Customer Reviews

Mad About the Duke (Avon)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A couple of the reviews of this book weren't very good so I was hesitant to buy it, then I remembered I liked EB's other books and decided to try it. I found it fun and very realistic! After reading a few hundred Historicals (literally)- if you go with the way aristocrats where supposedly raised back then, totally catered to and never even having to open their own doors- I could just picture James being at "sixes and sevens" when left standing alone in "the Standon Widow's foyer" at the beginning of this story. Then never having been in love before- when seeing Elinor for the first time, finding her "completely enchanting", falling head over heels in love with her, but of course, denying it to himself. So it stands to reason, he's going to make "a complete cake of himself" and let her just start assuming things that aren't true, which of course will lead to a snowball effect with him fighting his own aristocratic tendencies, learning how the other half lives, doing things he's never done before, trying to help her, and still hide who he really is throughout, leading to some funny scenes. I particularly liked his stunned servants reactions to his new behaviors, but felt they over-stepped themselves at the end. I also loved when he got very put out at her reaction of why she didn't have the Duke of Parkerton (himself) on her "Duke's list" and she sputtered, "The Duke of Parkerton? He's far too old!" And then when he tells her he's got it on good authority that he's the same age as himself (forty and then some)- She says, "Really? I can hardly believe you're that old" So he says, "You don't have to make me sound like Methuselah." Ha! Ha! I can just picture him never having been spoken to like that! Especially when he knows she's 31 yrs old herself. These were two good strong leading characters, which I need in any book I read. I really enjoyed this book, waiting to see just what James would do next, and am very glad I bought it.

(3.5 stars probably.) When I finished reading Boyle's previous novel, HOW I MET MY COUNTESS, I told myself I really shouldn't bother with any more Boyle HRs because they're not exactly to my taste. They're not really historical and they're a bit silly. But there it was, MAD ABOUT THE DUKE, a new one calling to me and me with a very short stack of HRs to read, so...

Boyle's books can be a bit confusing for me because her characters in one book are interconnected or related to characters in many others and since I read so many HRs by so many authors in between the Boyle ones I forget many details. Thank goodness she has her family/character trees at the beginning of her novels to keep me from getting lost.

This book is about Lady Standon #2, Elinor Wraxton. The previous, HOW I MET MY COUNTESS, was about Lady Standon #3, Lucy Ellyson, and I suppose her next book will be about Lady Standon #1, Minerva Hartley. All these Lady Standons were married to a Marquess of Standon. There have been 4 marquesses since 1752 (brothers and cousins, etc., who take over the title after the death of the previous). (Just consult Boyle's family tree and all will be well.)

Anyhoo, Lady Standon #2, Elinor, needs a wealthy husband (she would prefer a duke) to protect her 14-year-old sister from wicked stepfather Lord Lewis who has guardianship of the girl. So Elinor, mistakenly believing that James Tremont, the Duke of Parkerton, is a "cit" solicitor in the employ of the Duke of Hollindrake, asks this James to help her find a wealthy (preferably duke) husband. From there all the madcap adventure ensues and it's all very silly fun and an enjoyable read if you're in the mood for a light-hearted romantic farce.

Years ago I was a big fan of Elizabeth Boyle's work but over the last couple of years her books have been so dire, I have taken her off my reading list. For some reason this book appealed to me, and I am really glad I bought it.

What's wrong with it? Well, the story is very cluttered with characters from other books which can be very confusing. And it certainly helps to have read This Rake of Mine (Avon Romantic Treasure) to give you some background to this particular story. The other thing that some reviewers have complained about is that it is similar to a previous book Boyle wrote, Love Letters from a Duke. But I loved this story. It has wonderful humour....a sweet romance...a hot chemistry between Elinor and James. I adored the way that stuffy, uncompromising James fell in love at first sight - he really is a darling. This book is not for you if you like your romances deep, emotional and full of angst. But if you are in the mood for some fun and froth, I can highly recommend it.

I like Elizabeth Boyle, but her last books haven't been up to her standards. Simply put, her writing as always was good and crisp. It was her storyline I found difficult to swallow. I have a question. Do you really think this situation could have happened in real life? Not a chance.

Gosh I loved this book. I so enjoyed reading it. I couldn't put it down. Witty, smart characters; witty, smart dialogue; a well developed storyline; finely drawn, well nuanced personalities - What a pleasure! I don't do spoilers - the book description lays out the story premise. For me, in the telling of a good story, whether for good or bad, you care about the characters. I cared about these characters.This book is most definitely on my re-read list.

Rated 4 out of 5 White Roses.

Never in his lifetime did James Lambert St. Maur Thurston Tremont, the 9th Duke of Parkerton, think he would be mistaken for a commoner but also play a matchmaker too. Misunderstanding indeed. In hindsight he probably would have been better off to have told Lady Standon who he was the moment she mistook him for a solicitor, especially when she asked him to help find her a husband. But would she be as free to be herself with him as the Duke like she is with him as just simple "Mr. St. Maur"?

Elinor definitely needs a new husband. But the list of possible candidates she handed to James was sadly lacking. It didn't even have his name on it! Now, all he needs to do is convince her that the Duke of Parkerton would make her a fine husband indeed. Not that he wanted to marry her himself. He just wants her to acknowledge that he would make a good choice as husband. And then he can try to find a way to let her know that he was and is the very Duke himself. Simple plan. The execution? Well, he'll work on it.

~*~*~*~*~

I find that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mad About The Duke. The image of a staid duke playing midwife to a dog and matchmaker to a lady is just priceless and it was executed perfectly in this read. James provides the picture of an ideal hero and it wasn't difficult to understand why Elinor fell in love with him so quickly. The only part I did not like was in how it seemed to have ended so suddenly. I wanted to read more about their happily ever after and I didn't get the resolution I was looking for. The ending however, doesn't stop it from being a good story.

Perhaps what I love most about Mad About The Duke is that it is simple and simple in an elegant way. It doesn't have a bunch of detractors to distract you from the tale of two people who met and fell in love. Indeed, this book will remind you of the crazy things people will do when they feel the first flutters of attraction. It is a funny, simple and sweet love story and it deserves a place on the "for keeps" shelf.

Hugs & Kisses,

The Lustrous Courtesan

readinghaven.com

This was my first Elizabeth Boyle book. I found it very confusing with characters obviously brought in from other books that I have not read. There was no indication on the cover of this book that I might need to start with other books. I gave it two stars because it wasn't horrible only a very frustrating read.

Two people who fall in love at first sight, mistaken identity that is not cleared up, acting totally out of character for one of the couple, acting illogical for the other of the couple and a bunch of servants who should have been fired.

The only adult in the book was a 12 year old Duke.

A madcap adventure in the style adopted by this author.
It's fun at times, but the repeated mistaken identity theme gets tedious at times. Plus, the compulsive repeating of a a name or word...in this book MAD this & MAD that can drive one to murder!

The guy and girl are interesting, but not anything you can't put down when reading their story.
Sometimes the interactions appear to be 'as if the author' was full of herself.
You never quite buy into this romance as the character's feelings take leaps from one scene to the other.

The sex is OK, not much of it. The ending leaves you feeling as if the main conflict was not a big deal and could be resolved with a few sentences.
I personally would have gotten rid of all the interfering servants! It's a rather lame & tacky last scene.

Just didn't click with me...but, I've read some really bad ones lately...so...
It's an OK read...

I'm a huge fan of Elizabeth Boyle and have read and enjoyed all the Bachelor Chronicles books, so I didn't have a problem with characters from previous books popping up in this one, in fact I quite liked that aspect.

I just loved the way the stuffy, pompous Duke of Parkerton fell headlong in love with Elinor and found himself doing things he'd thought he would never do. Having met the Duke of Parkerton in previous books, I had always hoped he would have his own book. I thought the book was really humourous, especially his servants reactions to the Dukes 'strange behavior'.

If you are looking for a light hearted romance, I would definitely recommend this book.

A delightfully fun and witty romance.

Some books are just plan fun to read and Ms. Boyle gives us that along with well drawn characters that make you care about them.

Nothing better then having a book that you can just sit down and read with a grin on your face and a laugh caused by the crazy mixed up characters on the page.

This was a light sweet romance that did have a plot and characters perfect in their parts.

I liked it, and if you don't take things so seriously, you will too.

Love Letters To A Duke was however, my favorite.

Highly recommended!