Review: "Duchess Material" by Maude Winters

Congratulations to Maude Winters on the release of "Duchess Material," book #2 of the Spare Change series. Since this story builds on the events of the previous one, it's best to read them in order.

It's been several months since Lucy Chandler moved in with her friend Winston Ferguson following a messy breakup, and they've been growing closer ever since. Winston finally confessed his love for Lucy the night before she left on a month-long work trip, and now that she's home, it's time to deal with the consequences. They decide to give dating a try, but that means overcoming the opposition of Lucy's ex, Prince George. The now former heir to the British throne isn't exactly thrilled to learn that his sort-of cousin and his ex are now an item. Privately, Lucy has doubts of her own; her working class American background makes her an unlikely match for the son and heir of a duchess. Will love conquer all or is Lucy in for another heartbreak?

 

Meanwhile, Lucy's best friend and employer, Princess Natalie, is blissfully happy with retired Olympic swimmer Ed Winslow, though their love remains a secret. She knows Ed's tired of hiding their relationship, so she impulsively decides to out them to the press. It's what he thinks he wants, but is Ed really prepared for the media frenzy they're about to create?

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one of the series! Lucy and Winston's relationship moved quickly, but I have to agree with Natalie that they're one of those couples that just seems to make sense. I also loved seeing Natalie so head over heels for Ed that she's actually considering the future, meaning marriage and children. Her character has grown tremendously over the course of these two books.

I highly recommend "Duchess Material" for all royal romance fans and look forward to the next book of the series.

*Review copy provided by the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

About "Duchess Material"

Lucy Chandler is the best friend and private secretary to the Princess of Wales. She's a palace insider, but is she ready to go the distance for the son of a duchess?

Lucy's work life is organized and supercharged, but her love life is a mess. Returning from a royal tour, Lucy must make sense of what happened with her friend and housemate, Winston Ferguson, before she left.

Winston Ferguson is the artist son of a Duchess. A devoted dog dad and friend to Lucy, he finally stopped pining and expressed his feelings for her. Lucy's hesitation has put that on pause.

Despite Lucy's growing feelings for Winston, she's not sold... yet. Her baggage from a past relationship and concerns about fitting in as an American raised in a working class household breed insecurity.

Meanwhile, Princess Natalie and her boyfriend Ed are going public. Will their relationship survive the vicious press coverage that follows them?

Will Lucy and Winston move forward as friends or lovers?

Will Natalie and Ed double down on their love story?

This follow-up to From Pilot to Princess continues the saga of the Lyons family and its beloved cast of characters. The heroines in this second book in Spare Change will have you laughing and crying. This spicy royal romance has heart, delivering on its promise of friends-to-lovers romance and the continuation of the second-chance vibes in the series debut.