A Duke of Her Own (Desperate Duchesses, #6) in Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn

Oct 24, 2011 Zumbagirl rated it really liked it

Shelves: adorable-child, adorable-dog, secrets, friendship, georgian-romance, non-virgin-heroine, caught-in-compromising-situation, forgiveness, love-triangle, spinster-rake

Well, I just finished this book and maybe I should take a few days off to think things through. It's made me come to this conclusion: Men are idiots. Completely. Totally. All of them. Especially Villiers. I've read the entire series and really thought I got to know and understand him. But he's not as smart in life as he is at playing chess. Too bad.

All I can say is, Eleanor is a much more patient and forgiving person than I am. She's a great heroine despite the mistakes she's made. She has an i Well, I just finished this book and maybe I should take a few days off to think things through. It's made me come to this conclusion: Men are idiots. Completely. Totally. All of them. Especially Villiers. I've read the entire series and really thought I got to know and understand him. But he's not as smart in life as he is at playing chess. Too bad.

All I can say is, Eleanor is a much more patient and forgiving person than I am. She's a great heroine despite the mistakes she's made. She has an intrinsic weakness for men - dukes specifically - and had been in love with her childhood friend Gideon forever, even after he married another. He loved her too, supposedly, but not enough to fight his father's will which arranged his marriage to Ada, a woman he didn't know or love. Eleanor is a kind, generous and loving woman, but unfortunately for her, both Gideon and Villiers don't love her enough. Her sister, Anne, is wonderful and I loved their relationship. Anne always had her back. After Eleanor was dumped by Gideon, she became somewhat matronly and had almost given up on marriage. But Anne helped her to get her groove back, getting her to dress and put on makeup to be more appealing. Villiers is a dandy and takes impeccable care in his appearance. As was learned in previous books, Villiers has been rounding up his illegitimate children - six of them - and so far has three. His oldest son, Tobias, who looks and acts just like him, is a great kid and I loved him in the story. Turns out, Tobias is actually smarter and acutely aware of things that Villiers should realize - which proved to be very annoying because I kept saying to myself, "HOW IN THE WORLD CAN VILLIERS BE SO BLIND!"

So to make things even more annoying, there are two love triangles in this story: Villiers/Eleanor/Lisette and Eleanor/Villiers/Gideon. Lisette and Eleanor are childhood friends and both daughters of dukes. Lisette has a dirty little secret that isn't fully revealed until the end. But even before that, I could not stand her. I lost a lot of respect in Villiers seeing how he made so many foolish decisions. While it was laudable that he wanted to assume responsibility for his children, his desperate quest for a mother for them was rather sad. Once everything "hit the fan," poor Villiers realizes his mistakes (took him long enough) and I actually started crying - mostly crying for poor Eleanor, her dog and Tobias. This is the first Eloisa James book that made me cry so I guess that says something. Then I even started feeling a slight twinge of pity for Villiers. (view spoiler)

He does explain things at the end to Eleanor and he does some pretty heavy duty groveling, though I still needed more. (view spoiler)

As all the dukes are very starchy and think very highly of themselves, Villiers didn't give Eleanor the credit she deserved soon enough. When he saw how she took charge of the situation at the orphanage and the situation involving the kitchen maid/cook, that was enough evidence that she cared very much for his kids and was looking out for their best interests. So she didn't play dolls and sing songs for the little girls. But he could see clear evidence that she got along well with them and was a very good example for them and would love them. Honestly, I think he was attracted to both of them and probably more so to Eleanor, but just didn't see things clearly about Lisette. Maybe her beauty and creativity blinded him.

I was happy when Eleanor decided she still wanted to get married, but not to either of her love interests. I really wanted her to find someone special, who would love her with the same generosity and passion that she gave. When "Mr. Ormston" starts to pursue her, I was thrilled! A new contender, even a total stranger, would be better than the two she just recently left behind. Things played out very nicely from this point. And I love Eleanor's betrothal ring and her betrothal gift!! Again, Eleanor is a very forgiving person, so I totally understand her decision. Maybe it was the right decision. I am not sure and would like to have seen more proof (view spoiler)

As with all of Ms. James' books, I read them very quickly and find them totally engaging - even if I don't necessarily love the book. This one is not my favorite and it could have been so much more considering how much I liked Villiers in the previous books. But I really liked Eleanor, her sister Anne, Tobias, and Oyster, the dog. Glad I finished up the series! ...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Nana rated it liked it

Shelves: just-because-you-intrigue-me, historical-romance, dragging-afterwards

2.5 cookie bits. It was ok. Could've been way better. Honestly, I forget there are actually earls, viscounts and other titled gentlemen with all the ducal frenzy

Sum:
Eleanor threw herself out to the former love of her life, Gideon but he married some other chit because of some old will his father had.
Broken, she decided she has no plans of marrying.

Insert Leo, who wants a wife to influence on his 6 bastard children, and for him to have an heir of his own. He had two options: Eleanor or Linette (w ...more

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Oct 09, 2011 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance

One of my all time favorites by Eloisa. Her characters in this novel are dynamic and challenging. Villiers isn't the typical dark hero; he isn't tortured. He isn't in need of redemption. He can do all that himself. He just needs someone that will motivate him to stay on the straight and narrow- who will show him that there are parts of life that will be more rewarding than all the debauchery of his youth. Eleanor is incredibly stubborn but still appealing to me. I don't find her to steadfast tha ...more

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

A duke must choose wisely . . .

Leopold Dautry, the notorious Duke of Villiers, must wed quickly and nobly—and his choices, alas, are few. The Duke of Montague's daughter, Eleanor, is exquisitely beautiful and fiercely intelligent. Villiers betroths himself to her without further ado.

After all, no other woman really qualifies. Lisette, the outspoken daughter of the Duke of Gilner, cares nothing for clothing or decorum. She's engaged to another man, and doesn't give a fig for sta

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