Another enjoyable story from the author. Can be read as a standalone as I haven't read all the books in this series alth0ugh I have read the one featuring the other couple that are in this story. The premise seems to be the same in all the books a man who was a second son and a woman who is unsuitable for various reasons. The story is an insta love on Fox's side anyway with most problems being cause by Delaney feeling unworthy. An easy read with a HEA and some lovely family moments from 2 people who never really had much family. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Delaney has just about everything she could want until a vindictive relative decides to ruin her. She's a very smart young lady and comes up with a plan to save herself. She unexpectedly meets Fox and they decide to help each other and make each other's lives better. They have several obstacles along the way that only make them stronger. Great book!

Fashioning the Duke by Alexa Aston is another of her books wherein a man come back from war was to assume a dukedom, not knowing the ways of the ton, and immediately falls in love with someone they would consider inappropriate. He doesn’t care. In this case, Delaney Colebourne is the illegitimate daughter of an earl. Her father has passed on but before he did he saw her well set up with her own business, ownership of the building that housed it, a manor in the country, and plenty of money. Her millinery business had been doing well before his death. When his son assumed his title, out of jealousy he put out to the ton that her business was to be avoided. Her business stopped the next day. Until one day a duke met her at his solicitor’s office, saw her, and decided to help. He had two nieces that were to make their come out this season and needed wardrobes. Could she handle it? Of course she could.

Delaney was immediately attracted to Nigel Foxwell, the Duke of Abington. Who wouldn’t be? But she was not the appropriate duchess for him and she knew it. She let him know it as well, as their relationship progressed. She also would be no man’s mistress. Fox had already decided to marry her, but he would take it slowly. He was a good man and would be a good duke, caring for those who lived on his properties and worked for him. He didn’t really care about the ton’s rules and soon discovered that a duke could pretty much do what he wanted. Fox was a great character. The plot showed just how powerful the opinion of the ton was and just how quickly that could turn around. It was a lovely story and I enjoyed reading it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Fashioning the Duke by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AlexaAston #FashioningTheDuke

Our hero in this historical romance has inherited a title and two teenage nieces. As a Major General, Fox is sure he is up to the task. Will his new "troops" do as he wants?

Our heroine is a very independent lady who runs her own business. Unfortunately someone has damaged it badly. She hopes she can recover from that.

This is part of a series of stand alone stories about unexpected inheritance and women ahead of their time. They are all very good reads. Apart from a few mentions of the other Dukes from the series, I think you could read them in any order without too many spoilers.

One of my favorite stories written by Alexa. I loved everything about this book. How can you not love a duke who takes on his nieces with such love and compassion? You cannot, that is how. Psst..I think maybe a new series with Grace and Eliza as heroines. Just saying. Okay, back to the story. The women in this series are so independent and courageous and I am giving them high-fives all of the time. The relationship between Fox and Delaney is so beautifully and wonderfully written. You don’t always read historicals where the woman has a sailor mouth (which I loved by the way, blimey). The fact that Fox was turned on by it was kind of funny. Another amazing story by the fabulous Alexa.

I also think Ms. Slade needs a story. Love that she is a Bow Street Runner.

4.5 Stars
Major-General Nigel Foxwell has spent his entire adult life at war. When he receives word that his much older half-brother has died, Fox inherits not only the title Duke of Abington—but he becomes the guardian to his two nieces Eliza & Grace who are on the verge of making their come-outs. Miss Delaney Colebourne illegitimate daughter of an earl has worked hard to become a milliner & with her father's backing has opened a shop. Then her beloved father dies & she suffers the wrath of his heir. The new Lord Kinnison turns the ton against Delaney & her business evaporates overnight. A chance meeting at a solicitor’s office has Fox pleading with Delaney to help him manage his nieces’ come-outs. She agrees to design the young ladies’ wardrobes and has her former employees help her in making up gowns for the pair.
The fifth book in the series & it’s easily read on its own but previous characters do make appearances – well they do live in the same world. I loved both Fox & Delaney, their attraction is immediate & slowly simmers to a boil but she's not Duchess material. He’s used to commanding troops not looking at ledgers, she's a shop owner & tradesperson not a debutante. I loved that they were older. I also that Fox was so good with Eliza & Grace quickly the three became a family. I hope Eliza & Grace have their stories as they were a delight. I loved their journey to a HEA, there was a little angst but overall it was a well written easy to read, entertaining love story with humour, witty exchanges & two mature people finding their soul mates
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Fashioning the Duke is the fifth book in the Suddenly a Duke series. The series is based on eight titled peers who never expected to become dukes. They are also attracted to females whom Polite Society does not believe worthy of the title duchess. I have read book 4 and now this one, not sure how I missed the others but will find a way to add them to my list. I have become a fan of Alexa Aston ever since I found her Second Sons of London series. Each one is very different, and the characters are woven into the next. A perfect way to keep revisiting the characters.

This one begins with Delaney who is the daughter of an Earl but is born on the wrong side of the blanket. She was much loved by her mother and father, but her mother refused to marry her father due to mistreatment by her first husband. Delaney grows up to be an independent woman who owns her own business, until her half-brother becomes the new Earl and threatens the ton to not do business with Delaney.

Major-General Nigel Foxwell has spent his entire adult life at war. He receives word that his much older half-brother has died. Fox is now the Duke of Abington and the guardian to his two nieces. While visiting his solicitor Fox meets Delaney who shares her story with him and becomes instantly attracted to her and quietly makes plans to help her in more ways than she is aware.

Delaney is determined to be her own person and not marry for risk of her husband owning everything she has. Fox has set his sights on Delaney and has a plan to help her and at the same time woo her.

This book is a wonderful afternoon read. It is romantic, steamy and keeps the reader turning the pages. The characters are well developed and easy to care about. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

I have been really enjoying this series. I do wish some of the other couples played more of a part (couple number 3 is my fav). I absolutely love when the men are very in to the MFC and decide first that they love them and will do anything to be with them, and if you do too this is book is for you. I also really loved fox’s relationship with his nieces. Delany was great, I enjoyed how thoughtful she was of those who worked for her at her store and took them into account as she knew she was better of then them. This could be read as a stand alone but I do think the first book really sets up the entire series and what to expect. Thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC to read for my honest opinions.

Great storyline and character development made this book a hot and enjoyable read!
Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.

** I'd like to thank Dragonblade Publishing for offering me an eARC in exchange for an honest review **

rating: 3/5 stars, spice: 2/5

Title: Fashioning the Duke, Alexa Aston
Series: Suddenly a Duke

- Minor spoilers, nothing detailed -

I have very mixed feelings on this book. It had a very promising synopsis, but failed to live up to the expectations I had placed upon it. I found myself struggling to care about this characters since the writing was so quick paced and allowed for little character growth. The plot moved quickly, but also felt as if we'd gone nowhere in the course of the story (the actual come outs happened at about 85-90% completion of the book). The most grating thing for me was that there were many instances where the characters reiterated their upbringing and it felt boring to a point, because unfortunately, I don't care that your mother worked on a dairy farm or that your father died when you were small. Delaney's angst also grew old quickly and while her concerns were valid, her inability to grow past them for like 75% of the novel was exhausting. Neither Nigel/Fox or Delaney have very strong personalities and seem relatively basic. Fox never really seemed like he was in the military (I expect some PTSD, memories, etc.) beyond mentioning it and Delaney just falls flat as a FMC, She's very wishy-washy and makes decisions that make you want to slap your forehead at times. She very much preferred to crawl into a hole of her own making, even though people were constantly extending ladders. If she suffered from such low self-esteem, I wish this would've been explored deeper - as with most of the emotions in this story.

In terms of the story itself, it does have an interesting premise, but the world itself lacked detail and vivid life. There were constant skips from each setting and it jerked me around as I read. You would go from dialogue to a new setting and unfortunately, the transitions were sloppy and awkward. The other awkward thing was the dialogue itself. It felt...somewhat lacking emotion and there were few words used to describe how the conversation was going (ex of what I find good to add to conversations: she asked, feeling a sense of amusement bubble up in her voice). Most of the conversations fell flat as well. Many characters (her past workers and such) lacked introduction or visualization and we only really knew the characters from previous stories in this series. The dresses were never described, neither were any rooms or other settings. It left a lot to imagination, which does not help in this case. I wish this story had had half of the book occurring after the coming outs and further into the Season. Toss in some pining, jealousy, and more for a thoroughly invigorating story.

The romance, I would say, was the saving grace of this story, even though it stumbled for most of the book. This author clearly knows how to write the sensual (and sexual) elements to a story, but can occasionally fail to put the same effort toward her world-building of sorts. Delaney and Fox have great chemistry, but are relatively one-dimensional in how they express feelings (Fox is very outward with his feelings, Delaney takes a million years to come around). The spice in this book is about average, not as spicy as others but spicy enough for a few pages. Now, I did enjoy Fox as a love interest and I found him to be very endearing, not very angsty as some protags. He was the better part of this story.

Overall, there will be people who find this story great for an easy, 260 page read that can be read in one sitting. It's not complicated, a feel-good story at the end, and appeals to those looking for something to relax into. In my case, there was a lot to be desired and for that reason, my rating is what it is. While this review is mainly critiques, that does not mean that this book was entirely displeasing to read - if it had been, I would have DNFed it quickly. Pick it up if it interests you and give it a shot!

Happy reading!!

Family, Challenges, Compassionate Story:
A sad and tragic beginning of the amazing in-depth story of two people affected by the Ton and its different classes of society.
Ahead is a charming romance story for Fox (the duke) and Delaney (tradesman) as they forge a new friendship that soon develops into a desirous romance with many challenges before they will admit their true feeling to make this a very happy ending.
Fox and Delaney along with Ms. Slade (Bowstreet runner) made this a beautiful compassionate yet tearful ending that grabbed my heart.
I have read the 4 previous books in this series, and they are top notch stories that gave me much enjoyment and it was a treat to revisit with The Duke and Duchess of Westfield from Book 1. Each book can be a standalone story.
Mature Level🌶

Claimed yet illegitimate daughter of an earl, Delaney Colebourne was raised to be confident, creative and capable. And that is how, with a little help from her beloved papa, she had opened a successful millinery shop. A shop her half-brother had blackballed as soon as he inherited the title. Accepting a shop without customers is of no use, she decides to sell and start over elsewhere.

After thirteen years at war, Major-General Nigel Foxwell suddenly was the new Duke of Abington. A title he inherited from his much older half-brother, a man he’d never met. And with the title came not only a vast fortune, several estates and a small army of servants, but also two lovely girls who had - just like he himself - barely known their parents and never known love.

They accidentally meet at their solicitor’s office. She spills her troubles thinking he’s a military man, and is mortified when she learns he’s a duke. He admits to being overwhelmed by his new status and pleads with her to help him guide his nieces through their debut.

Fox instantly knows she’s his duchess. He only needs to convince her.
The duke and the by-blow; a fairytale future Delaney knows will never be hers.
All’s fair in love and war. Let the battle between mind, desire and heart begin!

📚 This was a lovely and entertaining read. An unusual love story between two unique characters. Funny, sweet and all about family, friendship and the unwillingness they both share to let their past drag them down. Captivating, yet it’s missing just that little extra. It all works out too easily, too smoothly. A feel-good story perfect to brighten up your day!
📚 Duke/tradeswoman, friends to lovers, he falls first, little steam

Thank you to the author for this eARC! All opinions are entirely my own.

Delaney, an illegitimate daughter, has run a successful hat business. When her half-brother spitefully tells everyone in the ton to stop patronizing her business she decides to sell her store. While at her lawyer’s office she meets up with Fox, a soldier who has just inherited a dukedom. Fox hires her to design and make clothing for his new wards’ season. While they are very attracted to each other, they cannot see how their marriage would be accepted by the ton. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

I loved this story from beginning to end. Both Delaney and Fox are such easy characters to like and root for. I loved that Delaney wasn't going to just slink off in defeat after her half-brother decided to destroy her business. She had a plan and was ready to put it into action before receiving the offer from Fox. As for Fox I loved that he immediately stepped into his role as uncle and guardian to his nieces. Speaking of his nieces, Grace and Eliza were such wonderful characters. I really hope this author will give us more of their stories in either their own novels or short stories. Back to the story - I completely understood why Delaney felt she was doing the right thing by encouraging Fox to look elsewhere for a wife. She points out that although she has no doubt her father loved her he never brought her out into society and then to have her half-brother ostracize her so thoroughly why would she ever think she could be a part of that world, or that she would be accepted if she were to attempt to become a part of it. Fox is definitely the type of person who knows what he wants and goes for it. I thought he could, at times, be a little too pushy with Delaney, but it was clear that Delaney was not someone who would be pushed around so if she really hadn't wanted to do something she would not have. I also loved their getting back together scene. It was sweet, to the point, and just perfect for these characters. Having her brother show up towards the end was a little much, but it gave Delaney to see further evidence that Fox would always be there and stand up for her if others were unkind to her. It was nice to see the Westfields again and to get little updates on the couples from the previous books. I'm hoping maybe we will get to see everyone together again before the end of the series.

A Wonderful Romantic Read

Fox the new Duke of Abington had inherited two nieces who were due to have their come out in the ton this season. A chance meeting with a lady who owns a millinery shop has him asking her for help.

Delaney the base born daughter of an Earl who had loved her very much agreed to help Fox and his nieces this season then would sell up and move away.

Fox had other ideas, he’s decided he would make Delaney his wife and Duchess but getting her to agree would be the problem. The passion between them was intense and the new friends they had made would help to restore her reputation within society but first he needed Delaney to believe in them and the love he had for her!

A beautiful, heart-felt read with a wonderful swoon worthy HEA.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The “ Suddenly a Duke” series embodies independent talented women and the men who love them.
Delaney was a well loved daughter of illegitimate birth. She has her own shop and designs beautiful hats loved by the Ton. After her father’s death, her half brother has everyone cut her and her shop.
Fox has been in the Army for her thirteen years, his brother dies, and he inherits the title along with the guardianship of his two nieces. Fox and Delaney meet and have serious chemistry when he hires her to produce dresses and support for his nieces. The book has lots of fun banter, character development, and some steamy kisses…..

Another enjoyable entry in Alexa Aston's Suddenly a Duke series, Fashioning the Duke tells the story of the beloved illegitimate daughter of an earl and a second son career army officer who finds himself unexpectedly a duke. Fine to read as a standalone, this book contains what seems to be Aston's signatures for this series - an inappropriate female who the unexpected duke decides will be his, obstacles notwithstanding. Those obstacles here seem mainly self-imposed by FMC Delaney - this is not a story of high drama or intrigue but rather one of self-discovery and acceptance. An easy read with mild steam.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and DragonBlade for a complimentary ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

One more amazing book from Alexa Aston . An unexpected meeting betwwen a soldier who just become a Duke and a milliner outside their solitor's place is the reason Fox and Delaney meet . she is the bastard daughter of an Earl who loved her and her mother but after his death his heir asked the ton to not buy their hat from her shop . Now she has no costumers and she decides to close her shop and move to another place . Fox not only he gained a title but two nieces who are about to make their come outs . So he asks Delaney to help him with their wardrobes and to teach him everything he needs to know . The time they spent together makes them fall in love but she doesn't want to marry him . Will he make her change her mind ?
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .

I really appreciated how dedicated Fox is to his nieces that he only just met when he found out that they are his Wards. Shows the kind of man that every women should be looking for. I felt awful for Delaney. What she had to go through during childhood. Then even worse after her father dies. Really only a Duke could save her from the Ton. Fox is the perfect Duke to do just that. I loved reading, Fashioning the Duke.

A chance meeting but they were a perfect fit. They were each other’s solution to their circumstances. Doubt and fear would keep them apart but love conquers all, including a jealous sibling. It is hard not to like the couple, as they are kind and compassionate, creative and efficient and able to adjust, cope and deal with whatever life throws at them.. As with the previous books in the series, this is a very enjoyable read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley and leaving my review voluntarily.