A reluctant duke, a stubborn school teacher, and a mystery that keeping pulling them together. Will Margrave, the Duke of Ellis is never wanted a dukedom so when he unexpectedly inherited one as a young man it came as quite a shock, and with a lot of responsibilities. Phoebe Atkinson on the other hand has been trying to make a life for herself away from her family and society, becoming a teacher at a school in a poorer area of London. The two were childhood friends but no longer run in the same circles and haven't seen each other in years. What else to bring them together then the disappearance of one of Phoebe's students. In their quest to uncover the mystery the pair rekindle their friendship, and perhaps more?
I enjoyed this book immensely and once I started I couldn't put it down. Phoebe is such a girl boss and I love that she is stubborn and wants to make her own way in life without the help of her family. Historical romance with a dash of mystery is my favorite kind of book, I think that it just adds so much to the story. The story set against the setting of 1890s london was perfect and I really liked that there was attention brought to the underlying issues of the time like brothels and the struggles of lower class women. Will was such a perfect hero because mostly he wasn't there to save Phoebe but to help her on her journey, pretend he had control over what sticky situations they got into, and add a sarcastic comment here and there. I loved his character arc and how he was able to stop hiding his own personality and thoughts. The two of them just made a perfect pair and I was giggling went ever there was a tension filled moment or sweet words exchanged.
I hope that there will be more books coming because I want to know what is happening with the other Atkinson sisters, Will's brother, the inspector and the other side characters, I am hooked to say the least!

A reunited friends to lovers romance that has plenty of longing looks and pining. I really liked the build up to the relationship. I don't mind a little angst before the couple gets together so I enjoyed that. I also liked that they were childhood friends seeing each other again for the first time in forever. It was nice to see the characters reconnect and bond. I really liked their flirting and the steamy scenes were great.

My one issue was Will. I had a hard time liking Will at first since he does see Phoebe as beneath him in status. There just didn't seem to be a good enough reason why he thought this way for majority of the book and that made me like him less.

A great series starter and can't wait to see the other characters fall in love.

This was absolutely a fantastic historical romance, with an engaging story that I had a hard time putting down!

Phoebe and Will were childhood friends who have drifted apart due to Will inheriting a Dukedom. The author does such a good job at weaving a mystery into her stories and pushing her characters together in a way to help each other figure them out.

Phoebe and Will have amazing chemistry, and I adored how each one of Phoebe’s sisters are so unique and different. The author writes characters you just want to sink into, they are so well written.

I absolutely cannot wait for the other two books in the series, as they will follow Phoebe‘s sisters.

"When her student goes missing, an independent bluestocking must seek the help of the arrogant duke who spurned her in this sizzling tale of romance and intrigue, perfect for fans of Netflix's Bridgerton series.

Phoebe Atkinson is what society might call unconventional. Instead of marrying well like other women born to wealth, she chose to be a schoolteacher. Not to mention she lives in a leaky flat in an unfashionable part of town rather than stay in her parents' mansion. But when her most promising pupil goes missing she has only one option: beg her sister's best friend, the powerful Duke of Ellis, for help.

The last thing William Margrave ever expected was to inherit a dukedom. But now that he has it, he's determined to act the part perfectly - and that includes marrying the perfect duchess. A bluestocking Bohemian schoolteacher is decidedly not duchess material. But he can't resist her plea for help regarding her missing student.

As they fall further into the mystery, William discovers that he never got over his childhood crush on Phoebe..."

I think a bluestocking Bohemian schoolteacher would be the better duchess by far. She'd be so well organized!

If you can't call on your estranged childhood friend to assist in getting you out of jail. Than who can you? Especially now that he is a duke.

Phoebe Atkinson, the daughter of a self-made man, gave up the prestige of societal events for a schoolroom. But when one of her working class students goes missing, she will stop at nothing to find out what happened. Even if that means being arrested and having to summon William Margrave, the Duke of Ellis. The man she has loved since childhood and has rarely spoken to after he ascended to the title. And Will knows Phoebe won't stop until she has answers which has him staying by her side to keep her out of trouble.

I loved that this a falling for your sister's best friend trope. That twist was perfect in this instance as it was continually believed by Will's family that his friendship with Alex would lead to something when he was drawn to the middle sister. It was a nice twist and worked really well when Alex needed to step in and help both Phoebe and Will see things clearly.

Phoebe's strength and conviction made me very drawn to her character. I enjoyed the fact that she continually was learning and striving to do better by her students. How her call to educating them was also a continual education for herself as she discovered more and more the balance between what her students needed to know and what she could teach them. How she was so convinced in uncovering the fate of her missing student because she truly cared about her future. I found it very intriguing the class perspective of her father particularly and how he was self-made but still held somewhat outdated views on his daughter's educating working class women. It was a juxtaposition which brought a lot of insight into Phoebe's actions.

I was intrigued by Will seeing the unexpected inheritance of a dukedom as something to mourn the life he wanted and lost. Typically it feels in HR that there is a learning curve but they settle into the role to like it more. Or it is seen as a coveted role. Yet Will does not. The responsibilities not only from the dukedom itself but from his brother's worry about inheriting the title spurs Will to make a match. He is almost condemning himself to a life his mentors believed he should live until Phoebe pops back into his life and he finds himself able to be more of his true self.

There were moments in this novel where Phoebe and Will would say rather unkind things/truths to the other/about the other. What I really appreciated that they would both step back and think about what the other said and come back and communicate. It was very refreshing to see that aspect of their characters grow and change.

Duchess Material is a great start to a new series by Emily Sullivan and I am so excited to see where the series will go. The steam was perfection and that greenhouse scene will live rent free in my mind for quite some time!

In Emily Sullivan's historical romance, Duchess Material, readers are taken on a thrilling journey set in 1890s Britain, where independent bluestocking Phoebe Atkinson must enlist the help of the arrogant Duke of Ellis, William Margrave, after her promising student goes missing. This novel is a delightful blend of romance, intrigue, and social commentary that many readers are sure to enjoy.

Phoebe defies societal expectations by choosing to be a schoolteacher instead of marrying into wealth. Living in a modest flat and dedicating her life to educating working-class girls, she remains undeterred by her unconventional choices. However, when disaster strikes, she has no choice but to reach out to William, her sister's best friend and the powerful duke who once spurned her.

William, who has reluctantly embraced his title, finds himself torn between the expectations of the aristocracy and his lingering feelings for Phoebe. As they navigate the search for her missing student, they both confront their past and the undeniable chemistry that still exists between them. Their banter, mutual respect, and growth as characters are beautifully portrayed, making their reunion a compelling narrative. Sullivan masterfully explores themes of class differences and progressive ideals, presenting Phoebe as a strong, intelligent woman who challenges the status quo. William's journey of self-discovery adds depth to the story, demonstrating the struggle between duty and desire. The chemistry between Phoebe and William is palpable, with moments of tension and spice that keep readers engaged.

Duchess Material is a sweet and spicy romance that balances light-hearted adventure with serious social issues. The plot offers both familiarity and intrigue, with a satisfying resolution that hints at further stories to come. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and romance, this book is a delightful read that will brighten your day. I really enjoyed this book!

Thanks to #NetGalley and Forever Books @readforeverpub for an Advance Reader Copy.

Emily does it again with Duchess Material! This book was so good! I loved the new characters. Will and Phoebe were just awesome.

This was a friends to lovers but with the friends kind of lost touch along the way until Will comes to Phoebe’s aid. Phoebe, while from a prominent family, decided to be a school teacher and truly has a passion for her students and the school. Will was thrust into a dukedom at the age of 18. He never wanted to be part of the peerage but when a distant relative died and he was the closest heir he didn’t really have a choice.

Now years later, Will is looking for a duchess and Phoebe is looking for, well definitely not a Duke, a student. Will agrees to help her in order to keep her out of trouble but trouble finds them both.

1890’s Britain, independent blue stocking Phoebe and unhappy Duke Will renew their childhood friendship and maybe more. There was some nice spice and an interesting dash of societal problems facing late nineteenth century London but the plot lines seemed fairly obvious. The two issues not resolved at the end were about Phoebe’s sisters. I presume that a second book will address these because they could be more interesting and this book could be more foundational. Overall, a pleasant read but not a page turner.

I had just been complaining (to myself mostly) about there not being enough leftie historical romances before I opened this book, and I really should have known I could depend on Emily Sullivan! I love her writing and Duchess Material was such a wonderful read. An easy 5 stars.

Tropes include: second chance, older sibling’s best friend and childhood neighbors, opposites attract, class difference

I really appreciated how Emily Sullivan wrote a (for the time) radical feminist (and maybe socialist?) FMC and a once-radical-but-then-he-unexpectedly-inherited-a-dukedom-and-stupidly-became-a-Tory-but-don’t-worry-because-aforementioned-FMC-will-bring-him-back-to-his-senses-MMC, name-dropped Marx’s daughter and explored social issues of the time and still managed to keep this book SO FUN.

I’m excited to get to know the rest of the Atkinson sisters and am probably about to embark on a reread of the League of Scoundrels Series. Also, I’m about to preorder the physical edition of this book ❤️

Will inherits a title he never expected and moves away from his family and the life he has known. Years later he feels the need to marry to protect his family. But an old family friend needs his help. He gets tangled up in old feelings as he helps Phoebe. Will makes a much of things with Phoebe but comes back to redeem himself. I enjoyed reading this story and seeing both Will and Phoebe grow as the story went on.

This was such a great read. It’s the first book I read from Emily Sullivan but it won’t be my last and I will eagerly anticipated any book that comes from this series!
Duchess Material is about childhood friends that grow apart after Will inherits a dukedom. Years later, Will and Phoebe (who is a teacher) are in different social circles and haven’t run into each other until Phoebe gets in trouble and Will has to rescue her from jail! (Talk about a meet cute, such a strong start). What follows is them getting to know each other and fighting the attraction that is between them. Will thinks he needs to find a wife that is “duchess material” but he can’t stop thinking about Phoebe! This was 100% exasperated man that can’t help falling in love with the woman that exasperates him to no end.
I enjoyed the pacing of the story, the secondary characters and the social commentary. I can’t wait to get a book from Phoebe’s sisters!

I can't believe how much I squealed with delight as I read through this charming romance. First off, the main FMC is a teacher, and I absolutely loved that piece as a teacher myself. Next, the plot setup was done extremely well. This was a book that I didn't want to end. Finally, the romance was perfect! I loved the pining and the build-up. I will be reading more of Emily Sullivan's books in the future for sure!

I loved this book so much! This was a super enjoyable read and I loved how the characters are imperfect but trying their best to grow. Phoebe and Will’s backstory, and Will’s friendship with Alex, added so much depth to this story and their connection as it grew. I do wish there had been a bit more of the mystery aspect to the story or more of a conclusion with the scandal aspects but it also sets everything up really well for another book!

This book also really captured the difficult relationships that’s families have, and I loved that even after discussing and sharing their experiences, they remained perfectly imperfect!

Review posted to goodreads 10/25 and Instagram (@evelynlainebooks) 10/25 and tbd future dates.

I started this one and then put it down for a bit, because it did not pull me in initially. But, I am glad I went back to it and finished the book because I did enjoy it. I am still new to the historical romance genre, so it was interesting to read something taking place at the end of the 1800s. It was more modern then a lot of the historical romance I have been reading.The characters in the story were interesting and I can definitely tell the author is setting up the possibility for more books concerning the female main characters sisters (which I would be interesting in reading). The dynamic was also a good one with the two main characters as past friends and now distant, class differences, and both wanting to avoid a relationship (at least initially). Will be recommending this one to my fellow romance readers and patrons.

Duchess Material is a sweet romance of childhood friends who grew apart once William Margrave finds out he is a duke’s heir. Over the years, the divide becomes greater as Phoebe Atkinson grows into an independent lady and teacher at a girl’s school. One night she finds herself in a lot of trouble and tosses out William’s name as he is now a true duke. From there it’s an adventure with a bit of mystery, investigations in unusual and shady places, a few rough patches, sweet and sexy moments but delightful all the same. I loved seeing William travel through some serious self-reflection to find himself again. And, Phoebe has a determination that keeps her strong against the odds for a lady of that era. Great book to brighten your day!

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of Duchess Material.

I enjoyed this book. I liked that Phoebe and Will had more to tie them together as they tried to find her student. It made the book have more personality and appeal. I would recommend to anyone looking for a little bit more from their historical romance fix.

What a perfect blend of Victorian romance and mystery! I thoroughly enjoyed watching the character growth of both Will and Phoebe unfold throughout the story. Their childhood crushes blossoming into something deeper years later was a delight to witness, adding a wonderful layer of nostalgia to the romance. The mystery aspect kept me engaged as well, bringing tension and intrigue to the plot. Overall, it was a beautifully written story with well-developed characters and a charming romance that made for an enjoyable read from start to finish!

This was a slow-paced historical with lots of pining and a sprinkle of mystery. If you enjoy historicals where the heroine is more independent than this is the book for you. She has no need for marriage so her romance with Will develops purely because they both have feelings. I enjoyed the banter and the pining. I also enjoyed the unique premise. It's not often when the heroine has a job of her own but I really loved that she had a life where she was fulfilled and just happened to also love Will. There's a mystery element of this book as well and I had a good time watching them work together as partners in crime to solve the mystery of her missing student. If you're a fan of Evie Dunmore's historicals I think this will most likely be your type of historical.

Thanks to NetGalley for this arc! I really enjoyed this book. It was a fun, easy read with really likeable main characters (and side characters — I’m really invested in Phoebe’s sisters now).

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Emily Sullivan for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Duchess Material coming out November 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really love Victorian Era novels. I thought this book was really interesting. I enjoyed that it was part mystery and part romance. I really enjoyed William’s character. Some of the tropes have been done before. I’ve read a lot of Victorian books. But overall, I really enjoyed it. I would read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Victorian books!