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jackiepenn18's review against another edition
5.0
This was so adorable. After reading A Duke, the Lady and a Baby, I really wanted to learn more about Jemina, so I was happy that she was the heroine of this book. Jemina and Daniel's love story was so original and refreshing. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, Vanessa would surprise me in delightful ways. Not only does she craft well-written love stories she also imbeds history into them as well. The historical details adds another rich layer to the story, which I really enjoyed.
Now we need a book about Lord Gantry and his wife!
I highly recommend this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Now we need a book about Lord Gantry and his wife!
I highly recommend this book! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
3.0
This was my first time reading a novel from Vanessa Riley and dove right in to book two in the Rogues and Remarkable Women series and even though this was billed as a stand-alone I spent a good deal of the book confused because a number of characters, references, or situations were not well explained. I really wanted to enjoy this story especially since there are not a large number of historical romances novels that feature a hero (or heroine) that is not white but I had a hard time connecting with both Daniel and Jemina. I think I would have been more engrossed in their love story if I really understood them better, or the situation they found themselves in.
*I received a copy of this novel from GoodReads in exchange for an honest review*
*I received a copy of this novel from GoodReads in exchange for an honest review*
tempest_reign's review against another edition
3.0
An Earl, the Girl, and a Toddler is the second book in the Rogues and Remarkable Women series, by Vanessa Riley. This book is a Regency-era historical romance, and follows on from the first book, A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby.
Overall, I really enjoyed the plot of this story, and loved the characters, especially the protagonists, Jemina and Daniel, who were suitably flawed but redeemable, and completely lovable. I also had several laugh-out-loud moments when Daniel was speaking, and there was a fabulous plot twist which I wasn't expecting, so that was a win too.
I was also suitably impressed by how Riley handled the multi-cultural aspect of the story; some of the characters had quite racist views and let them be known by their words and actions, but overall, this didn't detract from the story, it made it seem much more realistic of my view of the era, and I found the characters that these veiws were aimed at handled and overcame the prejudice very well.
So, why only three stars? Well, as with the first book, I found the story quite difficult to read as the paragraphs aren't always clearly marked; there's no blank line between paragraphs, which isn't in itself a drama, but when the last paragraph ends in a full line, and the next starts immediately underneath, it's annoying to have to try to figure out who is speaking, or what relevance that has to do with what you've just read. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that I really liked the actual characters and storyline, this would have been a two star book for me.
Overall, I really enjoyed the plot of this story, and loved the characters, especially the protagonists, Jemina and Daniel, who were suitably flawed but redeemable, and completely lovable. I also had several laugh-out-loud moments when Daniel was speaking, and there was a fabulous plot twist which I wasn't expecting, so that was a win too.
I was also suitably impressed by how Riley handled the multi-cultural aspect of the story; some of the characters had quite racist views and let them be known by their words and actions, but overall, this didn't detract from the story, it made it seem much more realistic of my view of the era, and I found the characters that these veiws were aimed at handled and overcame the prejudice very well.
So, why only three stars? Well, as with the first book, I found the story quite difficult to read as the paragraphs aren't always clearly marked; there's no blank line between paragraphs, which isn't in itself a drama, but when the last paragraph ends in a full line, and the next starts immediately underneath, it's annoying to have to try to figure out who is speaking, or what relevance that has to do with what you've just read. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that I really liked the actual characters and storyline, this would have been a two star book for me.
mnboyer's review against another edition
5.0
PopSugar 2023 reading challenge #29
Jemina is in a shipwreck, but survives (and, very few survive). She's then committed and everyone think's she's crazy until barrister Daniel Thackery, Lord Ashbrook, comes and gets her out. He's kind of depressed because his proxy-wife was on that ship and didn't survive, but her child did -- and now he's caring for this child (Charlotte). And then... he starts to have feelings for Jemina.
There's a lot to unpack in this relationship though. She's a maid. She has amnesia. Turns out maybe her family was involved in the slave trade. That's further complicated by the racial dynamics that are already present in the story. This tension was great. The fact that Jemina wants to uncover who she is, no matter if that makes her a less desirable love-match, fantastic. The fact that Lord Ashbrook becomes so smitten, wonderful.
Really, my only complaint is the "baby voice" in the narration if you listen to the audiobook. That, that was weird... Charlotte is a baby but the voice was creepy.
Definitely need to go find the first book in this series!
Jemina is in a shipwreck, but survives (and, very few survive). She's then committed and everyone think's she's crazy until barrister Daniel Thackery, Lord Ashbrook, comes and gets her out. He's kind of depressed because his proxy-wife was on that ship and didn't survive, but her child did -- and now he's caring for this child (Charlotte). And then... he starts to have feelings for Jemina.
There's a lot to unpack in this relationship though. She's a maid. She has amnesia. Turns out maybe her family was involved in the slave trade. That's further complicated by the racial dynamics that are already present in the story. This tension was great. The fact that Jemina wants to uncover who she is, no matter if that makes her a less desirable love-match, fantastic. The fact that Lord Ashbrook becomes so smitten, wonderful.
Really, my only complaint is the "baby voice" in the narration if you listen to the audiobook. That, that was weird... Charlotte is a baby but the voice was creepy.
Definitely need to go find the first book in this series!
bookish_kayy's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fairly quick read, although it did take me a bit to get into. This could be contributed to not having read the first book in the series, as I was a little confused for a bit. Once I worked it out, I could see where things were heading, and I did enjoy most of the trip to get there.
I got a little tired of the seemingly constant misunderstandings, but nothing that put me off too badly.
Overall, I did enjoy this and I would read more by this author.
I got a little tired of the seemingly constant misunderstandings, but nothing that put me off too badly.
Overall, I did enjoy this and I would read more by this author.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good book. It is unusual for a romance of the Regency period to have such a diversity of characters. It tackles complex subjects such as racism, mental health, and women's rights while retaining the hopefulness of a romance.
The book opened in 1812 with Jemina, one of two survivors of a shipwreck, suffering from amnesia brought on by the trauma and threatened with commitment to Bedlam if she can't confirm her identity. At the same time, Daniel arrives at the port expecting to greet the woman he married by proxy, only to discover she died in the wreck. The only other survivor is a small Black child, whom the attending officers give to Daniel, the only Black man there. Daniel assumes the girl was his wife's and takes her home to raise as his own. Though Daniel is a barrister devoted to the law, he bends some rules to ensure that little Hope remains with him.
Two years later, Jemina escaped Bedlam with the help of The Widow's Grace and their lawyer, Daniel. Now she works with the group to help other widows escape the clutches of unscrupulous family members and restore their freedom. Her lack of memory still haunts Jemina, and she will do anything to unearth her identity.
As a barrister, Daniel works with his aunt, Lady Shrewesbury, to help the widows she rescues. Careful not to inquire too deeply into how she obtains her "evidence," Daniel unsuccessfully tries to get her to give up her crusade. He frequently finds himself butting heads with Jemina, one of his aunt's best agents.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jemina and Daniel. The sparks that fly between them aren't all based on antagonism, but each has reasons to ignore them. Jemina won't get involved with anyone while not knowing her past. Daniel protects Hope by being as proper and upstanding as possible. But things between them become more complicated when Jemina stumbles across some information that indicates Daniel knows more about her past than he lets on. Jemina's search for the truth runs up against Daniel's need to protect his secrets.
I liked their back-and-forth banter as each tries to get the upper hand in their battle for information. The more time they spend together, the hotter the sparks between them grow. But Daniel has made some enemies determined to bring him down. When those enemies attempt to set him up, Jemina comes to his rescue. I ached for Daniel because if they succeed, he could lose everything he's worked for. The rescue scene had me laughing out loud as Jemina dealt with an intoxicated and uncooperative Daniel. Extreme measures became necessary, followed by a hilarious extraction.
All of these events led up to Daniel proposing marriage to Jemina. Neither one has yet admitted their feelings for the other, but they simmer under the surface. Little Hope takes to Jemina as soon as they meet, stirring up memories of another child in Jemina's mind. Just when their relationship shows promise, Daniel's secret comes out, destroying Jemina's trust in him. While she sets out on her own to look for the truth of her past, Daniel finally realizes what he must do. I liked seeing him finally come clean, and by doing that, discover an unexpected link between Jemina and Hope. All that is left is to unravel the rest of Jemina's story. I loved seeing the two of them confront the one responsible for so much trouble.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I learned some things I didn't know, helped along by the author's notes in the back of the book. My only complaint was that the book seemed to drag at times, though I can't pinpoint why. It won't stop me from going back and reading the first in the series.
The book opened in 1812 with Jemina, one of two survivors of a shipwreck, suffering from amnesia brought on by the trauma and threatened with commitment to Bedlam if she can't confirm her identity. At the same time, Daniel arrives at the port expecting to greet the woman he married by proxy, only to discover she died in the wreck. The only other survivor is a small Black child, whom the attending officers give to Daniel, the only Black man there. Daniel assumes the girl was his wife's and takes her home to raise as his own. Though Daniel is a barrister devoted to the law, he bends some rules to ensure that little Hope remains with him.
Two years later, Jemina escaped Bedlam with the help of The Widow's Grace and their lawyer, Daniel. Now she works with the group to help other widows escape the clutches of unscrupulous family members and restore their freedom. Her lack of memory still haunts Jemina, and she will do anything to unearth her identity.
As a barrister, Daniel works with his aunt, Lady Shrewesbury, to help the widows she rescues. Careful not to inquire too deeply into how she obtains her "evidence," Daniel unsuccessfully tries to get her to give up her crusade. He frequently finds himself butting heads with Jemina, one of his aunt's best agents.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Jemina and Daniel. The sparks that fly between them aren't all based on antagonism, but each has reasons to ignore them. Jemina won't get involved with anyone while not knowing her past. Daniel protects Hope by being as proper and upstanding as possible. But things between them become more complicated when Jemina stumbles across some information that indicates Daniel knows more about her past than he lets on. Jemina's search for the truth runs up against Daniel's need to protect his secrets.
I liked their back-and-forth banter as each tries to get the upper hand in their battle for information. The more time they spend together, the hotter the sparks between them grow. But Daniel has made some enemies determined to bring him down. When those enemies attempt to set him up, Jemina comes to his rescue. I ached for Daniel because if they succeed, he could lose everything he's worked for. The rescue scene had me laughing out loud as Jemina dealt with an intoxicated and uncooperative Daniel. Extreme measures became necessary, followed by a hilarious extraction.
All of these events led up to Daniel proposing marriage to Jemina. Neither one has yet admitted their feelings for the other, but they simmer under the surface. Little Hope takes to Jemina as soon as they meet, stirring up memories of another child in Jemina's mind. Just when their relationship shows promise, Daniel's secret comes out, destroying Jemina's trust in him. While she sets out on her own to look for the truth of her past, Daniel finally realizes what he must do. I liked seeing him finally come clean, and by doing that, discover an unexpected link between Jemina and Hope. All that is left is to unravel the rest of Jemina's story. I loved seeing the two of them confront the one responsible for so much trouble.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I learned some things I didn't know, helped along by the author's notes in the back of the book. My only complaint was that the book seemed to drag at times, though I can't pinpoint why. It won't stop me from going back and reading the first in the series.
tinypinkrobot's review against another edition
3.0
Riley’s style is all her own and it gives the work a historical air that I was looking for but at times my comprehension of the plot felt fragmented. I love her work but I have to say I wish she had centered Daniel as the wonderful father figure more then she did; it felt like she was doing a bit too much.
lanidacey's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, if sometimes confusing. There was a bit of mystery and whodunnit in this story that I'm not sure I got completely.
gracedwithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
First, a huge thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was nervous going into this book, not having read the first in the series (A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby), but I found it difficult to put down once I got a bit further into the book. The beginning starts slow, but I became more invested in their story as I cared for the characters.
This is my first Vanessa Riley book, and I loved how she could have a conversation/shine a light on colonization, enslavement, and colorism in a historical context. I especially appreciated the information about the history of people of color at the end of the book.
Our main heroine, a widow, named Jemina, lost her memory in a shipwreck that left her to be placed in bedlam. Two years later, a lawyer, Daniel Thackery, freed her, and she has been working to give rights to other widows in London. Still, when she goes looking for clues to her past, her path collides once again with Daniel Thackery (the Earl of Ashbrooke), and the two cannot fight their growing attraction.
In many ways, this was a classic historical fiction romance with many plot twists from amnesia to scandals to secret mistresses. I feel as though I could have benefited from the information learned in the first book, but it is not required to read that book before this one.
I was nervous going into this book, not having read the first in the series (A Duke, the Lady, and a Baby), but I found it difficult to put down once I got a bit further into the book. The beginning starts slow, but I became more invested in their story as I cared for the characters.
This is my first Vanessa Riley book, and I loved how she could have a conversation/shine a light on colonization, enslavement, and colorism in a historical context. I especially appreciated the information about the history of people of color at the end of the book.
Our main heroine, a widow, named Jemina, lost her memory in a shipwreck that left her to be placed in bedlam. Two years later, a lawyer, Daniel Thackery, freed her, and she has been working to give rights to other widows in London. Still, when she goes looking for clues to her past, her path collides once again with Daniel Thackery (the Earl of Ashbrooke), and the two cannot fight their growing attraction.
In many ways, this was a classic historical fiction romance with many plot twists from amnesia to scandals to secret mistresses. I feel as though I could have benefited from the information learned in the first book, but it is not required to read that book before this one.
upturnedroots's review against another edition
3.0
"Did you have to antagonize him? I thought you saved those special feelings for me."
I was able to predict some of the twists but a good first experience with a Vanessa Riley book, looking forward to reading more.
I was able to predict some of the twists but a good first experience with a Vanessa Riley book, looking forward to reading more.