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The Dukes of War #3
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress
Captain Xavier Grey’s body is back amongst the Beau Monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war. His friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn’t deserve it. Just like he doesn't deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed...
Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?
Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?
206 pages, Paperback
First published February 19, 2015
1087 people are currently reading
1849 people want to read
About the author
Erica Ridley
133 books2,213 followersGet freebies and 99¢ deals at: https://ridley.vip
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
September 20, 2016
*3.5 stars*
I've been very pleased with Erica Ridley's books, most of which I've picked up for free or nearly nothing, making them amazing deals. This book was another pleasant surprise for me.
I want to talk about the audio, which I have very mixed feelings about. To start, I think that Stevie Zimmerman has a great narrating voice and style, and does a surprisingly competent male voice, despite her very high register. What I had a HUGE issue with was the recording quality. To be frank, it sounds like Stevie Zimmerman recorded this in her bathroom. The quality was pretty bad at parts, sounding either tinny or scratchy and unclear, and coming from listening to a professional recording to this was jarring.
The story was fun and easy. It isn't as complex as some other historical romances that I've read and loved, but it was entertaining without feeling frivolous or silly. It kept Erica Ridley on my list of author to watch, and I'll keep buying her books in the future.
April 2, 2015
Two stars is harsh, but, I think, necessary. This was a quick read, so there's that. But, but, but the writing was juvenile and frequently anachronistic (I'm not a geek about that stuff usually, but the book does have to absorb me for the anachronisms not to stick out like screams on the page, this one didn't). The story was frustrating. Lots of time talking about sex and the possibility of seduction without any real sex or seduction. I liberally skimmed the last quarter. I didn't feel any real chemistry between the h/h. I liked the heroine the more I read but the characterisation generally wasn't strong. I think there's a glimmer of a good book here but the writing let it down, seriously so. Sex was not hot, pedestrian, no dirty talk. I won't be running out to buy any more Ridley's any time soon.
September 11, 2017
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress was a fun read, where the heroine used everything she could to try to seduce the good captain... who would do anything in his power not to ruin her
Story:
I don't even know where to start! I loved how Jane knew what she wanted, and that she did what she could to get it! At the perils of her being eligible for marriage, even. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress brought both romance and humor, and a very unconventional heroine I loved to get to know. And I can't forget that darned cat, who both made things more difficult for Jane, and at times somehow better.
Ridley's Dukes of War series is so good, the heroines are not the ton's usual ladies, standing demurely in the shadows, they take charge of situations, and that makes them loveable. Broken heroes who can be put back together and become stronger are the best, and Xavier definitely fit that bill.
Characters:
Jane, the younger sister of a man whom the ton liked, has set her eyes on the man she wants to marry. And she will not back down for anything.
Xavier felt like he had nothing more to offer after he came back from the war. He had seen too much. Done too much. And came back alive, while not all of his friends did. He was sure he didn't deserve anything good, but Jane did her best to convince him otherwise.
Side characters from prior books, and hopefully one who will be featured in a future book.
Writing style :
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress is written in third person, past tense, with an external narrator who knows most of what is going on. The dialogues where hilarious.
Feels :
Uplifted! That's my main feel for this one.
Even with all this snow and the serpentine trail of coaches, she and her companions would have plenty of time to mingle by the refreshments before taking their seats.mJane slumped against the squab. Mingling was horrid.
He must resume his scheme of converting her image of him into one of a mere acquaintance. It had to work. One did not seduce one's acquaintances.
Lord save him. He moaned into his hands. Things had somehow got even worse. his mission hadn't failed after all. Instead, he had accidentally become the-friend-to-which-she-shared-all-erotic-secrets. Platonic was worse than lovers. Platonic was hell.
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress was a fun read, where the heroine used everything she could to try to seduce the good captain... who would do anything in his power not to ruin her
Story:
I don't even know where to start! I loved how Jane knew what she wanted, and that she did what she could to get it! At the perils of her being eligible for marriage, even. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress brought both romance and humor, and a very unconventional heroine I loved to get to know. And I can't forget that darned cat, who both made things more difficult for Jane, and at times somehow better.
Ridley's Dukes of War series is so good, the heroines are not the ton's usual ladies, standing demurely in the shadows, they take charge of situations, and that makes them loveable. Broken heroes who can be put back together and become stronger are the best, and Xavier definitely fit that bill.
Characters:
Jane, the younger sister of a man whom the ton liked, has set her eyes on the man she wants to marry. And she will not back down for anything.
Xavier felt like he had nothing more to offer after he came back from the war. He had seen too much. Done too much. And came back alive, while not all of his friends did. He was sure he didn't deserve anything good, but Jane did her best to convince him otherwise.
Side characters from prior books, and hopefully one who will be featured in a future book.
Writing style :
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress is written in third person, past tense, with an external narrator who knows most of what is going on. The dialogues where hilarious.
Feels :
Uplifted! That's my main feel for this one.
Even with all this snow and the serpentine trail of coaches, she and her companions would have plenty of time to mingle by the refreshments before taking their seats.mJane slumped against the squab. Mingling was horrid.
He must resume his scheme of converting her image of him into one of a mere acquaintance. It had to work. One did not seduce one's acquaintances.
Lord save him. He moaned into his hands. Things had somehow got even worse. his mission hadn't failed after all. Instead, he had accidentally become the-friend-to-which-she-shared-all-erotic-secrets. Platonic was worse than lovers. Platonic was hell.
June 25, 2024
⭐💫
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
A curvy/plump heroine.👍
The cat.
Not a willfully ignorant heroine… but a inquisitive heroine.
➖ What I disliked:
Way too modern/anachronistic.
(It is more a contemporary romance disguised as a historical romance.)
Repetitive.
(Especially the word plump… but also other things/words.)
Rushed.
Very rushed ending.
No chemistry.
Underdeveloped and uninteresting main characters.
The romantic build up/romance was very unconvincing/lacking.
Believability/plausibility issues.
(The heroine is way too bold/dominant sexually for being so inexperienced and for the era.)
Contradictory/inconsistent personality.
(The heroine is the “invisible”/overlooked and insecure spinster that is also plump …. or so we are told because the character description of the main characters are vague… but what little we are told about the heroine is that she is curvy/plump …. But that she also then out of the blue becomes this confident and assertive wannabe seductress… it is a total 180 out of nowhere… it is very unconvincing/clunky and jarring.)
The heroine is too desperate and clingy, but also too persistent and chases/stalks after the hero in a very cringeworthy way…. The heroine also hero worshiped the hero and she is also rather naive when it comes to who the hero truly is and about war and so many other things…. Some of it is totally understandable … but other things she should/would have known because she was a bluestocking and well-read.
Stereotypical/one-dimensional heroine.
(How the heroine is portrayed compared to other heroines from this author…..
None of the other heroines in the 9 books I have read from this author so far, have heroines that are portrayed as being negative/insecure/self-conscious about their body shape/size…… and even-though the character description/visual appearance has been vague in more or less every book…. all of them have been hinted at or portrayed as being slender or dainty and not concerned about their body shape/size…. But in this book with a hinted at curvy/plump heroine it is written in a rather stereotypical/one-dimensional way👎… because the heroine is curvy/plump and insecure but also somewhat self-deprecating and self-conscious.... both about her body size/shape and how forgettable/"invisible" she is.🙄😴
And once again… being “plump” in the early 19th century/19th century was not a “bad” thing…. And it is possible to write heroines that are “plump” or curvy or full-figured and then also making them strong, confident, intelligent, etc. and still have them feel like they belong in the century they are in…. And not be stereotypical/one-dimensional.)
