(Review) Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath

Title: Once More, My Darling Rogue
Author: Lorraine Heath
Series: Scandalous Gentlemen of St. James, #2
Published: August 2014 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Paperback borrowed from the library

Summary: Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can’t escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he’s not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning he realizes she doesn’t remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she’s his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

While Ophelia might not recall her life before Drake, she has little doubt she belongs with him. The desire she feels for her dark, brooding employer can’t be denied, regardless of consequences. So when her memory returns, she is devastated by the depth of his betrayal. Now Drake must risk everything to prove she can trust this rogue with her heart once more.

I went into Once More, My Darling Rogue very excited but also a little hesitant. I'm not always a fan of amnesia stories. Although they can be enjoyable, a lot of them wind up blending together in my mind because they're so similar. In order for me to desire to read one, I need something more. The heroine being completely hateful to the hero, followed by the hero taking advantage of the heroine's amnesia and making her act as his housekeeper? That'll do it. I knew Heath would have to tread carefully, because while the story would definitely be unique, it could also be the perfect setting for a good, old-fashioned alphahole, the fastest way to ruin a book. Thankfully, my trepidation was for naught. I fell head over heels for this book and devoured it in a day.

Let's start with the characters. In the beginning, Ophelia Lyttleton was kind of horrid. And I LOVED it. She was spoiled by servants, totally taking them for granted, and you know what? That's real. Highborn ladies of the time were pampered, waited on hand and foot by servants. They weren't expected to do anything for themselves. She was of the upper class, and she was well aware of it, having been raised by a father who drilled into her their superiority to those of lower birth. It was incredibly refreshing to see this, even though it did not make her the most likable of heroines at first. In addition, she was a total witch to the Drake, snubbing him repeatedly in front of others. To be fair, we mostly saw this from his perspective and memories, and the small glimpse we got into Ophelia's head showed that she was using this behavior as a defense mechanism against her attraction toward to Drake, someone with whom she could never be associated without losing her dowry and what was left of her family. There was also a lot more going on beneath the surface with her, secrets she did not reveal even in her thoughts until much later in the story.

Then there was Drake. I think the first line says it all:

I was born Peter Sykes, the son of a murderer, the son of a woman murdered, a heritage that has always haunted me.

Um, HELLO. Way to make an impression with the first line. It wasn't at all what I expected when I cracked open the book. That first line captivated me, and I continued to be intrigued by Drake through the whole book. He was smart, a great businessman, intimidating, but fair, but he had innate inferiority issues due to his birth, despite being raised in a duke's family. (I was completely intrigued by his pseudo-adoptive parents, as well, and I really hope Heath has written their story at some point in the past. I got that impression, and I would love to read it!) He also had a dragon tattoo. I'll let you read the book to discover where, but I'll just say that there was a scene about it that caused some definite swoonage.

Drake and Ophelia each brought out the worst in each other. She was mean to him to keep him at a distance, and the easiest method was to remind him of his inferiority. This was his one big weakness, the one issue that would really get to him. While usually in amnesia stories, I prefer to know how the hero and heroine would have gotten together without that particular plot device, I don't think this one would've worked without it. They were caught in a circle of animosity. They needed some reason to see beyond the barriers they had erected. And in their particular case, I don't believe that really would've happened in normal circumstances.

BUT ANYWAY. Now that I've written an essay on the first 50 pages or so, I can move on to the rest of the book.

When Drake found Ophelia washed up on the side of the river, he rescued her. After he got her safely to his house and discovered who she was, he had the brilliant housekeeper idea. And this is where it all could've gone horribly wrong. Thankfully, it didn't. At this point in the story, Drake hated Ophelia, and I could absolutely see why. He had every reason to. He had an irrational whim and went with it. He just wanted a laugh, a little revenge, something to keep her in her place when she tried to humiliate him again in the future. He wasn't going to make her do anything potentially dangerous or harmful, only tedious things like preparing dinner and dusting the library shelves.

But - insert shocked face here - things didn't go as planned! Due to circumstances, Ophelia had to stay with him longer. And while Drake had a few idiotic moments and should've told her the truth way earlier, I always understood his reasoning. With the way things played out, Drake and Ophelia got to know each other for real, in a way they never would have before the accident. And oh, oh but it was wonderful to watch. I enjoyed both of their perspectives. Ophelia knew instinctively that something was wrong with her new life, knew that something was off, but she was a good sport and went along with it. Her attempts were sometimes rather hilarious, like when she went to prepare a pheasant for dinner:

She couldn’t cook something that had the ability to glare at her, to make her feel guilty about preparing it.

By the end of the story, Ophelia had a new-found respect for servants and their jobs, having been in their shoes for a while. But that was pretty much all that changed. It wasn't a magical transformation from evil termagant to glowing saint, something that is common and drives me absolutely bonkers. Ophelia always had a good heart: loyalty, devotion, compassion towards animals, and many other qualities. We just didn't see them until she (albeit, unwillingly) let her guard down and allowed Drake to see them.

And did I mention the chemistry? Because yowza! The chemistry between these two was phenomenal. You could tell from the beginning that there was something explosive there that was being strongly repressed on both sides. Obviously Drake held back for a long time once she was in his care, but there was still attraction simmering between them. While I wouldn't exactly call it a slow burn, it unfolded slowly and deliciously, and I enjoyed every moment.

Once More, My Darling Rogue fulfilled every one of my wishes and expectations. Heath took a prevalent plot device and put a unique spin on it with refreshingly real, flawed characters. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys actual hate-to-love stories, because this one was well executed and absolutely lovely. It made me want to go look up more books by her, which I will very likely wind up doing.

First:I was born Peter Sykes, the son of a murderer, the son of a woman murdered, a heritage that has always haunted me.

---

Favorite:Friendship isn’t measured by time. It can happen in the blink of an eye when you meet someone you like.

---

Teaser:If looks could kill...well, hers might wound him, but it wasn’t going to be the death of him.

Tweet

(Review) Three Weeks with Lady X by Eloisa James

Title: Three Weeks with Lady X
Author: Eloisa James
Series: Desperate Duchesses, #7
Published: March 25, 2014 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital review copy received from publisher in exchange for an honest review (Thank you!)

Summary: Having made a fortune, Thorn Dautry, the powerful bastard son of a duke, decides that he needs a wife. But to marry a lady, Thorn must acquire a gleaming, civilized dwelling, the specialty of Lady Xenobia India St. Clair.

Exquisite, head-strong, and independent, India vows to make Thorn marriageable in just three weeks. But neither Thorn nor India anticipate the forbidden passion that explodes between them. Thorn will stop at nothing to make India his. Failure is not an option. But there is only one thing that will make India his—the one thing Thorn can't afford to lose: His fierce and lawless heart.

When I first read that Eloisa James was going to write another Desperate Duchesses book, there may have been a happy dance. Of the super spazzy variety. While I do adore her fairy tale books, there is just something about her Desperate Duchesses series that is simply magical without any fairy dust needed.

I'll be honest: I went into this one knowing absolutely nothing about it. I do that sometimes with authors I trust, just for the fun of it. I like to be surprised by what they have in store. (Although now that I think about it, I just realized that the last time I was SUPER burned by a misleading totally-didn't-match-the-book blurb, it was an Eloisa James book. It happened with the most recent one, and it also happened with Thorn's father's book. Huh. Maybe my subconscious is onto something.) But I digress. Blurb or no, I enjoyed every moment between the covers of this book.

Lady Xenobia (better known by her middle name, India) was a fantastic heroine. She was colorful, unique, bold, yet traditional in many ways and demanding of respect. I enjoyed every moment with her. She was a career woman of sorts, in high demand by the members of the ton as, basically, an overhauler of households. India redesigned rooms, decorated, eliminated incompetent staff, and hired new servants when needed. She had made quite the reputation for herself, but India also wanted to marry. She decided to take one more job before retiring: the household of Tobias "Thorn" Dautry.

Thorn was quite the hero. He was as untraditional as could be, a richer-than-Croesus illegitimate son of a duke (the Duke of Villiers, nonetheless!) who had spent the first 12 years of his life as an orphan and a mudlark. Those years had shaped him in many ways, even though he was living as a gentleman now. He needed more than simply his money to appease the mother of the woman he wanted to marry; he needed a respectful residence. So he bought one, albeit one with a rather debauched former owner who displayed erotic art in the front hall. Enter India, hired by Thorn's stepmother to overhaul his new abode. Thus, despite their initial dislike, India and Thorn were forced to work together

Because of this set-up, much of the beginning stage of their acquaintance/friendship was formed through letters. I always, always love when novels have epistolary portions. There's just something about reading the written, personal communication between two people that is so fun and intimate and telling. It is a marvelous way to get to know the characters; I love it when the personalities shine through the writing. I am always amazed at what can be conveyed through simple word choice and placement. While there were only a few missives in Lady X, every bit was splendid. I laughed aloud more than once. It also served as a delightful way to deepen Thorn and India's friendship while they were apart.

Throw in a few "friendly" kisses, an adorable little girl, some witty banter, and a mildly pornographic statue or two, and you will understand why I fell so thoroughly under the spell of Three Weeks with Lady X. I couldn't put it down! It was entertaining, charming, and completely addicting. Color my expectations met: James has written another winner!

First:“Lady Xenobia, I adore you!”

---

Favorite:“I would suggest that you place yourself in the hands of Monsieur Devoulier.”
“Why that tailor in particular?” Thorn drawled, thinking with some satisfaction of the various coats Devoulier had made for him over the years. He might not choose to dress like a peacock on a daily basis, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t the clothing to do so.
“He excels in making shortfalls less obvious,” she said coolly. And damned if she didn’t glance at his crotch.

---

Teaser:Her eyes glittered. “Are you attempting to intimidate me?”
“Absolutely not. I’m merely attempting to clarify your thoughts on the subject. Because since I haven’t managed to sack you – not that I ever officially hired you – I might as well know my new employee’s opinion of me.” [...]
“First, Eleanor hired me, no you. And second, you are the bastard son of a duke.”
“Do you realize that you are the first lady who has ever said the word ‘bastard’ aloud to me?”
She looked him straight in the eye. “The word has more than one meaning”

Tweet

(Blog Tour) The Marquess of Cake by Heather Hiestand

Title: The Marquess of Cake
Author: Heather Hiestand
Series: Redcakes, #1
Published: July 4, 2013 (Kensington)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Format: Digital copy provided by Foreword Literary in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Scotch trifle fit for Queen Victoria, scones with clotted cream…Alys Redcake knows the way to a man’s heart. Yet she is unaware that with each morsel—and flash of ankle—she is seducing the handsome marquess frequenting her father’s tea shop. Unmarried at twenty-six, Alys’s first love is the family business. But thoughts of the gentleman’s touch are driving her to distraction…

With his weakness for sugar, the Marquess of Hatbrook can imagine no more desirable woman than one scented with cake and spice. Mistaking Alys for a mere waitress, he has no doubt she would make a most delicious mistress. And when he finds himself in need of an heir, he plans to make her his convenient bride. Yet as they satisfy their craving for one another, business and pleasure suddenly collide. Will Hatbrook’s passion for sweets—and for Alys—be his heart’s undoing?

There are few things in life I love more than a good historical romance, but baked goods rate right up there alongside those dashing cravat-induced swoons. So it's no surprise that Estelle thought of me when setting up the tour for Marquess of Cake.

I think the most interesting thing about this book might be that the hero, Michael, had hypoglycemia (or something along those lines, at least - I'm no medical professional). And as this was nineteenth century, the treatments were not known. He simply knew ways to self-medicate, including wholesome meals for longer stamina and sweets for a short-time high. But Michael loved sweets, something I could whole-heartedly identify with! Especially as Alys Redcake's sweets sounded divine.

Another thing I enjoyed about Marquess of Cake was that Michael and Alys were not victims of the all-powerful instalove. Although there was an immediate attraction, they first met when Alys waited on Michael's table in her family's bakery. They ran into each other a number of times after that, in various circumstances, some enjoyable, some not. While I would not say they had a slow burn relationship, I got to know the characters well before they truly acted on their attraction. And Alys was a character I truly enjoyed getting to know. She was not interested in marriage, preferring to pursue a career in business and baking. And she was always honest about this, from the very start. This was quite a change!

Surprisingly, there were quite a few more darker themes than I expected, since the title and cover seem to imply a lighter story. And while there was quite a bit of humor, it was balanced with real issues such as medical problems, death, family loyalty, and issues from Alys's past. But not to worry: it's a romance novel, so we still get our HEA!

I did have a few issues with Marquess of Cake. For one, the book seems to have a bit of an identity crisis, both looking and reading like a contemporary. And while this is not exactly bad, it was something that took a little getting used to. The plot did seem a little too contrived at times. The hero also had a couple moments of giant asshattery, which made it difficult for me to root for him.

I will say that I'm excited for the sequel, which comes out in December. It is about a character I was rather intrigued by, though we never really got to know him. I also hope that eventually, there will be a book about Alys's cousin, Lewis, too. He was one of my favorite side characters in Marquess of Cake. As a whole, while Marquess of Cake did have some flaws, it read quickly, and was sweet - in more ways than one, heh - and enjoyable!

Now, don't run off just yet! There is a giveaway! And be sure you check out the next stops on the tour:

November 08: Never Too Fond of Books
November 11: Zemfirka Blogs
November 12: The Reading Addict
November 13: Peace Love Books
November 14: Romantic Historical Lovers

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tweet

Friday Five: Historical Romance Edition (#06)

Book: Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Highland Pleasures, #2
Published: July 6, 2010 (Berkley Sensation)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Thoughts: The first book in this series, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie is a favorite of mine, and I really enjoyed Mac and Isabella's build-up in it. Unfortunately, they did not quite live up to that in their own book, but they did possess a magic all their own. I loved how art was so big in this story, with Mac being a painter. I also appreciated how realistically Ashley addressed marriage, with it requiring things beyond simply love, such as trust and respect. By the end, I absolutely, 100% believed Mac and Isabella's HEA.

If you thought your dare would make me blush like a schoolgirl, then you do not know much about schoolgirls.

Book: Your Wicked Ways by Eloisa James
Series: Duchess Quartet, #4
Published: March 30, 2004 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Thoughts: Perhaps my favorite thing about this book was the focus on music. I love how it provided a reason for Helene and and Rees to interact even when they did not desire to. I loved watching them grow together and discover they could make the marriage work. The low point was that it unfortunately had a pointless epilogue that weakened what would have been a hilarious, strong, and memorable ending. It was still good, though. Also, it should be noted that I listened to this on audiobook, and it was very well done!

And when the Reverend Holland brought himself to use a word like damn, he really meant it.

Book: Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan
Series: Carhart Series, #1
Published: January 1, 2010 (HQN)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Thoughts: Jenny is one of my all-time favorite historical romance heroines; I love her spine and strong sense of self-worth. There were great twists, a fantastic side storyline with Ned (who had his own book after this one), and a beautiful romance. Garreth simultaneously broke my heart and made it beat faster, and he and Jenny were simply perfect for one another for myriad reasons. I loved this book so much!

I don’t care what your title is. When I see myself, I see a woman worth more than a modicum of your respect. And don’t you dare touch me if you disagree.

Book: A Night Like This by Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet, #2
Published: May 29, 2012 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Thoughts: I love that I can always, always count on Julia Quinn for a fun historical romance that is guaranteed to make me giggle and swoon in nearly equal measure, and this one was no exception. It had great witty banter, and my cheeks actually hurt from smiling so much. Also, I was begging for Hugh and Sarah's book while reading this one, so I'm happy to announce that it comes out this October!

Time stopped. It simply stopped. It was the most maudlin and clichéd way of describing it, but those few seconds when her face was lifted toward his...they stretched and pulled, melting into eternity.

Book: Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer
Published: February 20, 1989 (Putnam Adult)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Thoughts: Oh, this book. Racquel made me read it after she fell in love with it, and I am so thankful! It was such a beautiful story. It moved incredibly slowly, but the friendship that formed as these two lived together was simply wonderful. I cried so often at this book, I honestly don't even understand it. Everything just moved me so much; it was that powerful. Rgardless, it was amazing. I highly recommend it, especially since it is set in such a unique time period.

You’re the first thing I ever had to come back to. How could I not come back to you?

Tweet

(Review) I Married the Duke by Katharine Ashe

Title: I Married the Duke
Author: Katharine Ashe
Series: The Prince Catchers, #1
Published: August 27, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital ARC provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

Summary: Three very different sisters beguile society with their beauty and charm, but only one of them must fulfill a prophecy: marry a prince. Who is the mystery Prince Charming, and which sister will be his bride?

On the way to marry a prince in a castle, a lady should never:

1. Bribe an infuriatingly arrogant and undeniably irresistible ship captain,
2. Let him kiss her senseless on a beach,
3. Battle thieves at his side,
or
4. Exchange wedding vows with him, even under the direst circumstances.

But daring, determined Arabella Caulfield isn’t just any lady. And Luc Westfall is no typical ship captain.

From the moment I stumbled across this book on Goodreads, I knew I wanted to read it! I am a sucker for the Engaged to Another trope, and the summary was worded in a way that made it seem like it could be a lot of fun. I love books that take place on ships. Plus, Lisa Kleypas praise is on the cover, and we all know how I feel about her. What more could a girl ask for?

I will say that the blurb is a tad bit misleading. Arabella is not, in fact, engaged to wed the prince. She is actually a governess going to serve the royal family by training the princess. As a beautiful women in a subservient position, she has had many experiences with the men in the families with which she lived paying her unwanted attention. She knows the prince is on another level entirely. Still, she has it in her mind that she must marry the prince to fulfill the prophesy, so as far as she is considered, she is practically engaged already.

Unfortunately, her attraction to Luc does not play into that plan, nor do all the crazy happenings that occur while she is on her way to the royal family.

At the same time, we have Luc, the ship captain with a piratical eyepatch, who is secretly the probable heir to a dukedom, something he does not feel the need to share with Arabella. In fact, their interactions aboard the ship are few. They made me laugh so much, because they both were totally dying to see each other but fighting it. Of course. But while they do not interact many times while at sea, the interactions they do have are simply fantastic.

I'm going to have to be vague about what happens after they get off the ship. Because then all the crazy twists start happening, and I don't want to spoil them for you! Regardless, I enjoyed the book almost as much after they got off the ship as when they were on it, and occasionally even more. Suffice to say, things do not go as expected on any front. There were swoons, gasps, and giggles on my end - as well as a good bit of anger and disgust as some things are revealed on the dangerous front - as I watched these two fumble their way to their Happily Ever After.

The relationship development is slow enough to build tension and satisfy those of us who love good build up, but it also doesn't drag out forever. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the side plot, which does drag some toward the end. I liked both of the main characters, as well as the supporting ones! I am desperately hoping the princess has a sequel - or at least a novella, since I'm assuming this will turn into a trilogy about the three sisters - with one of Luc's friends. There is definitely some promise there! To me, at least.

There is also a strange aspect of Arabella's character that is touched upon but never fully explored. I feel like the book could have done without it. It did not seem necessary at all; the plot would have sufficed without it. And if for some reason it did need to be included, it should have been fleshed out. It was simply mentioned a couple of times, then trailed off never to be mentioned again, like the author forgot about it or simply didn't find it important enough to mention. Thankfully, this wasn't anything huge, but it was enough to bother me a little.

This was my first book by Katharine Ashe, but it definitely won't be my last! I will probably be exploring her backlist soon, as I don't want to wait until the release of the second book in the series (which has not even been announced yet). While this story was not quite perfect, it was certainly thoroughly enjoyable! I'm excited to see what else Ashe has in store.

If you are not a pirate, why do you cover your eye in that piratical manner? Is it an affectation to frighten off helpless women, or could you only find black cloth of that width and length?

---

But she’d had no idea what those men really wanted, no idea of the pleasure that could be had in the act, and no idea that she could feel such sensations or that with his touch a man could wind himself around her heart and make her want to sing and laugh and scream and beg for more all at once. And give him everything.

---

I think you should stop calling me your cabbage, or our siblinghood will swiftly become uncomfortable for you.
*All quotes from an advanced review copy, and may differ from the finished version.

Tweet

(Review) It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long

Title: It Happened One Midnight
Author: Julie Anne Long
Series: Pennyroyal Green, #8
Published: June 25, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'Til 2 AM
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss. (Thank you!)

Summary: More than one beautiful woman’s hopes have been dashed on the rocky shoals of Jonathan Redmond’s heart. With his riveting good looks and Redmond wealth and power, the world is his oyster—until an ultimatum from his father and a chilling gypsy prophesy send him hurtling headlong toward a fate he’ll do anything to avoid: matrimony.

Intoxicating, elusive Thomasina de Ballesteros has the bloods of London at her feet. But none of them knows the real Tommy—the one with a shocking pedigree, a few too many secrets, and a healthy scorn for rakes like Jonathan.

She is everything Jonathan never wanted. But on one fateful midnight, he’s drawn into Tommy's world of risk, danger…and a desire he’d never dreamed possible. And suddenly he’s re-thinking everything...including the possibility that succumbing to prophesy might just mean surrendering to love.

Julie Anne Long has done it again. She had my expectations all tied up in knots for this one. Her last two books in this series were AMAZING, thus I wanted this one to be just as fabulous. However, I wasn't crazy about the gypsy prophesy element, and foremost, I logically knew that hitting it out of the park three times in a row was extraordinarily unlikely. But she did it. Boy, did she.

It Happened One Midnight was a story unlike any I'd read before. At first, I thought it was going to be more in the vein of the first one in the series. A little more of a suspense-adventure plot than I usually prefer in my books. But it wasn't! Nor did the gypsy prophesy really have much to do with anything. I can't talk about the subplot specifically, due to spoilers. But it was interesting and totally fit with Tommy's character. It added a unique element and driving force to the book without taking over and stealing the show from the characters, which is a difficult feat to accomplish.

I really liked both the hero and heroine. Tommy was honest and forthright in many ways, but mysterious and secretive in others. She was slow to open up, but understandably so. I loved learning more about her as the story progressed. She was so strong and tenacious, but never obnoxiously so, and she was never so secretive as to incite frustration. Jonathan was a man with natural instincts and talent as a businessman. He was confident in his abilities, but he also struggled with desire to prove himself to his father, who was unable to respect Jonathan or take him as anything more than a joke.

While both the plot and characters were good, the thing that made this book magic was the dynamic between Tommy and Jonathan. I cannot fully explain it. They had an almost instant kinship despite appearing so different, but the early foundation of that kinship was that they did not care about each other. Which sounds odd, but it worked for them. They were both intelligent and stubborn and witty and hilarious, and it made for some of the best banter I've ever read.

“Dear God, tell me you didn’t just say that again. No. I’ve no interest in the affairs of complicated, circumspect, ginger-haired women. No.”

“And you know very well I’ve no interest in the affairs of currently penniless rakes.”

Well.

“I ought to say ‘ouch,’” he said gingerly.

“You would, but you don’t care what I think any more than I care what you think. Since we share a particular interest, I do however think you’ll be interested in a business proposition I’d like to share with you.”

“And every grain of sense I possess tells me I’d be wise to pretend I never heard you say that.”

“How many grains of sense do you possess?”

“Let me see...three grains, at last count. I used to have four, but I forfeited one when I agreed to accompany Argosy to this salon. Again.”

“That’s such a shame! Three grains is one fewer than you need to prevent you from a trip to the Half Moon Theater at midnight.”

I'm fairly certain it would have been entertaining just to watch me reading this book, because I felt like I had a loony grin on my face the entire time. And I laughed. A lot. I couldn't help it! Their interactions were simply fabulous! Of course, there were also moments of heart-clutching and a little bit of tearing up. And swooning. Oh, the swooning. The chemistry between Tommy and Jonathan was fantastic. I love how it developed for them. It wasn't instant; it came gradually and naturally, but it was fierce and moving. Also, the end of this book was one of the best I've ever read. It was a great line that actually tied back into the plot and was just awesome in general.

I have very few negative things to say about this book. The beginning was a little slow, but that's the only real thing. I do hate that the "bad guy" in the book went by the name of The Doctor. I'm sorry, but no. That title is already taken, and it is 100% awesome. No villains should be allowed to use it.

It was also nice to see some of the regular Pennyroyal Green characters back again. We saw both Eversea and Redmond family members, and Argosy made appearances again. Poor man. One day, I hope he will get his own book. Even though he is a tad ridiculous, I want him to be happy.

Now, all I have to do is sit back and wait for Between the Devil and Ian Eversea. In March of 2014. Pardon me while I go cry in a corner. Or re-read the entire series to tide myself over. Yes. That seems like a better option.

Trouble was, she’d begun to find him interesting. And it was a rare enough sensation, when it came to men.

---

It’s valuable, he thought, to occasionally see one’s self through the eyes of new people. Not the ones who see you nearly every day, and therefore never really see you.

---

Laughing with him was strangely a bit like drinking champagne. She wanted more of it, and the more she had of it, the giddier she felt.

---

Are you appealing to my sense of chivalry now? You must be desperate.

*All quotes from ARC or galley, so final copy may be slightly different.

Tweet

Second Chance Saturday (04): Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

The goal of Second Chance Saturday is to give a second chance to a book/author/series we've written off for some reason.

This Month's Featured Book: Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

This Book Was a Second Chance Because... I've read a couple Maya Banks books before, and I was not particularly impressed. Also, the summary made this book sound ridiculous, and I wrote it off immediately. Racquel talked me into giving it a chance.

Verdict: Worth the second chance! Never Seduce a Scot featured likable a hero and heroine and a really sweet romance! Despite a few unrealistic elements, it actually dealt with the heroine's deafness a lot more realistically than some I've read before. It also had one of the best love confession scenes I've read in a long time. Overall, it was very enjoyable, and I definitely plan to look out for the next books in the series. I really hope Banks writes Graeme's sister's book, because I liked her a lot.

Other Books Mentioned: Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale

Tweet

(Review) Once Upon a Tower by Eloisa James

Title: Once Upon a Tower
Author: Eloisa James
Series: Fairy Tales, #5
Published: May 28, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss (Thanks!)

Summary: Gowan Stoughton of Craigievar, Duke of Kinross, values order and self-control above all else. So when he meets a lady as serene as she is beautiful, he promptly asks for her hand in marriage.

Edie—whose passionate temperament is the opposite of serene—had such a high fever at her own debut ball that she didn’t notice anyone, not even the notoriously elusive Duke of Kinross. When her father accepts his offer, she panics. And when their marriage night isn’t all it could be, she pretends. But Edie’s inability to hide her feelings makes pretending impossible, and when their marriage implodes, she retreats to a tower—locking Gowan out. Now Gowan faces his greatest challenge. Neither commands nor reason work with his spirited young bride. How can he convince her to give him the keys to the tower when she already has the keys to his heart?

Okay, first thing's first. If you ever stumble across the following summary (which you will if you go to this book on Edelweiss), DISREGARD IT.

What can a girl do when her brand new husband, a handsome, rich but slightly spoiled Laird, turns out to be much more than she bargained for? Tell him that he's boring and tiresome and lock herself in a tower until he mends his ways, of course!

The granddaughter of a duke but the daughter of an Oxford don, she has been raised with a very simple lifestyle, the dead opposite of the wildly rich laird. After running from her marriage, she spends 5 years living in a tower, doing important scientific work. What can a Laird do when, after years of searching, he finally finds his gorgeous young wife locked in a tower with only women allowed in? Why, discover the password and gain entrance to the tower dressed as a woman...

What could possibly go wrong?

I have no idea where this came from. Maybe it was James's original idea for the plot, but then she changed as she was writing? Regardless of the reason, this summary matches the story by maybe 20%. And by 20%, I mean they are married, and she does stay in a tower for a period of time. None of the fun parts actually happen. However, if you happen to be an author, would you mind getting on that? Because I really, really wanted to read that story!

Now that we have that cleared up, onto the actual review.

It was a disagreeable but inescapable fact of life – or of his life, at any rate – that fishing for a bride had taken precedence over fishing for salmon.

My favorite thing about this story was definitely the hero. He embodied so many of my favorite hero qualities. He was practical, logical, productive...and it knocked him flat when he felt such an instant, intense attraction to Edie (an Englishwoman! Oh, the horror!). Of course, the logical thing to do would be to make her his wife, since he was in need of one. So he does. But the best part? HE'S A VIRGIN. And not even just a virgin: He hasn't even kissed a woman. That's right. And it's freaking FABULOUS. Gowan was not a perfect character. He was a little too self-centered and used to having his way (being a duke and all, though, it's pretty much to be expected). But he was totally genuine and dedicated and sexy.

Edie was the heroine, and I really liked some things about her but not others. She had some maturing to do before the story was through due to being pretty sheltered throughout her life. Edie was an extremely gifted cellist, which was the one thing she and her father had in common. I really enjoyed that element of the story; it made me want to listen to classical music while reading. It's also something I don't tend to see in historicals very often. Edie also had issues with love. Due to her observations of how love worked for her father and stepmother, she had decided she never wanted to feel that way. Passion created too much drama and, inevitably, pain.

I liked the way the relationship between Gowan and Edie progressed. It was totally uneven at first, with Gowan being completely infatuated (although it was not full-out instalove, which I definitely appreciated) and Edie not particularly thrilled about the prospect of being married to him. But neither one was what the other thought at first. It was fun watching them discover that.

I did have a few issues with the book. My opinion was probably also a little colored by the fact that I was basing my expectations on the story I thought was going to be told - e.g. I kept waiting for the hero to dress as a woman because I SO wanted that to happen - rather than the one that was actually told. It just seemed to be missing a little something. The conflict was very similar to one of James's previous books. Although the story was good, for me, it just wasn't quite on the same level as many of her other books. Overall, I didn't love this one, but I did really like it.

BONUS: There's some crossover with Julia Quinn characters! Does the name Smythe-Smith mean anything to you? If so, then you'll definitely enjoy the little treats threaded throughout the story.

Ergo, two birds with one stone. He preferred three or four birds with a single stone, but sometimes one had to settle for less.

---

Obviously, he’d kept himself away from women too long, and now he was deranged as a result. Abstinence wasn’t advisable for a man. It had enfeebled his brain.

---

It was astonishing how such a very small person could look down her nose.

*All quotes from ARC or galley, so final copy may be slightly different.

Tweet

(Triple Review) Tessa Dare Novellas!

Book: Beauty and the Blacksmith by Tessa Dare
Series: Spindle Cove, #3.5
Published: April 30, 2013 (Avon Impulse)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Thoughts: Diana finally got her own story! I was so excited for this, because I've been waiting for it since the beginning of the series. It was also great having a lower class hero. Not that I don't love my dukes and earls, but it's a nice change of pace. Diana and Aaron had immediate chemistry! Yet it didn't feel unfounded; I could feel the fact that something had been brewing - at least on Diana's side - for a while even though we didn't know the back story yet. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it was just a straight-up love story. Yes, they had to deal with some issues related to class, but for the most part, it was refreshingly simple, completely adorable, yet substantial. It just made me smile so much! I will definitely keep this one in mind next time I need a quick pick-me-up read.

Yes, you’re big. Yes, you’re strong. Big and strong don’t add up to invincible.

Book: Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare
Series: Spindle Cove, #1.5
Published: November 15, 2011 (Samhain)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Thoughts: To be honest, I read this one quite a while back, so the details are a little fuzzy. But it had several good qualities. Violet was obsessed with languages and quite adept at them. As I love languages, I loved this aspect of the story! It also wound up being the important factor that led to the interaction between Violet and the mysterious hero. Also, the story progressed at a great pace! It was slow enough to heighten the tension surrounding the mystery, but not so long that it dragged out. I also enjoyed the references to the first book in the series. I would be interested to go back and read it again to see if there was any foreshadowing regarding future Spindle Cove books. For instance, she did that in Beauty and the Blacksmith, which I picked up on (and giggled) because I read Any Duchess Will Do (#4) before I read it.

Even if she did possess wiles, she wouldn’t know how to use them.

Book: The Scandalous, Dissolute, No-Good Mr. Wright by Tessa Dare
Published: December 11, 2012 (Avon Impulse)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Thoughts: This book! The second I saw the title, I knew I had to read it, and for good reason! I wound up loving it. I love Dare's humor and her overall writing style. I love how she writes characters that are so wonderfully real. They had flaws. They were selfish. But they also matured. I loved the interactions between Eliza and Harry, particularly the earlier ones. I also love that she actually addressed the age difference between them. There were several instances when Eliza jokingly called Harry ancient. It had superb tension, and I was amazed at how much emotional and relationship development there was for such a short book. The book took place over several years, and while the format of relationship "excerpts" might not have worked in another story, it worked perfectly here. It made me swoon. It made me laugh. I would definitely recommend this one.

Devilish men should not be allowed to hold kittens, babies, or bouquets of wildflowers. There ought to be an Act of Parliament.

Tweet

(Review) Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

Title: Any Duchess Will Do
Author: Tessa Dare
Series: Spindle Cove, #4
Publish Date: May 28, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

Summary: Griffin York, the Duke of Halford, has no desire to wed this season—or any season—but his diabolical mother abducts him to “Spinster Cove” and insists he select a bride from the ladies in residence. Griff decides to teach her a lesson that will end the marriage debate forever. He chooses the serving girl.

Overworked and struggling, Pauline Simms doesn’t dream about dukes. All she wants is to hang up her barmaid apron and open a bookshop. That dream becomes a possibility when an arrogant, sinfully attractive duke offers her a small fortune for a week’s employment. Her duties are simple: submit to his mother’s “duchess training”… and fail miserably.

But in London, Pauline isn’t a miserable failure. She’s a brave, quick-witted, beguiling failure—a woman who ignites Griff’s desire and soothes the darkness in his soul. Keeping Pauline by his side won’t be easy. Even if Society could accept a serving girl duchess—can a roguish duke convince a serving girl to trust him with her heart?

When I first laid eyes on Any Duchess Will Do, I was immediately struck with a bad case of Instalove. Hearts began popping up around my head, and "This Magic Moment" started playing in the background. Such an interesting premise! The duke and the serving girl? Duchess lessons a la The Princess Diaries, albeit with an older, more rakish Michael for me to swoon over? WANT. While the actual story did not exactly wind up aligning with that particular idea I had in my head, I was immensely pleased with it nonetheless.

Pauline was an interesting character. She was a serving girl in Spindle Cove. She was practical, rational, and direct, but she also had dreams. She was loyal and supportive of her sister Daniela, who had a developmental delay of some sort, and their relationship was very touching. She was hilariously unqualified to be a duchess and had an unfortunate habit of cursing and...well, basically, lots of things a duchess shouldn't do.

Griff was staunchly against the idea of getting married, but he did not want to tell his mother the true reason. While this is made clear early on, the reader is given no clues as to why. So you're simply left wondering until the answer comes flying out to you over in left field and hits you right in the gut. His anti-marriage feelings aside, though, I liked reading about Griff from the beginning. He was just so utterly ducal. In a good way.

I also had a real soft spot for Griff's mother. She was quite amusing, and I wound up caring about and enjoying scenes with her more than I would have anticipated. I also loved seeing the little cameos with some of the old Spindle Cove characters! That made me smile a lot. In fact, Griff himself had made an appearance in one of the preceding books, which I had completely forgotten about until it was mentioned.

Of course, some of the elements of the story were predictable. It was, after all, "the practical girl's fairy tale." But the majority of it was not what one would expect. And all of it, predictable or not, was thoroughly enjoyable. There was a scene with a goose that had me giggling uncontrollably. Dare amped up the hotness factor, and there may have been a scene or two that left me fanning myself and reaching for a cool glass of water. Whatever the scene, I loved reading about Griff and Pauline and how they dealt with their accidental, inconvenient feelings.

I usually associate Tessa Dare with humor. I tend go to into her books expecting a fabulous romance and a lot of laughs. And I got them. But with this book, I got quite a few tears, as well. Some were good, and some were bad. I was not anticipating such an emotional read! While it is by no means the next Steel Magnolias, I would keep a tissue or two handy while reading.

Basically, I guess the moral of my story is this: When it comes to Any Duchess Will Do, expect the unexpected. It will surprise you. It will make you cry. It will make you fall in love. So let it. Experience it. Enjoy it. Love it. Spindle Cove is one of my favorite historical series, and Any Duchess Will Do was a wonderful installment. I am already eagerly awaiting the next one!

EDIT: I have just been informed that this is, in fact, the last Spindle Cove book. Pardon me while I go weep in a corner. I do look forward to seeing what Tessa Dare has in the works for us in the future, though!

Pauline looked to the window, expecting a pig to fly through it. A pig strumming a lyre and speaking Welsh, perhaps.

---

I was hoping to hear something like, ‘I have a creeping skin disease.’ Or, ‘I hoot like a barn owl when I reach orgasm.’ Those would be deterrents. I’m not sure the second is strong enough, actually. Curiosity might win out over trepidation.

---

I know how mirrors work. They’re all in league with the cosmetics trade. They tell a woman lies. Drawing her gaze from one imagined flaw to another, until all she sees is a constellation of imperfections. If you could get outside yourself, borrow my eyes for just an instant... There’s only beauty.

---

If there was anything better than the smell of books, it was the smell of books mingled with the scents of strong tea and spice biscuits – and all of it on a rainy afternoon.
*All quotes from ARC or galley, so final copy may differ.

Tweet

(Review) A Notorious Countess Confesses by Julie Anne Long

Title: A Notorious Countess Confesses
Author: Julie Anne Long
Series: Pennyroyal Green, #7
Published: October 30, 2012 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Physical copy, purchased

Summary: From Covent Garden to courtesan to countess, beautiful, fearless, shamelessly ambitious Evie Duggan has riveted London in every role she plays. But the ton never could forgive her scandalous—if shockingly short—marriage, and when her star plummets amid gleefully vicious gossip, the countess escapes to the only legacy left to her: a manor house in Pennyroyal Green.

He has the face of a fallen angel and a smolder the devil would envy, but Vicar Adam Sylvaine walks a precarious line: resisting temptation…and the wild Eversea blood in his veins. Adam’s strength is tested when scandal, aka the countess, moves to Sussex. But when a woman who fiercely guards her heart and a man entrusted with the souls of an entire town surrender to a forbidden desire, will the sweetest sin lead them to Heaven...or make outcasts of them forever?

It was so wonderful to be back in Pennyroyal Green! Having just re-read What I Did for a Duke, I figured it was the perfect time to pick up A Notorious Countess Confesses. While I had pretty good expectations since I love the whole series, I always just take it for granted that none of them will ever be quite as good as What I Did. But A Notorious Countess Confesses absolutely blew me away!

I fell in love with the idea of this immediately. I had been intrigued by Adam in previous books. Nothing like a super hot guy with Eversea blood running through his veins to be the town vicar! But he wound up being even better than I could have imagined: I absolutely loved Adam. I would definitely list him among my favorite heroes. It has to be incredibly difficult to write a non Christian-themed romance with a vicar hero. I've only read one before, and it was good but not great. So I was a little hesitant about this one, but Long pulled it off brilliantly. I very much admired Adam. His dedication and loyalty to his parishioners was incredible, and even though he struggled with some aspects of his position, he was never defeated.

He’d begun to feel equal to the job, but privately, he didn’t know if he would ever truly feel worthy of it. He just knew he would never stop trying to be.

Evie was an interesting heroine! She had been born and raised by a poor family in Ireland, but she moved to England when she was still fairly young. She was incredibly beautiful and adored by every male who saw her on the stage, eventually racking up the sort of notoriety that can only be partially fabricated. But after being cast aside by London society after the death of her husband, Evie wound up in Pennyroyal Green. Evie was spunky, clever, guarded, and completely unrepentant about her past. She was used to using her looks and masterful flirtation skills to manipulate men into doing whatsoever she darn well pleased.

But flirtation had always been her version of fairy dust. She could fling it into a man’s eyes and dazzle him and yet never fully be known. And then never be fully hurt.

Unfortunately for Evie, Adam was not your average man. He was okay with silence, he was observant, and due to his Adonis-level features, he was used to female attention. He was impervious to Evie's flirting, and it eventually turned into a sort of joke between them. But Evie had to learn how to interact with him honestly, which she was unaccustomed to doing. Adam got to do the same with her. And through this, a beautiful friendship was born that could eventually develop into something more.

One thing you should know about me: One of my favorite things in the ENTIRE BOOKISH UNIVERSE is really good slow burn romance. That super slow-building, filled with crazy chemistry, makes you stop breathing by just a touch or a glance, kind of burn. The slow burn in this book was adjective-defyingly awesome. The chemistry between Adam and Evie was un-freaking-believable. It was almost palpable. And their whole story was completely captivating. This book literally kept me up until 2:45 in the morning because the idea of going to sleep without finishing it was unthinkable.

Overall, A Notorious Countess Confesses was fantastic! While it did not quite overtake What I Did for a Duke as my favorite Pennyroyal Green novel, it was definitely a very close second. The relationship development was brilliant, believable, and laced with humor and a mind-blowing amount of chemistry. It was also very addicting and absolutely worth the sleep deprivation it caused me. If you're a fan of historical romances heavy on the slow burn, I would highly recommend this one!

She never should have forgotten that the world was on the side of the planners, not the dreamers.

---

He couldn’t help but think she was an entire Hallelujah chorus of a woman. Yet another thought he wouldn’t be sharing with his cousins. Or with anyone.

---

There’s nothing heroic about futility.

---

Miss Pitney, why do you suppose Envy is one of the Deadly sins? It is a sin against yourself. It harms you and blinds you to many things, including good intentions. God saw fit to make you perfect the way you are. Not more or less perfect than someone else – perfect as you are. You need to believe it for the right person to see it. And the feeling when you are truly seen for who you are...it simply cannot be mistaken.

Tweet

{Joint Review} What I Did For a Duke By Julie Anne Long

Title: What I Did For a Duke
Author: Julie Anne Long
Series: Pennyroyal Green #5
Genre: Historical romance/regency
Published February 22nd 2011 by Avon
Goodreads summary:

For years, he's been an object of fear, fascination . . . and fantasy. But of all the wicked rumors that shadow the formidable Alexander Moncrieffe, Duke of Falconbridge, the "ton" knows one thing for certain: only fools dare cross him. And when Ian Eversea does just that, Moncrieffe knows the perfect revenge: he'll seduce Ian's innocent sister, Genevieve--the only Eversea as yet untouched by scandal. First he'll capture her heart . . . and then he'll break it.

But everything about Genevieve is unexpected: the passion simmering beneath her cool control, the sharp wit tempered by gentleness . . . And though Genevieve has heard the whispers about the duke's dark past, and knows she trifles with him at her peril, one incendiary kiss tempts her deeper into a world of extraordinary sensuality. Until Genevieve is faced with a fateful choice . . . is there "anything" she won't do for a duke?

Because we both harbor incredible amounts of love for What I Did for a Duke and have read it multiple times (Racquel four times, Sharon twice), we decided this was the perfect opportunity to try something new: a conversational review! Which may or may not have ended up including a lot of capslock, flailing, discussions of death by swoonage, and somewhere mixed between all of that, our thoughts about the book.

And these are just the highlights! The entire conversation actually wound up lasting 3 hours. We kid you not.

Also, scroll to the bottom if you'd like to see some of the "outtakes" from our conversation, too!

Okay, now that you have sufficiently prepared yourself, you may proceed to read our thoughts on one of the best historical romances we have ever read!

Tweet

Second Chance Saturday (02): Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran

The goal of this feature is to give a second chance to a book/author/series I have written off for some reason.

This Month's Featured Book: Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran
This Book Was a Second Chance Because... I read one of Meredith Duran's first books back in 2009, but I wasn't a fan. Since then, I've avoided her books. After seeing several interesting looking ones, I finally convinced myself to pick up this one.
Verdict: Worth it! A great story with dynamic characters, an intriguing plot that didn't overshadow the romance, occasional wry humor, and great relationship development.
Other Books Mentioned: Written on Your Skin by Meredith Duran
Purchase: Amazon || Barnes & Noble

Tweet

(Review) Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale

Title: Flowers from the Storm
Author: Laura Kinsale
Published: October 1, 1992 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: eBook, purchased

Summary: The Duke of Jervaulx was brilliant - and dangerous. Considered dissolute, reckless, and extravagant, he was transparently referred to as the "D of J" in scandal sheets. But sometimes the most womanizing rakehell can be irresistible, and even his most causal attentions fascinated the sheltered Maddy Timms.

Then one fateful day she receives the shocking news - the duke is lost to the world. And Maddy knows it is her destiny to help him and her only chance to find the true man behind the wicked facade.

But she never dreamed her gentle, healing touch would alter his life and her own so completely - and bind them together in need, desire...and love.

Oh my goodness, you guys. This book was like nothing I had ever read before! Seriously. I read this one because I have been trying to explore some of the older romance novels to understand the romance genre more fully, reading some of the romance "classics" that are heralded on various Best Of Romance lists. First thing you need to know: That blurb up there? Disregard it. It's lame. The important thing? This book is a romance between Christian, Duke of Jervaulx, a brilliant mathematician who is unable to speak due to a stroke, and Maddy, a British Quaker. Intrigued now? I was, too.

The best thing about this book, hands down, is the originality of the plot. But a very close second is the writing style. See, the easy way out of this story would just to have the entire thing be told from Maddy's point of view. Nothing wrong with that, and it would have been a good story. But it would not have been nearly as complex. It would not have been great. And great it was. Christian's POV was absolutely fascinating. Because the stroke had impacted the language part of his brain, he had difficulty processing what was said around him (as well as reading, writing, and speaking). And you got to see that! Using a method very Stream of Consciousness-esque, Kinsale portrayed Christian's thoughts and understanding of the world around him. And you had to sort through the language to figure it out, as well. It made for more difficult reading at times, but ultimately was completely and totally worth it. It made me appreciate Christian's struggle so much more.

As for Maddy (short for Archimedia. Can you say OUCH?), she was a very interesting character as well. As a member of the Society of Friends, she had grown up in a completely separate world from the duke. The only reason they were even connected in the beginning is because her father - also a mathematician, but blind - and Jervaulx were collaborating on a mathematical project, and she was, essentially, the messenger. She was very devoted to her beliefs and her principles, and I liked that about her. However, Maddy had to grow and come to some realizations about herself and the world throughout the book, and it was interesting to watch how this progressed.

Obviously, this book contained a lot of things about which I know almost nothing. I know the basics of how a stroke can impact your brain, and I basically only know stereotypical things about Quakers. Therefore, I cannot vouch for the authenticity, but I can tell you that it felt authentic to me. It broke my heart to see how little the doctors understood mental illnesses and conditions back in that time period, and therefore how they treated the patients. But it was very realistic; they simply didn't know better.

The book was a little difficult to follow in the beginning because Maddie and her father spoke in Plain Speech, using "thee" and "thou" and such. But I grew accustomed to it quickly and hardly noticed it as the book went on. One thing I liked in this book was the various relationships and how they were all different and complex, from family to friends to the romance. Oh, the romance. The love story between these two was simply splendid. They also had one of the most beautifully written and emotionally impacting love scenes I've ever read. Really, I just loved this book in general. Another thing I appreciated about it was that while the story was complex, it was without Huge Drama stemming from the Uber Evil Super Villain of all Villainy, which is usually totally unnecessary. I kept waiting for it to pop up, and it didn't, which made me happy.

I can see why Flowers from the Storm is one of the most beloved romance novels of all time. It is a truly beautiful and utterly unique story. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical romance and/or original love stories.

[Unfortunately, my favorite quote from this book is fairly spoilery and way more powerful within the context of the book. But I like this line, too, which is the opening.]

He liked radical politics and had a fondness for chocolate.

Tweet

(Review) The Ugly Duchess by Eloisa James

Title: The Ugly Duchess
Author: Eloisa James
Series: Fairy Tales #4
Published: August 28, 2012 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss

Summary: Theodora Saxby is the last woman anyone expects the gorgeous James Ryburn, heir to the Duchy of Ashbrook, to marry. But after a romantic proposal before the prince himself, even practical Theo finds herself convinced of her soon-to-be duke's passion. Still, the tabloids give the marriage six months.

Theo would have given it a lifetime…until she discovers that James desired not her heart, and certainly not her countenance, but her dowry. Society was shocked by their wedding; it's scandalized by their separation. Now James faces the battle of his lifetime, convincing Theo that he loved the duckling who blossomed into the swan.

As The Ugly Duchess was Eloisa James, I had fairly high expectations when I picked it up. But when I actually read it? Two words: Blown. Away. It was not at all what I expected! Seriously. It was going along in a great-but-expected way and then all the sudden, BAM. But it's a good bam. A very, very good bam. Just letting you know that the blurb is, well...pretty much not at all the story. But the story is better than that, and I for one loved being surprised with the twist and subsequent story, so I am going to let you enjoy it firsthand as well.

Back at the beginning, though, the book opened with Theo and James, only 17 and 19, and they actually had a friendship. A real friendship! And neither of them was ~secretly in love~ with the other. Which I love, by the way, but it was nice to not have that aspect for a change. They made me smile; I loved seeing how they interacted. I also really appreciated how their voices were different when they were younger compared to further on in the book.

One reason I love Eloisa James is that she does not idealize marriage. Marriage is work; it is not simply a solution to tie up everything into a pretty, tied-up-with-a-bow Happily Ever After. A ring does not magically solve all problems. But it can work! It can be a beautiful thing as long as the parties are committed to it. I absolutely loved reading James and Theo's journey to a happy marriage and their HEA. It made me smile, laugh, cry, and swoon.

Overall, The Ugly Duchess was one of the best reads of the season, and it is definitely among my top favorite James books. It was an intriguing mix of friends-to-lovers and marriage of convenience. I had never read a book that balanced those elements in that way so well before. I absolutely loved it! James remains one of my favorite historical romance authors. I am SO excited for her next book (Rapunzel story! Cross-dressing hero! Yes, please!).

Random funny sidenote: Verveine was mentioned at one point in the book, and I was momentarily nonplussed. I forgot it was an actual plant and had real uses besides repelling vampires. :D

She did like it, almost all of it, particularly the part where he kissed her so urgently that they were both moaning, because that made her feel like a bit of paper about to go up in flames.

Tweet