Duchess By Night (Desperate Duchesses, #3) in Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn

Jun 27, 2015 Aarann rated it really liked it

Shelves: fun, male-lead-asshattery, yum, own-physical-copy, great-male-lead, great-female-lead, alpha-male

This is probably one of my favorite Eloisa James books. For one thing, as schticky and soapy as it can be, I love the "woman gender bending as a dude" trope and watching the man either frantically try to figure out why he's so attracted to his own gender, or figure her disguise out early on and cat-and-mouse her until she reveals herself. This book actually has both of these reactions, which is part of why I love it. I don't believe a trope like this would work out the same way in the real world This is probably one of my favorite Eloisa James books. For one thing, as schticky and soapy as it can be, I love the "woman gender bending as a dude" trope and watching the man either frantically try to figure out why he's so attracted to his own gender, or figure her disguise out early on and cat-and-mouse her until she reveals herself. This book actually has both of these reactions, which is part of why I love it. I don't believe a trope like this would work out the same way in the real world, but it is fun to watch the byplay in fiction.

The other reason I love this book so much is the characters. Harriet is pragmatic and commanding in her duchess role, but a little shy and a little judgmental (partly due to the role she has to play in her life as a Duchess), in her personal life. She stands up for what she believes in, and is occasionally wrong, but apologizes when she is. Jem is deliciously alpha, but also somewhat pompous and cruel at times, but with a soft spot for his daughter, and he's doing the best he can with what he has. At times he reminded me a bit of Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady", but he was just so... fun. He had this playful streak that I adored (particularly in the bedroom, ahem) but he also had this sort of dark, self-hating side to him. In short, they were flawed characters, but still made you love them. And something about the love scenes in this particular book... yum... (view spoiler) Again, gotta love a guy who can be playful in bed.

There were some slow parts in the story that took off a star, particularly in the second half of the book. (view spoiler) I also thought the Big Misunderstanding at the end was a bit... Because the Plot Said So (view spoiler).

Anyway, as I mentioned, this is one of my favorite Eloisa James novels. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes regency books that deal with women dressing in drag (although Johanna Lindsey's old-skool Gentle Rogue is still probably my all-time favorite regarding that trope). If you've read James before and weren't a fan, this likely won't change your mind, but it works for me. I'm not sure I have a favorite Eloisa James novel, but if I do, this is definitely in the running. ...more

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Jun 10, 2011 Sylvain rated it liked it · review of another edition

A Mischievous Charade . . . Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, is tired of her title and the responsibilities that come along with it. Enough with proper tea parties and elegant balls; what Harriet really wants is to attend an outrageous soiree where she can unleash her wildest whims and desires. But to attend such an event—especially if the event in question is Lord Justinian Strange's rollicking fete, filled with noble rogues and rotters, risqué ladies and illicit lovers—would be certain scandal. Tha

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Dec 24, 2023 Diane Peterson rated it really liked it

Shelves: rita-finalist, historical-romance

Very nicely done addition to the series. We have a cross-dressing duchess in disguise and a sad lord that has a lot to learn about himself. The other characters make an appearance and add to the fun. Good reading!

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