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ctsquirrel's review
4.0
All the stories had a love triangle of sorts including a duke, and common-man (an architect, a nabob, and a career military man respectively), and the widows (two dowager duchesses and one plain Mrs.)
Architect of My Dreams by Grace Burrowes
4/5 My favorite of the three.
Pursuit of Honor by Kelly Bowen
3.5/5 Friends to lovers
The Double Duchess by Anna Harrington
3/5 Second chance
Architect of My Dreams by Grace Burrowes
4/5 My favorite of the three.
Pursuit of Honor by Kelly Bowen
3.5/5 Friends to lovers
The Double Duchess by Anna Harrington
3/5 Second chance
nelsonseye's review
3.0
This review is for the Grace Burrowes novella. I quite liked both Adam and Genie, and I really enjoyed the architectural focus of the story. Having been to the Royal Pavilion myself I understand why Adam wanted to spend so much time going over all of the details. I was a bit irritated when Genie was going to keep all of her woes to herself (a failing of many a Grace Burrowes heroine), but happy when she quickly took the help that was offered.
I might read the other novellas later, but right now, I'm not really feeling it.
I might read the other novellas later, but right now, I'm not really feeling it.
taisie22's review
3.0
This collection of novellas relies on the concept that three duchesses fall in love with ordinary men. I love the concept but I found the execution of the idea to not be good (or romantic) as I wanted.
I liked Ms. Burrowes story the best. Her duchess falls in love with an architect, and they work together to overcome a potential scandal. The other two stories were okay, but I never really felt the romance in either of them.
An okay collection, but not my favorite.
I liked Ms. Burrowes story the best. Her duchess falls in love with an architect, and they work together to overcome a potential scandal. The other two stories were okay, but I never really felt the romance in either of them.
An okay collection, but not my favorite.
bananatricky's review
3.0
A trio of historical novellas featuring three widowed women spending the season in Brighton: Eugenia (Genie) Dowager Duchess of Tindale; Belinda Duchess of Winchester (the Double Duchess); and Diana Thompson.
Architect of My Dreams by Grace Burrowes
This book starts in London when Genie's peace is shattered by the noisy building works in the house next door. She confronts the new owner Adam Morecambe in a spirited exchange before heading to Brighton. They meet again by chance in Brighton where Adam, who is an architect, is looking for a house to establish a sister club to the one he is renovating in London, these clubs are for wealthy men, like himself, who are refused entry to the normal men's clubs which are reserved for the aristocracy. Adam and Genie enjoy each others company and Genie is happy to get entry for Adam to various buildings for him to enjoy the architectural features. Rather to the surprise of both of them, they start an affair. However, Genie is being blackmailed by the Marquis of Dunstable and he has the ability to ruin Adam as well.
Very enjoyable, loved Adam, loved the clever resolution of the plot, Grace Burrowes at her best. Four stars.
Pursuit of Honor by Kelly Bowen
Diana Thompson and Oliver Graham (youngest son of Viscount Hambleton) have been friends for many years, since they were children. He left England to make his fortune in India ten years ago and the two of them have corresponded ever since. Despite their friendship, Oliver is promised to Diana's BFF Hannah Burton. Having returned to England, Oliver discovers that his beloved sister Madelene is not, as he believed, in Boston but has been ostracised by his parents and siblings after becoming pregnant. His only clue is a letter from Brighton and so he travels there, only to run into his old friend Diana. Diana is a wealthy widow, after eight years gentlemen are waging bets on who will marry/ bed the wealthy widow and the Duke of Riddington is a firm favourite, helped no doubt by his own rumours that they are already lovers.
This felt very much like a comedy of errors novella. Diana and Oliver are in love but Oliver is promised to Hannah. Hannah is desperate to avoid Oliver and Diana is desperate to avoid the Duke of Riddington.
I enjoyed this, although not as much as the first novella. Three and a half stars.
The Double Duchess by Anna Harrington
Belinda Collins, the dowager Duchess of Winchester is being pursued by the Duke of Pomperly - this has earned her the nickname 'The Double Duchess'. Following her husband's death she has taken on many of his responsibilities, including being on the board of a veteran's hospital.
Ten years ago Belinda was in love with Maxwell Thorpe but was forced to marry for money to clear her family’s debts. Now Maxwell is in Brighton charged with building a new training centre for recruits on the site of the veteran’s hospital.
Sorry, tried again and still couldn't get into this third novella, DNF.
Architect of My Dreams by Grace Burrowes
This book starts in London when Genie's peace is shattered by the noisy building works in the house next door. She confronts the new owner Adam Morecambe in a spirited exchange before heading to Brighton. They meet again by chance in Brighton where Adam, who is an architect, is looking for a house to establish a sister club to the one he is renovating in London, these clubs are for wealthy men, like himself, who are refused entry to the normal men's clubs which are reserved for the aristocracy. Adam and Genie enjoy each others company and Genie is happy to get entry for Adam to various buildings for him to enjoy the architectural features. Rather to the surprise of both of them, they start an affair. However, Genie is being blackmailed by the Marquis of Dunstable and he has the ability to ruin Adam as well.
Very enjoyable, loved Adam, loved the clever resolution of the plot, Grace Burrowes at her best. Four stars.
Pursuit of Honor by Kelly Bowen
Diana Thompson and Oliver Graham (youngest son of Viscount Hambleton) have been friends for many years, since they were children. He left England to make his fortune in India ten years ago and the two of them have corresponded ever since. Despite their friendship, Oliver is promised to Diana's BFF Hannah Burton. Having returned to England, Oliver discovers that his beloved sister Madelene is not, as he believed, in Boston but has been ostracised by his parents and siblings after becoming pregnant. His only clue is a letter from Brighton and so he travels there, only to run into his old friend Diana. Diana is a wealthy widow, after eight years gentlemen are waging bets on who will marry/ bed the wealthy widow and the Duke of Riddington is a firm favourite, helped no doubt by his own rumours that they are already lovers.
This felt very much like a comedy of errors novella. Diana and Oliver are in love but Oliver is promised to Hannah. Hannah is desperate to avoid Oliver and Diana is desperate to avoid the Duke of Riddington.
I enjoyed this, although not as much as the first novella. Three and a half stars.
The Double Duchess by Anna Harrington
Belinda Collins, the dowager Duchess of Winchester is being pursued by the Duke of Pomperly - this has earned her the nickname 'The Double Duchess'. Following her husband's death she has taken on many of his responsibilities, including being on the board of a veteran's hospital.
Ten years ago Belinda was in love with Maxwell Thorpe but was forced to marry for money to clear her family’s debts. Now Maxwell is in Brighton charged with building a new training centre for recruits on the site of the veteran’s hospital.
Sorry, tried again and still couldn't get into this third novella, DNF.
ssejig's review
3.0
An interesting premise in which three women opt NOT to marry dukes.
Architect of My Dreams by Grace Burrowes
Eugenia, Dowager Duchess of Tisdale, is disrupted in London by the sounds of building going on. So she give the architect a severe set down and then retreats to Bath. But she once again encounters the architect, Adam Morecambe. And the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes that the common man may be more enticing than one with a title.
Short so there's not a lot of romance building but an okay story.
Three stars
Pursuit of Honor by Kelly Bowen
Diana is being pursued by the Duke of Ridlington who is a perfectly odious man. So when her childhood friend Oliver shows up, she is delighted. He helps to route the duke but he is unable to declare the love he feels for her because he is engaged to her friend, Hannah. But their attraction is too strong to ignore. Even if the duke is lurking in the background.
An okay story that actually could have ended sooner.
Three stars
The Double Duchess by Anna Harrington
Max and Bettina have a history. One where he never came back for her so she married another instead. So when she sees him again, both are startled. Not least of which because they both want the local military hospital. Bettina wants it for the retired soldiers; Max wants it to train new recruits. Will they be able to overcome their past... and their present?
I didn't really connect with either the hero or the heroine and thought they got back together a little too quickly.
Two and a half stars
Architect of My Dreams by Grace Burrowes
Eugenia, Dowager Duchess of Tisdale, is disrupted in London by the sounds of building going on. So she give the architect a severe set down and then retreats to Bath. But she once again encounters the architect, Adam Morecambe. And the more she gets to know him, the more she realizes that the common man may be more enticing than one with a title.
Short so there's not a lot of romance building but an okay story.
Three stars
Pursuit of Honor by Kelly Bowen
Diana is being pursued by the Duke of Ridlington who is a perfectly odious man. So when her childhood friend Oliver shows up, she is delighted. He helps to route the duke but he is unable to declare the love he feels for her because he is engaged to her friend, Hannah. But their attraction is too strong to ignore. Even if the duke is lurking in the background.
An okay story that actually could have ended sooner.
Three stars
The Double Duchess by Anna Harrington
Max and Bettina have a history. One where he never came back for her so she married another instead. So when she sees him again, both are startled. Not least of which because they both want the local military hospital. Bettina wants it for the retired soldiers; Max wants it to train new recruits. Will they be able to overcome their past... and their present?
I didn't really connect with either the hero or the heroine and thought they got back together a little too quickly.
Two and a half stars
cakt1991's review
4.0
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/07/19/review-of-no-dukes-allowed-by-kelly-bowen-grace-burrowes-and-anna-harrington/
shilo1364's review
3.0
I enjoyed the first two stories, but the third wasn't to my taste - I ended up skimming it. The collection was worth the read though, because it introduced me to a new author I have a feeling I'll like quite a bit.
aliciaclarereads's review
3.0
I DNF’d the Grace Burrowes novella as I really did not vibe with the writing. But I thought Kelly Bowen and Anna Harrington’s were cute! I’d have really loved Harrington’s a full length story as there was so much to flesh out. But I think I’ll try a full length novel from her!
dianed's review
4.0
Three great authors got together for this great collection of stories where the Dukes aren't the desired hero but the villains to be avoided. It's a refreshing change that all three widows (2 are duchesses) would rather take love with a commoner over marriage with a Duke.
The three widows share a house in Brighton but they each have their own story and experience. They each find love after having been in a previously arranged marriage.
All three authors do a wonderful job of bringing out the pain of lost love and the happiness of rekindling the feelings after many years.
The three widows share a house in Brighton but they each have their own story and experience. They each find love after having been in a previously arranged marriage.
All three authors do a wonderful job of bringing out the pain of lost love and the happiness of rekindling the feelings after many years.
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