Helpful Score: 6
Susannah Park, a widow who has been shunned by society, has been asked by her Godfather Sir Joseph to escort James Trevenen, a ship wreck survivor while he is in London to receive a medal. During the two weeks in which James is awaiting his award for his paper on fiddler crabs, he somehow manages to land himself, multiple times, in unusual circumstances where he ends up playing the hero and becomes known as âBeau Crusoeâ. All the while, he is being haunted by a ghost and feels more like a coward than a hero.
Kelly's writing style reminds me some of Georgette Heyer; the way the characters converse most especially. I am no history expert but, it seems to me, that's how they would talk if I was to go back in time. This makes the book seam more genuine, but it can also be difficult to understand. For example, some of the subject matter seams so subtly expressed. This is an interesting book though. The internal struggle that James has with himself throughout the book could have made for a very dark story, not to mention the horrors James went through when he was shipwrecked. Yet Kelly manages to keep the book from feeling too oppressive with more light-hearted escapades interspersed throughout the story. Susannah and James are well suited to each other and Kelly does a wonderful job of developing their relationship. Susannah has her own issues that she has struggle with too. They make a well balanced pair. I liked this story. It is subtle yet still poignant. I didn't rate this story an A because I like more passion in my romance. It was still a very enjoyable read and would I definitely recommend it.
For more reviews visit: http://romancerookie.blogspot.com
Kelly's writing style reminds me some of Georgette Heyer; the way the characters converse most especially. I am no history expert but, it seems to me, that's how they would talk if I was to go back in time. This makes the book seam more genuine, but it can also be difficult to understand. For example, some of the subject matter seams so subtly expressed. This is an interesting book though. The internal struggle that James has with himself throughout the book could have made for a very dark story, not to mention the horrors James went through when he was shipwrecked. Yet Kelly manages to keep the book from feeling too oppressive with more light-hearted escapades interspersed throughout the story. Susannah and James are well suited to each other and Kelly does a wonderful job of developing their relationship. Susannah has her own issues that she has struggle with too. They make a well balanced pair. I liked this story. It is subtle yet still poignant. I didn't rate this story an A because I like more passion in my romance. It was still a very enjoyable read and would I definitely recommend it.
For more reviews visit: http://romancerookie.blogspot.com
Helpful Score: 4
I could not put this book down. I enjoyed every minute of it and hated to see it end. Maybe it was predictable and maybe the characters could have been stronger but it was delightful read.
Helpful Score: 4
Really enjoyed this book and didn't expect to do so. The characters are so human and well-drawn, not exaggerated or caricatures. I am a big fan of Heyer's Regency books and have frequently been disappointed by the tide of authors who tried to copy Miss Heyer. This book is a real winner.
Helpful Score: 4
I loved it. A very witty, wonderfully written story. I almost couldn't believe it was meant to be a regency. There is so much depth and dimension to this story. I gave it an A+ and have put it on my keeper shelf. I would definitely read it again.
Helpful Score: 2
This book didn't do anything for me. I was bored for the most part and skimmed through the last 1/3 to get to the ending. I know that the hero was supposed to have gone through quite an ordeal and is tortured and everything, but when he let Lady Audley bully him again and again without standing up for himself I got quite disgusted with him. Suzanne is likable enough, but not nearly as interesting as her sister. All in all this was quite a disappointing read for me.
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful, like all of Carla Kelly's books. You simply cannot go wrong with any of her novels...they're all beautifully written with deep, richly portrayed characters. This one is a bit on the dark side, in that the hero, James Trevenen, was shipwrecked then rescued years later, and had gone through some gruesome experiences that has left him with hideous nightmares, and a changed man. In this story he's now back in England and trying to adjust to "real life" once again. Brilliantly done, and a book that's nearly impossible to put down. If you enjoyed Carla Kelly's "Summer Campaign"--one of my personal favorites--you'll love Beau Crusoe, too.
Helpful Score: 1
A story about a man who had been stranded for 5 years on a desert island and an woman who is shunned by Society. Really good.
