Miss Phoebe Atkinson lives her own life separate from society as a teacher. Her childhood friend is Will Margrave, Duke of Ellis.
Phoebe is looking for one of her students that disappeared. When she asks for Will's help, he doesn't hesitate to respond. Together they will discover corruption that goes all the way to Parliament. A bohemian teacher and a stuck up duke find their attraction for each other will overcome obstacles. A little humor, a few tears and some hot descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the arc.

I thought this book was mediocre in my opinion. I am not sure if I am getting bored of reading historical romances, or if I just really did not vibe with this book.

I do plan to try this book again at a later date and see if I enjoy it better, but for now it is not my cup of tea.

Historical romance isn’t always the type of book I tend to pick up. But this book was third historical romance I’ve read this year and I am hooked.

I enjoyed how the main characters supported each other and made each other question expectations set for themselves.

The side characters are fun and there is a strong sense of place. There is witty dialogue with a touch of mystery and challenge of society norms.

If you are looking for a book with a strong female main character who gets a second chance romance and gives back to her community, this book is for you.

Thanks to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for providing the ARC.

Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan historical romance.
I was entertained from beginning to end and definitely recommend this to anyone that loves a good historical romance.
I love Sullivan's writing and storytelling.
This new to me author is now on my list. I couldn’t get enough of this book and I’m looking forward to reading more.

Phoebe Atkinson is the family outcast. A bohemian bucking the expectations of a lady in the late 1800s, Phoebe isn’t interested in the family business nor does she have any desire to participate in the find-a-husband season. Nope. Instead she teaches at a small school for girls and continues to push for better for those less fortunate in a society that refuses to see them.

One of those chances comes via a meet cute in the police station after she’s been taken in for trespassing, and calls upon Will Margrave, an old family friend, to come to her rescue.

Will Margrave who now happens to be Duke of Ellis, a title, a position he fell into and finds to be unfulfilling. He spends too much time wooing a potential duchess who is perfectly fine than he does making any difference.

But then, Phoebe. The kid sister of his oldest friend. The outspoken, danger seeking non-conformist. The most attractive woman, physically and intellectually, that he’s met. The woman who is below his standing and therefore not a match.

Except she proves to be exactly that - his match. Phoebe challenges Will where everyone else placates him, hoping to get in his good graces.

When the two pair up to find one of Phoebe’s favorite students who has gone missing, close proximity, dangerous situations, and late nights lead to colonials getting pudding.

And we are here for it.

This book is an absolute delight! These two impossibly charming dunderheads have loved each other since they were kids but are too stubborn to admit it…yet too weak to fight it. The banter is stupidly swoony, the mystery adds charm, and the desire a tad inconvenient if incredibly well written. There’s sexual tension but also it’s funny.

Guys, read it.

Ack! I had no idea I’d be such a fan of a regency era mystery romance but here I am, arms outstretched, asking, “Please sir, may I have another?”

England, 1890’s
A School Teacher x A Duke
Childhood crush
Tender intimacy
Sisterly bond

The secondary characters, especially the sisters, have me anxious for the next installment after this books epilogue.
Can’t wait to visit with these characters again, hopefully!

Thank you, @readforeverpub

Rating: 5/5 stars

I love Will and Phoebe so much that I wanted to re-read Duchess Material as soon as I finished it.

This book has just the right amount of longing, tension, doubt, vulnerability, all of it. There's such a deep connection between these characters that you can't help but root for them. A beautiful love story. The Pride and Prejudice dynamic is also so very well done. Sullivan gives you the one direct reference to the book in the beginning, and then you really forget about it until you get to the misguided proposal. She wonderfully weaves her own take on the dynamic between Darcy and Elizabeth into a completely unique and gripping love story of its very own with just a hint of a Jane Austen classic in there.

One thing I always really enjoy in a romance if its done well is when an author sort of expertly lets each of the characters undergo their own personal growth and development in a realistic way. Emily Sullivan does that here. Phoebe and Will each have their own challenges to work through and they're able to do that while recognizing how they complement one another. I already said this, but I just really loved this book. Also the spice in this is really well done, as well! If you prefer for the spicy scenes to fit well into the plot rather than just existing to exist, I think this book does that pretty well.

I hope very much that the Freddie storyline, especially the little glimpse of it in the epilogue, is an indicator that we're getting a second book! Dying to read more. I would read a book about each of Phoebe's siblings. And Will's brother, as well!

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. The central mystery - phoebe trying to find her missing student - was such a great jumping off point, plot wise. It brought Phoebe and Will together for the first time in years, and it’s so obvious before they’re willing to admit it that there’s more than an old friendship and current indifference between them.

Will was charming, and Phoebe was brilliant and bold. I want to be her when I grow up. They were so good together, whether it was trying to solve a mystery or flirting. I couldn’t wait for their happily ever after.

Phoebe’s family left something to be desired early on, but they grew on me. I can see how seeing them through Phoebe’s eyes totally colored my perception, and that was so well done of Sullivan.

