Andrew Hargrave never expected to be the heir to a dukedom. As a second son, he left his home and detestable parents to travel to Italy to head up an archeological dig. While there, he found contentment with his vocation and with his long time friend and mistress, Luciana. The death of his older brother left him the title of Earl of Dunnley, but he still didn't return home. Then he receives an urgent summons and is fearful something has happened to his younger sisters. Upon arriving, he's informed the family finances are in a shambles, and he must marry an American heiress. Andrew reluctantly agrees but solely with the intention of providing for his sisters.

Victoria Carson was sent to a British finishing school and groomed to snare an English title with her family's wealth. Her odious parents (particularly her mother) have no care for her happiness, but only for advancing their own social status. Her father concocts a scheme in which the Duke of Waring will lose a fortune, at which point he will offer Victoria in marriage to Waring's son, Andrew. The scheme works exactly as planned, and Victoria and Andrew meet, knowing their fate is already sealed.

While they are both wary, Andrew and Victoria find each other attractive and begin to have faint hopes for a decent marriage. Before the wedding takes place, Andrew learns of the scheme, and is led to believe Victoria was party to it. Without asking or investigating whether it's true, Andrew accepts it for a fact and becomes bitterly resentful. He reluctantly still marries her, but Victoria is bewildered by the angry man who is so different from the kind man she first met. After the wedding, Andrew leaves Victoria to fend for herself in a decrepit country estate, while he heads back to Italy to resume his former life.

At this point, the book almost went against the wall— but it was a kindle, so I couldn't. Andrew has committed two actions I detest. First, he made an assumption that something he heard was true, and never even asked, much less followed up. When reading, I really don't like the "big misunderstanding," though admittedly it's frequently used as the basis for the conflict. But, second, and the greater sin in my eyes, is that Andrew picked up in Italy right where he left off before he became a married man. I decided then and there he could not be forgiven.

Meanwhile, Victoria has picked herself up and decided to make the best of her situation. She begins to put the rundown estate to rights. Learning as she goes, she matures and has much success. She has also invited Andrew's sisters to stay with her, and they have become the family she so longs for. While not exactly happy, Victoria is content. Then Andrew returns.

A DUCHESS IN NAME is my first experience with author Amanda Weaver, and I am amazed at her talent. She has taken situations I really detest and made me love this book. There was no way I felt Andrew could be redeemed in my eyes, yet she did it. A DUCHESS IN NAME kept me enthralled from beginning to end, and the passion, heartbreak, and character growth along the way made for one beautiful happy ending . I definitely recommend A DUCHESS IN NAME and look forward to upcoming books in the Grantham Girls series.