Gina was married too young and her husband ran away to the continent. Now she's older but she'd like a life, a romance, something. Her wanting something has lead her almost to scandal. Now her husband is back and they have to deal with their feelings and whether or not they want to actually stay together.

It's pretty predictable but fun. ( )

This was a complicated plot with a lot of relationships. I liked it but I felt it wrapped up a little too quickly. When and why did Gina decide to follow Cam? I did enjoy what I would consider a triple epilogue. Happily-ever-after does take a little bit of adjustment. ( )

This novel simply wasn't up to the standards that exist in my mind for James. It wasn't as witty or snappy as her earlier works are. The plot was so convoluted, and I found several of the characters to be hard to sympathize with. Their reasoning simply made no sense, or they were ninnies. I have no real desire to read about any of the other characters save one, which is surprising given that I usually am driven to know all about the various characters. Maybe I am simply becoming a more discerning reader.

I'm fairly certain that I will be tossing this one back to the used bookstore. There are other books she's written that are good; this simply wasn't one of them. ( )

I picked up Duchess in Love based on the synopsis but was disappointed to find that in addition to Gina and Cam's relationship (the main romance going on) there were about three to four other relationship threads taking place in the book as well. This made for an interesting yet bothersome read.

Gina and Cam married when Gina was 12 and Cam was 18. Directly after the wedding Cam took off for Greece and hasn't returned until the start of the book, 12 years later. And he only returns to grant Gina an annulment so that she can marry someone else.

Though Gina is married to Cam she is engaged to Sebastian and plans to marry him as soon as the annulment is final. The relationship between Gina and Sebastian is a strained one because Sebastian is very focused on Gina keeping up a good reputation before they marry. Sebastian also seems to lack the passion for Gina that she craves.

Cam returns to find himself passionately attracted to the wife he left behind years ago. The young girl that he ran away from has turned into a spirited woman and Cam, though he knows he shouldn't, can't help but entice Gina into compromising situations.

Meanwhile, Gina's friends, Esme and Carola, have their own relationship mishaps going on.

Esme is married but separated from her husband, Miles, who has a very public mistress that he lives with. The situation does not bother Esme at all because she was never attracted to her husband and never actually wanted their marriage. Esme being the beautiful woman that she is, attracts the attention of many men of the ton, including Gina's fiance, Sebastian. But Esme believes that it is time to give her husband the one thing that he's always wanted, an heir.

Carola is separated from her husband also. She ran back to her mother's house after the wedding night because she wasn't prepared for the marital duties. Now Carola wants her husband, Tuppy, back. But she is daunted, sure that he does not want her anymore, and instead wants her friend, Gina.

There is also a slight mystery plot taking place while these events are unraveling.

To say I was cross eyed by the end of this book would be an understatement. I guess I wasn't prepared for so many relationships in one book. Duchess in Love is more of a ensemble cast, so for anyone who likes that type of book then this would probably be a good read for you. James does a great job of intertwining the lives of all the characters, but for me it was just too much. ( )

I liked the book, but it took me a while to get into it. I believe the author has too many subplots and in the end not all of them were resolved. ( )