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Liar's Club #4
The Charmer
Who is the charmer?
Collis Tremayne could make any female swoon; yet no one would guess the hidden desperation that drove him to become the most skilled spy in service to the Crown. All that stand in his way is...Rose Lacey, the first female Lair and a confounding chit who manages to outsmart him with cunning and courage. She is the only woman he cannot melt with his smile. With every breath, he wishes he had never laid eyes on her. And with every flash of her green eyes, he craves to possess her...
Rose Lacey fought hard to meet the challenges of becoming a spy for the infamous Liar's Club. And if it weren't for Collis Tremayne, who manages to make her blood boil with his arrogance and leave her breathless with white-hot longing, she'd achieve her dream. Now, they must work together on a secret mission to uncover a dangerous plot--one in which the very safety of England hangs in the balance. Armed with wit and wiles, they must face deadly intrigue, clever enemies, and if they can manage not to murder one another--the intoxicating lure of unbidden passion...
Collis Tremayne could make any female swoon; yet no one would guess the hidden desperation that drove him to become the most skilled spy in service to the Crown. All that stand in his way is...Rose Lacey, the first female Lair and a confounding chit who manages to outsmart him with cunning and courage. She is the only woman he cannot melt with his smile. With every breath, he wishes he had never laid eyes on her. And with every flash of her green eyes, he craves to possess her...
Rose Lacey fought hard to meet the challenges of becoming a spy for the infamous Liar's Club. And if it weren't for Collis Tremayne, who manages to make her blood boil with his arrogance and leave her breathless with white-hot longing, she'd achieve her dream. Now, they must work together on a secret mission to uncover a dangerous plot--one in which the very safety of England hangs in the balance. Armed with wit and wiles, they must face deadly intrigue, clever enemies, and if they can manage not to murder one another--the intoxicating lure of unbidden passion...
374 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 5, 2004
34 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
About the author
Celeste Bradley
42 books1,813 followersVisit me at www.CelesteBradley.com or facebook.com/CelesteBradleyAuthor :)
Go to CelesteBradley.com/newsletter for my Voice of Society newsletter.
Hi, my name is Celeste Bradley and I write "brain chocolate." That is, I write fun and sexy escapism is for hardworking women everywhere. We deserve a little man-candy, too!
Reviewers like to say I write about misfit heroines getting the man of their dreams. Maybe that's true, but don't we all feel like misfits sometimes? Even if the rest of the world thinks we have all our balls in the air, aren't we juggling like mad on the inside, desperately trying not to drop one?
I love this manic, scattered life I lead. I love to write, craft, garden, bake and mother, even if I don't always do it all perfectly. I love living in the Southwest, with its big sky and vast desert views. I love venturing out of my quiet life to meet readers and other writers, and then I love to come back to my haven, full of ideas and renewed passion and creativity.
Maybe one of those times I'll meet you!
Hugs,
and thanks for reading!
Go to CelesteBradley.com/newsletter for my Voice of Society newsletter.
Hi, my name is Celeste Bradley and I write "brain chocolate." That is, I write fun and sexy escapism is for hardworking women everywhere. We deserve a little man-candy, too!
Reviewers like to say I write about misfit heroines getting the man of their dreams. Maybe that's true, but don't we all feel like misfits sometimes? Even if the rest of the world thinks we have all our balls in the air, aren't we juggling like mad on the inside, desperately trying not to drop one?
I love this manic, scattered life I lead. I love to write, craft, garden, bake and mother, even if I don't always do it all perfectly. I love living in the Southwest, with its big sky and vast desert views. I love venturing out of my quiet life to meet readers and other writers, and then I love to come back to my haven, full of ideas and renewed passion and creativity.
Maybe one of those times I'll meet you!
Hugs,
and thanks for reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 25, 2018
Collis Tremayne, wounded veteran, and Rose Lacey, former housemaid, are training to become spies! They have ~~Tension-filled Boners for one another that results in a Battle Royale that sets a room on fire, not sexually. So they get sent on a "Test Mission" that they ALSO bungle up by breaking into the wrong house with THE PRINCE REGENT IN TOW. Great job, everybody: really good job.
Eventually, they PROVE TREASON, return the Prince to his palace, Rose discovers that Collis's dad is probably the aforementioned prince, and there's a confrontation at a dinner party that Rose breaks into melodramatically because Reasons. This ending is absolute nonsense.
1. Bradley does decent characters. Sometimes the plotting is ABSOLUTE BONKERS, but at the end of this, I still liked Rose and I still liked Collis and that's something.
2. THE ENDING IS BAD: Not only does Rose find out that Collis is (probably) the bastard of the Prince of England, but then there's some ridiculous manufactured angst about her being a ~gold-digger. WHICH IS SUCH. OK so at one point, Collis has resmashed his already badly healed left arm and is in the midst of passing out when he hears that Rose was once the ""lover"" of the jackhole suspected of treason. He says, and I quote, "Disgusting. That's disgusting." Rose is BETRAYED and HURT and ends up quitting the Liars because they're being mega douches.
Later, Collis reveals to his Aunt-in-law that, really, what he meant was that the fact that Rose had been abused by her employer's son is disgusting. Which...sure, ok. EXCEPT LATER Dalton, who has been a WHATEVER HUMAN BEING is suddenly like "This woman who I trusted to know about my secret spy organization is clearly nothing better than a sexually promiscuous gold-digging monster!!!" and it's BOGUS. RUINED. DUNZO.
3. Going to read book 5 because it's the last one in this series! I do plan on revisiting Bradley's newer series because as mentioned there are things about her tone / characters that appeals to me. It just so happens that this particular run has clearly lost its own thread in many ways. :(
4. ALSO ANNOYED BY ROSE'S GLASSES. Either she needs them or she doesn't: you can't just mention it willy-nilly likE THE FACT SHE ALLEGEDLY LOST THEM MIDWAY THROUGH THE BOOK AND HAS HAPPILY GONE ON WITHOUT THEM AND HAM-FISTING THIS LITTLE FACTOID INTO THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS IS JUST. RIDICULOUS.
Eventually, they PROVE TREASON, return the Prince to his palace, Rose discovers that Collis's dad is probably the aforementioned prince, and there's a confrontation at a dinner party that Rose breaks into melodramatically because Reasons. This ending is absolute nonsense.
1. Bradley does decent characters. Sometimes the plotting is ABSOLUTE BONKERS, but at the end of this, I still liked Rose and I still liked Collis and that's something.
2. THE ENDING IS BAD: Not only does Rose find out that Collis is (probably) the bastard of the Prince of England, but then there's some ridiculous manufactured angst about her being a ~gold-digger. WHICH IS SUCH. OK so at one point, Collis has resmashed his already badly healed left arm and is in the midst of passing out when he hears that Rose was once the ""lover"" of the jackhole suspected of treason. He says, and I quote, "Disgusting. That's disgusting." Rose is BETRAYED and HURT and ends up quitting the Liars because they're being mega douches.
Later, Collis reveals to his Aunt-in-law that, really, what he meant was that the fact that Rose had been abused by her employer's son is disgusting. Which...sure, ok. EXCEPT LATER Dalton, who has been a WHATEVER HUMAN BEING is suddenly like "This woman who I trusted to know about my secret spy organization is clearly nothing better than a sexually promiscuous gold-digging monster!!!" and it's BOGUS. RUINED. DUNZO.
3. Going to read book 5 because it's the last one in this series! I do plan on revisiting Bradley's newer series because as mentioned there are things about her tone / characters that appeals to me. It just so happens that this particular run has clearly lost its own thread in many ways. :(
4. ALSO ANNOYED BY ROSE'S GLASSES. Either she needs them or she doesn't: you can't just mention it willy-nilly likE THE FACT SHE ALLEGEDLY LOST THEM MIDWAY THROUGH THE BOOK AND HAS HAPPILY GONE ON WITHOUT THEM AND HAM-FISTING THIS LITTLE FACTOID INTO THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS IS JUST. RIDICULOUS.
