drkappitan's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
A fun, sexy romp
bookhaulin's review
3.0
Quick and easy read.
I really think Ashley dropped the ball on Celia though, half the time she only felt like the outline of a character. She ticked all the boxes of a Likable Heroine (sensible, good with children, kind, etc.) but lacked any sort of real personality. The only character with less substance was Jenny, Alec's daughter. I don't even know why the author bothered to include her (or Genevieve, her mother); Jenny was basically a prop, used to tell readers that big, tough Alec could be gentle after all (or that Likable Heroine Celia is good with children).
Overall, none of the other books in this series have lived up to Ian's, which is disappointing but not surprising.
I really think Ashley dropped the ball on Celia though, half the time she only felt like the outline of a character. She ticked all the boxes of a Likable Heroine (sensible, good with children, kind, etc.) but lacked any sort of real personality. The only character with less substance was Jenny, Alec's daughter. I don't even know why the author bothered to include her (or Genevieve, her mother); Jenny was basically a prop, used to tell readers that big, tough Alec could be gentle after all (or that Likable Heroine Celia is good with children).
Overall, none of the other books in this series have lived up to Ian's, which is disappointing but not surprising.
lady_wallflower_reads's review against another edition
3.75
Beginning of the book is what is keeping this from a 4 star for me. I wasn't completely sold on how they came together but the second half of the book was so jam packed I didn't even remember why I felt that way to begin with. Love the time period and the stories that have come together for the Mackenzie family!
leg64's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
readersincealways's review
5.0
What a ride! Back to the beginnings of Clan MacKenzie after disaster befalls Scotland at Cullodan. Widowed Alec leaves Paris to find Will, who has vanished amidst of chaos and uncertainty of war torn England/Scotland. Traveling with his baby daughter he is housed in the palatial mansion of Lady Flora; society’s leader with a dark, hidden secret, and resolves to seduce Celia; the unsuspecting daughter of his “enemy” and Will’s jailer. Just who seduces who is up to dispute. What remains is a lively tale introduced and told by Alec’s descendent Ian; our favorite MacKenzie. Complex and well plotted this book bears careful reading and much enjoyment.
ezichinny's review
4.0
This book starts with Ian telling Beth about Ian's ancestors, but this story is told via diary written by Alec Mackenzie about how met his love Celia Fotheringhay while searching for his twin brother Will, who was a prisoner of war.
There is a little history here with England and Scotland, and we learn through this diary that not all the Mackenzies perished at the battle of Culloden. While two brothers will killed, We know Malcolm, Will and Alec escaped.
After the famous battle, Alec learned that his twin wasn't dead but was being held at a super secret prison. So Alec impersonated a french artist giving lessons in order to gain access to a Duke who has knowledge about said prison. The Duke's daughter Celia signs up for lessons and that is Alec's way to gain information.
Here is Alec learns to control his pain and anger while Celia comes out of herself to reach for more. Both of them have a restless spirit so they fit together. They had chemistry and the sprinkled in bits of history kept this story exciting. I enjoyed this one as much as Malcolm's story. The author has pulled off such a genius move by revisiting the Mackenzie's ancestors.
amyiw's review
5.0
4 1/2
Well luckily my 50% complaint was my only issue and it was quickly over as she realizes that her mom is plotting again. I really like the turn there. This was really good the characters had chemistry and the plot was interesting.
This was a story of the older Mackenzie's, one of the 3 brothers that are left after Culloden. Will is missing in England and Alec is trying to find him thinking him captured and held prisoner, at least hoping because the alternative is them being down to 2 brothers. He poses as an Irish drawing instructor to the daughter of a Duke. She is a recluse after being "compromised" and refusing to marry. The Duke may have information. There is a background story that is pretty interesting also, of the Lady that introduces them for lessons.
I'm bumping it up because I've read a lot of blah lately and this kept my attention, had a good story, and had a great couple.
This was great until 50% Then the scene makes no sense with her character.
Well luckily my 50% complaint was my only issue and it was quickly over as she realizes that her mom is plotting again. I really like the turn there. This was really good the characters had chemistry and the plot was interesting.
This was a story of the older Mackenzie's, one of the 3 brothers that are left after Culloden. Will is missing in England and Alec is trying to find him thinking him captured and held prisoner, at least hoping because the alternative is them being down to 2 brothers. He poses as an Irish drawing instructor to the daughter of a Duke. She is a recluse after being "compromised" and refusing to marry. The Duke may have information. There is a background story that is pretty interesting also, of the Lady that introduces them for lessons.
I'm bumping it up because I've read a lot of blah lately and this kept my attention, had a good story, and had a great couple.
This was great until 50% Then the scene makes no sense with her character.
Spoiler
She has talked to her dad before and he is totally supportive of her and against what the mother says. But here she did not talk to her dad to say no! Really? Come on she already said no when pressured after being compromised, now she is going to give in? And her mother? She has her own money so why put up with it? This one scene just doesn't make sense. Just tell her mother no! Go talk to her dad and tell him she wants to continue her lessons.romancingtheduchess's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the story of Alec and Celia. Their story moved a little slower, but I liked the twists and turns the storyline made and it was worth it in the end! Alec is in London to find his missing brother, Will. He and Lady Flora plan to use Celia to gain information she may have learned from his father. But Celia is smart and picks apart Alec’s story all while falling in love with each other!
laurla's review against another edition
5.0
"a famous painter doesn't equal a good teacher. they are full of their own genius and have no idea how to convey to others the basics of art. I have no genius, and so I instruct."
"I prefer lessons with you, sir, to embroidering with my mother. here I have at least an hour a day as respite from the catalog of my shortcomings."
-another book I was sad to reach the end of because I wanted more.
"I prefer lessons with you, sir, to embroidering with my mother. here I have at least an hour a day as respite from the catalog of my shortcomings."
-another book I was sad to reach the end of because I wanted more.