Scan barcode
sarah_moynihan's review
3.0
‘Lady Serena Wynter doesn’t mind flirting with a bit of scandal—she’s determined to ignore society’s strictures and live life on her own fiercely independent terms. These days, she chooses to pour her passions into charitable causes with the vibrant group of ladies in her Wednesday Afternoon Social Club. But there is one man who stirs Serena’s deepest emotions, one who’s irresistibly handsome, infuriatingly circumspect, and too honorable for his own good...
Charles Townshend, former boxer and consummate gentleman, worries Serena’s reckless nature will earn her the ton’s scorn…or put her in serious danger. Though Charles isn’t immune to the attraction between them, a shocking family secret prevents him from ever acting on his desires. But it seems Lady Serena doesn’t intend to let his penchant for propriety stand in the way of a mutually satisfying dalliance.’
______________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Review to follow.
Say You’ll Be My Lady is the second book in Kate Pambrooke’s debut series, The Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair and is a historical romance.
Although this is the second book in the series, it can also serve very well as a stand-alone book. The Afternoon Social Club, of which Serena is a member and which we were introduced to in the first book, is prevalent during this story, but it’s very clear what type of club it is and what it stands for and starting here will not inhibit your enjoying the book.
I liked the two main characters, especially Charles, they were a good match. But despite the attraction and affection they held for one another, I didn’t find the push and pull between them that compelling. I believe that is because it felt to me that there was a bit more telling than showing going on here. I thought the premise was good and I enjoyed the plot, but I have mixed feelings about it. It felt to me that the threads of plotlines were dropped and picked up through out the book in a manner that affected the pacing.
Overall I liked the book, I don't regret reading it and will continue on with the series, however this isn’t a book I plan on rereading.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing for sharing an eARC of Say You’ll Be My Lady by Kate Pembrooke with me. This is my honest review.
Charles Townshend, former boxer and consummate gentleman, worries Serena’s reckless nature will earn her the ton’s scorn…or put her in serious danger. Though Charles isn’t immune to the attraction between them, a shocking family secret prevents him from ever acting on his desires. But it seems Lady Serena doesn’t intend to let his penchant for propriety stand in the way of a mutually satisfying dalliance.’
______________
3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.
Review to follow.
Say You’ll Be My Lady is the second book in Kate Pambrooke’s debut series, The Unconventional Ladies of Mayfair and is a historical romance.
Although this is the second book in the series, it can also serve very well as a stand-alone book. The Afternoon Social Club, of which Serena is a member and which we were introduced to in the first book, is prevalent during this story, but it’s very clear what type of club it is and what it stands for and starting here will not inhibit your enjoying the book.
I liked the two main characters, especially Charles, they were a good match. But despite the attraction and affection they held for one another, I didn’t find the push and pull between them that compelling. I believe that is because it felt to me that there was a bit more telling than showing going on here. I thought the premise was good and I enjoyed the plot, but I have mixed feelings about it. It felt to me that the threads of plotlines were dropped and picked up through out the book in a manner that affected the pacing.
Overall I liked the book, I don't regret reading it and will continue on with the series, however this isn’t a book I plan on rereading.
_____
I would like to thank NetGalley and Forever(Grand Central Publishing for sharing an eARC of Say You’ll Be My Lady by Kate Pembrooke with me. This is my honest review.
andrea_author's review
4.0
Lady Serena Winters has no desire to marry. After the death of her fiancé in the Napoleonic Wars, she immersed herself in charity work. As a duke's daughter, she wants for nothing. And certainly not a husband who would curtail her choices.
Charles is a gentleman in every sense of the word. He's loved Serena in secret for more years than he can count. Even if his station weren't beneath hers, a family secret makes a marriage between them impossible.
Still, he's determined to protect her when her charity work takes her to the seedier parts of town. The more time they spend together, the stronger the sparks between them become. When Serena suggests an affair, will Charles's honor allow him to give in to his feelings?
I love a good friends-to-lovers story. And I enjoyed that Serena was the instigator in this relationship. Throw in the subplot with the orphaned boy, and I am hooked.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Charles is a gentleman in every sense of the word. He's loved Serena in secret for more years than he can count. Even if his station weren't beneath hers, a family secret makes a marriage between them impossible.
Still, he's determined to protect her when her charity work takes her to the seedier parts of town. The more time they spend together, the stronger the sparks between them become. When Serena suggests an affair, will Charles's honor allow him to give in to his feelings?
