Fitzhugh Trilogy Historical Romance Book Series by Sherry Thomas

Claiming the Duchess by Sherry Thomas (2014)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Prequel to the Fitzhugh Trilogy. Clarissa is a widowed duchess throwing a house party to find herself a new husband when she’s out of mourning. She invites one of her late husband’s friends Mr. Kingston to join since she’s had a fascination with him for years. He’s shy and awkward and might also have held an admiration for Clarissa all these years as well. Super quick short story.

Ebook purchased via Amazon.

Beguiling the Beauty by Sherry Thomas (2012)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 1 of the Fitzhugh Trilogy series. Young duke Christian has been infatuated with the beautiful Venetia from afar when he first sets eyes on her. After many years of this obsession, he says some terribly disparaging things about her at a scientific lecture in America, not realizing that she’s in the audience. Venetia is a widow twice-over, enjoying her unmarried life, and was in America to chaperone her younger sister. After hearing Christian’s assault on her character, she’s both outraged and despondent. Under the protection of a veiled hat, she encounters Christian again on their ship going back to England and she aims to seduce him and then break his heart. It all goes wrong when she actually falls in love with him, but also cannot reveal her true identity. It’s an emotional and angsty journey for them both.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas (2012)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2 of the Fitzhugh Trilogy series. Millie and Fitz have been married platonically for eight years and soon to embark on their agreement to try to have children. Except that Fitz is distracted and excited by the fact that his first love is recently widowed and on her way back to England. This book is told over two timelines, showing the progress through Millie and Fitz’ eight year marriage and showing their present day friendship. Fitz had inherited an impoverished earldom, necessitating his marriage to a wealthy heiress even though he had hopes of marrying someone else. Millie has been in love with Fitz for all this time, but she has not given him any clues about her feelings and maintained quiet dignity and strength while he has been heartbroken over his lost love. However, over the years, we get to see Fitz become a strong and steady presence in Millie’s life and ever-so-slowly becoming her closest friend. This whole book is the slowest of slow burns and heartbreaking in all the best ways.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

The Bride of Larkspear by Sherry Thomas (2012)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 2.5 of the Fitzhugh Trilogy series. This story is the fictional book written by David and given to Helena in the Fitzhugh Trilogy series. David writes the tale of Lord Larkspear who has rescued a woman from scandal by marrying her, except that she despises her new husband. He tries to seduce her into submission without letting her know that he is secretly in love with her. While this is mostly a smutty novella, it’s told entirely from Lord Larkspear’s heartbreaking point of view.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

Tempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas (2012)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 3 of the Fitzhugh Trilogy series. Helena is nearly caught in a compromising situation with a married man and forced to marry her brother’s best friend and actual enemy, David. What she doesn’t know is that David has been in love with her for decades and catches her attention by antagonizing her. She shortly gets into an accident where she’s gravely injured and wakes up with no memory of her supposed husband. Now that David has a second chance to make a first impression, he’s kind and solicitous, even though he fears the day that Helena gets her memory back. It’s the worst sort of pining that David has for Helena, with his own self-destructive behavior. Bonus points for the kindness and caring he has for his young daughter.

Ebook and audiobook borrowed from my local library via Libby.

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A Dance in Moonlight by Sherry Thomas (2013)

Historical romance. Victorian-era England. Book 4 of the Fitzhugh Trilogy series. After Isabelle is rejected by Fitz, she’s heartbroken and somewhat distraught. She mistakes her new neighbor Ralston for Fitz, since they look so much alike and propositions him. However, things take a turn towards an open and honest friendship between these two and a relationship develops in spite of Ralston’s appearance. This one was a quick novella that gives a happy ending to the “other woman”.

Ebook borrowed from my local library via Libby.