What a lovely, heartwarming story. Dougal is a commoner who becomes a Duke. Meg helps Dougal navigate the Ton and avoid all the debutants looking for a single duke. Love the story and will definitely recommend.
Thank you Alyxandra Harvey, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

Lovely. Heartwarming. Adorable.
These words pretty much sums up the whole book.
The book took me by surprise. At first, it started out really slow and kind of boring, until, suddenly, I was hit by such a beautiful romance that was ensnaring and captivating.
The couple were some of the nicest bookish couples I've read. Both of them were unique in their own ways, and most importantly, their characteristics were consistent. They didn't start acting weird after acknowledging their feelings, actually, you could feel them getting more comfortable with each other, which I really loved.
Some scenes, namely the debutantes breaking into the house, were rather dramatic. I don't think I've read before about such excessive matchmaking.
The story arc of the treasure hunters needed more editing, it wasn't fleshed out well. It was just there as a kind of spice, but it was so blatant and left me cringing.
But, overall, I think this is one of the best historical romances out there.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Meg Swift's godfather has a bunch of goddaughters who are called the Cinderella Society which she is one of he wants to see them married and take care of Dougal Black is the last of Thorncroft duchy bloodline and is told by prince of Wales either he marries by the end of the year or he will pick a wife for him he goes to meg's godfather to see if he can spare someone to help him find a supposedly treasure that is buried there and if someone can help him learn to become a duke cause he grew up poor this is meg's speciality so her godfather gets her to go there I just reviewed How to Marry a Duke by Alyxandra Harvey. #HowtoMarryaDuke #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Cinderella and the Duke

Neither Meg nor Dougal thought they deserved the other; however, their hearts had other plans. Both Meg and Dougal were a delight. This story had humor, suspense, and romance. When Meg went to Dougal's estate to catalog his treasures, she defended him from bullies, protected him from debutantes, and helped him to learn some of the nuances of navigating the ton. However, Meg had no dowry, so she did not think she should marry Dougal. As for the duke, he did not think he deserved Meg because of his humble beginnings. Could the two stop thinking and start loving? After all, their minds have run amuck. Plus, Meg must get from under her uncle’s thumb; he treated her like a servant, and that had to stop. I enjoyed this delightful historical romance and would recommend it to those who love the genre.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Ever since her parents died, Meg Swift has been 'raised' by her uncle. But raised may be putting it too mildly. Caring more about money, her uncle raises taxes and rents on the estate as often as he can, and forces Meg to take on a maid type role. So Meg has had to turn to stealing in order to survive, and help those on the estate survive. Meg knows she could speak with her godfather, the Duke of Pendleton, or her fellow Cinderella's, but she's ashamed of the truth. When Dougal Black arrives at Pendleton's Cinderella ball, as the new Duke of Thorncroft, he doesn't know how his new world works. Plucked from the mills in the North, he makes mistake after mistake, and it's soon clear that people are watching very closely, particularly when the Prince Regent proclaims Thorncroft needs to marry by the end of the year. Needing help, Meg offers to help him learn how to act in polite society, while also taking an inventory of the Thorncroft estate for Pendleton. As they grow closer, and more of their histories are revealed, Meg and Dougal discover they may be in the right place, at the right time.

After seeing parts of Meg's life in How to Marry an Earl, I wanted to know more about her. As the daughter of an earl, why was Meg stealing things, so skinny, and always hungry? Once we learn the truth, though, it's clear that Meg has been hiding a lot from her friends, though Dougal see's her from the very first moment. The connection between them was palpable, and I loved how neither of them felt like they truly belonged, but together they could face it all. Dougal's extended family, and the members of the Thorncroft family who remained at the estate, were blessings in disguise, and the whole dynamic just made the book that bit better.

I'm going to be honest, I absolutely LOVE Alyxandra's books and I'm really loving this Cinderella Society series so far!

In How To Marry a Duke we once again have another capable, strong female lead in the form of Meg, who is perhaps the most Cinderella-y of the girls so far as she's constantly cleaning and tidying after her Uncle and bending and scraping to his orders while secretly looking after the people on their estate. Meg isn't the history buff that our previous heroine was, instead her forte is art and I loved how that was incorporated into this book.

Alongside the romance that weaves throughout How To Marry a Duke, we have a quest for Tudor treasure and there's not only riddles to solve, but there's also competition. Treasure Hunters are constantly trying to break into the Duke's house to look for it and then there's the debutantes trying to marry the Duke who are ALSO trying to gain access. It's honestly a wild ride but I really loved the mystery surrounding the treasure and how it linked to Meg's love of art. Not to mention that the clues were all RIGHT there and I still didn't figure it out!

Speaking of the Duke, I loved Dougal! He's from a common background and is therefore entirely new to the ways of the ton, as are his family! George was an interesting addition and I loved how he and Meg bonded, I also really loved Charlie who wasn't taking quite so well to this new life but didn't lose any of her fire! I'd love to get to see more of her as well as Colin, she and Dougal's brother who seemed to get on quite well with their new way of life and also seemed like quite a lot of fun!

I loved the romance between Meg and Dougal! The way they were thrown together created some delicious tension but there was also the angst of Meg not thinking she could be with Dougal though it was for totally valid reasons! There's some brilliant swoony scenes as well as some steamy ones and I'm pretty sure this book is longer than the previous one so there's even more to sink your teeth into!

Honestly, I really had a good time reading this book. I love that this series is so far giving us heroines that have strong opinions and a strong sense of self, as well as being more than capable of holding their own. There's no damsel's here and I love that they all have perhaps unconventional interests for the time! I also love the mix of romance, mystery and spice that's all blended together within these books. It's a firm favourite series of mine and I already can't wait for the next book although I'll be disappointed if this ends up only being three books!

My only gripe with this, is purely because I'm British and I'm sure your average reader probably didn't notice but there were a few word choices that I side-eyed a little bit given the time period this was supposed to be set in and the country. I know it's me more than likely being picky but the history nerd and the Brit in me just couldn't help but notice and it did niggle a wee bit.

This book is the second installment of the Cinderella Society. The series focuses on somewhat unconventional heroines with unique interests. Meg is a bit of an outcast in society. Her uncle treats her as a servant in her own home and is careless with the tenants. Meg takes it upon herself to look out for them and help them and one of the ways she does that is by stealing. It's no matter she is the daughter of a viscount, as she has no choice, since her uncle has possession of her dowry. Dougal is also a bit of a misfit. He is a working man, coming from humble means and it thrust into a dukedom he is not ready for. Both are very likable and endearing characters and I immediately fell in love with them. It was lovely watching them grow and develop and make their way together. They slowly begin to develop a beautiful love, but not without miscommunications first impending their way. The story was delightful with charming characters and I am glad to have had the opportunity to read it.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

I really enjoyed this story, the second in the Cinderella Society series. Meg and Dougal are two misfit characters who are forced into their current roles. She is a Viscount's daughter forced into stealing, and living as a true Cinderella for her abusive uncle. After he parents died, he took over the title and the estate and essentially bullying her and turning her into his slave. She stays on to try to help the tenants of the estate and prevent her uncle from ruining their lives. Her only respite is when she goes to visit her godfather and the other Cinderellas. But even then, she does not want them to know her circumstances, so she hides behind a facade, while eating what she can, and stealing goodies to share with the children on the estate.

Dougal Black was living as a mill manager, while raising his brother and sister, in Manchester, when they are found as the last of the line for the duchy of Thorncroft. He is raised up to being the Duke, but forced into a wedding conundrum by the Prince, who has decreed that he marry by the end of the year or the Prince will select his bride for him. He is miserable in his role, but knows he must find ways to learn and conform for a better future for his ragtag family.

As part of his estate, Dougal inherits an old abbey with many historical relics, and a mystery of a hidden treasure and Meg is sent by her godfather to help him catalogue the relics with her artistic abilities, and to work out the mystery. Especially as Dougal's new home is now being targeted by persistent and dangerous treasure hunters.

For that matter, Dougal himself is a target for treasure hunters... those looking for the treasure of being a wealthy duchess.

I liked many aspects of this story. Meg and Dougal are two lost souls out of their element and feeling lonely and overlooked and they truly see and appreciate each other, and I liked that. What I did not get was how thick Dougal was not to choose Meg right away to get him out of the line of sight of the marriage hunters. Again, the secondary characters were wonderful for me, including ribbon loving, flirtatious, dog loving Lady Blackwell, and her dog Chartreuse, and her new friend, the father figure to Dougal's family, the kind, history loving, George Williams (and object of Lady Blackwell's affections??), the cantankerous mistrusting sister Charlie, the nosy and happily manipulative, but well meaning Duke of Pendleton. A colourful cast of characters. The book was fun too with evil nefarious uncles, crazed marriage minded debs chasing the duke, unscrupulous treasure hunters, family feuds, hidden treasures etc.

4 stars out of 5.

Oh! That was so good! I was surprised by the plot! It was more complex than I was prepared for hahaha I loved the idea!

I generally love when romance books are about more than only romance. And the author did an excellent job at capturing me in the story. If not adulting I would read it in one sitting! And that says a lot!

To put it simply: it is a great book and everyone who loves regency romances should read it. Easy!

Absolute perfection! I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book. Alyxandra Harvey writes absolutely delightful characters, every single one. From the formidable, realistic Meg and delightfully un-ducal Dougal to the stalwart, unflappable Beatrice with her mighty spear. It took only a moment to fall back in with Pendleton and his Cinderella’s, I cannot wait to read every one of their stories. Filled with humour, passion and loyalty, I could not put it down. So many scenes were described so brilliantly that they formed a clear painting in my mind just as Meg’s amazing art. So easily could I picture the swarms of debutantes in white swarming a helpless Dougal, a funny sight indeed. Having come from nothing to be placed as a Duke, he could never have prepared for the determination of young ladies on the hunt for a title. They would put treasure hunters to shame.
I cannot recommend this series enough, it has all the feels.

The Very Surprising Miss Smith comes out in her all her fun. And caring for everyone she meets or believes she is responsible for due to her father's rather nasty heir. An heir who treats her badly, even starving her and making her do dirty chores to humiliate. Though she is happy to undertake hard chores for the estate tenants including thatching and hay making.
I really liked this book and the characterisations. The style was suitable for the topic.

In spite of a few confusing plot points (which could just as much been my fault as the author's), I adored this book. Was I a little confused about what Meg was supposed to be doing at the Abbey (Dougal's main ducal residence)? A little. Did Dougal come across more like quietly educated gentry than a former mill worker? Somewhat. Was the treasure hunt storyline a little underbaked? Maybe. Did I care? Not at all. Meg and Dougal are just so freaking adorable and sweet that I was perfectly content merely enjoying their kind banter, genuine appreciation of each other, and undeniable chemistry.

The secondary characters were equally lovely. Meg's friends and fellow Cinderellas--who we only see at the beginning and the end--are quirky and loyal. Dougal's siblings and father figure George are scrappy and funny and fierce.. My only complaint is that when I closed the book, I just didn't want to leave them behind.

With that in mind, I anxiously await future novels in this series and will probably hunt down book 1 in the meantime.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley for free. This voluntary review reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!

This is a lovely, humorous, romantic story about Dougal and Meg's journey to a HEA. They each believe they are not good enough for the other.
Dougal has recently become the Duke of Thorncroft and has to deal with treasure hunters on his property, as well as debutantes and their mothers touring the estate hoping to catch themselves a Duke for a husband.
Meg is treated cruelly by her uncle, but has a fairy Godfather in the Duke of Pendleton.
I highly recommend this wonderful story!

How to Marry a Duke by Alyxandra Harvey is the second book of the Cinderella Society. Meg Swift, daughter of a late Viscount, has a tendency to steal. Her cruel and greedy uncle mistreats the tenants of his estate and Meg herself. Meg takes it upon herself to look after the tenants by helping with things such as mending roofs, planting turnips—and of course, stealing whatever foods she can bring back from balls and other Society events. Dougal Black has just inherited a dukedom he never imagined was possible. Straight from the millhouse, the Prince of Wales has given Dougal an ultimatum: he must marry by the end of the year, or the Prince will choose a suitable bride for him. Dougal is floundering in this new world full of rules and etiquette. Meg and Dougal are quickly thrown together by her well-meaning godfather. He has assigned Meg to join Dougal at Thorncroft Abbey to sketch his collection of artifacts. They will have to contend with debutantes eager to meet the new Duke, and treasure hunters who are desperate to get their hands on a long-lost treasure said to be hidden there. Throughout the thrill of treasure hunting and adventure, Dougal and Meg also experience the thrill of attraction.

The Cinderella Society series is unique in that it showcases heroines with unconventional interests and hobbies in a historical setting. I loved Meg just as much as I loved Percy in the first book. I do wish we got to know a bit more about Dougal’s life before inheriting the dukedom. I cannot wait for the next book!

Meg Swift, the daughter of a viscount, now has her godfather wishing for her to marry. As a duke, she finds herself assigned the task of cataloguing ancient pieces for the Duke of Thorncroft. Dougal Black, the new Duke of Thorncroft, is finding the task of being a duke, quite at odds from his former life. Not having been born into a privileged life and having worked as a manager at a mill in Manchester. When he finds himself working with Dougal, Meg helps him in his new role as duke, whilst fending off all the females, desperate to become a duchess.
I found this an entertaining read, with many interesting secondary characters. The dialogue was at times comical, and the romance between Meg and Dougal, romantic.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

How To Marry a Duke by Alyxandra Harvey is an entertaining story about two people in love who nearly miss their chance because they each believe they are not good enough for the other. Meg Swift is the daughter of a viscount. Sadly, her father is dead and his brother, the new viscount, is now her guardian and views her more as a slave than anything else. Fortunately, her godfather is a duke and when he summons her, her uncle has no choice but to comply. Dougal Black is the new Duke of Thorncroft. He had been a laborer on the docks in Manchester just weeks before and now he is one of the richest men in England. The ton totally disapprove of him but that didn’t stop them from trying to marry him to one of their daughters. They both found themselves at the Cinderella Ball: the duke called all his goddaughters together each year to spend time with him and allow him to play matchmaker. This year appeared to be Meg’s turn as he assigned her the task of returning to Thorncroft’s manor to catalogue the ancient masterpieces he had inherited. While there she helped him fend of both society girls looking to be a duchess and treasure hunters in search of the storied treasure hidden there, but she also helped him become a duke and she fell in love.

This was a very amusing story, partly because of how hard they both worked to not be in love with the other. Dougal had a deadline imposed by the Prince Regent. He had to find a wife. Meg had to get home: it was almost rents time and the tenants on her uncle’s estate had to be protected from his cruelty. They both had deadlines. Everyone but the two of them recognized they were in love as well as perfect for one another. It was a good plot and the two of them were well-written characters, as was Meg’s chaperone, Lady Blackwell, and the descriptions of Thorncroft Abbey and especially the description of the carriage all suited Meg to a T. She was one who believed in color and beauty and Lady Blackwell’s choices were sometimes odd, but Meg respected that she made them. Dougal’s brother and sister were what one would expect from people pulled out of the gutter into riches overnight. It was a fun book.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of How To Marry a Duke by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #alyxandraharvey #howtomarryaduke

I loved the entire cast of characters and absolutely cannot wait for the next book. I also loved the best friends and how they were so down for the main character.

Dougal Black has just had the shock of his life. As he is not of society and works at a millhouse, just how could he become a Duke? Bloodlines do not lie, even if you have no idea, it is the truth. Meg Swift has learned how to mend roofs, plant turnips, cook them and more than anything else how to steal. The Prince of Wales has demanded that the new duke marry by the end of the year, and so the wife hunt goes on. What a wonderful, exciting tale this turns out to be. It has been a sensational concept and a fantastic read.

I enjoyed this book! Meg is great, Dougal is baffled by his newfound Dukedom and desperately needs her help. It's a lovely story, quite funny and a good cast of secondary characters. I'll look out for others in this series!

❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

As he last Duke in his family line Dougal must marry and marry quickly, if he doesn’t find a bride soon the King will decide for him.

A wonderful idea for a story that’s very well written and so entertaining.
Add in a Lady who’s a thief and put the two of them together and you have a great read. One that keeps you entertained.

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review


Sent from my iPhone