The Winter Duchess (A Duchess for All Seasons Book 1)

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Eric and Caroline’s story of unrequited love is such a complex and amazing story. Duke Eric isn’t looking for love, he just needs an heir for his estate and Carolines’ timid and sweet nature is exactly what he thought he was looking for. Caroline is way over her head and probably should have run when she had the chance because her marriage is not conventional. Caroline’s new husband is not just a stranger but an arrogant, callous and cruel stranger and she must find a way to make him see himself as she sees him, or accept her unhappy fate. I loved to read how Caroline grew from a timid, frightened and quiet hyoung woman to a stronger much more grown up woman. I also enjoyed reading about our broody, moody, arrogant, cruel and selfish Duke who needed to either embrace his brazen new wife or walk away as he origionally planned once his heir was secured. Loed they story and their undeniable attraction. Their Cheimistry was undeniable and waiting to blossom. LOVE IT!

I really enjoyed reading The Winter Duchess. I just wished it was longer and had an epilog or something to make it feel complete.

The 6th Duke of Readington, Eric Charles Edmond Hargraves, age 29, powerful and filthy rich decides its time to marry. He wants a meek, gentle wife who he can get his heir on and leave in the country. He doesn't want love but love is what he will find. Eric parents were a very unhappy married couple. Arguing all the time and his mother cheated on his father. The father became a drunk and both parents neglected there son. Eric never experienced love therefore he didn't know how to give it. He was one cold hearted mean husband at first.

Lady Caroline Danvers age 21 and daughter of an the a Earl. Was the perfect wife for Eric, but wait a minute!! As Eric's disparaging remarks and complaints to her continue to grow. Caroline grows a backbone. She begins to melt that cold heart and teach Eric what love should be and how marriage should work. So the both get there HEA!!

The is a story of a couple working it out. Not a lot of angst but actually talking about there problems and explaining why they feel and act the way they do. It just needed more. A good epilog would have put this story in the 5 star range.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and this is what I honestly thought about it.
Ok, so the plot wasn't much different from other books out there and given the length of the book i knew it will not take me much time to finish it. However, this book threw me off a little by the lack of continuity of the scenes and the male main character's behavior was erratic and did not make much sense. But it wasn't that bad.
What I really like about this book was the development of the female main character. At the beginning, she's all shy and basically a pushover. However, as the book develops, we can see her growth into an independent woman.
This isn't bad, i'm just a very picky reader.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this work in exchange for volunteering to review it.

This is a decent, quick read, and fairly well written (aside from a very few minor glitches). I often enjoy Regency romances, and this story adhers to certain aspects of the time period but isn't fully immersed in it. Part of that is a very small cast of characters so it lacks the social interactions common to Regency stories.

There were a few things I found odd. One, given how utterly cowed (terrified of her mother to the extent that she marries a stranger who didn't remember her name when he proposed, starts crying as soon as she's alone with her new husband) Caroline is, she certainly rallies and finds enough of a backbone quickly enough to deal with the situation she finds herself in. Maybe not quite realistic, but it almost had to happen because we'd quickly get bored with a meek, bland heroine. Some aspects of Eric's callousness felt believable due to the time period and his status as a duke. However, given that his entire purpose for marriage is to get an heir, I was confused why it took so long (it's hard to get an exact time frame, but "for the next seven days" and "after nearly two weeks" and another "two days" are mentioned) before they consummated their marriage.

Reading this, I was actually reminded of another short story I read in the past, also a Regency era romance set in the winter, with a duke and duchess who were already married and essentially strangers. However, that story they were civil towards each other and grew into a closer understanding and love. I think something like that was what I was hoping for here, and it just fell a bit short of being quite as well done.

Caroline married Eric because her mother wanted her to. She is very shy and at the altar he calls her a timid mouse! But soon this mouse starts to defend herself against his callous remarks and in doing so, make him think carefully about how he is behaving. Eric married Caroline for an heir and nothing else, not friendship or companionship – nothing!
I loved how Caroline came into herself and started living her life to her own rules. Eric learns a lesson and starts to grow into the person he should have been from the start.
I really enjoyed this story and happily recommend it to other readers.
I received an ARC copy of this story in return for an honest review.

This was pretty ridiculous... Don't get me wrong, it had all the makings of what should have been a good book, conceited jerk for a hero, shy wallflower for a heroine, marriage of convenience... Blah blah blah. It was so rushed, there was absolutely no character development, all the sudden she's in love with him with zero reason to be and then suddenly he's in love with her. They all but spend no time together for them to actually fall in love. Super rushed, poorly written and zero chemistry.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I like how the book started out but out of nowhere she fell in love with him when they barely talked to each other. There was no build up to where we saw them fall in love with each other. It was like one minute he didn’t really like her and the next he loved her. That was the only thing I didn’t like but if you like a shot insta love stories then you should give this book a chance.

What a sweet Christmas romance. I enjoyed the characters in this book. Can a brooding Duke and a shy Duchess make their marriage work. Caroline was a shy unassuming girl who couldn't say no to anyone so when Eric the Duke of Readington asked her to marry him even though they didn't even know each other she knew her mother would never stand for her saying no to a Duke. Eric needed an heir and therefore a bride, it was a marriage of convenience. Eric isn't really sure how to handle a wife that isn't as shy and as easy to bend to his will as he once believed and he can't seem to stop the attraction he has for his wife. Will Eric and Caroline grow to love one another? Will Eric be able to overcome the feelings he has about marriage and love and open his heart? Will Caroline be able to handle a marriage of convenience? I received a free Arc copy of this book and am volunteering to leave my opinion about this story.

Caroline is married to a duke, but certainly doesn't fit in the 'duchess' mold. She grew up with her mother telling her what she did or didn't like, did or didn't do, and she's tired of living that way. She is bound and determined that she will live how she pleases. So, when her new husband takes her to a home distant from London - one that was part of his mother's dowry - Caroline is determined to win the affection of her husband.

Eric, Duke of Readington, is not capable of love. At least, that is what he believes. He married Caroline thinking her to be a shy wallflower, but he quickly learns this kitten has claws and is not afraid to use them. He's convinced himself to leave her in the country while he goes back to London to find a new mistress, but when a heavy snowfall delays his departure, he begins to realize that his duchess is more than he bargained for; she's beginning to get under skin and into his heart.

A duke is the historical romance equivalent of a contemporary billionaire, men who simply are never told "no" so they feel it's perfectly acceptable to orchestrate their lives to please only themselves. Watching these men find their undoing in the arms of the one woman strong enough to call them on their shortcomings is the reason why these romances are so popular. In the Winter Duchess, we find a duke who is just about as unredeemable as they come, yet Caroline has the strength and the patience necessary to hang in there until Eric comes to his senses.

I enjoyed the story very much, though I did wish for a little more substance in Eric's redemption. I liked how Caroline was able to see through his outward demeanor and recognize his better qualities. As a Christmas novella it does bring on all the holiday charm and gives us a magical HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided through Hidden Gems.

Duke Eric of Readington needs an heir and learned as a young boy watching his father pine after his horable mother that love only hurts the one who's in it so it's best not to love especially your wife. So under this primes that Eric chooses the shy and unremarkable Caroline. He figures he can have his heir with his Caroline leaving them well looked after in his country estate while he goes back to London and his beautiful no strings attached mistresses. Win-win Caroline gets money and a title and he gets an heir. Only Caroline believes in fairytales and happily ever after and the way she feels when she's with Eric making love she actually believes that he can love her and perhaps that's what hurts most is that he can love and chooses not to love her. But what happens when he realizes he loves her and she's given up all hope? Can Eric save her in time?

I read this Advanced readers copy of this book. Eric, a terrible, verbally abusive husband that learns to treat women better.. Caroline, a "mouse" that learns to take care of herself and give as good as she gets. The story could have developed more. The characters needed to develop slower to add more believability to the story. The plot was nothing new but written pretty good. The setting is gorgeous. I wouldn't go out of my way to read this book again and if I had read a negative review I wouldn't have read it this time. Sorry, but your a three star book.

This historical romance reminded me of the classic Regency romances I read (secretly) as a pre-teen, which caused some sweet nostalgia for me. The hero was my favorite part - I am a sucker for jerk heroes who fall in love unwillingly. The heroine was the standard beautiful, sweet virgin and the heat level was very (very) mild, just like those old Regency's I read. In the end, no surprises, but the comfort of an old friend I hadn't seen in a while.

3.5 Stars

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book

This short novel grabbed my interest from page 1 and never disappointed. Caroline is the good daughter of an English Earl. In other words, she does what her mama wants her to do. So, she agrees to marry a relative stranger, a Duke, Eric. Eric has the typical boorish personality of an entitled aristocrat who thinks a wife is only good for one thing, carrying his heir. The marriage is doomed from the beginning because Caroline was hoping for companionship and ultimately love. However, there is more to Caroline than a meek, maliable wallflower and boy, what a rude awakening for the Duke. I loved Caroline and her strength and Eric sure could be a sweet talker.

I reviewed this sweet story after receiving a free Advanced Reader’s Copy from the author.

Caroline enters into a marriage that she quickly learns will be nothing more a loveless and convenient marriage.
Eric does not want love. He has seen what it can do to a man. He has made it clear why has married Caroline. She is to give him a heir and nothing more.
Sometimes having one person hold onto hope that love will find it's way.
This is a very enjoyable story and it can be read in a short time.
I read this as ARC for a honest review.

This is a beautifully done Regency Romance. Take one arrogant Duke looking effectively just for a marriage of convenience so as to be able to sire some heirs without the troubles of emotional attachment. Add in your classic naive beauty, pure of heart, who falls in love with her husband and is determined for him to find the love in his own heart. Mix in a winter storm, and the result? Magic.

Definitely worth the read, and highly recommended.

This story about the marriage of Duke Eric and the diminutive Caroline is a great read. He needs a wife and tries to ensure that she is not one that he would love, since love only leads to heartbreak. She marries the duke, mainly because her mother wanted her to, and quickly realizes that he is not at all what she expected. What happens when they start to get to know each other is truly enjoyable to read and find out. This is definitely a cute story, quick to read, and hard to put down.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed this book. Beyond the fact that I wish proofreading would make a comeback, it was a delightful story. One knows going into a romance story that things will work out in the end (how, sometimes, is a real question.). This allows one not to despise an initially unlikable character, which the Duke definitely is, or hold out hope that the new duchess will finally come out from the overbearing influence of her equally unlikable mother and get a backbone, which she does. Christmas miracles are always a nice touch.

I enjoyed this romance book. It is a quick read. I would have liked things to be better researched & thought out. The heroine wears a dress but not the hoops that go with it. Well then the dress wouldn’t look right and would be all dragging the ground. Also, the familiarity with servants without knowing them seems very modern. I know the author explained one historical error was on purpose. So was a cute story with a few changes to make it historically accurate could have been a great story.

So lame... Can not believe I read it. Angry with myself for continuing and hoping it would improve. Sure I want the wallflower to get the guy & he loves her in the end. I also want characters to be at least marginally realistic in their behavior and changes NOT Completely spineless to heroine & vile to besotted.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. This is a great read where Eric thought he could continue with the way his life was before he married but it didn’t work out the way he thought he wanted. I really enjoyed the well written characters. Caroline had such a big heart and was a very strong woman. Very enjoyable read.

