This is a debut novel, and frankly, I'm stunned. It was excellent. Sexy and earthy. The romance was firmly placed in the historical setting the author chose, without being dated. Great characterization. The plot was unexceptional, but very solid and very interesting. The characters are not typical romance novel hero/heroines, and worth reading about for that alone.
Helpful Score: 7
I ADORED this book! Started it in the evening and stayed up into the wee hours of the morning finishing it. Wonderful characters, witty dialogue, delicious tension and erotic heat!! Loved every minute!
Helpful Score: 6
An atypical romance set in the Georgian era. Both are in their 30s, both have lost spouses, neither is especially attractive. Very refreshong.
Helpful Score: 6
On one hand, the main characters make sense, are sympathetic, and have good chemistry. The story is actually set in the Georgian era, which is nice and different -- not that there are any real flavors of the era to back it up. There's also a dose of Mr Rochester in the male lead, which I'm not normally a fan of, but is played out nicely. On the other hand, the historical detail often falls short, people talk like they're living in the 90's, the heroine sometimes talks about the most inane things, and the 'dramatic payoff' bits are sort of bungled, mostly because the main 'villain' (or whatever) was constructed like an afterthought. It's a good story, but not necessarily good writing.
Helpful Score: 6
Hard to believe this is Ms. Hoyt's debut novel. Loved both the hero and heroine, the dialouge was witty and it was refreshing to see that the heroine's 'to stupid to live moment' only lasted about three pages. Oh, and adored the loved scenes. Read this one straight through and can't wait to get started on this author's next book.
