3.5 stars

These historical romances are like candy, you just can never have enough. When one young woman discovers her respectable, aristocratic husband died and left her to discover that she was actually one of three wives? Whew. Bit of a pickle.

Concept: ★★★★
Plot/Pacing: ★★★
Chracters: ★★

Katherine Vareck shows up to her late husband's will reading and discovers, to her shock, that she is not the only Mrs. at the table. In fact, she's one of three wives... and all three of them are in for a real mess.

Enter Christian, the deceased's older brother and the Duke of Ransford.

Christian had no idea about these three wives, or his brother Meriwether's appalling lack of decency. Christian knows he needs to do some sort of right by these women, but he's not sure what to do and his own personal situation is in an interesting spot as well—so he's not sure what he can do, anyway.

With drama, wiles, and a whole lot of surprising business acumen, Christian and Katherine find themselves working together to support the other two wives, themselves, and potentially each other in this charming series opener.

Overall, I thought this story was cute and charming. It was not the most memorable for me, personally, as a romance reader—but I've had a pretty hard time with historical romances this year in general so it might just be my burnout talking.

Some unique elements of this story centered around the dynamic of Katherine and Christian, surprisingly. Unlike many, MANY other Regency-era romances that rely on animosity, misunderstandings, and mild enemies-to-lovers to make their characters pop, A Duke in Time actually started off with its love interests tackling their problem together, as a team very squarely on board with each other's place in their duo. It was refreshing and oddly charming.

If you're a fan of historical romances, add this one to your list!

Thanks so much to St Martin's Press for my copy in exchange for an honest review

A Duke in Time by Janna MacGregor
Subgenre: historical romance
Release date: 29 Jun 2021
Publisher: St Martin’s
Format: ebook and print
Length: 380 pages
RRP: $6.98 (ebook); $21.18 (print)

Katherine is the new widow of Lord Meriweather. It was only a short marriage until his untimely death, but it was the discovery of two other wives that shocks her. Katherine tries to deal with it all in her efficient way.

She meets the other wives at the solicitor’s office when there was supposed to be a reading of Meri’s (the now deceased) will. She runs into Christian, Duke of Randford, Meri’s brother, who wants nothing to do with the younger brother he considered spoiled.

Katherine also has many secrets, and despite her beginnings, is on the way up in society. She has built an exclusive bed linen business and is in line to win the right to a Royal Patent, something she desperately wants to assist her business and it give her respectability.

Katherine brings the other two ‘wives’ into her home. One of these ‘wives’ is pregnant and is at risk of being excluded by society. The three of them become friends (and I hope there are stories for each of them!)

Christian initially does not want to be involved, but Katherine asks some questions, and he reluctantly becomes involved. He dislikes his half-brother and hates his parents. The one thing that really sticks out to this reader is that Christian pins reminder notes into the portrait of his father and step-mother, with a knife. Christian finds himself intrigued by Katherine’s ideas and wants to participate in creating work for the returned soldiers. Together they make it happen. Then Katherine’s rival for the Royal Patent tries to undermine her and what she has achieved. Christian comes out fighting.

This is another great story by Ms MacGregor. I really like her style of writing but more importantly I like the way she develops the characters. Her women are strong but also know the importance of including the hero when she needs him. The men are willing to show their pain and weaknesses to their love. They are compatible on so many levels and this is part of what makes their stories a great read.

Reviewed by Heather

A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher.

This book didn't work for me. The plot had a lot of holes in it. I could not figure out why Catherine was considered the first wife...maybe I skimmed over where that was discussed. The characters were flat and one dimensional. It just didn't hold my interest.

A Duke in Time begins The Widow Rules series with a lively, delightful tale of intrigue, lies, mystery, and eventually, a forever love… but first we need to solve a mystery.

Kat is about to discover just what an incredible jerk she’d married truly was. Oh, she’d had lots of clues beforehand but this… this really was beyond anything she’d ever thought Meri capable of. It seems her husband (and we’ll use that term lightly) had lots of expensive tastes and a need for endless doweries which lead to these two ladies in the solicitor’s office with her claiming to be Meri’s widows as well. It seems that she was not the only woman Meri had married, devoured their money, and then moved on to the next wife. Enter one good man, Meri’s estranged brother to the mix, a war hero, an all-around good man who will try, reluctantly, to sort out the mess his brother left behind while trying not to fall for the strong-willed, lovely Katherine. And you’ll find that intriguing, lively, interesting tale unfolding before your eyes.

