Those who have ever read my past reviews might know that many times I painfully dither and procrastinate before actually ta**spoiler alert** 4.4 stars
Those who have ever read my past reviews might know that many times I painfully dither and procrastinate before actually tackling a book, no matter how many times recommendations abound for it or the shameful length of time it's been sitting on my TBR. That said, I do believe that there is a right time and a right place for everything. So here I am, finally, having read the oft recommended The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie at long last! And I see why the story fascinated so many people!
I checked and so far I have read 19 books by Jennifer Ashley/ Ashley Gardner, since I am going through her Kat Holloway series and her Captain Lacey series. Even with that background, the first book of the Mackenzies series still managed to surprise me. I found her writing style and plotting here sharper and richer than ever before. I like the Kat Holloway series for its light-heartedness and cosy atmosphere, while though I find the Captain Laceys a bit dour and gauche, they still make for comfortable reads.
By contrast, with this book, JA showed me how complex her plot can get and with real character depth explored for her main characters - and all this with a good dose of steaminess. And I loved it! Though the book is mainly a HR and not a detective story like the two other series, it felt very original as a romance and also managed to incorporate smartly a mystery.
Ian, as a hero, was fascinating to read with so many facets (inc. his dirty bed talk ...more
I have had this book for ages, and every time I started it, I just stopped after a bit. Now with greater wiseness, I tried **spoiler alert** 3.5 stars
I have had this book for ages, and every time I started it, I just stopped after a bit. Now with greater wiseness, I tried again. It was a fun read but with some ups and down. And the premise will look infinitely ludicruous on so many angles, but suspending disbelief for the sake of the zany plot helps.
One thing I loved about the book was the humour. It was a real treat how witty the banter was.
He let his gaze dip to her bosom, where it had been wanting to stray all night. Two soft, pale mounds pressed to the border of her neckline. Like twin pillows. His attention bounced back and forth between them.
"It's all right," she said in a playful whisper. "I can't stop looking at them either. This corset is a real feat of engineering."
"I think it's sorcery."
The beginning was great fun and drew me fast into the story. I liked less the middle part with 'My Fair Lady' trope - the humour was still great but the story's substance was too sparse for the pages it took. Probably because I am not a big fan of that trope. The sex scenes were steamy to begin with, but then veered a bit in the OTT landscape. The story picked up high again in the last quarter. And there was even a slice of Cinderella trope thrown in. I did roll my eyes at the characters falling in love over the course of only one week, but then TD paralleled this with the one week Griff had with his first daughter - I liked the message that one week was enough to upend one's life. The ending was totally unexpected (with its share of disbelief suspension) but it worked for me.
I am glad that I actually finished reading an oft mentioned TD's work. It was not perfect but it had its shiny moments, and all the laughs ...more
I have read books by LL and I liked them, and so I was ready to enjoy this one too. In final, there were imperfections, but**spoiler alert** 3.7 stars
I have read books by LL and I liked them, and so I was ready to enjoy this one too. In final, there were imperfections, but I loved the core storyline of a fated second chance romance. I found the pairing cute and their rollercoaster of a story twisty enough to have kept me riveted.
On the downside, you have to have a healthy tolerance to suspend disbelief at some of the plot points, what with the billionaire supermen, the fairy-talish damsel in rescue situations and the almost-telenovela worth's twist upon twist. But since it had that fun, light atmosphere, I was happy to roll with it. However, I think the book could have benefitted from some trimming and some editing finetuning here and there (e.g. some polishing in convos on who was speaking what since the 3rd person narrative sometimes got confusing, minor details about changes in a dress colour etc).
That said, the feel-good reading experience was a plus for me, so I am rounding up.
P.S. The cover was meh for me, the story deserved better....more
There are only two other books from KM that I've read before, and I loved them for years: Innocence Undone and Heartless. T**spoiler alert** 3.6 stars
There are only two other books from KM that I've read before, and I loved them for years: Innocence Undone and Heartless. This is because I find that KM's style of HR in these two books is really set apart from most contemporary HR authors. Based on these two books, I found that KM's recipe for success include exciting and rich plots that have the allures (but not the full contents thankfully!) of bodice rippers of old, Alpha heroes who are borderline cavemen where their women are concerned, angsty situations, exotic settings and very steamy encounters.
And so, I have always wanted to try another KM Historical which might match my expectations. After finishing Perfect Sin, I can now say that indeed the recipe is followed, except that the hero was the biggest sinner compared to the heroes from Innocence Undone and Heartless because he really went a step further (too far!) than them. Did I like Perfect Sin as much as these other two books? No. But because the story was real solid (and followed the recipe!) and the plot actually matched the great length of the book, I am rounding up my rating.
I won't say much about the book's whole plot because it's a big book and a lengthy plot with lots of things happening. Concerning the romance, the pacing was excellent and kept me riveted even when I don't really like when my HR stories take place a lot outside England. There were so many opportunities for angst in the complicated relationship between Rand and Cait but in effect, few were really digged deeply into (except for one, which I will say more on below). At the start of their relationship, I hated how Rand took Cait for an easy woman just because she was American! And even if he was torn after she followed her father on his expedition, I was not convinced he would have chased her had she not been pregnant. That was fertile ground for the big betrayal to follow because their marriage did not start on solid bases. One big cookie point for this couple was that their sex scenes were very hot for an HR. There were even 'jungle sex' scenes (two!...more
I've meant to read this one for a long time seeing as it is one of MB's most famous works. Two things immediately caught my**spoiler alert** 4.4 stars
I've meant to read this one for a long time seeing as it is one of MB's most famous works. Two things immediately caught my attention: that the plot had obvious parallels with both Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and MB's own book More than a Mistress. Only that The Secret Pearl is a much more romantic and steamy version of Jane Eyre and with a truly noble hero, and More than a Mistress being a lighter version (published 9 years after, but which I read before).
I adored More than a Mistress, and so I hoped that it would be the same level of enchantment with The Secret Pearl. In a way it was, because MB's writing was excellent, beautifully crafted and translated brillantly the painful emotions (at times with a bit too much repetition). But for my personal enjoyment, the first two third was a bit too gothic for me, with a very charged atmosphere that was morose and stifling. I think part of it was because I normally do not enjoy house parties settings, esp. with frivolous guests.
Concerning the romance, I really loved the Fated trope threaded carefully in the story development between Fleur and Adam. Such sweet and cruel Fate, but yet beautifully Fated. Neither character individually touched me but together, they did shine. Some of their heartfelt declarations to each other were really swoon-worthy, esp. in the last third of the book. And I think, Adam was the hero in all books I have read so far who was the most genuinely martyr and noble in character. And painfully so in his chivalry. Part of me hated him for being so noble, but another part also respected him for it.
On a small note, I do feel cheated that after all the emotionally tortuous obstacles Fleur and Adam went through, there was no epilogue/ satisfactory wrap-up to show them in their happiness, perhaps glimpses of their life and their children. But I guess abrupt endings were the norm in the 1990s.
All that to say, that this book is definitely a must-read for HR lovers.
P.S.1 Concerning the OW (technically she was not, but in reality she was), I really hated her. She was pitiful with her immature arrogance but I did not pity her.
P.S.2 Though the plots were largely different, this book also reminded me strongly of the delicious movie Firelight (starring Sophie Marceau and Stephen Dillane). I hotly recommend this movie!!...more
I picked this book because its characters intrigued me after a brief mention in Dare to Love a Duke. On the plus side, the **spoiler alert** 3.5 stars
I picked this book because its characters intrigued me after a brief mention in Dare to Love a Duke. On the plus side, the writing style was superb � solid, lively, enticing. On the less plus side (but still plus), the plot was surprising and daring but sometimes fraught with elements that made suspension of disbelief challenging (e.g. (view spoiler)[Jeremy's father contriving him to play detective while he is only a vicar, the exotic club owner immediately knowing who the lady beinh investigated by Jeremy was and warning her publisher, inventing a parish record for no real end purpose (why even risk things by using the name?) (hide spoiler)]).
The plot surprised me. I never read an HR with a vicar as the hero! So I was intrigued how that would work. EL's pen made it work in final. I think a shorter book (and hence a swifter pace) would have served the plot better. The big middle part was a bit too slow for me. Nevertheless, I liked the original characterisation and the romance was quite steamy. EL did a great job in mingling the in-world fiction written by the heroine with the actual plot.
Similar to how I felt after Dare to Love a Duke, this book was not perfect but it had the great merit of being refreshingly different. Hats off for this Ms EL!...more
I am so happy I stumbled upon this series! In this second instalment, I welcomed the same hallmarks that made me enjoy the **spoiler alert** 4.1 stars
I am so happy I stumbled upon this series! In this second instalment, I welcomed the same hallmarks that made me enjoy the first book, namely, the fine humour (hilarious!), the colourful and fun side characters, a cute romance and a cosy side mystery that still managed to surprise me with its twists and refined solution! And all wrapped up in a novella for a quick romp of a read! Bravo CS!
P.S. A big Me thing, but I just love the name Ivo ...more
I loved the tone of this book, so easy and fun to read! It took a trope that I loved seeing in HPs but which are not really**spoiler alert** 4.3 stars
I loved the tone of this book, so easy and fun to read! It took a trope that I loved seeing in HPs but which are not really well handled in other CR books (because it tends to get diverted by pregnancy tropes, insta-lust etc): secretary's unrequited love for her boss. And in an HR book to boot!
The beginning of the story was very enthusing to read. There was a lightness in the writing that just caught me in. The tingles of the burgeoning romance between Penelope and Hugh was thrilling to read and the sex scenes were steamily passionate. The middle part was a bit too slow, but the last part was just wow! I did feel some tiny butterflies here and there ...more
My first official Maya Alden review ever! It was high time!
Let me preface my review by first saying that ever since they h**spoiler alert** 3.5 stars
My first official Maya Alden review ever! It was high time!
Let me preface my review by first saying that ever since they have started being published, I have compulsively bought all of her books in the Best and Modern Vintage series seeing as they were always being touted in every angst/grovel group. And I have skimmed-read all of said books because I know me, and as such know that though I love to immerse myself in good angst, I am also very skittish for rage-inducing angst so I need plenty of mind bracing before going full fledged into reading and reviewing. Thus, skim-reading helps in defusing some of my pre-emptive anxiety and also gauge the level of rage-read (that will trigger extensive highlights, comments, emojis while reading, and produce inevitably a written diatribe as a review!).
Having done that exercise repetitively for all the books I mentioned, I arrived at the conclusion that (a) MA was the supreme queen of dramatic angst scenes, knowing perfectly how best to hurt her heroines for best effect and induce empathetic tears from me; but (b) there will always be one big 'Snag' that will derail the path of what should have been an epic grovel, often in having her heroines just give in too early. For all these reasons, I had never mustered the mental energy to full-read a MA book because I knew I would have to process and write too much for one book. Until now, when I finally thought 2025 was high time to take a big breath and have a go at it.
This book had so many facets, some that were real brilliant and some that were inescapably rage-inducing. I am already tired after finishing this read (and my tablet is quite tired with me and all my highlights and comments ...more
Lately I will admit that I was in a dour mood and my reading enjoyment has suffered as a result. And reading middling books h**spoiler alert** 4 stars
Lately I will admit that I was in a dour mood and my reading enjoyment has suffered as a result. And reading middling books has not helped. So reading this book felt like a lifesaver of sorts! It all comes down to the excellent writing style and plotting genius of SH. Her pen in this book was very reminiscent of the great Jane Austen, with the bonus of easier modern English. I tremendously enjoyed the wit she infused in her dialogues and her minute study of the different strata of characters. A really excellent homage to Jane Austen!
Special mention to her Lady Willoughby who was the summum of pettiness and evil, beating Lady Catherine de Bourgh flat ...more
I have debated whether to round up or down my rating. But since it was a debut book with such impressive writing style, I a**spoiler alert** 3.5 stars
I have debated whether to round up or down my rating. But since it was a debut book with such impressive writing style, I am rounding this up. I really liked how AC's prose was atmospheric and had a very original narrative style from the usual HR book. And though I am not a big fan of captive romances, I found that the plot was equally impressive and rich for a first book.
The first 50% of the plot, I did not enjoy mainly because of how toxic the H's behaviour was. He was obsessed with a fake image of the h and in fact did not know her at all. He was a total basket case, raving about imagined slights and lowering him to raping the h on more than one occasion. And yes, that was rape because she clearly was unwilling even if her body yielded. However, hats off to Verity, the h, for her strength and continuous will to fight against him. She was really several levels better as a character than Justin, the H, and he is lucky she forgave him. (In view of the multiple steamy scenes, I have to add that Justin came across as a lazy and selfish lover most of the time - he is again lucky that Verity digs him and his brand of rutting.)
The second half was infinitely better, with at last Justin growing some sense and earthly remorse. As much as I hated that Verity was the one who generously embraced him into her forgiveness because she realised she loved him (and hence stopped him from proving his remorse through solid actions), their relationship development and character developments were still titillating to read. Add to that a real evil MIL drama toward the end and the story soared high. If only there had been a good epilogue with some HEA moments (because after all the tension between them, Verity and Justin, as well as myself deserved it!!), I would even have considered adding another star.
In short, this book was a very intense and different read. Well worth reading, and all the recommendations I have seen for it. That said, I hope other stories that I may read from this author might be a little more restive in terms of tension, for the sake of my nerves!...more
A solid read. This re-read enabled me to discover anew how AG mastered well the art of storytelling, by creating cute dilemmas and successfully having her characters rationalise their actions to them, all while keeping the interest into this original plot going on. And she did her characterisation so well, making even the interactions between the main characters and the children feel real natural.
On the romance side, it was very sweet with even some bursts of sweet angst. All in all, a classic HR book that deserves to be read by any enthusiast of the genre....more
What a delicious read! I hate myself a little for bypassing this book for so long. Just because I am not a big fan of Weste**spoiler alert** 4.5 stars
What a delicious read! I hate myself a little for bypassing this book for so long. Just because I am not a big fan of Western romances. Very silly of me ofc ...more
Nice little read. Of course, expect the worldbuilding to be delivered in an info dump kind of way, but I took it all in my **spoiler alert** 3.2 stars
Nice little read. Of course, expect the worldbuilding to be delivered in an info dump kind of way, but I took it all in my stride as it fit the light atmosphere of the story. However, don't expect angst, whatever the blurb may suggest. The author chose to go on the path of 'we deal with our issues in an adult and calm way' and 'once everything is explained, everything is okay'. That's certainly one way to go but after the teasing blurb, as an angst enthusiast, I do feel a bit disappointed. I actually felt that the H's explanations on why he disappeared and kept away were very wholesome. Not exciting or emotionally-provoking, but sedately plausible.
I however disliked at the beginning how everyone in the dragon clan, including the H himself, first reaction was, 'how could she have hidden your child from you?!?' - which of course makes no sense when (a) they disappeared overnight without a message or explanation to the h, and without a forwarding address, and (b) they never actively tracked her down. ...more
This one had been sitting on TBR for quite some time. I saw several recommendations but I am rueful to say that for a long **spoiler alert** 3.7 stars
This one had been sitting on TBR for quite some time. I saw several recommendations but I am rueful to say that for a long time I had my doubts only because of the sedate cover. I was obviously wrong because the story was not sedate at all.
I enjoyed the first third a lot, in part because I was agreeably surprised by the rich characterisation, and also because the plot felt fresh under the very good prose of TM. Many times, TM had these little turn of phrases that were simply too beautiful in meaning. The middle part of the story was a little less well done imho, mainly because (a) I have never been too fond of the My-Fair-Lady trope, and (b) the reasons for pressing Annabelle and Jacob into an engagement were quite too much of a stretch for me ((view spoiler)[based on one fleeting rumour started by a suitor who did not even realise that there were some truths to the lie he was inventing (hide spoiler)]). It could have worked better if the successive changes in opinion of the leads for getting involved with each other had been supported by stronger insights into their psyche. Things picked up again in the last third of the book and the ending was very sweet.
The romance between Annabelle and Jacob was overall cute and would have benefitted yet more from swifter pacing and tighter character development in the middle part. One big cookie point for Jacob going down so easily on his knees to grovel.
After this first book, I agree that TM is a very good writer of the genre and deserves more limelight. I will certainly be checking out her other titles!...more
Another CCW! Yes! It's been a long time, but exploring further the world building for her shifter universe never gets old. **spoiler alert** 3.6 stars
Another CCW! Yes! It's been a long time, but exploring further the world building for her shifter universe never gets old. This one ties directly to Book 1, and I even went back to read passages to refresh my memory. Overall, I enjoyed this story. It was not the best in the series but there were many things to love about it. Random thoughts:
This is my first SR book after hearing many recommendations. Well, I am divided. For the excellent original plot and charac**spoiler alert** 2.5 stars
This is my first SR book after hearing many recommendations. Well, I am divided. For the excellent original plot and characterisation, I would have rated it an easy 4+stars. However, I had much difficulty to read and enjoy the writing style. It took me 4 days of laborious reading. The writing was professional but somehow too wordy and heavy (at times repetitive with the quotes and the inner monologues) for my tastes. If I had to rate based on the writing style alone, it would be a 2 stars. Hence, it ends up at a 3 GR star rating.
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