Category: Georgian Era (1714-1837)

The Georgian era is a period in British history 1714 to 1830. The kings were all named George: George I, George II, George III and George IV. The sub-period of the Regency is defined by the Regency of George IV as Prince of Wales during the illness of his father George III. The definition of the Georgian era is often extended to include the short reign of William IV, which ended with his death in 1837.
Preceded by: Restoration
Including: Regency era
Followed by: Victorian era

A Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Regency Era (1811-1820), Standalone Title, Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

A Duke Never TellsA Duke Never Tells by Suzanne Enoch

Tracy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 1, 2025

Lady Margaret “Meg” Pinwell was planning her debut when she learns that her father has betrothed her to the Marquis of Duffy (heir to the Duke of Earnhurst) a man she has never met and that she will be married in six months. But the next day her father gets notice that the duke has died, and they have to enter a year of mourning. During that time Meg hears nothing from her betrothed but learns a lot about him via the gossip sheets and has second thoughts about marrying him. With the help of her aunt Clara, who is only eight years her senior, they form a plan. They will visit the duke’s estate incognito and see what the staff has to say about the new duke and decide if she will in fact marry him or if the rumors of his wildness and rakishness are true, she will cry off. The tell her parents that they are going to London early to shop, but the set off to the duke’s estate, planning on spending a few hours there before continuing on to London. What they find is an understaffed estate that seems to be crumbling to the ground and to their complete shock, they are introduced to the duke – who is supposed to be in London. A duke who is nothing like Meg expected. In order to save her reputation, she and her aunt continue with their ruse, hoping to escape as soon as possible and praying the duke won’t recognize her when they meet again. But that plan is crushed when Meg is injured, and they are forced to stay at the estate for at least two weeks!

For the last six years, the Duke of Earnhurst’s estate has been falling into disrepair as the late duke had told his man of business that his son and heir, James Clay, the Marquis of Duffy was in charge of the estate and that nothing could be done without his approval. An order that his man of business, Elliott Riniken, took very seriously. Elliott has been trying for years to get James to be responsible, but his letters are ignored, and his pleas fall on deaf ears. But now that the new duke is going to marry in six weeks, he has finally come to the estate but still refuses to pick up the reins. That is until they have unexpected guests and James claims to be the butler and says that Elliott is the duke. But when Meg/Mabel gets hurt and everyone has to continue their ruse – things get a little (a lot) crazy!

This was a fun historical rom com with very likable characters and a mistaken identity trope. There is plenty of shenanigans and people falling in love, there is also some emotional healing, but sadly – no steam. Overall, it was a fun, albeit sometimes silly story with multiple happy endings and thankful no third-act breakups. This is a standalone title that I am happy to recommend.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

Love, The Duke by Amelia Grey

On By TracyIn Georgian Era (1714-1837), Historical Rom-Com, Part of a Series, Regency Era (1811-1820), Tracy's ReviewsLeave a comment

Love, The Duke (Say I Do, #3)Love, The Duke by Amelia Grey

Tracy’s Rating: 3/3.5 of 5 stars

Series: Say I Do, #3

Release Date: April 1, 2025

While on a much-needed getaway with his two best friends, Drake “Hurst” Kingsley, the Duke of Hurstbourne, receives an urgent message from an old and dear childhood friend, Winston Stowe. Winston is dying and asks Hurst if he would consider marrying his sister Ophelia. Hurst is a romantic and has always believed that he would know immediately when he meets the woman he should marry. So, despite his love for his friend, he tells him he cannot marry Ophelia sight unseen but promises to visit soon. A promise he intended on keeping, but one that got pushed off when he returned to London and had to deal with dire circumstances on his estate. Weeks later he receives a late-night visitor who arrives in disguise. The young “man” is actually Ophelia Stowe, and he learns the sad truth that Winston has passed away and Ophelia needs his help. A chalice from the parish has been stolen and she needs to find it before a new vicar takes over and Winston is labeled a thief. Hurst is stunned by Ophelia and in his unsettled state, he refuses to help her. But Ophelia won’t take no for an answer and eventually, Hurst agrees to help her. The more time he spends with her, the more convinced he is that she is “the one” and he offers marriage. But if he thinks marriage will tame his stubborn wife, he obviously doesn’t know her and it is clear that their road to HEA won’t be the fairy tale that Hurst always thought it would be.

When her brother Winston dies, Ophelia and her mother find out that a priceless relic has been stolen from the church’s inventory and know that her dear brother’s memory will be slandered and besmirched unless they can find it before the new vicar arrives and discovers the thief. Her housekeeper witnessed the thief leaving and saw the family crest on the carriage, but she didn’t get a good look at the man. With this clue, Ophelia and her mother go to London, hoping to find the Chalice, but she knows she will need help and despite her anger with him for not visiting her brother, Ophelia decides to ask Hurst to help her. When he refuses to go along with her plan, she is more determined than ever to find it, but Hurst isn’t as easy to manage as she assumed. She can’t deny her attraction to him or the deeper feelings that are forming, but nothing will alter her course – not even love. Will she find the chalice and restore her brother’s reputation, or will she lose everything, even the man she loves?

This installment of the “Say I do” series was the best of the bunch, but honestly, it still didn’t wow me. I loved Hurst, but I found Ophelia much harder to like. I understood her desire to protect her brother, but I thought she was too abrasive and unyielding, not to mention foolish. I also had a hard time believing they were “in love” – why? Everything he did made her angry and everything she did annoyed him – it just didn’t feel like falling in love to me. Overall, I thought the mystery was pretty good, but I found the romance lacking. This is the third and final book in the series, but it could easily be read as a standalone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *