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Must Love #2
Must Love Chainmail
Trapped in the wrong time, she needs a knight in shining armor, but this damsel in distress might be the real savior.
A damsel in distress...
With a day planner attached to her hip, the last thing Katy Tolson wants is a romance that threatens her well-ordered life. She's set to marry the safe--but bland--guy, but something's not quite...right. A careless wish thrusts her through time into medieval Wales and into the arms of...
A knight in somewhat shining armor...
Sir Robert Beucol, half-Norman and half-Welsh, lives with the shame of his father's treason and vows to reclaim his family's holdings and thereby his honor. To prove himself to his king, he must be more Norman than a full-blooded Norman. What better way to show loyalty than to fight his mother's people? He has no desire to be sidetracked by the mysterious wench with pink toenails, peculiar habits, and passion smoldering behind her cool, collected exterior.
A rebellion that challenges both...
The Welsh uprising fits perfectly into Robert’s plans. Katy’s on the other hand? That’s a no. As they embark on a perilous journey through the heart of Wales, each passionate encounter pulls them closer together, but farther from their goals. When everything they value is at stake, can they save each other and their love?
A damsel in distress...
With a day planner attached to her hip, the last thing Katy Tolson wants is a romance that threatens her well-ordered life. She's set to marry the safe--but bland--guy, but something's not quite...right. A careless wish thrusts her through time into medieval Wales and into the arms of...
A knight in somewhat shining armor...
Sir Robert Beucol, half-Norman and half-Welsh, lives with the shame of his father's treason and vows to reclaim his family's holdings and thereby his honor. To prove himself to his king, he must be more Norman than a full-blooded Norman. What better way to show loyalty than to fight his mother's people? He has no desire to be sidetracked by the mysterious wench with pink toenails, peculiar habits, and passion smoldering behind her cool, collected exterior.
A rebellion that challenges both...
The Welsh uprising fits perfectly into Robert’s plans. Katy’s on the other hand? That’s a no. As they embark on a perilous journey through the heart of Wales, each passionate encounter pulls them closer together, but farther from their goals. When everything they value is at stake, can they save each other and their love?
278 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2015
64 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
About the author
Angela Quarles
17 books524 followersAn avid reader herself, Angela Quarles writes books she'd like to read--laugh-out-loud, smart romances that suck you into her worlds and won't let you go until you reach The End.
~Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1sde3Qi
~Facebook: http://on.fb.me/VMFT3L
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She is a RWA RITA® award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, time travel, and steampunk romance. Library Journal named her steampunk, Steam Me Up, Rawley, Best Self-Published Romance of 2015 and Must Love Chainmail won the 2016 RITA® Award in the paranormal category, the first indie to win in that category. Angela loves history, folklore, and family history and combined it with her active imagination to write stories of romance and adventure.
~Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1sde3Qi
~Facebook: http://on.fb.me/VMFT3L
~Twitter: http://bit.ly/Se5gQ0
~Website: http://bit.ly/VMFK00
~Blog: http://bit.ly/WkQbXG
~Amazon: http://bit.ly/AngelaQuarles
~BookBub:: http://bit.ly/2xVWYFe
She is a RWA RITA® award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, time travel, and steampunk romance. Library Journal named her steampunk, Steam Me Up, Rawley, Best Self-Published Romance of 2015 and Must Love Chainmail won the 2016 RITA® Award in the paranormal category, the first indie to win in that category. Angela loves history, folklore, and family history and combined it with her active imagination to write stories of romance and adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
September 13, 2016
Must Love Chainmail (Must Love Time Travel, #2) is another great addition to this series! Angela Quarles knows how to write fun, romantic, well plotted and educational time-travel romance novels that are nearly impossible to put down. (I have previously read books #1 and #3 in this series for review and had to go back and read this one on my own.)
Katy Tolson cannot be without her smart phone or day planner. She must have order and control in all thing in her life. In just a few weeks she will be getting married, but first she is pulled emotionally to Wales with her bridesmaids for a pre-wedding trip. A wish she didn’t mean to make on her friend Isabelle’s calling card case sends her back to medieval Wales into the middle of a rebellion.
Sir Robert Beucol is a knight set on serving his King and regaining his family’s honor and the lands his father’s treason lost. Half-Norman and half-Welsh, he always has to be better than full-blooded Normans. He is about to show his complete loyalty by fighting his mother’s people when a strange and mysterious wench appears suddenly in his life.
This book has interesting history. A plot that takes Katy and Robert physically across Wales during a rebellion and emotionally both have to make major decisions about what they truly value most. The romance grows at a believable pace and the sex is well written and integrated into the story beautifully. This is definitely a must read series for me. I can’t wait to read book #4!
Katy Tolson cannot be without her smart phone or day planner. She must have order and control in all thing in her life. In just a few weeks she will be getting married, but first she is pulled emotionally to Wales with her bridesmaids for a pre-wedding trip. A wish she didn’t mean to make on her friend Isabelle’s calling card case sends her back to medieval Wales into the middle of a rebellion.
Sir Robert Beucol is a knight set on serving his King and regaining his family’s honor and the lands his father’s treason lost. Half-Norman and half-Welsh, he always has to be better than full-blooded Normans. He is about to show his complete loyalty by fighting his mother’s people when a strange and mysterious wench appears suddenly in his life.
This book has interesting history. A plot that takes Katy and Robert physically across Wales during a rebellion and emotionally both have to make major decisions about what they truly value most. The romance grows at a believable pace and the sex is well written and integrated into the story beautifully. This is definitely a must read series for me. I can’t wait to read book #4!
April 28, 2022
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person with the majority from the heroine’s perspective
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
You don’t have to. There’s some mentions of the first book’s heroine and how she traveled back in time and ‘left’ the heroine of this book. But overall I don’t think you need to read it, it doesn’t really establish how the special item they use to time travel works so you won’t be missing any major world build up for it.
Basic plot:
Katy is having her bachelorette adventure with her girlfriends when she’s thrown back in time to medieval Wales.
Give this a try if you want:
- 1294 Wales (I could be a few years off on this time period, it might be 1292 – I already returned my library book so if anyone wants to check I’d love that!)
- American, contemporary heroine/Welsh, medieval hero
- Hero nurses heroine back to health
- Heroine disguised as a lad trope
- Marriage of necessity
- Secret identity
- Road trip romance
My thoughts:
There was a lot I really enjoyed about this book! And some things that I didn’t love. But overall I found it a fun time travel. I liked the characters, I liked the plot, loved the steamy scenes. I think I’ll probably read the next one in the series too.
The things I struggled with – I wanted the heroine’s relationship with her fiance established better or at least what she wasn’t in love with about him. Because all we really got was that he had to call her about a wedding question and it just seemed a little extreme, her reaction, not having any background other than that. I felt a bit bad for him haha.
I wanted a bit more character depth throughout the journey. At the end, I still felt like I didn’t really know either main character super well, though maybe the hero had a bit more depth than the heroine. I think part of this was the fact that they didn’t understand each other for much of the first half the book so a lot of the plot was outside battles and road trip danger. I also could have used more time in the hero’s head.
Still, this book had so, SO much that I have been craving lately. A Welsh hero! Language barrier challenges. Medieval time! And I am always up for some road trip romance and time travel.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes
Perspective: third person with the majority from the heroine’s perspective
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (yours ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and Tartans Book Club )
Should I read in order?
You don’t have to. There’s some mentions of the first book’s heroine and how she traveled back in time and ‘left’ the heroine of this book. But overall I don’t think you need to read it, it doesn’t really establish how the special item they use to time travel works so you won’t be missing any major world build up for it.
Basic plot:
Katy is having her bachelorette adventure with her girlfriends when she’s thrown back in time to medieval Wales.
Give this a try if you want:
- 1294 Wales (I could be a few years off on this time period, it might be 1292 – I already returned my library book so if anyone wants to check I’d love that!)
- American, contemporary heroine/Welsh, medieval hero
- Hero nurses heroine back to health
- Heroine disguised as a lad trope
- Marriage of necessity
- Secret identity
- Road trip romance
My thoughts:
There was a lot I really enjoyed about this book! And some things that I didn’t love. But overall I found it a fun time travel. I liked the characters, I liked the plot, loved the steamy scenes. I think I’ll probably read the next one in the series too.
The things I struggled with – I wanted the heroine’s relationship with her fiance established better or at least what she wasn’t in love with about him. Because all we really got was that he had to call her about a wedding question and it just seemed a little extreme, her reaction, not having any background other than that. I felt a bit bad for him haha.
I wanted a bit more character depth throughout the journey. At the end, I still felt like I didn’t really know either main character super well, though maybe the hero had a bit more depth than the heroine. I think part of this was the fact that they didn’t understand each other for much of the first half the book so a lot of the plot was outside battles and road trip danger. I also could have used more time in the hero’s head.
Still, this book had so, SO much that I have been craving lately. A Welsh hero! Language barrier challenges. Medieval time! And I am always up for some road trip romance and time travel.
Content Warnings:
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
March 9, 2019
Audiobook: Narrator – Mary Jane Wells
Although I’ve listened to this narrator before and loved her, I struggled with this narration. However, this had nothing to do with her but all me. This has a lot of accented speech as well as foreign language and my ear could never adjust to it. I’m not ashamed to say I’m a country bumpkin and my ear is just not capable of making words out of the strange sounds that were meant to be words. Despite lowering the speed to unbearable levels I could not make it work. Therefore, I felt like I missed so much of this book because I simply couldn’t understand it.
However, what I was able to understand I enjoyed. The heroine had moments of quirkiness just as I had hoped but as the story progressed they disappeared which I suppose is to be expected considering what was going on around her. I would’ve liked for the hero to be more caveman and protective and while he did possess those qualities it just never rang out as I had hoped it would. What I could follow on the plotline was nice and the steam was about a medium.
Overall, I liked this one well enough but I think I would’ve really enjoyed it had I chosen to read it rather than listen.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Although I’ve listened to this narrator before and loved her, I struggled with this narration. However, this had nothing to do with her but all me. This has a lot of accented speech as well as foreign language and my ear could never adjust to it. I’m not ashamed to say I’m a country bumpkin and my ear is just not capable of making words out of the strange sounds that were meant to be words. Despite lowering the speed to unbearable levels I could not make it work. Therefore, I felt like I missed so much of this book because I simply couldn’t understand it.
However, what I was able to understand I enjoyed. The heroine had moments of quirkiness just as I had hoped but as the story progressed they disappeared which I suppose is to be expected considering what was going on around her. I would’ve liked for the hero to be more caveman and protective and while he did possess those qualities it just never rang out as I had hoped it would. What I could follow on the plotline was nice and the steam was about a medium.
Overall, I liked this one well enough but I think I would’ve really enjoyed it had I chosen to read it rather than listen.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
November 19, 2025
Must Love Chainmail was a marvelously quirky, time traveling romance that captivated me from the start.
Katy is a little schedule OCD. So, when she accidentally whisks herself back in time she must learn how to live without her day planner.
Sir Robert Beucol, is striving for an English family redemption and nothing is going to stand in his way... until a sassy woman dressed as a lad crashes into his plan.
Surviving a treacherous journey across Wales is the least of Robert and Katy's problems when they are faced with the truth behind Welsh uprising.
Both characters must reevaluate their life choices and ultimately decide what do they truly value the most.
Fun, fast and fabulously entertaining, Must Love Chainmail was a simply perfect reading adventure.
I received this copy of Must Love Chainmail from Angela Quarles in exchange for a honest review.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Katy is a little schedule OCD. So, when she accidentally whisks herself back in time she must learn how to live without her day planner.
Sir Robert Beucol, is striving for an English family redemption and nothing is going to stand in his way... until a sassy woman dressed as a lad crashes into his plan.
Surviving a treacherous journey across Wales is the least of Robert and Katy's problems when they are faced with the truth behind Welsh uprising.
Both characters must reevaluate their life choices and ultimately decide what do they truly value the most.
Fun, fast and fabulously entertaining, Must Love Chainmail was a simply perfect reading adventure.
I received this copy of Must Love Chainmail from Angela Quarles in exchange for a honest review.
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
March 11, 2019
May add something later.
August 9, 2015
I received an eARC of The Book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever wondered what would it be like to live in a world and time different from our own? I for once have loved the Victorian England - only if I got to be one of the Spunky Heroines that I read about in historical romances - and as much as I love Scotland, I never once gave a thought to Wales and how it came to be a part of the Commonwealth!
So when I read the blurb of this book, I was immediately intrigued, especially since it had both time travel and uprisings against the King of England :D
But I hadn't realised that this was the second book in the series - while this book can be read as standalone, there were a few references which I believe were from the first book that had me stumped.
I absolutely love the premise of the book - Katy is a control freak. She requires full control over the world and circumstances around her, believing that it is only her control that is responsible for her not losing anyone she loves.
Sir Robert on the other hand is man who has lost his identity - but believes that he can achieve the respect his father lost by redeeming his family name.
Both never figured each other in their plans - both never wanted to lose control over themselves, but that's exactly what happened to their lives and their plans.
Robert learned that it is more important to be honorable to yourself while Katy learned that it is absolutely fine to lose control, especially if it is with the right person.
The only reason this didn't reach 5 Stars for me was the fact that both Robert and Katy didn't know each other's language - but by the half of the book, they seemed to understand each other perfectly, I dont know how that happened or when that happened - Maybe I wasn't paying attention, so I will definitely be revisiting this book again soon!
Also, I will be checking out the first book Must Love Breeches because I need to know what and how this time travelling started!
Have you ever wondered what would it be like to live in a world and time different from our own? I for once have loved the Victorian England - only if I got to be one of the Spunky Heroines that I read about in historical romances - and as much as I love Scotland, I never once gave a thought to Wales and how it came to be a part of the Commonwealth!
So when I read the blurb of this book, I was immediately intrigued, especially since it had both time travel and uprisings against the King of England :D
But I hadn't realised that this was the second book in the series - while this book can be read as standalone, there were a few references which I believe were from the first book that had me stumped.
I absolutely love the premise of the book - Katy is a control freak. She requires full control over the world and circumstances around her, believing that it is only her control that is responsible for her not losing anyone she loves.
