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Dukes Behaving Badly #5
My Fair Duchess
The unexpected duchess
Archibald Salisbury, son of a viscount, war hero, and proficient in the proper ways of aristocratic society, has received orders for his most challenging mission: Genevieve, Duchess of Blakesley. How she inherited a duchy isn’t his problem. Turning her into a perfect duchess is. But how can he keep his mind on business when her beauty entices him toward pleasure?
It was impossible, unprecedented…and undeniably true. Genevieve is now a “duke”, or, rather, a duchess. So what is she to do when the ton eyes her every move, hoping she’ll make a mistake? Genevieve knows she has brains and has sometimes been told she has beauty, but, out of her depth, she calls on an expert. And what an expert, with shoulders broad enough to lean on, and a wit that matches her own. Archie is supposed to teach her to be a lady and run her estate, but what she really wants to do is unladylike—run into his arms.
Archibald Salisbury, son of a viscount, war hero, and proficient in the proper ways of aristocratic society, has received orders for his most challenging mission: Genevieve, Duchess of Blakesley. How she inherited a duchy isn’t his problem. Turning her into a perfect duchess is. But how can he keep his mind on business when her beauty entices him toward pleasure?
It was impossible, unprecedented…and undeniably true. Genevieve is now a “duke”, or, rather, a duchess. So what is she to do when the ton eyes her every move, hoping she’ll make a mistake? Genevieve knows she has brains and has sometimes been told she has beauty, but, out of her depth, she calls on an expert. And what an expert, with shoulders broad enough to lean on, and a wit that matches her own. Archie is supposed to teach her to be a lady and run her estate, but what she really wants to do is unladylike—run into his arms.
369 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 28, 2017
96 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Megan Frampton
41 books1,053 followersMegan Frampton's love affair with books began when her parents moved her to a remote town in New Hampshire where there was only one television station. And then the TV broke. She devoured every book of fiction in her well-read parents' library, finding special joy in Georgette Heyer and the fairy tales collected and translated by Andrew Lang. Megan majored in English literature at Barnard College and worked in the music industry for fifteen years. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband (her former intern) and her kid.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
February 6, 2017
I'm fairly new to the historical game, but I loved the premise.
Genevieve and Archie are adorable together. The improper teasing was delightful and the longing filled glances across the rooms were plentiful.
The push and pull was expected and yet still I was annoyed. I just wanted them together and happy. However, I did love the grand gesture and the ending. I just wish there would have been an epilogue.
All in all, quite enjoyable. I will definitely be looking at other books by this author.
**Huge thanks to Avon Impulse and Edelweiss for providing the arc free of charge**
Genevieve and Archie are adorable together. The improper teasing was delightful and the longing filled glances across the rooms were plentiful.
The push and pull was expected and yet still I was annoyed. I just wanted them together and happy. However, I did love the grand gesture and the ending. I just wish there would have been an epilogue.
All in all, quite enjoyable. I will definitely be looking at other books by this author.
**Huge thanks to Avon Impulse and Edelweiss for providing the arc free of charge**
January 14, 2025
Having read one Megan Frampton without particularly enjoying it with attempts to read two other books of hers and quitting, I wasn't expecting much here. And that might be part of the reason I enjoyed it so much. My biggest issue is that Ms. Frampton really needs to drop the "or something" she seems to enjoy tacking on the end of sentences. Or something.
March 15, 2017
Archibald Salisbury might be my favorite historical romance hero ever.
This book was a DELIGHT.
This book was a DELIGHT.
March 1, 2017
My Fair Duchess offers up a very interesting premise for the setting and time period, when titles and estates generally only flowed to the male heir. Our heroine's family received a special allowance to allow the duchy to pass to a female heir in the absence of a legitimate son, and so we have a flipped power dynamic when our heroine unexpectedly becomes a duchess and is in need of help being duchessy from a hero who is lower in social status.
Archibald Salisbury is the third son of a viscount who went off to war against his family's wishes. Needing a respite, and liking all things peaceful and orderly after the war, he took up employment as a steward to a flighty old bird in the country. When her goddaughter writes needing help with her new role in life, Lady Sophia can think of no better person to help than her handsome steward. So Archie takes his adept organizational skills and hies back to London to whip the new duchess into shape. I liked Archie's character but I felt he needed to be developed a little more. He wasn't quite a tortured war hero, and other than being bashfully handsome, there wasn't enough of his personality that I could sink my hooks into and develop an emotional connection.
Genevieve No-Last-Name, Duchess of something or other,* was raised in the country by servants, only laying eyes on her foolhardy father a few times. We meet her after she has unexpectedly inherited a dukedom and is looking to her Godmother Sophia for help. I wish we would have met Genevieve a smidge earlier, perhaps when she was still the lonely girl in the country. The absence of the backstory, much like Archie's, prevented me from connecting fully to her character. She did have a decent personality and I loved all her inner monologue's about our hero's general salisburyness. She was also quite obtuse in some things and aggravated me with her thoughts and treatment toward Archie.
The romance between these two was definitely a slow burn with a heavy emphasis on the forbidden relationship due to the difference in social class. There is a role reversal aspect was interesting, especially given the It seemed so much more shocking coming from a female! Alas, the back and forth got a bit repetitive as there was no other conflict to focus on in the story. I think either this one could have been shortened to novella-length, or we needed the addition of some skeezy relatives with a dastardly plot to unseat the duchess. I would have also liked an epilogue following the grand gesture, as I like a bit of follow through with the story to let us know how the couple is rubbing along after the nuptials.
If you have not read the earlier books of the series, you can read this one as a standalone. There are only minor references to the Quality Employment Agency, which was a heavier focus in earlier books. I would encourage you to go back to read those books though as there are several good ones in the series. While this one was not my favorite, it was still a decent addition and I do recommend it to those who like historical romance with a dose of humor.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from the publisher, Avon.
*I don't believe we were ever told Genevieve's last name or title. I like to have this info in my story as a point of reference.
September 19, 2017
Megan Frampton shakes things up in her Dukes Behaving Badly series by focusing the fifth installment on a Duchess. In a rare allowance of succession, Genevieve has inherited the duchy from her father. Only, she has no training for the position. Her dad was a terrible duke, and she was essentially raised by servants in the country. Now she has people and estates to look after and absolutely no idea how to do it right. So she reaches out to her godmother for help, and the woman sends her steward to teach Genevieve the ins and outs of her new position.
Archie isn’t terribly excited about his assignment, but he is willing to do what’s asked of him. The retired military man never wanted to return to London, where his estranged family lives. He’s happier with his regimented life and dealing with facts and figures. And frankly, Genevieve is a bit of a disaster, but she eventually starts to grow on him and a friendship is born.
I have to admit, the book started off a bit slow for me. There is a letter written to or from one of the characters between each chapter and that got kind of old for me quickly. Archie is kind of a butt at first, and I just didn’t really connect with either character. But once the sexual tension got thick, I was hooked. I love forbidden romances, and once these two realized that they wanted each other –and couldn’t have each other—I was glued to the page. Every kiss was a stolen one. They had all this built up passion and want and need, and I couldn’t put it down.
I liked the idea of the role reversal at the center of the story. I liked how Genevieve held the power and ways it affected the relationship as it played out. I did get a little frustrated at how long it took these two to realize they could choose to ignore convention. (It’s not like Archie was a stablehand, you know?) But the tension was great, and the payoff was great, too.
A quick and satisfying read that holds up just fine as a standalone.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
Archie isn’t terribly excited about his assignment, but he is willing to do what’s asked of him. The retired military man never wanted to return to London, where his estranged family lives. He’s happier with his regimented life and dealing with facts and figures. And frankly, Genevieve is a bit of a disaster, but she eventually starts to grow on him and a friendship is born.
I have to admit, the book started off a bit slow for me. There is a letter written to or from one of the characters between each chapter and that got kind of old for me quickly. Archie is kind of a butt at first, and I just didn’t really connect with either character. But once the sexual tension got thick, I was hooked. I love forbidden romances, and once these two realized that they wanted each other –and couldn’t have each other—I was glued to the page. Every kiss was a stolen one. They had all this built up passion and want and need, and I couldn’t put it down.
I liked the idea of the role reversal at the center of the story. I liked how Genevieve held the power and ways it affected the relationship as it played out. I did get a little frustrated at how long it took these two to realize they could choose to ignore convention. (It’s not like Archie was a stablehand, you know?) But the tension was great, and the payoff was great, too.
A quick and satisfying read that holds up just fine as a standalone.
Rating: B
*ARC provided by publisher
April 17, 2017
I loved Put Up Your Duke, the second book in the Dukes Behaving Badly series, and I thought the premise was really good for this one. You can read My Fair Duchess as a standalone, even if you haven't read the earlier books.
It was interesting to read about a woman in a men’s position especially because of the time period. The letters between each chapter were a great insight into the hero and heroine's minds.
I liked the hero, Archie, but he needed to be developed a little more, I felt like we didn't know a lot about him other than his relationship with the heroine, Genevieve. I also would've loved to see more sexy times between them. I think this book could have easily been shortened.
The conflict was predictable and I wasn't disappointed nor surprised by the ending. The steady pace, sweet and unconventional romance define My Fair Duchess.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 27, 2017
My fair duchess was a delight to read. I loved the letter in the beginning of each chapter and I can say that I loved the book, even if the duchess made a mess somewhere down the road. The little dose of angst was perfect. The ride was very enjoyable and I was happy to see something new in a historical novel. Almost all the romance books I read (historical and contemporary) have the hero in a position of power, but in My fair duchess the roles are reversed. Genevieve is the one who inherits the title and Archie is her butler and tutor. He is helping her become a good duchess and fill in her position as well as any man did at the time and even better (she helps her people after all, unlike some other dukes). Poor Genevieve had no one to prepare her for what was going to come. Neither Genevieve or Archie expected to fall for the other, but the connection is there from the first time they see each other. It's not insta love and the characters have time to develop their feelings into something more than attraction. I wasn't expecting it, but I finished the novel with a smile on my face. I have found another author to follow and anxiously wait for their next release. I have loved all the books I have read by her so far and I hope that streak will continue.
I was a very happy passenger on Genevieve's journey. I got to see her and Archie fall for each other through the lessons he have her and the letters they wrote even if they didn't send them. Genevieve came close to ruining thing, by proposing something unexpected to me. I was waiting for her to say the right words (as did Archie), but in her effort to make things work she made them worse. I was very happy when I saw her trying to fix things up instead of waiting for Archie to do it. This is the kind of heroine I want. She was strong and fierce and caring. Archie was a good hero who knew what Genevieve needed and his actions showed that he didn't mind that Genevieve had more power than him as some insecure man would have felt.
There is only one tiny thing that disappointed me and that's the lack of reunion between Archie and his family. I wanted to see something grand and a couple of tears falling. After I finished the book I went for the 4 stars, but I just couldn't write that down, so I went for the 4.5 and it still didn't work. The final 5 star rating I am giving to My fair duchess feels well deserved and I really hope the readers will love this book as much as I did. The book has also earned a nomination for my top 10 books of 2017 (in 2016 I didn't manage to find 10 books, but this year seems to have better books). I can't wait for the next book to be released.
I was a very happy passenger on Genevieve's journey. I got to see her and Archie fall for each other through the lessons he have her and the letters they wrote even if they didn't send them. Genevieve came close to ruining thing, by proposing something unexpected to me. I was waiting for her to say the right words (as did Archie), but in her effort to make things work she made them worse. I was very happy when I saw her trying to fix things up instead of waiting for Archie to do it. This is the kind of heroine I want. She was strong and fierce and caring. Archie was a good hero who knew what Genevieve needed and his actions showed that he didn't mind that Genevieve had more power than him as some insecure man would have felt.
There is only one tiny thing that disappointed me and that's the lack of reunion between Archie and his family. I wanted to see something grand and a couple of tears falling. After I finished the book I went for the 4 stars, but I just couldn't write that down, so I went for the 4.5 and it still didn't work. The final 5 star rating I am giving to My fair duchess feels well deserved and I really hope the readers will love this book as much as I did. The book has also earned a nomination for my top 10 books of 2017 (in 2016 I didn't manage to find 10 books, but this year seems to have better books). I can't wait for the next book to be released.
April 27, 2021
This was my favourite book in the whole series. Genevieve is the new Duchess of Blakesley, a title she has just inherited. With her father keep her away from the castle and his life, she knows little to nothing about being a lady less a Duchess. So she turns to her godmother for help, she sends her Archibald Salisbury.
Arch is the son of a viscount who has come back from war as a hero but has not been accepted back by his family. He has taken up the role of teaching eve to become a good duchess. On their first meeting, they are both enthralled by each other.
Arch is the son of a viscount who has come back from war as a hero but has not been accepted back by his family. He has taken up the role of teaching eve to become a good duchess. On their first meeting, they are both enthralled by each other.
March 2, 2017
As reviewed at Roses Are Blue: http://wp.me/p3QRh4-v4
Genevieve is the daughter of the Duke of Blakesley, and that title is one of the rare ones that may be passed down to a female heir if there is no living male to inherit. At the age of twenty, with her father and brother dead, Genevieve now finds herself the Duchess of Blakesley. Her father ignored her for all of her life, sending her off to live in the country with only servants to raise her. She never made her debut in society, and she certainly doesn't know how to act like or perform the duties of a duchess. In desperation, she contacts her godmother, Sophia, asking for help.
Lady Sophia decides to send her steward, Archibald (Archie) Salisbury to town to help Genevieve out for a month. Archie is a gentleman by birth. Though he has no title, he is the third son of a viscount. When Archie chose to become a soldier, then to work as a steward, his family disowned him, feeling that they didn't want to associate with someone involved in trade. Archie has no desire to return to town, as he doesn't want to run into his family, and he certainly doesn't want to babysit a young lady with no clue how to act. Yet, his employer insists, and working for her in the country suits him very well, so off he goes.
Archie is surprised to find a sweet and lovely young lady with an earnest desire to become a good duchess, and to repair all the damage and neglect her father has caused. Genevieve is initially smitten by Archie's handsomeness, but soon sees beyond that to the hardworking, honorable man he is. Each day, as Archie works to put the household, then the country estate, to good working order, he comes to be very fond of the fledgling duchess. And each day, Genevieve's poise and confidence grow, as does her affection for her temporary steward, who has become a dear friend.
The longing that Archie and Genevieve feel for each other jumps off the pages. The attraction was there from the beginning, but the honest, slow building love and desire is very poignant. They both know that there is no future for them, as Archie is so below her socially. When the time approaches for them to part, and for Archie to return to his position with Lady Sophia, will either of them have the courage to face scandal to be together?
MY FAIR DUCHESS contains the humor that I've come to expect from author, Megan Frampton, this time in the form of notes that this couple writes to each other almost daily. The desires they can't express are written and then crossed out for the reader to see - a most enjoyable, and sometimes heartbreaking experience. Archie and Genevieve are wonderful characters who are perfect for each other, both from a romantic standpoint, and from the way their characteristics and personalities mesh to form a perfect whole entity. The role reversal is very well done, especially in the latter part of the book. I had to smile, thinking of all the books I've read with the duke being in charge. MY FAIR DUCHESS has humor, steam, sleazy relatives, a unique plot, and a very, very lovely romance. I enjoyed it greatly.
Genevieve is the daughter of the Duke of Blakesley, and that title is one of the rare ones that may be passed down to a female heir if there is no living male to inherit. At the age of twenty, with her father and brother dead, Genevieve now finds herself the Duchess of Blakesley. Her father ignored her for all of her life, sending her off to live in the country with only servants to raise her. She never made her debut in society, and she certainly doesn't know how to act like or perform the duties of a duchess. In desperation, she contacts her godmother, Sophia, asking for help.
Lady Sophia decides to send her steward, Archibald (Archie) Salisbury to town to help Genevieve out for a month. Archie is a gentleman by birth. Though he has no title, he is the third son of a viscount. When Archie chose to become a soldier, then to work as a steward, his family disowned him, feeling that they didn't want to associate with someone involved in trade. Archie has no desire to return to town, as he doesn't want to run into his family, and he certainly doesn't want to babysit a young lady with no clue how to act. Yet, his employer insists, and working for her in the country suits him very well, so off he goes.
Archie is surprised to find a sweet and lovely young lady with an earnest desire to become a good duchess, and to repair all the damage and neglect her father has caused. Genevieve is initially smitten by Archie's handsomeness, but soon sees beyond that to the hardworking, honorable man he is. Each day, as Archie works to put the household, then the country estate, to good working order, he comes to be very fond of the fledgling duchess. And each day, Genevieve's poise and confidence grow, as does her affection for her temporary steward, who has become a dear friend.
The longing that Archie and Genevieve feel for each other jumps off the pages. The attraction was there from the beginning, but the honest, slow building love and desire is very poignant. They both know that there is no future for them, as Archie is so below her socially. When the time approaches for them to part, and for Archie to return to his position with Lady Sophia, will either of them have the courage to face scandal to be together?
MY FAIR DUCHESS contains the humor that I've come to expect from author, Megan Frampton, this time in the form of notes that this couple writes to each other almost daily. The desires they can't express are written and then crossed out for the reader to see - a most enjoyable, and sometimes heartbreaking experience. Archie and Genevieve are wonderful characters who are perfect for each other, both from a romantic standpoint, and from the way their characteristics and personalities mesh to form a perfect whole entity. The role reversal is very well done, especially in the latter part of the book. I had to smile, thinking of all the books I've read with the duke being in charge. MY FAIR DUCHESS has humor, steam, sleazy relatives, a unique plot, and a very, very lovely romance. I enjoyed it greatly.
January 2, 2022
While this wasn’t the best case of romance, I did like Genevieve because she was a very refreshing heroine. She’s really just being herself and not the usual arrogant duchess. She jokes and she’s not so serious all the time, a perfect match with Archie’s altogether serious self.
I liked their chemistry together. They got along well.
However, I felt they should have spent more time getting to know one another before realizing they were in love. The bonding felt insufficient to support their romance.
There was a slight miscommunication at the back that could have been easily solved if they had just talked about it. Other than that, this was a nice book to pass the time.
I liked their chemistry together. They got along well.
However, I felt they should have spent more time getting to know one another before realizing they were in love. The bonding felt insufficient to support their romance.
There was a slight miscommunication at the back that could have been easily solved if they had just talked about it. Other than that, this was a nice book to pass the time.
July 3, 2017
Emotionally charged, witty, steamy and original – a really fun regency escape. Highly recommend!
March 3, 2017
Such a unique book in the HR genre! I loved how the author's writing and the story is different from the usual ones!
Genevieve has inherited a duchy, and she has no idea on what to do to fit in with the society, especially due to the fact that she was raised in an estate, isolated from society and having the servants as her only comfort.
She's smart and clever, but doesn't know what to do to transform into a perfect duchess.It's not like there is a guidebook on it!
So she calls on her godmother for help, who sends in her steward- Archibald, the third son of a viscount and a war hero.
Archie didn't expect that Genevieve would be intelligent and beautiful and neither of them are prepared for the attraction that they feel towards each other!
I loved how their relationship developed slowly over time and it was so beautiful to see them fall in love.In the beginning when they first meet they're quite annoyed with each other, but then it turns into friendship and mutual respect.Genevieve was strong,intelligent and independent.
I loved the twist with the gender reversal. Usually in HR books, the females don't have the upper hand!The moment when she propositioned Archie was priceless!
I also loved the fact that the characters were willing to own up to their mistakes and tried to rectify them.They went a little back and forth with their decisions, but still there wasn't much angst or any reason for it, which I was thankful for!Unnecessary conflict just for the sake of it spoils the story.
If you love the HR genre but want something different to read, I urge you to give this one a try since there's no way you could not love it!
Genevieve has inherited a duchy, and she has no idea on what to do to fit in with the society, especially due to the fact that she was raised in an estate, isolated from society and having the servants as her only comfort.
She's smart and clever, but doesn't know what to do to transform into a perfect duchess.It's not like there is a guidebook on it!
So she calls on her godmother for help, who sends in her steward- Archibald, the third son of a viscount and a war hero.
Archie didn't expect that Genevieve would be intelligent and beautiful and neither of them are prepared for the attraction that they feel towards each other!
I loved how their relationship developed slowly over time and it was so beautiful to see them fall in love.In the beginning when they first meet they're quite annoyed with each other, but then it turns into friendship and mutual respect.Genevieve was strong,intelligent and independent.
I loved the twist with the gender reversal. Usually in HR books, the females don't have the upper hand!The moment when she propositioned Archie was priceless!
I also loved the fact that the characters were willing to own up to their mistakes and tried to rectify them.They went a little back and forth with their decisions, but still there wasn't much angst or any reason for it, which I was thankful for!Unnecessary conflict just for the sake of it spoils the story.
If you love the HR genre but want something different to read, I urge you to give this one a try since there's no way you could not love it!
March 7, 2017
Loved! As always, I'm a sucker for retellings, so a My Fair Lady/Pygmalion where the Eliza character is a female "duke"? Yes, please!
Genevieve and Archie were wonderful characters, both separately and when together in a room and giving off enough sparks to light up every single one of the ducal properties that Genevieve inherited. I absolutely adored their letters back and forth, especially the parts theycrossed outthought better of and even more especially the letters they didn't send...yet. Such an adorable idea!
The book titles that Genevieve kept coming up with to help her situation: How to Duchess Without Being a Dullard, How to Receive and Politely Decline Marriage Proposals from People You Don't Wish to Be Married To, and How to Trust That the Person You Love Loves You Back and Wants to Marry You After All, You Idiot were highly entertaining as well. Overall, there was as much to smile at in this book as things that made you want to break out the fan--a fun read from start to finish.
I would have liked to have seen Archie's (fingers crossed there really is one) reunion with his family at some point, but honestly, that's the only criticism I have for the story.
This is the fifth book in the Dukes Behaving Badly series (though of course in this instance it's a duchess who's not conforming to society at all times) but it worked just fine as a standalone. I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Ms Frampton's writing style, and am looking forward to whatever she writes next, in this series or another!
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Genevieve and Archie were wonderful characters, both separately and when together in a room and giving off enough sparks to light up every single one of the ducal properties that Genevieve inherited. I absolutely adored their letters back and forth, especially the parts they
The book titles that Genevieve kept coming up with to help her situation: How to Duchess Without Being a Dullard, How to Receive and Politely Decline Marriage Proposals from People You Don't Wish to Be Married To, and How to Trust That the Person You Love Loves You Back and Wants to Marry You After All, You Idiot were highly entertaining as well. Overall, there was as much to smile at in this book as things that made you want to break out the fan--a fun read from start to finish.
I would have liked to have seen Archie's (fingers crossed there really is one) reunion with his family at some point, but honestly, that's the only criticism I have for the story.
This is the fifth book in the Dukes Behaving Badly series (though of course in this instance it's a duchess who's not conforming to society at all times) but it worked just fine as a standalone. I'm quickly becoming a big fan of Ms Frampton's writing style, and am looking forward to whatever she writes next, in this series or another!
Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
April 6, 2017
Full review at Smart Bitches, Trashy Books
The difficulty of playing with the Pygmalion/My Fair Lady trope is that in its original form, it’s inherently mean. Making bets on whether you can change a person to pass for gentry, even if the author is doing it to make fun of the ridiculousness of the British class system, is still making someone the butt of a joke. Happily, Frampton seems to understand this, and made a conscious choice not to make anyone the target of a joke, or the perpetrator of that joke.
Instead, she writes a charming, sweet story about Genevieve, who unexpectedly becomes a duchess in her own right (an exceedingly rare turn of events, but not impossible) after a childhood wherein she was ignored by her family and raised by servants. She realizes right away that she has NO idea how to be a duchess – her father knew she would become the duchess upon his death but didn’t tell her or prepare her for the job – nor does she know how to function in society or run a household or pretty much anything. So she writes to her godmother asking for help, and her godmother sends Archibald Salisbury, her steward and a retired Army man, to help.
I love a good “how do I adult” story, and I also love it when people recognize that they don’t know what they’re doing and ask for help (maybe if I read enough of these stories, I’ll be better about asking for help myself!) (I tell funny jokes).
The ending is a bit rushed, but that happens a lot. And the resolution of the Big Misunderstanding and the complications that are keeping Genevieve and Archie apart is pretty simple, in the end. That said, I enjoyed this SO MUCH. “Learning how to figure your shit out” stories are a particular favorite of mine at this point in my life, and this was a great read.
-Redheadedgirl
The difficulty of playing with the Pygmalion/My Fair Lady trope is that in its original form, it’s inherently mean. Making bets on whether you can change a person to pass for gentry, even if the author is doing it to make fun of the ridiculousness of the British class system, is still making someone the butt of a joke. Happily, Frampton seems to understand this, and made a conscious choice not to make anyone the target of a joke, or the perpetrator of that joke.
Instead, she writes a charming, sweet story about Genevieve, who unexpectedly becomes a duchess in her own right (an exceedingly rare turn of events, but not impossible) after a childhood wherein she was ignored by her family and raised by servants. She realizes right away that she has NO idea how to be a duchess – her father knew she would become the duchess upon his death but didn’t tell her or prepare her for the job – nor does she know how to function in society or run a household or pretty much anything. So she writes to her godmother asking for help, and her godmother sends Archibald Salisbury, her steward and a retired Army man, to help.
I love a good “how do I adult” story, and I also love it when people recognize that they don’t know what they’re doing and ask for help (maybe if I read enough of these stories, I’ll be better about asking for help myself!) (I tell funny jokes).
The ending is a bit rushed, but that happens a lot. And the resolution of the Big Misunderstanding and the complications that are keeping Genevieve and Archie apart is pretty simple, in the end. That said, I enjoyed this SO MUCH. “Learning how to figure your shit out” stories are a particular favorite of mine at this point in my life, and this was a great read.
-Redheadedgirl
September 24, 2017
2.5
"Dear Aunt Sophia,
How are you ? I am doing well. As you know, I am now the Duchess of Blakesley. Don't ask me to explain how an unmarried woman could inherit such a title. The solicitors explained it four times, and from the little I understand, it seems my ancestors received some special dispensation to allow any direct heir to inherit, regardless of gender."
Lady Sophia send her steward to London to help her goddaughter, who just became a duchess, on how to be a proper one. Archie is the third son of a Viscount, who disowned him when he joined the army. Falling in love was certainly not part of the plan for either of them.
I don't have a lot to tell about the story, because I felt that not much was happening. And unfortunately, I never felt the chemistry between Genevieve and Archie nor did I get attached to the characters. The result is their story did not hold my attention and things that should have been funny, cute and exciting didn't feel like it, not even the correspondance between the protagonists. My rating is low but it's not a bad book. I just feel that I can't give more when I want to be done with a book when I have only read eighty pages or less.
"Dear Aunt Sophia,
How are you ? I am doing well. As you know, I am now the Duchess of Blakesley. Don't ask me to explain how an unmarried woman could inherit such a title. The solicitors explained it four times, and from the little I understand, it seems my ancestors received some special dispensation to allow any direct heir to inherit, regardless of gender."
Lady Sophia send her steward to London to help her goddaughter, who just became a duchess, on how to be a proper one. Archie is the third son of a Viscount, who disowned him when he joined the army. Falling in love was certainly not part of the plan for either of them.
I don't have a lot to tell about the story, because I felt that not much was happening. And unfortunately, I never felt the chemistry between Genevieve and Archie nor did I get attached to the characters. The result is their story did not hold my attention and things that should have been funny, cute and exciting didn't feel like it, not even the correspondance between the protagonists. My rating is low but it's not a bad book. I just feel that I can't give more when I want to be done with a book when I have only read eighty pages or less.
February 9, 2017
***This mini-review has also been posted on Xpresso Reads
You know in so many historical romances, the dude randomly inherits an earldom or a dukedom or what not, well in this one, THE LADY INHERITS A DUKEDOM. Tbh, I feel like that should be reason enough to pick this book because I picked it up because of that. This is essentially a very well-written gender-swapped HR and every HR lover needs it in their life. I love the play on common historical romance tropes and I love that Frampton gives them her own touch. There is a nice, slow-burn, kinda forbidden romance and everyone is just so wonderful. JUST ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR TBR, okay? I cannot say much else without becoming rambly-mcrambleson.
Note that I received an advanced copy of this book for review
You know in so many historical romances, the dude randomly inherits an earldom or a dukedom or what not, well in this one, THE LADY INHERITS A DUKEDOM. Tbh, I feel like that should be reason enough to pick this book because I picked it up because of that. This is essentially a very well-written gender-swapped HR and every HR lover needs it in their life. I love the play on common historical romance tropes and I love that Frampton gives them her own touch. There is a nice, slow-burn, kinda forbidden romance and everyone is just so wonderful. JUST ADD THIS BOOK TO YOUR TBR, okay? I cannot say much else without becoming rambly-mcrambleson.
Note that I received an advanced copy of this book for review
March 3, 2017
Sorry, Could Not Finish!
I got to Chapter 10, and I just could not finish! It is historically accurate, of a Aristocracy been handed down a female line. However, the fact that the new Duchess never had a Governess, didn't know how to dress properly, it is too much for me to fall for. I have loved her other books, this I am sorry to say, is not worth the money I paid for it. Just my humble opinion. Thanks!
I got to Chapter 10, and I just could not finish! It is historically accurate, of a Aristocracy been handed down a female line. However, the fact that the new Duchess never had a Governess, didn't know how to dress properly, it is too much for me to fall for. I have loved her other books, this I am sorry to say, is not worth the money I paid for it. Just my humble opinion. Thanks!
December 1, 2016
Avon Addicts preview.
January 21, 2018
Loved it! If you wish to vicariously experience the intensity, gaiety, and awkwardness of falling in love, this is your book. The romance is the perfect blend of sweet, tender, funny, and hot. The heroine and hero are absolutely adorable together, providing the reader with an endless supply of hilariously witty dialogue.
After the heroine (Genevieve) unexpectedly inherits a duchy, her aunt/godmother dispatches her steward to the heroines's rescue. The steward is the very attractive hero (Archie Salisbury), whose mission is to teach the heroine all about duchy-related affairs, including comportment (the heroine was shipped off to the country at an early age, where she was raised by her serving staff [a horrible father syndrome] therefore knew little about being an aristocrat). Thus begin the Duchess Practice lessons on being aloof, haughty and demanding and learning how to review her books and handle her staff and tenants. The hero has been disowned by his aristo family so he's a pro at being an aristocrat.
"Of course, he was a Captain (Ret.), so perhaps firmness was a requirement of the military? She presumed so. It would be awkward to be on a battlefield and pause to look at your fellow soldier in arms and ask, “Should we attack? I think we might want to attack, but what do you think?”"
The hero is a former military man and is therefore strict, organized, and firm. The heroine is shy, sweet, and kindhearted. Obviously, there is a lot of push and pull when it comes to behavior modification aspects of the Duchess Practice. Neither character drastically changes or transforms in this book. There are aspects of their personalities that evolve as they learn from each other; the hero's support of the heroine allowing her bravery and boldness to blossom and the heroine's cheerfulness and optimism allowing the hero to let his guard down and embrace the lighter aspects of life. Their romance is slow building, always simmering beneath the surface, leaving the reader with tummy flutterings (I can't be the only one who's experienced it).
"He wanted to see her as the woman she would become. As the woman he would help her become, the confident, assured woman he knew was lurking underneath the hesitancy and the wrinkled gowns. He hoped she wouldn’t lose the joy and the good heart she displayed so clearly—her obvious plot to keep her inefficient staff employed for just a bit more time, her kindness in taking in not only her grandmother, but her grandmother’s cat, her exuberance when she tracked him down to ask him questions—but he would have to help her hide that heart so people wouldn’t take advantage of her."
"“If only more battles and business meetings had you at their helm the world would be a far more prosperous and peaceful place.” She could only blink at him in shock. “I—that—thank you,” she said at last. How could you tell someone that they had just paid you the best possible compliment ever?"
The fact that the hero is so stunningly beautiful provides for quite a bit of humor in the book:
"Did other ladies do that, just sit and gaze at him? Was that what her aunt Sophia did? And if so, why hadn’t her aunt Sophia warned her? Although that would be an awkward letter to write:
Dear Genevieve, I am sending my steward to assist you. Do not be alarmed, but he is incredibly good-looking, and it is probable you will find yourself at a loss for words when you look at him. Please try not to stare too much; it does seem to make him uncomfortable."
"Her cheeks began to burn. Again. Was this going to be her permanent state? Blushing every time Mr. Salisbury did or said anything, or anyone (such as her grandmother) did or said anything around him? Was she to be in a constant state of acute Salisburyness? The sooner she learned how to do what needed to be done, the better. She did not want to Salisbury her way through life."
"The woman’s mouth opened, and her eyes widened, and she tilted her head back slowly, as though surveying him inch by handsome inch. Genevieve wished she could be so bold. She’d like the chance to embark on that kind of appraisal as well."
I'm surprised the book is currently only rated at 3.54. I imagine it has something to do with the writing style. The author does use language not typical to HR.
"“I am accustomed to being on my own. I find I do not like being duchessed all the time.”
“So you want to be out on your own . . . with me?” he said, allowing a hint of humor to ease into his voice.
She laughed. “Yes, exactly. I wish to be on my own with you.” And then her eyes widened, and her cheeks started to turn pink[.] “That is, I wish to go outside. With you. Alone.” And then she rolled her eyes and her mouth twisted up into a grimace. “I cannot say anything properly, which is why you are here. Let us go outside, Mr. Salisbury, and pay visits on people who will no doubt be appalled that I am on my own alone with you.”
She shook her head one last time before walking out the door, glancing back to make certain he was following her. He was. He absolutely was."
Here are a few more quotes I hope you'll enjoy as much as I did:
"“Your Grace, I will return within fifteen minutes.” Don’t get accosted during that time, his look said. I won’t, you foolish man, her expression seemed to say."
"He was frozen in place, his heart pounding, his chest feeling as though someone was squeezing it until his lungs popped."
"“As you command, Duchess,” he said, smirking. He kept his eyes locked on hers as he removed his jacket, tossing it onto the grass. His shirt was next, and he pulled it up and over his head, revealing his chest.
“Hold on,” she commanded, putting her hand out. “I want to look first before you’re all done.” She twirled her finger. “Turn around so I can see all of you.”
He grinned and began to turn, slowly, so she could see each and every part of his upper body. The firm curve of his biceps, the definition of the muscles on his chest, the intriguing indents lower down leading into his trousers.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“You’re gorgeous,” she replied. “And now the rest, please.”
“Didn’t I remind you not to say please?” he teased, his fingers going to the placket of his trousers.
“You did. Trousers!” she commanded, trying to keep herself stern and unsmiling, and failing utterly.
“Much better,” he said as his trousers dropped down to the ground."
"The door opened to admit Genevieve, who paused as she took in the scene; the corners of her mouth lifted when she saw the tea things in front of them. Archie stood to look at her, an answering grin on his face. Lady Sophia couldn’t see his expression, so he allowed some of what he was feeling to show. Her eyes widened, and she shook herself as though from her imagination."
"“Mr. Salisb—Archie—am I . . .” and then she stopped speaking, and he felt her hands on his back, sliding over his ribs to clasp together over his chest. “I wish I weren’t so anxious about it all.” She placed her head on his back and they just stood there, him barely daring to breathe. She was here. Holding him, as though he was the one who needed comfort when she—well, damn it, he needed comforting, too. Because he had to admit he didn’t want to leave her."
""[Archie,] [y]ou can return with me in a week or so.” Genevieve’s throat tightened at her godmother’s casual announcement. And then her cheeks really started to flush as she couldn’t help but look at him—only to find him staring at her. If looks could kill, could they kiss? Because if they could, she was getting thoroughly kissed right now, judging by the look in his eyes. She lowered her gaze before even her grandmother could see what was going on between them."
"“A week.” Archie’s tone sounded strained, and her heart fluttered in a fierce joy. He didn’t want to leave. But she couldn’t keep him, not without betraying her godmother’s trust and causing potential scandal. She would have to let him go."
"The crumbs of the biscuit caught in his throat as he spotted her at the top of the stairs. She seemed to hesitate, not yet looking down, her foot poised to the next step. And then she nodded to herself and did look down, leaving Archie breathless and wishing he was standing beside her. Could tell her how lovely and elegant and beautiful she looked.
Beautiful, and strong, and intelligent, and caring, and—damn. He started to cough as it hit him, and he put his hand up to his mouth to smother the noise as well as to keep himself from telling her. Damn it. He had gone and fallen in love with her, hadn’t he? And damned if he knew what he was going to do about it."
After the heroine (Genevieve) unexpectedly inherits a duchy, her aunt/godmother dispatches her steward to the heroines's rescue. The steward is the very attractive hero (Archie Salisbury), whose mission is to teach the heroine all about duchy-related affairs, including comportment (the heroine was shipped off to the country at an early age, where she was raised by her serving staff [a horrible father syndrome] therefore knew little about being an aristocrat). Thus begin the Duchess Practice lessons on being aloof, haughty and demanding and learning how to review her books and handle her staff and tenants. The hero has been disowned by his aristo family so he's a pro at being an aristocrat.
"Of course, he was a Captain (Ret.), so perhaps firmness was a requirement of the military? She presumed so. It would be awkward to be on a battlefield and pause to look at your fellow soldier in arms and ask, “Should we attack? I think we might want to attack, but what do you think?”"
The hero is a former military man and is therefore strict, organized, and firm. The heroine is shy, sweet, and kindhearted. Obviously, there is a lot of push and pull when it comes to behavior modification aspects of the Duchess Practice. Neither character drastically changes or transforms in this book. There are aspects of their personalities that evolve as they learn from each other; the hero's support of the heroine allowing her bravery and boldness to blossom and the heroine's cheerfulness and optimism allowing the hero to let his guard down and embrace the lighter aspects of life. Their romance is slow building, always simmering beneath the surface, leaving the reader with tummy flutterings (I can't be the only one who's experienced it).
"He wanted to see her as the woman she would become. As the woman he would help her become, the confident, assured woman he knew was lurking underneath the hesitancy and the wrinkled gowns. He hoped she wouldn’t lose the joy and the good heart she displayed so clearly—her obvious plot to keep her inefficient staff employed for just a bit more time, her kindness in taking in not only her grandmother, but her grandmother’s cat, her exuberance when she tracked him down to ask him questions—but he would have to help her hide that heart so people wouldn’t take advantage of her."
"“If only more battles and business meetings had you at their helm the world would be a far more prosperous and peaceful place.” She could only blink at him in shock. “I—that—thank you,” she said at last. How could you tell someone that they had just paid you the best possible compliment ever?"
The fact that the hero is so stunningly beautiful provides for quite a bit of humor in the book:
"Did other ladies do that, just sit and gaze at him? Was that what her aunt Sophia did? And if so, why hadn’t her aunt Sophia warned her? Although that would be an awkward letter to write:
Dear Genevieve, I am sending my steward to assist you. Do not be alarmed, but he is incredibly good-looking, and it is probable you will find yourself at a loss for words when you look at him. Please try not to stare too much; it does seem to make him uncomfortable."
"Her cheeks began to burn. Again. Was this going to be her permanent state? Blushing every time Mr. Salisbury did or said anything, or anyone (such as her grandmother) did or said anything around him? Was she to be in a constant state of acute Salisburyness? The sooner she learned how to do what needed to be done, the better. She did not want to Salisbury her way through life."
"The woman’s mouth opened, and her eyes widened, and she tilted her head back slowly, as though surveying him inch by handsome inch. Genevieve wished she could be so bold. She’d like the chance to embark on that kind of appraisal as well."
I'm surprised the book is currently only rated at 3.54. I imagine it has something to do with the writing style. The author does use language not typical to HR.
"“I am accustomed to being on my own. I find I do not like being duchessed all the time.”
“So you want to be out on your own . . . with me?” he said, allowing a hint of humor to ease into his voice.
She laughed. “Yes, exactly. I wish to be on my own with you.” And then her eyes widened, and her cheeks started to turn pink[.] “That is, I wish to go outside. With you. Alone.” And then she rolled her eyes and her mouth twisted up into a grimace. “I cannot say anything properly, which is why you are here. Let us go outside, Mr. Salisbury, and pay visits on people who will no doubt be appalled that I am on my own alone with you.”
She shook her head one last time before walking out the door, glancing back to make certain he was following her. He was. He absolutely was."
Here are a few more quotes I hope you'll enjoy as much as I did:
"“Your Grace, I will return within fifteen minutes.” Don’t get accosted during that time, his look said. I won’t, you foolish man, her expression seemed to say."
"He was frozen in place, his heart pounding, his chest feeling as though someone was squeezing it until his lungs popped."
"“As you command, Duchess,” he said, smirking. He kept his eyes locked on hers as he removed his jacket, tossing it onto the grass. His shirt was next, and he pulled it up and over his head, revealing his chest.
“Hold on,” she commanded, putting her hand out. “I want to look first before you’re all done.” She twirled her finger. “Turn around so I can see all of you.”
He grinned and began to turn, slowly, so she could see each and every part of his upper body. The firm curve of his biceps, the definition of the muscles on his chest, the intriguing indents lower down leading into his trousers.
“What do you think?” he asked.
“You’re gorgeous,” she replied. “And now the rest, please.”
“Didn’t I remind you not to say please?” he teased, his fingers going to the placket of his trousers.
“You did. Trousers!” she commanded, trying to keep herself stern and unsmiling, and failing utterly.
“Much better,” he said as his trousers dropped down to the ground."
"The door opened to admit Genevieve, who paused as she took in the scene; the corners of her mouth lifted when she saw the tea things in front of them. Archie stood to look at her, an answering grin on his face. Lady Sophia couldn’t see his expression, so he allowed some of what he was feeling to show. Her eyes widened, and she shook herself as though from her imagination."
"“Mr. Salisb—Archie—am I . . .” and then she stopped speaking, and he felt her hands on his back, sliding over his ribs to clasp together over his chest. “I wish I weren’t so anxious about it all.” She placed her head on his back and they just stood there, him barely daring to breathe. She was here. Holding him, as though he was the one who needed comfort when she—well, damn it, he needed comforting, too. Because he had to admit he didn’t want to leave her."
""[Archie,] [y]ou can return with me in a week or so.” Genevieve’s throat tightened at her godmother’s casual announcement. And then her cheeks really started to flush as she couldn’t help but look at him—only to find him staring at her. If looks could kill, could they kiss? Because if they could, she was getting thoroughly kissed right now, judging by the look in his eyes. She lowered her gaze before even her grandmother could see what was going on between them."
"“A week.” Archie’s tone sounded strained, and her heart fluttered in a fierce joy. He didn’t want to leave. But she couldn’t keep him, not without betraying her godmother’s trust and causing potential scandal. She would have to let him go."
"The crumbs of the biscuit caught in his throat as he spotted her at the top of the stairs. She seemed to hesitate, not yet looking down, her foot poised to the next step. And then she nodded to herself and did look down, leaving Archie breathless and wishing he was standing beside her. Could tell her how lovely and elegant and beautiful she looked.
Beautiful, and strong, and intelligent, and caring, and—damn. He started to cough as it hit him, and he put his hand up to his mouth to smother the noise as well as to keep himself from telling her. Damn it. He had gone and fallen in love with her, hadn’t he? And damned if he knew what he was going to do about it."
February 28, 2017
This is the fifth book in the Dukes Behaving Badly Series. I have read the first four and have really enjoyed all of them. This one has a twist to it. The heroine inherits the Title of Duchess from her father who has passed away. This was very unusual at the time but not unheard of.
Only Genevieve doesn't know how to be a Duchess. She has lived her whole life at one of her father's estates surrounded by servants. She barely knew her father. The only love she ever received was from her faithful servants. She knows that she has to learn how to become a Duchess because their are hundreds of people that depend on her for their livelihoods. So she writes to her Aunt Sophia to ask for help. Her Aunt responds by sending her man of business to help Genevieve. She is expecting an old man with whiskers and a pot belly. What she gets is a remarkable good looking man who is any young lady's dream of a Hero.
Archie Salisbury is the son of a Viscount and an ex-soldier who has found purpose in his life after the Army by serving as a Man of Business. His employer is sending him to her goddaughter the Duchess to help her straighten out her estates and help her negotiate Society. Archie is immediately attracted to Genevieve but he knows that she is far above his touch. He is estranged from his family and has to make a living.
As Archie helps Genevieve learn and guide her through her responsibilities and expectations of being a Duchess he finds himself falling for her. He knows that she is an innocent and has spent no time in Society with eligible men but he cannot seem to help himself around her. As they grow closer to each other it becomes harder and harder to resist each other. Genevieve has fallen in love and wants Archie for her own but will his honor stop him from having Genevieve?
This story was refreshing in that the woman was in the position of power and her social status was above the mans. Both Archie and Genevieve were unusual in that their positions of rank were not the norm. The letters at the beginning of every chapter were very witty. I really enjoyed them. This is a lovely story that takes you on a journey of discovery, a little chaos, with a sensual element to it. Megan's writing is pure joy and I look forward to her next book.
Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.
Only Genevieve doesn't know how to be a Duchess. She has lived her whole life at one of her father's estates surrounded by servants. She barely knew her father. The only love she ever received was from her faithful servants. She knows that she has to learn how to become a Duchess because their are hundreds of people that depend on her for their livelihoods. So she writes to her Aunt Sophia to ask for help. Her Aunt responds by sending her man of business to help Genevieve. She is expecting an old man with whiskers and a pot belly. What she gets is a remarkable good looking man who is any young lady's dream of a Hero.
Archie Salisbury is the son of a Viscount and an ex-soldier who has found purpose in his life after the Army by serving as a Man of Business. His employer is sending him to her goddaughter the Duchess to help her straighten out her estates and help her negotiate Society. Archie is immediately attracted to Genevieve but he knows that she is far above his touch. He is estranged from his family and has to make a living.
As Archie helps Genevieve learn and guide her through her responsibilities and expectations of being a Duchess he finds himself falling for her. He knows that she is an innocent and has spent no time in Society with eligible men but he cannot seem to help himself around her. As they grow closer to each other it becomes harder and harder to resist each other. Genevieve has fallen in love and wants Archie for her own but will his honor stop him from having Genevieve?
This story was refreshing in that the woman was in the position of power and her social status was above the mans. Both Archie and Genevieve were unusual in that their positions of rank were not the norm. The letters at the beginning of every chapter were very witty. I really enjoyed them. This is a lovely story that takes you on a journey of discovery, a little chaos, with a sensual element to it. Megan's writing is pure joy and I look forward to her next book.
Received a complimentary copy for an honest review.
September 15, 2021
I would describe this book as delightfully meh. Yes I know that seems like two opposing opinions but let me explain. This was a very vanilla historical romance however I can't fault it for that since it had all the aspects of a good romance. The characters were sweet and the plot seemed promising. It had its moments of tenderness and humor but overall it lacked the spark. The feelings the protagonists had for each other seemed to develop quickly whereas their relationship was painfully slow and not the good kind of pain... this pain just made me want to leave the book unfinished. However I stuck through and it was okay. All in all this was a plain story with plain characters. If you're looking for something very sweet and almost childlike in the way a little girl would describe their romance with Mr Charming then this may be a good book for you to pick up.
November 27, 2017
It's not usual for a woman to inherit a dukedom but apparently, it did happen once or twice, and this story uses that for a premise. The heroine, Genevieve has no idea how to take over her family's duchy, so her godmother sends her ultra-competent (and handsome) steward, Archie Salisbury, to help train her up. Together, they start fixing all of the problems her negligent father ignored and Genevieve makes her entrance into society. But in the meantime, the two become friends and then fall in love.
Megan Frampton's style reminded me a bit of Julia Quinn - funny and sweet. I also liked that both the main characters were honorable and well-intentioned - it made the conclusion of the romance that much more satisfying. This story was so good, I read it twice!
Megan Frampton's style reminded me a bit of Julia Quinn - funny and sweet. I also liked that both the main characters were honorable and well-intentioned - it made the conclusion of the romance that much more satisfying. This story was so good, I read it twice!
March 4, 2018
Ugh, I hate it when my kindle marks things as read before I've had a chance to rate/review. I thought I had that turned off. Anyway, I liked this one. I'm not always a fan of My Fair Lady type plots but this one worked for me. I liked that it wasn't a bet but an unexpected inheritance that required our heroine to get some polish. I also liked that she wasn't a complete rube, just out of her depth a bit. Anyone who's ever gotten a promotion will know the feeling. With a hero named Archie I kept picturing Cary Grant, which isn't a bad thing either.
March 2, 2017
In 1945 women aren't often being made heiresses of duchies. Genevieve, however, has been chosen by her father as his successor. She's been raised by servants, knows almost nothing of society and has no experience managing a large estate. That's why her godmother lends her Archie, her steward, he can teach her anything she needs to know. Archie isn't happy with this job, but he has no choice but to agree.
Archie prefers correspondence over communication. He doesn't have much faith in Genevieve as a duchess when he first meets her, but she manages to convince him of her capability. He might even like her and that is something that cannot happen. Archie doesn't move in his family's social circles any longer and he keeps his distance from the ton. Will he be able to turn Genevieve into a proper duchess and will he be able to remain immune to her charms?
My Fair Duchess is a fun and sexy story. I loved the fact that Genevieve is a woman with a high position and I admired how smart and resilient she is. She's a fast learner, she wants to be a good manager of her estate and she's determined to do a better job than her father. She needs someone to guide her, but she also gives something back. While Archie teaches her to be an important person in society, Genevieve teaches him how to loosen up and how to experience joy. She loves with all her heart and she generously shares that with him. I liked their chemistry, their easy friendship and the way they complement each other. They're perfect for one another, but there's one problem, Archie is a steward and Genevieve is a duchess, so they aren't supposed to fall in love. I read their story in one sitting because I couldn't wait to find out where that would lead.
Megan Frampton's sentences have an easy flow and she writes with a lovely sense of humor. The chapters of My Fair Duchess are being alternated with letters that are filled with sentences that shouldn't be read by anyone but the person who's written them, which is an amusing detail. My Fair Duchess is a lighthearted story. It's entertaining and charming and it has a wonderful romantic ending. The main characters are beautiful people and they make the story interesting and sweet. I really enjoyed reading this captivating dreamy book.
Archie prefers correspondence over communication. He doesn't have much faith in Genevieve as a duchess when he first meets her, but she manages to convince him of her capability. He might even like her and that is something that cannot happen. Archie doesn't move in his family's social circles any longer and he keeps his distance from the ton. Will he be able to turn Genevieve into a proper duchess and will he be able to remain immune to her charms?
My Fair Duchess is a fun and sexy story. I loved the fact that Genevieve is a woman with a high position and I admired how smart and resilient she is. She's a fast learner, she wants to be a good manager of her estate and she's determined to do a better job than her father. She needs someone to guide her, but she also gives something back. While Archie teaches her to be an important person in society, Genevieve teaches him how to loosen up and how to experience joy. She loves with all her heart and she generously shares that with him. I liked their chemistry, their easy friendship and the way they complement each other. They're perfect for one another, but there's one problem, Archie is a steward and Genevieve is a duchess, so they aren't supposed to fall in love. I read their story in one sitting because I couldn't wait to find out where that would lead.
Megan Frampton's sentences have an easy flow and she writes with a lovely sense of humor. The chapters of My Fair Duchess are being alternated with letters that are filled with sentences that shouldn't be read by anyone but the person who's written them, which is an amusing detail. My Fair Duchess is a lighthearted story. It's entertaining and charming and it has a wonderful romantic ending. The main characters are beautiful people and they make the story interesting and sweet. I really enjoyed reading this captivating dreamy book.
February 16, 2017
My Fair Duchess is the fifth book in the Dukes Behaving Badly series by Megan Frampton. It can easily be read as a stand alone novel.
Genevieve has the very rare, unheard of role as Duchess of Blakesley foist upon her. She never expected it and certainly hadn't been taught all that was necessary to learn in order to take up the mantle. She is like a fish out of water and calls on her 'Aunt' to please help her. In answer to her call for help her aunt sends her very proper, very handsome Steward, Archibald Salisbury.
Archie is the third son of a viscount, and he is well versed on how proper aristocratic people should behave. He couldn't stand to see how his father, and more than likely his brother to follow, treated the Viscountcy. Not enough care was given to the tenants or the estates. In order to get away from it he joined the army, and although he became a war hero, his father disowned him before he even left to fight. He didn't change his mind when he came home. When he finished his duty, Archie found a job as Genevieve's Aunt's steward and he's been very happy there ever since. He is quite horrified at the thought of going to London to teach a woman how to be a duchess. He imagines she's a brainless ninny and that she's matronly to boot. But it's his employers wish, and he has to accept the job.
As soon as Genevieve sees him she can't get over how utterly gorgeous he is. How on Earth is she to concentrate on anything when all she wants to do is kiss him all over! The attraction becomes mutual and they both end up having to remind themselves of their positions, what's expected of Genevieve, and the fact that it would be most improper if they so much as hold hands.
Can they fight their attraction, be happy perhaps with a quick kiss and fondle, all while making sure that a bad light isn't shed upon Genevieve who is trying to prove that she can do as good a job as any Duke and that people should respect her. Or will they give in to their passions knowing nothing can come of it, but with the possibility of being discovered?!
This was such a fun, light hearted read. I adored the bickering and flirting between Archie and Genevieve. The way he whispered to her what he would love to do with her while they were in no position to carry out what he wanted was so naughty of him. You just wanted Genevieve to say, blast being a Duchess, and grab him to make out! There was a fabulous chemistry between them, and I love how protective he was of her and how he puts his all into teaching her how to run her estates and being a proper lady. There was even a funny scene where he has to act the part of a woman, role playing with Genevieve so that she could learn to behave with people of different stations in life. I can't help but laugh now while I think of it. I guarantee that you won't be able to read this book without having a smile on your face most of the time.
There was only one thing lacking, and that is an epilogue. I really feel that one would have been ideal because there are a couple of things that need to be seen through to the conclusion. You will know what they are when you reach the end of the book. BUT it certainly doesn't spoil the book, or the fact that it is a wonderful story, it just would have added so much to it if it had an epilogue.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers' Copy of this book.
Genevieve has the very rare, unheard of role as Duchess of Blakesley foist upon her. She never expected it and certainly hadn't been taught all that was necessary to learn in order to take up the mantle. She is like a fish out of water and calls on her 'Aunt' to please help her. In answer to her call for help her aunt sends her very proper, very handsome Steward, Archibald Salisbury.
Archie is the third son of a viscount, and he is well versed on how proper aristocratic people should behave. He couldn't stand to see how his father, and more than likely his brother to follow, treated the Viscountcy. Not enough care was given to the tenants or the estates. In order to get away from it he joined the army, and although he became a war hero, his father disowned him before he even left to fight. He didn't change his mind when he came home. When he finished his duty, Archie found a job as Genevieve's Aunt's steward and he's been very happy there ever since. He is quite horrified at the thought of going to London to teach a woman how to be a duchess. He imagines she's a brainless ninny and that she's matronly to boot. But it's his employers wish, and he has to accept the job.
As soon as Genevieve sees him she can't get over how utterly gorgeous he is. How on Earth is she to concentrate on anything when all she wants to do is kiss him all over! The attraction becomes mutual and they both end up having to remind themselves of their positions, what's expected of Genevieve, and the fact that it would be most improper if they so much as hold hands.
Can they fight their attraction, be happy perhaps with a quick kiss and fondle, all while making sure that a bad light isn't shed upon Genevieve who is trying to prove that she can do as good a job as any Duke and that people should respect her. Or will they give in to their passions knowing nothing can come of it, but with the possibility of being discovered?!
This was such a fun, light hearted read. I adored the bickering and flirting between Archie and Genevieve. The way he whispered to her what he would love to do with her while they were in no position to carry out what he wanted was so naughty of him. You just wanted Genevieve to say, blast being a Duchess, and grab him to make out! There was a fabulous chemistry between them, and I love how protective he was of her and how he puts his all into teaching her how to run her estates and being a proper lady. There was even a funny scene where he has to act the part of a woman, role playing with Genevieve so that she could learn to behave with people of different stations in life. I can't help but laugh now while I think of it. I guarantee that you won't be able to read this book without having a smile on your face most of the time.
There was only one thing lacking, and that is an epilogue. I really feel that one would have been ideal because there are a couple of things that need to be seen through to the conclusion. You will know what they are when you reach the end of the book. BUT it certainly doesn't spoil the book, or the fact that it is a wonderful story, it just would have added so much to it if it had an epilogue.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers' Copy of this book.
March 8, 2017
Loved the role reversal! It is unheard of a female inheriting a title, but I loved that is was different from all other historical romances. Genevieve and Archie have a slow build to their romance, but that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t plenty of “bad” behavior going on. I think I had a smile on my face almost the entire time I read the book, except of course when it seemed impossible they could have a happy ending. Loved the letters they wrote to each other with things they couldn’t actually say or even send them, but we got to read. I wish there would have been an epilogue to see what their future looked like.
4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.
4.5 stars
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.
February 26, 2017
Megan Frampton has a talent for writing entertaining stories laced with subtle humor and featuring endearing characters, which is exactly what she delivers in My Fair Duchess – the fifth stand-alone book in her Dukes Behaving Badly series. Most readers will thoroughly enjoy this nod to My Fair Lady, but you’ll need to suspend a fair amount of disbelief to find the story plausible; and if you can’t, you might find My Fair Duchess more exasperating than amusing.
If you can abandon disbelief and go with the flow, you will undoubtedly be charmed and entertained. Every chapter is prefaced with a comical letter between characters – most often Archibald and Genevieve – and their correspondence is original, clever and fun. Both Archibald and Genevieve are interesting, immensely likeable and seemingly perfect for each other, and their love story is enchanting and truly romantic. If there was a historical-ish fairytale romance sub-genre, I would unreservedly recommend My Fair Duchess, but until this exists, I’ll need to include a small qualification with my endorsement.
See full review at All About Romance.
ARC provided by publisher, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
If you can abandon disbelief and go with the flow, you will undoubtedly be charmed and entertained. Every chapter is prefaced with a comical letter between characters – most often Archibald and Genevieve – and their correspondence is original, clever and fun. Both Archibald and Genevieve are interesting, immensely likeable and seemingly perfect for each other, and their love story is enchanting and truly romantic. If there was a historical-ish fairytale romance sub-genre, I would unreservedly recommend My Fair Duchess, but until this exists, I’ll need to include a small qualification with my endorsement.
See full review at All About Romance.
ARC provided by publisher, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
March 9, 2017
3.5 stars, bumped up because it made me laugh out loud a few times
January 23, 2020
This is my third or fourth book by Megan Frampton (who I think is a kickass human as well as being a talented writer), and I think my favorite so far. I love her voice-- her wit, and the joy threaded through all of her stories. This book is not particularly deep, or probably extremely historically accurate (at one point, the heroine says something like "well, that happened"), but it is engaging and consistent and fun and low-angst, and I love Archie and Genevieve very very much.
March 26, 2017
Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
From the start, Archibald and Genevieve are pretty darn cute. I love their friendship and how they react to one another. Watching them try to fight the attraction is half the fun. Plus, the notes they wrote to each other too?? Whether they sent them or not, they were beyond adorable, and really added that extra something to their story.
The ARC of My Fair Duchess by Megan Frampton was kindly provided to me by publisher through Edelweiss for review. The opinions are my own.
From the start, Archibald and Genevieve are pretty darn cute. I love their friendship and how they react to one another. Watching them try to fight the attraction is half the fun. Plus, the notes they wrote to each other too?? Whether they sent them or not, they were beyond adorable, and really added that extra something to their story.
The ARC of My Fair Duchess by Megan Frampton was kindly provided to me by publisher through Edelweiss for review. The opinions are my own.
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