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Jocelyn
Jocelyn Hale is only eighteen when she falls in love with Damien Drasher, the young man she had spent her childhood with. It felt as if the pieces of her life were falling into place until the sudden deaths of her parents stun her. When the man she loves leaves, inexplicably severing their romantic ties, Jocelyn is left utterly depressed. Four years later, she is picking up the pieces with the help of her new love, Charles Varnesfield. When Charles's sister, Jane, returns from abroad with a fiancé, however, suddenly Jocelyn can be sure of nothing. With the constant addition of Jane's superficial friends and Charles's mysterious business partner, Jocelyn finds herself alternately wishing for the summer to end and fearing what she will find for herself when it does. Set in a fictitious England countryside in 1815, this story is about the confusion involved with love and loss and the struggle between following social norms and the instincts of the heart.
279 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2015
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Alicia LaFontaine
9 books21 followersAlicia LaFontaine is an independently published romance author with books that span several genres but always have plenty of steamy romance.
“Author” was the only response she ever had when people would ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Now that she has grown up, it feels surreal to actually say she is one, but she’s getting better at it.
When she’s not writing, she loves to read. Her sister would tell you she’s always been the one with a book in her hands and her mother would say it’s because she has a great patience for reading (one of her favorite compliments she’s ever received.)
She also loves to crochet and knit and has a knack for creating new patterns, especially any she can work on while catching up on her favorite shows.
She and her husband, Jordan, live in Wisconsin with their four cats. They’re her shadows around the house and she gets incredibly bad anxiety when she has to leave them for any extended period of time. She’s known for years she’s a crazy cat lady and she’ll readily own up to it.
“Author” was the only response she ever had when people would ask her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Now that she has grown up, it feels surreal to actually say she is one, but she’s getting better at it.
When she’s not writing, she loves to read. Her sister would tell you she’s always been the one with a book in her hands and her mother would say it’s because she has a great patience for reading (one of her favorite compliments she’s ever received.)
She also loves to crochet and knit and has a knack for creating new patterns, especially any she can work on while catching up on her favorite shows.
She and her husband, Jordan, live in Wisconsin with their four cats. They’re her shadows around the house and she gets incredibly bad anxiety when she has to leave them for any extended period of time. She’s known for years she’s a crazy cat lady and she’ll readily own up to it.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 27, 2018
The plot had me saying, "wait, what?," in the best possible way. Twists and turns kept me on my toes. I was not expecting the ending, which is quite unusual for me.
The wording is thoughtful and consistent. Which, is most important when convincing a reader to stay in a headspace not consistent with their own; as historical novels do. The language is such that you can easily understand what the character's are saying.
I appreciated the switch in POV when important events were happening outside of the main character's view, rather than leave us without the scene.
Because I know the names of the other books in the series, prior to reading, I was delighted when the names of the other titles started popping up in the book. Characters, who I might not have paid too much attention to otherwise nor cared about, were brought front and center in my mind. Entire backstories and furtherings compel me to read the other books, and find out more. Jane, the next in the series, appears to start Jane's story where Jocelyn's ends.
Overall, it was a delightful read with compelling complex characters.
The wording is thoughtful and consistent. Which, is most important when convincing a reader to stay in a headspace not consistent with their own; as historical novels do. The language is such that you can easily understand what the character's are saying.
I appreciated the switch in POV when important events were happening outside of the main character's view, rather than leave us without the scene.
Because I know the names of the other books in the series, prior to reading, I was delighted when the names of the other titles started popping up in the book. Characters, who I might not have paid too much attention to otherwise nor cared about, were brought front and center in my mind. Entire backstories and furtherings compel me to read the other books, and find out more. Jane, the next in the series, appears to start Jane's story where Jocelyn's ends.
Overall, it was a delightful read with compelling complex characters.
January 26, 2018
Loved this delicately intricate web of steamy romance! It was not only well-written, but a very enjoyable read, which I've found hard to find sometimes in Edwardian England era novels. It's not hard to get wrapped up in these perfectly imperfect characters, though it was difficult to decide which path I wanted Jocelyn to travel down more. Read and decide for yourself, but definitely read!
July 10, 2019
Regency Romance with twists and turns! I immensely enjoyed Jocelyn’s journey as she navigated a world of steamy and tumultuous romance during a time when it was improper to even speak of one’s true feelings. I was so hooked on this book that I was reading late into the night and counting the work hours away until I could get home and finish it! Excited to read more from Alicia LaFontaine!
March 16, 2019
Not my usual genre but it really kept me engaged. Great romantic scenes with lots of twists and turns.
October 31, 2019
Loved this book! Never wanted to put it down! Really love the writing and the characters in the book.
November 14, 2020
I want to preface this review by saying that historical romance isn't my typical reading material, so I'm not the target audience here. With that said, I thought this was a really enjoyable book. The characters were likable and the events seem realistic for the time period. I also enjoyed LaFontaine's writing style -- clear, interesting, and flowed well. I never felt confused about what was happening and it was similar to other historical books I've read.
I think my only gripes have to do with passivity. Keeping in mind what was considered "proper" during the time period, I wished Jocelyn, the protagonist, was more assertive and had more to do. The biggest example I can think of is the climax of the story. Staying spoiler-free, I wish Jocelyn had been more involved in the big climactic ending, rather than it happening to someone else, thus requiring a change in perspective. The only change in perspective, I might add. It made the event something that she heard about later, not something she was actually part of.
With that said, this is still a good book and an interesting story. If you like historical romance and supporting talented indie writers, definitely pick it up for yourself.
I think my only gripes have to do with passivity. Keeping in mind what was considered "proper" during the time period, I wished Jocelyn, the protagonist, was more assertive and had more to do. The biggest example I can think of is the climax of the story. Staying spoiler-free, I wish Jocelyn had been more involved in the big climactic ending, rather than it happening to someone else, thus requiring a change in perspective. The only change in perspective, I might add. It made the event something that she heard about later, not something she was actually part of.
With that said, this is still a good book and an interesting story. If you like historical romance and supporting talented indie writers, definitely pick it up for yourself.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews