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The Peers of the Realm Trilogy #1
The Decadent Duke
The New York Times bestselling author of Notorious
From the New York Times bestselling author comes an epic Regency love story, filled with all the sensuality, glitter, and drama that Virginia Henley?s readers have come to expect. Lady Georgina?s four sisters have all married prominent dukes or earls, and much to her dismay and frustration, she is expected to make an even better match. Georgina?s mother has no doubt who her daughter should Francis Russell, Duke of Bedford. The dull duke does absolutely nothing for Georgina, but despite her best efforts, she finds herself engaged to marry him.
But Georgina cannot deny the passionate sparks between herself and a different man?John Russell, the duke?s younger brother...
From the New York Times bestselling author comes an epic Regency love story, filled with all the sensuality, glitter, and drama that Virginia Henley?s readers have come to expect. Lady Georgina?s four sisters have all married prominent dukes or earls, and much to her dismay and frustration, she is expected to make an even better match. Georgina?s mother has no doubt who her daughter should Francis Russell, Duke of Bedford. The dull duke does absolutely nothing for Georgina, but despite her best efforts, she finds herself engaged to marry him.
But Georgina cannot deny the passionate sparks between herself and a different man?John Russell, the duke?s younger brother...
403 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
44 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
Virginia Henley
73 books639 followersVirginia Syddall was born on December 5, 1935 in England, where her father, Thomas Syddall, taught her to love history. She obtained a degree in History in the University. In 1956, Virginia married Arthur Henley. They moved to America, and now they live most of the year in St. Petersburg, Florida, and they spend the hot summers in Ontario, Canada, where they have their two adult children and three grandsons.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
Virginia Henley is a New York Times bestselling writer of historical novels. Her work has been translated into fourteen languages. She is the recipient of more than a dozen writing awards, including a Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award, a Waldenbooks' Bestselling Award, and a Maggie Award for Excellence from the Georgia Romance Writers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 19, 2013
This is the true (?) story of Georgiana (Henley calls her Georgina) and John Russell, the Duke and Duchess of Bedford.
According to the story, Georgy’s mom Jane, Duchess of Gordon was frenemies with Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. She was determined to best her “friend” by making brilliant matches for all of her five daughters, which, save one thus far, she has done. Georgy is the last of the daughters, and her mom has Francis Russell, then Duke of Bedford, in her sights.
Unfortunately, Georgy is attracted to John, the duke’s unhappily married younger brother (Henley changed the name of his first wife, which was also Georgiana—"George" names were thick on the ground in those days and it would've been confusing).
Also unfortunately, Francis is a pig.
Even more unfortunately, "Mom" doesn’t give a darn—she even sets up her own daughter’s rape, with the aid of another daughter and duke husband.
So this is me at various points in the book, because so many issues were left unresolved or ignored:
Most of the historical facts seem accurate in this one; the long list of sources seem to suggest that the author studied her subject. That said I question the whole thing about the rapes--guessing that is made up. Also, at the start of the book the author may have gotten carried away with the details—there were way too many names flying around for me to keep track. But eventually it settles in and there’s a pretty good story.
Anyway, since you know that Georgy and John end up as the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, it’s not a real spoiler to tell you that the Grim Reaper has a heyday in this one.
3.5 stars.
According to the story, Georgy’s mom Jane, Duchess of Gordon was frenemies with Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. She was determined to best her “friend” by making brilliant matches for all of her five daughters, which, save one thus far, she has done. Georgy is the last of the daughters, and her mom has Francis Russell, then Duke of Bedford, in her sights.
Unfortunately, Georgy is attracted to John, the duke’s unhappily married younger brother (Henley changed the name of his first wife, which was also Georgiana—"George" names were thick on the ground in those days and it would've been confusing).
Also unfortunately, Francis is a pig.
Even more unfortunately, "Mom" doesn’t give a darn—she even sets up her own daughter’s rape, with the aid of another daughter and duke husband.
So this is me at various points in the book, because so many issues were left unresolved or ignored:
Most of the historical facts seem accurate in this one; the long list of sources seem to suggest that the author studied her subject. That said I question the whole thing about the rapes--guessing that is made up. Also, at the start of the book the author may have gotten carried away with the details—there were way too many names flying around for me to keep track. But eventually it settles in and there’s a pretty good story.
Anyway, since you know that Georgy and John end up as the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, it’s not a real spoiler to tell you that the Grim Reaper has a heyday in this one.
3.5 stars.
November 21, 2015
To me, this story was vulgar and cheap. Most characters get a sex scene and it wasn't...love. And no one is faithful, not even the hero..or the heroine--she lusts after a married man and flirts. I understand that the society wasn't clean, but I had to read something else after this to get rid of the unhappiness.
I enjoyed the fast dialogue but even that was ruined by innuendo or erotic thoughts. Was this supposed to be erotica?
Mature content, rape, adultery, overdose
I enjoyed the fast dialogue but even that was ruined by innuendo or erotic thoughts. Was this supposed to be erotica?
Mature content, rape, adultery, overdose
December 29, 2008
I thought this book was OK. I really like Virginia Henley. I guess I was suprised that the book kind of was not what I was used to from her. It was sort of erratic. I didn't feel that it flowed well. There would be 3 to 4 scenes on two pages. It was totally weird. The main heroine was annoying and spoiled. The hero was boring. He was a widower with 3 sons. Honestly, he didn't have a personality. Anyway, I made it through the book. I don't know if I would recommend it.
August 11, 2010
I really enjoyed this book and was happily surpised when I found out the characters were based on true historical figures. Of course, I was not happy to find out there love story was not so wonderful when reading more about them online.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2022
On vacation I like to rest my brain & enjoy light heart-hearted reading for entertainment only. I haven’t read Virginia Henley in decades & when I saw she’d written some regency books I thought that’s perfect holiday reading. Unfortunately, her bold, colourful, passionate style, which works so well for the mediaeval romance series, is utterly unsuited to the more graceful, romantic Regency era. I read the first in the trilogy, struggled through half the second book and gave up.
September 13, 2011
The 3rd book I've read by Virginia Henley. Another meh.
The book was extremely boring to begin with but it got a bit more interesting as the story progressed.
Georgina is the youngest daughter of a very large, eccentric family and she's just weeks from making her comeout. Her mother, Jane, is a matchmaking momma if ever there was one. She is determined that Georgina will marry the Duke of Bedford. Too bad the Duke of Bedford is a complete creep who decides he wants Georgina so badly that he (along with the help of Georgina's sister and brother-in-law!!!) figures he'll just rape her. Ack! And turns out, he did the same thing to one of her other sisters! At this point, I'd figured out the Duke was a loser, but I hadn't expected him to be THAT much of a jerk!
Shortly after, Mr. Creepy Duke dies and Georgina's true love is now the Duke of Bedford. Hence the title, The Decadent Duke. Up to this point I was really confused as to why Francis Russell would be described as decadent because he was anything but. However, his younger brother, John was wonderful. His love for Georgina was really sweet.
There were a few things I didn't like about the book.
First off, at the start of the story, you are introduced to about 1,758,341 characters. All of whose names are some variation of George. It was really confusing/annoying/boring!
I also didn't like all the philandering men - Georgina's dad, Francis, Susan's husband, etc, and all the illegitimate kids they had.
Also, once again, I had to skip over the political stuff which was of no interest to me.
Not the best book but it was ok.
The book was extremely boring to begin with but it got a bit more interesting as the story progressed.
Georgina is the youngest daughter of a very large, eccentric family and she's just weeks from making her comeout. Her mother, Jane, is a matchmaking momma if ever there was one. She is determined that Georgina will marry the Duke of Bedford. Too bad the Duke of Bedford is a complete creep who decides he wants Georgina so badly that he (along with the help of Georgina's sister and brother-in-law!!!) figures he'll just rape her. Ack! And turns out, he did the same thing to one of her other sisters! At this point, I'd figured out the Duke was a loser, but I hadn't expected him to be THAT much of a jerk!
Shortly after, Mr. Creepy Duke dies and Georgina's true love is now the Duke of Bedford. Hence the title, The Decadent Duke. Up to this point I was really confused as to why Francis Russell would be described as decadent because he was anything but. However, his younger brother, John was wonderful. His love for Georgina was really sweet.
There were a few things I didn't like about the book.
First off, at the start of the story, you are introduced to about 1,758,341 characters. All of whose names are some variation of George. It was really confusing/annoying/boring!
I also didn't like all the philandering men - Georgina's dad, Francis, Susan's husband, etc, and all the illegitimate kids they had.
Also, once again, I had to skip over the political stuff which was of no interest to me.
Not the best book but it was ok.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 6, 2011This if my first Virginia Henley book and I won't recommend it
Read
January 18, 2009Wasn't half as decadent as I was expecting but that says more about me than it does about the book.
April 18, 2018
*SBTB Quarterly Challenge - 2. Father's Day: Read a book with a hero who's a father.*
Of the three Henley's I've read, this one is probably the weakest. But it's still better than 95% of the other historical romances out there.
Henley's books always feel like fully formed worlds - of course they're based on historical time periods and real people - but they are immersive. The characters all feel and act like real people. The places and settings feel real. It's clear that she researches extensively. And the writing is always top notch.
But why wasn't this as good as some of her others? There seemed to be more telling than showing. And the lead characters had some inst-love, although their courtship is reasonably drawn out. Neither the hero nor the heroine really stood out.
Won't stop me from grabbing one of Henley's books anytime I see one.
Of the three Henley's I've read, this one is probably the weakest. But it's still better than 95% of the other historical romances out there.
Henley's books always feel like fully formed worlds - of course they're based on historical time periods and real people - but they are immersive. The characters all feel and act like real people. The places and settings feel real. It's clear that she researches extensively. And the writing is always top notch.
But why wasn't this as good as some of her others? There seemed to be more telling than showing. And the lead characters had some inst-love, although their courtship is reasonably drawn out. Neither the hero nor the heroine really stood out.
Won't stop me from grabbing one of Henley's books anytime I see one.
July 10, 2017
Really disappointed with this book - I think it might have helped to know at the beginning that it was based on a true story. I would have approached it with a more receptive mindset I think. As an historical romance, there just wasn't enough of the romance elements in it. There were way too many characters, several with the same or very similar names and I had to keep going back to sort out who was who. Too much effort required for a recreational read.
May 14, 2020
I found this book enticing and very interesting as well. I thought of it as provocative as good as sensual, plus arousing when finally the heroine gets her man. I love it and cant wait to read more of Virgina Henley novels.
December 6, 2020
I didn’t get past the first chapter. I typically enjoy historical romances but this was not one I would recommend.
June 30, 2022
Henley is a long time favourite of mine. This book delivered.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
September 3, 2011
halaman2 pertama baca buku ini hati2 karna terlalu banyak nama yang sama & terlalu banyak tokoh.
halaman2 awal aq baca sangat pelan kadang bingung ini nama siapa lagi nih....tapi begitu sudah lewat bbrp halaman semua sangat lancar.
memang virginia henley doyan banget banyak tokoh begitu. plus selalu ada nama Mr. Burke, si kepala pelayan.
bercerita ttg keluarga duke & duchess of gordon from scotlandia yang memiliki 4 orang putri & 1 orang putra.
duchess gordon terkenal sangat ambisius menikahkan putri2nya dengan pria2 yg berkedudukan tinggi & memang sukses sih.
ke 3 putrinya, susan, charlotte & louisa menikah dengan earl, duke & heir of duke.
tersisa 1 putri yg belum menikah. georgina gordon yagn baru berusia 18 tahun & belum diperkenalkan ke masyarat ton secara resmi.
georgina or georgy bagi keluarga & teman2nya adl gadis yg sangat menawan & diusianya yang baru 18 tahun.
tidak hanya menawan tp georgina juga pandai membawa diri membuatnya langsung menjadi incaran pra pria.
georgina bertubuh mungil, itulah yg membuatnya dipanggil little girl oleh john russel saat john russel memergoki georgina sedang asik memancing bersama ke 3 putranya, saat georgina demi menghindari kejaran sang ibu berlibur ke kediaman charlotte.
georgina jelas jengkel dipanggil little girl, jadi dia membalasnya dengan memanggil john dengan old man.
disitulah awalnya john & georgina spt musuh yg tidak bisa didamaikan.
dengan john georgina spt musuh beda lainnya dengan francis russel, duke of bradford, kakak john, georgina sangat2 "dekat".
malah demi membuat john jengkel georgina sengaja dekat dengan francis.
francis russel, duke of bradford, playboy & tipikal bujangan sejati.
punya mistress & affair dimana2 termasuk anak haram.
ini nih yg bikin aq rada keki baca novel2 VH, bertebaran anak2 tak sah dimana2, dah kayak kacang aja.
francis tadinya berniat menaklukan si cantik georgina tp rupanya francis terlalu memandang tinggi dirinya.
georgina menolaknya.
georgina memang dekat dengannya, bahkan mereka terlihat akrab & selalu bersenda gurau dengan intim tp georgina tidak pernah mengijinkan francis mendekatinya secara intim. georgina malah membanding2kan francis dengan john.
francis terlanjur jatuh cinta pd georgina & ingin menjadikan georgina sbg duchess nya tp georgina menolak.
dengan bantuan ibunda georgina juga susan & suaminya, georgina dijebak ke kediaman susan di pedesaan & terkunci ber 2 dengan francis, yg akhirnya berbuntut pd georgina yg nyaris di rape.
georgina berhasil melarikan diri dlm keadaan naked dgn hanya berbalut mantel & lari ke kediaman kakaknya louisa, setelah menendang francis di tempat yg tepat :p
tp penolakan mentah2 itupun rupanya masih tidak bisa membuka mata francis.
dia masih menganggap georgina mencintainya & tidak mau menikah dgnnya krn dia masih memiliki mistress.
rencananya sih francis mo ke london melepasnya mistressnya agar bisa menikahi georgina tp sapa sangka sblm itu terjadi francis mengalami "masalah" di ranjang molly hill, salah 1 affairnya hingga berujung pd kematian.
bahkan di ranjang kematiannya pun francis masih memikirkan georgina & berpesan pd john untuk memberikan rambutnya pd georgina.
kematian francis cukup bikin geger.
duchess gordon sesumbar bahwa georgina adl calon duchess of bradford krn sudah dilamar francis namun tidak ada yg mempercayainya krn francis terkenal dengan reputasinya yg menghindari pernikahan spt wabah penyakit.
hal itulah yg membuat duchess gordon membawa georgina pergi ke paris.
john russeL, the new duke of bradford.
sangat bertolak belakang dgn kakaknya francis.
john baru saja kehilangan istri-nya yg meninggal akibat OD, istri yg tidak pernah lagi mau dia sentuh selama 9 tahun.
john mencintai istrinya tp cintanya sudah pudar bertahun2 yg lalu karna kelakuan sang istri hanya karna anak2nya lah maka john selalu setia.
namun sebenanrya selama ini john diam2 mencintai georgina & cemburu dengna kedekatan georgina & francis.
karna itu saat mengetahui di paris georgina mencari pujaan john lgs datang & melamarnya.
john tidak ingin kehilangan georgina untuk ke 2 kalinya.
namun diantara john & georgina ada kesalahpahaman.
georgina mengira john masih mencintai istri pertamanya yg telah meninggal & menikah dgn georgina hanya karna susan menunjukkan surat francis yg dikirim pd susan yg menerangkan bahwa francis akan segera melamar georgina secara resmi.
john sendiri mengira georgina masih mencintai francis & berkabung karenanya.
yg tidak diketahui john adl georgina membenci francis.
hhhhhhhhhhhh 2 orang yg saling mencintai tp sama2 terlalu keras kepala & terlalu tidak mau kehilangan muka & mengalah.
enaknya diapain ya mereka ber 2???
halaman2 awal aq baca sangat pelan kadang bingung ini nama siapa lagi nih....tapi begitu sudah lewat bbrp halaman semua sangat lancar.
memang virginia henley doyan banget banyak tokoh begitu. plus selalu ada nama Mr. Burke, si kepala pelayan.
bercerita ttg keluarga duke & duchess of gordon from scotlandia yang memiliki 4 orang putri & 1 orang putra.
duchess gordon terkenal sangat ambisius menikahkan putri2nya dengan pria2 yg berkedudukan tinggi & memang sukses sih.
ke 3 putrinya, susan, charlotte & louisa menikah dengan earl, duke & heir of duke.
tersisa 1 putri yg belum menikah. georgina gordon yagn baru berusia 18 tahun & belum diperkenalkan ke masyarat ton secara resmi.
georgina or georgy bagi keluarga & teman2nya adl gadis yg sangat menawan & diusianya yang baru 18 tahun.
tidak hanya menawan tp georgina juga pandai membawa diri membuatnya langsung menjadi incaran pra pria.
georgina bertubuh mungil, itulah yg membuatnya dipanggil little girl oleh john russel saat john russel memergoki georgina sedang asik memancing bersama ke 3 putranya, saat georgina demi menghindari kejaran sang ibu berlibur ke kediaman charlotte.
georgina jelas jengkel dipanggil little girl, jadi dia membalasnya dengan memanggil john dengan old man.
disitulah awalnya john & georgina spt musuh yg tidak bisa didamaikan.
dengan john georgina spt musuh beda lainnya dengan francis russel, duke of bradford, kakak john, georgina sangat2 "dekat".
malah demi membuat john jengkel georgina sengaja dekat dengan francis.
francis russel, duke of bradford, playboy & tipikal bujangan sejati.
punya mistress & affair dimana2 termasuk anak haram.
ini nih yg bikin aq rada keki baca novel2 VH, bertebaran anak2 tak sah dimana2, dah kayak kacang aja.
francis tadinya berniat menaklukan si cantik georgina tp rupanya francis terlalu memandang tinggi dirinya.
georgina menolaknya.
georgina memang dekat dengannya, bahkan mereka terlihat akrab & selalu bersenda gurau dengan intim tp georgina tidak pernah mengijinkan francis mendekatinya secara intim. georgina malah membanding2kan francis dengan john.
francis terlanjur jatuh cinta pd georgina & ingin menjadikan georgina sbg duchess nya tp georgina menolak.
dengan bantuan ibunda georgina juga susan & suaminya, georgina dijebak ke kediaman susan di pedesaan & terkunci ber 2 dengan francis, yg akhirnya berbuntut pd georgina yg nyaris di rape.
georgina berhasil melarikan diri dlm keadaan naked dgn hanya berbalut mantel & lari ke kediaman kakaknya louisa, setelah menendang francis di tempat yg tepat :p
tp penolakan mentah2 itupun rupanya masih tidak bisa membuka mata francis.
dia masih menganggap georgina mencintainya & tidak mau menikah dgnnya krn dia masih memiliki mistress.
rencananya sih francis mo ke london melepasnya mistressnya agar bisa menikahi georgina tp sapa sangka sblm itu terjadi francis mengalami "masalah" di ranjang molly hill, salah 1 affairnya hingga berujung pd kematian.
bahkan di ranjang kematiannya pun francis masih memikirkan georgina & berpesan pd john untuk memberikan rambutnya pd georgina.
kematian francis cukup bikin geger.
duchess gordon sesumbar bahwa georgina adl calon duchess of bradford krn sudah dilamar francis namun tidak ada yg mempercayainya krn francis terkenal dengan reputasinya yg menghindari pernikahan spt wabah penyakit.
hal itulah yg membuat duchess gordon membawa georgina pergi ke paris.
john russeL, the new duke of bradford.
sangat bertolak belakang dgn kakaknya francis.
john baru saja kehilangan istri-nya yg meninggal akibat OD, istri yg tidak pernah lagi mau dia sentuh selama 9 tahun.
john mencintai istrinya tp cintanya sudah pudar bertahun2 yg lalu karna kelakuan sang istri hanya karna anak2nya lah maka john selalu setia.
namun sebenanrya selama ini john diam2 mencintai georgina & cemburu dengna kedekatan georgina & francis.
karna itu saat mengetahui di paris georgina mencari pujaan john lgs datang & melamarnya.
john tidak ingin kehilangan georgina untuk ke 2 kalinya.
namun diantara john & georgina ada kesalahpahaman.
georgina mengira john masih mencintai istri pertamanya yg telah meninggal & menikah dgn georgina hanya karna susan menunjukkan surat francis yg dikirim pd susan yg menerangkan bahwa francis akan segera melamar georgina secara resmi.
john sendiri mengira georgina masih mencintai francis & berkabung karenanya.
yg tidak diketahui john adl georgina membenci francis.
hhhhhhhhhhhh 2 orang yg saling mencintai tp sama2 terlalu keras kepala & terlalu tidak mau kehilangan muka & mengalah.
enaknya diapain ya mereka ber 2???
February 18, 2025
Favorite Quote:
“Making love to a wife is one of life’s sweetest pleasures, so long as I’m not her husband.”
“Making love to a wife is one of life’s sweetest pleasures, so long as I’m not her husband.”
February 9, 2014
J'ai adoré ce tome !
Virginia Henley est encore et toujours une valeur sûre!
C'est un livre que j'ai adoré pour ces personnages principaux mais aussi pour les personnages secondaires.
Georgina (l'héroïne) est un personnage haut en couleur alors qu'en comparaison le héro m'a paru un peu fade à côté d'elle mais lorsqu'il faut prendre son courage à deux mains, il le fait sans tergiverser.
Au cours de l'histoire, Georgina se posent des questions sur le mariage de ces parents et comment ils en sont arrivés là ? une réconciliation est-elle possible ? Cela joue sur comment elle voit sa vie de couple, son mari, le mariage ainsi que les mariages de ces sœurs.
Les personnages secondaires sont principalement la famille de Georgina et notamment sa mère... Elle représente l'archétype même de la mère à la recherche du meilleur parti - entendez bien le mieux titré, le plus haut rang dans le titre - , bien que n'adhère pas à ce genre de comportement sa méthode est plus tôt efficace, bien rodée !! Elle force à une certaine admiration, respect... D'autant qu'elle arrive à faire faire les choses par les autres...
Avec ses filles, elles sont dérangées. L'obsession du mariage de haut rang pour la dernière et les diverses machinations plus ou moins machiavélique...qu'elles mettent en place...délirant, hallucinant...
Les enfants jouent aussi un rôle, notamment le dernier.
Je trouve toutefois que Virginia Henley à plus vu le livre sur le point de vue de l'héroïne que le couple, car j'ai trouvé que John est bien moins présent dans l'ensemble que Georgina.
Un passage du livre me reste toutefois incompréhensible au niveau médical car un personnage décède mais je n'ai pas compris comment il pouvait décéder de ce qu'il a, bon je n'ai pas non plus fait médecine...
Excellent livre, lecture agréable...
Virginia Henley est encore et toujours une valeur sûre!
C'est un livre que j'ai adoré pour ces personnages principaux mais aussi pour les personnages secondaires.
Georgina (l'héroïne) est un personnage haut en couleur alors qu'en comparaison le héro m'a paru un peu fade à côté d'elle mais lorsqu'il faut prendre son courage à deux mains, il le fait sans tergiverser.
Au cours de l'histoire, Georgina se posent des questions sur le mariage de ces parents et comment ils en sont arrivés là ? une réconciliation est-elle possible ? Cela joue sur comment elle voit sa vie de couple, son mari, le mariage ainsi que les mariages de ces sœurs.
Les personnages secondaires sont principalement la famille de Georgina et notamment sa mère... Elle représente l'archétype même de la mère à la recherche du meilleur parti - entendez bien le mieux titré, le plus haut rang dans le titre - , bien que n'adhère pas à ce genre de comportement sa méthode est plus tôt efficace, bien rodée !! Elle force à une certaine admiration, respect... D'autant qu'elle arrive à faire faire les choses par les autres...
Avec ses filles, elles sont dérangées. L'obsession du mariage de haut rang pour la dernière et les diverses machinations plus ou moins machiavélique...qu'elles mettent en place...délirant, hallucinant...
Les enfants jouent aussi un rôle, notamment le dernier.
Je trouve toutefois que Virginia Henley à plus vu le livre sur le point de vue de l'héroïne que le couple, car j'ai trouvé que John est bien moins présent dans l'ensemble que Georgina.
Un passage du livre me reste toutefois incompréhensible au niveau médical car un personnage décède mais je n'ai pas compris comment il pouvait décéder de ce qu'il a, bon je n'ai pas non plus fait médecine...
Excellent livre, lecture agréable...
January 9, 2011
When Virginia Henley is good, she's beyond awesome, and when she's not-so-great, she's still well worth reading! This book is one of the former.
I love the bold, lusty, witty, richly historical and emotionally satisfying stories Henley tells. As I've said before, I like my history with a ladleful of sexy and Henley delivers. And when the story she tells is based on real historical characters…*swoon*
I love the bold, lusty, witty, richly historical and emotionally satisfying stories Henley tells. As I've said before, I like my history with a ladleful of sexy and Henley delivers. And when the story she tells is based on real historical characters…*swoon*
September 21, 2015
Didn't stick to the typical romance format
The I book didn't follow the formula so common in romance novels (chapter about the girl, one about the boy, they meet, etc) that was good and bad. It took a long time to get going, and there were a lot of ancillary characters which was a little confusing. I liked the second half better than the first.
The digital edition I read had a lot of extra "v" characters in place of quotation marks, which was distracting.
The I book didn't follow the formula so common in romance novels (chapter about the girl, one about the boy, they meet, etc) that was good and bad. It took a long time to get going, and there were a lot of ancillary characters which was a little confusing. I liked the second half better than the first.
The digital edition I read had a lot of extra "v" characters in place of quotation marks, which was distracting.
August 7, 2010
While I really do like the fact that this is based around historical figures, the story is dragged down to the level of a cheap, sleazy romance. A far better treatment of the story of Georgina, Duchess of Bedford can be found in Mistress of the Arts.
For a more complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_T...
For a more complete review, please go here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/Book_T...
March 27, 2015
Where's the courtship?
Follow me!
Follow me!
November 7, 2013
Virginia Henley never fails to deliver a great story filled with passion, intrigue and humor. I felt this was a sweet story. I lived the characters and the way in which Virginia keep my interest. All historical romance lovers jump on board.
April 2, 2009
This book is really good so far. I love how she made the runt of the family the beauty of the fam.
May 13, 2009
This book was ok. Not like most of the Virginia Henley books that I've read in the past. The characters were good, but it dragged in some places.
June 21, 2011
One question.
However could Eugene Beauharnais, stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte, ever have adressed Lady Georgina Gordon as "mon cher ami"?
I cringe.
However could Eugene Beauharnais, stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte, ever have adressed Lady Georgina Gordon as "mon cher ami"?
I cringe.
June 19, 2012
Hands down one of the best historical romance novels I've ever read. The character development was perfect. The hero and heroine were great. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone.
July 19, 2012
I would have loved this one more if I was not entirely confused by all the people with the same name or similar names.
May 21, 2013
Hard to rate her below a four star because I love Henley but not one of her best
April 4, 2015
Book 1 in "The Dukes Trilogy"
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