This Duchess of Mine (Desperate Duchesses, 5)

Excellent romance novel-- fourth in a series? Well-written and funny. Chess details are a bonus. As are the fashion details.

Ms. James has outdone herself. Loved the book. Wonderful love story. Can't wait for the next book. Thank you for superb characters!!!

I'm a big EJ fan, but have been so-so about the current series. Not so with Elijah's and Jemma's story. It was fabulous! It's Eloisa's style to have a specific a hero/heroine for each story, but also a few secondary characters that develop throughout the series. Jemma returned from France at the beginning of Book #1 (Desperate Duchesses), and it helps to have read and understood the total disconnect, disillusionment and hurt that she and Elijah experienced early on in their arranged marriage. It was almost a full year after Jemma moved back into the household (and three earlier books) for these two to even think about reconcilation and the possibility of happiness and joy. Oh, but they were so ready! This book explores the pent-up desire, passion, and love that helps Elijah and Jemma learn to trust each other and their circumstance. They deal with youthful insecurities, and get to know each other as a man and woman in relationship together. The love scenes (and even the almost love scenes) were sensual and emotional. I really enjoyed that their relationship improved over time, not just in the last chapter. This allowed the reader to root for them as they dealt with difficult issues within the context of a loving relationship. This book is a definite keeper. I'm sure I'll be re-reading it within a few months. And, as others have mentioned, Villiers is the anti-hero turned hero with his book out next. He has gone through so much, and I'm anxiously waiting to see who he might find to love and cherish.

I have waited for this book for some time. I found it hard to put down and now that I have read it, keep going back to re read some of my favorites. It is a love story that we all wish could happen to us when two people really love each other but can't live with each other. Then they wind up back together stronger than ever, determined never to let anything in this world keep them apart. It is a great lead to the next book, though I cannot imagine Villiers book being more poignant.