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This Duke is Mine
He is a duke in search of a perfect bride.
She is a lady—but a long way from perfect.
Tarquin, the powerful Duke of Sconce, knows perfectly well that the decorous and fashionably slender Georgiana Lytton will make him a proper duchess. So why can't he stop thinking about her twin sister, the curvy, headstrong, and altogether unconventional Olivia? Not only is Olivia betrothed to another man, but their improper, albeit intoxicating, flirtation makes her unsuitability all the more clear.
Determined to make a perfect match, he methodically cuts Olivia from his thoughts, allowing logic and duty to triumph over passion…Until, in his darkest hour, Quin begins to question whether perfection has anything to do with love.
To win Olivia's hand he would have to give up all the beliefs he holds most dear, and surrender heart, body and soul…
Unless it's already too late.
Don't miss a new version of The Princess & the Pea, asking an age-old question: What is a perfect princess?
A New York Times bestselling author, Eloisa James is a professor of English literature who lives with her family in New York, but who can sometimes be found in Paris or Italy. (Her husband is an honest-to-goodness Italian knight!) Eloisa's website offers short stories, extra chapters, and even a guide to shopping in Florence.
The Duke is Mine is a book with many facets. Loosely based on the Princess and the Pea, the heroine, Olivia, has been engaged for years to the intellectually challenged Rupert. Olivia¿s mother, who is constantly quoting the Duchess of Scone, would marry Olivia to a warthog if it were a Duke. Olivia¿s sister, Georgina, is in the mix to become engaged to Tarquin, the Duke of Scone and son of the know- it- all Duchess. Olivia accompanies her sister on a visit to the Scone estate and when Olivia and Tarquin meet the sparks fly. There are several interesting aspects to this book. I was impressed with how Ms. James handled Rupert¿s condition. His portrayal was sympathetic, even when we knew Olivia¿s betrothal was not what she wanted. Rupert¿s father was also done very well. He and Olivia¿s mother were schemers but the Duke was all concern for his son and the future of the family and one felt sorry for him and his suffering over the son who would never measure up. This is a romance novel so it is never a surprise how it will end, but what is in doubt is how the eventual resolution will be handled. The story was masterfully played out in this case. I would have felt bad if anyone was left with a broken heart but that didn¿t happen. All of the protagonists were treated with dignity and it made the story so much more enjoyable. This book has it all-romance, pathos, snarky dialogue, steamy love scenes, action sequences, and all of it is wrapped up in a great story. I haven't read the other books in this series but I am going to do so after reading this one.
16 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 28, 2011
LOVED this book. I stayed up until dawn to finish it in one day. Eloisa wrote an almost perfect love story. I won't describe the story, because others have done so before me. I will share how it made me feel... I laughed, cried ove the Duke's loss, and felt redeemed at the end of the story. BRAVO Eloisa!
11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Drewfer
Posted December 27, 2011
Eloisa James does a great job in this retelling of The Princess and the Pea. What I really like about her books is that the characters talk to each other. I love the banter between Olivia and Georgiana, and the whole issue with the mattress (oh, the mattress!) is hilarious. I've enjoyed every book in this series so far, and this latest installment is just as good, if not better, than When Beauty Tamed the Beast or A Kiss at Midnight. This goes in the "Read Again Soon" pile.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 6, 2012
I have NEVER not been able to finish a book, but this one was beyond boring. The writing was horrible & repetative. Don't waste your time or money buying this book. Only reason i gave it a star is because i had to to post my review.
7 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 15, 2012
I cant even make it past chapter 1. I read the first book in the series and it was good, but this one is just awful i my opinion. Im glad i borrowed it from my library. Now i can return it without having wasted my money.
6 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 27, 2012
I have often liked Eloisa Jame's books. Not this one. While initially charmed that her heroine was overweight (and I don't mean chunky or heavy but morbidly obese), the fact that it came up in nearly EVERY scene of the whole book made me want to scream at the heroine "Stop whining and apologizing for it and accept who you are or lose the pounds!" I put it down and picked it up repeatedly, struggling to get through the story but it never improved. It was awful.
6 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Miss Olivia Mayfield Lytton has been promised to a titled man since before her birth. It is not the relationship she seeks but duty calls when a there is the possibility of a title in your future even when you are not suited to the position. Now Olivia¿s twin sister Georgiana would fit the role perfectly but she being born seven minutes later negates the point unfortunately.
The nuptials are postponed as Olivia¿s future husband fulfills his duty to his country in the military. With time on her side Olivia and Georgiana travel to find Georgiana a husband, which just might be Tarquin Brook-Chatfield, Duke of Sconce. However, if he is looking at one sister to be his wife, why is he kissing the other one? Quin has had one disastrous marriage and trying to avoid another by not letting his emotions rule his decision. With Olivia¿s lips pressed to his that is not as uncomplicated a feat as it should be. Quin¿s heart will not listen to anything he is saying and the passion he cannot control is making him do illogical things, which he does not believe in. Quin knows she belongs to another but that is not going to stop him from chasing after her and convincing everyone including Olivia that destiny brought them together.
Eloisa James knows how to hit every romantic note written. She brings the love on in waves so that it warms your soul and melts your heart at the perfect time. I was a little put off by the treatment of one character but if this is historically accurate than the reaction was probably accurate.
4 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 9, 2012
I did Not like the heroine at all. Selfish, spoiled, entitled, rude. The hero also was spoiled and rude. All he felt was lust. Not a sinle redeeming characteristic between the two. Lots of witty banter, all of it sexual though. Very little depth of character, no plot whatsoever, and two shallow people who lust for one another. Don't waste $$. If you have to read it, check it ou from the library.
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 28, 2012
I love this author but this was by far the worst i have read by her, i was greatly disappointed with the tedious repetition and the continous explanations that took away from the current story.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.DimWit
Posted January 2, 2012
I love Eloisa James. However, I will be the first to admit there are times that her books do not always rank among my favorites. However, with "The Duke Is Mine," I felt that she really created a wonderful, charming tale. I admire the fact that she has taken these old fairy tales (e.g., "The Princess and the Pea," "Beauty and The Beast," and "Cinderella") and changed them to fit into the historical romance format. "The Duke Is Mine" is perhaps my favorite of her entries. I absolutely adored the character of Olivia Lytton. She was charming, witty, but also had her vulnerabilities. Our hero of a Duke, Tarquin, also was enjoyable, although I did feel that he remained more on the back burner than Olivia. Although I had a good sense of his character, I don't think I could relate or know him as well as I did with Olivia. Ms. James also, in Olivia, created one of the few historical romance heroines who not only was a fully realized character, but didn't seem uppity. I could completely relate to Olivia and felt as though, if she were a real person, I very much would have enjoyed having a cup of tea with her. Her twin sister, Georginia, seemed to be a little too lofty, and someone who I wouldn't have wanted to take the time to get to know better - although, in the end, she was perfectly lovely. One of the most sympathetic (almost bordering on pathetic) characters in the novel is Rupert, Olivia's original betrothed. I felt deeply sorry for the young man, who seemed quite aware of his limitations, but despite that tried all he could to live with honor and uphold the dignity of his family. The resolution to his portion of the story brought tears to my eyes as I sympathized greatly with him. I appreciated the compassion and sisterly love that Olivia showed to him at that time. My only complaint about the subplot with Rupert is that it almost seemed as though his ended was forced. There might have been another way to have conclude his part in the story, and his engagement to Olivia, without what happened to him. That, however, is a minor criticism of an otherwise wonderful story. I am sure that this tale will be one of my favorites of 2012, and one that I will re-read often.
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 16, 2013
I Also Recommend:
such a beautiful book with a great story line and great ending. Eloisa James is a great author and one of the best.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 9, 2013
I truly despise plot spoilers. Rude and inconsiderate ppl who feel they simply have to ruin a book for others. If u want to be an author, write a book. Stop rewriting other peoples books in your so called reviews.
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 17, 2012
This books sucks soo bad that my dead mother is coming back from her grave.
1 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 11, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! It was fun, adventurous and sexy. If you enjoy this book check out My Ruthless Prince, It's even better =)
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 26, 2012
Will definitely read more books by this author. Love, love loved this book. Enjoyed the main characters!!!! Highly recommend!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 25, 2012
Awful
1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 31, 2011
The concept was interesting initially but the actual end state was disappointing. Not one of he best books thats foe sur
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 8, 2013
Read in one day couldn't put it down.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.krazymama_98
Posted April 11, 2013
A fun rendition of the fairy tale. I enjoyed reading it. And the love stories popping up all over. Also enjoyed the mystery of how he would get together with her and still have sisters happy.....It was an enjoyable read.
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Posted April 6, 2013
Great read. Funny. Sexy
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Overview
Tarquin, the powerful Duke of Sconce, knows perfectly well that the decorous and fashionably slender Georgiana Lytton will make him a proper duchess. So why can't he ...