Reviews

This is my fourth Tessa Dare book in two days. I read all three (!) Girl Meets Duke books in 24 hours and immediately moved onto another the series. I downloaded the sample of this book and by the end I still hadn’t mind up my mind about the book. I decided to stick with it in the hopes it got better (it did!).

I found this book really hard to get into at the start. There was too much going on in chapter 1 and too many people/names were introduced. Normally I don’t find this an issue but for some reason it didn’t click with me here. Personally I would have found it easier to digest if chapter 1 had been split up - one short chapter (a prologue perhaps) for Bramwell’s POV ending at the suggestion of the black powder and then Susanna’s POV would mark the beginning of a new chapter. Possibly a third chapter for Bramwell again? The way it kept bouncing between both MCs POV mid conversation was distracting especially at the start of a book where you are unfamiliar with the characters and the setting. I get what Dare was trying to do but I just didn’t work in my opinion.

I also wasn’t a fan of the kiss, even if Bramwell was a little dazed from the blast.

Thankfully, the book got easier to read.

When Chapter 2 (which really should have been 4) begins, our two protagonists are in the same scene and we learn that Bramwell is on his way to visit Susana’s father, Sir Lewis Finch. Bramwell is injured but wants to rejoin his regiment. Sir Lewis has the ear of the Prince Regent and was friends with Bramwell’s father. Bramwell is hoping he will recommend him for field work again. Sir Lewis says he cannot do that in good faith and instead in informs Bram that the Prince Regent has bestowed an Earldom on him. It’s a partly selfish move on Sir Lewis’ behalf — the Duke of Tunbridge is expecting a display of Spindle Cove’s currently non existent militia in less than a month and as the only gentleman in the area, the organization of such would fall to Sir Lewis. If Bramwell can pull together a militia of 24 men, Sir Lewis will recommend him for field action again. There’s just one issue though - there are very few suitable men in Spindle Cove.

Susanna wants to protect her village and Bram wants to protect his career and legacy. This causes them to clash on multiple occasions. Susanna is, for all intents and purposes, the Lady of the town — the mayoress, the protector. Their first meeting isn’t what one would call good and Susanna is less than impressed that Bramwell is now the Earl of Rycliff and subsequently the owner of “her” castle (which has been abandoned for several hundred years). There is a lot of push and pull and obvious chemistry between Susanna and Bram. Once they start to genuinely understand each other’s motivations and purpose they begin to work together to achieve a common goal. This ends up bringing the whole town together. I loved all the scenes with the townspeople (even if I thought too many were introduced at once!).

I felt a full range of emotions reading this book. A times Bram’s behavior really irked me, particularly at the beginning but around the 60% mark he became a character I was rooting for. I love the passion that Susanna had for her village, and how determined she was to ensure that this place remains a safe space for all kinds of women. I was quite indifferent about Sir Lewis

until the end, and then I was so angry at him, and so upset on Susanna‘s behalf. I was glad defended her in that moment. I also was afraid and scared for Finn. I thought that Bram behavior was a little selfish in that moment, but I could understand the fear that he was experiencing.

I’m definitely surprised at who Tessa Dare has chosen be the protagonist of the next book, and I’m really interested to see how they work together.

nevertoomanybooksx's review

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4.0

So this was my first ever historical romance and i definitely believe I made the right choice in which one to start with. Tessa Dares writing reads like a contemporary romance novel which made it a very easy adjustment with the times setting vocabulary.

The story its self was cute and funny and overall just a light hearted story and i really enjoyed it.

I've decided I will be finishing the series and will continue to branch out into the historical romance genre

soniaandstories's review

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5.0

Ugh, so good. The perfect amount of push/pull, a+ banter, palpable chemistry, hero/ine with common sense, and great characters in general. Can't wait for more Spindle Cove!