Duchess Material

When I read Emily Sullivan’s League of Scoundrels series, I knew I had found another auto buy author. She’s such a fantastic storyteller, and I adore her swoon-worthy historical romances. Duchess Material is no exception. It’s a wonderful friends-to-lovers romance with great characters, amazing banter, and a sexy and touching love story.

The story follows childhood friends and neighbors Phoebe and Will who haven’t really connected in years since Will unexpectedly inherited the dukedom. Will has spent a decade trying to be the perfect Duke, and now he must find his perfect duchess. Phoebe is a teacher at a school for girls, and though she has loved Will since she was a child, she knows she isn’t duchess material and would never want to give up her hard-won independence. However, fate and love might have other plans.

I adore Phoebe and Will! They are both dynamically developed characters with interesting stories, and their connection is lovely. They’ve known each other for so long, and their lives are very much entwined even though they haven’t seen much of each other in years. Phoebe has always held a torch for Will, and Will has always had a soft spot for Phoebe, though I don’t think he really realized how deep his feelings were.

Now older and more sure of themselves, Phoebe and Will grow closer as he helps her with a mystery regarding her missing student. The chemistry between Will and Phoebe is fantastic, and though there’s a lot keeping them apart, I so wanted them to find a way to be together! Will puts a lot of pressure on himself to be the perfect Duke, which means he must choose a wife that fits the expectations of society. This is definitely not Phoebe, who lives on the fringes of the ton and cherishes her life and autonomy. It’s interesting to see how they work through all of the obstacles that stand in their way. Their story is romantic and complicated and sexy, and though their lives are very different, they complement each other well. I love how Phoebe challenges Will and brings him out of his comfort zone. She is a good influence, and she definitely makes him take a hard look at himself, his future, and what kind of mark he wants to leave. And the way Will feels about Phoebe is so wonderful. It’s pretty clear he’s always loved her, though it takes him a while to realize the depth of his feelings.

The story includes an intriguing mystery, as Phoebe relentlessly searches for a missing student. Her investigation takes some dangerous turns, and she finds herself in trouble more than once. Luckily, she has Will on her side. Their search brings to light some of the hypocrisy of the ton, as well as the inequities between classes and genders. I really like how Sullivan sheds light on many of the issues that plagued women and the different classes during this time.

The story also highlights the strength and perseverance of women despite the limitations and restrictions they faced. Characters like Phoebe, who moved out of her family home to work and live independently, Phoebe’s sister, who is trying to prove herself in business with her father, the headmistress at Phoebe's school, who forged her own path years ago, and the woman who helps Phoebe locate her student all face patriarchal prejudices and challenges, yet they never stop fighting for what they want and what they believe in.

I flew through this story! It was so engrossing, and I adored the characters and love story. I can’t wait to see which sister will be the focus of the next book. They're all so different, and I have a feeling their stories will be just as swoontastic as Phoebe's. Special thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Duchess Material is an incredibly swoony, achingly heartfelt and deeply memorable. I love everything Emily writes!!

This book swept me off my feet with its enchanting mix of romance and intrigue! Phoebe Atkinson’s fiercely independent spirit and her unexpected plea for help from the Duke of Ellis create an irresistible tension that had me hooked. The dynamic between Phoebe and William Margrave is filled with emotional depth and crackling chemistry; watching their relationship evolve from strained to deeply passionate is a joy. The blend of mystery surrounding the missing pupil and the genuine, heartfelt moments between them make this story both thrilling and deeply satisfying. I will definitely be reading and recommending more from this author.