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Dollar Duchesses #3
Winning Back His Duchess
Escape to beautiful Venice for this Victorian marriage reunited story…
An invitation to Venice…
To save their marriage!
Suggesting divorce to her estranged husband, Jamie, Duke of Byson, takes all of Rose Wilkins’s courage. Years of distance and heartbreak have taken a toll—she needs a new start. But Jamie won’t hear of divorce, because of the scandal alone. His counteroffer is a trip to Venice… Might discovering Venice’s delights together rekindle the still-simmering desire that drew Rose to Jamie as a starry-eyed young American heiress?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Dollar Duchesses
Book 1: His Unlikely Duchess
Book 2: Playing the Duke's Fiancée
Book 3: Winning Back His Duchess
An invitation to Venice…
To save their marriage!
Suggesting divorce to her estranged husband, Jamie, Duke of Byson, takes all of Rose Wilkins’s courage. Years of distance and heartbreak have taken a toll—she needs a new start. But Jamie won’t hear of divorce, because of the scandal alone. His counteroffer is a trip to Venice… Might discovering Venice’s delights together rekindle the still-simmering desire that drew Rose to Jamie as a starry-eyed young American heiress?
From Harlequin Your romantic escape to the past.
Dollar Duchesses
Book 1: His Unlikely Duchess
Book 2: Playing the Duke's Fiancée
Book 3: Winning Back His Duchess
- GenresVictorian
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 29, 2022
4 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Amanda McCabe
259 books166 followersaka Laurel McKee (Amanda Carmack)
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why math was not her strongest subject...)
She's never since used algebra, but her books have been nominated for many awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She lives in Oklahoma with a menagerie of two cats, a Pug, and a very bossy miniature Poodle, along with far too many books.
When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs, and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
April 7, 2022
Winning Back His Duchess tells Rose and Jamie's journey to go back to each other...will they rekindle their love or isn't there an happily ever after for them?
I've read the previous books in the Dollar Duchesses series and I thought Rose was the luckiest girl in the world, she found a kindred soul in a new country and she quickly married him.
Oh my how I was wrong, I felt pretty bad for them, because they have gone through so many hardles and nasty predicaments that undermined their relationship.
I adored to see Rose and Jamie manage to grow and change page after page, they are not the freshly wedded persons they were anymore.
I liked both the main characters they are very strong and brave, Jamie ending his addiction to become the man his estranged wife deserves, and Rose acting as she wants in order to be happy again not worrying about what the people think.
Amanda McCabe wrote a good slow burn, second chance at love story. Her writing was on point both when she describes the sad times after a tragedy, and when she tells the exburance of the balls. Her characters are so well portrayed you feel like living next to them, I so want to become a friend of the Wilkins sisters.
This is a book I recommend, it can easily be read as a stand-alone.
Copy kindly provided by the Publisher/Author.
March 31, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
If you have been following the series, you will recall that heiress Rose Wilkins and the youngest son of the Duke of Byson Lord James “Jamie” Grantley met, fell in love, and married in the first book. But three years later, Jamie is now the duke, and trouble in paradise has led to our lovers separating.
Rose was adrift after a miscarriage caused the loss of their baby and then lost Jamie to drink and his own dark world. After months apart, she has decided that it is time put the past behind her and move on. Rose is a celebrated beauty and loves the season, while Jamie is more studious and rarely attends events. After making her decision, Rose visits him and requests a divorce. But Jamie doesn’t want to end their marriage, he knows he hurt Rose and wants a chance to win her back. Rose agrees to wait and even agrees to visit his estate. It is there that they begin to heal from their loss and they begin to rekindle their love, leading Rose to wonder if they could have a future. But it isn’t until they travel to Italy and she is confronted by her past that she will learn the answer to her ponderance and find out if Jamie is worthy of her heart.
I liked this book, but I was confused by the vagueness of the timeline and the events that caused their separation. This story starts three years after they met, but the author makes it seem like they have been separated for a long time – anywhere from “many months” to “almost a year” – and then there is the loss of their baby – she was far enough along to know the sex of the baby and spent months mourning, before leaving Jamie – so it doesn’t seem like there was enough time for everything to happen. The book is very emotional and might trigger some readers, the characters are both hurting from not only the loss of their child but the loss of their relationship, and the journey back to each other is slow and has a healthy dose of angst before they find their HEA. Overall, this was a very touching, low heat story of second chances, hope, and love. This is the third book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
If you have been following the series, you will recall that heiress Rose Wilkins and the youngest son of the Duke of Byson Lord James “Jamie” Grantley met, fell in love, and married in the first book. But three years later, Jamie is now the duke, and trouble in paradise has led to our lovers separating.
Rose was adrift after a miscarriage caused the loss of their baby and then lost Jamie to drink and his own dark world. After months apart, she has decided that it is time put the past behind her and move on. Rose is a celebrated beauty and loves the season, while Jamie is more studious and rarely attends events. After making her decision, Rose visits him and requests a divorce. But Jamie doesn’t want to end their marriage, he knows he hurt Rose and wants a chance to win her back. Rose agrees to wait and even agrees to visit his estate. It is there that they begin to heal from their loss and they begin to rekindle their love, leading Rose to wonder if they could have a future. But it isn’t until they travel to Italy and she is confronted by her past that she will learn the answer to her ponderance and find out if Jamie is worthy of her heart.
I liked this book, but I was confused by the vagueness of the timeline and the events that caused their separation. This story starts three years after they met, but the author makes it seem like they have been separated for a long time – anywhere from “many months” to “almost a year” – and then there is the loss of their baby – she was far enough along to know the sex of the baby and spent months mourning, before leaving Jamie – so it doesn’t seem like there was enough time for everything to happen. The book is very emotional and might trigger some readers, the characters are both hurting from not only the loss of their child but the loss of their relationship, and the journey back to each other is slow and has a healthy dose of angst before they find their HEA. Overall, this was a very touching, low heat story of second chances, hope, and love. This is the third book in the series, but it could be read as a standalone title with no problems.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.*
April 4, 2022
Such a cute second chance romance between a husband and wife, finally finding that spark in their relationship ship. Rose and Jamie’s relationship was a little slow at first but their love for each other was so strong. So cute and had fun reading this.
I read this through my harlequin ebook subscription
I read this through my harlequin ebook subscription
March 21, 2022
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
For years Rose Wilkins, Duchess of Byson, has been estranged from her husband. Initially a happy marriage, once tragedy struck, and James became more invested in his work and estate, Rose soon realised that she would have to find a place for herself in the world, and is now a shining light in the ton. But, she wants more, and is willing to face scandal by asking for a divorce - but James surprises her, and refuses. James wants to be able to prove to his wife that he deserves a second chance, and offers her a bargain - a trip to Venice to see if they can be together again, and if they can't, he'll sign the divorce papers. Can Rose risk opening her heart up to pain again, for the chance of a happy ending?
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but that wasn't really necessary. Rose is just one of three American sisters, brought to London for the Season by their ambitious mother, hoping one of them will bag a title. And when all three of them marry dukes, and are named as the 'Dollar Duchesses', they find a place in a society not really willing to welcome them with open arms, but soon embracing their thoughts and ideas. Rose is a darling in the ton, and a lot of people wonder about her estrangement from James, but none are too willing to ask. I liked how James was open about his mistakes and his faults in the relationship, as well as being open to showing his vulnerabilities. Rose was a little wishy-washy, but I feel like the facade she had worn for so long had affected her deeply, and it took her some time to return to her true self. Maybe a little too long in places, Winning Back His Duchess was a nice Regency story, looking at second chances and happy endings.
For years Rose Wilkins, Duchess of Byson, has been estranged from her husband. Initially a happy marriage, once tragedy struck, and James became more invested in his work and estate, Rose soon realised that she would have to find a place for herself in the world, and is now a shining light in the ton. But, she wants more, and is willing to face scandal by asking for a divorce - but James surprises her, and refuses. James wants to be able to prove to his wife that he deserves a second chance, and offers her a bargain - a trip to Venice to see if they can be together again, and if they can't, he'll sign the divorce papers. Can Rose risk opening her heart up to pain again, for the chance of a happy ending?
I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but that wasn't really necessary. Rose is just one of three American sisters, brought to London for the Season by their ambitious mother, hoping one of them will bag a title. And when all three of them marry dukes, and are named as the 'Dollar Duchesses', they find a place in a society not really willing to welcome them with open arms, but soon embracing their thoughts and ideas. Rose is a darling in the ton, and a lot of people wonder about her estrangement from James, but none are too willing to ask. I liked how James was open about his mistakes and his faults in the relationship, as well as being open to showing his vulnerabilities. Rose was a little wishy-washy, but I feel like the facade she had worn for so long had affected her deeply, and it took her some time to return to her true self. Maybe a little too long in places, Winning Back His Duchess was a nice Regency story, looking at second chances and happy endings.
April 8, 2022
WINNING BACK HIS DUCHESS is the satisfying conclusion to the Dollar Duchess romances featuring the Wilkins sisters. It can be read as part of the series or as a standalone novel.
Rose Wilkins thought she was living her dream when she met the Duke of Byson’s second son Jamie, quickly fell in love, and married. However, three years in, their marriage is a sham. Seemingly gone is her lovely, studious Jamie now consumed with the responsibilities of a dukedom that he neither wanted nor was reared to inherit. When Rose miscarried their daughter, he lost himself in drink and distanced himself from Rose. Their life became a tragedy of loneliness, grief, and misunderstandings. Rose moved out and reinvented herself as a professional beauty, the toast of every party. When she approaches Jamie, asking for a divorce, he makes one last effort to prove he has changed and win her back.
Author Amanda McCabe has written a wonderfully tender and moving story of second chances and true love. The grief of losing a child and the heartbreak of a couple growing apart was handled with care and a deft hand. I felt Rose’s lingering despondency and insecurities as well as Jamie’s despair and determination to win back his wife’s trust and affection. What better way to accomplish this tremendous feat than to whisk Rose away to Venice! McCabe’s love of the enchanting Italian city shines through every light filled description. It was so delightful for this armchair traveler to experience the city through Rose’s eyes…the costume balls, landmarks, and romance. Rose and Jamie’s slow-burn romance is rewarding.
WINNING BACK HIS DUCHESS is a charming historical romance full of heart with lovely characters. Highly recommended as part of its series or as a standalone novel.
I received a copy of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
Rose Wilkins thought she was living her dream when she met the Duke of Byson’s second son Jamie, quickly fell in love, and married. However, three years in, their marriage is a sham. Seemingly gone is her lovely, studious Jamie now consumed with the responsibilities of a dukedom that he neither wanted nor was reared to inherit. When Rose miscarried their daughter, he lost himself in drink and distanced himself from Rose. Their life became a tragedy of loneliness, grief, and misunderstandings. Rose moved out and reinvented herself as a professional beauty, the toast of every party. When she approaches Jamie, asking for a divorce, he makes one last effort to prove he has changed and win her back.
Author Amanda McCabe has written a wonderfully tender and moving story of second chances and true love. The grief of losing a child and the heartbreak of a couple growing apart was handled with care and a deft hand. I felt Rose’s lingering despondency and insecurities as well as Jamie’s despair and determination to win back his wife’s trust and affection. What better way to accomplish this tremendous feat than to whisk Rose away to Venice! McCabe’s love of the enchanting Italian city shines through every light filled description. It was so delightful for this armchair traveler to experience the city through Rose’s eyes…the costume balls, landmarks, and romance. Rose and Jamie’s slow-burn romance is rewarding.
WINNING BACK HIS DUCHESS is a charming historical romance full of heart with lovely characters. Highly recommended as part of its series or as a standalone novel.
I received a copy of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions here.
April 2, 2022
🛶 Winning Back His Duchess 🛶
Dollar Duchesses Book 3
✒️ Amanda McCabe
https://www.facebook.com/amandamccabe...
Release Date 03/29/2022
Publisher Harlequin Historical / Mills&Boon Historical
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HKT7H3D/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Escape to beautiful Venice for this Victorian marriage reunited story… An invitation to Venice… To save their marriage! Suggesting divorce to her estranged husband, Jamie, Duke of Byson, takes all of Rose Wilkins’s courage. Years of distance and heartbreak have taken a toll—she needs a new start. But Jamie won’t hear of divorce, because of the scandal alone. His counteroffer is a trip to Venice… Might discovering Venice’s delights together rekindle the still-simmering desire that drew Rose to Jamie as a starry-eyed young American heiress?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will his love and the change in his life be enough to win her back …
What a lovely tale to close this series. After her two other sisters’ romance, here is the younger of Wilkin’s girls tale.
Difficult to imagine after their profession of love the heroes would be like strangers a few months later, but here they are, estranged, still mourning what could have been.
Why Rose decides it is time to turn a page and begins anew.
But Rose lives a lie, she made herself a different person, not the shy awkward girl who married with stars in her eyes the man who made her heart beat faster. She presents to the world a cheerful more hardened version of herself, when she just soaked her pain under her merry demeanor, hiding the wounds that run deep into her soul. Too many pains went through her in too short a time, she never recovered from them, sinking deeper into depression.
Jamie is aware of his flaws, never backing down from his mistakes, owning his faults. He knows it cost him much more than everyone think. He did not only lost his wife, but also his friend, the woman he could lean on, felt accepted for himself…
During their time apart, he came to understand his mistakes and decided to change his way, if only to try to win her back, and to show her he is reliable.
A lovely tale of two people who lost themselves in a time of grief, unable to express and share their sorrows, leading them on opposite paths. Yet if love is only dormant, can they rekindle the spark which brought them together …
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cb1i76lD...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
Dollar Duchesses Book 3
✒️ Amanda McCabe
https://www.facebook.com/amandamccabe...
Release Date 03/29/2022
Publisher Harlequin Historical / Mills&Boon Historical
➪ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HKT7H3D/...
𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗯
Escape to beautiful Venice for this Victorian marriage reunited story… An invitation to Venice… To save their marriage! Suggesting divorce to her estranged husband, Jamie, Duke of Byson, takes all of Rose Wilkins’s courage. Years of distance and heartbreak have taken a toll—she needs a new start. But Jamie won’t hear of divorce, because of the scandal alone. His counteroffer is a trip to Venice… Might discovering Venice’s delights together rekindle the still-simmering desire that drew Rose to Jamie as a starry-eyed young American heiress?
𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄
Will his love and the change in his life be enough to win her back …
What a lovely tale to close this series. After her two other sisters’ romance, here is the younger of Wilkin’s girls tale.
Difficult to imagine after their profession of love the heroes would be like strangers a few months later, but here they are, estranged, still mourning what could have been.
Why Rose decides it is time to turn a page and begins anew.
But Rose lives a lie, she made herself a different person, not the shy awkward girl who married with stars in her eyes the man who made her heart beat faster. She presents to the world a cheerful more hardened version of herself, when she just soaked her pain under her merry demeanor, hiding the wounds that run deep into her soul. Too many pains went through her in too short a time, she never recovered from them, sinking deeper into depression.
Jamie is aware of his flaws, never backing down from his mistakes, owning his faults. He knows it cost him much more than everyone think. He did not only lost his wife, but also his friend, the woman he could lean on, felt accepted for himself…
During their time apart, he came to understand his mistakes and decided to change his way, if only to try to win her back, and to show her he is reliable.
A lovely tale of two people who lost themselves in a time of grief, unable to express and share their sorrows, leading them on opposite paths. Yet if love is only dormant, can they rekindle the spark which brought them together …
4.5 stars
𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 onscreen lovemaking scene
I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cb1i76lD...
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
#bookstagram #historicalromance #romance #romancebookblog #romancebookblogger #bookblog #romanceauthor #bookblogger #2022read #bookstagrammer #bookreview #romancebookreviewer #arcreader #bookquote #romancestagram #readersofinstagram
April 2, 2022
An estranged husband. A lonely wife. It's time to save their marriage or get a divorce. Scandal be damned.
Duchess Rose Byson is loved by her peers. She is known as the American Beauty Rose with her exceptional beauty and her kindness to all. However, Rose wears a mask for all to see. She wants a happy marriage and family, but she lost that when she failed as a Duchess and could not produce an heir for the husband she loved beyond reason. Her husband turned to drink and Rose spiraled into unhappiness as the young couple did not know how to handle such heartache resulting in her leaving him and living a lie as a happy and carefree lady of London. Rose is tired of living a lonely life and she asks the Duke for a divorce. His answer is to woo the wife he never stopped loving. Will he win her back or is it too late?
Rose and Jamie were so young and inexperienced in life when they fell in love and married so quickly. Her shyness and his love of literature and scholarly work made an unconventional union. So when unexpected problems arose in the marriage such as Rose's miscarriage and Jamie's unexpected title as Duke when his father and older brother died suddenly, it tore them apart not knowing how to handle such sorrow and change. Jamie turned to drink and nights out with his fellow scholars and Rose grieved alone with no support from her husband. Rose left her husband's house, purchased a new house and jumped into her role as Duchess of Byron attending parties and becoming a sought-after muse to many artists in London. I admire Rose's courage and confidence to finally confront her estranged husband in person and ask for a divorce. However, one sees the love they still hold for each other. Jamie has to prove that he is worthy of her love and he won my vote. Becoming the Duke of Byron is still fairly new to Jamie, but he's making changes such as giving up the drink and getting his priorities straight. Namely, persuading his wife to visit his family ducal home as Duchess and encouraging her to join him on his trip to Venice. It's a new beginning for these two lovers that is worth the wait as they let their hair down and discover the confident and mature people they have become.
The author does a very good job discussing alcoholism in a historical romance. It's something that is just not covered, but important to note.
I haven't read the previous two books in the series, but one can easily read this as a standalone. I look forward to going back and reading about Rose's sisters' stories.
If you enjoy slow-burn second chance historical romances with loveable characters and beautiful settings, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. McCabe for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
Duchess Rose Byson is loved by her peers. She is known as the American Beauty Rose with her exceptional beauty and her kindness to all. However, Rose wears a mask for all to see. She wants a happy marriage and family, but she lost that when she failed as a Duchess and could not produce an heir for the husband she loved beyond reason. Her husband turned to drink and Rose spiraled into unhappiness as the young couple did not know how to handle such heartache resulting in her leaving him and living a lie as a happy and carefree lady of London. Rose is tired of living a lonely life and she asks the Duke for a divorce. His answer is to woo the wife he never stopped loving. Will he win her back or is it too late?
Rose and Jamie were so young and inexperienced in life when they fell in love and married so quickly. Her shyness and his love of literature and scholarly work made an unconventional union. So when unexpected problems arose in the marriage such as Rose's miscarriage and Jamie's unexpected title as Duke when his father and older brother died suddenly, it tore them apart not knowing how to handle such sorrow and change. Jamie turned to drink and nights out with his fellow scholars and Rose grieved alone with no support from her husband. Rose left her husband's house, purchased a new house and jumped into her role as Duchess of Byron attending parties and becoming a sought-after muse to many artists in London. I admire Rose's courage and confidence to finally confront her estranged husband in person and ask for a divorce. However, one sees the love they still hold for each other. Jamie has to prove that he is worthy of her love and he won my vote. Becoming the Duke of Byron is still fairly new to Jamie, but he's making changes such as giving up the drink and getting his priorities straight. Namely, persuading his wife to visit his family ducal home as Duchess and encouraging her to join him on his trip to Venice. It's a new beginning for these two lovers that is worth the wait as they let their hair down and discover the confident and mature people they have become.
The author does a very good job discussing alcoholism in a historical romance. It's something that is just not covered, but important to note.
I haven't read the previous two books in the series, but one can easily read this as a standalone. I look forward to going back and reading about Rose's sisters' stories.
If you enjoy slow-burn second chance historical romances with loveable characters and beautiful settings, give this book a try.
Thank you to Ms. McCabe for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
April 12, 2022
Having already met the Wilkins sisters in Playing the Duke's Fiancée, I was thrilled to read Rose's story. The shy younger sister of Lily and Violet, her twin, Rose's tale takes a very different turn.
Winning Back His Duchess begins with Rose's wedding to Jamie, second son of the old Duke of Byson. At first, all seems well, but soon after, dark clouds gather.
In flashbacks spread across the novel, we learn of everything that went wrong for the young lovers. And we slowly learn of their inner demons, their insecurities well hidden from others.
This is a romance with a different slant. Separated from her husband for a while, Rose seeks a divorce. Yes, it would be a scandal, but she'd already suffered losses too hard to bear, so one more did not matter.
But Jamie, now duke following the deaths of his father and elder brother, has belatedly realised what he'd done. And he's determined to win Rose back, at any cost. Even if this means attending balls and weekends away. Not easy for someone who prefers to hide behind books.
Rose, meanwhile, puts a smile on her face, dazzling all London, Paris, and beyond. Renowned for her beauty, her own insecurities are securely locked away. Not even her sisters see her true self.
When Rose agrees to accompany Jamie to Venice, it is a journey that opens both their eyes. But is it enough for a happy future together?
I loved Rose's character. She's so confused, so misunderstood, and intentionally so. No one should ever discover what's going on in her heart, not even her estranged husband. So she blinds everyone to the real Rose behind the dazzling smile.
Jamie's behaviour early on in their marriage hurt her deeply, but as he pursues her again, gently and without haste, she discovers another side to him she'd not seen before. Like her, he hid secrets from the past, unable to forget events.
Winning Back His Duchess is a beautiful story of lost love, tragic loss, redemption, and self-discovery. There is so much more to these two characters than their handsome façade, yet they let no one close, not even each other. As they rediscover themselves, something clicks. And when her past rears its ugly head, Jamie is only too happy to defend Rose's honour.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that takes you down a different route to happiness. I thought the plot was realistic, with the past cleverly woven into the narrative, and the characters are well-portrayed. The historical research is impeccable.
Winning Back His Duchess is a romantic read I can highly recommend.
Review first posted to Ruins & Reading.
Note: I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest reviews. All views expressed are my own.
Winning Back His Duchess begins with Rose's wedding to Jamie, second son of the old Duke of Byson. At first, all seems well, but soon after, dark clouds gather.
In flashbacks spread across the novel, we learn of everything that went wrong for the young lovers. And we slowly learn of their inner demons, their insecurities well hidden from others.
This is a romance with a different slant. Separated from her husband for a while, Rose seeks a divorce. Yes, it would be a scandal, but she'd already suffered losses too hard to bear, so one more did not matter.
But Jamie, now duke following the deaths of his father and elder brother, has belatedly realised what he'd done. And he's determined to win Rose back, at any cost. Even if this means attending balls and weekends away. Not easy for someone who prefers to hide behind books.
Rose, meanwhile, puts a smile on her face, dazzling all London, Paris, and beyond. Renowned for her beauty, her own insecurities are securely locked away. Not even her sisters see her true self.
When Rose agrees to accompany Jamie to Venice, it is a journey that opens both their eyes. But is it enough for a happy future together?
I loved Rose's character. She's so confused, so misunderstood, and intentionally so. No one should ever discover what's going on in her heart, not even her estranged husband. So she blinds everyone to the real Rose behind the dazzling smile.
Jamie's behaviour early on in their marriage hurt her deeply, but as he pursues her again, gently and without haste, she discovers another side to him she'd not seen before. Like her, he hid secrets from the past, unable to forget events.
Winning Back His Duchess is a beautiful story of lost love, tragic loss, redemption, and self-discovery. There is so much more to these two characters than their handsome façade, yet they let no one close, not even each other. As they rediscover themselves, something clicks. And when her past rears its ugly head, Jamie is only too happy to defend Rose's honour.
A thoroughly enjoyable read that takes you down a different route to happiness. I thought the plot was realistic, with the past cleverly woven into the narrative, and the characters are well-portrayed. The historical research is impeccable.
Winning Back His Duchess is a romantic read I can highly recommend.
Review first posted to Ruins & Reading.
Note: I received a free ebook copy in exchange for an honest reviews. All views expressed are my own.
May 24, 2022
Amanda McCabe take her readers to Venice with her latest swoon-worthy historical romance, Winning Back His Duchess.
American heiress Rose Wilkins might be married to Jamie, Duke of Byson, but theirs is a marriage in name only. With the chasm separating the two of them having got wider and wider with each passing year, Rose has come to the heart-breaking conclusion that the time has come for her and Jamie to go their separate ways. Although she is well aware that the repercussions of their divorce will have fair-reaching consequences, Rose knows that she has no other choice. Telling Jamie about her decision requires all of her strength and courage, however, Rose is shocked when rather than agree to her suggestion, her estranged husband proposes a trip to Venice. Will the two of them rekindle their romance in one of the world’s most beautiful cities? Or is a reconciliation out of the question?
Jamie will not even dare entertain the notion of a divorce! The scandal should he acquiesce to Rose’s suggestion would send shockwaves rippling throughout the Ton. With everything to play for, Jamie suggests a trip to Venice in order to convince Rose not to walk out on their marriage. In the spectacular Italian city, Jamie and Rose find themselves thrust into close proximity together. Realizing that they are still drawn to one another despite of all the challenges standing in their way, will Jamie and Rose give into the attraction that continues to shimmer between them? Or will they find themselves coming to the conclusion that there is no future for the two of them?
Will Jamie and Rose put their hearts on the line and embrace this second chance at happiness? Or is a divorce the only way forward for the two of them?
Amanda McCabe’s Winning Back His Duchess is a wonderfully evocative and highly romantic Victorian tale rich in atmosphere, drama and poignancy. A second chance at love historical romance that tells a mature, nuanced and complex story, Winning Back His Duchess features a determined, resilient and strong heroine I instantly warmed to and a handsome hero who will make readers’ hearts race.
Amanda McCabe writes so beautifully and vividly about the past and she effortlessly sweeps her readers back in time and makes them fall in love with Jamie and Rose. Sparkling with exquisite period detail, compelling emotional drama and tender romance, Winning Back His Duchess is a superb historical tale from the talented Amanda McCabe.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
American heiress Rose Wilkins might be married to Jamie, Duke of Byson, but theirs is a marriage in name only. With the chasm separating the two of them having got wider and wider with each passing year, Rose has come to the heart-breaking conclusion that the time has come for her and Jamie to go their separate ways. Although she is well aware that the repercussions of their divorce will have fair-reaching consequences, Rose knows that she has no other choice. Telling Jamie about her decision requires all of her strength and courage, however, Rose is shocked when rather than agree to her suggestion, her estranged husband proposes a trip to Venice. Will the two of them rekindle their romance in one of the world’s most beautiful cities? Or is a reconciliation out of the question?
Jamie will not even dare entertain the notion of a divorce! The scandal should he acquiesce to Rose’s suggestion would send shockwaves rippling throughout the Ton. With everything to play for, Jamie suggests a trip to Venice in order to convince Rose not to walk out on their marriage. In the spectacular Italian city, Jamie and Rose find themselves thrust into close proximity together. Realizing that they are still drawn to one another despite of all the challenges standing in their way, will Jamie and Rose give into the attraction that continues to shimmer between them? Or will they find themselves coming to the conclusion that there is no future for the two of them?
Will Jamie and Rose put their hearts on the line and embrace this second chance at happiness? Or is a divorce the only way forward for the two of them?
Amanda McCabe’s Winning Back His Duchess is a wonderfully evocative and highly romantic Victorian tale rich in atmosphere, drama and poignancy. A second chance at love historical romance that tells a mature, nuanced and complex story, Winning Back His Duchess features a determined, resilient and strong heroine I instantly warmed to and a handsome hero who will make readers’ hearts race.
Amanda McCabe writes so beautifully and vividly about the past and she effortlessly sweeps her readers back in time and makes them fall in love with Jamie and Rose. Sparkling with exquisite period detail, compelling emotional drama and tender romance, Winning Back His Duchess is a superb historical tale from the talented Amanda McCabe.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 7, 2022
I’ve loved reading the Dollar Duchesses series by Amanda McCabe and Winning Back His Duchess is the third book in the series. Although this could be easily read as a standalone, I really recommend that you read the other two books in the series (His Unlikely Duchess and Playing the Duke’s Fiancée).
In this book we find Rose, one of the Wilkins sisters, feeling that her separation from her husband Jamie, the Duke of Byson, has reached an impasse and she feels that the only option available for them both is to get him to agree to a divorce. In the time that they have spent apart, Jamie has reflected on his behaviour as a husband, and has implemented some changes, and desperately wants his ‘American Beauty Rose’ to reconsider their life together. I loved the way this second chance romance develops as the story progresses. The love that the couple have for one another appears at first sight to be unable to move past the heartbreak that caused their initial separation, but their love for one another in spite of it all is unwavering. Can they really move past their heartbreak and take the second chance at love that they are presented with?
I loved the way the other people in their lives do their utmost to engineer the situation to place them in one another’s paths, and the unsubtle matchmaking is very entertaining. It seems clear to everyone but Rose that they belong together. Rose battles with her head and her heart.
They initially spend time together at the house of a mutual friend who has an almost bohemian collection of friends. From there, Jamie takes Rose to his ancestral home where she sees a very different Jamie interacting with the tenants and other locals. Jamie then suggests that she goes to Venice with him while he is doing some research for his studies. The time they spend in Venice is idyllic, and they get closer together as the time goes on. When a dark cloud from Rose’s past life in America arrives, it threatens to ruin everything.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of second chances, and adored the escapism in the beautiful location of Venice, with masked balls, gondolas and romance at every turn.
In this book we find Rose, one of the Wilkins sisters, feeling that her separation from her husband Jamie, the Duke of Byson, has reached an impasse and she feels that the only option available for them both is to get him to agree to a divorce. In the time that they have spent apart, Jamie has reflected on his behaviour as a husband, and has implemented some changes, and desperately wants his ‘American Beauty Rose’ to reconsider their life together. I loved the way this second chance romance develops as the story progresses. The love that the couple have for one another appears at first sight to be unable to move past the heartbreak that caused their initial separation, but their love for one another in spite of it all is unwavering. Can they really move past their heartbreak and take the second chance at love that they are presented with?
I loved the way the other people in their lives do their utmost to engineer the situation to place them in one another’s paths, and the unsubtle matchmaking is very entertaining. It seems clear to everyone but Rose that they belong together. Rose battles with her head and her heart.
