A Lady Never Lies (Affairs by Moonlight, #1) by Juliana Gray

Aug 13, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: juliana-gray, historical-romance

Lady Alexandra Morley, along with her sister and cousin, travel to a remote castle in Tuscany in an attempt to find a solution to her new found money problems. They are all a bit startled when three gentleman also seem to have let the same castle but since it is large enough to be in separate wings, they agree to carry on. What especially captures Alexandra's attention is one ginger-haired man, Phineas Burke along with his dedication to finding a way to run a horseless carriage. Since her money...more Lady Alexandra Morley, along with her sister and cousin, travel to a remote castle in Tuscany in an attempt to find a solution to her new found money problems. They are all a bit startled when three gentleman also seem to have let the same castle but since it is large enough to be in separate wings, they agree to carry on. What especially captures Alexandra's attention is one ginger-haired man, Phineas Burke along with his dedication to finding a way to run a horseless carriage. Since her money is now tied up in a similar business, she hopes to gain some knowledge that she can pass on and earn her money back and get back to her life as she knows it. What she does not expect is the growing attraction blooming between herself and Finn. With a nosy duke and his lovestruck brother, along with her too-smart sister and too-quiet cousin, this group is sure to have lots of fun, heartbreak and hopefully triumph.

This was another wonderful debut I have read this year! The writing is smooth and flawless and peppered with lots of British words that I love--rubbish, jolly, sodding and bloody hell. I loved that this book is set in 1890 and we get a fresh perspective on the rise of the automobile. I feel like there are not enough books set in this time period so I am so happy to have found another author setting her stories here! Finn is a delightful scientist. First, he is ginger haired--love, but he is also intelligent with a dash of nerdiness, passionate and thorough (in more areas than one). Alexandra comes off a bit bossy at first and I wasn't sure about her but as time passes her true nature emerges. She is still a bit bossy but she is also fun and adventurous, bold and stubborn and wary of tying herself to another man after the death of her husband. Together, Finn and Alexandra explode but also bond over Finn's work with his battery for the automobile. But Alexandra is still holding out her secret and it may end up costing her in the end...and if that doesn't, her stubbornness will. Overall, I really adored this book. The setting, the characters, the dialogue, passion, intrigue--all of it was done so well, it is hard to believe this is a historical debut. The next two books will take place at the same time as this one and while that is usually not a favorite of mine, there were just enough snippets of the other couples that I think it is going to work out well. Plus, there is not major mystery linking the stories so I don't think there will be much rehashing. Juliana Gray has made it onto my auto-buy list with this debut and is an author all historical romance readers should read! 4 1/2 stars(less)

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Sep 10, 2012 Catherine rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was fun to read. I really liked that we stepped out of the ton and instead got to experience a little glimpse of the scientific/motor enthusiast world in the early days.

*For a sneak peek, check out the Tempting Teaser on Fiction Vixen*

*Review posted on Fiction Vixen*

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Mar 05, 2013 Miranda Davis rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: help-me-i-can-t-put-it-down, genuinely-great-fun, keeper, too-damn-funny-for-words

I found this at my library and took it home not realizing I'd already read and loved this one. Not only is the premise fresh, there are three, essentially overlapping, if not simultaneous, stories that make up the trilogy, of which this is first. It's set in the late 19th century. Three Englishmen retire for a year's monkish respite from their lives to the same castle in Italy that three Englishwomen have leased to get away for a while, to let the dust settle in their lives.

The men are a grumpy,...more

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Jun 04, 2013 Deborah Vespo rated it 4 of 5 stars

I understand this is Julianna's debut novel and it was wonderful!!! It's the first of a trilogy and I look forward to reading the next two books. It's witty, humorous, and I love the dialogue between the characters. Lady Alexandra Morley, a widow who is well known for things like her intellectual get togethers and her powerful status in society. Most of her fortune had been invested in a company that was to be a 'sure thing', a company that makes steam motors. She finds that it was not as profit...more I understand this is Julianna's debut novel and it was wonderful!!! It's the first of a trilogy and I look forward to reading the next two books. It's witty, humorous, and I love the dialogue between the characters. Lady Alexandra Morley, a widow who is well known for things like her intellectual get togethers and her powerful status in society. Most of her fortune had been invested in a company that was to be a 'sure thing', a company that makes steam motors. She finds that it was not as profitable as previously thought and is desperate to find a way to reverse her fortune, and place herself back in what is for her a very comfortable role in society. Her home has become a bit too expensive for her to live in so she and her sister and a unhappily married friend of theirs lease a castle, for a very low rate, in Italy, while she tries to figure out what she is going to do next.

Phineas "Finn" Burke isn't a member of the aristocracy but he is known for his brilliant scientific mind and has created a very comfortable and wealthy place for himself. Finn has only one thing on his mind and that is to find a place that is quiet, and secluded that will allow him to work on a new idea for his electrical powered engine, one that will power his horseless carriage. There is a group of motor enthusiasts that will be getting together in Italy who will be bringing their own horseless creations together and racing them. As it is not far from the castle Finn believes he has found the ideal location when he reads of a castle that is up for lease for a full year. He jumps on the opportunity and invites the Duke of Wallingford and his younger brother along.

