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Hunt Club #1
To Catch a Lady
Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton, cannot stop his aunt from meddling in his affairs. So rather than let her select a most disagreeable mate, Ashton decides to fire the first volley by holding a ball as a scheme to bag the ideal a deferential girl eager to produce and raise an heir, leaving Ashton to his beloved hunting lodge and titled friends. But when Ashton falls for the one woman who isn’t willing to play his game, all his plans scatter like buckshot. Suddenly, the chase is on!
Caroline Hawkins has no interest in marriage. In fact, she has devoted her life to defending women from the indignities visited upon them by their husbands. She only chaperones her beautiful younger sister to Summerton’s ball in the hopes of saving her family from bankruptcy. She certainly doesn’t expect to catch the Duke’s eye . . . nor is she prepared for the heat that rises every time she thinks of his powerful build or his dark, tantalizing gaze. Caroline can run, but she cannot hide—for Ashton has already captured her heart.
Caroline Hawkins has no interest in marriage. In fact, she has devoted her life to defending women from the indignities visited upon them by their husbands. She only chaperones her beautiful younger sister to Summerton’s ball in the hopes of saving her family from bankruptcy. She certainly doesn’t expect to catch the Duke’s eye . . . nor is she prepared for the heat that rises every time she thinks of his powerful build or his dark, tantalizing gaze. Caroline can run, but she cannot hide—for Ashton has already captured her heart.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2016
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January 26, 2016
DNF at 20%. So dumb it makes my teeth hurt.
Edit: due to popular demand, I will write a review after all. The fact that this book dares to compare itself to Mary Balogh and Eloisa James is a crime. Those respective authors should sue for defamation.
This is the first series in a book called the Hunt Club. Once upon a time, four wealthy, exceedingly handsome, supremely eligible men got together to discuss a most pressing issue: they have to get married and beget heirs. In order to be rebellious and shit, they're going to do something NOBODY HAS EVER THOUGHT OF SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. They're going to choose THEIR OWN WIVES. And nobody else is going to do it for them. I shit you not, this is the premise of the series.
I present your players:
Ash: handsome (*snort*) most eligible and reasonable duke, except the blood flows more towards his wang and not his brain.
Caro: most independent and spinsterish and beautiful-though-she-doesn't-know-it-oh-god-so-fucking-original woman
Ash: OH MY GOD I'M DETERMINED TO GET MARRIED BY TONIGHT. I'm gonna send out invites to all the eligible ladies. I gotz me a Special License and within a few hours of knowing the eligible ladies, I WILL FIND MY FUTURE DUCHESS. The woman with whom I will spend the rest of my life. So reasonable. I'm so smart lol.
Caro: Ooh! Eligible Duke! My sister is 17, totally jailbait but she's hot and so I'm gonna try to get her married off to the Duke because I'm a fucking martyr who doesn't deserve happiness. Also I'm old and ugly despite the fact that my sister is stunning and my mother is stunning and I've remarked to myself that all the women in my family, including myself, have the same fucking face. Makes perfect sense. Oh, yo, duke man, you wanna marry my sister? She's 17 and virginal and pretty and fertile. I'm just trying to pimp my sister off. This ain't creepy at all!
Ash: What's this, woman? Wtf u doing here?
Caro: Give my sister a chance, man.
Ash: Ok, wow, you are so daring! You have such spirit! I've never met anyone like you and I'm mysteriously intrigued by you despite the fact that I've only known you for 5 minutes!
*later at the ball*
Ash: OH MY GOD, WHAT IS THIS? Caro has dressed herself up to accompany her sister! Such beauty! Such intrigue! I MUST HAVE HER!!!!!
Caro: *gasp* No! My sister! You're supposed to be want to marry her, not want to fuck me! We can't! We musn't! But your hands are riding up my skirt and you're kissing my tits and OH MY GOD ARE YOU ACTUALLY FUCKING ME RIGHT NOW AT THE BALL?
Ash: Dang diggity!
*whole ballroom interrupts their tryst*
The ton: *gasps in horror* WTF! SHE'S SEDUCING HIM! SHE'S RUINING OUR DUKE! THE SLUT!
Ash: HUSH, Y'ALL!!!!!! I'm going to announce the name of the woman I'm going to marry right now!!!
Caro: *thinks to herself* Oh god, no. This is the worst moment of my life. He's going to name his future fiancée while ruining me in front of the ton?
Ash: I WILL MARRY CARO
Caro: *speechless with shock*
The ton: *speechless with shock*
Khanh: FUCK THIS SHIT I AM SO FUCKING DONE
Edit: due to popular demand, I will write a review after all. The fact that this book dares to compare itself to Mary Balogh and Eloisa James is a crime. Those respective authors should sue for defamation.
This is the first series in a book called the Hunt Club. Once upon a time, four wealthy, exceedingly handsome, supremely eligible men got together to discuss a most pressing issue: they have to get married and beget heirs. In order to be rebellious and shit, they're going to do something NOBODY HAS EVER THOUGHT OF SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME. They're going to choose THEIR OWN WIVES. And nobody else is going to do it for them. I shit you not, this is the premise of the series.
I present your players:
Ash: handsome (*snort*) most eligible and reasonable duke, except the blood flows more towards his wang and not his brain.
Caro: most independent and spinsterish and beautiful-though-she-doesn't-know-it-oh-god-so-fucking-original woman
Ash: OH MY GOD I'M DETERMINED TO GET MARRIED BY TONIGHT. I'm gonna send out invites to all the eligible ladies. I gotz me a Special License and within a few hours of knowing the eligible ladies, I WILL FIND MY FUTURE DUCHESS. The woman with whom I will spend the rest of my life. So reasonable. I'm so smart lol.
Caro: Ooh! Eligible Duke! My sister is 17, totally jailbait but she's hot and so I'm gonna try to get her married off to the Duke because I'm a fucking martyr who doesn't deserve happiness. Also I'm old and ugly despite the fact that my sister is stunning and my mother is stunning and I've remarked to myself that all the women in my family, including myself, have the same fucking face. Makes perfect sense. Oh, yo, duke man, you wanna marry my sister? She's 17 and virginal and pretty and fertile. I'm just trying to pimp my sister off. This ain't creepy at all!
Ash: What's this, woman? Wtf u doing here?
Caro: Give my sister a chance, man.
Ash: Ok, wow, you are so daring! You have such spirit! I've never met anyone like you and I'm mysteriously intrigued by you despite the fact that I've only known you for 5 minutes!
*later at the ball*
Ash: OH MY GOD, WHAT IS THIS? Caro has dressed herself up to accompany her sister! Such beauty! Such intrigue! I MUST HAVE HER!!!!!
Caro: *gasp* No! My sister! You're supposed to be want to marry her, not want to fuck me! We can't! We musn't! But your hands are riding up my skirt and you're kissing my tits and OH MY GOD ARE YOU ACTUALLY FUCKING ME RIGHT NOW AT THE BALL?
Ash: Dang diggity!
*whole ballroom interrupts their tryst*
The ton: *gasps in horror* WTF! SHE'S SEDUCING HIM! SHE'S RUINING OUR DUKE! THE SLUT!
Ash: HUSH, Y'ALL!!!!!! I'm going to announce the name of the woman I'm going to marry right now!!!
Caro: *thinks to herself* Oh god, no. This is the worst moment of my life. He's going to name his future fiancée while ruining me in front of the ton?
Ash: I WILL MARRY CARO
Caro: *speechless with shock*
The ton: *speechless with shock*
Khanh: FUCK THIS SHIT I AM SO FUCKING DONE
November 16, 2015
*An ARC was given in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the writer and the publisher for the opportunity to read this.*
I realised a few things while reading To Catch a Lady. One, there's a freakishly long crack on my ceiling that definitely needs repair. Two, I'm all out of low-fat yoghurt (gasp). And three, I can actually recite the some parts of John Stuart Mill's On Liberty when bored.
And boy, was I bored out of my mind with this book.
While the writing is passable, the story's problem is that there's virtually no plot at all. Really. Things were somewhat interesting during the first few chapters, when Ash and Caro were struggling to come into terms with their feelings for each other, but from the 25% marker, things go very slice of life on us and we're basically just witnessing them adjusting to their life.
I don't have qualms about stories that explore marriage and whatnot, but it takes great writing and a good set of characters to pull it off and not make it boring. Unfortunately, this book did not have those qualifications. Thus, we are left with accounts of awkward sex and lacklustre conversations between two flat, uninspiring characters.
