What do you think?
The Shelley Sisters #2
Uma Fugitiva Imprudente
Uma série da autora Jess Michaels, 10 vezes campeã de vendas no USA Today!
Anne Shelley sempre foi conhecida como a “selvagem” das infames trigêmeas Shelley, e isso nunca foi tão verdadeiro quanto quando, escandalosamente, fugiu do noivado arranjado com outro homem. Ela espera ser levada para Gretna Green para um casamento apressado, mas, em vez disso, é abandonada em uma ilha remota na Escócia com o primo rabugento dele, Rook Maitland. Ela não deveria gostar dele, mas, à medida que o tempo passa, não consegue evitar desenvolver algo mais do que um interesse passageiro pelo seu guardião temporário.
Rook conhece todos os jogos do seu primo e tem sérias dúvidas de que ele, tolo como é, volte para buscar a atraente Anne. Afinal, a mulher é fascinante e, quanto mais tempo passam juntos, mais se revela irresistível. Quando ela lhe pede ajuda para voltar para a sua família, o tempo que passam juntos na estrada leva a paixões que não podem mais ser negadas.
Mas o primo de Rook tem um motivo oculto para tudo o que fez. E o perigo que se abate sobre eles pode destruir o amor que estão começando a desenvolver e acabar com seu futuro antes mesmo que ele tenha tempo de começar.
Anne Shelley sempre foi conhecida como a “selvagem” das infames trigêmeas Shelley, e isso nunca foi tão verdadeiro quanto quando, escandalosamente, fugiu do noivado arranjado com outro homem. Ela espera ser levada para Gretna Green para um casamento apressado, mas, em vez disso, é abandonada em uma ilha remota na Escócia com o primo rabugento dele, Rook Maitland. Ela não deveria gostar dele, mas, à medida que o tempo passa, não consegue evitar desenvolver algo mais do que um interesse passageiro pelo seu guardião temporário.
Rook conhece todos os jogos do seu primo e tem sérias dúvidas de que ele, tolo como é, volte para buscar a atraente Anne. Afinal, a mulher é fascinante e, quanto mais tempo passam juntos, mais se revela irresistível. Quando ela lhe pede ajuda para voltar para a sua família, o tempo que passam juntos na estrada leva a paixões que não podem mais ser negadas.
Mas o primo de Rook tem um motivo oculto para tudo o que fez. E o perigo que se abate sobre eles pode destruir o amor que estão começando a desenvolver e acabar com seu futuro antes mesmo que ele tenha tempo de começar.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2020
About the author
Jess Michaels
125 books1,585 followersJess Michaels is a USA Today Bestselling Author who likes geeky stuff like Star Wars, playing video games (she ships herself with Dragon Age’s Iron Bull FOREVER), Bob’s Burgers and collecting POPs! She also drinks a LOT of Diet Coke. Probably an unhealthy amount, but it’s her only vice. She will eat (almost) anything coconut, truly anything cheesy and nothing spicy (yes, she is a walking stereotype when it comes to that). She likes cats, her dog Elton and people who care about the welfare of their fellow humans.
Although she started out traditionally published by Avon/HarperCollins, Pocket, Hachette and Samhain Publishing, in 2015 she went fully indie and has never looked back! She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and live tucked between the ocean and the mountains in Oregon.
When she’s not watching Our Flag Means Death or trying out all the new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot heroes and sassy heroines who do anything but wait to get what they want.
Although she started out traditionally published by Avon/HarperCollins, Pocket, Hachette and Samhain Publishing, in 2015 she went fully indie and has never looked back! She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and live tucked between the ocean and the mountains in Oregon.
When she’s not watching Our Flag Means Death or trying out all the new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot heroes and sassy heroines who do anything but wait to get what they want.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
March 30, 2020
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person perspective from both hero and heroine’s point of view
Should I read in order?
I did not read book 1 of this series and this can be read alone. It seems books 1 and 2 happen during the same time. Reading this book made me want to read book 1 for sure!
Basic Plot:
So Anne Shelley is one of 3 triplets. Such an anomaly and never seen as her own true self, instead always seen as part of a set. She is engaged to the Earl of Harcourt but feels nothing for him. She knows she is being doomed to a lackluster life with someone she can never love. Instead, she chooses adventure and scandal and runs away with an exciting man. But nothing is as she thinks it will be when she finds herself taken instead to an island with his cousin and left there.
Rook wants nothing to do with his cousins games anymore. Hence the island, away from everyone. But he gets roped in once again and now is taking care of some pampered society miss until his cousin's return.
Give this book a try if you like:
-forced proximity
-road trip romance
-class differences (heroine is active in society, hero is a prostitutes son that grew up on the streets)
-steamy romance (4 full scenes)
My thoughts:
I found this book a pleasant read. I liked the premise, it was a little different from what I usually read. I can't say I loved the heroine, Anne. She was okay but she bothered me a bit. The hero, Rook, I liked. I usually just adore those street heroes that come from nothing. The thing with this book that left me wanting was I felt the character development was a little sparse. Its there, they weren't completely 2 dimensional, but I felt like more time was spent in the bedroom and sexual feelings than other feelings between the couple. I wanted to know them both a little more, more of their backgrounds and feelings. This novel is on the sex focused side with multiple scenes (definitely not erotica, just more than average) and I rather wished more of the beginning time on the island was spent getting to know each other deeper. Still, a fun read and my first full length Jess Michaels. I would definitely try her again.
The end kind of dissolved into pure villain chaos, which I don't love. If you love a bit of a mystery and some stressful situations for the hero and heroine than you will like the ending more than me. It also sets up the next book, which left me curious about it. I am wondering how Rook and Anne really work out their happily ever after, so will hopefully see that in book 3 at some point.
Locations of kisses/sex scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: A touch
Perspective: Third person perspective from both hero and heroine’s point of view
Should I read in order?
I did not read book 1 of this series and this can be read alone. It seems books 1 and 2 happen during the same time. Reading this book made me want to read book 1 for sure!
Basic Plot:
So Anne Shelley is one of 3 triplets. Such an anomaly and never seen as her own true self, instead always seen as part of a set. She is engaged to the Earl of Harcourt but feels nothing for him. She knows she is being doomed to a lackluster life with someone she can never love. Instead, she chooses adventure and scandal and runs away with an exciting man. But nothing is as she thinks it will be when she finds herself taken instead to an island with his cousin and left there.
Rook wants nothing to do with his cousins games anymore. Hence the island, away from everyone. But he gets roped in once again and now is taking care of some pampered society miss until his cousin's return.
Give this book a try if you like:
-forced proximity
-road trip romance
-class differences (heroine is active in society, hero is a prostitutes son that grew up on the streets)
-steamy romance (4 full scenes)
My thoughts:
I found this book a pleasant read. I liked the premise, it was a little different from what I usually read. I can't say I loved the heroine, Anne. She was okay but she bothered me a bit. The hero, Rook, I liked. I usually just adore those street heroes that come from nothing. The thing with this book that left me wanting was I felt the character development was a little sparse. Its there, they weren't completely 2 dimensional, but I felt like more time was spent in the bedroom and sexual feelings than other feelings between the couple. I wanted to know them both a little more, more of their backgrounds and feelings. This novel is on the sex focused side with multiple scenes (definitely not erotica, just more than average) and I rather wished more of the beginning time on the island was spent getting to know each other deeper. Still, a fun read and my first full length Jess Michaels. I would definitely try her again.
The end kind of dissolved into pure villain chaos, which I don't love. If you love a bit of a mystery and some stressful situations for the hero and heroine than you will like the ending more than me. It also sets up the next book, which left me curious about it. I am wondering how Rook and Anne really work out their happily ever after, so will hopefully see that in book 3 at some point.
Locations of kisses/sex scenes:
January 31, 2020
4.5 road trip hook-up stars
This is the second book in the Shelley Sisters trilogy; while the author provides enough background to give the reader the information needed from the first book to read this one as a standalone, I would recommend reading book 1 before jumping into Anne's story.
Anne Shelley is the eldest of the Shelley Triplets. As multiple births rarely result in the survival of the children and the mother, and the vast majority of them are twins, the triplets are an anomaly in their time, and they are often alienated as a result. Most people, their father included, cannot tell them apart, but they have very distinctly separate personalities, and Anne is known to be the wild and reckless one. That is probably why her father decided she should be the first of the girls to be married off to an earl whose impoverished estate needed the dowry Anne's father could provide, and Anne's father coveted the title he would be linked to. But no one asked Anne what she wanted, and she certainly does not want a boring life with a man, who while a younger earl than most, does not excite her in the least. Anne feels trapped... until a mysterious, very handsome man shows up at her engagement announcement ball and offers her what she feels she has always wanted: adventure and passion. Over the next several weeks, she sneaks away to meet Ellis Maitland - a man who listens to her and laughs at her quips... and most importantly, offers her an escape from what she knows will be a miserable life. But how...?
As was revealed in book 1, Anne convinces Thomasina (the youngest triplet who is secretly infatuated with her sister's finance) to swap places with her just for one night... exactly 1 week before the wedding. Anne claims she just needs a night off from all of the hoopla to refresh herself and start coming to terms with her looming marriage. But when Thomasina agrees, Anne slips out into the night and meets Ellis who is supposed to whisk her away to Gretna Green where they will be wed; then Anne will return home and deal with whatever consequences she faces knowing she has controlled her own fate. When Anne wakes up after taking a nap, they are near the sea... nowhere close to Greta Green, and suddenly Ellis's personality takes a 180 - he is short with her and tells her to do what he says. Though she refuses to allow him to treat her as chattel, she has little choice but to agree to his demand that she go with his cousin who will watch over her until he can come to get her and take her to Gretna Green as promised. And while Anne is very upset with this change in plans, she knows she is stranded without means to go anywhere else, so she boards the boat with Rook Maitland, the cousin Ellis has roped into helping him one last time.
Rook Maitland is furious with his cousin Ellis, though he should have known better than to agree to help him "just one more time." He knew Ellis was desperate, but he never agreed to a plan involving a lady... and certainly not such a beautiful and spirited one at that. Rook knows that Ellis is unlikely to come back for Anne, and he is angry with his cousin for putting him in this position. But once he and Anne are alone together on his island with no other inhabitants, they get to know each other better and realize there is more to the other than they originally thought. When Rook agrees to take Anne back to England, he knows that means a lot of time on the road and in inns along the way where they will have to pose as a married couple. And the more time they spend together, the greater the attraction becomes... and the more both wish they were what they pretend to be. But they are from different worlds - Rook's mother was a prostitute who died when he was young which was when his cousin Ellis "saved" him by taking him in and teaching him the ways of living on the street: stealing, cheating, lying, and manipulating to get by. There is no chance for a future together.. right? And when Ellis's latest scam brings danger right to them, will they survive long enough to find out if they could possibly find a way?
