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Romancing #1
Romancing the Countess
Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, thought he'd married the perfect woman-until a fatal accident revealed her betrayal with his best friend. After their deaths, Sebastian is determined to avoid a scandal for the sake of his son. But his best friend's widow is just as determined to cast her mourning veil aside by hosting a party that will surely destroy both their reputations and expose all of his carefully kept secrets...Leah George has carried the painful knowledge of her husband's affair for almost a year. All she wants now is to enjoy her independence and make a new life for herself-even if that means being ostracized by the Society whose rules she was raised to obey. Now that the rumors are flying, there's only one thing left for Sebastian to do: silence the scandal by enticing the improper widow into becoming a proper wife. But when it comes to matters of the heart, neither Sebastian nor Leah is prepared for the passion they discover in each other's arms....
302 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 6, 2011
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November 4, 2018
4.5 stars | Grade: A
This book was an absolute treat to read – like drinking a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a rainy Saturday afternoon. There were no crazy mass murderers that apparently disproportionally populate 19th century fictional England, no gorgeous but evil ex-mistresses spreading confusion and mayhem, no massively intricate and slightly ridiculous revenge plots. Instead, Romancing the Countess gives us a quiet, emotional, and heated love story between two people who have both been broken by the same betrayal and are initially brought together as opponents.
{ Main Characters }
Leah and Sebastian were fascinating characters and the way they are put together and play off one another are what made this book such a delight. Leah has known about their spouses’ adultery for awhile, but Sebastian had no idea that his beloved wife and best friend in the world had been having an affair until they die together in a carriage accident.
Sebastian has to deal with his conflicting feelings of loss that the mother of his child is dead and anger / hurt that two people he trusted had been betraying him. Leah, on the other hand, feels a sense of freedom and for once in her life wants to do what feels right – what she wants to do, as opposed to what she should do. She doesn’t want to wear a veil or suffocate herself in black bombazine and crepe. She is tired of being a wallflower, her husband’s shadow, a woman constrained by societal dictates that she had no part in making, but has been taught since birth to obey.
Both characters are complex and subtly drawn. They are not molds or cookie-cutter HR characters. To say that Sebastian is the cold and stuffy earl who is driven by bitterness and Leah is the rebellious woman who has finally had enough does not begin to do them justice, nor is it even accurate. Like real people, they are never just one thing, but rather are constantly evolving and adapting as things happen and as they make certain choices. Yes, Sebastian is like that – he also teases, laughs, feels passion, acts on it, actively pursues Leah: he’s not Mr. Iceberg. Yes, Leah is like that – she also feels uncertainty, is confused and lonely, longs for simple things, wants to test herself, is frightened of her desire for Sebastian: she’s not Miss Bitchy Indifference.
{ Romance Relationship }
I prefer romances where the attraction is not instantaneous, but rather develops as the relationship between the two characters changes. Sebastian and Leah have known one another for several years in the roles of “best friend’s wife” and “husband’s best friend,” and are only now beginning to see one another as stand-alone individuals. Their relationship is not simple, smooth, or really even friendly.
Sebastian resents Leah her fortitude and apparent acceptance; he hates that he had no idea he was being betrayed by two people whom he loved and lashes out in bitterness at the only one of their foursome left. Finding out about his wife’s adultery has also caused him to doubt whether their son, Henry, is really his. Sebastian fears that any attention Leah brings to herself through scandal might cause society to reexamine their spouses’ deaths, and he doesn’t want his son’s legitimacy to be questioned or for Henry to later be hurt by rumor and innuendo.
Thought it may seem odd, Leah actually looks forward to their interactions. She empathizes with Sebastian: she went through all these emotions not that long ago when she was brought face-to-face with her husband’s affair – literally. Since then, she has felt lonely and isolated with no one to confide in, yet here is someone who she doesn’t have to pretend with. Sebastian knows the truth, as it is one that they share, and while it is ugly and has caused them both tremendous pain, it also provides them with an undeniable – if undesirable – bond.
{ Criticism }
As always, the back cover blurb doesn’t give a comprehensive picture of what actually goes on. The story and plot are about much more than a house party and while it intimates that Leah plans to do something scandalous, like pass around her husband’s love letters or some such thing, that is not the case. Much occurs beyond that house party and one of the things I really loved was that even though I of course knew where this was going to end up – in The World of HEA – I honestly was not sure what journey the author would take us and her characters on to get there.
I wish both Leah and Sebastian had been more open with one another in the second half, as opposed to holding back. While I completely understood Leah’s reservations and sexual hang-ups and thought March dealt with them well, I wanted Leah to somehow let Sebastian know earlier on that he wasn’t the reason she ran from him. Another criticism is that at the beginning of each chapter there were quotes from Angela’s love letters to Ian (Sebastian’s wife, Leah’s husband). They’re the “bad” (if dead) characters in this drama; they exist in so far as their actions affected the spouses they left behind, not in any present sense, since we only ever know them as deceased. I therefore wasn’t sure what the point of the quotes was and didn’t like their inclusion. Finally, though this is a small thing since it’s easy to forget her age, I wish Leah had been made older. I like to know our characters’ ages and we never know Sebastian’s.
{ Bottom Line }
There were times when I wanted to scold Leah or Sebastian for what they said to the other, but in a way it made me enjoy their relationship all the more. They’re two people in pain, who had been deeply in love with their respective spouses only to find out they were being cheated on; for them to easily fall in love with and trust one another would have been unrealistic and fake. Their growing attraction is lovely and while yes, it’s one between two people who have been hurt and end up helping one another heal, there’s no doubt in my mind that had Leah and Sebastian been put together before either of them met Ian and Angela (respectively), a connection between them would have developed. They complement one another so well that in my mind it would have been inevitable. The fact that Sebastian and Leah get their happiness together after having suffered through such heartbreak only makes their love story that much sweeter.
{ One of My Favorite Quotes }
Originally reviewed for Fiction Vixen Book Reviews - read my review and a Tempting Teaser. This review is of a copy provided by the author to FVBR.
This book was an absolute treat to read – like drinking a delicious cup of hot chocolate on a rainy Saturday afternoon. There were no crazy mass murderers that apparently disproportionally populate 19th century fictional England, no gorgeous but evil ex-mistresses spreading confusion and mayhem, no massively intricate and slightly ridiculous revenge plots. Instead, Romancing the Countess gives us a quiet, emotional, and heated love story between two people who have both been broken by the same betrayal and are initially brought together as opponents.
{ Main Characters }
Leah and Sebastian were fascinating characters and the way they are put together and play off one another are what made this book such a delight. Leah has known about their spouses’ adultery for awhile, but Sebastian had no idea that his beloved wife and best friend in the world had been having an affair until they die together in a carriage accident.
Sebastian has to deal with his conflicting feelings of loss that the mother of his child is dead and anger / hurt that two people he trusted had been betraying him. Leah, on the other hand, feels a sense of freedom and for once in her life wants to do what feels right – what she wants to do, as opposed to what she should do. She doesn’t want to wear a veil or suffocate herself in black bombazine and crepe. She is tired of being a wallflower, her husband’s shadow, a woman constrained by societal dictates that she had no part in making, but has been taught since birth to obey.
Both characters are complex and subtly drawn. They are not molds or cookie-cutter HR characters. To say that Sebastian is the cold and stuffy earl who is driven by bitterness and Leah is the rebellious woman who has finally had enough does not begin to do them justice, nor is it even accurate. Like real people, they are never just one thing, but rather are constantly evolving and adapting as things happen and as they make certain choices. Yes, Sebastian is like that – he also teases, laughs, feels passion, acts on it, actively pursues Leah: he’s not Mr. Iceberg. Yes, Leah is like that – she also feels uncertainty, is confused and lonely, longs for simple things, wants to test herself, is frightened of her desire for Sebastian: she’s not Miss Bitchy Indifference.
{ Romance Relationship }
I prefer romances where the attraction is not instantaneous, but rather develops as the relationship between the two characters changes. Sebastian and Leah have known one another for several years in the roles of “best friend’s wife” and “husband’s best friend,” and are only now beginning to see one another as stand-alone individuals. Their relationship is not simple, smooth, or really even friendly.
Sebastian resents Leah her fortitude and apparent acceptance; he hates that he had no idea he was being betrayed by two people whom he loved and lashes out in bitterness at the only one of their foursome left. Finding out about his wife’s adultery has also caused him to doubt whether their son, Henry, is really his. Sebastian fears that any attention Leah brings to herself through scandal might cause society to reexamine their spouses’ deaths, and he doesn’t want his son’s legitimacy to be questioned or for Henry to later be hurt by rumor and innuendo.
Thought it may seem odd, Leah actually looks forward to their interactions. She empathizes with Sebastian: she went through all these emotions not that long ago when she was brought face-to-face with her husband’s affair – literally. Since then, she has felt lonely and isolated with no one to confide in, yet here is someone who she doesn’t have to pretend with. Sebastian knows the truth, as it is one that they share, and while it is ugly and has caused them both tremendous pain, it also provides them with an undeniable – if undesirable – bond.
{ Criticism }
As always, the back cover blurb doesn’t give a comprehensive picture of what actually goes on. The story and plot are about much more than a house party and while it intimates that Leah plans to do something scandalous, like pass around her husband’s love letters or some such thing, that is not the case. Much occurs beyond that house party and one of the things I really loved was that even though I of course knew where this was going to end up – in The World of HEA – I honestly was not sure what journey the author would take us and her characters on to get there.
I wish both Leah and Sebastian had been more open with one another in the second half, as opposed to holding back. While I completely understood Leah’s reservations and sexual hang-ups and thought March dealt with them well, I wanted Leah to somehow let Sebastian know earlier on that he wasn’t the reason she ran from him. Another criticism is that at the beginning of each chapter there were quotes from Angela’s love letters to Ian (Sebastian’s wife, Leah’s husband). They’re the “bad” (if dead) characters in this drama; they exist in so far as their actions affected the spouses they left behind, not in any present sense, since we only ever know them as deceased. I therefore wasn’t sure what the point of the quotes was and didn’t like their inclusion. Finally, though this is a small thing since it’s easy to forget her age, I wish Leah had been made older. I like to know our characters’ ages and we never know Sebastian’s.
{ Bottom Line }
There were times when I wanted to scold Leah or Sebastian for what they said to the other, but in a way it made me enjoy their relationship all the more. They’re two people in pain, who had been deeply in love with their respective spouses only to find out they were being cheated on; for them to easily fall in love with and trust one another would have been unrealistic and fake. Their growing attraction is lovely and while yes, it’s one between two people who have been hurt and end up helping one another heal, there’s no doubt in my mind that had Leah and Sebastian been put together before either of them met Ian and Angela (respectively), a connection between them would have developed. They complement one another so well that in my mind it would have been inevitable. The fact that Sebastian and Leah get their happiness together after having suffered through such heartbreak only makes their love story that much sweeter.
{ One of My Favorite Quotes }
Sebastian closed his eyes, his chin sinking toward his chest. How long he’d been trapped by those words, afraid to scare her away. How long he’d hoped that after she dealt with Ian’s ghost she would one day turn to him. Her confession of her relationship with Ian while they sat in the tree had been one step, her willingness to let him pleasure her another, and yet still it wasn’t enough. He wanted everything: her trust, her joy, her heart, her vulnerability.
Originally reviewed for Fiction Vixen Book Reviews - read my review and a Tempting Teaser. This review is of a copy provided by the author to FVBR.
June 21, 2022
4.5/5.
Reread in 2022 and keeping the same original rating from 2013.
This is an emotionally complex, character-driven story about two people's separate paths towards healing following the betrayals by their now deceased spouses with one another. While Leah embraces life and her new independence with great gusto, Sebastian is consumed by anger and hurt and his pain remains fresh. Yet in spite of their different ways of dealing with their shared secret heartbreak, they find themselves irresistibly drawn towards each other.
“Liar. You’re much too selfish. For some strange reason it’s one of the things I like best about you.”
Leah tilted her chin and smiled. “I thought we disliked each other.”
“Oh, we do,” he said, taking another sip. “I detest you quite thoroughly. Especially when you smile.”
Her lips flattened. “Do you?”
He gestured toward her with the drink, the liquid sloshing out the side to drip over his thigh. Leah’s gaze followed the brandy’s path where it darkened on his trousers, then jerked upward again as he spoke.
“You’re too bloody happy. It’s very offensive.”
“Indeed?” she said, trying not to smile ...more
Leah was the model daughter, the model wife, outwardly. The death of her husband unexpectedly gives her the freedom to finally unshackle herself from her family's and society's expectations of her. She grieved the death of her marriage many months ago and is seemingly long past acceptance, while Sebastian is still struggling through the early stages of grief, especially channelling his anger towards Leah, who is too effervescent to play the proper role of a widow in mourning. He soon finds out that Leah is no shallow, vacuous lady. After years of submitting herself to the wishes of others, she is finally ready to fight back.
Sebastian gave her a nod. “Thank you, Mrs. George. That’s very kind.”
“Please, my lord,” she murmured. “You were Ian’s closest friend, so dear to him. How could I ever abandon you? He would think I had betrayed your friendship, something he would never have done.”
Sebastian stiffened. How sweet and beguiling her tone as she fired the first volley. A reminder of Ian’s betrayal...
It's been a while since a book has moved me to tears, but Leah is such a beautifully portrayed character, so easy to sympathise with - her vulnerability and tattered self esteem left in the aftermath of her husband’s infidelity, her stolen moments of simple joys, her quiet strength and dignity in reclaiming her life and herself again. And yet for all Leah's public displays of moving on with life, inwardly she remains haunted by the events of the past, and consequently is afraid to consider a future with Sebastian. Sebastian started with a stick up his aristocratic arse, but he has his motivations to keep the affair of their spouses hidden.
The dialogue is snappy and clever and the multi-layered interaction between the main characters is reminiscent of Sherry Thomas at her finest. The occasionally humerous banter between the two provides light interludes amidst the aching, dark despair in the aftermath of discovering the extent of the betrayal. A story well told but let down a bit by the dousy love scene. Why he has to ask Leah, what she and Ian got up to each step of the way was beyond me.
Reread in 2022 and keeping the same original rating from 2013.
This is an emotionally complex, character-driven story about two people's separate paths towards healing following the betrayals by their now deceased spouses with one another. While Leah embraces life and her new independence with great gusto, Sebastian is consumed by anger and hurt and his pain remains fresh. Yet in spite of their different ways of dealing with their shared secret heartbreak, they find themselves irresistibly drawn towards each other.
“Liar. You’re much too selfish. For some strange reason it’s one of the things I like best about you.”
Leah tilted her chin and smiled. “I thought we disliked each other.”
“Oh, we do,” he said, taking another sip. “I detest you quite thoroughly. Especially when you smile.”
Her lips flattened. “Do you?”
He gestured toward her with the drink, the liquid sloshing out the side to drip over his thigh. Leah’s gaze followed the brandy’s path where it darkened on his trousers, then jerked upward again as he spoke.
“You’re too bloody happy. It’s very offensive.”
“Indeed?” she said, trying not to smile ...more
Leah was the model daughter, the model wife, outwardly. The death of her husband unexpectedly gives her the freedom to finally unshackle herself from her family's and society's expectations of her. She grieved the death of her marriage many months ago and is seemingly long past acceptance, while Sebastian is still struggling through the early stages of grief, especially channelling his anger towards Leah, who is too effervescent to play the proper role of a widow in mourning. He soon finds out that Leah is no shallow, vacuous lady. After years of submitting herself to the wishes of others, she is finally ready to fight back.
Sebastian gave her a nod. “Thank you, Mrs. George. That’s very kind.”
“Please, my lord,” she murmured. “You were Ian’s closest friend, so dear to him. How could I ever abandon you? He would think I had betrayed your friendship, something he would never have done.”
Sebastian stiffened. How sweet and beguiling her tone as she fired the first volley. A reminder of Ian’s betrayal...
It's been a while since a book has moved me to tears, but Leah is such a beautifully portrayed character, so easy to sympathise with - her vulnerability and tattered self esteem left in the aftermath of her husband’s infidelity, her stolen moments of simple joys, her quiet strength and dignity in reclaiming her life and herself again. And yet for all Leah's public displays of moving on with life, inwardly she remains haunted by the events of the past, and consequently is afraid to consider a future with Sebastian. Sebastian started with a stick up his aristocratic arse, but he has his motivations to keep the affair of their spouses hidden.
The dialogue is snappy and clever and the multi-layered interaction between the main characters is reminiscent of Sherry Thomas at her finest. The occasionally humerous banter between the two provides light interludes amidst the aching, dark despair in the aftermath of discovering the extent of the betrayal. A story well told but let down a bit by the dousy love scene. Why he has to ask Leah, what she and Ian got up to each step of the way was beyond me.
October 11, 2017
Update: 10/11/17
Sadly, the story didn't hold my original 5-star rating on re-read. The first half was still top-notch, then half way through the heroine did something that made no sense- none. It was clear the repercussions would be unbearable. The episode felt like a poorly constructed way to advance the plot. The story went downhill after with its second half turning into very ordinary, run-of-the mill historical.
02/13/2014
This was emotional, character-driven story about two people who were betrayed by their cheating spouses and then thrown together after their spouses' death. The author portrays the characters' vulnerabilities, insecurities, and eventual acceptance of love for each other in such a beautiful and compelling way that it simply blown me away.
Sadly, the story didn't hold my original 5-star rating on re-read. The first half was still top-notch, then half way through the heroine did something that made no sense- none. It was clear the repercussions would be unbearable. The episode felt like a poorly constructed way to advance the plot. The story went downhill after with its second half turning into very ordinary, run-of-the mill historical.
02/13/2014
This was emotional, character-driven story about two people who were betrayed by their cheating spouses and then thrown together after their spouses' death. The author portrays the characters' vulnerabilities, insecurities, and eventual acceptance of love for each other in such a beautiful and compelling way that it simply blown me away.
October 6, 2011
4.5 stars. For Sebastian, Lord Wriothesly, the death of his wife and of his best friend -- together -- is a source of agonizing grief, rage, and fears for his young son’s future. But for Leah George, whose heart has long since been broken, the death of her husband is mostly a relief -- she’ll no longer have to play the good wife to the man who betrayed her with Lady Wriothesly. For the first time in her life, she feels able to be herself.
Proper Victorian mourning is almost as confining as marriage however, with its depressing black clothes and restrictive behavior. As Leah gets a taste of independence, she finds herself yearning for still more, and seeking for ways to enjoy herself while only stretching the bounds of propriety. But Sebastian can’t allow her to do anything that might cast suspicion on their late spouses -- and on his son’s parentage. Reluctantly, angrily, he is forced to spend time seeking to contain the woman he half blames for his grief. And they are drawn together, partially by their shared secret, partially by... something else. “Whether he liked it or not, she knew more of him than he’d ever wished to reveal to anyone else. His every emotional state: his anger, his sadness, his offenses and curses brought on by despair. And now she knew, though he would have chosen otherwise, how he hungered for her.”
This was a touching portrait of two decent, badly wronged people discovering happiness again. Sebastian, a normally kind, unfailingly courteous man, has to question his past and acknowledge his darker side. Leah has to overcome her humiliation and believe that someone can truly love her. I ached for both of them, and loved their journey from finding each other plain and forbidding to seeing the beauty and tenderness they each had to offer.
Proper Victorian mourning is almost as confining as marriage however, with its depressing black clothes and restrictive behavior. As Leah gets a taste of independence, she finds herself yearning for still more, and seeking for ways to enjoy herself while only stretching the bounds of propriety. But Sebastian can’t allow her to do anything that might cast suspicion on their late spouses -- and on his son’s parentage. Reluctantly, angrily, he is forced to spend time seeking to contain the woman he half blames for his grief. And they are drawn together, partially by their shared secret, partially by... something else. “Whether he liked it or not, she knew more of him than he’d ever wished to reveal to anyone else. His every emotional state: his anger, his sadness, his offenses and curses brought on by despair. And now she knew, though he would have chosen otherwise, how he hungered for her.”
This was a touching portrait of two decent, badly wronged people discovering happiness again. Sebastian, a normally kind, unfailingly courteous man, has to question his past and acknowledge his darker side. Leah has to overcome her humiliation and believe that someone can truly love her. I ached for both of them, and loved their journey from finding each other plain and forbidding to seeing the beauty and tenderness they each had to offer.
April 29, 2021
This was such an emotionally complicated story. So, the hero's best friend was having an affair with his wife for over a year and they were discovered after a carriage accident that killed them both. Pheeew. What a mess right?
Not even close. Now the two widow and widower need to deal with the aftermath of the affair of their partners and do their best to not bring a scandal upon their name. But the heroine does not care. She only wants her freedom after pretending that everything was okay in her marriage throughout her husband's affair.
The catch was, that there are rules to be followed in the 1st year of mourning, but she wasn't mourning and did not want to. She made a lot of reckless mistakes to show the world that she was a free woman, and didn't care about the consequences.
So this is a story about her being reckless with the wrong people (she should have been reckless with her husband, not after he died!) And the consequences of her bad behavior.
I liked this writer, her book was entertaining even if I didn't like a lot of the heroine's behavior and ungratefulness, it was a well written book, good pacing, crazy plot, and a very sweet hero. He's the type that when he wants a woman he gives her everything he has. Name, body and soul.
Not even close. Now the two widow and widower need to deal with the aftermath of the affair of their partners and do their best to not bring a scandal upon their name. But the heroine does not care. She only wants her freedom after pretending that everything was okay in her marriage throughout her husband's affair.
The catch was, that there are rules to be followed in the 1st year of mourning, but she wasn't mourning and did not want to. She made a lot of reckless mistakes to show the world that she was a free woman, and didn't care about the consequences.
So this is a story about her being reckless with the wrong people (she should have been reckless with her husband, not after he died!) And the consequences of her bad behavior.
I liked this writer, her book was entertaining even if I didn't like a lot of the heroine's behavior and ungratefulness, it was a well written book, good pacing, crazy plot, and a very sweet hero. He's the type that when he wants a woman he gives her everything he has. Name, body and soul.
June 23, 2019
This was going so good, so strong, so fresh before completely faltering and taking the beaten path for the last third of the book.
June 24, 2015
Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, had been betrayed by his wife. He learned that the woman he passionately adored had been having an ongoing affair with his best friend, Ian George. He was given this news at the same time he received a letter notifying him of their deaths in a carriage accident. His anguish was all-consuming.
Leah George had unwillingly accepted her husband's infidelities months before when she found Ian and Angela Wriothesly in a very intimate embrace in their home. Her marriage had been arranged but she thought her husband had loved her. After all, she had loved him. So, when she learned of their unfortunate demises, rather then feel bone-crushing sadness she felt like a weight had finally been lifted. And she was determined to win her much-deserved freedom: a rare gift for a woman to achieve in Victorian times.
But Sebastian did the unthinkable. He managed to insert himself in her life when push came to shove. He didn't want anyone to find out about what really happened between their deceased spouses. He had his reasons. In turn, Leah had been lonely for such a long time that her form of release was simply to rebel. In her own personal ways. And much to the annoyance of Sebastian.
These characters were clearly tortured souls. They antagonized each other. He criticized and she resisted his verbal bullying with a smile. He tormented her by mentioning something unspeakable and she coolly walked away. For her, it was all about being in control. For him, it was about hurting her so she could take the blame and give him some kind of release. They agreed to be enemies.
The setting occurred in 1849 but in many ways it could have been modern times. The hard-fought-for romance oozed emotion and was heartwrenching to read at times. But I was mesmerized and read most of the book in one sitting. And the lesson? Sebastian and Leah had to learn to forgive their own imperfections before earning their much-deserved happiness.
Leah George had unwillingly accepted her husband's infidelities months before when she found Ian and Angela Wriothesly in a very intimate embrace in their home. Her marriage had been arranged but she thought her husband had loved her. After all, she had loved him. So, when she learned of their unfortunate demises, rather then feel bone-crushing sadness she felt like a weight had finally been lifted. And she was determined to win her much-deserved freedom: a rare gift for a woman to achieve in Victorian times.
But Sebastian did the unthinkable. He managed to insert himself in her life when push came to shove. He didn't want anyone to find out about what really happened between their deceased spouses. He had his reasons. In turn, Leah had been lonely for such a long time that her form of release was simply to rebel. In her own personal ways. And much to the annoyance of Sebastian.
These characters were clearly tortured souls. They antagonized each other. He criticized and she resisted his verbal bullying with a smile. He tormented her by mentioning something unspeakable and she coolly walked away. For her, it was all about being in control. For him, it was about hurting her so she could take the blame and give him some kind of release. They agreed to be enemies.
The setting occurred in 1849 but in many ways it could have been modern times. The hard-fought-for romance oozed emotion and was heartwrenching to read at times. But I was mesmerized and read most of the book in one sitting. And the lesson? Sebastian and Leah had to learn to forgive their own imperfections before earning their much-deserved happiness.
February 11, 2016
It was a very satisfying read. I read it with a big enthusiasm. I like plot and story progressing very much. It could make sense both hero and heroine behavior and attitude to with each other.
Firstly, hero and heroine were a kind of enemies and on the other hand, they were on a pact to keep the secret of the betrayal of their spouses. These facts made the story more appealing. Most of the important things were happened at the house party which is the very alluring thing in HR for me.
Slowly building romance, very well written Georgian Period, very good handled emotions about betrayal and hope to new love subjects made the story more charming for me.
I really recommend the book any readers who love read HR.
Firstly, hero and heroine were a kind of enemies and on the other hand, they were on a pact to keep the secret of the betrayal of their spouses. These facts made the story more appealing. Most of the important things were happened at the house party which is the very alluring thing in HR for me.
Slowly building romance, very well written Georgian Period, very good handled emotions about betrayal and hope to new love subjects made the story more charming for me.
I really recommend the book any readers who love read HR.
September 12, 2011
I'm so glad I read this book because it really reminded me of why I love historical romances so much. This is really a standout book with a very unique story and lovable characters.
We get a glimpse of how honorable Sebastian is at the beginning. In fact he was so hopelessly in love with his first wife that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to believe his love story with Leah. But I was very wrong. His first wife's betrayal definitely makes his falling in love again more believable, but its not just that. You can literally feel the chemistry between Sebastian and Leah and it's by no means just physical. In fact, I loved that the physical aspect of their love took the longest to develop.
It was bittersweet to see Leah learn to trust someone again. And it took a lot of work from both Sebastian and Leah herself for her to be able to trust him. It wasn't something that was rushed or just magically happened overnight.
There was a bit towards the middle and end of the story that seemed unnecessary to me. It also made Sebastian's proposal seem odd when it could have been more natural.
I loved that Sebastian's reasoning for not wanting their spouses' affair to be known was to protect his young son, Henry. Henry was a great addition to the story. Their strangely built family was truly beautiful and tugged at the heartstrings.
Overall, a beautiful, well constructed love story that will stay on my keeper shelf.
book sent by publisher and author in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
We get a glimpse of how honorable Sebastian is at the beginning. In fact he was so hopelessly in love with his first wife that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to believe his love story with Leah. But I was very wrong. His first wife's betrayal definitely makes his falling in love again more believable, but its not just that. You can literally feel the chemistry between Sebastian and Leah and it's by no means just physical. In fact, I loved that the physical aspect of their love took the longest to develop.
It was bittersweet to see Leah learn to trust someone again. And it took a lot of work from both Sebastian and Leah herself for her to be able to trust him. It wasn't something that was rushed or just magically happened overnight.
There was a bit towards the middle and end of the story that seemed unnecessary to me. It also made Sebastian's proposal seem odd when it could have been more natural.
I loved that Sebastian's reasoning for not wanting their spouses' affair to be known was to protect his young son, Henry. Henry was a great addition to the story. Their strangely built family was truly beautiful and tugged at the heartstrings.
Overall, a beautiful, well constructed love story that will stay on my keeper shelf.
book sent by publisher and author in exchange for an honest review
reviewed for http://inthehammockblog.blogspot.com
November 1, 2011
This heroine is willing to risk ruining three lives for the sake of hosting a dance party and wearing a pretty dress. The hero repeatedly compares her unfavorably to his late (adulterous) wife. How am I supposed to care about these jerks?
April 28, 2011
Ashley March is a glorious new voice in romance. From the first page, ROMANCING THE COUNTESS captivated me with a smart heroine, a sexy, brooding hero, and a sophisticated romance that vibrates with sexual tension. Ashley March is the goods!
September 17, 2011
Leah George has had a difficult few years beginning with discovering her husband, whom she thought loved her and she was in love with, sleeping with his best friends wife. Leah is shattered and builds up quite a wall around her heart but continues on with her life as best as she can...all behind a fake front of happiness. When tragedy strikes one night and her husband and his lover die in a carriage accident, she can't help but finally feel free. Then comes all the requirements of widowhood where she must still continue on living her life behind a lie, pretending to be saddened by his death. After a few months of this behavior, she realizes she can not continue on in this fashion and decides to do something a bit scandalous....she throws a house party.
Sebastian, Earl of Wriothesly, thought he had the perfect wife and is shocked by the depth of his late wifes betrayal especially as if any whiff of this scandal hits the ton, it could affect his son. When he learns that the widowed Leah is having a house party, he is floored and knows he must attend to keep Leah in check and not allow their shared secret to become public knowledge. Sebastian has a hard time understanding why Leah acts so casual in her supposed grief but he finds himself attracted to her and he slowly sets out to break down her walls and in turn stars to learn how much Leah has known and how deeply it has affected her.
I had a lot of high hopes for this book based on previous reviews from friends and fellow bloggers and I am really happy to say that I really enjoyed it! It took me a bit to warm up to Leah but I think that had more to do with her late husband and his treatment of her and their relationship. He was never physically abusive but he defiantly scarred her deep. Sebastian came off very stiff and proper like but underneath that layer he was a caring, loving man who also was scarred but loved his son enough to want to protect him at any cost. As Leah and Sebastians relationship grows, so does all the sexual tension! As much as Leah wants to be with Sebastian, she has serious hesitations and it takes a bit of work on both their parts to move past that. Naturally, she thinks Sebastian is still deeply in love with his perfect wife and her own failures as a wife also factor in.
A few of my favorite things about this book is one, the cover is just spot on for a big turning point of the story (the dress is beyond scandalous!) and it leads to a moment that turned the story in a direction I didn't see coming and I love when that happens :) I love when a cover matches a book perfectly. I also liked how, even though they wanted each other quickly, there was a lot of time built up to the final ending and I admired Sebastians restraint and thoughtfulness in the matter. Also, his son is a part of the love story and not just thrown in once in awhile and well done (probably helped by the fact Ms March has two little ones of her own so it seemed realistic). As much as I looked forward to this book, I was also hesitant about the storyline working out well. I mean, the spouses of two hidden lovers finding their own happiness together...could work, could not work. In this case, it totally worked and now I am just really impatient for more, more, more from Ms March! If you are looking for a slightly different romance with humor, sexual tension, love, and a good old happy ever after, grab the newest from Ashley March! 5 stars
I won an arc from the publisher but I have since already purchased my own copy for my keeper shelf :)
Sebastian, Earl of Wriothesly, thought he had the perfect wife and is shocked by the depth of his late wifes betrayal especially as if any whiff of this scandal hits the ton, it could affect his son. When he learns that the widowed Leah is having a house party, he is floored and knows he must attend to keep Leah in check and not allow their shared secret to become public knowledge. Sebastian has a hard time understanding why Leah acts so casual in her supposed grief but he finds himself attracted to her and he slowly sets out to break down her walls and in turn stars to learn how much Leah has known and how deeply it has affected her.
I had a lot of high hopes for this book based on previous reviews from friends and fellow bloggers and I am really happy to say that I really enjoyed it! It took me a bit to warm up to Leah but I think that had more to do with her late husband and his treatment of her and their relationship. He was never physically abusive but he defiantly scarred her deep. Sebastian came off very stiff and proper like but underneath that layer he was a caring, loving man who also was scarred but loved his son enough to want to protect him at any cost. As Leah and Sebastians relationship grows, so does all the sexual tension! As much as Leah wants to be with Sebastian, she has serious hesitations and it takes a bit of work on both their parts to move past that. Naturally, she thinks Sebastian is still deeply in love with his perfect wife and her own failures as a wife also factor in.
A few of my favorite things about this book is one, the cover is just spot on for a big turning point of the story (the dress is beyond scandalous!) and it leads to a moment that turned the story in a direction I didn't see coming and I love when that happens :) I love when a cover matches a book perfectly. I also liked how, even though they wanted each other quickly, there was a lot of time built up to the final ending and I admired Sebastians restraint and thoughtfulness in the matter. Also, his son is a part of the love story and not just thrown in once in awhile and well done (probably helped by the fact Ms March has two little ones of her own so it seemed realistic). As much as I looked forward to this book, I was also hesitant about the storyline working out well. I mean, the spouses of two hidden lovers finding their own happiness together...could work, could not work. In this case, it totally worked and now I am just really impatient for more, more, more from Ms March! If you are looking for a slightly different romance with humor, sexual tension, love, and a good old happy ever after, grab the newest from Ashley March! 5 stars
I won an arc from the publisher but I have since already purchased my own copy for my keeper shelf :)
December 26, 2011
The set up and first third of this story is actually great, filled with all kinds of angsty potential.
Ian Gregory and Angela, Lady Wriothstley were having a torrid affair for more than a year. Finally they got the nerve to run away together only to be killed in a carriage accident during the getaway.
Their left behind spouses deal with the death and the affair in different ways. Leah George, the widow of Ian, has known about the affair for a whole year having walked in on them during a...moment. She isn't at all sad her husband is dead.
But Sebastian, the Earl of Wriothesly is devastated. He'd been madly in love with his wife and Ian had been his best friend. Now all those times in the past year when his wife was "too sick" to be with him take on a new meaning.
So, yeah, this is a great set up. Unfortunately as I read on I wasn't completely engaged in the aftermath of events. And sometimes I scratched my head at some of the actions of the characters, especially Leah.
I dunno, I wanted Leah and especially Sebastian to somehow come to terms with what their spouses did. I don't feel that happened very well. Leah felt so suppressed and imprisoned during her sham of a marriage as a result of the affair, that she acts out after her husband's death. Just a mere few months later she gives a house-party, scandalizes people and ruins her reputation. Why? How is this supposed to restore her self esteem or heal herself? What power does she gain in that time and place? It just felt like a bone-headed decision that killed about 2/3 of the book and the possibility of a great emotional read.
