After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim.

She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. As a child, Ros was inspired by her adventurous Aunt Alice and created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. She only has three weeks before her life changes forever, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her days. And the duke is a kind man who will care for Rosalind, even if he doesn’t love her. The marriage is more an agreement between two families and less a romantic connection between two hearts, but Rosalind becoming a duchess will elevate her family’s status to dizzying heights. Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice. In fact, you’ll encourage them to do so! This piece of historical fiction will transport you back to 19th Century England, arranged marriages, and outrageous societal expectations, as well as remind you that no matter the era, all people experience self-discovery and the human spirit is all about following one's dreams which when strong enough can lead to new beginnings. It’s a Proper Romance, which means it has a rich layered storyline and well developed characters, but nothing between it’s pages to make you blush should your teen or tween pick it up. Here’s one I’d like everyone to know about, “Miss Newbury’s List”, by Megan Walker, my February Book Club pick! My birthday month - and too many slices of cheesecake! (We even get a three-day weekend from you.) All that, yet the temps stay low so there’s no guilt in the comfort food we’re still dishing up, or the long evenings spent near a fire curled up with our books. The month of Valentine’s Day and all it holds. The month we see the first signs of an awakening earth, with crocus and forsythia blooms and branches of fuzzy catkins. Hello February! I love you so! (And for so many reasons!) You’re the month that brings us homebound commutes that don’t require headlights.

Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker