Scan barcode
sassysmutlover's review against another edition
5.0
Rose Gordon does it again. Every time I read one of her books I get a book crush on the hero and this one was no exception. I loved everything about this book and was laughing when the characters did or said something that I was not expecting like with her sewing and the surprise in the delivery that he had to explain.
geo_ix's review against another edition
3.0
So I loved the Grooms series, and I thought going into this it'd basically be similar but set in America not England but there's legit nothing the same. In fact, this could have seriously been set in today's age of the 'Indians' weren't a largely mentioned group.
Now I don't know much about dates and things with American history, so I can't sit here and be like, YES that sounds exactly how it went down, but the attitudes towards Native Americans seemed pretty spot on, maybe a little too nice at times but they're also at the point in time where they're trading with each other (even if it's looted stuff).
I ended up having an issue with Wes. He had a southern accent but talked as refined as her at times which even a southern refined man wouldn't talk like her so I kept having to stop reading to figure out what the hell was going on.
My last issue was the sexual tension and sex. They kiss at their wedding, a chaste kiss its described, and don't kiss until after 50%.... There wasn't a built up for me. It was flat and then half way got some life. Then the sex scene? Very last paragraphs of the book. Now there is an attempted romp that stops half way, but I really ended up feeling like the sex scene wasn't even needed at that point. This is my first Male Virgin book I've read and not been in love with, and I don't quite know how I feel about it.
Now I didn't hate it, it was okay and I liked a few bits, but overall it made me feel a bit icky with the Natives, there's lots of assumptions (even with her and her own debt, silly girl) and I'm going to try the next book before I give up on American historicals all together, so hopefully I like that. Otherwise I may have to find a different time period or something.
Now I don't know much about dates and things with American history, so I can't sit here and be like, YES that sounds exactly how it went down, but the attitudes towards Native Americans seemed pretty spot on, maybe a little too nice at times but they're also at the point in time where they're trading with each other (even if it's looted stuff).
I ended up having an issue with Wes. He had a southern accent but talked as refined as her at times which even a southern refined man wouldn't talk like her so I kept having to stop reading to figure out what the hell was going on.
My last issue was the sexual tension and sex. They kiss at their wedding, a chaste kiss its described, and don't kiss until after 50%.... There wasn't a built up for me. It was flat and then half way got some life. Then the sex scene? Very last paragraphs of the book. Now there is an attempted romp that stops half way, but I really ended up feeling like the sex scene wasn't even needed at that point. This is my first Male Virgin book I've read and not been in love with, and I don't quite know how I feel about it.
Now I didn't hate it, it was okay and I liked a few bits, but overall it made me feel a bit icky with the Natives, there's lots of assumptions (even with her and her own debt, silly girl) and I'm going to try the next book before I give up on American historicals all together, so hopefully I like that. Otherwise I may have to find a different time period or something.
caslater83's review against another edition
3.0
Okay.
While light humor pops up here and there, I am not terribly fond of this book. I don't have any desire to continue the series either. I feel that the book lacks something and I can't put my finger on it.
While light humor pops up here and there, I am not terribly fond of this book. I don't have any desire to continue the series either. I feel that the book lacks something and I can't put my finger on it.
erin_j's review against another edition
3.0
Fun story. I enjoyed it.
The love blossomed quickly and sweetly. Though Wes annoyed me with his jumping to conclusions before fully listening to her, but then Allison was also annoying in keeping her secret. But everything would've worked out too fast if everything was out at the beginning. Would've made things too easy. Still, things didn't drag out as much as other books I've read.
There are sexual situations within marriage. It is quite descriptive in my opinion. So, yay, if you're looking for that and maybe stay away from this if you're not interested in a book with that.
The love blossomed quickly and sweetly. Though Wes annoyed me with his jumping to conclusions before fully listening to her, but then Allison was also annoying in keeping her secret. But everything would've worked out too fast if everything was out at the beginning. Would've made things too easy. Still, things didn't drag out as much as other books I've read.
There are sexual situations within marriage. It is quite descriptive in my opinion. So, yay, if you're looking for that and maybe stay away from this if you're not interested in a book with that.
chelsea_not_chels's review against another edition
3.0
More reviews available at my blog, Beauty and the Bookworm.
