Meet the highly unconventional Wentworth family in this charming USA Todaybestseller with a Cinderella twist, perfect for fans of Mary Balogh. One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he’s declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the worst slums, and now he’s ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed … the enemy who schemed against him.
Jane Winston, widowed and pregnant, crosses paths with Quinn while her father is preaching to the prisoners. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers her marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they’ll actually have a future together.
He’s a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She’s a minister’s daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?
Also includes the bonus novella Once Upon a Christmas Eve from New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
When his carriage wheel snaps in a snowstorm, Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque, is forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he’s ever met.
“Skillfully crafted and exquisitely written, Burrowes’ latest is pure gold; a brilliant launch to a promising series.” —Library Journal
“Burrowes is a writer of towering talent.” —USA Today Happy Ever Afterom New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
When his carriage wheel snaps in a snowstorm, Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque, is forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he’s ever met.
“Skillfully crafted and exquisitely written, Burrowes’ latest is pure gold; a brilliant launch to a promising series.” —Library Journal
“Burrowes is a writer of towering talent.” —USA Today Happy Ever Afterom New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
When his carriage wheel snaps in a snowstorm, Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque, is forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he’s ever met.
“Skillfully crafted and exquisitely written, Burrowes’ latest is pure gold; a brilliant launch to a promising series.” —Library Journal
“Burrowes is a writer of towering talent.” —USA Today Happy Ever Afterom New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt!
When his carriage wheel snaps in a snowstorm, Adam Rutledge, Viscount d’Arque, is forced to seek shelter at the home of the most maddening, infuriating, and utterly beguiling woman he’s ever met.
“Skillfully crafted and exquisitely written, Burrowes’ latest is pure gold; a brilliant launch to a promising series.” —Library Journal
“Burrowes is a writer of towering talent.” —USA Today Happy Ever After
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I absolutely devoured and adored this book!! I’ve been a huge Grace fan for years now and I feel each book is better than the last. This one is no exception. Quinn was a such a fun and different hero and I loved the twist of how he went from being a poor hero to being a duke. Excellently done, and really fresh! And I really enjoyed Jane’s character. She was so sound and reasonable and yet I could feel her desperation of her situation and it really made me root for her and Quinn. Definitely recommending this!
Arc received courtesy of Goodreads.com first reads giveaway.
I really enjoyed reading My One and Only Duke. The characters, story and the plot were very good. It will keep you guessing throughout the story.
I loved this book so much, it put me in a funk that I hadn’t written it. The characters are unlikely and original and somehow perfect together. Who else but Grace Burrowes could concoct a happily-ever-after for a pregnant widow and the framed-for-a-crime secret ducal heir she meets in Newgate prison? It’s a beautiful love story, with two complex adults figuring out a complex adult relationship.
Obviously, I liked the whole book, but what really stood out to me were the first 7 chapters. There is real depth of emotion, the characters are shown to be intelligent, unique people with real and deep thought processes. It was very moving.
This happens to be the first book I’ve read from author Grace Burrowes. It seems I’ve been missing some serious talent!
The story began with death or close to. The last days of a man, who apparently is rather a good man for he looks out for those who are less fortunate them himself. Yes, even in Newgate prison. Quinn Wentworth is to be hanged. We know he didn’t do anything to warrant the hanging. He was set up. But Quinn was a man of methodical talent – he took care of those around him first – his sisters, a couple of young boys thrown into Newgate, a couple of prostitutes and then, surprisingly a woman, whose tale you will weep at, Jane Winston. Burrowes paints a dismal picture, smells and all, of Newgate which actually existed and was finally torn down in 1904.
The tale is rather grim and there are many dark moments, but after Quinn’s hanging, events rapidly change. Quinn is a man to be respected. He is certainly a man of wealth and as a banker one of some reputation. However, that being said, there are those who don’t think kindly of him, and the story is one where he must ferret them out. After all, his family and now the extended family may be in danger.
As the story unfolds, we find that Jane Winston, daughter of a man of ‘God’ (that I must use loosely), is made of stern stuff and certainly one with courage, someone to be admired. I enjoyed how Burrowes wove her character and wisdom into a character of strength. A boon to Quinn and much needed to balance out his life.
At the same time, Quinn Wentworth offered much to Jane. She was malnourished, and thought little of who she was. Each of them helped to discover the other.
