(Review) Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase

Title: Lord of Scoundrels
Author: Loretta Chase
Series: Scoundrels, #3
Published: January 1995 (Avon)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Physical copy, won from Harley Bear Book Blog

Summary: Sebastian Ballister, the notorious Marquess of Dain, is big, bad, and dangerous to know. No respectable woman would have anything to do with the "Bane and Blight of the Ballisters" — and he wants nothing to do with respectable women. He's determined to continue doing what he does best—sin and sin again — and all that's going swimmingly, thank you . . . until the day a shop door opens and she walks in.

Jessica Trent is a determined young woman, and she's going to drag her imbecile brother off the road to ruin, no matter what it takes. If saving him — and with him, her family and future — means taking on the devil himself, she won't back down. The trouble is, the devil in question is so shockingly irresistible, and the person who needs the most saving is herself!

When I first began thinking of books with Beauty and the Beast themes, Lord of Scoundrels immediately came to mind. One of the most famous in the historical romance world, it is a favorite of many. I originally read it back in 2009, scarcely a few months after I discovered and subsequently devoured the historical romance genre. In fact, it directly followed my binge-reading of the Bridgerton books by Julia Quinn, and that is not an easy act to follow by any means. But Lord of Scoundrels was hailed as magnificent, a classic, a must-read for any historical romance fan, and a book that had converted many a romance-doubter into a romance-lover. So I gave it a shot, and I fell in love.

Now, more than four years later, I needed this book in my life again quite desperately, and this event was the perfect time. I was, however, a little hesitant. Obviously when you first discover a genre, you tend to be less critical of it than after you've had some experience. It's all brand new and exciting, and those little nitpicky things that will bother you later on? You haven't noticed them yet. At least that's how it is for me. I have discovered that sometimes when I re-read a book that was an early favorite, I'll discover that the magic just isn't quite there anymore. And I was scared this would happen with Lord of Scoundrels. Less so than I am with some books, since this one comes so highly lauded. But still.

Shock of all shocks: I needn't have worried.

Loretta Chase still has one of the most charming writing styles I've ever seen. Jessica Trent remains one of my favorite heroines for how strong and awesome she is. I still feel for Dain so freaking much. And the infamous glove scene still gives me a swoon attack powerful enough to make me wish I owned an inhaler. And don't even mention the lamppost scene, lest I keel over in a dead faint.

There are so many things to love about this book. One of the best is the dialogue between Jessica and Dain. It's classic and hilarious and sharp and stunning. Example:

“Jessica, you are a pain in the arse, do you know that? If I were not so immensely fond of you, I should throw you out the window."

She wrapped her arms about his waist and laid her head against his chest. "Not merely 'fond,' but 'immensely fond.' Oh Dain, I do believe I shall swoon."

"Not now," he said crossly. "I haven't time to pick you up.”

What's not to love? Sarcasm is my language, and I snort with laughter every time I read this quote.

Really, though, Lord of Scoundrels has so much to recommend it. A strong heroine. Dual points of view so that you can understand what is going on inside Dain's head (because trust me, you need it). Jaw-dropping moments (or at least one in particular). One of the best grandmothers in the history of literature. Feels galore.

As for why I chose it for this feature? Perhaps the thing that makes this book most infamous: While the heroine is stunningly lovely, the hero is ugly. No, really. He wasn't handsome and then tragically scarred. He was described as unattractive as a child, and he never grew out of it. He's huge with a big nose and a frightening presence. But to Jessica? He's beautiful. Because everyone is beautiful to someone, no matter how the world tries to define you. And Dain breaks my heart into a million pieces because he is so insecure about his appearance, despite his intimidating presence and the devil-may-care attitude he displays. He is has a million walls up, and watching them fall before the (relatively) tiny but powerful Jessica just makes them all the more endearing.

While I don't quite think it is the perfect historical romance - it does have its flaws, though I can't really mention them without spoiling - Lord of Scoundrels remains one of my favorites. I am so glad I decided to conquer my fear and read it again. If you are looking for an excellent historical romance reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, look no further, because Lord of Scoundrels probably does it better.

First:In the spring of 1792, Dominick Edward Guy de Ath Ballister, third Marquess of Dain, Earl of Blackmoor, Viscount Launcells, Baron Ballister and Launcells, lost his wife and four children to typhus.

---

Favorite:In my dictionary, romance is not maudlin, treacly sentiment. It is a curry, spiced with excitement and humor and a healthy dollop of cynicism.

---

Teaser:“I tell you Dain is a splendid catch. I advise you to set your hooks and reel him in.”

Jessica took a long swallow of her cognac. “This is not a trout, Genevieve. This is a great, hungry shark.”

“Then use a harpoon.”

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(Review) Making Faces by Amy Harmon

Title: Making Faces
Author: Amy Harmon
Published: October 12, 2013 (Self-published)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital copy, purchased

Summary: Ambrose Young was beautiful. He was tall and muscular, with hair that touched his shoulders and eyes that burned right through you. The kind of beautiful that graced the covers of romance novels, and Fern Taylor would know. She'd been reading them since she was thirteen. But maybe because he was so beautiful he was never someone Fern thought she could have...until he wasn't beautiful anymore.

