Manufacturing a Duchess

Aurora Hardcastle, Duke of Selkirk, Alec Raeburn, Missie Wentworth, and the Duke of Galloway, Finn all find themselves delving into society's marriage market known as the social season in the Ton. Each person searching for another half of their needs and wants. Aurora is looking for an open minded man of status and social graces that can give her elevation in society since she is new money. Missie Wentworth is set to be the season's Incomparable and is looking for a duke of high standing with the wealth to match in order to recover from her father's gambling debts that have drained everything, but their good name. Alec Raeburn has the tallest order. He is a widower with a young daughter who needs a mother. A mother who can teach her show more about society and who can bring wealth to his struggling estate. He can't just choose the one that is the most beautiful. She must meet all of his requirements, even if he can barely stomach choosing someone for primarily financial reasons. Each of these people's stories intertwine with one another leading to matches and the end of relationships years in the making.

I adored this book. The short chapters were a bonus, but they kept me reading long into the night. Just one more. Oh one more. I was hooked on each of the characters, longing for them to find their happiness and falling in love with Marjorie, the precocious little future duchess. You understand the realities that plague each character and you root for them to find their happiness all through the book until the very last page. This is a book that will remain in my library for years! show less

Manufacturing a Duchess by Tracy Wise is a very enjoyable Regency novel, combining an interesting story line with a strong heroine. Aurora Hardcastle has lots of money but no social status while Alec Raeburn, Tenth Duke of Selkirk is a widower who has a Scottish dukedom and a young daughter but no money. Aurora is staying with a friend from finishing school named Millicent Wentworth in London for the Season, to find a titled husband. Millicent (Missie) is looking for a rich husband because her father has squandered the family money. Aurora’s father, who has a successful cloth manufacturing business is paying the Wentworths to bring Aurora out. Alec’s cousin Finn is also a Scottish duke but is wealthy. The sensible outcome would be show more for wealthy Aurora to marry poor Alec and for rich Finn to marry Missie but both men are entranced by Missie’s beauty and both women are attracted to the Duke’s appearance. When the four of them first meet each other at the Zoo in the Tower of London, Alec’s daughter Marjorie is with them. Aurora and Marjorie hit it off right away.

Everyone is unhappy with the mercenary aspect of the marriage market. Marrying for money, whether you have money or need money, leads to a lot of inner turmoil. The characters are well-drawn and believable, the plot has numerous twists and turns and the ending is very happy and satisfying. It’s a delightful book and I hope Tracy Wise is planning to write more novels. show less

Subtitled "A Novel of the Regency Era," I'd classify this as Regency historical romance, in that it's not a Traditional Regency romance in the vein of the genre's pioneer, Georgette Heyer.  Wikipedia's description of Regency historical romances notes that they "may include more social realism, or, conversely, anachronistically modern characterization, ... their general setting is in Regency England, but the plot, characterization, or prose style of the work extends beyond the genre formula of the Regency romances published by Heyer and her successors. Characters may behave according to modern values, rather than Regency values."

That's certainly the case with Manufacturing a Duchess (clever title, by the way), especially with the main show more (title) character.  Aurora Hardcastle is the only child of a country doctor turned cloth manufacturer, and, although a heiress, is not your typical duchess-to-be.  Alec Raeburn is a widowed Scottish duke with a young daughter and no money.  He's looking for an heiress who can also be a mother to his beloved daughter.  Aurora's parents send her to London for the season and put her in the care of the parents a former classmate of Aurora's, the gorgeous Millicent ("Missie") Wentworth, whose family needs the money Aurora's parents provide - Lord Wentworth is a gambler.  Meanwhile, Alec is accompanied by his wealthy cousin, Finlay ("Finn," aka Lord Henry, Duke of Galloway), as they are all entering the "marriage mart."  The four, along with Alec's precocious daughter Marjorie, all meet early on at the Tower of London, where Aurora and Marjorie bond.  Both men are smitten with the beautiful Missie, but Alec knows he should focus on Aurora, needing her money.

This was predictable, but still a light, fun, summer beach or vacation read. show less

Manufacturing a Duchess by Tracy Wise explores all the unwritten laws of planned and plotted marriage in England during the Regency. The story presents two young girls on the marriage market: Aurora Hardcastle and Missie Westworth. One young lady shines as an heiress and the other lady glisters as a beauty with no money. Enter two suitors: Alec Raeburn, a penniless duke with a young daughter and his cousin Finlay Mackenzie, also a duke, but very wealthy. Wise employs short chapters, but the wording seems very juvenile. The book quickly begins and ends with the expected results. A little trouble darkens the mood, but is quickly handled. A jaded look at marriage among the titled and wealthy.

Immerse yourself in this historical regency romance and feel a part in the featured characters lives the happy, sad and self-questioning times as they desire or forced to make life decisions. The story revolves around Aurora Hardcastle, a young woman entering London's social season in hopes of securing a marriage proposal, with a friend, Millicent Wentworth and Alec, a Duke in search of a wealthy wife. The novel explores themes of ambition, affection, and aristocracy, set against the backdrop of the reign of George III and his son, known as Prinny. Though they experience many happy moments the author does not exclude frustrations. Through the style of writing the readers will feel a part of the conversations between the characters thus show more making us more both more informed and part of the events and taking sides of one the characters as events occur. show less

A beautifully written historical romance. This Regency reminded me of some of the greats of the genre such as Mary Balogh and Carla Kelly. The author has created a very traditional, heartwarming story. The central romance between Alec and Aurora is believable and strong, with high stakes and realistic tensions I also enjoyed the supporting characters and hope to see more of them in future titles. Highly recommend.

I absolutely loved Manufacturing a Duchess. There have been times lately that I have struggled to read physical books; however, I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. The characters of Aurora Hardcastle and Alec Raeburn were well written and their love story developed in a way I love. It was slow and they realized they fell in love long after the reader could see it. Marjorie was favorite side character for me. I didn't not like Millicent nothing about her character at the end surprised me.

I will definitely read more by Tracy Wise.