This book tells the story of Robert, Duke of Rothhaven, and Lady Constance Wentworth. However, there are several other POV’s presented from the many characters in this book. In fact, there are a lot of Dukes and their wives in this book so there was a lot of “your grace” in the dialogue. This lost me at times because  I had no idea which ‘your grace’ they were speaking to or talking about.

The multi POVs also made getting to know the main characters a little difficult for a first time reader of the series.  My favorite character was  Robert because he was unique - he had to deal with epilepsy and being banished from home for most of his young life. I didn’t feel like I got to know Constance well enough. She is characterized as having headstrong tendencies, but I didn't see much of that in this book. 

There were several plotlines in this book: living with epilepsy, scheming to get guardianship over Robert due to mental incompetence, couples trying to get married, and looking for Constance’s long lost daughter, to name a few.  You’ll notice I don’t mention romance. That is because the romance happened ‘off camera’ since they met and fell in love in another book. Because of this the romance element fell a little short for me in this book.

The family presents a  great supporting cast and I would like to get to know them through their own books.  I especially liked the touches of humor, usually at the expense of their siblings. It's always fun to take a jab at siblings every now and then. Now that I’ve been introduced to the family, I can’t wait for Stephen's book to come out. 3.5/5

Overall - ⭐⭐⭐
Heat - 🔥🔥1/2

The Truth About Dukes by Grace Burrowes is the fifth in her Rogues to Riches series. Before you read this book at the very least you need to have read the previous book, A Duke By Any Other Name. There is a lot of background information that is helpful to read in that book and I think without it this book would not be as enjoyable to read.

This book is about Robert, the brother to Nathaniel from the previous book, the true heir to the Rothaven dukedom. After certain events from the previous book Robert finds himself in want of a wife. But he needs the right lady, so he decides on sweet and “seemingly” boring Lady Constance Wentworth. What he doesn’t know is Constance has secrets of her own. These two met in a place and time when neither had many friends and share knowledge they’d rather not come out.

This book tackles some rather dark subject matter, and felt very different in tone to other books I’ve read by Burrowes. I enjoyed the storytelling as I always do, and I loved that these two unique individuals find their HEA with each other. However, this book is not my favorite in the series, and I think it’s because I felt like the love story wasn’t as well developed. The couple obviously cared for each other, but most of the time I felt like it was more a friend feeling than romantic. Sometimes, it felt like Robert was using Constance like an emotional support animal rather than a partner.

Constance is wonderfully supportive of Robert, and I loved her strength of character. Yet, I felt that she enabled some of his bad behaviors and coddled him a little too much. To be fair, there is NO WAY I could empathize with what Robert went through. I am cognizant we should be more supportive of mental issues, and I am not saying he deserved no support. Rather, I am saying the dynamic felt less about romance and more about emotional support.

Overall, it was still a good book and if you’ve been following the series; I think you’ll enjoy it. If you’re looking to get into Burrowes’s books or have skipped around in her series, make sure you check out Nathaniel’s book first so you’re not lost.

After reading the last book in this series, I was eagerly anticipating Robert's happily ever after, and Grace Burrowes did not disappoint!  This was exactly the book his character deserved, with so much character growth, healing, and the opportunity to have the life he always wanted.  It took me several days to get through this book, I'll be honest, mostly because I am one of those people who have "invisible" ailments, who the author dedicates this book to.  There comes a very real, and distressing, understanding of Robert's situation, when you have gone through even a smidgen of what he went through.  My situation doesn't even come close (I have very supportive parents, for one thing), but I remember the first time I realized something was wrong with me that I couldn't control.  It's terrifying and it's even worse when people don't understand it.  During Robert's time period, a person with any disease that people didn't understand was hidden away, often left in asylums that tortured them and held them prisoner until they died.  Grace Burrowes did a fantastic job of creating a realistic character, and it was heartwarming to see his growth as a person and his belief in himself grow stronger each day.

