Title: The Duke is Mine
Genre: Historical Romance
Author: Eloisa James
Publisher: Avon, January 2012
Available for pre order
Source: Free for review from Amazon Vine Program
Rating: 4
Sexy Rating: 5
Description from back of the book blurb: Destiny will be decided between the sheets in this all-new tale of “The Princess and the Pea.”
For Olivia Lytton, betrothal to the Duke of Canterwick—hardly a Prince Charming—feels more like a curse than a happily-ever-after. At least his noble status will help her sister, Georgiana, secure an engagement with the brooding, handsome Tarquin, Duke of Sconce, a perfect match for her in every way . . . every way but one. Tarquin has fallen in love with Olivia.
Quin never puts passion before reason. And reason says that Georgiana is his ideal bride. But the sensual, fiery, strong-willed Olivia ignites an unknown longing in him— a desire they are both powerless to resist. When a scandalous affair begins, they risk losing everything—Olivia’s engagement, her sister’s friendship, and their own fragile love. Only one thing can save them—and it awaits in the bedroom, where a magnificent mattress holds life-changing answers to the greatest romantic riddle of all.
**
This is a romance with perfectly lovely characters who find life to be complicated in the early 1800’s England. That they come to satisfactory conclusions is a bit predictable but never the less we cheer for them. There is romance, pathos, action and adventure. Eloisa James gripped my interest early on by elaborating on the regency custom of grooming young girls to become wives to the aristocracy. Many regency romance novels gloss over this aspect but here we are led to understand the reactions of both Olivia and Georgiana by being privy to their upbringing.
Both heroes are flawed, Rupert by his mental deficiency and Quin by his lack of emotional feelings that can be attributed to his upbringing and which Olivia seems to be instrumental in curing.
This was a fast interesting read. I zipped through the book not wanting to put it down. I liked the characters and I liked their “character”. They were good and honorable even if slightly flawed.
La Deetda Reads 
I just saw this one this week. I am yet to read an Eloisa James book, not sure why. Maybe i’ll start with this one. In a bit of a funk at the moment so am rereading Patricia Cabot’s Educating Caroline. It’s cute, and hopefully it will pull me out of my slight slump. I’ve started two books and haven’t been able to get into them :(.
On another note, have you read Carolyn Crane’s Disillusionist books. They’re awesome! I’m excited because I have book three waiting to be read but a little scared to start it :).
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