What do you think?
Rate this book
Lost Heiresses #2
How to Please a Lady
The Lost Heiresses
Run though they might, love will find them…
Lady Rose Dunford is shocked--and titillated--by the number of female visitors coming and going from her mysterious new neighbor's Manhattan brownstone. Recently widowed by the death of her very sweet, but not very exciting husband, Rose finds it difficult to imagine just what the attraction could be.
And then she meets the bachelor in question. Not only is Charlie Avery dashing and outrageously good looking--she knows him! He is none other than the man who once helped her escape the dreary matchmaking plans of her father, the man she once dreamed she could love. Can Charlie's presence next door be an accident? Or has he come to show her everything he has learned about…
How To Please A Lady
Praise for the novels of Jane Goodger
"Fun, delightfully romantic--and sexy." --Sally MacKenzie on The Spinster Bride
"A touching, compassionate, passion-filled romance." --RT Book Reviews on A Christmas Waltz
Run though they might, love will find them…
Lady Rose Dunford is shocked--and titillated--by the number of female visitors coming and going from her mysterious new neighbor's Manhattan brownstone. Recently widowed by the death of her very sweet, but not very exciting husband, Rose finds it difficult to imagine just what the attraction could be.
And then she meets the bachelor in question. Not only is Charlie Avery dashing and outrageously good looking--she knows him! He is none other than the man who once helped her escape the dreary matchmaking plans of her father, the man she once dreamed she could love. Can Charlie's presence next door be an accident? Or has he come to show her everything he has learned about…
How To Please A Lady
Praise for the novels of Jane Goodger
"Fun, delightfully romantic--and sexy." --Sally MacKenzie on The Spinster Bride
"A touching, compassionate, passion-filled romance." --RT Book Reviews on A Christmas Waltz
234 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2016
40 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Jane Goodger
24 books286 followersI grew up in western Massachusetts and have lived most my adult life in New England. Thanks to my adventurous husband, I've also done brief stints in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Naples, Italy. Although I've written four contemporary romances under the name Jane Blackwood, my first love is historical romances set in Victorian times. I've written 17 of those with more on the way.
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
I have three kids, one a college grad, one in college, and one still in high school (who's a fantastic writer). I love the Red Sox and the New England Patriots. I work full time, have an editing business, and in my free time write like a fanatic.
Above the desk in my office is this sign: "And They All Lived Happily Ever After." It may not be reality, but it's real nice to think about...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 9, 2016
ARC received from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange of an honest review
I loved the book! Ms Goodger writes great stories.
The story takes place in New York City, the present, and an estate in Great Britain(forgot the area), the past. It starts with Rose and Charlie meeting again after 5 years. Rose is completely surprised by her new neighbor who is her family’s former groom. After this we are transported to the past and Lady Rose’s engagement ball. She’s to marry a duke, who is an abuser and rapist and I want him dead, and Charlie gave in his notice, he’s moving to America. The morning after the engagement the duke and Rose are on a walk and he humiliates and forces her to give him a blow job. She tries to tell her mother what the asshole did and that she wants to break the engagement, but the “lady” pretends she doesn’t understand and tells her who wouldn’t want to marry a duke. After this Rose concocts a plan to escape the pending marriage and lots of stuff happens. I’m not telling more because I don’t want to spoil everyone.
At its heart, this is a story of class differences and misunderstandings. Rose thinks Charlie thinks of her as only his employer and her part in his humble beginnings, Charlie thinks Rose sees him as only a servant and that she could never see past his former employment. They also have a big problem of not talking with each other, the saying “Assume makes an ass out of you and me” totally works for them…
Rose is a true lady, besides loving horses and going to the stables, she would never think of not listening to her parents and not observing the strictures of propriety. Her run to America was a completely desperate act that she would never have done if Charlie wasn’t there to help her. She would have totally settled in that horrible marriage if she didn’t have him to confide to and help. She isn’t a snob, but she’s a product of her upbringing so sometimes she says or does something that you want to smack her for. She’s also very brave, has a lovely sense of humor, and is very compassionate.
Charlie is driven to succeed, has an amazing mind and isn’t afraid of hard work. He’s also very affected by his past and he couldn’t understand some of the thing Rose went through and thought. For him everything is mostly black and white. He has always been in love with Rose.
All in all, I loved the book. I love Ms Goodger’s writing style and her very human characters with fears and dreams and faults. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
I loved the book! Ms Goodger writes great stories.
The story takes place in New York City, the present, and an estate in Great Britain(forgot the area), the past. It starts with Rose and Charlie meeting again after 5 years. Rose is completely surprised by her new neighbor who is her family’s former groom. After this we are transported to the past and Lady Rose’s engagement ball. She’s to marry a duke, who is an abuser and rapist and I want him dead, and Charlie gave in his notice, he’s moving to America. The morning after the engagement the duke and Rose are on a walk and he humiliates and forces her to give him a blow job. She tries to tell her mother what the asshole did and that she wants to break the engagement, but the “lady” pretends she doesn’t understand and tells her who wouldn’t want to marry a duke. After this Rose concocts a plan to escape the pending marriage and lots of stuff happens. I’m not telling more because I don’t want to spoil everyone.
At its heart, this is a story of class differences and misunderstandings. Rose thinks Charlie thinks of her as only his employer and her part in his humble beginnings, Charlie thinks Rose sees him as only a servant and that she could never see past his former employment. They also have a big problem of not talking with each other, the saying “Assume makes an ass out of you and me” totally works for them…
Rose is a true lady, besides loving horses and going to the stables, she would never think of not listening to her parents and not observing the strictures of propriety. Her run to America was a completely desperate act that she would never have done if Charlie wasn’t there to help her. She would have totally settled in that horrible marriage if she didn’t have him to confide to and help. She isn’t a snob, but she’s a product of her upbringing so sometimes she says or does something that you want to smack her for. She’s also very brave, has a lovely sense of humor, and is very compassionate.
Charlie is driven to succeed, has an amazing mind and isn’t afraid of hard work. He’s also very affected by his past and he couldn’t understand some of the thing Rose went through and thought. For him everything is mostly black and white. He has always been in love with Rose.
All in all, I loved the book. I love Ms Goodger’s writing style and her very human characters with fears and dreams and faults. I can’t wait to see what she writes next.
March 11, 2016
How to Please a Lady introduces us to the now widowed Lady Rose Dunford who has just gotten a new neighbor that seems to be keeping the company of different females every night. When Rose goes to confront her new neighbor she finds that it is none other than Charlie Avery, her former servant who had helped her escape to New York five years before.
Flashing back we learn of how Rose was engaged to a Duke who took liberties with her and she decided to run off to America to hopefully wed a nicer man she had briefly met that had needed a wife. Charlie was heading to New York himself so Rose convinced him to take her along. The two were closer than was normal for a servant and lady as they grew up together but each questioned their feelings for one another before going their separate ways in New York.
How to Please a Lady is the second book in the Lost Heiresses series but can be read fine as a standalone novel. The characters in the first book do make a brief appearance in this book and it was nice to get a bit of a glimpse of them again but it's not necessary to have read the first to enjoy this one.
Having read both books in this series I can easily say that I enjoyed this one much more than the first. Both have a nice historic vibe to them and an interesting story line but in How to Please a Lady I found Rose and Charlie made a much more likable and believable relationship. Nothing was rushed into as they had known each other practically all their lives and they were closer in age overall than the couple in the first novel.
Rose can seem a bit of a snob but quite honestly that was what I really liked, it made the story feel more authentic that she was acting as a lady of that era would/should act. Having them leave England and head to New York where titles and status were not what they were overseas was a great look at history and how things were in those days in both countries which made for a lovely historical romance.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
Flashing back we learn of how Rose was engaged to a Duke who took liberties with her and she decided to run off to America to hopefully wed a nicer man she had briefly met that had needed a wife. Charlie was heading to New York himself so Rose convinced him to take her along. The two were closer than was normal for a servant and lady as they grew up together but each questioned their feelings for one another before going their separate ways in New York.
How to Please a Lady is the second book in the Lost Heiresses series but can be read fine as a standalone novel. The characters in the first book do make a brief appearance in this book and it was nice to get a bit of a glimpse of them again but it's not necessary to have read the first to enjoy this one.
Having read both books in this series I can easily say that I enjoyed this one much more than the first. Both have a nice historic vibe to them and an interesting story line but in How to Please a Lady I found Rose and Charlie made a much more likable and believable relationship. Nothing was rushed into as they had known each other practically all their lives and they were closer in age overall than the couple in the first novel.
Rose can seem a bit of a snob but quite honestly that was what I really liked, it made the story feel more authentic that she was acting as a lady of that era would/should act. Having them leave England and head to New York where titles and status were not what they were overseas was a great look at history and how things were in those days in both countries which made for a lovely historical romance.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
March 28, 2016
This is book two in the "The Lost Heiresses" series. Lady Rose Dunford is a widow who had to 'runway' from a father who was matchmaker her to people she did not like. But now she has found that even though she cared for her husband he was not as exciting as she would have liked. But when she starts seeing that her new neighbor is having a lot of female visitors coming and going to his house. This sets her to try to finding out who he is. This leads her to finding it is Charlie Avery they man years ago that help her escape her fathers matchmaking range. Rose is a little slow to warm up too but you do start to get into the story and their is some tension between her and Charlie.
March 30, 2016
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
This is book two in the "The Lost Heiresses" series. Lady Rose Dunford is a widow who had to 'runway' from a father who was matchmaker her to people she did not like. But now she has found that even though she cared for her husband he was not as exciting as she would have liked. But when she starts seeing that her new neighbor is having a lot of female visitors coming and going to his house. This sets her to try to finding out who he is. This leads her to finding it is Charlie Avery they man years ago that help her escape her fathers matchmaking range.
Rose is a little slow to warm up too but you do start to get into the story and their is some tension between her and Charlie.
This is book two in the "The Lost Heiresses" series. Lady Rose Dunford is a widow who had to 'runway' from a father who was matchmaker her to people she did not like. But now she has found that even though she cared for her husband he was not as exciting as she would have liked. But when she starts seeing that her new neighbor is having a lot of female visitors coming and going to his house. This sets her to try to finding out who he is. This leads her to finding it is Charlie Avery they man years ago that help her escape her fathers matchmaking range.
Rose is a little slow to warm up too but you do start to get into the story and their is some tension between her and Charlie.
May 27, 2024
Daughter of an Earl, set to marry a Duke discovers he's vile and runs away to America, hitching a ride with a stable groom her family has employed for years. What she doesn't know is he's carried a torch for her for years but knowing anything between them beyond employer/employee is impossible - he's set his sights on a new life in America where he can make something of himself. They meet again years later when she's a widow and he purchases the house next door - obviously no accident.
The book opens with the couple meeting again after 5 years, and then we get the next 60% of the book chewed up with flashbacks. Why not just start there at the beginning? Also, I found myself preferring the more "current" timeline (she's now a widow, he a self-made man of means) over the flashback chapters - which mostly succeeded in making me impatient. I did, however, appreciate that the author did not sweep the class differences under the rug. It would be a VERY big deal for the late Victorian time period (yes, even in America) and naturally the heroine has a tendency to say things that prick at the hero's pride without truly realizing what's she's doing.
Read in day, but not all the authorial choices worked for me. Probably around a B- on my rating scale.
The book opens with the couple meeting again after 5 years, and then we get the next 60% of the book chewed up with flashbacks. Why not just start there at the beginning? Also, I found myself preferring the more "current" timeline (she's now a widow, he a self-made man of means) over the flashback chapters - which mostly succeeded in making me impatient. I did, however, appreciate that the author did not sweep the class differences under the rug. It would be a VERY big deal for the late Victorian time period (yes, even in America) and naturally the heroine has a tendency to say things that prick at the hero's pride without truly realizing what's she's doing.
Read in day, but not all the authorial choices worked for me. Probably around a B- on my rating scale.
March 25, 2016
New York
Rose Cartwright’s husband, Daniel, passed away a year ago leaving her childless. Her new neighbors tend to share what sounds like their quite vocal sexual relations. It appears that the neighbor is a bachelor with lady friends who visit him. He is the owner of the company C. A. Kitchen Tools. It turns out he is her former head groom and friend, Charlie Avery.
Before Rose married Daniel, she lived in England. Lady Rose Dunford enjoyed riding her mare, Moonrise. The daughter of the Earl of Chesterfield of Hallstead Manor, she has unwittingly attracted the Duke of Weston and is soon to marry him.
Charlie is the family’s groom and has been friends with Rose for many years. Although he is just a servant, he has always been in love with her. When he finds she is to marry the Duke, he decides to move to America.
At her engagement party to the Duke, Rose meets Daniel Cartwright, an American, who works with the U.S. Ambassador. He is quite charming to her and she fancies that he cares for her. When the Duke treats Rose disgustingly, she is determined that she cannot marry the man. In addition, she realizes how much Charlie cares about her and how much she will miss him.
But fate prevails and she runs away with Charlie to America thinking she will marry Daniel Cartwright. After a sea journey, they arrive in New York and Rose insists that they go their separate ways. Charlie is to work in a restaurant and Rose will take a cab to Daniel Cartwright’s home. But Rose is robbed of her money and tries to walk to Daniel’s home in the snow. Charlie is worried about her and learns that she is missing. He finds her and brings her to Daniel’s house where he nurses her through the night as the doctor has said she may likely die from the influenza she has contracted. But Rose survives and Charlie leaves her with Daniel and become a very successful and rich man.
As it happens, Rose and Daniel do marry but their marriage is never consummated. When Daniel dies several years later, ironically from the influenza, Rose meets Charlie again when he buys the house next door to her. Slowly, they pick up their friendship again which soon leads to an attraction neither of them can deny.
I loved this story. Jane Goodger’s books are really good and I am delighted when I see she has written a new one.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Rose Cartwright’s husband, Daniel, passed away a year ago leaving her childless. Her new neighbors tend to share what sounds like their quite vocal sexual relations. It appears that the neighbor is a bachelor with lady friends who visit him. He is the owner of the company C. A. Kitchen Tools. It turns out he is her former head groom and friend, Charlie Avery.
Before Rose married Daniel, she lived in England. Lady Rose Dunford enjoyed riding her mare, Moonrise. The daughter of the Earl of Chesterfield of Hallstead Manor, she has unwittingly attracted the Duke of Weston and is soon to marry him.
Charlie is the family’s groom and has been friends with Rose for many years. Although he is just a servant, he has always been in love with her. When he finds she is to marry the Duke, he decides to move to America.
