A vicar's sister....

Ophelia Stowe is determined to find a priceless church chalice to keep her beloved, deceased brother's name pristine. She dressed as a man to ask Hurst a favor. For the second time, Hurst turns her down. The first time was when her brother asked him to wed her in a letter, the second time when she dressed as a man to ask him to help her look for the stolen chalice. Sure, they could have hired a Bow Street Runner, but her plan was better. She's brave, honest and fearless. Hurst isn't the brightest of men. He's somehow looking to wed for love and can't see it when it repeatedly hits him in the face. He turns down Ophelia multiple times and just will not help her, always finding excuses. But Ophelia is worth the read. 5 stars for her. Maybe 4 for Hurst, who is a contradiction of childhood trauma and wanting to wed for love and not recognizing her when she shows up on his doorstep. Multiple times.

This book was a good read for me, though I admit I had to break it up into chunks. The intro of the marriage of convenience plot point was a tiny bit shaky, but Ophelia and the Duke's quirky-yet-charming interactions throughout the rest of the book more than made up for it. Hurst also grew on me the further into the story I got. Their search for the Chalice really brought out the chemistry between the two and the end was tied up nice and neat.

In this Historical Romance, Ophelia is trying to solve a mystery to save her deceased brother's reputation. At first she enlists the help of Hurst, a Duke who was her brother's childhood friend. When he refuses to help, Ophelia embarks on a risky venture to solve the mystery of who stole the Chalice from her brother's parsonage. Why is this plot so unnecessarily convoluted? Of course Ophelia gets caught multiple times by Hurst as she keeps sneaking into other nobles' libraries searching for the chalice. Hurst immediately finds her attractive even if he disagrees with everything she's doing. I normally am ok with a bonkers plot if the characters have chemistry, but these characters have pretty mediocre chemistry. They bicker a lot without much fire. And there is a little kissing before their marriage. I know it's personal preference, but I enjoy a little more flirting, banter, and steam in a Historical Romance. Still, this is an easy read. If you like a little mystery thrown in with your history, this might do the trick for you.

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really love these trilogies. Over the course of the series you not only meet new delightful people but get to visit with the ones you already know. Amelia Grey’s stories are the best, with a captivating premise in each one. And a lot of humor. And a lot – I mean a lot – of steam.

Love, the Duke is the third and final book in the Say I Do series about dukes who are perfectly happy being single (or so they think) but suddenly realize it’s time to wed for one reason or another: save their title or property, secure their wealth, ensure an heir . . . . The Duke of Hurstbourne is the last of the three friends who now finds himself in need of a wife. Wyatt and Rick are happily – sappily – married but Hurst has held out. All those balls, all those young ladies of the ton . . . it all just leaves him cold. He is such a romantic that he will capture your heart right away. He’s always believed that the woman he marries will be “the one.” And that he’ll know it the minute he lays eyes on her. He didn’t just want a lady he could live with. He wanted the one lady he couldn’t live without, and he had to believe he would know her when he saw her. Makes you swoon, right?

Well, that provides the first humorous encounter, because when he meets Ophelia Stowe she is dressed as a man, and his brain is a little confused about the little tingle and instant something he feels. It’s not so funny to Ophelia, however. Her brother was a childhood friend of Hurst’s who while terminally ill sent Hurst a letter requesting he marry his sister. Still holding on to “I’ll know her when I see her” he declines. After Winston Stowe, who was a clergyman, dies a priceless artifact goes missing. Having what she believes are a couple of good clues and fearing her brother’s memory will be tarnished Ophelia decides to search all the book rooms of London’s rich men. She approaches Hurst to enlist his help. Only then does he realize her connection to Winston, but she’s not there for marriage; she’s there for detective work. He is appalled at her disguise and totally against her plan.

Remember this is the Regency Era they are living in. It’s hard to imagine how many rules there are preventing women from doing anything independent. A single woman could not go to a man’s home unescorted, hence the costume. And if she is caught snooping in a titled man’s house for that relic, whether dressed as a woman or a man, there will be severe consequences. She didn’t even know about her brother’s letter until after his death, so she’s not interested in snagging a husband; she just wants to return that stolen vessel.

What follows is a charming story of action, mystery, intrigue, whodunit and two people so attracted to each other you chuckle and swoon whenever they are together. The attraction is strong; so is the frustration. He’s a man and he’s a duke – what more does he need to get his way? But she’s a strong-willed woman determined to find that relic and save her brother’s legacy, even if her heart beats wildly every time she looks into those vivid green eyes of his.

They are perfect together. He soon comes to the conclusion that he can’t beat her so he must join her – to keep her safe, of course. It’s not because he’s drawn to her like a magnet. And those magnetic scenes? Wow, sexy, swoony, scorching. Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of Love, The Duke via NetGalley. It was so much fun to catch up with Wyatt and Fredericka and Rick and Edwina, to get to know Hurst and Ophelia and the rest of their families, and to enjoy the absurdity of the ton and all those rules. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and series and recommend it without hesitation. I am sorry to see the Dukes’ stories end but I know author Amelia Grey will have something equally satisfying soon.

Love, The Duke by Amelia Grey, book three in the Say I Do series, is a charming and entertaining heartwarming, lighthearted historical romance novel. Each chapter begins with a tidbit from Man’s Practical Guide to Apprehending a Thief by Sir Bently Ashton Ullingswick, which plays into the story.

Drake Kingsley, Duke of Hurstbourne, The duke of Hurstbourne, Hurst receives a letter from his childhood best friend, Winston asking him to marry his little sister. He had not heard or seen him in a long time. Winston is ill and wants to be sure his mother and sister are taken care of. He saved Hurst life and was promised by him he would help him anytime he needed him too. He declines, planning to visit him after keeping the plans already made. After he returns home his is told he has a gentleman visitor who must see him. When he meets the gentleman, he knows it is a woman disguised as a man. He is surprised to discover she is Winston’s little sister, who has grown into a lovely lady.

Ophelia Stowe informs the duke that a priceless Chalice is missing from her brother's church, and she must find it before the new Vicar shows up. If not her brother's name and reputation will be ruined, alone with hers and her mothers. Hurst refuses to help her, telling her that her plan will not work as she will get caught or worse. Ophelia informs the duke that he broke his promise to her brother and was too late to see him as he passed, shortly away after writing the letter to him. Feeling shameful, Hurst plans to watch over Ophelia; trying to keep her out of trouble. Ophelia is not only stubborn, but very independent, headstrong, and defiant.

Despite all the arguments over finding the Chalice, Hurst finds himself attracted to Ophelia. Though he refused to help her search the missing relic, he offers a marriage of convenience; trying to control Ophelia’s reckless search. Ophelia is frustrated as she needs to recover the chalice before the new vicar takes over. She will do all that is in her power to locate it; even if it puts her in danger.

There is a lot of, a slow burning desire growing between them.

Hurst and Ophelia were a lovely couple; their disagreements were entertaining as were their loving moments. Though there were many misunderstandings, each having strong feelings, there was still a strong attraction between them. This wonderful, fun and suspenseful read, had numerous twists and turns along their journey to find the Chalice and a forever together. I’m sad to see this series end, as I’ve enjoyed all three books, but this was a lovely way to end it.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #LoveTheDuke

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, steamy, action-packed and held my interest. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.

This is the third and final story in the I Do series. The Duke of Hurstbourne has gone on a hunting trip with his two best friends when he received a letter from his childhood friend asking him to marry his sister Ophelia as he was very ill. Hurst response to him was to decline as he wanted to marry for love not someone he didn’t even know. What he didn’t know was finding out a short time later that his friend had passed away. How he found out was from Ophelia who came to his house looking for help dressed as a man. The good name of her brother was at stake after a very valuable antique chalice was stolen from the church which he was vicar. She is determined to find it before the new vicar arrives and finds it missing. Of course, he knew she wasn’t a man from the start and offered to help her but his way. She stubbornly wanted to do it her way by sneaking into the book rooms of the titled in London. She had a few things to go on from her maid but nothing substantial. The duke fell in love with her from the first time he saw her and when they both felt sparks, he asked her to marry him. Of course, she said she would after thinking it over with a few conditions of her own. With the help of his friends and the Dower Duchess, they fine who they think if the culprit, they just need to find proof. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.

