Constance has always led a quiet life even though she is the sister to the Duke of Walden. She runs away and worked as a maid in the institution where the Duke of Rothhaven was sent to live by his father due to him having "falling sickness" known in modern terms as epilepsy.

Robert comes back into her life when her sister becomes engaged to his brother. His father lied to everyone, saying Robert had died in order to make his brother the next duke. Sadly, Robert truly suffers in the institution where he is abysmally treated.

Robert and Constance fall in love and he fell in love with her when she would bring him food on the sly when he was being starved and kept in isolation. Constance originally ran away from home, because she was an unwed mother and she gave the baby girl up for adoption. Years later, she still wants to find her daughter.

This book has a truly wonderful HEA, because the couple have gone through so much that you truly root for them!!

Robert Rothmere is hiding a past no duke should have endured and secrets he doesn’t want anyone to know. As a child he was developed epileptic due to a series of childhood head injuries and his father the Duke put in an asylum until his brother rescued him. Lady Constance Wentworth is the ultimate wallflower, absolutely unforgettable except to Rothmere. They meet in secret, a secret she’s never told her family, when Constance ran away from her family to hide from life. I love this story of two people with their own struggles, but who find out they need each other in ways they never expected. This is a deeply moving story of friendship, trust and love everlasting. I have voluntarily read and reviewed these excellent story.

As an already big fan of Grace Burrowes, this one didn't disappoint, the fifth in the series, you get to see a bit of Robert/Robbie in the previous book, not to mention the family bond between Robert and his brother.  While it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend checking out previous books, it just goes to deepen the story.

Constance and Robert share an unconventional past, they both had abusive fathers who caused their lives to splinter, but eventually find each other.  Constance ran from home, finding work as a maid in an asylum.  The very asylum that Robert ended up at when his father chose to forget his existence.  The reason for that was Robert's Epilepsy.  Something the 1800s didn't understand and chose to treat anyone with it, as a pariah who couldn't be in charge of their own life.

Grace Burrowes really worked hard to help her readers understand the "Falling disease", there's a huge focus in this book and it's very interesting to see how someone with a generally easily managed disorder was dealt with back then.  That said, I think it was focused on a little too much, to the point that points previously made were reiterated over and over.  

Still, seeing Constance and Robert reconnect after a harrowing time in both their lives is quite beautiful.  It really showcases their personalities and how they don't let their horrific pasts define them.  They still have quite a few obstacles to overcome but they work together to do so.

A great read, which has inspired me to re-read the previous attached books.  Great job to Grace Burrowes as usual!

My opinions are my own and freely given.

Robert is the rightful heir and Duke of Rothhaven.....but society thought him dead.  Lady Constance Wentworth knew Robert during her short time as a maid long ago, During that brief time Lady Constance changes his life, and others.   Rothhaven is rescued by his brother and he lives for years at home until he is forced to reclaim the mantle of Duke.  For Rothhaven it is not an easy task as he suffers from epilepsy, an illness most take for madness.  Rothhaven and Constance must fight for their love but also for his sanity as conniving solicitors attempt to take control.  

This is the second in the series and while you do not have to read the first book, I felt i would have been a bit lost without it.  You get additional background into Robert and his relationship with his brother. 

I adored Robert.  He was given a rough hand but that never made him bitter or mean, he was always kind and selfless.  Lady Constance was a no nonsense lady who has made mistakes in her past but is looking to fix them.  I love her extended Wentworth family and Robert's brother.  Throw in a bunch of nosy neighbors and you have a really good read!

There was so much going on in this story that at times it because a bit overwhelming and confusing. This is due to the fact that there are not only multiple story-lines going on at once, but also multiple character points of view (which sometimes change in the middle of a chapter).

And although I enjoyed the characters, I have a hard time calling this one a romantic novel. Yes, it was obvious that Constance and Robert share a deep affection for one another, but on a lot of levels this comes across more as a friendship than romantic love. I was also getting vibes of them using each other to an extent as well - he used all of his Ducal wealth and image to suddenly track down her long lost daughter (and really that did not speak well towards the woman Constance had been paying for years to do just that), while she took care of him during and after his spells (in addition to helping him overcome some of his phobias). I believe the fact that they were married also was able to give him a bit of ammunition against the charge that he was not mentally capable of being a Duke.

In my opinion, this book would have benefitted from a Prologue in which we see a bit more of them when they first met. Throughout the book, we get little glimpses here and there (both of them and of the horrific conditions under which they met), but Robert claims this is where he first fell in love with Constance, but we don't see enough of this time to make that claim believable. If anything, he seems more grateful to her for the little ways she eased his suffering while there.

Aside from the above mentioned things, this was an enjoyable story on the whole. I enjoyed the way this author wasn't afraid to tackle the subject of mental health (especially how it was perceived back then). I also felt that the characters each had their own personalities that kept any one from blending into the background. Even villain's came across as realistic (and oh boy did I enjoy the way Philpot's grand scheme was spoiled). While a part of me wanted to see more justice done to those who brought the allegations against him, I wasn't left feeling unsatisfied by the ending.

All things considered, I would read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Another great installment in the series!

Robert and Constance both have secrets, better left unsaid in the ways of society life.  When they seek to unite together, things may get dicey for them. I really enjoyed their dynamic, and getting to know Robert, and all of the nuances of his situation.  It was really interesting to have a hero like that in a historical for me.
Cannot wait for the next installment in the series!

Constance and Robert met and became friends when she ran away from a humiliating situation as a teen and was employed as a maid at the private asylum where Robert was being kept.  Years later, after Nathaniel found Robert (he thought he had died) and brought him home, they meet again.  Both Constance and Robert had harsh cruel fathers.  Robert’s had him committed due to his epilepsy (falling sickness).  Constance’s drunken father was physically and emotional abusive.  The effects of this cruelty has stayed with them, but it has not defeated them.  It has made them strong and determined to fight together for the future they wish to have.  There are some serious hurdles for both.  Robert, now the Duke of Rothaven, must survive a competency hearing brought about by a greedy solicitor, and Constance has to trust Robert with her greatest secret and regret.  This is another wonderful story about the Wentworth family.  As always there is drama, danger, secrets, tricks, and betrayals.  There is also understanding, respect, determined support, and love.  I enjoyed this story, and I love this series.  I highly recommend both.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.  My review is voluntary.

I loved Robert/Robbie in book four so much so knew this was going to be a good one. We also learn more about  Constance and how they meet before their siblings got involved. AGH, this one will tag at your heartstrings like nothing else. Robert has epilepsy and being it 1800s his own father sent him off to be dead. You will love Constance as she learns to fight for him as well as her self on their journey. Of course loved all the side characters aka both their families. Always in the middle of it all. 

These I guess you could read maybe as standalone but please don't as you will miss so much of the backstory to make this so wonderful. I can't wait for more of this series!! I'm so now into this family I need to see every last one of them in HEA status. 
Overall, 4 stars and 3 steam

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Forever for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Lady Constance Wentworth is trying to sneak out of the ballroom when Robert, the Duke of Rothhaven catches her eye.  It has been more than 10 years since they have seen one another.  Her sister, Althea, and his brother, Nathaniel, are planning to get married.

Robert has a number of phobias and rarely leaves his home.  He had been ill with epilepsy for many years as a child and was housed at an asylum on the moors.  The doctor treating him subjected him to many  cruel experiments.  His younger brother, Nathaniel, had been running the dukedom while he was gone and rescued him 5 years ago and brought him home.  Now, Robert is doing his best to learn how to run the dukedom while learning society’s expectations of him.  In addition, he lives his life well hoping to deter more seizures.

Years ago, Constance fled her own home and worked as a maid at the asylum where she had contact with Robert and was able to help him. Today, they have a good friendship.

Constance enjoys painting and Robert enjoys his flower gardens.  Spending lots of time together results in them falling in love and deciding to get married.  But there are family members that do not want this.  They want control of the dukedom.  But Constance and Robert are strong people and push to get to have their life together.

Constance is hiding something very important from her past which she shares with Robert and together they seek to resolve it.  Can they have a life together without constant interference from family members?

This was an OK story for me, but I felt that Robert’s condition was discussed ad nauseum.  Yes, there were many people who felt he was an idiot because he had an illness which affected him mentally.  Sometimes, there is no educating the ignorant.  It’s very sad how people with epilepsy were treated in the past.  Today, there are wonderful drugs that can control this and allow people to live normal lives.  I also felt that the book’s length could have been reduced significantly as some things seemed to be repetitive.  However, I know that many readers will certainly enjoy this book.   

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was an interesting historical romance.  I don't think I have read one quite like it. 

Robert Rothmere, Duke of Rothhaven has been living his life in a mental hospital because of some head injuries that happened when he was younger. When he was 15 he fell in love with a young staff member only for her to disappear.  Fast forward a few years and Rothhaven is entering the ton because his brother is getting married.  There he sees the young staff member, Constance.  They develop a friendship that eventually turns into more.

I really enjoyed this story.  I really liked Robert and Constance. I like that the duke wasn't portrayed as  perfect. He obvious had a rough life.. just the fact that he spent so much of his life in a mental hospital shaped alot of who he is now.  I just really liked him.  Constance was also an amazing character.  She was the best friend/wife Robert could have ever dreamed of.  She was a strong woman and I loved seeing them fall in love.

The Truth About Dukes is the 5th book in the Rogues to Riches series by Grace Burrowes.  I have read many books by Grace Burrowes but none from this series.  I plan to start soon.  This series tells the stories of the Wentworth family who, despite not coming from high society, inherit a ducal title.  

Constance Wentworth prefers to avoid attention.  She has learned to be quiet, unassuming and stay on the periphery at social events.  This strategy serves her well until an old acquaintance seeks out her company.

Robert, The Duke of Rothhaven, functions best when he stays to his very narrow comfort zone.  He prefers to avoid being out in society and has done so for several years.  Circumstances find him trying to take on his ducal responsibilities.  At one quite miserable ball he spies an old acquaintance. 

Constance and Robert met many years earlier while they were each in dire situations.  Their reacquaintance, which was inevitable due to their siblings becoming betrothed, brings unexpected companionship and support when they least expect to need it. 

I loved this story.   I was drawn to the main characters due to their vulnerabilities and determination to survive rough circumstances.  There are nefarious characters plotting to take advantage of a vulnerable situation.  There is a secret search.  There are well meaning but interfering siblings who are also completely supportive.   The main characters’ support and companionship develop into a deep love.  While the characters are very passionate, the story’s love scenes are sensual without being overly graphic.

Grace Burrowes is a master storyteller.  Her artistic use of time period appropriate language transports the reader to the Regency era.  She weaves an intricate story, slowly peeling back the layers of the characters and situations to entice the reader.  The main storyline deals with the topic of Epilepsy.  The author seems to have done her research.  The terminology, while difficult to read, would have been common during the time.  As a reader I appreciate this historical accuracy. 

This book is perfection.  This is a standalone book, but I will gladly read all the previous books in this series and return to reread this one. 

~ Andrea

This was an excellent, well-written book. Lady Constance Wentworth blends in to the background and is completely unremarkable. Robert Rothmere is a duke with a scandalous past who needs to marry a proper, unremarkable duchess. The two met in the past and each is exactly what the other needs - and wants. I loved every bit of this book and highly recommend it. It caught and held my attention, I didn't want to put it down and I didn't want it to end, either. This is a must-read author for me.

Lady Constance Wentworth has almost perfected the state of being invisible. She much prefers blending into the background than being forced into the spotlight. Until she run across a face she can never forget and get life changes forget.
Robert, Duke of Rothmere, is finally claiming his rightful place. Yet he is preparing for the past and his illness to snatch his much deserved happiness from his grasp. When faced with Lady Constance  he had found the reason to step outside the walls that keep him safe. She saved him and it's time to return the favor and so much more. And the two of them together are a sight to behold, where Robert truly takes on the mantle of the dukedom and Constance stands against those who would  harm him.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I don't know if it was election week, but I had a hard time getting through this book. It wasn't that the story wasn't good (and it was). It just felt like it was longer than necessary. It also might have been that I never read any of the other four books in the series so I felt like I still had to get to know some of the characters. That being said, I really enjoyed the story at the center of this book and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series!

Constance, sister to Quinn, the Duke of Walden, has always led a quiet life, never drawing attention to herself. She preferred her painting and possibly a little too much alcohol. However, this changed when the Duke of Rothhaven, Robert, appears back in her life. No one knows that they knew each other previously, when Constance had run away from her family and became a maid in the pseudo-mental institution where Robert spent much of his youth and young adulthood. However, because Constance's sister and Robert's brother were now engaged, they were thrown back into each other's paths. 

We learn pretty early on that Robert does not have a mental condition. Instead, he developed epilepsy after a series of falls from a horse in his childhood. However, it being the 18th/19th century, it's known as the "falling sickness" and people think his seizures are some sort of mental failing. His father acted like Robert had died and instilled his brother as the duke to be, instead, opting to hide Robert at this doctor's private institution where he was basically tortured. It was really hard to read these parts, even though we know that people were (and still are) mistreated when they are thought to have a mental illness. 

It doesn't take long for Constance and Robert to fall in love, Robert says he loved Constance from the moment he saw her at the institution, because she brought his humanity back to him by sneaking him food when he was being starved and helped him make friends in his isolation. Clearly, Constance loved him back, but had a secret of her own-- the reason why she ran away from her family was because she was pregnant out of wedlock at 15. She gave the baby up for adoption, but now, years later, she couldn't find the girl. Constance and Robert are basically perfect for each other. 

The book then takes a turn as some conniving local gentry decide to have Robert deemed incapable of guarding the dukedom, in order to siphon some money from him. Robert isn't incapacitated by his epilepsy except after a seizure, but again, it being the 18th/19th century, other people don't know that. The rest of the book is full of twists and turns while Constance looks for her daughter and these villains build a case against Robert, all while Robert and Constance are falling in love. 

The HEA is SO DAMN SATISFYING, I can't stress that enough. A character that you will hate through the whole book will end up warming your heart by the end, surprisingly! I think if I read this at a different time, I'd give it 5 stars, but to me, it just seemed 50 pages too long.

This was another wonderful book by an author that I've enjoyed in the past. I had high expectations going into this book because of how much I liked this author's previous books. And it didn't disappoint me.

The Truth About Dukes by Grace Burrowes  4.5 stars (Rogues to Riches #5)

This is Book #5 in the Rogues to riches Series.  I'll confess I'm behind in reading this series; the last one I read was "When A Duchess Says I Do".  But in my defense, the other 2 books are in my TBR pile.  I didn't feel lost because we met Lady Constance Wentworth in "My One and Only Duke"  She is the younger sister of Quinn, the Duke of Walden.  

This book is about Constance and Robert, Duke of Rothhaven.  Althea, younger sister of Constance is getting married to Nathaniel, the younger brother and current heir to the Duke of Rothhaven.  Unknown to all, Constance and Robert have a history.  Robert was a "guest" at an asylum for 10 years and Constance, a 15 year old runaway was hiding by working as a maid in said asylum.  Robert's father had sent him to the asylum because of his epilepsy and told everyone he was dead.  Nathaniel found out his brother was alive and fetched him from the asylum.   However, after being experimented on and tortured, Robert had a few issues along with the epileptic seizures.  Constance want to be independent and pursue her passion for painting, but she is also searching for someone.

This book is about recovery, healing and forgiveness.  It is also an indictment on how people treated the mentally ill or relatives that were "inconvenient". The conflict in this book is that someone is trying to declare Robert "not competent" and appoint a guardian for his interests.  

I found Robert more of a pragmatist and resigned to his fate.  He spends his time trying to protect the people he loves rather than fighting for his rights.  On the other hand, Constance is the fighter and unwilling to settle.  

I really enjoyed this book.  The fact that I didn't read the previous book did not matter because I was able to pick up the threads of this series without too much trouble.  I can't wait for the next book "How To Catch A Duke", Lord Stephen's story coming Spring 2021.

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC.

Stunning romance with a side of social commentary

First of all, this is an outstanding romance with sympathetic, well-developed characters who will burrow into a permanent place in your heart.  The writing is top-notch, the story flows beautifully, and every step of the book is filled with intense gravitas.  

But be aware that the author addresses how the society of that time (and place) dealt with people who were affected by seizure disorders and mental illness, and it's not at all pretty.  I appreciated the historical accuracy that is proof of the intensive research conducted, and was relieved to see justice prevail on the way to securing a truly beautiful HEA.  My heart hurts for all that Robert and Constance had to endure in their young lives, but those hardships only make their bright future all the more satisfying.  

I remember Robert from earlier in this series, although this story stands well on its own.  Once again I was instantly captivated by the author's storytelling style, the sophisticated prose, the vivid imagery, and the overall beauty of the emotional experience.  I cannot recommend this book or this author highly enough.  I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Truth About Dukes by Grace Burrows is the fifth book in her delightful Rogues to Riches series. It could be read as a stand-alone, but I think you will enjoy this book more if you have read the previous books as they feature characters in this book. Robert Rothmore, Duke of Rothhaven, first met Lady Constance Wentworth when he was hidden away in an asylum by his father, and she had run away from home and had found employment as a servant at the home. They meet again when his younger brother becomes engaged to her sister, and their relationship rekindles into something more. The brutal treatment he suffered at the asylum has left Robert with many fears and phobias in addition to the falling sickness (epilepsy), that was the reason for his incarceration. Constance may be the one woman who understands his problems and he may be the one man she will trust with her fears and secrets. As always Grace Burrowes tells a story with lots of angst, nasty villains, intriguing protagonists and just the right amount of steam. I enjoyed reading this book and cheered when they found their hard earned HEA. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: November 10, 2020. #TheTruthAboutDukes #GraceBurrowes #HistoricalRomance #ForeverGrandCentral #GrandCentralPublishing #NetGalley #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review.  The Truth About Dukes is the 4th title in the series, but can easily be read as a standalone title.  Lady Constance, the sister of the Duke of Wentworth, is in the north of England to lend her support to her newly engaged sister.  While attending a ball, she comes face to face with the Duke of Rothhaven.  It is clear that the two knew each other years ago under less than ideal circumstances.  Rothhaven has recently returned from the dead; he suffers from epilepsy (the falling sickness as it was known then) and spent years institutionalized by his father and then 5 years hiding at his estate.  He allowed his younger brother to remain the figurehead of the dukedom after his brother found him as he worked to recover from the effects of his epilepsy "treatments".  Lady Constance is prickly and clearly has something in her past that has made her determined to avoid marriage.  When the two are thrown together due to their siblings' engagement, it becomes quickly clear that the that they are strongly attracted to each other.  Rothaven fears being declared unfit and doesn't want to drag Constance down with him.  Can she convince him that not only is that a chance she is willing to take, but that she is strong enough to handle it?

As always, Ms. Burrowes imbues her story with a depth of emotion that often is lacking in other historical titles.  Both Constance and Rothaven are grown adults who have been through tragic and traumatic events; both act like the adults they are without any manufactured misunderstandings.  The description of the different treatments Rothaven endured are heartbreaking when you consider that these are really what people with epilepsy were forced to endure; so little was known about the causes and sufferers were often believed to be mentally deficient in some manner.  I enjoyed watching the relationship between the two grow as well as their personal growth.  Fans of Ms. Burrowes will not be disappointed by this title.

This book tackled an issue that I'd never read about in all the years I've been reading historical romances. It's called "Falling Sickness". I'd never heard it called that until this book, but it's epilepsy. Our duke has epilepsy. I've read plenty of books where the hero or heroine has some sort of physical infirmity, but never anything like this.

Robert is the Duke of Rothhaven. As a child, he fell off a horse, hit his head, and now has "Falling Sickness." He was a huge embarrassment to his father, who promptly sent him to an asylum. Robert was no more than a test subject to a demented, greedy doctor, as were the other people who were housed there. I don't want to call them patients because they weren't patients. They were more like lab rats, test subjects, or even a sick man's toys. Not a lot of detail was given, but enough was provided to know that Robert wasn't at a ball and had suffered greatly. What makes it even more grisly is that it was historically accurate. These things did happen in places like that. It makes me question humanity at that point in time.

Constance Wentworth had run away from home and found herself working in this establishment where Robert was existing. She was helping him as much as she could, knowing he was suffering and unable to bear the thought of it. This is where they met.

Fast forward a few years. Constance is now back home and is a bit of a recluse. The reason she's this way will blow your mind. *No spoilers* But she meets up with Robert again, only to discover he's been out of the asylum for quite some time, his brother has been acting as Duke all this time, and it's now time for Robert to claim his title. His brother is going to marry Constance's sister and they're going to move.

Robert has some debilitating idiosyncrasies. He doesn't like to go outside because it's too open. He can't travel in a carriage without the blinds being drawn. He won't ride a horse. He travels under the cover of darkness. He was such a dear, sweet man. I loved him so much and I loved how Constance helped him conquer these fears and how her family came together to help him.

But as things go, he has a couple of seizures in public, which brings around some nefarious barristers who seek to become his guardian because he is a lunatic. After he has a seizure, it takes him a little while to get his bearings about him again. Of course it does. He can't think straight, speaks thickly, and is so tired. He doesn't jump up and grandly spread his arms and declare, "I'm cool! I'm cool!" No. It drains him both physically and mentally. In addition to that, he has staring spells where he can hear and vaguely see what's going on around him, but is unable to respond until the spell is over. The barristers and other people who didn't understand the disorder, thought he was indeed a lunatic, an idiot, or mad when he really was very bright, witty, and intelligent. He was so misunderstood, but Constance knew him and understood him so well and loved him so much. It was just beautiful.

Constance had something going on in her life that few people knew about. Once Robert found out about it, he rallied behind her and supported her in every way possible. He didn't judge her, hold anything against her, or shame her. He loved her as much as she loved him and encouraged her and helped her even when she didn't ask for it. He amazed me at every turn.

This was a tough topic to tackle in this genre, but Ms. Burrowes handled it with sensitivity and care. The story was wonderfully written with characters I loved and characters that needed a good old-fashioned facer. Lady Phoebe Philpot comes to mind, as well as her whipped barrister husband, Neville Philpot. Conniving bit--oh, I wasn't about to say that. Yes, I was. She was a nosy, busybody with too much time on her hands and she ran her spineless, wimpy rodent of a husband with an iron fist.

There wasn't a lot of heat or a ton of feels. The love scenes were rated PG. But there is so much more to the story than that. It was still satisfying and had me cheering at the end. 

I will mention that I gave my dictionary on my Kindle a workout. I like learning new words and there were plenty of them in this book that I'd never seen before.

I enjoyed this book very much. It is part a series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone novel.