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Lords and Ladies #1
When a Duke Says I Do
Miss Elsie Stanhope resided in Nottinghamshire, an area so rich in titled gentlemen, so felicitous for marriage-minded mamas, it was called "the Dukeries." Indeed, Elsie had been betrothed since childhood to the heir of a dukedom. She had no expectation it would be a love match. Still less that she would enter into a shockingly scandalous affair with an altogether different sort of lover. And the very last thing she imagined was that the mysteries of his birth would be unraveled with as many unforeseen twists and turns as the deepest secrets of her heart.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2011
162 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
Jane Goodger
24 books285 followersI grew up in western Massachusetts and have lived most my adult life in New England. Thanks to my adventurous husband, I've also done brief stints in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Naples, Italy. Although I've written four contemporary romances under the name Jane Blackwood, my first love is historical romances set in Victorian times. I've written 17 of those with more on the way.
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
March 1, 2012
This started out with so much promise. Not without flaws: heroine Elsie is too impishly cute, and there was an awful lot of time suddenly given to secondary characters for no apparent reason, unless it was very clumsy sequel baiting. But the premise and conflict were fresh and I was enjoying it a lot. Sadly, the book then went completely off the rails.
It begins as a love story between two wounded people. Elsie is a beloved, much indulged Baron's daughter whose twin died in her sleep at a young age, leaving her unable to sleep in her own bed; the household is used to finding her lying around the house any old where. Alexander is an artist's assistant who suffers from severe anxiety and selective mutism; he was cruelly abandoned by his father, who considered him defective. Their initial secret romance, as Elsie haunts the house and discovers him working late painting, is sweet and affecting -- especially since both know they can never marry.
I initially thought it was satisfying and believable that the hero's serious psychological problem isn't magically cured by his love for the heroine. And the plot twist which makes it just possible they could be together stretches plausibility but doesn't seem too contrived, because we were given all the information to see it coming from the start, rather than having it a ridiculous deus ex machina.
But then the pacing goes to hell and the story starts to seem all over the place. Elsie gets deathly ill with an obscure disease, for no obvious reason other than to give the author something to research as well as snap Alexander into action. And once in action, he is magically cured -- the story gives the occasional wave to his anxiety issues thereafter, but never when it would be truly inconvenient. The long section in which he conquers his obstacles is so flat and boring, I couldn't help wondering if the author was bored by writing it. There's a dramatic moment that briefly added excitement to the story, but then it all fizzled out again.
It's really hard to rate this. If the second half had been as good as the first, its flaws would be easier to overlook. but when half the book is so glaringly bad, it's hard to even give "credit" for the fact that I enjoyed the first. If I were the only person who felt this way, I think I'd give the benefit of the doubt and rate it a 3, but since it's obviously not just me, I'm going with my gut and a 2.
It begins as a love story between two wounded people. Elsie is a beloved, much indulged Baron's daughter whose twin died in her sleep at a young age, leaving her unable to sleep in her own bed; the household is used to finding her lying around the house any old where. Alexander is an artist's assistant who suffers from severe anxiety and selective mutism; he was cruelly abandoned by his father, who considered him defective. Their initial secret romance, as Elsie haunts the house and discovers him working late painting, is sweet and affecting -- especially since both know they can never marry.
I initially thought it was satisfying and believable that the hero's serious psychological problem isn't magically cured by his love for the heroine. And the plot twist which makes it just possible they could be together stretches plausibility but doesn't seem too contrived, because we were given all the information to see it coming from the start, rather than having it a ridiculous deus ex machina.
But then the pacing goes to hell and the story starts to seem all over the place. Elsie gets deathly ill with an obscure disease, for no obvious reason other than to give the author something to research as well as snap Alexander into action. And once in action, he is magically cured -- the story gives the occasional wave to his anxiety issues thereafter, but never when it would be truly inconvenient. The long section in which he conquers his obstacles is so flat and boring, I couldn't help wondering if the author was bored by writing it. There's a dramatic moment that briefly added excitement to the story, but then it all fizzled out again.
It's really hard to rate this. If the second half had been as good as the first, its flaws would be easier to overlook. but when half the book is so glaringly bad, it's hard to even give "credit" for the fact that I enjoyed the first. If I were the only person who felt this way, I think I'd give the benefit of the doubt and rate it a 3, but since it's obviously not just me, I'm going with my gut and a 2.
January 29, 2012
A lot of rave reviews have come out for this book, but this will not be one of them. The main problem that I experienced as I read this book was the feeling that the characters were chess pieces, being arranged around a board for someone else’s purposes, swept off without explanation, lacking all self-will.
The story started off very appealingly, with the heroine, a cheerful young lady of privilege, the daughter of a baron, meeting the famous muralist who has come to paint in her home, and his attractive but mute assistant. She discovers nearly immediately that it is this mute assistant who really does all the work these days, and reveals that she has some troubles of her own; her twin sister had died in her bed when they were ten or so, and ever since, the heroine has not been able to sleep in a bed. She and the mute assistant, Alexander, get to know each other as he works, and in a few days he starts speaking to her (while still having some social anxiety around others).
The problems for me really began about a fifth of the way in, with the father of the hero. Well, I had already observed by that point that the extreme naïveté and bubbliness of the heroine, Elsie, made her seem far younger than 22, but it was meeting the father that made me stop reading and begin making notes for a review. (Generally, if I’m enjoying a book, I definitely don’t want to stop and make notes, so that’s a bad sign.) After this point, various things started really bothering me. I’ll divide them up, and put “spoiler” around the whole thing, so I can freely address the issues that disturbed me.
But I’m still going to talk about the style, because that also had some aspects that bothered me – a recurring clumsiness in the language choices that seemed to reflect the awkwardness in the plot and characterization. Here and there, there are flat-out editing errors, like someone speaking with “censor in his tone,” instead of “censure,” or
At other times, the style is overly gushing, feeling false or stagy:
Or the register just rings false:
Anyway, I think I’ve droned on for long enough. I think the premise of the book was interesting, but that the choices the author made in taking the premise and playing it out to the resolution took that potential and ground it into stage dust.
The story started off very appealingly, with the heroine, a cheerful young lady of privilege, the daughter of a baron, meeting the famous muralist who has come to paint in her home, and his attractive but mute assistant. She discovers nearly immediately that it is this mute assistant who really does all the work these days, and reveals that she has some troubles of her own; her twin sister had died in her bed when they were ten or so, and ever since, the heroine has not been able to sleep in a bed. She and the mute assistant, Alexander, get to know each other as he works, and in a few days he starts speaking to her (while still having some social anxiety around others).
The problems for me really began about a fifth of the way in, with the father of the hero. Well, I had already observed by that point that the extreme naïveté and bubbliness of the heroine, Elsie, made her seem far younger than 22, but it was meeting the father that made me stop reading and begin making notes for a review. (Generally, if I’m enjoying a book, I definitely don’t want to stop and make notes, so that’s a bad sign.) After this point, various things started really bothering me. I’ll divide them up, and put “spoiler” around the whole thing, so I can freely address the issues that disturbed me.
But I’m still going to talk about the style, because that also had some aspects that bothered me – a recurring clumsiness in the language choices that seemed to reflect the awkwardness in the plot and characterization. Here and there, there are flat-out editing errors, like someone speaking with “censor in his tone,” instead of “censure,” or
It was then she realized the stifling affect His Grace had on his son.
At other times, the style is overly gushing, feeling false or stagy:
Though it was not a tragic story, at least not to his thinking, by the time he finished, Elsie had tears running down her face.
“Oh, Alexander,” she said, and threw herself into his arms, very nearly sobbing out a grief he didn’t understand.
Or the register just rings false:
“Must you be so beautiful?” he asked, sounding flabbergasted.Why would he be overcome with surprise or astonishment? It’s not like he hasn’t seen her before. It’s just the wrong word for this moment, and the insensitivity to language grates.
Anyway, I think I’ve droned on for long enough. I think the premise of the book was interesting, but that the choices the author made in taking the premise and playing it out to the resolution took that potential and ground it into stage dust.
February 16, 2012
-- A Romantic Book Affairs Review
How do you rate a book that made you smile, made you laugh, made you cry... And yet, for a too long period - made you bored.
I adored the impish Elsie and the stoic Alexander for the first third of the book. They had a cute and impossible romance brewing. And, while it is completely obvious exactly who and what Alexander is - I won't bother spoiling it. His crippling shyness was endearing, and Elsie's constant insomnia was intriguing. I enjoyed how they were each other's cure.
But I did not enjoy the few character POV changes. Particularly when they were pointless and unwarranted. The change to Aunt Diane's POV during a ball, her only POV in the whole book, seemed out of context with the rest of the book. It added nothing to this story. And if it was an attempt to set up a book featuring Aunt Diane, well, it was a lame attempt.
The middle third of the book was boring and slow. Alexander's fight to claim his birth rights dragged on for far too long... which gave a lot of page time to Elsie reflecting on her feelings for Alexander.
The last third of the book picked up again. I could understand Alexander's hurt over what he believed to be Elsie's choice, but his personality underwent a major change from the first. His recovery from his crippling, vomit-inducing shyness was a bit too perfect. Too complete. And too fast.
And there was some vagueness over the amount of time that passed after the wedding. It wasn't written terribly clear. It felt like a week had passed then, come to find out, not even 6 hours had gone by... Then two months passes. There were definitely pacing issues.
The writing was lovely, but it felt like an amateur job with editing. I am surprised this was not an independent publish. Whoever was in charge of editing this book at Zebra dropped the ball. They did not give the author great guidance.
How do you rate a book that made you smile, made you laugh, made you cry... And yet, for a too long period - made you bored.
I adored the impish Elsie and the stoic Alexander for the first third of the book. They had a cute and impossible romance brewing. And, while it is completely obvious exactly who and what Alexander is - I won't bother spoiling it. His crippling shyness was endearing, and Elsie's constant insomnia was intriguing. I enjoyed how they were each other's cure.
But I did not enjoy the few character POV changes. Particularly when they were pointless and unwarranted. The change to Aunt Diane's POV during a ball, her only POV in the whole book, seemed out of context with the rest of the book. It added nothing to this story. And if it was an attempt to set up a book featuring Aunt Diane, well, it was a lame attempt.
The middle third of the book was boring and slow. Alexander's fight to claim his birth rights dragged on for far too long... which gave a lot of page time to Elsie reflecting on her feelings for Alexander.
The last third of the book picked up again. I could understand Alexander's hurt over what he believed to be Elsie's choice, but his personality underwent a major change from the first. His recovery from his crippling, vomit-inducing shyness was a bit too perfect. Too complete. And too fast.
And there was some vagueness over the amount of time that passed after the wedding. It wasn't written terribly clear. It felt like a week had passed then, come to find out, not even 6 hours had gone by... Then two months passes. There were definitely pacing issues.
The writing was lovely, but it felt like an amateur job with editing. I am surprised this was not an independent publish. Whoever was in charge of editing this book at Zebra dropped the ball. They did not give the author great guidance.
September 16, 2025
This Victorian romance had potential: daughter
of a baron and heir to a duke. Gave it 3 stars.
Good aspects:
The heroine was mostly supportive.
Hero overcame some social anxiety AND
corrected an injustice.
Solicitors showed clever skills.
Readers learned about mural-making.
So-so aspects:
The love story developed too quickly.
Needed more romance.
IMO had some drab love scenes.
The evening goings on- not discovered.
The sires of MCs couldn't see the forest
through the trees.
of a baron and heir to a duke. Gave it 3 stars.
Good aspects:
The heroine was mostly supportive.
Hero overcame some social anxiety AND
corrected an injustice.
Solicitors showed clever skills.
Readers learned about mural-making.
So-so aspects:
The love story developed too quickly.
Needed more romance.
IMO had some drab love scenes.
The evening goings on- not discovered.
The sires of MCs couldn't see the forest
through the trees.
February 18, 2012
Proper Miss Elsie Stanhope falls in love with the assistant to a famous painter who has been commissioned to paint a mural in the Stanhope ballroom. She has been betrothed, however, from birth to marry the heir of the Duke of Kingston; if the marriage is called off her father will be financially ruined. What to do . . . ?
What I Liked
The first half of this book.
What I Didn't Like
The second half of this book.
Seriously. The first half or so was a lovely love story, but the second half was a mess.
What I Liked
The first half of this book.
What I Didn't Like
The second half of this book.
Seriously. The first half or so was a lovely love story, but the second half was a mess.
March 23, 2015
Props to this story for introducing botulism as a plot device.
This books was something. I realize he was probably a hunky dude, and you've lived a sheltered life, but girlfriend, come on! Do you think a guy who pretended to be unable to speak and turns into a raging jerk while contemplating suicide is the best bet?
This books was something. I realize he was probably a hunky dude, and you've lived a sheltered life, but girlfriend, come on! Do you think a guy who pretended to be unable to speak and turns into a raging jerk while contemplating suicide is the best bet?
March 28, 2016
2.5 stars. I loved the first half of this book. What an original plot. Elsie is a bit too perfect but Alexander is hunkalicious! But then the second half happens and the story just got messy, boring and confusing. I was really disappointed by the ending.
January 28, 2012
Do you ever read a synopsis and just something you can’t really put your finger on precisely calls to you and you just want to read this book?
That’s what happened to me with this one and I’m glad I listened to ‘the call’. I really enjoyed When a Duke Says I Do. In these times of fewer historical reads, this book helped to remind me why I used to enjoy them so much.
Elsie is a naturally happy young woman. Betrothed since she was very young, she doesn’t really want to get married and move away from all that she knows and loves including her very young sister. But she is ready to do it since she is if nothing else, an obedient daughter to her widowed father.
But her plans are thrown into disarray when she finds herself very attracted to the mute young assistant to the mural artist her father has hired. Elsie has troubles sleeping and late at night when everyone else is abed, she slips down to where Andre or Alexander is working late into the night.
It turns out he’s hiding a few secrets. First off, he is the real artist, not his boss. His boss has been unable to paint for a while and Alexander is covering for him. In addition, Alexander is not really mute; he just has very real and strong issues, dating back to a horrid childhood in speaking in public. Indeed,not even his artist boss knows he can really speak.
Alexander and Elsie develop a strong bond built in friendship and it leads to much deeper feelings on both their parts. But both realize that their blossoming love is impossible. She is engaged to someone else and he is nothing more than an artist’s assistant. But is he really only that?
This is a romance novel so of course he’s actually more. But in order to have any chance to claim the young woman he has come to love more than life itself, he’s going to have to rise above his very real issues.
This book reminds me a little of another book I loved to pieces and pieces, Broken Wing in that the hero is severely damaged and needs the
heroine to help heal him. While I didn’t have quite the same reaction to When A Duke Says I Do, I still thought it a very fine way to spend hours reading.
Alexander was deliciously wounded and I do so love a wounded hero. He suffered from a very abusive childhood which together with his speech issues, made things very bad for him. But he felt comfortable enough with Elsie to be free and speak to her. Because of the healing effect she had on him, he was ‘gone’ for her, another characteristic I love about a heroine; when he is totally smitten with the heroine. I also quite enjoyed the character of Elsie too. She was alternately pragmatic, naïve, optimistic, accepting, compassionate and understanding. When she discovers Alexander’s secrets, she is willing to wait until he is ready to tell her the stories behind them.
Although very curious, she doesn’t pressure him. Towards the end of the story, she made one decision I wish she hadn’t, but considering the pressure she was under, I could see why she capitulated.
The villain of the story was a bit over the top and it wasn’t really explained to my complete satisfaction why he did the things he did and there was no real closure for the hero. But those were small issues when measured against how much I enjoyed this book.
That’s what happened to me with this one and I’m glad I listened to ‘the call’. I really enjoyed When a Duke Says I Do. In these times of fewer historical reads, this book helped to remind me why I used to enjoy them so much.
Elsie is a naturally happy young woman. Betrothed since she was very young, she doesn’t really want to get married and move away from all that she knows and loves including her very young sister. But she is ready to do it since she is if nothing else, an obedient daughter to her widowed father.
But her plans are thrown into disarray when she finds herself very attracted to the mute young assistant to the mural artist her father has hired. Elsie has troubles sleeping and late at night when everyone else is abed, she slips down to where Andre or Alexander is working late into the night.
It turns out he’s hiding a few secrets. First off, he is the real artist, not his boss. His boss has been unable to paint for a while and Alexander is covering for him. In addition, Alexander is not really mute; he just has very real and strong issues, dating back to a horrid childhood in speaking in public. Indeed,not even his artist boss knows he can really speak.
Alexander and Elsie develop a strong bond built in friendship and it leads to much deeper feelings on both their parts. But both realize that their blossoming love is impossible. She is engaged to someone else and he is nothing more than an artist’s assistant. But is he really only that?
This is a romance novel so of course he’s actually more. But in order to have any chance to claim the young woman he has come to love more than life itself, he’s going to have to rise above his very real issues.
This book reminds me a little of another book I loved to pieces and pieces, Broken Wing in that the hero is severely damaged and needs the
heroine to help heal him. While I didn’t have quite the same reaction to When A Duke Says I Do, I still thought it a very fine way to spend hours reading.
Alexander was deliciously wounded and I do so love a wounded hero. He suffered from a very abusive childhood which together with his speech issues, made things very bad for him. But he felt comfortable enough with Elsie to be free and speak to her. Because of the healing effect she had on him, he was ‘gone’ for her, another characteristic I love about a heroine; when he is totally smitten with the heroine. I also quite enjoyed the character of Elsie too. She was alternately pragmatic, naïve, optimistic, accepting, compassionate and understanding. When she discovers Alexander’s secrets, she is willing to wait until he is ready to tell her the stories behind them.
Although very curious, she doesn’t pressure him. Towards the end of the story, she made one decision I wish she hadn’t, but considering the pressure she was under, I could see why she capitulated.
The villain of the story was a bit over the top and it wasn’t really explained to my complete satisfaction why he did the things he did and there was no real closure for the hero. But those were small issues when measured against how much I enjoyed this book.
March 8, 2018
I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At heart website:http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsa...
RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
You know what attracted me to this book? It was the title. If I had read the above blurb first, I would have taken a pass, and that would have been a shame.
Miss Elsie Stanhope is a beautiful, young woman living with her father and their servants in the country estate of Nottinghamshire. In the anticipation of her Birthday Ball, her father hires a very famous mural painter to paint one in their ballroom per Elsie’s specific request.
Elsie is very excited about the prospect of having Monsieur Desmarais, the muralist, come over and paint it for her, but she didn’t expect him to bring Alexander, his young, mute, and equally talented assistant.
What no one but the residents of their home knows, is that Elsie suffers from insomnia, and every night she roams the rooms and hallways of the estate until, exhausted, she tends to fall asleep anywhere but her own bed.
Alexander had not spoken in two decades, not because he can’t, but because he likes his solitude and silence. At the tender age of ten, he was abandoned and forgotten at an asylum. If not for an intuitive doctor and Monsieur Desmarais, he might have died or still been there, rotting behind the walls. For the past twenty years, he was lucky and content to travel with the Master and ply his talent with the brush. He never thought that a young woman such as Elsie would see through him and touch his very soul. To feel such a belonging was to endanger everything he tried so hard to hide from everyone, even from the man he now thinks of as a father.
This story develops at a moderate pace, and it was just perfect as the reader warms up to the characters, secondary included. They are all important to the back-story of both hero and heroine, and appropriately, the author made sure we, the readers, were well informed and able to follow complex relationships developing in front of us.
I am a sucker for a damaged hero, and it was such a pleasure to watch Alexander blossom right in front of me! The author didn’t shy away from taking a damaged character and turning him into an awe-inspiring hero.
Ms. Goodger created some memorable secondary characters that brought a smile to my face, like Miss Diane Stanhope, Elsie’s aunt, and the Earl of Braddock, who gets taken by a spinster aunt; and Oscar, Lord Hathwaite, Elsie’s betrothed and the future Duke of Kingston. The author made sure all were three-dimensional as well, and weren’t there for background noise, to be forgotten as soon as we’re done with the story. I enjoyed them immensely and hope they all get their own story very soon.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted read, WHEN A DUKE SAYS I DO will not be for you, despite some lighthearted moments. For a romance that will melt your heart and make you shed a tear or two, then by all means, pick this one up.
Melanie
RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:
You know what attracted me to this book? It was the title. If I had read the above blurb first, I would have taken a pass, and that would have been a shame.
Miss Elsie Stanhope is a beautiful, young woman living with her father and their servants in the country estate of Nottinghamshire. In the anticipation of her Birthday Ball, her father hires a very famous mural painter to paint one in their ballroom per Elsie’s specific request.
Elsie is very excited about the prospect of having Monsieur Desmarais, the muralist, come over and paint it for her, but she didn’t expect him to bring Alexander, his young, mute, and equally talented assistant.
What no one but the residents of their home knows, is that Elsie suffers from insomnia, and every night she roams the rooms and hallways of the estate until, exhausted, she tends to fall asleep anywhere but her own bed.
Alexander had not spoken in two decades, not because he can’t, but because he likes his solitude and silence. At the tender age of ten, he was abandoned and forgotten at an asylum. If not for an intuitive doctor and Monsieur Desmarais, he might have died or still been there, rotting behind the walls. For the past twenty years, he was lucky and content to travel with the Master and ply his talent with the brush. He never thought that a young woman such as Elsie would see through him and touch his very soul. To feel such a belonging was to endanger everything he tried so hard to hide from everyone, even from the man he now thinks of as a father.
This story develops at a moderate pace, and it was just perfect as the reader warms up to the characters, secondary included. They are all important to the back-story of both hero and heroine, and appropriately, the author made sure we, the readers, were well informed and able to follow complex relationships developing in front of us.
I am a sucker for a damaged hero, and it was such a pleasure to watch Alexander blossom right in front of me! The author didn’t shy away from taking a damaged character and turning him into an awe-inspiring hero.
Ms. Goodger created some memorable secondary characters that brought a smile to my face, like Miss Diane Stanhope, Elsie’s aunt, and the Earl of Braddock, who gets taken by a spinster aunt; and Oscar, Lord Hathwaite, Elsie’s betrothed and the future Duke of Kingston. The author made sure all were three-dimensional as well, and weren’t there for background noise, to be forgotten as soon as we’re done with the story. I enjoyed them immensely and hope they all get their own story very soon.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted read, WHEN A DUKE SAYS I DO will not be for you, despite some lighthearted moments. For a romance that will melt your heart and make you shed a tear or two, then by all means, pick this one up.
Melanie
November 21, 2011
I love historical romance books, and I love the Victorian England setting because the characters have a set of rules and expectations that intrigues me. The characters have to work around those rules and expectations to discover themselves and to achieve happiness in their lives. When A Duke Says I Do is one of these books where the characters have to navigate the rules of society and challenge long-standing expectations.
The heroine of When A Duke Says I Do is Elsie Stanhope and she is a lonely character with a cheerful, hopeful disposition. She has had heartbreak in her life, but at the same time, she has also been very sheltered. Elsie has been engaged since her infancy to the heir of a Dukedom, but neither Elsie or the future Duke much appreciate having their lives mapped out for them. When Alexander, a shy painter’s assistant, meets and befriends Elsie, their attraction makes Elsie long for a different path in life. Their relationship also makes Alexander want to be more than he is, he longs to be the person he was born to be. When Alexander reveals his true identity, the truth will shake up the lives of two families in completely unexpected ways.
I really enjoyed this story. I felt for Alexander, he has a cruel life and he is a character without a lot of hope. Elsie’s nature is hopeful, and she breaths new life and determination into Alexander. Their relationship slowly develops, they do not have that instant-love attraction, which makes their relationship believable. Both Elsie and Alexander are lonely people, and they understand each other in ways no on else has. Elsie and Alexander are an excellent match, and as their friendship and relationship grew, the more engrossed I became in their story. Because of Alexander’s true identity, the relationship between Alexander and Elsie and the consequences cause quite the scandal and the outcome was very uncertain.
The pacing in When A Duke Says I Do is excellent. I was never bored or confused, and the plot was well developed and well rounded as well. There are multiple points of view, from Alexander’s to Elsie’s, even a few side characters have their own point of view at times.
When A Duke Says I Do is a well-written and charming historical romance read with endearing characters and a heartwarming story.
Historical Romance readers, I recommend When A Duke Says I Do. I very much liked this book, and I am looking forward to reading more from Jane Goodger in the future.
*I received an ARC copy of this book for review*
The heroine of When A Duke Says I Do is Elsie Stanhope and she is a lonely character with a cheerful, hopeful disposition. She has had heartbreak in her life, but at the same time, she has also been very sheltered. Elsie has been engaged since her infancy to the heir of a Dukedom, but neither Elsie or the future Duke much appreciate having their lives mapped out for them. When Alexander, a shy painter’s assistant, meets and befriends Elsie, their attraction makes Elsie long for a different path in life. Their relationship also makes Alexander want to be more than he is, he longs to be the person he was born to be. When Alexander reveals his true identity, the truth will shake up the lives of two families in completely unexpected ways.
I really enjoyed this story. I felt for Alexander, he has a cruel life and he is a character without a lot of hope. Elsie’s nature is hopeful, and she breaths new life and determination into Alexander. Their relationship slowly develops, they do not have that instant-love attraction, which makes their relationship believable. Both Elsie and Alexander are lonely people, and they understand each other in ways no on else has. Elsie and Alexander are an excellent match, and as their friendship and relationship grew, the more engrossed I became in their story. Because of Alexander’s true identity, the relationship between Alexander and Elsie and the consequences cause quite the scandal and the outcome was very uncertain.
