The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham, #1)

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The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham #1)

by Julia Quinn (Goodreads Author)

3.68 of 5 stars 3.68 · rating details · 9,504 ratings · 396 reviews

Will the real Duke of Wyndham please stand up?

Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth pro...more

Paperback, 371 pages

Published 2008 by Piatkus Books

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Feb 08, 2009 Beth F. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, 2009, dudes-named-jack, tnbbc-winter-2008

I had a one night stand with this book. Or more fitting, I had a 24-hour stand with this book. I started it on Friday evening and finished it on Saturday afternoon. And in between reading it, I reorganized my closet and my dresser, cleaned the bathroom, opened some windows to get some fresh air circulating (it was over 40 on Saturday—a virtual heat wave!) and put together a bag of old clothes to donate. I almost never finish books that fast, especially when I'm multi-tasking.

So all in all, this...more

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Feb 17, 2009 Isis FG rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Isis FG by: author I like

Shelves: author-julia-quinn, 2009, info-full, genre-romance-historical-england, reviewed, published-2008, stars-4

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book because though I've really enjoyed the other JQ books I've read, and she's a very popular historical romance author, I'd read a lot of mixed reviews of this series. So I ended up putting off reading this one for a while because I wasn't sure I'd like it. But I actually enjoyed the book a lot. I can't say I loved it, but it was rather good and I'm looking forward to reading the Thomas's reciprocal story.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham is about just that...more I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book because though I've really enjoyed the other JQ books I've read, and she's a very popular historical romance author, I'd read a lot of mixed reviews of this series. So I ended up putting off reading this one for a while because I wasn't sure I'd like it. But I actually enjoyed the book a lot. I can't say I loved it, but it was rather good and I'm looking forward to reading the Thomas's reciprocal story.

The Lost Duke of Wyndham is about just that - a lost duke. Jack Audley was raised by his aunt and uncle after his parents were killed when their boat sank. After time in the army, he ended up a highwayman. Then one night he robs the coach of the dowager Duchess of Wyndham and her companion Grace Eversleigh. The dowager instantly sees that Jack is a lot like her middle son and immediately sets about finding out who he is. It turns out, she's right. Her son had gotten married and died before any of the Wyndham's could find out. Which means that Jack is the rightful heir to the Dukedom - not his cousin Thomas, who has been the Duke for years. Only, Jack wants no part of being a Duke. He wants Grace. From the first moment he wanted her, and though she knows it's wrong, she wants him. If Jack is the Duke, though, she knows she can't have him. A duke must marry someone his equal, not a lowly companion. But Jack will do anything to have Grace, to marry her. Anything.

One of the best parts of this book was the character of Jack. He was rather amusing with his witty comments and overall joviality. A lot of heroes in romance books tend to be dark and broody (which, nothing wrong with that! I love a good broody hero) so it's nice to read something different once in a while. And Jack was fun to read. Grace was a good character as well. She'd been deal a pretty lousy lot but was making the best of it. And she had some spunk to. She made a good match for Jack.

The romance between them builds fairly gradually through the book. There's a lot of chemistry and a few "almost" scenes, but it's not until near the end that they consummate the relationship. And that scene is really the only love scene. I wouldn't have minded a little more in that area. Not that the book needed a ton of sex, but there was all this build-up, then only one scene. It was a tad disappointing.

The storyline wasn't the most original, but Quinn tells it well. And the fact that she wrote a second book, told during the same time period but from Thomas's perspective is rather interesting and unique. I look forward to seeing how it works out once I read that one.

There's really not a lot of action in this book, or people just DOING stuff. It's mostly centered around Jack and whether or not he's the true duke and everyone's thoughts and feelings about it. So there is a little bit of monotony to it, but not so much I got bored. Just a vague feeling that I wanted SOMETHING to happen instead of the constant is he or isn't he the duke.

But overall, I enjoyed the book. It's more light-hearted than many historical romances I've read, and has a good dose of humor (as is normal with Quinn books). The characters (Thomas) intrigue me enough that I plan to read the 2nd book very soon. I'm curious to see how this dual telling of the story works out. I know many didn't care for the second book, but I'm going to give it a fair shot.(less)

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Jun 25, 2008 Christa rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: booksfree-com

This is another good one from Julia Quinn. Grace Eversleigh was orphaned at seventeen and rescued from her cousin's clutches by the dowager Duchess of Wyndham, who hired her as a companion. Grace has faithfully served the demanding, selfish dowager duchess for five years when they are accosted by a highwayman one night. Jack Audley, former solder turned highwayman, finds his life becoming complicated after he detains the coach of the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. The dowager duchess is convinced t...more

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Jul 13, 2008 Pamela(AllHoney) rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Historical Romance fans

Shelves: favorites, highwaymen-pickpockets-thieves, nanny-governess-companion, hr-georgian-regency, own, across-the-tracks, virgin-heroine, 1st-in-series, dukes-earls-viscounts-etc, my-5-star-romances

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 30, 2009 Brenda (b) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical, romance, 1-print-books, 2-2009-read

For me, this was a very entertaining read. Grace was the proverbial long-suffering companion who knew her place and never expected more than that. I felt so bad for both Jack and Thomas. I didn't want to see Jack forced into something he obviously didn't want and hadn't been prepared for. I also hated to see Thomas lose everything that had been his for his entire life. I'll be looking forward to his story in Mr. Cavendish, I Presume.

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May 28, 2008 Ron rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

Solid romantic drama about a ducal family whose situation is upended by a highwayman who turns out to be the true heir to the title. Not quite as screwball as Michele Jaffe or Eloisa James's romantic comedy elements, but the banter is entertaining and there's a refreshing abandonment of pretense in the way the main characters comport themselves. (And Colbert fans will note the "truthiness" scene with an extra touch of delight.) Made a cross-country flight that much more entertaining.

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Aug 16, 2008 Julie (jjmachshev) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2008-reads, queuemyreview

Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; Book release June 2008

Goody, goody, goody. Julie Quinn is an author who hooked me from the first book of hers that I read. It was “Minx” and I picked it up at a used bookstore, read it that night, and went back the next day to get the rest of her books available. I should state here that I go to used bookstores to find new authors. Once I do, I spend my hard-earned dollars to pay for their hard work. I figure that’s only fair plus I want their publishers to know w...more Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; Book release June 2008

Goody, goody, goody. Julie Quinn is an author who hooked me from the first book of hers that I read. It was “Minx” and I picked it up at a used bookstore, read it that night, and went back the next day to get the rest of her books available. I should state here that I go to used bookstores to find new authors. Once I do, I spend my hard-earned dollars to pay for their hard work. I figure that’s only fair plus I want their publishers to know which authors to keep! ‘Nuff about that. Quinn’s ‘Bridgerton’ series was one I enjoyed, although I did think that some of the books weren’t up to her usual standard. So when I saw “The Lost Duke of Wyndham”, I pretty much (shamelessly) begged Quentin to let me review it. And being a pest paid off! Quinn’s latest is everything I enjoy in a Regency romance.

Grace isn’t a beauty. She’s not ugly, she’s just not the accepted norm of her day for beauty. She IS smart, resourceful, responsible, and unfortunately alone in the world. After her parents’ death, she was rescued from an unsavory relationship with their distant heir by the Duchess of Wyndham. Grace has been the unpleasant Duchess’ companion for the last five years. And while she gives thanks for the roof over her head and food in her mouth, she tries to bury her dreams of love, marriage, and children. Then, late one evening on their way home from an ‘assembly’, their carriage is stopped by highwaymen…and everything about Grace’s world changes.

Jack’s a lover, a former soldier, and now a highwayman. An orphan taken in by relatives, he’s charmed his way through life. Then he and his men stop the carriage of the Duchess of Wyndham…and his world will never be the same. Apparently his dead father was the oldest living son of the Duchess. This will make Jack the Duke. This will thrill the Duchess. This will unseat and unsettle Thomas, the current Duke. This will provide Jack with untold wealth and power. On the other hand, this will please the Duchess (she can be quite pompous and nasty). This will burden Jack with innumerable duties. But most importantly, according to tradition, this will preclude Jack from marrying the woman who is coming to mean everything to him…Grace.

Is this a new plot? No, of course not. What makes this book a must-read is the skillful way Quinn threads both humor and hubris into her characters’ interactions. The arrogant self-entitlement of the peerage is ruthlessly portrayed by the Duchess. It’s such a contrast to Jack’s constant one-liners, double entendres, and quips that several times I burst out laughing (and my husband always gives me ‘that’ look every time) and had to catch my breath before I could continue reading. The foibles and restrictions of the regency era aren’t written, they are instead lived through Quinn’s characters. The growing relationship between Jack and Grace, Thomas’ reactions to being unseated, the Duchess’ continual efforts to direct everyone and everything; these are the meat of the book. Is there sex? Heck yeah. Good stuff too. Julia Quinn can burn your fingers with her sensuous writing. And best of all, there’s a happy ending. It’s not exactly an easy ending for everyone, but it’s definitely happy (for most of the characters anyway).

I must give a big thanks to Quentin for succumbing to my pleading (and don’t think I won’t do it again!) and letting me read “The Lost Duke of Wyndham”. I’m now waiting impatiently for Thomas’ story, “Mr. Cavendish, I Presume” coming in October 2008 (yes Quentin, I’ll be pleading for this one too so you may as well give in now) where we’ll see what happens to a man who appears to have lost everything. If you’re a Julia Quinn fan, you will LOVE this book. If you were a fan, but lost faith after some of her more recent works, I know you’ll be more than satisfied with her return to her usual stellar work. And if you’ve never read one of Quinn’s regencies, then I can’t think of a better one to start with.

Til next time
JJ
(less)

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Aug 12, 2008 Readdiction rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cottoncandy, historicalromance, acrossthetracks

I am so glad that Julia Quinn has gotten back her groove. I didn't like the Cheever book so I wasn't too excited to read this one.

I was pleasantly surprised. It was a simple, light story with Quinn's trademark humour. I really want to gush on how witty and clever the dialogue is because it showed the growing relationship between the two protagonists better than any scenes filled with action and what not. There were no silly misunderstandings and no drama involved in declaring their feelings (th...more

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Jun 15, 2010 Lady Valee rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

Well, definitely not what I expected. I really wanted to like this book because I'm a huge fan of this author. Seriously, I never thought it would be possible to find a book of hers which wasn't amazing. So, JQ, WTF?? I don't get it, seriously, what were you thinking?

The beginning was boring as hell. It took me a week to get past through the first 5 chapters. But what was worst, is the fact that the topic was so surreal that I just wanted to burn the book up, I mean, a highwayman who magically b...more

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Jan 29, 2009 becky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

So, people on Amazon.com hated this book, citing it as Quinn's worst yet. And here I am thinking it is much better than many of her other recent works. For one, the heroine was not a simpering ninny. Also, the hero was seriously flawed and not a perfect man, as many historical romance novels usually present the male character. The other thing I liked about him was the fact that his flaws were not predictable - you thought they were (the "I'm not worthy!" sentiment) and then bam! You learn there'...more

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Jul 11, 2008 Library Journal magazine rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Romance Editor Bette-Lee Fox wanted to preface the review this way: "Julia Quinn’s general Regency flair is highlighted to perfection in this first of two novels that cover the same events simultaneously. Witty, stylish, entertaining writing punctuates this wonderful story, with a fascinating modern twist at the end. I won’t give it away, so be sure to read it before putting it on the shelves. You won’t be disappointed."

