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Seaborne Trilogy #1
The Duchess Hunt
Jack Seaborne, Duke of Dettingham, needs a duchess, but falling in love is definitely not on the agenda. The logical thing would be to throw open the doors of his ducal country seat, host a house party for this season's most beautiful debutantes…and pick one of them.
But then Miss Jessica Pendle arrives—his aunt's plain-speaking goddaughter—and she's the one who stands out from the crowd. But Jessica is looking for love—the one emotion Jack resists. Although he can't deny there's something about Jessica that's very persuasive…!
But then Miss Jessica Pendle arrives—his aunt's plain-speaking goddaughter—and she's the one who stands out from the crowd. But Jessica is looking for love—the one emotion Jack resists. Although he can't deny there's something about Jessica that's very persuasive…!
281 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
15 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Beacon
122 books30 followersELIZABETH BEACON lives in the beautiful English West Country, and is finally putting her insatiable curiosity about the past to good use. Over the years Elizabeth has worked in her family’s horticultural business, become a mature student, qualified as an English teacher, worked as a secretary and, briefly, tried to be a civil servant. She is now happily ensconced behind her computer, when not trying to exhaust her bouncy rescue dog with as many walks as the Inexhaustible Lurcher can finagle. Elizabeth can’t bring herself to call researching the wonderfully diverse, scandalous Regency period and creating charismatic heroes and feisty heroines work, and she is waiting for someone to find out how much fun she is having and tell her to stop it.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 11, 2012
I didn't like it, but I finished it and it wasn't offensively bad so I gave it 2 stars. These people made no sense. They hated each other, they loved each other, maybe they always loved each other? Maybe not? I didn't like anybody in this book. Jessica whinged, Jack was an idiot. Plus, the convoluted family relationships were just confusing.I shouldn't need a diagram to explain who everyone is in a book this size.
I usually like Harlequin Historicals for what they are, but this one was a mess.
I usually like Harlequin Historicals for what they are, but this one was a mess.
August 16, 2012
A new Regency by Elizabeth Beacon is always a major cause for celebration for historical romance readers and her latest novel, The Duchess Hunt, is a terrific tale of impossible attraction, secret trysts and unexpected alliances – sprinkled with plenty of delicious humour, nail-biting intrigue and red-hot passion – that is sure to delight!
The news that Jack Seaborne, the Duke of Dettingham, has finally decided to abandon his profligate ways and find a suitable wife sent shock waves reverberating around polite society. Matchmaking mamas and doe-eyed dowagers are absolutely determined to ensnare the Duke of Dettingham and they are all eager to attend the house party he is giving at his ducal country estate and make the best possible impression upon society’s most eligible and most desirable bachelor! Realizing that he will probably go mad in a house full of indomitable women hell-bent on getting him to propose, Jack asks his beloved – if slightly infuriating- Aunt Melissa to lend a hand at the house party. However, when his Aunt brings her goddaughter Miss Jessica Pendle along, little does Jack realize that finding a suitable bride is about to get even more complicated…
A riding accident had left Jessica with a limp that had crushed all of her romantic hopes and dreams. Well aware that she will never find a man who will love her because of her physical impairment, Jessica has resigned herself to spending the rest of her life a lonely spinster having never known what it’s truly like to fall head over heels in love. When Jessica hears of Jack’s plan to find a suitable duchess, she cannot help but be stunned – and intrigued! Who will be the woman who will manage to tame the redoubtable – and dashingly handsome – Duke of Dettingham?
With the house party in full swing, Jack soon begins to grow weary of the assorted group of debutantes all vying for his attention. Not a single one of them arouses his interest or dazzles him with her beauty and intellect. In fact, he would much rather spend his time with his aunt’s plain goddaughter than with the bevy of beauties all desperate to become his suitable bride- and the more time Jack spends with Jessica, the more he realizes that his perfect duchess has been under his nose all along!
Falling in love with Jack proves inevitable for Jessica, but when he makes it perfectly clear that he is not prepared to share his heart with anyone, will Jessica give up her dream of falling in love all for the sake of the Duke she cannot stop wanting with all her might?
