On Charybdis: A Review of How the Marquess Was Won by Julie Anne Long

I love Long's work, but looking at this series as a whole, there's just no predicting how much I'm going to like each book. The tone of each is very different, and while the quality of her writing is always good, I don't like everything she writes. I desperately want her to write Lyon and Olivia's story, but until then I'm just along for the ride.

I liked the premise of this one in the beginning. Julian wants to marry Lisbeth Redmond and, as part of her dowry, acquire back the last piece of ancestral land that his father fettered away. Unfortunately, he finds himself far more attracted to Lisbeth's paid companion, Phoebe. Phoebe is a schoolteacher, but she longs for more. She's made plans to move to Africa, but finds herself enjoying sudden unexpected attention from the Ton, and decides to stay awhile to enjoy the fun.

This is a case of a very uncomfortable, unappealing book being partially saved by the chemistry between the main characters. Julian is a reluctant trend setter, admired by all, and coldly precise on the surface. He finds that Phoebe is one of the rare people he can open up to. Likewise, he takes an interest in Phoebes life and personality in a way that no one else has. They are brilliant together, and the relationship developed is fairly well paced and natural.

As I said, this book was very uncomfortable. London's society is portrayed as behaving very much like the worst variety of high school students--snobby, selfish, manipulative, and totally without empathy. It was apparent to me early on that Phoebe was being used for amusement and would ultimately be humiliated, and that was just too painful. I didn't care for the plot throughout much of the second half.

This was neither my favorite nor least favorite Pennyroyal Green book. It had excellent characters but was hampered by a wholly unpalatable plot. 3.5 stars. 

On Triangle Trade: A Review of I Kissed an Earl by Julie Anne Long

The first book that I finished in 2013 has a horrible puny title, but it was a surprisingly good story.

Violet Redmond longs for novelty and excitement but is trapped in a world of glittering ballrooms and social niceties. When she overhears talk that suggests her missing brother, Lyon, may have taken up piracy, she seizes the opportunity to board a ship and seek him out. Captain Flint isn't happy to have a stowaway aboard his ship, but at the same time he's drawn in by Violet's tenacity and fierce loyalty. And so, naturally, a romance ensues despite their contrary goals.

Initially I thought Violet might make an annoying heroine, sort of flighty and clueless with her "Whoa is me, life is such a drag," attitude. And there is some of that. Be warned. There are a few select Too Stupid to Live moments where you will groan a bit. On the flipside, though, she's smarter and more adaptable than you might imagine, and her personality is surprisingly charming.

Flinn is very likeable, and a very good match for Violet. He's a man who has elevated himself from nothing to earl, and he needs this one last act to finally have the life he's always wanted. This makes his cause seem at least somewhat sympathetic to the reader, when we might otherwise be tempted to side with Violet. 

Overall I'd say that Long's books (this being my fifth one) have a strong readability. They're just easy to get through and digest, and they're very pleasant. She puts at least some effort into making each story different in tone and plot, which makes up somewhat for the lack of surprising or challenging content. Overall, I continue to recommend the Pennyroyal series both as a whole and individually. 4 stars for this book.

On Titian: A Review of What I Did For a Duke by Julie Anne Long

Well, folks...I put off reviewing this book because it's book 5 in it's series, and I have in fact reviewed the first three books, but not #4, and I hate to review out of order...but I guess I'm going to, since it may take a week or two for me to actually get around to book 4. Book 4 will be reviewed here, fear not. I hope this doesn't confuse anyone. I will say that What I Did For a Duke stood very well on its own, and I don't think you necessarily need to read the series in order. Though I always prefer to. Anyway, on to the review!

The duke described in our title is Alexander Moncrieffe, and he's out for a little revenge sex. Because, you see, Ian Eversea almost slept with Moncrieffe's (now ex) fiance, and so Moncrieffe thinks that the perfect revenge will be to deflower and abandon Ian's beloved sister, Genevieve. Genevieve, however, proves to be more than a match for the duke in terms of intelligence and perceptiveness, and he finds he feels some real emotion for her. Not to mention that Genevieve is feeling a bit melancholy, and nursing a broken heart after Harry (her best friend, and the love of her young life), tells her that he plans to propose to another girl.

