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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/my-american-duchess-eloisa-james/
When the Duke of Trent meets a lovely American heiress on the balcony at a ball he decides he’s finally met the woman he intends to marry. She’s plain-spoken, doesn’t seem to give a fig about his title and has this peculiar habit of spouting off random facts at moments of uncertainty. She’s also rather gorgeous. He’s determined to procure an introduction from the hostess and find out the name of the woman who has so fully captured his attention. Then he realizes the woman he intends for his Duchess happens to be the same woman who that very same night accepted a proposal of marriage from his twin brother. So he’ll try to keep his desire in check and treat his future sister-in-law with the respect she deserves.
After breaking off two previous engagements, Merry Pelford knows the next time she accepts a proposal she must make it to the altar. No more wavering back and forth and falling in and out of love. When Lord Cedric Allardyce asks for her hand, she accepts and truly believes she has found the man who she will spend the rest of her life with. After all, he’s kind, well-bred and has no need of her inheritance. Then she meets his brother, who is his opposite in every way and yet exactly right for her.
This was a fun read. Light hearted, sexy and with a hero and heroine I liked very much. Merry is a delightful contradiction in almost every way. An outspoken American, proud of her heritage who is kind and soft-hearted. She’s also quite vulnerable and insecure, making lists about what she needs to improve in order to become more acceptable for her English husband. While Trent is described as reserved, when he meets Merry he comes across as anything but. Despite knowing she is meant for his brother, he can’t help but seek her out. He knows in his heart Cedric is not the right man for Merry, but is hopeful that she will curb some of his bad habits when they marry. IF they marry, because all of a sudden the more Merry gets to know Cedric the more she absolutely thinks they will never suit, and the more time she spends with Trent, the harder she falls.
Watching these two fall in love was delightful, from Trent’s passionate internal musings to Merry’s speaking her mind and questioning him on his opinions on love. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to lead the way to them being together and then all of a sudden …. sigh. So romantic. The passion overflows after they are married and I do believe this to be one of the spicier historical romances I’ve read recently. There was a bit of angst toward the end that I could have done without, simply because the “I can’t love anyone, but I really, really like you” trope isn’t one of my favorites. But the HEA was so sweet, It really didn’t bother me as much as it would have otherwise.
I believe My American Duchess was written as a stand-alone, but I can certainly see where more books are possible. Maybe Cedric will get his story in the future. ln the meantime, if you are looking for a sweetly passionate historical romance on the lighter side, this one is definitely for you. Final Grade- B-
Favorite Quote:
The girl who was too tall, who had no manners, whom no Englishman would want to marry.. that American girl was now a duchess.
When the Duke of Trent meets a lovely American heiress on the balcony at a ball he decides he’s finally met the woman he intends to marry. She’s plain-spoken, doesn’t seem to give a fig about his title and has this peculiar habit of spouting off random facts at moments of uncertainty. She’s also rather gorgeous. He’s determined to procure an introduction from the hostess and find out the name of the woman who has so fully captured his attention. Then he realizes the woman he intends for his Duchess happens to be the same woman who that very same night accepted a proposal of marriage from his twin brother. So he’ll try to keep his desire in check and treat his future sister-in-law with the respect she deserves.
After breaking off two previous engagements, Merry Pelford knows the next time she accepts a proposal she must make it to the altar. No more wavering back and forth and falling in and out of love. When Lord Cedric Allardyce asks for her hand, she accepts and truly believes she has found the man who she will spend the rest of her life with. After all, he’s kind, well-bred and has no need of her inheritance. Then she meets his brother, who is his opposite in every way and yet exactly right for her.
This was a fun read. Light hearted, sexy and with a hero and heroine I liked very much. Merry is a delightful contradiction in almost every way. An outspoken American, proud of her heritage who is kind and soft-hearted. She’s also quite vulnerable and insecure, making lists about what she needs to improve in order to become more acceptable for her English husband. While Trent is described as reserved, when he meets Merry he comes across as anything but. Despite knowing she is meant for his brother, he can’t help but seek her out. He knows in his heart Cedric is not the right man for Merry, but is hopeful that she will curb some of his bad habits when they marry. IF they marry, because all of a sudden the more Merry gets to know Cedric the more she absolutely thinks they will never suit, and the more time she spends with Trent, the harder she falls.
Watching these two fall in love was delightful, from Trent’s passionate internal musings to Merry’s speaking her mind and questioning him on his opinions on love. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen to lead the way to them being together and then all of a sudden …. sigh. So romantic. The passion overflows after they are married and I do believe this to be one of the spicier historical romances I’ve read recently. There was a bit of angst toward the end that I could have done without, simply because the “I can’t love anyone, but I really, really like you” trope isn’t one of my favorites. But the HEA was so sweet, It really didn’t bother me as much as it would have otherwise.
I believe My American Duchess was written as a stand-alone, but I can certainly see where more books are possible. Maybe Cedric will get his story in the future. ln the meantime, if you are looking for a sweetly passionate historical romance on the lighter side, this one is definitely for you. Final Grade- B-
Favorite Quote:
The girl who was too tall, who had no manners, whom no Englishman would want to marry.. that American girl was now a duchess.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF @ ~60%
This was just so confusing. Where was the tension between the characters? I dislike instalove so much. Also the whole switcheroo was so confusing. The characters were so 1 dimensional and droll.
This was just so confusing. Where was the tension between the characters? I dislike instalove so much. Also the whole switcheroo was so confusing. The characters were so 1 dimensional and droll.
After two failed engagements, American heiress Merry is determined to make her latest proposal from Cedric work. But when she meets his older brother, the confident and straightforward Duke of Trent, she begins to doubt her decisions. Trent knew he wanted to marry Merry the minute he saw her - despite not liking Americans. The only thing that stops him pursuing her is knowing she’s engaged to Cedric, even though he has a very poor relationship with his brother. But as the pair get to know each other, it becomes harder for them to let the marriage go ahead.
I really enjoyed this. The writing is very good - it’s so engaging and personable, almost chatty, and it was so easy to read. There were a couple of parts that felt a little slow, particularly early on, but once I was into the book I was hooked. I just wanted to know how the story would play out and couldn’t stop reading.
Merry and Trent had what I would call an easy relationship. Their bond felt very natural and real to me ad every stage. It was clear they both genuinely liked each other, and I really enjoyed how he embraced her personality and just wanted her to be happy. Merry was such a lovable character. She was so bright and funny and bold, but I also enjoyed her moments of vulnerability.
I liked how their romance played out, particularly in the second half of the book. Their marriage had a lot of good angsty moments that worked very well for me. The frankness of their conversations, her decision to try and change her behaviour, all playing in to his conflicted feelings and how desperately he missed her love and affection, it just really worked for me. The ending felt very satisfying and had some really sweet, cute, lovely moments.
Content Notes: Forbidden relationship, sibling’s fiancee.
Warnings:
Other:
I really enjoyed this. The writing is very good - it’s so engaging and personable, almost chatty, and it was so easy to read. There were a couple of parts that felt a little slow, particularly early on, but once I was into the book I was hooked. I just wanted to know how the story would play out and couldn’t stop reading.
Merry and Trent had what I would call an easy relationship. Their bond felt very natural and real to me ad every stage. It was clear they both genuinely liked each other, and I really enjoyed how he embraced her personality and just wanted her to be happy. Merry was such a lovable character. She was so bright and funny and bold, but I also enjoyed her moments of vulnerability.
I liked how their romance played out, particularly in the second half of the book. Their marriage had a lot of good angsty moments that worked very well for me. The frankness of their conversations, her decision to try and change her behaviour, all playing in to his conflicted feelings and how desperately he missed her love and affection, it just really worked for me. The ending felt very satisfying and had some really sweet, cute, lovely moments.
Content Notes: Forbidden relationship, sibling’s fiancee.
Warnings:
Spoiler
References to sexual harassment, violence, animal distress, alcoholism, death of a parent (in past), head injuries, amnesia / memory loss, use of the word savage, use of outdated terms to refer to Indigenous Americans.Other:
Spoiler
On-page sex, OM dramaSpoiler
She’s engaged to an OM, the hero’s brother, for the first half of the novel. Later on, there’s an OM who thinks he’s in love with the heroine and he attempts to seduce her. The hero feels jealous towards him but the heroine isn’t interested. This OM accidentally causes the heroine to have an accident near the end of the book.
I get so frustrated reading Eloisa James novels. I've read some that are super amazing and I think about them for days; dreaming about pantalooned gentleman and sassy heroines...
...then I pick up a novel and it just isn't good. I don't enjoy them, and honestly, I didn't enjoy 'My American Duchess'.
I loved Trent. He was absolutely everything a regency-hero needs to be; handsome, caring, possessive, lusty (Really, really lusty) and just sizzling. Merry was everything I want from a regency-lady. Sassy and sweet. Their relationship was wonderful, packed full of chemistry and sizzle. It burned up the pages and I loved the slow burn of lust as it developed into love.
So why the low rate?
IT WAS SO BORING The first half was just Merry and Trent lusting after each in secret while Cedric proved himself as a giant arse. This wasn't even a development of slow lusting and increasing hatred toward Cedric, it was just on similar event after event that just literally and completely repeated the same themes and conversations.
The second half was Merry and Trent embarking on a lot of random sexual escapades and again, it was repetitive and boring. The whole novel was just so long for the lacking plot and content.
...then I pick up a novel and it just isn't good. I don't enjoy them, and honestly, I didn't enjoy 'My American Duchess'.
I loved Trent. He was absolutely everything a regency-hero needs to be; handsome, caring, possessive, lusty (Really, really lusty) and just sizzling. Merry was everything I want from a regency-lady. Sassy and sweet. Their relationship was wonderful, packed full of chemistry and sizzle. It burned up the pages and I loved the slow burn of lust as it developed into love.
So why the low rate?
IT WAS SO BORING The first half was just Merry and Trent lusting after each in secret while Cedric proved himself as a giant arse. This wasn't even a development of slow lusting and increasing hatred toward Cedric, it was just on similar event after event that just literally and completely repeated the same themes and conversations.
The second half was Merry and Trent embarking on a lot of random sexual escapades and again, it was repetitive and boring. The whole novel was just so long for the lacking plot and content.
Listened on audio
I would recommend this on audio as I found the experience quite a bit of fun. As always with Ms James the book was well written, but the humour and banter between the characters worked for me here. This isn’t a rom-com per se but there is something definitely joyful and light about the tone.
The fact that Ms. James managed that tone, even though the book started off with our heroine being engaged to our hero’s brother - ick- is a testament to her strength as a writer in my mind.
Only quibble I have is the last act fight felt more obligatory than real. But then I often have that issue with lighter romances so it didn’t kill the enjoyment of the book for me. Also, the reading was a bit slower than normal for me given the length of the book- but that I chalk up to IRL issues.
I would recommend this on audio as I found the experience quite a bit of fun. As always with Ms James the book was well written, but the humour and banter between the characters worked for me here. This isn’t a rom-com per se but there is something definitely joyful and light about the tone.
The fact that Ms. James managed that tone, even though the book started off with our heroine being engaged to our hero’s brother - ick- is a testament to her strength as a writer in my mind.
Only quibble I have is the last act fight felt more obligatory than real. But then I often have that issue with lighter romances so it didn’t kill the enjoyment of the book for me. Also, the reading was a bit slower than normal for me given the length of the book- but that I chalk up to IRL issues.
emotional
slow-paced
Merry is an impulsive American who has ruined her chances at marriage on her home continent by having the audacity to change her mind after a betrothal or two. Trent is a buttoned up Duke who is gone for her after one balcony conversation, but, whoops, she's engaged to his brother Cedric, with whom he has an unhealthy sibling rivalry.
There's not a whole lot of conflict in this book, and the one major point of drama is kind of ridiculous, though I forgave it. Merry is a fun protagonist who can't help but talk herself into difficult social situations; she truly has no sense of self preservation if it means being dishonest. Trent is caring and responsible, but we do get to see his emotional constipation fully play out once their relationship is established, which I appreciate. Overall, it's sweet and a just emotional enough. The supporting characters are, as usual with James, really excellent and keep this pretty basic relationship-focused story fresh.
I listened to the audiobook and it's one of the best from this narrator.
There's not a whole lot of conflict in this book, and the one major point of drama is kind of ridiculous, though I forgave it. Merry is a fun protagonist who can't help but talk herself into difficult social situations; she truly has no sense of self preservation if it means being dishonest. Trent is caring and responsible, but we do get to see his emotional constipation fully play out once their relationship is established, which I appreciate. Overall, it's sweet and a just emotional enough. The supporting characters are, as usual with James, really excellent and keep this pretty basic relationship-focused story fresh.
I listened to the audiobook and it's one of the best from this narrator.