In 1802 England, his father forced Cam to marry his childhood friend Gina when both were still “children”. Rather than consummate the marriage with the woman he thought up to the ceremony was his first cousin, Cam Serrard fled through the window fifteen minutes after saying “I do”. He went to the continent and remained overseas for the next dozen years.

Gina asks her spouse to annul their vows so she can marry someone else. Her husband in name only, the Duke of Girard, comes home to annul his marriage so Gina can move on with her life. His plan is to return immediately to his studio in Greece. However, when Cam meets his wife as an adult for the first time, her beauty, charm, and grace stun him. Shockingly, he finds himself falling in love with Gina just as she too surprises herself by being a DUCHESS IN LOVE with her husband when she thought her heart belonged to Sebastian.

Though the basic theme has been used too often in Regency novels, fans of the sub-genre will enjoy Eloisa James’ latest tale, DUCHESS IN LOVE. The key to the delightful read is the cast from the strong bewildered lead couple to secondary characters who cause havoc on the married couple’s relationship and enable the audience to understand the motives of the Duke and Duchess. The audience will kick back their shoes, relax, and bask in the fun of this well written historical romance.

Harriet Klausner