What do you think?
Rate this book
Desperate Duchesses #5
Yüreğimin Tek Sahibi
Bir kadın, kocasını kendine âşık etmek için nasıl baştan çıkarır?
Güzeller güzeli Beaumont Düşesi ve ağırbaşlı kocasının düğününde çalan kilise çanları henüz susmamışken yaşanan bir skandal, Düşesin apar topar Fransaya gitmesine neden olur. Söylentilere göre Düşes dokuz yıl boyunca skandaldan skandala koşar. Beaumont Dükü Elijah da bu söylentilere inanmaktadır.
Fakat yakışıklı Dükün bir vârise ihtiyacı vardır ve eşini evine çağırır. Jemma evine döndükten sonra, Elijahnın ona olan ilgisizliğine şaşırır. Kocasıyla aynı hisleri paylaşmaması bir yana, imkânsızı, yani kocasının kalbini istemektedir...
"Usta satranç oyuncularını taşları değil, gönüllerini kaptırabilecekleri bir oyunda görmek büyük zevk. Eloisa James zekâ, kabiliyet ve zarafetiyle okurlarına birçok farklı seviyede ulaşıyor, onlara aşkın gücünün her engeli aşabileceğini gösteriyor."
Romantic Times
Güzeller güzeli Beaumont Düşesi ve ağırbaşlı kocasının düğününde çalan kilise çanları henüz susmamışken yaşanan bir skandal, Düşesin apar topar Fransaya gitmesine neden olur. Söylentilere göre Düşes dokuz yıl boyunca skandaldan skandala koşar. Beaumont Dükü Elijah da bu söylentilere inanmaktadır.
Fakat yakışıklı Dükün bir vârise ihtiyacı vardır ve eşini evine çağırır. Jemma evine döndükten sonra, Elijahnın ona olan ilgisizliğine şaşırır. Kocasıyla aynı hisleri paylaşmaması bir yana, imkânsızı, yani kocasının kalbini istemektedir...
"Usta satranç oyuncularını taşları değil, gönüllerini kaptırabilecekleri bir oyunda görmek büyük zevk. Eloisa James zekâ, kabiliyet ve zarafetiyle okurlarına birçok farklı seviyede ulaşıyor, onlara aşkın gücünün her engeli aşabileceğini gösteriyor."
Romantic Times
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2009
415 people are currently reading
3543 people want to read
About the author
Eloisa James
123 books9,512 followersNew York Times bestselling author Eloisa James writes historical romances for HarperCollins Publishers. Her novels have been published to great acclaim. A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Her novels have repeatedly received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and regularly appear on the best-seller lists.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 564 reviews
April 4, 2011
Infidelity galore.
After his marriage, the hero continued daily trysts with his long-time mistress supposedly because, he wanted to show his colleagues that he's not sexual deviant like his late father. Yeah, right, as if jumping from the conjugal bed to the office desk was more palatable conduct than his deceased father's.
And then, for revenge, the heroine engaged in her own liaisons in Paris to shock husband into fetching her. Not content with that, she further raised eyebrows upon arriving in London with her private chess matches with husband's friend.
Pathetic, much?
Marriage Counseling 101: Mature grown ups don't engage in these destructive games of tit-for-tat.
So much punches and counterpunches have been made that in the end, it no longer matters who started what or who caused the most damaged or why they're even fighting after nine years. Both of them should be banished to their rooms without supper.
It's fortunate that this isn't my first foray into EJ world; otherwise, I would have missed her better books.
After his marriage, the hero continued daily trysts with his long-time mistress supposedly because, he wanted to show his colleagues that he's not sexual deviant like his late father. Yeah, right, as if jumping from the conjugal bed to the office desk was more palatable conduct than his deceased father's.
And then, for revenge, the heroine engaged in her own liaisons in Paris to shock husband into fetching her. Not content with that, she further raised eyebrows upon arriving in London with her private chess matches with husband's friend.
Pathetic, much?
Marriage Counseling 101: Mature grown ups don't engage in these destructive games of tit-for-tat.
So much punches and counterpunches have been made that in the end, it no longer matters who started what or who caused the most damaged or why they're even fighting after nine years. Both of them should be banished to their rooms without supper.
It's fortunate that this isn't my first foray into EJ world; otherwise, I would have missed her better books.
April 26, 2023
3.75 Stars
May 27, 2009
Eloisa James writes light historicals often featuring multiple and ongoing storylines. She is not your typical Avon historical author. She has an unpredictable disposition as a writer and marches to her own drum, so to speak.
First of all, let me say that this is a charming story. EJ has a witty, amusing style and the book proceeds at a steady pace with no noticable lull. I liked it but ultimately, I was not fully satisfied with the story she told here. It's all about expectations.
This book cannot be read as a stand alone book; it's the fifth book in the Desperate Duchesses Series. Elijah and Jemma were introduced in the very first book and their meandering journey back into each other's lives after Eli's betrayal of Jemma and a nine year estrangement was an on-going storyline throughout the series. In the 4th book - WHEN THE DUKE RETURNS - both Eli and Jemma had already decided on each end that they want to be together and I was left wondering just what is really left to talk about and what kind of story is left to be told in THIS DUCHESS OF MINE. My fears turned out to be well-founded.
The story EJ decides to tell here is one of flirtation. A loooooooooong flirtation. Between a MARRIED couple. Their marriage might have been arranged but I would think a married couple would be beyond this coyness. It came across as one long STALLING tactic as I waited impatiently for them to have The Talk. You know, the one about why. WHY did Eli keep a mistress? WHY did he tell Jemma that he loved his mistress when she caught them literally in the act? EJ answers the former but not the latter. Where is the payoff?
But this is a charming book, right? Jemma/Eli are well-matched and the first time they make love again after so many years while blindfolded and playing a chess match visible only on a mental plane is one of the most ununusal and memorable love scenes I have ever come across. It's probably the highpoint of the book.
However, it's not the most unusual love scene ever. I leave the superlatives to EJ who used an excessive and annoying amount of them throughout the book. Eli is the most beautiful man in all of bloody England. Jemma was the most clever English Duchess in Paris. Her skin tasted "like the most delicious food the world has to offer." And on it went. I just hope she cuts excessive superlatives out for the next book but it's too late for her to tell the "Jeli" story she should have told here.
Ten novels ago, EJ wrote another book about a different estranged married couple in YOUR WICKED WAYS. The hero, Rhys, in that, was a selfish clod and the heroine, Helene, was a rigid, needy woman. Neither were as beautiful and witty as Jemma/Eli but their reconciliation was handled more responsibly and it was the better book because of it.
Grade: B-
First of all, let me say that this is a charming story. EJ has a witty, amusing style and the book proceeds at a steady pace with no noticable lull. I liked it but ultimately, I was not fully satisfied with the story she told here. It's all about expectations.
This book cannot be read as a stand alone book; it's the fifth book in the Desperate Duchesses Series. Elijah and Jemma were introduced in the very first book and their meandering journey back into each other's lives after Eli's betrayal of Jemma and a nine year estrangement was an on-going storyline throughout the series. In the 4th book - WHEN THE DUKE RETURNS - both Eli and Jemma had already decided on each end that they want to be together and I was left wondering just what is really left to talk about and what kind of story is left to be told in THIS DUCHESS OF MINE. My fears turned out to be well-founded.
The story EJ decides to tell here is one of flirtation. A loooooooooong flirtation. Between a MARRIED couple. Their marriage might have been arranged but I would think a married couple would be beyond this coyness. It came across as one long STALLING tactic as I waited impatiently for them to have The Talk. You know, the one about why. WHY did Eli keep a mistress? WHY did he tell Jemma that he loved his mistress when she caught them literally in the act? EJ answers the former but not the latter. Where is the payoff?
But this is a charming book, right? Jemma/Eli are well-matched and the first time they make love again after so many years while blindfolded and playing a chess match visible only on a mental plane is one of the most ununusal and memorable love scenes I have ever come across. It's probably the highpoint of the book.
However, it's not the most unusual love scene ever. I leave the superlatives to EJ who used an excessive and annoying amount of them throughout the book. Eli is the most beautiful man in all of bloody England. Jemma was the most clever English Duchess in Paris. Her skin tasted "like the most delicious food the world has to offer." And on it went. I just hope she cuts excessive superlatives out for the next book but it's too late for her to tell the "Jeli" story she should have told here.
Ten novels ago, EJ wrote another book about a different estranged married couple in YOUR WICKED WAYS. The hero, Rhys, in that, was a selfish clod and the heroine, Helene, was a rigid, needy woman. Neither were as beautiful and witty as Jemma/Eli but their reconciliation was handled more responsibly and it was the better book because of it.
Grade: B-
January 27, 2022
? what was this ? I stayed up till 1AM for this not because it was good and kept me on edge but because it was so fucking dumb and i have enough self-loath to make myself go through it.
The synopsis says that the main character will step up her game and seduce her husband of eight years, my understanding from the summary is that they have a trouble with intimacy yada yada....but,,,,, there was none of that???@?#$^!&?? Like the first scene where they meet again after eight years they get into a heated embrace in public?????? Who tf do you need to seduce since your husband is already into you???????
I am all for a troubled marriage story but this was not troubled they were both dumb as hell godbless
The synopsis says that the main character will step up her game and seduce her husband of eight years, my understanding from the summary is that they have a trouble with intimacy yada yada....but,,,,, there was none of that???@?#$^!&?? Like the first scene where they meet again after eight years they get into a heated embrace in public?????? Who tf do you need to seduce since your husband is already into you???????
I am all for a troubled marriage story but this was not troubled they were both dumb as hell godbless
February 2, 2010
3 stars – Historical Romance
This is a rather odd reunion romance about a married couple who've been separated for 9 years due to immaturity, ego, lies, infidelity, misunderstandings, pride, jealousy, and betrayals but suddenly find themselves obsessed and in love with each other like a couple of giddy, infatuated teenagers. Most of the book is a long-drawn-out build-up to their first reunion love scene, a chess game played in bed, that's one of the most unusual of any romance book that I've read.
Unfortunately, although it deserves credit for uniqueness and creativity, it was overly flowery and a tad boring, and I found myself skimming the pages. Overall, it's a fairly good historical romance and definitely original, but this is the second book in the series that I've read and so far, they just haven't satisfied my expectations based on all the positive praise I'd heard regarding this series.
This is a rather odd reunion romance about a married couple who've been separated for 9 years due to immaturity, ego, lies, infidelity, misunderstandings, pride, jealousy, and betrayals but suddenly find themselves obsessed and in love with each other like a couple of giddy, infatuated teenagers. Most of the book is a long-drawn-out build-up to their first reunion love scene, a chess game played in bed, that's one of the most unusual of any romance book that I've read.
Unfortunately, although it deserves credit for uniqueness and creativity, it was overly flowery and a tad boring, and I found myself skimming the pages. Overall, it's a fairly good historical romance and definitely original, but this is the second book in the series that I've read and so far, they just haven't satisfied my expectations based on all the positive praise I'd heard regarding this series.
November 11, 2015
Actually, I needed more time then it should to read this story. Beginning was little boring, so I left this book to stand at my "currently reading" shelf for too long.
But, I must say that it was remarkably good idea, to decide to read this story after all. Because it was gooood!!! Romantic, sad, hot etc. And I loved Villiers :D
I would like to see, who became his duchess ;)
Recommendations for this book ;)
But, I must say that it was remarkably good idea, to decide to read this story after all. Because it was gooood!!! Romantic, sad, hot etc. And I loved Villiers :D
I would like to see, who became his duchess ;)
Recommendations for this book ;)
January 14, 2014
I have waited a long time to read this book. And I'm not just talking about the actual time between the reading of this and when I read the last one in the series. I'm talking about the fact that I've been waiting for Jemma's story from the VERY BEGINNING of the series when she stole the show in the first book. The wait is over and I'm here to tell you, it was worth the wait and it was everything I expected and more :)
Even though Jemma and Elijah have been married for almost 10 years, they've lived apart for the majority of them due to an ugly scene during the first weeks of their marriage. I won't go into detail here, if you've read any of this series, you know exactly what happened and this book doesn't scrimp on the details ;) Anyway....in this book we got to see them fall in love. It was wonderful and romantic and put a silly smile on my face. It was just what I wanted for Jemma. But at the same time, I sobbed real live tears because just when Jemma and Elijah were falling in love and were happy, their time was limited due to Elijah's heart problems(which are not a secret if you've read any other books in the series LOL) Without saying too much and spoiling it for you, I'll just say that I ended the book with a smile :)
Now, on to Villiers book without waiting what seems like 24185266 months between ;)
Even though Jemma and Elijah have been married for almost 10 years, they've lived apart for the majority of them due to an ugly scene during the first weeks of their marriage. I won't go into detail here, if you've read any of this series, you know exactly what happened and this book doesn't scrimp on the details ;) Anyway....in this book we got to see them fall in love. It was wonderful and romantic and put a silly smile on my face. It was just what I wanted for Jemma. But at the same time, I sobbed real live tears because just when Jemma and Elijah were falling in love and were happy, their time was limited due to Elijah's heart problems(which are not a secret if you've read any other books in the series LOL) Without saying too much and spoiling it for you, I'll just say that I ended the book with a smile :)
Now, on to Villiers book without waiting what seems like 24185266 months between ;)
August 13, 2013
But there was one thing he had to know. He cupped her face in his hands, noting absently that his fingers were shaking. "Will you forgive me?"
She blinked: "For what?"
"For not being able to stay with you forever. Because I would, Jemma. I promise I would."
"I know," she whispered, brushing his lips with her own. "I know."
This is a perfect book. Honestly, I could just leave my review at that one sentence and it would be complete. It is perfect. I read it in one sitting, not able to believe that Eloisa James, who writes charming, quirky trifles, books that make me smile and that I forget almost as soon as I finish, wrote a book like this - I spent chunks of this book ugly-sobbing, I spent the others positively giddy, and I felt so ridiculously deeply for Jemma and Elijah that it might have been a tad unhealthy.
The story of the Duke of Beaumont and his Duchess - trying a cautious rapprochement in their broken marriage - has been woven through the previous 4 books in the series (some of which, I confess, I only read for their parts) but honestly, reading the other books is not even necessary to get the emotional heft of this one.
Elijah and Jemma were married very young and it was an arranged marriage. Jemma was infatuated with her handsome young husband, but Elijah was more interested in his rising career in the House of Lords than his young wife. Discovering him with a mistress a few weeks into the marriage, Jemma left him and went to France, where she eventually had some affairs of her own. And now it's years later and the two of them have decided to try to give their marriage another chance for the sake of an heir, if nothing else.
So, why do I love this book? In part, it's because Elijah and Jemma are both fiercely intelligent and Eloisa James writes them as such - there is nothing more annoying than a character who is supposed to be clever but who the author is incapable of writing that way. They seduce each other as much through their brains as through their passion. Then there is the fact that this book is a cornucopia of angst - Elijah has a heart ailment which is about to kill him (a major reason for the attempted reconciliation) and, as I said, I spent chunks of the book ugly crying. There is also the fact that Elijah is a type of hero romance novels do not do often enough - he is neither a rake nor a manchild nor a witty wastrel. He is someone who is driven (almost too much) by honor - whether in politics or in accepting his guilt for his marriage falling apart. One of the things I loved about the book is that he softens around the edges about being a workaholic trying to save the world but he never does give it up - and Jemma accepts it about him, just as he accepts her impulses, her fashions, and her temper.
But ultimately, the reason I loved this book so much because it was such a complex portrayal of marriage. Elijah and Jemma have both been sinned against and sinning, and the reasons for their initial break, their subsequent conduct through separate years, and their rediscovery of each other and falling in love with the person the other has become are just such a joy to read and not something I've seen romance novels tackle much, and certainly not with such nuance and emotion. And then the two of them meeting again with a slate balanced, and discovering the person the other became and being drawn together not due to anger or guilt or one-upsmanship but deep passion and compatibility.
Everything just makes sense. This isn't a sugary happily ever after but one deeply earned.
OK, I better stop raving...
"I love you," he said huskily. "You've given me my life, Jemma...twice over."
In the end she cried.
He was too happy for tears.
She blinked: "For what?"
"For not being able to stay with you forever. Because I would, Jemma. I promise I would."
"I know," she whispered, brushing his lips with her own. "I know."
This is a perfect book. Honestly, I could just leave my review at that one sentence and it would be complete. It is perfect. I read it in one sitting, not able to believe that Eloisa James, who writes charming, quirky trifles, books that make me smile and that I forget almost as soon as I finish, wrote a book like this - I spent chunks of this book ugly-sobbing, I spent the others positively giddy, and I felt so ridiculously deeply for Jemma and Elijah that it might have been a tad unhealthy.
The story of the Duke of Beaumont and his Duchess - trying a cautious rapprochement in their broken marriage - has been woven through the previous 4 books in the series (some of which, I confess, I only read for their parts) but honestly, reading the other books is not even necessary to get the emotional heft of this one.
Elijah and Jemma were married very young and it was an arranged marriage. Jemma was infatuated with her handsome young husband, but Elijah was more interested in his rising career in the House of Lords than his young wife. Discovering him with a mistress a few weeks into the marriage, Jemma left him and went to France, where she eventually had some affairs of her own. And now it's years later and the two of them have decided to try to give their marriage another chance for the sake of an heir, if nothing else.
