Narrator, narrator, narrator!!!!!

Who chooses the narrator? No author would choose to have their hard work on a well written Regency era London romance read in a AMERICAN accent? It brought this audio book from a four plus to barely a three!

22 people found this helpful

Others in the series are infinitely better

I have read many other books in the Jonquil and Kielder series and I expected to like this one based on other reviews but I really did not. In fact, it was torture through the second half.

***the rest of the review contains spoilers***

The story starts promisingly (but improbably, since as a peer Crispin could probably have arranged another solution) with a kiss and a forced marriage between Crispin and Catherine, orchestrated by her abusive uncle. The couple starts to form a friendship based on Crispin’s kindness and it seems that the rest of the story will involve a series of entertaining misadventures as they fall in love. However, the love story stops progressing and the plot stagnates in the middle of the story. Catherine is left to face her uncle alone several times without Crispin putting an actual plan into place to protect her in case he is away from home. The supposedly reliable butler is repeatedly unable to bar her uncle from the premises. The uncle’s tyranny continues unchecked and drags through the plot. Through the end of the story, with the exception of one bout of fisticuffs, it is always left to others to protect Catherine from her uncle. The only bright light is that Catherine develops some ability to begin to stand up to her abuser. This is extremely frustrating because it is predictable and the events are repetitive (an almost literal “not again!”). At the same time, there is a complete lack of actual discussion between Crispin and Catherine about whether to continue the marriage or pursue an annulment. Each assumes what the other wants, repeatedly, without discussing particulars or plans. Instead of slowly untangling each other’s true desires, the exact same misunderstanding continues throughout. Each scene in the book seems to be a repeat of itself and the same emotions. There is no evolution at all. And then suddenly at the end there are declarations of love and everything ends happily.

I’m a sucker for historical romance novels and definitely get my money’s worth from my Audible Escape membership, but this book misses it’s mark. Don’t waste your time.

6 people found this helpful

Frustrating

This is one of those stories that has you banging your head against the wall screaming "why don't they just talk to one another?!?" The excessive overlooking each other's obvious signs of interest in each other and assigning of baselessly negative motives and meanings to what each one did and said was equally frustrating.

4 people found this helpful

Great story

Sad parts, but it’s a great story. You should get it. Why does this review need more words? Annoying.

1 person found this helpful

The start to my favorite series

Just listened to the audiobook of this and enjoyed it once again. The narrator was very good at varying the voices for each character. I adore the Jonquil series of books but even though I'd read this book several times over the years, this was my first time with the audio version. My book review is below but I also recommend the audiobook.

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4.5 stars
I confess that I have read this series multiple times and I'm now rewriting my review. I love this series. I adore the characters in all the books and will be extremely sad to see the series end. (I have hopes that Ms. Eden will continue with the next generation). My only complaint about this book is that by the time we get 3/4's of the way through I begin to feel frustrated that the neither Catherine nor Crispin will admit their true feelings as they continue to misinterpret every interaction with the other. I feel like it goes on for just a little bit too long. I know it is part of the exciting climax but maybe the book should have been just a little bit shorter to cut out some of that repeated conflict before the climax? Still, I love the book.

Sex: a few kisses, some leering
Language: none
Violence: Physically and emotionally abusive uncle. Attempted murder by pistol ending with one being shot. Duel by fisticuffs.

1 person found this helpful

Geico “Let’s hide behind the chainsaws” commercial

Normally I love Sarah Eden books, but this one seemed like it was trying to hard to add conflict that wasn’t realistic. It felt sometimes like a Geico’s ”Let’s hide behind the chainsaws” commercial - a bit ridiculous. I’ll try another book since I normally like her books and crossing my fingers the next one is a little more realistic.

1 person found this helpful

Okay story...

A nobleman, who is pestered & taunted incessantly by a debutant, kisses a woman he mistakes for a servant, just to get back at the debutant. However, the woman turns out to be titled , who has been taken in by her uncle and treated abominably by him. When the uncle see he man kiss his niece, thinking to get rid of her, he demands that the nobleman marry her so she does not have a damaged reputation. This is a story of how the young, titled girl - who has been treated like a servant by her uncle, learns how to value herself. And also how the young nobleman learns to value her, too. Her evil uncle only returns towards the end of the book to torture the couple again.
I enjoyed the book, and the narration was good - but the book wasn't one of my favorites.

1 person found this helpful

So Good!

Another delightful audio book by the author Sarah M. Eden! The narrator did a great job with the voices and emotions for this story, too.

This marriage of convenience tale tackles some hard things in it, specifically abuse, both in references to the past as well as some abuse that occurs on page by Catherine's terrible uncle. However, the author handled the topic very well.

There were quite a few miscommunications and misunderstandings between Crispin and Catherine. The situations that she misread were very understandable because of the way she was treated for the past eight years under her uncle's guardianship. I felt that Crispin should have worked a bit more to communicate better with his wife, however, he was also thrown into the deep end with the entire situation.

This was a sweet story and an enjoyable introduction into the Jonquil family, with Philip and Jason Jonquil having parts to play in this tale. I have read the books that have been released so far in The Gents series and loved the characters of Lucas and Julia Jonquil, so I am now excited to meet all of the Jonquil brothers!

(4.5 stars)

Love the story, struggle with the narrator

I love Sarah Eden’s books. I feel the narrator is holding the book back from being it’s best. Though, I will still continue to listen to the rest of her books.

I loved this book!

I didn’t want to turn it off. The romantic story kept me tuned in for hours at a time,
Thank you!