lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a free ARC of What the Duke Desires from Pocket Book via Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review*
I was so engrossed in What the Duke Desires from start to finish that time just flew away!
Full review to come soon.
This and other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.
I was so engrossed in What the Duke Desires from start to finish that time just flew away!
Full review to come soon.
This and other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
What the Duke Desires
3.5 Stars
Due to a family curse, Maximillion Cale, Duke of Lyons, is intent on a marriage of convenience for the sole purpose of siring the necessary heir. Thus, the arrival of a message that his older brother, long thought dead, may still be alive, has Max eager to locate him and transfer the responsibilities of the dukedom. Unfortunately, the sender, Tristan Bonnaud, has disappeared and his beautiful yet stubborn sister, Lisette, will only help if she can accompany Max on the search. Forced to pose as husband and wife, Max and Lisette set out to find the missing heir only to discover that the real quest is for each other.
Series note: This book begins The Hellions of Halstead Hall spin-off. That said, the connection is negligible with Max playing a minor part in the last Hellions book. Thus, it is not necessary to read Hellions although both it and the earlier series', Royal Brotherhood and School for Heiresses, are entertaining.
Despite a number of problems with Max and Lisette's romance, the mystery surrounding Max's lost brother keeps the pages turning.
To begin with, certain elements of the plot require a healthy suspension of disbelief, such as Lisette's cavalier attitude toward her reputation and Max's eagerness to marry the illegitimate daughter of a Viscount's mistress - yeah, I don't think so...
The most compelling aspect of the book is the question of whether Max's brother is alive, and the surprise twist in this regard is excellent. That said, the whole kidnapping/madness subplot is rather convoluted, and there is too much time spent on the debate of who infected whom with when it ultimately does not matter in the grand scheme of things.
Finally, Max and Lisette are both likable characters and their interactions are entertaining, especially considering Max's stoicism and Lisette's independence. The ending is also particularly satisfying as Max is an amazing groveller and it was fun to see him
Overall, there is a great deal of promise in this series and I look forward to the rest of the series focusing on the Cale/Bonnaud/Manton clan.
3.5 Stars
Due to a family curse, Maximillion Cale, Duke of Lyons, is intent on a marriage of convenience for the sole purpose of siring the necessary heir. Thus, the arrival of a message that his older brother, long thought dead, may still be alive, has Max eager to locate him and transfer the responsibilities of the dukedom. Unfortunately, the sender, Tristan Bonnaud, has disappeared and his beautiful yet stubborn sister, Lisette, will only help if she can accompany Max on the search. Forced to pose as husband and wife, Max and Lisette set out to find the missing heir only to discover that the real quest is for each other.
Series note: This book begins The Hellions of Halstead Hall spin-off. That said, the connection is negligible with Max playing a minor part in the last Hellions book. Thus, it is not necessary to read Hellions although both it and the earlier series', Royal Brotherhood and School for Heiresses, are entertaining.
Despite a number of problems with Max and Lisette's romance, the mystery surrounding Max's lost brother keeps the pages turning.
To begin with, certain elements of the plot require a healthy suspension of disbelief, such as Lisette's cavalier attitude toward her reputation and Max's eagerness to marry the illegitimate daughter of a Viscount's mistress - yeah, I don't think so...
The most compelling aspect of the book is the question of whether Max's brother is alive, and the surprise twist in this regard is excellent. That said, the whole kidnapping/madness subplot is rather convoluted, and there is too much time spent on the debate of who infected whom with
Spoiler
syphilisFinally, Max and Lisette are both likable characters and their interactions are entertaining, especially considering Max's stoicism and Lisette's independence. The ending is also particularly satisfying as Max is an amazing groveller and it was fun to see him
Spoiler
annihilate Lisette's obnoxious brother, George.Overall, there is a great deal of promise in this series and I look forward to the rest of the series focusing on the Cale/Bonnaud/Manton clan.
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thoughts when Finished: What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries was one of those historicals that had it all: travel, romance, great characters, and a leading lady to root for!
Overall Thoughts: Likable characters, a bit of intrigue, a headstrong leading lady who wasn't a member o society, a little history, and a whole lot of banter made this a very enjoyable read. I have to admit that Lisette was my favorite character and it took awhile until I thought Max was good enough for her. In the end, I was rooting for them and looking through my book stacks to see if I have more in this series!
Audio Thoughts:
This was my first Corrie James narration and I was really impressed. She handled different accents very well and her voices were very distinct. I am going to listen to her again.
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)
First Thoughts when Finished: What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries was one of those historicals that had it all: travel, romance, great characters, and a leading lady to root for!
Overall Thoughts: Likable characters, a bit of intrigue, a headstrong leading lady who wasn't a member o society, a little history, and a whole lot of banter made this a very enjoyable read. I have to admit that Lisette was my favorite character and it took awhile until I thought Max was good enough for her. In the end, I was rooting for them and looking through my book stacks to see if I have more in this series!
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated By Corrie James / Length: 10 hrs and 58 mins
This was my first Corrie James narration and I was really impressed. She handled different accents very well and her voices were very distinct. I am going to listen to her again.
Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
brinastewart's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This is exactly what I expected and needed... why I keep picking up Jeffries novels for a palate cleanser with rough or boring books. I was not disappointed with it.
faustin2nd's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first time reading a book by his author and I must say I was impressed. The pacing was very good, and the story flowed very well. The dialogue was original and funny and the whole plot was just a little unpredictable. I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm glad the dramatics were well placed, I didn't feel like I was reading a drawn-out soap opera. I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.
dani_bugz's review against another edition
4.0
This was freaking great! I loved the characters, there was intrigue, steamy romance, and killer ladies. Character development was done beautifully and the plot was interesting. I will be ordering in the rest of this series!
belle18244's review against another edition
3.0
This was decent, closer to 3.5 stars. I rounded down because it didn't have the elements that I usually like in a Sabrina Jeffries book. Also didn't buy the romance between the main characters.
*ARC obtain from Edelweiss in exchange for a review.
*ARC obtain from Edelweiss in exchange for a review.
iggyebab's review against another edition
3.0
A duke who is searching for his kidnapped brother encounters the sister of the man who claims to have info about said brother. After an unchaperoned trip to search for her brother, they fall for one another but there are obstacles.
berls's review against another edition
5.0
So good! I think this is my first historical where the characters are chiefly the illegitimate children, left with nothing. Loved Lissette and the way she was so independent and determined. Max is a lovable character, even if he was a pro at putting his foot in his mouth. The travel elements were so fun, especially as Lissette's scheme fell apart (as they always do!)
The narration was fantastic, with the French accent mixed in. And the nods to historical accuracy with the French Vedoc (spelling?) was cool. Look forward to reading more.
The narration was fantastic, with the French accent mixed in. And the nods to historical accuracy with the French Vedoc (spelling?) was cool. Look forward to reading more.
witandsin's review against another edition
5.0
Recommended Read. My review cross-posted from Joyfully Reviewed: http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com/recommended-reviews/june-2013-recommended-reads/what-the-duke-desires-by-sabrina-jeffries
Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons, has long known that he will live his life alone. Madness cursed his father and uncle, and his elder brother died under mysterious circumstances. So when he receives a cryptic message from investigator Tristan Bonnaud claiming that Max’s brother is alive, the duke is cautiously hopeful. But the meeting Tristan arranged never takes place, as neither Tristan nor Max’s supposed brother show up. The duke is furious and is determined to hunt Tristan down, only to cross paths with a different Bonnaud.
As the illegitimate daughter of an English viscount and a French actress, Lisette Bonnaud learned at a young age never to be dependent on a man, particularly an aristocrat. Which is why she’s shocked to find herself attracted to the powerful Duke of Lyons, a man who could ruin the lives of her and her siblings. Worried that her brother is missing and determined to ensure the duke doesn’t ruin Tristan’s career, Lisette courts disaster by posing as Max’s wife on a trip to France. But it isn’t only scandal Max and Lisette risk by travelling together — the longer they remain in close quarters the more these two very different people risk losing their hearts to one another.
The Duke’s Men series is off to a fantastic start with What the Duke Desires. Sabrina Jeffries has penned a marvelously entertaining story filled to the brim with romance, humor, heartbreak, and even a surprising revelation or two.
Lisette might just be my favorite Sabrina Jeffries heroine to date. She’s smart, fiercely loyal, and very aware of the consequences of her illegitimacy in a way that Tristan and her legitimate half-brother Dom simply aren’t. Her parents’ relationship and the fallout after her father’s death had a deep impact on Lisette, adding a touch of vulnerability to the strong and brave heroine. Max, in turn, is a delicious hero with fears of his own. His father’s very public descent into madness has made Max fearful of his own potential for insanity. He’s afraid to love, afraid to get too close to a woman who will see him ultimately go mad. Max is very much alone until he meets Lisette and I loved seeing her fight for him and for their relationship. These two were a fantastic pair and their love story was a joy to watch unfold.
What the Duke Desires is the first book in Ms. Jeffries’s The Duke’s Men series, but fans of the Hellions of Halstead Hall books keep an eye out — Dominick Manton, Lisette’s half-brother, first appeared in ’Twas the Night After Christmas, so it should be no surprise that past Hellions of Halstead Hall heroes and heroines get a mention in this book. I Joyfully Recommend What the Duke Desires. The only issue I had with the story is that Ms. Jeffries made Dom and Tristan so compelling that I can’t wait for them to get books of their own!
Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons, has long known that he will live his life alone. Madness cursed his father and uncle, and his elder brother died under mysterious circumstances. So when he receives a cryptic message from investigator Tristan Bonnaud claiming that Max’s brother is alive, the duke is cautiously hopeful. But the meeting Tristan arranged never takes place, as neither Tristan nor Max’s supposed brother show up. The duke is furious and is determined to hunt Tristan down, only to cross paths with a different Bonnaud.
As the illegitimate daughter of an English viscount and a French actress, Lisette Bonnaud learned at a young age never to be dependent on a man, particularly an aristocrat. Which is why she’s shocked to find herself attracted to the powerful Duke of Lyons, a man who could ruin the lives of her and her siblings. Worried that her brother is missing and determined to ensure the duke doesn’t ruin Tristan’s career, Lisette courts disaster by posing as Max’s wife on a trip to France. But it isn’t only scandal Max and Lisette risk by travelling together — the longer they remain in close quarters the more these two very different people risk losing their hearts to one another.
The Duke’s Men series is off to a fantastic start with What the Duke Desires. Sabrina Jeffries has penned a marvelously entertaining story filled to the brim with romance, humor, heartbreak, and even a surprising revelation or two.
Lisette might just be my favorite Sabrina Jeffries heroine to date. She’s smart, fiercely loyal, and very aware of the consequences of her illegitimacy in a way that Tristan and her legitimate half-brother Dom simply aren’t. Her parents’ relationship and the fallout after her father’s death had a deep impact on Lisette, adding a touch of vulnerability to the strong and brave heroine. Max, in turn, is a delicious hero with fears of his own. His father’s very public descent into madness has made Max fearful of his own potential for insanity. He’s afraid to love, afraid to get too close to a woman who will see him ultimately go mad. Max is very much alone until he meets Lisette and I loved seeing her fight for him and for their relationship. These two were a fantastic pair and their love story was a joy to watch unfold.
What the Duke Desires is the first book in Ms. Jeffries’s The Duke’s Men series, but fans of the Hellions of Halstead Hall books keep an eye out — Dominick Manton, Lisette’s half-brother, first appeared in ’Twas the Night After Christmas, so it should be no surprise that past Hellions of Halstead Hall heroes and heroines get a mention in this book. I Joyfully Recommend What the Duke Desires. The only issue I had with the story is that Ms. Jeffries made Dom and Tristan so compelling that I can’t wait for them to get books of their own!