Devon’s review of A Duke of Her Own (Desperate Duchesses, Book 6) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance released by Avon 28 Jul 09
Bear with me, I’m a bit rusty at this reviewing thing. After a long hiatus, I have recently returned to reading. Several weeks ago, I picked up Duchess by Night, the third book in the Desperate Duchesses series, on a whim. I enjoyed it and so checked out An Affair Before Christmas. While I usually like to read in order, I was sufficiently intrigued by the description of A Duke of Her Own, and so decided to skip ahead. I’m assuming that this is the last in the Desperate Duchesses series, and I’m happy to say that, for me, it was a slam dunk. James can be hit or miss, but here she is firing on all four cylinders, with a witty, passionate comedy of manners.
A Duke of Her Own is the story of the Duke of Villiers, well known to followers of the series as the chess playing rake who almost lost his life in a duel. I expect some readers might not like him, but I’ve always found him very amusing. Anyhow, Villiers’ brush with death has made him resolve to take better care of his SIX bastards who have been scattered around the country. As the book opens, he has tracked down all but two, and has further resolved to marry the daughter of a duke, reasoning that only a woman of that rank could get society to tolerate his offspring. There are only two eligible women: the smart, sarcastic Lady Eleanor and the ethereal, impulsive Lady Lisette. However, while both women are less than conventional, there are reasons that both may not make a good match.
The cover copy is slightly misleading but, yes, there is a bit of a love triangle, or quadrangle, really. I’m going to be a bit cagey about it, but for the most part, it worked. It is quite clear early on who Villiers is meant to be with, but there were a few times where I was getting a bit concerned and frustrated. His heroine is absolutely perfect for him, and their crazy passion swept me up. It is a true match of minds and their verbal sparring and physical chemistry had me wanting to bang their heads together and say “Get it together, people!!”
James refrains from introducing too many subplots, which makes this stand alone easily. Instead, she peoples the cast with characters who, while not always sympathetic, are vividly well drawn. They move the plot along and provide a number of amusing and interesting moments. Oh, the dinner conversations! While I really like Eleanor’s younger sister, Anne, I have to give a shout out to Villiers’ likable bastards. It’s rare to find young characters who are not annoyingly precocious or precious.
But in the end it is the romance between two intelligent, mature and strong willed people that made the book. This is the first book that I’ve read in awhile where I know I’ll be re-reading certain bits for days to come. [It’s the first Eloisa James that I’ve read in a loooong time to attain such status. And I’ve re-read parts of Duchess in Love many, many times.] This one’s a hit—a passionate, moving romance with spot on characterization and plenty of fun. The only thing keeping my grade down is Villiers occasional lunkheadedness.
Grade: A-
Summary:
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A duke must choose wisely . . .
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Leopold Dautry, the notorious Duke of Villiers, must wed quickly and nobly—and his choices, alas, are few. The Duke of Montague’s daughter, Eleanor, is exquisitely beautiful and fiercely intelligent. Villiers betroths himself to her without further ado.
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After all, no other woman really qualifies. Lisette, the outspoken daughter of the Duke of Gilner, cares nothing for clothing or decorum. She’s engaged to another man, and doesn’t give a fig for status or title. Half the ton believes Lisette mad—and Villiers is inclined to agree.
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Torn between logic and passion, between intelligence and imagination, Villiers finds himself drawn to the very edge of impropriety. But it is not until he’s in a duel to the death, fighting for the reputation of the woman he loves, that Villiers finally realizes that the greatest risk may not be in the dueling field . . .
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But in the bedroom. And the heart.
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Read an excerpt
Other books in the series:
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I adored When The Duke Returns, liked the entire series, and have just finished A Duke Of Her Own. I loved, loved, loved this book and am re-reading passages already! The writing is crisp and I laughed out loud quite a few times. A great book!
I LOVED Leopold. From the first book to now his journey was what made the series really great (that and Jemma and Elijah) and I’m glad he got a great happy ending. The conversations are what made the book great, just like Jemma and Elijah’s fights and conversations throughout the series and in their book. I’m glad Eleanor was a strong heroine too and made everything Leopold’s choice rather than being obnoxious or trying to be someone she wasn’t.
And welcome back Devon! 🙂
I have bad memories of the way James handled the love triangle in Pleasure for Pleasure and the spoilers I’ve read so far lead me to believe that it’s done a bit in the same way here, at least regarding how long it takes the hero to switch to the heroine (much much too long in my opinion). Could anyone confirm or deny this?
James is such a hit or miss for me that I like to be sure of a few facts before I pick up a book of hers these days. I enjoyed Jemma and Elijah’s book and would like to stay with a good impression of this author.
I’m new to reading Eloisa James and started with this series. While I was never a Villiers fan, I can safely say that this was the best book in the series. Villiers really grew as a chracter from the first book to the last. I wouldn’t necessarily say that there was a triangle, since it was so obvious early on who Villiers would wind up with. Even so, it was a well-done love story.
I especially liked Eleanor’s relationship with her sister and the scenes with Tobias. Also, the dining room scene with Oyster was heartbreaking. Yet here is where Villiers finally realized what he may have lost.
Hey Lawson! Good to be back.
Estelle–I skipped Pleasure for Pleasure, because I was so unhappy with Taming of the Duke. It actually took me a few years to pick up EJ up again. I did read lots of meh reviews of it.
While I was concerned about the triangle aspect, it was apparent early on who would end up together. And they had great chemistry. But the triangle/quadrangle aspect wasn’t just a lame plot device, because it explained a lot about the characters as people, their past etc. Does that make sense?
This was the strongest James I’ve read in a loooong time. Didn’t go overboard with storytlines or trying to be ambitious. Just good solid characters and dialogue.
I’ve read Books 1, 2,and 4 so far and am liking them progressively better. In Book 1 I loved the Jemma/Elijah/Villiers triangle and the sweet, eccentric father, but didn’t care for the ‘main’ couple. They’ seemed too fixated on their own wishes and desires. I liked the main couple in Book 2 better, but I LOVED the couple in Book 4 so much I’m giddy with anticipation about the last two stories in the series. (Not really sure how I missed Book 3).
Thank you for the input! I gathered it was obvious early on to the reader who was to be the heroine but is it also obvious to the hero? Gah, I still have nightmares about Mayne and Josie!
I’m not too fond of the 6 bastards thing to start with so I’m not sure I should pick up this book if it’s got another one of my pet peeves in it.
Dropping Out of Lurkdom to ask a ?~
I enjoy Eloisa James’ work but it has been a long while since I’ve read one of her books. I’ve not read any of the titles in this series although I’ve followed discussions of Villiers for a long time. He sounds fabulous & yummy..BUT my question is: how much am I missing if I read this one & skip the others??
Welcome back! ~Amanda
*slinks back to Lurkerdom*