I really enjoy Grace Burrowes' historical novels, and this one featured the family I've fallen in love with--the Windhams. This latest in the series features one of the Windham sisters. Megan, was a smart, sweet heroine battling against not only societal pressures but her family as well. She didn't really want to get married to the man her family was pushing on her--but she was caught between a rock and a hard place. Sir Fletcher, her erstwhile suitor, was blackmailing her with some very incriminating letters that--if exposed to society--would certainly ruin her reputation.

Hamish McHugh was a former Scottish soldier who'd earned the sobriquet the Duke of Murder because of a terrible incident on the battlefield. An unexpected but not desired Dukedom is suddenly handed down to him and initially, he's disposed to refuse it. Cooler heads prevailed (his two sisters), and suddenly, they've all got to travel to London to take care of the legalities and for his sisters to have a Season.

Hamish is already inclined to dislike society because of the English "gentlemen" he'd met while serving and because of his normally taciturn nature. Add to that being known as the Duke of Murder? He can hardly abide it. Luckily, he finds among his sister's newest friends an attractive and able companion who can guide him through the morass of the English nobility.

At first, his ignores his attraction to her, but when it appears that Megan needs help, his protective nature rears its head and he's caught up in actions that could jeopardize everything.

Megan is attracted to Hamish but fears that she doesn't have a choice. She can't let Sir Fletcher ruin her family so what other choices does she have?

Lush and intoxicating, the romance between the misunderstood Duke and the Windham that tames him is multi-layered and hard to resist. If you enjoy historicals with romantic suspense thrown alongside a pair of lovers finding love in spite of their problems, this book is for you. You'll cheer them on and hope that love will save the day! For readers who are new to Burrows and The Windhams, this book works well as a standalone. I would always encourage that you read the previous ones-they're well worth it! Enjoy!

I liked this one, but it wasn't my favorite. I gave it a 3/5 stars on Goodreads. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced readers copy.

The Trouble with Dukes is the first in a series, and like I mentioned I did like it. I love series so I will defiantly read the second one. This book features lovely Megan Windham and the gruff Hamish MacHugh, a brand new Duke.

Megan has found herself in a courtship with a vile man and she doesn't know how to get out of it. Instead of confiding in one of the many protective Windham men she turns to Hamish. Despite his desire to distance himself from Megan he finds himself drawn to her sunny personality and a love match is born. Together they find a way out of trouble and end up together.

All of my favorite components of a good romance story are present in the book, and I did like the characters. It's hard for me to put my finger on why I didn't like this book as much as some others, but I think it has a little something to do with the writing. There were times when the story didn't flow as nicely as others. Also, the language wasn't natural when characters were talking to each other at times. Sometimes when Megan was talking to Hamish it seemed more like she was talking to herself, or that it was a little forced.

Overall a good first story of a series...I look forward to seeing what else the series leads too.

Returning to the world of the Windham Family was a heartwarming reunion for me. Grace Burrowes’ Windham series and spin-offs has delighted me for many years now. I was thrilled to see there will be stories for some lady cousins needing romance and all the Windhams are back at the matchmaking.

While this is the first in a series, it is very much attached to the greater and older Windham series. A new reader will sense very much that they have stumbled into an ongoing family saga even while getting new players on the scene in the form of the new lady Windham cousins and their heroes. This story also had gentle ties with the Captive Hearts series book, The Traitor.

The story opens with frustrated Hamish MacHugh learning that instead of living quietly on the family estate in Scotland and healing the wounds of war, he has now inherited a ducal title and all that goes with it. Due to his notorious reputation on the battlefield and his own less than polished persona, he is known as the Duke of Murder in London Society. Hamish tolerates the high society rules and their Season for the sake of his sisters and encounters a sweet lady who respects and appreciates him just the way he is. Though Hamish feels attraction for Megan and he most certainly will do what he can to extricate her from the coils of her blackmailer, he will not let her tie herself to the likes of him.

Megan is not unaware of the machinations of her Windham family to find her and her sisters husbands this season. They all, but have her engaged to an eligible gentleman, but what they don’t know is that his public face does not match the evil man who holds her foolish girlish love letters over her head so he can wed her for the money that will keep him out of trouble with all those he

owes. She is shamed and tells know one until she shares them with the gruff and equally secretly troubled Hamish. Hamish is so honest and kind that he’s a breath of fresh air, but he feels he must deny them both because of his struggles from his time at war.

But with the help of her cunning family and Hamish’s brother, they might just help Megan make a match of it yet.

As I said earlier, this one is a new series, but not a new world. I loved encountering the delightful Duke and Duchess and many of their Windham children while being introduced with the cousins. Megan and her three sisters are all unique. Megan made a mistake falling for a cad who used her girlish innocence to force her into a courtship that she does not want. I loved seeing her help Hamish get past his guilt and struggles and him show her she is beautiful and more than her past.

The blend of historical elements, humor, family, and romance was well-done.

Incidentally, the family charts tying the characters in with book titles at the beginning were very helpful to keep everyone in the Windham world sorted.

The plot divides between family reunion, character growth for Megan and Hamish, and the slow burn passionate romance. I also enjoyed the hints to what is to come with the rest of the series. All in all, it was a good start and I was delighted from cover to cover.

My thanks to Forever for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Available now: The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes

****3/5 starsgburrowes-troublewithdukes

Another Scottish-English romance from Grace Burrowes, you'll like The Trouble with Dukes.

Recommended readers:

If you like Scottish romances.
If you like historical romances.
Here's my Rankings:

3/5 for characters
3.5/5 for plot
3/5 overall
Note: 2/5 some steaminess
REVIEW FROM BOOKS FOR HER:

A rumored violent war history and Scottish manners make the London Season something Hamish MacHugh would rather avoid, but he's sticking around for his sisters' sake. And Megan Windham sees more than an ominous war hero in him. While Hamish fights the battle of London's society, Megan has her own battles to fight. The Trouble with Dukes is an enjoyable read, and it's obvious that Grace Burrowes has many great novels up her sleeve. She's a must-read for any historical romance fan. Make sure you add The Trouble with Dukes to your historical romance reading list.

Available now: The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes

This was my first glimpse into the Windham family and I loved it. A big family full of Dukes, Duchesses and other titled people who are fiercely protective of each other, the women are encouraged to follow their hearts and lots of fun times to be had.
This particular story is about Megan Windham and her Scottish love Hamish who has recently come into a title and is trying to keep an eye on his siblings who bring their own mischief.
Just when things seem to be working out for Megan and Hamish, a pesky and shallow Sir Fletcher shows up, trying to get Megan's money and generally be a spoiled bully. these two unlikely people won't give up their possible future without a fight and Sir Fletcher has no idea just how bad of an idea it is to anger a Windham.
Full of humor, love, the power of family, mystery and a couple Scottish men in kilts, it was a pleasure to read this book. I can't wait to start from the beginning with the Windham family and see what kind of mischief they get up to!