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The Deverells #1
True Story
Olivia Monday, an impoverished widow, has taken a position as "secretary" to an eccentric, scandalous rake - a divorced man with a brood of eight children and at least two gun-shot wounds. For one year, against the advice of her remaining family members, she agrees to live in his remote Cornish castle and put pen to paper on his behalf.
Despite everything she's heard about him, she's unafraid. Olivia welcomes the distraction this unusual post will provide— as well as the large fee— because the alternative of relying on relatives to put a roof over her head is intolerable.
True Deverell has decided it's time to set the record straight. He means to dictate his memoirs to this little widow who, according to the instructions he sent to his solicitor, should merely be plain and have a neat hand. Those are his only requirements. He doesn't want any distractions, has endured his fill of scandal and intends now to leave the "True Story" on paper so that perhaps, one day, people will forgive his mistakes.
But when Mrs. Olivia Monday arrives on his doorstep in her leaky boots and crumpled bonnet, True realizes that perhaps his story isn't over yet.
Despite everything she's heard about him, she's unafraid. Olivia welcomes the distraction this unusual post will provide— as well as the large fee— because the alternative of relying on relatives to put a roof over her head is intolerable.
True Deverell has decided it's time to set the record straight. He means to dictate his memoirs to this little widow who, according to the instructions he sent to his solicitor, should merely be plain and have a neat hand. Those are his only requirements. He doesn't want any distractions, has endured his fill of scandal and intends now to leave the "True Story" on paper so that perhaps, one day, people will forgive his mistakes.
But when Mrs. Olivia Monday arrives on his doorstep in her leaky boots and crumpled bonnet, True realizes that perhaps his story isn't over yet.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2015
39 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 1, 2022
I want to say that I adored this book. Olivia was a wonderful practical heroine that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her interactions with the hero True. He is writing his memoirs (everything is included) and Olivia is his secretary. The story of how a staid and proper lady works with True who is a bit of a scoundrel who has never been in love before, and Olivia has been widowed 3 times just works. How they spend time and get to know each other is great and is a fun and different style of writing. I look forward to more books by this author.
February 19, 2018
It took me ages to read this book and not because it was bad, but because I have as guests my BFF and her husband and I'm enjoying spoiling them with food, shopping, etc! LOL
Back to the book...
It is one of the strangest love stories I've read!
The heroine is a kind of repressed by her family I-need-to-be-needed wallflower and the hero is an overbearing rich self-made caveman.
But... she's a wallflower with character! She's not afraid to voice her opinion. I enjoyed her flaying the hero with her very prim and proper words! LOL
But... he's a caveman with a tender spot. He deeply cares for his children. He's absolutely honest and doesn't have any problem voicing his wants and needs. I enjoyed how he was able to confuse our not-so-shy wallfloer! LOL
It was a nice and fun read! I'm curious to read the next one! :)
Back to the book...
It is one of the strangest love stories I've read!
The heroine is a kind of repressed by her family I-need-to-be-needed wallflower and the hero is an overbearing rich self-made caveman.
But... she's a wallflower with character! She's not afraid to voice her opinion. I enjoyed her flaying the hero with her very prim and proper words! LOL
But... he's a caveman with a tender spot. He deeply cares for his children. He's absolutely honest and doesn't have any problem voicing his wants and needs. I enjoyed how he was able to confuse our not-so-shy wallfloer! LOL
It was a nice and fun read! I'm curious to read the next one! :)
August 16, 2016
This was a truly enjoyable story. I’ve not read this author before but when all three of my trusted Amazon reviewers gave this book a 5-star rating, I knew it was something special. And I wasn't disappointed.
I must say that despite my many HR reads, the story strikes me as totally unique and made so by very unconventional characters and imaginative, lyrical writing.
Olivia Monday, our heroine, is a widow who took a secretary position in order to provide for herself and not to be a burden or at beck and call of her step-brother. She is a widow not once, not twice, but three times! She was married “twelve days the first time. Three months the second. Almost five years the last time.” Talk about bad luck or something else, something that brought her to attention of Inspector O’Grady of the London Metropolitan Police. Yes, there is a little mystery there but mostly the story is a wonderful romance made it so by not only the unconventional heroine but by the hero most would find difficult not to fall in love with.
True Deverell is a divorced man with a brood of eight children and at least two gun-shot wounds. He is a truly self-made man, rich as Croesus, an owner of an exclusive gaming club. Discovered on a beach as a baby with nothing to identify him, he was not taken by a carrying family but instead was abandoned by his rescuers again. His childhood was one of the most horrific I ever encountered. But instead of defeating him, it made him stronger, more admirable. I like that the author didn’t dwell on the hero’s past but instead concentrated on the man he is. He is perceptive, honest, and brilliant. He is a force of nature. His love for his children, or in his words “his litter”, is truly admirable.
When True’s decision to write a memoir brought the characters together, I had hard time deciding what I loved the most: wonderful humor, exquisite sensuality, slow building affection, unparalleled witticism, delicious dialog. And I can go on and on….
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention fantastic writing again.
The only criticism I have is of the book cover. Although beautiful, it depicts a much younger man and not our forty-something year old hero.
I must say that despite my many HR reads, the story strikes me as totally unique and made so by very unconventional characters and imaginative, lyrical writing.
Olivia Monday, our heroine, is a widow who took a secretary position in order to provide for herself and not to be a burden or at beck and call of her step-brother. She is a widow not once, not twice, but three times! She was married “twelve days the first time. Three months the second. Almost five years the last time.” Talk about bad luck or something else, something that brought her to attention of Inspector O’Grady of the London Metropolitan Police. Yes, there is a little mystery there but mostly the story is a wonderful romance made it so by not only the unconventional heroine but by the hero most would find difficult not to fall in love with.
True Deverell is a divorced man with a brood of eight children and at least two gun-shot wounds. He is a truly self-made man, rich as Croesus, an owner of an exclusive gaming club. Discovered on a beach as a baby with nothing to identify him, he was not taken by a carrying family but instead was abandoned by his rescuers again. His childhood was one of the most horrific I ever encountered. But instead of defeating him, it made him stronger, more admirable. I like that the author didn’t dwell on the hero’s past but instead concentrated on the man he is. He is perceptive, honest, and brilliant. He is a force of nature. His love for his children, or in his words “his litter”, is truly admirable.
When True’s decision to write a memoir brought the characters together, I had hard time deciding what I loved the most: wonderful humor, exquisite sensuality, slow building affection, unparalleled witticism, delicious dialog. And I can go on and on….
And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention fantastic writing again.
The only criticism I have is of the book cover. Although beautiful, it depicts a much younger man and not our forty-something year old hero.
December 13, 2017
It's not often that I develop feelings for a fictional male in a romance novel, but hero True Deverell has truly made an impression on me. He's arrogant, impulsive, exuberant, autocratic, forthright, rude, impatient, thoughtful, rather sweet(don't tell him that), romantic (again, keep it to yourself), kind and caring (shh!), larger than life and really rather adorable in a puppy-dog sort of way.
Starting life as an almost feral foundling, he is truly a self-made, self-educated man. Now the rich owner of a gambling club, he and his rather scandalous life have been the fodder for gossip for years. It doesn't help that he has seven children by 3 different women, most illegitimate offspring except for those with his ex-wife (Divorce! Even more scandal!)
Then we have heroine Olivia. She started out life rather exuberant and free-spirited but along the way life has been trying to suppress her a bit, and, superficially, it seems to be succeeding. Three times a widow at 28 years of age, with the 3 deaths suspicious enough to come to the attention of Bow Street, almost penniless and not wishing to be dependent on her stepbrother, she accepts the job of secretary to True, to help him write down his memoirs.
There's a richness and depth to this story that you don't often find in an HR. This hasn't been written in the usual formulaic manner of "boy meets girl, sparks fly, they have lots of sex". There are complex characters and complex relationships here, not only the H/h relationship but also True and his numerous offspring. The writing is exquisite, humorous at times, somewhat serious at others, but never angst-ridden in that annoying manner of some HRs with tortured heroes. Perhaps True has more reason to be tortured than many a hero I've come across in a romance, but he doesn't let life get him down or feel sorry for himself. Nor does our admirable heroine.
Fresina's characters are a breath of fresh air and her writing is superior to that of most authors of the genre. I truly loved this book and can't wait for the next in the series.
Starting life as an almost feral foundling, he is truly a self-made, self-educated man. Now the rich owner of a gambling club, he and his rather scandalous life have been the fodder for gossip for years. It doesn't help that he has seven children by 3 different women, most illegitimate offspring except for those with his ex-wife (Divorce! Even more scandal!)
Then we have heroine Olivia. She started out life rather exuberant and free-spirited but along the way life has been trying to suppress her a bit, and, superficially, it seems to be succeeding. Three times a widow at 28 years of age, with the 3 deaths suspicious enough to come to the attention of Bow Street, almost penniless and not wishing to be dependent on her stepbrother, she accepts the job of secretary to True, to help him write down his memoirs.
There's a richness and depth to this story that you don't often find in an HR. This hasn't been written in the usual formulaic manner of "boy meets girl, sparks fly, they have lots of sex". There are complex characters and complex relationships here, not only the H/h relationship but also True and his numerous offspring. The writing is exquisite, humorous at times, somewhat serious at others, but never angst-ridden in that annoying manner of some HRs with tortured heroes. Perhaps True has more reason to be tortured than many a hero I've come across in a romance, but he doesn't let life get him down or feel sorry for himself. Nor does our admirable heroine.
Fresina's characters are a breath of fresh air and her writing is superior to that of most authors of the genre. I truly loved this book and can't wait for the next in the series.
November 9, 2020
11/6/2020 - Oh wow, what a wonderful surprise this was. I'm not sure this would have been on my TBR if not for the Historical Romance Book Club here on GR. Olivia was a fantastic heroine, I rolled my eyes when it said she was widowed 3 times but the author really made it work with her story. I loved her sense of self and practicality. True was also unique, he had a clear voice and although a bit wild he was full of good surprises. The banter and slow build between Oliva and True was delicious, you could see the respect and love forming at a natural pace. I also loved the setting of a secluded castle surrounded by fog and a tempestuous sea. There was a few things I wish were fleshed out more like An epilogue would have been the cherry on top but even without it this made it to my favorites shelf.
10/12/20 The cover photo is the exact same as Leo's Chance.
10/12/20 The cover photo is the exact same as Leo's Chance.
September 10, 2020
My first book by Jayne Fresina. Her style is fresh and original, and a little quirky. I loved the larger-than-life hero, True, and I also liked the heroine, Olivia, although she was not quite as memorable as True. I didn't mind the little bit of mystery running through the book. Overall, a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading the books about the various Deverell children in the future.
June 27, 2017
This was very good. Great characters, well done romance, steamy, funny, with some lovely writing - language and dialogue. Such a pleasant surprise. Thank you for the rec, Lyuda.
Not too much happens in this book, it’s very character driven, but it all works because they’re both so very, very good.
