The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham, Book 1) | Julia Quinn

The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham, Book 1) | Julia Quinn | How can it be so predictable, but so engaging?

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The Lost Duke of W...

	The Lost Duke of Wyndham (Two Dukes of Wyndham, Book 1) Julia Quinn Avon, 2008 - 384 pages average customer review:based on 78 reviews view larger image
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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 . . .

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Julia Quinn is amazing!

I just had to respond to all the negative reviews about this book. I fell in love with the characters from the beginning and never once got bored with the story. Grace is a sweet heroine, and Jack is fantastic! I even told a friend that he is right up there with James Malory, (hero of Johanna Lindsey's Gentle Rogue) with being an unforgetable hero. Since there has been some mention of a lack of steamy love scenes in the book, I have to say, I never noticed it because I was so into the story, but yes, if you normally like Cheryl Holt or Nicole Jordan love scenes, this book won't be your cup of tea. Myself, I can't wait for the next book about Mr. Cavendish, and may even pre-order it. Julia Quinn is the Jane Austen of historical romance. I have never been disappointed in her novels. Please take a chance and read it yourself. Don't listen to the bad reviews. What makes a great book to me is the characters, do I care about these people? Do I want to turn the page? Am I caught up in the romance? Yes to all those questions! I love a hero with a sense of humor!

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How can it be so predictable, but so engaging?

I'm not going to say that this book breaks any molds or is fundamentally different from any other romance novel - it still follows the prescribed romance story arc to a tee. However, it's the little things that make this book interesting and worth reading.

First off, the main character - Grace - is wonderful. She's really making the best of a bad situation and doesn't sit about moaning and wailing - she just rolls with the punches and keeps on going. Yes, the class distinction is played with a bit of a heavy hand, but that is more keeping with how those times would have been, and, yes, it's a bit important to the plot. Still, she comes across as a very likeable heroine, one you want to root for.

The hero - Jack - is a bit more cliché, and while not unlikeable, isn't particularly interesting. He doesn't add much to the story (well, other than the obvious!) but nor does he detract from it. He plays his part well, and even if his character is a bit trite his dialogue and interaction with the other characters is good.

Thomas and the dowager duchess, on the other hand, are far more unlikely romance novel characters. There's a bit of uncertainty about each of them. The dowager duchess is mean and rude, but there's something there... something under the surface, that keeps her interesting. Likewise, Thomas's character is not clearly defined. We see glimpses of a good man, but there are also some actions that are a little off. He comes across as a far more believable character, with his somewhat mercurial moods and manners. I am very much looking forward to reading his story in Mr, Cavendish, I Presume and hope it lives up to my expectations!

There are a few little interesting wrinkles in the plot, and maybe I do wish it had ended slightly differently, but it was still a fun read and a great way to pass an evening. I would highly recommend this book (and, indeed, most of Julia Quinn's other novels, especially the Bridgerton series) to anyone who likes romance novels.

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I liked it...so sue me.

I liked this book. I read several of the reviews and was surprised that so many people thought it was bad.
It is a romance novel...not a lost manuscript of Jane Austen. So, it isn't perfect, but it has moments where it is really touching.
Plus, it gets major points for using the world "truthiness". (*sigh* Stephen Colbert....)
Anyway, if you want a fun read pick up this book, but if you are looking for an earthshattering romance...I suggest you go straight to the classics aisle.

I really liked this one

I liked this one!! The Lost Duke of Wyndham and the last book of JQ's is back to her orignal writings. Refreshing and purely romantic. I would have given it 5 stars, however, the last quarter of book got a little slow. I became more interested in Thomas. It picked up again towards the end. I didn't care for the erotic that JQ was starting to write a few books back, so am very happy to have her back writing in her old/best style. It is light, very romantic, sweet. So if you like the erotic books, you probably won't like this one. But you have a slew of really grade D books out there writing under the genre of historical romance that are written just for you. If you liked JQ's books from the past, the Bridgerton's, Splendid, Minx, etc. you will like this one too. I cannot wait until "Mr. Cavendish, I presume" comes out. In Lost Duke of Wyndham Jack and Grace were both such wonderful, fun characters. They had good, happy childhoods. Their lives had taken on changes that left them lonely and lost. Their story is fun, Jack is a riot, just what Grace needed and Grace is just what Jack needed. Throw in the Duchess and you have a really good novel. Thomas on the other hand did not have a good childhood and I cannot wait to read his story. Again, so glad to have JQ back!!

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