They initially spend time together at the house of a mutual friend who has an almost bohemian collection of friends. From there, Jamie takes Rose to his ancestral home where she sees a very different Jamie interacting with the tenants and other locals. Jamie then suggests that she goes to Venice with him while he is doing some research for his studies. The time they spend in Venice is idyllic, and they get closer together as the time goes on. When a dark cloud from Rose’s past life in America arrives, it threatens to ruin everything.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of second chances, and adored the escapism in the beautiful location of Venice, with masked balls, gondolas and romance at every turn.
April 13, 2022
One last chance to save a broken marriage
Rose Wilkins may be the youngest of the Wilkens’ sisters, but she is also the most determine, passionate and maybe strong headed one. It was her passion that made her marry Jamie, Duke of Byson. But years of distance and heartbreak made it impossible for Rose to keep standing by his side. So now she is determined to gain her freedom again, and perhaps find love again and divorcing Jamie is the only solution. But Jamie, after hearing what Rose wants, is also determined. But he is determined to win his wife back, and show Rose he is again the man she fell in love with. Will Jamie succeed or is all hope and love lost, and even a trip to Venice will not be enough?
Being the youngest member of a family surely has its advantages-, but isn’t always easy either. Being the youngest myself, I know what I am talking about… As the youngest, maybe it’s easier to get things done, but when your siblings have everything they desire, and you don’t, it’s easy to feel like a bit of a failure.
And that is exactly how Rose is feeling. Her sisters Lily and Violet are happily married, with children, while Rose her marriage is as good as non – existing. Even if Rose and Jamie married out of love, during the years they both have changed and one terrible event devastated them both beyond repair.
So yes, I understood why Rose wanted to divorce Jamie, and enjoying all the attention she received, as she has been described as a real beauty. And while it may seem like Rose is loving the attention of one specific man, the pain she is feeling on the inside is obvious for us, observant readers. Because of course she truly loved/loves Jamie, but his behaviour and their past are too hurtful… A past not revealed immediately, but my suspicions appeared to be correct.
It was very nice to see how Rose wanted to make her own future, being an independent woman. How evident that may seem now, even getting divorced is no longer a taboo, in Victorian times these things aren’t always well accepted.
But how much I admired Rose her courage, I also pitied what happened to her and Jamie. What once was a wonderful, passionate relationship turned out to be a disaster. And while that one tragic event was nobody’s fault, the consequences are still being carried around.
And Jamie… he surely isn’t without fault, as yes, he made several mistakes. But Rose’s request for a divorce showed us that passionate man again. But not only that, Jamie is also a man regretting his mistakes and determined to get one last chance to redeem himself.
While their trip to Venice isn’t really the start of winning Rose back, it shows us that Jamie knows and understands Rose. And there isn’t a thing in the world he wouldn’t do for her, eve going to balls and soirées he used to truly dislike. But he also is carrying that pain around, and him opening up, shows us even more how caring and loving he truly is. And protective too when someone from Rose’s past appears again…
I have read the whole series, and I have come to like all the sisters. But maybe Rose is my favourite one, because what she had endured in the past, but she kept her head high and wanted to find her happiness on her own, not wanting to be dependant of any man.
I loved reading this last chapter of the Wlikins’ sisters, because it shows us that marrying the person we love isn’t the happy ending, but the start of whole different story. Marriage is something you have to fight for together, even after a heart-breaking moment. But this story, and the author, demonstrates us that even when the love seems to be lost, it never really is. And that we have to proof our loved – ones that yes, we can change back to the person we once were. And we are worth fighting for and having a second chance.
Rose Wilkins may be the youngest of the Wilkens’ sisters, but she is also the most determine, passionate and maybe strong headed one. It was her passion that made her marry Jamie, Duke of Byson. But years of distance and heartbreak made it impossible for Rose to keep standing by his side. So now she is determined to gain her freedom again, and perhaps find love again and divorcing Jamie is the only solution. But Jamie, after hearing what Rose wants, is also determined. But he is determined to win his wife back, and show Rose he is again the man she fell in love with. Will Jamie succeed or is all hope and love lost, and even a trip to Venice will not be enough?
Being the youngest member of a family surely has its advantages-, but isn’t always easy either. Being the youngest myself, I know what I am talking about… As the youngest, maybe it’s easier to get things done, but when your siblings have everything they desire, and you don’t, it’s easy to feel like a bit of a failure.
And that is exactly how Rose is feeling. Her sisters Lily and Violet are happily married, with children, while Rose her marriage is as good as non – existing. Even if Rose and Jamie married out of love, during the years they both have changed and one terrible event devastated them both beyond repair.
So yes, I understood why Rose wanted to divorce Jamie, and enjoying all the attention she received, as she has been described as a real beauty. And while it may seem like Rose is loving the attention of one specific man, the pain she is feeling on the inside is obvious for us, observant readers. Because of course she truly loved/loves Jamie, but his behaviour and their past are too hurtful… A past not revealed immediately, but my suspicions appeared to be correct.
It was very nice to see how Rose wanted to make her own future, being an independent woman. How evident that may seem now, even getting divorced is no longer a taboo, in Victorian times these things aren’t always well accepted.
But how much I admired Rose her courage, I also pitied what happened to her and Jamie. What once was a wonderful, passionate relationship turned out to be a disaster. And while that one tragic event was nobody’s fault, the consequences are still being carried around.
