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Noble #1
Noble Intentions
Noble Britton had suffered greatly at the hands of his first wife, and he refused to fall into the same trap again. This time he intended to marry a quiet, biddable woman who would not draw attention to herself or cause scandal. Gillian Leigh's honest manner and spontaneous laughter attracted him immediately. It mattered little that she was accident-prone; he could provide the structure necessary to guide her.
But unconventional to the tips of her half-American toes―toes that one of them was constantly tripping over―his new bride turned the tables on him, wreaking havoc on his orderly life. And worse, demanding he surrender his heart. Perpetually one step behind his beguiling spouse, Noble suffered a banged-up head, a black eye, and a broken nose before he realized Gillian had healed his soul and proved that their union was no heedless tumble, but the swoon of true love.
But unconventional to the tips of her half-American toes―toes that one of them was constantly tripping over―his new bride turned the tables on him, wreaking havoc on his orderly life. And worse, demanding he surrender his heart. Perpetually one step behind his beguiling spouse, Noble suffered a banged-up head, a black eye, and a broken nose before he realized Gillian had healed his soul and proved that their union was no heedless tumble, but the swoon of true love.
329 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2002
138 people are currently reading
2521 people want to read
About the author
Katie MacAlister
122 books5,976 followersFor as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.
Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews
December 26, 2010
This book was a nice change from my usual fare. It was light, fluffy, and sweet and made me laugh. I can't say that it would be something I'd like to read on a regular basis, but occasionally is nice.
Gillian is the funny man to Noble's straight man. She, with the best of intentions, wreaks havoc in his perfect life. They have an extremely short courtship before marriage, but they both can't resist each other.
Noble has had a bad relationship in the past, so he tries to resist his feelings, but he just can't hold out against the eternally cheerful Gillian and her antics. Gillian is determined to save Noble and his son and spends each day working toward that.
The side characters--even the dogs!--were fun and hilarious. The servants and the mistresses and Gillian's cousin Charlotte cracked me up. They were helpless to resist Gillian recruiting them into her schemes and, in Charlotte's case, Gillian didn't even have to ask.
I wouldn't recommend going into this expecting good relationship development and character depth. That's not what this book is about as all. Go in expecting to take things at face value and be ready to laugh!
I plan to try another book by this author when I'm in the mood for a good laugh. Let me leave you with a scene that cracked me up.
Gillian is the funny man to Noble's straight man. She, with the best of intentions, wreaks havoc in his perfect life. They have an extremely short courtship before marriage, but they both can't resist each other.
Noble has had a bad relationship in the past, so he tries to resist his feelings, but he just can't hold out against the eternally cheerful Gillian and her antics. Gillian is determined to save Noble and his son and spends each day working toward that.
The side characters--even the dogs!--were fun and hilarious. The servants and the mistresses and Gillian's cousin Charlotte cracked me up. They were helpless to resist Gillian recruiting them into her schemes and, in Charlotte's case, Gillian didn't even have to ask.
I wouldn't recommend going into this expecting good relationship development and character depth. That's not what this book is about as all. Go in expecting to take things at face value and be ready to laugh!
I plan to try another book by this author when I'm in the mood for a good laugh. Let me leave you with a scene that cracked me up.
Pg. 284 - 286:
"Yes, yes, I see your point, Dickon. Very well. We shall have a watchword. Any suggestions as to what it might be?"
"Testicle!" piped up Charles.
Noble frowned at him.
"'E means tentacle, m'lord. 'Ad 'is 'alf day yesterday and saw one of them octopantses at the zoological gardens."
"No, I mean testicle," argued Charles.
Noble considered his footman. "Is there any reason why you wish the watchword to be testicle, Charles?"
The younger man sucked in his cheeks and bounced on the balls of his feet. "No, my lord."
"Just like the word, do you?"
"Yes, my lord."
Noble stopped pacing in front of the footman and narrowed his eyes at him. "There's nothing you should have told me that you haven't, is there, Charles?"
Charles's eyes widened. "Me, my lord?" he squeaked.
"Mmm," Noble said, giving him a close look, then continued his pacing. "Very well, our watchword is testicle. Should you encounter someone who does not answer your cry of 'Halt, who goes there?' with a snappy 'testicle,' you will restrain him and shout for assistance."
"A lady wouldn't say it," Charles said.
Noble spun around to face the interruption. "What's that?"
"You asked me if I has a reason for choosing the word testicle, my lord. I thought of one. A lady wouldn't say it. Therefore, any lady villains we encounter wouldn't say the watchword."
"Er...quite right. Are there any other questions?"
"They'd say something else," Charles said. Noble ignored him and gazed down the line of footmen.
"Like whirlygigs," Dickon said with a nod. "That's what my mum used to call them."
"Dusters," said Crouch. "Jenny Hills. Flowers and frolics."
"Yes, quite. Are there any--"
"Gooseberries," said one of the Runners.
"No, they's jingleberries, they are," said another.
Noble rubbed his still-aching head. The pain seemed to be increasing again.
"Les accessories," said Tremayne Two in a perfect French accent.
"Orchestra stalls," offered Crouch.
"Twiddle-diddles. A lady would surely say twiddle-diddles," Charles suggested, looking up as the door opened. "Oh, my lady, could you answer a question? if you were asked to say the word--"
"Charles!" Noble bellowed. "That will be all! You are dismissed, all of you."
"If I was asked to say what word?" Gillian asked as the footmen filed out. Noble glared at the men and dared them to answer her.
"Whennymegs," Crouch muttered as he closed the door behind him.
Gillian turned to Noble. "Whennymegs? Oh, testicles. What about them? Are yours all right, my lord?" She turned her attention to the front of Noble's buckskins, concern writ across her face. "Did you damage them last night? You were quite enthusiastic, husband, but I thought everything looked hale and hearty this morning. Shall I check them for you?"
She started reaching for the buttons on his breeches. Noble caught her hand. "Everything is fine there, thank you. Did you do as I asked?"
August 22, 2016
The blurb gives no warning as to what's to come. Being my first KM, I was totally unprepared for the complete lunacy that unfolds. The book wanders into the farce territory many times and the off the charts comedy makes you look for words like hysterical, hoot, slapstick, ludicrous and yes, ROFL!
The ‘Dark Earl’ is a social outcast, accused of killing his first wife in a jealous fit. Deciding to get remarried for his illegitimate son’s sake and also to sire heirs, he braves his detractors (more like gives them the finger!) to make a reentry into the social scenes of London after a gap of 5 years, where he meets the half American h. He decides that she would do quite well for his purpose, not knowing what he’s letting himself in for - a tornado whirling into his quiet humdrum life!
This ditsy clumsy h is a danger not only to herself and the H (who through the story gets kidnapped, stripped, shot, receives a black eye, breaks his nose, and then she herself knocks him down unconscious and also drugs him once), but the whole world at large. Sent from the colonies to terrorize the unwitting and unprepared ton, it seems. But it’s also true that she is an amazingly sweet, warm and giving person. She is also completely non-judgmental in her opinions and determined to love the H in forgetting his painful past. She lovingly accepts the H’s son on the spot, even though her husband doesn’t even tell her about the child’s existence till she sets sight on him after the wedding. She thinks of them as ‘her men’ and is determined to protect them from any harm or social rebuff. I loved the way she loves unconditionally! Even the boorish H is unable to resist her quirky but sweet ways. The sex scenes wander into the absurd but were undeniably hot.
The comedy comes many times when they talk at cross-purposes, like here when the H thinks she is talking about oral sex, but she is referring to her wearing trousers!
And previously . .
The first part is more entertaining than the later. The intrigue in the second half becomes more headach-y and prolonged than absorbing. The identity of the villain is no great suspense.
Also why wasn't the son, Nick's mother mentioned at all. Was she another one of his mistresses? And the ever curious h never even wonders or asks about this, when she goes about chasing 4 of his previous mistresses for information. That part was very confounding!
I would have liked to read the rest in the series, but the reviews are not as good. Maybe Harry's story...
The ‘Dark Earl’ is a social outcast, accused of killing his first wife in a jealous fit. Deciding to get remarried for his illegitimate son’s sake and also to sire heirs, he braves his detractors (more like gives them the finger!) to make a reentry into the social scenes of London after a gap of 5 years, where he meets the half American h. He decides that she would do quite well for his purpose, not knowing what he’s letting himself in for - a tornado whirling into his quiet humdrum life!
This ditsy clumsy h is a danger not only to herself and the H (who through the story gets kidnapped, stripped, shot, receives a black eye, breaks his nose, and then she herself knocks him down unconscious and also drugs him once), but the whole world at large. Sent from the colonies to terrorize the unwitting and unprepared ton, it seems. But it’s also true that she is an amazingly sweet, warm and giving person. She is also completely non-judgmental in her opinions and determined to love the H in forgetting his painful past. She lovingly accepts the H’s son on the spot, even though her husband doesn’t even tell her about the child’s existence till she sets sight on him after the wedding. She thinks of them as ‘her men’ and is determined to protect them from any harm or social rebuff. I loved the way she loves unconditionally! Even the boorish H is unable to resist her quirky but sweet ways. The sex scenes wander into the absurd but were undeniably hot.
The comedy comes many times when they talk at cross-purposes, like here when the H thinks she is talking about oral sex, but she is referring to her wearing trousers!
“I have done it before, you know . . .I couldn’t help myself. Sometimes I just had to, you know. It feels so different, so… so oh, I don’t know how to describe it. I suppose I didn’t have to, as you well know the feeling.”
Noble felt as if someone had slapped him in the face with a wet fish. A salmon, perhaps. Or a very large flounder. He gaped at her.
“I will have names, Gillian, names of the men with whom you have disported yourself in such a fashion.”
Gillian looked at him in surprise. “Names of men? I never did it with men, Noble.”
And previously . .
As we are now betrothed, do you think you could use my Christian name?”
“Certainly, my lord. What is it?”
“It’s Noble.”
Gillian smiled. “I am sure it is. Your parents would hardly bestow an unsuitable name on their firstborn son. What is your name?”
Wessex closed his eyes briefly. “My name is Noble.”
The first part is more entertaining than the later. The intrigue in the second half becomes more headach-y and prolonged than absorbing. The identity of the villain is no great suspense.
Also why wasn't the son, Nick's mother mentioned at all. Was she another one of his mistresses? And the ever curious h never even wonders or asks about this, when she goes about chasing 4 of his previous mistresses for information. That part was very confounding!
I would have liked to read the rest in the series, but the reviews are not as good. Maybe Harry's story...
September 14, 2018
It was… OK
Este libro lo vi en una recomendación donde decían que era muy divertido y que tenía escenas muy cómicas. Me decidí a leerlo porque aparte de que es histórico tenía ganas divertirme un ratito y pasarla bien BUT tardé cinco días en leerlo no podía avanzar no sé si era mi mood raro que me cargo aunque también influyó mucho el libro.
Reconozco que estuvo divertido en algunas partes por la protagonista que se metía en cada lío pero después dejaron de tener chiste sus ocurrencias locas eran absurdas y el pobre Noble lo tenía con los nervios.
El romance fue muy poco yo esperaba más necesitaba más angst pero no hubo un poco de drama entre ellos hubiera estado muy bien.
El suspenso del final creo que es lo mejor del libro y el villano tal vez soy un poco despistada pero no lo vi venir.
Y la relación de Gillie con Nick el hijo del protagonista fue muy tierna y de lo mejor del libro me encantó que ella luego aceptara el papel de mamá y protegiera y le diera amor al niño.
No estuvo tan mal le daré 3.5 – estrellas
Este libro lo vi en una recomendación donde decían que era muy divertido y que tenía escenas muy cómicas. Me decidí a leerlo porque aparte de que es histórico tenía ganas divertirme un ratito y pasarla bien BUT tardé cinco días en leerlo no podía avanzar no sé si era mi mood raro que me cargo aunque también influyó mucho el libro.
Reconozco que estuvo divertido en algunas partes por la protagonista que se metía en cada lío pero después dejaron de tener chiste sus ocurrencias locas eran absurdas y el pobre Noble lo tenía con los nervios.
El romance fue muy poco yo esperaba más necesitaba más angst pero no hubo un poco de drama entre ellos hubiera estado muy bien.
El suspenso del final creo que es lo mejor del libro y el villano tal vez soy un poco despistada pero no lo vi venir.
Y la relación de Gillie con Nick el hijo del protagonista fue muy tierna y de lo mejor del libro me encantó que ella luego aceptara el papel de mamá y protegiera y le diera amor al niño.
No estuvo tan mal le daré 3.5 – estrellas
April 27, 2025
Read: 4/26/25
4.5 Stars
What a silly, fun book! I really need a good laugh and this book delivered. Poor Noble had no idea what he was getting into when he asked Gillain to marry him. The accident prone Gillain got in some hilarious pickles. She reminded me of a poorer version of a Garwood h.
I wish there had been more serious moments . It would have balanced the silliness more.
4.5 Stars
What a silly, fun book! I really need a good laugh and this book delivered. Poor Noble had no idea what he was getting into when he asked Gillain to marry him. The accident prone Gillain got in some hilarious pickles. She reminded me of a poorer version of a Garwood h.
I wish there had been more serious moments . It would have balanced the silliness more.
September 22, 2025
The heroine was adorable, but my suspension of disbelief took a beating.
November 4, 2010
Katie MacAlister is now officially one of my favorite authors. Noble Intentions was one of the most amusing books I have ever read. I laughed, chuckled, giggled, guffawed, snorted, and basically fell off my chair reading this book. At times, I couldn’t even hold the book straight because I was laughing so hard.
Where do I start? Noble Intentions is the story of Gillian Leigh and Noble Britton, or Lord Wessex and their rather chaotic life together. Gillian is an endearing character. She stumbles through life with grace and quick wit. Gillian suffers from an Unfortunate Habit; she tends to verbalize thoughts that are best kept to her. Gillian’s Unfortunate Habits are a source of both embarrassment and entertainment for all those around her. Gillian tends to be unconventional and it is this aspect that leads to all sorts of farcical situations. For example, Gillian is rather demonstrative with her affections for Noble and while leaping into his arms, caused a large vase to fall on his head rendering him unconscious. Another demonstrative incident led to Gillian’s fall into a waterfall.
I could go on and on about how entertaining Gillian’s character was. My favorites would be the names she would call Noble. Noble was her Lord of Bliss, her Lord of Fury, her Lord of Manliness and Virility, and her Lord of Pigheadedness, amongst other names. Even Gillian’s dogs were interesting with names like Piddle and Erp. Both dogs suffered from some unfortunate gastric problems.
Noble is an interesting character. Noble is Lord Wessex, or the Black Earl. He has lost favor from society because he was wrongfully accused of his late wife’s death. Noble seeks to clear his name throughout the book. Noble is handsome, most virile, and muscular. He is also very generous, anonymously helping out a friend to keep him out of debt. Noble is a loving husband to Gillian and a doting father to Nick.
All the people surrounding Noble and Gillian are characters. The Tremaynes are triplets that work for Noble. Gillian calls them Tremayne One, Tremayne Two, and Tremayne Three. One of Noble’s servants Crouch is mistaken for a pirate by Gillian because he has a hook for a hand.
If you are looking for something upbeat and entertaining, laugh out loud funny, then this book is a great choice. I definitely will be reading more Katie MacAlister books in the future.
Where do I start? Noble Intentions is the story of Gillian Leigh and Noble Britton, or Lord Wessex and their rather chaotic life together. Gillian is an endearing character. She stumbles through life with grace and quick wit. Gillian suffers from an Unfortunate Habit; she tends to verbalize thoughts that are best kept to her. Gillian’s Unfortunate Habits are a source of both embarrassment and entertainment for all those around her. Gillian tends to be unconventional and it is this aspect that leads to all sorts of farcical situations. For example, Gillian is rather demonstrative with her affections for Noble and while leaping into his arms, caused a large vase to fall on his head rendering him unconscious. Another demonstrative incident led to Gillian’s fall into a waterfall.
I could go on and on about how entertaining Gillian’s character was. My favorites would be the names she would call Noble. Noble was her Lord of Bliss, her Lord of Fury, her Lord of Manliness and Virility, and her Lord of Pigheadedness, amongst other names. Even Gillian’s dogs were interesting with names like Piddle and Erp. Both dogs suffered from some unfortunate gastric problems.
Noble is an interesting character. Noble is Lord Wessex, or the Black Earl. He has lost favor from society because he was wrongfully accused of his late wife’s death. Noble seeks to clear his name throughout the book. Noble is handsome, most virile, and muscular. He is also very generous, anonymously helping out a friend to keep him out of debt. Noble is a loving husband to Gillian and a doting father to Nick.
All the people surrounding Noble and Gillian are characters. The Tremaynes are triplets that work for Noble. Gillian calls them Tremayne One, Tremayne Two, and Tremayne Three. One of Noble’s servants Crouch is mistaken for a pirate by Gillian because he has a hook for a hand.
If you are looking for something upbeat and entertaining, laugh out loud funny, then this book is a great choice. I definitely will be reading more Katie MacAlister books in the future.
December 4, 2025
Reread was still just as funny~
I've been listening to this audiobook on and off as I do chores and darn but it was funny~
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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I've been listening to this audiobook on and off as I do chores and darn but it was funny~
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🕮⋆˚࿔✎𓂃 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
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February 25, 2019
This is complete nonsense. And nutty to its core. Noble is an arrogant idiot. Gillian is naïve and headstrong. If you're in the mood for a completely ingenuous fribble leading an enraged (but secretly enchanted) autocrat about by his nethers, then this will probably hit the spot. MacAlister gives Gillian some real humor and an easy-going nature but she also gives Noble all the macho brooding that ever swanned about demanding an empathetic pass on his every selfish declaration. Which is what broke me, I think. Oh, he knew the treachery that is woman and would school himself to resist all blandishments that would tempt him otherwise. Well, have fun with that emotional gluttony pal, but I'm taking a hard pass...
July 2, 2025
If you can stand a book that sometimes forgets about what era this was set in, you might just be in for a treat with this book. Of course some of the 'errors' may be because our heroine is half American!
There is a lot of humor woven into this story, a wonderful mystery to solve and some steamy naughtiness to keep us going strong.
This is a fast, entertaining and funny historical that will lead us on to three more (some better than others). I find this a great book to re-read when life has gotten me down a bit!
There is a lot of humor woven into this story, a wonderful mystery to solve and some steamy naughtiness to keep us going strong.
This is a fast, entertaining and funny historical that will lead us on to three more (some better than others). I find this a great book to re-read when life has gotten me down a bit!
July 30, 2021
It's been a while since I've read this, but the heroine was seriously laugh out loud funny.
December 19, 2023
If you can stand a book that sometimes forgets about what era this was set in, you might just be in for a treat with this book. Although, of course, some of the 'errors' may be because our heroine is half-American!
There is a lot of ribald humor woven into this story, a wonderful mystery to solve, and some very steamy naughtiness to keep us going strong.
This is a fast, entertaining, funny historical that will lead us on to three more (some better than others). I find this a great book to re-read when life has gotten me down a bit!
There is a lot of ribald humor woven into this story, a wonderful mystery to solve, and some very steamy naughtiness to keep us going strong.
This is a fast, entertaining, funny historical that will lead us on to three more (some better than others). I find this a great book to re-read when life has gotten me down a bit!
February 18, 2018
4 «yo tenía razón» stars ⭐️
Si es que soy más lista que el hambre 😂
A ver, os cuento un poquito:
Por un lado tenemos a Gillian, un chica americana de 25 años que ha venido a vivir con sus tíos a Inglaterra. Es propensa a los accidentes, o eso dice ella, yo es que la verdad aún no entiendo cómo una persona es capaz de provocar tales catástrofes 🤷🏼♀️.
Por otra parte tenemos a lord Wessex, un hombre taciturno y que la alta sociedad ha marginado porque creen que asesinó a su antigua esposa. Noble (lord Wessex) ha venido a Londres en busca de una esposa, su título se lo exige. El solo quiere una mujer sumisa, tranquila que no sea notable. Vamos, todo lo contrario a la bruja de su ex mujer. Es entonces cuando conoce a Gillian, pero ella es de todo menos tranquila... y lo descubrirá de las formas más absurdas y... dolorosas 😂
No le he dado las 5 ⭐️ porque a veces me ha sacado de quicio que Gillian no reaccionase de una forma normal a ciertas situaciones. Pero eso solo me ha pasado en ciertos momentos, en otros no he podido dejar de reírme como una loca. Y tampoco he podido dejar de hacer esto: 🤦🏻♀️ cada vez que esta mujer provocaba un desastre. Es tremendamente divertida pero muy muy muy patosa, aunque eso no la describe lo suficiente. Me encantó como madre de Nick, de verdad, eran adorables juntos ❤️
En cuanto a Noble... no me gustaría haber estado en su pellejo. Intentar seguirle el ritmo a Gillian es un trabajo a tiempo completo 😂. Él, que no quería enamorarse pero que no pudo resistirse porque Gillian es la mujer más terca y luchadora que hay en todo el mundo.
¿Que si he disfrutado de la lectura? Como nunca. Incluso con toda la trama del asesinato detrás. Que por cierto: ¡YO TENÍA RAZÓN! Ja! Ya me pueden ir llamando los del FBI 😏😂
Recomiendo esta lectura un montón porque de verdad ha sido genial, y lo necesitaba. Necesitaba cambiar de género y por algo divertido y este libro cumple todas mis expectativas!
Si es que soy más lista que el hambre 😂
A ver, os cuento un poquito:
Por un lado tenemos a Gillian, un chica americana de 25 años que ha venido a vivir con sus tíos a Inglaterra. Es propensa a los accidentes, o eso dice ella, yo es que la verdad aún no entiendo cómo una persona es capaz de provocar tales catástrofes 🤷🏼♀️.
Por otra parte tenemos a lord Wessex, un hombre taciturno y que la alta sociedad ha marginado porque creen que asesinó a su antigua esposa. Noble (lord Wessex) ha venido a Londres en busca de una esposa, su título se lo exige. El solo quiere una mujer sumisa, tranquila que no sea notable. Vamos, todo lo contrario a la bruja de su ex mujer. Es entonces cuando conoce a Gillian, pero ella es de todo menos tranquila... y lo descubrirá de las formas más absurdas y... dolorosas 😂
No le he dado las 5 ⭐️ porque a veces me ha sacado de quicio que Gillian no reaccionase de una forma normal a ciertas situaciones. Pero eso solo me ha pasado en ciertos momentos, en otros no he podido dejar de reírme como una loca. Y tampoco he podido dejar de hacer esto: 🤦🏻♀️ cada vez que esta mujer provocaba un desastre. Es tremendamente divertida pero muy muy muy patosa, aunque eso no la describe lo suficiente. Me encantó como madre de Nick, de verdad, eran adorables juntos ❤️
En cuanto a Noble... no me gustaría haber estado en su pellejo. Intentar seguirle el ritmo a Gillian es un trabajo a tiempo completo 😂. Él, que no quería enamorarse pero que no pudo resistirse porque Gillian es la mujer más terca y luchadora que hay en todo el mundo.
¿Que si he disfrutado de la lectura? Como nunca. Incluso con toda la trama del asesinato detrás. Que por cierto: ¡YO TENÍA RAZÓN! Ja! Ya me pueden ir llamando los del FBI 😏😂
Recomiendo esta lectura un montón porque de verdad ha sido genial, y lo necesitaba. Necesitaba cambiar de género y por algo divertido y este libro cumple todas mis expectativas!
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October 24, 2018Otra que abandono. No me interesa para nada la historia. ¡Estoy en crisis lectora! :(
December 17, 2020
PUes es un libro que cumple su función: entretener y no pensar. Lo que me gusta es que sea un libro autoconclusivo y no es necesario leer las otras partes. Recomendable para los momentos en los que no quieres leer nada profundo y necesitas desconectar.
November 8, 2018
Como dije en una actualización de lectura, es un libro muy sencillo y fácil de leer. Tiene una trama amorosa que transcurre a la velocidad de la luz (literalmente el prota decide casarse con la prota después del segundo encuentro, que en total de tiempo juntos puede ser una hora 🤷♀️) y una trama de misterio sobre la noche en que falleció la primera esposa.
Es un buen libro para una tarde de manta y entretenimiento sencillo, no tiene más. Los personajes están bien tratados pero no van más allá. A mi en particular Gillian me pone de los nervios por que aunque evidentemente todo acaba bien por que la historia tiene que ser así, básicamente la va liando allá por donde va y no puedo con ello.
Como he dicho, ha estado bien pero no es un libro que volvería a leer una y otra vez, tengo lecturas del estilo que me gustan muchísimo más.
Es un buen libro para una tarde de manta y entretenimiento sencillo, no tiene más. Los personajes están bien tratados pero no van más allá. A mi en particular Gillian me pone de los nervios por que aunque evidentemente todo acaba bien por que la historia tiene que ser así, básicamente la va liando allá por donde va y no puedo con ello.
Como he dicho, ha estado bien pero no es un libro que volvería a leer una y otra vez, tengo lecturas del estilo que me gustan muchísimo más.
August 17, 2014
If you've been pining for a period romance novel with the sense of humor of Dumb And Dumber, including the fart jokes and toilet humor, this is the book for you! It features an adorably clumsy protagonist who can't tell when she's talking and when she's not, a brooding antihero control freak who shares my confusion about why he doesn't strangle his wife, dogs that suffer from extreme gastrointestinal distress, long conversations that are purposefully ambiguous to enable hilarious misunderstandings, and pages upon pages of characters refusing to take very simple steps to get themselves out of situations that they find upsetting because it's funny if they don't.
If that sounds appealing to you, you will definitely enjoy this book. If not, run away. Run away now.
If that sounds appealing to you, you will definitely enjoy this book. If not, run away. Run away now.
March 31, 2008
I got the biggest kick out of this book! I've never read Katie MacAlister before, so I have no idea whether all her books follow the same pattern, or if this one is unique. I loved the characters, the humor, and the fact that there were no stupid misunderstandings. The heroine was so endearing as she strove to protect her "Black Earl" from an unknown enemy, despite her being a klutz and thinking quite differently than other women of her time. This wasn't the "deepest" book I've read by any means, but it wasn't poorly-written fluff, either. I suppose I'll have to read more of this author to determine if this story was a fluke, or if Katie MacAlister will become a favorite.
December 20, 2020
Aunque solo sea por las sonrisas que me ha arrancado cuando lo necesitaba le pongo 4 estrellitas.
October 2, 2018
Noble Britton, Lord Wessex no quiere más sorpresas ya tuvo las suficientes con su primera esposa es por eso que ahora busca a una mujer sumisa, que no le dé problemas y él cree que pueda ser Gillian Leigh pero no sabe que esta mujer es toda una caja de sorpresas.
Creo que es una de las primeras veces que un libro me cuesta tanto explicarlo porque “Nobles intenciones” es raro, diferente también y divertido pero esto último no os penséis que es la pera, tiene sus puntos divertido, pero vamos que tampoco te vas a partir la caja de la risa. Hay situaciones que son bastante hilarantes, esto lo encontré en las últimas doscientas páginas, a lo mejor es que me acostumbré al sentido del humor de la autora o que quizás me adapté a las particularidades tanto de Noble como de Gillian.
No conocía nada hasta el momento de Katie MacAlister pero por ahí vi que comentaban que el libro era divertido y alguna escena atípica que me dije: voy a leerlo, a lo mejor está bien. Y la novela es romántica histórica pero muy distinta a las de su género, sin tanta formalidad y con unos personajes (sobre todo Gillian) muy disparatados. La forma de narrar de K.M. es bastante particular y me costó mucho pasar de la mitad del libro (horrores) porque sobre todo al principio la autora da cuenta de sucesos que no narra en ninguna escena y te quedas como: ¿le faltan páginas a mi epub?, esto sucedió al principio luego no lo encontré.
A continuación tenemos a los personajes principales: Noble Britton es el típico que podemos encontrar en cualquier otro libro, nada fuera de lo normal porque para esto último tenemos a Gillian, una mujer que es difícil de describir, a veces resulta demasiado intensa, en lo que se refiere a situaciones disparatadas, hay partes que tanto con el personaje como con la narración rezumaban mucho histrionismo. Lo que no entiendo es que la gente lo ponga por una novela divertidísima, yo soy de risa fácil y tampoco le vi tanta, quizás sí y más hacia el final me gustó mucho más la novela, pero también os cuento que las últimas cien páginas que todos sabréis que se pasan volando a mí me costó terminarlas, todavía no me explico la razón.
La pareja Noble – Gillian es a veces como Doris Day y Rock Hudson por ejemplo en “Pijama para dos”, a lo mejor así entendéis por dónde van los tiros. Esto a veces lo consigue la autora y a veces no. Esto sucede cuando Noble ya cambia porque no le queda otra con la atípica mujer con la que se ha casado.
En cuanto a la trama estaba bien con su suspense de por medio, ese romance tan atípico, que al principio no le vemos mucha química a Gillian y a Noble pero que luego me pareció bastante agradable la relación que forman al final y algunas escenas entre ellos también me gustaron. Gillian dentro de sus desvaríos tampoco me incomodó demasiado tiene sus partes exageradas y otras que es para adorarla sobre todo su relación con Nick. Ya con el personaje de Charlotte me desquiciaba por momentos porque ésta sí que es un poco insoportable de lo ridícula que es.
Qué más puedo decir del libro… es que es como un collage no podría valorarlo en su conjunto porque hay partes que no pasan el visto bueno y otras que me encantaron, no sabría, me cuesta darle una puntuación. Lo que sí tengo claro es que más de la mitad del libro me costó su lectura y el final me gustó mucho aunque como siempre muy precipitado. Romántico: sí, pero no demasiado. Divertido: sí pero no es para partirse la caja. Diferente: un rato.
Creo que es una de las primeras veces que un libro me cuesta tanto explicarlo porque “Nobles intenciones” es raro, diferente también y divertido pero esto último no os penséis que es la pera, tiene sus puntos divertido, pero vamos que tampoco te vas a partir la caja de la risa. Hay situaciones que son bastante hilarantes, esto lo encontré en las últimas doscientas páginas, a lo mejor es que me acostumbré al sentido del humor de la autora o que quizás me adapté a las particularidades tanto de Noble como de Gillian.
No conocía nada hasta el momento de Katie MacAlister pero por ahí vi que comentaban que el libro era divertido y alguna escena atípica que me dije: voy a leerlo, a lo mejor está bien. Y la novela es romántica histórica pero muy distinta a las de su género, sin tanta formalidad y con unos personajes (sobre todo Gillian) muy disparatados. La forma de narrar de K.M. es bastante particular y me costó mucho pasar de la mitad del libro (horrores) porque sobre todo al principio la autora da cuenta de sucesos que no narra en ninguna escena y te quedas como: ¿le faltan páginas a mi epub?, esto sucedió al principio luego no lo encontré.
A continuación tenemos a los personajes principales: Noble Britton es el típico que podemos encontrar en cualquier otro libro, nada fuera de lo normal porque para esto último tenemos a Gillian, una mujer que es difícil de describir, a veces resulta demasiado intensa, en lo que se refiere a situaciones disparatadas, hay partes que tanto con el personaje como con la narración rezumaban mucho histrionismo. Lo que no entiendo es que la gente lo ponga por una novela divertidísima, yo soy de risa fácil y tampoco le vi tanta, quizás sí y más hacia el final me gustó mucho más la novela, pero también os cuento que las últimas cien páginas que todos sabréis que se pasan volando a mí me costó terminarlas, todavía no me explico la razón.
La pareja Noble – Gillian es a veces como Doris Day y Rock Hudson por ejemplo en “Pijama para dos”, a lo mejor así entendéis por dónde van los tiros. Esto a veces lo consigue la autora y a veces no. Esto sucede cuando Noble ya cambia porque no le queda otra con la atípica mujer con la que se ha casado.
En cuanto a la trama estaba bien con su suspense de por medio, ese romance tan atípico, que al principio no le vemos mucha química a Gillian y a Noble pero que luego me pareció bastante agradable la relación que forman al final y algunas escenas entre ellos también me gustaron. Gillian dentro de sus desvaríos tampoco me incomodó demasiado tiene sus partes exageradas y otras que es para adorarla sobre todo su relación con Nick. Ya con el personaje de Charlotte me desquiciaba por momentos porque ésta sí que es un poco insoportable de lo ridícula que es.
Qué más puedo decir del libro… es que es como un collage no podría valorarlo en su conjunto porque hay partes que no pasan el visto bueno y otras que me encantaron, no sabría, me cuesta darle una puntuación. Lo que sí tengo claro es que más de la mitad del libro me costó su lectura y el final me gustó mucho aunque como siempre muy precipitado. Romántico: sí, pero no demasiado. Divertido: sí pero no es para partirse la caja. Diferente: un rato.
December 7, 2020
Divertidísimo! Mucho.
Romántico sin ser ñoño, erótico sin ser soez...y.muy entretenido.
Romántico sin ser ñoño, erótico sin ser soez...y.muy entretenido.
May 13, 2014
Initial Thoughts:This book is being re-released by Sourcebooks Casablanca this May. If you've never read a historical romance or were afraid to do so, this zany comedy might be a good place to start. Noble Intentions has an eccentric cast of characters including two farting dogs, the Tremayne triplets, a butler who looks and sounds like a pirate, four mistresses, and the list goes on. Gillian brings all the characters together and manages to control the temper (sometimes) of her newlywed husband Noble as forces work to destroy his reputation. A hilarious read with some really madcap situations.
The Review:
If you’ve always been leery of reading historical romances (I know I was), Noble Intentions is a good introduction to the genre with the added bonus of some incredibly zany, slapstick comedy to lighten the read.
Noble Intentions is the story of Gillian Leigh, a 25 year old spinster who is living with her aunt and uncle in London. Gillian is tall, beautiful, and a social pariah due to her rather “Unfortunate Habit” of speaking her thoughts. “Unfortunate Accidents” also plague Gillian. Every social situation Gillian finds herself in seems to end up in flames. Literally. Think Lucille Ball in the I Love Lucy show and you have an idea of what you are in for.
Gillian’s love interest is Noble Britton, the Black Earl, Lord Wessex. To Gillian, he is simply her “Lord of Lusciousness”, “Lord of Magnificence”, or her “Lord of Miracles” to name a few. Noble is attracted to Gillian immediately and after a short and hilarious courtship (funniest proposal ever), they marry.
Gillian manages to endear herself to all around her – her new husband, his eccentric employees, his ex-mistresses, even his rivals. All rally around Gillian to protect her and to protect Noble from himself. Gillian also takes Noble’s mute son under her wing and takes on the role of mother immediately.
This book had me laughing out loud throughout. Only Gillian could get into such funny situations or make such astute observations (I am still chuckling about a “broken” body part. Even Gillian’s dogs provide comic relief with their ongoing digestive problems. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, humorous read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a review copy of this book.
*Re-read - Oct 2010 - Original Review here.
Review posted on Badass Book Reviews. Check it out!
The Review:
If you’ve always been leery of reading historical romances (I know I was), Noble Intentions is a good introduction to the genre with the added bonus of some incredibly zany, slapstick comedy to lighten the read.
Noble Intentions is the story of Gillian Leigh, a 25 year old spinster who is living with her aunt and uncle in London. Gillian is tall, beautiful, and a social pariah due to her rather “Unfortunate Habit” of speaking her thoughts. “Unfortunate Accidents” also plague Gillian. Every social situation Gillian finds herself in seems to end up in flames. Literally. Think Lucille Ball in the I Love Lucy show and you have an idea of what you are in for.
Gillian’s love interest is Noble Britton, the Black Earl, Lord Wessex. To Gillian, he is simply her “Lord of Lusciousness”, “Lord of Magnificence”, or her “Lord of Miracles” to name a few. Noble is attracted to Gillian immediately and after a short and hilarious courtship (funniest proposal ever), they marry.
Gillian manages to endear herself to all around her – her new husband, his eccentric employees, his ex-mistresses, even his rivals. All rally around Gillian to protect her and to protect Noble from himself. Gillian also takes Noble’s mute son under her wing and takes on the role of mother immediately.
This book had me laughing out loud throughout. Only Gillian could get into such funny situations or make such astute observations (I am still chuckling about a “broken” body part. Even Gillian’s dogs provide comic relief with their ongoing digestive problems. I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a light, humorous read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for a review copy of this book.
*Re-read - Oct 2010 - Original Review here.
Review posted on Badass Book Reviews. Check it out!
March 29, 2008
She's accident prone and he winds up with a myriad of injuries during their courtship. He's most surprised by the fact that while she's always tripping and falling...he's falling too, in love with her!!
Heart-warming, funny, and makes you smile...what's not to love?
Heart-warming, funny, and makes you smile...what's not to love?
May 3, 2025
I laughed out loud!
January 26, 2012
Several days later, and I'm still not sure what to think about this one. To be honest, I think my expectations might have been the main problem I had with this book. I went into Noble Intentions expecting to laugh out loud - unfortunately I didn't get there. I found this book more amusing than funny, if that makes sense.
That said, I think the other thing that stopped me finding this funny (again, as opposed to amusing), was that it was a little too silly for me. I really had a lot of trouble viewing Gillian as a credible character. She seemed more of a caricature in my opinion, but she was set amid a backdrop of serious events and characters so I found it a little incongruous.
That said, this was definitely a change of pace to the usual. If the humour had hit the mark for me, I obviously would have appreciated Noble Intentions much more. There were definitely moments that made me smile, but I wanted to laugh - out loud, dammit!
My friend AH gave me a great tip to get into the frame of mind for this book - think Fawlty Towers. I love that show - wish I had it in mind before I started.
That said, I think the other thing that stopped me finding this funny (again, as opposed to amusing), was that it was a little too silly for me. I really had a lot of trouble viewing Gillian as a credible character. She seemed more of a caricature in my opinion, but she was set amid a backdrop of serious events and characters so I found it a little incongruous.
That said, this was definitely a change of pace to the usual. If the humour had hit the mark for me, I obviously would have appreciated Noble Intentions much more. There were definitely moments that made me smile, but I wanted to laugh - out loud, dammit!
My friend AH gave me a great tip to get into the frame of mind for this book - think Fawlty Towers. I love that show - wish I had it in mind before I started.
September 3, 2020
3.5 EASY STARS
A book I've read a number of times, a good blend of humour, charm and romance with a smidge of intrigue. The silly and ridiculous in this dominate and still amuse me. Some randomness when it comes to
You don't get a strong sense of time or place, but if you want a bit of escapism this will do the job.
A book I've read a number of times, a good blend of humour, charm and romance with a smidge of intrigue. The silly and ridiculous in this dominate and still amuse me. Some randomness when it comes to
You don't get a strong sense of time or place, but if you want a bit of escapism this will do the job.
March 27, 2018
Una novela romántica ubicada en la época Victoriana, ligera y sencilla, pero lo mejor de esta historia es que tiene un estilo jocoso, con una protagonista, que en independencia de la historia, es tal desastre que no puedes evitar amarla, me sacó mis buenas carcajadas y el galán de la historia que a pesar de su personalidad flemática, cae en el torbellino de Gillian haciendo caer una y otra vez en las locuras de ésta.
Muy divertido y entretenido, me ha gustado mucho.
Muy divertido y entretenido, me ha gustado mucho.
May 24, 2018
Me encantó conocer esta historia tan divertida, tiene romance, un poquito de erotismo, humor, pasiones, venganzas, la verdad que tiene un poco de todo. Muy bien hilado e increíblemente entretenida. Yo obviamente me enamoré del Conde Negro y Gillian a Pesar de su torpeza, es un personaje encantador.
August 28, 2025
I'm enjoying the part that the MC, a dark earl, is really dark or at least does the part: a dark, prejudiced, knows it all and indifferent earl.
August 11, 2016
I've given this a B for content and A- for narration at AAR, which I suppose is technically 4.25 stars, so I'll leave it at 4!
Noble Intentions is Book 1 in Katie MacAllister’s Noble Series with an original print publication date of 2005. It’s very much a “wallpaper” historical in that there isn’t an especially strong sense of time or place about it, other than in references to styles of dress and the odd convention of the day. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, depending on one’s mood and listening preferences. I generally prefer to have a reasonable amount of historical accuracy in the historical romances I read and listen to, and I like those which include historical detail as part of the plot, but I’m also not averse to a piece of well-done romantic fluff, in which category Noble Intentions firmly belongs.
The heroine, Gillian Leigh, is half-English and half-American, and lives in London with her cousin’s family – I’m not sure why. Gillian possesses those traits which seem to be held by every American heroine I’ve read about in historical romance in that she is outspoken (having a sad propensity for voicing her most inappropriate thoughts aloud) and has a disregard for the proprieties with the sort of open natured good-heartedness not often displayed by her English counterparts. She is also severely accident-prone to such a degree I couldn’t help asking myself how she’d managed to live to the ripe old age of twenty-five!
Her tall, red-haired, Amazonian figure catches the eye of Noble Britton, Earl of Weston nicknamed “The Black Earl”, partly because he always wears black, but mostly because he is believed to have murdered his first wife. His standing in society is precarious but he is incredibly rich, which means that all but the highest sticklers will tolerate him. At the beginning of the story, Noble is on the lookout for a second wife, a well-born young woman of good birth and even temperament who will do as she’s told, give him heirs, and be a good mother to his young – but illegitimate – son, Nick.
Noble is captivated by Gillian, even though he already knows she is not a biddable young woman and determines to marry her without delay. For her part, Gillian has been attracted to The Black Earl since their first meeting, but is realistic enough to know that a gorgeous, wealthy Earl can look for much more in marriage than a modestly dowered American nobody. So when Noble asks for her hand, she cannot believe her good fortune.
They marry quickly, and Noble whisks Gillian away to his country estate. Following a passionate and more than satisfactory wedding night on both their parts, Gillian is astonished next morning when she discovers that Noble has returned immediately to London. She has no intention of being the sort of wife who sits meekly by waiting for her husband’s attentions, so, accompanied by Nick, she follows him. And being Gillian, she brings accident, injury, and misunderstanding with her, proceeds to thoroughly disrupt Noble’s ordered existence, gain the love and loyalty of his servants, and, more importantly, of both Nick and Noble.
The characterisation isn’t particularly deep, but that’s to be expected in a book which is, at its heart, a slapstick comedy. Gillian’s propensity for saying the wrong thing or causing chaos made it difficult to see her as a believable character and, while Noble is all the things one expects a romantic hero to be – handsome, sexy and a little bit dangerous, he rarely rises above the two-dimensional.
Noble Intentions is full of whacky humour which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, because there were a few occasions I felt the author was just trying TOO HARD to be funny. When it IS funny, however, it’s very funny, and I did find myself giggling a few times. When it doesn’t work, though, I found myself muttering “get on with it”, because the punchline or the elephant in the room was visible a mile off and waiting for it to arrive or be noticed was incredibly frustrating.
I’ve listened to a number of audiobooks narrated by Alison Larkin and each time, have felt that there’s something missing, something which isn’t quite gelling and which is preventing her from making my list of top romance narrators. One of my principal criticisms of her performances has been that her male characters haven’t always sounded masculine enough, but in everything else – such as her ability to differentiate between characters and to maintain a variety of different accents – she is very good. I’ve been hard pressed to put my finger on exactly what it is about her narrations that hasn’t quite worked, because, taken as a whole, they have never been as good as the individual parts.
I haven’t been able to grade any of her narrations higher than a B, so far, but at last, I’ve listened to Ms. Larkin narrate something in which her many skills are displayed to best advantage. From the first time I listened to her, I’ve thought that her real talent is for the narration of light romantic comedy, and with Noble Intentions she proves that, without a doubt. Her timing is excellent, her character portrayals are all distinct (and there are quite a lot of secondary characters for her to get to grips with), and, even though her American accent slips from time to time, her portrayal of Gillian perfectly captures the character’s breezy, uncomplicated nature. Her portrayal of Noble, too, is very good. Ms. Larkin seems to be employing a slightly deeper pitch for her heroes now, and she does that to good effect here, while exhibiting Noble’s almost permanent state of affectionate exasperation and his eventual, fatalistic acceptance that, with Gillian, he’s never going to have the ordered existence he thought he’d wanted.
If you’re looking for a deep and meaningful, character driven romance, then Noble Intentions probably isn’t the audiobook for you. If, however, you’re in the mood for a laugh which clips along at a fast pace with plenty of funny dialogue, a couple of dogs with digestive problems, a piratical butler, three identical footmen who have to be numbered, and a heroine with a propensity for putting her foot in her mouth, then I think you need look no further.
Noble Intentions is Book 1 in Katie MacAllister’s Noble Series with an original print publication date of 2005. It’s very much a “wallpaper” historical in that there isn’t an especially strong sense of time or place about it, other than in references to styles of dress and the odd convention of the day. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, depending on one’s mood and listening preferences. I generally prefer to have a reasonable amount of historical accuracy in the historical romances I read and listen to, and I like those which include historical detail as part of the plot, but I’m also not averse to a piece of well-done romantic fluff, in which category Noble Intentions firmly belongs.
The heroine, Gillian Leigh, is half-English and half-American, and lives in London with her cousin’s family – I’m not sure why. Gillian possesses those traits which seem to be held by every American heroine I’ve read about in historical romance in that she is outspoken (having a sad propensity for voicing her most inappropriate thoughts aloud) and has a disregard for the proprieties with the sort of open natured good-heartedness not often displayed by her English counterparts. She is also severely accident-prone to such a degree I couldn’t help asking myself how she’d managed to live to the ripe old age of twenty-five!
Her tall, red-haired, Amazonian figure catches the eye of Noble Britton, Earl of Weston nicknamed “The Black Earl”, partly because he always wears black, but mostly because he is believed to have murdered his first wife. His standing in society is precarious but he is incredibly rich, which means that all but the highest sticklers will tolerate him. At the beginning of the story, Noble is on the lookout for a second wife, a well-born young woman of good birth and even temperament who will do as she’s told, give him heirs, and be a good mother to his young – but illegitimate – son, Nick.
Noble is captivated by Gillian, even though he already knows she is not a biddable young woman and determines to marry her without delay. For her part, Gillian has been attracted to The Black Earl since their first meeting, but is realistic enough to know that a gorgeous, wealthy Earl can look for much more in marriage than a modestly dowered American nobody. So when Noble asks for her hand, she cannot believe her good fortune.
They marry quickly, and Noble whisks Gillian away to his country estate. Following a passionate and more than satisfactory wedding night on both their parts, Gillian is astonished next morning when she discovers that Noble has returned immediately to London. She has no intention of being the sort of wife who sits meekly by waiting for her husband’s attentions, so, accompanied by Nick, she follows him. And being Gillian, she brings accident, injury, and misunderstanding with her, proceeds to thoroughly disrupt Noble’s ordered existence, gain the love and loyalty of his servants, and, more importantly, of both Nick and Noble.
The characterisation isn’t particularly deep, but that’s to be expected in a book which is, at its heart, a slapstick comedy. Gillian’s propensity for saying the wrong thing or causing chaos made it difficult to see her as a believable character and, while Noble is all the things one expects a romantic hero to be – handsome, sexy and a little bit dangerous, he rarely rises above the two-dimensional.
Noble Intentions is full of whacky humour which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t, because there were a few occasions I felt the author was just trying TOO HARD to be funny. When it IS funny, however, it’s very funny, and I did find myself giggling a few times. When it doesn’t work, though, I found myself muttering “get on with it”, because the punchline or the elephant in the room was visible a mile off and waiting for it to arrive or be noticed was incredibly frustrating.
I’ve listened to a number of audiobooks narrated by Alison Larkin and each time, have felt that there’s something missing, something which isn’t quite gelling and which is preventing her from making my list of top romance narrators. One of my principal criticisms of her performances has been that her male characters haven’t always sounded masculine enough, but in everything else – such as her ability to differentiate between characters and to maintain a variety of different accents – she is very good. I’ve been hard pressed to put my finger on exactly what it is about her narrations that hasn’t quite worked, because, taken as a whole, they have never been as good as the individual parts.
I haven’t been able to grade any of her narrations higher than a B, so far, but at last, I’ve listened to Ms. Larkin narrate something in which her many skills are displayed to best advantage. From the first time I listened to her, I’ve thought that her real talent is for the narration of light romantic comedy, and with Noble Intentions she proves that, without a doubt. Her timing is excellent, her character portrayals are all distinct (and there are quite a lot of secondary characters for her to get to grips with), and, even though her American accent slips from time to time, her portrayal of Gillian perfectly captures the character’s breezy, uncomplicated nature. Her portrayal of Noble, too, is very good. Ms. Larkin seems to be employing a slightly deeper pitch for her heroes now, and she does that to good effect here, while exhibiting Noble’s almost permanent state of affectionate exasperation and his eventual, fatalistic acceptance that, with Gillian, he’s never going to have the ordered existence he thought he’d wanted.
If you’re looking for a deep and meaningful, character driven romance, then Noble Intentions probably isn’t the audiobook for you. If, however, you’re in the mood for a laugh which clips along at a fast pace with plenty of funny dialogue, a couple of dogs with digestive problems, a piratical butler, three identical footmen who have to be numbered, and a heroine with a propensity for putting her foot in her mouth, then I think you need look no further.
September 16, 2025
3.25 stars had potential but alot of the same - she does crazy, he gets mad, she flirts with him and then he forgets why he’s mad and jumps her. It was cute the first few times but got annoying after the third meltdown, her blind optimism made her seem childish not funny. Although for such light hearted banter, the dark side was dark.
It may just be me but the names became confusing, harry, hugh, tolly…first name, last name, title, anything goes. But I did appreciate crotch, dickon
It may just be me but the names became confusing, harry, hugh, tolly…first name, last name, title, anything goes. But I did appreciate crotch, dickon
Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews