A Knight to Cherish

by Angie Ray

Francine Peabody goes across the hall to help a neighbor -- and is thrust back in time to 1214 England In a middle of a castle full of rowdy knights, Francine tries to civilize this wild bunch. But the head knight refuses to be influenced by her -- even though they both sense the powerful connection between them...

Genres: Time Travel, Romance, Time Travel Romance, Medieval, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Francine is fantastic. A wonderful primary protagonist with interesting interactions with the rest of the cast and a very entertaining personality. Garrick has the charisma of roadkill and absolutely negative chemistry with Francine. I understand this is the point, and the main conceit of the romance is that Francine can (and indeed must) change him, but with how Garrick is portrayed this becomes a comically impossible goal, and Garrick’s abrasive personality is far more of an obstacle to the intended romance than it feels it should be. By the end of it, after the majority of the interactions between Francine and Garrick, I do not believe the natural conclusion is for her to want to stay there. Ironically her relationship with Stuart, who is supposed to be a lame stick in the mud, felt far more genuine, intimate, and interesting than the romance with Garrick, and Stuart isn’t even really in the book as his own character. Garrick started on rocky ground for me with his first interaction with Francine and was never able to shake that initial impression, and this difficultly connecting with him drags through the entire book bringing the overall experience down single-handedly. The book is also shockingly light on romance in the first half, and would have made for a far better general fiction book if the plot had stuck with Francine entirely and basically abandoned Garrick as just another side character. Whether the book is saved as 3 stars by Francine or dragged down 2 stars by Garrick I have not yet decided. I am sorely tempted to give it two stars, but I will give it three by virtue of the fact that I did finish the book, it never became so frustrating that I simply put it down.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must admit I'm not really into the time travel idea. I can't believe anyone would give up everyone they love for a romance in another time. Still I give these stories a shot.

This book would have made the perfect 90s movie. It had just the right mix of 90s humor and highjinks.

My biggest problem is how much of a boring prude Francine was. The fact that she time traveled and all she could think of was teaching manners made me rule my eyes. Also how skittish she was about taking her clothes off. I guess some women are like that, none that I know, but I guess it happens.

I did like their love story, even the sex scenes weren't rediculous. I was surprised at how it ended up kinda. I suppose the twist would have been more surprising had it ended differently. Still saying, I could never leave my love ones behind no matter the guy.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am just not into time travel as this porports. It is the usual: nice, intelligent girl goes back in time, falls in love and changes the world.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

PB-B @ 1999, 7/00. An old neighbor gives Francine Peabody a magical charm that sends her back to England, 1214, and to Lord Garrick, the man she is supposed to civilize. Fun.