Lawson’s review of An Affair Before Christmas (Desperate Duchesses, Book 2) by Eloisa James
Historical romance released by Avon 13 Nov 07

The Duke of Fletcher is lucky in the fact that he loves his wife. They married for love four years ago after having met in Paris during Christmas. Poppy is a dear wife and she has made a wonderful duchess, except for one thing. Though he loves her, and she loves him, Poppy does not desire her husband. She doesn’t realize that simple thing is why her marriage is failing because she feels she’s not that type of person. Proper ladies, according to her mother, do not enjoy or even like those bedroom activities. 

Fletch is frustrated with his wife and has been doing all he can to get her to notice him for the past year. Tired of her behavior as a cold fish in bed, he quits visiting her all together and has determined to get some good sex he needs to find a mistress. He finds it harder than he realized, for Poppy has many friends in society and he really doesn’t want to stray anyway, since he does love his wife.

Poppy knows she can’t please her husband and she decides to do what her friend Jemma Bradshaw did when faced with a husband’s actions: she leaves. Poppy stays with Jemma for a time and Fletch does what he can to get his wife back, but he fears it may be too late. Her harridan of a mother has ruined Poppy’s opinion of herself and of men. Or has she? Poppy begins to act like herself and not a proper duchess and realizes the best thing about being married to the man she loves is what he can do for her, in and out of bed.

This is the second in the Desperate Duchesses series. Though the first one seemed to concentrate more on the other characters rather than the hero and heroine of the story, Affair gives the reader time to really get to know Poppy and Fletch.

Poppy has lived her life not to disappoint anyone since her mother is a controlling, overbearing person who is jealous that her daughter is a duchess and she’s not. Though Poppy gains some self confidence thoughout the book, it’s bothersome that she never gives her mother the set down she deserves. In fact, everyone is just scared of Lady Flora and avoid her rather than giving her a taste of her own medicine.

The Duke of Villiers makes an appearance as well, though he spends the majority of the book bedridden because of an infected wound he recieved from a duel that occured at the end of the last book. Villiers becomes involved with Miss Charlotte Tatlock, who comes to visit him while he’s bedridden with a fever. Charlotte is now distracted by Villiers and doesn’t flirt with the Duke of Beaumont, which leaves him time to remember how intelligent, charming and desirable his own wife Jemma is.

Though Jemma is scandalous, she is a caring soul and those other desperate women, duchesses or not, turn to her for advice and she gives the right advice. Because when Poppy sheds her perfect duchess image (including disgustingly unhygienic Marie Antoinette hair) and begins to explore her own interests with Jemma, Fletch falls in love with his wife all over again because she’s finally able to be herself. Rediscovering herself brings out her natural passions and gives a new level to her marriage and she’s finally able to enjoy the act.

Lucky woman is married to a man who wants to give her pleasure and loves her enough to give up sex as long as she comes home. Le sigh.

Definitely a recommended read due to the continuing stories of Jemma and Elijah, as well as Villiers and a truly desperate duchess getting a happily ever after. The set up at the end of Affair gives several possibilities for the next book in the series, and makes me wonder who will win the chess match with Jemma (yep the second game was played and now there’s a need for a third on both sides) Villiers or her husband? Who is the next book going to be about? How desperate is Harriet, Duchess of Berlow going to become (since she was hardly in this one)? My desperation for answers has increased. . .

Grade: B+

Blurb:

Magic under the mistletoe . . .

One spectacular Christmas, Lady Perdita Selby, known to her friends and family as Poppy, met the man she thought she would love forever. The devilishly attractive Duke of Fletcher was the perfect match for the innocent, breathtakingly beautiful young Englishwoman, and theirs was the most romantic wedding she had ever seen. Four years later, Poppy and the duke have become the toast of the ton . . . but behind closed doors the spark of their love affair has burned out.

Unwilling to lose the woman he still lusts after, the duke is determined to win back his beguiling bride’s delectable affections . . . and surpass the heady days of first love with a truly sinful seduction.

Read an excerpt.