True (I like this book so much, I can’t even hate the name) is a proper scoundrel, a rake, a working-class boy done good. And he’s actually all those things, rather than just apparently all of those things.
Olivia is a plain, self-possessed, thrice widow trying to make the best of difficult circumstances. She’s clever, wry and witty and a little undone around the edges by life. She is EveryWoman, or at least Every British Woman, ”She really couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. A storm in a teacup. Oops, the tea! Where was her mind today?”
Olivia, always intrigued by True, takes a job as his secretary, directed to take a note of his scandalous life story. And so, the rake is slowly undone by the plain widow. And it somehow avoids cliche! Miracle. It’s a great thing to watch True realise that there is a woman for him after all, unravelling all his long held beliefs and hang ups, and to see Olivia live and love after a series of trials. The romance is done wonderfully well. And the chemistry is off the charts (the latter undoubtedly being connected to the former, and vice versa).
The writing is often funny (gently so, but it amused me), as are some of the incidents (I am juvenile enough to find the image of a naked man with a bonnet tied around his tackle giggle-worthy).
At points the imagery is rather lovely, almost poetic:
”The amber tinted image of this woman standing in his scullery, arms above her head, returned again like a flame struck into being, flaring and stretching.”
”… the moist air clinging to everything like a very fine shroud of damp lace.”
So, why not five stars? It just isn’t. It didn’t click sufficiently for me and I am not sure I’ll re-read it, which is perhaps slightly surprising. Also, for all that chemistry, the consummation was: a let down.
Definitely returning to Fresina though.
Not too much happens in this book, it’s very character driven, but it all works because they’re both so very, very good.
True (I like this book so much, I can’t even hate the name) is a proper scoundrel, a rake, a working-class boy done good. And he’s actually all those things, rather than just apparently all of those things.
Olivia is a plain, self-possessed, thrice widow trying to make the best of difficult circumstances. She’s clever, wry and witty and a little undone around the edges by life. She is EveryWoman, or at least Every British Woman, ”She really couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. A storm in a teacup. Oops, the tea! Where was her mind today?”
Olivia, always intrigued by True, takes a job as his secretary, directed to take a note of his scandalous life story. And so, the rake is slowly undone by the plain widow. And it somehow avoids cliche! Miracle. It’s a great thing to watch True realise that there is a woman for him after all, unravelling all his long held beliefs and hang ups, and to see Olivia live and love after a series of trials. The romance is done wonderfully well. And the chemistry is off the charts (the latter undoubtedly being connected to the former, and vice versa).
The writing is often funny (gently so, but it amused me), as are some of the incidents (I am juvenile enough to find the image of a naked man with a bonnet tied around his tackle giggle-worthy).
At points the imagery is rather lovely, almost poetic:
”The amber tinted image of this woman standing in his scullery, arms above her head, returned again like a flame struck into being, flaring and stretching.”
”… the moist air clinging to everything like a very fine shroud of damp lace.”
So, why not five stars? It just isn’t. It didn’t click sufficiently for me and I am not sure I’ll re-read it, which is perhaps slightly surprising. Also, for all that chemistry, the consummation was: a let down.
Definitely returning to Fresina though.
April 13, 2021
"True Deverell. Even his name sounded as if it ought to be whispered. It slipped off the tongue like a silky sheet from a bare thigh."
**Synopsis:**
True has decided to write his memoirs and hires a secretary to assist him. When Olivia shows up, to say she is not what True expected would be an understatement.
”Perhaps she was not only meant to help write his story, but to be a part of it too.”
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
- True’s youth was a bit horrific, but it didn’t defeat him and the author didn’t dwell on it. I liked that I knew he rose above his circumstances but wasn’t bogged down in details.
- The dry sense of humor was amusing
- Quite a slow burn, but I think it was warranted.
- True’s care of his children (or his litter or his cubs as he liked to call them) showed his real character. It didn’t matter if they were legitimate or illegitimate, they were all treated with respect and provided for
- I liked the way the little twist unfolded. I thought it was a fitting end to that particular character :)
**Overview:**
- Trigger warning: None
- Setting: Cornwall, England 1842
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: historical, age gap
- Who is the Hero? True (age: 44). He is the owner of an exclusive gaming club, has quite a few children and a very unusual youth. I liked True quite a bit.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Hero: rich as Croesus, scoundrel, rake, wicked, reprobate, quick mind, fascinating, determined, a survivor, good with numbers, stubborn, very perceptive, honest
- Who is the Heroine? Olivia (age: 28). She has been married three times (twelve days, three months and almost five years with the last husband). She was content, but I wouldn’t say any were true love matches. Olivia had a backbone and I liked her.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Heroine: has a sharp tongue, frugal, bold, adaptable, capable, doesn't run from a challenge, opinionated, headstrong, determined, impulsive
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 42%
- First time they sleep together: 85%
- First time they say I Love You 99%
- steamy? A little bit
- OW/OM drama? True has an ex wife that makes a few appearances but the ex wasn’t a factor in their romance
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? No
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? No
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? I smirked a little. There was some dry humor
- Did I swoon? Not really
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? HFN
- Epilogue? No
- Recommend? True and Olivia were a bit unique and I enjoyed that
**Quotes**
"The lady assures me she is always punctual, sir. And I suspect she is, in the same way that indigestion is prompt after bad oysters."
“That is why they call us the weaker sex. It's fortunate we have men and corsets to keep us in our place or we might explode into little pieces."