The funny moments with the cat were not that funny just ridiculous… and the other things mentioned with how the heroine behaved to get attention at balls in the past was just so OTT and immature… acting like a zombie at a ball and nobody noticed.
The plot was disjointed/jumbled and underdeveloped and things just kind of happened without any logic to it.
The steam was sparse and rather tame.
👎 The cover is not representative at all…. The heroine is a curvy/plump heroine……. The cover shows a slender woman on the cover…. Not at all like the heroine is described/portrayed in the book.
Disappointing.
1½ stars.
➕ What I liked :
A curvy/plump heroine.👍
The cat.
Not a willfully ignorant heroine… but a inquisitive heroine.
➖ What I disliked:
Way too modern/anachronistic.
(It is more a contemporary romance disguised as a historical romance.)
Repetitive.
(Especially the word plump… but also other things/words.)
Rushed.
Very rushed ending.
No chemistry.
Underdeveloped and uninteresting main characters.
The romantic build up/romance was very unconvincing/lacking.
Believability/plausibility issues.
(The heroine is way too bold/dominant sexually for being so inexperienced and for the era.)
Contradictory/inconsistent personality.
(The heroine is the “invisible”/overlooked and insecure spinster that is also plump …. or so we are told because the character description of the main characters are vague… but what little we are told about the heroine is that she is curvy/plump …. But that she also then out of the blue becomes this confident and assertive wannabe seductress… it is a total 180 out of nowhere… it is very unconvincing/clunky and jarring.)
The heroine is too desperate and clingy, but also too persistent and chases/stalks after the hero in a very cringeworthy way…. The heroine also hero worshiped the hero and she is also rather naive when it comes to who the hero truly is and about war and so many other things…. Some of it is totally understandable … but other things she should/would have known because she was a bluestocking and well-read.
Stereotypical/one-dimensional heroine.
(How the heroine is portrayed compared to other heroines from this author…..
None of the other heroines in the 9 books I have read from this author so far, have heroines that are portrayed as being negative/insecure/self-conscious about their body shape/size…… and even-though the character description/visual appearance has been vague in more or less every book…. all of them have been hinted at or portrayed as being slender or dainty and not concerned about their body shape/size…. But in this book with a hinted at curvy/plump heroine it is written in a rather stereotypical/one-dimensional way👎… because the heroine is curvy/plump and insecure but also somewhat self-deprecating and self-conscious.... both about her body size/shape and how forgettable/"invisible" she is.🙄😴
And once again… being “plump” in the early 19th century/19th century was not a “bad” thing…. And it is possible to write heroines that are “plump” or curvy or full-figured and then also making them strong, confident, intelligent, etc. and still have them feel like they belong in the century they are in…. And not be stereotypical/one-dimensional.)
The funny moments with the cat were not that funny just ridiculous… and the other things mentioned with how the heroine behaved to get attention at balls in the past was just so OTT and immature… acting like a zombie at a ball and nobody noticed.
The plot was disjointed/jumbled and underdeveloped and things just kind of happened without any logic to it.
The steam was sparse and rather tame.
👎 The cover is not representative at all…. The heroine is a curvy/plump heroine……. The cover shows a slender woman on the cover…. Not at all like the heroine is described/portrayed in the book.
Disappointing.
October 14, 2018
2.5/5 stars.
I can't really articulate how I feel about this book. First things first, that cover is just atrocious. The heroine is supposed to be a plump, bluestocking wallflower - how does the cover match?
Anyway, terrible cover aside, the book is... ok? Nothing great, nothing bad either. Just average. The plot, thin at best, is around Jane who wants to feel passion in her mostly ignored existence. She's had a desire for our Hero, the recently returned war hero Xavier. He's basically every military hero from every romance book ever. She decides to go his secluded cottage somewhere somwhere to offer herself as a mistress. Okay. Sure.
I feel like if the writing was better, if the plot a little more fleshed out with more interactions between them before this decision of hers - I'd understand. I feel like this is a trope I could see Elizabeth Hoyt writing beautifully. But then again, what isn't?
Anyways, he refuses her because propriety, her virtue, ruin, man-pain, yada yada. Eventually of course, they get to the horizontal hula. But this was my main issue, the entire book is placed around a burning desire to feel passion like the books she reads, and the naught erotic drawings she fantasizes about. But the ultimate conclusion was just.... bland? I think that's what was missing in this book. It's perhaps more suited to be a short erotica, that of course eventually ends in HEA - but the writing didn't suit it.
I can't really articulate how I feel about this book. First things first, that cover is just atrocious. The heroine is supposed to be a plump, bluestocking wallflower - how does the cover match?
Anyway, terrible cover aside, the book is... ok? Nothing great, nothing bad either. Just average. The plot, thin at best, is around Jane who wants to feel passion in her mostly ignored existence. She's had a desire for our Hero, the recently returned war hero Xavier. He's basically every military hero from every romance book ever. She decides to go his secluded cottage somewhere somwhere to offer herself as a mistress. Okay. Sure.
I feel like if the writing was better, if the plot a little more fleshed out with more interactions between them before this decision of hers - I'd understand. I feel like this is a trope I could see Elizabeth Hoyt writing beautifully. But then again, what isn't?
Anyways, he refuses her because propriety, her virtue, ruin, man-pain, yada yada. Eventually of course, they get to the horizontal hula. But this was my main issue, the entire book is placed around a burning desire to feel passion like the books she reads, and the naught erotic drawings she fantasizes about. But the ultimate conclusion was just.... bland? I think that's what was missing in this book. It's perhaps more suited to be a short erotica, that of course eventually ends in HEA - but the writing didn't suit it.
March 11, 2017
Not another one..
Good grief! We’re back to me being shallow! Sorry!
On the cover there’s a pretty girl in a peachy-orange gown that’s looking pretty thin to me, BUT she’s plump and Ms. Ridley doesn’t let you forget it. She feels the need to beat you over the head with it. How many times have I said I read to get out of the real world? I don’t want to read about heroines who are too big, too plain, too much red hair like a Brillo pad, especially when she looks like that and the hero is drop dead gorgeous. Here are examples: On page 14 “quite pretty for a plump girl.” Page 14 “did nothing to hide her plumpness.” Page 41 “is it because I’m plump?” Page 44 “I’m plump.” Page 44 “If she was plump.” Page 47 “any other explanation beyond her plump frame,” and on and on it went.
I really was looking forward to Xavier Grey’s book but I’ve reached 35% and I can’t finish. *Sigh* shallow, shallow, shallow. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, but I am the one who will expound on it….Again and again… Another author I will not be reading anymore. I can’t read books where the heroine is just like me, unattractive and fat. WTH kind of book is that anyway? I don’t want to be dragged into the real world when I read.
If the book cover had matched Grace's description I would never bought this book. I hate being tricked.
As to the narrator: Always a real pleasure to listen to Stevie Zimmerman lately. Great voices and terrific emotional reading.