DUCHESS MATERIAL is a sizzling delight! Phoebe Atkinson gets in trouble with the law searching for one of her students. She sends for help to an old family friend—Will. Who just happens to be the Duke of Ellis and is practically engaged to Lady Gwen. He gets her out of trouble but Phoebe isn’t about to give up on her student. Together they search for the missing girl and discover secrets about high society members and their own hearts.

It’s the perfect PRIDE AND PREJUDICE retelling but with original characters with their own unique problems. If you're a fan of brigderton then this book is differently the one for you. I could envision the style from the clothing to the architect. Truly an amazing story.

not to be dramatic but i would die for the bluestocking x duke trope and this book did it immense justice. i absolutely flew through this story and was begging for more by the time i finished it. i will certainly be anticipating more from this author!

Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Hachette Book Group, Forever, Netgalley, and Emily Sullivan for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was a very enjoyable historical romance read! It’s set in late Victorian England and has a wonderful slow burn romance. Some of the included themes/tropes include differing social statuses, second chance romance, childhood friend/crush, MMC who’s a Duke, and a bluestocking FMC.

The FMC, Phoebe, was written in such an incredible way. Her strength, poise, and determination to make the world a better place was nothing short of remarkable. She didn't let anyone influence her and she had such a kind heart. The MMC, Will, is absolutely wonderful and the way in which Phoebe helped him see the world in a different way and change him for the better was amazing to see. Freddie and Alex were both such awesome characters! Maude’s and Alice’s story was moving and worked to show some of the realities that people experienced.

Duchess Material has it all: love, romance, laughter, joy, emotion, and spice! Overall a fantastic book that I’d highly recommend for all who enjoy historical fiction and romance!

A Duke’s lot!

Phoebe Atkinson is in trouble. Arrested and taken to Bow Street, in desperation, she sends a note to the one person she hasn’t communicated with for years. An old friend who she’d had feelings for. Out of the blue, he’d became not plain Will, but the heir to a dukedom, the Viscount Middlefield.
Will Margrave, the Duke of Ellis, of course went to the aid of his friend Alex’s impetuous sister. He wasn’t prepared for the leap of his heart when he saw her.
Will had a safe course planned out. Marriage to the reigning debutante Lady Gwendolyn Fairbanks, daughter to his mentor Lord Fairbanks who was guiding him through the House of Lords.
Now here was Phoebe, a schoolteacher in a school for underprivileged girls. Phoebe has been looking for a missing student when she was arrested.
Will ends up helping her in her search and from there it’s a short step to becoming more and more involved. He has a few shocks on the way, not the least being Phoebe’s outspokenness. He also makes some momentous decisions that will derail his well planned future.
Alex meanwhile has her own set of problems as does Phoebe’s other sister, Freddie (Winifred).
A rather fun filled novel, with an underlying seriousness of working class and poor girls hopes and conditions in Victorian England.

A Forever ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I don’t read historical romance all that much, it’s very hit or miss for me, but when I go and read a book like this one I remember why I still try out new ones because when they are good they are GOOD! Duchess Material is the perfect story filled with a girl pushing boundaries of society in the only way she knows how, and a smitten man following her every step. Will and Phoebe are childhood friends, but reconnect when Phoebe needs his Duke status to get out of some legal trouble and they soon work together to find a missing girl.

Phoebe was in love with Will from childhood but Will fell for her quickly after they reconnected so much so that he was willing to blow up his entire life to be with her, but pulls a Mr. Darcy and does it in the most insufferable way. I love how Phoebe stands her ground, she isn’t willing to sacrifice her morals or wishes for anyone and it’s her best quality. I love how much she pushed back against everyone in her life and didn’t let them stop her from living her life, including Will.

Will and Phoebe have amazing chemistry, these two are a wonderful, steamy ride of will they or won’t they as they figure out themselves and each other. I really can’t wait for Alex or Freddie’s story!

An arrogant duke looking to find the perfect duchess, a school teacher trying to save her school, and a complicated past with a touch of Pride and Prejudice in this cute second chance romance. Phoebe Atkinson is not perfect by societal standards, she's a school teacher who isn't afraid to speak her mind and fight for the rights of others and despite coming from a wealthy family she chooses to move out on her own and make her own path. Phoebe's beloved school is in trouble and when one of her students goes missing she has to beg the one person she never wanted to for help, her sister's best friend, the powerful Duke of Ellis, William Margrave... and the one man she was in love with before he broke her heart. William never wanted to inherit the dukedom, but when he did he felt pressured to make sure he was the perfect duke and that means finding the perfect duchess. What he doesn't need is to find himself falling for a meddling, infuriating, and absolutely charming schoolteacher who doesn't want anything to do with his dukedom and who he abandoned when he became a duke. As Will helps Phoebe he begins to realize that he might be seeing his best friend's sister in a whole new light... and that despite her not being duchess material she might be exactly what his heart wants.... if only he could convince her to give him a chance. Can two people who live distinctly different lives, find a way to be together, and get everything they could want. This was a really cute read complete with touches of Pride and Prejudice moments. I really liked the way you got to read from both character's POV and that and how the story has the romance reversed, with Phoebe used to being in love with Will and now is trying not to be in love with him while Will used to not be in love with Phoebe but is now very much in love with her and trying to get her to fall for him. It's a fun historical romance and one I'd definitely recommend for anyone who wants a good read!

