Genre: Historical romance
Pages: 355
Published: May 2011
Jason Cummings, Duke of Rayne is feeling the weight of his responsibilities - one of which is to get married. Being the most sought after bachelor in London can be trying, so who can blame him if he seeks refuge from the voracious hordes of young debutantes at the decidedly female-free Historical Society? Female-free, that is, until Winnifred Crane marches up to the door, demanding entrance. Despite her prowess as a historian, Winn is denied membership the Society. So she daringly offers an unusual bargain: if she can prove the authenticity of a certain painting, she'll be granted recognition, fame, and respect. But to do that, she must go abroad. And to go abroad, she must have an escort, even a stubbornly unwilling one.. Jason has no desire to accompany Winn on her adventure across Europe, but even he is not immune to Winn's passion for her profession. As the journey proves more difficult than planned, they must work together to stay one step ahead of their rivals.... and the closer they get to the proof Winn seeks, the closer she and Jason become.
My thoughts:
I actually missed that this was a series, so it's a perfect stand alone novel. The other two books are about Jason's sister and her sister in law. I sure want to read those books too.
In this book Jason (our dashing hero) thinks it's time to get married. I did like that it was he who wanted it because he thought it was time. Of course he was not ready for the horrible horde: débutantes. He does meet one normal woman named Sarah, poor Sarah. We all know she will not get a HEA in this one and I did feel sorry for her. But then why would she want to marry someone who is in love with someone else. Still I was happy to learn that she will get the next book. Back to Jason, I almost feel sorry for him too. He runs after Winnifred because he thinks she is in trouble. And then he most follow her all over Europe. I said almost sorry because I was just so amused to see him follow her lead. He was a strong character who did not want to leave her alone in the middle of no where. Right, Win then, well she wanted freedom and she wanted people to know she had a brain. She was smart but also a bit stupid because she did not realize that freedom does not mean you have to be alone. What we have in the end is a duke who wants to marry a perfect nice woman and a woman who is anything but that.
The book was so utterly charming. I kept on smiling. They get in a lot of trouble and situations and their bantering is so amusing. This is how I want my historical romance. Funny and sweet. Also they do get a bit passionate but that was after they knew each other, and had started to fall in love even if they denied it. I still smile when I think of this book.
Conclusion:
A great book to read this summer. An adventure in search of clues, and a couple so amusing you have to love them. I will definitely read more books by Kate Noble. Her backlist is already on my wishlist.
Rating:
I recommend this book
Cover:
I want to see her eyes and her grasp of the skirt is in a strange place.
And a link to the trailer since I was told by a certain msbookjunkie that the trailer made her want the book
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My flash fiction entry
And a link to the trailer since I was told by a certain msbookjunkie that the trailer made her want the book
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My flash fiction entry
A funny and sweet romance is a wonderful thing. I didn't know this was from a series either! I'll have to check out the other books too. Great review!
ReplyDeleteSounds so cute! I really should get over my reluctance to read historicals.
ReplyDeleteI don't usually read historical romances either, but this one does sound really sweet. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI do like the purpley cover. :)
ReplyDeleteI've read the first two in this series. I enjoyed the first one, the second wan't as good for me. But if my library gets this one I'll definitely read it!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds great:) I'm in the mood for a sweet historical romance, I've been in a reading slump lately and this just might pull me out of it!
ReplyDelete@Diana
ReplyDeleteI totally missed it :)But it didn't matter in the end. And do read it
@Susi
One should always try new books ;) Some of them are so fun
@DC
I do read a lot but it's not often I truly fall :D
This does sound like a good summer read! When I was reading the synopsis it kind of made me think of Will and Kate but maybe that's just me.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second review I stumble upon about this book. Perhaps a sign that it too should by on my wishlist?
ReplyDeleteNice review Blodeuedd. It really is funny how you look at covers. I wonder if you have ever seen the one historical cover, where to woman has three arms? Castle in the Mist I think.
It does sound lovely. I need romance books for the Summer Romance challenge.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like a very charming book. It's promising to know that you want to read all of Kate Noble's work that just goes to show she has great writting style. I also agree with you on the book cover...why does the art department or publisher think that a cover is better without a face or part of a face??!! :-(
ReplyDeleteThis is on my wish list so I'm glad you liked it. You made me LOL with your cover comments. She's smiling too, haha.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, I don't know. Funny - good, romance-bad. Cover- bad, your review-good. Maybe when I get really desperate and have an opportunity to read this one...
ReplyDeleteNow see, I would never pick this up based on the cover, but it sounds so fun. Jason and Winn seem like a great couple.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha yeah that is odd...I think they did it purposely. This seems like a cute little book. =) I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDelete@Chris
ReplyDeleteThe color is indeed nice
@Jenny Q
Then I will by all means read book 1 :) And hope I will at least think book 2 is ok. Cos they just seem so fun
@Jenny
I am sure it could! So fun and sweet and funny :D
@Amused
Lol, Will and Kate? How come`? No offence to Kate but I doubt she is anything like Win
@Aurian
ReplyDeleteI wouild take that as a big yes ;)
I am a total cover snark. I need to be snarky hihi. But yes I have heard about the three legged woman, must check that out, lol
@Vivienne
This one would fit perfectly for the challenge and it was fun too. Totally worth to read
@Paper
I have no idea :( I hate the trend. I want faces people! Some are just so bad. Like the one where you see the whole body and then no head. So weird. At least this one was almost there. I was more concerned what her hand grabbed
@Mary
ReplyDeleteI am glad I made you lol. I love being all cover snarky ;)
@Ana
Haha, yes perhaps then cos it was pretty fluffy, I can't deny that (and you are not a big fan) but then you can take that now and again. Sweet romance is a must sometimes ;)
@Carol
The cover is fine in the end but yes it does not stand out
glad to hear you liked this one! go see the book trailer for this it rocks.
ReplyDelete@Carole
ReplyDeleteSo cute, I just wanted to hug it :D
VV
ReplyDeleteI am glad I won it :D Yay, so happy cos I really wanted to read it
Love it when a book keeps me smiling. Great banter is a big draw for me. Thanks the giving me another summer read to look out for!
ReplyDeleteHee hee... I'm not the only one who does this! See, it's easy to miss that it is in a series, but sometimes it works! Glad this was one of those times! This sounds so sweet. I've been trying to win it. :)
ReplyDeleteYour FF was good. At least it had a good ending. ;) I would have never thought about Jack the Ripper.
funny and adventurous? I'm ni! Thanks Blodeudd :)
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds like a nice little romance read. :) Thanks for the review. And you and Melissa @ Books & Things with starting series in the middle. lol. But so glad it's one that you didn't feel you missed anything on. :) Thank you!
ReplyDelete@Alyssa
ReplyDeleteI am a huge banter fan :D I love how they just argue and then fall in love, awwwwwww
@Melissa
HR always works I have noticed. You seldom gotta read those in an order. And nothing surprises you either. you know peeps will be together :)
Glad you liked my little Jack flash
@Jenny
yes so read it :D
@Melissa
Lol, well that is just how I and Melissa roll. So easy to miss with HR cos they never say it on the cover ;)
I want to read this book! Sounds so cute! I haven't read it because I discovered it was a series and I wasn't sure if I had to read the others first, but I'm glad this can be read alone.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Gaby
ReplyDeleteIt was easy to read it as a stand alone :D 100% easy so just go ahead :D
This is a favorite genre.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a sweet series.
That's how I want my romantic historical fiction too..charming sounds good!
ReplyDeleteLove historical romance so will have to check out one of Kate Noble's titles someday.
ReplyDelete@Naida
ReplyDeleteYou really should try it :D
@Staci
It was such a perfect match, and it's not always I gush over HR. I mean many I enjoy but then there are those great ones
@Jenny
Yes please do :D
i'd like to read one of her books sometime
ReplyDelete@Carrie
ReplyDeleteThey are really cute :) I am sure you would enjoy them too
Great review! A funny and a sweet historical book is exactly what I need right now. I think the cover is really pretty especially the purple gown.
ReplyDelete@Misha
ReplyDeleteThen this one is just up your alley :D It delivers just that
Am now reading it on your recommendation and enjoying it very much. Thanks
ReplyDeleteDana
ReplyDeleteYay :D I can't wait for your review then