Poppy has a crush on Marcus, the Duke of Autenberry. Poppy is a shopgirl and although she dreams of a life with the Duke, she knows there isn’t much chance Marcus will be interested in a poor girl working at a florist. However, when Marcus is about to get hit by a carriage, Poppy comes to the rescue and saves his life. Marcus is in a coma and Poppy accompanies him to his home where she meets his family. Due to a misunderstanding they think Poppy is his fiancée and she’s being welcomed with op...

Poppy has a crush on Marcus, the Duke of Autenberry. Poppy is a shopgirl and although she dreams of a life with the Duke, she knows there isn’t much chance Marcus will be interested in a poor girl working at a florist. However, when Marcus is about to get hit by a carriage, Poppy comes to the rescue and saves his life. Marcus is in a coma and Poppy accompanies him to his home where she meets his family. Due to a misunderstanding they think Poppy is his fiancée and she’s being welcomed with open arms. The only one who doesn’t believe Poppy is Struan, Marcus’s illegitimate half brother. Will Poppy be able to save herself from embarrassment if the truth comes to light?

Struan and his brother Marcus have a difficult relationship. Marcus doesn’t want to believe his father was less than perfect and blames Struan for his existence. Struan’s father never wanted him and Struan has always tried to prove himself, so he feels worthy. He’s smart and successful, but he will never have the family Marcus has. There’s something he desperately wants for himself though, Poppy. Struan doesn’t think his brother is seriously courting the woman, because Marcus is a haughty Duke and Poppy is a poor working class girl. When sparks fly he thinks about taking her from his brother, will he actually try this while his brother is sleeping?

While the Duke Was Sleeping is a sexy and entertaining romantic story. The sweet and caring shopgirl Poppy dreams of falling in love with a handsome man. She’s infatuated with Marcus, but doesn’t know much about him until she saves his life. At that moment she accidentally becomes part of his family and she fits right in. Everyone loves her, including Struan. He challenges her though and doesn't accept her story as the truth. Struan is tough and moody, but he also has a kind heart and a sensitive nature he hides well. They have plenty of chemistry and he’s inclined to show Poppy the passion she deserves. Of course this makes Poppy feel torn, which is a fantastic idea for a story. I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough to find out if Struan would win Poppy’s heart.

Sophie Jordan has a fabulous fast-paced writing style. Her story is filled with surprising twists and turns, fascinating people and complicated relationships. I loved every single page of While the Duke Was Sleeping. It’s a captivating and fun story that put a huge smile on my face. Poppy is a heartwarming main character and she’s a girl who deserves the best in life. Struan needs someone with a lovely personality who cherishes him, which makes them perfect for each other, but the circumstances definitely aren't. I like reading about a good challenge and that’s exactly what they are for one another. The result is a terrific feelgood book with plenty of true love, eventfulness and charm.

'While the Duke Was Sleeping' is a nice book, and I liked it. Ms. Jordan is a talented writer - her stories are well-plotted, and they have creative characters and situations. // This book is obviously a take-off on the movie 'While You Were Sleeping' only it's told in Regency times. The heroine, Poppy Fairchild works in a flower shop, and the Duke of Autenberry is one of the shops regular customers. He buys flowers for his paramours. Poppy allows herself to daydream about the Duke, and the p...

'While the Duke Was Sleeping' is a nice book, and I liked it. Ms. Jordan is a talented writer - her stories are well-plotted, and they have creative characters and situations. // This book is obviously a take-off on the movie 'While You Were Sleeping' only it's told in Regency times. The heroine, Poppy Fairchild works in a flower shop, and the Duke of Autenberry is one of the shops regular customers. He buys flowers for his paramours. Poppy allows herself to daydream about the Duke, and the possibility that he might notice her one day. // One day Poppy notices that the Duke is having an altercation with another man out on the street, and she runs out of the shop to help 'break-up' the fight. She does more harm than good, and the Duke ends up receiving a devastating head injury. // Poppy doesn't realize that the Duke is having a bit of a 'punch-out' with a man named, Straun MacKenzine, who is actually the Duke's illegitimate brother. // After the Duke's injury Poppy ends up going back to the Duke's home in London, and his family makes the mistake of thinking she's his fiancee. In the book how this mistakes happens is revealed. // Both Poppy and Straun spend time with the Duke's family at his London home, and they find themselves attracted to one another. This is going to be a problem. // So, you can see how this story unfolds in a similar manner to the movie on which it is based. The issue I have with the book, and the reason I won't give the story 5 Star rating is that Straun, although he is attracted to Poppy, at times comes across as abusive in his power over her emotions and physical attraction to him. // I liked the book, and I'm glad I read it, but I find myself thinking that Straun should have been developed in a less uncomfortable manner for modern readers. I stand by Ms. Jordan as a talented writer, and I will continue to read her books.

I liked the idea of this book as I love retellings of fairy tales. This was a retelling of one my favorite movies (inspired by a fairy tale) so it was like the best of both worlds!

Unfortunately, the time period the story was told in prevented me from really loving this story... solely based on the character choices that Ms. Jordan made. Making the "Peter" character a duke was far too unrealistic. It seemed criminal that the heroine, Poppy, led his family to believe she was betrothed. Marr...

I liked the idea of this book as I love retellings of fairy tales. This was a retelling of one my favorite movies (inspired by a fairy tale) so it was like the best of both worlds!

Unfortunately, the time period the story was told in prevented me from really loving this story... solely based on the character choices that Ms. Jordan made. Making the "Peter" character a duke was far too unrealistic. It seemed criminal that the heroine, Poppy, led his family to believe she was betrothed. Marriage in those times (money/family allegiances/power/titles) was far too serious a thing. Even the heroine wonders if she'll end up in Newgate for it. Further, the idea that the family would believe her story, even for a single second, was also unrealistic. The duke is a womanizer and very proud of his title. No way he would fall for a plain, lowly, shabby shopgirl with no obvious attributes that would appeal to him.

I just wish that the story had been told in a way I could lose myself in the romance. If the duke were lower gentry, for example, or if Poppy were at least from society. I know romance novels are fiction but it should at least be somewhat believable.

Also missing from this romance is the comedic aspect that was so appealing in While You Were Sleeping. The hero and heroine were far too hateful of each other... not the gentle, budding friendship that was so charming in the movie. The hero came across menacing and threatening and that was difficult as well.

This wasn't a total loss - I did read it front to back. I enjoyed many parts of the novel. I'm a huge fan of Sophie Jordan and I'll auto buy her books as long as she writes them.

Love how the hero is always chasing the heroine! Great story that is worth a read. Lots of sexy kissing over sex which was a nice change but don't worry that is there too.

Love how the hero is always chasing the heroine! Great story that is worth a read. Lots of sexy kissing over sex which was a nice change but don't worry that is there too.