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With This Kiss #3
With This Kiss: Part Three
Lieutenant Colin Barry returns from the wars injured in body and spirit, knowing that he has no right to steal Grace from the arms of her fiancé. Yet the same warrior's spirit that won so many battles at sea is prompting him to throw propriety to the winds, imitate his pirate father, and simply take what he most desires!
Author's Don't forget to read Parts One and Two! Reading this installment first would be like eating the icing before you even get it onto a cupcake
Author's Don't forget to read Parts One and Two! Reading this installment first would be like eating the icing before you even get it onto a cupcake
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2013
77 people are currently reading
1161 people want to read
About the author
Eloisa James
123 books9,534 followersNew York Times bestselling author Eloisa James writes historical romances for HarperCollins Publishers. Her novels have been published to great acclaim. A reviewer from USA Today wrote of Eloisa's very first book that she "found herself devouring the book like a dieter with a Hershey bar"; later People Magazine raved that "romance writing does not get much better than this." Her novels have repeatedly received starred reviews from Publishers' Weekly and Library Journal and regularly appear on the best-seller lists.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
After graduating from Harvard University, Eloisa got an M.Phil. from Oxford University, a Ph.D. from Yale and eventually became a Shakespeare professor, publishing an academic book with Oxford University Press. Currently she is an associate professor and head of the Creative Writing program at Fordham University in New York City. Her "double life" is a source of fascination to the media and her readers. In her professorial guise, she's written a New York Times op-ed defending romance, as well as articles published everywhere from women's magazines such as More to writers' journals such as the Romance Writers' Report.
Eloisa...on her double life:
When I'm not writing novels, I'm a Shakespeare professor. It's rather like having two lives. The other day I bought a delicious pink suit to tape a television segment on romance; I'll never wear that suit to teach in, nor even to give a paper at the Shakespeare Association of America conference. It's like being Superman, with power suits for both lives. Yet the literature professor in me certainly plays into my romances. The Taming of the Duke (April 2006) has obvious Shakespearean resonances, as do many of my novels. I often weave early modern poetry into my work; the same novel might contain bits of Catullus, Shakespeare and anonymous bawdy ballads from the 16th century.
When I rip off my power suit, whether it's academic or romantic, underneath is the rather tired, chocolate-stained sweatshirt of a mom. Just as I use Shakespeare in my romances, I almost always employ my experiences as a mother. When I wrote about a miscarriage in Midnight Pleasures, I used my own fears of premature birth; when the little girl in Fool For Love threw up and threw up, I described my own daughter, who had that unsavory habit for well over her first year of life.
So I'm a writer, a professor, a mother - and a wife. My husband Alessandro is Italian, born in Florence. We spend the lazy summer months with his mother and sister in Italy. It always strikes me as a huge irony that as a romance writer I find myself married to a knight, a cavaliere, as you say in Italian.
One more thing...I'm a friend. I have girlfriends who are writers and girlfriends who are Shakespeare professors. And I have girlfriends who are romance readers. In fact, we have something of a community going on my website. Please stop by and join the conversation on my readers' pages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 26, 2013
Romantic, poignant, and sexy, this third installment of With This Kiss is a delight, start to finish!
Lieutenant Colin Barry returns from the wars injured in body and spirit, knowing that he has no right to steal Grace from the arms of her fiancé. Yet the same warrior's spirit that won so many battles at sea is prompting him to throw propriety to the winds, imitate his pirate father, and simply take what he most desires!Not only does Part Three give us Colin and Grace’s happily ever after, which was wonderful to watch as it plays out, but the epilogue gives us a fun peek at their children and possible future stories – and reading that was almost as much fun as reading the finale to Colin and Grace’s story.
My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of With This Kiss: Part One, Two, and Three, in return for an honest review.
Ms. James created some lovely greeting cards to go along with the books, and here they are:
July 30, 2013
And here is where the entire story falls apart. Ugh!
When we last left our hero and heroine Grace had just agreed to marry the nice and sweet John. Colin was trying his back to make his way back to her before this would happen, but tragedy strikes. He is injured, finally allowing him to honorably leave the navy duties that he has grown to hate. But with this injury comes a whole new set of problems. He does not want Grace to marry him out of pity as he knows she will. He decides that he will push her away, no matter what she says. He is going to be cold and heartless. Grace still believes him to be in love with Lily, so she expects little else from him. Still, when he arrives at their family home and she sees his injury, she immediately responds by wanting to care for him. She decides that she must marry him, so after sending John off with her sister on an outing that John had put a lot of work into planning, she breaks her engagement with the 19th century equivalent of a text message ... she sends him a note. Not the classiest of acts, in my opinion. Grace decides that she will win Colin over by seducing him.
And I hated it. So. So. Much.
I did not like how this played out, and there might be a bit of spoilery as I explain why. Read on at your own risk.
Colin cannot see. He has been doped up with a massive amount of laudanum, and Grace puts him on a coach to their country estate. She gets into the coach with him, and while they are there Colin has a laudanum fueled dream/hallucination. But it isn't a dream. It is real. And I found the entire episode disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. These two childhood friends finally were going to have the chance to be together. Colin loved Grace. She didn't know it yet, but he loved her. He should have had the opportunity to show her how much he loved her in a beautiful, heart-warming way. What occurred instead was brutal and harsh. Yes, Grace knew exactly what she was doing. Sort of. But what a horrible, horrible first experience for her. I realize that Colin had no idea what he was doing, but that just made the situation all the more horrible. Grace basically decided to trap Colin into a relationship by taking advantage of a drunk man. Ick! How is that supposed to come across as romantic? It was awful. I didn't end up hating either of these characters, but I was highly disappointed in Eloisa James as a writer. How could she write such a device in her story? It was such a disappointment.
The story ends with a happily ever after, of course. I was glad for that. But what could have been an almost magical and absolutely beautiful ending was marred by that coach scene. I couldn't get past it. I wish that there was an opportunity for a do-over with this story. So much potential in this story, and it fell apart. Too bad. So my rating for this part ... after two solid four stars for the previous segments of the story, I can only give this ending two stars.
When we last left our hero and heroine Grace had just agreed to marry the nice and sweet John. Colin was trying his back to make his way back to her before this would happen, but tragedy strikes. He is injured, finally allowing him to honorably leave the navy duties that he has grown to hate. But with this injury comes a whole new set of problems. He does not want Grace to marry him out of pity as he knows she will. He decides that he will push her away, no matter what she says. He is going to be cold and heartless. Grace still believes him to be in love with Lily, so she expects little else from him. Still, when he arrives at their family home and she sees his injury, she immediately responds by wanting to care for him. She decides that she must marry him, so after sending John off with her sister on an outing that John had put a lot of work into planning, she breaks her engagement with the 19th century equivalent of a text message ... she sends him a note. Not the classiest of acts, in my opinion. Grace decides that she will win Colin over by seducing him.
And I hated it. So. So. Much.
I did not like how this played out, and there might be a bit of spoilery as I explain why. Read on at your own risk.
Colin cannot see. He has been doped up with a massive amount of laudanum, and Grace puts him on a coach to their country estate. She gets into the coach with him, and while they are there Colin has a laudanum fueled dream/hallucination. But it isn't a dream. It is real. And I found the entire episode disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. These two childhood friends finally were going to have the chance to be together. Colin loved Grace. She didn't know it yet, but he loved her. He should have had the opportunity to show her how much he loved her in a beautiful, heart-warming way. What occurred instead was brutal and harsh. Yes, Grace knew exactly what she was doing. Sort of. But what a horrible, horrible first experience for her. I realize that Colin had no idea what he was doing, but that just made the situation all the more horrible. Grace basically decided to trap Colin into a relationship by taking advantage of a drunk man. Ick! How is that supposed to come across as romantic? It was awful. I didn't end up hating either of these characters, but I was highly disappointed in Eloisa James as a writer. How could she write such a device in her story? It was such a disappointment.
The story ends with a happily ever after, of course. I was glad for that. But what could have been an almost magical and absolutely beautiful ending was marred by that coach scene. I couldn't get past it. I wish that there was an opportunity for a do-over with this story. So much potential in this story, and it fell apart. Too bad. So my rating for this part ... after two solid four stars for the previous segments of the story, I can only give this ending two stars.
March 27, 2013
I feel...cheated. Granted, it was only 99 cents, but half the book were promotions and actual snippets of the previous two books (which we were already supposed to have read as setup for this novel). And there was no plot. None. The two previous novellas had a semblance of plot, there were actual action at least. In this book, there was nothing but a whole lot of bunking and protestations of love and the resolution of the miscommunication between Grace and Colin.
There seriously was nothing more to this book than Colin's fervent protestations that he did love her, HER! And not her beautiful, lovely, radiant, effervescent sister Lily (to whom he proposed but didn't really mean it, and to whom he wrote during his absence at war---but only because he didn't really want the woman he loved to know how he REALLY SUFFERED). God forbid he confide in the woman he really wants to spend the rest of his life with! He just didn't want to write Grace or confide in her because he wanted to spare her the pain, really!!!
Can you hear that? That's the sound of my eyeballs rolling all the way to the back of my head.
99 cents. That's the cost of my coffee refill at 7-11, dammit. It says something about this book when I'd rather spend a dollar on the dregs of a 2-hour old pot of burnt coffee at a convenience store.
There seriously was nothing more to this book than Colin's fervent protestations that he did love her, HER! And not her beautiful, lovely, radiant, effervescent sister Lily (to whom he proposed but didn't really mean it, and to whom he wrote during his absence at war---but only because he didn't really want the woman he loved to know how he REALLY SUFFERED). God forbid he confide in the woman he really wants to spend the rest of his life with! He just didn't want to write Grace or confide in her because he wanted to spare her the pain, really!!!
Can you hear that? That's the sound of my eyeballs rolling all the way to the back of my head.
99 cents. That's the cost of my coffee refill at 7-11, dammit. It says something about this book when I'd rather spend a dollar on the dregs of a 2-hour old pot of burnt coffee at a convenience store.
March 2, 2025
My Review:
In Part Three we have the finale for the With This Kiss serial Novella. I really had a blast with this one and is most definitely my favorite of the trilogy. I couldn't put this one down. Although all three segments are page turners, so you won't have a hard time being engaged by these stories. I love how easy her classic books are to read.
In the finale part, our couple have come together, they are working through their past issues and we see them get married with the special license that Grace's mother gives to them. We see them have a honeymoon phase but also seeing the confrontation with the parentals. Which was a hoot in some respects. There was such a happy satisfaction feeling with this part and I loved how "together" our couple is and seeing them in the HEA was so brilliant and I adored the epilogue. It was done a bit differently than how you normally see them done and I found it a bit refreshing. Overall I had a blast with this serial and I am so sad this series is over. But eager to explore more of her backlisted books.
In Part Three we have the finale for the With This Kiss serial Novella. I really had a blast with this one and is most definitely my favorite of the trilogy. I couldn't put this one down. Although all three segments are page turners, so you won't have a hard time being engaged by these stories. I love how easy her classic books are to read.
In the finale part, our couple have come together, they are working through their past issues and we see them get married with the special license that Grace's mother gives to them. We see them have a honeymoon phase but also seeing the confrontation with the parentals. Which was a hoot in some respects. There was such a happy satisfaction feeling with this part and I loved how "together" our couple is and seeing them in the HEA was so brilliant and I adored the epilogue. It was done a bit differently than how you normally see them done and I found it a bit refreshing. Overall I had a blast with this serial and I am so sad this series is over. But eager to explore more of her backlisted books.
August 4, 2014
Eloisa James’ With This Kiss is a novella in three parts. This novella involves the children of those from The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate, Grace and Colin. Grace has loved Colin Barry since she was a child; however, he doesn’t seem to return her affections. Grace dutifully writes to Colin while he fights in the navy; the letters the only thing that keeps him sane while he is abroad. When Colin returns from war he is afraid to see Grace, knowing that she is the only one that actually knows how he feels about war and how much it haunts him. During a ball, Colin falls for Grace’s sister, forcing Grace to discontinue her letters to Colin. However, it’s not long before Colin realizes his mistake, but it may just be too late because Grace is engaged!
These short novelettes were adorable! I read them all quickly in one sitting. I liked returning to the children of the characters from The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate; it was nice to catch up with the heroes and heroines; yet, Colin and Grace’s relationship is undoubtedly the centre of the story. Their romance progressed slowly with a number of misunderstandings on the part of both characters, but it was sweet and adorable. James did an excellent job of using such a short format to convey a great relationship that didn’t seem to quickly developed or superficial. I think anyone of James’ fans will love this one!
My only concern is the novella in parts idea. I was lucky enough to receive a review copy via Edelweiss, meaning that I could read it in one sitting, but I am not sure I would have appreciated that if I were purchasing the novellas online. I would have found that to be a really disjointed reading experience, especially considering how short the three parts are. But, it was still a great and sweet read and I would recommend it for historical romance fans.
*A review copy was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
These short novelettes were adorable! I read them all quickly in one sitting. I liked returning to the children of the characters from The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate; it was nice to catch up with the heroes and heroines; yet, Colin and Grace’s relationship is undoubtedly the centre of the story. Their romance progressed slowly with a number of misunderstandings on the part of both characters, but it was sweet and adorable. James did an excellent job of using such a short format to convey a great relationship that didn’t seem to quickly developed or superficial. I think anyone of James’ fans will love this one!
My only concern is the novella in parts idea. I was lucky enough to receive a review copy via Edelweiss, meaning that I could read it in one sitting, but I am not sure I would have appreciated that if I were purchasing the novellas online. I would have found that to be a really disjointed reading experience, especially considering how short the three parts are. But, it was still a great and sweet read and I would recommend it for historical romance fans.
*A review copy was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
March 1, 2013
ORIGINAL POST:
FANGS, WANDS and FAIRY DUST
WITH THIS KISS Parts 1, 2, & 3
A First-Class Trip to Happily Ever After from Eloisa James
WITH THIS KISS Parts One, Two and Three
by Eloisa James
Avon/Harper Collins March 2013
With This Kiss: Part One (3/12/2013)
Lady Grace Ryburn, the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbrook, has fallen wildly in love with Colin Barry, a dashing young lieutenant serving his country in the Royal Navy. When he returns home to exuberant celebrations, will he even notice the quiet wallflower he grew up with … or will he fall for Grace's sparkling, gorgeous sister?
Author's Note: Lady Grace is the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Ashbrook, from The Ugly Duchess, and Colin is the eldest adopted son of Sir Griffin Barry, from Seduced by a Pirate. In its entirety, With This Kiss is a 200-page double-length novella.
With This Kiss: Part Two (3/19/2013)
Lady Grace Ryburn has accepted another man's proposal after the love of her life, Lieutenant Colin Barry, asked for her own sister's hand in marriage.
But when Colin returns home from the wars, injured in body and spirit, will she be able to turn her back and marry another? Or will she throw away every rule her mother taught her and try to seduce a man who has shown no interest in her kisses?
Author's Note: Be sure to read Part One first! You need to know the story of how Grace fell in love with Colin . . .
With This Kiss: Part Three (3/26/2013)
Lieutenant Colin Barry returns from the wars injured in body and spirit, knowing that he has no right to steal Grace from the arms of her fiancé. Yet the same warrior's spirit that won so many battles at sea is prompting him to throw propriety to the winds, imitate his pirate father, and simply take what he most desires!
Author's Note: Don't forget to read Parts One and Two! Reading this installment first would be like eating the icing before you even get it onto a cupcake.
www.harpercollins.com
PLEASE ALLOW ME TO GUSH
I originally intended to read and review these one at a time but they were so short and each piece ended in such a way that I simply had to know immediately what would happen next. Like a box of the most addictive bob-bons, I read them all over a period of three hours and realized I really couldn't stretch out my post on the stories over three days.
This series of novellas is a riff off Eloisa's THE UGLY DUCHESS which was part of her fairy tale inspired series. It's a continuation of the story from SEDUCED BY A PIRATE. On Eloisa's website, this collection of shorts is called AS YOU WISH.
Eloisa is one of my go-to authors when I am feeling a little bored or jaded from the simple fact of reading as much as I do in one book genre. Her romance is like the finest dining in the all you can eat buffet of modern publishing. It always incites my interest and makes me hungry for more.
Eloisa combines often quirky, always different female characters with exciting male characters few straight women would kick out of bed. The secret is that they are rarely able to combine with ease; it seems there is always an obstacle of some sort. Such is the stuff of the romance genre.
But where the use of an an inspiration such as a fairy tale often feels trite or contrived, Eloisa manages to build a wonderful book each time. And, I think it is because she can fully create the entire world originally inspired by the fairy tale. The fairy tale is not the story, it's the skeleton of a more hybrid creation. A series within a series, With This Kiss comes full circle from THE UGLY DUCHESS. The characters from THE UGLY DUCHESS, Theodora and James, have two daughters, one of whom, Lily, is sparkly like champagne and the other, Grace, is rich like a delicious sauterne. The son of the characters in SEDUCED BY A PIRATE have sons the oldest of whom, Colin returns from sea as a war weary hero on leave and is instantly infatuated with the wrong daughter.
Of course, it's entirely possible he'll realize his stupidity far too late. It's not as simple to understand the complexity of a sauterne, but there are few who dislike champagne. Both have their strengths and neither is prettier than the other. But champagne is more universally and readily consumed.
Like most romance novels WITH THIS KISS is not unpredictable in its outcome, but Eloisa is such a great story teller that the ending is not what drives you through the story. Reading Eloisa's books is all about the journey and not the destination. And this trip is in first-class all the way! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Stands alone, but even better with at least SEDUCED BY A PIRATE and at its best with THE UGLY DUCHESS.
This is really a serialized novella which has me wishing wholeheartedly that the book this is no doubt releasing to entice us to, ONCE UPON A TOWER, most cruelly not due out until the end of May (Argh)!
May 29, 2018
Captain Colin Barry has returned home from a life at sea wounded both inside and out. He knows he doesn’t deserve Lady Grace Ryburn, a woman he never saw as more than a friend until it was too late and she was engaged to someone else. But now that Colin has her alone, he realizes he can’t let Grace go. Throwing the rules of propriety to the wind, Colin embraces the attitude of his pirate father and sets out to capture the heart of the woman he loves.
Eloisa James brings Colin and Grace’s spellbinding romance to a close in With This Kiss: Part Three. After all the hurt, misunderstandings, and pure, unadulterated emotion in the first two With This Kiss installments, I was eager to see Colin and Grace find the happily ever after they so deserved. And boy did Ms. James make the culmination of their love story worth it. After everything Grace has been through, it’s not easy for her to believe that Colin could really love her. I loved watching Colin convince her that she absolutely is the woman for him. They’re such a great match that I almost hated to see their story end. Indeed, the epilogue of With This Kiss: Part Three has me desperately hoping Ms. James will pen more stories about the Ryburn and Barry families.
With This Kiss: Part Three is sexy, yet sweet at the same time. Don’t miss out on Colin and Grace’s story — read all three parts of With This Kiss in order and be prepared to be swept away!
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
Eloisa James brings Colin and Grace’s spellbinding romance to a close in With This Kiss: Part Three. After all the hurt, misunderstandings, and pure, unadulterated emotion in the first two With This Kiss installments, I was eager to see Colin and Grace find the happily ever after they so deserved. And boy did Ms. James make the culmination of their love story worth it. After everything Grace has been through, it’s not easy for her to believe that Colin could really love her. I loved watching Colin convince her that she absolutely is the woman for him. They’re such a great match that I almost hated to see their story end. Indeed, the epilogue of With This Kiss: Part Three has me desperately hoping Ms. James will pen more stories about the Ryburn and Barry families.
With This Kiss: Part Three is sexy, yet sweet at the same time. Don’t miss out on Colin and Grace’s story — read all three parts of With This Kiss in order and be prepared to be swept away!
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.
March 1, 2013
After a stormy ending in the last installment, Colin realizes that he has not been clear with his intentions or feelings for Grace, and with a touch of commanding behavior he proceeds to erase her misconceptions.
Conversations are explosive and heartfelt, with realization dawning on the pair near simultaneously. Sensually addictive explorations of mind and body follow, as they learn to navigate one another and revel in their love. Colin is slowly recovering from the trauma experienced from the battles he participated in, with the help and understanding of Grace and the rehabilitation of an abused horse that also needed to learn the power of gentle acceptance.
In several heartwarming romantic scenes, readers will find moments to envy and wish for. Their enjoyment of each other’s company both in and out of the bedroom makes for an addictive and enjoyable read.
Told in a series of 3 shorts, these stories neatly fit together to make a satisfying novella and will be especially pleasing for those readers familiar with these families from earlier works by Eloisa James.
I received an eBook copy from the publisher via Eidelweiss for purpose of honest review for the Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Conversations are explosive and heartfelt, with realization dawning on the pair near simultaneously. Sensually addictive explorations of mind and body follow, as they learn to navigate one another and revel in their love. Colin is slowly recovering from the trauma experienced from the battles he participated in, with the help and understanding of Grace and the rehabilitation of an abused horse that also needed to learn the power of gentle acceptance.
In several heartwarming romantic scenes, readers will find moments to envy and wish for. Their enjoyment of each other’s company both in and out of the bedroom makes for an addictive and enjoyable read.
Told in a series of 3 shorts, these stories neatly fit together to make a satisfying novella and will be especially pleasing for those readers familiar with these families from earlier works by Eloisa James.
I received an eBook copy from the publisher via Eidelweiss for purpose of honest review for the Jeep Diva. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
March 26, 2013
Tender moments are shared between Colin and Grace as they both share their insecurities. Neither of them believe that they are good enough for each other but despite their faults and misunderstandings, their love is unconditional and true.
Though predictable, James is able to bring readers a sense of satisfaction with this last installment. For most of this serial, I saw Colin as unworthy of Grace's ministrations. He was often crude and too alpha for his own good, but when he is with Grace, something softens about him and you suddenly see him as a man in love.
Satisfaction is what I felt when finishing this book. Touching and heartbreaking, WITH THIS KISS will lure readers in with its endearing characters and their journey to love. I highly recommend this serial for readers who enjoy a little heartbreak with the romance.
James' serial has also convinced me that this style of books isn't as torturous as it seems and I look forward to reading more of them in the future.
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Though predictable, James is able to bring readers a sense of satisfaction with this last installment. For most of this serial, I saw Colin as unworthy of Grace's ministrations. He was often crude and too alpha for his own good, but when he is with Grace, something softens about him and you suddenly see him as a man in love.
Satisfaction is what I felt when finishing this book. Touching and heartbreaking, WITH THIS KISS will lure readers in with its endearing characters and their journey to love. I highly recommend this serial for readers who enjoy a little heartbreak with the romance.
James' serial has also convinced me that this style of books isn't as torturous as it seems and I look forward to reading more of them in the future.
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
March 8, 2013
The conclusion to WITH THIS KISS we find Colin turning all alpha male to prove to Grace that he does indeed love and desire her, not her sister Lily. It takes a bit of convincing, but Colin is not going to let go of the woman he loves over a misunderstanding...on her part. He's going to do all he can to prove to her that he's the man she's meant to be with.
While the ending to this story wasn't much of a surprise, it was still thoroughly enjoyable discovering just how far Colin was willing to go to prove to Grace that she was the one that he wanted. He was sometimes rude and crude, very much a pirate's son and not a staid Navel captain, but he get his point across to a very stubborn Grace.
Grace and Colin may have found themselves in a very similar situation to that of their parents, but they managed to get their acts together sooner rather than their parents later.
While the ending to this story wasn't much of a surprise, it was still thoroughly enjoyable discovering just how far Colin was willing to go to prove to Grace that she was the one that he wanted. He was sometimes rude and crude, very much a pirate's son and not a staid Navel captain, but he get his point across to a very stubborn Grace.
Grace and Colin may have found themselves in a very similar situation to that of their parents, but they managed to get their acts together sooner rather than their parents later.
May 18, 2015
Kind of disappointing end to the series/serial. Not that it was bad, it just wasn't on par with the previous parts.
March 26, 2013
Done! The interaction between Colin and Grace was thorough for a novella making it believable that Grace would give in to her feelings for Colin. If I had been in love with someone all my life it wouldn't take much to forgive them and see the sincerity in their eyes. One problem for Grace, she can't see his eyes so that means she has to rely on instinct. Instinct that has been constructed by love. Did I miss Colin apologizing to Lily for backing out on his proposal?
I liked how Colin's PTSD was handled. It would probably have been more difficult to write the letters than I inferred but the result would be the same.
The epilogue of their children was nice. I liked the serialization method ok but, like a series, I had to reread the previous installments to remember what was going on, especially with the last one since I've read three books in between.
I don't know if this will be a reread or not. That probably will depend on whether or not I reread "The Ugly Duchess" and "Seduced by a Pirate".
I liked how Colin's PTSD was handled. It would probably have been more difficult to write the letters than I inferred but the result would be the same.
The epilogue of their children was nice. I liked the serialization method ok but, like a series, I had to reread the previous installments to remember what was going on, especially with the last one since I've read three books in between.
I don't know if this will be a reread or not. That probably will depend on whether or not I reread "The Ugly Duchess" and "Seduced by a Pirate".
March 27, 2013
Originally posted on What I'm Reading
We finally have the last installment of With This Kiss (Part Three). The last time we saw Colin and Grace, Grace was trying to make her escape back home. Feeling hurt and not sure of what has happening.
Finally, we have the closure we all have been waiting for. Ms. James finally lets us have the happy ending we all want. As we travel through the three part serial we have seen so much go on. I have to say it was nice journey, but a bit rough at times.
Overall, Ms. James comes through to give a happy ending. I love the story as a whole, but I'm not sure if I'm a fan of serials. I don't know if I would purchase another serial again or just wait till all the parts came out. However, Ms. James is definitely the queen of writing fairytale endings. So, if you are looking for a wonderful story and a happy ending, I would say check out Colin and Graces story.
We finally have the last installment of With This Kiss (Part Three). The last time we saw Colin and Grace, Grace was trying to make her escape back home. Feeling hurt and not sure of what has happening.
Finally, we have the closure we all have been waiting for. Ms. James finally lets us have the happy ending we all want. As we travel through the three part serial we have seen so much go on. I have to say it was nice journey, but a bit rough at times.
