I read this and a bunch of other historicals back to back, so unfortunately this one did not really stick out to me, it just blurred with the rest I have read recently.

I have read many of these long separation books and I was disappointed with this one. Plotline was lacking and a little contrived, 8 years of no communication especially when the duke showed up in society pages was a little unbelievable.

I was hoping for something more.

#netgalley#courtingtheduchess

This is not your normal enemies to lovers story and if angst is not your thing, this may be a favorite for you. The book is so well written with characters you’ll love and want to smack with equal measure. For me personally, Alaina extended anger went just a bit too long with Sterling trying to grovel with everything except having an actual truthful conversation with his wife. When he did break down and offer her a real explanation for his desertion their relationship started moving in the right direction. But nope more angst from an over the top reaction to an over the top anger. It was a lot! I know lots of people love this amount of drama but I just wanted a little something that would have drawn them together to work through their issues instead of self-dialogue. The epilogue would it up nicely and offered a peep of the HEA.

Courting the Duchess by Kelsey Swanson is a historical fiction book about a duke, Sterling, and duchess, Alaina Sterling. The young duke is head over heels with the young girl Alaina and decides to marry her, only to abandon her on their wedding night. Alaina could not understand why her new husband could claim to love her and then hurt her like this, and so she was devastated for the next 8 years, because that's when the duke finally showed up. Unfortunately, he soon finds out that Alain is no longer the same wife he married since the hurt of the abandonment had changed her a great deal. And she has also adapted to her new life without the duke in her life. And now he is determined to win her over a second time. Will Alaina go back to being the duchess he married? Will this marriage survive? Let's find out in this book, Courting duchess, by Kelsey Swanson.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is how distant the two main characters are; it has heightened the suspense and added another layer of depth and enjoyment to the book. The characters have also been well developed, and their significant roles have been brought out well throughout the storyline. I also like how the plot is intense as well as the twists in the book. Readers will appreciate this.

What I didn't like are the gaps and the inconsistencies towards the end of the book; they might put the readers off.

I rate this book, Courting the Duchess, by Kelsey Swanson 4 out of 5 stars. It's a beautiful story packed with lessons and experiences many can relate to.

I recommend it to readers who like steamy historical fiction with a storyline that mostly touches on love, duty, and forgiveness.

This book had me swinging between "How dare he?" and "Okay, but maybe…?" the entire time. Imagine marrying the love of your life, only for him to vanish on your wedding night—no note, no explanation, just gone for eight years. That’s the nightmare Alaina lived through, and when Sterling, the Duke of Morton, finally waltzes back into her life, she’s not the naive girl he left behind. She’s sharp, independent, and running a scandalous ladies’ reading society (love that for her). And she has zero interest in playing the dutiful duchess for a man who abandoned her without a word.

Sterling, on the other hand, is… complicated. He’s got secrets (spy stuff, naturally), regrets, and a lot of audacity. The man genuinely thinks he can just pick up where they left off, and watching him flail through groveling is equal parts satisfying and frustrating. When he finally starts putting in the work to win Alaina back, the tension is delicious. That said, there were moments I wanted to shake them both—Sterling for his high-handedness, Alaina for holding onto her grudge a tad too long (though, honestly, I’d probably be worse). And not to say too much, but this book gets steamy.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

Courting the Duchess is the first title in the Spy Society series, and caught my interest early on and held it as more was revealed about Alaina’s and Sterling’s past… and present. I love the start of a series, and I will be following this one.

Imagine your new husband vanishing on your wedding night. No word for years, then he’s suddenly back home, intending to pick up where they left off. No. Just no. For during those years when Alaina was left on her own to face down the opinions of the ton, she changed, she took charge of her life, and she’s not about to let Sterling back in despite his story that isn’t all that convincing.