Quinn has a very curious family. A younger brother who although can walk, prefers to stay in a wheelchair and play the invalid. He also has two sisters who are used to being ostracized in society and have a difficult time when Quinn’s familial circumstances in society change. I was left with the hope the series will continue giving me a chance to know what is really behind Stephen’s act and what choices Quinn’s sisters will have in gaining a footing in society.
All in all, this intriguing story with its depth of emotion, while exposing societal problems of the time gives much to the reader to contemplate and anticipate coming events, waiting for the next of the sequel to be released.
Bonus Material: Elizabeth Hoyt’s Once Upon a Christmas Eve novella was a welcome surprise. This novella is a racey and entertaining read. Adam Rutledge, a viscount gets marooned with his grandmother at a mansion in the county for a couple of weeks while his grandmother’s health improves. A rake, like no other, his reputation precedes him and Lady Margaret is no easy catch! A spitfire and them some.
We find that Adam is more than his reputation. While Lady Margaret comes out with pistols loaded, we find she does have a heart.
Although I have read every single one of the Rogues to Riches series, this one is my favorite among a bouquet of favorites. Quinn and Jane are a unique pair and as they build their relationship from its unlikely beginning, I find myself swept in to the story, even when I reread it. Wonderful writing, engaging characters, poignant story, a classic Grace Burrowes read. It’s so much fun to read the rest of the Wentworth’s stories and see glimpses of Quinn and Jane’s continuing happily-ever-afters.
This little gem’s highly original beginning (a man about to be hung? a duke’s heir?) opens onto a lovely story chock full of fascinating characters. It is no wonder it touches of the Rogues to Riches series, each book featuring one of the complex, interesting, often torment, always intriguing Wentworth siblings.
‘A funny thing happened on the way to the gallows…
One minute, London banker Quinn Wentworth is facing execution. The next, he’s declared the long-lost heir to a dukedom. Quinn has fought his way up from the vilest slums, and now he’s ready to use every dirty trick he knows to find the enemy who schemed against him.
There was just one tiny problem…
Jane Winston, the widowed, pregnant daughter of a meddlesome prison preacher, crosses paths with Quinn in jail. Believing his days are numbered, Quinn offers Jane marriage as a way to guarantee her independence and provide for her child. Neither thinks they’ll actually have a future together.
They were wrong.
He’s a wealthy gutter rat out for vengeance. She’s a minister’s daughter who must turn a marriage of desperation into a proper ducal union. Are they doomed from the start or destined for a happily-ever-after?’
______________________________
My One and Only Duke is the first book in Grace Burrows Rogues to Riches series and is a historical romance with a bit of a mystery. There is the added bonus of a holiday novella by Elizbeth Hoyt, Once Upon a Christmas Eve which I will review separately.
I really enjoyed this book> It was wonderful and intruiging, with lovely characters that are mature and make the best of an situation that neither of them expected.
This plot was unique, Quinn is a self-made made that has raised himself from poverty and suffering in his childhood to being one of the wealthiest bankers in London with some messy bumps in the road on the path there. Jane is pregnant and widowed, although her father refuses to acknowledge the union and therefore robs his daughter of her reputation and forces the label of ‘bastard’ on the child. So they wed to save both Jane and the child’s future as he faces the gallows, but he is saved from the noose at the last second.
Now they must work together to build a life together and solve the mystery of who Quinn’s enemy is. Trust and affection grows slowly between them, but that made it all the more realistic. The plot was interesting with a lovely twist at the end that had me taying up late to keep reading.
My one critic might be that I found the mystery to be a bit slow and seemed a bit drawn out and is then quite quickly resolved, but I still enjoyed it. I will certainly be reading more from this series look forward to seeing more of these characters.
Sometimes a premise is just too good to pass up. I couldn’t help myself when I saw a man condemned to hang at Newgate for murder is suddenly given a stay of execution when he is discovered to be the next duke. I already enjoy this author’s stories and would have picked this one up anyway, but this new Rogues to Riches series is certainly starting off with a bang.
My One and Only Duke introduces the eccentric Wentworth family and the first one, Quinn, presents the reader with a fantastical story of rags to riches to prison and dukehood. Quinn is a forceful man and a successful banker. Someone wanted him out of the way for good so he was framed for murder. While awaiting his execution, Quinn decides to do a good turn for an engaging widow expecting a child and stuck living in poverty and the situation grows worse. He marries her and promises that she will have independence and no fear of need.
The fun begins when Quinn is pardoned when he is discovered to be a ducal heir. Quinn and Jane now have to figure out the being married to strangers part even while adjusting to their newfound status in the highest tier of society while the danger from Quinn’s past is still lurking.
As I said, the premise really grabbed me and I was enchanted from the early pages with both taciturn Quinn and surprising Jane. They had chemistry right away even when they are in his cell at Newgate getting a feel for each other while she awaits her sanctimonious and eccentric preacher father and Quinn awaits his own death. Quinn intimidated nearly everyone else, but not Jane. She was good for him and it was neat seeing them build a life together.
His siblings are all odd and a little mysterious because of the hard life the Wentworths lived growing up in abuse and poverty before making good with the bank. They will be the source of the rest of the series stories no doubt.
Normally, I’m not drawn to pregnant heroines when the baby is not the hero’s, but I thought this situation worked and was just part of the whole zany ball of circumstances facing this pair who thought Jane would end up his widow, but found they were stuck together and chose to make the most of it including falling in love. I got nervous that it would get angsty or weird, but it had the amount of conflict one could expect in such a situation. There was some awkwardness that distracted me a bit in the middle of the story where I felt there was either too much going on around this pair or something with the romance itself. Can’t put my finger on it. That said, they were a good pair and I liked them both.
The suspense element was good, but I confess I was more taken up with the pair trying to make a go of what was essentially an arranged or slightly forced marriage situation.
So, a new series is launched and I had a good time with Quinn and Jane’s story. It will get interesting with the other Wentworths. While many of the author’s series are spin-offs and connected closely to past series, this one is not and its a good place for a newbie to the author to start. For those who want a little something different in their high society historical romances, I point you to this one.
I like Grace Burrowes. I have over 50 of her books. Many I have read several times.
This one I have read twice.
GREAT start to a new series! I really liked how these characters grew and developed. I also want to read about all the interesting siblings (and cousin!) so the author has really done her job.
I’m thoroughly enjoying the Rogues to Riches series by this author, particularly the Wentworth clan’s stories. I read Duncan and Matilda’s story first, and thought Duncan the most intelligent, loyal and beautiful hero I’d read in a while. This is Quinn and Jane’s story. Quinn is the Wentworth patriarch, and tis an interesting family that he leads. Jane is a preacher’s daughter in trouble. Their marriage of convenience starts under extremely unusual circumstances, with both thinking she’d be a widow when the sun came up the next morning. But things change quickly. Quinn inherits a title, saving him from the gallows, and Jane becomes a Duke’s wife. Who would believe these two would find their HEA? Grace Burrowes has penned another fun tale of unique personalities, family, loyalty and love.
Enjoyable read. Characters bring out the best in each other which turns around the lives of of all related family members.
I loved this book. What a great read! I absolutely love this author and I think this is one of the best. The characters were great and so right for each over.
Quinn and Jane’s story started in prison, but it got better! Learning to trust at least one other person can be so very hard when everyone who should be on your side/your champion/someone to depend on, has failed you, and spectacularly.
Grace Burrowes is on of my go-to authors when I need a break from the real world. Her story-telling skills are extraordinary, and I found myself enthralled from page one.
“My One and Only Duke” (Rogues to Riches #1)
by Grace Burrowes 2017
includes Novella by Elizabeth Hoyt 2018 “Once upon a Christmas Eve”
Quinn Wentworth, a condemned murder, decided to marry a daughter of a preacher to save her from her father. It started out being an act of compassion but the story builds a loving relationship especially after Quinn receives a pardon from the King and inherits a Dukedom. This book was not one to be rushed but to be slowly “consumes” and thought about.
The Novella by Elizabeth Hoyt at the end was cute but ended with a bit of descriptive sex which I didn’t care for or thought was needed to complete the story.
Happy Reading! Reading Genie
From a near-hanging to inheriting a dukedom, this book is everything witty and romantic. Quinn and Jane’s relationship blossoms from concern to respect to love in the sweetest way possible. Every woman should have a Quinn in their lives.
I can’t wait to read more about the Wentworths in the upcoming novels.
I love Grace Burrowes’ characters. They feel like people I would want to know if they came to life beyond the pages of the book.
I’m a real Burrowes fan and this book is the start of what looks to be a wonderful series. The hero, Quinn Wentworth, escapes hanging by the skin of his teeth and sets out to discover the villain who sent him to prison. Along the way he acquires a pregnant wife with a mind of her own. The interplay between the two reminds me of Lord of Scoundrels, another all-time favorite. Clear your calendar–you’ll want to read it cover-to-cover.