Review: No Dukes Allowed

No Dukes Allowed by Grace Burrowes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A trio of historical novellas featuring three widowed women spending the season in Brighton: Eugenia (Genie) Dowager Duchess of Tindale; Belinda Duchess of Winchester (the Double Duchess); and Diana Thompson.

Architect of My Dreams by Grace Burrowes
This book starts in London when Genie's peace is shattered by the noisy building works in the house next door. She confronts the new owner Adam Morecambe in a spirited exchange before heading to Brighton. They meet again by chance in Brighton where Adam, who is an architect, is looking for a house to establish a sister club to the one he is renovating in London, these clubs are for wealthy men, like himself, who are refused entry to the normal men's clubs which are reserved for the aristocracy. Adam and Genie enjoy each others company and Genie is happy to get entry for Adam to various buildings for him to enjoy the architectural features. Rather to the surprise of both of them, they start an affair. However, Genie is being blackmailed by the Marquis of Dunstable and he has the ability to ruin Adam as well.

Very enjoyable, loved Adam, loved the clever resolution of the plot, Grace Burrowes at her best. Four stars.

Pursuit of Honor by Kelly Bowen
Diana Thompson and Oliver Graham (youngest son of Viscount Hambleton) have been friends for many years, since they were children. He left England to make his fortune in India ten years ago and the two of them have corresponded ever since. Despite their friendship, Oliver is promised to Diana's BFF Hannah Burton. Having returned to England, Oliver discovers that his beloved sister Madelene is not, as he believed, in Boston but has been ostracised by his parents and siblings after becoming pregnant. His only clue is a letter from Brighton and so he travels there, only to run into his old friend Diana. Diana is a wealthy widow, after eight years gentlemen are waging bets on who will marry/ bed the wealthy widow and the Duke of Riddington is a firm favourite, helped no doubt by his own rumours that they are already lovers.

This felt very much like a comedy of errors novella. Diana and Oliver are in love but Oliver is promised to Hannah. Hannah is desperate to avoid Oliver and Diana is desperate to avoid the Duke of Riddington.

I enjoyed this, although not as much as the first novella. Three and a half stars.

The Double Duchess by Anna Harrington

Belinda Collins, the dowager Duchess of Winchester is being pursued by the Duke of Pomperly - this has earned her the nickname 'The Double Duchess'. Following her husband's death she has taken on many of his responsibilities, including being on the board of a veteran's hospital.

Ten years ago Belinda was in love with Maxwell Thorpe but was forced to marry for money to clear her family’s debts. Now Maxwell is in Brighton charged with building a new training centre for recruits on the site of the veteran’s hospital.

Sorry, tried again and still couldn't get into this third novella, DNF.

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