The pacing in When A Duke Says I Do is excellent. I was never bored or confused, and the plot was well developed and well rounded as well. There are multiple points of view, from Alexander’s to Elsie’s, even a few side characters have their own point of view at times.
When A Duke Says I Do is a well-written and charming historical romance read with endearing characters and a heartwarming story.
Historical Romance readers, I recommend When A Duke Says I Do. I very much liked this book, and I am looking forward to reading more from Jane Goodger in the future.
*I received an ARC copy of this book for review*
March 4, 2015
SURPRISINGLY GOOD!!!
I really enjoyed reading "When A Duke Says I Do". This story had a different storyline then most Historical Romances. Yes there were some flaws in editing but it didn't bother me, becasue the storyline was very interesting. Lots of twist and turns.
Alexander the rightful heir to the Duke of Kingston was placed in a asylum for idiot's at age 10. Alexander was so traumatized by the death of his eldest brother Henry and the abuse of his father he just couldn't speak. His father the Duke was a cruel heartless abusive man toward Alexander. He hated his 2nd son.
Miss Elsie Laurent was betroth to the Duke of Kingstons heir, the Marquess of Hathwaite Oscar and 3rd youngest son of the Duke. Elsie has commissioned a mural to be painted in there ballroom by the famous muralist Monsieur Desmaraes. Desmaraes brings his asst. Andre/Alexander to help with the mural. Alexander is now 32yrs old an appears to be a mute and extremely shy. Elsie has insomnia and walks around Mansfield Hall all night. One night she comes upon Andre/Alexander in the ballroom. She is startled at what she sees.
Alexander eventually intrust Elsie with the truth about who he is and they fall in love. Elsie also intrust her past about her family and deceased sister Christine. The author Jane Goodger does a great job in building Alexander and Elsie relationship from friends to sensual lovers. But Elsie is betroth to the Dukes supposedly heir Oscar Alexander eventually with the help of Elsie begins to come out of his shyness and wants to marry Elsie. He sets on a path to prove who he really is. The romance between Elsie and Alexander is mildly sensual and well written.
The problems I had with the story was the sub plot between the Duke of Kingston and Elsie's father Baron Huntington. It didn't really make a lot of sense and it just didn't work for me. Dukes might have paid a lowly Baron for exchange of a vote in Parliament but he would not have wanted his heir to marry so low beneath him. It just didn't seem feasible. Over all I really enjoyed the story.
I really enjoyed reading "When A Duke Says I Do". This story had a different storyline then most Historical Romances. Yes there were some flaws in editing but it didn't bother me, becasue the storyline was very interesting. Lots of twist and turns.
Alexander the rightful heir to the Duke of Kingston was placed in a asylum for idiot's at age 10. Alexander was so traumatized by the death of his eldest brother Henry and the abuse of his father he just couldn't speak. His father the Duke was a cruel heartless abusive man toward Alexander. He hated his 2nd son.
Miss Elsie Laurent was betroth to the Duke of Kingstons heir, the Marquess of Hathwaite Oscar and 3rd youngest son of the Duke. Elsie has commissioned a mural to be painted in there ballroom by the famous muralist Monsieur Desmaraes. Desmaraes brings his asst. Andre/Alexander to help with the mural. Alexander is now 32yrs old an appears to be a mute and extremely shy. Elsie has insomnia and walks around Mansfield Hall all night. One night she comes upon Andre/Alexander in the ballroom. She is startled at what she sees.
Alexander eventually intrust Elsie with the truth about who he is and they fall in love. Elsie also intrust her past about her family and deceased sister Christine. The author Jane Goodger does a great job in building Alexander and Elsie relationship from friends to sensual lovers. But Elsie is betroth to the Dukes supposedly heir Oscar Alexander eventually with the help of Elsie begins to come out of his shyness and wants to marry Elsie. He sets on a path to prove who he really is. The romance between Elsie and Alexander is mildly sensual and well written.
The problems I had with the story was the sub plot between the Duke of Kingston and Elsie's father Baron Huntington. It didn't really make a lot of sense and it just didn't work for me. Dukes might have paid a lowly Baron for exchange of a vote in Parliament but he would not have wanted his heir to marry so low beneath him. It just didn't seem feasible. Over all I really enjoyed the story.
July 31, 2012
This one has started out so good that I can't stop reading it! At 17% and loving it!
Alexander is the son of a Duke. A Duke that is so demanding and hateful his children are terrified of him. Alexander is so shy he actually throws up when he has to be around or talk to anyone. After his older brother drowns, his father has Alexander taken to an Asylum and left there. When the Dr realizes that there is really nothing wrong with Alexander he slips him out to live with a famous mural painter. He lives as a mute. Since his mentor is no longer able to paint Alexander has been painting for him. He paints in the ballroom late at night. Since Elsie is unable to sleep at night they meet and she starts talking to Andrew. After a few days, he responds with a single word. Elsie has been betrothed to his brother since she was a child. Alexander is really the heir to the Duke. The only way to be able to keep Elsie is to prove he is really the heir. This would be his word against a powerful Duke that hates him. Alexander and Elsie become friends. He actually enjoys listening to her chatter, and she doesn't mind that he doesn't talk.
This is a new author for me and I really enjoyed her book.
Alexander is the son of a Duke. A Duke that is so demanding and hateful his children are terrified of him. Alexander is so shy he actually throws up when he has to be around or talk to anyone. After his older brother drowns, his father has Alexander taken to an Asylum and left there. When the Dr realizes that there is really nothing wrong with Alexander he slips him out to live with a famous mural painter. He lives as a mute. Since his mentor is no longer able to paint Alexander has been painting for him. He paints in the ballroom late at night. Since Elsie is unable to sleep at night they meet and she starts talking to Andrew. After a few days, he responds with a single word. Elsie has been betrothed to his brother since she was a child. Alexander is really the heir to the Duke. The only way to be able to keep Elsie is to prove he is really the heir. This would be his word against a powerful Duke that hates him. Alexander and Elsie become friends. He actually enjoys listening to her chatter, and she doesn't mind that he doesn't talk.
This is a new author for me and I really enjoyed her book.
December 5, 2019
2.5 stars
I actually liked this book but found some things to be problematic, the first thing being that as soon as Elsie and Alexander got down to the nut-cuttin' before the halfway point, I got bored. I was enjoying the sexual tension, the relationship-building, but then this somewhat sexually naive girl pops up with, "Make love to me." Um, well. That was out of the blue for several reasons. Bye bye interesting parts and hello inconsistent characterization.
Then after skimming the sex (which took a few days because I forgot about it), we get to some seriously interesting machinations and politics. The logic was good and there were no TSTL-isms.
BUT THEN! The hero has what an acquaintance of mine calls a personality transplant. I still don't understand the rationale for his sudden attitude toward the heroine, which resolution was downright anemic for all the manufactured angst of the situation.
And yet, I liked the story, liked the characters. So, you know, there you go.
I actually liked this book but found some things to be problematic, the first thing being that as soon as Elsie and Alexander got down to the nut-cuttin' before the halfway point, I got bored. I was enjoying the sexual tension, the relationship-building, but then this somewhat sexually naive girl pops up with, "Make love to me." Um, well. That was out of the blue for several reasons. Bye bye interesting parts and hello inconsistent characterization.
Then after skimming the sex (which took a few days because I forgot about it), we get to some seriously interesting machinations and politics. The logic was good and there were no TSTL-isms.
BUT THEN! The hero has what an acquaintance of mine calls a personality transplant. I still don't understand the rationale for his sudden attitude toward the heroine, which resolution was downright anemic for all the manufactured angst of the situation.
And yet, I liked the story, liked the characters. So, you know, there you go.
April 14, 2012
It was a good book, I enjoyed reading it but it had some big problems. Up to 40% , it was perfect but then...
It needed editing, there were some inconsistensies. At some places it seems big chunks of the story were cut out. And then there some parts that had nothing to do with anything.
The heroine had a big problem for years, her problem which was a big part of the story, just got solved by itself half through the book and there wasn't a mention of it for the rest of the book. the heroine's father seemed to be 3 different people!
I really wanted to give it 4 stars. But with all these stuff it's more like 3
It needed editing, there were some inconsistensies. At some places it seems big chunks of the story were cut out. And then there some parts that had nothing to do with anything.
The heroine had a big problem for years, her problem which was a big part of the story, just got solved by itself half through the book and there wasn't a mention of it for the rest of the book. the heroine's father seemed to be 3 different people!
I really wanted to give it 4 stars. But with all these stuff it's more like 3
July 17, 2013
Horrible. A great beginning that turned into such a horrible, forced ending. It was like eating cereal. The first few bites are crunchy and tasty, then the longer you keep at it, the soggier it gets. Until it's a mess that you can't stand to look at.
February 16, 2015
If you like your historical romance to have atypical characters, then you might just enjoy this one. Elsie is a young woman who is too afraid to fall asleep in her own bed for fear she won’t wake up just as her twin sister did when she was ten years old, while Alexander is a man so crippled by shyness that he’s spent more than twenty years pretending to be mute. On the surface there’s nothing to connect the two of them – she’s a rich gentleman’s daughter and betrothed to the heir of a duke, while he’s the assistant to the muralist painting one wall of her ballroom. And yet when Elsie’s restless night walks lead her to discover Alexander hard at work a friendship, a romance and a bond is formed.
The historical romance genre is packed to the rafters with dukes. They’re everywhere. Yet this is a far from typical marry-the-duke tale. Not least because the man Elise falls in love with doesn’t even have a title – well, not when she falls for him anyway. I loved the lack of snobbery or judgment in Elsie and Alexander’s relationship from the start. She wants someone to talk to, he’s hardly about to interrupt, yet there’s more than silence and chatter. They both have their problems and an understanding of the losses they’ve both suffered, not to mention a shared love of music.
They have their differences too, but they’re the type that compliment, making them a good match – if only Alexander wasn’t hiding from his past. Until he finds out about Elsie’s betrothal and everything takes a sudden change of direction. I have to admit I wasn’t sure just how Alexander would overcome his debilitating shyness to reclaim his birthright, but a few unexpected twists of the plot soon sorted that out. If you start reading this expecting a straight forward romance between a young woman and an unsuitable man, you’ll be in for quite a surprise.
It’s not perfect – Elsie takes their relationship rather unexpectedly to the next level without much warning, Alexander seems to cope rather well with his shyness at all the convenient moments, the resolution of the main plot is a bit of an anticlimax and Alexander’s dark brooding takes on a whole other significance right at the end – but mostly I enjoyed this story, it’s sweet and charming and emotional. Perhaps it is a bit too far-fetched in places, and I wish we’d seen more of what happened to Alexander’s younger brother, but on the whole I liked it.
The historical romance genre is packed to the rafters with dukes. They’re everywhere. Yet this is a far from typical marry-the-duke tale. Not least because the man Elise falls in love with doesn’t even have a title – well, not when she falls for him anyway. I loved the lack of snobbery or judgment in Elsie and Alexander’s relationship from the start. She wants someone to talk to, he’s hardly about to interrupt, yet there’s more than silence and chatter. They both have their problems and an understanding of the losses they’ve both suffered, not to mention a shared love of music.
They have their differences too, but they’re the type that compliment, making them a good match – if only Alexander wasn’t hiding from his past. Until he finds out about Elsie’s betrothal and everything takes a sudden change of direction. I have to admit I wasn’t sure just how Alexander would overcome his debilitating shyness to reclaim his birthright, but a few unexpected twists of the plot soon sorted that out. If you start reading this expecting a straight forward romance between a young woman and an unsuitable man, you’ll be in for quite a surprise.
It’s not perfect – Elsie takes their relationship rather unexpectedly to the next level without much warning, Alexander seems to cope rather well with his shyness at all the convenient moments, the resolution of the main plot is a bit of an anticlimax and Alexander’s dark brooding takes on a whole other significance right at the end – but mostly I enjoyed this story, it’s sweet and charming and emotional. Perhaps it is a bit too far-fetched in places, and I wish we’d seen more of what happened to Alexander’s younger brother, but on the whole I liked it.
November 20, 2011
Miss Elsie Stanhope has an unusual habit..she falls asleep most anywhere. There is a reason for it. She's a pleasant young woman who has lost her mother and her twin sister. She and her father are all that's left. Miss Stanhope has been betrothed since birth and she is on pins and needles waiting to hear when her groom will claim her in matrimony. Alexander then happens into her life. He's a mute but very strong and handsome. Miss Stanhope feels there is something he's hiding and she's determined to find out what it is. If he's hiding a secret, it can change both of their lives forever. Together they begin to unwind a lifetime of pain each has endured. Love truly can't be arranged, bought or given up easily. The path they take bonds them in a way neither expected.
