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Rebellious Brides #2
Permis de mariage
Lady Elinor Dunsmore a commis l'erreur de tomber amoureuse du meilleur ami de son frère aîné, disparu après une nuit de passion débridée. Six ans et une vie plus tard, leurs yeux se croisent dans un salon à Paris. Ses amis et sa famille la croient morte, mais Elle est bien en vie. Elle est à présent associée à un général impitoyable, qui veut qu'elle séduise l'homme qui lui a brisé le coeur pour découvrir ses secrets les plus intimes. Will est-il un doux érudit - ou l'agent secret notoire qu'on appelle le Rasoir ? Le fils bâtard d'un comte et d'une actrice, Will Naismith a toujours su qu'il n'était pas un parti convenable pour Elle Dunsmore, en dépit de son puissant amour pour elle. Et pourtant, il a presque laissé ses désirs ruiner l'avenir brillant d'Elle. Une fois passée la douleur intense causée par la mort présumée d'Elle, Will s'est dévoué à la Couronne, mais toute sa vie n'a fait que le mener à cette réunion inattendue. En dépit du fait qu'il la désire encore, il ne doit pas succomber une nouvelle fois à son ardeur. Car cette mission est délicate - et Elle, délicieusement dangereuse.
326 pages, Paperback
First published July 5, 2016
50 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Diana Quincy
15 books746 followersBestselling author Diana Quincy is an award-winning television journalist who decided to make up her own stories where a happy ending is always guaranteed.
Her books have been included on "Best of" lists in Library Journal and The Washington Post.
As a U.S. Foreign Service brat, Diana grew up all over the world, but is now happily settled in Virginia with her husband and two boys. When not bent over her laptop, Diana spends time with her family, reads, practices yoga, and plots her next travel adventure.
Diana loves to hear from readers. You can follow her on Twitter @Diana_Quincy, Facebook, Instagram (diana_quincy_author) or visit her website at dianaquincy.com
Her books have been included on "Best of" lists in Library Journal and The Washington Post.
As a U.S. Foreign Service brat, Diana grew up all over the world, but is now happily settled in Virginia with her husband and two boys. When not bent over her laptop, Diana spends time with her family, reads, practices yoga, and plots her next travel adventure.
Diana loves to hear from readers. You can follow her on Twitter @Diana_Quincy, Facebook, Instagram (diana_quincy_author) or visit her website at dianaquincy.com
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July 8, 2016
"I didn't think it possible to find you more appealing." She interlaced her fingers with his and breathed his scent deep into her lungs. I found you extraordinarily appealing when you were a bookish clerk. But now-."
Well this book turned out to be a little gem! Set mostly in post revolution France and when titles were a thing of the past and the nobility where no more. One of our characters is Elle, she's a Lady her father a Marquis, she could easily marry a duke but ever since she's been a little girl she's only had eyes for Will. But their love can never be, because while Will's sire is a member of the peerage Will is a an illegitimate son, what's worse is his father treats him like a burden so he's never felt like he fit in. The only constants in Will's life are Elle and her older brother. They share one night of passion, Will realizing what he he's done tells her they should marry but the next day is sent away and by the time he returns Elle has made a most advantageous marriage, she's married a Vicomte. Six years pass with Will suppressing a deep bitterness and pain because of Elle's subsequent death during the revolution until he sees her at an establishment in France.
Think intrigue, spies, jilted lovers, angst and suspense. So as surprised as I was by how much I enjoyed this story I wasn't quite sure if I liked Elle at all in the beginning until the story unraveled and I decided I actually loved her and wasn't so sure if I liked Will very much. It was pretty much me loving and hating the characters throughout the book. The story is set against the backdrop of a fragile peace between England and France that no one thinks will last. Will and Elle's reunion was very tense because of all the misunderstanding and secrets between them, both characters were very prideful despite their obvious love for one another. It was very frustrating but also made for a deliciously torturous story.
At times I wanted to bash both characters over the head and lock them in a room together so they could have a good chat, and air out their cupboard of skeletons. Although this read like a standalone there were a few cameos from characters that I think were in previous books and ones from future books. I'll have to investigate as this author is new to me. But if you're looking for a historical romance with characters who have been estranged for many years, have a deep and torturous love for each other with plenty of conflicts to overcome, then you should definitely give this a go.
ARC kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review
July 4, 2016
'A License to Wed' is book two in the "Rebellious Brides" series ('Regency Spymasters' series). by Diana Quincy. This is the story of Elinor Dunsmore and Will Naismith. This can be a standalone book but I have read the previous book "Spy Fall" and I found it helpful to read that book first. 'Spy Fall' was about Elinor brother: Lord Cosmo Dunsmore and it touched on how his life was affected by Elinor 'death' and about Elinor Child. So I would say to read that book if you can but again you will be okay if you don't.
Elinor had become a spy of sorts and now she is being told try and seduce Will to find out what he knows. Will is surprised to see Elinor since he and her family think she is dead. Will and Elinor had a passionate night where he ended up leaving because of his bastard status and thinking he wasn't good enough for Elinor.
How will they go forward with what they know about the other? Can they trust each other?
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
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Elinor had become a spy of sorts and now she is being told try and seduce Will to find out what he knows. Will is surprised to see Elinor since he and her family think she is dead. Will and Elinor had a passionate night where he ended up leaving because of his bastard status and thinking he wasn't good enough for Elinor.
How will they go forward with what they know about the other? Can they trust each other?
I received an eARC, from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Please follow more reviews at the below sites:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1... http://sissymaereads.blogspot.com/
https://www.facebook.com/sally.mae.39...
http://sissymae.booklikes.com/
https://romancebookreviewforyou.wordp...
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17091...
https://twitter.com/soapsrus68
https://www.pinterest.com/u2soapsrus/
http://romancebookreviewforyoublog.tu...
October 26, 2016
I've given this a B- at AAR. 3.5 stars rounded up.
This second book in Diana Quincy’s Rebellious Brides series is an enjoyable story of lovers reunited liberally sprinkled with a dash of intrigue and a soupçon of suspense. The author’s style is immediately engaging and the novel is well-paced, with the inclusion of a few flashbacks to flesh-out the protagonists’ shared history. The central characters are attractive and the romantic chemistry between them simmers nicely, but there are too many obviously manufactured misunderstandings and secrets throughout the story for me to have been able to rate it more highly.
In a prologue which takes place some six years before the start of the story ‘proper’, Lady Elinor (Elle) Dunsmore, the daughter of a marquess, and her long-term friend Will Naismith slip away from the hustle and bustle of her eighteenth birthday party. Will has loved Elle forever, but one doesn’t trifle with one’s best friend’s sister, and in any case, Will was born on the wrong side of the blanket so there is no possibility of there being anything between them but friendship. When Elle shows signs of being as smitten with him as he is with her, Will tries hard to maintain his distance and to behave honourably, but Elle’s eagerness and her allure are too much for him to resist, and they make love passionately under the stars. He determines there and then that no matter what, they will be married, and fully intends to ask for her hand the next day.
An unfortunate series of events delays him – and by the time he is able to get away and return for Elle, it’s too late. She married a vicomte and went to live in France with him, only to die in childbed almost a year later.
Fast forward six years, and Will is in Paris, where he has, ostensibly, been invited in order to assess the authenticity and value of an ancient coin a colleague of his wishes to purchase. Always the scholarly type, Will’s interest is numismatism (the study and collection of coins) and his reputation has grown steadily over the years, so much so that he is recognised as an expert in the field and is regularly called upon by collectors for advice. He is at a society gathering with a couple of friends when – incredibly – he sees Elle, very much alive and completely breathtaking.
Not surprisingly, Will is stunned and assailed by many conflicting emotions; relief that Elle isn’t dead, angry and hurt because she’d left him for another and he’d mourned her not once but twice; and bitter because he believes that she can’t have cared for him at all and had just used him to satisfy her sexual curiosity. Their first encounter in six years is guarded as they circle around and attempt to gauge each other’s reactions without giving away too much, but even through the hurt and the mistrust it’s clear that they still care deeply for each other.
Elle’s husband died some years earlier, but she has only recently returned to Paris society and nothing is known about her whereabouts in the interim. She is widely rumoured to be the mistress of Général Gerard Duret, one of Napoléon’s chief intelligencers, but is not – not yet, anyway, although the man is certainly determined to have her in his bed. However, Duret wants more from Elle than her body; he is blackmailing her into helping him to unmask Le Rasoir , a highly efficient and audacious English spy who has so far eluded capture. When he tells her the man he wants her to seduce is none other than Will Naismith, however, Elle is incredulous. The very idea that the quiet, studious, Home-Office clerk could be a spy is ridiculous, but Duret is holding Elle’s six year-old daughter which gives her little choice but to do as she is told.
In spite of their mutual mistrust, Elle and Will find themselves reluctant allies when he helps her to escape from Duret and then escorts her back to England. Will comes to realise that he has jumped to conclusions about Elle that were undeserved and the two gradually reconcile, although Elle is still keeping a huge secret which threatens to derail their re-kindling romance. Both characters are attractive and fairly well-rounded, and the author does a good job of showing that they have never stopped loving each other in spite of the past and the obstacles that lie between them in the present. I confess to having a bit of a soft spot for a geeky but fiercely intelligent and super-efficient hero, so Will – who is also auburn-haired and bespectacled (be still, my beating heart!) – is rather appealing, despite his initial coldness towards Elle.
The story is well put-together for the most part, but I had a problem with the number of wrongly jumped-to conclusions, the secret-keeping and the misunderstandings, all of which are too contrived and at times took me out of the story. At the start, Will is bitter because he believes Elle used him, and he finds it easy to think the worst of her. Elle senses his hostility and immediately shuts him out, being deliberately obtuse because she’s annoyed at his high-handedness and hurt that he could believe ill of her. These attitudes persist well into the book, and watching them take two steps forward and one step back in their relationship on several occasions was frustrating. Towards the end, just as things are looking up between them, Elle’s final secret (which, by this time, the reader knows) is revealed and sends Will into another sulk, this one far less justifiable. I could have bought his initial anger and hurt over what he believed to have been Elle’s rejection of him, but his reaction to this is way over the top. But he’s not the only one at fault; Elle had opportunities to tell him the truth but kept deciding that it wasn’t the right time. As any regular reader of romance knows, procrastination in such situations always works out well.
I didn’t dislike A License to Wed, but I can’t recommend it wholeheartedly. It’s certainly worth checking out if you enjoy historical romance/spy stories; and if you’re not too bothered by the prospect of the secrets and misunderstandings perhaps it may work better for you than it did for me. Ms. Quincy is an author I’m going to be keeping an eye on as she writes well and has the ability to create a decent plot and strong characters, but she needs to find a way of introducing and sustaining conflict that is believable and appropriate. I’ll probably check out the next book in this series to see if she manages it.
This second book in Diana Quincy’s Rebellious Brides series is an enjoyable story of lovers reunited liberally sprinkled with a dash of intrigue and a soupçon of suspense. The author’s style is immediately engaging and the novel is well-paced, with the inclusion of a few flashbacks to flesh-out the protagonists’ shared history. The central characters are attractive and the romantic chemistry between them simmers nicely, but there are too many obviously manufactured misunderstandings and secrets throughout the story for me to have been able to rate it more highly.
In a prologue which takes place some six years before the start of the story ‘proper’, Lady Elinor (Elle) Dunsmore, the daughter of a marquess, and her long-term friend Will Naismith slip away from the hustle and bustle of her eighteenth birthday party. Will has loved Elle forever, but one doesn’t trifle with one’s best friend’s sister, and in any case, Will was born on the wrong side of the blanket so there is no possibility of there being anything between them but friendship. When Elle shows signs of being as smitten with him as he is with her, Will tries hard to maintain his distance and to behave honourably, but Elle’s eagerness and her allure are too much for him to resist, and they make love passionately under the stars. He determines there and then that no matter what, they will be married, and fully intends to ask for her hand the next day.
An unfortunate series of events delays him – and by the time he is able to get away and return for Elle, it’s too late. She married a vicomte and went to live in France with him, only to die in childbed almost a year later.
Fast forward six years, and Will is in Paris, where he has, ostensibly, been invited in order to assess the authenticity and value of an ancient coin a colleague of his wishes to purchase. Always the scholarly type, Will’s interest is numismatism (the study and collection of coins) and his reputation has grown steadily over the years, so much so that he is recognised as an expert in the field and is regularly called upon by collectors for advice. He is at a society gathering with a couple of friends when – incredibly – he sees Elle, very much alive and completely breathtaking.
Not surprisingly, Will is stunned and assailed by many conflicting emotions; relief that Elle isn’t dead, angry and hurt because she’d left him for another and he’d mourned her not once but twice; and bitter because he believes that she can’t have cared for him at all and had just used him to satisfy her sexual curiosity. Their first encounter in six years is guarded as they circle around and attempt to gauge each other’s reactions without giving away too much, but even through the hurt and the mistrust it’s clear that they still care deeply for each other.
Elle’s husband died some years earlier, but she has only recently returned to Paris society and nothing is known about her whereabouts in the interim. She is widely rumoured to be the mistress of Général Gerard Duret, one of Napoléon’s chief intelligencers, but is not – not yet, anyway, although the man is certainly determined to have her in his bed. However, Duret wants more from Elle than her body; he is blackmailing her into helping him to unmask Le Rasoir , a highly efficient and audacious English spy who has so far eluded capture. When he tells her the man he wants her to seduce is none other than Will Naismith, however, Elle is incredulous. The very idea that the quiet, studious, Home-Office clerk could be a spy is ridiculous, but Duret is holding Elle’s six year-old daughter which gives her little choice but to do as she is told.
In spite of their mutual mistrust, Elle and Will find themselves reluctant allies when he helps her to escape from Duret and then escorts her back to England. Will comes to realise that he has jumped to conclusions about Elle that were undeserved and the two gradually reconcile, although Elle is still keeping a huge secret which threatens to derail their re-kindling romance. Both characters are attractive and fairly well-rounded, and the author does a good job of showing that they have never stopped loving each other in spite of the past and the obstacles that lie between them in the present. I confess to having a bit of a soft spot for a geeky but fiercely intelligent and super-efficient hero, so Will – who is also auburn-haired and bespectacled (be still, my beating heart!) – is rather appealing, despite his initial coldness towards Elle.
The story is well put-together for the most part, but I had a problem with the number of wrongly jumped-to conclusions, the secret-keeping and the misunderstandings, all of which are too contrived and at times took me out of the story. At the start, Will is bitter because he believes Elle used him, and he finds it easy to think the worst of her. Elle senses his hostility and immediately shuts him out, being deliberately obtuse because she’s annoyed at his high-handedness and hurt that he could believe ill of her. These attitudes persist well into the book, and watching them take two steps forward and one step back in their relationship on several occasions was frustrating. Towards the end, just as things are looking up between them, Elle’s final secret (which, by this time, the reader knows) is revealed and sends Will into another sulk, this one far less justifiable. I could have bought his initial anger and hurt over what he believed to have been Elle’s rejection of him, but his reaction to this is way over the top. But he’s not the only one at fault; Elle had opportunities to tell him the truth but kept deciding that it wasn’t the right time. As any regular reader of romance knows, procrastination in such situations always works out well.
I didn’t dislike A License to Wed, but I can’t recommend it wholeheartedly. It’s certainly worth checking out if you enjoy historical romance/spy stories; and if you’re not too bothered by the prospect of the secrets and misunderstandings perhaps it may work better for you than it did for me. Ms. Quincy is an author I’m going to be keeping an eye on as she writes well and has the ability to create a decent plot and strong characters, but she needs to find a way of introducing and sustaining conflict that is believable and appropriate. I’ll probably check out the next book in this series to see if she manages it.
June 17, 2016
Ever since she could remember, Elinor has been in love with her older brother's best friend, Will Naismith. After a singular night of passion, Will leaves for parts unknown leaving Elinor in a precarious situation. The only remedy for that situation is a hasty marriage to a kind soul who steps in when Elinor is left bereft.
Their relationship would have been impossible. She,a Lady of the Ton and he,the bastard son of an earl and an actress, Will did go back for her, but he was too late, and now six years later, when everyone in England believes her dead, Will Naismith comes face to face with Elinor and she has a lot of explaining to do.
Her marriage was a comfortable one, but after losing her baby and then her husband, Elinor is left in France during an unsettling time. At first Elinor thought her baby daughter died at birth, but when she finds that not only did her baby survive, but she is being used as a lure for Elinor to commit treason to England. Elinor will do anything to get her daughter back, but when Will Naismith appears she is thrown into a quandary/ The only man she ever loved could be a spy for England and the powers that be in France want Elinor to inform on his movements.
Will doesn't know what to make of Elinor and her sudden resurrection into the land of the living, but he knows something isn't right when she makes no mention of her family and the daughter she apparently abandoned. How could he have fallen for a woman who could show so little emotion for her own offspring? His occupation as a spy and her shady position makes A LICENSE TO WED a great story of intrigue and love lost and found.
I truly enjoyed A LICENSE TO WED and found author, Diana Quincy's writing to be wonderful. My only pet peeve with this story is the fact that Elinor never mentions her daughter to her lost love and Will never makes inquiries as to why she glosses over something so important. That being said, I did enjoy this story once I got passed that and will most definitely read more by Ms. Quincy in the future.
July 5, 2016
'Loving you is not a choice. it is the strongest urge I have ever known'
Such an utterance is definitely a sigh worthy moment! And there are many times for sighs, oohs and ahhh's peppered throughout this second 'Rebellious Brides' entry. The circumstances and events surrounding Quincy's new series, so wonderfully started in Spy Fall with Cosmos Dunsmore and aeronautics Marie Lamarre, continues with more excitement and verve!
The love of Will Naismith and Lady Elinor Dunsmore spans years, deep misunderstandings, dangerous situations and feelings never forgotten.
Elle loved Will for as long as she could remember. On the night of her eighteenth birthday (1796) that love is consummated with consequences that spread into the uncertain future and the war between England and France. Six years later during the peace, Will goes to Paris as part of his position for the crown, The Razor, an English spymaster. It's here he finds Elle, whom he'd believed dead. And she is in the company of one of Napoleon's more malevolent generals Gerard Duret.
Believing the worst of Elle, Will also has the general in his sights and now more mysteries to solve, including Elle's association with Duret.
As the threat of exposure dogs Will, so does Will's undeniable attraction for Elle , never dampened threaten Will's peace of mind. What are the secrets Elle is harbouring? Is she too a French spy, the general's mistress or something else. Will is determined to find out, and when he does he's rocked to his very soul.
An edgy, exciting and vibrant read!
an afterthought...The oddest thing though. Every time I read Will's surname, Naismith, I flash to Miles Naismith Vorkosigan's alter ego Admiral Naismith in the series by Lois McMaster Bujold. Tried to stop that thought from infiltrating but alas not successfully. Naismith has forever been branded for me. Sigh!
A NetGalley ARC
Such an utterance is definitely a sigh worthy moment! And there are many times for sighs, oohs and ahhh's peppered throughout this second 'Rebellious Brides' entry. The circumstances and events surrounding Quincy's new series, so wonderfully started in Spy Fall with Cosmos Dunsmore and aeronautics Marie Lamarre, continues with more excitement and verve!
The love of Will Naismith and Lady Elinor Dunsmore spans years, deep misunderstandings, dangerous situations and feelings never forgotten.
Elle loved Will for as long as she could remember. On the night of her eighteenth birthday (1796) that love is consummated with consequences that spread into the uncertain future and the war between England and France. Six years later during the peace, Will goes to Paris as part of his position for the crown, The Razor, an English spymaster. It's here he finds Elle, whom he'd believed dead. And she is in the company of one of Napoleon's more malevolent generals Gerard Duret.
Believing the worst of Elle, Will also has the general in his sights and now more mysteries to solve, including Elle's association with Duret.
As the threat of exposure dogs Will, so does Will's undeniable attraction for Elle , never dampened threaten Will's peace of mind. What are the secrets Elle is harbouring? Is she too a French spy, the general's mistress or something else. Will is determined to find out, and when he does he's rocked to his very soul.
An edgy, exciting and vibrant read!
an afterthought...The oddest thing though. Every time I read Will's surname, Naismith, I flash to Miles Naismith Vorkosigan's alter ego Admiral Naismith in the series by Lois McMaster Bujold. Tried to stop that thought from infiltrating but alas not successfully. Naismith has forever been branded for me. Sigh!
A NetGalley ARC
August 19, 2016
After the sudden death of Elinor Dunsmore, the young woman he loved, Will Naismith spent the next six years throwing himself into his work, traveling the globe and rooting out information close to home, all in service to the English crown. We first met him in Spy Fall, where he helped Elinor's brother unmask a traitor and discover the whereabouts of Elinor's daughter. Now in Paris on a new assignment, Will is shocked to come face-to-face with none other than Elinor herself, very much alive, the darling of post-Revolution society, and mistress of one of France's most dangerous men. As Elle evades his questions, discounting the love they once shared, and continues to grace the arm of the man Will is tasked with stopping before he can divulge state secrets, Will realizes this Elinor is nothing like the woman he once loved beyond all reason, and she's likely a traitor to her homeland. When one of his top agents goes missing and a connection to Elinor is uncovered, Will must put the past behind him and fulfill his duty to king and country, no matter the cost.
Will Naismith is the last person Elle ever expected to see in Paris. Though she wants nothing more than to lose herself in his embrace, which still sets her heart racing after all these years, she has no choice but to keep him at arm's length. That is until her ruthless general companion tasks her with seducing Will in an effort to uncover the identity of Le Rasoir, England's top intelligence officer in France. Since the general is holding the whereabouts of her missing daughter over her head, Elle is forced to comply. Even though she has secrets of her own, nothing prepares her for the secrets Will is hiding or the lengths he is willing to go to in the name of duty. But as the two circle each other in an effort to outsmart and outlast, all while attempting to deny the connection between them, the game they are playing turns deadly, and both will have to decide what they are willing to risk for love, for each other, and for the chance at a future they never thought they could have together.
I had such high hopes for A License to Wed based on how much I enjoyed the first book in the series, Spy Fall. Finding out that Elinor was alive when everyone thought her dead for the past six years was a shocking twist, and I couldn't wait to find out where Elinor had been and how her loved ones would react to the news. Unfortunately, most of it fell flat for me. I couldn't believe that Will didn't immediately demand answers or keep pressing Elinor for the truth, and I found Elinor's flippant treatment of her return from the dead to be very callous and selfish. Nor did I find a satisfactory explanation for where she'd been, how her family came to think she was dead in the first place, and why she never bothered to disavow them of that notion. And so much of the angst between Will and Elinor could have been cleared up if they would have just TALKED to each other. Misunderstandings are one of my least favorite plot devices in romance. To me, it's a hallmark of a weak plot, and there was so much to work with in this story that it really could have been better developed. I thought I was going to get a tale of two spies caught up in a dangerous game of intrigue, but that's really not what happened at all. And Will and Elinor's romance lacked the witty banter and sexy innuendos that made Spy Fall so good.
I was invested enough to keep reading to see how it would all end, and there were some exciting moments and touching scenes of tenderness along the way. In browsing other reviews, my feelings are definitely in the minority. If you loved Spy Fall, you've got to read A License to Wed for the continuation of the story, but overall it did not live up to my (admittedly high) expectations.
*This review was originally posted to Romantic Historical Reviews.
Will Naismith is the last person Elle ever expected to see in Paris. Though she wants nothing more than to lose herself in his embrace, which still sets her heart racing after all these years, she has no choice but to keep him at arm's length. That is until her ruthless general companion tasks her with seducing Will in an effort to uncover the identity of Le Rasoir, England's top intelligence officer in France. Since the general is holding the whereabouts of her missing daughter over her head, Elle is forced to comply. Even though she has secrets of her own, nothing prepares her for the secrets Will is hiding or the lengths he is willing to go to in the name of duty. But as the two circle each other in an effort to outsmart and outlast, all while attempting to deny the connection between them, the game they are playing turns deadly, and both will have to decide what they are willing to risk for love, for each other, and for the chance at a future they never thought they could have together.
I had such high hopes for A License to Wed based on how much I enjoyed the first book in the series, Spy Fall. Finding out that Elinor was alive when everyone thought her dead for the past six years was a shocking twist, and I couldn't wait to find out where Elinor had been and how her loved ones would react to the news. Unfortunately, most of it fell flat for me. I couldn't believe that Will didn't immediately demand answers or keep pressing Elinor for the truth, and I found Elinor's flippant treatment of her return from the dead to be very callous and selfish. Nor did I find a satisfactory explanation for where she'd been, how her family came to think she was dead in the first place, and why she never bothered to disavow them of that notion. And so much of the angst between Will and Elinor could have been cleared up if they would have just TALKED to each other. Misunderstandings are one of my least favorite plot devices in romance. To me, it's a hallmark of a weak plot, and there was so much to work with in this story that it really could have been better developed. I thought I was going to get a tale of two spies caught up in a dangerous game of intrigue, but that's really not what happened at all. And Will and Elinor's romance lacked the witty banter and sexy innuendos that made Spy Fall so good.
I was invested enough to keep reading to see how it would all end, and there were some exciting moments and touching scenes of tenderness along the way. In browsing other reviews, my feelings are definitely in the minority. If you loved Spy Fall, you've got to read A License to Wed for the continuation of the story, but overall it did not live up to my (admittedly high) expectations.
*This review was originally posted to Romantic Historical Reviews.
September 4, 2019
I got an ARC of this wonderful historical romance from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I have to say... I really loved it :) it started as a strong 4 / 4,5 stars read, but ultimately I had to give it full 5 stars... believe me... I was just as surprised as you by that ;) and definitely don't be discouraged by the fact that it's book #2 in a series, cause it can be read as a standalone as well :) in fact, it's the first book written by this author that I've read and after enjoying it so much I will definitely check out her other work :)
We meet our main couple on the day of Elle's 18th birthday :) Will is a few years older, and a friend of her older brother... more about him a bit later :) she's been in love with him for quite some time, and he started to have feelings for her as well... so there's no wonder that after the amount of champagne they both drank that night, those feelings turned into action... ;) unfortunately their story did not end happily at that time... in the next chapter we skip ahead six years... and a lot of stuff happened in that amount of time... :) but before I go into a bit more details... don't worry, not a lot, so as not to spoil you anything ;) I will tell you a bit more about our main couple :) Elle is the daughter of a very high member of british society... and yes, it's my why of explaining who her father is because apparently I failed to write down his exact title in my notes... ;) but he's important :) and Will is the bastard son... they are like night and day not only because of their families... she's vibrant, charismatic and full of life... he's much more serious and organized... when we skip ahead those six years he's pretty much in shock when he sees her... mainly because everyone thought she died... dun dun duuunnn.... ;) sorry, but this moment needed a dramatic effect :) I won't tell you much more about why she's actually alive and why everyone thought she was dead all those years, because we learn all those details throughout the whole book... :) what I can say is that I absolutely loved both of them... did I liked that each of them kept secrets from one another? not really, but I do understand why they did it... it's easy to judge, but when put in their place I'm not sure I would acted differently... fortunately all those things are cleared between them sooner or later in the story... :)
Besides our main couple there is a bunch of other characters very important to the story... unfortunately, I can't really share with you too much about them, because of spoilers :) but what I can say is that I definitely see some potential for future stories... ;) the person I can tell you more about is Cosmo, Elle's older brother... :) even though he appears only in like a scene or two near the end of this book :) but the reason I want to write about him is that he's the hero of his very own book :) "Spy fall" tells the story of how he got together with Mari, his wife :)
This book seduced me with the writing style... I really enjoyed it from the start, but those words... *sighs* I was in love with this book before I knew what was happening ;) which actually doesn't happen very often with me :) but the more I read, the more I wanted... and suddenly I was reading the last chapter... how did that happened?!? ;) this story is full of surprising twists and turns, so besides the romance we get also a mystery and adventure all in one fantastically written package :) that is exactly why my review is so vague and without much details... I don't want to spoil you those twists... :) so be sure to pick this one up and give it a try... I think it might mesmerize you just as it did to me... ;)
XOXO
A
We meet our main couple on the day of Elle's 18th birthday :) Will is a few years older, and a friend of her older brother... more about him a bit later :) she's been in love with him for quite some time, and he started to have feelings for her as well... so there's no wonder that after the amount of champagne they both drank that night, those feelings turned into action... ;) unfortunately their story did not end happily at that time... in the next chapter we skip ahead six years... and a lot of stuff happened in that amount of time... :) but before I go into a bit more details... don't worry, not a lot, so as not to spoil you anything ;) I will tell you a bit more about our main couple :) Elle is the daughter of a very high member of british society... and yes, it's my why of explaining who her father is because apparently I failed to write down his exact title in my notes... ;) but he's important :) and Will is the bastard son... they are like night and day not only because of their families... she's vibrant, charismatic and full of life... he's much more serious and organized... when we skip ahead those six years he's pretty much in shock when he sees her... mainly because everyone thought she died... dun dun duuunnn.... ;) sorry, but this moment needed a dramatic effect :) I won't tell you much more about why she's actually alive and why everyone thought she was dead all those years, because we learn all those details throughout the whole book... :) what I can say is that I absolutely loved both of them... did I liked that each of them kept secrets from one another? not really, but I do understand why they did it... it's easy to judge, but when put in their place I'm not sure I would acted differently... fortunately all those things are cleared between them sooner or later in the story... :)
Besides our main couple there is a bunch of other characters very important to the story... unfortunately, I can't really share with you too much about them, because of spoilers :) but what I can say is that I definitely see some potential for future stories... ;) the person I can tell you more about is Cosmo, Elle's older brother... :) even though he appears only in like a scene or two near the end of this book :) but the reason I want to write about him is that he's the hero of his very own book :) "Spy fall" tells the story of how he got together with Mari, his wife :)
This book seduced me with the writing style... I really enjoyed it from the start, but those words... *sighs* I was in love with this book before I knew what was happening ;) which actually doesn't happen very often with me :) but the more I read, the more I wanted... and suddenly I was reading the last chapter... how did that happened?!? ;) this story is full of surprising twists and turns, so besides the romance we get also a mystery and adventure all in one fantastically written package :) that is exactly why my review is so vague and without much details... I don't want to spoil you those twists... :) so be sure to pick this one up and give it a try... I think it might mesmerize you just as it did to me... ;)
XOXO
A
June 11, 2016
Reunion stories are my least favorite plot lines, but Diana Quincy's "A License to Wed" is the exception to that rule! On the night of Elle's 18th birthday, she confesses to her brother's best friend Will that she has always loved him. They have had a bit to drink and end up making love, he proposes out of duty instead of love and she refuses. Will then learns she has quickly married another man and he hears that she has died in childbirth.
Elle is very much alive though and doesn't know that Will believes she is dead. She has been living in France for almost six years and is surprised to see Will at a function she is attending. Will is more than shocked to see the woman he has never forgotten, but who he believes is dead. He also hates to hear that she is keeping company with a ruthless French General and is rumored to be this General's mistress.
Elle is scared of the General, especially after she learns that the General wants her to seduce Will and find out if he is a British spy master, the Razor. Elle can't believe that her scholarly, steadfast Will is a spy. Elle has to dance to the General's tune because he is holding her daughter.
Oh the secrets and deceptions that abound in the book are many and they really enliven the plot. Elle has a number of secrets and Will has many secrets as well, they have to learn to trust each other if they want to come out of the treachery with their lives.
It was lovely to read about a couple that never forgot each other, but weren't together for a number of reasons. Elle believes Will abandoned her after their one night together and Will believes that she married a man who was more suited to her station. This is a very passionate story and the love scenes and sweet and sensual rather than steamy. I highly recommend this book, great summer reading!!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Elle is very much alive though and doesn't know that Will believes she is dead. She has been living in France for almost six years and is surprised to see Will at a function she is attending. Will is more than shocked to see the woman he has never forgotten, but who he believes is dead. He also hates to hear that she is keeping company with a ruthless French General and is rumored to be this General's mistress.
Elle is scared of the General, especially after she learns that the General wants her to seduce Will and find out if he is a British spy master, the Razor. Elle can't believe that her scholarly, steadfast Will is a spy. Elle has to dance to the General's tune because he is holding her daughter.
Oh the secrets and deceptions that abound in the book are many and they really enliven the plot. Elle has a number of secrets and Will has many secrets as well, they have to learn to trust each other if they want to come out of the treachery with their lives.
It was lovely to read about a couple that never forgot each other, but weren't together for a number of reasons. Elle believes Will abandoned her after their one night together and Will believes that she married a man who was more suited to her station. This is a very passionate story and the love scenes and sweet and sensual rather than steamy. I highly recommend this book, great summer reading!!
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
December 10, 2016
4.5 STARS
The premise of this fast-paced, suspenseful historical is definitely unique, fitting right along with its predecessor of the series. I always look forward to coming across fresh, original works, so that in itself made my day.
My heart ached for Wil and Elinor and the tragic circumstances that separated them. They genuinely cared for each other from such young ages, and watching that love stand the test of the time they were apart is a testament to true love. My heart went out to Elinor especially. She had been so young, and although finding herself in that situation is nothing new, the way she’d been deceived cut even deeper (I don’t want to ruin it for those of you who have not yet read it).
I’m always up for a good spy/suspense. I love trying to figure things out and Quincy didn’t disappoint with this story. The sexual tension between Elle and Wil is thicker than London Fog, and there were so many secrets, I thought I would burst waiting for them to be discovered.
The intrigue and suspense keeps the pages turning. I couldn’t wait for the bad guys to reap the consequences of their evil deeds. Elinor is quite the scrapper – headstrong, dedicated, loyal, and feisty. Wil surprised me. I love a man with glasses, especially when they turn out to be a lot tougher than what they let on – the quiet, mysterious type. Yes, indeed!
I wish there had been a little more closure at the end, but it’s, of course, a good way to entice readers to continue on with the series. Not necessarily a cliffhanger, but more like unanswered question (there really is a difference, at least in my head ). I’m looking forward to reading what’s next.
The premise of this fast-paced, suspenseful historical is definitely unique, fitting right along with its predecessor of the series. I always look forward to coming across fresh, original works, so that in itself made my day.
My heart ached for Wil and Elinor and the tragic circumstances that separated them. They genuinely cared for each other from such young ages, and watching that love stand the test of the time they were apart is a testament to true love. My heart went out to Elinor especially. She had been so young, and although finding herself in that situation is nothing new, the way she’d been deceived cut even deeper (I don’t want to ruin it for those of you who have not yet read it).
I’m always up for a good spy/suspense. I love trying to figure things out and Quincy didn’t disappoint with this story. The sexual tension between Elle and Wil is thicker than London Fog, and there were so many secrets, I thought I would burst waiting for them to be discovered.
The intrigue and suspense keeps the pages turning. I couldn’t wait for the bad guys to reap the consequences of their evil deeds. Elinor is quite the scrapper – headstrong, dedicated, loyal, and feisty. Wil surprised me. I love a man with glasses, especially when they turn out to be a lot tougher than what they let on – the quiet, mysterious type. Yes, indeed!
I wish there had been a little more closure at the end, but it’s, of course, a good way to entice readers to continue on with the series. Not necessarily a cliffhanger, but more like unanswered question (there really is a difference, at least in my head ). I’m looking forward to reading what’s next.
July 5, 2016
*I got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
This novel is one of those you cannot put aside. Diana Quincy created very interesting characters. I haven’t read the first book in the series but it didn’t matter at all.
In the beginning I wasn’t sure if this wouldn’t be this 0815 reunion stories but it isn’t. Eleonore turns 18 and on this very day she confesses to her brother’s best friend that he is in love with him. At the lake they have sex.
About five years later Will is in France and suddenly meets Eleanor again, who isn’t dead as he has been told but got married to a French man and isn’t the person anymore he believes her to be. Will is a spy and believes her to work for the other side.
He doesn’t know that things are completely different but he is about to find out.
I like the way the characters developed and there was quite some chemistry between those two but honestly said it felt too unrealistic exaggerated to give it 5 stars. “A License to Wed” is a very nice read, I enjoyed it a lot even when some scenes pushed too hard. Additionally, I never understood why her father didn’t try to find her, didn’t try harder.
Absolut: 4****
This novel is one of those you cannot put aside. Diana Quincy created very interesting characters. I haven’t read the first book in the series but it didn’t matter at all.
In the beginning I wasn’t sure if this wouldn’t be this 0815 reunion stories but it isn’t. Eleonore turns 18 and on this very day she confesses to her brother’s best friend that he is in love with him. At the lake they have sex.
About five years later Will is in France and suddenly meets Eleanor again, who isn’t dead as he has been told but got married to a French man and isn’t the person anymore he believes her to be. Will is a spy and believes her to work for the other side.
He doesn’t know that things are completely different but he is about to find out.
I like the way the characters developed and there was quite some chemistry between those two but honestly said it felt too unrealistic exaggerated to give it 5 stars. “A License to Wed” is a very nice read, I enjoyed it a lot even when some scenes pushed too hard. Additionally, I never understood why her father didn’t try to find her, didn’t try harder.
Absolut: 4****
June 30, 2016
Diana Quincy knows how to write a story. Will and Elle's reunion is darkly sensual. A dance of temptation lends these lovers into dangerous territory. License to Wed packs on the intrigue but delivers lots of seduction. I received an ARC of License to Wed in exchange for an honest review. I've found with Ms. Quincy one taste is never enough.
October 5, 2016
I loved this book. It reminded me why I fell in love with historical/regency romance. It's got intrigue, action, drama, and a few sexy scenes. What more is there to ask?
March 17, 2018
This was even better than the first book in the series. Will is a spymaster who lost the love of his life to another man, and now she is dead. He has dedicated his life to his career and is in France when he see Elinor and realizes that all is not as it seems. Elinor was betrayed by the love of her life and is now stuck in France after the war is over. Seeing Will is rubbing salt into an old wound. With important information in the balance, Will and Elinor have to work together to obtain some vital information. One quibble....it took a really long time for the Big Misunderstanding to be resolved.
This is a good spy story, the kind I like, and I enjoed this from beginning to end. There were a few places where I rolled my eyes, but overall, really good. I will be reading the next as soon as I can get it downloaded!
This is a good spy story, the kind I like, and I enjoed this from beginning to end. There were a few places where I rolled my eyes, but overall, really good. I will be reading the next as soon as I can get it downloaded!
December 6, 2020
This was so frustrating. Much of the H/h’s “conflict” could have been resolved in ONE conversation at the beginning of the novel. But, of course, then there wouldn’t have been a book. And the supposed big reveal was obvious from the literal beginning of the book (especially having read book 1). Parts of the book were quite enjoyable, but I wanted to like it so much more. Plus, Will had some really jerky moments. After hearing what had happened to Elle the past five years, plus having the knowledge of the villainy of Tristan FitzRoy, you’d think he would be nicer to her. Overall, this had so much potential as well as setting up the next book in the series, so I’m not sorry I read it, but I just really wish it had been a better developed story.
July 21, 2020
Almost DNF at chapter 15 this is my first book from this author. And while the writing isn't bad it's actually good, the story and the H and h actions leave distaste on me..... especially the heroine ...
spoiler: She married another man because she discover that she's with a child thus bringing them both unhappiness for many years.... baaaaah and she feels pain when she has heard that the hero wasn't celibate... While the hero only slept with another after believing she's dead while she knowing he's alive somewhere married, slept and do other things intimate with another man... facepalm much
spoiler: She married another man because she discover that she's with a child thus bringing them both unhappiness for many years.... baaaaah and she feels pain when she has heard that the hero wasn't celibate... While the hero only slept with another after believing she's dead while she knowing he's alive somewhere married, slept and do other things intimate with another man... facepalm much
June 27, 2024
This book was better than I expected b/c it had my favorite trope in it and I didn't even know it was coming! Secret baby!!! There is no greater surprise for me lol. However the story wasn't the best and the hero was described as a slender ginger who wears glasses and was the same height as the heroine...um swoon?
Anyway I thought the heroine was pretty unrealistic in this book but she was likable. The stodgy hero turned out better than expected and I liked his angry reaction at finding out he had a child. I hate when Heros get over it in 2 seconds. The latter part of the book had lots of drama and action but also sweetness and I liked the HEA. 3.5 stars rounding up to 4
Anyway I thought the heroine was pretty unrealistic in this book but she was likable. The stodgy hero turned out better than expected and I liked his angry reaction at finding out he had a child. I hate when Heros get over it in 2 seconds. The latter part of the book had lots of drama and action but also sweetness and I liked the HEA. 3.5 stars rounding up to 4
April 3, 2018
I loved this second chance romance. I felt tense the whole time I was reading it but that is not bad (even teared up a few times). It just felt right between Elinor and Will. The sacrifices made by Elinor and Will were heartbreaking but still you knew that they had to to it to come back to each other in the end. Loved it!
November 7, 2020
A night of intentional indiscretion leads to complications in the relationship. Now, they've run into each other years later and the assumptions that they made about each other at the time come back to haunt them.
Lots of overlap in characters with book #1 in the series. I think this is better if you've read book #1, but it's probably not strictly necessary.
Lots of overlap in characters with book #1 in the series. I think this is better if you've read book #1, but it's probably not strictly necessary.
January 17, 2018
So much fun! I found the hero particularly sexy and I learned a ton about the time period, which is always refreshing and inspiring. Onto the next in the series!
June 19, 2020
It is a super nice book!
July 7, 2020
I liked their story more than Cosmo and Mari's (I particularly liked Will better than Cosmo who is a totally boring Fabio type).
January 17, 2023
One of her best. It has adventure and mystery, as well as all the usual Quincy storyline. Excellent dialogue as usual, also.
February 5, 2024
⛔️ (in notes)
February 17, 2024
3.5 stars
July 8, 2024
Predictable but heartwarming. Just enough action to keep the plot moving and enough miscommunication trope to make me peeved.
November 4, 2016
A License to Wed
Diana Quincy
Rebellious Brides
Historical Romance
Adult
Review: Lady Elinor Dunsmore has been in love with her brothers best friend, Will Naismith for years and on her eighteenth birthday she is going to prove just how much she loves him. Will is a bastard son and as much as he loves Elinor he knows she is meant for someone better than him. Even so he cannot resist her. Unfortunately after their one night together Elinor marries a Frenchman and then is said to have died while in France. That does not explain how it is that six years later Will sees Elinor at a benefit he is attending in France. The couple is brought together again through espionage and secrets on both sides. Now they just have to figure out if their love is strong enough to overcome six years worth of lies and misunderstandings, as well as a madman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
I have mixed feeling on this book. First I will share with you the parts I liked about this story. I loved the relationship between Elinor and Will. They have been in love with each other forever, but one mistake and many miscommunications have made their relationship seem impossible. I love how things between them were not perfect right from the beginning. It seems more real that misunderstandings have made these two believe the worst of each other. How often in real life do we believe an untruth because we have never directly talked to the other person? Because of this I felt the story was more believable.
I also enjoyed some of the secondary characters. My favorite was probably Elinor’s lady's maid, Sophie. Sophie is not your typical demure lady’s maid who only speaks when spoken to and does what she is told. No, instead Sophie speaks her mind even if it means not always being nice to Elinor. She also has no problem facing danger and spying if the case calls for it. I just thought she had a lot of spunk and it made me like her even though we do not get a lot of background information on her. I also enjoyed Will’s friend Henri D’Aubigne. He is an amusing character to say the least. He is a french writer who is very uppity in his way of thinking. I enjoyed his character because I felt he added balance to Will’s steady, often bland personality.
Now for what I did not enjoy about this story. I felt that the threat to Elinor and Will was not very well done. One of Napoleon's men wants to use Elinor to get to Will and will do anything to catch him. I felt that the threat was just thrown in there. I didn’t really feel the danger. Even when it catches up to them everything happens so fast that it seemed like the author just added it in to give her novel a little extra something.
That being said I still recommend this to romance fans who like a couple who feel real. There is no instant love or even a quick make up. If you enjoy a story with spies and intrigue then maybe you should give this story a try.
I received a free ecopy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
Diana Quincy
Rebellious Brides
Historical Romance
Adult
Review: Lady Elinor Dunsmore has been in love with her brothers best friend, Will Naismith for years and on her eighteenth birthday she is going to prove just how much she loves him. Will is a bastard son and as much as he loves Elinor he knows she is meant for someone better than him. Even so he cannot resist her. Unfortunately after their one night together Elinor marries a Frenchman and then is said to have died while in France. That does not explain how it is that six years later Will sees Elinor at a benefit he is attending in France. The couple is brought together again through espionage and secrets on both sides. Now they just have to figure out if their love is strong enough to overcome six years worth of lies and misunderstandings, as well as a madman who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
I have mixed feeling on this book. First I will share with you the parts I liked about this story. I loved the relationship between Elinor and Will. They have been in love with each other forever, but one mistake and many miscommunications have made their relationship seem impossible. I love how things between them were not perfect right from the beginning. It seems more real that misunderstandings have made these two believe the worst of each other. How often in real life do we believe an untruth because we have never directly talked to the other person? Because of this I felt the story was more believable.
I also enjoyed some of the secondary characters. My favorite was probably Elinor’s lady's maid, Sophie. Sophie is not your typical demure lady’s maid who only speaks when spoken to and does what she is told. No, instead Sophie speaks her mind even if it means not always being nice to Elinor. She also has no problem facing danger and spying if the case calls for it. I just thought she had a lot of spunk and it made me like her even though we do not get a lot of background information on her. I also enjoyed Will’s friend Henri D’Aubigne. He is an amusing character to say the least. He is a french writer who is very uppity in his way of thinking. I enjoyed his character because I felt he added balance to Will’s steady, often bland personality.
Now for what I did not enjoy about this story. I felt that the threat to Elinor and Will was not very well done. One of Napoleon's men wants to use Elinor to get to Will and will do anything to catch him. I felt that the threat was just thrown in there. I didn’t really feel the danger. Even when it catches up to them everything happens so fast that it seemed like the author just added it in to give her novel a little extra something.
That being said I still recommend this to romance fans who like a couple who feel real. There is no instant love or even a quick make up. If you enjoy a story with spies and intrigue then maybe you should give this story a try.
I received a free ecopy of this book from Netgalley for my honest opinion.
July 7, 2016
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
A License To Wed has so many layers to it. I found myself on quite an emotional roller coaster ride – and isn’t that exactly what a good book should do to us?
Elle had loved Will as teen, it seemed like there was never a time when she hadn’t loved her brother’s best friend. And it seemed he returned that affection. On the night of her birthday celebration, with perhaps a bit too much champagne to be thinking logically, they had one magical, passionate night together. When Will seemed to vanish and Elle was left with consequences, she married a comfortable man and had a child who died in childbirth.
Yet, all is not as it seems on the surface. While Will and Elle’s family believes she and the babe died… nothing was further from the truth. And the truth is strange indeed.
Will knew that he was an unsuitable match for Elle, no matter how much love there was between them. He stepped away and began doing missions for the Crown. He never, ever would have believed that Elle was still alive and in the company of one of the nastiest enemies of her home country. Yet, there she was across the room – perhaps just as surprised to see him. The last thing Elle wants to do is follow through on the plan that has been forced upon her. She can forfeit the man she loves and loyalty to her country, or forfeit her daughter who is very much alive and being held hostage. There is really very little choice.
With well defined characters, mystery and a love that will not be shaken, A License To Wed takes us on a journey filled with misunderstandings, lies and hope. It’s an entertaining and intriguing reunion, second chance romance full of tensions, anger, sadness, desperation and redemption. There were a few times when I had to remind myself that given the time period, yes some of these things could have been arranged, as evil and unfair as that was.
I would recommend A License To Wed to any Romance reader, no matter the genre. It’s a solid, relatable story that will get you caught up in young love, intrigue and second chances.
*I received an e-ARC of A License To Wed from the publisher, Random House – Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
A License To Wed has so many layers to it. I found myself on quite an emotional roller coaster ride – and isn’t that exactly what a good book should do to us?
Elle had loved Will as teen, it seemed like there was never a time when she hadn’t loved her brother’s best friend. And it seemed he returned that affection. On the night of her birthday celebration, with perhaps a bit too much champagne to be thinking logically, they had one magical, passionate night together. When Will seemed to vanish and Elle was left with consequences, she married a comfortable man and had a child who died in childbirth.
Yet, all is not as it seems on the surface. While Will and Elle’s family believes she and the babe died… nothing was further from the truth. And the truth is strange indeed.
Will knew that he was an unsuitable match for Elle, no matter how much love there was between them. He stepped away and began doing missions for the Crown. He never, ever would have believed that Elle was still alive and in the company of one of the nastiest enemies of her home country. Yet, there she was across the room – perhaps just as surprised to see him. The last thing Elle wants to do is follow through on the plan that has been forced upon her. She can forfeit the man she loves and loyalty to her country, or forfeit her daughter who is very much alive and being held hostage. There is really very little choice.
With well defined characters, mystery and a love that will not be shaken, A License To Wed takes us on a journey filled with misunderstandings, lies and hope. It’s an entertaining and intriguing reunion, second chance romance full of tensions, anger, sadness, desperation and redemption. There were a few times when I had to remind myself that given the time period, yes some of these things could have been arranged, as evil and unfair as that was.
I would recommend A License To Wed to any Romance reader, no matter the genre. It’s a solid, relatable story that will get you caught up in young love, intrigue and second chances.
*I received an e-ARC of A License To Wed from the publisher, Random House – Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*
July 27, 2016
On her 18th birthday, Lady Elinore Dunsmore (Elle), spent a night of passion with the man she had loved since she was 12 years old, when she had declared she wanted to marry him. Will Naismith, the illegitimate son of an earl and an actress, had always been reminded by his father of his low station in life. He knows he is unworthy of Elle. He would never be good enough for her. And so he disappears after their glorious night, unknowingly leaving Elle pregnant and desperate to save her family name. Within a year of that night, he learns of Elle’s death.
Six years later, Will is working for the Crown and is on a mission in Paris when he spies Elle across the room associating with members of Napoleon’s inner circle. Despite the desire he feels for her, Will knows he would be a fool to fall for her charms again. Elle would be a danger to his mission and to his heart.
A beautifully crafted story by new-to-me author Diana Quincy. Filled with espionage, secrets, intrigue, and romance, this kept me turning pages well past my bedtime.
After the death of her husband and child, Elle spent years in a detention center for Britons. Later, she learned that the daughter she’d thought dead was still alive and, according to a ruthless French general, would be returned to her if she secured information needed about an English spy. A spy he believed could be Will Naismith. The idea of spying against her homeland was unimaginable and she couldn’t believe the bookish Will she fell in love with was a spymaster. But she was a mother above all else and so she agreed. Will is suspicious of Elle from the start. Yet he still feels the fiery pull between them despite her betrayal and their years apart. In spite of the fact she may be toying with him, he wants her in the fiercest way. For her part, Elle has never stopped loving Will. But her daughter comes first and if Will cannot love her and their child, she will find her on her own.
What follows is an emotionally rich romance about conflict, forgiveness, and lost love. The chemistry between Elle and Will is explosive. The espionage element keeps you breathless as you race along with the two trying to evade their enemies and get back to England. If you like historical romance and espionage, you’ll be thrilled with A License To Wed.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Six years later, Will is working for the Crown and is on a mission in Paris when he spies Elle across the room associating with members of Napoleon’s inner circle. Despite the desire he feels for her, Will knows he would be a fool to fall for her charms again. Elle would be a danger to his mission and to his heart.
A beautifully crafted story by new-to-me author Diana Quincy. Filled with espionage, secrets, intrigue, and romance, this kept me turning pages well past my bedtime.
After the death of her husband and child, Elle spent years in a detention center for Britons. Later, she learned that the daughter she’d thought dead was still alive and, according to a ruthless French general, would be returned to her if she secured information needed about an English spy. A spy he believed could be Will Naismith. The idea of spying against her homeland was unimaginable and she couldn’t believe the bookish Will she fell in love with was a spymaster. But she was a mother above all else and so she agreed. Will is suspicious of Elle from the start. Yet he still feels the fiery pull between them despite her betrayal and their years apart. In spite of the fact she may be toying with him, he wants her in the fiercest way. For her part, Elle has never stopped loving Will. But her daughter comes first and if Will cannot love her and their child, she will find her on her own.
What follows is an emotionally rich romance about conflict, forgiveness, and lost love. The chemistry between Elle and Will is explosive. The espionage element keeps you breathless as you race along with the two trying to evade their enemies and get back to England. If you like historical romance and espionage, you’ll be thrilled with A License To Wed.
I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2016
This is an enjoyable, character driven, sexy, second chance historical romance. My rating 4.25.
Lady Elinor was only a young girl when she determined that she would marry her older brother’s best friend, Will. During the celebration of her eighteenth birthday, Elle manages to break Will’s defenses down. After their joint passion he offers to marry her but she refuses as it sounds like he is offering out of duty.
Will is enthralled with Elle but he has stayed away from her as he knows she is a lady of station who deserves better than a nobelman’s bastard son. When Elle refuses his offer, he takes off to town and then gets called away for a work related task. When he returns a few months later, Elle has married a wealthy French aristocrat.
Six years later they meet unexpectedly in Paris. Will thought Elle was dead and she is shocked to see him in Paris. They each felt abandoned or rejected from their earlier encounter. They are both hiding secrets and begin a reluctant relationship filled with distrust and misunderstandings. They actually work at cross-purposes because they don’t confide in each other although there are glimpses of hope from each that keeps the relationship moving forward.
I do not know enough to know if the description of Parisian fashions in the time period are accurate but they are described as quite risqué. These details are part of the sensual leaning that runs through the book. This is a character driven story and I enjoyed the secrets, tension and danger in the storyline. There is a strong emphasis on the attraction between the main characters and there are several sexual encounters. The later scenes are fairly explicit but not in an unpleasant way. At least the reader knows they really care for each other even if the characters haven’t discovered that yet.
This is a new author for me. The writing flows well and this is easily read as a standalone. I enjoy historical romances and liked the second chance theme of this tale. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sexy romance.
I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review.
Lady Elinor was only a young girl when she determined that she would marry her older brother’s best friend, Will. During the celebration of her eighteenth birthday, Elle manages to break Will’s defenses down. After their joint passion he offers to marry her but she refuses as it sounds like he is offering out of duty.
Will is enthralled with Elle but he has stayed away from her as he knows she is a lady of station who deserves better than a nobelman’s bastard son. When Elle refuses his offer, he takes off to town and then gets called away for a work related task. When he returns a few months later, Elle has married a wealthy French aristocrat.
Six years later they meet unexpectedly in Paris. Will thought Elle was dead and she is shocked to see him in Paris. They each felt abandoned or rejected from their earlier encounter. They are both hiding secrets and begin a reluctant relationship filled with distrust and misunderstandings. They actually work at cross-purposes because they don’t confide in each other although there are glimpses of hope from each that keeps the relationship moving forward.
I do not know enough to know if the description of Parisian fashions in the time period are accurate but they are described as quite risqué. These details are part of the sensual leaning that runs through the book. This is a character driven story and I enjoyed the secrets, tension and danger in the storyline. There is a strong emphasis on the attraction between the main characters and there are several sexual encounters. The later scenes are fairly explicit but not in an unpleasant way. At least the reader knows they really care for each other even if the characters haven’t discovered that yet.
This is a new author for me. The writing flows well and this is easily read as a standalone. I enjoy historical romances and liked the second chance theme of this tale. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy sexy romance.
I received this title through NetGalley for an honest review.
May 23, 2016
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I am not a regency fan normally but something about this book caught me from the blurb. I was enthralled by the book. It didn’t confuse me with time period or the traditions of the period. It only enhanced the storyline of friends to lovers to nothing to second chance. A License to Wed had everything that I could have wanted in a book, there was passion, angst, drama, mystery, suspense, and a well-developed story with characters that I became emotionally attached to. I couldn’t put the book down, I wanted to know what was going on, what had happened to them, would they be able to overcome or would someone else keep them apart.
Elle was a breath of fresh air to a wealthy family in England. She loved with her whole heart and was passionate about life and put others before herself. But she knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it, whole heartedly. Finally she got who she wanted, Will, on the night of her eighteen birthday. The passion ignited with burst of blue flame only to be doused when she misinterpreted his words. But his actions spoke louder than the words or so she thought.
Will, knew he was in love will Elle for years but never acted on it because she was his friends little sister. He was also not worthy of her because he was “a bastard’s son” with no title and Elle deserved more than he could offer. One night of passion changed everything. Insisting on marrying her but his words came out all wrong. Then he was called away on business and time passed. He thought she died during childbirth and he grieved for her for years.
One day across the room he laid eyes upon the only woman he ever loved. What was she hiding from and what had she done? Who had she become? When he discovers her secrets will they bring them together or tear them apart? Will she be able to trust him again? Will they be able to love each other again.
I loved Will and Elle’s story. Thank you for sharing with me.
I am not a regency fan normally but something about this book caught me from the blurb. I was enthralled by the book. It didn’t confuse me with time period or the traditions of the period. It only enhanced the storyline of friends to lovers to nothing to second chance. A License to Wed had everything that I could have wanted in a book, there was passion, angst, drama, mystery, suspense, and a well-developed story with characters that I became emotionally attached to. I couldn’t put the book down, I wanted to know what was going on, what had happened to them, would they be able to overcome or would someone else keep them apart.
Elle was a breath of fresh air to a wealthy family in England. She loved with her whole heart and was passionate about life and put others before herself. But she knew what she wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it, whole heartedly. Finally she got who she wanted, Will, on the night of her eighteen birthday. The passion ignited with burst of blue flame only to be doused when she misinterpreted his words. But his actions spoke louder than the words or so she thought.
Will, knew he was in love will Elle for years but never acted on it because she was his friends little sister. He was also not worthy of her because he was “a bastard’s son” with no title and Elle deserved more than he could offer. One night of passion changed everything. Insisting on marrying her but his words came out all wrong. Then he was called away on business and time passed. He thought she died during childbirth and he grieved for her for years.
One day across the room he laid eyes upon the only woman he ever loved. What was she hiding from and what had she done? Who had she become? When he discovers her secrets will they bring them together or tear them apart? Will she be able to trust him again? Will they be able to love each other again.
I loved Will and Elle’s story. Thank you for sharing with me.
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