Positive Comments

 

There are a lot of good things to be said for this book, but many of them can't be said in a spoiler free review. What I can say, in general terms, is that I really loved the characters, and as a result I really enjoyed their romance. I loved Genevieve for her quiet wittiness. I loved how misunderstood she was--seemingly shy and plain, but secretly in possession of very strong and passionate feelings. We learn this when she describes her love for art, and for brightly colored flowers, and so forth. Her family and friends never see her in this light, but the duke does. Moncrieffe is an older hero, and he's loved and lost before. I loved how good he was at reading and knowing people.

I love the rest of the cast, too. I though Ian was rather hilarious. Like many very young men, he's all sex drive and no sense. Harry annoyed me a bit, but again much of his flawed character can be attributed to immaturity and inexperience, and I feel that he could easily be redeemed once he grows up a bit. Initially Harry seems like a good match for Genevieve, but once you get to know them you realize that they aren't quite on the same playing field. Genevieve is ready to be challenged by love and enter a commitment, while Harry is still dealing in crushes and mind games as one does in high school.

I liked the touches of humor in this book. From the witty thoughts of our main characters, to the silly behaviors of our side characters, there's a great deal to make the reader smile.

Critical Comments

 

My only frustration with the plot is one that I really can't mention, it being a huge spoiler near the end. What I will say is that I was frustrated with Genevieve and how slow she was to understand her own emotions. I was frustrated that she caused pain because of it. I guess a love triangle is a love triangle, and it generally annoys me no matter where it's found.

Recommendation

 

Who would like this book? Certainly and Julie Anne Long fan, because he style and talent with creating likeable characters shows through in this book. I'm confident that most historical romance fans. Of the readers that I discussed this book with, the one that didn't like it mainly took issue with the age difference between the hero and heroine. So that would be my only major caution--if you don't like older men, stay away. And the love triangle thing. Other than that, it's a wonderful novel. 4 stars.  

On Brothels: A Review of Since the Surrender by Julie Anne Long

Our regular reviewing schedule has been decidedly diverted by my new fixation on the Pennyroyal Green series by Julie Anne Long. I do apologize for that, although I can't say I'm that sorry. After all, I read for pleasure, and I find these books pleasant.

This novel, book three, is the one that many a review warned me about--I kind of went in expecting not to like it. However, I did enjoy it in a lot of ways, flawed though it may be. It's the story of Rosalind March, a war widow who's sister has gone missing under mysterious circumstances. She turns to Chase Eversea for help. During the war, Chase and Rosalind had one brief indiscretion (while she was still married), and the two have been wracked with guilt, yet unable to forget the pleasure of it ever since. So when they meet again, under these circumstances, they find themselves reluctantly drawn together, even as they investigate the dangerous mystery...and so forth.

Positive Comments

 

What I really enjoyed about book two, the more I thought it over, was the slow build of the relationship and Long's skill in demonstrating how love forms unconsciously in even the most reluctant of minds and hearts. That is also what I liked about this book. Chase is nothing but honorable in the forefront of his mind, yet we learn how his attraction and affection for Rosalind began to build while she was married. We learn how this attraction grew to a force that caused them both to sacrifice their honor for a brief and regrettable kiss. While I didn't like the fact that Rosaslind more or less cheated on her husband, and I was reluctant to forgive them and buy into the romance of their coming back together later on, I felt that the author did a brilliant job and making the whole thing understandable, because of the emotional turmoil involved.

I found Rosalind sympathetic, despite myself. Her initial marriage was made for practicality's sake, because her family was poor and she had sisters to support. When it turns out to be a bit bland, if not entirely passionless, she still embraces her role as a colonel's wife and loves him as best she can. I found that admirable. I also found it understandable that she would wonder about and miss the passion she's never had, and that this would ultimately manifest as an incident of mild adultery. Later, when she and Chase are free to be together, she is eager to explore the passion, but less eager to enter into marriage. Again, it's entirely understandable, and I really liked her for it.

Getting back to the mystery plot, I must say that it kept me curious. When all was told, I did find the resolution of this subplot to be somewhat silly and pointless. But, I can't say it bored me throughout the story.

Critical Comments

 

Bottom line, this is a romance novel, so the big question is always: Was the romance believable? It was very nearly believable, but not quite. I would say that the sexual tension was engaging and believable. I would also say that I saw a distinct possibility of real emotional attachment between hero and heroine. But I would not say, necessarily, that I believed them to be entirely in love. I found that their were not enough quiet, intimate moments. Because intimacy, not sex, are what make a relationship real to me. They just didn't have it. Yet.

This is likely because the sex that takes place is fiery and shocking and happens at the most illogical of times. They choose public(ish) places, while their in the middle of spying or solving the mystery. They miss out on afterglow, on sharing a bed and meals and the like. And so not only do we miss out on intimacy, but we kind of have to question our main character's sanity and motivations. Really, here, now, while your sister is missing? While dangerous folks might well be near by? Really? That kept me from fully enjoying the romance.

Recommendation

 

It's not a book without merits, and I found a lot to like about it. However, if you really hate the "adulterers meet again and are now free to love" trope, this is surely not a book for you. I would also recommend against it if you're looking for a cozy, more emotion driven romance. I would recommend this to Long fans, who are invested in the series, and who don't mind rolling their eyes at a few ill timed scenes. 3 stars.

On House Parties: A Review of Like No Other Lover by Julie Anne Long

Last November I reviewed a book called The Perils of Pleasure, and I took little pleasure in it. For me, it was a most underwhelming novel. The writing style itself had nothing wrong with it, so when it came down to giving the author and the series another shot, I  found myself surprisingly willing (eleven months later). Let me tell you how that went.

The book opens by telling us how Cynthia (a popular and lively young lady), once snubbed Miles at a ball, commenting to her friend that a second son is beneath her notice. Later, however, Cynthia falls on hard circumstances after being the center of a terrible scandal. Now her only hope is to find a quick match with a man who has not yet heard of her past--and her last opportunity for that will be at the house party at Miles' family home. Miles knows that Cynthia is desperate. He, too, has resigned himself to a dull marriage of convenience to one of the ladies at the party. Miles offers to help Cynthia find her wealthy and gullible husband, in exchange for a single kiss.

Positive Comments

The entire book was much better than I expected. The tone is different from the previous book, with a cozier feel and a more limited setting. The plot is so much smaller, with just Cynthia and Miles dealing with their respective marriage woes--and yet I preferred it. I find that I was much more able to enjoy Long's excellent writing style and the way that she characterizes our hero and heroine.

Cynthia and Miles will challenge you as a reader, because they are both fairly flawed--at times even unlikeable. They are singular in their goals to ignore love and marry the most convenient person at the party, as expediently as possible. Cynthia's focus is on gaining financial security, since she is flat broke and facing a life of service if she doesn't marry right now. Miles wants to marry one particular girl, Georgina, because his family approves of the match in terms of prestige, and because her father has the money to fund another exploratory expedition for Miles. They both seem shallow. Cynthia seems vain and desperate. Miles seems cold and selfish. Yet they aren't unlikeable. Over the course of the book, you begin to understand their positions more and more--I felt a lot of empathy for Cynthia, who's financial situation is truly precarious. I felt rewarded for sticking with them to the end, and I felt that Cynthia in particular learned a lot about honor.

The relationship building is so slow, but slow worked for the tone of the book. They are clearly in love from an early point in the book, but both are too stubborn and bound by their circumstances to admit it. This is one of my very favorite romance tropes, and again I found it rewarding to reach that point where they finally give in.

Critical Comments

 

My criticism is basically that, as stated above, the characters are potentially quite unlikeable, and I suspect some readers would never get past some of their negative qualities. Miles's courtship of lady Georgina, while he's trying to set up an assignation with a married lady at the party, while he's pining for Cynthia...that really pushed my limits. Boys will be boys, I get that, but I found his casual attitude toward adultery right before he's about to propose marriage to be repugnant.

Recommendation

 

Overall, yes, I really do like Long's method of story telling. The plot of this one worked much better for me than her previous work, and I really liked the smaller setting and the dynamic of the house party. I also liked the complex characters and the slow burning romance. I'd recommend this to historical romance readers. 3.5 stars.