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balletbookworm's review
3.0
Well, I was going to give this four stars until the . Actually, that sounds suspiciously similar to my complaint for the next book in the series [b:The Art of Duke Hunting|11823059|The Art of Duke Hunting (Royal Entourage, #2)|Sophia Nash|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1326486656s/11823059.jpg|16777518]. Hmmmm.
Beyond that complaint, this was an enjoyable romance. The prologue - the regrettable morning after a terrible evening of absinthe imbibing - sets up both books nicely with the promise of books for Candover, Abshire, Sussex, and Barry. And maybe Isabelle if she doesn't end up the heroine in one of their books. Nash even kept them around to give us a taste of their different characters - a nice touch.
Roxanne and Alex made a nice couple.
Spoiler
convenient-death-of-Roxanne's-skeezebag-husband obligatory plot twist followed by that monstrously silly courtroom scene where everybody and nobody confessed to killing him - Nash should have just let Paxton steal Alex's water-shy horse, get thrown off/drowned, and been done with it instead of having him steal the horse AND someone shoot himBeyond that complaint, this was an enjoyable romance. The prologue - the regrettable morning after a terrible evening of absinthe imbibing
Spoiler
(side note on that absinthe: as a drink it was not popular until the 1840s and the major distilleries in France opened only a few years before this novel opens in late 18th/early 19th century; the likelihood that Alex's fully English cousin had a cellar-full both in London and the Mount when it needed to be smuggled I find a little implausible; I read a lot of papers on absinthe and opium when writing a paper about addiction in Victorian literature)Roxanne and Alex made a nice couple.
gypsybaby75's review
3.0
To tell you the truth, I was skeptical about reading Nash’s latest entitled Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea mainly because of the title. I absolutely loved the cover, but the title had me second guessing how good the book was going to be, and I was basically, kind of right.
The plot was hard to digest. We have the heroine clinging to the side of a cliff, and at the last second we have the hero coming to save her with the aid of her loyal, if ugly companion which is a dog. That part is alright with me, the reason the heroine who is Roxanne is clinging to the side of the cliff is what gets me. Apparently, her husband wants some land that she has. Not for the money, but for the plants growing on said land. What ensues after the hero rescues her is somewhat funny. I was intrigued by the hero’s past, namely what got him banished to the country and in need of a rich wife, which in turn has me waiting to read the next book in the series. The ending was entirely predictable from the get go with Roxanne’s husband dying from a less than thought out death and Barclay and Roxanne marrying.
Sophia Nash was a new author for me and I found her writing to be fresh and lively. Her characters were endearing and memorable and the dialogue was never lacking. But I found the plot to be somewhat…less than thought out. I’m endeavoring to read more of Sophia Nash’s work hoping that she redeems herself-if not her plots-in my eyes.
The plot was hard to digest. We have the heroine clinging to the side of a cliff, and at the last second we have the hero coming to save her with the aid of her loyal, if ugly companion which is a dog. That part is alright with me, the reason the heroine who is Roxanne is clinging to the side of the cliff is what gets me. Apparently, her husband wants some land that she has. Not for the money, but for the plants growing on said land. What ensues after the hero rescues her is somewhat funny. I was intrigued by the hero’s past, namely what got him banished to the country and in need of a rich wife, which in turn has me waiting to read the next book in the series. The ending was entirely predictable from the get go with Roxanne’s husband dying from a less than thought out death and Barclay and Roxanne marrying.
Sophia Nash was a new author for me and I found her writing to be fresh and lively. Her characters were endearing and memorable and the dialogue was never lacking. But I found the plot to be somewhat…less than thought out. I’m endeavoring to read more of Sophia Nash’s work hoping that she redeems herself-if not her plots-in my eyes.
vicrine's review
1.0
Started off ok then went off into comic cuckoo land. I read in a review "pantomine". Yes, that's exactly what it went off into. Panto.
elemomi's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
taisie22's review
4.0
After a night of debauchery fueled by absinthe, the Royal Entourage is in trouble with the public and with the Prince Regent (even though he participated with them). Prinny is determined to punished, and since Alex, Duke of Kress, brought the drinks, he's the first one banished to Cornwall where he must find a wife. Arriving there, he finds Roxanne Vanderhaven, Countess of Paxton, hanging from a cliff (a la Thomas Hardy) and rescues her. Roxanne's husband left her there and assumes she fell to her death. She wants to find out why he wants to murder her, and Alex wants to find a way out of his current dilemma with the Prince Regent.
I read the second book of the series first by mistake, but it was fine though I'd recommend reading them in order. Roxanne and Alex are a fun couple, and their exploits make for fun reading. The secondary characters are also interesting though there's so many, it can be confusing. The plot was a bit loose in places, but mostly hung together and the story is so entertaining the small lapses don't matter. It's definitely a fun series, one I'll be following.
I read the second book of the series first by mistake, but it was fine though I'd recommend reading them in order. Roxanne and Alex are a fun couple, and their exploits make for fun reading. The secondary characters are also interesting though there's so many, it can be confusing. The plot was a bit loose in places, but mostly hung together and the story is so entertaining the small lapses don't matter. It's definitely a fun series, one I'll be following.
akmargie's review
3.0
This is why I shouldn't read romances back to back, they run together. But it was cute. Probably should have read this one before I read the second, a rare series that really does help to read in order.
ssejig's review
3.0
Alexander Barclay hasn't been the Duke of Kress for very long. The title was given to him by the Prince Regent. As he was celebrating the impending nuptials of another of the royal dukes, he seems to have celebrated a little more than was wise. In fact, they all did. Alex is blamed because his is the absinthe they were imbibing and he is exiled to Cornwall. When he arrives, he finds Roxanne Vanderhaven, the Countess of Paxton, clinging to the side of a cliff, where her husband left her. Alex pulls her up and joins her in her quest for vengeance. Roxanne isn't sure why her husband tried to kill her. They weren't in love (he married her for her money) but they didn't hate each other either.
I really did enjoy this book though I enjoyed the second book in the series a little more. While not exactly historically accurate (I'm willing to suspend my disbelief), this is a fun romp and definitely worth reading.
I really did enjoy this book though I enjoyed the second book in the series a little more. While not exactly historically accurate (I'm willing to suspend my disbelief), this is a fun romp and definitely worth reading.
infiniteviolette's review
2.0
This book was being promoted as in the style of "The Hangover." Yes. The movie. What?? A bodice-ripper PLUS "The Hangover"? I thought for sure this would be a fun and delightful read. Ultimately, I was rather disappointed.
The one word I would use to describe this book would be flat. It just made me totally not care...and that was completely the fault of the male and female leads. The story itself had so much potential, but Roxanne and Alex just killed it...and not in a good way. At first I really, really wanted to see how Roxanne's story would be tied up. As the book progressed, I started caring less and less. Eventually, I kinda skimmed the last 100 pages or so because I was just so done with it.
For starters, their attraction seemed to blossom from nowhere. While I applaud the author for making the heroine 34, it was really difficult for me to see how Alex was attracted to her. Tall, skinny, and shapeless? I'm just not into it. But I'm not even speaking from preference. Their initial hookup seemed to come out of nowhere and without any hint to the reader that Alex thought more of Roxanne than just a "whatevz." Maybe it's cliche but I'm kinda into the whole insta-love thing that happens in these books.
Overall, it was a mediocre read and I seriously doubt I'll be reading anything else in this series.
The one word I would use to describe this book would be flat. It just made me totally not care...and that was completely the fault of the male and female leads. The story itself had so much potential, but Roxanne and Alex just killed it...and not in a good way. At first I really, really wanted to see how Roxanne's story would be tied up. As the book progressed, I started caring less and less. Eventually, I kinda skimmed the last 100 pages or so because I was just so done with it.
For starters, their attraction seemed to blossom from nowhere. While I applaud the author for making the heroine 34, it was really difficult for me to see how Alex was attracted to her. Tall, skinny, and shapeless? I'm just not into it. But I'm not even speaking from preference. Their initial hookup seemed to come out of nowhere and without any hint to the reader that Alex thought more of Roxanne than just a "whatevz." Maybe it's cliche but I'm kinda into the whole insta-love thing that happens in these books.
Overall, it was a mediocre read and I seriously doubt I'll be reading anything else in this series.
silvercal's review
4.0
Alexander Barclay, Duke of Kress, is on his way to his country estate to marry an heiress quickly to help squelch the public outrage over a very sordid bachelor party. Unfortunately, none of the men involved in the bachelor party can really remember what happened and as Alex provided the drinks for the party, well, he is first up to feel the wrath of the Prince Regent (who was also at the party and now needs to repair his reputation). As he is gazing at the cliffs a movement catches his eye and he is stunned to see a woman hanging there! He quickly rescues the spirited Roxanne Vanderhaven and agrees to shelter her at his home.
Roxanne is flabbergasted that her husband tried to kill her! All she was doing was looking over the cliff, slipped on the wet ground and he says he will go get help. Only to never return. How can this man that she provided so much for want her dead? Her goal is to find out and extract a measure of revenge. With no money and the need to stay hidden, she pleads to stay with Alex and the sparks and humor start to fly.
This series was inspired by "The Hangover" movie and while I have not seen it yet, I can see how the inspiration was played out. It looks like there will six books about these bachelors at this infamous party who will all have to do their part, ordered by the Prince Regent, to rise above the scandal. I really enjoyed how this book started out quickly and just kept on moving. Watching Alex slowly fall for the scandal ridden and currently penniless Roxanne all while trying to host a house party to choose a 'correct' wife was delightful. I also really appreciated how Roxanne knew she was still married--though presumed dead--and tried to honor that commitment. I won't go into much detail but to me, there was no 'total' cheating. Plus, her husband tried to kill her so I was not going to hold passionate moments against them! There is also a bit of humor through Alex 'befriending" Roxannes husband to help find out why he did what he did. Yes, the ending did wrap everything up a bit neatly but then again, it needed to for our couple to find their own HEA. Overall, I was happy with this book and I am anxious for the next book as there are just enough glimpses of a few of the other bachelors to make me ready for their stories. It looks to be the start of a delightfully fun series! 4 stars
I received this eARC from Avon via netgalley.com
Roxanne is flabbergasted that her husband tried to kill her! All she was doing was looking over the cliff, slipped on the wet ground and he says he will go get help. Only to never return. How can this man that she provided so much for want her dead? Her goal is to find out and extract a measure of revenge. With no money and the need to stay hidden, she pleads to stay with Alex and the sparks and humor start to fly.
This series was inspired by "The Hangover" movie and while I have not seen it yet, I can see how the inspiration was played out. It looks like there will six books about these bachelors at this infamous party who will all have to do their part, ordered by the Prince Regent, to rise above the scandal. I really enjoyed how this book started out quickly and just kept on moving. Watching Alex slowly fall for the scandal ridden and currently penniless Roxanne all while trying to host a house party to choose a 'correct' wife was delightful. I also really appreciated how Roxanne knew she was still married--though presumed dead--and tried to honor that commitment. I won't go into much detail but to me, there was no 'total' cheating. Plus, her husband tried to kill her so I was not going to hold passionate moments against them! There is also a bit of humor through Alex 'befriending" Roxannes husband to help find out why he did what he did. Yes, the ending did wrap everything up a bit neatly but then again, it needed to for our couple to find their own HEA. Overall, I was happy with this book and I am anxious for the next book as there are just enough glimpses of a few of the other bachelors to make me ready for their stories. It looks to be the start of a delightfully fun series! 4 stars
I received this eARC from Avon via netgalley.com
bridgetrose89's review
5.0
I loved this! I laughed out loud several times, and made my husband listen to some scenes. Well done!
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