Review: Who would you choose the Perfect Wife or the Imperfect Duchess
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 10, 2014
I had the privilege of previewing this utterly delightful novel by Callie Hutton. Venturing into the Historical Romance Regency Period, Callie Hutton envelops us into the world of arrangement marriages, lavish ball gowns, the nobility of England with descriptions that makes you want to reach out and touch the violet colored gown or perhaps smack some sense into Drake the Duke of Manchester who is determined to marry for status not love. Maybe he is the one who needs glasses! Enter Penelope Clayton, a horticulturist who wears glasses and who is brilliant. So these two star crossed lovers begin with a sham of a wedding and the pursuit of happily ever after begins. The transformation of both characters is carried out skillfully, as we see that Drake is trying to live in the shoes of his father and Penelope is that rare woman of this time period who despite the social pressures continues her career under the name, L.D. Farnsworth.  Both of the main characters do not want to fail, and gradually fall into love. I love Callie Hutton’s work; this reminds of the Regency version of the Texas 2 Step as they both come to understand and know it each other and form the perfect alliance and the perfect couple. At first I thought the book was a little slow, and then I realized that the tempo of the book reflects the time period, when people savored the moment, where dressing did not take 5 minutes but was a ceremony unto itself. The detailed descriptions of allows the reader to become part of the story and adds to the adventures within the pages. There is a sweet innocence about the story and Callie’s ending is hilariously amazing and is timed perfectly. For a most enjoyable read…I highly recommend The Duke’s Quandary. That said so would you pick an imperfect duchess or a perfect spouse?