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The Splendid Trilogy #3.5 - A tale of two sisters
Where's My Hero?
Dear Avon Books,
Where are my heroes? Whenever I'm reading a book by one of my favorite authors I find I'm falling for the wrong guy—not the hero, but the other man—and what I really want is for him to have his own story.
Like Jake Linley, from Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas . . . that doctor could sit by my bedside if I ever got sick. And Ned Blydon in Splendid by Julia Quinn . . . he makes me want to learn to waltz! I never thought living in a drafty castle would be much fun until Simon of Ravenswood in Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor came along.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that these are my men—when do they get their stories?
Sincerely,
A Romance Fan
___________________________________
Against All Odds by Lisa Kleypas
When eminently sensible Lydia Craven decides to marry for security rather than love, she doesn't calculate on the determination of devil-may-care doctor Jake Linley to rewrite the romantic formula.
A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn
Dashing Ned Blydon is in a most unenviable predicament—he's engaged to one Thornton sister, while being secretly in love with the other.
Midsummer's Knight by Kinley MacGregor
When Simon of Ravenswood secretly answered Lady Kenna's letters in the name of a powerful earl, he was only being polite. Little did he know the lady would fall in love with the author and come between him, his best friend, and a solemn vow made long ago.
Where are my heroes? Whenever I'm reading a book by one of my favorite authors I find I'm falling for the wrong guy—not the hero, but the other man—and what I really want is for him to have his own story.
Like Jake Linley, from Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas . . . that doctor could sit by my bedside if I ever got sick. And Ned Blydon in Splendid by Julia Quinn . . . he makes me want to learn to waltz! I never thought living in a drafty castle would be much fun until Simon of Ravenswood in Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor came along.
Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that these are my men—when do they get their stories?
Sincerely,
A Romance Fan
___________________________________
Against All Odds by Lisa Kleypas
When eminently sensible Lydia Craven decides to marry for security rather than love, she doesn't calculate on the determination of devil-may-care doctor Jake Linley to rewrite the romantic formula.
A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn
Dashing Ned Blydon is in a most unenviable predicament—he's engaged to one Thornton sister, while being secretly in love with the other.
Midsummer's Knight by Kinley MacGregor
When Simon of Ravenswood secretly answered Lady Kenna's letters in the name of a powerful earl, he was only being polite. Little did he know the lady would fall in love with the author and come between him, his best friend, and a solemn vow made long ago.
375 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 2003
497 people are currently reading
5486 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Kleypas
114 books31.7k followersLISA KLEYPAS is the RITA award-winning author of 21 novels. Her books are published in fourteen languages and are bestsellers all over the world. She lives in Washington State with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 638 reviews
March 8, 2012
Short review for these short stories...
Surprisingly - for me, at least - Kleypas's story was my least favorite. It was good, but I think it could've been better if it had been written as a full-length novel. Jake and Lydia needed more time to sort things out, IMO. But it was very nice to revisit Derek and Sara (Dreaming of You), who are one of my all-time favorite couples.
I loved MacGregor's story. Simon was a favorite character of mine since I "met" him in Born in Sin and I was happy to see him find love with an adorable lass like Kenna.
Quinn's story was good too. Light and entertaining, as usual. Ned and Charlotte were very likeable, and his "poem" at the end of the book cracked me up. I finished the story with a huge grin on my face, and that's a good thing.
Having read all the books that had featured these heroes/heroines before, I enjoyed reading their way to the HEA in this anthology. I don't know if readers who haven't would miss any background info to enjoy it, though.
Surprisingly - for me, at least - Kleypas's story was my least favorite. It was good, but I think it could've been better if it had been written as a full-length novel. Jake and Lydia needed more time to sort things out, IMO. But it was very nice to revisit Derek and Sara (Dreaming of You), who are one of my all-time favorite couples.
I loved MacGregor's story. Simon was a favorite character of mine since I "met" him in Born in Sin and I was happy to see him find love with an adorable lass like Kenna.
Quinn's story was good too. Light and entertaining, as usual. Ned and Charlotte were very likeable, and his "poem" at the end of the book cracked me up. I finished the story with a huge grin on my face, and that's a good thing.
Having read all the books that had featured these heroes/heroines before, I enjoyed reading their way to the HEA in this anthology. I don't know if readers who haven't would miss any background info to enjoy it, though.
June 27, 2019
Me ha encantado este relato corto sobre Lydia, la hija de Sara y Derek Craven, mi protagonista masculino favorito de Lisa Kleypas junto a Jack Devlin (Irresistible). La historia de amor es bonita y muy sexy y, además de mostrarnos cómo se las gasta el enamorado de su hija con su gran don de lenguas, nos deja entrever la apasionada vida de casados de Derek y Sara (😍🔥😍🔥y así todo el rato que asoman por ahí). Aunque hubiera dado perfectamente para una novela larga, su corta extensión, que en manos de otras autoras hubiera sido un problema, en las de Kleypas se convierte en una pequeña maravilla.
November 27, 2018
Preciosa historia, aunque el hecho de que sea simplemente un relato corto te deja con ganas de más.
Escucha a tu corazón cuenta la historia de amor de Lydia, la hija de Derek Craven y de Sara. A los lectores siempre nos gusta saber qué fue de nuestras parejas favoritas y qué pasa con sus hijos, si los tienen, ¿se parecen a sus padres? En este caso, Lydia no decepciona y se muestra digna hija de sus progenitores, pero hubiera preferido que tuviese una novela larga para ella sola.
Escucha a tu corazón cuenta la historia de amor de Lydia, la hija de Derek Craven y de Sara. A los lectores siempre nos gusta saber qué fue de nuestras parejas favoritas y qué pasa con sus hijos, si los tienen, ¿se parecen a sus padres? En este caso, Lydia no decepciona y se muestra digna hija de sus progenitores, pero hubiera preferido que tuviese una novela larga para ella sola.
July 31, 2010
This review is only for the Lisa Kleypas story, "Against The Odds".
Very enjoyable 93-page read, but boy do I wish it was a 293 page read--it would've been a much better story if the characters of 20 year-old Lydia Craven (Derek and Sara's--from Dreaming of You-- oldest child) and 30 year-old Dr. Jake Linley were a little more developed. I know I met Dr. Linley in another Kleypas book (Someone to Watch Over Me)?, but I didn't recall much about him except for his age and his good looks. In this story he's also got a bit of a reputation as a ladies man. Pretty Lydia Craven has just become engaged to Robert, Lord Wray, but if he's being honest with himself, Jake doesn't like it, even though he and Lydia hardly get along. The mathematically brainy Lydia and Wray are a good intellectual match, but they get along like friends or brother and sister, not like a couple in love. Lydia thinks that the possibility of her finding her 'soul mate' is practically nil, so Lord Wray looks like a good enough bet for her, and he's considered a great catch. Jake thinks it's all wrong, but is he ready to declare his true feelings for Lydia? What can he as a doctor give Lydia (who grew up fabulously wealthy)? Would his love be enough for her?
There's a nice steamy scene where Lydia and Jake get locked in a wine cellar (by someone who's trying to encourage their relationship) and Jake teaches Lydia what 'afterglow' is all about, and they finally right the wrongs and misunderstandings in their relationship. Well done, but far too short.
Probably the best part for me was seeing Sara and Derek again, and seeing what happened to their life 20 years later. Hey, they may be older, but these two still have plenty of steam!
I'm hoping one day LK decides to write more stories on the descendants of Sara and Derek--lots of potential there! 4 stars
Very enjoyable 93-page read, but boy do I wish it was a 293 page read--it would've been a much better story if the characters of 20 year-old Lydia Craven (Derek and Sara's--from Dreaming of You-- oldest child) and 30 year-old Dr. Jake Linley were a little more developed. I know I met Dr. Linley in another Kleypas book (Someone to Watch Over Me)?, but I didn't recall much about him except for his age and his good looks. In this story he's also got a bit of a reputation as a ladies man. Pretty Lydia Craven has just become engaged to Robert, Lord Wray, but if he's being honest with himself, Jake doesn't like it, even though he and Lydia hardly get along. The mathematically brainy Lydia and Wray are a good intellectual match, but they get along like friends or brother and sister, not like a couple in love. Lydia thinks that the possibility of her finding her 'soul mate' is practically nil, so Lord Wray looks like a good enough bet for her, and he's considered a great catch. Jake thinks it's all wrong, but is he ready to declare his true feelings for Lydia? What can he as a doctor give Lydia (who grew up fabulously wealthy)? Would his love be enough for her?
There's a nice steamy scene where Lydia and Jake get locked in a wine cellar (by someone who's trying to encourage their relationship) and Jake teaches Lydia what 'afterglow' is all about, and they finally right the wrongs and misunderstandings in their relationship. Well done, but far too short.
Probably the best part for me was seeing Sara and Derek again, and seeing what happened to their life 20 years later. Hey, they may be older, but these two still have plenty of steam!
I'm hoping one day LK decides to write more stories on the descendants of Sara and Derek--lots of potential there! 4 stars
September 18, 2022
Where’s My Hero? By Kleypas, MacGregor, and Quinn
Against All Odds by Lisa Kleypas
Midsummer’s Knight by Kinley MacGregor
A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn
Against All Odds by Lisa Kleypas
Midsummer’s Knight by Kinley MacGregor
A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn
July 29, 2023
Kleypas should stop writing novellas. None of them have ever been any good.
October 27, 2020
What the fuck? Why didn't I realize Derek's daughter has her own book????
Damn me.
-----------------
Okay, I'm going to cheat. This review is only for Lydia's story because that's the only series I've read in this compilation; and because I only read it due to Derek My-All-Time-Favourite-Hero Craven.
I cried. Like a bitch. Like a bitch on her period.
The moment with Derek and Sara is EVERYTHING for me. They have FIVE KIDS. FIVE! Derek finally has his big family!
There were times that her father would make an oblique remark at the breakfast table that would cause Sara to splutter in her tea… times when their bedroom door was inexplicably locked during the middle of the day… and then there were the private glances her father would sometimes send her mother, somehow wicked and tender at the same time.
I cannot.
Damn me.
-----------------
Okay, I'm going to cheat. This review is only for Lydia's story because that's the only series I've read in this compilation; and because I only read it due to Derek My-All-Time-Favourite-Hero Craven.
I cried. Like a bitch. Like a bitch on her period.
The moment with Derek and Sara is EVERYTHING for me. They have FIVE KIDS. FIVE! Derek finally has his big family!
There were times that her father would make an oblique remark at the breakfast table that would cause Sara to splutter in her tea… times when their bedroom door was inexplicably locked during the middle of the day… and then there were the private glances her father would sometimes send her mother, somehow wicked and tender at the same time.
I cannot.
May 8, 2015
Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas?!
I need CPR. ASAP.
I need CPR. ASAP.
July 7, 2025
This is an anthology. 3 short stories about side characters from the author’s other books.
Story 1: Against the Odds by Lisa Kleypas
- 3.5 stars (second fave of the 3 stories)
- 6 chapters, including the prologue and epilogue
- doctor hero, mathematician heroine
- 10-year age gap
- based on the blurb, the hero appeared in Someone to Watch Over Me
- heroine is the daughter of Derek and Sara Craven, who have cameos in the book
- a haters-to-lovers feel
- some time jumps
- hero has unrequited love for the heroine
- heroine is engaged to another man (an Earl)
- H/h are locked inside a wine cellar, forcing them to admit their feelings for one another and become intimate
- Not sure how the OM took the news that the heroine jilted him
- no love scene, which is surprising for a Lisa Kleypas story
─────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────
Story 2: Midsummer’s Knight by Kinley MacGregor
- 4 stars (fave of the 3 stories)
- 8 chapters, including the prologue and epilogue
- Knight hero, heroine is cousin to the Scottish King Malcolm (so she’s technically a princess, right?)
- class difference, especially since the hero is untitled and has no land of his own.
- he kind of acts like a bodyguard to a secondary male character named Stryder, who’s like a brother.
- part of a series so other characters have cameos and hero’s past and the Brotherhood of the Sword is mentioned briefly.
- letter-writing romance: it was refreshing to read about a hero who’s already in love with the heroine
- some time jumps
- secret identity-ish on the hero’s part
- angsty: the hero knows that he can never marry the heroine, so they make the best of their one day and one night together. 🥹
- tournament: The winner gets the heroine’s hand in marriage.
- near death (more angst): the hero throws himself in front of Stryder to save him from an assassin’s crossbow arrows. 🥹
- I think there was one love scene
─────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────
Story 3: A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn
- 1 star (least fave, skimmed, almost DNF halfway through chapter 1)
- 8 chapters, including the epilogue
- I couldn’t stand the writing style for some reason
- viscount hero who appeared in Splendid (a book I DNF’d)
- hero is engaged to heroine’s older sister. The wedding is days away!
- H/h meet each other for the first time in the park.
- the sister actually plans to elope with another man
- heroine ends up being the bride
- H/h fell in love too quickly
- one love scene (wedding night)
Story 1: Against the Odds by Lisa Kleypas
- 3.5 stars (second fave of the 3 stories)
- 6 chapters, including the prologue and epilogue
- doctor hero, mathematician heroine
- 10-year age gap
- based on the blurb, the hero appeared in Someone to Watch Over Me
- heroine is the daughter of Derek and Sara Craven, who have cameos in the book
- a haters-to-lovers feel
- some time jumps
- hero has unrequited love for the heroine
- heroine is engaged to another man (an Earl)
- H/h are locked inside a wine cellar, forcing them to admit their feelings for one another and become intimate
- Not sure how the OM took the news that the heroine jilted him
- no love scene, which is surprising for a Lisa Kleypas story
─────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────
Story 2: Midsummer’s Knight by Kinley MacGregor
- 4 stars (fave of the 3 stories)
- 8 chapters, including the prologue and epilogue
- Knight hero, heroine is cousin to the Scottish King Malcolm (so she’s technically a princess, right?)
- class difference, especially since the hero is untitled and has no land of his own.
- he kind of acts like a bodyguard to a secondary male character named Stryder, who’s like a brother.
- part of a series so other characters have cameos and hero’s past and the Brotherhood of the Sword is mentioned briefly.
- letter-writing romance: it was refreshing to read about a hero who’s already in love with the heroine
- some time jumps
- secret identity-ish on the hero’s part
- angsty: the hero knows that he can never marry the heroine, so they make the best of their one day and one night together. 🥹
- tournament: The winner gets the heroine’s hand in marriage.
- near death (more angst): the hero throws himself in front of Stryder to save him from an assassin’s crossbow arrows. 🥹
- I think there was one love scene
─────────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────────────
Story 3: A Tale of Two Sisters by Julia Quinn
- 1 star (least fave, skimmed, almost DNF halfway through chapter 1)
- 8 chapters, including the epilogue
- I couldn’t stand the writing style for some reason
- viscount hero who appeared in Splendid (a book I DNF’d)
- hero is engaged to heroine’s older sister. The wedding is days away!
- H/h meet each other for the first time in the park.
- the sister actually plans to elope with another man
- heroine ends up being the bride
- H/h fell in love too quickly
- one love scene (wedding night)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 22, 2022•°• Kinley MacGregor'un Midsummer's Knight hikayesini de okudum. İlk kitaptan Draven'ın kardeşi Simon'u konu alıyordu. Turnuvayı kazanan kızı alır saçmalığına kadar fena değildi ama sonra biraz mantıksız geldi. Kısa bir hikâye olduğu için sorgulamaya bile gerek olmayan bir kurguydu. Sadece Simon için daha iyi bir hikâye isterdim.
* * *
•°• Quinn'in A Tale of Two Sisters hikayesini okudum.Yorumlamaya değer bir şey yoktu. Zaten kısa bir hikaye.
Ned artık yaşım geldi evleneyim mantığında. Aşk için evlilik olası görünmeyince toprak için evleneyim der. Komşu arsaları çeyiz olarak alacak olan Lydia ile nişanlanır. Düğüne üç gün kala acaba doğru mu yapıyorum şüpheleri doğar. Kardeşi Belle ve kuzeni Emma'da kafasını karıştırma konusunda uzman zaten.
Birde Charlotte var. Lydia'nın kardeşi. Onunla konuştukça ilgisinin ve arzularının hedefi olur. Ama bu yanlıştır. Yanlış kardeşe aşık olmuştur.
Sonrasında bu sorunun çözümüne değiniliyor işte. Basit bir olaydı. Ama göz devirmeli yerler de vardı. Okumuş olmak için okunur sadece.
* * *
•°• Quinn'in A Tale of Two Sisters hikayesini okudum.Yorumlamaya değer bir şey yoktu. Zaten kısa bir hikaye.
Ned artık yaşım geldi evleneyim mantığında. Aşk için evlilik olası görünmeyince toprak için evleneyim der. Komşu arsaları çeyiz olarak alacak olan Lydia ile nişanlanır. Düğüne üç gün kala acaba doğru mu yapıyorum şüpheleri doğar. Kardeşi Belle ve kuzeni Emma'da kafasını karıştırma konusunda uzman zaten.
Birde Charlotte var. Lydia'nın kardeşi. Onunla konuştukça ilgisinin ve arzularının hedefi olur. Ama bu yanlıştır. Yanlış kardeşe aşık olmuştur.
Sonrasında bu sorunun çözümüne değiniliyor işte. Basit bir olaydı. Ama göz devirmeli yerler de vardı. Okumuş olmak için okunur sadece.
September 9, 2013
I've always had strangely conflicting feelings about Lisa Kleypas' work. I think she resorts to eye-rolling melodrama with annoying frequency (OMG, it's yet another kidnapping by yet another cardboard villain who we've barely even heard about before page 315! I wonder if the hero will rescue his vulnerable damsel in distress?!) I also find some of her "heroes" so controlling, domineering, ruthless and malicious that they strike me more as villains, and she tends to feed into the damaging (and, in my case, patently untrue) idea that guys who are actually kind, smart, caring, well-educated and gentlemanly are always too dull for our heroines, 'cause of course deep down we women all want hyper-controlling brutes who act like semi-sociopaths more often than not, and heaven forbid a truly sweet guy also be an attractive and passionate one. :) (Note: I find this alarmingly true of SOME of her heroes, but certainly not all, and in fact a couple of her heroes are all-time favorites of mine!)
But, here's the thing: at her best, Lisa Kleypas' work engages and affects me like no other writer in this genre, and very, very few writers not in this genre. There's something so emotionally rich and powerfully evocative about her writing, as if she's mastered the art of appealing to all five of our senses, our heads AND our hearts to a degree that few other writers could ever emulate. She can irk me greatly, but she can also captivate my head, heart and story-worshiping soul. Nearly all of her work ends up either frustrating me to the point where I can barely even finish it OR getting moved to the surprisingly selective 'favorite romances ever' file on my Kindle!
I'm thrilled to say that her novella in this collection falls into that latter category. I've read that some feel it was too short, but honestly, I thought Kleypas did a marvelous job of defining the characters and their conflicts quickly and vividly and without just dumping piles of clunky exposition on the reader. I know that different characters and couples resonate very differently with different readers (and the disparity in opinions is what makes this site so much fun), but Lydia was the type of heroine I happen to love most. She emerged immediately as an all-time favorite, in fact! I'm a total sucker for an unabashedly smart, independent, intellectual, endearingly 'different' but not TOO bizarre heroine who's kind and passionate beneath a carefully controlled veneer and a relatable mix of intellectual arrogance and slight social insecurity. Jake, meanwhile, while a bit of a rake who has of course been with a zillion women (it's sad how few HR heroes DON'T meet that criteria!), was extremely likable and compelling to me: a doctor who's intelligent and dedicated but not at all materially ambitious (in fact, he insists on not living off the Cravens' money). He's charming and witty but not at all shallow, he's got a thankful amount of vulnerability beneath his arrogance, and he's a semi-smartass but not at all mean-spirited, scarily manipulative or 'ruthless' like too many of Kleypas' other heroes. And he is, of course, very emotional, passionate and sexy in all the right ways---at least to this reader. :) In an admittedly short period of time, I actually felt Jake and Lydia's connection---a physical one, certainly, but an emotional one as well, and the latter is always far more important to me. I love when they both talk openly about what they think their deepest flaws were---it was more real closeness and candor than we see from some couples who spend 400 loooong pages together! The fact that they knew each other prior to the start of the novella was a wise move on Kleypas' part and may have made their connection a little richer and more believable to me. The plot isn't exactly revolutionary---Lydia's about to make a respectable, compatible but loveless marriage, and, well, you can guess without my having to use spoiler tags that Lydia and Nice Enough But Not Her Soulmate guy never quite make it to the altar. :) However, I loved that there was a more tight, relatable central conflict and not much room for contrived melodrama or pointless tangents. There are a couple of minor but interesting surprises along the way, and many of Kleypas readers will find the time we get to spend with Lydia's parents, Sara and Derek (from Dreaming of You, one of her most popular novels) is the delectable icing atop this cake. Readers who are rarely satisfied by novellas and short(er) fiction probably won't love this anywhere near as ardently as I did, but if you're someone who enjoys a good novella and Kleypas' writing in general, I highly, highly recommend this one. Not all fellow reviewers loved it, of course, but somehow it just worked for me on every level, and I'll be rereading it...frequently :) 5/5
While most of what Lisa Kleypas writes seems to fall into one extreme or the other for me---a work that annoys or even offends me vs. a novella or book that immediately becomes one of my very favorite romances----Julia Quinn is more consistent for me. Even at her best she doesn't captivate and enthrall me to the extent that Kleypas does, but I find most of her stuff reliably enjoyable. Her novella here has some of the great lines, witty insights that readers expect from most of Quinn's work, but this wasn't a favorite of mine. One of the things I generally love most about Quinn is that a majority of her heroes are actually---gasp----decent, goodhearted, eminently likable men. Even when her actual plots are lacking---which, er, they usually are----I usually love most of her characters and fluffy wit too much to care. In this novella, though, I just couldn't muster up affection for Ned. He seemed sort of inconsistently defined and all over the place for me. Charlotte, the heroine, rather clunkily informs the reader that about a million stellar adjectives apply to him: he's dashing and witty and smart and sensible and sexy and a wonderful conversationalist etc etc etc., but we don't really SEE most of that for ourselves. Worse yet, we wonder when and how Charlotte formed those conclusions, since their first real conversation takes place towards the beginning of the story, and it isn't an especially remarkable one. They have a couple of other conversations that barely registered with this reader, and all of a sudden we're supposed to believe that they are VERY close and share a deep trust and connection and totally love each other even though they can't show it quite yet and---Huh?! Did I miss a few chapters?!
I'm a novella lover, which means that I'm eager and ready to believe that my fictional couples can develop genuine love and closeness in far fewer pages. In this case, though, it really wasn't executed effectively for me. Neither the H or h or their connection to each other seemed well-defined. The main things they had in common seemed to be slight self-superiority ('if only everyone were as SENSIBLE as they were!' is one lament, though Ned doesn't strike me as especially sensible) and a dislike for poetry. I never saw them get close, let alone fall in anything I'd call even close to love, and hence wasn't impacted when a betrayal of trust arose (and neither character came off too great in this particular conflict, by the way!)
Despite my not loving the H, h or buying into their connection with each other, this one did have its individual moments of sweetness and humor---Quinn's work nearly always does, even when we're not 'wow'ed overall! I'll probably reread the lines I highlighted at some point because, yeah, I'm that much a geek, but I doubt I'll ever reread the entire novella. 3/5
Even those as bad at math as I am might notice that I've commented on only two novellas despite this anthology containing three. I didn't feel quite right reviewing Kinley Macgregor's since medieval/Middle Age romances are just not my literary cup of tea. The parts I read did seem well-written, though the plot relied on a misunderstanding that I find contrived----our heroine thinking the love letters she's received are from one man when they're really from our hero. If you do like this type of story, you might want to download a sample and check it out!
Overall, I'd give the Kleypas novella an A, the Quinn story a C+/B-, and have to in good faith give McGregor's an 'Incomplete'! If you can find this for a fairly reasonable price, I'd say it's well worth purchasing. The novellas themselves are probably more tightly written that this rambling review ;)
But, here's the thing: at her best, Lisa Kleypas' work engages and affects me like no other writer in this genre, and very, very few writers not in this genre. There's something so emotionally rich and powerfully evocative about her writing, as if she's mastered the art of appealing to all five of our senses, our heads AND our hearts to a degree that few other writers could ever emulate. She can irk me greatly, but she can also captivate my head, heart and story-worshiping soul. Nearly all of her work ends up either frustrating me to the point where I can barely even finish it OR getting moved to the surprisingly selective 'favorite romances ever' file on my Kindle!
I'm thrilled to say that her novella in this collection falls into that latter category. I've read that some feel it was too short, but honestly, I thought Kleypas did a marvelous job of defining the characters and their conflicts quickly and vividly and without just dumping piles of clunky exposition on the reader. I know that different characters and couples resonate very differently with different readers (and the disparity in opinions is what makes this site so much fun), but Lydia was the type of heroine I happen to love most. She emerged immediately as an all-time favorite, in fact! I'm a total sucker for an unabashedly smart, independent, intellectual, endearingly 'different' but not TOO bizarre heroine who's kind and passionate beneath a carefully controlled veneer and a relatable mix of intellectual arrogance and slight social insecurity. Jake, meanwhile, while a bit of a rake who has of course been with a zillion women (it's sad how few HR heroes DON'T meet that criteria!), was extremely likable and compelling to me: a doctor who's intelligent and dedicated but not at all materially ambitious (in fact, he insists on not living off the Cravens' money). He's charming and witty but not at all shallow, he's got a thankful amount of vulnerability beneath his arrogance, and he's a semi-smartass but not at all mean-spirited, scarily manipulative or 'ruthless' like too many of Kleypas' other heroes. And he is, of course, very emotional, passionate and sexy in all the right ways---at least to this reader. :) In an admittedly short period of time, I actually felt Jake and Lydia's connection---a physical one, certainly, but an emotional one as well, and the latter is always far more important to me. I love when they both talk openly about what they think their deepest flaws were---it was more real closeness and candor than we see from some couples who spend 400 loooong pages together! The fact that they knew each other prior to the start of the novella was a wise move on Kleypas' part and may have made their connection a little richer and more believable to me. The plot isn't exactly revolutionary---Lydia's about to make a respectable, compatible but loveless marriage, and, well, you can guess without my having to use spoiler tags that Lydia and Nice Enough But Not Her Soulmate guy never quite make it to the altar. :) However, I loved that there was a more tight, relatable central conflict and not much room for contrived melodrama or pointless tangents. There are a couple of minor but interesting surprises along the way, and many of Kleypas readers will find the time we get to spend with Lydia's parents, Sara and Derek (from Dreaming of You, one of her most popular novels) is the delectable icing atop this cake. Readers who are rarely satisfied by novellas and short(er) fiction probably won't love this anywhere near as ardently as I did, but if you're someone who enjoys a good novella and Kleypas' writing in general, I highly, highly recommend this one. Not all fellow reviewers loved it, of course, but somehow it just worked for me on every level, and I'll be rereading it...frequently :) 5/5
While most of what Lisa Kleypas writes seems to fall into one extreme or the other for me---a work that annoys or even offends me vs. a novella or book that immediately becomes one of my very favorite romances----Julia Quinn is more consistent for me. Even at her best she doesn't captivate and enthrall me to the extent that Kleypas does, but I find most of her stuff reliably enjoyable. Her novella here has some of the great lines, witty insights that readers expect from most of Quinn's work, but this wasn't a favorite of mine. One of the things I generally love most about Quinn is that a majority of her heroes are actually---gasp----decent, goodhearted, eminently likable men. Even when her actual plots are lacking---which, er, they usually are----I usually love most of her characters and fluffy wit too much to care. In this novella, though, I just couldn't muster up affection for Ned. He seemed sort of inconsistently defined and all over the place for me. Charlotte, the heroine, rather clunkily informs the reader that about a million stellar adjectives apply to him: he's dashing and witty and smart and sensible and sexy and a wonderful conversationalist etc etc etc., but we don't really SEE most of that for ourselves. Worse yet, we wonder when and how Charlotte formed those conclusions, since their first real conversation takes place towards the beginning of the story, and it isn't an especially remarkable one. They have a couple of other conversations that barely registered with this reader, and all of a sudden we're supposed to believe that they are VERY close and share a deep trust and connection and totally love each other even though they can't show it quite yet and---Huh?! Did I miss a few chapters?!
I'm a novella lover, which means that I'm eager and ready to believe that my fictional couples can develop genuine love and closeness in far fewer pages. In this case, though, it really wasn't executed effectively for me. Neither the H or h or their connection to each other seemed well-defined. The main things they had in common seemed to be slight self-superiority ('if only everyone were as SENSIBLE as they were!' is one lament, though Ned doesn't strike me as especially sensible) and a dislike for poetry. I never saw them get close, let alone fall in anything I'd call even close to love, and hence wasn't impacted when a betrayal of trust arose (and neither character came off too great in this particular conflict, by the way!)
Despite my not loving the H, h or buying into their connection with each other, this one did have its individual moments of sweetness and humor---Quinn's work nearly always does, even when we're not 'wow'ed overall! I'll probably reread the lines I highlighted at some point because, yeah, I'm that much a geek, but I doubt I'll ever reread the entire novella. 3/5
Even those as bad at math as I am might notice that I've commented on only two novellas despite this anthology containing three. I didn't feel quite right reviewing Kinley Macgregor's since medieval/Middle Age romances are just not my literary cup of tea. The parts I read did seem well-written, though the plot relied on a misunderstanding that I find contrived----our heroine thinking the love letters she's received are from one man when they're really from our hero. If you do like this type of story, you might want to download a sample and check it out!
Overall, I'd give the Kleypas novella an A, the Quinn story a C+/B-, and have to in good faith give McGregor's an 'Incomplete'! If you can find this for a fairly reasonable price, I'd say it's well worth purchasing. The novellas themselves are probably more tightly written that this rambling review ;)
September 25, 2016
Escucha a tu Corazón (Jugadores 3) -Lisa Kleypas
Este relato corto cuenta la historia de una de las hijas de la entrañable pareja formada por Sara Fielding y Derek Craven. Lydia Craven es una joven inteligente, una loca de las matemáticas y además muy práctica ya que decide que lo mejor para ella es casarse con Lord Wray aunque no sienta amor. Todo sería perfecto si no sintiese esa antipatía por Jake Linley, el libertino doctor que parece odiarla por algo que la intriga.
Sin duda y a pesar de lo corta (pero muy completa) es una historia preciosa, sin duda Lisa Kleypas nunca defrauda y aquí ha sido así. Me encantó la historia de Jake y Lydia, son dos personajes interesantes que podría haber tenido un libro enterito para ellos pero bueno, este no está nada mal (y además nos deja una escena con la parejita Sara-Derek), merece la pena leerlo y pasas un buen ratito, así que le daría las cinco estrellas.
Este relato corto cuenta la historia de una de las hijas de la entrañable pareja formada por Sara Fielding y Derek Craven. Lydia Craven es una joven inteligente, una loca de las matemáticas y además muy práctica ya que decide que lo mejor para ella es casarse con Lord Wray aunque no sienta amor. Todo sería perfecto si no sintiese esa antipatía por Jake Linley, el libertino doctor que parece odiarla por algo que la intriga.
Sin duda y a pesar de lo corta (pero muy completa) es una historia preciosa, sin duda Lisa Kleypas nunca defrauda y aquí ha sido así. Me encantó la historia de Jake y Lydia, son dos personajes interesantes que podría haber tenido un libro enterito para ellos pero bueno, este no está nada mal (y además nos deja una escena con la parejita Sara-Derek), merece la pena leerlo y pasas un buen ratito, así que le daría las cinco estrellas.
November 23, 2017
Omg Derek and Sara's daughter is the heroine....honestly the story was short and very unsatisfactory in the sense that I wanted to read atleast another hundred pages about them....but still it Derek and Sara....and Linely and Lydia. I loved it.
September 18, 2022
I only read the first novella by Lisa Kleypas, “Against the Odds”. I don’t know if I’ve read anything dumber than this novella this past year. It’s certainly a close call if I have. Let’s see…
1. The hero fell in love with the heroine at first sight when she was 16, and he’s 10 years older. 🤢
2. He stays in love with her for the next four years but instead of being nice to her, he’s antagonistic instead.
3. He is a major manwhore/rake and continues to fuck countless OW even though he’s soooo into the heroine.
4. One of his good friends courts the heroine and proposes, and she accepts. Hero makes some token attempt to dissuade his friend from proposing, but ultimately does nothing else.
5. On the evening of their engagement ball, he decides to kiss her. She obviously doesn’t think much of it, bc why should she?
6. TWO DAYS before the wedding, it takes both of their MOTHERS talking, and then her mother plotting to get them to be alone together so they could talk. Her mother locks them in a wine cellar together.
7. Over the course of one half-assed convo, which ofc features a sexy interlude where he shows her his skillzzz, they decide they are in love and will marry.
8. Hero still isn’t totally sure bc “oh I can’t take your fathers money, everyone will think I’m a fortune hunter”.
9. Hero agrees to marry heroine ONLY if they don’t take any of her father’s money. Are you feeling the love yet? 🙄
10. Literally no confrontation shown with fiancé who has just been jilted only a day and a half before his wedding!
And that’s all folks, what an absolutely TERRIBLE POS this turned out to be.
But what else could I really expect from Derek Craven’s children? Ofc she ends up with a rake as bad as her father.
Safe w/exceptions bc that four years.
Also, I realized I had read it before, and I don’t know how I didn’t leave a scathing review, but I clearly had low standards back then.
1. The hero fell in love with the heroine at first sight when she was 16, and he’s 10 years older. 🤢
2. He stays in love with her for the next four years but instead of being nice to her, he’s antagonistic instead.
3. He is a major manwhore/rake and continues to fuck countless OW even though he’s soooo into the heroine.
4. One of his good friends courts the heroine and proposes, and she accepts. Hero makes some token attempt to dissuade his friend from proposing, but ultimately does nothing else.
5. On the evening of their engagement ball, he decides to kiss her. She obviously doesn’t think much of it, bc why should she?
6. TWO DAYS before the wedding, it takes both of their MOTHERS talking, and then her mother plotting to get them to be alone together so they could talk. Her mother locks them in a wine cellar together.
7. Over the course of one half-assed convo, which ofc features a sexy interlude where he shows her his skillzzz, they decide they are in love and will marry.
8. Hero still isn’t totally sure bc “oh I can’t take your fathers money, everyone will think I’m a fortune hunter”.
9. Hero agrees to marry heroine ONLY if they don’t take any of her father’s money. Are you feeling the love yet? 🙄
10. Literally no confrontation shown with fiancé who has just been jilted only a day and a half before his wedding!
And that’s all folks, what an absolutely TERRIBLE POS this turned out to be.
But what else could I really expect from Derek Craven’s children? Ofc she ends up with a rake as bad as her father.
Safe w/exceptions bc that four years.
Also, I realized I had read it before, and I don’t know how I didn’t leave a scathing review, but I clearly had low standards back then.
December 8, 2021
Novela corta que tiene como protagonista a la hija de Derek y Sara, Lydia Craven.
Lydia es racional, muy inteligente y segura de sí misma, y el ojito derecho de su padre. El doctor Jake Linley es el hijo del médico de la familia Craven (Linley padre es un personaje secundario de la serie Bow Street creo) y se conocen desde hace unos años. Entre ellos hay una aparente animadversión, pero en realidad esa actitud oculta la atracción que sienten el uno por el otro.
En pocas páginas la autora consigue contar cómo se conocen, lo que piensan el uno del otro, de dónde viene ese supuesto odio entre ellos, la atracción y el descubrimiento de sus sentimientos y lo que esperan del futuro.
Jake me ha encantado, y cómo se enfrenta a Craven para hablar sobre Lydia y sus intenciones jejeje, no se lo pone nada fácil 😏.
Es un regalo ver a Derek y a Sara como matrimonio veinte años después y como padres. Siguen saltando chispas entre ellos y sus momentos juntos son una delicia. Me pregunto por qué la autora no ha hecho una serie con sus hijos, y darnos más de esta pareja como padres igual que ha hecho con una pareja de su serie de las florero. Seguro que haría las delicias de muchas de nosotras 😍.
Un broche estupendo para una serie maravillosa. Leer algo de la Kleypas es un disfrute seguro.
Lydia es racional, muy inteligente y segura de sí misma, y el ojito derecho de su padre. El doctor Jake Linley es el hijo del médico de la familia Craven (Linley padre es un personaje secundario de la serie Bow Street creo) y se conocen desde hace unos años. Entre ellos hay una aparente animadversión, pero en realidad esa actitud oculta la atracción que sienten el uno por el otro.
En pocas páginas la autora consigue contar cómo se conocen, lo que piensan el uno del otro, de dónde viene ese supuesto odio entre ellos, la atracción y el descubrimiento de sus sentimientos y lo que esperan del futuro.
Jake me ha encantado, y cómo se enfrenta a Craven para hablar sobre Lydia y sus intenciones jejeje, no se lo pone nada fácil 😏.
Es un regalo ver a Derek y a Sara como matrimonio veinte años después y como padres. Siguen saltando chispas entre ellos y sus momentos juntos son una delicia. Me pregunto por qué la autora no ha hecho una serie con sus hijos, y darnos más de esta pareja como padres igual que ha hecho con una pareja de su serie de las florero. Seguro que haría las delicias de muchas de nosotras 😍.
Un broche estupendo para una serie maravillosa. Leer algo de la Kleypas es un disfrute seguro.
October 16, 2019
Fue un libro muy lindo 😍 este pequeño relato me encantó, la historia de Lydia es dulce y apasionada pero lo mejor fue volver a saber de Derek y Sara, me leí este libro en un suspiro y lo amé cada momento 💖💖
August 26, 2018
I read the KM, which is the start of another off-shoot series of a Brotherhood, which kind of sounds like the Dark-Hunters. I felt the author added to Simon's history which we didn't see in previous books at all which felt forced, as in she did it to have a known character start off another series. He has been corresponding with h under his friend's name.
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1572968006i%2F3840999._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 5, 2012
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
This review and rating is based on Lisa Kleypas's "Against All Odds" (4.5 stars) and Kinley MacGregor's "Midsummer's Knight" (4 stars). I've also read Julia Quinn's "The Tale of Two Sisters" (3 stars), which was just ok for me.
note: People who have no idea about Derek Craven aka Sex-God-Extraordinaire aka my baby, his book is titled Dreaming of You, book #2 in the Gamblers series.
Lisa Kleypas, "Against All Odds"
I've read this LK novella at least twice but didn't do a review because I'm yet to do reviews for her other books. But, now I think I should add my thoughts on this one. The book is about Dr. Jake Linley, whom we've seen in some of LK's other books including "Lady Sophia's Lover". Jake is a brilliant doctor and a womanizer, a rake of the first order but he loves only one woman, namely one Lydia Craven. Lydia is, of course, Derek Craven's daughter; a mathematical genius and not one of the conventional beauties of the Ton. But she is admired in the mathematical clubs and so on. Lydia has her vulnerabilities, being the 'odd ball' in every sense. Not many man can appreciate her skills in math.
When the story starts, Lydia's just got engaged to one of her colleagues and Jake's getting seriously drunk because of it. But the irony is, none of them know about each-others feelings. Lydia's quite crazy about Jake but there was a misunderstanding between the two which led her to believe Jake doesn't care for her in any way, he isn't even attracted to her. She also knows of his rakish ways. All these made her ignore Jake thoroughly and Jake thought that Lydia can't stand him for some reasons. Then, from a bit of a help from Lydia's meddling mother, the ever adorable Sara, they sorted their differences out in Derek's wine-cellar. ;) Derek, on the other had, had a taste of being on the other side of the situation; in this case, the 'overprotective papa', whose daughter is marrying a womanizer herself ... Well, can anyone see history repeating itself?! :p
And oooh meeh gawd, have I mentioned that a middle-aged Derek is as hawt and steamilicious as ever?? His and Sara's interactions were so good to read, I'll say the best in this novella. I believe this could've been a nice full-length novel, I'd read it only for Derek aka my baby.
"Against All Odds" has 6 chapters, including an epilogue and a prologue. No love scenes in that sense but there were plenty of touching and kissing and Derek (rwaaar!!). hahahaha :p
PS: I had a good laugh knowing Derek was still that Derek, who knows everything about everyone. And, he did his research well on Jake, including his bed partners. Damn that man takes my breath away! *swoons*
*************
Kinley MacGregor, "Midsummer's Knight"
This is the story of Simon of Ravenswood, half-brother to the hero of Master of Desire, Draven. But, we've seen Simon in almost all the MacAllister books so far. In them, Simon was portrayed as a happy-go-lucky chap, a knight-errant who loves to have meaningless affairs with lady's maids and married women (in his own words, if his implications were anything). He was also a definite fun to read, I really loved him as a secondary character even though I didn't approve of some stuffs (you can guess!) he did. Otherwise, Simon was a man who loves to help and protect the ones he loves. In this novella, Simon proved that again but was this the Simon I really knew from the other books?
The story is quite simple but there are loads of information regarding Simon and the introduction to the Brotherhood of the Swords. We meet Stryder, who is one of the best English knights and also one of Simon's best friends. I didn't know that. I also didn't know that Simon were in the crusades with Stryder and had a bad experience. I mean it was really bad. He was imprisoned and tortured in Outremer, along with Stryder and another guy, Edward. While Simon has chosen to forget about his experiences and live his life, Stryder is broody and keeps to himself. That first scene was really funny; Simon being in his own element, saving Stryder from some crazy harpies, who can't get enough of him (his lands, skills in bed and body, in Stryder's own words!).
Then enter Kenna, Edward's sister. She's a Scottish princess, cousin to king Malcolm. But Kenna is a simple girl, by which I mean she has no complexity in her character. She knows she's not a beauty in the conventional sense. No man looks at her twice unless they know about her title and money. I really felt for her since she's very sweet and honest. She met Simon a year ago, after her brother died. Kenna originally wanted to meet Stryder but it's Simon, who's also Stryder's kind of a personal secretary (writes his letters and stuffs as Stryder is a busy first-class knight and illiterate), talks to her. Kenna asked him about writing to Stryder and then started the exchange of sweet letters. They come very close to each-other and at one point, fell in love. Kenna doesn't know it's Simon who writes to her. Simon thinks he'll never amount to Stryder's prowess as a knight and also, the fact that he's not a titled lord. Moreover, he's illegitimate. Simon is sure he and Kenna has no future together since Kenna, being a princess, has to marry accordingly.
The misunderstanding starts as Kenna comes to visit Stryder, thinking he proposed to her in his last letter. And, you can guess, Stryder is dumbfounded! Then, in confrontation, the truth comes out. Kenna is hurt thinking they made fun of her but Simon takes her somewhere out and proves her of his love. I loved seeing the fact that Kenna did love the man who wrote her those letters and she took it in easily that Simon is her man, not Stryder. But, as they knew, everyone expected Kenna to marry Stryder and when they return, they find both king Henry II and Malcolm present, not only for the jousting ceremony that's taking place but also for Kenna and Stryder's marriage. Oh damn!
This book did make me cry a lot in the end and it being a novella, I have to say a big feat indeed! Novellas are usually pretty rushed up, so no time for emotional turmoils. But, KM proved she can give you everything in a novella, too. Simon had to prove a lot in the joust, knowing he's no match for Stryder. Also, after the defeat, he chose to save Stryder from another assassination attempt (these attempts are like breathing for Stryder!) though he knew if Stryder is killed, he can easily claim Kenna. And, Simon got seriously injured. I'll leave the ending out for now and talk about some other points.
The background of the BotS was a bit too much to take in because it was a bit sudden for me. Simon had a nick too, the Wraith. Why? The explanation is in the book. I believe, for this reason and also because Simon was such an endearing character, he deserved a full-length novel. I also felt the book talked too much about Stryder. Just me! But, counting in the fact that he's the hero of the next book, I acceded. KM did squeeze in a lot of information regarding the BotS. Stryder proved to be a complex character, I'm really interested in his book. He and Simon, bound by their tortured past, vowed that they'd never marry. But, Simon relented for Kenna since he could not live without her. All in all, this novella did give me a feeling of completion, which I usually don't experience in a novella.
"Midsummer's Knight" has 8 chapters including a prologue and an epilogue. It has two sweet love scenes. :)
**************
Julia Quinn, "The Tale of Two Sisters"
This is the story of Edward aka Ned Blydon, who was featured in all the books in the Blydon series. I don't really remember much details about the story except that Ned was supposed to marry one sister but that sister was seeing someone else. The other, probably the younger and not-as-beautiful-as-the-elder-sister one falls for Ned. Then the younger sister tries to help the older one to elope at night and was caught by Ned, who was residing in their house. Then ........ they marry and fall in love etc. etc. ... I'll do a full review after I read it again and the rating may change but I remember there is a fun poem at the end of the novella, typical JQ stuff, worth a reading at least for that. :p
This review and rating is based on Lisa Kleypas's "Against All Odds" (4.5 stars) and Kinley MacGregor's "Midsummer's Knight" (4 stars). I've also read Julia Quinn's "The Tale of Two Sisters" (3 stars), which was just ok for me.
note: People who have no idea about Derek Craven aka Sex-God-Extraordinaire aka my baby, his book is titled Dreaming of You, book #2 in the Gamblers series.
Lisa Kleypas, "Against All Odds"
I've read this LK novella at least twice but didn't do a review because I'm yet to do reviews for her other books. But, now I think I should add my thoughts on this one. The book is about Dr. Jake Linley, whom we've seen in some of LK's other books including "Lady Sophia's Lover". Jake is a brilliant doctor and a womanizer, a rake of the first order but he loves only one woman, namely one Lydia Craven. Lydia is, of course, Derek Craven's daughter; a mathematical genius and not one of the conventional beauties of the Ton. But she is admired in the mathematical clubs and so on. Lydia has her vulnerabilities, being the 'odd ball' in every sense. Not many man can appreciate her skills in math.
When the story starts, Lydia's just got engaged to one of her colleagues and Jake's getting seriously drunk because of it. But the irony is, none of them know about each-others feelings. Lydia's quite crazy about Jake but there was a misunderstanding between the two which led her to believe Jake doesn't care for her in any way, he isn't even attracted to her. She also knows of his rakish ways. All these made her ignore Jake thoroughly and Jake thought that Lydia can't stand him for some reasons. Then, from a bit of a help from Lydia's meddling mother, the ever adorable Sara, they sorted their differences out in Derek's wine-cellar. ;) Derek, on the other had, had a taste of being on the other side of the situation; in this case, the 'overprotective papa', whose daughter is marrying a womanizer herself ... Well, can anyone see history repeating itself?! :p
And oooh meeh gawd, have I mentioned that a middle-aged Derek is as hawt and steamilicious as ever?? His and Sara's interactions were so good to read, I'll say the best in this novella. I believe this could've been a nice full-length novel, I'd read it only for Derek aka my baby.
"Against All Odds" has 6 chapters, including an epilogue and a prologue. No love scenes in that sense but there were plenty of touching and kissing and Derek (rwaaar!!). hahahaha :p
PS: I had a good laugh knowing Derek was still that Derek, who knows everything about everyone. And, he did his research well on Jake, including his bed partners. Damn that man takes my breath away! *swoons*
*************
Kinley MacGregor, "Midsummer's Knight"
This is the story of Simon of Ravenswood, half-brother to the hero of Master of Desire, Draven. But, we've seen Simon in almost all the MacAllister books so far. In them, Simon was portrayed as a happy-go-lucky chap, a knight-errant who loves to have meaningless affairs with lady's maids and married women (in his own words, if his implications were anything). He was also a definite fun to read, I really loved him as a secondary character even though I didn't approve of some stuffs (you can guess!) he did. Otherwise, Simon was a man who loves to help and protect the ones he loves. In this novella, Simon proved that again but was this the Simon I really knew from the other books?
The story is quite simple but there are loads of information regarding Simon and the introduction to the Brotherhood of the Swords. We meet Stryder, who is one of the best English knights and also one of Simon's best friends. I didn't know that. I also didn't know that Simon were in the crusades with Stryder and had a bad experience. I mean it was really bad. He was imprisoned and tortured in Outremer, along with Stryder and another guy, Edward. While Simon has chosen to forget about his experiences and live his life, Stryder is broody and keeps to himself. That first scene was really funny; Simon being in his own element, saving Stryder from some crazy harpies, who can't get enough of him (his lands, skills in bed and body, in Stryder's own words!).
Then enter Kenna, Edward's sister. She's a Scottish princess, cousin to king Malcolm. But Kenna is a simple girl, by which I mean she has no complexity in her character. She knows she's not a beauty in the conventional sense. No man looks at her twice unless they know about her title and money. I really felt for her since she's very sweet and honest. She met Simon a year ago, after her brother died. Kenna originally wanted to meet Stryder but it's Simon, who's also Stryder's kind of a personal secretary (writes his letters and stuffs as Stryder is a busy first-class knight and illiterate), talks to her. Kenna asked him about writing to Stryder and then started the exchange of sweet letters. They come very close to each-other and at one point, fell in love. Kenna doesn't know it's Simon who writes to her. Simon thinks he'll never amount to Stryder's prowess as a knight and also, the fact that he's not a titled lord. Moreover, he's illegitimate. Simon is sure he and Kenna has no future together since Kenna, being a princess, has to marry accordingly.
The misunderstanding starts as Kenna comes to visit Stryder, thinking he proposed to her in his last letter. And, you can guess, Stryder is dumbfounded! Then, in confrontation, the truth comes out. Kenna is hurt thinking they made fun of her but Simon takes her somewhere out and proves her of his love. I loved seeing the fact that Kenna did love the man who wrote her those letters and she took it in easily that Simon is her man, not Stryder. But, as they knew, everyone expected Kenna to marry Stryder and when they return, they find both king Henry II and Malcolm present, not only for the jousting ceremony that's taking place but also for Kenna and Stryder's marriage. Oh damn!
This book did make me cry a lot in the end and it being a novella, I have to say a big feat indeed! Novellas are usually pretty rushed up, so no time for emotional turmoils. But, KM proved she can give you everything in a novella, too. Simon had to prove a lot in the joust, knowing he's no match for Stryder. Also, after the defeat, he chose to save Stryder from another assassination attempt (these attempts are like breathing for Stryder!) though he knew if Stryder is killed, he can easily claim Kenna. And, Simon got seriously injured. I'll leave the ending out for now and talk about some other points.
The background of the BotS was a bit too much to take in because it was a bit sudden for me. Simon had a nick too, the Wraith. Why? The explanation is in the book. I believe, for this reason and also because Simon was such an endearing character, he deserved a full-length novel. I also felt the book talked too much about Stryder. Just me! But, counting in the fact that he's the hero of the next book, I acceded. KM did squeeze in a lot of information regarding the BotS. Stryder proved to be a complex character, I'm really interested in his book. He and Simon, bound by their tortured past, vowed that they'd never marry. But, Simon relented for Kenna since he could not live without her. All in all, this novella did give me a feeling of completion, which I usually don't experience in a novella.
"Midsummer's Knight" has 8 chapters including a prologue and an epilogue. It has two sweet love scenes. :)
**************
Julia Quinn, "The Tale of Two Sisters"
This is the story of Edward aka Ned Blydon, who was featured in all the books in the Blydon series. I don't really remember much details about the story except that Ned was supposed to marry one sister but that sister was seeing someone else. The other, probably the younger and not-as-beautiful-as-the-elder-sister one falls for Ned. Then the younger sister tries to help the older one to elope at night and was caught by Ned, who was residing in their house. Then ........ they marry and fall in love etc. etc. ... I'll do a full review after I read it again and the rating may change but I remember there is a fun poem at the end of the novella, typical JQ stuff, worth a reading at least for that. :p
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2022
Como dije en mi blog, «No va a pasar a la historia de las antologías».
Lisa Kleypas: «Against the Odds / Escucha a tu corazón», la 3.ª de la serie Gamblers of Craven’s (Jugadores). Compré la antología justo por este relato, que está protagonizada por Lydia, hija de los inolvidables Sara & Derek, Craven. Ella acepta casarse con un tipo majo por el que no siente amor ni pasión, pero que la respeta y aprecia. Algo que no soporta el joven doctor Linley, enamorado de ella en silencio desde hace años. ⭐⭐⭐
Kinley MacGregor: «Midsummer’s Knight / El caballero de la noche», la 4.5 de la serie MacAllisters, una cosa tan irreal que acabó siendo ridículo, por lo absurdo y carente de sentido de la época que era todo. Simon, un caballero andante, se ha carteado con una rica heredera escocesa, Kenna. La de veces que puse los ojos en blanco leyendo esta historieta… Estulticia pura ⭐
Julia Quinn: «A tale of two sisters / Dos hermanas», la 4.ª de la serie Blydon. Mira que no me gusta la Quinn, pero este es el mejor relato de la antología, con diferencia. Sabe ser divertida sin resultar ridícula. Edward Blydon, vizconde de Burwick, se va a casar con Lydia Thornton, una damisela hermosa y bastante sosa, pero la cosa se complica cuando se cruza en su camino Charlotte, su futura cuñada.⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lisa Kleypas: «Against the Odds / Escucha a tu corazón», la 3.ª de la serie Gamblers of Craven’s (Jugadores). Compré la antología justo por este relato, que está protagonizada por Lydia, hija de los inolvidables Sara & Derek, Craven. Ella acepta casarse con un tipo majo por el que no siente amor ni pasión, pero que la respeta y aprecia. Algo que no soporta el joven doctor Linley, enamorado de ella en silencio desde hace años. ⭐⭐⭐
Kinley MacGregor: «Midsummer’s Knight / El caballero de la noche», la 4.5 de la serie MacAllisters, una cosa tan irreal que acabó siendo ridículo, por lo absurdo y carente de sentido de la época que era todo. Simon, un caballero andante, se ha carteado con una rica heredera escocesa, Kenna. La de veces que puse los ojos en blanco leyendo esta historieta… Estulticia pura ⭐
Julia Quinn: «A tale of two sisters / Dos hermanas», la 4.ª de la serie Blydon. Mira que no me gusta la Quinn, pero este es el mejor relato de la antología, con diferencia. Sabe ser divertida sin resultar ridícula. Edward Blydon, vizconde de Burwick, se va a casar con Lydia Thornton, una damisela hermosa y bastante sosa, pero la cosa se complica cuando se cruza en su camino Charlotte, su futura cuñada.⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 15, 2019
Una pequeña historia cargada de pasión y que te deja con ganas de más. Está relacionada con la serie Jugadores, la cual está compuesta por los libros Cuando tú llegaste y Sueño contigo. Yo no los he leído, pero eso no ha supuesto un problema a la hora de leer éste.
Lydia Craven va a casarse con Lord Wray solo porque él parece una buena opción de cara a tener un matrimonio tranquilo. Como es amable y respeta que ella adore las matemáticas, algo poco frecuente en las mujeres en esa época, Lydia cree que eso es suficiente para ser feliz, pero… ¿es correcto renunciar al verdadero amor y a la pasión? Aunque ella cree que sí, un par de encuentros con Jake Linley, un doctor con el que no se lleva nada bien, harán que se replantee sus deseos…
Desde el principio me enganché a la historia y, a pesar de lo precipitados que son los acontecimientos, los vi creíbles y me gustó mucho la atracción tan grande que había entre Lydia y Jake. Además, también era cómico y divertido verles discutir. A esto hay que sumarle que los padres de Lydia también me cautivaron y ahora tengo muchas ganas de leer su libro.
La única pega que le pongo a la historia es lo corta que es. Es muy amena de leer y no causa frialdad, pero tenía potencial para dar mucho más de sí.
Lydia Craven va a casarse con Lord Wray solo porque él parece una buena opción de cara a tener un matrimonio tranquilo. Como es amable y respeta que ella adore las matemáticas, algo poco frecuente en las mujeres en esa época, Lydia cree que eso es suficiente para ser feliz, pero… ¿es correcto renunciar al verdadero amor y a la pasión? Aunque ella cree que sí, un par de encuentros con Jake Linley, un doctor con el que no se lleva nada bien, harán que se replantee sus deseos…
Desde el principio me enganché a la historia y, a pesar de lo precipitados que son los acontecimientos, los vi creíbles y me gustó mucho la atracción tan grande que había entre Lydia y Jake. Además, también era cómico y divertido verles discutir. A esto hay que sumarle que los padres de Lydia también me cautivaron y ahora tengo muchas ganas de leer su libro.
La única pega que le pongo a la historia es lo corta que es. Es muy amena de leer y no causa frialdad, pero tenía potencial para dar mucho más de sí.
October 19, 2021
¡¡Quería más!!
Ay ese Derek papá 🤩
Ay ese Derek papá 🤩
October 13, 2017
JAJAJAJA es cortito, pero mega bueno.
Lydia Craven está a punto de casarse con un conde, pero luego de ser encerrada en una bodega con el mujeriego doctor Jake Linley y probar lo que es la pasión de verdad, todos sus planes se van al drenaje. Después de hablar y darse cuenta que su rivalidad no era más que una superficial forma de disfrazar sus verdaderos sentimientos.
Mutuo amor.
Creo que lo más gracioso de este libro es Drake Craven o el suegro de pesadilla. JAJAJA.
Lydia Craven está a punto de casarse con un conde, pero luego de ser encerrada en una bodega con el mujeriego doctor Jake Linley y probar lo que es la pasión de verdad, todos sus planes se van al drenaje. Después de hablar y darse cuenta que su rivalidad no era más que una superficial forma de disfrazar sus verdaderos sentimientos.
Mutuo amor.
Creo que lo más gracioso de este libro es Drake Craven o el suegro de pesadilla. JAJAJA.
December 30, 2022
https://lespassionsdeviedefun.blogspo...
Bon alors, première chose à dire : Ce livre n'a RIEN A VOIR avec Noël !
Certes, c'est bien sympa des Edition J'ai Lu de nous offrir un recueil de trois nouvelles écrites par des auteures de romances historiques très réputées, mais ces trois récits, aussi sympa soient-ils n'ont en aucun cas lieu au moment des fêtes de Noël, ou même en hiver....Sur ce point-là, je dois dire que je suis vraiment déçue car j'ai la désagréable impression de m'être faite empapaoutée par cette maison d'édition, qui, en plus, illustre la couverture de ce livre avec vraiment un décors de Noël.....
Donc, première recommandation : Vous pouvez lire ce livre, bien entendu, surtout si vous aimez ces trois auteures de romances historiques mais ne vous attendez pas à une ambiance de Noël dans les récits !
Mis à part ce gros foutage de gueule, voire, manque de respect, auprès de nous, lecteurs, j'ai quand même bien aimé ces trois histoires différentes, surtout parce qu'elles concernaient des personnages secondaires de sagas cultes des auteures.
Pour Julia Quinn, je ne peux rien dire, car je n'ai jamais lu ses oeuvres, mais cette petite nouvelle concernant un personnage secondaire m'a bien plu et m'a donné envie d'en découvrir plus sur sa plume !
Pour la 2ème nouvelle, nous avons ici un récit écrit par Lisa Kleypas alors évidemment, je craque et j'adhère totalement, même si, je dois être objective, cette courte romance n'est pas la plus intense que j'ai lue de l'auteure (mais cela fait plaisir d'avoir des allusions à des personnages que j'ai connus et appréciés dans d'autres livres).
Pour la 3ème histoire, c'est la même chose. J'ai vraiment apprécié me retrouver dans un "spin-off" d'une saga que j'ai beaucoup apprécié de la part de Kinley MacGregor et même si cela se passe à une époque plus lointaine, j'ai apprécié de revoir certains personnages que j'avais beaucoup aimé et j'ai bien apprécié cet espèce de "cyrano de Bergerac" à la version Highlander....
Bref, ce recueil de trois nouvelles, d'auteures reconnues et appréciées dans le domaine de la romance historique, devrait satisfaire les afficionados comme moi, mais attention au titre très trompeur de ce livre (non, je m'en remets pas ! La vache !!!.....Moi qui pensait me faire une "recharge de "romances de Noël"", évidemment, je suis restée sur ma faim - voire, je me suis sentie trahie par les Editions J'ai Lu).....Est-ce que je vous recommande ces histoires ? Oui, pourquoi pas, surtout si vous avez déjà lu les sagas de ces auteures car il y a des liens particuliers dans ces récits....
Par contre, les lire au moment de Noël ? C'est inutile! C'est même de l'arnaque, n'ayons pas peur des mots ! Vous pouvez lire ce livre à n'importe quel moment de l'année (même l'été sur la plage !....Cela dit, vu la couverture, on n'a pas trop envie de le lire en plein mois d'août....). Bref, à vous de voir !
Ma note : 16/20
Bon alors, première chose à dire : Ce livre n'a RIEN A VOIR avec Noël !
Certes, c'est bien sympa des Edition J'ai Lu de nous offrir un recueil de trois nouvelles écrites par des auteures de romances historiques très réputées, mais ces trois récits, aussi sympa soient-ils n'ont en aucun cas lieu au moment des fêtes de Noël, ou même en hiver....Sur ce point-là, je dois dire que je suis vraiment déçue car j'ai la désagréable impression de m'être faite empapaoutée par cette maison d'édition, qui, en plus, illustre la couverture de ce livre avec vraiment un décors de Noël.....
Donc, première recommandation : Vous pouvez lire ce livre, bien entendu, surtout si vous aimez ces trois auteures de romances historiques mais ne vous attendez pas à une ambiance de Noël dans les récits !
Mis à part ce gros foutage de gueule, voire, manque de respect, auprès de nous, lecteurs, j'ai quand même bien aimé ces trois histoires différentes, surtout parce qu'elles concernaient des personnages secondaires de sagas cultes des auteures.
Pour Julia Quinn, je ne peux rien dire, car je n'ai jamais lu ses oeuvres, mais cette petite nouvelle concernant un personnage secondaire m'a bien plu et m'a donné envie d'en découvrir plus sur sa plume !
Pour la 2ème nouvelle, nous avons ici un récit écrit par Lisa Kleypas alors évidemment, je craque et j'adhère totalement, même si, je dois être objective, cette courte romance n'est pas la plus intense que j'ai lue de l'auteure (mais cela fait plaisir d'avoir des allusions à des personnages que j'ai connus et appréciés dans d'autres livres).
Pour la 3ème histoire, c'est la même chose. J'ai vraiment apprécié me retrouver dans un "spin-off" d'une saga que j'ai beaucoup apprécié de la part de Kinley MacGregor et même si cela se passe à une époque plus lointaine, j'ai apprécié de revoir certains personnages que j'avais beaucoup aimé et j'ai bien apprécié cet espèce de "cyrano de Bergerac" à la version Highlander....
Bref, ce recueil de trois nouvelles, d'auteures reconnues et appréciées dans le domaine de la romance historique, devrait satisfaire les afficionados comme moi, mais attention au titre très trompeur de ce livre (non, je m'en remets pas ! La vache !!!.....Moi qui pensait me faire une "recharge de "romances de Noël"", évidemment, je suis restée sur ma faim - voire, je me suis sentie trahie par les Editions J'ai Lu).....Est-ce que je vous recommande ces histoires ? Oui, pourquoi pas, surtout si vous avez déjà lu les sagas de ces auteures car il y a des liens particuliers dans ces récits....
Par contre, les lire au moment de Noël ? C'est inutile! C'est même de l'arnaque, n'ayons pas peur des mots ! Vous pouvez lire ce livre à n'importe quel moment de l'année (même l'été sur la plage !....Cela dit, vu la couverture, on n'a pas trop envie de le lire en plein mois d'août....). Bref, à vous de voir !
Ma note : 16/20
February 7, 2017
Against the Odds, Lisa Kleypas
Lydia Craven likes math and because numbers says she won't find True Love, she ends up engaged to Lord Wray. This Upsets Dr. Jake Linley because of his engorged boners. When 'locked' in a wine cellar, they 'hash it out' and end up 'super in love'.
This was inoffensive if slightly undercooked. Because they were both Interested when they first met but didn't say anything, they start sniping at one another because of UST. Or something. And it's love. And Sara coordinates it between bouts with her husband. IDK. 2.5 stars.
Midsummer's Knight, Kinley MacGregor
Simon of Ravenswood aka The Wraith inadvertently starts a correspondence with Lady Kenna, cousin to the Crown of Scotland. Except she thinks he's Lord Stryker because assholes can't be bothered to sign more than an initial. So then a joust to determine who gets to marry Kenna! And finally True Love.
This was--something. I liked it even while railing against the writing. There's something about these medieval books that just rankles: how the characters feel like puppets and there's a lot of telling in place of development. All that and I still was routing for these two idiots, so 2 stars.
A Tale of Two Sisters, Julia Quinn
Ned Blydon, Viscount of Somewhere, is engaged to Lydia Thornton when he meets Charlotte Thornton and realizes that he's willing to pull an old switch-a-roo.
Julia Quinn is so much more delightful to me in small sips: her humor can highlight rather than attempt to carry the story, and her characters fit the small space well. That said, I was a bit weirded out by how explicitly this story called out the switch. Like, at one point, Ned imagines Lydia pregnant with his child. And then imagines Charlotte pregnant with his child. And RIGHT THERE IN THE TEXT it states how similar their features were, how easy it was for him to shift right on over to Charlotte. AND I WAS LIKE HELL NO BRO. 2 stars.
Lydia Craven likes math and because numbers says she won't find True Love, she ends up engaged to Lord Wray. This Upsets Dr. Jake Linley because of his engorged boners. When 'locked' in a wine cellar, they 'hash it out' and end up 'super in love'.
This was inoffensive if slightly undercooked. Because they were both Interested when they first met but didn't say anything, they start sniping at one another because of UST. Or something. And it's love. And Sara coordinates it between bouts with her husband. IDK. 2.5 stars.
Midsummer's Knight, Kinley MacGregor
Simon of Ravenswood aka The Wraith inadvertently starts a correspondence with Lady Kenna, cousin to the Crown of Scotland. Except she thinks he's Lord Stryker because assholes can't be bothered to sign more than an initial. So then a joust to determine who gets to marry Kenna! And finally True Love.
This was--something. I liked it even while railing against the writing. There's something about these medieval books that just rankles: how the characters feel like puppets and there's a lot of telling in place of development. All that and I still was routing for these two idiots, so 2 stars.
A Tale of Two Sisters, Julia Quinn
Ned Blydon, Viscount of Somewhere, is engaged to Lydia Thornton when he meets Charlotte Thornton and realizes that he's willing to pull an old switch-a-roo.
Julia Quinn is so much more delightful to me in small sips: her humor can highlight rather than attempt to carry the story, and her characters fit the small space well. That said, I was a bit weirded out by how explicitly this story called out the switch. Like, at one point, Ned imagines Lydia pregnant with his child. And then imagines Charlotte pregnant with his child. And RIGHT THERE IN THE TEXT it states how similar their features were, how easy it was for him to shift right on over to Charlotte. AND I WAS LIKE HELL NO BRO. 2 stars.
December 20, 2022
Avant toute chose, il ne s'agit pas d'une romance de Nöel car l'intrigue des trois novellas ne se déroulent pas à cette période de l'année. Trois autrices ont donc été regroupées dans ce recueil où nous ferons la découverte de trois héros mais surtout de trois héroïnes à un moment clé de leurs vies.
Bref, des lectures très sympathiques et rapides. Nous découvrons la plume de trois autrices dans des récits où l'amour finit toujours par triompher et où nos héros devront se battre pour conquérir la femme qui fait battre leur coeur.
Avis complet à lire sur: https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
Bref, des lectures très sympathiques et rapides. Nous découvrons la plume de trois autrices dans des récits où l'amour finit toujours par triompher et où nos héros devront se battre pour conquérir la femme qui fait battre leur coeur.
Avis complet à lire sur: https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...
August 6, 2019
My rating is only for Master of Desire by Kinley MacGregor.
Simon 🤤🤤
Simon 🤤🤤
I told you I did. I know you don’t believe me, but I swear that I never lied to you. I only omitted telling you what the S stood for because I didn’t want to lose you. For once, I wanted something for myself.”
November 2, 2017
leído en Junio 2011
Contra todo Pronostico
El doctor Linley ama a Lydia Craven desde hace años, pero jamás pensó que alguna vez podría tenerla. Lydia, por otro lado, también sentía algo muy especial por él, pero desde que lo oyó insultarla un día por casualidad, trata de evitarlo siempre porque se siente dolida. Es entonces cuando decide casarse con lord Wray sin estar enamorada de él. ¿Pero el eterno enamorado doctor Linley permitirá esta boda?
Me gustó mucho la pequeña historia de la hija de Derek!!
Contra todo Pronostico
El doctor Linley ama a Lydia Craven desde hace años, pero jamás pensó que alguna vez podría tenerla. Lydia, por otro lado, también sentía algo muy especial por él, pero desde que lo oyó insultarla un día por casualidad, trata de evitarlo siempre porque se siente dolida. Es entonces cuando decide casarse con lord Wray sin estar enamorada de él. ¿Pero el eterno enamorado doctor Linley permitirá esta boda?
Me gustó mucho la pequeña historia de la hija de Derek!!
December 30, 2015
Me ha encantado. Autoras muy competente y entretenidas con una imaginación espectacular y una pluma maravillosa. La verdad que todas las historias tuvieron su toque único y me distrajeron bastante bien.
La primera historia, Escucha mi corazón de Lisa Kleypas, fue muy bonita, no había leído nada de esta autora antes así que me lleve una grata sorpresa con este trabajo, por supuesto estamos hablando de una antología por lo que las historias son cortas en sí, pero aun así uno no pierde nada, enganchas con los personajes y te revuelve el corazoncillo.
La segunda historia, también entretenida aunque en particular menos que las demás, El caballero de la noche de Kinley MacGregor. No me convenció del todo así que como tal no me enganche mucho, creo que las cosas se desarrollaron tan de prisa y sin mucha explicación sustancial, saben ¿como aveces sucede que te explican cosas sin importancia pero no le dan prioridad a otras cosas que definitivamente hubiesen mejorado la historia? bueno de esa forma me sentí con esta parte del libro. Ademas no me pareció del todo acertado que los otros dos relatos estuviesen ambientados en una misma época y de repente nos salten en el tiempo a otra época completamente diferente, es decir, de regencia a caballeros y cruzadas a regencia nuevamente ¿si me entienden?
Ahora, la ultima, y definitivamente mi favorita (y no solo por mi alta predilección por la gran Julia Quinn, a quien hasta ahora tengo en un alto pedestal), Historia de dos hermanas. Ese ingenioso y particular toque romántico con matices humorísticos que caracterizan a Julia Quinn estuvieron presentes en su historia. Me enganché con los personajes, me reí mucho y no lloré, pero si llegado el momento me entristecí. La verdad que fue muy ingeniosa y me pareció esplendido, quería que se extendiera. Esta autora tiene la particularidad de engancharme y sacarme suspiros con facilidad.
En fin, en lo particular pienso que esta antología ha sido muy buena, aunque claro esta, no tengo mucha experiencia en cuanto a antologías se refiere, pero para mis gustos, creo que ha estado notablemente acertada.
La primera historia, Escucha mi corazón de Lisa Kleypas, fue muy bonita, no había leído nada de esta autora antes así que me lleve una grata sorpresa con este trabajo, por supuesto estamos hablando de una antología por lo que las historias son cortas en sí, pero aun así uno no pierde nada, enganchas con los personajes y te revuelve el corazoncillo.
La segunda historia, también entretenida aunque en particular menos que las demás, El caballero de la noche de Kinley MacGregor. No me convenció del todo así que como tal no me enganche mucho, creo que las cosas se desarrollaron tan de prisa y sin mucha explicación sustancial, saben ¿como aveces sucede que te explican cosas sin importancia pero no le dan prioridad a otras cosas que definitivamente hubiesen mejorado la historia? bueno de esa forma me sentí con esta parte del libro. Ademas no me pareció del todo acertado que los otros dos relatos estuviesen ambientados en una misma época y de repente nos salten en el tiempo a otra época completamente diferente, es decir, de regencia a caballeros y cruzadas a regencia nuevamente ¿si me entienden?
Ahora, la ultima, y definitivamente mi favorita (y no solo por mi alta predilección por la gran Julia Quinn, a quien hasta ahora tengo en un alto pedestal), Historia de dos hermanas. Ese ingenioso y particular toque romántico con matices humorísticos que caracterizan a Julia Quinn estuvieron presentes en su historia. Me enganché con los personajes, me reí mucho y no lloré, pero si llegado el momento me entristecí. La verdad que fue muy ingeniosa y me pareció esplendido, quería que se extendiera. Esta autora tiene la particularidad de engancharme y sacarme suspiros con facilidad.
En fin, en lo particular pienso que esta antología ha sido muy buena, aunque claro esta, no tengo mucha experiencia en cuanto a antologías se refiere, pero para mis gustos, creo que ha estado notablemente acertada.
March 8, 2011
You think I would have liked the story about Sara and Derek's daughter and Jake Lynley. It was pretty good. I thought it could have been better. I loved Simon of Ravenswood's story. He's so adorable.
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