Hodder Paperback When the Duke Returns: The Sexy and Romantic Regency Romance

I read another review from a reader stating that James's "Desperate Duchesses" series improves with each book. I think she finally hit her peak with this one. It really was the perfect historical romance with a hot blooded Italian and an eccentric, reluctant duke who runs about the countryside in short trousers (oh, the scandal!).I loved that our heroine, Lady Isidore, was completely unwilling to compromise her beliefs, opinions, and ideas because a man and--more specifically--her husband told her to do so. At every turn, she frustrated and irritated our hero, Simeon. My suspicion was that he was frustrated because what he loved most about her turned his life upside down. Feisty, beautiful, and incredibly bright, Isidore was a woman before her time. And she's a little bit of what every woman strives to be.Simeon, on the other hand, is intelligent, thoughtful, and stubborn to a fault. He has his own ideas about this proxy marriage of his and feels that Isidore should bend to that will even if she doesn't agree with it. He spent years traveling abroad and gathering up unique experiences like a bouquet of flowers and yet knows little of the ways of the world.What I loved most about this particular novel is that it was unusual in that very early in the book, we discover that not only is Isidore a virgin (of course) but that Simeon is also a virgin. I've read tons of romance novels over the years, and this is the first one that identified the hero as a virgin...and he's proud of it! What a refreshing change! Isidore is shocked and actually assumes that something must be wrong with Simeon. But it's revealed later on that he had several very good reasons for maintaining his own innocence.I truly loved this story and loved it even more as it progressed. Definitely one of James's best!

Lady Isidore Del'Fino was married by proxy when she was just twelve years old, and always assumed her husband would fetch her when she came of age. Eleven years on, Isidore is tired of waiting. But when her presence at a scadalous house party achieves the desired result, Isidore isn't altogether sure her duke is what she bargained for.Simeon, Duke of Cosway, abhors chaos and has spent more than a decade exploring ways to avoid it, and ignoring his responsibilities. On his travels the one thing he's come to prize above all else is his control. So when he comes home to an unpleasant mother, years of unpaid bills, a rotting house and a wife designed to wreck his self-control, it's not surprising he soon wishes he hadn't bothered.Isidore is a passionate, hot-blooded Italian woman who is used to taking care of herself. Simeon is a rigidly self-controlled man used to being in command of any situation, at any given time. In this fourth book of the 'Desperate Duchesses' series opposites attract in an explosive combination. Made all the more delicious when control is thrown to the wind.In typical James style humour and realism collide with blocked water closets, decadent dresses and discussions of virginity. While the return of the Duke and Duchess of Beaumont and the Duke of Villiers not only developes the overall series, but provides confidants and refuges for the main couple when things inevitably go wrong.Yet, in a book filled with funny, charming, sexy and romantic moments I couldn't help being more interested in what was happening with Elijah, Duke of Beaumont. The scenes where Jemma visits his office, and where Villiers and he talk were my favourites in the entire book, making me eager for the next (This Duchess of Mine).(That's not to say Isidore and Simeon aren't interesting, but after four books I'm really quite fond of Elijah.)Thankfully, James has a gift for handling ensemble casts and presenting several storylines at once, while still making the reader (well, me anyway) care about all of them. And she's not afraid of strong heroes and even stronger heroines. When it comes to the end her books are always great fun and leave me with a smile on my face.Oh, and the epilogue is perfect. I love this series.

Every once in a while one of my favorite authors writes a perfect book. This is one such book! The story is romantic, funny, and quick paced. Each chapter brings more to the characters. I read the book the same day I received it from Amazon and it was over way too quickly.I wanted more of this fabulous heroine and hero. I loved that she wasn't the same old same old English lady. She's a hot blooded Italian and she's more than a match for this adventurer hero.Go to the author's website if you want an excerpt from the book.I read on average 20-25 romances a month and this is by far the best in a long while. I wish it had been published in hard back! But its a keeper next to my other favorite Eloisa James novels.

aber ein bisschen langweilig. Die Erzählung plätschert gleichmäßig dahin ohne besondere Spannung oder Esprit. Was mir fehlt, sind interessante historische Details, die den Gesamteindruck aufbessern oder abrunden würden.

While I am a huge fan of Eloisa James, I did not like When the Duke Returns for one reason only.... she had two different stories going on in the same book. That bothered me. I had read Jemma's story in another book so having her chapters interrupting the good story of the Cosway's to me was irritating. Then to top it off when you get to the end of the book there was no solution to Jemma's problem with her husband. It is left up in the air. Maybe done on purpose so everyone will buy Jemma's story. Sure enough, the last page of the book has an add... "See Jemma's story available in June". So I was disappointed with the book. As usual though the writing is suburb and I loved the Cosway's story... I just didn't like the interruptions.