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Armstrong Sisters #2
The Governess and the Sheikh
Desire and the Desert King
Dark-hearted Sheikh Prince Jamil al-Nazarri commands his kingdom effortlessly...less so his difficult little daughter! Exasperated, he hires an English governess, hoping she'll instil some much-needed discipline...
Lady Cassandra Armstrong is the most unconventional governess Jamil has ever seen! With her siren's body and impulsive passion, Cassie is as innocently alluring as she is forbidden. Famous for his unshakeable honour, the reticent Sheikh's resolve is about to be tested...as his feelings for Cassie are anything but honourable!
Dark-hearted Sheikh Prince Jamil al-Nazarri commands his kingdom effortlessly...less so his difficult little daughter! Exasperated, he hires an English governess, hoping she'll instil some much-needed discipline...
Lady Cassandra Armstrong is the most unconventional governess Jamil has ever seen! With her siren's body and impulsive passion, Cassie is as innocently alluring as she is forbidden. Famous for his unshakeable honour, the reticent Sheikh's resolve is about to be tested...as his feelings for Cassie are anything but honourable!
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
17 people are currently reading
472 people want to read
About the author
Marguerite Kaye
253 books345 followersMarguerite Kaye is a prolific historical romance author hailing from Argyll’s West Coast. She is a voracious consumer of books, Scotland’s world-class larder, and the occasional cocktail.
Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
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Find out more on her website at www.margueritekaye.com
Join her on Instagram
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 1, 2016
Another really good book in this series! Great writing and likable characters - plus an exotic historical setting!
I also really enjoyed the first book in the series, Innocent in the Sheikh's Harem.
I also really enjoyed the first book in the series, Innocent in the Sheikh's Harem.
June 21, 2016
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Summary
Sheikh Prince Jamil al-Narazzi, a widower and a single father, is obligated to conceive an heir. He has one daughter, who is wild and untamed and spoiled. Jamil is being pressured by his council to marrying a princess that would bring him territory and gold. But the last thing that Jamil desires is another wife. He is devoted to his people, and his duty and honor. But his first concern is his daughter. So he hires a English lady to be her governess. Lady Cassandra Armstrong is visiting her sister in Arabia, and she receives an opportunity to be a governess and get away from her troubles from recovering from the scandal of being jilted. Cassie, even though she is enjoying her sisters company, needs a change in life. And being a governess to a lonely little girl is just perfect. When she arrives, she finds the prince to be arrogant yet gorgeous and sensual. Even though they share a vibrant passion, Jamil doesn't believe in love and Cassie craves it. In order to truly be together, Jamil will need to overcome his past and Cassie will need to learn understanding and patience.
Plot and Story Line
The Governess and the Sheikh was a treasure I found through my library archives and I snatched it right up. I was looking for a quick listen, and this was a quirky one. I haven't read a Sheikh romance in a while, and I was craving this setting and Kaye did a brilliant job with getting me fascination with the time period (which is regency era) and having the setting in Saudi Arabia. Even though its the last in the trilogy, you can read it out of order, although I am eager for the previous book which is Cassie's sisters story. Now first off, I want to get the negative parts out of the way so I can talk about what I really liked about this one. Now I am not sure if it was the narrator or the heroine, but she was so dramatic!! Whew, it has been a while since I have read a heroine so dramatic and there were some parts that I just burst out laughing because she was a bit silly at times. However I did admire her tenacity and courage she has. I did feel sympathy for this character, being burned by love is never easy and the author handled this aspect pretty well. Now as for Jamil, he is one sexy Sheikh Prince and he was quite mouthwatering. I doubt I could have resisted his sensual appeal. Jamil is a prince and has a commanding presence. But he is an enlightened Sheikh. He is trying to get his people to slowly become more open to the latest century and not in the old days. Jamil had a tough childhood, his mother he never saw again once he turned five years old and his father beat pain and humiliation into him so he would be a leader. He doesn't believe in love, only passion. So he acts like a typical male that has no idea what love is until its almost too late. But boy did I enjoy his groveling moments. He really has to work to regain the trust in Cassie (which he deserves in some ways) Now the setting is what I truly loved. It was a interesting twist to see a English lady adapt to life in Arabia, where their customs are so different especially when it comes to women. But Cassie loves this country and their customs, she is fascinated by their culture and their language, so she actually fits in pretty well considering. The romance is high in desire, and other aspects are slowly developed. They build a trust with each other and the ending is probably the best parts of the book!! I loved the twist there, the suspense and danger and seeing these two finally come together that the whole book builds up to! Quite perfect.
The Narration
This narrator wasn't too bad!! She was a bit high strung at times, so it came out as a bit more dramatic than I think the author intended. But I did like the way she portrayed Jamil and the setting---those aspects were just right!!
The Cover
A decent cover, and I like the sensuality of it. It has soft tones that are appealing, I do like the backdrop though---with the baths that a Sheikh prince would have in his palace.
Overall View
The Governess and the Sheikh is a charming tale of two opposites that delve deep into the matters of sensuality, desire and discovery of the matters of the heart!!
[foogallery id="22320"]
Summary
Sheikh Prince Jamil al-Narazzi, a widower and a single father, is obligated to conceive an heir. He has one daughter, who is wild and untamed and spoiled. Jamil is being pressured by his council to marrying a princess that would bring him territory and gold. But the last thing that Jamil desires is another wife. He is devoted to his people, and his duty and honor. But his first concern is his daughter. So he hires a English lady to be her governess. Lady Cassandra Armstrong is visiting her sister in Arabia, and she receives an opportunity to be a governess and get away from her troubles from recovering from the scandal of being jilted. Cassie, even though she is enjoying her sisters company, needs a change in life. And being a governess to a lonely little girl is just perfect. When she arrives, she finds the prince to be arrogant yet gorgeous and sensual. Even though they share a vibrant passion, Jamil doesn't believe in love and Cassie craves it. In order to truly be together, Jamil will need to overcome his past and Cassie will need to learn understanding and patience.
Plot and Story Line
The Governess and the Sheikh was a treasure I found through my library archives and I snatched it right up. I was looking for a quick listen, and this was a quirky one. I haven't read a Sheikh romance in a while, and I was craving this setting and Kaye did a brilliant job with getting me fascination with the time period (which is regency era) and having the setting in Saudi Arabia. Even though its the last in the trilogy, you can read it out of order, although I am eager for the previous book which is Cassie's sisters story. Now first off, I want to get the negative parts out of the way so I can talk about what I really liked about this one. Now I am not sure if it was the narrator or the heroine, but she was so dramatic!! Whew, it has been a while since I have read a heroine so dramatic and there were some parts that I just burst out laughing because she was a bit silly at times. However I did admire her tenacity and courage she has. I did feel sympathy for this character, being burned by love is never easy and the author handled this aspect pretty well. Now as for Jamil, he is one sexy Sheikh Prince and he was quite mouthwatering. I doubt I could have resisted his sensual appeal. Jamil is a prince and has a commanding presence. But he is an enlightened Sheikh. He is trying to get his people to slowly become more open to the latest century and not in the old days. Jamil had a tough childhood, his mother he never saw again once he turned five years old and his father beat pain and humiliation into him so he would be a leader. He doesn't believe in love, only passion. So he acts like a typical male that has no idea what love is until its almost too late. But boy did I enjoy his groveling moments. He really has to work to regain the trust in Cassie (which he deserves in some ways) Now the setting is what I truly loved. It was a interesting twist to see a English lady adapt to life in Arabia, where their customs are so different especially when it comes to women. But Cassie loves this country and their customs, she is fascinated by their culture and their language, so she actually fits in pretty well considering. The romance is high in desire, and other aspects are slowly developed. They build a trust with each other and the ending is probably the best parts of the book!! I loved the twist there, the suspense and danger and seeing these two finally come together that the whole book builds up to! Quite perfect.
The Narration
This narrator wasn't too bad!! She was a bit high strung at times, so it came out as a bit more dramatic than I think the author intended. But I did like the way she portrayed Jamil and the setting---those aspects were just right!!
The Cover
A decent cover, and I like the sensuality of it. It has soft tones that are appealing, I do like the backdrop though---with the baths that a Sheikh prince would have in his palace.
Overall View
The Governess and the Sheikh is a charming tale of two opposites that delve deep into the matters of sensuality, desire and discovery of the matters of the heart!!
[foogallery id="22320"]
dnf
October 30, 2017Got bored- the romance bit was meh. Lots of description but weirdly unpassionate and tension-free.
June 5, 2019
He disfrutado bastante de la lectura. Es una novela muy interesante y con mucha pasión y romance dentro de sus páginas
February 4, 2018
Way too much fluff and not enough substance for my taste.
3 (rounded up) stars
3 (rounded up) stars
August 20, 2021
Romance in the desert and book three of the series. This can be read as a stand alone.
Cassandra is running from public humiliation after she was left at the alter. Now she wishes to prove that she can take on a challenge. She takes on the role of governess for Prince Jamil's rebellious daughter. Arabia charms Cassandra, but will she also be charmed by the prince?
A quick and easy read, this is ideal for fans of historical romance.
Cassandra is running from public humiliation after she was left at the alter. Now she wishes to prove that she can take on a challenge. She takes on the role of governess for Prince Jamil's rebellious daughter. Arabia charms Cassandra, but will she also be charmed by the prince?
A quick and easy read, this is ideal for fans of historical romance.
September 6, 2011
3 1/2 stars.This book was a lot of fun. I really enjoy these historical Sheikh books. Lady Cassandra is a fun character. She is honest to the point of insulting our hunky sheikh on a regular basis. Our handsome sheikh, Jamil, is so clueless about how to handle this delectable but infuriating woman that you have to love him. Frankly, Cassie is so headstrong I am surprised he put up with her sometimes. There is a really nice story line about Jamil and his daughter that I enjoyed also. There have been two books about the Armstrong sisters. There are 3 more girls in the family and a hint was dropped about the third, Cressida. I wonder if we will see more of these determined siblings in the future.
August 27, 2014
This book was alright although i thought the plot was a little choppy where you don't get much inbetween. There was a lot of room for more plot developement in terms of Jamil's kingdom. You get glimpses into that political world and cultural world is lacking a little bit. And I would have liked to see more dialogued interaction between Linah and Cassie as she was teaching her. I felt like I was left hanging a little in parts where the story could have been developed better. Now having said that I understand that it is a romance novel designed to be a quick read and an emphasis on Cassie and Jamil's relationship. Anyway, this was a decent read for a harlequin.
May 7, 2021
I really loved these books set in the Regency period, but with a Sheikh twist!
The story, following on slightly (though you don't have to read the previous story to know what's going on) from her sister Celia's book, is about Cassie Armstrong and her visit to the desert home of her sister and new husband.
Cassie becomes a governess for the daughter of a Prince from a neighbouring kingdom, Prince Jamil, after wanting to find something useful to do with her life after her broken engagement.
This book is fun, sexy, a bit different and has emotional depth between the H/H - all of which I appreciate.
The whole series is recommended.
The story, following on slightly (though you don't have to read the previous story to know what's going on) from her sister Celia's book, is about Cassie Armstrong and her visit to the desert home of her sister and new husband.
Cassie becomes a governess for the daughter of a Prince from a neighbouring kingdom, Prince Jamil, after wanting to find something useful to do with her life after her broken engagement.
This book is fun, sexy, a bit different and has emotional depth between the H/H - all of which I appreciate.
The whole series is recommended.
January 23, 2012
Another M&B that fails at making it characters not stupid.
July 8, 2013
Good book, the hero wasn't a jerk. He had some issues with love but he overcame them in a timely manner.
April 3, 2017
This was a fun little book. I enjoyed the romance between Cassie and Jamil and the plot progressed at a decent pace. The final climax was surprisingly action-packed and I thought Jamil's character arc from a remote, emotionless ruler, to a man capable of love was believably portrayed. All in all, a nice little romance to pass the time. There were a few niggling things that kept it from being perfect, though.
In the beginning, and at various times throughout the book, Cassie acted like a bit of a flibbertigibbet. The way she periodically slipped into this overly dramatic persona who recited poetry and swanned about made her seem like an immature schoolgirl rather than a woman. This initial poor impression of Cassie was exacerbated for me because the narrator of the audiobook chose to give Cassie a very little-girlish voice. It was especially noticeable in the scenes where Cassie and Celia were talking, because the narrator gave Celia a very deep and regal sounding voice. A voice fitting of a royal woman and wife. So by comparison Cassie sounded and acted like an empty-headed child. Racing off on half-thought out plans to "prove herself" and wearing clothes that were totally inappropriate just because she liked the dramatic affect they gave her, etc. Then even after she and Jamil meet, she makes a fool of herself time and again by jumping to all sorts of assumption about him and his upbringing. Never stopping to consider that this man, a royal prince from another culture, just MIGHT have had a different childhood than the one she'd had in England. It made her seem both stupid and arrogant that she didn't take half a second to listen and learn before insisting that her way was the only right way. Thankfully, after the beginning this didn't happen TOO often so that kept it from being a deal-breaker.
As some of the other reviewers have mentioned, the focus of this story is very much on the romance. I wouldn't normally even bother mentioning that because this is a romance novel so of course the focus is on the romance, but in this case it was a tad overdone. Despite Cassie spending all of her days with Jamil's daughter, Leynah, we the reader see almost no interaction between them. We keep getting TOLD that Leynah and Cassie are developing a strong relationship so that by the end Leynah wants Cassie to be her new mother, but we're never SHOWN that relationship building. Likewise, we're TOLD that Jamil's relationship with his daughter has become stronger thanks to Cassie's insistence that he spend more time with her, but we don't really see that happening either. It made Leynah into nothing more than a plot device. She was there solely for the author's convenience to create the scenarios she wanted in order to move the romance plot along.
I also thought an opportunity was missed to explore the culture of Jamil's country. Cassie stays there for more than a month and yet we get almost no description of what life is like there. She continues to act and dress just like an English woman and is never bothered in any way by the supposedly very different customs on this nation. She's never treated as lesser by the guards or anyone in the castle, and is allowed to do pretty much whatever she wishes. It made the backdrop feel very superficial. We never even see her having to deal with a language barrier because everyone conveniently speaks English. Then towards the end of the story, we get a snippet from Jamil's inner monologue thinking about how Cassie had truly integrated into his country and loved it as much as he did and I was just like, huh? Where do you get that??
There were also a few plot inconsistencies that pulled me out of the narrative. Twice during the course of the story Cassie gets lost in the desert and we're told she's suffering from severe dehydration....and then she starts crying. News flash, if you're dehydrated, you can't cry. Also at the end of the story, Celia comes to see Cassie and she does not have her baby with her. In fact, the author made it a point to say that the baby was weaned so it was okay for Celia to leave her for a few days. Then Cassie gets kidnapped and ends up fighting for her life so Celia is there for something like 15 days. And suddenly the baby is there with her. I assumed that meant her husband had come to Jamil's kingdom along with the baby when they found out that Cassie was so close to death, but no, the husband isn't there. So....he sent the baby on its own?? No, more likely the author just forgot the baby wasn't supposed to be there.
Likewise in the final climax when Cassie is kidnapped, the author made it a point to tell us that the head bad guy used his knife to slice open the front of Cassie's riding habit while threatening to rape her. But then she apparently forgets about that as soon as it happens because it's never mentioned again. We never see Cassie clutching the tattered remains of her dress together to try to preserve her modesty, and when Jamil arrives to save her, we get absolutely no reaction from him about it either. A man of Jamil's temperament would never fail to react to seeing his true love in that state. He'd have been livid that the men had abused her in such a way and slaughtered them all on the spot. But in the book, he doesn't even notice. That's totally unbelievable so I can only assume the author just forgot she'd put it in.
Elsewhere, as one of the other reviewers mentioned, it was pretty unbelievable that Jamil and his daughter constantly went into the desert without guards of any kind. Especially at the end when Cassie is kidnapped, it just didn't make sense that Jamil would go out after her alone, rather than take a couple of guards with him. He knew there were at least 3 kidnappers, so right there he's out numbered. But for all he knows, those three were just the scouts for a much larger force. There could have been 10 more bad guys back at camp. So it was silly for him to go out alone and again felt like nothing more than plot contrivance to make the big showdown more dramatic.
And the pseudo-magical stuff that happened at the end was completely out of place in this story. It didn't add a thing to have magic suddenly become real in this otherwise completely non-paranormal romance so it should have been cut. It would have been fine for Jamil to have performed the ritual and leave it at that. It shows how deeply he loves Cassie that he's willing to sacrifice anything and will try any gambit, even appealing to the Gods, in order to have her safe and healthy again. But to then have the ring he'd left on the altar as a symbol of his offering magically turn up in Cassie's hand in her sick bed waaaaaay back at the palace was just ridiculous. And it brings up a sticky question. Jamil had told the Gods in the ritual that he was willing to sacrifice his kingdom in exchange for Cassie. That he'd give up the thing that had previously been the most important to him (um, why exactly is the kingdom more precious to him that his DAUGHTER??) in order to have the thing that has now become first in his heart (Cassie). So, if we're supposed to believe the God's actually listened to that prayer and granted Cassie life, doesn't that suggest that they're going to take the kingdom as the payment Jamil offered?? Just saying, when you try to turn magic real in an otherwise normal plot, it just opens a whole can of worms....
In the beginning, and at various times throughout the book, Cassie acted like a bit of a flibbertigibbet. The way she periodically slipped into this overly dramatic persona who recited poetry and swanned about made her seem like an immature schoolgirl rather than a woman. This initial poor impression of Cassie was exacerbated for me because the narrator of the audiobook chose to give Cassie a very little-girlish voice. It was especially noticeable in the scenes where Cassie and Celia were talking, because the narrator gave Celia a very deep and regal sounding voice. A voice fitting of a royal woman and wife. So by comparison Cassie sounded and acted like an empty-headed child. Racing off on half-thought out plans to "prove herself" and wearing clothes that were totally inappropriate just because she liked the dramatic affect they gave her, etc. Then even after she and Jamil meet, she makes a fool of herself time and again by jumping to all sorts of assumption about him and his upbringing. Never stopping to consider that this man, a royal prince from another culture, just MIGHT have had a different childhood than the one she'd had in England. It made her seem both stupid and arrogant that she didn't take half a second to listen and learn before insisting that her way was the only right way. Thankfully, after the beginning this didn't happen TOO often so that kept it from being a deal-breaker.
As some of the other reviewers have mentioned, the focus of this story is very much on the romance. I wouldn't normally even bother mentioning that because this is a romance novel so of course the focus is on the romance, but in this case it was a tad overdone. Despite Cassie spending all of her days with Jamil's daughter, Leynah, we the reader see almost no interaction between them. We keep getting TOLD that Leynah and Cassie are developing a strong relationship so that by the end Leynah wants Cassie to be her new mother, but we're never SHOWN that relationship building. Likewise, we're TOLD that Jamil's relationship with his daughter has become stronger thanks to Cassie's insistence that he spend more time with her, but we don't really see that happening either. It made Leynah into nothing more than a plot device. She was there solely for the author's convenience to create the scenarios she wanted in order to move the romance plot along.
I also thought an opportunity was missed to explore the culture of Jamil's country. Cassie stays there for more than a month and yet we get almost no description of what life is like there. She continues to act and dress just like an English woman and is never bothered in any way by the supposedly very different customs on this nation. She's never treated as lesser by the guards or anyone in the castle, and is allowed to do pretty much whatever she wishes. It made the backdrop feel very superficial. We never even see her having to deal with a language barrier because everyone conveniently speaks English. Then towards the end of the story, we get a snippet from Jamil's inner monologue thinking about how Cassie had truly integrated into his country and loved it as much as he did and I was just like, huh? Where do you get that??
There were also a few plot inconsistencies that pulled me out of the narrative. Twice during the course of the story Cassie gets lost in the desert and we're told she's suffering from severe dehydration....and then she starts crying. News flash, if you're dehydrated, you can't cry. Also at the end of the story, Celia comes to see Cassie and she does not have her baby with her. In fact, the author made it a point to say that the baby was weaned so it was okay for Celia to leave her for a few days. Then Cassie gets kidnapped and ends up fighting for her life so Celia is there for something like 15 days. And suddenly the baby is there with her. I assumed that meant her husband had come to Jamil's kingdom along with the baby when they found out that Cassie was so close to death, but no, the husband isn't there. So....he sent the baby on its own?? No, more likely the author just forgot the baby wasn't supposed to be there.
Likewise in the final climax when Cassie is kidnapped, the author made it a point to tell us that the head bad guy used his knife to slice open the front of Cassie's riding habit while threatening to rape her. But then she apparently forgets about that as soon as it happens because it's never mentioned again. We never see Cassie clutching the tattered remains of her dress together to try to preserve her modesty, and when Jamil arrives to save her, we get absolutely no reaction from him about it either. A man of Jamil's temperament would never fail to react to seeing his true love in that state. He'd have been livid that the men had abused her in such a way and slaughtered them all on the spot. But in the book, he doesn't even notice. That's totally unbelievable so I can only assume the author just forgot she'd put it in.
Elsewhere, as one of the other reviewers mentioned, it was pretty unbelievable that Jamil and his daughter constantly went into the desert without guards of any kind. Especially at the end when Cassie is kidnapped, it just didn't make sense that Jamil would go out after her alone, rather than take a couple of guards with him. He knew there were at least 3 kidnappers, so right there he's out numbered. But for all he knows, those three were just the scouts for a much larger force. There could have been 10 more bad guys back at camp. So it was silly for him to go out alone and again felt like nothing more than plot contrivance to make the big showdown more dramatic.
And the pseudo-magical stuff that happened at the end was completely out of place in this story. It didn't add a thing to have magic suddenly become real in this otherwise completely non-paranormal romance so it should have been cut. It would have been fine for Jamil to have performed the ritual and leave it at that. It shows how deeply he loves Cassie that he's willing to sacrifice anything and will try any gambit, even appealing to the Gods, in order to have her safe and healthy again. But to then have the ring he'd left on the altar as a symbol of his offering magically turn up in Cassie's hand in her sick bed waaaaaay back at the palace was just ridiculous. And it brings up a sticky question. Jamil had told the Gods in the ritual that he was willing to sacrifice his kingdom in exchange for Cassie. That he'd give up the thing that had previously been the most important to him (um, why exactly is the kingdom more precious to him that his DAUGHTER??) in order to have the thing that has now become first in his heart (Cassie). So, if we're supposed to believe the God's actually listened to that prayer and granted Cassie life, doesn't that suggest that they're going to take the kingdom as the payment Jamil offered?? Just saying, when you try to turn magic real in an otherwise normal plot, it just opens a whole can of worms....
May 3, 2021
The first in the series was decent, but this one wasn't as successful. The heroine was very much a ninny. Just terrible judgement throughout. I feel confident that in real life she would have been whipped or something for all of her constant insolence, but because this is HR the prince just finds it endearing, somehow... He was already going to be set up with all the power in this scenario, it seems like the heroine should have at least been clever or something, to in some way, balance it out, but instead she was kind of a disaster. It didn't feel like their love was all that specific to the other person either. He could have been swapped out with another handsome prince and she could have been any impertinent English governess, and things might have played out similarly. So overall, quite a bit of overlap with the first book, less likable characters, and kind of a weak romance.
March 20, 2019
This took me completely by surprise. I actually really enjoyed it all the way through. The writing is actually really good. Cassie/Cassandra is fantastic and I love how she's both dramatic and practical. Jamil is...well, less interesting. He's okay. I wish Linah had been in it more.
I WILL say, I have no idea on the actual customs/traditions that Jamil and his people would've had, so I'm wary of the whole white European woman coming and teaching them how to love. I get the feeling it was more about her teaching Jamil how to love, but sometimes I wonder.
I think I stumbled upon this book in a free book bin somewhere, but now I actually want to go read the rest of this series.
I WILL say, I have no idea on the actual customs/traditions that Jamil and his people would've had, so I'm wary of the whole white European woman coming and teaching them how to love. I get the feeling it was more about her teaching Jamil how to love, but sometimes I wonder.
I think I stumbled upon this book in a free book bin somewhere, but now I actually want to go read the rest of this series.
December 27, 2020
Cassandra and Jamil
I enjoyed book 1 in the series more. As I didn't really buy Cassie's need to prove herself. Which was kind of a weak premise since we knew she was going to fall for her new employer.
Also I didn't find the governess storyline to ring true... the folks back home would be scandalized but the Armstrong sisters didn't perceive this? Cassie a love sick young, beautiful, innocent didn't have so much as a maid much less a chaperone? I think not.
I enjoyed book 1 in the series more. As I didn't really buy Cassie's need to prove herself. Which was kind of a weak premise since we knew she was going to fall for her new employer.
Also I didn't find the governess storyline to ring true... the folks back home would be scandalized but the Armstrong sisters didn't perceive this? Cassie a love sick young, beautiful, innocent didn't have so much as a maid much less a chaperone? I think not.
October 18, 2018
It started out better than I thought it would do, and then failed spectacularly towards the end. I had liked the characters as they unfolded, but they almost lost their personality later on. And that was pretty much the feel on all key points, a good, solid start that dried out as you neared the finish line.
November 1, 2016
BLOG: www.adictaxictoxico.blogspot.com
El libro me gusto, aunque hubo partes de relleno, me dieron ganas de sacudir varias veces a estos protagonistas.... :) Y bueno me iré a leer la lectura de la tercera hermana armstrong ... ;)
El libro me gusto, aunque hubo partes de relleno, me dieron ganas de sacudir varias veces a estos protagonistas.... :) Y bueno me iré a leer la lectura de la tercera hermana armstrong ... ;)
April 28, 2018
Perfetto per chi ama i romance storici in chiave araba, l’istitutrice e lo sceicco (questo il titolo originale) è una bella storia piena di contenuti. Ho notato un paio di refusi, ma pazienza. Cover inguardabile come sempre, ma a questo ci siamo abituate.
October 29, 2017
Good read
It was a fun read . Cassie the main characterizes thru a lot but like all ladies she wins at the end
It was a fun read . Cassie the main characterizes thru a lot but like all ladies she wins at the end
November 12, 2018
Entretenido.
February 15, 2021
The story was pleasantly surprising. I loved it.
January 28, 2022
enjoyed: Lush culture/environment; a bit more intelligent, assertive, empowered, less typical characters than your usual historical fiction romance
February 18, 2022
Good read, enjoyed the book.
January 23, 2023
Not bad.
July 9, 2023
Hubo dos proposiciones de matrimonio rechazadas, me recordó a Orgullo y Prejuicio. Estuvo entretenido.
January 21, 2013
I got this book not realizing that it was a sequel to another novel and read it conclusively as such. My real rating would be 3 and a 1/2, a really enjoyable read that can stand on it's own. It is great if you don't mind a bit of fast paced romance that's a little shorter than the usual historical novel. Which is also its flaw once you fall in love with all of the characters.
There's something special and relateable in the whole set of cast which makes this for a charismatic story that I didn't want to end. From Cassie's innocence, romanticism and the naivety that comes with it, to Jamil's haughty, quick-witted yet reasonable attitude and Linah's explosive behavior. Everything fits to make a unique mosaic.
My favorite is that Mrs. Kaye really knows how to paint a beautiful picture and every single one of her sentences captures the imagination. From landscapes of the desert, royal palace areas and princely sand tents. There's always a sentence to highlight.
I enjoyed Linah, the princes' daughter and one of the downfalls was that it seemed there were often too many parts that felt more like an overview of what happened than an actual story when it came to side characters interacting with the main ones and that's where it falls short.
There's also a scene that appears like some 'romantic mystic crap' right at the end and though it's something to be easily ignored, I thought it was lame. It all felt realistic save from the whole cutting thing.
The romance itself is a pure treat to read, a feeling that's really enjoyable. Not to mention, I think I've fallen in love with the hero myself. Jamil is such a dreamy man.
There's something special and relateable in the whole set of cast which makes this for a charismatic story that I didn't want to end. From Cassie's innocence, romanticism and the naivety that comes with it, to Jamil's haughty, quick-witted yet reasonable attitude and Linah's explosive behavior. Everything fits to make a unique mosaic.
My favorite is that Mrs. Kaye really knows how to paint a beautiful picture and every single one of her sentences captures the imagination. From landscapes of the desert, royal palace areas and princely sand tents. There's always a sentence to highlight.
I enjoyed Linah, the princes' daughter and one of the downfalls was that it seemed there were often too many parts that felt more like an overview of what happened than an actual story when it came to side characters interacting with the main ones and that's where it falls short.
There's also a scene that appears like some 'romantic mystic crap' right at the end and though it's something to be easily ignored, I thought it was lame. It all felt realistic save from the whole cutting thing.
The romance itself is a pure treat to read, a feeling that's really enjoyable. Not to mention, I think I've fallen in love with the hero myself. Jamil is such a dreamy man.
March 4, 2017
This story follows Cassie, Celia's sister, after she's been jilted and made a fool of. Her father, thinking to get her away from the scandal sends her to Arabia to stay with her sister. There, she decides to take up a position as governess to the daughter of a neighboring sheikh. He's fairly tortured, having been brought up in a strictly traditional and emotionless environment, but he's kind of at war with his desire to modernize things and to make sure his daughter is brought up differently. He's wildly attracted to Cassie (who returns the sentiment) but both know a relationship is impossible. Sheikh Jamil doesn't believe in love and Cassie won't have him without it.
This was very cliched, but still very entertaining. I liked that there wasn't any locking people in the harem or taking them against their will sort of things. Both the H and h were strong, likeable characters without any annoying quirks or tendencies toward major drama. Cassie had a bit of a hang up about love and how she wouldn't marry a man until he said he loved her, even if he did appear to at times. But the way he suggested that the sex would be enough for a good marriage was pretty insulting. And I have to give Cassie credit for sticking up for her beliefs. Even as cliched and tropey as it was, it really was a fun book to read.
This was very cliched, but still very entertaining. I liked that there wasn't any locking people in the harem or taking them against their will sort of things. Both the H and h were strong, likeable characters without any annoying quirks or tendencies toward major drama. Cassie had a bit of a hang up about love and how she wouldn't marry a man until he said he loved her, even if he did appear to at times. But the way he suggested that the sex would be enough for a good marriage was pretty insulting. And I have to give Cassie credit for sticking up for her beliefs. Even as cliched and tropey as it was, it really was a fun book to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2014
Lovely
better than the first book
Cassie has just been stood up by her fiance she needs a break so she go and visit her sister in Arabia. She wants to prove herself and so go to work as a governess for Prince Jamil daughter Linah
Jamil Prince of Arabia does not have enough time for his daughter and she has been really misbehaving so he thinks she needs a new technique an influence of an English governess and so he hires Cassie.
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They have been attracted to each other since the beginning
They're coming together and growing apart were really really good and for good reasons
The ending was good but I was hoping for a good epilogue
better than the first book
Cassie has just been stood up by her fiance she needs a break so she go and visit her sister in Arabia. She wants to prove herself and so go to work as a governess for Prince Jamil daughter Linah
Jamil Prince of Arabia does not have enough time for his daughter and she has been really misbehaving so he thinks she needs a new technique an influence of an English governess and so he hires Cassie.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
They have been attracted to each other since the beginning
They're coming together and growing apart were really really good and for good reasons
The ending was good but I was hoping for a good epilogue
December 21, 2016
Comme j'avais bien aimé le tome 1 finalement malgré son titre, j'avais aussi lu le tome 2. Ici le titre, anglais ou français est moins mensonger....
Cassandra est bien engagé comme préceptrice pour une gamine pleine de vie et gâtée et Jamil est bien prince et doit se marier et se dit que la Cassandra est effectivement bien plus jolie que l'image classique de la gouvernante anglaise.
Bon le truc c'est qu'il ne la voit pas dans le harem vu qu'elle y vit déjà vu qu'elle s'occupe de sa fille...
Par contre je ne dis pas qu'il ne la verrait pas dans son lit. Même si la scène où ils craquent fait plus penser à celle chez Ruru Carsington.
Bref c'était une histoire mignonne, une version exotique des romances de gouvernante ^^
Cassandra est bien engagé comme préceptrice pour une gamine pleine de vie et gâtée et Jamil est bien prince et doit se marier et se dit que la Cassandra est effectivement bien plus jolie que l'image classique de la gouvernante anglaise.
Bon le truc c'est qu'il ne la voit pas dans le harem vu qu'elle y vit déjà vu qu'elle s'occupe de sa fille...
Par contre je ne dis pas qu'il ne la verrait pas dans son lit. Même si la scène où ils craquent fait plus penser à celle chez Ruru Carsington.
Bref c'était une histoire mignonne, une version exotique des romances de gouvernante ^^
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