Review: “The Ugly Duchess” by Eloisa James

How can she dare to imagine he loves her … when all London calls her The Ugly Duchess?

Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke’s passion.

Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.

Theo would have given it a lifetime … until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry. Society was shocked by their wedding; it’s scandalized by their separation.

Now James faces the battle of his lifetime, convincing Theo that he loved the duckling who blossomed into the swan.

And Theo will quickly find that for a man with the soul of a pirate, All’s Fair in Love—or War.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 Capes

Heroes,

I mean look, I’m a tomboy kind of girl.  I like Bruce Springsteen and kung fu movies and straight whiskey. It was a surprise to me when I discovered I love romance novels, and the surprise was compounded when I realized that I really love Regency romance. I love the social intrigue and gorgeous dresses and the indolent lifestyle. I love bodice rippers with wealthy dukes and innocent (or not so innocent) maidens. “The Ugly Duchess” by Eloisa James was one of the books that kick-started my obsession. I just listened to it for the second time, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first.

This is the fourth book in James’s Fairy Tales series, which are loosely influenced by … well, fairy tales. As you might surmise from the play on “The Ugly Duckling,” this is the story of a non-beauty who becomes the toast of society. Theo is a wonderful heroine. No spoilers, but she comes back from some very damaging stuff with grace and dignity. She is smart and resourceful, with a clear vision and the will to steer trends in an image-obsessed culture. This book takes place over an extended period of time, and that gives us the opportunity to see Theo blossom into a powerful young woman. I really enjoyed seeing such a strong character cutting her own path in the world.

I liked her so much it makes up for my issues with James, the hero. His transformation mirrors Theo’s, but where her choices seem brave and thoughtful his seem to be motivated by petulance and shame. Don’t get me wrong, he’s sexy as all get-out. James does that very well. These two have excellent chemistry. The love scenes are long and sensual, and detailed enough that I get a little blushy when I listen at work. The resolution seems a little rushed, but a clever epilogue makes up for it. Now that I’ve listened to this one again, I’m tempted to relisten to everything by Eloisa James. Her books never fail to entertain.

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