And Jamie… he surely isn’t without fault, as yes, he made several mistakes. But Rose’s request for a divorce showed us that passionate man again. But not only that, Jamie is also a man regretting his mistakes and determined to get one last chance to redeem himself.
While their trip to Venice isn’t really the start of winning Rose back, it shows us that Jamie knows and understands Rose. And there isn’t a thing in the world he wouldn’t do for her, eve going to balls and soirées he used to truly dislike. But he also is carrying that pain around, and him opening up, shows us even more how caring and loving he truly is. And protective too when someone from Rose’s past appears again…
I have read the whole series, and I have come to like all the sisters. But maybe Rose is my favourite one, because what she had endured in the past, but she kept her head high and wanted to find her happiness on her own, not wanting to be dependant of any man.
I loved reading this last chapter of the Wlikins’ sisters, because it shows us that marrying the person we love isn’t the happy ending, but the start of whole different story. Marriage is something you have to fight for together, even after a heart-breaking moment. But this story, and the author, demonstrates us that even when the love seems to be lost, it never really is. And that we have to proof our loved – ones that yes, we can change back to the person we once were. And we are worth fighting for and having a second chance.
April 4, 2022
I love a marriage in crisis story although I almost always find them too angsty, but Winning Back his Duchess was had just the right amount for a reader like me! While still a little heartbreaking at times, it was a quick read that is unique in that it takes us on journey from England to Venice. I really enjoyed the part that takes place in Venice as it was great to read about it from a historical perspective. This is the third book in a series about sisters, but the first one I’ve read and I didn’t feel lost so it makes a good standalone.
Rose and Jamie’s road back together to a HEA is slow burn and low on steam, and while I wish they would have communicated more (as it still seemed a bit unclear to me what happened between them), their love for each other was clear throughout with a beautiful epilogue!
TW: past miscarriage is discussed
Rose and Jamie’s road back together to a HEA is slow burn and low on steam, and while I wish they would have communicated more (as it still seemed a bit unclear to me what happened between them), their love for each other was clear throughout with a beautiful epilogue!
TW: past miscarriage is discussed
July 24, 2022
McCabe’s third story in her story begins in 1873.
Rose is the youngest daughter and estranged from her husband.
Three years ago, she had a miscarriage and her husband: Jamie, the Duke of Byson abandoned her.
Now, Roes is contemplating divorce, while Jamie wants to reconcile.
Jamie convinces Rose to join him on a trip to Venice, where he hopes that they can save their marriage.
Rose is the youngest daughter and estranged from her husband.
Three years ago, she had a miscarriage and her husband: Jamie, the Duke of Byson abandoned her.
Now, Roes is contemplating divorce, while Jamie wants to reconcile.
Jamie convinces Rose to join him on a trip to Venice, where he hopes that they can save their marriage.
Read
March 2, 2022Historical Fiction, Sagas, Victorian Historical Fiction
Miniseries
Dollar Duchesses (Book #3)
Miniseries
Dollar Duchesses (Book #3)
April 4, 2022
.5
My review of Winning Back His Duchess can by found on my blog....
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
My review of Winning Back His Duchess can by found on my blog....
https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...
November 7, 2022
v nice sugary read
May 14, 2022
This is the story of the third and final Wilkins sister Rose and her husband Jamie. Their story is unique and told over the course of 21 Chapters as well as a Prologue and Epilogue. This is the third book in 'The Dollar Duchesses' series.
Rose and Jamie's story is unique in the sense that they are already married at the beginning of this book. Instead of this being a book based solely on their courtship it is instead based on their marriage, both the pitfalls as well as the highs. The book concentrates on whether Rose and Jamie can get back what they had when they first married.
Throughout this story the reader learns what this couple has faced throughout the beginning of this marriage. They get to see the good and the bad from both points of view. The reader is taken on a journey to discover whether what these two want for their future is feasible and whether its what they both want.
Throughout the course of the book, the reader is given the opportunity to see the story from both Rose and Jamie's point of view as it switches. They also get to discover things before the other person in the marriage finds out.
This is a book all about whether it is possible to fix something that is broken. Whether the past can be healed or whether things need to stay firmly in the past.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read of the books in this series and will certainly be going to get missing book from the series. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Although readers may find themselves buying the rest of the series once they have read this story.
Rose and Jamie's story is unique in the sense that they are already married at the beginning of this book. Instead of this being a book based solely on their courtship it is instead based on their marriage, both the pitfalls as well as the highs. The book concentrates on whether Rose and Jamie can get back what they had when they first married.
Throughout this story the reader learns what this couple has faced throughout the beginning of this marriage. They get to see the good and the bad from both points of view. The reader is taken on a journey to discover whether what these two want for their future is feasible and whether its what they both want.
Throughout the course of the book, the reader is given the opportunity to see the story from both Rose and Jamie's point of view as it switches. They also get to discover things before the other person in the marriage finds out.
This is a book all about whether it is possible to fix something that is broken. Whether the past can be healed or whether things need to stay firmly in the past.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have read of the books in this series and will certainly be going to get missing book from the series. Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Although readers may find themselves buying the rest of the series once they have read this story.
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