helenephoebe's review against another edition
3.0
Review - My love for this book was largely due to the character of Madeline who I loved from the beginning. I also loved the edition of baggage like half siblings Harry, Edmond and Ben in particular. I do tend to fall for her characters and this novel was no different. I do feel that Laurens repeats herself a lot in format. For example it would be good to see an arranged marriage in one of her novels that turns into love. It seems a lot of reviews talk about the repetitiveness of her books.
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica / Regency / Mystery
Characters? - Gervase / Madeline / Royce (Dalziel) / Muriel / Ben / Harry / Sybil / Belinda / Jane / Annabel / Squire Ridley / Edmond
Setting? - Cornwall (England)
Series? - Bastion Club #6
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica / Regency / Mystery
Characters? - Gervase / Madeline / Royce (Dalziel) / Muriel / Ben / Harry / Sybil / Belinda / Jane / Annabel / Squire Ridley / Edmond
Setting? - Cornwall (England)
Series? - Bastion Club #6
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 16/20
ssejig's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
In previous books in the series, Gervase keeps being called home. Finally, we, the readers, find out what it's all about.
His sisters, having seen what happened when one of their neighbors got married, are terrified. They do not want to be shipped off to some boarding school. Instead, they wreak havoc around Gervase's estate in order to keep an eye on him and who he is dating. In a moment of pique, Gervase promises to marry the next woman he sees (who fulfills a list of criteria, including him liking her (he's not stupid)) .
This is a romance novel so a woman shows up pretty darn quick. He doesn't exactly believe that she'd fit his requirements having known Madeline Gascoigne in the past but now he's at least looking at her with new eyes.
Madeline needs Gervase's help. She's not looking for a husband; she's her brother's guardian and she has to keep that estate together. But there is an electricity between them that she wants to explore.
There are the same basic beats as the rest of the books in the series: Man wants to get married, woman doesn't, they get married, but with its own little twists.
His sisters, having seen what happened when one of their neighbors got married, are terrified. They do not want to be shipped off to some boarding school. Instead, they wreak havoc around Gervase's estate in order to keep an eye on him and who he is dating. In a moment of pique, Gervase promises to marry the next woman he sees (who fulfills a list of criteria, including him liking her (he's not stupid)) .
This is a romance novel so a woman shows up pretty darn quick. He doesn't exactly believe that she'd fit his requirements having known Madeline Gascoigne in the past but now he's at least looking at her with new eyes.
Madeline needs Gervase's help. She's not looking for a husband; she's her brother's guardian and she has to keep that estate together. But there is an electricity between them that she wants to explore.
There are the same basic beats as the rest of the books in the series: Man wants to get married, woman doesn't, they get married, but with its own little twists.
ufcasey's review against another edition
3.0
This is a historical romance that tries hard to also be a historical fiction novel at almost 500 pages ebook/15.5 hours audiobook. It doesn't quite achieve being excellent at either genre. The romance is lacking a certain emotional/playful connection. The mystery is lacking enough depth to be truly interesting on it's own. Overall, this was only good, not great. I'd give this author another try, though probably not from this series (I haven't read the other books from this series, it can be read as a standalone).
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
4.0
#0.5 Captain Jack's Woman - ★★★☆☆
#1 The Lady Chosen - ★★★★☆
#2 A Gentleman's Honor - Haven't Read
#3 A Lady of His Own - Haven't Read
#4 A Fine Passion - Haven't Read
#5 To Distraction - Haven't Read
#1 The Lady Chosen - ★★★★☆
#2 A Gentleman's Honor - Haven't Read
#3 A Lady of His Own - Haven't Read
#4 A Fine Passion - Haven't Read
#5 To Distraction - Haven't Read
amyiw's review against another edition
3.0
they start to be repetitive so cannot read too many in a row or they get stale.
verityw's review against another edition
2.0
Pfffft. Not my favourite of hers - whether its just not a particularly good one or whether I've gone off her style I'm not sure. Nearly gave up, but carried on because it didn't take much effort to read and I wanted to know if my assumptions about what would happen were right (they were).
Not enough plot, too much faffing.
Not enough plot, too much faffing.
lizabethstucker's review against another edition
4.0
A Bastion Club novel. Afraid of being banished from their home if their elder brother marries a London beauty, Gervase Tregarth, 6th Earl of Crowhurst, is forced by his younger sisters to consider a local female. He didn't expect to find anyone suitable, especially not his neighbor, the Honorable Miss Madeline Gascoigne, a spinster busy raising her three younger brothers. As they work together to organize a fair and investigate rumors about the possible collapse of the tin mining markets, Gervase finds his future. Now all he has to do is convince Madeline that she's suitable.
While the book may be a bit bigger than it should be, stuffed with sex scenes that are well-written, it is still a worthy read. The tale of the traitor is continued and a new mysterious character is briefly introduced, one that I hope to see again. The one thing that I enjoy about Laurens' novels are her female characters, all strong and more than able to take care of themselves. They are equals to their men, something her heroes quickly realize and appreciate.
This series doesn't have to be read in order to enjoy.
While the book may be a bit bigger than it should be, stuffed with sex scenes that are well-written, it is still a worthy read. The tale of the traitor is continued and a new mysterious character is briefly introduced, one that I hope to see again. The one thing that I enjoy about Laurens' novels are her female characters, all strong and more than able to take care of themselves. They are equals to their men, something her heroes quickly realize and appreciate.
This series doesn't have to be read in order to enjoy.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Beyond Seduction
3 Stars
Gervase Tregarth, Earl of Crowhurst, returns to his family estate in Cornwall and is manipulated by his younger sisters into pledging to marry the first suitable woman to cross his path. Ironically, that woman just happens to be his neighbor, Madeline Gascoigne. Determined to convince himself that Madeline and he are incompatible, Gervase decides to lure her into his bed only to discover that the headstrong and independent Madeline is his perfect match. Now all he has to do is convince her of that fact.
Unfortunately, this is one of the weaker installments in the series mainly due to the fact that Madeline and Gervase's romance lacks the chemistry that characterizes all of the other couples in the series and their sex scenes are more mechanical than sensual.
The suspense plot, however, is very compelling as more information is revealed about the mysterious traitor mentioned in book #4. There is also a wonderful sense of community when events take a dangerous turn and several of the Bastion Club members as well as the locals join forces to aid Madeline and Gervase.
In sum, a satisfying read overall and I look forward to the villain getting his much-deserved comeuppance although that probably won't be until the last book.
3 Stars
Gervase Tregarth, Earl of Crowhurst, returns to his family estate in Cornwall and is manipulated by his younger sisters into pledging to marry the first suitable woman to cross his path. Ironically, that woman just happens to be his neighbor, Madeline Gascoigne. Determined to convince himself that Madeline and he are incompatible, Gervase decides to lure her into his bed only to discover that the headstrong and independent Madeline is his perfect match. Now all he has to do is convince her of that fact.
Unfortunately, this is one of the weaker installments in the series mainly due to the fact that Madeline and Gervase's romance lacks the chemistry that characterizes all of the other couples in the series and their sex scenes are more mechanical than sensual.
The suspense plot, however, is very compelling as more information is revealed about the mysterious traitor mentioned in book #4. There is also a wonderful sense of community when events take a dangerous turn and several of the Bastion Club members as well as the locals join forces to aid Madeline and Gervase.
In sum, a satisfying read overall and I look forward to the villain getting his much-deserved comeuppance although that probably won't be until the last book.
knewton7's review against another edition
3.0
Predictable historical romance. Decent enough but no big teeth. Most interesting thing is the secondary character, Dalziel. I'm looking forward to HIS story!
simplyparticular's review against another edition
2.0
I've been enjoying the Bastion Club series for some time, but this is one of my least favorite. Gervase is moderately interesting, but Madeline is overly-stubborn, and the book bogs down in the middle with Laurens endless, prosaic intimate scenes. Only the overarching Bastion Club mystery kept me going for awhile there, and then the usual Laurens suspense ending brought it to a rousing finish.