As if losing her husband wasn't bad enough, Katherine finds herself in the midst of a scandal in the making. Her late husband's half brother arrives to try to settle the mess. Katherine had started her own business and is determined to live her own life. Her late husband's half brother arrives to put affairs in order but finds himself fighting his desire for her. This is a romantic, well written story . The characters, even the secondary ones are entirely believable. I had to read almost straight thru because I just had to see how it ended. Janna McGregor has penned another 5 star book. Her writing is creative and makes for happy reading . The story just flows on the page. Well worth the read!

In a patriarchal society where reputation is everything, Katherine knows her name must be above reproach, especially considering the secrets in her past. With a business on the line and other people depending on her, Katherine is determined to fix the messy situation her deceased husband left her and two other wives in. So, when she meets her husband’s brother, the Duke of Randford, she implores him to help.

As a Duke, Christian has much responsibility, especially after he learns that his deceased brother Meri had three wives. He wants nothing to do with his brother’s mess, but his conscience and the beguiling Katherine won’t let him ignore the situation. The lives and reputations of three women are in the balance. As Katherine and Christian try to figure out the mess that Meri left behind, will they give in to their growing feelings for each other? Will secrets from the past ruin their chance at love?

Christian is brave and determined and not one to shirk his responsibilities. He is also compassionate and thoughtful, and he has an amazing green thumb. A war hero and leader, Christian knows the horrors of battle. Like Katherine, Christian wants to use his success and influence to help others. I love that Katherine and Cristian share this desire to help others. They are both generous and compassionate, and they share so many great qualities.

Katherine is strong and fierce, and her kindness and regard for others are admirable. I mean, I don’t think, if I found out my husband married two other women, that I would invite the women to live with me. But Katherine sees women in need and in worse situations than her, and she is compelled to help. She works hard and helps others all while pursuing her own independence. She’s much like Christian in that way. They are both intelligent and strong-willed, and they make a great team.

Though Katherine and Christian didn’t meet under the best circumstances, their feelings for each other quickly grow. They have great chemistry and complement each other well. However, many complications and obstacles stand in their way. Though they had very different upbringings, they both are haunted by the past and things that happened in their childhoods. Some secrets threaten their relationship as well, and it’s interesting to see how their story unfolds and develops.

The story takes place in 1815, and the after-effects of the war are prominent throughout the story. Christian is a war hero committed to helping other veterans who need aid. Homelessness, unemployment, injuries, and PTSD are just some of the topics that are examined in the book. It also highlights the passivity society shows to these war heroes and their plight. I found this aspect of the story really interesting, and I love how Christian and Katherine try to help.

There are interesting commentaries throughout the novel about social classes, morals, and how one’s actions can affect others. Meri’s actions had profound effects on so many people, and his selfishness and thoughtlessness repeatedly put others at risk. In contrast, Katherine and Christian’s actions throughout the story have such positive impacts on the people in their lives. From employing people to offering shelter to creating new business opportunities, this pair defies social norms in the best ways possible. I love the strong messages and how they not only highlight prevalent issues but also add to the character development

I enjoyed this historical romance. It has great characters and great messages, and the love story is wonderful. The story also sets up potential romances in the next books, and I’m excited to learn more about the other two widows. Thanks so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Janna MacGregor for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I will post links closer to pub. date

A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor. The Widow Rules, #1. St. Martin's Press, 2021.

Of a series of unexpected encounters for newly widowed Katherine waiting hopefully at the lawyer’s office, meeting her brother-in-law Christian is probably the most pleasant.

Katherine (Kat) and Christian are kindred spirits, attractive and good, as are the supporting characters, introduced with enough development so that readers who enjoy this book will look forward to meeting them again, in later books of this new series.

Though at times the dialogue reminded me of a script, the book is easy to read. The plot is straightforward as characters overcome past experiences and efficiently cope with a number of current challenges. This Regency Romance is light on history, which is fine, it just isn’t my preference. For me, a Duke in Time was just ok.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of A Duke in Time for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. #adukeintime #NetGalley

I got a total kick out of the premise for this book-spouse dies and the widow, Katherine, goes to the law office for the will reading only to discover two other women who are also apparently married to the same man! Talk about a cheating bounder!! And this opening kicked off a really fantastic read...

