Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic book and an intriguing change from the usual Regency aristocratic balls and house parties. This is the story of Psyché, a Black coffee shop owner from Jamaica, and Will, the Marquess of Huntercombe's private secretary. They meet when thrown together to help a young woman escape a forced marriage. Their immediate connection forms the basis for an unexpected relationship.
I loved Psyché. Born into slavery, she came to England at the age of eleven, brought by her white father. He died, and she was raised by her great-uncle, Viscount Staverton, along with her white cousin, Hetty. Though treated as a daughter by her great-uncle, Psyché's treatment by society and even some family members was decidedly unequal. By the time she was an adult, Psyché was determined to create her own place in the world. Her coffee shop, The Phoenix Rising, does precisely that. Flashbacks to Psyché's life, both in Jamaica and her early years in England, vividly illustrate the obstacles she faces and how she overcomes them.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Psyché. From the moment they met, Will saw Psyché as a strong, independent, and kind woman. Their teamwork in helping young Catherine was outstanding. I laughed out loud at Will's interpretation of causing a "distraction" while Psyché hid Catherine and how it led to them spending even more time together. I loved the slow growth of their feelings, from friends to lovers. While the physical expression of those feelings was great, I especially enjoyed the look at their ordinary everyday interactions of washing dishes, talking, and just being together while involved in their own activities.
It isn't long before Will wants more, but convincing Psyché is an uphill battle. Though she knows marriage is different than being enslaved, Psyché's reluctance to give a man power over her freedom and independence is believable. I loved Will's patience and understanding as he works to prove she can trust him. His visit to Psyché's great-uncle was terrific and demonstrated how well both men knew her. There was a short rough patch when Will told Psyché why he is estranged from his family, but they talked it through like adults. I loved how everything came together for them at the end.
There was intense action at a few places in the book. In the beginning, hiding Catherine creates complications and danger for Psyché. There is an unexpected link between Catherine and Psyché that adds to Psyché's determination to keep the girl safe. When the Bow Street Runners get involved in the search, a complex plan is devised and successfully carried out. After a deeply moving scene where Psyché and Hetty reunite at their great-uncle's deathbed, Psyché faces her father's brother Lucian, who has always resented her. In a nail-biting turn of events, Lucian attempts to kidnap Psyché with the intent of sending her to Africa and back to slavery. He received quite a shock when Psyché resisted, and I loved seeing her take him down. Will's arrival was perfectly timed, and the icing on the cake. I liked the epilogue and its wrap-up of the events of the book.
I liked how Psyché's challenges because of her race were deftly woven throughout the book. From the little digs to the kidnapping attempt, each occurrence was believable. Psyché's flashbacks were especially vivid as they portrayed critical moments in her life. I enjoyed the author's note on her inspiration for Psyché's character.
netgalley
I loved Psyché. Born into slavery, she came to England at the age of eleven, brought by her white father. He died, and she was raised by her great-uncle, Viscount Staverton, along with her white cousin, Hetty. Though treated as a daughter by her great-uncle, Psyché's treatment by society and even some family members was decidedly unequal. By the time she was an adult, Psyché was determined to create her own place in the world. Her coffee shop, The Phoenix Rising, does precisely that. Flashbacks to Psyché's life, both in Jamaica and her early years in England, vividly illustrate the obstacles she faces and how she overcomes them.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Will and Psyché. From the moment they met, Will saw Psyché as a strong, independent, and kind woman. Their teamwork in helping young Catherine was outstanding. I laughed out loud at Will's interpretation of causing a "distraction" while Psyché hid Catherine and how it led to them spending even more time together. I loved the slow growth of their feelings, from friends to lovers. While the physical expression of those feelings was great, I especially enjoyed the look at their ordinary everyday interactions of washing dishes, talking, and just being together while involved in their own activities.
It isn't long before Will wants more, but convincing Psyché is an uphill battle. Though she knows marriage is different than being enslaved, Psyché's reluctance to give a man power over her freedom and independence is believable. I loved Will's patience and understanding as he works to prove she can trust him. His visit to Psyché's great-uncle was terrific and demonstrated how well both men knew her. There was a short rough patch when Will told Psyché why he is estranged from his family, but they talked it through like adults. I loved how everything came together for them at the end.
There was intense action at a few places in the book. In the beginning, hiding Catherine creates complications and danger for Psyché. There is an unexpected link between Catherine and Psyché that adds to Psyché's determination to keep the girl safe. When the Bow Street Runners get involved in the search, a complex plan is devised and successfully carried out. After a deeply moving scene where Psyché and Hetty reunite at their great-uncle's deathbed, Psyché faces her father's brother Lucian, who has always resented her. In a nail-biting turn of events, Lucian attempts to kidnap Psyché with the intent of sending her to Africa and back to slavery. He received quite a shock when Psyché resisted, and I loved seeing her take him down. Will's arrival was perfectly timed, and the icing on the cake. I liked the epilogue and its wrap-up of the events of the book.
I liked how Psyché's challenges because of her race were deftly woven throughout the book. From the little digs to the kidnapping attempt, each occurrence was believable. Psyché's flashbacks were especially vivid as they portrayed critical moments in her life. I enjoyed the author's note on her inspiration for Psyché's character.
netgalley
Regina (virgosun) reviewed A Marriage of Equals (Harlequin Historical, No 1573) on + 888 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
You don't come across too many of interracial regencies and this one does the topic good. Even though slavery was illegal in Britain at that time, free Blacks still faced the danger of being abducted and sold. Luckily for Psyche, born a slave in Jamaica and brought to England as a child, she had more protection than most in the form of loving guardians. She's independent, a business owner, and wealthy in her own right, her unexpected affair with connected Will Barclay is good stuff. Don't miss this one. 4 stars.
Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
Elizabeth Rolls is a long time author of Harlequin Historical series books, and I've always enjoyed her writing.
However, her last couple of books have really been a step above the ordinary, and I think the best she's ever written.
This book did a great job of portraying a romance between a Black(mixed race) heroine and a White hero. One of the things I loved about the characters is that they both had to work for a living. She owns a coffee shop, and is reluctant to lose her independence by marrying. The author's note mentions that the real-life Dido Belle was her inspiration for the heroine. Although obviously, this is not Dido's story, there are some similarities in their family backgrounds.
The hero works as a secretary for the Earl of Cambourne. He is simply lovely; sensitive, intelligent, honorable, and he comes to the rescue when the heroine finds herself in a bit of a jam. His employer, the Earl, is the hero of Rolls' previous book, "His Convenient Marchioness". I recommend reading that one first, because many of the characters, including the villains, and a bit of the storyline, are carried over from that book. Also, HCM is a great story on its own merits!
This book moves right along a fast pace, there is plenty of action with an attempted kidnapping and other adventures. A lot of the plot conflict involves racism, slavery and the anti-slavery movement in Great Britain, and the reaction of the hero and heroine's families to their relationship.
Content warning for violence and cruelty, which is described in flashbacks to the heroine's early childhood in slavery, in Jamaica.
I highly recommend not missing this one!
However, her last couple of books have really been a step above the ordinary, and I think the best she's ever written.
This book did a great job of portraying a romance between a Black(mixed race) heroine and a White hero. One of the things I loved about the characters is that they both had to work for a living. She owns a coffee shop, and is reluctant to lose her independence by marrying. The author's note mentions that the real-life Dido Belle was her inspiration for the heroine. Although obviously, this is not Dido's story, there are some similarities in their family backgrounds.
The hero works as a secretary for the Earl of Cambourne. He is simply lovely; sensitive, intelligent, honorable, and he comes to the rescue when the heroine finds herself in a bit of a jam. His employer, the Earl, is the hero of Rolls' previous book, "His Convenient Marchioness". I recommend reading that one first, because many of the characters, including the villains, and a bit of the storyline, are carried over from that book. Also, HCM is a great story on its own merits!
This book moves right along a fast pace, there is plenty of action with an attempted kidnapping and other adventures. A lot of the plot conflict involves racism, slavery and the anti-slavery movement in Great Britain, and the reaction of the hero and heroine's families to their relationship.
Content warning for violence and cruelty, which is described in flashbacks to the heroine's early childhood in slavery, in Jamaica.
I highly recommend not missing this one!
Jan C. (tjrj1988) -
I've never written a review here on PBS. I just had to for "A Marriage of Equals". I've been reading and enjoying Elizabeth Rolls' books from the very first. She writes characters with depth and heart. This one is no different and is fact, a step above. The other reviews sum up the story better than I ever could, so I won't repeat. I will say, however, if you're looking for something other than Regency ballrooms and Hyde Park, do yourself a favor and read this one, I do not believe you will be disappointed.
