An Affair Before Christmas (Desperate Duchesses, #2) in Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn

Dec 03, 2011 Zumbagirl rated it really liked it

Shelves: friendship, second-chances, shy-heroine, georgian-romance, problem-marriage, terrible-mother

The Desperate Duchesses series is one that needs to be looked at for what it is - and it's exactly what it is named - desperate duchesses, all with different problems, and how things work out for them. This second book in the series (which I read out of order, 1 then 3 and now 2) started out kind of slow - and sad. It's a sad story: Poppy and Fletcher are unhappily married and living separate lives. Neither one wants to communicate or work things out. They're just upset at each other and general The Desperate Duchesses series is one that needs to be looked at for what it is - and it's exactly what it is named - desperate duchesses, all with different problems, and how things work out for them. This second book in the series (which I read out of order, 1 then 3 and now 2) started out kind of slow - and sad. It's a sad story: Poppy and Fletcher are unhappily married and living separate lives. Neither one wants to communicate or work things out. They're just upset at each other and generally hurt and angry. Add to this already bad mix the world's worst mother/mother-in-law. This woman is pure evil (the only parent that is worse is Meredith's dad in

Paradise (Second Opportunities, #1) by Judith McNaught

). I'd like to think she's mentally unbalanced, but she's too malicious to blame it all on that. So the beginning of the story was a downer, but because I'm emotionally invested in this series, I had to read it and get my history on this couple, as well as my favorite characters, Jemma and Villiers, who we see often (can't wait to read their books). Thankfully, the story had lots of other characters and events unfolding: Villiers was injured in a duel with Damon and is recovery poorly from his injury and things are looking like he may even die. Getting to know Villiers more was a treat - the way he initially presented is not who he really is and every layer gets peeled away to reveal a truly kind person, who wants to love and be loved (I know I already said it, but I can't wait to read his story!). Jemma and Elijah also appear, but their relationship doesn't progress much. It's really a progression of Jemma's friendship with Poppy. Also, the friendship that Elijah had with dying Villiers, who regrets his loss of friendship with both Elijah and Benjamin (he committed suicide after their chess game). With Villiers facing death, his whole perspective has changed and he wants to right all the wrongs.

Poppy is the kind of heroine that I don't love, but understand. Her mother totally dominated her, both in the past and the present, and Poppy can't make good decisions because of this. Unfortunately, one doesn't get to pick one's parents. This is a huge problem and I think at the root of all the marriage problems. (view spoiler)

Steam level: Warm, maybe PG-13. It's all married couple sex and not graphic or explicit. Ms. James does a good job of making it sensual and loving without being vulgar (this is how I like my romance books).

So I'm glad I read this book, despite being fearful of such a sad topic, and can't wait to read the rest of this series:) I love the way Ms. James writes and describes the styles of that era - even the hideous hairdos! Now should I go to book 4 or straight to 5, Jemma's book? Hmmm... ...more

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Dec 17, 2012 Donna rated it it was ok

Not one of the best I've ever read. Oddly, the writing itself was pretty good, but the subject matter and plot were weak and implausible. There's very little Christmas to the book, and an odd fascination with chess, both as a game and a euphemism for more intimate activities.

The heroine becomes estranged from her duke because her mother has taught her not to like sex. And apparently the mother was quite a teacher for her lessons to supersede 4 years of marriage to a very attentive duke whom she ...more

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Dec 22, 2011 Madu rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical

3,5 stars
I think I liked it more that the previous book....I felt more connected with the main characters...But I couldn't care less for Charlotte:)) She was kind of boring ...more

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Dec 15, 2023 Diane Peterson rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle-books, historical-romance

very interesting concept. The main conflict was resolved a little too easily. I was hoping for a slower resolution (it's sexual), especially after the long build-up. The book was perhaps a little too long anyway, but EJ develops complex relationships in this series. No book is completely about one couple. I do find this series compelling. ...more

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