I think the writer took pity on us and actually inserted a genuine conflict to the mix later on in the story.
Or at least, that's what she tried to do. Instead, it was executed in a way that made me question how the characters were established in the first place.
Overall, I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either. It was just okay, hence the 2 stars.
I realised a few things while reading To Catch a Lady. One, there's a freakishly long crack on my ceiling that definitely needs repair. Two, I'm all out of low-fat yoghurt (gasp). And three, I can actually recite the some parts of John Stuart Mill's On Liberty when bored.
And boy, was I bored out of my mind with this book.
While the writing is passable, the story's problem is that there's virtually no plot at all. Really. Things were somewhat interesting during the first few chapters, when Ash and Caro were struggling to come into terms with their feelings for each other, but from the 25% marker, things go very slice of life on us and we're basically just witnessing them adjusting to their life.
I don't have qualms about stories that explore marriage and whatnot, but it takes great writing and a good set of characters to pull it off and not make it boring. Unfortunately, this book did not have those qualifications. Thus, we are left with accounts of awkward sex and lacklustre conversations between two flat, uninspiring characters.
I think the writer took pity on us and actually inserted a genuine conflict to the mix later on in the story.
Or at least, that's what she tried to do. Instead, it was executed in a way that made me question how the characters were established in the first place.
Overall, I didn't hate this book, but I didn't love it either. It was just okay, hence the 2 stars.
January 30, 2016
DNF @ 24%.
I couldn't stand these characters... Boring and whiny.
I couldn't stand these characters... Boring and whiny.
November 22, 2015
2.5 STARS
This book had such great potential but it was ruined by over the top arguments and anger. The author probably wanted to go for the enemies to lover's troupe but failed rather spectacularly . Caroline was a nag and a shrew in my opinion, i have never come across a more temperamental heroine, her reason for her aversion towards showing emotions during sex was blah....She was probably supposed to project a confident woman who wanted justice for women but she just came across as a whiny crybaby. As for our hero Ash, i really don't know why he married her, i guess he was led by his pants in that aspect. Some authors work wonders with the "i want a wife of convenience so i don't go through the horrors of marriage as my parents did" theme really well but for me this was a cliche. Different attitude of the characters would have worked for me but i had to endure the whinny crybaby and the stuck in the mud duke.
I look forward to reading other books from the series only because i enjoyed the writing.
I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM NETGALLERY AND Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept IN EXCHANGED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
This book had such great potential but it was ruined by over the top arguments and anger. The author probably wanted to go for the enemies to lover's troupe but failed rather spectacularly . Caroline was a nag and a shrew in my opinion, i have never come across a more temperamental heroine, her reason for her aversion towards showing emotions during sex was blah....She was probably supposed to project a confident woman who wanted justice for women but she just came across as a whiny crybaby. As for our hero Ash, i really don't know why he married her, i guess he was led by his pants in that aspect. Some authors work wonders with the "i want a wife of convenience so i don't go through the horrors of marriage as my parents did" theme really well but for me this was a cliche. Different attitude of the characters would have worked for me but i had to endure the whinny crybaby and the stuck in the mud duke.
I look forward to reading other books from the series only because i enjoyed the writing.
I RECEIVED THIS BOOK FROM NETGALLERY AND Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept IN EXCHANGED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
January 10, 2016
Ash and Caroline share this witty banter in some parts that allude to fiery passion. When they get together, it's definitely there. It's when they are not being physical that they seem to be out of sorts. There are some interesting parts but then you hit a bit of a lull. The plot's intensity reminds me a bit of a heart rate monitor with little spikes here and there. I feel that Ash's actions towards the end were cowardly. I just couldn't bring myself to see him in the same way. Other than that, it was a decent read.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
nope
January 26, 2016Girls, girls!!! You all should read this review. This book sounds ridiculous and this reviewer is so good. IMO
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
January 21, 2016
I think this is one of the most unique stories I have read in a very long time. “To Cath a Lady” by Pamela Labud is the first in the “Hunt Club” series and I can only imagine what characters will be in part 2 and 3. Anyway … I got this book from Netgalley in exchange or an honest review.
The handsome Ashton Blakely, Duke of Summerton, isn’t really interested in marriage. He knows that he needs an heir and his aunt, who he adores, wants an heir too, so after an argument he announces that he will have a ball in his house with all the unmarried young women of the ton and their mothers resp. chaperones, he would pick one of the top 12 (elected by his aunt) and marry her in the very same night. Everybody who want to attend has to throw a calling card into a “pot”.
So one afternoon before the ball Caroline Hawkins storms into Ashtons office to ask him to consider her sister in marriage because she is a beautiful intelligent girl. The very moment Ashton sees Caroline he knows what he wants. She isn’t the typical beauty – and she isn’t young. She isn’t interested in marriage because she has to take care of her mother next to that she is a fan of Mary Wollenstonecraft and fascinated by the idea that women should be allowed to be independent. Marriage means the complete opposite for her. Ash lets her know that he will consider he sister.
At home she has to argue and talk her sister into attending the ball but she has to agree to attend herself, dress up and offer herself. Fact is that Caroline is sure that nobody would pick her if her sister’s hand is on the table. But on the ball Ashton doesn’t notice the “beautiful” (plain and boring) young ladies but Caroline and in a private room they start kissing and more. Suddenly a door opens, suddenly they are discovered and within an hour married.
Caroline doesn’t understand how he can marry her but nevertheless she agrees to the special license wedding to save her sisters reputation. She agreed to go with him to his lodge, to share a bed till she is pregnant and do whatever she wants later one – without him. He doesn’t want emotions. He doesn’t want to feel anything besides lust for her. Sometime in the carriage Caro realizes that her mother is now living at the duke’s estate and is taken care off and hasn’t to bother about the small sold cottage and heir mad cousin and eventually her sister has better chances to find a good husband.
Of course things doesn’t develop smooth and easy and there were parts in the book – about 60 percent in – that could be edited to smooth the storyline a little bit because the passages are long-winded but you have to feel with Caroline and her jealousy, insecurity but also bravery. She is open minded on the other hand she cannot see the beauty of the lodge for a long time.
I mean I understood why Ash wants to keep his lodge the way it is because he plans to send her back as soon as she is pregnant but why doesn’t he give a damn if he has all kind of animals in the house? Mean a boar? The goat? Of course it was funny but on the other hand you really ask yourself: why?
Why Ashton is the way he is, is easy to be understood. He was traumatized as a kid by the death of his parents and later by the death of his uncle and loved cousin, the later made him heir of the dukedom. He never thought that he would become a titled man.
Oh and there were parts when I really, really hated Ash. I mean she went home to take care of her mother, pregnant, and he doesn’t send a letter, doesn’t ask anybody – nothing. But I also didn’t understand why Caroline didn’t take her son with her when she headed in the last chapters of the book to the lodge to take care of Ash – he was babe and she just left him behind.
All in all a really unique story.
Rating 4****
The handsome Ashton Blakely, Duke of Summerton, isn’t really interested in marriage. He knows that he needs an heir and his aunt, who he adores, wants an heir too, so after an argument he announces that he will have a ball in his house with all the unmarried young women of the ton and their mothers resp. chaperones, he would pick one of the top 12 (elected by his aunt) and marry her in the very same night. Everybody who want to attend has to throw a calling card into a “pot”.
So one afternoon before the ball Caroline Hawkins storms into Ashtons office to ask him to consider her sister in marriage because she is a beautiful intelligent girl. The very moment Ashton sees Caroline he knows what he wants. She isn’t the typical beauty – and she isn’t young. She isn’t interested in marriage because she has to take care of her mother next to that she is a fan of Mary Wollenstonecraft and fascinated by the idea that women should be allowed to be independent. Marriage means the complete opposite for her. Ash lets her know that he will consider he sister.
At home she has to argue and talk her sister into attending the ball but she has to agree to attend herself, dress up and offer herself. Fact is that Caroline is sure that nobody would pick her if her sister’s hand is on the table. But on the ball Ashton doesn’t notice the “beautiful” (plain and boring) young ladies but Caroline and in a private room they start kissing and more. Suddenly a door opens, suddenly they are discovered and within an hour married.
Caroline doesn’t understand how he can marry her but nevertheless she agrees to the special license wedding to save her sisters reputation. She agreed to go with him to his lodge, to share a bed till she is pregnant and do whatever she wants later one – without him. He doesn’t want emotions. He doesn’t want to feel anything besides lust for her. Sometime in the carriage Caro realizes that her mother is now living at the duke’s estate and is taken care off and hasn’t to bother about the small sold cottage and heir mad cousin and eventually her sister has better chances to find a good husband.
