I love historical romance stories, and trilogies are a special favorite. Author Amelia Grey writes some of the best, and Sincerely, The Duke is a shining example. In Book 2 of the author’s Say I Do series, we have another duke who needs to save his title or wealth or property or produce an heir, and a delightfully unusual and independent woman who will keep him on his toes. In this case Rick, Duke of Stonerick and Miss Edwina Fine are that couple.

Rick has no interest whatsoever in being married, but his mother is very, very insistent and he’s been plagued recently by a recurring illness and finally acknowledges to himself that maybe he better go ahead and secure that heir He keeps his illness a secret but does rather cavalierly – and not at all sincerely - dash off a letter that basically says, “Will you marry me? Sincerely, The Duke of Stonerick” and tells his mother she can send it to the woman he random picked off her list of eligible candidates.

Edwina made a promise to her father on his deathbed: she would do whatever it took to ensure she and her two sisters are married before the end of the Season, whether her sisters wish to be married or not. You might think sounds simple or what’s the big deal, but Edwina and her sisters are triplets, with red hair and green eyes – oh no! Bad luck, spells, not welcome in society. After their mother died their father kept them effectively hidden. Edwina takes her promise very seriously, even if the red hair/green eyes thing sounds a bit wacky to us.

Well, wouldn’t you know that Rick’s letter somehow does get mailed – to Edwina – who promptly shows up on his doorstep to accept in person. He did in fact sign his name to that letter so being a gentleman means he needs to honor it. Funny thing (that gets funnier and funnier in this charming story) is that this duke who doesn’t see the point in marriage is immediately smitten with this woman. And Edwina – opinionated but inexperienced and unassuming – is smitten right back.

Rick and Edwina are hilarious together. He’s forceful yet tender, but secretive. She doesn’t “exactly” lie but doesn’t “exactly” tell him she’s a triplet because there are so many superstitious people out there, including his mother, and she really needs this marriage to happen. And wants it, too. They spar and argue, wonder about the undeniable attraction and heat, and are drawn to each other as if in a magnetic field.

Sincerely, The Duke is sweet, steamy, silly and extremely satisfying. Everything you want in an historical romance, everything you’ve come to expect from author Grey, and every bit as good as the first book in the series. I can’t wait for the third book in the trilogy.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy of Sincerely, The Duke via NetGalley. I recommend it without hesitation and voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. ( )

Red headed triplets! Shall the ton be shocked?

An interesting plot. Three sisters, triplets, all with red hair and green eyes. The eldest, Edwin, had promised her dying her father to have her sisters introduced to society and married.
Meanwhile up in London, Roderick Cosworth, the Duke of Stonerick, (Rick to his friends) promises his mother to finally marry and beget an heir. He chooses a name from his mother’s list of eligible parties. Yes, one Edwina Fine. The duke who’s nearly insensible with a fever on this occasion totters off and forgets all about that decision.
That is, until his peace and quiet is shattered by a disturbance in the entryway between a feisty red headed lady and his butler.
It’s his intended Fiona, paying a call to see if the offer is a hoax or true.
Rick as you can imagine has forgotten all about what happened with his mother. What with having been struck down by this mysterious recurring fever for a time. Looking at the note Edwina produces he recognizes his writing, and after some thought, declares it’s all above board.
Edwina informs him of her stipulations for the marriage. She wants her two sisters to attend the coming London season. She neglects to say they are triplets. (Due to fears about superstitions and rumours that infect society’s thinking)
The Dowager Duchess has been reading about the veracity of superstitions (all very negative) at her ladies meeting. She’s perturbed enough about the red hair and green eyes. Triplets might be a step too far. That point is not mentioned.
It just seemed to me that what might have been an intriguing plot was sidetracked by inanities, Edwina’s over bearing stubbornness, and a disappointing chemistry between the two main characters. The zing just wasn’t there.
I actually like the Duke better than Edwina. I appreciated how he handled her sister Eileen, even though he was suffering the dratted fever that persisted, and Edwina thought he’d drunk too much brandy. I shake my head!!
Still Edwina and Rick resolve the challenges between them and move on to have their HEA.

A St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher. ( )