Governess or duchess?
After spending the last ten years following her late husband on campaign, the irrepressible Jane Kimball finds herself badly in need of a position to support herself. Marriage holds no appeal; she’s not likely to find a husband like her Jimmy again. But when Miss Thorn of the Fortune Employment Agency offers her a post with the Duke of Wey, Jane feels drawn to help the … Wey, Jane feels drawn to help the lonely widower with his three daughters. He may seem a bit aloof, but Miss Thorn’s cat Fortune approved of him. Why should Jane doubt a duke?
Alaric, Duke of Wey, commands his staff, his tenants, and the halls of Parliament, managing vast holdings in England and across the seas. Why is it he cannot manage his own daughters? As an old danger rears its head, he comes to rely on Jane’s practical nature and outspoken ways to navigate the waters of fatherhood. And when necessity dictates he take a wife, thoughts turn to an unlikely governess who might make the perfect bride.
If you like sweet, witty Regency romances, then you’ll love Regina Scott’s first book in her Fortune’s Brides series.
“Wow. I knew I’d enjoy Never Doubt a Duke, just because Regina Scott wrote it. I didn’t expect to love it. I loved the characters. I loved how she set up what will hopefully be an amazing new series. I loved how it was dramatic and fun and romantic.” — Hott Book Reviews
Start falling in love today. Fortune’s Brides: Only a matchmaking cat can hunt true love.
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Could not put this book down from the moment I started reading it. Loved loved loved it.
A fun read (Mills & Boone type) all comes good in the end.
The plucky governess wins over everyone with her brash ways; the bad guys get their due, and we can look forward to the next lady’s good “fortune” – enjoy!
A fun read!
“Never Doubt a Duke” (nook) is a marvelous story. I loved the beginning, middle and end. Ms. Scott’s writing flows and captures the imagination. I will read more of her stories!!!
More than a governess
Three daughters of the Duke of Wey need a governess. Recommended by Miss Thorn/Fortune employment agency, Jane Kimball gets the job.
The widow of a Dragoon, she is very sensible and down to earth. Her logic can’t be denied. She never expected to fall in love with a Duke. I laughed and I cried. A delightful read and a keeper.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
What a delightful start to a series. I loved how the MC Jane got the job as governess through the Fortune Employment Agency – which could have been a great side story but I am sure it will be explored further in other books in this series. I very much appreciated that the romance between Jane and the Duke was borne from friendship instead of instant love. The supporting characters – from the Dowager to the girls to the Butler were all interesting and well-developed. I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
The narrator, Jannie Meisberger, has a terrific English accent and is a perfect compliment to this book.
Very artfully written. Love the little nuances of magic involved with a couple animal personalities
A duke in need of a governess. A widow in need of a position. They are brought together by Miss Thorn and her cat, Fortune. Can this couple look past duty and expectation to find happiness together?
Jane is a true heroine. She has loved and lost, been dismissed unjustly, and has had her character maligned. Through it all, she keeps hold of her courage. She is unashamed of her unorthodox personality.
Wey is the perfect counterpoint to her. He has allowed the responsibilities attached to his position and title to weigh him down. Unintentionally, this dedication has distanced him from his daughters. Jane is just what he needs to brighten his life.
From the start, the journey these two take to admit their attraction to each other is sweet. They have trials, both internal and external, to overcome. Although the ending was not a surprise it is exactly as it ought to be.
I cannot wait to see hat romance Miss Thorn and Fortune arrange next!
I loved Jane and her personality! She brought a new dynamic to the family and won them over, though some members took longer then others… There is a strong cast of characters, including the formal and stodgy butler, the dowager duchess, and three daughters with very different personalities. I loved how Jane let them be themselves and encouraged them in their interests. The duke is supportive of her and her efforts with his daughters, and they have a lovely friendship that blossoms slowly over time into something more. Society’s standards for the duke bring the conflict that prevents them from feeling like they could be together, but with some harrowing incidents that make the duke realize his true priorities, there is a wonderful happily-ever-after for them. A well-balanced Regency romance that kept me reading and invested in the characters.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
What an absolutely delightful tale! These characters were so likable and believable. Never Doubt a Duke had a great combination of romantic chemistry between the main characters, strife from those who did not believe Jane to be a suitable governess, some danger, and just the right bit of light humor.
I so enjoyed Jane Kimball. I could feel how strongly she cared for the well being of the three girls she became governess to. I also thoroughly liked Alaric, the Duke of Wey. He had been told by his first wife that it wasn’t his duty to bring up the girls or to be close to them, and to leave their care to the women and staff. I enjoyed watching, in this story, as his father’s heart began to feel for these children who so desired love from him.
I’m really looking forward to reading future books in this series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Never Doubt a Duke by Regina Scott
Fortune’s Brides Series Book One
Jane Kimball is a young widow who has been ousted from her last job. Thankfully she Met Miss Thorn through an ad for her Fortune Employment Agency. A duke needed a governess. Jane had her work cut out for her with the eldest, a ten-year-old who was way beyond her years as she planned for her come out. A dowager duchess who liked having things her way, two adorable younger girls, and a too-handsome widowed duke.
Alaric Dryden, Duke of Wey, preferred to let his mother handle his three daughters. His late wife had said it was the mother’s job to watch over daughters and the man’s to raise the sons. Only…he didn’t have an heir. He did have plenty of other work though. Until the new governess came along and everything changed.
I really enjoyed this first book in this new series and from the teaser for book two—I can’t wait for that one. Great characters, villains, and story line.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2012/10/regina-scott-book-list.html
Never Doubt a Duke by Regina Scott
Never Doubt a Duke is a great start to a new series! I love the concept of Miss Thorn’s cat having a sense about people, and author Regina Scott did a great job in creating the “character” of Fortune (or more formally, Miss Fortune), the cat who resembles one of the neighborhood cats who visits me every day.
The character of Alaric is so commendable. I can’t think of the last Duke in a story who displayed such a strong sense of responsibility to his title, his people, and his land. I loved that he had such compassion and interest in caring for those in his care. The fact that he had neglected his daughters wasn’t exactly his fault, and he was so wonderful in acknowledging that he had been wrong to do this and to mend his ways.
And then there is Jane. Plucky and outspoken, prone to love with all her heart, she is a gem. But she is far from perfect, which Alaric’s older daughter will be quick to corroborate. I loved the recital when the Duke’s daughters sang for him and his mother. Having been taught by their slightly (or more than slightly) tone-deaf governess with no musical accompaniment, the versions of the songs they learned were less than perfect.
The book is charming and delightful and the characters are full of life. I can highly recommend this book. I am glad that this will be a series. There is a hint of what is to come in the following books and I am looking forward to seeing how things will turn out.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net
You can read a brief exerpt at AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Regina Scott for giving me this copy of the book. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
While I thoroughly enjoyed the Wallin family story from the Frontier Bachelors series, I first discovered Regina Scott’s writing through the Regency, my favorite time period. I am thrilled that her latest novel returns to that era and begins a new series with this delightful story about duty, family, and love.
The historical detail is outstanding. With as many books set during this time as I have read, I am still learning new things, even searching Google to be sure I was understanding a phrase correctly–I really enjoy it when historical fiction makes me want to do some research to learn more. And while women have a strictly defined “place” in Regency society, I love that the heroine refuses to allow the three girls in her care to limit themselves completely to that which society says they should aspire.
This is a book that kept me perpetually smiling, whether at the antics of the girls, the comments that escaped Jane’s lips, or even the swoon-worthy ending; from start to finish I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. With just a touch of mystery, wonderful characters, and a fantastic love story, I highly recommend Scott’s latest for fans of the Regency and those who enjoy a good romance. The next book cannot come soon enough to suit me!
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
Jane Kimball has spent the last ten years following her late husband’s regiment in England. Now, a widow, she finds herself in need of employment to support herself. She answers an ad by a Miss Thorn, of the Fortune Employment Agency, and finds herself a governess to the 3 young daughters of Alaric, Duke of Wey. Alaric is a widow and has never concerned himself with the raising of his daughters in the least. After all, his mother lives with him to take care of it. However, his daughters are sadly lacking in schooling. Jane insists on a meeting with him each evening to discuss his daughters’ progress in the school room.
Alaric has never met a governess like Jane. Jane, irrepressible Jane, who is full of wit and seems not the least bit concerned about how the stuffy butler feels about her. Jane is determined to be herself.
But there is some mischief afoot here and Alaric and Jane are going to have to discover the culprit.
I have enjoyed Regina Scott’s books for years and she does do a good Regency novel! This one is very clean and sweet and quite good indeed. I loved Jane’s character so much! She made me laugh and she brought some much fun to this stuff household. Recommended.
*My thanks to the author for a copy of this novel. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
The melodrama was unnecessary when there are three girls and a duchess they provide enough conflict surely. The missed opportunity of the Butler was rather unsatisfying. It’s less rewarding to put a ten year old in her place. And a little heat wouldn’t have gone amiss. What’s a steak without sizzle.
I enjoyed reading this book. In a way a little unrealistic, but, hey it’s an enjoyment. I did like it very much.
A nice story
This was a nice story about Jane the governess and Alaric the duke and how they fell in love. There was angst and coveted looks. I, however couldn’t sense their chemistry. To me it felt more like a long lost friendship. I enjoyed the story but I wished for more. What happens with Miss Thorn? Will Jane bare Alaric a son since his first could not.
The author writes and excellent novel with good plot and well drawn characters. In this novel you feel like you are a member of the Duke’s household watching all the happenings. I enjoy reading about the trials of an inexperienced governess in charge of 3 spoiled but charming little girls. I recommend this novel highly.