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

This is a new book coming up from Emily Sullivan; a historical romance set in late Victorian England, before the turn of the century. It has differing social status themes, childhood crush/second chance, misfits vibes, with a radical-thinking, bluestocking FMC, and a Duke MMC.

William Margrave grew up with the Atkinson sisters, becoming friends with them. He thought his course for the future was set out already, and was just starting to become aware of growing feelings for the middle sister, Phoebe, when everything changed for him. Unexpectedly, he became next in line as the heir to the Duke of Ellis, changing the course of his life, and his plans completely. He was sent away to live with the duke, taking him away from his family and friends, to learn the duties expected of the dukedom. But drilled into him also was the perception that because of his tenuous connection to the aristocracy, that he was undeserving, and must work that much harder to secure his place in the peerage and parliament, including aligning himself with peers and politicians approved by his predecessor, staying away from scandal, and finding himself an appropriately aristocratic wife to continue the line of the dukedom.

With his change in status, his friendship was severed with Phoebe when they were quite young and their lives took very different paths. Phoebe, despite being born into wealth and privilege, feels strongly about issues about social justice, including education for the poor and underprivileged, especially girls. To this end, she is at odds with some of her family, and has moved out, becoming a teacher at a progressive school, and lives in a flat with another teacher. But her path is forced to cross that of her old friend, William, again, when she sets out to investigate what happened to a girl missing from her class, that she was hoping to help better her life.

William was set on the courting the daughter of one of his political mentors when Phoebe is forced back into his life. Their renewed acquaintance reminds the two of them of their previous friendship and the attraction that had started many years ago flames anew. When William decides to help Phoebe with her quest to find the missing girl, his long-buried qualms about the current course of his life, and it's emptiness come to the for, and forces him to question his choices and his happiness.

The story was enjoyable; I do enjoy the second chance/childhood friends theme, and the relationships of the three sisters with their very differing personalities, and there is the background story of family conflict as well that feels a bit unfinished/unresolved. Also, while Phoebe and William both felt that growing attraction as young teenagers, before those changes split them apart, they never said that to each other, so there was a continued thread of uncertainty about each others feelings that continued as adults with their renewed acquaintance. This was amplified by William's very close friendship with Phoebe's sister, Alex, whom Phoebe also has has a contentious relationship with.

I found the drama that draws William and Phoebe back together, the missing girl, interesting as well, as it leads to a a further intrigue that directly connects to William and integral to leading him reassess his view of his life path and happiness.

I am not sure if this is the start of a new series or not, but I hope it is, since the story did spend a lot of time with the familial relationships as well, with the three Atkinson sisters, and also with William and his younger brother, and there were hints of unresolved relationships and stories related to them.

3.75 stars out of 5

2.7 Stars
One Liner: Okayish

1896, London
William Margrave, the Duke of Ellis, tried his best to be a duke since he unexpectedly got the title a decade ago. He planned it all and his sight set on a perfect Lady to become his Duchess.
Phoebe Atkinson is the middle daughter of a self-made businessman. While she, her older sister Alex, and younger sister Winnie were friends with Will before the dukedom, things have changed. Phoebe is now a school teacher the working class girls and has no time for society.
However, when one of Phoebe’s pupils goes missing, she needs Will to help her out. As they search across the city to find the missing girl, Phoebe and Will realize a few things about themselves.
The story comes in Phoebe and Will’s third-person POVs.

My Thoughts:
The premise guarantees some drama and entertainment, right? We do get some of both but not to the extent I hoped.
The beginning was good. I liked Phoebe’s spunk in the beginning. Will presented his dilemma about taking the ducal rules too seriously and how it affected his life.
The mystery is decent though we cannot call it that. There’s some intrigue and a showcasing of the hypocrisy and evil side of those with power but it doesn’t overpower the plot.
However, soon, things started to dim. Phoebe turned into a self-righteous martyr activist who thinks giving up the comforts of her home and living in a cramped flat to teach poor girls Homer and Shakespeare made her an award-winning activist. She judged everyone left, right, and center. Yeah, she sometimes accepts she is judgmental but continues to do the same.
Then Will the Duke. He goes on and on and on about how Phoebe is not duchess material and how important it is for him to marry someone who fits the checklist. Even when he is made to realize how stupid it is, he continues to harp on it. They deserve each other, IMO.
Now, the main characters, unfortunately, didn’t make a positive impact. But hey, the side characters were cool. Alex is my favorite. I can’t wait to read her book. She has a good head and knows how to use her privilege and position to help others. Freddie seemed interesting too with her sparkling personality that hides a sense of restlessness.
I think something went a bit wrong in planning the characters and executing them. They shouldn’t have been like this but act realistically and show some flaws. Sadly, I couldn’t empathize with either of them.
The romance wasn’t great either. There’s some spice but even that didn’t really make a difference. It could also be that I read a couple of books with similar ‘not duchess material’ trope this year and those were much better in terms of characterization and development.
Luckily, it is a quick read and things get settled without much drama. Some of it is left for the next books, and the epilogue provides a definite lead. You bet I’m more curious about that one.

