Every Duke needs a Duchess...
Hugo Wilde, the Duke of Lindow, has a drafty castle, eight naughty children—and no wife. Ophelia, Lady Astley, has a fine house, one well-behaved daughter—and no husband.
Hugo takes one look at Ophelia and loses his heart, but she doesn’t want more children or a castle. She takes one look at him and heads for her carriage.
Desperate to find a duchess, Hugo identifies an appropriate lady to woo. Yet when he meets Ophelia again, the duke realizes that he will marry her, or no one.
Now he faces the greatest challenge of his life.
He must convince Ophelia that their blazing sensuality, his exquisite castle, and his eight charming children add up to a match made in heaven.
When a duke finds his duchess, can he win her heart?
PJ's Thoughts:
My Last Duchess is a fun, fast, warm hug of a book that checked all of my happy reader boxes. If you're a fan of the Wildes series, you've seen glimpses of the Duke of Lindow and his duchess in the background of the stories. We know they are madly in love, we know they're good parents, we know she's his third duchess, but we really don't know much more...until now.
I adored this story. It's like a special treat you weren't expecting. I loved the witty banter, heart-tugging romance, and castle-full of children determined to have a say in the selection of their father's next wife. I so enjoyed the fact that Hugo, determined to find an "appropriate" wife but not looking for love, saw Ophelia and was instantly smitten. Even better that Ophelia looked at him, his title, his castle, and his eight children and wasn't! It made the ups and downs of the story that followed so much fun. I enjoyed getting to know Hugo and Ophelia individually and following them through their rather unconventional but oh-so-romantic "courtship." I loved that James included the children in the story too. They're energetic, inquisitive, and mischievous; it was so much fun to see glimpses of the unique characteristics they would carry with them into adulthood. Meeting their younger selves made me want to go read their books all over again. Fans of the Wildes are sure to enjoy this look back at some of their favorite characters but if you're new to the series, My Last Duchess is a great place to start.
If you're looking for a quick read (255 pages) that will make you laugh, sigh, and bubble over with joy, pick up a copy of My Last Duchess. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.
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What's the last book that had you feeling like you had unwrapped a joy-filled surprise?
Have you read any of the books in the Wildes of Lindow Castle series? Do you have a favorite?
One randomly chosen person who comments before 11:00 PM, November 1, 2020 will receive a print copy of My Last Duchess and a Wilde teddy bear from this year's Buns and Roses Tea for Literacy at which Eloisa James was the keynote speaker.
*Must be 18 or older
*U.S. addresses only
I've read all of the Wilde books and loved all of them! I really can't save which is the favorite. I am about to dive into MY LAST DUCHESS! I read the serialized version but am looking forward to the expanded published version!
ReplyDeleteI loved this book too. It was just the kind of feel-good story that I needed right now. (The epilogue was especially sweet because it showed the positive effect that Ophelia had on the family.) I enjoyed it so much that I am doing a quick reread. Now I want to follow their story by flipping through the rest of the books to find the sections that include Hugo and Ophelia.
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me in the giveaway.
I'm currently reading seven minutes in heaven by eloisa James and I love it. No I have not read any books in the series
ReplyDeleteI haven't read these but I really enjoy her stories!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since I've read any Eloisa James' work. I think I might have burned myself out on her doing a couple back-to-back series marathon reads. All that being said, whatever I read, I loved. She is a fantastic story teller and love anything she writes. Of course, I haven't read any of this new series but would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteEloisa James novels are captivating and wonderful. I think about them long after I finish the story.
ReplyDeleteWhen I pick up this author's books I know that I will be transported to a different place and age which is what I need. Not many authors can do this for me. This series is special and gives me great pleasure.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading a few authors that I have in my TBR pile. I rediscovered Lisa Kleypas Rainshadow Road. I am going to look for the other two books in this series.
ReplyDeleteI've read four of the books in this series. My favorite is Diana and Lord North's story in Too Wilde To Wed.
The last wonderful surprise book I read was Eloisa James "Say Yes to the Duke." It was refreshing to see a shy heroine discover her steel and put an arrogant duke in his place. I have read all of the Wilde series and am looking forward to the next installments.
ReplyDeleteI greatly enjoyed reading a few months ago Meara Platt's The Duke I'm Going to Marry. Really delightful characters and a fun story. The only Wildes of Lindow Castle book I have and have read is Say Yes to the Duke. It was great. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI've read lots of Eloisa's books and also all of the Wilde series to date. I loved North and Diana's story.
ReplyDeleteLoved My Last Duchess. I’ve read all the Wilde’s books and loved them all. If I have to pick a favorite it would be Norths story.
ReplyDeleteI have read all the Wilde books to date and am super excited for this one. Eloisa James is one of my go to authors!
ReplyDeleteI love this series! No, I don't have a favorite
ReplyDeleteI have all of them except this one. I love the humor Ms James creates. The family, as adults are loving and supporting of one another. So, I can see where the children would want to have input on their future. As for a favorite, at first I thought the first one was best, then ....No....actually, I am not sure I could pick my favorite. I have truly loved this entire series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. You have made me realize I need to get the darn book.
I hope everyone is taking care and staying well.
I have read all of the Wilde series to date. So good! Can't wait to read this one! I think Borne to be Wilde might be my favorite, but it's hard to choose! The most recent book I read that made me so happy was In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren.
ReplyDeleteI read all the rest of the series, except this one. My favorite is usually the one I'm reading at the time.
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of Eloisa James, and I have purchased all of the previous Wilde series but have not yet gotten to them. She is a phenomenal historical romance author and ALWAYS delivers top-notch reads.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had a chance to read this series yet, but the books are piling up on my nightstand to read soon. I love Eloisa's stories. I've read so much lately that I'm not sure which book to list. Maybe Jeannie Moon's Christmas in Angel Harbor, a seasoned romance.
ReplyDeleteI have the other books in the series but have only read the first one. I sometimes wait and binge a series so I remember what's going on with everyone. I just read Lynsay Sand's 'The Switch'. Books about twins are often a lot fun.
ReplyDeleteChristmas Charms.
ReplyDeleteI've read most of this series.
denise
I haven't read the Wildes of Lindow Castle series yet, but know I will eventually - I've read many of Eloisa's other books.
ReplyDeleteI've read all of this series! That bear is adorable!! And my last joy-filled Surprise was Christmas Charms by Terri Wilson! I loved it!!
ReplyDeleteLove these books! The Wildes are...fabulous. Thank you for an opportunity to support a great author who writes beautiful prose.
ReplyDeleteI'm not caught up with this series, but I've heard good things and have enjoyed some of Eloisa James' other books! My last joy-filled read? Jodi Thomas and friends' The Cowboy Who Saved Christmas--such a lovely anthology of western themed Christmas stories!
ReplyDeleteOh, my. This book is the perfect read for me. I love large families and and so happy when authors take the time to develop the children as characters, not just side notes necessary for the plot. I love Eloisa James' books. I am way behind in reading her books and have not yet started the Wilde series. This would really be the perfect book to start the series with.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the books I have been reading. I would have to think hard to decide which one felt like a joy-filled surprise. I am looking forward to the holiday books because many are the ones that usually have everything that puts them in the joy-filled surprise category. I need that this year. Being isolated since March (compromised immune system) and my husband was diagnosed with cancer about three weeks ago. We are in the testing and preparation phase for radiation treatment. So, I will finally be leaving the house, to sit around the hospital for hours. The good part of all that is I will have lots of time to read. So, I am looking for uplifting, happy books.
I have always wanted to attend a Buns and Roses Tea. Maybe some day. I collect bears and have checked out the ones they make every year. This year would have been perfect with the bear and an author I really like.
Thank you for the review. I look forward to reading My Last Duchess. I hope you had an good Halloween. Stay safe nd healthy.