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Temberlay #2
The Secret Life of Lady Julia
Just a year or so ago, Julia was a lovely earl's daughter, celebrating her betrothal to David, the Duke of Temberlay and set for a life of elegance and luxury.
But at her betrothal ball, she meets a stranger, a man who makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world—and when your fiancé thinks of you more as a little sister than a bride, that kind of attention can certainly turn a lady's head.
Thomas Merritt is a thief with a secret past of his own. He attended Julia's betrothal ball to steal her jewels, but ended up leaving with far more, utterly bewitched by the beautiful, innocent Lady Julia. After their one glorious evening together, Thomas leaves London, knowing he can never be part of her world again.
Julia's steamy encounter with Thomas Merritt changes her life. Now, she's no longer an earl's daughter (disowned), or a duke's bride-to-be (deceased). She's an outcast and a mere paid companion to a lady who used to be her equal.
But things are looking up. She's on her way to Vienna on a breathtaking adventure, and her employer's handsome brother seems more than willing to overlook Julia's scandalous past. Love is in the air, dear readers!
Julia and Thomas meet again in Vienna under most inconvenient circumstances during the great peace conference meant to determine the fate of Europe now that Napoleon has been defeated. All the crowned heads of Europe are in attendance, and at the lavish parties, salons, and grand balls, secrets lurk behind every fan, under honorable military tunics, and beyond every half-closed door, and Thomas is not the only thief in town. When Julia discovers a plot that could destroy her new life, Thomas Merritt is the only man who can save the day, and only she can save him from certain death.
And at yet another betrothal ball, they meet again...
But at her betrothal ball, she meets a stranger, a man who makes her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world—and when your fiancé thinks of you more as a little sister than a bride, that kind of attention can certainly turn a lady's head.
Thomas Merritt is a thief with a secret past of his own. He attended Julia's betrothal ball to steal her jewels, but ended up leaving with far more, utterly bewitched by the beautiful, innocent Lady Julia. After their one glorious evening together, Thomas leaves London, knowing he can never be part of her world again.
Julia's steamy encounter with Thomas Merritt changes her life. Now, she's no longer an earl's daughter (disowned), or a duke's bride-to-be (deceased). She's an outcast and a mere paid companion to a lady who used to be her equal.
But things are looking up. She's on her way to Vienna on a breathtaking adventure, and her employer's handsome brother seems more than willing to overlook Julia's scandalous past. Love is in the air, dear readers!
Julia and Thomas meet again in Vienna under most inconvenient circumstances during the great peace conference meant to determine the fate of Europe now that Napoleon has been defeated. All the crowned heads of Europe are in attendance, and at the lavish parties, salons, and grand balls, secrets lurk behind every fan, under honorable military tunics, and beyond every half-closed door, and Thomas is not the only thief in town. When Julia discovers a plot that could destroy her new life, Thomas Merritt is the only man who can save the day, and only she can save him from certain death.
And at yet another betrothal ball, they meet again...
389 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 28, 2013
19 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Lecia Cornwall
19 books495 followersLecia Cornwall writes historical romance and historical fiction. She lives and writes in Alberta, Canada, amid the beautiful foothills of the Canadian Rockies, with five cats, two adult children, a crazy chocolate Lab, and one very patient husband. She is hard at work on her next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 1, 2016
This is a very strange romance book.
Lady Julia is betrothed at age 8 to a man twice her age. When she's finally old enough to marry him, he's never stopped treating her like an uninteresting and annoying little sister. She's resigned herself to a boring and passionless marriage.
But walking in the park one day she meets a handsome and kind gentleman named Tom. He says some sweet sweet things to her and makes her feel like a woman for the first time.
That only expands when she sees him again at her engagement ball and willingly allows herself to be wooed and charmed by Tom.
They have quick and undescribed furtive sex in the library. :( Tom shows his absolute stupidity in his complete shock that she is a virgin.
Also, unbeknownst to her, Tom is no gentleman - he's a jewel thief.
He was a man without a home, like a mongrel dog.
Julia has no romantic notion that he'll stick around after sex or even see him again and lets him go with a smile and a kiss.
Then the couple is apart from page 25-209. This will really anger some romance fans, and I can't say I blame them. Cornwall is a skilled and gripping writer, but romance is about seeing two people fall in love and fight the world to end up together. This is different, and not necessarily better.
Julia is a fallen woman and a paid companion to a former friend who is distraught over the death of her husband and newborn son. Julia also has borne Tom's child - which means her indiscretion was not a secret. Her fiance is dead, not like he would have married her anyway, and she's disowned from her family. She loves her son - Jamie - and sees him as a miracle, but the truth is she's barely hanging on by a thread, taking a precarious paid position that is the only thing between her and the streets.
Her fallen status also makes every slimebucket around think that she's easy and willing to have no-strings sex. It's disgusting, we're made to watch with twisted stomachs as she fights off many would-be rapists and men who think her body is for public use.
When she finally meets Tom again - hundreds of pages later - not only is her life complicated by her son (whom Tom doesn't know exists) but the budding affection between her and Stephen Ives, a major in the army. Stephen is ostensibly a good man, but I didn't like him. He was very possessive and controlling of Julia. But Tom is not in any better position to wed her - he steals in order to be able to eat, and he's gotten involved with some violent ruffians who want to take robberies to the next level - as in stick-ups and holding people hostage. This makes Tom sick. He knows he can't make Julia his wife because of the kind of illegal and one-step-away-from-homelessness lifestyle he leads.
So they've got to sort all that out.
Cornwall is a good author - she's great at writing drama and she writes very powerful and emotional stories. Unfortunately, they are just NOT what I'm looking for in a romance. People make fun of romance books because they follow certain tropes, but actually those tropes are life. They are gold and they are surefire ways to drive a book when done correctly. Cornwall throws tropes out the window, which in theory would make people who are unfamiliar with romance novels cheer - but actually it is a reason to despair.
Yes, this is technically still a "romance novel" but it doesn't feel like one. And that's not a plus in my mind. I don't want our hero and heroine to be separated for over 150 pages. I want to see falling in love! I don't care about conspiracies and thief plots. I want romance!
How's the sex, Carmen?
On top of all this, we don't even get to read lovely sex scenes, as the two sex scenes in here are brief and not descriptive. It's highly disappointing.
The only highlight is the kissing Tom and Julia had in the garden at the beginning of the book, and that mere scrap is not nearly enough to satisfy me. If you are going to turn a romance book on its head, at least throw me a bone and keep in the detailed sex scenes! Cornwall doesn't even do us this basic courtesy. ARGH!
Tl;dr - I'm rapidly losing my patience with Cornwall.
TWO REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
Lady Julia is betrothed at age 8 to a man twice her age. When she's finally old enough to marry him, he's never stopped treating her like an uninteresting and annoying little sister. She's resigned herself to a boring and passionless marriage.
But walking in the park one day she meets a handsome and kind gentleman named Tom. He says some sweet sweet things to her and makes her feel like a woman for the first time.
That only expands when she sees him again at her engagement ball and willingly allows herself to be wooed and charmed by Tom.
They have quick and undescribed furtive sex in the library. :( Tom shows his absolute stupidity in his complete shock that she is a virgin.
Also, unbeknownst to her, Tom is no gentleman - he's a jewel thief.
He was a man without a home, like a mongrel dog.
Julia has no romantic notion that he'll stick around after sex or even see him again and lets him go with a smile and a kiss.
Then the couple is apart from page 25-209. This will really anger some romance fans, and I can't say I blame them. Cornwall is a skilled and gripping writer, but romance is about seeing two people fall in love and fight the world to end up together. This is different, and not necessarily better.
Julia is a fallen woman and a paid companion to a former friend who is distraught over the death of her husband and newborn son. Julia also has borne Tom's child - which means her indiscretion was not a secret. Her fiance is dead, not like he would have married her anyway, and she's disowned from her family. She loves her son - Jamie - and sees him as a miracle, but the truth is she's barely hanging on by a thread, taking a precarious paid position that is the only thing between her and the streets.
Her fallen status also makes every slimebucket around think that she's easy and willing to have no-strings sex. It's disgusting, we're made to watch with twisted stomachs as she fights off many would-be rapists and men who think her body is for public use.
When she finally meets Tom again - hundreds of pages later - not only is her life complicated by her son (whom Tom doesn't know exists) but the budding affection between her and Stephen Ives, a major in the army. Stephen is ostensibly a good man, but I didn't like him. He was very possessive and controlling of Julia. But Tom is not in any better position to wed her - he steals in order to be able to eat, and he's gotten involved with some violent ruffians who want to take robberies to the next level - as in stick-ups and holding people hostage. This makes Tom sick. He knows he can't make Julia his wife because of the kind of illegal and one-step-away-from-homelessness lifestyle he leads.
So they've got to sort all that out.
Cornwall is a good author - she's great at writing drama and she writes very powerful and emotional stories. Unfortunately, they are just NOT what I'm looking for in a romance. People make fun of romance books because they follow certain tropes, but actually those tropes are life. They are gold and they are surefire ways to drive a book when done correctly. Cornwall throws tropes out the window, which in theory would make people who are unfamiliar with romance novels cheer - but actually it is a reason to despair.
Yes, this is technically still a "romance novel" but it doesn't feel like one. And that's not a plus in my mind. I don't want our hero and heroine to be separated for over 150 pages. I want to see falling in love! I don't care about conspiracies and thief plots. I want romance!
How's the sex, Carmen?
On top of all this, we don't even get to read lovely sex scenes, as the two sex scenes in here are brief and not descriptive. It's highly disappointing.
The only highlight is the kissing Tom and Julia had in the garden at the beginning of the book, and that mere scrap is not nearly enough to satisfy me. If you are going to turn a romance book on its head, at least throw me a bone and keep in the detailed sex scenes! Cornwall doesn't even do us this basic courtesy. ARGH!
Tl;dr - I'm rapidly losing my patience with Cornwall.
TWO REAL STARS, TWO ROMANCE STARS
July 18, 2013
Lecia Corwall's The Secret Life of Lady Julia has a strange premise not normally used in historical romances of this nature. The reason is that the hero and heroine are separated for most of the novel and another man is introduced and more favored for the heroine’s love. The novel starts with the heroine, Julia, who has been engaged to marry David, the Duke of Temberlay since she was eight. Julia isn’t happy about this marriage since David treats her more like an annoying sister. She feels nothing for him and expects to have a very boring marriage without passion or love. At a ball she meets the mysterious and handsome Thomas Merritt. One things lead to another and they have a romantic interlude together. She loses her virginity to him and soon finds out she’s pregnant. Her parents disown her and she is exiled from the country. Thomas runs away because he’s a liar and a thief. Julia is then left to fend for herself, a ruined woman surrounded by scandal.
A year later, Julia is now the mother to a baby boy and the companion to Dorothea Hallam, a widow and sister to Major Lord Stephen Ives. (David is dead and his brother, Nicholas helped Julia out and introduced her to the Ives, thus giving her the employment.) The Ives, along with Julia are on their way to Vienna for peace talks, which Stephen is a part of. Stephen is a bit standoffish toward Julia because of her single mother status, but Julia is very welcoming and helpful with the laudanum addicted Dorothea. When they arrive in Vienna, Julia is welcomed there by the diplomats and other royal members of different countries. Stephen starts to view Julia in a different light and falls in love with her. If Julia accepts Stephen as her husband, she’ll have security and love. But what she doesn’t know is that Thomas is also in Vienna and will enter her world once again.
The reason I found The Secret Life of Lady Julia to be an odd read is that Thomas and Julia are separated throughout most of the story. There are more interactions with Julia and Stephen, which made me believe these two would end up together. But then Thomas is thrown back in with Julia. How they end up together and fall all over one another is confusing and really didn’t make any sense to me. The chemistry between them was more than lacking and even when it was obvious they would ride off into the sunset together, I was still rooting for Stephen who's shafted big time here.
I didn’t like Julia and Thomas together at all and I feel their HEA is unbelievable. Julia would have been better with Stephen. Also the spying plot and how Thomas and Julia are forced into it was beyond ridiculous. I feel somewhat betrayed as a reader because everything pointed to Julia and Stephen being a couple even with Thomas deflowering Julia and getting her pregnant.
The only saving grace to The Secret Life of Lady Julia is Stephen, and even then he can’t save this poorly plotted out romance with a title that makes no sense regarding the heroine, who's as wishy-washy as they come. A big pass on this one.
A year later, Julia is now the mother to a baby boy and the companion to Dorothea Hallam, a widow and sister to Major Lord Stephen Ives. (David is dead and his brother, Nicholas helped Julia out and introduced her to the Ives, thus giving her the employment.) The Ives, along with Julia are on their way to Vienna for peace talks, which Stephen is a part of. Stephen is a bit standoffish toward Julia because of her single mother status, but Julia is very welcoming and helpful with the laudanum addicted Dorothea. When they arrive in Vienna, Julia is welcomed there by the diplomats and other royal members of different countries. Stephen starts to view Julia in a different light and falls in love with her. If Julia accepts Stephen as her husband, she’ll have security and love. But what she doesn’t know is that Thomas is also in Vienna and will enter her world once again.
The reason I found The Secret Life of Lady Julia to be an odd read is that Thomas and Julia are separated throughout most of the story. There are more interactions with Julia and Stephen, which made me believe these two would end up together. But then Thomas is thrown back in with Julia. How they end up together and fall all over one another is confusing and really didn’t make any sense to me. The chemistry between them was more than lacking and even when it was obvious they would ride off into the sunset together, I was still rooting for Stephen who's shafted big time here.
I didn’t like Julia and Thomas together at all and I feel their HEA is unbelievable. Julia would have been better with Stephen. Also the spying plot and how Thomas and Julia are forced into it was beyond ridiculous. I feel somewhat betrayed as a reader because everything pointed to Julia and Stephen being a couple even with Thomas deflowering Julia and getting her pregnant.
The only saving grace to The Secret Life of Lady Julia is Stephen, and even then he can’t save this poorly plotted out romance with a title that makes no sense regarding the heroine, who's as wishy-washy as they come. A big pass on this one.
May 8, 2013
This review was originally posted at: http://www.larissaslife.com/2013/05/m...
*NO Spoilers!*
Love it (not just for romance fans)
When I began reading this book I was thinking that I would like it just as much as I like all historic romance books but boy was I wrong!!!
In this book we meet a young debutante of English aristocracy Julia Leighton and we watch her making her way through an arranged marriage and a life that was chosen for her without her consent. As a young and naïve woman Julia wanted more of something that she couldn’t name; was it admiration, was it acceptance, and was it attraction she wasn’t sure at least not until she met Thomas Merritt.
Thomas was a rogue, an arriviste spending his life gambling, seducing women and stealing from them just like he intended to do with Julia. Charm her with kind words, dazzling her with his beautiful smile and stealing her mother’s jewelry.
As Julia’s life takes a turn of the unexpected we watch her interact with Europe’s most famous historical personalities as a hired escort of the sister of a young diplomat with England’s delegation for the peace summit after Napoleon’s defeat and exile.
The historical references were vast, almost all of Europe’s historical personalities make an appearance, the representation of the era, the reference to the most magnificent European palaces and the atmosphere where Austria (as an empire) was the center of all Europe knocked me of balance and I enjoyed it immensely!!!!
By the end of the book I had read a beautiful love story (not heavy on romance I might add) I had traveled in a magnificent Europe, I had met very important men and women and I had watched two characters grow, flourish and make the best of their circumstances.
I call that a win win situation!!!
May 9, 2013
Review by Marina
Love it (not just for romance fans)
When I began reading this book I was thinking that I would like it just as much as I like all historic romance books but boy was I wrong!!!
In this book we meet a young debutante of English aristocracy Julia Leighton and we watch her making her way through an arranged marriage and a life that was chosen for her without her consent. As a young and naïve woman Julia wanted more of something that she couldn’t name; was it admiration, was it acceptance, and was it attraction she wasn’t sure at least not until she met Thomas Merritt.
Thomas was a rogue, an arriviste spending his life gambling, seducing women and stealing from them just like he intended to do with Julia. Charm her with kind words, dazzling her with his beautiful smile and stealing her mother’s jewelry.
As Julia’s life takes a turn of the unexpected we watch her interact with Europe’s most famous historical personalities as a hired escort of the sister of a young diplomat with England’s delegation for the peace summit after Napoleon’s defeat and exile.
The historical references were vast, almost all of Europe’s historical personalities make an appearance, the representation of the era, the reference to the most magnificent European palaces and the atmosphere where Austria (as an empire) was the center of all Europe knocked me of balance and I enjoyed it immensely!!!!
By the end of the book I had read a beautiful love story (not heavy on romance I might add) I had traveled in a magnificent Europe, I had met very important men and women and I had watched two characters grow, flourish and make the best of their circumstances.
I call that a win win situation!!!
Originally Posted at Welcome to Larissa & Friends' Bookish Life
Love it (not just for romance fans)
When I began reading this book I was thinking that I would like it just as much as I like all historic romance books but boy was I wrong!!!
In this book we meet a young debutante of English aristocracy Julia Leighton and we watch her making her way through an arranged marriage and a life that was chosen for her without her consent. As a young and naïve woman Julia wanted more of something that she couldn’t name; was it admiration, was it acceptance, and was it attraction she wasn’t sure at least not until she met Thomas Merritt.
Thomas was a rogue, an arriviste spending his life gambling, seducing women and stealing from them just like he intended to do with Julia. Charm her with kind words, dazzling her with his beautiful smile and stealing her mother’s jewelry.
As Julia’s life takes a turn of the unexpected we watch her interact with Europe’s most famous historical personalities as a hired escort of the sister of a young diplomat with England’s delegation for the peace summit after Napoleon’s defeat and exile.
The historical references were vast, almost all of Europe’s historical personalities make an appearance, the representation of the era, the reference to the most magnificent European palaces and the atmosphere where Austria (as an empire) was the center of all Europe knocked me of balance and I enjoyed it immensely!!!!
By the end of the book I had read a beautiful love story (not heavy on romance I might add) I had traveled in a magnificent Europe, I had met very important men and women and I had watched two characters grow, flourish and make the best of their circumstances.
I call that a win win situation!!!
Originally Posted at Welcome to Larissa & Friends' Bookish Life
May 19, 2013
I have really enjoyed all of Lecia Cornwall's previous works but this one just did not click with me as much. It features a plot with political intrigue and that is just not a plot I enjoy personally. I also felt like the romance between Julia and Thomas needed a bit more attention. After a passionate meeting in the beginning, they do not speak to each other again until half way into the story. There were a lot of people and names and it got a bit confusing and overwhelming for me and I would have just like a bit more time focused on the couple and their personal issues. After all, Julia has a very large secret that Thomas does not find out about until the very end and I felt like it was all glossed over a bit too easily.
However, I did really enjoy the different locale we saw. Quite a bit is set in Vienna which was refreshing and exciting and the attention to detail was very well done but a bit overwhelming for me. So while this did not work for me, it will appeal to romance fans who enjoy the political angle with some mystery and heat. But for me, 3 1/2 stars this time.
eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss
However, I did really enjoy the different locale we saw. Quite a bit is set in Vienna which was refreshing and exciting and the attention to detail was very well done but a bit overwhelming for me. So while this did not work for me, it will appeal to romance fans who enjoy the political angle with some mystery and heat. But for me, 3 1/2 stars this time.
eARC provided by Avon Books via edelweiss
May 19, 2013
I like my romances steamy. Nevertheless, I was so turned off by the sexual encounter in the first chapter that I put this book aside for a while. Having been given a eARC by edelweiss, however, I felt duty bound to read and review it, so after a couple of weeks I finally read the entire book.
Aside from the first chapter, I enjoyed this adventure/romance between a ruined earl's daughter and a aristocratic young man who had been stripped of his title. The primary setting at the Congress of Vienna adds an extra dose of history to this novel. Indeed, perhaps too much history for some readers. Me, I liked it.
There's lots of adventure and romantic angst, but it kept me turning the pages.
3.5 stars.
Aside from the first chapter, I enjoyed this adventure/romance between a ruined earl's daughter and a aristocratic young man who had been stripped of his title. The primary setting at the Congress of Vienna adds an extra dose of history to this novel. Indeed, perhaps too much history for some readers. Me, I liked it.
There's lots of adventure and romantic angst, but it kept me turning the pages.
3.5 stars.
May 23, 2013
I was given a copy of this book by Edelweiss and Avon books in exchange for a honest review. This is the first time that I have read from this author, and I was a bit apprehensive because I didn't know what to expect or if I would have a hard time reading this. Surprisingly I found it to be a easy to get into read, and was quite unique for a historical romance set in the regency era.
Julia has been betrothed to her fiancee since she was seven years old, she has known him forever. He is nice, and a good man, and she loves him like you would care for a friend. But its not deep intense love that takes your breath away. Then she dances with Thomas Merritt, and even though she doesn't know him, she feels like she could fall in love with him very easily, he brings a desire to her that she has never felt before. Then after sharing a very sensual night in each others arms, she doesn't see him again, and decides to be honest with her fiancee and her family. But they end up throwing her out to the wolves, with no family or home. She ends up being a companion to a young woman, who is deep in her grief, and needs someone to assist her on their trip to Vienna. When she comes to Vienna, she finds herself embroiled in a variety of circumstances. It is hard to know who to trust, with secrets laying beneath every corner, and despite the glittering ballrooms and the royal dignitaries, Julia knows she is in way over her head, especially when she comes face to face with Thomas Merritt. She finds herself being slowly seduced by him once again. She knows that she will have to make a difficult choice soon.
Thomas Merritt, has been abandoned by his family, through a misunderstanding. Now he and his valet, survive by being thieves of jewels. I found Thomas to definitely not the typical hero you find in this type of scenario. Despite his occupation, he does have some admirable qualities that only make him more appealing. Julia has been thrown into a hard set of circumstances herself, and does what she can to make the best of it. I loved how strong willed she was, and I felt like she was a good match for Thomas. We don't see a whole lot of interaction, just both sides of their different lives that eventually lead up to finding each other again.
There were some things that I enjoyed about this one and a couple of aspects that I didn't enjoy so much. I didn't like how through the majority of the book, we don't see much interaction between Thomas and Julia. They are apart for most of the story, which was a bummer for me. I mean it was still a fun and like able read, but I always like more interaction than less. And things start to really escalate once they get together again, and I just had such a exciting time with the secret plots and intrigue and passion that plays out in the end. And as a plus there is quite a bit of good history here, its apparent that the author did good research (which is always something I admire in historical fiction authors)I found it to be a unique play of events and it definitely caught my attention. A story you don't want to miss out on, and I definitely plan on reading more of this author.
Julia has been betrothed to her fiancee since she was seven years old, she has known him forever. He is nice, and a good man, and she loves him like you would care for a friend. But its not deep intense love that takes your breath away. Then she dances with Thomas Merritt, and even though she doesn't know him, she feels like she could fall in love with him very easily, he brings a desire to her that she has never felt before. Then after sharing a very sensual night in each others arms, she doesn't see him again, and decides to be honest with her fiancee and her family. But they end up throwing her out to the wolves, with no family or home. She ends up being a companion to a young woman, who is deep in her grief, and needs someone to assist her on their trip to Vienna. When she comes to Vienna, she finds herself embroiled in a variety of circumstances. It is hard to know who to trust, with secrets laying beneath every corner, and despite the glittering ballrooms and the royal dignitaries, Julia knows she is in way over her head, especially when she comes face to face with Thomas Merritt. She finds herself being slowly seduced by him once again. She knows that she will have to make a difficult choice soon.
Thomas Merritt, has been abandoned by his family, through a misunderstanding. Now he and his valet, survive by being thieves of jewels. I found Thomas to definitely not the typical hero you find in this type of scenario. Despite his occupation, he does have some admirable qualities that only make him more appealing. Julia has been thrown into a hard set of circumstances herself, and does what she can to make the best of it. I loved how strong willed she was, and I felt like she was a good match for Thomas. We don't see a whole lot of interaction, just both sides of their different lives that eventually lead up to finding each other again.
There were some things that I enjoyed about this one and a couple of aspects that I didn't enjoy so much. I didn't like how through the majority of the book, we don't see much interaction between Thomas and Julia. They are apart for most of the story, which was a bummer for me. I mean it was still a fun and like able read, but I always like more interaction than less. And things start to really escalate once they get together again, and I just had such a exciting time with the secret plots and intrigue and passion that plays out in the end. And as a plus there is quite a bit of good history here, its apparent that the author did good research (which is always something I admire in historical fiction authors)I found it to be a unique play of events and it definitely caught my attention. A story you don't want to miss out on, and I definitely plan on reading more of this author.
May 22, 2013
My Rating: 4.5/5
Think of the vibrant city of Vienna, in a time of luxury, political conflict, and tenuous peace, full of the most important political figures at the time. That is where we find ourselves in this wonderfully unique historical romance. Put all that together, add a touch of scandal and romance, and we have ourselves a fantastic read.
I loved the setting for this book. It's one thing to say a book is set somewhere, but another thing entirely to make the reader feel as if they are there. And, that's what this book accomplished. I felt surrounded by the opulence and the political intrigue. So, kudos to the author for accomplishing htat.
Julia was not a typical historical romance heroine. She was thoroughly ruined and has been utterly cast out by society. But, she survived it all and still managed to thrive. I appreciated that she didn't play the victim in her ruination. She wanted that one moment as much of Thomas did, took the blame that she was due, and she refused to regret it. She was a great heroine, truly likable.
Thomas was stuck in a bad situation. Disowned by his brother for something he didn't do, he's been penniless and relying on thievery just to get by. But, despite his unfortunate profession, he was still a gentleman at heart. He hated having to steal but was pragmatic enough to know that it was necessary. But. like Julia, he refused to feel sorry for himself. With both characters, they picked up the pieces of their ruined lives and moved on. At his heart, Thomas was a good man and a total sweetie. He was clever, sweet, and determined to do what was best for the woman he loved. Definitely a great hero.
The romance in this book was okay. I liked the development and how both characters immediately knew that there was something special between them. I just wish that they had been reunited sooner. After the events of the scandal were played out, it took a while for Julia and Thomas to meet again. But, otherwise, they were a great couple. The passion between them was very hot and they had a sweet side to their relationship that made me smile.
The plot was well paced. I was hooked throughout the entire story. There were a few surprises in store and a ton of thrills from the political happenings. And the ending was perfect for the characters, who got their fresh start.
The Secret Life of Lady Julia was a wonderful read! Historical romance lovers, if you're looking for something unique, this is your book.
*Thanks to Avon Books for a copy!
Think of the vibrant city of Vienna, in a time of luxury, political conflict, and tenuous peace, full of the most important political figures at the time. That is where we find ourselves in this wonderfully unique historical romance. Put all that together, add a touch of scandal and romance, and we have ourselves a fantastic read.
I loved the setting for this book. It's one thing to say a book is set somewhere, but another thing entirely to make the reader feel as if they are there. And, that's what this book accomplished. I felt surrounded by the opulence and the political intrigue. So, kudos to the author for accomplishing htat.
Julia was not a typical historical romance heroine. She was thoroughly ruined and has been utterly cast out by society. But, she survived it all and still managed to thrive. I appreciated that she didn't play the victim in her ruination. She wanted that one moment as much of Thomas did, took the blame that she was due, and she refused to regret it. She was a great heroine, truly likable.
Thomas was stuck in a bad situation. Disowned by his brother for something he didn't do, he's been penniless and relying on thievery just to get by. But, despite his unfortunate profession, he was still a gentleman at heart. He hated having to steal but was pragmatic enough to know that it was necessary. But. like Julia, he refused to feel sorry for himself. With both characters, they picked up the pieces of their ruined lives and moved on. At his heart, Thomas was a good man and a total sweetie. He was clever, sweet, and determined to do what was best for the woman he loved. Definitely a great hero.
The romance in this book was okay. I liked the development and how both characters immediately knew that there was something special between them. I just wish that they had been reunited sooner. After the events of the scandal were played out, it took a while for Julia and Thomas to meet again. But, otherwise, they were a great couple. The passion between them was very hot and they had a sweet side to their relationship that made me smile.
The plot was well paced. I was hooked throughout the entire story. There were a few surprises in store and a ton of thrills from the political happenings. And the ending was perfect for the characters, who got their fresh start.
The Secret Life of Lady Julia was a wonderful read! Historical romance lovers, if you're looking for something unique, this is your book.
*Thanks to Avon Books for a copy!
January 5, 2014
I have previously loved Lecia Cornwall's books but I found this one really tedious to read. I know her other books have had elements of intrigue and espionage but with this one it just felt flat. I could barely get through the book.
I hated the first chapter and this sort of set the tone for the rest of the book. I think I didn't like it because after the first chapter the characters didn't see each other until halfway through. So the book was really slow moving. I like reading about the main characters and seeing their relationship get stronger and I couldn't do this until at least half way through and by this point I was so bored by the story.
I skipped loads of pages and barely got through the book. I found myself wanting to like it but I just couldn't. I hope Lecia Cornwall's next book is a lot better and more like How to Deceive a Duke as I loved that book.
I hated the first chapter and this sort of set the tone for the rest of the book. I think I didn't like it because after the first chapter the characters didn't see each other until halfway through. So the book was really slow moving. I like reading about the main characters and seeing their relationship get stronger and I couldn't do this until at least half way through and by this point I was so bored by the story.
I skipped loads of pages and barely got through the book. I found myself wanting to like it but I just couldn't. I hope Lecia Cornwall's next book is a lot better and more like How to Deceive a Duke as I loved that book.
August 3, 2013
Full review available here:
http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
What’s the difference between a love story and a romance novel? Is it based on the amount of romance there is? Does it have to do with the main focus of the story? Whatever that difference is, I would definitely categorize Lady Julia as a love story.
http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
What’s the difference between a love story and a romance novel? Is it based on the amount of romance there is? Does it have to do with the main focus of the story? Whatever that difference is, I would definitely categorize Lady Julia as a love story.
October 5, 2013
Julia Leighton was the only daughter of the Earl and Countess of Carrindale and betrothed, from a very early age, to the Duke of Temberlay. Her future had been planned out for her and all she had to do was sit and wait for everything to happen. It is the life many girls aspire for, but a restlessness grows within Julia and grows more insistent as her betrothal ball draws nearer and the flames are fanned even further when Julia meets Thomas Merritt -- a man who excites her with a simple word and a mere smile.
Young and eager, Julia succumbs to the temptation that Thomas represents and after one stolen night, Julia loses her innocence and becomes an adult out of necessity. Disowned, disinherited and with her young son, Julia relies on the kindness of Major Lord Stephen Ives, who once served with her late brother.
Now as companion to Lord Stephen's fragile sister, Julia is swept up in the glittering and menacing world of politics and society as she and Dorothea accompany Lord Stephen as part of the English delegation to the Congress at Vienna.
Despite the busy-ness of her position, and with her son, Julie can't help but think about Thomas and wonders what he might be doing right now.
Who is Thomas Merritt? Who is this man who moves so effortlessly in society but who doesn't seem to be connected to anyone? Who is this man who can charm women out of their gowns ... and jewelry?
Lecia Cornwall's latest offering follows the fall and subsequent rising of a young lady named Julia Leighton. She had the world in the palm of her hands but her youthfulness and thirst for adventure led to her ruin. Stripped of everything, she now served as companion to Lady Doe. It is a difficult pill for Julia to swallow: lost to her is the world of luxury and comfort, which she grew up in -- but she does not regret the circumstances that gave her her son or hate the man responsible for it.
Julia travels to Europe with Doe and her brother, Major Lord Stephen Ives, a diplomat, and part of the British delegation to the Vienna convention. The author perfectly depicts post-Bonaparte Europe: the glamour but also the intrigue that happened during such a tenuous time.
Vienna becomes the backdrop of Julia's stellar rise: she is a wonderful and compassionate friend to Dorothea but she is an even greater asset to the British when her skills in languages proves a useful skill as her compatriots try to figure out friend from foe.
It was heartening to see Julia's triumphant redemption. She proves that she is no longer the brash, reckless young girl that she was and shows that she is courageous and loyal and trustworthy. Her innate goodness shines through as she comes to realize her place in the world.
What wasn't as convincing is the love story between Julia and Thomas. Aside from the very brief initial encounter, they lead very separate lives throughout the novel -- once in a while, the author reminds us that the two still think of each other and wants us to accept that they fell in love forever after the first chapter. Part of my trouble accepting this is that I did not really like Thomas Merritt. He thoughtlessly took something from Julia, like the thief that he is, and never looked back. True, he seems to be a Robin Hood-type character and that the circumstances in his past, which led to his present life, had honorable reasons behind them -- but, I still didn't like him.
