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The Pursuit of Pleasure

3.19 of 5 stars 3.19 · rating details · 299 ratings · 61 reviews

Never Say “Never” To Passion…

Lizzie Paxton’s dream in life is to be a widow—if only she could skip the wedding and the husband. When her childhood friend Captain James Marlowe proposes a marriage in name only, she accepts, knowing she’ll have the independence she craves once he sets sail. Though James is the only man Lizzie trusts, she doesn’t trust the scintillating desir...more

Paperback, 320 pages

Published December 1st 2010 by Brava

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Aug 14, 2012 Mikaela rated it 3 of 5 stars

I downloaded this when Kensington offered it as a freebie, last year I think. But for a number of reasons, I didn’t read it until now.

This, unlike most historical romances I read, is set in Dartmouth. And I loved how the setting was used, and how it influenced the plot. I could almost hear the waves crashing against the steep cliffs, and the winds blowing over the moor.I could taste the dust in the air as Lizzie visited The Glass House. But most of all, I loved the Glass House. I loved how isola...more

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Apr 29, 2011 Tahlia Newland rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

The writing was supurb, the characters gutsy and adorable, the story interesting and full of surprises, so much so that I'm reading it again. Yes, I really loved this book and I will be looking for more from this author. I love the cover too. It says romance, but it's more subtle and creative than the durth of naked torsos that adorm a lot of romance covers.

I got this free from Amazon. I would never have bought it, even though the story sounded interesting, because I don't read straight romance,...more

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Feb 06, 2011 Laura Kaye rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I won this book through the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival, and Elizabeth Essex sent it to me directly with a very nice note. Thanks, Elizabeth!

I was in love with this story from the first chapter. Lizzie and Jamie were playful from the start, their dialogue so filled with witty banter and sensual innuendo. As childhood best friends who meet again after a long separation, you can feel the effect their previous relationship has on their current interactions--there's already a h...more I won this book through the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood Winter Writing Festival, and Elizabeth Essex sent it to me directly with a very nice note. Thanks, Elizabeth!

I was in love with this story from the first chapter. Lizzie and Jamie were playful from the start, their dialogue so filled with witty banter and sensual innuendo. As childhood best friends who meet again after a long separation, you can feel the effect their previous relationship has on their current interactions--there's already a history, which means there's chemistry from the first moment. The sexual tension between them was strong throughout and it made everything about their interaction sensual. The wedding night sex scenes capitalized on all that sexual tension perfectly, leaving me, like Lizzie, feeling the devastation when Jamie has to leave (forever, we think) shortly thereafter.

For me, everything works about the book--pacing, characterization, their relationship, plot--up until the moment Lizzie is released from jail (p. 223). Then things started to bug me. First of all, I had a hard time accepting how quickly Lizzie forgives Jamie for his very long and serious list of betrayals. When she finally does forgive him, I had a hard time following her rationalization--I had to reread it to see if I could understand her, and I still couldn't really. He marries her for revenge, lied to her about his plans, faked his death, watched her and his whole family bury him and grieve, pulled her in through association to a dangerous smuggling operation, and left her in jail for his murder for weeks. Yet it seems after a chapter or two, which represented very little actual time, she's declaring she just should've trusted him. Hmm.

It was in the post-jail portion of the book that the pacing slowed for me as well--with somewhat repetitive scenes of Lizzie and Jamie arguing, or her trying to figure out the lies everyone was telling. Both characters became less likable and consistent in their characterization--Lizzie's defiance and independence, so likable before, led her to act spitefully and childishly, in ways that often lacked common sense. Jamie's frustration with Lizzie's well-justified hurt and mistrust, his continual placing of his duty above her, and his insistence to prove she needed him--by pushing her face first into the grass and having sex with her, make him less sympathetic at the very moment when the depth of his betrayal is revealed and he needs to be more likable to get the reader back on his side. Perhaps if the reader had been able to read, in scene, some of his anti-smuggling exploits, had been able to really see just how much danger Jamie was potentially in as he tried to infiltrate the smuggling ranks, he would've been more sympathetic. Without those scenes, it seemed he put Lizzie through all those trials to sail back and forth along the coast and hide out as a groundsman on their estate. In my opinion, NOT showing Jamie actually engaged in the dangerous parts of his mission was a missed opportunity for his characterization. Because of these issues, the sexual tension that was SO effective in the first part of the book falls flat in the last third.

The good news is, I was so in love with them before these issues arose, and so rooting for them to be together, that the problems didn't interrupt my overall enjoyment of the book, which I read pretty much straight through in a day and a half, I was so hooked. I was entertained and enjoyed Essex's world and characters, and on that alone, I can recommend.

And, yowza, is that a great (read: hot!) cover, or what?(less)

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Jan 23, 2011 Helena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

‘In Pursuit of Pleasure’ by Elizabeth Essex is an aptly titled scorching tale of love, lust, betrayal and intrigue in the faltering British Empire’s struggle against Revolutionary France. Essex captures a sensual exploration by two people from childhood to marriage in this novel about Jameson and Lizzie.
British Captain Jameson (Jamie) Marlowe needs a wife and then to die. And his lifelong friend, Lizzie Paxton is happy to oblige. Contrarian and supremely confident, Lizzie Paxton has wanted noth...more ‘In Pursuit of Pleasure’ by Elizabeth Essex is an aptly titled scorching tale of love, lust, betrayal and intrigue in the faltering British Empire’s struggle against Revolutionary France. Essex captures a sensual exploration by two people from childhood to marriage in this novel about Jameson and Lizzie.
British Captain Jameson (Jamie) Marlowe needs a wife and then to die. And his lifelong friend, Lizzie Paxton is happy to oblige. Contrarian and supremely confident, Lizzie Paxton has wanted nothing more in life than to be a widow in order to achieve her independence.
Marlowe is quite ready to indulge his new wife allowing her to dictate the marriage contracts and rescind her dowry back to her which, while I found that very startling, was also refreshing. Her desire to carve her path in life seemed to fit in with the post American Revolutionary period as women kept the home fires burning but were no less adept at running businesses, families and war efforts.
Intrigue and a web of deceit surround Jamie as he attempts to infiltrate smugglers sending weapons to Revolutionary France. But he is never far from the woman he has now fallen in love with.
I admired forthright Lizzie’s plan for her freedom even though I was frequently surprised by her outrageous comments and insubordination toward her parents. Admittedly it was fun to watch her take on her father, though her unchecked manner was still astonishing. And that’s just one of the things Jamie loves about Lizzie as he too, seems free-spirited while duty bound to the Navy. Readers will cheer on this rebellious, spirited young woman and rally around Jamie as he fights his way back to her.
The British coast provided a great backdrop not only for the story setting, but for the rich cast of characters that populated the book led by Jamie’s insufferable cousin Jeremy Wroxham and his mother, The Tuppers, Lt. McAlden and Phineas Maguire.
Dialogue is a treat particularly with the quick-witted Lizzie.
“As you noted, I’m a widow, Mr. Wroxham. My preferences are nobody’s business but my own.”
“True, but I have to wonder if your tastes have deteriorated because you live so far out from town and have become, shall we say, countrified. Or if you choose to live so far from town to satisfy your deplorable taste.”
“Is there a point to all this elegant abuse, Mr. Wroxham? “I really am quite tired.”
The sex scenes were positively erotic and go on for pages giving foreplay a new meaning. The explicit language could have been off-putting if we didn’t know the characters so well and their intense desire for each other.
Description and dialogue in this story seemed longer than most novels but it worked, providing backstory and serving as a spring board to action. I was relieved I found it engaging and not burdensome.
While it’s an amazingly convenient match – Lizzie’s hunger for independence at a husband’s expense and he too willing to comply because of his own plans – it didn’t feel overly contrived. In fact, they are perfectly matched and the plot sets up so well.
The novel moves along at a very good clip with the placement of Wroxham at Lizzie’s estate that is suspected to be used by smugglers as a base of operations was another neatly packaged subplot. But no less engaging as the threads of Jamie’s subplot, his wife’s plans for her estate and those of Wroxham that conspire to weave a web entrapping them all.
The phrase, be careful what you wish for, played loudly in my head as Lizzie maneuvers the false information that she has achieved the status she wanted: widow. She is unprepared for the true grief she feels which fits into Captain Marlowe’s covert mission. While she seethes at his seeming betrayal, always one for adventure, she decides to help his mission against his wishes for her to leave the house instead transforming it into the estate she has dreamed of. This of course puts her right in the path of danger as an unwitting roadblock for both the smugglers and Marlowe.
I loved the twists and turns Essex threw in brilliantly that brought many elements together so nicely including Lizzie’s imprisonment, Jamie’s warring sense of duty and love and Wroxham’s ‘elegant abuse’ of the situation. The thick tension of desire coupled with deception, a head strong pair of lovers and winds of war propel this adventure giving readers a truly satisfying read and romance.
(less)

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Dec 03, 2010 Jane Stewart rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historic-romantic-mystery-suspense

3 ½ stars. I enjoyed the heroine doing unexpected things. Nearby smuggling creates danger.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
It’s different and enjoyable with some freshness. This is not a formulaic romance. Lizzie is strong, independent and intelligent. She does not do what others (including the reader) expect her to do. I liked what she did. I enjoyed her anger and plans for revenge. I liked her conversations with others when they were lying to her and she knew it (and they knew she knew it). There was not mu...more 3 ½ stars. I enjoyed the heroine doing unexpected things. Nearby smuggling creates danger.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
It’s different and enjoyable with some freshness. This is not a formulaic romance. Lizzie is strong, independent and intelligent. She does not do what others (including the reader) expect her to do. I liked what she did. I enjoyed her anger and plans for revenge. I liked her conversations with others when they were lying to her and she knew it (and they knew she knew it). There was not much relationship development, but it was good enough.

I wanted to say a lot more in Story Brief below but I couldn’t so as to avoid Spoilers. The plot and the way things evolve are interesting. I would have liked more attention paid to the bad guys. I wanted to see what they were doing and how they did it. One bad guy scene was done with no names. By the end of the book, I was still wondering who had said what in that scene. I wanted to know more about Maguire’s past and current activities. A conversation about him at the end of the book confused me. But the story was still good not knowing those things.

STORY BRIEF:
Jamie and Lizzie were childhood friends. Jamie went off to the Navy for ten years and just now returned. He overhears Lizzie telling a friend that her dearest dream is to become a widow so she could live independently. He proposes marriage saying he expects to die in the near future. The Navy is sending him on an eight year mission to Antipodes which is a dangerous assignment, most likely to kill him. His motive is that he bought a house with tenant lands around it, and he doesn’t want his cousin to inherit it. Lizzie has never desired other men and is tired of being ruled by her father. She agrees. They marry. Jamie asks Lizzie not to move into the house until the repairs are finished. Then he leaves for the Navy. Lizzie disregards his instructions and soon moves into the house. Some smuggling activities are happening near the house which is near the sea. Bad guys cause problems for Lizzie.

DATA:
Story length: 321 pages. Swearing language: moderate, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 5. Estimated number of sex scene pages: 20. Setting: 1794 Dartmouth, England. Copyright: 2010. Genre: historical romantic mystery suspense.(less)

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Sep 26, 2012 May Mostly Romance rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

The Pursuit of Pleasure ของอลิซาเบ็ธ เอสเสกซ์

อาจจะนับก็ได้นะคะว่า เรื่องนี้เป็นเล่มแรกในชุด แต่ถ้าจะไม่นับก็คงไม่มีผลอะไร เพราะความชุดเกี่ยวเนื่องกันผ่านทางตัวละครที่เดินผ่านฉากของกันและกันเท่านั้น เท่าที่ทราบ เล่มสองจะเป็นเรื่องของเพื่อนนางเอก ในขณะที่เล่มสามเป็นเพื่อนของพระเอก

หนังสือเล่มนี้เปิดเรื่องได้น่าอ่านมากที่สุดเรื่องนึง บทสนทนาระหว่างตัวเอกเป็นสิ่งที่โดดเด่นและจับใจเราได้ตั้งแต่เริ่มอ่าน และทำให้เราอ่านเรื่องนี้ลื่นไหลไปได้สนุกมาก และแม้จะมีข้อบกพร่องหลายอย่าง หรือหลายประเด็นที่เราไม่...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Diana rated it 1 of 5 stars

When I was thirteen, I used to "borrow" my mom's romance novels and read them without her knowing. Elizabeth Essex's The Pursuit of Pleasure would've definitely been one of those novels. It would've spoken to me at the time because it is that poorly written.

The writing was amateurish, choppy, and awkward. Not awkward situations, but awkwardly situated. The premise is that Lizzie Paxton, daughter of Squire Paxton, is keen on gaining her independence. Her views are not conventional or socially acc...more When I was thirteen, I used to "borrow" my mom's romance novels and read them without her knowing. Elizabeth Essex's The Pursuit of Pleasure would've definitely been one of those novels. It would've spoken to me at the time because it is that poorly written.

The writing was amateurish, choppy, and awkward. Not awkward situations, but awkwardly situated. The premise is that Lizzie Paxton, daughter of Squire Paxton, is keen on gaining her independence. Her views are not conventional or socially accepted. "If I were a widow I'd have everything I need. Independence. Social standing. Financial stability.... It would be perfect. A marriage without the man." Enter Jameson Marlowe, a childhood friend that appears out of nowhere after ten years of being away, with a proposition that will help Lizzie achieve her goal. Sounded interesting enough. I was wrong.

My issues with The Pursuit of Pleasure include:

Lizzie: Fiercely "independent", unconventional, beautiful, unfit for marriage, well-read bookworm, with a feral appetite for sex.... aka every single heroine in romance novels. Her character is nothing new or special. In fact, she's never truly independent because she never gained it for herself. She comes off as spoiled and uncouth. I'm sure that Ms Essex was trying to create a spitfire charming character in Lizzie, but that is certainly not the case. Also, many of the conclusions she comes to in the "intrigue" surrounding her is far-fetched. Intrigue is in quotations because there is none. Lizzie epitomizes Katy Perry's "Hot and Cold", which thirteen year old me would've loved as well. One of the worst characters written EVER!

Jamie: He's likable enough, but it is very obvious in his sentiment that he is written by a woman. That, or he's transgender. However, his treatment of Lizzie is reproachable, and for her to forgive him after everything he has done to her does not speak well of her character.

the sex scenes: They seem to be thrown in at the most random times and are long-winded. For example, Jamie is trying to get Lizzie to leave with the utmost urgency, then suddenly, they're having sex. What? I don't mind sex in a book, but maybe place it where it belongs with the right build-up. Or, one moment, she and Jamie are arguing, then they have sex, then Lizzie declares that she doesn't want to see him ever again.

the plot: It sucks. The Navy is trying to stop a smuggling ring. The bad guy is predictable. Lizzie is the one that uncovers the hideout.... blah blah blah. It was a cushion for all the sex.

the writing: I believe a good writer can convey the character's personality and traits in what they do, not what we're told. Jamie and Lizzie are constantly describing the other when contemplating them. Basically, Ms Essex wants us to believe that Lizzie is "independent" and "defiant". Jamie describes her as defiant as if that is a desirable trait. Also, I found myself bored with the story.

The only good thing about this book is that it was a free download on the Kindle, and I didn't pay dime one for it.(less)

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Nov 29, 2011 KaysieLynne rated it 4 of 5 stars

I haven't read a true romance book in quite sometime, and this book satisfied me. I fell in love with Lizzie; she was smart, spunky, sexy and very independent. Jamie was her perfect match, able to keep up with Lizzie's wit while showing her she actually needed someone to depend on... So long as he was willing ti her be herself.

I really went the gambit of emotions with book. Laughing with Jamie & Lizzie's banter with one another. Crying when they said goodbye. Suspicion of the employees if Gl...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Lori McD rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, easy-read, british-lit, steamy, romance, pseudo-mystery, 2011_read

Eh... wish I could say more about this book, because it has real potential. It just got half-baked and over-steamed by an author and publisher determined to crank out smut without any regard to readers or stories. Hey, if we give them enough eye candy and lots of steam and angst, who needs a true plot?

Lizzie and James are childhood friends who get caught playing "doctor" as curious early-teens will do. Except that Lizzie's country squire father doesn't approve of James' no connections, no money...more

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Feb 18, 2011 Kristen rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I saw that The Pursuit of Pleasure by Elizabeth Essex was free on Amazon for my Kindle, I downloaded it thinking that it would be a guilty pleasure type of romance. What I got was better than I expected.

The story is set in 17th century England and starts out with two people, Elizabeth (Lizzie) and Jamie entering into a marriage of convenience. He wanted to secure his property while he was away on a naval mission and she wants some independence to live the way she chooses. The story had my a...more

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Mar 23, 2012 Kezermezer rated it 2 of 5 stars

When her childhood friend James Marlowe proposes a marriage in name only, Lizzie thinks it may be the answer to her quest for independence. What she doesn't count on is the passion James will make her feel... or the secrets he's keeping...

This book was a bummer, and what it boils down to is the unhealthy relationship between the unlikable main characters.

Lizzie was... hard. And selfish. And kind of a jerk. And a bit of an idiot.

Marlowe was less hard, at least at first, but also kind of a jerk i...more

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Dec 02, 2010 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction, romance

Easily the best romance I read this week, maybe this month. When Miss Elizabeth Paxton claims to want to be a widow in order to live independently, her childhood friend Captain James Marlowe proposes to her since, he says, he is likely to die on duty in the Royal Navy. It's hard to do this review justice without giving away spoilers, but if you like angsty romance or romance where the hero and heroine are childhood friends, this is the book for you. The heroine is seriously kick-ass, and once sh...more

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Feb 24, 2011 CoffeeTimeRomance andMore rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance

I did not quite know what to expect after reading the blurb regarding this novel. What was presented as a rather typical “old friends concoct a marriage of convenience that is not” plot turned out to be quite unique. The plot is complex and gripping, fun, suspenseful and emotionally charged by turns. Lizzie is a great character, brave and inventive; she is able to overcome pretty much all of the circumstances thrust upon her. Jamie is less likable for all of his ideals and noble mission. He lets...more

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May 02, 2011 Kimberly Nox rated it 2 of 5 stars

Essex is clearly inspired by the natural world and it seeps into her writing by depicting Lizzies and Jamie as animals, whose pleasure is instinctual. The novel overall would have been more successful if the dialect was kept tighter and more restrained to suit the victorian era in which Essex dances in. The increased pressure of the language would have made Lizzie's rebellion more amazing and also more difficult, a struggle in which can be appreciated more deeply. The romance in the novel was in...more

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Nov 28, 2010 Elisa Beatty rated it 5 of 5 stars

A really terrific read! I'm a serious Regency fan, and happened to be reading an ARC of this while also re-reading Sense and Sensibility, and The Pursuit of Pleasure held its own. Essex knows the period down to brass tacks, and has a wonderful, smart, sensual style. If you're a fan of Joanna Bourne, Sherry Thomas, and Meredith Duran, you'll feel at home here.

I loved the central romance--it had terrific physicality (not just the sex, but the way the hero and heroine moved and interacted with one...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Bird rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: saucy, arc, kleenex-reads, read-in-2011, historical-romance

Yep, here I am, being Negative Nelly again. I wanted to like this one. I was excited to start reading it when it arrived. Then I was very annoyed by the first chapter, and while it improved slightly, it was still a disappointing read.

It was a childhood-friends-turned-lovers storyline, which I've discovered I really enjoy. I think it's fun to see a couple that has an actual history already to build on, rather than falling madly in love as soon as they set eyes on each other. The trouble with it i...more Yep, here I am, being Negative Nelly again. I wanted to like this one. I was excited to start reading it when it arrived. Then I was very annoyed by the first chapter, and while it improved slightly, it was still a disappointing read.

It was a childhood-friends-turned-lovers storyline, which I've discovered I really enjoy. I think it's fun to see a couple that has an actual history already to build on, rather than falling madly in love as soon as they set eyes on each other. The trouble with it in this novel is that the reader only gets a few (very) brief glimpses of their childhood past together. We're told they had so much fun together and were crazy about one another, but we never actually see evidence of that.

Speaking of the show-don't-tell commandment, the book really failed there in the first chapter (which is why I was so aggravated when I began reading it). Jamie gives adjective after adjective to describe Lizzie when they meet again: Lizzie's stubborn, Lizzie's passionate, Lizzie's defiant...I wanted the author to stop telling me what she was by throwing descriptors at me, and show me evidence of those personality traits. We do get some of that later, which makes the beginning even more extraneous.

Lizzie was certainly a strong, spunky heroine, but she crossed over into annoying and petulant at times. She's so determined to be independent that she ignores good sense a lot of the time. She comes across as a small child who decides to do something not because she wants to, but because someone else doesn't want her to, just so she can prove them wrong.

The sexual relationship really fell flat for me, and bothered me quite a bit, as well. It felt like every sexual interaction they had was based on some sort of struggle for dominance. Jamie trying to prove to her that she needed him, she trying not to give in. I understand that it was another way to express the conflicts they experienced, but felt that it was overused. I think some of the sex scenes should have been about loving one another, not proving something.

***SPOILERS***
This book tries to have a plot, so kudos for that. There's a very interesting gun-smuggling operation going on based out of Jamie's cottage, that Lizzie ends up in the middle of. This could have made the book really intriguing, but instead that story is pushed way off to the side. Attention is paid to it sporadically, and there are a few short scenes where we see some of the bad guys plotting nefarious things, but that's it. The story would have been much stronger if that plotline had been developed. I wanted to see Jamie and Hugh trying to fit in as smugglers, and the true smugglers engaging in some bad-guy behavior rather than it all happening off the page.

I really don't know if I could have forgiven Jamie for everything he did as easily as Lizzie does. Sure, it takes her a chapter or two to get over it, and she brings it up a few more times near the end of the story, but it's brushed aside pretty quickly. He basically uses her as a pawn, fakes his own death, and lets her rot in jail for a month, all because of his job? Uh, no thanks. To me, that makes him a pretty shitty love interest, which I think is where most of my problems lie. If he truly loved Lizzie (and had since he was a child, as he claimed), nothing - not his job, his responsibilities, his duty to his country - should be more important than her. Clearly that wasn't the case, and that frustrated me. When I read romances, love should conquer all. Instead, Jamie just sits back and waits for the time to be convenient for him to do something to save her. Not romantic at all, and certainly not the type of hero I want to spend my time reading about.(less)

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Jun 12, 2011 Booklover1335 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, 2011-june

There are parts of this story that I really loved (and some even made me cry), and other parts that I just didn't care for(all of the purple prose was way too much). I have mixed emotions about this book. It does have some redeeming qualities, but didn't care for the ending, and there were some loose ends that really bothered me, which is why I didn't end up reading the second book The Sense of Sin even though I had it on my bookshelves. And for a Brava romance, this book this was shockingly lac...more

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Jun 23, 2012 RomReader rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

22yo heroine accepts the proposal of her childhood best friend 24yo Hero who she hasn't seen in 10 years since he joined the Navy & who just overheard her talk about wanting to be a widow to attain independence. Hero is to leave for another commission and they only spend 1 night together as husband and wife. Their goodbye is harder than heroine expected and she pines for him while carrying on with making their house more to her liking. She soon gets a letter informing her that Hero died duri...more 22yo heroine accepts the proposal of her childhood best friend 24yo Hero who she hasn't seen in 10 years since he joined the Navy & who just overheard her talk about wanting to be a widow to attain independence. Hero is to leave for another commission and they only spend 1 night together as husband and wife. Their goodbye is harder than heroine expected and she pines for him while carrying on with making their house more to her liking. She soon gets a letter informing her that Hero died during the mission and her grief turns to anguish when she later gets implicated and imprisoned for planning his death. Hero visits her in jail while pretending to be a priest & seeing him alive & realizing he lied & deceived her all this time makes her vengeful. How can she trust Hero again after all this?

This was an inconsistent read for me. There were times especially at the start when Hero & heroine's chemistry was exciting & even sensual. But after their first major foreplay their sexual chemistry, conversation, & relationship dragged. Maybe the author prolonged their sex scene to build anticipation but it failed. It particularly grated on my nerves when heroine kept on repeating how she wanted her independence while worrying that Hero would be leaving her soon. She sounded more like a wishy-washy spoiled brat than a level-headed progressive young woman. Also the anticipated sex scene wasn't all that. The foreplay was much more exciting detail-wise and emotion-wise.

I started liking the heroine when Hero's secrets & deceptions showed what a manipulative and selfish liar he was. He let her hang out to dry while he was doing his secret spy mission. He married her for sex and played with her emotions by letting her think he was dead. His actions led her into prison where she suffered through her claustrophobia. His apologies were not sufficient for his betrayal. I liked that she let him know that what he did was awful and that she was out for his blood. His betrayal made her grow up and out of her whiny "I want my independence" mode. She became more emotionally stable and wiser. And she was out to show everybody that she can take care of herself. She figured out the mission and the people involved in no time. I liked heroine towards the end but Hero not as much.

Partially recommended.(less)

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Oct 23, 2012 Misty Dietz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Actually I give this book 4 1/2 stars.

Two critical factors I absolutely loved:

1. The Characters - sometimes you read a book and can't differentiate one character from the next. Not so in PoP. You may not always like Lizzie, but you're damn well going to remember her. She's head-strong, passionate, and vulnerable all at once. Ms. Essex constructed Lizzie so three-dimensionally that I was viscerally with her as she felt the highs and lows (and really low, lows) of the book. The fire between Lizz...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Kenya0306 rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, romance, historical-romance

I picked up this book wanting to give Historical Romance a chance since I've read almost every possible genre of Romance available. Unfortunately this one book is turning me off from the genre completely.

I'll come clean, the cover and title drew me in and I fell into its dark trap. I mean The Pursuit of Pleasure sounds like something steamy right? Wrong, the only pursuit the two main characters are trying to achieve is deceiving each other and making the reader excruciatingly bored.

Main Proble...more

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Jul 16, 2011 Tammy Walton Grant rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-or-ebook, 2011-july, hr-french-revolution-era, tropes-secret-identity, tropes-marriage-of-convenience

Don't let the synopsis fool you --- this book is MUCH better. :)

I'd never heard of Elizabeth Essex before, but once I saw the cover I lusted after it. I downloaded a Kindle sample and liked it. Then I bought the book and loved it.

What sounded like a couple of tried and true romance tropes -- "marriage-of-convenience" mixed with "childhood friends to lovers" became so much more in the hands of this author. The period setting (1794 during the French Revolutionary War) was new to me. It also WASN'T...more

6 likes · like · see review

May 21, 2012 Jess the Romanceaholic rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: georgian, historical, betrayal, presumed-dead, steam-level-steamy, 2012-read, weak-heroine, military-or-special-ops, spy, undercover

After being thrilled with Elizabeth Essex's forthcoming novel, Almost a Scandal, I decided to go back and read one of her earlier works.

Unfortunately, I wan't nearly as pleased with this one, despite the many similarities.

The writing style was still one I enjoyed, and I LOVED the basic premise. However, I spent far too much of the book wanting to smash Jamie's face with a hammer for being such a complete and utter chode, and wanting to pimpslap Lizzie for being so bloody weak when it came to he...more

1 like · like · see review

Aug 06, 2011 Alycia rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: free-kindle, historical-romance, favorites, author-elizabeth-essex

I was pleasantly surprised with Elizabeth Essex's debut novel, I really did enjoy it and recommend it to others who like historical romance with a complete story.

Lizzie Paxton wants freedom. Freedom to do what she wants, by herself even though she is a privileged woman. She wants to be a widow. To have the freedom and security without having to deal with a man. Captain James Marlowe (Jamie), a life long friend of Lizzie's over hears this and cannot help but offer her the proposition she wants....more I was pleasantly surprised with Elizabeth Essex's debut novel, I really did enjoy it and recommend it to others who like historical romance with a complete story.

Lizzie Paxton wants freedom. Freedom to do what she wants, by herself even though she is a privileged woman. She wants to be a widow. To have the freedom and security without having to deal with a man. Captain James Marlowe (Jamie), a life long friend of Lizzie's over hears this and cannot help but offer her the proposition she wants. Marry him, all his money and a vacant cottage can be hers. He will likely die anyway at some point being in the Royal Navy.

Lizzie's parents are beside themselves with the news of Lizzie's impending/rushed marriage. This story definitely has a meddling father that thinks he knew what was best when Lizzie and Jamie were younger. His involvement is revealed later. Jeremy Wroxham, Jamie's wastrel, dandy of a cousin is up to no good. He wants Jamie's cottage. Definitely the villian in the story, he's always popping up when he shouldn't be around, there is definitely a twist to reveal the mastermind behind Wroxham.

Jamie must deceive Lizzie in one of the biggest ways someone can to another. He set out to serve his secret Naval mission that has to do with smuggling, but got caught up with his love with Lizzie. He has always loved her. Lizzie is a strong and independent woman, the only thing that scares her a bit, is her love for Jamie. Adventure and danger is no problem to her. Once she finds out the ultimate betrayal, she has to decide what players in the dangerous game she has invited onto her property, are the bad guys and who the good guys are. And if she can really trust and love Jamie again. Is he worth it?

I enjoyed the mystery behind the smuggling, I felt the plot dragged a little bit, but was able to over look that. The chemistry between Lizzy and Jamie was explosive. I love two passionate people. I have to commend Essex for her well written and steamy love scenes. Some of the best I have read in a while. There are a few love scenes glossed over, but in my opinion this romance was still worth the read. I definitely would call it historical romance with a few steamy love scenes, and of course there is a great HEA. I only wished there was an epilogue so I could find out what happened next with the couple. I have A Sense of Sin and will get to it soon. A Sense of Sin features Lizzie's friend, Celia, who made a few appearances in this book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, I said that as I closed it with the last page last night. I give this one four stars and look forward to the future work of Elizabeth Essex. (less)

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Feb 27, 2011 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, free-ebooks, read-in-2011

Overall, I liked this book. That said, I have to admit that there was a point where I put down the book (not because anything happened exactly, but just because I had other things to do or something) and I had a really, really hard time picking it back up again.

See, there's this thing that happens. Oh, look. I guess that thing I said in the paragraph above about nothing exactly happening was a lie. It is a thing that happens that made me all mopey with the book. Anyway. There's a lot of buildup...more

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Feb 01, 2011 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

3 1/2 stars.

I won this book through Goodreads. I was very excited to receive this book as I love regency romance, but I found after reading it, I am torn on how to rate it. This is the story of Lizzie and Jamie. They were were childhood friends who later became lovers. Lizzie is very outspoken and independent minded. When Jamie offers her a marriage in name only, where she can have the independence that she's always wanted, she accepts. The smuggling storyline is intriguing, but because it takes...more

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Dec 31, 2012 Electric Landlady rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: england, espionage, romance, sailing-and-boats

Marked this down to 2 stars for serious frustration with the main couple never having the intelligent conversation that would have cleared up most of the plot. It hasn't stopped me glomming everything else I can find by the author; so far her other books do have this problem but far less seriously, and there are Reasons. No Reasons here. TALK TO EACH OTHER OMG. Still lots to enjoy, but I'd suggest starting elsewhere.

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Dec 31, 2010 Lori rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, december-2010, read-in-2010

I foundthere were frequent phrases that were totally overused, such as describing the heroine's brow as "her marmalade brow" so often I wondered seriously about the editing. Then, as quickly as it began, her brow was never mentioned again after about p 50. And the author found a new phrase to repeat.

I found the smuggling storyline to be good but not anything special. The book did improve after the first few chapters, but it still was quite average, IMO.

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Apr 14, 2011 Kenna rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a good book. I would like to read more on this author. I would also have liked more background on the couple in this story. They had a history and we hear about it in little snippets. I think that it would have been much better to start at the beginning of their knowing each other and then going fast forward to where the story starts. Otherwise, I will be reading more from this author.

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Mar 04, 2011 Noelle rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, owned, 2011-reads, historical, marriage-of-conv, revenge

I really wanted to like this book. It had everything in it that would usually make a keeper but it just fell short.

Jamie (H) has returned from the Navy though he's still enlisted, and has a secret mission to acomplish.To do this he plans to use Lizzie (h), a childhood sweetheart who's father forced him at the age of 14 into the Navy to get him away from his daughter. He offers Lizzie a marraige of conv., telling her that he's going right back to war and will probably die and he wants his house s...more

4 likes · like · see review

Nov 30, 2011 Hava rated it 2 of 5 stars

I'm embarrassed to even admit I read this book, but I did. Sometimes I just get in the mood for a no-brainer romance book, and quite frankly, this was it. Elizabeth Essex still has a lot of work to do on her writing style - I have no clue how long she's been writing, but this reads like a first or second book. It was just so...blah.

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About Elizabeth Essex

When not re-reading Jane Austen, sipping tea or mucking about her garden, Elizabeth Essex can be found at her computer, making up wonderful stories about people who live far more interesting lives than she.
Elizabeth Essex

It wasn’t always so. Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classical Studies and Art History, and then earned her MA from Texas A&M University in Nautical Arch...more

More about Elizabeth Essex...

Books by Elizabeth Essex

Almost a Scandal (The Reckless Brides, #1)

A Breath of Scandal (The Reckless Brides, #2)

Scandal in the Night (The Reckless Brides, #3)

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