3.5 stars. I enjoyed my first book by this author, although I had a couple of reservations as well. I'm a bit late to the party, as it seems Ms Jimene3.5 stars. I enjoyed my first book by this author, although I had a couple of reservations as well. I'm a bit late to the party, as it seems Ms Jimenez' books are very popular. I'm certainly happy to now read some more of hers.
I liked the basic trope. I could see how damaged Alexis was from her upbringing with toxic parents, and her unpleasant toxic ex. Daniel is a breath of fresh air for her, and I enjoyed how he was a genuinely good guy, who genuinely saw Alexis and liked her as she was, without the ridiculous expectations she carried from her family background. The older-woman-younger-man thing wasn't a problem.
Sadly I did start to feel at times that Daniel was a just a bit 'too' good. He was so super nice and everybody loved him and he could (and did) do everything in his little town. The section where he (view spoiler)[sent a dick pic to Alexis (hide spoiler)] felt completely out of character and seemed a rather odd inclusion by the author. Perhaps she was trying to portray as him as not so perfect after all, but for me it just felt jarring.
I also started to feel the town itself was too perfect. Apart from the unpleasant Jake, everyone was so nice and kind and caring and supportive and.... yeah. Not really believable. It wasn't till I got to the end and read some of the writer's notes that I fully picked up on the Disneyesque references. Yeah, I know the song the book's title is from, but I just didn't connect the dots with the rest till too late. If I'd realised earlier, I might have gone with the flow a bit more. The 'almost magic' bits mightn't have felt so jarring and ridiculous to me. Oh well. I get it now, LOL.
Apart from that, I did get a little frustrated at times with Alexis' ongoing reluctance to commit to Daniel. In the later sections, it started to feel a bit draggy to me. Come on, already. We get it.
The ending was a decent, if somewhat overly simplified, solution to the situation. It was a satisfying way to finish. So overall, I liked the book and I can see why Ms Jimenez's work is so popular. I plan to go on and read more....more
3.5 stars. An enjoyable, Regency-period romance with an unusual setting. The story dragged a little in the middle at times, but picked up pace and int3.5 stars. An enjoyable, Regency-period romance with an unusual setting. The story dragged a little in the middle at times, but picked up pace and interest towards the end.
Most of the book takes place in the former Ottoman Empire, in countries such as those now called Türkiye and Syria. Bluestocking Sabine is travelling with her learned uncle. She had been forced out of London by a 'fake news' scandal which was untrue and not her fault. In Türkiye she meets the English Marquess of Foye, and over a period of time they fall for each other. It's kind of a 'beauty and the beast' trope. Foye, although large and well-formed, does not have a conventionally attractive face. He is compelling though, and his integrity shines through, so that, as happens in real life, when Sabine gets to know and like him, she forgets about his supposedly unappealing face and simply falls for the wonderful man he is. Beauty is only skin deep, indeed.
There is an evil and manipulative pasha who tries to use Sabine for his own ends, but is foiled by Foye. Fortunately, many of the locals are depicted as being regular people with a range of human characteristics, so it didn't feel as if the writer was simply typecasting and demonising the Turks.
There is quite an adventure that ensues, with Sabine having to travel disguised as Foye's dragoman (manservant). There are some surprises right up to the end of the book, but of course there's an eventual and very nice HEA.
I like the writing style, and the book seems to have been thoroughly researched, with a convincing historical background, and believable behaviour for the times from the characters. Overall, a worthwhile read, although not my fav from this author.
This book was my read for the HRBC Romance Across The Ages 2024 challenge, July theme 'Around The World (other than Britain or America)'.
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 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 :)
3.5 to 4 stars. The final book in the Dilhorne Dynasty series. I enjoyed reading the rest of Cobie and Lady Dinah's story that was begun in The Dollar3.5 to 4 stars. The final book in the Dilhorne Dynasty series. I enjoyed reading the rest of Cobie and Lady Dinah's story that was begun in The Dollar Prince's Wife. This book isn't really a standalone and should be read after that one. In fact IMO both books could have been combined into one, especially if the drawn-out last section of this book was edited to be briefer and more punchy. But, I guess the publisher's word limits of the Mills and Boon/Harlequin series this was part of, made that impossible.
As a whole, I really liked the series, although a couple of the books were weaker than others. Reading about Tom Dilhorne's (from the first book) children and grandchildren and the ins-and-outs of their lives in nineteenth century Australia, USA and England has been a very interesting journey. Not many series do that.
This book concluded the takedown of the horrid arch-enemy of Cobie, and saw the final sweet HEA for Cobie and Dinah. Lots of ends from the previous book were tied up and resolved. Interestingly, the court case section in this book was loosely based on real events, when the real Prince of Wales appeared as a witness in a court case about slander arising from a card game.
I liked the storyline of the book, and didn't even mind the touches of mystical elements/dream sequences (although IMO the book would have been better without them). Cobie had a very interesting background. It was a pity that readers only find out about it from retelling or the dream sequences, so it felt a little unreal. I did find the last section of the book, whilst eventful, dragged a little and could have been tightened up. I would also have loved an epilogue, to hear a little more about Cobie and Dinah's HEA in the years to come.
Overall this series is well worth reading, for those who like different and original ideas and characters in their historical romances. The writing is a little old-fashioned in style, but still carries the stories well. ...more
3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed Cobie and Lady Dinah's story. Both are illegitimate, Cobie with a bit of a complicated reason for it that occurred in 3.5 stars rounded up. I enjoyed Cobie and Lady Dinah's story. Both are illegitimate, Cobie with a bit of a complicated reason for it that occurred in a previous book in the series. Cobie is very much like his grandfather, Tom Dilhorne, from the first book in the series, a brilliant and driven businessman and entrepreneur. Cobie was raised in America, but when visiting England he meets the downtrodden young Dinah, who is largely ignored by most of her family and emotionally abused by her cruel older (legitimate) half-sister.
It's an interesting story with a unique back story for Cobie, and original, non-cliche characters. There was even a touch of PNR with Cobie and Dinah making a deep connection that spills over into a couple of dreams and vision-like sequences. I liked the plot element about Cobie saving abused children, and this will presumably continue into the next book. I also enjoyed the way Dinah blossomed from a shy and oppressed eighteen-year-old into a stunning young woman.
I'm glad I had read the rest of the series first, because this gave the story and characters more depth, but I think the book could be read without the others first. It's not really a stand-alone though, because it finishes with happy-for-now rather than a HEA, and Cobie and Dinah's story continues in Prince of Secrets, which I will read next....more
A reread after a number of years, of this old skool classic first published in 1989. Yes, it does read as a little old-fashioned in writing style, butA reread after a number of years, of this old skool classic first published in 1989. Yes, it does read as a little old-fashioned in writing style, but the storyline is good, and has no doubt influenced and provided ideas for many HR writers who have followed. The good old reform-of-a-rake story, with suitably horrid, uncaring parents who gave their son all the wrong messages as he grew up. It's not till Jordan meets the very young and delightful Alexandra that his life begins to change for the better. There are plenty of obstacles along the way, however, before the satisfying HEA is reached.
When I first read this book, I was younger and had more patience and empathy with the young and idealistic Alexandra. These days, I'm older and a bit more cynical, and I tend to like my HR characters to be a little more mature too, with some wisdom and life experience. This time around, I did grow a little impatient with Alex at times. However I think the writer did an excellent job of creating this loving and romantic young character, even if she's not my preferred type of HR heroine these days.
I had forgotten the light, lovely humour of this book. There are some very funny scenes, characters and conversations, and I did enjoy these. The scene where Jordan and Alex discuss where babies come from is a classic. I had forgotten who the 'baddie' in the book was too, and was surprised when it was eventually revealed.
So, for a 1989 HR, IMO it still stands up well today. A solid storyline, some enjoyable touches of humour, and well-drawn characters.
HRBC BOTM October 2022, 'Old school' trope. Also Romance Across The Ages Challenge October 2022 'Bodice ripper'....more
3.5 stars. This was a fairly short book about Commander Ramses Deverell of the Royal Navy, a grandson of the famous True Deverell from the Deverells s3.5 stars. This was a fairly short book about Commander Ramses Deverell of the Royal Navy, a grandson of the famous True Deverell from the Deverells series (a son of Justify Deverell). Ramses and his brothers and sisters all have names of Egyptian pharaohs, as their mother is half Egyptian (and half Indian).
