This is a likeable class divide romance which sees a cash-strapped Duke attempt to make a small fortune by writing a novel with his chums with the help of a lady bookbinder, instead of marrying a lady for her dowry. My only complaint is that there didn't seem to be a great deal to keep the lovers apart, though that is largely due I think to the short length of the novel/novella.

"A Duke's Guide to Romance" by Sophie Barnes is a lovely Regency romance with surprising turns. From the beginning, I was enthralled by the delicate dance between the characters against the background of social expectations and love.

We meet Anthony Gibbs, Duke of Westcliffe, who must retain his family's standing. After visiting a bookstore to escape, he meets Ada Quinn, a scholarly and independent lady who ignites his amorous interest. You're quickly drawn in by the promise of love, choices, and secrets. Sophie Barnes brings the characters' peculiarities and personalities to life. Anthony, a captivating protagonist divided between duty and desire, and Ada, a likeable heroine, struggle with restricted options in a society that prizes connections and dowries. They have a magnetic attraction and engage with humour, passion, and mystery.

The work explores Regency social conventions and restrictions, which is one of its merits. Ada's path to love and self-discovery is more interesting due to her lack of connections and dowry. The addition of Anthony's literary career offers a new perspective to the story. Barnes creates a tapestry of emotions, challenging the characters with difficulties that keep readers turning the pages. Anthony's identity deception adds excitement to the story and keeps the reader wondering about the ending. The work follows genre tropes yet twists familiar topics. Elegant, evocative language transports readers to a period when love, passion, and cultural expectations collide.

In conclusion, "A Duke's Guide to Romance" is a well-written historical romance. Sophie Barnes' fascinating narrative, well-developed characters, and intrigue make this a fun read for thriller aficionados.

I absolutely loved this story! The plot is fantastic and unique - totally drew me into the story! Loved the characters and I can’t wait to read the next books in this series! Another MUST read from author Sophie Barnes - she simply writes fabulous books!

5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 4 Flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥 | Top Contender for best books of 2023 🏆🏆


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Mixing troupes is a lot like adding ingredients when make stew. The results can be delicious or sentd you to the antacid bottle. And we certainly have several troupes here. There is class differences, conniving other women, impoverished duke needing a dowry and the big misunderstanding to list a few. So how did it turn out? The best way I would describe it is that it’s unique.

What worked for me?
1) The premise of the book/series. Dukes trying to write a women’s novel.
2) An interesting meet/cute.
3) Ada is easy to fall in love with while Anthony is someone you want to root for. It’s easy and comfortable to become invested with them.
4) I love how the wedding reflected their characters.

What didn’t work for me?
1) The characters lacked depth. There’s no back story for us to understand where they came from.
2) Ada’s friends aren’t clearly defined. I want to know who they are. Here, they just appear and disappear. I’m sure we’ll get more in future books, but they have no substance in this one.

Normally, I would consider this a middle of the road story worth about 3 stars. But the uniqueness of some of the elements earns it an extra star.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I think I'm in love! This was the most delightful story. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be delighted. I can't wait for the next installment so I can see what new mischief these Dukes get up to!

I am a huge fan of Sophie Barnes, and have read almost all of her books. I have yet to be disappointed, and I doubt I ever will be.

"A Duke's Guide to Romance" is the first in a new trilogy about 3 dukes who are friends, and are bonded together in a sad way - all 3 lost their fathers at the same time (they died in a tragic accident). After 3 years of wild, reckless behavior, the 3 men now realize they are in financial straits and need to get things back on track.

First up is Anthony Gibbs, Duke of Westcliffe. He has 2 younger sisters he has to provide for, and doesn't want to have to marry for money. Luckily, through a chance encounter at a local bookstore, he meets a young woman - Ada -who ends up giving him the idea of writing a book in collaboration with his 2 friends.

He ultimately falls for Ada, but some mishaps and misunderstandings cause havoc with their budding relationship. What's romance without a little drama? Thankfully, the difficulty is quickly resolved and the happy couple get their HEA.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was enjoyable watching the 3 dukes work on their book, and it was cool that Jane Austen's work served as a source of inspiration. It actually made me interested in reading her work again. And Ada had some wonderful suggestions for their writing, to the point that I think she'd make a great editor then and now.

Only 2 aspects annoyed me a little:
1. Ada was way too worried about Society's viewpoint. I know reputation, especially female reputation, was of utmost importance back then. However, she seemed to take it a smidge too far. It almost cost her her happiness.
2. Anthony's sister: she was 16, and that is more than old enough to be able to follow instructions. It seems silly that she failed to do something as simple as deliver a letter, yet is supposed to be considered mature enough to be presented to Society and find herself a husband, bear his children, and manage a household. That doesn't compute for me. Thank goodness things worked out for Anthony and Ada.

Overall a great read, even with the 2 annoyances. That's what keeps it interesting - the gamut of emotions the story evokes. It is certainly why I love Sophie Barnes romances.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sophie Barnes for this ARC, which I voluntarily read and reviewed.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is the first book in a new series by Sophie Barnes and she once again delivers. We have Ada who works for her uncle at a bookstore and Anthony, the Duke of Westcliffe as our main characters with Anthony's two friends appearing before they get their own stories in the series. Anthony goes into the bookstore and meets Ada, whom he has an instant connection with and decides he is going to pursue her while trying to solve his financial woes by writing a romance book. Her insights and editing help Anthony and his friends complete their book, which starts to be a great deal like the situation Anthony finds himself in with Ada as a romantic interest. There are of course hiccups along the way, a villainous character determined to keep them apart and through it all, both characters conduct themselves with maturity (a third act break up that could easily have been solved by communicating directly notwithstanding as it is an inevitable part of nearly every romance). I did enjoy this book immensely, recommend it to fans of historicals and look forward to the next one in the series!

Thanks to Booksprout and NetGalley for a copy of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This was a cute little novel with the theme of differing social status, with a socially popular and prominent, though down a the heels Duke falling for shy/wallflower, book loving young woman who works in her uncle's bookshop.

Anthony Gibbs, the Duke of Westcliffe, and his two best friends, found themselves in a bind after living imprudently since they lost their respective fathers suddenly in one fell swoop. They all came into their titles suddenly, but failed to take the reins of their estates. Instead, they drowned their sadness at their losses by living recklessly, until they realized they have nothing in their coffers. Now they must figure out a way to reinvigorate their funds. Westcliffe had faced the idea of wedding an heiress, testing the waters with a wealthy viscount, but found that he could not seal the deal with the debutante in question, finding he did not like her.

He heads out one day, and finds himself in a charming little bookshop, staring into the bewitching blue eyes of a young woman, Ada Quinn. She lives with her uncle above the bookshop he owns, after being orphaned by her adventurer father when she was a child, left with no dowry or any other resources. She had learned her uncle's trade and had become a talented book binder as well as lover of literature, though she hides this talent because of the scandal that would be caused by an unmarried woman working in a trade. Westcliffe is intrigued by Ada and they connect through their love of books, but he hides his elevated status from her. But Ada gives Anthony the idea of perhaps writing a romance novel with his friends as a way to earn funds, filling a gap in the publishing world left by the passing of Jane Austen. He inveigles Ada to help them with their endeavours, deepening their friendship and growing love for each other.

This was a cute and sweet story, with two sweet and likeable characters, though a bit bland. I did enjoy the meta cuteness of Ada instructing Anthony on what makes a good romance novel and how to write it. There was a bit of tension and villainy when Anthony's failed attempt at marrying and heiress comes back to manipulate and interfere in his relationship with Ada, but otherwise, this was quite a simple, sweet romance.

3.25 stars out of 5

Ada Quinn meets Anthony Gibb, the Duke of Westcliffe when in unexpectedly walks into her uncle James' bookshop. Ada lives upstairs above the bookshop with her uncle. They strike up a conversation while Anthony makes a book purchase. Anthony does not reveal he is a Duke but after he and his friends come up with an idea to write a novel for women, he asks Ada to proofread their writing and offer feedback. Anthony has been seeing a lady and is expected to marry her for her dowry. When the lady, Amanda Starling, discovers that Anthony is spending time with Ada she goes out of her way to ensure that Ada is aware that she and Anthony are betrothed and a marriage is imminent. Amanda evens go as far as using one of Anthony's sisters in her scheme to convince Ada that she and Anthony's relationship is more serious than it actually is. Even though Anthony knows he would be better able to support his title and bring his sister's out with Amanda's dowry, he is determined to have Ada and he goes all out to prove to her that his love is for real. A really sweet story with a HEA.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a review

“A Duke’s Guide to Romance” was my first book by the Sophie Barnes. It is a class difference trope where one poor duke falls in love with a woman who is working in a bookshop. She is the inspiration for his problems, she is the one who shows him light in the tunnel!

I enjoyed the story a lot. The plot of the story is build around “how to write a good romance”, that was very interesting. I was also very pleasantly surprised when the author decided to put miscommunication trop and did it very well - I generally hate that solution to the plot, and here it was done well.

I think that I can also categories it as a clean historical romance. But correct me if I am wrong. In the one chapter before last there is one spicy scene, but it focuses on emotional aspects of the thing than description of the act. Not much is described but just in case if someone is not interested in spice, feel warned :) you can also totally skip this chapter.

