Helpful Score: 12
She did it! She did it! Eloisa James pulled off the impossible. She took three characters with the most sadly frustrating storyline in recent memory and pulled them into the light with grace, humor and kindness.
This latest installment of the "Duchess Series" was released yesterday. I bought my copy in the afternoon, opened it after supper and read it straight through.
It's that good.
The tangled web of innuendo, rumor and misunderstanding between Jemma & Elijah, the Duke & Duchess of Beaumont, and quasi-antagonist Leopold, the Duke of Villiers, wove throughout each preceding tale in the Duchess Series. It was convoluted, rather dark and quite difficult to like, although it grew intriguing after awhile and turned grudgingly into a true love/hate relationship with the reader. I admit to cracking open this book with a wince, afraid to see what was in store for this bruised & jaded threesome. My worries were groundless as this was superbly told and easily one of the author's best to date.
Yes, it's that good.
It's warm and witty and loving and ... human. It almost made me cry. That simply never happens.
The Duke of Villiers adventure is next and looks to be a typical fun Eloisa James romp and I eagerly look forward to it's release later this summer. But, tonight I'm seriously considering opening this book and reading it again. Slowly. To savor it.
Truly. It's that good.
This latest installment of the "Duchess Series" was released yesterday. I bought my copy in the afternoon, opened it after supper and read it straight through.
It's that good.
The tangled web of innuendo, rumor and misunderstanding between Jemma & Elijah, the Duke & Duchess of Beaumont, and quasi-antagonist Leopold, the Duke of Villiers, wove throughout each preceding tale in the Duchess Series. It was convoluted, rather dark and quite difficult to like, although it grew intriguing after awhile and turned grudgingly into a true love/hate relationship with the reader. I admit to cracking open this book with a wince, afraid to see what was in store for this bruised & jaded threesome. My worries were groundless as this was superbly told and easily one of the author's best to date.
Yes, it's that good.
It's warm and witty and loving and ... human. It almost made me cry. That simply never happens.
The Duke of Villiers adventure is next and looks to be a typical fun Eloisa James romp and I eagerly look forward to it's release later this summer. But, tonight I'm seriously considering opening this book and reading it again. Slowly. To savor it.
Truly. It's that good.
Helpful Score: 7
Eloisa James built up to this over the course of many other novels - and sadly, presented a story so medically silly I could hardly finish it. Banged head on wall. Warning for those with medical experience or background: it was painful.
Rebecca D. (floridagirl) reviewed This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 5) on + 103 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Hands down this is the BEST book in the Duchess series. My favorite romance novel has always been The Raven & The Rose by Virginia Henley (favorite for the past 15 years). This one took its place. I laughed and cried throughout the whole book and sometimes I was doing both at once. I seriously can't even find words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. The characters were present in all the Duchess books but I never imagined their story would be so good. Awesome Awesome Awesome book.
This is the first of James's Duchess books I've read, and I have to say that I was disappointed.
******THIS IS NOT A STAND ALONE BOOK******
I have nothing against series books, but I felt like I'd missed fully half the story and most of the character development by not reading the prior books in the series. All the way through the end of the book there were numerous allusions to activities, characters and relationships (presumably) from prior books that were never explained. Since James apparently thought she'd sufficiently developed the main characters in prior novels, they were a bit one dimensional in this one.
As it is, I feel like I only got the second half of one book, and a lead in to another. While I can applaud this from a purely mercenary marketing standpoint, I don't particular relish being the unknowing consumer.
My advice is not to read this book unless you're willing to make the investment of time and money to read all of the proceeding novels in the series.
******THIS IS NOT A STAND ALONE BOOK******
I have nothing against series books, but I felt like I'd missed fully half the story and most of the character development by not reading the prior books in the series. All the way through the end of the book there were numerous allusions to activities, characters and relationships (presumably) from prior books that were never explained. Since James apparently thought she'd sufficiently developed the main characters in prior novels, they were a bit one dimensional in this one.
As it is, I feel like I only got the second half of one book, and a lead in to another. While I can applaud this from a purely mercenary marketing standpoint, I don't particular relish being the unknowing consumer.
My advice is not to read this book unless you're willing to make the investment of time and money to read all of the proceeding novels in the series.
June M. (JunebugTX) reviewed This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 5) on + 50 more book reviews
I have been waiting for Jemma and Elijah's story for a long time and Ms. James did not disappoint me.
Denise P. (Desertrat) reviewed This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 5) on + 6 more book reviews
great book as always
Alishia Z. (alishiaz) -
This is the first book I have read by Eloisa James. I thought it was good. She kept the story interesting throughout. I was disappointed at the end because one of the main characters, villiers, is just dropped out of the story. Maybe she is going to use his character in her next book? But I wanted to hear how his part of the story ended. Otherwise, good read.
Eloisa James is an excellent author and this was a great book
Monica G. (champsmom) -
This book took me a year to get through, its not a tough read I just couldn't get into Elijah and Jemma's story. The great thing was after I picked it up it got better towards the end, only because I knew the Villier's story was coming next.
Connie P. (Activegram149) reviewed This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 5) on + 809 more book reviews
Had a hard time getting into this one but worth it to keep trying.
Sheina H. (gkmother) reviewed This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 5) on + 12 more book reviews
Love James.
Jane R. (janiejane60-1251951) reviewed This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 5) on + 3 more book reviews
this book was so wonderful !!! i fall in love with elosia james. i never read her, before this book . i love historial romances,this writer makes you feel that this is your shinig knight in white armor coming to recuse you. janee russell
Joan W. (justreadingabook) reviewed This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, Bk 5) on + 1726 more book reviews
This was not my first EJ book in this series but I have to say that I was hard pressed to continue to read this one.
No plot what so ever other than the duchess playing chess and trying not to love or bed her duke.
The heart aliment of the duke is the main focus of the story and a bit over done and a bit under done. Meaning that have him show the signs of the disease and the limitations of it and just making love to ones wife/mistress does not "keep the heart in rhythm".
You got Villiers in the mix and seemed like more of the storyline was on him.
Very disjointed story.
No plot what so ever other than the duchess playing chess and trying not to love or bed her duke.
The heart aliment of the duke is the main focus of the story and a bit over done and a bit under done. Meaning that have him show the signs of the disease and the limitations of it and just making love to ones wife/mistress does not "keep the heart in rhythm".
You got Villiers in the mix and seemed like more of the storyline was on him.
Very disjointed story.