So, why do I love this book? In part, it's because Elijah and Jemma are both fiercely intelligent and Eloisa James writes them as such - there is nothing more annoying than a character who is supposed to be clever but who the author is incapable of writing that way. They seduce each other as much through their brains as through their passion. Then there is the fact that this book is a cornucopia of angst - Elijah has a heart ailment which is about to kill him (a major reason for the attempted reconciliation) and, as I said, I spent chunks of the book ugly crying. There is also the fact that Elijah is a type of hero romance novels do not do often enough - he is neither a rake nor a manchild nor a witty wastrel. He is someone who is driven (almost too much) by honor - whether in politics or in accepting his guilt for his marriage falling apart. One of the things I loved about the book is that he softens around the edges about being a workaholic trying to save the world but he never does give it up - and Jemma accepts it about him, just as he accepts her impulses, her fashions, and her temper.
But ultimately, the reason I loved this book so much because it was such a complex portrayal of marriage. Elijah and Jemma have both been sinned against and sinning, and the reasons for their initial break, their subsequent conduct through separate years, and their rediscovery of each other and falling in love with the person the other has become are just such a joy to read and not something I've seen romance novels tackle much, and certainly not with such nuance and emotion. And then the two of them meeting again with a slate balanced, and discovering the person the other became and being drawn together not due to anger or guilt or one-upsmanship but deep passion and compatibility.
Everything just makes sense. This isn't a sugary happily ever after but one deeply earned.
OK, I better stop raving...
"I love you," he said huskily. "You've given me my life, Jemma...twice over."
In the end she cried.
He was too happy for tears.
August 20, 2017
Elijah and Jemma suck at marriage until they—SURPRISE—COMMUNICATE and suddenly everything is boners and emotions.
1. I just need to comment on James's use of "sweetheart" as everyone's nickname once Feelings are afoot.
2. I did like this, although I'm struggling to really articulate what and why. Partially, I think I'm frustrated because some of the things that needed to be communicated (Jemma's growing affection for Elijah; Elijah's immense and abject regret; explanations for why he claimed to have loved his mistress in the first place; Jemma's reasoning for flirting with Villiers) weren't, and things that had already been discussed were dissected again and again.
3. I still liked it though?
4. I also thought Elijah needed a bit more development; he was lusting Man Beast and Jealous Husband, but I wanted a bit more to ground him in the world.
5. BUT I STILL LIKED IT THOUGH?
6. (3.5 stars.)
1. I just need to comment on James's use of "sweetheart" as everyone's nickname once Feelings are afoot.
2. I did like this, although I'm struggling to really articulate what and why. Partially, I think I'm frustrated because some of the things that needed to be communicated (Jemma's growing affection for Elijah; Elijah's immense and abject regret; explanations for why he claimed to have loved his mistress in the first place; Jemma's reasoning for flirting with Villiers) weren't, and things that had already been discussed were dissected again and again.
3. I still liked it though?
4. I also thought Elijah needed a bit more development; he was lusting Man Beast and Jealous Husband, but I wanted a bit more to ground him in the world.
5. BUT I STILL LIKED IT THOUGH?
6. (3.5 stars.)
November 19, 2019
..
This Duchess of Mine is the fifth installment of the Desperate Duchesses written by Eloisa James.
Lady Isidore, the Duchess of Cosway, was ordered by her husband, Elijah, Duke of Beaumont, to return to his home and country in order to produce an heir. Bad memories from the early months of their marriage had caused an enormous chasm between this couple. She had suffered a grievous disappointment early in their marriage had instilled fear and doubts in her mind. Her broken heart bubbled over with anxiety and trepidation. Bad memories from the early months of their marriage had caused an enormous chasm between this couple. Neither had been faithful to their marriage up to this point and he fears his wife will stray again, even while residing in his own home.
This series is suitable for . . . . .
*** MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY ***
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
No man can resist Jemma's sensuous allure . . .
Except for her own husband!
Wedding bells celebrating the arranged marriage between the lovely Duchess of Beaumont and her staid, imperturbable duke had scarcely fallen silent when a shocking discovery sent Jemma running from the ducal mansion. For the next nine years, she cavorted abroad, creating one delicious scandal after another (if one is to believe the rumors).
Elijah, Duke of Beaumont, did believe those rumors.
But the handsome duke needs an heir, so he summons his seductive wife home. Jemma laughs at Elijah's cool eyes and icy heart—but to her secret shock, she doesn't share his feelings. In fact, she wants the impossible: her husband's heart at her feet.
But what manner of seduction will make a man fall desperately in love . . . with his own wife?
After Elijah, Duke of Beaumont experienced a stressful medical dilemma that fills him with fear, he is fully convinced that he does not have long to live and will die young as his father had before him. Based on this assumption, Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont was encouraged to reunite with him in London, after being estranged for several years. To ensure the family line carries on, an heir must be conceived before the Duke expires from this earth.
Then came the chess matches that consumed everyone, including all the members of the ton. There were rumors flying in every direction about Jemma's match with another man because of the rumors and bets flying around regarding the speculation of an affair if the other man won the match. Needless, Elijah and Jemma have an opportunity to repair their relationship. Readers will journey with them through all the ups and downs they experience.
This is NOT a clean series. Those who actually prefer steamy to clean and sweet might not view it as flawed. Due to this aspect, I recommend it with reservations. If you prefer clean and sweet reads, avoid this book. It is not fair to an author when readers provide bad reviews about steamy scenes if they know they are included in advance. I have been guilty of this offense myself. It takes a lot of time and effort for an author to research and write each book. And there are readers who prefer the material included in this one to a clean and wholesome read. However, I actually prefer the latter. This does have steamy sex scenes, so if you like a sex-free book this is not it. If you enjoy steamy reads, jump into this book looking forward to plenty.
This book is able to stand on its own, but if you read them in order, you will be more familiar with some of the characters that carry over. Each story does include its own H.E.A., which is always a good way to conclude the adventure he reader entrusts their time to and have chosen to become involved with.
---------------------------------------
This Duchess of Mine
(Desperate Duchesses Book 5) Kindle Edition
by Eloisa James (Author)
- Kindle Edition
Print Length: 386 pages
Shawna's Review
"This is a rather odd reunion romance about a married couple who've been separated for 9 years due to immaturity, ego, lies, infidelity, misunderstandings, pride, jealousy, and betrayals but suddenly find themselves obsessed and in love with each other like a couple of giddy, infatuated teenagers. Most of the book is a long-drawn-out build-up to their first reunion love scene, a chess game played in bed, that's one of the most unusual of any romance book that I've read."
..
This Duchess of Mine is the fifth installment of the Desperate Duchesses written by Eloisa James.
Lady Isidore, the Duchess of Cosway, was ordered by her husband, Elijah, Duke of Beaumont, to return to his home and country in order to produce an heir. Bad memories from the early months of their marriage had caused an enormous chasm between this couple. She had suffered a grievous disappointment early in their marriage had instilled fear and doubts in her mind. Her broken heart bubbled over with anxiety and trepidation. Bad memories from the early months of their marriage had caused an enormous chasm between this couple. Neither had been faithful to their marriage up to this point and he fears his wife will stray again, even while residing in his own home.
This series is suitable for . . . . .
*** MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY ***
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
No man can resist Jemma's sensuous allure . . .
Except for her own husband!
Wedding bells celebrating the arranged marriage between the lovely Duchess of Beaumont and her staid, imperturbable duke had scarcely fallen silent when a shocking discovery sent Jemma running from the ducal mansion. For the next nine years, she cavorted abroad, creating one delicious scandal after another (if one is to believe the rumors).
Elijah, Duke of Beaumont, did believe those rumors.
But the handsome duke needs an heir, so he summons his seductive wife home. Jemma laughs at Elijah's cool eyes and icy heart—but to her secret shock, she doesn't share his feelings. In fact, she wants the impossible: her husband's heart at her feet.
But what manner of seduction will make a man fall desperately in love . . . with his own wife?
After Elijah, Duke of Beaumont experienced a stressful medical dilemma that fills him with fear, he is fully convinced that he does not have long to live and will die young as his father had before him. Based on this assumption, Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont was encouraged to reunite with him in London, after being estranged for several years. To ensure the family line carries on, an heir must be conceived before the Duke expires from this earth.
Then came the chess matches that consumed everyone, including all the members of the ton. There were rumors flying in every direction about Jemma's match with another man because of the rumors and bets flying around regarding the speculation of an affair if the other man won the match. Needless, Elijah and Jemma have an opportunity to repair their relationship. Readers will journey with them through all the ups and downs they experience.
This is NOT a clean series. Those who actually prefer steamy to clean and sweet might not view it as flawed. Due to this aspect, I recommend it with reservations. If you prefer clean and sweet reads, avoid this book. It is not fair to an author when readers provide bad reviews about steamy scenes if they know they are included in advance. I have been guilty of this offense myself. It takes a lot of time and effort for an author to research and write each book. And there are readers who prefer the material included in this one to a clean and wholesome read. However, I actually prefer the latter. This does have steamy sex scenes, so if you like a sex-free book this is not it. If you enjoy steamy reads, jump into this book looking forward to plenty.
This book is able to stand on its own, but if you read them in order, you will be more familiar with some of the characters that carry over. Each story does include its own H.E.A., which is always a good way to conclude the adventure he reader entrusts their time to and have chosen to become involved with.