The Duchess Hunt is a wonderful historical romance that sparkles with Elizabeth Beacon’s superbly evocative descriptions of Regency England, splendidly observed characters that leap off the pages, mischievous humour, and heartwarming romantic intrigue that will touch readers’ hearts and keep them turning the pages of this fabulous story late into the night!
Daring, dazzling and absorbing, The Duchess Hunt is another triumph for this outstanding writer of historical romance!
The news that Jack Seaborne, the Duke of Dettingham, has finally decided to abandon his profligate ways and find a suitable wife sent shock waves reverberating around polite society. Matchmaking mamas and doe-eyed dowagers are absolutely determined to ensnare the Duke of Dettingham and they are all eager to attend the house party he is giving at his ducal country estate and make the best possible impression upon society’s most eligible and most desirable bachelor! Realizing that he will probably go mad in a house full of indomitable women hell-bent on getting him to propose, Jack asks his beloved – if slightly infuriating- Aunt Melissa to lend a hand at the house party. However, when his Aunt brings her goddaughter Miss Jessica Pendle along, little does Jack realize that finding a suitable bride is about to get even more complicated…
A riding accident had left Jessica with a limp that had crushed all of her romantic hopes and dreams. Well aware that she will never find a man who will love her because of her physical impairment, Jessica has resigned herself to spending the rest of her life a lonely spinster having never known what it’s truly like to fall head over heels in love. When Jessica hears of Jack’s plan to find a suitable duchess, she cannot help but be stunned – and intrigued! Who will be the woman who will manage to tame the redoubtable – and dashingly handsome – Duke of Dettingham?
With the house party in full swing, Jack soon begins to grow weary of the assorted group of debutantes all vying for his attention. Not a single one of them arouses his interest or dazzles him with her beauty and intellect. In fact, he would much rather spend his time with his aunt’s plain goddaughter than with the bevy of beauties all desperate to become his suitable bride- and the more time Jack spends with Jessica, the more he realizes that his perfect duchess has been under his nose all along!
Falling in love with Jack proves inevitable for Jessica, but when he makes it perfectly clear that he is not prepared to share his heart with anyone, will Jessica give up her dream of falling in love all for the sake of the Duke she cannot stop wanting with all her might?
The Duchess Hunt is a wonderful historical romance that sparkles with Elizabeth Beacon’s superbly evocative descriptions of Regency England, splendidly observed characters that leap off the pages, mischievous humour, and heartwarming romantic intrigue that will touch readers’ hearts and keep them turning the pages of this fabulous story late into the night!
Daring, dazzling and absorbing, The Duchess Hunt is another triumph for this outstanding writer of historical romance!
August 29, 2012
Another delightful regency romance, full of mistakes and confusion. Here Jack and Jessica must move past childish feelings, and realize they are in fact perfect for each other. I was slightly confused about the whole Richard issue; my book was in a two pack so I suppose there is a sequel out there somewhere. I would definitely recommend this on to other people who enjoy Regency romance, and read more from this author.
October 23, 2012
Almost as poorly written as 50 shades.
October 19, 2019
I love the premise: disabled heroine who has secretly been half in love with the hero for years. He kind of randomly comes around to noticing her, they squabble, there are dashes of angst, but it was all just too verbose for me. I found myself skimming the inner monologues when they became repetitive and went on for pages, which led to me missing out on some plot points, but I just couldn’t bring myself to be patient enough to read the dozens of paragraphs of the hero’s thoughts that could have been summed up in a couple of sentences. Towards the end, the dialogue got wordy too, with the protagonists repeating themselves and going in circles, so I rushed through the last several pages. The mystery plot is nominally interesting but not enough for me to read the rest of the trilogy, even if I am bit interested in seeing the Earl and Persephone lock horns. But the heroine of the third book is very unappealing to me. Still, I really liked the frenemies-to-lovers storyline, and the self-deprecating heroine, so it ends up just shy of three stars (2.5 stars)
April 25, 2020
This story would have been better as a novella to set up the rest of the series and the characters were damn annoying.
