C2’s review of The Duke is Mine (Fairy Tales, Book 3) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance published by Avon 27 Dec 11
In her newest release, Eloisa James tackles another well known fairytale. She has already given us her twist on Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. This time around? The Princess and the Pea.
Thanks to a schoolboy friendship between her father and the Duke of Canterwick, Miss Olivia Lytton has been betrothed to the future duke since she was a toddler. The older of twin girls, Olivia has been raised to be a duchess – educated in all things duchess-y, always treated as an engaged young lady, and given quiet sympathetic glances. Why sympathy when being engaged to a future duke is all some girls dream of? Well, those girls aren’t engaged to Rupert.
Rupert, for all that he will someday inherit a dukedom, is not the brightest of bulbs. He is younger than Olivia, shows no particular interest in her or any young lady, is not a graceful creature nor is he particularly well-spoken. He is also stubborn – once he latches onto an idea, it is almost impossible to get him to let go. However, he is good natured and friendly, so things could be worse.
Olivia, her mother despairs, is the least duchess-like future duchess ever. She likes bawdy jokes, she is plump, she is outspoken and loves to laugh. Why she can’t be more like her (younger by several minutes) twin sister, Georgiana, is an often-asked question. The girls were raised and educated together, so why is Georgiana the epitome of all things duchess-y while Olivia is…not? It is a good thing, Mr. and Mrs. Lytton agree, that Olivia did not actually have to catch a duke on her own merit.
When Rupert decides he is going to bring glory to the family name through beats of military greatness, there is no way to dissuade him. Before he leaves, Rupert and his father visit the Lyttons to formalize the betrothal – and to give Rupert and Olivia some alone time. The duke strongly encourages Olivia to seduce Rupert – since he is going off to war and has no siblings, an heir would be a good thing. (An aside – OMG REALLY? So creepy!) Neither Olivia or Rupert have any real interest in the sort of proceedings necessary for getting an heir and, after a half-hearted effort, decide to not but say they did.
In the meantime, Olivia and Georgiana are invited to a house party at the home of the Duke of Sconce. Rumor has it that he is looking for a wife and his mother (who apparently gets to choose) has invited the most promising candidates to the party. Olivia and Georgiana both know this is Georgiana’s best chance at landing a duke – there aren’t very many available and she has very little dowry to offer as enticement.
Tarquin, Duke of Sconce, is all about reason. He does not let his passions rule him – his first marriage taught him that lesson very well – and does not like dealing with the passions of others. Quin spends his days taking care of estate business and dealing with mathematical theories. He is not a cheerful, easy-going fellow and he knows it and he has no interest in choosing his next bride. However, when soaked Olivia arrives on his doorstep to get help for a stranded carriage, Quin is transfixed and (literally) sweeps her off her feet. He is unable to concentrate on anything except his desire to kiss her…and she makes him want to laugh!
Olivia doesn’t immediately realize the person she thinks is a very impertinent footman is actually the Duke of Sconce. And even when she does, she is perplexed by his behavior. He kissed her and said she was beautiful. And he didn’t even know who she was!
You can see where this is headed, can’t you, faithful reader? Olivia and Quin have immediate chemistry, but both are honorable enough to try to stay away from each other. Olivia does feel some loyalty to Rupert, bless his heart. Plus, she doesn’t want to ruin her sister’s chance at happiness. Quin doesn’t think he wants a wife who makes him feel things…but he definitely wants Olivia. And neither can stay away from the other. But what about Rupert? And Quin’s prospective brides? Will love triumph? Heh. What do you think?
I enjoyed this book, overall. I like Olivia (much more than when we met her in the Winning the Wallflower novella) and Quin and find the premise interesting – with all the emphasis on marrying, there must have been a good many people who found a better match after they were betrothed to someone else.
I will say it feel like the story could have ended a few chapters earlier than it does. It seems like a lot of effort was made to tie up the Rupert situation when a few pages might have worked just as well. And the fairytale connection feels a bit forced, as opposed to the previous books where it did not. Still, the extra bit of story gives Quin a chance to have an adventure and it is entertaining. If you’re looking for a fun read, this might be just the ticket.
It isn’t the strongest entry in the series, but it wis an enjoyable book all the same. This book is tied slightly to Winning the Wallflower, an e-novella that I enjoyed immensely (hey, look – I reviewed it here). It isn’t necessary to read WtW first (or at all), but it is very good! Does The Duke is Mine stand alone from the rest of the Fairy Tale series? Absolutely – all the books in the series stand alone.
Grade: B
Summary:
Tarquin, the powerful Duke of Sconce, knows perfectly well that the decorous and fashionably slender Georgiana Lytton will make him a proper duchess. So why can’t he stop thinking about her twin sister, the curvy, headstrong, and altogether unconventional Olivia? Not only is Olivia betrothed to another man, but their improper, albeit intoxicating, flirtation makes her unsuitability all the more clear.Determined to make a perfect match, he methodically cuts Olivia from his thoughts, allowing logic and duty to triumph over passion…Until, in his darkest hour, Tarquin begins to question whether perfection has anything to do with love.
To win Olivia’s hand he would have to give up all the beliefs he holds most dear, and surrender heart, body and soul…
Unless it’s already too late.
Read an excerpt.
Other books in the series:
