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The Ugly Duchess

On sale

28th August 2012

Price: £8.99

Selected:  Paperback / ISBN-13: 9780749956721

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‘Nothing gets me to a bookstore faster than Eloisa James’ – Julia Quinn

How can she dare to imagine he loves her… when all London calls her The Ugly Duchess?

Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke’s passion. Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.

Theo would have given it a lifetime . . . until she discovers that James desires not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry.

Society was shocked by their wedding, but it’s scandalized by their separation. James heads to sea where he becomes a notorious pirate, and Theo builds their estate into a flourishing concern. Back from the seas, a scandalous tattoo of a poppy under one eye, James now faces the battle of his lifetime: convincing Theo that he loved the duckling who blossomed into the swan. Theo will quickly find that for a man with the soul of a pirate, all’s fair in love – or war.

‘Eloisa James is extraordinary’ – Lisa Kleypas

‘Romance writing does not get much better than this’ – People

Reviews

RT Book Reviews
With the latest in her fabulous fairy-tale series, James' twist on the Ugly Duckling sweeps readers into an uplifting love story with just the right amount of poignancy, tenderness, sensuality and pure romance to make readers sigh. . . Kudos to James for encouraging us all to be ourselves and grab what life has to offer
Kirkus
A unique, winning romance that explores universal themes through an uncommon plot and eccentric characters, leading to a hard-won yet satisfying happily-ever-after
Booklist (starred)
Expertly infuses her latest fairy-tale love story with just the right ratio of tart wit and sensuality to create a hopelessly and hopefully romantic tale that will have James's fans swooning with delight
RT Book Reviews
With the latest in her fabulous fairy-tale series, James' twist on the Ugly Duckling sweeps readers into an uplifting love story with just the right amount of poignancy, tenderness, sensuality and pure romance to make readers sigh. . . Kudos to James for encouraging us all to be ourselves and grab what life has to offer
Book Chick City
The Ugly Duchess is a refreshing addition to the series. James always seems to write books that are 'unputdownable', but this book stood out . . . this book will stay on my shelf as I can always count on Eloisa James to deliver a nice warm read, that leaves you with the belief that there is a 'Happily Ever After' . . .
Teresa Medeiros
Eloisa James's writing is absolutely exquisite
Publishers Weekly (starred)
James's patented clever dialogue and complex characters make the unusual situation completely believable from setup to denouement
Publishers Weekly
James's patented clever dialogue and complex characters make the unusual situation completely believable from setup to denouement
Booklist
[Eloisa James] expertly infuses her latest fairy-tale love story with just the right ratio of tart wit and sensuality to create a hopelessly and hopefully romantic tale that will have James's fans swooning with delight
Julia Quinn, <i> New York Times </i> bestselling author
Eloisa James writes with a captivating blend of charm, style, and grace that never fails to leave the reader sighing and smiling and falling in love
Lancashire Evening Post
Eloisa James blends cynical humour and passion in a beautiful story