Oh, historic romances. How you pull my heartstrings--and not always in the ways the authors intended. I was hoping when I dove into Gordon's book that I'd be finding a new Julia Quinn or Lisa Kleypas to devour, albeit one whose book was set in the early American West instead of in London society. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The book wasn't bad, but it just wasn't what I look for in a historical romance novel.
So, The Officer and the Bostoner (the use of Bostoner rather than Bostonian is completely deliberate, by the way) follows Allison Piers, who gets off a stagecoach to get a bite to eat and ends up left behind in a military fort on the edge of Indian lands. She was on her way to meet her fiance--now she's stranded with no way of getting out for at least a few weeks. In swoops Captain Wes Tucker, who offers to marry her, keep his hands to himself, and annul the marriage when Allison's fiance arrives to rescue her so that she won't be harassed by the fort's other soldiers in the meantime. Allison doesn't see any other real options for herself, and so she agrees, and the prim Bostoner/Bostonian has to get used to rough living on the frontier.
While the story isn't the most original, I can't really fault that, because most historical romances revolve around tropes to fuel them. That didn't bother me. What bothered me was that Gordon apparently couldn't decide whether this was going to be a sweet or sultry romance, and so almost three-quarters of the way through it flops from one to the other. The first, larger part of the book has glances and blushes and occasional, mostly accidental touches and all kinds of modesty and so on, and while Allison and Wes had their moments, they definitely weren't getting steamy and ripping each others' clothes off, or even sticking their tongues in each others' mouths. And then, in the span of about two pages, it suddenly turns into all kinds of trailing tongues and vanishing clothes and...well, you get the picture. I really wish that either Wes and Allison had...not necessarily become physically involved earlier, but maybe had a stronger attraction to each other earlier. Maybe more steamy kissing or something? Nothing too much, just enough so that I'd know which way the book was going to go! The sudden emergence of steam in the last part combined with the outpouring of sudden drama (FAR more drama than in the rest of the book, really just dumped in at once) made the whole thing seem a bit unbalanced, and it flopped from sweet-but-slightly-boring into too-much-at-once territory very quickly.
So, I guess The Officer and the Bostoner wasn't quite my cup of tea. Or coffee, right, Wes? That said, Gordon seems like a pretty prolific writer in the historical romance genre, so maybe I just need to find a setting/characters that suit my fancy a bit more and we'll be a better match. But as for this one...?
2.5 stars out of 5.
Oh, historic romances. How you pull my heartstrings--and not always in the ways the authors intended. I was hoping when I dove into Gordon's book that I'd be finding a new Julia Quinn or Lisa Kleypas to devour, albeit one whose book was set in the early American West instead of in London society. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. The book wasn't bad, but it just wasn't what I look for in a historical romance novel.
So, The Officer and the Bostoner (the use of Bostoner rather than Bostonian is completely deliberate, by the way) follows Allison Piers, who gets off a stagecoach to get a bite to eat and ends up left behind in a military fort on the edge of Indian lands. She was on her way to meet her fiance--now she's stranded with no way of getting out for at least a few weeks. In swoops Captain Wes Tucker, who offers to marry her, keep his hands to himself, and annul the marriage when Allison's fiance arrives to rescue her so that she won't be harassed by the fort's other soldiers in the meantime. Allison doesn't see any other real options for herself, and so she agrees, and the prim Bostoner/Bostonian has to get used to rough living on the frontier.
While the story isn't the most original, I can't really fault that, because most historical romances revolve around tropes to fuel them. That didn't bother me. What bothered me was that Gordon apparently couldn't decide whether this was going to be a sweet or sultry romance, and so almost three-quarters of the way through it flops from one to the other. The first, larger part of the book has glances and blushes and occasional, mostly accidental touches and all kinds of modesty and so on, and while Allison and Wes had their moments, they definitely weren't getting steamy and ripping each others' clothes off, or even sticking their tongues in each others' mouths. And then, in the span of about two pages, it suddenly turns into all kinds of trailing tongues and vanishing clothes and...well, you get the picture. I really wish that either Wes and Allison had...not necessarily become physically involved earlier, but maybe had a stronger attraction to each other earlier. Maybe more steamy kissing or something? Nothing too much, just enough so that I'd know which way the book was going to go! The sudden emergence of steam in the last part combined with the outpouring of sudden drama (FAR more drama than in the rest of the book, really just dumped in at once) made the whole thing seem a bit unbalanced, and it flopped from sweet-but-slightly-boring into too-much-at-once territory very quickly.
So, I guess The Officer and the Bostoner wasn't quite my cup of tea. Or coffee, right, Wes? That said, Gordon seems like a pretty prolific writer in the historical romance genre, so maybe I just need to find a setting/characters that suit my fancy a bit more and we'll be a better match. But as for this one...?
2.5 stars out of 5.
hlgarcia3's review against another edition
5.0
I got the honor of reading an ARC of this book and I loved it! The Characters Allison and Wes are entertaining and so loveable! Allison and a sweet, witty, and loyal woman from Boston. At first she seems stuck up, and spoiled but like any good character its whats under the surface that counts. You get to see the real Allison and what she loves and what matters to her most. Wes is such a sweet, humorous, strong man. You get to see Wes get over hurdles and slowly fall in love with Allison. Their story was full of humor, romance, arguments, stubborness (from both of them), death, friendship, and love. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more of the Officer books! I am ready to get to know Jack, and Gray better! Thanks again for an awesome book Rose!!
ambergold's review against another edition
3.0
Really really cute historical romance, had me smiling the whole way through. Not quite deep enough to inspire me to go out and read Gordon's other books right away - needed some higher stakes and another act - but fun and sweet.
jaclynder's review against another edition
5.0
The Officer and the Bostoner is an American historical romance by Rose Gordon. When I saw the description for Gordon’s latest, I will admit to feeling some trepidation. The setting is in the American West, which is a departure from everything else I have read by Gordon. But since I have loved everything I have read by Gordon, I decided I would give it a shot – it also helped that I was granted a review copy via NetGalley.
Allison Pearson is a proper young Bostonian traveling to Santa Fe to meet and marry her betrothed. Unintentionally, Allison is left stranded in a military fort where it would be in her best interests to marry temporarily until her fiancé can arrive and escort her to Santa Fe. To avoid improper advances from the soldiers stationed there Allison decides to marry Captain Wes Tucker for protection, never expecting to fall for her temporary husband.
Captain Wes Tucker is a Southern gentleman and really has no ulterior motives in helping Allison out by marrying her. When Wes encounters Allison left behind at the fort, he offers his name in marriage to protect her. While I question this logic somewhat (surely there is another way to help Allison), I like the marriage of convenience theme, so I will enter into a suspension of belief. Wes is immediately drawn to her, but is aware that Allison will be leaving him and the rough conditions they live in at the fort. The problem is, Wes starts to wonder what it will take to make Allison stay in the backwater town, leaving her rich fiancé behind.
I cannot express enough what a wonderful surprise this one was. I loved Gordon’s Groom series, but I wasn’t sure about this change in setting. I shouldn’t have worried; everything I love about Gordon’s writing was still there. We still have a young, and rather naïve hero and heroine and their romance is impossibly sweet. This was exactly what made me continue with Gordon’s Groom series after scoring Her Sudden Groom for .99 cents. I found Gordon’s stories are a refreshing change from the usual historical romance fare I typically read. I liked this lighter read and the fact that both the hero and heroine were not experienced in the ways of the world. I don’t think you come across this type of story in mainstream historical romance often, and I love the departure that Gordon takes us on. Gordon is the perfect go-to author if your looking for a sweet, uncomplicated story with a guaranteed happy ending.
What I also like about Gordon’s style is her portrayal of a romantic relationship. While I think most of us like a lot of angst in our romance reads (it's expected in a romance), in real-life , it’s just not quite the same. I think that Gordon does a fantastic job of showing readers a more realistic relationship. I have nothing against those types of historical romances where insta-attraction turns to love, and in fact I read a lot of them, but because Gordon’s style is markedly different, I’ve taken notice and she’s become a go-to author for me.
And finally, I have to say something about the marriage of convenience trope. It is probably one of my favourite set-ups in historical romance. In real life, this would be horrifying, but I love that it generally works out in a historical romance. What I liked about Gordon’s take on this trope in her latest, is the fact that this marriage of convenience didn’t suddenly force the characters into a happily ever after. Despite the short length of The Officer and the Bostoner, Allison and Wes take their time getting to know one another and it’s clear that they have respect for each other. Wes has to be the perfect hero who has no intention of manipulating Allison’s vulnerability.
Overall, I loved this new addition from Gordon. The new setting pleasantly surprised me and I can’t wait to see Second Lt. Jack Walker’s experience with a mail-order bride.
This review is also available (with read-alikes) on my blog: The Book Adventures.
Allison Pearson is a proper young Bostonian traveling to Santa Fe to meet and marry her betrothed. Unintentionally, Allison is left stranded in a military fort where it would be in her best interests to marry temporarily until her fiancé can arrive and escort her to Santa Fe. To avoid improper advances from the soldiers stationed there Allison decides to marry Captain Wes Tucker for protection, never expecting to fall for her temporary husband.
Captain Wes Tucker is a Southern gentleman and really has no ulterior motives in helping Allison out by marrying her. When Wes encounters Allison left behind at the fort, he offers his name in marriage to protect her. While I question this logic somewhat (surely there is another way to help Allison), I like the marriage of convenience theme, so I will enter into a suspension of belief. Wes is immediately drawn to her, but is aware that Allison will be leaving him and the rough conditions they live in at the fort. The problem is, Wes starts to wonder what it will take to make Allison stay in the backwater town, leaving her rich fiancé behind.
I cannot express enough what a wonderful surprise this one was. I loved Gordon’s Groom series, but I wasn’t sure about this change in setting. I shouldn’t have worried; everything I love about Gordon’s writing was still there. We still have a young, and rather naïve hero and heroine and their romance is impossibly sweet. This was exactly what made me continue with Gordon’s Groom series after scoring Her Sudden Groom for .99 cents. I found Gordon’s stories are a refreshing change from the usual historical romance fare I typically read. I liked this lighter read and the fact that both the hero and heroine were not experienced in the ways of the world. I don’t think you come across this type of story in mainstream historical romance often, and I love the departure that Gordon takes us on. Gordon is the perfect go-to author if your looking for a sweet, uncomplicated story with a guaranteed happy ending.
What I also like about Gordon’s style is her portrayal of a romantic relationship. While I think most of us like a lot of angst in our romance reads (it's expected in a romance), in real-life , it’s just not quite the same. I think that Gordon does a fantastic job of showing readers a more realistic relationship. I have nothing against those types of historical romances where insta-attraction turns to love, and in fact I read a lot of them, but because Gordon’s style is markedly different, I’ve taken notice and she’s become a go-to author for me.
And finally, I have to say something about the marriage of convenience trope. It is probably one of my favourite set-ups in historical romance. In real life, this would be horrifying, but I love that it generally works out in a historical romance. What I liked about Gordon’s take on this trope in her latest, is the fact that this marriage of convenience didn’t suddenly force the characters into a happily ever after. Despite the short length of The Officer and the Bostoner, Allison and Wes take their time getting to know one another and it’s clear that they have respect for each other. Wes has to be the perfect hero who has no intention of manipulating Allison’s vulnerability.
Overall, I loved this new addition from Gordon. The new setting pleasantly surprised me and I can’t wait to see Second Lt. Jack Walker’s experience with a mail-order bride.
This review is also available (with read-alikes) on my blog: The Book Adventures.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
The Officer and the Bostoner by Rose Gordon is a June 2013 release by Night Shift publishing.
I received a DRC of this book by the author via Netgalley for an honest review.
Allison is traveling by coach to meet her fiancé, Nicholas. The driver gets lost and they wind up in a community made up of Army personnel. Making a brief stop, Allison gets off the coach and winds up being left behind by accident.
Due to the fact that all the women in town were married and the rest of the population were single men, it wasn't too safe for someone in Allison's position to be on her own. Meeting up with Army officer, Wes, she is stunned by his explanation and his offer to marry her for her own protection. He promises she can have the marriage annulled when her intended comes to get her.
So, Allison and Wes are married. They go about pretending the marriage is legitimate. But, Wes recognizes Allison's breeding. She is obviously from money and culture and he presumes balls and frivolous social gatherings and high society position is the only important things in the world to Allison.
But, while they are waiting for Nicolas to arrive, Wes begins to gain a certain respect for Allison. Allison also realizes she is falling in love with Wes. So, why don't they just explain to Nicholas when he arrives that they wish to stay married?
Allison doesn't know the first thing about cooking, sewing, and doing things the other wives do for their husbands. She feels like she would not make a good wife for someone like Wes. There are also a few complications regarding her marriage contract with Nicholas. So, despite her feelings for Wes, Allison insist on going through with her marriage to Nicholas.
Wes naturally misunderstands why she won't stay with him. He presumes she has chosen money and position over him, making him feel as though she thinks of him as second class.
What Allison doesn't know is that Wes could provide Allison with the class position and the wealth he believes is her priority. But, he believes she can not accept him without those things.
When Nicholas arrives though, things really get sticky.
I discovered Rose Gordon through an Amazon promotion a little while back and was really impressed with her writing style.
I was really glad to see a Historical Romance set in the United States. Those seem to be few and far between these days.
Allison is completely out of her element here, but gives it the old college try. Her attempts to sew her own clothes were hilarious. Sounds like my sewing.
Wes, had a wonderful sense of humor and I loved his determination to be his own man despite his family's wealth.
Both Wes and Allison have to adjust their attitudes a little to make the relationship work. Allison's innocence in regards to business affairs that left her at the mercy of men was an accurate portrayal of how things were done in the past, in many instances. Infuriating, but true.
Life with Wes would most certainly be a learning experience for Allison, and a much richer life than she ever would have had with Nicholas.
A very enjoyable read. This one gets an A.
I received a DRC of this book by the author via Netgalley for an honest review.
Allison is traveling by coach to meet her fiancé, Nicholas. The driver gets lost and they wind up in a community made up of Army personnel. Making a brief stop, Allison gets off the coach and winds up being left behind by accident.
Due to the fact that all the women in town were married and the rest of the population were single men, it wasn't too safe for someone in Allison's position to be on her own. Meeting up with Army officer, Wes, she is stunned by his explanation and his offer to marry her for her own protection. He promises she can have the marriage annulled when her intended comes to get her.
So, Allison and Wes are married. They go about pretending the marriage is legitimate. But, Wes recognizes Allison's breeding. She is obviously from money and culture and he presumes balls and frivolous social gatherings and high society position is the only important things in the world to Allison.
But, while they are waiting for Nicolas to arrive, Wes begins to gain a certain respect for Allison. Allison also realizes she is falling in love with Wes. So, why don't they just explain to Nicholas when he arrives that they wish to stay married?
Allison doesn't know the first thing about cooking, sewing, and doing things the other wives do for their husbands. She feels like she would not make a good wife for someone like Wes. There are also a few complications regarding her marriage contract with Nicholas. So, despite her feelings for Wes, Allison insist on going through with her marriage to Nicholas.
Wes naturally misunderstands why she won't stay with him. He presumes she has chosen money and position over him, making him feel as though she thinks of him as second class.
What Allison doesn't know is that Wes could provide Allison with the class position and the wealth he believes is her priority. But, he believes she can not accept him without those things.
When Nicholas arrives though, things really get sticky.
I discovered Rose Gordon through an Amazon promotion a little while back and was really impressed with her writing style.
I was really glad to see a Historical Romance set in the United States. Those seem to be few and far between these days.
Allison is completely out of her element here, but gives it the old college try. Her attempts to sew her own clothes were hilarious. Sounds like my sewing.
Wes, had a wonderful sense of humor and I loved his determination to be his own man despite his family's wealth.
Both Wes and Allison have to adjust their attitudes a little to make the relationship work. Allison's innocence in regards to business affairs that left her at the mercy of men was an accurate portrayal of how things were done in the past, in many instances. Infuriating, but true.
Life with Wes would most certainly be a learning experience for Allison, and a much richer life than she ever would have had with Nicholas.
A very enjoyable read. This one gets an A.