Second chances often come from surprising places. Will the Duke find another chance at love when everything seems to be combining against him?Gerald feels as though he’s lost everything when his wife takes her last breath. Amelia’s world turns upside down when the Duke of Granbury steps into her tea shop and leaves with her heart. But when a secret from Amelia’s past unveils possibilities, will … past unveils possibilities, will the duke get a second chance at love from an unexpected source?
Buy this first book in a Regency romance series for a taste of deep loyal friendship, beautiful second chances, and the path to heal a heart.
Look for the other books in the series:
The Earl’s Winning Wager
Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies
Suitors for the Proper Miss
Pining for Lord Lockhart
The Foibles and Follies of Miss Grace
more
I enjoyed this clean regency romance. It was a quick easy read. The characters were interesting – Amelia worked in her father’s tea shop, she had lost her Mother and had an emptiness in her soul. Gerard was the Duke of Granbury. His wife died in child birth and he was a lost soul, thinking he could never love again. When their path crossed, it started all sorts of emotions that neither one knew how to manage. Gerard was impulsive, irrational and irritating. Amelia was naïve, gullible and lonely. They kind of deserved each other. That’s not a bad thing! Maybe they just needed more time to develop their characters not so rashly. Although the family of sisters seems mysterious, Lord Morley was intriguing, I can’t wait for his story.
This was a very sweet and clean read. I was able to read this one very quickly. I enjoyed how the story moved at a decent pace. I really liked Amelia. I think she was a perfect balance and match for Gerald. I’m looking forward to reading the next book!
I was given a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author, but was not required to write a review. The thoughts and comments are my own.
This is a short and sweet read that starts out with a grab at your heart but kinda loses it’s punch by the end. The Duke of Granbury loses his wife in childbirth and is suffering so much grief that he doesn’t even wish to see his son but realizes he needs a mother for him. So the search begins for someone who can fill the role of wife and mother without an emotional connection. The book is enjoyable in the long run and a good start for the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jen Geigle Johnson has written a charming easy read in her book The Duke’s Second Chance. A huge theme and focus in this story is family. It’s about love and losing that love, but being able to find love and roance again. Although Johnson has readers hooked from the turn of the first page, the strength of this emotional connection does not last the entirety of the story, fading a little bit as the story continutes. But the story still is still one that readers will enjoy, with its relatable characters and sad, but enjoyable tale. Readers will look forward to another book in this delightful series.
Series: Lords for the Sisters of Sussex
Genre: regency, romance
Publisher: Indie
Publication date: October 8, 2019
Number of pages: 137
Other books in the series:
2-The Earl’s Winning Wager
3-Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies
4-Suitors for the Proper Miss
5-Pining for Lord Lockhart
6-The Foibles and Follies of Miss Grace
A review copy of this book was purchased for review. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
I absolutely loved this second chance story. The broken-hearted Duke happens into a tea room, not yet locked up for the night and meets a wonderful, compassionate, young woman working there. She speaks her mind offers him comforting words and gives him very good advice.
I won’t give spoilers but it was a delight to read this story. I look forward to reading the next book.
Gerald, the Duke of Granbury, faces two dilemmas: how to carry on with his infant son after the devastating lose of his wife in childbirth and what to do with an inherited castle and five sisters who come with it! This book captured my attention from the poignant beginning and held it through the satisfying ending. It is a wonderful beginning to the Lords for the Sisters of Sussex series. The relationship between the Duke and Amelia, the shopkeeper, is heartwarming and engaging. A well-crafted cast of secondary characters including the Duke’s best friend Morley and the five sisters June, Charity, Lucy, Kate, and Grace adds interest and prepares the reader for the other books in the series. The plot flows at a steady pace with a few surprises along the way. I love how this story accurately portrays the mores of the Regency Era. I look forward to reading Morley’s story in the next book The Earl’s Winning Wager. I recommend this book especially for lovers of Regency romance.
What a dramatic begining! Whew! From reading the back I knew what was going to happen right away, BUT I was trying to will it not to happen. A beautiful romance blooms and I’m a big sucker for the different classes falling in love… somehow it makes it more romantic lol. It’s small so a super quick read and has me looking forward to the rest of the series.
I was worried that this would be a sad book when I first started it but it was so good! I loved the characters and it had a Happy ending (or course). I got to listen to this book on audible and it was great. I’m glad the author has some sequels for it because I can’t wait to hear more about all the characters.
The Duke’s Second Chance
Lords for the Sisters of Sussex #1
By Jen Geigle Johnson
When he lost his wife Gerald wanted nothing to with his newborn son and the thought of a second marriage was not to be contemplated. But his mother and sister are convinced that he needs a new duchess to help manage his estate. But a grieving heart is not able to accept the well-meaning advice of family so Gerald does the only thing possible – he walks out and into a tea shop.
Amelia Dickson never expected a fine gentleman to enter her family’s tea shop, at least one that wasn’t in the company of a young lady. But when a gentleman comes in in an attempt to outrun his broken heart she had no idea that her life was about to change. And when she learns the identity of her shop’s visitor she is more than a little surprised to discover that he is the Duke of Granbury. She knows that she has no hope of winning the heart of the man who stole hers.
When Gerald makes a rash decision he may live the rest of his life regretting it. But the only woman who has managed to capture his attention is not in his social sphere and therefore unsuitable to even think upon as his mother has so recently pointed out.
The Duke’s Second Chance is a lovely quick read that those who love clean Regency romance. There are secrets that have an interesting impact on the story. And then there is the estate that Gerald inherited from a cousin that comes with a household of sisters which sets the stage for the rest of the series, yes the sisters of Sussex are in want of husbands whether they want them or not.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion – all thoughts expressed are my own.
Lovely story of a second love after loss and grief
October 8, 2019
I haven’t read a single one of Jen Geigle Johnson’s books that I didn’t like. All have been enjoyable. I agree with other reviewers that this story would have been better as a full length/longer novel, but I still really enjoyed it!
The beginning was painful to read because I lost my dear daddy just nine days ago. Gerald’s pain was terrible and I found myself expressing some of my own grief though his as I read.
The relationship between Gerald and Amelia is lovely and sweet and healing.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and this review is my honest opinion.
I saw the book is also available in Kindle Unlimited so I checked it out and I like the final editing.
What happens when your life takes an unexpected and tragic change in direction? Gerald, Duke of Granbury, has just lost his beloved wife and now is left with a broken heart, dreams, and an infant son to raise. This was a very sad beginning to the book. The Duke’s grief and hurt was palpable and he obviously should not have been making any kind of major descions in his grief.
Enter a happenstance meeting with a shop girl, Amelia and a soul deep connection forms.
This story almost felt like two different stories, Gerald’s and Amelia’s, as each needed to work out in their own lives complications and feelings that have arisen due to their meeting. Not only that, but each also had to deal with unexpected circumstances and news that neither could have foreseen coming.
This is a happily ever after story with a sad beginning and some learning in the middle. It is a nice start to the new series, Lords for the Sisters of Sussex.
I received an e-copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
Short but oh so sweet! This Cinderalla-esque novella is a beautiful reminder that the heart’s capacity to love has no limit, even when broken from grief or pain. There were enough unexpected twists to keep me wondering how it would all work out in the end. Definitely worth reading!
Such a sweet story! I loved Amelia’s tea shop setting and how she had genuine conversations with a man deep in grief, something she has experience dealing with. Amelia is the gem in this story, caught between two worlds and not daring to dream. The duke is something else- I was getting whiplash from his mood swings and irrational choices. I would have loved this book to be longer with further character development and exploration of the various situations that came up. When the resolution came about I was surprised at how quickly things were wrapped up. There is so much potential with this story and characters for more depth and development.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I enjoy reading a good Regency romance. It makes me happy when I like the characters, and a good escape is the best. And it’s even better if I get all of that in a book that is quick and easy to read. The Duke’s Second Chance is one of those.
The book starts with a super sad scene. Gerald’s dear wife doesn’t survive the first chapter and he’s devastated. It made me wonder just where the book was going to go from that sad place.
Luckily, Gerald met Amelia. This was also interesting to me, because Amelia worked in the tea room her father owned. This made Gerald and Amelia’s chance of having a relationship in Regency times about zero.
Things change for the two of them, I won’t tell you how, you’ll have to read it yourself. But that’s okay, because you’ll enjoy this one! It’s a fun, quick, easy to read escape to Regency England that you’ll love!
I was sent a copy of this book as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
A regency clean and sweet read. I finished it in a day. It was just what I needed today. It starts out quite sad. I could see the direction it was going after reading a few paragraphs. And it is quite tragic. But it is a beautiful telling of new beginnings and allowing love into a broken heart. I read a critique earlier saying the romance was too quick. I can see their point but I think there are times when things just fall into place. Gerald didn’t have to remarry prior to his mourning period being over but it might have been in his sons best interest and his estate for him to move on. And the heart doesn’t have to have a set mourning period even if it is custom. Regardless, I enjoyed the characters and I am excited to know that Lord Morley is getting his own story.
This sweet novella starts off so sadly I thought the author would have to jump ahead a decade at least to move past the grief and sorrow. It was a pleasant surprised to have the duke meet someone who just allowed him to grieve and begin to heal.
I loved the idea of Amelia being able to see into his soul by painting his eyes. There is great romance in that.
The story is short so everything moves quickly out of necessity. It was maybe a bit too convenient to have the secret from Amelia’s past come to light when it did but it was such a lovely Cinderella story I didn’t care.
No sex, language or violence
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Super fun short story. Dukes and Lords and disowned family members come together to make a story of open hearts and new found love.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists,
and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive
reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this
in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
This was a wonderful sweet love story. It was also a well-written portrayal of grief and loss and how love can help with healing. I thought the characters were great. It was clean and had a perfect ending. Loved it!
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.
I’d say this was 3 to sometimes a 4 for me. I’ve read this author before and have enjoyed the read. Overall, this was a nice quick read. I did like the h & H. It set up for the second book with the Duke’s friend that has me intrigued. The story had a good premise and a nice twist for the romance between the h & H. Like a few other reviewers I felt sometimes too rushed and so didn’t get as pulled in to the story. I did appreciate keeping with the customs and attitudes of the time.
I didn’t get pulled in as much as I usually do with one of this author’s books, but that being said I still loved Gerald and Amelia. With it being a novella the story was a little rushed and characters not as developed as normal, but it was a good quick read. The relationship between Amelia and Gerald was sweet. There was some crazy drama and I wish there had been more about how it was resolved, but again that is one of the problems with novellas. I am intrigued by this series and am excited for Lord Morley’s story.