To summarize, Duchess Material is a moderately spicy romance novel if you want something light and fluffy to read. I will read the next book since I already like the other two characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book and thought it was a fun historical. This follows Will and Phoebe who were friends in childhood until Will is unexpectedly given a dukedom. Years later they come across each other and sparks fly. I liked the school teacher aspect of this and phoebe being independent and not thinking she would ever make a good duchess and how they work through that. I also liked the family aspects for both characters and can’t wait to see more of the sisters in the next books.

Thanks to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for this ARC.

A romp of a Victorian romance with two really good charters. Phoebe and Will start out as allies but become as you know they will much more. I like that Phoebe is so independent and committed to her young women and that Will's willing to go out of his comfort zone to help her. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling makes for a very good read.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and it did not disappoint.
The story takes place in the Victorian era instead of the usual Regency period.
Emily, who comes from a wealthy family, is a teacher at a school for disadvantaged students, and loves being independent. When one of the students goes missing, she starts a search. When a problem arises, she contacts Will, a childhood friend who never expected to become a Duke.
There are a lot of interesting secondary characters and a couple of secondary plots in the story.
The chemistry was wonderful between Will and Emily, even when they weren't getting along.
I highly recommend this book.

I really hope this is the start of a series because this entire story/world is delightful! Such a quick read for me because I couldn’t put it down. I love the Victorian time period, giving women more rights and progressive thoughts becoming reality. Both MCs are charming and hot and wonderful, but not perfect, which makes them even more endearing. If the epilogue is any indication, Phoebe’s sisters each have their own stories to tell, and I can’t wait!

I love a good pairing of a Duke who's worried about the dukedom and all the responsibilities that come with, including finding a Duchess who will be up to the task, and an FMC who is NOT Duchess material in the traditional and expected sense. Add to that, the fact that they were friends when they were younger, plus the Atkinson sisters (all of them with their very own distinctive personalities), a mystery sub-plot, and women engaged in political and social activism.
Duchess Material was a slow-burn to a happy ending, one that I really enjoyed.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

3.75⭐️

This was a cute read! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review “Duchess Material”. One thing I think will appeal to readers (especially being new to the genre) is that this doesn’t 100% read or feel like as a historical romance, in the sense that contemporary romance lovers would enjoy this. As a reader, I knew it was that going into it because I was told, but it felt very modern day with verbiage thrown in (such a carriages for example). The plot is also largely miscommunication trope where the two love interests are assuming they know how the other feels or are purposely missing key information that is so obvious to other characters outside of them. I love the main characters- Phoebe is such a girlboss and Will is our brooding but soft lover boy. Ultimately, I did think it was very cute and hope there’s a sequel!

Thank you Netgalley and Forever for this arc.

I enjoyed this historical romance. Will is a duke and his childhood friend Phoebe ropes him into helping her get out of trouble. The beginning plot of Phoebes missing student did stretch for a bit and then wrapped up a little anticlimactic. However I did enjoy the lower conflict aspect of this book, it's my first of this author so may have to check out other.

I look forward to the next one.

Duchess Material was such a delightful read. I had no trouble getting into this one at all.

I loved that Phoebe didn't mold herself to what was expected of her by her peers or societal norms of the time. She set her own path and was determined to do it to her utmost ability.

Will was a good, well rounded character albeit a little stuffy from feeling he must portray himself worthy of the title of Duke that was bestowed upon him. I did feel that his whole "she's not Duchess material" carried on a bit too much in the book. Other than that this book was just an overall fantastic read and I hope we get to delve into the lives of the other Atkinson sisters very soon.

**Received ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed.**

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever & Emily Sullivan for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love love love period/historical romance stories that deal with injustices towards women and their rights. This book checks all my boxes for chemistry driven tension and social progress.

I'm very hopeful that this is the start of a new series because I'd love to see more from Freddie & Alex plus the various side characters!

4.25 ⭐️ This was the first book I’ve read by Emily Sullivan and definitely won’t be the last; I couldn’t put it down.

DUCHESS MATERIAL follows the independent bluestocking, Phoebe, as she tries to find one of her students who has gone missing. Being the badass that she is, she ends up in hot water during her investigation (just a little trip to jail nbd) and reluctantly calls her childhood friend, Will, to bail her out.

But Phoebe hasn’t been close with Will for the past 8 years, ever since he (surprisingly) inherited a dukedom at age 18. And while The Duke of Ellis is still just Will at heart, he is now saddled with societal expectations and Parlimentary responsibilities. With the two back in each other’s orbit, the sparks that were starting to flicker when they were teenagers have turned into a roaring a fire.

Bridgerton besties you’re going to love this one. Phoebe was amazing. She defied societal norms while working as a teacher and advocating for a better quality of life amongst the lower income town members. I loved how forward thinking she was too. There is a subplot that involves sex workers and Phoebe is quick to offer her support rather than judgment. Will was a total golden retriever with major Colin “my wife” Bridgerton vibes. He looked at Phoebe as if she hung the moon and the stars. The side characters were equally as amazing and I really hope we get books for Phoebe’s two sisters 🤞🏼

DUCHESS MATERIAL is out November 19th 💙

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

A fun historical romance featuring a strong female character. This second chance romance was a perfect weekend read to relax with. I am hoping this is the start of a new series as there are side characters I am curious about.

This was a cute fun read. I always appreciate a Woman with her own mind in these regency and Pheobe is a delight. A bit misguided at times but her heart is always in the right place.

I've always had a soft spot for childhood sweethearts, and "Duchess Material" by Emily Sullivan perfectly captures that blend of wistful longing and undeniable chemistry. William Margrave never expected to become a Duke, but when an unexpected dukedom comes his way, it pulls him away from everything familiar—especially from Phoebe Atkinson, the bluestocking sister of his best friend. Fast forward to years later, and Will is grappling with the duties he never wanted, a mystery that needs untangling and a second chance he didn't realize he was missing.

Emily Sullivan weaves an engaging historical romance featuring an idealistic, outspoken schoolteacher and a reluctant Duke. Will has been working hard to be the best Duke he can be, convinced that marrying the elegant Gwen Fairbanks is his best option—until a letter from Phoebe turns his world upside down. Even after all those years apart, Will can't ignore Phoebe's plea for help. Their reunion is charged with emotion as they navigate the years of separation, and their chemistry and shared history create an undeniable spark that can't be ignored.

Phoebe and Will are wonderfully fleshed out characters; I loved witnessing their growth as they reconnect. Will's loyalty to those he cares about shines through, while Phoebe's spirited personality and her blend of optimism with realism make her an admirable heroine. Together, they peel back the layers of a thrilling mystery, which adds an exciting tension to the romance.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, there were moments when the narrative leaned too heavily on the characters' ideals, causing the romance to take a backseat. A stronger focus on their love story could have amplified the emotional impact. Nevertheless, the wistfulness, unresolved emotions, and beautiful second-chance chemistry make this book memorable. This series is off to a fantastic start with Will and Phoebe, and I can't wait to see what unfolds in the next installment!

Many thanks to Emily Sullivan, Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and NetGalley for the eARC of "Duchess Material."
The book will be available for purchase on November 19th, 2024.

5 Stars! I absolutely loved Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan. All the characters (both main and supporting) are interesting, full of life and well thought out. This story focuses on Phoebe and Will who were next door neighbors and friends in childhood. Also, Phoebe had a big crush on Will when they were young. When Will was 15, he inherited a title that he didn’t know about and was sent away to learn more about the dukedom.

The story has them reconnecting as adults and investigating a missing student and falling more in love with each other. We see both of the main characters learn, grow and adapt to each other and their circumstances with some strong chemistry. There is some good spice along the way!
Truly a fun story (maybe a little long at times) but the character development is wonderful, and I look forward to reading about Phoebe’s sisters with their own books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sharing an ARC. This review is completely voluntary and joyfully shared.

While I appreciated the politics and social commentary that accompanied the plot, I found the romance lacking emotional depth and the character development pretty meh. This book was a quick read, but for me, it fell short. Overall I’d say it was just okay.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the digital ARC.

I love the dynamic between the main characters, they each feel fleshed out and real. I was hooked from the first page and that is rare!

This book is fun and charming. I love the mystery and she’s an independent blue stocking and he’s a Duke is one of my favorite combos. The second half of this book is very Pride and Prejudice including the phrase “most ardently” and recreating the Colin Firth in the lake scene which is also good but the two halves felt a little disjointed. More solving the crimes please! All in all it’s a fun historical romp and I look forward to the next.

Duchess Material, written by Emily Sullivan, is a captivating Victorian-era romance that follows the story of a humble Duke and a forward-thinking schoolteacher as they navigate themes of privilege, class, and women's rights. Join them on their journey as they confront societal norms and challenge the status quo in this compelling tale of love and empowerment.