5 Will Their Plan Work Stars?

I absolutely love this series and I can’t believe it’s over. Ms. Grey has once again captivated me with her ability to write a historical romance that has all the things I love about reading, witty banter, chemistry that can’t be denied, and a storyline that perks my interest from page one.

While this story was a little slower moving than the first two books, it worked for Ophelia and Hurst. She’s on a mission to find a family antiquity and he’s got a plan that he doesn’t think can fail. Of course things don’t go as smoothly as either of them would like, but along the way, they develop feelings that neither thought were ever going to happen. I mean, Hurst has seen his two best friends find the loves of their lives and he wasn’t sure if it would ever happen for him. So when Ophelia disguises herself and comes to him with a plan, the intrigue of it all was something he was completely on board with.

I for one loved the slow-burn of this book. If fit with each of them and how they had to come together to solve the problem of Ophelia’s brother’s missing artifact. There’s a lot of moments that can be trying as Ophelia is questioning “suspects” and Hurst himself has moments of “what did he sign on for” but he held out hoping the end would justify the means.

This is the perfect ending to a great series and I’m going to miss all of these characters as they’ve imbedded themselves into my heart.

Ophelia and Hurst meet for the first time when she comes to his house dressed as a man. Due to Hurst's friendship with her deceased brother she comes to him for some help. He is appalled at her behavior and is glad he told her brother he would not marry her. She is looking for a rare chalice that had gone missing on her brother's watch as vicar. In honor of his memory and good name she must find the missing chalice. She does some things that could get her into trouble and Hurst intervenes. He sees something special in this unconventional lady and he wants to make his. He expects her to let him do the search but she stubbornly refuses. Everything ties up in a nice bow.

Sometimes fate gives you a second chance. When the Duke of Hurstbourne receives a letter his childhood friend is dying and would like Hurst to marry his sister so he knows she will be cared for, he respectfully declines. How could anyone possibly marry someone sight unseen? However, after said sister, Ophelia, comes to his house requesting his help to find a stolen relic, the Duke thinks maybe he might have made an error by not at least meeting her before the dismissal. Ophelia is having a bugger of a time trying to convince him to assist her on her quest to find the chalice before someone thinks her brother stole it before he died.

Love, the Duke is the third and final story in the Say I Do series. Both of Hurst friends have found their true loves and it is their turn to watch the show as a woman slowly wraps Hurst around her little finger. It is a bit slow going in the beginning as the search for the chalice involves trying to covertly interrogate some of society. Ophelia has a few clues and a list of possible gentry that would be interested in the chalice. However she and Hurst can’t seem to agree on the best way to attack the problem. A few sparks fly as fly as they attempt to figure it out.

This is a cute story that doesn’t have some of the tension I saw in the other books in this series. Ophelia took some time to warm to. She seemed very impulsive and struggled with having patience when interrogating some of the suspects. Hurst is a little broken due to his childhood and struggled to open up to our heroine. I was glad when we finally got his origin story.

My favorite couple from the series was in Your Truly, The Duke. While I didn’t think Love, the Duke was as good, I would say that overall, this is an easy, fast and cute historical romance read.

I requested to read and review this book for free from St. Martin's Publishing Company. This story is full of twists and turns. It will keep you guessing until the very end who did it and why. There romance, mystery, and drama. Ophelia is determined to find out where the missing artifact and make sure suspicion doesn't fall on her brother. Hurst is a man that knows what he wants but can a promise could potentially turn his world upside down. When two headstrong take charge individuals meet what happens? Can love conquer all? Will a promise be honored. Will justice prevail? This book is for a mature audience but can be read anywhere!

The Duke of Hurstborne's life of leisure is momentarily interrupted by a letter from an old childhood friend, a vicar, Mr. Stowe. Mr. Stowe is on his deathbed, and while he knows this request is bold and Hurst's acquiescence is unlikely, he wonders if Hurst would be willing to wed his sister, Miss. Ophelia Stowe, to ensure she would be protected after her brother's death. Struck with lingering fondness and sudden grief for his dying friend, Hurst does deny Mr. Stowe's proposition as he is a romantic soul who is not willing to compromise his chance for a love match by entering into a marriage of convenience with a girl who is a stranger to him. Hurst does promise to visit his ill friend soon; however, due to a variety of circumstances, Hurst is not able to keep this promise before his friend passes away.