What I liked:
--- Very likeable main characters, even though Anne came across as selfish at first, she "grew" on me as her story unfolded
--- Rook.. the name alone is a little panty-melting, and the description.... yes please! Good guy underneath the boy that had to survive on the streets
--- The plot was fast-moving and kept me flipping the pages well into the night
--- STEAMY GOODNESS
What I didn't like as much:
--- There was some angst I could have done without - the "I think he/she thinks this, so I am going to act this way..." - don't assume and communicate, y'all! :)
--- I am not sure how I am going to find Ellis sympathetic - he has been set up to be the H for the final triplet, and even though he redeemed himself a little in this book, his scale is heavily tipped on the douchebag side right now
Overall, I enjoyed Anne and Rook's adventure immensely! They were the classic opposites attract who find out they have more in common than they could ever realize. Excellent chemistry between the two, a quick moving story line, some mystery and intrigue plus a dash of danger.... Good stuff! I am looking forward to reading Juliana's story to wrap up the trilogy!
Please note that I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.25/5
Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
This is the second book in the Shelley Sisters trilogy; while the author provides enough background to give the reader the information needed from the first book to read this one as a standalone, I would recommend reading book 1 before jumping into Anne's story.
Anne Shelley is the eldest of the Shelley Triplets. As multiple births rarely result in the survival of the children and the mother, and the vast majority of them are twins, the triplets are an anomaly in their time, and they are often alienated as a result. Most people, their father included, cannot tell them apart, but they have very distinctly separate personalities, and Anne is known to be the wild and reckless one. That is probably why her father decided she should be the first of the girls to be married off to an earl whose impoverished estate needed the dowry Anne's father could provide, and Anne's father coveted the title he would be linked to. But no one asked Anne what she wanted, and she certainly does not want a boring life with a man, who while a younger earl than most, does not excite her in the least. Anne feels trapped... until a mysterious, very handsome man shows up at her engagement announcement ball and offers her what she feels she has always wanted: adventure and passion. Over the next several weeks, she sneaks away to meet Ellis Maitland - a man who listens to her and laughs at her quips... and most importantly, offers her an escape from what she knows will be a miserable life. But how...?
As was revealed in book 1, Anne convinces Thomasina (the youngest triplet who is secretly infatuated with her sister's finance) to swap places with her just for one night... exactly 1 week before the wedding. Anne claims she just needs a night off from all of the hoopla to refresh herself and start coming to terms with her looming marriage. But when Thomasina agrees, Anne slips out into the night and meets Ellis who is supposed to whisk her away to Gretna Green where they will be wed; then Anne will return home and deal with whatever consequences she faces knowing she has controlled her own fate. When Anne wakes up after taking a nap, they are near the sea... nowhere close to Greta Green, and suddenly Ellis's personality takes a 180 - he is short with her and tells her to do what he says. Though she refuses to allow him to treat her as chattel, she has little choice but to agree to his demand that she go with his cousin who will watch over her until he can come to get her and take her to Gretna Green as promised. And while Anne is very upset with this change in plans, she knows she is stranded without means to go anywhere else, so she boards the boat with Rook Maitland, the cousin Ellis has roped into helping him one last time.
Rook Maitland is furious with his cousin Ellis, though he should have known better than to agree to help him "just one more time." He knew Ellis was desperate, but he never agreed to a plan involving a lady... and certainly not such a beautiful and spirited one at that. Rook knows that Ellis is unlikely to come back for Anne, and he is angry with his cousin for putting him in this position. But once he and Anne are alone together on his island with no other inhabitants, they get to know each other better and realize there is more to the other than they originally thought. When Rook agrees to take Anne back to England, he knows that means a lot of time on the road and in inns along the way where they will have to pose as a married couple. And the more time they spend together, the greater the attraction becomes... and the more both wish they were what they pretend to be. But they are from different worlds - Rook's mother was a prostitute who died when he was young which was when his cousin Ellis "saved" him by taking him in and teaching him the ways of living on the street: stealing, cheating, lying, and manipulating to get by. There is no chance for a future together.. right? And when Ellis's latest scam brings danger right to them, will they survive long enough to find out if they could possibly find a way?
What I liked:
--- Very likeable main characters, even though Anne came across as selfish at first, she "grew" on me as her story unfolded
--- Rook.. the name alone is a little panty-melting, and the description.... yes please! Good guy underneath the boy that had to survive on the streets
--- The plot was fast-moving and kept me flipping the pages well into the night
--- STEAMY GOODNESS
What I didn't like as much:
--- There was some angst I could have done without - the "I think he/she thinks this, so I am going to act this way..." - don't assume and communicate, y'all! :)
--- I am not sure how I am going to find Ellis sympathetic - he has been set up to be the H for the final triplet, and even though he redeemed himself a little in this book, his scale is heavily tipped on the douchebag side right now
Overall, I enjoyed Anne and Rook's adventure immensely! They were the classic opposites attract who find out they have more in common than they could ever realize. Excellent chemistry between the two, a quick moving story line, some mystery and intrigue plus a dash of danger.... Good stuff! I am looking forward to reading Juliana's story to wrap up the trilogy!
Please note that I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Plot --- 4.5/5
Main Characters --- 4.25/5
Supporting Cast --- 4.5/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing graphic
Language --- not egregious
POV --- 3rd
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild; 2/5 - sensual but nothing descriptive; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere; 4/5 - yes please! ; 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all
January 22, 2020
Anne Shelley has lived up to her reputation as the wildest of the Shelley triplets by eloping with a scandalous man to avoid her unwanted engagement. But rather than Gretna Green, her intended takes her to his cousin, Rook Maitland, and leaves her with him on a remote Scottish island. Rook knows his cousin well enough to doubt he'll ever return for Anne. As Rook and Anne spend more time together they each find themselves increasingly attracted to the other. When Anne asks Rook to help her get back to her family, the forced proximity of travel ignites the spark between them, but his cousin's scheming means Anne and her family are now in more danger than any of them could've guessed.
I really enjoyed this book. Anne and her impulsiveness annoyed me a bit in the previous book, but less so in this one as I came to understand her better. I loved Rook as the gruff, bad boy hero with a gentle soul and a dark past. I thought these two were so sweet together and this was surprisingly emotional. I can't wait for Juliana's story now.
Small sidenote: as a lifelong horse person, it was annoying to keep reading that Anne nickered to her horse to get it to walk on. No. Horses nicker, you can click or cluck to them but they nicker. Not you. This is just something I happen to know from having horses my whole life though and probably not something that will bother anyone else, but that an editor should catch.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
I really enjoyed this book. Anne and her impulsiveness annoyed me a bit in the previous book, but less so in this one as I came to understand her better. I loved Rook as the gruff, bad boy hero with a gentle soul and a dark past. I thought these two were so sweet together and this was surprisingly emotional. I can't wait for Juliana's story now.
Small sidenote: as a lifelong horse person, it was annoying to keep reading that Anne nickered to her horse to get it to walk on. No. Horses nicker, you can click or cluck to them but they nicker. Not you. This is just something I happen to know from having horses my whole life though and probably not something that will bother anyone else, but that an editor should catch.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://mustreadalltheromance.blogspo...
January 30, 2020
The 'Runaway' Shelly sister. The second act.
The Shelly Sisters. Triplets, so unusual an event that the sisters Thomasina, Juliana and Anne are seen more as sideshow entrants than young women in their own right.
Now we find the truth of Anne's leaving. Anne the wild child. She's been beguiled to run away from Jasper, the Earl of Harcourt, by a handsome stranger Ellis Maitland.
But closer to the truth is that Anne feels unseen by Harcourt, "somehow she’d always dreamed that the man she’d married would see her just for…for herself." And she sees Ellis as a viable alternative to the coldness of Harcourt.
Imagine her shock when Ellis hands her off to a brooding stranger, and she finds herself sequested on an island off the coast of Scotland with a man who is Ellis's cousin, Rook Maitland, or more formally Constatine.
Of course nothing is simple. Anne spends days waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then begins to find enchantment on the island whilst the enigma of Rook holds a tantalizing fascination. When Anne discovers that Ellis will not be returning she implores Rook, a man she's come to admire, to help her back to Harcourt's manor and her sisters.
The journey is trying and at times dangerous. Anne and Rook come closer to each other, although Rook manfully tries to withhold truths about himself from Anne. When Anne finally reaches her sisters, things become even more complicated. Ellis reappears. Harcourt and Rook have more to do with other than Harcourt realizes. That desperate business acquaintance of Harcourt's brother Solomon intent on finding a hidden 'treasure', becomes even more venal. And Juliana becomes entangled in a deadly game being played out between Ellis and his business partner, with Harcourt and Rook dragged along as they seek to protect the Shelly sisters.
A family story being told in three parts, this is the enticing second act.
A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley
The Shelly Sisters. Triplets, so unusual an event that the sisters Thomasina, Juliana and Anne are seen more as sideshow entrants than young women in their own right.
Now we find the truth of Anne's leaving. Anne the wild child. She's been beguiled to run away from Jasper, the Earl of Harcourt, by a handsome stranger Ellis Maitland.
But closer to the truth is that Anne feels unseen by Harcourt, "somehow she’d always dreamed that the man she’d married would see her just for…for herself." And she sees Ellis as a viable alternative to the coldness of Harcourt.
Imagine her shock when Ellis hands her off to a brooding stranger, and she finds herself sequested on an island off the coast of Scotland with a man who is Ellis's cousin, Rook Maitland, or more formally Constatine.
Of course nothing is simple. Anne spends days waiting for the other shoe to drop, and then begins to find enchantment on the island whilst the enigma of Rook holds a tantalizing fascination. When Anne discovers that Ellis will not be returning she implores Rook, a man she's come to admire, to help her back to Harcourt's manor and her sisters.
The journey is trying and at times dangerous. Anne and Rook come closer to each other, although Rook manfully tries to withhold truths about himself from Anne. When Anne finally reaches her sisters, things become even more complicated. Ellis reappears. Harcourt and Rook have more to do with other than Harcourt realizes. That desperate business acquaintance of Harcourt's brother Solomon intent on finding a hidden 'treasure', becomes even more venal. And Juliana becomes entangled in a deadly game being played out between Ellis and his business partner, with Harcourt and Rook dragged along as they seek to protect the Shelly sisters.
A family story being told in three parts, this is the enticing second act.
A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley
October 17, 2021
3.75 Rounded off to 4 Stars!
Plot Summary
Anne runs away from an unwanted/ loveless engagement. She thinks Ellis is the answer to the life of adventure she seeks until he dumps her on his cousin's doorstep, which is not so much a doorstep but a tiny island where Rook lives, all by himself! Rook walked away from a life of crime when things went awry with the Villain-Ellis-Solomon (the Late Earl Harcourt) deal drama which resulted in Solomon's death. That was until the very tempting Anne becomes his to protect but not his to covet. She convinces him to drop her home, road trip, some more reveal about this elusive villain, HEA!
My Thoughts
- A great way to get people to read the whole series, make the villain trope last, over 3 books! This second instalment of the Shelly Sister's was a fun read.
- The writing was great, the pacing could have been faster. I loved the road-trip trope, since I have not read it in quite some time, it was enjoyable and provided a great setting for physical intimacies, though since they were alone on an island, that would have worked too, to which my husband wisely says "there is more intimacy in travelling together, a physical proximity, accidental touches but on an island they can do their own thing even if they are living under the same roof", I conceded.
- The characters were interesting, more depth to them & their background would have helped. Their chemistry was awesome but the character development was abrupt, they were getting along great, enter - presumptuous behaviour and "I am not good enough for her" & "He doesn't want me, really" nonsense felt forced and extended the book unnecessarily.
- Finally, there was some reveal about the villain subplot that had started in book 1. So I was glad about that.
My Reccomendation
A good placeholder, paving the way for the final book in the series. An easy read, had fun!
Plot Summary
Anne runs away from an unwanted/ loveless engagement. She thinks Ellis is the answer to the life of adventure she seeks until he dumps her on his cousin's doorstep, which is not so much a doorstep but a tiny island where Rook lives, all by himself! Rook walked away from a life of crime when things went awry with the Villain-Ellis-Solomon (the Late Earl Harcourt) deal drama which resulted in Solomon's death. That was until the very tempting Anne becomes his to protect but not his to covet. She convinces him to drop her home, road trip, some more reveal about this elusive villain, HEA!
My Thoughts
- A great way to get people to read the whole series, make the villain trope last, over 3 books! This second instalment of the Shelly Sister's was a fun read.
- The writing was great, the pacing could have been faster. I loved the road-trip trope, since I have not read it in quite some time, it was enjoyable and provided a great setting for physical intimacies, though since they were alone on an island, that would have worked too, to which my husband wisely says "there is more intimacy in travelling together, a physical proximity, accidental touches but on an island they can do their own thing even if they are living under the same roof", I conceded.
- The characters were interesting, more depth to them & their background would have helped. Their chemistry was awesome but the character development was abrupt, they were getting along great, enter - presumptuous behaviour and "I am not good enough for her" & "He doesn't want me, really" nonsense felt forced and extended the book unnecessarily.
- Finally, there was some reveal about the villain subplot that had started in book 1. So I was glad about that.
My Reccomendation
A good placeholder, paving the way for the final book in the series. An easy read, had fun!
January 29, 2020
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Very enjoyable read full of angst, love , pain and joy.
The second triplet Ann ,Stars in this story of her journey to happiness and love with the perfect partner.
A passionate tale that hooks you and keeps you engaged.
I must say it’s slightly slower than the first book in the series but that doesn’t detract from the enjoyable experience.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
💋💋
Very enjoyable read full of angst, love , pain and joy.
The second triplet Ann ,Stars in this story of her journey to happiness and love with the perfect partner.
A passionate tale that hooks you and keeps you engaged.
I must say it’s slightly slower than the first book in the series but that doesn’t detract from the enjoyable experience.
I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review
January 25, 2020
A Reckless Runaway
The Shelley Sisters Series #2
Jess Michaels
https://www.facebook.com/JessMichaels...
Release date 02/04/2020
Publisher The Passionate Pen
Blurb :
Anne Shelley has always been known as the “wild” one of the infamous Shelley triplets and never has that been truer than when she ran away from her engagement with a scandalous man. She expects to be taken to Gretna Green for a hasty marriage, but instead she is dumped off on a remote island in Scotland with his grouchy cousin, Rook Maitland. She isn’t supposed to like him, but as their time together stretches out she can’t help but develop more than a passing interest in her temporary guardian.
Rook knows his cousin’s game and he has serious doubts he’ll ever return for the fetching Anne, fool that he is. After all, the woman is fascinating and the more time they spend together, she proves to be irresistible. When she asks him to help her get back to her family, time alone on the road will lead to passions that can no longer be denied.
But Rook’s cousin has an ulterior motive for everything he’s done. And the danger that will be brought down on their heads could destroy the love they’re beginning to develop and end their future before it has time to begin.
My review :
When a woman tricked to run away from her upcoming wedding encounters love on her path ...
This book can be read as a standalone but will be better appreciated if you read the first one as it gives Anna’s sister point of view and story.
I didn’t know if I would like Anna as she appeared too reckless and very selfish in the previous installment, yet her own circumstances could excuse her rash actions.
Funnily, not long ago there was in a group a discussion about the redeeming of female characters instead of the male counterparts, it was said it was more difficult to excuse a woman’s personality than a man, as they were often nasty naughty egoistical persons, hard to like even a bit.
So while I was far from fond of Anna in Thomasina’s story, her recklessness offered her sister the opportunity to marry the man she loved. And despite all her misguided and regardless actions, she faces her errors head held high, and accepts the price she might have to pay for leaving her sheltered life behind.
She does mature a lot along her return road, when she reaches her epiphany and comprehends what ever her father had put her through she had an easy life, her every need always provided.
From there she betters herself, not an easy task as she knows nothing but never she complains and while she discovers her self-worth, she also learns to peer outside her own wall, to open her heart to someone else.
Rook has lived the opposite life than Anna, with even less choice on the path to follow, it was survival or perdition. He endured a harsh life where petty crimes and robbery were his only way out. Whatever hardships he endured, he stayed a good man inside, he felt honor-bound to his cousin for saving him all those years ago, still he knew when he could not stand anymore to watch him sinking so low.
He thought he left this life behind until he is dragged in again with Anna as collateral damage. He felt so unworthy of her, he fights his attraction from the very beginning.
Yet, even knowing nothing can come from their little adventure out of time, she is a lady, he is an outlaw, he will still do anything to protect the woman he has come to care more than his own life, even if it is from afar.
He wants the best for her, and does not think he deserves her. It is his mantra during their journey, and the wall Anna will meet at every turn.
Mrs Jess Michaels succeeds here in shifting the picture I had of Anna, showing her errors are not an end but the beginning of the a new more affected Anna.
5 stars
Now I am very eager to see how the hero of the next book will find his light.
I was granted an advance copy by the author through Netgalley and preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
The Shelley Sisters Series #2
Jess Michaels
https://www.facebook.com/JessMichaels...
Release date 02/04/2020
Publisher The Passionate Pen
Blurb :
Anne Shelley has always been known as the “wild” one of the infamous Shelley triplets and never has that been truer than when she ran away from her engagement with a scandalous man. She expects to be taken to Gretna Green for a hasty marriage, but instead she is dumped off on a remote island in Scotland with his grouchy cousin, Rook Maitland. She isn’t supposed to like him, but as their time together stretches out she can’t help but develop more than a passing interest in her temporary guardian.
Rook knows his cousin’s game and he has serious doubts he’ll ever return for the fetching Anne, fool that he is. After all, the woman is fascinating and the more time they spend together, she proves to be irresistible. When she asks him to help her get back to her family, time alone on the road will lead to passions that can no longer be denied.
But Rook’s cousin has an ulterior motive for everything he’s done. And the danger that will be brought down on their heads could destroy the love they’re beginning to develop and end their future before it has time to begin.
My review :
When a woman tricked to run away from her upcoming wedding encounters love on her path ...
This book can be read as a standalone but will be better appreciated if you read the first one as it gives Anna’s sister point of view and story.
I didn’t know if I would like Anna as she appeared too reckless and very selfish in the previous installment, yet her own circumstances could excuse her rash actions.
Funnily, not long ago there was in a group a discussion about the redeeming of female characters instead of the male counterparts, it was said it was more difficult to excuse a woman’s personality than a man, as they were often nasty naughty egoistical persons, hard to like even a bit.
So while I was far from fond of Anna in Thomasina’s story, her recklessness offered her sister the opportunity to marry the man she loved. And despite all her misguided and regardless actions, she faces her errors head held high, and accepts the price she might have to pay for leaving her sheltered life behind.
She does mature a lot along her return road, when she reaches her epiphany and comprehends what ever her father had put her through she had an easy life, her every need always provided.
From there she betters herself, not an easy task as she knows nothing but never she complains and while she discovers her self-worth, she also learns to peer outside her own wall, to open her heart to someone else.
Rook has lived the opposite life than Anna, with even less choice on the path to follow, it was survival or perdition. He endured a harsh life where petty crimes and robbery were his only way out. Whatever hardships he endured, he stayed a good man inside, he felt honor-bound to his cousin for saving him all those years ago, still he knew when he could not stand anymore to watch him sinking so low.
He thought he left this life behind until he is dragged in again with Anna as collateral damage. He felt so unworthy of her, he fights his attraction from the very beginning.
Yet, even knowing nothing can come from their little adventure out of time, she is a lady, he is an outlaw, he will still do anything to protect the woman he has come to care more than his own life, even if it is from afar.
He wants the best for her, and does not think he deserves her. It is his mantra during their journey, and the wall Anna will meet at every turn.
Mrs Jess Michaels succeeds here in shifting the picture I had of Anna, showing her errors are not an end but the beginning of the a new more affected Anna.
5 stars
Now I am very eager to see how the hero of the next book will find his light.
I was granted an advance copy by the author through Netgalley and preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.
https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...
January 17, 2020
Rook.....sigh!!! What a hero! This was such a great story, I really had a hard time putting it down so I was even reading it while cooking:) I had read the first book in the series in which we learn that Anne, one of the triplet Shelley Sisters, had gone missing so it was great to now read her story.
Anne does not want to marry the man that her father has chosen for her and when she gets an offer to run away and get married to another man who says he loves her, she risks everything to go with him. Unfortunately, he has other plans and before she knows it, she's been dumped on his cousin, Rook, who takes her to his island. It's been a year since Rook has had anything to do with his cousin and refuses to "work" with him, stealing and cheating. Passions flare between Anne and Rook but he doesn't think he's good enough for her because of his past and promises to bring her back to her home. Adventure abounds on their journey and Anne is in for a surprise when she does get home!!
I'm really enjoying this series and now can't wait to read Juliana's story. I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Anne does not want to marry the man that her father has chosen for her and when she gets an offer to run away and get married to another man who says he loves her, she risks everything to go with him. Unfortunately, he has other plans and before she knows it, she's been dumped on his cousin, Rook, who takes her to his island. It's been a year since Rook has had anything to do with his cousin and refuses to "work" with him, stealing and cheating. Passions flare between Anne and Rook but he doesn't think he's good enough for her because of his past and promises to bring her back to her home. Adventure abounds on their journey and Anne is in for a surprise when she does get home!!
I'm really enjoying this series and now can't wait to read Juliana's story. I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 4, 2020
Anne Shelley is one of the Shelley triplets, known as the “wild one” by her sisters and the one her father chose to marry Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt.
Anne cannot think of a worse fate than to become Lady Harcourt, so when she met Ellis Maitland and he suggested running away, it seemed like the answer to her prayers, but quickly she learned that Ellis is not who or what he pretended to be and she finds herself thrust upon his cousin “Rook”.
Constantine “Rook” Maitland has lived alone on his little island in Scotland for about a year, content to be alone and happy to have left the “game” behind. He has no desire to be sucked back in, but he feels he owes Ellis a debt and agrees to let Anne stay with him for “a few days”. At first Anne is terrified of Rook, but soon learns that he is a smart, quiet, caring man and slowly she begins to admire him. When a couple of weeks pass and Ellis has not returned, Anne gets anxious and asks Rook to take her home.
He agrees to take her to Gretna Green, where she should be able to find safe transportation. Anne is the first to admit that she has lead a sheltered and privileged life and doesn’t know the first thing about doing for herself, but during her time with Rook, she begins to broaden her horizons and learn to take care of herself. She also grows more attached and attracted to Rook. When it is clear they will be soon parting ways, she is finally able to break through his objections and they surrender to the passion that has been simmering for weeks. But Rook feels unworthy of Anne and repeatedly tells her he is no good and refuses to consider anything beyond a stolen night together. Anne wants to change his mind and is set to do so when she hears a shocking revelation, Harcourt married one of her sisters in her place. Anne is devastated and needs to get back to Harcourt – but now that Rook knows who she was going to marry before Ellis interfered, he knows that Anne and her sisters are in danger and as much as he hates the idea, he will have to rejoin the game to save the woman he has fallen hopelessly in love with.
I thought this was a very good story, part of the story runs concurrent with the previous book until the sisters are reunited, so I would recommend reading the books in order. Rook and Anne are a great couple with oodles of chemistry and passion to spare. I enjoyed the ongoing mystery of the “treasure” and learning a bit more of why Ellis is involved. I am really looking forward to the conclusion of the book and can’t wait to see how Ms. Michaels manages to redeem Ellis! This is the second book in the series and I strongly recommend reading the books in order for maximum enjoyment.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
Anne cannot think of a worse fate than to become Lady Harcourt, so when she met Ellis Maitland and he suggested running away, it seemed like the answer to her prayers, but quickly she learned that Ellis is not who or what he pretended to be and she finds herself thrust upon his cousin “Rook”.
Constantine “Rook” Maitland has lived alone on his little island in Scotland for about a year, content to be alone and happy to have left the “game” behind. He has no desire to be sucked back in, but he feels he owes Ellis a debt and agrees to let Anne stay with him for “a few days”. At first Anne is terrified of Rook, but soon learns that he is a smart, quiet, caring man and slowly she begins to admire him. When a couple of weeks pass and Ellis has not returned, Anne gets anxious and asks Rook to take her home.
He agrees to take her to Gretna Green, where she should be able to find safe transportation. Anne is the first to admit that she has lead a sheltered and privileged life and doesn’t know the first thing about doing for herself, but during her time with Rook, she begins to broaden her horizons and learn to take care of herself. She also grows more attached and attracted to Rook. When it is clear they will be soon parting ways, she is finally able to break through his objections and they surrender to the passion that has been simmering for weeks. But Rook feels unworthy of Anne and repeatedly tells her he is no good and refuses to consider anything beyond a stolen night together. Anne wants to change his mind and is set to do so when she hears a shocking revelation, Harcourt married one of her sisters in her place. Anne is devastated and needs to get back to Harcourt – but now that Rook knows who she was going to marry before Ellis interfered, he knows that Anne and her sisters are in danger and as much as he hates the idea, he will have to rejoin the game to save the woman he has fallen hopelessly in love with.
I thought this was a very good story, part of the story runs concurrent with the previous book until the sisters are reunited, so I would recommend reading the books in order. Rook and Anne are a great couple with oodles of chemistry and passion to spare. I enjoyed the ongoing mystery of the “treasure” and learning a bit more of why Ellis is involved. I am really looking forward to the conclusion of the book and can’t wait to see how Ms. Michaels manages to redeem Ellis! This is the second book in the series and I strongly recommend reading the books in order for maximum enjoyment.
*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*
March 7, 2026
This is book 2 in the Shelley Sister's trilogy about triplet sisters Thomasina, Anne, and Juliana. I highly recommend reading this series in order for maximum enjoyment because the books are very tightly interwoven and I really enjoyed book 1 and 2.
This book focuses on Anne's story, when she disappears with Ellis during the engagement ball and Thomasina takes her place. Thomasina's story is book 1. So in book 2 we pick up just before Anne disappears into the night with a man she believes is whisking her away to be married in Gretna Green and rescuing her from a loveless engagement with the Earl of Harcourt. After Ellis unromantically spirits Anne away he hands her off to his cousin, Rook, who takes her to a small Scottish isle to wait for Ellis to return for her. But Anne is already questioning Ellis' actions and soon realizes Ellis isn't coming back for her. The reality of her choices hits hard, and Rook didn't exactly know what he was getting into when Ellis asked for his help. Making the best of their situation, Anne begins to trust Rook, and they get to know each other better, becoming friends. Anne eventually decides she's ready to return to Harcourt House and Rook agrees to see her there safely, but as they travel they need to pose as a married couple, and attraction builds between them. They make their way closer and closer to Harcourt House and learn of the earl's marriage to Thomasina. Now Anne is worried that her reception will be even worse than anticipated plus Ellis is still out there somewhere. Did he locate the treasure he was seeking?
This is a steamy read with a virginal heroine, forced proximity, and opposites attract. I really enjoyed Anne's adventure with Rook and look forward to book 3, which is Julianna's story.
This book focuses on Anne's story, when she disappears with Ellis during the engagement ball and Thomasina takes her place. Thomasina's story is book 1. So in book 2 we pick up just before Anne disappears into the night with a man she believes is whisking her away to be married in Gretna Green and rescuing her from a loveless engagement with the Earl of Harcourt. After Ellis unromantically spirits Anne away he hands her off to his cousin, Rook, who takes her to a small Scottish isle to wait for Ellis to return for her. But Anne is already questioning Ellis' actions and soon realizes Ellis isn't coming back for her. The reality of her choices hits hard, and Rook didn't exactly know what he was getting into when Ellis asked for his help. Making the best of their situation, Anne begins to trust Rook, and they get to know each other better, becoming friends. Anne eventually decides she's ready to return to Harcourt House and Rook agrees to see her there safely, but as they travel they need to pose as a married couple, and attraction builds between them. They make their way closer and closer to Harcourt House and learn of the earl's marriage to Thomasina. Now Anne is worried that her reception will be even worse than anticipated plus Ellis is still out there somewhere. Did he locate the treasure he was seeking?
This is a steamy read with a virginal heroine, forced proximity, and opposites attract. I really enjoyed Anne's adventure with Rook and look forward to book 3, which is Julianna's story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2020
Anne Shelley has always been known as the “wild” one of the infamous Shelley triplets and never has that been truer than when she ran away from her engagement with Ellis Maitland, a scandalous man. She expects to be taken to Gretna Green for a hasty marriage, but instead she is dumped off on a remote island in Scotland with his grouchy cousin, Rook Maitland. Rook knows his cousin’s game and he has serious doubts he’ll ever return for the fetching Anne, fool that he is. After all, the woman is fascinating and the more time they spend together, she proves to be irresistible. When she asks him to help her get back to her family, time alone on the road will lead to passions that can no longer be denied.
This is the second in the series & whilst it could be read on its own it does closely link with the first book & things are not truly resolved at the end of it, so I’d highly recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate it. I must admit I didn’t have a high opinion of Anne in the first book so was agreeably surprised by how much I grew to like her, she's feisty & selfish but the more she's out of her comfort zone the more she grows. I loved Rook from the start & how he’d tried to forge a new & better life for himself. The chemistry between the pair is electric & only grows. An enthralling page turner that I devoured, the pace is very good & the climax had me breathless, I can’t wait for Juliana’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
This is the second in the series & whilst it could be read on its own it does closely link with the first book & things are not truly resolved at the end of it, so I’d highly recommend reading the series in order to fully appreciate it. I must admit I didn’t have a high opinion of Anne in the first book so was agreeably surprised by how much I grew to like her, she's feisty & selfish but the more she's out of her comfort zone the more she grows. I loved Rook from the start & how he’d tried to forge a new & better life for himself. The chemistry between the pair is electric & only grows. An enthralling page turner that I devoured, the pace is very good & the climax had me breathless, I can’t wait for Juliana’s story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
January 15, 2023
If you read book one you know Anne runs away from her intended to be with Ellis. Then sketch ass Ellis drops her off on a remote island with his cousin Rook. She’s basically his prisoner until Rook says enough is enough and begins the journey to take her home.
Rook living on a remote island is a whole mood. How he gets interested in chaotic mess Anne is beyond me. I couldn’t stand Anne because calling her a Reckless Runaway is apt. She dips out to marry a man she does.not.know. Girl where is your head. Pretty good book but the ending grips you by the throat.
Overall Book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rook living on a remote island is a whole mood. How he gets interested in chaotic mess Anne is beyond me. I couldn’t stand Anne because calling her a Reckless Runaway is apt. She dips out to marry a man she does.not.know. Girl where is your head. Pretty good book but the ending grips you by the throat.
Overall Book ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
January 30, 2020
This was a little slow at first but there was plenty of action later on in the story. Anne Shelley was determined not to marry the Earl of Harcourt and willingly fell in with the pan of Ellis Maitland. This brought her into contact with Rook Maitland. Rook has deep regrets about his past life and in some ways his connection to Ellis. Rook seems to be keeping something about his past to himself. On their journey together, Anne and Room come to a deeper unselfish each other but are aware that they belong in different worlds. Anne has always been the triplet to do as she wanted. However, she was concerned about the affect her disappearance had on her sisters. Some things are resolved in this book but not all and I’m assuming that will happen in the next book. There are dangers and passion in this story and I’m looking forward to the next. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 17, 2020
I've been super psyched about about this trilogy (Longer Jess Michaels novels! Mystery! Triplets! A chance for puns in triplicate!), and while I had a few quibbles about Book #1, I didn't see those repeated here—the mystery was stronger and while I didn't dislike the characters in the first book, I liked the characterization of both the main and side characters better here. In the first book, you see some of the characters in only one perspective or a certain manner and the sequel did a great job of adding another view and depth without necessarily contradicting the first book.
✔s: awesome chemistry, I loved the main characters an amazing amount (admittedly, I'm a sucker for what I refer to as my Jessica Wakefield archetype and as far as Rook goes, ), the side characters also received some snazzy dressing, the individual book mystery held up much better here, and the overall series mystery continues to intrigue.
±s: Overall, I do think reading all three books will work better together versus reading one book or reading them out of order, especially since some of the events ran concurrently to book #1, but would've spoiled you or made less sense. However, this book did stand better alone than the first book did.
✘s: The latter part of beginning is a little slow.
tl;dr: I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to the third book of the series* and rereading the whole thing together.
* Even though...
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for the free ARC, with no incentive or coercion on your parts.
✔s: awesome chemistry, I loved the main characters an amazing amount (admittedly, I'm a sucker for what I refer to as my Jessica Wakefield archetype and as far as Rook goes, ), the side characters also received some snazzy dressing, the individual book mystery held up much better here, and the overall series mystery continues to intrigue.
±s: Overall, I do think reading all three books will work better together versus reading one book or reading them out of order, especially since some of the events ran concurrently to book #1, but would've spoiled you or made less sense. However, this book did stand better alone than the first book did.
✘s: The latter part of beginning is a little slow.
tl;dr: I really enjoyed this and I'm looking forward to the third book of the series* and rereading the whole thing together.
* Even though...
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for the free ARC, with no incentive or coercion on your parts.
January 21, 2020
Series: The Shelley Sisters #2
Publication Date: 2/4/20
Anne’s story is finally here! We met all of the Shelley sisters in the first book, A Reluctant Bride, and, well, I couldn’t decide if I liked Anne or not. That was probably because she was the catalyst for the featured romance, but not the feature of the story. The Shelley sisters are triplets – identical to everyone – and everyone tends to treat them as one entity. Yet, they are very different. Anne is the wild one, the ‘free spirit’ who acts first and thinks later. Juliana is the calm, even-keeled, responsible ‘fixer’, who runs the household. Thomasina is the pleaser, the one who brings peace and comfort to others – even at the cost of her own. Their father is a real piece-of-work who could care less about his daughters other than to consider how they can best benefit him.
This book begins at the same time and place as the first book in the series, but while that book followed Thomasina and Jasper, this one follows Anne and Rook. At the beginning of the first book, Anne runs away with Ellis Maitland – but, then she seems to disappear with another man. Now, we learn what happened when she ran away, why she ran away, and what has happened to her since.
Ellis Maitland is a desperate man – and when he gets desperate, he gets reckless and bad things tend to happen. A very, very, very bad man, Winston Leonard, wants the property that Ellis and his friend, Jasper’s late brother Solomon, stole from him. The thing is, Ellis has absolutely no idea where it is or how to find it. Ellis decided to use Anne in order to put pressure on Jasper – after all, if she was important to Jasper, he’d meet Ellis’ demands. The trouble was, Jasper had no clue what Ellis was talking about and Anne wasn’t all that important to him. If she wanted to run away with someone else, she could.
When Ellis hands Anne off into a rowboat with someone named Rook, she is frightened, but resigned – then frightened again when she finds out where they are going. Anne has never really been physically attracted to anyone before, but something about the dark and attractive man makes her skin warm and her stomach flutter.
Constantine (Rook) Maitland broke ties with his cousin Ellis over a year ago and hasn’t had anything to do with him since then. The break was caused by an awful set of circumstances Ellis became involved in that crossed all of the lines for Rook. Ellis had always been Rook’s hero – he’d save him when he was a young child. Ellis took him in and taught him how to survive – but – now…
Rook and Anne are each attracted to the other, but neither will act on it and they are fairly cool and stand-offish with each other. When Anne finally comes to the realization that Ellis will not be coming for her, nor will he marry her, she asks Rook to see that she gets home. Their journey to their HEA is fraught with danger – after all, there is still a villain out there. The action really picks up at the end of their journey with everything happening fast and furious. Will Anne survive? Will Rook admit that he loves her? Will her sisters forgive her? Will Jasper forgive her? Will Rook and Ellis reconcile? Will they finally thwart the villain? You’ll just have to read this fun book to find out all of that and more!
I assume that the next book is going to feature Ellis and Juliana and I have to say, I think this author is going to have to go some to rehabilitate Ellis in my mind. There have been things to make him more sympathetic, but – well – we can only wait for the next exciting installment!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Publication Date: 2/4/20
Anne’s story is finally here! We met all of the Shelley sisters in the first book, A Reluctant Bride, and, well, I couldn’t decide if I liked Anne or not. That was probably because she was the catalyst for the featured romance, but not the feature of the story. The Shelley sisters are triplets – identical to everyone – and everyone tends to treat them as one entity. Yet, they are very different. Anne is the wild one, the ‘free spirit’ who acts first and thinks later. Juliana is the calm, even-keeled, responsible ‘fixer’, who runs the household. Thomasina is the pleaser, the one who brings peace and comfort to others – even at the cost of her own. Their father is a real piece-of-work who could care less about his daughters other than to consider how they can best benefit him.
This book begins at the same time and place as the first book in the series, but while that book followed Thomasina and Jasper, this one follows Anne and Rook. At the beginning of the first book, Anne runs away with Ellis Maitland – but, then she seems to disappear with another man. Now, we learn what happened when she ran away, why she ran away, and what has happened to her since.
Ellis Maitland is a desperate man – and when he gets desperate, he gets reckless and bad things tend to happen. A very, very, very bad man, Winston Leonard, wants the property that Ellis and his friend, Jasper’s late brother Solomon, stole from him. The thing is, Ellis has absolutely no idea where it is or how to find it. Ellis decided to use Anne in order to put pressure on Jasper – after all, if she was important to Jasper, he’d meet Ellis’ demands. The trouble was, Jasper had no clue what Ellis was talking about and Anne wasn’t all that important to him. If she wanted to run away with someone else, she could.
When Ellis hands Anne off into a rowboat with someone named Rook, she is frightened, but resigned – then frightened again when she finds out where they are going. Anne has never really been physically attracted to anyone before, but something about the dark and attractive man makes her skin warm and her stomach flutter.
Constantine (Rook) Maitland broke ties with his cousin Ellis over a year ago and hasn’t had anything to do with him since then. The break was caused by an awful set of circumstances Ellis became involved in that crossed all of the lines for Rook. Ellis had always been Rook’s hero – he’d save him when he was a young child. Ellis took him in and taught him how to survive – but – now…
Rook and Anne are each attracted to the other, but neither will act on it and they are fairly cool and stand-offish with each other. When Anne finally comes to the realization that Ellis will not be coming for her, nor will he marry her, she asks Rook to see that she gets home. Their journey to their HEA is fraught with danger – after all, there is still a villain out there. The action really picks up at the end of their journey with everything happening fast and furious. Will Anne survive? Will Rook admit that he loves her? Will her sisters forgive her? Will Jasper forgive her? Will Rook and Ellis reconcile? Will they finally thwart the villain? You’ll just have to read this fun book to find out all of that and more!
I assume that the next book is going to feature Ellis and Juliana and I have to say, I think this author is going to have to go some to rehabilitate Ellis in my mind. There have been things to make him more sympathetic, but – well – we can only wait for the next exciting installment!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 4, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I love these Shelley triplets. Tomasina got her HEA in book 1. This book is Anne’s stor.
******
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Kindle unlimited: No
******
This book took the suspense to a whole new level and I am so confused as to who I am rooting for. Rook is Ellis Maitland’s cousin. Ellis is on a mission to retrieve the “treasure” that Solomon (Harcourt’s brother) stole. Ellis was the evil 👿 character that lured Anne to runaway from Harcourt in book 1. In this book we learn that he just dumped Anne off with his cousin Rook.
There is so much going on in this book and the plot is thickening. We watch Anne grow and learn how to take care of herself and we see her struggle when she finally meets the one, Rook because she no longer trusts her judgement.
Rook doesn’t believe he deserves Anne, or really anyone. He has made some bad choices in order to survive. He has to let go of his demons and let Anne in. Rook and Anne have to go through so much to find their way back to Harcourt’s estate and each other.
If you want a historical suspenseful romance. This is your book. Want some steam...✅ want characters that will draw you in ✅ want to be on the edge of your seat ✅ want a book you won’t be able to put down ✅
Basically I am saying grab this series! Even though this is Anne’s book, I would recommend you read Tomasina’s book first. There is an underlying story plot that is crossing into each book and based ion the ending of this book...Juliana’s book is going to be awesome!!! Everything is coming to a head and I can’t wait!!! Totally in love with this series!!! This is a big ole recommend for me!!!
******
Overall Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Kindle unlimited: No
******
This book took the suspense to a whole new level and I am so confused as to who I am rooting for. Rook is Ellis Maitland’s cousin. Ellis is on a mission to retrieve the “treasure” that Solomon (Harcourt’s brother) stole. Ellis was the evil 👿 character that lured Anne to runaway from Harcourt in book 1. In this book we learn that he just dumped Anne off with his cousin Rook.
There is so much going on in this book and the plot is thickening. We watch Anne grow and learn how to take care of herself and we see her struggle when she finally meets the one, Rook because she no longer trusts her judgement.
Rook doesn’t believe he deserves Anne, or really anyone. He has made some bad choices in order to survive. He has to let go of his demons and let Anne in. Rook and Anne have to go through so much to find their way back to Harcourt’s estate and each other.
If you want a historical suspenseful romance. This is your book. Want some steam...✅ want characters that will draw you in ✅ want to be on the edge of your seat ✅ want a book you won’t be able to put down ✅
Basically I am saying grab this series! Even though this is Anne’s book, I would recommend you read Tomasina’s book first. There is an underlying story plot that is crossing into each book and based ion the ending of this book...Juliana’s book is going to be awesome!!! Everything is coming to a head and I can’t wait!!! Totally in love with this series!!! This is a big ole recommend for me!!!
February 5, 2020
A Reckless Runaway (The Shelley Sisters Book 2) by Jess Michaels is an intriguing Historical Romance. Book 2, but can be read as a stand alone.
Anne Shelley, the eldest sibling of the Shelly triplets, and considered the wild and reckless one. Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, Anne's unwanted fiance.
Anne runs away with Ellis Maitland. Ellis takes her to Scotland, not to marry her but to drop her off on his cousin,
Constantine (Rook) Maitland, in Scotland. A fun story with a multitude of characters, and yes, a villain or two. Opposites do attract, especially, in A RECKLESS RUNAWAY.
Anne and Rook's journey to their HEA is fraught with danger, mystery, some fun moments included, intrigue and romance, all the time staying one step ahead of the villain.
Well written and well excuted. The cast of characters keeps you turning pages, add in the intrigue, mystery, and romance, makes for entertaining reading.
An enticing family story told in three parts, Anne, Thomasina, and Julianna, the Shelley triplets. Strongly recommended for fans of historical romance, adventure, mystery, fun moments, and steamy scenes. Well worth the time to read, you will not be disappointed. A superb story!
#NetGalley, #AReluctantRunnaway,#JessMichaels
"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR
Anne Shelley, the eldest sibling of the Shelly triplets, and considered the wild and reckless one. Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt, Anne's unwanted fiance.
Anne runs away with Ellis Maitland. Ellis takes her to Scotland, not to marry her but to drop her off on his cousin,
Constantine (Rook) Maitland, in Scotland. A fun story with a multitude of characters, and yes, a villain or two. Opposites do attract, especially, in A RECKLESS RUNAWAY.
Anne and Rook's journey to their HEA is fraught with danger, mystery, some fun moments included, intrigue and romance, all the time staying one step ahead of the villain.
Well written and well excuted. The cast of characters keeps you turning pages, add in the intrigue, mystery, and romance, makes for entertaining reading.
An enticing family story told in three parts, Anne, Thomasina, and Julianna, the Shelley triplets. Strongly recommended for fans of historical romance, adventure, mystery, fun moments, and steamy scenes. Well worth the time to read, you will not be disappointed. A superb story!
#NetGalley, #AReluctantRunnaway,#JessMichaels
"I voluntarily received a complimentary copy, however, these are my honest opinions. I was in no way required nor compensated to write a review."
Rating: 4.5
Heat rating: Steamy
Reviewer: AprilR
February 8, 2020
"She was just weeks away from her wedding and she should have been happy. But she wasn't. Not in the slightest. Panicked? Yes. On the edge of a breakdown? Always. But happy...not at all."
Anne Shelley, the eldest of triplets was set to marry a man her father had chosen. Fun loving, happy, sometime reckless Anne was to marry a man with no humor, never smiling and could not even tell her apart from her two sisters?
Runaway bride time! In a very reckless move, she met a gentlemen in the garden who seemed just as fun loving as her, Ellis Maitland. He charmed her and convinced her to run away with him. Oh yes, this girl was too trusting. So she took off in the night, supposedly going to Gretna Green to marry, but instead he took her to his cousin, Rook Mailand and left her with him on an island!
Rook knew he should not have agreed to the favor his cousin had asked of him but now he was stuck with Ann.
Rook know that whatever the scheme his cousin has cooked up will not be good, but as he and Anne spend time together he finds her delightful. He finally agrees to take her back home but on that journey it seems they might find happiness of their own? But where is Ellis and what is he doing?
After reading book 1 of this series, which happens parallel to this story, I could not wait to see what happened to our heroine! Unexpected attraction, a little danger and a love that is trying to develop take us to a great ending!
Anne Shelley, the eldest of triplets was set to marry a man her father had chosen. Fun loving, happy, sometime reckless Anne was to marry a man with no humor, never smiling and could not even tell her apart from her two sisters?
Runaway bride time! In a very reckless move, she met a gentlemen in the garden who seemed just as fun loving as her, Ellis Maitland. He charmed her and convinced her to run away with him. Oh yes, this girl was too trusting. So she took off in the night, supposedly going to Gretna Green to marry, but instead he took her to his cousin, Rook Mailand and left her with him on an island!
Rook knew he should not have agreed to the favor his cousin had asked of him but now he was stuck with Ann.
Rook know that whatever the scheme his cousin has cooked up will not be good, but as he and Anne spend time together he finds her delightful. He finally agrees to take her back home but on that journey it seems they might find happiness of their own? But where is Ellis and what is he doing?
After reading book 1 of this series, which happens parallel to this story, I could not wait to see what happened to our heroine! Unexpected attraction, a little danger and a love that is trying to develop take us to a great ending!
February 2, 2020
A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels is the second book in the Shelley Sisters series.The Shelly sisters are triplets, which is extremely rare in this time period. Their father is all about getting them married off and gaining more prestige from them. Despite the fact, the triplets look so much alike, they are really quite different in temperament. This particular book focuses on Anne. She is impetuous, headstrong, and a bit wild.
Anne ran away from her newly engaged fiance, Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt. He needed money and she was the price he had to pay for the money. However he's not her cup of tea and she is desperate to get out of the arrangement. A pretty man keeps showing up around the house laughing at her jokes and acting like she is the only woman. Anne runs away with him thinking they were eloping with him. He really is a con artist and she is left with his cousin Rook, as he goes back to get what he wants from Jasper Kincaid.
This is the second book I have read in the Shelly sister series. I really liked the previous book, A Reluctant Bride with the characters of Jasper and Thomasina. I was not as enthralled with the character of Anne, I found that she was a self-centered. However it's always good when a character has room to grow and Anne had lots of room to grow. A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels a pretty good read.
Anne ran away from her newly engaged fiance, Jasper Kincaid, the Earl of Harcourt. He needed money and she was the price he had to pay for the money. However he's not her cup of tea and she is desperate to get out of the arrangement. A pretty man keeps showing up around the house laughing at her jokes and acting like she is the only woman. Anne runs away with him thinking they were eloping with him. He really is a con artist and she is left with his cousin Rook, as he goes back to get what he wants from Jasper Kincaid.
This is the second book I have read in the Shelly sister series. I really liked the previous book, A Reluctant Bride with the characters of Jasper and Thomasina. I was not as enthralled with the character of Anne, I found that she was a self-centered. However it's always good when a character has room to grow and Anne had lots of room to grow. A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels a pretty good read.
January 30, 2020
A Reckless Runaway by Jess Michaels
The Shelley Sisters #2
It was wonderful catching up with Anne and finding out what happened after she left with Ellis Maitland – a runaway bride long ago. She was definitely in for a huge surprise as she is dumped with Rook rather than taken to Gretna Green by Ellis.
What I liked:
* Anne – a bit selfish but only looking out for her own happiness. She is a woman to be reckoned with and begins to really see who she is and what she wants as she gets to know Rook better
* Rook – A good man with a horrible past. I really liked him in more ways than one.
* The slow burn and then the sizzling heat between Anne and Rook
* The unveiling of what is really behind what Ellis has been doing
* The knife throwing scene
* Just about everything except…
What I didn’t like:
* The father of the Shelley triplets
* Ellis’s poor treatment of Anne
* Winston Leonard – major baddie
* Having to wait for book three to see how it will all play out
Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
The Shelley Sisters #2
It was wonderful catching up with Anne and finding out what happened after she left with Ellis Maitland – a runaway bride long ago. She was definitely in for a huge surprise as she is dumped with Rook rather than taken to Gretna Green by Ellis.
What I liked:
* Anne – a bit selfish but only looking out for her own happiness. She is a woman to be reckoned with and begins to really see who she is and what she wants as she gets to know Rook better
* Rook – A good man with a horrible past. I really liked him in more ways than one.
* The slow burn and then the sizzling heat between Anne and Rook
* The unveiling of what is really behind what Ellis has been doing
* The knife throwing scene
* Just about everything except…
What I didn’t like:
* The father of the Shelley triplets
* Ellis’s poor treatment of Anne
* Winston Leonard – major baddie
* Having to wait for book three to see how it will all play out
Thank you to NetGalley and The Passionate Pen for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
January 28, 2020
So, I ended up losing all track of time and read this book in one night. It is a fun quick read. It starts with Anne wanting to not be married to a life of boredom, takes a turn at betrayal, zigs to passionate love scenes and ends with a scurry of action. Oh, and lest I forget to mention... a whole lot of steam.
A fun weekend read, I would add this to your "curl up by the fire with a good book for the afternoon" stack. Thank you to NetGalley and Jess Michaels for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
A fun weekend read, I would add this to your "curl up by the fire with a good book for the afternoon" stack. Thank you to NetGalley and Jess Michaels for the advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
February 4, 2020
What a winner again for this great author. This is book #2 in the Shelley Sister's Trilogy. This is Anne and Rook's story. This is one of those stories that keeps reeling in your attention after each page turn.
Congratulations for a successful story. I look forward to the next one!
I am so happy my BFF gifted me with this tale.
Congratulations for a successful story. I look forward to the next one!
Congratulations for a successful story. I look forward to the next one!
I am so happy my BFF gifted me with this tale.
Congratulations for a successful story. I look forward to the next one!
January 20, 2020
I’m so happy this book wad much better than the first! I was getting worried there. Anne definitely has more personality and both her and Rook have a better romance that doesn’t feel so flat. Even Thomasina has a backbone in this one that I didn’t see in the first book. Overall, the chemistry and plot was just an improvement for me. I can’t wait for Juliana’s story with her unexpected love interest.
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*Received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
February 16, 2020
Oh, so loved this story. Entertaining and enjoyable. Perfect! 5☆
February 11, 2020
Amazing story, the second in the Shelley Sisters series, about Anne who has run away from an arranged marriage. So desperate to get away from her situation she doesn't realize the danger she is in. This is a continuation of the intriguing story of Jasper, the Earl of Harcourt, and Anne's sister Thomasina, but could be read alone as all is explained. Ms Michaels leads us farther into the story of a stolen gem, the nastiest villain, and the love of family. Highly recommend - read this book!
February 2, 2020
LOVE LOVE LOVED this one!
Room and Anne’s story is even more heartfelt than book one. I am a softie for a reformed bad guy & Rook definitely fits the bill. Slow burn chemistry, sweet moments and a good dose of action made this a fantastic read. Definitely recommend and looking forward to Juliana’s book!
I received an arc of this book.
Room and Anne’s story is even more heartfelt than book one. I am a softie for a reformed bad guy & Rook definitely fits the bill. Slow burn chemistry, sweet moments and a good dose of action made this a fantastic read. Definitely recommend and looking forward to Juliana’s book!
I received an arc of this book.
January 22, 2024
Si rammaricava che quella fosse la sua unica scelta. Si rammaricava dei problemi che avrebbe causato alle sue sorelle. Si rammaricava dell’imbarazzo che avrebbe causato ad Harcourt. Ma non poteva sopportare il vuoto del suo futuro con il conte, né immaginare un modo per essere felice con lui.
Anche il secondo romanzo della serie sulle sorelle Shelley è godibilissimo, una storia diversa dal solito, con un’ambientazione magica e quasi incantata, che tiene avvinto il lettore con una trama che, fino alla fine, riserva diversi colpi di scena. Finalmente capiamo meglio il piano di Ellis e il coinvolgimento del cugino Rook, a cui chiede di occuparsi di Anne, dopo averla convinta a fuggire. Ero molto curiosa di seguire le vicende della giovane aristocratica, che nel primo romanzo scappa dal matrimonio con Harcourt, sostituita da Thomasina; non mi aspettavo, devo dire, l’escamotage introdotto dalla Michaels di una fuga con Ellis e un incontro da colpo di fulmine con un altro uomo.
A Rook si rivoltò lo stomaco mentre guardava la donna accanto a suo cugino prendere coscienza di ciò che stava accadendo. Una donna estremamente bella, a dire il vero. Il suo cuore aveva avuto un sussulto quando l’aveva vista mentre gli veniva incontro sul molo e aveva capito che il gioco di suo cugino era più o meno lo stesso di sempre. Seduzione, tradimento, estorsione.
Il protagonista mi è piaciuto molto, non il solito damerino, ma un uomo solido, passionale e a modo suo romantico. Anche lei, che nel primo capitolo sembrava frivola, l’ho rivalutata. Dimostra empatia, determinazione e forza. Il suo gesto avventato è in realtà un modo per sfuggire alla gabbia delle imposizioni dell’epoca e mi è piaciuta molto questa sua autodeterminazione e consapevolezza.
«Siamo viste come un’unica persona» rispose con un filo di voce. «Una sola personalità. A parte mia madre, molto tempo fa, nessuno al di fuori di noi è mai stato in grado di distinguerci l’una dall’altra. Quindi non sono mai stata Anne Shelley. Sono sempre stata una delle tre gemelle Shelley. Prima di ogni altra cosa»
Anche la storia d’amore l’ho trovata coinvolgente e romantica. Mi ha intrigato però parecchio, devo confessarlo, il destino di Juliana che avrà un ruolo fondamentale nelle vicende della sorella. Anche qui la Michaels mi ha piacevolmente stupito, dandoci delle piccole chicche sulla sua storia che concluderà la serie e svelerà gli ultimi misteri: devo dire che l’uomo che l’autrice ha riservato alla maggiore delle Shelley è davvero perfetto! Non vedo l’ora di tuffarmi in questo terzo capitolo, sono certa che sarà ancora più avvincente dei primi due.
Lo stile dell’autrice resta sempre scorrevole e pulito, le scene “hot” sempre ben bilanciate all’interno della storia e regalano al genere historical una connotazione originale. La traduzione della Nanni è ormai un guanto perfetto che sfiora le vicende rendendole al meglio.
Lo sguardo di Rook trovò di nuovo il suo. «Io ti vedo.»
Quelle tre parole la colpirono così forte allo stomaco che le sembrò che le venisse a mancare l’aria. Quest’uomo che non si sarebbe mai aspettata le aveva fatto il dono che aveva sempre desiderato. Facilmente. Con sincerità. E anche tanti altri doni. Questo rendeva molto più difficili da reprimere i sentimenti che si manifestavano ogni volta che lo guardava.
«Lo so.»
A costo di sembrare ripetitiva non posso non consigliarvi questa ennesima saga, se amate l’historical a tinte hot, se vi piacciono le ricostruzioni d’epoca accurate e le descrizioni ben articolate, con ambienti non tipicamente convenzionali e che non siano solo i salotti di Almack’s. Le tre donne dipinte dalla Michaels sono una diversa dall’altra, nonostante siano gemelle, ma tutte ugualmente capaci di catturare l’interesse del lettore; donne forti, determinate e volitive per l’epoca in cui sono nate, nel senso migliore del termine, cioè capaci di sfidare la società e ritagliarsi un ruolo importante contando sulle proprie forze, senza scimmiottare gli uomini.
Non c’era nulla di delicato nel modo in cui la reclamava, nulla di dolce o attento. La divorò, prendendo tutto ciò che lei offriva, prendendo sempre di più mentre cercava di trovare il limite.
Ma lei non chiese un limite.
Sono molto curiosa di vedere la dolcezza e la forza di Juliana in azione e di assistere alla “resa” del suo eroe. Ho avuto i brividi già solo nella scena in cui compaiono insieme e l’anticipazione del primo capitolo del loro romanzo non ha fatto altro che accrescere il mio interesse e la mia impazienza. Ancora complimenti a Jess Michaels per la versatilità e originalità di cui dà prova ogni volta.
«Ognuno è l’eroe della propria storia» pensò.
Anche il secondo romanzo della serie sulle sorelle Shelley è godibilissimo, una storia diversa dal solito, con un’ambientazione magica e quasi incantata, che tiene avvinto il lettore con una trama che, fino alla fine, riserva diversi colpi di scena. Finalmente capiamo meglio il piano di Ellis e il coinvolgimento del cugino Rook, a cui chiede di occuparsi di Anne, dopo averla convinta a fuggire. Ero molto curiosa di seguire le vicende della giovane aristocratica, che nel primo romanzo scappa dal matrimonio con Harcourt, sostituita da Thomasina; non mi aspettavo, devo dire, l’escamotage introdotto dalla Michaels di una fuga con Ellis e un incontro da colpo di fulmine con un altro uomo.
A Rook si rivoltò lo stomaco mentre guardava la donna accanto a suo cugino prendere coscienza di ciò che stava accadendo. Una donna estremamente bella, a dire il vero. Il suo cuore aveva avuto un sussulto quando l’aveva vista mentre gli veniva incontro sul molo e aveva capito che il gioco di suo cugino era più o meno lo stesso di sempre. Seduzione, tradimento, estorsione.
Il protagonista mi è piaciuto molto, non il solito damerino, ma un uomo solido, passionale e a modo suo romantico. Anche lei, che nel primo capitolo sembrava frivola, l’ho rivalutata. Dimostra empatia, determinazione e forza. Il suo gesto avventato è in realtà un modo per sfuggire alla gabbia delle imposizioni dell’epoca e mi è piaciuta molto questa sua autodeterminazione e consapevolezza.
«Siamo viste come un’unica persona» rispose con un filo di voce. «Una sola personalità. A parte mia madre, molto tempo fa, nessuno al di fuori di noi è mai stato in grado di distinguerci l’una dall’altra. Quindi non sono mai stata Anne Shelley. Sono sempre stata una delle tre gemelle Shelley. Prima di ogni altra cosa»
Anche la storia d’amore l’ho trovata coinvolgente e romantica. Mi ha intrigato però parecchio, devo confessarlo, il destino di Juliana che avrà un ruolo fondamentale nelle vicende della sorella. Anche qui la Michaels mi ha piacevolmente stupito, dandoci delle piccole chicche sulla sua storia che concluderà la serie e svelerà gli ultimi misteri: devo dire che l’uomo che l’autrice ha riservato alla maggiore delle Shelley è davvero perfetto! Non vedo l’ora di tuffarmi in questo terzo capitolo, sono certa che sarà ancora più avvincente dei primi due.
Lo stile dell’autrice resta sempre scorrevole e pulito, le scene “hot” sempre ben bilanciate all’interno della storia e regalano al genere historical una connotazione originale. La traduzione della Nanni è ormai un guanto perfetto che sfiora le vicende rendendole al meglio.
Lo sguardo di Rook trovò di nuovo il suo. «Io ti vedo.»
Quelle tre parole la colpirono così forte allo stomaco che le sembrò che le venisse a mancare l’aria. Quest’uomo che non si sarebbe mai aspettata le aveva fatto il dono che aveva sempre desiderato. Facilmente. Con sincerità. E anche tanti altri doni. Questo rendeva molto più difficili da reprimere i sentimenti che si manifestavano ogni volta che lo guardava.
«Lo so.»
A costo di sembrare ripetitiva non posso non consigliarvi questa ennesima saga, se amate l’historical a tinte hot, se vi piacciono le ricostruzioni d’epoca accurate e le descrizioni ben articolate, con ambienti non tipicamente convenzionali e che non siano solo i salotti di Almack’s. Le tre donne dipinte dalla Michaels sono una diversa dall’altra, nonostante siano gemelle, ma tutte ugualmente capaci di catturare l’interesse del lettore; donne forti, determinate e volitive per l’epoca in cui sono nate, nel senso migliore del termine, cioè capaci di sfidare la società e ritagliarsi un ruolo importante contando sulle proprie forze, senza scimmiottare gli uomini.
Non c’era nulla di delicato nel modo in cui la reclamava, nulla di dolce o attento. La divorò, prendendo tutto ciò che lei offriva, prendendo sempre di più mentre cercava di trovare il limite.
Ma lei non chiese un limite.
Sono molto curiosa di vedere la dolcezza e la forza di Juliana in azione e di assistere alla “resa” del suo eroe. Ho avuto i brividi già solo nella scena in cui compaiono insieme e l’anticipazione del primo capitolo del loro romanzo non ha fatto altro che accrescere il mio interesse e la mia impazienza. Ancora complimenti a Jess Michaels per la versatilità e originalità di cui dà prova ogni volta.
«Ognuno è l’eroe della propria storia» pensò.
April 27, 2024
Heroine: Anne Shelley, 22. A triplet. Daughter of a wealthy commoner.
Hero: Constantine Maitland, 30. Nickname: Rook. A reformed criminal.
Date: 1812
How they meet: Anne’s father arranged a marriage for her and she finds her fiancé cold and boring. While at her fiancé’s estate awaiting the wedding, she meets another man who, after a few meetings, asks her to elope with him. Faced with two unwanted choices, Anne decides to take the more adventurous route and runs away with her secret suitor. Her suitor has no intention of marrying her. Instead he is using her as leverage against her fiancé. He asks his cousin Rook (a former partner in crime) to meet him at a coastal town. Rook shows up and is surprised to have Anne handed over to him. His cousin wants him to take Anne to the small island he lives on in Scotland, promising to retrieve her later.
What happens: Rook, who is unaware of his cousin’s plan, is pretty sure Anne is being swindled, but takes her to his home and treats her with respect. Anne is used to being waited on, so living in a humble cottage with no servants is a new experience for her. She handles it better than would be expected.
Verdict: This book overlaps in time with book 1 of the series, giving the perspective of a different sister. I wouldn’t recommend this one as a standalone since there is quite a bit of set up in book 1 plus this book ends with things left to be resolved in book 3. The hero and heroine were a bit slow to recognize and act on their feelings. There is also a wide class difference between them: he is a recently reformed criminal who lived on the street since childhood and she was about to marry an earl. The hero, despite his background, was more respectful of propriety than the heroine, but . There is quite a bit of violence at the end of this book. I didn’t find this couple quite as compelling as the duo in book 1 and the story ended abruptly, leaving me feeling a bit unsatisfied and unconvinced that their HEA would truly work out given the obstacle they would surely face.
Steam-level: steamy and explicit
Rating: 3 stars
Hero: Constantine Maitland, 30. Nickname: Rook. A reformed criminal.
Date: 1812
How they meet: Anne’s father arranged a marriage for her and she finds her fiancé cold and boring. While at her fiancé’s estate awaiting the wedding, she meets another man who, after a few meetings, asks her to elope with him. Faced with two unwanted choices, Anne decides to take the more adventurous route and runs away with her secret suitor. Her suitor has no intention of marrying her. Instead he is using her as leverage against her fiancé. He asks his cousin Rook (a former partner in crime) to meet him at a coastal town. Rook shows up and is surprised to have Anne handed over to him. His cousin wants him to take Anne to the small island he lives on in Scotland, promising to retrieve her later.
What happens: Rook, who is unaware of his cousin’s plan, is pretty sure Anne is being swindled, but takes her to his home and treats her with respect. Anne is used to being waited on, so living in a humble cottage with no servants is a new experience for her. She handles it better than would be expected.
Verdict: This book overlaps in time with book 1 of the series, giving the perspective of a different sister. I wouldn’t recommend this one as a standalone since there is quite a bit of set up in book 1 plus this book ends with things left to be resolved in book 3. The hero and heroine were a bit slow to recognize and act on their feelings. There is also a wide class difference between them: he is a recently reformed criminal who lived on the street since childhood and she was about to marry an earl. The hero, despite his background, was more respectful of propriety than the heroine, but . There is quite a bit of violence at the end of this book. I didn’t find this couple quite as compelling as the duo in book 1 and the story ended abruptly, leaving me feeling a bit unsatisfied and unconvinced that their HEA would truly work out given the obstacle they would surely face.
Steam-level: steamy and explicit
Rating: 3 stars
February 4, 2020
A Reckless Runaway is the second book in the Jess Michaels series The Shelley Sisters. I really enjoyed her Scandal Sheet series of novellas, but I was very excited that this new series consisted of full-length books. The more Jess Michaels the better! The first book, A Reluctant Bride, was great...but this book? This book was AWESOME! Yes, in all caps.
We met Anne Shelley in A Reluctant Bride. She is known as the "wild" triplet. Not willing to be in a loveless marriage to the Earl of Harcourt, she plotted to escape. Asking her sister Thomasina to pretend to be her for an evening at a ball, she took off with Ellis Maitland, the handsome man she was being wooed by on the sly. She thought they were going to Gretna Green to be married, but Ellis instead dropped her off to stay with his grouchy cousin Rook Maitland. Ellis ordered her to stay there until he came back for her; he was no longer the charming man she believed him to be. Staying in Rook's small home on a remote Scottish island, the two began to be drawn to each other, despite learning of his criminal past with Ellis. Realizing that Ellis is not coming back for her, she convinces Rook to return her to her sisters. The two cannot control their yearning for each other on the trip, and they don't realize they're heading into danger.
I wasn't crazy about Anne in the previous book, as she came across as self-centered and frivolous. However, as I got to know her, I understood her feelings much better and began to adore her. She was devastated to be dumped off by Ellis, but once she stopped hiding in her room and adjusted to her new situation, she surprised me and bloomed. She got excited to dig for clams and learned to throw knives, so different from her life of excitement and parties in London. Then there's Rook....~Sigh~ I fell in love with him. A gruff man trying to escape his criminal past, he couldn't believe that he was any good for Anne. But I knew better! The chemistry between them was just unbelievable. Ms. Michaels is in the top tier of writing erotic scenes. It's not just a matter of who puts what where; she has longing and emotion mixed with the physical which makes those love scenes sublime. Ellis seems to be the unlikely hero in the next book. I'm sure if anyone can make such an unlikable man a hero, it will be Ms. Michaels. I can barely wait!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
We met Anne Shelley in A Reluctant Bride. She is known as the "wild" triplet. Not willing to be in a loveless marriage to the Earl of Harcourt, she plotted to escape. Asking her sister Thomasina to pretend to be her for an evening at a ball, she took off with Ellis Maitland, the handsome man she was being wooed by on the sly. She thought they were going to Gretna Green to be married, but Ellis instead dropped her off to stay with his grouchy cousin Rook Maitland. Ellis ordered her to stay there until he came back for her; he was no longer the charming man she believed him to be. Staying in Rook's small home on a remote Scottish island, the two began to be drawn to each other, despite learning of his criminal past with Ellis. Realizing that Ellis is not coming back for her, she convinces Rook to return her to her sisters. The two cannot control their yearning for each other on the trip, and they don't realize they're heading into danger.
I wasn't crazy about Anne in the previous book, as she came across as self-centered and frivolous. However, as I got to know her, I understood her feelings much better and began to adore her. She was devastated to be dumped off by Ellis, but once she stopped hiding in her room and adjusted to her new situation, she surprised me and bloomed. She got excited to dig for clams and learned to throw knives, so different from her life of excitement and parties in London. Then there's Rook....~Sigh~ I fell in love with him. A gruff man trying to escape his criminal past, he couldn't believe that he was any good for Anne. But I knew better! The chemistry between them was just unbelievable. Ms. Michaels is in the top tier of writing erotic scenes. It's not just a matter of who puts what where; she has longing and emotion mixed with the physical which makes those love scenes sublime. Ellis seems to be the unlikely hero in the next book. I'm sure if anyone can make such an unlikable man a hero, it will be Ms. Michaels. I can barely wait!
I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
January 31, 2020
Out of the frying pan and into the fire!
Anne is so disconcerted by her impending marriage to the Earl of Harcourt that she fairly jumps at the chance to run off with the exciting Ellis. Little does she realize that she's just a pawn in another man's game. Ellis quickly hands her off to his trusted cousin, Rook, a man who knows exactly who Ellis is and tries his best to protect Anne until he can get her safely back home.
It's a wonderful, action and romance-packed adventure story, as Anne and Rook travel across Scotland to reunite her with her family. The writing is so vibrant, you can almost feel the rain and see the fog that permeates their travels. Anne's exposure to the world beyond her privileged upbringing is eye-opening, and she can't help but recognize the hidden honor and dignity that Rook tries to deny he has.
There's so much emotional depth and growth with these two characters. I didn't think I'd like Anne from the first book, but I was happy to be wrong. She may be a bit headstrong, but her heart is true and she's a wonderful heroine in her own right. I loved Rook's quiet power, his unwavering determination to protect Anne from every threat including himself, and especially his soft, squishy heart that hands itself over to Anne almost from the moment they met. I loved the use of the game of chess to explain his relationship with Ellis, and how they grew up together.
The reunion that was hinted at in the last pages of A Reluctant Bride was everything that I'd hope for, and more. Sizzling tension, joyous hugging and crying, heartfelt confessions, and a new understanding all culminate in the showdown with the nefarious villain. This, of course, leads us right into the next book, as the events surrounding the death of the previous Earl of Harcourt are further explained and we are finally able to understand what the real threat is.
Like the previous book, this couple gets their HEA but the overarching storyline continues. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Anne is so disconcerted by her impending marriage to the Earl of Harcourt that she fairly jumps at the chance to run off with the exciting Ellis. Little does she realize that she's just a pawn in another man's game. Ellis quickly hands her off to his trusted cousin, Rook, a man who knows exactly who Ellis is and tries his best to protect Anne until he can get her safely back home.
It's a wonderful, action and romance-packed adventure story, as Anne and Rook travel across Scotland to reunite her with her family. The writing is so vibrant, you can almost feel the rain and see the fog that permeates their travels. Anne's exposure to the world beyond her privileged upbringing is eye-opening, and she can't help but recognize the hidden honor and dignity that Rook tries to deny he has.
There's so much emotional depth and growth with these two characters. I didn't think I'd like Anne from the first book, but I was happy to be wrong. She may be a bit headstrong, but her heart is true and she's a wonderful heroine in her own right. I loved Rook's quiet power, his unwavering determination to protect Anne from every threat including himself, and especially his soft, squishy heart that hands itself over to Anne almost from the moment they met. I loved the use of the game of chess to explain his relationship with Ellis, and how they grew up together.
The reunion that was hinted at in the last pages of A Reluctant Bride was everything that I'd hope for, and more. Sizzling tension, joyous hugging and crying, heartfelt confessions, and a new understanding all culminate in the showdown with the nefarious villain. This, of course, leads us right into the next book, as the events surrounding the death of the previous Earl of Harcourt are further explained and we are finally able to understand what the real threat is.
Like the previous book, this couple gets their HEA but the overarching storyline continues. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
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