---------------------------------------
This Duchess of Mine
(Desperate Duchesses Book 5) Kindle Edition
by Eloisa James (Author)
- Kindle Edition
Print Length: 386 pages
Shawna's Review
"This is a rather odd reunion romance about a married couple who've been separated for 9 years due to immaturity, ego, lies, infidelity, misunderstandings, pride, jealousy, and betrayals but suddenly find themselves obsessed and in love with each other like a couple of giddy, infatuated teenagers. Most of the book is a long-drawn-out build-up to their first reunion love scene, a chess game played in bed, that's one of the most unusual of any romance book that I've read."
..
December 5, 2010
I read half of the book. What I didn't like and why I didn't finish: First,he was unfaithful to her and she accepted it. Second, she invented some stupid plan to win her husbands heart. Third, if a man is as stupid as this one he should be the one trying to win his wife's heart back not the other way around. So I have to be more careful selecting books from Eloisa James.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2022
✨Well, I didn’t commit a crime in anger so…✨
I definitely did not hate this as much as I could have because Eloisa is a WITCH and can really bend my morals buuuuuut mistress and affairs aside, the last two hours were just pretty slow. (His heart issues were interesting but not enough to devote the last hours of the book to sorry.) I liked the middle for sure because we were a bit more removed from the marriage in crisis and infidelity. I was on the immoral road of accepting Elijah’s past behavior but he just! kept! talking! I’m sorry but his reasoning for taking a mistress was Grade A Asshattery.
He didn’t even want a mistress who he as somehow worse! He just took one to stop rumors spread bc his dad liked minor bdsm shit so he wanted to be like “see lookie here I have a normal mistress who I tup every lunch hour and I DON’T like to be spanked.” It doesn’t even really make sense??? The mistress could be spanking him up the wazoo in that office no matter how regular and planned their sex was so like… I was also distraught to hear that his mistress lubed herself up so he could just slide right in for his ease 💀
Idk the Georgian period is not for these delicate sensibilities. I do like the majority of Eloisa’s Georgian books but some just take it too far. For example, I liked The Ugly Duchess story and main characters so the infidelity was a rare occasion I was like 🤷♀️, built a bridge, and got over it. I just couldn’t overlook everything here because his reasoning was so weak. At least he was a hot girthy pirate in The Ugly Duchess, and the heroine made him suffer.
His reasoning just didn’t make up for the hurt that he caused Jemma. I liked that she didn’t ultimately wait around for him and that she ended up taking lovers of her own. Again, not a fan of the cheating but I didn’t really care on her part. Sue me.
I found Jemma just eventually believed it was pretty okay that he took the mistress and that his reasoning made sense… which didn’t make sense. There were so many times where characters were like this man is a Puritan! He’s so good! Such a stand-up gent and my 21st century booty was like dafuq 😐? I get that mistresses were commonplace back then but I’ve said it before: I don’t want real men! I read romance for fake men! Big dicks and eyes only for the heroine idc idc.
The sex was a wait and honestly we deserved more here. Like absolute monkey sex. Breaking shit and taking names (hopefully of the carpenter to fix said shit). We did not get that. We got minor dabbling in human chess and blindfolding and like minor minor minor kink but it was basically all talk. There was one good long scene and then a few shorter ones that either faded to black eventually or just didn’t do much.
Overall, Eloisa tried to give us a nuanced relationship but it was more or less just like… um okay I’m just going to ignore literally all of this and hope for the best. Which I did to a relative success because I’m still giving this 3.25⭐️s and I didn’t hate myself for reading it. We know Eloisa can burn it all down in the bedroom so this was a definite disappointment across the board. But I still enjoyed my time for the mostish part. And the stepback is gorgeous.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
I definitely did not hate this as much as I could have because Eloisa is a WITCH and can really bend my morals buuuuuut mistress and affairs aside, the last two hours were just pretty slow. (His heart issues were interesting but not enough to devote the last hours of the book to sorry.) I liked the middle for sure because we were a bit more removed from the marriage in crisis and infidelity. I was on the immoral road of accepting Elijah’s past behavior but he just! kept! talking! I’m sorry but his reasoning for taking a mistress was Grade A Asshattery.
He didn’t even want a mistress who he as somehow worse! He just took one to stop rumors spread bc his dad liked minor bdsm shit so he wanted to be like “see lookie here I have a normal mistress who I tup every lunch hour and I DON’T like to be spanked.” It doesn’t even really make sense??? The mistress could be spanking him up the wazoo in that office no matter how regular and planned their sex was so like… I was also distraught to hear that his mistress lubed herself up so he could just slide right in for his ease 💀
Idk the Georgian period is not for these delicate sensibilities. I do like the majority of Eloisa’s Georgian books but some just take it too far. For example, I liked The Ugly Duchess story and main characters so the infidelity was a rare occasion I was like 🤷♀️, built a bridge, and got over it. I just couldn’t overlook everything here because his reasoning was so weak. At least he was a hot girthy pirate in The Ugly Duchess, and the heroine made him suffer.
His reasoning just didn’t make up for the hurt that he caused Jemma. I liked that she didn’t ultimately wait around for him and that she ended up taking lovers of her own. Again, not a fan of the cheating but I didn’t really care on her part. Sue me.
I found Jemma just eventually believed it was pretty okay that he took the mistress and that his reasoning made sense… which didn’t make sense. There were so many times where characters were like this man is a Puritan! He’s so good! Such a stand-up gent and my 21st century booty was like dafuq 😐? I get that mistresses were commonplace back then but I’ve said it before: I don’t want real men! I read romance for fake men! Big dicks and eyes only for the heroine idc idc.
The sex was a wait and honestly we deserved more here. Like absolute monkey sex. Breaking shit and taking names (hopefully of the carpenter to fix said shit). We did not get that. We got minor dabbling in human chess and blindfolding and like minor minor minor kink but it was basically all talk. There was one good long scene and then a few shorter ones that either faded to black eventually or just didn’t do much.
Overall, Eloisa tried to give us a nuanced relationship but it was more or less just like… um okay I’m just going to ignore literally all of this and hope for the best. Which I did to a relative success because I’m still giving this 3.25⭐️s and I didn’t hate myself for reading it. We know Eloisa can burn it all down in the bedroom so this was a definite disappointment across the board. But I still enjoyed my time for the mostish part. And the stepback is gorgeous.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5 🌶🌶🌶.25/5
May 27, 2021
Warning!!!! Cheating!!!!Five stars for the style of writing, less than one for the content. The a****le of the hero cheated on the heroine when they were just married. He kept his mistress and he had sex with her twice a week and even told the heroine he loved her (the mistress). The heroine left him and went to France and had two affairs with on during several years (this was the only good thing for me, that she wasn't celibate). The heroine was in love with him, he wasn't. This is the truth. Then he found out he was ill with a heart condition that caused his father's death at the same age so he decided to retrieve his wife to produce an heir. Very romantic. Yes. Afterwards he seems to be very sorry for hurting the heroine, because he had sex with her and the lover at the same time and when she found him in his office having sex with the mistress they had just had sex (yuck! Yuck! I'm going to throw up and then come back for the rest of review...) ... But this is not enough! It's not enough that he let her go because he deserved to be punished, he waited almost ten years so obviously his life was just good enough without her, even if he swears that after the time she found him with the mistress he has not had sex with another woman any more. Shall I care? No. And the story of his heart condition and the miracle drug that healed him??? The book took a fantasy flavour here... Anyway I was ready to accept the fantasy part but not the cheating and the way it was described. And anyway he never apologized, and too much descriptions of his relationship and sex with the mistress for me. The heroine didn't care when he spoke of the mistress but I felt nauseous all the time for her...I apologize for my worst english ever but this is a rant.
October 31, 2009
I read most of this book with my mind in a state of perpetual "huh?" Why did she do that? Why did he say that? Nobody acts like this! For some reason it held my interest enough to keep me reading and by the end I had developed some fondness for the characters, but I think it's one of the weakest of an overall pretty weak series.
March 13, 2024
***spoilers***
I really have no idea how to rate this book. The first 2/3 of the book features two main characters who have thrown 9 years of their lives away out of guilt and pique, when six months would have done just as well.
Elijah, ever so responsible and serious, is caught rogering his mistress on his office desk by his young bride of one month. He never gives a believable explanation for this during the entire book, saying it was just mindless sex he disposed of as quickly as possible, offering some mumbling about proving he wasn’t a deviant like his father.
Yeah, right.
Jemma, hurt and mortified, drops her picnic basket and hares off to France. For eight years. In France, she perfects the art of being the most self-absorbed, silly, puffed and powdered duchess-in-absentia the world has ever known, and rogers a couple of Frenchmen. Tit for tat, you know. But she didn’t enjoy it, so they’re even on that score. Elijah visits after four years and no explanation is given for him returning to England without her, perhaps because the author couldn’t come up with one.
Then Elijah realizes he’s dying and asks her to come back to England to provide him an heir, which is when they waste another year behind a wall of politeness and chess, and Jemma spends more time being self-absorbed, silly, and puffed and powdered until she finds out Elijah is dying, which is when she ratchets the stupidity to a whole new level. When Elijah confesses he hasn’t had a woman in 9 years, she immediately decides he needs to be wooed with chess. Chess. Because that’s the top priority for men who haven’t had sex in 9 years. Also, she decides it would do him a world of good to be wooed by another woman, so she sets that up. Unsurprisingly, the merry-go-round of silliness continues until Elijah finally FINALLY calls a halt to it.
We’re talking two-generous-star rating at this point, and only because the writing is so much better than the characters.
Then comes the last 35% of the book, and it is superb. The seduction scene that begins the last third of the book is one of the sexiest, hottest scenes I’ve ever read. The switch from stupidity to love is too abrupt, but it is so darn welcome I don’t care. The love feels deep and real and warm—and hot. Jemma suddenly finds her brain and her courage, Elijah allows himself to be open and vulnerable, and they battle to save his life together. To add further interest the reader is treated to Villiers starting to round up his illegitimate children from some seedy places where his duplicitous solicitor has parked them over the years.
Which means I’m going straight into the next book in the series. Immediately.
So I’m settling on four stars because that’s where the end of this book put me: not forgetting how dismal the first of the book was but so satisfied with the ending that most is forgiven.
I really have no idea how to rate this book. The first 2/3 of the book features two main characters who have thrown 9 years of their lives away out of guilt and pique, when six months would have done just as well.
Elijah, ever so responsible and serious, is caught rogering his mistress on his office desk by his young bride of one month. He never gives a believable explanation for this during the entire book, saying it was just mindless sex he disposed of as quickly as possible, offering some mumbling about proving he wasn’t a deviant like his father.
Yeah, right.
Jemma, hurt and mortified, drops her picnic basket and hares off to France. For eight years. In France, she perfects the art of being the most self-absorbed, silly, puffed and powdered duchess-in-absentia the world has ever known, and rogers a couple of Frenchmen. Tit for tat, you know. But she didn’t enjoy it, so they’re even on that score. Elijah visits after four years and no explanation is given for him returning to England without her, perhaps because the author couldn’t come up with one.
Then Elijah realizes he’s dying and asks her to come back to England to provide him an heir, which is when they waste another year behind a wall of politeness and chess, and Jemma spends more time being self-absorbed, silly, and puffed and powdered until she finds out Elijah is dying, which is when she ratchets the stupidity to a whole new level. When Elijah confesses he hasn’t had a woman in 9 years, she immediately decides he needs to be wooed with chess. Chess. Because that’s the top priority for men who haven’t had sex in 9 years. Also, she decides it would do him a world of good to be wooed by another woman, so she sets that up. Unsurprisingly, the merry-go-round of silliness continues until Elijah finally FINALLY calls a halt to it.
We’re talking two-generous-star rating at this point, and only because the writing is so much better than the characters.
Then comes the last 35% of the book, and it is superb. The seduction scene that begins the last third of the book is one of the sexiest, hottest scenes I’ve ever read. The switch from stupidity to love is too abrupt, but it is so darn welcome I don’t care. The love feels deep and real and warm—and hot. Jemma suddenly finds her brain and her courage, Elijah allows himself to be open and vulnerable, and they battle to save his life together. To add further interest the reader is treated to Villiers starting to round up his illegitimate children from some seedy places where his duplicitous solicitor has parked them over the years.
Which means I’m going straight into the next book in the series. Immediately.
So I’m settling on four stars because that’s where the end of this book put me: not forgetting how dismal the first of the book was but so satisfied with the ending that most is forgiven.
July 2, 2019
It (perhaps) would’ve been a four stars read if it wasn’t for that fairly quick and easy (not to mention inaccurate since I happen to know a thing or two about heart diseases and usage of Digitalis in modern medicine) solution at the end. But I’ve always been a little in love with Jemma and Elijah despite hard and awful start of their marriage. I’m not sure I would be quite as forgiving as Jemma was but I was satisfied with the story nonetheless.
June 15, 2013
Book five in a series and the one I've been looking forward to through all of the previous books. The hero (Elijah) and heroine (Jemma) have been married for nine years but they got off on the wrong foot and have been living apart for all but the past year (during which the first four books occur). Now Elijah's heart is failing and they need an heir, plus they have both learned and grown so both now want to reconcile. Of course there are still significant issues to resolve, or else we wouldn't have a book: Jemma is frustrated that Elijah loves his work in parliament and his noble ideals more than he loves her (or himself). She also sometimes feels unworthy and frivolous compared to his important work, even though she's a chess master and otherwise quite sure of herself. Elijah has lingering issues from his father's premature death and a savior complex in addition to his inherited heart problem.
I don't know whether I would have enjoyed this book quite so much if I'd read it at a different point in my life. I've now been married almost as long as the duke and duchess and I think that may be part of the reason I connected so strongly with this book and finished it in less than a day. They have a shared history but not the same perspective (definitely opposites attract), and their struggle to find a way out of repeating their old mistakes rang true. My husband is a surgeon so I felt a lot of empathy for Jemma as she struggled with how hard to push Elijah to make time for her and to rest, even though his work IS important to other people's lives. This book gave me a fresh appreciation for my own husband and a renewed desire to find ways to make our marriage even better, which is a pretty powerful impact for "fluffy" fiction to have. YMMV
I don't know whether I would have enjoyed this book quite so much if I'd read it at a different point in my life. I've now been married almost as long as the duke and duchess and I think that may be part of the reason I connected so strongly with this book and finished it in less than a day. They have a shared history but not the same perspective (definitely opposites attract), and their struggle to find a way out of repeating their old mistakes rang true. My husband is a surgeon so I felt a lot of empathy for Jemma as she struggled with how hard to push Elijah to make time for her and to rest, even though his work IS important to other people's lives. This book gave me a fresh appreciation for my own husband and a renewed desire to find ways to make our marriage even better, which is a pretty powerful impact for "fluffy" fiction to have. YMMV
January 8, 2016
2.5-3 stars
I feel like this book was missing a vital part of the story. The beginning was very jarring and haphazardly set up. I felt like I was walking straight into the middle of the story rather than the beginning. I just failed to understand how the estranged couple Jemma and Elijah, Duke and Duchess of Beaumont, who’ve been apart for 9 years go from almost strangers to a gaspy blushing lusty couple who can’t *wait* to jump into bed and get their swerve on in the very first chapter. Help me dear author and explain...what the hell happened??
It’s probably my fault for skipping the previous book. I didn’t realize it until half way into reading this. Oops. I thought I did. And I do have book 4, it’s been sitting in my bookcase for over 2 years since I got it. Oopsie whoopsie doopsie. My fault. I went into this thinking I had the overall back story of Jemma and Elijah based on the other books I read in this series, their story started to unfold in the side stories of the previous books. Looks like I should have read Isidore's book before this. This is definitely a book you can't read as a stand alone.
But even so, I really do wish EJ structured this story better. I came into this not as a new reader and I was still lost. There was no beginning to this just a long drawn out middle and an ending. The characters do finally manage to fill in *some* of the gaps of what happened that has our heroine returning from France to reunite with her husband. But the beginning seemed more like the climactic middle or ending which I found odd and left me floundering for quite some time trying to figure out how & why these two are acting like lovestruck blushing lusty teenagers. For a minute I thought I was reading a flashback to the earlier days of their marriage where Jemma is head over heels in love with her husband. But it's present day and Jemma still seems clearly smitten and in love with her husband. I was fine with that, I just wanted an explanation of the transformation. The last I remember she was upset and enraged by her husband for cheating on her with his mistress so she runs off to France and ends up staying there.
The thing that honestly had me finally picking up this book (besides boredom) was Elijah's heart condition and it being the 'catalyst' that lures the estranged couple back together. Naturally it was used as angst for the two but the thing I struggled with is truly believing they fell in love again, or more importantly Elijah loving Jemma. But I did end up enjoying their reunion and how fiercely Jemma fought for their future by finding a doctor to cure her husband of his irregular heartbeat. That was nice and made things go from tepid and dull to interesting. I just wish the interesting part happened a little sooner. Too much foot shuffling happens in here. More than half the book is focused on endless talks of chess (which I clearly don't have the head for) which started to get redundant and boring and of course...the fashion. Waaay too much droning on about fashion. I LOVE fashion like any other girl but the amount of fawning and cooing over wigs, shoes, embroideries and makeup was tiring. It started to give the characters' voices (Jemma in particular) a pretentious frivolous edge that got tiring and obnoxious after a while. I got tired with the number of times the words delicious and gorgeous were used in here to describe someone's slippers or domino. EJ is wonderful at painting vivid portraits of the lifestyle and culture pertaining to the historical time setting of a book. Here the rage was high wigs, ostentatious makeup, patches, hair powder and wide panniers. She pays great attention to detail which is admirable and most cases enjoyable and charming. I usually love her attention to detail but I wish she curbed it a little in here because it made the story drag on and become tedious especially when Jemma gets carried away daydreaming over someone's embroidered coat or dress endlessly. It started to get annoying after awhile.
Speaking of annoying I thought Elijah's excuse as to why he kept sleeping with his mistress after marrying Jemma really tacky and patronizing as hell. Having Jemma understand was even more asinine and unrealistic. In the early days of their marriage, Elijah apparently was entranced by his young wife, couldn't stop thinking of her or making love to her every night but didn't give up his mistress. Why you ask? Because 1) he couldn't think of how to break it off with her, 2) what could he tell his poor mistress who had already shown up and spread her legs for him that very morning that Jemma caught them in his office...
3) And it was too late to do anything about it, they had an arrangement they already started and couldn't stop (oh yes you could have Your Grace). 4) He had a reputation in the House of the Lords he needed to uphold. 5) And hey, he's a man after all and couldn't say no.... -__- Are you kidding me??! You were worried what your mistress would think if you said no?! Wow. pfft. Talk about seriously misplaced priorities. That has got be the dumbest and most ludicrous excuse I've heard and did not show him in a favorable light. And they were having this conversation while in bed no less. If I were Jemma I would have bopped him upside the head. And he's genuinely and sincerely guilt-ridden over it and apologizes profusely throughout the story I just found his reasonings behind this unsavory and cowardly. I would have been rolling my eyes instead of patting his chest. Lame Elijah, really REALLY LAME.
And I will say this if anything this book made me really want to re-read Leopold, Duke of Villiers book again. He's just marvelous. He's quite the scene stealer. I adored his book the first time I read it (and of course out of order :P) seeing him in here all pensive, brooding and jaded made him even more intriguing and the stand out character he is. He's not for everyone and self-serving but has his selfless moments and genuinely wants to find a woman who loves him. His adoration of Jemma and snarky personality and cold demeanor was very engaging. I wish I owned a copy so I could skim through it again.
I feel like this book was missing a vital part of the story. The beginning was very jarring and haphazardly set up. I felt like I was walking straight into the middle of the story rather than the beginning. I just failed to understand how the estranged couple Jemma and Elijah, Duke and Duchess of Beaumont, who’ve been apart for 9 years go from almost strangers to a gaspy blushing lusty couple who can’t *wait* to jump into bed and get their swerve on in the very first chapter. Help me dear author and explain...what the hell happened??
It’s probably my fault for skipping the previous book. I didn’t realize it until half way into reading this. Oops. I thought I did. And I do have book 4, it’s been sitting in my bookcase for over 2 years since I got it. Oopsie whoopsie doopsie. My fault. I went into this thinking I had the overall back story of Jemma and Elijah based on the other books I read in this series, their story started to unfold in the side stories of the previous books. Looks like I should have read Isidore's book before this. This is definitely a book you can't read as a stand alone.
But even so, I really do wish EJ structured this story better. I came into this not as a new reader and I was still lost. There was no beginning to this just a long drawn out middle and an ending. The characters do finally manage to fill in *some* of the gaps of what happened that has our heroine returning from France to reunite with her husband. But the beginning seemed more like the climactic middle or ending which I found odd and left me floundering for quite some time trying to figure out how & why these two are acting like lovestruck blushing lusty teenagers. For a minute I thought I was reading a flashback to the earlier days of their marriage where Jemma is head over heels in love with her husband. But it's present day and Jemma still seems clearly smitten and in love with her husband. I was fine with that, I just wanted an explanation of the transformation. The last I remember she was upset and enraged by her husband for cheating on her with his mistress so she runs off to France and ends up staying there.
The thing that honestly had me finally picking up this book (besides boredom) was Elijah's heart condition and it being the 'catalyst' that lures the estranged couple back together. Naturally it was used as angst for the two but the thing I struggled with is truly believing they fell in love again, or more importantly Elijah loving Jemma. But I did end up enjoying their reunion and how fiercely Jemma fought for their future by finding a doctor to cure her husband of his irregular heartbeat. That was nice and made things go from tepid and dull to interesting. I just wish the interesting part happened a little sooner. Too much foot shuffling happens in here. More than half the book is focused on endless talks of chess (which I clearly don't have the head for) which started to get redundant and boring and of course...the fashion. Waaay too much droning on about fashion. I LOVE fashion like any other girl but the amount of fawning and cooing over wigs, shoes, embroideries and makeup was tiring. It started to give the characters' voices (Jemma in particular) a pretentious frivolous edge that got tiring and obnoxious after a while. I got tired with the number of times the words delicious and gorgeous were used in here to describe someone's slippers or domino. EJ is wonderful at painting vivid portraits of the lifestyle and culture pertaining to the historical time setting of a book. Here the rage was high wigs, ostentatious makeup, patches, hair powder and wide panniers. She pays great attention to detail which is admirable and most cases enjoyable and charming. I usually love her attention to detail but I wish she curbed it a little in here because it made the story drag on and become tedious especially when Jemma gets carried away daydreaming over someone's embroidered coat or dress endlessly. It started to get annoying after awhile.
Speaking of annoying I thought Elijah's excuse as to why he kept sleeping with his mistress after marrying Jemma really tacky and patronizing as hell. Having Jemma understand was even more asinine and unrealistic. In the early days of their marriage, Elijah apparently was entranced by his young wife, couldn't stop thinking of her or making love to her every night but didn't give up his mistress. Why you ask? Because 1) he couldn't think of how to break it off with her, 2) what could he tell his poor mistress who had already shown up and spread her legs for him that very morning that Jemma caught them in his office...
3) And it was too late to do anything about it, they had an arrangement they already started and couldn't stop (oh yes you could have Your Grace). 4) He had a reputation in the House of the Lords he needed to uphold. 5) And hey, he's a man after all and couldn't say no.... -__- Are you kidding me??! You were worried what your mistress would think if you said no?! Wow. pfft. Talk about seriously misplaced priorities. That has got be the dumbest and most ludicrous excuse I've heard and did not show him in a favorable light. And they were having this conversation while in bed no less. If I were Jemma I would have bopped him upside the head. And he's genuinely and sincerely guilt-ridden over it and apologizes profusely throughout the story I just found his reasonings behind this unsavory and cowardly. I would have been rolling my eyes instead of patting his chest. Lame Elijah, really REALLY LAME.
And I will say this if anything this book made me really want to re-read Leopold, Duke of Villiers book again. He's just marvelous. He's quite the scene stealer. I adored his book the first time I read it (and of course out of order :P) seeing him in here all pensive, brooding and jaded made him even more intriguing and the stand out character he is. He's not for everyone and self-serving but has his selfless moments and genuinely wants to find a woman who loves him. His adoration of Jemma and snarky personality and cold demeanor was very engaging. I wish I owned a copy so I could skim through it again.
October 13, 2025
Yazar boşuna kitap yazmış
July 16, 2009
I am a bit undecided on how to grade this book. Although it is not worse than any of the others in the series the truth is that it did not live up to my expectations. I spent the first 4 books of this series thinking that Jemma and Elijah, the Duke and Duchess of Beaumont, were the most interesting characters of the group even if they are just secondary characters. James had announced book nº 5 would be about them so I dutifully read them all, with my expectations rising, just to get to this one. Well this book is not what I was hoping for!
8 years ago Jemma found her new husband with his mistress and run away to Paris after he told her he loved the said mistress. Now she has returned to London after he told her it was time they produced an heir. Jemma is as in love with her husband as she was 8 years ago but she can’t forget how he hurt her. Elijah, while not being a bad sort, still hasn’t provided a justification for his behavior which seems a bit out of character for what we now know of him.
My problem with this story is that it seems that past became unimportant. For most of this story Jemma and Elijah engage each other in seduction and flirtation trying to seduce one another and their courtship is only disturbed by the fact that Elijah has a heart ailment and there’s the fear that he might die.
Although they speak of while he had a loved barely two weeks after his wedding and after leaving his wife’s bed the excuse sounded a bit lame to me. Not to mention that they never even speak of the fact that he told Jemma that he loved the woman. I needed to have this subject addressed in a deeper way and somehow I just felt Jemma accepted it all too easily. The book did have some nice scenes and if it weren’t for my expectations I probably would have graded it better. But you see, after finding them the most interesting couple for 4 books I spent their book more interested in Villiers and his children than Jemma and Elijah…
Grade: 4/5
8 years ago Jemma found her new husband with his mistress and run away to Paris after he told her he loved the said mistress. Now she has returned to London after he told her it was time they produced an heir. Jemma is as in love with her husband as she was 8 years ago but she can’t forget how he hurt her. Elijah, while not being a bad sort, still hasn’t provided a justification for his behavior which seems a bit out of character for what we now know of him.
My problem with this story is that it seems that past became unimportant. For most of this story Jemma and Elijah engage each other in seduction and flirtation trying to seduce one another and their courtship is only disturbed by the fact that Elijah has a heart ailment and there’s the fear that he might die.
Although they speak of while he had a loved barely two weeks after his wedding and after leaving his wife’s bed the excuse sounded a bit lame to me. Not to mention that they never even speak of the fact that he told Jemma that he loved the woman. I needed to have this subject addressed in a deeper way and somehow I just felt Jemma accepted it all too easily. The book did have some nice scenes and if it weren’t for my expectations I probably would have graded it better. But you see, after finding them the most interesting couple for 4 books I spent their book more interested in Villiers and his children than Jemma and Elijah…
Grade: 4/5
October 13, 2021
I had been waiting for Jemma's story since I read the first book in this series. After a rocky start, this one really delivered!
Georgian England with its debauchery and raunchy lords and ladies provides a fine backdrop for this tale of an estranged married couple who find their way back to each other. I love it when HRs do second chance romances well, and this one was really good.
This book may not be for every one, however. There's cheating and mistresses galore, the couple's best friend (I cant wait to read Villiers's story) has SIX illegitimate children (Ewww) who he is planning to look after and house in his own home (Awww ). I loved how Eloisa James makes these kinds of characters likable.
The trick for me is to read these stories in their correct setting - a time of men wearing rouge, wigs and high heels, and people with relaxed sexual morals - and not the Regency time with its prim heroines and proper men.
Georgian England with its debauchery and raunchy lords and ladies provides a fine backdrop for this tale of an estranged married couple who find their way back to each other. I love it when HRs do second chance romances well, and this one was really good.
This book may not be for every one, however. There's cheating and mistresses galore, the couple's best friend (I cant wait to read Villiers's story) has SIX illegitimate children (Ewww) who he is planning to look after and house in his own home (Awww ). I loved how Eloisa James makes these kinds of characters likable.
The trick for me is to read these stories in their correct setting - a time of men wearing rouge, wigs and high heels, and people with relaxed sexual morals - and not the Regency time with its prim heroines and proper men.
January 31, 2022
I never thought to say / write this but this story contains a very VERY interesting chess game ( I am soooo not interested in chess )
December 24, 2018
This is a kind of odd review. And I’m kind of short on time so here goes! I’m not rating this particular novel, I’m going to rate this particular LOVE TRIANGLE.
The genius of this love triangle.
Oh damn I was floored.
Elijah, Jemma, and Villiers.
If I chose to write how much I loved these three, it would honestly be a 15 paged essay.
I mean this from the bottom of my heart when I say this, God bless Eloisa for writing about Jemma, Elijah, and Villiers!
I know I’m pretty much a disturbingly obsessed freak when it comes to these characters out of all of the dozens of HRs I’ve ploughed through. I think it strikes on a personal level for me.
Ever since I read it at the age of 15 (six years ago), I’ve actually been going back to the entire series periodically for re-reads, and just re-reading EVERY SINGLE interaction and thought which had anything to do with the three of them. My soul comes alive.. haha!
Yes, I’m crazy enough to go through FOUR whole books just for about two dozen interactions between three people, with no sexy times at that. Don’t worry, I’ve bookmarked the relevant pages and skip everything else now!
What a tribute Dangerous Liasons this was!! (Did I mention how much I LOVE that? Oh lord. I fell flat just for it. I would love to read any HR which is inspired by controversial classics such as Dangerous Liasons. It’s always Jane Austen, Romeo and Juliet, or fairytales which act as inspiration for so many novels on the market these days
On a serious note. Aside from that, I really feel like EJ is a genius for being able to capture the 18th century the way she did. Her Georgian novels never feel like regency characters who happen to be dressed up in panniers and wigs. They SHOW that they are Georgian characters through their thoughts, mentality, actions, etc. and not just by their Georgian era physical surroundings.
(THANK YOU ELOISA! Why can’t more romances be like this??)
I couldn’t really care less for the “main couple” in each of these books, but I was more than glad to patiently wait for those precious Jemma/Elijah/villiers interactions. I forgive Eloisa completely for whatever shortcomings her main characters’ love stories had, but they also weren’t that bad either honestly. I really liked Duchess by Night. I was cracking up at some scenes. And Fletch’s confession of love to Poppy in an Affair before Christmas was heart wrenchingly adorable.
You know there are certain books that when you’re done with them and put them down, you feel like a piece of your soul is missing?
Lol yes I know Eloisa has rendered me a man woman.
Disclaimer:
For all that I just wrote about this amazing love triangle, after book 4 “When the Duke returns”, I feel like the love triangle came to a graceful resolution, but Eloisa brought back the dead with book 5 “This Duchess of Mine” about Jemma and Villiers. It was unnecessarily dragged out, but I’m still utterly grateful for this series and the beautiful interactions between Elijah, Jemma, and Villier in the first four books. So no way in hell am I complaining! In my mind, they get their HEA in book four, the book before their own, and I usually just stop reading there.
All in all,
When I think of historical romance, I think of Elijah, Jemma, and Villiers.
Thanks Eloisa!!
Is there any sort of discussion where I can open my heart about the 101 way I will always adore Jemma/Villiers/Elijah’s story?
PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR THE TERRIBLE REVIEW, but I spoke from the heart!
Maybe I can comeback later and go through in detail why I loved this trio. Anyone ready for that 15 paged essay? Take care all!
The genius of this love triangle.
Oh damn I was floored.
Elijah, Jemma, and Villiers.
If I chose to write how much I loved these three, it would honestly be a 15 paged essay.
I mean this from the bottom of my heart when I say this, God bless Eloisa for writing about Jemma, Elijah, and Villiers!
I know I’m pretty much a disturbingly obsessed freak when it comes to these characters out of all of the dozens of HRs I’ve ploughed through. I think it strikes on a personal level for me.
Ever since I read it at the age of 15 (six years ago), I’ve actually been going back to the entire series periodically for re-reads, and just re-reading EVERY SINGLE interaction and thought which had anything to do with the three of them. My soul comes alive.. haha!
Yes, I’m crazy enough to go through FOUR whole books just for about two dozen interactions between three people, with no sexy times at that. Don’t worry, I’ve bookmarked the relevant pages and skip everything else now!
What a tribute Dangerous Liasons this was!! (Did I mention how much I LOVE that? Oh lord. I fell flat just for it. I would love to read any HR which is inspired by controversial classics such as Dangerous Liasons. It’s always Jane Austen, Romeo and Juliet, or fairytales which act as inspiration for so many novels on the market these days
On a serious note. Aside from that, I really feel like EJ is a genius for being able to capture the 18th century the way she did. Her Georgian novels never feel like regency characters who happen to be dressed up in panniers and wigs. They SHOW that they are Georgian characters through their thoughts, mentality, actions, etc. and not just by their Georgian era physical surroundings.
(THANK YOU ELOISA! Why can’t more romances be like this??)
I couldn’t really care less for the “main couple” in each of these books, but I was more than glad to patiently wait for those precious Jemma/Elijah/villiers interactions. I forgive Eloisa completely for whatever shortcomings her main characters’ love stories had, but they also weren’t that bad either honestly. I really liked Duchess by Night. I was cracking up at some scenes. And Fletch’s confession of love to Poppy in an Affair before Christmas was heart wrenchingly adorable.
You know there are certain books that when you’re done with them and put them down, you feel like a piece of your soul is missing?
Lol yes I know Eloisa has rendered me a man woman.
Disclaimer:
For all that I just wrote about this amazing love triangle, after book 4 “When the Duke returns”, I feel like the love triangle came to a graceful resolution, but Eloisa brought back the dead with book 5 “This Duchess of Mine” about Jemma and Villiers. It was unnecessarily dragged out, but I’m still utterly grateful for this series and the beautiful interactions between Elijah, Jemma, and Villier in the first four books. So no way in hell am I complaining! In my mind, they get their HEA in book four, the book before their own, and I usually just stop reading there.
All in all,
When I think of historical romance, I think of Elijah, Jemma, and Villiers.
Thanks Eloisa!!
Is there any sort of discussion where I can open my heart about the 101 way I will always adore Jemma/Villiers/Elijah’s story?
PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR THE TERRIBLE REVIEW, but I spoke from the heart!
Maybe I can comeback later and go through in detail why I loved this trio. Anyone ready for that 15 paged essay? Take care all!
January 21, 2012
Well, I've been dying to read Jemma's story - but I have to say, I was a little disappointed. While this book was engaging - read it in one day - the silly subplots took away from the story rather than making it better. Jemma and Elijah have decided to finally consummate their marriage - again - after nine years of separation. But, of course, they are both very insecure and struggle with how to handle their new arrangement. Elijah has been working himself almost to death at his job and Jemma wants him to cut back. She discovers his heart condition one day and is immediately panicked - even refusing to sleep with him because she fears he's going to die and leave her all alone. She also decides she wants Elijah to enjoy himself more and laugh, so she decides she's going to get her nemesis to flirt with Elijah - like that somehow is going to make Elijah love her? She is still flirting with Villiers, but they have both come to terms with the fact that they cannot have each other. Villiers wants to help Elijah as a friend, especially with his heart condition, trying to find him a doctor who can treat him. Also, Villiers is trying to gather all of his illegitimate children together, wants to raise them in his home, and desperately needs to find a wife.
So with Elijah seemingly on the brink of death, Jemma is unsure what to do with her marriage, but they start "courting" each other - and finally, finally get together over a blind-folded game of chess. That was interesting. Honestly, even though I love Ms. James writing, I though the focus should have been more on the building up of their marriage - more interactions and dialogue between them as a couple - all of the ridiculous problems and ideas were just too distracting. Not that his health problem was ridiculous; I meant the other issues with their lack of communication skills and all the baggage they had to work through. They would be having a love scene while talking about Elijah's previous mistress - it was just weird.
But the ending was very sweet and I was glad to see things work out for this couple. They both deserved their HEA.
So with Elijah seemingly on the brink of death, Jemma is unsure what to do with her marriage, but they start "courting" each other - and finally, finally get together over a blind-folded game of chess. That was interesting. Honestly, even though I love Ms. James writing, I though the focus should have been more on the building up of their marriage - more interactions and dialogue between them as a couple - all of the ridiculous problems and ideas were just too distracting. Not that his health problem was ridiculous; I meant the other issues with their lack of communication skills and all the baggage they had to work through. They would be having a love scene while talking about Elijah's previous mistress - it was just weird.
But the ending was very sweet and I was glad to see things work out for this couple. They both deserved their HEA.
July 4, 2012
This is my favorite book of the series, without a doubt. This book was about Jemma and Elijah, the Beaumonts who have appeared in each of the previous four books in this series. To me, their building story was often just as interesting (if not more so) than the main story in those books.
Jemma and Elijah had an arranged marriage over eight years ago, but when Jemma walked in on her husband and his mistress, she took off for France, where she lived scandalously and extravagantly for the next eight years. What her husband doesn't know is that most of the rumors surrounding her life are untrue. What her husband doesn't know is that she was in love with him when she fled, her heart broken by his infidelity.
What Jemma doesn't know is that her husband was infatuated with her when they married. What Jemma doesn't know is that her husband has remained faithful to her ever since she walked in on him. Years of separation and lack of communication have led to misunderstandings between the couple. But now Jemma is back because her husband needs an heir. He is dying from a heart condition and needs his wife to produce an heir for him.
Jemma has her conditions though. She refuses to go to bed with her husband until he has fallen in love with her.
I loved this book because the desperation of unrequited love rang true to me. The tricks and games that Jemma plays with her husband are things that I've seen real people do. They were just as unsuccessful as Jemma was.
I had already grown to care for the characters because they had been in the previous books. I was anxious to see how their story played out. I was not disappointed. I think being this far into the series gave her stronger characters than in the first book. We've been getting to know Jemma and Elijah over four books and it definitely showed in the depth the characters had in this book.
I was also impressed with how James has grown as a writer. The annoying side character was still there, but not as much as he had been in previous books, and now his story was interesting. His book is next and I'm anxious to see how his plays out as well.
Jemma and Elijah had an arranged marriage over eight years ago, but when Jemma walked in on her husband and his mistress, she took off for France, where she lived scandalously and extravagantly for the next eight years. What her husband doesn't know is that most of the rumors surrounding her life are untrue. What her husband doesn't know is that she was in love with him when she fled, her heart broken by his infidelity.
What Jemma doesn't know is that her husband was infatuated with her when they married. What Jemma doesn't know is that her husband has remained faithful to her ever since she walked in on him. Years of separation and lack of communication have led to misunderstandings between the couple. But now Jemma is back because her husband needs an heir. He is dying from a heart condition and needs his wife to produce an heir for him.
Jemma has her conditions though. She refuses to go to bed with her husband until he has fallen in love with her.
I loved this book because the desperation of unrequited love rang true to me. The tricks and games that Jemma plays with her husband are things that I've seen real people do. They were just as unsuccessful as Jemma was.
I had already grown to care for the characters because they had been in the previous books. I was anxious to see how their story played out. I was not disappointed. I think being this far into the series gave her stronger characters than in the first book. We've been getting to know Jemma and Elijah over four books and it definitely showed in the depth the characters had in this book.
I was also impressed with how James has grown as a writer. The annoying side character was still there, but not as much as he had been in previous books, and now his story was interesting. His book is next and I'm anxious to see how his plays out as well.
May 28, 2009
I was very much looking forward to reading Elijah and Jemma's story, after their recurring, 'teaser' appearances in the other stories. But after reading it, I'm a little disappointed. If you've never read Eloisa James before, don't start with this one - I think it's her weakest so far.
First, I found the illness plot to be ridiculous - there's no way in this genre that the hero and heroine are not allowed to live happily-ever-after. James should have cured Elijah in the first chapter and found another conflict to hang this story on.
Second, I found the frequent discussions about 'acting like a duke' and 'acting like a duchess' to be annoying and distracting. I get that these are the top of the top of the aristocracy in the Georgian era - and that they're going to be spoiled, arrogant and proud. It just needed to be pointed out once....
Third, Jemma as portrayed in this book really has no redeeming qualities. At the point in the book where she describes her "bone-depth gratitude for her beauty," I was slightly sick, and waiting for her to redeem herself. It never happened. She could have done some charity work - became a political hostess to help her husband's career - anything. At the end of the book, she is writing a book - about chess!
Fourth, enough with the chess.
Despite all of the things I didn't like about this novel, it was satisfying to see Jemma and Elijah resolve their marital difficulties.
First, I found the illness plot to be ridiculous - there's no way in this genre that the hero and heroine are not allowed to live happily-ever-after. James should have cured Elijah in the first chapter and found another conflict to hang this story on.
Second, I found the frequent discussions about 'acting like a duke' and 'acting like a duchess' to be annoying and distracting. I get that these are the top of the top of the aristocracy in the Georgian era - and that they're going to be spoiled, arrogant and proud. It just needed to be pointed out once....
Third, Jemma as portrayed in this book really has no redeeming qualities. At the point in the book where she describes her "bone-depth gratitude for her beauty," I was slightly sick, and waiting for her to redeem herself. It never happened. She could have done some charity work - became a political hostess to help her husband's career - anything. At the end of the book, she is writing a book - about chess!
Fourth, enough with the chess.
Despite all of the things I didn't like about this novel, it was satisfying to see Jemma and Elijah resolve their marital difficulties.
August 6, 2012
That's the book I borrowed for my grandmom, but decided to read it anyway as she liked it.
What a piece of crap it was! Let me start with saying, that's not quite what I expected, although I wasn't expecting much. This book is part of the series Duchesses-themed. It turned out that duchess as book's heroine isn't the only thing the series have in common, but the heroes as well. It would be fine if other characters would get only a mention. Instead, what I read in this book seemed to be written and described in each book of the series piece by piece and this part is the final one. This way I had absolutely no idea what was going on. If that wasn't bad enough, both the heroes were repeating themselves to the point you didn't have to read to guess the outcome of the dialogue. The duke's illness, their past, the illness, the past, the illness...wait, did I mention their past? And of course the love scenes that could put anyone to sleep.
I just couldn't understand the heroes' attitude towards each other and frankly, after all the bullshit I was served throughout the book, I wasn't even trying.
What a piece of crap it was! Let me start with saying, that's not quite what I expected, although I wasn't expecting much. This book is part of the series Duchesses-themed. It turned out that duchess as book's heroine isn't the only thing the series have in common, but the heroes as well. It would be fine if other characters would get only a mention. Instead, what I read in this book seemed to be written and described in each book of the series piece by piece and this part is the final one. This way I had absolutely no idea what was going on. If that wasn't bad enough, both the heroes were repeating themselves to the point you didn't have to read to guess the outcome of the dialogue. The duke's illness, their past, the illness, the past, the illness...wait, did I mention their past? And of course the love scenes that could put anyone to sleep.
I just couldn't understand the heroes' attitude towards each other and frankly, after all the bullshit I was served throughout the book, I wasn't even trying.
December 15, 2013
What do you do when your husband who has cheated wants to reunite after being apart to have an heir.This was the delema facing the dutchess. She returns only to find that she still has strong feelings for her husband, but something seems off. The book was very good, and a race against time. No spoilers.....I likes the interaction of the characters, and it was the first book I have read from this author. I loved the ending....It was a pleasant romance novel..a nice change....
May 8, 2012
Mrs. Giggle, whom I 100% adore, has said it all in the review on her blog/site.
http://www.mrsgiggles.com/books/james...
This book was a pretty boring mess, really. :/
And i 100% did not understand why he cheated 10 years back. It was such stupid reason, I would have felt better if he was just a moron that wanted to cheat.
http://www.mrsgiggles.com/books/james...
This book was a pretty boring mess, really. :/
And i 100% did not understand why he cheated 10 years back. It was such stupid reason, I would have felt better if he was just a moron that wanted to cheat.
June 27, 2013
I remember loving everything about this book, and read it a few times! I still think of Elijah & Jemma sometimes. They are my favorite Duke & Duchess!! : D
Displaying 1 - 30 of 564 reviews