Duchess by Night

I didn’t think I would enjoy this one as much as I did. The story is so outlandish that it really is like nothing else that I have read before. In that respect, I loved it. But it’s so unconventional that I also felt a little disdain for the plot and main characters. I loved the additional peeks at Villiers!!

This book is dedicated to Georgette Heyer and it becomes apparently fairly quickly why; those who have read Heyer's 'The Masqueraders' will be familiar with the central theme of this book, that of a woman disguised as a man and finding herself befriending a man who eventually sees through her disguise. In this story the disguised woman is the Duchess of Berrow, a widow of 27 whose life has become rather boring and staid. When her friend Isidora wants to create a mini scandal she decides to attend a house party at the home of Lord Justinian Strange, and asks Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, to go with her. They are also accompanied by the Duke of Villiers, a man that Harriet has previously hated but who begins to be revealed as someone rather more likeable than she thought. Of course Harriet can't attend the house party as herself as her reputation will be ruined. Isidora and the Duke of Villiers together help her to dress as a young man and she is introduced as Mr Cope, a relation of Villiers'. As Harriet settles into her new role she begins to find the freedom that men have - not only in terms of less restrictive clothing and the ability to say what they mean without excessive politeness, but also in discovering enjoyment in galloping horses, learning to fence and more. But can she keep her identity secret, can her growing friendship with Lord Strange survive her eventual unmasking? What was particularly good about this book was the focus on Harriet and Strange and the gradual way in which they get to know each other. Most of the book is narrated from Harriet's point of view but we get occasional insights into Jem's thoughts, which are rather perturbed at his apparent attraction to another man. We learn more about both characters and how events in their past have shaped the way in which they live their lives today. What I also appreciated was that this was a romance which actually ran fairly smoothly without lots of awkward misunderstandings to irritate the reader, although the story did have a slight blip to this effect at the end. The author has an excellent writing style with fast pacing but also some depth to the characterisation. The dialogue occasionally let the author down as people spoke in modern American rather than Georgian English but overall it was a very enjoyable story and one that is apparently part of a series about Duchesses. On the strength of this story I will be eagerly looking out for the next one. Originally published for Curled Up With A Good Book © Helen Hancox 2008

Usually, I am not a fan of Ms. James' novels. Pleasure for Pleasure was the only other book she has written that I enjoyed, and so when I picked up this book, it was only because I had no other option. I was pleasantly surprised. Although the beginning was a bit bizarre, I soon became engrossed in the story and could not stop reading. Harriet was a dumpy widow who wanted a bit of excitement in her life and found it at the infamous party of Lord Justinian Strange (or as his friends call him, Jem). I fell a little bit in love with Jem from the first time he appeared in the novel. He was so quirkly and witty, it was impossible not to laugh along with him. The novel kept me engaged from beginning to end, and I was not dissapointed with the end. While most romance authors desperately try to create excitment by twisting a murder plot into the story, or have the whole 'tortured hero' thing going for the male protaganist, James had no need to use any of these. Her simple story of two people who fell in love took a piece of my heart. I will never again brush past a James novel, and always stop to take a second look.

Harriet, the Duchess of Berrow, is to accompany the Duke of Villiers and the Duchess of Cosway to Lord Strange's notorious estate. But unlike the others, Harriet isn't traveling as herself; she is traveling as the Duke's nephew! Lord Strange is uncomfortable with the odd attraction he has for the Duke of Villier's nephew, Harry Cope. If he hadn't promised the Duke to protect young Harry, Lord Strange would avoid the almost beautiful man. I am an enormous Eloisa James fan. I have loved every installment in the Desperate Duchesses series. Duchess By Night is my favorite so far. Full of laughter, tears and heart thumping lust, Duchess By Night is Joyfully Recommended! Annmarie reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This book is as beautifully written as all of Eloisa's works are. She is unique in her ability to take the romance conventions and turn them upside down. I loved the clever, funny dialogue,and Lord Strange's reaction to finding himself attracted to "Harry" is absolutely priceless! This book is a cure for anyone who wants a breath of fresh air, and at the same time it offers all the things we find the most satisfying in historical romance--tenderness, passion and all-out emotion.