Eloisa James

I've always enjoyed Eloisa James' books, but this one is special -- both in the timeframe, which is earlier than Regency, and in the way it caused me to immediately want to learn more about the art of the time period. I loved the characters. I loved their banter and the mischievous children at the heart of their dilemma. I loved how the Viscount saw unkindness and tried to find ways to protect Torie from it. I love that Torie is clearly dyslexic, but is also depicted as an incredibly intelligent, talented and sparking character -- someone who is the heart of the book, as she should be. It's a fabulous read.

Advanced Readers' Copy Provided by Edelweiss.… (meer)

I think i understand why Younger Lexie considered this so sublime - the idea that as an older sibling you make sacrifices for your younger siblings was a notion I was i obsessed with. Putting aside the psychological reasoning there, I admired Tess.

That said, I cared very little for any of the sisters and while Draven certainly cut a nice figure (and James' sexy scenes were, as always, well done) this doesn't hold my interest now.

I found myself annoyed that Tess spends so much time worried over what was going on with Imogen, when Imogen treats her badly. Mostly not intentionally, but it felt ill done of her.

Overall a nice memory from the past but no longer a keeper.… (meer)

Okay you guys know the problems I had THE UGLY DUCHESS and how it would have helped if the main characters weren't married to kind of smooth my ruffled feathers? This book (which chronologically and publishing wise came before THE UGLY DUCHESS) proves me point. Amongst other things.

Olivia is engaged to Rupert (reluctantly), who is her opposite in every way. She'd really be more of his caretaker if they were married, as he's mentally more of a child. Initially Olivia reacts the same way anyone who doesn't know the whole story would react--why am I marrying this louse? You can be damn sure his family wasn't going to let the fact he's mentally handicapped become fodder for society's gossipmongers so how else do you expect a young woman to react? Her stance changes once she learns the truth and she becomes his biggest supporter and champion.

Quin meanwhile lost his son because his first wife was a Capital B, so he's understandably wary of everyone. He's considered a coldhearted bastard because he couldn't cry at his son's funeral (though again, this is a case of everyone (in society) needs to shut the frell up because if you don't know the whole story about WHY he's so coldhearted don't go spouting vicious rumors like he didn't love his son) and is initially irritated by Olivia.

They meet because he needs a suitable wife (cause don't you know, he's a Duke so he needs a heir, never mind his feelings on the matter) and he figures Olivia's sister Georgiana is perfect as she's amiable, reasonably intelligent and not likely to make his life chaotic (or kill his kid). Unfortunately his heart is like 'OLIVIA' and unlike most historical romance heroes (or any genre of romance hero) he figures it out frist and goes out of his way to prove it to her.

Olivia was pretty much everything I ever wanted in a romance heroine and then some. Yes she's sarcastic, prone to singing inappropriate songs and speaking her mind. She's not perfect, she doesn't claim to be perfect and if she was perfect? I don't think her engagement to Rupert would have worked. Assuming Quin never came into the picture, she would have been content as Rupert's wife. She cared about him, understood him to a certain extent and more importantly didn't judge him for what he couldn't help. She encouraged him in other ways and while she'd never have the marriage most folk wanted, she'd be free to be herself.

It wouldn't have been a bad ending, but this is a romance and romances require Happily Ever Afters and thus did Olivia get hers without being the B who broke Rupert's heart. It was pretty contrived and sappy-dappy when her and Quin finally end up together, but Eloisa doesn't cut Rupert short. Rupert is a hero, a real hero and Olivia doesn't let anyone forget that fact.
… (meer)