Good grief! We’re back to me being shallow! Sorry!
On the cover there’s a pretty girl in a peachy-orange gown that’s looking pretty thin to me, BUT she’s plump and Ms. Ridley doesn’t let you forget it. She feels the need to beat you over the head with it. How many times have I said I read to get out of the real world? I don’t want to read about heroines who are too big, too plain, too much red hair like a Brillo pad, especially when she looks like that and the hero is drop dead gorgeous. Here are examples: On page 14 “quite pretty for a plump girl.” Page 14 “did nothing to hide her plumpness.” Page 41 “is it because I’m plump?” Page 44 “I’m plump.” Page 44 “If she was plump.” Page 47 “any other explanation beyond her plump frame,” and on and on it went.
I really was looking forward to Xavier Grey’s book but I’ve reached 35% and I can’t finish. *Sigh* shallow, shallow, shallow. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, but I am the one who will expound on it….Again and again… Another author I will not be reading anymore. I can’t read books where the heroine is just like me, unattractive and fat. WTH kind of book is that anyway? I don’t want to be dragged into the real world when I read.
If the book cover had matched Grace's description I would never bought this book. I hate being tricked.
As to the narrator: Always a real pleasure to listen to Stevie Zimmerman lately. Great voices and terrific emotional reading.
February 12, 2015
I just wanted to say, this is the first book in by this author I have every read; the review for this book will not be compared to the rest of the series because I have had no exposure to the other books. It fully works as a standalone.
There are some regency books that use modern speech where the only hint of time is the imagery and rules of society. That is so not the case with this novel. And the characters... right from the beginning, Jane's character pulled me in. She enjoyed theater and music so much... like it was made only for her but had her own reasons for disliking being out in society. Her brilliance was apparent right from the start right until the moment... she threw herself at the Captain. In someways it seemed like Jane had two personalities; the brilliant recluse and a smitten girl prior to her first season. I was in shock how she declared her intentions so suddenly but in the next breath, the confession of her proposal actually proved to be well thought out. Xavier noticed it too. Jane does that... a lot. Pulling out something brilliant or real after acting like a foolish girl or attempting seduction. It really is an interesting weird dynamic that works. After a while you realize she's really just being herself. I enjoyed how the novel unfolded even though the big picture was utterly predictable, between the milestones weren't.
I particularly liked the end... the grand gesture was out of character for Xavier but it worked. I would have liked to see it stretched out a bit more. I would have liked to see her brother and friends' reaction to the grand gesture which really came out of nowhere (please tell me the next book is Issac's story and the beginning starts with this). I would have used a different word for plump; I have a hard time visualizing anyone describing themselves as plump. I thought the dialogue about reading The Odyssey in the library was really creative; another favorite moment. And that cat... that devil of a cat Egui. This cat had so much personality; and the name as you will see, perfect!
Finally, the most haunting lines and the catalyst for the change in the story:
“I don’t judge you for what you did before.” Her chest ached as she looked at him. “I judge you for what you’re doing now.”
His eyes darkened. “What, pray tell, am I doing now?”
“Absolutely nothing.” She stepped out into the cold. “Like you always do.”
Oh how he proves her wrong... if you're like me, you'll love this novel.
There are some regency books that use modern speech where the only hint of time is the imagery and rules of society. That is so not the case with this novel. And the characters... right from the beginning, Jane's character pulled me in. She enjoyed theater and music so much... like it was made only for her but had her own reasons for disliking being out in society. Her brilliance was apparent right from the start right until the moment... she threw herself at the Captain. In someways it seemed like Jane had two personalities; the brilliant recluse and a smitten girl prior to her first season. I was in shock how she declared her intentions so suddenly but in the next breath, the confession of her proposal actually proved to be well thought out. Xavier noticed it too. Jane does that... a lot. Pulling out something brilliant or real after acting like a foolish girl or attempting seduction. It really is an interesting weird dynamic that works. After a while you realize she's really just being herself. I enjoyed how the novel unfolded even though the big picture was utterly predictable, between the milestones weren't.
I particularly liked the end... the grand gesture was out of character for Xavier but it worked. I would have liked to see it stretched out a bit more. I would have liked to see her brother and friends' reaction to the grand gesture which really came out of nowhere (please tell me the next book is Issac's story and the beginning starts with this). I would have used a different word for plump; I have a hard time visualizing anyone describing themselves as plump. I thought the dialogue about reading The Odyssey in the library was really creative; another favorite moment. And that cat... that devil of a cat Egui. This cat had so much personality; and the name as you will see, perfect!
Finally, the most haunting lines and the catalyst for the change in the story:
“I don’t judge you for what you did before.” Her chest ached as she looked at him. “I judge you for what you’re doing now.”
His eyes darkened. “What, pray tell, am I doing now?”
“Absolutely nothing.” She stepped out into the cold. “Like you always do.”
Oh how he proves her wrong... if you're like me, you'll love this novel.
September 15, 2016
This was surprisingly more enjoyable than the horrible cover would suggest. And let's talk about this cover: the heroine is a plump, plain spinster. She is so unremarkable that people forget her name the second they are introduced to her, so easily overlooked that no one even notices crazy antics like zombie walks in the middle of a crowded ballroom, so invisible that even the most shocking comments she can come up with go by unnoticed. Yep, that cover is dead-on...
But horrible cover aside, this book ended up surprising me. In the beginning, the heroine decides she has enough of being overlooked and shows up at the doorstep of the man she's been crushing on for a while to ask him to show her what the big deal about passion was. Just a little affair, nothing more, she just wants to be seen and desired. And who can blame her. The only thing that bothered me was her romanticized notion of him. As a Captain she imagines a dashing hero, a worthy soldier, someone who sacrificed his life to save others. For someone who has Antigone memorized in both Greek and the English translation, you'd think she would be a little more realistic, but never mind. Once they start getting to know each other, I ended up enjoying the story, even if it was a bit too short for me to buy that they'd fall in love that fast (less than a week).
But horrible cover aside, this book ended up surprising me. In the beginning, the heroine decides she has enough of being overlooked and shows up at the doorstep of the man she's been crushing on for a while to ask him to show her what the big deal about passion was. Just a little affair, nothing more, she just wants to be seen and desired. And who can blame her. The only thing that bothered me was her romanticized notion of him. As a Captain she imagines a dashing hero, a worthy soldier, someone who sacrificed his life to save others. For someone who has Antigone memorized in both Greek and the English translation, you'd think she would be a little more realistic, but never mind. Once they start getting to know each other, I ended up enjoying the story, even if it was a bit too short for me to buy that they'd fall in love that fast (less than a week).
May 31, 2016
Novela donde todo el peso de la historia recae en sus dos protagonistas, prácticamente los únicos personajes de la novela. Trama bien llevada que la traducción tan penosa que tiene estropea por completo.
February 17, 2022
A spinster decides to take matters into her own hands and seduce the man she's always admired. Looking for a few nights into the pleasures of sex, the Captain changes her mind to look for forever. LOL!!!!
March 30, 2024
Hermoso!
February 18, 2015
The best of the series so far. I particularly liked the disease of Janenesia and wished there had been more scenes with Jane saying outrageous things only for them to go ignored. I also would have liked to hear about her coming out and why it was nothing, and to see her brother's reaction to her suitor.