Overall, Ms. James comes through to give a happy ending. I love the story as a whole, but I'm not sure if I'm a fan of serials. I don't know if I would purchase another serial again or just wait till all the parts came out. However, Ms. James is definitely the queen of writing fairytale endings. So, if you are looking for a wonderful story and a happy ending, I would say check out Colin and Graces story.
March 31, 2013
Eloisa James is one of my go to authors when I'm looking for romance, beautiful clothes and gorgeous men. And, the sex isn't bad either. But, this book was a disappointment. The third of a three parter, I need a lot more from this finale. I get it, the point of the book was to bring lovers together - but jeez louise. I was irritated by Grace folding like wet tissue in book two, then book three devolved into basically nonstop sex (hey, nothing wrong with that in its place) and just not enough honest relationship building. I would not recommend this split up novella; even working with three parts there's not enough personality development or story here to pass as anything but spun sugar. Let's put it like this, its tiny and it took me three days to force myself through it. Enough said?
April 19, 2013
What a wonderful and romantic novella! Oh my goodness, I really love this story. Eloisa James, a big hug and applaud for you because you really did a job well done with this one. I just wish it wasn't a novella but rather a full-pledge novel because I'm pretty much sure that I will enjoy it.
Colin and Grace developed well over the years and their love for each other was just too..... desperate. And they yearned for each other even though it takes some time for Colin to realize that but hey, a man is a man after all. I love it how they trust each other, how they adored and cared for one another. *deep, hopeful sigh* I wish there was a real Colin Barry.
I really recommend all of you to read this novella but this time, you have to do it chronologically. Just do it, it won't waste your time because this book is really good. I love it and hopefully you do too.
Colin and Grace developed well over the years and their love for each other was just too..... desperate. And they yearned for each other even though it takes some time for Colin to realize that but hey, a man is a man after all. I love it how they trust each other, how they adored and cared for one another. *deep, hopeful sigh* I wish there was a real Colin Barry.
I really recommend all of you to read this novella but this time, you have to do it chronologically. Just do it, it won't waste your time because this book is really good. I love it and hopefully you do too.
March 22, 2013
With e-books giving publishers and authors a newer way of reaching a broader audience there has been a resurgence of the serialized novel finding its way onto our e-book shelves. Author Eloisa James is the latest and probably most well-known author to take advantage of this format with her new novella With This Kiss, publishing the story in three parts over three consecutive weeks. Revisiting characters from her two most recent stories The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate we are given a wonderful glimpse of what has come next for both couples as well as seeing the next generation of their families finding love.
For the full review, please go to http://www.thewindowseat13.com/2013/0...
March 27, 2013
Eloisa James pulls you in and doesn't let go until the very last word. I absolutely loved this series that goes beyond The Ugly Duchess and Seduced By A Pirate. This is wonderfully told in three parts of a young girls crush on the oldest son of the Duke's friend and fellow Pirate turned Earl.
Grace is infatuated with Colin throughout his years in the Royal Navy and writes him devoutly. Colin feels that Grace is his savior but cannot face her without facing his fears. Injured and honorably discharged Colin and Grace can no longer hide from each other or their feelings and both tackle making the other see what was always there for them to see.
Grace is infatuated with Colin throughout his years in the Royal Navy and writes him devoutly. Colin feels that Grace is his savior but cannot face her without facing his fears. Injured and honorably discharged Colin and Grace can no longer hide from each other or their feelings and both tackle making the other see what was always there for them to see.
June 4, 2013
All three parts together were a wonderful story! I loved seeing Grace grow from her young girls crush to her debut to the realization that her love was not just a crush. Colin's fall was slower, and not without some bruises - to both of them. But oh was his fall wonderful! Loved the epilogue too!! It was great to see the continuing HEAs from The Ugly Duchess and Seduced by a Pirate!
May 12, 2013
The final section of Eloisa James’s first serial romance ends with a sigh-worthy exemplification of the healing powers of love and a happily ever after that leaves readers with a satisfied smile. Colin, with all his alphaness in ascendance, offers Grace persuasive evidence that it is she, not Lily he desires, that she, Grace, is the only woman he wants in his bed, in his dreams, and in his heart. In a scene rich with sizzle and symbolism, Grace becomes “blind” in order to see the truth.
March 30, 2013
I loved the story of Lady Grace Ryburn and Colin Griffin. Their romance was filled with desire and misunderstanding but true love allowed them to overcome the obstacles and find their HEA. This is the first time that I have read a serial and I loved it. It allowed my imagination to run free and it kept me from peeking at the ending. The length of each segment was perfect. Eloisa James has a way of creating characters that you care about. This is a light hearted and touching romance.
February 15, 2013
I loved the pace of this story! Everything clicked well, like the pieces of a puzzle. Some things were rushed as they should have been but others took time. In the past many of us have had a complaint with Eloisa's pacing because the endings seemed rushed. However, she took her time in this story. I was very, very happy with that.
March 5, 2013
3.5 Stars
March 1, 2013
Third and final part in Eloisa James' With This Kiss trilogy, a story told in 3 parts.
Detailed review to be posted soon.
Detailed review to be posted soon.
March 19, 2013
The conclusion to this story was well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the serial.
July 11, 2013
LOVED LOVED the ending... what a wonderful novella!
I am a little disappointed that we didn't get to see who Lily ended up marrying though. I thought for sure it would be McIngle.
I am a little disappointed that we didn't get to see who Lily ended up marrying though. I thought for sure it would be McIngle.
December 26, 2022
Δεν μπορώ να πω πως πρόκειται για ένα κακό φινάλε, αλλά σίγουρα πρόκειται για ένα φινάλε όπου οι ήρωες έχουν καταφύγει σε διόλου... "ηρωικές" επιλογές, τις οποίες σίγουρα θα μπορούσαν να τις έχουν αποφύγει και να είχαν χειριστεί πολύ διαφορετικά ορισμένες καταστάσεις. Παρ' όλα ταύτα, είχε τις αστείες και τις ρομαντικές του στιγμές και ήταν αρκετά fun to read.
January 12, 2014
เรื่องนี้แบ่งเป็น 3 ส่วน
Part 1 จะเล่าเรื่องราวตั้งแต่เด็กระหว่างพระเอกนางเอก ซึ่งทั้งสองครอบครัวเป็นเพื่อนกัน นางเอกกับพระเอกจึงโตมาด้วยกัน นางเอกหลงรักพระเอกมาตั้งแต่เด็ก เป็นพาร์ทที่นางเอกน่าสงสารที่สุด
Part 2 จะเล่าเรื่องต่อจากพาร์ทแรก พระเอกกลับมาจากการรบและได้รับบาดเจ็บ
Part 3 ตอนนี้ไม่ค่อยมีอะไรมาก เป็นการปรับความเข้าใจกันระหว่างพระเอกนางเอก และบทสรุปของเรื่อง
โดนส่วนตัว สนุกมากเพราะชอบอ่านอะไรที่มันบีบคั้นอารมณ์แบบนี้อยู่แล้ว อ่านไปอินไปเพราะสงสารนางเอกมาก การรักเขาข้างเดียวมันเจ็บปวดจริงๆ แต่มันเจ็บยิ่งกว่าที่ผู้ชายที่เรารักดันมารักน้องสาวของเรา โดยไม่เคยที่จะมองเห็นเราเลย การบรรยายอารมณ์ความรู้สึกของนางเอกมันทำให้รู้สึกเศร้าไปกับนางเอกมากๆ และสะใจมากๆเมื่อพระเอกรู้ใจตัวเอง คือแอบสมน้ำหน้าพระเอกมาก ฮ่าๆ
สปอล์ยอย่างละเอียด
ก็อย่างที่บอก พาร์ทแรกจะเล่าเรื่องราวของนางเอกตั้งแต่เด็ก ครอบครัวเป็นเพื่อนกัน โตมาด้วยกัน นางเอกชอบวาดภาพ จนเริ่มโตพระเอกไปเป็นทหารเรือ หลังจากที่พระเอกกลับมาบ้านครั้งแรก นางเอกก็เขียนจดหมายหาพระเอกตลอดส่วนใหญ่ก็เล่าเรื่องราวที่เกิดขึ้นต่างๆ เล่าถึงลิลลี่ หาเรื่องราวมาเล่าให้พระเอกฟัง แต่พระเอกก็ตอบมาบ้างไม่ตอบบ้าง เวลาตอบมาก็จะเขียนมาสั้นๆ แต่นางเอกไม่เคยเลิกที่จะเขียนเลย ส่วนพระเอกนอกจากจดหมายนางเอก(ที่ไม่ค่อยได้เขียนเล่าเกี่ยวกับตัวเอง)ก็จะได้รับรู้เรื่องราวผ่านน้องชายซึ่งส่วนใหญ่พระเอกจะถามถึงลิลลี่น้องสาวนางเอกที่จะเป็นเด็กหน้ารัก งดงาม มีแต่คนรัก แต่เฟร็ดน้องชายพระเอกชอบที่จะเล่าถึงนางเอกมากกว่า นางเอกกับน้องเปิดตัวครั้งแรกพร้อมกัน ลิลลี่ได้รับการตอบรับดีมาก พระเอกซึ่งกลับมาบ้านก็ไปร่วมงานบอลด้วย นางเอกเห็นพระเอกก็ดีใจมากกำลังคิดว่าจะเดินเข้าไปหา พระเอก(คอลิน)ก็เห็นลิลลี่พอดี ขณะที่นางเอกมองเห็นพระเอกที่เดินเข้ามาหาลิลลี่นั้น นางเอกก็เข้าใจว่าพระเอกตกหลุมรักลิลลี่(จริงๆอย่างที่คิดมาตลอด) ทำให้เกรซ(นางเอก)เสียใจมากและออกจากงานกลับบ้านไป ในขณะที่พระเอกพอไม่เจอนางเอกก็คิดแค่ว่าดีแล้วเพราะเวลาเจอลิลลี่ ลิลี่ไม่เคยรู้เรื่องเกี่ยวกับสงครามแต่ขณะที่นางเอกรู้ทุกอย่าง(พระเอกเล่าให้ฟังถึงความรู้สึกทุกอย่างเวลาไปรบ)การเจอนางเอกทำให้พระเอกต้องคอยคิดถึงสิ่งที่ไม่อยากจะคิด หลังจากนั้นนางเอกก็หลบหน้าพระเอกตลอดจนกระทั่งพระเอกกลับไปรบ นางเอกก็พยายามเลิกที่จะเขียนจดหมายไปหาและพ่อนางเอกก็ห้ามด้วยและบอกนางเอกว่า คอลินขอลิลี่แต่งงาน(แต่พ่อนางเอกยังไม่อนุญาตเพราะตั้งใจว่าจะไม่ให้ลูกสาวคนไหนแต่งานจนกว่าจะอายุ 20 ปี และอีกอย่างพ่อนางเอกไม่คิดว่าคอลินรักลิลลี่) เลยทำให้นางเอกตัดสินใจเลิกที่จะเขียนจดหมายหาพระเอก แต่ก็ส่งภาพวาดที่วาด(เป็นรูปลลิลี่)ไปให้พระเอกเป็นครั้งสุดท้าย ในขณะที่พระเอกหลังจากกลับไปรบก็รอคอยจดหมายนางเอก แปลกใจว่าทำไมนางเอกไม่ส่งจดหมายมาเหมือนเคยมีแต่จดหมายจากลิลลี่ จนกระทั่งจดหมายจากนางเอกมาถึงซึ่งมันใหญ่เกินจะเป็นจดหมาย พระเอกไม่กล้าเปิดดูเพราะกลัวว่ามันจะเป็นจดหมายฉบับสุดท้ายที่นางเอกจะเขียนหา(คิดไปต่างๆนาๆ นางเอกไม่สบายหรือเปล่าหรือกำลังจะแต่งงาน) แต่ในที่สุดก็เปิดและเห็นว่าเป็นรูปลิลลี่ ตอนนี้เองที่พระเอกเริ่มรู้ใจตัวเอง และเศร้าเสียใจมาก(แต่เราแอบสะใจนะ) พาร์ทแรกจบลงที่นางเอกหมั้นและพระเอกรู้ใจตัวเอง อยากกลับมาแย่งนางเอกคืน แต่..ได้รับบาดเจ็บจากสงครามก็คิดว่าตัวเองคงไม่สามารถทำอย่างนั้นได้
พาร์ทสอง พระเอกได้รับบาดเจ็บจากสงครามปลดประจำการและเดินทางกลับมาบ้านและมาพักที่บ้านนางเอกก่อน ทำให้นางเอกซึ่งยังรักพระเอกอยู่ไม่สามารถที่จะทิ้งไปได้ ไม่สามารถแต่งงานได้(คู่หมั้นนางเอกเป็นคนดีด้วย) เลยบอกกับแม่ว่าจะพาพระเอกไปบ้านที่ชนบทและอยู่ดูแลพระเอก แต่จะไม่แต่งงานกับพระเอกถ้าพระเอกไม่ได้รัก แม่ก็ช่วยให้พระเอกนางเอกได้เดินทางไปด้วยกันสองต่อสอง หลังจากนั้นก็จะเป็นเรื่องราวที่ปรับความเข้าใจกันจนจบพาร์ทสาม นางเอกชอบคิดว่าพระเอกไม่รัก อย่างเรื่องเขียนจดหมายพระเอกตอบนางเอกมาแค่บรรทัดสองบรรทัด ขณะที่เขียนถึงลิลลี่ห้าหน้า ทั้งที่ความจริงแล้วคือที่เขียนมายาวขนาดนั้นก็ถามถึงนางเอก ซึ่งก็มารับความเข้าใจกันในพาร์ทนี้
Part 1 จะเล่าเรื่องราวตั้งแต่เด็กระหว่างพระเอกนางเอก ซึ่งทั้งสองครอบครัวเป็นเพื่อนกัน นางเอกกับพระเอกจึงโตมาด้วยกัน นางเอกหลงรักพระเอกมาตั้งแต่เด็ก เป็นพาร์ทที่นางเอกน่าสงสารที่สุด
Part 2 จะเล่าเรื่องต่อจากพาร์ทแรก พระเอกกลับมาจากการรบและได้รับบาดเจ็บ
Part 3 ตอนนี้ไม่ค่อยมีอะไรมาก เป็นการปรับความเข้าใจกันระหว่างพระเอกนางเอก และบทสรุปของเรื่อง
โดนส่วนตัว สนุกมากเพราะชอบอ่านอะไรที่มันบีบคั้นอารมณ์แบบนี้อยู่แล้ว อ่านไปอินไปเพราะสงสารนางเอกมาก การรักเขาข้างเดียวมันเจ็บปวดจริงๆ แต่มันเจ็บยิ่งกว่าที่ผู้ชายที่เรารักดันมารักน้องสาวของเรา โดยไม่เคยที่จะมองเห็นเราเลย การบรรยายอารมณ์ความรู้สึกของนางเอกมันทำให้รู้สึกเศร้าไปกับนางเอกมากๆ และสะใจมากๆเมื่อพระเอกรู้ใจตัวเอง คือแอบสมน้ำหน้าพระเอกมาก ฮ่าๆ
สปอล์ยอย่างละเอียด
ก็อย่างที่บอก พาร์ทแรกจะเล่าเรื่องราวของนางเอกตั้งแต่เด็ก ครอบครัวเป็นเพื่อนกัน โตมาด้วยกัน นางเอกชอบวาดภาพ จนเริ่มโตพระเอกไปเป็นทหารเรือ หลังจากที่พระเอกกลับมาบ้านครั้งแรก นางเอกก็เขียนจดหมายหาพระเอกตลอดส่วนใหญ่ก็เล่าเรื่องราวที่เกิดขึ้นต่างๆ เล่าถึงลิลลี่ หาเรื่องราวมาเล่าให้พระเอกฟัง แต่พระเอกก็ตอบมาบ้างไม่ตอบบ้าง เวลาตอบมาก็จะเขียนมาสั้นๆ แต่นางเอกไม่เคยเลิกที่จะเขียนเลย ส่วนพระเอกนอกจากจดหมายนางเอก(ที่ไม่ค่อยได้เขียนเล่าเกี่ยวกับตัวเอง)ก็จะได้รับรู้เรื่องราวผ่านน้องชายซึ่งส่วนใหญ่พระเอกจะถามถึงลิลลี่น้องสาวนางเอกที่จะเป็นเด็กหน้ารัก งดงาม มีแต่คนรัก แต่เฟร็ดน้องชายพระเอกชอบที่จะเล่าถึงนางเอกมากกว่า นางเอกกับน้องเปิดตัวครั้งแรกพร้อมกัน ลิลลี่ได้รับการตอบรับดีมาก พระเอกซึ่งกลับมาบ้านก็ไปร่วมงานบอลด้วย นางเอกเห็นพระเอกก็ดีใจมากกำลังคิดว่าจะเดินเข้าไปหา พระเอก(คอลิน)ก็เห็นลิลลี่พอดี ขณะที่นางเอกมองเห็นพระเอกที่เดินเข้ามาหาลิลลี่นั้น นางเอกก็เข้าใจว่าพระเอกตกหลุมรักลิลลี่(จริงๆอย่างที่คิดมาตลอด) ทำให้เกรซ(นางเอก)เสียใจมากและออกจากงานกลับบ้านไป ในขณะที่พระเอกพอไม่เจอนางเอกก็คิดแค่ว่าดีแล้วเพราะเวลาเจอลิลลี่ ลิลี่ไม่เคยรู้เรื่องเกี่ยวกับสงครามแต่ขณะที่นางเอกรู้ทุกอย่าง(พระเอกเล่าให้ฟังถึงความรู้สึกทุกอย่างเวลาไปรบ)การเจอนางเอกทำให้พระเอกต้องคอยคิดถึงสิ่งที่ไม่อยากจะคิด หลังจากนั้นนางเอกก็หลบหน้าพระเอกตลอดจนกระทั่งพระเอกกลับไปรบ นางเอกก็พยายามเลิกที่จะเขียนจดหมายไปหาและพ่อนางเอกก็ห้ามด้วยและบอกนางเอกว่า คอลินขอลิลี่แต่งงาน(แต่พ่อนางเอกยังไม่อนุญาตเพราะตั้งใจว่าจะไม่ให้ลูกสาวคนไหนแต่งานจนกว่าจะอายุ 20 ปี และอีกอย่างพ่อนางเอกไม่คิดว่าคอลินรักลิลลี่) เลยทำให้นางเอกตัดสินใจเลิกที่จะเขียนจดหมายหาพระเอก แต่ก็ส่งภาพวาดที่วาด(เป็นรูปลลิลี่)ไปให้พระเอกเป็นครั้งสุดท้าย ในขณะที่พระเอกหลังจากกลับไปรบก็รอคอยจดหมายนางเอก แปลกใจว่าทำไมนางเอกไม่ส่งจดหมายมาเหมือนเคยมีแต่จดหมายจากลิลลี่ จนกระทั่งจดหมายจากนางเอกมาถึงซึ่งมันใหญ่เกินจะเป็นจดหมาย พระเอกไม่กล้าเปิดดูเพราะกลัวว่ามันจะเป็นจดหมายฉบับสุดท้ายที่นางเอกจะเขียนหา(คิดไปต่างๆนาๆ นางเอกไม่สบายหรือเปล่าหรือกำลังจะแต่งงาน) แต่ในที่สุดก็เปิดและเห็นว่าเป็นรูปลิลลี่ ตอนนี้เองที่พระเอกเริ่มรู้ใจตัวเอง และเศร้าเสียใจมาก(แต่เราแอบสะใจนะ) พาร์ทแรกจบลงที่นางเอกหมั้นและพระเอกรู้ใจตัวเอง อยากกลับมาแย่งนางเอกคืน แต่..ได้รับบาดเจ็บจากสงครามก็คิดว่าตัวเองคงไม่สามารถทำอย่างนั้นได้
พาร์ทสอง พระเอกได้รับบาดเจ็บจากสงครามปลดประจำการและเดินทางกลับมาบ้านและมาพักที่บ้านนางเอกก่อน ทำให้นางเอกซึ่งยังรักพระเอกอยู่ไม่สามารถที่จะทิ้งไปได้ ไม่สามารถแต่งงานได้(คู่หมั้นนางเอกเป็นคนดีด้วย) เลยบอกกับแม่ว่าจะพาพระเอกไปบ้านที่ชนบทและอยู่ดูแลพระเอก แต่จะไม่แต่งงานกับพระเอกถ้าพระเอกไม่ได้รัก แม่ก็ช่วยให้พระเอกนางเอกได้เดินทางไปด้วยกันสองต่อสอง หลังจากนั้นก็จะเป็นเรื่องราวที่ปรับความเข้าใจกันจนจบพาร์ทสาม นางเอกชอบคิดว่าพระเอกไม่รัก อย่างเรื่องเขียนจดหมายพระเอกตอบนางเอกมาแค่บรรทัดสองบรรทัด ขณะที่เขียนถึงลิลลี่ห้าหน้า ทั้งที่ความจริงแล้วคือที่เขียนมายาวขนาดนั้นก็ถามถึงนางเอก ซึ่งก็มารับความเข้าใจกันในพาร์ทนี้
October 2, 2014
meh
This is the first serialized novel (well, really more of a novella) that I've read. I figured it would be a bit like serialized comic books or a good TV show: a series of self-contained stories, with lots of action, all part of a larger story arc, leading up to a grand finale. But instead, this feels like a novella that was broken into three parts at somewhat logical break points. I kind of want my $3 back.
My main complaint is that, other than the excellent first part, nothing happens. They have sex, then they have sex, then they have sex again, the end. Is this erotica, or a romance novel?
What I would have liked (and this is maybe spoilery):
1. first part was perfect, don't change one bit.
2. heroine catches s clue, realizes Colin is not reciprocating, relationship-wise, and hardens her heart to him. Meanwhile, Lord McIngle continues to woo her, and we read about their various adventures riding through the park, getting ices, etc. Also meanwhile, Colin makes the long journey home, with appropriate adventures. Perhaps the shorter self-contained story in part 2 involves his efforts to escapes a pirate ship.
3. Colin arrives home. Against her will, Grace is recruited to help bring him to Arbor house, along w her mother and others. Adventure on the road of some sort, perhaps involving a personal dispute among assistants that results in the nurse taking off in a huff. No sex in the coach! That was too soon, and out of character.
4. Grace takes charge of nursing Colin. Many long evenings together cause her to realize she still may love him, tho he's been an ass. Meanwhile, Colin realizes he is madly in love with her, and begins to woo in earnest. A series of sub par doctors visit.
5. Grace takes charge, bundling Colin up and taking him elsewhere in the middle of the night, to where a better doctor resides. (Bath, perhaps?). Ms James could throw in the laudanum-fueled sex at this point.
6. Colin begins to recover. Colin and Grace realize they are in love. But oh noes, what to do about her betrothal to McIngle. C & G feel it is a forbidden love, until plot device frees her from her betrothal. C & G may, at this point, engage in guilt free sex.
7. this part 3, which is very nice. (but I was so irritated by how blah part 2 was that I could not properly enjoy it).
This is the first serialized novel (well, really more of a novella) that I've read. I figured it would be a bit like serialized comic books or a good TV show: a series of self-contained stories, with lots of action, all part of a larger story arc, leading up to a grand finale. But instead, this feels like a novella that was broken into three parts at somewhat logical break points. I kind of want my $3 back.
My main complaint is that, other than the excellent first part, nothing happens. They have sex, then they have sex, then they have sex again, the end. Is this erotica, or a romance novel?
What I would have liked (and this is maybe spoilery):
1. first part was perfect, don't change one bit.
2. heroine catches s clue, realizes Colin is not reciprocating, relationship-wise, and hardens her heart to him. Meanwhile, Lord McIngle continues to woo her, and we read about their various adventures riding through the park, getting ices, etc. Also meanwhile, Colin makes the long journey home, with appropriate adventures. Perhaps the shorter self-contained story in part 2 involves his efforts to escapes a pirate ship.
3. Colin arrives home. Against her will, Grace is recruited to help bring him to Arbor house, along w her mother and others. Adventure on the road of some sort, perhaps involving a personal dispute among assistants that results in the nurse taking off in a huff. No sex in the coach! That was too soon, and out of character.
4. Grace takes charge of nursing Colin. Many long evenings together cause her to realize she still may love him, tho he's been an ass. Meanwhile, Colin realizes he is madly in love with her, and begins to woo in earnest. A series of sub par doctors visit.
5. Grace takes charge, bundling Colin up and taking him elsewhere in the middle of the night, to where a better doctor resides. (Bath, perhaps?). Ms James could throw in the laudanum-fueled sex at this point.
6. Colin begins to recover. Colin and Grace realize they are in love. But oh noes, what to do about her betrothal to McIngle. C & G feel it is a forbidden love, until plot device frees her from her betrothal. C & G may, at this point, engage in guilt free sex.
7. this part 3, which is very nice. (but I was so irritated by how blah part 2 was that I could not properly enjoy it).
March 28, 2013
WTH happened here?! I was lovin' this story and then this last installment was totally BLAH! Everything that I felt set this story apart in the first two parts, that made it really wonderful, was completely absent here. The first two parts were rich with emotion and character development, each scene perfectly crafted so that the reader really understood who the characters were what they were feeling and why they were feeling it. It's as though EJ thought the readers could be fooled by lots of sex and a HEA into thinking that she'd actually put thought and effort into the last part! Well, not I. BIG disappointment!
March 27, 2013
Overall rating for this book (parts 1-3): 3 stars.
I like part 1 although it was mostly narrative of what Grace felt.
I like part 2 as it explores Colin's side.
Part 3 however did not meet my expectation since it was basically...just sex. I wish the author explored more of Colin's recovery or Colin's response to Grace letters instead of adding an epilogue.
In addition, let's hope that this will not become a trend - releasing a novel by chapters/as serial. This isn't comics, folks.
I like part 1 although it was mostly narrative of what Grace felt.
I like part 2 as it explores Colin's side.
Part 3 however did not meet my expectation since it was basically...just sex. I wish the author explored more of Colin's recovery or Colin's response to Grace letters instead of adding an epilogue.
In addition, let's hope that this will not become a trend - releasing a novel by chapters/as serial. This isn't comics, folks.
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