Reviewed by Stephanie on
The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James contains all of her wit and humor that can be found in all of her fairy tale retellings. Theodora is a smart woman who knows what she wants. She certainly wants to land a husband and with her fortune that shouldn’t be a problem. After she is married, Theo will be able to set aside the filly, lacy, flouncy white dresses that her mother insists she wears to compensate for Theo’s manly looks.
James has known Theodora all his life. They grew up in the same house. He also refers to her as Daisy rather than her chosen name of Theo. James believes strongly in staying loyal to his family. he is even willing to stake his future happiness to avoid scandal. James does have some sense though. When it becomes apparent that James will have to woo and marry Daisy to save his foolish father from ruin, James sets rules and stipulations to his compliance.
James and Theo find themselves married and both are a little surprised at the happiness they’ve found. That is until, as with anything found on lies will do, it all goes terribly wrong…
The Ugly Duchess could have been so much better and I really wanted to love this book. The biggest issue that I had with this book is that James does not stay true to Theo and somewhere along the line James became an ass. Granted they were divorced in their hearts but this is a romance novel. Of course they ended up with a happily ever after. Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t get right with adultery.
Any romance reader worth their salt will tell you that it isn’t just about the happily ever after but it’s also about the journey to the happily ever after. Overall The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James is a good read but not great.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- Finished reading
- 28 October, 2012: Reviewed