At her engagement party to the Duke, Rose meets Daniel Cartwright, an American, who works with the U.S. Ambassador. He is quite charming to her and she fancies that he cares for her. When the Duke treats Rose disgustingly, she is determined that she cannot marry the man. In addition, she realizes how much Charlie cares about her and how much she will miss him.
But fate prevails and she runs away with Charlie to America thinking she will marry Daniel Cartwright. After a sea journey, they arrive in New York and Rose insists that they go their separate ways. Charlie is to work in a restaurant and Rose will take a cab to Daniel Cartwright’s home. But Rose is robbed of her money and tries to walk to Daniel’s home in the snow. Charlie is worried about her and learns that she is missing. He finds her and brings her to Daniel’s house where he nurses her through the night as the doctor has said she may likely die from the influenza she has contracted. But Rose survives and Charlie leaves her with Daniel and become a very successful and rich man.
As it happens, Rose and Daniel do marry but their marriage is never consummated. When Daniel dies several years later, ironically from the influenza, Rose meets Charlie again when he buys the house next door to her. Slowly, they pick up their friendship again which soon leads to an attraction neither of them can deny.
I loved this story. Jane Goodger’s books are really good and I am delighted when I see she has written a new one.
Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 23, 2016
Regardless of how many stars I give and how many superlatives I use, it will not even begin to do justice to this magnificent book. Anyone who has ever read Jane Goodger’s books knows what a gifted author she is, and this is by far her best work. Lady Rose Dunford was to marry the Duke of Weston, who was considerably older than her 18 years of age; she barely knew him, but when she got to know him a bit better, it wasn’t pleasant at all. She had always been very close with her family’s groom, Charlie Avery, who was secretly in love with Rose. Knowing very well that his wishes couldn’t be fulfilled because he was but a lowly groom, and wanting to make something out of himself, Charlie had decided to move to America to become wealthy and successful, and knowing Charlie was leaving, Rose asked him to take her with him.
Five years later, Charlie has become a rich businessman in America, and Rose, now the widowed Mrs. Cartwright, has remained in America as well. She lived in a quiet neighbourhood, but now to her dismay, there is a new neighbour who has very noisy night time visitors of the female persuasion. Rose, always every bit the lady, but she cannot help it: those passionate noises titillate her. Then to her horror, she discovers that her randy new neighbour is … Charlie!
HOW TO PLEASE A LADY is a book that must be savoured, and I will say no more about the plot, except that it is a most compelling book that will make you think long after you’ve finished reading. Ms. Goodger’s knowledge of both English societal classes and American Victorian society is extensive, and it constitutes much of the basis for this exceptional book, where class distinctions’ rules can have devastating consequences.
Every character in HOW TO PLEASE A LADY is superbly fleshed out, but Charlie even more so; he is one of the most extraordinary characters I have ever read. The writing is simply sublime: evocative and elegant; every sentence is a work of art and it all flows flawlessly. This lady is extremely pleased at how this story turned out!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Five years later, Charlie has become a rich businessman in America, and Rose, now the widowed Mrs. Cartwright, has remained in America as well. She lived in a quiet neighbourhood, but now to her dismay, there is a new neighbour who has very noisy night time visitors of the female persuasion. Rose, always every bit the lady, but she cannot help it: those passionate noises titillate her. Then to her horror, she discovers that her randy new neighbour is … Charlie!
HOW TO PLEASE A LADY is a book that must be savoured, and I will say no more about the plot, except that it is a most compelling book that will make you think long after you’ve finished reading. Ms. Goodger’s knowledge of both English societal classes and American Victorian society is extensive, and it constitutes much of the basis for this exceptional book, where class distinctions’ rules can have devastating consequences.
Every character in HOW TO PLEASE A LADY is superbly fleshed out, but Charlie even more so; he is one of the most extraordinary characters I have ever read. The writing is simply sublime: evocative and elegant; every sentence is a work of art and it all flows flawlessly. This lady is extremely pleased at how this story turned out!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2016
ARC from Netgalley....I've read only one other book by Ms. Goodger and from what I can remember I really liked the story and the steam level was pretty hot, so I couldn't wait to dive into this book. I don't recall reading many stories set in 1800 America, so that was a refreshing change for me. I've also not read many stories of an aristocratic female and an indentured male. So, with that said, the story started out ok. The reason for her running away was plausible and believable. But what I think really turned me off was that the heroine was not likeable. I didn't care for her at all. She came off a bit snobby and naive. The Hero was ok. I think I related better to him than to her. There was good sexual tension at times, but the story just developed slowly. And for those reasons I think this was just an ok read.
March 26, 2016
Another Stunning novel from Jane Goodger. This is the second in the Lost Heiresses Series and my favorite so far. Jane's writing is emotionally satisfying, Extraordinarily easy to read, and by that I mean that it is enjoyable and you don't want the story to end. I laughed and cried, sometimes together. Her characters are so life like, flawed, compassionate and lovable.
All I can say about the story is that explores the divide between the classes in England and gives you the prospective from both sides. How hard it is to overcome years of bias and discrimination. Charlie and Rose endure peril, heartache, death to be together.
This is a must read Historical Romance Novel. Do not miss it!!
Received a Complimentary copy from the publisher for an honest review.
All I can say about the story is that explores the divide between the classes in England and gives you the prospective from both sides. How hard it is to overcome years of bias and discrimination. Charlie and Rose endure peril, heartache, death to be together.
This is a must read Historical Romance Novel. Do not miss it!!
Received a Complimentary copy from the publisher for an honest review.
February 12, 2016
Unfortunately this lady was not pleased.... not even close. Rose was unbelievably boring, snobbish, and ridiculous. Charlie was like every cliché head-over-heels in love fool from any romance novel. The story ended on a bit of a cliffhanger and after this fiasco, I will not be reading it.
Free ARC via Netgalley.com
Free ARC via Netgalley.com
January 24, 2018
How To Please A Lady is book 2 in the Lost Heiresses series by Jane Goodger. It follows widowed Lady Rose Dunford and scandalous Charlie Avery through a tumultuous journey of humility, humbleness, and passion. Charlie has had a crush on Rose since their first encounter, but Rose refuses to have anything feelings for her fathers head groom; even though he saved her from a certain disastrous future her father wanted. Crushed, Charlie moves to America and becomes a well-known and wealthy inventor, proving he is just as good as the 'ton' men. Years later, we see Rose a widow and wealthy Charlie, her newest neighbor next door. Charlie performs scandalous activities in his house and Rose can't do anything about it. Or can she?
I liked Charlie the most in this book because he didn't let rejection get him down; he did what he needed to do and came out on top! He got his riches and the girl he loved!
I enjoyed this book very much! The only thing the I didn't like is that Rose's attitude towards Charlie. But, that's also what made the book enjoyable to read. There has to be some drama and chaos that eventually comes together in a climatic ending.
I recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a great romance with lots of steam!
I liked Charlie the most in this book because he didn't let rejection get him down; he did what he needed to do and came out on top! He got his riches and the girl he loved!
I enjoyed this book very much! The only thing the I didn't like is that Rose's attitude towards Charlie. But, that's also what made the book enjoyable to read. There has to be some drama and chaos that eventually comes together in a climatic ending.
I recommend this book to any reader who enjoys a great romance with lots of steam!
August 3, 2019
The first two chapters were ok but when it went on to describing the five years ago.I didn't like it,I didn't like the fact that it took up almost seven chapters. Only to end with such a low level of interest.
April 10, 2021
It was an intriguing story, with some unique turns
February 23, 2016
WARNING: This book is recommended for mature audiences only due to sexual content (that happens outside of marriage). If this is not your cup of tea, then this book may not be for you. However, you can just as easily skip those scenes and not miss any of the overall plot.
Honestly, I don't know quite what to say about this novel. I feel like the writing was solid, and the plot believable enough, but I feel like there were certain things that have could have been tweaked, or better hashed out that would have made this story more enjoyable.
To begin with, the characters were unconventional - Rose came from an upper class English family while Charlie started out as her family's head groom. Perhaps this explains why Rose spends the entirety of the book coming across as snobbish and it never seems as though she really sees Charlie as her equal. Even after he makes a name for himself, she still seems to hold herself to a higher level than she does him. In fact, she uses him. A LOT. And that made her very unlikable.
Perhaps I should back up a tiny bit. When Rose originally "uses" Charlie it is to escape a desperate situation. She is about to be married off to a much older man who is nothing short of vulgar and despicable. He essentially "forces" Rose to perform fellatio on him once and when she appeals to her Mother for help and expresses her desire to end the engagement, her Mother denies her. I'm sure had Rose actually TOLD someone - her Mother or her older brothers perhaps - just what had occurred between her and her fiance, they would have done something to end it.
But once she leaves for America with him, she then she uses him to teach her how to kiss, and she essentially makes his feelings for her run deeper, but then once they reach America? She cannot even consider to possibility that her English "title" means nothing and that Charlie would make the perfect husband for her. She instead turns to a man who she knows cannot truly be what she wants. As time goes by, and they re-establish their connection, she eventually uses him again. To have sex with her. In order to seem experienced in the matter when she eventually re-marries. Tell me how this is supposed to endear a character to readers?
I feel like with all of that, the author could have done more to tone down Rose's personality or have the characters actually be able to get their feelings across in a way that didn't result in one or the other of them having their feelings hurt over and over again. I also wish, maybe less time would have been spent on them and their constant back and forth of hurt feelings and maybe we could have had a chapter or two dealing with her and her husband. He seemed like an afterthought almost, and while we do understand her reasoning for marrying him, we don't get to see their actual marriage and how they made it work.
Aside from that, I did enjoy this novel. I especially liked how we were able to go back in time and see Charlie and Rose when the first knew each other. That backstory was a good portion of this story and honestly probably a little more enjoyable than their actual relationship.
Overall, I would still recommend this novel to those who enjoy a good historical romance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Honestly, I don't know quite what to say about this novel. I feel like the writing was solid, and the plot believable enough, but I feel like there were certain things that have could have been tweaked, or better hashed out that would have made this story more enjoyable.
To begin with, the characters were unconventional - Rose came from an upper class English family while Charlie started out as her family's head groom. Perhaps this explains why Rose spends the entirety of the book coming across as snobbish and it never seems as though she really sees Charlie as her equal. Even after he makes a name for himself, she still seems to hold herself to a higher level than she does him. In fact, she uses him. A LOT. And that made her very unlikable.
Perhaps I should back up a tiny bit. When Rose originally "uses" Charlie it is to escape a desperate situation. She is about to be married off to a much older man who is nothing short of vulgar and despicable. He essentially "forces" Rose to perform fellatio on him once and when she appeals to her Mother for help and expresses her desire to end the engagement, her Mother denies her. I'm sure had Rose actually TOLD someone - her Mother or her older brothers perhaps - just what had occurred between her and her fiance, they would have done something to end it.
But once she leaves for America with him, she then she uses him to teach her how to kiss, and she essentially makes his feelings for her run deeper, but then once they reach America? She cannot even consider to possibility that her English "title" means nothing and that Charlie would make the perfect husband for her. She instead turns to a man who she knows cannot truly be what she wants. As time goes by, and they re-establish their connection, she eventually uses him again. To have sex with her. In order to seem experienced in the matter when she eventually re-marries. Tell me how this is supposed to endear a character to readers?
I feel like with all of that, the author could have done more to tone down Rose's personality or have the characters actually be able to get their feelings across in a way that didn't result in one or the other of them having their feelings hurt over and over again. I also wish, maybe less time would have been spent on them and their constant back and forth of hurt feelings and maybe we could have had a chapter or two dealing with her and her husband. He seemed like an afterthought almost, and while we do understand her reasoning for marrying him, we don't get to see their actual marriage and how they made it work.
Aside from that, I did enjoy this novel. I especially liked how we were able to go back in time and see Charlie and Rose when the first knew each other. That backstory was a good portion of this story and honestly probably a little more enjoyable than their actual relationship.
Overall, I would still recommend this novel to those who enjoy a good historical romance.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
April 3, 2016
I received this ARC ebook from NetGalley for an honest review.
The setting is late 1800's New York and England. The book opens in the characters present tense in New York. Rose has been a widow for about a year, but is still a young woman of 23. She is curious about her new neighbor given the noises that are coming from the house. As she discovers her neighbor is Charlie, her English family's former head groom and has known her since she was a little girl. Flashback five plus years into the past and Rose's impending engagement to a duke. However, she can only think of escaping from him and the whole situation since he turned out not to be such a prize and no one will listen to her. She talks Charlie into taking her with him to America where he is planning to make his fortune. It has been drilled into both of them the difference in classes. Shortly after they reach New York, they go their separate ways, only to be neighbors five years later. They have loved each other since Rose was a young girl, Charlie realizes it but Rose does not. There occasions when I don't find characters appealing. Although there are times when they are quite likable, much of the time Rose and Charlie fall into that unlikable category. Rose is wrapped up in class status but it has been engrained into her. It seems everything she says Charlie takes in the worst way instead of encouraging her to talk out her feelings and actual thoughts. He angers easily, not a characteristic of someone in love. You just want to shake some sense into the two of them. In spite of that this book is a decent read. Characters from the first book in the series appear in this one, always a nice thing. Ms. Goodger sets up the next book briefly but nicely.
The setting is late 1800's New York and England. The book opens in the characters present tense in New York. Rose has been a widow for about a year, but is still a young woman of 23. She is curious about her new neighbor given the noises that are coming from the house. As she discovers her neighbor is Charlie, her English family's former head groom and has known her since she was a little girl. Flashback five plus years into the past and Rose's impending engagement to a duke. However, she can only think of escaping from him and the whole situation since he turned out not to be such a prize and no one will listen to her. She talks Charlie into taking her with him to America where he is planning to make his fortune. It has been drilled into both of them the difference in classes. Shortly after they reach New York, they go their separate ways, only to be neighbors five years later. They have loved each other since Rose was a young girl, Charlie realizes it but Rose does not. There occasions when I don't find characters appealing. Although there are times when they are quite likable, much of the time Rose and Charlie fall into that unlikable category. Rose is wrapped up in class status but it has been engrained into her. It seems everything she says Charlie takes in the worst way instead of encouraging her to talk out her feelings and actual thoughts. He angers easily, not a characteristic of someone in love. You just want to shake some sense into the two of them. In spite of that this book is a decent read. Characters from the first book in the series appear in this one, always a nice thing. Ms. Goodger sets up the next book briefly but nicely.
March 31, 2016
This is book 2 in the Lost Heiresses series.
Lady Rose Dunford, a widow who has recently lost her husband, is shocked by the number of women that are seen coming and going from her new neighbor's brownstone. But having heard their activities next door, she finds herself intrigued by the going ons and wants to meet the bachelor that moved in. When she finally does, she is shocked to learn that she already knows the man. He once worked for her father and was the person that helped her leave England when her father was forcing her into an arranged marriage.
Charlie Avery has finally made something of himself. Once the head groom at Rose's family home, he fell in love with the young lady of the house. He left England to get away from her, knowing that he would never be good enough for her. He never imagined that she would end up in America with him.
Now that Charlie has made something of himself, can he win the hand of the only woman he has ever loved?
I really liked this story and fell in love a little with Charlie myself! I loved that he was there for Rose no matter what happened. Even though he knew that he would never have her, he didn't let that stop him from protecting her and doing what was best for her, even when it wasn't what he wanted. Sigh...
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in Goodger's Lost Heiresses series!
Thanks go out to Kensington Books via NetGalley for a free book in exchange of an honest review.
Lady Rose Dunford, a widow who has recently lost her husband, is shocked by the number of women that are seen coming and going from her new neighbor's brownstone. But having heard their activities next door, she finds herself intrigued by the going ons and wants to meet the bachelor that moved in. When she finally does, she is shocked to learn that she already knows the man. He once worked for her father and was the person that helped her leave England when her father was forcing her into an arranged marriage.
Charlie Avery has finally made something of himself. Once the head groom at Rose's family home, he fell in love with the young lady of the house. He left England to get away from her, knowing that he would never be good enough for her. He never imagined that she would end up in America with him.
Now that Charlie has made something of himself, can he win the hand of the only woman he has ever loved?
I really liked this story and fell in love a little with Charlie myself! I loved that he was there for Rose no matter what happened. Even though he knew that he would never have her, he didn't let that stop him from protecting her and doing what was best for her, even when it wasn't what he wanted. Sigh...
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in Goodger's Lost Heiresses series!
Thanks go out to Kensington Books via NetGalley for a free book in exchange of an honest review.
February 10, 2016
My favorite book from this author is the Mad Earl's Daughter. I think part of my review is based on comparing this romance to that one. The only thing I can pinpoint for my dissatisfaction was that the heroine Rose came off as extremely snobbish all the way to the end of the book. I loved the set up and how the reader was introduced to the characters as they met again 5 years after escaping to America together. We were then taken back to the set up of what led them on their journey. This was a darker novel but so well written and full of depth. I just feel that there had to be a way to justify how Rose came off as looking down on Charles (Charlie) Avery. Blame it on her youth, the horrible things she had gone through in life, something. Not only did I not get a reason for it, I never felt she ever saw Charlie as her equal. It seemed he was always in the servant role to her, expected to satisfy her in every way. There should have been more time (or any time) spent on her acknowledging how much Charlie accomplished but instead she continued to focus on herself (her horse Moonshine and being excited over her favorite flowers on all his designs). This could have been so much better with just a few tweaks on Rose.
April 10, 2016
How To Please A Lady by Jane Goodger
Kensington Books Lyrical Press
****
Reading historicals for so long I am always looking for elements that make a story interesting. Within the covers of this book is a story that unfolds with real world elements. I enjoyed reading the parts of the story that were so determined of real life. The characters were fleshed out in some ways but in others I found the heroine to be caught at first within the class elements that were deeply ingrained by her upbringing.
This is what I term a light read. Characters from childhood that had a relationship torn apart by delineation of class and families values. Brought back together when they grow up and have learned a little of real life. A story such as this unfolded with passion and laughter as well as learning. The characters matured and grew together and made it into a story to be read. A gentle love story that brings your heart to compassion and passion and a smile upon your lips as you read their journey through life. To take this book from good to great in my opinion would of only needed a little more life and a little more action written within.
This book was given to me in return for an honest review. Swedenmom .
Kensington Books Lyrical Press
****
Reading historicals for so long I am always looking for elements that make a story interesting. Within the covers of this book is a story that unfolds with real world elements. I enjoyed reading the parts of the story that were so determined of real life. The characters were fleshed out in some ways but in others I found the heroine to be caught at first within the class elements that were deeply ingrained by her upbringing.
This is what I term a light read. Characters from childhood that had a relationship torn apart by delineation of class and families values. Brought back together when they grow up and have learned a little of real life. A story such as this unfolded with passion and laughter as well as learning. The characters matured and grew together and made it into a story to be read. A gentle love story that brings your heart to compassion and passion and a smile upon your lips as you read their journey through life. To take this book from good to great in my opinion would of only needed a little more life and a little more action written within.
This book was given to me in return for an honest review. Swedenmom .
March 30, 2016
The book opens in the present with widowed Rose Cartwright meeting her new neighbor. The neighbor that has inappropriate noises coming from his house in the middle of the night. As Rose realizes who her neighbor is, we are thrown back five years. Rose is Lady Rose Dunford. She has attracted the attention of the much older Duke of Weston. Her parents are thrilled but Rose does want to marry Weston after she finds out what type of man she is. The head groom for her families stables, Charlie Avery, prevents Weston's attack on Rose.
Rose has known Charlie since she was a little girl. When she finds out that he is leaving for America, she packs her bag and runs away with Charlie. As the book progresses to the present, Rose realizes that she has always loved Charlie.
This book was amazing. I loved how the story flowed. Charlie's character grew as he became more successful while Rose was a bit of a snob in the beginning she changed and became accepting of those around her.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Rose has known Charlie since she was a little girl. When she finds out that he is leaving for America, she packs her bag and runs away with Charlie. As the book progresses to the present, Rose realizes that she has always loved Charlie.
This book was amazing. I loved how the story flowed. Charlie's character grew as he became more successful while Rose was a bit of a snob in the beginning she changed and became accepting of those around her.
I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
March 29, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
There are few themes that can squeeze my heart more painfully than unrequited love, and childhood friend and head groom Charlie Avery has it bad for Lady Rose. In hero-like fashion, he saves her from an abusive fiance, and she escapes to America with Charlie. Here, I got a fascinating peek into immigrant travel during this period, while subsequent challenges lent additional heartache and inevitable separation for the young friends. Their seemingly chance reunion as adults proves to be the perfect time for sharing personal triumphs, revealing secrets, and rekindling desire. Charlie was the star in my eyes, and his utter devotion to Rose along with his single-minded dedication to proving himself worthy of her makes this sweet and tender tale a delightful testament of true love.
There are few themes that can squeeze my heart more painfully than unrequited love, and childhood friend and head groom Charlie Avery has it bad for Lady Rose. In hero-like fashion, he saves her from an abusive fiance, and she escapes to America with Charlie. Here, I got a fascinating peek into immigrant travel during this period, while subsequent challenges lent additional heartache and inevitable separation for the young friends. Their seemingly chance reunion as adults proves to be the perfect time for sharing personal triumphs, revealing secrets, and rekindling desire. Charlie was the star in my eyes, and his utter devotion to Rose along with his single-minded dedication to proving himself worthy of her makes this sweet and tender tale a delightful testament of true love.
February 17, 2016
I received the book in the mail today and started reading it. It's the first book I have read from this author and I have to say I couldn't put it down. I finished it the same day. It was a very well written novel. Rose and Charlie being the stars of the book. I have to say I really liked Charlie his love and devotion was so warming to read about. Rose was confusing on her feelings but she was young and often young people are scattered. She never saw Charlie as an equal just as a servant and easily dismissed him and hurt his feelings and that had him hurting her in return. I got a good laugh at the caterpillar comment. (Hilarious)
I will enjoy reading and following this author. May God Bless her with many more books to come.
I will enjoy reading and following this author. May God Bless her with many more books to come.
February 10, 2016
Reviewed for NetGalley:
I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to be in the United States instead of in England for a change. And the quick look at Gilded Age American society was fun. The reason I don't feel like I can give it more stars is that the two main characters don't actually talk about their problems. If they don't have an actual conversation they are going to repeat the cycle, that happened multiple times in the book. She'll say something, he'll take offense, because he has a HUGE chip on his shoulder about their respective places in society, and then eventually they'll get close enough, and kiss and it's like they forget about their problems. Guys, HAVE A CONVERSATION. But I mostly enjoyed it.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to be in the United States instead of in England for a change. And the quick look at Gilded Age American society was fun. The reason I don't feel like I can give it more stars is that the two main characters don't actually talk about their problems. If they don't have an actual conversation they are going to repeat the cycle, that happened multiple times in the book. She'll say something, he'll take offense, because he has a HUGE chip on his shoulder about their respective places in society, and then eventually they'll get close enough, and kiss and it's like they forget about their problems. Guys, HAVE A CONVERSATION. But I mostly enjoyed it.
February 9, 2016
I love Jane Goodger. Her latest book How to please a Lady is fantastic. Jane develops her characters so well. You either love or hate them then it can switch. She has a way of describing the ways/traditions of the past, to where I always feel like I am in that time period. In other books I have to look up many past term words to understand but Jane just does it seamlessly where I do not have too. This book shows how two people can love from afar and be reunited. Will they reconnect the way they desire?. This book as with her others is a page turner you wont want to put down.
February 6, 2016
Truthfully, I have no quarrel with this book. It was cute and simple. There was no really deep and meaningful plotline. It was what I call a one-and-done. They met after a while, he was kind of pissed at her, they made up, and done. It made for a short, I don't really have anything better to do read.
Check out my full review here: http://steamqueens.blogspot.com/2016/...
I will re-post closer to the release date.
Check out my full review here: http://steamqueens.blogspot.com/2016/...
I will re-post closer to the release date.
March 30, 2016
Another DNF for me (is it the books right now or is my tolerance getting less and less??). Neither Rose nor Charlie were likeable in my eyes and I could not force myself to finish. For more romance reviews, check out my website:https://katherinasbooks.wordpress.com
July 16, 2016
Goodger has been a favorite of mine for a long time! This title is no different! Love her historically rich novels!
August 16, 2016
It was a good read but I didn't find the heroine very likeable to be honest.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews