Danielle Steel

I don’t think I’ve read a Danielle Steel novel since I was a teenager. My Nan and Mum used to read them on holiday, so I did too. Maybe I was too young or I didn’t pick the right book but I didn’t go back. Fast forward quite some time and Danielle Steel is again appearing on the shelves – or maybe that I just haven’t noticed until now. When I received The Duchess in the mail, I was intrigued by the gorgeous hat on the cover and that it was historical fiction. (I didn’t know show more Danielle Steel wrote them too). Anyway, I picked it up and enjoyed the experience immensely. It might be set in the 1830s, but there is intrigue, danger and scandal for everyone involved.

The duchess referred to in the title is Angelique, and she’s not a duchess, but the daughter of a duke. Both she and her father know that when he dies, her half-brothers aren’t going to look out for her. The duke gives Angelique a secret stash of money to see her safe, but not even he could have predicted the cruelty that occurs on his death. Angelique is quickly thrust out of her childhood home, not having any rights to inheritance nor protection. She’s forced into service, working for friends of her half-brother. But her employers don’t know the truth (they think Angelique is a poor cousin). Working as a nanny is difficult at first, but Angelique is practical and while not accepting of her situation, willing to do her best. But even that turns ugly and Angelique is left with nothing. She flees to Paris to try one last route of employment, but a chance meeting with a young girl sees her starting her own business. It’s not conventional for a young single girl, but it might just work…

I thought The Duchess was a great light read with its mixture of scandal as well as commentary on how women were treated during this time period. Angelique is entirely dependent on the whims of her family to support her and in her various roles, she must make up fake, ‘respectable’ pasts to be accepted on to the fringes of society. I found the dialogue quite stilted initially, but once Angelique moved into service I either got used to it or it improved. The plot also seemed a bit uneven with a bit too much time spent on Angelique’s life as a nanny but very little on a later romance. (I did wonder at this point whether there was going to be a sequel as I really didn’t think it could be wrapped up in the remaining pages. I was wrong and it’s actually a very just, sweet ending). But overall I enjoyed it. The scandals and unfair situations were breathtaking and Angelique’s responses to them were clever and original.

Would I read another Danielle Steel? You bet. I can see why my Nan loved them and why my mother is asking if I’ve finished with The Duchess yet. They are great escapist novels, perfect for holidays or those weeks where everything is so busy you just want to escape from the real world for half an hour. I liked how the plot was unique, not fitting the standard fare of ‘penniless girl finds love and another protector’. Danielle Steel isn’t afraid of putting her characters in a difficult place, physically and emotionally. If you’ll excuse me, I’m off to search the family bookshelves…

Thank you to Pan Macmillan for the copy of this book. My review is honest.

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This captivating tale centers around four American debutantes invited to an exclusive ball at the historic Palace of Versailles. As they navigate tradition, societal expectations, and personal aspirations, the novel beautifully captures the essence of a transformative night that shapes their destinies. Steel's storytelling brilliance shines through as she weaves together the individual journeys of Amelia, Felicity, Caroline, and Samantha, each facing unique challenges against the backdrop of show more a changing era. The rich historical setting adds depth to the narrative, making the novel a compelling blend of romance, self-discovery, and the clash between tradition and progress. This book is a mesmerizing read that transports readers to a bygone era, offering a poignant exploration of love, heartbreak, and the pursuit of dreams amidst the glamour of Versailles. show less

For the most part, I consider myself a Danielle Steel fan. "Wanderlust" was a well thought out novel. The plot was captivating, the characters interesting and the settings were well described. Even though his novel is fiction, the story felt quite realistic.
The main character, Audrey Driscoll, and her sister were orphaned after a tragic accident took the lives of their mother and father. They were taken in my their cantankerous grandfather, Edward Driscoll. Audrey quickly found herself not show more only raising her younger sister, Anabelle, but also taking over the duties/responsibilities of running the household of her grandfather's mansion in San Francisco. As the years pass, Audrey realizes that she had forsaken her dreams of travel and that her family does not appreciate her efforts, but takes them for granted. She makes the heart-wrenching decision to forgo their needs and place her needs first. Thus, the adventure begins!
The only reason that I did not give this novel 5 stars, is that at the end, the story dragged on a bit. Several chapters with too much detail could have been eliminated. Overall, a good read. I would recommend. show less

3.5 stars

I can’t resist dogs. And I guess I can’t resist dog lovers either, because when this book by Danielle Steel about her dogs showed up as available on the digital library, I decided to take it for a spin. I’ve never read one of her novels, but hey—dogs.
It was a sweet read, and I was surprised to find out that Danielle Steel has so many kids—nine! And she was married to a mad dog lover who thought each kid should have their own dog. At one point, she had nine kids, eleven show more dogs, and a potbellied pig. I love finding out weird stuff like this, and it was fun to read about an author I only thought of as some fancy lady who cranks out bestsellers every other month. I was delighted with the funny, down-to-earth descriptions of her life and dogs, especially her chihuahua Minnie, the dog on the book’s cover.
I’m glad I read it. I was in the mood for an animal book, and it was something light to read as my chapter a day nonfiction this month. show less