Sandy M’s review of What I Did for a Duke (Pennyroyal Green Series, Book 5) by Julie Anne Long
Historical Romance published by Avon 22 Feb 11
Well, after finishing this book I know I’ve been missing some terrific stories by Julie Anne Long. This is my first book by this author and I have fallen in love with her characters from this series. It’s Alex, Duke of Falconbridge, who steals the show for me. His sense of humor, bridled with his arrogance and vulnerabilities, that make him such a complex hero, and I fell for him hard.
Falconbridge is out for revenge, aiming to take advantage of Ian Eversea’s sister for the man’s seduction of the duke’s fiance. When he first meets Genevieve, he’s a little underwhelmed. She’s not as beautiful as her sister, but as he steadily gets to know the young woman, his perception of her changes while his intent does not. He’s able to see beyond her stoic exterior to the hurt and betrayal she’s recently suffered, thus he’s found the vulnerability he needs for his plan to succeed.
She’s loved Lord Harry Osborne all her life, and Genevieve is stunned when he tells her he’s decided to ask their best friend, the lovely Millicent, to marry him. Putting on a brave face for Harry, as well as the guests due for her family’s house party, Genevieve has to bear the Duke’s sudden intrusiveness every time she turns around. At first she’s polite because that’s how she’s been raised, but then as the duke makes bolder overtures, Genny begins to look at him and what he has to offer in a different light, all the while still upset when seeing Harry and Millicent together, wanting what they seemingly have.
From the beginning Alex is that powerful, wealthy, and arrogant duke he’s known as, with some mystery and scandal from his past thrown in. He uses all of these things to his advantage, whether it’s stalking Ian to keep him running scared or slowly seducing Genevieve. He uses everything in his arsenal when he decides it is this woman he wants. Something as simple as the distinction of a kiss, Harry’s or Alex’s, keeps Genevieve off balance as she becomes more and more aware of the duke as a man who might be just what she needs and wants.
Genevieve does have to be a strong character to take him on and Ms. Long has written her perfectly. Her innocence complements her wittiness and practicality, all of which is what seduces Alex as he seduces her. I love the innuendos that play between Alex and Genevieve when he learns of her love of art, the portrayals of Venus and Mars, which become inside jokes as Alex’s seduction wends its way through Genevieve. She holds her own with him admirably.
I really like the end of this story, finally giving us a look at an Alex we have yet to see. And what a look it is. Though it seems he has it all worked out to get what he wants, he still has doubts, which are lovely to see in someone of his caliber. He has no idea if his so-called scheming will work, but I guess we should say he’s crazy to ever doubt Genevieve. But to his credit, even I doubted for a moment.
This is a wonderfully written book and I plan on pulling all of my Julie Anne Long books from the TRB pile as soon as I can. I’m not missing another word of hers again if I can help it.
Grade: A
Summary:
For years, he’s been an object of fear, fascination…and fantasy. But of all the wicked rumors that forever dog the formidable Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge, the ton knows one thing for certain: only fools dare cross him. And when Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he’ll seduce Ian’s innocent sister, Genevieve—the only member of the powerful and wealthy Eversea family as yet untouched by scandal. First he’ll capture her heart…and then he’ll break it.
But everything about Genevieve is unexpected: the passion simmering beneath her cool control, the sharp wit tempered by a gentleness that coaxes out his deepest secrets… And though Genevieve has heard the whispers about the duke’s dark past, and knows she trifles with him at her peril, one incendiary kiss tempts her deeper into a world of extraordinary sensuality. Until Genevieve is faced with a fateful choice…is there anything she won’t do for a duke?
Read an excerpt.
Other books in this series:
Book 6: How the Marquess was Won – January 2012
This was my first Julie Ann Long book and I’ve now read this whole series. I’m working my way thru her backlist and I just love her writing style and sense of humor. She has quickly become one of my favorites, right up there with Julia Quinn and Eloisa James.
I so agree with you, Marinell. I’m hoping to get more books in this series read soon, I so enjoyed the characters and, you’re right, Ms. Long’s writing style and humor are superb. I’m her latest new fan!
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the age discrepancy between h/h, but it wound up being important to the plot. Alex wouldn’t have been the man he was without life experience. There was humor, pathos and sweetness in this book. I especially liked how quickly Geneivieve figured out why Alex was pursuing her. There was no dishonesty in their relationship. Her brother’s fear was also funny. My favorite books in the series are this one, I Kissed an Earl and Like No Other Lover.
Age discrepancies don’t bother me as much as a really, really young heroine, Kim, like 17 or 18, even though I know in certain eras they were considered women at that age, married, starting families, etc. You’re right about Alex and his life experiences being important in the story, especially those experiences considered scandalous by society. This is just a completely terrific read all the around. I’m going to have to get to I Kissed an Earl and Like No Other Lover soon – I’ve heard only good things about them!
I am happy to say, I discovered her right away and have enjoyed the series from the start. I am eagerly awaiting Lionel’s story eventually, but not too soon. There’s plenty of Redmonds and Everseas before I need Lionel to be resolved. I did love how I Kissed An Earl, got us more details about the whole Lionel/Olivia thing, and ohhh, they get so close to catching him.
The best historical I’ve read in a long, long time. 🙂 I am slightly behind in the series so I skipped to this one because of all the raves. I am SO glad I did.
Wish I’d discovered her right away, Bronwyn, so I wouldn’t be so far behind in reading the series! LOL But I’ll have fun catching up.
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Don’t know that I could have skipped ahead, c2! I have a feeling I’ll be so caught up in each book once I do get to them that I wouldn’t be able to put one down for anything until it’s finished. I’m looking forward to that…..