Sir Robert on the other hand is man who has lost his identity - but believes that he can achieve the respect his father lost by redeeming his family name.
Both never figured each other in their plans - both never wanted to lose control over themselves, but that's exactly what happened to their lives and their plans.
Robert learned that it is more important to be honorable to yourself while Katy learned that it is absolutely fine to lose control, especially if it is with the right person.
The only reason this didn't reach 5 Stars for me was the fact that both Robert and Katy didn't know each other's language - but by the half of the book, they seemed to understand each other perfectly, I dont know how that happened or when that happened - Maybe I wasn't paying attention, so I will definitely be revisiting this book again soon!
Also, I will be checking out the first book Must Love Breeches because I need to know what and how this time travelling started!
August 7, 2015
His is the first book by Angela Quarles I’ve read and man it will not be the last. I love time travel book especially when they travel to Knights in shining armor. The book is a stand-alone book even though previous characters are incorporated into the story to add to the history of time travel story. Our Heroine is a Katy Tolson who’s about to get married in present day and time and takes her bridesmaids on a trip to Wales. Katie loves her fiancé because he’s stable and dependable, it doesn’t seem they have a real passionate relationship and she begins having uncertain feelings and wonders what a passionate relationship would be like. Our hero is Sir Robert Beucol a half Norman and half Welsh knight. He bears the shame of his father’s treason and vows to reclaim his family’s lands and their honor by proving to the King beyond a doubt he is more Norman than anyone else even going so far as to fight against his Mother’s people. Sir Robert does not know exactly what to make of Katie when she appears during a battle with her peculiar habits and pink toenails. The two have a sizzling, smoldering chemistry which will keep you reading all night long! I loved the story plot, their battle to communicate and, passionate love scenes and the emotional ride this book takes you through. Angela Quarles writes an excellent book with time travel with strong characters and wonderful love scenes with a perfect balance of lust, love and naughtiness. Great book!!! I received this book from NetGally for an honest review.
November 21, 2015
WOW! What a book!
Is it even possible that the second installment of Angela Quarles’ Must Love series can be even better than her first (which I loved by the way)?
From the very first page of Must Love Chainmail, I was hooked. What started out as an “I’ll just read a couple of chapters…” kind of morning, turned into six hours of reading pleasure by becoming completely absorbed into the world Ms. Quarles had created. I have always been partial to time travel romances but throw the plot into medieval times with a knight and shining armor and…well…what’s not to love?
This story didn’t disappoint this reader and will become a favorite of mine that I will read again and again. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. If I could have rated it 10 stars, I would have gladly done so.
Is it even possible that the second installment of Angela Quarles’ Must Love series can be even better than her first (which I loved by the way)?
From the very first page of Must Love Chainmail, I was hooked. What started out as an “I’ll just read a couple of chapters…” kind of morning, turned into six hours of reading pleasure by becoming completely absorbed into the world Ms. Quarles had created. I have always been partial to time travel romances but throw the plot into medieval times with a knight and shining armor and…well…what’s not to love?
This story didn’t disappoint this reader and will become a favorite of mine that I will read again and again. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book. If I could have rated it 10 stars, I would have gladly done so.
October 5, 2015
Must Love Chainmail by Angela Quarles was an interesting time travel romance. In this version of time travel the heroine Katy travels back in time with a help from a silver calling card case, which apparently her friend also used in a previous book, but she ended in a different time period.
Katy ends up in 13th century Ireland, were Welsh were attacking English/Norman castle. She is rescued by Sir Robert Beucol, but she loses the case and if she wants to go back to her time she has to find it. Things move really quickly - Katy disguises herself as a boy and Robert goes along with her idea and present her as his squire. When they leave the castle in a middle of attack, Katy gets shot with arrow, and as Robert decides to take care of her wound before it turn fatal, they are separated from other fugitives. On their way to meet with others they are captured by Welsh, ransomed, freed and they continue their journey to the castle where the fugitives where planing to go.
Why was Katy actually in Ireland in a first place? She had a bachelorette trip with her friends and sister-in-law-to-be few months before her wedding. She had everything planed, all just as she wanted, but still, something was off. Something was calling her to Ireland, somehow she had dreams about an knight, and when she wished to know what she was supposed to do, she ended up with Robert. During their travels together at first they do not understand each other, then Katy learns the old Normans and they can communicate and Katy realizes that her life so far has been an escape from the trauma she got in her childhood. Just as Katy Robert also has fought with his past, his fathers reputation and his soul purpose in his life has been restoring his family land an honor. But while they are together they start to see their life in other colors, until ...
They had no other chance, it had already happened, folksongs where already written about it and that was the only way to their happiness.
It was entertaining, sweet and exciting. I absolutely enjoyed this version of time travel, how the 13th century was portrayed and the romance between Katy and Robert. It was a very good read.
Katy ends up in 13th century Ireland, were Welsh were attacking English/Norman castle. She is rescued by Sir Robert Beucol, but she loses the case and if she wants to go back to her time she has to find it. Things move really quickly - Katy disguises herself as a boy and Robert goes along with her idea and present her as his squire. When they leave the castle in a middle of attack, Katy gets shot with arrow, and as Robert decides to take care of her wound before it turn fatal, they are separated from other fugitives. On their way to meet with others they are captured by Welsh, ransomed, freed and they continue their journey to the castle where the fugitives where planing to go.
Why was Katy actually in Ireland in a first place? She had a bachelorette trip with her friends and sister-in-law-to-be few months before her wedding. She had everything planed, all just as she wanted, but still, something was off. Something was calling her to Ireland, somehow she had dreams about an knight, and when she wished to know what she was supposed to do, she ended up with Robert. During their travels together at first they do not understand each other, then Katy learns the old Normans and they can communicate and Katy realizes that her life so far has been an escape from the trauma she got in her childhood. Just as Katy Robert also has fought with his past, his fathers reputation and his soul purpose in his life has been restoring his family land an honor. But while they are together they start to see their life in other colors, until ...
They had no other chance, it had already happened, folksongs where already written about it and that was the only way to their happiness.
It was entertaining, sweet and exciting. I absolutely enjoyed this version of time travel, how the 13th century was portrayed and the romance between Katy and Robert. It was a very good read.
August 8, 2016
Wow...this book was awesome! As I read this, I was completely sucked into another world with its storyline and its historical accuracy.
The cute book title can be misleading, since the author created a very real medieval world, with it's shifting political allegiances and hardships.
The H/h - Robert and Katy - came across as real people with deep feelings and motivations, which made them very likeable. Robert was an honorable knight in every sense of the word, in his quiet, unintentionally sexy way, and Katy was sweet and resourceful...a pretty, smart heroine with scruples and common sense! (I was rooting for them to the end of the story)!
The romance itself was beautiful. The nuanced interactions between the H/h made their smoldering love scenes more potent. The love scenes were written very well - very sensual, without being smutty. For me, it was nice to read something that didn't make me roll my eyes - or quit reading altogether.
I'm definitely going to be reading more of this author's work! I can see why this won a RITA award!
The cute book title can be misleading, since the author created a very real medieval world, with it's shifting political allegiances and hardships.
The H/h - Robert and Katy - came across as real people with deep feelings and motivations, which made them very likeable. Robert was an honorable knight in every sense of the word, in his quiet, unintentionally sexy way, and Katy was sweet and resourceful...a pretty, smart heroine with scruples and common sense! (I was rooting for them to the end of the story)!
The romance itself was beautiful. The nuanced interactions between the H/h made their smoldering love scenes more potent. The love scenes were written very well - very sensual, without being smutty. For me, it was nice to read something that didn't make me roll my eyes - or quit reading altogether.
I'm definitely going to be reading more of this author's work! I can see why this won a RITA award!
July 23, 2018
I finished this a month ago and I keep thinking how much I enjoyed it, so I'm rounding it up to 5 stars.
It was probably a 4.5 star for me really, but it was soo good.
Angela Quarles is still a new to me author, but combined with Mary Jane Wells' narration I have become pretty addicted. I'm going to have to try at least one of her books in print/kindle, because my lady crush on MJW may be strongly affecting my opinion.
I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this book. I loved the how the ending differed from the first in the series. I loved how the author addressed the language barrier. The the main characters where relatable, the angst was low. The conflict pretty well resolved and wrapped up. The mysteries from the first added too, but not fully explained yet. But that doesn't get in the way. The smexy times were vera sexy. The joke with her pinky adorable.
I don't think this story works as well with out having read the first book, so there's that.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
It was probably a 4.5 star for me really, but it was soo good.
Angela Quarles is still a new to me author, but combined with Mary Jane Wells' narration I have become pretty addicted. I'm going to have to try at least one of her books in print/kindle, because my lady crush on MJW may be strongly affecting my opinion.
I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this book. I loved the how the ending differed from the first in the series. I loved how the author addressed the language barrier. The the main characters where relatable, the angst was low. The conflict pretty well resolved and wrapped up. The mysteries from the first added too, but not fully explained yet. But that doesn't get in the way. The smexy times were vera sexy. The joke with her pinky adorable.
I don't think this story works as well with out having read the first book, so there's that.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
July 15, 2015
Full disclosure: Angela Quarles is my beta buddy, so I usually wouldn't post a review. However, I loved--seriously absolutely loved, adored, inhaled--this story when I beta read it. The hero in this time-travel romance is a swoon-worthy knight...for real. ;)
This is my favorite of Angela's stories so far. So yes, I had to gush about it here even though Angela would tell me not to. LOL!
This is my favorite of Angela's stories so far. So yes, I had to gush about it here even though Angela would tell me not to. LOL!
April 18, 2025
Reread review, 2025:
This is my favourite time travel romance of all time!
She travels back to 13th century Wales. And this book is just a yearning, pining, hurt comfort, one bedroll, one horse, she dresses like his squire, they pretend to be married GOOD FREAKING TIME.
This is also the best language barrier trope ever. She spoke modern French (as a second language) and he spoke 13th century Norman French.
Norman French in Wales? Yup—obsessed with this historical setting. He was a half-Norman (and half-Welsh 👀) knight who thought chivalry is dead (the 12th century was ‘the good old days’). There were castles, monasteries, Norman nobles trying to occupy Wales, Anglo-Saxon colonists, and Welsh indigenous national liberation struggles.
The ending of this book is so epic. And rereading it, knowing the ending, was so enjoyable!
Original review, 2023:
Best time travel romance of all time??
The language barrier and culture clash in this time travel romance to 13th century Wales was SENDING ME.
First, there was a language barrier between 21st century and 13th century English?? YOU KNOW I was listening to audio reconstructions of 13th century English and imagining I was the heroine 😆
But on top of that, our literal knight in shining armour didn’t speak English, he spoke 13th century Norman French—good thing our heroine was a French translator passionate about languages because it was a lot. Also, the complex political situation between the Welsh, English, and Normans living in this area? SO FUN!
This was just historically accurate enough to go past pedantry and into funny, bonkers, and campy. My absolute favourite 🥰
And pinky touches!! That’s what I want. I want so much unresolved sexual tension that my heart turns to goo from pinky touches. And then I want the 13th medieval knight to be a freak in the sheets. Is that too much to ask? 🥵
Hurt comfort, she dressed as a boy, they rode on the same horse, they pretended they were married…
Ugh, this book was perfect.
This is my favourite time travel romance of all time!
She travels back to 13th century Wales. And this book is just a yearning, pining, hurt comfort, one bedroll, one horse, she dresses like his squire, they pretend to be married GOOD FREAKING TIME.
This is also the best language barrier trope ever. She spoke modern French (as a second language) and he spoke 13th century Norman French.
Norman French in Wales? Yup—obsessed with this historical setting. He was a half-Norman (and half-Welsh 👀) knight who thought chivalry is dead (the 12th century was ‘the good old days’). There were castles, monasteries, Norman nobles trying to occupy Wales, Anglo-Saxon colonists, and Welsh indigenous national liberation struggles.
The ending of this book is so epic. And rereading it, knowing the ending, was so enjoyable!
Original review, 2023:
Best time travel romance of all time??
The language barrier and culture clash in this time travel romance to 13th century Wales was SENDING ME.
First, there was a language barrier between 21st century and 13th century English?? YOU KNOW I was listening to audio reconstructions of 13th century English and imagining I was the heroine 😆
But on top of that, our literal knight in shining armour didn’t speak English, he spoke 13th century Norman French—good thing our heroine was a French translator passionate about languages because it was a lot. Also, the complex political situation between the Welsh, English, and Normans living in this area? SO FUN!
This was just historically accurate enough to go past pedantry and into funny, bonkers, and campy. My absolute favourite 🥰
And pinky touches!! That’s what I want. I want so much unresolved sexual tension that my heart turns to goo from pinky touches. And then I want the 13th medieval knight to be a freak in the sheets. Is that too much to ask? 🥵
Hurt comfort, she dressed as a boy, they rode on the same horse, they pretended they were married…
Ugh, this book was perfect.
July 28, 2015
What can I say except that I love this book.
I fell in love with her first time travel romance, Must Love Breeches, but this book is even better. I've read 3 of Angela Quarles' books now, and there are some wonderfully consistent things about her writing and storytelling. She has an amazing voice -- you could read anything by her and *know* it was her. Her characters have a very satisfying story arc, and she has a way of writing an intimate scene that is fresh and new -- and steamy -- without it having to get to anything explicit! (Remember the wrist scene in MLB?) Both of her time travel romances made me want to start back at the beginning after I finished reading the story.
She also has a knack for writing details and explaining experiences that any displaced modern woman would feel/see/smell/taste. It's what makes you *experience* the book. Her historical details are well-researched and never boring. I totally recommend this book!
Pinkies forever! ;) (You'll know what that means when you read the book!)
I fell in love with her first time travel romance, Must Love Breeches, but this book is even better. I've read 3 of Angela Quarles' books now, and there are some wonderfully consistent things about her writing and storytelling. She has an amazing voice -- you could read anything by her and *know* it was her. Her characters have a very satisfying story arc, and she has a way of writing an intimate scene that is fresh and new -- and steamy -- without it having to get to anything explicit! (Remember the wrist scene in MLB?) Both of her time travel romances made me want to start back at the beginning after I finished reading the story.
