3/28/13: Couldn't tell you the last time I read a Contemporary Romance, but this is totally winning me over to the genre!! Halfway through and loving...more3/28/13: Couldn't tell you the last time I read a Contemporary Romance, but this is totally winning me over to the genre!! Halfway through and loving it!
4/1/13: If I knew that there were great Contemporaries out there like this one, I would read FAR more of the genre.
Basically, BIG misunderstanding gets resolved in the middle of police/FBI/US Attorney/Chicago mob dust up. The heroine is fabulous: strong, sarcastic, and a bit touchy. The hero is a "glowering", dark, modern Alpha. He would not be out of place in a medieval romance. And OH MY GOSH is the sexual tension hot. I had to pause and fan myself at a couple points.
I will definitely be reading more of Ms James.(less)
4/4/13: ANACHRONISMS AHOY! This book is FULL of them. UGH! And a beautiful, violet-eyed, sassy heroine who can do no wrong. AND a hero who, from his p...more4/4/13: ANACHRONISMS AHOY! This book is FULL of them. UGH! And a beautiful, violet-eyed, sassy heroine who can do no wrong. AND a hero who, from his physical description, is roughly the size and shape of a WWF dude. Not sexy.
Sticking with it, despite the flaws, b/c I'm a sucker for medieval romances and Scotland.
4/7/13: Eh. It was ok. Crazy stupid anachronisms, but without the charm and strong, characters to carry it off.
Villain was obvious and insulting.
Heroine was Super Mary Sue: bruising bareback rider (could even stand on horse's back and ride), dead-eye archer and dagger thrower (while standing on said horse's back), herbalist and healer who knows about germs (ORLY?), reads, writes and speaks multiple languages (including Gaelic even though she grew up in southern England). Ugh.
Hero was either whispering or shouting. He's so often described as large and like a wall that I pictured him looking like a body-building era Arnold Schwarzenegger. Not sexy.
Normally, I can appreciate an Old Skool romance (having cut my romance teeth on them), but this one was just ridiculous.(less)
Picked this one up off the Smart Bitches sale round up. I read a ton of Bertrice Small back in the day but missed this one. (I went through a crazy Be...morePicked this one up off the Smart Bitches sale round up. I read a ton of Bertrice Small back in the day but missed this one. (I went through a crazy Bertrice Small/Virginia Henley/Madeline Hunter/Teresa Mederios medieval romance binge around age 17/18.)
Let it be said, this is OLD SKOOL romance. The misogyny, red-headed super heroine who's good at everything (and SUPER beautiful), Alpha heroes like damn, "forced seduction", and characters who talk in giant swaths of exposition.
All that aside, I really enjoyed this. The research and history are top notch, the setting unique, and I appreciated that the heroine finds more than "one true love" through the course of her history. Mostly, though, Small excels in her descriptions of the clothes, and I'm a sucker for costume porn.(less)
I dithered a bit on whether to categorize this as "erotica" or "romance". In the end I decided on romance because while there was a whole lotta sex, i...moreI dithered a bit on whether to categorize this as "erotica" or "romance". In the end I decided on romance because while there was a whole lotta sex, it wasn't the driving force (har har) of the plot (and there was indeed a plot ... sorta).
Forty years ago the earth was permanently damaged by massive solar storms, which knocked out all technology and scorched the earth. Society rebuilt into cities of prudish, conservative, wealthy and powerful people who have access to top notch (rebuilt) technology, and "settlements" of lawless, uninhibited folk. The settlements are run by mafia-like gangs, some of whom are more foward thinking than others.
The heroine, Noelle, has been tossed out Eden (the city) for drinking and having sex. She ends up in Sector 4 and gets picked up by Jasper, right-hand man and enforcer for Dallas O'Kane, gang leader of Sector 4. Jasper takes Noelle to Lex (Dallas' woman). Jasper, Lex, Dallas, and a few special guest starts all take it on themselves to "educate" Noelle in the ways of Sector 4. Noelle eventually looses her inhibitions, learns to love life in Sector 4, and ultimately gets the tattoos that mark her as a member of the O'Kane gang.
