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Boscastle #13
The Mistress Memoirs
Disgraced by her past employer, young governess Kate Walcott owes her loyalty to the only woman willing to hire her -- the sought-after courtesan Georgette Lawson. Georgette entrusts Kate with the care of her unruly children -- and the writing of her shocking memoirs, which detail her affairs with famous gentlemen, including the rakehell who promised to marry her, then ruined her.
391 pages, Library Binding
First published March 5, 2013
30 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
About the author
Jillian Hunter
51 books429 followersJillian Hunter is the bestselling author of over twenty historical romances. She lives with her husband, three daughters, a pug and a poodle in Southern California. She loves anyone who can make her laugh, which means she is in love with Mike Myers and Tyler Perry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
April 15, 2013
I like Jillian Hunter, so I was all "oh, goody!" when I saw her new one was out.
But this one, while it's still a step up from some other authors, didn't get it for me. Let's see if I can explain why:
The heroine, Kate Walcott, is all but raped, beaten, and then cast out on the street without a reference. She stumbles on a notorious woman named Georgette Lawson, who takes her up in her coach, and offers her a job. Kate holds the house together, manages the servants, and raises the kids while Georgette tipples her daughter's cough syrup. Despite her flaws, Georgette is Kate's savior and best friend. The two women keep each others' secrets. When she's not actually slaving as a governess/housekeeper, Kate scribes Georgette's scandalous stories (G can't write). These memoirs are, they hope, going to make the two of them independently wealthy.
Colin Boscastle took Georgette's virtue, promised to marry her, then took off to chase his father's murderer, leaving Georgette pregnant and ruined. Georgette married in haste to give her son a name and had a couple more kids before the husband died and left her penniless. Since then, she's made her way on her back. She blithely tells Kate about her interludes with a prominent earl who literally kept her shackled in a dungeon, not to mention the happily married bishop who kept her on the side. But Colin was the only man Georgette actually loved.
Georgette's new "protector" is the man Colin blames for his father's death—if decency and honor was never enough to bring him home to make things right, it seems revenge does the trick. We're told Colin means to make amends, but evidently, he wants to use Georgette to get the bad guy first.
And, after mistaking Kate for G in the dark and snogging her senseless, he's got the mad hots for Kate.
Here's where I got lost: It seems to me the one way Colin could possibly make things right for Georgette and his son would be to marry Georgette and raise their son with her. The fact that he never even contemplates this option bothers me. And why would Kate bother with a man who left her best friend ruined, pregnant and desperate enough to become a whore, especially if she knows he was the only man her friend ever really loved? Kate never even bothers to find out where her best friend/savior stands before she's playing Tonsil Pong with Colin.
To make it worse, it's just assumed that now that Colin's back, Brian (Georgette's son by Colin) is going to stay with him. Never mind that if Colin acknowledges the boy as a son, the boy will bear the stigma of bastardy. Why on earth would Colin even suggest this—and WHY, for Pete's sake, would Georgette OR Kate be OK with it?
Basically, Colin plans to use Georgette to lure out his enemy, kill the guy (thus leaving G without a protector, tho C does claim he'll take care of her without offering any info to clarify his meaning). Then he's going to take her son—claiming the boy as his even tho it will destroy the kid's name—and take away the woman who G has relied on to keep the family. When Georgette weeps that he's ruining her life for the second time, nobody seems particularly sympathetic, and it kind of pissed me off. If all's well that ends well, it's no thanks to Colin, so I never quite liked the guy.
This one gets 3 stars.
But this one, while it's still a step up from some other authors, didn't get it for me. Let's see if I can explain why:
The heroine, Kate Walcott, is all but raped, beaten, and then cast out on the street without a reference. She stumbles on a notorious woman named Georgette Lawson, who takes her up in her coach, and offers her a job. Kate holds the house together, manages the servants, and raises the kids while Georgette tipples her daughter's cough syrup. Despite her flaws, Georgette is Kate's savior and best friend. The two women keep each others' secrets. When she's not actually slaving as a governess/housekeeper, Kate scribes Georgette's scandalous stories (G can't write). These memoirs are, they hope, going to make the two of them independently wealthy.
Colin Boscastle took Georgette's virtue, promised to marry her, then took off to chase his father's murderer, leaving Georgette pregnant and ruined. Georgette married in haste to give her son a name and had a couple more kids before the husband died and left her penniless. Since then, she's made her way on her back. She blithely tells Kate about her interludes with a prominent earl who literally kept her shackled in a dungeon, not to mention the happily married bishop who kept her on the side. But Colin was the only man Georgette actually loved.
Georgette's new "protector" is the man Colin blames for his father's death—if decency and honor was never enough to bring him home to make things right, it seems revenge does the trick. We're told Colin means to make amends, but evidently, he wants to use Georgette to get the bad guy first.
And, after mistaking Kate for G in the dark and snogging her senseless, he's got the mad hots for Kate.
Here's where I got lost: It seems to me the one way Colin could possibly make things right for Georgette and his son would be to marry Georgette and raise their son with her. The fact that he never even contemplates this option bothers me. And why would Kate bother with a man who left her best friend ruined, pregnant and desperate enough to become a whore, especially if she knows he was the only man her friend ever really loved? Kate never even bothers to find out where her best friend/savior stands before she's playing Tonsil Pong with Colin.
To make it worse, it's just assumed that now that Colin's back, Brian (Georgette's son by Colin) is going to stay with him. Never mind that if Colin acknowledges the boy as a son, the boy will bear the stigma of bastardy. Why on earth would Colin even suggest this—and WHY, for Pete's sake, would Georgette OR Kate be OK with it?
Basically, Colin plans to use Georgette to lure out his enemy, kill the guy (thus leaving G without a protector, tho C does claim he'll take care of her without offering any info to clarify his meaning). Then he's going to take her son—claiming the boy as his even tho it will destroy the kid's name—and take away the woman who G has relied on to keep the family. When Georgette weeps that he's ruining her life for the second time, nobody seems particularly sympathetic, and it kind of pissed me off. If all's well that ends well, it's no thanks to Colin, so I never quite liked the guy.
This one gets 3 stars.
June 29, 2016
I actually like this author, usually. But, this book let me down. A young guy seduces a pretty girl, then leaves her, pregnant. Thirteen years later he returns. Did not contact her once. He knows that she married an old man, quickly. Then when the old man dies, she becomes a courtesan. When he comes back, finally, it's to kill her new lover. Not for her, but for an old vendetta.
First he tries to seduce her governess, who happens to look like her, but younger. Then he is surprised to find out her oldest child is his. Math's not his strong suit.
But, the main thing I hated was that he, and Everyone keeps calling her, "whore." Ugh!
First he tries to seduce her governess, who happens to look like her, but younger. Then he is surprised to find out her oldest child is his. Math's not his strong suit.
But, the main thing I hated was that he, and Everyone keeps calling her, "whore." Ugh!
February 15, 2013
Review also posted at my blog, TBR Mountain Range, courtesy of Romance Junkies.
In caring for a courtesan's children, helping to write her memoirs, and acting as her companion, has Kate ruined any chance for her own happy-ever-after? Is she ready to trust someone with her heart, even if he's known as a rogue with vengeance on his mind?
Miss Kate Walcott is the governess and companion to a well-known courtesan. When Kate was in need, Georgette took her into her household and they've become good friends who don't always see eye-to-eye on life, children, or men. Kate has agreed to write Georgette's memoirs because Georgette has never learned to read or write, but sometimes those memoirs teach Kate much more than she wants to know. It's also trying when Kate is suspected of sexual prowess as much as her mistress, even though she is saving herself for the man she will marry. Georgette had warned her that working for a courtesan implies guilt by association.
Kate never thought that the guilt by association would also extend to everyone in Georgette's household, including her three young children. But Georgette's latest protector has gone off on business and left them to fend for themselves. Not that they ever felt there was any danger, until a group of ruffians attack one evening. Lucky for them all, Sir Colin Boscastle, Georgette's first lover, takes this very moment to reacquaint himself with Georgette, only to corner Kate in the garden instead.
Kate intended to meet Mr. Stanley Wilkes, the village apothecary's assistant, in the garden to get something for Georgette's children who have all fallen ill with a bad cough. Stanley warns Kate that there is a drunken mob about to attack the house, but the warning comes too late to escape the crossfire. She's not sure which is worse, dodging arrows on fire or dodging the fire from the lips of Georgette's former lover, Colin.
Colin intends to lie in wait for Georgette's latest protector, Mason Earling, to return from business to confront him for the crime of killing his father. For years, Colin has searched for his father's murderer only to recently discover that it wasn't the man he suspected, but his son. Now, he's bound to protect Georgette and her household against a town who wants her gone while they wait for Mason to return. Can he do that without caring about what happens to this mishmash of a family?
Kate is such an entertaining heroine, especially since she runs the household like she's manipulating a war zone. Her often-imbalanced friendship with a spoiled courtesan can gnaw at anyone's patience, but add in three mischievous children and you'll swear she's a saint. Then there's Colin, a true thorn in her side who desires much more from Kate than she's ever imagined giving. It would be so much easier to settle for Mr. Stanley Wilkes, a boring apothecary assistant, then to deal with the unknown mystery Colin seems to promise.
I can't begin to describe the depth of fun that this novel has within it. It's the type of book that grabs your attention at the very beginning and you can't help but rush to the end. The characterization is exquisite. THE MISTRESS MEMOIRS is filled with action, mystery, sensuality, love for extended family, rotten children to love and a bevy of eccentric characters. I was most moved by what happens in chapter twenty-three, which is hysterically funny, but also speaks to whom Kate truly is and which man will insure that she receives the happiness she deserves. I was fully invested in rooting for this couple's happy-ever-after at that moment and would have been devastated had it not happened. I think the key is Kate's courage to face anything life deals her and make the best of it, always thinking about the care of others instead of herself. Will she finally give herself to the man who deserves her?
After reading this novel, I realized that it's book thirteen in a series. I suspected while reading that the characters had a past history I might have missed, but it didn't detract from the story or make it hard to understand at all. I'm sure that fans of the series will enjoy glimpses of Colin's brothers and cousins because I'm curious to find out more about them.
THE MISTRESS MEMOIRS is a rare treat for historical readers who love some spice in their reading coupled with great laugh-out-loud moments. Author Jillian Hunter has a keen eye for details, creating characters that leap off the page into the reader's heart.
In caring for a courtesan's children, helping to write her memoirs, and acting as her companion, has Kate ruined any chance for her own happy-ever-after? Is she ready to trust someone with her heart, even if he's known as a rogue with vengeance on his mind?
Miss Kate Walcott is the governess and companion to a well-known courtesan. When Kate was in need, Georgette took her into her household and they've become good friends who don't always see eye-to-eye on life, children, or men. Kate has agreed to write Georgette's memoirs because Georgette has never learned to read or write, but sometimes those memoirs teach Kate much more than she wants to know. It's also trying when Kate is suspected of sexual prowess as much as her mistress, even though she is saving herself for the man she will marry. Georgette had warned her that working for a courtesan implies guilt by association.
Kate never thought that the guilt by association would also extend to everyone in Georgette's household, including her three young children. But Georgette's latest protector has gone off on business and left them to fend for themselves. Not that they ever felt there was any danger, until a group of ruffians attack one evening. Lucky for them all, Sir Colin Boscastle, Georgette's first lover, takes this very moment to reacquaint himself with Georgette, only to corner Kate in the garden instead.
Kate intended to meet Mr. Stanley Wilkes, the village apothecary's assistant, in the garden to get something for Georgette's children who have all fallen ill with a bad cough. Stanley warns Kate that there is a drunken mob about to attack the house, but the warning comes too late to escape the crossfire. She's not sure which is worse, dodging arrows on fire or dodging the fire from the lips of Georgette's former lover, Colin.
Colin intends to lie in wait for Georgette's latest protector, Mason Earling, to return from business to confront him for the crime of killing his father. For years, Colin has searched for his father's murderer only to recently discover that it wasn't the man he suspected, but his son. Now, he's bound to protect Georgette and her household against a town who wants her gone while they wait for Mason to return. Can he do that without caring about what happens to this mishmash of a family?
Kate is such an entertaining heroine, especially since she runs the household like she's manipulating a war zone. Her often-imbalanced friendship with a spoiled courtesan can gnaw at anyone's patience, but add in three mischievous children and you'll swear she's a saint. Then there's Colin, a true thorn in her side who desires much more from Kate than she's ever imagined giving. It would be so much easier to settle for Mr. Stanley Wilkes, a boring apothecary assistant, then to deal with the unknown mystery Colin seems to promise.
I can't begin to describe the depth of fun that this novel has within it. It's the type of book that grabs your attention at the very beginning and you can't help but rush to the end. The characterization is exquisite. THE MISTRESS MEMOIRS is filled with action, mystery, sensuality, love for extended family, rotten children to love and a bevy of eccentric characters. I was most moved by what happens in chapter twenty-three, which is hysterically funny, but also speaks to whom Kate truly is and which man will insure that she receives the happiness she deserves. I was fully invested in rooting for this couple's happy-ever-after at that moment and would have been devastated had it not happened. I think the key is Kate's courage to face anything life deals her and make the best of it, always thinking about the care of others instead of herself. Will she finally give herself to the man who deserves her?
After reading this novel, I realized that it's book thirteen in a series. I suspected while reading that the characters had a past history I might have missed, but it didn't detract from the story or make it hard to understand at all. I'm sure that fans of the series will enjoy glimpses of Colin's brothers and cousins because I'm curious to find out more about them.
THE MISTRESS MEMOIRS is a rare treat for historical readers who love some spice in their reading coupled with great laugh-out-loud moments. Author Jillian Hunter has a keen eye for details, creating characters that leap off the page into the reader's heart.
September 30, 2019
First i don't usually write lengthy reviews. However, there were too many critics for this Bocastle title that i felt needed defense.
Thirteen years absence, searching for his father's murderer, leaving his first love, unknowingly Georgette carrying Colin's child. marries Lawson to cover the infant's bastardy, has 2 more children. She becomes a noted courtesan deciding she can make her fortune on her memoirs, despite the fact she is illiterate. She is a grand character in her imperious selfishness and constant generosity. Kate her companion and governess of ten years is the amanuensis and majordomo of the establishment. The children are a wild band. Colin returns at a critical juncture to ask Georgette to help him; she is now under protection of his supposed enemy. Georgette's first chapter has Colin as Georgette's greatest lover; thus Kate is equipped to deal with his virility, his seductiveness. She is stunned when she realizes the oldest boy Brian is Colin's son. Georgette and Colin have matured though her recalled memories of Colin constantly interrupt her daily life to Kate's impatience. Colin though, is infatuated by Kate, trapped by her overweening and overwhelming presence, and takes over the protection of the household. The odd characters of servants and wild three children provide a non-stop adventure as Colin seduces and falls in love with Kate. Georgette's protector Mason Earling [who has loved Georgette his whole life] has been duped and controlled by the unscrupulous lawyer for his whole life. Under attack, incited by the crooked lawyer who also duped Mason's father-- has distorted and prevented communication between them for long enough to have both thinking they have been abandoned.
The denouement is ironically the private theater performances that Kate has been writing for years to include everyone of the household. The play's the thing : 'The abduction of Helen"which despite some gliches turns out a wonderful performance. Kate playing Paris is the last straw for Colin. Late that night her role in a revealing men's tunic literally extracts, pulling a declaration of marriage from Colin to Kate.
the story spools on. The Bocastles come to the rescue in an hilarious rescue of a procession of 7 carriages led by the Marquess's six white horse drawn coach in the lead -- quitting the residence in high style from the small town that has made staying dangerous. The reception at the Kent residence, the wedding and bedding of Colin and Kate, and the final acts where her protector finally uncovers the perfidy of the lawyer, lawyer is vanquished, Mason is reunited with Georgette with the understanding they will marry. Of course Colin with Kate's wicked repartee disarming his defenses, discovering his son made this a wild and wonderful read, too much passion for a fairy tale ending. Once again the Bocastle family conquers all. Pay no attention to the detractors, their complaints are for nought. Remember all Boscastle stories are intertwined and wonderful
Thirteen years absence, searching for his father's murderer, leaving his first love, unknowingly Georgette carrying Colin's child. marries Lawson to cover the infant's bastardy, has 2 more children. She becomes a noted courtesan deciding she can make her fortune on her memoirs, despite the fact she is illiterate. She is a grand character in her imperious selfishness and constant generosity. Kate her companion and governess of ten years is the amanuensis and majordomo of the establishment. The children are a wild band. Colin returns at a critical juncture to ask Georgette to help him; she is now under protection of his supposed enemy. Georgette's first chapter has Colin as Georgette's greatest lover; thus Kate is equipped to deal with his virility, his seductiveness. She is stunned when she realizes the oldest boy Brian is Colin's son. Georgette and Colin have matured though her recalled memories of Colin constantly interrupt her daily life to Kate's impatience. Colin though, is infatuated by Kate, trapped by her overweening and overwhelming presence, and takes over the protection of the household. The odd characters of servants and wild three children provide a non-stop adventure as Colin seduces and falls in love with Kate. Georgette's protector Mason Earling [who has loved Georgette his whole life] has been duped and controlled by the unscrupulous lawyer for his whole life. Under attack, incited by the crooked lawyer who also duped Mason's father-- has distorted and prevented communication between them for long enough to have both thinking they have been abandoned.
The denouement is ironically the private theater performances that Kate has been writing for years to include everyone of the household. The play's the thing : 'The abduction of Helen"which despite some gliches turns out a wonderful performance. Kate playing Paris is the last straw for Colin. Late that night her role in a revealing men's tunic literally extracts, pulling a declaration of marriage from Colin to Kate.
the story spools on. The Bocastles come to the rescue in an hilarious rescue of a procession of 7 carriages led by the Marquess's six white horse drawn coach in the lead -- quitting the residence in high style from the small town that has made staying dangerous. The reception at the Kent residence, the wedding and bedding of Colin and Kate, and the final acts where her protector finally uncovers the perfidy of the lawyer, lawyer is vanquished, Mason is reunited with Georgette with the understanding they will marry. Of course Colin with Kate's wicked repartee disarming his defenses, discovering his son made this a wild and wonderful read, too much passion for a fairy tale ending. Once again the Bocastle family conquers all. Pay no attention to the detractors, their complaints are for nought. Remember all Boscastle stories are intertwined and wonderful
September 30, 2019
Oh, Georgette. This book was wonderful to read. I was very much enchanted by Colin. He moved through the book with the presence of a gentleman and a genuine lover. Kate is a strong woman, with her head on shoulders. How she held the house together along with the charges and her employer, I do not know. There was humor in this story along with suspense. It’s amazing how one can find family when one has come to hard times. Awesome book. I will be reading more from this author.
March 3, 2023
2 1/2 but I can't figure out half stars in the app I'm using. I didn't like Colin and the whole story felt thin. I wasn't invested in anyone but Mason. I felt sorry for him and had more worry over seeing him have a happy ending than I did anyone else.
April 28, 2024
It was a hard read for me because of the words in 1800 and now are different but a beautifully written book.
February 24, 2017
Amusing romp of a romance!
March 13, 2013
The Mistress Memoirs
Jillian Hunter
March 2013, European Historical Romance (Regency England)
Signet, $7.99, 352 pages, Amazon ASIN 0451415329
Part of a series
Grade: B
Sensuality: Warm
The Mistress Memoirs is the tenth book in Jillian Hunter’s Bocastle Family series. One does not have to have read all of the books in this series to enjoy The Mistress Memoirs, but not having read all of them may have affected the grade I gave this particular book.
Colin Bocastle has been on a mission for thirteen years to confront the man he believes to be responsible for his father’s death. When that man dies before Colin can confront him, our hero hears of new evidence that might implicate the suspected murderer’s son Mr. Mason Earling. So Colin travels to a small town in the southeast of England and instead of finding his prey, he discovers a house under attack by the local villagers.
Miss Kate Walcott is a governess to the three children of famed courtesan Georgette Lawson. At the beginning of the book, all of the children are suffering from minor illnesses. A local apothecary’s assistant is supposed to meet Kate in the garden to deliver some medicine for the children. Their meeting is interrupted by the appearance of Colin Bocastle who arrives almost simultaneously with a group of malcontents in the town bent on driving the courtesan Georgette Lawson out of town. Amidst flaming arrows, the gardens within the walled estate are in an uproar as Colin, the estate servants, and Kate attempt to battle the mob. Mistaking Kate for her courtesan employer, Colin kisses her during the melee. You see, Colin Bocastle was the man who ruined Georgette Lawson and cast her on the road to becoming a courtesan. There are plots within plots in this book...
To read the rest of this review, please visit my review at All About Romance:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
Jillian Hunter
March 2013, European Historical Romance (Regency England)
Signet, $7.99, 352 pages, Amazon ASIN 0451415329
Part of a series
Grade: B
Sensuality: Warm
The Mistress Memoirs is the tenth book in Jillian Hunter’s Bocastle Family series. One does not have to have read all of the books in this series to enjoy The Mistress Memoirs, but not having read all of them may have affected the grade I gave this particular book.
Colin Bocastle has been on a mission for thirteen years to confront the man he believes to be responsible for his father’s death. When that man dies before Colin can confront him, our hero hears of new evidence that might implicate the suspected murderer’s son Mr. Mason Earling. So Colin travels to a small town in the southeast of England and instead of finding his prey, he discovers a house under attack by the local villagers.
Miss Kate Walcott is a governess to the three children of famed courtesan Georgette Lawson. At the beginning of the book, all of the children are suffering from minor illnesses. A local apothecary’s assistant is supposed to meet Kate in the garden to deliver some medicine for the children. Their meeting is interrupted by the appearance of Colin Bocastle who arrives almost simultaneously with a group of malcontents in the town bent on driving the courtesan Georgette Lawson out of town. Amidst flaming arrows, the gardens within the walled estate are in an uproar as Colin, the estate servants, and Kate attempt to battle the mob. Mistaking Kate for her courtesan employer, Colin kisses her during the melee. You see, Colin Bocastle was the man who ruined Georgette Lawson and cast her on the road to becoming a courtesan. There are plots within plots in this book...
To read the rest of this review, please visit my review at All About Romance:
http://www.likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/boo...
April 11, 2013
Originally posted on What I'm Reading
A few day ago, I finished Jillian Hunter's The Mistress Memoirs which happens to be book 13th in the A Boscastle Affairs series. To be honest, this is the first Boscatle Affairs book I have read. I must say that I enjoyed the book. The main reason I enjoyed the story is I was able to pick up and not worry about the previous books. Basically, it can be read as a stand alone. I think sometimes this is a great way to see if you would read any the other book in series (if it works).
The Mistress Memoirs is Sir Colin Boscastle's story. Colin left 13 years ago to avenge his father's death. So, he has been chasing Mason Earling for that long. He finally had to come home because his former lover, Georgette, is currently with Mason. So, he figures he can use Georgette to get to Mason. While in her company he notices her governess, Kate Walcott.
A dangerous game is afoot, the Georgette household is in the line of fire. While in the line of fire, Kate and Colin can't seem to leave each other along.
As I said, I enjoyed the story. Honestly, I do like vengeance stories, because they tend to be filled with danger. Boy danger is afoot, especially with the emotions between Colin and Kate. They do try to keep away from each other, but you know how well that works at times. Kate has her own story and is afraid that no man will truly want her with her past. Then you have Colin who is a rakehell, but he's willing to change for Kate. I have to say I was pleased with the chemistry them. I also appreciate the relationship between Kate and Georgette.
Bottom line is it was a pretty good read which I enjoyed. Plus, you can jump into the story and not feel like your missing anything from the previous books. So, if you are looking some danger, I would suggest taking a look at The Mistress Memoirs.
Copy provided by publisher
A few day ago, I finished Jillian Hunter's The Mistress Memoirs which happens to be book 13th in the A Boscastle Affairs series. To be honest, this is the first Boscatle Affairs book I have read. I must say that I enjoyed the book. The main reason I enjoyed the story is I was able to pick up and not worry about the previous books. Basically, it can be read as a stand alone. I think sometimes this is a great way to see if you would read any the other book in series (if it works).
The Mistress Memoirs is Sir Colin Boscastle's story. Colin left 13 years ago to avenge his father's death. So, he has been chasing Mason Earling for that long. He finally had to come home because his former lover, Georgette, is currently with Mason. So, he figures he can use Georgette to get to Mason. While in her company he notices her governess, Kate Walcott.
A dangerous game is afoot, the Georgette household is in the line of fire. While in the line of fire, Kate and Colin can't seem to leave each other along.
As I said, I enjoyed the story. Honestly, I do like vengeance stories, because they tend to be filled with danger. Boy danger is afoot, especially with the emotions between Colin and Kate. They do try to keep away from each other, but you know how well that works at times. Kate has her own story and is afraid that no man will truly want her with her past. Then you have Colin who is a rakehell, but he's willing to change for Kate. I have to say I was pleased with the chemistry them. I also appreciate the relationship between Kate and Georgette.
Bottom line is it was a pretty good read which I enjoyed. Plus, you can jump into the story and not feel like your missing anything from the previous books. So, if you are looking some danger, I would suggest taking a look at The Mistress Memoirs.
Copy provided by publisher
May 20, 2013
I received this as part of a Goodreads Giveaway. Thanks Jillian for sharing!
Kate Walcott is a lovely version of the classic respectable woman in morally compromising situation, in this case governess to the children of a well known courtesan, Georgette. (Interesting that the mistress and not the governess received the name of the great inventor of the modern regency, Georgette Heyer). She is charming, sharp, and loyal to those she loves, in this case Georgette and her children. The hero, Sir Colin Boscastle grew on me but my first impression was not good. He was the man that seduced the young Georgette, leaving her pregnant and on her way to her career as a mistress. Hard to get over such a massive lapse of responsibility, even with the justification of Colin searching for his father's murderer.
The first half of the book is French farce with misunderstandings and various threats of storming the Bastille, or in this case, Georgette's estate. Felt the story picked up when the setting moved from this estate to the traditional Boscastle estates. Sir Colin is an errant twig of a huge sprawling family that I ended up wanting to know much more about.
By the end I was left with a nice introduction to some interesting characters including the fabulous Boscastle series and some excellent hot sex towards the end of the book. Not a bad way to spend a couple of evenings!
Kate Walcott is a lovely version of the classic respectable woman in morally compromising situation, in this case governess to the children of a well known courtesan, Georgette. (Interesting that the mistress and not the governess received the name of the great inventor of the modern regency, Georgette Heyer). She is charming, sharp, and loyal to those she loves, in this case Georgette and her children. The hero, Sir Colin Boscastle grew on me but my first impression was not good. He was the man that seduced the young Georgette, leaving her pregnant and on her way to her career as a mistress. Hard to get over such a massive lapse of responsibility, even with the justification of Colin searching for his father's murderer.
The first half of the book is French farce with misunderstandings and various threats of storming the Bastille, or in this case, Georgette's estate. Felt the story picked up when the setting moved from this estate to the traditional Boscastle estates. Sir Colin is an errant twig of a huge sprawling family that I ended up wanting to know much more about.
By the end I was left with a nice introduction to some interesting characters including the fabulous Boscastle series and some excellent hot sex towards the end of the book. Not a bad way to spend a couple of evenings!
May 10, 2013
I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this one-- Colin was a bit too much of a womanizing alpha, too focused on his own wants and ways of doing things for me to be very sympathetic to him. More than once he seems to have a problem with the whole "no means NO" concept, and I don't find that at ALL attractive. To the end, I felt like half his fascination with Kate was in her resistance to him and her brokenness, and I'm not entirely convinced Kate got her HEA by marrying him. (And come to that... why DID she marry him? I felt like I completely missed the change from "this guy is bad news and I KNOW what he'll do to my heart if he gets his hands on it" to "I love him I trust him I adore him!")
Honestly, the character I felt the most for was Mason, doomed to grow up in Colin's shadow for all that he had greater advantages in life. Mason's not a hero in the big and showy ways, but he's heroic when it counts. I feel like he truly cherished Georgette in a way Colin never could have, and I don't doubt he has it in him to be faithful for the long haul.
Honestly, the character I felt the most for was Mason, doomed to grow up in Colin's shadow for all that he had greater advantages in life. Mason's not a hero in the big and showy ways, but he's heroic when it counts. I feel like he truly cherished Georgette in a way Colin never could have, and I don't doubt he has it in him to be faithful for the long haul.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2013
While I enjoyed this book, for the most parts, I found at varying times it both dragged on and moved way too fast. Certain parts of this book had too much exposition that I felt really kept the story from being more entertaining but then there'd be skips in time - not long stretches but enough that the characters moved so fast, I felt I lost part of the story.
Colin and Kate themselves, are wonderful characters and Colin's as great a Boscastle as we've seen with the others in this series but I just felt something was missing in the telling of their story for me to really appreciate the entirety.
Colin and Kate themselves, are wonderful characters and Colin's as great a Boscastle as we've seen with the others in this series but I just felt something was missing in the telling of their story for me to really appreciate the entirety.
July 9, 2019
New author for me 2019. Romantic. Little erotica. Historical. sometimes a little suspense.
Books 1-5 were all fast reads & great books. Rest of series was fast reads and hot books. Really enjoyed reading the series and wanting more :-)
Read in Order: YES, you need to read in order. Since all of the characters continue in all of the books since it is about the Boscastle family and all the ins and outs of their lives.
Looking forward to reading all of them. . .
Books 1-5 were all fast reads & great books. Rest of series was fast reads and hot books. Really enjoyed reading the series and wanting more :-)
Read in Order: YES, you need to read in order. Since all of the characters continue in all of the books since it is about the Boscastle family and all the ins and outs of their lives.
Looking forward to reading all of them. . .
June 15, 2013
I liked it, can't say I really liked it though. The characters are great. The story stalled about 3/4 of the through and never picked up again. The supporting characters add a lot to the story. There are so many Boscastles now that I have trouble keeping them straight. Someday I'll have to re-read them in order.
May 5, 2013
I loved this book and was excited to have a return to the Boscastles. I didn't love the trilogy before this book as much and thought that the tone of this book felt more like the earlier Boscastles novels. i can't wait for the next one.
March 31, 2015
I gave her a second chance, and again, I found the style of writing hard to follow and not engaging. It took me weeks to get through this book, when usually a historical romance takes me 4-5 days at the very max. This author is just not for me.
September 8, 2016
like her other books in the series but this one was pretty disappointing.
April 1, 2013
Love the cover. Georgette and Kate were interesting characters I cared about. Colin--not so much. He was not hero material to me.
March 31, 2013
It's a great read! !! I enjoyed it. :)
March 22, 2013
I absolutely love the Boscastle family! I can't put them down once I start reading!
April 21, 2013
I like the main characters, I wish I knew the relations they kept referring too. I must go back and read the books before this in the seires.
June 8, 2013
Another family with characters I love to follow. Well written story that made me smile often.
August 21, 2013
Loved this one as well her books are ones you can't seem to put down have to wait till Feb for the next one!
September 7, 2013
I really liked this book
January 11, 2020
Rather too many WTF moments, which is unusual for Ms Hunter's books; and I did NOT like Colin Boscastle at all!! Shame really.
April 3, 2014
Too much sex.
January 9, 2015
I usually love a Boscastle novel, but this one did not have enough of the other familiar characters. I also found the story less than interesting.
September 1, 2016
I loved the hero and heroine. Their love was sweet and enduring. The kids were funny too. I just didn't care for Georgette.
Want to read
February 23, 2014Guess I'm gonna try collecting this series now too...
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