She also has a knack for writing details and explaining experiences that any displaced modern woman would feel/see/smell/taste. It's what makes you *experience* the book. Her historical details are well-researched and never boring. I totally recommend this book!
Pinkies forever! ;) (You'll know what that means when you read the book!)
June 26, 2016
This is a stayed up waaay past my bedtime rating.
In the last couple reviews I wrote for Ms. Quarles' novels, I prefaced my review with "I don't usually read this genre, but...", and now I think it's safe to correct this and say, "I'll read anything by this author". It's not just romance. It's not just science fiction/time travel. It's historical and humorous with smart, strong women discovering who they are and what they're capable of.
I don't know much about the Welsh so I thoroughly enjoyed learning about their--sometimes surprising--culture. Ms. Quarles pens with the perfect touch between research and story so all the scenes, and characters, come alive. Plot moved quickly, full of facts balanced perfectly with romance. The ending was superb! My favorite to date.
In the last couple reviews I wrote for Ms. Quarles' novels, I prefaced my review with "I don't usually read this genre, but...", and now I think it's safe to correct this and say, "I'll read anything by this author". It's not just romance. It's not just science fiction/time travel. It's historical and humorous with smart, strong women discovering who they are and what they're capable of.
I don't know much about the Welsh so I thoroughly enjoyed learning about their--sometimes surprising--culture. Ms. Quarles pens with the perfect touch between research and story so all the scenes, and characters, come alive. Plot moved quickly, full of facts balanced perfectly with romance. The ending was superb! My favorite to date.
October 2, 2016
“Must Love Chainmail” by Angela Quarles was nominated and won a RITA in the Paranormal Category from the Romance Writers of America – meaning that romance writers have judged her book to represent excellence in romance writing.
I read “Chainmail” first even though it’s book #2 in the “Must Love” series because it won a RITA and I was desperate for a writer to sweep me off my feet. I had put down a paranormal book the day before because I could not get into it. I hate it when I can’t finish a book. Sometimes I read through the slump and hope the story improves, but I made a pact with myself recently to just put the book down. Life’s too short to suffer a story you don’t love first world problems, huh?
I wrote that confession, so you’ll understand how “Must Love Chainmail” delivered all the feels and goods to me!!! Just like Katy, readers could identify to being in a relationship when you still have a gnawing doubt you can’t quite articulate. Keeping up appearances in a difficult or uncomfortable situation and hoping it ‘too shall pass’, but ending up sinking deeper and deeper into a quagmire of your own making.
What I really admired about Ms. Quarles’ writing were the tiny details of unique (very unique) descriptions and character narratives. And what was really challenging was for some of the beginning of the story the hero (Robert) and heroine weren’t speaking the same language. BRILLIANT!
After high school, I actually had an opportunity to travel to Aberystwyth, Wales. I remember overhearing some locals speaking Welsh and we asked them about their language and why don’t more people speak it. They educated us about Wales’ historic struggles with England, which Quarles’ writing captured. Her descriptions (not only) swept me back to Wales, but to another time when those tensions were being forged. I could not get over the amount of research she must have done for this story and the ability to weave those details seamlessly throughout the plot. And I appreciated the bibliography at the end…
Katy’s reactions to being tossed into medieval Wales seemed real and authentic and it also made sense that her story would come after her friend, Isabelle (Book#1 – Must Love Breeches). Katy would know time-travel existed, because it happened to Isabelle and Katy could use that knowledge to react quicker (and hopefully not be seen as a witch).
And even though our hero, Robert, was from medieval Wales, he was truly a man of honor and integrity. Ms. Quarles writes some wonderful heroes.
I did read Book#1 after Book#2 and I can tell small nuanced differences that make the writing, characters, and plot more balanced from Book#2. If you’re looking for a story with action, romance, and historical depth, I would highly recommend this series.
I read “Chainmail” first even though it’s book #2 in the “Must Love” series because it won a RITA and I was desperate for a writer to sweep me off my feet. I had put down a paranormal book the day before because I could not get into it. I hate it when I can’t finish a book. Sometimes I read through the slump and hope the story improves, but I made a pact with myself recently to just put the book down. Life’s too short to suffer a story you don’t love first world problems, huh?
I wrote that confession, so you’ll understand how “Must Love Chainmail” delivered all the feels and goods to me!!! Just like Katy, readers could identify to being in a relationship when you still have a gnawing doubt you can’t quite articulate. Keeping up appearances in a difficult or uncomfortable situation and hoping it ‘too shall pass’, but ending up sinking deeper and deeper into a quagmire of your own making.
What I really admired about Ms. Quarles’ writing were the tiny details of unique (very unique) descriptions and character narratives. And what was really challenging was for some of the beginning of the story the hero (Robert) and heroine weren’t speaking the same language. BRILLIANT!
After high school, I actually had an opportunity to travel to Aberystwyth, Wales. I remember overhearing some locals speaking Welsh and we asked them about their language and why don’t more people speak it. They educated us about Wales’ historic struggles with England, which Quarles’ writing captured. Her descriptions (not only) swept me back to Wales, but to another time when those tensions were being forged. I could not get over the amount of research she must have done for this story and the ability to weave those details seamlessly throughout the plot. And I appreciated the bibliography at the end…
Katy’s reactions to being tossed into medieval Wales seemed real and authentic and it also made sense that her story would come after her friend, Isabelle (Book#1 – Must Love Breeches). Katy would know time-travel existed, because it happened to Isabelle and Katy could use that knowledge to react quicker (and hopefully not be seen as a witch).
And even though our hero, Robert, was from medieval Wales, he was truly a man of honor and integrity. Ms. Quarles writes some wonderful heroes.
I did read Book#1 after Book#2 and I can tell small nuanced differences that make the writing, characters, and plot more balanced from Book#2. If you’re looking for a story with action, romance, and historical depth, I would highly recommend this series.
September 11, 2015
4.5 Star Review! I loved Angela Quarles’s MUST LOVE BREECHES, and in this follow-up time travel romance, MUST LOVE CHAINMAIL, she doesn’t disappoint. In fact, I think she’s upped the ante. While Regency England is fairly familiar territory for historical romance lovers, in MUST LOVE CHAINMAIL, Quarles took me on an adventure. She dropped me and her heroine into the middle of a thirteenth century Welsh rebellion. A place and time which, of course, involves an irresistibly hot knight who proves to be the perfect match for overly-organized, control freak contemporary heroine, Katy.
Quarles nails the contemporary romance elements of the book as well as she does the historical, painting a vivid picture of medieval life. In fact, my favorite aspect of MUST LOVE CHAINMAIL was the author’s portrayal of just how challenging life would have been in the midst of a rebellion and in a time period so far removed from our own. She doesn’t shy away from the grit and danger of life seven hundred years ago, and her detailed development of the novel’s setting makes the story come alive.
Read the rest of my review at Night Owl Reviews: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
Quarles nails the contemporary romance elements of the book as well as she does the historical, painting a vivid picture of medieval life. In fact, my favorite aspect of MUST LOVE CHAINMAIL was the author’s portrayal of just how challenging life would have been in the midst of a rebellion and in a time period so far removed from our own. She doesn’t shy away from the grit and danger of life seven hundred years ago, and her detailed development of the novel’s setting makes the story come alive.