Both the men and women think they have found a perfect solution to what they desire until the two groups come together and discover that the castle has been leased to all of them. So they create a bargain that will ensure one of the groups will have to leave, but things don't always work out in the way that they think they will. Very funny and enjoyable read!(less)

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Mar 10, 2013 Soycazadoradesombrasylibros rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: finish

Juliana, hace que ser mujer en el siglo diecinueve, principios del veinte, sea divertido, sea una aventura y sobre todo sea un choque de diálogos frescos, originales...De Inglaterra nos vamos a Italia, en un viaje del cual sabemos poco o nada, pequeñas pinceladas al principio del libro aquí y allá, haciendo que me intrigase este cambio repentino de una vida bulliciosa a una vida tranquila.
Los personajes que Juliana nos muestra son tres mujeres con un niño, Philip, que ha hecho mis delicias y tre...more Juliana, hace que ser mujer en el siglo diecinueve, principios del veinte, sea divertido, sea una aventura y sobre todo sea un choque de diálogos frescos, originales...De Inglaterra nos vamos a Italia, en un viaje del cual sabemos poco o nada, pequeñas pinceladas al principio del libro aquí y allá, haciendo que me intrigase este cambio repentino de una vida bulliciosa a una vida tranquila.
Los personajes que Juliana nos muestra son tres mujeres con un niño, Philip, que ha hecho mis delicias y tres hombres que parecen conocer muy bien a Lady Morley, sintiendo animadversión hacia ella, desde que la ven.
Es una historia llena de pequeños detalles que han hecho de mi lectura una verdadera delicia, como es el caso, de la introducción por parte de la autora a la protagonista Alexandra en el mundo del automovil, y es que Finn (Irlandés) es un estudioso e inventor que ahora esta interesado en un vehículo que no haga ruido, con mas velocidad...y el castillo de la Toscana es el lugar idóneo para estudiar y crear algo singular, pero no contaba con que todos se iban a encontrar en el mismo sitio, a la misma hora y que alguna dama podía hacer que todo se tambalease.
Finn, tiene sangre irlandesa y se vera en su temperamento y su manera de ser, en cambio Alexandra es la típica dama, que a simple vista parece tonta, pero tras esa fachada se esconden muchas cosas que como lectora me ha gustado conocer y entender.
Los personajes secundarios son un tanto atípicos, Juliana ha creado a dos personajes que os sorprenderán mucho al final, yo cuando pienso en ellos, sonrió como una tonta, y es que me deje engañar.
La pluma de esta autora sorprende por su sencillez, sin grandes florituras, ha hecho que la mujer en ese siglo de la mano de Finn, se sienta importante, colabore en algo mágico.
Dos personajes me han exasperado y han sido el duque de Wallingford y Roland, les hubiera dado un puntapié desde que abrieron su boca y empezaron a decir insensateces , pero sin ellos, esta historia no hubiese tenido la fuerza y las situaciones mas disparatadas que he leído hace meses.
Algo que me ha dejado confusa, y en la siguientes entregas pienso,creo...que la autora puede explicar son algunas escenas como la del plumón, el comportamiento de Lilibeth y su pasado, que no hace mucho incapie, pero siempre esta presente y es que se me han escapado de las manos pero,tras unas semanas sin ganas de leer, "Una dama nunca miente" me ha aportado tales sonrisas y una historia de amor de las de tira y afloja, que no os dejaran indiferentes,y que nada mas cerrar el libro, me he comprado en ingles ,el siguiente.(less)

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Jan 03, 2013 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical romance fans

Shelves: historical-setting, romance, story-and-character-doorways

I came across this title on a list of best romance novels of 2012 (and have since then seen it on a second list), and it sounded interesting, so I put it on hold and forgot about it. Once it arrived, I discovered it's the first in a trilogy that has a slight paranormal/magical overtone--i.e. there is some sort of mysterious curse on the Italian castle the main characters rent for the year. I am hoping the author lets us in on exactly what this curse is in later books, because she doesn't say muc...more

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Dec 25, 2012 Aurora rated it 2 of 5 stars

I won a copy of this book in Goodreads First Reads.

Okay, so I don't normally read romance novels. If you like historical romance in general you'll probably like this book more than I did. And I don't like erotica so I skipped the middle parts of the books with the sex scenes, so I can't say how well those were done.

Anyway, the book started out well. The characters were more interesting than I would've expected of 1800's English nobility. But I feel like the romance progressed too fast. Alexandra...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Belinda rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review is from: A Lady Never Lies (Mass Market Paperback)
A Lady Never Lies by Juliana Gray is an excellent read. The characters are likable, funny and real. The author has done a great job of keeping the flow of words to make a wonderful book. I really fell for Phineas "Finn" Burke, an attractive inventor, who tries to keep his distance from one beautiful woman who puts him on edge. Even though he is trying to perfect his "horseless carriage" machine, his lust keeps getting in the way. Fin...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was a pleasant surprise-- the book jacket sort of misrepresents the plot (bits of which are cribbed from Love's Labours Lost and from at least two of Verdi's operas), making it sound like a run-of-the-mill "noblewoman disdains commoner" story than what it ACTUALLY is. (And what it ACTUALLY is, is... complicated. But in a very good way.)

Three Englishmen-- a duke, his brother, and a rich inventor school chum of theirs-- decide to rusticate in sunny Italy for a year, studying the classics and...more This was a pleasant surprise-- the book jacket sort of misrepresents the plot (bits of which are cribbed from Love's Labours Lost and from at least two of Verdi's operas), making it sound like a run-of-the-mill "noblewoman disdains commoner" story than what it ACTUALLY is. (And what it ACTUALLY is, is... complicated. But in a very good way.)

Three Englishmen-- a duke, his brother, and a rich inventor school chum of theirs-- decide to rusticate in sunny Italy for a year, studying the classics and sciences and generally improving themselves. The inventor, Mr. Phineas "Finn" Burke, intends to take part in a horseless carriage competition in Rome at the end of that time, if he can perfect his own entry by that time. (And by the by, I LOVED the side plot involving the development of a workable automobile! I never knew how many varied methods of propulsion were tried before they settled on internal combustion!) To this purpose, they respond to an advertisement to rent a castle in Tuscany.

Three Englishwomen (and a child)-- a widowed marchioness (and toast of London society), her siste4r, and her cousin (and cousin's young son)-- decide to rusticate in sunny Italy for a year as well, ALSO to study the classics and generally improve themselves. (The fact that the widowed Lady Alexandra Morley is also fleeing her creditors, and helping her cousin to flee her abusive husband, are reasons they would just as soon keep to themselves.) They also have rented a castle in Tuscany... which, they belatedly discover, is the exact same castle that's been promised to the gentlemen.

Of course, this won't DO, but neither is willing to forgo their claim for the other. In fact, each is so insistent that the others' presence won't disturb them that they make a wager-- the first to be distracted from their studies will take out a page in the London Times confessing the superiority of the other gender's intelligence and studiousness. They agree to stay in separate wings of the (long disused and thoroughly drafty) castle, meeting only for meals.

Oh, and there's an extra little fillip to the plot... the castle they're staying in is rumored to be cursed by a wronged father and a pair of doomed lovers. Not that modern-minded English people would EVER believe in something so silly....

The story was quite delightful (and as I said above-- the horseless carriage angle was fantastic), and the characters were really well-drawn. Alexandra and Finn, in particular, had some deliciously subtle motivations. The "Love's Labours" part of the plotline gets abandoned by almost ALL of them fairly early on, until it comes down not to who ISN'T messing around on the sly, but who's going to be caught at it first. The horseless carriage race at the end was downright exciting, and that little whisper of intrigue that the author slipped in made it even more tasty. The only thing I didn't entirely like was the duke-- I didn't quite understand why he was so hateful and snide to Alexandra.

I'll definitely be reading the next two-- which will be, of course, about two other two couples at the castle.(less)

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Aug 21, 2012 Yellow Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a Charming and an Exquisite story, truly it is one of the best debuts of the year. I thoroughly enjoyed the story it was funny, witty and yet sensual all at the same time. I highly recommend this book. It was a wonder reading it and I could not put it down all through the book. The writing was impeccable the author did a great job in conveying emotion, characterization, and the development of the story was very interesting.

Our story involves three English ladies, three gentleman an Itali...more This is a Charming and an Exquisite story, truly it is one of the best debuts of the year. I thoroughly enjoyed the story it was funny, witty and yet sensual all at the same time. I highly recommend this book. It was a wonder reading it and I could not put it down all through the book. The writing was impeccable the author did a great job in conveying emotion, characterization, and the development of the story was very interesting.

Our story involves three English ladies, three gentleman an Italian castle in the secluded country side and some eccentric circumstances which brought our hero and heroine together in this amazing novel. Our heroine Alexandra was so charming witty and interesting. I absolutely loved, her. It is so hard to find likable heroines in romances, but the author did a great job with Alexandra. She is a widow forced to flee her troubles at home she meets our hero Finn with his traveling companions in an inn. During dinner a wager is struck to see who shall outlast whom. However, there is a huge complication an undeniable attraction between Finn and Alexandra, that escalates into a great love affair and a daring adventure through Rome.

