Published by Avon Publication Date: January 26th 2016
Pages: 432
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The arrogant Duke of Trent intends to marry a well-bred Englishwoman. The last woman he would ever consider marrying is the adventuresome Merry Pelfordβ an American heiress who has infamously jilted two fiancΓ©s.
But after one provocative encounter with the captivating Merry, Trent desires her more than any woman he has ever met. He is determined to have her as his wife, no matter what it takes. And Trent is a man who always gets what he wants.
The problem is, Merry is already betrothed, and the former runaway bride has vowed to make it all the way to the altar. As honor clashes with irresistible passion, Trent realizes the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined. In his battle to save Merry and win her heart, one thing becomes clear:
All is fair in love and war.
Cocktails and Books received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the book or the content of our review.
I haven’t read an Eloisa James book in a while, but MY AMERICAN DUCHESS reminded me of exactly why I fell in love with her books.
Merry was one of those heroine’s I could connect with right away. Β I imagine if I found myself a wealthy Amerian heiress having a season in 19th century London, I could have been Merry; a woman with virtually no filterΒ who manages to get herself into all sorts of trouble with her inability to navigate the ton and all their rules. Β It was easy to always be on Merry’s side. Β To want someone to stand by her and let everyone else know that she was utterly perfect just the way she was. Β She got her white knight in the form of the Duke of Trent. Β And what a white knight he was.
Trent was likable from the very first meeting between him and Merry. Β He didn’t talk down to her because she was American. Β He enjoyed her bit of information she liked to extol during conversations. Β And he found every reason to be in her company, even when he knew it was wrong. Β Even when he thought he couldn’t have her, he still found ways to ensure she was happy. Β The more we knew of Trent, the harder it was not to fall for him just like Merry.
If you love historical romances, this is absolutely one that should be picked up. Β The author always manages to create such charming and engaging characters that are easy to love, secondary characters you love to hate and a storyline that sweeps you away to the overcast skies of London or the sweeping country estates of the aristocracy.
A large hand curled around her waist, neatly spinning her about and bringing her up against him.
Sensations skittered through her at the press of a hard male chest against hers. Miss Fairfax would have been appalled. Yet rather than pull away, Merry froze, looking up at him with her heart pounding in her ears.
βWho groped you?β he demanded.
βWho had made you so angry before you came onto the balcony?β she countered. Whatβor whoβon earth would make a man like this so enraged?
βMy fool of a brother. And now Iβd like to you to answer my question.β
She had already forgotten what he had asked. His gaze was so intense that she felt confused and flushed. She would never allow a manβa complete strangerβto kiss her, if thatβs what he was contemplating.
βWhat was your question?β she asked, wincing inwardly when her voice came out as breathless as a sirenβs.
βWho groped you?β he repeated.
He had that warrior look in his eyes that Merry found absurdly compelling. She came out with the truth before she could think better of it. βLord Malmsburyβ¦Lord Malmsbury lets his hands stray where they shouldnβt.β
βStay away from him,β he ordered, scowling.
βI appreciate your concern,β Merry said with dignity as she pulled free and stepped back, βbut thereβs no call to order me about. I have already decided to avoid his lordshipβnot that he has shown the slightest inclination to deepen our acquaintance, thanks to my hatpin.β
βBetween your weapon and his boils, I doubt he will risk further encounters.β His smile reappeared. βI trust that after we are formally introduced, I may request a dance, if I promise not to grope you.β
It occurred to Merry that she would rather like to be groped by this man. It was a appalling realization. She was betrothed.
He executed a perfect bow.
She dropped a curtsy, and this time did Miss Fairfaxβs instruction proud, nearly grazing the ground with her knee.
Merry walked back into the ballroom without looking back; no matter what her governess thought, she possessed self-control. Plenty of it.
She had almost reached the other side of the room before she turned her head and looked back.
He was nowhere in sight.
She took a seat along the wall and gave herself a good talking-to. What on earth was she thinking? Was she truly as fickle as the gossips back home believed? She may have made mistakes choosing her first two fiancΓ©s, but she had never been truly capricious.
She had truly believed that she was in love with both Bertie and Dermot. She had never flirted with a man while betrothed to another.
Not that she had preciselyΒ flirtedΒ with this man.
All right, she had flirted.
Merry groaned silently. Why hadnβt she slapped him when he caught around her waist, or at the least announced her status as a soon-to-be married woman? Instead, she had just looked up at him like a silly widgeon waiting to be kissed.
Shannon
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Lovely review! Thank you for hosting MY AMERICAN DUCHESS today!
I finished this today! So good!