ARC Review: The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James
I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Book Info
Released: August 28, 2012
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Fairy Tales #4
Pages: 334
Theodora Saxby and James Ryburn, Earl of Islay and next in line for a Dukedom are the match of the season, no one expected the ugly and mannish Theo to bring the handsome James up to scratch, with such a romantic proposal, not even Theo. But she falls in love and they marry…only to be separated two days later when she throws him out after discovering that James, her oldest friend and the man she loves only married her for her dowry.I find myself a little uncertain if how to rate this book, there were things I really liked about it, but other aspects that didn’t sit very well, overall I think it was good, but for me not the kind of book I will remember long are I have finished it. However, I love the idea rewriting fairy tales, something this series is based on, and the story of the ugly duckling who then blossoms into a beautiful swan is something that appeals to me as someone who loves a plain Jane kind of story.
The problem I had with this book wasn’t the characters who I did really like, especially the Theo she was a strong, funny heroine who I enjoyed reading about, and James and Theo had great chemistry, not only sexually but I felt that the love they had for each other, even when they were angry, shone through.
It was the pacing, it was very odd and I didn’t like it. It started off really well, introducing the characters and their relationship with one another, but then when they get separated it really slows down and skips through 7 years of time giving you brief glimpses into their lives, then at the very end when they are reunited it picks up again, but it seems to end rather quickly. It was almost like a really long novella, and I think it would have almost been better off as one, starting from when they were reunited and maybe telling the story of how they came to be married in flashbacks, it wouldn’t have had this large and slightly tedious section in the middle then.
It was an enjoyable read though, the characters were likeable and the love story was sweet but full of some really good steamy sensuous scenes.
*ARC provided by publisher
Annnnnd I will stop myself there, before I start waxing lyrical about my love of historical romance and fantasy as well; no one needs to know about my elf fantasies. As you can tell, I adore and day dream about most romance genres, and my three big loves are 1) reading about romance 2) writing about romance and 3) talking about romance with my gals. Which, is why I love Under the Covers so much, I get all my bookish needs satisfied and don’t get judged when I talk about my favourite characters like they are real people. Which they are right?
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Thanks for the review – I’m still waiting for my copy to arrive in the mail
Thanks for the honest review Suz!