Of course things doesn’t develop smooth and easy and there were parts in the book – about 60 percent in – that could be edited to smooth the storyline a little bit because the passages are long-winded but you have to feel with Caroline and her jealousy, insecurity but also bravery. She is open minded on the other hand she cannot see the beauty of the lodge for a long time.
I mean I understood why Ash wants to keep his lodge the way it is because he plans to send her back as soon as she is pregnant but why doesn’t he give a damn if he has all kind of animals in the house? Mean a boar? The goat? Of course it was funny but on the other hand you really ask yourself: why?
Why Ashton is the way he is, is easy to be understood. He was traumatized as a kid by the death of his parents and later by the death of his uncle and loved cousin, the later made him heir of the dukedom. He never thought that he would become a titled man.
Oh and there were parts when I really, really hated Ash. I mean she went home to take care of her mother, pregnant, and he doesn’t send a letter, doesn’t ask anybody – nothing. But I also didn’t understand why Caroline didn’t take her son with her when she headed in the last chapters of the book to the lodge to take care of Ash – he was babe and she just left him behind.
All in all a really unique story.
Rating 4****
May 15, 2016
I tried getting into this book, I really did, but the heroine was such a know-it-all, I-know-better shrew that I disliked her right from the beginning.
The hero was an immature idiot. He wasn't an alpha, he wasn't a beta, he was a dumbass.
The trope of the book is the typical--DUKE: I need a wife, I'll choose a biddable lady, but I really choose the harridan with the big tits. AND--SPINSTER: I can never get married, I'm too old and ugly, marriage is for ignorant sluts, I'm too good for marriage, I don't need a man to open my door for me, but OH that man is sexy, even though he should marry my sister. Damn we got caught having sex at a ball, guess I'll marry him even though I won't like it and make him miserable the whole time just because I can...
Yeah...THAT kind of story.
I DNFed this book at 20% which should tell you how much I disliked the characters.
The hero was an immature idiot. He wasn't an alpha, he wasn't a beta, he was a dumbass.
The trope of the book is the typical--DUKE: I need a wife, I'll choose a biddable lady, but I really choose the harridan with the big tits. AND--SPINSTER: I can never get married, I'm too old and ugly, marriage is for ignorant sluts, I'm too good for marriage, I don't need a man to open my door for me, but OH that man is sexy, even though he should marry my sister. Damn we got caught having sex at a ball, guess I'll marry him even though I won't like it and make him miserable the whole time just because I can...
Yeah...THAT kind of story.
I DNFed this book at 20% which should tell you how much I disliked the characters.
December 27, 2015
To Catch a Lady is a character driven romance.
What made it just ok- the storytelling moved along slowly. The bumbling beta hero needed to be alpha to deal with the shrewish heroine. The romance lacked chemistry.
What made it just ok- the storytelling moved along slowly. The bumbling beta hero needed to be alpha to deal with the shrewish heroine. The romance lacked chemistry.
January 21, 2016
This is a nice start to a new series featuring four men who have bonded on the battlefield and who are now being manipulated by the well-meaning aunt of the Duke of Summerton, she wants them all to be married. Ashton wants no part of his aunt’s attempts and plans an offensive attack to strike first.
Ashton Blakely is a new duke who also inherited a great amount of wealth and society’s single women and their mothers have taken notice. Unfortunately his aunt Amelia has also taken notice of his single status and has informed him and his three friends that she is about to find them all perfect matches. However, Ashton is not about to let his aunt pick his wife so gathers his friends and makes a plan.
Caroline Hawkins (Caro) has been taking care of her mother and sister for several years. Her plans are to find her sister Beatrice a husband and to eventually take employment as a companion for a wealthy woman so she can continue to help her mother. She definitely has no plans of her own to marry. When she finds out the Duke of Summerton (Ashley) is in town for the season, she decides to meet him at his home to tell him about her sister. He is intrigued with Caro and has plans for her himself, but things go wrong at the ball and she is compromised, creating a rocky start to their marriage.
A new series with potential, as four gentlemen plan their own fate before a meddlesome aunt takes things into her own hands.
Ashton is your typical aristocrat with money, wants to make his own decisions and feels like he is entitled to do what he wants. Although he loves his aunt, he intends to choose his own bride, and likes what he sees in Caro. Unfortunately they start off their marriage on the wrong foot and things do not get better anytime soon. He tries to take things slow, which I like about him, talking to her through the door to help her trust him, but it takes time.
Caro is difficult, she only wants to take care of her mother and have her sister make a great match however the tables are turned on her and she is pushed into a life she did not imagine. She is naïve of the ways of a wife and when experiences pleasure, she is appalled and pushes Ashton away. Their communication mishaps continue for most of the book and I found it tiresome at times.
As they get to know each other, they both acknowledge their poor qualities. He loves his rugged lodge to the point of not thinking about what she wants, and she has a hard time talking to him which causes miscommunication and more heartache. It takes some doing to get these two together!
This is my first book from this author and I liked her voice, I feel invested in the story and look forward to seeing Ashton’s friend’s find their true loves. The pace works for this story, it is a slow build up as Ashton and Caro find their footing in the relationship, there were ups and downs and we were with them through it all. I like many of the secondary characters that play important roles, Beatrice is intriguing and I hope for a good future for her, I also enjoyed meeting Ashton’s war buddies and look forward to their stories. This is an enjoyable historical romance with a rocky, roller coaster relationship before a happy ending.
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from the publisher for an honest review
Ashton Blakely is a new duke who also inherited a great amount of wealth and society’s single women and their mothers have taken notice. Unfortunately his aunt Amelia has also taken notice of his single status and has informed him and his three friends that she is about to find them all perfect matches. However, Ashton is not about to let his aunt pick his wife so gathers his friends and makes a plan.
Caroline Hawkins (Caro) has been taking care of her mother and sister for several years. Her plans are to find her sister Beatrice a husband and to eventually take employment as a companion for a wealthy woman so she can continue to help her mother. She definitely has no plans of her own to marry. When she finds out the Duke of Summerton (Ashley) is in town for the season, she decides to meet him at his home to tell him about her sister. He is intrigued with Caro and has plans for her himself, but things go wrong at the ball and she is compromised, creating a rocky start to their marriage.
A new series with potential, as four gentlemen plan their own fate before a meddlesome aunt takes things into her own hands.
Ashton is your typical aristocrat with money, wants to make his own decisions and feels like he is entitled to do what he wants. Although he loves his aunt, he intends to choose his own bride, and likes what he sees in Caro. Unfortunately they start off their marriage on the wrong foot and things do not get better anytime soon. He tries to take things slow, which I like about him, talking to her through the door to help her trust him, but it takes time.
Caro is difficult, she only wants to take care of her mother and have her sister make a great match however the tables are turned on her and she is pushed into a life she did not imagine. She is naïve of the ways of a wife and when experiences pleasure, she is appalled and pushes Ashton away. Their communication mishaps continue for most of the book and I found it tiresome at times.
As they get to know each other, they both acknowledge their poor qualities. He loves his rugged lodge to the point of not thinking about what she wants, and she has a hard time talking to him which causes miscommunication and more heartache. It takes some doing to get these two together!
This is my first book from this author and I liked her voice, I feel invested in the story and look forward to seeing Ashton’s friend’s find their true loves. The pace works for this story, it is a slow build up as Ashton and Caro find their footing in the relationship, there were ups and downs and we were with them through it all. I like many of the secondary characters that play important roles, Beatrice is intriguing and I hope for a good future for her, I also enjoyed meeting Ashton’s war buddies and look forward to their stories. This is an enjoyable historical romance with a rocky, roller coaster relationship before a happy ending.
Review at: Ramblings from a Chaotic Mind
Copy from the publisher for an honest review
December 29, 2015
I received an ARC of this book in return for my honest feedback.
This is a new author for me and I was looking forward to reading this book.
I was all over the place on this book -- some places were a 1-star and others were a 5-star, so I averaged them out to a 3 or more to the point, I'd do a 3.5.
There were many points in the book that caused me to chuckle. For instance, in the beginning the hero, Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton is meeting with his friends (who I assume will be featured in other books in the series) at his hunting lodge. He outlines his plan for him/them to outwit his aunt's plans to get him/them wed. He has a unique solution for himself -- he'll thwart her by holding a lottery to choose his bride. Things, of course, don't exactly go as planned.
