The Truth About Dukes

Starred review from September 14, 2020
Burrowes reunites two characters who have been unfairly judged by Regency society in her powerful and sensitive fifth Rogues to Riches romance (after A Duke by Any Other Name). Robert Rothmere, Duke of Rothhaven, was confined to an asylum as an adolescent due to his epilepsy. There he befriended Constance Wentworth, who was working as a maid after having fled her family home under scandalous circumstances. Ten years later, the Wentworth family has come into money and titles, and Robert is surprised to see Constance at a ball hosted by her sister. Their rekindled friendship soon blossoms into sweet, believable romance. When Robert proposes marriage, Constance accepts, but her brother, Quinton, Duke of Walden, is wary of the kind of life she’ll have with a man who has debilitating seizures and urges Constance to share her scandalous secret with Robert before the wedding. Their happiness is threatened further when a bigoted local solicitor seeks to have Robert declared incompetent and to act as guardian over the Rothhaven estate. Readers will root for the fierce, resolute Constance and passionate Robert as they bond over their shared pasts and mutual determination to overcome adversity and stigma. Burrowes takes her series to new heights with this tender, turbulent romance.