Desperate Duchesses (Desperate Duchesses Series #1)

Very Good Indeed.

I don't feel that the story was scattered at all. I truly enjoy Eloisa's books because there is rarely some big bad monster of a man hiding in the wings. Her stories seem much more plausible for real life and are simply about people. This was a fun story that took a bit to really get started, but once it did it moved quite swiftly. All the characters were overly fun and well developed. I only cried the smallest amount toward the end but most of the time I was smiking and laughing. The story was well wrapped up at the end. To me there were no dangling characters or wayward thoughts. This certainly is worth the buy and tthe whole series is worth investing in.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

All over the place

It made more sense towards the end.

Great Historical Romance

A friend recommended this series to me and this was the first one I read. At first I had a difficult time becoming interested in the plot because the author assumes the reader is accustomed to terms from regency period. I imagine if you have read many historical novels of this period it would easier to dive right into the story. Once I became familiar with the language I found it a fun sexy read. The characters are obviously well suited for each other and the reader is rooting for them to get together. There is a great deal of secondary characters who the author is obviously introducing so that the reader is interested in them. They will clearly be popping up in future installments in the series. I am concerned, yet intrigued, because many of these characters seem to lack character which may make them unsympathetic primary characters in the future.

Not my favorite by this author

Let's just put it this way - I couldn't bring myself to read the entire book. And I love Eloisa James. This was just not her best effort to date. Too many characters, many of them difficult to like, and some of the story lines were just uncomfortable. I doubt that I will read the rest of the series, so I hope that James gets them published quickly so that we can all move on to things better and more enjoyable.

New Series

I actually liked this book. They way she writes took a bit to get used to but by chapter 2 it was all good.

First book of the series..

This is the first book by Eloisa James that I read. And of course it starts out her series. Well at first I was a little confused by the writting bc she goes back and fourth. Never read a book quite like this one before. But I loved it bc you learn not only about Roberta and Damon but you also learn about the other characters that are in books that follow. I would def recommend this series. If you love romance, and stories about the ton you will love this! One of the best series I've read to date. And I will be buying the Essex sister books next!

Fun Escapism

Nice for a long airplane ride-- I don't usually buy romances, but this one was pretty good!

Engrossing Characters

I tend to be a very picky reader and tend to hate romance novels that spend too much time with secondary characters, and this one spends so much time with the secondary characters it¿s hard to call them secondary, but I loved this book. I wasn¿t even finished before I went on-line and ordered every one of the author¿s books. The characters are so complex and engrossing, that they pull you in despite their many, many faults. The lead romance could have used a bit more time to develop, but it was beautifully sensual and lovely. And Bravo to the author for having the courage to write something other than regency.

A reviewer

This new Eloisa James novel sparkles with dry wit and unusual, appealing characters! I really loved the hero and liked the way the heorine matured. The subplots were fascinating and I look forward to the next installment in the series. Once you start this book you won't want to put it down!

Too many characters

I could see where the author was going with this series, but honestly, the only characters that I was interested in were the Duke & Duchess of Beaumont. THEIR story was the one I want to hear about and could have been written in one book instead of being drawn out into several in this 'series'. The 'main' characters where uninteresting and I frequently hit skim-mode through out the book.

Thoroughly enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book and it was my first one by this author. I found the characters entertaining and I loved the references to chess. James put a new spin on romance novels and I found it quite refreshing. I enjoyed the fact that she left you hanging with some of the plot because it made me feel as though she's going to write a sequel. Which I really hope she does. I found all the characters to be very flawed which made them very human and many of their reactions were surprising which accentuated their uniqueness. A fun read.

Delicious

I love Eloisa's books because she never writes down to a reader. They are witty and smart, and you can re-read them and always find something new. Desperate Duchesses is sexy, complex, and the dialogue made me LOL several times. I can't wait for the next one in this series!

A Fun New Sub-Genre of Romance

I really enjoyed this book. The characters felt very 'real' for their time period and the historical detail was rich and layered. The book was very fresh and almost more like an ensemble comedy/drama with a lot of witty banter. My favorite characters were Jemma and her estranged husband and I hope we'll be seeing more of them later in the series.

SCRUMPTUOUS

James writes the sort of characters that I love, flawed and funny and sexy. I love how she weaves the characters' stories together and especially the women's relationships, to make a big, satisfying story. In DESPERATE DUCHESEES she's done this again. Damon is a sexy, sexy animal and Roberta is his match in wits as well as wants. Unique amongst romance writers.

A reviewer

Far from her best work. The plot is all over the place. The overuse of chess made my eyes want to cross. The story is supposed to be about Roberta and Damon. Their roles are buried under the weight of the secondary characters.

A reviewer

Lady Roberta St. Giles wants a husband and her father isn't helping matters any. Known as the Mad Marquess, her father's unusual poetry and unusual lifestyle has scared away any suitors that may have been interested in the lovely Lady Roberta. It is clear Lady Roberta will have to take matters in her own hands. After spying the beautifully proper Duke of Villiers at a ball, Lady Roberta heads to London on a mission to become the next Duchess of Villiers. With the help from a very distant relative, the Duchess of Beaumont, Lady Roberta captures the eye of not only the Duke of Villiers but of the Duchesses brother, the Earl of Gryffyn. Eloisa James writes such smart and witty romances that I can't help but adore them. And I do adore Desperate Duchesses. I was quite desperate myself for Roberta to pick the man I was crazy in love with and my heart would have been broken if she hadn't. With a story that will just suck you right in, Desperate Duchesses has secondary characters that will leave you begging for the next in this series. I am, well, desperate for more Desperate Duchesses! Annmarie reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I hope the next one is better

I have read several of her books and looked forward to this one as they have all been very good. Ouch! This one is a struggle to get through. None of the characters make you care about what happens to them and the situations are sometimes confusing. Not this authors best work for sure!

Not worth the paper it's written on....

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY. I think that her editor and publisher were one something to allow this book to be release. There's NO plot development and NO character development. The wording is obscure. I kept having to flip back in order to figure out who was talking. The title is misleading. The duchesses are secondary characters and their relationships are put to the forefront and don't come to completion. The secondary characters are all obsessed with chess, so a lot of the conversations involves A LOT of chess metaphors, which leads to more confusion for the reader. I regret having purchased this book and felt strong enough about it to warn others away from it. Good Luck if you decided to buy it away.

Seems a little raw still

After reading and enjoying her last few books, I was disappointed in this one. It seems like it was an early work that she never finished and then her publishers' asked her to knock it out to keep revenue coming in. The main characters didn't seem completely developed. The heroine is likable but not fascinating, the hero pleasant but uninspiring. His big secret isn't reveiled at the end. Neither of them seems energetic enough to be a main character. I never felt the same sympathy or interest in the main characters and the secondary characters were not likable. While the duchess was pitable for her disillusionment with her political husband, her current treatment of him was horrible. He never set out to purposefully hurt her but she seems to thrive on the idea of continually punishing him. This author also loves to forgive adultery on grounds of boredom and loneliness. While I do believe some couples can make a go of it after such a betrayal...especially in a time when divorce was completely taboo...I never have the same respect for the character she seems to think we should. It also amuses me that these women who originally feel guilty about their extramarital activities never pay any consequences, ie pregnancy or disease. In a time where plenty of contraceptives and protection are available, we have a great percent of our population who are unable to achieve this.

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