Constance Wentworth never thought to see Robert Rothmere again, but now he's back in her life ten years later, a duke and her soon-to-be brother-in-law.  Having met him in a private hospital, which she'd fled to after receiving heartbreaking news, she remembered him well, but after writing to him once and receiving no reply, she assumed he was firmly in her past.  Now in her present, the Duke of Rothhaven is enchanted by Constance.  Robert has never forgotten how kindly she treated him during those months she worked at the hospital, and upon seeing her again, he feels a stirring beyond friendship that he's never felt before.  As they grow closer, Robert feels guilty for bringing her into his problematic world, but Constance refuses to give up on him and their relationship.  And while Robert may have an obstacle in front of him, Constance has one of her own that she has yet to share with him.  One that could change the course of their relationship, for better or worse.

As I stated above, Robert was a very well-written character, completely believable in how he felt about his past, his illness (epilepsy), and his future.  It was why I had such a hard time reading it - I could feel both his affection for her and his anxiety over losing her.  It was difficult to read at times, because I could relate so much to it.  Constance was exactly the woman he needed in his life, completely unafraid to take on whatever challenges he faced and all the while facing her own.  She was his light, which he desperately needed as people plotted against him.  Possibly the worst (and by that I mean best written) villainous couple I have every laid eyes on reside in this book.  Truly awful people who deserve every bit of unpleasantness that can be thrown at them, honestly.  Bravo to the author, for creating not only realistic main characters but also creating villains we all love to hate.

Perhaps even more anticipated than Robert's book has been Stephen's book, and I'm happy to say that his story is next!  I'm so excited to see him be happy, and his lady love has already been introduced and is lovely.  I can't wait!

Grace Burrowes has manage to grab me by the heartstrings and bring me along for another emotional rollercoaster of a romance! My heat ached with sorrow and joy as I read this book.

The fifth book in the Wentworth series continues where we left off from A Rogue by Any Other Name. Lady Althea and her Lord Nathanial are planning their nuptials, and their siblings are busy re-establishing their secret acquaintance.

Lady Constance is not a woman free of skeletons in her closet and soon her budding relationship and romance with the true Duke of Rothmere will bring them to light. Can Robert, the at long last returned duke be able to handle his lady loves scandal as he fights to prove his sanity and fitness to be the duke?

These character were both so fascinating had me quite invested in them eventually acquiring their HEA. Both have suffered so much in their youth and now find strength within each other to overcome their past setbacks and fight together for a much deserved happy future.

I wanted to add that a main focal point of this story is the fact that the Duke has epilepsy. In this time period, views and treatments of this affliction were archaic and somewhat monstrous in a modern light. I felt (as a person whom has a family member with this condition) that Burrowes’ representation was emotional difficult at times to read, the overall effect was true to the time. Truth hurts sometimes. We are so fortunate to be in a modern time where medical innovation has provided un-intrusive and effective treatments, as well as a more positive perceptions of neurological and mental heath issues. The rallying and support that the close relations and more open minded characters really softened the blow of certain villainous characters actions. 

Lady Constance and Rothmere captured my heart and their struggles became mine. That is the sign of a great romance! 

The Truth About Dukes by Grace Burrowes is scheduled to release November 10th, 2020.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
 
#TheTruthAboutDukes #GraceBurrowes #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads

Trigger Warnings:
-Negative perception/ reception of persons with epilepsy and mental health disorders. 
-Allegations of abuse in a treatment facility.
-A young mother has to giveaway her newborn child

Grace Burrowes delivers another fine romance with unusual characters and interesting plot twists.  It is easy to root for the hero and heroine and boo the bad guys. .

3.5 stars 

This is a new-ish to me author, but I loved that synopsis. 

I liked Constance and Robert. She’s smart and sassy. He’s a little awkward and unsure. Together they’re calculating and fairly adorable and loyal af. I loved reading their relationship grow and was the best part of the book. 

Plot wise, it was sort of a lot. There’s several moving pieces, a ton of characters, and nearly everyone gets a POV. There was a good amount of conflict, but it wasn’t angsty. The build up was gentle and slow and while I wanted more from the epilogue, it seemed fitting. 

Overall, it was Constance and Robert who kept me reading. I am interested in other books of the series, but not sure if I’ll be clamoring for them.

**Huge thanks to Forever for providing the arc free of charge**

The Truth About Dukes
by Grace Burrowes
Forever (Grand Central Publishing)
Forever
Romance
Pub Date 10 Nov 2020   |   Archive Date 14 Nov 2020

I have not read any other books by Grace Burrows so I thought I would try this one.  Honestly, it was not my favorite read this month.  People did view epilepsy differently then but I do feel it was callous. 
Thanks to Forever and Net Galley for the ARC and the opportunity to read a new author for me. 

Not a good match though... 
3 star

I’m a big fan of Grace Burrowes:

​
Unconventional, sex-positive characters.
An understated Downtown Abbey-esque style—gentle tones used to convey some tough love, insults, & drama!
Secrets! & some familial discord but the characters also possess an unbending sense of integrity & loyalty.


The Truth about Dukes focuses on Robert, a duke living with epilepsy who has decided to return to his rightful societal place.

As a child, after experiencing epileptic episodes, Robert was sent to live in a mental asylum by his father & the assumption was that he was dead. After his brother rescued him Robert spent years in his home, anxious of many things related to his terrible asylum experience.

Now, forced to act like a Duke, Robert finds an old ally, Lady Constance Wentworth, who once left her family for reasons unknown so she could be a maid at the aforementioned asylum. They had a friendship, an allyship, then but haven’t spoken since.

Like with her other books I’ve read, the love story here is touching & tender & gives me those awww feelings. Because Burrowes writes imperfect characters, her romances often feel real & approachable.

Robert & Constance are two ships on storm-wrecked seas & I love how they latch onto each other. They’re able to reveal their vulnerabilities with one another & it’s truly beautiful to me.

I did feel like there are some execution issues with this romance though, particularly some aspects of the plot & characterization that feel rushed.

Be aware too that this book is tackling the subject of how people in the 19th century might have viewed someone with epilepsy, & the reactions to Robert & his episodes are often callous, insensitive, &/or cruel, both outside of the leads’ families & within.

With TTaD Burrowes offers another beautiful tale of two characters falling in love—it’s just that some aspects of how the tale unfold don’t quite  hold up for me.




[Additional CWs:


​the heroine felt like she had to give up her illegitimate daughter for adoption years earlier. Veiled references to the heroine’s background, including things her violent father did & forced his children to do.]


3.5 ⭐️. The Truth about Dukes releases on 11/10. Thanks to Netgalley, Forever Pub, & Grand Central Pub for the complimentary ARC (and the latter two for the finished copy, too.) All opinions provided are my own.

It was evident at the end of Burrowes' previous Rogues to Riches book that the Duke of Walden's younger sister Constance was familiar with the Duke of Rothhaven (the real one, not the one portrayed in A Duke by Any Other Name)., and The Truth About Dukes picks up where that left off. Robert suffers from epilepsy and had been hidden away for many a year at an asylum. Now that his brother Nathaniel is getting married, Robert is preparing himself and his estate for the impending shift of control. He remembers Constance quite well from her days as a maid at the aforementioned asylum, and their siblings' upcoming nuptials have renewed their acquaintance. The acquaintance quickly blossoms into full-blown romance; as Constance is not at all put out by Robert's "falling sickness", and Robert is not remotely swayed by Constance's own secrets. However, society does not look kindly on the failings of either, and it will not be a smooth path for these two reunited lovers.

Though their circumstances are fraught, the romance thankfully is not. Burrowes as always provides a witty, socially nuanced story that will further endear her and this series to readers.

Robert Rothmere, the Duke of Rothhaven, is battling demons from his past which no one should have to endure.  Unfortunately, his struggles are impossible to hide as he ventures out in public and attempts to resume a normal life.  This, along with his immense wealth, means he is the perfect target for greedy schemers seeking to have him declared incompetent and sent right back to the place of his nightmares.  The best defense Robert has is to act perfectly ducal, starting with taking a proper wife, and he knows just the lady he wants to fill the position.

Lady Constance Wentworth has worked hard to blend in and go unnoticed in public and as far as anyone knows she is completely untouched by scandal.  She and Robert met years ago under far different circumstances, but she’s never forgotten him or how he kept her safe when she was alone and friendless.  She would dearly love to marry him, but he doesn’t know her biggest secret or that it could bring even more scrutiny down on him just when proper appearances are most important.

