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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 against another edition
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
lissielove's review against another edition
4.0
Overall Response
My memory of this book was only that it was fine--and my original Goodreads rating of three stars supports that. However, upon re-reading this time and thinking about my trio of rating criteria more closely, I actually like this book a lot. It's probably the best in the series thus far (though The Lady Chosen remains a very close second).
The romance here is the best in the series, and the characters are probably the most interesting and defined. I may not totally love the subplot with Clarice's family (and we'll talk about it more detail), but it's richly written and only plays a small role in the overall larger story.
We're still tracking Dalziel's final traitor, and he shows up again--we even start getting pieces of his background. I'm relieved to say that four books into this series proper, I'm not remotely annoyed by Dalziel yet, and I'll be interested to see how closely his portrayal as a supporting character reflects his main character in the last book.
The Bastion Club members, other than Jack Warnefleet, are Paignton and Dearne (Jocelyn and Christian) whose books are both 5 & 7 respectively. Neither of them stand out yet -- they're Laurens heroes, so they won't. They play a good role, however, and their presence doesn't distract me enough to think I won't like their books. Clarice's brothers, however, are actually irritating and I'm glad they don't show up more than sparingly.
The plot is good, the romance is good, the characters are good -- there are only a few things that keep this story from being a five-star and we'll get into it in the spoilers.
Spoilers Ahead
Let me get my specific critiques out of the way because I very much want to talk about how good this romance is.
I don't like the subplot of Clarice's brothers being dominated by their stepmother. I like the setup, but there's no power in the execution. Moira simply disappears from the pages--Alton sends her away, and while Clarice suspects Moira is behind a kidnapping attempt, there's no follow up. No resolution. Her brothers end up engaged, but I don't really root for the couples. I don't find the brothers interesting, and I'm not really invested in their success.
But Clarice is, and I like her, so fine. But this really makes the book drag a bit in the second half because I am never at all interested in her idiot family. I wish that James had played a larger role or that I had gotten a better sense of him since Clarice and Jack were working so hard to exonerate him.
That being said, let's get into why this romance is better than the others thus far in the series (and what puts it above The Lady Chosen).
For the first 150 pages, we don't really get into the traitor plot. Our inciting incident is Jack and Clarice meeting after an accident fells a man who ends up being key to the plot getting going, and Clarice suspects someone tried to murder him. But while the victim is unconscious, our two leads get to know each other.
Clarice is more than just Lauren's usual strong female character--she actually has flaws that put her in opposition to Jack at first. She leaps to conclusions about him, shares her conclusions with him, and then...when she realizes she's wrong, immediately apologizes. It's kind of nice, and it's a sign that her inner strength, confidence, and haughtiness isn't from a sense of superiority that means she can't ever be wrong. It just seems she's okay enough to admit when she is. I like that about her.
And what I love about Jack is that Clarice's strength is boon. She can be stubborn and resistant, but it actually turns out to be the quality which he loves most. He gives her the nickname of Boadicea and often refers to her as a warrior-queen. In a world in which women like Clarice are still (even today!) called bitches for commanding such a presence and attitude, I love that Jack prizes that about her.
And the usual romantic conflict is actually resolved relatively early. They're both strong, commanding people. In Jack's absence while serving in the wars, Clarice has naturally stepped into some positions of power--people in his home village come to her, and he resents that when he comes home. It's not really her that he's angry with, but Jack returns to Avening seeking home, comfort, and routine, and Clarice disrupts that.
They quarrel slightly, but quickly Jack acknowledges her strength and intelligence, and then enlists her help. They start an affair--and it's not until after the affair begins that they both realize their feelings on marriage begin to change. Jack had actually sworn off marriage, and Clarice had had several bad interactions in her youth.
Jack gets there first, and spends some time trying to figure out how to win her--but he knows it's not really about changing her mind. It's getting Clarice to even consider the subject in the first place. He mostly sits back as they work together to exonerate her cousin and his friend of treason charges.
There's a moment where they're caught in a compromising position and he feels compelled to offer marriage. She turns him down, and then he doesn't get angry. He gets it. Neither of them want to get married that way, and Jack, never for a minute, thinks that it's a sign she doesn't care for him. I love that! It's so often told the other way, and I love that Jack is written as more emotionally intelligent than that.
It might make you think there's no drama, but it just means that these two people know each other so well that they're not going to have stupid arguments, which, my God, makes me so deliriously happy. I love this romance. I can't say it enough. This is a realllly good, y'all. I don't think I ever realized how well this one was written. Ha, even writing about it as made me want to give the romance the full five stars.
My memory of this book was only that it was fine--and my original Goodreads rating of three stars supports that. However, upon re-reading this time and thinking about my trio of rating criteria more closely, I actually like this book a lot. It's probably the best in the series thus far (though The Lady Chosen remains a very close second).
The romance here is the best in the series, and the characters are probably the most interesting and defined. I may not totally love the subplot with Clarice's family (and we'll talk about it more detail), but it's richly written and only plays a small role in the overall larger story.
We're still tracking Dalziel's final traitor, and he shows up again--we even start getting pieces of his background. I'm relieved to say that four books into this series proper, I'm not remotely annoyed by Dalziel yet, and I'll be interested to see how closely his portrayal as a supporting character reflects his main character in the last book.
The Bastion Club members, other than Jack Warnefleet, are Paignton and Dearne (Jocelyn and Christian) whose books are both 5 & 7 respectively. Neither of them stand out yet -- they're Laurens heroes, so they won't. They play a good role, however, and their presence doesn't distract me enough to think I won't like their books. Clarice's brothers, however, are actually irritating and I'm glad they don't show up more than sparingly.
The plot is good, the romance is good, the characters are good -- there are only a few things that keep this story from being a five-star and we'll get into it in the spoilers.
Spoilers Ahead
Let me get my specific critiques out of the way because I very much want to talk about how good this romance is.
I don't like the subplot of Clarice's brothers being dominated by their stepmother. I like the setup, but there's no power in the execution. Moira simply disappears from the pages--Alton sends her away, and while Clarice suspects Moira is behind a kidnapping attempt, there's no follow up. No resolution. Her brothers end up engaged, but I don't really root for the couples. I don't find the brothers interesting, and I'm not really invested in their success.
But Clarice is, and I like her, so fine. But this really makes the book drag a bit in the second half because I am never at all interested in her idiot family. I wish that James had played a larger role or that I had gotten a better sense of him since Clarice and Jack were working so hard to exonerate him.
That being said, let's get into why this romance is better than the others thus far in the series (and what puts it above The Lady Chosen).
For the first 150 pages, we don't really get into the traitor plot. Our inciting incident is Jack and Clarice meeting after an accident fells a man who ends up being key to the plot getting going, and Clarice suspects someone tried to murder him. But while the victim is unconscious, our two leads get to know each other.
Clarice is more than just Lauren's usual strong female character--she actually has flaws that put her in opposition to Jack at first. She leaps to conclusions about him, shares her conclusions with him, and then...when she realizes she's wrong, immediately apologizes. It's kind of nice, and it's a sign that her inner strength, confidence, and haughtiness isn't from a sense of superiority that means she can't ever be wrong. It just seems she's okay enough to admit when she is. I like that about her.
And what I love about Jack is that Clarice's strength is boon. She can be stubborn and resistant, but it actually turns out to be the quality which he loves most. He gives her the nickname of Boadicea and often refers to her as a warrior-queen. In a world in which women like Clarice are still (even today!) called bitches for commanding such a presence and attitude, I love that Jack prizes that about her.
And the usual romantic conflict is actually resolved relatively early. They're both strong, commanding people. In Jack's absence while serving in the wars, Clarice has naturally stepped into some positions of power--people in his home village come to her, and he resents that when he comes home. It's not really her that he's angry with, but Jack returns to Avening seeking home, comfort, and routine, and Clarice disrupts that.
They quarrel slightly, but quickly Jack acknowledges her strength and intelligence, and then enlists her help. They start an affair--and it's not until after the affair begins that they both realize their feelings on marriage begin to change. Jack had actually sworn off marriage, and Clarice had had several bad interactions in her youth.
Jack gets there first, and spends some time trying to figure out how to win her--but he knows it's not really about changing her mind. It's getting Clarice to even consider the subject in the first place. He mostly sits back as they work together to exonerate her cousin and his friend of treason charges.
There's a moment where they're caught in a compromising position and he feels compelled to offer marriage. She turns him down, and then he doesn't get angry. He gets it. Neither of them want to get married that way, and Jack, never for a minute, thinks that it's a sign she doesn't care for him. I love that! It's so often told the other way, and I love that Jack is written as more emotionally intelligent than that.
It might make you think there's no drama, but it just means that these two people know each other so well that they're not going to have stupid arguments, which, my God, makes me so deliriously happy. I love this romance. I can't say it enough. This is a realllly good, y'all. I don't think I ever realized how well this one was written. Ha, even writing about it as made me want to give the romance the full five stars.