3.5⭐️

I love historical romance.
I like the idea of how Rick chose Edwina from a list of name and made her his wife.

But I struggled with the pacing and character likability of Rick.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

SINCERELY, THE DUKE captured me from the first page. Both Rick, Duke of Stonerick, and Edwina Fine were beautifully crafted characters. Both are strong-willed when following their own moral compass.

Many historical romances find the conflict that will keep our hero and heroine apart to be some kind of rule of society — class differences are typical. Our author, Amelia Grey, selected a very convincing conflict that I’ve never seen before. I won’t spoil it by even mentioning it.

This story features a marriage of convenience between two strangers that is complicated by each of them hiding their own secret. Grey is a talented writer whose plot moves forward with action rather than monologues of thought. I delighted in watching Rick and Edwina open up to each other and explore the spark between them on their way to happily ever after.

I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of Sincerely, The Duke written by the amazing Amelia Grey via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This is the second book in the Say I Do series and can be read as a stand alone. Roderick Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick, has determined to marry by running his finger along a list of potential brides given to him by his mother. He has a fear of not begetting an heir fast enough before his dilapidating fevers consume him 
Edwina Fine is in shock when she receives a proposal by mail from a Duke. She decides to follow through so she can also fulfill her father's dying wish. The story develops beautifully as both Rick and Edwina start of their marriage as an act of convenience but with some magnetic attraction. They learn about each other's likes and good qualities, but keep some secrets hidden that become an obstacle to their romance. Another great story!

Another great book by Amelia Grey! Second book in the series is as good as the first one. I thought Rick and Edwina worked as a couple and the story that also included triplets. I highly recommend reading this book

Sincerely, The Duke
by Amelia Grey
Pub Date: 26 Mar 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Oh boy Oh boy, this was such great book! Can’t say enough about it!!
Miss Edwina Fine has one shot at finding a husband before the ton learns her secret. With red hair, green eyes and being one of triplets, she knows the superstitions and rumors about women like her. So when a marriage proposal from the Duke of Stonerick arrives by mail, Edwina jumps at the chance to solve her problems. But nothing could prepare her for the attraction that sparks between them when they finally meet. It will take more than Edwina’s wit to navigate her past, reservations about marriage and the passion that ignites within her for the irresistible duke.

Rick, Duke of Stonerick, enjoys his life exactly as it is: honing his expert marksmanship, playing cards and fencing with his friends. He even enjoys exchanging affectionate humor with his mother about his lack of matrimonial engagement. But when a recurring illness reminds Rick he has no heir, he picks a name from the list of prospects his mother presents and writes a simple marriage proposal. Then he forgets about it—until that very lady with an iron will and breathtaking bravery shows up at his doorstep, ready to accept. Edwina tempts him like no other and suddenly, marriage

#SincerelyTheDuke

This story didn’t really keep my interest and I just pushed through to get to the end. The superstitions and the fanatical way Edwina wanted to follow her father got so annoying. I never really felt like she and Rick were that connected either, just was told they were.

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

Roderick “Rick” Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick, co-runs a sporting club that donates its proceeds to charitable organizations. A re-occurring fever reminds him of his mortality and his obligations to his dukedom. Rick randomly chooses a bride from a list of candidates his mother drafted. He promises to help Edwina find suitable husbands for her sisters in exchange for an heir. Rick suspects she is withholding something from him. Will Rick learn Edwina’s secrets? And can he trust her with the truth about his health?

Miss Edwina Fine promises her late father she will find husbands for herself and her sisters. Fate answers her prayers. She receives a marriage proposal from a wealthy duke through the mail. Rick is nothing than what Edwina expected. She hopes he nor the Ton learn about her being a triplet. Can Edwina trust Rick with the secret of her birth? Or will she learn that all her fears and reservations are groundless? And can Edwina keep her deathbed promise to her father?

Rick is a man after my own heart. There are times, and moments, when I too have trouble tolerating people. Plus, I am not a fan of large crowds (just ask my husband during holiday shopping). So, I related with him on that score. What I adore the most about Rick is how he does not put stock in superstitions. He finds most of them laughable or foolish.

Edwina took me a while to warm up too. I can understand her trepidation about being a triplet. She grew up in a time when multiple births (more than two) were rare. They did happen but scarcely did the babes survive. Edwina was taught from a young age to fear people learning about her birth. What I like the most about Edwina is her devotion to completing her father’s deathbed wish. Some people would humor the dead. She took it seriously, to the point she disregarded her sisters’ desires.

SINCERELY, THE DUKE is the second book in Amelia Grey’s historical romance series, SAY I DO. The story can easily stand alone. However, the first book (YOURS TRULY, THE DUKE) explains the reasons behind the sports club Rick and his two ducal friends co-founded. Wyatt and Fredericka, the couple from the prior story, do make a small appearance. I like how the author does not boggle the story or its pacing down with unnecessary sex scenes. The only such scene is not steamy, spicy nor long. Sometimes I feel authors go over-the-top with such scenes.

I cannot wait for Hurst’s book! I wonder how the author plans to continue the letter complimentary closing theme with his book title. Also, I wonder if Eileen will get a book. I sense a story brewing there; one I would be interested in reading.

Sweet Historical
Ms. Grey's tale of a romance despite cultural superstitions with a duke whose mother believed in such is a sweet tale. The duke needs a heir and picks Emilia off a list. The meeting between the pair caused sparks and both were very interested in continuing. The families created small issues but the pair overcomes all. Sweet with some sensual passages.
I requested and received a NetGalley arc to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

Sincerely, the Duke was an enjoyable novel. I liked the idea of red-haired green-eyed triplets and the superstitions about them that led to Edwina and her sisters hiding the truth about themselves from society.

Rick and Edwina made a great couple, with their stubbornness and sense of honor and trust issues. Edwina’s innocence was appealing; the wedding night scene was quite amusing.

I appreciated that Edwina’s sisters are so very different from her in interests. The story ends with the possibility that Eileen, whose head is always in the stars, may have found love. If so, it would make for a good story.