Christina T. (crysteena73) reviewed Duchess in Love (Duchess Quartet, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This was my first Eloisa James book and was a little unsure if I liked her writting style or not. I thought it was interesting that instead of just dancing at a ball she was specific to what type of dances that were done and even mentioned a few steps involved in one. I didn't know what any of the dances were (except the waltz) so the names read like foreign words to me.
The Duchess Gina and her friends are all married women without husbands. They all live seperately from their husbands and tend to cause the ton talking with their actions. Gina was forced to mary Cam when she was 11 by his father to "protect" the family name from the scandal of her birth. Cam was 18 and as soon as the vows were taken he snuck out the window and fled to Greece. 12 years later Gina has grown weary of being a married innocent woman and has met someone else and petitions Cam to grant her an annullment. Cam comes to England to do and that is when he realizes little Gina has grown into a stunning woman.
This book was interesting in the aspect that I really was not sure I was enjoying reading it for the first half of the book. I thought it fell into the "OK" "middle of the road" range as far as books go. Then it got really good. You find that not only are Gina and Cam having their story told but you also see her friends get theirs told too. Esme and Carola find love too. To tell the truth, it was their part of the story that really made me emotional. It is their stories within Gina's that brought my opinion of this book from an average 3 star rating to a 4.
Another thing...any writer who can take a man that you really don't care much for and turn him into a tastey muffin is a great writer. Case in point. Gina plans on marrying Sebastian. He spends most of the book talking about the proper way to act and although marrying Gina he displays no passion for her (that wouldn't be proper). Somehow, Eloisa James turns this stuck up, pompus jerk into a serious morsel. No kidding.
The Duchess Gina and her friends are all married women without husbands. They all live seperately from their husbands and tend to cause the ton talking with their actions. Gina was forced to mary Cam when she was 11 by his father to "protect" the family name from the scandal of her birth. Cam was 18 and as soon as the vows were taken he snuck out the window and fled to Greece. 12 years later Gina has grown weary of being a married innocent woman and has met someone else and petitions Cam to grant her an annullment. Cam comes to England to do and that is when he realizes little Gina has grown into a stunning woman.
This book was interesting in the aspect that I really was not sure I was enjoying reading it for the first half of the book. I thought it fell into the "OK" "middle of the road" range as far as books go. Then it got really good. You find that not only are Gina and Cam having their story told but you also see her friends get theirs told too. Esme and Carola find love too. To tell the truth, it was their part of the story that really made me emotional. It is their stories within Gina's that brought my opinion of this book from an average 3 star rating to a 4.
Another thing...any writer who can take a man that you really don't care much for and turn him into a tastey muffin is a great writer. Case in point. Gina plans on marrying Sebastian. He spends most of the book talking about the proper way to act and although marrying Gina he displays no passion for her (that wouldn't be proper). Somehow, Eloisa James turns this stuck up, pompus jerk into a serious morsel. No kidding.
Helpful Score: 2
Very good except for the last 2-3 chapters; which didn't make a whole lot of sense, and kind of glossed over the resolution.
Helpful Score: 1
Highly recommend this book. I debated about giving this one up!
Helpful Score: 1
I truly loved this book it was one of the sweetest love story's I have read in a very long time
This is the first book of this author's I have read. I enjoyed it, though I found the plot to be somewhat confusing. I will definitely read more of her books ... one book is not always an accurate gauge of an author's overall quality.
Christine O. (christine65) reviewed Duchess in Love (Duchess Quartet, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
very good book
i have read the Duchess Series and enjoyed them very much
It is so nice to read about falling love
Ms James has some delicious ideas about the period the couples and the environment
yeah!
It is so nice to read about falling love
Ms James has some delicious ideas about the period the couples and the environment
yeah!
Enjoyable except for the ending which was confusing and wound up too quickly.
A cute book with some really interesting characters. Well-written and a highly enjoyable read!
always a great read
Great read!
This is the first book in the "Duchess" series.
great book :)
This book is the first in The Duchess Quartet. Reading Eloisa James is like breath of fresh air....she really captures the time period wonderfully and keeps the book lively.
This is one of my favorites of Eloisa James books. A classic love story with a lot of laughing included.
Historical romance set in London. Beautiful women, dashing gentlemen, coattail royalty, elegant lifestyles, sex, scandal, love, lust - it is ALL in this novel.
Historical romance.
Good book. Romance books are great
Camden, Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton.
The story of Gina and her husband,Camden.
It was okay. I didn't love the characters and in the end feel a bit bad for Sebastian. Some of Gina's friends were out right annoying like Carola but the story and dialogue was fun enough.
Camden, Duke of Girton, has returned home to England after an absence of 12 years, to give his wife (they were married as children) an annulment. But the skinny childhood friend he was forced to marry, & subsequently abandonded, has grown into a vivacious, very desireable woman. Gina wants to remarry, but Cam finds that he now wants his wife, every way possible.
A Duke in retreat
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A lady in the middle
Now, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London...living on the edge of scandal-desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to any one.
A Duchess in love
Finally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love-with his own wife!
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A lady in the middle
Now, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London...living on the edge of scandal-desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to any one.
A Duchess in love
Finally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love-with his own wife!
A DUKE IN RETREAT
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A LADY IN THE MIDDLE
Now she is one of the most well-known ladies in London...living on the edge of scandal--desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to anyone.
A DUCHESS IN LOVE
Finally, Camden the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners tofalling in love-with his own wife!
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A LADY IN THE MIDDLE
Now she is one of the most well-known ladies in London...living on the edge of scandal--desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to anyone.
A DUCHESS IN LOVE
Finally, Camden the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners tofalling in love-with his own wife!
