Alexa Aston

This story was fascinating, all the more so when you consider that you really didn’t have much interaction between the MCs (virtually none in the first half) and yet it still keeps your interest, learning about seamen and shipping. What pulled the story down is its perfunctory delivery- there was no passion, no humour to be felt in the telling.
So while it’s an enjoyable read, it is not, unfortunately, a tale that you will lose yourself in. That being said, I will still give the rest of the books in this series a try.… (meer)

Bodice Rippers is a subgenre of romance novels that is often characterized by its focus on historical settings, dramatic plots, and steamy love scenes. The term "bodice ripper" actually refers to a specific type of cover art that was popularized in the 1970s and 80s, featuring a muscular, shirtless male hero and a swooning heroine with her clothing in disarray.

Although the label "bodice ripper" is often used pejoratively to describe these books, they continue to have a devoted following among readers who appreciate their escapist fantasy, larger-than-life characters, and unabashedly romantic storytelling. Some well-known examples of the genre include novels by authors such as Johanna Lindsey, Kathleen Woodiwiss, and Judith McNaught.

Ultimately, the appeal of Bodice Rippers lies in the way they transport readers to a world that is both familiar and exotic, where passion and adventure reign supreme, and where true love conquers all.

I have loved this genre ever since I can remember. I had one of these books handy in my purse during school. Read them on days of testing or days we would have complete days off from school work and studying. These books were what comforted me during the weeks I caught chickenpox during my sophomore year.

And these are books I still seek out when I need something to pull me out of a reading slump. The cover of this book drew me back to the romance novels of the late 80s where a cover could draw you in rather than the premise of the novel. Some were hits in my collection and others were large misses.

Most of these novels would center around the Regency period offering glimpses of what the Ton and the coming-of-age were like at these times.

In this novel, we meet Charlotte Nott, who has just lost her father. Deciding after the funeral to walk back home where she would be called to meet her half-brother, a man who has hated her during her entire life. He makes it clear that she is no longer a member of his family and nothing short of a 'whore' much like he considered her mother to be. He wanted her gone from his house, throwing what little money he deemed fit to remove her.

Charlotte is devasted by this turn of events. She had hoped that one day her brother could come to turn but this is out of the question and Charlotte is forced to leave her childhood home. During her years away from her home, Charlotte has made headway in her life. She has been a companion and a governess and this is what she will be when she is offered a job at Grayson. But before she can even get a list of her job, both Lord Grayson and his wife are dead. With no one to take up the role of the household and take care of the three children left behind, Charlotte steps up into the role.

Much as Charlotte had been tossed on her ear so had Grayson. His elder brother had tossed him a paid military purchase commission and told him never to come back. He is slightly surprised when a letter arrives to inform him of the death of his brother and wife. He returns home to find Charlotte being the one taking over the head of the house.

The more time the two spend together. The more neither can deny the chemistry that pulls them together.

One aspect of the novel that I found bothersome is the frequent use of the word "sizzle" to describe the chemistry between characters. It became repetitive and distracting at times.

Another issue that disappointed me was the lack of closure regarding Charlotte's relationship with her brother. Despite being a significant plot point at the beginning of the book, he is never confronted or resolved in any way. It would have been satisfying to see Charlotte assert herself and prove him wrong.

While those things were the only distraction that I came across, I still enjoyed the novel immensely. This took me back and I was happy to return. I do plan to read the rest of this series very soon.

Final Thought:

If you love the Bodice Ripper subgenre such as Downton Abbey and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, then this is the book I recommend that will return you to a world of Regency, beautiful males and females, and a romance as endless as time.… (meer)