*****5 Stars!

“I am lost without you. You complete me in a way I never knew existed.”


First I would like to thank Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I am honored to have been given the chance to read it and give an honest review.

Dubious about the Duke is about a confident Colonel Winston Cutler, who finds himself a sudden duke when the brother he loathed perishes in a fire. Win returns to London, only to find he has two by-low nephews to care for---and their specialty is running off their latest governess.

Reserved Seraphina Nicholls returns to England after being stuck in Canada due to war with the Americans. Sera is slated to attend a house party, where she hopes to make a match with a man who is quiet and loyal. Instead, she finds herself volunteering to act as a governess to a neighboring duke’s rowdy nephews.

Sera wins over the boys and is dismayed when she loses her heart to the roguish duke. Win finds Sera appealing but due to her retiring nature, he believes she would make for a terrible duchess. But Sera isn’t shy with him--especially when they’re kissing. Win decides no one but his erstwhile governess will make him happy.

I absolutely adored this book! The moment I started this book I devoured it in an entire sitting, I just couldn’t seem to help myself. The pacing of this story was very well done and managed to keep me eagerly wondering what was going to happen next. I found myself easily relating to Sera’s nature, being a fellow wallflower myself, and found the way she was portrayed in the book to be very refreshing. I quite liked seeing a main character who was painfully shy in certain situations but could bloom into a passionate and talkative person in the company of those she feels comfortable around--and the way she took the children in hand only added to her character and made her so full of surprises!

I also enjoyed the romance between Win and Sera; I liked how there was an instant attraction between the two of them that only seemed to grow stronger the more they got to know one another. There was also a slow burn tension to their relationship that I really enjoyed, it had me holding my breath wondering if they would act on their feelings towards one another or push it down. Another aspect of the story I highly enjoyed was the found family trope, it was very touching to see how close the Second Sons and their wives were, not to mention the additions of Freddie and Charlie. I thought it was so sweet to watch Win fall in love with his nephews and build a life around them, along with Sera, of course.

This is a book I would highly recommend if you’re a fan of swoon worthy romances and the found family trope! I absolutely cannot wait to start on the rest of the books in this series!

The 5th second son has come home to figure out how to be a Duke. This time, he has to figure out how to handle 2 sons that his terrible brother left behind.

I really liked where this plot went since it was so different from previous books in the series. Shy Sera decided to help out Win and become a governess to his unruly nephews. Did the boys or Win help her out of her shell, or both?

I liked the romance in this book, but wanted a bit more along the way. I don't think there were enough teasing moments, but that may have been to really drive home Sera's a bit skittish nature.

Now that all 5 second sons have found love, what comes next? I can't get enough of this series!

Thank you to Dragonblade and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

3.5 stars

I liked Sera, she was in the previous book and we see her get a bit more confidence but then she meets the aristocrat and confident Win. He wasn't a total alpha and did have enough niggles to make me warm somewhat to him. He had been put forward as the most assertive of the group of second sons. I was a bit disappointed in that as well as an indolent selfish aristocrat, Win's deceased elder brother had to be a rapist as well...I thought that was a but unneccesary. Some of the other characters from previous books turn up so it's worth being aware of these. It can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this more than Minta's book.

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

A sweet story about love. Between the hero and the heroine but also about the love for the nephews. They are the opposites of each other, echoed in the nephews’ personalities, but they complete each other, like the yin and the yang forms the whole. Very enjoyable read.

I received an ARC of this book and leaving my review voluntarily.

Colonel Winston Cutler soon finds himself a Duke when his loathsome brother perishes in a fire. Win returns to London, only to find that his brother has sired two boys who are very prone to running about from their latest governess. When Seraphina Nicholls returns to England after being stuck in Canada due to war with the Americans, she is confronted by Win, the cousin of the man married to her twin sister. Soon the shy and awkward Sera finds herself agreeing to assist Win, in caring for his nephews. When Sera wins over the two boys, she also begins to develop feelings for Win, knowing that she can never be ‘his duchess’. Yet Win believes that Sera can bring her passion to their relationship and be the duchess that he has been looking for.
Whilst this is part of a series, the book is a stand-alone story. I began this book with great enthusiasm as the twin sisters, brought with them such an interesting background as did Win. With two quite polar opposites in Win and Sera, this did have the potential for an entertaining read. The nephews were a delight with their mischievous natures and brought a bit of spark to the story. At times, though, the conversations between Win and Sera, was a bit stilted and too flowery. Overall, a sweet read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another fab story from Alexa. If you are like me and are not a huge fan of kids in a story, don’t let that bother you because Freddie and Charlie are amazingly written to be adorable even if a little mischievous. Like the other stories in this series, I love the idea where the hero falls in love with the woman and tries to win her. So refreshing. Everyone has their soulmate and no two people could have been further apart but totally made for each other. Sigh! Tension, yes! Sweet ending, yes! As always, Alexa’s writing is magnificent.

There is a character that is introduced, Miss Birmingham, and she has a very small role at the end but I can see where she might be paired with someone in a future book.

This is in a close race with Educated by the Earl for my favorite book in the series. It was no great surprise that Win and Sera ended up together, but the path their story took had a few surprises in it. You can completely understand why Sera was confused by Win's actions in regard to his feelings for her. He goes from a passionate kiss to telling her they can't be together to realizing she is the only woman he wants to marry all within 2 pages. I so enjoyed watching them bond and fall in love while caring for Charlie and Freddie. Win's relationship with his nephews was so sweet. I understood Sera's reasoning for her needing to leave Win's household, but I did not like that she just abandoned the boys after talking with Win about how important it was they were given a sense of security. Luckily for her Win made sure they never knew about that little mistake on her part. I also really liked that Win immediately went after her to tell her how he felt rather than letting days or weeks go by. You don't have to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this one, but it would probably help in understanding the relationships between the couples from those books.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Learning that he is the new Duke of Woodmont came as a shock to Win Cutler, but he had no affection for his late brother, and was not too gutted by the loss. However, discovering that his brother likely left by blows behind, Win will do his duty to his family and find them, and care for them in whatever way necessary. He has no intentions of marrying yet, and when he does, it'll be a traditional ton marriage, not filled with love or affection. But meeting Seraphina Nicholls changes all that. Sera is shy, and has suffered heartbreak in the past. She's overjoyed to be home, and with her twin, Minta, but she has no intention of joining in the activities of the Season. Win is too outgoing for her, and she worries that her feelings for him will be too much to overcome, but she will not let his two nephews, Charlie and Freddie, be let down, and decides to act as their governess. Showing love and affection to two boys who only want someone to care for them, Sera quickly finds a way into their hearts, and Win's too. Can he convince her that she will be his perfect duchess?

This is my favourite book of the series so far. I had just been thinking that they were getting a little too repetitive, and I was starting to get a little bored, but I honestly could not put this one down. The family that is formed of Win, Sera, Charlie, and Freddie, was perfect, and I adored seeing them grow from strangers, to friends, to a true family, who would do anything for each other. Sera was definitely shy and retiring, but she was comfortable with Win, and turned full on Mama Bear when the boys were threatened. I loved how Win dealt with the boys, and allowed them to learn a little about their father, without revealing the horrors that he had committed, or let them feel as if they were ever unwanted. Yes, he never expected to be caring for them - rather he thought he would give them money and an education - but he embraced the dad life, and it was the making of them all. Now, I'm not too sure who the other books in the series will be about, but I'm definitely more interested in continuing the series!

I found this story engaging and entertaining to read. Win and Sera are opposites but truly are well suited, their banter and way to love was fun with a little help from his two mischievous nephews. I enjoyed the shy beauty and the Colonel find their happiness.

I love Sera's take on Win's nephews. She is able to get through to them and understand them like no other. I teared up a little. The moment that Win realized that he is in love with Sera is another moment that got to me. I loved reading this book. It is perfect and a perfect addition to this series.

Dubious About the Duke is the fifth book in the Second Sons of London series, and it is a wonderful read! The story follows Sera, the shy and reserved twin sister to Minta from book five. Sera has returned to London to be with her sister when she meets Win, who is also newly returned to society after years in the war. Now a Duke, Win learns of his deceased brother’s children who need a home, but their unruliness and poor behavior become exceedingly problematic.

When Sera volunteers to act as governess to the boys, Win never expected to fall for the shy and sweet woman. He is looking for a marriage of convenience – a duchess but not a love match. Sera, who wants to marry for love, is not the right woman for him, but the more time Win spends with her, the more he realizes he doesn’t want to let her go. Can he convince Sera that she is meant to be his duchess?

The characters in this story steal the show! I love Sera, Win, Win’s nephews, and so many of the secondary characters. Sera is such a sweetheart, and seeing her go from being a painfully shy woman when in larger crowds or with people she doesn’t know to a confident woman with exceptional intuitiveness and a way with children is brilliant. She’s well-layered, and once people get to know her and she is more comfortable, they see the kind, funny, encouraging, and nurturing woman she is. I think you especially see this as she befriends Win’s nephews.

Win’s nephews are a delight! They have big personalities and are so rambunctious, curious, and enthusiastic. Freddie and Charlie have been through so much, and their behavior when Win first meets them is atrocious. I love how well Sera gets them. She is the only one who understands why they act out and actually sees them and helps them adjust to loss, grief, and a whole new life. The transformation Freddie and Charlie undergo while under Win and Sera’s care is miraculous, and the bond this foursome forms is lovely.

Win changes and grows a lot over the course of the story too. Meeting Sera and spending time with Freddie and Charlie makes him see things from a different perspective. Sera’s really good at making him see things from the boys’ point of view, and it’s pretty revelatory. These revelations change Win and his relationship with his nephews, and as he becomes more present and involved, he also spends a lot of time with Sera.

The romance between Sera and Win is lovely. These opposites have strong feelings for each other from their first meeting, but they want such different things in life. Sera yearns for a love match, while Win does not. Neither feels they deserve the other for various reasons, and they struggle with a bunch of inner conflicts. But, they are so drawn to each other, and their chemistry is fantastic! I enjoyed watching this relationship develop and thought they had a very sweet love story.

One of my favorite tropes is the found family, and this story has two! The Second Sons and their spouses are a wonderful family unit, and Win, his nephews, and Sera are a little found family of their own even though they’re part of the bigger group. There are some great messages about love, friendship, and relationships!

I loved this historical romance, as I’ve loved all of the books in this series. You can never go wrong with an Alexa Aston historical romance! The characters are always layered and compelling, the stories are unique, and the romances are swoon-worthy! Thanks so much to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Shy Sera comes back to England to find her outgoing twin sister is married and has a whole group of friends. Not feeling if she will ever fit into society, she decides to help Win with his two newly found young nephews. Seeing her heart, Win falls in love with Sera and his nephews. Sera must be convinced that she can become a duchess. This review wouId have been 5 stars, but I felt it got way too sappy at the end. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.

We continue with the Second Sons with the last and fifth son back to inherit a dukedom. With his parents as an example, Win only seeks a convenient wife upon to beget heirs. When he meets his cousin-in-law's twin, he changes his tune and has eyes only for her. Sera is terribly shy and does not like to meet new people, but speaks easily with Win. She finds him attractive but knows she is not the ideal candidate for a duchess. When Win takes on his late brother's illegitimate children, he's out of his depth and needs help. Sera comes to the rescue, showing the boys affection and care... leading Win to fall even more in love with her.