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When the Duke Returns
First published 2008 · 393 pages
A sparkling, sensual battle of wills where a fiercely determined wife sets out to seduce her own reluctant husband.
What it feels like
This is a historical romance that thrives on the crackling tension of a battle of wills, wrapping the reader in a lush, spirited atmosphere. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging pace, driven by sharp banter and the delicious friction between a fiercely independent heroine and a hero determined to do the proper thing. It feels theatrical and deeply romantic, exploring the messy, passionate reality of claiming one's own desires within the confines of societal expectation. The prose is elegant and witty, painting a vivid picture of aristocratic life while keeping the emotional focus tightly on the couple's evolving dynamic. It is a perfect fit for readers who love watching a headstrong woman actively dismantle a stubborn man's defenses until they both surrender to a hard-won, swoony partnership.
- Mood
- lush
- spirited
- romantic
- swoony
- Tone
- witty
- playful
- sensual
- theatrical
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- female agency · duty versus passion · reality of marriage · claiming desire
- The writing
- The prose is elegant and sparkling, driven by sharp, intelligent banter and rich historical textures.
- The arc
- The journey moves from a battle of wills and stubborn pride to a vulnerable, deeply felt surrender to love.
- Who it's for
- Readers who delight in battle-of-the-sexes historical romance where a fiercely independent heroine takes charge of her own seduction.
Content notes
- explicit sexual content
- period-typical sexism
About the book
The Duchess of Cosway yearns for a man she has never met... her husband. Married by proxy as a child, Lady Isidore has spent years fending off lecherous men in every European court while waiting to meet her husband. She's determined to accept him, no matter how unattractive the duke turns out to be. When she finally lures Simeon Jermyn back to London, his dark handsomeness puts Isidore's worst fears to rest — until disaster strikes.The duke demands an annulment. Forsaking his adventuresome past, Simeon has returned to London ready to embrace the life of a proper duke, only to find that his supposed wife is too ravishing, too headstrong, and too sensual to be the docile duchess he has in mind. But Isidore will not give up her claim to the title — or him — without a fight. She will do whatever it takes to capture Simeon's heart, even if it means sacrificing her virtue. After all, a consummated marriage cannot be annulled.Yet in forcing Simeon into a delicious surrender, will Isidore risk not only her dignity — but her heart?
Description from Open Library.
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