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loverofromance's review
4.0
Violet Redmond, even though she loves her family, tends to feel smothered too much by them, so aching for adventures, she secretly boards a ship in search of her missing brother who is rumored to be a pirate and one who has been sinking ships and taking cargo. Unwilling to believe that her brother would harm innocent people, so goes in search for him, however the Captain of the ship that she is on is hunting this notorious pirate for vengeance since once of his friends was killed by him. The Earl of Ardmay, is furious that this woman could be so courageous and formidable at times, and feisty as hell. So they engage in betting against one another, and before either of them realize it, desire flares up quite like a fire to kindling, and must learn to trust in each other before they lose each other….I Kissed An Earl is the fourth installment in the Pennyroyal Greens series by Julie Anne Long. I have recently this past year discovered this author, and I have just loved each of her books that she has written (even though its only been a few so far) I just read this so fast that my head spin, I was so caught up in the story and the entertaining characters that had me laughing through most of it. There was such a witty side to the story, even though the plot there wasn’t much except toward the end, it was their interaction with each other that made it far from dull, and a fun and warm love story!!! Although far from my favorite read, it did make me smile, laugh, and feel contentment at the end!!!
kimalah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.75
An adventure steeped in romance. So romantic. Longing drips off the words. So good.
dmbraimundo's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
missindiamay's review
3.0
Enjoyable read. I liked the plot. I had higher expectations though. I did not really like either of the characters that much.
I think that this book would have benefited from input from someone who actually speaks French. The French phrases in this story are pure gibberish, grammatically incorrect literal translations of English. You cannot just directly translate "it's the pot calling the kettle black" as this form of the idiom does not exist. The laughable use of French didn't impact my rating, but it feels like such a simple thing to research that I am a bit astounded by it.
I think that this book would have benefited from input from someone who actually speaks French. The French phrases in this story are pure gibberish, grammatically incorrect literal translations of English. You cannot just directly translate "it's the pot calling the kettle black" as this form of the idiom does not exist. The laughable use of French didn't impact my rating, but it feels like such a simple thing to research that I am a bit astounded by it.
anarosareads's review against another edition
liked the tension between violet and flint! it jumped off the page from their first encounter and that’s what i like to see.
the side mission (what i’m calling the plot in jal’s books) didn’t overwhelm the story this time. i think it might have to do with how emotionally charged the endpoint was for the main characters, but also maybe because of violet’s feelings towards her family. i need to think about it and maybe reread.
the side mission (what i’m calling the plot in jal’s books) didn’t overwhelm the story this time. i think it might have to do with how emotionally charged the endpoint was for the main characters, but also maybe because of violet’s feelings towards her family. i need to think about it and maybe reread.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Blood, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Slavery
jdeternal's review
4.0
The start was shaky but once the ship sailed, I couldn't help but enjoy. The passion between the characters is shiver-inducing. The fight between family and love is a common thread, but the chase was fun. And the brief look at Lyon makes me wish we could see his side.
tita_noir's review
3.0
This is a 3-star book only because I wasn't thrilled with the plot.
Capt. Asher Flint, native born Englishman who had been brought up in America has earned the reputation of a man who gets things done. This has come to the attention of the king who resurrects a defunct title and bestows it on Capt. Flint. Now he is the Earl of Ardmay with lands and everything. Except, the King has promised him money for upkeep of those lands only if Flint can capture the dread Pirate Le Chat who has been preying on English vessels.
During a party, Violet Redmond finds out that Flint thinks her brother Jonathan is really Le Chat. Coming to the conclusion that it isn't Jonathan who is Le Chat but rather her brother Lyon, who disappeared over a year ago and who greatly resembles Jonathan, is Le Chat, Violet manages to stow away on Flint's ship as he goes off to find Le Chat.
Romance on the high seas ensues.
My main problem with the book is that I was frankly bored with the premise of Violet and Flint going port to port to track down the missing heir. Like the first book in the series, [b:The Perils of Pleasure|2371827|The Perils of Pleasure (Pennyroyal Green, #1)|Julie Anne Long|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1212345183s/2371827.jpg|2378729], this is essentially a bread crumb mystery with the two of finding a clue that leads them to the next place that leads them to a new clue and so on. It is a device meant to keep the two in each other's company absent any other reason. Sometimes I like it and it works as in the case of the [b:The Perils of Pleasure|2371827|The Perils of Pleasure (Pennyroyal Green, #1)|Julie Anne Long|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1212345183s/2371827.jpg|2378729]. However I didn't think it was as effective here.
Maybe because I had a hard time reconciling the fact that Violet was able to go trippingly off on a sea voyage with no one the wiser, all unchaperoned and unconcerned. She seemed completely oblivious of any danger to her person at all times. It really had the effect of making the time and place incongruous with the person. Violet simply seemed a 21st century woman with all accompanying sensibilities packaged in a Regency maiden's body.
But that aside, I have to say, JAL can write like nobody's business. She simply has a gift of creating the most intimate, intensely romantic moments between her characters. Conversations, thoughts, interactions are all so wonderfully written that you are truly involved with the H/h falling in love. And these moments are not necessarily overtly action oriented. The two characters don't have to be kissing or making love or anything. But you really get the sense they are connecting on a visceral level. I noticed this also in [b:Like No Other Lover|3164070|Like No Other Lover (Pennyroyal Green, #2)|Julie Anne Long|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255686400s/3164070.jpg|3195910] with Miles and Cynthia, you simply are a part of their falling in love experience. And that is the mark of a truly good romance writer. She really knows how to convey how intense, troublesome, conflicting, exhilarating all the feelings are outside of whatever else is happening.