I never hesitate to pick up a book by Ms Barnes. Her stories are always entertaining and enjoyable and this latest one also did not disappoint. This was a very sweet story featuring a duke, Anthony Gibbs, and a bookshop owner's niece, Ada Quinn. Anthony and his two friends all tragically lost their fathers and inherited their titles at the same time. Grief caused them to be reckless with their funds and now they are in financial trouble. Anthony also has to make arrangements for his sisters' debuts, so he needs to either marry for money or find employment, neither of which are of interest to him. After meeting Ada, an idea comes to him and he decides to write a romance novel with his friends. Anthony and Ada strike up a friendship as they are attracted to each other and she helps the gentlemen with their book. Ada is not wealthy and has no prospects, but after meeting Anthony, and not knowing he is a duke and spending time with him, she believes him to be the perfect match for her, that is until she finds out who he really is, and that he might actually be set to marry another.
This is a great start to what looks to be a delightful series. I enjoyed getting to know the main characters, and meeting the characters that will be the focus of the upcoming books. The story was very well-written and entertaining and I enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to continuing the series!
I received a complimentary copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Three years before our story begins, Anthony Gibbs, Duke of Westcliffe and his friends Brody Evans, the Duke of Corwin and Callum Davis, the Duke of Stratton survived a life-changing catastrophe by working through their collective shock and grief together when their aristocratic fathers were killed during a rare instance of random bovine combustion.

Meaning all of their fathers were caught in the literal crossfire while purchasing livestock when a cow pen exploded. (Fertilizer really is highly explosive, and the primary ingredient in fertilizer is manure. Which is what naturally falls out of a cow’s backside to rest on the floor of their pens.)

Ahem. Apologies. I couldn’t resist.

While sticking together solving one set of problems by sharing their grief, it created another, as they spent the past three years frittering away their time and wasting their money in pursuit of one distraction after another while neglecting their responsibilities, their estates and the increasingly empty state of their coffers.

The bills have all come due, they are all swimming up the River Tick. They are individually and collectively skint – or at least heading there fast. And keeping up appearances is damn expensive all by itself, without the added costs of deferred maintenance on their estates AND making sure their dependents are taken care of.

In Westcliffe’s case, those dependents include his two younger sisters, who have just reached the age for their first Seasons in the ‘Marriage Mart’. Seasons that are critical for their futures, but are guaranteed to put an equally critical drain on the family’s remaining cash.

All three of the 20-something Dukes entertain the possibility of marrying for money. It would not be an uneven trade, but a marriage of convenience would make for a shatteringly awful life. Particularly as the woman who has set her cap at Westcliffe is a conniving, manipulative harpy.

Which is when Ada Quinn walks into Westcliffe’s life. Or rather, he drops a book into hers. Literally. Onto her head. And both of their wits are addled ever after – but in the best way possible.

Westcliffe’s conversation with Ada in her uncle’s bookshop sets all of their lives into glorious motion. First, and most important for the series as a whole, their conversation puts the idea into his head that he and his friends can save their finances by writing the kind of novels that made the late Jane Austen famous. Readers are crying out for more books like hers, but the author has recently passed away and no one has taken up her pen.

Second, and most important for the protagonists of this first entry in the series, Westcliffe and Ada bring each other to sparkling life in a way that neither expected or planned on. In a way that seems guaranteed to break Ada’s heart, as she is all too aware of the disparity in their stations.

But, in a romance worthy of Ada’s favorite Austen novels, Westcliffe is convinced that society can go hang and love will find a way. As long as they trust in each other, communicate honestly with each other, and brush all of the harpies away.

Escape Rating A-: A Duke’s Guide to Romance is a deliciously frothy confection, light and fluffy and full of wit and sparkle with just the barest hint of a misunderstandammit to keep the characters on their toes until the very end.

As a Regency, it’s an excellent antidote to follow my recent reads in both the Sebastian St. Cyr and Wrexford & Sloane series, as they both explore and expose the seamy underbelly of the Regency. A Duke’s Guide to Romance, and I expect the rest of its series of Gentlemen Authors will as well, floats lightly on top of the glittering effervescence that we tend to expect in a Regency romance.

At the same time, it doesn’t shy away from the difference in social station between Westcliffe and Ada – at least from Ada’s perspective. As much as she’s fallen in love with the man, it’s clear from their differing perspectives on the potential issues that they face that she is the more realistic of the pair. The silver spoon he was born with, as well as the privilege of having been born male, leads him to believe that all their problems can be swept away easily, where she knows it just isn’t so.

Which leads to the big misunderstandammit that almost derails their happiness, as he keeps forging ahead without informing her of his decisions and change of heart because the world has always bent to his will in a way that it never has to hers.

At the same time, I very much liked the way that their romance didn’t merely invoke Jane Austen’s work but also served as an homage to it as the progress of their romance would have fit right into hers. Something that is highlighted in the way that the romance Westcliffe and company are writing plays into the romance that Westcliffe is experiencing and vice versa.

All in all, A Duke’s Guide to Romance was a very pleasant way to while away a stormy afternoon. I’m looking forward to seeing this delicious series continue with A Duke’s Introduction to Courtship and A Duke’s Lesson in Charm in the months ahead.

What a little gem this book is, It took me a few chapters to fully immerse myself within the story but there I was hooked to the very end. As this is book one of The Gentlemen Authors series I am excitingly anticipating the next adventure into this series.

Ada Quinn lives with her uncle with no dowry, and consequently no prospects for a suitable husband. She secretly works for her uncle binding books in this bookstore where she spends most of her quiet life. But this all changed one day when Mr Gibbs walked in the door.

Anthony Gibbs, Duke of Westcliffe is a Duke by name but has not learned to be a Duke with good fortune as he finds himself in desperate need of income. He finds himself with two opinions: marry into money or seek employment, which will affect his appearance as a Duke. With his two younger sisters to think of he must make this decision very soon.

A friendship blossoms and Anthony and his friends will find inspiration in an improbable place. Ada is an avid reader of romance novels so she has dreamed of falling in love with just like Mr Gibbs but when she finds out he is a Duke she knows the dream is broken.

I love the characters in this book the progression of their relationship was believable with witty dialogue throughout to keep you totally entertained.

A sweet romance between Anthony Gibbs, Duke of Westcliffe and Ada Quinn, who comes from gentry but orphan at a young age lives and is secretly a bookbinder for her uncle. A bit of a Cinderella story and a Duke who realizes that being happy and in love is what truly is important in life. Definitely a page turner and is a short story that one can read in a day. This is book #1 of the series, there are two more Dukes needing to find their HEA. Can’t wait to read the next book.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #ADukesGuidetoRomance

Ada is living with her uncle and helping him out at his bookstore. In walks Mr. Gibbs and they hit it off right from the start. Definitely could be friends. Maybe more but the difference in their station prevents Ada from hoping for more. Will they overcome their obstacles? Read and find out!

Anthony Gibbs, Duke of Westcliffe, needs an income. Bills must be paid, appearances kept, and arrangements made for his sisters' debuts. In short, he must either marry or seek employment, neither of which sounds remotely compelling. But then he meets Ada and she suggests a third option. Now he's penning a novel while losing his heart to the bookish miss, a woman he cannot afford to marry unless he’s prepared to make some difficult choices.

Ada Quinn has no connections, no dowry, and consequently no prospects. Her plan for the future is limited to her skill as a bookbinder. Until Mr. Gibbs walks into her uncle’s bookshop and starts to romance her. Handsome, thoughtful, and utterly charming, Mr. Gibbs is precisely the sort of man Ada always dreamed of falling in love with. Until she discovers he’s not who he claims to be and that he intends to marry another.

The duke and the bookbinder.

What is the easiest way for an aristocrat to obtain a fortune and magically solve all their money woes? Why, to marry an heiress, of course. Said money woes were caused by their own three year stint of pleasure and misdeeds, instead of being responsible grownups, these three dukes went hard core partying. Now, the bills have literally come due. Anthony has already made an attempt at a marriage for money. When he encounters Ada, the bookbinder, his plans perhaps need some rethinking.

I very much enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book, which is set up here. Ada and Anthony are sweet and I do like that they work together (she gives him the idea to solve his money problems by maybe working for it). Not sure if a book can be written that quickly and published that quickly, but hey, its fiction, just roll with it. What I liked? Class difference and looking for a clever solution to financial straits.
Recommend and look forward to the rest of the series.

Anthony and his two friends are down on their luck and need incomes fast or they all three stand to lose their inherited estates. After recklessly squander their inheritances they may have no choice but to marry some society debutante for her dowery unless they can find another source of income fast!
Then Anthony walks into a small bookshop and meets the owner's niece, Ada, who lives with her uncle above the store and binds books in secret in a backroom, staying out of customer's sight. Anthony feels a pull towards Ada and keeps finding excuses to return to the shop. Their friendship grows and when the three Dukes decide to write a romance novel to make money Ada helps them write it!
This is a charming, quick read, the characters are delightful, you can't help loving Anthony and Ada, the storyline is entertaining and holds your attention, just an all around good, solid well written romance. I would recommend and I give it 4 stars!
Thank you to author Sophie Barnes and to Net Galley for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review voluntarily

A sweet and relatively clean romance. It’s nice and easy reading without too much angst and the idea of 3 Duke's writing a romance was new and amusing. Hopefully we will learn more about this as the series progresses. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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"A Duke's Guide to Romance" is a sweet, easy to read romance. While not totally believable (3 men who have never written before throwing together a top notch romance novel in like a month?) it is an enjoyable way to pass some time on a beach or in front of a fire. Ada and Anthony are both likable and the reader cannot help but root for them. I look forward to the next two books in this series.

4 stars. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title. The opinions herein are my own.