There are lots of different sex pairings in the book, as well as lots of toys, light BDSM, voyeurism, open relationships, and partner-sharing. It might be niggly, but the only thing I found missing was the glaring lack of m/m action. There's a whole lot of f/f and f/m/m. Just always hoping for a little more sexual equity.
The other thing that bothered me were the various signifiers that stood in for characterization. For example, the men are all big, muscular and brawny and the women all small, curvy and soft. Tattoos are rampant, as are leather, heeled boots, corsets, and denim. It's kind of like hanging out in a biker bar, which is not usually my preferred aesthetic. I hope these signifiers become a little more subtle else they run the risk of turning caricature like the Grey Goose and "shitkickers" from J.R. Ward's vamphire sehries.
Overall, though, decent worldbuilding (hoping to learn more in future books), tons of sequel bait, and strong women characters (Lex!). Worth reading the second book.(less)
I LOVED this book ... right up until the last thirty or so pages. I loved that she kisses him first. The entire first kiss scene and ensuing conversat...moreI LOVED this book ... right up until the last thirty or so pages. I loved that she kisses him first. The entire first kiss scene and ensuing conversation turns that trop on it's coiffed and gendered head. I loved that the heroine went after what she wanted. I loved the hero who had such an uphill battle towards love. Too bad it all went off the rails.
What didn't work was the ending. Total "deus ex machina" ending. It felt like the author no longer trusted her characters to find their own way, despite all their growth and change.
Bah humbug on the ending. Three cheers for a wonderful heroine who flips many of the traditional genre tics and tropes on their head. (less)
Sigh ... I didn't love this. I had some major problems with the hero; mostly that he was a giant asshat. The level of his meanness did not seem justif...moreSigh ... I didn't love this. I had some major problems with the hero; mostly that he was a giant asshat. The level of his meanness did not seem justified, and he is downright cruel to the heroine. I really didn't get what she saw in him. No fond childhood memories could overcome the current douche-baggery of the hero. As a result, when the hero finally decided to be nice, I felt like I missed something. I wanted to skip back and look for a crucial conversation or moment of self-reflection that I clearly missed, but I didn't like him enough to even bother. Bleh.
I'm curious about sequel-bait, though. The series will eventually pair off the three other partners of an exclusive gaming hell in London. Should be interesting and hopefully break the mold a bit from romance between lords and ladies. (less)
Totally forgot to review this one ... which is pretty much how I felt about the book: forgettable. Hero was a little "too" perfect and "too" Dukey. Ne...moreTotally forgot to review this one ... which is pretty much how I felt about the book: forgettable. Hero was a little "too" perfect and "too" Dukey. Never really felt like he got taken down a peg or two. Heroine is "too" spitfirey, and flaunts the rules and traditions of London society. The excuse is that she's Italian and the daughter of an immoral woman, but that all just seemed a kind of xenophobic and stereotypical excuse for a feisty heroine. (less)
Interesting swap with a more Alpha heroine (who's an extreme caretaker/enabler) and a Beta hero (vulnerable with a penchant for rescuing damaged women...moreInteresting swap with a more Alpha heroine (who's an extreme caretaker/enabler) and a Beta hero (vulnerable with a penchant for rescuing damaged women). Really wasn't sure how these two were going to get past themselves to sustain a long-term romance. Still not sold on it ... the ending was abrupt and too "fairy tale" to be believable against the rest of the grit and grime of the rest of the story.(less)
Picked this up on a recent $0.99 deal round up. Lovely, charming remake of the Cinderella fairy tale. Kate is spiky and honest, the prince is quite pr...morePicked this up on a recent $0.99 deal round up. Lovely, charming remake of the Cinderella fairy tale. Kate is spiky and honest, the prince is quite princely (though his initial description makes him sound like Vlad the Impaler), the godmother is a hoot, and the slow, simmering, steamy build is well worth the climactic boinking. Event the glass slippers were cleverly rendered.
Keep in mind, though, that while this book reads like a Regency and takes some aspects of that time, is is still a fairy tale. Many liberties are taken with language in particular (e.g. use of the phrase"wardrobe malfunction").
Great setting (Elizabethan England) and NOT amongst royals/nobility. Heroine Lizzy is the manager (in practice, if not in name) of the tiring house at...moreGreat setting (Elizabethan England) and NOT amongst royals/nobility. Heroine Lizzy is the manager (in practice, if not in name) of the tiring house at the Rose theatre in London, acting as costume mistress and prop coordiator for Lord Hawksbury's Players. Hero is former (?) assassin Rafe Fletcher, who returns to London after 8 years away, only to find his brother heading to debtors prison in Marshalsea and his neighbor Lizzy all grown up and looking FINE. Complicating matters is that Lizzy has "an understanding" with Rafe's brother. When the Master of the Revels is murdered in cold blood shortly after a visit by Lizzy and Rafe, of course they are the Number One Suspects.
The mad-dash about the city of London, and cameos by Shakespeare and other well-known Elizabethan characters is quite fun. However, the ending made me CAPSY ANGRY! OMGSOCAPSYANGRY!! Suddenly everyone is breaking character and throwing out behavioral and linguistic anachronisms like they were bubblegum at a parade. UGH! A few historical inaccuracies I can overlook, but some of what went on here was downright RIDICULOUS. Bleh. Ruined the book for me.(less)
This wonderful novella features Lydia, Minnie's best friend from the first Brothers Sinister novel. Lydia is a determinedly cheerful young woman, who...moreThis wonderful novella features Lydia, Minnie's best friend from the first Brothers Sinister novel. Lydia is a determinedly cheerful young woman, who likes pretty things, laughing and being happy. While some write her off as frivolous, this determination hides a sad and angry past. One of the few people who sees through this is Doctor Jonas Grantham (What? Young doc hero?? WIN!). Grantham knows of Lydia's past and helps bring her some (unwilling at first) reconciliation with it. Grantham, who just wants to be loved (in a totally wonderful and charming way), has fallen head over heels with Lydia, though he hides it behind a truly macabre sense of humor and sarcasm.
I LOVED all the medical science in this book and the frank and hilarious conversations between these two. Also, THREE CHEERS for characters that talk about AND use condoms (aka "French Letters). So so so awesome!
This too-short novella sets up Milan's new Brothers Sinister series. Hugo Marshall is a former boxer, coal-miner's son, and a man of ruthless ambition...moreThis too-short novella sets up Milan's new Brothers Sinister series. Hugo Marshall is a former boxer, coal-miner's son, and a man of ruthless ambition. Nothing will stand in his way of achieving his goal, including working for the slimy, horrible Earl of Clermont. When Clermont asks Hugo to "take care" of Serena Barton, former governess, Hugo reluctantly agrees. However, once he meets Serena, all his calm, cool and collected plans go right out the window.
Serena and Hugo are a fabulous couple. True to Milan style, they are both deeply wounded people, but they either refuse to let their personal tragedies define them, or they learn to grow and move beyond their challenges. Without giving away some truly gasp-worthy and how-the-heck-is-this-going-to-be-resolved spoilers, I admire Milan's ability to help me believe and trust that everything really will work out alright in the end.
Milan uses her 100 pages (or there about) to expert degree. The world, relationship and romance between Serena and Hugo feels as fully fleshed out as if she had 350 pages.
A wonderful start to what I'm sure will be a great new series.(less)
HOORAY! Hottie vicar (never thought I'd type those two words together) Adam Sylvaine finally get his own story in this seventh book in the Pennyroyal...moreHOORAY! Hottie vicar (never thought I'd type those two words together) Adam Sylvaine finally get his own story in this seventh book in the Pennyroyal Green series.
Handsome, hunky, dedicated vicar Adam Sylvaine has almost lost his sense of self within his devotion to his job. He so desperately wants to be (and IS) a GOOD MAN, that he's burried any desires except the desire to be a good spiritual leader for the Pennyroyal Green community. Of course, all this gets turned topsy-turvy when the Black Widow sets up residence in town. Evie Duggan, former dancer, actress, mistress to an MP, and now widow of the Duke of Wareham, is everything scandalous, passionate and dangerous wrapped into one sexy, beautiful woman.
Evie just wants a quiet life, money enough to support herself and her family, and, most of all, friends. She's unrepentant about her own background (a refreshing change!) and challenges Adam to identify and open up to his own desires.
Adam's personal growth and story-journey were so much more resonant for me than Evie's. It's not that I didn't like Evie as a character (I LOVED how open she was about sex and relationships), but I found Adam's journey much more compelling. Maybe because I felt like he had so much more at stake.
I also struggled with Evie being a little too perfect. She could manage just about everything and while her loneliness was heartbreaking, I never doubted that, even with out Adam, she would have survived.
The ending was also a little too Hollywood. It was predictable, schmaltzy, and a little too neat and clean. The WHOLE TOWN, which had ostracized Evie from the start, now rises up to support her? EVERYONE's conflicts are aired and forgiven in a matter of a few breaths? Meh. Considering the obstacles faced earlier in the book, it seemed cheap, easy and movie-like.
That being said, up until the last few pages, I adored every moment I spent with Adam and Evie. I believed in them from the start and loved watching them grow into their relationship.
NOTE: Anyone else notice that Colin is ALWAYS making some kind of Deus ex Machina appearance, but we never see his oft-referenced wife?? Where IS she?
I love non-traditional heroes and heroines and this book has them in spades! Corporal Samuel Thorn is big, solitary, gruff, and suffering from severe...moreI love non-traditional heroes and heroines and this book has them in spades! Corporal Samuel Thorn is big, solitary, gruff, and suffering from severe PTSD after the war. Kate Taylor is an orphaned music teacher in Spindle Cove, a retreat for special young ladies. Their romance is as unlikely as any I could imagine, but I cheered so hard for them. Kate's longing for family was poignant and heartbreaking, and her ability to care for Thorn in the face of his PTSD was strength personified.
I picked this one up on the recommendation of SB Sarah over at Smart Bitches Trashy Books. It was part of the Sizzling Book Club, and if you are inter...moreI picked this one up on the recommendation of SB Sarah over at Smart Bitches Trashy Books. It was part of the Sizzling Book Club, and if you are interested, the online chat is saved here.
ANYHOOTLES ... Lord Xavier is a rake of the first order. He's charming, teetering on dissolute, ridiculously wealthy, fashionable, and he never, ever looses a bet. So when his cousin, Lockwood, bets Xavier that Xavier can't keep a respectable young lady at his yearly, scandalous Christmas house party, Xavier accepts.
The young woman in question is Louisa Oliver, jilted spinster, book lover and dedicated wall-flower. After Louisa's fiance left her for her step-sister (in the earlier book in this series), Louisa decides it's time for an image makeover and, to everyone's surprise, she accepts Xavier's invitation.
I love a good house party romance, and while things simmered along quite well, there was some coming and going that broke up the pace in really awkward ways. I also had some major problems with the villain. He was so cardboard and obnoxious for most of the book, but then all of a sudden turned horribly scary and threatened to rape the heroine. Excuse me, but WHAT?! For such a lighthearted holiday romance, this felt way out of place. I had a hard time reading the rest of the book for fear of what the villain would do. Thankfully it all turns out well, but still ... that's quite a threat to pull out in the middle of a happy, Christmas book!
Back to the good stuff - what really worked for me was the growth of the hero and heroine, especially the hero. Both are struggling to change their image and reputation and I loved watching them reach out towards one another, backslide into prior behavioral patterns, and then try again to grow. It felt honest: joyful and painful in equal measures as Louisa and Xavier each test the boundaries of what they perceive and how they are perceived.
I'm not going to go back and read the first book, but I will keep an eye out for the third book to see if it features any characters from this one that I liked (maybe Jane??).
Hooray for more Courtney Milan!! This latest series follows three friends (the eponymous Brothers Sinister (a schoolyard nickname for the three left-h...moreHooray for more Courtney Milan!! This latest series follows three friends (the eponymous Brothers Sinister (a schoolyard nickname for the three left-handed boys)) and kick off the series with the new Duke of Clermont, desperate to right the wrongs of his horrible, dissolute father. When Clermont heads to Leicester to take stock of the factory his father owned and look into some dubious legal goings-on, he runs head long into Minnie. Quiet, shy, mousy Minnie hides a crazy past. All the stability and anonymity she has worked for is suddenly threatened by Clermont's arrival.
Minnie reminds me a lot of Smite from Milan's earlier series; they both have some serious childhood trauma that has deeply affected their physical future. For Smite, it was being touched; for Minnie, it's crowds. Again, I applaud Milan for not fixing these characters after a dose of magical sex, but rather each character, along with their chosen partner, learns how to negotiate their needs.
Also, further kudos to Ms Milan for another unusual setting, and for introducing just enough history to make things fascinating. (less)
How the Marquess Was Won introduces the Marquess of Dryden, trend-setter and social leader of everything fashionable. The Marquess is in pursuit of re...moreHow the Marquess Was Won introduces the Marquess of Dryden, trend-setter and social leader of everything fashionable. The Marquess is in pursuit of regaining all family land, money, and reputation lost by his spendthrift father. This leads him to wooing Lisbeth Redmond, niece to Isaiah Redmond. However, when Dryden meets Lisbeth's companion and former tutor, Phoebe Vale, he falls HARD for this lovely, witty and smart school teacher.
The conversations and repartee between Dryden and Phoebe are fantastic and really sparkle. The verbal sparring is top notch and I'm in awe of Julia Anne Long's ability to consistently craft such smart, funny, sexy dialog. I could read Dryden and Phoebe all day as they try to verbally one up the other and get each other to smile. Long also does a wonderful job creating the slow, simmering (dare I say smoldering) romantic build for these two characters. Their first kiss is hilarious, sweet, and sexy all at the same time.
This book is less excellent when Dryden and Phoebe aren't together. The "villain" isn't really much of one, and the narrative structure that drags Dryden and Phoebe towards the end feels a little contrived, and, well, plot-heavy. Characters scheme and conspire around then hero and heroine, but it all seems a bit silly and forced.
Also, this book is more tangential to the Eversea/Redmond drama that's been building in the past five books (and holy heck, was it brought to a head in earlier books!) However, we do get a glimpse of that elusive character Lyon Redmond. (Anyone else getting worried that there's no possible way Olivia and Lyon's story can ever live up to the hype that Long's been building??) I appreciated a light respite from the intense Eversea/Redmond world, but I did miss some of the more colorful characters.
Still one of the best family-based series out there. IMHO, it's holding up far better than Julia Quinn's Bridgertons, which really petered out towards the fifth and sixth books.
This was a surprise sleeper for me. I read this on my Kindle, so I didn't have the luxury of a back cover preview, so I honestly thought it was going...moreThis was a surprise sleeper for me. I read this on my Kindle, so I didn't have the luxury of a back cover preview, so I honestly thought it was going to be Ian Everseas' story. However, once I met the title-bearing Duke, I was won over. Sardonic, noble, honest, and so very, very stoic, his dry humor after finding Eversea in bed with his fiance was HILARIOUS. His dry wit (and constant tormenting of Ian as he seeks revenge for his now ex-fiance) continues through the book and I just loved him for it. His growth as a character was just the right amount; expanding just enough to let our heroine, Genevieve Eversea into his heart.
Genevieve is the "good girl" amist of a family of bright colored characters. She's not shy, just quiet. A deep thinker who keeps herself compact and internal: a big contrast to the rest of her boisterous, scandal-ridden family. When the Duke sets on seducing her as his revenge against Ian, she sees through it and the resulting conversation/confrontation is AWESOME. It's two people talking, like real people, who are smart and savvy and trying to negotiate the fact that the might actually LIKE each other.
Julie Ann Long is marvelous in this novel. There were so many moments that left me smiling, or with tears in my eyes. The ending felt a bit abrupt: I wanted MORE of the Duke and Genevieve, but that's also a testament to the strength of novel. (less)
I somehow ended up getting the middle book of the series. This is very unlike me as I'm neurotic about reading series in order. I don't think I'll bot...moreI somehow ended up getting the middle book of the series. This is very unlike me as I'm neurotic about reading series in order. I don't think I'll bother to read the rest of the books, though, as this was downright dull. None of the characters interested me. They were dull as dishwater, as the saying goes, with little redeeming qualities.
Serena was stubborn to the point of being anachronistic. Sebastian was foolish and overbearing. The villain was a caricature. The dialog was awkward and the navel-gazing so intense you could have fought a war on the high seas.
Shame, too, because I love some of Jane Feather's earlier works and series. (less)
I do love a ship-board romance, but this one fell a little flat for me. Mostly because I found the heroine difficult to like. Violet was spoiled, arro...moreI do love a ship-board romance, but this one fell a little flat for me. Mostly because I found the heroine difficult to like. Violet was spoiled, arrogant, haughty ... and while she comes down a peg or two and learns to be useful and have purpose, I just didn't like her or feel as deeply connected to her as I did to previous heroines in this series. Eh, can't love 'em all.
Now the hero on the other hand, the newly styled Earl of Ardmay, is all that's manly, wind-swept and honor-bound. So much so that he seemed two dimensional at times. It was hard to separate him out from those clinch covers from the 80s with Fabio or some other muscle-bound hunk with a shirt half undone, hair blowing in the wind, clutching rope in one and and the heroine in the other. Bit too cartoony for me. And a bit too close to the hate-f***ing/rapey heroes found in the Old Skool romances.
The best part of this book is that is FINALLY makes some BIG revelations about the missing Lyon Redmond. Wow. No spoilers here, but I am so much more intrigued by the mystery now. Olivia and Lyon's book, when it happen, is going to be a SCORCHER. I have complete faith in Julie Anne Long.(less)
I'm starting to think that everything Carrie Lofty touches is gold. She can do no wrong for this Regency-weary reader.
The second in her new Christies...moreI'm starting to think that everything Carrie Lofty touches is gold. She can do no wrong for this Regency-weary reader.
The second in her new Christies series is set in Glasgow, Scotland, smack in the middle of the Industrial Revolution. Our heroine, Polly, is the de facto union leader of the textile mills, as her father is bedridden from illness. Our hero, Alex Christie, must turn Christie Textiles around to win a $1m inheritance from his father.
Alex and Polly are one of the most combustible, interesting, fiery pairings I've ever read about. So fiery that for much of the book, I couldn't see how their inevitable HEA was going to happen! (Don't worry, it does.)
The historical setting is, as usual, top notch. Lofty has the perfect balance of history and romance. We learn about this particular time and place through the characters, and the details are woven seamlessly into the narrative.
I could gush and gush about this book until the cows come home, but I'll spare you this time. I'm already looking forward to Gwen's story, which is set in a VINEYARD. WINE! ROMANCE! HISTORY!
Dingbat-Manic-Pixy-Heroine from Chicago meets oh-so-perfect British Lord hero in saccharine, silly romance, with too many BIG MISUNDERSTANDINGS that w...moreDingbat-Manic-Pixy-Heroine from Chicago meets oh-so-perfect British Lord hero in saccharine, silly romance, with too many BIG MISUNDERSTANDINGS that were just plain stupid. The only saving grace of the book are the cars. 1895 cars are cool. (less)
Second in Lin's Tang Dynasty series, this book takes an interesting turn and attempts to make a hero out of the villain in book #1. Li Tao has a deep...moreSecond in Lin's Tang Dynasty series, this book takes an interesting turn and attempts to make a hero out of the villain in book #1. Li Tao has a deep dark past (don't they all) and has risen to the upper ranks of the military government. However, his insistence on honor and balance have placed him in a precarious position and on the brink of civil war. Enter Lady Suyin Ling, beloved companion and concubine to the previous Emperor. And, as we are told MANY times in this book, the yin to Li Tao's yang. (Seriously you guys, I couldn't make this up if I tried.)
It's a shame this book dies after the first 40 pages and only revives itself again in the last 20, because I really liked Li Tao and Suyin. They're both self-made individuals, lonely and longing for companionship they're not sure they deserve. The passion between them is hot and the scenes when his yang is being tempered by her yin (I had to) are spicy!
HOWEVER, most of this book is filled with long-winded paragraphs of intense narcissistic navel-gazing and angst-ridden self-guilt trips. I wanted to step into the book and smack them both upside the head. "STOP THINKING AND JUST FREAKING TALK TO EACH OTHER! You are the SAME people. With the SAME g-d issues! FOR PETE'S SAKE! Get you yang out of her yin and TALK to each other like the ADULTS you are!!!" This was my inner monologue through most of the middle of the book, much of which I skimmed through.
Also, the head-hopping in this book was atrocious. If you weren't careful, it read like the characters knew things about each other that maybe they weren't supposed to, since they NEVER TALKED TO EACH OTHER. Lots of head-hopping + no talking = angry, frustrated Abby.
I will still read the third book, which I hear is the best. Despite this book's flaws, the setting alone is enough to keep me coming back. It's also made me want to go back and revisit a series I read earlier set in mythical historical Japan: Across the Nightingale Floor. If you've enjoyed these books, definitely check out that series.(less)
I think I first heard about this series from Wendy the Super Librarian's "Unusual Historicals" blog. The setting of the Tang Dynasty intrigued me and...moreI think I first heard about this series from Wendy the Super Librarian's "Unusual Historicals" blog. The setting of the Tang Dynasty intrigued me and in that respect, this book does not disappoint. Author Jeannie Lin does a great job of weaving in history and cultural detail into a short novel without resorting to info dump or awkward conversations. She lets the actions of the characters reveal the current political situation and shed some light into recent history.
The only thing that bothered me was the Englishizing of the heroine's name, Ai Li, into Ailey. In the first chapters, when we're in her head, her named is spelled Ai Li. Once we meet the Western (British? French?) hero, the spelling is shifted to Ailey, I'm guessing to approximate his mangled pronunciation. Eventually, though, it becomes the dominant spelling, even when the reader is getting Ai Li's perspective. This bothered me a lot. At first I interpreted it as the loss of the heroine's identity into the hero's Westernization. (This is the kind of crazy stuff that happens when you've taken too many post colonial literature classes in university.)
I think the more accurate reason is laziness on the part of the author or editor. Keeping track of two spellings depending on POV was at the bottom of the narrative "to do" list. Which is fine. But it still bothered me.
Looking forward to getting the second in the series. Luckily my public library network has the trilogy, so I can feed my need for interesting and unusual locations in romance. (less)
Things I liked about this book: the setting (Cambridge MA and a cross-Atlantic voyage = WIN!), the date (turn of the 19th/20th century), the culture d...moreThings I liked about this book: the setting (Cambridge MA and a cross-Atlantic voyage = WIN!), the date (turn of the 19th/20th century), the culture depictions and discussions (England vs America and the rise of the self-made businessman as semi-acceptable. A welcome change from Lady This and Lord That.)
Things I didn't like: the lying. Oh lordy, there was so much lying and deception, and BIG MISUNDERSTANDINGS galore. I didn't like either character much at all, even at the end. They were both so very ... unlikeable! The premise, even from the first pages was so forced, that I never felt the characters were giving space to grow into their own romance. There was too much set up for the next books in the trilogy and too many silly plot contrivances that the relationship between the hero & heroine suffered. As a result, it felt like the book ended too soon, too much was resolved in too short a time, and their HEA felt false.
I'm curious to read the second book, though, because I think Sherry Thomas has promise as a new writer for me. Maybe with all the set up out of the way, the rest of the books will be more coherent and complete. (less)
Considerably weaker than the first book Charm School , this book has all the elements of a good romance, but with too many caveats to make it great. W...moreConsiderably weaker than the first book Charm School , this book has all the elements of a good romance, but with too many caveats to make it great. With a heroine who's a little **too** perfect, a hero who's a little **too** Alpha-Alcoholic, and a pair of plot moppets that I liked a whole lot better when one didn't speak, the story just didn't mesh. I appreciated the connection to The Tempest, but I felt positively bludgeoned to death by the references and meta-Tempestualness.
Confirmed wallflower Violet Winterbottom has sought safety and security at Spindle Cove for the past year after The Disappointment broke her heart. Du...moreConfirmed wallflower Violet Winterbottom has sought safety and security at Spindle Cove for the past year after The Disappointment broke her heart. During the militia ball that Christmas, the party is crashed by a soaking wet, bloody, foreign-speaking stranger (or is he?) who makes straight for Violet and and promptly passes out at her feet. Something about the man triggers Violet's memory, and added to the fact that she's the only one who can understand him, she's got one night to unravel the mystery of this man.
The story packs a lot into roughly 12 hours, so Dare can be forgiven for speeding up certain aspects of the story. All the emotional high points were well-struck, though, especially the confrontation between the hero and heroine in Bright's Allthings.
I LOVED how Dare slowly revealed Violet not to be much of a wallflower at all, but a smart, clever and capable woman with and talent for languages. In fact, that was my favorite part of the story: all the many languages and phrases peppered in the narrative. It was so much fun to read!(less)
Honestly, I have absolutely NO CLUE what happened in this book. The plot is a mess and makes absolutely no sense. That being said, the build between Y...moreHonestly, I have absolutely NO CLUE what happened in this book. The plot is a mess and makes absolutely no sense. That being said, the build between Yasmeen and Archimedes is STEAMY! Watching the two of them fall in love, with a wonderful, soft flipping of traditional gender roles, made the book for me. Archimedes is a near perfect Beta hero, who knows when to step back and support his lady as she takes charge. It never diminishes him and eventually Yasmeen comes to rely on that steady support and OH it is heartbreakingly beautiful.
So, plot = disaster. World building = confusing. Character & character development = AWESOME.(less)
It's been a few days since I finished this and I can't remember ANYTHING about it. I remember the heroine was in disguise as a governess and the hero...moreIt's been a few days since I finished this and I can't remember ANYTHING about it. I remember the heroine was in disguise as a governess and the hero thought he was being stalked. I remember thinking that a five minute conversation between the characters could have cleared up all the drama. I remember being mildly entertained, so I guess that's pretty good for a summer read.
This is one of those rare books where the hero is really the focus of the story. Ned is a wonderful hero, though, sadly at the expense of his awesomen...moreThis is one of those rare books where the hero is really the focus of the story. Ned is a wonderful hero, though, sadly at the expense of his awesomeness, Kate gets short-shrift and comes off a bit cardboard.
When we first met Ned in Proof of Seduction, he was a complete mess: young, reckless, idiotic and playing the role of victim to a T. There was a kernel of charm in how hard he tried, but it was hard to see how Milan could turn him into hero material. It's a true testament to Milan's writing that she succeeded so magnificently.
After abandoning his wife, Kate, early in their marriage to chase down and tame his emotional dragons, Ned returns three years later a stranger to everyone who knows him ... especially Kate. How they learn to trust one another, and especially how Ned learns to lean on Kate, makes for a deeply satisfying story.(less)
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