Mr. Stowe's sister, Ophelia, is far from his mind- that is, until he receives a disguised late-night visitor. Miss. Ophelia Stowe, dressed as a young man, brings with her the news of her brother's passing and also a plea for the Duke's aid.

After her brother's passing, Ophelia and her mother discover that a priceless chalice, which had been entrusted to Mr. Stowe's care, is missing from the church's inventory. Ophelia and her mother are racing against the clock to recover the chalice before the new vicar takes up residency, and her brother is falsely implicated in the theft. They have only one clue as to the identity of the true culprit - a maid's brief glance at a carriage bearing an unfamiliar family crest. Ophelia explains that they have come to London in search of the chalice. She strongly suspects that the chalice is in the possession of a cunning aristocratic gentleman.

Ophelia, despite her resentment towards Hurst for failing to visit her dear brother prior to his passing, asks that Hurst help her gain access to these gentlemen's book rooms, convinced that she will discover the priceless chalice hiding in plain sight. Hurst is horrified by this girl's gall and tries to persuade her to change course, but Ophelia will not be swayed. She will embark on this plan with or without Hurst's support. What Ophelia did not anticipate was her investigation being thwarted by an unwanted, hovering, and overly protective Duke.

Hurst and Ophelia's love story overall was built on banter and bickering interlaced with moments of deep connection and sweetness. There was a lot that I enjoyed in their story. That being said, many elements struck me as, for lack of a better word, odd or nonsensical. In particular, Ophelia's actions, which started as a part of a far-fetched yet somewhat logical plan, derailed into asinine stubbornness. With her continuing insistence on foolishness, the dynamic between her and Hurst was impacted negatively. When these moments of foolish insistence pop up, any romantic tension that had been built up deflates as the interaction devolves into immaturity. Overall, both Ophelia and Hurst had hang-ups that led to the roadblocks in their burgeoning relationship; they both had frustratingly stubborn, hard-headed moments.

On the other hand, there were many entertaining moments and enjoyable flirtatious banter. Of the books in this series, I think this may have been my least favorite, lacking the drama from "Yours Truly, the Duke" and the chemistry from "Sincerely, the Duke". I would still recommend the series overall!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Rating: 3.5

Hurst is shocked when a letter arrives from a childhood friend asking him to marry his sister. He declines, but is then shocked when she shows up dressed as a man asking for help. Her brother has died and an artifact has gone missing and she needs his help to find it before her brother is accused.

I enjoyed the mystery and the romance of Hurst and Ophelia, even though the spice level was pretty low. This was a good ending to the trilogy.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Excellent setup and plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The relationship is so great, a balance between tension and affection is perfect.

I was excited about Hursts’ book because I liked him so much in the other two books. I thought this one started strong and made me chuckle a little. I couldn’t really understand Ophelia’s motives and age exasperated me as much as she exasperated Hursts. But you have to love her moxie and how she never gave up. I loved seeking Wyatt and Rick and their wives. This was a good end to the series and fun read.

Love, The Duke
Third book in the “Say I Do” series
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC given for review.

Well at least it’s not a 2 star book like the previous two in the series.
I really liked the MMC because it’s been a while since I’ve read a book where HE is the one that is looking for the ONE so he can marry and also that he wants to have a family so he can be the father he didn’t have.

Ophelia on the other hand was a little annoying. Sorry but she was. I truly appreciate what she wanted to do for her brother but this girl had no idea what she was getting herself into. Doing things without considering the consequences and not taking one minute to plan her next step.


Also, I thought it was kind of weird that she was comparing the hug Hurst was giving her to the ones her brother would give her. Maybe the right time to think about your brothers hug while being hugged by the love interest.

We have come to the end of Amelia Grey’s Say I Do Series and this is Hurstborne and Ophelia’s story. A stubborn and reckless vicar’s daughter is on a quest to find a missing artifact to save her dead brother’s reputation. She faces many struggles having no clue what she is doing, and to make things more interesting, an equally stubborn duke won’t even back her up or help her out.

Ophelia is fierce, headstrong, and not afraid to voice her opinions. She sometimes felt like more of a handful than a heartthrob. Throughout the book, I found myself shaking my head when she ignored the advice of those around her and barreled into risky situations. I totally understood her fierce desire to protect her brother, but Ophelia really went above and beyond to the point where I found her more abrasive than endearing. She could not see past her own perspective, which felt a bit foolish at times.

Hurst is equally stubborn but in a different way. He seems to want to lock Ophelia down more for control than out of genuine affection at first. I get it that she is captivating, and he is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. However, his protective nature comes off as a bit bossy. That said, I have to admit, he does learn a thing or two along the way and shows his agreeable side.

The crux of the plot revolves around a missing artifact, which, to be fair, adds some mystery and intrigue to the backdrop, but it took away from the romance. A lot of their conversations get weighed down by the artifact chase, leaving me skimming past the slow part and looking for more of the charming moments where they truly connect.

The chemistry between Ophelia and Hurst just didn’t do it for me. They spend most of their time bickering and felt more like a constant tug-of-war than the sweet falling in love I was hoping to see. In a typical marriage of convenience, you expect both characters to be on somewhat level ground. However, when Ophelia is clearly at a disadvantage due to her social status and desperation to save her brother’s reputation, it creates this uncomfortable tension that overshadows the story and feels like an unfair partnership. Is it a blossoming relationship based on mutual respect and real autonomy or does Hurst just want to control the situation by making her his wife?

This clean romance with a hint of intrigue was okay, but not my favorite of the series.

Thank you to Ms. Grey for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Love, The Duke is the final novel in the Say I Do series. While it's part of a series, it can certainly be enjoyed as a standalone. This book might just be my favorite of the three. The storyline was engaging and kept me hooked. It's a lighthearted historical romance, with more closed-door romance scenes. Overall, it was well-written and kept me entertained from start to finish.

The Duke of Hursrbourne, Drake Kingsley, received a letter from a childhood friend, now a vicar, informing him of a fatal illness and asking him to consider marriage to his sister, Ophelia. Drake has his own ideas of whom he should marry and isn’t interested in marrying a woman sight unseen. He refused the marriage request but informed his friend he would come to visit soon. Drake is visited by Ophelia dressed in men’s clothing where she informs him that her brother, Winston died of his illness and asking him to assist her in locating a religious object that was stolen from the church before the next vicar determines it’s missing and blames Winston. Drake refuses to investigate his friends but he is attracted to Ophelia and after determining she returns the attraction, he proposes a marriage of convenience. Drake now must convince Ophelia of the practicality of a marriage between he and her. Love, the Duke is a lighthearted story of two people meeting and having an instant connection. It’s a romantic tale combined with a whodunnit that compels you to keep reading to determine who the culprit is and if Drake can convince Ophelia that their relationship is meant to be.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

I found the book to very interesting. The parts that I loved most are when Hurstbourne and Ophelia often match intelligence with each other. The whole time they both are sizing the other. Meaning the strong attraction they both have for the other. My next favorite part is the hunt for that mysterious object and the case of the sick Vicars. The story reads very well. It almost seems real through the characters interactions and their dialogue. I consider the book to be good. Now I will add that I would have liked Ophelia age to be a little older than twenty one. Perhaps the author could added Ophelia’s age to be around twenty- four or older.
There are just some things in the book that take place as to where a well seasoned young woman of more maturity can handle. It’s hard imagining a young woman twenty one or younger in the throes of sexual pleasure with a grown man. Maybe if the writer was to hint at the main female characters age or give a guesstimate age or not bring up the age of the females at all, could be a solution.
Especially if the young woman freshly out of her teen years. It’s difficult to interpret the scenes and it takes away the enjoyment of that connection with the book.
Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

This was a good story. Ophelia wanted to protect her family and brother's reputation, so she took to hunting for a chalice. Drake was protective of her, admired her gumption, and fought his feelings for her. With danger lurking around, time running out, and emotions getting in the way, Ophelia and Drake gave into their hearts, and all things worked out.