I love a good friends-to-lovers story. And I enjoyed that Serena was the instigator in this relationship. Throw in the subplot with the orphaned boy, and I am hooked.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
bandherbooks's review
2.0
I listened to the audiobook for Library Journal - thank you to LJ for the ALC; I cross-checked the paperback that I checked out from the library.
Overall, despite the blurb and premise being entirely my jam, this was entirely meh for me. Serena is a girl-boss, she is really pushy to Charles in wanting him to have an affair with her, Charles secret is a bit of a snore, and I really just was bored by the kid plotline. I've heard the first book introduces these two characters, which makes the feeling plopped into their friendship/romance make more sense, but I'm not compelled enough to go back and read.
Serena's tragic romance and miscarriage was really sad and I did appreciate how that grief was handled. She's grieving, but not traumatized and I felt there was enough distance between those events and where Serena is now.
All in all, a fine histrom, just not one that met my personal reading preferences.
Overall, despite the blurb and premise being entirely my jam, this was entirely meh for me. Serena is a girl-boss, she is really pushy to Charles in wanting him to have an affair with her, Charles secret is a bit of a snore, and I really just was bored by the kid plotline. I've heard the first book introduces these two characters, which makes the feeling plopped into their friendship/romance make more sense, but I'm not compelled enough to go back and read.
Serena's tragic romance and miscarriage was really sad and I did appreciate how that grief was handled. She's grieving, but not traumatized and I felt there was enough distance between those events and where Serena is now.
All in all, a fine histrom, just not one that met my personal reading preferences.
dukefn99's review
4.0
See my whole review at https://novelsalive.com/2022/02/22/4-star-review-say-youll-be-my-lady-by-kate-pembrooke/
glo68's review
3.0
Lady Serena Wynter is a independent woman who doesn’t mind risking her reputation or courting danger to help the cause of the charities she’s involved with. And she’ll not be hindered in her efforts by handsome friend Charles Townshend’s disapproval of her activities…
Charles is worried about Serena and more than a bit fascinated by her. Even if he‘ll do whatever he can to protect her, he’s not worthy of her. His family hides a dangerous secret and he will not risk Serena’s reputation with it…
I must confess that I didn’t particularly like this book. The dialogues are good, witty and pleasant to read, but in my opinion the love story was overshadowed by too many conversations, too many side characters, too many storytelling and never got really emotional as I would have liked. Even the story of the orphan could have been more interesting, with some mystery, maybe, but it was a missed opportunity. I’m sure the author is talented, so I’ll try her future books, but this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Charles is worried about Serena and more than a bit fascinated by her. Even if he‘ll do whatever he can to protect her, he’s not worthy of her. His family hides a dangerous secret and he will not risk Serena’s reputation with it…
I must confess that I didn’t particularly like this book. The dialogues are good, witty and pleasant to read, but in my opinion the love story was overshadowed by too many conversations, too many side characters, too many storytelling and never got really emotional as I would have liked. Even the story of the orphan could have been more interesting, with some mystery, maybe, but it was a missed opportunity. I’m sure the author is talented, so I’ll try her future books, but this one just wasn’t my cup of tea.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
readers_sea's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The slow burn was a bit too slow for me... By the end, I felt like we had hardly any time with our characters TOGETHER. I loved watching their relationship grow, but I didn't think the pay off was worth it. It left me unsatisfied and wanting more of the characters together. Especially since their affection for each other started very early on.
lyss_bear's review
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elemomi's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
transportedlfl's review
4.0
Serena was my favorite character in the previous book, so I was quite excited for her story. She established the Wednesday Afternoon Social Club, a place for ladies to gather to pursue their own interests comfortably and to contribute to charitable pursuits. She refuses to follow conventions and is utterly comfortable with her choice. Charles Townshend assists the club's efforts to find apprenticeships for the sons of war widows. And all of their friends seem inclined to matchmake the two.
This is a relaxing, slow-paced book. Serena and. Charles have a long history of working together, and their romance grows from their shared interests. That made it quite believable.
I also enjoyed the book's focus on family and who constitutes family. Serena and Charles rescue an orphaned child they find through her charitable efforts. And her father is an amazingly supportive one.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
This is a relaxing, slow-paced book. Serena and. Charles have a long history of working together, and their romance grows from their shared interests. That made it quite believable.
I also enjoyed the book's focus on family and who constitutes family. Serena and Charles rescue an orphaned child they find through her charitable efforts. And her father is an amazingly supportive one.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.