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Seducing the Duchess
It was just another scandalous night...
Gambling. Carousing. Flirting. Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford, will do anything to create a scandal large enough to force her husband to finally petition for a divorce. Once madly in love with Philip, she is now determined to escape from their less than civil marriage and the reminders of his betrayal.
Until he stole her away...
Philip Burgess, Duke of Rutherford, is not a man to tolerate regrets. He wed Charlotte for revenge, not for love or convenience, knowing she would come to hate him. But he never expected he would one day find himself craving her attention or desiring her company.
And gave her something more...
Philip is no longer the cold, deceitful man she married years ago. And when he promises Charlotte a divorce if she will help him become a better husband for another woman, she wonders if she truly wants to lose him— and if Philip may still possess her heart after all.
Gambling. Carousing. Flirting. Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford, will do anything to create a scandal large enough to force her husband to finally petition for a divorce. Once madly in love with Philip, she is now determined to escape from their less than civil marriage and the reminders of his betrayal.
Until he stole her away...
Philip Burgess, Duke of Rutherford, is not a man to tolerate regrets. He wed Charlotte for revenge, not for love or convenience, knowing she would come to hate him. But he never expected he would one day find himself craving her attention or desiring her company.
And gave her something more...
Philip is no longer the cold, deceitful man she married years ago. And when he promises Charlotte a divorce if she will help him become a better husband for another woman, she wonders if she truly wants to lose him— and if Philip may still possess her heart after all.
302 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 28, 2010
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July 23, 2015
I should have liked this more than I did. It contained a lot of plot elements I find fun in a romance.
The hero marries the heroine for revenge against her brother. Then he proceeds to be a total ass after the wedding night, going back to his mistress and ignoring the heroine. Finally, he decides it's the heroine he really loves and has to try and win her back, a plan which includes abduction.
Fun, right?
Not really. Just too many little quirks that ruined it for me.
First of all, this novel is not for historical purists. I'm not one myself, I can read a wallpaper historical if it entertains me. This took place somewhere in the mid to late'ish 19th century. Byron was mentioned and there aren't cars yet, so that's my guess.
Spoilers below:
The hero marries the heroine for revenge against her brother. Then he proceeds to be a total ass after the wedding night, going back to his mistress and ignoring the heroine. Finally, he decides it's the heroine he really loves and has to try and win her back, a plan which includes abduction.
Fun, right?
Not really. Just too many little quirks that ruined it for me.
First of all, this novel is not for historical purists. I'm not one myself, I can read a wallpaper historical if it entertains me. This took place somewhere in the mid to late'ish 19th century. Byron was mentioned and there aren't cars yet, so that's my guess.
Spoilers below:
December 1, 2011
The first time I read this, I gave it two stars and here are my thoughts from the first time, I will follow it up with my opinion on the reread.
I have liked and defended some really bad cheating H's in my time, but I can't find any sympathy for Philip, the H. The story is about Philip and Charlotte the Duke and Duchess of Rutherford. Philip marries Charlotte because her older brother attempted to run off with Phillip's fiancée Joanna, who is now Lady Gray. The elopement was unsuccessful, with the result that Joanna marries some one else. Ethan leaves the country and Philip, with no one else to vent his spite on (he did not love Joanna, it was an arranged match) decides to get revenge on Ethan by seducing and marrying Charlotte and then discarding her for his mistress. By the time he succeeds, Ethan has left England for India or somewhere and Charlotte is totally in love with Philip. The day and night after the wedding, Philip tells Charlotte why he married her and so she is stuck. Her family disowned Ethan and refuse to have anything to do with her because she married Philip. So she is 19 years old a duchess and completely alone and abandoned by her family, her husband and her brother.
Charlotte decides she needs a divorce and asks for it. Philip says no. Since Philip has wasted no time in flaunting his mistress to all and sundry, Charlotte decides to hit him where it will really hurt. She sets out to make herself an unacceptable duchess to the ducal dignity. Philip is so ducal and cold and dignified it is pathetic, he hates any thought of scandal attaching itself to his title. Charlotte basically gets herself talked about as if she is the Whore of Babylon, however she never actually sleeps with anyone else (this is not known to Philip until later), she just lets rumor and innuendo, plus her admirer's conceit do the job for her. She becomes a byword for fast living and a supposed wild woman.
Much to Philip's surprise he wakes up 2 and 1/2 years after marrying her and realizes he is in love with her. Philip spends 6 months trying to maneuver her into being with him. He takes her to the opera and theater and various functions, never realizing she hates the opera and the theater and everything he is doing just makes her dislike him more. Finally, realizing he isn't getting anywhere, he kidnaps her. He takes her to his country estate which borders her family's lands and also borders the former fiancée, Joanna. He tries to give Charlotte gifts (he gives her a harp because she once said she wanted one) and basically win her affections. This isn't going so well, so he tells Charlotte that he will give her a divorce in 90 days if she will teach him how to be a good husband so that he can marry Joanna.
During all this, the reader is treated to long passages about how much Philip desires Charlotte and how determined he is to get what he wants and how offended he is at Charlotte's adultery. The attempts at courting keep going on, with Philip having Charlotte act the part of Joanna. What Philip doesn't get is that Charlotte has always felt very inadequate compared to both Philip and Joanna, they are in a higher social level than her family was.
Plus every time Philip does something that might make Charlotte actually like him again, he backs off and becomes cold and arrogant again. He invites her family over for dinner, which is an utter disaster because her family pretty much despises her. He leaves her in the middle of the dance floor at a country dance, and he invites Joanna over every day for flirting sessions trying to make Charlotte jealous. Charlotte is getting tired of this so she invites all her former admirer's to come visit. Philip has them all thrown out. He finally tells her that he wanted her and that he loves her. Charlotte doesn't believe him, she feels manipulated again and then Philip confesses that he was trying to woo her and he isn't marrying Joanna.
They finally have sex and then the next morning he tells her he won't give her a divorce. Charlotte figures he has lied and manipulated her for the last time and leaves him but he starts harping on her other lovers and she tells him there wasn't anyone else but him. She leaves and he feels terrible but thinks she will come back. She doesn't return and Philip goes to London and starts the petition for the divorce.
Charlotte is completely ostracized at social functions now, except for one friend who is also a writer and an Earl's daughter. Philip comes to find her at a party and tells her that the petition is for infidelity but he doesn't want society to think badly of her. Charlotte vacillates about going back to him but doesn't do it until she hears a rumor that Philip is giving up the dukedom. She rushes back to the country estate, where Philip has had all the pictures of his grandfather destroyed (apparently the reason he is such a whiny jerk is because his grandfather was mean to him) and they have the HEA or HFN.
I am not sure which it is really, HFN or HEA because Philip is such a back and forth character, who knows what he will get obsessed about next. It also seemed a bit unbelievable to me that Charlotte, who already has an inferiority complex, would so relentlessly demand a divorce. Especially with her family being so estranged. She would have no income or social status and I just don't see it. The time period is vague but I am guessing regency although some of the actions the characters do would fit better in a Georgian.
The book is mainly from Philip's perspective, and while I admit his little panged longings for Charlotte are kinda sweet at first, by page 100 his mooning over Charlotte's body and his angst against his grandfather and his stupid self deception and dumb butt courting attempts are more than a little trying.
Srsly, at one point I was just hoping Philip would break his neck and die and Charlotte could be a wealthy widow and go hang out in Europe. I also don't understand why Charlotte never actually took a lover. She had the passion for it, and it would have been more logical than this coy woman of the world but secret ingenue act she has going on.
Also, why flirt and make out with Joanna, this is an incredibly stupid move on Philip's part. Is any man that big of an idiot? Your wife already hates you, in part cause you dumped her the day after your wedding for your mistress, and you think bringing yet another woman in, who you make no secret of comparing your wife to (and the wife comes up short), is going to make your wife fall passionately in love with you again. Then you get angry when she doesn't believe you when you say nothing happened with the woman. Egad the stupidity and arrogance made me ill.
Parts of Charlotte I really liked, but the whole demanding a divorce I just did not believe, not with as inferior as she felt. The inferiority complex is never really addressed either. Try as I might, I just did not like this book. I just couldn't believe the h, the H's reformation and while parts were very funny, the sexual tension was so drawn out as to be boring and the inept fantasizing on the part of the H was just pathetic.
Now a year later I have reread this book and I am sad to say my opinion hasn't changed except maybe lower. I realize this is AM's first attempt at novelization but srsly the illogical plot holes made absolutely no sense whatsoever. I admit I am pretty plebeian in my historicals, authentic or wall paper I don't really care, if the story is good I am easy and I don't demand a lot of authenticity. Unfortunately, AM's vague time period doesn't even make wall paper historical status more throw-the-pink-sheer-scarf-over-the-bare-lamp-bulb and pretend we are back in time is more the feeling I got.
The character of Charlotte bothers me more too this time around. Her adamacy about a divorce really makes no sense unless she were a 20th century heroine. She secretly despises men, so she acts like a tease. She says she has dreams of what she is going to do when she gets her freedom but yet is hurt when the divorce petition is announced and society shuns her. She seems to have absolutely no sense of what she is going to do after her divorce. She doesn't speculate on the consequences of no social status, no title, no money and no job skills.
I think Charlotte's failure to realize that if Philip did succeed in divorcing her she would more than likely have to turn to prostitution to support herself is a glaring oversight. Charlotte never seems to realize that she would prbly be dependent on the very men she despises in order to eat should her divorce come through.
I understood Charlotte's need for revenge but why she went about it the way she did given her self esteem issues and insecurities is puzzling. If she was as vengeful as she says and if she had half a brain and if she really wanted a divorce she should have gone out and gotten pregnant by another man - Philip would have had no choice but to divorce her in that instance- as even I know that the sanctity of the bloodline as represented in the Heir is paramount in a historical titular marriage. The Heir and the spare is what marriage was all about in that time period, but Charlotte not only doesn't do this, she doesn't even have an affair period. This did not fit in with the modern girl power image AM was trying to project onto Charlotte and really distracts from her character and the story.
In fact, Charlotte mainly comes across as a spoiled three year old who needs a nap in her willful flight into hedonism,(which she doesn't even enjoy), her abject despondency over losing her social status when Phillip finally petitions for divorce and her completely idiotic assumptions that if she can only get a divorce all her problems will be solved. Charlotte's lack of forethought and careless treatment of the men she chooses to entice should really have had more consequences than were in the story and gives the exact opposite impression of the strong adult woman taking charge of her destiny that I think AM was trying to portray.
Then we have Phillip's supposed need for revenge, someone please explain to me how marrying a woman lower in social status and making her your duchess is revenge? If Phillip really wanted revenge against Ethan, (who for some strange reason is completely absent after the casual revenge mention), he would have seduced Charlotte and left her preggers, unwed and cast out. Come to think about it, having to win Charlotte over after abandoning her to her fate prbly would have been a better story.
Instead we only get Phillip's continually obsessing thoughts of his lust for Charlotte, I can't call it love cause mainly he just wants what he can't have, his obsessing thoughts on how mean his grandfather was to him, (srsly Phil, your an adult and a duke, surely you can make your own choices now and grow up) and Phillip's completely idiotic attempts to win the object of his lust. The only positive action Phillip took that I liked was the burning of the 43 portraits of his predecessor, at least the servants had a nice marshmallow roast, but every other action was ill-contrived and kinda stupid.
The overall conclusion I have after two readings of this book is that this is a story about two people who really should live in NeverNever Land cause they just don't want to grow up. It is probably a good thing they stayed together to avoid inflicting their immaturity on anyone else and hopefully there is no progeny in their future, cause any offspring from these two would lower the collective intelligence of humanity as a whole. Upon more thought, maybe Charlotte should get preggers by another man so that civilized society might be spared the stupidity.
While there is great repartee in book, and some sections glow like polished gems, it is the contrast between the really great scenes and the rest of story that makes this book much less than the sum of its parts.
I have liked and defended some really bad cheating H's in my time, but I can't find any sympathy for Philip, the H. The story is about Philip and Charlotte the Duke and Duchess of Rutherford. Philip marries Charlotte because her older brother attempted to run off with Phillip's fiancée Joanna, who is now Lady Gray. The elopement was unsuccessful, with the result that Joanna marries some one else. Ethan leaves the country and Philip, with no one else to vent his spite on (he did not love Joanna, it was an arranged match) decides to get revenge on Ethan by seducing and marrying Charlotte and then discarding her for his mistress. By the time he succeeds, Ethan has left England for India or somewhere and Charlotte is totally in love with Philip. The day and night after the wedding, Philip tells Charlotte why he married her and so she is stuck. Her family disowned Ethan and refuse to have anything to do with her because she married Philip. So she is 19 years old a duchess and completely alone and abandoned by her family, her husband and her brother.
Charlotte decides she needs a divorce and asks for it. Philip says no. Since Philip has wasted no time in flaunting his mistress to all and sundry, Charlotte decides to hit him where it will really hurt. She sets out to make herself an unacceptable duchess to the ducal dignity. Philip is so ducal and cold and dignified it is pathetic, he hates any thought of scandal attaching itself to his title. Charlotte basically gets herself talked about as if she is the Whore of Babylon, however she never actually sleeps with anyone else (this is not known to Philip until later), she just lets rumor and innuendo, plus her admirer's conceit do the job for her. She becomes a byword for fast living and a supposed wild woman.
Much to Philip's surprise he wakes up 2 and 1/2 years after marrying her and realizes he is in love with her. Philip spends 6 months trying to maneuver her into being with him. He takes her to the opera and theater and various functions, never realizing she hates the opera and the theater and everything he is doing just makes her dislike him more. Finally, realizing he isn't getting anywhere, he kidnaps her. He takes her to his country estate which borders her family's lands and also borders the former fiancée, Joanna. He tries to give Charlotte gifts (he gives her a harp because she once said she wanted one) and basically win her affections. This isn't going so well, so he tells Charlotte that he will give her a divorce in 90 days if she will teach him how to be a good husband so that he can marry Joanna.
During all this, the reader is treated to long passages about how much Philip desires Charlotte and how determined he is to get what he wants and how offended he is at Charlotte's adultery. The attempts at courting keep going on, with Philip having Charlotte act the part of Joanna. What Philip doesn't get is that Charlotte has always felt very inadequate compared to both Philip and Joanna, they are in a higher social level than her family was.
Plus every time Philip does something that might make Charlotte actually like him again, he backs off and becomes cold and arrogant again. He invites her family over for dinner, which is an utter disaster because her family pretty much despises her. He leaves her in the middle of the dance floor at a country dance, and he invites Joanna over every day for flirting sessions trying to make Charlotte jealous. Charlotte is getting tired of this so she invites all her former admirer's to come visit. Philip has them all thrown out. He finally tells her that he wanted her and that he loves her. Charlotte doesn't believe him, she feels manipulated again and then Philip confesses that he was trying to woo her and he isn't marrying Joanna.
They finally have sex and then the next morning he tells her he won't give her a divorce. Charlotte figures he has lied and manipulated her for the last time and leaves him but he starts harping on her other lovers and she tells him there wasn't anyone else but him. She leaves and he feels terrible but thinks she will come back. She doesn't return and Philip goes to London and starts the petition for the divorce.
Charlotte is completely ostracized at social functions now, except for one friend who is also a writer and an Earl's daughter. Philip comes to find her at a party and tells her that the petition is for infidelity but he doesn't want society to think badly of her. Charlotte vacillates about going back to him but doesn't do it until she hears a rumor that Philip is giving up the dukedom. She rushes back to the country estate, where Philip has had all the pictures of his grandfather destroyed (apparently the reason he is such a whiny jerk is because his grandfather was mean to him) and they have the HEA or HFN.
I am not sure which it is really, HFN or HEA because Philip is such a back and forth character, who knows what he will get obsessed about next. It also seemed a bit unbelievable to me that Charlotte, who already has an inferiority complex, would so relentlessly demand a divorce. Especially with her family being so estranged. She would have no income or social status and I just don't see it. The time period is vague but I am guessing regency although some of the actions the characters do would fit better in a Georgian.
The book is mainly from Philip's perspective, and while I admit his little panged longings for Charlotte are kinda sweet at first, by page 100 his mooning over Charlotte's body and his angst against his grandfather and his stupid self deception and dumb butt courting attempts are more than a little trying.
Srsly, at one point I was just hoping Philip would break his neck and die and Charlotte could be a wealthy widow and go hang out in Europe. I also don't understand why Charlotte never actually took a lover. She had the passion for it, and it would have been more logical than this coy woman of the world but secret ingenue act she has going on.
Also, why flirt and make out with Joanna, this is an incredibly stupid move on Philip's part. Is any man that big of an idiot? Your wife already hates you, in part cause you dumped her the day after your wedding for your mistress, and you think bringing yet another woman in, who you make no secret of comparing your wife to (and the wife comes up short), is going to make your wife fall passionately in love with you again. Then you get angry when she doesn't believe you when you say nothing happened with the woman. Egad the stupidity and arrogance made me ill.
Parts of Charlotte I really liked, but the whole demanding a divorce I just did not believe, not with as inferior as she felt. The inferiority complex is never really addressed either. Try as I might, I just did not like this book. I just couldn't believe the h, the H's reformation and while parts were very funny, the sexual tension was so drawn out as to be boring and the inept fantasizing on the part of the H was just pathetic.
Now a year later I have reread this book and I am sad to say my opinion hasn't changed except maybe lower. I realize this is AM's first attempt at novelization but srsly the illogical plot holes made absolutely no sense whatsoever. I admit I am pretty plebeian in my historicals, authentic or wall paper I don't really care, if the story is good I am easy and I don't demand a lot of authenticity. Unfortunately, AM's vague time period doesn't even make wall paper historical status more throw-the-pink-sheer-scarf-over-the-bare-lamp-bulb and pretend we are back in time is more the feeling I got.
The character of Charlotte bothers me more too this time around. Her adamacy about a divorce really makes no sense unless she were a 20th century heroine. She secretly despises men, so she acts like a tease. She says she has dreams of what she is going to do when she gets her freedom but yet is hurt when the divorce petition is announced and society shuns her. She seems to have absolutely no sense of what she is going to do after her divorce. She doesn't speculate on the consequences of no social status, no title, no money and no job skills.
I think Charlotte's failure to realize that if Philip did succeed in divorcing her she would more than likely have to turn to prostitution to support herself is a glaring oversight. Charlotte never seems to realize that she would prbly be dependent on the very men she despises in order to eat should her divorce come through.
I understood Charlotte's need for revenge but why she went about it the way she did given her self esteem issues and insecurities is puzzling. If she was as vengeful as she says and if she had half a brain and if she really wanted a divorce she should have gone out and gotten pregnant by another man - Philip would have had no choice but to divorce her in that instance- as even I know that the sanctity of the bloodline as represented in the Heir is paramount in a historical titular marriage. The Heir and the spare is what marriage was all about in that time period, but Charlotte not only doesn't do this, she doesn't even have an affair period. This did not fit in with the modern girl power image AM was trying to project onto Charlotte and really distracts from her character and the story.
In fact, Charlotte mainly comes across as a spoiled three year old who needs a nap in her willful flight into hedonism,(which she doesn't even enjoy), her abject despondency over losing her social status when Phillip finally petitions for divorce and her completely idiotic assumptions that if she can only get a divorce all her problems will be solved. Charlotte's lack of forethought and careless treatment of the men she chooses to entice should really have had more consequences than were in the story and gives the exact opposite impression of the strong adult woman taking charge of her destiny that I think AM was trying to portray.
Then we have Phillip's supposed need for revenge, someone please explain to me how marrying a woman lower in social status and making her your duchess is revenge? If Phillip really wanted revenge against Ethan, (who for some strange reason is completely absent after the casual revenge mention), he would have seduced Charlotte and left her preggers, unwed and cast out. Come to think about it, having to win Charlotte over after abandoning her to her fate prbly would have been a better story.
Instead we only get Phillip's continually obsessing thoughts of his lust for Charlotte, I can't call it love cause mainly he just wants what he can't have, his obsessing thoughts on how mean his grandfather was to him, (srsly Phil, your an adult and a duke, surely you can make your own choices now and grow up) and Phillip's completely idiotic attempts to win the object of his lust. The only positive action Phillip took that I liked was the burning of the 43 portraits of his predecessor, at least the servants had a nice marshmallow roast, but every other action was ill-contrived and kinda stupid.
The overall conclusion I have after two readings of this book is that this is a story about two people who really should live in NeverNever Land cause they just don't want to grow up. It is probably a good thing they stayed together to avoid inflicting their immaturity on anyone else and hopefully there is no progeny in their future, cause any offspring from these two would lower the collective intelligence of humanity as a whole. Upon more thought, maybe Charlotte should get preggers by another man so that civilized society might be spared the stupidity.
While there is great repartee in book, and some sections glow like polished gems, it is the contrast between the really great scenes and the rest of story that makes this book much less than the sum of its parts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2010
Review originally posted at Fiction Vixen.
I have to be upfront and say that I am not this book’s target audience. I didn’t know this until I started reading, but within the first 16 pages it was glaringly apparent. I hate reading about cheaters. If I hear a book has infidelity I’ve learned to just skip it. Otherwise I usually spend the whole book pissed off. It is a rare day when I believe in the relationship after they’ve cheated on one another. It has happened a time or two though, I have to admit, but those I liked despite myself. On the other hand, I am nuts for second chance romance stories. I love watching people work out their problems after they’ve grown wiser. I love knowing that two people love each other enough to put themselves out there even though they know they’ve already been burned once.
I struggled through finishing this book. To be honest, the only reason I read the whole way through was because I have a little OCD problem where I’m compelled to finish. It drives me insane to not have resolution! I spend way too much time wondering what happened and if the book got better. It’s better for me just to grit my teeth and finish it. Yes, I know I’m weird.
My biggest problem with this book was Charlotte. I thought they were both pretty shabby people, but because of how the plot of the book was set up my ire was focused on her. Because Philip was trying to win Charlotte back he was much nicer than she was. He just took whatever she threw at him and kept trying. It actually made me feel really bad for him, even after I learned about their past together. He was like that dumb little puppy that kept trailing behind someone even though it had already been kicked multiple times. You just want to save it from itself, you know?
I’m pretty sure that I was supposed to be on Charlotte’s side. I think I was supposed to look at her behavior and think Yeah! Girl Power! but I didn’t. Philip’s wrong (and it was a really bad thing to do) did not excuse her behavior in my eyes. I can see how she got to that point, but that doesn’t mean I like her and want to read about her. Maybe if I had gotten to know her before her antics came into play? I might have ended up more sympathetic. As it was, it was really hard to like her when I spent most of the book disgusted by her behavior.
Charlotte used men. She was very upfront about using her looks and seductive presence to manipulate men. She flat out reveled in her power over them. Whenever she was in a tough spot she turned on the seduction and tried to control people with it. It was very off putting for me. I don’t like modern girls who use their sexuality as a weapon, why would I like it in a historical? I find it pretty shady, and it really makes me sad for the character. Her behavior to men everywhere makes her just as bad and manipulative as Philip was.
Her constantly turning on the sex kitten routine made her look pretty slutty because she did it to everyone. The book opens with Philip coming and peeling her out of some guy's lap. Her insolent sex kitten act when he did so was not a good introduction for me. Then he tries to take her to their country estate and when they stop at an inn she runs in first. When he catches up to her she’s offering to strip for all the men in the place and even starts to before he stops her. This all happened by page 18, by the way. I’m sorry, but debasing yourself because you think it’ll hurt your husband is the dumbest thing ever. I’m sure it happens, but I don’t want to read about it!
Philip is really no better than Charlotte. I had more sympathy for him, and I finished the book pitying him, but he was the one who screwed his own life up. He was screwed over in the past, there’s no denying it. But his revenge was a really, really jerk thing to do. It was also illogical because he trapped himself too! I’m not surprised by the current plots he cooked up—although those are pretty dumb too. I really think he needs to hire someone to come up with some plans that actually have a chance of succeeding!
I can see why he was constantly scheming though. When he was upfront it still didn’t work! Charlotte was just so back and forth about him that it made my head spin. She would do the exact same things that he did—like try to make her jealous—but then when she found out, it was just more proof of him being a controller. Even though she did the EXACT SAME THING! I just really think these people would have been better off apart. There was one “big reveal” about Charlotte that I think was supposed to make me grateful and relieved by the truth. (I can’t specify because of spoilers!) It didn’t work. I just shook my head over it.
One thing that really bothered me is the way Charlotte behaved. She went around cursing constantly in public and making insulting obscene gestures toward Philip. I just find it hard to believe that a squire’s daughter and a duke’s wife would run around comparing his head to a “horse’s testicles” in public. At the end there was a slight mention of the “stodgy” members of the ton and the “self-righteous matrons” making her feel like an outcast for her behavior. I honestly think that she would be a pariah everywhere, not just with the sticklers. Especially when all of society knows she’s estranged from her husband, so being nice to her won’t win them any points with him. Maybe there were duchesses running around like that, I could be wrong.
Ignoring the characters and the plot… I see a lot of potential for the author. She had a smooth rhythm to her writing. Pages turned quickly for me, even when I was irritated. She also had quite a few funny one-liners. One of my favorites was on page 95:
There isn’t a very strong period feel at all, the setting felt kind of tacked on with no real depth. I believe people refer to those as “Wallpaper Historical.” But I’m okay with that! Not every book has to be like that. I enjoy a lot of books that would fall into that category.
My review is also posted at Fiction Vixen.
I have to be upfront and say that I am not this book’s target audience. I didn’t know this until I started reading, but within the first 16 pages it was glaringly apparent. I hate reading about cheaters. If I hear a book has infidelity I’ve learned to just skip it. Otherwise I usually spend the whole book pissed off. It is a rare day when I believe in the relationship after they’ve cheated on one another. It has happened a time or two though, I have to admit, but those I liked despite myself. On the other hand, I am nuts for second chance romance stories. I love watching people work out their problems after they’ve grown wiser. I love knowing that two people love each other enough to put themselves out there even though they know they’ve already been burned once.
I struggled through finishing this book. To be honest, the only reason I read the whole way through was because I have a little OCD problem where I’m compelled to finish. It drives me insane to not have resolution! I spend way too much time wondering what happened and if the book got better. It’s better for me just to grit my teeth and finish it. Yes, I know I’m weird.
My biggest problem with this book was Charlotte. I thought they were both pretty shabby people, but because of how the plot of the book was set up my ire was focused on her. Because Philip was trying to win Charlotte back he was much nicer than she was. He just took whatever she threw at him and kept trying. It actually made me feel really bad for him, even after I learned about their past together. He was like that dumb little puppy that kept trailing behind someone even though it had already been kicked multiple times. You just want to save it from itself, you know?
I’m pretty sure that I was supposed to be on Charlotte’s side. I think I was supposed to look at her behavior and think Yeah! Girl Power! but I didn’t. Philip’s wrong (and it was a really bad thing to do) did not excuse her behavior in my eyes. I can see how she got to that point, but that doesn’t mean I like her and want to read about her. Maybe if I had gotten to know her before her antics came into play? I might have ended up more sympathetic. As it was, it was really hard to like her when I spent most of the book disgusted by her behavior.
Charlotte used men. She was very upfront about using her looks and seductive presence to manipulate men. She flat out reveled in her power over them. Whenever she was in a tough spot she turned on the seduction and tried to control people with it. It was very off putting for me. I don’t like modern girls who use their sexuality as a weapon, why would I like it in a historical? I find it pretty shady, and it really makes me sad for the character. Her behavior to men everywhere makes her just as bad and manipulative as Philip was.
Her constantly turning on the sex kitten routine made her look pretty slutty because she did it to everyone. The book opens with Philip coming and peeling her out of some guy's lap. Her insolent sex kitten act when he did so was not a good introduction for me. Then he tries to take her to their country estate and when they stop at an inn she runs in first. When he catches up to her she’s offering to strip for all the men in the place and even starts to before he stops her. This all happened by page 18, by the way. I’m sorry, but debasing yourself because you think it’ll hurt your husband is the dumbest thing ever. I’m sure it happens, but I don’t want to read about it!
Philip is really no better than Charlotte. I had more sympathy for him, and I finished the book pitying him, but he was the one who screwed his own life up. He was screwed over in the past, there’s no denying it. But his revenge was a really, really jerk thing to do. It was also illogical because he trapped himself too! I’m not surprised by the current plots he cooked up—although those are pretty dumb too. I really think he needs to hire someone to come up with some plans that actually have a chance of succeeding!
I can see why he was constantly scheming though. When he was upfront it still didn’t work! Charlotte was just so back and forth about him that it made my head spin. She would do the exact same things that he did—like try to make her jealous—but then when she found out, it was just more proof of him being a controller. Even though she did the EXACT SAME THING! I just really think these people would have been better off apart. There was one “big reveal” about Charlotte that I think was supposed to make me grateful and relieved by the truth. (I can’t specify because of spoilers!) It didn’t work. I just shook my head over it.
One thing that really bothered me is the way Charlotte behaved. She went around cursing constantly in public and making insulting obscene gestures toward Philip. I just find it hard to believe that a squire’s daughter and a duke’s wife would run around comparing his head to a “horse’s testicles” in public. At the end there was a slight mention of the “stodgy” members of the ton and the “self-righteous matrons” making her feel like an outcast for her behavior. I honestly think that she would be a pariah everywhere, not just with the sticklers. Especially when all of society knows she’s estranged from her husband, so being nice to her won’t win them any points with him. Maybe there were duchesses running around like that, I could be wrong.
Ignoring the characters and the plot… I see a lot of potential for the author. She had a smooth rhythm to her writing. Pages turned quickly for me, even when I was irritated. She also had quite a few funny one-liners. One of my favorites was on page 95:
"You must not stalk around the room--"
"Stalk?" His brow wrinkled.
"--as if you were a lion and everyone else is your prey."
"Do you really think I stalk? I must say, that is quite a stroke to my ego. I assume I appear quite dangerous when I do it?"
There isn’t a very strong period feel at all, the setting felt kind of tacked on with no real depth. I believe people refer to those as “Wallpaper Historical.” But I’m okay with that! Not every book has to be like that. I enjoy a lot of books that would fall into that category.
My review is also posted at Fiction Vixen.
October 19, 2010
Favorite Quote: Truly, she had quite a talent for swearing. He had never known his head resembled a horse’s testicle. Rather a fascinating comparison, that.
Philip Burgess, the Duke of Rutherford has been pining for and trying seduce his wife for the past six months. Having been married three years to Charlotte, you would think he wouldn’t have to win back the woman he married. But, Philip didn’t marry for love, he married for revenge. After Charlotte’s brother stole away Philip’s fiancé, all Philip could think about was getting revenge and so he seduced and married Charlotte, only to consummate their marriage that night, and walk away from her the next day. Having a harsh upbringing, training for the dukedom early, Philip has a colder, harder edge to him.
But Philip’s feelings for Charlotte run much deeper than his plan of revenge. He has known her for many years, and has now come to the realization that he truly loves her. He knows he acted despicable three years ago, and will do anything to make it up to her. The problem is actually catching up with her to proceed with his new plan.
Charlotte, hurt and angry over Philip’s actions has taken to courting and flirting with any man in the ton she can get her hands on knowing scandals horrify the proper Duke. Determined for the past three years to put her flirting into Philip’s face so he will grant her a divorce. Philip finds her, bounds and and drags her off to his house in hopes of seduction, but he soon learns Charlotte still carries around hatred for him. He comes up with a plan to win her back. He promises her a divorce in three months if she teaches him to become a better husband so he can woo their mutual friend Joanna. Charlotte knows this is a farce, and Philip secretly has no plans of divorcing her, but they each refuse to give an inch to the other, so they carry forward with their silly plan.
Seducing the Duchess is the debut book by author Ashley March and I’m impressed. This book has a lighter tone, with constant banter between the hero and heroine, yet still has a high level of sexual tension and a dramatic conclusion.
I like historicals where the hero and heroine are forced to marry early on in the book, or in this case where they are married when the book starts. Charlotte is just a pistol. She curses up a storm – and we are talking full out curses with rude hand gestures. She will do anything to get under Philip’s skin to get a rise out of him. And he gives it right back to her.
Charlotte leaned away, her fingers curling into her palms. “Would you mind terribly, Your Grace, if you scooted your ass over a few inches? Perhaps a foot?” Tilting her head, she batted her eyelashes at him.
His lips quirked to a ten-degree angle. Egad, the man was practically grinning.
“Very nice attempt, sweetheart. But you forgot to say please.”
She bared her teeth. “Very well. Please move your rotten, snobbish, narcissistic ass over to the other side.”
Charlotte married Philip in good faith, not knowing he was doing it just for revenge. So Philip has much ground to make up before Charlotte can trust him again. I think Ashley March does a nice job with the trust issue. Charlotte doesn’t give in easily and I like that she makes Philip work for it. Of course, deep down, Philip has always loved Charlotte, and getting his point of view, you can’t help but root for him too. He is a very roguish, charming, sexy hero and their romance becomes very hot indeed.
My one complaint is with Charlotte during their separation. **Spoiler warning** During their three years separated, Philip admits to having a mistress and he assumes the rumors about Charlotte and all her lovers are true. But we come to find out that she didn’t really have lovers. She flirted, but never took any to bed. I was disappointed – not because I wanted a more slutty Charlotte, but it would have been a chance to have a different kind of heroine in a historical. A heroine that is not virginal! Instead, the hero of course has been sleeping with other women, but the heroine has been the faithful one. We have been there, done that. **End Spoiler**
Seducing the Duchess had me giggling and falling in love with these characters. I definitely welcome Ashley March into the historical romance world and await more from her.
Philip Burgess, the Duke of Rutherford has been pining for and trying seduce his wife for the past six months. Having been married three years to Charlotte, you would think he wouldn’t have to win back the woman he married. But, Philip didn’t marry for love, he married for revenge. After Charlotte’s brother stole away Philip’s fiancé, all Philip could think about was getting revenge and so he seduced and married Charlotte, only to consummate their marriage that night, and walk away from her the next day. Having a harsh upbringing, training for the dukedom early, Philip has a colder, harder edge to him.
But Philip’s feelings for Charlotte run much deeper than his plan of revenge. He has known her for many years, and has now come to the realization that he truly loves her. He knows he acted despicable three years ago, and will do anything to make it up to her. The problem is actually catching up with her to proceed with his new plan.
Charlotte, hurt and angry over Philip’s actions has taken to courting and flirting with any man in the ton she can get her hands on knowing scandals horrify the proper Duke. Determined for the past three years to put her flirting into Philip’s face so he will grant her a divorce. Philip finds her, bounds and and drags her off to his house in hopes of seduction, but he soon learns Charlotte still carries around hatred for him. He comes up with a plan to win her back. He promises her a divorce in three months if she teaches him to become a better husband so he can woo their mutual friend Joanna. Charlotte knows this is a farce, and Philip secretly has no plans of divorcing her, but they each refuse to give an inch to the other, so they carry forward with their silly plan.
Seducing the Duchess is the debut book by author Ashley March and I’m impressed. This book has a lighter tone, with constant banter between the hero and heroine, yet still has a high level of sexual tension and a dramatic conclusion.
I like historicals where the hero and heroine are forced to marry early on in the book, or in this case where they are married when the book starts. Charlotte is just a pistol. She curses up a storm – and we are talking full out curses with rude hand gestures. She will do anything to get under Philip’s skin to get a rise out of him. And he gives it right back to her.
Charlotte leaned away, her fingers curling into her palms. “Would you mind terribly, Your Grace, if you scooted your ass over a few inches? Perhaps a foot?” Tilting her head, she batted her eyelashes at him.
His lips quirked to a ten-degree angle. Egad, the man was practically grinning.
“Very nice attempt, sweetheart. But you forgot to say please.”
She bared her teeth. “Very well. Please move your rotten, snobbish, narcissistic ass over to the other side.”
Charlotte married Philip in good faith, not knowing he was doing it just for revenge. So Philip has much ground to make up before Charlotte can trust him again. I think Ashley March does a nice job with the trust issue. Charlotte doesn’t give in easily and I like that she makes Philip work for it. Of course, deep down, Philip has always loved Charlotte, and getting his point of view, you can’t help but root for him too. He is a very roguish, charming, sexy hero and their romance becomes very hot indeed.
My one complaint is with Charlotte during their separation. **Spoiler warning** During their three years separated, Philip admits to having a mistress and he assumes the rumors about Charlotte and all her lovers are true. But we come to find out that she didn’t really have lovers. She flirted, but never took any to bed. I was disappointed – not because I wanted a more slutty Charlotte, but it would have been a chance to have a different kind of heroine in a historical. A heroine that is not virginal! Instead, the hero of course has been sleeping with other women, but the heroine has been the faithful one. We have been there, done that. **End Spoiler**
Seducing the Duchess had me giggling and falling in love with these characters. I definitely welcome Ashley March into the historical romance world and await more from her.
October 4, 2015
You know...this COULD'VE worked but then the author decided that, while Phillip had been whoring around for their entire marriage, Charlotte isn't allowed to! We're made to believe she did, but it's a lie and she's remained all nice and near-virginal for him. True love! Everyone gets off completely free except Charlotte, the one person who was the victim in the entire debacle. She loses her entire family because they disown her for marrying Phillip, she's humiliated by Phillip directly right after they marry, she's humiliated by him for the years that follow in society.
Phillip...I'm supposed to support him now because he hasn't had sex in six months and he's suddenly decided, after two and a half years of marriage, that he loves his wife? Yeah...no. Not happening.
And what does he decide his ~big gesture~ is to win her back? Well, that's pretending to romance the woman he was originally supposed to marry in order to incite Charlotte's jealousy, that's what. Because of course the best way to win a woman's heart after you've cheated on her and humiliated her for years...is to bring another woman into the picture!
And then what happens when Charlotte and Phillip do tumble into bed together?? OH OH!! She finds out that he's STILL lying to her and STILL deceiving her and HASN'T CHANGED AT ALL.
What a surprise!!
At the end of the day, Phillip is a huge asshole and deserves no HEA ever. Fuck him and this sexist and misogynistic piece of crap book.
Phillip...I'm supposed to support him now because he hasn't had sex in six months and he's suddenly decided, after two and a half years of marriage, that he loves his wife? Yeah...no. Not happening.
And what does he decide his ~big gesture~ is to win her back? Well, that's pretending to romance the woman he was originally supposed to marry in order to incite Charlotte's jealousy, that's what. Because of course the best way to win a woman's heart after you've cheated on her and humiliated her for years...is to bring another woman into the picture!
And then what happens when Charlotte and Phillip do tumble into bed together?? OH OH!! She finds out that he's STILL lying to her and STILL deceiving her and HASN'T CHANGED AT ALL.
What a surprise!!
At the end of the day, Phillip is a huge asshole and deserves no HEA ever. Fuck him and this sexist and misogynistic piece of crap book.
February 1, 2011
2 ½ stars – Historical/Regency Romance
This one is rather hard to rate. I can't quite give it full 3 stars because I didn't care at all for the H/h, nor did I ever feel invested in their emotions or relationship. The constant "love/hate/love/hate" bickering seemed repetitive and was somewhat exhausting, especially since I never actually felt the "love" between them. I honestly wasn't that interested in the outcome of all their drama.
But the writing showed a lot of promise, so I'll definitely consider reading future releases by this author. Overall, I can't really say that I "liked" this, but it's slightly better than just "okay", so I'm settling with 2 ½ stars.
This one is rather hard to rate. I can't quite give it full 3 stars because I didn't care at all for the H/h, nor did I ever feel invested in their emotions or relationship. The constant "love/hate/love/hate" bickering seemed repetitive and was somewhat exhausting, especially since I never actually felt the "love" between them. I honestly wasn't that interested in the outcome of all their drama.
But the writing showed a lot of promise, so I'll definitely consider reading future releases by this author. Overall, I can't really say that I "liked" this, but it's slightly better than just "okay", so I'm settling with 2 ½ stars.
January 8, 2016
I enjoyed Philip and Charlotte's bickering and fighting in the first half of the book but then it got repetitive and annoying in the last half. I was saying, "Just say I love you, kiss and make up already. Enough with the freaking games!"
I liked this book. The poem he wrote for her was beautiful. I did like how they messed with each other, it was very entertaining. This book was a lot funnier, sweeter, and more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
Overall: 3 stars
Recommendation: If you like bickering or couples that hate each other in the beginning and love each other in the end then by all means.
I liked this book. The poem he wrote for her was beautiful. I did like how they messed with each other, it was very entertaining. This book was a lot funnier, sweeter, and more enjoyable than I thought it would be.
Overall: 3 stars
Recommendation: If you like bickering or couples that hate each other in the beginning and love each other in the end then by all means.
November 23, 2010
This is the debut novel by Ashley March and while I did not love it, she seems to be a promising new author to keep an eye on. This story follows Philip Burgress, Duke of Rutherford, and his journey to get his wife, Charlotte, back. Philip and Charlotte were childhood playmates along with Charlottes brother Ethan and Joanna, a nearby neighbor. Philip was groomed to be a duke and with that all that that entails...being ruthless, cold and unfeeling. Joanna was destined to be his bride against her wishes and she decides to elope with Ethan, but that falls through and of course, Philip is furious and plots revenge. Revenge being wooing Charlotte and telling her he loves her, marrying her and after consummating their marriage, telling her it was all fake.
Charlotte is naturally furious and takes up all sorts of unduchess like behaviors: gambling, carousing and flirting in hopes of a divorce from the man she now hates. Philip refuses but then, three years later he sends off his mistress and decides to woo back his wife as he realizes he does, in fact, love her. He kidnaps her back to their home in the country and proceeds to tell her he will divorce her....if he grooms him to be a better husband for this hopeful new wife, Joanna.
This book has so many back and forth moments it is a tad frustrating. He loves her and gives her sweet gifts (a harp for one) but then remembers he is a duke and does not beg for anything. Charlotte goes from "I hate you" to "I love you" in a matter of minutes. And there is Joanna, caught in the middle, trying to help Charlotte embarrass Philip but later helping Philip trying to make Charlotte jealous.
Overall, this is a well written book with lots of sexual tension but to much back and forth nonsense for me. I think this is the first in a series and I will look forward to more books hopefully involving Joanna and possibly Ethan. 3 1/2 stars.
Charlotte is naturally furious and takes up all sorts of unduchess like behaviors: gambling, carousing and flirting in hopes of a divorce from the man she now hates. Philip refuses but then, three years later he sends off his mistress and decides to woo back his wife as he realizes he does, in fact, love her. He kidnaps her back to their home in the country and proceeds to tell her he will divorce her....if he grooms him to be a better husband for this hopeful new wife, Joanna.
This book has so many back and forth moments it is a tad frustrating. He loves her and gives her sweet gifts (a harp for one) but then remembers he is a duke and does not beg for anything. Charlotte goes from "I hate you" to "I love you" in a matter of minutes. And there is Joanna, caught in the middle, trying to help Charlotte embarrass Philip but later helping Philip trying to make Charlotte jealous.
Overall, this is a well written book with lots of sexual tension but to much back and forth nonsense for me. I think this is the first in a series and I will look forward to more books hopefully involving Joanna and possibly Ethan. 3 1/2 stars.
September 28, 2018
Genel olarak kitabı beğendim eğlenceliydi. Ama o hödük dük beni sinir etti.3 sene karısını görmezden geldi (kafasına taş mı düştü ne yaptı anlamadım orayıda) sonra karısına aşık oldu. Hele birde karısına büyük marifetmiş gibi 6 aydır metresime gitmiyorum senin için terkettim onu demezmi, sanki düğünün ertesi günü karısını metresi için terketmemiş gibi.. Tam zopalıktı. Charlotte az bile yaptı ona :D
December 1, 2020
I don’t get this book, so illogical and makes no sense. Where, when, how did the stuffy Duke who only married for revenge and then left the poor heroine to be with mistresses, fall in love with his wife and decide to pursue her?
Almost dnf.
Almost dnf.
September 4, 2011
Seducing the Duchess (The Bridal Pleasures) by Ashley March
Historical Romance - Oct. 5th, 2010
5 stars
I often rate how much I enjoy a book by how emotionally involved I was with the 2 main characters. I was dazzled by this author’s story about a Duke who is determined to woo his Duchess even if she fights him at every opportunity! This fresh story was a fun and moving book that readers will love.
Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford was young and naïve when she was seduced by her husband, Phillip who used his young and beautiful innocent bride in a cold game of revenge against her beloved brother. Charlotte had fallen in love with the man she thought was Phillip. But she that was before he callously left her after their wedding night and scorned her love. Broken hearted but audacious, Charlotte is a strong woman and soon vows to free herself and get her own revenge. She creates scandal after outrageous scandal hoping the unfeeling and dutiful Duke will divorce her and finally let her go.
It is years later and Phillip has come to the appalling realization that he loves his wife. But he knows Charlotte hates him. He longs for her company and is no longer willing to let her escapades go unnoticed. Desperate and starving for her attention, he kidnaps her in public and makes her an shocking proposition. If she will help him find another wife and teach him how to be a good husband, he will grant her a divorce. Phillip plays a deadly gamble and one he is determined to win but his wife isn’t about to lose and she will not let Phillip break her heart again.
I loved this story. At first I wondered if I would like Philip. His past behaviors were reprehensible. But as the author reveals Phillip’s desperate love for Charlotte and his sheer ruthlessness as he pursues her, you can’t help but admire his tenacity and understand why Charlotte cared about him in the past. And slowly I, too, began to care for him. The author also eloquently explains Phillip’s cold upbringing and what formed his character. He was raised to be a proper Duke by his unfeeling grandfather who coldly and brutally shaped him into a carbon copy of himself. Philip begins to realize he doesn’t want to be his grandfather. He wants love and laughter with Charlotte even if that means changing himself. His metamorphosis was enthralling to read. Another thing that makes this book so deliciously wonderful is the feisty and endearing heroine. She doesn’t make life easy for Philip and I adored her fighting spirit as she often out smarts him but also makes him see what is really important in life. Charlotte has such a caring heart and I wanted her to guard her heart from Phillip but as Charlotte learned to love Philip, I couldn't help but care for him too!
This was a sensational read! I became so emotionally involved in the 2 main characters. They were perfect for each other and I will definitely be reading any future books by this fabulously talented new author!! If you are looking for an absorbing story about 2 characters that you really can care about and their adventures along the way, then you will adore this book as much as I did.
Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Historical Romance - Oct. 5th, 2010
5 stars
I often rate how much I enjoy a book by how emotionally involved I was with the 2 main characters. I was dazzled by this author’s story about a Duke who is determined to woo his Duchess even if she fights him at every opportunity! This fresh story was a fun and moving book that readers will love.
Charlotte, Duchess of Rutherford was young and naïve when she was seduced by her husband, Phillip who used his young and beautiful innocent bride in a cold game of revenge against her beloved brother. Charlotte had fallen in love with the man she thought was Phillip. But she that was before he callously left her after their wedding night and scorned her love. Broken hearted but audacious, Charlotte is a strong woman and soon vows to free herself and get her own revenge. She creates scandal after outrageous scandal hoping the unfeeling and dutiful Duke will divorce her and finally let her go.
It is years later and Phillip has come to the appalling realization that he loves his wife. But he knows Charlotte hates him. He longs for her company and is no longer willing to let her escapades go unnoticed. Desperate and starving for her attention, he kidnaps her in public and makes her an shocking proposition. If she will help him find another wife and teach him how to be a good husband, he will grant her a divorce. Phillip plays a deadly gamble and one he is determined to win but his wife isn’t about to lose and she will not let Phillip break her heart again.
I loved this story. At first I wondered if I would like Philip. His past behaviors were reprehensible. But as the author reveals Phillip’s desperate love for Charlotte and his sheer ruthlessness as he pursues her, you can’t help but admire his tenacity and understand why Charlotte cared about him in the past. And slowly I, too, began to care for him. The author also eloquently explains Phillip’s cold upbringing and what formed his character. He was raised to be a proper Duke by his unfeeling grandfather who coldly and brutally shaped him into a carbon copy of himself. Philip begins to realize he doesn’t want to be his grandfather. He wants love and laughter with Charlotte even if that means changing himself. His metamorphosis was enthralling to read. Another thing that makes this book so deliciously wonderful is the feisty and endearing heroine. She doesn’t make life easy for Philip and I adored her fighting spirit as she often out smarts him but also makes him see what is really important in life. Charlotte has such a caring heart and I wanted her to guard her heart from Phillip but as Charlotte learned to love Philip, I couldn't help but care for him too!
This was a sensational read! I became so emotionally involved in the 2 main characters. They were perfect for each other and I will definitely be reading any future books by this fabulously talented new author!! If you are looking for an absorbing story about 2 characters that you really can care about and their adventures along the way, then you will adore this book as much as I did.
Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
October 17, 2011
I liked this one because it was different from the usual HR books that I read. And that first chapter where she is kidnapped by her husband was just great. But their love story is a messy one, and a sad one.
Why is then their story such a mess? Well Phillip whispered words of love and got her to marry him. Everything was perfect, their wedding night was perfect, until next morning when he told he he had only used her for revenge and he packed up and left her to go to his mistress. Poor Charlotte was left with a broken heart and during the years that followed she has tried everything to get the cold Duke to divorce her.
What saves Phillip for me is how he is presented from now on. We meet a man who knows what he did was wrong, he knows that he ruined her life, and during these horrible years he has started to fall for her. They used to be friends when they were smaller, and that is what he remembers. If we would have met the coldhearted bastard that took her innocence and spit upon it, then yes I would not have forgiven him.
Charlotte is the talk of London, she is rumored to have bed half the ton (and more), and she is quite the scandal. She just wants out, she is hurting and her family is not talking to her since she married him. Since I knew how much it must have hurt I did approve of her petty remarks, because she is changing too. That is what this whole book is about. Does she dare to trust him again? Because she does love him, and hate him.
Phillip tries to win her back, and he has a long way to go. And there will be misunderstandings, but come one, this is a HR, you know it will end with happy tears instead of sad ones. I am just saying that the road there is long. And sometimes you do forgive and forget.
Conclusion:
After having finished this book I did want to read more of her books. The writing was good and I liked the story of these two broken souls.
Why is then their story such a mess? Well Phillip whispered words of love and got her to marry him. Everything was perfect, their wedding night was perfect, until next morning when he told he he had only used her for revenge and he packed up and left her to go to his mistress. Poor Charlotte was left with a broken heart and during the years that followed she has tried everything to get the cold Duke to divorce her.
What saves Phillip for me is how he is presented from now on. We meet a man who knows what he did was wrong, he knows that he ruined her life, and during these horrible years he has started to fall for her. They used to be friends when they were smaller, and that is what he remembers. If we would have met the coldhearted bastard that took her innocence and spit upon it, then yes I would not have forgiven him.
Charlotte is the talk of London, she is rumored to have bed half the ton (and more), and she is quite the scandal. She just wants out, she is hurting and her family is not talking to her since she married him. Since I knew how much it must have hurt I did approve of her petty remarks, because she is changing too. That is what this whole book is about. Does she dare to trust him again? Because she does love him, and hate him.
Phillip tries to win her back, and he has a long way to go. And there will be misunderstandings, but come one, this is a HR, you know it will end with happy tears instead of sad ones. I am just saying that the road there is long. And sometimes you do forgive and forget.
Conclusion:
After having finished this book I did want to read more of her books. The writing was good and I liked the story of these two broken souls.
April 18, 2013
The reading slump is dead. Long live the reading slump!
I did have my issues with this book, but I still enjoyed it immensely. Snappy dialogue, a heroine who fights back (instead of hiding out in the country, doing charity work with orphans etc.), and the angst! The glorious, glorious angst!
What didn't work so well? The vague setting/time period, a hero who professes his love but I'm not quite sure how he got there, and characters who are both manipulative a-holes.
Still, I really enjoyed. Plus it pulled me out of a reading slump - so I say "Brava!"
http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspo...
I did have my issues with this book, but I still enjoyed it immensely. Snappy dialogue, a heroine who fights back (instead of hiding out in the country, doing charity work with orphans etc.), and the angst! The glorious, glorious angst!
What didn't work so well? The vague setting/time period, a hero who professes his love but I'm not quite sure how he got there, and characters who are both manipulative a-holes.
Still, I really enjoyed. Plus it pulled me out of a reading slump - so I say "Brava!"
http://wendythesuperlibrarian.blogspo...
July 2, 2013
Kitabın konusu diğer hist.lere göre değişikti, güzeldi de aslında ama nedense okurken pek hoşlanamadım ben.. Sırf bitirebilmek için zorladım kendimi, neyse ki son 30 sayfanın falan yardımı oldu baya... Kadın beni çıldırttı davranışlarıyla, adama da ayrı sinir oldum koskoca dük ne hallere düştü diye... Neyse kitap çok şükür bitti.. Yazarın başka bir kitabını okurmuyum bilmiyorum zaman gösterecek...
never-to-read
October 17, 2015Sexist trope: Unfaithful hero and faithful heroine.
Cheating/Infidelity.
Cheating/Infidelity.
February 6, 2020
Trois ans après avoir épousé le duc de Rutherford, Charlotte réclame le divorce. Face à son refus, elle a couru à Londres pour ruiner sa réputation mais l'homme ne bronche toujours pas. Au contraire, il réclame aujourd'hui le retour de sa belle dans leur demeure à la campagne.
Une explication s'impose.
Trois ans plus tôt, meurtri par la trahison de sa fiancée avec son meilleur ami, Philip a séduit Charlotte avant de lui annoncer la couleur le lendemain de leurs noces. Rien à faire d'elle... et il a pris une maîtresse. Mortifiée, Charlotte a juré de lui en faire baver à son tour.
Mari et femme se retrouvent donc pour un duel infernal. Lui veut faire amende honorable et lui prouver son amour (tardif... mais réel). Elle n'en croit pas un mot et le fait tourner en bourrique. D'où leurs affrontements chauds, chauds, chauds.
Mais ça rend la première partie du livre pimentée et cocasse. Ça se lit tout seul et c'est assez drôle. La suite finit par lasser car le procédé est répétitif et les motivations du couple vraiment tordues. En plus, c'est difficile d'oublier combien Philip a été un goujat et de croire son soudain revirement. Too late, my dear.
Une explication s'impose.
Trois ans plus tôt, meurtri par la trahison de sa fiancée avec son meilleur ami, Philip a séduit Charlotte avant de lui annoncer la couleur le lendemain de leurs noces. Rien à faire d'elle... et il a pris une maîtresse. Mortifiée, Charlotte a juré de lui en faire baver à son tour.
Mari et femme se retrouvent donc pour un duel infernal. Lui veut faire amende honorable et lui prouver son amour (tardif... mais réel). Elle n'en croit pas un mot et le fait tourner en bourrique. D'où leurs affrontements chauds, chauds, chauds.
Mais ça rend la première partie du livre pimentée et cocasse. Ça se lit tout seul et c'est assez drôle. La suite finit par lasser car le procédé est répétitif et les motivations du couple vraiment tordues. En plus, c'est difficile d'oublier combien Philip a été un goujat et de croire son soudain revirement. Too late, my dear.
February 16, 2022
2.5. Great opening scene! H married h from revenge and now she's goading him into a divorce. I loved the premise but I really wish we had seen more of the H when he was an ass, the small flashbacks weren't enough for me to hate him + feel like he was getting his just deserts.
Hero- Maybe I missed it, but I never understood why the H decided to win her back. Just woke up one day? The 180 from not caring about her and having a mistress to actively winning her back is hard to trust. He lusted after her and wanted the girl he married.
Heroine - I don't blame her scepticism or disbelief and dislike for him. I applauded her strength to not let him hurt her again. I just didn't agree with how she degraded herself to it. I feel like he still wins with how everyone looks down on her. Did she even have a plan post divorce for how to live? I also didn't understand how she Pretends to be a whore? But never actually does cheat? Like why? What's stopping you? And how did she know so much about seduction and sex without experimenting?
Maybe I wasn't in the mood, not a bad story. Usually I love stuffy cold heros and spunky heroines who don't care about polite society.
Hero- Maybe I missed it, but I never understood why the H decided to win her back. Just woke up one day? The 180 from not caring about her and having a mistress to actively winning her back is hard to trust. He lusted after her and wanted the girl he married.
Heroine - I don't blame her scepticism or disbelief and dislike for him. I applauded her strength to not let him hurt her again. I just didn't agree with how she degraded herself to it. I feel like he still wins with how everyone looks down on her. Did she even have a plan post divorce for how to live? I also didn't understand how she Pretends to be a whore? But never actually does cheat? Like why? What's stopping you? And how did she know so much about seduction and sex without experimenting?
Maybe I wasn't in the mood, not a bad story. Usually I love stuffy cold heros and spunky heroines who don't care about polite society.
February 24, 2020
At first I had a lot of qualms about the reasons he had for leaving her immediately after their marriage. It seemed like the reasons weren’t enough. Or perhaps weren’t expounded on enough by the author. Midway into the book, I was resigned to giving it 2 mediocre stars. But the second half certainly gave more emotional connection for the readers. I’m happy to say that I liked the book (especially the second half, so keep reading!), and gave it 4 solid stars ✨
February 18, 2020
OMG!! Worst book EVER!!!
How can I enjoy a book when I hate hate hate the heroine? I love to hate a mean hero, and side with the heroine. But when she is absolutely awful with ZERO redeeming qualities, it is a fail!
The book starts with Philip, Duke of something who is planning to kidnap his wife and send her to his country estate where he can woo her back. Why? Because Charlotte, his wife, is now a WHORE!!!
Yes, she became a full time SLUT in order to obtain divorce from her husband. Philip and Charlotte both grew up together. Philip was engaged to Joanna their friend but since he was too cold and ducal, she ran away with Ethan, Charlotte's brother. And Philip was mad and decided to get revenge by seducing Charlotte, marry then ditch her to make Ethan seethe.
Right after the wedding night, he tells her she was just an instrument of revenge and he goes back to his mistress. This was 3 years ago!! They apparently never talk, zero contact, nothing, just two strangers barely seeing each other under the same roof.
Charlotte wants a divorce of course but Phil won't agree, so she decides to become the biggest whore ever!! She poses nude for an artist to sketch her and sell her nudes everywhere. She wears revealing clothes, is seen with a different man every night, even spend the night at their house, feeds rumors saying she has dozen of lovers. But all of this is smoke and mirror, because she never sleeps with them. Who cares anyway? During this time all a woman had was her reputation, it doesn't matter if they never penetrate you Charlotte, you made a WHORE of yourself!!
Now Philip, all of sudden, 6 months ago, decided that he fell in love with his whore of a wife. Really? Why and How? Now just lust but love. And he took what shit she threw at him. She was horrible until the very last page. I know the story was him being the meanie and her the victim, but all the author showed was Charlotte's offensive behavior while Philip was simply trying to win her back.
I didn't like him either because he was dumb for wanting her back lool.
Dumbest couple ever written. Just avoid this book. 0 stars!!!
How can I enjoy a book when I hate hate hate the heroine? I love to hate a mean hero, and side with the heroine. But when she is absolutely awful with ZERO redeeming qualities, it is a fail!
The book starts with Philip, Duke of something who is planning to kidnap his wife and send her to his country estate where he can woo her back. Why? Because Charlotte, his wife, is now a WHORE!!!
Yes, she became a full time SLUT in order to obtain divorce from her husband. Philip and Charlotte both grew up together. Philip was engaged to Joanna their friend but since he was too cold and ducal, she ran away with Ethan, Charlotte's brother. And Philip was mad and decided to get revenge by seducing Charlotte, marry then ditch her to make Ethan seethe.
Right after the wedding night, he tells her she was just an instrument of revenge and he goes back to his mistress. This was 3 years ago!! They apparently never talk, zero contact, nothing, just two strangers barely seeing each other under the same roof.
Charlotte wants a divorce of course but Phil won't agree, so she decides to become the biggest whore ever!! She poses nude for an artist to sketch her and sell her nudes everywhere. She wears revealing clothes, is seen with a different man every night, even spend the night at their house, feeds rumors saying she has dozen of lovers. But all of this is smoke and mirror, because she never sleeps with them. Who cares anyway? During this time all a woman had was her reputation, it doesn't matter if they never penetrate you Charlotte, you made a WHORE of yourself!!
Now Philip, all of sudden, 6 months ago, decided that he fell in love with his whore of a wife. Really? Why and How? Now just lust but love. And he took what shit she threw at him. She was horrible until the very last page. I know the story was him being the meanie and her the victim, but all the author showed was Charlotte's offensive behavior while Philip was simply trying to win her back.
I didn't like him either because he was dumb for wanting her back lool.
Dumbest couple ever written. Just avoid this book. 0 stars!!!
October 6, 2010
Review by C.M. Lessard for Romance Novel News
The Duke of Rutherford wants his wayward wife back. After three years of neglect and cruelty, Philip has decided to woo his wife Charlotte and revive their marriage. But it won’t be easy.
While Philip had set his wife aside in favor of his mistress, Charlotte has been living a separate life, coquetting and carousing with other men. She hopes her scandalous behavior will make Philip petition for a divorce - but he kidnaps her instead.
Philip takes her to their country estate, far from the distractions of London, to carry out his plan, however, Charlotte is not easily swayed.
Philip eventually agrees to a divorce in three months time if Charlotte would agree to help him find a more suitable wife. He also asks her to instruct him on becoming an ideal husband for his next wife.
“Seducing the Duchess” is a compelling read by Ashley March, who provides a second chance for a couple in a dismal and destructive marriage.
Philip is a remorseful antihero who seduced and married the innocent Charlotte in a plan of revenge against her brother. After consummating the marriage on their wedding night, Philip broke Charlotte’s heart by revealing that he only pretended to love her.
Readers would no doubt despise Philip if it were not for his redemptive pursuit. He admits to his failings and bad behavior, which is partially attributed to a strict upbringing by his merciless grandfather.
March does leave a few loose ends. Charlotte’s brother Ethan, who is the initial object of Philip’s revenge, never makes an appearance, and there is no reconciliation between Charlotte and her estranged parents, who disowned her after she married Philip against their wishes.
March’s best moments are the enticing debates that pit man against wife as they campaign to get the upper hand. Just when the reader thinks one of them is in the lead, the other unexpectedly turns the tables.
“Seducing the Duchess” will undoubtedly appeal to all fans of historical romance.
The Duke of Rutherford wants his wayward wife back. After three years of neglect and cruelty, Philip has decided to woo his wife Charlotte and revive their marriage. But it won’t be easy.
While Philip had set his wife aside in favor of his mistress, Charlotte has been living a separate life, coquetting and carousing with other men. She hopes her scandalous behavior will make Philip petition for a divorce - but he kidnaps her instead.
Philip takes her to their country estate, far from the distractions of London, to carry out his plan, however, Charlotte is not easily swayed.
Philip eventually agrees to a divorce in three months time if Charlotte would agree to help him find a more suitable wife. He also asks her to instruct him on becoming an ideal husband for his next wife.
“Seducing the Duchess” is a compelling read by Ashley March, who provides a second chance for a couple in a dismal and destructive marriage.
Philip is a remorseful antihero who seduced and married the innocent Charlotte in a plan of revenge against her brother. After consummating the marriage on their wedding night, Philip broke Charlotte’s heart by revealing that he only pretended to love her.
Readers would no doubt despise Philip if it were not for his redemptive pursuit. He admits to his failings and bad behavior, which is partially attributed to a strict upbringing by his merciless grandfather.
March does leave a few loose ends. Charlotte’s brother Ethan, who is the initial object of Philip’s revenge, never makes an appearance, and there is no reconciliation between Charlotte and her estranged parents, who disowned her after she married Philip against their wishes.
March’s best moments are the enticing debates that pit man against wife as they campaign to get the upper hand. Just when the reader thinks one of them is in the lead, the other unexpectedly turns the tables.
“Seducing the Duchess” will undoubtedly appeal to all fans of historical romance.
July 14, 2012
Geçmişi Unut-Ashley March
İlk başta konu çok güzeldi bunu belirtmeden geçemiyeceğim..Yazarın tarzını biraz Sherry Thomas'a benzettim..Bu benzetmemde ki sebep ise yazarın Anlaşmalı Evlilik romanın ile konusu oldukça benzeşiyordu..Ama onun kadar usta henüz olamamış..Yeni bir yazar orjinal adı Düşes Seducing 'ın goodreads puanı 5/3,66 hikaye ben 166'cı sayfaya geldiğimde henüz tam oturmamıştı..Çok güzel bir konu yakalanmış ama ne yazık ki heba edilmiş..Bazı yerlerde gereksiz ayrıntılar hikayenin en kilit noktasında ise geçiştirilmesi canımı sıktı...
Ama sonrada yazar konuyu toparladı ve hikaye atağa geçti bitirmeden kitabı bırakamadım..Yazar için karar ermiyeceğim yeni bir eseri çıkarsa onu da okumayı düşünüyorum..
Ama bu hikayede beni ister istemez usta historicalcilerimizin elinde olsaydı nasıl bir hikaye ortaya çıkardı demekten kendimi alamadım ..Aklımın bir kenarda hep bu ihtimal kaldı.
Konudan bahsetmek istiyorum..
Rutherford Düşesi Charlotte üç yıl önce kocası Rutherford Dükü Phılıp Burgess ile evlendiğinde Onun kendisini ağabeyi Ethan'dan intikam almak için evlendiğini bilemezdi..Onunla evlenip evliliği tamamladıktan sonra Phılıp acımasızca onu terk ederek metresine döner..Bir daha da Charlotte'yı ne arar ne de sorar..Charlotte'nın bir anlamda hayatını mahveder...Ama Charlotte bu evlilikten kurtulmak için kocasına bir anlamda savaş açar..Hatta kendisini ucuz meşrep bir kadın hatta fahişe olark göstermeyi de göze alır..
Amaa Phılıp birden karısını çok sevdiğini farkeder..Onu tekrar geri kazanmak için kolları sıvar...Amaa Charloote buna hiç de hazır değildir..Geçmişte kendizini bir mendil gibi kullanıp atan kocasını affetmek pek de kolay olmayacaktır...Aralarında bir nevi savaş başlar..Bunu kazananı ve kaybedeni olmayan bir savaştır bu...
İlk başta konu çok güzeldi bunu belirtmeden geçemiyeceğim..Yazarın tarzını biraz Sherry Thomas'a benzettim..Bu benzetmemde ki sebep ise yazarın Anlaşmalı Evlilik romanın ile konusu oldukça benzeşiyordu..Ama onun kadar usta henüz olamamış..Yeni bir yazar orjinal adı Düşes Seducing 'ın goodreads puanı 5/3,66 hikaye ben 166'cı sayfaya geldiğimde henüz tam oturmamıştı..Çok güzel bir konu yakalanmış ama ne yazık ki heba edilmiş..Bazı yerlerde gereksiz ayrıntılar hikayenin en kilit noktasında ise geçiştirilmesi canımı sıktı...
Ama sonrada yazar konuyu toparladı ve hikaye atağa geçti bitirmeden kitabı bırakamadım..Yazar için karar ermiyeceğim yeni bir eseri çıkarsa onu da okumayı düşünüyorum..
Ama bu hikayede beni ister istemez usta historicalcilerimizin elinde olsaydı nasıl bir hikaye ortaya çıkardı demekten kendimi alamadım ..Aklımın bir kenarda hep bu ihtimal kaldı.
Konudan bahsetmek istiyorum..
Rutherford Düşesi Charlotte üç yıl önce kocası Rutherford Dükü Phılıp Burgess ile evlendiğinde Onun kendisini ağabeyi Ethan'dan intikam almak için evlendiğini bilemezdi..Onunla evlenip evliliği tamamladıktan sonra Phılıp acımasızca onu terk ederek metresine döner..Bir daha da Charlotte'yı ne arar ne de sorar..Charlotte'nın bir anlamda hayatını mahveder...Ama Charlotte bu evlilikten kurtulmak için kocasına bir anlamda savaş açar..Hatta kendisini ucuz meşrep bir kadın hatta fahişe olark göstermeyi de göze alır..
Amaa Phılıp birden karısını çok sevdiğini farkeder..Onu tekrar geri kazanmak için kolları sıvar...Amaa Charloote buna hiç de hazır değildir..Geçmişte kendizini bir mendil gibi kullanıp atan kocasını affetmek pek de kolay olmayacaktır...Aralarında bir nevi savaş başlar..Bunu kazananı ve kaybedeni olmayan bir savaştır bu...
July 1, 2011
This is one of a very few books I have ever read more than once, and I loved it even more the second time around.
This was a lovely novel. I enjoyed the lyrical play of words and though it had more inner monologue than I usually like it was handled so well that it didn't annoy. That sounds bad but it isn't.
I really liked to read their thoughts often, as they were always fresh, it wasn't a constant reminder of how horrible the situation was as is so common with inner monologue..(got it, bad, OK shut up and fix it). This defined the characters and moved the love story.
I found the novel itself refreshing in that there were no outside obstacles to their HEA. It was simply them getting over themselves which is also quite different.
Overall it was an easy read, enjoyable, I worried in the middle a bit when things went awry but the storyline kept track and continued on and the novel held it's own and kept my attention.
Forgive my circular if abrupt writing, I don't do reviews much, because in general I don't make sense...what I meant to say was I loved it. I truly loved the ending of the novel, and the way in which they came back together as though neither had a choice in the matter, even though it was entirey through their own person actions.
There was no eye rolling, I never threw my iPad across the room, no WTFckry and the cover is simply gorgeous.
***POSSIBLE SPOILER to FOLLOW***
As much as Phillip attempted to fix things, and as much as they spoke of Ethan, I expected him to repair that relationship as well which never happens.
This was a lovely novel. I enjoyed the lyrical play of words and though it had more inner monologue than I usually like it was handled so well that it didn't annoy. That sounds bad but it isn't.
I really liked to read their thoughts often, as they were always fresh, it wasn't a constant reminder of how horrible the situation was as is so common with inner monologue..(got it, bad, OK shut up and fix it). This defined the characters and moved the love story.
I found the novel itself refreshing in that there were no outside obstacles to their HEA. It was simply them getting over themselves which is also quite different.
Overall it was an easy read, enjoyable, I worried in the middle a bit when things went awry but the storyline kept track and continued on and the novel held it's own and kept my attention.
Forgive my circular if abrupt writing, I don't do reviews much, because in general I don't make sense...what I meant to say was I loved it. I truly loved the ending of the novel, and the way in which they came back together as though neither had a choice in the matter, even though it was entirey through their own person actions.
There was no eye rolling, I never threw my iPad across the room, no WTFckry and the cover is simply gorgeous.
***POSSIBLE SPOILER to FOLLOW***
As much as Phillip attempted to fix things, and as much as they spoke of Ethan, I expected him to repair that relationship as well which never happens.
May 3, 2011
I picked up this novel and couldn't put it down. The story had me completely engrossed and addicted within the first two chapters! I actually stayed up well into the night to finish the book, because I couldn't wait to find out what happened!
The story of these two characters Charlotte and Phillip is based around second chances. These two wounded souls had a very rough start - he seduced and wed Charlie based on a lie. He was using her to get even with her brother who ran off with Phillip's fiancee. We met the two main characters several years after they are estranged and Phillip is set on winning back his wife.
When we first meet Charlotte I didn't actually like her all that much, she was a tease - using men to cause a scandal to force Phillip's hand and grant her a divorce. Phillip actually kidnaps her from a party and wisks her away to his country estate to win her back. As we get learn more about her and Phillip's relationship I warmed up to her. She is witty, funny and loves to get a reaction from Phillip. I was prepared to dislike Phillip at first - the cheating, and the lowdown way he used Charlotte. But I loved how he tried to make things right with Charlotte, and make himself a better man.
This was a debut novel for Ashley, and she did a fabulous job! I will definitely be picking up her next novel when it comes out this fall - "Romancing the Countess".
The story of these two characters Charlotte and Phillip is based around second chances. These two wounded souls had a very rough start - he seduced and wed Charlie based on a lie. He was using her to get even with her brother who ran off with Phillip's fiancee. We met the two main characters several years after they are estranged and Phillip is set on winning back his wife.
When we first meet Charlotte I didn't actually like her all that much, she was a tease - using men to cause a scandal to force Phillip's hand and grant her a divorce. Phillip actually kidnaps her from a party and wisks her away to his country estate to win her back. As we get learn more about her and Phillip's relationship I warmed up to her. She is witty, funny and loves to get a reaction from Phillip. I was prepared to dislike Phillip at first - the cheating, and the lowdown way he used Charlotte. But I loved how he tried to make things right with Charlotte, and make himself a better man.
This was a debut novel for Ashley, and she did a fabulous job! I will definitely be picking up her next novel when it comes out this fall - "Romancing the Countess".
March 4, 2011
“Seducing the Duchess ” by Ashley March
What would you do to try and capture your wife's heart once again? Would you send her flowers, write her a poem, or what about going as far as kidnapping her in front of society's upper class? That is exactly what the Duke of Rutherford does. He kidnaps his wife back to win her love. The Duke of Rutherford realizes that his only true love is his wife Charlotte and not his mistresses. He broke her heart by telling her on their first night of their marriage that he only married her to get revenge on her brother. Will Charlotte give Phillip another chance? Will she let herself fall in love with him again or will she leave him for good?
A wonderful debut novel written by Ashley March. “Seducing the Duchess” is a perfect love story of a husband who will do anything to win his wife's heart back. Passionate love, and long slow kisses will stir all of your romantic desires while you read this novel. This novel has it all, and was written perfectly to capture every women's heart. A great novel to read with a warm cup of tea curled up in front of the fireplace.
5 Hearts Out Of 5
Reviewed by Lady Victoria
Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca
What would you do to try and capture your wife's heart once again? Would you send her flowers, write her a poem, or what about going as far as kidnapping her in front of society's upper class? That is exactly what the Duke of Rutherford does. He kidnaps his wife back to win her love. The Duke of Rutherford realizes that his only true love is his wife Charlotte and not his mistresses. He broke her heart by telling her on their first night of their marriage that he only married her to get revenge on her brother. Will Charlotte give Phillip another chance? Will she let herself fall in love with him again or will she leave him for good?
A wonderful debut novel written by Ashley March. “Seducing the Duchess” is a perfect love story of a husband who will do anything to win his wife's heart back. Passionate love, and long slow kisses will stir all of your romantic desires while you read this novel. This novel has it all, and was written perfectly to capture every women's heart. A great novel to read with a warm cup of tea curled up in front of the fireplace.
5 Hearts Out Of 5
Reviewed by Lady Victoria
Visit my Website at http://www.historicalromancebooks.ca
February 18, 2012
I enjoyed this book although I did have some reservations. The hero is clearly "damaged" which goes some way towards explaining his behaviour, but he's nonetheless quite hard to like at times. The premise that he wanted revenge on Charlotte's brother for stealing his (Philip's) fiancée and thus decided to take it by making Charlotte fall for him and then telling her it was all a lie does seem very drastic and incredibly cruel; and as such I found it rather an unbelievable starting point.
On the plus side though, it's good to find a historical romance that has a plot that differs from the standard "hero/heroine must marry for money" or "hero/heroine hate each other on sight" or "governess falls for lord" etc. I can understand why the fact that adultery is part of the story makes it distasteful for some, and even the author had to pull back from it when it turns out that the heroine hadn't had lots of lovers after all. But it was still a refreshing change for this sort of novel.
The characters themselves are not perfect. Philip can be harsh and unforgiving, and Charlotte can be a bit dense in her manner of deliberate provocation; but then that makes them both as bad as each other.
All in all this was an enjoyable read and Ashley March is definitely on my list of authors to look out for.
On the plus side though, it's good to find a historical romance that has a plot that differs from the standard "hero/heroine must marry for money" or "hero/heroine hate each other on sight" or "governess falls for lord" etc. I can understand why the fact that adultery is part of the story makes it distasteful for some, and even the author had to pull back from it when it turns out that the heroine hadn't had lots of lovers after all. But it was still a refreshing change for this sort of novel.
The characters themselves are not perfect. Philip can be harsh and unforgiving, and Charlotte can be a bit dense in her manner of deliberate provocation; but then that makes them both as bad as each other.
All in all this was an enjoyable read and Ashley March is definitely on my list of authors to look out for.
August 21, 2012
Bir arkadaşım tavsiye etti kitabı bende bi heyecan başladım ama bi türlü içine giremedim kitabın güzeldi aslında ama daha güzelde olabilirdi atlaya atlaya okuma isteği yarattı bende fazlamı ayrıntı vardı ne
Dükümüz kızmızın abisinden intikam almak için kızımızla ilgiliyor ve evleniyor(abisi nişanlısını ayartmış evlilikte olmamış) kızımızla evleniyor ilk geceden sonrada kıza gerçeği söyleyip metresine gidiyor kızımızı kendi haline bırakıyor 3 yıl sonra aklı başına geliyor adamımızın kızımızı sevdiğini anlıyor ve onu geri kazanmaya çalışıyor Kızımızda adam kendinden boşansın diye hafif meşref hallerde erkeklerle takılıyor cilveleşiyor birlikte olduğu düşünülüyor bu adamlarla ama hala dükü seviyor ve kimseyle birlikte değil gerçek anlamda.
Neyse dük 6 ay uğraşıyor ama olmuyor sonunda kızımızı kaçırıyor ve sevdiğini anlatmaya çalışıyor tabii kızımızda kabul etmiyor falan böyle böyle aşk nefret gidiyor
Sonlara doğru daha iyiydi kitap yazarın başka bir kitabı çıksa okur musunuz derseniz okurum büyük ihtimalle ama beklentisiz bir şekilde:)
Dükümüz kızmızın abisinden intikam almak için kızımızla ilgiliyor ve evleniyor(abisi nişanlısını ayartmış evlilikte olmamış) kızımızla evleniyor ilk geceden sonrada kıza gerçeği söyleyip metresine gidiyor kızımızı kendi haline bırakıyor 3 yıl sonra aklı başına geliyor adamımızın kızımızı sevdiğini anlıyor ve onu geri kazanmaya çalışıyor Kızımızda adam kendinden boşansın diye hafif meşref hallerde erkeklerle takılıyor cilveleşiyor birlikte olduğu düşünülüyor bu adamlarla ama hala dükü seviyor ve kimseyle birlikte değil gerçek anlamda.
Neyse dük 6 ay uğraşıyor ama olmuyor sonunda kızımızı kaçırıyor ve sevdiğini anlatmaya çalışıyor tabii kızımızda kabul etmiyor falan böyle böyle aşk nefret gidiyor
Sonlara doğru daha iyiydi kitap yazarın başka bir kitabı çıksa okur musunuz derseniz okurum büyük ihtimalle ama beklentisiz bir şekilde:)
February 23, 2011
The only reason why I read this book was because I had to judge it. Otherwise it is not a book that I would have bought or even given a second glace to in the book store. So I picked it up knowing that I would hate it and ended up falling in love with Philip and Charlotte.
The book started off after Charlotte and Philip had already been married for three years. But this was not like most of the books that I have read where they are so in love and everything works out great. Let me say this I HATE CHEATERS!! So I never thought I would like Philip because he did have a mistress right after him and Charlotte got married. But somehow he won my heart anyway. This was a great book about forgiveness and letting go of one’s pride. I hope Ashley March will do a follow up book to this one! Because I would love to hear more about Philip and Charlotte.
The book started off after Charlotte and Philip had already been married for three years. But this was not like most of the books that I have read where they are so in love and everything works out great. Let me say this I HATE CHEATERS!! So I never thought I would like Philip because he did have a mistress right after him and Charlotte got married. But somehow he won my heart anyway. This was a great book about forgiveness and letting go of one’s pride. I hope Ashley March will do a follow up book to this one! Because I would love to hear more about Philip and Charlotte.
June 26, 2018
This book was one long bicker fest. I didn't connect to the MC’s. And felt that nothing really happened. Just arguing and, sometimes, childish behavior on the part of the h. I missed the buildup to the events of the book. I would have liked to read about the H wooing and betraying the h after the wedding night, to see the h‘s pain as the H confessed why he married her. Maybe then I could understand the h’s actions more.
Another thing that irked me was that the book was written in a modern style.
I think that, with some minor adjustments, you could have just as easily been reading about a modern day, 20 something, couple.
If you are hoping for some groveling you will be disappointed.
One, non groveling, star
Another thing that irked me was that the book was written in a modern style.
I think that, with some minor adjustments, you could have just as easily been reading about a modern day, 20 something, couple.
If you are hoping for some groveling you will be disappointed.
One, non groveling, star
October 24, 2010
I got roped in by the hype reviews I found the story to be only OK for me for a debut, I will give Ashley March another try with her next release before I make a decision if I will continue reading this author. It could have been any number of factors that influenced my decision on the book at the time I read Seducing the Dutchess, there was something that just didn't figure right with the story to me, so maybe with the second book the light may come on and I will have "I get it" moment and it will then click. It's all about second chances. I may even go back and re-read the story at some point in time.
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