Man did this book stress me out!  The constant sense of impending doom hanging over Robert and his family was tough, and I just kept screaming at all these greedy schemers to mind their own business.  Robert and Constance were beyond sweet together and I loved how fiercely protective they were of each other.  Their backstory together was also adorable and brought things full circle in their relationship with how much they’d always loved each other and striven to protect one another even if no one else knew about it.  The family dynamics here and the teamwork between the Wentworths and the Rothmeres was lovely.  Despite their differences, they all rallied around each other and supported each other when it mattered most.  This unity enabled Constance and Robert to secure their HEA and made it that much more satisfying to me to see all that cohesion.  This whole group of characters was delightful, even if it did put me on pins and needles and I’m looking forward to Stephen’s story.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I simply love Grace Burrowes. I can always count on her to craft a great romance novel. I was looking forward to this one because the hero, Robert, suffers from epilepsy and some other mental health issues after being trapped in a madhouse for years and experimented on while he was there. I love how the author deals with health issues in realistic ways without miraculous cures. Her characters learn how to thrive and find true love while still coping with their mental and physical health issues. It is refreshing. 

I love the heroine, Constance, and I appreciated how Robert knows when he falls in love and does whatever he can to help and protect her without taking away her choices. They are both fully developed people who fall in love and face the world together. It was just what I needed, and I could not put it down..

It was also fun to see the other family members that I have enjoyed throughout the series. I highly recommend reading A Duke by Any Other Name before you read this book, as it includes a lot of important character and plot development. 

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley in return for a fair review

This is a story of second chances. Robert the Duke of Rothmere is given a second chance at life after being rescued from an insane asylum by his younger brother. 
Lady Constance, the sister of the Duke of Cade is being given a second  chance with the daughter she gave up at birth.
And then there's the relationship between Robert and Constance.  It started many years ago when Robert was a patient and Constance was working there as a maid. They were reunited when Robert's brother and Constance's sister begin courting. 
They fully take advantage of their  2nd chance, becoming best friends and falling in love. 
I struggled at the beginning of this book. But as usual with a Grace burrowes book, i got to a point where I couldn't put it down. The HEA was just so sweet. It just made me sigh and say that was great! 
5 stars
I want to thank Netgalley for the chance to review this book.

I enjoyed reading this book.  I like the stories in old England.  The story was good but sad too.  The way certain illnesses were treated was also sad.  It was a busy but entertaining read and I would recommend the book to anyone.

I had a few trepidations about beginning this book – NOT because I thought it wouldn’t be well written or that it wouldn’t be a wonderful story. No, it was because I absolutely LOVED Robert in A Duke by Any Other Name, where Robert’s brother Nathaniel found his HEA, and we learned what a tragic life Robert had. From what we learned in that book, we knew more strife was on the way, and I just didn’t want to see him go through it. I was so afraid he’d be confined to a madhouse again – at least for a little while – and I just didn’t want to see it. Well, I should not have feared – I should have known. The author handled it all wonderfully and wonderful Robert was triumphant and the baddies got their due – well – some of their due anyway. I’d have preferred more, but I’m a bloodthirsty lady.

Robert Rothmere, Duke of Rothaven, was imprisoned (there isn’t a better word for it) in a private asylum at the age of ten – because he had the falling sickness (epilepsy) and his father was ashamed. To make matters worse, his father had him declared legally dead so his brother could assume the title. Robert spent a great many years there, being tortured with ice baths, deprivation, starvation, beatings, isolation, well, you name it and it happened to Robert. Then, five years ago, after his father died, his brother discovered he was alive and immediately retrieved him from the asylum. To say that Robert had phobias and eccentricities is putting it mildly, but he’s been slowly working his way through them – at least now he can go outside – as long as it is in a walled garden. When he again encounters the woman who saved his life while he was in the asylum, he has even more reason to fight to overcome all of his liabilities and become the duke he needs to be.

Lady Constance Wentworth has secrets – deep secrets – most in her family aren’t even aware of them. She has spent the last several years making herself unnoticeable – basically blending into the background. She is ‘perfect’. She always says the perfect thing. She never speaks out of turn. She conducts herself with the most upright respectability. All because she won’t bring shame to her family whose beginnings are pretty shaky to begin with. However, there was a time… Constance once ran away and took menial work at an asylum. There, she became close to the residents and saw their mistreatment. There was one young man who was horribly abused and they became close friends – until her brother found her and took her home.

Now, years later, Constance’s sister is marrying Robert’s brother. This, of course, brings Robert and Constance together as well and their feelings for each other are reignited. I loved how Constance’s support for Robert never, ever faltered. She’s also one smart cookie and helped Robert overcome his phobias as well as his foes.

I thought Lady Constance was the perfect match for Robert and I don’t think the story could have been told any better than it was. It was delightful to watch these two come into their own. I am so glad I decided to read it and I hope you will be as well.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

We learned about Robert Rothmere, the hidden heir to the dukedom, in the previous book, and now we get his story with Constance Wentworth. Robert was hidden away because of his epilepsy and now that he’s been restored to his title, he expects there to be a motion for guardianship based on it. He’s not expecting to fall in love with Constance in the meantime.
The love story is a sweet one, and the characters are well written. Once again I enjoy Burrowes’ humour and writing style. The legal challenge to Robert is well laid out without feeling like info-dump. 
Where the book stumbles is a secondary storyline involving Constance’s past that doesn’t quite fit with the characterization of some of the other characters and the resolution was abrupt and unsatisfying. For that, I struggled to rate it; based on my enjoyment of the rest of the book it results in a 3.5.

Grace Burrowed has another success on her hands with this book. The characters are real as is the emotions that the reader experiences reading this book. The author handles the subject of epilepsy with understanding and compassion without overdramatizing or minimizing it.  A great read. Don't miss this one!

Lady Constance's sister is about to marry Robert, the Duke of Rothmere's brother. As far as their families know, Constance and Robert have never met. But in fact they have a shared past, and one that could reveal secrets both have kept from their families for many years.

Robert has recently rejoined society after decades in isolation, and he knows that to be accepted as the duke, he needs to marry soon and well. He decides that the proper Lady Constance would be the perfect, demure choice. But Constance isn't as proper as she seems, and whether she's tempted by Robert or not, marrying him could bring scandal down on everyone.

Burrowes does a wonderful job of creating large and loveable families. It's a pleasure to revisit this growing clan with each new book. She also excels at quiet romance that makes life better for the people involved, with dramatic plots but a minimum of angst.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review.

A sweet and tender love story that has quite a bit of depth to it, thanks to its intelligent treatment of mental illness and epilepsy before both were better understood. Definitely recommend!

Robert Rothmere, the Duke of Rothhaven suffered unimaginable torture at the hands of a quack doctor running a madhouse. Robert's father sent him away when he was eleven after he had developed epilepsy from repeated falls off a horse. His father thought to lock him away forever, but his brother Nathaniel finds out about him 10 years later and brings him home. Unfortunately, because of the torture he suffered, Robert is hiding away at the ducal seat while Nathaniel continues to act as the duke. Five years later, Robert is finally ready to accept the responsibility of being the duke with the help of Lady Constance Wentworth. However, not everyone is content to leave the happy couple in peace and a competency suit is brought against him. Can he hold it together while being questioned by the commission or will a fit at the wrong time doom him to a madhouse once again?

I found this book a compelling read and have high praise for Ms. Burrowes for her handling of such a difficult subject. While Robert and Constance are hardly the typical couple found in regency romances, their path to each other was exactly what each needed. The book was full of twists and turns and I found it hard to put it down especially as I neared the end. When everything looked bleak, an unlikely hero emerges to grant Robert and Constance their happily ever after. 

I voluntarily read this advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

Constance is the seemingly boring sister; Robert is the recently un-hermited and re-announced Duke of Rothhaven who had been hidden away because of his epilepsy. Unbeknownst to their families, they two had actually met some years ago, and their feelings were kindled then. Now, they are free to marry-- and find Constance's by-blow daughter who had been raised by another family. 

I downloaded this ARC because it received a starred review in one of  the October Kirkuses, but it did not live up to my expectations. This book is not a romance-- it's a historical novel written with some nods to the romance genre. The relationship between Robert and Constance really developed when he was at Soames when she was working there-- some 10ish years prior. That is the story that should be told in these pages. I don't particularly care about the missing daughter or the plot to have Rothhaven declared incompetent. I want swooning and banter and flirting. 

Diverse reads:
- Robert has epilepsy.