Rowena’s review of The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James
Hero: James Rydon, Duke of Ashborne
Heroine: Lady Theodora Saxby
How can she dare to imagine he loves her . . . when all London calls her The Ugly Duchess?
Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke’s passion.
Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.
Theo would have given it a lifetime . . . until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry.
Society was shocked by their wedding . . . and is scandalized by their separation.
Now James faces the battle of his life, convincing Theo that he loves the duckling who blossomed into the swan.
And Theo will quickly find that, for a man with the soul of a pirate, All’s Fair in Love—and War.
This was a quick read for me. I read it all in one sitting. I’ve been in the mood for some historical romances and I can always count on Avon to deliver some good ones. This wasn’t my favorite historical that I’ve read in the past weeks but it was still a good time.
This book follows Lady Theodora Saxby and Lord James Ryburn as they trip along to their happy ending. Their story wasn’t an easy story but I’m glad that I finished it because even though I wanted to punch both Daisy and James, I was glad with the way their story ended.
The Earl of Islay, James Ryburn has an idiot for a father. He’s got debt up to his ear and is mighty close to losing everything that’s been in his family for years. In order to save his lands, houses and well, his life, he needs his son and heir to the family dukedom to marry someone rich to fill up the family coffers. But he can’t marry just any rich lady, he has to marry Lady Theodora Saxby. Theo is James best friend, has grown up with James since they were young children and is the one person that James loves more than anything. Only thing is, James loves her as a friend and nothing more than that.
I had a hard time not being mad at James for betraying Daisy the way that he did. He loves Daisy (though the heroines name is Theodora, James calls her Daisy) and the way that he proposed to Daisy made me want to punch him in the face. The way that he just up and left Daisy on their wedding night, made me want to knee him in the balls. You don’t do that to your best friend.
Daisy (I wasn’t fond of calling her Theo as she preferred) is not a very pretty woman. At least, in the eyes of the ton. They’re cruel in their remarks about her physical appearance. Once she’s married to James, they take to calling her The Ugly Duchess and man, I wanted to hit each and every single person that laughed and mocked her because of something that she had no control over. You can see just how strong Daisy is and I admired that though she was hurt by what everyone was saying about her, she didn’t let it keep her down. She may not have gone about London as often as she would have before she found out about the names but she wasn’t hunkered down at work, crying into her pillow everyday. The things she did for James family name and estate was amazing and I loved that she took care of what was hers and thanks to James, his dukedom and estate was just as much hers as it was his.
James Dad was such an ass and I couldn’t stand his ass. He was cruel and stupid and I wanted to smack the shit out of him on plenty occasions.
When the shit hits the fan (after such a short time being married), Daisy kicks James out and he doesn’t stay. He goes away for…SEVEN YEARS. I couldn’t believe that he stayed away for so long. I couldn’t believe that as much as he loved Daisy, he didn’t fight for her. It took him so freaking long to explain himself, to say sorry and that got on my nerves. There was a lot of crap that I couldn’t stand while James was gone from London. It took him almost dying to come back home and when he finally does, he’s nothing like the boy that left London all those years ago. He’s the pirate duke. He’s harder, broader and all tatted up.
As mad as I was at James throughout the book, I didn’t hate him. I thought that he was a dumbass at times but he wasn’t a douche. When all was said and done, I was glad that I read it. I was happy with the way that it ended and I about swooned when James went to town on Trevelyan at the end. I love when heroes kick ass, defending their women. So while this isn’t my favorite book written by Eloisa James, it was still an enjoyable read and I’m not mad at all that I read it.
Grade: 2.75 out of 5
This book is available from Avon Impulse. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Interesting review.
I don’t know why but I never like Eloisa James’ books as much as others seem to. Your review was so honest though that it made me want to read the book – and lowered my expectations at the same time – so I might give it a chance.
Thanks for the review.
I actually really like the book, even though I do think James was an ass. Overall, it is one of Eloisa James’ better books. Your review is completely spot on.