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kthrine's review
3.0
Not one of Loretta Chase’s best. It felt so very long at parts and very tedious at times.
msmattoon's review
2.0
I guess I wasn't in the mood for it. Very mannered in style, I couldn't connect with the characters.
guiltlesspleasures's review
emotional
funny
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? No
3.25
So I never read blurbs, and that meant I knew literally nothing about this book when I started it, and THAT meant I did a happy dance when I realized our hero was the divine Basil Trevelyan, the dastardly antihero from Chase’s previous (and first) novel, Isabella.
He’s got tawny hair, golden cat eyes and a silver tongue that could make you forget your name. He is a manipulative little sh*t, but in the BEST possible way. It’s in Basil that you see the beginnings of what Chase will go on to do in Lord of Scoundrels. I love him.
I would definitely recommend reading Isabella first, for all its flaws, because many of its characters roll over into this book. And that brings me to my first lament: that there are again way too many characters. They should have been culled by a third. If you don’t find yourself thinking, “Wait, which Latham is this? Who is Marianne again?” then you are a far better reader than I.
There were also a couple out-of-character moments for both Basil and Jessica, which an editor should have caught.
Overall, I’d say the big difference between this and Chase’s more recent books is that things happen TO Alexandra, the heroine, rather than her having much agency of her own. She’s dragged from pillar to post by all the various men, including her father. I liked her character, but I wanted to see a little more Jessica Trent and a little less marionette. Maybe that’s a 90s thing?
End note: There is no sex in this book, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t a number of VERY sexy little moments.
He’s got tawny hair, golden cat eyes and a silver tongue that could make you forget your name. He is a manipulative little sh*t, but in the BEST possible way. It’s in Basil that you see the beginnings of what Chase will go on to do in Lord of Scoundrels. I love him.
I would definitely recommend reading Isabella first, for all its flaws, because many of its characters roll over into this book. And that brings me to my first lament: that there are again way too many characters. They should have been culled by a third. If you don’t find yourself thinking, “Wait, which Latham is this? Who is Marianne again?” then you are a far better reader than I.
There were also a couple out-of-character moments for both Basil and Jessica, which an editor should have caught.
Overall, I’d say the big difference between this and Chase’s more recent books is that things happen TO Alexandra, the heroine, rather than her having much agency of her own. She’s dragged from pillar to post by all the various men, including her father. I liked her character, but I wanted to see a little more Jessica Trent and a little less marionette. Maybe that’s a 90s thing?
End note: There is no sex in this book, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t a number of VERY sexy little moments.
kgroberts13's review
4.0
3.5 stars
One of Loretta Chase's early books, it's a lighthearted romp with a terribly clever voice. Absolutely loved the exchanges between the hero/heroine.
Also a PG romance, which is rare for current Historicals. Comparisons to Georgette Heyer are spot-on.
One of Loretta Chase's early books, it's a lighthearted romp with a terribly clever voice. Absolutely loved the exchanges between the hero/heroine.
Also a PG romance, which is rare for current Historicals. Comparisons to Georgette Heyer are spot-on.
nononanette's review
4.0
Basil’s story; similar to Isabella. Basil is wonderful and so is alexandra and all the other characters involved (there are lots). very georgette heyer--witty and complicated.
writer595's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
turophile's review
3.0
Loretta Chase is known for writing historical romances with brainy heroines who defy societal conventions and rakish heroes who underneath there charm possess a heart of gold along with elegant dialogue and an engaging storyline. In the English Witch, she doesn’t disappoint.
Our heroine Alexandra has been dragged through Albania by her father who cares more for investigating antiquities than engaging with humans, including his daughter. As they travel, Alexandra bewitches the men in every village with her beauty and insousciant personality, which leads the women to call her the English witch.
He’s insisting that his daughter marry Randolph, the son of a wealthy merchant, so that the merchant will forgive his debts. In desperation, she writes her godmother begging for salvation from the arranged marriage. Aunt Clem sends Basil Tevelyans, one of England’s most notorious rakes, to rescue her. If he were alive today, Basil would be a “fixer.” He’s overcome his lack of fortune (and added debt) through his skill at resolving other people’s problems in ways that escape notice. He arrives in Albania in the nick of time as Alexandra has been kidnapped by another suitor who refuses to believe that she loves her betrothed “Randolph.”
The action moves to England and one of those estate parties that lasts several weeks. Alexandra has caught the eye of Lord Arden, soon to be Duke, and a frenemy of Basil. Arden decides he must marry Alexandra (though that won’t mean giving up his twins on the side who reside in London). Alexandra finds herself caught between suitors, Basil, and her father.
The romance is charming and a quick read. There’s a not a lot of action - it’s more about the verbal and intellectual gamesmanship between Basil and Alexandra, but that’s okay. Delicious.
So hard to rate this one - enjoyable and Loretta Chase stands head and shoulders above so many romance authors. The rating is closer than a 3.5, but I couldn't quite give it a 4 in light of her other books. (all rated on my 5 star romance scale)
Our heroine Alexandra has been dragged through Albania by her father who cares more for investigating antiquities than engaging with humans, including his daughter. As they travel, Alexandra bewitches the men in every village with her beauty and insousciant personality, which leads the women to call her the English witch.
He’s insisting that his daughter marry Randolph, the son of a wealthy merchant, so that the merchant will forgive his debts. In desperation, she writes her godmother begging for salvation from the arranged marriage. Aunt Clem sends Basil Tevelyans, one of England’s most notorious rakes, to rescue her. If he were alive today, Basil would be a “fixer.” He’s overcome his lack of fortune (and added debt) through his skill at resolving other people’s problems in ways that escape notice. He arrives in Albania in the nick of time as Alexandra has been kidnapped by another suitor who refuses to believe that she loves her betrothed “Randolph.”
The action moves to England and one of those estate parties that lasts several weeks. Alexandra has caught the eye of Lord Arden, soon to be Duke, and a frenemy of Basil. Arden decides he must marry Alexandra (though that won’t mean giving up his twins on the side who reside in London). Alexandra finds herself caught between suitors, Basil, and her father.
The romance is charming and a quick read. There’s a not a lot of action - it’s more about the verbal and intellectual gamesmanship between Basil and Alexandra, but that’s okay. Delicious.
So hard to rate this one - enjoyable and Loretta Chase stands head and shoulders above so many romance authors. The rating is closer than a 3.5, but I couldn't quite give it a 4 in light of her other books. (all rated on my 5 star romance scale)
londonmabel's review
I didn't rate this because I only read one quarter, and then read the ending. I never got into it. Maybe it's just because I didn't read Isabella before, as another reviewer said--wherein the many characters would have been established, and the reader's interest in them engaged. I just struggled over every page.
I'm also tired of all these daughter-of-scholar heroines in Regencyland.
I'm also tired of all these daughter-of-scholar heroines in Regencyland.
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