This was such an adorable love story and story about family. Win our hero is so far my favourite of the series. I loved reading about him falling for the heroine, but also starting to love his nephews. The nephews storyline had me crying several times throughout the book and I’m so glad that they were happy with their uncle. I also loved the relationship between Sera and the boys

This was such an adorable love story and story about family. Win our hero is so far my favourite of the series. I loved reading about him falling for the heroine, but also starting to love his nephews. The nephews storyline had me crying several times throughout the book and I’m so glad that they were happy with their uncle. I also loved the relationship between Sera and the boys

Win and Sera’s story was a treat for me to read. I really loved the romantic side to the story. I definitely loved the part of the uncle stepping in to give his wards a chance of living a good life. I thought that the story was a good read that moved well without any complications of weird terminology. The narrative of the story was easy to understand and comprehend. The story has some wonderful entertainment to it, The romance was very sweet and charming.

Colonel Winston Cutler never expected to become a duke, but when his older brother dies in a fire, Win must take up the title. He also finds out that his brother had 2 bastard sons whom he refused to acknowledge and take care of. Much to his dismay, the boys are little hellions who spent too much time roaming the London streets. Win needs help taking care of them and is surprised when shy Sera Nicholls, his cousin's sister-in-law volunteers to help with the boys. Sera is not the usual type of woman Win prefers, but her good nature brings out the best in the boys and him. Can he convince the reserved beauty that she'd be perfect as his duchess?

I was looking forward to reading Sera's story, the shy twin of Minta. I loved how though she was shy and reserved, she had inner fortitude that helped her tackle new experiences. She was wonderful with Freddie and Charlie, teaching them with love and understanding instead of rules and the stick. Without knowing she also taught Win how to open his heart to love. Win was an honorable man, and I did like his growth, but the real stars of the book are his two nephews. The plot flows nicely, and I read the story in one sitting. Looking forward to reading the next book in the story.

Colonel Winston Cutler is the last of the group of friends Nick named the Second Sons. He also suddenly inherited the title. As a child be was ignored by his own family and found a happier one with his cousins next-door and at university later. Because the others have all found happiness, he's agreed to look for a wife at a house party soon. Before that though he finds obligations that can't be put off.

Miss Seraphina Nicholls has just joined her sister in England. She wasn't ready to leave her parents, and have a season in London when her twin did.

Our heroine is incredibly shy and hates the very idea of meeting new people. Her sister is determined to drag her out to mix with her friends and new husband, and wants to find a husband for her.

This is the last book in a fabulous historical romance series. Our lead characters could not be more different but certain circumstances can bring about great changes. Lots of fun with all the very loveable characters right from the begining to the end.

You don't need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, but I did and loved all of them.

Great fun.

Dubious About the Duke by Alexa Aston is the last in her Second Sons series and maybe the best as it introduces the two adorable nephews that Win locates in London just as their mother dies. He is determined to give them to a couple on his estate to raise, subsidizing their lives, but not being involved. It turns outs they are hellions and the family gives them back in just a couple of days. Not only that but their reputation has traveled so no one in the village is interested, either. He determines to keep them himself and hires a succession of governesses, most of whom leave within a day or two. He is at his wits’ end when he travels to his cousin’s estate for advice. There her sees Sera, his cousin’s sister-in-law, who has not left his thoughts for even a day. He is taken aback when she volunteers to come and help him with the boys. She begins immediately and has the boys in hand by the end of the day. She is kind and thoughtful and teaching every moment, with every new scenario. The boys respond and love her for it. They had been lacking attention and boundaries and found themselves in terrifying new situations with which they could not cope. Thus, the misbehavior.

Sera has come from Canada to join her sister, with her parents to follow in a few months. She is so happy to find Minta married, and in love. She would not have predicted that a man like Percy would be the perfect man for Minta, but was thrilled for her. She had met Win, the Duke of Woodmont, when she had arrived, and felt drawn to him, but knew they had no future. She was not the material which made a duchess. After just a couple of days Win had determined that she was, in fact, perfect. He meant to ask her to marry him at dinner, but she escaped with Minta and Percy when he was reading to the boys. He set off immediately to retrieve her, only to find she wan’t there, either. Could this relationship be saved? Two very likable people who turned out to be the perfect match, proving to Win that he could, indeed, love and be loved. A terrific book, as always from Alexa Aston.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Dubious About the Duke by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #AlexaAston #DubiousAboutTheDuke

Second sons serve in the military, unless…

Colonel Winston Cutler is a second son who was ignored when he was a child, sent away to school, and pretty much forgotten. When his brother dies in a fire, Win becomes the Duke of Woodmont. Miss Seraphina Nicholls has just returned to England after several years in Canada where her father works for the English government. Even though she is shy, she hopes to have her come-out the next season, and hopefully find a husband. This is the fifth book in the Second Sons of London series. It is a well-written story that holds your interest from start to finish. Win and Sera will make a wonderful couple when they finally realize that they are meant for each other. The romance takes a little time, but is fun to watch, as it unfolds as the two of them try to wrangle Win’s rambunctious six-year-old nephews. A good story, engaging characters, and a lovely HEA.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

I totally fell in love with main characters and just wanted to see them happy. There was so much chemistry between them and you just had to root for them. Their journey to HEA was a little bumpy but the end is all that matters.

I found this story to be both engaging and entertaining to read. Win and Sera are opposites but truly are well suited. There journey to love isn't too arduous but the two nephews helped and it was lovely to see Win fall in love with his nephews when he initial intended just to pay for someone to look after then and stay away. I have read other's in this series and this is one of my favourite's and while they can be read as standalone they are interlinked with character's appearing in all. I received this book from netgallery in exchange for an honest review.

4.75 Stars
Colonel Winston Cutler finds himself a sudden duke when the older brother he loathed perishes in a fire. Win returns to London to take up the dukedom & learns his brother had some by blows, he sets out to find them but didn’t expect to have two mischief six year olds to care for. Seraphina Nicholls returns to England after being stuck in Canada due to war with the Americans. Sera is overjoyed to be reunited with her twin Mina & volunteers to act as a governess to her brother in laws cousin's rowdy nephews.
Win is the fifth Second Son to find love. Once again I was drawn in from page one & read through in a sitting finishing in the early hours. I loved both Win & Sera who were attracted to each other from their first meeting but he believed marriage was like a business contract & she wanted a love marriage like her sister’s. However the more time they spent together the more their feelings became involved. Freddie & Charlie were loveable rascals who only wanted to be loved. I loved how the four of them became a family as Win & Sera fell in love. My only quibble was when Sera left without telling the boys, as she knew how fragile their new found happiness was. A well written engrossing read.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Win Cutler the Duke of Woodmont was one of the second sons and had very specific ideas about what he would like for his Duchess. He did not want a love match like all his best friends.

Whilst attending his best friend and cousin Percy's wedding he agreed to accompany them when Minta's sister Serephina arrived in England.

Sera although her sisters twin was the opposite of Minta quite shy, loved her own company and loved the quiet life. When Win first encountered her he was struck by how beautiful she was and straight away they warmed to each other.

Meanwhile his two nephews had been found and were causing havock in his life. Sera agreed to act as their governess for a short while to see if she could find out what was happening and why they were misbehaving so much.

Win was madly attracted to Sera and after a passionate kiss on the way to his home told Sera that it was a mistake, he didn't believe in love and what he expected from a wife.

Sera heartbroken put all her attention into his nephews. Win on seeing her true self fell in love with her but knew he now had to work had to secure her affections.

A beautiful love story about finding love, learning to change and accept that he could love someone and be loved in return.

I would definitely recommend this book, it fills your heart with joy and for me fed all my romantic dreams with an added touch of steam.

I voluntarily read and reviewing this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

She Became His Heart:
A lovely romance story that has a very intriguing beginning. The last of the Second sons brings forth Win who will never fall in love and Sera who will only marry for love. That pretty much sets the stage for a complex yet fun and exciting story of discovery and conquering one's past emotional situations.
The cast of characters were terrific and fun and kept the story moving at a fast pace. I truly enjoyed reading this story that was filled with humor, sadness, confession's that brought tears to my eyes.
I could have done with less of Sera as the governess. A little too many lessons for my pleasure in a romance.
The ending was wonderful, and the entire series makes for an enjoyable read.
5 ⭐️ Cover captured the characters perfectly.
Adult Advisory:
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A fun instalove historical romance.

Colonel Winston Cutler, known as Win to his friends, never planned to be duke. But when his brother dies, he ends up returning to London. He also has two by-blow nephews who keep scaring off their governesses. Seraphina Nicholls has spent the last several years in Canada, but is now back in England and hoping to find a husband. She ends up volunteering to take care of Win's nephews though. Sera loves the boys but is upset when she realizes she might love the duke too. Win find Sera attractive, but not what he was looking for in a duchess.

I really enjoyed the setting and the found family aspect of the Second Sons. They are really there for each other and clearly support one another. Freddie and Charlie, Win's nephews, are adorable and just the kind of mischievous you'd expect from 6-year-old boys. They are adorable.

The biggest struggle I have with this book is the pacing. Sera solves all the problems with the boys in literally one day. Win figures out that he's in love with Sera, after believing that love wasn't for him his entire life, in that same day. I wish that the story had been spread out a bit more. We would have gotten to see the pranks of Freddie and Charlie more and really gotten to understand Sera and Win. Most of their feelings seemed to come kind of out of nowhere. I understand that this is a relatively short book, but I just wish we got a bit more character development. I did enjoy reading about Sera and Win with the children, though, as that's where we got to see them as people a bit more.

Overall, if you like historical romance, I think you'll enjoy this book. It's a fun, quick read with all the found family I look for in these kinds of books. I definitely think I'll go back and check out some of the other books in this series and read the other Second Sons' stories as well.

Win never expected to inherit a title but his libertine brother died without legitimate offspring so there he is. Now he's returning from war as a duke. He finds out that his brother left two illegitimate sons whose mother is dying. He takes custody of the boys who turn out to be a handful as they are understandably traumatized and acting out, having suddenly lost everything they knew and loved. So he needs a caretaker or a governess but the boys' pranks get several candidates to abandon ship. So Miss Sera Nicholls offers to help as she is generally good with kids. Her sister recently got married but Sera is dreading her upcoming debut in the London society. Sera had an inofficial understanding with an army captain who is deceased now. She wasn't in love with him but everything is somehow different with Win.

Win is a bit of a windmill as he goes from "I want a cold and distant ton marriage" to "I want Sera as my duchess" to "sorry I kissed you, I do not expect to love my wife" to "oh I'm in love with Sera", and sometimes changes his mind within an hour or two. Sera is shy and retiring and doesn't think she would make a good duchess, so Win's indecisiveness is bound to hurt her. She is good for the children and good for Win's relationship with them but eventually Win's indecisive courting methods are going to cause problems. The third act break-up gets resolved pretty swiftly and without unnecessary angst. The bathtub scene wasn't what I would have thought anyone's relatives would choose but it worked, so.

Steam level: The bedsheets saw some action.

Series status: This is the fifth book in the series but works fine as a stand-alone. Probably you will enjoy the friends' cameos better if you read the other ones.

This was okay, I liked the kids and the story flowed nicely.
I got a Netgalley copy and this is a voluntary review.

The Second Sons, a group of 5 men raised as spares, shared a close bond. They made a family for themselves in their appointed roles in life, Life had other plans however, and one by one each of these men became titled men, finding love and happiness. Win is the last of this group, and despite seeing the happiness of his friends from finishing true love matches, he feels he will never know that and plans a business arrangement rather than marriage. Then he meets Seraphina Nicholas and all that changes.
Polar opposites these two are. Win is outgoing, lively and confident where Sera is shy, quiet and reserved. Their love story is such a natural progression, that even reading it feels ass though they were always together, What really stands out in this story is watching Win learn what it is to have love in his life, Despite growing up without any love, his heart is full to bursting with love to give. Seeing him take to his nephews and how easily they bond with him & Sera was truly beautiful. The fact that this was a love story of a family, not just a couple made it all the more special. I greatly enjoyed getting to know this group of men, and their lovely wives.

3.5 stars. Sera is a shy, retiring woman with hidden depths. When her twin sister marries a member of a large group of friends, Sera's circle expands quickly and she's thrown into the path of Win, a duke who is handsome, kind, and determined to find a wife he can keep at arm's length while he pursues his own interests. When unexpected circumstances create an opportunity for Sera to help the duke, he sees what a remarkable person she is. But is he prepared to rethink his entire life?

This is a fun, enjoyable story that doesn't hold up to even the slightest scrutiny. The circumstances, characters' motivations, and plot points are unlikely, inconstant, or changed out of nowhere to suit the narrative. If you can look past that and just enjoy the ride, it's light, cute, and a perfectly pleasant diversion!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Sera Nicholls has returned to England after several years in Canada. Her twin sister, Minta, meets her at the dock with her husband, Percy and Win Cutler, the Duke of Woodmont, the fifth Second Son to come into his title. He and Sera find much to talk about, but neither seems to think they would match. Win discovers he has two mischievous nephews, unfortunately governesses keep quitting. Sera decides she will never make a match and volunteers to be the boys governess for a few weeks. Hmmm.... Win can't stop kissing Sera! Finally, he sees his duchess right in front of him. The lady he can't stop kissing. Sera's heart is breaking because she doesn't think she would make a good duchess. She sneaks away and runs to London. Win follows to change her mind. He is very convincing! Another entertaining book in the series of Second Sons.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

Dubious About The Duke is book five in the Second Sons Of London series. This is another fantastic book
in the continuing series. After I finished I was disappointed because I thought that this might be the last one. Apparently it is a series of seven, much to my delight, I am happy to read on since I am not ready to be done with their stories.

Miss Seraphina Nicholls has just joined her sister in England. She wasn't ready to leave her mother after a long absence. Now she is reunited with Minta and her husband Percy, newly married and expecting a child. A house party is in the makings and matchmaking will be on Adalyn's mind which makes Sera uncomfortable. Minta was always more outgoing and impulsive, while Sera is the opposite. Sera is not looking forward to the house party.

Colonel Winston Cutler is the last of the group named the Second Sons. He also inherited the title as the other "brothers" did unexpectedly. Win has discovered that his older brother was a despicable man. He is rumored to have two sons by two different women out of wedlock. Asking his Second Sons advice on how to proceed, he is determined to find them and provide a future for them, something his brother failed to do. When Win finds the boys and learns the fate of the women, he takes them back to his home. Unfortunately the boys have become unruly and Win will need help.

Sera will decide that she can help Win tame the boys, but will she find more than she agreed to when she begins to care for the boys.

This is another wonderful story. This book can certainly be a stand alone read, but I encourage you to read them all as they all build upon one another and make you love the characters for all their faults and triumphs.

An other amazing story from Alexa Aston . This time is Sera's story and Win . Sera is shy and wish to stay away from the season . Her twin Minta asks her to come and live with her and her husband until she gives birth and she agree . Win is taken by surprise from the first moment he met Sera . She is not shy when they are together , she is passionate and lively . I loved how she made him realised his wrong ways with his nephews . They make a lovely family the four of them .
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is the story of Winn and Sera. I have not read the previous books, but that might have been helpful as well as given me some added interest in the story. I really liked the young boys and the interactions with them. The romance was sweet and a bit predictable. 3 stars.