REVIEW: My American Duchess by Eloisa James

 
In My American Duchess by Eloisa James, Octavius Mortimer John Allardyce, the Duke of Trent, knows the time is drawing near where he will need to choose a wife. He has no expectation of it being a love match as he holds his emotions in check in all situations. Then he meets wild American heiress Miss Merry Pelford and everything is turned upside down. When Trent finds out she is promised to another, his plan to wed the beauty is thwarted. But fate presents an opening to make her his own. And he is never one to turn down a challenge. Merry might just prove to be the best reward of his lifetime.

‘Their kiss grew ravenous and wild, her tongue sliding against his with a passion that couldn’t be shammed, especially when a quiet moan floated into the dark room and was answered by his growl. This was a kiss from which he might never recover.’

After ending two marriage engagements in her hometown of Boston, Merry’s aunt and uncle bring her to the land of her late mother’s birth: England. They hope that while in London Merry can enjoy the Season and find a suitable match. She certainly does, but her instincts once again let her down when her betrothed turns out to be quite different than he at first let on. Not only that, but Merry can’t get a certain duke off her mind. When she unexpectedly finds herself in a position to explore a future with Trent, how can she refuse? Even if he proclaims he cannot return her feelings. Merry shall just have to see if she can change his mind.

‘That was a surprise: this man who swore he would never love, loved more fiercely and passionately than Merry could ever have imagined.’

Emotions ran high, as did the witty charm, in My American Duchess. Eloisa James certainly knows how to entertain while still giving us readers a solid, endearing historical romance to savor.

‘The girl who was too tall, who had no manners, whom no Englishman would want to marry…that American girl was now a duchess.’

I actually had a lot of fun reading this story. I know Merry’s supposed fickleness when it came to suitors will put some readers off, but I loved the story as a whole. It was interesting to me to see how James started things off with Merry believing herself in love with one man and how it morphed into her true love match with a totally different London gentleman. I would ruin the whole thing if I explained it all here but it was an ever-evolving relationship that proved just how well suited she and Trent were by the lovely ending.

Like I mentioned previously, Merry did appear a bit fickle or flighty when it came to romance. She was fairly young so I suppose it could have come with her naivety. But at least once she met Trent, she knew her feelings were true and strong, which I liked. I did enjoy Merry’s personality very much. She was strong-minded and wasn’t afraid to speak up for herself or others. She was a very caring individual which was evident in how she treated Trent, her aunt and uncle, as well as a few canine companions that happened her way during the story which was amusing.

Trent was a bit more difficult to understand until his background was explained. I did like him very much and thought he was a lot more emotionally involved in not only his relationship with a certain family member, but of course with Merry also. He presented himself as the polar opposite as Merry: he refused to display feelings whereas she was ruled by them. So it made for a very interesting time when they were falling in love. I adored their scenes together where it was just the two of them getting to know each other better, seeing how Trent doted on Merry, proving his feelings even if he wouldn’t let himself recognize them.

If you enjoy stories with two strong-willed characters falling in love and all of the compromises that must be made for it to work, My American Duchess is definitely for you.

Book Info:

 Published January 26th 2016 by Avon | by Avon |

The arrogant Duke of Trent intends to marry a well-bred Englishwoman. The last woman he would ever consider marrying is the adventuresome Merry Pelford— an American heiress who has infamously jilted two fiancés.

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.