The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James

Cybil: 47

Belinda: The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James was funny, endearing and so emotional. I liked how the author gave her characters depth in dealing with the trials of life. As the title states, a woman being called "ugly" is such a horrible name. Sometimes people can be cruel and opinionated. When Theodora Saxby and James Ryburn were growing up, they became the best of friends. Even though James was heir to the Duke of Ashbrook, he always regarded Theodora as "Daisy" because of her fabulous hair. Daisy thought herself plain and thin like a boy. But her outlook on life was not dimmed and she continued on. Then one day James's Father tells his son that he has lost a huge amount of money including Theodora's inheritance. He goes on to tell James he must marry Theodora or he will be thrown in prison and scandal is the outcome. James hates his Father for putting in this situation and says yes to the plan. But when a drunk James corners Daisy at a ball, he's caught kissing her. Daisy is so overwhelmed and sees James in a whole new light. She is over the moon and happy that her James who is tall and handsome wants her as his wife. Then the newspapers in London start to call Theo the Ugly Duchess and is mortified. James convinces his Daisy that he loves her and she believes him. They are happy as two people can be, then tragedy strikes. When Daisy overhears a conversation between her husband and father-in-law, she is devastated. The only reason James married her was for the money not her heart. I really can't give more away, so please read and find out if James and Daisy get their happy ever after.