I like Tracy Sumner's novels and this book is no exception.
I really enjoyed the addition of the geology and fossils to the story and the idea that a future Duke could have a profession - as that was just 'not done'..
If they did do anything more than run their estates they might be an adventurer / explorer/climber of mountains and so on, but not something for which they got paid!
I also liked Derbyshire as the location as I lived there for many years, right on the edge of the moors - chilly and windy as I recall. The winter being one very good reason why I was glad to move away - far too cold and long. But lots of interesting rocks and caves - and of course Blue John - a semi-precious but very soft stone.
I also knew Chatsworth and the many water features that were built and the rambling gardens.
I thought that the style was engaging and liked the idea of the Duchess Society too, as it was true, so many women/girls of that era were woefully lacking in practical knowledge about arithmetic and how to run a household and bills and so on. Not to mention reading more than light weight magazines on fashion or understanding business and so on.

I'm going to be honest, second chance stories are not something I have ever actively looked for, but I must admit I loved this story. Georgie and Dex were childhood friends before ambition and duty changed their lives. Although this is not a full length book their story was wonderfully explored and every paragraph was essential. Excellent book!

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

Great introduction to a new series. As in all Tracy Sumner previous books, the characters are wonderful. Georgiana, also known as the Ice Countess is finally free. Widowed from a abusive marriage, she now co-shares the Duchess Society. A society that matches ladies with their eyes open to real life. Vowing never to marry again, she feels like her prior experience will help the young ladies. And then she runs into her first love.
Dexter returns home to his dying father, promising to pick up the reins of the dukedom and to give his father the name of his bride to be by the Twelfth night. The problem is he doesn’t have one and only two weeks left. At a musical he runs into Georgie, his best friend’s little sister and the girl he never forgot. Is there still something between them, besides that long ago kiss?
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

They were childhood friends and she was in love with him ever since . He travels around the world because of his real passion the geology . He return home after 7 years because his father is dying . He promise that he has to marry so his father will be satisfied and the only woman for him is his childhood friend . After a marriage with a man old enought to be her grandfather she swore she will never marry again . But a wager will make everything change .
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical novella. The Ice Duchess provides escapism at its finest, along with a healthy dose of steamy romance. What a wonderful prequel for The Duchess Society Series!

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.