I also did not get why Sebastian fell in love with Leah. He was so in love with his wife. I mean, he was schmoopy in love! He does some grieving over the death and the affair, but not enough, imo, for a man who was that in love. Too much of what went on was from Leah's pov. I would have loved to follow Sebastian's journey from rage to acceptance of the affair. As it was, it happened off-screen and rather quickly.
Sadly, the most fascinating thing about this book wasn't the H/h but rather the two dead people. Each chapter opened with a snippet of one of Angela's love letters to Ian (Leah finds them after Ian's death). It is clear that Angela wasn't just having an affair, she was in love. Really in love.
Ian was a bit more enigmatic. There are no letters from him. And, disturbingly, even after Leah discovers the Angela and Ian together, Ian continues his conjugal relations with her.
But I was intensely fascinated by the adulterers. What made them fall in love so much so to cheat on the spouses who by all accounts loved them so? How did Ian feel about Angela? Obviously he loved her enough to run away with her. But I wanted to know why? What did Angela say or feel when Leah came upon them?
See? This it is not a good sign when I want to know more about the dead pair than the live pair.
The book had potential but did not live up to it, imo.
Ian Gregory and Angela, Lady Wriothstley were having a torrid affair for more than a year. Finally they got the nerve to run away together only to be killed in a carriage accident during the getaway.
Their left behind spouses deal with the death and the affair in different ways. Leah George, the widow of Ian, has known about the affair for a whole year having walked in on them during a...moment. She isn't at all sad her husband is dead.
But Sebastian, the Earl of Wriothesly is devastated. He'd been madly in love with his wife and Ian had been his best friend. Now all those times in the past year when his wife was "too sick" to be with him take on a new meaning.
So, yeah, this is a great set up. Unfortunately as I read on I wasn't completely engaged in the aftermath of events. And sometimes I scratched my head at some of the actions of the characters, especially Leah.
I dunno, I wanted Leah and especially Sebastian to somehow come to terms with what their spouses did. I don't feel that happened very well. Leah felt so suppressed and imprisoned during her sham of a marriage as a result of the affair, that she acts out after her husband's death. Just a mere few months later she gives a house-party, scandalizes people and ruins her reputation. Why? How is this supposed to restore her self esteem or heal herself? What power does she gain in that time and place? It just felt like a bone-headed decision that killed about 2/3 of the book and the possibility of a great emotional read.
I also did not get why Sebastian fell in love with Leah. He was so in love with his wife. I mean, he was schmoopy in love! He does some grieving over the death and the affair, but not enough, imo, for a man who was that in love. Too much of what went on was from Leah's pov. I would have loved to follow Sebastian's journey from rage to acceptance of the affair. As it was, it happened off-screen and rather quickly.
Sadly, the most fascinating thing about this book wasn't the H/h but rather the two dead people. Each chapter opened with a snippet of one of Angela's love letters to Ian (Leah finds them after Ian's death). It is clear that Angela wasn't just having an affair, she was in love. Really in love.
Ian was a bit more enigmatic. There are no letters from him. And, disturbingly, even after Leah discovers the Angela and Ian together, Ian continues his conjugal relations with her.
But I was intensely fascinated by the adulterers. What made them fall in love so much so to cheat on the spouses who by all accounts loved them so? How did Ian feel about Angela? Obviously he loved her enough to run away with her. But I wanted to know why? What did Angela say or feel when Leah came upon them?
See? This it is not a good sign when I want to know more about the dead pair than the live pair.
The book had potential but did not live up to it, imo.
May 3, 2014
This review for Romancing the Countess has been long overdue!
I've always had a thing for romance novels in which the hero and heroine both get a second chance at love. Leah and Sebastian were never supposed to be for one another... but fate tells them an entirely different story! Romancing the Countess was definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It had all the elements that I always look for in a romance novel! If you love this kind of genre, then I urge you to read this wonderful book. With a strong and witty heroine and a dark, brooding, yet loveable one to boot, it definitely a winner!
The most heartbreaking aspect about this book was the fact that Sebastian and Leah... had spouses that were committing adultery with one another. I mean really, how can you live with yourself? Well... they didn't. I felt for both Sebastian and Leah. Anyway, with the pain still fresh and also old as well, will these two ever be able to find and fall in love again? Leah and Sebastian's love story was truly a slow transition from "enemies" to lovers. After her husband's death, Leah wanted to change. Aaaand, let's just say Sebastian wasn't exactly too happy about that. You see, Leah's husband happens to be Sebastian's best friend! Leah knew about the affair but never said anything about it. Pride is something after all. But personally? I really thought she should have confronted those two instead of letting it go on for so long.
I admit, I didn't get why Sebastian was so intent on stopping Leah from finding her true self. However, Sebastian's opinion about Leah slowly started to change. At first, he began noticing her lips. After that, things just really went uphill from there when he noticed her real personality! Sebastian ultimately ends up falling for Leah, and I mean really fall, by the end of the book. Although, towards the middle, Sebastian claimed that he only desired her body... and we all knowthat's obviously not love! Leah still has trust issues from her first husband so how exactly is this romance going to work now? You've got to read the book and find out! *wink* ;)
I've always had a thing for romance novels in which the hero and heroine both get a second chance at love. Leah and Sebastian were never supposed to be for one another... but fate tells them an entirely different story! Romancing the Countess was definitely a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. It had all the elements that I always look for in a romance novel! If you love this kind of genre, then I urge you to read this wonderful book. With a strong and witty heroine and a dark, brooding, yet loveable one to boot, it definitely a winner!
The most heartbreaking aspect about this book was the fact that Sebastian and Leah... had spouses that were committing adultery with one another. I mean really, how can you live with yourself? Well... they didn't. I felt for both Sebastian and Leah. Anyway, with the pain still fresh and also old as well, will these two ever be able to find and fall in love again? Leah and Sebastian's love story was truly a slow transition from "enemies" to lovers. After her husband's death, Leah wanted to change. Aaaand, let's just say Sebastian wasn't exactly too happy about that. You see, Leah's husband happens to be Sebastian's best friend! Leah knew about the affair but never said anything about it. Pride is something after all. But personally? I really thought she should have confronted those two instead of letting it go on for so long.
I admit, I didn't get why Sebastian was so intent on stopping Leah from finding her true self. However, Sebastian's opinion about Leah slowly started to change. At first, he began noticing her lips. After that, things just really went uphill from there when he noticed her real personality! Sebastian ultimately ends up falling for Leah, and I mean really fall, by the end of the book. Although, towards the middle, Sebastian claimed that he only desired her body... and we all knowthat's obviously not love! Leah still has trust issues from her first husband so how exactly is this romance going to work now? You've got to read the book and find out! *wink* ;)
October 13, 2011
This was a really hard book for me to rate. At first I was leaning towards 4 stars because it was well written and held my attention throughout, but there were enough things that bothered me about it that I felt I had to give it only 3 stars. Primarily, I had a hard time understanding why Leah acted the way she did at times. For example, she admitted to being lonely even before Ian's death, which was supposedly her motivation for throwing the scandalous house party only four months after the carriage accident. If that were the case, then why would she hatch her plan to wear a scandalous gown and dance on the final night of the house party? Sure, it was a way for Leah to assert her freedom from both a miserable marriage and the restrictive rules of the ton, but it was also guaranteed to get her exiled from society, thus exacerbating her loneliness. It's not like she had all that many friends (or even family members) who would stick by her in spite of the scandal. It almost seems as if Leah wanted everyone to find out about Ian and Angela's affair, which makes no sense. Aside from her agreement with Sebastian to keep the affair a secret for Henry's sake, it seems like she would want to keep it a secret to save herself from further humiliation. There are probably a lot of people who, like Sebastian, would have assumed that Ian cheated because Leah wasn't able to satisfy his desires.
Aside from all of that, if Leah truly wanted to be independent, it seems like she had the perfect situation after Ian died given that her father-in-law had granted her the use of both Linley Park and the London townhouse. After she "served her sentence" (completed the expected period of mourning), she could have returned to society and done just about whatever she pleased as an independent widow, as long as she was discreet. It would have been a vast improvement over having to return to her parents' house and choose between marrying the village butcher or having to make her own way as a companion to a socially inferior widow. Neither of those options would have offered Leah much in the way of freedom or independence!
Speaking of Leah's options after returning to her parents' house, I found it incredibly hard to believe that Leah's social climbing mother would have chosen a butcher to be Leah's second husband. The vicar I can kind of understand, but it seems to me that having a butcher in the family would have been an even bigger source of embarrassment than Leah's scandal.
The other thing that really bothered me about this book was the development of the relationship between Leah and Sebastian. There was nothing about either of their behavior that screamed "true love" to me. There was certainly an attraction there, at least on Sebastian's side, but it was really hard to see his love for Leah grow. While I truly want to believe in their HEA, I can't help but feel that Leah might have been right in fearing that Sebastian wanted to be with her mainly to get back at Ian and Angela for their betrayal. What was it about Leah that made Sebastian fall in love with her? He obviously didn't find her as attractive as Angela - he made that clear early on. I would have liked to see their feelings for each other articulated a bit better so that I could believe in their HEA without reservations.
Overall, this wasn't a terrible book, but neither was it a keeper. The concept was certainly unique for a historical romance (at least in my experience), and despite my problems with some of their decisions and motivations, I truly liked Sebastian and Leah and found myself rooting for them to be happy.
Aside from all of that, if Leah truly wanted to be independent, it seems like she had the perfect situation after Ian died given that her father-in-law had granted her the use of both Linley Park and the London townhouse. After she "served her sentence" (completed the expected period of mourning), she could have returned to society and done just about whatever she pleased as an independent widow, as long as she was discreet. It would have been a vast improvement over having to return to her parents' house and choose between marrying the village butcher or having to make her own way as a companion to a socially inferior widow. Neither of those options would have offered Leah much in the way of freedom or independence!
Speaking of Leah's options after returning to her parents' house, I found it incredibly hard to believe that Leah's social climbing mother would have chosen a butcher to be Leah's second husband. The vicar I can kind of understand, but it seems to me that having a butcher in the family would have been an even bigger source of embarrassment than Leah's scandal.
The other thing that really bothered me about this book was the development of the relationship between Leah and Sebastian. There was nothing about either of their behavior that screamed "true love" to me. There was certainly an attraction there, at least on Sebastian's side, but it was really hard to see his love for Leah grow. While I truly want to believe in their HEA, I can't help but feel that Leah might have been right in fearing that Sebastian wanted to be with her mainly to get back at Ian and Angela for their betrayal. What was it about Leah that made Sebastian fall in love with her? He obviously didn't find her as attractive as Angela - he made that clear early on. I would have liked to see their feelings for each other articulated a bit better so that I could believe in their HEA without reservations.
Overall, this wasn't a terrible book, but neither was it a keeper. The concept was certainly unique for a historical romance (at least in my experience), and despite my problems with some of their decisions and motivations, I truly liked Sebastian and Leah and found myself rooting for them to be happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2011
This book is a work of contradiction. It begins with so many promises. Protoganists both betrayed in the worst way by their own spouses. A tale of a woman who has been suppressed her whole life and finally finds the strength to stand up and fight for her independence. Who could resist such an inspirational story?
Obviously, I for one can't stand it.
With a lot of potentials mentioned, the execution's somehow gone very wrong -- to turn a very sympathetic, rootable character into a stubborn dimwit, for an example.
At first I tried to understand Leah's reaction to catching her husband cheating. It's the era, et cetera. However, what I can't understand are her actions after the accident. Considering she can wait that long not to rebel, would it have been wiser if she had waited just a little longer to prevent any social repercussions and financial consequences? Why do it in the way that only harms herself and other innocent, injured party? If she's prepared to be casted out anyway, why not do something while the cheating couples were still alive and take them down with her? At least then she could have had her revenge. Apparently the heroine in this book is not an articulating type, to put it mildly.
I know it's hard to sustain tension level after the main couple have consummated their relationship. Indeed few authors succeed in this regard in consistent basis. This author solves the problem by delaying the consummation as long as possible, beyond the point of absurdity. Even the couple themselves are not quite sure why the hell they are not doing it already.
However, I still found myself several times during the book speaking to myself 'what a waste!'. Because I got a glimpse of a talented hand behind all these debacles. A talent who is able to produce sharp and at times explosive dialogues that kept me going till the very end despite many times I wanted very much to throw the book away. And this is what I said in the beginning about contradiction. 2 and 1/2 stars
Obviously, I for one can't stand it.
With a lot of potentials mentioned, the execution's somehow gone very wrong -- to turn a very sympathetic, rootable character into a stubborn dimwit, for an example.
At first I tried to understand Leah's reaction to catching her husband cheating. It's the era, et cetera. However, what I can't understand are her actions after the accident. Considering she can wait that long not to rebel, would it have been wiser if she had waited just a little longer to prevent any social repercussions and financial consequences? Why do it in the way that only harms herself and other innocent, injured party? If she's prepared to be casted out anyway, why not do something while the cheating couples were still alive and take them down with her? At least then she could have had her revenge. Apparently the heroine in this book is not an articulating type, to put it mildly.
I know it's hard to sustain tension level after the main couple have consummated their relationship. Indeed few authors succeed in this regard in consistent basis. This author solves the problem by delaying the consummation as long as possible, beyond the point of absurdity. Even the couple themselves are not quite sure why the hell they are not doing it already.
However, I still found myself several times during the book speaking to myself 'what a waste!'. Because I got a glimpse of a talented hand behind all these debacles. A talent who is able to produce sharp and at times explosive dialogues that kept me going till the very end despite many times I wanted very much to throw the book away. And this is what I said in the beginning about contradiction. 2 and 1/2 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2013
I've read plenty of books where the hero has been betrayed by his wife, but in all the cases (except this one), we met the hero years later after the betrayal (when he's already distrusting and cynical.) In Romancing the Countess, we see the hero deals with the fallout after he learns that his beloved wife and friend were lovers.
Although this treatment was novel (this is the first time I've read about it in romance), the book felt flat for me because it was more focused on the heroine. Don't get me wrong, as the other betrayed party, she had issues of her own but I think hers would have been easier to overcome than Sebastian's. After all, how can you trust your instincts when your best friend AND your wife deceive you every day for a year? If I had been Sebastian, I would have started doubting every single thing that had ever happened to me. I couldn't believe that he fell in love so quickly.
I also didn't like how infidelity was glamorized. At some point, the heroine thinks admiringly that the cheaters "found a way to defy society and moral rules to be together." Or that her husband "wasn't a monster...he just felt in love with somebody else." He wasn't a monster but he was a liar, a cheat, a traitor, an a weak and a disloyal bastard. In my opinion, there are few things worse than betraying somebody who trusts you implicitly.
Some of Leah's actions were baffling to me and they screamed 'this is just a way to advance the plot forward.' It didn't make ANY SENSE for her to threaten her independence on a whim. She wasn't that dumb that she couldn't understand the implications of her actions.
Overall, not a terrible book but I didn't like the emphasis. Maybe I'll try the author again but only if I find something with good reviews.
Although this treatment was novel (this is the first time I've read about it in romance), the book felt flat for me because it was more focused on the heroine. Don't get me wrong, as the other betrayed party, she had issues of her own but I think hers would have been easier to overcome than Sebastian's. After all, how can you trust your instincts when your best friend AND your wife deceive you every day for a year? If I had been Sebastian, I would have started doubting every single thing that had ever happened to me. I couldn't believe that he fell in love so quickly.
I also didn't like how infidelity was glamorized. At some point, the heroine thinks admiringly that the cheaters "found a way to defy society and moral rules to be together." Or that her husband "wasn't a monster...he just felt in love with somebody else." He wasn't a monster but he was a liar, a cheat, a traitor, an a weak and a disloyal bastard. In my opinion, there are few things worse than betraying somebody who trusts you implicitly.
Some of Leah's actions were baffling to me and they screamed 'this is just a way to advance the plot forward.' It didn't make ANY SENSE for her to threaten her independence on a whim. She wasn't that dumb that she couldn't understand the implications of her actions.
Overall, not a terrible book but I didn't like the emphasis. Maybe I'll try the author again but only if I find something with good reviews.
September 7, 2011
3.5 stars probably, but rounding up because it made me cry several times.
Absolutely fantastic heroine, who after 1 year of horror in her marriage, and 4 months of mourning her cheating dead husband, decides that it's to chase down her own happiness and independence, no matter society or convention.
What's so amazing is that she actually goes through with her plans (though in a strangely unselfish way - she keeps scandal at bay as long as possible for the sake of her in-laws). And when the consequences come back to bite her in the ass, she faces them down with her head held high.
I also loved how simultaneously with growing a back bone of steel, she also remains vulnerable and afraid. An upbringing like she had (awful, awful mother), plus her horrid marriage - it takes time to recover from that, and I liked how wary she was, and how long it took her to trust the hero.
Likewise, I loved how the hero wasn't immedeatly over his wife, but instead was truly heartbroken, and angry and frustrated by the betrayal of her and his best friend. I definitely understood where he came from regarding his son and what a scandal would mean for Henry.
I've come to find that conflicts in romance novels are way more enjoyable when you can understand and root for both parties, and that definitely was the case here. I have to admit I wished that Sebastian had acted a little kinder in the beginning, he was so gruff and angry, and nothing really was Leah's fault. But hurt and grieving people will lash out at times, so I could see why he acted as he acted.
And by the end, I was completely won over by his gruff romantic ways. *swoons*.
So yeah, I liked it a lot :)
Absolutely fantastic heroine, who after 1 year of horror in her marriage, and 4 months of mourning her cheating dead husband, decides that it's to chase down her own happiness and independence, no matter society or convention.
What's so amazing is that she actually goes through with her plans (though in a strangely unselfish way - she keeps scandal at bay as long as possible for the sake of her in-laws). And when the consequences come back to bite her in the ass, she faces them down with her head held high.
I also loved how simultaneously with growing a back bone of steel, she also remains vulnerable and afraid. An upbringing like she had (awful, awful mother), plus her horrid marriage - it takes time to recover from that, and I liked how wary she was, and how long it took her to trust the hero.
Likewise, I loved how the hero wasn't immedeatly over his wife, but instead was truly heartbroken, and angry and frustrated by the betrayal of her and his best friend. I definitely understood where he came from regarding his son and what a scandal would mean for Henry.
I've come to find that conflicts in romance novels are way more enjoyable when you can understand and root for both parties, and that definitely was the case here. I have to admit I wished that Sebastian had acted a little kinder in the beginning, he was so gruff and angry, and nothing really was Leah's fault. But hurt and grieving people will lash out at times, so I could see why he acted as he acted.
And by the end, I was completely won over by his gruff romantic ways. *swoons*.
So yeah, I liked it a lot :)
July 17, 2012
The two protagonists are a widow and widower whose spouses were unfaithful - with the other's spouse. Pretty interesting premise and she handled the way they carried the baggage of their failed marriages with finesse. That is until the last 2 or 3 chapters, then it mutated into soft porn, not offensive, just boring. Why, Ashley, why? I suppose it’s all in the interest of selling books, guess I just wasn’t expecting a Harlequin Romance.
May 26, 2021
4.5 Stars
Wow I actually loved this? It wasn't at all what I was looking for but I enjoyed every moment of it??
Thoughts:
*Wow this was sad. It doesn't shy away from the pain of betrayal and infidelity. I really felt for these two
*300 pages and it was nearly all slowburn. Gooooood stuff.
*Leah's reluctance to feel and touch aversion was heartbreaking.
*Mini enemies to lovers arc yay
*I don't typically pick up romances where one of both of them already have a kid, but Henry was adorable so I can forgive this one
*I also had no intention of reading second chance romances?? But dang if they're all this good and angsty I'll have to pick up more of them
*Leah just being so lonely was also heartbreaking
*I loved Sebastian in general. His relationship with Henry was particularly great, but I loved how he was the more feeling one. It was a refreshing change of pace after so many broken heroes
*The tone was overall really somber, and not what I was expecting, but it worked really well
*The yearning!! The hair touching!! The saying words but not touching at all!!!! Hand holding!!!!!! I've been reading too many steamier titles and almost forgot how superior these sorts of interactions are
**Seriously though, when she was stroking his hair, or any time he touched her face, or when he was specifically not touching her??? Yes please give me 1000 pages of that
Anyway, this was great, and I'm a little put out that this author doesn't have a huge backlist and apparently hasn't published anything in nearly a decade? Sad
Wow I actually loved this? It wasn't at all what I was looking for but I enjoyed every moment of it??
Thoughts:
*Wow this was sad. It doesn't shy away from the pain of betrayal and infidelity. I really felt for these two
*300 pages and it was nearly all slowburn. Gooooood stuff.
*Leah's reluctance to feel and touch aversion was heartbreaking.
*Mini enemies to lovers arc yay
*I don't typically pick up romances where one of both of them already have a kid, but Henry was adorable so I can forgive this one
*I also had no intention of reading second chance romances?? But dang if they're all this good and angsty I'll have to pick up more of them
*Leah just being so lonely was also heartbreaking
*I loved Sebastian in general. His relationship with Henry was particularly great, but I loved how he was the more feeling one. It was a refreshing change of pace after so many broken heroes
*The tone was overall really somber, and not what I was expecting, but it worked really well
*The yearning!! The hair touching!! The saying words but not touching at all!!!! Hand holding!!!!!! I've been reading too many steamier titles and almost forgot how superior these sorts of interactions are
**Seriously though, when she was stroking his hair, or any time he touched her face, or when he was specifically not touching her??? Yes please give me 1000 pages of that
Anyway, this was great, and I'm a little put out that this author doesn't have a huge backlist and apparently hasn't published anything in nearly a decade? Sad
October 20, 2011
My first thought when I read the blurb of Romancing the Countess was that Ashley March was a very brave author. To build a romance story around widowed and cheated spouses finding their happiness with each other had so many dangers that I was very much curious to see whether she would succeed in pulling it off and how she would do that. I can tell you that she did and Romancing the Countess is a highly unusual love story.
Leah has been married to Sebastian's best friend Ian for years, but has been living the last couple years of her marriage as a torture, ever since she discovered her husband was having an affair - when she believed that their marriage was a happy one - and with none other than Sebastian's wife! All her young idealism and rose-hued love were shattered along with her heart when she discovered the betrayal of her husband. So when word arrives that her husband and his mistress (=Sebastian's wife) died in a carriage accident, she can't help but feel relieved. Relieved that she doesn't have to continue to live a painful lie, a charade in front of society and pretend everything is well between her and her husband. She relishes her newly found freedom and wants to experience her independence to the fullest.
This is where Sebastian enters the picture. Sebastian was and still is very much in love with his wife. Discovering her betrayal comes as an ice cold shower, he never saw it coming and has a hard time accepting it. I loved how Ashley March did not make him stop loving her wife upon the discovery of her adulterous behaviour but made it realistic, love can't cease instantly, you can't turn it off with a switch. His struggles with his lingering feelings of love and anger and grief at her betrayal were poignant. Sebastian fears that people will speculate about the unusual circumstances of the accident (=why their respective spouses were together) and he wants to present a united front with Leah so as to quell all speculation and not tarnish the memory and reputation of their deceased spouses. And he very much fears that Leah enjoying her freedom will make it obvious to everyone that she is not a grieving widow and people will jump to the conclusion which is the truth.
For this reason he tries to spend as much time with Leah as he can so he can keep an eye on her and stop any foolishness she might do. What he doesn't take into account is that Leah slowly but steadily starts to get under his skin. First it is her gaiety at enjoying her freedom then later a physical attraction develops between them which make him think more and more about her.
"I didn't kiss you because I wanted revenge on Ian or Angela. I kissed you because I wanted to. Because I wanted you."
"Do you like the dress?"
"Do I like it? No. Do I want to tear it off of you: Yes."
What was interesting is the way Ashley March explored how Sebastian and Leah dealt with their grief differently: Sebastian was devastated and enraged, while Leah wasn't grieving because of her husband's death, she did her part of grieving a few years ago when she lost her husband and her innocence upon discovering his deceit.
Leah's quest and need for independence was very sobering. We tend to forget that a couple centuries ago women were really considered property of their husband and father and were only "allowed" to do things if their husband saw fit to it. Ashley March did a wonderful job reminding the reader of the way things were back then and bringing such realism to it by making us experience these abstract notions through Leah's own personal predicament that the reader couldn't not get a taste of what it would have felt like to be a woman in that age. (And give thanks for enlightened men and living in a more feminist and equal opportunity world today.)
I have to applaud Ashley March for not writing a fairy tale too rose-y story of this setting. For not making Sebastian get over his beloved dead wife right after he discovered her deceit. His grief and suffering ensured the story remained realistic and believable.
I have to confess that I much preferred the second part of the story (the marriage of convenience part) to the first one when Leah and Sebastian were at Leah's garden party, and would have liked to get there earlier but I understand Ashley March had to build the foundation for that.
With such a setting I feared that it would be difficult if not impossible to believe that Sebastian a man who was much in love with his deceased wife would forget about her and fall in love anew, especially so soon. But Ashley March did it! She made me believe in it (though if a bit more time had elapsed after their spouses' death it would have been even easier for me to believe it).
Sebastian was a wonderful hero: intense and determined, his dialogues and declarations always gave me goosebumps:
"But I want to marry you, Leah George, not someone else. You see I've become rather accustomed to your smile. Even if it angers me when I'm so determined to be miserable. And I've grown to anticipate your devilish antics - it seems I like watching you enjoy your freedom as much as you like exploring it. " The love story between Leah and Sebastian was such a satisfaction because besides their love, Sebastian truly respected Leah and wanted to give her her freedom, so she could freely dispose of it. Which shows better than anything his deep understanding of her character and the depth of his affection for her.
Verdict: Romancing the Countess was an emotional read: don't expect to read it and not to be moved and unsettled, it will shake you up and stir you, but at the end you'll close the book with with a happy sigh. A quite unusual but well executed historical romance. Congratulations to Ashley March for taking risks and I can't wait to read more from her!
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Cover: 10/10 - only one word: beautiful!!
Leah has been married to Sebastian's best friend Ian for years, but has been living the last couple years of her marriage as a torture, ever since she discovered her husband was having an affair - when she believed that their marriage was a happy one - and with none other than Sebastian's wife! All her young idealism and rose-hued love were shattered along with her heart when she discovered the betrayal of her husband. So when word arrives that her husband and his mistress (=Sebastian's wife) died in a carriage accident, she can't help but feel relieved. Relieved that she doesn't have to continue to live a painful lie, a charade in front of society and pretend everything is well between her and her husband. She relishes her newly found freedom and wants to experience her independence to the fullest.
This is where Sebastian enters the picture. Sebastian was and still is very much in love with his wife. Discovering her betrayal comes as an ice cold shower, he never saw it coming and has a hard time accepting it. I loved how Ashley March did not make him stop loving her wife upon the discovery of her adulterous behaviour but made it realistic, love can't cease instantly, you can't turn it off with a switch. His struggles with his lingering feelings of love and anger and grief at her betrayal were poignant. Sebastian fears that people will speculate about the unusual circumstances of the accident (=why their respective spouses were together) and he wants to present a united front with Leah so as to quell all speculation and not tarnish the memory and reputation of their deceased spouses. And he very much fears that Leah enjoying her freedom will make it obvious to everyone that she is not a grieving widow and people will jump to the conclusion which is the truth.
For this reason he tries to spend as much time with Leah as he can so he can keep an eye on her and stop any foolishness she might do. What he doesn't take into account is that Leah slowly but steadily starts to get under his skin. First it is her gaiety at enjoying her freedom then later a physical attraction develops between them which make him think more and more about her.
"I didn't kiss you because I wanted revenge on Ian or Angela. I kissed you because I wanted to. Because I wanted you."
"Do you like the dress?"
"Do I like it? No. Do I want to tear it off of you: Yes."
What was interesting is the way Ashley March explored how Sebastian and Leah dealt with their grief differently: Sebastian was devastated and enraged, while Leah wasn't grieving because of her husband's death, she did her part of grieving a few years ago when she lost her husband and her innocence upon discovering his deceit.
Leah's quest and need for independence was very sobering. We tend to forget that a couple centuries ago women were really considered property of their husband and father and were only "allowed" to do things if their husband saw fit to it. Ashley March did a wonderful job reminding the reader of the way things were back then and bringing such realism to it by making us experience these abstract notions through Leah's own personal predicament that the reader couldn't not get a taste of what it would have felt like to be a woman in that age. (And give thanks for enlightened men and living in a more feminist and equal opportunity world today.)
I have to applaud Ashley March for not writing a fairy tale too rose-y story of this setting. For not making Sebastian get over his beloved dead wife right after he discovered her deceit. His grief and suffering ensured the story remained realistic and believable.
I have to confess that I much preferred the second part of the story (the marriage of convenience part) to the first one when Leah and Sebastian were at Leah's garden party, and would have liked to get there earlier but I understand Ashley March had to build the foundation for that.
With such a setting I feared that it would be difficult if not impossible to believe that Sebastian a man who was much in love with his deceased wife would forget about her and fall in love anew, especially so soon. But Ashley March did it! She made me believe in it (though if a bit more time had elapsed after their spouses' death it would have been even easier for me to believe it).
Sebastian was a wonderful hero: intense and determined, his dialogues and declarations always gave me goosebumps:
"But I want to marry you, Leah George, not someone else. You see I've become rather accustomed to your smile. Even if it angers me when I'm so determined to be miserable. And I've grown to anticipate your devilish antics - it seems I like watching you enjoy your freedom as much as you like exploring it. " The love story between Leah and Sebastian was such a satisfaction because besides their love, Sebastian truly respected Leah and wanted to give her her freedom, so she could freely dispose of it. Which shows better than anything his deep understanding of her character and the depth of his affection for her.
Verdict: Romancing the Countess was an emotional read: don't expect to read it and not to be moved and unsettled, it will shake you up and stir you, but at the end you'll close the book with with a happy sigh. A quite unusual but well executed historical romance. Congratulations to Ashley March for taking risks and I can't wait to read more from her!
Plot: 8/10
Characters: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Ending: 9/10
Cover: 10/10 - only one word: beautiful!!
June 8, 2020
Another Wonderful Book
Oh, my...how ever did I miss this author?
There is so much heartbreak in this novel that it almost hurt to read it. My chest actually ached with it. Oh, but it was so good too. Don't miss this one.
Oh, my...how ever did I miss this author?
There is so much heartbreak in this novel that it almost hurt to read it. My chest actually ached with it. Oh, but it was so good too. Don't miss this one.
June 6, 2020
Protagonistas: Leah & Sebastian
Profesiones: Conde & Viuda
Pais: Londres
Profesiones: Conde & Viuda
Pais: Londres
September 29, 2011
cerita dimulai dengan kematian Ian dan Angela, sahabat dan istri Sebastian, Earl of Wriothesly. sang Earl sangat terpukul karena sepengetahuannya istrinya hendak berangkat ke rumah mereka di pedesaan. Karena kecelakaan itu ia mengetahui bahwa istri dan sahabatnya tersebut berselingkuh dan bermaksud untuk melarikan diri berdua.
dalam kedukaan dan kemarahannya, Sebastian menemui Leah, istri Ian dan sangat terkejut karena ternyata Leah sudah mengetahui perselingkuhan tersebut. Leah juga menemukan surat2 cinta Angela kepada Ian dan berniat memberikannya kepada Sebastian. Sebastian menolak menerima surat2 tersebut dan meminta Leah untuk membakarnya.
sebastian kemudian meminta Leah berjanji untuk tidak memberitahuan skandal ini kepada siapapun. Ia tidak ingin skandal ini melukai anak laki-lakinya, Henry, dan menimbulkan gosip bahwa bisa saja Henry bukan anak Sebastian.
Leah berjanji untuk menutupi rahasia ini. tapi ia juga lelah karena sebenarnya ia telah mengetahui rahasia perselingkuhan suaminya sejak setahun yang lalu, 4 bulan setelah pernikahannya dengan Ian!
Leah yang biasanya dianggap sebagai anak yang penurut dan istri yang pendiam, ingin berontak dari keadaannya. ia kemudian mengadakan pesta kecil di rumah pedesaannya selama seminggu. padahal masa berkabungnya belum selesai.
sebastian yang mendengar kabar ini kemudian menyusul dan marah besar, karena tingkah Leah dapat menimbulkan skandal dan kecurigaan society.
kedua orang yang awalnya saling tidak tahan untuk berada diruangan yang sama (karena mengingatkan kepedihan atas pengkhianatan yang mereka rasakan) kemudian mulai saling dekat satu sama lain. bersama-sama mereka berusaha untuk melupakan dan memaafkan orang2 yang telah menyakiti mereka dan kembali memberanikan diri membuka hati mereka terhadap cinta yang baru.
Yang bikin saya ga ngasih bintang 5 buat buku ini :
Miss March mengawali setiap babnya dengan penggalan2 surat cinta Angela kepada Ian. surat2 tersebut menyampaikan perasaan yang mendalam Angela kepada Ian, keresahannya saat tidak berada disisi Ian atau juga kecemburuannya kepada Leah yang statusnya sebagai istri Ian serta kejijikannya saat disentuh oleh suaminya.
serius deh, walaupun surat2 ini cuma separagraf tapi efeknya minta ampun. darah jadi mendidih saking kesalnya! [image error]
Apa sih maksud Miss March menampilkan surat2 ini? pengen menunjukkan kalo Angela dan Ian benar2 jatuh cinta, bukan hanya sekadar selingkuh biasa seperti pada HR yang umumnya kita baca? terus kalo iya emang kenapa? apa perlu kita maklumi gitu mereka selingkuh?
ibarat yang dikatakan Sebastian waktu Leah bilang kalo ke2 orang itu saling mencintai : "apa itu seharusnya membuat semuanya menjadi lebih baik?"
yang paling sebel ama Angela dan Ian ini nih, mereka sama sekali ga berusaha memperjuangkan pernikahannya. bayangin aja deh :
1. Leah dan Ian baru menikah 4 bulan saat Leah memergoki Ian dan Angela lagi bercumbu di ruangtamu dirumah mereka. 4 bulan!!! dan itupun sepertinya mereka sudah sering make out dirumah itu, karena waktu baru nyampe rumah Leah nanyain ama butlernya suaminya ada dimana, Si butler menjawab tanpa bisa menatap wajah Leah. ini mengindikasikan para pelayan udah lama tahu soal perselingkuhan ini kan? jangan2 sebelum Ian menikah dia udah selingkuh ama Angela.
