Helpful Score: 11
There's method to her madness.
No, this certainly isn't my favorite series by Eloisa James (you'll be hard pressed to find more fun than the stories of the Essex sisters: Much Ado About You, Kiss Me Annabel, The Taming of the Duke and Pleasure For Pleasure), but this chapter of the Duchess series is much closer to one of her usual fun romps.
Unlike the previous stories in the Duchess series, here the main characters, Isidore and Simeon, are innocents. Yes, even the hunky hero is an innocent! This makes for some interesting reading as Simeon tries to push through an annulment of their marriage-by-proxy while Isidore firmly tries to push the envelope! There are some great moments.
The ongoing sub-plot in the series concerning Jemma & Elijah, the Duke & Duchess of Beaumont, and Leo, the Duke of Villiers, continues to escalate and actually becomes rather intriguing, albeit still frustrating and sad. I don't know how the author will pull these three into the light without the entire premise blowing up in her face, but the next chapter in the series will tell. I can't honestly tell you if I'm looking forward to their story or not!
Ah, well. That's for another time in another year!
Although When the Duke Returns is from my least favorite series by the author, it is the BEST of the series so far, and remains a fun romp of a tale with some wonderful moments.
No, this certainly isn't my favorite series by Eloisa James (you'll be hard pressed to find more fun than the stories of the Essex sisters: Much Ado About You, Kiss Me Annabel, The Taming of the Duke and Pleasure For Pleasure), but this chapter of the Duchess series is much closer to one of her usual fun romps.
Unlike the previous stories in the Duchess series, here the main characters, Isidore and Simeon, are innocents. Yes, even the hunky hero is an innocent! This makes for some interesting reading as Simeon tries to push through an annulment of their marriage-by-proxy while Isidore firmly tries to push the envelope! There are some great moments.
The ongoing sub-plot in the series concerning Jemma & Elijah, the Duke & Duchess of Beaumont, and Leo, the Duke of Villiers, continues to escalate and actually becomes rather intriguing, albeit still frustrating and sad. I don't know how the author will pull these three into the light without the entire premise blowing up in her face, but the next chapter in the series will tell. I can't honestly tell you if I'm looking forward to their story or not!
Ah, well. That's for another time in another year!
Although When the Duke Returns is from my least favorite series by the author, it is the BEST of the series so far, and remains a fun romp of a tale with some wonderful moments.
Helpful Score: 4
I love Eloisa James. This one left me confused in the beginning. At first I found Isadore to be too much "Duchess like." She thought herself to be "above" too many things. But as the book went on, you really start to admire her strength and courage. Simeon to me is likable from the beginning. He "thought" he knew what he wanted in a wife, until he spends time with Isadore and finds she is too irresistable. Watching them both grow through intimacy - both are virgins - her because it is expected and him because he didn't want to bring disease to his "biddable wife." The way they explore itimacy together is cute and reminds you of "your own first time." Yet she still thinks he should bow down to her as men have always done. He refuses, because to him it makes a man weak. I really enjoyed her conversations with Jemma and Isadore's realization that she wanted Simeon not another. She doesn't want an anulment just Simeon and love.
This story is wonderful in that Simeon isn't afraid to come and get what he wants and she isn't afraid to challenge him to believe that sometimes being "out of control" is a good thing when it is with someone you love and trust.
I can't wait to see how the next book in the series explores Jemma and Elijah's romance and also to see what is in store for The Duke of Villars.
My only complaint with this book is that she brought the other 3 characters into it, but didn't really explore Villars or Elijah enough. There wasn't enough depth in those three for me. But I still would recommend this book to any Eloisa James fan.
This story is wonderful in that Simeon isn't afraid to come and get what he wants and she isn't afraid to challenge him to believe that sometimes being "out of control" is a good thing when it is with someone you love and trust.
I can't wait to see how the next book in the series explores Jemma and Elijah's romance and also to see what is in store for The Duke of Villars.
My only complaint with this book is that she brought the other 3 characters into it, but didn't really explore Villars or Elijah enough. There wasn't enough depth in those three for me. But I still would recommend this book to any Eloisa James fan.
Helpful Score: 1
interesting twist on the same topic. there is a lot of background into child mariages as well as the relationships of the nobility of the time.
Marna C. (feritgrrl) -
Why do I always forget about Eloisa James when I am looking for a good read? Maybe its because I subconsciously want the joyful surprise I feel each time i stumble onto yet another of her books! Her characters are human, flawed but also appealing and easy to identify with;even the antagonists have reasons for their apparent bad behavior. The plot lines or premises may be outrageous, but that is the point of romance, no? And while many a lesser author has caused me to heave a book at the wall, Ms. James keeps me riveted and my disbelief safely suspended through every twist as improbable as it may seem in the cold light of reality. A 5 star read.
(Although I do keep wondering why,in the England of her novels, there seems to be a duke on every corner, as if the title was given out like free balloons at a bank opening.)
(Although I do keep wondering why,in the England of her novels, there seems to be a duke on every corner, as if the title was given out like free balloons at a bank opening.)
I have never read James before and I will definitely look for more books by her. If you have never read her either, know that she is takes her time to tell a story and that there are subplots to secondary characters.
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Even though the storyline isn't exactly new and you know what's going to happen, she put some interesting twists in there (aka that both leads are virgins and that their first time wasn't great). The characters were likeable and unique. I love that Isidore knows her worth.
Good read. Look forward to more by her.
I enjoyed it quite a bit. Even though the storyline isn't exactly new and you know what's going to happen, she put some interesting twists in there (aka that both leads are virgins and that their first time wasn't great). The characters were likeable and unique. I love that Isidore knows her worth.
Good read. Look forward to more by her.
Very different concept from other romance novels. The girl is a little full of herself which I wasn't really a fan of. All in all a good read.
Lynne T. (mignon) reviewed When the Duke Returns (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 4) on + 256 more book reviews
Eloise James does a good job writing in the Georgian Period. She is not quite Georgette Heyer, but I liked her updated style. I read this book out of sequence so I was pleasantly surprised when I remembered the characters from the other books. I may have to go back and refresh my memory on Beaumont. Loved H/H and the period details. Good read. Recommend.
enjoyed it
