A woman’s heart dares to defy the rules of Victorian society in USA Today bestselling author Caroline Fyffe’s novel of romance, royalty, and a little revenge.In Kent, England, the arrival of Beranger Northcott, Duke of Brightshire, causes a stir. Because with the duke comes his new American bride, who isn’t quite what anyone expects. By accepting the hand of her beloved, Emma Brinkman went from … beloved, Emma Brinkman went from hardworking Colorado rancher to duchess. Now she’s expected to comport herself as nobility. Overnight. For Emma—stifled, homesick, and unable to shake the feeling she’s being watched—the metamorphosis is a challenge. And if Emma’s suspicions are correct, perhaps even a dangerous one.
Fortunately, Emma has found a trusted friend in the orphaned Charlotte, Brightshire’s scullery maid. Charlotte longs to experience—if only for a moment—the luxuries and gentry romance that come with a titled life. When one of the duke’s handsome cousins takes notice of Charlotte, the castle kitchen is set abuzz with speculation.
In navigating their two different stations, both servant and duchess alike will discover all they have in common—from secret fantasies to daring hearts to upending the rules of society. And that finding their places in the world—and love—is a dream that can come true—no matter the risks.
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Whew! I have to take a rest! There was a lot going on in this book by new-to-me author Caroline Fyffe. I enjoyed both love stories and the mystery, the writing was excellent, and I loved the characters. I’d even like to see some of them in their own books. I’ll definitely read this author again.
When the book first started off, I thought, “Oh man, not another one that gets it wrong.” Then, she turned it right around and got it right. Good going! It appeared that she was going to have an illegitimate son inheriting the title – and we all know that is absolutely impossible. So – good for you Ms. Fyffe.
Beranger Northcott had a horrid childhood as the illegitimate child of the Duke of Brightshire. At the age of thirteen, he’d run away from the father who never loved him and the step-mother who mistreated him. He rode to the harbor and sold his freedom for four years as a deckhand aboard a ship, the Destiny. When his four years were up, he found himself in America where he made his fortune. Now, he’s returning to Ashbury Castle as the new Duke of Brightshire – along with his duchess, the love of his life, Emma Brinkman Northcott. They are newlywed and firmly, steadfastly and stalwartly in love – and I was so happy to see that nothing could shake that.
Emma is an American through and through. She’s an American heiress, but not the kind we usually read about – as in she’s not from New York, Boston, Boston, etc. She and her four sisters inherited one of the largest, most profitable ranches in Colorado – the Five Sisters Ranch. She and her sisters are very, very close and she cannot imagine not being able to see them every day, but here she is, in England with the man with whom she fell instantly in love.
English life as an aristocrat isn’t easy for either Beranger or Emma. Beranger has spent so many years in America that he is more American than English and Emma – well, she has a strong belief in equality and she sure isn’t finding that in England. Add to that an insufferable ‘step-mother’ who takes delight in belittling Beranger and Emma and trying to make them appear inept and you have a situation that could begin to unravel their love. However, I love that wasn’t the case – their love never wavered – no matter what was thrown at them. Even when Beranger became very ill and Emma suspected someone was poisoning him, she didn’t cower, she stood strong and guarded him like a tigress.
The second love story features Charlotte Aldridge and Tristen Llewellyn.
Charlotte is the niece of the local bakery owner and Tristen is the nephew of the gamekeeper at Ashbury Castle. Charlotte has always felt that her Aunt Ethel hated her. She berates and belittles her constantly. Nothing Charlotte ever does is good enough and that hatred grows exponentially when Charlotte catches the eye of the new duchess and is offered a position at the castle.
Tristen is so grateful to his uncle for taking him into his home and is now very happy to fill in as gamekeeper at the castle during his uncle’s illness. His uncle could have just left him to fend for himself and with his past to haunt him, he wouldn’t have fared very well. When Tristen meets the new duke and duchess, he really likes them – and they like him in return.
Between Tristen’s secret, Charlotte’s troubling suspicions about her cousin Thomas, the possible murder of the last duke, mysterious illnesses of the new duke, the attention of Mr. Winter, and a startling revelation about Charlotte, their romance seems doomed. The road to their HEA isn’t an easy one, but it was nice to see it when it arrived.
This book left me scratching my head over a few details that didn’t feel wrapped up, but I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
After the death of the previous Duke of Brightshire under potentially mysterious circumstances, the heir, Beranger Northcott has just returned to England to assume his newfound responsibilities with his new American bride in tow. Emma Northcott is hoping not to embarrass her husband with her lack of knowledge of English customs, meanwhile her adoring husband worries she won’t be content in England. Soon it becomes apparent that their happiness may not be the most pressing concern. Indeed, their very lives may be threatened.
