Reviews

Duchess Decadence by Wendy LaCapra

somewherelostinbooks's review

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3.0

The premise of this book was intriguing. The reunion story between a scandalous duchess and her staid duke; sign me up I thought! Well, not so fast. If I had done more research, I would have released this is the third book in a trilogy. As with most romance novels, it can be read as a stand-alone, however Duchess Decadence seems to pick up in the middle of the previous stories. A lot of the plot revolved around events that took place in the first two books. While the author does a good job of summarizes the previous events, I felt lost. What had made catching even more difficult was the nature of the book. The reunion between Thea and Wyn would have been sweeter if I had read the previous books and seen their interactions before this book.

Surprisingly, I quite enjoyed the evil brother returns from the dead trope. I think this was because I liked that heroine wanted to be proactive in protecting the hero. The disreputable wife returns to protect her husband has quite a flair to it. However, in the end, she really didn’t too much to protect him. The desire was there but there wasn’t any follow through.

I wasn’t a fan of the author’s constant use of the word “sentiment” when Wyn was falling in love with Thea. He was constantly lamenting his loss of control to sentiment, which just seemed odd. Also, I just want to take a moment to talk about the cover. It what world is that a Georgian duchess’s dress? She looks more like a pirate wench at a Renaissance faire. Sorry, history major problems. I have to put those 4 years and pile of debt to use for something.

Overall this was a nice reunion story but it did take me a while to get used to the couple. I did like that they explored their intimate connection together after being reunited and having realized they should have a more fulfilling sex life. The book did touch on some serious notes, like Thea’s miscarriage, which made me want to reread Midnight Pleasures by Eloisa James. There was also a lot of history, such as the Gordon Riots, the role of Parliament, and the East India Company. However, I would recommend reading the first two books before this one.

Duchess Decadence Review

storieswithsoul's review

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4.0

This is a historical romance novel with a lot of thrill and intrigue. Its very interesting and well written. I loved both the Duchess and Duke's characters. This is book three in Furies series. Duke of Wynchester wants his Duchess back in her home where she belongs but there are a lot of things he had done in the past he is not proud of. He fears that she will never forgive him. Thea knows that what happened was not entirely Wynchester's fault but her grief prevents her from revealing her feelings and going back with the Duke. But now how she feels is not important any more. The Duke's life might be in danger and his Duchess might be the only one who can save him. Hence she decides to go back with him at least for the summer. What happens when they finally open up to each other, wasn't something either of them anticipated. Finally they are able to let go of the past and think about the future. Danger lurks around the corner and they must trust each other in order to come out unscathed after the whole ordeal is finally over.

booksuperpower's review

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4.0

Lady Decadence (Furies # 3) by Wendy LaCapra is a 2015 Entangled ( Scandalous) publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.


What a bummer. This is the last book in the Furies trilogy! I am so sad to see it end, but Thea Marie and Wyn's story is an awesome way to bring the series to a close.

Before you start reading this one, I must say that unlike some series or trilogies, that can normally be read as stand alone novels, I highly recommend reading the two previous installments first. There is a mystery thread that, without the background information, I don't think you will completely understand why Thea is so concerned about her brother-in-law, Eustace.

For those who have been following along, Thea makes a wager with Wyn- if she wins the roll of the dice, they file for parliamentary divorce, but if he wins, Thea returns to him for the summer. With Thea's need to protect Wyn, she makes sure the dice rolls in her favor.

“Two throws each, the highest total wins. Equal numbers will merit a third throw.”

Thea and Wyn have lived apart for several years after the loss of their unborn child, something Thea blamed on Wyn for years, while harboring guilt of her own. This reconciliation, which may be temporary, will give Wyn the chance to win back the woman he loves. But, they have some major challenges ahead of them if they are to make a go of their marriage.

First of all, Wyn is not the most demonstrative guy in all the world, and still requires “lessons” on the art of conversation. He has been emotionally distant from Thea, but not only that, he, like many men of this era, believed their wives, as ladies, should not be subjected to their baser passions in the bedroom.

Thea Marie of course, is a healthy, vivacious woman who has a perfectly normal sexual appetite, and so believes her husband is a 'cold fish'.

These issues lie at the very bottom of the chasm between Wyn and Thea, not to mention a jewel theft, Thea was suspected of.


Although Thea has some ulterior motives for agreeing to spend the summer with her husband, she would like nothing more than to reconcile with him, prove her innocence, and bring out the unrealized love and emotions both are keeping locked up inside them.

