Desperate Duchesses

The characters are well developed and the storyline sucked me in. I couldn’t put it down! And I couldn’t wait to read the next character’s story.

I didn't think I would like this book. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I really did like this book. It was deeper than most romance novels, not fluffy. The characters had depth and the main heroine did grow up in the novel. She was a bit immature in the beginning thinking that she was in love with Villiers, which by the way is awfully close to villian. Maybe just a play on letters, you decide. Plus she didn't seem to like kids much and maybe that was because she was still a child at heart too and wasn't really ready to grow up in that sense. I think she got a bit of a shock after Villiers little talking to her and really he should grow up too!!! But he is carrying around a bit of guilt also and that can be debilitating for someone to have and not deal with properly. But like the other reviewers I was really interested in Jemma and Elijah. I think that was the point. One could almost see a chess type analogy working out here too. Whereby they would be the two most important pieces on the board directing the lesser ones around the game. Not sure if that is what Ms. James intended but it does seem plausible. Also I thought that there was a bit of foreshadowing into Jemma's character when she and Elijah first set up to play chess in this book at about page 152. I'm not sure if after discovering her husband the way that she did if she ran or not but I am leaning towards that after the comment he made. I haven't read the other books in this series yet but I'm sure that they will give a little bit more insight into the character study of Jemma and Elijah as well as the main focus for that particular novel. The book was very well written and did hold your attention, however you did have to think a bit and not just read it as you would some of the novels out there. I actually do like my characters to seem more human and have some flaws. I think the true love/romance, would be how or if they can overcome these obstacles to find themselves back to each another. Given that, I am eagerly looking forward to Jemma and Elijah's story!!

This is my first Romance novel and I'm hooked. I could not put it down ( I stayed up 'till 6 in the morning a few times)! I like the passion of the male character, he was just so dreamy. This is the book where at the end of book I read it twice and re-read my favorite chapter, you will love this book. If you bought it and didn't like it please let me have it. I actually borrowed mine from the library. I really would like to have this book around. It's must read!

Lady Roberta St. Giles, the only daughter of the Mad Marquess of Wharton, is at to the end of her wits. Knowing that at one and twenty her only option to snag a husband is to get out of the country and away from her embarrassing poetry spouting papa and his recent paramour Mrs. Grope. Arriving in London at the door of Jemma, the Duchess of Beaumont (a rather distant cousin) Roberta requested her help in securing an appropriate husband - one she'd fell in love with at first glance, the Duke of Villiers, both a notorious womanizer and keen chess player. The duchess' brother, Damon Reeve the Earl of Gryffon, was enchanted by Roberta and more than willing to tutor her in seducing her duke. As Roberta became an apt pupil in the art of seduction, Damon knew the cynical chess-mad Duke of Villiers was totally wrong for her and realized he couldn't possibly let Roberta seduce anyone and set out to seduce her for himself. *** James introduced so many vibrant characters into this story that at first, I wasn't quite sure who the lead characters were. However, James created them all with so much charm, depth and interest, I wasn't at all disappointed, and determined that this series opener of the DESPERATE DUCHESSES would find consecutive books with characters that would continually end up being interwoven throughout the series. Roberta was cast as a very intelligent and determined young woman, who having grown up with the very unconventional poet labeled as the "Mad Marquess" who lived openly with his mistresses thought herself well versed in ways of the world. But at best, her education in pleasure was definitely lacking until the very handsome Earl of Gryffon began her lessons of pleasure not only to please her but himself, as Roberta had eyes for no one but Villiers as her future husband. The author captured Damon beautifully. Being titled, wealthy and wickedly handsome, the author showed him to be quite taken aback, by Roberta's initial lack of interest. The triangle storyline and chess matches between Jemma, the extremely vivacious and sometimes outrageous Duchess of Beaumont, her husband Elijah, and the Duke of Villiers were extremely interesting and engrossing. It certainly left this reviewer extremely anxious waiting for James' next installment to determine if age and time allows for the mellowing out of Jemma's rage and hurt over discovering her husband's infidelity eight years prior. It also leaves the mystery of whatever happened to destroy the once fast childhood friendship that once existed between Elijah and Villiers. With inspired witty dialogs, beautifully crafted characters (including Teddy, the precocious and adorable illegitimate son of Damon) this reader found herself enchanted with this engrossing opener in the Desperate Duchesses series and advises lovers of Georgian Romances to enjoy the revelry and sensual games James created in 18th century England! Marilyn Rondeau, for www.ck2skwipsandkritiques.com

I loved this story and it did not bother me that some plot lines were left hanging. For me, that added to the complexity and appeal of the overall novel. The multiple characters, their conflicts and the odd way they were involved in each others' lives, all this was quite interesting and cleverly protrayed I thought. There was some surprise, tension, eroticism, and the ending was delightful as the hero's mask comes off for us. Her writing is very well done and I especially appreciate flawed characters who are also consistent, but maybe, learning a thing or two.