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Rogues to Riches #1
My One and Only Duke
Listening Length: 10 hours, 16 minutes
From a New York Times best-selling author and one of "the very best in today's regency romance" (Elizabeth Hoyt) comes the story of the unconventional Wentworth family in this charming new series with a Cinderella twist.
A funny thing happened on the way to the gallows... One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.
There was just one tiny problem... Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.
They were wrong. He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?
Also includes the bonus novella Once Upon a Christmas Eve from New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
When his carriage wheel snaps in a snowstorm, Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, is forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.
From a New York Times best-selling author and one of "the very best in today's regency romance" (Elizabeth Hoyt) comes the story of the unconventional Wentworth family in this charming new series with a Cinderella twist.
A funny thing happened on the way to the gallows... One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.
There was just one tiny problem... Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.
They were wrong. He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?
Also includes the bonus novella Once Upon a Christmas Eve from New York Times best-selling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
When his carriage wheel snaps in a snowstorm, Adam Rutledge, Viscount d'Arque, is forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he's ever met.
Audible Audio
First published November 5, 2018
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About the author
Grace Burrowes
182 books2,893 followersGrace Burrowes started writing as an antidote to empty nest and soon found it an antidote to life in general. She is the sixth out of seven children, raised in the rural surrounds of central Pennsylvania. Early in life she spent a lot of time reading romance novels and practicing the piano. Her first career was as a technical writer and editor in the Washington, DC, area, a busy job that nonetheless left enough time to read a lot of romance novels.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
It also left enough time to grab a law degree through an evening program, produce Beloved Offspring (only one, but she is a lion), and eventually move to the lovely Maryland countryside.
While reading yet still more romance novels, Grace opened her own law practice, acquired a master's degree in Conflict Transformation (she had a teenage daughter by then) and started thinking about writing.... romance novels. This aim was realized when Beloved Offspring struck out into the Big World a few years ago. ("Mom, why doesn't anybody tell you being a grown-up is hard?")
Grace eventually got up the courage to start pitching her manuscripts to agents and editors. The query letter that resulted in "the call" started out: "I am the buffoon in the bar at the RWA retreat who could not keep her heroines straight, could not look you in the eye, and could not stop blushing--and if that doesn't narrow down the possibilities, your job is even harder than I thought." (The dear lady bought the book anyway.)
To contact Grace, email her at graceburrowes@yahoo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 595 reviews
December 22, 2021
I've been reading mostly historical romances this year because after 50 years of reading only mysteries I was getting tired of all the bodies in my library. Well damnme, if I didn't score My One and Only Duke from NetGalley and was shocked to find it started with a soon-to-come hanging of a man in Newgate prison.
Further shocks to my poor system when I realized the man to be hanged was none other than banker extraordinaire Quinn Wentworth. I first encountered Wentworth in My Own True Duchess and fell madly in crush with him. He was a secondary character but almost took over the book.
Quinn Wentworth is the most discreet man in London, the banker with the mysterious painful past, the odd family, and evidently not much future until he is rescued from the noose and proclaimed the Duke of Walden.
How did he come to such a sorry pass? When the noose is put around his neck he is a common criminal, when the rope is cut from his neck he is a Duke. This is something Wentworth is determined to discover, especially the first part. Who wanted to ruin him and disgrace his family?
Meanwhile while in prison Quinn has acquired a few souvenirs; Jane Winston MacGowan, a pregnant widow and terribly mistreated daughter of a prison minister being the major acquisition. He marries her as a means of liberation from her father and as a way to give a future to her and the child. The new Duke also insists on exiting Newgate with a few pick pockets and whores. You can find family in the darndest places.
Speaking of family, Wentworth already has a doozy of a family waiting for him at home. His entire life has been spent protecting them. None of them are sure how to take the change in their circumstances. I'm pretty sure we will be hearing more about them in this new series-Rogues to Riches of which My One and Only Duke is a stellar start.
The new Duchess is wonderful. She is resilient, and determined to make the best of her new circumstances. This is easy for her because she finds herself falling in love with Quinn (who doesn't?).
So this is a strong love story, but it certainly isn't "hot" like most of Ms Burrowes earlier books. If this book was a menu in a Peter Chang restaurant this wouldn't even rate half a pepper.
This is a real mystery, a tightly plotted whodunnit. This sets the usual HR HEA formula totally on its head, with some terrific writing. I don’t think there is a character in My One and Only Duke who couldn’t carry their own story.
Don’t miss My One and Only Duke, it is way ahead of the pack of most HR books. Pay attention to the dedication of this book. Might explain the strengths exhibited in the writing, plotting and characters.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange of my fair and honest review.
Further shocks to my poor system when I realized the man to be hanged was none other than banker extraordinaire Quinn Wentworth. I first encountered Wentworth in My Own True Duchess and fell madly in crush with him. He was a secondary character but almost took over the book.
Quinn Wentworth is the most discreet man in London, the banker with the mysterious painful past, the odd family, and evidently not much future until he is rescued from the noose and proclaimed the Duke of Walden.
How did he come to such a sorry pass? When the noose is put around his neck he is a common criminal, when the rope is cut from his neck he is a Duke. This is something Wentworth is determined to discover, especially the first part. Who wanted to ruin him and disgrace his family?
Meanwhile while in prison Quinn has acquired a few souvenirs; Jane Winston MacGowan, a pregnant widow and terribly mistreated daughter of a prison minister being the major acquisition. He marries her as a means of liberation from her father and as a way to give a future to her and the child. The new Duke also insists on exiting Newgate with a few pick pockets and whores. You can find family in the darndest places.
Speaking of family, Wentworth already has a doozy of a family waiting for him at home. His entire life has been spent protecting them. None of them are sure how to take the change in their circumstances. I'm pretty sure we will be hearing more about them in this new series-Rogues to Riches of which My One and Only Duke is a stellar start.
The new Duchess is wonderful. She is resilient, and determined to make the best of her new circumstances. This is easy for her because she finds herself falling in love with Quinn (who doesn't?).
So this is a strong love story, but it certainly isn't "hot" like most of Ms Burrowes earlier books. If this book was a menu in a Peter Chang restaurant this wouldn't even rate half a pepper.
This is a real mystery, a tightly plotted whodunnit. This sets the usual HR HEA formula totally on its head, with some terrific writing. I don’t think there is a character in My One and Only Duke who couldn’t carry their own story.
Don’t miss My One and Only Duke, it is way ahead of the pack of most HR books. Pay attention to the dedication of this book. Might explain the strengths exhibited in the writing, plotting and characters.
Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange of my fair and honest review.
December 2, 2018
My One and Only Duke by Grace Burrowes is a 2018 Forever Romance publication.
A good mystery mingled with a wonderful and warm love story-
Quinn is in prison for a crime he did not commit. Jane, a minister’s daughter, visits him shortly before his execution date. From these visits Quinn learns that Jane is widowed, pregnant with her first child, and is under her father’s manipulative power. With nothing left to lose, Quinn offers to marry Jane, giving her independence, and the financial freedom to provide for her child. Seizing the opportunity, Jane agrees to the marriage. But, literally, at the very last minute, Quinn is saved from the gallows. He is immediately informed that he is the lost long heir to a dukedom! His good fortune also means he and Jane must now live together as husband and wife.
No matter how awkward it is, the couple has no choice but to make the best of the situation. However, before they can earnestly begin a life together, Quinn must discover who is out to destroy him, while protecting his family, which now includes Jane and her unborn child.
What a wonderful blend of mystery and romance! I love a mystery with intrigue, especially in a historical setting. This story has plenty of that, but intrigue shouldn’t be compared with other forms of mystery, because the pacing is usually slower, and the plot may take a little longer to develop. However, this one did move a little too slow at times, and the wrap up was a little frenetic. Still, the plot was still pretty smart and challenging, which is what I liked about it the most.
The romance also takes its time to develop, but I thought that made much more sense because, although this couple may have had a bit of chemistry working for them while Quinn was in prison, they were both stunned by Quinn’s last- minute reprieve.
While Quinn’ feelings deepen for Jane each day, his mind is preoccupied, leaving it to Jane to gently prod the relationship forward. After thinking about it, I think the slow burn was more realistic, although I do admit I did get frustrated with Quinn’s reticence, at times.
Jane’s bravery in facing her ‘new normal’ is admirable, as is her support of Quinn. The one area of weakness for Jane is the relationship she endures with her father, who continues to interfere in her life. With her new circumstances and the inner -strength she acquires, her character develops in the most wonderful of ways.
Overall, this variant on the rags to riches theme does move at a leisurely pace, but is an evenly balanced combination of an intriguing suspense and a tender love story.
I don’t know how I managed to lose track of Grace Burrowes over the past couple of years, but it has been a great pleasure to reconnect with her again.
4 stars
*This version of the book also includes ‘Once Upon a Christmas Eve’ a novella by Elizabeth Hoyt.
A good mystery mingled with a wonderful and warm love story-
Quinn is in prison for a crime he did not commit. Jane, a minister’s daughter, visits him shortly before his execution date. From these visits Quinn learns that Jane is widowed, pregnant with her first child, and is under her father’s manipulative power. With nothing left to lose, Quinn offers to marry Jane, giving her independence, and the financial freedom to provide for her child. Seizing the opportunity, Jane agrees to the marriage. But, literally, at the very last minute, Quinn is saved from the gallows. He is immediately informed that he is the lost long heir to a dukedom! His good fortune also means he and Jane must now live together as husband and wife.
No matter how awkward it is, the couple has no choice but to make the best of the situation. However, before they can earnestly begin a life together, Quinn must discover who is out to destroy him, while protecting his family, which now includes Jane and her unborn child.
What a wonderful blend of mystery and romance! I love a mystery with intrigue, especially in a historical setting. This story has plenty of that, but intrigue shouldn’t be compared with other forms of mystery, because the pacing is usually slower, and the plot may take a little longer to develop. However, this one did move a little too slow at times, and the wrap up was a little frenetic. Still, the plot was still pretty smart and challenging, which is what I liked about it the most.
The romance also takes its time to develop, but I thought that made much more sense because, although this couple may have had a bit of chemistry working for them while Quinn was in prison, they were both stunned by Quinn’s last- minute reprieve.
While Quinn’ feelings deepen for Jane each day, his mind is preoccupied, leaving it to Jane to gently prod the relationship forward. After thinking about it, I think the slow burn was more realistic, although I do admit I did get frustrated with Quinn’s reticence, at times.
Jane’s bravery in facing her ‘new normal’ is admirable, as is her support of Quinn. The one area of weakness for Jane is the relationship she endures with her father, who continues to interfere in her life. With her new circumstances and the inner -strength she acquires, her character develops in the most wonderful of ways.
Overall, this variant on the rags to riches theme does move at a leisurely pace, but is an evenly balanced combination of an intriguing suspense and a tender love story.
I don’t know how I managed to lose track of Grace Burrowes over the past couple of years, but it has been a great pleasure to reconnect with her again.
4 stars
*This version of the book also includes ‘Once Upon a Christmas Eve’ a novella by Elizabeth Hoyt.
November 9, 2018
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If the eyes were windows to the soul, Mr. Wentworth's soul was a bleak, silent moor under a gray December sky.
First in a new series and an introduction to the Wentworth family, My One and Only Duke, stars the oldest Wentworth, Quinn, and a minister's daughter Jane. This was a slow burn story from both accounts, the romance and mystery. The beginning with Quinn imprisoned in Newgate awaiting to be hung dueled with the investigators from the College of Arms as they searched for an heir to the Walden Dukedom. This gave the start of the story a suspenseful and tense back and forth as Quinn's time was running out and the investigators were closing in.
In the complicated economy of a prison, a returned bribe meant one of two things: Somebody else had paid a much bigger bribe, or had made a more effective threat.
The mystery is the engine that keeps the story going, but it does start to putter around midway through. There's a lot of talked about danger but even though Quinn has a good idea who he thinks is behind wanting him dead, his investigations are pretty slow to get to and it ends up feeling like no one is really doing anything as the focus seems to revert back to Jane and the household whenever someone goes off. The eventual wrap-up and reveal ended up feeling a tad convoluted tight as character connections, money, and motivations flew from everywhere; we also don't get to form much of a connection to the villain(s) and supposed villain(s).
Don't give me that Yorkshire growl, as if you'd tear me to pieces when I know you feed wild birds, marry stray widows, and work yourself half to death for your family. It won't wash, Quinn. You can intimidate every rolled-up title in Mayfair with that performance, but I know better.
The romance is that cherished Burrowes' hero and heroine connection that speaks of soulmates but also has some slow burn as they learn each other. Our heroine starts the book pregnant, she's a widow and our hero marries her to help her gain freedom from her zealot father, which kind of keeps her home bound. Jane was a wonderful showcase of growing into her own, standing up to father, and being the more emotionally courageous one in putting herself out there to connect with Quinn. We get a lot about the background of Quinn but his character still felt too blocked off to me. There was some seeing with the large amount of telling about Quinn and the Wentworth family but only a couple of the emotional connections filtered through for me; I felt stiff armed by Quinn for most of the story. Quinn was big-hearted stoic and Jane was emotionally courageous, which provided for some sexy scenes but if Quinn had been unveiled just a little more, their romance would have popped some more.
The daft woman like swiving him, liked touching him, liked talking with him. The touching was bad enough---Quinn well knew the danger of sweet touches---but the talking would be his doom.
The mystery was a bit slow and drawn out but I'm excited to read more about this family; a possible Althea, hero's sister, and Joshua, hero's business partner, romance has me intrigued and I absolutely demand Ned eventually gets his own book. This was more gentle and methodical, with some dry cheekiness from and between characters that will tickle your fancy. This was a solid start to a series that I'm looking forward to reading about each family member.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If the eyes were windows to the soul, Mr. Wentworth's soul was a bleak, silent moor under a gray December sky.
First in a new series and an introduction to the Wentworth family, My One and Only Duke, stars the oldest Wentworth, Quinn, and a minister's daughter Jane. This was a slow burn story from both accounts, the romance and mystery. The beginning with Quinn imprisoned in Newgate awaiting to be hung dueled with the investigators from the College of Arms as they searched for an heir to the Walden Dukedom. This gave the start of the story a suspenseful and tense back and forth as Quinn's time was running out and the investigators were closing in.
In the complicated economy of a prison, a returned bribe meant one of two things: Somebody else had paid a much bigger bribe, or had made a more effective threat.
The mystery is the engine that keeps the story going, but it does start to putter around midway through. There's a lot of talked about danger but even though Quinn has a good idea who he thinks is behind wanting him dead, his investigations are pretty slow to get to and it ends up feeling like no one is really doing anything as the focus seems to revert back to Jane and the household whenever someone goes off. The eventual wrap-up and reveal ended up feeling a tad convoluted tight as character connections, money, and motivations flew from everywhere; we also don't get to form much of a connection to the villain(s) and supposed villain(s).
Don't give me that Yorkshire growl, as if you'd tear me to pieces when I know you feed wild birds, marry stray widows, and work yourself half to death for your family. It won't wash, Quinn. You can intimidate every rolled-up title in Mayfair with that performance, but I know better.
The romance is that cherished Burrowes' hero and heroine connection that speaks of soulmates but also has some slow burn as they learn each other. Our heroine starts the book pregnant, she's a widow and our hero marries her to help her gain freedom from her zealot father, which kind of keeps her home bound. Jane was a wonderful showcase of growing into her own, standing up to father, and being the more emotionally courageous one in putting herself out there to connect with Quinn. We get a lot about the background of Quinn but his character still felt too blocked off to me. There was some seeing with the large amount of telling about Quinn and the Wentworth family but only a couple of the emotional connections filtered through for me; I felt stiff armed by Quinn for most of the story. Quinn was big-hearted stoic and Jane was emotionally courageous, which provided for some sexy scenes but if Quinn had been unveiled just a little more, their romance would have popped some more.
The daft woman like swiving him, liked touching him, liked talking with him. The touching was bad enough---Quinn well knew the danger of sweet touches---but the talking would be his doom.
The mystery was a bit slow and drawn out but I'm excited to read more about this family; a possible Althea, hero's sister, and Joshua, hero's business partner, romance has me intrigued and I absolutely demand Ned eventually gets his own book. This was more gentle and methodical, with some dry cheekiness from and between characters that will tickle your fancy. This was a solid start to a series that I'm looking forward to reading about each family member.
March 25, 2019
It was a slow road to love. Very slow.
A marriage of convenience for the heroine and the last act of kindnes by the hero. But it was not to be. The hero doesn't die, but is given a lofty title: Duke of Walden!
And so their marriage becomes real.
A a minister's daughter Jane becomes a duchess! Quinn becomes a duke, but he's a man who made his own fortune rising form the slum and he was wrongly convicted by somebody from his past who wants him dead.
Quinn wants revenge. Jane wants a life free of her father's clutches.
It was an interesting story. I like Jane more than Quinn who was too stubborn and didn't want to listen to anybody. Jane was much better. She understood and knew how to manage Quinn.
It would have bee much better if the way it was told was a little bit livelier, quicker. Sometimes the story dragged and I wanted to skip pages, but then I was lost because it jumped from one character to the other and I had to read carefully in order not to loose the thread.
I hope the next one in the serires will be better!
A marriage of convenience for the heroine and the last act of kindnes by the hero. But it was not to be. The hero doesn't die, but is given a lofty title: Duke of Walden!
And so their marriage becomes real.
A a minister's daughter Jane becomes a duchess! Quinn becomes a duke, but he's a man who made his own fortune rising form the slum and he was wrongly convicted by somebody from his past who wants him dead.
Quinn wants revenge. Jane wants a life free of her father's clutches.
It was an interesting story. I like Jane more than Quinn who was too stubborn and didn't want to listen to anybody. Jane was much better. She understood and knew how to manage Quinn.
It would have bee much better if the way it was told was a little bit livelier, quicker. Sometimes the story dragged and I wanted to skip pages, but then I was lost because it jumped from one character to the other and I had to read carefully in order not to loose the thread.
I hope the next one in the serires will be better!
November 13, 2021
I was on p194 of 442 really enjoying the book....BUT how can I read a 194 pages and still have no idea who the bad guy is....why Quinn was framed and just a smidge of his history. I needed more! Half way through the book there should have been a plot. I think it was a really good book that needed to be trimmed way down. The words and story kept my attention, but the payoff was long overdue.
December 29, 2018
Ms. Burrowes was an early favorite of mine when I first discovered historical romance and realized most of her books were available for check out at my local library. I binged her back catalog hard and the deeper I got, the more I realized that although the author purposefully links her stories, eventually (more so than other authors I've binged) they all start to sound and feel the same. With this in mind (or maybe it was after one to many Christmas anthologies), I took a prolonged Burrowes break.
When I received an early arc of My One and Only Duke, the start of her new Rogues to Riches series, I was wary, but hopeful a new series would see her breaking out of the close confines of the Wyndham family & taking on slightly different/darker subject matter. Hmm...she does and doesn't. It's a brand new family (the Wentworth's) featuring eccentric and clever siblings, a hero with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and a disturbing history of abject poverty and physical and emotional abuse...but it's all couched in rainbows and sunshine and happy endings and frankly, the style of writing doesn't fit the material.
Our hero, Quinn Wentworth, has had a hard life, but he's managed to rise above his origins to become a wealthy and powerful banker to London's elite. He's tough, honest, unsentimental and disciplined - in life and work. Unfortunately, someone has it out for him. When the story opens, he's imprisoned at Newgate, convicted of murder. He's forbidden his family from visiting him in prison and limited himself to contact with a small group of prisoners...but when his executioner catches a cold, his hanging is delayed.
During Quinn's brief reprieve, he meets Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, when she pops into his cell during one of her father's regular visits to the prison. The two form a bond - she can tell he's a good person despite the murder thing, and he guesses she's pregnant (everyone else somehow misses it) and he wants to help her (she's nice) - and so shortly before Quinn is to be executed, he offers to marry Jane and provide her with a comfortable living (away from her father) as a single mother/widower.
Oh reader. The whole thing is so rushed and ridiculous, but had potential (I did like these two together)...and then Quinn is suddenly free (oops!) and a duke (yep!) and married (surprise!) and focused on revenge and exhausted by his family and in love (when did this happen?) with his wife and blah, blah, blah. There are surprise twists, ridiculous plot contrivances, villains, odd non-sexy love scenes...and oops, it's all a big mess.
Jane and Quinn play at husband and wife whilst living amongst the eccentric and odd members of the Wentworth family. Jane is the perfect wife, Quinn is the perfect husband (except for his lying and deceitful behavior - but you're supposed to ignore that), and Jane's father is a complete asshole. No character is fully realized and their behaviors are out of sync with this revenge story? marriage of convenience story? redemption story? I'm still not sure. The eventual resolution of 'who set Quinn up' is completely predictable, and Quinn's actions afterwards totally out of character. Oh, the whole thing is just silly.
The author, unfortunately, spends so much time trying to be clever and witty (stylistically much like her previous novels) setting up the premise for the series, she completely forgets to tell an engaging or interesting story! The characters are flat, the story line is underdeveloped (and dull) and everything about it is so vague and awkward - including the abrupt PoV jumps between the principal pair; I struggled to get through it.
I wish this was the start of something great. It isn't.
When I received an early arc of My One and Only Duke, the start of her new Rogues to Riches series, I was wary, but hopeful a new series would see her breaking out of the close confines of the Wyndham family & taking on slightly different/darker subject matter. Hmm...she does and doesn't. It's a brand new family (the Wentworth's) featuring eccentric and clever siblings, a hero with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and a disturbing history of abject poverty and physical and emotional abuse...but it's all couched in rainbows and sunshine and happy endings and frankly, the style of writing doesn't fit the material.
Our hero, Quinn Wentworth, has had a hard life, but he's managed to rise above his origins to become a wealthy and powerful banker to London's elite. He's tough, honest, unsentimental and disciplined - in life and work. Unfortunately, someone has it out for him. When the story opens, he's imprisoned at Newgate, convicted of murder. He's forbidden his family from visiting him in prison and limited himself to contact with a small group of prisoners...but when his executioner catches a cold, his hanging is delayed.
During Quinn's brief reprieve, he meets Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, when she pops into his cell during one of her father's regular visits to the prison. The two form a bond - she can tell he's a good person despite the murder thing, and he guesses she's pregnant (everyone else somehow misses it) and he wants to help her (she's nice) - and so shortly before Quinn is to be executed, he offers to marry Jane and provide her with a comfortable living (away from her father) as a single mother/widower.
Oh reader. The whole thing is so rushed and ridiculous, but had potential (I did like these two together)...and then Quinn is suddenly free (oops!) and a duke (yep!) and married (surprise!) and focused on revenge and exhausted by his family and in love (when did this happen?) with his wife and blah, blah, blah. There are surprise twists, ridiculous plot contrivances, villains, odd non-sexy love scenes...and oops, it's all a big mess.
Jane and Quinn play at husband and wife whilst living amongst the eccentric and odd members of the Wentworth family. Jane is the perfect wife, Quinn is the perfect husband (except for his lying and deceitful behavior - but you're supposed to ignore that), and Jane's father is a complete asshole. No character is fully realized and their behaviors are out of sync with this revenge story? marriage of convenience story? redemption story? I'm still not sure. The eventual resolution of 'who set Quinn up' is completely predictable, and Quinn's actions afterwards totally out of character. Oh, the whole thing is just silly.
The author, unfortunately, spends so much time trying to be clever and witty (stylistically much like her previous novels) setting up the premise for the series, she completely forgets to tell an engaging or interesting story! The characters are flat, the story line is underdeveloped (and dull) and everything about it is so vague and awkward - including the abrupt PoV jumps between the principal pair; I struggled to get through it.
I wish this was the start of something great. It isn't.
December 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this, though I cringe at the detailed look of life in Newgate prison. Looking back it wasn't that much of the book, but it stands out in my memory like it was half. I loved both characters from the start, though, and that's in no small part due to the realities they face in that destitute place. I had a bit of a setback after Quinn got his reprieve, however. They were both so unfiltered and genuine in that prison and I loved that Quinn would step up to help her out by giving her his name and enough of his fortune to ensure that she and her child would be provided for. It was generous and said a lot about him that I found admirable.
Once out, though, real life intrudes and that closeness in the prison wanes. Exactly like it would, yes. I know that. But I still regretted seeing them pursue their goals separately for a while. And I need to be careful because it isn't anything like you're probably imagining where they blow up or are estranged or anything. It's just that they have differing views on how to handle their respective challenges and they start off by pursuing their own challenges the way they would have pre-marriage. I'm a huge softy at heart and think the whole point of love and marriage is being able to come together as a team and work issues out applying the strengths of both partners. So it's completely realistic for their inexperience and I love that they are learning to come together as a team, even as I was frustrated at some of the miscues.
That's the only thing keeping this from a full-on five stars. And it's totally a personal taste thing that it bugged me at all. The rest of the story is incredibly good, though, so the four stars is dead solid. I loved both their characters. I love that they learned from one another. And I love, love, loved that they end the story a believable team and force to be reckoned with. And some of their domestic interactions were extremely funny as an added bonus.
And this is where I point out that the rags to (titled) riches story is a complete fantasy at its core. Having the College of Arms discover in Quinn the heir to a dukedom three-years dormant (and with a sovereign anxious that someone not-him assume the associated debts) is unlikely. But it is possible and it's obvious Burrowes did her research so that at least the fabric of the falsehood holds together. And beyond that, she does an even better job making it a fundamental and true part of the characters and their story. It was remarkably well-done and so slick that I bought everything that followed completely so that the plot just flowed from that origin very well. Okay, I had a bit of a problem with the eventual reveal. The person at the bottom of everything turns out not to be terribly clever and they'd have had to be clever indeed to have achieved their initial success. But again, small quibble in a story I rather liked.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes, all post-marriage, of course, and they aren't terribly long, either. So this is the middle of my steam tolerance. They are, however, the least likely aspect of the story, all told, and I include the central fantasy of acquiring a dukedom in that assessment.
Once out, though, real life intrudes and that closeness in the prison wanes. Exactly like it would, yes. I know that. But I still regretted seeing them pursue their goals separately for a while. And I need to be careful because it isn't anything like you're probably imagining where they blow up or are estranged or anything. It's just that they have differing views on how to handle their respective challenges and they start off by pursuing their own challenges the way they would have pre-marriage. I'm a huge softy at heart and think the whole point of love and marriage is being able to come together as a team and work issues out applying the strengths of both partners. So it's completely realistic for their inexperience and I love that they are learning to come together as a team, even as I was frustrated at some of the miscues.
That's the only thing keeping this from a full-on five stars. And it's totally a personal taste thing that it bugged me at all. The rest of the story is incredibly good, though, so the four stars is dead solid. I loved both their characters. I love that they learned from one another. And I love, love, loved that they end the story a believable team and force to be reckoned with. And some of their domestic interactions were extremely funny as an added bonus.
And this is where I point out that the rags to (titled) riches story is a complete fantasy at its core. Having the College of Arms discover in Quinn the heir to a dukedom three-years dormant (and with a sovereign anxious that someone not-him assume the associated debts) is unlikely. But it is possible and it's obvious Burrowes did her research so that at least the fabric of the falsehood holds together. And beyond that, she does an even better job making it a fundamental and true part of the characters and their story. It was remarkably well-done and so slick that I bought everything that followed completely so that the plot just flowed from that origin very well. Okay, I had a bit of a problem with the eventual reveal. The person at the bottom of everything turns out not to be terribly clever and they'd have had to be clever indeed to have achieved their initial success. But again, small quibble in a story I rather liked.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes, all post-marriage, of course, and they aren't terribly long, either. So this is the middle of my steam tolerance. They are, however, the least likely aspect of the story, all told, and I include the central fantasy of acquiring a dukedom in that assessment.
March 5, 2019
Read this review and others on my blog!
I thought it wasn’t possible. I thought it was simply not meant to be.
But lo and behold, despite the fact that it’s February in Connecticut and we just suffered a snowstorm, in my heart doves are cooing, angels are singing, and double rainbows wreathe the sky.
Yes, as is only fitting for my Valentine’s Day post, I am happy to report that love is finally in the air—I have found a good romance novel. Let’s give credit where it’s due; Grace Burrowes was suggested to me by my mom and sister, and they have good taste. They knew exactly what I was talking about when I moaned that all the romance I’d ever tried was crap and that the writing quality got in the way of the falling-in-love bits.
And I promise, I will still read the stupid Phillips book, and I’ll even do my damnedest to do so with an open mind. But for now… in the present moment… let’s forget about that and focus on Grace Burrowes instead.
