I enjoyed diving in to my first Tracy Sumner book! For anyone looking for a quick read, this story is short but very sweet and also quite steamy. It included two of my favorite tropes, childhood friends to lovers and second chance at love, which Sumner executed excellently in such a short amount of time. I think making Georgie and Dex's story longer would have really given time for them to grow and for us as readers to see that, but overall I'm glad I read this prequel and look forward to diving into Hildy's story in book #1 with the hope that Georgie and Dex will make appearances!

Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

*Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own*

Rate: 3.5.
Although, I struggled connecting with the book in the first couple of chapters I enjoyed Georgie and Dex.
Childhood friends they both grew up and lived their life. Dex wanted to go out in the world and not live with the family constraints; Georgie married a much older man and was miserable. I wish more detailed information would have been given of Georgie’s marriage. I enjoyed their communication and their decision to come together.

The Ice Duchess was an absolutely fantastic childhood friends to lovers, brother’s best friend, kind of/sort of second chance regency romance read. I loved every second of it. Once I started it, I could not put it down. Dex and Georgie are fantastic on their own but together they are magic. Their chemistry was off the charts and their witty banter was charming. Watching them get their happily ever after made my book loving heart happy. I’m giving The Ice Duchess the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!

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

Georgie and Des loved each other when they were young. That was before Georgies father married her off to a cruel man old enough to be her grandfather. Her marriage has left lasting emotional scars, Dex has never forgotten his first love, and ideally he would marry her, if she would have him. But she wants nothing to do with marriage, Slowly, he works to regain her trust and her love, But is she willing to give up her independence for a chance at forever?

Having read The Brazen Bluestocking and therefore being acquainted with Dex & Georgie already, I was eager to read their story. I had high expectations of the love story that created this darling couple. I was not diasappointed. A damaged widow reunited with her first (and only) love, you know it’s going to be tumultuous. Dex’s stubborn need to always get what he wants is exactly what he needs to break down all of the walls Georgie has built around her heart. Seeing her be vulnerable with him, having loved him since childhood was beautiful and heart wrenching. A fabulous story of love lost and love found!

I was blown away by this book. The Ice Duchess was my first book by Tracy Sumner and the prequel for her new The Duchess Society series. The book is a 100 page novella and a delight from start to finish.

In this second chance romance, Dex must marry quickly to please is father, a Duke, who is dying. The only problem is that the only person he has ever wanted to marry is his childhood friend, Georgiana, who is widowed and refuses to marry again. Georgiana agrees to help Dex find a wife but the two are pining too hard for each other for that to be a success.

The pining in this book is to die for good. It’s one of the most romantic books I’ve read in a long time, which is an odd thing to say considering that 95% of what I read are romances. I just kept highlighting passages and sighing because these two dummies are just so in love with each other that it was ridiculous. At times it reminded me of Tessa Dare’s Lord Dashwood Missed Out, which is one of my all time favorite novellas, due to all the longing. Obviously I loved both Dex and Georgiana. I would have happily read a full length novel with these two.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tracy Sumner for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Sometimes, the heart wants what the heart wants regardless of the mind.

The Ice Countess, Georgiana, has decided that upon the death of her husband, she will never remarry. She could not subject herself to that life, lack of love and compassion, ever again.

Dexter Munro has returned home from his travels abroad as a geologist. What a waste of time, the society thinks. However, his father is dying and Dexter needs to marry and become the next Duke. Georgiana and Dexter have been life long friends, along with her brother, who is now deceased. Georgie, as Dexter calls her, has agreed to help him find a suitable wife and guide her to what is to be expected. What Georgie did not anticipate was the jealousy that erupted from this endeavor.

This book was a quick read and I am already into the next book to see what happens next.

Georgiana Whitcomb (25) was once married off to a man older than her father to get her family out of debt. Now a widow she has vowed never to marry again. She has formed the Duchess Society to help young woman of the ton to prepare for marriage and hopefully guide them to men where everything is not just a business arrangement. Her childhood friend, Dexter Munro is going to become the Duke of Markham and has returned to England to see to his dying father. He challenges Georgiana to find him a bride in two weeks as a last gift to his father. But he has no intentions of settling on anyone other than Georgina herself.

This is a low angst, steamy, second chance novella. It is also the prequel setting up the new Duchess Society series by the author Tracy Sumner. I won't mark it down because it is a novella, although I would have gladly read a full novel based on this characters. Because of the novella format there isn't time to build up of attraction and explore characters. But it gets away with it as the MC's were childhood friends, and are already familiar with each other, although they've been apart. Can't wait for the series to continue. Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

A historical romance about the Ice Duchess who swear to never marry again and Dexter who promised his fater to be we by the 12th night.
Georgiana loved Dexter since she was a child and Dexter loved her but thing didn't work out then, can they now..
A good sweet romance with some fun and romance.
Enjoyed the story.
Voluntarily reviewed.

This book is an introduction to a new series of books about the classes the heroine teaches. Our heroine is a widow who was basically sold to her husband to pay off her father's debts. This is quite common in that day and age. Her husband was old and passed away and left her with just enough income to survive. She was allowed to live in the dower house, but is able to live in London during the season. She decided to come up with a way for women like her to protect themselves. So she, and a few like minded ladies, are teaching young debutantes how to protect themselves before and during their marriages. It is called 'The Duchess Society' and is based on teaching the young ladies to become duchesses. But that is just so the parents sign their daughters up. Really,they are teaching the girls how to determine financial and properties in marriage settlements, how to pick a decent man over the bad and unruly ones, in addition to how to plan a dinner party. The hero is her childhood friend who has returned from geological surveys. He has returned because his father, a duke, is on his death bed. The hero promised his father to be engaged within two weeks, but he only wants the heroine. But the heroine doesnt want to re-marry. So he asks for help to choose from within her students.
This is a story based around the Christmas holiday. It is a story the deals with the lack of freedom wives have at that time. The heroine was lucky enough to be independent after her husband died, but not all women were so lucky. The story is enjoyable and a smooth, easy read. The story is well written and the characters are engaging and entertaining. This story hits all the high points a story should and I give it my recommendation to read with 5 stars.

Loved this book! I really enjoyed the characters and the story line! This book kept me entertained and I read it in a couple days!!! I highly recommend this book!!! Thank you so much for letting me review this book!

This was an entertaining, well written historical romance. It captured my interest and I didn't want to put it down. It was sweet, steamy and clever. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is the first in The Duchess Society series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series as well as other books by this author.

Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, is known as the Ice Countess for her rebellious ways and refusal to marry again. But a scandalous Christmas wager fashioned by Georgiana’s childhood obsession changes everything.The demanding duke needs a bride.Dexter Munro, mere days from becoming the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Tracy Sumner is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.Can't wait for the next book.

Second chance historical romance! This was cute. It’s also different from other historical fiction books, because Dex was aware that Georgina wanted him which definitely put a different twist.

A good book to read which had everything. The main characters were intriguing and different to the normal man and woman hero's. There was a good storyline and l do recommend that you read this book. I will be looking out for more books by this author.

This is my first read from this author. I had to read a bit before I became immersed in the book. This is a fairly short story and therefore it's low-angst and doesn't have an elaborate plot. I actually found this to be a refreshing change from my usual HR reads.
Georgiana and Dex knew each other when they were children. They were linked in friendship via Georgiana's brother who is now deceased. The amazing thing is that the actual death does not play into the story at all! Neither character was agonized with guilt feeling like they were responsible. I don't believe the cause of the brother's death was even disclosed. The story instead focuses on the fact that the relationship dynamic changed after the brother was gone. The characters had years of separation afterwards and were then reunited.
The only actual obstacle to the inevitable HEA is the widowed Georgiana's hesitance to remarry. Considering that Georgiana and Dex had always loved each other, reading this romance is smooth sailing to a satisfying end. Definitely a feel-good story.

Lady Georgianna Collins Winterbourne, known as the Ice Countess, free up in Derbyshire running free with her brother and his best friend. Having been forced to marry an older man who was cruel, she now shuns any future marriage. Instead she and a friend have established a school to teach what no one else has. How to win in a marriage contract. chapter

Dexter Reed Munrie, Marquess Westfield soon to be Duke of Markham, has returned home after eight years due to his father's failing health. He left Derbyshire to become a geologist. He now has his own geology company and has taught classes. He turned his childhood hobby and dream into a thriving business.

With his father's bad health and known death is only a short time away, he promised to have his betrothed by the last day of 12th Might to easy his father's mind. The only issue is the one he wants may not want him.

In this sweeping romance from the snowy Derbyshire to the streets of London we find out intrepid searching for a way to win his last love. The details and description will have you feeling like you are right in the mix. The witty banter, bargaining and cast of great characters are all thrilling. You will enjoy this poetic story that will have you laughing or a tear in your eye, but will be cheering on your favorite. Does he get his love? Will she give him the chase he deserves? Who wins? Find out in this easy, engaging read

Great opener! This is the prequel for the Duchess Society series. I have read other stories by this author and love her writing. I love the heroine. Georgie is the Ice Duchess. She's really been though it... her childhood sweetheart didn't pan out. She was married off to some old, cruel guy who puts her off marriage forever. In fact, she was so hurt by him that she was motivated to help other ladies avoid similar situations. The Duchess Society is founded.
However, we love a 2nd chance at love story! Dex is back in her life and has to get married. He has realized the error of his ways and wants Georgie. How in the world is he going to convince her? Wonderful story!!! I can't wait for the next book... it's coming out in September.. I just checked!!!!

"The Ice Duchess": 4⭐

(Unpaid Review: thank you to @netgalley, @tracysummer and the publishers for allowing me to read this eArc copy in exchange for a review.)

This was so much fun to read! I absolutely adore stories like this; full of romance and angst and lived in a different epoque. I absolutely loved the main character - although the mc's love interest should've had more building.

This is a really good story, focusing on themes like womenhood, seduction, passion and young love. I really think more people should read it! This was the first book I've read by this author and I'm convinced, I'm reading her other works!!

This was a short second-chance novella. This is not my favorite trope but the story moved along and was an easy read. I liked Georgina and thought she deserved better from Dex. I always hate to read about young girls being married off to old men. It makes me cringe even though I know it was the done thing.