Cover Image: Cheers to the Duke

Cheers to the Duke

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Member Reviews

Sally MacKenzie is an amazing author whose sense of humor is very amusing. I have really enjoyed all the books I have read by her. The witty dialog between all the characters was refreshing and made me chuckle often. This story was well written and kept me engaged. Loved this story.

This was a fitting end to a very entertaining series. I loved that the other characters in the series put in appearances in this book. Everything was tied up well.

An ARC of this book has been provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Cheers to the Duke is a welcome addition to Sally MacKenzie's The Widow's Brew series. The story is a light, fun read, yet deals with some of the social issues of the time. Overall, it makes a perfect escapist read when you need a break from the world.

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Yes! I loved Jo. I have a soft spot for independent and courageous heroines, especially in historical romance. Jo is a widow and founder of the Benevolent Home, how fosters anyone that has been abandoned, abused, ridicule, or left on the shelf, and is looking for a way to better their life. The aging Duke of Grainer, benefactor, and someone that Jo has been exchanging letters with for years and also looking for a wife and mother for his son. Jo goes on a trip and there she meets a little boy and his dog, also the father: a young man. Who happens to be the not so "aging" Duke of Grainer. It's love a first sight, at least for him, Jo takes a little convincing.

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Jo, a widow, is not looking for any kind of romance when she reluctantly attends a christening. Widower, Edward, is taking a break from looking for a woman to become his wife and a mother to his son when he attends a christening. Thrown together by meddling adults, they eventually realize that what they have is special. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books for my honest review.

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This novella is the third in a serie. I didn't read the previous one and it wasn't a problem.
At the begining of this book, Josephine, the windowed lady Haveridge and the founder ot the Home, an institution for lonely women and their daughters, feels lonely and insecure in her institution : her 2 co-founders have happily married in the 2 previous tome, and new people are in charge of their previous responsability. Josephine has a very nice specificity : she speaks to her dog or lonely. It's quite funny. She's entrapped to go to a party, where she's going to meet the new duke of Grainger and her son Thomas. She understantds quickly that's a matchmaking organisation and even she feels really attracted to the duke, she doesn't want to marry again. How to seduce a reluctant lady ?
I really enjoyed this book, very witty and funny, but it allows you to think of the situation of women in the previous times. My only regret is the end of the book, the HEA happens very quickly, I would have appreciate more time with the 2 heros.

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This book was okay. It is a part of a series, but I read it as a standalone. It's predictable and I didn't find myself really enjoying it.

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Another delightful addition to this series. I loved the romance between Jo and Edward—two of the most “normal” HR characters I’ve read this year. I liked how much their work meant to each of them, and I loved how Edward was a committed father. Seeing Jo, who had been so good with children throughout the series, become a mother twice over was lovely. Not a lot happens in this book, but I for one appreciate that. I’d rather have a sweet story.

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I love our heroine, Jo. She's a widow who has pulled herself up by her bootstrings. She's established a home for other women and girls who need a leg up. She's been corresponding with the Duke, Edward, for like a year. Thank goodness the old guy is such a kind benefactor. Jo is feeling a little restless since her co-founders have married and moved on. She has everything on her shoulders. Now, she's been invited for the christening of the happy result of her friend's marriage. No way can she go. Unfortunately for her, her frenemy has gone behind her back and arranged for a 2-week trip. Worn down... she accepts. Once there, she meets an amazing little boy and his dog. They hit it off right away. He happens to be the son of the widower Duke Edward... who by the way... is not a kind old man. Gulp. He is young and handsome... and taken with her right away. Jo has said she'd never chance another marriage. Lovely story of second chances!!!

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I received "Cheers to the Duke" from Netgalley and voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Sally MacKenzie is an amazing author whose sense of humor is absolutely amazing. The witty dialog between all the characters is refreshing and constantly gave me a smile. Lady Jo Havenridge and Edward Russell, the Duke of Grainger have both lost their spouses and are attending the same Christening party. The Duke, who was not long ago a solicitor, is now looking for  wife not only for his son, but also to ensure the continuation of the Dukedom. Lady Jo, has been running a home for destitute women and is happy with all that she has accomplished since her husband's demise. Yet, the instant attraction between the two has them rethinking their futures as to the reasons why their plans for the future may be flawed. Absolutely loved this story.

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4.5 stars

An entertaining read. Jo, a widow, runs a home for disadvantaged women and girls. Her two friends have married so she's stressed running the home and brewery herself. Livy, a courtesan, has decided to change careers and is helping run the home with Jo. Jo feels threatened especially when Livy arranges for Jo to go to a christening and changes all her clothes to be more provocative. Edward, the duke, sponsors the home/brewery and is looking for a second wife to be a mother to his delightful son Thomas. There are a plethora of characters we have met in earlier books in the series and it takes some time for Jo, Edward and Thomas to get their HEA.

It's not essential but I think reading the series will add to the enjoyment.

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

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This was Jo and Edward’s story. Jo ran the home for women and children. Edward was the main benefactor. Jo was to be godmother to Pen’s baby and Edward was to be godfather. There’s matchmaking going on. Everyone wants Jo and Edward to get married. They decide to use the house party for their godchild to get to know each other. They end up in bed together. They leave the house party saying they will be in contact within 2 months. Jo finds out she is pregnant. There are misunderstandings. They love each other so they get married. I loved this series. I can’t wait for Sally MacKenzie’s next book.

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This book made me go and read the other 2 in the series. It was soooo good and I loved the time period it was set in. You'll definitely love this if you like Regency or Historical.

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Jo and Edward are cleverly matched by one of Jo's friends who thinks it's time for Jo to remarry after the death of her husband, Freddie. Edward's wife, Helen died after giving birth to their son, Thomas. Edward also unexpectedly inherits a Dukedom after being a solicitor his entire life. But, Jo doesn't feel she will fit into Edward's world and Edward doesn't know if Jo will ever love him.

I had high hopes for this book, but Jo and Edward's story didn't really do much for me. I feel the story moved too quickly. I found it odd how soon Edward was imagining himself married to Jo after meeting her. I didn't really understand how Sally Mackenzie wrote Jo either. The book had its good moments, but this is not a series I would read again.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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This is the third book in the series. And Even though It was sweet. I did not finish the book i am sorry to say. It was Just not my cup of tea. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

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Cheers to the Duke
Edward and Jo
Sally MacKenzie
Jo runs a charity home for women and children and Edward, the duke, is the main sponsor. When they are both invited to be godparents for the child of good friends they end up at the party to find everyone wants to matchmake the widowed pair.
This is the final of a trilogy about the women who run a home for women and their children but it could be read as a standalone. However I guarantee anyone who reads this one will seek out the first two. The characters are lovable, especially Edward whose interactions with his son are beautiful. The plot is a bit of a dreamy romp, as any Sally MacKenzie novel is. Jo is quite reluctant to marry Edward. Can he convince her? I think we know the answer.

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Cheers to the Duke is the third book of the Widow's Brew series. I haven't read the previous ones, but that is not a problem, this novel can be read as a stand-alone.
These characters have a lot of worries and we witness their thought processes. This is a book with a lot of thoughts, the protagonists, as much as human beings probably, go around and around ideas, concerns and the reader is spectator, there are no secrets. We know it all via the omniscience of the third-person narrator.
The structure of the book follows a pattern: her thought process: she worries, she finds something she likes, she wants… His thought process: he worries, he finds something he likes, he wants that us the same she wanted, liked in the previous round or that she will like or want in the next.
If this is your type of book, you'll enjoy it. Not my cup of tea.

An ARC of this book has been provided Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and that is what I gave here.

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I enjoyed the other books in the Widow’s Brew series and was excited to read the concluding book, Cheers to the Duke. It was a sweet, sexy story. An uncomplicated escapist Regency romance.

Lady Havenridge is a widow from an unhappy marriage who’s not sure she wants to give up her freedom to be married again, but she does acknowledge her loneliness as she has lengthy conversations with her dog.

The Duke of Grainger is a former solicitor who suddenly inherited the dukedom and is actively looking for a wife and mother for his young son.

Meddling friends see to it that they have close proximity at a house party to try to make a match of two people who so rightly belong together.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the third book in the widow's brew series and while the characters for the previous books make appearances, this can be read as a stand alone.
Jo has been running the Home for widow's and other women with children alone since her partners got married.
Edward was a solicitor but now is the duke and must find a wife.
They have communicated about the home for a year as Edward is a benefactor of the Home but a house party may lead to more. Especially with everyone conspiring to bring them together including Edward's son.
I liked that they had a relationship before the met at the house party so it wasn't instalove.
I liked Edward. He was charming and sweet and allowed Jo the opportunity to discovered what she wanted.

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