An entertaining read that surprised me a little. I didn't really think I would enjoy the modern aspects of the book, as well as a few little errors spAn entertaining read that surprised me a little. I didn't really think I would enjoy the modern aspects of the book, as well as a few little errors sprinkled here and there. These usually annoy me as a reader. But in this case, the author's writing style just carried me along. The characters were appealing: Jasper (aka Crispin) ex-spy, and former baron who has changed his name and abandoned his title. He has asthma, and used to have a stutter that still troubles him occasionally. CeCe the widowed countess with wild red hair, who has a secret skill as a forger.
It's set in the 1830s. The MCs fell in love as teens, and as they grew into young adulthood they began to explore their sexuality together. Cue a forced (by her parents) MOC for CeCe, with an uncaring, much older earl (who has now passed away). Jasper, devastated by the loss of his young lover, has made his way in the world and became a legendary spy. Many years have in fact passed, and both MCs are in their thirties. But they've never forgotten each other, and the book follows their somewhat rocky path to reuniting and a HEA.
Sumner's writing is appealing. You can really feel the chemistry between the MCs, and you so want them to get together. This is what makes the book, and encourages me to go and read more by this author.
I read this book based on a very positive review from a GR friend (thank you, Gloria!), and I don't regret it. What I perhaps do regret a little is jumping into the final book in a series, when I could have read the others first. They are on Kindle Unlimited, so no probs :) Yes you can read it as a standalone, but there are visits with past characters and references to events that are clearly from previous books. So I think that reading them in order would enrich the experience.
Having said that, I still 4-starred this book, and I'm now going to investigate the author's backlist and choose something else to enjoy :)
3.5 stars. I read this novella as it was a prequel to Tall, Dark and December which I had enjoyed, so I thought I'd go back and read about that MMC's 3.5 stars. I read this novella as it was a prequel to Tall, Dark and December which I had enjoyed, so I thought I'd go back and read about that MMC's brother in this prequel. It probably would have made more sense to read them in order LOL. As it was, I didn't enjoy the novella as much as the sequel novel.
All of the right ingredients seemed to be there (possibly too many tropes for a novella, actually), but somehow the first half dragged a little. I didn't feel drawn into the story of the two protagonists, so I put the novella aside for a while. Luckily, when I went back to it, I found the second half much more engaging, and I enjoyed the rest of their story. Hence the 3.5 stars, but rounded down due to the less engaging first half.
3.5 stars. This is a low-key, slow-moving, second chance romance of a 50-year-old man and a 49-year old woman. It was quite emotional in parts. The ki3.5 stars. This is a low-key, slow-moving, second chance romance of a 50-year-old man and a 49-year old woman. It was quite emotional in parts. The kind of story to savour slowly rather than race through to see what happens. Not everyone's cup of tea, I imagine.
Not a lot actually happens, and there is really no antagonist or any dramatic action. It's more a story of a middle-aged widow whose children have grown-up, seeking some solitude from her hectic life in order to find herself and some inner peace. Clarissa meets up again with Matthew, who she loved as a 17-year-old, although she barely recognised that at the time. She chose instead to make a more exciting marriage to a glamorous aristocrat, who has now been dead for five years.
Matthew was a slightly wild and rebellious young man, and throughout the book we see his backstory and his journey to find his own inner peace. Now a mature man who knows himself, but he still has some past family rifts to heal.
Clarissa and Matthew's friendship and relationship begins to redevelop, causing village gossip, and some angst and anxiety from Clarissa's grown children. Matthew, although born a gentleman, is now the village carpenter, and a talented wood carver. Not an appropriate partner for the Dowager Countess of Stratton.
So the scene is set for the gradual growth of their relationship. Although there are some sweet and emotional moments, because of the lack of an antagonist in the story, with no real baddie to cause mayhem or drama, those moments weren't as powerful for me as in some of Balogh's past books. I did enjoy the read overall, but the pace was perhaps a little too slow for me, and the story not quite as engaging due to the lack of drama. I don't mind a romance about more mature protagonists, but overall it was just a bit too low-stakes for me to give 4 full stars.
