the Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna m. white

Snap.

Just like that, Brice Worthing has a wife. Just like that, Rowena Kinnaird becomes a duchess. 

And just like that, they're stuck together for life with someone they can't dream of understanding.

Just like that, Rowena is thrust into a world she's never understood. But she's saved from her father and her abusive would-be suitor.

And just like that, she becomes an integral piece--a pawn, really--in the scheme to recover the priceless Fire Eyes diamonds.

Much like its first installment (The Lost Heiress), The Reluctant Duchess starts off slow. It has a completely different style than Roseanna White's other series. But it finds its footing in the climax. Also much like its first installment, keeping the players straight can be a task at times. Thankfully, there's also the helpful "cheat sheet" in the front.

Rowena is probably my least favorite character in the trilogy. She was a wee bit gullible, especially considering her backstory. It makes Brice's patience with her all the more inspiring. Some of the supporting characters are less vibrant than other works of Roseanna White's.

This book isn't all frills and romance. It's very real. It shows the struggles of loving someone who doesn't love you back. I could not believe Brice's patience at times. It teaches us by showing us what loving well looks like.

Due to Rowena's past abuse, this book does also have some more mature content in it. It is handled very, very tactfully and well, with no graphic descriptions.

The Reluctant Duchess feels a bit like its heroine at times--reluctant. But that doesn't mean you should be reluctant to pick it up.