3.5

This is a good historical fiction romance mystery book. I haven't read many books with these components and it was a nice change of pace. This is book seven in the series. I haven't read any of the previous books but since this is a stand alone story it isn't necessary to read the others. There is also plenty of exposition that explains a lot of the backstory of the characters, so I didn't feel lost.

Ned Wentworth came from the streets and used to pick pockets to survive until he was rescued from prison by a powerful aristocratic family. Since then he's learned to dress, waltz, and express himself as elegantly as any lordling, but he still feels like the same low-born street kid, unworthy of anything good. When Lady Rosalind Kinwood's maid goes missing, she turns to Ned to help her find the missing maid because of his street connections.

Rosalind is smart, strong and expresses her opinion, so naturally she's seen as an oddity in social circles. But Ned values those qualities and actually listens to her, and Rosalind appears to see past Ned's past. As the search for the missing maids becomes more dangerous, Ned and Rosalind risk not only their lives, but their hearts, to solve the mystery.

The author does a great job of building Rosalind and Ned's characters. I really liked how they connected and discussed their problems. One of the things that bugs me about romance books is that some authors tend to use a miscommunication between the parties as a plot point to push the characters into realizing they love each other. This miscommunication always occurs between the couple doesn't bother to actually talk to each other. Here, however, the characters start to realize the depth of their feelings because they are open and honest with each other and talk about what is going on. It's refreshing to read.

The book started out at a good pace but when the mystery took over rather than the romance, it slowed down. There was also a lot of exposition about Ned's past that also screeched the plot to a halt while we read page after page of backstory. This took me out of the story and I had to refocus after those passages ended. There were only a couple spicy scenes in the book, and they were a bit cringy and awkward. The story didn't need them and I ended up skipping over them.

The multitude of minor characters add depth and texture to the story, as well as some much needed levity. Clearly the Wentworth family is a tight-knit group that love each other deeply and support each other, during good and bad. One disadvantage of not reading the previous books, however, was not having a firm grasp on who everyone was and their relationship to each other. This was a minor annoyance, however, and perhaps just my own inability to keep track of everyone.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing). All opinions are my own.

I am a huge Grace Burrowes fan, and I love this book. Sometimes as a series continues, you get either tired of characters, or confused by how many characters there are, BUT this never happens in this series. The more you spend time with the Wentworths and Rothhavens, the more you love them. Ned wasn't even on my radar as a character who I would love, but his steadfastness with Rosalind really won me over. He wasn't a typical romantic lead--there aren't long descriptions of his beautiful chest or sturdiness, but I loved him for it. He's a banker with a rough childhood. He's always there to support Rosalind. And she is a wonderful heroine: smart, brave, and loyal. What makes these books even more enjoyable are the supporting characters. They are funny and push Ned to lean on them, and to trust in his feelings for Rosalind. Highly recommend!

Thank you for the digital ARC of this book, NetGalley.

Ned's story.

I am so glad that Ned finally gets his own story. Since we met him in Newgate prison for thieving, he has turned his life around, as he aspires to be Edward Wentworth.

Lady Rosalind is tart, sharp and not anyone Ned wants to marry. But he's instead helping her to find her missing maid.

This story is more about finding the maid with a light sprinkle of Ned and Rosalind going from working together, though they don't like each other to more. But I'm glad Ned got his story.

Ned has been a part of the Wentworth ducal family since saving said Duke from prison and the gallows. They have adopted him, and all the family members have provided unconditional support. He is basically running the family’s bank and has made a name for himself and accumulated a great deal of wealth on his own. Not really interested in settling down relationship wise, he is intrigued when Lady Rosalind seeks him out to find her missing maids.

Lady Rosalind Kinwood needs assistance finding a couple of her maids that have recently disappeared. Everyone around her is giving excuses such as “maybe they just fell in love and took off with their new gentlemen.” But she just knows something is wrong as they both just dropped off the face of the earth without any of their personal belongings. She seeks out Ned Wentworth to help uncover the truth and find these young women. Having had a tough upbringing, Ned has some unique nefarious contacts in the underbelly of the city’s docks and brothels.

While working together to uncover these abductions, they both grow very fond of each other. Rosalind stealthily deals with her conniving father and older brothers to sneak in walks and talks with Ned. They are trying to hook her up with more “suitable” marriage material -- basically old ugly guys with money to help the family’s failing fortune. Some major drama and lost family surprises round out our HEA.

Never a Duke is a bit more suspenseful and a little less sexy than the previous Rouges to Riches stories. But our author Grace Burrows writes the most delightful witty dialogue with that historically romantic style. The conversations between our hero and heroine are sharp, smart and sweet. As I said when I reviewed Burrowes’ How to Catch a Duke – “This author is so good at providing a world of family loyalty with humorous, complex, and smart characters that keeps you not wanting the story to end. Bravo Ms. Burrowes!”

I was given an ARC of this story by the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

Never a Duke is the seventh book in the Rogues to Riches series by Grace Burrowes and is a historical romance that is perfect for fans of Bridgerton. This was a wonderfully written story of two people drawn together by a plot with mystery, twists, and a surprise ending—a story of broken individuals finding love and a HEA.

I thought that the book had some very romantic moments between the characters. Some of the verbiage did have me trip a little over my reading skills and diverted my attention away from the story. This had me lose my connection with the story. Simple verbiage in the narrative keeps the readers engaged in the story. I love the romanticism.
The story line or plot that the writer developed for the characters melded together with the characters and gave the readers a enjoyable book to cozy up to.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Never A Duke by Grace Burrowes is the seventh book in her exciting Rogues to Riches series. I've enjoyed reading this series very much, and while I'm sad the series is ending, I'm delighted that Ned Wentworth gets his own story as his character added much to the other books in the series. When Ned gets a note asking him to meet a lady in private, he's quite shocked to discover that the woman in question is Lady Rosalind Kinwood. Intelligent and not one to suffer fools, Rosalind has never taken in the ton. Still, Ned is surprised that she turns to him when her maid goes missing, and Rosalind fears the worst. Adventure, danger and just enough steam to spice it up make this book one that was fun to read. I recommend reading the other books in the series before reading this one. Publishing Date April 26, 2022.
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Perfect for fans of historical romance and Bridgerton, this is a fun story with some intrigue that I wasn’t expecting. I think it would be best to have read the other books in the series (this is the 7th) since there’s a lot of backstory that I wasn’t aware of, so that’s my one suggestion. I liked the character and the writing is well done and the time period impeccably researched.

I liked the characters and the premise but the pacing was a bit too slow for my taste.
Burrows isn’t a bad writer, I think I’m just used to fast paced stories so this felt super slow in comparison.
This is a pretty clean romance too which I didn’t mind (I do read a clean romance from time to time).
Overall a sweet regency romance.

Ned Wentworth and Lady Rosalind Kinwood are an amazing couple who’s love story is powerful and sweet. They compliment and bring out the best in each other. I found these characters to be charming and relatable. I loved the romance and the growth of the characters as individuals and a couple. The search for missing young women added intrigue and mystery to the story.

While Burrowes included enough background in the story that it works as a standalone, having not read the previous 6 books in the series it felt like there were nuances that I missed or didn’t understand. I would recommend reading the books in order as this will enhance the enjoyment of the stories. I plan to go back and read the series in order including a re-read of Never a Duke. For me there were lose-ends that didn’t get wrapped up adequality or the way they were left I was left unfulfilled.
Never a Duke is a really good read and I highly recommend it.

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

Ned is grateful for the family that removed him from the streets and gave him a home even though there are those who still whisper about his past. Lady Rosalind approaches him to help her find a lady’s maid that has disappeared. Rosalind has also faced judgement from polite society and her family doesn’t approve of Ned. What will happen when she falls for him and they both are in danger because of their investigation? Fast-paced read with plenty of drama and twists and turns. Great characters with steamy chemistry, excellent world building and a fast-paced entertaining historical read. I liked it.

Ned (deserves to be a) Wentworth has been part of the Rogues to Riches series from the beginning, and that’s how long I’ve loved him. An impertinent street kid with smarts and a heart of gold has become an independent and intelligent businessman. He has most assuredly met his match in Rosalind Kinwood. She’s as bold and sassy as he is. She come to him for help finding her maid(s). It seems her last two lady’s maids have disappeared without a word. Several other young women in the same area are missing as well. The mystery is interesting. He agrees to help her investigate, and their adventure begins. This story is well-written and fast-paced. It has tough family dynamics, a mystery to solve, fun, and romance. As with all the books in this series, the cast of characters is awesome. There are twists, turns, and surprises for everyone. An absolutely delightful story!

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

An opinionated Lady and a pickpocket-turned-banker join forces to search for kidnapped Mayfair lady's maids and wind up on a dangerous path to romance.

This Regency Romance has a thread of mystery and suspense that complement the easily-won affection between hero and heroine. As both Rosalind and Ned wrestle with their places within their families, the both must learn to stand up for their needs and desires--Ned to the adoptive family where love abounds, as do feelings of indebtedness, and Rosalind to the family of her birth, which claims the bonds of family duty without the love that would make such obligations worthwhile. An uplifting, triumphant conclusion to the romance and the mystery make this book a delightful addition to the Rogues to Riches series.

Never a Duke is Rouges to Riches book 7. This is Ned's story. I'm not sure why the title since he is not actually titled, so it doesn't make much sense TBH.
Ned has been an integral part of the series from the beginning and we've watched him grow from that boy in Newgate to the trusted member of the Wentworth family. Now he's challenged with helping a lady find some missing woman. This opens him to revisiting the past he'd rather forget and a future he hasn't quite dreamed of.
Lady Rosalind is tired of being used as a pawn by her family and ignored where her brothers are pampered. And when her lady's maid goes missing she's determined to get to the bottom of it. She didn't expect the challenges and the scope of the disappearances to bring her in touch with someone utterly perfect for her. As she and Ned met to discuss progress they get to know each other and find that they fit. Yet outside influences and danger may keep them from finding their happiness.
There's plenty of peeks at the rest of the Rouges to Riches family of characters and enough twists to keep you guessing. Enjoy the read, it's worth the ride.

I absolutely loved Ned and Rosalind. Rosalind is in need and Ned comes to her aide. What follows next is nothing short of intrigue and you romance. Their attraction is subtle at first but not lacking heat as they search for the missing maids. 5 stars!!

Never a Duke
by Grace Burrowes

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the 7th book in Grace Burrows Rogues to Riches series. While it will likely be more enjoyable reading after the previous six it can be read as a stand alone. There is an overarching theme of found family and the previous book couples are involved but their back stories are adequately addressed to not leave the reader confused.

Our hero is from humble but honest beginnings but when finding himself orphaned and alone in the world does what he has to to survive until he ends up Newgate prison. While there he takes it upon himself to take up for and protect another youth who ends up being a long lost heir to a dukedom. Thusly our hero is adopted into this now illustrious family and transformed into a gentleman banker. Despite his good fortune in this rumors tend to follow him.

Our heroine is a blue stocking, a defender of those with less, wether they be human or animal and also the daughter of an Earl. She is a square peg in a round hole in her family and frequently goes under appreciated. Our hero’s dubious reputation serves him well when it causes her to seek him out over the matter of missing ladies maids and ladies companions that have vanished and no one appears to care about except her. He takes up this cause and in doing so gets to know our heroine and they each find themselves rather smitten.

This is low steam/door ajar historical romance. There is mystery, intrigue, adventure as well as delightfully sweet courtship and a meeting of the minds. There is appropriate and satisfying comeuppance to those who deserve it. Triggers involve off the page rape, kidnapping, being orphaned, being bullied by immediate family.

5/5 A fun and satisfying read.

Never a Duke goes deeper into the Regency reality with its storyline. We meet Ned, a hero who never wanted to be a Duke and Rosalind, a second class citizen in her own home.

Rosalind’s find herself questioning her lady’s maid abrupt disappearance and approaches Ned to help in the investigation. Ned, ever determined, sets out to find the missing women using skills he learned on the streets in his youth living in despair. Together, they form a bond built on truth to solve the crime of women randomly going missing.

Ned and Rosalind are incredibly well-suited for the love they yearn for in their hearts. Each are fierce in their defense of each other and judgment from outsiders. I enjoyed how straightforward the characters were with their desires and willingness to NOT let society dictate who they could love.

The pacing of the story was incredibly slow. I'd say 3.5 stars.

Thank you Read Forever Pub and Hachette Audio for the complimentary copy of the novel and audio.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher, but all opinions are my own. Never A Duke is the final title featuring the Wentworth family and the connections. This story features Ned, an honorary Wentworth since he was a young teen and helped save the Duke of Walden from the gallows. Ned is in charge of the bank, but has realized he wants more to life than his role at the bank and his role in the family. Lady Rosalind needs help locating her missing maid and decides Ned is the perfect person. They quickly discover that the maid isn't the only girl to go missing and they rush to find out who is responsible and what happened to those missing.

This book features two wonderful people trying to figure out their place in the world. Ned has no remaining family and struggles with his place in the Wentworth family despite their clear affection for him. Rosalind's family barely tolerate her and her father only views her as a method to help with his money issues. As always. Ms. Burrowes writes mature adults dealing with complex issues. There is the theme of fund family in this book like many of her others. Some readers may find a couple of developments to be some what of a stretch, but as I read romance for the happily ever after, I didn't mind them. The mystery is interesting and serves to help move the romance and story along. Overall I enjoyed this book and think readers of the series will find this a satisfying ending.

Ned Wentworth has learned everything needed to move amongst the aristocracy along with his pseudo-family, despite his working-class background and criminal history. These unusual circumstances and slightly dubious background are exactly why Lady Rosalind Kinwood seeks Ned for help when two of her maids go missing in quick succession.

Rosalind has found herself scorned by polite society at every turn, derided for having opinions and daring to voice them, as well as having looks that are deemed to be plain. In Ned she finally finds someone who truly listens to her and wants to hear her opinions. When the search for the missing maids grows dangerous, Rosalind and Ned will have to work very closely together and risk much if they hope to reach for a happy future together, despite all the naysayers they must face.

This book is my new favorite in the series (out of the ones I’ve read, at least). I adored Ned and Rosalind together and I think their characters were both very well developed, and they each came off as characters I could root for and wanted to know more about. I loved that Ned stood up for himself and for Rosalind, but I also loved that she held her ground for herself as well. Her feelings for Ned gave her strength and she refused to settle for anything less than all of him, even if he thought an association with him would cause problems for her. Rosalind knew exactly what she wanted and was ready to meet Ned as a full-fledged partner and that is the kind of heroine I want to read. This story was low on angst, but it still had enough mystery and intrigue to keep me interested with the ongoing question of what happened to the missing maids, while at the same time being very character driven. In short, I loved this book, and James Langton’s narration was just right for the story and helped draw me into the prose while I was doing mundane household chores, so that’s always a bonus. This one is going on the keeper shelf and comes highly recommended from me.

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

Full disclosure: I have not read any of the other books in this series, so the comments I make in this review reflect upon this.
I wasn’t enamoured with Never a Duke by Grace Burrowes, and it was due to a culmination of several elements. For most of the book, I was a bit indifferent towards almost all of the characters as I didn’t eellike we got any intimate views of them or their lives; they seemed a bit distant and detached although the last 4 chapters or so made me care about them more. The plot was also a bit confusing as to why the characters were doing what they were (which probably goes back to not feeling connected or knowledgeable on them) and the story beats were in the wrong places — the beginning of the book was very abrupt and did not set anything up before introducing the main storyline, and then nothing particular happened throughout most of the book until all of a sudden everything got resolved with seemingly no real effort by the characters. There is no real explanation for anything that happens in the plot, and having the POV’s occasionally change perspective to a supporting character is nice but there isn’t give enough time or information when it happens to allow readers to get the most out of this technique. These reasons are more specific to what I did not enjoy about this book, and they are craft based that could’ve been modified during the editing process. As I mentioned previously, maybe because I don’t have the context of the rest of the series, in which these characters are presumably supporting characters, and how the other books build the setting; it might make sense to have the book structured as it is for those who have read the whole series, but to someone who just picked this one up, it did not do the potential for this storyline and these characters justice. Reading this book as a standalone would not really be possible, as I found out, because there are a lot of unexplained and vague elements that need backstory which isn’t provided. Overall, this book was good but there were structural elements that left me with much to be desired.