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cala_p's review against another edition
DNF at 15%
I gave it enough time but I just couldn't get into it. As much as I was curious about why she needed him which wasn't explained in what little I read, I just was not hooked.
I gave it enough time but I just couldn't get into it. As much as I was curious about why she needed him which wasn't explained in what little I read, I just was not hooked.
jackiehorne's review
2.0
Gisele, Marchioness of Valence, faked her death four years earlier to get away from her physically abusive husband. She's spent the past four years creating a network to help other abused women escape and hide from their abusive husbands. Now, though, her former husband, the Marquess of Valence, is on the marriage mart again and Gisele resolves to stop him from abusing any other women. She persuades James (Jamie) Montcrief, the bastard son of a Duke, a hero of Waterloo plagued by guilt over , to help her, although she doesn't seem to have any real plan in mind when she takes him on. Of course, they fall instantly in lust with each other. The two travel to London, and about 200 pages in, Gisele gets the idea to appear and disappear to the Marquess, leading him to act crazy in front of his peers and persuade every parent that he is an unsuitable match. The plan works.
The writing here is OK, but this one hit a lot of my "do not believe it" buttons—a severely abused woman can, in the 1810's, create a country-wide network to rescue abused women? Same woman has no difficulty engaging in sexual acts with her partner in "crime"? People conveniently tell their secrets to James, despite just having met him? Also hit my "yuck" button by including short scenes from the evil Marquess's POV. And Gisele and Jamie are Mary Sues to the max, so noble and do-gooding that they are impossible to stomach. Add in lots of Hallmark-level emotion and you get a book that looks good on the surface, but turns out to be just as unappealing as its ridiculous title. Not an auspicious start to 2015 reading...
Spoiler
the death of his brother in battleThe writing here is OK, but this one hit a lot of my "do not believe it" buttons—a severely abused woman can, in the 1810's, create a country-wide network to rescue abused women? Same woman has no difficulty engaging in sexual acts with her partner in "crime"? People conveniently tell their secrets to James, despite just having met him? Also hit my "yuck" button by including short scenes from the evil Marquess's POV. And Gisele and Jamie are Mary Sues to the max, so noble and do-gooding that they are impossible to stomach. Add in lots of Hallmark-level emotion and you get a book that looks good on the surface, but turns out to be just as unappealing as its ridiculous title. Not an auspicious start to 2015 reading...
leigh_47's review
4.0
I have found a new must-read author, and I love the Dowager Duchess of Worth. Bowen writes physical comedy in a very readable and easy-to-follow way.
nellesnightstand1's review
4.0
For a debut book Kelly Bowen rocked it! I've read a ton of historical romances and this one definitely had some originality to it! From her quirky, unusual, strong characters to a twisting, diabolical plot that includes situations that resonate with even our modern times, eg. PTSD ,spousal abuse, illegitimacy.
I could tell right away that Gisele was someone I could like! One of my favorite movies is Enough with Jennifer Lopez. I swear I could watch that movie over and over again! I love to read and watch stories about women standing up for themselves, being independent and not taking flack from people!
After surviving marriage to a sadistic Marquess by faking her own death along with that of her stepdaughter, she managed to rally and start a kind of underground system to help other abused women. She has her faithful friends to help her out but then one of them bails (for a great reason!), and she needs another person to serve as a sort of front man.
In rides Jamie or I should say in stumbles Jamie. Giselle and her friend Sebastion are searching for someone who can pose as a gentleman so they can save her husbands’ fiancé from a terrible fate.
Even drop dead drunk, Jamie proves his mettle and Giselle hires him to help her out. Jamie seems like a poor excuse of a man, he’s dirty, scruffy and has been living in the stables. He’s a gentleman to the core though and is highly respectful of women.
I will say you need to give the first few chapters a chance as it starts off rather sporadic but it does pick up a few chapters in. Although it has some serious subjects this book has its funny moments. Jamie and Giselle bring out the best in each other. They both have serious secrets and I felt so heartbroken for Jamie when his came out, but through it all they had passion and laughter to see them through. I am highly anticipating the next novel by Ms. Bowen!
*Jamie is not a Duke as the title suggests. It’s one of the more unusual plot twists that I feel you should learn about in the book!
This review was originally posted on Nelle's NightStand
I could tell right away that Gisele was someone I could like! One of my favorite movies is Enough with Jennifer Lopez. I swear I could watch that movie over and over again! I love to read and watch stories about women standing up for themselves, being independent and not taking flack from people!
After surviving marriage to a sadistic Marquess by faking her own death along with that of her stepdaughter, she managed to rally and start a kind of underground system to help other abused women. She has her faithful friends to help her out but then one of them bails (for a great reason!), and she needs another person to serve as a sort of front man.
In rides Jamie or I should say in stumbles Jamie. Giselle and her friend Sebastion are searching for someone who can pose as a gentleman so they can save her husbands’ fiancé from a terrible fate.
Even drop dead drunk, Jamie proves his mettle and Giselle hires him to help her out. Jamie seems like a poor excuse of a man, he’s dirty, scruffy and has been living in the stables. He’s a gentleman to the core though and is highly respectful of women.
I will say you need to give the first few chapters a chance as it starts off rather sporadic but it does pick up a few chapters in. Although it has some serious subjects this book has its funny moments. Jamie and Giselle bring out the best in each other. They both have serious secrets and I felt so heartbroken for Jamie when his came out, but through it all they had passion and laughter to see them through. I am highly anticipating the next novel by Ms. Bowen!
*Jamie is not a Duke as the title suggests. It’s one of the more unusual plot twists that I feel you should learn about in the book!
This review was originally posted on Nelle's NightStand
nellesnightstand's review
4.0
For a debut book Kelly Bowen rocked it! I've read a ton of historical romances and this one definitely had some originality to it! From her quirky, unusual, strong characters to a twisting, diabolical plot that includes situations that resonate with even our modern times, eg. PTSD ,spousal abuse, illegitimacy.
I could tell right away that Gisele was someone I could like! One of my favorite movies is Enough with Jennifer Lopez. I swear I could watch that movie over and over again! I love to read and watch stories about women standing up for themselves, being independent and not taking flack from people!
After surviving marriage to a sadistic Marquess by faking her own death along with that of her stepdaughter, she managed to rally and start a kind of underground system to help other abused women. She has her faithful friends to help her out but then one of them bails (for a great reason!), and she needs another person to serve as a sort of front man.
In rides Jamie or I should say in stumbles Jamie. Giselle and her friend Sebastion are searching for someone who can pose as a gentleman so they can save her husbands’ fiancé from a terrible fate.
Even drop dead drunk, Jamie proves his mettle and Giselle hires him to help her out. Jamie seems like a poor excuse of a man, he’s dirty, scruffy and has been living in the stables. He’s a gentleman to the core though and is highly respectful of women.
I will say you need to give the first few chapters a chance as it starts off rather sporadic but it does pick up a few chapters in. Although it has some serious subjects this book has its funny moments. Jamie and Giselle bring out the best in each other. They both have serious secrets and I felt so heartbroken for Jamie when his came out, but through it all they had passion and laughter to see them through. I am highly anticipating the next novel by Ms. Bowen!
*Jamie is not a Duke as the title suggests. It’s one of the more unusual plot twists that I feel you should learn about in the book!
This review was originally posted on Nelle's NightStand
I could tell right away that Gisele was someone I could like! One of my favorite movies is Enough with Jennifer Lopez. I swear I could watch that movie over and over again! I love to read and watch stories about women standing up for themselves, being independent and not taking flack from people!
After surviving marriage to a sadistic Marquess by faking her own death along with that of her stepdaughter, she managed to rally and start a kind of underground system to help other abused women. She has her faithful friends to help her out but then one of them bails (for a great reason!), and she needs another person to serve as a sort of front man.
In rides Jamie or I should say in stumbles Jamie. Giselle and her friend Sebastion are searching for someone who can pose as a gentleman so they can save her husbands’ fiancé from a terrible fate.
Even drop dead drunk, Jamie proves his mettle and Giselle hires him to help her out. Jamie seems like a poor excuse of a man, he’s dirty, scruffy and has been living in the stables. He’s a gentleman to the core though and is highly respectful of women.
I will say you need to give the first few chapters a chance as it starts off rather sporadic but it does pick up a few chapters in. Although it has some serious subjects this book has its funny moments. Jamie and Giselle bring out the best in each other. They both have serious secrets and I felt so heartbroken for Jamie when his came out, but through it all they had passion and laughter to see them through. I am highly anticipating the next novel by Ms. Bowen!
*Jamie is not a Duke as the title suggests. It’s one of the more unusual plot twists that I feel you should learn about in the book!
This review was originally posted on Nelle's NightStand
thegeekyblogger's review
5.0
Read for Fun (Library)
Overall Rating 5.00
Story Rating 5.00
Character Rating 5.00
First Thought when Finished: I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen is going to make my top 10 of the year.
Quick Thoughts This book is the best historical I have read this year and I have read some damn good historicals. I loved everything about it: the characters, story, emotion, love, intrigue, hero, leading lady, side characters, and conclusion. I laughed, cheered, teared up, and twisted my hands together many times. The emotional core story of Gisele and how she chose to fight back (even in her limited role of the times) was fantastic. Needless to say I will recommend this highly and reread it again!
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
Overall Rating 5.00
Story Rating 5.00
Character Rating 5.00
First Thought when Finished: I've Got My Duke to Keep Me Warm by Kelly Bowen is going to make my top 10 of the year.
Quick Thoughts This book is the best historical I have read this year and I have read some damn good historicals. I loved everything about it: the characters, story, emotion, love, intrigue, hero, leading lady, side characters, and conclusion. I laughed, cheered, teared up, and twisted my hands together many times. The emotional core story of Gisele and how she chose to fight back (even in her limited role of the times) was fantastic. Needless to say I will recommend this highly and reread it again!
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
kbriney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love a good hurt-comfort book and this one had both leads in need of comfort.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Violence, and War
ianthe_the_unicorn's review
3.0
I did not care for any of the characters. In what seems to be an effort to give the heroine a tragic background to make her seem strong, she only succeeded in seeming impossible and bitchy. Even given her history.
chartsh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
glory317's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75