I really enjoyed the main characters, in fact all characters where tolerable and it was definitely a fresh breeze. The setting was quite better then old and dreary England, and the fact that they were stuck in the castle filled with secrets made all more intriguing. In fact we are introduced to the love matches of their companions, whom I presume will be the main characters in the upcoming authors books. Alexandra was witty smart, charming, yet she was a lady she had a great balance. She was not ignorant yet she was still feminine. I really loved that about her. Finn was very masculine and a great hero, he had the looks and he had the brains. The tension between the hero and the heroine is beautifully written. Their love was pure and true because you could really tell they loved one another in a sense that both were very giving when it came to each other. And the sensuality is well described by the author. Definitely there was more sensuality then expected. I highly recommend this book.(less)

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Aug 15, 2012 Dottie rated it 5 of 5 stars

A delightful debut novel! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

Mr. Phineas ‘Finn’ Fitzwilliam Burke, a scientist with the Royal Society, is behind in his schedule, having encountered several unforeseen problems in the development of his electric engine for his horseless carriage. He needs time away from the distraction of any women so he can concentrate. Besides, there is an exposition being held in Rome within a few months, sponsored by his competitor Delmonico, and Finn wants to enter hi...more A delightful debut novel! Taken from my review at RomanceJunkies.com:

Mr. Phineas ‘Finn’ Fitzwilliam Burke, a scientist with the Royal Society, is behind in his schedule, having encountered several unforeseen problems in the development of his electric engine for his horseless carriage. He needs time away from the distraction of any women so he can concentrate. Besides, there is an exposition being held in Rome within a few months, sponsored by his competitor Delmonico, and Finn wants to enter his horseless carriage in the race being held there. Trying to help his friends, the Duke of Wallington and his brother, Lord Roland, who have been spending all of their time drinking and carousing, he talks them into accompanying him to a castle in Italy. This will be a year-long scientific retreat for the men away from any distractions, like women and drink. The men reluctantly agree to go with him.

When Lady Alexandra Morley, the Dowager Marchioness of Morley, was younger, she had been on the lookout for her Mr. Right, believing he would at least be a duke. After being disappointed by the Duke of Wallingford, she had accepted when the marquis proposed. At least he was wealthy. Newly engaged to a wealthy man, she had allowed her step-nephew to invest almost all of her jointure into his newly formed limited liability corporation, the Manchester Machine Works Company. Believing that the company made practical things like sewing machines and such, she did not see how it could fail, never dreaming that they actually made horseless carriages powered by steam. Now she is a penniless widow who has left England, fleeing from her creditors. In debt and responsible for her sister Abigail’s upkeep and dowry, she has gone to great lengths to keep their departure from England, as well as their destination, a secret. She has rented a castle in Italy for a year and accompanying her are her sister Abigail as well as her cousin, Lady Lilibet Somerton, and Lilibet’s small son.

As Alexandra arrives at an inn, she finds that three gentlemen, including the Duke of Wallingford, have arrived before her and have taken up all but one small room, which is not big enough for their party. Using her womanly wiles, she relies on the men being gentlemen and giving up their rooms to the women. Although the duke is very disgruntled about the situation, the men give in. Later, as they dine, Lady Morley cannot believe that the men mean to stay a year in Italy studying, especially knowing the duke’s reputation as she does. So the men and the women make a wager. Whoever stays the longest will win and the loser will have to post it in the newspaper as well as vacate the premises immediately. Leaving the inn the next morning, the three men and three women are shocked to discover that they have rented the same castle.

With no other solution, they agree to split the castle, with the men in one wing and the women in the other, only meeting for supper. But Finn is having trouble concentrating, especially with Lady Morley seeking him out, expressing interest in his project and offering to be his assistant. He is attracted to the woman and doesn’t know that she has an ulterior motive…she needs to learn all she can about the electric motor and the horseless carriage for the company she has invested in. But she quickly finds her desire for Finn competing with her need to improve her investment.
As they give into their feelings for each other, Finn is determined to get her to marry him. But to marry him, she would be taking a few steps down in society since she is a dowager marchioness and he is an illegitimate scientist. As for Alexandra, she doesn’t want it to seem like she is marrying Finn for his money. She wants an equal partnership. Can he convince her that love is the only thing that counts?

An exciting story, A LADY NEVER LIES, the first book in talented debut author Juliana Gray’s new AFFAIRS BY MOONLIGHT trilogy, is a witty, passionate historical romance that readers will find hard to put down. In the beginning, I found Alexandra to be an arrogant and manipulative woman, but as the story progresses, she begins to mature. As for Finn, he could not be a better hero. Additionally, setting the story in Italy is a refreshing change and the cursed castle with its secrets adds even more appeal to the story. This novel is an absolute delight and an auspicious start for Ms. Gray’s literary career. By combining humor, an intriguing plot, engaging characters, a horseless carriage race, danger, passion and love, Ms. Gray has penned a winning story. The three books in this trilogy involve the same three men and three women who are included in this novel. I highly recommend A LADY NEVER LIES and look forward to reading the next book in this enchanting series, A GENTLEMAN NEVER TELLS, starring Lord Roland and Lady Somerset. In the meantime, do not miss A LADY NEVER LIES!

Dottie, RomanceJunkies.com

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Oct 09, 2012 Barbara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-2012

Surprisingly great story! This will be a trilogy with all three stories simultaneous. This is Finn and Alexandra's story. Finn is brilliant and a car engine inventor. Alexandra has had all her money taken by a great-nephew of her late husband and invested in an engine machine shop. In order to conserve money, Alexandra, her sister who is single, and their cousin with her son, go to Italy....which is exactly where Finn, his griend, the Duke of Wallingford and his brother-Lord Roland, who is in lo...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, 1830-1900

I received this book as an uncorrected proof through First Reads.

A Lady Never Lies, the debut novel of Juliana Gray, is the first of three books in which each book occurs simultaneously with the others. In this first installment the reader is treated to the main characters of Lady Alexandra Morley, a dower marchioness who is escaping England after finding out she is penniless, and Phineas "Finn" Burke, a bastard who has used his genius to make millions and is obsessed with automobiles. They, alo...more I received this book as an uncorrected proof through First Reads.

A Lady Never Lies, the debut novel of Juliana Gray, is the first of three books in which each book occurs simultaneously with the others. In this first installment the reader is treated to the main characters of Lady Alexandra Morley, a dower marchioness who is escaping England after finding out she is penniless, and Phineas "Finn" Burke, a bastard who has used his genius to make millions and is obsessed with automobiles. They, along with their companions have each separately vowed to leave off of the the opposite sex and devout a year to academic interests in Italy.

The conflict really starts when the two parties run in to each other and later discover that they have both leased the same property. With nothing else to do they agree to living together only in the form of a wager: there is to be no romantic contact between the parties and that whichever party vacates the premises first, thus proving they are unable to stand a solitary academic sojourn, they must take out a full page ad in the Times declaring the other sex superior. A rather unique premise,unfortunately this could have been played up more than it was. Perhaps it is in the other books.

Alexandra was a very interesting character. She originally comes across as slightly manipulative and arrogant, expecting others to jump to do her bidding and to thank her for the privilege. She grows a lot in the course of the book, going from the most sought after hostess in London to a woman willing to get down and dirty in Finn's workshop. Alexandra is keenly aware of her new position and still manages to deny Finn's proposal, knowing that she can't "sell" herself for wealth a second time.

Meanwhile, Finn is an adorable hero. He is described most easily as having bright red hair and an often vacant or preoccupied expression. He was born a bastard who has risen through the ranks of society by his genius. His current obsession is electric automobiles and he spends the majority of his time locked away in his workshop. Finn has a quite devotion that makes him stand out. He never apologizes to Alexandra for being the scientific being that he is.

It was interesting to read about the other characters in the castle with them, seeing how they are acting around each other and trying to figure out how their stories will work the already established facts. Most especially I look forward to reading the third book which features the Duke and Alexandra's sister. I am keen to know how and why the Duke was covered in feathers...(less)

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Aug 11, 2012 Sarah T rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, read-in-2012

Loved the setting (Italy, 1890s), the fact that it involved early automobile history, the redhead inventor hero. I'm not sure how I feel about the small paranormal element that crops up at the end. I think I'm fine with it, but other readers might feel a bit betrayed if you are the sort of person who likes warning about that type of thing.

In general I think my excitement about this book is in large part due to the fact that I love the late Victorian/Edwardian years and I wish more authors would...more

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Apr 23, 2013 May Mostly Romance rated it 2 of 5 stars

เป็นเรื่องที่อ่านแล้ว แทบไม่อยากจะอ่านงานเล่มอื่น ๆ ของนักเขียนคนนี้เลยค่ะ แต่ก็ทำไม่ได้ เพราะดันซื้อหนังสือของเธอมาตุนไว้ครบชุดแล้ว (ซึ่งอาจจะเป็นข้อดีก็ได้นะคะ ถ้าเราชอบเล่มอื่น ๆ ในชุด)

ฉากในเรื่องเกิดขึ้นช่วงปลายศตวรรษที่ 19 เรื่องจึงค่อนข้างยุคสมัยใหม่พอสมควร พระเอกเป็นนักประดิษฐ์ที่ประสบความสำเร็จ เดินทางมาอิตาลีพร้อมกับเพื่อนสองคน (ซึ่งเป็นพี่น้องกัน) ได้มาพบกลุ่มของนางเอกที่เดินทางมาเช่นกัน ด้วยความบังเอิญหรือโชคชะตา ทั้งหกคนพบว่า ตัวเองโดนหลอก โดยเจ้าของปราสาทอันเป็นบ้านเช่าในอิตาลีได้ป...more เป็นเรื่องที่อ่านแล้ว แทบไม่อยากจะอ่านงานเล่มอื่น ๆ ของนักเขียนคนนี้เลยค่ะ แต่ก็ทำไม่ได้ เพราะดันซื้อหนังสือของเธอมาตุนไว้ครบชุดแล้ว (ซึ่งอาจจะเป็นข้อดีก็ได้นะคะ ถ้าเราชอบเล่มอื่น ๆ ในชุด)

ฉากในเรื่องเกิดขึ้นช่วงปลายศตวรรษที่ 19 เรื่องจึงค่อนข้างยุคสมัยใหม่พอสมควร พระเอกเป็นนักประดิษฐ์ที่ประสบความสำเร็จ เดินทางมาอิตาลีพร้อมกับเพื่อนสองคน (ซึ่งเป็นพี่น้องกัน) ได้มาพบกลุ่มของนางเอกที่เดินทางมาเช่นกัน ด้วยความบังเอิญหรือโชคชะตา ทั้งหกคนพบว่า ตัวเองโดนหลอก โดยเจ้าของปราสาทอันเป็นบ้านเช่าในอิตาลีได้ปล่อยปราสาทให้เช่ากับทั้งสองคณะ ทำให้ทั้งหกคนจำใจต้องอาศัยอยู่ร่วมกัน

เรื่องชุดนี้ก็จับคู่สองฝั่งค่ะ มีสามคู่ สามเล่ม เราเข้าใจว่า เหตุการณ์ในเรื่องทั้งสามน่าจะเกิดในเวลาเดียวกัน เพียงแต่เล่าจากคนละมุมมองของคาแร็คเตอร์แต่ละตัว

ปัญหาที่เรามีต่อเรื่องนี้ก็คือ ความฉาบฉวยที่คนแต่งใช้นำเสนอตัวละคร เราอ่านไปจนจบเรื่องก็ยังไม่รู้สึกว่า ได้รู้จักตัวพระเอกหรือนางเอกอย่างแท้จริง มีบางช่วงเวลาในเรื่องที่ดูเหมือนจะน่าสนใจ ช่วงเวลาเหล่านั้นก็คือตอนที่พวกเขาเล่าเรื่องของตัวเอง จุดนี้น่าเสียดายมากนะคะ เพราะภูมิหลังของพระเอกก็น่าสนใจมาก ๆ เขาเป็นลูกนอกสมรสของนางบำเรอชื่อดัง (ลูกค้าของเธอเป็นถึงระดับเจ้าชาย) ฟินน์ต้องทำหลายอย่างเพื่อกันตัวเองให้ออกจากตราบาปที่ติดตัวมาตั้งแต่เกิด ซึ่งดูเหมือนเขาจะทำได้ดี โดยประสบความสำเร็จในสิ่งที่ทำ เป็นนักประดิษฐ์ที่ผลงานสร้างเงินจำนวนมหาศาล เรียกได้ว่า เขาได้ประโยชน์จากยุคปฏิวัติอุตสาหกรรมอย่างชัดเจน ประเด็นนี้เรารับรู้จากเนื้อเรื่อง แต่ไม่มีสักช่วงเวลาที่เรื่องลงรายละเอียดลึกซึ้ง ในขณะที่นางเอกถือว่าตื้นมาก ไม่ใช่ในแง่ของคาแร็คเตอร์หรอกนะคะ เธอดูเป็นคนใช้ได้ แต่เราก็บอกได้แค่นั้น เพราะเราไม่รู้สึกเลยว่า ตัวตนของเธอเป็นใคร เรามองไม่เห็นภายในจิตใจของเธอเลย

เรื่องใช้เวลาไปเยอะมากกับสิ่งประดิษฐ์ของพระเอก ถึงเทคโนโลยีในการผลิตเครื่องยนต์ (ที่ต่อมาพัฒนาใช้ในรถยนต์ยุคปัจจุบัน) ปัญหาคือ เราอยากได้โรแมนซ์ค่ะ ไม่ได้อ่านประวัติของเฮนรี ฟอร์ด ไม่อยากรู้ว่า มีเทคโนโลยีอะไรบ้างในยุคสมัยนั้น ไม่ได้บอกว่า เราต้องการเรื่องที่ปราศจากเกร็ดทางประวัติศาสตร์ที่น่าสนใจนะคะ แต่เล่มนี้เรารู้สึกว่า การให้น้ำหนักมันพิกล

ความสัมพันธ์ระหว่างพระนางพัฒนาไปเป็นความสัมพันธ์ทางเพศเร็วมาก นั่นยิ่งตอกย้ำความฉาบฉวยที่เรารู้สึก เราไม่เห็นความรักที่จริงจัง เหมือนการพบรักระหว่างวันหยุดฤดูร้อน จากกันก็จบไป

แล้วยังมีความหัวดื้อของนางเอก อาจเพราะเราไม่เคยเข้าถึงความคิดในใจของเธออย่างแท้จริง เราก็เลยไม่เข้าใจว่า เธอจะปฏิเสธพระเอกไปเพื่อสิ่งใด เธอต้องการเป็นคนที่คู่ควรกับเขา (ในแง่ของฐานะการเงิน) จึงปฏิเสธเงินของพระเอกในการทำให้สถานการณ์ทางการเงินของตัวเองดีขึ้น แต่มุ่งมั่นที่จะเอาชนะพระเอก เรางงว่าแตกต่างกันตรงไหน เพราะสุดท้ายหากเธอชนะ พระเอกก็แพ้ไม่ใช่หรือ

เรื่องนี้อ่านจบแล้วเหมือนจบกันไปเลย เราไม่ผูกพันกับคาแร็คเตอร์ กับพล็อตเรื่อง หรือกระทั่งกับฉากในเรื่อง ทุกอย่างมันดูห่างไกล และจับต้องไม่ได้

คะแนนที่ 53

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Jan 26, 2013 Kerry Allen rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: never-again, donated, 2013-eat-your-spinach

This was so devoid of emotion, when I arrived at "the sunlight dimmed for just an instant, beaten back by mighty flame of their passion" (page 112), I literally fell over laughing, as I did again on page 162 when the heroine said, "Thank you, that was lovely," in appreciation of NOT a delightful cup of tea and watercress sandwich, but for supposedly great sex. There's no internalization, so the pointed telling about their supernova passion and boundless love has a slapstick effect.

The only beli...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Brittany rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reads, 2012-romance-challenge

I have a few issues with this book. The general story line is good and I love the chilling twist at the end! I will still read the next in the series but I do hope that the few issues I have with this book are fixed in others in the series. First and foremost is that the writer uses american stands of measurement for a story placed in the 19th Century England. Not a big issue but it's not consistent either. About half way through the author seems to realize the issue and starts using metric meas...more

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Mar 12, 2013 Danae rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: lovers of funny sweet historical romance with some historical research

Shelves: blue-stocking, brilliant-repartee, historical-romance, illegitimate-h-h, non-aristocrat-hero, reviewed, smoking-hot, victorian-romance, brainiac-hero-heroine

A lovely tale with loads of LOL moments. Julianna Gray, you've won a fan with this one and I can't wait to start on the next. The invention of motor cars forms the back drop to this romantic tale of a lady of the ton on the brink of impoverishment and an illegitimate Irish moneybags inventor and their two companions each who find themselves sharing quarters in remote Italy, setting up absurd wagers in a battle of the genders, and generally behaving madly and comically, egged on by a little 'spir...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

I had to read this for my Shakespeare & Pop Culture class and, I have to say, I expected to hate it. I expected the writing to be sloppy, the plot to be thin at best, and the main focus to be on horrendously evoked smexy smang times. While there's plenty of that in the book (once these two get goin' they don't stop), I was surprised to find myself enjoying the writing, which pays homage to the witty repartee in Shakespeare's LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST, Gray's inspiration for the novel. I initially...more

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Nov 18, 2012 Lindy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Reviewed for TwoLips Reviews, LLC
2 1/2 Kisses, 1 Pepper (M/F oral sex)

This is the story of Lady Alexandra Morley and Phineas Burke. My first impression of Lady Morley is that she's a selfish opportunist, and her dishonesty makes her an unlikable character. Finn talks his friends to temporarily moving to Italy with him so he can work on his "horseless carriage" project. Somehow both parties manage to lease the same Italian "castle," so they're going to be spending a lot of time in close proximity...more

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Oct 10, 2012 Diah Didi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-and-half-stars, 2012, adult, arrangement, beta-hero, english, family, fiction, historical, love-the-cover, my-very-first-of, nerd, own, paperback, romance, series, brainy

My very first of Juliana Gray, and if I'm not mistaken, it's her first book, too.
When I read the prologue, I know those three men would be the main hero and I was excited.
Finn Burke is a scientist, that'd make him a geek, which was one of hero type I love. While Alexandra, Lady Morley... well, she's smart, a bit manipulative I think, but I liked her.
Together, with his best friend, Wallingforth, and the brother, Roland, with her sister, Abigail, and her cousin, err... what was her name? Lilibet?...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Evangeline Holland rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 1890s, historical-romance, victorian-romance, humor

A very strong B+. The conflict that cropped up between Alexandra and Finn in the middle of the book was a tad contrived, but they dealt with it like adults! Can't wait for books 2 & 3.

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Jul 28, 2012 Rhonda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, historical-romance

I won this from a goodreads first-reads giveaway.

I would actually give this more of a score of 4 1/2 stars just because I felt it was missing something. I think it could have done with more excitement. I really loved the romance. I felt like the characters had good chemistry. Even though it was one of those instant attractions, I really believed it. The action in the story was almost randomly put in. It was interesting but it was kind of rushed through. The thing about the two workers at the cas...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Barb Lie rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Lady Never Lies is the debut novel of Juliana Gray and her first book in her Affairs by the Moonlight Trilogy. This is a historical romance that takes place in Italy around the time period of 1890. As described on Gray’s website…Three English ladies on a holiday escape. Three dashing bachelors competing in a wager to remain chaste. Three scandalous affairs in an enchanted castle.
Our heroine in A Lady Never Lies is Lady Alexandra Morley, who is widowed and is running away from her home in Londo...more A Lady Never Lies is the debut novel of Juliana Gray and her first book in her Affairs by the Moonlight Trilogy. This is a historical romance that takes place in Italy around the time period of 1890. As described on Gray’s website…Three English ladies on a holiday escape. Three dashing bachelors competing in a wager to remain chaste. Three scandalous affairs in an enchanted castle.
Our heroine in A Lady Never Lies is Lady Alexandra Morley, who is widowed and is running away from her home in London to avoid her creditors. Having been tricked by a nephew into investing in a company going bankrupt, Alexandra is desperate to find a way to salvage the company. She, her sister and cousin head for a castle near Florence, Italy, where no one would find them. Alexandra is also protecting her sister, who is also running away from an abusive husband.

Finn (Phineas) Burke is a successful and wealthy inventor, who makes a deal with his two friends, the Duke of Wallingford and his brother Lord Roland to take a yearly leave from partying every night, and become abstinence for one year. Finn wants to work on his new invention, an electric car, as he is scheduled to race later in the year, which he is determined to win. Finn has created his own success, but is not as flamboyant or reckless with woman, like the Wallingford brothers. However, Finn convinces them they need to take this one year leave to save themselves, and they leave London to a castle in Italy.

Of course, along the way, the ladies and the gentleman meet, and find themselves heading for the same castle. A beat up old castle as it is. They are forced to share, with each taking a different wing and working together to fix up the place.
Despite his determination to steer clear of the women, Finn finds himself falling in love with Alexandra, and she with him. Very early on, I have to admit, I was not crazy about Alexandra, who came across like a rich scheming and selfish snobbish lady.
But that did not last long. As Alexandra begins to show interest, perhaps to help her learn more about what Finn is doing, she does begin to fall for Finn. He, who normally is only interested in his invention, tries his best to avoid Alexandra at all costs. But he falls hopelessly in love with her.

This was such a wonderful romance, with a lot of humor and fun watching them hide their attraction from others, as well as the witty comments all around. The sexual scenes were pretty steamy, but well done, and also fun to see Alexandra truly learning what sex was all about. She was married to Lord Morley, an elder gentleman, and there with little sex between them. But Finn and Alexandra’s romance was beautifully done, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching them fall deeper and deeper in love.

There was a short glitch, where Finn begins to suspect that perhaps Alexandra was hiding something, and was using him. Alexandra, who was trying to salvage the Motor Company, which her money was tied up with, did hope to possibly learn more from Finn, but she was not using him. She was totally in love with him. But Finn leaves the castle, and Alexandra is heartbroken, not knowing why or where he was. The last ¼ of the book had a wonderful adventure, with a wild car race, with both Finn and Alexandra driving. It was a lot of fun, and this book had quite a bit of humor in it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and the wonderful fun romance of Finn and Alexandra. Juliana Gray has done a wonderful job writing this book, keeping us interested almost from the start, and I look forward to the next two books, which will most certainly be about the other two couples. If you want a fun, romance, with sexual tones, then this is the book for you.

Barb
The Reading Cafe
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Aug 01, 2012 Stephanie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Stephanie by: Lauren Willi

I won a copy of this book from Juliana Gray's Facebook. I will post a review once i have received and read the book.

A Lady Never Lies – Julianna Gray

I really enjoyed this book. Three women and three men set out for a vacation and an escape from their lives. The men are taking a break from the sins of the world especially women. The women are choosing for intellectual pursuits and one to escape a husband. Somehow they both end up in the same residence and Mr. Burke and Alexandra have a connection...more

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Feb 05, 2013 Virginia rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read the second book in this series first, usually that doesn't matter much but in this series it does. I liked "a Gentleman Never Tells" but there were bits that didn't really make sense. After reading the first book I now get it. Even without that, I like the first book much better than the second. The characters seem richer and the conflict is more original. Also the love scenes are more love scenes than sex scenes. This book has the characters for the next two weaving thru it, the bits wit...more

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Aug 31, 2012 Jess rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

Cute, light read with some crazy/random humor - that I enjoyed. There are three stories happening at the same time, we only get the first couple's story here, Finn, a loveable scientist and Alexandra, a broke widow.

It ends in a cliffhanger for another couple. I am not a fan of cliffhangers at all, but in this case with the other couples having things happening to them off page, with them showing up on page randomly covered in feathers or talking seriously about goats, I'm curious enough to want...more

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Sep 09, 2012 Danielle Adams rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

A high society woman runs from her troubles to the countryside where she falls in love and must learn to trust in it.

Lady Alexandra Morley has lost her fortunes in a bad investment, and runs to the country of Italy under the disguise of scholarly pursuits with her sister and cousin to devise a plan to get her fortune back on her own. Finn Burke, an inventor perfecting his “horseless carriage” for an exhibit, talks his two friends into traveling to the Italian countryside for scholarly pursuits...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: gray-juliana

I am giving this book 4 stars, but with reservations. I wish I could give it 3 1/2. I did not particularly care for the hero or heroine. Alexandra was Lady Morley, a widow with a title but no money. Finn was a wealthy, brilliant inventor with lots of money but no title, a bastard even.

I found the characters difficult to get to know and their conversations hard to follow. That must be why it took so long for me to finish. Set against the beginning of the automobile industry, this story definitely...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Sanna rated it 2 of 5 stars

I woke up in the night thinking of the things that annoyed me about this book. I don't think it's the author's fault--I speculate that the original was turned into a trilogy by the publisher. But this made the first one full of characters who disappeared and dropped plot points. The author gets the blame for the lame obstacle to Happily Ever After. At least I got to learn that there were electric cars in 1890!

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A Lady Never Lies (Affairs By Moonlight #1)

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