“He'd never seen such a miserable gown. The color hovered in some purgatory between raincloud and ditchwater, and it looked as if the pieces of it were cut to a pattern of indifference, then stitched with resentment.”
“I hope you're not frightened by ghosts, Mrs. Monday." "Good heavens, no. I'm on their side. Who would possibly pass up the chance to get a little spirited vengeance on those who once plagued them?"
**Synopsis:**
True has decided to write his memoirs and hires a secretary to assist him. When Olivia shows up, to say she is not what True expected would be an understatement.
”Perhaps she was not only meant to help write his story, but to be a part of it too.”
** The following are my thoughts about this book: **
- True’s youth was a bit horrific, but it didn’t defeat him and the author didn’t dwell on it. I liked that I knew he rose above his circumstances but wasn’t bogged down in details.
- The dry sense of humor was amusing
- Quite a slow burn, but I think it was warranted.
- True’s care of his children (or his litter or his cubs as he liked to call them) showed his real character. It didn’t matter if they were legitimate or illegitimate, they were all treated with respect and provided for
- I liked the way the little twist unfolded. I thought it was a fitting end to that particular character :)
**Overview:**
- Trigger warning: None
- Setting: Cornwall, England 1842
- POV: Dual POV
- Tropes: historical, age gap
- Who is the Hero? True (age: 44). He is the owner of an exclusive gaming club, has quite a few children and a very unusual youth. I liked True quite a bit.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Hero: rich as Croesus, scoundrel, rake, wicked, reprobate, quick mind, fascinating, determined, a survivor, good with numbers, stubborn, very perceptive, honest
- Who is the Heroine? Olivia (age: 28). She has been married three times (twelve days, three months and almost five years with the last husband). She was content, but I wouldn’t say any were true love matches. Olivia had a backbone and I liked her.
* The following words/phrases were used to describe Heroine: has a sharp tongue, frugal, bold, adaptable, capable, doesn't run from a challenge, opinionated, headstrong, determined, impulsive
- h virgin? No
- First time they kiss: 42%
- First time they sleep together: 85%
- First time they say I Love You 99%
- steamy? A little bit
- OW/OM drama? True has an ex wife that makes a few appearances but the ex wasn’t a factor in their romance
- H/h cheat? No
- Time apart? No
- Did I skip pages? No
- Big secrets? No
- Did I cry? No
- Did I laugh? I smirked a little. There was some dry humor
- Did I swoon? Not really
- Cliffhanger? No
- HEA? HFN
- Epilogue? No
- Recommend? True and Olivia were a bit unique and I enjoyed that
**Quotes**
"The lady assures me she is always punctual, sir. And I suspect she is, in the same way that indigestion is prompt after bad oysters."
“That is why they call us the weaker sex. It's fortunate we have men and corsets to keep us in our place or we might explode into little pieces."
“He'd never seen such a miserable gown. The color hovered in some purgatory between raincloud and ditchwater, and it looked as if the pieces of it were cut to a pattern of indifference, then stitched with resentment.”
“I hope you're not frightened by ghosts, Mrs. Monday." "Good heavens, no. I'm on their side. Who would possibly pass up the chance to get a little spirited vengeance on those who once plagued them?"
December 8, 2020
3.5 stars
The quirky writing is fun but not too compelling. I liked but didn’t love it. I think it was lacking some emotional intensity to raise it to the next level for me. Fun leads and interesting setup. There was some unnecessary craziness to the plot toward the end, in my opinion. Extra plot developments like that were not needed in the unusual setup that was this book.
I would read more in the series. Might depend on mood.
The quirky writing is fun but not too compelling. I liked but didn’t love it. I think it was lacking some emotional intensity to raise it to the next level for me. Fun leads and interesting setup. There was some unnecessary craziness to the plot toward the end, in my opinion. Extra plot developments like that were not needed in the unusual setup that was this book.
I would read more in the series. Might depend on mood.
January 20, 2021
3.5 stars Olivia and True. This is a Contemporary Romance disguised as an Historical Romance.
True, the hero: is 44 ish, divorced, lots of children ages 14 and up (one before married, some from his wife and some from his mistress. (Two of the children-one from his wife and one from his mistress who are the same age.) True provides for all his children. He even attempts to set up Storm with Olivia because she is closer to Storm's age.
Olivia, the heroine, is 28, widowed three times. True wants to have sex with her because lets face it his type would have sex with anyone and she is around. He even makes several comments about her plain looks in front of Olivia. So imagine my surprise later on when he finds her beautiful but won't tell her.
The infamous separated by 10 years trope is in here too. Though it was just him tripping over her it made and impact when she was 18 years old. An even greater impact on her was something that she said as a child about him.
In true contemporary fashion. This is sort of a happy for now story. Towards the end when the hero asks Olivia to marry him. She says no. Then a little later the heroine asks True to marry her...and his answer is for her to wait until she is 30. Again, making this modern, by her willing to live with him no marriage or worrying about any of her possible children being born out of wedlock. There is a contrived reason for him saying no, but it does not make sense. So their HFN is weak for me. When hero is a guy who will have prostitutes rowed over from shore to relieve his itch or who is willing to "tup" anything I need a Happy Ever After for me with that time honored tradition of marriage. (Especially in an Historical Romance-hfn is one of the reasons I do not read CR much.)
True, the hero: is 44 ish, divorced, lots of children ages 14 and up (one before married, some from his wife and some from his mistress. (Two of the children-one from his wife and one from his mistress who are the same age.) True provides for all his children. He even attempts to set up Storm with Olivia because she is closer to Storm's age.
