3 to 3.5 stars. Set in the late Victorian era (late 1890s), it's about a woman who is an aspiring writer, and her slow-burn romance with a once highly3 to 3.5 stars. Set in the late Victorian era (late 1890s), it's about a woman who is an aspiring writer, and her slow-burn romance with a once highly successful writer who is now suffering extreme writer's block. They set out to help each other with their writing, and inevitably fall in love.
There is a lot about the writing process in this book, and it was kinda interesting in that sense. Sadly, I didn't really like either of the MCs that much. Daisy was a little too blunt and outspoken, yet very naive in many ways. She felt younger than her years (late twenties). I prefer protagonists who know themselves a little better and aren't so impulsive.
As for Sebastian, he was a bit too jaded for me. (view spoiler)[I know he was still battling against his former cocaine addiction, but his plan to seduce Daisy seemed pretty cynical to me, (hide spoiler)] and I found it a bit hard to really warm to him. I guess he did redeem himself in the end, but it took most of the book for him to come to his senses, and it started to drag a little because of that. But in general, I'm not normally a fan of books about (view spoiler)[ recovering addicts (hide spoiler)] anyway. A bit too full-on for my escapist romance reading pleasure....
So the writing was decent, as usual with this writer. But I didn't enjoy the book anywhere near as much as And Then He Kissed Her, the first book in this series, which I recently read. I may still read the other two books at some point. We'll see.
I really enjoyed this lovely book set in late Victorian-era England (1893). Harry whose scandalous divorce a few years ago had ruined his and his famiI really enjoyed this lovely book set in late Victorian-era England (1893). Harry whose scandalous divorce a few years ago had ruined his and his family's reputation. Although he has a title (Viscount), he's a businessman/publisher. He daringly employed a woman to be his secretary, a role 30-year-old spinster Emma has efficiently filled for several years. Emma has been raised in traditional Victorian-era style - to be very strait-laced, prim and proper. Their relationship is strictly employer-employee, although the gossips like to think there's more to it. (But there isn't).
It's an interesting setup for the novel. It's almost the twentieth century, and although things like divorce were still highly scandalous, yet there were more freedoms than there were in earlier times. I enjoyed the time period setting.
As the storyline develops and the situation changes, so too does Emma and Harry's relationship. It's a slow burn, with the titular kiss not coming till well into the novel, although the attraction does begin to flare earlier on. But it was so interesting, and the characters so appealing, that I didn't mind the slow burn at all. It allowed their relationship to develop naturally over time, in a way that didn't feel fake or forced.
Both Harry and Emma are carrying baggage from their pasts, and as they grow closer, it's lovely to see how they both grow and change as people. I warmed to the novel more and more as I read on, till the satisfying ending. It did seem to cut-off pretty quickly, and I would have liked an epilogue, but all the same, I finished the book with a smile on my face. You knew they were going to get their HEA, and you cared about them and wanted that. Lovely.
I now plan to have a look at the other Girl Bachelor books. I hope they are nice as this one.
This book was my 'Victorian-era setting' read for September 2024 for the Historical Romance Book Club 'Romance Across the Ages' Challenge....more
3 to 3.5 stars. I struggled a bit with this book, but ended up giving three and a half stars because of the quality writing, the settings, and the int3 to 3.5 stars. I struggled a bit with this book, but ended up giving three and a half stars because of the quality writing, the settings, and the interesting, believable characters. But, to my disappointment, this book is not a romance (which is what I was expecting). It's a little hard to pigeonhole it, actually. I suppose it could be called historical fiction, but to me definitely not historical romance. Weird that it won a Romantic Novel of the Year award when it was published (1989). Times have changed and I doubt many these days would label it a romance.
I read and liked the previous book, A Season of Mists, and there is a bit of overlap with some of the characters from that book, especially the doctor, who plays a strong role in this one. But there is also a whole new set of characters, especially Jary Savage and Lizzie Rayner. But as the plot developed and the story proceeded, it was far from clear who was going to end up with whom. I didn't like this. I enjoy romances where early on it's pretty clear who is going to end up together, and I like seeing the development of the relationship. In this one, I kept on reading, lots of things happened, and nobody got together till in a kind of half-hearted way near the very end of the book. The End. Hmmm. Not what I was expecting.
Parts of the book were interesting and even quite moving, but other parts dragged for me, and had too much detail. (view spoiler)[There were some disappointments. Henriette's death was shocking and came completely out of the blue. It was handled sensitively by the author, but was gruelling to read. I felt cross about Ann (a character from the previous book) and the late revelation that she was not going to marry William after all. Why? I found it hard to know why the author put that in, and it kind of belatedly spoiled the ending of A Season of Mists for me. But there was no real indication that the doctor was now going to get together with Ann. It was just left up in the air. Frustrating for this reader. The trial took too long and had an overabundance of detail, but then readers were still kind of left wondering why they acquitted Jary after all. I felt it needed a bit more substance there. And it was fine for Jary and Lizzie to get together, but I would have liked to see more hints earlier on that they actually liked each other. (hide spoiler)]
So, a few things that frustrated me. At the same time, I have a lot of respect for the author's ability to draw characters that feel like real people. Her depictions of the place and time setting were also quite masterful. However, this book felt like it dragged, and I'm not sure whether I'll bother trying to track down any more of her books just now. (They're out of print anyway).
3.5 stars. Set in 1800 England. A viscount decides, somewhat cold-bloodedly, to marry a suitable woman, but after it falls through, ends up finding re3.5 stars. Set in 1800 England. A viscount decides, somewhat cold-bloodedly, to marry a suitable woman, but after it falls through, ends up finding real love with her unconventional sister.
I liked both MCs, and their relationship was sweet as they grew together to become their 'true' selves, and leave the issues of their pasts behind them. I also enjoyed the twins for whom Kelbourne had become guardian. They were clever, funny and unusual orphaned children, who were lucky enough to eventually get 'new' parents who truly loved them, in Kelbourne and Torie.
Overall, an enjoyable read, first in a series that will hopefully continue on well. ...more
A detailed and absorbing recounting of the sinking of the Lusitania passenger liner off the coast of Ireland, torpedoed by a German U-boat during WW1.A detailed and absorbing recounting of the sinking of the Lusitania passenger liner off the coast of Ireland, torpedoed by a German U-boat during WW1. It includes the lead-up, the journey across the Atlantic, the actual sinking, and a little of the aftermath.
I like Larson's writing style, and the book was packed full of historical facts and tidbits which he had had gleaned from a number of sources. Although it was about a terrible tragedy in which more than 1,000 people perished, including men, women, children and babies, the book wasn't too depressing or confronting in the way the information was presented. It was well worth the read. The author reflected on the number of chance elements that came together on that fateful day, any of which may have prevented the tragedy if there had been even slight changes in some of these elements. So sad. Still, it's worth remembering that over 700 people did survive.
This was an okay read for me. It did start out quite well, with a charming hero and some light, humorous touches, although from the beginning I wasn'tThis was an okay read for me. It did start out quite well, with a charming hero and some light, humorous touches, although from the beginning I wasn't really on board with the highway man thing. It just didn't feel, believable to me that (view spoiler)[(1) Jack was a highwayman, but a good-hearted one of course! Hmmm. To me highway robbery is simply criminal, and books such as this that romanticise it in a fantasy-like manner annoy me. (2) Jack happily dumped his highwayman ways and we hardly heard anything of them again. None of his former comrades tried to get in touch or blackmail him of course. (3) Jack, a dyslexic former criminal, became a duke, highest title below a prince, and according to the epilogue, did a fine job of it. Again, hmmm. He married a woman outside the aristocracy, but of course she was doing a fine job as duchess too. (hide spoiler)]
So although this book will appeal to many, personally it's not my preferred style of HR read. Too many frankly unbelievable aspects that kept pulling me out of the story. For those readers happy to simply go with the flow, it's a decent enough romance with a little mystery. It did drag a bit for me in the middle, and I found it a bit repetitive in parts, so I did some skimming. But I did finish the read. I can't give more than 3 stars, though.
This was a June 2024 BOTM for Historical Romance Book Club, for the theme 'Irish'....more
3.5 stars. Quite a nice read set in the late Victorian Age, at the very end of the nineteenth century. Set mostly in a posh London hotel, the Savoy, w3.5 stars. Quite a nice read set in the late Victorian Age, at the very end of the nineteenth century. Set mostly in a posh London hotel, the Savoy, where both Simon and Delia work. He has been appointed as 'the new broom that sweeps clean', to investigate why the hotel is losing money and to fire any corrupt staff. As he begins to fall for Delia, his frustration builds, because he's signed a non-disclosure type agreement and is not allowed to tell her (or anyone else) what he's really doing there.
So it sets up a nice little scenario where there's a slow-burn romance developing between Delia and Simon, but at the same time, she is under suspicion as being possibly corrupt.
Simon and Delia are both likeable and honourable characters. There is a class difference, as Delia is a toff, but Simon only recently came into a title, and originally he came from a very humble background. The romance was a little too slow-burn for my preference, but otherwise it was nicely done. Readers understand that Delia is clearly innocent, but it's by no means certain how the mystery side of the story will be resolved.
An interesting aspect of the book is that some of the secondary characters are actual historical people, including the famous hotelier Cesar Ritz ("putting on the ritz") and the famous chef Escoffier. I wondered about some of the events involving them, but the author's note at the end explains that this part was based on real historical events and facts. Who knew? (Clearly, not me!)
So overall a decent read. Apparently there's a third book in the series coming out next year (2025), I assume a second-chance romance about Simon's friend Devlin, and Delia's friend Kay. I will probably read it too, if it's not too expensive.
[A note about kindle pricing: This kindle book (June 2024) was quite overpriced IMO, but I was able to buy it because of a voucher gifted for my birthday. I'm happy to pay authors for their hard work, but this price just seemed too much, especially compared to new kindle books by other well-respected authors. Well over twice the price of some! Ouch!}...more
I was a little disappointed in this one. It was OK. I liked the Edwardian Age setting, but sadly I didn't really like the MFC, Diana. To me her life sI was a little disappointed in this one. It was OK. I liked the Edwardian Age setting, but sadly I didn't really like the MFC, Diana. To me her life seemed a little empty and meaningless. She enjoyed fashion, gossip, the social whirl. Fine. But there didn't seem to be much point or depth to her lifestyle. Her reasons for abruptly breaking off her engagement with Rupert also seemed a little unfair and lacking in empathy. She is judgmental and slow to understand or forgive.
Rupert, a soldier who had fought alongside Diana's late brother, Jem, at Mafeking in the Boer War, was perhaps a bit more likeable. He and Jem had been best friends, but only Rupert survived the battlefield and came home. It takes most of the book for the truth about the shadowy events of that time to be revealed.
The plot line was OK, if fairly straightforward and simple. But I kept waiting to start liking Diana, and I never did, really. So therefore, only 3 stars. If she was a more sympathetic character, it could have been a 4 star read. Oh well..... But at this point I'm not inclined to try the other two books in the trilogy. Maybe at some point? But not just now....more
This is a lovely book, with warm and interesting characters who feel like real people, with all of their kindnesses and foibles. It is set mostly in rThis is a lovely book, with warm and interesting characters who feel like real people, with all of their kindnesses and foibles. It is set mostly in rural Norfolk at the very end of the eighteenth century. The plot is interesting and goes in unexpected directions. The reader connects with the characters, and you really care about what is going to happen to them, including the excellently depicted secondary characters as well as the key cast members.
The book feels historically accurate and true to the period. The writer obviously had an excellent grasp of the times. It seems that Ms Woodhouse's books are out-of-print now, sadly, and don't seem to be on kindle either. This one was published in 1984, and IMO has not dated at all. With a smart new cover, I'm sure it would find many grateful readers. I have an old paperback I was lucky enough to pick up at a thrift shop. I will now try to find copies of some of her 0ther books.
3.5 stars, rounded down mainly because the sex scenes were too raunchy and explicit for my personal reading tastes. A couple of the scenes really surp3.5 stars, rounded down mainly because the sex scenes were too raunchy and explicit for my personal reading tastes. A couple of the scenes really surprised me with their detailed descriptions, and are not what I'm looking for in my historical romance reads. I quite enjoy reading sex scenes as part of the romance, but these were just too explicit. I know this clearly isn't a problem for many other readers though, and that's fine. Each to her own.
I didn't mind the storyline, and quite liked the Gilded Age setting. I also liked the two main characters, especially Katherine, who was a kind, friendly and honest person. Her 'going rogue' and looking for some fun in her life was understandable after being jilted the way she was.
I liked Preston's character too, except that he clearly engaged in criminal activities in his business dealings. This was seen as OK and even forgiven. I know this kind of bribery and forgery went on, and still does of course, when unscrupulous people think they can get away with it. But that doesn't make it right, and it made me uncomfortable. So Preston wasn't completely the wonderful hero I wanted him to be.
I did finish the book, and definitely enjoyed some aspects of it. But I'm not sure I'll read any more by this author, as her writing has become too saucy for my taste.
This was a May 2024 BOTM read for Historical Romance Book Club, 'Jilted' trope....more
An engrossing read based entirely on diary entries from Englishwoman Hermione Ranfurly's experiences during WWII. She and her husband Dan married shorAn engrossing read based entirely on diary entries from Englishwoman Hermione Ranfurly's experiences during WWII. She and her husband Dan married shortly before the war began, and they ended up being separated for most of the war. He was a prisoner of war for some years, and the rest of the time was on active service.
Hermione had followed Dan to North Africa, and she ended up spending most of the war in this area and various spots around the Mediterranean, including Palestine, Cairo, Italy and others. In her role as secretary and PA to various highly placed military officers, Hermione met many famous and influential people, including Churchill, Eisenhower, Hollywood actors etc. She worked hard at her job, with many 12-hour days or longer, and billets ranging from good to terrible. Her separation from Dan, especially when he was a POW, was difficult and at times full of fear for him. Her story was quite moving at times.
It was a very interesting personal viewpoint on those chaotic, unpredictable and difficult years. Luckily for Hermione, both she and her husband survived and, in her own words, had their happily ever after. She always tried to make a diary entry before she went to bed, even if the hour was late. The diary entries ranged from a few sentences to several pages, and made the book easy to read, as the information came in small bites.
Another enjoyable read in this Georgian-era series. Boadicea (aka Betsy) was infamously abandoned by her mother when she was tiny. Her mother had fallAnother enjoyable read in this Georgian-era series. Boadicea (aka Betsy) was infamously abandoned by her mother when she was tiny. Her mother had fallen in love with another man and run off with him. Although Betsy is clearly one of the Wilde family, with her looks being very like her father the Duke, yet there is still gossip about her mother and her parentage. As a result, Betsy turns herself into the perfect polite, sedate, well-behaved young lady to prove she is not like her scandalous mother.
Enter Lord Jeremy Roden, ex-soldier who suffers from PTSD after some shocking experiences in the American Revolutionary War. Jeremy sees through Betsy's prim and proper facade, to the real person underneath. He wants her to "say 'no' to the duke" (or duke's heir) who has offered for her.
There is a little bit of a triangle in this book, which isn't my fav trope, but luckily for me the author didn't make too much out of it. Jeremy was clearly the favoured suitor, while Thaddeus (the duke's heir) was not demonised. He came across as a perfectly nice man, just not the right one for Betsy. Apparently he will get his own story in a later book in the series, Wilde Child.
I liked the twists and turns of the storyline. The secondary characters also worked well: Jeremy's jealous cousin Gregoire; Jeremy's lovely father the Marquess, who finds his footing with his son again; and of course the beloved Aunt Knowe, who acted as mother to the Wilde tribe of children until their father remarried. She is Betsy's mother to all intents and purposes.
There is a cute and enjoyable epilogue. The book is recommended to be read in series order for maximum enjoyment. ...more
3 to 3.5 stars. This book grew a little repetitive, sadly. The ending was nice, but it seemed to drag a bit in getting there. I didn't particularly li3 to 3.5 stars. This book grew a little repetitive, sadly. The ending was nice, but it seemed to drag a bit in getting there. I didn't particularly like Trix, the heroine. She felt indecisive and a bit weak to me, and it was a bit hard to see why William was still in love with her. I prefer my romance-reads heroines to have more self-knowledge and personal strength.
Trix had been raised under the thumb of a controlling and possessive father, after her mother scandalously ran off with another man and imploded the marriage. OK, it was understandable that as a result, Trix was nervous about stepping out of her comfort-zone. But I wanted her to mature a bit more quickly, and make some positive decisions for herself sooner than she did. Unfortunately, for most of the book, she kept second-guessing her relationship with William, and lacking the bravery to step into the future she really wanted. She almost always took the safe option, which I got at first, but for me it got a bit old when she just couldn't move on from that.
I did like the Edwardian period setting. William was an archaeologist (and a duke!) who was involved in the search for King Tutenkhamun's tomb in Egypt. All of this formed an interesting background, as did the lovely Cornwall setting of the house party. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to make me really love this book. It was a reasonable read, but for me nothing stellar. I had already read the second book in the series, Scandal of the Year, and really liked that one. I now plan to go on and read the third book, Trouble at the Wedding, and hope that it's as good as the second book was....more
3.5 to 4 stars. Another solid addition to the series. Parth and Lavinia's story. Could stand alone, but probably more enjoyable and makes more sense i3.5 to 4 stars. Another solid addition to the series. Parth and Lavinia's story. Could stand alone, but probably more enjoyable and makes more sense if you've been reading the series in order (as I have).
Parth is a likeable hero - an orphaned Anglo-Indian child who was raised in England by the Wilde family, almost like another of their (many) sons. He has a good head for business and is already quite a rich man. Lavinia is a talented designer and needlewoman, but both she and others underestimate her skills and abilities.
The path to happiness for Lavinia and Parth as a couple is somewhat rocky. Parth is not good at communicating (or even understanding) his real feelings. Lavinia has a few self-esteem issues, mostly stemming from the under-parenting from her mother, who is addicted to laudanum. But eventually of course they find their way to a HEA. An enjoyable read. ...more
I was a little disappointed in this one, after having enjoyed some of Ms Feather's other books previously. Clearly this was an earlier work (publishedI was a little disappointed in this one, after having enjoyed some of Ms Feather's other books previously. Clearly this was an earlier work (published 1998) and it definitely felt old skool. It was too slow burn for me, and too much page time was spent on the dramas related to the politics of the times. I wanted less drama and adventure, and more romance.
I admit that I didn't get totally involved in Rufus' and Portia's story. I ended up doing some skimming in the later part of the book actually, although I did finish it. At this point I'm not intending to continue with this trilogy, although I will try some of Ms Feather's more recent books.
I read this book for the Historical Romance Book Club 'Romance Across the Ages' challenge, May 2024, Restoration/Stuarts period....more
A lovely, romantic prequel to the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. Most of the books in the series are about the various Wilde children, but this one gA lovely, romantic prequel to the Wildes of Lindow Castle series. Most of the books in the series are about the various Wilde children, but this one goes back in time to their father the Duke of Lindow and his search for 'his last duchess', someone to be a mother to his many children, but also someone he can love and who will love him.
Phee (Ophelia) is a widow with a small daughter, and she's not really looking to marry again. There is instant mutual attraction when they meet, and there is a lovely scene with a ride at night through a snowy park in London as they start to get to know each other.
In her inimitable fashion, Ms James unwinds their story beautifully. After an initial false start, they soon realise they are right for each other. A lovely scene at a Frost Fair on the frozen river Thames helps them to clarify their feelings for each other. It's great to see the children (who we meet as adults in the other books) when they are young: their relationships to each other, their father, and also to the delightful Lady Knowe, their father's twin sister who has been a kind of mother to them. A short novel (or long novella) but a very nice story and well worth the read....more
Diana and North's story. They were once engaged but didn't really know each other as real people, and the engagement was broken off. Now a couple of yDiana and North's story. They were once engaged but didn't really know each other as real people, and the engagement was broken off. Now a couple of years later, they have their second chance, and this time they really see each other as they are.
North is the heir to the dukedom, and this forms a central part of the storyline, as Diana believes she will not make a good (future) duchess, and that North needs to marry a different kind of woman. I liked that North accepted he was in love with Diana, and was prepared to be patient and allow her to make her own decisions and do things in her own time, rather than try to crowd her or overpower her. (view spoiler)[I also liked the way the ending is left a little open, so we don't really know whether North is giving up his position as heir or not, but will let it work itself out in time. (hide spoiler)]
The children in this story (Artie and Godfrey) were appealing and believable. Some writers don't seem to write young children very convincingly, but James does a good job here, and the children's stories really add to this book.
I liked North's military background too. His difficult experiences in the American Revolutionary War make his character a richer and a more interesting one for readers.
Overall, this was an enjoyable book. I got into it more than the first book, and I'm now hooked on the Wildes and want to read all of their books. Next up I'm going to the prequel, My Last Duchess, about North's father the duke, and stepmother Ophelia....more
An older, somewhat rakish politician falls for an innocent young lady, a doctor's daughter fresh from the country. Catherine is a clever young woman wAn older, somewhat rakish politician falls for an innocent young lady, a doctor's daughter fresh from the country. Catherine is a clever young woman who, although inexperienced in the ton, is a clear thinker with a mind that she's not afraid to use. And of course she falls right back for Domenic.
This was an enjoyable read with likeable main characters. Having read the other books in this series makes it a little more fun, as you're already familiar with the Grand Palace Hotel and its inhabitants. But it could be read as a standalone.
It has a fairly simple storyline, at times involving some unpleasant antics by various jealous members of the ton. Both MCs also have a nice back story. But the straightforward plot is enhanced by Long's lovely and heartfelt writing. This series seems to be getting better as it goes along, and I look forward to the next book in the series, hopefully later this year (2024). (The Beast Takes a Bride: The Palace of Rogues)...more
An enjoyable novella that follows on/is related to the Essex Sisters series, which I recently read. It's instalove between Oliver and Lizzie, but whenAn enjoyable novella that follows on/is related to the Essex Sisters series, which I recently read. It's instalove between Oliver and Lizzie, but when you read a novella, you know the time frame is going to be collapsed and you just have to go with the flow. The characters were quite well developed though.
Oliver has grown up from his immature days (in a previous book), and is now a mature and likeable man with integrity. He helps Lizzie come out of her shell. She has been withdrawn and depressed since the death of her (horrible) husband from an unpleasant and failed marriage. Oliver helps her see that she needs to live a real life again, and be herself.
A lovely story, with an enjoyable cast of characters, including some nice little revisits from the Essex Sisters series. Could be read as a standalone, though....more
An enjoyable finish to the Essex Sisters series. It's worth reading them all in order, to get a fuller understanding of the characters and their past An enjoyable finish to the Essex Sisters series. It's worth reading them all in order, to get a fuller understanding of the characters and their past interactions.
Josie is the youngest of the four sisters, and she is lacking in self-confidence due to her less than sylph-like figure, and also to some unpleasant name-calling and bullying. This isn't my favourite kind of trope, actually. In my escapist romance reads, i don't really want to read about young women stressing over their excess weight. Fortunately, Ms James moved on from this pretty quickly, with Josie soon being brought to realise that her figure is simply cut on more generous lines than some of the other young women of the ton, and she's actually quite attractive.
Josie's love interest, Mayne, is quite a bit older than her, and neither had ever really considered the other in a romantic light. In fact Mayne is engaged to another woman at the start of the book, (whose story turns into an interesting little side journey). But he and Josie are thrown together, and as Mayne's relationship with his soon-to-be-ex wanes and Josie's self-confidence grows, their attraction blossoms into love. The age-gap wasn't an issue for them or for this reader.
There is also an enjoyable secondary romance in this book, where Mayne's long-widowed sister Griselda finally gets her HEA too.
And once again, Ms James gives us a lovely epilogue, a scene from a few years later featuring many of the cast members from the series. I enjoyed this whole series. I now plan to read the novella A Gentleman Never Tells, which is apparently linked to this series :)
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