I did like the cover of this edition, with Matthew and Clarissa standing beneath a tree. This reflected a key scene from the story, and was an appealing image. Not a cliche cover. Nice....more
3.5 stars. Zoe Armstrong's story, the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Rannoch, from My False Heart. She has grown up playing with her distant 3.5 stars. Zoe Armstrong's story, the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Rannoch, from My False Heart. She has grown up playing with her distant cousins, the charming rogue Robert Rowland, and his more serious older brother Stuart, the children of Jonet Rowland from A Woman Scorned. The three of them are all grown-up now, except that emotionally it seems that none of them are fully mature yet. Through the twists and turns of the story, each of them really grows up, but with plenty of growing pains along the way.
Zoe struggles to accept society's attitude towards her. Illegitimate, fully acknowledged by her marquis father, but confused about her place in the world. She has become a bit of a tease and a heartbreaker., never sure of the motivation of the men who flirt with her, and she rarely takes them seriously. But when she and Robert are found in compromising circumstances, they are forced to get reluctantly engaged. The hijinks proceed from there......
The story turns into a bit of triangle, never my favourite trope. At least it's clear who she's going to end up with (Stuart, of course). But along the way, all three of them behave badly at times, and were sometimes hard to like. I found the story dragged a bit in parts, and also felt a bit repetitive sometimes. Fortunately, I'd read the other books in the series so I knew the background, and who all of the secondary characters were. I think that trying to read this as a standalone could potentially be a bit confusing and less satisfying.
So I was happy to revisit and read more about characters and a world I have really enjoyed from Carlyle's other books, but this particular one wasn't my fav from the series. Still worth reading, but I couldn't give more than 3.5 stars, as it did move too slowly at times for me. ...more
3.5 stars. A light, enjoyable and quick read. Maria and Phillip spent quite a lot of time as enemies, with Phillip in particular finding himself, as a3.5 stars. A light, enjoyable and quick read. Maria and Phillip spent quite a lot of time as enemies, with Phillip in particular finding himself, as a marquess, unable to seriously pursue a woman who was a 'mere' cook. Maria was more 'modern' in her outlook (it's set in 1895) and didn't see their differences as such a problem. But Phillip, always the proper gentleman, took longer to give in and admit he was in love with Maria.
A couple of plot points didn't fully gel with me. (view spoiler)[The coincidence of Maria finding the perfect shop to rent which was literally next door to her childhood frenemy Phillip. And Lawrence, who'd been in America for years, was living there too, having just arrived back in England a week earlier. Yeah, very convenient for the plot. The scene with Maria and the other girl bachelors and friends later in the book seemed a little unbelievable to me too. Why would she admit Phillip had asked her to marry him to this disparate group of older and younger ladies, some of whom she hardly knew? Hmmm. It felt unlikely. Also, Phillip's realisation he couldn't live without Maria felt very abrupt, and his established behaviour for most of the book was flipped on its head a little too suddenly for me. And in the series as a whole, Maria is the third (out of three) to marry a titled aristocrat, way above her class. Yes, it happened, probably more frequently as the twentieth century approached. But three out of three feels a bit too contrived by the writer. (hide spoiler)]
Oh well, in spite of these minor reservations that kept me from giving 4 full stars, I still enjoyed the read overall. I have one more to go in the quartet, which I will probably read at some point. ...more
3.5 to 4 stars. My first book by this author, and I would definitely consider reading more.
Quite an enjoyable romance about a thirty-something mother 3.5 to 4 stars. My first book by this author, and I would definitely consider reading more.
Quite an enjoyable romance about a thirty-something mother of three whose marriage has died. She is raising the children on her own, and she and her husband have recently decided to finalise things with a divorce.
Enter 'Scooter', or Ethan as he is known now. Ali is instantly attracted, and Ethan returns her interest. It does become a little awkward when Ali finds out that Ethan is actually her best friend's younger brother, returned to their small town to visit his family. They knew each other way back in school, but now they're both all grown-up.
As their 'summer romance' develops, both of them work through some issues from their pasts. Eventually they realise this is going to be long-term, not just for the summer, and they get their HEA.
The two more mature protagonists both felt quite realistic. Their romance was believable, and I liked the pacing of the story. Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.
3 to 3.5 stars. This book grew a little repetitive, sadly. The ending was nice, but it seemed to drag a bit in getting there. I didn't particularly li3 to 3.5 stars. This book grew a little repetitive, sadly. The ending was nice, but it seemed to drag a bit in getting there. I didn't particularly like Trix, the heroine. She felt indecisive and a bit weak to me, and it was a bit hard to see why William was still in love with her. I prefer my romance-reads heroines to have more self-knowledge and personal strength.
Trix had been raised under the thumb of a controlling and possessive father, after her mother scandalously ran off with another man and imploded the marriage. OK, it was understandable that as a result, Trix was nervous about stepping out of her comfort-zone. But I wanted her to mature a bit more quickly, and make some positive decisions for herself sooner than she did. Unfortunately, for most of the book, she kept second-guessing her relationship with William, and lacking the bravery to step into the future she really wanted. She almost always took the safe option, which I got at first, but for me it got a bit old when she just couldn't move on from that.
I did like the Edwardian period setting. William was an archaeologist (and a duke!) who was involved in the search for King Tutenkhamun's tomb in Egypt. All of this formed an interesting background, as did the lovely Cornwall setting of the house party. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to make me really love this book. It was a reasonable read, but for me nothing stellar. I had already read the second book in the series, Scandal of the Year, and really liked that one. I now plan to go on and read the third book, Trouble at the Wedding, and hope that it's as good as the second book was....more
3.5 stars. Kind of a second chance romance, although the first time around it seems to have been one-sided. Alyssa, although very young at the time, r3.5 stars. Kind of a second chance romance, although the first time around it seems to have been one-sided. Alyssa, although very young at the time, recognised a kindred spirit in Adam and fell in love with him, but Adam seems only to have liked her as a friend. Now they have met again and their slow-burn romance ensues, although it's not till very late in the book that it really culminates.
The book also has a kind of whodunnit mystery which was quite nicely developed alongside the growing romance. Overall, an entertaining read.
It was an okay read. Sweet and romantic with a couple of steamy moments, but also pretty cheesy. The super-rich capable handsome boss who falls for thIt was an okay read. Sweet and romantic with a couple of steamy moments, but also pretty cheesy. The super-rich capable handsome boss who falls for the 'lower-class' gardener's daughter who is also (luckily) quite clever and of course beautiful. The book felt too full of cliches. It felt a bit dated, too. Where are the diverse characters? BTW I think the main male character was blonde-haired, so why the dark-haired guy on the cover? Who is he, kissing our heroine???? LOL.
I read this whole series back in about 2016 and enjoyed them at the time. I thought I might try rereading the series, but I was a bit disappointed by the reread of this first one. Maybe my romance reading taste has simply moved on. I might try rereading some others in the series and see how I find them. But if you're looking for a sweet and undemanding romance read for some light entertainment, this might fit the bill. ...more
A fascinating book. Described by the author as "faction". About well-known historical figures with many letters by and about them as well as other hisA fascinating book. Described by the author as "faction". About well-known historical figures with many letters by and about them as well as other historical accounts and references about their lives available. The writer has relied on the known and woven a story about it, filling in the gaps with conversations and thoughts etc, but almost all of the events being known to have really taken place.
The heroine, Harriet Cavendish (or 'Haryo') was the second daughter of the famous "Duchess" (of Devonshire) about whom there is already a well-known book and film (both called 'Duchess'). Growing up in that crazy, unhappy household, she was brought up very strictly by the famous governess Selina Trimmer. Her unhappy mother did love her, but her father the duke seems to have been largely indifferent to her.
The hero, Granville Leveson-Gower, was much older than Harriet. They had known each other since Harriet was a child. Granville was apparently one of those gorgeous, charismatic people whom everyone adored and talked about and wanted to be with. Like a male equivalent of Princess Diana in terms of charismatic power, perhaps. Tall, handsome, intelligent, (went to uni at age 15), a highly effective diplomat from a young age etc etc.
Granville had a fifteen year affair with a much older woman, Harriet's aunt, the glamorous, gorgeous (and married!) Lady Bessborough. (Another charismatic person like Princess Diana). They had two illegitimate children together but could never marry as she did not wish to divorce and lose her other (legitimate) children. Their affair eventually evolves into mere friendship.
Granville and Harriet slowly fall in love and eventually marry. All of this takes place under the public eye, as every move of the 'Devonshire House set' is fodder for eager gossip, letters, newspaper articles, caricatures etc etc.
It is well-known that in the end Granville and Harriet had a long and happy marriage and that they truly loved each other. Granville apparently gave up his womanising ways and became a faithful and loving husband and father. A reformed rake - the beloved HR trope, but in this case a reality.
The story is a fascinating one, not least because of the secondary characters and the shocking behaviour of many of them. Carolyn Lamb, who fell in love with Byron. Elizabeth Foster, mistress of Harriet's father the duke, who was angling to marry him (and succeeded) etc.
The book itself is a strange combination of documentary-style retelling, and a typical novel. It's so interesting simply because of the subject matter, but it's kind of not one thing or the other - a novel or a biography. All the same, a vey interesting and enjoyable read....more
Another well-written book in this spy romance series. I enjoyed it even more on this reread, I think. This one could maybe be a standalone, but IMO itAnother well-written book in this spy romance series. I enjoyed it even more on this reread, I think. This one could maybe be a standalone, but IMO it's best to read at least some of the others in the series first.
Adrian and Justine are absolutely lovely together, and I loved that Adrian is (view spoiler)[ now Sir Adrian, head of the British Secret Service (hide spoiler)].
I've been reading the series in chronological order, and I already knew a bit about both of their pasts. There are basically two detailed and parallel stories in this book - one relating their back story, and one showing their reuniting in London, both of them now older and wiser (which I like). Both parts of their life needed to be told, so although I sometimes find books with two separate timelines to be frustrating to read, in this case it worked quite well.
There's plenty of suspense, drama and adventure in the story, including (view spoiler)[an assassination attempt on Napoleon himself, who actually appears briefly in this scene (hide spoiler)].
Bourne is a quality writer, with consistently good characterisation and historical knowledge. A series that's well worth reading....more
Set mostly in London, this book is set at the same time, or with a little overlap, as The Spymaster's Lady. IMO the whole series is better read in chrSet mostly in London, this book is set at the same time, or with a little overlap, as The Spymaster's Lady. IMO the whole series is better read in chronological order, which makes this the third book (with Spymaster's Lady the second). It helps you understand the characters and their back stories better, and overall makes it more enjoyable.
Camille has been hiding her real identity for most of her life. When she is suddenly put in danger, she runs into Thomas Paxton, a British spy. And a childhood friend. Like Cami, Thomas has also hidden his past deep within him. Both of them suffered abusive childhoods when they were French 'Caches', made into mini spies by their cruel masters. The events of their childhoods have shaped them.
I liked that Thomas was (view spoiler)[ a virgin. Also that his father was The Merchant. Then that The Merchant was a well-educated Englshman/traitor, and moreover the heir to an earl. And that Thomas really loved Cami and had no interest in all in the rich inheritance she was unexpectedly heir to. (hide spoiler)] All of this was revealed gradually, and it did build up interest and richness in the story. I also liked the whole crazy and energetic Baldoni family and their role in the story. Some really great characterisations there.
Overall I enjoyed this book more on this second time of reading it. The characters and plot are a little complicated at times, and I feel as if I understood it all much better this time around. I admire Bourne's writing and the depths of her characterisations, as well as her masterful grasp of the history of the period. I love all of the spy stuff in these books and she writes it so well. It's very convincing. An excellent series and I recommend.
Another intense and emotional read from Sherry Thomas. It's set in the very late nineteenth century, not a time period many HRs are set in, comparativAnother intense and emotional read from Sherry Thomas. It's set in the very late nineteenth century, not a time period many HRs are set in, comparatively speaking.
Bryony and Leo fall in love pretty quickly, and when they decide to marry, they believe everything will be wonderful and they will live happily ever after. But of course, life's not always like that.......
Right from the start of their marriage, things are awry. Bryony suddenly seems cold and frigid, and they are unable to communicate with each other. Neither understands the other. In quite a short time, the marriage is annulled and they go their separate ways.
The story jumps forward in time to several years later when the two of them meet again, but this time in the most exotic of settings. The story has moved from London to a far corner of northern India, a remote and rugged area. Leo, who was already in India (in another area), has come to bring Bryony back to England, as her father is very ill. The two of them set off on a journey through the wild countryside, accompanied by a group of Indians who assist them on their travels. Along the way they get caught up in a local war, and are trapped for some time in the midst of an extraordinary battle. In the face of isolation and the dangers around them, Bryony and Leo find their 'masks' are stripped away, and they finally begin to really communicate with each other. Still in love with each other, they finally peel back the layers and the misunderstandings surrounding their short marriage.
This is a fascinating and lovely story. The setting is fabulous - interesting and well-depicted. The stormy relationship between Leo and Bryony just carries you along. Slowly you start to understand them and see what went wrong with their marriage, as they reveal their truths to each other. And you feel their pain and anguish. And their love.
I like the intensity of Sherry Thomas' books. There is always a depth to her characters. These MCs are a professor of mathematics (Leo) and a surgeon (Bryony), both highly intelligent on one level, but both struggling with their ability to understand and express their emotions. So when they do really connect with each other, the payoff for the reader is very satisfying. An enjoyable read.
BOTM for HRBC September 2022 - Second Chance trope...more
2.5 to 3 stars. Somehow for me this book just wasn't as good as the others in the series. I liked the MCs and they were nice together - they did balan2.5 to 3 stars. Somehow for me this book just wasn't as good as the others in the series. I liked the MCs and they were nice together - they did balance each 0ther out, as both of them came to realise eventually. But for me the plot wasn't that interesting. It felt a little too much like Enid Blyton's Secret Seven. I admit I did some skimming, especially in the second half of the book.
I really liked the development of Zoe and Lucien's relationship. They were so good for each other, and there were no annoying miscommunications etc etI really liked the development of Zoe and Lucien's relationship. They were so good for each other, and there were no annoying miscommunications etc etc. I enjoyed the mystery with the servants. Lucien showed compassion and restraint, which I liked. His respect and love for Lord Lexham, who had been a surrogate father to him, was also admirable. I felt Ms Chase handled the grief Lucien must have experienced in his life in a realistic way. And the childhood-friends-reunited-as-adults trope worked well.
I also liked the sympathy with which Ms Chase mentions the Prince Regent and the royal family. Instead of depicting them as self-indulgent figures of fun (which is so easy to do), she shows respect and a little human understanding in regards to the numerous challenges and tragedies they faced.
I didn't mind the harem girl storyline. On the surface, it's pretty far-fetched, with Zoe newly returned to her family in London at age 24 after finally escaping a harem in Egypt. She had been kidnapped as a twelve-year-old while on holiday with her parents, and spent the time since in the harem as a 'wife' to a man who is impotent, and so she somehow remained a virgin. Finally she seizes a chance to escape, and is returned to England, but she has grown-up in a very non-English culture, and is not the same as the other young English ladies.
At first I thought, yeah, right, how could Zoe still be a virgin? I mean, really. But actually, the writer did a pretty good job of setting up the storyline and making it believable. She explained the back-story and the circumstances quite convincingly enough for this reader, at least, to suspend her disbelief.
This was quite a short novella - a short story, really. At only 39 (kindle) pages, it was really too short to get to know or care much about the charaThis was quite a short novella - a short story, really. At only 39 (kindle) pages, it was really too short to get to know or care much about the characters.
It fits in to the Survivors Club series, as Julian is the heir of the Duke of Stanbrook from that series, and Philippa is expected to become engaged to Viscount Darleigh, the blind protagonist of the next book in the series, The Arrangement. But Philippa and Julian have known each other since childhood and now they are together, they want to declare their love and marry each other.
Darleigh meanwhile, takes off into the unknown after his smothering family try to force him into an unwanted marriage. So it's really just a sweet little prequel to The Arrangement. By no means necessary to read before The Arrangement, but it does add a little bit of background to that book....more
[Review June 2022] A reread after a few years. My 4 stars still stand. An enjoyable paranormal romance with a focus mainly on wolf shifters/werewolves[Review June 2022] A reread after a few years. My 4 stars still stand. An enjoyable paranormal romance with a focus mainly on wolf shifters/werewolves. It takes place in Dark's 'Mageriverse' so there are some other kinds of magical creatures popping in and out now and then. It's also set in the 'real world' with interactions with humans as well.
I like Ms Dark's 'voice' in this series. Lexi is a likeable character, on one level a very 'ordinary' woman, but that's her appeal. She is completely no BS, and I had forgotten how funny she is too. Austin is an excellent character as well. An alpha, but not OTT, and in this book, just kind of finding his way as leader of his new pack, while still clearly an alpha. He and Lexi are well-suited. I remember enjoying this whole series when I first read it. A different take on werewolves/pnr/urban fantasy....more
3 to 3.5 stars. A bit cheesy and old school in flavour, and I'm not a fan of the ghosty stuff. But a sweet romance. I enjoyed the depiction of Clare's3 to 3.5 stars. A bit cheesy and old school in flavour, and I'm not a fan of the ghosty stuff. But a sweet romance. I enjoyed the depiction of Clare's day-to-day life as she tries to fit in work and wrangle three little boys - it rang true with me. The euphemistic descriptions in the sex scenes feel a little dated - feels more 90s than 2011 when it was published. There was also a bit too much of the lovingly described detail about the renovations of the old inn. But overall I still enjoyed the read....more
3.5 stars. A reread after some years, and I had actually forgotten whodunnit, although I had a fair idea. I enjoyed Ms Carlyle's fine writing as usual3.5 stars. A reread after some years, and I had actually forgotten whodunnit, although I had a fair idea. I enjoyed Ms Carlyle's fine writing as usual. This one however, was IMO not quite as good as some of her other books. It was too slow-burn for me, and it took too long for Cam and Helene to come to their senses and admit their love for each other.
The dramatic ending section when the baddie revealed themselves was done well, and was quite gripping. Along the way however, I'm sad to say the book dragged a little at times for me. Cam was a little too emotional and intense, although Helene's calm good sense and practicality were a good balance for him.
I did like the background the book gave for the young Bentham Rutledge, Cam's brother, who gets his own book later, (The Devil You Know). We also met Cam's sister Catherine (from No True Gentleman), when she was younger and still married to Will. I do like series with related characters of whom we get glimpses and tidbits in other books like this. But second chance isn't usually amongst my preferred tropes, and that was the case with this book too. So although I enjoyed it overall, it's not a fav by this author....more