Discover new selections
$5.68 with 37 percent savings
Digital List Price: $8.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.

Audiobook Price: $18.89

Save: $5.90 (31%)

Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Maya Rodale
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Duchess by Design: The Gilded Age Girls Club Kindle Edition

by Maya Rodale (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 310 ratings
“Captivating . . . Sparkling characters, able plotting, and joie de vivre make the first in Rodale’s Gilded Age Girls Club an utterly enjoyable standout.” —Publishers Weekly

In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen . . .

Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family’s estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.

 . . . and true love is always in fashion

Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker—not a duchess—and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can’t refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It’s the perfect plan—as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all do not lose their hearts.

“Rodale’s Gilded Age-set series launch is a smart, bright love story that perfectly balances messages of female empowerment and social potential with romantic tensions created by class and gender dichotomies ripe for revolution.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Overall, after a year of mediocre to decent to very occasionally brilliant romance, Duchess by Design stands out as unique and refreshing.  It’s more than worth your time.” —All About Romance
Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Gilded Age Girls Club
  2. Print length
    331 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Avon
  5. Publication date
    October 23, 2018
  6. File size
    4.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  3. One Moonlit Night
    Kindle Edition
    $6.99
  13. The Bride Sale
    Kindle Edition
    $0.99
  23. From Wallflower to Countess
    Kindle Edition
    $6.99
Next page
Loading...

Editorial Reviews

Review

A smart, bright love story that perfectly balances messages of female empowerment and social potential with romantic tensions created by class and gender dichotomies ripe for revolution.

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

Engrossing and lively.

-- "Publishers Weekly on A Groom of One's Own"

Rodale charms with this captivating historical...Sparkling characters, able plotting, and joie de vivre make the first in Rodale's Gilded Age Girls Club an utterly enjoyable standout.

-- "Publishers Weekly"

From the Back Cover

In the first novel of Maya Rodale’s enthralling new series, an English duke vows to make an American seamstress his duchess...

In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen ...

Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family’s estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.

...and true love is always in fashion

Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker—not a duchess—and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can’t refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It’s the perfect plan—as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all, do not lose their hearts.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B076H2C5R9
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon (October 23, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 23, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 331 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 310 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Maya Rodale

Maya Rodale

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Maya Rodale is the best-selling and award-winning author of funny, feminist fiction including historical romance, YA and historical fiction. A champion of the romance genre and its readers, she is also the author of Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels, Explained. Maya reviews romance for NPR and has appeared in Bustle, Glamour, Shondaland, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post and PBS. She began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence and has never been allowed to forget it.

Visit her online at www.mayarodale.com.

Newsletter sign up: www.mayarodale.com/newsletter

Instagram: @mayarodale

Twitter: @mayarodale

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
310 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers enjoy this book's charming storyline set during the Gilded Age and find it well-written and funny. Moreover, the book features feminist undertones and a compelling heroine, with one customer noting how it maintains historical accuracy with its characters and settings. Customers find the book genuinely good to read, and one customer describes it as a fun start to a new series.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

15 customers mention "Storyline"15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the charming storyline set during the Gilded Age, with one customer describing it as a very enjoyable Regency romance.

"Very enjoyable Regency romance set in New York City...." Read more

"This was simply a good book. It was funny, romantic and sweet. I'm glad I found a new author to enjoy." Read more

"...Or will it? I enjoy stories set in the Gilded Age...." Read more

"...Rodale this novel is a combination of charm, humor, angst, suspense, history, and most importantly the power of love to transform hearts, minds, and..." Read more

7 customers mention "Wit"7 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's wit, finding it well-written and funny, with one customer specifically praising the fantastic dialogue.

"...Well-written. First I’ve read by this author. I’ll definitely read more by her." Read more

"This was simply a good book. It was funny, romantic and sweet. I'm glad I found a new author to enjoy." Read more

"...romances written by Ms. Rodale this novel is a combination of charm, humor, angst, suspense, history, and most importantly the power of love to..." Read more

"..."Change the world" is at the heart of this one. I tagged so many lines and quotes...." Read more

6 customers mention "Feminist themes"6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the feminist undertones in the book, with one customer highlighting its focus on women's rights battles.

"Very enjoyable Regency romance set in New York City. I liked the feminist bent that brought to light the economic and social plight of women,..." Read more

"...The setting was good, and I liked the feminist themes, but the romance really seemed to drag...." Read more

"...back drop of the story of becoming her own fashion designer and helping other women...." Read more

"I liked the historical background and the feminist undertones that depicted a heroine who was empowered by not only her own resourcefulness but also..." Read more

6 customers mention "Hero"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the hero compelling, with one customer noting how the supporting characters were well thought out, and another mentioning how the story maintains historical accuracy with its characters and settings.

"...over the desires and needs they have for their lives; the secondary characters, especially the women who help Adeline in both her professional and..." Read more

"Enjoyed the heroine and the back drop of the story of becoming her own fashion designer and helping other women...." Read more

"...The heroine was compelling - pretty, talented, and adventurous. The hero was equally compelling - handsome and aristocratic...." Read more

"...But overall, it is well written with interesting female characters." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a genuinely good read.

"This was simply a good book. It was funny, romantic and sweet. I'm glad I found a new author to enjoy." Read more

"...Duchess by Design captures the romance of the era in a delightful manner...." Read more

"...love letter to New York City from a native of the place, and a genuinely good read." Read more

"...A wonderful, pro-female book that also maintains historical accuracy with the characters and settings." Read more

4 customers mention "Enjoyment"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable, with one mentioning it serves as a fun start to a new series.

"...I almost stopped reading in frustration so many times, but that fun, snappy, sexy beginning teased me with the possibility of more of the same so I..." Read more

"Fun start to a new series..." Read more

"Romantic & Rewarding..." Read more

"Enjoyable...." Read more

Love Story to Dresses with Pockets!
3 out of 5 stars
Love Story to Dresses with Pockets!
Really wanted to love this one – I mean it’s really a love story to dresses with pockets! Who doesn’t love a dress with pockets?! The heroine is driven and refuses to let a man come between her and her dreams. The hero starts off very traditional, but from his exposure to the heroine’s ideas and the progressiveness of NYC compared to London, he’s able to change. But, I did find my mind wondering while reading, and I just didn't feel a lot of chemistry or heat between the two MCs. #ItHasPockets
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Suzee2
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Very enjoyable Regency romance set in New York City. I liked the feminist bent that brought to light the economic and social plight of women, particularly poor women. Well-written. First I’ve read by this author. I’ll definitely read more by her.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was simply a good book. It was funny, romantic and sweet. I'm glad I found a new author to enjoy.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Marion Marchetto, author
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dresses with Pockets Cause A Scandal
    Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Brandon Fiennes, the Duke of Kingston, is a former rogue who has taken the responsibilities of his dukedom very seriously. It isn’t easy caring and providing for the scores of people who depend on him for their very livelihood. And when three of those people are his two sisters and his mother who simply must be clothed in the latest fashion, Brandon finds that more mundane things like fixing the roof or paying his other creditors must be put on hold as he deals with invoices from dressmakers, milliners, and furriers. What’s a poor duke to do? Why marry for money of course! But eligible women of his own class are from families in similar circumstances. So Brandon, Duke of Kingston, is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and trade his title for an American heiress.

    Adeline Black has dreams of becoming not just a dressmaker, but the dressmaker who will have all of New York society wearing her creations. Currently employed by Madame Chalfont, Adeline is on her way to a customer fitting at The Fifth Avenue Hotel, hoping that her design ideas will find favor with Miss Burnett – an American heiress who has no need for marriage. She is a feminist of the first water. However, on her way through the lobby she literally falls into the arms of Brandon who pulls her from the path of an oncoming trolley. She makes an indelible impression as the duke mistakes her for an heiress.

    When Brandon fails to find a marriageable heiress who could cause him to forget Adeline, he makes her an offer. If she will join him at several society functions, she could steer him toward the right kind of young lady who would fit the role of duchess. In return, she could wear gowns of her own fashion and they could be seen by the best of New York society. Things go awry. There are several minor scandals. But in the end happiness will reign. Or will it?

    I enjoy stories set in the Gilded Age. All the excitement of a young New York City, of self-made men and women, the glitter and glamour all just blocks away from true poverty and squalor, fortunes made or lost on the turn of coin are the stuff of grand stories. Duchess by Design captures the romance of the era in a delightful manner. Headstrong American female characters pitted against a reserved and proper English nobleman and his cousin provide just the right amount of conflict. I found it difficult to put this one down as there was more to the story than just a search for love. This book is the first in Maya Rodale new series The Gilded Age Girls Club.
    5 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • RedRedtheycallmeRed
    3.0 out of 5 stars 2.5 STARS...A modern woman meets an old-fashioned duke
    Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This should have been right up my alley, but I never really connected with it. The setting was good, and I liked the feminist themes, but the romance really seemed to drag. Maybe it would have been better as a novella, or with more focus on some of the secondary characters. There is a lot of time that Adeline and the Duke spend pining for each other, but too little time in each other's presence. The conflict isn't resolved until the last few pages, followed by a very brief epilogue.
    Helpful
     Report
  • SCD
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Duke and The Fashion Designer
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    'Duchess by Design' by Maya Rodale is a charming story set during the Gilded Age. The main characters are Brandon Fiennes, Duke of Kingston, from England, and Miss Adeline Black, fashion designer and seamstress who hails from the Bowery of NYC. I enjoyed everything about this story: the manner in which our main characters meet; the conflicts they experience over the desires and needs they have for their lives; the secondary characters, especially the women who help Adeline in both her professional and personal lives; the personal growth the characters experience (especially that of the Duke); and the story's explanation of the societal changes taking place during this era of history. Like many of the historical romances written by Ms. Rodale this novel is a combination of charm, humor, angst, suspense, history, and most importantly the power of love to transform hearts, minds, and lives.
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • AEH
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun start to a new series
    Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Enjoyed the heroine and the back drop of the story of becoming her own fashion designer and helping other women. Also being set in New York and the time period with a duke coming over from London to look to marry a wealthy American heiress and the twists and turns on how he finds true love over wealth
    Helpful
     Report
  • D&S
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Gilded Age in NYC
    Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Duchess by Design takes place during the Gilded Age in New York City, a time when women were making their way in the world in new professions and impoverished English nobility were coming to snag an American heiress. Brandon Fiennes, Duke of Kingston, is determined to do the honorable thing for his impoverish estates, his clothes-crazy mother and his sisters who hope to marry for love - and that is for him to marry an heiress. The first woman he meets is Adeline Black, a seamstress who dreams of owning her own dress shop. Adeline is determined to have her own independence, working to maker her own dreams come true without relying on a man. She's conscious of the limits of the day on women, the need to be "virtuous" or risk losing your reputation - and your ability to hold a job that feeds, clothes and houses you. Kingston is everything honorable - and old school. He learns from Adeline and from the energy of NYC, that the old ways need to change. "Change the world" is at the heart of this one. I tagged so many lines and quotes. While taking place in the Gilded Age, many points are relevant today. An unabashedly feminist romance that I loved. I can't wait to see where this series goes!
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Valerie A Kader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I love historical romances! I’ve read one or two of this author’s earlier novels and liked them. The premise of this book was intriguing - dressmaker and duke fall for each other. The heroine was compelling - pretty, talented, and adventurous. The hero was equally compelling - handsome and aristocratic. They had great chemistry and some sizzle. The storyline was entertaining, and the dialogue was fantastic. Overall, I loved it, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • lisa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Her own person
    Reviewed in Australia on February 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    It’s unusual to have an HR heroine who does not need to be rescued. The best thing about this book is Adeline, a hardworking dress maker with a dream of having her own shop. Even though she catches the eye of a handsome duke, Adeline is committed to her dream, and to her team of fellow dress makers. Adeline is her own person, who refuses the duke’s support when he unwittingly gets her sacked from her job.

    Instead it is duke Kingston who needs to be rescued from his oppressive family responsibilities and his traditional aristocratic mindset. This role reversal along with some witty repartee makes “Duchess” a fun read.
    Report
  • Silver
    1.0 out of 5 stars Unromantic and unrealistic
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Ugh I feel mean as I love most of Maya Rodale's books. But this was a 'do not finish' for me.

    The hero decides to go to America to marry money. Ok. He sees a hot girl in an elevator, mistakes her for an heiress for no apparent reason, decides to marry her and basically stalks and harasses her despite her requests that he leave her alone, causing her to lose her job in the process, and even after that still ignores her requests that he go away, instead booking a 'dress fitting' where she has to take his measurements. Pursuing her like this despite by now knowing she is poor and that he has no intention of marrying her. He is even still at this point courting other rich women (we never hear much about their feelings). None of this made him attractive to me.

    Where I really couldn't cope with the book though was the lack of realism. Ok it's regency style romance. But a Duke could never mistake a seamstress for an heiress, her lowly position would be obvious from her accent, clothes, hairstyle and lack of jewellery / escort. Even her complexion.

    The author keeps telling us that the characters long for each other, but they don't know each other! All he knows about her is that she is poor and all she knows about him is he's a bit of a stalker. Doesn't seem likely to trigger instant passion on either side. To try to make the characters seem more attractive, the author makes all the other characters even worse, being selfish / sleazy / gullible etc etc. Didn't feel realistic at all, nor did the author's admiring descriptions of how great new york was at this time (which it really wasn't).

    The plot also carried a lot of 'pretty women' scenes; for the first real date he escorts her to the opera; she is sexually harassed by his friend etc. Where was the romance???

    : (
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report