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The Ashford Brothers #1
An Inconvenient Kiss
India, 1820
Georgiana Phillips always conducted herself according to the rules of polite society. So catching Simon Ashford in a compromising position should have been shocking. Instead it was…arousing. And kissing him herself was absolutely delicious—until it led to her ruination.
That perfect, scandalous kiss has haunted Simon for six years. He doesn't regret it, though he's tried desperately to restore Georgie's reputation. When he's ordered to look after her in the wilds of India, it's an opportunity to finish what he started. But he's no match for Georgie's adventurous spirit—she seems set on getting herself killed, diving in after hungry crocodiles and braving monsoons to hunt for lost treasure.
Georgie wouldn't trade her exciting new life for anything in the world, including marriage. And yet Simon seems determined to rein her in, rewarding her brief moments of propriety with kisses far more exotic than any tribal ceremony or archaeological expedition. How can he convince her that she's so much more than a beautiful obligation?
Georgiana Phillips always conducted herself according to the rules of polite society. So catching Simon Ashford in a compromising position should have been shocking. Instead it was…arousing. And kissing him herself was absolutely delicious—until it led to her ruination.
That perfect, scandalous kiss has haunted Simon for six years. He doesn't regret it, though he's tried desperately to restore Georgie's reputation. When he's ordered to look after her in the wilds of India, it's an opportunity to finish what he started. But he's no match for Georgie's adventurous spirit—she seems set on getting herself killed, diving in after hungry crocodiles and braving monsoons to hunt for lost treasure.
Georgie wouldn't trade her exciting new life for anything in the world, including marriage. And yet Simon seems determined to rein her in, rewarding her brief moments of propriety with kisses far more exotic than any tribal ceremony or archaeological expedition. How can he convince her that she's so much more than a beautiful obligation?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Kimberly
6 books5 followersCaroline Kimberly has spent most of her life making up stories to help offset the daily grind. It wasn’t until she was in graduate school, however, that she realized she wanted to write for a living. Since then, she’s worked as a newspaper reporter and as a copy editor for a children’s book publisher. Historical romance has always been her favorite genre, however, and brainstorming romantic romps makes her life as a soccer mom much more interesting.
She lives in Minnesota with her very patient husband, two busy daughters and three lazy cats.
She lives in Minnesota with her very patient husband, two busy daughters and three lazy cats.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 22, 2014
After a very unfortunate encounter with her bother's best friend one evening, Georgiana Phillips finds herself "ruined" by society's standards, despite remaining pure as the driven snow. This changes the course of her life, sending her on many adventures that a woman of her standing wouldn't normally get to enjoy. And a chance encounter with the man that changed the course of her life several years later, leads to yet more thrilling adventures - this time, of the heart.
I really enjoyed this romance. The setting was fabulous and the storytelling truly excellent. Definitely one to add to your lists.
I really enjoyed this romance. The setting was fabulous and the storytelling truly excellent. Definitely one to add to your lists.
August 9, 2014
Do you like a little adventure with your romance? An Inconvenient Kiss definitely fits that bill. The leads take a little too long to clear the air between them, but I'd heard this book compared to the movie Romancing the Stone and I can definitely see the action-romance parallel.
Though most of the book takes place in India, the roots of the story start back in England. Proper young Georgiana Phillips is both beautiful and scandal-free, and therefore on track to make a good match. This all changes at a party when a suitor attempts to compromise her. Georgiana flees and takes refuge in a room occupied by Simon Ashford and his scandalous companion. After some repartee (and some mockery of her purity by the companion), Simon and Georgiana find themselves alone. More repartee brings us to the inconvenient kiss of the title - and discovery.
Georgiana urges Simon to flee the room, and she faces the music alone. Her refusal to name the one who compromised her and the ensuing gossip lead to her ruin in Society. Six years later, Simon has made his career in the Army and now serves in India alongside Georgiana's brother. He learns that Georgiana had left England to stay with a cousin in France, and that she and the cousin now travel with her grandfather, assisting with his scholarly pursuits. They have gone to Russia and Egypt, and are now coming to India to study and write about the people and their customs.