I received an ARC through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.

Duke of Hurstbone turns down his childhood friend's deathbed request to marry his sister. He's surprised to find her in his home months later, in disguise, asking for help. An important relic is missing from the church where her brother was a vicar.

Ophelia's plan is for his help finding the relic, and she knows the carriage of the man who stole the relic had a coat of arms. She needs Hurst to help her find it before her late brother is thought to be the thief when his seat in the church is replaced. Instead, Hurst proposes a marriage of convenience.

They work together and against each other's plans at times, and the passion builds as they're on the chase. Is it possible for the marriage to turn into a love match and will they find the historical relic in time?

A delightful romance with an air of mystery.

I really enjoyed Ophelia and Hurst's story. It was fun watching them solve the mystery of the missing antiquity. IT was a great ending to a great series!

The Duke of Hurstbourne turns down the opportunity to marry his childhood friend's sister Ophelia because he believes in love at first sight. He doesn't want to marry strictly for money as the ton usually does. However, Ophelia Stowe dresses as a man to ask for his help anyway. His help turns out to be a marriage of convenience to find a missing relic. While finding it will restore the Stowe good name, the marriage feels very real.

This novel is in the same world as the prior Say I Do novels, though it isn't necessary to have read those first. Hurst is the last of his three friends to get married, and he's less mercenary than most men of his station. He's also scrupulously against thievery and breaking and entering, which immediately sets him apart from Ophelia. As a vicar's daughter and sister, she was raised with the same expectations as polite society but threw it all out the window when a chalice disappeared. Her beloved brother had given everything for the parish prior to his death, so Ophelia is willing to do everything to preserve his good name. The faint clue of a nobleman and a partial crest on the carriage brings her to London in disguise, ready to do a little breaking and entering to peruse libraries for the relic. The two meet and clash at every turn, and grow to love one another in the process.

Hurst and Ophelia, while at odds in their methodology, respect each other and her brother's memory. She grew up in a loving family and was allowed within reason to be impetuous, while Hurst didn't, so he has more distance to go in accepting past memories. As far as romance novels go, there are fewer hurdles to their love and marriage than most. They learn from each other and how to grow together, which is always fun to see in romance novels.

3.5 stars
What a fun historical!
Hurst is an unusual Duke and he is paired with an even more unusual lady, Miss Ophelia Stowe.
These two meet under unexpected circumstances and what follows is an adventure that could only happen in "high society" England of the late 1800s.
Hurst and Ophelia threw sparks at each other from the very beginning, making me imagine what it would be like to be a fly on the wall during some of their interactions.
I have enjoyed the Say I Do series of books. These can all be read as stand-alone entries, but they connect well together as a series.

The Duke of Hurstbourne receives a letter from a childhood friend to let him know he is dying and requesting that he marry his sister. Hurst refuses, but little did he know that Ophelia, his friend’s sister will change his life. There is a mystery, plenty of arguments, and slow burn attraction between these two that results in a happily ever after. I enjoyed the plot of this story, but not a fan of reading three or four pages of personal thoughts without any dialogue, descriptions, or action.

Amelia Grey's 'Love, The Duke' is a delightful detour into the world of historical romance, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. From the very first page, I was captivated by the charming romance and the expertly crafted characters that felt both authentic and engaging. Grey's talent for bringing the historical setting to life is undeniable; the vivid details transported me, making me feel as if I was part of their world.

The narrative explores the themes of trust, vulnerability, and the courage it takes to open one's heart. This added depth and resonance to the narrative, making it more than just a lighthearted romance. The plot itself is well-paced and engaging, weaving together intrigue and heartfelt moments that kept me eagerly turning the pages. 'Love, The Duke' is such a satisfying read, and I would recommend it to anyone who are fans of historical romance. It will leave you warm, cozy and satisfied.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.