The heroine Ainslie's husband, Lord Beaufort, is quite horrible. Much older than her, it was an arranged marriage of convenience so he could have more children. He is strict, controlling, and thinks nothing of beating his wife (and sons) with a cane if they disobey his rules. Sadly, no doubt this was realistic for some marriages of those times. It's not till Lord Beaufort's death that Ainslie has a little freedom to think and act as she chooses. And eventually she and Ramses, the younger man (seven years younger) she was attracted to years ago, finally get their HEA.
It's a slow-burn romance that takes many years to finally culminate. I did get a little frustrated by the timeline that jumped around from the 'present day', back in time, then forward again. As a structure for a novel I don't mind this kind of timeline, but in this case it felt as if there were too many jumps, and I did get a little confused at some points about when something was actually supposed to be happening.
But eventually, there is a lovely HEA for Ainslie and Ramses, with a nice epilogue too. I felt for Ainslie in her loveless marriage, and it was good once she was free to see her start to blossom as her own person and find a man who really loved her for herself....more
3.5 stars for this long novella or short novel. A quick read that I completed in one day. Both MCs were likeable, although very different from each ot3.5 stars for this long novella or short novel. A quick read that I completed in one day. Both MCs were likeable, although very different from each other. The older woman-younger man romance between them worked quite well, even though it felt a bit rushed due to it being such a short book. The back story of the December name that was revealed was quite interesting. Overall an enjoyable read. ...more
3.5 to 4 stars. One of the better books in this series. It seems that the second half of the series is better than the first half.
This one is about a3.5 to 4 stars. One of the better books in this series. It seems that the second half of the series is better than the first half.
This one is about a young French noblewoman, Aurelie, who has been betrothed to an English earl, who turns out to be very bad indeed. In her youth and innocence, she had no idea what he was really like, until he behaved so badly towards her that she is forced to run and hide from him.
Hawkes, a former spy who has just been released from 3 years imprisonment in France, has been tasked with finding her. Along the way, he uncovers the wicked earl's true nature and the depths of his betrayals. And of course, as it's a romance, he and Aurelie fall in love too.
Although the romance takes place over only a few days of actual time, it ironically feels a bit like a slow burn, because they don't actually kiss or get together till quite late in the book. But they do both realise quite early on that the other is 'the one'.
The early scenes in the Grand Palace in the Thames where Hawkes and Aurelie first meet, were kind of cute, although for those who haven't read the earlier books, the cast of characters may feel somewhat obscure and eccentric. But I have read them and I quite enjoyed this section. The story does move on though, and away from the Grand Palace. That's a good thing, because some of the earlier books felt a little claustrophobic when too much time was spent there.
Overall, an enjoyable read with the JAL feel. I definitely plan to read the next book.
An enjoyable novella set in a small Yorkshire village in the depths of a snowy winter. Joy and her immature younger brother are on their way north wheAn enjoyable novella set in a small Yorkshire village in the depths of a snowy winter. Joy and her immature younger brother are on their way north when they get snowed in and have to stay at the vicarage for a few days.
Joy and the vicar Pietr's relationship develops too quickly, but considering the constraints of a novella, it's done pretty well. Joy comes to realise the pointlessness of pursuing the wealthy gentleman her family have been pushing her towards. She hardly knows him and doesn't particularly like him. Pietr comes to realise that he doesn't really want his promotion to assistant dean, because he doesn't really want to leave the village where he is respected and loved. But he is lonely. He and Joy make a connection and fall in love (very quickly LOL!)
But it's a nice read. It's set around Christmas time, but not really a Christmas themed novella. Joy and Pietr are both likeable, and they have a satisfying HEA. ...more
3.5 to 4 stars. One of the better books of this series. I did not really enjoy #3, but this one was much more enjoyable. I liked the development of th3.5 to 4 stars. One of the better books of this series. I did not really enjoy #3, but this one was much more enjoyable. I liked the development of the attraction and relationship between the MCs. I wondered how a duke who was a famous war hero and a scandalous, lower-class opera singer could end up having their HEA. But the writer did pull it off, and the ending was very nice. ...more
3.5 stars. Quite a good story, although the ending felt a bit rushed, and the differences between hero and heroine seemed to evaporate rather too sudd3.5 stars. Quite a good story, although the ending felt a bit rushed, and the differences between hero and heroine seemed to evaporate rather too suddenly. I did quite enjoy the unexpected twists and turns of the plot though.
I liked the setting and unusual occupations of the MCs. The heroine's sunny nature made her very likeable, although the patriotism angle felt a little overdone at times. The hero's brother, Luke, and his sister Caroline, both clearly have their stories yet to be told, although I'm not sure whether I'll read more from the series. Maybe at some point. ...more
3.5 stars. An enjoyable read about Nell, who wants to escape the strictures of her bossy and over-protective brothers and have a bit of fun and advent3.5 stars. An enjoyable read about Nell, who wants to escape the strictures of her bossy and over-protective brothers and have a bit of fun and adventure in her life. Her older brother's rakish friend Valentine seems just the person to help her have some safe adventures. Of course, along the way they fall in love.
I like the way the sibling relationships are drawn, with them sometimes not getting along but still always caring for and loving each other. I liked that Nell, even though she was trying to rebel, behaved realistically and believably for the time period. Valentine's slow fall for her was perhaps a little too slow and drawn out at times, and the book did drag a little in parts. But there were a couple of unexpected twists, and the ending was enjoyable. Overall, a good read, and I might read some more in this series.
This was a BOTM for October 2021 for HRBC, 'Secret Love' theme....more
3.5 to 4 stars. I enjoyed the read overall. Not my fav kind of heroine. She was brainy but had low-esteem. I usually prefer a more mature heroine with3.5 to 4 stars. I enjoyed the read overall. Not my fav kind of heroine. She was brainy but had low-esteem. I usually prefer a more mature heroine with better self-knowledge and agency. The story and the romance unfolded satisfactorily for me though, and it kept my interest. There were a couple of slightly ridiculous and unlikely plot points, but I was prepared to overlook that and allow the flow of the story to keep going. There were also some very believable incidents in the book that I'm sure are, sadly, the kinds of things that can and do happen when ruthless people with power over others are prepared to take advantage. Ugh. Let's call it out and refuse to stand for it.
I liked the academic setting, and the range of side characters was decent. It was a little hard to know the hero, as we saw little from his POV, but he was likeable and had integrity. The ending where the baddie got their just desserts was a little understated but still satisfying.
Side note: I'm not a fan of the cover. I read this on kindle, but if I saw the cover of the paperback in a bookshop, I'd be unlikely to pick it up. To me it looks juvenile and it doesn't reflect the content/mood of the book.
2.5 stars. It started off well, and looked like quite a promising romcom. Sadly as the book went on, I got more and more disillusioned with Audrey. I 2.5 stars. It started off well, and looked like quite a promising romcom. Sadly as the book went on, I got more and more disillusioned with Audrey. I liked her flair for revamping vintage fashions, and there were some cute moments in the book. But when it came to (view spoiler)[the pet psychic, just no. I didn't find this funny, just idiotic. I struggled to believe that someone as intelligent as the Governor of New York would have to be, would have any patience with such an airhead. The carrying on with the chipmunk etc also fell flat for me. (hide spoiler)]
So this one got too ridiculous for me, and the heroine was just too ditzy for me to respect or like. I started to find her tedious, actually. I enjoy a good romcom, but I have to like the characters to enjoy it.
Many seem to love the book however, and have no problem with Audrey. So by all means, try it. You may have more patience with airhead Audrey than I did. If so, enjoy! ...more
A fairly intense read, but somehow I didn't really connect wth the characters as much as I wanted to. Owen was a rich and successful NFL player who feA fairly intense read, but somehow I didn't really connect wth the characters as much as I wanted to. Owen was a rich and successful NFL player who fell for Dyma when she still hadn't graduated from high school. They did choose to wait till she was a little older before getting too involved, but Dyma was still very young and didn't know herself very well. I found her new-adult experiences at college to be a little tedious actually. For me, this section dragged on for too long.
Dyma's background was a complicated one. I found her character to be a bit too abrasive, although she certainly had some admirable traits. I think part of my problem with the book was that I didn't really like Dyma as a character.
I took a long break from reading this book part way through before going back and eventually finishing it. I did some skimming in the later sections, I have to admit. I'm a fan of most of Ms James' books, but for me somehow this one just didn't draw me in and it's not a fav. I will consider rereading at some future time perhaps, and maybe I might connect with it a bit better. But for now, I can't give more than 3 stars....more
3.5 stars. Final book in a trilogy, and not really a standalone. The other two books need to be read first IMO.
I took a long gap before finishing this3.5 stars. Final book in a trilogy, and not really a standalone. The other two books need to be read first IMO.
I took a long gap before finishing this book, as it was a bit too angsty in parts for me. Hemi's horrible and manipulative ex. Ugh. At least in this third book, Hemi was a bit more likeable, and had mellowed somewhat from the walking bomb of testosterone he was at the start of the trilogy. Through his relationship with Hope, he developed into a better person. Hope also grew into herself as a person, maturing and gaining more self-confidence.
For me the trilogy was a bit too long and drawn out. It might have been a better read if it were two books instead of three perhaps. There were some lovely moments though, and the growth in both characters was enjoyable to read. I'm not a fan of bdsm however, even the 'lighter' version in this book, so I skimmed over those scenes. I'm glad I finished the trilogy, but it's not my fav by this writer....more
3, maybe 3.5 stars. A long book that took me quite a while to get through. A fictionalised account of the long love affair of the real historical figu3, maybe 3.5 stars. A long book that took me quite a while to get through. A fictionalised account of the long love affair of the real historical figures Lady Katherine Swynford with John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster. Their incredible story was previously told in the iconic novel Katherine by Anya Seton, written in the 1950s, a book which I discovered as a teenager, and was probably one of the first historical romances I ever read.
O'Brien does not try to copy Seton's book in any way - she simply retells the story herself in her own way, which was a good move on her part. Her writing was a little slow-moving for me, however, and the book felt too long. There were sections that felt dragged out, then other sections that had sudden, abrupt jumps forward in time. The fascination of the subject material kept me reading, and I admit that O'Brien did convince about the strength of the love between the couple.
I was a bit disappointed to find that it was pretty much a closed-door romance though, with no explicit scenes beyond a bit of kissing or very mild touching. I personally would have liked some sex scenes. For me this would have added to the reality of their story. They were probably both very beautiful people, and their illicit romance defied the mores of their time. The fact that both were apparently strongly committed to their Christian faith probably points to the strength of their love. It may have begun in weakness and temptation, but the number of years it lasted, and their eventual marriage, tells us it became a very genuine love that persisted in the face of opposition and shaming.
I love that John and Katherine's descendants became ancestors of the Stuart and Tudor royal houses of Scotland and England. John was a younger son of the king but never became a king himself, however his descendants did. This is part of the fascination of the story.
So for me this book was a reasonably good but not outstanding read. Fabulous source material and characters, but the execution of the book lacked some oomph for me, and it was all a little bit flat. I won't be rereading this one, or seeking out other books by this author. Anya Seton's book however has stuck in my mind for years....more
I really enjoyed this one, and read it quite quickly. It held my interest right through. I think it's the first HR I've read where both main characterI really enjoyed this one, and read it quite quickly. It held my interest right through. I think it's the first HR I've read where both main characters are servants. I didn't really think it would be my cup of tea, but the author did a great job of making her characters interesting and real. I liked the Sussex setting as well.
John was quite a bit older than Sukey, and although there was a strong attraction between them, he was quite set in his ways. He was kinda OCD, actually, which may not be such a bad thing for a gentleman's valet, but he when he became a butler and had charge of other workers, including Sukey, he had a big learning curve to learn how to deal fairly with them.
The later part of the book did drag a little in parts, where we meet John's parents and it's kinda will-he-won't-he go back to work in his old workplace. But the ending was satisfying, and you could see the learning and development of both Sukey and John's characters.
Overall, I really liked the glimpse into the world of below-stairs, and would read this style of book again.
I read this for April 2021 BOTM for HRBC - governess or employee theme....more
