Duchess of Fifth Avenue by Ruth Ryan Langan is a story about Lana, a strong woman trying to raise the son of her best friend. Some strange rich couple wants to adopt him, and she is fighting to stop it. The courts believe that since she is not a lady and is unmarried that she cannot raise the child as well as this couple. She needs to prove she is a lady and win a husband in order to save the boy from these people.
Thankfully there is Jesse Jordan, a charming gambler who is talked into helping Lana as she learns how to be a lady to try and capture some rich man’s heart. Jesse finds he is more than willing to teach her how to be a lady, but he might now be so willing to let her marry anyone but himself.
This is a very cute story, one that has been retold a few times but with such delightful characters here you really won’t care. The setting itself is beautiful, and the writing makes you feel like you are a part of the story, learning how to be a lady along with Lana.
Jesse is such a romantic, the kind of guy any woman would enjoy and could count on in a pinch. His self-assured style makes him so attractive. Any lover of romance will fall in love with him.
The little boy is also just adorable; his interactions with Lana are so heartwarming, you’ll fall in love with him and cross your fingers that they can finally figure out a way to stay together.
Duchess of Fifth Avenue gets four and a half stars. Even though the plot has been scene before, it is a nice, heartwarming tale that is a lot of fun, even a comfort to read. It will make your heart soar to know that again, love will find a way.