A beautiful and sweet natured young widow, Susannah Park has spent the last few years of her life living quietly with her young son, Noah, at her parents' home. The trouble is that Susannah had eloped with the man she loved to India, where tragically, her young husband died, leaving Susanna all alone (but for Noah), penniless and with a tarnished reputation. Another sad result of her elopement is her estrangement from her elder sister, Loisa, who holds Susannah responsible for her lack of marriage offers. Susannah's life is far from ideal, but she soldiers on, maintaining a cheerful demeanor and taking comfort and joy from Noah and her godparents, who live in the neighbouring estate. Little does Susannah realise however how much her life is about to change with the arrival of James Trevenen. The first mate of the Orion, which sank six years ago, Trevenen was the only man to survive and lived for 5 years on a deserted island, where, in order to keep his sanity, he spent his time observing the crabs on the island. Now, back in England, Trevenen is about to be presented a medal by the Royal Society for his work. Susannah's godfather, however, has given Trevenen a few further tasks -- that of sorting things out in Susannah's eccentric household and marrying Susannah himself. Trevenen has no intention of marrying, but the sweet-natured Susannah is rather making him wish that he was free to marry, and to marry her...
Very Good Book, enjoyed reading it.
James is a man of action, but also a very complex, haunted hero. Susannah is a gifted artist and loving mother who is hiding away. When Susannah's godfather tells James to marry Susannah, do something about her sister, oh and get rid of those toucans, what is a man of action to do?
Diana E. (Christianwriter) - , reviewed Beau Crusoe (Harlequin Historical, No 839) on + 68 more book reviews
well written but sexier than I like in regencies. Beautiful cover art. Enjoyable
This is the first Carla Kelly book that I have read. Someone on Mary Balogh's chat site had recommended her books. This was a good recommendation for I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has a good balance between humor, romance and drama. I think you will like it. It does include a subject that could be offensive to you...beware. I will not reveal it because it will ruin the story.
Tracy S. (lovesDarcy918) -
Loved this book! A definite keeper.
This unique book is a winner; Carla Kelly steps to another level of writing with her understanding of post-traumatic stress disorder and its emotional components.
Before this story begins, James Trevenen has survived the wreck of the ship on which he was first mate, horrendous days adrift and 5 years of solitude on a deserted island. As a means of staying sane, he started to study a unique species of crab and wrote a treatise on his findings.
When rescued, James sailed back to England, resigned his commission in the Royal Navy and submitted his study to the Royal Society. The Society decided to award James with their award for the year and James is on his way to receive it.
Susannah Park is an outcast from society because she eloped with a young man and they moved to India. Soon, however, her husband was killed by cholera. Susannah was penniless and with child; she now lives quietly with her son Noah in her parents home.
The Society promised to provide James with a place to stay in London and, through the machinations of Susannahs godfather, Susannahs family was chosen to host the survivor/scientist. Noah and Susannah are the only normal members of a family of eccentrics. The godfather suggests that James do something about the situation.
Taming the eccentrics is a light-hearted balance to the significant emotional suffering of James. The author shows James truly awful experiences without turning maudlin. However, I was shocked by the blunt descriptions of James time with the nymphomaniac. Although I dont read many Regency novels, I thought they described racy situations through innuendo rather than such candid narrative. Be prepared.
Before this story begins, James Trevenen has survived the wreck of the ship on which he was first mate, horrendous days adrift and 5 years of solitude on a deserted island. As a means of staying sane, he started to study a unique species of crab and wrote a treatise on his findings.
When rescued, James sailed back to England, resigned his commission in the Royal Navy and submitted his study to the Royal Society. The Society decided to award James with their award for the year and James is on his way to receive it.
Susannah Park is an outcast from society because she eloped with a young man and they moved to India. Soon, however, her husband was killed by cholera. Susannah was penniless and with child; she now lives quietly with her son Noah in her parents home.
The Society promised to provide James with a place to stay in London and, through the machinations of Susannahs godfather, Susannahs family was chosen to host the survivor/scientist. Noah and Susannah are the only normal members of a family of eccentrics. The godfather suggests that James do something about the situation.
Taming the eccentrics is a light-hearted balance to the significant emotional suffering of James. The author shows James truly awful experiences without turning maudlin. However, I was shocked by the blunt descriptions of James time with the nymphomaniac. Although I dont read many Regency novels, I thought they described racy situations through innuendo rather than such candid narrative. Be prepared.
Eleanor G. (Memom) - , reviewed Beau Crusoe (Harlequin Historical, No 839) on + 441 more book reviews
Very good story
