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nojobro's review
3.0
From Libby I know that I read this for 12 hours and 28 minutes but it's 6 months later and I have no idea what I really thought of it. Pandemic brain!
northernattitude's review against another edition
Too many long discussions about art and French politics
janellsutherland's review
4.0
I love a good woman-in-disguise novel. Jeanne, aka Jane, is a member of a French nobility family that was killed in the Revolution. She has vowed to track down the man responsible for their betrayal and then kill him. I was impressed with her singular focus and her commitment to murder. She wasn’t just out for revenge, which could be carried out in some vague way to be determined later. No, she has a knife and she plans to use it, once she finds the right man.
Julian is a rebellious man who recently inherited a dukedom after the death of a distant cousin. Even more recently, he’s inherited the care of his three stepsisters, because his mother has decided to go off to America with her new husband for a year or two. He’s got a wonderful sarcastic with and absolutely no desire to interact with his sisters, so he hires a governess.
Jane knows that someone in Julian’s family is her intended victim. She gets the governess job because, well, Julian wants her for his mistress. He barely interviews her for her credentials and experience, hires her, and eagerly awaits her eventual surrender. He hasn’t got much else going on, except for figuring out how to get some paintings into England.
The paintings are a big deal. This is the fourth book in a series, and sadly I haven’t read the previous three. I’m not sure if Julian’s exploits in France were detailed in prior books, but I believe art is a common thread throughout the series. Basically, Julian was involved in rescuing a family from France. Someone betrayed him, and he didn’t get the family out. But he did end up with their large and valuable art collection. Now he needs to get the paintings into England.
While Jane is busy trying to discover Julian’s ancestor, and Julian is busy trying to move some paintings, they settle into a surprisingly domestic routine. Jane reports to Julian every evening to discuss her three students. While Julian’s main motive is seduction, he finds himself caring about what Jane has to say. She encourages him to develop a closer relationship with his siblings. The letters that the girls write to Julian were a highlight for me, because they displayed each girl’s personality so well, and they were also hilarious. His responses were equally charming.
Luckily for Julian, Jane does not resist him forever, and the payoff is sensuous. They even manage to make use of a chaise lounge that Julian has always fantasized about. Their lust brings them closer, until they realize that — gasp — they have feelings for each other. This is bad news for Jane when she’s got a murderous secret.
This story had charm and wit, two of my favorite things. I’m also a fan of stolen kisses, the Versailles glide, and groveling, so this book hit lots of sweet spots. It’s a great addition to the Woman in Disguise genre.
This review was originally posted on Romance at Random: http://romanceatrandom.com/the-duke-of-dark-desire-by-miranda-neville/
Julian is a rebellious man who recently inherited a dukedom after the death of a distant cousin. Even more recently, he’s inherited the care of his three stepsisters, because his mother has decided to go off to America with her new husband for a year or two. He’s got a wonderful sarcastic with and absolutely no desire to interact with his sisters, so he hires a governess.
Jane knows that someone in Julian’s family is her intended victim. She gets the governess job because, well, Julian wants her for his mistress. He barely interviews her for her credentials and experience, hires her, and eagerly awaits her eventual surrender. He hasn’t got much else going on, except for figuring out how to get some paintings into England.
The paintings are a big deal. This is the fourth book in a series, and sadly I haven’t read the previous three. I’m not sure if Julian’s exploits in France were detailed in prior books, but I believe art is a common thread throughout the series. Basically, Julian was involved in rescuing a family from France. Someone betrayed him, and he didn’t get the family out. But he did end up with their large and valuable art collection. Now he needs to get the paintings into England.
While Jane is busy trying to discover Julian’s ancestor, and Julian is busy trying to move some paintings, they settle into a surprisingly domestic routine. Jane reports to Julian every evening to discuss her three students. While Julian’s main motive is seduction, he finds himself caring about what Jane has to say. She encourages him to develop a closer relationship with his siblings. The letters that the girls write to Julian were a highlight for me, because they displayed each girl’s personality so well, and they were also hilarious. His responses were equally charming.
Luckily for Julian, Jane does not resist him forever, and the payoff is sensuous. They even manage to make use of a chaise lounge that Julian has always fantasized about. Their lust brings them closer, until they realize that — gasp — they have feelings for each other. This is bad news for Jane when she’s got a murderous secret.
This story had charm and wit, two of my favorite things. I’m also a fan of stolen kisses, the Versailles glide, and groveling, so this book hit lots of sweet spots. It’s a great addition to the Woman in Disguise genre.
This review was originally posted on Romance at Random: http://romanceatrandom.com/the-duke-of-dark-desire-by-miranda-neville/
cerianh's review
4.0
Originally given 3.5 hearts at Rookie Romance.
Alrighty, so after reading the previous book in the series, Lady Windermere's Lover, I was very intrigued and excited for Julian's story. He's a bit of a scoundrel and he tries to seduce his former best friend's wife in the last book. But I'm always interested to see how an author can take a character like that and make him into a hero for his own story.
Jane Grey is really Lady Jeanne de Falleron and she is seeking the man who betrayed her family and sent them to their deaths. All she knows is the man's name is Mr. Fortescue, which leads her to apply for the position of governess in Julian Fortescue's household. Jane is one determined lady, I will give her that. I felt awful for her, for the way her innocence and her life were stripped from her at such a young age. She has learned to forge her way in the world through whichever means she can. She's so strong, but she is also a very passionate woman-something that Julian brings out in her despite the fact that she knows she shouldn't become entangled with him.
Julian is a very interesting hero. He's not exactly the heroic type, he's positively sinful and far too happy about trying to seduce his half-sisters' new governess. Julian really develops throughout the story, very much with the help of Jane. He starts off as pretty closed off and selfish but his sweeter side is revealed as the book, and his relationship with Jane, progresses.
Whilst Jane and Julian certainly have plenty of sexual chemistry between them, I didn't really feel connected to their romance until further into the story. I guess because there were so many other factors at play than just them and their feelings, it detracted from their relationship a little bit, for me. Although by the end, I thought they had such a close and passionate love.
There is plenty to keep a reader intrigued in this book. The mystery surrounding the missing paintings and the deaths of Jane's family is a tangled web of betrayal and politics. Jane just wants revenge against 'Mr. Fortescue' but it all becomes so much more complicated.
Overall, I enjoyed The Duke of Dark Desires, although perhaps not as much as I'd hoped unfortunately. It's still a good romance with a riveting plot, so I would recommend it to other romance readers.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, for my honest opinion. Thank you!
Alrighty, so after reading the previous book in the series, Lady Windermere's Lover, I was very intrigued and excited for Julian's story. He's a bit of a scoundrel and he tries to seduce his former best friend's wife in the last book. But I'm always interested to see how an author can take a character like that and make him into a hero for his own story.
Jane Grey is really Lady Jeanne de Falleron and she is seeking the man who betrayed her family and sent them to their deaths. All she knows is the man's name is Mr. Fortescue, which leads her to apply for the position of governess in Julian Fortescue's household. Jane is one determined lady, I will give her that. I felt awful for her, for the way her innocence and her life were stripped from her at such a young age. She has learned to forge her way in the world through whichever means she can. She's so strong, but she is also a very passionate woman-something that Julian brings out in her despite the fact that she knows she shouldn't become entangled with him.
Julian is a very interesting hero. He's not exactly the heroic type, he's positively sinful and far too happy about trying to seduce his half-sisters' new governess. Julian really develops throughout the story, very much with the help of Jane. He starts off as pretty closed off and selfish but his sweeter side is revealed as the book, and his relationship with Jane, progresses.
Whilst Jane and Julian certainly have plenty of sexual chemistry between them, I didn't really feel connected to their romance until further into the story. I guess because there were so many other factors at play than just them and their feelings, it detracted from their relationship a little bit, for me. Although by the end, I thought they had such a close and passionate love.
There is plenty to keep a reader intrigued in this book. The mystery surrounding the missing paintings and the deaths of Jane's family is a tangled web of betrayal and politics. Jane just wants revenge against 'Mr. Fortescue' but it all becomes so much more complicated.
Overall, I enjoyed The Duke of Dark Desires, although perhaps not as much as I'd hoped unfortunately. It's still a good romance with a riveting plot, so I would recommend it to other romance readers.
*I received a review copy from the publisher, for my honest opinion. Thank you!
lashea677's review
4.0
Jane is a woman of many secrets. Haunted by tragedy, she needs answers. Will the clues she follows lead her to yet another heartbreak? Julian is in over his head. This Duke is drowning in responsibility and lusting after the help does not a good Duke make. Can he rise above his past, to build a better future? Or is he doomed to repeat the sins all over again? Duke of Dark Desires, should be called: Maze of Curve balls. Ms. Neville is a master manipulator with some secrets of her own. Not only does she deliver a sensual dance of love but an intriguing game of cat and mouse as well.
tangodiva's review
3.0
Neville is a good writer and her early passing is tragic. I wish I had liked this more and I know it's not her- I just have such a hard time with historical romance anymore. I am completely unable to suspend my disbelief.
Of course everything always lead back to the Dauphin in these aprés French Rev books. Le sigh.
Of course everything always lead back to the Dauphin in these aprés French Rev books. Le sigh.
jackiehorne's review
3.0
I was looking forward to this final volume in the Wild Quartet, featuring the least reputable of the male friends: Julian, once outcast art dealer, now unexpected Duke of Denford. After his mother remarries and absconds with her new seafaring husband to America, dumping Julian's two half-sisters on his doorstep, Juilian finds himself in need of a governess. Lucky for him, a gorgeous woman shows up on his doorstep, too, in search of work. More interested in seducing Miss Jane Grey than in finding out about her past experience, Julian quickly hires the woman. Julian has no idea (but of course, readers do, given the his/her POV switches) that Jane Grey is really Mlle. Jeanne-Louise de Falleron, oldest daughter of a French aristocratic family who were all killed, in part because of Julian's carelessness and greed as a young man. "Jane" is set on revenge, determined to kill the Mr. Fortescue who betrayed her father, and hopes that taking a place in the Duke of Denford's employ will lead her to him. Readers know that Julian and the betrayer are one in the same, which makes the tension mount as rakish Julian finds himself growing interested not just in Miss Grey's body, but in her mind and her heart.
I'm usually a big fan of Neville's stories, but I had real difficulties with this one..
I'm usually a big fan of Neville's stories, but I had real difficulties with this one.
Spoiler
15-year-old Jane/Jeanne-Louise had to choose between going to the guillotine or becoming the mistress of a radical Frenchman. Given this history, Julian's seduction attempts left a really sour taste in my mouth; would a woman who had been forced to prostitute herself find sexual harassment on the job at all appealing? Yuck. I also found Jane a woefully passive, and woefully stupid, avenger; she does little to find her Mr. Fortescue, and takes forever to realize that he and Julian are one in the same. And Julian, of course, turns out to be not quite as cynical as we all thought him to be, a bit of a disappointment to me!kathleenmcg's review
dark
emotional
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
4.25
The duke, who has been a character in previous novels, has his three half-sisters unceremoniously dumped on his door step. Chafing at being the duke, he has troubles or basically does not want to have the responsibility over three children. He needs a governess, and enter our heroine, who conveniently answers his ad for a governess. He hires her more because he wants to seduce her than whether she would be a good governess.
The two characters grow through the course of the book. The story, including lost paintings, French emigree`s, the terror of the French Revolution, and good old fashioned primogeniture, round out the story. I fell in love with the duke by the end. The heroine was appealing, but damaged. They, of course, get their HEA. I liked it. Well written: 4.25
The two characters grow through the course of the book. The story, including lost paintings, French emigree`s, the terror of the French Revolution, and good old fashioned primogeniture, round out the story. I fell in love with the duke by the end. The heroine was appealing, but damaged. They, of course, get their HEA. I liked it. Well written: 4.25