Never have met a more headstrong FMC, Ophelia is on the hunt for a thief to clear her deceased brother’s name. Drake, Duke of Hurstborne refused his friends’ attempt to marry his sister, Ophelia, via a letter and she shows up to his doorstep dressed in men’s clothing. I was fully entertained with Ophelia and Hurst budding heads and flailing for each other.

This was a light (if maybe too light) easy historical romance. Although the third in a series, can absolutely be read as a standalone.

When the Duke of Hurstbourne receives a letter from an old friend asking for a favor, he declines and sets it from his mind. Ophelia Stowe, the old friends sister, is determined to find a stolen religious object in London to prove that her brother didn't steal it. The Duke wants to help her and along the way falls in love with her, and she him. HEA stories are the best and it's nice seeing all the different ways authors get couples together in them. This is a great series and I don't know if there will be more or not, but it would be great if there were.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

The Duke of Hurstbourne declines a request from a dying friend to marry his sister but it comes back to haunt him when Ophelia shows up in front of his desk dressed as a man. Ophelia believes she had no choice but to speak with the duke privately because she needs his help recovering a family artifact that has gone missing. He offers to help her through a marriage of convenience. This will provide cover for her investigation. This of course leads to a very inconvenient passion between them. A fun read full of mystery, humor, and the requisite HEA

So much chemistry in this romance. The duke’s transformation from cautious, even aloof, to an engaging, romantic hero…swoonworthy. Intriguing plot kept me turning pages that left me with a happy heart. Author Amelia Grey is a talented storyteller who I can easily recommend.

This is a beautifully crafted, entertaining, well written historical romance that was full of witty banter, humor, passion, stolen kisses, desire, love and adventure!

This is Drake Cheston Kingsley, Duke of Hurstbourne, and Miss Ophelia Stowe’s journey and it was a captivating and breathtaking story that I didn’t want to end.

Hurst being the only eligible duke in all of England, has had fathers, brothers, uncles, as well as strangers approaching him with promises of lucrative dowries in exchange for marrying their daughters.

But he wasn’t willing to settle for just any lady he could live with. Hurst wanted the one lady he couldn’t live without, and he always believed he would know her when he saw her.

Miss Ophelia Stowe was desperate for his help the night she showed up at the Duke of Hurstborne’s home, dressed as a man. The Duke was the same man who her brother had written to on his death bed, requesting him to marry her as payment for saving his life.

Now she needed his help so that her brother Winston’s impeccable name and legacy wouldn’t be tarnished forever with the priceless chalice missing and time was of the essence!

“I want you to help me find the chalice and return it to the church before anyone knows it is missing.“

These two were perfect for each other. The banter was snarky, witty and engaging, their sensual awareness between them was palpable. From their first encounter they had me giddy, smiling and swooning as they charmed their way into my heart and soul. This story has it all and it was a fantastic ending to this series!

I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

Drake Cheston Kingsley, the Duke of Hurstbourne is 31 yrs old and looking to settle down. When Hurst receives a letter from his old friend friend and neighbor Winston Stowe asking for him to marry his sister Ophelia Stowe, Hurst refuses. Call him old-fashioned but he believes in love at first sight and wants to find his bride the regular way.

Ophelia realizes that she must take drastic measures because of the famous Chatham chalice that is missing from her deceased brother's church where he was the Vicar. She decides to dress up as a man and confront the Duke. When Ophelia shows up at Hurst's house dressed as a man he immediately realizes that this person is female and is very intrigued. When he realizes who Ophelia is Hurst starts having a lot of fun. Ophelia wants his help in finding the chalice but because of things from his past, Hurst refuses. Ophelia has been reading The Man's Practical Guide to Apprehending a Thief and has a plan to look in people of the tons book rooms. Of course the first house party that Ophelia starts looking in the book room for the chalice, Hurst finds her. He's drawn to her and doesn't want her to to get caught. As more parties keep happening, the more book rooms that Ophelia searches. When Hurst is at his last straw, he makes a proposition to Ophelia.....marry him, and then he can protect her if she is to get caught. Ophelia thinks it over and then agrees.

After the wedding the real fun starts to begin. Hurst and Ophelia are enjoying married life and are also getting closer to finding the thief. Just when the truth comes out and they find the chalice, everything comes crashing down. Luckily, the right person was there at the right time and everything ends up as it should.

