The Duchess

Title: The Duchess

Author: Jude Deveraux

Summary: Claire Willoughby is a rich American who must marry someone her parents approve of so that she can inherit the money from her grandfather's will. Since her parents have already spent their millions, she feels she must get control of her money to provide for her family, and her family approves of Harry the Duke of MacArran. Convinced that she's in love with him, they become engaged and she goes to visit his family in Scotland. There she meets Trevelyan who is secretly staying in an unused portion of the castle. We quickly find out that he's Harry's older brother who was presumed dead and therefore the real duke, but Claire knows nothing of this. Trevelyan tells his
brother Harry that he doesn't want the dukedom, just time to recover and money to finance his explorations, but he and Claire quickly become friends and fall in love.

Recommendation: Not really. I've read a couple of her books now, and I really didn't care for this male main character. There's too much reference to and descriptions about sex, and it just seemed contrived in parts. I would have much preferred it had he wanted to take over his rightful place as duke. Without giving too much away, I was disappointed in the ending and thought Claire's assessment that he was selfish was right and didn't change. Usually the guy becomes a slightly better person too, and it wasn't there this time. I liked some of the conflict in the book, but this was by far the book of hers
I've liked the least.

Hearts: 2