The Duchess

I read this book for the first time several years ago. Any time I am looking for a good read, I find myself looking for this book. Its is light and engaging and I could not put it down the first time I read it and still have trouble putting it down once I have started rereading it. I am writing this review because I am annoyed by some of the negative comments about this book. I think they are unfounded. We are not talking about an earth shattering biography or an epic tale. It is what it is, a Romance Novel. The plot is interesting and the characters are lovable. I have read many different novels with all types of writing styles and I must say that this is one of my favorite books for this particular category of writing. I Highly Recommend it!

This is a book you will love or hate.Positives: Great characters. Vellie is certainly not your every day hero. He is entirely too self confident, frequently insensitive, and too egotistical. However, if you can get past all of that and the fact that he cannot stop bragging of his sexual adventures, chances are you might love him as much as I did. Probably my favorite hero ever - very different and I just adore him. Claire is also fun - I found her love of Scottland refreshing and interesting. The Scottish guy, whose name escapes me, was a treasure, I adored his scenes!!!Negatives: Well, there are a few. If I did not love characters as much as I do, chances are I would not be too crazy about the book. 1. The ending chapter was terribly disappointing to me. I don't want to give it up for anyone, but I expected much more than the one sentence Claire and Vellie got. Even that sentence was a huge disappointment. 2. The plot - not very well developed in regards to Vellie's mother. Not developed at all, I should say. 3. I honestly expected more from the sex scenes due to the way Vellie was portrayed. They were good, especially the first time they kissed, that was amazing... but I expected more from the other ones.Overall, I will always love this book. I wish, however, the author would take time to rewrite it and address some of the issues above!

I enjoyed this book and have read it over and over again. Claire is so real and Trevelyan is a character that jumps from the page. He is not your typical "romantic" hero. The scene where he admits to Claire he loves her is one I can hear spoken in real life. I can close my eyes and imagine that this conversation has been uttered between countless "real" couples. Ahhhhh, it is so refreshing and touching.The one theme that touched me deeply was the discussion of loneliness. So many time the heros and heroines of romantic fiction have so much going for them BEFORE they meet the "one" that it is hard to relate to. This novel is not that way. Everyone can relate to the universal theme of loneliness. Sure there are Scots, castles, murder plots, etc. but deep down this is a story of two lonely people finding eachother.Wonderful wonderful wonderful

I have read most of Deveraux's work and I have to say that the Duchess is my all time favorite work of hers. I loved the characters and the predicament that they found themselves in. Him not wanting to lose her but also not wanting to take the responsibility of his birth. Her not wanting to disappoint her sister yet wanting to be with Treveylan (sp) instead of Harry. I have read this story at least five times and it just keeps getting better.

I HAVE READ EVERYTHING OF JUDE DEVERAUX AND HAVE NEVER BEEN DISAPPOINTED. TREVELYAN IS HER SEXIEST, BEST,LEADING MAN EVER!!!