glo68's review
5.0
Smart and funny Allegra has raised her young cousins herself, despite being only ten years older than them, and has filled their life with music, joy and tales of her fictitious fiancé, a dashing and romantic pirate. She’s happy that her beloved cousins are going to believe in love, even if she knows she’ll never have a real lover. But what if the one she invented is more real than she’d ever imagined?
John is a successful solicitor who likes to be prepared for every contingency. His dream is to become a chef and own a place of his own, but after a stroke of bad luck he’s afraid of trying again. He prefers his life orderly and predictable, but little does he know that he’s about to be swept away by chaos…
Erica Ridley pens a wonderful rendition of the “opposites attract” trope, a funny, witty, refreshing novella with some veritable laughing-out-loud slapstick comedy scenes! But the romantic part is not neglected, of course, and the characters have an instantaneous attraction and great chemistry. I loved this little work of art wholeheartedly!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
John is a successful solicitor who likes to be prepared for every contingency. His dream is to become a chef and own a place of his own, but after a stroke of bad luck he’s afraid of trying again. He prefers his life orderly and predictable, but little does he know that he’s about to be swept away by chaos…
Erica Ridley pens a wonderful rendition of the “opposites attract” trope, a funny, witty, refreshing novella with some veritable laughing-out-loud slapstick comedy scenes! But the romantic part is not neglected, of course, and the characters have an instantaneous attraction and great chemistry. I loved this little work of art wholeheartedly!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
justina7cab's review
3.0
For the most part I liked it, and if goodreads had half stars I wouldn't have rated this 3.5. It was charming and at times funny, it just felt slow at times... maybe it's just that while I'm used to dramatic (tragic) inevitability, I'm not used to it in the romance genre, where I know they're going to have a HEA
mischlama's review
4.0
Es hat mich sehr an das eine Tessa Dare erinnert - ausgedachter Verlobter taucht plötzlich auf und bringt alle Pläne durcheinander...love it
lianareadsblog's review
4.0
And how much fire did the kitchen catch ?
This story is so entertaining and hilarious and interesting at the same time. I love that it's set in Brighton, aka my home. And the mix of characters was perfectly thought. Who thought that a governess will bring a courtroom man on his knees while he’s learning to cook and she’s trying to get away with her lifetime lie about a fake fiancé, and pirate at that?
Fake relationship is really my jam, and this story has everything I was looking for in a historical romance. Commoners characters with normal jobs, a very steamy chemistry that catches fire every time these two interact and a love story that will never cannot fulfil a romantic heart
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy
This story is so entertaining and hilarious and interesting at the same time. I love that it's set in Brighton, aka my home. And the mix of characters was perfectly thought. Who thought that a governess will bring a courtroom man on his knees while he’s learning to cook and she’s trying to get away with her lifetime lie about a fake fiancé, and pirate at that?
Fake relationship is really my jam, and this story has everything I was looking for in a historical romance. Commoners characters with normal jobs, a very steamy chemistry that catches fire every time these two interact and a love story that will never cannot fulfil a romantic heart
Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy
allysunsun's review
4.0
A very cute novella in the Siren's retreat series! I really enjoyed getting to know John and Allegra and Captain L'Amour after having seen them in the other books in this series. I really enjoy Erica Ridley and she is quickly becoming one of my favourite historical romance authors.
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!
hammock_and_read's review
4.0
We get a leading lady just trying to get to her 30th birthday so she gets some freedom but she loves her cousins who she has been serving for years. She has told them a fun story about a sea pirate Caption as her boyfriend and to all their surprise one is in their carriage path. He matches her image she told the girls but he is a lawyer turn chef. This is a super cute story of them figure out that they are a match and the process to get what they both want and need. This is such a cute town with the sea/beach and all the side characters. This is such a cute series as well!
4 stars
2.5 steam
Thanks to the author for a copy of this one.
4 stars
2.5 steam
Thanks to the author for a copy of this one.
librarypatronus's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and WebMotion for the ARC of this!
I love Erica Ridley's books and this was no exception. The fake-dating/betrothal was such fun, and the characters were so complimentary to each other, that it was just a lovely experience watching them fall in love. I recommend this for anyone who wants a totally swoon-worthy regency romance without much angst. I can't wait to read more of the series.
I love Erica Ridley's books and this was no exception. The fake-dating/betrothal was such fun, and the characters were so complimentary to each other, that it was just a lovely experience watching them fall in love. I recommend this for anyone who wants a totally swoon-worthy regency romance without much angst. I can't wait to read more of the series.
roget's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Cute. Love a fussy male lead.
This little quartet is lovely.
This little quartet is lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
**One MA scene, quite easily skippable.xlynt's review
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
kimalah's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
An Affair By the Sea is a very enjoyable and sweet Regency novella. I liked the main characters and the fact that their personal goals were not your standard Regency fare. It was a nice couple of hours spent.