Review: The Dukes Quandary
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 03 10, 2014
Actually gave it a 3.5 star.I had a little bit of a mixed reaction to The Duke's Quandary. I enjoyed the story line well enough, I mean who doesn't like a wallflower type who becomes the belle of the ball. It was just the Penelope was a little to whiny and juvenile for me to really love her. At the very beginning of the novel when she comes running in the house all squealing cause she discovered some new plant I thought she was a little kid not a woman of marrying age.  I also that she is a bit backwaters and spent most of her time alone and doesn't know much about societies ways or social graces so I tried to like her.  Eventually I did come to like her, but not as much as I would have liked.Penelope was raised by her father who is a botanist. He didn't have a son so he taught Penelope all about botany, but he should have had someone teach her about being a lady. When her father died she was brought from the colonies back to England by her Aunt and Uncle. Though they just pretty much left her by herself and didn't do much to help her become some one of social standing. Then all of a sudden her Aunt decides that she will have a coming out and wants her to go stay with her  friends and learn to be a lady and go to balls and have her season. Penelope would rather stay in the country with her plants than attend a ball.Drake, Duke of Manchester wants to find the perfect lady to be his duchess. He feels that he needs some one who is poise, charming, sophisticated and knows her place in society. He thinks this is what he needs to prove that he can make a good Duke. First impressions of Penelope and her actions make him sort of laugh and embarrasses her.  Drake's mother wants him to help her along with the girls make Penelope be what she needs to be to have a good season. His mother wants him to make sure her dance card is full. What he wasn't suppose to do was kiss her in the gardens.Drake doesn't want someone who has her hands in the dirt all the time, clumsy and doesn't know much about social graces. So why can't he keep his hands off of Penelope when he should be looking for that perfect lady.Though I did like the story line I also got a little aggravated at the way Drake behaved. I didn't like the way he always made Penelope feel like she would never be good enough. There was times that I liked him and times that I didn't and it was the same with Penelope, so I never really feel in love with the two main characters. I really liked Drake's mother and sisters and thought they were great secondary characters.If you like historical romances then you will probably enjoy this one, it just wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. I would still be willing to try another book from this author.