Sandy M’s review of Duchess of My Heart by Maya Banks
Historical Romance published by Maya Banks 20 May 19
I’ve had an up-and-down relationship with Maya Banks’ books over the last year or two. Later books in her KGI and Enforcers series became so repetitive that I just gave up on both series. I’ve not read Ms. Banks since. But when I saw this new historical, I figured it’s time I try again. What I didn’t know while I read is that Ms. Banks is releasing a new collection, some of which have been in print before and some that have not. This book reinforces my belief that her books in recent years are lacking for some inexplicable reason. I don’t know what that reason is, but my hope is Ms.Banks can re-evaluate and come back stronger than ever.
Jillian is finally free of her abusive husband, and she refuses to grieve for him. She’s out and about in the ton, living it up, all the while turning those in society who could help her later against her. Her best friend, Case, is always there for her, so who needs the rest of the aristocracy. Her story is one typical of the time in the way women were treated by their husbands. Thus, it takes Jillian a bit of time to trust again.
Case’s brother, Justin, Duke of Whittington, is home after some extensive traveling and is appalled at the company his sibling is keeping. Thinking Jillian a whore as well as Case’s current lover, he tries to pull them apart. What he doesn’t expect is discovering both Jillian’s past and the fact his feelings for her can’t be ignored. Justin rose in my eyes as he realized how wrong he’s been about Jillian, don’t judge a book and all that. He and Case, along with their cousin Hawk, try to keep Jillian safe when evil decides to revisit.
I really enjoyed this slow romance, becoming friends after being enemies, all due to misunderstandings – which usually doesn’t appeal to me, but these misunderstandings seem to be of the times enough that it works. I’ve read only one or two other historicals from Ms. Banks and they didn’t work for me, mostly because the dialogue gave the characters a modern feel. This time around I didn’t see that happening nearly as much.
This isn’t exactly Maya Banks at her best, but it’s a far cry better than her most recent works.
Grade: B-
Summary:
Jillian’s marriage was a nightmare, the news of her husband’s death an answered prayer. She refuses to bow to the ton and pretend to mourn. And her best friend Case will be by her side as she defies society’s rules and has her first taste of freedom.
Justin, eighth Duke of Whittington, is determined to save his family name from the scandal his brother Case is creating but the lovely Jillian is not the foe he expected. Both vulnerable and vexing, he’s never met another woman like her. But as sparks fly between them, Justin realizes he must help save Jillian from her past before they can ever have a future.
No excerpt available.