March 14, 2024
Writing took me out. Couldn’t get past first chapter.
June 30, 2013
DNF
I'm at 64% through this Regency Romance story (would to toss it accross the room if it wasn't a Kindle ebook)and I've had enough.
This story has almost every cliche romance novel element, such as the heroine attitude: "I love him but I won't marry him."
Spoilers follow. But not. Do you recognize any part of this in the last romance novel you read?
*after the hero has taken the heroine's virtue - in more than one passionate encounter (while he diligently protects her from possible scandal so as to not force her into marriage),
*after he asks, nay commands that she marry him - more than once - and makes it clear he will have no other woman as his wife,
*after he confesses he has wanted her for a long time but kept his desires hidden for personal reasons,
*after he has made it clear that he accpets her the way she is, flaws and all,
*after he confesses he knows she can accpet him as he is because she knows his real self not his wealth or title,
*after she has confessed to herself that she loves him, has loved him for years, is the only man she will ever love,
*after all of that, what does our heroine do?
She mentally rants and raves for nearly a whole freaking chapter as to why she cannot marry him. ("Half a loaf is better than none. But better still is to have never tasted bread." Yeah, I didn't understand the crazy woman either.)
To sum up her rant: She won't marry him because he doesn't love her.
Really? After everything he has done, said, confessed, commanded and begged, she too stupid to hear the words "I love you" so clearly expressed in his other words and deeds?
Yeah, well, if she's too stupid to embrace love staring her in the face, I'm moving on to find heroines who embrace life and risk their hearts on the possibility of love.
I'm at 64% through this Regency Romance story (would to toss it accross the room if it wasn't a Kindle ebook)and I've had enough.
This story has almost every cliche romance novel element, such as the heroine attitude: "I love him but I won't marry him."
Spoilers follow. But not. Do you recognize any part of this in the last romance novel you read?
*after the hero has taken the heroine's virtue - in more than one passionate encounter (while he diligently protects her from possible scandal so as to not force her into marriage),
*after he asks, nay commands that she marry him - more than once - and makes it clear he will have no other woman as his wife,
*after he confesses he has wanted her for a long time but kept his desires hidden for personal reasons,
*after he has made it clear that he accpets her the way she is, flaws and all,
*after he confesses he knows she can accpet him as he is because she knows his real self not his wealth or title,
*after she has confessed to herself that she loves him, has loved him for years, is the only man she will ever love,
*after all of that, what does our heroine do?
She mentally rants and raves for nearly a whole freaking chapter as to why she cannot marry him. ("Half a loaf is better than none. But better still is to have never tasted bread." Yeah, I didn't understand the crazy woman either.)
To sum up her rant: She won't marry him because he doesn't love her.
Really? After everything he has done, said, confessed, commanded and begged, she too stupid to hear the words "I love you" so clearly expressed in his other words and deeds?
Yeah, well, if she's too stupid to embrace love staring her in the face, I'm moving on to find heroines who embrace life and risk their hearts on the possibility of love.
April 12, 2014
Jess and Jack're childhood friends, or enemies, if you prefer. Since she's a child she'd follow him like a puppy until something happened and she changed in one night.
While Jack loved to tease her anytime anywhere he could since they're young until now he had to marry for a reason, suddenly he set his eyes on her as his future duchess.
The realization's too sudden for my taste, but don't worry, of course our afraid-of-passionate-love hero didn't realize that he loved her as he treated her and made love to her with passion. He felt it, just didn't know what to name it. Tsk. Don't know how his mind operated.
The mystery about his sibling's bit silly, didn't care about it. Anyho, it's a decent read and worth the time for a mild romance with a little touch of humor and in it. A little bit weird writing here and there, overall, but still ok.
While Jack loved to tease her anytime anywhere he could since they're young until now he had to marry for a reason, suddenly he set his eyes on her as his future duchess.
The realization's too sudden for my taste, but don't worry, of course our afraid-of-passionate-love hero didn't realize that he loved her as he treated her and made love to her with passion. He felt it, just didn't know what to name it. Tsk. Don't know how his mind operated.
