Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale

In the first novel of Maya Rodale's enthralling new series, an English duke vows to make an American seamstress his duchess...

In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen...

Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family's estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.

...and true love is always in fashion

Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker—not a duchess—and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can't refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It's the perfect plan—as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all do not lose their hearts.

I'm interested in this one but I seem to have a lot of books on the go at the moment. Maybe when I finish some of the others I might give it a try.

I am reading multiple books as well, but we plan to read slowly.

To begin on Monday, November 19th.

This is a new author for me. Looking forward to this!

I read the prologue and first 4 chapters today. This is going to be a light, whimsical read! I like that it is set in New York . Nice change from England. My only complaint is the insta attraction. I prefer that the relationship develop more slowly. But Adeline is a modern, ambitious woman who speaks her mind. I do like that.

Has everyone read other books by this author? This is my first.

I have read most of her historicals. Some I have loved, fun & whimsical is a good way to describe them. Some just seemed ridiculous or silly. She’s a good humorous writer but it sometimes falls flat.

I may not be able to read today, but I should be able to read plenty in the coming days.

I have only read the prologue thus far. Makes me wonder about Freddie's story.

I have read the entire Keeping Up with the Cavendishes series and enjoy them all, some more than others.

I agree that Maya Rodale's writing style is light and humorous. She did attempt some serious issues as undertones, but I never felt them seriously due to the humor and ridiculousness of many situations.

I read another 4 chapters and you are right, Mariana. The story is taking a more serious tone about women’s rights and empowerment. It is interesting! The Duke is the usual self important, arrogant aristocrat. But I do like him!

I’ll take a break for the Thanksgiving holiday and give everyone a chance to read more.

I have now read through chapter 8, so I am caught up.

The setting in New York City is pleasantly different.

I really like Adeline thus far. She has a good head on her shoulders. She is witty, and I like that she is outspoken.

The Duke of Kingston has a lot to learn and some serious decisions to make. Too bad his dream bubble of acquiring both wealth and love from the same woman had to burst.

I don't mind the insta-attraction. I think that can be a great foundation for a lasting relationship.

I am through chapter 18 now and definitely enjoying it! I love the theme of female empowerment and how Adeline was able to start her own business without the help of the Duke. Nice change from the usual story of the woman in need and the rich aristocrat who helps her!

I know this is a romance. But I am still so worried about how they will get together. LOL

And I find it interesting how pockets on a woman’s clothing could be so scandalous and controversial!

I am through Chapter 4 so far, probably read more tonight.

I did think it was fairly quick on the insta (especially with the almost kiss, but I also think they are cute. The banter is fun.

I am also through chapter 18.

I love the women empowering women theme. What a group! Not even the usual suffragette movement.

It does seem like ending up together is impossible without turning their backs on responsibilities.

I didn’t get any done today. Am through Chapter 8 now. I was surprised by her getting fired! I guess she was just looking for a reason. Women can really be our own worst enemies.

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I didn’t get any done today. Am through Chapter 8 now. I was surprised by her getting fired! I guess she was just looking for a reason. Women can really be our own worst enemies."

I think Madame was jealous of Adeline. Adeline’s ideas threatened her. I agree she was lookng for any reason to fire Adeline.

I did love the part when the Duke was rattling off his many titles to impress upon Adeline just how much he was a catch. ( Earl of Eastland, Viscount of Westlake and Marquesses of something or other :) I definitely LOLd!

Mariana wrote: "I am also through chapter 18.

I love the women empowering women theme. What a group! Not even the usual suffragette movement.

It does seem like ending up together is impossible without turning th..."

I am done. I agree Adeline and the Duke were fun together. I wanted to rate this higher. But I decided on 3 stars because the ending wrapped everything up very quickly and too easily for me.

I am happy I read a book by this new to me author!

I finished reading.

It was a surprise when she got fired, but I was grateful for it even before I knew how well it would work out for her.

This book has a bit of a different feel than the previous series I read by this author, but I do plan to continue and read book 2 when it is released.

So I didn’t make progress on this for awhile but am back at it. I tend to have some trouble finding time to read paperbacks.

I am through 14. I agree on the shop and how it was women empowering women. It’s an interesting time, and I think Rodale is capturing it well.

I also like how the Duke is caught off guard by these forward thinking ideas. I like how he is having trouble grappling with the ideas and the fact that he has old-fashion ideas.

Freddie is a pig. :(

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "So I didn’t make progress on this for awhile but am back at it. I tend to have some trouble finding time to read paperbacks.

I am through 14. I agree on the shop and how it was women empowering wo..."

I appreciated that the Duke was open and willing to learn and accept empowered women with which he had no past experience.

So I’m reading maya rodale’s non fic book about the romance genre. I just saw this at the library today and thought I’d give it a try. Is it too late to join the buddy read on it?

Jenna, I am still reading it, so you can join. I fell behind and have been very slowly reading it.

cool.
i'll probably get to it this week. i usually read something like that towards the end of the week before bed to destress a bit.

Jenna wrote: "So I’m reading maya rodale’s non fic book about the romance genre. I just saw this at the library today and thought I’d give it a try. Is it too late to join the buddy read on it?"

I didn't even realize she had a non-fiction book. How do you like it?

It’s interesting. It’s called “dangerous for girls. The bad reputation of romance novels explained.”
It reads a bit like a dissertation but sites not only the history of the romance genre but why it’s looked down on & how it’s not as lame as people think.

Jenna wrote: "It’s interesting. It’s called “dangerous for girls. The bad reputation of romance novels explained.”
It reads a bit like a dissertation but sites not only the history of the romance genre but why i..."

Hmmm... interesting. I wonder if she did actually write it as a thesis or if she just wanted to educate the public on her chosen genre.

I believe she mentions that it did start out being written in Uni but completed the research, etc was done once she became a writer in the genre herself. U should check it out.

I have seen that nonfiction before but haven’t picked it up. You got me intrigued.

I like Rodale. I sometimes feel like her books are too modern feeling, but overall I enjoy them.

I got one of her fic books to read b/c now I’m curious about her. So far, her non fic book is well written so I’m hoping her fic will be too. I normally wouldn’t have chosen it.

This is one on my RAA Challenge list. Glad I selected and hoping it a good read.

I just finished and really enjoyed it overall.

Mariana wrote: "I have only read the prologue thus far. Makes me wonder about Freddie's story.

I have read the entire Keeping Up with the Cavendishes series and enjoy them all, some more than others.

I agree tha..."
I was curious too but then I read further and Freddie is a D.. so I wasn’t curious anymore.also,I found it repetitive of the writer to keep mentioning he’s a 2nd son who married for money but easily cheats on his dumb wife. I got it the 1st time she wrote it.

Geri wrote: "Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I didn’t get any done today. Am through Chapter 8 now. I was surprised by her getting fired! I guess she was just looking for a reason. Women can really be our own wors..."

That was cute. There were some witty parts woven into the dialogue now and then.

Almost done. It’s ok. There are some good parts.
But who knew pockets were such a big deal? It’s interesting that the concept of pockets in a dress went out of style for so long that it’s now a big selling point.i thought it was a radical new thing but I guess not. What’s funny is that’s what I look for now when shopping for a dress.

Debby "Piene Raven" wrote: "This is one on my RAA Challenge list. Glad I selected and hoping it a good read."

Have u started it yet? It’s a pretty quick read. I did some on my break at work and will finish the rest before bed.

Jenna wrote: "Almost done. It’s ok. There are some good parts.
But who knew pockets were such a big deal? It’s interesting that the concept of pockets in a dress went out of style for so long that it’s now a big..."

I thought that interesting also. I liked how simple the changes were but still considered radical. I also thought the discussion that fashion was the only way for women to have freedom of expression.

Jenna wrote: "Mariana wrote: "I have only read the prologue thus far. Makes me wonder about Freddie's story.

I have read the entire Keeping Up with the Cavendishes series and enjoy them all, some more than othe..."

He is such a D. I may not have noticed the repetition due to the breaks between.

i just finished.
i think i noticed the repetition b/c i was skimming some of it. it did get a little better towards the middle.
overall, some good stuff, some bad.
my guess is the writer was trying to exemplify how things were changing and progressing for women then.

She tends to right about women empowerment. Sometimes it can get a little much, and I think it did here. But I think I liked that much of it was done in the world of fashion. Sometimes the only historical details in an HR are the description of dress, so I liked that being used to show a changing world.

Good point!