Release Date: November 19,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) | Forever for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

4.5/5 Duchess Material is a standalone late Victorian romance. I had a hard time putting this down. I loved the story, it had me hooked early on and kept me engaged to the end.

Phoebe is from an upper class family but not part of the aristocracy. She’s chosen to live on her own while teaching at a school for working class girls. She loves the independence and autonomy this brings her and won’t settle for a marriage that takes that away. I loved her strong and confident personality. She’s loyal and loves deeply for those she cares for. Being a middle child, she’s carved out her own life instead of living in the shadows of her siblings but still struggles either this. Her stubbornness gave her some flaws but it also allowed for growth.

Will never expected to become a Duke, growing up where the far flung branch of his family tree felt more like a fairy tale than a possibility. But a twist of fate led to him becoming the heir and was sent to learn about the duchy; Will blindly accepted the mentors and how things were done. He’s spent the last eight years muddling through but now he’s starting to see that the ideals of the dukedom and mentors aren’t lining up with what he believes. And realizes he’s in a position to do something about it.

I enjoyed their internal journeys and how it collided with the main storyline made for such an emotionally satisfying story. It lightly touched on sex worker reforms as part of the side plot. It was a little anticlimactic but also left open to where I could see how it could be a series overarching plot.

I loved the siblings of each of the MC and felt each were set up for their own future story. I would love to see it and hope there’s more to come for this family.

This was a new to me author and am looking forward to more from them.

There are two descriptive encounters with a fade to black and another alluded to.

I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing me with an egalley of this book for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I think I might be in my regency romance era. I've read a few period romance pieces and I'm just loving the vibe. When the blurb says fans of Bridgerton will like this one, it is absolutely correct!
The story is told in third person point of view, which I think fits the period pieces well. We have a birds eye of view of all that is happening to the characters and a link to what they are feeling. I love how easily the characters are developed with this way of writing.
The plot doesn't only revolve around the romance, though. This book brings to the forefront the upheaval that was happening during this time period. How women were trying to become more and do more. How they wanted to be more than just a wife or the pretty lady on the man's arm. And there's a bit of a mystery to solve, as well!
Sullivan does an excellent job of alternating the point of view between the FMC and MMC, Phoebe and Will. I loved their relationship. How they grew up together and were a certain way with each other until Will got drawn into his role as Duke. Phoebe is so independent. And, while there is pushback from her family regarding this, she does not fold and run from what she knows she wants to do. Will is busy trying to find a duchess for himself through the ton. But he's not really feeling like those ladies fit him. When he and Phoebe are thrown into each other's paths when Phoebe ends up at the police station, you can feel their chemistry from the start. And as the book progresses, the slow burn really ramps up and the romantic zing between the two becomes very apparent. Phoebe was just so relatable, it was hard not to love her. And Will was super protective of her from the start, even though they had not had interaction since they were teens.
There's definitely some spice in this one. So be prepared for that. But the interactions are also somewhat tender.
Sullivan is spot on with her pacing in this one. Each chapter even more interesting than the next.
The author does a fabulous job combining mystery, romance with some slow burn, and family tensions while telling a fun story where you will definitely want to know how the story ends!

Another great historical romance! If you are in the mood for great characters, witty banter, swoon worthy romance, this one is for you! Thank you to net galley and the author for a chance to read and review.

It’s been a while since I’ve read a historical romance and so thoroughly enjoyed this one. Penelope is the middle sister and has a mind of her own. When a family friend, who happens to be a duke, comes to her rescue she’s not exactly thrilled. Will takes his responsibility as a duke quite seriously, but the title hasn’t changed who he is. When he comes to the aid of Penelope, his life gets more complicated. He can’t resist helping her and they become embroiled in uncovering a mystery. This one has a frenemies to lovers vibe, lots of steamy scenes and a feisty heroine who readers will root for. I’m definitely interested to read the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Grand Central Publishing for this advanced copy! You can pick up Duchess Material on November 19, 2024.

This was a sweet and surprisingly thrilling historical romance! I love how the stakes felt more elevated with Phoebe searching for her missing student and her and Will rekindling their romance while investigating the broader implications of this disappearance. Phoebe and Will felt like really fleshed-out characters, and I like how they had growth and purpose outside of their romantic relationship. How Emily Sullivan wove social justice and other key issues into this story was well done!

I can't wait to see what might be in store for Phoebe's sisters as well. Alex and Freddie really jumped off the page, and I'm curious to see where their stories might go!

Def pick this up if you want a friends-to-lovers, kind of second-chance historical romance!

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #DuchessMaterial by Emily Sullivan in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed my first book by Ms. Sullivan. This book is a great beginning to what is going to be a great series. It not only tells a great romance between two childhood friends with lots of pining which always makes for a great read but it also had some really great messages about family and helping others. This book actually addresses quite a few things and ordinarily I might have felt like it was taking on too much but instead I think that Ms. Sullivan handled it all very well. She also sets up Freddie and Alex as future heroines in a way that didn't detract from Phoebe and Will's story but made me excited for the rest of the series.