The heroine, Caroline Hawkins has no interest in marriage (imagine that). However, she and her family (sister and invalid mother) are in dire straits. So, Caroline decides to see that Ashton meets her beautiful (perfect of course) sister so he'll choose her for his bride. Things go awry and he ends up with Caroline because he was already attracted to her.
There isn't some big plot of evil or anything in this book -- and that it fine; It is a story about two imperfect people working their way through marriage and into love.
There are a number of funny scenes involving animals. For instance, Caroline wakes up on her first morning at the Duke's hunting lodge to find the bedroom inhabited by a goat and a deer -- soon to be followed by a couple of hunters. Things like that are interwoven through the book and are funny and well done.
My least favorite part was toward the end -- Ashton's reactions were so over the top as to be ridiculous given the 'secret' from his past that had made him so against love and marriage. Just turned me off totally. It could have been done differently and been just fine. This was the part that took the book from a 4-5 star rating down to a 3.
I did enjoy the book and am glad I read it. I'll even look forward to seeing the second book in the series to see how that is done.
This is a new author for me and I was looking forward to reading this book.
I was all over the place on this book -- some places were a 1-star and others were a 5-star, so I averaged them out to a 3 or more to the point, I'd do a 3.5.
There were many points in the book that caused me to chuckle. For instance, in the beginning the hero, Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton is meeting with his friends (who I assume will be featured in other books in the series) at his hunting lodge. He outlines his plan for him/them to outwit his aunt's plans to get him/them wed. He has a unique solution for himself -- he'll thwart her by holding a lottery to choose his bride. Things, of course, don't exactly go as planned.
The heroine, Caroline Hawkins has no interest in marriage (imagine that). However, she and her family (sister and invalid mother) are in dire straits. So, Caroline decides to see that Ashton meets her beautiful (perfect of course) sister so he'll choose her for his bride. Things go awry and he ends up with Caroline because he was already attracted to her.
There isn't some big plot of evil or anything in this book -- and that it fine; It is a story about two imperfect people working their way through marriage and into love.
There are a number of funny scenes involving animals. For instance, Caroline wakes up on her first morning at the Duke's hunting lodge to find the bedroom inhabited by a goat and a deer -- soon to be followed by a couple of hunters. Things like that are interwoven through the book and are funny and well done.
My least favorite part was toward the end -- Ashton's reactions were so over the top as to be ridiculous given the 'secret' from his past that had made him so against love and marriage. Just turned me off totally. It could have been done differently and been just fine. This was the part that took the book from a 4-5 star rating down to a 3.
I did enjoy the book and am glad I read it. I'll even look forward to seeing the second book in the series to see how that is done.
January 28, 2016
The story was more melodramatic than I prefer. It was also full of themes that I have often encountered in other books, which prevented me from becoming immersed from the very start. Yes, romance tropes are shared and repeated, but usually there is a fresh take on the idea, or other features to make the book stand apart. Location, characters, gorgeous writing, witty banter or humorous situations, for example. While reading this book, I spent more time connecting themes and passages to previously read books than connecting to and caring for the characters.
The pacing was frantic-cake, with miscommunication icing. Characters behaving cruelly and inconsistently, yet somehow always earning affection from friends and families. Often, characteristics are blatantly told to the reader rather than exhibited, with no support from character's actions. That is one of my deal-breakers in storytelling, when lesser characters straightforwardly remark on the traits of the major characters as the main method of conveying the personalities of those major characters.
I felt the intensity of the author's passion, and I wanted the author to have more confidence in writing about something to which they truly were connected. Can troubled, inconsiderate traumatized people really turn everything around in the space of a few pages for a believable HEA? Up to you, reader, to decide.
**eARC netgalley**
The pacing was frantic-cake, with miscommunication icing. Characters behaving cruelly and inconsistently, yet somehow always earning affection from friends and families. Often, characteristics are blatantly told to the reader rather than exhibited, with no support from character's actions. That is one of my deal-breakers in storytelling, when lesser characters straightforwardly remark on the traits of the major characters as the main method of conveying the personalities of those major characters.
I felt the intensity of the author's passion, and I wanted the author to have more confidence in writing about something to which they truly were connected. Can troubled, inconsiderate traumatized people really turn everything around in the space of a few pages for a believable HEA? Up to you, reader, to decide.
**eARC netgalley**
January 9, 2016
There is something very elegant about a regency novel. Pamela Labud started the Hunt Club series on a very positive note with this first installment. Regency setting always strikes my fancy because of numerous elegant balls and its associated vagaries. This is the first time when the book had very few mention if balls and parties of that era of England, and was more related to the compromise that two unrelated people make in a marriage. The nitty gritty details of a marriage between two strangers has been beautifully narrated through the eyes of the two lead characters, which makes their fictional nature more humane. As a reader, you can appreciate the characters and learn to relate with them. The character development has been looked at while maintaining the flow in story. The romantic element has been justified, thus providing a soft touch to the regency language that has been used.
Read more about it in my blog - https://ishitasmemoir.wordpress.com/2...
Read more about it in my blog - https://ishitasmemoir.wordpress.com/2...
February 13, 2016
This is book one in the "Hunt Club )" series. Our hero Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton, is tired of his aunt ruling his life.. and now the Aunt has taken to heart that he needs to marry. Ashton decided to counter attack but throwing a house party with everyone full knowledge that he plans to pick a lady there to marry. Ashton thinks he can find a business type arrangement where one he produced an heir he can just leave his wife to raise their son. Our heroine, Caroline Hawkins feels that her sister would make a good match for Ashton. Which would also help to have her sister married and that way Caroline can considerate on their sick mother. Caroline feels she is fully on the 'shelf' and doe not wish to be married. But once Ashton and Caroline meet they feel an attraction they are having a hard time fighting. This starts their great story of how them became together and what they had to overcome. I really enjoyed this book and hope that you will too.
February 1, 2016
... a wife made to order--or not!
Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton, decides to forestall his aunt's importuning, hold a ball and take to wife the young woman who meets his list of the 'ideal' wife.
Gagh! Really, Ashton (Ash) Blakely is an idiot!
Caroline Hawkins chaperones her young sister to the ball with the hopes that she will make an exceptional match. Caroline has her own life plotted out--marriage is not part of it.
But then the two meet and it's fireworks in more ways than one.
Caroline has a lot to put up with in terms of Ash's immaturity. I know, I know he was emotionally damaged as a child--and it shows!
Really this read like a penny dreadful, and yet for some reason I had to see how it ended. So obviously something drew me in. For that reason alone I upped my star rating from 2 to 3.
A NetGalley ARC
Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton, decides to forestall his aunt's importuning, hold a ball and take to wife the young woman who meets his list of the 'ideal' wife.
Gagh! Really, Ashton (Ash) Blakely is an idiot!
Caroline Hawkins chaperones her young sister to the ball with the hopes that she will make an exceptional match. Caroline has her own life plotted out--marriage is not part of it.
But then the two meet and it's fireworks in more ways than one.
Caroline has a lot to put up with in terms of Ash's immaturity. I know, I know he was emotionally damaged as a child--and it shows!
Really this read like a penny dreadful, and yet for some reason I had to see how it ended. So obviously something drew me in. For that reason alone I upped my star rating from 2 to 3.
A NetGalley ARC
November 17, 2015
I was provided an ARC through Netgalley for an honest review. I have read plenty of historical romances so when I read the plot for this book and the comparison to some authors that I have enjoyed in the past I thought I would give the book a try. Disappointingly, the book was very difficult for me to get through and I felt forced to finish it. While the writing was okay, my problem was with the plot and the characters. I felt bored by the plot and thought the writer could have done more to keep the reader engaged. Also, I felt that the characters were flat with no dimension. I didn't hate this book, but unfortunately, I was wowed by it either.
November 21, 2015
I very much enjoyed reading Ash and Caroline's story! This was my first book by Pamela Labud, and I'm going to be looking for more...can't wait to see where the series goes! It's a historical romance, and unlike some other reviewers, I felt that the characters were developed well. This isn't a romance that has some subplot - a murder or mystery or anything like that. It's a straight-up romance, but you can see how prior experiences shape the characters' actions and how they have to overcome these experiences to find their HEA. Definitely recommend for fans of historical romances!
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
January 6, 2016
An ARC was provided for an honest review.
Ugh! Based on the description and cover of this book I had high hopes but it was not just my high expectations that made me dislike this book so much but the everything from the constant and over contrived angst to the characters themselves and the all over the place plot. I should have stopped by the 20% point when I had no idea why or how the characters came to be together or what they saw in each other. After forcing my way through I still can't answer that. I can only say it does not bode well when I get to the end of a book hoping for the hero and heroine to find a way to go their separate ways for a happy ending. Yikes!
Ugh! Based on the description and cover of this book I had high hopes but it was not just my high expectations that made me dislike this book so much but the everything from the constant and over contrived angst to the characters themselves and the all over the place plot. I should have stopped by the 20% point when I had no idea why or how the characters came to be together or what they saw in each other. After forcing my way through I still can't answer that. I can only say it does not bode well when I get to the end of a book hoping for the hero and heroine to find a way to go their separate ways for a happy ending. Yikes!
January 15, 2016
I had a hard time putting this one down. How were they going to work out their differences? How strong was their love? Ash was patience, kind, but not as knowledgeable as he thought he was. Caro had her life planned out but did not count on marriage. I loved how they were drawn to each other, how intimate they were when just getting to know each other. Two stubborn people waiting until the last moment to realize what had been handed to them. This was a great story, and I look forward to more from Pamela Labud.
I had a chance to read this through Netgalley for an honest review.
I had a chance to read this through Netgalley for an honest review.
January 1, 2016
I really, really wanted to like this story, but it was pretty much just an okay read. There were certainly some entertaining situations which made me smile, however, the pacing between one entertaining spot and another was rather slow. This romance had such great potential to be more.
Rating: 2.25/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: Historical Romantic Fiction
Intensity/Chemistry: +/-
Conflict/Drama: +/-
Family Dysfunction: Yes
NetGalley ARC
Rating: 2.25/5
Recommend: +/-
Audience: Adult
Status: Historical Romantic Fiction
Intensity/Chemistry: +/-
Conflict/Drama: +/-
Family Dysfunction: Yes
NetGalley ARC
January 7, 2016
To Catch a Lady by Pamela Labud is the first book in her new series Hunt Club.
The story revolves around Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton, and Caroline Hawkins.
Ashton Blakely has a very well meaning aunt who thinks it's about time her nephew married and produced an heir. He can never say no to her but is determined to not wait for her to find the 'perfect' woman for him. He doesn't want a woman to have any expectations of him, determined to never fall in love, he decides the only way to keep his aunt happy is to find his own bride. He will choose a bride who will sign a contract stating that she will stay with him until she conceives his heir, and then they will go their separate ways with her and his heir's financial needs met by him.
Caroline Hawkins doesn't want to marry, her mother needs her care, and she is content to be the one to provide it. However she has a younger sister who she believes would be perfect for the Duke. She knows her sister will be secure for life with him, and hopes they will fall in love, but she also needs her sister looked after because finances are dire and she just has enough money to keep renting her small abode and look after her mother. Being desperate for her sister to make the match, she foregoes waiting for the ball the Duke is holding for all his potential brides, and goes to his home in order to speak for her sister. That is how Caroline and Ash meet.
From there the story goes on to tell how Ash ends up in a situation where he needs to ask Caroline to marry him. He's not at all displeased with the situation and as there is quite a sexual spark between him and Caroline he actually looks forward to trying for an heir with her.
He has a past that has him determined to never love a woman, and Caroline has a past that has her not wanting to be intimate with any man. She is happy to know her family are saved from bankruptcy, and she knows she has to have 'relations' with the Duke in order to provide him an heir, but she is not sure she can keep to her contract. He convinces her she can and must, and they do end up consummating their marriage. They have so much to deal with because of their pasts, and when to their surprise they start to have real feelings towards each other both refuse to acknowledge the fact, certainly won't let the other one know, and they both want to run a mile. Will they be able to move on from their pasts? Can they be honest about their feelings, or will they stick to their original contract and have nothing to do with each other once Caroline conceives and has their baby?
I enjoyed this story very much. At times I just wanted to knock Caroline and Ash's heads together, they were the perfect couple but just couldn't see it. To me, to feel so emotionally involved with the characters that you could happily slap them, is the sign of a really well written story. Another very good sign of a great story is one that you have to keep on reading because you need to know what happens next! That's what I was like with this book! I really look forward to the next book in the series, I am sure it's going to be just as good as this one!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The story revolves around Ashton Blakely, the Duke of Summerton, and Caroline Hawkins.
Ashton Blakely has a very well meaning aunt who thinks it's about time her nephew married and produced an heir. He can never say no to her but is determined to not wait for her to find the 'perfect' woman for him. He doesn't want a woman to have any expectations of him, determined to never fall in love, he decides the only way to keep his aunt happy is to find his own bride. He will choose a bride who will sign a contract stating that she will stay with him until she conceives his heir, and then they will go their separate ways with her and his heir's financial needs met by him.
Caroline Hawkins doesn't want to marry, her mother needs her care, and she is content to be the one to provide it. However she has a younger sister who she believes would be perfect for the Duke. She knows her sister will be secure for life with him, and hopes they will fall in love, but she also needs her sister looked after because finances are dire and she just has enough money to keep renting her small abode and look after her mother. Being desperate for her sister to make the match, she foregoes waiting for the ball the Duke is holding for all his potential brides, and goes to his home in order to speak for her sister. That is how Caroline and Ash meet.
From there the story goes on to tell how Ash ends up in a situation where he needs to ask Caroline to marry him. He's not at all displeased with the situation and as there is quite a sexual spark between him and Caroline he actually looks forward to trying for an heir with her.
He has a past that has him determined to never love a woman, and Caroline has a past that has her not wanting to be intimate with any man. She is happy to know her family are saved from bankruptcy, and she knows she has to have 'relations' with the Duke in order to provide him an heir, but she is not sure she can keep to her contract. He convinces her she can and must, and they do end up consummating their marriage. They have so much to deal with because of their pasts, and when to their surprise they start to have real feelings towards each other both refuse to acknowledge the fact, certainly won't let the other one know, and they both want to run a mile. Will they be able to move on from their pasts? Can they be honest about their feelings, or will they stick to their original contract and have nothing to do with each other once Caroline conceives and has their baby?
I enjoyed this story very much. At times I just wanted to knock Caroline and Ash's heads together, they were the perfect couple but just couldn't see it. To me, to feel so emotionally involved with the characters that you could happily slap them, is the sign of a really well written story. Another very good sign of a great story is one that you have to keep on reading because you need to know what happens next! That's what I was like with this book! I really look forward to the next book in the series, I am sure it's going to be just as good as this one!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
February 25, 2016
To Catch a Lady
Pamela Labud
Hunt Club
Historical Romance
Adult
Review: Ashton Blakely, Duke of Summerton, has never wanted to marry after losing both of his parents at a young age. Especially since their deaths were not accidental. His father pushed his mother and she died from her fall and his father not being able to live with himself killed himself. Ash is afraid he will be just like his father so when he inherits the dukedom when both his uncle and cousin pass away and his aunt says he must start a family he decides to go along with her grudgingly. Of course he decides he will draw lots to find a wife so he does not have to worry about forming an attachment. Of course, he is in over his head when he meets Caroline Hawkins, the only woman not looking to have him for her husband. Caroline has decided to never marry so is surprised when she is caught by most of the ton in a compromising situation with Ash. They are forced to marry to protect not only her reputation but that of her younger sister and her mother. Will these two come to love each other or will their pasts keep them apart?
For the most part I truly enjoyed this story. I did find some of it to be unbelievable, but once you got past that it was a very well written book that I truly enjoyed. Of course, before I tell you about all the things I truly enjoyed about this story I have to point out the one thing I thought took away from the book. During this time period a woman would be ruined if she was found in the arms of a man who was not her husband. I understand that many times this did not stop woman and even in novels it is usually not a big deal, but they way Ash ripped Caroline’s dress when they are getting all hot and heavy before they are married just would not have happened. He would have been careful so that she would be able to set herself to rights once they were done. Sorry that part just bothered me and I had to say something about it. Beyond that I loved this story.
This story was wonderful in so many ways. There were many parts I just had to laugh, especially at all of the wildlife that was always invading their lives. Whether it be deer, goats, or dogs this story had many furry characters to liven up the book.
Also I loved the plot. It was just so touching to watch how Caroline and Ash must change and realize that they are not perfect, but that that is ok. I loved to watch them fight, especially when Ash would argue with Caroline just to get her upset. I know that sounds weird but once you read the story you will understand better. Both characters seemed more real for having flaws and a more normal relationship.
I truly enjoyed reading this story. Unlike many stories I have read lately there is not as many bedroom scenes. There were enough to show that it was a true marriage but it wasn’t overwhelmed with scenes or even description. I recommend this to women who love historical romances.
I received a free ecopy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
Pamela Labud
Hunt Club
Historical Romance
Adult
Review: Ashton Blakely, Duke of Summerton, has never wanted to marry after losing both of his parents at a young age. Especially since their deaths were not accidental. His father pushed his mother and she died from her fall and his father not being able to live with himself killed himself. Ash is afraid he will be just like his father so when he inherits the dukedom when both his uncle and cousin pass away and his aunt says he must start a family he decides to go along with her grudgingly. Of course he decides he will draw lots to find a wife so he does not have to worry about forming an attachment. Of course, he is in over his head when he meets Caroline Hawkins, the only woman not looking to have him for her husband. Caroline has decided to never marry so is surprised when she is caught by most of the ton in a compromising situation with Ash. They are forced to marry to protect not only her reputation but that of her younger sister and her mother. Will these two come to love each other or will their pasts keep them apart?
For the most part I truly enjoyed this story. I did find some of it to be unbelievable, but once you got past that it was a very well written book that I truly enjoyed. Of course, before I tell you about all the things I truly enjoyed about this story I have to point out the one thing I thought took away from the book. During this time period a woman would be ruined if she was found in the arms of a man who was not her husband. I understand that many times this did not stop woman and even in novels it is usually not a big deal, but they way Ash ripped Caroline’s dress when they are getting all hot and heavy before they are married just would not have happened. He would have been careful so that she would be able to set herself to rights once they were done. Sorry that part just bothered me and I had to say something about it. Beyond that I loved this story.
This story was wonderful in so many ways. There were many parts I just had to laugh, especially at all of the wildlife that was always invading their lives. Whether it be deer, goats, or dogs this story had many furry characters to liven up the book.
Also I loved the plot. It was just so touching to watch how Caroline and Ash must change and realize that they are not perfect, but that that is ok. I loved to watch them fight, especially when Ash would argue with Caroline just to get her upset. I know that sounds weird but once you read the story you will understand better. Both characters seemed more real for having flaws and a more normal relationship.
I truly enjoyed reading this story. Unlike many stories I have read lately there is not as many bedroom scenes. There were enough to show that it was a true marriage but it wasn’t overwhelmed with scenes or even description. I recommend this to women who love historical romances.
I received a free ecopy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
July 15, 2016
This story was barely believable but enjoyable to read. I was confused most of the time but I also laughed a lot. So by that estimate, the book was good to read.
Ashton Blakely has got to be the most honest man in fiction history. His approach to marriage was expressed down to the bottom line. The bottom line being, buying a wife.
His aunt took it upon herself to choose a suitable bride for Ashton, but Ashton was not having it. If he had to take a wife, he was taking her on his terms and his terms only.
He even made a list for his aunt to follow in selecting the appropriate girls for him to choose from. Not only that, he also drew up a contract for his wife to sign, stating that after she conceived, she was to live in London and he would stay at his hunting lodge.
Well, that was the plan until he met Caroline Hawkins.
Caroline Hawkins wants the best for her sister, especially since her family is about to be bankrupt in the near future. So when she got word of a Duke and his search for a bride, Caroline thought she found the perfect solution to their de-lima. Her sister would marry the Duke and all would be well, at least for her sister.
Things don't go as plan when she finds herself married to the Duke insteas. How this happen, especially since Caroline was deadly against herself getting married? You have to read it to believe it.
I had so much ideas of how this book would go as I read it and how it would end and it failed my expectations. I don't know what went wrong. Caroline was so likeable in the beginning and I thought the book would have been about Ashton slowly and unwillingly falling in love with Caroline while courting her sister. That idea was squashed pretty quickly.
I gave up trying to guess how to book would go and just read it, only to be confused by the book. The characters seem to change their expectations and temperament throughout the book. Caroline seemed like such a nice woman, but she can turn into a shrewd at a drop of a hat.
The book claimed that "she has devoted her life to defending women from the indignities visited upon them by their husbands", yet only a slight mention of this was mentioned in the book. And she seemed to contradict herself in the book. Caroline is against women getting married and becoming their husbands "possessions" yet she wants to force her sister into a marriage with a man she has never met before, who comes with a good title.
I could go on for days with the issues I found in the book, but the one that I had the most issues with was the separation during her pregnancy. Caroline and Ashton are really messed up people and they found each other and learned to be messed up together.
The weirdest thing is, I was having fun reading the book until I arrived at the disappointing ending. Seriously, the author stretched the book out a little too much.
Ashton Blakely has got to be the most honest man in fiction history. His approach to marriage was expressed down to the bottom line. The bottom line being, buying a wife.
His aunt took it upon herself to choose a suitable bride for Ashton, but Ashton was not having it. If he had to take a wife, he was taking her on his terms and his terms only.
He even made a list for his aunt to follow in selecting the appropriate girls for him to choose from. Not only that, he also drew up a contract for his wife to sign, stating that after she conceived, she was to live in London and he would stay at his hunting lodge.
Well, that was the plan until he met Caroline Hawkins.
Caroline Hawkins wants the best for her sister, especially since her family is about to be bankrupt in the near future. So when she got word of a Duke and his search for a bride, Caroline thought she found the perfect solution to their de-lima. Her sister would marry the Duke and all would be well, at least for her sister.
Things don't go as plan when she finds herself married to the Duke insteas. How this happen, especially since Caroline was deadly against herself getting married? You have to read it to believe it.
I had so much ideas of how this book would go as I read it and how it would end and it failed my expectations. I don't know what went wrong. Caroline was so likeable in the beginning and I thought the book would have been about Ashton slowly and unwillingly falling in love with Caroline while courting her sister. That idea was squashed pretty quickly.
I gave up trying to guess how to book would go and just read it, only to be confused by the book. The characters seem to change their expectations and temperament throughout the book. Caroline seemed like such a nice woman, but she can turn into a shrewd at a drop of a hat.
The book claimed that "she has devoted her life to defending women from the indignities visited upon them by their husbands", yet only a slight mention of this was mentioned in the book. And she seemed to contradict herself in the book. Caroline is against women getting married and becoming their husbands "possessions" yet she wants to force her sister into a marriage with a man she has never met before, who comes with a good title.
I could go on for days with the issues I found in the book, but the one that I had the most issues with was the separation during her pregnancy. Caroline and Ashton are really messed up people and they found each other and learned to be messed up together.
The weirdest thing is, I was having fun reading the book until I arrived at the disappointing ending. Seriously, the author stretched the book out a little too much.
June 14, 2017
Initially, I was very excited for this book. It starts off setting up Caroline "Caro" Hawkins as a strong heroine with a burden of taking care of the family as best as she could despite her mother having suffered a head injury and a relative squandering all of their money in gambling debt. Her character seemed to be a hybrid of Cinderella (if you know anything about me, you know that I am rather fond of Cinderella) and Elizabeth Bennet. She is a bold feminist who fights for her family and I was completely on board. "Unfortunately", a phrase repeated so often in this book, the initial strength of her character dissolves into an insecure, hypocritical, and even violent woman. She repeatedly states how she is not attractive and will not marry because "no man would take on the burden of caring for her mother and sister". Yet she fights for her sister "Bea" to be married to an eligible (rich) bachelor because she is "too beautiful" for employment. She is a feminist yet believes that her sister cannot work due to her beauty. This and several other hypocrisies were even pointed out in character dialogue which added to my annoyance while reading.
Ashton Blakely is the Duke of Summerton who went from being an orphan to the richest bachelor in the land. He loves his Aunt Amelia who desperately wants him to be married and have a family, especially since a tragedy took her own family. He was a soldier (which is often mentioned throughout the book) and now is stuck between choosing a carefree, traveling, bachelor life and marriage. He thinks he is making the best of the situation by having a ball and inviting every maiden to attend (another point where I was very excited for a Cinderella-themed reference), however, he ends up falling for Caroline. A maiden that no one expected him to fall for, especially Caroline, as she is pushing for him to fall for her sister.
Another annoyance that I had while reading was how much inaction took place in some chapters. There was dialogue that filled up a chapter, yet the only action that happened was that Caro and Ash (the other main character and Caro's love interest) were traveling in a carriage. Other examples are the ample dialogue between Caro and her maid Meggie and Ash and his friend Duncan.
2 stars because I did initially love the first couple of chapters and because there were some scenes that were pretty funny (and metaphorical) throughout the book. Other than that, the overuse of ellipses, the tear down of character rather than buildup, the vague villain, and the boring fillers just did not make the book as riveting as it could have been.
For those who may be sensitive, there is foul language as well as themes of violence and sex.
Please note: an advanced reader copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ashton Blakely is the Duke of Summerton who went from being an orphan to the richest bachelor in the land. He loves his Aunt Amelia who desperately wants him to be married and have a family, especially since a tragedy took her own family. He was a soldier (which is often mentioned throughout the book) and now is stuck between choosing a carefree, traveling, bachelor life and marriage. He thinks he is making the best of the situation by having a ball and inviting every maiden to attend (another point where I was very excited for a Cinderella-themed reference), however, he ends up falling for Caroline. A maiden that no one expected him to fall for, especially Caroline, as she is pushing for him to fall for her sister.
Another annoyance that I had while reading was how much inaction took place in some chapters. There was dialogue that filled up a chapter, yet the only action that happened was that Caro and Ash (the other main character and Caro's love interest) were traveling in a carriage. Other examples are the ample dialogue between Caro and her maid Meggie and Ash and his friend Duncan.
2 stars because I did initially love the first couple of chapters and because there were some scenes that were pretty funny (and metaphorical) throughout the book. Other than that, the overuse of ellipses, the tear down of character rather than buildup, the vague villain, and the boring fillers just did not make the book as riveting as it could have been.
For those who may be sensitive, there is foul language as well as themes of violence and sex.
Please note: an advanced reader copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2016
This started so well. Sadly, there are a lot of fits and restarts and I never felt like I could just sit back and enjoy. There is so much drama that I could not relax.
The main characters, Ashton and Caroline, are quite interesting. Sadly, they each have a past that they cannot get over. Caroline does not talk about her past but in her reactions with Ashton, I was under the assumption that she was raped. It would have made more sense to me. She was accosted so I guess it fits her attitude, but it is just weird. She even gets totally into Ashton but then sits ramrod straight and asks if he is "finished". I was left very confused.
Ashton is not much better. He has major issues from the way he was raised in a family that had so many problems. Apparently his parents were volatile when he was younger, leaving him not really believing in relationships. This, again, left me confused since he goes about finding a girl with a bit of a spark. He is not totally into it and is just doing this to please his Aunt, but come on. Things could have been done better.
Getting these two together is ridiculous. When they are together I am so excited and ready for fireworks, and then one or the other spoils everything AGAIN. It just left me waiting for when they were going to get together. Instead of keeping me excited all this drama left me feeling bereft and wanting to put the book down.
There are two great moments where something happens (it's big) and they both realize they are idiots. The first time they come to their senses. This is like halfway through the book. Then they screw everything up again. WHAT. I stuck with it and enjoyed the ending but I, and the characters, had to go through so much to get to the end. I wanting to pull my hair out.
When they are together, it is great. I love their relationship, and maybe that is why I was so annoyed with the drama. It all felt very unnecessary. It is not uncommon to find two people that are very different but have massive issues, but when both of them are trying to sabotage the marriage... forget it and move on. Fortunately I stuck with it and the ending made up for most of the drama. It is cute. I just wish the drama would have been cut shorter and the ending would have been longer.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The main characters, Ashton and Caroline, are quite interesting. Sadly, they each have a past that they cannot get over. Caroline does not talk about her past but in her reactions with Ashton, I was under the assumption that she was raped. It would have made more sense to me. She was accosted so I guess it fits her attitude, but it is just weird. She even gets totally into Ashton but then sits ramrod straight and asks if he is "finished". I was left very confused.
Ashton is not much better. He has major issues from the way he was raised in a family that had so many problems. Apparently his parents were volatile when he was younger, leaving him not really believing in relationships. This, again, left me confused since he goes about finding a girl with a bit of a spark. He is not totally into it and is just doing this to please his Aunt, but come on. Things could have been done better.
Getting these two together is ridiculous. When they are together I am so excited and ready for fireworks, and then one or the other spoils everything AGAIN. It just left me waiting for when they were going to get together. Instead of keeping me excited all this drama left me feeling bereft and wanting to put the book down.
There are two great moments where something happens (it's big) and they both realize they are idiots. The first time they come to their senses. This is like halfway through the book. Then they screw everything up again. WHAT. I stuck with it and enjoyed the ending but I, and the characters, had to go through so much to get to the end. I wanting to pull my hair out.
When they are together, it is great. I love their relationship, and maybe that is why I was so annoyed with the drama. It all felt very unnecessary. It is not uncommon to find two people that are very different but have massive issues, but when both of them are trying to sabotage the marriage... forget it and move on. Fortunately I stuck with it and the ending made up for most of the drama. It is cute. I just wish the drama would have been cut shorter and the ending would have been longer.
Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 25, 2016
To Catch A Lady by Pamela Labud is an Historical romance novel that introduced me to Ashton Blakely, who was a bachelor who just wanted to do man-things, in his man house, in the woods, with his man friends. However, his aunt had other plans for his life that did not include his man lodge. So, instead of letting the inevitable happen, Ashton decides to take matters into his own hands and holds his very own casting for the Victorian-age version of the Bachelor and invites maidens from across the land to his home so that he would pick his bride, meet his in-laws, and marry her all in one night.
However, Caroline Hawkins, had another idea in mind, in that she wanted the Duke to marry her sister, but he had wanted her the moment he saw her. See, Caroline was a strange bird to say the least, yet she had a noble cause, to marry her sister off so that she will be provided for. Good idea, right? Well it may have been, if it hadn’t been for the independent, I am woman hear me roar, stance. I mean it was like I need a man to take care of me, but I don’t… but I do… and I don’t… see what I mean here? Caroline, did not want to be a damsel in distress, at the mercy of a man and his wants and needs, but she wanted her family provided for. She had strange ideals about love, life and everything in between, and made references to her mother, whose advice was slightly off kilter, even before the mother’s life changing head injury. I’m not even sure if she was all there before the accident.
I digress. The chemistry is evident between Caroline and Ashton and the moment they both let go of their skewed ideas about life and how theirs should be, they found the happiness that they both deserved.
Overall, this was an okay read. I felt there were a lot of things tossed around regarding class and gender roles which made the story a tad confusing. I mean, I am all about girl power and such but the female characters swung way far across the pendulum, for the story line to be succinct. I would give this read 3-stars and recommend that you skip on over and read To Catch A Lady by Pamela Labud.
Complimentary copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews, visit www.runandreadthat.com.
However, Caroline Hawkins, had another idea in mind, in that she wanted the Duke to marry her sister, but he had wanted her the moment he saw her. See, Caroline was a strange bird to say the least, yet she had a noble cause, to marry her sister off so that she will be provided for. Good idea, right? Well it may have been, if it hadn’t been for the independent, I am woman hear me roar, stance. I mean it was like I need a man to take care of me, but I don’t… but I do… and I don’t… see what I mean here? Caroline, did not want to be a damsel in distress, at the mercy of a man and his wants and needs, but she wanted her family provided for. She had strange ideals about love, life and everything in between, and made references to her mother, whose advice was slightly off kilter, even before the mother’s life changing head injury. I’m not even sure if she was all there before the accident.
I digress. The chemistry is evident between Caroline and Ashton and the moment they both let go of their skewed ideas about life and how theirs should be, they found the happiness that they both deserved.
Overall, this was an okay read. I felt there were a lot of things tossed around regarding class and gender roles which made the story a tad confusing. I mean, I am all about girl power and such but the female characters swung way far across the pendulum, for the story line to be succinct. I would give this read 3-stars and recommend that you skip on over and read To Catch A Lady by Pamela Labud.
Complimentary copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews, visit www.runandreadthat.com.
June 8, 2016
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I wanted to like To Catch A Lady much more than I ended up with by the ending of the story. Unfortunately I read the two books (so far) in this series out of order, but I don’t think that really would have made a difference in my reaction to this story. I enjoyed the premise of Ash and Caro’s story yet it never clicked for me as a believable tale or as two people who could work together as a couple, eventually. This received a 2.5 star review on my blog and was rounded up.
I found To Catch A Lady a good story. I didn’t absolutely hate it and I certainly didn’t love it but it was an okay, basically good story… that simply didn’t connect for me. I think after reading the second story, A Most Delicate Pursuit first before this one has given me a true reason why I’m not better connecting with these stories -these characters aren’t the members of the ton that I’m accustomed to experiencing. Not that it’s a bad thing to be a bit unique, it just often times reads more like a contemporary romance to me than an historical one. For some reason that feeling takes me out of the story enough to not find it believable. I felt this story was an okay read, but it’s not one that I really loved or cared about. I stuck with Ash and Caro until their ending – and moved on with no bad feelings, just missing something within their story that never truly connected with me.
I am a reader who needs to be able to fall into the character’s world (at least somewhat) in order to give a glowing review of what I experienced with them. I wish I had a better experience with these characters, yet that won’t stop me from trying again with the next one in this series. Again, my review is merely my opinion and reaction to this story – your’s may be very different. That’s why there are so many genre and so many books around – we each find what we love.
*I received an e-ARC of To Catch A Lady from the publisher, Random House Publishing – Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
I wanted to like To Catch A Lady much more than I ended up with by the ending of the story. Unfortunately I read the two books (so far) in this series out of order, but I don’t think that really would have made a difference in my reaction to this story. I enjoyed the premise of Ash and Caro’s story yet it never clicked for me as a believable tale or as two people who could work together as a couple, eventually. This received a 2.5 star review on my blog and was rounded up.
I found To Catch A Lady a good story. I didn’t absolutely hate it and I certainly didn’t love it but it was an okay, basically good story… that simply didn’t connect for me. I think after reading the second story, A Most Delicate Pursuit first before this one has given me a true reason why I’m not better connecting with these stories -these characters aren’t the members of the ton that I’m accustomed to experiencing. Not that it’s a bad thing to be a bit unique, it just often times reads more like a contemporary romance to me than an historical one. For some reason that feeling takes me out of the story enough to not find it believable. I felt this story was an okay read, but it’s not one that I really loved or cared about. I stuck with Ash and Caro until their ending – and moved on with no bad feelings, just missing something within their story that never truly connected with me.
I am a reader who needs to be able to fall into the character’s world (at least somewhat) in order to give a glowing review of what I experienced with them. I wish I had a better experience with these characters, yet that won’t stop me from trying again with the next one in this series. Again, my review is merely my opinion and reaction to this story – your’s may be very different. That’s why there are so many genre and so many books around – we each find what we love.
*I received an e-ARC of To Catch A Lady from the publisher, Random House Publishing – Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
November 27, 2015
When this book was compared to some of my favorite authors, I was excited to read it.
Ashford is a Duke who must marry to carry on his line. He decides to hold a sort of lottery because he is not going to ever fall in love – so any woman will do.
Caroline wants Ash to consider her beautiful sister. The family is in dire financial straits and in order to protect her ill mother, Caro believes finding a wealthy husband for Beatrice will solve the problem.
When these two people meet the dialog is is interesting and entertaining. When they are forced into marriage – there are simply long episodes of lust and no communication. Inner thoughts which are never expressed to other people involved in a relationship should be very short scenes, not a majority of the book.
I found Caro unlikable. She is whiny and refuses to explain to Ash what she wants. He makes slight overtures and she digs in and either cries or rages and runs away.
Ash is not an idiot, but he acts as though he is. He wants to become a different man but falls into a pattern of having ideas but never expressing them.
I wanted to like these people. I wanted to be entertained and enchanted by a plot that could have been so wonderful. The few times there are episodes of the animals and hunters who populate the mansion there is humor and a sort of charm. I think those scenes could have been enlarged to give more depth to Ash's story and the entire book.
I was disappointed. Ms Labud is a new to me author and I will try another of her books in order to fall in love with her writing.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hopes of a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Ashford is a Duke who must marry to carry on his line. He decides to hold a sort of lottery because he is not going to ever fall in love – so any woman will do.
Caroline wants Ash to consider her beautiful sister. The family is in dire financial straits and in order to protect her ill mother, Caro believes finding a wealthy husband for Beatrice will solve the problem.
When these two people meet the dialog is is interesting and entertaining. When they are forced into marriage – there are simply long episodes of lust and no communication. Inner thoughts which are never expressed to other people involved in a relationship should be very short scenes, not a majority of the book.
I found Caro unlikable. She is whiny and refuses to explain to Ash what she wants. He makes slight overtures and she digs in and either cries or rages and runs away.
Ash is not an idiot, but he acts as though he is. He wants to become a different man but falls into a pattern of having ideas but never expressing them.
I wanted to like these people. I wanted to be entertained and enchanted by a plot that could have been so wonderful. The few times there are episodes of the animals and hunters who populate the mansion there is humor and a sort of charm. I think those scenes could have been enlarged to give more depth to Ash's story and the entire book.
I was disappointed. Ms Labud is a new to me author and I will try another of her books in order to fall in love with her writing.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in the hopes of a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 28, 2015
To broaden my expectations of historical romance (from what I’ve read of Sharon Cullen’s and a few other novels that really didn’t land with me), I requested “To Catch a Lady” from NetGalley based on its interesting description. Ashton Blakely, Duke of Summerton, becomes aware that his aunt is planning on finding him a wife. Although he adores the aunt that’s raised him from a child, he does not adore the thought of giving up his independence for the sake of marriage. So he puts together a goofy plan to hold a lottery in choosing a wife. As women vie to get his attention, Caroline Hawkins bursts into Ashton’s home hoping to get his attention for her sister. Instead Ashton and Caroline find they are drawn to each, and they are thrown together in an unusual way. Can they move forward from the past that’s shaped them to find love with each other (isn’t that always the question : )?
While I enjoyed the story, it did frustrate me as well. It did not have any other plots going on except the main one – how do Ashton and Caroline make their relationship work? But that’s not to say it wasn’t interesting and compelling. I breezed through the book in a few days. But what got me frustrated was how drawn out the conclusion was. In the story, both Ashton and Caroline agreed to be truthful with the other; so why is it they couldn’t admit that they needed the other person in their life (and not just as the result of a binding contract)? Towards the end, I thought “enough already!” While we do see a HEA for our main characters, it could have gotten to it more quickly than it had. It appears this book is the first of a series, and despite my one frustration, this series is one I would gladly continue on with.
(Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
While I enjoyed the story, it did frustrate me as well. It did not have any other plots going on except the main one – how do Ashton and Caroline make their relationship work? But that’s not to say it wasn’t interesting and compelling. I breezed through the book in a few days. But what got me frustrated was how drawn out the conclusion was. In the story, both Ashton and Caroline agreed to be truthful with the other; so why is it they couldn’t admit that they needed the other person in their life (and not just as the result of a binding contract)? Towards the end, I thought “enough already!” While we do see a HEA for our main characters, it could have gotten to it more quickly than it had. It appears this book is the first of a series, and despite my one frustration, this series is one I would gladly continue on with.
(Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)
January 18, 2016
Let me begin by saying that I was predisposed to enjoying this book because it combines two of my favorite tropes--the bluestocking spinster who believes that marriage will cause her to lose all self-governance (and by law, it pretty much did at the time) and the hero whose dysfunctional family of origin caused him to believe that falling in love will make him weak and hurt the one(s) he loves. When Ashton, Duke of Summerton, meets Caroline Hawkins under the oddest of circumstances, he decides that she is exactly the woman he should marry, since he has come to accept that he will have no peace from his aunt, the Dowager Duchess, until he takes a wife. Caroline, of course, is not disposed to agree to such a match, so he takes measures to insure that she has no choice in the matter.
Once married, it was fun to watch their attempts to sway the other to their way of thinking. Ash's attempts to woo Caro (and her attempts to woo him) approach success when a twist of fate ("tragic misunderstanding") puts them at odds again... and again... and again. (Yeah, that part got a bit repetitious, but not enough to put me off reading more.) Finally, we come to a double grovel, as both parties must realize their true feelings and desired outcome of the marriage, and confess to each other their past experiences that lead them to their fears that a happy marriage was not possible.
Gen Xers and Millenials who grew up in the modern age of feminism may have difficulty relating to the self-doubt and extreme abhorrence for marriage that Caroline expresses. Those readers like myself who love bluestocking spinsters, will not have much difficulty in their "willful suspension of disbelief."
My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.
Once married, it was fun to watch their attempts to sway the other to their way of thinking. Ash's attempts to woo Caro (and her attempts to woo him) approach success when a twist of fate ("tragic misunderstanding") puts them at odds again... and again... and again. (Yeah, that part got a bit repetitious, but not enough to put me off reading more.) Finally, we come to a double grovel, as both parties must realize their true feelings and desired outcome of the marriage, and confess to each other their past experiences that lead them to their fears that a happy marriage was not possible.
Gen Xers and Millenials who grew up in the modern age of feminism may have difficulty relating to the self-doubt and extreme abhorrence for marriage that Caroline expresses. Those readers like myself who love bluestocking spinsters, will not have much difficulty in their "willful suspension of disbelief."
My thanks to Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book.
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