I really enjoyed this series. Hurst was reluctant to take over the Dukedom but in the end it fitted him perfectly. He may have been a Duke but was a really sweet guy. I loved how he was with Ophelia. I also liked how feisty Ophelia was. She brought such fun to the story. Overall this was a great end to the series.

This was a very entertaining read by one of my favorite authors. Ms Grey writes such heartfelt and cute story that held my interest from the start and never let go. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own.
When the Duke of Hurstbourne receives a letter his childhood friend is dying and would like him to marry his sister, well he declines. Hurst doesn't feel he should marry someone that he hasn't met.
When his deceased friends sister Ophelia arrives at his home, she says that her late brother is been labeled a thief who stole a chalice. She doesn't believe the accusation and needs the Duke's help in finding the real person.
Ophelia and Hurst have some sleuthing to do among people who were interested in the chalice. They are a logger heads in how to go about the business of interrogating those who seem suspect.
I felt this was a bit slow in the romance department, but it got better towards the half way mark which made for a hot romance.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

The last of a trio of friends, all Dukes, to find his happily ever after. Hurst, The Duke of Hurstbourne, is a practical level-headed man whose romantic side believes he will know the one lady meant for him the moment he meets her. When his childhood friend writes to him asking Hurst to marry his sister Hurst doesn't want to perhaps miss out on meeting that one special lady and says no. Winston is ill, Hurst writes back his refusal but says he'll come & visit soon. He doesn't and Winston passes away. Hurst does manage to show some regret at not going straight to see his old friend but I don't think enough. He's a Duke & Dukes are busy doing Duke things is his excuse. The sister in question, Ophelia, shows up in London to ask the Duke for help in keeping her brother's legacy and memory untarnished. She's a vicar's daughter and sister so very quiet, determined and not very likable in the usual romantic heroine way. Her devotion to her late brother is commendable and I like the way she won't be deterred from her mission. Hurst has refused to help her and spends a lot of time trying to stop her before he finally gets with the program and does something useful. He finally realizes his attraction to Ophelia is what he's been waiting to feel, it's not just lust but actually love. It takes a while for both characters to do more than moon over the other. This couple are fine but I didn't find them adorable or awe inspiring or want to read the book again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Hurst , the Duke of Hurstbourne, gets a surprising plea from a sick childhood friend to marry his sister. While knowing this friend and his family quite well as a child, life had separated them and marrying sight unseen was something Hurst wanted to avoid. To bad he didn’t realize what he was turning down. I received an advanced reader copy of this book for free from NetGalley and the author and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts are my own.
This is a soft, opposites attract, historical romance with plenty of quirky humor. Hurst did not grow up knowing he was going to be a Duke and tries to be the total opposite of his wastrel father ( aka be dull and serious) but a shocking introduction to his childhood friend’s sister (Ophelia) has him ready to tear his hair out. Trying to save her deceased brother’s honor, Ophelia is desperate to solve the problem of a missing artifact, turning to Hurst for assistance and when he turns her down she decides to take matters into her own hands. And while the daughter and sister not a priest, she is far from demure and “quiet.” Pretty soon Hurst realizes a little adventure is maybe what he’s been missing this whole time.
This is the third book in the series about the duke friends, with appearances by previous characters featured in this book as well, however it can easily be read as a stand alone without any difficulty following along. I loved the fact that Ophelia is not a simpering and vacant doll (like many females of her time period are depicted as), but educated, with a heart of gold, and ready to do anything for family. The way she turns the dukes staid life upside down is filled with many hilarious shenanigans, and having him fall first is perfect. There is a bit of a mystery that the two are trying to solve , but the relationship between the two is the main focus. Like a typical soft historical romance the spice level is minimal but the chemistry is strong and the flow in the relationship is perfect for the story.
This is a nice quick read with strong male and female leads and a good blend of sweetness, humor and intrigue. 4.5 stars

Reluctant to marry.

