Duchess of Rosebrook Clementine Fitzroy lost her ability to dream when her grandmother lost her fortune doing just that. When toy company CEO Evan Fox purchased her old home and dreamed to renovate the whole village, Clementine was dead set on not trusting this outsider. That the ever-exuberant Evan was exactly Clementine's type and also attracted to her did not help at all.

I liked this book. The romance and courting between Clementine and Evan were cute and their emotional obstacles so real. And though this was my first read of Jenny Frame's book, I would definitely read more of her works in the future, especially those involving contemporary royalties.

Throughout the story, I could see how Clementine and Evan were meant to be together. But that did not mean I was fully on board with this mutual instalove. And with Clementine as the damsel in distress and Evan being the incredible gentlewoman all the time, their relationship felt imbalanced. Still, "The Duchess and the Dreamer" was a very cute romance story. And that Evan's rebuilding plans were eco-friendly and inclusive to all communities was a plus to the overall plot.

Evan was too perfect and precious for this world. Her personality made this book more than worthwhile to read. Also, I now realize I need toy trains, trampolines, and mini basketball hoops in my future office. Evan brought fun and playfulness into life and I love that about her. I think while she wanted to "leave the world a little bit better than [she] found it," every reader would finish this book and dare to dream a little more than they did before. Evan had that effect on people.

"The Duchess and the Dreamer" is a good escapist romance where Evan's positivity and energy are infectious. It is an enjoyable story that will make you rethink passion and have a bit more fun in life.

Cute opposites-attract novel. 3.5 star. Another patented butch/femme pairing by Jenny Frame.

Clementine Fitzroy is nobility without money or lands. Mismanagement, outsized dreams and poor luck by previous generations have left her nearly destitute, using all the money she can make as a freelance Archie to keep her mother in an assisted living facility. Best down by life, Clementine distrust dreams that can only lead to disappointment.

Evan Fox is the high-energy, dapper-dandy, positivity-embodied head of the Fox Toys empire. Also a staunch environmentalist, Fox is Looking for a place to build her dream of an eco-community, self-sustaining, affordable and accepting. She finds a likely candidate in Rosebrook, Clementine's ancestral village.

Sparks of all types fly from the getgo, but Clementine is reluctant to fall for yet more dreams.

**I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

I was so happy to have the opportunity to review this book. I am an ardent fan of this author and never miss her books. This book hits all the sweet spots for me. I love the ecological theme through out, as well as the small town environment. The writing is smart and sweet. Both main characters are likable and sympathetic, while some of the ancillary characters take some warming up to, which I imagine is totally intentional. This book is a definite recommend for anyone who loves a dapper butch, a plastic free ocean, renewable energy, romance, history and love. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.


Clementine is the Dutchess of Rosebrook in name only because of her grandmother Isadora dreams of better community that she lost the family fortune. Clementine watch her mother struggles growing up now she struggles to take care of her mother who in a nursing home and trying to make a living for herself. She doesn’t have time for dreamers when she stop dreaming for herself.

Evan is CEO of her family toy company she always dreams of better planet and when she learns the Rosebrook estate is for sale she believes she can finally put her dream of a utopian community to life and to honor the one who inspires her to do it Clementine grandmother.

When Evan meets Clementine she knows she found her wife because she finally felt what her father talk about when he met her mother now if only she can get Clementine to admit she feels something too. Clementine doesn’t know what to make of Evan she knows one thing she doesn’t want to feel anything for her but as she spend more time with Evan her walls start to go down and she starts to wonder can yours dream do come true.

This was great read, I really enjoy it.

I was given this ARC by NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for an honest review. Many Thanks!
Jenny Frame always writes such the sweetest love stories and this book is one of them.
Clementine Fitzroy is the Dutchess of Rosebrook..but that’s it, she only holds the title in name only. Due to the misguided dreams of her Grandmother the family lost everything, which includes the home and all the lands.
Evan Fox is a romantic soul and dreamer. Being a CEO of a successful toy company she always has her head in the clouds and when she hears Rosebrook Estate is up for sale she has to have it. She fell in love with Rosebrook while vacationing there as a child. She also believed in the dreams of Clementine Fitzroy’s Grandmother in making a Utopian village. Clementine lives in the real world and does not have time for dreams, her Grandmother ruined that for her. She has no money and the money she has goes to the care of her mother who is a nursing home.
The moment Evan sees Clementine she knows she’s the woman for her and will do whatever she can to make these dreams into reality.
4.5 stars