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Twist Recommended Reading Order #3
My Lady, My Lord
Book #1 in a new series of historical romances... with a twist.
The Bluestocking
Lady Corinna Mowbray has three passions: excellent books, intelligent conversation, and disdaining the libertine Earl of Chance.
The Rake
Lord Ian Chance has three pleasures: beautiful women, fast horses, and tormenting high-and-mighty Corinna Mowbray.
Neighbors for years, they've been at each other's throats since they can remember. But when a twist of fate forces them to trade lives, how long will it be before they discover they cannot live without each other?
The Bluestocking
Lady Corinna Mowbray has three passions: excellent books, intelligent conversation, and disdaining the libertine Earl of Chance.
The Rake
Lord Ian Chance has three pleasures: beautiful women, fast horses, and tormenting high-and-mighty Corinna Mowbray.
Neighbors for years, they've been at each other's throats since they can remember. But when a twist of fate forces them to trade lives, how long will it be before they discover they cannot live without each other?
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 9, 2014
97 people are currently reading
1425 people want to read
About the author
Katharine Ashe
33 books1,030 followersKatharine Ashe is the USA Today bestselling author of historical romances reviewers call “intensely lush” and “sensationally intelligent,” including two Amazon's Best Romances of the Year. A professor of history and popular culture, she writes fiction because she adores the grand adventures and breathtaking sensuality of historical romance. For more information, please visit her at http://www.katharineashe.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
September 27, 2018
Oh this was a delight to read!!!!
This describes very well how Ian felt towards Corinna!
Not that Corinna felt differently towards Ian! (Only Ian didn’t have pigtails! LOL)
They hate each other. Every time they meet they try to outsmart each other. Everybody knows that they can’t stand each other.
So there comes a twist of fate! (or Aphrodite…)
And that’s how everything started!
Wonderfully done! It made true the saying that until you’ve lived in the other person skin you cannot understand it!
Both Ian and Corinna get to discover that what they thought about each other is not true!
What they’ll discover is that the new discovered truth leads to respect and the respect leads to love.
A truly interesting, very well written, sometimes fun and sometimes sad story with an unusual twist!!!
This describes very well how Ian felt towards Corinna!
Not that Corinna felt differently towards Ian! (Only Ian didn’t have pigtails! LOL)
They hate each other. Every time they meet they try to outsmart each other. Everybody knows that they can’t stand each other.
So there comes a twist of fate! (or Aphrodite…)
And that’s how everything started!
Wonderfully done! It made true the saying that until you’ve lived in the other person skin you cannot understand it!
Both Ian and Corinna get to discover that what they thought about each other is not true!
What they’ll discover is that the new discovered truth leads to respect and the respect leads to love.
A truly interesting, very well written, sometimes fun and sometimes sad story with an unusual twist!!!
April 7, 2018
This was a fairly typical historical romance with a fun paranormal twist thrown in to spice the story up a bit. I think it worked well as this turned out to be an enjoyable enough read.
It was a typical enemies to lovers style story with long term bickering neighbours Lady Corinna Mowbray and Lord Ian Chance getting the chance to see the other in a new light via a slight paranormal twist. The story was quite fun as both characters proved likeable enough despite their flaws. I actually quite liked the pair as a couple and one of the most fun aspects of the story was that both characters learned to appreciate the importance of each others interests. Lady Corinna is a notorious bluestocking with an interest in history, literature, and even politics while Lord Ian is her exact opposite as he prefers to spend his days gaming, horse-racing, and partying!
I felt like the story was strong in the early stages but tailed off a bit in the second half of the story when the paranormal elements wore off. Ashe's writing was decent enough but I was always left with the impression that with a few tweaks in it and in the story that this could have been even more enjoyable. It had some humour but I think it could have done with a lot more!
All in all I felt like this was an fun HR that just fell a bit short of being as good as it could have been.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: The narrator Veida Dehmlow was not great but she was competent enough to be passable.
It was a typical enemies to lovers style story with long term bickering neighbours Lady Corinna Mowbray and Lord Ian Chance getting the chance to see the other in a new light via a slight paranormal twist. The story was quite fun as both characters proved likeable enough despite their flaws. I actually quite liked the pair as a couple and one of the most fun aspects of the story was that both characters learned to appreciate the importance of each others interests. Lady Corinna is a notorious bluestocking with an interest in history, literature, and even politics while Lord Ian is her exact opposite as he prefers to spend his days gaming, horse-racing, and partying!
I felt like the story was strong in the early stages but tailed off a bit in the second half of the story when the paranormal elements wore off. Ashe's writing was decent enough but I was always left with the impression that with a few tweaks in it and in the story that this could have been even more enjoyable. It had some humour but I think it could have done with a lot more!
All in all I felt like this was an fun HR that just fell a bit short of being as good as it could have been.
Rating: 3.5 stars.
Audio Note: The narrator Veida Dehmlow was not great but she was competent enough to be passable.
December 2, 2015
DNF@75%.
And with that, I shall DNF this. I'm sorry, but I could hardly call a guy who'd take the heroine's virginity without any intention of marrying her a hero. And to add that to the many unappealing traits of his.
I'm not giving up on Ashe, though. Her writing is far too beautiful to be judged by a bad book.
(Complete review/rant to follow.)
“Oh,” she breathed. “Yes.”...
“Corinna, this is only tonight.” His voice was rough, delectably close and deep.
“Yes, yes, of course.” Her words hitched high. Pleasure surged inside her, reaching, stretching, dangerous, the friction of clothing and heat overpowering.
He kissed her neck, thrusting her harder against the wall, onto her toes. “A single night.”
And with that, I shall DNF this. I'm sorry, but I could hardly call a guy who'd take the heroine's virginity without any intention of marrying her a hero. And to add that to the many unappealing traits of his.
I'm not giving up on Ashe, though. Her writing is far too beautiful to be judged by a bad book.
(Complete review/rant to follow.)
July 25, 2016
I've given this a B at AAR, so 4 stars.
I have to start this review by saying that, enjoyable though this book is, it’s definitely not one for you if you insist upon a certain amount of realism or historical accuracy in your reading. The story is, in essence, an enemies-to-lovers one, but the plot device Ms. Ashe has chosen to use in order to bring the hero and heroine to a closer understanding of each other is something I’ve never read in an historical romance before and which has its roots firmly in the 20th, rather than the 19th century.
Lady Corinna Mowbray and Lord Ian Chance have known each other since childhood, and have, as it appears at the beginning of the book, detested each other for just as long. Ian is handsome, wealthy, and, Corinna believes, dissolute, indolent, and unintelligent. Her pet name for him appears to be “cretin” and whenever they meet – which is rarely, despite their being near neighbours – she finds herself unable to resist responding to his gibes in the most cutting manner possible.
Ian thinks Corinna is starchy, snobbish, and incapable of feeling emotions other than scorn and pride. Their verbal sparring is most definitely not of the “I’m going to flirt with you by insulting you until you wise up and take me to bed” variety. Well, Ian tries to take that approach, but Corinna is usually so caustic that he feels compelled to respond in kind and their exchanges quickly degenerate into slanging matches, even though she knows it does not become her, as a lady, to descend to Ian’s level.
Corinna is a model of propriety, a woman of unimpeachable virtue and restraint, and a renowned bluestocking; a twenty-nine year-old spinster who is surprisingly comfortable with that fact. She is attractive and has had her fair share of male attention and proposals, but her energies are reserved for her weekly salons, events which are attended by the foremost scientists, artists and politicians of the day, and which are the envy of many other society hostesses.
But a surprising, unexpected and fantastical event occurs which causes Ian and Corinna to begin to reassess their opinions of each other. This event takes place quite early on in the book, but I’m not going to reveal it here.[There are spoilers in the comments, however if you want to know! ] Suffice to say that a little bit of the supernatural takes an interest in our antagonistic not-couple, and while at first, it may seem completely bonkers, it turns out to be a superb way to enable each character to truly get beneath the other’s skin and into each other’s heads, and to see life from the other’s perspective.
As the story progresses, not only do we see our two protagonists reach a détente and a new understanding of each other, we get a few glimpses of their past encounters, which serve to throw some light on key moments in their relationship and show us just why they hold each other in such dislike. These little flashbacks are particularly illuminating when it comes to Ian’s character, as he inherited his title when he was quite young from a father whose reputation as a gambler and a cheat had seem him ostracised from polite society.
Corinna learns how hard Ian has worked – and continues to work – running his estates and looking after his mother and siblings and how he has never completely been able to erase society’s casual belief that “like father, like son”, he is an apple not fallen far from the tree. She comes to learn that Ian is far from the cretin she has labelled him and that he is an honourable man, one whose friends think highly of him and who is himself a very good friend to others, one who has all but brought up his younger brother and made an excellent job of it.
Ian’s eyes are opened, too, to how restrictive life is for a young woman of Corinna’s ilk and how limited her options really are. He sees how respected she is by those around her, but also learns how frustrating it is for a woman of intelligence to be casually dismissed on account of her sex. He also realises how many of his normal leisure pursuits – drinking with his friends, gambling – must appear to her, and begins to see, himself, that perhaps they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
The storytelling is excellent throughout, but I did have a couple of minor issues with the book overall. Firstly, there was a fair smattering of Americanisms throughout, the most prominent of which was the use of “sidewalk” instead of “pavement”. I know this is something I bang on about at frequent intervals, but it happens so often that sometimes I lose patience with it. I can’t understand why anyone setting an historical novel in England would not use English terminology – it seems only polite, after all. The other thing is the fact that Ms Ashe consistently used incorrect forms of address for her male characters. The hero is the Earl of Chance. Yet he is also called “Ian Chance”. I suppose it’s conceivable that he would have the same last name as his earldom, but usually, the two are different, so Ian should, rightly, be “Ian Chance, Earl of Somewhere”, or “Ian LastName, Earl of Chance”. The same is true of Ian’s friends, the Marquess of Drake and Lord Grace. Drake is frequently referred to as “Marquess Drake”, when the correct appellation is either “Lord Drake” or “the Marquess of Drake”; and “Baron Grace” should be “Lord Grace”. I know many readers – on both sides of the Atlantic – who find such errors jarring, and it’s made worse by the fact that they’re completely unnecessary, because the information as to how titles work is freely available on the internet.
Those quibbles aside, the writing flows well, and the characterisations – of the principals and the main secondary characters, such as Ian’s brother Gregory and his friend, Lord Grace, are strong and consistent. Ms Ashe has written the relationship between the brothers very well, and their relationship and their exchanges feel very naturalistic. There is plenty of humour, and the sexual tension between the leads is delicious. I did think that the final section of the story was just a tad too strung out, but that’s a minor complaint.
My Lady, My Lord is a refreshingly different piece of fun which has its deeper moments as well, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I have to start this review by saying that, enjoyable though this book is, it’s definitely not one for you if you insist upon a certain amount of realism or historical accuracy in your reading. The story is, in essence, an enemies-to-lovers one, but the plot device Ms. Ashe has chosen to use in order to bring the hero and heroine to a closer understanding of each other is something I’ve never read in an historical romance before and which has its roots firmly in the 20th, rather than the 19th century.
Lady Corinna Mowbray and Lord Ian Chance have known each other since childhood, and have, as it appears at the beginning of the book, detested each other for just as long. Ian is handsome, wealthy, and, Corinna believes, dissolute, indolent, and unintelligent. Her pet name for him appears to be “cretin” and whenever they meet – which is rarely, despite their being near neighbours – she finds herself unable to resist responding to his gibes in the most cutting manner possible.
Ian thinks Corinna is starchy, snobbish, and incapable of feeling emotions other than scorn and pride. Their verbal sparring is most definitely not of the “I’m going to flirt with you by insulting you until you wise up and take me to bed” variety. Well, Ian tries to take that approach, but Corinna is usually so caustic that he feels compelled to respond in kind and their exchanges quickly degenerate into slanging matches, even though she knows it does not become her, as a lady, to descend to Ian’s level.
Corinna is a model of propriety, a woman of unimpeachable virtue and restraint, and a renowned bluestocking; a twenty-nine year-old spinster who is surprisingly comfortable with that fact. She is attractive and has had her fair share of male attention and proposals, but her energies are reserved for her weekly salons, events which are attended by the foremost scientists, artists and politicians of the day, and which are the envy of many other society hostesses.
But a surprising, unexpected and fantastical event occurs which causes Ian and Corinna to begin to reassess their opinions of each other. This event takes place quite early on in the book, but I’m not going to reveal it here.[There are spoilers in the comments, however if you want to know! ] Suffice to say that a little bit of the supernatural takes an interest in our antagonistic not-couple, and while at first, it may seem completely bonkers, it turns out to be a superb way to enable each character to truly get beneath the other’s skin and into each other’s heads, and to see life from the other’s perspective.
As the story progresses, not only do we see our two protagonists reach a détente and a new understanding of each other, we get a few glimpses of their past encounters, which serve to throw some light on key moments in their relationship and show us just why they hold each other in such dislike. These little flashbacks are particularly illuminating when it comes to Ian’s character, as he inherited his title when he was quite young from a father whose reputation as a gambler and a cheat had seem him ostracised from polite society.
Corinna learns how hard Ian has worked – and continues to work – running his estates and looking after his mother and siblings and how he has never completely been able to erase society’s casual belief that “like father, like son”, he is an apple not fallen far from the tree. She comes to learn that Ian is far from the cretin she has labelled him and that he is an honourable man, one whose friends think highly of him and who is himself a very good friend to others, one who has all but brought up his younger brother and made an excellent job of it.
Ian’s eyes are opened, too, to how restrictive life is for a young woman of Corinna’s ilk and how limited her options really are. He sees how respected she is by those around her, but also learns how frustrating it is for a woman of intelligence to be casually dismissed on account of her sex. He also realises how many of his normal leisure pursuits – drinking with his friends, gambling – must appear to her, and begins to see, himself, that perhaps they aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
The storytelling is excellent throughout, but I did have a couple of minor issues with the book overall. Firstly, there was a fair smattering of Americanisms throughout, the most prominent of which was the use of “sidewalk” instead of “pavement”. I know this is something I bang on about at frequent intervals, but it happens so often that sometimes I lose patience with it. I can’t understand why anyone setting an historical novel in England would not use English terminology – it seems only polite, after all. The other thing is the fact that Ms Ashe consistently used incorrect forms of address for her male characters. The hero is the Earl of Chance. Yet he is also called “Ian Chance”. I suppose it’s conceivable that he would have the same last name as his earldom, but usually, the two are different, so Ian should, rightly, be “Ian Chance, Earl of Somewhere”, or “Ian LastName, Earl of Chance”. The same is true of Ian’s friends, the Marquess of Drake and Lord Grace. Drake is frequently referred to as “Marquess Drake”, when the correct appellation is either “Lord Drake” or “the Marquess of Drake”; and “Baron Grace” should be “Lord Grace”. I know many readers – on both sides of the Atlantic – who find such errors jarring, and it’s made worse by the fact that they’re completely unnecessary, because the information as to how titles work is freely available on the internet.
Those quibbles aside, the writing flows well, and the characterisations – of the principals and the main secondary characters, such as Ian’s brother Gregory and his friend, Lord Grace, are strong and consistent. Ms Ashe has written the relationship between the brothers very well, and their relationship and their exchanges feel very naturalistic. There is plenty of humour, and the sexual tension between the leads is delicious. I did think that the final section of the story was just a tad too strung out, but that’s a minor complaint.
My Lady, My Lord is a refreshingly different piece of fun which has its deeper moments as well, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 22, 2014
4.5 stars
This was such a pleasure to read!
A captivating historical romance with an unexpected twist _ which of course I am not going to reveal! Because ~surprise!~ _ that had me turning the pages as fast as I could!
Unfortunately, life, and unexpected troll activity kept getting in the way of my reading time!
Evil trolls... you... begone!
But, nothing, and I mean NOTHING could possibly diminish my pleasure while reading this.
In this story, our main characters, Ian Chance and Corinna Mowbray, long time enemies _ and I mean enemies in the truest sense of the word! _ will have to face an unexpected challenge when something out of the ordinary happens in their lives.
This event was so cleverly done! (you'll just going to have to take my word for it, until you read it ^_^)
And it was done in such a perfect, seamless way!
I can't be more explicit about it, because experiencing this first hand _ or even second hand_ is half the fun.
Let me just say, that Ian and Corinna were well up to the task, and provided me with quite a number of hilarious moments. But it was never done in an over the top way.
Everything was done in the right measure... except for the passionate moments. Those were... wow! ;)
All in all, an engrossing, captivating story with intelligent characters (okay, so maybe there was one too many obtuse moments between them towards the end. But, as someone said: Love is blind and stupid.) that managed to leave me completely head over heels for this romance.
The secondary characters also shone in this tale, and I'm looking forward to seeing them once again.
Definitely recommended to readers who like the "romantic part" of their historical romances to walk hand in hand with an interesting plot and characters who just feel real enough to hug or even to scream at:
COULD YOU TWO JUST TALK IN A CIVILIZED MANNER!!
After this, I can't wait to discover more books from this author.
And to spike your appetite, here's a little excerpt from a "dialogue" between the two main characters:
THE HAIR AT THE BACK OF CORINNA’S neck bristled. She turned her shoulder to him. “Why don’t you go crawl back under the rock you were born beneath, my lord?”
“Because it seems you are currently using it to wash your clothing upon,” he drawled. “It can be the only explanation for the constantly dismal hue of your gowns.”
See??? I told you so!
This was such a pleasure to read!
A captivating historical romance with an unexpected twist _ which of course I am not going to reveal! Because ~surprise!~ _ that had me turning the pages as fast as I could!
Unfortunately, life, and unexpected troll activity kept getting in the way of my reading time!
Evil trolls... you... begone!
But, nothing, and I mean NOTHING could possibly diminish my pleasure while reading this.
In this story, our main characters, Ian Chance and Corinna Mowbray, long time enemies _ and I mean enemies in the truest sense of the word! _ will have to face an unexpected challenge when something out of the ordinary happens in their lives.
This event was so cleverly done! (you'll just going to have to take my word for it, until you read it ^_^)
And it was done in such a perfect, seamless way!
I can't be more explicit about it, because experiencing this first hand _ or even second hand_ is half the fun.
Let me just say, that Ian and Corinna were well up to the task, and provided me with quite a number of hilarious moments. But it was never done in an over the top way.
Everything was done in the right measure... except for the passionate moments. Those were... wow! ;)
All in all, an engrossing, captivating story with intelligent characters (okay, so maybe there was one too many obtuse moments between them towards the end. But, as someone said: Love is blind and stupid.) that managed to leave me completely head over heels for this romance.
The secondary characters also shone in this tale, and I'm looking forward to seeing them once again.
Definitely recommended to readers who like the "romantic part" of their historical romances to walk hand in hand with an interesting plot and characters who just feel real enough to hug or even to scream at:
COULD YOU TWO JUST TALK IN A CIVILIZED MANNER!!
After this, I can't wait to discover more books from this author.
And to spike your appetite, here's a little excerpt from a "dialogue" between the two main characters:
THE HAIR AT THE BACK OF CORINNA’S neck bristled. She turned her shoulder to him. “Why don’t you go crawl back under the rock you were born beneath, my lord?”
“Because it seems you are currently using it to wash your clothing upon,” he drawled. “It can be the only explanation for the constantly dismal hue of your gowns.”
See??? I told you so!
November 26, 2016
Well that felt like forever. Review to come later...
September 1, 2016
Loved it so much! Hero's reaction to waking up as a girl was wonderfully written. And the scene where the heroine (who is actually a man at that point) starts to cry in public, and the hero's subsequent reaction, was hilarious! An absolute delight! Lovely - The story and the writing style!
One little problem, I think if the love scenes could be skipped, or maybe postponed after the marriage, it would have been stronger and more wonderful to read. Set in a very rigid era, sex before marriage was not really looked upon and I think these scenes came too fast. The story did not need that kind of development, it would be quite sweet to read without it.
(And I could have done without that word hunter too.)
One little problem, I think if the love scenes could be skipped, or maybe postponed after the marriage, it would have been stronger and more wonderful to read. Set in a very rigid era, sex before marriage was not really looked upon and I think these scenes came too fast. The story did not need that kind of development, it would be quite sweet to read without it.
(And I could have done without that word hunter too.)
January 13, 2016
I've ummed and ahhed for a few hours about how to rate this. Four? Five? Somewhere in between? I think my final decision is 4.5, rounded up to five.
In My Lady, My Lord, the first in what I hear may be a new series (although don't quote me on that, I could be engaging in a touch of wishful thinking!), Ashe tells the story of Corinna Mowbray, a self-confessed bluestocking who is fiercely intelligent and beautiful. She has sensible friends, holds salons, and loves classic books. Ian, the Earl of Chance, is her neighbour; a handsome man who is skilled with horses and enjoys the company of beautiful women- though he has never married. Ian and Corinna have never gotten along, she thinking him a scoundrel and he thinking her haughty, but what was that hiding? A strange twist of fate throws the two of them together, so under these circumstances how long will it take for them to see each other in a whole new way?
Katharine Ashe's writing is smooth, intelligent and beautiful to read. Her story moved with a good pace, engrossing me within the first few chapters. Though the storyline is fantastical, the way it was written and the way it moved made for compulsive reading. The emotional rawness and the depth of the feeling of both of Corinna and Ian was really special, and I enjoyed every word.
Both Corinna and Ian were beautiful yet flawed characters. Neither good nor bad, and certainly not typical, watching them grow as the story progressed was lovely. Both of them were human, with all the confusion, emotional turmoil and indecisiveness that entails. In addition to the two of them were a cast of splendid secondary characters who moved the story along- Ian's brother, mother and circle of friends, Corinna's father and a potential suitor, as well as a cheat and a rake or two. None of these characters were just 'there'; they all had their roles to play in moving the story to its delicious end.
So, in conclusion, My Lady, My Lord by Katharine Ashe is fantastical, a little unbelievable maybe, but so well done this hardly matters. It moves at a good pace, is action packed, exciting, fun, and really very romantic, which is hardly a bad thing in a romance novel! I enjoyed the references to Greek mythology throughout, as well as the almost perfect period details (there were a few issues with titles- this didn't bother me, but it may bother others). I can't think of a single thing I disliked about this novel; it stirred my emotions, it engrossed me entirely, and though I didn't always like the main characters (some of the time I wanted to give them a shake!) I thoroughly enjoyed their story. If I have any criticism at all, it is that when the story ended, I wanted it to carry on- perhaps the story would have benefited from an epilogue? Other than that, which is admittedly a tiny issue, this book was gorgeous and I do recommend it.
In My Lady, My Lord, the first in what I hear may be a new series (although don't quote me on that, I could be engaging in a touch of wishful thinking!), Ashe tells the story of Corinna Mowbray, a self-confessed bluestocking who is fiercely intelligent and beautiful. She has sensible friends, holds salons, and loves classic books. Ian, the Earl of Chance, is her neighbour; a handsome man who is skilled with horses and enjoys the company of beautiful women- though he has never married. Ian and Corinna have never gotten along, she thinking him a scoundrel and he thinking her haughty, but what was that hiding? A strange twist of fate throws the two of them together, so under these circumstances how long will it take for them to see each other in a whole new way?
Katharine Ashe's writing is smooth, intelligent and beautiful to read. Her story moved with a good pace, engrossing me within the first few chapters. Though the storyline is fantastical, the way it was written and the way it moved made for compulsive reading. The emotional rawness and the depth of the feeling of both of Corinna and Ian was really special, and I enjoyed every word.
Both Corinna and Ian were beautiful yet flawed characters. Neither good nor bad, and certainly not typical, watching them grow as the story progressed was lovely. Both of them were human, with all the confusion, emotional turmoil and indecisiveness that entails. In addition to the two of them were a cast of splendid secondary characters who moved the story along- Ian's brother, mother and circle of friends, Corinna's father and a potential suitor, as well as a cheat and a rake or two. None of these characters were just 'there'; they all had their roles to play in moving the story to its delicious end.
So, in conclusion, My Lady, My Lord by Katharine Ashe is fantastical, a little unbelievable maybe, but so well done this hardly matters. It moves at a good pace, is action packed, exciting, fun, and really very romantic, which is hardly a bad thing in a romance novel! I enjoyed the references to Greek mythology throughout, as well as the almost perfect period details (there were a few issues with titles- this didn't bother me, but it may bother others). I can't think of a single thing I disliked about this novel; it stirred my emotions, it engrossed me entirely, and though I didn't always like the main characters (some of the time I wanted to give them a shake!) I thoroughly enjoyed their story. If I have any criticism at all, it is that when the story ended, I wanted it to carry on- perhaps the story would have benefited from an epilogue? Other than that, which is admittedly a tiny issue, this book was gorgeous and I do recommend it.
April 29, 2015
This is a work Ashe self published and I loved it. It has a paranormal element in it, but the rest of the story is a typical regency so this tale is unique in its lack of conformity to any of the existing genres. It truly was a historical romance with a twist and I will be buying more from this series.
Now, because this story is self-published, it did lack the polish of her works with Avon. For example, some of the titles for the aristocracy were not correct (i.e., it should have been Baron Grace, not Baron of Grace, and Ian Chance would have been Earl of something else,not Earl of Chance) and there was a lot of name-dropping that got confusing. Despite the lack of typical polish, I still enjoyed this book enormously. The story was creative, the emotions were powerful, and the characters felt so real that I couldn't stop turning pages. Plus, every time I closed the book, I couldn't help admiring the gorgeous cover :)
Corinna Mowbray is an independent blue stocking spinster and Ian Chance is an Earl with a taste for clubs, horseflesh, and beautiful women. These two have been at each other's throats since they were children. For two such smart people, they have a knack for always saying the wrong thing to each other, and their chemistry, instead of turning to love, turns to all out war. They have been doing this for over 20 years. Without some sort of intervention, these two would never come to understand each other. And this is where the twist comes in. This twist allows Ian and Corinna to truly see the other without the typical verbal barbs clouding the air. It was refreshing, unique, and brilliant. I almost wish the twist had lasted longer.
As Corinna and Ian come to understand each other, the pain, confusion, doubt, exasperation, and love the two feel for each other flies off the pages. It felt so real and I ached for them as they struggled to overcome 20 years of animosity. For some reviewers, they could not understand how two intelligent individuals could be so vicious, but I think that careless words in childhood at vulnerable times can fester and turn ugly, especially if the person feels deeply for the person delivering the words. I did not see this characterization as a flaw. Rather, I saw it as a strength for the novel and it lent itself beautifully to the slight twist in reality.
You could tell Ashe really wanted to write this story and the enthusiasm was infectious. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it for a romantic, unique escape from the typical historical romance.
One note, I was sad there was no epilogue. I am hoping that we will see Corinna and Ian in other books of this series because I really want to see them happy and the love declaration (which was beautifully done) was on the second to last page! After all of the drama and longing, I wanted some fuzzy, happy time :).
Now, because this story is self-published, it did lack the polish of her works with Avon. For example, some of the titles for the aristocracy were not correct (i.e., it should have been Baron Grace, not Baron of Grace, and Ian Chance would have been Earl of something else,not Earl of Chance) and there was a lot of name-dropping that got confusing. Despite the lack of typical polish, I still enjoyed this book enormously. The story was creative, the emotions were powerful, and the characters felt so real that I couldn't stop turning pages. Plus, every time I closed the book, I couldn't help admiring the gorgeous cover :)
Corinna Mowbray is an independent blue stocking spinster and Ian Chance is an Earl with a taste for clubs, horseflesh, and beautiful women. These two have been at each other's throats since they were children. For two such smart people, they have a knack for always saying the wrong thing to each other, and their chemistry, instead of turning to love, turns to all out war. They have been doing this for over 20 years. Without some sort of intervention, these two would never come to understand each other. And this is where the twist comes in. This twist allows Ian and Corinna to truly see the other without the typical verbal barbs clouding the air. It was refreshing, unique, and brilliant. I almost wish the twist had lasted longer.
As Corinna and Ian come to understand each other, the pain, confusion, doubt, exasperation, and love the two feel for each other flies off the pages. It felt so real and I ached for them as they struggled to overcome 20 years of animosity. For some reviewers, they could not understand how two intelligent individuals could be so vicious, but I think that careless words in childhood at vulnerable times can fester and turn ugly, especially if the person feels deeply for the person delivering the words. I did not see this characterization as a flaw. Rather, I saw it as a strength for the novel and it lent itself beautifully to the slight twist in reality.
You could tell Ashe really wanted to write this story and the enthusiasm was infectious. I really enjoyed this one and highly recommend it for a romantic, unique escape from the typical historical romance.
One note, I was sad there was no epilogue. I am hoping that we will see Corinna and Ian in other books of this series because I really want to see them happy and the love declaration (which was beautifully done) was on the second to last page! After all of the drama and longing, I wanted some fuzzy, happy time :).
May 16, 2015
I kind of enjoyed this book, but must say I found it to be annoying pretty well all the way through. The whole book is one misunderstanding after misunderstanding after misunderstanding right through to the end which is never going to make give it more than 3 stars. After a while it was, OMG, not again! And again. And again. Far out! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with so many, many, many misunderstandings. It almost made me hate the book by the end, and to be honest when it resolved, I wasn’t happy and misty eyed, I was more like, “Oh, thank god it’s over.” I didn’t even want an epilogue, and I always want an epilogue, because I was sure there would just be another misunderstanding.
The event that happens to bring the H and h together is interesting, I’ve not read it in a book before, although it’s been done in a movie or two or three. I have to say I must be a bit dim, but I did get confused constantly whilst reading about who was speaking and quite often had to go back and read again to get a gist of what was happening. You might understand when you read it.
I sort of liked both the H and h, but I didn’t love them. Maybe because of all the misunderstandings that kept happening, maybe because neither was decisive or just talked or maybe it was just the way the writer wrote the book. This was an okay read, but could have been a lot better I think if the writer wasn’t so lazy to fall into the misunderstandings constantly to drive the book.
I will probably remember this book because of how the H and h got together, but nothing else about it is memorable in a positive way. I’m surprised it made the RITA list. I’ve read many books last year that were 1,000 times better than this that didn’t get a mention.
The event that happens to bring the H and h together is interesting, I’ve not read it in a book before, although it’s been done in a movie or two or three. I have to say I must be a bit dim, but I did get confused constantly whilst reading about who was speaking and quite often had to go back and read again to get a gist of what was happening. You might understand when you read it.
I sort of liked both the H and h, but I didn’t love them. Maybe because of all the misunderstandings that kept happening, maybe because neither was decisive or just talked or maybe it was just the way the writer wrote the book. This was an okay read, but could have been a lot better I think if the writer wasn’t so lazy to fall into the misunderstandings constantly to drive the book.
I will probably remember this book because of how the H and h got together, but nothing else about it is memorable in a positive way. I’m surprised it made the RITA list. I’ve read many books last year that were 1,000 times better than this that didn’t get a mention.
to-read-historical
March 12, 2014A historical with neighbors that can't stand each other?!?!?
I am sooooo reading this!
I am sooooo reading this!
January 23, 2016
My Lady, My Lord by Katherine Ashe is a 2014 by Billet- Doux Books.
I grabbed this book when it was on sale at Amazon without reading the synopsis first. I love Katherine Ashe, so I knew I would like the book, but I was delightfully surprised by how clever this plot is, and love how the author took a tried and true trope and turned it into a charming fantasy.
Corinna is a bluestocking whose life is filled with her Salons, books and art. Ian is a notorious Rake, a man Corinna has a long history with. The two dislike each other and can’t get along for five minutes without an argument erupting.
But when their bodies are switched, each one gets a healthy lesson in humility and a grudging respect begins to grow between them when they are forced to help each other in very significant ways. Is it possible they could actually learn to like each other… maybe even stop lying to themselves about the reason they always seem to clash?
I haven’t had so much fun reading a regency period historical romance in a very long time. I literally laughed out loud a time or two, and instantly fell under the magical spell of this story. Katherine Ashe has a wonderful imagination and this story shows off her writing skill quite nicely.
The story is beautifully paced, with sticky situations handled with grace and aplomb. I loved the characters and the incredibly sharp and witty banter between them. The atmosphere is light, whimsical, and thoroughly enchanting.
I grabbed this book when it was on sale at Amazon without reading the synopsis first. I love Katherine Ashe, so I knew I would like the book, but I was delightfully surprised by how clever this plot is, and love how the author took a tried and true trope and turned it into a charming fantasy.
Corinna is a bluestocking whose life is filled with her Salons, books and art. Ian is a notorious Rake, a man Corinna has a long history with. The two dislike each other and can’t get along for five minutes without an argument erupting.
But when their bodies are switched, each one gets a healthy lesson in humility and a grudging respect begins to grow between them when they are forced to help each other in very significant ways. Is it possible they could actually learn to like each other… maybe even stop lying to themselves about the reason they always seem to clash?
I haven’t had so much fun reading a regency period historical romance in a very long time. I literally laughed out loud a time or two, and instantly fell under the magical spell of this story. Katherine Ashe has a wonderful imagination and this story shows off her writing skill quite nicely.
The story is beautifully paced, with sticky situations handled with grace and aplomb. I loved the characters and the incredibly sharp and witty banter between them. The atmosphere is light, whimsical, and thoroughly enchanting.
February 19, 2018
I picked this title up on impulse through the Audible Romance Package and found it to be highly entertaining. I do so love when an unrepentant rake falls for a feisty spinster but even more so when the story is so uniquely clever. The twist is admittedly a little far-fetched, but since it enables the characters to see sides of the other that they wouldn't have otherwise known, I can overlook it. Especially as the twist lent itself to some hilarity in the process. I'm definitely looking forward to reading further novels from this author.
March 3, 2020
I was in sore need of a light-hearted, funny read - the further removed from any events that could happen in my life, the better, which is why historical romance is the best genre for these moods.
As it turns out, My Lady, My Lord was not only the perfect historical romance, it also possesses a twist that allows it to cross into another genre - which was a delightful surprise!
Lord Ian Chance is the consummate rake: fast horses, gaming hells, and beautiful women are his favourite pastimes. Aside from annoying Lady Corinna, whom he's known from childhood and whose father's estate borders his.
Lady Corinna spends her time setting up gatherings of the most brilliant minds of her time, the perfect hostess, a paragon of virtue, if not the ideal of femininity what with her ideas of scientific exploration, literary analysis of the classics, and her dream of owning her very own publisher.
It galls her to no end that she is positively incapable of leashing in her tongue when it comes to Ian. There is no meeting between them that does not devolve into bitter quarreling.
I'm not going to give away the twist, it's a very uncommon one in HR, at least I'd never encountered it before in this genre (though I must say, it's a very popular one in fanfiction...).
Suffice to say, it makes for extremely amusing reading!
I really liked the fact that Corinna was 29 years old, a confirmed spinster, and yet not preoccupied with this. She'd had offers of marriage, good offers at that, and she refused them. She's not even dreaming of the ideal husband and saving herself for him. She's just content with her life. It makes for a nice change in HR.
I also liked how Ian was a rake - a nice one at that, but in HR there is a tendency to have the reader discover how the rake is a completely misunderstood noble gentleman. Ian had his morals, and he followed certain rules, but he did have mistresses, and he did gamble, and he spoke plainly of such arrangements in the presence of his friends.
It was nice to see these two childhood enemies coming to realise they didn't actually know each other as well as they thought, and see them gathering forces to overcome the above mentioned twist.
I wish I could quote my favourite bits, but they're so spoilery!!
Please take me at my word when I tell you that this book is well worth reading.
If you're in the mood for a funny (and a bit racy), historical romance, with characters who behave in reasonable ways, and a lack of overblown dramatics, then this is the book for you!
I'm certainly going to have a look at the author's other books!
April 23, 2014
This historical romance would’ve been a standard romantic fare if not for a slight paranormal twist, which made the story utterly original. The heroes, Corinna and Ian, are opposites in every way. She is an educated, sharp-tongued bluestocking. He is a horse- and women-loving hedonist. Both are rich, the lucky bastards. Their families’ estates in England neighbor each other, and since childhood, they quarreled bitterly whenever they met.
One day, they met at a Greek art show, and the statue of the goddess Aphrodite played a trick on them both. Now, they must find a way to reverse the goddess’s cruel joke and in the process learn a lot about each other’s true identities behind the society masks. They might even reconcile with each other or become friends.
Like many romances, this one starts with the protagonists disliking each other. There is no instant lust there. The heroes grow to love each other gradually, through doubts and detours, and I like the author’s realistic approach.
The writing is clear and often humorous, especially in the first half of the book, while Corinna and Ian battle the goddess’s curse. The plot moves pretty fast, plunging the heroes into one escapade after another, making for an absorbing reading experience. Both leading characters are well defined and likable, and I cared for them both, but the roots of their deep initial antipathy escaped me no matter how many back stories and flashbacks the author inserted into her narrative.
Why do they hate each other so much? And why do they have to act on that hatred? They share nothing, they socialize in different circles, and they don’t compete for the same prize. Another question: if their mutual dislike is as profound as they show, why do they talk to each other at all? In my experience, when people dislike someone they ignore that person. Trading insults is a usual practice between friends, not enemies. Icy silence is much more usual between enemies.
This one objection nagged me all the way through the book and spoiled the pleasure of reading this otherwise fine romantic tale. That’s why 4 stars instead of 5.
One day, they met at a Greek art show, and the statue of the goddess Aphrodite played a trick on them both. Now, they must find a way to reverse the goddess’s cruel joke and in the process learn a lot about each other’s true identities behind the society masks. They might even reconcile with each other or become friends.
Like many romances, this one starts with the protagonists disliking each other. There is no instant lust there. The heroes grow to love each other gradually, through doubts and detours, and I like the author’s realistic approach.
The writing is clear and often humorous, especially in the first half of the book, while Corinna and Ian battle the goddess’s curse. The plot moves pretty fast, plunging the heroes into one escapade after another, making for an absorbing reading experience. Both leading characters are well defined and likable, and I cared for them both, but the roots of their deep initial antipathy escaped me no matter how many back stories and flashbacks the author inserted into her narrative.
Why do they hate each other so much? And why do they have to act on that hatred? They share nothing, they socialize in different circles, and they don’t compete for the same prize. Another question: if their mutual dislike is as profound as they show, why do they talk to each other at all? In my experience, when people dislike someone they ignore that person. Trading insults is a usual practice between friends, not enemies. Icy silence is much more usual between enemies.
This one objection nagged me all the way through the book and spoiled the pleasure of reading this otherwise fine romantic tale. That’s why 4 stars instead of 5.
January 31, 2015
My Lady, My Lord, is a new release from Katharine Ashe. Now I can't believe I have had this book on my Nook for months and I am just now getting to it. But this author keeps winning me over, and I knew I had to try this one out. This story I think, is part of a series, but have no idea what it is called and what the series is about...yet. Or it could be a single title. I wouldn't mind seeing this turned into a series though. This story was very unique, especially with it being a Regency romance. It is very lightheart and sexy fun, but it has a certain twist you don't expect. Now this review is going to be shorter than normal, due to the fact that I don't want to spoil anything for readers that have yet to read this and want to. What I will say was this was quite a ride...I loved the turns of the plot, and the sizzling chemistry between Corinna and Ian. Whew....their interactions alone can set ablaze a forest fire. They have some tension and not all of it sexual, although as you read you see that all their bickering and name calling, it boils down to their attraction for each other. No surprise right? Well I loved the way that this author formatted this story and I was being constantly surprised and I loved the way that Ashe weaves a sensual story that is breathtaking, passionate, and magical.
October 28, 2015
Oh there is a twist alright.
I don't think revealing the twist would be a spoiler because I figured out what the twist would be by reading the blurb. It was rather obvious. But I will refrain from discussing it in case it would spoil the story for anyone. Suffice it to say that it was supernatural.
A 200 page long supernatural twist. The romance did not start until the last 1/3.
I like the way Ashe told the story, that is why I was able to finish it. I think this means I can probably read her other books. But I struggled with the twist. It was too far-fetched for me. I half read it as I would watch a comedy and just went with the flow. I skim-read quite a bit since all the "getting to know you" by living your life part did not interest me. For a enemies-turned-lovers story, the last one I read was All the ways to ruin a rogue by Sophie Jordan and I like it better than this book.
I don't think revealing the twist would be a spoiler because I figured out what the twist would be by reading the blurb. It was rather obvious. But I will refrain from discussing it in case it would spoil the story for anyone. Suffice it to say that it was supernatural.
A 200 page long supernatural twist. The romance did not start until the last 1/3.
I like the way Ashe told the story, that is why I was able to finish it. I think this means I can probably read her other books. But I struggled with the twist. It was too far-fetched for me. I half read it as I would watch a comedy and just went with the flow. I skim-read quite a bit since all the "getting to know you" by living your life part did not interest me. For a enemies-turned-lovers story, the last one I read was All the ways to ruin a rogue by Sophie Jordan and I like it better than this book.
October 29, 2014
This is one of the most charming, clever, intelligent, and entertaining romances I have read this year. Set in Regency England, it spins a unique and original historical twist on the modern story, Freaky Friday.
Lady Corinna (Cora) Mowbray and Ian, the Earl of Chance, can’t stand each other. They are childhood neighbors and nemeses who have baited and hurt each other over a span of twenty plus years, despite the fact that their families are old friends.
Corinna is lady of her father’s manor—much like Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse—ever since her mother died and her younger sisters married. She’s a beautiful and elegant bluestocking who hosts intellectual salons with gifted musicians, artists, and writers of the day, including musician Charles Dibdin, politician Charles Fox, and poet Lady Singleton.
For my full review on my historical romance & history blog: http://bit.ly/1wCn9YT
Lady Corinna (Cora) Mowbray and Ian, the Earl of Chance, can’t stand each other. They are childhood neighbors and nemeses who have baited and hurt each other over a span of twenty plus years, despite the fact that their families are old friends.
Corinna is lady of her father’s manor—much like Jane Austen’s Emma Woodhouse—ever since her mother died and her younger sisters married. She’s a beautiful and elegant bluestocking who hosts intellectual salons with gifted musicians, artists, and writers of the day, including musician Charles Dibdin, politician Charles Fox, and poet Lady Singleton.
For my full review on my historical romance & history blog: http://bit.ly/1wCn9YT
May 23, 2014
3.5/5. Unusual storyline about neighbouring protagonists, who had been exchanging hostile verbal fire since their childhood. Lord Ian Chance (bona fide rake with a hidden serious side) and Lady Corinna Mowbray (not so icy bluestocking spinster) spat out venomous insults whenever they crossed each other's paths at ton events. At one such event, they made the mistake of displaying their animosity in the vicinity of a statue of Aphrodite, who thus rose to the challenge of converting their hatred into love. While I love sparring childhood friends, the sparring here was vicious and vindictive more than witty. Furthermore, there were too many missed opportunities and misunderstandings making me want to slap them both silly at times. Still, kudos for the unique plot and the writing was rather good. I would try another of her books, since this is my first one of hers.
Read
February 8, 2015In which a Regency Lord and Lady switch bodies (as one does...?). So funny and so sweet.
July 31, 2016
I loved this first book in Katherine Ashe’s
Twist
series. What a charming, creative, funny and entertaining story!
Corinna had an unconventional upbringing by Regency standards. Her father actively supported her intellectual pursuits and,instead of attending balls, she attended lectures and supported her father’s political initiatives. She travelled abroad with her aunt and uncle, returning home after her mother died to act as hostess for her father. At the age of 29 and with her bluestocking tendencies, Corinna is firmly on the shelf, but she is content hosting her own salons which attract Europe’s intellectual elite.
Ian’s late father was a gambler and a cheat whose dishonourable actions brought disgrace to the family. Needing to put as much distance between himself and the father he despised, Ian left for London where his reputation for horse racing, gambling and beautiful, unmarried women convinced society that he’d turned out just like his father. Instead he has worked hard to restore the family’s honour and fortunes.
Although childhood neighbours, Ian and Corinna have detested each other for the past twenty years. Every time their paths cross, an argument erupts with barbed insults hurled on both sides. However, one such argument has unexpected consequences which allows them to see each other in a completely new light (in more ways than one!).
While I enjoyed their cutting exchanges, I also appreciated how much pain it caused to each of them. Words and actions of the past had left wounds that have never healed and they have continued to fan the flames of their mutual contempt.
It may not appeal to Historical Romance purists but I loved the unusual “Freaky Friday” twist because the scenes where Ian and Corinna are having to live in each other’s bodies are so well written and often funny.
If Ian was obliged to eat another teacake or drink another cup of tepid swill he would vomit it all up in the middle of the Duchess of Hammershire’s drawing room. The corset bound his ribs and stomach with an iron grip. He had divested any number of women of stays, but he’d never understood before how damn uncomfortable they were to wear. How a woman ate more than a soupçon of food at a time, he hadn’t the foggiest.
Corinna refused to cry. The dratted thing would not go away, but she could not let it best her. As a person of reason and sense, she would conquer the beast. Man’s animal nature must perforce be sublimated to moral right and intellectual strength. Hadn’t the Roman moralist Seneca said something like that?
The trouble was, the more she thought about it, the larger it seemed to grow. She stared at her lap, the fine linen nightshirt tenting at her hips, and groaned in frustration.
Living in each other’s shoes also allows them to truly see each other for the first time without their judgement being coloured by animosity. Corinna has always regarded Ian as a “cretin” and a reprobate but is struck speechless when Ian’s friend, the Marquess of Drake, believing Corinna to be Ian, tells him that he is decent, honourable and a loyal friend. Corinna is also surprised to discover the careful records Ian keeps for his several estates, his successful horse breeding business and the family’s finances. He also cares deeply for his family and is liked and respected by his servants.
Ian has always been secretly impressed by Corinna’s beauty, intelligence, wit and boldness but thought her blood ran with ice rather than hot, feminine need. He is therefore surprised to discover that she had numerous suitors over the years but has refused them all. He is left to ponder the real reason why.
Once they return to their own bodies, they are consumed with all sorts of emotions they have never felt before. Ms Ashe captured all their confusion, doubts, anguish and passion so well.
She resisted the urge to flee. Perhaps making love to him for an entire night, or at all, had not been such a good idea. She ought to have allowed her unrequited admiration to fade into sensible oblivion over months, perhaps years, without the memories of his touch to tease her. The ache inside her was unbearable.
Now deeper inside him, harder than lust or passion, an ache grew, and the power of it filled his arms, his entire body. For years he had wanted her yet told himself he didn’t, but only because he could not have her.
I was really rooting for them to confess their love for each other.
I loved Ian’s friends and do hope they each get their own stories. I also liked Ian’s younger brother, Gregory, who with Ian’s guidance, had grown into a decent young man.
Other reviewers have already mentioned the Americanisms that crept in and the incorrect forms of the address for the male characters and so I won’t labour the point. It just seems a pity that these are issues that could so easily have been remedied.
I would have liked an Epilogue because I wanted to see Ian and Corinna enjoying their hard-fought Happy Ever After but it certainly didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book.
MY VERDICT: A thoroughly entertaining and refreshingly different story.
Twist series to date (click on the book covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
Corinna had an unconventional upbringing by Regency standards. Her father actively supported her intellectual pursuits and,instead of attending balls, she attended lectures and supported her father’s political initiatives. She travelled abroad with her aunt and uncle, returning home after her mother died to act as hostess for her father. At the age of 29 and with her bluestocking tendencies, Corinna is firmly on the shelf, but she is content hosting her own salons which attract Europe’s intellectual elite.
Ian’s late father was a gambler and a cheat whose dishonourable actions brought disgrace to the family. Needing to put as much distance between himself and the father he despised, Ian left for London where his reputation for horse racing, gambling and beautiful, unmarried women convinced society that he’d turned out just like his father. Instead he has worked hard to restore the family’s honour and fortunes.
Although childhood neighbours, Ian and Corinna have detested each other for the past twenty years. Every time their paths cross, an argument erupts with barbed insults hurled on both sides. However, one such argument has unexpected consequences which allows them to see each other in a completely new light (in more ways than one!).
While I enjoyed their cutting exchanges, I also appreciated how much pain it caused to each of them. Words and actions of the past had left wounds that have never healed and they have continued to fan the flames of their mutual contempt.
It may not appeal to Historical Romance purists but I loved the unusual “Freaky Friday” twist because the scenes where Ian and Corinna are having to live in each other’s bodies are so well written and often funny.
If Ian was obliged to eat another teacake or drink another cup of tepid swill he would vomit it all up in the middle of the Duchess of Hammershire’s drawing room. The corset bound his ribs and stomach with an iron grip. He had divested any number of women of stays, but he’d never understood before how damn uncomfortable they were to wear. How a woman ate more than a soupçon of food at a time, he hadn’t the foggiest.
Corinna refused to cry. The dratted thing would not go away, but she could not let it best her. As a person of reason and sense, she would conquer the beast. Man’s animal nature must perforce be sublimated to moral right and intellectual strength. Hadn’t the Roman moralist Seneca said something like that?
The trouble was, the more she thought about it, the larger it seemed to grow. She stared at her lap, the fine linen nightshirt tenting at her hips, and groaned in frustration.
Living in each other’s shoes also allows them to truly see each other for the first time without their judgement being coloured by animosity. Corinna has always regarded Ian as a “cretin” and a reprobate but is struck speechless when Ian’s friend, the Marquess of Drake, believing Corinna to be Ian, tells him that he is decent, honourable and a loyal friend. Corinna is also surprised to discover the careful records Ian keeps for his several estates, his successful horse breeding business and the family’s finances. He also cares deeply for his family and is liked and respected by his servants.
Ian has always been secretly impressed by Corinna’s beauty, intelligence, wit and boldness but thought her blood ran with ice rather than hot, feminine need. He is therefore surprised to discover that she had numerous suitors over the years but has refused them all. He is left to ponder the real reason why.
Once they return to their own bodies, they are consumed with all sorts of emotions they have never felt before. Ms Ashe captured all their confusion, doubts, anguish and passion so well.
She resisted the urge to flee. Perhaps making love to him for an entire night, or at all, had not been such a good idea. She ought to have allowed her unrequited admiration to fade into sensible oblivion over months, perhaps years, without the memories of his touch to tease her. The ache inside her was unbearable.
Now deeper inside him, harder than lust or passion, an ache grew, and the power of it filled his arms, his entire body. For years he had wanted her yet told himself he didn’t, but only because he could not have her.
I was really rooting for them to confess their love for each other.
I loved Ian’s friends and do hope they each get their own stories. I also liked Ian’s younger brother, Gregory, who with Ian’s guidance, had grown into a decent young man.
Other reviewers have already mentioned the Americanisms that crept in and the incorrect forms of the address for the male characters and so I won’t labour the point. It just seems a pity that these are issues that could so easily have been remedied.
I would have liked an Epilogue because I wanted to see Ian and Corinna enjoying their hard-fought Happy Ever After but it certainly didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the book.
MY VERDICT: A thoroughly entertaining and refreshingly different story.
Twist series to date (click on the book covers for more details):
This review is also posted on my Rakes and Rascals Blog:
https://rakesandrascals.wordpress.com...
March 14, 2014
This was an enjoyable twist on the enemies-to-lovers storyline. We get to see both H/h completely out of their elements, forcing them to understand the position the other is coming from. Without giving too much away, don’t expect your garden variety Historical story here. We get just a touch of the supernatural to push Corinna and Ian in the right direction. There is comedy in how they handle the changes to their lives and also a bit of poignancy as their eyes are truly opened to the person they thought they knew. Prejudices and misconceptions all fall away; leaving a relationship that has been wounded and scarred in the past but is ready for healing.
I absolutely adored how their love unfolded against the improbable situation they find themselves in. It isn’t an immediate Love brought about by shared circumstances but more a second chance to correct mistakes they had both made in the past. Corinna’s independence and Ian’s personality aren’t sacrificed just to move the story towards its HEA and right up until the end those same traits could cost them everything they had gained together.
I loved the supporting characters that are introduced because they are truly “supporting” for the H/h. Ian’s best friend Lord Grace or his younger brother Gregory know just what to say within the moment to either influence actions or set them in motion. Smaller moments with their widowed parents or other friends helped show just how changed Ian and Corinna became during their unusual courtship. I cannot wait to see if any of them get their own stories (and if we get the same supernatural twist to them).
I absolutely adored how their love unfolded against the improbable situation they find themselves in. It isn’t an immediate Love brought about by shared circumstances but more a second chance to correct mistakes they had both made in the past. Corinna’s independence and Ian’s personality aren’t sacrificed just to move the story towards its HEA and right up until the end those same traits could cost them everything they had gained together.
I loved the supporting characters that are introduced because they are truly “supporting” for the H/h. Ian’s best friend Lord Grace or his younger brother Gregory know just what to say within the moment to either influence actions or set them in motion. Smaller moments with their widowed parents or other friends helped show just how changed Ian and Corinna became during their unusual courtship. I cannot wait to see if any of them get their own stories (and if we get the same supernatural twist to them).
April 9, 2014
Posted on Les Romantiques - Le forum du site
Reviewed by Fabiola
Review Copy from the Author
I discovered Katharine Ashe last year and immediately fell for her fluent style, and the humour and emotion that permeate her books. With My Lady, My Lord, I wasn’t disappointed.
Katharine has been advertising her novel as « an historical romance with a twist ». I didn’t know what to expect exactly. But one thing is for sure: I didn’t expect that! LOL Problem is: to avoid any spoiler, I can’t say anything about what happens in the book. So I will start this review by recommending all of you to read it, because this “twist” is a must-read.
The novel tells the story of two heroes who can’t stand each other since childhood. Yet, they are neighbours and their families like each other, so the situation is very difficult for them. The author tells us how Lord Ian Chance and Lady Corinna Mowbray will end up talking to each other without fighting and how their feelings will evolve.
The most important element in this novel is humour. Every reader will have to laugh at those funny scenes and situations. I asked the author how she managed this miracle (if you must know, I had to hide myself in the public transports, because I didn’t want anybody to see me laughing LOL) and she answered that she laughed too. I don’t doubt it for one second.
However, the humour is not present throughout the book and I found that the author succeeded in moving from laugh to emotion then to solemnity.
The heroes’ realization is well brought forward. However, I found the end a little too long. There were too much hesitations and a lack of understanding between the two characters, and that’s a pity because it prevents me from giving the book the highest grade.
There is one sex scene and it happens late in the book, but you will understand, when you read it, that the author couldn’t have done it any differently.
The secondary characters are very interesting and nice, except the heroine’s rival. The latter is courted by a well respected gentleman, whom the reader won’t be able to hate.
The author says that My Lady, My Lord is the first volume in a series, but even if I have an idea about the next heroes, I prefer not to say anything because there are plenty of characters who could have their own story. I’m curious about the next twist. I don’t think Katharine Ashe will use the same one, because readers won’t be surprised anymore.
Reviewed by Fabiola
Review Copy from the Author
I discovered Katharine Ashe last year and immediately fell for her fluent style, and the humour and emotion that permeate her books. With My Lady, My Lord, I wasn’t disappointed.
Katharine has been advertising her novel as « an historical romance with a twist ». I didn’t know what to expect exactly. But one thing is for sure: I didn’t expect that! LOL Problem is: to avoid any spoiler, I can’t say anything about what happens in the book. So I will start this review by recommending all of you to read it, because this “twist” is a must-read.
The novel tells the story of two heroes who can’t stand each other since childhood. Yet, they are neighbours and their families like each other, so the situation is very difficult for them. The author tells us how Lord Ian Chance and Lady Corinna Mowbray will end up talking to each other without fighting and how their feelings will evolve.
The most important element in this novel is humour. Every reader will have to laugh at those funny scenes and situations. I asked the author how she managed this miracle (if you must know, I had to hide myself in the public transports, because I didn’t want anybody to see me laughing LOL) and she answered that she laughed too. I don’t doubt it for one second.
However, the humour is not present throughout the book and I found that the author succeeded in moving from laugh to emotion then to solemnity.
The heroes’ realization is well brought forward. However, I found the end a little too long. There were too much hesitations and a lack of understanding between the two characters, and that’s a pity because it prevents me from giving the book the highest grade.
There is one sex scene and it happens late in the book, but you will understand, when you read it, that the author couldn’t have done it any differently.
The secondary characters are very interesting and nice, except the heroine’s rival. The latter is courted by a well respected gentleman, whom the reader won’t be able to hate.
The author says that My Lady, My Lord is the first volume in a series, but even if I have an idea about the next heroes, I prefer not to say anything because there are plenty of characters who could have their own story. I’m curious about the next twist. I don’t think Katharine Ashe will use the same one, because readers won’t be surprised anymore.
May 15, 2020
2 1/2 stars!
It might've helped me enjoy this book more had I known that it was 3rd in a series. I found myself in some weird time warp as I realized I had slipped into the romance land version of Freaky Friday.
Here is the recommended reading order:
1. Again, My Lord
2. Forever, My Lord
3. My Lady, My Lord
I would definitely recommend reading them in this order, because as one who did not, it was difficult to finish this book. I will never know if reading them in order would've made a difference for me. There were moments of humor, and moments of romance, but I really didn't enjoy this one all that much and it took over a week to finish it. Bummer.
It might've helped me enjoy this book more had I known that it was 3rd in a series. I found myself in some weird time warp as I realized I had slipped into the romance land version of Freaky Friday.
Here is the recommended reading order:
1. Again, My Lord
2. Forever, My Lord
3. My Lady, My Lord
I would definitely recommend reading them in this order, because as one who did not, it was difficult to finish this book. I will never know if reading them in order would've made a difference for me. There were moments of humor, and moments of romance, but I really didn't enjoy this one all that much and it took over a week to finish it. Bummer.
March 15, 2014
Absolutely fantastic!!!
I loved Ian and Cor's romance!!
From the first page I was hooked....great pacing, characterization (secondary characters also great) and chemistry between the Hero and Heroine fantastic, jumping off the pages!
Ian and Cor have known each other since they had been children, they where neighbors. They have fought with each other and rubbed each other the wrong way for what seems like forever. Years latter, as adults something happens and they now have to work together to "correct" the situation. In the process they begin to see each other in a new light and understand each other better. And they realize that really they have loved each other forever. Loved the chemistry between them and the dialogue back and forth is priceless, had me laughing out loud. Also the emotion that you feel for each is at times heartbreaking (each loving the other and thinking they are not loved in return).
I really liked both the hero and heroine, A LOT. Wonderful ending too. A historical I won't soon forget!
I loved Ian and Cor's romance!!
From the first page I was hooked....great pacing, characterization (secondary characters also great) and chemistry between the Hero and Heroine fantastic, jumping off the pages!
Ian and Cor have known each other since they had been children, they where neighbors. They have fought with each other and rubbed each other the wrong way for what seems like forever. Years latter, as adults something happens and they now have to work together to "correct" the situation. In the process they begin to see each other in a new light and understand each other better. And they realize that really they have loved each other forever. Loved the chemistry between them and the dialogue back and forth is priceless, had me laughing out loud. Also the emotion that you feel for each is at times heartbreaking (each loving the other and thinking they are not loved in return).
