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Brides of Beadwell #1
The Reunion
An inconvenient engagement turns a marriage of convenience into so much more in this sparkling new series from award-winning author Sara Portman . . .
Lady Emmaline Shaw’s reputation was irreparably damaged when her fiancé, John Brantwood, disappeared immediately after their engagement four years ago. Since then, she’s grown from a shy, uncertain girl to a woman who knows her own mind. And what she knows is that London society holds nothing for her.
Rumor has it that John ran off to war and died in battle. Now, as the new Duke of Worley, his shocking resurrection throws the ton into a tizzy and makes him one of England’s most sought after bachelors—except that he’s already engaged.
John needs a wife capable of smoothing his beloved sister’s introduction into society. But though Emma
happily grants him his freedom, her fiery beauty and resilient spirit hold him captive. In fact, John has no intention of letting her go. Her fate is now in his hands, but will her heart be safe there as well?
Lady Emmaline Shaw’s reputation was irreparably damaged when her fiancé, John Brantwood, disappeared immediately after their engagement four years ago. Since then, she’s grown from a shy, uncertain girl to a woman who knows her own mind. And what she knows is that London society holds nothing for her.
Rumor has it that John ran off to war and died in battle. Now, as the new Duke of Worley, his shocking resurrection throws the ton into a tizzy and makes him one of England’s most sought after bachelors—except that he’s already engaged.
John needs a wife capable of smoothing his beloved sister’s introduction into society. But though Emma
happily grants him his freedom, her fiery beauty and resilient spirit hold him captive. In fact, John has no intention of letting her go. Her fate is now in his hands, but will her heart be safe there as well?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 26, 2017
298 people are currently reading
986 people want to read
About the author
Sara Portman
3 books330 followersSara Portman is a USA Today Bestselling author of historical romance. Her debut novel, THE REUNION, received the 2017 RT Reviewer's Choice Award and was named 2015 winner in the Historical Category of the Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® contest.
A daughter of the Midwest, Sara was born in Illinois, grew up in Michigan, and currently lives in Ohio. In addition to her writing endeavors, Sara is a wife and mother in a large, blended family.
When not reading or dreaming up romantic fiction, Sara works in corporate finance by day and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting. As part of her academic experience, Sara spent a semester in the UK through a study abroad program at Richmond College in London. Her anglophile tendencies continue today.
A daughter of the Midwest, Sara was born in Illinois, grew up in Michigan, and currently lives in Ohio. In addition to her writing endeavors, Sara is a wife and mother in a large, blended family.
When not reading or dreaming up romantic fiction, Sara works in corporate finance by day and holds a B.B.A. in Accounting. As part of her academic experience, Sara spent a semester in the UK through a study abroad program at Richmond College in London. Her anglophile tendencies continue today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
November 28, 2017
4.5 stars
What I loved:
1. The premise-- provided great tension right from the beginning.
2. The heroine
3. The writing
4. Story / setting immersion
What I maybe didn't love quite as much:
Of note, my criticism section is longer than my praise because criticism deserves proper explanation where as "GOOD JOB" is perfectly appropriate for praise.
It's hard for authors of today to write in the regency world and provide a story realistic FOR THE TIME PERIOD (specifically, I'm talking about the enlightenment and entitlement of men and women). This book did an okay job. Not fantastic, but very okay.
Some spoilers ahead. You've been warned.
I liked that the heroine realized she needed the clout of the hero and his protection; that felt very realistic. She was between a rock and a hard place-- the hard truth being that she was semi-powerless without the protection of a man-- and the author did a great job of conveying this reality for the time period. When authors don't convey this reality (but rather paint the time period with the same enlightened brush as present day... or even more enlightened), it super irritates me.
Which leads me to the parts that were weak in this regard. The hero was waaaaay more enlightened than was realistic. And his reasons for keeping away from the heroine (after they were married) felt somewhat contrived and easily/quickly resolved. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Take home message: This was wonderfully written/exactly what I was looking for kind of book. Recommended.
--------------
Quick thoughts after finishing:
I'm excited.
I've found a new author to read.
YAY ME! YAY SARA! YAY BOOKS!
What I loved:
1. The premise-- provided great tension right from the beginning.
2. The heroine
3. The writing
4. Story / setting immersion
What I maybe didn't love quite as much:
Of note, my criticism section is longer than my praise because criticism deserves proper explanation where as "GOOD JOB" is perfectly appropriate for praise.
It's hard for authors of today to write in the regency world and provide a story realistic FOR THE TIME PERIOD (specifically, I'm talking about the enlightenment and entitlement of men and women). This book did an okay job. Not fantastic, but very okay.
Some spoilers ahead. You've been warned.
I liked that the heroine realized she needed the clout of the hero and his protection; that felt very realistic. She was between a rock and a hard place-- the hard truth being that she was semi-powerless without the protection of a man-- and the author did a great job of conveying this reality for the time period. When authors don't convey this reality (but rather paint the time period with the same enlightened brush as present day... or even more enlightened), it super irritates me.
Which leads me to the parts that were weak in this regard. The hero was waaaaay more enlightened than was realistic. And his reasons for keeping away from the heroine (after they were married) felt somewhat contrived and easily/quickly resolved. That said, I still thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Take home message: This was wonderfully written/exactly what I was looking for kind of book. Recommended.
--------------
Quick thoughts after finishing:
I'm excited.
I've found a new author to read.
YAY ME! YAY SARA! YAY BOOKS!
July 26, 2017
The Reunion by Sara Portman was a very enjoyable book. I'm not a huge reader of regency historical but every now and then have a craving for a good one. This is a good one. The characters were thoroughly enjoyable and I loved the plot. There was even a secondary romance that took place, though I was hoping to have a full story for those two. This author gave me everything I want in a regency romance; feisty heroine, broody hero with a loving heart, and some beautifully written love scenes for our innocent heroine. Nicely done Ms. Portman!
September 27, 2017
I really enjoyed debut author Sara Portman's book, The Reunion. Smart, mature characters (well, one immature side character I grew to like), a sexy hero, and a heroine who I adored.
Four years prior to the book starting, seventeen year old Lady Emma, was forced into an engagement to a man whom she barely knew. This man, our hero John, took one look at the very young Emma, sneered, and made some not so nice remarks. To everyone's confusion, shortly after this, John disappears. Time passes and everyone assumes he is dead. Emma has no idea if she is still engaged, but very happy to not have him in her life anymore. But then to the shock of everyone, John comes back.
With his father dead, John comes back from Boston, to inherit the title of duke. John has good reason to have disappeared four years ago. His hateful father had driven John's mother and sister, Charlotte, from their house, and the fled across the ocean. When John learns that his sister and mother were alive, he fled to find them. Now back in England, John is preparing to bring his sister back into society (his mother died of illness) and John really needs a wife/duchess to help transition Charlotte to London. Of course, he had totally forgot that he was engaged prior to leaving. But the ton never forgets, and when he makes his first appearance in London, they all remind him who his fiance is.
John can't believe this beautiful woman is his fiance....and Emma wants nothing to do with him. But John is entranced - it's not just her beauty but she has a sharp tongue. She is smart and mature and can hold her own. Not only enticing to him, but exactly what Charlotte needs when she comes to live with them. It takes much convincing to woo Emma back to him....
“I do not believe you have any desire or intent to marry me any more than I do you. What I do believe is that you expected a desperate girl who would be disconsolate at your rejection. I believe you feel robbed of your authority as the one who grants and takes away.” She gripped the wooden arms of her chair and peered at him. “Is your ego really so bruised you would punish me by threatening to push forward with this ridiculous engagement? You would bat me around like a cat's toy just to remind me of your superiority?"
Did I mention Emma has a sharp tongue? But Emma does fall for John. I consider this book a marriage of convenience, but it's also a slow burn of courtship until they marry about halfway through the book. Even though John behaved poorly four years prior, he really is a gentleman. A sexy one at that. And as Emma realizes this, and gets to know him better, she agrees to the marriage.
As the pleasantries were exchanged, Emma found herself watching John. When finally he stood in front of her and addressed her directly, heat suffused her cheeks. Was he taller and broader than he had been two days before? Surely his hair was sinfully darker and his eyes were more startlingly blue. How strange that this man, this unfamiliar, intimidating lord would be her husband.
The second half of the book focuses on Charlotte's arrival. She is....quite the character. She comes off spoiled and bratty and I kind of didn't want to read about her for the remainder of the book. I won't spoil and give away things, but I ended up liking her a lot. She has a substantial supporting story that is well done - just give her a chance.
I'm impressed with this author's voice. I love finding a new author to anticipate - and with book two and three coming out in the next two months, I have high hopes. Emma's best friend will be the heroine in book two - can't wait.
Grade: B+
Four years prior to the book starting, seventeen year old Lady Emma, was forced into an engagement to a man whom she barely knew. This man, our hero John, took one look at the very young Emma, sneered, and made some not so nice remarks. To everyone's confusion, shortly after this, John disappears. Time passes and everyone assumes he is dead. Emma has no idea if she is still engaged, but very happy to not have him in her life anymore. But then to the shock of everyone, John comes back.
With his father dead, John comes back from Boston, to inherit the title of duke. John has good reason to have disappeared four years ago. His hateful father had driven John's mother and sister, Charlotte, from their house, and the fled across the ocean. When John learns that his sister and mother were alive, he fled to find them. Now back in England, John is preparing to bring his sister back into society (his mother died of illness) and John really needs a wife/duchess to help transition Charlotte to London. Of course, he had totally forgot that he was engaged prior to leaving. But the ton never forgets, and when he makes his first appearance in London, they all remind him who his fiance is.
John can't believe this beautiful woman is his fiance....and Emma wants nothing to do with him. But John is entranced - it's not just her beauty but she has a sharp tongue. She is smart and mature and can hold her own. Not only enticing to him, but exactly what Charlotte needs when she comes to live with them. It takes much convincing to woo Emma back to him....
“I do not believe you have any desire or intent to marry me any more than I do you. What I do believe is that you expected a desperate girl who would be disconsolate at your rejection. I believe you feel robbed of your authority as the one who grants and takes away.” She gripped the wooden arms of her chair and peered at him. “Is your ego really so bruised you would punish me by threatening to push forward with this ridiculous engagement? You would bat me around like a cat's toy just to remind me of your superiority?"
Did I mention Emma has a sharp tongue? But Emma does fall for John. I consider this book a marriage of convenience, but it's also a slow burn of courtship until they marry about halfway through the book. Even though John behaved poorly four years prior, he really is a gentleman. A sexy one at that. And as Emma realizes this, and gets to know him better, she agrees to the marriage.
As the pleasantries were exchanged, Emma found herself watching John. When finally he stood in front of her and addressed her directly, heat suffused her cheeks. Was he taller and broader than he had been two days before? Surely his hair was sinfully darker and his eyes were more startlingly blue. How strange that this man, this unfamiliar, intimidating lord would be her husband.
The second half of the book focuses on Charlotte's arrival. She is....quite the character. She comes off spoiled and bratty and I kind of didn't want to read about her for the remainder of the book. I won't spoil and give away things, but I ended up liking her a lot. She has a substantial supporting story that is well done - just give her a chance.
I'm impressed with this author's voice. I love finding a new author to anticipate - and with book two and three coming out in the next two months, I have high hopes. Emma's best friend will be the heroine in book two - can't wait.
Grade: B+
November 13, 2017
Check out all of my reviews at http://www.avonnalovesgenres.com.
THE REUNION (Brides of Beadwell, #1) by Sara Portman is a wonderful character driven historical romance that had me hooked from the first chapter!
Lady Emmaline Shaw has grown from an uncertain girl into a strong, independent woman. She had to face the disappearance of her fiancée, John Brantwood, four years ago and not so long after that the death of her parents. She ignores the gossips, has a close circle of friends, and is living happily in the small village of Beadwell.
John Brantwood has returned to claim his family lands and title as the Duke of Worley. Everyone believed he had run off to war and been killed. Not so. Now he is back and needs to quickly find himself a bride. When he is reminded he already has a finacee, he remembers a shy, meek girl, who will not do for his plans, but Emma is no longer that girl and he finds himself liking and needing this strong woman.
A marriage of convenience is agreed upon, but can either keep their hearts uninvolved and safe?
This book is a wonderful introduction to this series and I can’t wait for many more. Ms. Portman has written characters that come to life on every page. Emma and John try so hard not to involve their hearts. The subplot of John’s sister, Charlotte trying to hide her American past was a great way to show the differences in cultures. The dialogue is witty and fun. The sex scenes are hot and steamy, but not over the top and placed perfectly to enhance John and Emma’s relationship.
Overall, just a wonderfully enjoyable historical romance!
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
THE REUNION (Brides of Beadwell, #1) by Sara Portman is a wonderful character driven historical romance that had me hooked from the first chapter!
Lady Emmaline Shaw has grown from an uncertain girl into a strong, independent woman. She had to face the disappearance of her fiancée, John Brantwood, four years ago and not so long after that the death of her parents. She ignores the gossips, has a close circle of friends, and is living happily in the small village of Beadwell.
John Brantwood has returned to claim his family lands and title as the Duke of Worley. Everyone believed he had run off to war and been killed. Not so. Now he is back and needs to quickly find himself a bride. When he is reminded he already has a finacee, he remembers a shy, meek girl, who will not do for his plans, but Emma is no longer that girl and he finds himself liking and needing this strong woman.
A marriage of convenience is agreed upon, but can either keep their hearts uninvolved and safe?
This book is a wonderful introduction to this series and I can’t wait for many more. Ms. Portman has written characters that come to life on every page. Emma and John try so hard not to involve their hearts. The subplot of John’s sister, Charlotte trying to hide her American past was a great way to show the differences in cultures. The dialogue is witty and fun. The sex scenes are hot and steamy, but not over the top and placed perfectly to enhance John and Emma’s relationship.
Overall, just a wonderfully enjoyable historical romance!
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.com.
April 27, 2019
This was almost good. But it wasn't, really. There were bright bits that kept me going so it's not bad, exactly, but if my mood had been one degree lower or so I might have gotten a rant out of ripping on all the dumb elements.
Emma is the most fleshed-out character and has the fewest obvious things wrong. She's a bit irrational in holding onto her impossible determination to be a spinster because it's clear that she just doesn't have the resources to make that stick (no independent income). So being so brutal about John's proposal doesn't really hold water. And the author tacking on the whole gardening thing was, well, I'll be charitable and call it simply unsupported window dressing that went nowhere and had no impact on anything. I did like her patience with Charlotte, but since Charlotte was a one-dimensional half-flash, half-foolish idiot that didn't really endear her to me much. Still, I was interested enough so she was the character I liked the most.
John was a whole lot of deadweight on a could-have-been good character. A guy who drops everything to help his mother and sister in the teeth of his father's disapprobation would be just my jam. Unfortunately, Portman piles on a lot of stupid cruft around that core so he was hard to tolerate. Worst of this is his stupid "belief" that love = irrational possessiveness that he supposedly gets from his father. I wish authors would stop trying to make one crazy-bad experience with love be a romantic lead's sole expectation of the emotion. The world is full of examples of perfectly healthy love. A mon0-view that is a clearly irrational outlier is only possible in someone really stupid or actually stunted. It doesn't help that this is almost always a negative motivation* that bogs the plot down horribly.
And also it doesn't help that John lets himself be run ragged by an inebriated American who somehow eludes him and all his hired help time and again and pops up in just the right place for plot drama, kind of like a cross between Otis and Barney on the Andy Griffith show (I know I just dated myself horribly with that reference). That's both a sloppy authorial intrusion (because of the convenient pop-ups) and proof that your hero is a blinking idiot (because he can't find this guy, really?) so I'm not sure what Portman thought she was doing with that guy.
