Sincerely, The Duke is the second book in the Say I Do series but can be read as a stand-alone. I enjoyed this story much more than the first book in this series. Edwina's personality was so much better compared to the main female character, Fredericka, in book one. While bold and maybe a bit more naive, she wasn't mean or unlikeable like Fredericka. The Duke of Stonerick, Rick, was also very likable. I was a bit irritated by the multiple misunderstandings on Edwina's part in the second half of the book. However, overall, the story was well-written and entertaining. The story's pacing was good and held my interest throughout the book.

The red-headed, green-eyed triplets that stoked up some superstitions and prejudices just by existing made for a fun and intriguing plot device.

I loved the Duke’s no-nonsense proposal (that he also promptly forgot about) and Edwina’s presumptuous appearance in his life. Rick was a very likeable character. He exhibited a quiet stoicism about going through with the wedding, but not in a resentful way. He was more than willing to accommodate Edwina’s wishes and to ensure his future sisters-in-law’s happiness.

I liked the story just fine. But Edwina very stubbornly stuck to her promise to her father and continually ignored her sisters’ own desires. Every time it seemed that she might soften her attitude a little bit, something happened to further cement this idea in her mind.

This is the second book in the Say I Do series. I haven’t read the first one yet, and this one worked very well on its own.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the second book in the Say I Do series, and in this Rick, the Duke of Stonerick came into his dukedom quite young, and has been pestered by his mother to marry and provide an heir quite vigorously, being very concerned and mindful of the securement and continuity of his line, since he is an only child. Added pressure recently has come about after she receives news that Rick's younger cousin, who had recently wed, had just welcomed the birth of a son. Not only is Rick feeling pressure from his concerned, and loving mother, but he has been having intermittently bouts of illness in the form of severe fevers. It is shortly after a bout of one of these fevers that he visits his mother and is confronted by a list of potential brides. Likely not thinking clearly, but wanting to either appease her or humour her, Rick dashes off a brief written proposal off the first name to catch his attention on the list. Addressed to one Miss Edwina Fine.

Next thing he knows, his home is invaded and a hubbub ensues at his home one day, as his stalwart majordomo tries to quell the brash and unexpected entry of an unknown young woman and her chaperone, who are insistent on speaking to the Duke of Stonerick. He is intrigued by the brazen bravado of the woman and meets with her. It is one Miss Edwina Fine, coming to find out if the proposal she has received at her home in York and she travelled to London, with her aunt to confront the Duke about the veracity of the proposal.

It would be the solution to her problems if that were the case as she has vowed to her recently deceased father that she would seek marriages for herself and her two sisters within a season, and their newly appointed guardian has no plans of having them on his hands beyond the one Season coming up. If she was to marry the Duke that would help give her more entree in Society to seek good spouses for her sisters. The Duke is initially stunned, thinking his rashly written note was tossed in the fire. But he is intrigued by Edwina and her bold proposition and stands by the proposal.

Despite proceeding with the nuptials and Rick promising to take care of the sisters if Edwina brings them to London, Edwina and Rick are not open with each other. Afterall, they are essentially strangers despite marrying, and having a strong attraction and desire for each other. Edwina, having grown up frequently warned about prejudices and superstitions by her father, is one of a set of triplets, and all of them are red headed with green eyes. As we find out from Rick's mother, the Dowager Duchess, there persists to be superstitious nonsense perpetrated about such things, and when Edwina gets hints that those in their social circle may carry those superstitions, she fails to trust Rick and share her family history and circumstances with him. Rick, likewise, fails to share the concerns about his fevers and health with Edwina, and the ghost of her father and her vow stands between Rick and Edwina, and for that matter Edwina and her sisters frequently throughout the story.

This was a cute love story, about a sudden, rash marriage between two strangers who make it work in the end. While I cannot swallow the superstitions related in this story, I can believe there are those back then who did believe in them. I liked the characters of Edwina and Rick. He may have been a bit of a high handed rake, but generally likeable, trying to reassure Edwina after their failed wedding night, and being patient with her. But then he was also quite hypocritical when he was upset and upbraiding her about lack of trust in him, while failing to open up about his health concerns as well. Edwina seemed to be very fixated on her vow to her father, to the point where she actually failed to even speak to her sisters and consider their own wants and desires for their own futures; she definitely had blinders on, and it was actually Rick who showed greater leeway and respect for that, especially with the stargazing Eileen. However, I felt that his mother, the Dowager, needed to her superstitions and her connection to that rather hinky sounding social club she belongs to addressed more definitively by both Edwina and Rick - especially if she were to start trying to spout off those beliefs etc to Society, or their children.

Also, what happened with Elleonora and the courtship with Rick's newest sporting and social nemesis, the young, cocky Matthew Malcolm? That seemed to cut off rather suddenly.

Anyways, a lower drama romance, with an interesting premise and hidden secrets, with more sweetness and closed door steam. There are familiar characters as well as Wyatt and Fredericka make appearances as well (from Book 1)

3.5 stars out of 5

Sincerely, the Duke is the second book in Amelia Grey's Regency historical romance series Say I Do. If you haven't read the first book, like me, you won't be lost, as this one seems to stand alone perfectly well. I usually give Ms. Grey's books four or five star ratings, but unfortunately not this one. It's not a bad book, not at all, but it just didn't grab me like they usually do. It took me a week to finish it, and that's rare for me. This story was, in a world, enjoyable.

Miss Edwina Fine is desperate to get married before the ton discovers her family's secret. She is one of triplets, all with red hair and green eyes, which is rare indeed. Unfortunately, there are many superstitions about people like her, so she jumps at the chance of marrying Roderick Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick, when she receives a proposal from him in the mail. What she was not expecting was a young, arrogant and extremely handsome man with whom she immediately has sparks of attraction. Rick, the Duke of Stonerick, is perfectly happy with his life of marksmanship, fencing and playing cards with his friends. His mother, however, desperately wants him to have a son, an heir to the title. When a recurring illness reminds Rick he has no one in mind to marry, he randomly picks a name from a list his mother has made, dashes off a quick marriage proposal, goes about his business and totally forgets about it...until said young lady and her aunt show up at his residence, ready to accept! Maybe marriage won't be so bad after all, as she tempts him greatly. Will things go off without a hitch before both their secrets are revealed?

As stated earlier, this was a perfectly enjoyable romance, if not particularly memorable. Both the lead characters were quite likable, besides both trying to keep secrets from each other. Of course, if there weren't any secrets, it would have been quite a short little story. Rick's illness is easily discernable, but I won't mention it here just in case you don't figure it out; the author's notes after the story reveal it. He really enjoyed his life, but began to worry that he might not live to have an heir if he didn't get married. He ran his finger down his mother's list and "picked" a wife when he was quite ill, so imagine his surprise when a beautiful, feisty woman shows up at his house! He was immediately attracted to Edwina, and thought maybe marriage might be okay. Then she mentions the fact that she had two "older" sisters (well, technically they were) for whom he would need to find spouses for! Edwina had promised their father she would get married and make sure her sisters would also be settled. Problem was, her sisters had no interest; Eleonora and Eileen each had their own goals. But Edwina wouldn't take no for an answer (luckily Rick was more understanding and pragmatic). The chemistry between Rick and Edwina was immediately evident, but that doesn't always make for a passionate wedding night...especially with the bad advice her maid gave her for that night. That was actually rather funny. Besides kissing and a bit of fondling, there weren't any graphic scenes. Sir Dudley Samson Pemberton Fine, the twins' father, wrote a book entitled "The Art of Being a Fine Gentleman". Each chapter began with a line from that book that went along with the subject of the chapter, which was a nice touch. Though this wasn't an exciting book, I definitely plan on reading book 3.

I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This book follows Edwina and Rick’s romance. I loved the way the 2 of them met after Rick had sent a random woman a proposal off a list of possible marriage options and Edwina received it. The way they both go into the proposal and marriage for different reasons was done in an interesting way. The way they grew to trust each other was done well and I found the way the learned to communicate to be enjoyable.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Sincerely, The Duke by Amelia Grey is book Two in the Say I Do Series. This is the story of Rick, Duke of Stonerick and Edwina Fine. When Rick is having one of his fevers his mother talks him into marrying to produce an heir. So Rick just picks one of the names his mother has presented him with and he writes a letter with a proposal to her. Then when his fever is breaking so is the door knocking with Edwina calling to accept the proposal. Enjoyed their story!

Rick and Edwina's romance was a charming combination of fun and heartfelt. I really liked these two. The draw between them was evident and I loved their interactions and banter. Plenty of feels and sweetness to be enjoyed as this entertaining story unfolds.

I enjoyed Rick and Edwina’s story in Sincerely the Duke by Amelia Grey, book two in the Say I Do series, a charming and entertaining marriage of convenience. Each chapter begins with a tidbit from The Art of Being a Fine Gentleman by Sir Dudley Samson Pemberton Fine, the father of the heroine; which is a nice touch.

Roderick, Rick, Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick, while feeling the beginning effects of a fever, succumbs to his mother’s demand that he marry by running his finger along a list of potential brides given to him by his mother. He fears that not having an heir fast enough before his dilapidating fevers consume him will allow his cousin to inherit the dukedom. Edwina Fine is in shock when she receives a proposal by mail from a Duke. She decides to follow through so she can also fulfill her father's dying wish, finding husbands for her sisters.

Rick and Edwina’s marriage might have started as an act of convenience however, as learn about each other's likes and good qualities they not only become friends, but discover a magnetic attraction and chemistry between them. They do keep some secrets hidden that become an obstacle to their romance; he his fevers, while her being the youngest of a set of triplets.

Ms. Grey wrote a charming, clever, heartwarming and amusing story that is not to be missed. She provided a tale rich with humorous escapades, superstitions, secrets, amusing banter, magnetic chemistry and endearing characters giving Rick and Edwina a chance to have a true love. I highly recommend Sincerely the Duke to other readers and look forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Miss Edwina Fine must find a husband before the ton discovers her secret; it's already bad enough that she has red hair, green eyes and is one of triplets. She jumps at the proposal that arrives in the mail. Rick, Duke of Stonerick would have enjoyed bachelorhood a lot longer, but a recurring illness reminded him that he must have an heir. His marriage proposal leads him to meeting Edwina, and sparks fly. The marriage doesn’t seem like an inconvenience, but he's still hiding his illness. Will that cost him future happiness?

Both are keeping secrets at the same time: Edwina is the youngest of triplets and afraid of the superstitions that would ostracize them, and Rick is afraid of his recurrent fevers that lay him out for days. Edwina wants her sisters to be married at the end of the Season, as she had promised her father she'd see them taken care of. He has friends and a recurrent rivalry with a young man at his shooting club. Their problems aren't the same, but it's still something they keep from each other. The two grow closer and love each other, and they understand each other's needs. I enjoyed the story and how sweet they were together.

Roderick (Rick) Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick, has not married to the irritation of his mother who thinks it’s time he produced an heir. She made a list of new debutantes so he randomly chose Miss Edwina Fine and sent a note to her asking her to marry him.

Rick has been getting fevers off and on for some time now. He worries that the next time he gets one, it will carry him away. Therefore, he decides that it is time for him to marry and produce an heir to carry on the dukedom.

When Miss Edwina Fine shows up at his home questioning his proposal, he is not understanding until he realizes that he wrote the proposal when he was feverish. Edwina is a beautiful woman with red hair and green eyes. After some talking, he admits that he sent the proposal and she agrees to marry him.

Edwina’s father has passed away and her mother died not long after her birth. She is keeping a secret though in that she is one of a set of triplets. Along with her sisters, Eileen and Eleanora, they have been kept cloistered by their father as many people think that multiple births are suspicious.

Edwina is reluctant to tell the duke about she and her two sisters being triplets. But when they arrive for the wedding, he is surprised how much they resemble one another. Rick adores Edwina and promises that her two sisters will reside with them as he looks to find husbands for them.

This is an interesting read and I enjoyed the notes the author added at the end of the book about the research she did on triplets in this time period and about Rick’s fevers. It made some things come together. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Sincerely, The Duke
Book 2 in the "Say I Do" series
Rating: 2 stars
I voluntarily read this book provided by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.


***SPOILERS***

Sincerely, The Duke was not very much to my liking. I barely tolerated the FML. I don't like it when main characters are forced to fulfill a dying wish that affects other people's lives. They're so stubborn in what they want to accomplish that they forget that each person has a right to do with their lives what they want to do. Also, the MML was kind of a jerk. Nowadays it is very common between MCs that a first kiss is done with consent, unfortunately it didn't happen between these two. Rick's first kiss with Edwina came as a very big surprise to her. To the point that she kind of really didn't like it.
Also keeping from Rick that she was a triplet was weird. It didn't make sense. Also, when Edwina spoke of her sisters, she made it seem as if they were years older than her instead of minutes.

He is dealing with a recurring fever her can’t explain, his mother is terribly superstitious, and his choice for wife is randomly chosen his mother’s list. Roderick, Duke of Stonerick, has had better days. When Edwina Fine receives a letter with a proposal for marriage from the Duke of Stonerick, she is flabbergasted, and goes directly to him (with her aunt) to determine is the proposal is legitimate. Even though he is as surprised as she, Rick likes Edwina, and tells her the proposal is real. They will wed, and Rick will find husbands for her sisters. Both Rick and Edwina have secrets. His is the fever. Hers is that she is one of a set of red-haired, green-eyed triplets. How will each react to the other’s secret? There is chemistry between Rick and Edwina, and the way they attempt to keep everything “convenient,” is charming. Edwina’s sisters are live wires. This story is well-written and entertaining, full of fun and surprises.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

As this book opens, we see Roderick 'Rick' Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick as he visits with his mother Alberta Fellows Cosworth, Dowager Duchess of Stonerick. She's informed him his cousin has produced an heir and she's pretty much demanding he find a wife this season. As he gets his mother and himself a brandy he sees the list of the year's debutantes. In an effort to appease his mother and because the recurring fever has him deciding to marry, he picks a random name from the list and writes a quick proposal. He then tells his mother to let him know when she accepts and takes his leave.

After fighting the fever with the tonics prescribed by the doctor and apothecary, he's finally resuming his daily activities. Then he's interrupted by his butler. His visitor that he tries to send away is determined to see him and only him. Listening from his doorway Rick is intrigued as the young woman doesn't back down from the threat of being physically thrown out. He decides to hear her out and is attracted to her strength and beauty. However, he is shocked by the mention of his proposal.

Edwina Fine and her aunt traveled to London to confront the Duke rather than answer via the post. Edwina needed to be sure of the intentions behind the proposal before accepting it.

Rick remembers writing the missive through the fog of the onset of the fever. Though he never expected his mother to send it. It's a matter of honor now and he would do the right thing.

Before disclosing the stipulations, Edwina brings up her coloring. The red hair and green eyes that are the basis for some superstitions has her questioning him on them. She is also not disclosing that she and her sisters are triplets. That was the reason her father withdrew from the public eye, and they haven't come out into society. She needs the Duke to not only take care of her sisters but also find them husbands.

Rick isn't concerned about the superstitions or the stipulations that would be a bit challenging for Rick, since he makes some assumptions about the age of her sisters.

I truly love the way this story plays out. From getting her sisters to London, to their wedding, his mother's superstitions and the way the truth of them being triplets is revealed, will have you turning the pages to see what will drop next. All of that with the vivid backdrop of a London Season during the Regency.

I can't wait for the next book in this series!

This was a fun historical romance. I enjoyed seeing Rick and Edwina's trip to a HEA.
While the book could have done more with building their chemistry and dialing down some of the antics, it was overall a fun read.

Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

5 Who’s Secret Is Bigger Stars!!

This is the second book in this wonderful series by Amelia Grey and I loved Edwina and Rick so very much. They’re two people on a mission so to speak but they’ve got their own reasons for seeking out a marriage of convenience. What neither of them was expecting though was the visceral attraction they had to each other the day Edwina shows up on his doorstep to accept his marriage proposal!

Our H/h are well matched and I loved their repartee that had me laughing at some points in the book. Edwina is a woman that will do whatever is necessary to get her two sisters introduced into society as all young women of marriageable age should be… but is there that she’s hiding from him and why she’s so insistent on accepting his proffered marriage proposal? This woman can bring something new into Rick’s life but is he willing to risk his heart which he never expected to happen especially given the health secret he’s keeping to himself for the time being.

This book moved at a great pace and I found myself falling more in love with these two the further I read. We also get some visits from Fredericka and Wyatt which just enhanced my enjoyment of this book! Ms. Grey did a wonderful job writing a story that is filled with all the things I love about this time period, the wealth and haughtiness of the Ton, traditions that shouldn’t be messed with, families that are driven by what society deems acceptable and of course love that’s never expected but welcomed when found. I’m so ready for Love, the Duke.

Once again Rick, the Duke of Stonerick, is suffering from a fever. His mother is pressuring him to marry to the extent she has a list of suitable young ladies for him to choose from. As he is still unwell, drinking, and realizing he needs an heir, he selects Edwina Fine from the list and pens a note asking her to marry him. She promised her father she would find a husband for herself as well as her two sisters. As they are triplets and have red hair and green eyes, people had superstitions about the triplets, so they lived a remote life in the country. When she received the marriage proposal, she thought her problems were over. Watching these two find their attraction to each other leaves them both with challenges. A great story where Edwina and Rick found love and able to trust each other.

I was having a difficult time connecting to the writing in this novel from the get go. I was really intrigued by the premise of the novel, but could not help but feel the slight skepticism that Rick truly lucked out that the one name he happened to land on to write ended up belonging to an extremely beautiful woman that he was instantly attracted to. It might have been more intriguing to me as a reader if Edwina had not in fact been an absolutely beautiful.

I did like that Rick was truthful in how his actions could be construed as impatient/demanding. And I liked that through his honesty, he was able to see how his actions effected Edwina and he tried to adjust his behaviour for her. I enjoyed on the wedding night that after his initial moment of frustration, his reaction to her fear of what was supposed to happen, he decided he needed to woo his wife and set forth doing so.

I wanted to like Edwina more than I did. I liked her determination and the moments where she felt strength when she was overwhelmed. And even when the reader finds out the reason behind her determination to fulfill her father's wise, I still didn't find myself connecting with her.

Rick's friend group was one of the biggest draws to me. I enjoyed the moments where we got to see his interaction with them and their interactions with Edwina. I know that superstition played (and still does play) in a lot of cultures, I just found that the premise behind Edwina being a triplet as well as having red hair and green eyes was almost a bit too far fetched. I did like how much Rick rallied around her as well as his friends when it was brought to their attention in a public setting.

All in all Sincerely, The Duke had an intriguing premise, but if I had not purchased the audiobook on release day even after having received an eARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, I do not believe I would have finished the book after 20%. The narrator chosen was a great one and she did a great job of being one of the few things that kept me connected to the story.

If you are a true fan of regency romance, I'm sure Amelia Grey's book already have a dedicated place on your bookshelf. I have been anticipating this newest release ever since I read Yours Truly, Duke in March 2023 and it didn't disappoint. It's sweet and charming, heartwarming and exciting at the same time, and, above all, entertaining..
It starts with one of the most ridiculous proposals ever-our lovely male protagonist, who we are repeatedly being told isn't a paragon of patience, is suffering from an unexpected bout of high fever. He is implored by his mother to choose his future bride and marry as soon as possible to ensure the dukedom succession (my dear regency romance reader, we are more than familiar with this all too frequent predicament that seemed to inflict only the most lovable, most roguish dukes). He happily forgets this fateful conversation with his mother, until a certain Miss Edwina Fine shows up on his step. The young lady isn't just someone he is immediately and inexplicably attracted to, she is someone who claims to have received a letter of proposal from his Grace himself....and the letter turns out to be genuine.
Miss Edwina is in a need of a husband or rather three husbands. She promised it to her dying father that she would find suitable fiances for herself and her older sisters before the end of the season. Her real predicament isn't even the fact that having lived most of her life in a quiet, remote part of Yorkshire, Miss Edwina isn't exactly familiar with the society. Her biggest fear is that even if Duke of Stonerick decides to go through with his proposal, which would throw her sisters in the path of many eligible bachelors, one particular superstition that directly affects Fine sisters might scare the potential husbands off- namely the fact that they are triplets and as if this wasn't enough, all of them have red hair and green eyes.
Amelia Grey's writing flows so easily and draws you into this fun story with its extremely likeable protagonists. I loved the way Rick and Edwina get to know each slowly and develop what already started as a very strong attraction into something even more romantic- a real connection that some of us call true love.
Looking forward to reading Amelia Grey's next book!

After not feeling well and being harassed again by his mother, Rick finds himself proposing-by letter-to someone he’s never met. Enter Edwina, who decides to accept his proposal. She also just happens to be a triplet—which was incredibly rare for that time, & came with unbelievable superstitions about that, so she keeps it a secret. Rick also keeps his illness a secret. Do we see the conflicts that are going to happen? I liked the characters the best…..the story itself was ok, the conflicts seemed kind of silly to me, but liking the characters made up for it.

Miss Edwina Fine really needs a husband, and not just one actually, but three. Her father’s dying wish was for her and her two sisters to get married because he had some bananas idea that no one wanted to marry triplets. Not only are they triplets, but they all have red hair and green eyes, which is bad I guess? Superstitions are weird AF.

Luckily for Edwina, she receives a letter out of the blue from the Duke of Stonerick that very simply asks her if she wants to marry him. What she doesn’t know is that he wrote her that letter when he had a splitting headache and was drunk. He was trying to get his mother to leave him alone, so he wrote a letter as a joke.

Is this premise ridiculous? Absolutely, but so much Romance begins with a ridiculous premise. My only wish is that Edwina stopped protesting for so long. She and Stonerick definitely had chemistry from the very beginning, and he was always willing to do whatever she needed, including finding husbands for her sisters. After a while, the thing keeping them apart seemed a bit over the top. Still, there were sweet moments between Edwina and Stonerick, and if you like Regency, this one has at least an interesting set-up.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.