I enjoyed this book; it was a quick, engaging and steamy love story. Although it ended a bit too soon, I would have liked to have read more from Eric's perspective, and would also like to hear more of their story, see more of them together, enjoy more of their transformation to love. So I will definitely be reading the next book in the series where they apparently feature. I could not put it down, and recommend it to romance lovers! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a quick, captivating and romantic story. Eric is cold and unfeeling, and confused. He doesn't believe in love yet he can't explain the thoughts he has about his wife. Caroline is sweet, shy and obedient. But when she finds herself falling in love with her cold hearted husband, she becomes not so shy and quiet. It's highly entertaining and charming.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hidden Gems. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

* I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. *

This book can be read in one sitting. It has plenty of moments of irritation with both characters, but as things go along Caroline does come out of her shell and try to stand up for herself. I would have liked for the story to be a little longer so that the transformation to love doesn't feel so abrupt. Even without that, I did enjoy the read.

I love dark brooding and very sexy dukes like Eric, and shy innocent wallflowers like Caroline. This is a wonderful regency romance that I thoroughly enjoyed reading! I did read and voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book from Hidden Gems.

Caroline called Eric a dolt and he is one. Through most of the story I wanted to throw Eric out the window but as will all romances he redeems himself in the end. I also liked how Caroline grew during the story – she was quite shy but when back against a wall, she turned into a spitfire. A lovely, makes you smile, Christmas story.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I was apprehensive because I don't normally read short stories but I decided since it was free that I would give it a go. It was very pleasantly surprised! I love this type of scenario in the books I read and I would recommend this to any one

I have read several stories on the 19th Century Victorian Age and Monarchy to understand how women were treated. They were second class citizens for sure and were ruled by their husbands. Were not allowed to own property, money or just about anything. They had to put with abuse, divorce was not allowed. So this story was on point pretty much, which makes a lot of women now cringe at how these women were treated. That's just the way it was then. Great read!

Interesting regency romance read! The plot is also great. Really holds your interest throughout the book. Overall, great read! If you like regency romances, pick this one up! ***I voluntarily read and reviewed this as an ARC***

The perfect antidote to the craziness around you. Much like a relaxing bath (and the bath scene in this is hot!), this is a easy and quick read. Nothing is dragged out too long and the resolutions are sweet and a bit spicy. Read, enjoy and feel like you've been 'taken away." The author also teases more from this couple to come, so look forward to that!

I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an Advanced Readers Copy.
I loved this book! The characters both develop emotionally throughout the story. Caroline also develops a better backbone. Great characters! The plot was great and well written. I could hardly set this book down; I wanted to know what was next!

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and fun to read. I really loved the character's personalities. I do wish it had a been a little longer, so the reader could get to know the back stories a little more. I felt like the book was a little rushed, but still fun to read.

A seemingly meek malleable wifey turns into a love of life for a jaded cold duke. It is super short, highly heated romance. Easy and entertaining to read without much complications. Voluntary and honest review after receiving ARC (advanced reader copy).

Royal marriages were often a matter of convenience but that doesn't stop the new Duchess from wanting her husband's love. She loves him but is she ever going to be more than just a brood mate for him? How is needs to convince her?

Beastly Duke who made me cry. Heroine who finds her spine and sass and doesn't let him break her.
And a (quite sudden) change of heart that makes a Christmas dream come true. Cute love story all in all!

This was a quick cute story, which is always nice when time around the holidays can be hectic. It's was a good way to introduce characters to later develop with more depth. Looking forward to March. Recommended

I devoured this book in one afternoon . However , the reading was detracted a little by the lack of proper proofreading . I found no less than five errors in either word or spelling or punctuation . However I'm finding this more
and more common in the books that I am reading lately much to my disappointment.

This book was terrible. The main characters are both dumb and unlikeable. The supporting cast is barely there at all, they certainly are not charming or funny. Nothing happens to move the plot forward. I’m glad this was on unlimited and I didn’t pay actual money to waste that hour of my life.