Aside from Meri, I liked the characters in A Duke in Time. Katherine is stubborn and good-hearted, strong with a softer side, wise beyond her years with an air of innocence still at times. Christian is simply a good man from his core outwards he’s just a man who does his duty with honor, lives his life without the need to step all over others, and had thought that he put enough distance between his brother and the rest of his family to be able to live a good life without the constant drama and troubles. Unfortunately, he was wrong on that.

I enjoyed watching Kat and Christian work around their differences while still acknowledging their instant attraction to each other. Katherine’s work is interesting, the way she’ll draw the other ladies into her world and in some ways, mother hen them brought smiles to my face. There is definitely sizzling passion between this couple, as well as a growing love that can stand the test of time. But they also have to sort out some trouble, some mystery – and parts of that will be woven throughout the entire series (trilogy) I expect.

In all, I had a good time in this opening story, enough so that I’ll be watching for Rules for Engaging the Earl to release in 2022 for I now need to know what happens to these ladies next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

A really enjoyed A Duke in Time.. I thought it was a delight to read and what I would expect from Janna MacGregor. I am giving it five stars.

Katherine Vareck is astonished when she discovers after her husband’s death that he had two other wives- one of whom is pregnant. Her late husband’s brother, Christian reluctantly steps in to try and sort out the mess.
Christian has spent his entire life avoiding his family and their scandal but there is something about Katherine that makes him want to protect her from his family and their drama.
Katherine and Christian are an adorable couple and it is clear that they have very strong chemistry from the start.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or romance.

3.5 stars
A Duke in Time was surprisingly entertaining and endearing.

I also have an irrefutable need to go but new sheets for all my beds. So, just a little warning about that possible reading pitfall. = )

Katherine Vareck is in an absolute shock when she finds out that her husband not only married another woman but two other women. Now, she must work with her husband's estranged brother, Christian, the Duke of Randford, and the attorneys to try to sort out the mess before scandal sets in. Plus, one of the women is pregnant. Katherine must work to help protect her textile business and the women who were inadvertently embroiled in her late husband's trigomy scandal.

Christian took measures long ago to separate himself and the pride of his Dukedom from his ne'er do well brother Meri and his constant shenanigans. Now, in the wake of his death, he must deal with his brother's mess once again. But being faced with the women his brother has left behind. Combine that with the spirit and fortitude of his first wife, Katherine, and her championing of the others, he finds he can't stay away from like he probably should. And his urge to protect these innocent women from scandal is most unexpected.

I was quite surprised by the book. I had just come off of another historical romance that was like trudging through peanut butter, and I wasn't wholely expecting to dig the "I found out my husband also had/has other wives" scandal, but I actually did. Katherine was a force. She took the other women under her care and tried to help them. The women had a bond and worked together. It was a nice, adult way to handle such a crappy situation. I loved that Katherine owned a business, even though I found it pretty far-fetched that a woman would be owning her own textile business in those times. But, I digress. I do now have a quite all-consuming urge to buy pretty new linens for my house. I guess I'm fairly susceptible to suggestions? Eh, I'm fine with it.

The Duke was a far harder character to get to know or to understand. He was very stoic, in that way that men sometimes are. I never really felt like a got a good grip on who he really was.

The saucy times between Katherine and Christian were not unexpected, this is a romance novel after all. However, I was often thrown by Katherine's... prowess in the heretofore uncharted territory. I often found the... interactions to be a little more... pronounced than what I would expect a virginal Miss to know. Not that it was bad, far from it. But, it was just a bit... maybe... out of character.

The secondary characters, especially the "other wives" were pretty intriguing. I love how they all ended up still entangled in each other's lives and were friends. And I am definitely curious about their stories.

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This book had such a unique and intriguing beginning and premise that I was hooked right away! The first chapter was really well done at setting up the plot and introducing the characters of Lady Katherine, recently widowed, and her deceased husband's half brother Christian, the Duke of Ranford.

Like I said, I was really looking forward to this read after reading the first chapter and I loved the idea of Katherine's business and how she took in women down on their luck, and I ADORED Christian and how he tried so hard to provide a good life for the men he served in the war with. However, the romance was VERY insta love and honestly a bit cheesy. I did not believe it at all. And there were definitely some plot threads left hanging and a too quickly wrapped up ending.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review**

Well Ms. Janna, you have done it yet again! What is there to say about this new series except fantabulous! I am sure that comes as no surprise to you readers, because it sure didn't to me. Just rush out very quickly and get your hands on your very own copy and start reading. You will love it! Thanks Janna for writing us another great book!

I loved this story. At first I thought it was kinda twisted for Katherine to be attracted to her brother in law but it all worked out. I liked Christian as well. I'm eager to hear if Will a and Morgan will be together. And Constance and Beth's stories

As an avid romantic at heart, the best part of this story for me was walking along side Katherine and Christian as they sweetly then passionately fell in love. The spark of attraction at first glance, which was under very trying, stressful circumstances, seemed to quickly fan to an all soul consuming flame and take a life of its own. Her take charge attitude, resilience, and determination never to back down from doing what is right was soon mirrored by his own equally strong will. We just had to give him a minute, folks, to catch his breath. He really was a hero in several senses of that often overly used word.

Though it did start to feel a tad drawn out near the end, especially regarding the cauldron of trouble that was inevitably going to boil over, I'm really glad I stumbled across their love story. Katherine's resolve to solve her own problems was quite admirable. Christian stood strong and never gave up on her, even when things looked uncertain.

Detailed very graphic, more lengthy than I expected, adult reader only, smex scenes kicked in around 60 percent. So, yeah, they do get to know one another first. I think there were a total of three or so. I must admit I found myself at times skimming over those explicit images, because their emotional, romantic relationship more than enough bonded them as a couple in my heart's eye.

I especially appreciated the loop hole left regarding Katherine's so called previous marriage to the hero's half-brother.

I found out after finishing this book there is a prequel (Where There's a Will). It looks mostly like an almost meeting between these two fated to be together lovebirds. It would have been nice to have incorporated it into this book, IMHO, and condensed the second half instead.

Constance will be the heroine featured in the next book. She also was caught up in the web of lies and deceit of Christian's half-brother.

Title: A Duke in Time, Series: Widow Rules (Book 1), Author: Janna MacGregor, Pages: 366, stand-alone but part of a series, can feel MC chemistry, get to know each other first, 3 very graphic 18+ older smex scenes after 60%, take charge, resilient, selfless, determined to help others virgin heroine, hero celibate for 3 years, no OW/OM drama, both compassionate people, becomes protective of her hero, instant attraction.

Book .5 - Where There's a Will (prologue to Book 1's MC)
Book 1 - A Duke in Time, pub date: 6/29/21, (Katherine & Christian)
Book 2 - Rules for Engaging the Earl, pub date: 4/26//22, (Constance & Johnathan)

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not rewarded or compensated in any form for this review. There is no relationship between this reviewer and the author, publisher, NetGalley, or any PR firm.)

This was a fun read. When Katherine's husband unexpectedly dies, she discovers a horrible truth, she was married to two other women! Will everything that she tried to build fall apart, or will she figure out a way to keep it all together?

The first one from the Widow Rules series.

A different kind of series where the main characters are women who were married with the same guy and eventually became friends. Interesting right? 😉

The three wives only met when the will was read and Katherine, who was the first wife, was shocked to find out that her late husband married two other women. What really makes the matter worst was the older brother, Christian who didn't want to deal with his half brother left over problems.

Another cool story concept series from Janna MacGregor. Katherine is indeed a unique woman who is hiding her real identity while Christian who doesn't like to be the duke has no choice but to accept the responsibility.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC! I can't wait for the other wives' stories.

Love this! The title was a bit weird considering there's no time travel. I kept wanting time travel to be a thing but I enjoyed it anyway.

The plot line is great. Quite scandalous and fun! I like how they're thrown together and try to make the best of it.

The characters are well fleshed out although there were a few parts that could have been sped along for me. Otherwise what a thrill ride!

When I read a review describing the female MC as "unrealistic" because of her "sexual confidence", I knew I wanted to read this book. The heroine's confidence and eagerness in the bedroom was one of my favorite things about this story! I'm tired of reading the wilting wallflower virgin characters in historical romance, so this was a wonderful change of pace.

I've decided to categorize this one as an offshoot of the "brother's best friend" trope... "dead husband's step-brother". I'm assuming the other two widows will get their own books in this series and if that's the case, I will 100% read them!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

I love the characters,the plot, and the first half. I just don't believe Christian's and Katherine's romantic relationship and it start to slow down in the middle.I skimmed through to the end and it was too long at parts.

I don't buy this as a romance but it is a good book otherwise.I'll read the other books in the series.

2/5 stars

DNF at 52%

At first I was enjoying the overall interesting background story of the main characters, Lady Katherine and Christian, as well as the husband had multiple wives upon his death situation. However, the very slow moving story, lack of chemistry, no banter and multiple POV changes throughout a chapter without warning kept me from really enjoying this story.

*Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I adored Janna MacGregor’s Cavensham Heiress series because each of her heroines were intelligent and confident woman and were the perfect match for their complex and captivating heroes.
Fans of the Cavensham Heiress novels will be thrilled to read Ms. MacGregor’s new novel A Duke In Time. Business woman Katherine Varek and decorated war hero Christian Varek, the Duke of Randford are featured in this novel and sparks fly during their first conversation!
Katherine Varek owns an exclusive fine linens store and has combined her business expertise with her love of fine linens, lace and delicate embroidery. Katherine is confident that she will win the contract to supply the linens for the Prince Regent’s Royal Pavilion. She needs her dowry to be returned so that she can purchase supplies and hire staff when the contract is secured.
Christian Varek is a decorated war hero who has returned home to discover that his younger brother has died leaving three penniless widows. Even though he wants to distance himself from his brother’s scandalous behavior; he agrees to help Katherine sort through Lord Meriwether’s paperwork. Christian’s dream is to create a charity to help former soldiers who need jobs and shelter.
Loved the author’s voice—her descriptive prose shines when Kat, Constance and Beth meet and realize that Lord Meriwether has deceived them. I felt for each one of them as they shared their emotional stories with each other. Loved the imagery and use of color when Kat’s store was described. I could see the linens, lace and embroidery threads in Kat’s shop and I wanted to touch the fabrics. My favorite scene is when Kat and Christian meet in the conservatory—I could smell the sweet scents of the flowers, see the sparks fly between them and feel the couple’s passion.
Lord Meriwether—even though he is deceased—is a central character in this novel. Janna MacGregor has created a complex character who continued to cause chaos and heartbreak long after his death. The author’s choice to leave Meri’s story unresolved appealed to me and added a lot of intrigue and drama to the novel.
If you are looking for a novel that has a bit of intrigue, sizzling romance and fabulous characters—pick up a copy of A Duke In Time—you will enjoy every word!

A Duke in Time was a warm, sweet read that gave me everything I could want in a romance. Our hero was noble, intelligent, and kind - a bit uptight at first but, as always in the romance genre, "we can fix that" - and our heroine was independent, resourceful, and far tougher than I think I'd manage to be if the man who'd married and abandoned me on the same day died leaving three wives behind. Like a lot of MacGregor's romances, the stakes in A Duke in Time are largely personal. Domestic. And while I do prefer my romances to be a bit more high adrenaline, sometimes what you want when life is stressful is a satisfying, cozy read like this one.

Totally brilliant
Katherines husband has died and upon attending the solicitors office for the reading of his will she discovers that he also married two other ladies without any of them knowing about each other. Christian is her late husbands older half brother and the person she looks to to support the other wives
I loved Kat, she is intelligent and has amazing business sense. She has had problems in her past that are threatening to catch up with her and cause problems in her new life but she doesn’t let that stop her from developing her business and helping Christian. She isn’t a traditional heroine but that only made me adore her more and at each new turn a different part of her character showed through making her the kind of heroine I wish I could be
Christian wants nothing to do with his brothers wives but something changes when he meets Katherine. He at times struggles to accept how she makes him feel but that made me love him even more as he allows his vulnerable side to show. He wants to help those who like himself have returned from the war and seeing him working with Kat to become the person who he wanted to be makes him one of my favourite hero’s
This book looks at a different side of life, supporting people who need it back into work, which I thought worked so well with both Kat and Christians characters and I could see them within their businesses and working together to come up with ideas to make them able to support more people
Kat and Christians relationship is almost forbidden but their chemistry, which leaps off the page, pulls them together and had me routing for them to get over the obstacles and be together
I totally loved this book and I would recommend it to those who enjoy a story full of drama characters you will adore and who’s lives you will get so entangled in that you, like me, will be hooked and desperate for the next one to come out!