Since the death of her father, Theo and her mother have lived at the ducal estates of Ashbrook, wards of her father’s best friend. She grew up alongside James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy. The two were the closest of friends and confidants; when a terrible childhood sickness robbed James of his sight for one entire summer, it was Theo, or “Daisy” (as only he alone calls her) who sat by his side, reading and laughing and bringing sunshine into his life.
Little did Theo realize that the Dam’Fool duke, James’ father, had gambled away his fortune…and embezzled a goodly part of hers. And it’s beholden upon James to marry Daisy to spare his family — and hers — from the shame of discovery. But it really is fairy-tale perfect for James, who realizes that Daisy is his — has always been his — should always be his. And will be his, if only he can hide the true reason his father propelled him into such an early marriage.
But this is England, and fairy tales have a way of going fae… The truth will always out. After a shocking disclosure from her father-in-law, Theo has a pretty good idea of what she needs to do – -and it includes a scandal-plagued separation from the man she has always loved.
Years pass. The tide continues to roll…but distance brings clarity to James, who has forged a swashbuckling lifestyle, far from home — and far from the wife and life he was forced to leave behind. Daisy is, always has been, and always will be, his greatest treasure. But how can he commandeer her heart?
About the Author:
New York Times bestselling author Eloisa James writes historical romances for HarperCollins Publishers. Her novels have been published to great acclaim. A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa’s very first book that she ‘found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar’; later People Magazine raved that ‘romance writing does not get much better than this.’ Her novels have repeatedly received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal and regularly appear on the best-seller lists.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in new York City. Her most recent book, Paris In Love, received critical acclaim. Her ‘double life’ is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professional guise, she’s written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women’s magazines such as More to writers’ journals such as the Romance Writers’ Report.
My Opinion: I took another chance on a historical romance and this one was a delight. The characters of Daisy and Theo were strong and different and their story, while typical in the boy meets girl, boy marries girl under false pretenses,etc. plot, did have enough differences to make for compelling reading. Daisy was not a great beauty – at least to those who didn’t really get to know her but she showed them. Theo knew soon after he married her for her money that she WAS the girl for him but didn’t know how to tell her. Their time apart was slow reading for the most part but once they got back together the book really started to sing again. Although, one does love a dashing pirate now and then. I’ve not read any other of Ms. James’s books but I am sure they would make for fun, fast reads just as this one did. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick one up when I wanted an escape from the modern world and its worries. You can see the Tour Schedule HERE You can purchase The Ugly Duchess on Amazon.com
Disclosure: I received a copy of The Ugly Duchess from TLC Book Tours gratis. Any opinions expressed are my honest opinions and were not impacted by my receipt of the free book. I received no monetary compensation for this post.
Happily living in the small city of Brattleboro, Vermont, Patty Woodland is navigating the urban life of sidewalks and neighbors in New England. She will share life in her small city, the books she reads, and as always, the delicious food she cooks and bakes.
