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clairey_fairy82's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mflake's review against another edition
slow-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
3.75
balletbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Although the "old" spy plot (not the current one, but the set-up for it) seems rather far-fetched and hard to believe it was sustained for about 40 years, I really loved Charles and Penny's relationship.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
2.0
Ahh Stephanie Laurens... I've lost track of how many series you're currently writing and I mourn the fact that I just don't really like your novels. Once again we're back in the world of the Bastion club as yet another Bachelor falls prey to the claws of marriage.
While I enjoy her Cynster series, I can't seem to really get myself into the Bastion series.
While the novel deals with what is usually one of my kinks (Childhood Friends) I found the characters themselves too silly to want to sympathise with. Our Hero upon his return to his childhood home is reunited with his childhood sweetheart. Who of course, was not so sweet in their childhood dumping him when she realised that he was not to become the Earl.
With the war behind him and all other male relatives dead, Hero finds himself back with Heroine as they try to recover from the angst of 13 years. Yes. Not a very good installment.
While I enjoy her Cynster series, I can't seem to really get myself into the Bastion series.
While the novel deals with what is usually one of my kinks (Childhood Friends) I found the characters themselves too silly to want to sympathise with. Our Hero upon his return to his childhood home is reunited with his childhood sweetheart. Who of course, was not so sweet in their childhood dumping him when she realised that he was not to become the Earl.
With the war behind him and all other male relatives dead, Hero finds himself back with Heroine as they try to recover from the angst of 13 years. Yes. Not a very good installment.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
A Lady of His Own
3.5 Stars
Charles St. Austell is the latest member of the Bastion Club determined to find a wife. Unfortunately, the silly debutantes of theton and their title-obsessed mothers have driven him to escape to his family seat in Cornwall. Once there, he soon realizes that the only woman for him is the one he allowed to get away - Lady Penelope Selborne. Now all he has to do is convince the reluctant Penny to give him another chance . . .
As with most of Laurens' books, it could have been 100 pages shorter. Nevertheless, the romance and the suspense plot are both engaging.
Charles and Penny's second chances romance is both sweet and spicey. Although their lengthy separation stemming from a lack of communication has the potential to derail the storyline, Laurens manages to bring it back from the brink with plausible explanations and excellent chemistry.
The mystery revolving around the search for a French assassin is a little convoluted, but it is fun following the clues and the red herrings. There are some exciting action scenes and a satisfying resolution.
Overall, this is an entertaining series with appealing characters despite Laurens' wordiness. Looking forward to the next one.
3.5 Stars
Charles St. Austell is the latest member of the Bastion Club determined to find a wife. Unfortunately, the silly debutantes of theton and their title-obsessed mothers have driven him to escape to his family seat in Cornwall. Once there, he soon realizes that the only woman for him is the one he allowed to get away - Lady Penelope Selborne. Now all he has to do is convince the reluctant Penny to give him another chance . . .
As with most of Laurens' books, it could have been 100 pages shorter. Nevertheless, the romance and the suspense plot are both engaging.
Charles and Penny's second chances romance is both sweet and spicey. Although their lengthy separation stemming from a lack of communication has the potential to derail the storyline, Laurens manages to bring it back from the brink with plausible explanations and excellent chemistry.
The mystery revolving around the search for a French assassin is a little convoluted, but it is fun following the clues and the red herrings. There are some exciting action scenes and a satisfying resolution.
Overall, this is an entertaining series with appealing characters despite Laurens' wordiness. Looking forward to the next one.
lassarina's review against another edition
2.0
Ordinarily this would be my catnip--second chance romances are so great. But honestly, I just kept getting bored. There was a mystery but I didn't care, there were a lot of pants feelings happening and I skipped over them, there were heart feelings happening and they didn't matter to me. This is the second time I've read this book and I think I remember liking it more the first time, but this time around was a lot of "ehhhhhhh." Also, I mean, I know past hurt feelings get in teh way but hot damn, people, have a conversation sometime, it'll solve so many problems.
styxx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, and Violence
megallenbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I do love the 50c bin at the op shop; which is where this one came from. Be warned this is slow moving. I didn't know what I expected but a Regency Murder Mystery wasn't it. However, I am really glad Lauren's upped the ante and threw in a couple of murders, because I have to say, I would have DNF'd without it.
So first things, the mystery. Look it's not the most thrilling murder mystery you can read but the tension does build, the "bad guy" is not simple or predictable. I liked the inclusion of people beyond lords and ladies and found the country setting interesting.
The romance was infuriating. This is a second chance romance and the reason it didn't work out the first time was a simple miscommunication. Like literally could have been solved in one two page conversation. It didn't need almost 400 pages.
I will not actively seek out other books in the series, but if I find another in the 50c bin at Vinnies, I will probably grab it.
So first things, the mystery. Look it's not the most thrilling murder mystery you can read but the tension does build, the "bad guy" is not simple or predictable. I liked the inclusion of people beyond lords and ladies and found the country setting interesting.
The romance was infuriating. This is a second chance romance and the reason it didn't work out the first time was a simple miscommunication. Like literally could have been solved in one two page conversation. It didn't need almost 400 pages.
I will not actively seek out other books in the series, but if I find another in the 50c bin at Vinnies, I will probably grab it.
kgullo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
helenephoebe's review against another edition
4.0
Review - This was my favourite Bastion Club novel so far. I also really liked how the storyline continued from the last novel. Sometimes it just seems as if too much happens over too short space of time, but this one didn't feel like that. I also loved how quickly the characters settled into the relationship so it allowed the mystery element of the story to flow more freely. It worked really well. I really loved Charles St Austell and Penelope Selbourne; it seemed as if they belonged together, whereas some of Laurens's characters appear to have been pushed together. I loved how it was also a renewing of relations rather than something which can seem implausible.
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica / Regency / Mystery
Characters? - Penelope / Charles / Royce (Dalziel) / Nicholas / Granville / Jack / Gervase / Dennis / Mother Gibbs / Amberly / Fothergill
Setting? - Cornwall & London & Berkshire (England)
Series? - Bastion Club #3
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 18/20
Genre? - Historical / Romance / Erotica / Regency / Mystery
Characters? - Penelope / Charles / Royce (Dalziel) / Nicholas / Granville / Jack / Gervase / Dennis / Mother Gibbs / Amberly / Fothergill
Setting? - Cornwall & London & Berkshire (England)
Series? - Bastion Club #3
Recommend? - Yes
Rating - 18/20