Joint Review: The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn.

Posted May 27, 2008 by Rowena in Reviews | 9 Comments

Publisher: Avon, Harper Collins


Isabel is one of the biggest Julia Quinn fans I know. As soon as I read this book, I knew that she would enjoy this book, I’m so glad that she got to read this book and review it with me.

Thanks Izzy!

Hero:
Jack Audley
Heroine: Grace Eversleigh
Grade: 4.75 out of 5 and 4.5 out of 5

Jack Audley has been a highwayman.

A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.

Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine . . . until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she’s not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have . . .

Rowena: The last Julia Quinn book I read was Gregory Bridgerton’s story and if I remember correctly, I didn’t like it very much….and I don’t know why I haven’t read another JQ book since then, maybe subconsciously I’m scared to read another book I’ll be disappointed in but man am I so effing glad that I read this book.

It was the one historical that I enjoyed the most in all the historicals that I’ve read in the past 3 months. Wow, seriously this book was just off the hooks good, I enjoyed the witty banter between Jack and Grace. I enjoyed the storyline with the whole lost Duke thing and I hecka enjoyed watching Jack and Grace fall in love. It wasn’t fast and it wasn’t rushed, it was just right.

What I really liked about this book was the hero, Jack Audley. I seriously heart this guy and right now, Izzy, I’m so staking my claim on this one, I’m taking it back to old school JGBB days, JACKISMINEDAMMIT! haha. What did you think?

Isabel: I was a little scared reading this book. Gregory’s book was just… not good at all. The Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever… it was ok. Wasn’t great but still passable. This book however, was really good though.

I loved Jack. I loved how smart @$$ and funny he was. Also loved how he didn’t really want to the dukedom because he knew it would complicate things with Grace.

Rowena: Speaking of Miranda Cheever, I still have to read that one and we don’t want to go there with Gregory’s story.
Jack was a fantastic hero. He’s the best kind of hero for me. My favorite kind. I love the kind of heroes that can charm the socks off of any lady from young virginal lady to old dowager hags! And then that name, Jack. So strong and solid and yummalicious! I love how he can make anyone laugh in any situation and how he doesn’t take himself too seriously until he needs to and I just love love loved him to pieces in this book!

For me, Julia Quinn knocked it out of the park with this one. I was invested in this story right from the very beginning. When we meet Grace and that bat shit crazy grandmother and then they get accosted by the highwaymen and instead of being scared out of her mind, grandma is barking out orders and when she tried to turn Grace over to them, I couldn’t believe it! I wanted to one, two jab her in the face! Ugh. But the characters are frickin’ awesome. I loved all of them and I’m anxious for Thomas and Amelia’s story. Alright, Grace…what are your thoughts on her? Love her or hate her?

Isabel: Don’t get me started on the dowager. UGH! She was a major bitch. She was just mean. How once she saw Jack, she could care less what happened to Thomas. I know Grace was her companion but she just was just so inconsiderate of her. She was just a hag. I loved when thomas said he bought grace a little cottage and provided her with funds so she didn’t have to work for the dowager anymore. Grace, I liked her. She really didn’t complain about Dowager. Was always grateful to her and defended her. Although she didn’t let the dowager walk all over her. She was able to stand her own with her. I thought she was perfect for Jack. I loved her.

Rowena: I totally agree. I loved how Grace couldn’t stand the Dowager and yet she was never disrespectful to her in company and she was still the dutiful lady’s maid. She was grateful but not a wimp. She spoke up when she needed to and I thought she was great because of it. Stronger because of her trials but smart because she wasn’t blind or naive to the Dowager, she was the right mix of everything and I could totally tell why Jack fell for her. She was great, just great.

What I liked about Jack and Grace together was their easy banter. They were at ease with each other and I loved how Jack spoke up for Grace. He didn’t let anyone disrespect her or even forget her in his presence. I loved how he sought to make her smile and laugh and how sweet he was with her. What I loved most about Jack was how lethal and steely he was beneath that smile and joking manner. It was sexy to me. I loved those kind of heroes, the heroes that can joke and laugh one minute and knock suckers out the next.

I love that stuff!

This book was a laugh a minute for me and it was just an easy read. Those are the reads that I enjoy the most, the ones where I can open the book and fall into with no problem right from the very beginning. This was one of those reads for me. I know that not everyone is going to appreciate Jack and Grace’s story the same way I did but I thank JQ for this story because so far, it’s been my favorite historical read in the past few months.

I’d give it a 4.75 out of 5.

What would you give it, Izzy?

Isabel: I agree with you about Jack. He was a great hero. Not fair you called dibs on him first.

I’d give this book a B+, which in Book Binge ratings would be about a 4.5 out of 5

Rowena: In conclusion, there are many reasons why you should check this new release by Julia Quinn. Too many to name, really. There was a great storyline, a delightful cast of characters and a hero and heroine that just worked well together. There’s plenty of laughs, plenty of entertainment and I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.

Read this book!

This book is available from Avon. You can buy it here or here in e-format.


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9 responses to “Joint Review: The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn.

  1. I just read this book yesterday, and totally agree! It was a really good Quinn book, and I ended up giving it a 4.5/5 too!

  2. I finished this last night. LOVED it. For all the same reasons you mentioned, Jack is a winner. Oh! And the dislexia? Made me want to cuddle him! The scene where Thomas says they could marry and she says “I can’t” and he replies… “I know.” And then the snuggle? ::sigh::

    Do we really have to wait until October?

  3. This one was definitively great!! 😛 Loved it too 😀 I like how Ms Quinn didn’t make stereotypes out of them… for example, the dowager was a mean old lady. Not a mean old lady with a warm heart hiding somewhere. I especially enjoyed how Jack proposed to Grace… we didn’t have to suffer through doubts and misunderstandings and etc.

    I can’t wait for Thomas book and the great thing is that it’s coming out in September!!! However, I think it sucks a little that it’ll be 10 years later… Seriously, 10 years?!?

  4. Wait! I read somewhere that the two books take place at the same time, slightly overlapping so that the second book ends after the first. I think the epilogue was just 10 years later. Notice a mention of Thomas, but no details to spoil the other book.

  5. I read the first three chapters online and loved them. I am SO GLAD the rest of the book lives up to the great beginning. I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the review! JQ rocks my world.

  6. *sigh* I couldn’t find a copy anywhere near me so I couldn’t buy it. (See Izzy, I told you I wouldn’t buy any books!) LOL

  7. Rowena

    Marg,

    I really enjoyed this book, it brought back all of my JQ love and I’m seriously wanting to reread her Bridgerton series…I loved Jack!

    Shannon,

    Yeah I totally agree about that part of the book, I just loved it all! It was a great read!!

    Nath,

    Nope, the book actually takes place the same time as this book is taking place, so Thomas and Amelia’s book will be around the same time, not 10 years later. JQ wrote their book simultaneously with this one so that the information was as accurate as she could get it.

    Shannon was right. =)

  8. Oh I’m glad 😀 but then, why does Grace writes a letter to Amelia telling her that Thomas has been over to visit the dowager? I mean, if Amelia was his wife, she would at least know no?

  9. Rowena

    Oh Ciara,

    I really think you’ll enjoy this book, it’s filled with JQ sweetness!

    Ames,

    You aren’t supposed to be buying books right now but do ebooks count? You can get this in ebook format, right? I won’t tell Izzy because me lubs you long time! haha.

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