She can write! The dialogue is excellent, the characters interesting and natural-feeling. There was no jarring head-hopping, nor any stray details that vaulted me out of the nineteenth-century London setting. The narrative voice felt perfectly suited to the story; I frequently found myself looking up words in the dictionary, since hello, nineteenth-century London, but I didn’t have to do this to a ridiculous degree—and you know, I like looking up these older words that have fallen out of favor! Learning is cool, and so are immersive books in a historical setting that’s written just. perfect.
And the story was exciting. The basic premise is that Jane, widowed and pregnant, and Quinn, slated to die by hanging, find their fortunes turning on a dime when it’s discovered that Quinn is the long-lost heir to a ducal title. I don’t want to give anything else away, but the opening first act was like watching someone tie a ribbon into a perfect, beautiful bow. Everything came together as it should, Burrowes delaying the reader’s reward until the last possible moment. You can just tell that you’re in the hands of an author who won’t let you down.
So now I feel like I’ve at last kind of joined the romance community, like a chick hammering its first chunk of the eggshell away. I’ve added I don’t know how many romances to my TBR in the last few days, all of them tangentially related to Burrowes. (Thanks, Goodreads!) Who’s next? Eloisa James? Meredith Duran? Mary Balogh? I feel like a kid in a candy shop.
Love, at last! Hurrah! ❤
I thought it wasn’t possible. I thought it was simply not meant to be.
But lo and behold, despite the fact that it’s February in Connecticut and we just suffered a snowstorm, in my heart doves are cooing, angels are singing, and double rainbows wreathe the sky.
Yes, as is only fitting for my Valentine’s Day post, I am happy to report that love is finally in the air—I have found a good romance novel. Let’s give credit where it’s due; Grace Burrowes was suggested to me by my mom and sister, and they have good taste. They knew exactly what I was talking about when I moaned that all the romance I’d ever tried was crap and that the writing quality got in the way of the falling-in-love bits.
And I promise, I will still read the stupid Phillips book, and I’ll even do my damnedest to do so with an open mind. But for now… in the present moment… let’s forget about that and focus on Grace Burrowes instead.
She can write! The dialogue is excellent, the characters interesting and natural-feeling. There was no jarring head-hopping, nor any stray details that vaulted me out of the nineteenth-century London setting. The narrative voice felt perfectly suited to the story; I frequently found myself looking up words in the dictionary, since hello, nineteenth-century London, but I didn’t have to do this to a ridiculous degree—and you know, I like looking up these older words that have fallen out of favor! Learning is cool, and so are immersive books in a historical setting that’s written just. perfect.
And the story was exciting. The basic premise is that Jane, widowed and pregnant, and Quinn, slated to die by hanging, find their fortunes turning on a dime when it’s discovered that Quinn is the long-lost heir to a ducal title. I don’t want to give anything else away, but the opening first act was like watching someone tie a ribbon into a perfect, beautiful bow. Everything came together as it should, Burrowes delaying the reader’s reward until the last possible moment. You can just tell that you’re in the hands of an author who won’t let you down.
So now I feel like I’ve at last kind of joined the romance community, like a chick hammering its first chunk of the eggshell away. I’ve added I don’t know how many romances to my TBR in the last few days, all of them tangentially related to Burrowes. (Thanks, Goodreads!) Who’s next? Eloisa James? Meredith Duran? Mary Balogh? I feel like a kid in a candy shop.
Love, at last! Hurrah! ❤
April 1, 2019
This was Burrowes by Numbers. Or, if you prefer, Burrowes Phoning It In.
I have just finished reading this and I have already forgotten most of it. So I continue my awkward recent relationship with Burrowes in which I am simultaneously reasonably entertained by everything she writes and annoyed she isn’t doing more with her enormous talent.
This started well. A marriage of convenience. The convict (a condemned man, no less) and the vicar’s daughter. It was a pretty great start with some nice writing and interesting characters and I loved the scene when our heroine realised her husband is not, in fact, dead as she expected.
But, but. All that promise sort of petered out to - I don’t even know what? The conflict was allegedly there (our hero wants to discover who framed him, our heroine wants him to leave it alone). But it was all so low stakes - described on the page but not actually shown in any proper way. The heroine went from being an interesting forthright woman to a little bit nagging and the hero lost all his sharp edges. What was left was rather bland. It didn't offend. It didn’t overjoy. It didn’t do much of anything at all.
Oh, and this whole ‘Rogues to Riches’ business. No one is ~really~ a rogue, or acts like one. They act like all the other characters in the Burrowes verse - civilised upper class gentry.
I read it, I somewhat enjoyed it and I almost instantly forgot it. Yet, I’ve pre-ordered Burrowes’ next two books. So, three stars, I guess, maybe?
Why am I so addicted to this woman’s writing when she so consistently disappoints me? Is there a Goodreads help group for people with this problem? Some sort of GB Addicts Anonymous where we can all gather in an internet circle and describe how we didn’t buy one of her thousands of books today or read about yet another Windham?
I have just finished reading this and I have already forgotten most of it. So I continue my awkward recent relationship with Burrowes in which I am simultaneously reasonably entertained by everything she writes and annoyed she isn’t doing more with her enormous talent.
This started well. A marriage of convenience. The convict (a condemned man, no less) and the vicar’s daughter. It was a pretty great start with some nice writing and interesting characters and I loved the scene when our heroine realised her husband is not, in fact, dead as she expected.
But, but. All that promise sort of petered out to - I don’t even know what? The conflict was allegedly there (our hero wants to discover who framed him, our heroine wants him to leave it alone). But it was all so low stakes - described on the page but not actually shown in any proper way. The heroine went from being an interesting forthright woman to a little bit nagging and the hero lost all his sharp edges. What was left was rather bland. It didn't offend. It didn’t overjoy. It didn’t do much of anything at all.
Oh, and this whole ‘Rogues to Riches’ business. No one is ~really~ a rogue, or acts like one. They act like all the other characters in the Burrowes verse - civilised upper class gentry.
I read it, I somewhat enjoyed it and I almost instantly forgot it. Yet, I’ve pre-ordered Burrowes’ next two books. So, three stars, I guess, maybe?
Why am I so addicted to this woman’s writing when she so consistently disappoints me? Is there a Goodreads help group for people with this problem? Some sort of GB Addicts Anonymous where we can all gather in an internet circle and describe how we didn’t buy one of her thousands of books today or read about yet another Windham?
November 12, 2018
3.5 stars. An interesting premise, although the story did drag a little in parts. I liked that this is a new series, although it took me a little while to start getting to know the cast of new characters. I also liked that it's a little different - the whole 'rogues to riches' idea has quite a bit of interest and merit. I will read on in the series when the next one comes out.
March 19, 2021
A good, enjoyable read.
July 23, 2020
This book is well-written, charming, historically accurate and the beginning of an engaging series. This is what I would expect from Ms. Burrowes who has written dozens of highly rated HF novels.
But if I’m really honest, I’ll admit that this stopped being a page turner early on. The story nicely balanced narratives between the hero and heroine but it stayed nice way too long. Not enough conflict or bumps in the road to their happy ending.
Unfortunately, “nice” translated into skipping 8-10 chapters and reading the ending.
Highly recommend for fans of old fashioned, clean HF.
But if I’m really honest, I’ll admit that this stopped being a page turner early on. The story nicely balanced narratives between the hero and heroine but it stayed nice way too long. Not enough conflict or bumps in the road to their happy ending.
Unfortunately, “nice” translated into skipping 8-10 chapters and reading the ending.
Highly recommend for fans of old fashioned, clean HF.
October 30, 2018
While the beginning of this book was rather engaging, the events in the blurb were done by the 30% mark and the mystery subplot just wasn’t enough to hold my attention.
For the most part, I find Burrowes’ heroines to be severely lacking in any real personality and I often have trouble getting to know them or understanding what draws the hero to them.
Also, as in many of Burrowes’ books that I’ve read, this title had a bizarre tone that I just can’t wrap my head around. The subject material is quite serious, but the book itself is not.
For the most part, I find Burrowes’ heroines to be severely lacking in any real personality and I often have trouble getting to know them or understanding what draws the hero to them.
Also, as in many of Burrowes’ books that I’ve read, this title had a bizarre tone that I just can’t wrap my head around. The subject material is quite serious, but the book itself is not.
January 26, 2021
'A funny thing happened on the way to the gallows...
One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.
There was just one tiny problem...
Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.
They were wrong.
He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?'
______________________________
My One and Only Duke is the first book in Grace Burrows Rogues to Riches series and is a historical romance with a bit of a mystery. There is the added bonus of a holiday novella by Elizbeth Hoyt, Once Upon a Christmas Eve which I will review separately.
I really enjoyed this book> It was wonderful and intruiging, with lovely characters that are mature and make the best of an situation that neither of them expected.
This plot was unique, Quinn is a self-made made that has raised himself from poverty and suffering in his childhood to being one of the wealthiest bankers in London with some messy bumps in the road on the path there. Jane is pregnant and widowed, although her father refuses to acknowledge the union and therefore robs his daughter of her reputation and forces the label of 'bastard' on the child. So they wed to save both Jane and the child's future as he faces the gallows, but he is saved from the noose at the last second.
Now they must work together to build a life together and solve the mystery of who Quinn's enemy is. Trust and affection grows slowly between them, but that made it all the more realistic. The plot was interesting with a lovely twist at the end that had me taying up late to keep reading.
My one critic might be that I found the mystery to be a bit slow and seemed a bit drawn out and is then quite quickly resolved, but I still enjoyed it. I will certainly be reading more from this series look forward to seeing more of these characters.
One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.
There was just one tiny problem...
Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.
They were wrong.
He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?'
______________________________
My One and Only Duke is the first book in Grace Burrows Rogues to Riches series and is a historical romance with a bit of a mystery. There is the added bonus of a holiday novella by Elizbeth Hoyt, Once Upon a Christmas Eve which I will review separately.
I really enjoyed this book> It was wonderful and intruiging, with lovely characters that are mature and make the best of an situation that neither of them expected.
This plot was unique, Quinn is a self-made made that has raised himself from poverty and suffering in his childhood to being one of the wealthiest bankers in London with some messy bumps in the road on the path there. Jane is pregnant and widowed, although her father refuses to acknowledge the union and therefore robs his daughter of her reputation and forces the label of 'bastard' on the child. So they wed to save both Jane and the child's future as he faces the gallows, but he is saved from the noose at the last second.
Now they must work together to build a life together and solve the mystery of who Quinn's enemy is. Trust and affection grows slowly between them, but that made it all the more realistic. The plot was interesting with a lovely twist at the end that had me taying up late to keep reading.
My one critic might be that I found the mystery to be a bit slow and seemed a bit drawn out and is then quite quickly resolved, but I still enjoyed it. I will certainly be reading more from this series look forward to seeing more of these characters.
April 24, 2019
2.5 stars
As much as I am a huge fan of a 'slow burn' romance, this novel was a little too slow for me in its pacing. I can't even say that this romance was intentionally meant to be a 'slow burn' because it wasn't solely the romance that was slow. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more with a smaller page count because the story could have still been told effectively.
There was some mystery which did keep me interested and curious while reading. As well, the not-so typical circumstance that the main characters found themselves in from the beginning was very intriguing for me to read because it's not a trope that I often find myself reading.
Overall, for me it was an okay, average read and I will continue the series. I am a fan of Grace Burrowes' writing as experienced through some of her other works and I no doubt will enjoy some that she has coming down the pipeline in the future.
***Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
As much as I am a huge fan of a 'slow burn' romance, this novel was a little too slow for me in its pacing. I can't even say that this romance was intentionally meant to be a 'slow burn' because it wasn't solely the romance that was slow. I think I would have enjoyed this book much more with a smaller page count because the story could have still been told effectively.
There was some mystery which did keep me interested and curious while reading. As well, the not-so typical circumstance that the main characters found themselves in from the beginning was very intriguing for me to read because it's not a trope that I often find myself reading.
Overall, for me it was an okay, average read and I will continue the series. I am a fan of Grace Burrowes' writing as experienced through some of her other works and I no doubt will enjoy some that she has coming down the pipeline in the future.
***Thank you to Forever Publishing for sending me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review***
April 15, 2023
The H was good but the h is the super star. She appears to be a meek person until she slowly lures the H into their marriage using kindness. He tries to give her time to get used to his 'manliness' but she's very ready for him. Loved the idea of the plot and characters but found the pace tedious.
June 4, 2024
I've given this a B+ for narration and a C for content at AudioGals - that averages out at a B-, which is 3.5 stars rounded up
I generally find Grace Burrowes’ books work for me as comfort reads/listens – they’re not complicated or taxing, the characters are decent people trying to do the best for those they care for, and I enjoy the author’s slightly quirky writing style. In audio, James Langton’s narrations generally add something to the overall experience, and I’ve found myself more often listening to than reading her recent novels.
My One and Only Duke is the first in her new Rogues to Riches series, and it’s fairly typical Burrowes fare. We’ve got a gruff hero with a heart of gold, a no-nonsense heroine who is, by no fault of her own, in a bit of a pickle and a mystery to be solved – it’s not ground-breaking or original, but in my post-Christmas haze, it seemed like the sort of undemanding listen I wanted.
Quinn Wentworth, bluff Yorkshireman-turned-hard-nosed-banker has been convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, sentenced to hang and is in Newgate prison, awaiting the enactment of his sentence. One afternoon he receives an unexpected visitor in the form of Jane Winston, who is told she can wait in Quinn’s cell – it’s more comfortable than most owing to the fact that his money has bought him better surroundings – while her father, the Reverend Winston, ministers to the inmates. Quinn isn’t too pleased about the imposition, but quickly realises that the lady is no milk-and-water miss, and he finds himself pleasantly surprised by the intelligence of her conversation.
The narrative then shifts to the offices of the College of Arms, where investigators have at long last tracked down the heir to the dukedom of Walden. No prizes for guessing the identity of England’s newest duke – but the gentleman in question is a convicted felon about to be hanged which surely, makes him a most unsuitable choice. However, the Walden dukedom is severely in debt and should the title pass into escheat (to the crown), the king will be responsible for those debts –which, given his financial difficulties, he will not want. Quinn Wentworth, however, is extremely rich…
While the College of Arms dithers and tries to find an alternative option, Quinn’s final days are ticking away. During another visit from Jane Winston, Quinn discovers she’s actually a widow and that her young, hot-headed husband was killed in a duel a few months earlier, leaving her pregnant. Her pompous windbag of a father refuses to acknowledge her marriage, but Jane has nowhere else to go and has resigned herself to his continual reproaches and sermonising in order to keep a roof over her head. Due to die in a matter of days, Quinn suggests she should marry him as he will be able to leave her well-provided for and Jane, confused and exhausted, agrees.
The couple is wed, Jane goes back to her father’s house to prepare to leave it (in order to move in with Quinn’s family), and the day of Quinn’s execution arrives… as does a (literally) last-minute pardon – meaning that Quinn is free and has some explaining to do to his new wife. And not just about the pardon. The new Mrs. Wentworth is going to have to get used to being addressed by a completely different –and loftier – title.
So far so good… but sadly, the book takes a bit of a nose-dive after this. The rest of the story is devoted mostly to Quinn’s search for whoever framed him for murder and his brooding about how hateful he is for lying to Jane (because of course, he doesn’t want her to know he is putting himself in danger by hunting for whoever is out to get him). References are frequently dropped to the cruelty Quinn and his siblings suffered at the hands of their no-good father, but these don’t really go anywhere or serve to illuminate the characters, and there’s also something about Quinn being seduced by an older woman (his employer’s wife) when he was a sixteen-year-old footman. Ms. Burrowes seems to be trying to imply that Quinn was adversely affected by that experience; mention is made of the fact that he’s not had a woman for years, and he actively avoids consummating his marriage, but then that reluctance magically vanishes never to be seen again. It seemed to me that the author was trying to deal with some dark issues – which she is able to do successfully, as shown in her Captive Hearts trilogy (which I still think is her best work and which is not, sadly, available in audio) – but then backed away from them.
I was also left unconvinced by the romance and the ILYs, when they come, don’t have much of a foundation. Jane and Quinn don’t really spend a lot of time together, even after they’re married, and as Quinn keeps reminding us, he’s lying to Jane all the time, which doesn’t allow for much getting-to-know-you conversation or romantic development because he’s keeping so much hidden from her. This means that he’s a bit of an enigma to the listener as well, in spite of all the information we’re given about his background and his interactions with his siblings. And while I normally praise Ms. Burrowes for her skill in writing familial relationships, the ones in this book just didn’t convince. I liked Jane’s pragmatism and that she was more open emotionally than Quinn, but she’s not well developed and is mostly defined by her pregnancy and her issues with her sanctimonious father and dead husband.
James Langton’s narration is as accomplished as ever, and I’m sure it’s as much his voice that keeps me coming back to this author in audio as it is her stories. I’ve had issues with the way he performs female characters in the past – not in every book, though – but here, his portrayal of Jane is well-modulated and perfectly equable as befits the character. A drop in pitch and slight Yorkshire accent bring Quinn vividly to life, and he differentiates effectively between Quinn and the other male characters in the story – his younger brother Stephen, his business partner and Stephen’s tutor (all of whom will be future heroes in the series), and he has a particularly nice line in smarmy villains, using a smooth, nasal tone that just screams ‘rotten-to-the-core!’ It’s a strong performance all-round and definitely helped me to keep listening through the weaknesses in the story. I suspect fans of the author will enjoy this as much as any of Ms. Burrowes’ other books, although if you’re new to her work, I wouldn’t suggest starting here – try her MacGregor series or some of the Lonely Lords or Windhams instead.
I generally find Grace Burrowes’ books work for me as comfort reads/listens – they’re not complicated or taxing, the characters are decent people trying to do the best for those they care for, and I enjoy the author’s slightly quirky writing style. In audio, James Langton’s narrations generally add something to the overall experience, and I’ve found myself more often listening to than reading her recent novels.
My One and Only Duke is the first in her new Rogues to Riches series, and it’s fairly typical Burrowes fare. We’ve got a gruff hero with a heart of gold, a no-nonsense heroine who is, by no fault of her own, in a bit of a pickle and a mystery to be solved – it’s not ground-breaking or original, but in my post-Christmas haze, it seemed like the sort of undemanding listen I wanted.
Quinn Wentworth, bluff Yorkshireman-turned-hard-nosed-banker has been convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, sentenced to hang and is in Newgate prison, awaiting the enactment of his sentence. One afternoon he receives an unexpected visitor in the form of Jane Winston, who is told she can wait in Quinn’s cell – it’s more comfortable than most owing to the fact that his money has bought him better surroundings – while her father, the Reverend Winston, ministers to the inmates. Quinn isn’t too pleased about the imposition, but quickly realises that the lady is no milk-and-water miss, and he finds himself pleasantly surprised by the intelligence of her conversation.
The narrative then shifts to the offices of the College of Arms, where investigators have at long last tracked down the heir to the dukedom of Walden. No prizes for guessing the identity of England’s newest duke – but the gentleman in question is a convicted felon about to be hanged which surely, makes him a most unsuitable choice. However, the Walden dukedom is severely in debt and should the title pass into escheat (to the crown), the king will be responsible for those debts –which, given his financial difficulties, he will not want. Quinn Wentworth, however, is extremely rich…
While the College of Arms dithers and tries to find an alternative option, Quinn’s final days are ticking away. During another visit from Jane Winston, Quinn discovers she’s actually a widow and that her young, hot-headed husband was killed in a duel a few months earlier, leaving her pregnant. Her pompous windbag of a father refuses to acknowledge her marriage, but Jane has nowhere else to go and has resigned herself to his continual reproaches and sermonising in order to keep a roof over her head. Due to die in a matter of days, Quinn suggests she should marry him as he will be able to leave her well-provided for and Jane, confused and exhausted, agrees.
The couple is wed, Jane goes back to her father’s house to prepare to leave it (in order to move in with Quinn’s family), and the day of Quinn’s execution arrives… as does a (literally) last-minute pardon – meaning that Quinn is free and has some explaining to do to his new wife. And not just about the pardon. The new Mrs. Wentworth is going to have to get used to being addressed by a completely different –and loftier – title.
So far so good… but sadly, the book takes a bit of a nose-dive after this. The rest of the story is devoted mostly to Quinn’s search for whoever framed him for murder and his brooding about how hateful he is for lying to Jane (because of course, he doesn’t want her to know he is putting himself in danger by hunting for whoever is out to get him). References are frequently dropped to the cruelty Quinn and his siblings suffered at the hands of their no-good father, but these don’t really go anywhere or serve to illuminate the characters, and there’s also something about Quinn being seduced by an older woman (his employer’s wife) when he was a sixteen-year-old footman. Ms. Burrowes seems to be trying to imply that Quinn was adversely affected by that experience; mention is made of the fact that he’s not had a woman for years, and he actively avoids consummating his marriage, but then that reluctance magically vanishes never to be seen again. It seemed to me that the author was trying to deal with some dark issues – which she is able to do successfully, as shown in her Captive Hearts trilogy (which I still think is her best work and which is not, sadly, available in audio) – but then backed away from them.
I was also left unconvinced by the romance and the ILYs, when they come, don’t have much of a foundation. Jane and Quinn don’t really spend a lot of time together, even after they’re married, and as Quinn keeps reminding us, he’s lying to Jane all the time, which doesn’t allow for much getting-to-know-you conversation or romantic development because he’s keeping so much hidden from her. This means that he’s a bit of an enigma to the listener as well, in spite of all the information we’re given about his background and his interactions with his siblings. And while I normally praise Ms. Burrowes for her skill in writing familial relationships, the ones in this book just didn’t convince. I liked Jane’s pragmatism and that she was more open emotionally than Quinn, but she’s not well developed and is mostly defined by her pregnancy and her issues with her sanctimonious father and dead husband.
James Langton’s narration is as accomplished as ever, and I’m sure it’s as much his voice that keeps me coming back to this author in audio as it is her stories. I’ve had issues with the way he performs female characters in the past – not in every book, though – but here, his portrayal of Jane is well-modulated and perfectly equable as befits the character. A drop in pitch and slight Yorkshire accent bring Quinn vividly to life, and he differentiates effectively between Quinn and the other male characters in the story – his younger brother Stephen, his business partner and Stephen’s tutor (all of whom will be future heroes in the series), and he has a particularly nice line in smarmy villains, using a smooth, nasal tone that just screams ‘rotten-to-the-core!’ It’s a strong performance all-round and definitely helped me to keep listening through the weaknesses in the story. I suspect fans of the author will enjoy this as much as any of Ms. Burrowes’ other books, although if you’re new to her work, I wouldn’t suggest starting here – try her MacGregor series or some of the Lonely Lords or Windhams instead.
December 12, 2018
Regency England.
I 1st met Quinn Wentworth in the short story contained
in the anthology entitled: 'Tis the Season: Regency
Yuletide Short Stories.
Quinn was the banker slated to be hung for murder &
widowed Jane, dtr of a sanctimonious preacher who
forced her to accompany him to his prison ministry.
Dad lost his regular job for disrespecting the bishop.
Dad pawned Jane's personal items w/ her knowledge.
We saw the horrors of Newgate prison IE the dirt, the
lousy food, the poor w/o hope, the diseased, the bribes.
I liked these two lost souls. The author depicted H as
deeper & more complex than in her Christmas short
story. He did any job available (even dug graves) to
support his sibs, before he made wise investments &
secured wealth. His eccentric sibs were hard to take
@times. Rescued young street urchin Ned nearly
stole the story w/ his humor & loyalty.
These 2 felt like love to me. One of my fav romances
for 2018!
I 1st met Quinn Wentworth in the short story contained
in the anthology entitled: 'Tis the Season: Regency
Yuletide Short Stories.
Quinn was the banker slated to be hung for murder &
widowed Jane, dtr of a sanctimonious preacher who
forced her to accompany him to his prison ministry.
Dad lost his regular job for disrespecting the bishop.
Dad pawned Jane's personal items w/ her knowledge.
We saw the horrors of Newgate prison IE the dirt, the
lousy food, the poor w/o hope, the diseased, the bribes.
I liked these two lost souls. The author depicted H as
deeper & more complex than in her Christmas short
story. He did any job available (even dug graves) to
support his sibs, before he made wise investments &
secured wealth. His eccentric sibs were hard to take
@times. Rescued young street urchin Ned nearly
stole the story w/ his humor & loyalty.
These 2 felt like love to me. One of my fav romances
for 2018!
August 20, 2022
Ms. Burrowes starts another enjoyable series.
Grace Burrowes’ stories are always a delight. This book was recommended to me and I was surprised I had never heard of the series. I don’t like to give spoilers but if you like historical romance, interesting characters and some humor and intriguing situations...Enjoy. This edition also has a bonus holiday novella from Elisabeth Hoyt.
Grace Burrowes’ stories are always a delight. This book was recommended to me and I was surprised I had never heard of the series. I don’t like to give spoilers but if you like historical romance, interesting characters and some humor and intriguing situations...Enjoy. This edition also has a bonus holiday novella from Elisabeth Hoyt.
August 17, 2019
Quinn has been sentenced to hang for a crime he didn't commit. He's a wealthy banker who fought his way up from the gutter to be a success. When he meets Jane while she is visiting Newgate prison with her pastor father, they form a friendship and soon a marriage of convenience. It comes as a shock to all when Quinn learns that he is the lost heir to a large dukedom, pardoned for his crime, and his short marriage may have a chance after all.
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a fan of Grace Burrowes' writing although her books don't always work for me. The writing shines during the time the MCs spend in Newgate and it was horrifying to read about the terrible conditions at Newgate. This is a slow burn romance which you should expect with a marriage of convenience. These are two strangers who are still getting acquainted and slowly falling in love. The romance develops in a lovely way and Quinn was adorable as he found himself enjoying the company of his wife, something he never expected for himself. There is a side plot with Quinn trying to find out who framed him for murder and plotting his revenge. I found the mystery very predictable and a bit bland.
Quinn and Jane were perfect for each other. I loved watching them discover each other, keep secrets, slowly learn to trust and tell each other things, and eventually use the word "we" instead of "you or I" when speaking of their future. The secondary characters were well drawn and I loved all of them, especially Ned. I can't wait to read future books about the rest of Quinn's family.
Safety
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a fan of Grace Burrowes' writing although her books don't always work for me. The writing shines during the time the MCs spend in Newgate and it was horrifying to read about the terrible conditions at Newgate. This is a slow burn romance which you should expect with a marriage of convenience. These are two strangers who are still getting acquainted and slowly falling in love. The romance develops in a lovely way and Quinn was adorable as he found himself enjoying the company of his wife, something he never expected for himself. There is a side plot with Quinn trying to find out who framed him for murder and plotting his revenge. I found the mystery very predictable and a bit bland.
Quinn and Jane were perfect for each other. I loved watching them discover each other, keep secrets, slowly learn to trust and tell each other things, and eventually use the word "we" instead of "you or I" when speaking of their future. The secondary characters were well drawn and I loved all of them, especially Ned. I can't wait to read future books about the rest of Quinn's family.
Safety
June 8, 2022
Quinn Wentworth has pulled himself up from the slums of York to become one of the most successful bankers in London, only to find himself facing execution on a trumped-up charge of manslaughter. His life takes another unexpected turn when he’s declared the new Duke of Walden and released at the last minute. He’s happy enough with his newfound circumstances, but he knows someone pulled a lot of strings to put him in the hangman’s noose and he’s determined to find out who.
Jane Winston is widowed, pregnant, and stuck with her preacher father, a pompous man given to pontificating incessantly in prisons but not doing much real good. Jane meets Quinn in jail and he, believing himself soon to be executed, offers to marry her and set up a trust to provide her and her child independence and an escape from her father.
Neither Jane nor Quinn expected to truly become a married couple, but now that they are, they’re going to make the most of it. Jane’s mother was a lady, so she knows how to make Quinn’s household into something properly ducal, while he’s more focused on his vengeance than anything else.
This wound up being such a sweet book and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. So far, I’ve read Althea’s, Constance’s, Stephen’s and Ned’s books, but not the first three of the series and I’m trying to remedy that, though I must say I’m pretty happy to have read them out of order, actually. I’m not sure I would’ve liked Althea and Constance very much as heroines if I’d read this book first, but at the same time, this book definitely shows how much growth they undergo between it and their own stories.
Anyway, Quinn’s situation and last-minute reprieve is so unique, and I loved it. The only time I’ve read something similar was Julie Anne Long’s The Perils of Pleasure, Colin Eversea’s story. I actually find I preferred this story to that one, possibly because Quinn was able to seize his power and clear his name rather than having to go on the run. I loved that Quinn was so tenacious about protecting his family and ensuring their wellbeing at any cost. Perhaps my favorite aspect of his character was his treatment of Jane though. He wasn’t in the least bit put off by her pregnancy, not at all fussed about the child not being his, and he made it clear to her how attractive and desirable he found her regardless. He may have tried to protect her a bit too much by not sharing certain alarming things with her, but I think most men are guilty of this at one time or another and he did mean well. Having built himself up from nothing, and with an abusive father, Quinn was understandably territorial over what was his, including his family, so his reaction when their safety was threatened made perfect sense. I loved that Jane also understood this and insinuated herself right there to help him adjust to his newly elevated circumstances, providing him with support he didn’t even realize he needed.
It’s not often that I say this, but I really loved Jane as a heroine. I can definitely relate to her struggle with feeling guilty about the treatment of her family and I loved that she finally stood up for herself to her father. The fact that Quinn gave her the stability to enable her to do that just solidified them as a favorite couple for me. Jane took charge of Quinn’s house, whipping it into something worthy of a new, if reluctant duke, and I loved her take charge attitude. I especially loved seeing Jane stand up to Quinn’s sisters and brother as she really came into her own. She’d never really had an opportunity to be her own person outside of her father’s demands and I loved watching her finally have a chance to develop her own personality and show it, rather than having to tamp down her wants in favor of the desires of another. Jane and Quinn became a real team and Jane demanded openness and honesty from Quinn, not resting until she got it. I loved the communication they worked up to and it made it impossible not to root for them. These two are a new favorite couple for me and perfect to be the heads of the Wentworth family.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
Jane Winston is widowed, pregnant, and stuck with her preacher father, a pompous man given to pontificating incessantly in prisons but not doing much real good. Jane meets Quinn in jail and he, believing himself soon to be executed, offers to marry her and set up a trust to provide her and her child independence and an escape from her father.
Neither Jane nor Quinn expected to truly become a married couple, but now that they are, they’re going to make the most of it. Jane’s mother was a lady, so she knows how to make Quinn’s household into something properly ducal, while he’s more focused on his vengeance than anything else.
This wound up being such a sweet book and I’m glad I finally got around to reading it. So far, I’ve read Althea’s, Constance’s, Stephen’s and Ned’s books, but not the first three of the series and I’m trying to remedy that, though I must say I’m pretty happy to have read them out of order, actually. I’m not sure I would’ve liked Althea and Constance very much as heroines if I’d read this book first, but at the same time, this book definitely shows how much growth they undergo between it and their own stories.
Anyway, Quinn’s situation and last-minute reprieve is so unique, and I loved it. The only time I’ve read something similar was Julie Anne Long’s The Perils of Pleasure, Colin Eversea’s story. I actually find I preferred this story to that one, possibly because Quinn was able to seize his power and clear his name rather than having to go on the run. I loved that Quinn was so tenacious about protecting his family and ensuring their wellbeing at any cost. Perhaps my favorite aspect of his character was his treatment of Jane though. He wasn’t in the least bit put off by her pregnancy, not at all fussed about the child not being his, and he made it clear to her how attractive and desirable he found her regardless. He may have tried to protect her a bit too much by not sharing certain alarming things with her, but I think most men are guilty of this at one time or another and he did mean well. Having built himself up from nothing, and with an abusive father, Quinn was understandably territorial over what was his, including his family, so his reaction when their safety was threatened made perfect sense. I loved that Jane also understood this and insinuated herself right there to help him adjust to his newly elevated circumstances, providing him with support he didn’t even realize he needed.
It’s not often that I say this, but I really loved Jane as a heroine. I can definitely relate to her struggle with feeling guilty about the treatment of her family and I loved that she finally stood up for herself to her father. The fact that Quinn gave her the stability to enable her to do that just solidified them as a favorite couple for me. Jane took charge of Quinn’s house, whipping it into something worthy of a new, if reluctant duke, and I loved her take charge attitude. I especially loved seeing Jane stand up to Quinn’s sisters and brother as she really came into her own. She’d never really had an opportunity to be her own person outside of her father’s demands and I loved watching her finally have a chance to develop her own personality and show it, rather than having to tamp down her wants in favor of the desires of another. Jane and Quinn became a real team and Jane demanded openness and honesty from Quinn, not resting until she got it. I loved the communication they worked up to and it made it impossible not to root for them. These two are a new favorite couple for me and perfect to be the heads of the Wentworth family.
Blog link: https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
February 2, 2019
When pregnant widow Miss Jane Winston marries Mr Quinn Wentworth she never expected to have to be his wife. He was after all scheduled to be hung the next day. Only the culmination of a very unlikely set of circumstances saves Quinn from the noose. So, when he arrives home he brings with him his pregnant wife and a dukedom. He has to adjust to both. But, now that Quinn is free he is determined to find out who has framed him for murder and condemned him to hang.
As this is my first Grace Burrowes book I didn’t know what to expect, but as it was the start of a new series – Rogues to Riches – I wanted to give it a try. I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this book. It’s a promising start to the series that introduces the intriguing and very unconventional Wentworth family.
With most romances which are based around a family, with each new book pairing them off, the members tend to be very close. What was so different about this book was that although they were all fiercely protective, they didn’t trust one another. In fact, Quinn who is imprisoned at the beginning of the book is first suspicious that it’s either his brother, cousin or sister that put him there. This is an aspect of the story that I had mixed feelings about. I liked that it was something unusual and how Jane somehow managed to bring the family together in a way they hadn’t experienced before. But, for me, the reason for the distrust was never really clarified. It seemed to be a combination of Quinn’s guilt for not being able to save his siblings from their poverty stricken and abusive childhood sooner and their naturally wary personalities. But I was never really sure.
As for the romance, if you’re looking for a book with something grandiose and full of passion, this isn’t the book for you. Instead, this was more of a slow burn dictated by Quinn and Jane’s very practical natures. I liked this about the romance, neither character’s past would have meshed with a flowery romance and showy gestures. But I really enjoyed Jane’s drive to make the marriage real. She wouldn’t accept any less than a partnership with Quinn, which also included his emotional engagement.
A great start to the series and I can’t wait to read more. If you like your heroes stoic, but full of secret kindness and your heroines brave but sensible then this is the perfect book for you.
As this is my first Grace Burrowes book I didn’t know what to expect, but as it was the start of a new series – Rogues to Riches – I wanted to give it a try. I am so glad I did! I really enjoyed this book. It’s a promising start to the series that introduces the intriguing and very unconventional Wentworth family.
With most romances which are based around a family, with each new book pairing them off, the members tend to be very close. What was so different about this book was that although they were all fiercely protective, they didn’t trust one another. In fact, Quinn who is imprisoned at the beginning of the book is first suspicious that it’s either his brother, cousin or sister that put him there. This is an aspect of the story that I had mixed feelings about. I liked that it was something unusual and how Jane somehow managed to bring the family together in a way they hadn’t experienced before. But, for me, the reason for the distrust was never really clarified. It seemed to be a combination of Quinn’s guilt for not being able to save his siblings from their poverty stricken and abusive childhood sooner and their naturally wary personalities. But I was never really sure.
As for the romance, if you’re looking for a book with something grandiose and full of passion, this isn’t the book for you. Instead, this was more of a slow burn dictated by Quinn and Jane’s very practical natures. I liked this about the romance, neither character’s past would have meshed with a flowery romance and showy gestures. But I really enjoyed Jane’s drive to make the marriage real. She wouldn’t accept any less than a partnership with Quinn, which also included his emotional engagement.
A great start to the series and I can’t wait to read more. If you like your heroes stoic, but full of secret kindness and your heroines brave but sensible then this is the perfect book for you.
April 7, 2021
Audiobook Review:
Me One and Only Duke is the first in this series. I'm finding that as I read back from book five the reads start to deteriorate. This story, although I finally finished, dragged way too much for me. There were likeable characters, however this Burrowed novel did not tickle my interest...chalking it up to a new series maybe.
Narration by James Langston was on par and I do like him as a narrator.
Me One and Only Duke is the first in this series. I'm finding that as I read back from book five the reads start to deteriorate. This story, although I finally finished, dragged way too much for me. There were likeable characters, however this Burrowed novel did not tickle my interest...chalking it up to a new series maybe.
Narration by James Langston was on par and I do like him as a narrator.
Read
September 18, 2021DNF'd at 65%.
I've never read a book where I cared so little about the characters. Usually, I like Grace Burrowes, and I especially like her characters. But Quinn is so unemotional and cut off from the world, but halfway through, we're not really given any reason for it. His father was abusive, and he came from a poor family, but those aren't reasons for him to ignore what everyone's trying to tell him. There's something about the Countess of Tipton seducing him when he was a sixteen year old footman, but that also doesn't seem to affect him at all. Quinn is one of those characters who holds onto hurts for years afterwards and as such just irritates me.
Jane isn't much of a character at all. She's pretty much defined by her innate goodness, her issues with her dead husband and father, and her pregnancy. I can literally forget about her when she's not in the scene.
The romance is... not there? The sex scenes are awkward, Quinn's detachment and deliberate deception (pardon the alliteration) renders any confidences shared meaningless, and Jane has more positive interactions with his sister and cousin.
As for the mystery, it's sadly there. I just don't care. Someone put his neck in a noose, and it was probably the Countess of Tipton, but I didn't make it to the end.
I've never read a book where I cared so little about the characters. Usually, I like Grace Burrowes, and I especially like her characters. But Quinn is so unemotional and cut off from the world, but halfway through, we're not really given any reason for it. His father was abusive, and he came from a poor family, but those aren't reasons for him to ignore what everyone's trying to tell him. There's something about the Countess of Tipton seducing him when he was a sixteen year old footman, but that also doesn't seem to affect him at all. Quinn is one of those characters who holds onto hurts for years afterwards and as such just irritates me.
Jane isn't much of a character at all. She's pretty much defined by her innate goodness, her issues with her dead husband and father, and her pregnancy. I can literally forget about her when she's not in the scene.
The romance is... not there? The sex scenes are awkward, Quinn's detachment and deliberate deception (pardon the alliteration) renders any confidences shared meaningless, and Jane has more positive interactions with his sister and cousin.
As for the mystery, it's sadly there. I just don't care. Someone put his neck in a noose, and it was probably the Countess of Tipton, but I didn't make it to the end.
November 28, 2020
Mon rythme de lecture en confinement n'est pas fou, mais au moins je me suis remise à lire de la romance historique ! J'ai commencé cette nouvelle série parce que Grace Burrowes est pour moi une valeur sûre. Là, j'ai été un peu déçue.
J'ai trouvé le début du roman (un mariage en prison) peu réaliste. Puis l'auteure s'est davantage attardée sur la résolution de l'intrigue, à savoir rechercher la personne qui a mis le héros en prison, que sur le développement de la relation amoureuse. C'est dommage car Quinn et Jane formait un couple intéressant.
C'est donc une romance que je n'ai pas trouvé aboutie, contrairement à ses autres livres Le Captif et Le traître que j'avais adoré. Je ne suis pas sûre de lire la suite.
J'ai trouvé le début du roman (un mariage en prison) peu réaliste. Puis l'auteure s'est davantage attardée sur la résolution de l'intrigue, à savoir rechercher la personne qui a mis le héros en prison, que sur le développement de la relation amoureuse. C'est dommage car Quinn et Jane formait un couple intéressant.
C'est donc une romance que je n'ai pas trouvé aboutie, contrairement à ses autres livres Le Captif et Le traître que j'avais adoré. Je ne suis pas sûre de lire la suite.
November 13, 2018
3 1/2 stars. My One and Only Duke was a likable story with an good plot. My issue was that it tried a bit to hard on the mystery thread. I loved how Quinn and Jane found each other and how they came to be married. When Quinn gets released he is determined to find out who framed him. Unfortunately, I felt like almost every character was written for the reader to suspect them. I also had to use the dictionary on my Kindle for some of the dialogue. I think easier, more common words could have been used to get the same idea across.
July 25, 2024
I really liked Jane and Quinn (except for when Jane started really annoying me) and the mystery part of the plot was interesting. However basically all of the side characters were so annoying and unlikeable (such as Quinn's sisters and his brother). Also Stephen whining about his disability is so unrealistic (real disabled people don't do that and I'm pretty sure that this author doesn't know anyone with an actual disability with the way Stephen is written). RTC.
November 6, 2018
Description:
From a New York Times bestselling author and one of "the very best in today's regency romance" (Elizabeth Hoyt) comes the story of the unconventional Wentworth family in this charming new series with a Cinderella twist.
One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.
There was just one tiny problem...Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.
He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?
My Thoughts:
This is the first book in a new series by this wonderful author. Grace Burrowes has done it again. She never fails to amaze me with her novels of very correct historical facts and dry wit and charm.
Who on earth would plot the death of London banker Quinn Wentworth? How could this man be responsible for the death of another? He has no way of proving his innocence so he just goes with the flow helping his fellow inmates as best he can until the day of his execution. Only that execution is stayed at the last possible minute with him dangling at the end of a rope only to be cut down just before his inevitable death.
Jane who has married him to give her babe a name now has an unexpected surprise. Her convict husband is now a Duke.
This wonderful story is full of surprising twist and turns and is a delight to read.
I gave this newest Grace Burroughs book 4.85 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a mild sensual rating of 3.5 of 5.0 flames. We know there is intimacy between our couple but the descriptions are not overt.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title to read from the publisher.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which was given freely and without influence from any entities.
From a New York Times bestselling author and one of "the very best in today's regency romance" (Elizabeth Hoyt) comes the story of the unconventional Wentworth family in this charming new series with a Cinderella twist.
One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he's declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he's ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.
There was just one tiny problem...Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they'll actually have a future together.
He's a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She's a minister's daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?
My Thoughts:
This is the first book in a new series by this wonderful author. Grace Burrowes has done it again. She never fails to amaze me with her novels of very correct historical facts and dry wit and charm.
Who on earth would plot the death of London banker Quinn Wentworth? How could this man be responsible for the death of another? He has no way of proving his innocence so he just goes with the flow helping his fellow inmates as best he can until the day of his execution. Only that execution is stayed at the last possible minute with him dangling at the end of a rope only to be cut down just before his inevitable death.
Jane who has married him to give her babe a name now has an unexpected surprise. Her convict husband is now a Duke.
This wonderful story is full of surprising twist and turns and is a delight to read.
I gave this newest Grace Burroughs book 4.85 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a mild sensual rating of 3.5 of 5.0 flames. We know there is intimacy between our couple but the descriptions are not overt.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title to read from the publisher.
This in no way affected my opinion of this book which was given freely and without influence from any entities.
November 7, 2018
Sometimes a premise is just too good to pass up. I couldn't help myself when I saw a man condemned to hang at Newgate for murder is suddenly given a stay of execution when he is discovered to be the next duke. I already enjoy this author's stories and would have picked this one up anyway, but this new Rogues to Riches series is certainly starting off with a bang.
My One and Only Duke introduces the eccentric Wentworth family and the first one, Quinn, presents the reader with a fantastical story of rags to riches to prison and dukehood. Quinn is a forceful man and a successful banker. Someone wanted him out of the way for good so he was framed for murder. While awaiting his execution, Quinn decides to do a good turn for an engaging widow expecting a child and stuck living in poverty and the situation grows worse. He marries her and promises that she will have independence and no fear of need.
The fun begins when Quinn is pardoned when he is discovered to be a ducal heir. Quinn and Jane now have to figure out the being married to strangers part even while adjusting to their newfound status in the highest tier of society while the danger from Quinn's past is still lurking.
As I said, the premise really grabbed me and I was enchanted from the early pages with both taciturn Quinn and surprising Jane. They had chemistry right away even when they are in his cell at Newgate getting a feel for each other while she awaits her sanctimonious and eccentric preacher father and Quinn awaits his own death. Quinn intimidated nearly everyone else, but not Jane. She was good for him and it was neat seeing them build a life together.
His siblings are all odd and a little mysterious because of the hard life the Wentworths lived growing up in abuse and poverty before making good with the bank. They will be the source of the rest of the series stories no doubt.
Normally, I'm not drawn to pregnant heroines when the baby is not the hero's, but I thought this situation worked and was just part of the whole zany ball of circumstances facing this pair who thought Jane would end up his widow, but found they were stuck together and chose to make the most of it including falling in love. I got nervous that it would get angsty or weird, but it had the amount of conflict one could expect in such a situation. There was some awkwardness that distracted me a bit in the middle of the story where I felt there was either too much going on around this pair or something with the romance itself. Can't put my finger on it. That said, they were a good pair and I liked them both.
The suspense element was good, but I confess I was more taken up with the pair trying to make a go of what was essentially an arranged or slightly forced marriage situation.
So, a new series is launched and I had a good time with Quinn and Jane's story. It will get interesting with the other Wentworths. While many of the author's series are spin-offs and connected closely to past series, this one is not and its a good place for a newbie to the author to start. For those who want a little something different in their high society historical romances, I point you to this one.
My thanks to Forever Romance for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
My One and Only Duke introduces the eccentric Wentworth family and the first one, Quinn, presents the reader with a fantastical story of rags to riches to prison and dukehood. Quinn is a forceful man and a successful banker. Someone wanted him out of the way for good so he was framed for murder. While awaiting his execution, Quinn decides to do a good turn for an engaging widow expecting a child and stuck living in poverty and the situation grows worse. He marries her and promises that she will have independence and no fear of need.
The fun begins when Quinn is pardoned when he is discovered to be a ducal heir. Quinn and Jane now have to figure out the being married to strangers part even while adjusting to their newfound status in the highest tier of society while the danger from Quinn's past is still lurking.
As I said, the premise really grabbed me and I was enchanted from the early pages with both taciturn Quinn and surprising Jane. They had chemistry right away even when they are in his cell at Newgate getting a feel for each other while she awaits her sanctimonious and eccentric preacher father and Quinn awaits his own death. Quinn intimidated nearly everyone else, but not Jane. She was good for him and it was neat seeing them build a life together.
His siblings are all odd and a little mysterious because of the hard life the Wentworths lived growing up in abuse and poverty before making good with the bank. They will be the source of the rest of the series stories no doubt.
Normally, I'm not drawn to pregnant heroines when the baby is not the hero's, but I thought this situation worked and was just part of the whole zany ball of circumstances facing this pair who thought Jane would end up his widow, but found they were stuck together and chose to make the most of it including falling in love. I got nervous that it would get angsty or weird, but it had the amount of conflict one could expect in such a situation. There was some awkwardness that distracted me a bit in the middle of the story where I felt there was either too much going on around this pair or something with the romance itself. Can't put my finger on it. That said, they were a good pair and I liked them both.
The suspense element was good, but I confess I was more taken up with the pair trying to make a go of what was essentially an arranged or slightly forced marriage situation.
So, a new series is launched and I had a good time with Quinn and Jane's story. It will get interesting with the other Wentworths. While many of the author's series are spin-offs and connected closely to past series, this one is not and its a good place for a newbie to the author to start. For those who want a little something different in their high society historical romances, I point you to this one.
My thanks to Forever Romance for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 13, 2020
3.5 to 4 Jane and Quinn. I loved the side characters...especially Ned. I liked that Quinn gave Ned his last name. I was disappointed that the story and the epilogue ended without Jane having her baby. I was interested in seeing which last name she was going to choose and how that was going to affect her and Quinn's next son/daughter she has (if any).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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