Book Review of
The Accidental Duchess

Lynn's Review

The Accidental Duchess was published in 2022. 

The Accidental Duchess is the story of Emma Manners, The Duchess of Rutland, a modern-day duchess. She was born a farmer’s daughter but fell in love with David Manners, the son of a Duke. 

After David’s father died, he became a Duke, and she became a Duchess, meaning they also inherited a castle. 

Inheriting a castle sounds amazing, but it also comes with a world of problems that must be solved if you are going to keep the castle. 

I wish I could remember where I first heard about this book. I think it was on Instagram, but I am not sure. I love memoirs, so I thought it would be one that I would enjoy. I did!

I listened to this on audio and highly recommend it because the author reads the book. Her British accent is so fun to listen to, and the emotion she puts into different events makes them come alive. 

I have read a lot of historical fiction set in England but not a lot of nonfiction, so I enjoyed learning all about what Emma Mannter went through. 

She shares about her childhood and falling in love. She talks about the challenges and responsibilities of becoming a duchess and the rules and problems that arise when you become a Duke and Duchess and inherit a castle. 

She also talks about the good, though. She shares about life in the English countryside—the food, the hunts, and the people. 

She also gives an honest look at the work of maintaining a castle and staying true to the history of those who came before you and who will come after you. 

I think Americans glamourize the British system, but this book shares its problems, especially in modern times. The author’s honesty about the issues was very interesting. It is hard for me to relate to this as an American. 

Overall, I found this book fascinating. If you like memoirs and are looking for something a bit different, you will probably enjoy this one. 

Although I enjoyed the book, I struggled with some of the author’s decisions. The ghosts in the castle were just kind of odd to me. I also felt