The Duchess Takes a Husband

March 1, 2023

The heiress who arguably most deserves a happily-ever-after finally finds love and learns to make her own way in the world in the fourth book of St. George's "Gilded Age Heiresses" series, after The Lady Tempts an Heir. American "Dollar Princess" Camille, now the Dowager Duchess of Hereford after her horrible husband's death, decides to ask Jacob Thorne, co-owner of an infamous club and the illegitimate son of an earl, for help discovering if she can find pleasure with a man. In exchange, she agrees to a fake engagement in order to help Jacob gain backing for a new business venture. Camille ends up on a voyage of self-discovery, working through the ways she suffered at the hands of her husband and exploring how she can help ensure other women don't suffer her same fate. In previous books, Camille was a contrast to the true love that her friends found. Particularly for readers of the rest of the series, it's emotionally rewarding to see a woman who had been so downtrodden finally find the happiness she deserves. VERDICT This sexy and emotionally rich story is the perfect way to wrap up this excellent Gilded Age-set series.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2023
A young widow makes a pact with a gaming hell owner: She'll be his fake fiancee in exchange for sex lessons. Readers of the previous books in the Gilded Age Heiresses series will remember Camille, who became Duchess of Hereford and served as a cautionary tale to the other heroines. Her parents forced the young American heiress into a marriage with a cruel, older, titled Englishman. Now that he's dead, Camille gets a second chance to find happiness. She never experienced pleasure from lovemaking, so she propositions Jacob Thorne, owner of Montague Club. At first he declines, although not due to lack of interest in her, but when he's in need of a fiancee in order to secure an investor for a new enterprise, they make an agreement. This relationship is supposed to be purely physical for Camille, and Jacob always thought love was not for him, but eventually they both want more. Camille so deserves her happily-ever-after, and this exquisitely written story sensitively handles her growing awareness of the abuse she faced. It's gratifying to witness her discover her own voice and power, both in the bedroom and in society. Her internal growth is aided by her new involvement in the fight for women's suffrage, while her sexual journey takes time and realistically includes setbacks and frustrations. Jacob's business plotline feels slight and less compelling, and his switch from not wanting a relationship to total devotion is abrupt, but his kindness makes him the perfect partner for Camille. A delightfully trope-filled romance with a most deserving heroine.

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March 6, 2023
St. George’s saucy fourth Gilded Age Heiresses romance (after The Lady Tempts an Heir) finds American Camille, the 23-year-old Dowager Duchess of Hereford, worried that there’s something wrong with her because she’s never enjoyed sex. To understand what all the fuss is about, she propositions her friend, Jacob Thorne, the illegitimate son of an earl and co-owner of the Montague Club. Jacob, whose reputation precedes him, is used to being propositioned by beautiful women, but he worries that such an arrangement with Camille, whose best friend is married to his brother, would get complicated—and that he might not be able to control his emotions. When he finds himself in need of a fiancée to secure a business deal, however, he gives in to the tempting duchess. Camille survived one awful husband and she’s not looking for another, but if faking an engagement gets her into bed with the handsome object of her physical attraction, then she doesn’t mind. Inevitably, love blooms outside of the bedroom, but with conflicting goals­­—Jacob is set to move to Paris, Camille is active in the suffrage movement —they worry about their future together. Tantalizing sex scenes and high emotional stakes enhance this story of exploration and acceptance. Readers will be fanning themselves throughout. Agent: Nicole Resciniti, Seymour Agency.