My Dear Miss Dupré Book Review

In My Dear Miss Dupré, Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father’s unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future.

About My Dear Miss Dupré

Willow Dupré never thought she would have to marry, but with her father’s unexpected retirement from running the prosperous Dupré sugar refinery, she is forced into a different future. The shareholders are unwilling to allow a female to take over the company without a man at her side, so her parents devise a plan–find Willow a spokesman king in order for her to become queen of the business empire.

Willow is presented with thirty potential suitors from the families of New York society’s elite group called the Four Hundred. She has six months to court the group and is told to to eliminate men each month to narrow her beaus until she chooses one to marry, ending the competition with a wedding. Willow reluctantly agrees, knowing she must do what is best for the business. She doesn’t expect to find anything other than a proxy until she meets a gentleman who captures her attention, and she must discover for herself if his motives are pure.

My Thoughts

I was not quite sure what to expect when I read the description of this book, it sounded like it could be one of the reality shows that my eldest likes to watch but it was far better and exceeded my expectations. It was sweet, funny and yet suspenseful with a great plot.

Willow is determined to take over her Father’s business, but as it was common in those days – the board felt she was just too female to take over this role and they would rather see the company sold to their competitor than see her run it (huge sigh here). Their plan? See her wed and her husband be by her side to help her run the family business (sigh number two – society was so frustrating in those days!). Her parents hatch a plan suited for the American royal family – a competition for her hand like no other, a battle for her heart and to help rule by her side. I cannot even begin to imagine the embarrassment poor Willow felt. She is a quiet, business minded young woman who does not like flash and this was definitely an over the top competition at every step of the way. But she would do anything for her family (family before all else – especially when it comes with potentially losing all that they have worked so hard for) so she goes along with her parent’s request. She meets a group of wealthy young men and from this group, she must determine who will love her for her, who will respect her, encourage her in her business goals and be a partner in life not just in business. Not an easy task with a deadline quickly approaching.

Willow sounds becomes caught up accidentally in a plot to bring down her business (and others) by one of her competitors and someone is betraying her trust and going not only to her competitor but to newspapers as well! But who can she trust?

This is such a lovely novel – a story of hope in the face of despair, a longing for a love that one has never had nor felt and a hope for something better. I enjoyed every moment of this book, that would make for a lovely summer time read.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Grace Hitchcock is the author of multiple historical novels and novellas. She holds a master’s degree in creative writing and a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in history. Grace lives in Baton Rouge with her husband, Dakota, and their son and daughter. Connect with her online at www.gracehitchcock.com.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.