By: Eloisa James Publisher: Avon Average Rating: Binding: Mass Market Paperback Label: Avon Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 384 Publication Date: July 01, 2008 Release Date: June 24, 2008
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. That's why she must disguise herself . . .
Looking forward to a night of uninhibited pleasure, Lord Strange is shocked to discover that beneath the clothes of a no-good rake is the most beautiful woman in the room. Why is a woman like her risking her reputation at his notorious affair? And can he possibly entice her to stay . . . forever?
Great Fun This is a good read and great fun. I'll be looking for the rest of her books soon.
Absolutely dull! But it has a pretty cover! I would absolutely have to agree with Queen Margo "Buttercup's" comment 100%, I couldn't say it any better. I painfully read the book hoping it'd get better and... oh my goodness, I just kept getting more disgusted with the book. I finally gave in and stopped on page 241. I did like the cover though, very pretty.
from a loyal Eloisa James reader - not my favorite I've read all of Ms. James' books, starting with Potent Pleasures, as soon as each was published. I made the switch to the very different Duchess series and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I did not love Duchess By Night, and I think this would have to be the first James book that I would not recommend - particularly to someone who has never read the author before. I did appreciate the lessened focus on chess, and readers who complained will also appreciate that this book pretty much just focuses on the two main characters (though I'm biding my time for Jemma's book!), but I found this book lacking in the spark I've come to expect from Ms. James. The plot was on the side of contrived, even for a historical romance (where contrived plots don't bother me as much), the first several chapters were boring, and the romance didn't--and couldn't, as the hero thought the heroine was male!--pick up until over halfway into the book. I'll keep it, because it goes with my collection, but unless you're a die-hard fan of the author, skip this for one of her better novels.
Good parts and not so good parts I had difficulty fully enjoying this book. First off it wasn't really clear why there was a need for the whole masquerade as a man set up when her friend went just as she is and was fine. Because it wasn't clear, I couldn't understand why Harriet kept it up for as long as she did. It was drawn out just too long. The chemistry between the two main characters was great though, you could really see the romance growing between them. However I found myself disliking Harriet as the story progressed. She claimed to be tired of the life as a duchess, how people treated her and how she was expected to treat others. Yet when the masquerade is over she goes right back to living and acting as a duchess as she did before. So then what was the whole point of living as a guy, which she enjoyed doing, if it changed nothing? Also I despised the ending, I could barely get through it. In my point of view they were both at fault, yet only the hero did the self-check on his life, decided to change his ways, and apologized. What was Harriet doing? Living the life of a duchess, she changed nothing. He got down on his knees and she continued to act the part of a snob. I don't think she deserved him at all and the fact that he was begging her to forgive him made me not like him for his lack of self-respect. The ending seemed rushed, what the hero figured out about himself in how he lived his life didn't make much sense. The body of the book was good, the ending however was too weak to make it feel there was closure.
Skip work and read this I gave this book 4 stars only because I found the first 2 chapters dull and I couldn't figure out what the first chapter had to do with the rest of the story. I actually had to flip to the back of the book to make sure I was reading about one of the main characters.
If you can get passed the boring first 2 chapters this book takes off and I ended up really liking it! This author has a way of writing that makes it hard to put the book down. This was my first book by this author, but I'm definitely going to buy more now.
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