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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Totally Believable!, November 3, 2010
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.
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19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Oops! I did it again. Read a Boyle HR, that is, but I'm not sorry this time., October 7, 2010
(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.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Boyle is back to her best, at last!, October 29, 2010
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.
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