The Duchess Wager

Katherine Grant

Aug 2020 · Countess Chronicles Book 2 · Katie Flanagan

About this ebook

Will the duke lose the bet or his heart?

The duke is sure he'll win the bet, until he meets Margot...

Fitz, the Duke of Harrodshire, views marriage as a business arrangement, not a question of the heart. Especially once he bets his friends that he won’t marry the next woman he fancies. He knows it will be an easy win - until they take refuge from a snowstorm at Bleneccle Manor and he meets Lady Margot Wickham.

A widow in mourning

At her parents’ home in Northern England to recover from her husband’s sudden death, Lady Margot Wickham isn’t sure she’ll ever be ready to face the duties of being a Dowager Countess. When unexpected travelers show up in a snowstorm, Margot is grateful for the distraction.

Until she realizes she might be too distracted by a certain duke. 

Duty calls

When Margot gets notice of unrest at her husband’s cotton mill, she realizes she can put off duty no longer. Alarmed, Fitz volunteers to accompany her south. He plans to help her resolve the issue - but the road trip is a convenient excuse to stay close, too.

“Five Stars - A charming and quick Regency romance abut a woman not only finding love, but confidence in herself.” - Reedsy Discovery Team

Read this book if you love: duke romances, romance with a countess, beta heroes, cinnamon roll heroes, strong heroines, strong female main characters, romances set in England, feminist romances, feminist historical romances, historical romances, winter romance, road trip romance, desk scene romance, widow romance, single mother romance, children in romance novels, stepfather romance, snowstorm romance, romances with a bet, romances with a wager

Ratings and reviews

Started Off Well, But Then... I had enjoyed the first book in this series, liking the humor and interplay between the couple. I was so hoping to like this book, and in fact, I actually did for the bulk of it. The author managed to imbue the story with humor, especially on the hero’s part. I like the idea that both the hero and the heroine had separate wagers, his to do with romance and hers to do with her low spirits. There were parts of the book before the later, bigger issues that bothered me. I didn't like the way the heroine and her sister acted so immaturely for quite a lot of a book. Seriously, these are two grown women, one with two children and the other with one on the way. Why would they act like they do, like bratty schoolchildren… and not for just one scene, but sustained? The heroine seemed wishy-washy in her feelings towards her departed husband. She admitted several times they had fallen out of love nearly just after the honeymoon and he ignored her and belittled her, yet she still has this grief after his sudden passing. Or she vacillates between grief and anger. (Honestly, I didn’t see where all this anger came from; not attractive in a Regency heroine.) While I understand that someone could have conflicted feelings, the author didn't seem to really give them much distinction or explain why she had such an odd response. As it wasn't truly key to her character or the romance, the author just should have picked one way and went with it! Honestly, I never really bought that she was truly grieving, nor should she have been, really, given what her husband and marriage were like. I also thought it was odd that the hero mentioned several times that he couldn't marry her because she was a dowager countess with two small children, including her dead husband’s heir. Please! As if men didn't marry widowed women with children back in Regency times! The young heir would have his own lands and fortune as dictated in the marriage settlement and his father's will. Seriously, how complicated is that? I also thought it was odd how the heroine kept talking about railroads. This takes place in Regency, though I don't think that the author specified a year, but if it's true Regency, then it’s between 1811 and 1820. At that time, there were very few railroads and even fewer of what we would consider being real railroads. Horses drew some first ones over a track! Railroads didn't truly come into their own until the 1830s. So I don't think this would have been much of a consideration for her. I also didn't quite buy all the feminism in this. Again, we're talking Regency times. While there certainly were some women who aspired for more, the stance was not popular back then. But the bigger issues happened toward the end. Even though the discussion of the Luddites had occurred off and on through the book, what actually happened at her country home seemed to come out of nowhere. But what I'm most disliked was how the hero treated the heroine immediately after their first intimate encounter. It's made completely no sense to me whatsoever. I had liked him up to that point as a hero, but that moment completely ruined it for me. How could he speak to her like that? Romantic heroes shouldn't think that way, let alone speak to the heroine like that. I just about threw my Kindle in frustration. I had a very hard time sticking with the rest of the story, to be honest, and I never warmed to him again. So, all in all, I found this to be a very disappointing book after a promising start. I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

What would a Duchess wager and how would she win? A delightful tale featuring a widow and a Duke, who had a wager of his own. Margo speaks her mind, even though sometimes it would have been better left unsaid! A widow in mourning, she is now holding the responsibilities of the estate and with her son still young, must solve the problems. When Fitz, the Duke of Harrodshire lands at Margot's home due to a snowstorm, the fun begins and the two take a journey to find love. Or can they? Very entertaining regency romance!

From sorrow to something more. Will Fitz fall in love in the next three months or will he become richer by 100 pounds I suspect we will have our answer by the end of this delightful book. I did not like Margot and Alice I thought Margot was a bit rude to her mother’s guest. I understand her feelings it may put her in a better mood but it was not nice. Then there is a twist I had not expected it appears some unknown force is working behind the scenes. Now I got all of that in the first five chapters but gang there is so much more to read and enjoy. As the story continues Margot becomes more impressive. This was a good book with great characters that I am happy to recommend. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

About the author

Katherine Grant writes Regency romances from her cozy apartment in Queens, New York.  Her debut novel, The Ideal Countess, won a finalist spot in the 2020 National Indie Excellence Awards. Katherine studied creative writing at Northwestern University, and her short stories have been featured in several literary magazines as well as nominated for a Pushcart Prize. Her perfect day includes a cup of tea, a good book, and a board game with her patient husband.

Find out more at www.katherinegrantromance.com