This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. Wow, for a prequel, this was a great read! Using great memorable characters, with a well thought out storyline, to set up what should be a fantastic series. Can't wait.

A very sweet second chance love story. Two friends who grew up together. It sounds like they were just starting to discover that their friendship was developing into something more when he up and left to follow other interests. Unfortunately she was sold into an unhappy, tainted marriage that tainted her views of men and marriage afterwards.

Years later, they meet again and have a chance to renew that friendship over the Christmas season. But he has come to realize the mistake of leaving her. But she is bitter and does not want to consider marriage again.

A lovely romantic short story that was sweetly told, with gentle heat, and a prelude to a new series. This was a lovely, quick read. There seemed to be some introductions to characters that may be coming up in the new series and I admit to being intrigued and looking forward to new books in the series.

This is Dex and Georgie’s story. He left to follow dream of being an archeologist. She was forced to marry an earl old enough to be her father. The earl treated her terrible. He hurt her. When the earl died, Georgie created the duchess society to teach women who were going to be married. She didn’t want them to be hurt like she was. She vowed never to marry again. Dex is back because his father is dying. He promised his father he would choose a wife by twelfth night. He has always loved Georgie and Georgie always loved a Dex. Dex was to be the next Duke. He wanted Georgie be his duchess. She leads him on a merry chase while she decides whether she can marry again. I loved the story. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

The Ice Duchess is the prequel to Tracy Sumner's upcoming Duchess Society series. If that series is as good as the prequel I've just finished reading, sign me up!
The whole book felt like a slow dance of seduction. The tenderness. The build. The anticipation. Loved every minute!
Every sentiment, ever feeling portrayed through the book had me cheering for Dex and Georgie.
Usually I avoid novellas because I always feel like the story is done too quickly and we don't get to really dive into matters. But The Ice Duchess was not what I thought it would be. I'm happy I gave it a chance, and hope you will too.
Also, how did I not hear about Tracy Sumner before this?!

Release date: 22nd July

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange of a honest review*
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#tracysumner #netgalley #netgalleyuk #arc #romancereader #whattoread #bibliophile #romancelandia #historicalromance

“The Ice Duchess” is a first time read by Tracy Summer, new author to this reader. I so love second chance romances especially when they are well-written with likeable characters.

Georgiana the Countess Winterbourne known to the ton as the Ice Countess is determined to never marry because of the pain she experienced by her first husband who was cruel and old enough to be her father. Dexter Munro, the soon to be Duke of Markham is persistent in his attempts to make Georgiana his wife and fulfill a promise he made to his dying father. Clearly from the onset, there is a slow growing attraction between Georgiana and Dex. Because of her bad experience with her first husband, Georgiana was made to feel worthless and broken. She is of the understanding that all marriages of convenience are what she had experienced and is unable to experience true passion…something Dex can teach her if she will just open her heart.

I thought the story was well-written but have pulled back some on the pay throughout the story of Georgiana’s emotional turmoil. I did love Dex’s persistence and even coming up with a plan to convince her to take a chance at love with him. The pace was a bit slow, and at times becoming close to boredom. As the story continued, it picked up and I was delighted to see the passion that both characters could draw from one another and transforming into the love that they truly felt. That passion that Georgiana thought she could never feel, gradually melted the iciness she held inside for so long. The intimacy between the main characters was steamy and well done for this historical romance. This was a quick read and enjoyed it very much. A recommended read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Independently Published for this ARC for my fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dec is so playful and Georgiana is so serious. Get the feeling that she wasn't always this way. The Ice Duchess, is a cute story.