Another recommendation. I've got a lot of things to say about Tessa Dare's stories, but I'll keep it short instead.
The story: The Duke of Ashbury has Another recommendation. I've got a lot of things to say about Tessa Dare's stories, but I'll keep it short instead.
The story: The Duke of Ashbury has been living isolated for approx. 2 years after surviving the war -disfigured- and finds himself needing an heir. For an heir one needs a wife. That is when the heroine and modiste, Emma, bursts into the scene, demanding to be paid for the wedding dress of his former fiance. Because he's slightly crazy, he proposes to her on the spot. She instead takes the money he owes and leaves. He arrives at her place of employ, hilarity ensues once again, they marry, romance and hilarity ensue. All is well. At one point there are vegetarian snacks that give the Dukely pumping system some issues.
Things to love about this: - Emma's friendships. Whether we're talking about the ladies -and I hope all of them get their own stories!- or butler Khan ((view spoiler)[I love how he knows about some random dude who courted her when Ash didn't; it's hilarious to think about the two of them drinking tea at night, talking about stuff like that (hide spoiler)]) or anyone, really. I loved all of them.
- Obviously, because it is Tessa Dare: The humor. I just cannot stop bookmarking the ridiculous things they say and do.
- Also as always: The characters being decent human beings. They might sometimes be wrong, argue, they have flaws and so on, yeah yeah, but they're kind when most people wouldn't even realize kindness was an option, and I love that so much.
- The romance. It's a historical romance novel, so it should be the romance that wins you over; but really, any reader worth their empty pockets knows that not all romance novels actually feature a sigh-worthy romance. This one had me sigh happily. :)
- Hero was disfigured during the war and almost died. He has a lot of issues with this - there's loads of self-loathing. His ex-fiancee threw up when she saw him.
- Heroine was thrown out by her father when she had an affair with someone who seduced her but didn't want to marry her. Her father, being a coward, asshole and vicar, then promptly told her to get lost. He also called her jezebel etc etc. She's got some issues, but not too bad, all in all. She then, in the winter, walked to London, losing a toe. It's not really addressed more than that, but I wanted to mention it because being thrown out of your home by a parent for having sex with the wrong person could be problematic for some.
- A sidecharacter is trying to hide her pregnancy from her family as she is unmarried and part of the ton. (Her father adores her so it is assumed that all will end okay-ish for her.) That sidecharacter isn't one of Emma's group of friends.
I might read this at another time. I read very little in the beginning and had to skip to the final third - That worked for me. Knowing all the middleI might read this at another time. I read very little in the beginning and had to skip to the final third - That worked for me. Knowing all the middle parts because of another review had me too anxious to actually read them. :/ Sorry about that, but I think it wouldn't have been "in good faith" to read this now and then complain about the content, fully aware what the content was. :/
(view spoiler)[The hero cheats on her because he's angry that she first trapped him into marriage (he wanted to marry her anyways, it's that she tried to manipulate the situation) and then apparently after lots of months where they didn't see each other he sees her and she's pregnant. It's his baby, but from before their wedding/marriage as he kinda left her right after the wedding or something? Also, content warning: She miscarries. (hide spoiler)]
Parts of the epilogue made me feel conflicted. (view spoiler)[She can miraculously get pregnant after all. That was a big plot point and it feels kind of.. icky? I don't know, that she can suddenly get pregnant and all. (hide spoiler)]...more
I forgot that I had this since I'd originally skipped it in favour of Juliana's book. I wish I hadn't, though.
It was a good story overall (have some I forgot that I had this since I'd originally skipped it in favour of Juliana's book. I wish I hadn't, though.
It was a good story overall (have some issues with the Turkey story but I'm not yet sure how to explain) and I think I would've really enjoyed it before, but for some reason I didn't manage to get into the story and felt a little disconnected thorough it all. :/
The story was mainly about trust, so maybe that* kept me so far in meta that I couldn't connect?
* I've been thinking about conflicts in romance novels and how they're solved lately. Trust is often one of them, but not always as clearly as in this novel. The hero and heroine have trust issues (though his are addressed differently, especially in the beginning) and both are overcome in ways that are tangible - I kept thinking about how that translates into real life, whether their internal struggles should have been portrayed differently (smaller degree for example) etc. -- I guess thoughts like those might have been the reason why I didn't finish this story with a happy sigh even though I'm sure it wouldve been worth it.
I'll hopefully get into all the amazing points later - and there were many.
The only reason why this didn't get five stars is because another review uI'll hopefully get into all the amazing points later - and there were many.
The only reason why this didn't get five stars is because another review unintentionally spoiled me and this story requires a high level of emotional investment, both of which resulted in me feeling anxious for about 30-40% of the book.
As for the latter - the reader gets rewarded for that emotional investment, they really do. Especially if they don't read other reviews and feel like bad things are going to happen (when bad things didn't actually happen and really, reader/me, why do you have that kind of pessimistic imagination? It's a fucking romance novel. They tend to end with a HEA.) which makes them unnecessarily anxious the entire fucking time.
For those who might get anxious as well because of my review:
Not saying what those spoilers specifically entailed but why I had issues: (view spoiler)[Those weren't really huge, I just knew that something specific was gonna happen and couldn't really get into the slower-paced parts that were meant to calm me down after more tumultuous happenings.) (hide spoiler)]
Saying what the spoilers were: (view spoiler)[The reviewer said the characters betrayed each other two times. I was expecting really bad things with lots of angst and hurt and no comfort and also the betrayers being coldhearted and awful about it. All of that did not actually happen. The second "betrayal" was even.. premediated somewhat, as both parties knew what was going to happen and were okay with it. In specific:
Betrayal 1: Hero's mother gives heroine money to break up and betray hero. She does for understandable reasons (not the money, btw) and they later make up. It's dramatic. She betrays him by telling that police-douche about how it's the hero writing handbills blahblah.
Betrayal 2: Hero plans to reveal heroine's secret identity/past to save his illegimate halfbrother. At the last moment, he writes her a note detailing his plan and saying that given her panic attacks when large crowds stare at her, she really shouldn't come to the court, apologizing etc. She still comes, there's lots of staring and she faints. She wakes up in their house to him planning to leave because he thinks she'll never forgive him, etc. She doesn't get why he wants to leave as she agrees that his plan made sense, they make up, he's very confused that people could love and forgive him, and Milan manages to make both betrayals be absolutely okay to me. (hide spoiler)]
Content warnings: (view spoiler)[ heroine's parents are dead, hero's father is dead. heroine's dad had her dress up as a boy and later blamed her for his own frauds resulting in a huge mob etc pp, hero's father raped and impregnated a woman - her son/his brother takes a central (good!!) role in this book, mentions of rape, abuse, miscarriage, religious nuttery, and more. also, hero's mom was stone-cold to him his entire life.
positive things: heroine's aunties are lesbians and the hero was a virgin (hide spoiler)]...more
I'm saying this with a big dose of gratitude: This was a lovely romance story. It's one where I want to tell the poor souls who couldn't read an advanI'm saying this with a big dose of gratitude: This was a lovely romance story. It's one where I want to tell the poor souls who couldn't read an advanced copy that the wait will definitely be worth it.
Tessa Dare's characters are always insightful, lovable and ridiculous. They're adorable. Their stories leave me sighing happily, and despite all my misgivings when it comes to grand gestures, I accept all of theirs.
The Governess Game takes the cake with the morbid children, I suppose. And with freaking Malta. The only thing I regret is that, even though I apparently own an ARC of its prequel (The Duchess Deal) I haven't read it. In hinsight, it would have been better to start with it, as the characters reappear in this novel and I'm sure having read the first in the series would have made reading The Governess Game even better. (I've bookmarked the hell out of this regardless.)
The story is as follows: Alexandra for several reasons finds herself employed to Chase; she isn't actually a Governess but I'm handwaving aside the reasons. She is to educate and raise - for the summer - his wards. She is wonderful at that and I was delighted the entire time. Good parenting advice hidden inside there. Chase and her fall in love. There are some complications. It's all very wonderful.
The things that made this story special for me aren't necessarily that the hero was swoonworthy, although I'm sure he was, or that the heroine was magnificent, although she was, but that Tessa Dare managed what unfortunately a lot of other novels lately haven't: She made me feel invested in the story and giggly about silly things within. I've been rereading favourites lately just to get that.
So. Recommendation.
(Also the heroine has dark skin, pass it on.)
Content warnings: (view spoiler)[ - Orphaned girls who are left in the care of the hero; one of the girls "kills" her doll everyday by pretending she died of all sorts of diseases and then they have to hold funerals. This is treated as a funny thing, but obviously it's also fucking sad to think about.
- Hero was fifth or something in line for title of Duke and is now heir to the title. He's got a lot of guilt as he was, in his opinion, directly responsible for the death of his cousin, Anthony, the former heir.
- Heroine has panic attacks and flash backs/dreams of when she was a child and lost at sea. (Literally.)
- There is a character called Winston Harvey who shares lots of resembles to one Harvey Weinstein. He doesn't appear for more than a scene, and he doesn't rape or molest, but it is mentioned that he does leer at employees, pinch their butts, etc. (hide spoiler)]...more
didn't have the patience to wait and read the second book. just needed to see Julianna again. she's so precious.didn't have the patience to wait and read the second book. just needed to see Julianna again. she's so precious....more
After having devoured The Perfect Rake, I instantly knew that I had to read more Anne Gracie. So on I went, and read The Perfect Waltz. And it was greAfter having devoured The Perfect Rake, I instantly knew that I had to read more Anne Gracie. So on I went, and read The Perfect Waltz. And it was great.
After having finally found his sisters again, but being unable to help them cope with their trauma (or finding a good nanny to do just that), the hero Sebastian goes on to look for a sensible wife in London. He decides that Rational Elionore would do. But then comes Hope, and she's the Best Thing That Has Ever Happened. (Also, his friend Giles, really falls for Elionore, and hilarity ensues.)
There's a lot of "I Must Do The Right Thing By Everyone" going on; but instead of being annoyed by it, I was just anticipating the moment where everything'd work itself out. And it did, and I was happy. - The fact that the characters were all actually decent people helped, as well. As did the small little details Anne Gracie worked in: The fact that Sebastian kept placing Hope's hand on his chest in public without his knowledge, the twins' dreams, the dancing, the orphans, Aunt Gussie (bless her soul, she's hilarious) as well as Hope's and Sebastian's families.
Again, I liked the beta couple. I also got very anxious about Hope's twin-sister and the object of her affection (awful douchenoozle! The H/H didn't like him, so he must be Terrible), and will probably skip the third novel in the series for now. It's the Rational thing to do, whispered Elionore. ;P...more
I was afraid that I'd find this an awkward read, but it was really good - as I should have gathered, given the author.I was afraid that I'd find this an awkward read, but it was really good - as I should have gathered, given the author....more
The Perfect Rake is a fitting title, given that Gideon truly was just that.
The story is as follows: The heroine, Prudence, and her younger sisters, aThe Perfect Rake is a fitting title, given that Gideon truly was just that.
The story is as follows: The heroine, Prudence, and her younger sisters, are physically and emotionally abused by their guardian/grandfather. They escape to London and hatch a plan to be free of aforementioned grandfather. Shenenigans ensue.
There's a lot to be said about a known rake falling heads over heels, especially when the victim of his affections deserves to be the centre of someone's universe as much as Prue does. - If there were any character flaws she might have possessed, neither Gideon nor I could see them, which, A++ Anne Gracie. The two of them were also so.. mischivous, I suppose? They had and were great fun in all aspects. There first encounter alone had me bookmark the hell out of my ebook.
Prue's sister got the spot as beta-couple heroine, and that entire thing reminded me (in a good way) of Pride and Prejudice.
Seeing as there are no quotes here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ yet, I'm going to go ahead and add some in the next few days. (I hope.)
Anyway; definitely a great read. Would read again. Content warning for (view spoiler)[miscarriage (because of physical abuse), non-explicit "forced seduction" of a minor (not by hero!), explicit physical, verbal, emotional abuse. (hide spoiler)]...more
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. If all of Eloisa James' couples spend so much time fighting, the heros attempting to hurt the heroines as mucI'm not sure how I feel about this book. If all of Eloisa James' couples spend so much time fighting, the heros attempting to hurt the heroines as much as possible, she might not be an author for me. At the same time, I understand the allure and enjoyed many parts of this story.
But the hero never really managed to redeem himself. Everytime I started to forgive him, he'd do or say another awful thing. It was quite dramatic and the ending felt unresolved.
From everything I read of him, I might have enjoyed Edward's character more than those of the others.
So.. many mixed feelings about this. If you are sensitive to heroines being treated badly or humiliated (I had to skip parts in the beginning!) this particular book might not be for you. The writing suggests that I might enjoy other titles written by this author, though - not that this wasn't an entertaining read. The couple's issues just weren't my cup of tea.
First draft of review in the spoiler tags. (because I'm too lazy to find my review folder on my PC right now, I'm sorry)
(view spoiler)[Four Nights With The Duke is an overall well-written story, often tongue-in-cheek, but in my case failed to make the couple seem long-lasting and healthy.
Mia and Evander spent a lot of time fighting and disliking each other, and he did not manage to redeem himself (for me) to the point that I could believe the happily-ever-after they were eventually given. Truthfully, the ex-fianc?, Edward, seemed more likeable and interesting than Evander. He seemed to genuinely care about Mia and her little brother, and although Evander had moments of decency, he just fell short in the end.
That being said, I'm quite sure that readers who already know him -as I didn't- might enjoy this story more than me. Additionally, Eloisa James has already made a name for herself, and as I have not read any of her other titles, I can't say whether this relationship is typical for her or not. So where I'm standing, it seems like this specific couple wasn't for me, but her writing most definitely was.
Recommended to fans of historical romance who'd like a slightly different take on courtships. (hide spoiler)]...more
This was silly and adorable. Not one of her best, I suppose, but really enjoyable. Tessa Dare hasn't disappointed me so far. 3-4 stars
Content warningsThis was silly and adorable. Not one of her best, I suppose, but really enjoyable. Tessa Dare hasn't disappointed me so far. 3-4 stars
Content warnings:(view spoiler)[The hero's mother died after giving birth and his father was verbally abusive. He grew up without love, liked sex-workers, and was heavily injured, rendering him blind.
The heroine's mother died when she was still young and her father died without leaving her any way to care for herself. She was left penniless when her asshole cousin took everything from her. She is close to a panic attack in one chapter, because being in the dark reminds her of a traumatic situation from her childhood. (hide spoiler)]...more
When Good Earls Go Bad was one of the stories that didn't work out for me, even though the premise was right up my alley. Annabelle, the heroine, is tWhen Good Earls Go Bad was one of the stories that didn't work out for me, even though the premise was right up my alley. Annabelle, the heroine, is the co-owner of an agency for housekeepers, and a "fallen woman", who has to work as a housekeeper for the Scottish Earl Matthew.
The one element that is hit or miss is the narration. If you don't like the quirky narration of stories like Darynda Jones' First Grave on the Right, then I can almost promise you that you will not enjoy this one. Annabelle's quirky voice was a bit too much, even for me. I assume it might be the author's normal "voice", because even the uptight, "I don't like to waste time", Earl had a, admittedly still uptight, quirky voice. The narration made it feel as if the story was a Contemporary Romance in Regency clothing. - That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it threw me off a bit too often.
Maybe it's due to this that the characters were too much personifications of popular tropes than characters on their own; the rules-loving Matthew, who meets the adorably confused and chatty Annabelle. Even though the story employed new elements that would have otherwise stirred my interest ((view spoiler)[a virgin hero! (hide spoiler)]) the author's voice was so strong that it prevented me from really feeling the story as a story. I was always aware that what I was reading was make-belief, and couldn't connect with the characters because of that.
But here lies my problem: Everything I might criticise is directly related to the fact that I never became emotionally invested in the story due to, or so I assume, the "I don't have Attenti-oh a bunny!"-narration. I think people who don't mind this -read an excerpt to check!- might very much enjoy When Good Earls Go Bad. It certainly is different from your normal historical romance, in that the hero isn't a rake with vast experience, or in that the heroine makes her desires known and isn't shy to show her affection. No long discussions about their status, or what the ton might say, instead actual talk about condoms. All almost unheard of, sadly.
That's why I regret that I personally couldn't enjoy the story. It's almost been made for me, except that the concept worked better for me than the execution....more
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