Georgiana is an interesting character. She's ruined, she has a terrible reputation, and she knows it - but she doesn't entirely own it. Sometimes when it suits her purpose, she plays the role of the worldly woman, but deep down something of her previous self remains. It's obvious that Georgiana has not completely come to terms with her new life even though she loves her studies, but as she spends time in India, she's forced to confront it in a way she hasn't before.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
Though most of the book takes place in India, the roots of the story start back in England. Proper young Georgiana Phillips is both beautiful and scandal-free, and therefore on track to make a good match. This all changes at a party when a suitor attempts to compromise her. Georgiana flees and takes refuge in a room occupied by Simon Ashford and his scandalous companion. After some repartee (and some mockery of her purity by the companion), Simon and Georgiana find themselves alone. More repartee brings us to the inconvenient kiss of the title - and discovery.
Georgiana urges Simon to flee the room, and she faces the music alone. Her refusal to name the one who compromised her and the ensuing gossip lead to her ruin in Society. Six years later, Simon has made his career in the Army and now serves in India alongside Georgiana's brother. He learns that Georgiana had left England to stay with a cousin in France, and that she and the cousin now travel with her grandfather, assisting with his scholarly pursuits. They have gone to Russia and Egypt, and are now coming to India to study and write about the people and their customs.
Georgiana is an interesting character. She's ruined, she has a terrible reputation, and she knows it - but she doesn't entirely own it. Sometimes when it suits her purpose, she plays the role of the worldly woman, but deep down something of her previous self remains. It's obvious that Georgiana has not completely come to terms with her new life even though she loves her studies, but as she spends time in India, she's forced to confront it in a way she hasn't before.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text at All About Romance: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
July 13, 2014
At eighteen, Georgiana Phillips was a highly respectable lady out in Society and no doubt ready to make the match of the Season to someone rich and titled. Whilst fleeing a situation that could potentially lead to her ruin, she comes across Simon Ashford, a friend of her older brother, in a very compromising situation. And that situation led to her being ruined anyway, although by the time her brother found her she was alone.
Six years later and Georgiana, her cousin Jane and her grandfather, a renown scholar are arriving in India to observe the local culture and write up their findings. Georgiana has become somewhat well known, a famous figure who is believed to have left a trail of broken hearts in her wake as she’s travelled across the world. Her older brother, in the Army stationed in India, tasks his friend and fellow soldier Simon Ashford with looking after Georgiana and making sure she doesn’t get herself into any trouble whilst in India. Trouble that could come back and reflect badly on him.
Neither Simon nor Georgiana have forgotten that kiss they shared six years ago. He’s unprepared for Georgie six years later, who is an adventurous woman, determined to experience everything that India has to offer. Her brother is so paranoid about her behaviour that Simon finds himself along for the ride, determined to keep her safe. But the more time they spend together, the more it’s obvious that attraction has never gone away. Simon needs to convince Georgiana that she’s much more than an obligation for him, an assignment he’s been given by a superior officer. But this Georgiana is even more stubborn than six years ago and she’s going to take a lot of convincing.
I’ve been looking for historical fiction to read lately so when I saw this on NetGalley, I snatched it up. It’s a bit different to what I expected but in a good way. I loved the beginning, which is Georgiana attempting to escape an amorous suitor. She slips into a room and finds Simon Ashford, her older brother’s friend in a very compromising situation with a married lady of society. Simon and Georgiana have a lot of banter and share a kiss which ends in Georgiana being ruined thanks to Simon’s very jealous lady friend. Even though many offered for Georgiana, she refused them all and instead went to live with her married cousin Jane in France. Six years later, Jane is a widow and the two of them have been traveling with their grandfather – to Russia, China, Egypt. Now they’ve come to India, where Simon Ashford happens to be stationed.
The interactions between Simon and Georgiana when they are reunited in India are quite a highlight. Georgiana has spent many years abroad and she has changed a lot. Society girls are usually spoiled and cosseted, nothing more is expected of them than to wear pretty clothes and make a good marriage and then produce children. Georgiana has lived in interesting places, she has met interesting people and has escaped some difficult situations. It puts her and Simon on much more of an even footing than they were six years ago when she was still very naive and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Of course there are ways in which Simon is infinitely more experienced than Georgiana with the myriad of colourful stories about her being just that – stories and gossip about a girl who was ruined. Maybe she encouraged them and her reputation, maybe not. I’m not sure that’s ever really satisfactorily addressed.
Simon and Georgiana do have a few conversations that feel like they are repeated way too often throughout the course of the novel. I think Georgiana has come to really appreciate her independence and even though she’s faced a lot of nastiness from others, including her own brother, and has been cut dead by many people and hasn’t seen most of her family in years, she’s made her own way. She’s been able to see a lot of things that women in her position just don’t usually get to see. For Georgiana to ever agree to marry a man, would take something pretty special, a man who wouldn’t feel threatened by her. Simon always seems a bit ahead of Georgiana in this respect, he feels bad about what happened between them six years ago but that was really only part of why he offered for her. Now I think he admires her even more as a person as well as admiring her beauty. She has strength and resilience and character. She’s extremely intelligent and she has worked hard at keeping the little family functioning and together. She just needs a few things to go right in India and things will look good.
I liked the way everything played out – Simon and Georgiana were perfect together and even though they had their frustrating moments it was rewarding to see them thrown into a situation where they could no longer deny or run away from their attraction. An enjoyable read.
Six years later and Georgiana, her cousin Jane and her grandfather, a renown scholar are arriving in India to observe the local culture and write up their findings. Georgiana has become somewhat well known, a famous figure who is believed to have left a trail of broken hearts in her wake as she’s travelled across the world. Her older brother, in the Army stationed in India, tasks his friend and fellow soldier Simon Ashford with looking after Georgiana and making sure she doesn’t get herself into any trouble whilst in India. Trouble that could come back and reflect badly on him.
Neither Simon nor Georgiana have forgotten that kiss they shared six years ago. He’s unprepared for Georgie six years later, who is an adventurous woman, determined to experience everything that India has to offer. Her brother is so paranoid about her behaviour that Simon finds himself along for the ride, determined to keep her safe. But the more time they spend together, the more it’s obvious that attraction has never gone away. Simon needs to convince Georgiana that she’s much more than an obligation for him, an assignment he’s been given by a superior officer. But this Georgiana is even more stubborn than six years ago and she’s going to take a lot of convincing.
I’ve been looking for historical fiction to read lately so when I saw this on NetGalley, I snatched it up. It’s a bit different to what I expected but in a good way. I loved the beginning, which is Georgiana attempting to escape an amorous suitor. She slips into a room and finds Simon Ashford, her older brother’s friend in a very compromising situation with a married lady of society. Simon and Georgiana have a lot of banter and share a kiss which ends in Georgiana being ruined thanks to Simon’s very jealous lady friend. Even though many offered for Georgiana, she refused them all and instead went to live with her married cousin Jane in France. Six years later, Jane is a widow and the two of them have been traveling with their grandfather – to Russia, China, Egypt. Now they’ve come to India, where Simon Ashford happens to be stationed.
The interactions between Simon and Georgiana when they are reunited in India are quite a highlight. Georgiana has spent many years abroad and she has changed a lot. Society girls are usually spoiled and cosseted, nothing more is expected of them than to wear pretty clothes and make a good marriage and then produce children. Georgiana has lived in interesting places, she has met interesting people and has escaped some difficult situations. It puts her and Simon on much more of an even footing than they were six years ago when she was still very naive and inexperienced in the ways of the world. Of course there are ways in which Simon is infinitely more experienced than Georgiana with the myriad of colourful stories about her being just that – stories and gossip about a girl who was ruined. Maybe she encouraged them and her reputation, maybe not. I’m not sure that’s ever really satisfactorily addressed.
Simon and Georgiana do have a few conversations that feel like they are repeated way too often throughout the course of the novel. I think Georgiana has come to really appreciate her independence and even though she’s faced a lot of nastiness from others, including her own brother, and has been cut dead by many people and hasn’t seen most of her family in years, she’s made her own way. She’s been able to see a lot of things that women in her position just don’t usually get to see. For Georgiana to ever agree to marry a man, would take something pretty special, a man who wouldn’t feel threatened by her. Simon always seems a bit ahead of Georgiana in this respect, he feels bad about what happened between them six years ago but that was really only part of why he offered for her. Now I think he admires her even more as a person as well as admiring her beauty. She has strength and resilience and character. She’s extremely intelligent and she has worked hard at keeping the little family functioning and together. She just needs a few things to go right in India and things will look good.
I liked the way everything played out – Simon and Georgiana were perfect together and even though they had their frustrating moments it was rewarding to see them thrown into a situation where they could no longer deny or run away from their attraction. An enjoyable read.
August 4, 2014
An Inconvenient Kiss was an unusual historical romance as it wasn't set in the ballrooms of the ton, and I enjoyed this change of pace immensely. It was lush and exotic and the perfect summer escape read.
Georgianna Phillips was enjoying the season and batting off the suitors when one indiscretion forced her from her charmed life. When Georgianna refused to name the man that kissed her, she was shipped off to France to live with her cousin. Over the years Georgianna has managed to make a life for herself and her cousin by assisting their grandfather in writing his travel journals. She has seen far more of the world than she would have as a sheltered young lady, but rumours of her wild lifestyle continue to follow her, giving her an unwarranted reputation.
When her grandfather decides to visit India, Georgianna is forced to deal with her past when Simon Ashford is ordered to usher her around the city. His real mission, outlined by Georgianna's brother, is to make sure that she stays out of trouble and bring no more scandal to her family's name. The problem is that Simon was the man Georgianna kissed, and she refused his subsequent proposal of marriage (who want to marry out of duty anyway?). However, neither has forgotten their connection and an Indian adventure might just be the perfect way to rekindle their romance.
An Inconvenient Kiss was a fun read. I loved the Indian setting and I'm fascinated and interested in colonialism during this period. While An Inconvenient Kiss didn't recognize the negative aspects of the British in Indian, the atmosphere was one I enjoyed reading about. I think the character's attitude's towards this new land was fairly common. Georgianna's grandfather was an explorer, and while they wanted to showcase local customs, they were always aware of their audience and the dark side of British colonialism doesn't sell. That said, the author did a fantastic job of creating an exotic atmosphere. India became more than window dressing, which I think is frequently the case in historicals set in a foreign land.
Setting the locale aside, I was left with mixed feelings about the romance. It's clear from the start that Georgianna and Simon have chemistry and the antagonist relationship when they meet again was great, but it got old quickly. The lack of trust on Georgianna's part was frustrating since Simon did all that he could to prove himself to her. I would have liked to have seen Georgianna's trust issues resolved a bit sooner and I think it would have made this a stronger romance overall.
I also had an issue with Georgianna's brother, Nath. He was absolutely terrible to her and always the first one to believe the rumours about her scandalous past, despite the fact that there was absolutely no basis in fact for them. Naturally, Georgianna is not to pleased to be back in her brother's proximity. She's more than aware that her brother isn't out to protect her but the family name. Yet, but the end, the two seem to have teamed up and reached a reconciliation. For me, this seemed out of character and to have very little basis on any real forgiving feelings between the two of them. I was really interested in the brother-sister relationship and would have actually have liked Georgianna to have knocked some sense into Nath - someone needs to. Perhaps there's another book in the works with Nath learning his lesson?
Lastly, I feel I have to mention Georgianna's beauty, mainly because it was brought up so frequently throughout the novel. From the start, Georgianna is considered a beauty, one that attracts the male gaze, and because of the way she looks, everyone assumes that she's free with her favours. On one hand, I liked the fact that it was brought home that you can't judge a person on their appearance; however, I felt the mentioning of Georgianna's beauty got a tad repetitive. Everyone was falling over themselves in Georgianna's presence and I'm just not sure I'm convinced that so many people (ie. men) would be so foolish. Simon was obviously set up as the only sensible option and a refreshing change for Georgianna.
Ultimately, this was a fun read. The adventure in the Indian jungle was amusing and the entire book was fast-paced. While I thought there were some areas for improvement, I do think this is a great book for some escapist reading. The author is one that I will continue to watch for.
For similar reads, see my blog.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Georgianna Phillips was enjoying the season and batting off the suitors when one indiscretion forced her from her charmed life. When Georgianna refused to name the man that kissed her, she was shipped off to France to live with her cousin. Over the years Georgianna has managed to make a life for herself and her cousin by assisting their grandfather in writing his travel journals. She has seen far more of the world than she would have as a sheltered young lady, but rumours of her wild lifestyle continue to follow her, giving her an unwarranted reputation.
When her grandfather decides to visit India, Georgianna is forced to deal with her past when Simon Ashford is ordered to usher her around the city. His real mission, outlined by Georgianna's brother, is to make sure that she stays out of trouble and bring no more scandal to her family's name. The problem is that Simon was the man Georgianna kissed, and she refused his subsequent proposal of marriage (who want to marry out of duty anyway?). However, neither has forgotten their connection and an Indian adventure might just be the perfect way to rekindle their romance.
An Inconvenient Kiss was a fun read. I loved the Indian setting and I'm fascinated and interested in colonialism during this period. While An Inconvenient Kiss didn't recognize the negative aspects of the British in Indian, the atmosphere was one I enjoyed reading about. I think the character's attitude's towards this new land was fairly common. Georgianna's grandfather was an explorer, and while they wanted to showcase local customs, they were always aware of their audience and the dark side of British colonialism doesn't sell. That said, the author did a fantastic job of creating an exotic atmosphere. India became more than window dressing, which I think is frequently the case in historicals set in a foreign land.
Setting the locale aside, I was left with mixed feelings about the romance. It's clear from the start that Georgianna and Simon have chemistry and the antagonist relationship when they meet again was great, but it got old quickly. The lack of trust on Georgianna's part was frustrating since Simon did all that he could to prove himself to her. I would have liked to have seen Georgianna's trust issues resolved a bit sooner and I think it would have made this a stronger romance overall.
I also had an issue with Georgianna's brother, Nath. He was absolutely terrible to her and always the first one to believe the rumours about her scandalous past, despite the fact that there was absolutely no basis in fact for them. Naturally, Georgianna is not to pleased to be back in her brother's proximity. She's more than aware that her brother isn't out to protect her but the family name. Yet, but the end, the two seem to have teamed up and reached a reconciliation. For me, this seemed out of character and to have very little basis on any real forgiving feelings between the two of them. I was really interested in the brother-sister relationship and would have actually have liked Georgianna to have knocked some sense into Nath - someone needs to. Perhaps there's another book in the works with Nath learning his lesson?
Lastly, I feel I have to mention Georgianna's beauty, mainly because it was brought up so frequently throughout the novel. From the start, Georgianna is considered a beauty, one that attracts the male gaze, and because of the way she looks, everyone assumes that she's free with her favours. On one hand, I liked the fact that it was brought home that you can't judge a person on their appearance; however, I felt the mentioning of Georgianna's beauty got a tad repetitive. Everyone was falling over themselves in Georgianna's presence and I'm just not sure I'm convinced that so many people (ie. men) would be so foolish. Simon was obviously set up as the only sensible option and a refreshing change for Georgianna.
Ultimately, this was a fun read. The adventure in the Indian jungle was amusing and the entire book was fast-paced. While I thought there were some areas for improvement, I do think this is a great book for some escapist reading. The author is one that I will continue to watch for.
For similar reads, see my blog.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 8, 2014
Disclosure: I received this ARC via Netgalley. Thank you to Carina Press and to Caroline Kimberly for the opportunity. Yes, this is an honest review.
* * *
Georgiana Phillips was all set to make the match of the Season and secure her place in London society, but an inconvenient kiss shared with Simon Ashford leads to her ruin, and her exile away from society. It is six years later and Georgiana is on another leg of her travels with her cousin and grandfather. It should just be another dot on the map, another place to explore and study, but Simon Ashford lives and works in this particular place, and so, the questions that should have answered six years earlier will now have their day in the sun.
Caroline Kimberly sets her sweeping romance in India, amidst the colours, culture, and perils of the country. This is, perhaps, the highlight of reading this particular romance. I loved the author's depiction of the people (Baljit and Kavi) and the places are very vivid and evocative. In truth, I was a bit worried that the Miss Kimberly would exoticize and stereotype the culture, but I was won over by her sympathetic eye and attention to detail, showing the magic of India that exists up to now. It helped that her heroine was an avid researcher and devoted her time studying and understanding the weaving industry.
