Regina (virgosun) reviewed How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days (American Heiress in London, Bk 2) on + 888 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Story is greatly focused on Stuart and Edie's relationship and his wooing of her. Edie is traumatized by a rape she keeps secret from him, making it challenging for Stuart to figure out why she is so opposed to a reconciliation. Stuart was tender and patient, and also deeply affected by his own trauma in Africa, including the death of his valet. My biggest disappointment is with the lateness in which the couple's consummation takes place along with other issue resolutions culminating in a rushed and anti-climatic ending. Gotta love the overall tenderness throughout the story, though. 3.5 stars.
jjares reviewed How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days (American Heiress in London, Bk 2) on + 3413 more book reviews
Edie, an American heiress, has a serious problem. Her reputation is ruined in America and she is in England, hoping to find a solution. However, time is running out and she is no closer to an answer. At a ball, she sees a man who is just what she is looking for. Stuart, Duke of Margrave, is facing ruin. He needs hundreds of thousands to pay off his family's debts and he wants to return to Africa.
Edie and Stuart agree to a marriage in name only; she will pay off the debts and give him an annual stipend, so he can explore Africa to his heart's content. She will maintain and rebuild his ducal properties and Stuart is to never return to England.
However, in life, things happen. Stuart is mauled by a lioness (while his valet is killed) and he watches as his African companions dig his grave. He decides that he wants to go home and build a life with Edie. It takes six months to mend enough to return to England. Edie is underwhelmed; in fact, she is furious.
Stuart tells Edie that he wants children and Edie refuses and talks about an annulment or a divorce. When she returns from an unsatisfactory meeting with her lawyer, they talk again. Finally, they agree to a 10-day test; she wants to go back to America (actually, she doesn't, but she doesn't know what else to do) and he wants her to stay. Edie gives Stuart 10 days to change her mind about leaving.
This is a very moving story because Stuart doesn't really understand the true nature of Edie's ruination in America. When he finally figures it out, the story moves to a new level. Stuart is the epitome of patience and kindness. There are some errors in the book made by the author. I'm surprised that a copyeditor didn't catch the errors before production. The people in this book are interesting.
American Heiress in London
1. When the Marquess Met His Match (2013)
**2. How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days (2014)
3. Catch a Falling Heiress (2015)
4. No Mistress of Mine (2016)
Edie and Stuart agree to a marriage in name only; she will pay off the debts and give him an annual stipend, so he can explore Africa to his heart's content. She will maintain and rebuild his ducal properties and Stuart is to never return to England.
However, in life, things happen. Stuart is mauled by a lioness (while his valet is killed) and he watches as his African companions dig his grave. He decides that he wants to go home and build a life with Edie. It takes six months to mend enough to return to England. Edie is underwhelmed; in fact, she is furious.
Stuart tells Edie that he wants children and Edie refuses and talks about an annulment or a divorce. When she returns from an unsatisfactory meeting with her lawyer, they talk again. Finally, they agree to a 10-day test; she wants to go back to America (actually, she doesn't, but she doesn't know what else to do) and he wants her to stay. Edie gives Stuart 10 days to change her mind about leaving.
This is a very moving story because Stuart doesn't really understand the true nature of Edie's ruination in America. When he finally figures it out, the story moves to a new level. Stuart is the epitome of patience and kindness. There are some errors in the book made by the author. I'm surprised that a copyeditor didn't catch the errors before production. The people in this book are interesting.
American Heiress in London
1. When the Marquess Met His Match (2013)
**2. How to Lose a Duke in Ten Days (2014)
3. Catch a Falling Heiress (2015)
4. No Mistress of Mine (2016)
Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Very good book. Edie had come to England five years earlier, escaping a bad situation back in New York. Unfortunately, she hadn't found a husband during the season which meant returning to America, something she really didn't want to do. When she discovered that Stuart needed a rich wife, she proposed a marriage of convenience - she would pay the debts, care for his estates, and provide him with the funds he needed to return to Africa, as long as he stayed there.
Stuart is more than happy to take the deal, as it gets him exactly what he wants. He spends the next five years busily exploring various parts of Africa, leading safaris, and even discovering a new species of butterfly. But when a close encounter with a lioness nearly results in his death, Stuart decides it is time to go home. He's spent a lot of time over the years thinking about Edie, and he's ready to make something different of his life.
Edie is horrified when Stuart shows up, expressing his intention to make their marriage a real one. He makes his case quite eloquently, but Edie is blunt in her statement that she has no desire to live with him or have a family. She likes her independence, her charitable works, and raising her younger sister. The thought of living with him sends her into a panic. Consulting with a lawyer gives her only one option that is acceptable to her - a legal separation, leaving them married but living apart.
Stuart is surprised by the feelings of desperation he gets from her whenever he tries to talk to her about their marriage. He's certain he can win her over if she will just give him a chance. So he makes a bargain with her that he can get her to willingly give him a kiss within ten days. If he succeeds, she will give up on the idea of a separation. If he loses, he will grant her request. But she has to give him a fighting chance.
I loved Stuart. He really is a very nice guy, who just wants a chance at the marriage he thinks he can have. He starts out quite gently, wooing her with picnics and conversation, and some mild flirtation. He senses that there is passion under the cold attitude, so he begins a subtle form of seduction. But Edie's resistance is strong, and eventually he figures out why. I loved his reaction and how angry he was on her behalf. He became even more determined to show her that what she experienced isn't the way it should be.
I was a bit frustrated with Edie at the beginning. She was so determined to keep Stuart away from her that she wouldn't listen to what he was asking for. For a woman who had been so independent and good at what she was doing, seeing her run away just didn't seem to fit. But as her fears were revealed, I felt more sympathy for her, and couldn't wait to see how Stuart was going to overcome them.
There were some pretty amusing scenes as Edie used her prescribed time with him. I loved tea with the vicar, and how much amusement Edie got from Stuart's discomfort. Of course, Stuart would get his revenge by using his time to tell her all the things he wants to do to her. I loved seeing the effect it had on her as she slowly began to look forward to their encounters. There is a scene at the end where it looks like it's all going to work, until a flashback ruins it. I loved Stuart's reaction and what he does with his time while he gives her the time she needs. When he returns to her, though the time for their bet is up, I loved seeing how he made his case for their future. He really bares his soul to her, showing her his deepest vulnerabilities. Even more satisfying was Edie's reaction to his return. She was able to speak of her own feelings in ways she never had before. I loved the realistic view of her expectations for the future. The epilogue was fantastic, and a wonderful lead in to the next book.
Stuart is more than happy to take the deal, as it gets him exactly what he wants. He spends the next five years busily exploring various parts of Africa, leading safaris, and even discovering a new species of butterfly. But when a close encounter with a lioness nearly results in his death, Stuart decides it is time to go home. He's spent a lot of time over the years thinking about Edie, and he's ready to make something different of his life.
Edie is horrified when Stuart shows up, expressing his intention to make their marriage a real one. He makes his case quite eloquently, but Edie is blunt in her statement that she has no desire to live with him or have a family. She likes her independence, her charitable works, and raising her younger sister. The thought of living with him sends her into a panic. Consulting with a lawyer gives her only one option that is acceptable to her - a legal separation, leaving them married but living apart.
Stuart is surprised by the feelings of desperation he gets from her whenever he tries to talk to her about their marriage. He's certain he can win her over if she will just give him a chance. So he makes a bargain with her that he can get her to willingly give him a kiss within ten days. If he succeeds, she will give up on the idea of a separation. If he loses, he will grant her request. But she has to give him a fighting chance.
I loved Stuart. He really is a very nice guy, who just wants a chance at the marriage he thinks he can have. He starts out quite gently, wooing her with picnics and conversation, and some mild flirtation. He senses that there is passion under the cold attitude, so he begins a subtle form of seduction. But Edie's resistance is strong, and eventually he figures out why. I loved his reaction and how angry he was on her behalf. He became even more determined to show her that what she experienced isn't the way it should be.
I was a bit frustrated with Edie at the beginning. She was so determined to keep Stuart away from her that she wouldn't listen to what he was asking for. For a woman who had been so independent and good at what she was doing, seeing her run away just didn't seem to fit. But as her fears were revealed, I felt more sympathy for her, and couldn't wait to see how Stuart was going to overcome them.
There were some pretty amusing scenes as Edie used her prescribed time with him. I loved tea with the vicar, and how much amusement Edie got from Stuart's discomfort. Of course, Stuart would get his revenge by using his time to tell her all the things he wants to do to her. I loved seeing the effect it had on her as she slowly began to look forward to their encounters. There is a scene at the end where it looks like it's all going to work, until a flashback ruins it. I loved Stuart's reaction and what he does with his time while he gives her the time she needs. When he returns to her, though the time for their bet is up, I loved seeing how he made his case for their future. He really bares his soul to her, showing her his deepest vulnerabilities. Even more satisfying was Edie's reaction to his return. She was able to speak of her own feelings in ways she never had before. I loved the realistic view of her expectations for the future. The epilogue was fantastic, and a wonderful lead in to the next book.