April 23, 2022
3.5 stars. I liked this one more than I thought I would. It was a fun book. Liked Rose’ character a lot she was smart and quite capable. Collis (so far he was seeming to be my least favorite of the Hero’s in the series) so I was glad I ended up liking him. There’s plenty of action and a good plot in this installment and the Prince Regent only added to the fun. Many of the Liars from the previous books feature as well. Now on to book 5 to end the series.
May 25, 2016
Mi preferido de la saga de los Mentirosos. Una pena que no llegase a España. Collis es...asdfghjklñ un autentico amor y Rose es fuerte y decidida, juntos tienen unos tiras y afloja la mar de divertidos que hacen que pases capitulo a capitulo sin parar.
October 30, 2015
Comment dire... ce livre part des fois dans des situations peut-être exagérée.... on voit venir certaines péripéties à 3 kilomètres (mêem par temps de brouillard....) mais... Collis ♥ et Rose ♥ ils sont choupis ♥
D'un côté Rose Lacey, que nous croisons dans le tome 2 (c'est la servante maltraité qui prete sa place à Clara). Rose qui de petite chose terrifiée (et sous-nourrie et épuisée et maltraitée) du tome 2 est devenue ici une jeune femme qui a décidé de prendre son destin en main, et de tout aire pour devenir la première femme "Menteur" (aka espion) à part entière. C'est donc une Rose combative et volontaire que nous retrouvons. Et douée. Très douée. Et en compétition avec l'autre "doyen" des élèves du centre de formation des espions....
Collis Tremayne. Collis que nous connaissons depuis le tome 1, qui est le neveu et actuel héritier de Lord Etheridge (le héros du tome 2 et actuel patron des Menteurs). Collis, un jeune homme enjoué, apprécié de tous, charmeur.... si ce n'est que cela sert désormais de façade, suite à sa blmessure à la guerre et son insensibilité du bras gauche. Collis se sent quelque peu inutile, et veut devenir un Menteur pour se prouver à lui mêem qu'il vaut quelque chose. Alors c'est sûr, quand en face de lui, l'autre meilleur élève vient est une fille. Du peuple en plus....
Ben ça pique son orgueil, ça le pousse à se dépasser. De même que pour Rose, prouver à ce fils à tonton né avec sa cuillère en argent dans la bouche ça aide à maintenir le cap. Mais pas que .... ben voui, on est dans une romance .... et comme dans tout bon manga ado... euh pardon romance, derrière la compétitivité, il y a.... la passion... (chabadabada, chabadabada) (pardon je m'égare)
Bref, la compétition ça fait faire des bêtises, il faut réparer, on file une mission de test, quiproquo, erreur de dossier, et la mission se révèle plus dangereuse que prévue.... que du basique. (ah je vous avais prévenu, niveau péripéties, c'est la base de la base.... XD)
Et pourtant, j'ai aimé, parce que les héros sont sympathique, mignons, parce qu'ils cachent des blessures (celles de Rose étant un poil ravivé par la mission-erreur, vu que c'est chez son ancien patron) sans qu'elles ne plombent l'action. Au contraire elles leur servent à avancer. Parce que Collis est charmant et adorable, parce que Rose est une badass qui sait se défendre et compte bien montrer aux hommes qu'une fille ça vaut aussi bien qu'eux. Parce que Collis est d'accord (bon ceci dit, au bout du 4ème vol plané, on se doute qu'il a compris... XD)
Parce qu'on croise Georges, le Régent et futur Georges IV, et qu'il est fun...
parce qu'on explore les souterrains secrets de Londres....