I loved Katherine. She’s resilient, loyal, honest, and so darn compassionate to those in need. She’s taken a few hard knocks in her lifetime, but it doesn’t get her down. Befriending the other wives showed a more forgiving and understanding personality than some would have, and I liked how accepting she was about the matter.

Christian was extremely likable! Here he is, stuck dealing with his idiotic half sibling’s demise and ensuing chaotic mess he really wants no part of, all while trying to help his fellow military compatriots and deal with his estate. He’s sort of caught between a rock and a hard place. With Katherine pestering him to do something about her and the other women’s financial mess among other things (besides walk away and leave another in charge) Christian steps up to the plate in the most unexpectedly endearing ways.

The strong leads and a wonderful cast of supporting characters made this book a very enjoyable read! I haven’t read many books by this author, but she’s definitely on my radar now!

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

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This regency romance was warm and witty with a feminist viewpoint.  I love the way this book made consent and women's rights an integral part of the storyline which supported the romance in an affirming way. 

Upon arriving at her dead husband's solicitor, Katherine Varek is surprised to find out that he has 2 other wives.  She then makes the compassionate decision to take them both in while they all sort out the tangled web their late "husband" has trapped them in. Her husband's brother, Christian, Duke of Randford, meets Katherine at the solicitor and is immediately taken with her.  He tries hard to help Katherine and the other women to sort out their problems while dealing with his complicated feelings about his late brother.

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

Sweet and spicy, with one of the more affable heroes and daring heroines I’d seen in a while. Can’t wait to read more from this author

A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor, published by St. Martin's Press, is a stand-alone in her new The Widow Rules Series.
The storyline is set in 1815 in London UK, in the upper society.
Lady Katherine is a young widow, all alone in London. She's a businesswoman but keeps her secrets close to her.
And then there's her brother-in-law, Lord Christian. Their meet cute is remarkable and there isn't much love left. But contrairy their chemistry is high, very much so.
ADiT is a heartwarming story, unputdownable once started, an all the feels giving story, a sweet romance with a twist.
A great read, I recommend the book , 5 stars.

I liked this story a lot, even if it was a little bit too long in my opinion. Looking forward to read the stories of the other 2 Brides of Mari.

Questa storia mi é piaciuta parecchio, anche se forse qualche pagina in meno non avrebbe guastato. Comunque non vedo l'ora di leggere anche le storie delle altre due mogli!

I received a complimentary digital copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I really loved this book. Just dove in and binged my way through. I love that it gives a different twist on the Regency romance plot. Katherine is her own woman, has her own business & doesn't need saving. She isn't intimidated by the Duke and she has empathy for the other "wives." I also love that the hero is not a rake who needs to be reformed by the love of the heroine. He has an innate sense of honor that makes him a great match for Katherine. And I think most of all I love that the author gives the characters time to get to know and appreciate each other and it isn't just physical attraction that drives their relationship.

I can't wait for the next book in what I assume will be a trilogy.

Loved this book!!! I found myself totally engrossed in Kat's story and couldn't put my kindle down. Kat, as the illegitimate daughter of an actress, as well as a convicted thief, didn't like her story, so she relocated to London, changed her name, and re-wrote her history. As the newly minted Kat Greer, she married Lord Meri. He then disappeared for year and died, leaving Kat to learn that he'd married two other women.

I loved Kat's story and how she manged to fashion a life for herself during a time that was so unforgiving to women without a sterling pedigree. When she met the duke, their first meeting was a bit strained, as the duke has no interest in resolving and cleaning up his half-brother's messes. However, somehow Kat has captured his attention and he can't seem to step back from her, despite her being his half-brother's wife.

If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. Put this one at the top of your TBR list. The author is on my must read authors' list.

I adored this book. The characters are wonderful and even with their perceptions about themselves and others, they are willing to try. Try to be better. Try to help others. Kat and Christian are wonderful and the secondary characters are amazing as well. I hope to read the rest of this series as soon as possible.

Katherine discovers nothing is as it seems, when upon her husband's death, she discovers he also married two other women. Christian is the older brother who inherits the messes and complications left behind. This is a thoroughly enjoyable romance, but also showcases how three women come together to help each other move forward. I am already looking forward to the next entry in the series.

This book definitely had an original theme, a "Trigamist"! Katherine was a strong, capable heroine, which I liked, and Sebastian was a very kind and likeable hero, but I kind of lost interest in their story part of the way through, in part because I have a low tolerance to "angst", which is my issue. The book ended well, so I am giving it a 3-1/2 starts rating.

So good, so good, so good! Loved every page! fabulous, she knows what she wants and plans to get it.
I never write a spoiler, but really, this is great .I can't wait!! for the next book.

This book had an unique concept.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about some of the twists and turns though. Like the whole
Book I thought she went to jail as a thief but she didn’t. And then her background was resolved *so* quickly. It also set up the next 2-3 books and not subtly.

Katherine married the younger son of a Duke, Meri, thinking it would be the making of her, she didn't expect him to leave her soon after they had married though and neither did she anticipate his death just a few month later. Her husband is good for last final surprise though - he had not only married Katherine but two other women besides her. When Meri's older half-brother Christian, the Duke of Randford, returns to town the news of his brothers three wives is just further proof that his half-brother was just the kind of man, he had always known him to be.
I was very intrigued with the set-up of this story and I enjoyed what the author did with it. It brought the three wives as well as Christian and Katherine together and brought a little drama to the story.

My favorite part of the book was the relationship between Christian and Katherine, they had a nice slow build-up and really got to know each other before things took a more actively romantic route. I loved their pining for each other and how small things got them all hot and bothered for each other. They were such a well matched pair, both of them have such good hearts and work on these really good causes, which made their relationship and chemistry all the more believable. Christian especially endeared himself to me by being such a gentle, kind and understanding person - all while he's frequently bringing out some really romantic lines, you know, the whole package deal of goodness.
They were surrounded by a nice cast of side characters that helped round up the book and they were also set up for their own promising stories, which I am intrigued to read about.

What I did not enjoy were some parts of Katherines backstory I just did not found believable and similarly her marriage to Meri made no sense to me, her reasonings I understood and though we got an explanation from his side it did not convince me that he would marry Kat in the first place.
The POV switched several times mid-chapter without any indicator, which was slightly irritating, much more helpful were the line breaks that were used in the later chapters to separate the two POVs.

A fantastic start to a new series! MacGregor gives you characters you will care about, emotional drama, a high-stakes plot, swoon-worthy dialogue and super steamy sex scenes. In short, everything a historical romance reader wants. I can't wait to read about Constance & the Earl, Beth & Greyson and hopefully Willa & Morgan in a novella!

The title was a little misdirecting. It gave me the impression that there is a time travel or time-slip element to the story. There is not. There IS a compelling story of three women duped into marrying the same man that sucks you in as you wait for the other shoe to drop and their secrets to be exposed.

A beautifull story about three women who married the same man without know it . His brother trying to figure what to do with the wives . A love story about two people with their past still hunting them . Great secondary characters .
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story. I liked both Katherine and Christian. The plot is unusual for a regency. Katherine after learning her husband died goes in to his Lawyer's offices for the reading of the will and there she meets her husband's half brother Christian. Two other women are there too, who are they? Her husband's other wives. He's a bigamist. Katherine might be the first wife but one of the other wives is about to give birth. After the shock Katherine takes them to her house after some urging of her friend/surrogate mother. The story unfolds from there as the three women form a friendship and Christian who didn't want to get involved ends up of course involved as his honor dictates. Katherine is also trying to reinvent herself and hide her less than perfect past, Christian helps her see that it doesn't matter to him. I'm not sure back then it would have been as easy to fix things and it did happen, I thought, with some handwaving but that is minor quibble. This was a sweet story of love and redemption.

I received this book for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

I enjoyed this stuff a lot I love historical romance, the characters were very believable. The romance was great sweet and steaming.