Lady Perdita (Poppy) Selby marries the man of her dreams, John, the Duke of Fletcher (Fletch), but after four years of marriage their relationship has hit a rocky patch.  Their marriage is not what Fletch had envisioned and the lack of a satisfactory sex life has made him consider the possibility of acquiring a mistress.  Poppy’s idea of marriage and the marriage bed has been fashioned by her mother.  Fletch and Poppy reassess their marriage with Fletch still in love with her but she is not so sure she wants Fletch after all.  

At first glance, Poppy is a naïve girl.  She doesn’t seem to realize that her husband does not share her view of the state of their marriage.  She seems quite content with what she has.  Her eyes are opened when she sees Fletch with another woman and this sends her on a journey of growth and self-discovery.  Poppy slowly matures and becomes very likable as their story progresses.  She becomes a more complete and richer character.  Fletch is a fine hero.  The author allows us to get inside his head and he is likable from the start.  As the story goes on, this couple becomes stronger and the reader can see how well they mesh together.  The eroticism is on the light side but it works for this story.  

The second book in her “Desperate Duchesses” series, Ms. James, continues to expand the characters and storylines from the first book.  The Duke and Duchess of Beaumont’s relationship is entwined with Poppy and Fletch’s story.  The Duke of Villiers is featured prominently too.  The various storylines are neatly woven into a coherent book; serving only to whet the readers’ appetite for more – more of Jemma, Elijah as well as the Duke of Viliers – the next book can’t arrive too soon!!

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