However, I very much liked the story that we did get. Jane has been 'on the shelf' her entire life. Everyone who meets her has to be reintroduced each time, as they consistently forget her. Jane has given up on love, but not on physicality, and decides to become a demimondaine, or high-class courtesan. And she's starting with Xavier Grey, the man who came back from the war in catatonia. I would have liked her to bring him out of it, but the way it played out, with her persistently chasing him until he gave in was quite amusing. The demon cat only added to the hilarity. It was more of a light farce, up until the end of their affair, which drew seriousness back into things.
A good read.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
However, I very much liked the story that we did get. Jane has been 'on the shelf' her entire life. Everyone who meets her has to be reintroduced each time, as they consistently forget her. Jane has given up on love, but not on physicality, and decides to become a demimondaine, or high-class courtesan. And she's starting with Xavier Grey, the man who came back from the war in catatonia. I would have liked her to bring him out of it, but the way it played out, with her persistently chasing him until he gave in was quite amusing. The demon cat only added to the hilarity. It was more of a light farce, up until the end of their affair, which drew seriousness back into things.
A good read.
I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2018
2.5 stars rounded up
Erica Ridley is surprisingly hit & miss. I had greatly enjoyed The Viscount's Christmas Temptation, and looked out her backlist, only to be disappointed. With The Captain's B.M., however, there are signs of a return to form.
Major points for -
* clear characterisation;
* a focus on H&H talking, and actually communicating;
* some gentle humour along the way
Not so keen on -
* a highly contrived set up to give H&H 1-2-1 time
* slightly rushed analysis of the hero
* a deeply cringe-making finale
I'll give this series another shot with the next book. But I'd prefer a little more consistency.
Erica Ridley is surprisingly hit & miss. I had greatly enjoyed The Viscount's Christmas Temptation, and looked out her backlist, only to be disappointed. With The Captain's B.M., however, there are signs of a return to form.
Major points for -
* clear characterisation;
* a focus on H&H talking, and actually communicating;
* some gentle humour along the way
Not so keen on -
* a highly contrived set up to give H&H 1-2-1 time
* slightly rushed analysis of the hero
* a deeply cringe-making finale
I'll give this series another shot with the next book. But I'd prefer a little more consistency.
April 23, 2022
3.5
Ho trovato Jane, la protagonista, fantastica. Stanca di essere dimenticata e di venir messa ai margini di qualsiasi evento mondano, desidera un assaggio di passione, che non ha assolutamente paura d’inseguire. E’ gentile, comprensiva simpatica e intelligentissima, cosa che non viene vista di buon grado da dei corteggiatori.
Xavier è stato semplicemente meraviglioso. E’ un uomo con dei saldi valori e una coscienza, anche se è gravato da ciò che fu costretto a fare durante la guerra. Farà di tutto per resistere all’esplosiva Jane ed a far si che lei non venga rovinata. Basterà a farla desistere?
La storia d'amore è stata carina anche se ho trovato alcune ripetizioni durante la lettura. Jane e Xavier sono perfetti insieme, si completano a vicenda.
La storia si è svolta rapidamente tenendomi incollata alle pagine per vedere come sarebbe andata a finire. Avrei forse approfondito di più il passato di Xavier, per far capire come mai è diventato così.
Mi sono emozionata leggendo questo libro e mi sono anche divertita quando nelle scene compariva il gatto indemoniato.
Forse al momento questo terzo libro della serie è quello che mi ha convinta meno, ma assolutamente deve essere letto.
Lo consiglio
Ho trovato Jane, la protagonista, fantastica. Stanca di essere dimenticata e di venir messa ai margini di qualsiasi evento mondano, desidera un assaggio di passione, che non ha assolutamente paura d’inseguire. E’ gentile, comprensiva simpatica e intelligentissima, cosa che non viene vista di buon grado da dei corteggiatori.
Xavier è stato semplicemente meraviglioso. E’ un uomo con dei saldi valori e una coscienza, anche se è gravato da ciò che fu costretto a fare durante la guerra. Farà di tutto per resistere all’esplosiva Jane ed a far si che lei non venga rovinata. Basterà a farla desistere?
La storia d'amore è stata carina anche se ho trovato alcune ripetizioni durante la lettura. Jane e Xavier sono perfetti insieme, si completano a vicenda.
La storia si è svolta rapidamente tenendomi incollata alle pagine per vedere come sarebbe andata a finire. Avrei forse approfondito di più il passato di Xavier, per far capire come mai è diventato così.
Mi sono emozionata leggendo questo libro e mi sono anche divertita quando nelle scene compariva il gatto indemoniato.
Forse al momento questo terzo libro della serie è quello che mi ha convinta meno, ma assolutamente deve essere letto.
Lo consiglio
August 12, 2018
I was looking for a short read to fulfill my Saturday afternoon and while checking my kindle app, I had a sudden illumination and i remembered I got recently some books by Erica Ridley, so why not try one of them.
So here I am!
I must confess my favorite character was probably Egui, the devil cat.
“In fact, Egui might just be the key to saving them all. And not just because no man in his right mind would trust that cat anywhere near his bare arse.”
I had no idea of the author’s style, and after some months reading historical romances, I begin to know what I like in my reads, I’m not fan of too angsty stories with long period of unforgiveness (sorry I’m not sure if this word does exist...), I like humour and not too weak women.
As a novella, I know it was not the best way to discover an author, there is not enough time to develop the story and its characters.
But I might say I liked this first read.
It is a 4.5 stars story.
The H and h are rather well portrayed, I did understood their struggles and their issues. Erica Ridley did a good job bringing them to life, I would have liked to learn more about some parts of their past, but in all it was a nice lovely story of two people who have lost their way.
Jane spend her late teens learning to become invisible, so much, it has become a permanent disguise, leaving her at the edge of the ton, never really seen, never really remembered. First it pleased her until she understood she might miss important things by being invisible. So she is here, trying to seduced the man of her lonely nights.
“I want to experience passionate, carnal relations with someone I can’t resist. Someone strong.” Her eyes met his without flinching. “Someone honorable. Someone I crave.” Her low voice raked his soul. “And that man is you.”
Xavier went back from war, an empty shell, ashamed of his own acts, so much he withdrawn himself from life. Until a stubborn spinster lands in his home.
“His experiences under the umbrella of war had been horrific. They’d turned him into someone he didn’t like, or even recognize.”
Interacting together, they will evolve, understand the past is where it should be, in the past. Then decide if they want a future and which one.
“That she understood who he had been, and accepted him for who he was now.”
“I see you, Jane. I have you in my arms. I will never let you go.”
I will without any doubts read other work by Erica Ridley, now is to decide which one.
So here I am!
I must confess my favorite character was probably Egui, the devil cat.
“In fact, Egui might just be the key to saving them all. And not just because no man in his right mind would trust that cat anywhere near his bare arse.”
I had no idea of the author’s style, and after some months reading historical romances, I begin to know what I like in my reads, I’m not fan of too angsty stories with long period of unforgiveness (sorry I’m not sure if this word does exist...), I like humour and not too weak women.
As a novella, I know it was not the best way to discover an author, there is not enough time to develop the story and its characters.
But I might say I liked this first read.
It is a 4.5 stars story.
The H and h are rather well portrayed, I did understood their struggles and their issues. Erica Ridley did a good job bringing them to life, I would have liked to learn more about some parts of their past, but in all it was a nice lovely story of two people who have lost their way.
Jane spend her late teens learning to become invisible, so much, it has become a permanent disguise, leaving her at the edge of the ton, never really seen, never really remembered. First it pleased her until she understood she might miss important things by being invisible. So she is here, trying to seduced the man of her lonely nights.
“I want to experience passionate, carnal relations with someone I can’t resist. Someone strong.” Her eyes met his without flinching. “Someone honorable. Someone I crave.” Her low voice raked his soul. “And that man is you.”
Xavier went back from war, an empty shell, ashamed of his own acts, so much he withdrawn himself from life. Until a stubborn spinster lands in his home.
“His experiences under the umbrella of war had been horrific. They’d turned him into someone he didn’t like, or even recognize.”
Interacting together, they will evolve, understand the past is where it should be, in the past. Then decide if they want a future and which one.
“That she understood who he had been, and accepted him for who he was now.”
“I see you, Jane. I have you in my arms. I will never let you go.”
I will without any doubts read other work by Erica Ridley, now is to decide which one.
December 8, 2019
free on Amazon 11-26-2019 - Erica Ridley is usually good for an at least decent, often quite good historical romance with likeable characters and a romance one can relate to.
January 1, 2017
Hmm, I was really enjoying this until pretty much the final scene, at which point I was all, "WTF?". Unnecessary theatricality.
Jane Dowling is a bluestocking (intellectual), totally overlooked by society, so much so that people constantly forget that they have met her before. She has even tried making outrageous comments in the hope of people remembering her to no avail. She has a crush on Captain Xavier Grey (the catatonic one from the previous book) and decides that since she is unlikely to ever marry she will instead experience sex in a different way. When her brother goes away on business Jane decides she will travel to Xavier's cottage in Essex and ask him if she can be his mistress.
Xavier is horrified by what he did during the war and feels unfit for polite society, at first he resists Jane but she wears him down with her humour and intelligence. Trapped together by a snowstorm they must spend several days together alone.
I really enjoyed this, the intellectual yet naive woman deciding she must know what is so special about love-making and determining that the only way to achieve that is by propositioning a man. The days that Jane and Xavier spend alone in the cottage are delightful and I would totally fall for him too.
If it hadn't been for the ridiculously OTT ending it would have been a four star review.
Jane Dowling is a bluestocking (intellectual), totally overlooked by society, so much so that people constantly forget that they have met her before. She has even tried making outrageous comments in the hope of people remembering her to no avail. She has a crush on Captain Xavier Grey (the catatonic one from the previous book) and decides that since she is unlikely to ever marry she will instead experience sex in a different way. When her brother goes away on business Jane decides she will travel to Xavier's cottage in Essex and ask him if she can be his mistress.
Xavier is horrified by what he did during the war and feels unfit for polite society, at first he resists Jane but she wears him down with her humour and intelligence. Trapped together by a snowstorm they must spend several days together alone.
I really enjoyed this, the intellectual yet naive woman deciding she must know what is so special about love-making and determining that the only way to achieve that is by propositioning a man. The days that Jane and Xavier spend alone in the cottage are delightful and I would totally fall for him too.
If it hadn't been for the ridiculously OTT ending it would have been a four star review.
March 4, 2015
Charming and romantic, The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress was a fantastic historical romance. It was a lovely addition to the Dukes of War series and I really liked it.
Jane was great. She was tired of being forgotten and wanted a taste of passion, which she was totally unafraid of going after. She was kind, understanding, and a likable character.
Xavier was wonderful. He was a man with a heavy conscience, burdened by what he did during the war. But, he was a good man at heart who was haunted by having to do bad things and a sweetie at that.
The romance was delightful. Jane and Xavier were perfect together. They had a strange start, but they were a perfect match.
The plot moved quickly and kept me hooked right from the start. I really liked the story and I loved how it ended.
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress was a fantastic historical romance. I really enjoyed reading this lovely book. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to read.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Jane was great. She was tired of being forgotten and wanted a taste of passion, which she was totally unafraid of going after. She was kind, understanding, and a likable character.
Xavier was wonderful. He was a man with a heavy conscience, burdened by what he did during the war. But, he was a good man at heart who was haunted by having to do bad things and a sweetie at that.
The romance was delightful. Jane and Xavier were perfect together. They had a strange start, but they were a perfect match.
The plot moved quickly and kept me hooked right from the start. I really liked the story and I loved how it ended.
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress was a fantastic historical romance. I really enjoyed reading this lovely book. Romance lovers, this is a book you'll want to read.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
October 3, 2016
This was such a fun read that I went out and promptly bought another book in the series. I loved Jane and Xavier as a couple. Looks like I have lots of good reading ahead of me.
December 22, 2018
I know, how could I give 2 stars to Erica Ridley ? Well, here goes...
First, the cover : I couldn't repeat enough times how much this cover bothers me, how old is this girl, exactly ? 14 ? She's supposed to be 24 in the book and plump ?! Plus such a young girl dressed and made up this way makes me think of child porn. Brrr !
Second : I didn't like the style from the beginning, it felt like reading contemporary romance, chick lit, with a historical background. I just read another (very well written) historical romance previously and the comparison was not to its advantage.
Third : too much comedy, going too far. Nobody notices her when she acts like a zombie in a ball ?! And the cat ! I've lived all my life with cats and I've yet to meet one who acts like this and leaves so much fur everywhere.
The dichotomy in style : first almost contemporary romantic comedy, then war drama. And the heroin giving lessons to a man older than her who went to war and back on how to live ? Nah. I don't especially like military men, but shut your gob, girl.
These people were too different for their story to work for me, David changes his mind about her juuuuust after she's gone, how convenient for the "drama part" of the story ! And the ending ? Atrociously romantic and marshmallowy sloppy.
I'll probably read the next anyway, because it's Erica Ridley, but I'll be on my guard.
First, the cover : I couldn't repeat enough times how much this cover bothers me, how old is this girl, exactly ? 14 ? She's supposed to be 24 in the book and plump ?! Plus such a young girl dressed and made up this way makes me think of child porn. Brrr !
Second : I didn't like the style from the beginning, it felt like reading contemporary romance, chick lit, with a historical background. I just read another (very well written) historical romance previously and the comparison was not to its advantage.
Third : too much comedy, going too far. Nobody notices her when she acts like a zombie in a ball ?! And the cat ! I've lived all my life with cats and I've yet to meet one who acts like this and leaves so much fur everywhere.
The dichotomy in style : first almost contemporary romantic comedy, then war drama. And the heroin giving lessons to a man older than her who went to war and back on how to live ? Nah. I don't especially like military men, but shut your gob, girl.
These people were too different for their story to work for me, David changes his mind about her juuuuust after she's gone, how convenient for the "drama part" of the story ! And the ending ? Atrociously romantic and marshmallowy sloppy.
I'll probably read the next anyway, because it's Erica Ridley, but I'll be on my guard.
September 4, 2018
Quite enjoyed this one, read it in one sitting.
A bluestocking wallflower who is so unremarkable, she is met by everyone in the ton for the first time.
A Duke of War who would rather be forgotten about, because he is not at all proud of his war time achievements.
A terrible cat.
A plan, its execution and a HEA.
A bluestocking wallflower who is so unremarkable, she is met by everyone in the ton for the first time.
A Duke of War who would rather be forgotten about, because he is not at all proud of his war time achievements.
A terrible cat.
A plan, its execution and a HEA.
August 4, 2019
I loved this book. This series so far is awesome.
September 26, 2024
Kobo +. Mad About Series Challenge. 2024. HRBC. Novella. Tropes: Regency Romance, War- Disabled MC, Bluestocking,
MC's h. Jane Downing, spinster/bluestocking/wallflower & Xavier Grey suffers from PSTD after the war at the battle of Waterloo. (Friends with Oliver, Earl of Carlisle, Duke of Ravenwood, Bart and Edmund Blackpool.
Captain Xavier Grey's body is back amongst the beau monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war. His friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn't deserve it. Just like he doesn't deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed...
Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?
Regency-set Historical Romance (Long Novella: 45,000 words / 200 pages)
The Dukes of War historical romance books in series order:
1. The Viscount’s Tempting Minx- Lady Amelia Pembroke & Lord Benedict Sheffield (Amelia sister of Duke of Ravenwood)
2. The Earl's Defiant Wallflower- Grace Halton & Oliver York, Earl of Carlisle
3. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress- Jane Downing & Xavier Grey
4. The Major's Faux Fiancee- Daphne Vaughn & Bartholomew (Bart) Blackpool (twin Edmund)
5. The Brigadier's Runaway Bride- Sarah Fairfax & Edmund Blackpool ( twin boys Noah & Timothy)
6. The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway-
7. The Duke's Accidental Wife-
8. A Dukes of War Holiday Reunion-
****************************************************
Review I Liked:
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress was a fun read, where the heroine used everything she could to try to seduce the good captain... who would do anything in his power not to ruin her
Review - (un)Conventional Bookviews
Story:
I don't even know where to start! I loved how Jane knew what she wanted, and that she did what she could to get it! At the perils of her being eligible for marriage, even. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress brought both romance and humor, and a very unconventional heroine I loved to get to know. And I can't forget that darned cat, who both made things more difficult for Jane, and at times somehow better.
Ridley's Dukes of War series is so good, the heroines are not the ton's usual ladies, standing demurely in the shadows, they take charge of situations, and that makes them loveable. Broken heroes who can be put back together and become stronger are the best, and Xavier definitely fit that bill.
Characters:
Jane, the younger sister of a man whom the ton liked, has set her eyes on the man she wants to marry. And she will not back down for anything.
Xavier felt like he had nothing more to offer after he came back from the war. He had seen too much. Done too much. And came back alive, while not all of his friends did. He was sure he didn't deserve anything good, but Jane did her best to convince him otherwise.
Side characters from prior books, and hopefully one who will be featured in a future book.
Writing style :
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress is written in third person, past tense, with an external narrator who knows most of what is going on. The dialogues where hilarious.
Feels :
Uplifted! That's my main feel for this one.
Fave Quotes - (un)Conventional Bookviews
Even with all this snow and the serpentine trail of coaches, she and her companions would have plenty of time to mingle by the refreshments before taking their seats.mJane slumped against the squab. Mingling was horrid.
He must resume his scheme of converting her image of him into one of a mere acquaintance. It had to work. One did not seduce one's acquaintances.
Lord save him. He moaned into his hands. Things had somehow got even worse. his mission hadn't failed after all. Instead, he had accidentally become the-friend-to-which-she-shared-all-erotic-secrets. Platonic was worse than lovers. Platonic was hell.
MC's h. Jane Downing, spinster/bluestocking/wallflower & Xavier Grey suffers from PSTD after the war at the battle of Waterloo. (Friends with Oliver, Earl of Carlisle, Duke of Ravenwood, Bart and Edmund Blackpool.
Captain Xavier Grey's body is back amongst the beau monde, but his mind cannot break free from the horrors of war. His friends try to help him find peace. He knows he doesn't deserve it. Just like he doesn't deserve the attentions of the sultry bluestocking intent on seducing him into bed...
Spinster Jane Downing wants off the shelf and into the arms of a hot-blooded man. Specifically, the dark and dangerous Captain Grey. She may not be destined to be his wife, but nothing will stop her from being his mistress. She could quote classical Greek by the age of four. How hard can it be to learn the language of love?
Regency-set Historical Romance (Long Novella: 45,000 words / 200 pages)
The Dukes of War historical romance books in series order:
1. The Viscount’s Tempting Minx- Lady Amelia Pembroke & Lord Benedict Sheffield (Amelia sister of Duke of Ravenwood)
2. The Earl's Defiant Wallflower- Grace Halton & Oliver York, Earl of Carlisle
3. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress- Jane Downing & Xavier Grey
4. The Major's Faux Fiancee- Daphne Vaughn & Bartholomew (Bart) Blackpool (twin Edmund)
5. The Brigadier's Runaway Bride- Sarah Fairfax & Edmund Blackpool ( twin boys Noah & Timothy)
6. The Pirate's Tempting Stowaway-
7. The Duke's Accidental Wife-
8. A Dukes of War Holiday Reunion-
****************************************************
Review I Liked:
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress was a fun read, where the heroine used everything she could to try to seduce the good captain... who would do anything in his power not to ruin her
Review - (un)Conventional Bookviews
Story:
I don't even know where to start! I loved how Jane knew what she wanted, and that she did what she could to get it! At the perils of her being eligible for marriage, even. The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress brought both romance and humor, and a very unconventional heroine I loved to get to know. And I can't forget that darned cat, who both made things more difficult for Jane, and at times somehow better.
Ridley's Dukes of War series is so good, the heroines are not the ton's usual ladies, standing demurely in the shadows, they take charge of situations, and that makes them loveable. Broken heroes who can be put back together and become stronger are the best, and Xavier definitely fit that bill.
Characters:
Jane, the younger sister of a man whom the ton liked, has set her eyes on the man she wants to marry. And she will not back down for anything.
Xavier felt like he had nothing more to offer after he came back from the war. He had seen too much. Done too much. And came back alive, while not all of his friends did. He was sure he didn't deserve anything good, but Jane did her best to convince him otherwise.
Side characters from prior books, and hopefully one who will be featured in a future book.
Writing style :
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress is written in third person, past tense, with an external narrator who knows most of what is going on. The dialogues where hilarious.
Feels :
Uplifted! That's my main feel for this one.
Fave Quotes - (un)Conventional Bookviews
Even with all this snow and the serpentine trail of coaches, she and her companions would have plenty of time to mingle by the refreshments before taking their seats.mJane slumped against the squab. Mingling was horrid.
He must resume his scheme of converting her image of him into one of a mere acquaintance. It had to work. One did not seduce one's acquaintances.
Lord save him. He moaned into his hands. Things had somehow got even worse. his mission hadn't failed after all. Instead, he had accidentally become the-friend-to-which-she-shared-all-erotic-secrets. Platonic was worse than lovers. Platonic was hell.
February 24, 2015
Originally Reviewed For: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales and Fantasy
Four best friends go away to war.. One returns to discover he is now an Earl but an impoverished one.. The Earl's Defiant Wallflower, One a shell of a man unable to face what he became during the war. One missing a leg and one didn't return at all. Then there is the friend that had to watch them go, watch them return and watch them have to re learn how to live. Each of them must learn to live with not only their pasts but their futures.. These are the Dukes of War.
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress is Book Two in Erica Ridley's Dukes of War Series. While it isn't an intense, crazy book it does address the realities of war and those who survive it and she does a very good job with it.
Spinster Jane Downing just wants to be noticed. She feels invisible, always watching, meeting the same people time after time after time. They all act appropriately polite about meeting her, every time. It seems no one remembers her and Jane is tired of being less than a wallflower. Since it seems she is destined to be alone, she wants one night of passion and has just the man she wants to seduce.
Captain Xavier Grey came back from the war basically catatonic. He could walk and function but refused to interact with anyone. A closed mind.. seemingly a blank mind. He hid himself deep within because he just couldn't face what he had become. Wanting to hide himself away from everyone he escapes to his cabin, lets his servants go and plans on a solitary time.. But Mis Jane Downing has other plans. And when she arrives on his doorstep bringing a storm with her.. he is forced to play the gentleman. When he learns just why she is there.. Poor guy.. he still tries to remain the gentlemen.
Forced closeness can sometimes be a good thing and both Jane and Xavier have to face more than each other. Both of them have to face themselves..
While the concept is dark, the story isn't. Ms. Ridley writes a gentle reminder rather than a raging storm. There is no haranguing or dark desires. Just two people who need each other.. both physically and emotionally..
This is a nice book to sit beside the fire with.. a way to chase away a stormy evening.. an extremely pleasant read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 2, 2015
Four best friends go away to war.. One returns to discover he is now an Earl but an impoverished one.. The Earl's Defiant Wallflower, One a shell of a man unable to face what he became during the war. One missing a leg and one didn't return at all. Then there is the friend that had to watch them go, watch them return and watch them have to re learn how to live. Each of them must learn to live with not only their pasts but their futures.. These are the Dukes of War.
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress is Book Two in Erica Ridley's Dukes of War Series. While it isn't an intense, crazy book it does address the realities of war and those who survive it and she does a very good job with it.
Spinster Jane Downing just wants to be noticed. She feels invisible, always watching, meeting the same people time after time after time. They all act appropriately polite about meeting her, every time. It seems no one remembers her and Jane is tired of being less than a wallflower. Since it seems she is destined to be alone, she wants one night of passion and has just the man she wants to seduce.
Captain Xavier Grey came back from the war basically catatonic. He could walk and function but refused to interact with anyone. A closed mind.. seemingly a blank mind. He hid himself deep within because he just couldn't face what he had become. Wanting to hide himself away from everyone he escapes to his cabin, lets his servants go and plans on a solitary time.. But Mis Jane Downing has other plans. And when she arrives on his doorstep bringing a storm with her.. he is forced to play the gentleman. When he learns just why she is there.. Poor guy.. he still tries to remain the gentlemen.
Forced closeness can sometimes be a good thing and both Jane and Xavier have to face more than each other. Both of them have to face themselves..
While the concept is dark, the story isn't. Ms. Ridley writes a gentle reminder rather than a raging storm. There is no haranguing or dark desires. Just two people who need each other.. both physically and emotionally..
This is a nice book to sit beside the fire with.. a way to chase away a stormy evening.. an extremely pleasant read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Shauni
This review is based on the ARC of The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress, provided by netgalley and is scheduled to be released on March 2, 2015
February 13, 2017
Jane Downing isn't so much 'plain' as her name would have you believe, just...forgettable. At least according to the ton who have passed her over for years. But Jane accepts her spinster status with pride and would much prefer her mountains of books to a stuffy husband anyway. But one thing Jane does long for is to experience the passion of lovemaking firsthand. And since marriage eludes her, she's decided to make her dream a reality, sans spouse. And who does she choose to cast in the role of her would-be seducer? Why the heroic and dashing Captain Xavier Grey of course! A jaded former solider home from the Napoleonic Wars, all Xavier wants is peace and solitude, not to fulfill the the desires of the raving mad bluestocking on his doorstep. That is, until they end up snowbound together, ALONE, in Xavier's country cottage. What follows is a series of steamy encounters, a naughty novel or two and a public declaration of love that left me smiling like a loon.
I loved Jane so much. She's my favorite kind of heroine, and so, so relatable. She's clever, honest, quirky, a bibliophile and unafraid of going after what (and in this case who) she wants.
Xavier likewise was an equally lovable hero with endearing imperfections. His guilt and disillusionment from the war did not prevent him from being kind and considerate, especially towards Jane. He even pours her tea (see Meredith Duran's Rules for the Reckless series if you need to know how important this small act is) and brushes her hair. To say he made me swoon is putting it mildly.
So of course, these two made the ideal couple. Xavier saw Jane when no one else even looked twice at her. And Jane saw beyond Xavier's inner demons and showed him that his past does not have to define his future.
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (can I just draw hearts around that title please?) had everything and more that I love about HRs: a daring heroine, a gruff but darling hero and a cat (who may or may not be homicidal, the jury's still out on that one). Read this book!!!
I loved Jane so much. She's my favorite kind of heroine, and so, so relatable. She's clever, honest, quirky, a bibliophile and unafraid of going after what (and in this case who) she wants.
Xavier likewise was an equally lovable hero with endearing imperfections. His guilt and disillusionment from the war did not prevent him from being kind and considerate, especially towards Jane. He even pours her tea (see Meredith Duran's Rules for the Reckless series if you need to know how important this small act is) and brushes her hair. To say he made me swoon is putting it mildly.
So of course, these two made the ideal couple. Xavier saw Jane when no one else even looked twice at her. And Jane saw beyond Xavier's inner demons and showed him that his past does not have to define his future.
The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress (can I just draw hearts around that title please?) had everything and more that I love about HRs: a daring heroine, a gruff but darling hero and a cat (who may or may not be homicidal, the jury's still out on that one). Read this book!!!
May 29, 2015
***copy provided by publisher through NetGalley***
Jane Downing is tired of giving people Janenesia. She's tired of not being memorable, of being forgettable, of passing through life unnoticed. Yes, her predicament might be a little bit her fault, but she's tired of it. Unfortunately, there's nothing she can do about it, but there is something she can do for herself. Like getting rid of her virginity, for example.
But a man or other won't do. She wants someone she likes to do the honors. Someone she desires, someone she respects...And that someone should be the honorable Captain Xavier Grey. He's no longer a vegetable, hiding from the world inside his mind, so Jane's confident he's up to the challenge. Only, it turns out the real challenge is convincing him.
This was another lovely addition to the The Dukes of War series, although I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the story. I can't really put my finger on what bothered me (not enough, of course, to drastically lower the rating), there was just something off. The pacing was good, the story had just the right amount of humor to start with, the characters were lovely (even the Satan-cat—can a cat be deemed a character?), the plot and story were nice...
I guess what bothered me was what happened after the deed. Not Xavier's confession of what he truly did during the war, but how Jane dealt with it immediately after hearing it, and her thought process afterwards. It somehow didn't quite fit with the Jane we've been introduced to, the Jane that barged in on a gentleman in the middle of the snowstorm. Granted, she needed time to adjust, but it felt discordant with everything else.
Also, I wouldn't have minded a bit more pages after it, because the resolution (Xavier's reasoning and the final "show") seemed a bit rushed.
I know I'm nitpicking, but the last third of the story didn't seem "in harmony" with the rest of it.
Jane Downing is tired of giving people Janenesia. She's tired of not being memorable, of being forgettable, of passing through life unnoticed. Yes, her predicament might be a little bit her fault, but she's tired of it. Unfortunately, there's nothing she can do about it, but there is something she can do for herself. Like getting rid of her virginity, for example.
But a man or other won't do. She wants someone she likes to do the honors. Someone she desires, someone she respects...And that someone should be the honorable Captain Xavier Grey. He's no longer a vegetable, hiding from the world inside his mind, so Jane's confident he's up to the challenge. Only, it turns out the real challenge is convincing him.
This was another lovely addition to the The Dukes of War series, although I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the story. I can't really put my finger on what bothered me (not enough, of course, to drastically lower the rating), there was just something off. The pacing was good, the story had just the right amount of humor to start with, the characters were lovely (even the Satan-cat—can a cat be deemed a character?), the plot and story were nice...
I guess what bothered me was what happened after the deed. Not Xavier's confession of what he truly did during the war, but how Jane dealt with it immediately after hearing it, and her thought process afterwards. It somehow didn't quite fit with the Jane we've been introduced to, the Jane that barged in on a gentleman in the middle of the snowstorm. Granted, she needed time to adjust, but it felt discordant with everything else.
Also, I wouldn't have minded a bit more pages after it, because the resolution (Xavier's reasoning and the final "show") seemed a bit rushed.
I know I'm nitpicking, but the last third of the story didn't seem "in harmony" with the rest of it.
June 15, 2015
Jane is a bluestocking (someone who loves literature, reading and has little time for friends and spends time studying) She is a very intelligent person who feels completely ignored in society and claims she is invisible. She takes a shine to Captain Grey and decides to do something about it.
Captain Grey has come back from fighting Napoleon and has PTSD. But not really because they didn't have that back then. Shhh! He is struggling to fit in and get back to his previous life.
Jane is an interesting character. I applaud her guts and drive as I would never have the nerve to do what she did. Captain Grey was less interesting. His character was less developed and the story really centered around Jane. Ridley wrote more about Jane, including her family, life style and likes/dislikes.
Ridley did not include much information on Captain Grey. There was hardly any back story on him and there was almost no mention of his struggles except his bad dreams. I liked him but I just wanted more information about him. When the big reveal came, I really didn't feel bad for him because the explanation was so vague there wasn't much to feel bad about. Ridley kinda skimmed over the bad stuff and gave a general idea instead of something more substantial.
The book talks about how war is unpleasant and not romantic and how society romanticizes war. I can agree with this but then Ridley never went into detail about what her character's role was in war and so this too, fell flat for me. I was left wanting more.
Overall, I liked this book. The bluestocking was a bit of a change up. I get tired of the same story but different cover and author so this was a nice change. The ending was a bit cheesy but not unwelcome. There was nice tension that didn't last the entire book and I could feel the connection between the characters.
Content: Not overly dirty but not clean.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Captain Grey has come back from fighting Napoleon and has PTSD. But not really because they didn't have that back then. Shhh! He is struggling to fit in and get back to his previous life.
Jane is an interesting character. I applaud her guts and drive as I would never have the nerve to do what she did. Captain Grey was less interesting. His character was less developed and the story really centered around Jane. Ridley wrote more about Jane, including her family, life style and likes/dislikes.
Ridley did not include much information on Captain Grey. There was hardly any back story on him and there was almost no mention of his struggles except his bad dreams. I liked him but I just wanted more information about him. When the big reveal came, I really didn't feel bad for him because the explanation was so vague there wasn't much to feel bad about. Ridley kinda skimmed over the bad stuff and gave a general idea instead of something more substantial.
The book talks about how war is unpleasant and not romantic and how society romanticizes war. I can agree with this but then Ridley never went into detail about what her character's role was in war and so this too, fell flat for me. I was left wanting more.
Overall, I liked this book. The bluestocking was a bit of a change up. I get tired of the same story but different cover and author so this was a nice change. The ending was a bit cheesy but not unwelcome. There was nice tension that didn't last the entire book and I could feel the connection between the characters.
Content: Not overly dirty but not clean.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2015
Book 2 in the Dukes of War series continues to hold my attention. I loved The Viscount's Christmas Temptation the novella that introduced the series. I do recommend starting there as it is free on Amazon and sets the stage for the series.
Xavier Grey was the near catatonic friend from the previous book. Now he is walking and talking but hates what he did in the war. Jane Downing is on the shelf but wants to experience passion and pick Xavier as the man to show it to her.
I loved Jane. She is a bluestocking who does not hide her education. Xavier on the other hand just needed to let go of the past and grab the future. It turns out both have to face Xavier’s past. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I will just say their journey to a HEA was full of twists and turns. Once again Ridley has written a story that is true to the times but still has a romance that pulls in the modern reader.
Xavier Grey was the near catatonic friend from the previous book. Now he is walking and talking but hates what he did in the war. Jane Downing is on the shelf but wants to experience passion and pick Xavier as the man to show it to her.
I loved Jane. She is a bluestocking who does not hide her education. Xavier on the other hand just needed to let go of the past and grab the future. It turns out both have to face Xavier’s past. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I will just say their journey to a HEA was full of twists and turns. Once again Ridley has written a story that is true to the times but still has a romance that pulls in the modern reader.
August 10, 2016
This was a really sweet romance, and hey, I do like sweet.
We have Jane who loves books, and she is happy being on the shelf, but....she is curious, and she does want people to notice her. Poor Jane, people really do not see her at all.
Xavier is broken and messed up from war. But that was then, now he just wants to move on.
Aww, this book was sweet and funny. Jane wants to try smexy times and trust me, Xavier does not stand a chance. She is out to seduce him, and he will try to say no. But omg, she was so funny, so frank, so out of her league since she really only knew things from books. It was so funny to read about.
Oh and there was this speech...awwwwwww.
I have like two in this series already, good series then.
Funny and romantic.
We have Jane who loves books, and she is happy being on the shelf, but....she is curious, and she does want people to notice her. Poor Jane, people really do not see her at all.
Xavier is broken and messed up from war. But that was then, now he just wants to move on.
Aww, this book was sweet and funny. Jane wants to try smexy times and trust me, Xavier does not stand a chance. She is out to seduce him, and he will try to say no. But omg, she was so funny, so frank, so out of her league since she really only knew things from books. It was so funny to read about.
Oh and there was this speech...awwwwwww.
I have like two in this series already, good series then.
Funny and romantic.
June 11, 2016
Couldn't finish The Captain's Bluestocking Mistress for a number of reasons . . . there were too many one-note devices (Jane bemoans how forgettable she is to everyone, and that theme and examples were constantly inserted in the story), Jane chases her hero initially, and I found it cringeworthy, there was too much of the characters being in their heads, etc.
I don't think I've ever read Erica Ridley before and will have to be careful with my next selection of hers if I try one of her books again.
I don't think I've ever read Erica Ridley before and will have to be careful with my next selection of hers if I try one of her books again.
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