I really liked both the hero and heroine, A LOT. Wonderful ending too. A historical I won't soon forget!
July 4, 2016
This book was an unexpected delight for me - it was much more emotional and touching, with way better developed characters and intricate plot than the set up from the blurb suggested. This was my first Katherine Ashe book and I'm enthralled - her style is a mix of witty repartee, fast moving plot and interesting, even unusual characters. I didn't mind the "misunderstandings" or event the ever hated HEA delay to the very end. Fun and charming - I can't wait to read something else from this author.
March 18, 2014
Very enjoyable! The twist was definitely not something that I normally read, especially in historical romance, but it worked for me and the ending was very romantic.
March 22, 2019
A very clever, unusual take on gender-bending. On one level this is a classic enemies to lovers story. But it is so much more. In a paranormal twist, the hero and heroine actually swap bodies. It is an enlightening experience for them and sets a course in their attitudes for each other, but they still have a lot of work to do on their own before they reach their HEA.
I loved both characters and I loved seeing them go through tough stuff and being forced to change their viewpoint. They kept their feisty individuality while learning to adapt to each other. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job. Really liked this book!
I loved both characters and I loved seeing them go through tough stuff and being forced to change their viewpoint. They kept their feisty individuality while learning to adapt to each other. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did an excellent job. Really liked this book!
December 11, 2016
Actual Rating: 2.5 Stars
I don't know how to rate this book, because it started off a little difficult to get into, but then the story picked up. The characters were interesting, but I honestly didn't like our main couple. I expected witty banter, but instead, I got childish insult slinging in the form of "You're a stupid head!" and "You're a snobby bitch!" But the relationship between Ian and Corinna had it's ups and downs, and was sweet some moments, and completely and utterly frustrating other moments.
The writing was serviceable, and the premise was surprisingly intriguing, but the overall story could have been a little shorter. If people learned how to communicate with each other in this book, so many, many misunderstandings could have been avoided. But people don't talk to each other and instead just go ahead and jump to their own conclusions. But I suppose without these misunderstandings, we wouldn't have had 300+ pages of story to tell.
On a side note, I like the relationship between Corinna and Ian's family; I liked the relationship between Ian and his younger brother Gregory. I'm a little conflicted on how quickly Ian went from scoundrel rogue to heroic and respected elder brother, as more secrets about Ian's back story is revealed. It feels a bit deliberate in trying to make the reader sympathize with him, when he really IS just an arrogant jerk whose sole form of showing affection for the woman he loves is pulling on her pigtails and trying to ruin her reputation.
Of course, Corinna isn't much better, since her way of showing her love for Ian was constantly lobbing verbal insults at him and hoping he knew how to read between the lines. Because obviously always telling him how stupid he is means she loves him.
Another side note: I did not expect, but DID thoroughly find the "twist" that serves as the conflict utilized by the author to be quite promising, and actually depicted quite well. I will not reveal what it is, as the summary doesn't mention it at all, so I have a feeling it's supposed to be a surprise. Because, to be honest, while I wasn't entirely surprised, I was pleasantly intrigued, found myself flipping (or swiping on Kindle) pages to find out how everything turns out.
It was really the romance that didn't do it for me, as well as the events taking place after the "twist" conflict is resolved.
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• Reading Assignment Challenge
• Bookish Resolutions Challenge
• Mount TBR Challenge
***
Reviewed at Ani's Book Abyss.
I don't know how to rate this book, because it started off a little difficult to get into, but then the story picked up. The characters were interesting, but I honestly didn't like our main couple. I expected witty banter, but instead, I got childish insult slinging in the form of "You're a stupid head!" and "You're a snobby bitch!" But the relationship between Ian and Corinna had it's ups and downs, and was sweet some moments, and completely and utterly frustrating other moments.
The writing was serviceable, and the premise was surprisingly intriguing, but the overall story could have been a little shorter. If people learned how to communicate with each other in this book, so many, many misunderstandings could have been avoided. But people don't talk to each other and instead just go ahead and jump to their own conclusions. But I suppose without these misunderstandings, we wouldn't have had 300+ pages of story to tell.
On a side note, I like the relationship between Corinna and Ian's family; I liked the relationship between Ian and his younger brother Gregory. I'm a little conflicted on how quickly Ian went from scoundrel rogue to heroic and respected elder brother, as more secrets about Ian's back story is revealed. It feels a bit deliberate in trying to make the reader sympathize with him, when he really IS just an arrogant jerk whose sole form of showing affection for the woman he loves is pulling on her pigtails and trying to ruin her reputation.
Of course, Corinna isn't much better, since her way of showing her love for Ian was constantly lobbing verbal insults at him and hoping he knew how to read between the lines. Because obviously always telling him how stupid he is means she loves him.
Another side note: I did not expect, but DID thoroughly find the "twist" that serves as the conflict utilized by the author to be quite promising, and actually depicted quite well. I will not reveal what it is, as the summary doesn't mention it at all, so I have a feeling it's supposed to be a surprise. Because, to be honest, while I wasn't entirely surprised, I was pleasantly intrigued, found myself flipping (or swiping on Kindle) pages to find out how everything turns out.
It was really the romance that didn't do it for me, as well as the events taking place after the "twist" conflict is resolved.
***
2016 Reading Challenges:
• Goodreads Reading Challenge
• BookLikes Reading Challenge
• Reading Assignment Challenge
• Bookish Resolutions Challenge
• Mount TBR Challenge
***
Reviewed at Ani's Book Abyss.
November 13, 2015
Vikki’s Musings
I did not know what to expect when I decided to download the audio version of My Lady, My Lord, but I was looking for a regency to listen to and found this book. I also purchased the Kindle edition as well for an excellent price. I am so glad I discovered this book.
Ian Chance, the Earl of Chance, and Lady Corinna Mowbrary have had an on-going feud since they were children. While arguing in front of the statue of Aphrodite, the goddess intervenes and each finds themselves inhabiting each other’s bodies.
Will the pair learn to value each other and find a way to work to together so they can be reunited with their true form while finally giving into an attraction they feel for one another, or will they turn their backs on a love greater than either could ever imagine?
After I purchased this book, I read a few of the reviews and wondered if I had made a mistake. I definitely did not. I found this book enchanting. When Ian and Corinna end up switching bodies, I found myself laughing so hard it brought tears to my eyes. I did not expect the humor.
As the story unfolds, I felt as if I really got to know each character on an intimate level. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending. Even though, at times they fought like cats and dogs, the chemistry between them sizzled.
I listened to the audio version, and Velda Dehmlow did an outstanding job. She reads with a great deal of emotion, and she gives each character a distinctive voice, making it easy to know which one is speaking. This is the first book I've listened to with Ms. Dehmlow as the narrator, and I plan to look for other books performed by her.
If you are looking for a great regency with an unusual twist, then you will love My Lady, My Lord as much as I did. One of the things I love most about regency romance is the sexual tension and this book has it. I highly recommend this delightful book. Happy reading!
I did not know what to expect when I decided to download the audio version of My Lady, My Lord, but I was looking for a regency to listen to and found this book. I also purchased the Kindle edition as well for an excellent price. I am so glad I discovered this book.
Ian Chance, the Earl of Chance, and Lady Corinna Mowbrary have had an on-going feud since they were children. While arguing in front of the statue of Aphrodite, the goddess intervenes and each finds themselves inhabiting each other’s bodies.
Will the pair learn to value each other and find a way to work to together so they can be reunited with their true form while finally giving into an attraction they feel for one another, or will they turn their backs on a love greater than either could ever imagine?
After I purchased this book, I read a few of the reviews and wondered if I had made a mistake. I definitely did not. I found this book enchanting. When Ian and Corinna end up switching bodies, I found myself laughing so hard it brought tears to my eyes. I did not expect the humor.
As the story unfolds, I felt as if I really got to know each character on an intimate level. I truly wanted them to find their happy ending. Even though, at times they fought like cats and dogs, the chemistry between them sizzled.
I listened to the audio version, and Velda Dehmlow did an outstanding job. She reads with a great deal of emotion, and she gives each character a distinctive voice, making it easy to know which one is speaking. This is the first book I've listened to with Ms. Dehmlow as the narrator, and I plan to look for other books performed by her.
If you are looking for a great regency with an unusual twist, then you will love My Lady, My Lord as much as I did. One of the things I love most about regency romance is the sexual tension and this book has it. I highly recommend this delightful book. Happy reading!
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