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librarianinperiwinkle's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice romance, but I felt it lacked dramatic tension much of the time. I think my favorite things about it were that the women rescued themselves from would-be rapists, and the perspective the reader gets on what was happening in D.C. and Baltimore while the British attacked the cities during the War of 1812. It's not a war I know very much about, so I found that part fascinating.
I also liked that Calista's family in America were mixed race, although I did wonder whether the scion of the prominent (white) family in the area would really be allowed to marry her beautiful "quadroon" stepdaughter. Maybe he would? Although there were laws against interracial marriage, there were apparently also communities where it was legal at that time.
For readers' advisors: setting doorway is primary. A few sex scenes, a little violence, mild swearing. Not too graphic but not chaste either.
I also liked that Calista's family in America were mixed race, although I did wonder whether the scion of the prominent (white) family in the area would really be allowed to marry her beautiful "quadroon" stepdaughter. Maybe he would? Although there were laws against interracial marriage, there were apparently also communities where it was legal at that time.
For readers' advisors: setting doorway is primary. A few sex scenes, a little violence, mild swearing. Not too graphic but not chaste either.
kristakp's review against another edition
The topic of race was approached in a white savior context. I felt uncomfortable continuing to read a romance between white people with the backdrop of slavery.
suzysuzy34's review against another edition
4.0
I loved book one, so I was a little disappointed with the second book in the series. I didn’t connect to Callie or Richard (aka George Gordon- good how many names did that man have!). My main problem was I just didn’t feel their connection at all like I did with the characters in book one.
I did enjoy the story overall though and was worth reading as I was able to borrow it for free from my library. Will definitely be trying more books by this author, I just don’t think you can possibly love them all.
I did enjoy the story overall though and was worth reading as I was able to borrow it for free from my library. Will definitely be trying more books by this author, I just don’t think you can possibly love them all.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
2.0
I keep trying Putney's new books, hoping to find a spark of that storytelling magic and character development that was so central to her earlier books. But every time, I come away disappointed. Flat writing, flat characters, and a storyline with very little tension, despite being set in the midst of the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812, make this a dull as ditchwater read.
ilaurin's review
3.0
While the plot was OK, it failed to capture my interest and I had to force myself to read this book. As it took place in America mostly, it was not per se a regency. I did enjoy finding out more about the war of 1812 and how the American anthem came to be.
jenlouisegallant's review against another edition
4.0
Mary Jo Putney is just so good at engaging her reader with history as well as romance. I appreciate both of these things greatly as a lover of history and a romantic at heart. I think I will always read her books.
livetoread2024's review against another edition
2.0
What a disappointment. I wouldn't have finished it if I hadn't bought it. Half of the book was about the War of 1812 - which may have interested American readers but not this Canadian. Kept reading because I was sure SOMETHING was going to happen but, aside from a predictable skirmish near the end, nothing. I was waiting for the gory details about the hero's past - got bits and pieces only. I loved many of Mary Jo's other books but she really let me down with this one.
jvillar3's review against another edition
1.0
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
The white savior vibes are strong with this one. I didn't know there was a slavery aspect to this book and I probably wouldn't have read it if I knew that in advanced. Callie's ex-husband was a plantation owner in Jamaica that owned slaves but don't worry, he was a good man! This book seriously tries justify him having slaves because what other option was there?! (BTW, they also mention the Quakers next door that have free slaves working for them for PAY so there were other options that they were well aware of). He also had a mistress who was mixed and had two babies with her. He loved her but of course couldn't marry her because she was black. His will did not include anything for his black kids but Callie (his now wife) pushed him to leave them money in his will and free them. Yep, they were slaves too. His kids. But he was a good man. After he dies, Callie frees them but they still serve her and call her Miss Callista. She insists they are like family and is hurt that they have secrets from her. Like, yea okay they are probably thankful that she is a decent human and freed them but with no money and no where else to go, what options do they really have than to stay with her? Girl, they ain't your family, they just have little options.
Other than this, the romance was bland. Callie and Gordon have no chemistry at all. Their entire relationship hinges on the fact that they were best friends as kids. She literally outright says she doesn't love him. He's just her best friend. He pretty much just wears her down and she's like well, what else is there to do? Why not? She has no on else since her black "family" wants to stay in America to find their actual family. She literally marries him because she has nothing else going for her. How are we supposed to root for that?
Lots of familial drama that explodes and then gets wrapped up super quickly. Lots of boring scenes where they are just sitting at home listening to bombs and guns going off in the distance.
If you couldn't tell, I didn't like this book and don't recommend it.
The white savior vibes are strong with this one. I didn't know there was a slavery aspect to this book and I probably wouldn't have read it if I knew that in advanced. Callie's ex-husband was a plantation owner in Jamaica that owned slaves but don't worry, he was a good man! This book seriously tries justify him having slaves because what other option was there?! (BTW, they also mention the Quakers next door that have free slaves working for them for PAY so there were other options that they were well aware of). He also had a mistress who was mixed and had two babies with her. He loved her but of course couldn't marry her because she was black. His will did not include anything for his black kids but Callie (his now wife) pushed him to leave them money in his will and free them. Yep, they were slaves too. His kids. But he was a good man. After he dies, Callie frees them but they still serve her and call her Miss Callista. She insists they are like family and is hurt that they have secrets from her. Like, yea okay they are probably thankful that she is a decent human and freed them but with no money and no where else to go, what options do they really have than to stay with her? Girl, they ain't your family, they just have little options.
Other than this, the romance was bland. Callie and Gordon have no chemistry at all. Their entire relationship hinges on the fact that they were best friends as kids. She literally outright says she doesn't love him. He's just her best friend. He pretty much just wears her down and she's like well, what else is there to do? Why not? She has no on else since her black "family" wants to stay in America to find their actual family. She literally marries him because she has nothing else going for her. How are we supposed to root for that?
Lots of familial drama that explodes and then gets wrapped up super quickly. Lots of boring scenes where they are just sitting at home listening to bombs and guns going off in the distance.
If you couldn't tell, I didn't like this book and don't recommend it.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good friends to lovers story in a setting not often seen in Regency romance. Callie and Gordon were best friends growing up. When her father planned to marry her off to a Jamaican planter three times her age, Callie fled to Gordon for help. His idea for them to escape to Gretna Green did not go as planned, and they were quickly caught. In a heartbreaking scene, Gordon was nearly beaten to death, and Callie submits to save Gordon's life. She is sent off to Jamaica and Gordon ends up sent to the penal colony in Australia.
Fast forward fifteen years. Callie is a widow who fled from Jamaica to Washington DC to escape her brutal stepson, taking her late husband's illegitimate quadroon children and their grandparents with her. She created a successful life there as a dressmaker, but as the story opens, she is caught in the British invasion of Washington. Unfortunate timing places her in the midst of danger when an unexpected savior arrives just in time to save her life. Callie is stunned to see Gordon, who she believed was dead.
After many years and adventures, of which we get only hints, Gordon made it back to England. He now spends his time helping people out of tricky situations. He was asked to go to America and track down a widow for her family. They would like her to return to England, or if not, to be sure that she is safe and happy. The last thing he expected was for Callie to be that widow.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Callie and Gordon. Once they recovered from their surprise, they slipped easily back into their old friendship. But they are no longer children, and there is a new tension simmering under the surface. I loved seeing them get to know each other as adults. Callie has become a beautiful woman who is intelligent, independent, and determined. She doesn't trust easily and has no plans to marry again. Gordon is a man with many facets which comes in handy during this book. His happiness at finding Callie again made him realize that he wants to keep her in his life. There are two main obstacles. One is her determination not to marry, and the other is her reluctance to return to England. Because of their dysfunctional families, neither Gordon nor Callie has any real experience with love.
Gordon is the first to realize that what he feels for Callie is more than friendship and decides to use his time to woo Callie to his way of thinking. He also isn't above using little tastes of passion to show her the benefits of marrying him. Though adamantly opposed at first, changing circumstances and growing passion cause Callie to reconsider. I loved Gordon's patience as he slowly brought Callie to realize that they belonged together. I liked their support of each other on their return to England, where several surprises awaited them. But it took a near-tragedy for them to realize the depth of their feelings for each other. I liked the ending and seeing them accept the full measure of their love.
One of my favorite things about this book is the setting. Placing this book in Baltimore during the War of 1812 gave an added layer of drama to the story. It was fun to see Callie and Gordon jump back and forth between being British or American as the need arose. Gordon was especially good at exhibiting just the right attitude for the situation. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in Baltimore as they prepared for the possible arrival of British soldiers. The vividness of the bombardment of Fort McHenry made me feel as though I was there. The identity of Callie's lawyer was unexpected and a nice touch.
There were two bits of mystery and danger that added to the tension of the book. The first was the reason that Callie fled Jamaica. Her husband's legitimate son was a greedy bully and his actions made it clear she and her adopted family were not safe. With the steps she took, she never expected Henry to pursue them, but was proved wrong. The confrontation with him was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. The second was the surprise inheritance that Gordon received on his arrival back in England. His trip back to his childhood home was emotional and full of both good and bad memories. Unexpected danger had me glued to the pages as once again Gordon was called on to save them from danger. I ached for him as he confronted the culprit to save himself and Callie.
I would have liked an epilogue to see their lives a few years down the road. I'm curious to see how things go for Callie's Baltimore family. Since this is part of a series, hopefully there will be updates in future books.
Fast forward fifteen years. Callie is a widow who fled from Jamaica to Washington DC to escape her brutal stepson, taking her late husband's illegitimate quadroon children and their grandparents with her. She created a successful life there as a dressmaker, but as the story opens, she is caught in the British invasion of Washington. Unfortunate timing places her in the midst of danger when an unexpected savior arrives just in time to save her life. Callie is stunned to see Gordon, who she believed was dead.
After many years and adventures, of which we get only hints, Gordon made it back to England. He now spends his time helping people out of tricky situations. He was asked to go to America and track down a widow for her family. They would like her to return to England, or if not, to be sure that she is safe and happy. The last thing he expected was for Callie to be that widow.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Callie and Gordon. Once they recovered from their surprise, they slipped easily back into their old friendship. But they are no longer children, and there is a new tension simmering under the surface. I loved seeing them get to know each other as adults. Callie has become a beautiful woman who is intelligent, independent, and determined. She doesn't trust easily and has no plans to marry again. Gordon is a man with many facets which comes in handy during this book. His happiness at finding Callie again made him realize that he wants to keep her in his life. There are two main obstacles. One is her determination not to marry, and the other is her reluctance to return to England. Because of their dysfunctional families, neither Gordon nor Callie has any real experience with love.
Gordon is the first to realize that what he feels for Callie is more than friendship and decides to use his time to woo Callie to his way of thinking. He also isn't above using little tastes of passion to show her the benefits of marrying him. Though adamantly opposed at first, changing circumstances and growing passion cause Callie to reconsider. I loved Gordon's patience as he slowly brought Callie to realize that they belonged together. I liked their support of each other on their return to England, where several surprises awaited them. But it took a near-tragedy for them to realize the depth of their feelings for each other. I liked the ending and seeing them accept the full measure of their love.
One of my favorite things about this book is the setting. Placing this book in Baltimore during the War of 1812 gave an added layer of drama to the story. It was fun to see Callie and Gordon jump back and forth between being British or American as the need arose. Gordon was especially good at exhibiting just the right attitude for the situation. I thoroughly enjoyed the descriptions of life in Baltimore as they prepared for the possible arrival of British soldiers. The vividness of the bombardment of Fort McHenry made me feel as though I was there. The identity of Callie's lawyer was unexpected and a nice touch.
There were two bits of mystery and danger that added to the tension of the book. The first was the reason that Callie fled Jamaica. Her husband's legitimate son was a greedy bully and his actions made it clear she and her adopted family were not safe. With the steps she took, she never expected Henry to pursue them, but was proved wrong. The confrontation with him was intense and had me on the edge of my seat until it was over. The second was the surprise inheritance that Gordon received on his arrival back in England. His trip back to his childhood home was emotional and full of both good and bad memories. Unexpected danger had me glued to the pages as once again Gordon was called on to save them from danger. I ached for him as he confronted the culprit to save himself and Callie.
I would have liked an epilogue to see their lives a few years down the road. I'm curious to see how things go for Callie's Baltimore family. Since this is part of a series, hopefully there will be updates in future books.