There are two obstacles to our hero and heroine's love story: one, Georgiana isn't convinced of Simon's faithfulness. She stumbled upon him engaged in a liaison with a married woman all those years ago. She isn't convinced of Simon's change of heart and his intentions of marrying her. Second, Georgiana has gained a reputation of being "fast" -- collecting admirers from her travels like souvenirs. Simon isn't certain that this woman, six years older and wiser, is the same woman he loved before.
* * *
Which is easier to prove? One's devotion? Or one's modesty? What I loved about Simon and Georgie is that they kept talking, despite their misgivings -- even if it was to argue or to hurl accusations at each other. They never stopped talking and never stopped giving each other a chance. Even at their angriest, they were still there, challenging each other past their boundaries and comfort zones.
It takes India and the adventures they face there to finally address their doubts about one another. Reading An Inconvenient Kiss reminded me of the classic adventure-romance movies like Romancing the Stone.
Beyond the love story, what kept me reading this was how Georgie dealt with her ruination. She had the world in her hands, and it all went to hell because of one minor misstep. She didn't quickly get herself married to quickly repair the damage (and make this a marriage of inconvenience story), but went on with her life. For six years, she bravely faced her detractors, and bore her brother's anger and malice toward her. At the same time, she quietly built a career in research. At the end, when it seemed like her life was going to hell again, she calmly started writing out her memoir and began a new career as a writer. While I was reading about her, I had forgotten all about her legendary beauty, and her startling violet eyes -- but grew to admire her for all that she has accomplished on her own.
* * *
An Inconvenient Kiss is book 1 in Caroline Kimberly's Ashford Brothers series and her debut novel. It will be released on July 14, 2014.
* * *
Georgiana Phillips was all set to make the match of the Season and secure her place in London society, but an inconvenient kiss shared with Simon Ashford leads to her ruin, and her exile away from society. It is six years later and Georgiana is on another leg of her travels with her cousin and grandfather. It should just be another dot on the map, another place to explore and study, but Simon Ashford lives and works in this particular place, and so, the questions that should have answered six years earlier will now have their day in the sun.
Caroline Kimberly sets her sweeping romance in India, amidst the colours, culture, and perils of the country. This is, perhaps, the highlight of reading this particular romance. I loved the author's depiction of the people (Baljit and Kavi) and the places are very vivid and evocative. In truth, I was a bit worried that the Miss Kimberly would exoticize and stereotype the culture, but I was won over by her sympathetic eye and attention to detail, showing the magic of India that exists up to now. It helped that her heroine was an avid researcher and devoted her time studying and understanding the weaving industry.
There are two obstacles to our hero and heroine's love story: one, Georgiana isn't convinced of Simon's faithfulness. She stumbled upon him engaged in a liaison with a married woman all those years ago. She isn't convinced of Simon's change of heart and his intentions of marrying her. Second, Georgiana has gained a reputation of being "fast" -- collecting admirers from her travels like souvenirs. Simon isn't certain that this woman, six years older and wiser, is the same woman he loved before.
"You'd been with so many women ... and we didn't know each other, not really. I knew you'd get bored with me and I -- I didn't want to spend my life with someone who had married me because he was ... obligated."
- loc 3143
* * *
He was no longer the same young man who had pined after a beautiful, witty girl, he reminded himself, tucking in his shirt rather vehemently. He'd experienced the horrors of war. He had seen friends die at his side. He had traveled through foreign -- sometimes hostile -- lands. He had built cities out of nothing, for god's sake; he could handle one young woman with unusual eyes. He was no longer at the mercy of Miss Georgianna Phillips. He was a grown man in control of his impulses. He was in control of his destiny, and that was how he meant to proceed.
- loc 702
Which is easier to prove? One's devotion? Or one's modesty? What I loved about Simon and Georgie is that they kept talking, despite their misgivings -- even if it was to argue or to hurl accusations at each other. They never stopped talking and never stopped giving each other a chance. Even at their angriest, they were still there, challenging each other past their boundaries and comfort zones.
"Miss Phillips, I accept your apology. But please forgive me when I tell you that I do not feel friendly toward you," he muttered, his voice rather gravelly.
For a moment her disappointment was palpable. Something that looked suspiciously like hurt flashed in those violet depths. Then she squared her shoulders. Georgiana rallied quickly, he had to give her that. Taking his arm again, she inclined her head. "I appreciate your candour, Mr. Ashford. Perhaps we should return to the cantonment."
"That would be best," Simon agreed, beyond grateful that she did not press the issue.
They strolled in uncomfortable silence. Finally, Georgiana said politely, "I believe we shall have some inclement weather soon. The clouds look rather ominous."
- loc 1559
It takes India and the adventures they face there to finally address their doubts about one another. Reading An Inconvenient Kiss reminded me of the classic adventure-romance movies like Romancing the Stone.
Beyond the love story, what kept me reading this was how Georgie dealt with her ruination. She had the world in her hands, and it all went to hell because of one minor misstep. She didn't quickly get herself married to quickly repair the damage (and make this a marriage of inconvenience story), but went on with her life. For six years, she bravely faced her detractors, and bore her brother's anger and malice toward her. At the same time, she quietly built a career in research. At the end, when it seemed like her life was going to hell again, she calmly started writing out her memoir and began a new career as a writer. While I was reading about her, I had forgotten all about her legendary beauty, and her startling violet eyes -- but grew to admire her for all that she has accomplished on her own.
"My life has been singular. It truly has. I've seen things most English women, most English men, will never see. I've climbed mountains that touch the clouds and I've gone swimming in oceans as blue as sapphires. I've camped in the desert and traveled through jungles most people have never even dreamed existed."
Georgiana smiled up at him, and he felt his heart leap. "I've waltzed with princes and prayed with mystics and haggled with crabby spice vendors. I have lived my life, really lived my life, and I have no retreats about it, Simon, not one. ..."
- loc 2066
* * *
"This has been a fine evening, Mr. Ashford," she said conspiratorially. "The public has revealed in their scorn of me -- the women all scandalised, the men all titillated. I upset dinner, albeit mildly, and two men almost came to blows. For the grand finale I exonerated an ex-lover while securing his admiration. And we've not even had our coffee yet. I daresay I may be the most successful fallen woman ever to have fallen."
- loc 2082
An Inconvenient Kiss is book 1 in Caroline Kimberly's Ashford Brothers series and her debut novel. It will be released on July 14, 2014.
April 14, 2021
Era partito bene, ma poi...le solite schermaglie, i soliti battibecchi che vorrebbero essere simpatici ma che non si adattano alla situazione, il solito sesso "finto" e da manuale, le solite sdolcinatezze da coma iperglicemico...bah... uno tra tanti, tutti uguali. Che noia (infatti ci ho messo una vita a finirlo). Peccato, perché non è scritto male e denota anche una certa attenzione per la ricostruzione storica.
August 11, 2014
I find it exceedingly hard to believe this is a first book. I expected to find Caroline Kimberly to have a few other books on the shelf. An Inconvenient Kiss is fluidly written with characters who are fully fleshed out, witty, and easy to love. I needed a book to cleanse my pallet and this one definitely did just that.
Set in India Georgianna Phillips is reunited with her would be lover Simon Ashford some six years after scandal. Georgianna is now considered a fallen woman who besides her current standing in society has carved out a nice life for herself, cousin, and grandfather researching the world. They have chemistry from our first introduction to the last page. The setting of the book just jumps off the pages with a certain real life quality to it. Almost everyone is likable to the point to where I actually visualized them.
We begin and end in English society, but really, they are simple bookends to the sweeping story between. India comes alive and I have to admit I did not miss the ballrooms, or gardens, or even country of England at all. There is so much brought to life between how everyone interacts with one another to the passion be that between Georgie and Simon or those who shun and mistreat Georgianna for her past. Girls, Simon is THE hot alpha male here. No one mistreats his woman, not even Georgianna herself. I really could not get enough of Simon. He is so very patient with Georgianna when she really does not deserve it, not even slightly. And hot. He wants her and is not willing to hide it.
The most notable and hateful, egocentric, and narcissistic person in this book is sadly her very own brother, Nath. Honestly I needed something very bad to happen to him because even with how the end is laid out I really do not think he is redeemed in the least. He is horrible and just not a nice person at all. I almost gave this book four stars just for how much I hate Nath, but ultimately the rest of the book more than made up for him. This is book one in The Ashford Brother Series and I seriously hope I am gifted with the others in the series. I just loved it!
