Playing the Duke's Fiancée - Amanda McCabe (HH #1594 - Aug 2021)

Series: Dollar Duchesses (Book 2)

A pretend proposal
For the unconventional heiress
 
When American heiress Violet Wilkins crosses paths with William, Duke of Charteris, she has extremely low expectations of the "Duke of Bore." But when this seemingly stuffy aristocrat offers her escape from a dreadful arranged marriage, she leaps at the chance! To her surprise, the arresting William whisks Vi into an exhilarating make-believe romance. And as she gets to know the man behind the title, she can't help wanting more...
 
Terrific book with fantastic main characters, intriguing secondary characters, and sumptuous settings. As the last of the Wilkins sisters unmarried and her parents back in America, Violet believes she is finally safe from her mother's matchmaking. With no intention of marrying anytime soon, Violet prefers to concentrate on her photography and dream of joining the Photographic Society of London. A husband would only interfere with those plans. Unfortunately, she receives a letter from her parents, detailing their intention of betrothing her to her father's business partner, a man considerably older than she is.
 
William, Duke of Charteris, grew up knowing his duty to his land and his people. His serious, sometimes stuffy attitude earned him the nickname "The Duke of Bore" by some debutantes. During a trip to Egypt, William learned the benefits of balancing work and play, allowing himself to have fun and relax. Though he knows he needs a wife, he's not quite ready to take that step.
 
When they meet, William and Violet feel unexpectedly comfortable with each other. When Violet overhears another woman plotting to trap William into marriage, she knows she must warn him. When she confesses that she knows how it feels to be trapped, William suggests an unusual collaboration. If they enter into a fake engagement, each will be protected from others' machinations. They can end things when they are safe.
 
I enjoyed seeing the development of the relationship between William and Violet. Though they seem like such opposites initially - Violet is the bold, independent American, and William is the reserved and serious Duke - they turn out to be perfect for each other. Violet helps William find his sense of fun, and William provides Violet with the desire to tone down some of her boisterousness. One of the things I loved about William was his complete support of Violet's photography. Several fantastic scenes show how he makes it possible for Violet to meet people who can further her interest. At the same time, Violet helps William see the world from a different perspective. He finds himself more willing to go along with Violet's suggestions. Though they enjoy each other's company, they begin their fake engagement convinced that a real relationship would be impossible, with Violet being all wrong as a duchess.
 
When Violet, her sister and brother-in-law, and William become part of the wedding entourage of Prince Alfred and the Grand Duchess Maria, they are whisked off to opulent St. Petersburg and the Russian Winter Palace. The more time they spend together, the more the attraction they felt began to grow, and the more each begins to think "what if?" Violet worries that she'll somehow cause a scandal, but William is there by her side to boost her confidence. But Violet's fears and desire to do what she thinks is best for William make her pull away from him, just as William realizes the truth of his feelings for her. His big moment at the end comes as he saves her from danger, and Violet finally believes she can have it all.
 
I enjoyed Violet's work as a photographer. Her passion for the subject leaps off the page, from creating the perfect pictures of her subjects to learning new technology to talking to other photographers. The vivid and detailed descriptions of her actions conveyed the complexities without feeling like a lecture. I loved her joy in finding a kindred spirit in Prince Alfred and her excitement in being invited to take pictures of the bride and groom.
 
I also loved the use of historical figures and events in the book. The journey from London to St. Petersburg, via Paris and Berlin on the elegant Royal train, made me feel part of the story. The descriptions of the stay at the Prussian court in Berlin, with all of its hidebound stuffiness, made me ache for Princess Vicky. The arrival at St. Petersburg and the over-the-top opulence of the Winter Palace were so vivid I could easily picture each scene. I adored the scenes with Violet and the Grand Duchess, as they showed Violet's talent for bringing out the best in her subjects.
 
I can't wait to read Rose's story. 

His Unlikely Duchess - Amanda McCabe (HH #1554 - Jan 2021)

Series: Dollar Duchesses (Book 1)

Money can buy her marriage
 
But will it lead to love?
 
Miss Lily Wilkins hopes her American money will compensate for her lack of etiquette, as she needs a prestigious marriage to save her sisters' prospects. Raised to believe wealth was her greatest attribute, she's stunned when her unconventional ways catch the eye of the notorious Duke of Lennox. He's far from the safe, sensible match she'd planned on -- but Lily might just discover he's the one she needs!
 
Good book. American Lily is the oldest daughter of a self-made millionaire and his Southern Belle wife. Mrs. Wilkins is quite ambitious, and when she receives an invitation from a school friend to bring her daughters to England for the Season, she can't resist. She immediately sees her girls finding husbands with titles, cementing her reputation at home.
 
I liked Lily. She prefers spending time with her books instead of the social whirl, but she doesn't rebel against her mother's plans. She knows that if she makes a good marriage, it will help her two younger sisters. She wants to find love but draws only those men more interested in her fortune than herself. I ached for Lily because she feels like an outsider in the London ballrooms, mocked as the daughter of the "Coal King" and looked down on because of her "trade" background.
 
I liked Aidan also. As the second son, he never expected to inherit the title. He spent the last several years traveling the world, having adventures from Egypt to South America to the American West. But when his brother died, Aidan returned home to take up duties he felt unprepared for and a nearly bankrupt estate. The only way out is to marry a woman with a large dowry, something Aidan is reluctant to do.
 
I loved the first meeting between Lily and Aidan. She's hiding behind the plants at the edge of the ballroom, avoiding her mother's attempts at matchmaking when another reluctant attendee joins her. They chat for a few minutes, exchanging only first names. I liked the immediate connection between them and how easily they talked together. When Aidan asks her to dance, she agrees, and they enjoy their waltz together. Lily's ease disappears when Aidan is revealed as the Duke of Lennox, and her mother gets that look in her eye.
 
I enjoyed watching the development of the relationship between Lily and Aidan. When together, they find they have much in common, can talk of almost anything, and soon find themselves dreaming of a future together. But when they are apart, their insecurities take over, casting doubt on whether they could make the other happy. When Lily and her family visit Aidan's home, their emotions go through multiple ups and downs. As Lily sees everything that a duchess must know and do, she doubts her ability to measure up to the current duchess. When Aidan looks around his crumbling estate, he feels guilty about having so little to offer her. There are some sweet scenes of Aidan and Lily together, from riding to rowing to exploring his home. The long history of his family fascinates her, and he sees it anew through her eyes. Her warm heart and ease with people draw him closer when they visit one of the families on his estate.
 
The more time they spend together, the deeper their feelings for each other grow, but both are wary of saying anything. Lily can't tell if Aidan truly cares for her or if he's making the best of things to get the money he needs for the estate. Aidan keeps quiet because he doesn't feel worthy of her. I had high hopes during their time in Brighton. With no one around to tell them otherwise, they could be themselves, and their happiness leaped off the pages. But on their return home, outside pressures once again threw obstacles in their path. The ending had me glued to the pages as Aidan's past nearly ruined his future with Lily. The situation forced them to face their fears and risk sharing the truth of their feelings. Aidan's emotional plea was just what Lily needed to share her own feelings. The epilogue was terrific.
 
I can't wait to read her sisters' stories, though we get a look at Rose's future at the end of this one.