Dukes Prefer Blondes

i love loretta chase. she has a knack for creating wonderfully clever and witty characters. this story is a perfect example of how masterful she is in the the development of each character. she skillfully brings each one to life with a such depth, you feel as though they actually exist. i absolutely adored clara and raven, and i was tickled throughout by all the characters. i truly LOL and often with this one. well done!!

A really enjoyable read. The main characters balanced each other, and all the other characters were perfect together. The author seemed to really challenge herself in creating such a unique and interesting book. I liked that this book was so different from other historical romances. For once the male lead was in danger, not the female! There was such clever whit and conversation and depth to these characters. She really out did herself. This book just came alive, I highly recommend it. This is some of her best work by far. Read it.

Love this book! Love the Characters I liked Clare from previous books but loved her in this book Raven is my favorite love him! Great read I hope the authors next book is not too far off love her books

In keeping with my obsession for all things historic romance, I honestly believed I had read more of Loretta Chase’s work than I have. Yet, this is the first I’ve read of her Dressmakers series even though it is the fourth book, but aside from reading from the start of the series (an issue I remedied with Christmas) I can’t think of a better way than to start in with Dukes Prefer Blondes. Clara is the daughter of a Marquess, exceptionally beautiful, much desired by several suitors and exceedingly bored by it all. Bored to tears actually, or in her case, bored into some rather impetuous decisions and behaviors. I adored Clara – she wanted to be seen as “more” than just another pretty face or decoration for some man’s house, and her curiosity leads her into both learning more about the plight of those less fortunate, but actually standing up to those who are behaving badly. (I loved that she went at the gang leader’s second in command). While commendable in theory, Clara’s actions have brought her into the limelight of some very nefarious men, known for extreme solutions to issues that may stand in their way. Oliver (Raven) is in line for a title he doesn’t really want from relatives that have an uncanny knack for doing themselves in through stupidity. A barrister, like his father, his childhood was spent being bullied by these self-same cousins through school: they were (and proved it) lunkheads to the end, while Oliver is quite observant, intelligent and not above taking a few risks if the resulting odds are favorable. These two are delightful together: moments from their first encounter that showed Clara was far from the “proper” girl that was expected of her, and little has changed. She’s desperate to not be bored to death, but aside from a need for excitement, her burgeoning understanding of the world, and the good and evil within it spur her onward to do more for those who will d from it. From her initial encounter with Oliver, where she is taken by his presence and cool demeanor to her desperate determination to have him see more than a pretty and spoiled unmarried woman in front of him, their conversations and growing affections are a treat to behold. Dialogue in this story pulls you in, puts you in the middle of the action and shows the core strength of both characters, while introducing secondary characters, attitudes and showing the growing esteem between them, adding to the character development and plot in almost equal measure. With interferences from family, servants, Oliver’s partner and the criminal element, it’s easy to see why Oliver not only came to love but truly enjoyed Clara: seeing deeply beneath the pretty girl to a woman who not only was strong and intelligent, but passionate, caring and a perfect option for a wife. Now I only have to start this series from the beginning to find more hours of enjoyment. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.