Fredericka Hale needs a husband and fast. She’s been caring for her deceased sister’s three young children, and now a childless cousin has petitioned the court for custody. Fredericka is powerless to stop her, but having a husband might sway the ruling. The last thing Fredericka wants is a hurried-up marriage to a man she doesn’t know—much less love, but she’ll do it for the children. So when the handsome Duke of Wyatthaven shows up with a proposal, she accepts. He’ll help her, and in return, they’ll lead separate lives. But distance cannot keep them from their powerful attraction.

At the top of his game in London, the Duke of Wyatthaven has no interest in marriage. However, if Wyatt doesn’t marry by week’s end, he’ll lose a sizable inheritance from his grandmother. When Wyatt’s solicitor finds Miss Fredericka Hale, Wyatt considers this little hiccup solved. Miss Hale is lovely and intelligent. Most importantly, she prefers country life to London, so he’s free to continue his life as usual. But when circumstances force Fredericka and the children to show up at the duke’s door, Wyatt can’t deny he’s always been under her spell. Will the duke give up his bachelor lifestyle and give in to the fiery passion growing between them?

Titles in the Say I Do series include — Yours Truly, The Duke —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC

Title:  Yours Truly, The Duke
Series:  Say I Do #1
Author:  Amelia Grey
Genre:  Historical Romance, Regency Romance
Published:  March 28, 2023
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press
My Rating:  4

Yours Truly, The Duke begins the Say I Do series with a marriage of convenience that would, indeed, be convenient for both the bride and the groom.  Perhaps.

In order to retain custody of her deceased sister’s children, Fredericka needs a husband… and as a Duke, well, Wyatt would fit her needs perfectly.  On the other side, Wyatt must be married within a very short period of time in order to claim an inheritance left to him by his grandmother.  The fact that his possible bride prefers the country life as opposed to being all up in his business in the city fits his needs just right.  The additional fact that they each find the other attractive, and there might have been a few sparks between them bodes well for their future.  At least, on the surface.  The reality, however, becomes far different than either could have imagined.  And it’s going to be a long, rocky road before their happily ever after ending is in sight.

I’m rather torn about Fredericka’s and Wyatt’s story.  There were parts that I completely enjoyed.  And there were aspects of this story that had me shaking my head in annoyance.  I can say with absolute confidence that Jane is a complete bully and a vile villainess, even if she seemed to change towards the end.  Frankly, I didn’t buy her turnaround, but that’s me.

I was surprised after the passionate kissing to discover a fade-to-black encounter.  Not that every romance must have a bedroom scene with all the details possible, I understand that not every reader enjoys that… but I wasn’t expecting what we got.  From the cover description, I expected a fiery, passionate couple… and what I found were two people who truly had a marriage of convenience and probably should have just stuck with the plan.

I could go into detail on the pros and cons that I found within this story, but to do so would involve spoilers.  I believe each reader should decide for themselves if this is the romance of a lifetime or not.  For the first time with this author’s work,(which I have read for years), I have to say that I’m not sure if I’ll continue the series.  And it pains me to say that.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story.  It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Publication Date: March 28, 2023

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