Making Faces is the story of a small town where five young men go off to war, and only one comes back. It is the story of loss. Collective loss, individual loss, loss of beauty, loss of life, loss of identity. It is the tale of one girl's love for a broken boy, and a wounded warrior's love for an unremarkable girl. This is a story of friendship that overcomes heartache, heroism that defies the common definitions, and a modern tale of Beauty and the Beast, where we discover that there is a little beauty and a little beast in all of us.

I was originally going to re-read and review a different book for my first review of this feature. At the last moment, I decided to do a quick scan of Goodreads and see if there were any promising Beauty and the Beast themed books I could get my hands on quickly enough. Lo and behold, my eyes fell on Making Faces. The cover screamed New Adult, which I've been burned by to the point where I have to force myself to read it. But I decided to investigate anyway. While the cover looked like a typical NA, the blurb seemed to suggest anything but. I'm a sucker for the scarred (either internally and externally; bonus points for both) hero. Plus military? AND it even mentioned Beauty and the Beast in the blurb, which was the reason I was seeking it out? Yes, please. So I clicked over to B&N and bought it before I could think twice. Not the approach I usually take when buying books, but in this case, I'm so glad I did!

The story started in high school where we met Fern and Ambrose for the first time. Ambrose was a wrestling star at the top of the heap, and Fern was a lowly ugly duckling in the view of the few students who actually noticed her. Still, Fern loved Ambrose and had since they were children, and as a romance lover and a writer at heart, she fell into the Cyrano-esque trap of writing love letters back and forth to Ambrose...except she was doing it for her friend Rita. When this was uncovered, Fern's hopes of capturing Ambrose's heart for herself were dashed.

Except after graduation, Ambrose went off to war and came back almost unrecognizably scarred. Fern had lost the braces and glasses and learned how to manage her hair. But she had kept her goodness, her faithfulness, and her unfailing love for Ambrose. Now maybe this might seem pathetic, but Fern never made it seem so weak. It was simply part of who she was. She wasn't ashamed of it, and she owned it, which was something I honestly wasn't sure she had the backbone to do. It made me love her more. In fact, I quite liked Fern as a character.

Fern had been reading romances since she was thirteen years old. She had fallen in love with Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables and was hungry to fall in love like that over and over again. And then she discovered Harlequin. Her mother would have croaked face first into her herbal mint tea if she’d known how many forbidden romances Fern consumed the summer before eighth grade, and Fern had had a million book boyfriends since then.

She was a pastor's daughter who devoured romance novels. So, really, how could I not like her? It was really fun that I could identify with that side of Fern, even though I was unlike her in many other ways. While there are quite a few bookish heroines, it was refreshing and awesome to read about about one who loved romance novels.

Then there was Ambrose. I'm not a wrestling fan, and I don't like my guys with long hair. Somehow, though, it worked for high school Ambrose. He was actually a pretty nice guy, and he was intrigued by Fern even though he never acknowledged it. One thing I wasn't expecting was that we actually got to see some of the interaction between Ambrose and his friends both before and during their time as soldiers, which helped me understand his pain even more. Once he came back, Ambrose was reclusive for many reasons. His looks were a big factor, but Amy Harmon refrained from beating the issue to death, which I appreciated.

BUT. Lest you think the (albeit incomprehensible) thought that a lovely romance is not enough to capture your attention, please read on. This book is not just a romance. No, really. While the love story was wonderful and my love for it is growing even stronger in hindsight, the star of this show was not one of the main two. It was a boy named Bailey.

Bailey positively captured my heart. He was Fern's best friend, and he had Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease which breaks down muscles and, eventually, weakens the body to the point where it is no longer able to function. Since this book took place over the course of a couple years with several flashbacks, we were able to see Bailey at several points in his disease. For the majority of the book, though, Bailey was wheelchair-bound, unable to lift his arms past his chest. But he had not lost his spirit. He was such an engaging personality, hilarious and inspiring and real. He had quotes like this that broke my heart:

It’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you aren't ever going to be loved the way you want to be loved.

But he had a million more that made me smile, made me think, made me laugh out loud. In short, this was half a romantic love story, half a Bailey story, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Making Faces played into the Beauty and the Beast theme in several ways. There was the obvious, of course, the fact that the beautiful Fern loved the no-longer-beautiful Ambrose. But there was a theme throughout of looking beyond appearances and seeing what was beneath. Inside, Bailey was the world's greatest wrestler and full of vitality. Inside, Fern had a heart that surpassed her beauty. Inside, Ambrose was capable of goodness and love at odds with his tragic appearance. This book showed many times over that the outside means nothing. Beautiful people can be ugly inside, vice versa, and any combination thereof. The outside is nothing but a cover, the side strangers see when they pass by on the street. The inside is what counts.

Not that you'd be expecting it, but Making Faces was not a light read. I spent a good portion of it crying for a variety of reasons. But I am still in love with it and still thinking about it several days later. I am so glad I gave this one a chance, and I definitely plan to check out more of Amy Harmon's books. Making Faces was a surprising, inspiring, and emotional read that satisfied my inner Fern-esque romance-loving heart and gave me something beyond my expectations.

First:“The Ancient Greeks believed that after death, all souls, whether good or bad, would descend to the Underworld, the kingdom of Hades, deep in the Earth, and dwell there for eternity,” Bailey read aloud, his eyes flying across the page.

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Favorite:She struggled with the words for two days. Everything from “Hi. Glad you’re back!’ to “I couldn’t care less if your face isn’t perfect, I still want to have your babies.” Neither seemed quite right.

---

Teaser:You read smutty romance novels and quote scripture. I’m not quite sure I have you figured out.

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(Review) Married for Christmas by Noelle Adams

Title: Married for Christmas
Author: Noelle Adams
Series: Willow Park, #1
Published: December 1, 2013 (Createspace)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital galley received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: After years of dreaming, Jessica is finally getting married, but the marriage isn't exactly what she thought.

Daniel is her best friend, and she's known him all her life, but he's never gotten over losing his wife two years ago. His dream is to become the pastor of the church in their hometown, but the small-town congregation keeps balking over calling an unmarried minister. Since Daniel needs a wife and Jessica wants a husband and family, she proposes an arrangement that benefits both of them.

They can get married. They can build a life together. They can celebrate Christmas as a couple. It's fine that he doesn't love her. And it's fine that she's not exactly suited to be a small-town pastor's wife. And it's fine that she's more attracted to her sexy, brooding husband every day.

Jessica can be practical about this marriage. She knows what she's getting into, after all...

I was beyond elated when I stumbled across Ruthie Knox's post about this book a few days ago. A Christmas romance! With a marriage of convenience! Between two people who are already friends! Those are three things almost guaranteed to get me to read a book, ALL ROLLED UP INTO ONE LOVELY PACKAGE. Obviously, I needed to read it.

I am happy to say that Married for Christmas fully satisfied my rather high expectations. It was stunning. It made me swoon. It made me giggle quite a bit, because Jessica and Daniel's interactions could be quite amusing. It made me cry, because amidst the fun exchanges, there were buckets and buckets of angst. Watching as problems got resolved, as feelings were revealed? I was blubbering like a baby. Adams captured just how awkward it really would be to suddenly find yourself married to a good friend, despite thinking you were ready for it.

I loved Jessica's pragmatism and her willingness to put herself out there and go after the future she wanted for herself. She did have insecurities, but was honest about herself and her desires most of the time. And Daniel. Oh, Daniel. I do have a fondness for pastor heroes. He wasn't perfect. He had lost his first wife in a car accident two years before and still had not fully accepted that, though he thought he had. He was struggling with things he did not admit to himself or Jessica for a long time. These caused him to withdraw from Jessica, which was perhaps not the best coping mechanism. It led to tension between the two of them that had not been there before. This made for a very uncomfortable situation, given that their marriage was already unconventional. Daniel had issues to work through, and the two of them had issues to work through together. But by the end, I was completely sure about their love for each other and the fact that their marriage was solid and, despite its origins, 100% real.

This book did have a bit of theological and religious discussion - as one would expect - but was definitely not enough to classify it as an inspirational romance. There was quite a bit about the Christmas events Daniel's church was hosting. And it was great! This book really did have Christmas as an integral part of the story, and it made me very happy to see.

I was definitely a fan of Married for Christmas! It was the embodiment of several of my favorite tropes and did not disappoint at all. I will be looking forward to the next books in this series.

First:
Jessica Cameron had to propose marriage in a couple of hours, and she was a little nervous about it.

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Favorite:
She knew he'd been comfortable financially, since he'd saved for years and didn't splurge on anything except books.

(*gigglesnort* Huh. Clearly I have been splurging on the wrong books.)

---

Teaser:
"For a rather infuriating man, you really might be the best husband in the world."
"I'm glad you recognize it."

*All quotes taken from an advance copy and may differ from final version.

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(Review) Take Me Home for Christmas by Brenda Novak

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Title: Take Me Home for Christmas
Author: Brenda Novak
Series: Whiskey Creek, #5
Published: October 29, 2013 (Harlequin)
Rating: Lunch Break Read
Format: E-galley received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Christmas is a time for remembering. Too bad all memories aren't pleasant. Everyone in Whiskey Creek remembers Sophia DeBussi as the town's Mean Girl. Especially Ted Dixon, whose love she once scorned.

But Sophia has paid the price for her youthful transgressions. The man she did marry was rich and powerful but abusive. So when he goes missing, she secretly hopes he'll never come back—until she learns that he died running from an FBI probe of his investment firm. Not only has he left Sophia penniless, he's left her to face all the townspeople he cheated….

Sophia is reduced to looking for any kind of work to pay the bills and support her daughter. With no other options, she becomes housekeeper for none other than Ted, now a successful suspense writer. He can't bring himself to turn his back on her, not at Christmas, but he refuses to get emotionally involved. He learned his lesson the last time.

Or will the season of love and forgiveness give them both another chance at happiness?

Before I go into the review of the book itself, I would like to explain why I dislike the cover blurb. For one, it's misleading, implying that Sophia simply rejected Ted once upon a time. When, in fact, she was his long-time girlfriend and freaking slept with someone else. Just a tiny bit different. But my major problem is the wording of this: "But Sophia has paid the price for her youthful transgressions. The man she did marry was rich and powerful but abusive." I don't care how much of a bitch she was in high school. No one deserves abuse. Ever.

Now that that's out of the way, we can move onto the actual book.

I had a rather strange relationship with Take Me Home for Christmas. I came extremely close to DNFing several times (and I almost never DNF books if I've read more than 5 pages). You know why? Because NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. You think I'm kidding. I mean, the book did start with Sophia's husband dying in an attempt to fake his own death. But after that? It was a depressing snooze-fest for another hundred pages. Ted and Sophia didn't even SEE each other until 100+ pages into the story. What could have been conveyed in 2-3 chapters took 9.

But! I stuck it out. And I am glad I did! Because after they finally started interacting, things got good fast. Like, holy crap, you guys. I usually am not a fan of ex stories. In fact, I never would have requested this one, had I known (I guess that's Blurb Writer: 1, Sharon: 0?). But I am happy I did! Because that actually wound up being my favorite aspect of the story. This book was emotions galore, and it was BEAUTIFUL. It was smoking, sizzling, longing, angsty deliciousness. What it WASN'T was a story about people more in love with nostalgia than each other. And I love it a lot for that.

Another great thing is that this book did not feature a "likable" heroine. Sophia was horrid in high school (for mostly unnamed reasons). She had cheated on Ted in the past. She dealt with depression in the wake of everything that happened with her husband. She was a recovering alcoholic, which was a constant struggle for her. She did her best to stay strong because of her daughter, Alexa. But she was human. She made mistakes. Unfortunately, by the end, she was rather sickeningly good, to provide a nice foil against the horrible person she was supposed to have been earlier in life. I kind of just wanted to roll my eyes and say, "Yeah, she's nice now. WE GET IT!" But I did like the idea behind it.

Ted was quite swoon-worthy. He made a valiant effort to not be in love with Sophia, and I applauded his efforts to try to be logical about his approach to love. Of course, he failed. Because as he spent more time with Sophia, he fell in love with her. And even if he had carried a torch for her over the years, he fell for the current her, not only an idea of her. And I believe I've already spent several adjectives describing how I felt about that bit.

Unfortunately, I did have a problem with the fact that a book called Take Me Home for Christmas contained maybe a page or two related to Christmas things. It's just so frustrating to pick up a book, rightly expecting a book with a decent amount of Christmas, only to be disappointed when there's nothing more than a couple of throwaway references.

I also had issues with Eve. She was a fabulously friendly and strong female character who was willing to stand up and help Sophia and tentatively extend a hand in friendship...until Eve started dating Ted. And then OH NO, she could possibly even be friends with Sophia. Because Sophia might make a move on Ted. Eve went from Great Side Character Whom I'd Like to Get to Know straight to Grinchy Girlfriend in 2.8 seconds. Thankfully, she snapped back out of it, but I didn't really get why it had to happen in the first place. It didn't seem to go with her character.

Now you can see why I said my feelings about this book were complicated. I found a lot of things to be either boring or frustrating. BUT I was absolutely in love with Sophia and Ted and their love story. So in conclusion, I would say that Take Me Home for Christmas is worth reading for that alone.

First:
Sophie DeBussi’s husband was gone.

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Favorite:
“Anyway, love doesn’t necessarily make a relationship successful.”
“No, but it gives you a hell of a lot more to fight for – and it makes life far more rewarding when you win.”

*All quotes were taken from an advance copy and may appear differently in the finished book.

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(Review) Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan

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Title: Sleigh Bells in the Snow
Author: Sarah Morgan
Series: O'Neil Brothers, #1
Published: October 29, 2013 (Harlequin)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: E-galley provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Once upon a time, Christmas was Kayla Green's favorite time of year. Now all the workaholic wants for Christmas is for it to be over—as fast as possible! So when duty calls her to snowy Vermont to close a deal with a new client, Kayla is grateful for an excuse to avoid the holidays for another year.

Jackson O'Neil left a thriving business behind to return home and salvage his family's resort—it's in his blood, and he can't let it fail. Now that he's got marketing whiz Kayla Green working with him to put Snow Crystal on the map, success is on the horizon. The fact they strike enough sparks off each other to power all the Christmas lights in Vermont is just an added bonus.

Kayla might be an expert at her job, but she's out of her depth with Jackson—he makes her crave the happy-ever-after she once dreamed of, and it's terrifying. As the snowflakes continue to swirl, will the woman who doesn't believe in the magic of Christmas finally fall under its spell?

For some reason, when I picked this book up weeks after I looked at the summary for it, I was thinking it was going to be a snowbound together story. Not quite sure why I thought that, but there it is. I was prepared for something cute, fun, and sexy. And that's what I got. But you guys, I also got so much more.

Sleigh Bells in the Snow was not a story about two people being snowbound together, but a family business on the brink of going under. Jackson had come home to do his best to keep Snow Crystal Resort & Spa afloat, but they were lacking publicity. That's where Kayla, workaholic and super marketing genius, came in. Jackson's grandfather was sure Kayla could not come up with a decent campaign for Snow Crystal without truly experiencing it, so Kayla was to stay on the property for a week first. Thus, Kayla decided to come immediately. After all, Kayla wanted to escape Christmas, and a secluded cabin in Vermont is the best possible way to barricade yourself away, right?

Wrong. At Snow Crystal, Kayla found Jackson's family, and they were all about Christmas. There are few fictional families I've ever loved as much as I do this one. Shannon Stacey's Kowalski family. Julia Quinn's Bridgerton family. But the O'Neils are a class all of their own. And my favorite thing about them was that it wasn't just the official O'Neils. There were a couple family friends in the mix who were clearly just as much family as the ones related by blood. As that is very much how my own family operates, I absolutely love seeing it in books. The O'Neils were close-knit and clearly loved each other, but they still gave each other a hard time and even fought sometimes. The interactions between the three brothers in particular were simply fantastic. Each character was clearly presented and unique, and while each stood out individually, they were very much a collective unit. Jackson's grandfather loved Snow Crystal and was resentful of Jackson for changing so many things. Jackson's brother Tyler was doing his best to raise his teenage daughter who had just come to live with him. We even got some sneak insight into that relationship with a little bit of their perspective, and it makes me so excited for Tyler's book. Not to mention the fact that I'm already falling all over myself with how much I want his love story with Brenna. But I digress.

Due to issues from her past, Kayla was extremely uncomfortable with both Christmas and the open affection of the O'Neil family. It broke my heart to watch her go through this. I've read a lot of books where the hero or heroine hates Christmas due to something tragic in their past, but I think this was the best handling and explanation of it that I've ever seen. Though a little dramatic, it felt authentic, and I loved seeing Kayla slowly open up and conquer her fear caused by the past.

Kayla and Jackson had some great interactions. It kind of reminded me of "The Proposal," actually, with the closed-off, workaholic city girl out in the middle of nowhere and learning to adapt and open up with the help of a very hunky guy. Even though their story basically took place over a week and thus they had pretty quick relationship development, it never felt rushed. They had great chemistry and had some butterfly-inducing almost moments, which ultimately led to things getting pretty steamy but never gratuitously so, which I appreciated. There were so many more important things to focus on! Like Jackson teaching Kayla to ski, which made me giggle:

“Want to try again?”
“Why not? I think there might be a centimeter of my body that isn’t bruised, and if I’m going to be black-and-blue I’d prefer to be black-and-blue all over. I like a uniform look.”

Or even Kayla bonding with Jackson's mother, which nearly made me cry.

Speaking of crying, I want to bawl over the fact that the next O'Neil book doesn't come out for another six months. And Tyler's book, which I'm most eager to read, doesn't even have a release date yet. But I will wait for it. Oh yes, I will.

Also, just a moment to look at how freaking cute the cover is, because it needs to be admired. Now, moving on.

You guys, I don't even quite comprehend why I loved this book so much. It was one of those times when everything just clicked. The amount of Christmas in the book was just right, not just a bit just shoved in there as a marketing technique. I loved the family. I loved the characters. The setting was positively magical. The writing was fantastic. I may not be able to fully explain it, but I can tell you one thing: This was my first Sarah Morgan book, but I can guarantee you it most definitely will not be my last.

First:
Kayla Green cranked up the volume on her favorite playlist and blocked out the sound of festive music and laughter wafting under her closed office door.

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Favorite:
I preferred snow when it was my desktop image.

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Teaser:
To hell with professional, it’s Christmas. People do crazy things at Christmas.

All quotes taken from an advanced copy and may appear different in the final version.

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(Review) Big Sky Christmas by C.J. Carmichael

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Title: Big Sky Christmas
Author: C.J. Carmichael
Series: Coffee Creek, Montana, #4
Published: October 1, 2013 (Harlequin)
Rating: Stash in the Glove Box
Format: E-galley provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Jackson Stone will always be grateful to the Lamberts, who took him in when he was just a kid. But since the accident that killed his foster brother, Brock, he stays away from the family at Coffee Creek Ranch. Especially now that Brock's former fiancee, Winnie Hays, is back in town with her little boy.

The simmering attraction between them may surprise Winnie, but Jackson fell for her at first sight years ago. Loyalty and guilt require he keep his distance, even as their feelings blossom into love. In the end, it's his own conscience Jackson must master. But with the help of the Lamberts, can this Christmas be a time of healing and a new beginning?

When I first read the blurb for Big Sky Christmas, I knew I absolutely had to read it. Let's see how many of my favorite tropes it has. Christmas romance? Check. Long-time crush? Check. Forbidden love? Check. Potential for major angst? Double check. How could you go wrong?

Well, unfortunately, it did.

First of all, there was the secondary character overload. Holy crap, but there were a ton of people. Yes, I jumped into the middle of a series, but it's a romance series, not A Song of Ice and Fire. I should have been able to navigate it without needing a character diagram. I basically just gave up and decided to stop trying to keep track, because it was a waste of time and energy. Most of them weren't even necessary. But the book opened in a wedding where EVERYONE was, and all the introductions were made at once. No, thanks. Eventually, I caught on to two or three who were important, and that was enough for me.

Then we have the main(?) story: the romance. Jackson was Winnie's dead fiancé, Brock's, foster brother, and he had been pining for Winnie for years. Surprisingly, Jackson and Winnie didn't have nearly as many hang-ups about this as I would have expected. Given that this was the case, I am glad they didn't drag it out too long. Because the excuses they did have not to get together were about as thin as a sheet of paper. It would have dragged otherwise. But their relationship progressed - at least in the beginning - at a pretty good pace. But then came even more obstacles.

Now, you might be confused regarding the question mark in the paragraph above. Wouldn't the romance be the main story of the romance novel? You would think. And yes, it was in a way. But in reality? Every single thing revolved around one very obnoxious and annoying old woman named Olive, Brock's mother/Jackson's former foster mother and apparently the devil incarnate. Nearly every bad thing in the book could be traced back to her, and 98% of the drama in the story was influenced by her in some way or another. And I didn't freaking care about Olive or her opinion, and I didn't really get why anyone else did, either.

There were some positive aspects to the book. Winnie's son was adorable, and it was great to see Jackson interacting with him. They had a couple scenes that made me smile. The small town atmosphere was charming. I liked Jackson's foster brothers. Jackson and Winnie's love story was believable. Overall, the story was cute, if a little frustrating and fairly underwhelming. I would recommend reading the others in the series first, which would no doubt help with the character overload.

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(Review) Merry and Bright by Jill Shalvis

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Title: Merry and Bright
Author: Jill Shalvis
Published: September 24, 2013 (Kensington)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Paperback, borrowed from the library

Summary: Jill Shalvis is back with a collection of three endearing, sexy, and yuletide-filled short stories.

I'm sure it came as a surprise to absolutely no one that I was salivating over this book. Even though I'm not always a fan of short stories - I prefer the more long, drawn out variety - Jill Shalvis can simply do no wrong, and I want to read everything she writes. And what's a Christmas elf to do when one of her favorite authors puts out a Christmas collection?

Read it, of course!

And I did. I sped through this book pretty quickly! The fact that it is broken into three different stories makes it seem to read faster than a normal book of its size. I'm going to go ahead and break it down by story, because the three were completely separate. They had no connection whatsoever, aside from the fact that they all took place around Christmas.

The First Story: "Finding Mr. Right"

This first story sucked me right in. It was about a chemist named Maggie who always went for guys who were exactly like her: intelligent, motivated by work, and not overly romantic. So due to some encouragement by her sister, Maggie decided to go after something different: a night with Mr. Wrong. And who should be there to be her Mr. Wrong but Jacob, the sexy architect she'd crushed on in high school.

This was a really cute story with a surprising bit of mystery/adventure thrown in. In fact, aside from the fact that Maggie was a very different sort of narrator, the whole thing read very much like a Stephanie Plum novel. Entertaining, sexy, and a very quick read, "Finding Mr. Right" was quite the fun way to spend a morning.

The Second Story: "Bah Handsome!"

This second story had a rather interesting premise: B&B owner Hope had taken a loan out from her (very pre-epiphany Scroogeish) step-brother, and his (adorably geeky and yummy) solicitor was there to assess whether or not it appeared she would be able to pay it back on time. And then he got snowed in. One of my favorite tropes!

Unfortunately, this one shared quite a few elements with the first story and thus failed to stand on its own feet. With some stronger editing, I think it could have been really good. But it was a little weak, and reading it right after the first story kind of felt like reading the same thing over again with different names. And quite a bit more snow. It was cute, though.

The Third Story: "Ms. Humbug"

The third story was about Cami, a strictly by-the-rules woman who was annoyed by no one more than Matt: hard-working office playboy - and recently appointed mayor/Cami's boss.

I think this was probably my favorite of the stories. Due to the length of the story, their relationship had to progress rather quickly. But although it did feel a tad rushed, I believed it could happen. Matt and Cami had known and respected each other as fellow hard workers for a while, even if Matt did set Cami's teeth on edge. In a fun trope change-up, though, it wasn't mutual! Matt knew he pressed Cami's buttons, but he had always been intrigued rather than put off by her. They also had some fabulous chemistry, which is hard to create in the space of only 80 or so pages. I could also see how some people might be put off by Cami as a narrator, but I really liked her character and seeing the story from her perspective.

These stories weren't anything ground-breaking, but they were definitely enjoyable! If you're looking for some entertaining holiday reading that doesn't take itself too seriously, this collection is a fabulous choice.

First
For two months, Maggie Bell walked past him every day on her way out of the office, and every day she took in that tall, leanly muscled body, those incredibly well-fitted Levi's hanging low on his hips thanks to his tool belt, and forgot everything else just to take it all in.

---

Favorite
It was the right thing to do, the polite thing to do. Thank-you-for-the-perfect-sex cookies.

---

Teaser
He couldn't have been more stunned if he'd just been hit head-on by a moving freight train. He'd just had the best sex of his entire life. On the ground. In the great outdoors. In the wilds of Colorado. In the snow.

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(Review) No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean

Title: No Good Duke Goes Unpunished
Author: Sarah MacLean
Series: The Rules of Scoundrels, #3
Published: November 26, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: He is the Killer Duke, accused of murdering Mara Lowe on the eve of her wedding. With no memory of that fateful night, Temple has reigned over the darkest of London’s corners for twelve years, wealthy and powerful, but beyond redemption. Until one night, Mara resurfaces, offering the one thing he’s dreamed of: absolution.

Mara planned never to return to the world from which she’d run, but when her brother falls deep into debt at Temple’s exclusive casino, she has no choice but to offer Temple a trade that ends in her returning to society and proving to the world what only she knows: that he is no killer. It’s a fine trade, until Temple realizes that the lady—and her past—are more than they seem. It will take every bit of his strength to resist the pull of this mysterious, maddening woman who seems willing to risk everything...and to keep from putting himself on the line for love.

This book basically blew my mind. How many times do you read a book where the hero and heroine fall in love despite the fact that years before, she had drugged him and he had supposedly murdered her?

(No, seriously. If you have any recommendations for books like this, please please let me know in the comments! I want to read more.)

My relationship with Sarah MacLean's books is a little back-and-forth, but she impressed me more than ever with No Good Duke Goes Unpunished. I was excited for Temple's book, because I was so intrigued by him when I read One Good Earl Deserves a Lover a few months ago. And this book did not disappoint! In fact, it was better than I anticipated.

For one, I had not read the blurb for this book. I knew it was Temple's story, and I wanted to read it based on that alone. So I had NO IDEA Mara was the heroine. I started the book at the gym and was just reading along when bam, she revealed her identity. I gasped and ceased all movement immediately. Thankfully, this happened when I was on the stationary bike rather than the treadmill, or that would have been a terrible (though, let's face it, probably amusing) site to behold. I was completely shocked. And perhaps I should not have been, but while I figured Mara would show up later, I did not dream they would fall in love.

But they did. And it was amusing, frustrating, swoon-inducing, breath-taking, heart-breaking and altogether addicting watching them do so.

Both of the main characters were so original and so intriguing! Temple was a duke-turned-fighter who ran a gaming hell with a few other partners. He was termed the Killer Duke, believed to have killed Mara on the eve of her wedding (to Temple's father!), though there was no conclusive proof. And the worst part was that he did not know if they were wrong. Mara had drugged him before disappearing, and Temple had gone on for years, fighting to regain his memories of that night but never succeeding. And then Mara showed up. Mara, who had been running an orphanage for the illegitimate sons of noblemen in the years since her disappearance. Mara, who held the key to Temple's reinstatement to his rightful place as duke, who, more importantly, held the key to what had happened that night years before. Their relationship was complicated, to say the least.

There were so many things to love about Temple and Mara. They had an angst (for good reason), explosive chemistry, a slow burn that wouldn't quit, and brilliant exchanges of dialogue.

“I shall take that as a compliment.”
“It was not meant as one. I was merely pointing out your libidinous ways.”
“Libidinous.”
“Roguish. Rakish. Scallawaginous. Scoundrelly.”
“I’m certain that some of those words are not words.”
“Now you’re angling for a position as governess?”
“If the boys are learning words like scallawaginous, it might not be the worst idea.”
*Quote taken from an advance review copy and may appear different in finished book.

Really, the only negative thing I have to say about this book is that toward the end of the story, Mara's self-sacrificing for Temple went a little too far. She just wouldn't. freaking. stop. I get that she felt guilty and had reasons for her behavior, especially at first. In fact, I admired it at first! Love wasn't presented as this all-consuming selfish thing. But the woman wouldn't let it go. She was attempting to convince herself that Temple was better off without her despite a thousand proofs otherwise. It got old fast and continued way too long. Other than that, though, I cannot think of a thing I disliked about this book.

This story was compelling, enjoyable, and ultimately satisfying. Though she came close with One Good Earl Deserves a Lover, Sarah MacLean officially won me over with No Good Duke Goes Unpunished.

First:
He woke with a splitting head and a hard cock.

---

Favorite:
What did one say to the man falsely accused of one’s murder?

---

Teaser:
It was one thing to drug a man once...but twice did seem overmuch.

*Quotes taken from an advance review copy and may appear different in finished book.

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(Review) The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn

Title: The Sum of All Kisses
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Smythe-Smith Quartet, #3
Published: October 29, 2013 (Avon)
Rating: Stay Up 'til 2 AM
Format: Digital ARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: Hugh Prentice has never had patience for dramatic females, and if Lady Sarah Pleinsworth has ever been acquainted with the words shy or retiring, she's long since tossed them out the window. Besides, a reckless duel has left this brilliant mathematician with a ruined leg, and now he could never court a woman like Sarah, much less dream of marrying her.

Sarah has never forgiven Hugh for the duel he fought that nearly destroyed her family. But even if she could find a way to forgive him, it wouldn't matter. She doesn't care that his leg is less than perfect, it's his personality she can't abide. But forced to spend a week in close company they discover that first impressions are not always reliable. And when one kiss leads to two, three, and four, the mathematician may lose count, and the lady may, for the first time, find herself speechless ...

One interesting fact: After reading the previous book in this series, A Night Like This, I mentioned in my notes the fact that I really wanted Hugh and Sarah to have a book together! But upon re-reading these notes a year later, I had no recollection of why I had wanted this, because I did not remember any interaction between the two of them. So I re-read the book. And I was right. Hugh and Sarah had virtually no interaction together at all. They were barely in a scene together. I guess I just thought the idea of their two vastly different personalities coming together was too good to resist.

I was, in fact, correct! Hugh and Sarah's book might just be my favorite of the Smythe-Smith books so far. I started it first thing in the morning and did not eat lunch or even speak a simple greeting to my roommate until I was done.

Hugh and Sarah's story was completely captivating. Hugh was a logical fellow who could do stunning amounts of math in his head. Sarah was a dramatic girl who set Hugh's teeth on edge, and he had the same effect on her. Oh, and there was also the fact that Sarah's cousin had shot Hugh in a duel (long story), leaving him with a permanent and painful limp. But over time, as they were forced together by circumstances, they began to see each other in a different light. Both still had qualities that made them less than perfect, but they acknowledged those flaws in each other and fell in love anyway.

While I do enjoy hate-to-love stories, unfortunately, many of them tend to rely on great sex for being the Magical Key to Falling in Love. And often, I just don't buy it. The Sum of All Kisses was more of a hate-to-friends-to-love story, and I found the development absolutely perfect and believable for Hugh and Sarah.

As another fun point, fans of Eloisa James would be pleasantly surprised to find a couple of her characters making guest appearances. They fit right in with all the wonderful characters from previous Smythe-Smith and Bridgerton books, who all together created an atmosphere that was impossible not to enjoy. Also, points to Julia Quinn for actually writing a romance epilogue I liked! It doesn't happen often.

I fell in love with Julia Quinn a long time ago, and she continues to deliver. Her books might not be full of stunning prose, grand adventures, or massive plot twists, but I don't always need those. When I pick up a Julia Quinn book, I know I am going to get entertainment, interesting characters, and a magnificent love story. The Sum of All Kisses delivered on all these fronts, and I cannot wait for the next installment of the Smythe-Smiths! I'm crossing my fingers for a book about Iris. Guess I'll have to wait and see!

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(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

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(Review) The Perfect Match by Kristan Higgins

Title: The Perfect Match
Author: Kristan Higgins
Series: Blue Heron, #2
Published: October 29, 2013 (HQN)
Rating: Staying in Tonight
Format: Digital ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary: What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise? Honor Holland has just been unceremoniously rejected by her lifelong crush. And now—a mere three weeks later—Mr. Perfect is engaged to her best friend. But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there…or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom Barlow just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson, Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States—and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience. But juggling a fiancé, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks start to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love….

I have a theory as to how the idea for The Perfect Match came about. Kristan Higgins magically stumbled onto The Book Barbies, clearly pulled in by the number of times I've referred to her as one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. She went, "Huh, this Sharon seems pretty awesome. Let's have a look at her favorite things! Hm. British heroes? Marriages of convenience? I can do that!" And BOOM, this book was born.

Admittedly, it's not a likely theory. But given the contents of this book, it's certainly possible.

From the opening scene of the book, it was clear that Honor was not your typical heroine. She was in the middle of her annual birthday tradition - getting a pap smear. Honor was practical, logical, and a workaholic at the family wine business. While she was happy with some things in her life, her romantic life was at an unhappy stand-still, as she had been hung up on the same man for years. This was quickly and humiliatingly resolved when Honor mustered up the courage to go after what she wanted, only to be rejected. Thankfully, this allowed her to attempt to move on.

And then came Tom. Tom was a complicated character. At first, I honestly was not sure whether or not I was going to like him. Tom was a bit heavy on the drinking at the beginning of the book, something he blamed on being British. He also wasn't always the nicest guy. But this made him more real to me. I like that he had flaws and wasn't some perfect British specimen of a man. That would be too obvious, too boring. The fact that you had to get past some walls to really see him made him even better.

One of the reasons I fell so hard for this book was Tom's relationship with Charlie, his unofficial stepson. Charlie was even more hostile and defensive and apathetic than your average fourteen-year-old boy, and it would have been so easy for Tom to give up on him. After all, Tom had no official legal or blood ties to the boy - only a relationship forged during Tom's relationship with Charlie's now deceased mother several years before. Aside from Tom, Charlie had no one in his life besides uncaring grandparents, and he completely broke my heart. To see him finally begin to respond to Tom - and Honor as well - was just amazing. And the fact that Tom cared enough to do this was huge. So often, fake finacé or marriage of convenience plots are based off something absurdly far-fetched, not that this diminishes my love for them. But it was so refreshing to have a realistic reason behind the need for this relationship, and more than that, one that I whole-heartedly believed.

Also, once Tom and Honor were living in the same house, I love how Higgins portrayed it. They were so awkward with each other! And for good reason. That would be bloody uncomfortable, I have to say. Sharing a house and an impending marriage with a near-stranger? Definitely not a situation to put you at ease. They had to learn so many things in such a short time.

The Perfect Match was such a charming read! There were many things I enjoyed about it, from the interactions of Honor's family to Tom's hilariously creepy boss at the university. I also have to point out that Higgins had the chance to rely on a very common - and one of my least favorites - trope, toward the end of the story, but she didn't. And that made me love her just a little bit more. Therefore, I am happy to say that Higgins remains one of my favorite contemporary authors, and I await more from her Blue Heron series.

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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?

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(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.

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