And John's "friend", Hugh, is such a straight-up jerk to both Charlotte and Emma that it made me wonder what John was thinking having him around all the time. It wasn't like he was subtle about it or bothering to hide it from John so John's tolerance made him a jerk-by-proxy as well.
I was engaged-enough with Emma that I stuck with it to the end. I liked her and she was clever and witty and that goes a long way in my book to keep me engaged. So this is 2½ stars that I'll round up to three for her sake. Not sure if I'll bother with the next, except that I kind of liked Lucy in this story.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes putting this on the high side of my middle tolerance. They're a bit high on the "this is a romance novel" scale and the third was completely gratuitous so it was another source of friction. It doesn't help that it's an aspect where we see John's love hang-ups the closest, either.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
Emma is the most fleshed-out character and has the fewest obvious things wrong. She's a bit irrational in holding onto her impossible determination to be a spinster because it's clear that she just doesn't have the resources to make that stick (no independent income). So being so brutal about John's proposal doesn't really hold water. And the author tacking on the whole gardening thing was, well, I'll be charitable and call it simply unsupported window dressing that went nowhere and had no impact on anything. I did like her patience with Charlotte, but since Charlotte was a one-dimensional half-flash, half-foolish idiot that didn't really endear her to me much. Still, I was interested enough so she was the character I liked the most.
John was a whole lot of deadweight on a could-have-been good character. A guy who drops everything to help his mother and sister in the teeth of his father's disapprobation would be just my jam. Unfortunately, Portman piles on a lot of stupid cruft around that core so he was hard to tolerate. Worst of this is his stupid "belief" that love = irrational possessiveness that he supposedly gets from his father. I wish authors would stop trying to make one crazy-bad experience with love be a romantic lead's sole expectation of the emotion. The world is full of examples of perfectly healthy love. A mon0-view that is a clearly irrational outlier is only possible in someone really stupid or actually stunted. It doesn't help that this is almost always a negative motivation* that bogs the plot down horribly.
And also it doesn't help that John lets himself be run ragged by an inebriated American who somehow eludes him and all his hired help time and again and pops up in just the right place for plot drama, kind of like a cross between Otis and Barney on the Andy Griffith show (I know I just dated myself horribly with that reference). That's both a sloppy authorial intrusion (because of the convenient pop-ups) and proof that your hero is a blinking idiot (because he can't find this guy, really?) so I'm not sure what Portman thought she was doing with that guy.
And John's "friend", Hugh, is such a straight-up jerk to both Charlotte and Emma that it made me wonder what John was thinking having him around all the time. It wasn't like he was subtle about it or bothering to hide it from John so John's tolerance made him a jerk-by-proxy as well.
I was engaged-enough with Emma that I stuck with it to the end. I liked her and she was clever and witty and that goes a long way in my book to keep me engaged. So this is 2½ stars that I'll round up to three for her sake. Not sure if I'll bother with the next, except that I kind of liked Lucy in this story.
A note about Steamy: There are three explicit sex scenes putting this on the high side of my middle tolerance. They're a bit high on the "this is a romance novel" scale and the third was completely gratuitous so it was another source of friction. It doesn't help that it's an aspect where we see John's love hang-ups the closest, either.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
July 16, 2017
I loved this book! From the opening chapter I was hooked. Lady Emmaline is a wonderful heroine. She's publicly jilted by an unfeeling Duke. Her marriage options dry up as the gossip swirls. She's shunned by the ton, through no fault of her own, but instead of wringing her hands in worry, she shuns them right back, moving to the country for a quiet, scandal-free life.
The inhabitants of Beadwell, the village she takes up residence in, were all interesting, fully-fleshed out characters, not background to move the plot along. Lucy, Emma's best friend and the daughter of the local vicar, is adorable and I hope will have a future story!
The unfeeling Duke returns four years later in need of a wife to help his sister navigate the ton (long story as to why but maybe the Duke isn't as unfeeling as was thought). He's reminded he still has a fiancee, as neither has married or died.
A marriage of convenience is proposed.
I loved Emma right from the start, but John grew on me quickly. He was an ass for jilting Emma, but in his defense, he had urgent family business to attend to and had quite forgotten his father had arranged an engagement.
I loved that Emma is a logical heroine. Where I would have expected tears and a heroine who ran headlong into danger because of a seemingly unfeeling Duke, Emma was more of a 'Well, that sucks. He doesn't love me. I guess I'm going to have to suck it up and get used to it. Now, more importantly, what's the next thing I have to do to protect a wrongly accused boy/help my sister-in-law/fulfill my promises...' It made me like her and root for her more because she wasn't spending her time wallowing in self-pity. I also love that from the beginning, she was standing toe-to-toe against the unfeeling Duke and his high-handed mandates as to what was going to happen.
The scenes of Emma's sparring with the perhaps too feeling Duke are some of the most charming in the book. I couldn't stop ginning for pages. I loved them both and this book! I can't wait for the next in the series!!
*******I obtained an advance copy through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review********
The inhabitants of Beadwell, the village she takes up residence in, were all interesting, fully-fleshed out characters, not background to move the plot along. Lucy, Emma's best friend and the daughter of the local vicar, is adorable and I hope will have a future story!
The unfeeling Duke returns four years later in need of a wife to help his sister navigate the ton (long story as to why but maybe the Duke isn't as unfeeling as was thought). He's reminded he still has a fiancee, as neither has married or died.
A marriage of convenience is proposed.
I loved Emma right from the start, but John grew on me quickly. He was an ass for jilting Emma, but in his defense, he had urgent family business to attend to and had quite forgotten his father had arranged an engagement.
I loved that Emma is a logical heroine. Where I would have expected tears and a heroine who ran headlong into danger because of a seemingly unfeeling Duke, Emma was more of a 'Well, that sucks. He doesn't love me. I guess I'm going to have to suck it up and get used to it. Now, more importantly, what's the next thing I have to do to protect a wrongly accused boy/help my sister-in-law/fulfill my promises...' It made me like her and root for her more because she wasn't spending her time wallowing in self-pity. I also love that from the beginning, she was standing toe-to-toe against the unfeeling Duke and his high-handed mandates as to what was going to happen.
The scenes of Emma's sparring with the perhaps too feeling Duke are some of the most charming in the book. I couldn't stop ginning for pages. I loved them both and this book! I can't wait for the next in the series!!
*******I obtained an advance copy through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review********
August 3, 2017
This is the first novel that I have read by Sara Portman and I now have another author that I will be following. From the beginning, the characters had me entranced, particularly the central character Emmaline. The story begins with Lady Emmaline (Emma) who was jilted by her fiancée, John Brantwood, four years ago. His father and Emma believed that he was killed in battle but his arrival but to London, finds her once again at the mercy of the gossiping ton. Emma has endured the years since his departure as the subject of gossip so it is not surprising that she longs for a quiet life at her cottage. However, John is captivated by her strength, a characteristic that he believes will help with returning his sister Lucy back into society. Eventually, Emma agrees but she faces a significant battle from Lucy, John’s best friend and John himself, who begins to find himself falling in love with his wife. Emma has such strength of character that it was hard not to like her from the start. I did like John but wanted to shake some sense into him. The ability to feel such frustration with a character shows the author’s great ability to weave an entrancing story. Do yourself a favour and read this novel – you will not be disappointed.
I obtained an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I obtained an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2017
John Brantwood, now the Duke of Worley, has been missing for four years and presumed dead. Now, he's resurfaced in England, speculations were rife as to his whereabouts. This was indeed a shock to Lady Emmaline Shaw, who's betrothed was 'resurrected' and has no recollection of her nor their engagement four years prior.
John needs to find a suitable bride. His Duchess would be instrumental to his sister Charlotte's introduction to polite society. Charlotte grew up in poverty in Boston and resists all the changes expected of her. John was equally dumbfounded and relieved when he found out he can marry in haste as he's already engaged! Emma was distressed and would not acquiesce.
They found a compromise, have mutually agreed to do their duties and found love in each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed John and Emma's story. It's beautifully written. I can't recommend this enough. Sara Portman is my new favourite author. Five stars.
I received an advance reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my impartial review.
John needs to find a suitable bride. His Duchess would be instrumental to his sister Charlotte's introduction to polite society. Charlotte grew up in poverty in Boston and resists all the changes expected of her. John was equally dumbfounded and relieved when he found out he can marry in haste as he's already engaged! Emma was distressed and would not acquiesce.
They found a compromise, have mutually agreed to do their duties and found love in each other.
I thoroughly enjoyed John and Emma's story. It's beautifully written. I can't recommend this enough. Sara Portman is my new favourite author. Five stars.
I received an advance reader's copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my impartial review.
September 16, 2019
4.5 STARS
What a delightful story. I absolutely loved Emma. A fabulous character, with such intelligence and class. She had just the right amount of pride and gumption to be admirable. The perfect duchess. The writing was fabulous. This was my first book by SP, but definitely not my last. I am anxious to read on in the series. If this was her first book it was extremely well done.
What a delightful story. I absolutely loved Emma. A fabulous character, with such intelligence and class. She had just the right amount of pride and gumption to be admirable. The perfect duchess. The writing was fabulous. This was my first book by SP, but definitely not my last. I am anxious to read on in the series. If this was her first book it was extremely well done.
August 26, 2017
4.5 stars - What a lovely story! There is much to like about the hero and heroine. Both are honorable, faithful and loyal to those whom they call friend or family. They both long to take charge of their futures and be more than either of their fathers gave them credit for. This is no insta-love story. We, the readers, are allowed to see acceptance transform to a sort of unconventional trust. This trust leads to exploration in the bedroom, which gives birth to passion. We also see this trust secure the future of a once lost sister, the protection of a cherished garden, and finally the keeper of a beloved's heart.
There are reunions, grit, passion and all forms of love to be found in these pages. It’s a real treat.
I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
There are reunions, grit, passion and all forms of love to be found in these pages. It’s a real treat.
I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 27, 2017
I received this book via a Goodreads Giveaway.
Four years ago, Lady Emmaline Shaw got engaged to John Brantwood, future Duke. He said some mean things and then disappeared into the night, leaving her at the mercy of London's gossips. Now he's back from outer space and they get married! And fight their emotions and secrets and boners like married people do!
1. Emma was...underformed. She allegedly loves gardening, which is mentioned approximately thrice. She likes sex with her husband. She loves the people that her loved ones love.
2. Ditto, John. Like, his whole thing about his dad "ruining" his family for love was so obviously a nonsensical plot point that it was kind of ridiculous that it look as long as it did for him to realize that it was...ridiculous.
3. Honestly, all the characters rather felt like echo chambers? Or very clearly scripted actors. Their emotions are very compartmentalized. They don't behave or feel like people. And I'm explaining this badly, but I kept waiting for the narrative to take that first breath that brought things to life and it just didn't happen for me.
4. The Simon-causes-a-rift thing was telegraphed so loudly I am partially deaf in my left ear.
5. Hugh's "I tease because I love" thing is GROSS. Abusive relationships are GROSS. Heckling someone you like because you want their attention is not romantic it is GROSS. CHILDREN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT EMOTIONALLY DEVELOPED OR NUANCED ENOUGH TO COMMUNICATE THEIR FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS AND ATTRACTIONS IN A HEALTHY WAY DON'T LET YOUR HEROES PULL THIS SHIT OFF UNLESS YOU WANT THEM TO GO TO BED EARLY WITH NO COOKIES.
Jesus fuck.
6. STILL MIGHT CHECK OUT BOOK 2 THO SO JUDGE ME HARD.
Four years ago, Lady Emmaline Shaw got engaged to John Brantwood, future Duke. He said some mean things and then disappeared into the night, leaving her at the mercy of London's gossips. Now he's back from outer space and they get married! And fight their emotions and secrets and boners like married people do!
1. Emma was...underformed. She allegedly loves gardening, which is mentioned approximately thrice. She likes sex with her husband. She loves the people that her loved ones love.
2. Ditto, John. Like, his whole thing about his dad "ruining" his family for love was so obviously a nonsensical plot point that it was kind of ridiculous that it look as long as it did for him to realize that it was...ridiculous.
3. Honestly, all the characters rather felt like echo chambers? Or very clearly scripted actors. Their emotions are very compartmentalized. They don't behave or feel like people. And I'm explaining this badly, but I kept waiting for the narrative to take that first breath that brought things to life and it just didn't happen for me.
4. The Simon-causes-a-rift thing was telegraphed so loudly I am partially deaf in my left ear.
5. Hugh's "I tease because I love" thing is GROSS. Abusive relationships are GROSS. Heckling someone you like because you want their attention is not romantic it is GROSS. CHILDREN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT EMOTIONALLY DEVELOPED OR NUANCED ENOUGH TO COMMUNICATE THEIR FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS AND ATTRACTIONS IN A HEALTHY WAY DON'T LET YOUR HEROES PULL THIS SHIT OFF UNLESS YOU WANT THEM TO GO TO BED EARLY WITH NO COOKIES.
Jesus fuck.
6. STILL MIGHT CHECK OUT BOOK 2 THO SO JUDGE ME HARD.
October 4, 2020
Lovely story
July 12, 2017
I received this book from net galley for an honest review. Thank you!!
This novel was an enjoyable read. The plot flowed and there was also a little side story in additional to the two main characters. Sometimes in life, you need to accept the situations you are given and adapt. However, you should still be able to be your own person without giving up who you are.
Lady Emmaline Shaw had her reputation destroyed when her finance left her. She was a young debutante and was deeply hurt by the words from him and other. This changed her and she became a stronger person, knowing what she wants regardless of society. Things change when her fiance returns from the "dead".
John Brantwood, the Duke of Worley, has returned from abroad and seeks a wife. When his friend informs she he still has a fiance, he plans to call it off. However, after meeting Emma, he realizes she is exactly what he needs. Emma has no desire to marry him or anyone, which intrigues John. John wants Emma to prepare his sister for her entrance into society, since he is not afraid of the gossip or the ton. John does not want love in the marriage, for it destroyed his father.
John and Emma have a battle of will in regards to marriage. When a situation arises that could hurt someone Emma cares about, she knows that being a duchess will give her more sway. Both John and Emma give each other conditions, but still keep secrets, which will impact their marriage.
The arrival of John's sisters causes chaos for everyone and it is a nice side story in the novel. Emma tries to teach John's sister how to be a lady, but the girl keeps disappearing. She is extremely outspoken, but Emma is up to the challenge. Emma realizes that John needs to be more apart of his sister's life. John kept disappearing to avoid Emma, trying to fight the desire to be with her. When someone from John's sister's past comes into their lives, things take an interesting twist. John will protect his sister, but at what cost to Emma, who realizes she loves her husband?
This novel was an enjoyable read. The plot flowed and there was also a little side story in additional to the two main characters. Sometimes in life, you need to accept the situations you are given and adapt. However, you should still be able to be your own person without giving up who you are.
Lady Emmaline Shaw had her reputation destroyed when her finance left her. She was a young debutante and was deeply hurt by the words from him and other. This changed her and she became a stronger person, knowing what she wants regardless of society. Things change when her fiance returns from the "dead".
John Brantwood, the Duke of Worley, has returned from abroad and seeks a wife. When his friend informs she he still has a fiance, he plans to call it off. However, after meeting Emma, he realizes she is exactly what he needs. Emma has no desire to marry him or anyone, which intrigues John. John wants Emma to prepare his sister for her entrance into society, since he is not afraid of the gossip or the ton. John does not want love in the marriage, for it destroyed his father.
John and Emma have a battle of will in regards to marriage. When a situation arises that could hurt someone Emma cares about, she knows that being a duchess will give her more sway. Both John and Emma give each other conditions, but still keep secrets, which will impact their marriage.
The arrival of John's sisters causes chaos for everyone and it is a nice side story in the novel. Emma tries to teach John's sister how to be a lady, but the girl keeps disappearing. She is extremely outspoken, but Emma is up to the challenge. Emma realizes that John needs to be more apart of his sister's life. John kept disappearing to avoid Emma, trying to fight the desire to be with her. When someone from John's sister's past comes into their lives, things take an interesting twist. John will protect his sister, but at what cost to Emma, who realizes she loves her husband?
August 5, 2017
A delightful new author. This is an innovative story with quirky well drawn characters. I could not put it down. I already have the next one on my wishlist.
December 30, 2017
4.25/5. Thoroughly enjoyable debut novel by an author to watch. Lady Emmaline Shaw last saw her fiance, John Brantwood, four years ago when he angrily reacted to being forced into an arranged union by insulting her looks and her integrity and then promptly disappeared. Humiliated by his rejection and the subject of cruel gossips, she chose to retreat to her country cottage haven, which she inherited after losing her parents soon after her reluctant betrothed left England. Society gossips did not spare John with colourful stories of his fate, although most eventually agreed that he must be dead to not have returned to assume his responsibilities as heir of the dukedom and then later, when his father passed on, to take on the mantle of duke himself. But now the Duke of Worley has resurfaced, very much alive and virile and in urgent need of a wife to help his long-lost sister make her debut into society. Convenient then for him that he already has a fiancee, but not so convenient for Emma who has no need of a husband, and certainly not one who treated her with disdain years earlier.
“I must tell you, Lady Emmaline, how it pains me to know that you suffered, believing me dead, and what a shock my return must be for you. If I could have spared you the experience, I would have done so.”
She regarded him coolly. “Were you unconscious, then, for the better part of four years?”
“I was not,” he conceded, resisting the upward tug of his lips.
“You lost your memory, perhaps?”
“Ah… no.”
“I didn’t expect so.” She pressed her lips together.
“I thought you had but one sister,” she said.
“Correct.”
Emma spoke up then. “Pardon my directness, Your Grace, but I understood your sister to have died as a young child.”
The duke turned back to Emma and addressed her with no trace of humor. “I assure you she is alive and well and will arrive in England shortly.”
Somehow, his clarifications managed to provide no clarity whatsoever.
“Goodness,” she said tartly, well aware of her tone. “How many resurrections can one family possibly produce? Perhaps I should not be so confident in the validity of your title, Your Grace, when your departed father could turn up at any moment.”
The writing is really quite excellent with strong, genuine and humorous dialogue and some heartfelt moments. There is a secondary romance between John's sister and his best friend which is kind of cute, although they both behaved quite abhorrently in general and towards each other for most of the book. Emma is a great character - resourceful, smart and compassionate. John is a bit of ass for withholding himself from her after their marriage and their lack of communication got a bit frustrating after a while. All in all, very entertaining read.
Could one’s breath halt even as one’s pulse quickened?
Emma felt as though she were clinging to a wild horse that moved to everyone’s commands except her own. When had she become no more than a spectator in her own life?
“When I have been angry with you, you have been calm. When I have been irrational, you have been my reason. When I was defeated, you were victorious. You are not my folly, Emma. You are my balance. You are my sanity. You are precisely what I need, whenever I need it, and I don’t want to waste another moment not believing it. I love you, Emma.”
“I must tell you, Lady Emmaline, how it pains me to know that you suffered, believing me dead, and what a shock my return must be for you. If I could have spared you the experience, I would have done so.”
She regarded him coolly. “Were you unconscious, then, for the better part of four years?”
“I was not,” he conceded, resisting the upward tug of his lips.
“You lost your memory, perhaps?”
“Ah… no.”
“I didn’t expect so.” She pressed her lips together.
“I thought you had but one sister,” she said.
“Correct.”
Emma spoke up then. “Pardon my directness, Your Grace, but I understood your sister to have died as a young child.”
The duke turned back to Emma and addressed her with no trace of humor. “I assure you she is alive and well and will arrive in England shortly.”
Somehow, his clarifications managed to provide no clarity whatsoever.
“Goodness,” she said tartly, well aware of her tone. “How many resurrections can one family possibly produce? Perhaps I should not be so confident in the validity of your title, Your Grace, when your departed father could turn up at any moment.”
The writing is really quite excellent with strong, genuine and humorous dialogue and some heartfelt moments. There is a secondary romance between John's sister and his best friend which is kind of cute, although they both behaved quite abhorrently in general and towards each other for most of the book. Emma is a great character - resourceful, smart and compassionate. John is a bit of ass for withholding himself from her after their marriage and their lack of communication got a bit frustrating after a while. All in all, very entertaining read.
Could one’s breath halt even as one’s pulse quickened?
Emma felt as though she were clinging to a wild horse that moved to everyone’s commands except her own. When had she become no more than a spectator in her own life?
“When I have been angry with you, you have been calm. When I have been irrational, you have been my reason. When I was defeated, you were victorious. You are not my folly, Emma. You are my balance. You are my sanity. You are precisely what I need, whenever I need it, and I don’t want to waste another moment not believing it. I love you, Emma.”
August 13, 2017
I won a kindle copy of this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
This book was definitely a cut above many romances. It has some familiar tropes (marriage of convenience, "I must marry so my spouse can help my family member" - a trope I run across surprisingly often, tortured past, etc) but they are done with just enough of a twist that they don't feel trite.
Emma is the daughter of an earl and a spinster due to her former fiance's astounding rejection of her before running off to join the war in Spain. But now he's back, he has a story to tell, and is willing to marry Emma if she is willing to help him with his sister. John is the Duke of Worley who has been living mysteriously for the past 4 years and returns with a lot of loose ends he needs to tie up and some controversies he needs to squash. And his formerly cowering fiancee is the one to help him do it.
I enjoyed the characters of Emma and John as well as their relationship. Both were relatively straightforward and honest, and there were no major BIG MISUNDERSTANDINGS to speak of. Both of them have good hearts and care genuinely about the people in their lives. They also both have a good head on their shoulders.
The secondary characters were less charming. I never could quite figure out how old Charlotte was, but she is described as "a grown woman" multiple times, and her behavior belied her age and was never explained fully enough for me to forgive her. I had been hoping that Brydges' behavior
That said, the book was enjoyable and a fast read, the characters were well defined, the conflict was something other than A BIG MISUNDERSTANDING, and they handle the conflicts with aplomb. I look forward to reading the next two books.
This book was definitely a cut above many romances. It has some familiar tropes (marriage of convenience, "I must marry so my spouse can help my family member" - a trope I run across surprisingly often, tortured past, etc) but they are done with just enough of a twist that they don't feel trite.
Emma is the daughter of an earl and a spinster due to her former fiance's astounding rejection of her before running off to join the war in Spain. But now he's back, he has a story to tell, and is willing to marry Emma if she is willing to help him with his sister. John is the Duke of Worley who has been living mysteriously for the past 4 years and returns with a lot of loose ends he needs to tie up and some controversies he needs to squash. And his formerly cowering fiancee is the one to help him do it.
I enjoyed the characters of Emma and John as well as their relationship. Both were relatively straightforward and honest, and there were no major BIG MISUNDERSTANDINGS to speak of. Both of them have good hearts and care genuinely about the people in their lives. They also both have a good head on their shoulders.
The secondary characters were less charming. I never could quite figure out how old Charlotte was, but she is described as "a grown woman" multiple times, and her behavior belied her age and was never explained fully enough for me to forgive her. I had been hoping that Brydges' behavior
That said, the book was enjoyable and a fast read, the characters were well defined, the conflict was something other than A BIG MISUNDERSTANDING, and they handle the conflicts with aplomb. I look forward to reading the next two books.
February 13, 2018
The set-up for The Reunion should be my perfect catnip: a marriage of convenience between a brooding aristocrat trying to do right by his long-lost sister and a spinstery spitfire who never felt the need to get married and who has her own mind and motivations. Aaaaaannnddddd. Yuck. PLEASE LET YOUR CHARACTERS ACTUALLY GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER OUTSIDE OF CLIMAXING TOGETHER AN UNREALISTIC AMOUNT OF TIMES.
Spoilers beyond this here point, yo!
Let's start with the positives. The writing is actually really good! If this had just been a Victorian society historical, I think it would have been more successful as a story for me. It's when the romance was shoehorned in, that I began to feel the story line failed. I liked Emma as a character. If I could have had a full length novel of her sassy quips to her BFF Lucy while they garden, that would be perfection. She was incredibly well rounded until she kowtowed to her lady boner for her kind of crap husband. Literally no chemistry or relationship building outside of madcap fucking, passionate bedroom romps, and "romantic" (read:awkward as fuck) dialogue while fingering your wife for the first time. Why have the last few romances done this to me??
And now to the bad.
Ok. I guess I can get the whole, "fall in love with my contract husband even though he avoids me at all costs and is emotionally stunted because he give me that good dick". Sure. Why not? That happens, especially when you throw in that you'd have access to duke level money. But with the B-storyline. Jesus Christ. WHAT THE FUCK. HOW WAS THIS WRITTEN IN 2017?! SERIOUSLY. THIS IS SOME STRAIGHT UP 70's ALPHA MAN FUCKERY BONKERS BULLSHIT. The first 50% of this book is told in alternating POVs between Emma and John, the mains. And then suddenly, the author made this weird choice to have a POV chapter of a side character, Hugh, and then another side character, Charlotte. Let's set the scene: Charlotte is a teenager (I think? She has to be if she's about to debut in the ton) who is angsty and bratty and hates everyone for telling her what to do, naturally. Hugh, a man of dubious age (probably late 20s if not older), spends most of his time tearing Charlotte to shreds for her attitude and lack of propriety and manners befitted someone her age. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN BETTER, Hugh finds out about a secret Charlotte is trying to keep, and then blackmails her so she has to have a private lesson with him. A private lesson on how to ride a horse. Charlotte is fucking terrified of horses and he knows it. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE. He does several things throughout the novel such as: kiss Charlotte without consent, restrain Charlotte without consent, physically remove Charlotte from a room without consent, threaten violence to anyone who even looks at Charlotte in a way that's perceived as unkind. And yet, all of these things add up to Charlotte throwing her arms around Hugh in the very last chapter and covering him with kisses cuz ugh blah blah blah this is gross.
Also, not to throw yet another match on this garbage fire, but the sex scenes were bad. Not the worst I've ever read, but I feel like the author could have used the "fade to black" conceit and it would have made the store better. Probably. What I'm saying is they added nothing.
So to recap: this book is about emotionally stunted semi-alpha douchenozzles who somehow ignore the women in their lives until it's convenient for them, yet still get HEAs anyway. I'm sorry but we've moved on from the Kathleen Woodiwiss novels of the 70s. Men can listen to their emotions, while not getting in the way of all their dickswinging, you know? Not to mention using their fucking words. HAVE A FUCKING CONVERSATION PEOPLE.
2 stars. Ugh.
Spoilers beyond this here point, yo!
Let's start with the positives. The writing is actually really good! If this had just been a Victorian society historical, I think it would have been more successful as a story for me. It's when the romance was shoehorned in, that I began to feel the story line failed. I liked Emma as a character. If I could have had a full length novel of her sassy quips to her BFF Lucy while they garden, that would be perfection. She was incredibly well rounded until she kowtowed to her lady boner for her kind of crap husband. Literally no chemistry or relationship building outside of madcap fucking, passionate bedroom romps, and "romantic" (read:awkward as fuck) dialogue while fingering your wife for the first time. Why have the last few romances done this to me??
And now to the bad.
Ok. I guess I can get the whole, "fall in love with my contract husband even though he avoids me at all costs and is emotionally stunted because he give me that good dick". Sure. Why not? That happens, especially when you throw in that you'd have access to duke level money. But with the B-storyline. Jesus Christ. WHAT THE FUCK. HOW WAS THIS WRITTEN IN 2017?! SERIOUSLY. THIS IS SOME STRAIGHT UP 70's ALPHA MAN FUCKERY BONKERS BULLSHIT. The first 50% of this book is told in alternating POVs between Emma and John, the mains. And then suddenly, the author made this weird choice to have a POV chapter of a side character, Hugh, and then another side character, Charlotte. Let's set the scene: Charlotte is a teenager (I think? She has to be if she's about to debut in the ton) who is angsty and bratty and hates everyone for telling her what to do, naturally. Hugh, a man of dubious age (probably late 20s if not older), spends most of his time tearing Charlotte to shreds for her attitude and lack of propriety and manners befitted someone her age. TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN BETTER, Hugh finds out about a secret Charlotte is trying to keep, and then blackmails her so she has to have a private lesson with him. A private lesson on how to ride a horse. Charlotte is fucking terrified of horses and he knows it. BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE. He does several things throughout the novel such as: kiss Charlotte without consent, restrain Charlotte without consent, physically remove Charlotte from a room without consent, threaten violence to anyone who even looks at Charlotte in a way that's perceived as unkind. And yet, all of these things add up to Charlotte throwing her arms around Hugh in the very last chapter and covering him with kisses cuz ugh blah blah blah this is gross.
Also, not to throw yet another match on this garbage fire, but the sex scenes were bad. Not the worst I've ever read, but I feel like the author could have used the "fade to black" conceit and it would have made the store better. Probably. What I'm saying is they added nothing.
So to recap: this book is about emotionally stunted semi-alpha douchenozzles who somehow ignore the women in their lives until it's convenient for them, yet still get HEAs anyway. I'm sorry but we've moved on from the Kathleen Woodiwiss novels of the 70s. Men can listen to their emotions, while not getting in the way of all their dickswinging, you know? Not to mention using their fucking words. HAVE A FUCKING CONVERSATION PEOPLE.
2 stars. Ugh.
July 31, 2017
"The Reunion" by Sara Portman is a very good book, with likable characters and an interesting plot. Emma was engaged to John when she was just barely out of the school room. John only agreed to marry her to keep his father off his back and, if the gossip is true, he ran off to war to die rather than marry her. Emma hasn't had a true suitor since and believes she will be a spinster.
John didn't run off to war, he ran off to America to help his mother and sister who he thought died years ago. John was a likable hero, he didn't think of the consequences his actions had on Emma, he thought she had probably married long ago and forgot about him.
Imagine his surprise when he learns that she is unmarried, attractive, and furious with him for the scandal he caused her when he left. John wants a wife to help his sister and her entrance into society, who better than the woman he is still engaged to?
Emma wants nothing to do with John. Not only did he say awful things to her on their first and only meeting, he left her reputation in tatters when he ran away. John is set on his course and Emma is set on disrupting him every chance she gets.
Of course it wouldn't be a romance without them coming together. They are both a bit surprised by the depth of the passion they feel for one another. There is quite a bit of hurt on Emma's part that John has to overcome. There were also a couple of misunderstandings and add in some nice conflict from John's sister and John's friend moves the story along nicely. There are a couple of mildly steamy love scenes. Really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
John didn't run off to war, he ran off to America to help his mother and sister who he thought died years ago. John was a likable hero, he didn't think of the consequences his actions had on Emma, he thought she had probably married long ago and forgot about him.
Imagine his surprise when he learns that she is unmarried, attractive, and furious with him for the scandal he caused her when he left. John wants a wife to help his sister and her entrance into society, who better than the woman he is still engaged to?
Emma wants nothing to do with John. Not only did he say awful things to her on their first and only meeting, he left her reputation in tatters when he ran away. John is set on his course and Emma is set on disrupting him every chance she gets.
Of course it wouldn't be a romance without them coming together. They are both a bit surprised by the depth of the passion they feel for one another. There is quite a bit of hurt on Emma's part that John has to overcome. There were also a couple of misunderstandings and add in some nice conflict from John's sister and John's friend moves the story along nicely. There are a couple of mildly steamy love scenes. Really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2017
I enjoyed this book. I like a book with the lovers being at odds until the end of the book. This is not a book with "I love you" every other sentence which gets tiresome very fast. If you are looking for a book with hot sex every other page then this is not for you. So I enjoyed the characters and the story.
July 22, 2020
I received a free kindle copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
I really liked this book! I tend to read more contemporary romances than historical, so I don't have much to compare it to. I thought the story was good and really liked all of the characters.
I really liked this book! I tend to read more contemporary romances than historical, so I don't have much to compare it to. I thought the story was good and really liked all of the characters.
October 8, 2017
Plot: 3/5
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
I quite like the start of the story where instead of the main characters giving the backstory, we get the backstory from the gossiping matrons of society.
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
I quite like the start of the story where instead of the main characters giving the backstory, we get the backstory from the gossiping matrons of society.
August 22, 2017
Lady Emmaline Shaw never wanted to be engaged and certainly not to the rude and arrogant Duke of Worley, John Brentwood. When he disappeared 4 years ago, she was relieved that she never had to think of him again, that is, until he showed up at the ball and informed her he intended to keep their engagement and marry her. Thus begins an unlikely marriage where Emma would help tutor his sister Charlotte in the ways of society.
Ms. Portman teases out the story of Emma and John's growing attachment for each other. Of course, along the way, there are numerous misunderstandings. There is also a small side plot with a villain, but I wasn't particularly impressed with it. It was bland at best. The story moved along at a good pace and I it kept me turning the pages until the end. Fans of Regency romances will certainly enjoy the story.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest view.
Ms. Portman teases out the story of Emma and John's growing attachment for each other. Of course, along the way, there are numerous misunderstandings. There is also a small side plot with a villain, but I wasn't particularly impressed with it. It was bland at best. The story moved along at a good pace and I it kept me turning the pages until the end. Fans of Regency romances will certainly enjoy the story.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest view.
August 23, 2017
I was lucky enough to get an early release copy of this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As a male, I am somewhat of a unicorn when it comes to being a romance novel reader. Truth is, I'm new to the genre having only read a few Julia Quinn novels and, of course, Pride and Prejudice.
The author has a great talent for writing. The book flowed very well and logically. I enjoyed that the writing was not "dumbed down". I will admit I occasionally had to look up a word or two but that is just my shortcoming. Very smart and entertaining!!!
I hope in her future writings we hear more about John's sister and best friend. Very intriguing side story.
A+ Sara Portman. I look forward to more from you in the future!!!
The author has a great talent for writing. The book flowed very well and logically. I enjoyed that the writing was not "dumbed down". I will admit I occasionally had to look up a word or two but that is just my shortcoming. Very smart and entertaining!!!
I hope in her future writings we hear more about John's sister and best friend. Very intriguing side story.
A+ Sara Portman. I look forward to more from you in the future!!!
January 6, 2018
This was historical romance, very well written with equally well and interesting characters in used but very much tempting marriage of convenience plot line.
When I read historical usually two things happen;
-I like it or
-I am bored to tears
There are no gray areas.
Obviously boredom is not the case for this book.
As a matter of fact this was a page turner of a book.
Things I loved;
-heroine she is strong and smart
-plot line
-writting
-side characters
Things I DID NOT liked;
-hero at times was very irritating
- side couple also
But overall this was very good book, a new author to fallow and new series to dive in.
When I read historical usually two things happen;
-I like it or
-I am bored to tears
There are no gray areas.
Obviously boredom is not the case for this book.
As a matter of fact this was a page turner of a book.
Things I loved;
-heroine she is strong and smart
-plot line
-writting
-side characters
Things I DID NOT liked;
-hero at times was very irritating
- side couple also
But overall this was very good book, a new author to fallow and new series to dive in.
February 9, 2018
The reunion
What a cute romantic story. It kept my attention and I liked the characters. I recommend it very very heartily. This was a goodreads win and I really appreciated it!! A real prize
What a cute romantic story. It kept my attention and I liked the characters. I recommend it very very heartily. This was a goodreads win and I really appreciated it!! A real prize
September 28, 2017
3.5 stars
April 2, 2019
3.5 stars, rounding down. Because I am grading on the curve of "this was free." On the other hand, unlike a lot of recent free e-books, I finished this one, and didn't entirely hate it.
The set up is not terrible. And I am a sucker for love interests re-emerging, having been presumed dead. I mean, it's not ideal, in that Emma essentially has no choice; everyone thinks she should just marry the Duke, which fair, he's a Duke. But he's also a Duke who disappeared for years, before re-appearing, having given his fiance (albeit an arranged one) no thought in the interim. I feel like her aunt and uncle (who love her) should have at least demanded an explanation.
And I mean, the reason isn't terrible, as reasons go. He had to go help his sister. Fine. And he decides he needs a wife ASAP for related reasons, also fine. Emma agrees rather than live a life of quiet poverty, with minimal support once aunt and uncle die, given the Duke seems to be reasonable, again also fine. There are worse reasons for marriage in a historical. They agree to have a marriage based on respect and general affection. No love. Absolutely no love. Sir Duke doesn't want that after his father's crappy example of a 'love match'.
Obviously, misunderstandings ensue.
All of the above would have been FINE. ALL FINE. Fairly standard for a MoC, actually.
Except that:
1. The sister is kind of a monster and essentially never gets called on it by her brother? I mean, she's a monster for a kind of good reason, in some ways. But NOT IN OTHERS. And its' fairly consistent, until it just, goes away? After a single heart to heart. Which is particularly galling, because Emma is always kind and understanding, despite the crap she gets handled from all sides, from the Duke (his sister isn't progressing well enough, he can't deal with his feelings, why can't she make the immediate jump from spinster to perfect organizer, despite explaining it wasn't really the life she wanted to him), from the sister (who is mostly a brat, partly because she's out of her element, but still), and the best friend (who is just generally THE WORST).
2. The best friend. The best friend is the sort of person who believes the worst in people (he cannot be swayed from the conviction that Emma is a gold-diggers, despite her very truthful protestations to the contrary), and he spends most of the book basically insulting everyone around him, in the name of his friendship with the Duke? IDK. He's basically the Regency equivalent of one of those people who thinks they can say unpleasant things, just because they're right/deserved/what is tact anyway? And he spends most of the book being basically hateful too and prodding the sister in the most unhelpful ways possible. Which would have been bad enough, .
3. The Duke's issue.
Basically, the messaging is problematic.
On the other hand, I read this a few days ago, and still remember most of it. It isn't terrible, it just... could have been much better with a few tweaks.
The set up is not terrible. And I am a sucker for love interests re-emerging, having been presumed dead. I mean, it's not ideal, in that Emma essentially has no choice; everyone thinks she should just marry the Duke, which fair, he's a Duke. But he's also a Duke who disappeared for years, before re-appearing, having given his fiance (albeit an arranged one) no thought in the interim. I feel like her aunt and uncle (who love her) should have at least demanded an explanation.
And I mean, the reason isn't terrible, as reasons go. He had to go help his sister. Fine. And he decides he needs a wife ASAP for related reasons, also fine. Emma agrees rather than live a life of quiet poverty, with minimal support once aunt and uncle die, given the Duke seems to be reasonable, again also fine. There are worse reasons for marriage in a historical. They agree to have a marriage based on respect and general affection. No love. Absolutely no love. Sir Duke doesn't want that after his father's crappy example of a 'love match'.
Obviously, misunderstandings ensue.
All of the above would have been FINE. ALL FINE. Fairly standard for a MoC, actually.
Except that:
1. The sister is kind of a monster and essentially never gets called on it by her brother? I mean, she's a monster for a kind of good reason, in some ways. But NOT IN OTHERS. And its' fairly consistent, until it just, goes away? After a single heart to heart. Which is particularly galling, because Emma is always kind and understanding, despite the crap she gets handled from all sides, from the Duke (his sister isn't progressing well enough, he can't deal with his feelings, why can't she make the immediate jump from spinster to perfect organizer, despite explaining it wasn't really the life she wanted to him), from the sister (who is mostly a brat, partly because she's out of her element, but still), and the best friend (who is just generally THE WORST).
2. The best friend. The best friend is the sort of person who believes the worst in people (he cannot be swayed from the conviction that Emma is a gold-diggers, despite her very truthful protestations to the contrary), and he spends most of the book basically insulting everyone around him, in the name of his friendship with the Duke? IDK. He's basically the Regency equivalent of one of those people who thinks they can say unpleasant things, just because they're right/deserved/what is tact anyway? And he spends most of the book being basically hateful too and prodding the sister in the most unhelpful ways possible. Which would have been bad enough, .
3. The Duke's issue.
Basically, the messaging is problematic.
On the other hand, I read this a few days ago, and still remember most of it. It isn't terrible, it just... could have been much better with a few tweaks.
October 25, 2018
3.25*
review em breve
review em breve
September 22, 2017
I received an eARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This appears to be Sarah Portman's first published novel. Although her author page says that she has written multiple historical and contemporary romances, The Reunion won the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award in 2015 -- which is only given to writers who have never published. So this book seems to be her publishing debut, if not her writing debut.
As a debut, this is a very impressive book. Portman obviously knows how to string words together; I quite enjoyed the prose, and her dialogue is nicely sophisticated. From the humorous and striking first line -- "Resurrections can be dreadfully disconcerting" -- to lines of dialogue like "You’re my brother and I love you. I am the only family you have left, so I believe the task falls upon me to inform you that you are an ass", the reader knows that they are in the hands of an author of some wit and skill. Don't expect 21st century simplicity or directness, because the narrative voice will remind you at all times that this is a HISTORICAL romance.
The plot setup is gratifyingly historical-over-the-top silly. Our Heroine, Emmaline, was affianced four years ago to the son of a duke whom she had never met before the engagement, but immediately after that engagement her fiancé apparently ran off to fight Napoleon in Spain and was thought to have been killed there. This rather emphatic rejection, unsurprisingly, ruined Emmaline in the eyes of the ton, and compounded by the deaths soon after of her parents, she has lived the ensuing years in relative obscurity and poverty. But as the book's first line reveals, the runaway fiancé has turned up alive as the story opens. Complications and romance ensue.
Most of the characters were entertaining. Emmaline was tough and intelligent for the most part; Our Hero's sidekick, Brydges, was a font of snark and snidery; and Our Hero's sister could be a real viper (whom I would have liked to see developing more gradually -- her turnaround seemed too sudden to me). OTOH, I was not terribly fond of Our Hero himself, John, Duke of Worley. He was, to put it quite simply and reflecting his own sister's opinion, an ass. While his protection of his sister was noble, he was arrogant, self-centered, and oblivious throughout. I never believed in the excuses he gave himself for doing what he did, and I never got the feeling that he had made adequate reparations for his many failures. I won't spoil significant plot details, but one small example from early in the story: during the four years he was missing, he was hale and hearty in another country. Of course, he never bothered to write his fiancée even once during all that time -- and while his failure to do so is mentioned in the book, it is glossed over, and he never even apologizes for his failure. Bah, I say. I wanted to see significant groveling at multiple points throughout the book, but for the most part he seemed to get away with his transgressions. I was nearly yelling at the book at the end, for that very reason.
For the most part, the romance itself was nicely romance-y -- lots of push/pull, he does/he doesn't-she does/she doesn't, the ups and downs that I enjoy in a romance novel. The ups and downs don't need to be entirely rational to satisfy me -- they just have to be convincing -- and for the most part I was able to believe these. I did regret the basically instalust here and the shades of magic-penis syndrome (or, in this case, magic-kiss syndrome); I would rather have seen a slower burn and less of being overwhelmed by his irresistible manliness.
Anyway, this review is getting too long. I enjoyed most things about the book -- I liked the language, the period atmosphere, the family life, the general attitude of the book. I didn't appreciate John. But for a publishing debut, Portman could have done a whole lot worse, and I'll be happy to see what she does with her next book.
I'm giving this about 3.5 stars. Rounding up.
This appears to be Sarah Portman's first published novel. Although her author page says that she has written multiple historical and contemporary romances, The Reunion won the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award in 2015 -- which is only given to writers who have never published. So this book seems to be her publishing debut, if not her writing debut.
As a debut, this is a very impressive book. Portman obviously knows how to string words together; I quite enjoyed the prose, and her dialogue is nicely sophisticated. From the humorous and striking first line -- "Resurrections can be dreadfully disconcerting" -- to lines of dialogue like "You’re my brother and I love you. I am the only family you have left, so I believe the task falls upon me to inform you that you are an ass", the reader knows that they are in the hands of an author of some wit and skill. Don't expect 21st century simplicity or directness, because the narrative voice will remind you at all times that this is a HISTORICAL romance.
The plot setup is gratifyingly historical-over-the-top silly. Our Heroine, Emmaline, was affianced four years ago to the son of a duke whom she had never met before the engagement, but immediately after that engagement her fiancé apparently ran off to fight Napoleon in Spain and was thought to have been killed there. This rather emphatic rejection, unsurprisingly, ruined Emmaline in the eyes of the ton, and compounded by the deaths soon after of her parents, she has lived the ensuing years in relative obscurity and poverty. But as the book's first line reveals, the runaway fiancé has turned up alive as the story opens. Complications and romance ensue.
Most of the characters were entertaining. Emmaline was tough and intelligent for the most part; Our Hero's sidekick, Brydges, was a font of snark and snidery; and Our Hero's sister could be a real viper (whom I would have liked to see developing more gradually -- her turnaround seemed too sudden to me). OTOH, I was not terribly fond of Our Hero himself, John, Duke of Worley. He was, to put it quite simply and reflecting his own sister's opinion, an ass. While his protection of his sister was noble, he was arrogant, self-centered, and oblivious throughout. I never believed in the excuses he gave himself for doing what he did, and I never got the feeling that he had made adequate reparations for his many failures. I won't spoil significant plot details, but one small example from early in the story: during the four years he was missing, he was hale and hearty in another country. Of course, he never bothered to write his fiancée even once during all that time -- and while his failure to do so is mentioned in the book, it is glossed over, and he never even apologizes for his failure. Bah, I say. I wanted to see significant groveling at multiple points throughout the book, but for the most part he seemed to get away with his transgressions. I was nearly yelling at the book at the end, for that very reason.
For the most part, the romance itself was nicely romance-y -- lots of push/pull, he does/he doesn't-she does/she doesn't, the ups and downs that I enjoy in a romance novel. The ups and downs don't need to be entirely rational to satisfy me -- they just have to be convincing -- and for the most part I was able to believe these. I did regret the basically instalust here and the shades of magic-penis syndrome (or, in this case, magic-kiss syndrome); I would rather have seen a slower burn and less of being overwhelmed by his irresistible manliness.
Anyway, this review is getting too long. I enjoyed most things about the book -- I liked the language, the period atmosphere, the family life, the general attitude of the book. I didn't appreciate John. But for a publishing debut, Portman could have done a whole lot worse, and I'll be happy to see what she does with her next book.
I'm giving this about 3.5 stars. Rounding up.
July 24, 2019
This was good. I really enjoyed it. He came back to bring his estranged sister home and to find a wife. He didn't remember he was already betrothed but everyone thought him dead. He was very mean to the heroine the one time they met because his Father arranged the betrothal. He took off right after that and went to fight the war so everyone thought it was a rejection of the heroine and she has lived in exclusion by her choice. Then his Father tells everyone he's dead but he's not and the game is afoot.
There are subplots with his best friend, who is also a jerk, and his sister plus a whole lot of misunderstanding.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to future stories by this author.
There are subplots with his best friend, who is also a jerk, and his sister plus a whole lot of misunderstanding.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to future stories by this author.
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