Meanwhile the new duchess bonds with the new kitchen maid Charlotte Aldridge and Charlotte explores a belowstairs romance of her own, setting the tongues of the staff wagging. Both women share similar dreams and suspicions despite their differences in station and with Emma not knowing who to trust, their friendship becomes all the stronger.
This book has a rather dark, gothic tone that put me in mind of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It was quite different from what I usually read and it did take me a bit to get into it, but once I did I couldn’t put it down. You’re left wondering who to trust the whole time and then glorying in the triumph of Emma and Charlotte as they come into their own. I definitely enjoyed this one, even more than I myself expected to.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The next installment for Emma Brinkman’s story was wonderful! I love Emma and Beranger together! American Duchess has the perfect amount of mystery and romance with added humor. I love the new characters also and revisiting with some old characters. Charlotte and Tristen are wonderful additions and I hope to hear more from them and Lady Aubrey, Margaret, and Thomas. I hope there will be additional books to this series. I am also excited to hear more from the Brinkman sisters.
Caroline Fyffe is a wonderful author – I loved this book was a continuation into the lives of the sisters on Five Sister’s Ranch – I look forward to reading all of this authors books
Caroline Fyffe always leaves the reader wanting more!
I am a fan of Caroline Fyffe’s historical fiction books and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed the romance, mystery, and secrets unfolding throughout the book. I hope the series continues because I would like to know what happens with all of the characters.
It is a good clean read with lovely characters. the author builds on their Strengths.
Great Book
A detailed history romance and mystery. This is a continuation story of “Heart of Mine”. I really enjoyed it and recommend it.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I had read Ms. Fyffe’s Colorado Hearts series that takes place in Eden, Colorado. When I initially started this book, I didn’t realize this story was a continuation of one of the Five Sisters in that series.
This story takes place in England. Beranger Northcutt and Emma Brinkman have married and Beranger has been informed that is not the illegitimate son of his father but the legitimate heir. After the death of both his father and his brother, Gavin, he is made the Duke of Brightshire and he and Emma set off for England.
Emma has been a Colorado rancher and now she is suddenly a duchess in England with a whole new of societal rules she has to follow. In a step away from society’s norms, she befriends some of the servants, one in particular is Charlotte, a scullery maid.
There is intrigue, drama, pain and a kidnapping that all take place in this story. There is also a lot of love. It is obvious that the Duke and Duchess are madly in love and are determined to make this arrangement work. While they might not follow all of society’s rules, they will take care of those for whom they have charge over and bring the estate back to its former glory. In order to do this, they may have to bend a few of the rules.
I love Emma’s strength of character and how she doesn’t back down from a challenge, especially from the dowager duchess, Beranger’s stepmother. She will be the duchess with her own style.
As with all of Ms. Fyffe’s books, I enjoyed the character development and storytelling. The story was a clean story with no sex or foul language and was masterfully told.
I was given an arc copy of this book and I willingly offer my honest review.
A master storyteller, Caroline Fyffe takes you into a 1881 England and a newly named Duke and his American Bride! Beranger Northcutt has just inherited the title of the Duke of Brightshire. Having been living in America and just married Emma Brinkman, they set sail to Beranger’s homeland. A lot has happened since he had been gone but nothing has changed about his hateful stepmother, except that now she has to rely upon him.
Of course, Emma coming from a small town and becoming a Duchess, wasn’t sure what she was to do, but she quickly captured the hearts of many by her delightful spirit and humble demenor. But the love between her and Beranger just won my heart.
There is so much going on with this story that it captured me from the first page as we meet Charlotte, who will also play a role and have a budding romance. Mystery, suspense as Beranger becomes ill and it seems someone wants to do him harm, secrets that will come out and of course romance is in the air.
I truly loved this story and with the wonderful descriptive prose it seemed I was there in England with the characters and watching the story unfold!!
This is Charlotte and Tristan’s story and all of the characters are well developed. This story has so many elements: mystery, suspense, murder, jealousy, selfishness, romance and a HEA. This story will keep you turning the pages as you get immersed in the book. I really enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
Love the book of Emma and Beranger. Beranger is the new Duke of Brightshire, Emma the new Duchess they travel to England to start their new life. This book is funny, intriguing with some twist. It kept my interest from start to finish.
I loved how the characters were so real and that I got I got to see how they all grew to believe in theirselves. This book is not your average romance, this mystery has many twists and had me quessing until the end.
Emma and Beranger story continues in An American Duchess. In this book we get to go on a lovely journey as Emma and Brigs travels to Kent, England to take on their new roles as Duke and Duchess of Brightshire.
Watching Emma adjust to her role as Duchess was so heartwarming to me. I love how well every little detail was written made me feel like I was right there with Emma. This book is fulled with many twist and turns that I couldn’t guess what was going to happen next. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I could not put this story down, not even to cook dinner for the family. The story has everything you will need, I experienced every single emotion while reading this book which was perfect for me; it made the story feel real and believable for me. Which was an added bonus I recommend you to pick up a copy today or starts amazing series if you haven’t already. Each book will leave you wanting more of the five sisters and their friends stories.
I thoroughly enjoyed this mix up between Victorian England and the American West. I was already in love with Emma and Beranger from a different series. Seeing them in England starting their new life together was so much fun!!!! I am looking forward to more stories set in Brightshire with all of these new characters I am growing to love as well. Charlotte and the men vying for her attention gave a great contrast to Emma and Beranger. Watching the two worlds collide was suspenseful and intriguing. I often found myself laughing and enjoying all the mix-ups going on at the castle. I can’t wait for more!
I love a Victorian romance this one is as sweet as they come, I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. Belanger goes to American to start a new life, meets and marries Emma looking forward to an American cowboy life until he finds out his father and brother are both dead, now he must go back home and take over being the Duke. I really enjoyed how the author brings out the challenges they must overcome in their new marriage in a totally different world than his wife is use to. She isn’t what everyone expects but doesn’t take long for her to win hearts. Oh there are enemies but with Emma patience’s things seem to be working out. I enjoyed the intrigue, how the characters stayed true to their ways but making a new life making the changes they go through work. It was very hard to see the ending coming and who the villain was. I didn’t see that at all and was a little surprised.
I really enjoy reading each of this authors books, even though I read them I find I must have the audio as well. She picks such good narrators that really bring the story to life. I can’t wait to listen to this and see what I may have missed. I know when I pick up one of Ms. Fyffe books that it is going to be a very entertaining, intrigue read that will hold my attention, giving me a few heart stopping moments as well as a few laughs.
Moving from the West to becoming a duchess in England has to be difficult, but Emma is determined to make her husband, the new Duke of Brightshire proud. This is a richly layered story, with both upstairs and downstairs featured — which means twice as much romance. There is an evil dowager duchess, a mystery and plenty of action, including a cowboy performance at grand ball. The villain(ess), when she is discovered, is not who you expect it to be, so that’s a surprise and a welcome one The H/h, too, are steadfast in their love, with no silly misunderstandings — despite the dowager duchess’ attempts to divide them — ruining the love story. The other romance deals with an aspiring baker who is not who she appears to be and a gameskeeper. Their love story, like the mystery, keeps the reader guessing. I would have given this five stars except the explanation of how the previously illegitimate son became legitimate was difficult to follow; the dead Duke was older, but he was illegitimate, and Bright was younger, but the duke had married his commoner mother. That led me to wonder how the younger sister was legitimate if her mother was not married to the duke; did they marry in secret later? All in all, I found it hard to follow. There also wasn’t any follow up on the duke’s vertigo, or if so, I missed it. So, a few too many loose ends in an otherwise great story. I’m going back to read about the sisters back in Eden, too. This is one book where you want to know the backstory. (I received an ARC on NetGalley. Opinions mine.)
I loved this book!!! If you haven’t read any of Caroline Fyffes novels you should! In this story she takes you on a journey through Kent,England. Charlotte and Tristens story is full of mystery and romance. It’s great to see their love blossom. It was also great to visit Emma and Beranger and see how their new marriage is going (Emma a Colorado hearts novel). It was a page turned that you should read!
This Masterful Author Caroline Fyffe spins a sequel to her “Colorado Hearts Series”. It will pull you in like the vortex of a tornado plot twists and turns, intrigue, mystery plus a touch of wicked danger and suspense.
In this transition from Miner and Rancher of Colorado to Duke and Duchess of Brightshire Kent England.
Emma and Beranger Northcotts trials and tribulations plus the challenges they face settling into their newly acquired roles.
Which gentleman wins the heart of Charlotte Aldridge ?
Pages will be flying in this Highly Recommended work.
I received an ARC copy of “An American Duchess” I Voluntarily submitted this review.