A Second Duchess…Or a Second Chance?Belinda Collins, dowager Duchess of Winchester, has sworn to keep a group of war heroes safe from the monster who’s trying to turn their home into a military academy. Unfortunately, that monster is Brigadier Maxwell Thorpe, the same man who once chose his military career over her, shattering her heart and sending her into the arms of another. Now Maxwell is … Now Maxwell is back in England, and he wants more than just an academy—he wants a second chance with Belinda. When the army threatens once more to come between them, can they find a way to compromise what their hearts most desire in order to claim the future that should have been theirs?
This title was previously published as part of the No Dukes Allowed anthology.
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This was a fun short story about second chances and a seemingly impossible to resolve plot. The resolution came out of the blue and was just so perfect! It has a strong woman heroine who has her feet firmly under her and her resolve set. I loved it. Her first and only love Brigadier Maxwell Thorpe suddenly reappears in her life bringing back memories and broken hearts. Widowed Duchess Belinda Collins is determined to protect her military pensioners no matter what.
Belinda is a widow of the man who rescued her in her time of need. She fell in love with Maxwell Thorpe while she was volunteering when she was 18. Maxwell lost his heart too but had to return to duty when he was healed. He was the son of a Baron and the military was his only option for making a living. When Belinda wrote him begging for help while he was posted in India, he also had a letter from the Duke assuring him he and his brother would care for her. He gave her up to the Duke for her best interests as he had nothing but his love to give. Years passed and she was still in his heart. Now tired of war and seeing a way to train new recruits & go home he proposes opening an academy. The only place is her military hospital housing pensioners. They would be relocated to other hospitals and the academy would open. This is when he comes head to head with Belinda. Oh what fun to see this come to a happy ending!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Anna Harrington is my go-to author when I want a well-written Regency romance with just enough steam to heat up the pages. This is a wonderful second chance romance with all of the requisite twists that I love in the Regency genre.
Belinda is a dowager Duchess who is devoting her life to taking care of the pensioners at the Royal Hospital in Brighton. When she learns that the Army is thinking of taking over the Hospital and turning it into a training academy, she is determined to protect her pensioners. Little does she know that the one man she ever loved and who betrayed her for his Army career, Maxwell Thorpe, is behind this takeover!
Great characters, great story and a happily ever after ending make this a wonderful and enjoyable read. I was given the chance to read this novella and chose to review it.
Previously a part of the anthology, ” No Dukes Allowed “, this novella is definitely worth a second read. When Maxwell Thorpe first sees Belinda, widow of the Duke of Winchester after ten years, they are at loggerheads. Maxwell needs to establish a military academy, but also wants to shut down the Royal Hospital, displacing her beloved military pensioners. They once loved each other, but he seemingly chose a military career instead of her. As they work together to find a compromise, will they also find each other once again? A wonderfully told story about second chances, even better when read the second time around. I received this ebook from the author for an honest review.
Lieutenant Maxwell Pennington Thorpe and Belinda were in love. Max had just received two letters. One was from Belinda asking for help and telling him she loved him and only him for a husband. The other was from Lord George Collins, asking Max to give up Belinda. She would be well cared for and her father’s debts would be taken care of. He wrote back to her that the military was his life and he wanted her to forget him.
Needless to say, she felt a lot of pain and agony. She also felt he used her. But she married Lord Collins who later became a duke and she a duchess. It has been ten years since she last saw him.
So much anger.
There are some wonderful and romantic moments. Her father died and she is a widow. I had some tearful moments and could understand her stance on things. It may have been a romantic story but it was still intriguing. The caring they had for the pensioners, the army, and what families they had left was amazing. I thought this a mesmerizing tale and enjoyed it greatly.
I received this ARC from the author, voluntarily reviewed it, and loved it.
I enjoyed Belinda and Maxwell’s story. These two share a painful past, so there is plenty of emotional turmoil and heartstring tugging going on. Hurt feelings, past mistakes, misunderstandings, opposing opinions, stubbornness and drama stand firmly in their way as this second chance novella unfolds. I am posting an elective candid review.
This is a lovely story first published as part of the NO Dukes Allowed. It is a story of second chances. Both are strong characters and are well written. This story covers a real issue of ex-soldiers not being looked after. As usual, I loved the storyline and the characters. I received this as an ARC and freely give my review.
I love second chance romances and The Double Duchess didn’t disappoint. This was engaging and well written story, and Belinda and Maxwell are wonderful and passionate characters. Their second chance at love leads to a satisfying happy ending.
I loved this story. Maxwell does the honorable thing and gives up his hold on her for her benefit. Belinda is oblivious to what he did and is fighting mad. Their joining forces to try and make things work out personally and professionally was a joy to read. Maxwell, sigh!! I read this story as part of an anthology.
This is the 2nd book I read by Anna Harrington. I enjoyed this book’s storyline. I really liked the hot & steamy scenes. I really liked Belinda’s character. I really liked Max’s character. I enjoyed the facts in this story. I really liked ending. “I receive a free copy for an honest review”.
Ten years ago, Belinda, now the Dowager Duchess of Winchester, and Maxwell Thorpe fell deeply in love. However, he seemingly abandoned her to further his military career. Now he is Brighton. He wants to establish a military academy. She wants to keep the hospital for the Pensioners. As they spend time together attempting to bring some suitable solution to the opposing ideas, they become reacquainted and realize they are still in love. Belinda is still doesn’t quite trust him. In the meantime the Duke of Pomperly works behind the scenes to keep them apart. It doesn’t look promising. Then while working to save the hospital from a fire, Belinda has an idea that just might be the solution they need. Will Maxwell agree, the hospital board, the Secretary of War? If it works, will it give Belinda and Maxwell a second chance? Last, but not least, will go away in defeat? A lovely second chance story.