I normally love Sophie Jordan books but this one rise to the level of great. I didn't buy that the family of the duke would welcome a shop girl into their family and I also didn't buy that the duke would ask her to marry him.
Still, it was pretty good. ( )

While the Duke Was Sleeping
2 Stars

Series note: This is book #1 in the spin-off series of The Debutante Files.

Unfortunately, this is a disappointing retelling of one of my all-time favorite romance movies, While You Were Sleeping.

To begin with, it requires an enormous amount of suspension of disbelief to accept the premise of this plot in 19th Century England. The very idea that a duke would propose to a penniless, nameless shopgirl, who apparently wormed her way into his family's affections while he was in a coma, is simply ludicrous. Moreover, under no circumstances would the family of said duke welcome a strange nobody into their home with open arms, nor would they accept or encourage a union between them.

The romance itself is very weak. The hero, Struan MacKenzie, played a minor yet memorable role in the Debutante Files, but here, his enigmatic personality and questionable agenda have been toned down significantly. The heroine, Poppy Fairchild, is a complete Mary Sue. While she is sweet and endearing, Struan's attraction to her feels forced and they have little to no chemistry.

The secondary characters also leave much to be desired. The duke is an unlikable, self-absorbed and arrogant jerk; the Dowager Duchess, a thirty-something Spanish aristocrat, is a dithering ditz, and the duke's best friend allows a woman of questionable motives entrée into the family.

As these characters are the protagonists of subsequent installments, it is unlikely that I will continue with the series. My advice - watch the movie instead!





( )

I have no idea why this couple is together. Do they have anything in common? Or do they just like banging while the hero thinks the heroine’s fiancé is in a coma? Hmm.

Finished the book and I can’t say that question was ever answered. Also I’m solidly done with Scots being portrayed as beasts, tyvm. ( )

I love this book. I have seen the movie “While You Were Sleeping” a long time ago so I don’t remember the details and how much this book and that movie are similar. I love the characters. I feel as though the are relatable and realistic. I love the name Struan. Each character and the storyline kind of took a piece of my heart with them. Anyway, LOVE this book. ( )

My rating: 4.5 Stars

How far would you let a fantasy go? Poppy Fairchurch is forced to answer that very question. As a girl in a flower shop, her marriage options are quite limited. She dreams big, however, especially when it comes to the Duke of Autenberry. She fancies herself in love with him. Saving the Duke from a fight and an impending carriage accident leads Poppy down a very interesting trail. When she immediately runs into his handsome, bastard half-brother Stuan MacKenzie.

It doesn't take Poppy long after meeting Struan for her to realize that this man might actually be the man of her dreams, not the Duke. How awkward for her, especially, because there is a twist to her infatuation with the Duke. She tells his family that she is his fiance and they believe her. All but Struan. One look into Poppy's eyes and Struan just knows she is lying - and that he is incredibly drawn to her.

Sound familiar at all? Remember the blockbuster hit While You Were Sleeping? Yes, indeed. This retelling of that story was done with flair. I was drawn in from the first page and didn't let up with this book until I completed it.

I adored Poppy. Not only did she make the perfect heroine, she was the opposite of hapless. Not only was she extremely resourceful, but her role as a big sister made me smile more than once. Struan was pretty terrific too. He was a sexy Scot, and a self-made man, despite his illegitimate status. The Duke was fun, although he pretty much slept through the entire book. Imagine waking up engaged! The rest of the cast of characters were a delight as well. All in all, a terrific story and makes me want to carve out time to watch the related film.

While the Duke Was Sleeping is the first book in The Rogue Files series. It is followed by The Scandal of it All (2017), The Duke Buys a Bride (2018), and This Scot of Mine, which will be released in March, 2019.

Please see all of my reviews on my blog at www.robinlovesreading.com. ( )