This fast-paced romance is as much about the intrigue behind Abigail's reason for asking Stephen for help as it is about the phenomenal relationship these two characters have. It felt like two stories expertly woven into one and I love every twist and turn it took.
The way Burrowes brings these two smart, headstrong people that are obviously perfect for each other together is fun and rather unusual for how things usually take place in historical romance. It was that difference that helped make this a very refreshing read. The leads' very rational, "We're together. We're adults. Let's enjoy it," attitude leads to some very enjoyable scenes.
But what perhaps made this stand out the most is that Burrowes doesn't just take time to flesh out her leads and a few side characters, even people with tangential parts in the story read like actual people and you care about what happens to them. It was nice to see an author take the time to make sure that every character on the page has a reason to be there and feels real to the reader. It's not done often or easily, so I appreciate it, even more, when it happens.
Overall, I couldn't decide if this is either a book of intrigue with some very good romance mixed in or a romance with solid intrigue woven into it. Either way, it's totally enjoyable and recommendable.

Many happy thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the early read!

I really enjoyed the dynamic between Steven and Abigail in this historical. Do I think it did anything original or groundbreaking? No. I do think that it did a great job of giving me what I wanted from this kind of a story. Grace Burrows is truly great at that, and I really enjoyed this installment in the series. If you have not tried it yet, I truly hope that you will.

How to Catch a Duke
Book 6 in the Rogues to Riches Series
Rating: 3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

How to Catch a Duke is the second book I read in this series. I will start by saying that this one opens with one of the most original lines. Abigail asks Stephen to please help her by making her disappear. He counters her offer by offering a fake engagement. Overall it was an okay read for me. I enjoyed their witty banter between them. They both shared so much about their past. Stephen was even honest about his past relationships (with women and men). I also liked that Abigail was a very strong and willful character and that is one of the things that Stephen had always admired about her.
The reason for the three stars is that halfway through the story I was bored and felt that much did not happen between them. The romance was just okay and you could feel that they had an intense attraction between them and they shared a good friendship but I felt that it was missing something.

tephen's story at last! Stephen, who maybe has endured the most pain of the entire eccentric Wentworth family, finally meets his match in former-Quaker-now-inquiry-agent Abigail Abbott. Although sparks abounded when Stephen and Abigail met in The Truth About Dukes (Constance's story), this book's opening lines made it clear Abigail Abbott was no ordinary woman:

“I have come to ask you to murder me, my lord.” Miss Abigail Abbott made that announcement as calmly as if she were remarking on the pleasing composition of a still life with apples.

Abigail is every bit as amazing as that opening bit. And since Stephen never does what is expected or asked of him, he falls in love with Abigail instead. And despite Stephen's incredible brain, generous heart, unlimited riches, and of course his reluctant role as heir to a duke, the path to making Abigail his is one of twists and turns, with confessions, blackmail, revenge, heartbreak, and so many painful secrets.

But wait, there is more than one love story here. While Stephen and Abigail find their way together, so finally do Stephen and his brother Quinn. To avoid spoilers, I won't say any more except that I actually teared up when the brothers finally opened up to each other about long suppressed secrets and feelings.

On a personal note, I glommed historical romances this past year simply because these stories didn't have to address social distancing or the pandemic. (I still flinch a bit when reading contemporaries when people just get into each other's personal spaces...whoa, whoa, mask up, buddy.) But Grace Burrowes' Rogues to Riches series has intrigued me due to her unflinching inclusion of harsh realities like child abuse, illegitimacy, and mental illness.

While romantic and sweet, Stephen and Abigail's story was not a fairy tale with neatly tied up plotlines; instead they created a new life together while acknowledging the pain and misfortune of their pasts. So as happy as I am for the now settled Wentworths, I yearn now for Ned to get a story of his own (after all, Quinn made him a Wentworth) with the hopes we get glimpses of Stephen and Abigail's life together.

Abigail Abbott is a successful professional inquiry agent. Someone has tried to harm her twice. Lord Stephen Wentworth loves anything mechanical and solving puzzles. When Abigail seeks his help, he's more than willing. He noticed her months ago and is delighted to see her again. When she requests to be murdered, it definitely gets his attention.
Missing letters from a long ago affair on the continent are at the center of her trouble. Is there a code used by a traitor written in the letters or just an irresponsible rake telling lies?
Stephen and Abigail are very dynamic and play off each other beautifully in seduction and solving a mystery.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

I have read and enjoyed Grace Burrowes in the past, and this one had a lot of things I liked. I particularly like the two main characters, their banter and their willingness to have frank discussions about their past relationships. They both were "outsiders" in society, or at least on the fringes of good society, and in many ways that was a point of bonding for them. I appreciated the heroine being a tall, sturdy sort. It's not something that I see come up in historicals often. And I like an intelligent, smooth rake hero but with a secret soft core. If you've never read Grace Burrowes, I find her writing to be very steady and almost "old school" but her plot and characters are interesting enough to not be boring or too sedate.

Then there were things I didn't like so much - this I can't really hold against the author, but I definitely jumped into this series in book 6. And clearly there was a lot that went on before this story that had a hand here. It was fine for me to pick it up at this point, but you would likely get more out of it having read the previous books.

There was also some things that bothered me. Definitely "fat" self-talk from one of the previous heroines who just had a baby. Are we really still doing this in 2021?? So many reasons this bothered me. And also Abigail certainly engaged in a dubcon moment. Very similar to the one in Julia Quinn's The Duke and I, except despite the protesting in the moment, the hero seemed cool with it after. This still did not sit well with me. Both of these things kind of took a really good story and tainted it for me. They are small moments in the scheme of the story, but really left me feeling conflicted about the book overall, and neither of them were really necessary to the story.

Miss Abigail Abbott calls on an old friend to help her, she makes her request to Lord Stephen Wentworth, heir to the Duke of Walden. She wants to be murdered well actually she just wants him to help her disappear and for it to appear she had died to escape her enemy who has already tried to have her killed. I love Abby she’s a woman of action, vivacious and independent by nature so when Stephen proposes making her his pretend fiancé using his name to keep her safe. An enchanting story of Abigail who doesn’t mind Stephen’s disability his need of two canes doesn’t bother her in the least, she knows he eccentric, a genius inventor and a good friend to have around. Stephen comes to realize Abigail is the key to true happiness and will not stop until she agrees to be his. I have voluntarily read and reviewed the excellent story

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC to read and review.

Grace Burrowes is an automatic buy for me. Her unique style is unparalleled in the historical romance genre. Each member of the Wentworth family has had a compelling and dedicated story. This novel about Stephen was my most anticipated. He is the anti-hero, with disabilities and a directness.

The connection between Stephen and Abigail was missing for me, and I DNF this one. Shocked me too!

I await Ms Burrowes next novel as always.

3.5 stars. A fun historical romance with a bit of a mystery.

Abigail has a marquess after her, so she needs to disappear. She turns to Stephen, the heir to a dukedom to help her, since he has the expertise to make it look like she died. However, he doesn't want to do that. Instead, he proposes that they pretend to be courting, and she can stay with his brother, the duke, for protection until they get the whole situation sorted out. What follows is them getting to know one another (intimately) and figuring out why the marquess is after the letters.

I haven't read the other books in this series, but I might have to go back and try some of them out. I really like how communicative Abigail and Stephen were and how they both found the other's apparent unattractiveness to be unconcerning.

The independent Abigail Abbott asks Lord Stephen Wentworth to help her fake her death in order to escape a powerful enemy. He comes up with a better idea- a fake engagement. Abigail has trouble asking for help, trusting people, or letting others put themselves in danger. Lord Stephen has trouble asking for help, trusting people, or letting others put themselves in danger. Working together they may strangle each other, but they discover the right partner is easy to trust and is always there to help without being asked.

I definitely liked Stephen and his facade of carefree, womanizing heir that even fools his older brother much of the time. Abigail helped him face his darkness and see it in a different way, and I liked how for all her Quaker tendencies toward violence she was also completely practical when it came to self defense. The plot was a little convoluted at times, trying to figure out who stole the letters, who had the letters, and who knew/cared what was in the letters, but I liked how it all worked together in the end, how Abigail and Stephen supported each other's weaknesses and encouraged their strengths, and generally became better people when trying to be together.
A fun read

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This particular romance wasn’t my cup of tea. I struggled to get into the story and relate to the characters. It was part of a larger series. While it could be read as a stand alone book, I felt like I was missing out on some connections with last characters. Overall though, the story was fine and the ending was enjoyable. Even with my critiques, I would want to go back and read some of the other books in the series.

DNF @ 20%

I’m not really a fan of this author’s writing style. Everything that happens takes an unbelievably long time. I keep finding my mind wandering and then not remembering what I just read.

I love the twist on the fake engagement trope in this story! Abigail feels her life is threatened, so she asks Lord Wentworth to help her fake her own death. That way, she can truly hide from her enemies. What she didn't realize is that her old friend is very much in love with her, and he, instead, offers her a fake engagement. That way, she'll have his protection. I truly look forward to recommending this book to those who enjoy Regency-era romances, but are not such traditionalists that they don't mind a fresh take on the usual plots. Lots of fun, witty banter adds spice and interest to a great story.

Ms. Burrowes captures the heart of two wonderful people in this book. Abigail and Stephen are perfect for one another. She is in trouble and only he can help her. Just not in the way she wants him to. These two slowly learn they are in love with each other but both are afraid to tell the other. Readers will enjoy this wonderful romance.

I don't really know what to say about this book, except that I loved everything about it.. I don't know how I havent read the other books in the series yet but Im definitely going to be reading them very soon.. I love Abigail and Stephen. They were so perfect for each other. Abigail is an investigator, she notices things most other people dont, is stubborn, and knows what she likes and what she doesn't.

Stephen is a lord and in line to be the next Duke. He is so smart its crazy. He makes makes and invents things. the only thing most people see about him is his leg. He has to use a cane, one occasion 2 in order for him to get around due to an injury he got as a child. But he is so much more than that.. He does whatever is in his power to do in order to help his friends or family, and does his best not to let his injury get in the way.

When Abigail decides to ask Stephen for his help he is instantly smitten with her, and as she starts to learn about what a great guy she starts falling for him too.. I liked how they both had pasts and really had no problem talking about that with each other, and they had really great chemistry.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Abigail asks Stephen to help her fake her death. Instead, he offers to fake an engagement with her. Her death won't stop the marquess who's trying to steal her letters—but Stephen's protection just might. As the heir to a dukedom, Stephen's influence ranges farther than even the despotic marquess's does. But is that enough to save Abigail? And what's Stephen to do when he realizes he can't live without her?

This book is frolicking fun, with an intriguing mystery, strong characters, and steamy love scenes. Abigail is independent, self-possessed, and normally capable of taking care of herself. Stephen is clever and randy and a force to be reckoned with despite his leg injury and his façade as a frivolous heir. The book is a delightfully complex, low-angst read full of insight and subtle humor.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I am so depressed to not being able to give this book a positive review. I love Grace Burrowes, and I have enjoyed almost every previous book in this series. The only other book I did not enjoy was Duncan's book. So to not love this one was both shocking and sad.

I think it all came down to the hero. I loved his character in all the previous books, but when I read his own story, I didn't find him all that likable. On the surface he seemed good and kind, and I think deep down he was as well, but I didn't see the same vitality in the writing of his character here that I did before. I wasn't a fan of how much his previous sexual experiences were discussed, and I didn't really see a lot of chemistry between him and the heroine. It was like they were just attracted to each other because it made the story move along, but it didn't come across as very natural. Honestly, at one point it was discussed that he had been intimate with another man, and I thought - that's why it doesn't work. His character should be with a man. He's written as bisexual, with a preference for women, but I still got the vibe that maybe that's not really where his character should be going romantically. I don't know, just a thought I had while trying to figure out why the romance with the heroine didn't work for me.

Will definitely continue to read Grace Burrowes, but unfortunately, this one wasn't my cup of tea. Maybe next time!

4.5 stars rounded up.

Since she’s begun experiencing threatening attacks visited upon her household, Miss Abigail Abbott has become desperate and determined that disappearing is the best course of action. There is only one person she trusts to help her, Lord Stephen Wentworth, a genius inventor, and heir to the powerful Duke of Walden. Stephen is shrewd and personable but utterly ruthless when need be, and he has the perfect solution to her problem: he’ll keep Abigail safe by making her his pretend fiancé.

Stephen finds himself in awe of Abigail’s strength and resourcefulness. As their faux courtship progresses, Stephen soon finds contentment he never expected in her arms, but for Abigail the engagement is still a mere pretense, even if her feelings are becoming real. For Stephen, every bit of his time spent with Abigail is real and his future happiness depends on his ability to convince her of the veracity of his feelings and that only she could ever become his duchess.