I also think she crafted Violet and Flint's central conflict very well. They were both after the same thing, Le Chat, but for very different reasons. Violet was determined to save her brother at all costs even if it means betraying Flint. Flint was determined to capture Le Chat at all costs, even if it meant he would hurt Violet. They both acknowledged this openly and have a sort of.."You do what you have to do" conversation.
And the dialogue is pretty darned nice as well.
I do recommend this book because I think the writing is superb. Take the plot with a grain of salt.
Capt. Asher Flint, native born Englishman who had been brought up in America has earned the reputation of a man who gets things done. This has come to the attention of the king who resurrects a defunct title and bestows it on Capt. Flint. Now he is the Earl of Ardmay with lands and everything. Except, the King has promised him money for upkeep of those lands only if Flint can capture the dread Pirate Le Chat who has been preying on English vessels.
During a party, Violet Redmond finds out that Flint thinks her brother Jonathan is really Le Chat. Coming to the conclusion that it isn't Jonathan who is Le Chat but rather her brother Lyon, who disappeared over a year ago and who greatly resembles Jonathan, is Le Chat, Violet manages to stow away on Flint's ship as he goes off to find Le Chat.
Romance on the high seas ensues.
My main problem with the book is that I was frankly bored with the premise of Violet and Flint going port to port to track down the missing heir. Like the first book in the series, [b:The Perils of Pleasure|2371827|The Perils of Pleasure (Pennyroyal Green, #1)|Julie Anne Long|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1212345183s/2371827.jpg|2378729], this is essentially a bread crumb mystery with the two of finding a clue that leads them to the next place that leads them to a new clue and so on. It is a device meant to keep the two in each other's company absent any other reason. Sometimes I like it and it works as in the case of the [b:The Perils of Pleasure|2371827|The Perils of Pleasure (Pennyroyal Green, #1)|Julie Anne Long|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1212345183s/2371827.jpg|2378729]. However I didn't think it was as effective here.
Maybe because I had a hard time reconciling the fact that Violet was able to go trippingly off on a sea voyage with no one the wiser, all unchaperoned and unconcerned. She seemed completely oblivious of any danger to her person at all times. It really had the effect of making the time and place incongruous with the person. Violet simply seemed a 21st century woman with all accompanying sensibilities packaged in a Regency maiden's body.
But that aside, I have to say, JAL can write like nobody's business. She simply has a gift of creating the most intimate, intensely romantic moments between her characters. Conversations, thoughts, interactions are all so wonderfully written that you are truly involved with the H/h falling in love. And these moments are not necessarily overtly action oriented. The two characters don't have to be kissing or making love or anything. But you really get the sense they are connecting on a visceral level. I noticed this also in [b:Like No Other Lover|3164070|Like No Other Lover (Pennyroyal Green, #2)|Julie Anne Long|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255686400s/3164070.jpg|3195910] with Miles and Cynthia, you simply are a part of their falling in love experience. And that is the mark of a truly good romance writer. She really knows how to convey how intense, troublesome, conflicting, exhilarating all the feelings are outside of whatever else is happening.
I also think she crafted Violet and Flint's central conflict very well. They were both after the same thing, Le Chat, but for very different reasons. Violet was determined to save her brother at all costs even if it means betraying Flint. Flint was determined to capture Le Chat at all costs, even if it meant he would hurt Violet. They both acknowledged this openly and have a sort of.."You do what you have to do" conversation.
And the dialogue is pretty darned nice as well.
I do recommend this book because I think the writing is superb. Take the plot with a grain of salt.
b0okcupidity's review
5.0
Achingly sweet.
A real story of choosing love.
A telling of loyalty and devotion.
Did I say achingly sweet?
Plus, it mostly takes place in my new favorite place - at sea.
And Violet (how I love that name!) is really wonderful. Spoiled, intelligent, witty and unbelievably fierce.
This was truly the first romance novel in which I did NOT want it to end. I could have easily devoured more of their story happily. I felt a little bereft after finishing.
But really...page 367. I just couldn't...I had to read it twice. With no hope in sight, I will wait longingly for Lyon and Olivia's story to conclude.
A real story of choosing love.
A telling of loyalty and devotion.
Did I say achingly sweet?
Plus, it mostly takes place in my new favorite place - at sea.
And Violet (how I love that name!) is really wonderful. Spoiled, intelligent, witty and unbelievably fierce.
This was truly the first romance novel in which I did NOT want it to end. I could have easily devoured more of their story happily. I felt a little bereft after finishing.
But really...page 367. I just couldn't...I had to read it twice. With no hope in sight, I will wait longingly for Lyon and Olivia's story to conclude.
chloe_liese's review
5.0
This book was a wild ride! So much intense action and intrigue, I loved how Asher and Violet fell in love in spite of themselves, the bittersweet irony of their conflicting goals, and the drama that unfolded as they pursued their hearts’ desires. Watching those desires morph through the story, as truth came to light and love transformed their path, was so satisfying.
joonlily's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia