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Rhymes With Love #4
The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane
In New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Boyle's fourth novel in the Rhymes With Love series, a resolute young woman goes toe-to-toe with the Beast of Mayfair...
She has no desire for love...
As she arrives in Mayfair, Louisa Tempest is horrified when her incorrigible cat bolts from the carriage and dashes into a neighbor's house, where she comes face-to-face with the reclusive Viscount Wakefield. But even more dismaying than his foul temper is the disarray in which she finds his home. Convinced his demeanor would improve if his household were in order, Louisa resolves to put everything to rights.
...until she meets the viscount who lives down the lane.
Much to his chagrin, Wakefield finds it impossible to keep the meddling Louisa out of his home, invading his daily life with her "improvements," and his nights with the tempting desires she sparks inside him. Wounded in the war, he's scorned society ever since his return . . . until Louisa opens the door to his heart and convinces him to give love a second chance.
She has no desire for love...
As she arrives in Mayfair, Louisa Tempest is horrified when her incorrigible cat bolts from the carriage and dashes into a neighbor's house, where she comes face-to-face with the reclusive Viscount Wakefield. But even more dismaying than his foul temper is the disarray in which she finds his home. Convinced his demeanor would improve if his household were in order, Louisa resolves to put everything to rights.
...until she meets the viscount who lives down the lane.
Much to his chagrin, Wakefield finds it impossible to keep the meddling Louisa out of his home, invading his daily life with her "improvements," and his nights with the tempting desires she sparks inside him. Wounded in the war, he's scorned society ever since his return . . . until Louisa opens the door to his heart and convinces him to give love a second chance.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2014
135 people are currently reading
1517 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Boyle
91 books2,082 followersElizabeth Boyle is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 historical romance novels and several novellas. Her upcoming novel, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, is a mix of women's fiction and historical fiction, with a bit of magic thrown in. This story of friendship and empowerment is already getting rave reviews.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
September 9, 2017
So I asked my awesome GR friends for a light, funny romance to read on vacation. And this definitely was all that! But you do have to ignore that hideous cover... The hero of this book is absolutely nothing like that person on the cover 😁 He is a war veteran, adorably grumpy, and despite his issues, he was a genuinely sweet guy who hid away from the pain and just wanted to be left alone - totally unprepared to have his life turned upside down by a meddling female. It was adorable to see him being brought back to life, and his grumpy dealings with "that meddlesome female", her atrocious cat (which he did NOT encourage to move into his house against his expressed wishes, thank you very much), his insubordiante meddling butler, and his adorably meddling uncle (you get the gist; the world ist against the poor baby 😁). I loved him.
It was far from perfect, but still. I enjoyed the silliness of it. I didn't really care for the last-minute ruination (let's just say I thought it was terribly unbelievable that a woman who thinks calling someone by their first name in front of people is the height of impropriety will go down on a man for her first time because she saw that in a dirty book and will be incredibly awesome at it...) Or the last-minute interference by the hero's first fiance (who jilted him).
But still. It was a light, sweet, and fun romance, and I will check out more books by this author.
It was far from perfect, but still. I enjoyed the silliness of it. I didn't really care for the last-minute ruination (let's just say I thought it was terribly unbelievable that a woman who thinks calling someone by their first name in front of people is the height of impropriety will go down on a man for her first time because she saw that in a dirty book and will be incredibly awesome at it...) Or the last-minute interference by the hero's first fiance (who jilted him).
But still. It was a light, sweet, and fun romance, and I will check out more books by this author.
February 9, 2025
3.5/5 bc this was good! But I don’t know if I felt a spark aside from a few moments.
March 8, 2023
I enjoyed this read, it was some light fun. The Hero is battling some dark memories of the war but his meddling neighbor (Our Heroine) can’t take a hint and leave him alone. Thank God, because we wouldn’t have a book 🤣
Enjoyed it.
Enjoyed it.
August 3, 2016
3.5 Well kind of. It wasn't a very interesting read, but it was super comfortable and good. I liked it.
Our hero, Pierson-Which I LOVE that name now. I don't know why, but it's kinda sexy. Anyway, Pierson is a brooding, war-veteran, who lost his best friend in the war and has now turned into an antisocial recluse. I honestly thought this story would touch on his PTSD a little more, seeing as it was brought up as a problem. But it kind of left that hanging a bit. I did like how his character couldn't let anyone else have Louisa.
Our heroine, Louisa, I liked her. I liked that she didn't give up on the viscount and that she kept going to bother him. It wasn't bothering him in a pesty way. She was honestly JUST trying to fix her wrongs, and help out. I didn't find her annoying or stupid. Except once. She did NOT have to know you slept with him. That was dumb. Just saying.
Livinia(Louisa's twin) honestly seemed like the more annoying and impetuous twin.
Okay, hear me out. I'm not trying to ruin these books for you, I LOVE HR and I will always. But have you ever just thought about the fact that these men are randomly fingering these girls and we have no idea of their hand's health? Like omg what if their hands are dirty or have longer fingernails? EW. lol (I can't really talk seeing as I love Rakes when I know that if they're sleeping around that much at that average disease would be more common.) LOL So lets forget about that, shall we?
ANYWAY, I enjoyed this story. And I HATE cats, but I loved Hannibal. That little tuff of fur.
The sex was minimal. Barely described but it wasn't brushed over as if the author was a prude though. It was discussed, just not in super fine detail.
In honesty, the hero was his own villain. There was no big conflict stopping them from being together, except himself.
I did cry. Maybe I'm being overemotional. But I did. Poldie and the whole situation was sad as hell and it really did touch me. That was true friendship. That was what a healthy loving best friendship looks like and I loved it.
Quotes:
"Get out now," he told her, pointing again towards the stair with his pistol.
Her dark blue eyes widened like a pair of saucers, and she whirled about and fled. Until, that is, she got to the head of the stairs and took one last glance in his direction.
IT would have been kinder if she hadn't.
For the big, round tears in her eyes held not fear, but pity.
And in Pierson's opinion, a bullet would have been kinder.
"I like her," Rosalie told her brother.
"I don't think you're alone in that regard," Tuck muttered, though no one was paying much need.
Rosalie continued on, "Yes, well, I suspect you are going to wish you'd never become acquainted with my brother after tonight. He's done you a horrible wrong, Miss Tempest, by dragging you into his folly.
Then the lady in question surprised Pierson, her finger curling a bit around his. "I think he was being rather splendid."
Our hero, Pierson-Which I LOVE that name now. I don't know why, but it's kinda sexy. Anyway, Pierson is a brooding, war-veteran, who lost his best friend in the war and has now turned into an antisocial recluse. I honestly thought this story would touch on his PTSD a little more, seeing as it was brought up as a problem. But it kind of left that hanging a bit. I did like how his character couldn't let anyone else have Louisa.
Our heroine, Louisa, I liked her. I liked that she didn't give up on the viscount and that she kept going to bother him. It wasn't bothering him in a pesty way. She was honestly JUST trying to fix her wrongs, and help out. I didn't find her annoying or stupid. Except once. She did NOT have to know you slept with him. That was dumb. Just saying.
Livinia(Louisa's twin) honestly seemed like the more annoying and impetuous twin.
Okay, hear me out. I'm not trying to ruin these books for you, I LOVE HR and I will always. But have you ever just thought about the fact that these men are randomly fingering these girls and we have no idea of their hand's health? Like omg what if their hands are dirty or have longer fingernails? EW. lol (I can't really talk seeing as I love Rakes when I know that if they're sleeping around that much at that average disease would be more common.) LOL So lets forget about that, shall we?
ANYWAY, I enjoyed this story. And I HATE cats, but I loved Hannibal. That little tuff of fur.
The sex was minimal. Barely described but it wasn't brushed over as if the author was a prude though. It was discussed, just not in super fine detail.
In honesty, the hero was his own villain. There was no big conflict stopping them from being together, except himself.
I did cry. Maybe I'm being overemotional. But I did. Poldie and the whole situation was sad as hell and it really did touch me. That was true friendship. That was what a healthy loving best friendship looks like and I loved it.
Quotes:
"Get out now," he told her, pointing again towards the stair with his pistol.
Her dark blue eyes widened like a pair of saucers, and she whirled about and fled. Until, that is, she got to the head of the stairs and took one last glance in his direction.
IT would have been kinder if she hadn't.
For the big, round tears in her eyes held not fear, but pity.
And in Pierson's opinion, a bullet would have been kinder.
"I like her," Rosalie told her brother.
"I don't think you're alone in that regard," Tuck muttered, though no one was paying much need.
Rosalie continued on, "Yes, well, I suspect you are going to wish you'd never become acquainted with my brother after tonight. He's done you a horrible wrong, Miss Tempest, by dragging you into his folly.
Then the lady in question surprised Pierson, her finger curling a bit around his. "I think he was being rather splendid."
January 26, 2019
This read was next in line after a new released book but I was unable to continue my reading because of some bothering details and too messy events. So here I am.
And this book cooled off the unsettled feelings I get each time I can’t finish a book, I do hate to give up a story, I feel like I let down the writer.
Plus with a cat notified in the blurb, I was sold.
I have read some reviews saying Louisa was too meddlesome and too intrusive, yes she can be but it was with the best at heart. She brought her cat against everyone’s opinion because she wanted someone with her who would be there only for her. So yes, her cat bears perfectly his name, wreaking havoc in its wake.
After, she can’t stand seing things not tidy as they should be, no OCD but not so far too.So yes, she invited herself in Lord Wakefield’s house, first to get her cat, then to apologize for the damage caused and after to right some of the wrongs done to Wakefield during his time buried from society. But she only wishes to help, nothing else, plus when asked, she can not refuse. She didn’t come to London I search for a husband, she just followed her sister, so there she is bored, not used to be useless so when she finds a goal, she decides to aim for it even if it ennoies to no end her mark but it also makes him leave his stupor and his room.
Pierson Stratton came back from war a broken man from body to soul, since he believes he has no right to enjoy life when others didn’t make it. Why now he lives a sham of a life, drowning his guilt hell-deep in a bottle. Until a fury not even liking like a cat and it’s mistress erupted in his house to turn his misery upside down and make him see there is still light beyond his pain. He will have to work on himself, to let his guilt go before being able to fully accept Louisa in his life and his future, and all it will implied.
In some way, Louisa was more resilient then Pierson, having accepted her cross but not backing down from a fight if necessary when he drowned his sorrows in alcohol.
My second read by Elizabeth Boyle and not my last as I now need to get my hand on the next book of this series to read the twin sister’s story.
And this book cooled off the unsettled feelings I get each time I can’t finish a book, I do hate to give up a story, I feel like I let down the writer.
Plus with a cat notified in the blurb, I was sold.
I have read some reviews saying Louisa was too meddlesome and too intrusive, yes she can be but it was with the best at heart. She brought her cat against everyone’s opinion because she wanted someone with her who would be there only for her. So yes, her cat bears perfectly his name, wreaking havoc in its wake.
After, she can’t stand seing things not tidy as they should be, no OCD but not so far too.So yes, she invited herself in Lord Wakefield’s house, first to get her cat, then to apologize for the damage caused and after to right some of the wrongs done to Wakefield during his time buried from society. But she only wishes to help, nothing else, plus when asked, she can not refuse. She didn’t come to London I search for a husband, she just followed her sister, so there she is bored, not used to be useless so when she finds a goal, she decides to aim for it even if it ennoies to no end her mark but it also makes him leave his stupor and his room.
Pierson Stratton came back from war a broken man from body to soul, since he believes he has no right to enjoy life when others didn’t make it. Why now he lives a sham of a life, drowning his guilt hell-deep in a bottle. Until a fury not even liking like a cat and it’s mistress erupted in his house to turn his misery upside down and make him see there is still light beyond his pain. He will have to work on himself, to let his guilt go before being able to fully accept Louisa in his life and his future, and all it will implied.
In some way, Louisa was more resilient then Pierson, having accepted her cross but not backing down from a fight if necessary when he drowned his sorrows in alcohol.
My second read by Elizabeth Boyle and not my last as I now need to get my hand on the next book of this series to read the twin sister’s story.
December 27, 2014
3.5 stars
Very light and fluffy humorous regency romance,there were two or three heavier moments when the male lead is dealing with the death of a friend who fought in the war with him. Completely disregards time period's societal rules and had a chaotic messy ending where everything but the kitchen sink was thrown in. It was a fun romp though and I'll be on the lookout for the next book in the series.
Very light and fluffy humorous regency romance,there were two or three heavier moments when the male lead is dealing with the death of a friend who fought in the war with him. Completely disregards time period's societal rules and had a chaotic messy ending where everything but the kitchen sink was thrown in. It was a fun romp though and I'll be on the lookout for the next book in the series.
October 29, 2015
Louisa Tempest is a disaster magnet. And Lavinia, her identical twin, is even worse! But when they are offered a sponsored Season in London full of social life among the best of the ton, Lavinia drags Louisa with her. While Lavinia is set on finding a respectable husband, Louisa's practical mind knows that their family's tarnish won't be covered with pretty frocks and intricate hairdos. She's not the marriage sort, anyway. So she brings Hannibal, her devilish one-eyed tomcat with her. With him at hand, no one will bother her.
All Viscount Wakefield wants is his thick drapes shut and his bottle of Madeira full. After the retreat to Corunna, amidst the Peninsular War, that shattered his leg and his heart, he resents still being among the living. But when a cat from hell wreaks havoc in his household and his tempestuous mistress (Miss Tempest, indeed!) decided she wants to put everything to rights, including his life, he bans both cat and lady from his house. So she starts working on his garden. And suddenly that demmed drape insists on letting sunshine creep in even when he's sure he left it hermetically shut. Just like his heart.
This historical romance was a delight! The language was as authentic as it gets, the plot, although not highly original, delicious, but what made the difference for me were the characters. True to themselves down to the bone, they never falter, and that's including pets! From the elderly butler and the impertinent new cook to the two kids that are hired as extra help, and Hannibal the cat (unforgettable Hannibal) they all get memorable, fast-paced scenes that often made me think that I'm watching a farse on stage.
The dialogues are witty, the settings well-rendered (although maybe a bit underdescribed) and the main characters set so many obstacles along the way, I really wondered how the HEA would come about. If I must complain about something that would be that the final reconciliation scene was too easy, and there are loose ends concerning other characters, but Ms Boyle has promised that everything will be sorted out in the next installment where we'll learn what Lavinia is up to. I'm surely picking that one up!
All in all, I truly enjoyed this delightful historical romance. In terms of character development, I would say that Ms Boyle is among the best. This new version of The Beauty and The Beast put a smile on my face--not an easy task with a swollen cheek after a wisdom tooth extraction. :)
This book was offered to me in exchange for an honest review.
All Viscount Wakefield wants is his thick drapes shut and his bottle of Madeira full. After the retreat to Corunna, amidst the Peninsular War, that shattered his leg and his heart, he resents still being among the living. But when a cat from hell wreaks havoc in his household and his tempestuous mistress (Miss Tempest, indeed!) decided she wants to put everything to rights, including his life, he bans both cat and lady from his house. So she starts working on his garden. And suddenly that demmed drape insists on letting sunshine creep in even when he's sure he left it hermetically shut. Just like his heart.
This historical romance was a delight! The language was as authentic as it gets, the plot, although not highly original, delicious, but what made the difference for me were the characters. True to themselves down to the bone, they never falter, and that's including pets! From the elderly butler and the impertinent new cook to the two kids that are hired as extra help, and Hannibal the cat (unforgettable Hannibal) they all get memorable, fast-paced scenes that often made me think that I'm watching a farse on stage.
The dialogues are witty, the settings well-rendered (although maybe a bit underdescribed) and the main characters set so many obstacles along the way, I really wondered how the HEA would come about. If I must complain about something that would be that the final reconciliation scene was too easy, and there are loose ends concerning other characters, but Ms Boyle has promised that everything will be sorted out in the next installment where we'll learn what Lavinia is up to. I'm surely picking that one up!
All in all, I truly enjoyed this delightful historical romance. In terms of character development, I would say that Ms Boyle is among the best. This new version of The Beauty and The Beast put a smile on my face--not an easy task with a swollen cheek after a wisdom tooth extraction. :)
This book was offered to me in exchange for an honest review.
June 10, 2019
Loved it. :)
November 16, 2021
The simple facts of the book: grumpy/sunshine, managing miss, devil cat, disaster at Almack's, true love! Also twins.
The book is fun, funny, and sexy. Sure, there are some unbelievable moments ... the girls' godmother is directing their lives from beyond the grave through her will and lots of letters she's written; their stay at Almack's is about 20 minutes long and ends in disaster for them both; our MCs live next door to each other and Louisa visits him all the time, and no one thinks this is a problem ... but we read these books to laugh and escape for a while. Also because when Elizabeth Boyle writes sexy stuff, it's real sexy.
16-Word Summaries:
Laine: Drunken recluse is brought out of hiding by a managing and reluctant debutant and her cat.
Meg: The only thing that can save this hot nobleman from his drunken stupor? A managing miss.
The book is fun, funny, and sexy. Sure, there are some unbelievable moments ... the girls' godmother is directing their lives from beyond the grave through her will and lots of letters she's written; their stay at Almack's is about 20 minutes long and ends in disaster for them both; our MCs live next door to each other and Louisa visits him all the time, and no one thinks this is a problem ... but we read these books to laugh and escape for a while. Also because when Elizabeth Boyle writes sexy stuff, it's real sexy.
16-Word Summaries:
Laine: Drunken recluse is brought out of hiding by a managing and reluctant debutant and her cat.
Meg: The only thing that can save this hot nobleman from his drunken stupor? A managing miss.
November 15, 2015
This was a funny and fluffly story and I really enjoyed it ...
January 28, 2015
The Viscount who Lives Down the Lane by Elizabeth Boyle is a 2014 Avon Publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This one started off being kind of funny with the aptly name cat- Hannibal, and his antics and so I settled in for a light and humorous story.
Louisa and her sister have arrived in London in order to be introduced to society and Louisa hopes her sister will find a husband. But, they are also living under the cloud of scandal and hopefully no one knows about their past.
When Louisa's cat runs into the neighbor's home and wreaks havoc, Louisa is stunned and horrified to find the occupant of the house is Viscount Wakefield. He half dressed, disheveled, and his home a wreck.
While it isn't really her concern, Louisa can't let the matter drop and barges into the Viscount's life and begins to set his affairs in order.
Viscount Wakefield returned from the war a scarred man, but it is a broken heart that caused him to withdraw from society and just let himself and his property go to seed. Louisa is a meddling woman and her cat is a hellion. He won't have her in his house, his kitchen.... or his linen closet. But at every turn he finds her in his life, and then something miraculous begins to happen. Wakefield begins to feel things other than bitterness, he begins to step out of his home and even into society a little. Could it be that the confounded woman who so rudely invaded his privacy is actually making a difference in his life?
Beauty and the Beast is the obvious theme running through this one. While this has been done in countless ways, I wanted to stick with it and see what kind of spin the author put on it.
The book got off to a strong start , but slowly began to fall apart. It was pieced together kind of sloppily and there were too many things left hanging, too many story lines going on and none of them were cohesive. So, while I am used to there being a little mystery left to carry on into the next book, this one left entirely too many threads open and unexplained to the reader, which was kind of frustrating.
The troublemaker cat was a scene stealer and I did chuckle a few times where he was concerned. I liked Louisa and could identify with her awkwardness. Wakefield is gruff and rude, and of course, deep down is just hurting. His story is not an unusual one in regards to war and it's effects, but Wakefield took it very hard. So, it's easy to see beyond his callous exterior to the man beneath all that bluster and feel nothing by empathy for him. So, there were a few moments of deep emotions, but mostly this is just a very light story and I think we need those from time to time. Not bad if you know what to expect going in. I wouldn't say this one was the author's best work but it's was entertaining enough and since we are promised some answers to these burning questions in upcoming releases you may want read this one in order to stay up to speed. 3 stars
This one started off being kind of funny with the aptly name cat- Hannibal, and his antics and so I settled in for a light and humorous story.
Louisa and her sister have arrived in London in order to be introduced to society and Louisa hopes her sister will find a husband. But, they are also living under the cloud of scandal and hopefully no one knows about their past.
When Louisa's cat runs into the neighbor's home and wreaks havoc, Louisa is stunned and horrified to find the occupant of the house is Viscount Wakefield. He half dressed, disheveled, and his home a wreck.
While it isn't really her concern, Louisa can't let the matter drop and barges into the Viscount's life and begins to set his affairs in order.
Viscount Wakefield returned from the war a scarred man, but it is a broken heart that caused him to withdraw from society and just let himself and his property go to seed. Louisa is a meddling woman and her cat is a hellion. He won't have her in his house, his kitchen.... or his linen closet. But at every turn he finds her in his life, and then something miraculous begins to happen. Wakefield begins to feel things other than bitterness, he begins to step out of his home and even into society a little. Could it be that the confounded woman who so rudely invaded his privacy is actually making a difference in his life?
Beauty and the Beast is the obvious theme running through this one. While this has been done in countless ways, I wanted to stick with it and see what kind of spin the author put on it.
The book got off to a strong start , but slowly began to fall apart. It was pieced together kind of sloppily and there were too many things left hanging, too many story lines going on and none of them were cohesive. So, while I am used to there being a little mystery left to carry on into the next book, this one left entirely too many threads open and unexplained to the reader, which was kind of frustrating.
The troublemaker cat was a scene stealer and I did chuckle a few times where he was concerned. I liked Louisa and could identify with her awkwardness. Wakefield is gruff and rude, and of course, deep down is just hurting. His story is not an unusual one in regards to war and it's effects, but Wakefield took it very hard. So, it's easy to see beyond his callous exterior to the man beneath all that bluster and feel nothing by empathy for him. So, there were a few moments of deep emotions, but mostly this is just a very light story and I think we need those from time to time. Not bad if you know what to expect going in. I wouldn't say this one was the author's best work but it's was entertaining enough and since we are promised some answers to these burning questions in upcoming releases you may want read this one in order to stay up to speed. 3 stars
September 26, 2017
Only because I was actually interested enough to actually finish it, did I give it 2 stars. Not perfect, but could have been worse.
For me, it started off great. The brooding, injured war veteran, the meddling, sunny heroine next door, the hero shows jealousy when thinking of losing her to others, he finally leaves his house and follows her to Almacks and surprises her...
But it just felt like so much was missing. Every time it was building up to something, the scene fell flat for me. Like the curtain was closed too soon and great opportunities were missed I thought. The romance was non-existent until the very end (basically) and then the heroine becomes a wild minx on us with acting out some things that she had seen in a book before. From prude to Christina Aguilera dirrrty in 60 seconds (for her first sexual encounter, mind you). I've read a lot of reviewers complain that they didn't feel a connection btwn the H/h, and honestly this was the case for me. I finally understand that saying now. It was a cute and fluffy story, but more so on the corny side. This might have been better at being a novella, as they could have easily cut out 50% of the book which I found to be filler material (repetitive inner thoughts of over analyzing everything, especially their "unfinished kiss" in the linen closet! Omg we had to read them rethink that kiss about 500 times)
Lastly, the two scenes that totally suspended my belief in the possible reality of this story, was first... the location where they finally had sex. So improper, unromantic and totally lacking of any worry that anyone will notice what they were doing. Secondly, the little meeting btwn our heroine and the big bad mean lady at the end. Really? That lady invites herself into another persons house while they are sleeping, sends a servant to fetch our heroine from next door, conducts a meeting with her in the study... and doesn't worry that the owner will walk in and find them in his house conducting a meeting? (eye roll)
PS: the next book in this series is about her twin sister Lavinia. That book starts off with the dancing scene that you will read mid-way in this book.
For me, it started off great. The brooding, injured war veteran, the meddling, sunny heroine next door, the hero shows jealousy when thinking of losing her to others, he finally leaves his house and follows her to Almacks and surprises her...
But it just felt like so much was missing. Every time it was building up to something, the scene fell flat for me. Like the curtain was closed too soon and great opportunities were missed I thought. The romance was non-existent until the very end (basically) and then the heroine becomes a wild minx on us with acting out some things that she had seen in a book before. From prude to Christina Aguilera dirrrty in 60 seconds (for her first sexual encounter, mind you). I've read a lot of reviewers complain that they didn't feel a connection btwn the H/h, and honestly this was the case for me. I finally understand that saying now. It was a cute and fluffy story, but more so on the corny side. This might have been better at being a novella, as they could have easily cut out 50% of the book which I found to be filler material (repetitive inner thoughts of over analyzing everything, especially their "unfinished kiss" in the linen closet! Omg we had to read them rethink that kiss about 500 times)
Lastly, the two scenes that totally suspended my belief in the possible reality of this story, was first... the location where they finally had sex. So improper, unromantic and totally lacking of any worry that anyone will notice what they were doing. Secondly, the little meeting btwn our heroine and the big bad mean lady at the end. Really? That lady invites herself into another persons house while they are sleeping, sends a servant to fetch our heroine from next door, conducts a meeting with her in the study... and doesn't worry that the owner will walk in and find them in his house conducting a meeting? (eye roll)
PS: the next book in this series is about her twin sister Lavinia. That book starts off with the dancing scene that you will read mid-way in this book.
May 11, 2016
3.5 stars. Unlike the previous Rhymes with Love books, this is a stand alone and can be read out of order (but don't read Knave of Hearts first, because it's the sequel to this book). A few characters from the previous books make minor appearances, but none of the main players so it's almost like a new series.
What I liked:
Pierson. Even though he's rough around the edges (very), you can understand how he'd be so sunk in mourning/grief/guilt. He makes some major transformations, with a couple of relapses along the way. I also really like his staff because they're loyal to him, and just want him well again.
Humor. Parts made me smile, and I had one laugh out loud moment.
What I disliked:
Louisa. How many times does a fella have to bellow "get out of my house!" before a girl gets the hint? She's referred to as a busybody throughout the book, and lives up to the label. I also didn't care for her twin (she seemed very self-centered to me), so I'm not really looking forward to the next book.
Writing style. This is something that's bugged me throughout the series. The author really likes the word "minx", and calling ladies "bits of muslin". Also, the story plateaued a bit about 70% in, and then left a lot of loose ends dangling about for the next book to wrap up.
What I liked:
Pierson. Even though he's rough around the edges (very), you can understand how he'd be so sunk in mourning/grief/guilt. He makes some major transformations, with a couple of relapses along the way. I also really like his staff because they're loyal to him, and just want him well again.
Humor. Parts made me smile, and I had one laugh out loud moment.
What I disliked:
Louisa. How many times does a fella have to bellow "get out of my house!" before a girl gets the hint? She's referred to as a busybody throughout the book, and lives up to the label. I also didn't care for her twin (she seemed very self-centered to me), so I'm not really looking forward to the next book.
Writing style. This is something that's bugged me throughout the series. The author really likes the word "minx", and calling ladies "bits of muslin". Also, the story plateaued a bit about 70% in, and then left a lot of loose ends dangling about for the next book to wrap up.
October 6, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane by Elizabeth Boyle
Book Four of the Rhymes With Love series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: October 28, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
In New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Boyle's fourth novel in the Rhymes With Love series, a resolute young woman goes toe-to-toe with the Beast of Mayfair...
She has no desire for love...
As she arrives in Mayfair, Louisa Tempest is horrified when her incorrigible cat bolts from the carriage and dashes into a neighbor's house, where she comes face-to-face with the reclusive Viscount Wakefield. But even more dismaying than his foul temper is the disarray in which she finds his home. Convinced his demeanor would improve if his household were in order, Louisa resolves to put everything to rights.
...until she meets the viscount who lives down the lane.
Much to his chagrin, Wakefield finds it impossible to keep the meddling Louisa out of his home, invading his daily life with her "improvements," and his nights with the tempting desires she sparks inside him. Wounded in the war, he's scorned society ever since his return . . . until Louisa opens the door to his heart and convinces him to give love a second chance.
What I Liked:
Okay, it's official - Elizabeth Boyle is a go-to historical romance writer for me. She joins Elizabeth Hoyt, Tessa Dare, and Maya Rodale... there are quite a few other authors whose books I have enjoyed, but these four ladies stick out in my mind. Their books are awesome!
By the way, ugh, that cover. I'm not the biggest fan. It's not doing much for me, aesthetically or otherwise. Anyway.
Louisa Tempest and her twin sister Lavinia are moving to London for Lavinia's first Season. The late Lady Charleton wanted them to have a Season, but Louisa isn't interested. Instead, she finds mischief in trying to tidy up her next-door neighbor Wakefield's decrepit home. Wakefield, with a injured leg, broken heart, and possibly PTSD from war, doesn't need a woman messing is home, firing his cook, hiring another, finding servants for him... but sooner or later, he finds himself rejoining society, thanks to one meddling woman.
At first, I really did NOT like Louisa, or her ridiculous cat, Hannibal. Louisa did not seem to have any respect for anyone, and she made no attempt to control her cat. But as the story went on, I decided that I really liked the cat, because he kept escaping to Pierson's home, and it always made things interesting between him and Louisa. Eventually, I grew to like Louisa and her brash nature. She isn't your typical society lady - while she is of gentle birth, her family isn't the most high-regarded.
So eventually, I liked Louisa. I always really, really liked Pierson. He's grumpy most of the time, or that's the way things come across. He was sent home from war, injured, and without his friend (who died to save him), and then his fiancee left him, and things were just really sad for him. Not to mention that war probably traumatized him. He has a lot going on, but he also does a lot of avoiding and hiding and almost wallowing. Someone as strong-willed as Louisa would TOTALLY bring him out of his shenanigans.
The romance is so wonderful and light in this book. This book in general is very witty and funny and lighthearted. The chemistry between the two characters is always sizzling, and it's honestly adorable to see them fall for each other. It happens so gradually and progressively, I love it.
I thought the plot - other than the romance - was a bit lacking, but there was one, I suppose. We never figure out what was so scandalous about Louisa and Lavinia's mother, and why they didn't want whatever secret to get out in public, until the end. Which is an interesting plot twist, and I suppose that IS the leading story - how Louisa and Lavinia will fare in London, with such a secret. Turns out, more people than they thought, know about their mother.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Lighthearted, cute, fun, and full of heartwarming romance. I really like how Boyle crafts her historical romance novels!
What I Did Not Like:
Like I mentioned above, I thought the plot outside the romance was a bit underdeveloped. Like, I knew there was supposed to be something going on outside of the romance, because that's what the author led us to believe, but it wasn't all there. Louisa and Lavinia's mother's scandal - I think that was the big plot thing, but it felt lacking. And then the ending was anticlimactic, honestly. But it was a nice ending.
Would I Recommend It:
If you love historical romance novels, then I have to recommend this one. Or any of the Rhymes With Love books. I love this series, and I'm definitely going to mark Elizabeth Boyle's name down for future books!
Rating:
4 stars. I can't wait to read Lavinia/Tuck's story! The Knave of Hearts, I believe was mentioned at the end of this book. Spoiler alert!
The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane by Elizabeth Boyle
Book Four of the Rhymes With Love series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: October 28, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
In New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Boyle's fourth novel in the Rhymes With Love series, a resolute young woman goes toe-to-toe with the Beast of Mayfair...
She has no desire for love...
As she arrives in Mayfair, Louisa Tempest is horrified when her incorrigible cat bolts from the carriage and dashes into a neighbor's house, where she comes face-to-face with the reclusive Viscount Wakefield. But even more dismaying than his foul temper is the disarray in which she finds his home. Convinced his demeanor would improve if his household were in order, Louisa resolves to put everything to rights.
...until she meets the viscount who lives down the lane.
Much to his chagrin, Wakefield finds it impossible to keep the meddling Louisa out of his home, invading his daily life with her "improvements," and his nights with the tempting desires she sparks inside him. Wounded in the war, he's scorned society ever since his return . . . until Louisa opens the door to his heart and convinces him to give love a second chance.
What I Liked:
Okay, it's official - Elizabeth Boyle is a go-to historical romance writer for me. She joins Elizabeth Hoyt, Tessa Dare, and Maya Rodale... there are quite a few other authors whose books I have enjoyed, but these four ladies stick out in my mind. Their books are awesome!
By the way, ugh, that cover. I'm not the biggest fan. It's not doing much for me, aesthetically or otherwise. Anyway.
Louisa Tempest and her twin sister Lavinia are moving to London for Lavinia's first Season. The late Lady Charleton wanted them to have a Season, but Louisa isn't interested. Instead, she finds mischief in trying to tidy up her next-door neighbor Wakefield's decrepit home. Wakefield, with a injured leg, broken heart, and possibly PTSD from war, doesn't need a woman messing is home, firing his cook, hiring another, finding servants for him... but sooner or later, he finds himself rejoining society, thanks to one meddling woman.
At first, I really did NOT like Louisa, or her ridiculous cat, Hannibal. Louisa did not seem to have any respect for anyone, and she made no attempt to control her cat. But as the story went on, I decided that I really liked the cat, because he kept escaping to Pierson's home, and it always made things interesting between him and Louisa. Eventually, I grew to like Louisa and her brash nature. She isn't your typical society lady - while she is of gentle birth, her family isn't the most high-regarded.
So eventually, I liked Louisa. I always really, really liked Pierson. He's grumpy most of the time, or that's the way things come across. He was sent home from war, injured, and without his friend (who died to save him), and then his fiancee left him, and things were just really sad for him. Not to mention that war probably traumatized him. He has a lot going on, but he also does a lot of avoiding and hiding and almost wallowing. Someone as strong-willed as Louisa would TOTALLY bring him out of his shenanigans.
The romance is so wonderful and light in this book. This book in general is very witty and funny and lighthearted. The chemistry between the two characters is always sizzling, and it's honestly adorable to see them fall for each other. It happens so gradually and progressively, I love it.
I thought the plot - other than the romance - was a bit lacking, but there was one, I suppose. We never figure out what was so scandalous about Louisa and Lavinia's mother, and why they didn't want whatever secret to get out in public, until the end. Which is an interesting plot twist, and I suppose that IS the leading story - how Louisa and Lavinia will fare in London, with such a secret. Turns out, more people than they thought, know about their mother.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! Lighthearted, cute, fun, and full of heartwarming romance. I really like how Boyle crafts her historical romance novels!
What I Did Not Like:
Like I mentioned above, I thought the plot outside the romance was a bit underdeveloped. Like, I knew there was supposed to be something going on outside of the romance, because that's what the author led us to believe, but it wasn't all there. Louisa and Lavinia's mother's scandal - I think that was the big plot thing, but it felt lacking. And then the ending was anticlimactic, honestly. But it was a nice ending.
Would I Recommend It:
If you love historical romance novels, then I have to recommend this one. Or any of the Rhymes With Love books. I love this series, and I'm definitely going to mark Elizabeth Boyle's name down for future books!
Rating:
4 stars. I can't wait to read Lavinia/Tuck's story! The Knave of Hearts, I believe was mentioned at the end of this book. Spoiler alert!
April 27, 2020
Dragged on, but cute.
April 30, 2016
Louisa and Pierson, the Viscount. Louisa and her twin, Lavinia arrive in London for a much overdue season. They are both 24 so getting long in the tooth. They bring with them Hannabal, the tom cat from hell. Hannabal provides comic relief when needed, and he was pretty funny. Pierson lives next door to the girls' Godfather and is an utter recluse since his return from the war. He spends his days reading military books and drinking himself into oblivion. But the cat serves as an introduction to Louisa. Once met, there seems to be no escape from her. It's not really her meddling so much as a sequence of events that keeps them running into each other. Slowly he comes out of his shell. There is however, his evil ex-fiance to deal with. And the twins have an unfortunate secret that could prove ruinous. Lavinia and Tuck are the MCs of the next book, so you get glimpses of their disastrous 'courtship' in this book. There are loose ends at the ending here too that I figure will probably be addressed in the next book. I didn't really care for Tuck or Lavinia, but I'll read the next one just to see more of Louisa and Peirson.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. So I gave it 4 because I did enjoy it and the audio reader did a great job. My only quibble is that Louisa's character seemed 'dummed down' a couple times when I expected her to stand up for herself better.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. So I gave it 4 because I did enjoy it and the audio reader did a great job. My only quibble is that Louisa's character seemed 'dummed down' a couple times when I expected her to stand up for herself better.
May 30, 2016
This was the 2nd book I read in this series. But in fact this book is the 4th one in the series. I really like this series. The characters had good chemistry and I cried as well as laughed throughout the book. I give this 4 stars. I can't wait to read the other books in this series. Love this author. =0)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spoiler
Note to Self: 1810 London
Louisa Tempest(24yo,twin sis,"LaLa,"pal)& Hannibal(her cat)+Pierson Stratton(5th Viscount Wakefield,nephew,cousin,Piers,war Vet,bro),
Lavinia Tempest(24yo,twin sis,"Vivi,"pal)+?Alaster Rowland(tuck,cousin,heir),
Sir Ambrose Tempest(their dad,widower,scholar),
George Rowland(Lord Charleton,widower,Baron,uncle,ex)+Amy Strathaven(Lady Aveley,widow,ex),
Roselie Stratton(younger sis),
Margaret Stratton(sis,Lady Gamston),
Bradwell Garrick("Brody,"Lord Rimswell,Baron),
Matilda Petchell(his new cook,aunt,widow,guardian)&Bob(her nephew)&Bitty(her niece),
Tabitha Timmons(new Duchess of Preston,pal)+Duke of Preston,
Daphne Dale(pal)+Seldon,
Harriet Hathaway(sis,new Countess of Roxley,pal)+Earl of Roxley,
Lt. Quinton Hathaway(bro),
Lady Essex Marshom(patroness,Society of the Temperance & Improvement of Kempton).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Spoiler
Note to Self: 1810 London
Louisa Tempest(24yo,twin sis,"LaLa,"pal)& Hannibal(her cat)+Pierson Stratton(5th Viscount Wakefield,nephew,cousin,Piers,war Vet,bro),
Lavinia Tempest(24yo,twin sis,"Vivi,"pal)+?Alaster Rowland(tuck,cousin,heir),
Sir Ambrose Tempest(their dad,widower,scholar),
George Rowland(Lord Charleton,widower,Baron,uncle,ex)+Amy Strathaven(Lady Aveley,widow,ex),
Roselie Stratton(younger sis),
Margaret Stratton(sis,Lady Gamston),
Bradwell Garrick("Brody,"Lord Rimswell,Baron),
Matilda Petchell(his new cook,aunt,widow,guardian)&Bob(her nephew)&Bitty(her niece),
Tabitha Timmons(new Duchess of Preston,pal)+Duke of Preston,
Daphne Dale(pal)+Seldon,
Harriet Hathaway(sis,new Countess of Roxley,pal)+Earl of Roxley,
Lt. Quinton Hathaway(bro),
Lady Essex Marshom(patroness,Society of the Temperance & Improvement of Kempton).
October 7, 2019
This is one of those series that you can't put down. I highly recommend it!
July 20, 2017
I've never read this author's work before but I just had to try this one since it sounds SO much like The Duchess Deal, which I just read and adored. On the surface, the stories are similar: gruff lord has unfortunate run-in with naive spinster-type and is almost immediately besotted but fights his feelings for most of the book. However, that's where the similarities end. This story was entertaining, but it lacked the heart of Dare's novel. Although, I was looking for a happily ever after in both cases, I just never felt a connection to the characters in Elizabeth Boyle's book. I'm going to give her another try, as I already have a previous book in this series checked out from the library. (I'm very good -- or is it bad -- at reading historical romance series out of order.) I'm hoping that since I didn't just read a story with a similar premise, my expectations won't keep me from enjoying it as much as I otherwise could have, as with The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane.
February 20, 2017
This is the fifth story in this series that I've read, and truly the most fun book I've read in a very long time. I chuckled, giggled and down right laughed out loud at some of the antics of this heroine.
Both characters are extremely likable and fun to be around. They made for an entertaining and very passionate creatures. To watch them manipulating each other and work around the situations they find themselves in, was very gratifying. It was like watching a train wreck and not being able to avert your eyes!
By the time they reach their happily ever after and we see how much each has changed because of the other, we have a story that is sweet, sensual and funny to no end.
If you need a lighthearted bit of romance, you must read this. Oh, and let me not forget the cat, Hannibal, who's a character all his own ;)
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
Both characters are extremely likable and fun to be around. They made for an entertaining and very passionate creatures. To watch them manipulating each other and work around the situations they find themselves in, was very gratifying. It was like watching a train wreck and not being able to avert your eyes!
By the time they reach their happily ever after and we see how much each has changed because of the other, we have a story that is sweet, sensual and funny to no end.
If you need a lighthearted bit of romance, you must read this. Oh, and let me not forget the cat, Hannibal, who's a character all his own ;)
Melanie for b2b
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher
Read
September 13, 2017Dnf. Might Go back to another time. Maybe not.
October 23, 2014
I haven’t read many historical romances by Elizabeth Boyle, but this one certainly makes me want to read many more. The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane is the fourth book in the Rhymes with Love series. This one was funny and lighthearted and exactly what I was looking for when I picked up the book.
Louisa Tempest and her twin sister, Lavinia, have both come to town at the behest of their late godmother. Louisa could have done without a season in the ton as she has no illusions that she will be anything other than a spinster. Louisa finds herself along for the ride because of her determined sister, but Louisa is equally determined not to tell Lavinia why it is unlikely that either one of them will find someone suitable to marry. Fortunately for Louisa, she soon finds a project for herself that will fill her time since she has very little interest in shopping or the other virtues of the ton lifestyle. It’s too bad that her project, Viscount Wakefield, is an unwilling participant.
Viscount Wakefield has returned from the war wounded and is quite content to spend the rest of his days closed up in his house, drinking to excess and mourning the death of one of his closest friends. When Louisa bustles into his life and starts assuming management, he’s not exactly pleased, but he reluctantly finds himself charmed.
The romance in this one was slow. Wakefield legitimately does not like Louisa when they first meet; he does not want to deal with life and would much rather wallow in his sorrow. He’s not only lost his close friend, but also his fiancé who abandoned him when he returned wounded after being shot in the war. So Wakefield isn’t pleased when Louisa’s pet cat, Hannibal, brazenly interrupts his wallowing:
“What the devil,” he muttered as the creature, the one as yet to be determined if it was a cat, began to wind around his legs, its tattered coat brushing against him.
Then the animal had the audacity to roll around in front of him as if it was his – the viscount’s – duty to pet him.
Of course, Louisa pays no mind to Wakefield’s blustering and is quite happy to argue right back with Wakefield. She soon sets to work righting his household, often with hilarious results. It can be a challenge to hire people for a viscount that doesn’t actually want staff, and it can be even more complicated when the help mistake the viscount for another servant:
“Be useful, you shiftless vagrant. Go fetch some coal and a bit of kindling from out back so Bob can get that stove going – something you might have thought of doing afore I arrived."
She poked him once again with the bucket until he truly had no choice but to take it. For one wild feeling moment, he thought she meant to clout him with if she had to “ask” one more time.
“Don’t gape at me like a mackerel, get moving,” she told him as she shooed him out the door. “I’ve got His Lordship’s breakfast to make and not much to do it with from the looks of things.”
As the woman continued to order her troops about, Pierson Stratton, the fifth Viscount Wakefield, backed down the steps and found himself in his own gardens, having been routed from his house.
More to his shame, he’d raised barely a defense. Flanked and defeated before he could fire a shot.
It was moments like these that made this a brilliant book. These humourous scenarios were so much fun to read about and helped not to bog down the pacing of the book. In fact, I could almost argue that the humour was a stronger attraction for me than the actual romance between Louisa and Wakefield. Like I said, it took a bit for the actual romance to actually progress past arguing and because of that both Louisa and Wakefield seemed to develop feelings for the other perhaps a touch too quickly. That said, the end of this novel had a couple of heartfelt scenes between the two, which went a long way to solidifying the happily ever after for these two.
The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane is a fun read that takes a nice departure from reality. Boyle doesn’t tie up all of the plot points by the end of the novel, but the stage is nicely set for the next book featuring Louisa’s sister, Lavinia. And I cannot wait to see what antics Lavinia gets up to. There are so many questions I have about certain characters and events, I have no other choice but to come back for Lavinia’s story, which I can't say that I'm upset about.
Originally published with similar reads at The Book Adventures.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
Louisa Tempest and her twin sister, Lavinia, have both come to town at the behest of their late godmother. Louisa could have done without a season in the ton as she has no illusions that she will be anything other than a spinster. Louisa finds herself along for the ride because of her determined sister, but Louisa is equally determined not to tell Lavinia why it is unlikely that either one of them will find someone suitable to marry. Fortunately for Louisa, she soon finds a project for herself that will fill her time since she has very little interest in shopping or the other virtues of the ton lifestyle. It’s too bad that her project, Viscount Wakefield, is an unwilling participant.
Viscount Wakefield has returned from the war wounded and is quite content to spend the rest of his days closed up in his house, drinking to excess and mourning the death of one of his closest friends. When Louisa bustles into his life and starts assuming management, he’s not exactly pleased, but he reluctantly finds himself charmed.
The romance in this one was slow. Wakefield legitimately does not like Louisa when they first meet; he does not want to deal with life and would much rather wallow in his sorrow. He’s not only lost his close friend, but also his fiancé who abandoned him when he returned wounded after being shot in the war. So Wakefield isn’t pleased when Louisa’s pet cat, Hannibal, brazenly interrupts his wallowing:
“What the devil,” he muttered as the creature, the one as yet to be determined if it was a cat, began to wind around his legs, its tattered coat brushing against him.
Then the animal had the audacity to roll around in front of him as if it was his – the viscount’s – duty to pet him.
Of course, Louisa pays no mind to Wakefield’s blustering and is quite happy to argue right back with Wakefield. She soon sets to work righting his household, often with hilarious results. It can be a challenge to hire people for a viscount that doesn’t actually want staff, and it can be even more complicated when the help mistake the viscount for another servant:
“Be useful, you shiftless vagrant. Go fetch some coal and a bit of kindling from out back so Bob can get that stove going – something you might have thought of doing afore I arrived."
She poked him once again with the bucket until he truly had no choice but to take it. For one wild feeling moment, he thought she meant to clout him with if she had to “ask” one more time.
“Don’t gape at me like a mackerel, get moving,” she told him as she shooed him out the door. “I’ve got His Lordship’s breakfast to make and not much to do it with from the looks of things.”
As the woman continued to order her troops about, Pierson Stratton, the fifth Viscount Wakefield, backed down the steps and found himself in his own gardens, having been routed from his house.
More to his shame, he’d raised barely a defense. Flanked and defeated before he could fire a shot.
It was moments like these that made this a brilliant book. These humourous scenarios were so much fun to read about and helped not to bog down the pacing of the book. In fact, I could almost argue that the humour was a stronger attraction for me than the actual romance between Louisa and Wakefield. Like I said, it took a bit for the actual romance to actually progress past arguing and because of that both Louisa and Wakefield seemed to develop feelings for the other perhaps a touch too quickly. That said, the end of this novel had a couple of heartfelt scenes between the two, which went a long way to solidifying the happily ever after for these two.
The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane is a fun read that takes a nice departure from reality. Boyle doesn’t tie up all of the plot points by the end of the novel, but the stage is nicely set for the next book featuring Louisa’s sister, Lavinia. And I cannot wait to see what antics Lavinia gets up to. There are so many questions I have about certain characters and events, I have no other choice but to come back for Lavinia’s story, which I can't say that I'm upset about.
Originally published with similar reads at The Book Adventures.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.
June 8, 2015
Historical Romance is one of my favorite genres. The majority of my favorite romances in general are historicals, and the books I re-read the most are historical romances. But, for some reason, I’m also so hesitant to try a new author. I think it is due to the fact that I want very specific things in a historical romance, and when those things aren’t there, I am left very, very disappointed, even when it isn’t a bad book. However, I am trying to explore the genre a bit more to get ready for our next #HistRom101 chat on July 28th. While perusing my library’s Overdrive audiobooks, I came across The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane by Elizabeth Boyle, and it was total love on my part. I can’t say enough good things about this book.
The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane is the fourth book in the Rhymes with Love series, but I’m reading it first, of course. Louisa Tempest and her twin sister, Lavinia, are off to London for a season. Their godmother’s husband is giving them one, and Lavinia is determined to make the most of it. Louisa just wants to make sure her sister has a good time and return home. There is a family secret that Louisa knows about and she doesn’t want anyone else to find out.
Viscount Wakefield is a neighbor to Louisa’s new residence, and he has some demons. He has PTSD for sure, a scarred leg that requires the use of a cane, and so much survivor’s guilt from the war. He just wants to live a hermit life, and not be disturbed. But Louisa and Wakefield’s lived intersect and how wonderful that is.
I don’t know what it says about me, but I am such a sucker for the grumpy, surly, curmudgeonly heroes, and Wakefield is that. He’s like the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. In fact, this whole book does have a somewhat Beauty and the Beast feel. I also just loved Louisa. She’s so determined to make this right when Louisa keeps accidentally causing Wakefield headaches. And even when Wakefield orders Louisa out of his house, she keeps coming back. And that is exactly what Wakefield needs.
I also must mentioned the wonderful addition of Hannibal, Louisa’s trouble-making cat. Man oh man, I just love Hannibal, and he makes Louisa and Wakefield’s love story possible.
My only real complaint is that sometimes the same scene would be repeated but from different points of view. This isn't a huge issue though. Well, also, I think the cover is pretty awful.
Basically I just adored The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane. It’s lighthearted and humorous, and the characters are so wonderful. I cannot wait to discover more Elizabeth Boyle, because she is my kind of author.
The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane is the fourth book in the Rhymes with Love series, but I’m reading it first, of course. Louisa Tempest and her twin sister, Lavinia, are off to London for a season. Their godmother’s husband is giving them one, and Lavinia is determined to make the most of it. Louisa just wants to make sure her sister has a good time and return home. There is a family secret that Louisa knows about and she doesn’t want anyone else to find out.
Viscount Wakefield is a neighbor to Louisa’s new residence, and he has some demons. He has PTSD for sure, a scarred leg that requires the use of a cane, and so much survivor’s guilt from the war. He just wants to live a hermit life, and not be disturbed. But Louisa and Wakefield’s lived intersect and how wonderful that is.
I don’t know what it says about me, but I am such a sucker for the grumpy, surly, curmudgeonly heroes, and Wakefield is that. He’s like the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. In fact, this whole book does have a somewhat Beauty and the Beast feel. I also just loved Louisa. She’s so determined to make this right when Louisa keeps accidentally causing Wakefield headaches. And even when Wakefield orders Louisa out of his house, she keeps coming back. And that is exactly what Wakefield needs.
I also must mentioned the wonderful addition of Hannibal, Louisa’s trouble-making cat. Man oh man, I just love Hannibal, and he makes Louisa and Wakefield’s love story possible.
My only real complaint is that sometimes the same scene would be repeated but from different points of view. This isn't a huge issue though. Well, also, I think the cover is pretty awful.
Basically I just adored The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane. It’s lighthearted and humorous, and the characters are so wonderful. I cannot wait to discover more Elizabeth Boyle, because she is my kind of author.
April 19, 2016
Setting: London November 1810 (prologue), May 1811
Genre: Romance
Please forgive any misspelling of the names of people and places as this is a review of the audio edition.
The identical Tempest twins, Louisa and Lavinia, have come to London for the season, ostensibly to find husbands. Louisa, however, doesn't want to marry due to the curse on the village of Kempton where they live (I'm not clear on that since this is the 4th book in the series, but the 1st for me), but she will support her Lavinia in her efforts. They will stay with Lord Charleton, the widower of their Godmother. Pierson, the Viscount who lives next door (and nephew of the late Lady Charleton) returned from Spain feeling guilty because he survived the retreat in which his leg was disabled but one of his best friends was killed. He stays in his house, drunk and morose. Then Louisa starts to interfere with his life, beginning with her cat's invasion of his home. Louisa is appalled at the state of the Viscount's house. His only servants are are a butler and a French chef (who can't cook). She's the managing sort and can't help trying to get the place in order. This angers Pierson, who yells a lot and tells the butler to refuse her entry. No one can prevent the cat from returning, and he keeps showing up with "gifts". Louisa keeps coming around, if not into the house itself, then into the poorly maintained garden, and attraction ensues.
I really liked the characters and the plot. I was also pleased with Boyle's writing style and her grasp of the language, including grammar. . Nothing pleases me so much as writing that doesn't drag me out of the story with egregious errors in grammar and usage! I know. I sound like the worst sort of English teacher, but I can't help it (having had most excellent English teachers myself).
The narration was excellent. The differentiation of characters, including gender and regional accents, was great, and pronunciation was correct. I have never had a complaint with any of Susan Duerden's performances.
Genre: Romance
Please forgive any misspelling of the names of people and places as this is a review of the audio edition.
The identical Tempest twins, Louisa and Lavinia, have come to London for the season, ostensibly to find husbands. Louisa, however, doesn't want to marry due to the curse on the village of Kempton where they live (I'm not clear on that since this is the 4th book in the series, but the 1st for me), but she will support her Lavinia in her efforts. They will stay with Lord Charleton, the widower of their Godmother. Pierson, the Viscount who lives next door (and nephew of the late Lady Charleton) returned from Spain feeling guilty because he survived the retreat in which his leg was disabled but one of his best friends was killed. He stays in his house, drunk and morose. Then Louisa starts to interfere with his life, beginning with her cat's invasion of his home. Louisa is appalled at the state of the Viscount's house. His only servants are are a butler and a French chef (who can't cook). She's the managing sort and can't help trying to get the place in order. This angers Pierson, who yells a lot and tells the butler to refuse her entry. No one can prevent the cat from returning, and he keeps showing up with "gifts". Louisa keeps coming around, if not into the house itself, then into the poorly maintained garden, and attraction ensues.
I really liked the characters and the plot. I was also pleased with Boyle's writing style and her grasp of the language, including grammar. . Nothing pleases me so much as writing that doesn't drag me out of the story with egregious errors in grammar and usage! I know. I sound like the worst sort of English teacher, but I can't help it (having had most excellent English teachers myself).
The narration was excellent. The differentiation of characters, including gender and regional accents, was great, and pronunciation was correct. I have never had a complaint with any of Susan Duerden's performances.
November 4, 2014
LOVED IT! LOVED IT!! LOVED IT!!! "The Viscount that Lived Down the Lane" has become one of my all time favorites! It is simply delightful. Louisa is a pip - although I don't think she tries to be. She's kindhearted, determined and a bit of a klutz! Pierson is brooding, mean and cranky. The affect that she has on him did nothing but make me smile throughout the entire book. In my humble opinion, Ms. Boyle does a wonderful job of portraying the tortured world of Wakefield from his time in the service without bringing the reader down. He never knows what hit him!! I enjoyed the secondary characters as well and look forward to hearing more about them in the next "Rhymes with Love" book. This is part of a series, and although having only read this one, I was in no way lost - I didn't even know it was part of a series until the author's note at the end! So, if you are looking for a romance that is light and fun yet filled with feeling and emotion, don't wait - grab your copy of this one now! (Received copy from Edelweiss for honest review)
August 23, 2016
Full review posted on Got Fiction?
I honestly don't like the heroine. She's annoying and pushy. I'm pretty sure that she's supposed to be cute and quirky and have chaos follow in her path. The hero will be then pulled from his dark, drunken hole of PTSD to notice this woman who has taken over his household. He can't stop thinking about her, and voila! Love!
But he's "damaged" from the war, and can't pull a woman into this dark place he calls his life. So he's awful to her. And she's hurt, but not willing to give up on him. I stopped about 40% in. I could finish it, but I've been working on this book for over a month. Plus there's a small scene that I'm sure is to create a suspenseful side plot, but it seems like nobody thinks anything of it. I'm just meh about it.
***ARC courtesy of the Avon Addicts program
I honestly don't like the heroine. She's annoying and pushy. I'm pretty sure that she's supposed to be cute and quirky and have chaos follow in her path. The hero will be then pulled from his dark, drunken hole of PTSD to notice this woman who has taken over his household. He can't stop thinking about her, and voila! Love!
But he's "damaged" from the war, and can't pull a woman into this dark place he calls his life. So he's awful to her. And she's hurt, but not willing to give up on him. I stopped about 40% in. I could finish it, but I've been working on this book for over a month. Plus there's a small scene that I'm sure is to create a suspenseful side plot, but it seems like nobody thinks anything of it. I'm just meh about it.
***ARC courtesy of the Avon Addicts program
October 29, 2020
The H has PTSD, is not impressed when he meets the h. She's kind and persistent, pushes the angsty H to rejoin the world. The sub-plots detracted from their love affair, and his need to be rehabilitated. He had the makings of a good man, but he's a drunk, and the didn't give a clear view of their future.
It was good, but felt unfinished.
It was good, but felt unfinished.
May 4, 2021
DNF @30%.
I was expecting this to be light and fluffy, but it’s just too twee and contrived for me. The number of times the couple has already been almost naked/making out only to be interrupted by an actual cat, for instance, is just too much.
Also that cat has way too much screen time.
I was expecting this to be light and fluffy, but it’s just too twee and contrived for me. The number of times the couple has already been almost naked/making out only to be interrupted by an actual cat, for instance, is just too much.
Also that cat has way too much screen time.
August 25, 2018
This was a 3.5-4 star, enjoyable middle of the road romance. I probably won’t be rereading it any time soon or think much about it after finishing.
However, it was a fun read with some laugh out loud moments and fairly sweet romance.
The heroine and her twin sister are sponsored for the season by their late godmother’s husband (he gets a mini romance in this book too that was seriously left hanging... but I digress). Their hometown recently rid itself of some sort of curse that married couples go crazy or something (I assume it is better explained in the previous series books). The heroine doesn’t want to get married but supports her sister’s interest in a season and making a good match.
Meanwhile, with the help of a fairy god cat, the heroine meets the brooding hero. He is a neighbor and nephew of the heroine’s sponsor. She foists herself on the household to “help” set things in order and many hijinks ensue. The hero is obviously attracted but keeps kicking the heroine out of his house and life and kinda yells at her a lot. Possibly due to some war related guilt and ptsd. His best friend died, he didn’t, so he’s not allowed to be happy. The hero’s attitude changed rather abruptly from kicking the heroine out and yelling at her to kissing her.
The heroine had some family history that comes out later in the book and causes some drama along with the hero’s evil ex-fiancé.
The wrap up definitely seemed quick and I was particularly surprised by the closed door sex scene, but I still found the hero’s declaration at the end satisfying. Why the heroine wasn’t interested in marriage and subsequently changed her mind though was less clear (just Love I guess?).
The humor kept this story going and I’d definitely give it a try if you’re in the mood for a broody, beauty and the beast type story where the beauty draws the beast back into the world and helps him love again.
However, it was a fun read with some laugh out loud moments and fairly sweet romance.
The heroine and her twin sister are sponsored for the season by their late godmother’s husband (he gets a mini romance in this book too that was seriously left hanging... but I digress). Their hometown recently rid itself of some sort of curse that married couples go crazy or something (I assume it is better explained in the previous series books). The heroine doesn’t want to get married but supports her sister’s interest in a season and making a good match.
Meanwhile, with the help of a fairy god cat, the heroine meets the brooding hero. He is a neighbor and nephew of the heroine’s sponsor. She foists herself on the household to “help” set things in order and many hijinks ensue. The hero is obviously attracted but keeps kicking the heroine out of his house and life and kinda yells at her a lot. Possibly due to some war related guilt and ptsd. His best friend died, he didn’t, so he’s not allowed to be happy. The hero’s attitude changed rather abruptly from kicking the heroine out and yelling at her to kissing her.
The heroine had some family history that comes out later in the book and causes some drama along with the hero’s evil ex-fiancé.
The wrap up definitely seemed quick and I was particularly surprised by the closed door sex scene, but I still found the hero’s declaration at the end satisfying. Why the heroine wasn’t interested in marriage and subsequently changed her mind though was less clear (just Love I guess?).
The humor kept this story going and I’d definitely give it a try if you’re in the mood for a broody, beauty and the beast type story where the beauty draws the beast back into the world and helps him love again.
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