The mystery about his sibling's bit silly, didn't care about it. Anyho, it's a decent read and worth the time for a mild romance with a little touch of humor and in it. A little bit weird writing here and there, overall, but still ok.
May 30, 2014
Overall a good regency romance novel!
It's ok, but started skimming a bit! Excessive details & repetition of why she can't marry him & the drawn out process of accepting her limp ankle is not the huge crutch she thinks it is standing in between the guy she loves & he needs to come to terms with the fact he loves her----like actually saying the words I love you & mean it does wonders!!!!! To marry a duke & get his love....timeless!!!!!!! :)
Bummed that throughout this whole novel we hear about 'polite society' & their reactions to events, but when she at last agrees to marry him no word or comment how her godmother or the other ladies at the house party hoping to be his duchess!!
Wtf about not closing the plot line with the minor, but still curious disappearance of Rich--the Duke's cousin!!
Overall good few hours & if there is a novel out on Persephone I will read that & Alex!! :)
It's ok, but started skimming a bit! Excessive details & repetition of why she can't marry him & the drawn out process of accepting her limp ankle is not the huge crutch she thinks it is standing in between the guy she loves & he needs to come to terms with the fact he loves her----like actually saying the words I love you & mean it does wonders!!!!! To marry a duke & get his love....timeless!!!!!!! :)
Bummed that throughout this whole novel we hear about 'polite society' & their reactions to events, but when she at last agrees to marry him no word or comment how her godmother or the other ladies at the house party hoping to be his duchess!!
Wtf about not closing the plot line with the minor, but still curious disappearance of Rich--the Duke's cousin!!
Overall good few hours & if there is a novel out on Persephone I will read that & Alex!! :)
July 10, 2014
suka banget ama si duke yang gigih.
ngerti sih perasaan Jessica mengenai kakinya yang cacat dan membuat jalannya menjadi pincang. tapi jangan sampai segitu rendah dirinya dong jeng. gw aja waktu masih pake walker pede aja jalan ke mall. hehehe...
ngerti sih perasaan Jessica mengenai kakinya yang cacat dan membuat jalannya menjadi pincang. tapi jangan sampai segitu rendah dirinya dong jeng. gw aja waktu masih pake walker pede aja jalan ke mall. hehehe...
August 5, 2014
A satisfying romance, nothing exceptional.
This time it's the overlooked neighbor girl who marries the Duke. Everyone except the Duke realizes that she'd be perfect as his duchess but he's always seen her as part of his childhood, always conveniently near.
Short,fast read.
This time it's the overlooked neighbor girl who marries the Duke. Everyone except the Duke realizes that she'd be perfect as his duchess but he's always seen her as part of his childhood, always conveniently near.
Short,fast read.
December 24, 2012
Always like to go back and read about history with the romance. I like the book alot I do recomend reading this book.
October 1, 2013
This book was awesome!!! Loved the story! Loved the love!
February 24, 2014
The plot is a great one but I feel the story itself was a bit confusing. I think it lacked a bit of depth. I did like the book so I will be reading the other 2 books in this trilogy :)
April 15, 2016
senza infamia e senza lode...ottimo per un pomeriggio di relax tra tenute di campagna e affascinanti nobili ;D
November 23, 2019
I love the characters, the dialogue and the twists to a classic plot. Very commendable if you like your stories naughty but nice!
April 30, 2017
I really wanted to like this book, but sadly it didn't happen for me. ☹
I've given it two stars as I felt the storyline was a little repetitive and confusing.
Jess whines and whinges a lot and has a very negative mindset - which made her hard to like. I really grew frustrated with her going on and on about her "lame ankle/foot".
Though she may have been outspoken and spirited, she seemed to lack substance?
I adore these rgency books, but this one was a little disappointing. Sorry. ☹
I've given it two stars as I felt the storyline was a little repetitive and confusing.
Jess whines and whinges a lot and has a very negative mindset - which made her hard to like. I really grew frustrated with her going on and on about her "lame ankle/foot".
Though she may have been outspoken and spirited, she seemed to lack substance?
I adore these rgency books, but this one was a little disappointing. Sorry. ☹
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews