An Affair before Christmas (Desperate Duchesses Series #2)

Terrible

I thought that this book would get better but it never did. Why did james have to keep switching back and forth bewteen the main character and this Villiers guy. Very dissapointing, the story lacked focus.If you skip every other chapter you can just read about the main characters. I wish I could get my money back.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Disappointed Eloisa James Reader

I am only half way through this book but wanted to check the reviews to see if it was only me who is being bored to tears. If you've read her previous Desperate Duchesses title, you'll find this one parallels the other. I thought it helpful at first, but now I feel as if she's squeezing two novels from one as she has poorly characterized the protagonists of this book. I have learned very little about Poppy & Fletch thus far and have no real connection to or concern for them. I usually enjoy Ms. James's books, but I find myself 'desperate' for the end of this one. Please don't let this review discourage you from buying any of her other titles.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

grreat book

my first eloisa jamesbbooks and i loved it i just wish eloisa shud make a book with the maid charlotte and that duke cause that part never got to an ending but yhe book wasgreat:)!!!

Hollow characters and unsatisfying plot

An Affair Before Christmas by Eloisa James was not that intriguing. It was totally unrealistic and I wanted to put the book down and stop reading throughout the whole novel, but I have a strict rule against it. The main characters, Poppy and Fletch, are holding on to their marriage based on the fact that they were once head-over-heels in love; however, Poppy has NO personality and Fletch is trying to win her back.WHY?? After 4 years of being a limp noodle with her husband, Poppy is having so much fun seeing how it would be as an independent woman; then, she has this epiphany that it was HER that makes sex unsatisfying.whatever. I enjoy the writings of Eloisa James, but this novel is hollow in both plot and character depth.

I liked it

I was a bit worried about some of the reviews on here that I might not like this book as much as the first in the series. I was happy to find that I did; I read it in less than a day. It's definitely not your typical romance, but this is obvious since you know they're already married at the beginning of the story. I enjoyed reading about all the different characters that make up the series, and am definitely looking forward to learning more about Lord Strange in the next book!

Enjoyable

Eloisa seems to enjoy a very involved story. I am liking how all of these books in this series take place in the general same time and different scenes appear in each book but from a different perspective. I like it. This one had very little love scenes which isn't my favorite...I like love stories.

I did not like this book..

I of course read this book bc it is part of the Desperate Duchess series. Though if I could have skipped it I would have. This book was very hard to get into. And was very boring. I have never read a book that I hated so much. The only part that I enjoyed reading was prob chapter 45 (which btw is page 314)to the end! It was just not her best at all. And for me it was my second book to read by her. It really put me off. But I read it as quick as I could to get to the next one. And if you're going in order I'm sorry but you really must read this book bc it tells about the other characters! Sorry:(

I love all of Eloisa's books

I love all of the books that Ms James writes. Some I do like more than others, but overall I would recommend any of her books.
An affair Before Christmas was different than what I expected.It was however a charming love story. I would recommend it to read.

Huge disappointment

Eloisa James is a fabulous writer, but this book is just tedious in the extreme. There are flashes of brilliance in her characters, but the plot -- if you can all the varied threads she tries to weave together a plot -- is weak and thin. If you've never read her before, try another of her titles. Even a loyal reader cannot find something nice to say about this one.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed the continuation of her Desperate Duchesses story line. I don't really understand why Fletch would let his mother-in-law stay in his home and act as if she were the Duchess. He could have easily made her go. I do think we needed a bit more background on the relationship between Poppy and her mother in beginning. However, I liked how Poppy started to spread her wings and begin to understand herself better. It is an interesting question to ask how much in our lives we do because we want to and how much we do because it is expected. The sub plot story about Jennifer and Beaumont is continuing. I wish it would speed up a bit. I think it would have made a good book by itself. Villiers character has changed. I think I liked him better before but it will be interesting to see what happens between him, Charlotte,and Dautry. I will be wating for the next installment.

Terrible

This book was terrible...I usually love all Eloisa James' novels...but this was extremely BAD

I like this author but...

When i bought this book..i had great hopes it would be good. I was happy to see familiar characters. the story is good...but the plot is slow. It takes forever for the hero to realize some things. I am not going to reread this book as i do others from this author

Different, in a good way

It¿s more like a four and half stars but I¿ll round up. This is my second Eloisa James book and I love her. Her characters are unique and don¿t just fall into silly romance novel patterns. And she¿s actually unpredictable. For the first time in forever I¿m not sure what is going to happen in the next book. The fact that she jumps into the book 4 years into the marriage could be off-putting to those who want the traditional romance novel, but I found it a refreshing change. I do have a couple complaints (i.e. the 4 ½ stars). First, you have to read the first book. Half the book is about characters you wouldn¿t care less about unless you read the first one. Second, couldn¿t we have just one seen with the main couple from the first book to see how they¿re doing. That¿s the fun of series. And, third, and the biggest there is a long break where Fletch and Poppy don¿t even come into contact. They grow in a wonderful way from the experience, but the reason Fletch doesn¿t come for her right away could be better explained. The last 100 pages are fantastic.

Very Disappointing!

This was not one of her best books. I have 13 of her other books and I loved them all. It was so hard to keep my interest in it. I usually read a book in 2 days, but it has been a week and I'm still trying to finish it. It is such a bore that I have a hard time picking it up to read. She has been one of my favoite writers, but after this, if her next book is as boring I don't think I'll be wasting my money on any more of her books. In most books you can picture in your mind what's going on and how things might look. But this book just confuses you. The story jumps around too much and there isn't enough substance to it. I think the biggest problem I have is with Poppy's mother. Who would let a mother in law move into their home and run things her way. That is unimaginable and her mother really gets to be a bore. I guess it explains why I think Poppy is such a bore too. Oh well, hopefully her next book will be much better.

Better than most but not her best

I definitely liked this book more than the first in this series, Desperate Duchesses. I thought her characters were more sympathetic and developed here than in the first. James is such a great writer but the plot was a little thin. I feel like she's being pushed to keep the books coming when they aren't quite ready. She makes it obvious that these people love each other but no real examples why...they seem to not know the other one at all. She also loves to make truly immoral people sympathetic and I have a hard time believing that women (and men) who see things in more black and white would truly be friends or in love with people who definitely live in a dark gray world. Her historical references are fascinating and I enjoyed seeing the other characters interactions unlike other reviewers.

Horrible!

I am usually an Eloisa James fan. However, this book was simply atrocious. The characters were flighty, the plot was confusing, and it was one big over-powdered mess. Don't waste your money!

Well...could have been better

In fact, I kept reading thinking it would get better because her books usually are better. And then I was at the end...and it never really quite satisfied. However, liked the idea that the other two story lines are still to be resolved.

A Beautiful and Sensual Christmas Romance!

In a captivating and beautiful story, we find the beautiful, young, and innocent Lady Perdita (Poppy) who has fallen head over heels in love with the handsome Duke of Fletcher, considered the catch of the season. Fletch feels the same for his beautiful Poppy and patiently awaits their wedding day. Little does he realize that the young and innocent Poppy has not been properly prepared for her wedding night, but instead has been controlled by an overbearing mother who has filled her head with unrealistic expectations of marriage and the marriage bed. Fletch experiences a disappointing wedding night, not understanding that Poppy needs tutoring in the ways of passion and marriage. Instead of being patient and instructing Poppy, Fletch distances himself from his beauty and soon an intense love turns to disappointment and severe loneliness for them both. As four years go by, Fletch even considers obtaining a mistress, but all he can think about is his love and desire for Poppy. Besides, he sees all the infidelity and unhappiness around him in society that brings little happiness to those involved. Poppy understands that something is seriously wrong with her marriage, doesn¿t understand how it can be fixed, and is left heartbroken. How can she bring back the intense love that Fletch had for her at one time? Before the marriage, she always seemed to please him, and since the marriage, everything she does is for Fletch. But that is the sweet Poppy¿s main problem pleasing everyone but herself and in so doing, feels she has accomplished nothing but disappointing the man she loves so intensely. Poppy understands the whole society side of being a duchess, but not a thing about being a true wife, especially because, just as her loving Fletch, she sees nothing but unhappiness in society marriages. Poppy makes the ultimate decision in her yearning for happiness in her life. She walks out on Fletch and her overbearing mother, leaving them both behind, and decides she will enjoy her own life and stop trying to please everyone else. It is not until Fletch loses his precious Poppy that he realizes he must woo her back somehow. Unwilling to lose her, Fletch decides to begin an intense seduction of Poppy that has her head and heart spinning, but not impressed. Can Fletch win back the love of his precious Poppy before Christmas? In the masterful writing style of Eloisa James, An Affair Before Christmas is a wonderful sensual sequel to the Desperate Duchesses Series. Adding an interesting depth to this story, the reader gets to revisit some of the secondary characters from the first book, like the infamous rake The Duke of Villiers and the dysfunctional Elijah and Jemma, The Duke and Duchess of Beaumont. Ms. James cleverly allows the reader to revisit these dysfunctional characters in order to emphasize and help the reader fully understand how Poppy and Fletch can become so disillusioned about love. An Affair Before Christmas romance is a delightful read and perfect for a holiday that celebrates true love and happiness.

powerful character driven Georgian romance

1778 in Paris, Lady Perdita ¿Poppy¿ Selby and the Duke of Fletcher ¿Fletch¿ meet and fall in love. They marry and both expect their desire and attraction to last forever. Four years later, Poppy decides to live a separate life from her spouse Fletch plans otherwise as he wants to woo back the woman he still loves into his arms and bed. His goal is to start anew with AN AFFAIR BEFORE CHRISTMAS that this time he intends as a ¿second once in a lifetime¿ (mindful of Peabo Bryson¿s song If Ever You're In My Arms Again). Meanwhile the Duchess of Beaumont Jemma and her husband live for the most part apart except for the stimulating chess games they may still love one another, but that's not enough apparently as each tries to checkmate the other. On top of that is the scandal and fear as Jemma's brother and the Duke of Villiers duel. However, Jemma and Poppy find some solace from their spousal relationship problems in the re-energizing of their friendship even as Villiers heals from the duel with Lady Caroline attending to his needs. --- The latest DESPERATE DUCHESSES saga is a powerful character driven Georgian romance that grips the audience who will feel as if friends are facing marital and other woes. The three subplots are well written and intermingle cleverly like a DNA double (make that triple) helix. Fans will appreciate Eloisa James wonderfully complex historical as the cast provides the audience with a tremendous tale. --- Harriet Klausner

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