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helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - At the beginning I really didn't expect to like the book but I liked both the hero and the heroine which for me is unusual. Clarice and Jack seemed to belong together but I do wish that just once Laurens could do a novel where the heroine wants to marry the hero from the beginning. I was actually surprised by how much I loved this book. The mystery was interesting but what really drew me in was Clarice's re entry to the ton and her developing relationship with her family. Definitely worth a read!
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica / Mystery / Regency
Characters? - Jack / Clarice / Royce (Dalziel) / Humphries / Roger / Nigel / Alton
Setting? - London & Gloucestershire (England)
Series? - Bastion Club #4
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 19/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica / Mystery / Regency
Characters? - Jack / Clarice / Royce (Dalziel) / Humphries / Roger / Nigel / Alton
Setting? - London & Gloucestershire (England)
Series? - Bastion Club #4
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 19/20
kiwifire's review against another edition
4.0
Flagrant - 12 times
Blatant - 16 times
Incite - 5 times
Entice - 5 times
Evocative / provocative - 9 times
Combination of 2 of those first 4 words, in a single sentence - 4 times
Three of the first 4, IN A ROW - 1 time
To much time on my hands and bothered by quirks - all the time.
Blatant - 16 times
Incite - 5 times
Entice - 5 times
Evocative / provocative - 9 times
Combination of 2 of those first 4 words, in a single sentence - 4 times
Three of the first 4, IN A ROW - 1 time
To much time on my hands and bothered by quirks - all the time.
annie26's review against another edition
3.0
I read this very quickly in the hopes that it would get more interesting but I was sorely disappointed - there are good parts in the book but those are far and few in between. Overall, it was average.
attytheresa's review against another edition
5.0
Because I have had so much difficulty falling to sleep during Shelter In Place, I've added listening to audiobooks, which I really don't like to 'read', of favorite Regency Romances to my evening routine. It's helpful as it gets my mind on HEA not the current work issues on my WFH desk in the living room.
This was first up -- Jack and Lady Clarice, his warrior queen Boadicea, and their hot steamy love affair leading to the most romantic proposal ever! I've reviewed in detail when recently reread in paperback. Still a favorite. As for the audio, I found certain oft repeated mannerisms of characters were irritating when read by Jill Tanner, ones that merely added to my enjoyment of the character when reading. I don't think I'll be rushing to listen to her again.
This was first up -- Jack and Lady Clarice, his warrior queen Boadicea, and their hot steamy love affair leading to the most romantic proposal ever! I've reviewed in detail when recently reread in paperback. Still a favorite. As for the audio, I found certain oft repeated mannerisms of characters were irritating when read by Jill Tanner, ones that merely added to my enjoyment of the character when reading. I don't think I'll be rushing to listen to her again.
ssejig's review against another edition
4.0
Jack Warnefleet is trying to escape the matchmaking mamas of London by escaping to his country manor. There, he finds that in his absence as a spy for the Crown, Clarice Altwood, a marquess' daughter who escaped London after she refused to play by society's rules, has been acting in his place. After getting over their initial opinions of each other, they realize that they are actually very attracted to each other. But they still have to work with each other to try and overcome a recurring character from the Bastion Series who is trying to paint Clarice's cousin as a traitor.
One of the better Stephanie Laurens, before she really starts getting into character's "true selves."
One of the better Stephanie Laurens, before she really starts getting into character's "true selves."
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
2.0
It took me a really long time to read this book, not because I didn't like the characters or the plot, but because it was so very long that there was just no pace to anything.
Characters: I loved Jack and Clarice as individuals - both were strong, witty and funny and could clearly hold their own. As a couple I loved their chemistry. In most similar novels there are usually two outcomes; Either the heroine is inexperienced and therefore dominated by the personality of the man, or she is so stubborn and brash that she grates rather than entertains. Clarice was so dominating and regal, yet she knew when to hold her tongue or to back down, as did Jack, and I loved that aspect of their relationship. Respect as well as lust.
Plot: There were three real plots, that of the romance between Jack and Clarice, Clarice's past and her reintroduction to the ton and the overarching plot of Clarice's cousin James being accused of treason.
Initially it seemed that there would be a lot going on, especially when plots began to overlap and intertwine. I managed to get about a third of he way into the novel before I began to lose patience with the lack of progression.
Overall I felt that quite a bit could have been cut out to give the book a more flowing and better paced finish. Character-wise this was one of the most enjoyable Laurens couples that I've read to date.
Characters: I loved Jack and Clarice as individuals - both were strong, witty and funny and could clearly hold their own. As a couple I loved their chemistry. In most similar novels there are usually two outcomes; Either the heroine is inexperienced and therefore dominated by the personality of the man, or she is so stubborn and brash that she grates rather than entertains. Clarice was so dominating and regal, yet she knew when to hold her tongue or to back down, as did Jack, and I loved that aspect of their relationship. Respect as well as lust.
Plot: There were three real plots, that of the romance between Jack and Clarice, Clarice's past and her reintroduction to the ton and the overarching plot of Clarice's cousin James being accused of treason.
Initially it seemed that there would be a lot going on, especially when plots began to overlap and intertwine. I managed to get about a third of he way into the novel before I began to lose patience with the lack of progression.
Overall I felt that quite a bit could have been cut out to give the book a more flowing and better paced finish. Character-wise this was one of the most enjoyable Laurens couples that I've read to date.
fleurette's review against another edition
4.0
Stephanie Laurens at her best. This is why I like her books so much – likeable and intelligent characters, believable romance and fascinating suspense. Exactly what I was looking for.
I have to admit that at the very beginning I didn’t like Clarice. She is so full of herself, always knows better and always has to have the last word. But either these features become less exposed, either I got used to them, because after a while I find her a great heroine. And Jack is such a great hero – I know that’s the case with most of Laurens men, but I truly loved him.
I absolutely loved the dynamics of Clarice and Jack relationship. She is a very strong and independent woman and Jack recognizes that and find it precious. He just lets her be the way she is supporting her every step. That’s unique in historical romance, especially that Jack is a strong hero himself. Their relationship is really one of a kind. I won’t be surprise to come back to this story one day as a comfort read.
I also really like the suspense part focused on a spy/political intrigue. It’s interesting and take a good part of the book adding some twists to the story. It’s nice that we can meet some characters from other books. I also enjoyed the strand about Clarice brother’s and their brides.
Stephanie Laurens is always a good choice but I find this book particularly great. I hope my next read from this author will be as good.
valefimbres's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5