(Things you don't do at four in the morning while having your period: Read books and make reviews.)I was so fucking livid I had to write this one. (Again, with the hormones during period. You're a girl and you know how it is.)The whole thing was dragged and there were unnecessary things like that Castle Ghost shit. I thought something would happen there that would greatly affect Ian and Tess's relationship. (Say, Tess would be kidnapped or Ian would get shot.) But no, the suspense factor ended immediately and lamely. It already left me disappointed when that Castle crime ended. I expected more things to happened there but they were mostly dallying there.True, they wouldn't have made love had Tess not come to Ian because of the so called ghost. But let's face it, she'll give in eventually to their attraction. There was no need to drag ghosts and castles and shit, Christ.Most importantly, I hate Tess, at first. So much. She was so judgmental. Then I gradually diminished my hate for her but I still dislike her. And she's like, "I hate you Ian because you trapped me in a marriage I don't want yadda yadda yadda but can you play matchmaker for my friends?" Such a user. Like, what the hell, woman? However, I really adored Ian's character here. He was so fucking selfless and so precious I wanted to wrap him in a blanket and protect him. As always when you read the final book in a series there is a filling of sadness at having to say good bye to the characters that you have come to love. So we have come to the end of series with the marriage of Tess Blanchard. This was an unsuspected ending. There has been no mention of the Ian Sutherland, Duke of Rotham, in any of the previous books. Certainly not in connection with Tess or with Richard her deceased betrothed. This story starts off with both parties being antagonistic to each other. Ian has aggravated Tess for two years. More for Ian to hide his feelings for Tess than for any real animosity that Ian might feel for Tess. There were times that Tess made me want to spank her for her overly high minded reaction to Ian. She was so caught up in his reputation that she couldn't see that there was a wonderful man beneath the public persona. I surprised me that Tess was so willing to be compassionate with those that she knew nothing about but couldn't come to see that Ian could or had changed.Ian is one of those men that doesn't curry the approval of society. He does what is right and if that means letting others think badly of him then so be it. I loved that he took a little boy into his home and made him his ward. I loved that he cared so deeply for the child. It also warmed my heart that he was so protective of the child. His ongoing protection of Tess is also a plus on his side. I enjoyed the banter between Ian and Tess. Their verbal sparring was really a mating dance but neither seemed to realize it. I was surprised at the lengths Ian would go to in order to keep Tess happy. The first sign that he had come to love Tess very much.This story also brings Fanny Irwin’s romance to it proper and very happy ending. She finally gets to leave her old profession behind and embark on a journey to reconcile with her family as well as marry the man that she has come to love. I was very happy to see a resolution to this ongoing story.This is a wonderful story filled with a little mystery, a budding love, the revealing of terrible secrets and happy endings for all. There are also some steamy scenes between Ian and Tess especially closer to the end of the story. I will be sad to see the last of these characters. I have enjoyed searching their lives for just a little while.
What do You think about To Desire A Wicked Duke (2000)?
The worst of the whole series. The hero was great, but Tess was stupid in her own story.
—Raynetta
So yes, the wicked duke hides a heart of gold, etc. Not bad, not spectacular.
—moad83
Mission: to read the worst book we could find at the college bookstore.
—rigile
