to see him get his HEA! Burrowes didn't disappoint! I just loved these two together!!

I adore the Wentworth family.
I have to admit I jumped into this series at book 4 (this being book 6) and I HAVE TO go back and read the first 3!
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This book offers a woman who takes a wrong done to her and creates her own way in life, a hero born to the gutters, beaten and maimed, to a future Duke, an unconventional family, and unsuspecting villains.
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It was a love story of course, but it was also a book filled with strength, resilience, and loyalty. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

Ms. Burrowes has another fabulous regency romance with lots of twists and turns and a sweet romance between a reluctant future duke and a commoner private investigator. This is a slow burn while the two main characters get to know each other and both fascinate and flirt with each other. We have met both Abigail and Stephen in Burrowes’ The Truth about Dukes. But you absolutely do not need to have read that book or the series to enjoy this new adventure.

Abigail is in fear of her life from another member of the ton and seeks out the assistance the future duke Stephen Wentworth to help her “disappear”. Abigail is sure that a Lord Stapleton is pursuing her demise since she holds letters that could ruin the reputation of his son and father of his beloved grandson. While I was a little exasperated with the value of these letters throughout the story – in the end we learn the true need to get rid of them by Lord Stapleton. Ms. Abigail is a strong heroine in that she is sure of her position and really has made her own way.

Stephen had a poor childhood including an abusive father that resulted in a disability that is prominent in the story. The fact that Abigail never even reflects on the disability in her attraction to Stephen is really refreshing. Stephen is enthralled with Abigail from the beginning of the story and her aloofness only makes him more interested in her. The back and forth banter between these two is the best part of this romance. He is quite hilarious and super straightforward in his dialog with Abigail. I find that our author Grace Burrowes has the most fantastic regency verbiage that is so intellectually stimulating and lends to an interesting read.

Instead of “disappearing” Ms. Abigail, Stephen offers a fake engagement which ultimately leads to some sexy times as they have a “let’s have fun while we can” attitude. We all know that will lead to the “they can’t live without each other” HEA.

How to Catch a Duke is a warm, light-hearted, adventure packed story that will keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. I could not put this down and just loved everything about the story and the characters’ twisting interactions. The author is so good at providing a world of family loyalty and humorous, complex, and smart characters that keeps you not wanting the story to end. Bravo Ms. Burrowes!

I was given an ARC of this story by the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephen grew up poor, with an abusive father who crippled him to make him a more effective beggar. Now he is extremely wealthy, the younger brother of a duke who has only daughters. As a duke's heir, he is widely sought after, despite being lame, sharp-tongued, and impatient of Society. He is, however, intrigued by the lady inquiry agent who asks him for assistance in dealing with a persistent marquis.

A twisty mystery-suspense plot underlies a believable romance between two lonely people. Not particularly true to the era, but well worth reading nonetheless.

Calling all historical romance fans! This book/series is the next one on your tbr. I absolutely LOVED this one. I've read previous books by Grace Burrowes, so I knew what I was getting into. But if you've never experienced her writing, let me set the stage. First of all we have the strong characters. Miss Abigail Abbott and Lord Stephen Wentworth are so relatable and enjoyable to get to know. Early on we know about a physical ailment that Wentworth suffers from, and I appreciated this type of realness. Abbott is also strong and resilient and I loved her fight against social norms. Next, the dialogue. So full of wit and banter, the pages just flew by. Lastly, the romance. The perfect amount of spice that keeps you intrigued, but doesn't take away from the story. I haven't read the other books in this series (this is a stand alone but is part of a character series) but now I need to ASAP!

A great addition to this wonderful little niche of the bookish world! For fans of Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas.

I am newer to reading historical romance and I have quickly learned that Grace Burrowes is a go-to for great historical romances. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I can't wait to read more from Grace.

How to Catch a Duke by Grace Burrowes: Book Review! 💜🤩

I was given this book by the publisher 🤩 and it’s my first ever Grace Burrowes. Ya know, why wouldn’t I start at book six in a series?!🙀

I *really* enjoyed this bookb As a stand-alone, there was enough background that was given in a way that wasn’t an info dump that I really appreciated. Sometimes these “stand-alones” require a crap ton to get caught up and there are so many freaking characters, you just get lost in the shuffle and feel like you’re missing something the entire time. (Ahem, Jack Dodger in every Lorraine Heath book 😂)

But I will say reading this made me wish I had read the other books so I could’ve felt something more for these side characters 😏

This book was gripping, I read it all in a couple of days and found myself love love loving Lord Stephen Wentworth!!! I’m basically going to read all the books in this series for more glimpses of this man 🤣

I thought the characters were well developed, the plot was intriguing and kept me guessing, and the side characters added so much to the story.

Abigail and Stephen get five stars from me and I am adding Grace Burrowes’ entire back catalogue to my TBR 🥵

HJ Top Pick!

How to Catch a Duke is the sixth and final book in the Rogues to Riches series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone but I think reading them in order gives the reader a better perspective of all the characters. Also, the author’s books are so beautifully written that you will want to read them all after reading one. This has been a wonderful series and I am incredibly sad to see the series end. The Wentworth siblings had such a rough childhood and seeing them get their happy ever after was wonderful.

Lord Stephen Wentworth grew up in poverty with an abusive father. Fate made his older brother the Duke of Walden and Stephen his heir. He was brilliant and methodical at solving puzzles which is why Abigail chose him to help her. Rather than pretend to kill her, he offers a fake courtship and marriage to keep Abigail safe while they locate her stolen letters. He quickly realizes she is the woman for him but convincing her might take some persuasion.
Abigail Abbott is an inquiring agent but can’t seem to figure out why Lord Stapleton would wish her harm or steal her letters. She knew she could trust and depend on Stephen to help her. She thought that if he pretended to kill her then she could just disappear. She realizes Stephen’s plan will allow her to uncover the mystery of her missing letters, but she is afraid she is getting too attached to him.

I absolutely loved how perfect Abigail and Stephen were together. They both had insecurities, but they saw each other for who they really were. Stephen was so loveable, but he kept others at a distance because he was so self-conscious about his knee, but Abigail put him at ease. They both had a past but the genuine love they had for one another allowed them to put it aside. I have adored the Wentworth siblings from the beginning and have enjoyed seeing their family grow as they married. The sibling’s bond grew stronger as they each found love. I was touched by the scene between Stephen and Quinn where they finally talked and were able to understand each other better. It was a perfect way to wrap up the series. I am sad to see the last of the Wentworth family but hopefully, they will appear in future books. I have always been a fan of Grace Burrowes and this series emphasizes why she is a favorite for me.

How to Catch a Duke is the latest and final installment in Burrowes' delightful Rogues to Riches series, which follows the family of His Grace, the Duke of Walden. The current one, that is. Unfortunately for the Duke's brother, Stephen, he is next in line. Brilliant of mind but unsound in body after violent childhood abuse, Stephen has no desire to take on the mantle; however, Quinn has four daughters.

Abigail Abbott is also in dire straits--her livelihood and perhaps her life are both at stake over some indiscreet letters that have disappeared from her possession. A woman who makes her way by investigating others has few friends to which she can turn--but Abigail has met Lord Stephen on several occasions while helping his sister Constance, and she knows what a quick mind lies behind his bored sneer.

Stephen agrees to help Abigail--but on his own terms. And, if in helping her, he can help himself, so much the better: Stephen has never professed to be anything other than self-serving.

Readers who have waited breathlessly for Stephen's story will not be at all disappointed in this conclusion to the story--though they may be surprised. Burrowes takes on some scandalous aspects that many will find liberating but some might feel are more grating.

Abigail, an inquiry agent, asks Lord Stephen for help in "murdering her", specifically in helping it look like she has died. Abigail thinks this will solve the problem of who is after her and why. To Lord Stephen this is nonsense, and he wants to know the whole of her story, which she does reveal in bits and pieces as his family protects her. They decide on a fake engagement as a means to draw out Stapleton's need for what he thinks Abigail has as well as protecting her. Stephen has been an intriguing character from the beginning of this series, and his story past and present lend itself to his character. It was fun watching him change through his growing attraction to Abigail and her acceptance of him. Not my favorite in the series, but it is always a pleasure to read this author's books.

I really enjoy Grace Burrowes and her books.... but this one didn't really click with me. Maybe the series has gone on too long? I'm interested to see what GB does in her next series, but her blazé treatment of bisexuality in 1800s England does not do much for me.

I was so excited to read this book because it sounded good.

Grace Burrowes didn't disappoint. This book is very well entertaining and it was one I just couldn't put down.

I do recommend this.

How to Catch a Duke is another romantic novel by Grace Burrows. This author knows how to write interesting characters with great banter and constantly moving plot lines that keep the story interesting. Highly recommend all the books in the series!