The Dressmaker's Duke

I loved this book! Every night I looked forward to going upstairs, climbing in bed and opening the pages to find out what was happening next to Olivia and Rhys. Jess Russell is an excellent writer and I do not say that lightly. This is really good writing, and good story telling too. Russell breathes a wonderful depth of life into every character, filling each of them with longing and empathy, cruelty and jealousy, all the emotions that make us sadly, tenderly human. This is such a compelling and fun read. I highly recommend it.

Jess Russell has exhibited her talent by writing a humorous grownups fairy tale style story. My intrigue with the challenge of exploring this book more closely was the discovery of the meaning of one of the main characters; Eglantine. The rambling rose briar; Rosa eglantine, holds the theme of a 'seam' in her dressmaker mistress' life! The allegorical reference here and power of Egg/Egglet has respectful significance. Her relationship with Olivia is a delight. There is a historical list of references to 'Eglantine': Cornish folk songs, Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream, drama; in a 1971 musical: Bed Knobs and Broom. Estate titles, furniture table designs, opera, handcrafted soap, let alone a character in a bawdy contemporary novel based in the 1800's. There was devilish behavior with smutty passages, too. But the whole tale held a wafting perfume throughout the surprising incidents!

i am only an occasional fan of romance novels - however, after picking this book up - i couldn't put it down - i was fully engaged from the onset ..from the lead characters being fully developed to the details/imagery in creating time and place and those steamy passages- just what you want in a good romance novel !- kudos to Ms. Russel - when's the next one coming out ???/

I have immensly enjoyed reading this novel.It went fast with almost burning speed to underline the fantastic story of love ,emerging from seemingly most negative circumstances.Beautifully written,great plot,breathtaking heroes!

(Posting on my husband's account) I love nothing more than a story where flawed people overcome their fears, risk being vulnerable, and find their deserved Happily Ever After. Ms. Russell’s Rhys and Olivia learn step by delicious step to drop their defenses in order to experience love. The strict parameters of this historical period only ratchet up the stakes and make the reader pull for these two all the more. I found myself holding my breath through the twists and turns of this beautifully crafted story. Thanks to Jess Russell for making my weekend a get-away without ever leaving home.

Enjoyed this Romance with all it's twists and turns, plus the characters who supported the yearning roles of Olivia and Rhys.

Can't wait for the next Jess Russell writing to hit the shelves! JG

I enjoyed this book very much. It's well written, and I read it in a couple of days. The main characters are both tortured and struggling to overcome their traumas, and the plot unfolded gradually, with a few surprises. The villains were 'very evil', and although some parts were predictable, the main characters were original and compelling enough to make me keep me reading and enjoying to the end.

Loved it, loved it , loved it!!! Great romantic story. First time I read a book by this author, and I'm so glad I did! The attraction between the characters, and the sexual tension through out the story was unbelievable. I could not put it down and this story had me hooked from the first page. Looking forward to more books from Jess Russell!