My first novel by Grace Burrowes is a fifth in a series.  This book borders on historical fiction to me because the romance is set early on in the novel.  Robert Rothmere is a duke with a dark past.  His father locked him away in an asylum to receive treatment for the "falling sickness" (epilepsy).  Having a hero with epilepsy was interesting given the limited understanding of the time period for the disease.    Roth sees Lady Constance Wentworth and remembers her as a girl who once worked in the kitchens of the asylum.  In her time there she snuck him food and gave him comfort.  Now she is a lady who wants to remain unnoticed in society and desires to paint and live in the country.  There is a plot to put Roth under guardianship because of his illness.  Can he prove he is competent to run his own affairs?  I love the relationship between the H/h because it isn't typical for a romance novel.  There are real mental and physical health issues that can impact their future.  I also appreciate that the families of the H/h were supportive, kind and helpful.

The book is told from many POVs.  Listening in on conversations of siblings or villains is interesting but it also slows the story.  Also with many side conversations I found two or three small scenes or plot points where I wondered why it was included because it didn't lead somewhere.  I don't want to list them as it could include spoilers.  The major story is well written, with a good conclusion.  The romantic scenes were soft to strong PG-13, leaving your imagination to complete the details.  Sensitive topics include treatment of mental and physical health, abuse by a parent, alcoholism, giving up a child etc.  These are not overly explicit.

I enjoyed the novel and will at look for others in the series.  Thank you to Net Galley and Forever for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

In The Truth About Dukes, Grace Burrowes depicts the romance between a hero who had been abandoned by his father to an asylum due to his "falling sickness" and a heroine who he met and helped during his stay there. Now a duke, he hides from society due to the unpredictability of his spells, assisted by his younger brother. However as his brother has become affianced (this is a series of books, but it's not necessary to have read the previous installments), Robert realizes he needs to step outside of his fears and concerns.  Constance, the heroine, is extremely reserved and cold, and somewhat hard to warm up to, but I did feel their connection, and it was enough to keep going through the novel. Burrowes is hit and miss for me--in this case, it was more of a hit as Robert was a very sympathetic hero, and the coupling was dignified, and much of the novel unfolded in ways that make sense. It's a fairly gentle read, so if you like high, florid romance, this won't be it. If you're a fan of Mary Balogh, however, you will likely enjoy this story.

4.5 stars 

I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest and unbiased review; all opinions are my own.

I love this series.
This story is about Robert, who we met in the previous book. Robert, has the falling sickness(epilepsy). 
His brother has been caring for him since finding him locked up in a hospital.
Lady Constance, is the perfect match for him. She is like a mother bear protecting her young.  Grace deals with illness with knowledge.
Recommend this series.

The Truth About Dukes is the 5th book in Grace Burrowes' Rogues to Riches series. It is the story of Robert Rothmere and Lady Constance Wentworth. Robert has spent much of his life confined against his will and Constance has unfortunate past that is unknown to even her close siblings. Both are desperate to be left alone and to avoid the world. Their friendship and budding romance is sweet and heartwarming the obstacles they face are believable. The story deals heavily with Regency-era perceptions of mental illness and disabilities and the author offers an explanatory historical note at the end of the book.

Burrowes is adept at creating large casts of interwoven families who appear in multiple books and who become old and dear friends to the reader by the later books in the series. Like all her books, this book is full of warmth and affection (between friends and family, as well as the happy couple) This book provides an excellent escape and leaves the reader feeling hopeful about the world.

The Truth About Dukes by Grace Burrowes gives me a bit of a disadvantage as I have never delved into the other 4 books in the series but am thankful I am given the opportunity to read this one.  When I first started to read this story, my heart immediately dropped for Robert, the Duke of Rothmere and Lady Constance Wentworth as you read more about the characters, the underlying stories of their pasts and secrets start to unfold. 

This story brings out several memorable details...it speaks on falling sickness (seizures), physical abuse, underaged pregnancy, giving up a child, cruel treatment in institutions and a touch on child exploitation.  There is a bit of anxiety and angst that each character has to deal with and overcome. This story moved my heart so much for the H/h and the forces they had to deal with that were not of familial nature.  It was outsiders that created the drama in their lives and relationship.

I loved the development of the major and minor characters and how the plot transitioned to provide you with a breath when the villains get their comeuppance for their misdeeds.  This was a very enjoyable story and I am also enjoying my fanship of Grace Burrowes and her stories.

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this ARC for my fair and honet review.  All opinions in this review are my own.

There is always something about reading a Grace Burrowes book that is like coming home.  We met Robert in the prior book - and I had so much sympathy for him.  He had been confined to a private home for medical treatment - and it was a true house of horrors - because of his epilepsy. As a result - he developed additional issues including agoraphobia and severe anxiety.  None of which, of course, are understood by the people of the time and certainly aren't acceptable for a Duke.  Reading about it was just so incredibly sad.  But amazingly Robert isn't bitter or angry about it - he just wants to live and be at peace.  

Constance has seemed like the most aloof Wentworth - hard to read and distant.  But her personal story packs a punch.  Both she and Robert really are victims of their time, but they find acceptance and love with each other.

I loved that all of the drama surrounding their relationship came from external forces - what was never in doubt for even a second is their love for each other.  

This book deals with a lot of sensitive topics - <spoiler> chronic illness, anxiety, giving up a child, physical abuse and touches on the fact that Constance's father forced her and her sister to allow men to touch them sexually for money at a young age)</spoiler>.  But the story is extremely moving and just makes your heart feel good to see the nasty folks get whats coming to them.

I loved it-  and continue to love this series.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

To say that Constance and Robert come from dysfunctional fathers would not be an exaggeration. Robert’s epilepsy is treated by his father sending him to an asylum and telling everyone he died. Constance’s drunk and abusive father leads her to make poor choices in her life. They come to trust, depend, and love each other. Great story! I can’t wait to read the next in the series! I received an ARC from NetGalley and Forever for my honest review.

Robert, a duke, and Constance, a duke's sister, seem like they should be a perfect match but each has very real issues and a traumatic past that they must overcome first.  I have read other books in this series and enjoy the stories, faithfulness to historical details and importance of family, those the characters are born into and those the characters find for themselves, that are created by the author.  I loved the plot and the complex characters of this book.  They are dealing with very complicated dilemmas with grace and maturity.  The romance was fine, and I definitely rooted for these two characters to find a happy ending, but it definitely wasn't very fiery.  Getting past that, though, is not a problem when you are so invested in the story.  I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love a romance, particularly historical romance, that has a protagonist with a disability or mental illness. Regency romances are often predictable, and while I love a titled rake, I appreciate stories that delve deeper. Grace Burrowes does this so well and has become a go-to any time I want to read a well written and interesting historical romance. I typically prefer romances a little steamier than this one was, but found that this story was compelling and well-written enough that I didn't mind.

There is no one better than Grace Burrowes in crafting damaged, very real personalities in historical England, and The Truth About Dukes is no exception. Through Robert and Constance’s secrets and histories, Burrowes lays bare the tragedies each must bear because of the unforgiving moral structures of their time and class. Robert and Constance each struggle to come away from their pasts while finding sure footing with each other, and their romance is not just loving, but it is one of triumph over past hurts and present dangers. 

If you’re a Burrowes fan like me, The Truth About Dukes will not disappoint.