AAR

[stl_reader]

Just finished When a Duke Says I Do. It started off with a lot of promise, but petered out in the last 70 pages or so, IMHO. (The paperback is 369 pages.) Specifically, the first half of the book proceeded apace, and then it began slowing down, to the point where it seemed to take forever to get through the last couple of chapters.

I liked the premise - Elsie, in her early 20s, is engaged to marry a pleasant-but-boring heir to a Dukedom. But shortly before announcing their engagement at her birthday ball, she falls in love with the seemingly mute Alexander, an artist's assistant.

Of course, we learn quickly that things are not as they seem. Alexander can talk (though with limitations) and is more than just a lowly working man.

It was very interesting to see Alexander's affliction manifest at different times in the book. Also, his back story was interesting, as was the development of his and Elsie's relationship, at least initially.

Alas, as often happens in romance novels, the hero is interesting, while Elsie is just...there. Young, good natured, earnest, lovely, but not remarkably bright or witty or spirited (say, like Linnet was in When Beauty Tamed the Beast, God bless her).

And under duress, Elsie crumbled pretty fast, from my POV. I prefer feistier heroines who don't give in quite so easily, who don't just brood or cry in their bedrooms when they could be taking action. (I realize, though, that Elsie is young, so maybe this is the best that can be expected.)

The really weird thing about the story, though, is that once Alexander's life path changes, he suddenly becomes this very competent guy. And, oh yeah, inexplicably dark and angsty, ticked that Elsie had been willing to marry Oscar. I didn't get it. First, where was all that darkness before? Second, both Alexander and Elsie had been quite practical throughout most of the book, understanding that they might not be able to have a life together--that she might have to marry Oscar--due to the nature of the contract that existed between her father and the Duke of Kingston. Well, though it was unforeseen, Elsie did end up needing to marry Oscar. And while she was being pratical about it, suddenly Alexander was looking upon it all as a betrayal, as though she'd actually had a choice (which I, the reader, didn't think she had). I found it all confusing.

Other nitpicks:

1. The title: When a Duke Says I Do. What does that have to do with this story?

2. The cover art. The heroine's bosom sports a tan line. Seemed a little too 20th century to me.

3. Heroine's use of the phrase "let's keep it close to the vest". See #2 above.

4. Set-up of future story lines for Oscar and Aunt Diane, with the seeming intention of forcing me to buy their books so I can see how it all works out. God I hate that. Don't use the current book to briefly introduce and set up a story line for a character, only to basically abandon them once that's done. "Oh, Dear Reader, here's Elsie's spinster aunt, Diane Stanhope, an intelligent, independent woman. Wasn't attractive when younger, but more attractive now. A charming single nobleman (makes her heart beat fast!) needs her help with a young female ward. She's going to take him up on it." We see very little more of Diane after that, and nothing that really tells us more about her. Guess that's being saved for her own book?

Grade: B- Not horrible, but not fabulous either. But I think a lot of readers will like it more than I did.

[Kathy]

[stl_reader]

Thanks, Kathy.

The more I think about it, the more I feel like the book should have wrapped up around the time that Oscar/Elsie's wedding was to take place. That would have made sense, to my mind.

But maybe the book would have been too short then? Is that why Alexander suddenly got all "angsty" and contrary? So the book would end up suitably longer, padded by some extra--if not wholly convincing--drama?

Also, I wish the author had done something more with Elsie's back story. Here's someone who couldn't sleep in her own bed after the death of her twin sister. Plenty of grist there for some interesting character development. Instead, it's almost as though the back story was just mentioned to give Elsie an excuse to be in the ballroom at night and thus get to know Alexander.

Just my opinion...

[Kathy]

Yes, he certainly did get "contrary" didn't he? I was shocked by the way Alexander changed after he stopped Oscar and Elsie's wedding. He certainly was not the same level-headed, calm reasonable person that he had been before which makes me think you may be right about the "padding" for extra drama. Just stop the wedding and then Elsie and Alexander have a HEA. That whole "she betrayed me and I'm going to make her suffer" seemed so out of character for him.

I have to agree about Elsie's backstory also. It could have been a great character development device. Her problem was solved way too easily and, frankly, so unbelievably. Did her budding relationship with Alexander resolve a trauma that had lasted years? Really?

This is going to sound petty and trivial and dates me like crazy, but I really did not care for her name. All I could think of was Elsie the cow on Borden milk products.

[willaful]

I seem to have a had a slightly different reaction, because for me it went off the rails as soon as Alexander started to speak -- or perhaps as soon as Elsie got sick. The pacing just went to hell and I almost gave up reading. The aborted wedding brought my interest back -- at least it was exciting -- but then it all drizzled away again. A real disappointment, because the first half was quite fresh.
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"I say, don't read the classics -- try to discover your own classics; every life has its own." -- Rudolf Flesch, _How to Make Sense_

[Kristie(J)]

Since this is one of the reviewed books now, I thought I would chime in with my thoughts. I agree much more with reviewer Lynn, than with some of the other posters. I really liked this one too and B+ is the grade I give it also. This one never went off the rails for me – I loved Alexander throughout the story and really sympathized with him and his disability. I equally felt for Elsie and her issues. I could really feel the draw between them. Like the reviewer, this one really pulled at my heartstrings too

[MissRubyJones]

I'm so glad to see this thread - I was beginning to think I was a malcontent

I started reading this book, but couldn't finish it. While Alexander showed some promise, I just could not warm up to Elsie at all. At first, I chalked my dislike for her up to a distaste I have developed for young, silly heroines (let me tell you sometime about my feelings toward Mara in Jo Beverley's "To Rescue a Rogue").

Maybe I've been spoiled by Carla Kelly, Anne Gracie and Gayle Wilson, but even when a heroine is young in age, I expect her to be a bit more, er, mature. Elsie sounded like a 14 year-old to me.

It bothered me, too, that Elsie accepted her father's explanation for her arranged marriage with no more interest than she did. Um, if my father ever told me that we were facing financial ruin lest I marry someone, I like to think I'd at least ask a few questions about what had brought us to these dire straits. Not Elsie. She goes on with dinner like it's no big thing.

Also, I was really thrown off early in the book when Elsie referred to two servants as "ladies." To me, that was the opening salvo in a volley of speech anachronisms...

[veasleyd1]

I got it on my Kindle on the basis of the review. I'm afraid that the level of attention I paid to the last quarter or so would make "skimming" a kind word.

Basically, I ended up having no sympathy for any of the characters. It wasn't that the characters were depicted poorly by the author. I just didn't like them.

[Tee]

I'm with the majority here. I had no intention of reading this book, but it was available on the library's shelf and picked it up. I think I gave a fair amount of time to become engaged in it, but that never totally happened. Neither the story nor the characters grabbed me enough. My DNF pile is growing bigger as we speak.

[Tinabelle]

Count me in the group that was underwhelmed by this book. I finished it but it was tough going, especially the last chapters. And I, too, was surprised at the change in "the Duke" once he recaptured his title. I kept saying to myself, "Who is this guy?" And his treatment of Elsie was deplorable. My grade was a "C."
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[D Rogers]

I didn't have the same reaction as most people here. Most romance stories are fairly transparently formulaic, so in most ways, it didn't seem any better or worse than, most romance titles. No, it isn't a Carla Kelly or a Judith James, but I did think for the most part it told a pretty good story. I didn't mind Elsie too much. Alexander's affliction did not seem inconsistent. I got the sense from all of his contacts with others that it was painful for him to be in groups of people. He did seem to be someone who throughout the book is fighting his affliction (even when he's only meeting with people one on one).

I understand the complaints about Alexander being so upset with Elsie towards the end of the book. It was at this point of the story that think the book's thrust changed (I agree that it looked as if this were two stories in one. The Big Misunderstanding is one of my least favorite plot devices.) I was surprised by this and thought, "She almost died, so of course her emotions are being easily manipulated; she's not a kid, but I don't have the sense she's ever had to stand up to anyone before. And Alexander professes to know his own father, so is it a big surprise that she can't stand up to him?"

What I don't believe (even more so that the problem with the end of the book) is the sexual activity of these two people. Again, I know it's part of a formula, but that's my objection. It just doesn't work, and it's badly written anyway (more corny than bad, I think). But I've seen this a lot in books of other writers.

As far as the title, it's my impression that the publisher picks those. I think I remember Carla Kelly saying she did not have much imput into the titles of her books.

Other than those two things, I liked it and would read another Jane Goodger book.