∎ Read Free When the Duke Returns Desperate Duchesses Eloisa James 9780061245602 Books

When the Duke Returns Desperate Duchesses Eloisa James 9780061245602 Books

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When the Duke Returns Desperate Duchesses Eloisa James 9780061245602 Books

It is a perfect guilty-pleasure read: delightful, witty, light, wicked and steamy aaaaand surprisingly and importantly, it gets most of the regency p's and q's right. It also contains explicit sex scenes, so if you prefer clean romances, you may want to look elsewhere.

Rafe, the Duke of Holbrook promised the Earl of Essex to become guardian to his daughters should the need arise. As the Earl -a kind, but feckless and horse-crazy wastrel- dies in an accident, Rafe is bound by his promise to take care of the 4 girls. He may not be enthusiastic, but he is nothing if not conscientious. Holbrook Hall's nursery room is prepared and awaits his protégés with toys, trained nursery maids and a rather bemused Duke in tow.
His bemusement turns into despair when he finds on their arrival that the adorable moppets are all, but one, of marriageable age, in want of chaperones, dowries and husbands.
As for husbands, though Rafe vows never to marry, he is eager to procure at least one candidate in the person of his friend, the Earl of Mayne, an infamous roué who could give Lord Byron a run for his money without even trying too hard.
But whom should he choose as his bride? Lovely, responsible Tess, the oldest of the siblings, who played mother to them all? Beautiful, sultry and materialistic Annabel? Passionate, impulsive & stunning Imogen? (The youngest, the ever-practical, but vulnerable Josie is still in the schoolroom.)
The Earl thinks, Tess would be an ideal wife for him: she is lovely, witty and though she has no money, her inheritance is a most famous racehorse, who could want more?
Tess, who is bent on giving her sisters a chance in London high society, agrees to the match, but her pleasant feelings get greatly disturbed by the appearance of the Duke's other friend, the mysterious and detached Lucius Felton, a "mere Mr", but one of the richest men of the Kingdom.

This book is the first in a series, but all four books can be read as a standalone as enough information about characters and storylines is provided to enjoy them without having to read them all or in order.
I loved all the sisters (especially Tess and Josie, well, maybe not Imogen) with their distinct and fully-developed personalities with their support for each other as well as their bickerings and teasings. I read all the books almost in one go as I really wanted to know all their fate. I also liked all their love interests as well as the secondary story-lines that were entwined with the main plots.


Tags : When the Duke Returns (Desperate Duchesses) [Eloisa James] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <blockquote> The Duchess of Cosway yearns for a man she has never met . . . her husband. </blockquote> Married by proxy as a child,Eloisa James,When the Duke Returns (Desperate Duchesses),Avon,0061245607,Romance - Historical - General,Historical fiction,Love stories,Marriage by proxy,Nobility - England,AMERICAN HISTORICAL FICTION,AMERICAN LIGHT ROMANTIC FICTION,FICTION Romance General,FICTION Romance Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - Romance,Fiction-Romance,General Adult,Historical romance,MASS MARKET,RomanceHistorical,Romance: Historical,United States

When the Duke Returns Desperate Duchesses Eloisa James 9780061245602 Books Reviews

A slow start eventually evolves into a pretty decent novel of the relationships between sisters that is often messy but almost always vital to Essex sisters' happiness. There is some very good dialog between the sisters, especially Tess and Imogene.

Yes, there is a love story between Tess, the oldest of the Essex sisters and Lucien, a man who is remote and emotionally closed off. Of course, the love of a good woman helps him become happier and more likable. The love story between Imogene, another of the Essex sisters, and Draven Maitland is doomed from the get-go and the author doesn't do much to conceal that. In other words, there is very little tension and no surprises in this novel.

My chief criticism is pacing in that the story evolves a little too slowly for my taste. The HEA is a foregone conclusion and there was not enough tension to keep my interest riveted for very long. Overall, I found it very 'put downable'

Bottom line On an A to F scale, I'd give it a solid C.
I don't often review books but this one really struck me. I read the compilation of short stories, the one who got away, and was intrigued by the character Lucius Felton. Did a search hoping to find his story and here it is! There are a lot of characters and a lot going on but this introduces the series and I was so drawn in by Tess and Lucius's story. So often these novels are fluffy like cotton candy but I felt like the characters and story had a lot of heart to them. The path made sense for the two main characters. I won't elaborate on the plot which would ruin the reading experience but I really enjoyed the journey and I now plan on reading the rest of the series to find out what happens to everyone else.
FINAL DECISION This book started out slowly because there are so many characters and situations to set up as this book kicks off the Essex Sisters series. Once the story focused on Tess and Lucius, however, I loved how it went. Took too long to get there, however.

THE STORY When their father dies, the four Essex sisters become wards of the Duke of Holbrook. The duke means well, but he is a drunkard and a bit clueless about what to do with his four unexpected wards. The oldest sister Tess realizes that she needs to marry quickly so that she can help her younger sisters marry well. While Tess gets engaged to an earl, she can't stop thinking about Mr. Lucius Felton who is just too complicated and tempting for Tess.

OPINION This book started out slowly for me. There are multiple storylines and characters that clearly will be explored during the other three books in the series. This book sets the table and because of that, this book takes a long time to get going. There are some false starts until the real romance between Tess and Lucius really gets started.

Once the romance and storyline switches to focus on Tess and Lucius, I loved it. The two end up being so sweet together. The contrast between their marriage of convenience and Tess's sisters marriage of passionate love becomes clear as Lucius falls deeply in love with his wife and the care the two have for one another becomes clear.

I especially liked how Lucius quietly cares for those important to him. He feels deeply and I loved how he makes things happen. He is hero that I really liked and not at all like the rake that I expected from the blurb. Rather, he felt like a real gentleman with a little naughty streak. Despite his intentions, he clearly falls for Tess and he can't help how much he wants to care for her.

Before Tess and Lucius gets together, I was a bit annoyed by her character as she appeared clueless at times. The mixing and matching of the men and women gets sorted out, however, and then the story begins to really take shape.

I hope that the future books in the series can build upon the ending of this book which was strong.

WORTH MENTIONING This book sets up all four books in the series and thus has a lot of characters material and set up to get through.

CONNECTED BOOKS MUCH ADO ABOUT YOU is the first book of the Essex Sisters series.

STAR RATING I give this book 3.5 stars.
It is a perfect guilty-pleasure read delightful, witty, light, wicked and steamy aaaaand surprisingly and importantly, it gets most of the regency p's and q's right. It also contains explicit sex scenes, so if you prefer clean romances, you may want to look elsewhere.

Rafe, the Duke of Holbrook promised the Earl of Essex to become guardian to his daughters should the need arise. As the Earl -a kind, but feckless and horse-crazy wastrel- dies in an accident, Rafe is bound by his promise to take care of the 4 girls. He may not be enthusiastic, but he is nothing if not conscientious. Holbrook Hall's nursery room is prepared and awaits his protégés with toys, trained nursery maids and a rather bemused Duke in tow.
His bemusement turns into despair when he finds on their arrival that the adorable moppets are all, but one, of marriageable age, in want of chaperones, dowries and husbands.
As for husbands, though Rafe vows never to marry, he is eager to procure at least one candidate in the person of his friend, the Earl of Mayne, an infamous roué who could give Lord Byron a run for his money without even trying too hard.
But whom should he choose as his bride? Lovely, responsible Tess, the oldest of the siblings, who played mother to them all? Beautiful, sultry and materialistic Annabel? Passionate, impulsive & stunning Imogen? (The youngest, the ever-practical, but vulnerable Josie is still in the schoolroom.)
The Earl thinks, Tess would be an ideal wife for him she is lovely, witty and though she has no money, her inheritance is a most famous racehorse, who could want more?
Tess, who is bent on giving her sisters a chance in London high society, agrees to the match, but her pleasant feelings get greatly disturbed by the appearance of the Duke's other friend, the mysterious and detached Lucius Felton, a "mere Mr", but one of the richest men of the Kingdom.

This book is the first in a series, but all four books can be read as a standalone as enough information about characters and storylines is provided to enjoy them without having to read them all or in order.
I loved all the sisters (especially Tess and Josie, well, maybe not Imogen) with their distinct and fully-developed personalities with their support for each other as well as their bickerings and teasings. I read all the books almost in one go as I really wanted to know all their fate. I also liked all their love interests as well as the secondary story-lines that were entwined with the main plots.