Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointing
Review: "The Duchess" was such a disappointment. Despite a promising story line Bertrice Small managed to make this book almost unreadable. A good third of the book was simple explication of Georgian society that read as if she'd lifted it directly from a history book. She obviously researched the book, unfortunately the research didn't stop her from having the heroine call her father 'Pa' of all things, not to mention a host of other simple, yet distracting mistakes.
Rating:
Summary: Is Ms Small under contract?
Review: ..that she keeps shelling out poor novels? Having read such marvelous works in the past (The Kadin, Skye O'Malley, etc.) I find myself continually disappointed in her current offerings. The Duchess is another failed attempt. It seems Ms. Small is running out of ideas for, as other reviewers suggest, the French Revolution seems tossed in for sake of lengthening the book. Bertie, get a fresh inspiration! Your readers are tired of the O'Malley clan and of spoiled little girls with too much money! The only saving grace is that our 'heroine' is not captured and sold into a harem, hence the 2 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Is Ms Small under contract?
Review: ..that she keeps shelling out poor novels? Having read such marvelous works in the past (The Kadin, Skye O'Malley, etc.) I find myself continually disappointed in her current offerings. The Duchess is another failed attempt. It seems Ms. Small is running out of ideas for, as other reviewers suggest, the French Revolution seems tossed in for sake of lengthening the book. Bertie, get a fresh inspiration! Your readers are tired of the O'Malley clan and of spoiled little girls with too much money! The only saving grace is that our 'heroine' is not captured and sold into a harem, hence the 2 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: The Duchess
Review: After reading all of Bertrice's books this one does not have the sexual intrigue as her others. The book has a great story line, but lacks in the love scenes as her other books.
Rating:
Summary: Heroine too good to be true?
Review: Although I loved the wonderful 'Skye O'Malley' by Ms. Small, I had begun to shy away from any more of Ms. Small's books because, frankly, I was sick of Skye's many children and grandchildren. I'm gratified to see that Ms. Small has gotten away from the O'Malley saga and has turned her attention to creating other characters far and away from Skye. Having said that, however, The Duchess isn't one of her best efforts. Allegra is beautiful, rich and accomplished. But she's almost too perfect. She's intelligent, educated, accomplished, makes friends easily, strikes the right tone is almost every social situation, has friends in high places, and impresses all the right and important people. She's a 17 year old girl who becomes a high profile peer overnight and makes absolutely no social gaffes. I just wanted the girl to break out with a pimple on her nose or something. Relentless perfection isn't very interesting reading. I like characters with flaws who have texture and who grow. Allegra and her Duke marry, making pains to tell everyone repeatedly that they aren't in love. It would be charming except Allegra constantly talks about how she doesn't recognize love. Rather than seeming to shed a light on her fears or even to give depth to her personality, this repetition merely sounds labored and pedantic. I did appreciate Ms. Small's efforts at fleshing out some of the historical figures of 18th century England (even if she does go about it in a Jerry-Springer-trashy-gossip sort of way). I could have done without all the descriptions of food, though. And while I've only given this book two stars, it actually deserves an extra half-star for not allowing Allegra to be kidnapped into a harem to learn unearthly sexual delights.
Rating:
Summary: Set against the splendor of Georgian England...
Review: As the daughter of the richest man in England, Allegra Morgan attracts a number of fortune hunters willing to overlook her flawed pedigree to gain her enormous wealth. Her most ardent suitor is the arrogant but impoverished Quinton Hunter, Duke of Sedgwick, who has little to offer a prospective wife except his grand title. Allegra decides that if she must marry, she might as well be a duchess. So she agrees to the match with one condition: her husband must never ask for her love. She has seen the misery love can cause and has vowed to give her heart to no man-especially a dangerously alluring duke. Quinton is dazzled by his new wife's grace and fortitude, as well as the fierce desire that rages between them. Despite his intentions, he finds himself falling in love with her. Then the terrors of the French Revolution hit close to home, and the two of them set off on a treacherous adventure that could cost them everything...including their final chance at happiness. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars was because it is a Bertrice Small novel and she is my favorite author. I was disappointed though. It was mundane and boring. Where was the adventure Ms. Small's herorine's are so famous for? This book smacked of boredom. But Allegra was a charming creature and she kept me going through the story.
Rating:
Summary: Sexy, but not exceptional.
Review: Being the daughter of the richest man in England did have some advantages, the main one being able to marry a title. Allegra Morgan was well aware of that and had decided early on that she would settle for nothing less than an earl or a duke. Love didn't matter--it never did in marriages of convenience. All she asked was that he be nice to look at, not cruel and would allow her to handle her own financial affairs and businesses as her father had taught her and allowed her to do at home. The last part was the sticky part, but when the impoverished Duke of Sedgewick asked for her hand in marriage and assured her he would not interfere in her business dealings, Allegra was more than happy to accept. The Duke, a practical man, knew he had to marry money to preserve his holdings and help all the people who worked the land and depended on him for their livelihood. Pride was all well and good, but it didn't buy seed, rebuild houses or replenish stock. Since he was a fairly modern and enlightened gentleman when it came to women and financial matters, the match was made. Then the French Revolution intruded upon their idyllic life, and Allegra discovered that her husband, the Duke, had more "sides" to him than she knew! Bertrice Small has written an erotic love story of life among the wealthy, genteel English nobility. The love scenes are steamy and, for once, the heroine is not a spoiled, self-centered brat who must be "tamed" by her husband. Even though rich, she is grounded in reality and has a generous nature, which is rare for the time period. A refreshing, sexy change.
Rating: 
Summary: Yes...boring
Review: Do you ever think a time will come when "romance" readers will realize that men (Quinton, in this too long story) just look silly falling in love with young girls who are as spoiled as Allegra was in this story? What exactly was so lovable about her? I read the book jacket and was already put off by Allegro telling Quinton never to love her. Geeze, that is just plain stupid. Sure, you can have my money, my body, have children, but love? Nope... Dumb if you ask me. Also, the whole French Revolution plot was just thrown in there to try to make it an interesting book. It failed.
Rating:
Summary: Is this really Bertrice Small?
Review: Even though the business of going to France was a little bit much I really did like the book. Ms. Small is one of my favorite authors. As such, I have read all of her books. Of course, the Skye O'Malley series was the best, but this book was a fun read. After reading some of the reviews today, I'm glad I bought the book and read it prior to seeing what other people thought about the book. I don't see a movie based on a critic, and I don't read a book on that basis either. Way to go, Ms. Small. I look forward to the next one.
Rating:
Summary: Another good book by a great author!
Review: Even though the business of going to France was a little bit much I really did like the book. Ms. Small is one of my favorite authors. As such, I have read all of her books. Of course, the Skye O'Malley series was the best, but this book was a fun read. After reading some of the reviews today, I'm glad I bought the book and read it prior to seeing what other people thought about the book. I don't see a movie based on a critic, and I don't read a book on that basis either. Way to go, Ms. Small. I look forward to the next one.
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