Read the rest of my review at Night Owl Reviews: https://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Re...
December 12, 2015
This is my second book by this new author. I liked her first book, "Must Love Breeches," but this book really impressed me. It was obvious the amount of research she did on the medieval time period in which the story takes place. And, yet, it was seamlessly woven into a realistic scenario in which a modern woman suddenly finds herself thrust back in medieval times with no knowledge of the language and history of the period and how she adapts to survive. The romance took a more natural course, slow to build, but hot when they eventually came together. It is also a story of discovery of one's true self, facing past failures and misunderstandings, as well as growth of character on the part of both the hero and heroine.
I don't want to give away the end without hiding the entire review; however, I can say that I liked how at the end the situation was more fully explored and resolved rather than just the "and they lived happily ever after."
Oh yes, this is an author I will be following. I can't wait for the next book in this series. ;)
I don't want to give away the end without hiding the entire review; however, I can say that I liked how at the end the situation was more fully explored and resolved rather than just the "and they lived happily ever after."
Oh yes, this is an author I will be following. I can't wait for the next book in this series. ;)
February 1, 2016
Katy Tolson is on a bachelorette or hen party with her girlfriends and his fiance's sister. Katy is really missing her best friend Isabelle Rochon. Katy can't figure out why Isabelle would give up everything she had in modern times to go live in medieval times. Katy can't be without her cell phone because she has to know what is going on. When Katy makes a wish regarding her love life she's transported back in time to 1294. Sir Robert Beucol is fighting for his honor and the return of his lands since his father proved traitor. For Robert nothing is more important then regaining his honor. Robert meeting Katy changes everything for him yet he can't pinpoint why that is. Will Robert regaining his honor? What lessons with Katy learn? Find out in Must Love Chainmail.
I love this series! it's so full of surprises and adventures. I love the lessons Katy and Robert both learn about each other and those around them. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
I love this series! it's so full of surprises and adventures. I love the lessons Katy and Robert both learn about each other and those around them. Definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
August 3, 2016
Another enjoyable read! This one being set in medieval times had decidedly higher stakes (life or death vs. reputation) as our heroine Katy is plopped into a Welsh rebellion. So you won't find any Regency era sensibilities or propriety in this one - however - it is full of Arthurian promise and chivalry nonetheless.
The foreshadowing of how it ends happens quite early on, and although I found more tension in this novel, knowing how it was pretty much going to end really just had you reading to find out how Katy and Robert's relationship would develop in between.
All told, another solid bit of time travel romance which wasn't too heavy or weighed down by historical descriptions or language and had a good amount of humour in it too. I'll definitely be reading the next in the series.
The foreshadowing of how it ends happens quite early on, and although I found more tension in this novel, knowing how it was pretty much going to end really just had you reading to find out how Katy and Robert's relationship would develop in between.
All told, another solid bit of time travel romance which wasn't too heavy or weighed down by historical descriptions or language and had a good amount of humour in it too. I'll definitely be reading the next in the series.
December 14, 2015
What can I say about this story? It was a beautiful mix between history and fiction. It made me feel as though I was walking through the middle ages. It was a really fun story to read. I enjoyed watching the characters get thrown into situations that were difficult and how they figured out what to do. I like the chemistry that they developed despite the language barrier between them. This is my second book from this author and I have thoroughly enjoyed her writing. So I recommend this story to anyone who loves a good romantic time travel story
Read
July 27, 2015
Out now. More information on my website: http://angelaquarles.com/books/must-l...
August 10, 2015
I thought the first book in this series was delightful and fun so I anticipated similar feelings toward this second installment. Let me tell you, the tale of the modern woman control freak and the medieval knight with the tarnished honor and strong, courageous heart hooked me in from the start and I couldn't put it down. I was captivated by the blend of colorful historical backdrop, well-developed characters, and an exciting well-paced plot.
The story is part of a series, but it is loosely connected and could be read out of order or as a standalone.
Katy Tolson is one of those people who has to control everything including those around her which is why when her bridesmaids put a moratorium on her using her planner and her phone while on their bachelorette trip to Wales, that she nearly goes nuts. Katy's time in Wales has already left her unsettled and not just because she has been cut off from her phone. She dreams of a dashing knight and she feels an inexplicable connection to the knight depicted as a saint in a Welsh church. But then things really go awry when she is accidentally catapulted back to the past- to medieval Wales no less. Control? Katy is plunged into a situation that makes her painfully aware of just how not in control she is. She is dropped into the middle of a battle between the Welsh and the Norman English. She has aroused the curiosity and suspicion of one of the Norman knights because of her modern clothes and modern speech. Katy is confused by her reaction to the knight who protects her and has to convince herself that she can't get attached because she doesn't belong in the past and she has another man waiting for her even if she now has serious doubts about marriage. If she could only find the object that sent her back to the past?
Sir Robert Beucol, landless and living with a tarnished family reputation because his father died as a traitor and his mother is Welsh. This Welsh rebellion is his chance to make good and gain a hearing with King Edward to petition for the return of his family lands from his enemy and rival who is still working toward Robert's further ruin. Only, right when he is poised to prove his loyalties and prowess, he encounters a mysterious woman with high-born and foreign ways. She stumbles into the middle of war and against his own needs he protects her and brings her with him. Ultimately, he will have to part ways since he must marry for advancement and financial gain, but the longer he is with the beautiful Kaytee, the harder it is convince his heart that they cannot be together.
This was a refreshing story. I tend to have certain expectations when it comes to Time Travel romance. Mostly, I notice that these stories tend to focus on the characters, plot, and even sci-fi aspect of the story with the settings in the past glossed over. This I forgive if the story is good. But in this book, I was thrilled to have my cake and eat it, too. The author put a lot of effort into making medieval Wales and even the set up for how the time-travel part of the romance conflict really work. Robert's time and the way Katy was written in were convincing (at least to this non-scholar and amateur history lover).
And the characters were well developed in their situations. Katy has issues because of being abandoned and Robert has scars from his past, too. They have a nice developing romance and I loved how they made it work in spite of the language and cultural barriers. I ended up with a strong medieval romance even though Katy is a modern gal.
I was fascinated how the difference of 700 years difference worked. Love and lusty times, greed and mean-heartedness are universal. Robert and Katy share attraction and I loved how they help heal each other even while I was left speculating just how it would all work out. The villains were great as the black-hearted rape and pillaging sorts that I enjoy hating in medieval romance.
All in all, this was a blast to the past that kept me riveted from cover to cover. Time travel romance fans really need to grab this one.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is part of a series, but it is loosely connected and could be read out of order or as a standalone.
Katy Tolson is one of those people who has to control everything including those around her which is why when her bridesmaids put a moratorium on her using her planner and her phone while on their bachelorette trip to Wales, that she nearly goes nuts. Katy's time in Wales has already left her unsettled and not just because she has been cut off from her phone. She dreams of a dashing knight and she feels an inexplicable connection to the knight depicted as a saint in a Welsh church. But then things really go awry when she is accidentally catapulted back to the past- to medieval Wales no less. Control? Katy is plunged into a situation that makes her painfully aware of just how not in control she is. She is dropped into the middle of a battle between the Welsh and the Norman English. She has aroused the curiosity and suspicion of one of the Norman knights because of her modern clothes and modern speech. Katy is confused by her reaction to the knight who protects her and has to convince herself that she can't get attached because she doesn't belong in the past and she has another man waiting for her even if she now has serious doubts about marriage. If she could only find the object that sent her back to the past?
Sir Robert Beucol, landless and living with a tarnished family reputation because his father died as a traitor and his mother is Welsh. This Welsh rebellion is his chance to make good and gain a hearing with King Edward to petition for the return of his family lands from his enemy and rival who is still working toward Robert's further ruin. Only, right when he is poised to prove his loyalties and prowess, he encounters a mysterious woman with high-born and foreign ways. She stumbles into the middle of war and against his own needs he protects her and brings her with him. Ultimately, he will have to part ways since he must marry for advancement and financial gain, but the longer he is with the beautiful Kaytee, the harder it is convince his heart that they cannot be together.
This was a refreshing story. I tend to have certain expectations when it comes to Time Travel romance. Mostly, I notice that these stories tend to focus on the characters, plot, and even sci-fi aspect of the story with the settings in the past glossed over. This I forgive if the story is good. But in this book, I was thrilled to have my cake and eat it, too. The author put a lot of effort into making medieval Wales and even the set up for how the time-travel part of the romance conflict really work. Robert's time and the way Katy was written in were convincing (at least to this non-scholar and amateur history lover).
And the characters were well developed in their situations. Katy has issues because of being abandoned and Robert has scars from his past, too. They have a nice developing romance and I loved how they made it work in spite of the language and cultural barriers. I ended up with a strong medieval romance even though Katy is a modern gal.
I was fascinated how the difference of 700 years difference worked. Love and lusty times, greed and mean-heartedness are universal. Robert and Katy share attraction and I loved how they help heal each other even while I was left speculating just how it would all work out. The villains were great as the black-hearted rape and pillaging sorts that I enjoy hating in medieval romance.
All in all, this was a blast to the past that kept me riveted from cover to cover. Time travel romance fans really need to grab this one.
My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2015
I adored Angela Quarles book Must Love Breeches. It was one of the first time travel novels I had read and I literally wanted to swoon over this book. So I was beyond excited to get a copy of this book to read.
Words cannot really express how much I loved/enjoyed/stressed/devoured this book. It was beyond excellent! The characters, the plot, the emotions, the sex were all so engaging to read. I think I stayed up until almost dawn to read this book because I JUST COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN.
Is that enough emphasis for you? What Angela Quarles does so well as an author is that she creates excellent scenarios that are experienced by modern day women. So if you have ever wondered what it would be like to fall into your favourite time period and what would it really be like? She gives you the taste of what you would see, smell, hear and feel. What Angela also does is she researches the heck out of the time period. This book takes place in Wales. I have a hard time interpreting the Welsh names and language, so I can’t even imagine what it would be like to create a story with it as the focus.
Katy is about to get married. She’s getting cold feet. She likes her fiancé because he is stable and dependable. There are no lustful thoughts crossing her mind about Preston. When she is hurdled back in time she ends up in Wales in the 1400s. A battle is about to begin and she is whisked inside a castle held by the English. No one speaks any of the languages she is familiar with. Nothing is familiar and she is about to wet her pants when the arrows start to fly. The man who rescued her is Robert, a Knight for King Edward. He recognizes something is very different about Katy, but the battle consumes his attentions.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be in a siege, than you need to read this book. Katy works for days to help secure the keep, tend the wounded and put out fires. No iphone is going to help with this. She finds one young man who can somewhat communicate with her, so that helps, but the terror of the famous Welsh long bowman is terrifying.
As the English retreat, she is wounded and falls behind to be tended by Robert who has claimed her as his squire, thanks to her short haircut. He is the Knight who rescued her before, and he does so again. Living off the land, he tends to her wounds and attempts to get to know her. They find they don’t speak the same language but thankfully Katy’s job is as a French interpreter, so she is quick with picking up this weird dialect.
Robert was a stud. Totally hot as a Knight, as a protector and as a man. Katy can’t help but feel attracted to him and this is not a Stockholm Syndrome thing. He is sexy as hell and so capable. He is her lifeline in the medieval ages and she sees the reciprocated lust in his eyes. Even though they are basically living in roadside shelters, they take full advantage of the time together. Angela Quarles writes great love scenes that have the perfect balance of lust, love and naughtiness.
Of course the challenge in a time travel novel is how to return home? Does Katy even want to go back to her previous life? Can she, having lost the silver item that would transport her? Robert’s future is uncertain as he is battling the black traitor reputation of his father and wants to reclaim his birthright. Robert is a welsh/norman man who has had to choose his loyalties. One wrong step or word and he is branded a traitor.
The final few chapters were so spine tingling that I almost wanted to hold my breath and close my eyes. Okay, I probably did hold my breath. I loved the conclusion to this book and it was the PERFECT ending. Once again, Anglea Quarles has created a story that has swept me away. If you have not read her time travel books before you NEED to! Outstanding plot, excellent characters and a genuine heart tugging story.
Words cannot really express how much I loved/enjoyed/stressed/devoured this book. It was beyond excellent! The characters, the plot, the emotions, the sex were all so engaging to read. I think I stayed up until almost dawn to read this book because I JUST COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN.
Is that enough emphasis for you? What Angela Quarles does so well as an author is that she creates excellent scenarios that are experienced by modern day women. So if you have ever wondered what it would be like to fall into your favourite time period and what would it really be like? She gives you the taste of what you would see, smell, hear and feel. What Angela also does is she researches the heck out of the time period. This book takes place in Wales. I have a hard time interpreting the Welsh names and language, so I can’t even imagine what it would be like to create a story with it as the focus.
Katy is about to get married. She’s getting cold feet. She likes her fiancé because he is stable and dependable. There are no lustful thoughts crossing her mind about Preston. When she is hurdled back in time she ends up in Wales in the 1400s. A battle is about to begin and she is whisked inside a castle held by the English. No one speaks any of the languages she is familiar with. Nothing is familiar and she is about to wet her pants when the arrows start to fly. The man who rescued her is Robert, a Knight for King Edward. He recognizes something is very different about Katy, but the battle consumes his attentions.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to be in a siege, than you need to read this book. Katy works for days to help secure the keep, tend the wounded and put out fires. No iphone is going to help with this. She finds one young man who can somewhat communicate with her, so that helps, but the terror of the famous Welsh long bowman is terrifying.
As the English retreat, she is wounded and falls behind to be tended by Robert who has claimed her as his squire, thanks to her short haircut. He is the Knight who rescued her before, and he does so again. Living off the land, he tends to her wounds and attempts to get to know her. They find they don’t speak the same language but thankfully Katy’s job is as a French interpreter, so she is quick with picking up this weird dialect.
Robert was a stud. Totally hot as a Knight, as a protector and as a man. Katy can’t help but feel attracted to him and this is not a Stockholm Syndrome thing. He is sexy as hell and so capable. He is her lifeline in the medieval ages and she sees the reciprocated lust in his eyes. Even though they are basically living in roadside shelters, they take full advantage of the time together. Angela Quarles writes great love scenes that have the perfect balance of lust, love and naughtiness.
Of course the challenge in a time travel novel is how to return home? Does Katy even want to go back to her previous life? Can she, having lost the silver item that would transport her? Robert’s future is uncertain as he is battling the black traitor reputation of his father and wants to reclaim his birthright. Robert is a welsh/norman man who has had to choose his loyalties. One wrong step or word and he is branded a traitor.
The final few chapters were so spine tingling that I almost wanted to hold my breath and close my eyes. Okay, I probably did hold my breath. I loved the conclusion to this book and it was the PERFECT ending. Once again, Anglea Quarles has created a story that has swept me away. If you have not read her time travel books before you NEED to! Outstanding plot, excellent characters and a genuine heart tugging story.
December 6, 2016
Must Love Chainmail is another outstanding time-travel romance by Angela Quarles. It is the second book in the “Must Love” series and more adventurous than the first book in the series, Must Love Breeches. Rather than being transported back in time to the Regency era like the last story, this time our heroine is taken back to the 13th Century and straight into the middle of a battle during the Welsh rebellion.
The story begins in present day and revolves around Katy, who is addicted to her cell phone and all things data. She is only a few weeks away from getting married to a mediocre guy and she travels to Wales with her bridesmaids for a "girls week-end" of rest and relaxation before the big day. Just as she begins to have doubts about getting married, she innocently makes a wish (while holding the same silver card case used in the first book to time-travel), and Katy is sent back 700 years into the arms of a knight in chainmail.
Sir Robert is definitely a worthy hero who is half-Norman and half-Welsh. He's a man of the utmost honor and integrity who doesn't hesitate to stop the rape of an innocent girl by one of his fellow Norman knights. Unfortunately, the other knight hates Robert and fabricates a lie to get Robert convicted of treason. Thankfully, our heroine must have watched the Prisoner of Azkaban because she "knew" she could save him from the hangman's noose.
The detailed descriptions in this book were so vivid that I could smell and taste the filth of that time period. It also portrayed how challenging life would have been in the midst of a rebellion, and especially the hurdles and unrealistic expectations of someone like Robert, who was of mixed-race during medieval times.
I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Mary Jane Wells, who is simply amazing! She narrates as if there are several different actors being used, and has a spunk and lightheartedness that many narrators lack. She also portrayed Robert with smooth undertones and made him truly swoon-worthy! Simply put, I can't wait for the next Angela Quarles book narrated by Mary Jane Wells!!
The story begins in present day and revolves around Katy, who is addicted to her cell phone and all things data. She is only a few weeks away from getting married to a mediocre guy and she travels to Wales with her bridesmaids for a "girls week-end" of rest and relaxation before the big day. Just as she begins to have doubts about getting married, she innocently makes a wish (while holding the same silver card case used in the first book to time-travel), and Katy is sent back 700 years into the arms of a knight in chainmail.
Sir Robert is definitely a worthy hero who is half-Norman and half-Welsh. He's a man of the utmost honor and integrity who doesn't hesitate to stop the rape of an innocent girl by one of his fellow Norman knights. Unfortunately, the other knight hates Robert and fabricates a lie to get Robert convicted of treason. Thankfully, our heroine must have watched the Prisoner of Azkaban because she "knew" she could save him from the hangman's noose.
The detailed descriptions in this book were so vivid that I could smell and taste the filth of that time period. It also portrayed how challenging life would have been in the midst of a rebellion, and especially the hurdles and unrealistic expectations of someone like Robert, who was of mixed-race during medieval times.
I listened to the Audible version of this story narrated by Mary Jane Wells, who is simply amazing! She narrates as if there are several different actors being used, and has a spunk and lightheartedness that many narrators lack. She also portrayed Robert with smooth undertones and made him truly swoon-worthy! Simply put, I can't wait for the next Angela Quarles book narrated by Mary Jane Wells!!
February 25, 2019
This was a quick, quirky and overall fun read. A definite 4/4.5* for me. I took a much needed break from some serious Regency reading and was looking for a light read with some decent “boaw chica bow bow” scenes to be honest 😉 I was so pleasantly surprised by this well researched and witty effort from Angela Quarles. It was such a joy to read. Some of the curses Robert unleashes are priceless. From “Pauper’s piss’ and by the “saints wrinkly knuckles” to “Christ’s knees”.
Maybe I enjoyed it because I went into the read with such low expectations. The only things that detract from this book are #1 The title; and #2 the ending.
Highly recommend the Audible version. Mary Jane Wells is a wonderful talent and really helps bring the story to life with a variety of modern, period, and gender voices. I’m an absolute sucker for anyone who does the Welsh accent justice.
Maybe I enjoyed it because I went into the read with such low expectations. The only things that detract from this book are #1 The title; and #2 the ending.
Highly recommend the Audible version. Mary Jane Wells is a wonderful talent and really helps bring the story to life with a variety of modern, period, and gender voices. I’m an absolute sucker for anyone who does the Welsh accent justice.
November 23, 2017
This had a slow start but once the story picked up I couldn't stop reading. I'd finish it in one sitting if I could. I liked the setting, 1294 Wales. I've never read a romance set in Wales before and I really liked it. The characters were likable and the story very enjoybale. I just wish we'd get more of Apart from the slow start and maybe a little rushed ending it was a very enjoybale book. I liked the first one in the series better though. And now I'm looking forward to reading the next one very much. Ms. Quarles just hooked another fan in me.
June 28, 2018
Après un premier tome réussi et très intéressant (il m'a permis de connaître Ada Lovelace), j'ai trouvé ce second tome encore meilleur ! C'est notamment dû à son contexte puisque l'héroïne est envoyée au Pays de Galles en 1294. Et puis j'ai beaucoup apprécié son histoire d'amour avec Robert, qui est un héros vraiment parfait :) !
En revanche, je ne sais pas si je vais lire la suite car les deux prochains tomes ont pour héros des Highlanders ce que je trouve peu original... Affaire à suivre !
En revanche, je ne sais pas si je vais lire la suite car les deux prochains tomes ont pour héros des Highlanders ce que je trouve peu original... Affaire à suivre !
May 19, 2017
Loved this book! The dialogue was funny and smart. The characters were wonderfully flawed and endearing. I wasn't a huge fan of time travel novels, until now!! So excited to have found a great new author :) I'm currently reading her first book in the time travel series, Must Love Breeches. I'm enjoying it just as much. Yes, I read out of order, but each book is a standalone, so no harm done :)
May 15, 2023
2.5 stars ✨
For some reason I had high expectations for this book, but got very disappointed.
The story was boring and prolonged, with lot of detailed sex scenes trying to fill it. The characters and their actions were often annoying, the end was clear from beginning. All in all I just couldn’t wait to finish this book and move on to more sensible one.
For some reason I had high expectations for this book, but got very disappointed.
The story was boring and prolonged, with lot of detailed sex scenes trying to fill it. The characters and their actions were often annoying, the end was clear from beginning. All in all I just couldn’t wait to finish this book and move on to more sensible one.
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