What Am I Reading Wednesday (15 February 2023)

It took a little longer than planned, but we're continuing the Second Sons series by Emily Rath for today's What Am I Reading Wednesday!

Title: His Grace, the Duke

Author: Emily Rath

First Reading: Yes! It's a good thing HGTG was already published when I finished Beautiful Things... because I was dying to find out what happened next!

Initial Impression: Of course I was already on board with Rosalie's story after the first book in the series, and it ended at such a crucial point that I was hoping HGTG would pick back up on right away.

Final Thoughts: I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Emily has that rare writer ability to build a world around the reader without them even realizing it. The world she's created is rich and character-driven, (My favorite kind!), and I appreciated the attention to detail when it came to setting a "why choose" romance in an era with strict social rules and limited options for ensuring all partners' safety.

[CW: parent death (off page); history of past childhood trauma, to include CSA (discussed, not shown); stress/depression related insomnia; Regency era social and gender norms to include sexism and classism; detailed sex scenes.] 

*****

Book Synopsis:

You’re cordially invited to the wedding of His Grace, the Duke of Norland

James Corbin, Viscount Finchley, has two goals. First, guarantee his brother gets married. That path is made smoother now that George is finally engaged. Nothing will stand between George and the altar…not even George.

Second, James must ensure that his best friend Burke does not get married…at least not to the living, breathing gorgon that is Lady Olivia Rutledge. Burke is fully on board with this plan. Together with their friend Renley, the gentlemen concoct an elaborate ruse designed to set Burke free from his matrimonial snare.

But as the day of George’s wedding draws near, secrets from their past emerge, threatening each of their futures. Can James survive his brother’s debauchery? Can Burke survive the social politics threatening to confine him? Can Renley…survive?

And then there’s Rosalie Harrow…

The gentlemen never saw her coming. A young lady without family, fortune, or title, Rosalie tears through their lives, upending all their careful plans. And Rosalie has plans of her own: save Burke from the altar, save Renley from the ghosts that haunt him, and save James from himself.

For love of Rosalie, the gentlemen must prove willing to try anything, risk anything, and be anything she needs.

[BUY LINK]

*****

About the Author:

My name is Emily Rath (pronounced just like wrath). I write swoony, cinematic, character-driven  fantasies and romances. I like to describe my writing as “adult characters and themes written with YA pacing and voice.” Soooo, basically I write New Adult….which I firmly believe is a thing. You can expect my books to have big casts of characters, lots of drama, lots of kissing, and unpredictable magic.

I currently live in Florida with my husband, son, and cat (who guest stars in my toks). We regularly comb the local beaches looking for shark teeth.  Follow me on Instagram and Tiktok @emilyrathbooks

(Book synopsis, author bio & photo source: https://emilyrathbooks.com/) 

(Emily's backup Instagram account: @authoremilyrath)

*****

[Top Image: A stack of books sits on a polished wooden table. Leaning against the stack is an e-reader showing the cover of His Grace, the Duke by Emily Rath. Three white men in Regency Era dress, waistcoats, cravats, and tailcoats, face the front. We only see the lower half of their faces. The two men in the back are giving small, mischievous smiles, while the man in front appears more serious.]