Duchess By Night Reviews

• Duchess by Night- A Joyfully Recommended Title

  
  By A320TMDV6KCFU on 2008-07-01
  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
  
  

• Elegant Eloisa

  
  By A2QBZCUL2JDC2I on 2008-06-29
  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.
  
  

• Unique plot and characters!

  
  By A1GWDRBUMQOCRK on 2008-07-02
  After awhile most regency romances become a blur, all of them having much the same structure, plot devices and wilting women. Eloisa James's most recent contirbution is of a different mold and keeps the romance reader's attention. The characters here are well drawn and not carbon copies of every other period romance. The Duchess of Berrow, Harriet, has real despair while Lord Strange enjoys a complexity of character we rarely see in summer novels. I liked this book quite a lot and intend to pass it on to another romance reader.
  
  

• The same trouble with all of her books, she can't write romance

  
  By A1WTP99BOA0PGA on 2008-07-14
  Rule #1 in writing romance:
  A romance is a hero and a heroine falling in love.
  It should be easy, to do, but once again this author falls short of the mark.
  The author tries so hard to set up series and present a parody or pastiche of Shakespeare, there are no vibrant characters at all.
  This is a spin off of Twelfth Night, and certainly not as witty or entertaining. This is slightly better than the Essex sisters in that there aren't endless couples all vying for the spotlight, but as one reviewer said, she gives more descriptions of the furniture than her characters, and her characters are about as wooden.
  
  

• Deserves Zero Stars

  
  By A3CVLIKJ8FS2DE on 2008-07-24
  This is one of the worst books of any sort I have ever read. The plot is worn out, shallow and contrived. The book is filled with the dullest and stupidest converstaions one can imagine. The main characters are bland, dull and not particularly appealing. The supporting characters are even more lifeless.
  There is no electricity between the hero and the heroine. The final confrontation between the two is implausible.
  
  We are told at the beginning of the story that the hero, Lord Strange, is dissipate and runs 24/7 orgies in his house. Then we learn that he has never slept with another woman since his wife died. And - hear this - he is only inviting light-skirts into his house because his dead father would have wanted it!
  
  The dull duchess at the center of the story is a wallflower, but this supposedly attractive male falls for her ont he spot. It is not clear why.
  
  And one can only guess at the purpose of the other two duchesses in the story.
  
  I think this book is an insult to romance readers.
  
  I skipped through till the end just because I wasted eight dollars on it, but this is the last I will ever buy from Ms. James.
  
  
• Much Ado About Nothing
  By AJ9AE2BVND0GS on 2008-06-28
  I just don't know what this book was. Maybe it had some literary bent about which I am unaware, but it was not my cup of tea. I read the first chapter and thought I was really going to like this heroine and that she was going to be clever and intelligent. Regrettably, the story just seemed to go downhill from there. The "ruse" lasted too long and the story was muddled with lots of conversation that I think was supposed to be clever and humorous, but wasn't. The points made through the obsessions with chess and the Game seemed trite. It all just appeared so insincere, and I was not entertained by it. I liked the first and last chapter and the epilogue. It's too bad that some of what existed in those pages was not entwined with the rest, because it would have been a more enjoyable read. I'll be interested to see what others think of this. Did I miss something? I believe I've read just about all of Eloisa James' books. Many I like. As I put on a 5-star review on another one of her stories, I think that many of her books are better than her reviews have been, with the exception of a couple. I, however, thought this one was pretty awful. In many of the conversations when the characters kept talking about being bored, I couldn't help but wonder if the author herself wasn't bored, because I sure was, right along with the characters.
  
  
• Another treat from Eloisa James!
  By AQLXP9ZXZRVR2 on 2008-06-29
  I loved DUCHESS BY NIGHT because it was sophisticated, sweet and oh so sexy! It was wonderful seeing Harriet from the other DUCHESS books again and her adventures at the yummy Lord Strange's masquerade were classic romance with a fresh twist. Aside from the wonderful romance, it was also fun to watch Harriet explore the expectations of the male/female role in Georgian society. You can always count on Eloisa James for her sophisticated wit and delightful characters. I loved it!
  
  
• Save Your Money
  By A31V47MU0USNBV on 2008-06-28
  Like the above review, I had high hopes for this book in the first chapter, but it fell apart very early in the book. I found myself skipping pages just hoping it would get better. The main characters were very boring and the story line never came together. I won't buy future books from this author without checking the reviews.
  
  
• Wonderful, Witty Romance
  By A2FYNQ347Q60LW on 2008-06-29
  For those who have been disappointed in Ms. James ensemble casts, I think Duchess by Night will be a welcome treat, as it focuses almost exclusively on the hero, Lord Strange and the heroine, Harriet. Tired of her boring life as a much-sympathized widow, Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, decides to visit the house party of the scandalous Lord Strange in the guise of a young man. Her disguise lends her a sense of freedom she's rarely felt since the suicide of her husband. And when Lord Strange undertakes to teach "Mr. Cope" the manly arts, she learns the finer points of fencing AND flirtation. Much to Lord Strange's confusion. This is a wonderfully funny, sensual and heart-wrenching romance that will satisfy the highest of sticklers. I loved it.
  
  
• from a loyal Eloisa James reader - not my favorite
  By ATNK68376PWV3 on 2008-08-25
  I've read all of Ms. James' books, starting with Potent Pleasures, as soon as each was published. I made the switch to the very different Duchess series and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I did not love Duchess By Night, and I think this would have to be the first James book that I would not recommend - particularly to someone who has never read the author before. I did appreciate the lessened focus on chess, and readers who complained will also appreciate that this book pretty much just focuses on the two main characters (though I'm biding my time for Jemma's book!), but I found this book lacking in the spark I've come to expect from Ms. James. The plot was on the side of contrived, even for a historical romance (where contrived plots don't bother me as much), the first several chapters were boring, and the romance didn't--and couldn't, as the hero thought the heroine was male!--pick up until over halfway into the book. I'll keep it, because it goes with my collection, but unless you're a die-hard fan of the author, skip this for one of her better novels.
  
  
• Loved it!
  By A334W3L009XM95 on 2008-06-29
  This was a wonderfully witty, engaging story for me. From beginning to end, Harriet and Jem had my full attention.
  
  There's a fencing scene that in my opinion is one of the cleverest and sexiest scenes in romance!
  
  The characters Eloisa James's creates just keep getting better and better. In Duchess by Night it was very empowering to see Harriet go from a sad, lost Duchess to a woman sure of herself and in true love for the first time. Eugenia is one of the funniest children in fiction I've ever read. I hope one day to see her have her own HEA written by James. And well, Villier, what can be said other than with every book in the Desperate Duchesses series he gets better, just like fine wine.
  
  I do recommend reading the first two books in this series; Desperate Duchesses and An Affair Before Christmas. There's incredible story and character arcs that flow throughout the entire series. Don't miss out on the evolution of these naughty Georgian members of the ton!
  
  
• Ignore the cover! This book is fun!
  By A3I08VABANAYR7 on 2008-06-29
  Yes, I know books like this are hard to read in public because the cover is embarrassing, but it's worth it. Harriet was a great heroine, wanting to escape her boring life, and I loved the "girl masquerading as a boy" thing. The scene where she had the actress after her to make love made me laugh out loud, and the scene where Lord Strange taught her to fence was very sexy. This book was fun. I would have given it five stars, except for the cover.
  
  
• Enjoyable masquerade
  By A1CTXKA2C7BSC8 on 2008-07-26
  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
  
  
• The best so far!
  By A2CGPE6ZVGGS5P on 2008-07-02
  Ms. James has surpassed herself! This is by far one of her best. As always, so is well written, her characters rounded and believable, and her romantic scenes...well, in this case, they truly sizzle! I read it all in one day, simply because I couldn't stop!
  
  
• Delightful!
  By A3RCAL4DME8F7S on 2008-07-09
  After a bit of a "slump" with mediocre romance read for the past month, "Duchess by Night" reaffirmed my faith in the genre. I've never read Ms. James' novels before, but I will definietly be looking for more of hers to see if they're as fun and satisfying as this was.
  
  I finished the entire thing in one setting - I literally could not put it down. The back of the book summary mentions that the hero mistakes the heroine for a boy. I mistakenly assumed that this was one of the usual "first chapter grabbers," and that this book would go the usual way of clearing up the misunderstanding by page 10, and move along with being another mundane plot.
  
  However, this book keeps the rouse going a bit longer, and the author does an unbelievably good job with this tricky plot. For Shakespearean fans, this book is a fun reference to "Twelfth Night." This is the first historical I read in awhile where I was easily able to believe that the hero/heroine were well suited. The "boy disguise" gives them a chance to get to know each other outside of the usual flirtation, and as a result I was much more invested in their happy ending.
  
  
  
• Eloisa is back in good form
  By AMOOS8HVA3RSG on 2008-07-11
  The best thing about this novel is that the author has only one story line and no sub-plots that take over the whole story. I love this author but her last few novels contained too many storylines to be truly good.
  
  The story of a widowed duchess and the irresponsible Lord Strange is fun story of cross dressing and gender bending. Due to this there is not a lot from the man's point of view since it would be strange for him to be really attracted to a man. But all in all it is a return to good form.
  
  I highly recommend it if you are looking for an alternative in the genre.
  
  
  
• Good parts and not so good parts
  By ADSCVPRCMTDY6 on 2008-08-20
  I had difficulty fully enjoying this book. First off it wasn't really clear why there was a need for the whole masquerade as a man set up when her friend went just as she is and was fine. Because it wasn't clear, I couldn't understand why Harriet kept it up for as long as she did. It was drawn out just too long. The chemistry between the two main characters was great though, you could really see the romance growing between them. However I found myself disliking Harriet as the story progressed. She claimed to be tired of the life as a duchess, how people treated her and how she was expected to treat others. Yet when the masquerade is over she goes right back to living and acting as a duchess as she did before. So then what was the whole point of living as a guy, which she enjoyed doing, if it changed nothing? Also I despised the ending, I could barely get through it. In my point of view they were both at fault, yet only the hero did the self-check on his life, decided to change his ways, and apologized. What was Harriet doing? Living the life of a duchess, she changed nothing. He got down on his knees and she continued to act the part of a snob. I don't think she deserved him at all and the fact that he was begging her to forgive him made me not like him for his lack of self-respect. The ending seemed rushed, what the hero figured out about himself in how he lived his life didn't make much sense. The body of the book was good, the ending however was too weak to make it feel there was closure.
  
  
• Very well done
  By A3FXSY4DUUNOB3 on 2008-07-07
  This book was very well written. At first it seemed boring but then it got very intresting. Lord strange and Mr cope. It was great. A lady posing a man!!! Very well done!!
  
  
• Pleasantly Surprised
  By A3VVKW0LOH74EQ on 2008-07-20
  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.
  
  
• Duchess pretends to be a man....
  By A18FUHNBP90IB4 on 2008-08-04
  I liked this book , it had solid characters, great dialogue and some interesting plot/history twists. Harriet, Duchess of Berrow is a widow (her husband committed suicide) and she wants some life back. She decides to follow her friends to Lord Strange's home , dressed as a man. Lord Strange starts having feels for Harriet dressed as man.... I read this book on the way up to the Lake - enjoyable. Looking forward to Isidore and Duke's story When the Duke Returns due out November 25, 2008.
  
  
• Disappointment
  By A1IM19JDQMH6UQ on 2008-08-06
  This book was really difficult for me to get through. I found it boring, and I felt the description on the back made the book seem like it was going to be more exciting than it was. Read disappointment.
  
  
• Duchess By Night
  By AXNJXW8MRME96 on 2008-08-14
  THE BOOK WAS EVERYTHING AND MORE. IT HAD ADVENURE HUMOUR AND ROMANCE. IT KEPT ME READING AND COULD FINISH IT IN A FEW DAYS. AN EXCELLENT READ.
  
  
• Skip work and read this
  By A34C40GUNMRCQ9 on 2008-08-15
  I gave this book 4 stars only because I found the first 2 chapters dull and I couldn't figure out what the first chapter had to do with the rest of the story. I actually had to flip to the back of the book to make sure I was reading about one of the main characters.
  
  If you can get passed the boring first 2 chapters this book takes off and I ended up really liking it! This author has a way of writing that makes it hard to put the book down. This was my first book by this author, but I'm definitely going to buy more now.
  
  This book would be worth skipping work to read.
  
  
• Absolutely dull! But it has a pretty cover!
  By AK066KC95G9ZX on 2008-08-28
  I would absolutely have to agree with Queen Margo "Buttercup's" comment 100%, I couldn't say it any better. I painfully read the book hoping it'd get better and... oh my goodness, I just kept getting more disgusted with the book. I finally gave in and stopped on page 241. I did like the cover though, very pretty.
  
  
• So Disappointing
  By AVY0U39RUDZRM on 2008-09-10
  After the last one, I thought this book would be different. But, this will be the last Eloisa James that I buy. After the 1st Chapter, I was bored and really didn't care for the characters.
  There were to many things going on at once and the main charcters in the story were boring.
  I stopped midway and put the book away. This was a waste of money!
  
  
  

• After the Kiss: The Notorious Gentlemen
• The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham, Book 1)
• In Bed With the Devil (Avon Romantic Treasure)
• Mr. Cavendish, I Presume (Two Dukes of Wyndham, Book 2)
• Never Romance a Rake