3.5 stars, rounded down. Set in late-Victorian-era London. Could be read as a standalone. The MCs are in their thirties. Many years after an abortive 3.5 stars, rounded down. Set in late-Victorian-era London. Could be read as a standalone. The MCs are in their thirties. Many years after an abortive attempt to elope together when they were quite young, they run into each again. Now, both are engaged to other people. But after the initial shock of seeing each other again wears off, their old attraction rears its head, and they fall right back in love.
I liked the setting/era, and I didn't mind the plot line, although the length of time our lovers were apart felt a bit too long (10 years+). Both of the 'current' engagements were going to be marriages of convenience, so there were no icky concerns about OW/OM. But somehow as the story unrolled, I didn't get as fully drawn in as I hoped. It felt repetitive at times, as Kay, the MFC, seemed to be continually going over her frustrations with the turns her life had taken. She felt she had no other options but to marry her rich American older fiancé, even though she was starting to resent his controlling and slightly creepy overseeing of all her actions. But I did grow a little tired of her thoughts about her past playing on repeat.
Devlin the MMC was a likeable enough character, but unfortunately he felt a bit flat and two-dimensional. As a result, his rekindled romance with Kay was a bit underwhelming for me. I didn't feel particularly invested in either of the MCs.
So it was an enjoyable enough book, but nothing too memorable and outstanding for me, sadly. I had recently reread this author's And Then He Kissed Her, a much better book IMO, so in the end I felt a bit disappointed by this one. Oh well. It wasn't dreadful, just not that great....more
An enjoyable Brockway read with a classic enemies to lovers scenario. I liked the way the plot unrolled, beginning with both protagonists being placedAn enjoyable Brockway read with a classic enemies to lovers scenario. I liked the way the plot unrolled, beginning with both protagonists being placed in a difficult position, forcing them to vie for future ownership of an inheritance. Then they exchange snarky but heartfelt letters, gradually getting to know each other each other. The letters section wasn't overdone, but handled nicely by the author.
Both MCs were interesting and appealing characters. When Avery returns from his travels and actually meets Lily in person, they start to fall for each other. But what's nice about this book is that the letters came first, and they have already begun to fall for each other's minds and personalities before they ever actually meet (despite being 'enemies').
There are some lovely humorous moments in Brockway's trademark style. There is also a 'found family' feel to the book, with various needy secondary characters gathering together at Mill House as the story develops.
An engrossing story with unconventional characters, that kept me engaged right to the end. Nice....more
30 Jan 2025. DNF at 37%. No rating. I'm sure many will enjoy the read. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I simply lost interest, and decided to move on to30 Jan 2025. DNF at 37%. No rating. I'm sure many will enjoy the read. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I simply lost interest, and decided to move on to something else. Oh well, another author I tried but didn't love. *shrug*...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 to 3.5 stars. Set in the late Victorian era (late 1890s), it's about a woman who is an aspiring writer, and her slow-burn romance with a once highly3 to 3.5 stars. Set in the late Victorian era (late 1890s), it's about a woman who is an aspiring writer, and her slow-burn romance with a once highly successful writer who is now suffering extreme writer's block. They set out to help each other with their writing, and inevitably fall in love.
There is a lot about the writing process in this book, and it was kinda interesting in that sense. Sadly, I didn't really like either of the MCs that much. Daisy was a little too blunt and outspoken, yet very naive in many ways. She felt younger than her years (late twenties). I prefer protagonists who know themselves a little better and aren't so impulsive.
As for Sebastian, he was a bit too jaded for me. (view spoiler)[I know he was still battling against his former cocaine addiction, but his plan to seduce Daisy seemed pretty cynical to me, (hide spoiler)] and I found it a bit hard to really warm to him. I guess he did redeem himself in the end, but it took most of the book for him to come to his senses, and it started to drag a little because of that. But in general, I'm not normally a fan of books about (view spoiler)[ recovering addicts (hide spoiler)] anyway. A bit too full-on for my escapist romance reading pleasure....
So the writing was decent, as usual with this writer. But I didn't enjoy the book anywhere near as much as And Then He Kissed Her, the first book in this series, which I recently read. I may still read the other two books at some point. We'll see.
I was a little disappointed in this one. It was OK. I liked the Edwardian Age setting, but sadly I didn't really like the MFC, Diana. To me her life sI was a little disappointed in this one. It was OK. I liked the Edwardian Age setting, but sadly I didn't really like the MFC, Diana. To me her life seemed a little empty and meaningless. She enjoyed fashion, gossip, the social whirl. Fine. But there didn't seem to be much point or depth to her lifestyle. Her reasons for abruptly breaking off her engagement with Rupert also seemed a little unfair and lacking in empathy. She is judgmental and slow to understand or forgive.
Rupert, a soldier who had fought alongside Diana's late brother, Jem, at Mafeking in the Boer War, was perhaps a bit more likeable. He and Jem had been best friends, but only Rupert survived the battlefield and came home. It takes most of the book for the truth about the shadowy events of that time to be revealed.
The plot line was OK, if fairly straightforward and simple. But I kept waiting to start liking Diana, and I never did, really. So therefore, only 3 stars. If she was a more sympathetic character, it could have been a 4 star read. Oh well..... But at this point I'm not inclined to try the other two books in the trilogy. Maybe at some point? But not just now....more
3.5 to 4 stars. Another solid addition to the series. Parth and Lavinia's story. Could stand alone, but probably more enjoyable and makes more sense i3.5 to 4 stars. Another solid addition to the series. Parth and Lavinia's story. Could stand alone, but probably more enjoyable and makes more sense if you've been reading the series in order (as I have).
Parth is a likeable hero - an orphaned Anglo-Indian child who was raised in England by the Wilde family, almost like another of their (many) sons. He has a good head for business and is already quite a rich man. Lavinia is a talented designer and needlewoman, but both she and others underestimate her skills and abilities.
The path to happiness for Lavinia and Parth as a couple is somewhat rocky. Parth is not good at communicating (or even understanding) his real feelings. Lavinia has a few self-esteem issues, mostly stemming from the under-parenting from her mother, who is addicted to laudanum. But eventually of course they find their way to a HEA. An enjoyable read. ...more
3.5 to 4 stars. I liked this one, about the sad Eugenia (Ginny) who was still grieving for her much-loved husband Robert. Fox was Robert's best friend3.5 to 4 stars. I liked this one, about the sad Eugenia (Ginny) who was still grieving for her much-loved husband Robert. Fox was Robert's best friend, and unbeknownst to Ginny, Fox had been in love with her for years. But Ginny hated Fox, for some things from years ago, before they all really knew each 0ther. Now they have met up again, it takes time for them to sort out their feelings and finally realise the love is on both sides and they belong together.
So it's kind of an enemies-to-lovers story, except that Fox is in love with Ginny while she initially hates him. There is some great banter between them as a result. They start an affair, and like the other book in this series, it's quite a steamy book.
There is also an interesting secondary romance for Hester, a young lady that Ginny has been sponsoring into the ton.
I liked the last, culminating scene of this book, which assembled the cast and was almost like a farce on the stage, with all of the unexpected revelations and events. It was great. It was also clearly a set-up for Book 3, Not Sinful Enough, but sadly this book doesn't seem to be available. Darn. Oh well, I enjoyed the first two books, anyway, even though they are steamier than I usually read. ...more
3.5 to 4 stars. The second book in this Edwardian age trilogy about three clever and independent sisters. This one revolves around Prudence, and King'3.5 to 4 stars. The second book in this Edwardian age trilogy about three clever and independent sisters. This one revolves around Prudence, and King's Counsel Sir Gideon Malvern. The two dislike each other at first, but have to work together on a libel case involving the three sisters, which gradually draws them together. Their father is also indirectly involved in the case.
Whilst I did not perhaps enjoy this book quite as much as the first book, it was still a good read. I liked both Gideon and Prudence. The way the case was resolved was satisfying, and it was a fairly quick and straightforward read. I would not recommend it as a standalone, however. The father's storyline overlaps both books, and it might be a little confusing without having read the first one first. I think reading the books in order helps readers get to know the three sisters and the ins-and-outs of them and their family.
I plan to go straight on and read Chastity's story with her Scottish doctor, The Wedding Game.
A very enjoyable read. I liked this one more than the first book in the series, and now I look forward to the release of Book 3, Jenny and Ben's storyA very enjoyable read. I liked this one more than the first book in the series, and now I look forward to the release of Book 3, Jenny and Ben's story, Always Remember: Ben's Story.
The plot of this book was not your usual cliche HR story. It felt like a fresh storyline, which was great. It took place in London around the time of the great Battle of Waterloo, before, during and after. One of the secondary characters was fighting there, but it was mostly just a background to this story. It felt historically accurate, though, and gave a richer feel to the story. It must have been an incredible time to live through, confusing, frightening, and ultimately victorious but still at an enormous cost to both sides, which the writer acknowledges.
A nice aspect of the story was the elderly Duke and Duchess of Wilby, Luc's grandparents. They are old and frail, but desperately want to live to see Luc marry and have a child of his own. Their long marriage and their devotion to each other was a charming addition to the book.
A nice little surprise was a couple of fleeting mentions of the Duke of Bedwyn and his sister Morgan, who star in Balogh's Bedwyn series. (Slightly Dangerous, the duke's story, is one of my top fav HRs). I love that Balogh did this little cross-sharing with perhaps her best series (IMO).
Remember Me is a slow-burn book, and the whole story is paced quite slowly. But it moves along steadily and builds to a truly wonderful, emotional concluding section. I don't often cry when reading, but I did this time, to my surprise.
Overall, a well-written, period-accurate and emotional historical romance. Thanks heavens Mary Balogh is still writing :)...more
3.5 to 4 stars. A quick, mostly enjoyable CR set in the world of science academia. The romance itself is quite slow burn, but they make a cute couple,3.5 to 4 stars. A quick, mostly enjoyable CR set in the world of science academia. The romance itself is quite slow burn, but they make a cute couple, and I was engaged enough in their story to read through to the end. The book was a little science heavy for this kind of light romance novel, but I suppose the wordy science stuff did give a touch of realism to the characters. It was easy to skim over these sections anyway. The storyline about Elsie's mentor was predictable, but it did help drive the story. I did not really enjoy the faux-dating thing though. Ugh. What a sad and horrible concept. But in spite of a few reservations, (and an unappealing cover) it was overall a decent read.
3.5 stars. I enjoyed the 2nd Century Roman Britain setting of this novel. It's not a common setting for a HR. It took place mostly in Caledonia (Scotl3.5 stars. I enjoyed the 2nd Century Roman Britain setting of this novel. It's not a common setting for a HR. It took place mostly in Caledonia (Scotland) with the later part of the book moving south to Hadrian's Wall in northern England. It's a long way back in time, but the writer made it interesting and credible. Although the main focus of the book is a romance, the historical aspects felt convincing.
Justin (Justinian) was a Roman general whose command was one of the furthest outposts of the Roman Empire, in wild Caledonia. Fenella was one of the local people, the Picts, as the Romans referred to them, meaning the Painted People (due to the blue woad they wore on their bodies at times). Fenella reluctantly ended up as a slave in Justin's household. Their relationship took a while to warm up. Fenella did not trust the Romans, and her plans were only to escape. But over time their mutual attraction tuned into more, and the enemies became lovers.
No doubt many readers of Scottish or northern English origins have distant ancestors such as these, from when the Roman invaders intermingled with the local people. There was a shortage of women in the Roman forts, and doubtless relationships with local women were plentiful. The storyline felt believable. Even the sternest military leaders have a private life too, and this was the focus, especially in the later part of the book. Overall, an enjoyable read, and I would be happy to read more HRs set in Roman Britain.
3.5 stars. A quick read. it was interesting to see the American Revolutionary War through the eyes of slaves. A decent read, although it did suffer fr3.5 stars. A quick read. it was interesting to see the American Revolutionary War through the eyes of slaves. A decent read, although it did suffer from the typical novella issues of all the action and romance being a bit rushed and compressed. Still, I enjoyed the read. This was a March 2022 BOTM for HRBC - 'All's fair in love and war' theme....more
3.5 stars. I liked the romance between Jeffree and Sabina. (view spoiler)[ His obsession with her hair, particularly her braids, was cute. (hide spoil3.5 stars. I liked the romance between Jeffree and Sabina. (view spoiler)[ His obsession with her hair, particularly her braids, was cute. (hide spoiler)] The gradual growth in Jeffree was nice to see after his dry and loveless upbringing. Sabina truly brought him out of himself.
It took quite a while for Sabina to realise her own feelings, in fact a bit too long. Although I enjoyed the read overall, this was my problem with the book - for me it was too long. About 3/4 through, the business with (view spoiler)[Sabina's sister Isemay (hide spoiler)]was a little confusing and seemed to just drag on. I admit I did a little bit of skimming here. The epilogue with (view spoiler)[ Jeffree abasing himself before the queen also felt a little bit unbelievable, almost ridiculous to me. I couldn't really see the point of the scene. (hide spoiler)]
I'm still on the fence about the setting of this series. I find it hard to fully get into the zone of this pseudo-medieval world. I guess it does give the writer certain freedoms, but for me personally I would prefer it be set in the real world in medieval times, still with made up characters, but with real places and customs.
So yeah - a decent read, but too long and would have been more enjoyable for me if a couple of sections got the chop.
My kindle edition has a very nice cover, with (presumably) Sabina in a lovely deep red dress. Nice....more
An enjoyable and very readable adventure romance set in the South Seas, or as we might refer to it today, the islands of the South Pacific Ocean. It'sAn enjoyable and very readable adventure romance set in the South Seas, or as we might refer to it today, the islands of the South Pacific Ocean. It's a bit Indiana Jones, a bit Romancing the Stone. The hero, Jack, is an Australian who grew up on a sheep station in Queensland, and went on to serve with the British Navy. Now in disgrace, he is on the run from a slightly obsessed British naval captain and his lieutenant who are under orders to capture him.
The heroine, India McKnight, is a likeable and independent young Scot who makes her living travelling to exotic locations around the world and writing books about her travels.
Jack and India meet on a South Pacific Island when India hires him to be a guide. And let the adventures begin! There are crazy chases through the jungle and by sea, navigation through terrifying reefs, spooky caves full of skulls, a sinking raft, a giant phallic sculptural artefact, a rescue from cannibals (yes, really!), a fistfight on the edge of a cliff, secret documents hidden in a cave.... and so it goes on. Lots of fun, although the story did get rather angsty at times, especially for Jack and his terrible past experiences.
But it's balanced out by moments of sheer beauty and the glory of the natural world around them. Jack and India form a strong and deeply felt relationship, and the ending of the book is satisfying, with redemption, a HEA, and some surprises.
Ms Proctor is very good at conveying the fabulous settings of her books. She is becoming a new favourite author of mine. A pity she did not write many HRs, but at least they are available on kindle now.
3.5 to 4 stars. A repressed English woman stranded in Port Adelaide, South Australia in the 1860s is forced by circumstance to take a position as gove3.5 to 4 stars. A repressed English woman stranded in Port Adelaide, South Australia in the 1860s is forced by circumstance to take a position as governess to three rowdy children in the Australian outback. The children's father, grandson of a convict, is raising them alone, as his wife walked out several years ago, when the youngest child was a baby. They fall in love and finally marry.
A familiar trope, (falling in love with the nanny) but a very different and beautifully drawn setting. As an Australian, I really appreciated the setting and historical elements of this book. It's mostly set in the Flinders Ranges, north of Adelaide, a rugged, remote, dusty, and beautiful place. I'm lucky enough to have visited the area, and I can well recall its magnificent beauty, the extraordinary quality of the light, and the remnants of the dusty ruins of stone buildings abandoned by the early settlers such as those depicted in this book. The settlers naively lacked any understanding that the district was totally unsuitable for the kind of farming they tried to introduce, and most were driven out by drought and difficulty.
So the storyline felt quite fresh to me in this unique setting, and the characters' experiences rang true. I liked Amanda and I enjoyed her slow journey towards loving the outback and its people, as well as her romance with Patrick. Patrick was well-drawn and likeable as well. He felt very Australian, and his love for his children was admirable. His persistence in the face of incredible challenges was also to be admired.
So I enjoyed the read. Now I'm sad I've finished all three of Ms Proctor's Australian-set historical romances in short order. Boo. None left to read now. I will try her other HRs with different settings and see how I find them. Maybe I will try her Sebastian St Cyr books one day too.
But I recommend this one if you like HR, whether you are Australian or not. A quality writer....more
Quite a disappointing read. I have really liked some books by this author in the past, but this one was very average for me. There are some good revieQuite a disappointing read. I have really liked some books by this author in the past, but this one was very average for me. There are some good reviews of it, though, so don't let my grumpy thoughts stop you from trying this yourself. These are just my personal reflections after reading.
I think part of the problem for me is the trope itself. The three difficult dukes (shades of Madeline Hunter's Decadent Dukes???) were established in the previous book, (which I didn't much enjoy either.) I think Ms Chase worked too hard to make her dukes seem roguish and rakish, and they simply come across as immature, drunken idiots.
In this book the writer seemed to be working very hard to redeem her naughty duke, but it just dragged on and on. Yes the duke did change his ways and become a more mature person, but it all happened in the space of a mere eight weeks, and one wonders how the already-established drunken habits of a lifetime of immorality will change so readily. Hmmmm. Will it last? Maybe?
The actual getting together of the two leads took way too long, as well. There was too much of the 'I'm not worthy of you' 'No you're not but I have secretly always loved you anyway' stuff. Unfortunately, I wasn't invested enough in either character to care very much as it all dragged on. I didn't like the duke in particular. Yes he was changing for the better, but he was a grown man who till now had for many years simply lived a thoughtless, pointless, idiotic, uncaring, drunken life. Not my kinda guy........
I found the moment when (view spoiler)[ Cassandra dressed as a man to sneak in and tell the duke she was in love with him (hide spoiler)] just too far-fetched and unnecessary. There must have been a better plot device to do this. Then I rolled my eyes and started skimming (view spoiler)[ when the ridiculous blackmail plot was revealed. Thank heavens Cassandra told her parents, and I started to read more fully again. (hide spoiler)]
There wasn't a lot about why the duke wanted to marry Olympia in the first place, which is fair enough because it related to the previous book, but I still wasn't convinced. He lurched from this strange engagement to someone he hardly seemed to know or care about, to a quick reform into a caring, enlightened man who fell deeply in love with another woman. Hmmmm.
I found the section near the end that focused on The Vindication of The Rights of Women to be too much like proselytising, I'm afraid, and the writer desperately trying to convince readers that yes, the leopard had miraculously changed his spots. Again, it didn't convince.
Not sure whether I'll bother with the third book when it's released....more
3.5 stars. Whilst I enjoyed it overall, I did find some of the behaviour of the MCs pretty juvenile, for supposedly adult characters. Not my fav of Ms3.5 stars. Whilst I enjoyed it overall, I did find some of the behaviour of the MCs pretty juvenile, for supposedly adult characters. Not my fav of Ms Canterbary's books....more
I really enjoyed this book, my first by this author, and I intend to read more - at least her other two HRs set in Australia, anyway. I also just founI really enjoyed this book, my first by this author, and I intend to read more - at least her other two HRs set in Australia, anyway. I also just found out Proctor is also C.S. Harris, author of the popular Sebastian St Cyr books (although I haven't read any of them).
A well-written and historically accurate story set in the wild and raw period of the early 1800s in New South Wales, Australia. A lovely romance forms the basis of the story, and I really enjoyed the development of Bryony's relationship with Captain Hayden St John, late of the British Indian Army. It was a bit of a slow burn, but there was lots of UST (almost too much at times) as the captain lusted after his assigned convict woman, and she equally lusted after him. Finally they gave in and got together, but the story doesn't end there, and there were further twists and turns to come before the lovely and satisfying epilogue.
Hayden had lost his wife in childbirth, leaving him with a tiny son to care for. Bryony was an English convict, a widow, assigned to look after the baby. Their at times angsty story takes place mainly in the setting of Hayden's farm on the Hawkesbury River out of Sydney. Although the farm itself is fictional, the places in the book are real, and as an Australian this added an extra layer of interest for me. I very much enjoyed the historical setting.
But the amazing story of Hayden and Bryony's experiences, both together and before they knew each other, was fascinating and kept the story moving. I found it a very involving read. The cruel events that occurred did actually take place for many of Australia's early settlers, and one has to admire their persistence and courage in the face of tragedy and constant challenges.
The secondary characters were interesting and added to the story. Overall it was well written, and I'm keen to read more by this writer. Although first published in 1997, it didn't feel dated, except perhaps for several references to "loins" tightening. Oh dear. Otherwise, no purple prose or other dated features, and it didn't have the feel of a bodice ripper. Just a darned good read.
I read this book for the RATA 2021 challenge with HRBC, January setting: Around the World (other than Britain or America).
A cute novella. Introducing a new series - about teachers, maybe? This first one is anyway. It's connected to the Walsh series because it's two teacheA cute novella. Introducing a new series - about teachers, maybe? This first one is anyway. It's connected to the Walsh series because it's two teachers from the school Lauren Walsh started. I quite like the idea of the story, but it suffers from the typical novella difficulties of feeling a little rushed and insta-lovey and lacking sufficient character development. A quick, easy read, but I would rather have read a novel-length version. ...more