This book is one I highly recommend to historical fans, but also to those looking for a new book. The story is amazingly sad and lovely at the same time. After you read it, 'When a Duke Says I Do' will be on your bookshelf for years to come. You will want to read it over and over. It shows love, pain and happiness can coexist in a relationship and help both parties to grow and learn. I loved the idea of a fairy tale coming true for a man this time. One you'll smile about and enjoy sharing with your friends!
This book is one I highly recommend to historical fans, but also to those looking for a new book. The story is amazingly sad and lovely at the same time. After you read it, 'When a Duke Says I Do' will be on your bookshelf for years to come. You will want to read it over and over. It shows love, pain and happiness can coexist in a relationship and help both parties to grow and learn. I loved the idea of a fairy tale coming true for a man this time. One you'll smile about and enjoy sharing with your friends!
May 13, 2022
I read book 1 and 4 in this series and both have characters with disabilities. Engaged since birth, Elsie isn't that excited to marry. She loves her home and taking care of baby sister Mary. Unable to sleep in her bed, Elsie sleeps everywhere around the house- and has since her twin died. She hires a painter to create a mural, and discovers his silent assistant working at night. Elsie chats the night away with Alexander who everyone thinks is mute. He suffers panic attacks and anxiety so severely he doesn't speak. Over weeks of conversation- one sided mostly he comes comfortable with Elsie and tells her his story. He was put into an asylum in his youth and abandoned by his father an S.O.B. who has petrified his sons and wife all his life.
Elsie and Alexander become friends but her naivete frustrates Alexander. Once they kiss they cannot go back to just being friends.
Their romance is stymied by his ability and inability to fight for his birthright and Elsie's marriage contract to his brother.
They are star crossed lovers who suffer. Elsie remains a happy person even though she has had her share of darkness in her young life . But will her light shine bright enough to help Alexander and his shadows?
Elsie and Alexander become friends but her naivete frustrates Alexander. Once they kiss they cannot go back to just being friends.
Their romance is stymied by his ability and inability to fight for his birthright and Elsie's marriage contract to his brother.
They are star crossed lovers who suffer. Elsie remains a happy person even though she has had her share of darkness in her young life . But will her light shine bright enough to help Alexander and his shadows?
February 6, 2012
This book has a lot to recommend it. The plot and the characters are a little different from your usual historical romance. The first half is about the hero and heroine and how they meet and fall in love. The rest of the book, which I enjoyed more, was about how the hero returns to his previous life. The author really shines in the last part of the book with vivid writing and a few tear-jerker scenes.
Why the three stars, really 3.8 stars? Something in the writing style was missing. I felt at a distance to the character's relationship. I liked them each individually but when together.. eh. I found myself skimming a few scenes. Still I would recommended it based on its uniqueness and its powerful story.
Why the three stars, really 3.8 stars? Something in the writing style was missing. I felt at a distance to the character's relationship. I liked them each individually but when together.. eh. I found myself skimming a few scenes. Still I would recommended it based on its uniqueness and its powerful story.
May 11, 2012
The story reminds me of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie which I loved. A son is put away in an asylum by his father because of a deficient (in this case, a social anxiety that renders him mute) yet he escapes and finds love. While Jennifer Ashley's tale was beautiful and felt organic, this tale was forced and felt way longer than necessary given the lack of anything actually happening. My recommendation is read Jennifer Ashley's tale instead, it's a far more enjoyable read.
February 14, 2012
There wasn't much I liked about this book. Despite having a promising premise, everything about it was flat. I never felt like I was in either the hero or heroine's head. Rather, it was like they were narrating their life in very broad strokes without much introspection or depth of emotion.
The plot felt disjointed and side characters would suddenly pop up for no discernable reason. At about the 50% mark, there was a POV from a character who I didn't remember. I had to skim backwards to figure out who she was and why I should care about her thoughts.
I forced myself to finish (hoping it would get better) but in hindsight, I should have stopped reading much earlier.
The plot felt disjointed and side characters would suddenly pop up for no discernable reason. At about the 50% mark, there was a POV from a character who I didn't remember. I had to skim backwards to figure out who she was and why I should care about her thoughts.
I forced myself to finish (hoping it would get better) but in hindsight, I should have stopped reading much earlier.
June 16, 2015
Ohgawd. Elsie does rather grate on you - too sweet, too trusting, too trysting where she shouldn't and bright and sunny about it (despite, you know, the tragedy of her sister) that means that Elsie has to sleep in random places. The rest is just too daft for words. Ghastly fathers that put their sons in asylums and the horrors that follow have been done better by other authors. As has the 'heir comes back to claim the title' stories. Just a bit meh.
April 11, 2012
More holes in the plot than Swiss cheese. Unlovable childish heroine made unbelievable decisions. The author couldn't guide her on a steady course and seemed to arbitrarily create twists that had me wanting to hurl this bad book at the wall. But with ebooks, ah well, this review will have to do. Didn't finish, don't recommend.
October 29, 2020
The H has limiting affliction and his father sent him away, pretends his son died. The h has grown up knowing she is to marry a duke's son. She's a sweet person, naïve and accepts what happens to her. The H starts as a grump, lightens up when he falls in love with the h. He regains his place in society, but due to his terrible anger, he loses her love. I liked it .
September 19, 2023
First half of the book was excellent, shaping up to be a four star read. Second half not so much. The hero practically morphed into a different person and spent far too long acting like an asshat imo. I skimmed a lot of the last 25% or so just to have it over with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2015
It was cute. I enjoy the innocence of the beginning. I wish it'd followed through until the end.
Read
March 28, 2025As so many others have said, this book started off great- interesting premise, but about 1/3-1/2 way through, it started developing plot and character and pacing issues. Each one that showed up, I would think, well, I don't like this, but otherwise it's pretty good, until there were so many issues. And then, the last 1/3-1/2 of the book was different from the first, personality transplants occurred, magical healing happened for the MMC from his affliction, then he turned into an unforgiving, emotionless asshole.
Granted, his provocation was there. The FMC did him wrong, and didn't believe in him, and whatnot. But still he turned into an entirely different person from the MMC at the beginning. That dude would never.
Anyway, random spoilerey rantings of the issues I found to follow:
Just, in general, it started out great, but got confusing near the end, and was longer than necessary. Glad they got their HEA, but I feel like Alexander deserved way better than Elsa. I mean, Elsie. lol.
