Only a Duke Will Do (The School for Heiresses, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

by Sabrina Jeffries (Author)
Key Phrases: Lady Trusbut, London Ladies, Miss North (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
The second installment in Jeffries's School of Heiresses trilogy finds Louisa North, illegitimate daughter of King George IV, once again entangled with Simon Tremaine, the duke of Foxmoor. Following his grandfather's advice never to let a woman get in the way of his future, Simon wooed but then abandoned Louisa seven years earlier to make his fortune in India. When he returns to England, Simon's political aspirations are his highest priority—and Louisa makes an intriguing means to an end. In exchange for courting and marrying Louisa—whom George IV is eager to be rid of—the king agrees to make Simon prime minister. As the couple share witty barbs and sensuous trysts, they clash over issues domestic and political—in particular, her charitable work for the women prisoners of Newgate. Romance and intrigue deepen as Simon comes to grips with his feelings for Louisa and the emotional damage he carries, first instilled by the harsh lessons of his loveless grandfather. Bringing together a bold heroine and a scarred hero while incorporating political scandal into a tightly woven romance, Jeffries once again proves her mettle as a first rate Regency author. (Sept.)
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From Booklist
Seven years after Louisa North effectively banished him to India for recklessly kissing her, Simon Tremaine returns to England. Determined to pursue a career in politics, he has no intention of becoming involved with the lovely Louisa again, until the king "suggests" that marrying Louisa might help win Simon a nomination as England's next prime minister. As the leader of the London Ladies Society, Louisa and her dedicated group of volunteers have been bedeviling the government for prison reform, but if Simon were to marry Louisa, he could effectively limit the scope of her group's work. Louisa is skeptical of Simon when he begins courting her, but Simon's kisses soon banish all her concerns, until Louisa discovers exactly why Simon now wishes to wed her. Politics and passion prove to be a particularly potent combination in Only a Duke Will Do, the second in Jeffries' expertly crafted and delectably sexy School for Heiresses historical Regency series. John Charles
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416516093
• ISBN-13: 978-1416516095
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #265,436 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 2 in The School for Heiresses Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars same old same old, October 8, 2006

By	bijou2311 "bijou2311" - See all my reviews

I generally like Jeffries, but I must admit that this book didn't live up to my expectations. Generally, when I pick up a book by the time I read the first chapter, I am hooked. I can't not finish the book. I am addicted to reading. However, I had to work to finish this book. I found myself skipping pages or skimming whole chapters.

I honestly don't know if the problem was the plot and that it has been done over and over and over again, and that in my opinion nothing much has been done to make this stand out, or if it was that the characters just seemed to be repeating themselves. For example, the first time Simon and Louisa got involved he betrayed her. It was to further his position with the king. Second go round, and once again, Simon is betraying Louisa to get in better with the king. To be honest, another thing that bothered me is it seemed only Louisa's brother could see through Simon. He was the only one that wasn't pushing her to marry him and to forgive him. Simon's sister, who is supposed to be Louisa's best friend never once in my opinion supported her friend. She just kept saying that Simon's changed and he won't betray you again... which was wrong. And further when Simon's sister does find out that Louisa's been betrayed again, she says she'll have a talk with him. I felt that this book made the majority of the women out to be strong on their own, but as soon as it came to Simon they turned to mush.

If you are a huge fan of Jeffries you should probably read the book to keep up with the series, but maybe you should get it from the library. I guess that would be my recommendation for anyone if the book looks interesting. So many people loved the book, so maybe I missed something, but just in case, why not check it out of the library in stead of possibly throwing away money?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The monkey stole the show!, June 12, 2007

By	Bronwyn (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews

The most interesting character in this novel, was the hero's pet monkey Rajii! That summarizes my view of this book. I'm glad I only borrowed it from the library.

Others have already summarized the plot so I will not rehash. I will say that the political backdrop was intriguing and very informative. The chemistry between the protagonists was lacking- of course when Simon could actually convince Louisa to let her guard down , it was steamy but their interactions as a couple lacked the spark I like in a romance.
I actually felt sorry for Simon for landing such a querolous wife.

I for one love the independanlt female, however I really think many heroines are not realistically rendered. I totally understand Louisa's devotion to her prison reform, and wanting a radical candidate and I understand Simon's balking at it- what I don't understand is why Louisa thinks this is abnormal from her husband, a DUKE with POLITICAL asperations.

There was also the scene where she got pelted by a rock (yes, a ROCK!) at the prison, however even though she got knocked out, she is adamant tonot have a doctor. Like I mentioned earlier, I don't mind independent heroines, I just dislike the borderline stupid ones.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Needed something more, May 8, 2007

By	Melissa (USA) - See all my reviews

The hero and heroine of this book just never convinced me that they really loved each other. Since there was a lot of political machination going on between these two, they were always one upping the other when it came to advancing their own agendas. This was a tedious. I never understood how Simon, the hero, was so forgiving of Louisa. When she discovered that he was stringing her along in a courtship she had him sent to India for seven years. She was in no way compromised, they shared one kiss. This was glossed over and Simon said he deserved his banishment. This novel would have been more interesting if revenge had been part of the plot. Also, a deeper background into Simon's past in India would have fleshed out his charachter. He was one dimensional.

Louisa was stubborn but so was Simon. I really was tired of her reapeating to herself, "A pox on Simon, a pox on her husband."

Both were secretive but to the author's credit, they did not let misunderstandings go on throughout the entire novel. Once a secret was revealed, they discussed it and moved on. This book rates 2 ½ stars. The political backdrop with prison reform was fresh and inventive but the hero and heroine were not.