irishtraveller's review
4.0
The first half of this book is amazing. I mean, it was so amazing that it could've been any book from any major publisher out there: Avon, Pocket, Grand Central, Kensington. Surprisingly--or maybe not so surprisingly--it comes from Carina, the digital-only Harlequin imprint. I was hooked from the first page.
Lucy Jones is a compelling character. Mild mannered and meek on the outside, inside, she possessed an iron will and a backbone many women would be envious of. She keeps a tight rein on her emotions even when she'd rather speak up, and usually, she's keeping the best interests of her younger brothers in mind. Who wouldn't admire a young woman who's been treated as a "less than" her entire life and continues to sacrifice for the overall good of her family? So when Lucy's cousin Sebastian Arrington asks for her hand in marriage, in my mind, I was screaming, "No!" But of course, Lucy says yes.
After her engagement to Sebastian, Lucy's family must travel to attend the wedding of Sebastian's sister, Portia, to Lord Almont. But Sebastian's mother has asked them to keep the engagement a secret, so Sebastian and Lucy agree. But while Lucy enjoys the solitary pursuit of drawing in the outdoors, she meets our hero, James Wright-Gordon, Lord Selsley.
From the beginning, I couldn't help but like James as well. He's lighthearted, caring, and gentle...but he's also a vain and proud man as well as a little arrogant. And he's exactly what Lucy needs to bring her out of her shell. As their attraction grows, Lucy's feelings about her secret fiancé and her "friendship" with James become conflicted. All the while, we have the underlying subplot between James's sister Anna and Lucy's cousin Sebastian.
What I most loved was the author's ability to pull me in one direction one moment and then drag me in another on the next page. Without giving too much away, by the end of the book, I wanted to throttle James for his stupidity and Lucy for her unwillingness to rock the emotional boat. The ending was somewhat anticlimactic, which was disappointing, but I also understood why the author wanted to wrap the book up nicely. With such an emotional tug-of-war up until the middle half of the book, I was somewhat hoping for an explosive ending. I didn't get that, but I did shut it with a contented sigh.
Lucy Jones is a compelling character. Mild mannered and meek on the outside, inside, she possessed an iron will and a backbone many women would be envious of. She keeps a tight rein on her emotions even when she'd rather speak up, and usually, she's keeping the best interests of her younger brothers in mind. Who wouldn't admire a young woman who's been treated as a "less than" her entire life and continues to sacrifice for the overall good of her family? So when Lucy's cousin Sebastian Arrington asks for her hand in marriage, in my mind, I was screaming, "No!" But of course, Lucy says yes.
After her engagement to Sebastian, Lucy's family must travel to attend the wedding of Sebastian's sister, Portia, to Lord Almont. But Sebastian's mother has asked them to keep the engagement a secret, so Sebastian and Lucy agree. But while Lucy enjoys the solitary pursuit of drawing in the outdoors, she meets our hero, James Wright-Gordon, Lord Selsley.
From the beginning, I couldn't help but like James as well. He's lighthearted, caring, and gentle...but he's also a vain and proud man as well as a little arrogant. And he's exactly what Lucy needs to bring her out of her shell. As their attraction grows, Lucy's feelings about her secret fiancé and her "friendship" with James become conflicted. All the while, we have the underlying subplot between James's sister Anna and Lucy's cousin Sebastian.
What I most loved was the author's ability to pull me in one direction one moment and then drag me in another on the next page. Without giving too much away, by the end of the book, I wanted to throttle James for his stupidity and Lucy for her unwillingness to rock the emotional boat. The ending was somewhat anticlimactic, which was disappointing, but I also understood why the author wanted to wrap the book up nicely. With such an emotional tug-of-war up until the middle half of the book, I was somewhat hoping for an explosive ending. I didn't get that, but I did shut it with a contented sigh.
scarr77's review
3.0
I needed a significantly more meaningful grovel from James. Also, the MMC's father and family had spent significant time in India and came home with (also known as stealing) artifacts. There was no effort made by the author to grapple with how ruthless British colonialism was. There was ample opportunity to do so, since James had Scottish family who were present and spoke up about British tyranny within the text.
nelsonseye's review
4.0
Resolution to the argument was a bit quick, but overall a very enjoyable read.
weruintooeasy's review
1.0
bleh. i didn't feel an ounce of emotion from this book. it felt like the story was dictating how the characters should act and feel instead of the characters truly growing and developing relationships with each other.
michellini90's review
4.0
I loved it, I hated it. I couldn't put it down and I could hardly keep reading. it was hard to rate this book because there are so many different elements that make the book what it is.
The writing was excellent, the main character was my favorite, and it was an enjoyable read. It just isn't one of those books that I find myself rushing back to.
The writing was excellent, the main character was my favorite, and it was an enjoyable read. It just isn't one of those books that I find myself rushing back to.
melissad75's review
3.0
I loved Fraser's [b:An Infamous Marriage|13411560|An Infamous Marriage|Susanna Fraser|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346022442s/13411560.jpg|18669210], with its complex characters and mature, sophisticated relationship development, so I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. I didn't find the characters all that interesting or emotionally engaging, and the story felt like a perfunctory Regency romance plot. I could see all the wheels turning behind the scenes, and found it hard to disengage the part of my brain that was analyzing the mechanics and finding them wanting, in order to get swept up in the story.
After dragging along rather dully for the first part of the novel, the ending felt rushed, especially with regard to a pair of secondary characters who had been a big part of the story. The novel ended with a "10 years later" epilogue infodump to tell you what happened to them, which is one of my biggest pet peeves ever.
This one was just...blah. A 2.5 star read, I'd say.
After dragging along rather dully for the first part of the novel, the ending felt rushed, especially with regard to a pair of secondary characters who had been a big part of the story. The novel ended with a "10 years later" epilogue infodump to tell you what happened to them, which is one of my biggest pet peeves ever.
This one was just...blah. A 2.5 star read, I'd say.
seeingnight's review
4.0
GENRE: Adult Romance,
BOOK THEME: Historical
RECEIVED: Copy from Carina Press
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
DATE POSTED ON BLOG: March 29th
QUICK THOUGHTS:
Lucy Jones was orphaned at a young age along with her two brothers. Their wealthy relatives took them in but sent her two brothers elsewhere to study. She had to obey their rules of being silent and doing everything they said. Luckily overtime she fell for her cousin Sebastian and he proposed, but Lucy had her doubts after they were asked to keep their engagement a secret.
Little did Lucy know that she would come upon the very attractive and considerate James who is a wealthy Lord and seems to be taken with her. This is all until scandal after scandal occurs and Lucy is caught in the middle and her heart finds comfort in James.
REVIEW:
I seem to have a new grown fondness for Historical Romances lately and this one has become another favorite of mine. I have to say it makes me giggle a little about how innocent women were in these days and poor Lucy the lead female is definitely very innocent.
After Lucy’s cousin Sebastian proposes to her and she accepts, she is happy but a bit concerned on why he wishes to marry so soon. Plus her status is not high society like her relatives would want for their son, so they are keeping it a secret until their daughter marries.
What was most exciting about this story is that the families in this book are anything but proper. They have scandals up the wazoo and secrets everywhere that made me not wanting to stop reading until the end. I felt bad for Lucy because she was pretty much getting stuck in the middle of everyone else’s drama and all she wanted was to draw, keep the peace and help her brothers.
I found James’ character to be the most intriguing, he is defiantly a man of passion and intelligence. He catches on to all the conniving that Lucy’s relatives have going on and doesn’t like it one bit. But he’s interest in Lucy is undeniable even though he tries to deny it. Also his sister Anna was a great spunky and sweet character that I really couldn’t hate and you’ll see what I mean once you read this book.
The romance in this story is not thrown at you like some in this genre are normally. But it’s steamy and defiantly gives you the chills with how much detail is given. James is very much the tall dark and handsome man that you want to read about.
If you love any kind of romance novel I highly recommend this book, the plot keeps you deeply captivated because you have to know what happens next. It does have the typical aspects of historical romance but it wont disappoint.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult romance novel with lots of sexual content. I would highly recommend fans of Lynsay Sands , Lisa Kleypas, and Eloisa James.
BOOK THEME: Historical
RECEIVED: Copy from Carina Press
BLOG: http://seeingnight.blogspot.com/
DATE POSTED ON BLOG: March 29th
QUICK THOUGHTS:
Lucy Jones was orphaned at a young age along with her two brothers. Their wealthy relatives took them in but sent her two brothers elsewhere to study. She had to obey their rules of being silent and doing everything they said. Luckily overtime she fell for her cousin Sebastian and he proposed, but Lucy had her doubts after they were asked to keep their engagement a secret.
Little did Lucy know that she would come upon the very attractive and considerate James who is a wealthy Lord and seems to be taken with her. This is all until scandal after scandal occurs and Lucy is caught in the middle and her heart finds comfort in James.
REVIEW:
I seem to have a new grown fondness for Historical Romances lately and this one has become another favorite of mine. I have to say it makes me giggle a little about how innocent women were in these days and poor Lucy the lead female is definitely very innocent.
After Lucy’s cousin Sebastian proposes to her and she accepts, she is happy but a bit concerned on why he wishes to marry so soon. Plus her status is not high society like her relatives would want for their son, so they are keeping it a secret until their daughter marries.
What was most exciting about this story is that the families in this book are anything but proper. They have scandals up the wazoo and secrets everywhere that made me not wanting to stop reading until the end. I felt bad for Lucy because she was pretty much getting stuck in the middle of everyone else’s drama and all she wanted was to draw, keep the peace and help her brothers.
I found James’ character to be the most intriguing, he is defiantly a man of passion and intelligence. He catches on to all the conniving that Lucy’s relatives have going on and doesn’t like it one bit. But he’s interest in Lucy is undeniable even though he tries to deny it. Also his sister Anna was a great spunky and sweet character that I really couldn’t hate and you’ll see what I mean once you read this book.
The romance in this story is not thrown at you like some in this genre are normally. But it’s steamy and defiantly gives you the chills with how much detail is given. James is very much the tall dark and handsome man that you want to read about.
If you love any kind of romance novel I highly recommend this book, the plot keeps you deeply captivated because you have to know what happens next. It does have the typical aspects of historical romance but it wont disappoint.
RECOMMENDATION:
This is an adult romance novel with lots of sexual content. I would highly recommend fans of Lynsay Sands , Lisa Kleypas, and Eloisa James.
jkh107's review
4.0
Prequel to [b:The Sergeant's Lady|8631671|The Sergeant's Lady|Susanna Fraser|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51sg2rdF%2B-L._SL75_.jpg|13502468].
Poor relation Lucy Jones is flattered and happy when her cousin Sebastian offers for her hand in marriage, but her aunt makes her promise to keep the engagement a secret. As the family travels for another cousin's wedding, they encounter the Wright-Gordon siblings. Sebastian falls for Anna, while Lucy and James hit it off. Although the re-assembling of romantic partnerships at this point would seem obvious and does indeed happen, the adjustment to marriage, especially a hasty marriage, is not always easy, whether you are keeping a secret from your spouse or he only thinks you are...
I really enjoyed this book. It started out slowly, but it had a real slice-of-historical-life feel--the dialogue, the house party of characters, and the portrayal of family and successful and unsuccessful romantic relationships. A lot of what makes historicals, and more specifically Regencies, appealing to me is the detailed portrayal of a social setting (with its attendant rules, customs and mores which can be so different from ours), especially the family connections among the gentry and aristocracy, and Fraser delivers on this level as well.
Poor relation Lucy Jones is flattered and happy when her cousin Sebastian offers for her hand in marriage, but her aunt makes her promise to keep the engagement a secret. As the family travels for another cousin's wedding, they encounter the Wright-Gordon siblings. Sebastian falls for Anna, while Lucy and James hit it off. Although the re-assembling of romantic partnerships at this point would seem obvious and does indeed happen, the adjustment to marriage, especially a hasty marriage, is not always easy, whether you are keeping a secret from your spouse or he only thinks you are...
I really enjoyed this book. It started out slowly, but it had a real slice-of-historical-life feel--the dialogue, the house party of characters, and the portrayal of family and successful and unsuccessful romantic relationships. A lot of what makes historicals, and more specifically Regencies, appealing to me is the detailed portrayal of a social setting (with its attendant rules, customs and mores which can be so different from ours), especially the family connections among the gentry and aristocracy, and Fraser delivers on this level as well.
jennleblanc's review
4.0
This novel was really perplexing to me. It had a slow, steady, building pace. Not my typical romance with the twists and turns and more rapid pacing. Though, it did have twists and turns. It was intriguing and kept me reading all night. The way some of the secondary relationships were left at the wayside was a bit distracting to the overall flow of the book —there are three all told— that take center stage and then two simply vanish, no fade— just gone. I mean they got wrapped up eventually, but it was distracting when they just fell off the radar.
The writing was lovely, the majority of the story was in Lucy's perspective, with intermittent scenes from other's perspectives, and that fact made the transition to others a little unexpected because I got so settled into Lucy's head (though not 1st person) that when it shifted for a little bit I was very aware of it.
I really liked Lucy, and the love story was beautiful, gentle, building and graceful. I did not think James' reaction to the trust issue was in keeping with his personality, it really threw me off. And it was odd that more of their personalities came out after the wedding than before. And along those lines, for something from the blurb to happen halfway through the book was seriously odd, because I kept waiting for it, was expecting it, and it wasn't happening. That bugged me. I went back and read the blurb again to make sure I was reading the right book! Weird weird weird.
At any rate. I give it 4 stars because honestly it kept me up till 2:30 last night reading, and I had to get up at 7. So there's that. I did skim over some of the internal waffling at the end, it was unnecessary, but I was tired. I never wanted to throw the book across the room, I never once rolled my eyes, and the only WTFckry was the blurb thing, I mean seriously, almost to the page halfway through. But I really liked the characters. They were very well done.
I know this review seems to be all over, and it is. Like I said, this book had me perplexed. I'm still trying to figure out what happened to me while reading it. It was wonderful in all its strange, confusingness (yes it's a word, I just made it up). I liked all the things about it I don't normally like about other novels. SO...I just don't know.
OH! And the cover, I almost forgot...WELL DONE. Beautiful. Wonderful, I would buy the book for that cover alone.
I just discovered —in all my linking glory— that one of the other romances in the book is in itself a book, published previously. So there is that, it is titled The Sergeant's Lady and was released last year. I will have to read it now (also a beautiful cover). That explains the treatment of the relationship in this book. I had no idea.
I received this book from NetGalley for review.
The writing was lovely, the majority of the story was in Lucy's perspective, with intermittent scenes from other's perspectives, and that fact made the transition to others a little unexpected because I got so settled into Lucy's head (though not 1st person) that when it shifted for a little bit I was very aware of it.
I really liked Lucy, and the love story was beautiful, gentle, building and graceful. I did not think James' reaction to the trust issue was in keeping with his personality, it really threw me off. And it was odd that more of their personalities came out after the wedding than before. And along those lines, for something from the blurb to happen halfway through the book was seriously odd, because I kept waiting for it, was expecting it, and it wasn't happening. That bugged me. I went back and read the blurb again to make sure I was reading the right book! Weird weird weird.
At any rate. I give it 4 stars because honestly it kept me up till 2:30 last night reading, and I had to get up at 7. So there's that. I did skim over some of the internal waffling at the end, it was unnecessary, but I was tired. I never wanted to throw the book across the room, I never once rolled my eyes, and the only WTFckry was the blurb thing, I mean seriously, almost to the page halfway through. But I really liked the characters. They were very well done.
I know this review seems to be all over, and it is. Like I said, this book had me perplexed. I'm still trying to figure out what happened to me while reading it. It was wonderful in all its strange, confusingness (yes it's a word, I just made it up). I liked all the things about it I don't normally like about other novels. SO...I just don't know.
OH! And the cover, I almost forgot...WELL DONE. Beautiful. Wonderful, I would buy the book for that cover alone.
I just discovered —in all my linking glory— that one of the other romances in the book is in itself a book, published previously. So there is that, it is titled The Sergeant's Lady and was released last year. I will have to read it now (also a beautiful cover). That explains the treatment of the relationship in this book. I had no idea.
I received this book from NetGalley for review.
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