Scan barcode
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
Very good book with some great interactions between Max and Lisette. Lisette's brother Tristan sent Max a note claiming he has information about Max's presumed dead older brother, but never showed up at a scheduled meeting. Max shows up at Lisette's home and family investigation agency threatening dire things if Lisette doesn't tell him where Tristan is. She doesn't know but will help Max find him, as long as she goes with him. They travel disguised as husband and wife and have a hard time keeping their hands off each other. Both have secrets that make them unwilling to engage their hearts, but they may not be able to resist.
I loved Lisette. After the death of her father she, her brother and her mother were kicked out of their home by their legitimate half-brother who hated them. He also accused Tristan of horse-stealing, causing him to have to flee England for France. Her other half-brother was also cut off by the heir and he took care of Lisette and her mother. He also started his detective agency. Lisette would like to work as one of the detectives but her brothers won't allow it. Neither is there when Max comes pounding on the door, threatening Tristan if he doesn't get some answers. Lisette will do anything to protect Tristan and refuses to tell Max where he is unless she can go along to make sure Max doesn't ruin things. I loved the way that she has absolutely no trouble standing up to Max. He may be a duke but that doesn't matter to her. She doesn't put up with his arrogance, but she doesn't put him down either. I laughed when she told him "You got off on the wrong foot. I merely watched you shove it into your mouth." She also is attracted to him, but having seen what happened to her mother when her father would marry her, she has vowed that she will never put herself under the control of a man. There are a lot of sparks between them, but they know that a match between them is impossible. Once they are on the road together they start getting to know one another. Lisette sees that Max hides a lot of pain and is eventually able to get him to talk about it. I loved the way that she was willing to risk her heart even if she couldn't be with him. She tried to protect him from her brothers and from being hurt by her circumstances.
Max had become the heir when his older brother was kidnapped and later died. Many people have tried to convince him that they were his brother so he is wary of anyone who claims to have such information. He is furious when Tristan makes such a claim but then disappears before Max can talk to him. When Max confronts Lisette he is definitely acting like an arrogant duke and makes several really obnoxious remarks. He is surprised when Lisette stands up to him, which makes him actually stop and listen to her. He isn't at all happy when she won't tell him where Tristan is and doesn't want to give in to her demands that she go with him on the search. He doesn't really have a choice and they take off together for France, posing as an ordinary husband and wife. This is fun to watch as Max has never been ordinary in his life and it is a real eye opener for him. He also discovers a strong attraction to Lisette that begins to grow into more. But he refuses to allow himself to let love enter a relationship. He watched his mother suffer when his father went mad and will not put anyone else through that. He is convinced that he is doomed to follow in his father's footsteps. I really liked the care that Max took to protect Lisette's reputation throughout their trip. He really wanted to have more with her but was afraid of what would happen years later. I liked the way that the two of them were able to work so well together to track down Tristan and get to the bottom of the mystery. The ending was fantastic and I loved the way that Max came to the rescue.
I loved Lisette. After the death of her father she, her brother and her mother were kicked out of their home by their legitimate half-brother who hated them. He also accused Tristan of horse-stealing, causing him to have to flee England for France. Her other half-brother was also cut off by the heir and he took care of Lisette and her mother. He also started his detective agency. Lisette would like to work as one of the detectives but her brothers won't allow it. Neither is there when Max comes pounding on the door, threatening Tristan if he doesn't get some answers. Lisette will do anything to protect Tristan and refuses to tell Max where he is unless she can go along to make sure Max doesn't ruin things. I loved the way that she has absolutely no trouble standing up to Max. He may be a duke but that doesn't matter to her. She doesn't put up with his arrogance, but she doesn't put him down either. I laughed when she told him "You got off on the wrong foot. I merely watched you shove it into your mouth." She also is attracted to him, but having seen what happened to her mother when her father would marry her, she has vowed that she will never put herself under the control of a man. There are a lot of sparks between them, but they know that a match between them is impossible. Once they are on the road together they start getting to know one another. Lisette sees that Max hides a lot of pain and is eventually able to get him to talk about it. I loved the way that she was willing to risk her heart even if she couldn't be with him. She tried to protect him from her brothers and from being hurt by her circumstances.
Max had become the heir when his older brother was kidnapped and later died. Many people have tried to convince him that they were his brother so he is wary of anyone who claims to have such information. He is furious when Tristan makes such a claim but then disappears before Max can talk to him. When Max confronts Lisette he is definitely acting like an arrogant duke and makes several really obnoxious remarks. He is surprised when Lisette stands up to him, which makes him actually stop and listen to her. He isn't at all happy when she won't tell him where Tristan is and doesn't want to give in to her demands that she go with him on the search. He doesn't really have a choice and they take off together for France, posing as an ordinary husband and wife. This is fun to watch as Max has never been ordinary in his life and it is a real eye opener for him. He also discovers a strong attraction to Lisette that begins to grow into more. But he refuses to allow himself to let love enter a relationship. He watched his mother suffer when his father went mad and will not put anyone else through that. He is convinced that he is doomed to follow in his father's footsteps. I really liked the care that Max took to protect Lisette's reputation throughout their trip. He really wanted to have more with her but was afraid of what would happen years later. I liked the way that the two of them were able to work so well together to track down Tristan and get to the bottom of the mystery. The ending was fantastic and I loved the way that Max came to the rescue.
hijinx_abound'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.
ninoskasua's review against another edition
5.0
Synoisis:
Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons, long ago buried his grief for his missing elder brother, Peter, who was presumed dead after being kidnapped. When a mysterious note arrives from Tristan Bonnaud asserting that the Duke's brother is alive, it leads Max straight to the winsome Lisette Bonnaud, illegitimate daughter of a viscount and Tristan's sister. Soon he and Lisette are traveling to Paris posing as husband and wife, in search of Tristan, who has disappeared. And the longer he spends with Lisette, the easier it is for Max to see that the line between dukedom and desire is easier to cross than heimagined . . .
Review:
As always, Miss Jeffries give us lovable characters, funny and adventurous plots. This time she introduced us to Bonnaud family.
Lisette Bonnaud is the illegitimate daughter of Viscount Rathmoor and sister to Tristan and half sister to Dom. Lisette and her family lives is impacted and changed by the death of her father. Tristan flees from England as a result of stealing a horse from his half-brother George. Years later, after the death of Lisette's mother, her half-brother Dom opened a detective agency where Lisette acts as a secretary/file clerk. She dreams of being a detective which her brother Dom does not approve on. On the morning after Dom leave for Scotland, Lisette is visited by Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons. Max was sent a mystery note from Tristan regarding his long lost brother. He is convinced that Tristan know where is brother is or is hiding something. So begin Max and Lisette journey to find Tristan and Max's brother.
The chemistry with Max and Lisette is very sexy and hot. They are immediately drawn to one another. However, Max believe that his family is cursed with mental illness which he will become crazy (or as the brits call it mad.) So, Max tries to resist Lisette's charms. Many of the scene between Lisette and Max are comical, sexy and down right good.
I couldn't put this book down. At the end of the book, I wanted more of the Duke's men. I can't wait to read more about these character including Dom. Was it just me or were there spark flying with Jane and Dom?
Thank you, Sabrina Jeffries and Edelweis for the ARC.
*I received an ARC from the publisher via edelweiss
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.