Sterling never expected the assignment that would take him away from his new bride so abruptly… but, as a spy, he went, and he did what was required of him. He’d thought maybe a year, but it turned into far, far longer than he’d hoped. Now, upon his return, he barely recognized his wife, but he certainly felt her disdain, her distance, her anger. He’s determined to win Alaina back, yet with the secrets he can never tell her, that is going to be an uphill battle unlike any he’s taken on before.

Courting the Duchess by Kelsey Swanson is a well-written, believable, tension-filled, and emotion-filled romance between two people who are slowly falling for each other once again. Their journey to a happy ending will not be easy, but it will be worth the risks they both must take. I enjoyed this couple and this world, and I’ll continue the series to see what comes next.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley, and I sincerely thank the author or publishing house for their trust. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

This book clinches Kelsey Swanson as a forever favorite author of mine. And this story is "the one to beat" by her!

Usually, second chance romances aren't my jam, but a marriage in trouble second chance?? The outside world ceases to exist - do not disturb me! I was ill-prepared for how fast I became invested in this story. I admit that I picked a side right away and said to myself "Ok Kelsey, prove to me how and why I should forgive him." Kelsey picked up that gauntlet and accepted my challenge and slowly revealed to me the answers.

There was no quick fix, in fact, it felt so hopeless at times. Their issues couldn't be fixed with words; it took some deep self-reflection. They each had to look inside themselves and come to terms with many things before they were in a place to even think about saving their marriage. I appreciated all of the internal conflict and discussion within their own minds. I felt that this is how I would react if it had happened to me.

Kelsey Swanson possesses a remarkable talent for delving into the minds of her characters, creating an emotional connection that feels truly authentic. Her storytelling compels readers to pause and reflect on their own feelings and experiences, as each character navigates their unique challenges. This depth of emotion allows you to genuinely feel what her characters are experiencing, making the journey toward resolution not just engaging but also deeply relatable. The angst and romantic tension are beautifully balanced, leading to a satisfying happily ever after that feels earned and heartfelt. Furthermore, Swanson’s characters undergo significant transformation, showcasing growth that inspires readers to strive for their own best selves. Her writing is not only well-crafted but also resonates on a personal level, making it a true pleasure to read. For anyone seeking a moving and uplifting narrative, Kelsey Swanson’s work comes highly recommended for its ability to inspire, romanticize, and empower.

I was honored to receive an early copy from NetGalley and Kelsey Swanson (Thank You!) All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a pleasant surprise! It's a second chance regency romance; the heroine Aliana is fun and witty. When her husband if a few hours leaves her for 8 years for mysterious reasons, she doesn't wallow. She makes a life for herself despite the rumors and social awkwardness. Her husband Sterling comes back 8 years later after abandoning her and turns her life upside down. She is furious and gives him hell. When he decides to woo her again, I was particularly happy she didn't fall for him immediately. This is a spicy romance in more than one way and the resolution was well earned.

He could have talked to her or left her a letter...

But for some reason, Sterling, a young duke met, married, did not bed and left his young wife, Alaina. They are both young and handsome, of the ton and then Sterling sneaks off in the night on a lengthy spy assignment. He could have said something, like an adult, but nope, he sneaks out without a word and is gone for eight years and then expects his marriage to just pick up where he left them, completely unprepared that his wife grew up while he was spying. Maybe so did, did he, but for a spy, he lacks foresight and common sense and a basic understanding of human emotions. Just saying.
Spicy and I did like that Alaina made him work for it for a little bit.

The Duke Who Vanished and the Duchess He Left Behind
What kind of man disappears on his wedding night—and stays gone for nearly a decade? And how can a marriage survive such heartbreak? When Sterling finally returns, he expects forgiveness from the woman he abandoned. But Alaina is no longer the naive bride he left behind. She has endured the shame, the gossip, the ache of betrayal—and emerged stronger for it. She’s not the same woman. And he’s not the same man.
Sterling has secrets. He won’t tell her why he left, but he wants to reclaim what they once had. Alaina, however, refuses to pretend the past didn’t happen. She won’t make it easy for him—and why should she?
What follows is a story of second chances—one that asks how much love can endure, and what it really means to forgive. At times heartbreaking and beautifully poignant, this book brought me to tears more than once. I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
This was my first book by this author, and it won’t be my last. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Enjoyed the spunk and feistiness of the heroine and the sincerity and patience of the hero. Thoroughly enjoyed the welcome home dinner she prepared for the duke! There is pain and joy, hilarity and sorrow, friendship, trust, loyalty but most of all, love. Thoroughly enjoyable read!

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

So quickly, this author's writing was great. The steamy bits, amazing. I liked Alaina a lot she did not sit in misery (which honestly I might have) or cause a ruckus to get back at him (which I most likely would have) instead, she found things she was passionate about and dedicated herself. I do think this was a tad on the inner dialogue side, I prefer more speaking to one another. But Sterling, she is a better woman than me. He returns and is like I am Duke you will listen to me and do what I say which includes bed room sport and she is just supposed to submit? Every step of the way I was trying to figure out why he made every bad choice he made. He could have even left her a letter. You left for 8 years, told no one what was happening and on your wedding night and she is supposed to just be okay with that? And then when HE had the AUDACITY to get angry with her at the 85%, I mean... just nope. I would never forgive him. He gets angry and is so self righteous. I still don't get his anger. I reread that part cause I was like what the hell did a I miss why would he be angry?

I am totally gonna read the next in this series, I hope I like the MMC more in the next one. 3.5 overall

Who would forgive their new husband if he left before the wedding night and didn't return for eight years? Oh! And didn't have an exceptional reason for being gone! Well Sterling thought Alaina would being that he made a decision to marry just as he was being placed on assignment. To his surprise,.Alaina wasn't gullible enough just accept his casual return. Good plot with great characters and it does well in holding the readers attention. There isn't enough actual interaction between the two as it's more centered around their thoughts and emotions. This makes the story interesting and I would have made it a 5+ if there had been more dialogue between the two.

On the whole, I liked the plot of the first installment of the new series, it's something different from your average historical romance novel. The story revolves around an already married couple who, after many years apart, have to get to know each other and come together, overcoming many hurdles such as hurt feelings, lies, secrets, prejudices, distrust and rumors to find their happy ending. The plot is well written but with a lot more emotional insights than conversations, some verbal sparring from Alaina and groveling from Sterling.
The characters are likable, both have their flaws and good sides, however Alaina's bitterness and hostility was sometimes too much for me. Their pent-up emotions, the tension and the sizzling chemistry between them was palpable throughout the book.

Almost a decade ago, young Alaina, daughter of the Earl of Brendt, married the sought-after Sterling St John, Duke of Morton, and looked forward to a happy future together. But then Sterling disappeared on her wedding night, leaving her alone, unprotected and exposed to social ridicule and scorn.
Sterling was recruited and trained as a spy as a young man at university. However, before his mission to the continent began, Sterling was determined to marry Alaina, even though he was aware that he would have to leave her immediately afterwards without giving her a reason. The mission lasted much longer than expected and when Sterling returns home after many years, his reception by Alaina is anything what he expected. His wife has matured into a strong, confident woman who wants nothing to do with him and won't forgive him either, and Sterling has his hands full wooing her anew...

If you like historical romance novels with complicated relationships, emotional depth and some spice, this book is for you!

I received a free ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and left voluntarily.

I really liked this book. I tend to be picky about my romance books because I am not a fan of insta love where 5 minutes after they meet, everything is perfect and they never make mistakes. In this book, Alaina and Sterling have to work through their emotions, and recognize their mistakes and move forward. She doesn't instantly forgive him, and he has to set aside his pride and decide what really matters to him. They both screw up along the way. In other words, they act like humans do. It also has humorous moments as wooing goes awry and husbands are made to regret stupid decisions. A solid start to a new series, and I'm interested to see what book 2 brings.

Slow burn romance.

I liked this second-chance trope. I liked the characters, particularly Sterling, the hero. Alaina, the heroine, is feisty and strong-willed; I took some time to appreciate her. Her animosity towards her husband is intense. I found this aspect of the plot a bit too long. It took time to melt her hardened heart. I have a weakness for the hero. He knows the damage his past choices and his past behaviour have caused. We sensed his regrets and his pain for all the years lost. He will do everything possible to initiate a reconciliation in their relationship and rekindle the spark of love. He would manage it with clumsiness and persistence. Their happy ending will not be without a hitch and some steamy scenes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh my word, what kind of idiot man thinks he can abandon his teenage bride on their wedding night and disappear for eight long years, with no explanation, and still expects her to fall into his arms in gratitude on his unexpected return? I felt all of Alaina's hurt, anger, disappointment, and frustration both on her husband's desertion and when he returned, expecting to take up their marriage where they left off. The Duke of Morton is surprised to discover how his wife had survived the years without him, but old habits die hard, and it takes some compromising for him to start winning her over. Despite the heartache and pain, the novel does come to a good conclusion. I received a copy of this book through Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley, and this is my honest and voluntary review.

When I read the blurb of this book, I was the excited - eating popcorn meme style excited. Excellent!! Second chance, he leaves her immediately after the wedding for 8 YEARS ---what??? Oh, sis, there's gonna be some epic levels of GROVELLING, I can feel it - rubs hands together vigorously.

If my husband left me without a trace for 8 years I'd want an EXPLANATION. Yes, an apology too. But really, an explanation. You can't expect me to go back to living normally with him until I get answers. Then we can figure out how our marriage is going to be going forward.

The explanation didn't come until very late in the book. Alaina is a better woman than me.

Make no mistake: the writing is superb. The sex is incredibly hot. But I'd need more talking and conversing and the truth about what he was doing for 8 long years with no contact.

Thank you to Dragonblade for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

The premise of the book had me really intrigued hence why I picked it up. However, as the story develops, I feel like sterling who is our MMC can’t really decide if he wants to be nice or not. He doesn’t seem to understand that he left his wife for 10 years almost and basically wants her to just snap back as soon as he gets back. He keeps going back-and-forth between being“modern” and then back to having her try to be in her social norms

As for the FMC, I feel like she messes with him and that’s fair. Homeboy left her for eight years without telling her why comes back wants everything to be OK and doesn’t even explain to her why.

The book could’ve been so much better, but I feel like a lot of it was just spent with the characters talking in their own hands instead of talking to each other and whenever they did talk to each other, it was just very teenage type bickering, which wasn’t for me

Thank you to netgalley for providing me ARC

I don't often reach for marriage in trouble romances, but I can always be coerced when the groom beats feet before the wedding night. It makes me curious and anxious for the inevitable return. That's how Sterling treats his new bride and waits 8 years for his reunion. I couldn't imagine being away from my husband for nearly a decade. They were separated longer than they were actually together and technically she can annul their marriage since it wasn't consummated. I understood Alaina's anger towards her husband, but their early bedroom scenes were so cringy. She acted like she was physically repulsed by his naked body and I got secondhand embarrassment as a reader. I should be cheering from the sidelines, not hiding my face in shame at your bedroom antics.

I'm glad our couple eventually rebuilt their trust together, but our heroine was incredibly immature. Even at 26, she acted like a petulant child. I understood that most Victorian women weren't given expectations about their wedding night, but it was pathetic the way she acted. The poor communication and obstinacy made me want to scream. I did like Sterling as a character and he thankfully made up for his young wife's shortcomings. Who knew a hero with a name as goofy as Sterling could help save a book such as this? I certainly didn't.

Courting the Duchess had a rough start, but we eventually got there in the end. I don't believe I'll continue with the Spy Society series. I love discovering new Dragonblade publications and they deserve an opportunity to be read. This author isn't for me and I'm looking forward to trying a new one next month. Courting the Duchess may have ended in disaster, but you can't say I didn't try!