Scan barcode
balletbookworm's review
4.0
WTF is up with this "bad gateway" you've been throwing up Goodreads?? I wrote a killer review and your 501 error just ate it.
So, in short, I liked the book. I think the Royal Entourage series has a great set-up stemming from one crazy night of overindulgence. I, unfortunately started with the wrong book in the series, and by the time I realized I had book 2, not book 1, I was too far to stop. I believe there will be six in this series eventually.
Roman and Esme's romance is both sweet (how they both actually care about one another, despite actual appearances) and disturbing (Roman's jealousy; though, in all seriousness I thought).
Love all the duck/duke humor. Who knew Regency England was so full of duck paraphernalia?
I only have one quibble with the plot (OK, two)
1. The twist at the end of the book where.
2. And speaking of the Norwich curse how did.
So, in short, I liked the book. I think the Royal Entourage series has a great set-up stemming from one crazy night of overindulgence. I, unfortunately started with the wrong book in the series, and by the time I realized I had book 2, not book 1, I was too far to stop. I believe there will be six in this series eventually.
Roman and Esme's romance is both sweet (how they both actually care about one another, despite actual appearances) and disturbing (Roman's jealousy; though, in all seriousness I thought
Spoiler
Topher was gay because all the women felt rather safe around him, but I guess he was merely waiting to retire before scoring a lady?Love all the duck/duke humor. Who knew Regency England was so full of duck paraphernalia?
I only have one quibble with the plot (OK, two)
1. The twist at the end of the book where
Spoiler
it is revealed that Roman is, in fact, not the son of the 16th duke but that of an Italian sculptor is pointless. Worse, it detracts from Roman's ability to overcome his fear/superstition and live out his live despite his notorious family history. It makes the entire I-sailed-a-yacht-through-a-storm-to-rescue-my-wife-despite-the-curse feeling of triumph dead in the water2. And speaking of the Norwich curse how did
Spoiler
the original "witch" actually have legitimate children? I was assuming that her accusation/death came very close on her refusal of Norwish I's offer making it less likely that she had children at all. So that would make Esme less of a granddaughter and more of a niece/cousin of some type. So the "direct descendant" business doesn't quite make sense to me. Also, it's an unneccessary plot point because by the time it's revealed he's already learned his true parentage)gaderianne's review
3.0
All I can say for myself is that I have discovered the e-books section of the local library. They seems to have no shortage of historical romance books and so I am reading my fill for fun and for free!!!
rachelini's review
3.0
Another recent romance that starts really abruptly. I really prefer it when I get to know the characters before they interact - I didn't really get any sense of these characters' motivations, particularly Esme, so all the actions seemed off. And too many characters.
taisie22's review
4.0
When the seventeenth Duke of Norwich ends up on a ship in a storm after a wild night of carousing, he knows that it's his time to die - especially if a duck shows up. His family line is cursed by a witch, and Roman is the last of his line. Fortunately, Lady Esme March is on board, planning a trip to Italy to view art treasure. She rescues the Duke who can't even remember how he arrived on board and the two have an interlude.
This is a lovely story, very passionate with touches of humor. The dialogue is outstanding. Esme and Roman are a wonderful pairing, though it takes them a while to get there after their first encounter. I read the series out of order (this is the second book) so I need to go back and read the first book, but the premise is fun. Seven dukes who comprise the Royal Entourage under Prinny, the Prince Regent, have a wild bachelor party for the Duke of Conover and face public outrage the next morning. I enjoyed this a lot and look forward to the rest of the books.
This is a lovely story, very passionate with touches of humor. The dialogue is outstanding. Esme and Roman are a wonderful pairing, though it takes them a while to get there after their first encounter. I read the series out of order (this is the second book) so I need to go back and read the first book, but the premise is fun. Seven dukes who comprise the Royal Entourage under Prinny, the Prince Regent, have a wild bachelor party for the Duke of Conover and face public outrage the next morning. I enjoyed this a lot and look forward to the rest of the books.
ssejig's review
4.0
Wow. I haven't finished Between the Duke and the Deep Blue Sea, but if it's as fun as this book, I may have found a new author to add to my "automatic reads."
The Duke of Norwich (apparently known as "Seventeen" to his friends, but that's not really covered here, one of my very few disappointments with this book) has a family curse that he's trying to avoid. It seems that the titled men in his family have unfortunate issues when it comes to ducks. Yep, ducks. I love it. But, after a night of complete debauchery with the Prince and the other Royal Dukes, he ends up on a boat... in a storm... Pretty much his worst nightmare. The nightmare that he has in his nightmares.
Luckily, Esme March, the Countess of Derby, is on hand to save him. Even to the point of distracting him with a very... elemental activity. Yeah, yeah, it's not historically accurate that a woman would be traveling without a maid nor would a lady probably offer up sex but... eh. I'm really not a perfectionist for historical detail and the scene was just so fun.
But neither Reginald's wang nor Esme's (or, as she's called, "March's") hoo-ha proved to be magic and they did not fall immediately in love. However, the Prince needs some goodwill after the debacle and he decides.
Loved the "B" characters in this one, Esme's mother, her painting mentor, her cousin Verity (please, please, please tell me she gets her own story, it's totally hinted at here. At least, I think it was. It was an oblique hint.), and, of course, the rest of the Prince's entourage.
Readalikes: Julia Quinn, Stephanie Laurens
The Duke of Norwich (apparently known as "Seventeen" to his friends, but that's not really covered here, one of my very few disappointments with this book) has a family curse that he's trying to avoid. It seems that the titled men in his family have unfortunate issues when it comes to ducks. Yep, ducks. I love it. But, after a night of complete debauchery with the Prince and the other Royal Dukes, he ends up on a boat... in a storm... Pretty much his worst nightmare. The nightmare that he has in his nightmares.
Luckily, Esme March, the Countess of Derby, is on hand to save him. Even to the point of distracting him with a very... elemental activity. Yeah, yeah, it's not historically accurate that a woman would be traveling without a maid nor would a lady probably offer up sex but... eh. I'm really not a perfectionist for historical detail and the scene was just so fun.
But neither Reginald's wang nor Esme's (or, as she's called, "March's") hoo-ha proved to be magic and they did not fall immediately in love. However, the Prince needs some goodwill after the debacle and he decides
Spoiler
that Reginald needs to to marry. Specifically, since he's heard rumors, Reginald needs to marry Esme. Immediately. But not tell anyone. Really? Didn't get that part of the story but it forced the two to spend more time together.Loved the "B" characters in this one, Esme's mother, her painting mentor, her cousin Verity (please, please, please tell me she gets her own story, it's totally hinted at here. At least, I think it was. It was an oblique hint.), and, of course, the rest of the Prince's entourage.
Readalikes: Julia Quinn, Stephanie Laurens
alinaborger's review
3.0
A great trashy novel, sprinkled with lame sex scenes (skip!) and poignant scenes of longing.
madhamster's review
5.0
Roman, the Duke of Norwich, is known as Seventeen - the 17th Duke of Norwich. The family goes through them rapidly, thanks to a curse laid upon the 1st duke.
After the Duke of Candover's infamous bachelor party, Roman finds himself somewhere he'd wanted to be - onboard a ship. Saved by Esme, the Countess of Derby, the two bond during a storm, but do not want to connect after their return to England. However, the Prince Regent has other plans.
This book crept up on me. I wasn't sure if I really liked it or not. But, maybe it was the quiet growth of their feelings and relationships. Yes, there's passion and lust - but not a relationship as such. Both are determined to make the other happy, however they feel. For a man determined never to marry, even less have children; and a woman who is damaged by her first marriage - it is interesting to see their negotiations and compromises.
After the Duke of Candover's infamous bachelor party, Roman finds himself somewhere he'd wanted to be - onboard a ship. Saved by Esme, the Countess of Derby, the two bond during a storm, but do not want to connect after their return to England. However, the Prince Regent has other plans.
This book crept up on me. I wasn't sure if I really liked it or not. But, maybe it was the quiet growth of their feelings and relationships. Yes, there's passion and lust - but not a relationship as such. Both are determined to make the other happy, however they feel. For a man determined never to marry, even less have children; and a woman who is damaged by her first marriage - it is interesting to see their negotiations and compromises.
silvercal's review
4.0
Roman, seventeenth Duke of Norwich, has two rules by which he guides his life--never marry and end the dreaded Norwich curse as he is the final heir to the dukedom and to never to go sea as he is certain as this is how he is going to die. When he wakes up on a ship in the middle of a storm after one disastrous bachelor party, he naturally flies into a panic. Esme, Countess of Derby, sees a man who looks like he is about to fall overboard, she gathers her wits and rescues the man and she quickly sees the blind terror he is suffering and sets about trying to soothe him. What they share is just for the moment but the resulting actions from the bachelor party force these to into an unwanted marriage. However, Esme is the perfect balm to Roman's fear of never letting himself fall in love but she is holding a secret that could jeopardize their new found happiness and when yet another secret from Roman's past comes to light, it is with love and joy that Roman and Esme are able to finally find peace together.
I really enjoyed this book. It is not overly serious, but just warm, light, silly and sexy fun! I loved the instant attraction between Roman and Esme and how Esme insists that they call each other by their last names (to help protect her secret). So Esme is known as 'March' and Roman is know as 'Montagu'. It always brings a smile to my face when couple give each other nicknames that are just perfect for each other. I also liked how Esme was not a great beauty and she was aware of this and was happy to just go about her life as a widow, never planning of falling in love with someone who could truly love her back. She is warm, witty and enjoys her independence but ends up finding life as a duchess something she can bear. Roman was also a very likeable character from his fear of ducks to his steadfast belief that he must break the family curse, even if it costs him his own happiness. There were some wonderful secondary characters that will give you just enough glimpses to be anxious for their own stories! There are no major flaws with this story other than the fact there are quite a few characters and it took be a bit to remember all the titles, last names and first names...I always get a bit confused when the author goes back an forth. Overall though a truly delightful romance filled with humor, snappy wit and dialogue and a wonderful romance that blooms over time. I can't wait for more in this delightfully fun series! 4 stars
I received an eARC from Avon via edelweiss.com
I really enjoyed this book. It is not overly serious, but just warm, light, silly and sexy fun! I loved the instant attraction between Roman and Esme and how Esme insists that they call each other by their last names (to help protect her secret). So Esme is known as 'March' and Roman is know as 'Montagu'. It always brings a smile to my face when couple give each other nicknames that are just perfect for each other. I also liked how Esme was not a great beauty and she was aware of this and was happy to just go about her life as a widow, never planning of falling in love with someone who could truly love her back. She is warm, witty and enjoys her independence but ends up finding life as a duchess something she can bear. Roman was also a very likeable character from his fear of ducks to his steadfast belief that he must break the family curse, even if it costs him his own happiness. There were some wonderful secondary characters that will give you just enough glimpses to be anxious for their own stories! There are no major flaws with this story other than the fact there are quite a few characters and it took be a bit to remember all the titles, last names and first names...I always get a bit confused when the author goes back an forth. Overall though a truly delightful romance filled with humor, snappy wit and dialogue and a wonderful romance that blooms over time. I can't wait for more in this delightfully fun series! 4 stars
I received an eARC from Avon via edelweiss.com