February 14, 2019
(sigh) A story of pain, sorrow, tragedy, perseverance, accomplishment, romance and love. I adored the characters Elizabeth (Elsie) and Alexander (Andre). They are passionate, lively, realistic and emotional. The storyline is heart-wrenching. When Elsie was very young her twin dies in her sleep unexpectedly. She is deeply affected to the point that she has trouble sleeping in a bed afraid the same thing will happen to her. Other than her fear of sleeping in a bed, she is normally an extremely happy person and has a positive outlook of life. She has been betrothed since she was a baby. But she does not love him. Alexander, on the other hand, freezes before strangers, intense situations and gatherings. After a tragedy, Alexander who is ten years old, is tossed away by his father and declared dead. He is saved by Dr. Stelton and given a second chance at life unbeknownst to his father. Twenty years later, he is an apprentice to a master painter. Alexander is encouraged by Monsieur Desmarais to paint. He finds he is extremely gifted in the art. Elise is the daughter of Baron Huntington. In celebration of her twenty-second birthday she has commissioned a mural on the wall of the ballroom. Monsieur Desmarais and Alexander are retained. While work on the project has commenced, Elsie becomes privy to some of Alexander's secrets and promises never to divulge. Their friendship blossoms into love and this is the beginning of a tumultuous time for them both. Alexander reveals darker and life altering secrets to Elsie. Both think it is hopeless that something could come of their love. Despair consumes them. The feelings of the characters fluctuation like a rollercoaster. The highs are very high and the lows are very low. There are twists and turns that throw their lives upside down. An excellent read that I highly recommend.
February 24, 2019
OMGGG
When I began this book, I got this feeling that I had already read the book. I remembered a story with a mute assistant painter not being so mute after all, the mural he painted with the boys. Pretty sure I didn't read the whole thing, just the sample. Oh, I remember, I probably read it on my phone, Google book samples.
This book made me want to cry (I didn't but I wanted to). I thought it was so horrible how Elsie began to doubt Alexander's real identity, I was like noooo girl, how could you? I was really surprised she would so easily lose faith in him. And then it was crazy how they had been so in love, but didn't rush to each other when they reunited. And then the angst with Alexander treating her like he didn't even love her and not being able to forgive her.
The part where Elsie got really sick, for a sec, I thought she was nauseous because she got pregnant.
The book was really interesting, obviously plot wise. But also Alexander. How he pretended to be mute for so many years. He spent 20 years with that artist and the guy had never heard him talk. The times I've lost my voice and not been able to talk were like torture; I don't know how Alexander managed and was satisfied with being mute. It seemed like he had severe social anxiety, maybe some anxiety disorder. I'm still wondering about that but it was definitely intriguing (interesting).
Oh, I also predicted before it was revealed that Alexander was the duke's son. When he revealed his delicious secret, it was so good that I reread it.
Also I wonder why the Duke was such a horrible person and seemed to just hate people and life in general. He never seemed to be in a good mood.
I read some of the other reviews and I do agree with them in that the first half of the book was much better than the second half.
When I began this book, I got this feeling that I had already read the book. I remembered a story with a mute assistant painter not being so mute after all, the mural he painted with the boys. Pretty sure I didn't read the whole thing, just the sample. Oh, I remember, I probably read it on my phone, Google book samples.
This book made me want to cry (I didn't but I wanted to). I thought it was so horrible how Elsie began to doubt Alexander's real identity, I was like noooo girl, how could you? I was really surprised she would so easily lose faith in him. And then it was crazy how they had been so in love, but didn't rush to each other when they reunited. And then the angst with Alexander treating her like he didn't even love her and not being able to forgive her.
The part where Elsie got really sick, for a sec, I thought she was nauseous because she got pregnant.
The book was really interesting, obviously plot wise. But also Alexander. How he pretended to be mute for so many years. He spent 20 years with that artist and the guy had never heard him talk. The times I've lost my voice and not been able to talk were like torture; I don't know how Alexander managed and was satisfied with being mute. It seemed like he had severe social anxiety, maybe some anxiety disorder. I'm still wondering about that but it was definitely intriguing (interesting).
Oh, I also predicted before it was revealed that Alexander was the duke's son. When he revealed his delicious secret, it was so good that I reread it.
Also I wonder why the Duke was such a horrible person and seemed to just hate people and life in general. He never seemed to be in a good mood.
I read some of the other reviews and I do agree with them in that the first half of the book was much better than the second half.
September 10, 2020
Elsie & Alexander's love affair is a typic forbidden love for the 19 century. Daughter has to marry a Duke to safe her family legacy per an agreement made by the parents of the betroth. Prior to the ball to announce the engagement, Elsie hires a well known artist to create a mural in the ball room to be unveiled at the night of the ball.
Elsie happens to wonder in on one of her sleepless nights into the ballroom to discover the true painter of the mural she has accrued. The great painter's mute assistant who has been with him since he was a little boy. He has been training and working for the painter due to joint illness took over his ability to paint. Elise builds a bond with the Andre. Tells her darkest thoughts, & why she refuses to sleep in her own room since the death of her twin sister. She starts to fall for him & he admits he can speak. Andre tells her his fears of people, speaking in public & how he became an orphan. Their forbidden love grows into an intimate relationship. Secret meetings, a masquerade ball. Then Andre finds out who Elsie is betroth too. His brother!
That is when the twists & turns begin to develop from Alexander's past. What is Alexander's true title & how does this affect Elsie & her promise to her father & saving her family. I love these romantic entanglements. A bit long & tragic during the ending before the happily ever after. I still enjoyed the book
Elsie happens to wonder in on one of her sleepless nights into the ballroom to discover the true painter of the mural she has accrued. The great painter's mute assistant who has been with him since he was a little boy. He has been training and working for the painter due to joint illness took over his ability to paint. Elise builds a bond with the Andre. Tells her darkest thoughts, & why she refuses to sleep in her own room since the death of her twin sister. She starts to fall for him & he admits he can speak. Andre tells her his fears of people, speaking in public & how he became an orphan. Their forbidden love grows into an intimate relationship. Secret meetings, a masquerade ball. Then Andre finds out who Elsie is betroth too. His brother!
That is when the twists & turns begin to develop from Alexander's past. What is Alexander's true title & how does this affect Elsie & her promise to her father & saving her family. I love these romantic entanglements. A bit long & tragic during the ending before the happily ever after. I still enjoyed the book
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