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quietbookworm's review against another edition
2.0
This book was waaaayyyy to long. At over 500 pages, the middle dragged for me and I was so disappointed because I normally enjoy Teresa Medeiros's work. The character's were soso, and the sexual tension was soso as well. Definitely not her best work.
kaylaedwards44's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
Well done, but too lightweight, untethered from reality without being witty/funny, to appeal to me
bmg20's review against another edition
5.0
Update 1/18/2012: Pocket Books contacted me thanking me for my review and participating in their blog tour of this novel. hahahaha So now I know why the book showed up on my doorstep.
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
I read this a few weeks back but I decided to take some time to sort my thoughts so that this may actually make some sense rather than having me come across as somecrazed silly lunatic fan-girl.
The Storyline
Clarinda and Ashton were childhood friends but as the years progressed, so did their feelings for each other. One night, Ashton sets out to leave his home and Clarinda behind but she catches him in a nearby meadow and the feelings that they had kept restrained for so long were finally let loose.
’...the spark of animosity between them had finally flared into something so combustible it had threatened to incinerate them both.’
Ashton inevitably still leaves her behind and Clarinda is heartbroken beyond all reason. As time passes and stories of Ashton are heard at home, it becomes apparent to Clarinda that he's not coming back for her so she becomes engaged to his brother, Max. Clarinda and her best friend Poppy set sail to meet up with Max for their wedding when their ship is boarded and the two women are captured by the Corsairs. Fearing the worst, the two end up being bought by the sultan Farouk and they are taken to his palace in the desert as his 'guests'. Despite the fact that he is incredibly kind to both of them, they are still not allowed to leave. Max hires his brother Ashton to rescue Clarinda from the sultan not knowing the position he's putting Ashton and Clarinda both in.
Thoughts
Teresa Medeiros books were the first romance books I ever read and inevitably got me hooked from that point on. I have yet to be disappointed by her; her books never lack in originality and are always entertaining. Considering this is a 500+ book I think that says a lot for her writing. I loved the exotic Middle East setting and that the majority of the storyline was spent there.
Her characters are always vibrant and full of life. You couldn’t help but love Ashton, even though there were times that you really wanted to hate him. It was painfully obvious how much Ashton and Clarinda cared for each other but he was a fool and left her and never returned.
’No matter how much it galled him, Clarinda belonged to his brother now. He had promised to return her to Max, and that was exactly what he was going to do. With any luck, Max would never find out what had transpired between Ash and Max’s bride-to-be in the meadow that morning.’
On top of loving the main characters, her secondary characters were just as fabulous. Poppy was definitely my favorite character and I loved not only the friendship between her and Clarinda but her infatuation with Farouk (and vice-versa!) was simply adorable.
If you enjoy romance novels, this one definitely needs to be on your list. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, and you may even shed a tear. (I know I did!) There was a sneak peek at the end of the next book in this series (yes! A series! yay!) featuring Max. I can't wait. :D
One final note: I received a copy of this book in the mail from Simon & Schuster a week before release with no note or anything. I have no idea who to thank for this, I don't recall entering any contests for it, but I’ll have you know I was so excited I did a little dance. And giggled. A lot. So whoever you are, book fairy at Simon & Schuster, thank you.
Interested in more of my reviews? Visit my blog!
I read this a few weeks back but I decided to take some time to sort my thoughts so that this may actually make some sense rather than having me come across as some
The Storyline
Clarinda and Ashton were childhood friends but as the years progressed, so did their feelings for each other. One night, Ashton sets out to leave his home and Clarinda behind but she catches him in a nearby meadow and the feelings that they had kept restrained for so long were finally let loose.
’...the spark of animosity between them had finally flared into something so combustible it had threatened to incinerate them both.’
Ashton inevitably still leaves her behind and Clarinda is heartbroken beyond all reason. As time passes and stories of Ashton are heard at home, it becomes apparent to Clarinda that he's not coming back for her so she becomes engaged to his brother, Max. Clarinda and her best friend Poppy set sail to meet up with Max for their wedding when their ship is boarded and the two women are captured by the Corsairs. Fearing the worst, the two end up being bought by the sultan Farouk and they are taken to his palace in the desert as his 'guests'. Despite the fact that he is incredibly kind to both of them, they are still not allowed to leave. Max hires his brother Ashton to rescue Clarinda from the sultan not knowing the position he's putting Ashton and Clarinda both in.
Thoughts
Teresa Medeiros books were the first romance books I ever read and inevitably got me hooked from that point on. I have yet to be disappointed by her; her books never lack in originality and are always entertaining. Considering this is a 500+ book I think that says a lot for her writing. I loved the exotic Middle East setting and that the majority of the storyline was spent there.
Her characters are always vibrant and full of life. You couldn’t help but love Ashton, even though there were times that you really wanted to hate him. It was painfully obvious how much Ashton and Clarinda cared for each other but he was a fool and left her and never returned.
’No matter how much it galled him, Clarinda belonged to his brother now. He had promised to return her to Max, and that was exactly what he was going to do. With any luck, Max would never find out what had transpired between Ash and Max’s bride-to-be in the meadow that morning.’
On top of loving the main characters, her secondary characters were just as fabulous. Poppy was definitely my favorite character and I loved not only the friendship between her and Clarinda but her infatuation with Farouk (and vice-versa!) was simply adorable.
If you enjoy romance novels, this one definitely needs to be on your list. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, and you may even shed a tear. (I know I did!) There was a sneak peek at the end of the next book in this series (yes! A series! yay!) featuring Max. I can't wait. :D
One final note: I received a copy of this book in the mail from Simon & Schuster a week before release with no note or anything. I have no idea who to thank for this, I don't recall entering any contests for it, but I’ll have you know I was so excited I did a little dance. And giggled. A lot. So whoever you are, book fairy at Simon & Schuster, thank you.
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn’t my favorite Teresa Medeiros book and I’m blaming myself, not her. I’m thinking I just wasn’t in the right mood for this book which is why I did not enjoy it as much as some of her previous novels.
The Pleasure of Your Kiss follows Ashton Burke as he travels to Morocco to try and rescue his brother’s fiancé, Clarinda Cardew, from a harem. Little did his brother know, Ash had loved her first. This story had great suspense, a spicy connection between Ash and Clarinda, and some great secondary characters to help move the story along. To me, this story did not have as much humor as some of Ms Medeiros’s earlier stories and I just wasn’t drawn in as quickly as previous books. She did do a great job of setting the scene in Morocco and creating a great world for her characters to live in, but it just didn’t resonate with me. I will continue to read and enjoy Teresa Medeiros, but this just wasn’t the book for me.
The Pleasure of Your Kiss follows Ashton Burke as he travels to Morocco to try and rescue his brother’s fiancé, Clarinda Cardew, from a harem. Little did his brother know, Ash had loved her first. This story had great suspense, a spicy connection between Ash and Clarinda, and some great secondary characters to help move the story along. To me, this story did not have as much humor as some of Ms Medeiros’s earlier stories and I just wasn’t drawn in as quickly as previous books. She did do a great job of setting the scene in Morocco and creating a great world for her characters to live in, but it just didn’t resonate with me. I will continue to read and enjoy Teresa Medeiros, but this just wasn’t the book for me.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. It was interesting reading a book from that time period that didn't take place in London. Ash wasn't very happy to be stuck going to rescue Clarinda. He had left her behind, but had never forgotten her. When he arrived at the palace where she was being held, he was able to gain entrance, but was not able to see her alone to manage the rescue. Clarinda was sure he had come to rescue her, but had to maintain the facade that she was there willingly until they could escape. She still wasn't sure if he still had any feelings for her, but she knew she had never stopped loving him, even when she hated him for leaving. There was a lot of intrigue, and a couple of very interesting surprises. Overall, a satisfying read.
irishtraveller's review
5.0
While I love Regency romance on the whole, lately I've gravitated more toward contemporary romance because I needed a break. But when I heard Teresa Medeiros was releasing a new novel, I ran right out to buy it because she is one of the few authors who can get me into a bookstore right away.
This particular book is set in Morocco, which is an unlikely locale for a romance. Medeiros nailed both the location and the characters. Ash and Clarinda have a long and storied history, and the way they're brought together creates a chemistry on the page that leaves you almost breathless. As usual with a Medeiros novel, there's always a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, and a lot of smiles. I couldn't put it down!
This particular book is set in Morocco, which is an unlikely locale for a romance. Medeiros nailed both the location and the characters. Ash and Clarinda have a long and storied history, and the way they're brought together creates a chemistry on the page that leaves you almost breathless. As usual with a Medeiros novel, there's always a lot of laughs, a lot of tears, and a lot of smiles. I couldn't put it down!
heyhaley17's review against another edition
4.0
A great read. I loved the side romance of Farouk and Poppy and wish they would have one for themselves. I am always a sucker for the romances that begin in childhood even if I felt that there still needed to be something at the inbetween. It was a shock finding the truth in regards to the brother and needed more information on why he liked her to begin with.
Ash and Clarina were an adorable couple and there fidning eachother was romantic and sweet but the ending seemed way too quick and left me wanting just a little bit more.
Ash and Clarina were an adorable couple and there fidning eachother was romantic and sweet but the ending seemed way too quick and left me wanting just a little bit more.