Olivia, the heroine, is 28, widowed three times. True wants to have sex with her because lets face it his type would have sex with anyone and she is around. He even makes several comments about her plain looks in front of Olivia. So imagine my surprise later on when he finds her beautiful but won't tell her.
The infamous separated by 10 years trope is in here too. Though it was just him tripping over her it made and impact when she was 18 years old. An even greater impact on her was something that she said as a child about him.
In true contemporary fashion. This is sort of a happy for now story. Towards the end when the hero asks Olivia to marry him. She says no. Then a little later the heroine asks True to marry her...and his answer is for her to wait until she is 30. Again, making this modern, by her willing to live with him no marriage or worrying about any of her possible children being born out of wedlock. There is a contrived reason for him saying no, but it does not make sense. So their HFN is weak for me. When hero is a guy who will have prostitutes rowed over from shore to relieve his itch or who is willing to "tup" anything I need a Happy Ever After for me with that time honored tradition of marriage. (Especially in an Historical Romance-hfn is one of the reasons I do not read CR much.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2020
DNF just under 50%. I really like the author and her prose and wit but these characters did not appeal to me. The hero was especially off-putting with his multitude of children by alternatingly mistresses and wife. In addition he was insulting and arrogant and not ashamed to admit that he was happy to use women, who offered themselves to be used. The heroine fared marginally better but after 3 husbands, she had proven herself not particularly discerning or wise with her choices. Despite that, she was not exactly dismissive of the hero's physical advances showing that she had learnt very little about caution and self-preservation.
December 26, 2019
I liked it. more to come, I think, once I sort it all out
3.5
3.5
October 26, 2020
4+ "Strange Creature" Stars!
I really enjoyed this "true story". It was a bit of a slow burn, but it was well worth the "wait". Both True and Olivia were compelling characters. I enjoyed seeing their story develope, and this was a bit of a different kind of Historical Romance. Both main characters are quite unconventional for their time. I'm definitely going to continue the series.
I really enjoyed this "true story". It was a bit of a slow burn, but it was well worth the "wait". Both True and Olivia were compelling characters. I enjoyed seeing their story develope, and this was a bit of a different kind of Historical Romance. Both main characters are quite unconventional for their time. I'm definitely going to continue the series.
December 19, 2020
2.5 Stars
This book wasn’t terrible, but I probably won’t be reading additional books in this series. Overall, the writing style wasn’t enjoyable for me. There wasn't anything I inherently disliked about the characters, but I didn’t enjoy the dialogue and some of the interactions. They often felt odd and not organic. I also found Olivia’s character inconsistent. Her words versus her actions. I had considered quitting, but was later pulled into the mystery thread. Unfortunately, even that had a contrived and convenient ending. Ultimately, this just wasn’t my style.
May 27, 2022
When I wrote a review for Fresina's "The Snow Birds", I expressed an interest in being able to write and be as clever as Jayne Fresina...with this review I am going to aim higher. Why would I want the tedious task of trying to write a book with the skill of Fresina? What I really want is to be a character in one of her books, specifically this book as Olivia. I am willing to go back to the 1840s and spend some time with that loveable scoundrel True Deverell. Sure he is a bit bold and impulsive with a wicked sense of humor, but that is what I love about him. He is also loyal to those he cares about and a loving father. There is one difference I would make with my version of Olivia. I am quite sure I will not be able to hold out until the 80% mark before I totally succumb to his many charms. At least the 50% mark...after all, I am not sure how long I will be able to stay.
So glad I finally got around to reading True Story...not sure what took me so long!
So glad I finally got around to reading True Story...not sure what took me so long!
January 10, 2018
This book fell more into the B range for me, surprisingly, though it did have a number of unique traits that definitely pushes it out of the realm of ordinary romances. Olivia Monday, the heroine, is a wonderful contrast of pragmatic to a fault but romantic and long suffering too. She's also a rather buttoned up lady on the outside while internally lusty and irreverent. I liked her! I also never really could anticipate how she was going to react, what she was going to do, or how she was going to feel at any given moment. Her back story is equally a mix of outrageous traits and prosaic middle class life. She wants a quiet life being useful to a husband, preferably one she loves, but she's been married three times and she's still in her twenties. The biggest surprise though is that all of her husbands have died mysteriously, bringing her to the attention of a police inspector who is absolutely convinced she's a black widow. It's a bit of an odd book and I haven't even gotten to the hero yet. True Deverall (and no, I never warmed to the name) is equally an enigma and a misfit in his world and quite outrageous in many ways. He's the father of umpteen children, of which I lost count, and from different mothers. He's a self-made wealthy man with a mythical upbringing, some of it real and some imagined, though discerning the difference is a challenge. He's at times gentlemanly and at times thoroughly coarse. Olivia and True are in the end perfectly suited.
While I really did like the incongruities of the characters here, I had some difficulty with the timing and pacing of the story. Some scenes, especially long conversations between Olivia and True, would go on for endless numbers of pages of back and forth witticisms and arguments that felt like being a spectator of a ping pong match, and other scenes that appeared important to the plot would take place within a page or two. Crucial plot points would end abruptly and not return for ages, if at all. I found events at the end of the novel very significant to the book itself but cut short and left open ended. All of this fits in a way with the oddness of the characters here but left me feeling unsettled. I did think that from a romance perspective though, the ending strikes the perfect note.
I would recommend it despite some flaw that bothered me, especially to readers who enjoy unusual romances from an author with a very distinctive voice.
While I really did like the incongruities of the characters here, I had some difficulty with the timing and pacing of the story. Some scenes, especially long conversations between Olivia and True, would go on for endless numbers of pages of back and forth witticisms and arguments that felt like being a spectator of a ping pong match, and other scenes that appeared important to the plot would take place within a page or two. Crucial plot points would end abruptly and not return for ages, if at all. I found events at the end of the novel very significant to the book itself but cut short and left open ended. All of this fits in a way with the oddness of the characters here but left me feeling unsettled. I did think that from a romance perspective though, the ending strikes the perfect note.
I would recommend it despite some flaw that bothered me, especially to readers who enjoy unusual romances from an author with a very distinctive voice.
September 19, 2015
Long journey to an abrupt ending.
About fifty percent of this book is slow-moving and tedious especially since it is told from two perspectives, that of Olivia and True. While the author does a better job than some with this double perspective, I still found it repetitive. The best written parts were True's flashbacks to his abandonment and tumultuous fight for survival as a feral child essentially raised by animals.
I never understood Olivia's passivity with regard to the members of her family who seemed to go out of their way to criticize and demean her. I know that women weren't as likely to speak up for themselves during this era, but her meekness seems extreme to me. I really didn't understand the motivations for two of her three marriages and I didn't completely understand why she held herself apart from True quite as long as she did. In short, Olivia's character didn't make a lot of sense to me.
The pace last half of the book picks up with a couple of revelations and a little mystery. I suppose what put me off was what felt like an abrupt ending. As long as it took to develop the relationship between True and Olivia it was almost as if the author got tired of writing and wanted the book to just end. I have to say that the suddenness of the ending and the unemotional nature of it left me flatly disappointed.
Bottom line: I liked the character of True, found Olivia fairly uninteresting and was left with a strong feeling of dissatisfaction when the story ended.
About fifty percent of this book is slow-moving and tedious especially since it is told from two perspectives, that of Olivia and True. While the author does a better job than some with this double perspective, I still found it repetitive. The best written parts were True's flashbacks to his abandonment and tumultuous fight for survival as a feral child essentially raised by animals.
I never understood Olivia's passivity with regard to the members of her family who seemed to go out of their way to criticize and demean her. I know that women weren't as likely to speak up for themselves during this era, but her meekness seems extreme to me. I really didn't understand the motivations for two of her three marriages and I didn't completely understand why she held herself apart from True quite as long as she did. In short, Olivia's character didn't make a lot of sense to me.
The pace last half of the book picks up with a couple of revelations and a little mystery. I suppose what put me off was what felt like an abrupt ending. As long as it took to develop the relationship between True and Olivia it was almost as if the author got tired of writing and wanted the book to just end. I have to say that the suddenness of the ending and the unemotional nature of it left me flatly disappointed.
Bottom line: I liked the character of True, found Olivia fairly uninteresting and was left with a strong feeling of dissatisfaction when the story ended.
November 13, 2020
This is my first read by Jane Fresina and I found "True Story" to be very refreshing. I loved the unconventional True, and Olivia was a hit or miss as the H pretty much was a standout. A a very enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
November 8, 2020
4.5 stars
February 4, 2020
I know that a lot of reviewers who like real Historical Romance gave this very high marks, but there was just too much going on for me. I was worn out at the end, and not in a good way. It is very character driven, which I love, but I guess I have to love the characters too. But I don't regret reading, hence the 3 stars.
September 27, 2015
4.5 stars
July 15, 2023
3.5 stars
My first book by this author and definitely won’t be the last. Within two pages I was thinking, “Hey, this is good writing.” I was intrigued. Chapter two established the character of True so well—and a fascinating character he is—that you couldn’t have pried me off this book with a crowbar.
The writing remained sublime throughout the book. Here’s a little gem from the opening of Chapter 5, when True meets his new Secretary:
“He’d never seen such a miserable gown. The color hovered in some purgatory between raincloud and ditchwater, and it looked as if the pieces of it were cut to a pattern of indifference, then stitched with resentment.”
Happy sigh.
As far as characterization, True is unique, fully realized, complicated, and frequently needs to be slapped upside the head. Olivia is less fully drawn, and I have unanswered questions about her such as HOW the mouthy girl from Chapter 1 ended up being so prim and withdrawn by the time she showed up at True’s castle in Cornwall, WHY she docilely submitted to the constraints of life with third husband William Monday and even honored his memory, WHY her father allowed her to marry into penury, WHY he didn’t tell her about her inheritance. Too many unanswered questions remaining about a character at the end of a book.
The plot is a little too loose and meanders about as it moves forward, but the meandering is entertaining and it builds logically.
Then, unbelievably, the author fumbles the ball on the 3-yard-line. Seriously. It would be hard to imagine how an ending could fizzle worse than the ending of this book. It’s almost like the author realized she only had fifteen minutes left to finish the book and just dashed off a conclusion in a hurry. It was disappointing enough for me to drop a 5-star rating to 3.5 stars.
My first book by this author and definitely won’t be the last. Within two pages I was thinking, “Hey, this is good writing.” I was intrigued. Chapter two established the character of True so well—and a fascinating character he is—that you couldn’t have pried me off this book with a crowbar.
The writing remained sublime throughout the book. Here’s a little gem from the opening of Chapter 5, when True meets his new Secretary:
“He’d never seen such a miserable gown. The color hovered in some purgatory between raincloud and ditchwater, and it looked as if the pieces of it were cut to a pattern of indifference, then stitched with resentment.”
Happy sigh.
As far as characterization, True is unique, fully realized, complicated, and frequently needs to be slapped upside the head. Olivia is less fully drawn, and I have unanswered questions about her such as HOW the mouthy girl from Chapter 1 ended up being so prim and withdrawn by the time she showed up at True’s castle in Cornwall, WHY she docilely submitted to the constraints of life with third husband William Monday and even honored his memory, WHY her father allowed her to marry into penury, WHY he didn’t tell her about her inheritance. Too many unanswered questions remaining about a character at the end of a book.
The plot is a little too loose and meanders about as it moves forward, but the meandering is entertaining and it builds logically.
Then, unbelievably, the author fumbles the ball on the 3-yard-line. Seriously. It would be hard to imagine how an ending could fizzle worse than the ending of this book. It’s almost like the author realized she only had fifteen minutes left to finish the book and just dashed off a conclusion in a hurry. It was disappointing enough for me to drop a 5-star rating to 3.5 stars.
January 14, 2026
Jayne Fresina doesn't write the same books as everyone else. Which is why you should read them. Unfortunately, this is just the first of a possible 8 book series which will probably be published at a rate of only one per year. I hate waiting. I really should discover excellent writers only after they have completed their life's work. More fool me.
Usually, I do not purchase the books I read. We have a good library and I visit often. Foolishly, our library only has 2 of Fresina's works. Just enough to whet my appetite. This book, I own.
Usually, I do not purchase the books I read. We have a good library and I visit often. Foolishly, our library only has 2 of Fresina's works. Just enough to whet my appetite. This book, I own.
November 16, 2020
Absolutely loved this book! If not for my book club I wouldn’t have known it existed. The characters are well defined, wonderful chemistry. They both have flaws and work through them, but it’s not so drawn out that you get bored. I was rooting for them the whole time, and it kept me guessing.
October 17, 2015
I haven't read many HR books lately. I'm very happy to have picked this one to read. Very original style- the story grabbed me from the start. The H, True, and the h, Olivia "meet" each other on the very first page.
It's 1832, and True knocks Olivia over and proceeds to yell at her for getting in his way. Olivia recognizes True Deverell-everyone knows (of) True Deverell! Olivia is warned to stay away from him.
Olivia is pretty much told what to do by virtually everyone in her family. Olivia does have a spunky side to her, which gets her criticized even more. Ladies just don't talk and act like Olivia!
Ten years later, Olivia is 28 and widowed for the 3RD TIME! Olivia's father has passed away and her step brother Christopher continues to "look after" her. He really just bosses her around and demeans her. She's 'just a woman' is all she ever hears. Olivia realizes that she may never find love again. Her father's business partner Mr Chalke finds her a position as a secretary to True Deverell, at his estate in Cornwall.
True's estate is very remote, on a rocky cliff isolated by the high tides.
There is a lot of similarities to Jane Eyre. I really enjoyed that about the book. The two tortured souls really applied to True and Olivia. The POV is 3rd person, alternating between True and Olivia-it was done seamlessly -so the transition flowed very well. Olivia dresses very drab and has old beat up shoes-which drives True to distraction.
He starts to discretely notice that Olivia is hiding her beauty. True hired Olivia to write his memoirs for his many children. He knows that there are many rumors about him and wants his real (True) story told. True has adult children from his exwife Charlotte, whom he divorced 10 years before. He also has children from his deceased mistress. Charlotte is a real bitch and continues to throw verbal barbs at True. Fortunately, she doesn't live near True's Cornwall estate.
There was a little slow part in the middle when True and Olivia were fighting their attraction to each other. Some mundane details dragged the story a little. The steam was in the second half.
The last 1/3 of the book picked up and had some suspense element to it. The ironic twist again parallels Jane Eyre. There is an HFN/HEA. I will probably read the second book Storm which is about one of True's illegitimate sons. I liked Storm's role in this book, so I'm curious about his book.
I took off for some modern phrases: "letting it slide", etc. I don't mind when there's some modern adaptations, but that was a big stand out. The weak climatic confrontation at the end was disappointing, IMO.
I wanted MORE for Olivia and for True. The characters were the strong point for me.
4.5 stars.
It's 1832, and True knocks Olivia over and proceeds to yell at her for getting in his way. Olivia recognizes True Deverell-everyone knows (of) True Deverell! Olivia is warned to stay away from him.
Olivia is pretty much told what to do by virtually everyone in her family. Olivia does have a spunky side to her, which gets her criticized even more. Ladies just don't talk and act like Olivia!
Ten years later, Olivia is 28 and widowed for the 3RD TIME! Olivia's father has passed away and her step brother Christopher continues to "look after" her. He really just bosses her around and demeans her. She's 'just a woman' is all she ever hears. Olivia realizes that she may never find love again. Her father's business partner Mr Chalke finds her a position as a secretary to True Deverell, at his estate in Cornwall.
True's estate is very remote, on a rocky cliff isolated by the high tides.
There is a lot of similarities to Jane Eyre. I really enjoyed that about the book. The two tortured souls really applied to True and Olivia. The POV is 3rd person, alternating between True and Olivia-it was done seamlessly -so the transition flowed very well. Olivia dresses very drab and has old beat up shoes-which drives True to distraction.
He starts to discretely notice that Olivia is hiding her beauty. True hired Olivia to write his memoirs for his many children. He knows that there are many rumors about him and wants his real (True) story told. True has adult children from his exwife Charlotte, whom he divorced 10 years before. He also has children from his deceased mistress. Charlotte is a real bitch and continues to throw verbal barbs at True. Fortunately, she doesn't live near True's Cornwall estate.
There was a little slow part in the middle when True and Olivia were fighting their attraction to each other. Some mundane details dragged the story a little. The steam was in the second half.
The last 1/3 of the book picked up and had some suspense element to it. The ironic twist again parallels Jane Eyre. There is an HFN/HEA. I will probably read the second book Storm which is about one of True's illegitimate sons. I liked Storm's role in this book, so I'm curious about his book.
I took off for some modern phrases: "letting it slide", etc. I don't mind when there's some modern adaptations, but that was a big stand out. The weak climatic confrontation at the end was disappointing, IMO.
I wanted MORE for Olivia and for True. The characters were the strong point for me.
4.5 stars.
March 30, 2021
I've never heard of this author before this book popped up here on my goodreads feed, but she seems rather prolific. I think there's what? 5 books in the series alone and she's got many other series and books by the look of it.
She begins the series with True Deverell, the father of a large brood and he only in his 40's. Here he finally meets his match in decidedly plain jane Olivia Monday whom he hired through a third person to help write his memoirs.
Olivia is a mystery to him that soon becomes an obsession he cannot resist as she is probably the only woman that resists him, a rake and rogue as rumor would have it.
Olivia herself, thrice widowed, is not looking for another husband, but True Deverell has always tempted her out of hiding behind spectacles and she's decided he might just be the one to make her think twice about marrying again.
True is indeed rough around the edges, practically raised by wolves, but he's also good and well, true. He's also rude, oddly not serious much of time, and unfiltered and arrogant and I think much of his words had a subtext of sarcasm that some might miss. Still, I found I liked him every bit as much as Olivia did. He is rather a take-chargey alpha male after all.
To be honest there's not much to this book, mostly them spending time longing for eachother with hidden glances, but there is a bit of a mystery about her dead husbands. Again, not much of one. Still, I found myself enjoying the sexual tension. And I also loved how it was she who broke that tension by taking charge of her own wants and desires. I'm just not sure I'm interested in reading on in the series as I felt quite satisfied with their story and have little interest in reading about his kids love stories.
She begins the series with True Deverell, the father of a large brood and he only in his 40's. Here he finally meets his match in decidedly plain jane Olivia Monday whom he hired through a third person to help write his memoirs.
Olivia is a mystery to him that soon becomes an obsession he cannot resist as she is probably the only woman that resists him, a rake and rogue as rumor would have it.
Olivia herself, thrice widowed, is not looking for another husband, but True Deverell has always tempted her out of hiding behind spectacles and she's decided he might just be the one to make her think twice about marrying again.
True is indeed rough around the edges, practically raised by wolves, but he's also good and well, true. He's also rude, oddly not serious much of time, and unfiltered and arrogant and I think much of his words had a subtext of sarcasm that some might miss. Still, I found I liked him every bit as much as Olivia did. He is rather a take-chargey alpha male after all.
To be honest there's not much to this book, mostly them spending time longing for eachother with hidden glances, but there is a bit of a mystery about her dead husbands. Again, not much of one. Still, I found myself enjoying the sexual tension. And I also loved how it was she who broke that tension by taking charge of her own wants and desires. I'm just not sure I'm interested in reading on in the series as I felt quite satisfied with their story and have little interest in reading about his kids love stories.
March 21, 2017
Even if it usually involves a whole lot of DNFing, I like taking chances on new-to-me-authors, and this time I got lucky and hit the jackpot! I loved this book! It was everything a good historical romance should be, but with the added bonus of having a bit of an edge to it.
The writing was wonderful - full of great vocabulary and expressions, and Ms. Fresina really took the time to build True and Olivia's relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed their long, banter-filled conversations that had me laughing out loud quite a few times. And the characters themselves! Both True and Olivia were strong, complex, and set in their ways, and I loved watching them evolve as they came to grips with their feelings for each other.
Perhaps if I had to complain, it would be about the way the sub-plot was wrapped up in the very end. But don't let that put you off, because the vast majority of this story was well-thought out and revealed perfectly. A great find!
The writing was wonderful - full of great vocabulary and expressions, and Ms. Fresina really took the time to build True and Olivia's relationship. I thoroughly enjoyed their long, banter-filled conversations that had me laughing out loud quite a few times. And the characters themselves! Both True and Olivia were strong, complex, and set in their ways, and I loved watching them evolve as they came to grips with their feelings for each other.
Perhaps if I had to complain, it would be about the way the sub-plot was wrapped up in the very end. But don't let that put you off, because the vast majority of this story was well-thought out and revealed perfectly. A great find!
September 4, 2015
I really liked this book, and would highly recommend it! The two Main Characters are a
delightful surprise! True starts out as a Rake of sorts. He doesn't care what anyone has to say
about him. Working with Olivia, He helps her to come out of her shell. They are very funny and I am glad they found each other. This is the first book of Jayne Fresina that I have read and will be
looking forward to reading more of her books!
delightful surprise! True starts out as a Rake of sorts. He doesn't care what anyone has to say
about him. Working with Olivia, He helps her to come out of her shell. They are very funny and I am glad they found each other. This is the first book of Jayne Fresina that I have read and will be
looking forward to reading more of her books!
August 24, 2015
I loved this book. It seems that each book I read by this author simply wows me. True is complex, contradictory and confusing - and absolutely captivating. He is my favorite hero thusfar, and his untraditional, blatant method of courtship had me wiping my brow. I loved the fact that Olivia's character, not her decolletage, enthralled him. I loved that she saw beneath his playful, seductive facade to the wonderful man beneath. Definitely a keeper.
March 23, 2018
The pacing was a little off (that was quite the abrupt and dramatic ending!) but I really enjoyed these characters and their banter.
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