Helpful Score: 3
Loved it! Lighthearted, fast read. A happy, romantic romp that will leave you chuckling, smiling, & laughing. Do read it; it will make you feel good!
Helpful Score: 3
What more can I say except that I loved this book. As much as I wanted to slap her, it was great fun reading about Marilla's antics. She brought back to mind the '80s song 'Maneater' by Hall & Oates. That said, she did get her man in the end...good for her! At least I hope it'll be good for her!
I enjoyed reading the interaction of all the characters. Though each story is short, each one shines with the talent of the individual authors. I hope there are plans for a 3rd novel in three parts!
I highly recommend this book for fans of Brockway, James and Quinn and fans of historical romance. If you've never read works from one or more of these ladies, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
I enjoyed reading the interaction of all the characters. Though each story is short, each one shines with the talent of the individual authors. I hope there are plans for a 3rd novel in three parts!
I highly recommend this book for fans of Brockway, James and Quinn and fans of historical romance. If you've never read works from one or more of these ladies, do yourself a favor and pick this one up.
Helpful Score: 2
As others mention, this is a light romp through a very cold and draughty castle in the Scottish Highland, but without the thick Scottish burr the old retainers should have had. The stories are pretty much sequential, which puts a new spin to "short romance" - except for one, rowdy courtship that spans the book. So I enjoyed the book, but not enough to make this a keeper.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fun filled book from the very first page. I enjoyed the three different styles that each author brought to the book. Each gave the main character that they were writing about a special voice. The story was fun and lighthearted with bits of excitement and tension all through it. A very fun read.
Helpful Score: 1
Laird Taran Ferguson laments that his nephews have not married and secured their Scottish birthright. On a doubtful night, he and a group of his men abduct 4 ladies from nearby Bellemere Castle, at the Icicle Ball, being held by the Duke of Bretton. The laird steals a carriage (which happens to have said duke asleep in his carriage, outside the castle), to transport Fiona and Marilla Chisholm, Cecily Tarleton, and Catriona Burns to Castle Finovair. By the time they all reach Castle Finovair, a snowstorm strands the women and Duke with the Scottish men.
The laird is concerned that his two nephews Byron Wotton, Earl of Oakley, and Robert âRobinâ Parles, Comte de Rochefort, are dallying too long about marrying. Quite drunk, the laird steals women from a nearby party, rather than holding a party himself. The laird's two nephews, Robin and Byron are aghast but powerless to do anything because of the severe storm outside.
The idea is for the nephews to entice one of the three ladies (of fortune; a penniless one was accidentally swooped up during the massive abductions) to agree to marriage during this snowstorm. But before either nephew gets busy, the Duke of Bretton lays claim to the penniless one, Catriona Burns. In order to buy into this insipid 3-part romance (3 novellas interlaced together by 3 authors), one has to accept the idea that folks make life-long decisions based on a glance (or some short period of time).
Most of the characters were two-dimensional, at best. The verbal exchanges between the main characters lacked depth; some of it was downright corny. The stories moved from "hello" to "will you marry me?" with shocking speed. I thought the engagement between Byron and Fiona Chisholm to be particularly terse and boring. The story of the rake Robin and Cecily Tarleton was even worse than the second story. I didn't think that could be possible. Another absurd part of the story was the "fact" that the Duke of Bretton was asleep in one of his own carriages, in front of his own castle -- instead of in his bed.
I doubt I will still remember these characters and the intertwining story long enough to write a decent, informative review. I've read books by each of these three authors and have found them to be enjoyable authors. But this effort is abysmal.
From what I've read, the first book in this two-part LADY MOST series, THE LADY MOST LIKELY, was wildly popular and the publishers rushed to continue the series. I don't plan to read the first book, no matter how glowing the comments.
Lady Most (with Connie Brockway and Eloisa James)
1. The Lady Most Likely... (2010)
**2. The Lady Most Willing... (2012)
The laird is concerned that his two nephews Byron Wotton, Earl of Oakley, and Robert âRobinâ Parles, Comte de Rochefort, are dallying too long about marrying. Quite drunk, the laird steals women from a nearby party, rather than holding a party himself. The laird's two nephews, Robin and Byron are aghast but powerless to do anything because of the severe storm outside.
The idea is for the nephews to entice one of the three ladies (of fortune; a penniless one was accidentally swooped up during the massive abductions) to agree to marriage during this snowstorm. But before either nephew gets busy, the Duke of Bretton lays claim to the penniless one, Catriona Burns. In order to buy into this insipid 3-part romance (3 novellas interlaced together by 3 authors), one has to accept the idea that folks make life-long decisions based on a glance (or some short period of time).
Most of the characters were two-dimensional, at best. The verbal exchanges between the main characters lacked depth; some of it was downright corny. The stories moved from "hello" to "will you marry me?" with shocking speed. I thought the engagement between Byron and Fiona Chisholm to be particularly terse and boring. The story of the rake Robin and Cecily Tarleton was even worse than the second story. I didn't think that could be possible. Another absurd part of the story was the "fact" that the Duke of Bretton was asleep in one of his own carriages, in front of his own castle -- instead of in his bed.
I doubt I will still remember these characters and the intertwining story long enough to write a decent, informative review. I've read books by each of these three authors and have found them to be enjoyable authors. But this effort is abysmal.
From what I've read, the first book in this two-part LADY MOST series, THE LADY MOST LIKELY, was wildly popular and the publishers rushed to continue the series. I don't plan to read the first book, no matter how glowing the comments.
Lady Most (with Connie Brockway and Eloisa James)
1. The Lady Most Likely... (2010)
**2. The Lady Most Willing... (2012)
Helpful Score: 1
Very fun and entertaining book1 Amazing how 3 different authors can have the same story flow. It is really 3 stories of different couples so understandably the romance needs to move swiftly, sometimes almost hard to believe.
Of course, with authors like Julia Quinn, Connie Brockaway, and Eloisa James, it is hard not to have an excellent result.
Of course, with authors like Julia Quinn, Connie Brockaway, and Eloisa James, it is hard not to have an excellent result.
Good book with a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers type of theme. Taran Ferguson, older, stubborn, and rather unique laird of his clan is determined that his two nephews marry soon to secure the family legacy. They aren't cooperative, so one night he raids a neighboring estate, kidnapping four young women from a ball. And, unintentionally includes one highly irritated duke. The two nephews are horrified by their uncle's actions and try to make the best of things. Thanks to the weather, they are cut off, with no way to return the ladies to their homes.
The four women deal with the issue as befits their personalities. The first part of the book concentrates mainly on Catriona. Catriona is a local woman without much in the way of name or fortune, and according to Taran was taken by mistake. She is practical, familiar with Taran and his antics, and takes things as they come. John, Duke of Bretton, who was also an unintended captive, goes from irritated to amused pretty quickly, helped along by his growing interest in Catriona. I enjoyed their interactions, which were fun with a definite undercurrent of attraction. Catriona doesn't expect anything to come of it, as he is a duke and she is a nobody. John is smitten immediately and acts accordingly. The catalyst to his big moment was pretty funny, but the moment itself was sweet and romantic.
The story then moves on to Lord Oakley, one of Taran's nephews. Taran immediately starts in on Byron, haranguing him for not making any obvious attempts at winning one of the heiresses. Having been burned recently by discovering his fiancée in the arms of another man, Byron is in no hurry to try again. He is also accused of being too stuffy to appeal to a woman, and compared unfavorably to the other men. He isn't too happy to find himself the target of the determined Marilla, and at one point hides in the library to escape her. This brings him into contact with Marilla's sister, Fiona, a much quieter woman. Fiona has her own history to deal with. Her fiancé fell to his death while trying to climb to her window. She has been blamed for it and her reputation ruined. She has given up fighting to get anyone to believe the truth and resigned herself to spinsterhood. Enter Byron, disturbing her refuge in the library. I loved their encounter, as Fiona has an enjoyable time poking holes in his stuffiness. Byron begins to understand why he is the way he is and becomes determined to change, spurred on by his attraction to Fiona. She has realized that she is attracted to him also, but that her reputation makes anything between them impossible. A cruel comment from Marilla puts a hitch in Byron's plans and hurts Fiona. I liked that Byron recovered quickly from his shock and his attitude and actions proved to be worthy of Fiona. Things got a little heated in the cold stable when he finally shared his feelings.
The story is rounded out by Robin, Taran's other nephew. He is known throughout London as the Prince of Rakes. He is half-French, with an inherited title of Comte and little else. He hides behind his reputation so that he doesn't have to deal with the rejection of those who look down on him. He is struck dumb at the sight of Cecily, feeling that bolt of lightning that tells him that this is the woman for him. Except, she isn't. Cecily is the daughter of a wealthy earl, with a great fortune coming to her. She is young, beautiful, and seems to be the shy and retiring type that all the mothers want for their sons. The difficulty is that Cecily doesn't want one of those staid and boring men. She wants someone she can love and luckily has parents who have given her the freedom to choose. She also has much more confidence in herself than anyone realizes. She doesn't panic during the kidnapping, looking on it as something of an adventure. An adventure that becomes so much more when one look at Robin convinces her that he is the man she is meant to marry. But it isn't going to be easy because Robin is determined to do the honorable thing and stay away from her, while Cecily is equally determined to win her prize. It was great fun to see Robin fall more and more under her spell. I ached for him because he was so certain he was unworthy of her. Their scenes together were wonderful as they got to know each other, with the snowball scene being one of my favorites. I loved how Cecily really understood Robin and finally took matters into her own hands.
I really liked all the characters except for Marilla. I found her incredibly annoying. She treated her sister horribly and completely ignored Fiona's attempts to guide her into proper behavior. She was selfish and spoiled. She set her sights on a man and behaved very inappropriately in an attempt to win him. When she would lose out to another woman, she would simply move on to the next one in line. She was totally oblivious to the way the men did their best to avoid her. I kept waiting for her to realize that none of them wanted anything to do with her.
The epilogue was great, rounding out the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers theme with the arrival of the outraged fathers once the pass was clear. The confrontation in the chapel was terrific, especially when the pairings were revealed with one slightly surprising twist.
The four women deal with the issue as befits their personalities. The first part of the book concentrates mainly on Catriona. Catriona is a local woman without much in the way of name or fortune, and according to Taran was taken by mistake. She is practical, familiar with Taran and his antics, and takes things as they come. John, Duke of Bretton, who was also an unintended captive, goes from irritated to amused pretty quickly, helped along by his growing interest in Catriona. I enjoyed their interactions, which were fun with a definite undercurrent of attraction. Catriona doesn't expect anything to come of it, as he is a duke and she is a nobody. John is smitten immediately and acts accordingly. The catalyst to his big moment was pretty funny, but the moment itself was sweet and romantic.
The story then moves on to Lord Oakley, one of Taran's nephews. Taran immediately starts in on Byron, haranguing him for not making any obvious attempts at winning one of the heiresses. Having been burned recently by discovering his fiancée in the arms of another man, Byron is in no hurry to try again. He is also accused of being too stuffy to appeal to a woman, and compared unfavorably to the other men. He isn't too happy to find himself the target of the determined Marilla, and at one point hides in the library to escape her. This brings him into contact with Marilla's sister, Fiona, a much quieter woman. Fiona has her own history to deal with. Her fiancé fell to his death while trying to climb to her window. She has been blamed for it and her reputation ruined. She has given up fighting to get anyone to believe the truth and resigned herself to spinsterhood. Enter Byron, disturbing her refuge in the library. I loved their encounter, as Fiona has an enjoyable time poking holes in his stuffiness. Byron begins to understand why he is the way he is and becomes determined to change, spurred on by his attraction to Fiona. She has realized that she is attracted to him also, but that her reputation makes anything between them impossible. A cruel comment from Marilla puts a hitch in Byron's plans and hurts Fiona. I liked that Byron recovered quickly from his shock and his attitude and actions proved to be worthy of Fiona. Things got a little heated in the cold stable when he finally shared his feelings.
The story is rounded out by Robin, Taran's other nephew. He is known throughout London as the Prince of Rakes. He is half-French, with an inherited title of Comte and little else. He hides behind his reputation so that he doesn't have to deal with the rejection of those who look down on him. He is struck dumb at the sight of Cecily, feeling that bolt of lightning that tells him that this is the woman for him. Except, she isn't. Cecily is the daughter of a wealthy earl, with a great fortune coming to her. She is young, beautiful, and seems to be the shy and retiring type that all the mothers want for their sons. The difficulty is that Cecily doesn't want one of those staid and boring men. She wants someone she can love and luckily has parents who have given her the freedom to choose. She also has much more confidence in herself than anyone realizes. She doesn't panic during the kidnapping, looking on it as something of an adventure. An adventure that becomes so much more when one look at Robin convinces her that he is the man she is meant to marry. But it isn't going to be easy because Robin is determined to do the honorable thing and stay away from her, while Cecily is equally determined to win her prize. It was great fun to see Robin fall more and more under her spell. I ached for him because he was so certain he was unworthy of her. Their scenes together were wonderful as they got to know each other, with the snowball scene being one of my favorites. I loved how Cecily really understood Robin and finally took matters into her own hands.
I really liked all the characters except for Marilla. I found her incredibly annoying. She treated her sister horribly and completely ignored Fiona's attempts to guide her into proper behavior. She was selfish and spoiled. She set her sights on a man and behaved very inappropriately in an attempt to win him. When she would lose out to another woman, she would simply move on to the next one in line. She was totally oblivious to the way the men did their best to avoid her. I kept waiting for her to realize that none of them wanted anything to do with her.
The epilogue was great, rounding out the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers theme with the arrival of the outraged fathers once the pass was clear. The confrontation in the chapel was terrific, especially when the pairings were revealed with one slightly surprising twist.
Well written, a fun read.
If you're looking for light, enjoyable reading, this is a good choice. I hadn't really read one like this before, with three love stories all put together in one book, but it worked well and had enough romance to keep me interested. As always, Julia Quinn is delightful!
