I don't often read romances, but everything has a time and place and on vacation, on the beach, it definitely seemed the place. So, I picked up The Ugly Duchess since several librarians had mentioned to me at ALA that Eloisa James was stellar, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this bodice ripper (is that offensive?). There is love built from friendship, pirates, a strong, level headed (not ugly) female protagonist, fashion and a manly, take no prisoners Duke. It was fun! Also, it bagged a trifecta of starred reviews…
“Exceptionally well-developed characters evolve with flair. Fast-paced, witty dialog, flawless plotting, exquisite sensuality, and a delectable dusting of humor make James’s latest re-imagined fairy tale a joyful work of art that is not to be missed.” – Library Journal
“James’s patented clever dialogue and complex characters make the unusual situation completely believable from setup to denouement.” – Publishers Weekly
“James expertly infuses her latest fairy-tale love story with just the right ratio of tart wit and sensuality to create a hopelessly and hopefully romantic tale that will have James’ fans swooning with delight.” – Booklist
Who else loves a good romance? First 5 people to tell me what their favorite is, gets a copy!
– Annie