Parce qu'on croise le héros du tome 5.... Ethan Damont, et qu'il veut absolument appelré son majordome Jeeves.... XD
Bref, j'ai aimé ^^
D'un côté Rose Lacey, que nous croisons dans le tome 2 (c'est la servante maltraité qui prete sa place à Clara). Rose qui de petite chose terrifiée (et sous-nourrie et épuisée et maltraitée) du tome 2 est devenue ici une jeune femme qui a décidé de prendre son destin en main, et de tout aire pour devenir la première femme "Menteur" (aka espion) à part entière. C'est donc une Rose combative et volontaire que nous retrouvons. Et douée. Très douée. Et en compétition avec l'autre "doyen" des élèves du centre de formation des espions....
Collis Tremayne. Collis que nous connaissons depuis le tome 1, qui est le neveu et actuel héritier de Lord Etheridge (le héros du tome 2 et actuel patron des Menteurs). Collis, un jeune homme enjoué, apprécié de tous, charmeur.... si ce n'est que cela sert désormais de façade, suite à sa blmessure à la guerre et son insensibilité du bras gauche. Collis se sent quelque peu inutile, et veut devenir un Menteur pour se prouver à lui mêem qu'il vaut quelque chose. Alors c'est sûr, quand en face de lui, l'autre meilleur élève vient est une fille. Du peuple en plus....
Ben ça pique son orgueil, ça le pousse à se dépasser. De même que pour Rose, prouver à ce fils à tonton né avec sa cuillère en argent dans la bouche ça aide à maintenir le cap. Mais pas que .... ben voui, on est dans une romance .... et comme dans tout bon manga ado... euh pardon romance, derrière la compétitivité, il y a.... la passion... (chabadabada, chabadabada) (pardon je m'égare)
Bref, la compétition ça fait faire des bêtises, il faut réparer, on file une mission de test, quiproquo, erreur de dossier, et la mission se révèle plus dangereuse que prévue.... que du basique. (ah je vous avais prévenu, niveau péripéties, c'est la base de la base.... XD)
Et pourtant, j'ai aimé, parce que les héros sont sympathique, mignons, parce qu'ils cachent des blessures (celles de Rose étant un poil ravivé par la mission-erreur, vu que c'est chez son ancien patron) sans qu'elles ne plombent l'action. Au contraire elles leur servent à avancer. Parce que Collis est charmant et adorable, parce que Rose est une badass qui sait se défendre et compte bien montrer aux hommes qu'une fille ça vaut aussi bien qu'eux. Parce que Collis est d'accord (bon ceci dit, au bout du 4ème vol plané, on se doute qu'il a compris... XD)
Parce qu'on croise Georges, le Régent et futur Georges IV, et qu'il est fun...
parce qu'on explore les souterrains secrets de Londres....
Parce qu'on croise le héros du tome 5.... Ethan Damont, et qu'il veut absolument appelré son majordome Jeeves.... XD
Bref, j'ai aimé ^^
October 8, 2013
Collis Tremayne is the de-facto heir to Lord Etheridge (Dalton Montmorency in The Impostor). His nemesis is Rose Lacey, who used to be a servant in a traitor's house, and is the first woman to be accepted for training to become a Liar. And the problem is, she's kicking his butt. Anything he can do, she can do better. He has an excuse for some of it—he was injured in the war and one of arms is just dead weight—but what man wants to make excuses for getting his arse kicked by a girl?
After their rivalry gets out of hand and almost burns the school down, the two of them are sent—together—on a trial mission, to infiltrate a "Liar-friendly" family. Unfortunately, Rose grabs the wrong file, only to discover, after getting into the home (ahead of Collis, thank you very much) that she's infiltrated the home of the new Lord Wadsworth. She used to work for the old Lord Wadsworth, and the guy was a traitor. And so was his son.
Later that evening, Collis is drowning his sorrows (Rose beat him again!) with his buddy George IV. Yeah, that George IV.
The two of them are pretty well tap-hackled, and Prinny says he thinks Collis took his loss lying down. Why don't the two of them go break into that house now—in the middle of the night—and steal a march on Rose by getting the incriminating evidence first. Sounds like a jolly good idea, so the two of them sneak away from Prinny's keepers and break into the Wadsworth place.
Rose is already conducting her own, very silent, very capable search when not one but two drunken buffoons, one of whom—OMG—is the bloody Prince Regent, burst in and make way too much noise. Next thing they know a troop of big, weapon-wielding ruffians are after them….
Now Rose and Collis have to work together, to get their evidence—and George—to safety.
Some great humor in this one, and the secrets that are revealed towards the end are priceless. Plus Liverpool finally gets hoist by his own petard!
4.5 stars.
After their rivalry gets out of hand and almost burns the school down, the two of them are sent—together—on a trial mission, to infiltrate a "Liar-friendly" family. Unfortunately, Rose grabs the wrong file, only to discover, after getting into the home (ahead of Collis, thank you very much) that she's infiltrated the home of the new Lord Wadsworth. She used to work for the old Lord Wadsworth, and the guy was a traitor. And so was his son.
Later that evening, Collis is drowning his sorrows (Rose beat him again!) with his buddy George IV. Yeah, that George IV.
The two of them are pretty well tap-hackled, and Prinny says he thinks Collis took his loss lying down. Why don't the two of them go break into that house now—in the middle of the night—and steal a march on Rose by getting the incriminating evidence first. Sounds like a jolly good idea, so the two of them sneak away from Prinny's keepers and break into the Wadsworth place.
Rose is already conducting her own, very silent, very capable search when not one but two drunken buffoons, one of whom—OMG—is the bloody Prince Regent, burst in and make way too much noise. Next thing they know a troop of big, weapon-wielding ruffians are after them….
Now Rose and Collis have to work together, to get their evidence—and George—to safety.
Some great humor in this one, and the secrets that are revealed towards the end are priceless. Plus Liverpool finally gets hoist by his own petard!
4.5 stars.
January 3, 2011
Since I have more to say than the Private Notes will allow:
Rivalry seemed a bit childish. Collis, nicely portrayed. I've liked him ever since I met him in Book 1. Rose seems Mary Sue-ish, but I do like the interaction between her and Collis, their banter, and how she frequently manages to flip Collis over her shoulder on to the floor. Collis's heritage was a surprise. I don't like how it does not seem as if he will be told the truth about his heritage. I also didn't like how Rose said she and Louis Wadsworth were lovers, when it wasn't the case. Perhaps it seemed like it to her. She was not a virgin yet there did not seem like another man in her life besides Wadsworth, who apparently could not perform. I didn't like how she revealed the true nature of her relationship with Wadsworth at the dinner at Etheridge's. It seemed like a superfluous act.
The proposal scene was excellent though.
Rivalry seemed a bit childish. Collis, nicely portrayed. I've liked him ever since I met him in Book 1. Rose seems Mary Sue-ish, but I do like the interaction between her and Collis, their banter, and how she frequently manages to flip Collis over her shoulder on to the floor. Collis's heritage was a surprise. I don't like how it does not seem as if he will be told the truth about his heritage. I also didn't like how Rose said she and Louis Wadsworth were lovers, when it wasn't the case. Perhaps it seemed like it to her. She was not a virgin yet there did not seem like another man in her life besides Wadsworth, who apparently could not perform. I didn't like how she revealed the true nature of her relationship with Wadsworth at the dinner at Etheridge's. It seemed like a superfluous act.
The proposal scene was excellent though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2010
A butt-kickin' ex-housemaid spy heroine and a disfigured, but gorgeous hero suffering from brittle self-confidence all wrapped up in Regency espionage. What is there not to like? The use of the Prince Regent as a character is excellent, and he appears as he should -vain, indulged, overweight, impetuous and intelligent, under-appreciated and infectious fun. The plot is fast from the start and the dialog is witty and quick, although some of the language whilst fruity isn't strictly from the period. But with such a great heroine, who cares?
February 1, 2017
Loved Collis and Rose they had the best "on page" sparkage of any of the main characters thus far in the series so the final installment will have to really keep up the pace story and action wise. The only false note was the villain in the story wasn't really villainous enough but you can't have everything right?
January 21, 2018
These get less and less enjoyable. I liked Collis in the previous books but not in this one, the plot was pretty lackluster, and every time someone called the prince regent "fruity" I got more pissed off.
November 8, 2015
hiiiiiiiiiiii Colliiiiiis ♥♥♥♥♥
September 7, 2020
I'm not into the storylines that pit a male and female character against each other, and then by the end of the novel, they somehow fall in love. I'm not really sure how that works out in reality, and for me, it falls a little flat as a routine romance literary device. However, I've got to say the back and forth of Collis and Rose in The Charmer didn't immediately turn me off. I think it's because I enjoyed the characters on their own - already mentioned in previous books, appreciated their background stories, and could see the truces they set for each other building bridges. I, still, wouldn't call this my favorite plot to read, but I appreciated how Bradley handled it and incorporated humor, conflict, and an amusing tone to get you through. 4/5
Find out more of my thoughts on my thorough blog review of the series: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
Find out more of my thoughts on my thorough blog review of the series: https://rebeccaswriteinspirations.blo...
January 30, 2025
This was ok. I mean it had some nice parts that were kind of heartwarming but the reaction the Liars had towards the heroine in the end was not great. I understand that it's supposed to be a realistic reaction of the time however it makes me not like them. So I will be passing on their books. Luckily I only have Ethan's book in paperback form from this series so I won't be going back to the previous ones.
I did really like the heroine. The Hero I also grew to like so they weren't the issue for me. I just enjoyed this one less.
3 stars
I did really like the heroine. The Hero I also grew to like so they weren't the issue for me. I just enjoyed this one less.
3 stars
May 25, 2020
I've read it just because of Prince-Regent. )) The whole story is so naive, that it would be better for children... if there were not sexual scenes 18+. Two spies are so incompetent, they make the most stupid mistakes and think just about their flirtations. The girl trying not to fall into the water thinks about her partner, if he felt her breast, touching it, or not! ))) Maybe, it was all only for erotica, not for history.
But George is funny enough. One more star for him. ))
But George is funny enough. One more star for him. ))
July 3, 2019
Gros coup de cœur pour ce 4e opus de la saga. Le couple est irrésistible : ils se détestent, sauf qu'en fait ils s'adorent. Alors d'accord, ce n'est peut-être pas très original, mais ici ça fonctionne grâce à l'humour de Celeste Bradley. J'ai bien aimé aussi les péripéties de l'intrigue : espionnage, trahison, courses poursuites… Franchement, on ne s'ennuie pas avec cette lecture.
November 12, 2019
one of the better though more fantastic of the series
imagine Prinny in the underground tunnels, being beaten black and blue and unrecognized, and the hero actually his bastard son?
totally improbable but a tearing read
also excellent background of training practices
recommend
started last evening, finished early morning, was very satisfied
imagine Prinny in the underground tunnels, being beaten black and blue and unrecognized, and the hero actually his bastard son?
totally improbable but a tearing read
also excellent background of training practices
recommend
started last evening, finished early morning, was very satisfied
April 9, 2023
When Rose and Colin's competition comes to a crashing, disastrous climax, the word comes down from the spymaster. If they don't learn to get along, they're both out of the game. I like this brawler heroine and the bit of love hate going on with Colin. Another good Liar's Club fun read!
July 6, 2018
De l'aventure, de la passion. J'ai beaucoup aimé.
January 1, 2020
Phenomenal
Just keeps getting better and better! I love how the characters are so alive and well portrayed. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Just keeps getting better and better! I love how the characters are so alive and well portrayed. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
historical-romance
November 13, 202139
May 31, 2023
Was desperate for books and found this on a shelf at my RV site in Utah.
Read
February 12, 2024an interesting concept of early spy training etc. but not terribly well written. It was a free book so I didn't expect much and only took a day to read.
February 22, 2024
4,5/5
Enquêtes + romance historique ? J'ACHÈTE
Enquêtes + romance historique ? J'ACHÈTE
January 26, 2025
Yeah it was good. Had to suspend disbelief at times and the switch up between the characters was too quick. Felt more like a novella tho so wasn’t too mad
September 6, 2008
Rose Lacey and Collis Tremayne are fellow trainees for the Liar's Club. The two are at the top of their "class" and are expected to "graduate" shortly.
The rivalry that's brought them so far, is now the only thing keeping them from achieving the goal. The two just can't seem to be able to work together. And they profoundly dislike each other to boot.
To smooth things over, and as punishment for their latest mess, the pair is sent on a test mission. They have to infiltrate a house, find the proof against the owner, and get out... Together.
Thanks to a clumsy case of fallen case files, Rose and Collis end up staking out the wrong house. As they uncover the true, nefarious plot against the English soldiers, the Prime Minister, and the Prince Regent himself, can they manage to work together without going for each other's throats? And is their animosity toward one another real, or just a cover for something much more powerful?
The Charmer is the first book in the LC series I truly enjoyed from cover to cover.
The interaction between the two leads was so real, the book could easily pass as "UST for Dummies". The tension was palpable and at times so thick you could hack it with a chainsaw.
But what truly drives the story in the middle and keeps the plot from slowing (yet again!) is the funny, yet bitter-sweet presence of George IV, the Prince Regent.
He's the comedic character, driving instrument, and sage older adviser combined into one.
Once he enters the scene, you won't be able to put the book down. And lucky, he's in there almost from the beginning. His pudgy self keeps the plot going, when it tethers precariously on the edge of the precipice to pace-Hell.
This is truly a little gem, maybe in need of some soft mop to polish it into shining, but still a highly-recommended read.
The rivalry that's brought them so far, is now the only thing keeping them from achieving the goal. The two just can't seem to be able to work together. And they profoundly dislike each other to boot.
To smooth things over, and as punishment for their latest mess, the pair is sent on a test mission. They have to infiltrate a house, find the proof against the owner, and get out... Together.
Thanks to a clumsy case of fallen case files, Rose and Collis end up staking out the wrong house. As they uncover the true, nefarious plot against the English soldiers, the Prime Minister, and the Prince Regent himself, can they manage to work together without going for each other's throats? And is their animosity toward one another real, or just a cover for something much more powerful?
The Charmer is the first book in the LC series I truly enjoyed from cover to cover.
The interaction between the two leads was so real, the book could easily pass as "UST for Dummies". The tension was palpable and at times so thick you could hack it with a chainsaw.
But what truly drives the story in the middle and keeps the plot from slowing (yet again!) is the funny, yet bitter-sweet presence of George IV, the Prince Regent.
He's the comedic character, driving instrument, and sage older adviser combined into one.
Once he enters the scene, you won't be able to put the book down. And lucky, he's in there almost from the beginning. His pudgy self keeps the plot going, when it tethers precariously on the edge of the precipice to pace-Hell.
This is truly a little gem, maybe in need of some soft mop to polish it into shining, but still a highly-recommended read.
February 15, 2015
The fourth book of the Liar's Club with this time the courageous Rose =)
Spy in the making, Rose is in trouble up to the neck. Due to an unfortunate incident, Rose has been entrusted with a task test to determine whether she can become the first Liar woman. Unfortunately, she has to team up with the handsome but arrogant Collis Tremayne with whom she can't help squabbling. But with one folder exchanged, the discovery of a dangerous secret, the charm of Collis and a getaway with Prince George in the London's undergrounds, Rose's first mission is far from what she imagined.
Okay, I admit at first I was not too excited to read that book.
As much as I was eager to read the adventures of Rose and see how she was doing as a spy, Collis doesn't much appeal to me (too cliché for my taste, rather a pale copy of his uncle ...) . Finally, it was a pleasant surprise =)
The plot is well put together (full of revelations and twists), there has humor, emotion and suspense and characters are revealed more complex than it seems at first. However, like the other books, the first part of the book is still better than once the heroes have become lovers.
To conclude, I will declare my complete love to the Prince George ... I am a huge fan =D
Spy in the making, Rose is in trouble up to the neck. Due to an unfortunate incident, Rose has been entrusted with a task test to determine whether she can become the first Liar woman. Unfortunately, she has to team up with the handsome but arrogant Collis Tremayne with whom she can't help squabbling. But with one folder exchanged, the discovery of a dangerous secret, the charm of Collis and a getaway with Prince George in the London's undergrounds, Rose's first mission is far from what she imagined.
Okay, I admit at first I was not too excited to read that book.
As much as I was eager to read the adventures of Rose and see how she was doing as a spy, Collis doesn't much appeal to me (too cliché for my taste, rather a pale copy of his uncle ...) . Finally, it was a pleasant surprise =)
The plot is well put together (full of revelations and twists), there has humor, emotion and suspense and characters are revealed more complex than it seems at first. However, like the other books, the first part of the book is still better than once the heroes have become lovers.
To conclude, I will declare my complete love to the Prince George ... I am a huge fan =D
September 28, 2012
:thud: Hahahahahah! The h's ability to toss the H over her shoulder and onto the floor was vastly entertaining. Too bad we don't have more heroines trained in this fine art. Might teach some humiliation. I did wince though when she did this after he got his arm broken. True, he did grab her from behind.
:ahem. On to the story. The H/h had a rivalry going on, and after a challenge ended in disaster, got sent on a trial run, only that got botched, which lead to a comedy of errors that nearly got them killed. Other things come out in the open, much gnashing of teeth, and eventually HEA. V. entertaining.
:ahem. On to the story. The H/h had a rivalry going on, and after a challenge ended in disaster, got sent on a trial run, only that got botched, which lead to a comedy of errors that nearly got them killed. Other things come out in the open, much gnashing of teeth, and eventually HEA. V. entertaining.
May 17, 2012
I didn't really want to read this, but I sat down and started and was very surprised because it was very good. I enjoyed the humor, and loved that Rose was so determined to make something of herself. The only thing I didn't like was that I thought Rose would continue to work with the inventor, along with being a spy because she is so smart, and would have enjoyed reading all the books. I thought that was hinted in the book, but since it didn't happen I was kind of disappointed but overall very good.
July 8, 2013
I like Collis and Rose, but the whole Liar's Club thing is actually quite silly. I mean, they have top secret documents and stuff in a night club for one, and then everybody knows they are spies? (Rose telling Denny at one point "I am a Liar"!) Come on!!!
The stories would have been MUCH better if the author didn't underestimate the intelligence of her readers and actually wrote something that made sense.
I still give it a 2 stars I liked the characters
The stories would have been MUCH better if the author didn't underestimate the intelligence of her readers and actually wrote something that made sense.
I still give it a 2 stars I liked the characters
March 17, 2015
For some reason I thought I wasn't going to like this book but I did. It has a completely different feel to it than the others in the series.
I love how the prince is an actual complex character not just a flat character on the side it made really fun to read.
I love how both Collis and Rose made like a ton of mistakes (like the secret Rose is keeping, or what Collis accidentally called her on the ship) it made them more relatable and easier to like.
really enjoyed it alot.
I love how the prince is an actual complex character not just a flat character on the side it made really fun to read.
I love how both Collis and Rose made like a ton of mistakes (like the secret Rose is keeping, or what Collis accidentally called her on the ship) it made them more relatable and easier to like.
really enjoyed it alot.
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