Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right (The Impossible Bachelors) [Mass Market Paperback]

Kieran Kramer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: November 30, 2010 | Series: The Impossible Bachelors (Book 2)

Most women would not be pleased to be labeled a spinster. But Lady Poppy Smith-Barnes isn’t most women. In fact, Poppy has invented an imaginary fiancé, the Duke of Drummond, to deter unwanted suitors. A very useful fellow, this duke, until the real Drummond turns up and uses Poppy’s ploy to trap her in a betrothal.

A good spy flies below the radar. Which is why being named one of the Prince Regent’s “Impossible Bachelors” is so inconvenient for Nicholas Staunton. Every society female will be out to ensnare him. Nicholas needs a fiancée—and Poppy’s ruse is the answer. How could he have known she’d be a brazen, sensual siren with an irresistible taste for adventure? Now nothing less will do than to convince his fiery Poppy to revoke her spinster status…for good.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

If Poppy Smith-Barnes knew that the Duke of Drummond really existed—and wasn’t just a sherry-induced figment of her cook’s imagination—Poppy never would have told everyone he is her fiancé. So, of course, when Nicholas Staunton, the newly titled Duke of Drummond, turns up at a society ball with a ring and an offer of marriage, it would seem that Poppy has no choice but to accept. As it turns out, Nicholas really has no choice but to propose to Poppy. If Nicholas wishes to continue his supersecret work for the British government, he needs a suitable wife—one who would deflect all the attention, and matchmaking mammas, his new title is brings. Of course, the logical solution is a faux engagement, but once love enters the equation, logic has nothing to do with anything. The second installment of Kramer’s deliciously clever “Impossible Bachelors” series rewards readers with a simply irresistible combination of scintillating wit and sizzling sensual romance. --John Charles

Review

“A delectable debut…I simply adored it!”—Julia Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of What Happens in London

“At once frothy and heartfelt, When Harry Met Molly satisfies! This book is better than dessert!”—Celeste Bradley, New York Times bestselling author of Rogue in My Arms

 “Kieran Kramer pens a delightful regency confection...a wonderfully bright debut.” —Julia London, New York Times bestselling author of Courtesan’s Scandal

“A delicious romp that will keep you laughing. A fun heroine and a sexy hero make this a delightful read.”—Sabrina Jeffries, New York Times bestselling author of The Truth About Lord Stoneville

“I couldn’t put it down...a charming delight!”—Lynsay Sands, New York Times bestselling author of The Hellion and the Highlander

“A wickedly witty treat…an exquisite debut!”—Kathryn Caskie, USA Today bestselling author of The Most Wicked of Sins

“When Harry Met Molly is a delightful, page-turning read! New author Kieran Kramer will capture both your imagination and your heart.”—Cathy Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage Ring

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1 edition (November 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031237402X
• ISBN-13: 978-0312374020
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #723,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

USA Today bestselling author and double Rita-nominee Kieran Kramer grew up on Johns Island, a rural sea island near Charleston, SC, and is the author of the funny Regency-set historical series called The Impossible Bachelors, published by St. Martin's Press. Her new Regency historical romance series, The House of Brady, follows the adult romantic lives of six siblings from a blended family. LOVING LADY MARCIA, the first book in the series, out in August 2012, was a Library Journal Book Expo 2012 Editors' Pick. To keep up with Kieran's book news, find her on Facebook, her website, and Twitter. She also has a free app on the iPhone and Droid. Search your app store under "Kieran Kramer."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars clever storyline, but. . December 4, 2010

By Duchess of Mabank

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Ok, I really have a love-hate relationship with this book. The author shows massive potential, and I gobbled up the first book, When Harry Met Molly. However, this book left me wanting. . . what? Im not sure. It starts out great, then proceeds way to quick.
Our heroine comes face to face with The Duke of Drummond a person who's name she has been using to throw unwanted suitors away thinking it was made up from her wildly imaginative cook and is forced to accept a marriage proposal from him immediately. Unfortunately she believes she is in love with a Russian Prince whom she met at fifteen spent a puppy love week with and who just so happens to have arrived in London as well. Problem? Ten min later her and her "fiance" are making out in a carriage. Wait. What? She's still in love with the Prince right? Didn't she just meet this guy and forced to accept his proposal? While traditionally I hate how romance novelists drag out a story I do still like a basis for the relationship. I also find that when they are starting to warm up to each other the scenes get a little steamy. Im fine with that but what happened to the romance in the end? Storyline, great. Spy aspect very good. Romance? Well. . while you had me intrigued for awhile the ending was a huge upset. You have built these characters up so much that I was sadly disappointed to read you sum up their passion in a few sentences at the end as if the deadline for the editor was approaching or that you were burnt out on the book yourself. I will continue reading your books. I like your plots. I find myself loving your characters I just want my "romance" somewhere in there too.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars silly and boring April 9, 2011

By Ludmila Melchior-Yahil

Format:Mass Market Paperback

The characters behave like immature adolescents, the plot (both supposed mystery and silly romance) is boring, and the writing at the J.H. level (no offense to all gifted teenage writers.) The first book by Ms.Kramer was at least mildly entertaining, this one is formulaic and annoying. We meet the oh so sexy hero in bed with a hot mistress, who will blackmail him with fake pregnancy, which is terribly inconvenient, because by then he's in lust, love and certainly in bed with our heroine whom he met 5 minutes earlier, but hey, he's so sexy, skilled and seductive that how could she resist, right? Oh, and the mistress is a Russian princess, so I guess this explains why she's stupid, spoiled and scheming... Maybe instead of trying to fake historical romance, the author should switch to cartoonish modern chick lit.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars The author needs to work a little harder December 8, 2010

By Diane Patterson

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm no Regency historian. I know there are certain tropes familiar to Regency romance readers; some of them are necessary and some you can skirt by. The very premise of this book shows the author wrote the book without having done the most basic research.

The premise of the book is that Poppy is pining for her girlhood crush, a Russian prince she met when she was 15. As a result, she's turned down a ton of proposals from titled gentlemen, some of whom may not have been after her wealth. She does so by claiming a "secret" engagement to the Duke of Drummond...who she thinks doesn't really exist.

Ms. Kramer: there's a book called "Debrett's Peerage." It's been published since 1769. How on Earth Poppy and every other member of her circle is unaware of this book is beyond me. NO ONE thinks to check to see if this is a real Duke or not?

Beyond that, she travels in heavily aristocratic circles. NOT ONCE does she run into someone who actually knows this Duke of Drummond?

In addition, there's much made of the Duke's "reputation", so clearly he's been making waves somewhere.

The heroine, Poppy, has two close friends and together they have formed the Spinsters Club, vowing not to get married except for True Love. Awfully brave of them...are they aware of what's going to happen to them if they don't get married and are stuck on the shelf and aren't taken care of by their fathers? More importantly, is the author aware of what's going to happen to them? Deciding not to get married come hell or high water might be as brave as it seems stupid -- I'd like some indication the author is even aware of these issues.

The author can write, and if she can apply some cursory research to her chosen time period, she might come up with something fun. But I'm going to wait for future reviews before buying.