Bespeckled and freckled, Lady Stella Corsham at least has a dowry that has attracted a crowd of fortune-hunting suitors—which definitely doesn’t include the sinfully handsome Silvester Parnell, Duke of Huntington, who laughingly calls her “Specs” as he chases after elegant rivals.
And then—
The worst happens. Marriage.
To the duke. To a man marrying her for all the wrong reasons.
How can Silvester possibly convince Stella that he’s fallen in love with the quirky woman he married?
Santa says:
I’m back with an exciting review of Eloisa James’ latest book, Not That Duke. This five star read was a triumph! I fell in love with Silvester and Stella from the very first pages. It's a slow burn romance of friends to lovers. But that trope over simplifies how these two people fall in love - and kind of out of love - on Stella’s part while our hero is in hot pursuit of this year’s original, Lady Yasmin who we met in the previous book in this series, The Reluctant Countess.
Silvester believes in love and fancies himself in love with Lady Yasmin. He decides to court her. It’s what any steadfast Duke would do. She’s a safe bet. Not one to call attention to herself in Silvester’s eyes, her beauty speaks for itself. And that should be enough, right?
Stella for all her intellect and forthright opinions struggles to not knock over everything in sight. In her eyes, she is the exact opposite of Yasmin. She’s ‘sturdy’ and freckled. She sees Silvester and Yasmin as a golden couple.
Stella is a not too reluctant wallflower. It’s safe there against the wall. No chance of knocking into someone, spilling something or trodding on anyone’s feet on the dance floor. But when disaster strikes Silvester is right there ready to help her along.
However, his teasing and alleged barbs - fed to her by a particularly vicious cat of the ton, Lady Lydia - hurt Stella as she has been half in love with him for quite some time. She tries to hate him and rebuffs his attempts at befriending her but they reach a tentative friendship over their daily games of chess.
Over time, Silvester’s feelings change. He finds himself lustfully attracted to Stella. He is desperate to have her in his life and in his bed. And not necessarily in that order. He proposes to Stella in the most unromantic way. Stella wants someone to be in love with her and she feels that Silvester is still in love with Yasmin.
They marry much to Stella's chagrin. But as time goes by Silvester realizes that he was only in love with the idea of Yasmin who turns out to be in love with his best friend, Giles.
Can Silvester convince Stella that he really does love her? It takes the concerted efforts of Silvester’s unconventional mother, the dowager duchess, and Stella’s aunt, with just a bit of groveling at the end.
Once again, it’s time to run and devour another Eloisa James novel. I guarantee you will be as delighted as I was. Be prepared to laugh out loud, to sigh with joy and you may even shed a tear or two!
PJ here. I hope you enjoy this book as much as Santa and I did. It really is a treasure.
What's the last book that made you shed a tear, sigh with joy, and laugh out loud?
One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 29 will receive a print copy of Not That Duke.
*U.S. only
*Must be 18
I think the last book to make me shed a tear was A Covenant of Water, but for all three, I'd maybe have to go for Sarah Ready's The Space Between, which coincidentally, also just came out. Eloisa James is consistently great, though, so I'm eager to get to this latest offering.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about reading The Space Between! My tbr pile is ridiculous! I think you'll love Eloisa's latest!
DeleteAdded it to my read list
ReplyDeleteI've got my ebook waiting on my tablet! I just have to decide between this and Julie Anne Long's latest for my next read!
ReplyDeleteYou're better off flipping acting! Tgey are both fabulous!
DeleteLOL When I sat down to read, I just closed my eyes and opened one. I just so happened to be this!
DeleteEloisa's novels are captivating. This is a beaut. The last book that was memorable and emotional was Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik.
ReplyDeleteWow, I am getting so many book rec here!
DeleteThis book is getting good reviews. The last book in the series didn't work for me, but this one sounds good.
ReplyDeleteYou will be delighted with this one! A real keeper!
DeleteThe last book that I've read that made me cry was Remarkably Bright Creature by Shelby Van Pelt.
ReplyDeleteRoyal Caleva:Gabriel by Nancy Herkness was a story that was absolutely rich in emotion and deeply satisfying. PJ, I know you loved it, too, and I read it on your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I've shed a tear & I know I've chuckled a bit but can't recall which book (sigh). This may be the book that sticks in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI think for me - sighing - Sand Dollar Lane by Sheila Roberts. It is about a woman who finds her inner strength. And she takes her time realizing there is a man who respects her and will treasure her. What a lovely story. In fact, this month, I have read several sighable stories. Tears....it has been awhile.
ReplyDeleteThe most recent book I read that evoked much emotion, if not tears since I don't cry easily, was Seaspoken by Sarah Delena White. I love a good romantic and swoonworthy fantasy and this one fit the bill.
ReplyDeleteAh, this definitely sounds quite lovely! One of the more recent reads that did this for me was Briarley, an m/m reimagining of Beauty and the Beast by Aster Glenn Gray.
ReplyDelete--flchen1
I wish I were home to look at my bookshelf to jog my memory. It was a long drive to Chapel Hill today for a doctor appointment tomorrow, and my memory isn't helping any. I do get emotional when reading a good book, so tears and laughter happen. This sounds like a good heart tugging read. Patricia B.
ReplyDeleteMust Love Flowers
ReplyDeletedenise
I enjoyed your review.. A book that touched me Sheila Roberts’ The Road To Christmas.
ReplyDelete