Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Elizabeth Hoyt is one of my go-to Regency Romance writers. I preorder all of her books and when one arrives on my reader, I usually spend the day trying to hold off a while to read it so I can savor it or pounce on it immediately because I just can't wait.
It feels like I was waiting a long time for Phoebe's story in the Maiden Lane books and I was not disappointed to finally read it. Despite her blindness, Phoebe is feisty and determined to live her life. And James, well he's my perfect hero. A little stuffy, knowing that Phoebe far outranks him but with an unrequited love for her that he tries to suppress. He puts Phoebe's life and happiness above everything else - how can you not love that as a romance reader?
It's a great book and now I have to wait again for her next one, sigh....
It feels like I was waiting a long time for Phoebe's story in the Maiden Lane books and I was not disappointed to finally read it. Despite her blindness, Phoebe is feisty and determined to live her life. And James, well he's my perfect hero. A little stuffy, knowing that Phoebe far outranks him but with an unrequited love for her that he tries to suppress. He puts Phoebe's life and happiness above everything else - how can you not love that as a romance reader?
It's a great book and now I have to wait again for her next one, sigh....
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have conflicted feelings about this book, particularly about some of the aspects of how the characters disabilities were treated. There were a couple of time where the Phoebe talked about her blindness in ways I didn’t particularly like, and I would like to know how blind people (or anyone with better understanding of disabilities in that time period) feels about the book.
I loved James and Phoebe. Their relationship was adorable and I was very much looking forward to their book since reading about them in the previous book. I didn’t very much care for the kidnappings and Eve’s appearance in this book. Much like in the previous book, the intrigue and danger storyline made no sense. It didn’t add much to the story and just took away from seeing more of Phoebe and James develop their relationship. They were so cute together that I just wanted see more of them. I also found their love scenes weird. We only saw them from Phoebe’s perspective and the way it was described it felt very disconnected from James, like he didn’t talk or make noises at all, as if Phoebe was also deaf. You’d think a blind person would’ve described and felt the other aspects much more considering they can’t see. Their first time truly together was underwhelming and weird to be honest.
I loved James and Phoebe. Their relationship was adorable and I was very much looking forward to their book since reading about them in the previous book. I didn’t very much care for the kidnappings and Eve’s appearance in this book. Much like in the previous book, the intrigue and danger storyline made no sense. It didn’t add much to the story and just took away from seeing more of Phoebe and James develop their relationship. They were so cute together that I just wanted see more of them. I also found their love scenes weird. We only saw them from Phoebe’s perspective and the way it was described it felt very disconnected from James, like he didn’t talk or make noises at all, as if Phoebe was also deaf. You’d think a blind person would’ve described and felt the other aspects much more considering they can’t see. Their first time truly together was underwhelming and weird to be honest.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This one didn't really do it for me.
Lady Phoebe Batten, sister of the Duke of Wakefield is almost totally blind. Her brother has hired the former dragoon Captain James Trevillion to guard her and keep her from harm. Then several attempts are made to kidnap Phoebe and James decides the only way to keep her safe is to spirit her away to a secret location.
It has taken me quite a long time to read this book, mainly because I found it less than enthralling. Now I've reached the end I can barely remember the beginning but I found the reasons for the kidnapping to be beyond comprehension.
There was nothing wrong with Phoebe and James as a couple, the book just seemed slow and like a series of repetitions.
Lady Phoebe Batten, sister of the Duke of Wakefield is almost totally blind. Her brother has hired the former dragoon Captain James Trevillion to guard her and keep her from harm. Then several attempts are made to kidnap Phoebe and James decides the only way to keep her safe is to spirit her away to a secret location.
It has taken me quite a long time to read this book, mainly because I found it less than enthralling. Now I've reached the end I can barely remember the beginning but I found the reasons for the kidnapping to be beyond comprehension.
There was nothing wrong with Phoebe and James as a couple, the book just seemed slow and like a series of repetitions.
I had originally seen this on a historical romance with disability recommendations video but did not want to pick it up because it is an age-gap romance. I don't fancy relationships where the female is much younger than the male. But then decided to give it a try as it is rare to find a romance where both characters are disabled.
One thing I am annoyed by is that the female model on the cover and step back is so slim but on the first page of the story, Phoebe is described as plump. I wished cover models were more accurate to their characters. I have read another book (To Beguile a Beast) by the author and found it to be okay though it features a scarred hero.
Set in the Georgian era of 1740, 21 year old Phoebe is almost blind and that is why her brother, the Duke of Wakefield hired 33 year old Captain James Trevillion to be her bodyguard. James was injured while in the King's Dragoons and uses a cane. That sounded brave and cool. Phoebe used to be able to see but lost her sight over time and now can only see blurry images if there is sunlight.
I thought it was unique that the author blends fairytales with her stories. But didn't quite link the tale of The Kelpie to the main storyline.
Oh her female character names are unusual too. Some of the ladies names are Hippolyta, Artemis and Hero...
Relationships with age gaps are not unusual in this time period. Young women have their Season and seek husbands in the Marriage Mart. Most marry for title and riches and only some find a love match.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this! The tropes this book has are age gap, grump sunshine, social class difference and close proximity. So if you like these, you would probably enjoy their story.
He is very aware of the help she needs because she can't see and though his legs can be problematic with too much movement, he still is able to protect Phoebe. I didn't feel the age gap so much though that is something he raises a few times.
I thought it was sweet where he wears perfume for her so she can identify him. He made an effort to be thoughtful such as making suggestions even if there was things she could not do. I felt the way he cared and thought of her. I liked that she learns to stand up for herself even though the kidnapping plot throughout the entire book was rather dramatic. It is a valid concern her brother and James have because she needs help but she rightly points out that she can't be kept and controlled her whole life. She needs to be be able to lead her life and make her choices.
There was some discrimination and presumptions about her blindness and I liked how the author focuses on how she ignores it or has people around her to support her despite experiencing this. She knows that she is invisible because of her blindness, to society, her value is less. I thought that it was heart rending for someone with a chronic illness or disability to read her experience.
They take awhile to finally give in to their desires and while the first few sex scenes were steamy, it isn't often that you read about a character who only experiences sex by touch and smell. I thought that the rest were too safe.
The language used can be funny at times like: Twas, Sirrah etc things you won't expect someone to say now with a straight face.
The side plot with James' family was interesting too and his sister has a development issue but she still leads a happy and fulfilled life awww. More representation! I liked reading about the horses his family rears as well and his niece was mature for her age. I did not read any of the previous seven books before picking this up and felt that it can be read as a standalone. Though, characters from previous books do show up.
One thing I am annoyed by is that the female model on the cover and step back is so slim but on the first page of the story, Phoebe is described as plump. I wished cover models were more accurate to their characters. I have read another book (To Beguile a Beast) by the author and found it to be okay though it features a scarred hero.
Set in the Georgian era of 1740, 21 year old Phoebe is almost blind and that is why her brother, the Duke of Wakefield hired 33 year old Captain James Trevillion to be her bodyguard. James was injured while in the King's Dragoons and uses a cane. That sounded brave and cool. Phoebe used to be able to see but lost her sight over time and now can only see blurry images if there is sunlight.
I thought it was unique that the author blends fairytales with her stories. But didn't quite link the tale of The Kelpie to the main storyline.
Oh her female character names are unusual too. Some of the ladies names are Hippolyta, Artemis and Hero...
Relationships with age gaps are not unusual in this time period. Young women have their Season and seek husbands in the Marriage Mart. Most marry for title and riches and only some find a love match.
I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this! The tropes this book has are age gap, grump sunshine, social class difference and close proximity. So if you like these, you would probably enjoy their story.
He is very aware of the help she needs because she can't see and though his legs can be problematic with too much movement, he still is able to protect Phoebe. I didn't feel the age gap so much though that is something he raises a few times.
I thought it was sweet where he wears perfume for her so she can identify him. He made an effort to be thoughtful such as making suggestions even if there was things she could not do. I felt the way he cared and thought of her. I liked that she learns to stand up for herself even though the kidnapping plot throughout the entire book was rather dramatic. It is a valid concern her brother and James have because she needs help but she rightly points out that she can't be kept and controlled her whole life. She needs to be be able to lead her life and make her choices.
There was some discrimination and presumptions about her blindness and I liked how the author focuses on how she ignores it or has people around her to support her despite experiencing this. She knows that she is invisible because of her blindness, to society, her value is less. I thought that it was heart rending for someone with a chronic illness or disability to read her experience.
They take awhile to finally give in to their desires and while the first few sex scenes were steamy, it isn't often that you read about a character who only experiences sex by touch and smell. I thought that the rest were too safe.
The language used can be funny at times like: Twas, Sirrah etc things you won't expect someone to say now with a straight face.
The side plot with James' family was interesting too and his sister has a development issue but she still leads a happy and fulfilled life awww. More representation! I liked reading about the horses his family rears as well and his niece was mature for her age. I did not read any of the previous seven books before picking this up and felt that it can be read as a standalone. Though, characters from previous books do show up.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Histoire absolument trop mimi, j’ai beaucoup aimé.
Lady Phoebe est une jeune femme éprise de liberté, mais sa cécité et le fait qu’elle soit la soeur d’un pair du royaume font qu’elle est en danger. Le duc de Wakefield, son frère, a assigné un garde du corps, Trevillion, à la surveillance de Phoebe. Même si au départ il n’y avait pas une grande entente entre eux, ils se sont peu à peu rapprochés, et sont presque des amis. Mais Phoebe va se trouver en grand danger, et après deux tentatives d’enlèvement, Trevillion décide de l'emmener loin de Londres.
Lady Phoebe est une jeune femme éprise de liberté, mais sa cécité et le fait qu’elle soit la soeur d’un pair du royaume font qu’elle est en danger. Le duc de Wakefield, son frère, a assigné un garde du corps, Trevillion, à la surveillance de Phoebe. Même si au départ il n’y avait pas une grande entente entre eux, ils se sont peu à peu rapprochés, et sont presque des amis. Mais Phoebe va se trouver en grand danger, et après deux tentatives d’enlèvement, Trevillion décide de l'emmener loin de Londres.