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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I've wanted to read this book ever since I heard about the unconventional hero and heroine. Plus, it's set in the Georgian era, which seems rare for historical romances. I don't usually start with book 8 in a series, but this time was an exception. And a good one, because now I really want to return to Maiden Lane.
I loved the unusual heroine and hero. Phoebe, of course, was blind. But she was also pretty feisty, sweet, and kind. I loved that Phoebe just wanted to be independent, and not caged. James was unusual because he was a former soldier who had a limp. He needed a cane to support his injured right leg. James was a very honorable man, who went above and beyond his duty as Phoebe's guard. Of course, it helped that there were some stronger feelings than duty on James's part, since he'd been attracted to Phoebe for months.
This story followed James and Phoebe as they did their best to flee from kidnappers. Because Phoebe was a duke's sister, there were always going to be people willing to take advantage of her for her position in society, as well as her money. I really didn't like how Phoebe's brother kept her followed and watched, but it was definitely needed in this story. Due to the kidnappers, there was a bit of forced proximity, which I do like. Plus, Phoebe quickly learned that her guard could be a friend....or more. I loved the setting of the Georgian period too, what with its different clothing.
I'm definitely interested in reading more Maiden Lane novels. Elizabeth Hoyt was able to shock me with a twist near the end, and I always like when my guesses are wrong. I thought Phoebe's disability was handled pretty well, considering that Phoebe wasn't born that way. There were times when I thought she was a bit too helpless, but then, she was an aristocrat. Maybe that contributed to it. Overall though, I liked the book. The main characters both having disabilities was unusual and very different. I quite liked the romance, too. James didn't ever say Phoebe was incapable, just wanted to protect her. But Phoebe taught him that sometimes, falling was necessary to life. I thought there were some really interesting lessons here, as well as a unique romance. All this made the story quite good, and I'll definitely be back for more.
I loved the unusual heroine and hero. Phoebe, of course, was blind. But she was also pretty feisty, sweet, and kind. I loved that Phoebe just wanted to be independent, and not caged. James was unusual because he was a former soldier who had a limp. He needed a cane to support his injured right leg. James was a very honorable man, who went above and beyond his duty as Phoebe's guard. Of course, it helped that there were some stronger feelings than duty on James's part, since he'd been attracted to Phoebe for months.
This story followed James and Phoebe as they did their best to flee from kidnappers. Because Phoebe was a duke's sister, there were always going to be people willing to take advantage of her for her position in society, as well as her money. I really didn't like how Phoebe's brother kept her followed and watched, but it was definitely needed in this story. Due to the kidnappers, there was a bit of forced proximity, which I do like. Plus, Phoebe quickly learned that her guard could be a friend....or more. I loved the setting of the Georgian period too, what with its different clothing.
I'm definitely interested in reading more Maiden Lane novels. Elizabeth Hoyt was able to shock me with a twist near the end, and I always like when my guesses are wrong. I thought Phoebe's disability was handled pretty well, considering that Phoebe wasn't born that way. There were times when I thought she was a bit too helpless, but then, she was an aristocrat. Maybe that contributed to it. Overall though, I liked the book. The main characters both having disabilities was unusual and very different. I quite liked the romance, too. James didn't ever say Phoebe was incapable, just wanted to protect her. But Phoebe taught him that sometimes, falling was necessary to life. I thought there were some really interesting lessons here, as well as a unique romance. All this made the story quite good, and I'll definitely be back for more.
3.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lady Phoebe has been steadily going blind for the last couple years and as the sister to a powerful and rich duke, her brother hires a bodyguard to keep her safe. Captain James Trevillion used to ride the streets of St. Giles chasing down gin makers until an accident left him lame in one leg but still highly capable he becomes Phoebe's bodyguard. The aristocrat and the commoner find themselves at crossed swords quite often but as they get to know one another, they find themselves slowly lowering all their defenses.
Sometimes Phoebe wondered what Captain Trevillion would do if she reached up and slapped his face. Or kissed him.
If you have read the previous books in the series (focusing on the lead's romance in this book you would be fine without prior knowledge but there will be secondary characters and side storylines that will pass you by) you would have gotten a little taste of Trevillion and Phoebe's somewhat tense relationship. This story is what many have excitedly anticipated, the progression of all that tension. The interaction between Trevillion and Phoebe was what definitely worked the best for me while the kidnapping plot didn't seem the best put together. It worked to put our couple together but the over and over resurgence of it felt much dragged on.
I'm no longer a fit guard, he thought, I can't keep my objectivity around her anymore. God help me. God help her.
The fear of not being able to see, having her brother stifle her nearly to madness out of love, and exuberance of youth made Phoebe a very likeable and believable character. It was unfortunately, also her youth and sheltered life, at times I felt like the character felt even younger than the age stated and that lost me. There was a lot of "I want, I want" from Phoebe that manifested itself in a very child like manner that wasn't a lot of fun for me to read. On the other hand, the feeling of her desperation to feel alive was so heartbreaking. Trevillion's restraining looks, wanting, and feelings toward Phoebe were what sold me towards his character. Unfortunately, again, what made up a good chunk of his character, stoic and contained, that made him gruff and vulnerable also made him too inscrutable. I couldn't quite feel connected to him as an individual. The first half moved pretty slowly for me, it was when Trevillion kidnaps Phoebe to keep her safe from being kidnapped and they start spending a lot of time alone that I began to really feel this couple.
She was an aristocrat---a world apart from his yeoman upbringing. But here, in this quiet paddock, the only sound the soft thump of the horses' hooves on grass, they were just a man and a woman. That simple.
And that complex.
In this second half and particularly in the 60-80% area, this couple will entrench themselves in your heart. The way Trevillion sees Phoebe, past her blindness, will have your eyes watering and the way the air crackles when they are close together will heat your blood. There is a scene involving stockings that will definitely be a nominee for my best scene of 2015; scorching hot. With everything stripped away, the kidnapping plot and mechanism's of secondary characters, Phoebe and Trevillion radiated brightly and emotionally. Their time together, Phoebe's growth from Trevillion's strength and ability to see her as more than her blindness and willingness to let her fall was beautifully romantic. The last 20% or so with what seemed like a lot of forced sex scenes smashed into it and one too many kidnaps had me wishing for the quieter moments of our couple's time spent hidden away.
Overall, there are some truly beautiful moments in this story and if you are a fan of the series you definitely don't want to miss out on this couple's happily ever after. This series and book has a great many fans and there is definitely a reason for it. If looking to escape the regency ballrooms to the 1700s, this would be a great series to pick up.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lady Phoebe has been steadily going blind for the last couple years and as the sister to a powerful and rich duke, her brother hires a bodyguard to keep her safe. Captain James Trevillion used to ride the streets of St. Giles chasing down gin makers until an accident left him lame in one leg but still highly capable he becomes Phoebe's bodyguard. The aristocrat and the commoner find themselves at crossed swords quite often but as they get to know one another, they find themselves slowly lowering all their defenses.
Sometimes Phoebe wondered what Captain Trevillion would do if she reached up and slapped his face. Or kissed him.
If you have read the previous books in the series (focusing on the lead's romance in this book you would be fine without prior knowledge but there will be secondary characters and side storylines that will pass you by) you would have gotten a little taste of Trevillion and Phoebe's somewhat tense relationship. This story is what many have excitedly anticipated, the progression of all that tension. The interaction between Trevillion and Phoebe was what definitely worked the best for me while the kidnapping plot didn't seem the best put together. It worked to put our couple together but the over and over resurgence of it felt much dragged on.
I'm no longer a fit guard, he thought, I can't keep my objectivity around her anymore. God help me. God help her.
The fear of not being able to see, having her brother stifle her nearly to madness out of love, and exuberance of youth made Phoebe a very likeable and believable character. It was unfortunately, also her youth and sheltered life, at times I felt like the character felt even younger than the age stated and that lost me. There was a lot of "I want, I want" from Phoebe that manifested itself in a very child like manner that wasn't a lot of fun for me to read. On the other hand, the feeling of her desperation to feel alive was so heartbreaking. Trevillion's restraining looks, wanting, and feelings toward Phoebe were what sold me towards his character. Unfortunately, again, what made up a good chunk of his character, stoic and contained, that made him gruff and vulnerable also made him too inscrutable. I couldn't quite feel connected to him as an individual. The first half moved pretty slowly for me, it was when Trevillion kidnaps Phoebe to keep her safe from being kidnapped and they start spending a lot of time alone that I began to really feel this couple.
She was an aristocrat---a world apart from his yeoman upbringing. But here, in this quiet paddock, the only sound the soft thump of the horses' hooves on grass, they were just a man and a woman. That simple.
And that complex.
In this second half and particularly in the 60-80% area, this couple will entrench themselves in your heart. The way Trevillion sees Phoebe, past her blindness, will have your eyes watering and the way the air crackles when they are close together will heat your blood. There is a scene involving stockings that will definitely be a nominee for my best scene of 2015; scorching hot. With everything stripped away, the kidnapping plot and mechanism's of secondary characters, Phoebe and Trevillion radiated brightly and emotionally. Their time together, Phoebe's growth from Trevillion's strength and ability to see her as more than her blindness and willingness to let her fall was beautifully romantic. The last 20% or so with what seemed like a lot of forced sex scenes smashed into it and one too many kidnaps had me wishing for the quieter moments of our couple's time spent hidden away.
Overall, there are some truly beautiful moments in this story and if you are a fan of the series you definitely don't want to miss out on this couple's happily ever after. This series and book has a great many fans and there is definitely a reason for it. If looking to escape the regency ballrooms to the 1700s, this would be a great series to pick up.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
medium-paced
4 stars!
this was so good!
I loved reading Phoebe's story and Travillion ugh he was so dreaming as the brooding cripple bodyguard lusting after a well bred lady. He gave me serious Poldark vibes!
this was so good!
I loved reading Phoebe's story and Travillion ugh he was so dreaming as the brooding cripple bodyguard lusting after a well bred lady. He gave me serious Poldark vibes!
The heroine has lost her eyesight making this book a bit different from your typical historical romance.
Note: the title makes no sense...the hero isn't even a little bit of a rogue.
Note: the title makes no sense...the hero isn't even a little bit of a rogue.
This book has all the perfect things! Grump sunshine with a little bit of a slow burn…. and soooo much sweetness. The Heroine is blind. Our hero is very serious about his job of protecting her. Such a great story that I just could not put down. Highly recommend!