I received this ARC from Netgalley for my honest review. Thank you.
Set in India Georgianna Phillips is reunited with her would be lover Simon Ashford some six years after scandal. Georgianna is now considered a fallen woman who besides her current standing in society has carved out a nice life for herself, cousin, and grandfather researching the world. They have chemistry from our first introduction to the last page. The setting of the book just jumps off the pages with a certain real life quality to it. Almost everyone is likable to the point to where I actually visualized them.
We begin and end in English society, but really, they are simple bookends to the sweeping story between. India comes alive and I have to admit I did not miss the ballrooms, or gardens, or even country of England at all. There is so much brought to life between how everyone interacts with one another to the passion be that between Georgie and Simon or those who shun and mistreat Georgianna for her past. Girls, Simon is THE hot alpha male here. No one mistreats his woman, not even Georgianna herself. I really could not get enough of Simon. He is so very patient with Georgianna when she really does not deserve it, not even slightly. And hot. He wants her and is not willing to hide it.
The most notable and hateful, egocentric, and narcissistic person in this book is sadly her very own brother, Nath. Honestly I needed something very bad to happen to him because even with how the end is laid out I really do not think he is redeemed in the least. He is horrible and just not a nice person at all. I almost gave this book four stars just for how much I hate Nath, but ultimately the rest of the book more than made up for him. This is book one in The Ashford Brother Series and I seriously hope I am gifted with the others in the series. I just loved it!
I received this ARC from Netgalley for my honest review. Thank you.
July 11, 2014
Whilst in the wilds of India there is a part where Georgiana and Simon are in the jungle and a mudslide happens and it reminds me of the movie Romancing The Stone. I think it's the mud and the chemistry between the two couples. Georgiana and Simon have mad chemistry. The verbal sparring between the two is witty and fun, a good time in and of it's self.
Simon is of course, just delicious. He proves his feelings for Georgiana time and again. In turn that makes me what to kick her in her glorious ass. I can understand where she is coming from. She is afraid that if and when her looks and or body changes she would lose Simon to other women and she would be heart broken. But at the same time they are both heart broken from not being together. Georgiana's brother Nathaniel is a huge douche bag! He is partly the reason that Gerogiana is ruined. He is an ass to her time and again. Afraid she will tarnish his good name and career in the army. At times I was almost waiting for him to hatch a plot to try and kill her off or something.
I would definitely suggest this book for romance fans. There is never a dull moment, always something happening. Getting kidnapped by natives, a douchey brother, England's ton, India's delightful market place. It all keeps you transfixed. I was so in to it I read it in a day! Which included walking around with my nose on the kindle and almost taking a digger down the basement stairs to do laundry. Do Not Read and attempt stairs! Do on the other hand read this....and stay stationary. Trust me, it really is for your own good.
Simon is of course, just delicious. He proves his feelings for Georgiana time and again. In turn that makes me what to kick her in her glorious ass. I can understand where she is coming from. She is afraid that if and when her looks and or body changes she would lose Simon to other women and she would be heart broken. But at the same time they are both heart broken from not being together. Georgiana's brother Nathaniel is a huge douche bag! He is partly the reason that Gerogiana is ruined. He is an ass to her time and again. Afraid she will tarnish his good name and career in the army. At times I was almost waiting for him to hatch a plot to try and kill her off or something.
I would definitely suggest this book for romance fans. There is never a dull moment, always something happening. Getting kidnapped by natives, a douchey brother, England's ton, India's delightful market place. It all keeps you transfixed. I was so in to it I read it in a day! Which included walking around with my nose on the kindle and almost taking a digger down the basement stairs to do laundry. Do Not Read and attempt stairs! Do on the other hand read this....and stay stationary. Trust me, it really is for your own good.
July 10, 2014
I adored the book, the exotic location, the hero, the story … The only thing I didn’t quite understand were Georgina’s reasons for leaving in the first place, but on the other hand, there would be no story in India without her leaving.
July 14, 2014
I received this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really loved this. The story was very well written and I honestly loved the characters. Georgie's brother really needs to get what is coming to him though. Other than that I would love more from these authors.
January 2, 2015
love it. the story of Simon and Giorgiana.
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