This book is very slow and methodical, but then the characters are slow and methodical. The plot unfolds slowly, the backstory piecemeal. Since we are within the characters’ points of view, I wanted to know more sooner. Withholding some of the information felt like cheating the reader and slowed my reading pace considerably. At the end of the day, the “chess game” was interesting, if you’re willing to invest the time. ( )

I just love the Wentworth family, and Duncan’s story was just as good as Quinn’s and Constance’s. Matilda was the perfect match for him, and the mystery surrounding her was well done. I never figured out all of it by the time it was revealed, although I did guess correctly (mostly) about her father.
The romance between Duncan and Matilda was a slow burn, and I loved the time Burrowes took to build their regard for each other. As always, seeing the Wentworth clan was a delight. It was good to get more of Stephen and Duncan’s backstory and see them together. I adored Jane when Quinn was all, “Yeah, Duncan has some kind of horrible past, doesn’t talk about it...shrug, nbd,” and her response was like, “Excuse me, what? We’re going to him immediately.” Half the fun of this series is seeing the Wentworths and their households rally round and come riding to the rescue.
Three down, two to go, at least until Stephen’s book comes out next year. Joy! ( )

I liked that the heroine was generally clever and the hero was something other than super alpha (for a change of pace). They were both pretty likable as well. The chess metaphors and things started to get a bit carried away for my taste, but that's a small crime. ( )

Duncan Wentworth feels exiled to the estate gifted him by his cousin, the Duke of Walden. However, when he encounters a strange woman in his woods who saves him from some poachers he finds himself fascinated by her. But Matilda is carrying a mountain of secrets that could endanger anyone who's close to her. Can she let herself fall in love with Duncan?

An historical romance that hit the spot. Duncan and Matilda are strong independent characters and while there's a bit of a damsel in distress plot, Burrowes is very clear that Duncan only intervenes when asked to by Matilda and lets her handle her own issues when she prefers. Compelling characters, an intriguing plot, and as comforting as I want from this genre. ( )

My Rating:4.5 Stars

Matilda Wakefield is on the run. She is in grave danger. She happened to be found in an area that is infested by poachers and when she runs into Duncan Wentworth not only does he save her life, but she almost takes his. After all, being on the run has placed her in further danger so she doesn’t know what harm he could possibly bring to her.

Duncan immediately sees that this woman needs help. Duncan is actually in need. His estate is in a bad way. A former schoolteacher, he found out that things are really really bad and he needs a lot of assistance. He quickly learns how smart Matilda is and what she can do to help him. What’s more is that his protective nature is almost sidelined by his attraction to her. Will she be able to trust him enough to tell him her secrets?

Matilda has very good reason for hiding what she is doing. But when she learns about Duncan Is that he is unlike many of the people she has has known. Not only is he extremely attentive, and attractive, he may actually be able to help. But then she wonders if she draws close to him will the danger that she exudes stretch out to him.

In the second book in the Rogues to Riches series by Grace Burrowes, we meet another member of the Wentworth family. In the first book of the series we met Quinn and how he met and married Jane. Now Duncan has a chance at love but it definitely will not come easy. Duncan and Matilda are a great team. They are both extremely intelligent, work well together and play well together I really enjoyed the story because I wanted so much for Matilda to find the safety that she so well deserved, as well as seeing Daniel find happiness after his past has been explored in the story.

Inasmuch as Duncan and Matilda, as well as Quinn and Jane are really wonderful characters, this review would be incomplete without mentioning Stephen, Duncan‘s cousin and Quinn‘s brother.0 Steven was instrumental in what transpired and holds a lot of promises in the story here.

Just as there were very likable characters in the story as we learn why Matilda ran, or at least part of the reason why, we find a character who is not so likable. That took this historical romance and gave this story an element of intrigue that was quite interesting and had me turning pages so fast that before I knew it I was 91% into the book. I devoured this book and I look forward to the next book in the series, which is Forever and a Duke, and is slated for release in November.

Many thanks to Forever for this ARC to review in exchange for an honest opinion. ( )