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Pennyroyal Green #2
Like No Other Lover
Now or Never. . . It's the last chance for Cynthia Brightly, the ton's most bewitching belle. Driven out of London by a secret scandal, she must find a grand husband at the Redmonds' house party before word of her downfall spreads all over England. Unfortunately, someone at Pennyroyal Green is already privy to the whispers of broken engagements and dueling Miles Redmond, renowned explorer and—thanks to his brother's disappearance—heir to the family's enormous fortune. Miles set his sights on Cynthia once, at a time when the ambitious beauty thought herself too good for a second son. But now he's heir apparent, relishing his control. He strikes a bargain with he'll keep Cynthia's steamy secrets and help her find a husband among the guests—in exchange for a single kiss. What could be the harm in a simple kiss? Cynthia is about to discover that it's enough to unleash fierce passion—and that Miles Redmond is most certainly like no other lover in the world.
371 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 28, 2008
270 people are currently reading
3306 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Long
38 books2,956 followersWell, where should I start? I've lived in San Francisco for more than a decade, usually with at least one cat. I won the school spelling bee when I was in 7th grade; the word that clinched it was 'ukulele.' I originally set out to be a rock star when I grew up (I had a Bono fixation, but who didn't?), and I have the guitars and the questionable wardrobe stuffed in the back of my closet to prove it.
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 661 reviews
March 11, 2017
Who would have thought that my first 5-star rating of the year would go to a HR book!
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever given 5 stars to any Historical Romance before. A testament to how brilliant I found Like No Other Lovers to be and how I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was absolutely hilarious, the characters were solid, their chemistry sparked.
Is this how Julie Anne Long normally writes?! Then I would soon horde her books!
She has this kind of flourish writing style. It was overall beautiful even if at times the descriptions and everything can feel a bit too minute.
I sympathized with Cynthia, our heroine, and I really liked Miles, the hero.
I finished this in one day flat. It was that good and that much more funny.
Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever given 5 stars to any Historical Romance before. A testament to how brilliant I found Like No Other Lovers to be and how I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was absolutely hilarious, the characters were solid, their chemistry sparked.
Is this how Julie Anne Long normally writes?! Then I would soon horde her books!
She has this kind of flourish writing style. It was overall beautiful even if at times the descriptions and everything can feel a bit too minute.
I sympathized with Cynthia, our heroine, and I really liked Miles, the hero.
I finished this in one day flat. It was that good and that much more funny.
February 6, 2017
It takes some pretty impressive writing to make me eventually like a character that I started out truly hating. And, being this is the second book in a series where I wasn't exactly all that thrilled with the first heroine in the beginning, I wonder if this is a pattern.
In this one, we have Cynthia, a girl who was the belle of the ball in London but then was dropped by everyone after causing a scandal. You will hate her guts when you first meet her. She is shallow, vain, catty, manipulative, and calculating. She attaches dollar signs to every man she meets and molds her personality to suit the best ones.
She catches the attention of Miles, a bug-scientist. Yes, I know they have a name. I just refuse to use it and encourage other little boys into getting into bug science for the fancy title.
But, Miles overhears Cynthia talking smack about him and he realizes she's like a pretty bug that eats its mate.
Apparently, Miles agrees with the headless praying mantis because he can't seem to stay away from this gold-digger even though he knows precisely what she is. He gets stuck with her at a house-party and agrees to help her catch a husband, but he also can't help being drawn to her over and over again. Kind of like a bug jumping into one of those bug zapper things.
The thing is, once you get to know Cynthia, and understand her situation, it is hard to fault her for her gold-digging ways. If she doesn't land a sugar-daddy soon, she will end up being a servant. Being a servant in those days included chamberpots. Ew! So, at some point, I was rooting for her to land a man. Go on, honey! You get yours!
Reality check.
This book still had plenty of humor, like the last one. There is a scene that involves a flying marble penis smacking someone in the head. (He deserved it). But, it still didn't have quite as much hilarity as the first one. The male hero in the first one was a lot more fun. I'm looking forward to continuing on with the next book.
In this one, we have Cynthia, a girl who was the belle of the ball in London but then was dropped by everyone after causing a scandal. You will hate her guts when you first meet her. She is shallow, vain, catty, manipulative, and calculating. She attaches dollar signs to every man she meets and molds her personality to suit the best ones.
She catches the attention of Miles, a bug-scientist. Yes, I know they have a name. I just refuse to use it and encourage other little boys into getting into bug science for the fancy title.
But, Miles overhears Cynthia talking smack about him and he realizes she's like a pretty bug that eats its mate.
Apparently, Miles agrees with the headless praying mantis because he can't seem to stay away from this gold-digger even though he knows precisely what she is. He gets stuck with her at a house-party and agrees to help her catch a husband, but he also can't help being drawn to her over and over again. Kind of like a bug jumping into one of those bug zapper things.
The thing is, once you get to know Cynthia, and understand her situation, it is hard to fault her for her gold-digging ways. If she doesn't land a sugar-daddy soon, she will end up being a servant. Being a servant in those days included chamberpots. Ew! So, at some point, I was rooting for her to land a man. Go on, honey! You get yours!
Reality check.
This book still had plenty of humor, like the last one. There is a scene that involves a flying marble penis smacking someone in the head. (He deserved it). But, it still didn't have quite as much hilarity as the first one. The male hero in the first one was a lot more fun. I'm looking forward to continuing on with the next book.
October 10, 2015
I absolutely adore Like No Other Lover, the second book in the Pennyroyal Green series! There's a clever story filled with both humor and poignancy, a hero and heroine whose sexual chemistry is off the charts, and a beautiful, hard earned happily ever after. I honestly can't ask for more.
So, so good!
So, so good!
May 23, 2017
These people are idiots with all the empathy of particularly limp carrots. And I can't, for the life of me, see why either would have anything to do with the other. Okay, so she's hot and he's rich and handsome, but the book tells us Miles has his pick of hot people he can actually have sex with and she has had her pick of the best of society for years, apparently, so it's not like either has any reason to pay any particular attention to the other. At half way in, they've barely spoken beyond very calculating discussions on how Miles can help her with the inside scoop so she can scam any of the half dozen other men present into marrying her. So they're both calculating jerks and we see zero charm or kindness or engagement from either one. Even the kitten gift is just so much authorial intrusion with Miles acting on essentially intuition to provide a gift that's "perfect" only insofar as we're told it is. It's like if I gave a work acquaintance a bobble-head Thor because I heard she liked The Avengers and it turned out to be exactly the right thing and now we're in loooooove.
Anyway, it's all lust with zero foundation and being told her situation is dire but neither lead acting like it except when we need to interrupt the wooing with boors and blowhards when I'd much rather Long spent time showing me why Cynthia and Miles have any right to be panting after each other. Because so far, I'm torn between wanting Cynthia to blow that sick popsicle stand and find someone better (maybe start looking under some rocks?) and not wanting Cynthia to ruin some nice guy's life by enticing him into marrying her just because she's desperate and doesn't want to be companion to a thoroughly unpleasant person we haven't even met, really.
When the tension is between wanting them to find other people and wanting them to stop wasting time with the inept morons around them, well, it's time to cut my losses.
Anyway, it's all lust with zero foundation and being told her situation is dire but neither lead acting like it except when we need to interrupt the wooing with boors and blowhards when I'd much rather Long spent time showing me why Cynthia and Miles have any right to be panting after each other. Because so far, I'm torn between wanting Cynthia to blow that sick popsicle stand and find someone better (maybe start looking under some rocks?) and not wanting Cynthia to ruin some nice guy's life by enticing him into marrying her just because she's desperate and doesn't want to be companion to a thoroughly unpleasant person we haven't even met, really.
When the tension is between wanting them to find other people and wanting them to stop wasting time with the inept morons around them, well, it's time to cut my losses.
December 20, 2021
“I know what you think of me, Miles. I know what you-have thought of me. But I have a heart. I do have a heart. I just cannot afford to use it. Don’t you see? Why can’t you see this? Whereas you—may play at all of this as much as you like. There will always be someone for you. And that is the difference: I cannot afford to use my heart. And you—you choose not to use yours.” Cynthia Brightly has one last chance to ensnare a wealthy gentleman, it is either that or she’d be a lady’s companion for the rest of her life. She was a diamond of the first water, and she was about to marry an heir to an earl - but a scandal caused her to leave London. She is given another chance in the form of Violet Redmond who invited her to stay at the Redmond house for two weeks, and she plans to use it wisely. There, she meets Miles Redmond, the heir to the staggering Redmond fortune, and he sees right through her plans. Knowing that she has to marry a wealthy gentleman, he makes a bargain with Cynthia: One kiss, and he will help her accomplish her plan. Although he is aware of Cynthia's opportunistic tendencies, he is drawn to her despite his better judgment.
Like No other Lover is the second book from Julie Anne Long’s historical romance series, Pennyroyal Green. This is about the second Redmond brother, Miles, and Cynthia Brightly. I seem to really like Miss Long’s writing style because this one was a hit for me. I loved it so much. I enjoyed it even more than How the Marquess was won. Not many people seem to love this one, but I did.
Meet Cynthia Brightly: Orphaned at a young age, soon, she was adopted by a vicar and his wife. But when the vicar’s wife passed away, and he remarried, the new wife did not like her so much and because of this, Cynthia had to make her own fate. In London, she was well-loved by the Ton. They were bewitched by her beauty. Her beauty inspired many poems, and unluckily for her, a duel too. Just when she was about to marry an heir to an earl, a scandal loomed. Now, she has to use her wits and beauty once again to get a gentleman to court and, with some luck, finally marry her.
Meet Miles Redmond: The second son to Isaiah Redmond. He was not supposed to be the heir but his elder brother, Lyon, ran away and now the responsibility is his to take. He is a man fond of science. He likes to know why the things around him work the way it does. Furthermore, he particularly likes insects and such: I forgot what he was called. And he travels and writes about the things he discovered. Two years ago, he caught sight of Cynthia Brightly and thought her a beauty. But he overheard Cynthia referring to him as a dour second son. After all, why settle for a second son if one can marry an heir?
Cynthia Brightly was the belle of the ball. She is beautiful, and she knew how to use her beauty to get what she wanted. Miles first saw Cynthia two years prior to the Redmond House party. And his breath was taken away. Unfortunately, the beauty thought herself way too good to settle for a mere second son. He overheard her talking to a friend about not wanting anything to do with a second son when she could have an earl, or the heir, Lyon. Of course, Miles’s pride was hurt as he did not like being dismissed. He was surprised to see Cynthia again after two years, at the Redmond house as a guest invited by his sister, Violet. He knows about the scandal that drove Cynthia away from London and he knows that she is eager to marry a wealthy gentleman. He strikes a bargain with her, in exchange for information about the gentlemen staying at the house party, Cynthia would have to grant him one kiss. And of course, he cannot marry her himself, he has to court and marry the wealthy heiress, Lady Georgina. Miles and Cynthia are not right for each other and they both know that a match between them is unthinkable. Miles needs to marry someone whom his father approves of, and whose wealth will help fund his next trip. Cynthia has to marry someone rich, and though Miles is that, he made it clear that he is already unavailable. Many problems here and there, angst…and finally, a well-deserved HEA.
I loved the heroine. I have seen many reviews talking bad about her, and I can see why. But personally, I loved her. She was a mercenary girl. I think that how she was portrayed is realistic for someone in her position. She was intelligent and beautiful and she knew how to use that to her advantage. I can’t hate her for that. Let us all be honest, who would not want to marry someone wealthy if that meant being secured for the rest of your life? I know that if I was in her situation, I would do the same thing if I had her beauty. I too would want to marry someone rich if I was capable of it. She may have been a gold digger, but with the time period this was set in, she had to make use of what she had and she was smart about it. Go cry if this type of heroine bothers you. Fortunately for me, I loved her character. I loved Cynthia exactly for the same reasons why some other readers hated her.
I loved the hero as well. I rarely see a bespectacled hero in Historical romances, and this was a surprise. He was just my type of hero. He was rude to the heroine at first, which is understandable given that he heard what she has to say about him. But as the story went on, the readers will eventually start understanding his character better. At least, I did. The talk he had with Violet was so touching because these people (even his family) see him as someone who does not have the capability for emotions, but he actually feels so much despite his stoic facade. Imagine how hard it is to be a second son and never being good enough for your son of a bitch father. He was a lovely hero, who wronged the heroine in small ways but made up for it. Although he detests Cynthia’s opportunistic ways, he was somehow attracted to her. And, it develops into something more to the point that he was willing to go against his father’s wishes.
I loved this story so much. Something about this book just hit all the right spots. And while I will give this book 5 stars, I am well-aware that it was not quite a 5 stars book. But it was definitely a 5 stars read for me. It had some historical inaccuracies but not to the point that it takes away from the story. The part about Cynthia’s upbringing and how she was so well-loved by the ton was not explained much except that she was so pretty. I think that because she was not from an aristocratic family, she would need someone genteel to sponsor her into society. But that’s that. There are minor flaws but I honestly was not bothered enough to lessen the number of stars I am going to rate it.
This book was somehow poignant. I may have shed a few tears (I am lying, I full-on sobbed especially with that one scene towards the end) while I was reading this one. I was sure that they would get their HEA but it did not make angsty scenes any less sad. I loved the characters individually and I loved them together, so when there was a sad scene, I could not help but be sad with them. The part where the heroine was like, “Who takes care of Miles?” and the hero also had a part where he thought about Cynthia and who took care of her. I am loving this author so far because she writes so well, and although she can be way too descriptive, I believe that it helps me to really understand the characters and what motivates them. This is the case where the main characters see each other for who they really are. Although Cynthia and Miles did not start off as friends, it was satisfying to see them develop this odd friendship that developed into something more. I loved how they saw past each other’s unlikeable traits and got to know why they were the way that they are. In many ways, they see that they are similar to each other. I loved the part where Cynthia pointed this out to Miles because she was right about that.
I loved this book so much, you guys. I loved how Miles, who never lost control, defended Cynthia’s honor and punched one man for talking bad about her in public. King! And the fact that he was willing to give up his father’s money and the extravagance that he was used to because he wanted to marry Cynthia and he did not care that his father did not approve. I hated Isaiah, by the way. I understand his perspective, but I still hated him. *sighs* Miles was so ideal and I loved how he was willing to do just anything for Cynthia. He was so in love!
Overall, this is my first 5 stars read for quite some time. I was so satisfied with this. Although it was slow in some parts, I loved it. And I just see no reason why I should not rate this 5 stars when I totally loved the main characters and the whole book…and it made me feel so much, which is rare nowadays. I am really loving Long’s writing style and I will definitely read more from this series. I know that this book did not work for so many of my Goodreads friends, and I guess I am the odd one out, but I just loved this book very much.
Some quotes:
“and despite the fact that anyone could happen upon them at any minute, Miles slowly, purposefully, gently, defiantly, slid his fingers through hers until their hands were woven into a single knot.” (THIS HAD ME BAWLING)
“But the funny thing is…I did know right away that you are meant to be part of me, and do you know why? I stopped breathing when I first saw you. But the irony is you, when I’m with you, I feel like every breath is my first one, and…I was never really alive until I touched you. So clearly, in order to continue living, to keep breathing, I need to be with you.”
“Bloody tears. She never wept. Weeping, over the years, had become a luxury. No one had ever been about to hear her do it, or to care. Ah, but now…but now… How like tears to take gross advantage of the circumstance. Now that here was someone who cared, and who would do anything at all he could for her.”
“Why shouldn’t I have a good marriage, and money, and a home? I’m suited for nothing else. I won’t take money from you, Miles, so don’t offer it. I want a life. A family. What would you have me do instead?”
“First: I simply cannot and do not condone a match between a Redmond, any Redmond, and Miss Cynthia Brightly. This means you will not receive another shilling from me while I’m alive should you choose to marry Miss Brightly. You will, however, be welcomed in our home by your mother and me; the rest of the family will be free to receive you as well. But you and your…may not live in Redmond House. You are not welcome at the Mercury Club. You will not become a member. I will not fund any of your endeavors. I shall not revoke this. Are we understood?” (Once again, I hate Isaiah Redmond)
Like No other Lover is the second book from Julie Anne Long’s historical romance series, Pennyroyal Green. This is about the second Redmond brother, Miles, and Cynthia Brightly. I seem to really like Miss Long’s writing style because this one was a hit for me. I loved it so much. I enjoyed it even more than How the Marquess was won. Not many people seem to love this one, but I did.
Meet Cynthia Brightly: Orphaned at a young age, soon, she was adopted by a vicar and his wife. But when the vicar’s wife passed away, and he remarried, the new wife did not like her so much and because of this, Cynthia had to make her own fate. In London, she was well-loved by the Ton. They were bewitched by her beauty. Her beauty inspired many poems, and unluckily for her, a duel too. Just when she was about to marry an heir to an earl, a scandal loomed. Now, she has to use her wits and beauty once again to get a gentleman to court and, with some luck, finally marry her.
Meet Miles Redmond: The second son to Isaiah Redmond. He was not supposed to be the heir but his elder brother, Lyon, ran away and now the responsibility is his to take. He is a man fond of science. He likes to know why the things around him work the way it does. Furthermore, he particularly likes insects and such: I forgot what he was called. And he travels and writes about the things he discovered. Two years ago, he caught sight of Cynthia Brightly and thought her a beauty. But he overheard Cynthia referring to him as a dour second son. After all, why settle for a second son if one can marry an heir?
Cynthia Brightly was the belle of the ball. She is beautiful, and she knew how to use her beauty to get what she wanted. Miles first saw Cynthia two years prior to the Redmond House party. And his breath was taken away. Unfortunately, the beauty thought herself way too good to settle for a mere second son. He overheard her talking to a friend about not wanting anything to do with a second son when she could have an earl, or the heir, Lyon. Of course, Miles’s pride was hurt as he did not like being dismissed. He was surprised to see Cynthia again after two years, at the Redmond house as a guest invited by his sister, Violet. He knows about the scandal that drove Cynthia away from London and he knows that she is eager to marry a wealthy gentleman. He strikes a bargain with her, in exchange for information about the gentlemen staying at the house party, Cynthia would have to grant him one kiss. And of course, he cannot marry her himself, he has to court and marry the wealthy heiress, Lady Georgina. Miles and Cynthia are not right for each other and they both know that a match between them is unthinkable. Miles needs to marry someone whom his father approves of, and whose wealth will help fund his next trip. Cynthia has to marry someone rich, and though Miles is that, he made it clear that he is already unavailable. Many problems here and there, angst…and finally, a well-deserved HEA.
I loved the heroine. I have seen many reviews talking bad about her, and I can see why. But personally, I loved her. She was a mercenary girl. I think that how she was portrayed is realistic for someone in her position. She was intelligent and beautiful and she knew how to use that to her advantage. I can’t hate her for that. Let us all be honest, who would not want to marry someone wealthy if that meant being secured for the rest of your life? I know that if I was in her situation, I would do the same thing if I had her beauty. I too would want to marry someone rich if I was capable of it. She may have been a gold digger, but with the time period this was set in, she had to make use of what she had and she was smart about it. Go cry if this type of heroine bothers you. Fortunately for me, I loved her character. I loved Cynthia exactly for the same reasons why some other readers hated her.
I loved the hero as well. I rarely see a bespectacled hero in Historical romances, and this was a surprise. He was just my type of hero. He was rude to the heroine at first, which is understandable given that he heard what she has to say about him. But as the story went on, the readers will eventually start understanding his character better. At least, I did. The talk he had with Violet was so touching because these people (even his family) see him as someone who does not have the capability for emotions, but he actually feels so much despite his stoic facade. Imagine how hard it is to be a second son and never being good enough for your son of a bitch father. He was a lovely hero, who wronged the heroine in small ways but made up for it. Although he detests Cynthia’s opportunistic ways, he was somehow attracted to her. And, it develops into something more to the point that he was willing to go against his father’s wishes.
I loved this story so much. Something about this book just hit all the right spots. And while I will give this book 5 stars, I am well-aware that it was not quite a 5 stars book. But it was definitely a 5 stars read for me. It had some historical inaccuracies but not to the point that it takes away from the story. The part about Cynthia’s upbringing and how she was so well-loved by the ton was not explained much except that she was so pretty. I think that because she was not from an aristocratic family, she would need someone genteel to sponsor her into society. But that’s that. There are minor flaws but I honestly was not bothered enough to lessen the number of stars I am going to rate it.
This book was somehow poignant. I may have shed a few tears (I am lying, I full-on sobbed especially with that one scene towards the end) while I was reading this one. I was sure that they would get their HEA but it did not make angsty scenes any less sad. I loved the characters individually and I loved them together, so when there was a sad scene, I could not help but be sad with them. The part where the heroine was like, “Who takes care of Miles?” and the hero also had a part where he thought about Cynthia and who took care of her. I am loving this author so far because she writes so well, and although she can be way too descriptive, I believe that it helps me to really understand the characters and what motivates them. This is the case where the main characters see each other for who they really are. Although Cynthia and Miles did not start off as friends, it was satisfying to see them develop this odd friendship that developed into something more. I loved how they saw past each other’s unlikeable traits and got to know why they were the way that they are. In many ways, they see that they are similar to each other. I loved the part where Cynthia pointed this out to Miles because she was right about that.
I loved this book so much, you guys. I loved how Miles, who never lost control, defended Cynthia’s honor and punched one man for talking bad about her in public. King! And the fact that he was willing to give up his father’s money and the extravagance that he was used to because he wanted to marry Cynthia and he did not care that his father did not approve. I hated Isaiah, by the way. I understand his perspective, but I still hated him. *sighs* Miles was so ideal and I loved how he was willing to do just anything for Cynthia. He was so in love!
Overall, this is my first 5 stars read for quite some time. I was so satisfied with this. Although it was slow in some parts, I loved it. And I just see no reason why I should not rate this 5 stars when I totally loved the main characters and the whole book…and it made me feel so much, which is rare nowadays. I am really loving Long’s writing style and I will definitely read more from this series. I know that this book did not work for so many of my Goodreads friends, and I guess I am the odd one out, but I just loved this book very much.
Some quotes:
“and despite the fact that anyone could happen upon them at any minute, Miles slowly, purposefully, gently, defiantly, slid his fingers through hers until their hands were woven into a single knot.” (THIS HAD ME BAWLING)
“But the funny thing is…I did know right away that you are meant to be part of me, and do you know why? I stopped breathing when I first saw you. But the irony is you, when I’m with you, I feel like every breath is my first one, and…I was never really alive until I touched you. So clearly, in order to continue living, to keep breathing, I need to be with you.”
“Bloody tears. She never wept. Weeping, over the years, had become a luxury. No one had ever been about to hear her do it, or to care. Ah, but now…but now… How like tears to take gross advantage of the circumstance. Now that here was someone who cared, and who would do anything at all he could for her.”
“Why shouldn’t I have a good marriage, and money, and a home? I’m suited for nothing else. I won’t take money from you, Miles, so don’t offer it. I want a life. A family. What would you have me do instead?”
“First: I simply cannot and do not condone a match between a Redmond, any Redmond, and Miss Cynthia Brightly. This means you will not receive another shilling from me while I’m alive should you choose to marry Miss Brightly. You will, however, be welcomed in our home by your mother and me; the rest of the family will be free to receive you as well. But you and your…may not live in Redmond House. You are not welcome at the Mercury Club. You will not become a member. I will not fund any of your endeavors. I shall not revoke this. Are we understood?” (Once again, I hate Isaiah Redmond)
dnf
October 12, 2021HERO : I GET SO MUCH ASS, LITERALLY I'M THE BEST LOVER EVER, EVEN THE BROWN LADIES IN OTHER COUNTRIES ARE BEGGING TO RIDE BY DICK.
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
I cannot stand this hero and his inner musings. What a totally disgusting pig. He's not hero material in my book.
The heroine is also not any sort of prize, so maybe they belong together.
I'm skipping this book and book 3, and trying out book 4 in this series. I might come back to this one day... if I end up reading the rest of the series.
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
I cannot stand this hero and his inner musings. What a totally disgusting pig. He's not hero material in my book.
The heroine is also not any sort of prize, so maybe they belong together.
I'm skipping this book and book 3, and trying out book 4 in this series. I might come back to this one day... if I end up reading the rest of the series.
August 29, 2020
Buddy reread 8/29/20
It stands.
original Review
I'm giving this a 3.6.
I liked this apparently--checks notes--polarizing book. I thoroughly enjoyed the backstory with the house party, I loved Miles with his stuffy pragmatism, and Cynthia with her zesty fortitude.
And of course, JAL can 'miss' sometimes, but she's so romantic and I love her writing. Of course, the middle sagged. There was too much push and pull. It was still moving, entertaining and fun, but it was a little worn. I'm still rounding this up, I can see revisiting this series with time.
It stands.
original Review
I'm giving this a 3.6.
I liked this apparently--checks notes--polarizing book. I thoroughly enjoyed the backstory with the house party, I loved Miles with his stuffy pragmatism, and Cynthia with her zesty fortitude.
And of course, JAL can 'miss' sometimes, but she's so romantic and I love her writing. Of course, the middle sagged. There was too much push and pull. It was still moving, entertaining and fun, but it was a little worn. I'm still rounding this up, I can see revisiting this series with time.
February 16, 2023
In fairness this book was written in 2008 and many authors have written about the hero's overhearing something negative and the storylines since then. I never felt like rooting for either character. Nothing drew me to them. Cynthia's successful season seemed to go to her head, and she didn't act kindly to others....perhaps I expected more from her due to her difficult life. I skimmed through a lot. I have jumped around this series and have really enjoyed most of them....this one was just not for me.
July 18, 2015
The heroine was such a bitch. Seriously. I absolutely hated her with every fibre of my being. She represented everything I hated in a heroine: frivolous, stuck up, manipulative, opportunistic and shallow!! God, she was so mean I wanted to throw a chair at her.
Okay, I get it. She was an orphan. She came from poverty and was determined to better her position. BUT SERIOUSLY WOULD IT KILL HER TO BE NICER? HER THOUGHTS WERE DOWNRIGHT MEAN FOR PETE'S SAKE. AM I THE ONLY ONE BOTHERED BY THAT????
And oh it didn't help that Miles seemed to be too stupid to live. Hell, man, you were supposed to be logical and wise, but how the hell did you keep on getting effed up by that calculating she-devil?
Ugh. This book was just awful. I, for the life of me, can't think of why the writer would create such flat, uninspiring and frustrating characters. Blech.
Okay, I get it. She was an orphan. She came from poverty and was determined to better her position. BUT SERIOUSLY WOULD IT KILL HER TO BE NICER? HER THOUGHTS WERE DOWNRIGHT MEAN FOR PETE'S SAKE. AM I THE ONLY ONE BOTHERED BY THAT????
And oh it didn't help that Miles seemed to be too stupid to live. Hell, man, you were supposed to be logical and wise, but how the hell did you keep on getting effed up by that calculating she-devil?
Ugh. This book was just awful. I, for the life of me, can't think of why the writer would create such flat, uninspiring and frustrating characters. Blech.
September 27, 2023
Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes! Some truly delightful humor in this one.
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Format: checked out the audio version from Hoopla
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
You could but I don’t think it’s entirely necessary between books 1 and 2.
Basic plot:
Cynthia is attempting to recover from a scandal that has decimated her marriage prospects and attending a house party is the perfect husband hunting opportunity. Miles agrees to help her find a husband – at the price of a single kiss.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- house party setting
- beautiful heroine
- class difference
- entomologist hero (interested in bugs)
- gifts given to the heroine by hero
- big family feel
- relationship focused romance (not a big mystery to solve or villains)
- lower to mid steam – 2 full scenes and a hot partial
Ages:
- hero is nearly 30, heroine is 22
My thoughts:
I had such wide ranging thoughts about this one! Overall I enjoyed it, especially the humor and emotional and angsty aspect to the ending.
I wasn’t a big fan of book 1, so going into this the bar was a bit lower. And I found myself really loved the house party setting and focus on the characters interacting. There were some extremely humorous scenes that had me laughing in pure delight (the drinking game in this one had me rolling!). But I think what I struggled with most was the hero.
I didn’t grow to love Miles. I loved Cynthia, even though there’s some aspects of her not being entirely truthful. (That stuff usually really bothers me, but I am doing better about understanding reasoning and driving factors behind that…) I just felt like I couldn’t help but like her. She was fun to be with as a character. I liked her humor and bit of fun she likes to have. But Miles...their relationship kind of drove me bonkers. I wanted Miles to want Cynthia more than he did – or at least to the point where he wouldn’t schedule an assignation with someone else as late in the book as he did (nothing comes of it, but it was disappointing to me).
There were a few parts that drug a bit for me. There are some scenes of building other characters, which I know is expected in a big family series and a lot of people love that (I don’t, but that’s just me).
I did find some things super romantic. I loved the angst at the end. I love Long’s ability to write emotional scenes throughout the book. The characters really come to life and don’t feel two dimensional. The emotions and steamy pull of the first partial scene between Cynthia and Miles was amazing. So, overall I liked this one, but was frustrated a bit with Miles and probably wouldn’t reread this one. Still, it was fun and I enjoyed it quite a bit more than book 1.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
------------------------------
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥
Humor: Yes! Some truly delightful humor in this one.
Perspective: Third person from both the hero and heroine
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Format: checked out the audio version from Hoopla
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
You could but I don’t think it’s entirely necessary between books 1 and 2.
Basic plot:
Cynthia is attempting to recover from a scandal that has decimated her marriage prospects and attending a house party is the perfect husband hunting opportunity. Miles agrees to help her find a husband – at the price of a single kiss.
Give this a try if you want:
- Regency
- house party setting
- beautiful heroine
- class difference
- entomologist hero (interested in bugs)
- gifts given to the heroine by hero
- big family feel
- relationship focused romance (not a big mystery to solve or villains)
- lower to mid steam – 2 full scenes and a hot partial
Ages:
- hero is nearly 30, heroine is 22
My thoughts:
I had such wide ranging thoughts about this one! Overall I enjoyed it, especially the humor and emotional and angsty aspect to the ending.
I wasn’t a big fan of book 1, so going into this the bar was a bit lower. And I found myself really loved the house party setting and focus on the characters interacting. There were some extremely humorous scenes that had me laughing in pure delight (the drinking game in this one had me rolling!). But I think what I struggled with most was the hero.
I didn’t grow to love Miles. I loved Cynthia, even though there’s some aspects of her not being entirely truthful. (That stuff usually really bothers me, but I am doing better about understanding reasoning and driving factors behind that…) I just felt like I couldn’t help but like her. She was fun to be with as a character. I liked her humor and bit of fun she likes to have. But Miles...their relationship kind of drove me bonkers. I wanted Miles to want Cynthia more than he did – or at least to the point where he wouldn’t schedule an assignation with someone else as late in the book as he did (nothing comes of it, but it was disappointing to me).
There were a few parts that drug a bit for me. There are some scenes of building other characters, which I know is expected in a big family series and a lot of people love that (I don’t, but that’s just me).
I did find some things super romantic. I loved the angst at the end. I love Long’s ability to write emotional scenes throughout the book. The characters really come to life and don’t feel two dimensional. The emotions and steamy pull of the first partial scene between Cynthia and Miles was amazing. So, overall I liked this one, but was frustrated a bit with Miles and probably wouldn’t reread this one. Still, it was fun and I enjoyed it quite a bit more than book 1.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes:
------------------------------
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
February 6, 2019
(Tropes: Opposites Attract, Forbidden Love, Enemies to Lovers)
Unpopular opinion.
**
“Yes, but I’m not certain I will much longer survive your presence, Mr. Redmond. I am, as ever, interested in self-preservation.”
**
Quick plot: Cynthia Brightly, with a few pounds left to her name, has two weeks at a house party to snag a rich husband after a broken engagement. Host, Miles Redmond, who has been attracted to Cynthia for some time, is the least likely choice as he is not only intended for another but sees straight through Cynthia’s scheming ways. Despite his dislike of her opportunistic ways, he can’t resist the attraction.
I don’t fault Cynthia Brightly’s desire to look after herself and the need for it to happen quickly, as she has good reasons for it. Men of the ton marry for money all the time, why can't she?
But here's the thing - she doesn't have to be a complete b**tc about it.
I found her unkind, catty, gossipy, a little cruel (the drinking game anyone??) and shallow.
Miles was a real stick in the mud, who not only seem to love the sound of his own voice, but who quite honestly is also very shallow. And I hate it when men blame women for their attraction.
So it’s really hard to like a book when you can’t really like or respect the two main characters.
Julie Ann Long can definitely write, parts are funny, there are some really sweet moments scattered about, but I never warmed up to the characters or their struggle.
At the end I pretty much felt they deserved each other – and not necessarily in a good way.
2.5 stars.
Unpopular opinion.
**
“Yes, but I’m not certain I will much longer survive your presence, Mr. Redmond. I am, as ever, interested in self-preservation.”
**
Quick plot: Cynthia Brightly, with a few pounds left to her name, has two weeks at a house party to snag a rich husband after a broken engagement. Host, Miles Redmond, who has been attracted to Cynthia for some time, is the least likely choice as he is not only intended for another but sees straight through Cynthia’s scheming ways. Despite his dislike of her opportunistic ways, he can’t resist the attraction.
I don’t fault Cynthia Brightly’s desire to look after herself and the need for it to happen quickly, as she has good reasons for it. Men of the ton marry for money all the time, why can't she?
But here's the thing - she doesn't have to be a complete b**tc about it.
I found her unkind, catty, gossipy, a little cruel (the drinking game anyone??) and shallow.
Miles was a real stick in the mud, who not only seem to love the sound of his own voice, but who quite honestly is also very shallow. And I hate it when men blame women for their attraction.
So it’s really hard to like a book when you can’t really like or respect the two main characters.
Julie Ann Long can definitely write, parts are funny, there are some really sweet moments scattered about, but I never warmed up to the characters or their struggle.
At the end I pretty much felt they deserved each other – and not necessarily in a good way.
2.5 stars.
June 7, 2021
This book is worth reading if only for the most amazing drinking game you'll ever see in literature. Seriously, it had us both laughing out loud. We also liked the unconventional heroine - in any other book, she would be the mercenary fortune-hunting villain.
6-Word Summaries:
Meg: Straight-laced scientist meets mercenary beauty. Go!
Laine: Marry before the scandal reaches town.
6-Word Summaries:
Meg: Straight-laced scientist meets mercenary beauty. Go!
Laine: Marry before the scandal reaches town.
May 2, 2022
“Well, wanting you is how I was able to see that I love you. But the funny thing is…I did know right away that you are meant to be part of me, and do you know why? I stopped breathing when I first saw you. But the irony is you, when I’m with you, I feel like every breath is my first one, and…I was never really alive until I touched you. So clearly, in order to continue living, to keep breathing, I need to be with you.”
I am loving these books SO MUCH!! Cynthia & Miles 😘
I am loving these books SO MUCH!! Cynthia & Miles 😘
May 27, 2018
3.5 stars. I liked Miles from the start, with his serious, brainy, honourable nature, and his glasses. LOL. I also liked Cynthia, although she was a little unpredictable, and in fact I didn't really like some of her actions when she was still mixing in society, before the scandal. I understand her enjoyment of the wonderful freedom she was suddenly experiencing, but all the same, she was a little careless and irresponsible at times IMO.
The book mostly took place at a house party where Miles was the host, and Cynthia was one of the guests. The chemistry between them was HOT! Their encounters were very enjoyable, both the banter and the kisses. But they both believed that a match between them was not going to happen - Miles was expected to soon become engaged to someone else already, and also, as the heir to the Redmonds (with Lyon's disappearance) he had to marry a 'suitable' person. And Cynthia just wasn't 'suitable'. A nobody, with no family or dowry, and with a big scandal following closely behind her.
As for Cynthia, she was in dire straits. She had no money left, no family, and, once the house party was over, nowhere to go except into employment. And even her future job wasn't yet guaranteed. So she felt she HAD to find a husband amongst the eligible men at the party. But, it seems, much as she liked Miles, he was out of contention.
They struggled to fight their deep attraction to each other. Yes, there was lust, but it wasn't just that. They liked each other as people. They really 'saw' each other. And I liked all of that interesting tension in the story.
But, sadly, after a while it started to get a little tedious. You knew they would end up together, and the angst as they fought their attraction just got a little old. I found myself thinking, yeah, c'mon already. Let's cut to the chase.
So, I did like this book. Ms Long did a fine job of creating her characters and showing the deep connection between her MCs. Some of the secondary characters were quite sympathetic too. But during the middle section of the book, I did get a little bored, and felt as if something was missing from the book. There was the bit with the gypsies, but that didn't interest me much, really. And the bit where Violet . Again, not that interesting. It did all come together OK at the end, but overall, I have to say I liked, but didn't love this book.
But I did like it enough to want to go on and read other books in this series.
The book mostly took place at a house party where Miles was the host, and Cynthia was one of the guests. The chemistry between them was HOT! Their encounters were very enjoyable, both the banter and the kisses. But they both believed that a match between them was not going to happen - Miles was expected to soon become engaged to someone else already, and also, as the heir to the Redmonds (with Lyon's disappearance) he had to marry a 'suitable' person. And Cynthia just wasn't 'suitable'. A nobody, with no family or dowry, and with a big scandal following closely behind her.
As for Cynthia, she was in dire straits. She had no money left, no family, and, once the house party was over, nowhere to go except into employment. And even her future job wasn't yet guaranteed. So she felt she HAD to find a husband amongst the eligible men at the party. But, it seems, much as she liked Miles, he was out of contention.
They struggled to fight their deep attraction to each other. Yes, there was lust, but it wasn't just that. They liked each other as people. They really 'saw' each other. And I liked all of that interesting tension in the story.
But, sadly, after a while it started to get a little tedious. You knew they would end up together, and the angst as they fought their attraction just got a little old. I found myself thinking, yeah, c'mon already. Let's cut to the chase.
So, I did like this book. Ms Long did a fine job of creating her characters and showing the deep connection between her MCs. Some of the secondary characters were quite sympathetic too. But during the middle section of the book, I did get a little bored, and felt as if something was missing from the book. There was the bit with the gypsies, but that didn't interest me much, really. And the bit where Violet . Again, not that interesting. It did all come together OK at the end, but overall, I have to say I liked, but didn't love this book.
But I did like it enough to want to go on and read other books in this series.
August 28, 2019
Have been meaning to read this one for a while, but was a little put off by how many reviewers dissed the heroine. So I thought I might not like her either.
The interesting thing was, I liked her a lot. I could really identify with her actions after we were given some insight into her motives, and I felt it was interesting that so many female readers judged her, conveniently forgetting that women of the time really were powerless and had no way of making a life for themselves without using marriage as their means to achieve this. And even then, it was not a life for themselves, but a life for their husband and family. We need to be careful not to evaluate Regency women's choices using our modern perspective.
It was with Miles that I had more problems-he seemed just as trapped, yet he chose to stay with it for far too long, more concerned with fulfilling his father's expectations than making his own choices. His judgemental and arrogant attitude to Cynthia was really annoying, and when Cynthia finally tells him she doesn't think the two of them are all that different I cheered- somebody had to tell him!
So here's Mr Darcy when he was VERY young!
An interesting and even challenging story, and certainly one of the best by this author, who sometimes totally nails it for me, then other times misses the mark entirely. (I hated the final instalment of the Pennyroyal Green series- Olivia deserved so much better than she got, but that's my opinion.)
The interesting thing was, I liked her a lot. I could really identify with her actions after we were given some insight into her motives, and I felt it was interesting that so many female readers judged her, conveniently forgetting that women of the time really were powerless and had no way of making a life for themselves without using marriage as their means to achieve this. And even then, it was not a life for themselves, but a life for their husband and family. We need to be careful not to evaluate Regency women's choices using our modern perspective.
It was with Miles that I had more problems-he seemed just as trapped, yet he chose to stay with it for far too long, more concerned with fulfilling his father's expectations than making his own choices. His judgemental and arrogant attitude to Cynthia was really annoying, and when Cynthia finally tells him she doesn't think the two of them are all that different I cheered- somebody had to tell him!
So here's Mr Darcy when he was VERY young!
An interesting and even challenging story, and certainly one of the best by this author, who sometimes totally nails it for me, then other times misses the mark entirely. (I hated the final instalment of the Pennyroyal Green series- Olivia deserved so much better than she got, but that's my opinion.)
October 24, 2017
4 Solid Stars!
This was by far one of the funniest historicals I've read in some time. I did find myself suddenly laughing a few times throughout the book. This was such a heartwarming story, yes it was a bit wordy and long-winded at times, but it definitely makes for better insight into the characters. At first I didn't care very much for Cynthia but as the story goes on I definitely begin to understand and feel for her.
Another great read by Long!
This was by far one of the funniest historicals I've read in some time. I did find myself suddenly laughing a few times throughout the book. This was such a heartwarming story, yes it was a bit wordy and long-winded at times, but it definitely makes for better insight into the characters. At first I didn't care very much for Cynthia but as the story goes on I definitely begin to understand and feel for her.
Another great read by Long!
March 25, 2020
Just a lovely straight character-driven love story - no villains, murders to solve, lost heirs or heiresses to find or discover, no evil plots to foil, no useless brothers to support - exactly what I want in a romance!
The entire story takes place over 2 weeks at a house party at the wealthy Redmonds' country estate in Pennyroyal Green. Both the hero and heroine want to be engaged at the end of the 2 weeks, basically for financial gain, but not to each other, because she is broke and he is not very wealthy apart from his family, but wants to finance a long scientific voyage to South America, so he needs money. The story of how they come together, fall in love and decide no one else will do for them is beautifully written, well characterized, funny (be prepared to laugh out loud if you read this book), poignant, and very sexy.
(But - usual problem with Julie Anne Long, anachronisms - e.g. the guests at an upper-class house party in the 19th century would NEVER have eaten their breakfasts sitting around the kitchen table! Plus others.)
The entire story takes place over 2 weeks at a house party at the wealthy Redmonds' country estate in Pennyroyal Green. Both the hero and heroine want to be engaged at the end of the 2 weeks, basically for financial gain, but not to each other, because she is broke and he is not very wealthy apart from his family, but wants to finance a long scientific voyage to South America, so he needs money. The story of how they come together, fall in love and decide no one else will do for them is beautifully written, well characterized, funny (be prepared to laugh out loud if you read this book), poignant, and very sexy.
(But - usual problem with Julie Anne Long, anachronisms - e.g. the guests at an upper-class house party in the 19th century would NEVER have eaten their breakfasts sitting around the kitchen table! Plus others.)
January 24, 2022
2017 review: It was a sweet story. But for some reason, the hero's personality was not the kind I had imagined he would have, and so that kind of bugged me (while I was reading) more than it should have.
March 31, 2021
This was so meh. I felt nothing while reading it.
Even though it was nice to know the other family a little better, I didn't connect with anyone. Only the end was nice, I liked quite a lot that both of them were making sacrifices to be together.
It took me a great deal of time to get used to the heroine and when I got used to her I still didn't like her. And omg, but they took forever to make a decision about their lives! Puff.
I am not sure why this series is so famous and liked. I read book 5 some time ago and so far thats the only book from this writer that I truly enjoyed.
There are also a few things that it isn't clear for me, for example: are these two families only rich or they hold a title? If they are only rich, how are they so respected amongst the Ton? In every book that I read so far, title is much more important than money and never very respected like it is said time and time again...
I tried to find out if the families are titled but I couldn't... I am just curious 🤔
Even though it was nice to know the other family a little better, I didn't connect with anyone. Only the end was nice, I liked quite a lot that both of them were making sacrifices to be together.
It took me a great deal of time to get used to the heroine and when I got used to her I still didn't like her. And omg, but they took forever to make a decision about their lives! Puff.
I am not sure why this series is so famous and liked. I read book 5 some time ago and so far thats the only book from this writer that I truly enjoyed.
There are also a few things that it isn't clear for me, for example: are these two families only rich or they hold a title? If they are only rich, how are they so respected amongst the Ton? In every book that I read so far, title is much more important than money and never very respected like it is said time and time again...
I tried to find out if the families are titled but I couldn't... I am just curious 🤔
April 14, 2022
Book 2 in the Pennyroyal Green series. I really enjoyed this one! We have a bespectacled scientist hero, Miles Redmond, who is a renowned explorer and thanks to his brother’s disappearance, heir to the family’s enormous fortune. A house party with all sorts of shenanigans. And the heroine, Cynthia, trying to find a husband before scandal catches up to her.
Cynthia was the belle of the ton once, beautiful and well-loved until she’s been driving out of London by a secret scandal. Two years before the current story, Miles had even set his sights on Cynthia but overheard her say a second son was too beneath her and she’d go for the Earl (his brother) instead. His pride was definitely hurt at the time and now seeing her two years later at his family’s home for the house party, as a guest of his sister Violet, he definitely feels a certain way. Miles offers to keep her secrets and help her find a husband at the party in exchange for a kiss. Other moments I liked: he gifts her a kitten she names Spider, his sister Violet, the house party full of all sorts of events (hunting party, picnic, Miles retelling stories from his adventures). Lots of pining between Miles and Cynthia while he’s not only trying to find himself a bride, but also trying to help fix Cynthia up with others at the party. I did want them to just get together sooner because it was obvious nothing was really keeping them apart and they were just involving others as “potentials” for no reason. But it is what it is. I did find this book much more enjoyable than book 1 and will continue the series!
Cynthia was the belle of the ton once, beautiful and well-loved until she’s been driving out of London by a secret scandal. Two years before the current story, Miles had even set his sights on Cynthia but overheard her say a second son was too beneath her and she’d go for the Earl (his brother) instead. His pride was definitely hurt at the time and now seeing her two years later at his family’s home for the house party, as a guest of his sister Violet, he definitely feels a certain way. Miles offers to keep her secrets and help her find a husband at the party in exchange for a kiss. Other moments I liked: he gifts her a kitten she names Spider, his sister Violet, the house party full of all sorts of events (hunting party, picnic, Miles retelling stories from his adventures). Lots of pining between Miles and Cynthia while he’s not only trying to find himself a bride, but also trying to help fix Cynthia up with others at the party. I did want them to just get together sooner because it was obvious nothing was really keeping them apart and they were just involving others as “potentials” for no reason. But it is what it is. I did find this book much more enjoyable than book 1 and will continue the series!
December 4, 2008
Reviewed for queuemyreview.com; book release Nov08
Yippee! Now I have yet another author to add to my ‘watch’ list. I just finished Julie Anne Long’s latest historical “Like No Other Lover” and I’ll be heading to the store shortly looking for her backlist. If you’ve been reading my reviews, then you know I don’t throw out superlatives like confetti, but this book was so very, very good! When I’m ten pages in thinking I’ll never like the heroine and then end up cheering for her, you know the author is a talent. I laughed, I cried, and I finished the book wanting more. ‘Nuff said?
Cynthia is two weeks from being homeless and destitute. In one week she went from being the toast of the ton to a social pariah, from being engaged to a rich, titled ‘catch’ to being ‘cut’ on the street. So the invitation from a friend to spend two weeks at a country estate house party is a godsend. Hopefully, the news from London won’t make it to the party until Cynthia has snagged a husband…a rich husband; because if she doesn’t, her chance at marriage and children will be crushed by a job as companion to a crotchety old lady.
Miles Redmond is a rational scientist who lives to discover the reasons ‘why’. So when his first glimpse, two years ago, of Cynthia stopped his breath and caused his thoughts to become a morass of descriptive poetry, he immediately wanted to understand ‘why’. Unfortunately, he overheard her description of him then, which wasn’t flattering, and it pricked his pride and caused severely uncomfortable feelings in his chest! But now, two years later, she is a guest of his sister’s at their estate house party…and she’s apparently desperate to find a husband. It’s just a good thing his illusions were dashed at that long ago ball because all he needs to do to please his family and finally receive financing for a return scientific expedition to Lacao is marry his father’s choice. Not a problem.
How delicious. The scientist and the social butterfly. Of course, the further you read the more you understand that while those descriptions may be accurate to all appearances; people, including our hero and heroine, are much more than just what appears on the surface. I am truly impressed by how intensely Ms. Long managed to touch my feelings. Slowly, over the course of the story, she drew me deeper and deeper under the surfaces of the hero and heroine. They become real, at times heartbreakingly real; and their efforts to find happiness without hurting each other or disappointing friends and family were, at times, almost painful. These are characters whose story will stay with me for quite a while.
For a historical romance novel, “Like No Other Lover” had it all. Setting, pace, dialogue, and characters were all exquisitely drawn and there were no overused plot devices or ‘too stupid to live’ moments or ‘terrible misunderstandings’ to suffer through. Julie Anne Long wrote a story about two people who faced challenge and change…and found love in the process. Bravo!
Yippee! Now I have yet another author to add to my ‘watch’ list. I just finished Julie Anne Long’s latest historical “Like No Other Lover” and I’ll be heading to the store shortly looking for her backlist. If you’ve been reading my reviews, then you know I don’t throw out superlatives like confetti, but this book was so very, very good! When I’m ten pages in thinking I’ll never like the heroine and then end up cheering for her, you know the author is a talent. I laughed, I cried, and I finished the book wanting more. ‘Nuff said?
Cynthia is two weeks from being homeless and destitute. In one week she went from being the toast of the ton to a social pariah, from being engaged to a rich, titled ‘catch’ to being ‘cut’ on the street. So the invitation from a friend to spend two weeks at a country estate house party is a godsend. Hopefully, the news from London won’t make it to the party until Cynthia has snagged a husband…a rich husband; because if she doesn’t, her chance at marriage and children will be crushed by a job as companion to a crotchety old lady.
Miles Redmond is a rational scientist who lives to discover the reasons ‘why’. So when his first glimpse, two years ago, of Cynthia stopped his breath and caused his thoughts to become a morass of descriptive poetry, he immediately wanted to understand ‘why’. Unfortunately, he overheard her description of him then, which wasn’t flattering, and it pricked his pride and caused severely uncomfortable feelings in his chest! But now, two years later, she is a guest of his sister’s at their estate house party…and she’s apparently desperate to find a husband. It’s just a good thing his illusions were dashed at that long ago ball because all he needs to do to please his family and finally receive financing for a return scientific expedition to Lacao is marry his father’s choice. Not a problem.
How delicious. The scientist and the social butterfly. Of course, the further you read the more you understand that while those descriptions may be accurate to all appearances; people, including our hero and heroine, are much more than just what appears on the surface. I am truly impressed by how intensely Ms. Long managed to touch my feelings. Slowly, over the course of the story, she drew me deeper and deeper under the surfaces of the hero and heroine. They become real, at times heartbreakingly real; and their efforts to find happiness without hurting each other or disappointing friends and family were, at times, almost painful. These are characters whose story will stay with me for quite a while.
For a historical romance novel, “Like No Other Lover” had it all. Setting, pace, dialogue, and characters were all exquisitely drawn and there were no overused plot devices or ‘too stupid to live’ moments or ‘terrible misunderstandings’ to suffer through. Julie Anne Long wrote a story about two people who faced challenge and change…and found love in the process. Bravo!
July 31, 2021
So there is a lot of buzz and good ratings for this "Pennyroyal Green" series by Julie Anne Long that I decided to give this series a try as I've enjoyed other books by this author. Thanks to my public library for having the second in the series to borrow. Although I am starting at book two, I am a bit on the fence. I thought this book about the Redmond family was good but it did not excite me to a higher rating. I enjoyed the story but the pace was a bit slow but I finished. Will venture in reading book one to see how I feel about continuing this series.
October 15, 2015
I decided to reread this series because my dearest UM finally started it! This is the second book in Julie Anne Long's "Pennyroyal Green" series about the Eversea and Redmond families and it's one of my favorite historical romance series of all time.
This book is one of the standouts in the whole series for me. I originally rated it 4 stars, but on rereading it, I bumped it up to 5. I never reviewed it for some reason, so now I am.
I love this book. It's an example of exactly why I like this author so much. The leads -- Miles and Cynthia -- are deeply flawed characters. They are both mercenary, they're both cynical and they aren't above jabbing each other pretty harshly throughout the first half of the book. They're actually kind of unlikable for a bit.
But Long patiently adds layers to each of them as their encounters progress. She adds depth and nuance with subtlety and the effect is so emotionally engaging. It isn't some info-dump about bad back stories or tragedies. It's a deeper understanding that the reader learns as the story moves along. It's really very impressive, in my opinion.
Both characters are fundamentally changed by each other and the time they spend together. Again, not in contrived or obvious ways, but in deep, thought-provoking ways. By the time the HEA comes about it's incredibly satisfying and I only wish it had had an epilogue.
One of the many things I love about this author is that she shows both leads evolving and growing through their association with each other. It's not your typical sweet but sassy heroine changing the unrepentant rake in to the perfect husband while she stays sweet and sassy forever and ever. Or the stuffy aristocratic male being brought to the other side by a sassy (they're always sassy), spunky heroine who stays sassy and spunky forever and ever. It's usually the male leads who evolve while the female characters remain stagnant. JAL's heroines tend to be much more interesting than that.
The series is complete now, but I will make wishes in fountains for "check-in" novellas about this family. I want to see all these leads again. I want to see how their lives are progressing and how they're dealing with family. And really, reeeeeally want to see Miles and Cynthia again. They won my heart, what can I say? :D
This book is one of the standouts in the whole series for me. I originally rated it 4 stars, but on rereading it, I bumped it up to 5. I never reviewed it for some reason, so now I am.
I love this book. It's an example of exactly why I like this author so much. The leads -- Miles and Cynthia -- are deeply flawed characters. They are both mercenary, they're both cynical and they aren't above jabbing each other pretty harshly throughout the first half of the book. They're actually kind of unlikable for a bit.
But Long patiently adds layers to each of them as their encounters progress. She adds depth and nuance with subtlety and the effect is so emotionally engaging. It isn't some info-dump about bad back stories or tragedies. It's a deeper understanding that the reader learns as the story moves along. It's really very impressive, in my opinion.
Both characters are fundamentally changed by each other and the time they spend together. Again, not in contrived or obvious ways, but in deep, thought-provoking ways. By the time the HEA comes about it's incredibly satisfying and I only wish it had had an epilogue.
One of the many things I love about this author is that she shows both leads evolving and growing through their association with each other. It's not your typical sweet but sassy heroine changing the unrepentant rake in to the perfect husband while she stays sweet and sassy forever and ever. Or the stuffy aristocratic male being brought to the other side by a sassy (they're always sassy), spunky heroine who stays sassy and spunky forever and ever. It's usually the male leads who evolve while the female characters remain stagnant. JAL's heroines tend to be much more interesting than that.
The series is complete now, but I will make wishes in fountains for "check-in" novellas about this family. I want to see all these leads again. I want to see how their lives are progressing and how they're dealing with family. And really, reeeeeally want to see Miles and Cynthia again. They won my heart, what can I say? :D
October 13, 2012
This book contained Long's signature great writing, strong characters and secondary characters, and a fairly decent plot. But I didn't connect to either the hero or heroine. I felt that both were too cold and calculating for each other, and the hero would have been better off marrying the woman that his father wanted him to. It seems in romance that heroes that we label today as 'autistic' or as having Asperger's Syndrome can describe the hero, as in his having a mild form of those symptoms. I don't know if Long meant for this, or if is was a part of his lust for the heroine. It just didn't work for me in this book. As for the heroine, she came across as a greedy schemer. She had some redeeming qualities, but the way she went about securing her life didn't work for me. Though having a heart of gold, she seemed to lack genuine compassion. I just couldn't get past these emotional traits to actually like the book.
The best part of the book, that made me snort Dr. Pepper out of my nose, was a scene involving firearms, a reproduction statue of David in the garden, and a secondary character that was a zelot. This scene alone earned the book another star. Other than reading for this scene, the book is skip-able.
The best part of the book, that made me snort Dr. Pepper out of my nose, was a scene involving firearms, a reproduction statue of David in the garden, and a secondary character that was a zelot. This scene alone earned the book another star. Other than reading for this scene, the book is skip-able.
February 19, 2021
This book so movingly portrayed two people’s journey toward intimacy, their conflicting motivations as impressed upon them by their station, class, and gender to be dutiful (him), to be financially secure (her), but also to find connection and meaning in their lives. This was swoony and emotional and smart and funny and slow-burn-glorious. Highly recommend.
November 22, 2022
What a book. Probably one of the best HR's I've ever read. I couldn't write a review to even do it justice...it was...wow. Entomologist-explorer Hero for the absolute win. Miles is ... everything. Witty, wonderful, unique, well paced, sizzling, funny.... absolutely awesome. After I was done I wanted to pick it back up and read it again.
Absolutely perfect escapism ❤️
Absolutely perfect escapism ❤️
April 27, 2012
I don't normally like house party stories - where all the action is so contained over a few days, but it worked for me here. I am a sucker for the more-than-meets-the-eye beauty trope, and the warm up between Cynthia and Miles is really fun. Cynthia's wicked drinking game had me giggling like mad - some of the imagery is just hilarious. Like this part about the feather on Lady Windermere's "listing" turban:
"The plume of it now extended horizontally, and whenever she turned her head just a little, it inserted itself into Mr. Goodkind's ear. Mr. Goodkind brushed at his ear and smiled in a faintly pleased but puzzled manner every time it happened, but by the time he managed to turn his head, the plume was gone.
Miles watched this happen twice in the matter of seconds."
This series as a whole is more similar to Julia Quinn and the Bridgertons, ie, very light and witty, and a tiny bit claustrophobic with Regency setting. But it's totally entertaining.
"The plume of it now extended horizontally, and whenever she turned her head just a little, it inserted itself into Mr. Goodkind's ear. Mr. Goodkind brushed at his ear and smiled in a faintly pleased but puzzled manner every time it happened, but by the time he managed to turn his head, the plume was gone.
Miles watched this happen twice in the matter of seconds."
This series as a whole is more similar to Julia Quinn and the Bridgertons, ie, very light and witty, and a tiny bit claustrophobic with Regency setting. But it's totally entertaining.
November 9, 2008
A wonderful romance. JAL really knows how to write about deep passions as well as how to explore the art of falling in love. It really is her strength as a writer. This novel introduces us to Miles, heir apparent of a very wealthy family, and the destitute Cynthia. The story centers around a house party at Mile's family home. The story starts off a bit slow, as Cynthia reviews all of the eligable men as possible husbands. Miles denies his feeling for her and instead sets his eye on a woman who his father has picked out for him. The story really begins to build at the halfway mark, and we see much more of these two together. They make a great couple, flawed as they are. I really looked forward to the next novel in this series. (This one can easily be read out of order.) I'd give the sensuality rating a steamy warm. Not a lot of love scenes, but what is there turns very steamy.
July 17, 2014
4.5 stars
"She supposed he meant: why are you here? Because her mind answered with: Because I love you, and damn you for it. You have both made my life worth living and utterly ruined it, and I’m grateful that you did."
There is really no denying now: I love this series and author! She writes beautifully, creating amazing characters and stories and injecting them with just enough of humor. I mean really, gotta admire someone who can go from writing something as heart-breaking as the previous quote to:
"Oh, God. I’ve killed a man with a marble penis."
Riiight. That happens to me all the time :)
"He could, however, say quite definitively that the effect was like watching the mist pull back from the Sussex downs in the morning in response to the first rays of the sun, and oh dear God he was thinking again in poetry."
In "Like No Other Lover" we have Miles Redmond (we're with the Redmonds now, the archenemies of the Everseas of the first book). Miles is a scientist (studying bugs) and an adventurer. He has already traveled to the far country of Lacao and written a book. What he wants now is to get back. But circumstances have changed. Because his older brother Lyon managed to disappear, he is now the heir. His father offers him a way to get another expedition: marry a certain Georgina and he'll make sure of it. Miles has never been anything other than logical, marriage is just a transaction and love is absurd. So he says yes.
And then he sees Cynthia again. She Who Makes Him Think In Poetry is unfortunately not someone you marry. For one she has no money and no family. For another she has mercenary ways when it comes to calculating the best option for a husband. And being called "Just a dour second son" by a woman who stopped his breath did not go over well with Miles. Now, her fortunes have turned and she is after a husband, fast. Miles is willing to help, for a price. And the price is a kiss.
"I do have a heart. I just cannot afford to use it. Don’t you see? Why can’t you see this?"
-Cynthia
Cynthia was born with little and she lost even that soon after. She arrives to London with nothing but her charm and beauty-and surprisingly that is enough to make her a success in the ton. Suddenly she has men falling over her. She plays games, gets the betrothal she wanted, then loses everything because she played one game too many. Now she has two weeks at a house party to find a husband, or spend the rest of her life being a companion to irritable old ladies.
While Miles is an option, he makes sure she knows he has his own destiny and that he SEES her. Charm wouldn't work on him so easily. He says he'll help: give her info on how easiest to win over the men at the party. She's not sure she trusts him, but she feels drawn to him all the same. This man notices everything. And he is brilliant and maddening and out of her reach. In the end, that quote is the sum of it: she did have a heart, but what are feelings compared to hunger and poverty? She'll take care of herself. She always does. And damn Miles for making her dream of more...
I liked them. That surprised me a little with Cynthia. I mean, she is manipulative and we see her charming and adapting to different men, depending on the occasion, but she also incredibly vivacious and daring. Observant and understanding. Miles is a rational man caught in the net of falling in love: of course he's adorable. The side characters were great, too. Everyone was different, with their own story to tell. Not to mention Spider the Cat and Susan the Spider made quite the pair :)
I like the way they fell in love, too. Not expecting it and resisting every step because it wasn't logical.
This is just a feel-good book. And series.
Quotes
"He was close enough now to see that her profile was designed to do dramatic things to hearts: stop them, steal them, break them."
"This must be why she never spoke to men who wore spectacles, she thought darkly. Some instinct for self-preservation. For this…scientist—she turned the word into a pejorative in her mind—this wealthy, indolent heir—this last word she faltered over, hesitating to turn it into a pejorative, as it had been one of her favorite words to date—had sniffed out unflattering truths about her."
"And she went still, breathless with a rush of understanding: she suddenly saw that Miles Redmond saw the world as little worlds within worlds. Everything—spiders, people, plants that ate animals—were both separate and connected, living the intricacies and beauties and violence of life, woven together like a web."
"Every bit of him comprised the topography of her heart."
"She supposed he meant: why are you here? Because her mind answered with: Because I love you, and damn you for it. You have both made my life worth living and utterly ruined it, and I’m grateful that you did."
There is really no denying now: I love this series and author! She writes beautifully, creating amazing characters and stories and injecting them with just enough of humor. I mean really, gotta admire someone who can go from writing something as heart-breaking as the previous quote to:
"Oh, God. I’ve killed a man with a marble penis."
Riiight. That happens to me all the time :)
"He could, however, say quite definitively that the effect was like watching the mist pull back from the Sussex downs in the morning in response to the first rays of the sun, and oh dear God he was thinking again in poetry."
In "Like No Other Lover" we have Miles Redmond (we're with the Redmonds now, the archenemies of the Everseas of the first book). Miles is a scientist (studying bugs) and an adventurer. He has already traveled to the far country of Lacao and written a book. What he wants now is to get back. But circumstances have changed. Because his older brother Lyon managed to disappear, he is now the heir. His father offers him a way to get another expedition: marry a certain Georgina and he'll make sure of it. Miles has never been anything other than logical, marriage is just a transaction and love is absurd. So he says yes.
And then he sees Cynthia again. She Who Makes Him Think In Poetry is unfortunately not someone you marry. For one she has no money and no family. For another she has mercenary ways when it comes to calculating the best option for a husband. And being called "Just a dour second son" by a woman who stopped his breath did not go over well with Miles. Now, her fortunes have turned and she is after a husband, fast. Miles is willing to help, for a price. And the price is a kiss.
"I do have a heart. I just cannot afford to use it. Don’t you see? Why can’t you see this?"
-Cynthia
Cynthia was born with little and she lost even that soon after. She arrives to London with nothing but her charm and beauty-and surprisingly that is enough to make her a success in the ton. Suddenly she has men falling over her. She plays games, gets the betrothal she wanted, then loses everything because she played one game too many. Now she has two weeks at a house party to find a husband, or spend the rest of her life being a companion to irritable old ladies.
While Miles is an option, he makes sure she knows he has his own destiny and that he SEES her. Charm wouldn't work on him so easily. He says he'll help: give her info on how easiest to win over the men at the party. She's not sure she trusts him, but she feels drawn to him all the same. This man notices everything. And he is brilliant and maddening and out of her reach. In the end, that quote is the sum of it: she did have a heart, but what are feelings compared to hunger and poverty? She'll take care of herself. She always does. And damn Miles for making her dream of more...
I liked them. That surprised me a little with Cynthia. I mean, she is manipulative and we see her charming and adapting to different men, depending on the occasion, but she also incredibly vivacious and daring. Observant and understanding. Miles is a rational man caught in the net of falling in love: of course he's adorable. The side characters were great, too. Everyone was different, with their own story to tell. Not to mention Spider the Cat and Susan the Spider made quite the pair :)
I like the way they fell in love, too. Not expecting it and resisting every step because it wasn't logical.
This is just a feel-good book. And series.
Quotes
"He was close enough now to see that her profile was designed to do dramatic things to hearts: stop them, steal them, break them."
"This must be why she never spoke to men who wore spectacles, she thought darkly. Some instinct for self-preservation. For this…scientist—she turned the word into a pejorative in her mind—this wealthy, indolent heir—this last word she faltered over, hesitating to turn it into a pejorative, as it had been one of her favorite words to date—had sniffed out unflattering truths about her."
"And she went still, breathless with a rush of understanding: she suddenly saw that Miles Redmond saw the world as little worlds within worlds. Everything—spiders, people, plants that ate animals—were both separate and connected, living the intricacies and beauties and violence of life, woven together like a web."
"Every bit of him comprised the topography of her heart."
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