However, the problem with Wyn's brother, who has miraculously returned from the dead, could prevent the couple from ever having a life together.

I fell in love with this series because it dares to journey down the road less traveled. The themes explored here are a little darker, more emotional, and difficult, than what you usually find in historical romances today.

'The Furies' are ahead of their time, all them bold, very brave, and ready to move on with their lives, now that they are more settled.

I loved getting to know these fine ladies, and enjoyed witnessing their close bond of friendship, which is stronger than ever, and am so happy to see Thea finally step out from behind the shadow of suspicion, see the mystery of Eustace solved once and for all, and have these wonderful friends and their husbands, enjoy their own Happy Ever After.

pavi_fictionalworm's review

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4.0

I received an eARC of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the burb of this book and while I went into the book knowing that it was the third book in a series, I had still hoped that it would and could be treated as a standalone and I wasn’t disappointed.
While the first few chapters were self-explanatory, there were still tidbits that pointed to events in the previous stories that could have been with a little backstory!

Historical romance is always a touch and go for me, even if it’s one of my favourite genres – majorly because it’s always the same sort of plot – the brooding Duke/Viscount/etc. who falls for the wallflower without even realising it. But Duchess Decadence isn’t about unmarried couples, but about the HEA that never happened! Both the Duke and Duchess have had a marriage and been estranged for a while now – mostly due to their inability to communicate with each other but also due to the existence of external circumstances.

The other thing about Historical Romances, not many are huge on angst! Mostly are about falling in love, and while angst is always a part of the plot – it’s only a part of the story. But this book, this book was so immersed in angst, that there was a permanent ache in my chest by the time I read a few chapters and I wasn’t even sure that the ache was ever going to go away and it was the best feeling ever! (Yes, I am a masochist and happy about it :P)

Duke and the Duchess have been in love with each other since they were kids and bethroed (I think I just spelled that wrong!?) but did they ever communicate this to each other? Nuh. Nope! The duke has control problems, as in he loves controlling his emotions, believing that passion isn’t was his Duchess needed but gentle loving! Men can be such fools no? And since she never really understood his thoughts – again because he never told her – she had always thought that he abandoned her after everything went to hell!

This book became one of my favourites and has made sure that I actually buy the first two books in the series as well. I loved the style of writing as well, and a plot that had such a depth of emotions that I couldn’t help but feel as of the author had lietrally poured her heart and soul and I felt as if I was invading her privacy to do so!

This is my first book by Wendy LaCapra but it certainly won’t be the last!

For more reviews don't forget to visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds

fortheloveoffictionalworlds's review against another edition

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4.0

I received an eARC of the book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the burb of this book and while I went into the book knowing that it was the third book in a series, I had still hoped that it would and could be treated as a standalone and I wasn’t disappointed.
While the first few chapters were self-explanatory, there were still tidbits that pointed to events in the previous stories that could have been with a little backstory!

Historical romance is always a touch and go for me, even if it’s one of my favourite genres – majorly because it’s always the same sort of plot – the brooding Duke/Viscount/etc. who falls for the wallflower without even realising it. But Duchess Decadence isn’t about unmarried couples, but about the HEA that never happened! Both the Duke and Duchess have had a marriage and been estranged for a while now – mostly due to their inability to communicate with each other but also due to the existence of external circumstances.

The other thing about Historical Romances, not many are huge on angst! Mostly are about falling in love, and while angst is always a part of the plot – it’s only a part of the story. But this book, this book was so immersed in angst, that there was a permanent ache in my chest by the time I read a few chapters and I wasn’t even sure that the ache was ever going to go away and it was the best feeling ever! (Yes, I am a masochist and happy about it :P)

Duke and the Duchess have been in love with each other since they were kids and bethroed (I think I just spelled that wrong!?) but did they ever communicate this to each other? Nuh. Nope! The duke has control problems, as in he loves controlling his emotions, believing that passion isn’t was his Duchess needed but gentle loving! Men can be such fools no? And since she never really understood his thoughts – again because he never told her – she had always thought that he abandoned her after everything went to hell!

This book became one of my favourites and has made sure that I actually buy the first two books in the series as well. I loved the style of writing as well, and a plot that had such a depth of emotions that I couldn’t help but feel as of the author had lietrally poured her heart and soul and I felt as if I was invading her privacy to do so!

This is my first book by Wendy LaCapra but it certainly won’t be the last!

For more reviews don't forget to visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds

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