I much preferred Lord Stephen Ives, who accepts Julia into his household despite her reputation -- and then grows to admire the strong woman she becomes as they live and work in Vienna together.
When Thomas finally enters the picture towards the end of the book, the plot focuses heavily on Julia trying to help Thomas redeem himself, as though to prove to the readers that he is worthy of the love and sacrifice that Julia has given. The author delves into Thomas's backstory, attempting to show that he is a sympathetic character and that he and Julia belong together. While Lecia Cornwall writes this part very well, I still can't help but wonder if Julia would have been better off with Stephen.
And here lies my problem: as a novel, this was very well-written and reminded me of Barbara Taylor-Bradford's A Woman of Substance , with Julia as the main focal point. But I'm not certain this was a good historical romance novel -- there wasn't enough romance in the story between Julia and Thomas to satisfy me.
Will I recommend this novel? I would but with a warning that this doesn't read like a traditional historical romance. Will I continue to read Lecia Cornwall? Yes, definitely.
Young and eager, Julia succumbs to the temptation that Thomas represents and after one stolen night, Julia loses her innocence and becomes an adult out of necessity. Disowned, disinherited and with her young son, Julia relies on the kindness of Major Lord Stephen Ives, who once served with her late brother.
Now as companion to Lord Stephen's fragile sister, Julia is swept up in the glittering and menacing world of politics and society as she and Dorothea accompany Lord Stephen as part of the English delegation to the Congress at Vienna.
Despite the busy-ness of her position, and with her son, Julie can't help but think about Thomas and wonders what he might be doing right now.
Who is Thomas Merritt? Who is this man who moves so effortlessly in society but who doesn't seem to be connected to anyone? Who is this man who can charm women out of their gowns ... and jewelry?
Lecia Cornwall's latest offering follows the fall and subsequent rising of a young lady named Julia Leighton. She had the world in the palm of her hands but her youthfulness and thirst for adventure led to her ruin. Stripped of everything, she now served as companion to Lady Doe. It is a difficult pill for Julia to swallow: lost to her is the world of luxury and comfort, which she grew up in -- but she does not regret the circumstances that gave her her son or hate the man responsible for it.
Julia travels to Europe with Doe and her brother, Major Lord Stephen Ives, a diplomat, and part of the British delegation to the Vienna convention. The author perfectly depicts post-Bonaparte Europe: the glamour but also the intrigue that happened during such a tenuous time.
Vienna becomes the backdrop of Julia's stellar rise: she is a wonderful and compassionate friend to Dorothea but she is an even greater asset to the British when her skills in languages proves a useful skill as her compatriots try to figure out friend from foe.
It was heartening to see Julia's triumphant redemption. She proves that she is no longer the brash, reckless young girl that she was and shows that she is courageous and loyal and trustworthy. Her innate goodness shines through as she comes to realize her place in the world.
What wasn't as convincing is the love story between Julia and Thomas. Aside from the very brief initial encounter, they lead very separate lives throughout the novel -- once in a while, the author reminds us that the two still think of each other and wants us to accept that they fell in love forever after the first chapter. Part of my trouble accepting this is that I did not really like Thomas Merritt. He thoughtlessly took something from Julia, like the thief that he is, and never looked back. True, he seems to be a Robin Hood-type character and that the circumstances in his past, which led to his present life, had honorable reasons behind them -- but, I still didn't like him.
I much preferred Lord Stephen Ives, who accepts Julia into his household despite her reputation -- and then grows to admire the strong woman she becomes as they live and work in Vienna together.
..."You see, a peace conference is a delicate thing. Knowledge is power and leverage. Do you understand what I mean?" He could see that she did. She was clever. And beautiful -- though he tried to ignore that -- and she was Arabella Gray's granddaughter. He rattled on. "Part of our diplomatic mission here in Vienna includes doing our best to gather knowledge of what the other delegates want, so we know ahead of time how they will vote on an issue we hold dear, and if they might be convinced to change their vote if it doesn't fit ours." He waited to see if she understood.
...
He met her eyes, hoping to see understanding in their hazel depths, but she was studying her fingertips.
"I do understand your concern, my lord, and as I have said, I will be certain to knock before entering a room from now on, but you may be assured of my discretion."
His stomach fell to the cinder path. He hadn't been clear at all.
"Our letters will be intercepted and read," he said.
She smiled tentatively. "I have no one to write to, and I do not keep a diary."
"Our conversations will be monitored, reported --"
She looked around the garden in alarm, but the paths were empty, except or the nurse and baby some way off. As she turned, he noticed the way the sunlight played on her dark hair, lighting strands of gold and copper, and the delicate bones of her jaw, the muscles of her neck. She was so slender, so delicate, a lady, not a hardened spy ...
- pp. 91-92
When Thomas finally enters the picture towards the end of the book, the plot focuses heavily on Julia trying to help Thomas redeem himself, as though to prove to the readers that he is worthy of the love and sacrifice that Julia has given. The author delves into Thomas's backstory, attempting to show that he is a sympathetic character and that he and Julia belong together. While Lecia Cornwall writes this part very well, I still can't help but wonder if Julia would have been better off with Stephen.
And here lies my problem: as a novel, this was very well-written and reminded me of Barbara Taylor-Bradford's A Woman of Substance , with Julia as the main focal point. But I'm not certain this was a good historical romance novel -- there wasn't enough romance in the story between Julia and Thomas to satisfy me.
Will I recommend this novel? I would but with a warning that this doesn't read like a traditional historical romance. Will I continue to read Lecia Cornwall? Yes, definitely.
January 7, 2019
I enjoyed this, but it seems the romance was somewhat missing from the book. Most of the time, it was Julia and Stephen through the book. Thomas seemed to be doing his own thing. Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing Stephen Ives get his happy ending in another book.
December 16, 2013
I was beyond tempted to throw this book in my 'take to the used bookstore' bin before I was two chapters into the story. I was forcing myself to read each page. It took me far longer to read this book because I was so uninspired by it.
I am usually rather tolerant to an author's occasional flop for my preferences. This book, however, was back to back books that left me so frustrated. I hate books where characters are forced to comply with the writer's will rather than allowing the story to develop through the writing. The entire premise of the story was implausible.
There was a quality to Thomas Merritt that I found appealing. A bad boy with honor and his version of integrity. Julia, on the other hand...was as unrealistic to her historical period as anything I could imagine. There is no way in realistic history that a fallen woman of her era would be allowed to serve in an official delegation, even as a companion to an aide's sister. And absolutely, NOT with the illegitimate child she was mother to. Oh, she could very well have been well versed in foreign languages and asked to eavesdrop upon occasion, assuming she was not being shunned as a fallen woman. She never would have been invited to anything where she would have been allowed to overhear anything of value, even as a companion. She would have been assigned to sit with the servants, away from the betters of society. I didn't have a problem with her intelligence or her desire to be directly involved in intrigue. My problem with her, was that she had been disowned by her family for having a child out of wedlock and shaming herself, negating her engagement to a Duke. Sure, he died and his heir supposedly assisted her in working for the Ives family. But seriously. What Duke, or his heir, would help the woman that had shamed that very title? Especially by placing the person into a role with a highly prominent political delegation trying to establish peace after years of war. It would never happen. It was too impossible for me to accept.
Even being the winning ticket holder of both the powerball lottery and the mega millions jackpots when they reach their record high jackpots seems more plausible to me.
There is something to be said for suspension of reality. I'm fine with smaller elements of it. But to ask a reader of period pieces to blatantly ignore established social mores of the time, all because it needs to be that way for the story to remotely work, is unacceptable to me. At least when it comes to historical fiction. Even if it is romance. Write science fiction or fantasy if you want to rewrite facts of society and develop an alternative universe, But don't claim it to be historical when there is little representative of real events.
I am usually rather tolerant to an author's occasional flop for my preferences. This book, however, was back to back books that left me so frustrated. I hate books where characters are forced to comply with the writer's will rather than allowing the story to develop through the writing. The entire premise of the story was implausible.
There was a quality to Thomas Merritt that I found appealing. A bad boy with honor and his version of integrity. Julia, on the other hand...was as unrealistic to her historical period as anything I could imagine. There is no way in realistic history that a fallen woman of her era would be allowed to serve in an official delegation, even as a companion to an aide's sister. And absolutely, NOT with the illegitimate child she was mother to. Oh, she could very well have been well versed in foreign languages and asked to eavesdrop upon occasion, assuming she was not being shunned as a fallen woman. She never would have been invited to anything where she would have been allowed to overhear anything of value, even as a companion. She would have been assigned to sit with the servants, away from the betters of society. I didn't have a problem with her intelligence or her desire to be directly involved in intrigue. My problem with her, was that she had been disowned by her family for having a child out of wedlock and shaming herself, negating her engagement to a Duke. Sure, he died and his heir supposedly assisted her in working for the Ives family. But seriously. What Duke, or his heir, would help the woman that had shamed that very title? Especially by placing the person into a role with a highly prominent political delegation trying to establish peace after years of war. It would never happen. It was too impossible for me to accept.
Even being the winning ticket holder of both the powerball lottery and the mega millions jackpots when they reach their record high jackpots seems more plausible to me.
There is something to be said for suspension of reality. I'm fine with smaller elements of it. But to ask a reader of period pieces to blatantly ignore established social mores of the time, all because it needs to be that way for the story to remotely work, is unacceptable to me. At least when it comes to historical fiction. Even if it is romance. Write science fiction or fantasy if you want to rewrite facts of society and develop an alternative universe, But don't claim it to be historical when there is little representative of real events.
March 24, 2013
3.75 out of 5. It's a story well told and beautifully written. The heroine is a victim of a very brief encounter that has essentially turned her life upside down, largely because of the prejudice and lack of genuine love of parents who are more concerned about society than their daughter who have have banished. Now with a baby and a new position as a paid companion, the daughter of an earl and an almost duchess is lured into the dark side of politics as the European nations try to make sense out of all the mess left behind by Napoleon's madness. Add in the lover, father of her child, and a man who is himself having a hard time making something out of his life after being falsely accused of raping his sister-in-law and being stripped of his rank and fortune and exiled. My greatest difficulty with this book has more to do with the extended conversations over politics and the extended time it took the author to bring all the strands of the story together. Lots of action, to be sure, but it seemed that things stalled from time to time, and it just got tedious after a while. This may say more about me than it does about the story or the author's expertise (which is substantial, as I have enjoyed her books in the past.) I just felt that the resolution took way too little time in light of the bulky size of the problems and intricate ups and downs with the characters.
April 6, 2014
It was definitely different. The low ratings are a warning: if you are expecting a formula romance this is not it. I enjoyed it, but there were definitely moments of frustration through the first half of the book. If Cornwall would have waited even one more page to have then working together, I would have thrown the book at the wall. And I'm not sure if I feel completely satisfied with the resolution.
Stray observations:
- Lady Julia was a pretty damn clever chicka. Single mom, with a full time job, and still has time to be a spy and charm the pants off Vienna. (Obviously made easier with the presence of a nurse and a pretty lax client.)
- Thomas Merritt was not perfect, but he made the right moves when it came to Julia. Charm, friends, that's why we like the bad boys, cause they gots the charm.
- I personally enjoyed the slight digs at Stephen and his pompous British attitude.
- It felt as though I should have been watching a miniseries on the BBC rather than reading a historical romance. Lots of intrigue. Too be fair though, I tend to get bored and then lost in intrigue, but I managed to keep this one straight.
Solid 3.
Stray observations:
- Lady Julia was a pretty damn clever chicka. Single mom, with a full time job, and still has time to be a spy and charm the pants off Vienna. (Obviously made easier with the presence of a nurse and a pretty lax client.)
- Thomas Merritt was not perfect, but he made the right moves when it came to Julia. Charm, friends, that's why we like the bad boys, cause they gots the charm.
- I personally enjoyed the slight digs at Stephen and his pompous British attitude.
- It felt as though I should have been watching a miniseries on the BBC rather than reading a historical romance. Lots of intrigue. Too be fair though, I tend to get bored and then lost in intrigue, but I managed to keep this one straight.
Solid 3.
June 14, 2013
I just found it weird that the main characters doesn't meet again until the middle of the book. There needed more interaction to make their relationship more believable. But the author does a great job in forming a love triangle...I really didn't know who she would chose. A lot of adventure...not much for romance.
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Follow me on Twitter- ThisLadyReadsALot (@ThisLadyDoes)
October 18, 2014
Stars given for yhe colourful cast of supporting characters, some of whom are notorious historical who's who. Dorothea is real lovely, who never once treated Julia as the fallen lady, ex-peer now her servant unlike Stephen, who only seems to like Julia when things are going well. I didn't like the three main characters actually which is a really thing about this book. The part where the servants embellished the park robbery episode made me LOL so one star for that.
May 29, 2013
This book kept me guessing almost to the very end, which I love!! I also spent quite a bit of time fussing at the main characters. To me, the best books pull you into their world and make you care, this book definitely does that. Now I'm hoping that the almost-hero gets a book of his own. The possibility is absolutely there! Another wonderful Lecia Cornwall book!
June 22, 2013
Once in a while I like reading historical romance, especially after a slew of angst love, paranormal, contemporary and a few disappointing novels. This book wasn't that bad. It was well written and Lady Julia is quite an interesting character. I found towards the end rushing to conclude Thomas's acceptance of his 9 month old son but other than that it was ok.
July 9, 2013
Fantastic, layered, and very human characters in a twisty, twisty plot and a gripping, multi-tissue ending (and an epilogue that got me right in the throat). The setting was amazing, too-- the peace conference at Vienna-- and I loved how historical figures were given life and woven in with the fictional characters.
March 6, 2016
I wanted this book to be more exciting than it was. I wanted a lot more out of the hero than I got. I had such high hopes, with such an exciting premise and awesomely laid out characters, but in the end the story and the romance just fell flat for me.
November 13, 2013
Julia has it all, but one change encounter changes her life forever. Thomas Merritt is a thief but has never forgotten that night. When they meet in Vienna, a new chapter in their lives starts to take shape. A very good book.
May 17, 2018
I usually love Lecia Cornwall, but this one just didn't work well for me. I liked the premise and I liked a lot of the writing, and I loved the heroine (at the beginning of the book anyway), but I just didn't like the way the whole thing unfolded. It felt very contrived.
August 8, 2014
lady Julia becomes a spy. there was a hint that her fiancee may have been gay but it wasn't fully flushed out. There were some good elements
July 31, 2015
The story line did not appeal to my imaginative mind. Two stars rating for the protagonist being a woman - portrayed as strong and iron willed.
October 16, 2019
Y'all, "The Secret Life of Lady Julia" let me tell you-
🕵️♀️
Augh, this book has so much potential, but it just missed the mark for me.
🕵️♀️
This book features a love triangle between Julia, Thomas and Stephen. The H/H, Julia and Thomas, were together for all of like maybe 30 pages this whole book. Take the 3 pages at the beginning, feel free to throw away the middle, and keep the last 27 pages and there you have their story. There honestly isn't much to say about them as a couple. So, instead of talking about them, let's talk about somebody who was in the book the whole time. Major Steven Ives.
🕵️♀️
Stephen is a main character in this book and is also the hero of his own book (the next in this series), What a Lady Most Desires. He was not very likeable to me. First he tells Julia that he loves her, but later when she is presenting a controversial idea in front of his boss, he tells her he's going to fire her. He's always justifying his relationship with her, saying that he can be with her if he makes a name for himself. It's definitely not a love-conquers-all, I-love-you-regardless-of-everything type of love. I mean, as an insightful reader (and one who read the description of the book), I know he's not supposed to be with Julia and therefore he's not supposed to have that kind of love for her. [Pause for breath.] But to me it makes him a weak person.
🕵️♀️
So yeah, in the last 27 pages, Julie and Thomas come together, right now, faithfully. And Stephen is sad and goes to war.
🕵️♀️
Which is where his book appoints Major Stephen Ives in the role of 'Hero.' Be sure to read my review on What a Lady Most Desires to see if Stephen can live up to true hero status, both in the military and in winning a lady's heart.
🕵️♀️
Alrighty, they've all kissed, but not all the same time, and I've told you about it! See you in Part 2!
🕵️♀️
Augh, this book has so much potential, but it just missed the mark for me.
🕵️♀️
This book features a love triangle between Julia, Thomas and Stephen. The H/H, Julia and Thomas, were together for all of like maybe 30 pages this whole book. Take the 3 pages at the beginning, feel free to throw away the middle, and keep the last 27 pages and there you have their story. There honestly isn't much to say about them as a couple. So, instead of talking about them, let's talk about somebody who was in the book the whole time. Major Steven Ives.
🕵️♀️
Stephen is a main character in this book and is also the hero of his own book (the next in this series), What a Lady Most Desires. He was not very likeable to me. First he tells Julia that he loves her, but later when she is presenting a controversial idea in front of his boss, he tells her he's going to fire her. He's always justifying his relationship with her, saying that he can be with her if he makes a name for himself. It's definitely not a love-conquers-all, I-love-you-regardless-of-everything type of love. I mean, as an insightful reader (and one who read the description of the book), I know he's not supposed to be with Julia and therefore he's not supposed to have that kind of love for her. [Pause for breath.] But to me it makes him a weak person.
🕵️♀️
So yeah, in the last 27 pages, Julie and Thomas come together, right now, faithfully. And Stephen is sad and goes to war.
🕵️♀️
Which is where his book appoints Major Stephen Ives in the role of 'Hero.' Be sure to read my review on What a Lady Most Desires to see if Stephen can live up to true hero status, both in the military and in winning a lady's heart.
🕵️♀️
Alrighty, they've all kissed, but not all the same time, and I've told you about it! See you in Part 2!
January 27, 2019
The second book in Lecia’s trilogy was a good read. Once Julia and Merritt’s reunion occured, it was an adorable whirlwind of Julia “choosing” between two men. I use quotes because it was never really a choice for her. I am enjoying this series because for a historical romance, it is super historical. They focus so much on the war that was ongoing, and in this novel especially, the political side of it. My issue with this book is that even though the book is told in two POVS, Julia and Merritt do not actually see each other again/reunite until just over 50% of the book. There was no romance that needed to be built up once they reunited because the entirety of the novel was spent doing that through their thoughts and memories. But regardless, I was a tad disappointed to see the lack of actual romance. I am reading these books for that reason mainly, and when it took half the book to bring the couple together, I wasn’t loving it. The story that Julia was mixed up in was really good on its own, I just wanted more of them.
June 28, 2021
Did Not Finish
I just could not get on board for this ‘hero’ who seemed to take the easy way out at all turns. Weakness of character is not an attractive quality. Halfway through the book and I’m rooting for the other guy who clearly isn’t going to win the girl in the end. To be fair the part I read wasn’t poorly written or anything. It just wasn’t something I’d enjoy reading.
I just could not get on board for this ‘hero’ who seemed to take the easy way out at all turns. Weakness of character is not an attractive quality. Halfway through the book and I’m rooting for the other guy who clearly isn’t going to win the girl in the end. To be fair the part I read wasn’t poorly written or anything. It just wasn’t something I’d enjoy reading.
June 1, 2017
The actual romantic piece was good, but the timing and pacing of the novel were absolute rubbish. The lovers spent most of the novel apart. And other than the love story, the plot wasn't terribly compelling.
June 13, 2017
This was pretty good
I'm not as good as the first one it was alright explained a lot from the first book I think you kind of have to read the first book to get to understand the second one, now I'm onward to the Third!
I'm not as good as the first one it was alright explained a lot from the first book I think you kind of have to read the first book to get to understand the second one, now I'm onward to the Third!
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