The last thing Drake Cheston Kingsley, Duke of Hurstbourne, expected to be faced with after a long trip to the private hunting box where he was to meet his friends since their school days, the Duke of Stonerick and the Duke of Wyatthaven, was a missive from an old childhood friend whose ill, Winston Stowe.
Around a year later he’s entirely unprepared to contend with was a truculent young woman dressed as a man who’s inveigled her way into his home. He comes face to face with Ophelia Stowe. Hurst had already twigged she was a woman but he’s rather surprised by her admission. He’s further surprised when she declares she wants his help to find a valuable artefact, a chalice, stolen from her brother Winston’s church.
Ophelia and her mother haven’t told anyone in the hope they can track it down. They don’t want Winston’s memory to be besmirched over the chalice’s disappearance.
A great beginning, with Ophelia testing Hurst’s patience every step of the way in her dogged search for the chalice.
The attraction they feel for each other grows. However, Hurst and Ophelia have a long way to go before they fully trust each other. The ending, whilst lovely, dwindled somewhat. The initial punch of the story faded into sweet understandings.
Still, an interesting finale to this series.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

📖 Title: Love, The Duke -Book#3 Say I Do trilogy

✍🏾 Author: Amelia Grey- I read Sincerely, The Duke and gave it 5 ⭐

📅Publication date: 4-1- 25 | Read 3-29-25

📃 Format: eBook 304 pgs.

Genre:
*Historical Romance
*Mystery

Tropes:
*marriage of convenience
*secret identity
*amateur sleuth
*instant attraction

👆🏾POV: 3rd person dual

⚠️TW: misogyny, death of a sibling, h is a virgin

🌎 Setting: England

Summary: A missing relic-the Chatham's chalice- would ruin vicar Winston's legacy and reputation as a thief. Winston writes Hurst and asks him to marry his sister Ophelia. She wants Hurst to help her find the artifact by sneaking into the book rooms of his peers.


👩🏾 Heroine: Ophelia Stowe-20, uses a book called Man's Practical Guide to Apprehending a Thief

👨🏾 Hero: Duke of Hurstbourne/Drake Cheston Kinglsey "Hurst" -29, was best friends with Winston when they were 10 years old.

🎭 Other Characters:

* Rick (Edwina-his wife) + Wyatt (Fredricka-his wife)- Hurst's married friends who own The Brass Deck club together
*Winston Stowe-an old friend to Hurst/Ophelia's brother
*Roberta Fawnsworth Stowe-Ophelia's mother
*Mrs. Turner-saw the man who stole the chalice
*William Halaway-Hurst's cousin
*Georgina Bristol-meets Ophelia, out for the Season


🤔 My Thoughts: I loved how determined Ophelia was to find the chalice in honor of her brother. Hurst was the perfect counterpart especially when Ophelia dressed up as a man. He didn't want her putting herself in danger, even following her on her adventures. This was a slow burn romance, but they were both instantly attracted.

Rating: 5/5 ✨
Spice level 4/5 🌶️

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Paperbacks, and Amelia Grey for this ARC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Love, The Duke is the third book in Amelia Grey’s Say I Do series and finds Drake Kingsley, the Duke of Hurstbourne, finally searching for a wife. He always believed he would know his duchess was the “woman for him” when he first saw her. So, when he was on a hunting trip and received a missive from a dying childhood friend asking him to marry his younger sister, Ophelia, of course he said no. He didn’t want to marry anyone sight-unseen. How would he know if she was “the one”? He did say he would pay his friend a visit when he returned. However, life happened when Hurst returned to London and his friend died before he paid the visit.

What ensued was a great mystery with Hurst helping Ophelia find an ancient relic before it was found missing from her late brother’s church. I loved the immediate, and undeniable, attraction between Hurst and Ophelia. Yes, both characters were stubborn and infuriating in their own ways. I loved Hurst’s conviction that he would know his duchess at first sight. I loved that Ophelia wasn’t the proper lady he originally thought he would marry. The joy of the book was watching them work to overcome those obstacles and find their HEA.

There were fantastic cameos of Wyatt and Rick, the Dukes from the prior books in the series. I wish their wives had bigger roles here as I think they would have been a huge support for Ophelia in her plight to find the relic.

The lovely story and terrific banter between all the characters made the book an enjoyable read. The book can be read as a standalone. If you’ve read the first two books in the series, you will enjoy the conclusion. I want to thank Amelia Grey, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, for an Advanced Reader Copy. I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.