2.5 starsI actually liked this book but found some things to be problematic, the first thing being that as soon as Elsie and Alexander got down to the nut-cuttin' before the halfway point, I got bored. I was enjoying the sexual tension, the relationship-building, but then this somewhat sexually naive girl pops up with, "Make love to me." Um, well. That was out of the blue for several reasons. Bye bye interesting parts and hello inconsistent characterization.Then after skimming the sex (which took a few days because I forgot about it), we get to some seriously interesting machinations and politics. The logic was good and there were no TSTL-isms.BUT THEN! The hero has what an acquaintance of mine calls a personality transplant. I still don't understand the rationale for his sudden attitude toward the heroine, which resolution was downright anemic for all the manufactured angst of the situation.And yet, I liked the story, liked the characters. So, you know, there you go. This one has started out so good that I can't stop reading it! At 17% and loving it! Alexander is the son of a Duke. A Duke that is so demanding and hateful his children are terrified of him. Alexander is so shy he actually throws up when he has to be around or talk to anyone. After his older brother drowns, his father has Alexander taken to an Asylum and left there. When the Dr realizes that there is really nothing wrong with Alexander he slips him out to live with a famous mural painter. He lives as a mute. Since his mentor is no longer able to paint Alexander has been painting for him. He paints in the ballroom late at night. Since Elsie is unable to sleep at night they meet and she starts talking to Andrew. After a few days, he responds with a single word. Elsie has been betrothed to his brother since she was a child. Alexander is really the heir to the Duke. The only way to be able to keep Elsie is to prove he is really the heir. This would be his word against a powerful Duke that hates him. Alexander and Elsie become friends. He actually enjoys listening to her chatter, and she doesn't mind that he doesn't talk. This is a new author for me and I really enjoyed her book.
What do You think about When A Duke Says I Do (2011)?
Hit every emotional high and low, great character depth, but don't read without tissues handy.
—HyacinthoLuna13
