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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.
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.
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!
emmylux7's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot more than the 4th book in this series (which is how I was introduced to these cast of characters). Which I guess gives you a little inside on how I sometimes read historical romance novels. Don't know if I would've picked this first installment up if not for reading "If The Viscount Falls" first. Thus leading to me wanting to know more about Max & Lisette's love story... -shrugs;. In comparison, both sets of couples are as well developed as they could be. The only real dividing factor is that Max & Lisette's banter & personalities were more to my liking than Dom & Jane's. I felt the growing friendship/love between M&L more, than the love that was supposedly already there with the other couple. I also chuckled a great deal more whilst reading & didn't have excessive bouts of eye rolling. It helped that the plot was better developed in the sense that there actually was one. As much as I wanted to see how the romance played out, the need to know how the 'missing brother' plotline was going to end consumed me. In all this was a fun quick romp that most would enjoy.
nencsa's review against another edition
4.0
It was fun and interesting to read somethung from a different era.