From Goodreads:
Jack Audley has been a highwayman. A soldier. And he has always been a rogue. What he is not, and never wanted to be, is a peer of the realm, responsible for an ancient heritage and the livelihood of hundreds. But when he is recognized as the long-lost son of the House of Wyndham, his carefree life is over. And if his birth proves to be legitimate, then he will find himself with the one title he never wanted: Duke of Wyndham.
Grace Eversleigh has spent the last five years toiling as the companion to the dowager Duchess of Wyndham. It is a thankless job, with very little break from the routine... until Jack Audley lands in her life, all rakish smiles and debonair charm. He is not a man who takes no for an answer, and when she is in his arms, she's not a woman who wants to say no. But if he is the true duke, then he is the one man she can never have...
My Thoughts:
Romance book so don't expect a thesis paper here. I picked this off the shelf because I needed something light and quick to read. The Lost Duke fit the bill perfectly. The first few pages were a bit rough. It felt like any other romance, and I was thinking, "Really? I already know who the lost duke is..come on Julia " But then the story took a slight turn and during that the characters grew on me.
Grace is not a simpering perfect heroine, although she does have quite the sad back story and she works for a she devil, the Dowager Countess of Wyndham. Grace is a very nice, intelligent, sharp witted young lady who deserves love. Jack, the eventual object of said love, also has a sad back story and is a bit roguish but not overly so. He is smart, snarky, and hot of course. These two don't fall into bed right away, and there's some flirting and kissing before the big dance. there was some dialogue on Grace's part that I thought was a bit much, but now I realize it had to be a big concern for her, so it's acceptable.
Others characters worth mentioning: Thomas the current Duke of Wyndham - meh. Sometimes I liked sometimes I didn't, but he turned out okay by the end. Quinn's next book in the series features Thomas, but I'm not overly impressed with him to want to read more of him. As for the evil dowager, she was a sad case, and I don't know why she was so unhappy. Would love to know what the bee is her bonnet. She did start to work a nerve also, because no one wants to constantly read mean thins form a character but that was her lot in this book.
Overall, The Lost Duke was an enjoyable, quick, and page turning read. I wanted to know what was happening next, and when Grace and Jack were going to get together. Perfect fun book, for when you want something light.
Publisher: Avon
Paperback 371 pages
Book Source: my shelves via Paperbackswap
Read as part of Naida's Romance Reading Challenge 2013.
© Jenny Girl - 2013 "All Rights Reserved"
