The Desperate Duchesses, Book 7: Three Weeks With Lady X

L. Trim: Eloisa James' books are generally a good and easy read. I had some great chuckles in places when reading the letters between India and Thorn. This was a lively book that keeps a person entertained.

United Kingdom on Aug 08, 2021

amiamiprod: I bought Three Weeks with Lady X remembering a stellar review from SBTB. Alas, I should have also read the Dear Author review, since it’s much more in line with what I thought about the book. Namely, that I didn’t care for the main characters, that the hero especially was a brutish oaf, and that the a-historicity of it all detracts a lot from the book’s enjoyment. Which is a pity, since Eloisa James’ style is sparkling, the rhythm is catching, and the book’s premise could have turned into a much better book.

Imagine the premise: an high-born lady is employed by a (not so) gentleman to redecorate his newly acquired country mansion, where he plans to settle his wife-to-be. Banter ensues. It would have been a wonderful premise, if only the said banter had been about the house’s redecoration, and not the insta-lust between the protagonists; or rather if the insta-lust had been hidden inside the discussion about furniture, and not displayed in what was a completely unbelievable fashion. A man writing a woman about masturbation? In 1799? It’s not a matter of gentleman birth or not, it is a matter of social customs. Unfortunately, James’ characters talk about...

Italy on Feb 14, 2016

lisa: Another enjoyable read from clever Eloisa James who can bring characters to life like no other romantic author.

Lady India is employed to do interior renovations for wealthy Thorn who is wooing sweet natured Lala. India is nothing like Lala. She argues with Thorn and they bicker in funny letters. Sparks fly but Thorn is commited to Lala.

There is plenty to like about this book. Things that seem cliche such as Lala being dumb, end up being not predictable. I like that the story is sympathetic to 'other woman' Lala who attends church because she has a crush on the vicar.

Other interesting characters; a tiny serious orphan child and Thorn's father a Duke who can't resist making trouble. As well as the wit and the warmth it is the unpredictability that keeps you riveted to the last page.

Smut rating is MA. There are several steamy encounters. Highly recommended reading.

Australia on Nov 02, 2015

Jennifer: The Desperate Duchesses series is one of my favorites by Eloisa James with its late 18th century setting and quirky characters. One of the most memorable of these characters is the irreverent Duke of Villiers who finally gets his happy ending in A Duke of Her Own. A big part of Villiers story is the fact that he has six illegitimate children who he publicly claims and raises with his wife, Eleanor. Tobias "Thorn" Dautry is the oldest of these and he always intrigued me so I was glad to see him get his own story. I always find James's historicals to be both charming and eccentric with plenty of thought-provoking scenes and creativity and Three Weeks With Lady X is no exception.

The main story follows Thorn, who has grown up to be a powerful businessman despite his unfortunate upbringing, and decides that now is the type to marry. He even has a woman in mind, Laetitia Rainsford, the daughter of an impoverished, but influential aristocrat. In order to impress her snobbish mother, Thorn decides to hire Lady Xenobia India St. Clair who has made a living helping the ton with a variety of tasks such as decorating a home and hiring the proper staff. But, as expected from a...

United States on Aug 27, 2014

Reader, I Read It: It was delightful to read Tobias' grown up story! I am such a fan of Ms James, and am hoping that all the Duke of Villiers offspring are getting their own books.

I know that people give out about the Americanisms that slip into the text, but they are so, so few — the humour and the general heart-warmingness of this series more than makes up for it.

United Kingdom on Apr 20, 2014

PJ Ausdenmore: The bastard son of the Duke of Villiers, Tobias “Thorn” Dautry is one of the richest and most powerful businessmen in England and part of a loving and supportive family. But that wasn’t always the case and the young boy forced into a horrible life as a mudlark, risking his life diving for bits of treasure in the Thames, still lives deep within the man. When Thorn decides to marry – he loves children and wants some of his own – he approaches it as he would any business deal, selecting a sweet and lovely young woman from a socially prominent family who will give him children that will be accepted by London society. It matters not that the young woman is considered simple by the ton or that she rarely speaks in his presence. His only interest is bedding her and leaving her in the country to care for his children. He seeks a serene life and has no interest in a woman who will challenge him. His best friend warns he will be bored to tears but Thorn is set on his course and nothing will change his mind. Before he can ask for the young woman’s hand however, he must win the approval of her harridan of a mother and to do that he needs his newly purchased country estate restored...

United States on Apr 03, 2014

Hatepacking: I was delighted when I first read an Eloisa James but sometimes she loses the plot. Lady Xenobia has made a very lucrative career in decorating and creating the perfect home for people whether it is painting or finding the right staff. She starts working for Thorn (Tobias) Dautry the illegitimate son of the Duke of Villiers (A duke of her own Read that book ) who wants to marry a Lady Letitia (Lala) the daughter of a snobby hypochondriac Lady Rainsford. Xenobia's task is to turn the country estate that Thorn has bought into a fitting home and setting for his lady and his family. To convince the mother he is a worthy as well as wealthy match. The secondary characters are delightful and are a great supporting act. I love Vandor, Dr Hatfield, Rose and the rest of them, but what ruins the whole book is the way the author tumbles H & h into a Hammock, it is not needed as a plot device and ruined the story. If it had been a paperback I would have thrown it across the room, sexual tension does not always need sex to be convincing. I had to work hard to finish this book, it did get better. I will stop putting Eloisa James books on automatic order from now on.

United Kingdom on Apr 01, 2014