The ugly Duchess - Eloisa James

3 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK -

How can she dare to imagine he loves her . . . when all London calls her The Ugly Duchess?
Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke's passion.
Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.
Theo would have given it a lifetime . . . until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry.
Society was shocked by their wedding . . . and is scandalized by their separation.
Now James faces the battle of his life, convincing Theo that he loves the duckling who blossomed into the swan.
And Theo will quickly find that, for a man with the soul of a pirate, All's Fair in Love—and War.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Eloisa James is the author of twenty award-winning romances. She’s also a professor of English literature, teaching in New York City, where she lives with her family. With two jobs, two cats, two children, and only one husband, she spends most of her time making lists of things to do—letters from readers are a great escape!

MY REVIEW -
I have very mixed feelings about this book. It started out very light and simple almost too simple. Then got so much better and the more I read the more I liked it. But... then right in the middle there was this huge long graphic sex scene that just ruined it for me! My cute sweet fairy tale went all gross, LOL. Then it got a little slow with some pirate stuff, then got good again. And it did have a good ending. so as you can see I am all over the board with this one. I don't want this to seem like a bad review because its not! I did enjoy the book and certainly did want to continue reading it (I just could have done without the sex). There was actually something very addicting about this story.
There was great character development and I loved Theo! She started out sweet and innocent and very down on herself. As the story developed she became a very strong and self assured woman. It was real nice to see this happen for her. She definitely a very likable person. I didn't really care for James though, before or after (when you read the book you'll know what I mean) he just rubbed me the wrong way.
There were a couple of nice historical fun facts in the story -

"She knew that no one but the poor actually slept together in the same bed. It was unhygienic, and led to restless sleep. Not only that, but one of her governesses had briskly told her that men smelled like goats in the morning and that if a woman didn't put a door between herself and the horrors of that nature, she might find herself pressed under an evil-smelling male body."  LOL (how true!) 

This book is one to be read purely for the fun of it. Just watch out for that sex scene. Probably not too good for younger readers!

Thanks to "Edelweiss" for giving me access to this e-book to review!