When a Duchess Says I Do is utterly delightful. Stephen is my kind of historical hero - self aware and sensitive, yet courageous and brave when necessary. I also really enjoyed Matilda as a character and how her story arc encapsulated the hardships of balancing family loyalty and obligation and societal pressures with personal agency as a woman in any timeframe in history. More than that, as my second Grace Burrowes book, I'm getting to really love how she builds the romantic relationships and interweaves a mystery component into these stories - it makes her books (for me at least) so readable and unputdownable. I'm very excited to continue the rest of this series (I just love the Wentworth family) and also to see if this is common in her other works as well. 4 out of 5 wine glasses.

FULL REVIEW ON FRESH FICTION
The second book in Grace Burrowes' Rogues to Riches series, WHEN A DUCHESS SAYS I DO is an intriguing historical novel. Duncan and Matilda are two characters who have spent most of their lives holding back, doing what they are told, and not making a scene. Both characters are passionate, caring, and quietly strong - the things that have happened in their pasts have deeply affected them both, and it's not until they meet each other that they want to confide these long-hidden feelings in another person. As readers have come to expect from Burrowes' many novels, family plays an important role in both Matilda's and Duncan's stories, and it was nice to catch up with the hero and heroine from book one, MY ONE AND ONLY DUKE, as well as see other memorable members of the Wentworth family (whose books will be inevitable, hopefully!). The mystery of what Matilda was running away from was a little complicated and far-fetched, but the resolution was satisfying. WHEN A DUCHESS SAYS I DO is a warm tale of two people falling in love and realizing they deserve to do so. Recommended to historical romance fans.

Reading Grace Burrowes is always a pleasure; her novels are like sinking into a warm bath. Her characters are delightful and well observed, her plots well thought out, and the writing full of romance and humor.

I have been unable to get through this book in its entirety. Although I have enjoyed most of Grace Borrowes books, this one was just uninspiring. Perhaps I read too many of her books in a row and am experiencing burnout but this book did not capture my interest.

I did that thing where I glommed a whole slew of Grace Burrowes novels in a very short period of time. While I enjoyed this one, I had a bit of trouble suspending disbelief. I understand that the main character was trying to protect her loved ones but as a supposedly intelligent woman, I wish she had considered a wider variety of possible solutions.

I received a complimentary copy of this ARC from Netgalley but all opinions provided are my own.

If I summed up my response to this book in one sentence, it would be: it took me awhile to accustom myself to Grace Burrowes’s writing style, but at around 40% I was all-in and the rest of the book was a lovely walk with two leads who complement each other like peanut butter and jelly.

When A Duchess Says I Do is my first Grace Burrowes book, and after a couple of initial read-the-book-put-down-the-book stop and starts, I began to really enjoy it. Her writing style is on the more sophisticated side, with an edge of restraint (for lack of a better word) that took a bit for me to get used to, especially given all of the other books I’ve been reading lately.

But conveniently around the couple’s first kiss, I became captivated, intrigued by how elegant the prose is and how overall soothing the book is, despite the BIG drama surrounding our characters: treachery, spies, etc.

The hero of When a Duchess Says I Do, Duncan Wentworth, is cousin to a duke and a former tutor to the duke’s brother. Now he’s been charged with bringing the estate Brightwell back to life, a task which he accepts with no joy; he’d rather do the exploring he had to forgo when he was a tutor.

Upon arriving, he finds dangerous poachers in his woods and he’s saved by a mysterious, obviously hungry woman whom he deduces is ordinarily used to privilege and comfort. This woman is Matilda Wakefield, and her secrets are slowly revealed to Duncan as they grow closer to one another.

In the end, When A Duchess Says I Do is a heartwarming romance between a decent man and a stalwart, brave heroine, with all the feels that that kind of description suggests. As the story progresses—and Duncan and Matilda move past curiosity to genuine caring and passion between each other—I became more invested in them and their romance, rooting for their HEA.

I adore how Burrowes writes Matilda as an experienced woman who has not only been married, but taken lovers as well. The first kiss between Matilda and Duncan—in which she teaches him how to French kiss—is so seductive, and throughout the novel she continues to be unapologetic in the life she’s lived and what she likes and is looking for. Also appealing? How Duncan likes all of that about her…especially the kissing.

As much as I later became engrossed in the book, I would recommend that readers start with the beginning of the series because I sometimes felt confused about characters, family dynamics, Duncan’s past, etc. That’s not even taking into account the mysteries specific to this book itself, like where Matilda came from, why she’s there, etc.

Though it took a while for me to get there, I ended up savoring my read of this book, and I’m looking forward to reading more of the talented Grace Burrowes’s catalog.

4.5 stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel. Though it stands well enough on its own, the previous book in the series does give a lot of context to key players in this book. I adored this intellectual couple. They truly were a perfect match for one another. This was one of the better historical romances to me. I will continue to revisit these books.
Crassy or Classy: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Story: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Enjoyment: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Grace Burrowes is an author who is always enjoyable to read, and although the romance of Duncan and Matilda moves rather slowly, all is resolved happily in the end. The characters, both major and minor, are strongly written. I have not read the first book in this series but that was not a drawback, and I look forward to more entries with these characters.

To say that Matilda Wakefield had come on hard times would be an understatement. Titled, privileged, and engaged, she bolted from her father and unwanted fiancé only to land in Duncan Wentworth's stable, pillaging from the gardens and snares. When Duncan comes across her in the wood while chasing poachers, he is only too happy to invite her in on the pretense that he requires a secretary--what he needs, in reality, is some stimulation and a distraction from the inheritance that feels like a punishment. He quickly learns just how much Maddie is capable of doing--though telling him the truth about her circumstances is not on that list.

Burrowes characters always overflow with … well, character. Their backstories are overwhelmingly human, despite the titles that get tossed about so casually. When a Duchess Says I Do is charming, touching, and makes a reader believe in romance.

Mathilda Wakefield is a Duchess on the run from danger. She is discovered by the new owner of the estate where she is hiding. When Duncan Wentworth discovers Mathilda on his estate, he quickly figures out that his uninvited guest is whip-smart and can read his writing. Duncan quickly offers Mathilda a job. Mathilda doesn't want to turn down the offer, but doesn't want to involve Duncan in the danger that she is in.

I really enjoyed getting to know Mathilda and Duncan. They were great characters. I liked the intrigue that was in this romance and seeing Mathilda and Duncan work to get their HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you!

If you’re in the mood for a quieter style of romance then When a Duchess Says I Do is perfect. This isn’t a romance of two characters in the first blushes of love. Instead we have two mature characters, Duncan and Matilda, who have a wealth of experience, both good and bad, who seem to have the good sense to fall in love with each other.

Do I need violent fireworks of passion? No. I don’t need it; however, although I liked the understated style of this romance, a small sparkler would have been very welcome. I think Burrowes writing style may have had an impact on this. This book had a cadence that made it seem like it was written in a much earlier time, with that comes a certain formality that doesn’t quite lend itself to fiery emotions and sensuality.

There wasn’t just the romance to keep you turning the pages. Matilda was on the run at the beginning of the book, poaching on Duncan’s territory. I really enjoyed how Burrowes slowly revealed the danger Matilda was escaping. It was cleverly done, we were given breadcrumbs to keep us following the trail, never quite revealing the whole truth until towards the last quarter of the book. This is a bit of a double edged sword though, as once everything is revealed, it was then resolved almost immediately somewhat undermining the danger that had been built up.

I really like Grace Burrowes style and am really enjoying this series and getting to know the eccentric Wentworth family who it is based around. If you want a historical romance that takes you away from debutantes and balls and want something a bit more mature than you need to give this a try.

Duncan Wentworth has been banished by his cousin, the Duke, to Brightwell. Where he is under orders to turn the place around if he can. With winter coming on the last thing he expects to encounter is a woman on the run. Matilda is hiding from her fiance, who she doesn't want. She can't go home and while hiding in the gate house at Brightwell, Matilda accidentally saves Duncan from some poachers in the woods. Torn between running and the possibility of more with Duncan what will she decide?

I ended up with mixed feelings about this book. I really really liked [book:My One and Only Duke|39035673] and I was excited about Duncan because he is such a different temperament than Quinn. Unfortunately for me that made it a bit hard to get attached. I liked Matilda but the mystery of what was going on was good and annoying. I just want to know what had happened and I think I would have liked it better in little pieces instead of all at once. I do think that Duncan and Matilda suite rather well.

I also think that Stephen stole the show and I hope that he gets his own book in the future.

This is a great book and series for fans of historical romance who are looking for more mature characters that are not from the typical privileged backgrounds found in most of the genre's titles. Burrowes' writing, like always, is stylistically impeccable, and it displays her usual charm and generosity toward her characters to full advantage.

Duncan Wentworth, scholar, teacher, fallen cleric, and proper gentleman is the cousin of Quinn Wentworth, the hero of Book #1 in the Rogues to Riches series. In the Acknowledgements at the beginning, Burrowes wrote that she was surprised that Duncan “stepped forward” to be her next hero and that he had hidden depths. Perhaps that’s true, but he couldn’t hold a candle to Quinn, the brooding, handsome, reluctant Duke of Walden.

The entire premise of the book doesn’t make sense. Matilda is supposed to be a strong, intelligent woman who doesn’t suffer fools gladly. However, she chose to run rather than talk with her father and nearly lost her life as a result. Granted, falsehoods and their consequences are an oft-used trope in romances, but there seemed to be no good reason not to confess to Duncan and no logical reason to believe he’d be an accessory to treason since it wasn’t even clear that she was guilty. Although it had its moments, overall this book was tedious, mostly because both main characters were just boring. Frequent analogies to and actual games of chess figured prominently and all Duncan and Matilda aspired to was a quiet life in the country raising children. The passion between the two was quite muted and their backstories weren’t terribly compelling. However, Burrowes’ worst is still better than many romance writers’ best, so it should appeal to her fans. Just know that it’s not as good as most of her earlier series or even as good as Book 1.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I couldn't get into this book. Was slow and a little drawn out. I also did not feel anything between Duncan and Matilda. All i felt was a friendship. No chemistry what so ever. Even when they kissed I did not read the chemistry that should have been there.
This is the 2nd book of the series.
Matilda saves Duncan from Poachers on his land but she is also trespassing on his land. Then he takes her in and puts her to work and she ends up staying. She has a fiance looking for her and a father that is a disgrace of a father. I liked the storyline and the characters but I was disappointed in the romance.
I received this from Forever for review.

I do love the way Grace Burrowes brings characters to life with individual personalities, foibles and interesting pasts. There is mystery and suspense in this romance. We keep turning pages to find out what is keeping Matilda from following her heart and why is she being searched for. Duncan is a really kind man, not the usual Alpha hero. He is thoughtful, handsome and smitten for the first time since he lost his wife.

I am a true fan of this author and highly recommend this and all her Historical Romances to fans of the genre.

This is the second instalment in the Rogues to Riches series by Grace Burrowes. In this book we follow the Wentworth poor relation, cousin Duncan after he has been given one of the Wentworth holding to make solvent. Duncan feels his families attempt to give him purpose is a punishment. Banished to the wilds of Berkshire with an Albatros of a property, Duncan is waiting out his time until he can leave this task and go back to his work travels.

Widowed Duchess Matilda Wakefield is in hiding and has come to the one place that has ever felt like home. The old Duke has passed away leaving the property all but abandon, what better place to hide from her pursuers?

When Duncan comes across Matilda on his land he is protective instincts come to life. Will Matilda open up enough to keep them both safe or will the past that she is running from catch up to the both of them?

I just love Grace Burrows works. She weaves a great tale and Crete multifaceted characters. These loveable characters also have the tendency to show up in other books and even series, which really makes them all must read books. I wholeheartedly recommend this book, and that you read My One and Only Duke first if you haven’t. It isn’t necessary, the stories can be one-off, but it just add to the overall coming home feel of the book.

4.5 Stars

A widowed duchess should not be homeless, starving, and freezing, but that’s exactly what Matilda has chosen to do. When Matilda found some incriminating documents that are possibly treasonous in her father’s possession, she panicked and ran, taking the documents and destroying them. She was observed by her ambitious and lukewarm fiancé, Colonel Lord Atticus Parker, who would undoubtedly use this information to his advantage to further his own personal and professional agenda. Matilda stealthily makes her way to Brightwell Estate, a place that holds fond memories for her from her younger days when the previous owner was still alive and she was often a guest.

Duncan Wentworth is a former curate who became disillusioned and left the church. He’s spent the last decade traveling and tutoring his younger cousin, Stephen. When Stephen’s older brother, Quinn, unexpectedly inherited a duchy, he “assigned” Duncan the responsibility of turning the Brightwell Estate profitable within a year. Quinn’s intentions were honorable, as he hoped to provide a genuine home for his solitary and wandering cousin. Duncan has an unexpected encounter with Matilda on his property, which leads to his offering her the job of organizing his notes from all his travels. In truth, he wants to offer her shelter and a place to regroup, as he clearly sees that she’s in dire straits.

I love Duncan, who is truly a sensitive soul, and had a genuine calling for the church. The behavior he observed by supposed men of God, and his powerlessness to correct those situations caused him to turn to teaching as a vocation. He has a soft spot for people and creatures who seem to be in hopeless circumstances, and he can tell that Matilda is fleeing something big. While Matilda doesn’t plan to stay at Brightwell very long, she becomes entranced by Duncan’s travel journals, and then by the man, himself. As for Duncan, he finds that he’s feeling desire for the first time in a long time, as well as being attracted to Matilda’s intelligence and honesty.

Duncan and Matilda become very close in a very short time. Duncan soon realizes that he wants to genuinely court Matilda, and make her his wife. While Matilda would like nothing more than finally having a true home with a man she loves, she knows that she’ll soon be leaving. After all, she may now be considered part of the treasonous plot, which would mean a death sentence. She has no desire to embroil Duncan in that situation. When her power hungry fiancé tracks her down, insisting on an immediate marriage in exchange for his not revealing what he’s seen, Matilda agrees, wanting only to protect both Duncan and her father. But Duncan has finally found true love, and he’s not about to let it slip away because of the actions of a deceptive bully.

I’m a big fan of Grace Burrowes’s writing, and one of the reasons is that I always feel that I get to know the characters really well. Duncan didn’t become cynical, as he easily could have, but in his quiet way became a champion and a genuine hero. He had some heartbreak and pain in his past, but still became a man of dignity, honor, and compassion. Matilda also didn’t have a particularly happy past, with a lukewarm convenient marriage, a fiancé who only wanted to use her, and a father who showed how little he valued her. Yet, she exhibited a strength of character and protectiveness that revealed a person worth admiring.

WHEN A DUCHESS SAYS I DO has plenty of warmth, romance, and wonderful family interaction, as well as the mystery regarding the treasonous activity. I greatly enjoyed the read, and highly recommend it to those who enjoy a character driven romance with a hero and heroine to fall in love with, and a most satisfying resolution.

Matilda is on the run, but she's cagey about why for fear of involving anyone else in her plight. Duncan is a handsome bookworm with humble beginnings and the weight of the world on his shoulders. Can they build the stable life together that they both long for? Not until they both reckon with some things from their past that they'd rather keep hidden. A very enjoyable read, with strong and sensible characters who are genuine and care deeply about others.

When the Duchess Says I Do by Grace Burrows is a sweet romance with twists and turns. I enjoy when an author creates intelligent characters. Grace has done this in both Duncan and Matilda. She is on the run trying to save her father from treason. She is a lady and a survivor. She loves chess.
Duncan is a gentleman to the core. Duncan left the church after being disappointed in the leadership. Although this is a regency novel some of the storyline is plucked from today’s headlines. Duncan knows that she is hiding something. However he still hires her to translate his travel journals.

Grace created memorable scenes between Duncan and Matilda and also Duncan and Stephan. I had not read the first book in the series. You get to see enough of Quinn and Jane that I want to go back and find it. I am also hoping that we will get to follow Stephan’s progress. In addition, it would be good to see Duncan’s estate in its full glory.

I thought the story lagged a little about 20-30% in but then picked right back up to the point we were not sure who the good guys were and who was the traitor.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.