Scan barcode
whiskeyinthejar's review
4.0
4.5 stars
Jane has lived a very sheltered and quiet life but she also lives a shocking secret, she is the mind behind J.E. Burkes the renowned conchologist, not her father. When an opportunity to go on a 2yr expedition comes up and her father declines, she decides to go in his place. Even with her voice and hands shaking Jane is able to convince the other members of the expedition to accept her presence, with the subtle support of Lt. Charles Dance. Dance has been a sailor without a ship since the ending of the war has decreased many opportunities so when he is assigned as First Lieutenant to the Tenacious he is ready to go, the ship and her crew not so much. Battling the forces of a drunken captain, lazy crew, mutinous under dealings from the Bosun, and surprising attraction to a shy bluestocking with a spine of steel, Dance may just be on his most dangerous post yet.
First off, I loved both Jane and Dance separately and together, which doesn't always happen for me in romance books. Jane's first appearance to the reader and Dance is one of a shy, bumbling, petite spinster but with a strong backbone. Jane's determination to be recognized for her talent and thirst to live and experience life will have many women hoping and cheering her on. Dance's calm, strength, leadership, and support for Jane will make you sigh wistfully. The man has a lot on his plate with making sure the ship runs smoothly and yet, he is always there and present with Jane when he needs to be. Their courtship is slower moving with the outer story details moving the story along but when they are together, they are felt. Their back and forth teasing and charmingly realness make Jane and Dance such a heart melting pleasure to read about.
The beginning of the book and for a lot of it, the story focuses more on the dancing around ship politics and Dance having to deal with the disgruntled crew. I'm a big fan of nautical stories, you're going to have to be somewhat of a fan to enjoy this, so I didn't mind but there is a heavy focus on Dance's work and responsibilities for running the ship. I enjoyed how Dance was basically the captain but had to be ever weary of not being accused of mutiny, the mini focuses on crew members titles and their responsibilities, how life is lived on a ship, and how a ship is its own world when out to sea. Each descriptive detail the author provided created a world and scenery that I not only felt but was wholly engrossed in. Dance and Jane definitely have their moments of growing closer but it wasn't until the second half of the story that the focus on their relationship ramped up.
I did feel that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly and the main villain was given a weaker reason for all the problems he caused, he fell flat at the end. Also, the cursing in this book was definitely over the top for what you typically see in a historical, Dance's favorite word seems to be "fuck" and he is not shy about using it, so if that bothers you, beware. Ultimately, this story's strength was the gentle and sweet romance between Dance and Jane. For the responsibility Dance takes on and how he gives Jane due respect, how he is weighed down with responsibility but still lighthearted and for Jane's shyness, awkwardness, but ability to snap her spine straight, I adored this book. Elizabeth Essex has become an author on my radar and I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
Jane has lived a very sheltered and quiet life but she also lives a shocking secret, she is the mind behind J.E. Burkes the renowned conchologist, not her father. When an opportunity to go on a 2yr expedition comes up and her father declines, she decides to go in his place. Even with her voice and hands shaking Jane is able to convince the other members of the expedition to accept her presence, with the subtle support of Lt. Charles Dance. Dance has been a sailor without a ship since the ending of the war has decreased many opportunities so when he is assigned as First Lieutenant to the Tenacious he is ready to go, the ship and her crew not so much. Battling the forces of a drunken captain, lazy crew, mutinous under dealings from the Bosun, and surprising attraction to a shy bluestocking with a spine of steel, Dance may just be on his most dangerous post yet.
First off, I loved both Jane and Dance separately and together, which doesn't always happen for me in romance books. Jane's first appearance to the reader and Dance is one of a shy, bumbling, petite spinster but with a strong backbone. Jane's determination to be recognized for her talent and thirst to live and experience life will have many women hoping and cheering her on. Dance's calm, strength, leadership, and support for Jane will make you sigh wistfully. The man has a lot on his plate with making sure the ship runs smoothly and yet, he is always there and present with Jane when he needs to be. Their courtship is slower moving with the outer story details moving the story along but when they are together, they are felt. Their back and forth teasing and charmingly realness make Jane and Dance such a heart melting pleasure to read about.
The beginning of the book and for a lot of it, the story focuses more on the dancing around ship politics and Dance having to deal with the disgruntled crew. I'm a big fan of nautical stories, you're going to have to be somewhat of a fan to enjoy this, so I didn't mind but there is a heavy focus on Dance's work and responsibilities for running the ship. I enjoyed how Dance was basically the captain but had to be ever weary of not being accused of mutiny, the mini focuses on crew members titles and their responsibilities, how life is lived on a ship, and how a ship is its own world when out to sea. Each descriptive detail the author provided created a world and scenery that I not only felt but was wholly engrossed in. Dance and Jane definitely have their moments of growing closer but it wasn't until the second half of the story that the focus on their relationship ramped up.
I did feel that the ending wrapped up a little too quickly and the main villain was given a weaker reason for all the problems he caused, he fell flat at the end. Also, the cursing in this book was definitely over the top for what you typically see in a historical, Dance's favorite word seems to be "fuck" and he is not shy about using it, so if that bothers you, beware. Ultimately, this story's strength was the gentle and sweet romance between Dance and Jane. For the responsibility Dance takes on and how he gives Jane due respect, how he is weighed down with responsibility but still lighthearted and for Jane's shyness, awkwardness, but ability to snap her spine straight, I adored this book. Elizabeth Essex has become an author on my radar and I can't wait to read the other books in this series.
aquariandancer's review
4.0
Reckless Brides Book Five.
Charles Dance is posted to the Tenacious to guide the Royal Philosophical Society members to an island in the South Seas. Jane Burke, the mind behind J.E. Burke the conchologist, is ready to sail against all odds. The ship's crew, however, would prefer to stay in the harbor lazing the days away. Dance readies the ship to sail and Jane befriends some of the crew. Once they set sail, it is too late for her to turn back even when the crew renews their objections to her presence.
If you're looking for a naval adventure with romance, hard work and betrayal, this is the book for you!
Charles Dance is posted to the Tenacious to guide the Royal Philosophical Society members to an island in the South Seas. Jane Burke, the mind behind J.E. Burke the conchologist, is ready to sail against all odds. The ship's crew, however, would prefer to stay in the harbor lazing the days away. Dance readies the ship to sail and Jane befriends some of the crew. Once they set sail, it is too late for her to turn back even when the crew renews their objections to her presence.
If you're looking for a naval adventure with romance, hard work and betrayal, this is the book for you!
lumbermouth's review
4.0
If you're looking for a book about a really steamy shipwreck, it's this one.
cdb393's review
3.0
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads first-read giveaways.
The first half of this book moved very slowly. It took me a long time to get through it because I kept putting down the book then reading other books instead of going back to this one. The writing is very detailed which is normally a good thing but in this case the details did not create a wonderful backdrop for a story with interesting characters but took over and put all plot and character development to the backdrop. There was also very little romance in the first half.
The second half of the story, I really enjoyed. I feel like we finally got to see the main characters fully developed and the romance hit its stride. It's paced perfectly with the right amount of action mixed in with the right amount of romance and conflict. I'm glad I stuck with the book but if it hadn't been a first-reads book, I probably wouldn't have.
Overall I'd give the first half of the book two stars and the second four so I went with a three star rating overall.
The first half of this book moved very slowly. It took me a long time to get through it because I kept putting down the book then reading other books instead of going back to this one. The writing is very detailed which is normally a good thing but in this case the details did not create a wonderful backdrop for a story with interesting characters but took over and put all plot and character development to the backdrop. There was also very little romance in the first half.
The second half of the story, I really enjoyed. I feel like we finally got to see the main characters fully developed and the romance hit its stride. It's paced perfectly with the right amount of action mixed in with the right amount of romance and conflict. I'm glad I stuck with the book but if it hadn't been a first-reads book, I probably wouldn't have.
Overall I'd give the first half of the book two stars and the second four so I went with a three star rating overall.
joonlily's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jaclynder's review
3.0
A Scandal to Remember was an adorable little read featuring a very sweet romance between a smitten, yet gruff hero and a not-so prim spinster.
Jane Burke has long stood in the shadow of her father's career. She's an accomplished scientist on her own, but her father has always taken the credit for her work. At twenty-six, Jane has had enough; she wants to be known for her own accomplishments. To achieve these career aspirations, Jane finds herself aboard the Tenacious as the lady scientist for an expedition. The other members of the team, and those who staff the ship, are not thrilled to have a woman aboard, but Jane will be damned if she'll let anything or anyone stand her in way.
Lieutenant Charles Dance is also a new arrival to the Tenacious and he's gotten more work than he bargained for. It was supposed to be an easy appointment, and it's turned into anything but. The captain is a reclusive drunk and the majority of the crew panders to the conniving bosun, Mr. Ransome. Dance doesn't have a problem taking Jane aboard, but he doesn't have time to deal with the distraction of this prim-and-proper spinster who has a fascination with shells. But it seems that Dance simply cannot help himself. A Scandal to Remember was a nice, quiet, sweet read. If you're going into this one expecting high-seas adventure, you might be disappointed. While adventure does happen, the bulk of this novel focuses on the budding relationship between Jane and Dance. What's great about this relationship is how attuned each were to one another as well as to themselves. There were multiple instances when the reader is treated to the internal thoughts and happenings of Dance and Jane, and it was clear that they knew themselves and in turn, recognized a bond with the other. Jane in particular was an interesting character. She had been complacent for most of her life, but joining this expedition was her way of breaking out of her shell. She wanted to be something more. She knew it would be a challenge for her, and she did it anyway. Having such self-assured main characters was an interesting change from the usual romances that I read, but it was a nice and contributed to a less muddled and less angst ridden narrative.
What I thought was particularly sweet about the romance was how quickly Dance was smitten with Jane. From the first, he liked and respected Jane. But what made it so sweet was the fact that Dance was a gruff, rough-around-the-edges kind of character. He swore all the time, but then he would think such adorably endearing things:
He had to do better. He had to be more equitable.
Because Jane Burke was counting on him. And she was still holding his hand. And he liked it (p. 193).
A hero that's empowered by holding someone's hand? Kinda sigh-worthy.
Arguably, the romance may have been a little over the top with the sweetness factor, but I honestly didn't find it a detriment. Sometimes you just need a really cute read and I found and appreciated that in A Scandal to Remember.
What I was somewhat disappointed about was the short span of time that Dance and Jane spent on a deserted island. The book blurb promised me a desert island and I wanted this element of adventure. While getting stranded certainly did happen, it didn't happen until after the half way mark, and it didn't really become a major part of the book, other than serve as a means to get the hero and heroine alone (if you know what I mean ;) ).
Ultimately, A Scandal to Remember is the perfect pick for readers who enjoy characters that are attuned to themselves. It's a lovely, sweet story of two characters thrust into roles that they would have not originally pursued and come out stronger because of it.
Review originally published at The Book Adventures.
Jane Burke has long stood in the shadow of her father's career. She's an accomplished scientist on her own, but her father has always taken the credit for her work. At twenty-six, Jane has had enough; she wants to be known for her own accomplishments. To achieve these career aspirations, Jane finds herself aboard the Tenacious as the lady scientist for an expedition. The other members of the team, and those who staff the ship, are not thrilled to have a woman aboard, but Jane will be damned if she'll let anything or anyone stand her in way.
Lieutenant Charles Dance is also a new arrival to the Tenacious and he's gotten more work than he bargained for. It was supposed to be an easy appointment, and it's turned into anything but. The captain is a reclusive drunk and the majority of the crew panders to the conniving bosun, Mr. Ransome. Dance doesn't have a problem taking Jane aboard, but he doesn't have time to deal with the distraction of this prim-and-proper spinster who has a fascination with shells. But it seems that Dance simply cannot help himself. A Scandal to Remember was a nice, quiet, sweet read. If you're going into this one expecting high-seas adventure, you might be disappointed. While adventure does happen, the bulk of this novel focuses on the budding relationship between Jane and Dance. What's great about this relationship is how attuned each were to one another as well as to themselves. There were multiple instances when the reader is treated to the internal thoughts and happenings of Dance and Jane, and it was clear that they knew themselves and in turn, recognized a bond with the other. Jane in particular was an interesting character. She had been complacent for most of her life, but joining this expedition was her way of breaking out of her shell. She wanted to be something more. She knew it would be a challenge for her, and she did it anyway. Having such self-assured main characters was an interesting change from the usual romances that I read, but it was a nice and contributed to a less muddled and less angst ridden narrative.
What I thought was particularly sweet about the romance was how quickly Dance was smitten with Jane. From the first, he liked and respected Jane. But what made it so sweet was the fact that Dance was a gruff, rough-around-the-edges kind of character. He swore all the time, but then he would think such adorably endearing things:
He had to do better. He had to be more equitable.
Because Jane Burke was counting on him. And she was still holding his hand. And he liked it (p. 193).
A hero that's empowered by holding someone's hand? Kinda sigh-worthy.
Arguably, the romance may have been a little over the top with the sweetness factor, but I honestly didn't find it a detriment. Sometimes you just need a really cute read and I found and appreciated that in A Scandal to Remember.
What I was somewhat disappointed about was the short span of time that Dance and Jane spent on a deserted island. The book blurb promised me a desert island and I wanted this element of adventure. While getting stranded certainly did happen, it didn't happen until after the half way mark, and it didn't really become a major part of the book, other than serve as a means to get the hero and heroine alone (if you know what I mean ;) ).
Ultimately, A Scandal to Remember is the perfect pick for readers who enjoy characters that are attuned to themselves. It's a lovely, sweet story of two characters thrust into roles that they would have not originally pursued and come out stronger because of it.
Review originally published at The Book Adventures.
tracydurnell's review against another edition
4.0
Take-no-shit scientist heroine! Extremely competent secret-softy atheist hero!
thepassionatereader's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's a high seas adventure romance with a deeply grounded sense of place. I've always admired Ms. Essex's attention to nautical detail, but she's outdone herself here. The sense of the ship, the crew, the anxiety, and the tedium are palpable. I found both the hero and the heroine to be engaging. The end is a bit rushed and I am unclear on how the couple will afford their Happily Ever After, but these are small quibbles about a lovely book.
More...