A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove, #1) in Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn

Aug 31, 2011 Melissa rated it liked it

Shelves: 2011-reads

What can I say about this historical romance book? I read it because it was the September book of the month for my fans of Julia Quinn book group. Otherwise, I may never have thought to pick it up. It was an okay book, but there was not enough in the book to really distinguish it as anything more than a run-of-the-mill sort of romance book. Maybe I am getting used to the plots of historical romances so that I have higher expectations than I had previously. I don't know. I just know that this boo What can I say about this historical romance book? I read it because it was the September book of the month for my fans of Julia Quinn book group. Otherwise, I may never have thought to pick it up. It was an okay book, but there was not enough in the book to really distinguish it as anything more than a run-of-the-mill sort of romance book. Maybe I am getting used to the plots of historical romances so that I have higher expectations than I had previously. I don't know. I just know that this book did not present anything new to me that would inspire me to ever read it again.

The best parts of this book involve the scenes where Bram and Susannah really sit down and talk to one another, discovering the parts of their individual personalities that had been buried from the rest of the world. Those scenes were sweet, but way too short. It was obvious from the very beginning that the two of them were attracted to one another. Hearing about it over and over and over got to be monotonous. Almost anyone can write a scene like those, but I think that what makes a romance author stand out from the pack is when a writer is able to create a depth to the characters that is intriguing aside from the natural physical attraction that characters feel for one another. In this book Tessa Dare seems to be trying to get to that point, but she never quite pulls it off.

The two main characters are good leads -- both of them flawed and scarred in some way. Susannah is too tall, too smart, too opinionated, and too freckly to be highly sought after as a potential bride. She has awful experiences in her youth of being basically tortured by "physicians" who tried to cure her of the overwhelming sadness that she suffered after the death of her mother, among other things. Once she got away from that insufferable condition she found refuge at Spindle Cove, and she decided to make this place a haven for young ladies who were on the outskirts of society because of poor health, problems with their appearance, or too much talent. It is a fascinating idea to pull together all these talented women and give them a place where they can nurture their talents without facing the disapproval of a society that shuns that sort of thing in potential brides. There definitely are some great scenes throughout the book which showcase the wonderful talent in the women of Spindle Cove.

Bram is an officer who was wounded in battle and is desperately trying to return to health so that he can go back to the battlefield and lead his company. Instead he comes to Spindle Cove and is made lord over the crumbling castle there. He is asked to form a militia from the men of the community -- men who are few in number and have been accustomed to running the town specifically for the women. Bram's main concern is with returning to battle, so he has no desire to set down roots, and definitely not to fall in love.

I felt like the past experiences of these two main characters would have been really interesting to delve into. I loved when both of them worked to help the other overcome those issues that plagued the other. However, those scenes were few and far between. Instead the book seemed to be riddled with scene after scene after scene of the two of them sneaking off for some tryst, hiding their feelings from the rest of the community. I know there are those out there who love this sort of book, but for me it just didn't distinguish itself as anything deep, especially not as deep as it could have been with such a rich set of circumstances laid before it.

I didn't realize until the very end of the book that this would be a series about the people in Spindle Cove, so I was confused a few times by the action in the book moving to a character who was not a central part of the plot. This happened with Bram's cousin, Colin. I enjoyed him as a character, but it made no sense to me why his scene with Minerva in the garden took place at all. Knowing that this is a series, however, it made more sense that perhaps things were being set up for a future novel. I could tell that Dare had future books in mind when she wrote some scenes.

There were some good parts to this book. Some of the scenes were very funny. I loved the lamb, Dinner. The dialogue in most of the book was clever and realistic (well, realistic in a romance novel kind of way). I did like the relationship between Bram and Susannah. It was nice to see a heroine who was not a typical young woman. She had spunk and intelligence, and she did not back down from confronting a strong-willed man like Bram. She was taller than average and seemed to be fairly average looking. But Bram thought she was absolutely beautiful. He loved her intelligence and talent. He loved her height. It was just nice to see that romance for an unconvetional leading lady was possible.

So, overall I would say that this was an adequate historical romance, but it didn't have enough in it to really draw me in. I probably won't continue on in this series. But for people who really love books like this, it might be worth a read. It just didn't work for me. ...more

Like · see review

May 10, 2012 Grace Elliot rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great characters, tension, dilemma...and a lamb called "Dinner" - who could ask for more?
The first page starts with the hero, Bram, dispersing a flock of sheep who are blocking the road - by setting off dynamite...and the pace picks up from there. Bram gets caught in the explosion but luckily finds something soft to land on - Susannah!
This book is everything that historical romance is meant to be; humourous, sensuous, entertaining and enthralling.
I loved when the pristine tea shop is taken ove ...more

Like · see review