2. Sebastian dan Angela baru menikah selama 3 tahun. 1,5 tahun dipake selingkuh ama Ian. 1,5 tahun lagi dibagi dengan masa kehamilan 9 bulan, jadi total dia benar2 cinta ama Sebastian cuma 6 bulan dong! padahal waktu merit ama Sebastian juga bukan kawin paksa kok.
nah, umur pernikahan masih hitungan bulanan ini kok ya udah selingkuh aja. orang2 yang seperti ini yang mau kita bandingkan dengan surat2 cinta (sejati) tersebut. halah....halah.. [image error]
surat2 tersebut lebih pantas dituliskan oleh tokoh H/H kita daripada para adulteres tersebut!
belum lagi saat2 menyedihkan sewaktu Leah berharap perselingkuhan Ian & Angela hanya cinta sesat, dan nantinya Ian kembali padanya.
dan juga waktu sebastian tahu mengenai perselingkuhan tersebut saat ke2 orang tersebut udah mati. kalo dia tau angela ternyata udah berhenti mencintainya "he would have done everything he could to make Angela choose him". coz sebastian bener2 cinta ama istrinya.
nah, yang diselingkuhi aja siap berjuang untuk mempertahankan rumahtangga mereka, masak yang selingkuh enak aja mau kabur keluar negeri!
p.s buat Ms. March : please revisi ulang tu buku, buang semua surat2 ga penting Angela itu. Ga ada surat itu juga ga ngaruh ama buku kok! ambil surat yang penting aja seperti surat yang menyatakan kalo Henry tu bener anak Sebastian..
^melirik keatas^ eh, kok lebih banyak review marah-marahnya daripada review suka bukunya [image error]
dalam kedukaan dan kemarahannya, Sebastian menemui Leah, istri Ian dan sangat terkejut karena ternyata Leah sudah mengetahui perselingkuhan tersebut. Leah juga menemukan surat2 cinta Angela kepada Ian dan berniat memberikannya kepada Sebastian. Sebastian menolak menerima surat2 tersebut dan meminta Leah untuk membakarnya.
sebastian kemudian meminta Leah berjanji untuk tidak memberitahuan skandal ini kepada siapapun. Ia tidak ingin skandal ini melukai anak laki-lakinya, Henry, dan menimbulkan gosip bahwa bisa saja Henry bukan anak Sebastian.
Leah berjanji untuk menutupi rahasia ini. tapi ia juga lelah karena sebenarnya ia telah mengetahui rahasia perselingkuhan suaminya sejak setahun yang lalu, 4 bulan setelah pernikahannya dengan Ian!
Leah yang biasanya dianggap sebagai anak yang penurut dan istri yang pendiam, ingin berontak dari keadaannya. ia kemudian mengadakan pesta kecil di rumah pedesaannya selama seminggu. padahal masa berkabungnya belum selesai.
sebastian yang mendengar kabar ini kemudian menyusul dan marah besar, karena tingkah Leah dapat menimbulkan skandal dan kecurigaan society.
kedua orang yang awalnya saling tidak tahan untuk berada diruangan yang sama (karena mengingatkan kepedihan atas pengkhianatan yang mereka rasakan) kemudian mulai saling dekat satu sama lain. bersama-sama mereka berusaha untuk melupakan dan memaafkan orang2 yang telah menyakiti mereka dan kembali memberanikan diri membuka hati mereka terhadap cinta yang baru.
Yang bikin saya ga ngasih bintang 5 buat buku ini :
Miss March mengawali setiap babnya dengan penggalan2 surat cinta Angela kepada Ian. surat2 tersebut menyampaikan perasaan yang mendalam Angela kepada Ian, keresahannya saat tidak berada disisi Ian atau juga kecemburuannya kepada Leah yang statusnya sebagai istri Ian serta kejijikannya saat disentuh oleh suaminya.
serius deh, walaupun surat2 ini cuma separagraf tapi efeknya minta ampun. darah jadi mendidih saking kesalnya! [image error]
Apa sih maksud Miss March menampilkan surat2 ini? pengen menunjukkan kalo Angela dan Ian benar2 jatuh cinta, bukan hanya sekadar selingkuh biasa seperti pada HR yang umumnya kita baca? terus kalo iya emang kenapa? apa perlu kita maklumi gitu mereka selingkuh?
ibarat yang dikatakan Sebastian waktu Leah bilang kalo ke2 orang itu saling mencintai : "apa itu seharusnya membuat semuanya menjadi lebih baik?"
yang paling sebel ama Angela dan Ian ini nih, mereka sama sekali ga berusaha memperjuangkan pernikahannya. bayangin aja deh :
1. Leah dan Ian baru menikah 4 bulan saat Leah memergoki Ian dan Angela lagi bercumbu di ruangtamu dirumah mereka. 4 bulan!!! dan itupun sepertinya mereka sudah sering make out dirumah itu, karena waktu baru nyampe rumah Leah nanyain ama butlernya suaminya ada dimana, Si butler menjawab tanpa bisa menatap wajah Leah. ini mengindikasikan para pelayan udah lama tahu soal perselingkuhan ini kan? jangan2 sebelum Ian menikah dia udah selingkuh ama Angela.
2. Sebastian dan Angela baru menikah selama 3 tahun. 1,5 tahun dipake selingkuh ama Ian. 1,5 tahun lagi dibagi dengan masa kehamilan 9 bulan, jadi total dia benar2 cinta ama Sebastian cuma 6 bulan dong! padahal waktu merit ama Sebastian juga bukan kawin paksa kok.
nah, umur pernikahan masih hitungan bulanan ini kok ya udah selingkuh aja. orang2 yang seperti ini yang mau kita bandingkan dengan surat2 cinta (sejati) tersebut. halah....halah.. [image error]
surat2 tersebut lebih pantas dituliskan oleh tokoh H/H kita daripada para adulteres tersebut!
belum lagi saat2 menyedihkan sewaktu Leah berharap perselingkuhan Ian & Angela hanya cinta sesat, dan nantinya Ian kembali padanya.
dan juga waktu sebastian tahu mengenai perselingkuhan tersebut saat ke2 orang tersebut udah mati. kalo dia tau angela ternyata udah berhenti mencintainya "he would have done everything he could to make Angela choose him". coz sebastian bener2 cinta ama istrinya.
nah, yang diselingkuhi aja siap berjuang untuk mempertahankan rumahtangga mereka, masak yang selingkuh enak aja mau kabur keluar negeri!
p.s buat Ms. March : please revisi ulang tu buku, buang semua surat2 ga penting Angela itu. Ga ada surat itu juga ga ngaruh ama buku kok! ambil surat yang penting aja seperti surat yang menyatakan kalo Henry tu bener anak Sebastian..
^melirik keatas^ eh, kok lebih banyak review marah-marahnya daripada review suka bukunya [image error]
September 12, 2011
***Originally posted at Romancing Rakes***
So, the power went out while I was reading this book and I finished it by candlelight. Yes, it was that AMAZING! There's just so much I want to say about this book but don't want to give spoilers. Gah! Can I also say that I squeed (in my local B&N) when I saw that Ashley had name checked me in the acknowledgements? Eep! (I have this thing about reading acknowledgements in books. lol)
Top 5 Reasons That Attracted Me to This Book:
1. The cover is gorgeous! Hello, my name is Kati. I am a cover whore.
2. A devoted husband, a faithful wife and their spouses as lovers? Whoa!
3. It's written by Ashley March. Uh, duh! I'd read anything by this woman.
4. A hero named Sebastian. Don't ask.
5. The devoted husband and faithful wife of said lovers fall in love with each other? Intriguing.
Sebastian Madinger is devoted to his wife and is ignorant to the fact that his best friend and wife are lovers. He sees her as a doting mother, a devoted wife and the paragon of virtue.
Leah George has been living with the secret of her husband and Sebastian's wife as lovers, for a year. She has withdrawn into herself, allowing Ian to still make love to her (as a way to repent for his infidelity) and plasters on a smile while in polite company to hide the breakdown of their marriage.
Ian (Sebastian's best friend and Leah's husband) and Angela (Sebastian's wife) die in a carriage accident as they're running away together. This is a shock to Sebastian and a relief of sorts to Leah. Both end up dealing with the deaths differently. Leah decides to host a house party only four months into the mourning period in which she invites acquaintances of Ian (who don't know him that well).
Scandalous! But it's in Ian's honor, of course. Well, Sebastian doesn't approve of that and thinks that people will find out that their spouses were lovers, and this would affect his son Henry. He also begins to questions Henry's legitimacy due to the fact Ian and Angela had been carrying on an affair for nearly two years.
The attraction grows between Leah and Sebastian during the house party but both are unwilling to completely own up to their feelings. Of course, Leah's in laws hear about this, turn her out and she must go back to living with her family. Her mother (always finding fault with Leah) pushes her to marry soon or leave. Leah chooses to leave and find work.
Cue in the dashing Sebastian to the rescue. He's pretty much desired Leah since the house party and well, she's down and out. Leah refuses to give up her independence and Sebastian makes a deal with her. They'd be married in name only (good luck with a lifetime of celibacy and fidelity). Fat lot of good this will do. You know they're going to eventually own up to their attraction to each other and *whisper* do it.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Oh? And what was I to say? I beg your pardon Lord Wriothesly, but your wife seems to have acquired a distinct liking for my husband's cock. Would you mind kindly retrieving her to your own bed?"
OVERALL: Oh that Ashley March. From the first chapter until the last, I fell in love with not only the story but with Sebastian and Leah. Okay, mostly with Sebastian but can you blame me? "But I can promise you that I will continue to desire you, to imagine making love to you, no matter what you decide." Hel-lo! Before picking up this book I thought-- how can two people, whose spouses were lovers, end up falling in love with each other? Ms. March answers that question beautifully. I laughed, I loved and I like the fact that Henry, Sebastian and Angela's son, was not used as a filler, but incorporated into the story to help Sebastian and Leah's relationship along. And Ms. March, this is your sexiest book yet. I found myself sighing quite a bit. Well done, Ms. March, well done.
***I bought a copy of the book on the release day from my local Barnes and Noble.***
Note: Ashley March name checking me in her acknowledgements in no way swayed me to give her a gushing review. This book is just amazing on its own merits.
So, the power went out while I was reading this book and I finished it by candlelight. Yes, it was that AMAZING! There's just so much I want to say about this book but don't want to give spoilers. Gah! Can I also say that I squeed (in my local B&N) when I saw that Ashley had name checked me in the acknowledgements? Eep! (I have this thing about reading acknowledgements in books. lol)
Top 5 Reasons That Attracted Me to This Book:
1. The cover is gorgeous! Hello, my name is Kati. I am a cover whore.
2. A devoted husband, a faithful wife and their spouses as lovers? Whoa!
3. It's written by Ashley March. Uh, duh! I'd read anything by this woman.
4. A hero named Sebastian. Don't ask.
5. The devoted husband and faithful wife of said lovers fall in love with each other? Intriguing.
Sebastian Madinger is devoted to his wife and is ignorant to the fact that his best friend and wife are lovers. He sees her as a doting mother, a devoted wife and the paragon of virtue.
Leah George has been living with the secret of her husband and Sebastian's wife as lovers, for a year. She has withdrawn into herself, allowing Ian to still make love to her (as a way to repent for his infidelity) and plasters on a smile while in polite company to hide the breakdown of their marriage.
Ian (Sebastian's best friend and Leah's husband) and Angela (Sebastian's wife) die in a carriage accident as they're running away together. This is a shock to Sebastian and a relief of sorts to Leah. Both end up dealing with the deaths differently. Leah decides to host a house party only four months into the mourning period in which she invites acquaintances of Ian (who don't know him that well).
Scandalous! But it's in Ian's honor, of course. Well, Sebastian doesn't approve of that and thinks that people will find out that their spouses were lovers, and this would affect his son Henry. He also begins to questions Henry's legitimacy due to the fact Ian and Angela had been carrying on an affair for nearly two years.
The attraction grows between Leah and Sebastian during the house party but both are unwilling to completely own up to their feelings. Of course, Leah's in laws hear about this, turn her out and she must go back to living with her family. Her mother (always finding fault with Leah) pushes her to marry soon or leave. Leah chooses to leave and find work.
Cue in the dashing Sebastian to the rescue. He's pretty much desired Leah since the house party and well, she's down and out. Leah refuses to give up her independence and Sebastian makes a deal with her. They'd be married in name only (good luck with a lifetime of celibacy and fidelity). Fat lot of good this will do. You know they're going to eventually own up to their attraction to each other and *whisper* do it.
FAVORITE QUOTE: "Oh? And what was I to say? I beg your pardon Lord Wriothesly, but your wife seems to have acquired a distinct liking for my husband's cock. Would you mind kindly retrieving her to your own bed?"
OVERALL: Oh that Ashley March. From the first chapter until the last, I fell in love with not only the story but with Sebastian and Leah. Okay, mostly with Sebastian but can you blame me? "But I can promise you that I will continue to desire you, to imagine making love to you, no matter what you decide." Hel-lo! Before picking up this book I thought-- how can two people, whose spouses were lovers, end up falling in love with each other? Ms. March answers that question beautifully. I laughed, I loved and I like the fact that Henry, Sebastian and Angela's son, was not used as a filler, but incorporated into the story to help Sebastian and Leah's relationship along. And Ms. March, this is your sexiest book yet. I found myself sighing quite a bit. Well done, Ms. March, well done.
***I bought a copy of the book on the release day from my local Barnes and Noble.***
Note: Ashley March name checking me in her acknowledgements in no way swayed me to give her a gushing review. This book is just amazing on its own merits.
August 9, 2011
I reviewed this book for Night Owl Reviews:
Romancing the Countess by Ashley March is a delightful and lively historical romance set mostly in the English countryside during the Victorian Era. I found Ms. March’s writing style easy and quite enjoyable to read, I found myself reluctant for the story to end. Both the primary and secondary characters are well developed with glimpses into even the deceased characters through letters discovered after their deaths.
The story begins in April of 1849 and ends exactly one year later. Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, is deeply in love with his wife Angela. When she insists on departing from their London home early and traveling to their country estate alone, he reluctantly agrees to let her travel ahead. When news of a tragic accident arrives, he’s shocked to discover his wife wasn’t alone. She’d been traveling with his best friend, Ian George, who was apparently her lover. With both of them dead, Sebastian is determined to shield his young son, Henry, from scandal by concealing their affair. He hadn’t planned on Leah George’s sudden sense of freedom or on her bold plans to move ahead with her life.
Married to Ian George for four months, Leah received a nasty surprise when she arrived home early one night. Discovering her husband’s affair with his best friend’s wife has left Leah disillusioned about love and about her worth as a woman. When she’s given the news of his death, her tears are tears of relief –she’s not sorry he’s gone. Determined to enjoy her new freedom, she feels stifled by society’s expectation that she wear black and mourn his death for a year. She wasn’t expecting on having to deal with Sebastian, Lord Wriothesly and his desire to keep their spouse’s affair a secret. While she reluctantly agrees to keep silent to spare Sebastian’s child, she secretly looks for ways to assert her independence and decides to break with tradition.
The scenes between Sebastian and Leah are full of tension, great chemistry and razor sharp dialogue. Sebastian is surprised by how assertive Leah has suddenly become – she’s no longer the quiet woman he’s known for the last year. Leah dislikes Sebastian’s determination to hide the truth. I liked how Ms. March provided insight into what both Sebastian and Leah were thinking and feeling throughout their scenes. I also liked the letters, which Leah discovered in her husband’s drawers and written from Angela Madinger’s viewpoint, which provided us glimpses into the events of the past year and their spouse’s affair. When Leah throws a house party only 4 months into her mourning period – all bets are off as the simmering attraction between Sebastian and Leah heats up. As the party continues, the situation escalates and when Leah insists on dancing at the party - the gossip really hits the fan.
The secondary characters are well developed; we even get a sense of what Angela and Ian thought and were like from Leah and Sebastian’s memories. I especially liked Abigail and Beatrice Hartwell, Leah’s mother and sister, who provided some additional tension and some reluctant support. Sebastian’s son Henry was really precocious. Even the antagonists in the story, Lord and Lady Renell, Ian’s parents, weren’t completely heartless though British society at the time still left a lot to be desired. It’s always difficult to make allowances for the fact that women in the past had little or no rights to their husband’s property, whether he was living or dead – we’ve definitely come a long way baby.
The end of the story is very well done, both Sebastian and Leah are forced to face their fears and join forces to protect little Henry in more ways than one. When Sebastian is willing to lay his love on the line, will Leah be willing to take a second chance on love? You’ll have to read “Romancing the Countess” to find out. If you like historical romance, Ms. March is definitely an author to watch – she’s definitely made my auto-buy list.
Romancing the Countess by Ashley March is a delightful and lively historical romance set mostly in the English countryside during the Victorian Era. I found Ms. March’s writing style easy and quite enjoyable to read, I found myself reluctant for the story to end. Both the primary and secondary characters are well developed with glimpses into even the deceased characters through letters discovered after their deaths.
The story begins in April of 1849 and ends exactly one year later. Sebastian Madinger, the Earl of Wriothesly, is deeply in love with his wife Angela. When she insists on departing from their London home early and traveling to their country estate alone, he reluctantly agrees to let her travel ahead. When news of a tragic accident arrives, he’s shocked to discover his wife wasn’t alone. She’d been traveling with his best friend, Ian George, who was apparently her lover. With both of them dead, Sebastian is determined to shield his young son, Henry, from scandal by concealing their affair. He hadn’t planned on Leah George’s sudden sense of freedom or on her bold plans to move ahead with her life.
Married to Ian George for four months, Leah received a nasty surprise when she arrived home early one night. Discovering her husband’s affair with his best friend’s wife has left Leah disillusioned about love and about her worth as a woman. When she’s given the news of his death, her tears are tears of relief –she’s not sorry he’s gone. Determined to enjoy her new freedom, she feels stifled by society’s expectation that she wear black and mourn his death for a year. She wasn’t expecting on having to deal with Sebastian, Lord Wriothesly and his desire to keep their spouse’s affair a secret. While she reluctantly agrees to keep silent to spare Sebastian’s child, she secretly looks for ways to assert her independence and decides to break with tradition.
The scenes between Sebastian and Leah are full of tension, great chemistry and razor sharp dialogue. Sebastian is surprised by how assertive Leah has suddenly become – she’s no longer the quiet woman he’s known for the last year. Leah dislikes Sebastian’s determination to hide the truth. I liked how Ms. March provided insight into what both Sebastian and Leah were thinking and feeling throughout their scenes. I also liked the letters, which Leah discovered in her husband’s drawers and written from Angela Madinger’s viewpoint, which provided us glimpses into the events of the past year and their spouse’s affair. When Leah throws a house party only 4 months into her mourning period – all bets are off as the simmering attraction between Sebastian and Leah heats up. As the party continues, the situation escalates and when Leah insists on dancing at the party - the gossip really hits the fan.
The secondary characters are well developed; we even get a sense of what Angela and Ian thought and were like from Leah and Sebastian’s memories. I especially liked Abigail and Beatrice Hartwell, Leah’s mother and sister, who provided some additional tension and some reluctant support. Sebastian’s son Henry was really precocious. Even the antagonists in the story, Lord and Lady Renell, Ian’s parents, weren’t completely heartless though British society at the time still left a lot to be desired. It’s always difficult to make allowances for the fact that women in the past had little or no rights to their husband’s property, whether he was living or dead – we’ve definitely come a long way baby.
The end of the story is very well done, both Sebastian and Leah are forced to face their fears and join forces to protect little Henry in more ways than one. When Sebastian is willing to lay his love on the line, will Leah be willing to take a second chance on love? You’ll have to read “Romancing the Countess” to find out. If you like historical romance, Ms. March is definitely an author to watch – she’s definitely made my auto-buy list.
January 2, 2021
Romancing the Countess was an emotional read: don’t expect to read it and not to be moved and unsettled, it will shake you up and stir you, but at the end, you’ll close the book with a happy sigh. It is quite an unusual but well executed historical romance.
February 4, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a well-written, well thought-out historical romance. The premise is different from the usual hero/heroine must marry for money/to protect reputation or, hero/heroine hate each other on sight, and it's very well handled. The two protagonists are a widow and widower whose spouses were unfaithful to them - with the other's spouse. Sebastian is very much in love with his wife and didn't find out about the affair until she is killed in a carriage accident in which she was travelling with her lover, who was also her husband's best friend. Leah had discovered the affair more than a year previously and has done her grieving; she chafes against the restraints that society places on widows and longs to be her own person for once.
The way that Leah and Sebastian gradually come together is very well written and full of sexual tension without there being a great deal of physical contact between them. The only problem I can really find with the book is that the sex scenes which eventually take place are a little too "modern" in style and feel a bit like they've been tacked on at the end to please a readership that was probably waiting for the smut! Having built up and sustained the romantic tension between Leah and Sebastian brilliantly, I felt that when they did finally have sex, it was a bit of an anti-climax (!) - and that's why, although I loved the book, that's why I've only given it four stars. That said though, I'm definitely going to read more books by this author.
The way that Leah and Sebastian gradually come together is very well written and full of sexual tension without there being a great deal of physical contact between them. The only problem I can really find with the book is that the sex scenes which eventually take place are a little too "modern" in style and feel a bit like they've been tacked on at the end to please a readership that was probably waiting for the smut! Having built up and sustained the romantic tension between Leah and Sebastian brilliantly, I felt that when they did finally have sex, it was a bit of an anti-climax (!) - and that's why, although I loved the book, that's why I've only given it four stars. That said though, I'm definitely going to read more books by this author.
July 9, 2015
A bit of a shame. A lot of potential but then the nonsense ruined it.
I don't know if I've ever understood a heroine less. I didn't understand her from the beginning but at first I wanted to. By the halfway point I no longer did. In my view, she was an irrational, completely self-involved moron ruled by her emotions.
I don't know if I've ever understood a heroine less. I didn't understand her from the beginning but at first I wanted to. By the halfway point I no longer did. In my view, she was an irrational, completely self-involved moron ruled by her emotions.
March 5, 2013
I really thought I would like this book. The story was promising but the execution not so much. I didn't feel much for the characters. The lead Sebastian one minute he is madly in love with his wife, later he finds out she had been cheating on him with his best friend. Then you have the best freinds wife Leah who has been living with the knowledge of her husband's affair for almost a year. When there respective spouses die they are left to pick up the pieces with Leah deciding she had enough of proper behaviour. That is exactly when the hero starts noticing her and voilà instant love.....as if it was that simple.
Hey!! if I don't judge who will. Every reader is entitled to their own opinion and I think this book missed the mark. It should be complimented for the accurate historical settings but other than that this book is not entertaining. If fact down right boring.... My advice would be to skip this one
Hey!! if I don't judge who will. Every reader is entitled to their own opinion and I think this book missed the mark. It should be complimented for the accurate historical settings but other than that this book is not entertaining. If fact down right boring.... My advice would be to skip this one
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