What a beautiful read. I knew what to expect this time. I have read enough to Courtney Milan to know that she writes the most poignant stories and thiWhat a beautiful read. I knew what to expect this time. I have read enough to Courtney Milan to know that she writes the most poignant stories and this was no different. Camilla and Adrian was the most beautifully crafted couple. They were flawed, they were human. I loved it....more
**spoiler alert** This was an amazing start to this series. The last time I was so excited about a series was the Pennyroyalgreen series. First, I lov**spoiler alert** This was an amazing start to this series. The last time I was so excited about a series was the Pennyroyalgreen series. First, I love big families. The Worth family is full of colorful characters, each more interesting than the other. There is Judith who stood up and took the reigns of her broken family and raised her siblings by herself. But she wasn’t depicted as a saint. She had her flaws. The ego that prevented her from reaching out to a sister who walked out on her. The anger for a sister whose burden prevented her from choosing safety. The determination to send her brother to Eton. She was not perfect. But she loved her family and she never gave up fighting for them. I loved her for being human, for being falliable and for taking care of two children for 8 years by herself. I loved Christian because he loved his best friend. Because he loved Judith. Because he honored his promises. But I loved him more because of his principles. I was cheering for Judith and him all along. But I could understand why being together defied more than society. But I was not sad when the book ended. I knew there are more. There are four more Worths to read about, and I am so ready for that! Courtney Milan, your books are magic. Not because of romance, because you write characters that are worthy of being called heroes and heroines. They don’t need love, they want Love. But they want so much more than that. They want to change the world, bring a change, fight for what is right. And that something more is why I keep coming back to your writings. Thank you for being such an amazing writer....more
I cannot write about this book without talking about the show, because that's how I got into it. A couple of months ago I watched Poldark and fell in I cannot write about this book without talking about the show, because that's how I got into it. A couple of months ago I watched Poldark and fell in love... first with Ross, and then with Demelza. While waiting for the new season to start, I learned that the show was adapted from a book and finally, I got my hands on it. First impression, I love it. But I would have loved to read it before I watched the show. Books are more nuanced than shows, and I feel like I can already see the characters in my head and it colors how I perceive them. I would have loved to read about Ross, and see if I fell in love with him the same. Because I know what happens in Season two of the show (not giving spoilers), I feel like I am scrutinizing his character to justify or even explain his actions. I want to read Ross, not see the Ross of someone else's interpretation. But of course, I can't undo it. So I will try to talk about Ross, as honestly as I can. He is a simple character, although he is portrayed as complex. He grew up in a house where his parents loved each other. He grew up, under Joshua and Joshua was no stickler for rules. Ross didn't reinvent something; he only grew up to be the man his father raised. Yes, he cared about working class people and championed them. But it's not that he grew up and suddenly became a people's person. As for his love for Elizabeth, I just couldn't fathom how he fell for her to begin with. Of course I didn't like Elizabeth from the show itself. But even in the book, she pretended as if she had no feelings for Ross. She wanted to marry Francis. She didn't want Ross. She seems to think the world revolves around her and that people should drop their things to cater to her. It is always about her and what she wants and what she needs. And I feel as if Francis and Ross both fed into that illusion. She has no backbone, no guts. She can't stand up for herself. She seems to want the best of Ross and Francis and for that I do not like her. And the fact that Ross puts her up on a pedestal annoys the heck out of me. Demelza on the other hand was just fabulous. She is introduced as a simple character, but she is so complex. In fact her character development has me awe. At first I was a little taken aback when she said her age was 13 because I just couldn't imagine Ross marrying a child. But their relationship didn't progress until she was 17. I could understand her love and adoration for Ross so much clearly in the book. This was the man who saved her, who gave her a home and food and companionship. Of course, she fell in love with Ross. But Ross, was not always fair to her as a husband. When I watched the show, it felt like he married her to snub the people who told stories behind his back. Demelza wasn't a person, but a check mark on what would annoy polite society. But the book showed his dilemma more accurately. He cared for Demelza or else he wouldn't have gone into such lengths to help her. He enjoyed her company. Demelza kept intruding his space, but he never rebuffed her either. What I didn't like was that he didn't stand up for her honor. If people were saying bad stuff about Elizabeth, you bet he would stand up and fight for her. But Ross didn't do that. In fact when he slept with Demelza he only felt that he proved society right. And he married her to prove to himself that he was not the man those women whispered about. He was proving a point. But he didn't expect to love Demelza. That was the part about the book that I loved the most - the part where he talked about Demelza his servant, friend vs. Demelza his wife. How it was two different people for him and how it slowly faded into one. I loved Verity. Her kindness was such a boost for Demelza. In fact, now I am eager to read the second book and see how I feel about it, knowing what's to come. Would I recommend this book. Hell yes! Would you enjoy it the same, if you haven't watch the show, I honestly don't know. This is not my usual genre of books and the writing is not gripping. But I knew what to expect and what's coming and that made this book a five star for me....more
Wow, I knew I would love Hugo from the moment I read the first book. But I didn’t know how much I would come to respect and love Serena. She had resolWow, I knew I would love Hugo from the moment I read the first book. But I didn’t know how much I would come to respect and love Serena. She had resolution of steel. I loved the courage, her ability to fight her unborn child and mostly I loved her relationship with Freddy. It was written so beautifully.i truly wish this was a full book, rather than a novella. I felt this story was too short to capture Serena and Hugo together. This is a great beginning to the series. Truly befitting....more
I started reading Romance when I was 13 years old. Back then, I was happy as long as I got my happily-ever-afters. But the lately when I pick up a booI started reading Romance when I was 13 years old. Back then, I was happy as long as I got my happily-ever-afters. But the lately when I pick up a book, I want more. I want my characters to be more, to be better. Don't get my wrong, I like flawed characters, as long as they have substance. That is what Courtney Milan writes about. It's not girl meets boy, it's not marriage and children; her books are more. Her characters are vibrant with life, with purpose and with direction. Her characters explore human nature and their weakness and celebrate strength that is not innate, but acquired through experience. I loved this book, and not because of it's romance. I loved it because of Freddy. Because she was agoraphobic. because she was a writer and even though she never left her home, she traveled the world. I loved Emily and Anjan and their acceptance and love and trust of each other. I loved Jane and her outlandish clothes and how she was never afraid to stand out. I loved Hugo for taking in the Duke's son and never making Oliver feel any different. I loved Free because she said she would break the world, when Oliver suggested that the world would break her if she went to Cambridge. I loved that she wanted to go to Cambridge. Be the first woman to do so. I loved that she went to the protest, despite her family. I loved her fight with Freddy, her love for Freddy and I loved her parents for raising her to be independent. For me, Courtney Milan's books are not just about the romance. She writes books about people who struggle to find the balance, people who goes out into the world to make it a better place. And that is exactly what I need in my life right now. I am so glad to have found her books!...more
**spoiler alert** I have a new found love for the name Sebastian. This is the second Sebastian I have read about, and I can say he lived up to the fir**spoiler alert** I have a new found love for the name Sebastian. This is the second Sebastian I have read about, and I can say he lived up to the first Sebastian's mark! I loved his friendship with Violet, loved how he loved Violet. The last book intrigued me because I couldn't understand why he snapped at her. But this book made me teary-eyed. I loved Sebastian because he took up the ruse to help Violet find her stability. But I loved reading about the price he had to pay. Helping others sometimes comes with a personal cost. But I liked how Sebastian embraced both the good and bad of taking credit of Violet's work. But this book also made think of all the woman through time who never get credit for their work. Sometimes I feel we have not made any advancement in the past 100 years. But I take some things for granted that I shouldn't. At least today I can publish things under my own name. When I read about Violet's miscarriages, it broke my heart. But what I loved more than anything was that Sebastian's love for her had nothing to do with whether she could have a baby or not. He loved her. And that's that. I loved how their happily ever after didn't show children, but showed Violet having a career. I loved how Violet was so strong. I loved how she didn't lie to Amanda and gave her a choice. That she didn't need Sebastian to come rescue her. That she went to prison and didn't let Sebastian take the fall for her. What a beautiful read! I can't wait to read the next one!...more
There is not one book of this series that has not made me cry. Or given me hope. And made me laugh. Made me celebrate each character. I already knew IThere is not one book of this series that has not made me cry. Or given me hope. And made me laugh. Made me celebrate each character. I already knew I would love Free. But god, I loved Edward too. But the most profound thought was emptying the Thames analogy. It’s something I needed to know for my personal life. It was radical, it was perfect and it was just beautiful. Courtney Milan is my new favorite author!...more
**spoiler alert** Just a couple of weeks ago I was complaining that I have read all the best authors in romance. I am so happy to realize I haven't. Th**spoiler alert** Just a couple of weeks ago I was complaining that I have read all the best authors in romance. I am so happy to realize I haven't. This book is a gem. I loved Farah and Dougan's story. There were times I felt like crying as I read what Dougan had to go through. But there were other times when Dorian's actions made me mad. But at the end the author did them justice. The characters, their faults and fears were written beautifully and something I could relate to. Their romance didn't give me butterflies, but it pulled at my heart strings. And when I finished reading it. I knew they got the ending they deserve. A truly good book after a long time!...more
Expect Tessa Dare to write the the oldest story line and make it something amazing. I loved reading it. My only complain was that I didn't see them faExpect Tessa Dare to write the the oldest story line and make it something amazing. I loved reading it. My only complain was that I didn't see them falling in love. Regardless, this was a good read!...more
I absolutely love Andrew and Poppy. This book was light-hearted, funny and a Julia Quinn special. I didn't like the ending as much because I felt it wI absolutely love Andrew and Poppy. This book was light-hearted, funny and a Julia Quinn special. I didn't like the ending as much because I felt it was rushed. I wanted more of the family dynamics, more explanation of what happened when Poppy was kidnapped. Regardless, I loved the characters! ...more
**spoiler alert** “ Some years later, he did give his blessing—to a duke. He gave his blessing to each of his daughters and to the gentlemen who loved**spoiler alert** “ Some years later, he did give his blessing—to a duke. He gave his blessing to each of his daughters and to the gentlemen who loved them. Titled or not, legitimate or not. Mick cared naught about pedigree. He judged their suitability on how well they loved his daughters. As for the women who married his sons—his boys took after him and showed good judgment when falling in love. With a dozen children, half of them adopted, he was kept quite busy giving his blessing to marriages, but still found time on sunny afternoons to slip away to the park with his wife for a bit of peace.” This ending is why I love her books. I couldn’t let go of the twists and turns. Truly an awesome read....more
I have been waiting to read Garrett’s story for so long. She has been been amazing. But I didn’t know what to expect from Ethan. Funny thing, i actualI have been waiting to read Garrett’s story for so long. She has been been amazing. But I didn’t know what to expect from Ethan. Funny thing, i actually liked him more than Garrett at times. I didn’t actually see their romance build up and see them falling in love. That has been my complain of late. I feel like something is missing. But Lisa kleypas, still managed to put a little detail to make my heart happy. My favorite part of the book was when Garrett used the whistle on her birthday and he came to find her. It was written so simply, but the emotions carried through. The part I didn’t like as much was the focus of the book shifted in the second half of the book. Not every book needs someone to be dying for the other person to realize how much they love that person. On that note, West! I knew he would get his story. I am so excited to meet Phoebe!...more
**spoiler alert** This is Sarah Maclean magic at its finest. I have been longing to read this book since the first book of this series came out. I was**spoiler alert** This is Sarah Maclean magic at its finest. I have been longing to read this book since the first book of this series came out. I was quite determined not to like Malcom. I have never enjoyed reading books that has adultery in it and I couldn't imagine liking a hero who behaved so callously. However, only Sarah Maclean could write a book with a flawed hero and still make my heart beat fast. Yes, she redeemed Malcom. But more than that she made me fall in love with him. I could imagine how hurt he must have felt when Sera trapped him and then didn't tell him about her pregnancy. I could imagine how he could have said those words and acted in that way. More than that, I empathized with him. Sera on the other hand surprised me. The young version of Sera annoyed me because she was so childish and immatured. Some of the things she did, I just couldn't condone. Like trapping Malcom into a marriage. Like, what was she thinking? Would she really be happy with a man who didn't even love her? And then leaving after her baby died without talking to Malcom. Yes, they had their differences, but couldn't they at least talk? Grieve together? Bury their child together? But the older Sera impressed me. She was stronger, braver and she grew up. She was gutsy to go up to the parliament. I loved her spunk, if not her reasoning. Finally the ending. What an ending. I couldn't believe she actually got her divorce. I couldn't believe the lengths Malcom went to show her how much he loved her. But I was happy that they got married again. But what I loved most about Malcom was that the fact Sera couldn't have a baby was not even a factor to him. Sera made it such a big deal and I could understand why it was such a big deal. But Malcom just didn't care. He loved Sera. Not because of what she could give him. But because of who she was. He didn't care about the dukedom or legacy or any such thing. He loved Sera for herself. Even when she changed, he learned to love the new her. And that is why Malcom won my heart. What a wonderful read after such a long time. Highly recommended!!!...more
**spoiler alert** Thank you to the wonderful reader who suggested I pick this book up. I cannot imagine why I waited so long to read it. This is what **spoiler alert** Thank you to the wonderful reader who suggested I pick this book up. I cannot imagine why I waited so long to read it. This is what a good read should feel like. Meet Robert. Now if you are expecting an alpha male Duke, you would be wrong. He is everything a Duke should aspire to be. Robert cares for the world. He knows he is given a lot of power, but he doesn’t want to misuse it. He wants his workers to have compensation. He wants to fair society where peers don’t get away with things. And he wants to do what it takes to bring about that world. Meet Minnie. If you are expecting a docile female, you would be so wrong. She is smart, witty and a brilliant chess player. But she has a past she it outrunning and the Duke with his plans could expose all her past unwittingly. They don’t fall in love out of the blue. You can see their relationship grow from Minnie blackmailing him to challenging him to defeating him and then winning him over. I loved how there was no villain. Even his mother had a backstory so heartbreakingly beautiful and tragic. Lydia had a backstory and a future story too, I hope! And Oliver and Sebastian and the Countess - all of them play a role. All of these characters I want to read and find out what happens to their HEA. I loved Robert because he wasn’t just all talk. I loved Minnie because she was incredibly apt at understanding the world. I loved how they forgave each other. And there was no silly miscommunication and misunderstanding. It gave me butterflies, it made me laugh but more than anything else it was real. It felt honest. It made me tear eyed. There was not just romance, but touches of reality all throughout the book. Absolutely loved it!!!...more
**spoiler alert** This is entire series is making me so happy! Lorraine Heath has a gift of writing romance without losing touch with the reality. And**spoiler alert** This is entire series is making me so happy! Lorraine Heath has a gift of writing romance without losing touch with the reality. And that is something I can't often say. First, as I have already mentioned, these second generation love stories are just phenomenal. She has created characters who come from very stable and loving families and yet they all have their own demons they carry. What I loved about Rex was that he was not a snob. He didn't want to marry a women with pristine reputation just because he was the son of a Duke or any of that regular nonsense. He had a very legitimate concern. That is where the realism comes in. When we first read the previous generation's love story, every thing seemed like a happily-ever-after. But the truth is, that Franny, Jake, Swindler would never really be part of the aristocracy. That people will snub their nose at them behind their back. That their children would carry some of those crosses. I couldn't fault Rex for wanting to protect his children the same dilemma he faced as a child. For wanting to protect them from bullies. For understand that society is not always forgiving. Second, I loved his interaction with his parents and sibling. I loved it when he stood up for Drake and how he teased and warned Andrew. And the whole conversation with the Duke was just beautiful. I smiled when the Duke said that Franny didn't have any qualities he was looking for in a wife either, but she had all the qualities he needed to fall in love with her and that it won in the end. I think that is such a positive note to give to your children. I loved how Franny didn't ask questions about Tilly. For her it was enough that Rex loved her. I liked that all his family befriended Tilly. That bonds of friendship can extend through generations. Third, I liked Tilly. She was not afraid to get what she wanted. She was brave enough to plan her own downfall, if it meant she would be granted a divorce. And she protected Gina to the best of her abilities. I couldn't even fault her for wanting to leave for New York. I found her interaction with her ex-husband very interesting as well. I didn't expect Landsowne to come and talk to her about their marriage. I also respected how she didn't tarnish her husband's name although she had the opportunity to do so. She didn't tell Gina anything bad. Even with Rex, it was not until the end that she spoke about her marriage. She had dignity, she had integrity, but more than that she had courage. Finally, I loved how at the end it didn't say that society welcomes Tilly back with open arms. Reputation, once lost, never really comes back. I liked that the author said that they traveled and settled further away from town. I liked that Rex chose the gray to be with her, just the way his father did for his mother. This is a truly good read! Highly recommend it!!...more
I loved and hated this book. I loved the ending, love how Lily faces her scandal. I loved Alec for giving her freedom to choose. I loved Lily's backgrI loved and hated this book. I loved the ending, love how Lily faces her scandal. I loved Alec for giving her freedom to choose. I loved Lily's background. I loved Alec's perseverance. I hated the initial plot for the story. Duke and his ward is such a common storyline. I loved what Sarah MacLean did with the storyline. But the book picked up pace towards the second half of the book. The first half of the book I was annoyed at Lily and Alec. They were both stubborn and not listening to each other. I didn't feel the spark coming from them. But the second half was where I fell in love with them. I loved their courage. I loved Lily's dog dress. I loved the scandal. I want to read Cates story. And the Duchess of Haven!! I am eager to see if the Duke will ever be redeemable. ...more
**spoiler alert** I was eagerly waiting to get my hands on this book, and let me say it was worth the read. Once again, I read a controversial charact**spoiler alert** I was eagerly waiting to get my hands on this book, and let me say it was worth the read. Once again, I read a controversial character and ended up loving every moment of it! I like how Portia is written. She is someone who is very passionate and not afraid to display that side of her. She is bold, brash and open. She can laugh at herself, admit when she is wrong. But more than that, she owns up to her past. And what a strange past she had! I had never read a book (other than Mary Balogh) about a mistress written so well. So much of her past reflects who she is today. She is not afraid to say she loved Monty, even towards the end. People, generally, just say they were duped and find excuses for their action. But not Portia. She recognizes what she felt for him as love and then also recognizes the point from where she decided it was not enough. Also, her experience with Month was not described as someone who didn't know what they were doing. Every time I have read a book about a heroine who is not a virgin, that is the first thing I read. That her lover didn't know what to do. That she didn't enjoy sex. But not Portia. She had the maturity to distinguish her experience with Monty and Locke. I also loved Locke's character. His devotion to his father, his mines and finally to Portia herself. What a remarkable man. But what made me hate him for a moment was when he found out about Portia's baby and called her a whore. It is such a flawed reaction. People don't often realize how cruel their words can be. And Locke of all didn't seem to understand the import behind his words and how much damage they could cause. But what made me love him towards the end was the fact he accepted the baby that was not his. At one point his Marquess asked him who the father of Portia's baby was and he said it was him. I'll be honest the ending where the baby was a girl felt too neat to me. I mean, I would have loved to read if it was a boy and Locke still loved him the same. But oh well, a girl can't get it all, can she? I loved the Marquess and his love story. Can wait to read the novella! As always Lorraine Heath knows how to deliver a story that will steal your heart away!...more
Of course I knew I would love it. Tessa Dare has yet to fail me with the Spindle cove series!
I absolutely adored Charlotte. She was funny, quirky and Of course I knew I would love it. Tessa Dare has yet to fail me with the Spindle cove series!
I absolutely adored Charlotte. She was funny, quirky and had a habit of landing herself into trouble. And I loved her interaction with her mother, Colin, Minerva and Diana. I liked the hero well enough. However, he was overshadowed by how much I enjoyed Charlottes character.
The plot had just enough romance, mystery and most important of all humor! Absolutely loved it!...more
**spoiler alert** I think these last two books of this series is specially good. I loved Stanbrooke's personality. First, only Mary Balogh would write**spoiler alert** I think these last two books of this series is specially good. I loved Stanbrooke's personality. First, only Mary Balogh would write stories about 49 year and 39 year old couple. I liked reading how they both came to this marriage with their own burdens. And when I found out about Standbrook's son, it broke my heart. His character, the role he played, all made sense. Things I didn't like - it lacked romance. It didn't lack love; I could feel it in the character's heart. But it certainly lacked the butterfly romance. In fact this entire series lacked that. They all proposed out of the blue. I love falling in love after marriage books. But in these books, they were virtual strangers who marry. There was no understanding, no friendship between them. That I didn't enjoy. But plotwise, character I loved it. I loved reading about the mother and the step father. A good end to this series!...more
**spoiler alert** This is Lisa Kleypas at her best. It's been a long time since I have read a historical romance written by her that was this good. I **spoiler alert** This is Lisa Kleypas at her best. It's been a long time since I have read a historical romance written by her that was this good. I loved Rhys and Helen together. But more than that I loved Rhys and I loved Helen's character, separate of each other. First, to enjoy this book you have to read the first one. Their engagement starts of there and is ended by a situation. This book picks up when Helen goes to seek Rhys out to get engaged again. The last book showed the intrigue, the interest between these two characters. But this book gave them the opportunity to re-think what they knew about each other. The last book showed them as a couple with a advantageous arranged marriage. This book showed them as a couple who learned to love each other, despite being each other's weakness. Helen was quiet, shy and reserved. But this book brought forward her stubbornness, her quiet intelligence and her dedicated loyalty. I liked her from the last book because she let Kathleen stay with her when Theo tried to force her. I felt a respect towards her for protecting her sister-in-law. I liked how she looked after Cassandra and Pandora. But in this book I learned how she was in turn loved by those twins as well. In fact those twins fascinated me. I am so excited about the next book. Initially I was interested because St. Vincent's son was in it. But now I want to read it for Pandora. I know she will be amazing! Rhys sounded like he was cold-hearted. But I think this is the magic of Lisa Kleypas. She can vilify someone in a book and change them beautifully into a hero in the next. This is what she had done. She had taken a ordinary, arrogant, demanding man and taught him patience and leniency. Rhys learned in this book that he couldn't have all the control. He learned the way family integrated themselves into each other and he stood next to Helen, even in a moment that was painful for him. He won over the people important to Helen not because he had to, but he realized how important that was to his future wife. I loved how they always protected each other, no matter who faced them. I loved how they always managed to find loopholes and time for each other. I love how they each treat other people with respect. The female doctor was amazing. I think her name was Garett. I would love to read her story. Also, I would love to read Fenbury's story. (A novella at the very least!!) Finally, the orchids. The last book's epilogue gave me palpitations. And in this book, when Rhys took Helen to show her the glasshouse - I felt it showed the kind of couple they were going to be. They had nothing in common, as Kathleen pointed out. But they found common grounds by listening to each other and adapting to each other's lifestyle and choices. That was love. This is easily as good as Devil in Winter. Excellent plot, excellent characters. Oh I also liked the Lady who raised Kathleen. I think some of the most humorous dialogues were in her presence. She intrigues me. I think there is much more to her story as well. I am thoroughly happy with a wonderful Sunday it turned out to be, reading something so great! Kudos to Lisa Kleypas. Only she can bring forth those butteflies and goosebumps and the "awws" like no one else can....more
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