This is such a beautifully written book. The banter amongst all the Wentworths really, but especially between Stephen and Abigail, was excellent. These characters and the struggles they faced and the pain they felt made for a strong juxtaposition of the gritty against such exquisitely detailed writing. I loved the development of the relationship between Stephen and Quinn as well as the unfailing loyalty the family displayed toward its own. Stephen suffered more than many of even his closest family members ever realized, which made his confiding in Abigail stronger. Two fiercely independent main characters learned they could ask for help and lean on each other physically, emotionally, in every way that mattered, and that was beautiful. I thought the final melodrama may prove too much for me, but it was handled with grace and aplomb by the author and her characters and wound up being satisfying for all. I loved that Stephen and Abigail were for the most part bluntly honest with each other and faced challenges together. I could’ve done without the early scene between Stephen and his mistress but it was in no way cheating at that point and it did contribute to the plot a bit so I can deal with it. I enjoyed this story and the writing and found it a nice wrap-up of the series. I look forward to this author’s next work.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

** 3.5 Stars **

Grace Burrowes's writing is always excellent and I always enjoy her stories. I have read almost everything she’s written, and I think this may be my least favorite. That may be because I have been waiting for Stephen’s story since the beginning of the series and it just wasn’t what I’d imagined for him. Then, add to that the cavalier way the story treated bisexuality during a time when it could get you HANGED, it just didn’t sit well. It wasn’t that I minded the bisexuality – it was that nobody thought anything about it – nobody was careful about mentioning it – and everybody seemed to be bisexual. I’m pretty sure that if I lived during that time and I was bisexual, I would most definitely NOT be discussing it with anyone – much less everyone. Because I wouldn’t care to be hanged. Also, I think bisexuality was just gratuitous to be politically correct. It added nothing to the story and didn’t move the plot along in any way.

As I mentioned above, we’ve met Stephen before, but we have also met Abigail Abbott before as well. Abigail Abbott is the plain-speaking, Quakerish, no-nonsense inquiry agent who helped the family earlier in another book. Stephen and Abigail met then, so he was pleased to see her when she showed up at his residence until she asked him to murder her. Oh! My Goodness! But, she didn’t actually want him to murder her – she just wanted him to help her disappear and for it to appear she had died. Someone is pursuing her – and she doesn’t know what lengths they’ll go to to get what they want from her. She knows WHO is after her and he’s a rich and powerful peer. She just doesn’t understand WHY exactly. She knows a lot more than she’ll tell Stephen, he doesn’t need to know all of that – he just needs to help her die.

Stephen, of course, has no intention of helping her die – pretend or otherwise. Since his family is powerful and they all outrank the peer who is causing the problem, he offers an alternative. He will court her – and she will stay in his brother’s home where she’ll be well protected.

Unlike some other reviewers, I actually liked Abigail for Stephen. She was no-nonsense, she was plain-spoken and direct, his disability didn’t bother her at all and she was able to physically offset his disability when needed. I wasn’t a big fan of her big ‘sacrifice’ at the end because it didn’t seem, to me, to go along with her no-nonsense, plain-spoken personality.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, but I don’t think I’d read it a second time.

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

How to Catch a Duke by Grace Burrowes
Rogues to Riches #6
Publication Date: April 13, 2021

Abigail turns to Lord Stephen for assistance in faking own death to avoid a dangerous Marquess. Instead, he proposes a fake marriage and soon a fake courtship becomes all too real for them both. I have not read the previous books in the series and you can definitely read this book without having read the others.

I really enjoyed the frankness between Abigail and Stephen. It felt like no topic was off the table for propriety’s sake. To be honest though, that’s the only thing I enjoyed. I made the call to DNF the book at about 30% which was a really hard decision for me. I feel like if I request an ARC on Netgalley then it’s my responsibility to finish the book and provide a review. However I didn’t see the issues I personally had with the book changing at any point.

The writing was monotone, emotionless and almost clinical in delivery. My preference is for romance books filled with humor, witty dialogue and an overwhelming amount of sexual tension. The choice in tone resulted in me just being uninterested in any of the characters and uninvested in the plot.

I was also turned off by the inclusion of a scene where he visits his mistress, spends the night and then breaks things off with her, before leaving he gifts her a tea shop. He had to have one last round of sex before he broke it off? Ick.

This was just not the book for me.

My apologies and thanks to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) an ARC in exchange for an honest review.