Soldier-turned-highwayman Jack Audley is stunned when the noblewoman whose c...more

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Jun 04, 2008 Juli rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Julia Quinn is one of my easy reading romance pleasures -- she writes very well, and her characters are terrific. Yes, the books are Regency romances, which always end happily and with the coupling(s) obvious from page one, but they are so much fun to read. She's best known for her eight book series about the Bridgerton family. She writes such compelling characters that it's no wonder she has trouble writing just one book about them!

This isn't a Bridgerton book, but it is the first of a pair of...more

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Jul 07, 2008 Diana rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical-romance, owned

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 18, 2008 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What I wanted was a just-for-fun, no-thinking-required, delightful romance novel. And that's just what I got! I've never read Julia Quinn before, but after reading Lost Duke, I'm inclined to pick up a few others. I'm a sucker for a good-ole romance novel, especially a period one. My only qualm is that the characters didn't sound very English. I often had to remind myself that they'd be speaking with British accents. And then ending was a bit rushed...but all in all, just what the I hoped for!

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May 13, 2013 Kay Bolton rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Historical Romance Fan

Review taken from my Blog in October 2010:

Who would have thought that an itinerant Highwayman may, or may not, turn out to the the rightful heir to the Dukedom of Wyndham.

On one fatefully night John (Jack) Cavendish-Audley holds up the carriage of the Dowager Duchess of Wyndham and her companion Miss Grace Eversleigh.

Even though he is masked, the Dowager recognises the very second he opens the door the features of her long dead son John Cavendish and begs him to hold Miss Eversleigh hostage whil...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Elizabeth rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, historical-romance, regency

Not bad, not great. (torn between two & three stars but decided to round down) I did not find the story or the characters compelling. Our heroine is employed as a “companion” to the Dowager of Wyndham, a rather odious woman. (Must all dowagers be odious? Sometimes it seems that way). When their carriage is held up by a highway man, the Dowager immediately recognizes the culprit and guesses correctly he is her grandson, whose existence no one had been aware of in England.

The dowager kidnaps...more

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Sep 03, 2012 Janyn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

3.5/5 (I had a really difficult time choosing my rating, between 3 or 4. I couldn't give it a 4 because that would mean I'd find it at par with the Splendid Trilogy, but it wasn't)

Quinn made me laugh, made me smile, made me squirm and made me cringe but she never made me cry until this book. Thomas' circumstances and Jack's past were heartbreaking for me.

The book was good overall actually. Better than I expected considering the reviews were not as good as the regular JQ book. Jack was charming,...more

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Aug 19, 2012 VaultOfBooks rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

By Julia Quinn. Grade B+
I certainly liked this more than the prequel – Mr. Cavendish, I Presume. The story is much more meaningful and the characters have depth. I know I shouldn’t be comparing the two, but both books basically have the same story except each time we follow a different couple.
Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundre...more By Julia Quinn. Grade B+
I certainly liked this more than the prequel – Mr. Cavendish, I Presume. The story is much more meaningful and the characters have depth. I know I shouldn’t be comparing the two, but both books basically have the same story except each time we follow a different couple.
Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.
Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine… until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she’s not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have…
Luck has shined upon Jack Audley. Previously a highway robber, he discovers that his dead father was actually a Duke, and ta-da! Now he’s one too. Except he doesn’t want to be one. A typical rogue, he was thrown out of college for getting into trouble, when in fact, he was incapable of learning i.e. he was dyslexic which was the reason he wanted to be kicked out in the first place.
The dowager, an unusually emotionless and frigid monster of a woman along with her gullible yet very intelligent companion Grace, encounter Jack as a masked thief attempting to rob their carriage. The coin flips when the dowager recognizes him and has him kidnapped in turn. He must stay in the castle till his true lineage is revealed.
Jack and Grace have excellent chemistry. Wow, I sound like a movie critic. Anyhow, Jack is the best notorious rascal I have ever come across. He doesn’t even begin to fit in the dark, brooding, mysterious, alpha-male stereotype. In fact, he is the exact opposite. He’s witty, quirky, smiles often and actually has a sense of humor. He respects Grace, and every woman for that matter (except the dowager maybe but I’d understand that). The way he proposes her for marriage when almost everyone is against it, pushing and pulling only to fall on his knees and ask like an adorable little boy, is delightful. It deserves its own theme song.
Now when I think of it, I am surprised to find that I actually liked the book more than I initially thought. Except the dowager. I HATED her. Not even ‘strong dislike’. Hate. I wanted to wring her old neck till she broke into sobs and… Oh, well.

Originally reviewed at http://the-vault.co.cc (less)

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Jun 09, 2012 liz rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: cheesy-romance-novel, historical

I liked this book a LOT better than the other Julia Quinn book I just read. Again with the country-mouse heroine, who, following the death of her parents, was saved from marriage to her boorish cousin (double ew) by becoming companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. One night their carriage is held up by a highwayman who happens to be the dowager's long-lost, unknown grandson. Naturally, consort and grandson end up falling in love, but until then there's some really well-drawn emotional intri...more

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May 09, 2012 Rhea Rhodan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, regency, reviewed, romance, series

Charming. Perhaps I haven't read as many of Julia Quinn's books as other reviewers have. I've read through a bunch of the the less than positive reviews and wonder if my expectations are simply lower than theirs or if they like a different sort of romance than I do. Anyway, Jack is the most charming hero I've read, bar none. If that bothers you, skip this one. Grace is a totally believable character, a product of her position in life. The dowager is hell on wheels, and never falters from this ei...more

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Oct 13, 2011 Lori McD rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: chick-lit, easy-read, favorite-author, guilty-pleasure, british-lit, regency, romance, 2011_read

I should have known better... After reading the 2nd book (or rather the other POV of this book) first and then reading the reviews for that book and this book, I should have known that there really wasn't much here. But I so love Ms. Quinn's books (or usually do), that I persisted.

I understand the 2 different points-of-view. But the story is the same, as is much of the detail. And it seems as if you might be able to make 1 decent book from the 2 stories. But to put them into separate books seems...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Dawn rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: I wouldn't

Shelves: historical-romance, kindle

There was nothing wrong with the plot or the characters of this book, but my enjoyment of this was spoiled by a number of errors throughout.

Some of these were factual, for example on first seeing Belgrave Jack describes it as not medieval but pre-Tudor; medieval is pre-Tudor. In England medieval times ended in 1485 with the Battle of Bosworth which was won by Henry Tudor. There was also an instance where Jack's aunt exclaimed that Jack must be able to read because he had graduated school; in the...more

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Jan 20, 2011 Moondust rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first half of the book sort of bored me, so i slowed down. I put it aside and read others, i got back to it to finish it up! Post half-way it got exciting!! Suddenly there was lots of drama on-scene interspersed with some stolen kisses. Its a slightly long read, but i enjoyed it... eventually!
The characters on the cover, representing the protagonists in the book look very okay to me!Not as great as the book portrays.My favorite character is the Highwayman-Jack of course for his character, bu...more

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Jan 13, 2010 Meg rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance

I finally broke down and purchased this, the first of Quinn's new two book series, on Wednesday. My plan had been to purchase this book at the airport and read it on the plane to Heathrow. Unfortunately, I didn't remember this fact until I had already gone through airport security, by which time my book choices consisted of Nora Roberts, Nora Roberts, and more Nora Roberts. By the time I got to the UK, I had resigned myself to reading the book whenever it came to the Oxford Central Library - aft...more I finally broke down and purchased this, the first of Quinn's new two book series, on Wednesday. My plan had been to purchase this book at the airport and read it on the plane to Heathrow. Unfortunately, I didn't remember this fact until I had already gone through airport security, by which time my book choices consisted of Nora Roberts, Nora Roberts, and more Nora Roberts. By the time I got to the UK, I had resigned myself to reading the book whenever it came to the Oxford Central Library - after all, could I really excuse spending £6.99 on a book that would cost $6.99 in the States? Turns out, yes, I could - especially after realizing that, a week from getting my next paycheck, I had spent a mere 30% of the current one.

So... the book. It was great, just what I look for in a historical romance. Dashing hero, heroine I can sympathize with, good storyline, and great secondary characters. The novel tells the tale of Jack Audley, an Irish highwayman who one day finds himself robbing a woman who swears she's his grandmother - a woman otherwise known as the Dowager Duchess of Wyndham. If she's right and his birth was legitimate, this would make him the new Duke of Wyndham, replacing her younger grandson Thomas. In order to keep him from running off before the matter can be settled, the Duchess kidnaps Jack and, in the process, he falls in love with her companion, Miss Grace Eversleigh. Unfortunately, Grace knows her place in society all too well, and as this unlikely family searches for Jack's identity, she realizes that her happiness rests on one piece of paper - the registry which may or may not record his parents' marriage.

Thomas is just what you're looking for in a secondary character who's getting his own book in the fall - well developed, but with a good dose of mystery about him. We still don't know what's up with him and his family (he has bad relationships with both his deceased father and still-alive-and-kicking grandmother). It's clear something is happening between him and his fiancée Amelia, but God only knows what. Overall, he's a perfect tease for Mr. Cavendish, I Presume, which will be out on 30 September (a date I was already looking forward to due to Lisa Kleypas' Seduce Me At Sunrise).

Well-executed, with tinges of both the humorous and the tragic, Publisher's Weekly was quite right when they called the book 'thoroughly satisfying on all emotional levels'. So, you ask, why have you given it a B+? Well, firstly, the editing was far less than perfect. While it didn't have blatant spelling and grammar mistakes (unlike some other romances I could name), it often referred to things that hadn't happened yet, or referred incorrectly to things that had - i.e. "it was the first time she had said his name" when she's said it at least twice before. Not really Quinn's fault (get a better editor, honey), but it would have been an A- if these mistakes hadn't kept jumping out at me. And satisfying though it may have been, it wasn't a conversion romance. That is, I wouldn't recommend it as a jumping-off point for someone who doesn't already read trashy romance novels (TRN's). If you do read them, though, you should really enjoy it - scamper off to B&N (or, if you're so blessed, the library) and get it.

NOTE: Yes, I have decided to make the same exception for Duchess By Night (buying it for double what it's worth). Unfortunately, it doesn't come out here until 1 July, a full week after its 24 June US release date. As a result, anyone who talks about it to me before then will find our friendship quickly and completely OVER.(less)

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Nov 13, 2009 Kay rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2009

Listened to the audiobook.

I enjoyed this. Jack was a fun character to read - very Robin Hood-esque. He stole the story in my opinion, because I thought Grace was just so-so. There were a few scenes that I'd rather have skipped, like the one with the Dowager where the Dowager is just being herself. The Dowager is a mean bitch; we understood that without the extra scenes. I kind of liked her, though. I kept thinking we'd learn the reason she become so heartless, but we never did.

So if I liked it,...more

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Mar 29, 2012 Natasha rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance

An enjoyable romance with great characters and a nice slow buildup.

I immediately fell in love with Jack Audley. He is incredibly charming, handsome, and very witty. Grace Eversleigh is very patient with the dowager and that shows her strength of character since the dowager is very very aggravating. She is a very nice person as well. It's been a couple days since I've read the book and Jack sticks out much more in my mind than Grace. It's a small thing, but I like that the woman on the cover actu...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Patricia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: _adult, genre-historical-romance, favourites, setting-historicals, 2012, review-on-old-blog

This was so good!!

I decided to review both books in one review, it makes more sense to me: Both books start about at the same time and their plots are intertwined; I would compare them anyway, so why not do it properly?

If you are a newbie to Historical Romance novels, I would probably recommend Julia Quinn. I am a newbie, and I really like her books. Usually, I need more serious, darker novels, but the light and funny atmosphere Quinn creates makes for a great read. The conflicts, mostly interna...more This was so good!!

I decided to review both books in one review, it makes more sense to me: Both books start about at the same time and their plots are intertwined; I would compare them anyway, so why not do it properly?

If you are a newbie to Historical Romance novels, I would probably recommend Julia Quinn. I am a newbie, and I really like her books. Usually, I need more serious, darker novels, but the light and funny atmosphere Quinn creates makes for a great read. The conflicts, mostly internally driven ones, are believable and although I wish she would write about middle class citizens instead of Dukes, and Viscounts, I like her stories.

If you buy this duet, you will get the following: A Duke, Thomas, and his fiancee, Amelia. Both don't have the best relationship, he rather disregards her and in my opinion both characters of the second novel are pale in comparison to Jack, the highwayman and maybe Duke, and Grace, the dowager's companion, the protagonists of the first novel – The Lost Duke of Wyndham.

Grace is -after losing her family- the companion of Thomas' grandmother; Jack is a long lost cousin and probably also the true Duke of Wyndham. His father died before he knew that he was the new duke and so Jack did never know either - As well as the Wyndhams never heard of his existence. He meets the dowager and Grace when he tries to rob them. (Obviously, the dowager recognizes his father in him..)

Jack is a great, funny, charming character. He is very intelligent, and is a loveable character. Grace is funny, witty, but sometimes a little too stubborn. She thinks she is below both Thomas and Jack because of their (maybe) Dukedom.

On the other side, we have Thomas and Amelia. They slowly learn to love eachother and it could almost be too late – When he finally realizes what she means to him, he might have to give her up. She is not 'his' fiancee, after all. But the one of the Duke of Wyndham. And if that is Jack, she is Jack's fiancee. (Who is not so happy about it either, because he fancies Grace, and she him.)

I did not like Thomas at all. He is, in my opinion, a very spoiled boy. I read his novel first, so I did not get all of the background story and I think that made it even easier to dislike him. He is told to be a very responsible person, but it is not shown. ;(

Compared, I think The Lost Duke of Wyndham is a much better novel than Mr. Cavendish, I Presume. It's funny, the protagonists are easy to like and love. The pacing 'feels' better, and for some reasons it feels as if the hero and heroine are the better people. I know, that's an evil thing to say. But anyway, I would recommend you to read the first novel, definitely! The second is just a maybe. It is a novel that people MIGHT enjoy, whereas The Lost Duke of Wyndham is one I'm quite sure most WILL like.(less)

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Oct 08, 2010 Linds rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 1800-s, england, historical-romance, read-in-2010, regency, romance

I really liked this romance, which is nice because I've had a few duds by Julia Quinn lately.

Jack Cavendish is an ex-soldier turned highway robber. He only robs the very rich and after taking what he needs to live on, he gives the rest to war widows are physically disabled soldiers unable to work. He's cheeky and laid back and is more or less happy with his life.

Grace has no family and is the companion to a very old, very demanding duchess. One day they are robbed by a dashing robber and the duc...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Readitnweep rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: english-romance, historical, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 22, 2012 Nik rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, chick-lit, historical-romance, for-a-light-read, filmy, romcoms

The Lost Duke Of Wyndham is yet another testament to the sheer brilliance that is Julia Quinn. It had been two months since I had read a JQ novel and had thus forgotten how enjoyable they are. Of course, they're always on the verge of cliche and fantasy, but no one picks up romance books for a highly realistic account!

Coming back to the story, we are introduced to Grace Eversleigh, who has been serving as companion to the Dowager (a truly amusing character) for the past five years and Jack Audl...more

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About Julia Quinn

#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and in 2001 she did so in grand style, competing on the the game show The Weakest Link and walking away with the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British an...more

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Books by Julia Quinn

The Viscount Who Loved Me (Bridgertons, #2)

Romancing Mister Bridgerton (Bridgertons, #4)

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever (Bevelstoke, #1)

An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)

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“I didn't think I should die but I did not know how I would Live.” — 31 people liked it

“She needed him to be him. Even if he could not be hers.” — 27 people liked it

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The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham #1)

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