This book was such a fun read! Imagine the Bachelorette, except clean and modest in the late 1800s New York. Willow Dupre is heir to a sugar empire. However the board refuses to allow a woman to take over. She has to find a husband so her parents choose men to vie for her affection. It is witty, fun, mysterious, and action packed at times. The journey to find a husband is full of antics. I really enjoyed the read! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

"My Dear Miss Dupré" is a romance set in 1882 in New York. Willow just kept making one bad decision after another, and so did her parents and her suitors. The historical details were unrealistic even if the Dupré family was meant to come across as arrogant and high-handed. They seemed determined to humiliate the suitors due to the way the whole contest was set up. They also seemed oblivious to the fact that this could create powerful enemies among those that were disrespected and dismissed.

Willow's willingness to be kissed (even in public!) by her different suitors threatened to ruin her reputation, yet she didn't stop the kisses. She was smart, but she was also thoughtless and lacked effective follow-through on good intentions. When several suitors pointed out that only the pushy suitors were getting any time with her, she agreed it wasn't fair but ended up dealing with it by cutting anyone who wasn't pushy from the competition. Once, Willow resolved to stop mooning over their good looks and charming manners and ask questions about their faith in God and ability to run a business, but then she never did. She never asked if the men would allow her to continue to run the business, support her endeavors, or even what they wanted out of the relationship.

Bafflingly, her father told her last three suitors to write down every detail about how the Dupré business was run as they're shown around the factory. He's oblivious to how this information could be used against them in the future. The parents also made no effort to further investigate her favorites or they would've noticed that Cullen had no social standing and had been seen in public dealing with the Dupre's business enemy. And I'm supposed to take this family seriously?

Willow and Cullen were the only characters that were developed to any degree, and that wasn't very much. Willow was a horrible judge of character. Cullen betrayed her, giving critical information to Willow's enemy, but Willow swooned at his green eyes and so defended him against anyone hinting that Cullen might not be trustworthy. I just didn't like these characters. The Christian element seemed to be forgiving those who have changed their ways (and proved it). There was no sex or bad language.

I really enjoyed this book. It was almost a “Bachelor”-style story but set in the late 1800s. I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the storyline. It isn’t often you see the “Bachelor” trope in a historical context. This book was written from three different perspectives; Willow Dupre, Cullen Dempsey (one of the bachelor’s vying for Willow’s hand) and Theodore Day (another bachelor competing for Willow’s hand in marriage and a childhood friend of Willow.) This was interesting because, although you assumed Cullen would be the leading man due to his name being in the blurb, it wasn’t clear whether Cullen or Teddy would win overall. I even enjoyed the twists at the end of this story.

I look forward to more writing from Grace Hitchock. I hope that Willow’s friend Flora get’s her story soon. I will also have to go back and read the other books Grace Hitchcock has already written.

Delightful! I really enjoyed this Guilded Age version of The Bachelorette! Much better than the reality TV show. Miss Dupre is poised to take over the leadership of her father's sugar business. With his failing health, the only way the board members will approve of this arrangement is if Miss Dupre finds a husband. Author Grace Hitchcock spins a delightful, page-turning tale, and I was kept wondering until the end. I can't wait for the next book in this series!



Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read an early copy. All opinions are my own. I highly recommend this story, especially to fans of Jen Turano.

Fun, historical, romantic comedy about a woman who, for business reasons, has to choose a husband. Her parents set up a contest, invite eligible bachelors, and then tell Willow about it! Once she gets over the shock of it all, she tries to get into the spirit of it and tries to choose a mate who will allow her to work but one she also hopes to love. All of this takes place in the late 1800's. There are many twists and turns, lies, scandals, and a timeline that gets moved up a few months.

Beautiful, breathtaking, daring, adventure, romance...all these describe this book perfectly!
I am not even sure where to begin with this book. It has left me nearly speechless. It was perfect, I don't think there is a thing I would change. Oh there were times I was very worried how this all would end, but it ended very well indeed.
Willow Dupre is such a fascinating character. I don't think I could do justice to how much I liked her. She was daring, had insecurities, was a secret romantic and all around loveable lady. I cannot imagine having to go through all she did.
Cullen Dempsey was my favorite from the very beginning. I really liked his character. I mean how do you not fall in love with a man that is tall and has green eyes and is Irish no less?
Teddy, Oh Teddy. How you irritated me at times. I really wanted to like you, if you appear again in the future please be nicer.
As for Kit, I really hope he appears in a book and finds his own love. I secretly rooted for him too. There was something about him I simply loved.
I highly recommend this book, it was amazing. Please write more Grace Hitchcock. Please!! I already need the next book.

My Dear Miss Dupré
by Grace Hitchcock
Back of the Book: “Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father's unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan--find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.
Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society's elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn't expect to find anything other than a proxy . . . until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.”
Impressions: This book is the “Bachelorette” Gilded Age edition. I think the idea of multiple suitors vying for your hand is a bit ostentatious and gaudy but it was still a fun read. The suspense of knowing who Willow chooses kept me reading.
Rated: kidnapping, murder reference
Liked: I enjoyed the more drama-filled story of Cullen’s life going on in the background of this book.
Disliked: The idea of well-to-do suiters groveling for Willow’s hand in a competition in this time period seems so far-fetched to take seriously. I also don’t understand the draw to such an endeavor as the “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette” in more modern terms so perhaps this just wasn’t the best book for me?
Quotes: “My dear girl, if the right beau so much as kisses your hand, there won’t be any spark. There will be current pulsating from your hand directly to your heart.”
“Money does not make us noble. Character does.”
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here.

“American Royalty”
In 1882, Willow Dupre has only months to choose a husband out of thirty suitors if she wishes to remain in control of her family’s business. And all of the men aren’t as they seem.

Doesn’t that premise draw you in? That’s how My Dear Miss Dupre began, and I loved the uniqueness. Throughout the novel, we’re given the point-of-views of Willow and two suitors, a change from the typical romance that I appreciated. At first, I wasn’t entirely sure which to root for, and isn’t that what we wish for from a romance? Some extra uncertainty to keep us guessing?

Where things got a little iffy for me were the group outings between Willow and the suitors. I didn’t entirely see those as the best way to weed out the right man. Some forthright questions (I won’t get too specific) seemed like they would’ve done the trick faster. But once I got over that, I became enthralled with figuring out the mysteries thrown in about which of the men could be trusted. I will say I did wonder why she kept some of them around as long as she did—and one guy got off WAY too easy.
Willow rubbed me the wrong way sometimes, but her friend Flora—man, I had so much sympathy for her. She wins as a secondary character, and I hope she gets her own happy ending soon. While Willow came across a bit spoiled and naïve at times, I loved watching her growth. And of course, I heartily approved of her final choice.
This was a fun, intriguing start to the American Royalty series, and I’m looking forward to the next one. (I'm rooting for you, Flora.)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book, but the opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.*
#netgalley #mydearmissdupre

3.5 stars

I confess I didn't actually read the description before requesting this particular book, otherwise I don't think I would have. A clean version of the Bachelorette in the Gilded Age - what a unique idea! But my very practical nature scoffs at the idea of courting 30 men simultaneously to find 'the one' which is one thing I didn't care for in the story (my fault for not reading what it was about first).

That being said, My Dear Miss Dupre was a fun quick read. There were many humorous moments and Grace Hitchcock did a great job of turning something ridiculous into quite plausible, especially considering the era the story is set in. The subplot added depth and originality to the story.

Willow Dupre, eldest daughter and future CEO of the Dupre Sucre sugar company, needs to find a husband. In 1883 New York, the executive board of the sugar company isn’t willing to be subjected being led by a single female, no matter how capable. To ensure that Willow makes a proper match, her parents devise a competition in which 30 of New York’s most eligible bachelors will vie for the position of Willow’s husband and co-CEO of the family business. For fans of television’s The Bachelorette, this book will be a treat.

Fans of the bachelor and The Selection series will enjoy this novel. Some interesting and surprising twists. Christian angle shoehorned in and not well.

I love the Gilded Age in American history and it is a wonderful setting for a romance. Willow Dupre has been raised to take over her fathers sugar business. With his failing health, the board of directors is not willing to have a woman helm the business without a man, so a new plan is hatched. Willow will have a "Bachelorette" competition with 30 of the most eligible bachelors from the prominent families of NYC. All this is a great start to what I expected to be a fun and lighthearted book.

Willow is earnest and sincere. The competition is forced on her but she will see it through for her families sake. I liked her character and her desires for a good match. The time frame of the contest gets shortened and the cuts of men happen quickly. The story really only has a few viable suitors to connect with. For me the story bogs down in all the other things going on, blackmail, newspaper articles, theft, kidnapping etc. It got more and more unrealistic, e.g. Willow posing as a worker in her own factory. If Willow would really have been in the time period she would have been ruined and forced into marriage fairly early on in the story. For me the plot was overly complicated taking away from a romance developing. Even the grand gesture, which is good, still takes almost blackmailing to make happen. Her parents come off as supportive but overly manipulative. And I was disappointed in the runner-ups response to her choice.

This is a clean Christian romance with some chaste kisses. It is also a first in a new series and I am hoping best friend Fiona gets a story. Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for an ARC ebook in exchange for a honest review.

I requested to read and review this book for free from Bethany house Publishing Company. This book takes place in the 1800s. This story has romance, mystery, suspense and some comedy. It may or may not end like you think it should. It's a book for any type of reader and can be read anywhere. This book reminds me of a 1800s version of the Bachelorette! Can you actually forgive someone completely when they did something wrong? If they try or don't try to make it right? You will cheer on Will and the other surrounding her to make the right decision.

An utterly enchanting story from Grace Hitchcock! My Dear Miss Dupré captivated me from the beginning, and I never wanted it to end. I absolutely adored the parallels to modern reality shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette (I definitely giggled a bit at the similarities), and I loved following Hitchcock’s Gilded Age version.

What I loved most about this story is the characters. Each were relatable in unique ways, and I absolutely need to see more of Teddy and Kit especially. Cullen’s moral dilemma and his devotion to Willow were so wonderfully written that I sincerely felt what both he and Willow were feeling. Hitchcock truly has a gift!

My Dear Miss Dupré will keep readers completely enraptured. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the rest of the series! 5/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I read about a book a day, and this was one of the most entertaining books I've read in quite some time! In a Victorian-age Bachelorette, Willow is being forced to find a husband as quickly as possible. It truly plays out like the Bachelorette tv show, with hijinks, underhandedness, and multiple affections...but this a Christian romance, so it is clean. It ended the way I had hoped, and I cannot wait for the author to write the next book in the series....I sincerely hope it is about Flora and the runner-up (did you think I would reveal the winner?), as they deserve their happily-ever-after, too!

My Dear Miss Dupre by Grace Hitchcock is similar to the TV show the Bachelorette, but set in the American Gilded Age. Not so willing participant, Willow Dupre, the heir of the Dupre sugar fortune can not believe what her family had gotten her into. She has 6 months to choose a husband and get married or lose her family business. No pressure!

I enjoyed meeting Willow’s family, her friends, and the bachelors. My Dear Miss Dupre had good chemistry, well crafted scenes, and the elegance reminiscent of the time period. I found the story original, romantic, funny, and I was wondering how it would all come together up until the end. It was truly a pleasure to read.

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

Bachelorette 1880’s style! My Dear Miss Dupre, opens on New Year’s Eve, New York City, 1882. Willow Dupre has been given control of her ailing father’s sugar empire. There are just a few slight problems. She’s a woman. She’s unmarried. She’s in charge of a business. In the 1880’s, this was simply unacceptable- on all accounts! Unbeknownst to Willow, her parents have devised a plan to help “fix” those problems. Enter 29 eligible bachelors. Willow’s parents have created a competition. The winner of this competition gets to marry Willow and become the “head” of the Dupre Sucre. Willow is not, and I repeat, not in favor of this plan! She feels trapped. She’s content running her father’s business and being unmarried. However, she loves her family and realizes that her father could lose the business (to her conniving cousin) because the company shareholders are demanding that a male figure be in charge. So, with that in mind, she agrees to her parents’ crazy scheme and starts to court these 29 bachelors. Some of the lucky bachelors chosen to compete are Cullen Dempsey (an Irish mystery man), Teddy Day (childhood friend), Kit Quincy (childhood crush), Friedrich Blythe (avid botanist), and many more. They all have 6 months to woo Willow into picking one of them for her husband. The competition is complete with the handing out of laurel crowns, one-on-one dates, group dates, and constant bickering between the male contestants. Throughout the story she whittles down the contestants until there are but a few remaining. Her heart begins to waver between the few that are left. Who will she choose? Who will win her heart? Who could end up destroying her and everyone she loves? I found this book to be quite delightful. It started off a bit slow and with a few eyerolls from me from all the drama. However, once the competition really got underway, I found myself intrigued and rooting for several of the bachelors. Willow surprised me many times by letting go the ones I was certain she would choose. Romance, drama, mystery, betrayal, and courage were all wrapped up into one cozy novel. It took a while for Willow to choose- this was going to be permanent after all, but in the end, I believe she chose wisely. This was my first book by Grace Hitchcock but certainly won’t be my last! Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for the ARC of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

Yes - read it! This first in the series starts out very strong and sets up some great future reads.

While you don't exactly know who are the two main characters (this is a romance after all), there are plenty of interesting characters you can enjoy and root for! There are plenty of sub plots to keep your mind engaged and make for a really enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for an ARC to help me prepare for this review.

My Dear Miss Dupré, Book 1 of the American Royalty series, started out as a rather fun, frivolous high society story set in the Gilded Age; however, it turned out to be so much more! A unique, steadily moving plot that keeps you guessing; an intriguing subplot; delightful, diverse characters including a strong-willed female protagonist; an outlandish romantic competition; bits of humor; and an inspiring faith element combine to make an enjoyable, captivating read. I was drawn in from the beginning and stayed invested to the end. This well-written tale by an extraordinary storyteller is sure to delight and entertain, and I highly recommend it! I look forward to Book 2 in the series.
I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

My Dear Miss Dupre is a fascinating story of Willow, a business minded woman who, decided by her parents, must find a husband. Quickly. So they set up a competition with thirty men from their area to wed her and help assist her in the family sugar business. Beginning on New Year's eve, she must decide on one husband by June. She gets it narrowed down to eight, and eventually three, all the while, one man she really is interested in is working with her business adversary. Cullen, however, has become a changed man since meeting her. He is no longer working with the adversary, but rather working with Pinkerton agents to arrest the man. On the last day of this competition she has to decide between him and one other man, and it is a difficult decision for her. Great story I really enjoyed!